Misty was practically fuming. How could she have run into such a bizarre guy?
"You thief! Today you stole my bike!" she shouted, brimming with righteous indignation.
"You've got the wrong person..."
Red gave her a single glance, brushed her hand off, and continued walking forward on his own.
Another girl looking to cause trouble? He recalled countless trainers who had sent out their Rattata to attack his Charizard—only for their Pokémon to knock themselves out the moment they charged into Charizard's belly. Then they'd demand medical expenses.
Come to think of it, this woman did look a bit like the second Gym Leader from his world—just a few years younger.
But Red was face-blind; if she wasn't wearing a swimsuit, he honestly couldn't recognize her. Besides, he'd forgotten that in his current body—a green rookie trainer—no one would bother trying to scam him.
"You..."
Misty was so shocked by Red's attitude that she was left trembling in place, pointing at his retreating back. Only after he was far ahead did she snap out of it and rush after him.
Call the police! Officer Jenny was just nearby, after all.
It was nighttime, and there weren't many trainers at the Pokémon Center. Red entered the main hall and noticed a charred, burnt-up bicycle lying at the entrance.
"Who left this dried-up fish here?"
Shaking his head, he stepped over it, turning his attention to the nearby PC—that was his real target.
"Please..."
He muttered softly, a calm voice tinged with a trace of pleading.
Sweat beaded on Ash's (Red's) forehead as he nervously opened the PC and selected the Pokémon Storage System.
"Ash's PC""Red's PC"
When his eyes landed on the second name, Red felt a wave of euphoria wash over him. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd felt this excited—perhaps the day at the Indigo Plateau when he taught Green a lesson after the guy had only been Champion for three minutes?
Click.
As soon as he saw his familiar Pokémon neatly arranged inside, Red nearly shouted with joy.
...
But now, being more introverted, he simply stared at the PC screen in silence, eyes misty. Even if he knew he was just a game character, those Pokémon were his most precious companions. His feelings for them were real.
If he could somehow travel to another world but had to lose his Pokémon forever in the process, he'd rather Self-Destruct right there on the spot.
Click!
Without hesitation, he withdrew one Pokémon. Electricity flashed as the transfer device activated, and a Poké Ball materialized in Red's hand.
"Come out..."
A Pikachu almost identical to the one on his shoulder appeared in the Pokémon Center's lobby. But this one had darker fur and a subtle yet overwhelming aura of strength—clearly a seasoned veteran.
A battle-hardened Pikachu.
The larger Pikachu opened its eyes, curiously scanning its surroundings as it adjusted to the new environment.
"Pika?"
Ash's Pikachu hopped down, facing the newcomer, and the two touched tails before turning their backs to each other.
"This is a very strong senior." With just one tail touch, Ash's Pikachu could tell that the one before it was the real deal.
Misty finally caught up—too late. When she saw this scene in the lobby, she rubbed her eyes. Two Pikachu? Or had it learned some advanced skill like Double Team?
Still, that wasn't an excuse for being a bike thief. Thinking that, Misty stomped forward, ready to unleash her righteous three-hit combo—
"Crash!"
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass rang out. Three figures crashed through the Pokémon Center's roof, landing in dramatic poses.
A red-haired woman, a blue-haired man with seaweed-like locks, both wearing uniforms marked with a giant "R"—clearly elite members of some large multinational corporation.
And a strange Meowth… walking on two legs.
"Who's there?!" Misty shouted instinctively.
To her surprise, her words seemed to trigger some mechanical switch in them, instantly starting a barrage of cheesy lines, rapid-fire like bullets.
"If you're intent on knowing—"..."Jessie!""James!""Meowth, that's right!"
In that moment, the entire Pokémon Center seemed frozen by the awkwardness of their performance. Even the air felt thicker.
Red broke the silence with a round of applause—clap, clap, clap, clap.
Was everyone in this world like this? Did they put on a performance every time they met someone? Should he "blend in with the locals" and prepare his own dramatic entrance lines? If not, one day his outsider status might get exposed.
"Kid, you've got an eye for talent!""How about joining Team Rocket?"
Jessie and James's impression of the boy skyrocketed instantly.
Team Rocket?
Hearing that, Red muttered to himself. In his game world, Team Rocket was the evil organization he had crushed with his own hands. Even their boss, Giovanni, was a defeated foe. He hadn't expected Team Rocket to exist in this world too. Had they expanded their franchise across worlds now?
"So it's you! The ones who steal other people's Pokémon." Misty's righteous tone cut in. After all, their wanted posters were plastered right outside the Pokémon Center. Then, with a slight jab of sarcasm, she added:"Even more despicable than a bike thief! Don't you think so, Trainer of Pikachu?"
Red: "???"
Your bike got stolen? Go find Officer Jenny. Why are you still accusing me? Great—now my outsider identity is going to get exposed…
Before Red could speak, Team Rocket jumped back into the conversation.
Jessie lifted her chin proudly: "Don't compare Team Rocket to some petty thief."
James rubbed his well-built chest and teased: "Well, well… a little blonde girl like you, not even fully grown, dares to insult the great Team Rocket?"
Meowth even raised his claws with a fierce look: "Don't underestimate us, Meow!"
"You… you…" Misty's pretty face flushed red with fury, unable to get the words out. She was losing in this war of words. And that James—was he some kind of creep? What was with all that chest rubbing?
"Come on, let's get to work. There's bound to be plenty of Pokémon here. We'll take them all for Team Rocket!"
The trio began scanning the room for stored Poké Balls.
Misty shoved Red forward: "Trainer of Pikachu! Quick, beat them!"
Red: "???"
Honestly, he was just an observer in someone else's body. Staying out of it was the smartest choice.
"Oh? The stylish kid wants to get involved?""We respect you, but if you interfere, we won't hold back.""Just two common Electric Mice, Meow—what can they even do?"
Red had planned to keep watching… but insulting Pikachu? That crossed the line. His brows knitted, and anger rose quietly in his chest.
After all—he was a die-hard Pikachu fan.
Fine then. Let's see what battles in this world are really like.
Just this once.