Cerulean City — he had arrived not more than half an hour ago.
Green wanted to head straight for the Cerulean Gym, but fatigue weighed him down after all the walking. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since morning. He recalled hearing about a few good restaurants near downtown, so he decided to look for one before challenging the gym leader. Thanks to the money he'd earned from defeating Pewter City's Gym Leader, a string of trainers, and the reward from helping stop that Rocket recruitment project, he had more than enough to treat himself to a proper meal. And that was without even considering the golden pebble he still carried.
Walking beside him was Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader himself, who had decided to travel with Green for a while to see how trainers outside of Pewter honed their skills.
"Man, I can't remember the last time I wasn't surrounded by rocks," Brock said with a grin, stretching his arms. "Cerulean sure feels… lighter."
Green smirked. "That's because it's a Water-type city, genius."
Before Brock could reply, a sudden ding came from Green's pocket. He frowned and pulled out his Pokédex.
On the screen, a message blinked:
Attention: Pokédex Holders detected nearby.
Green's eyes widened slightly. He remembered reading about this in the manual Professor Oak had given them — whenever Pokédex Holders came within range of one another, the devices would emit a signal to alert them. He hadn't expected to run into them so soon.
He raised his gaze — and sure enough, the machine was right.
Standing just a few meters ahead were the other two Pokédex Holders.
Blue, dressed in her usual black dress with a white belt and a pouch at her side, carried her backpack slung over one shoulder. Oddly enough, she wasn't alone. Walking beside her was a lanky boy that seemed to be as old as his older sister. Considering how guarded Blue usually was, he must have been someone she trusted deeply.
Both of them seemed to be looking for something — or someone.
If Green turned his gaze a few degrees to the right, he could see his rival, Red. He wore his familiar red jacket and that same cap he'd bought before leaving Pallet Town. Beside him stood a red-haired girl, a bit taller than the two boys.
Almost as if by instinct, all three Pokédex Holders turned toward each other at the same moment.
Blue's face lit up with a wide grin. Red blinked in surprise before breaking into a smile of his own. Green let out a quiet sigh, his expression softening into a faint smirk — though he'd never admit it out loud, he was glad to see them again.
Before anyone could speak, Blue dashed forward, grabbed Red's arm, and practically dragged him toward Green, leaving her companion and Misty behind.
The boy with her, Bill, chuckled softly at the sight. "She talked about them a lot," he said. "Guess she really missed them."
Misty, however, didn't share his amusement. She crossed her arms, her expression tight.
Sure, she was happy Red had reunited with his friends, but something about the brown-haired girl yanking him away rubbed her the wrong way. Misty knew she could be overprotective, but being ignored like that brought up familiar, unpleasant feelings — memories of always being overshadowed by her sisters, getting their hand-me-downs, and being treated as the tagalong little sister.
Bill noticed her sour expression but decided to break the ice. "Well, guess we're the ones left out," he said with a chuckle, extending a hand. "Name's Bill."
"Misty," she replied, shaking it.
"Just a heads-up — Leaf might mess up your name a few times. Don't take it personally."
"Leaf?" Misty tilted her head.
"She does that sometimes," Bill explained. "Has trouble with names. When we met, she called me Ben for three days straight."
Misty sighed. "Good to know."
Meanwhile, the three Pokédex Holders stood together again for the first time in months.
"You want us to do what?" Red and Green said in unison.
"I want you two to call me Leaf for now," Blue said firmly.
Green frowned. "You're still doing that alias thing? Don't you think that's a bit much?"
"She's got trust issues," Red muttered.
Blue shot him a glare. "Because people don't always keep promises, Red. Speaking of which…"
Her eyes narrowed. "You didn't tell anyone about… you know what, right?"
Red froze. "Uh… did you change your hair? It looks nice!"
"Red. What. Did. You. Do?"
He winced. "Okay, I might have mentioned you were going through something, but I didn't say what!"
"Red!"
Before Blue could raise her voice, Green stepped in. "He didn't break the promise. We told you to try opening up more, remember? He just... overdid it."
Red nodded quickly. "Yeah! And Misty's trustworthy — she's a Gym Leader, and stronger than her sisters, too."
Blue crossed her arms, thinking. If both of them were defending Misty, maybe she should let it go. She sighed. "Fine. But you're paying for my food, Red."
"Deal," Red said immediately. "We were just about to get breakfast anyway. Come with us!"
"I was going to find somewhere to eat too," Green said. "Might as well make sure you two don't choke on your food or something."
Brock smirked from behind him. "Count me in. I never say no to free food."
Blue turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "And you are?"
"Brock — Pewter City's Gym Leader," he said, smiling. "Currently traveling with your grumpy friend here."
Green rolled his eyes. "Temporary arrangement."
"Uh-huh," Brock said with a grin. "That's what he said when I joined him two towns ago."
Blue giggled softly. "Nice to meet you, Brock."
"Pleasure's all mine," Brock said, his tone instantly a bit flirtier.
Green groaned. "Don't even start."
Blue turned back to her friends. "Anyway, call me Leaf when we're around others. Please?"
Green sighed. "You're impossible. Fine — but you owe me one, Leaf."
She grinned, pulling both boys into a sudden hug. "You guys are the best!"
"Yeah, yeah," Green muttered, trying to pull away. "Before you crush my ribs."
When the three turned back, Bill and Misty were watching them.
"Sorry," Blue — or rather, Leaf — said sheepishly. "Got caught up in the moment."
"Don't worry, Leaf," Bill said. "We understand."
"Yeah," Misty added. "It's fine."
Leaf smiled and extended a hand. "Red said your name's Misty, right? Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," Misty replied, surprised she'd gotten her name right.
Green spoke up. "So, about that food…?"
"Wigglytuff's Bakery," Misty said. "It's close by. I was taking Red there."
"No way," Bill said. "That's where we were heading too! Leaf's got one of those membership coupons."
Misty's eyes widened. "Seriously? There were only ten of those in all of Kanto!"
Brock let out a whistle. "Guess breakfast is on the fancy side today."
The group started walking together toward the bakery — the three Pokédex Holders, their two companions, and one grinning Gym Leader already thinking about the pastries.
As they made their way down the street, Growlithe trotted beside Green, Jigglypuff bounced happily along next to Leaf, and Pikachu on the shoulders of Red — three Pokémon, three trainers, all on the road again.
It almost felt like old times.
"So, how have you guys been doing lately?" Leaf asked, her tone light and curious.
The Dex Holders and their companions were gathered around a polished oak table inside the famous Wigglytuff's Bakery, a cozy establishment known for its sugary aromas and pastel décor. Warm light filtered through the windows, painting the room in shades of gold and cream. The soft hum of conversation blended with the clinking of cups and the cheerful jingling of a bakery bell each time the door opened.
After redeeming her coupon, Leaf had been rewarded with a membership card that promised her a 50% discount—and a complimentary jelly-filled donut that now sat half-eaten on her plate. Around her, everyone else indulged in their own choices:
Bill enjoyed a plate of freshly glazed cinnamon rolls,
Misty savored a cherry-layered cake,
Green sampled a dish of mochi,
Red had two slices of cheesecake—one of which he'd reluctantly given to Leaf—
and Brock, ever the minimalist, nursed a cup of black coffee beside a plain pastry.
"Well," Red said with an easy grin, tugging open his jacket, "I've already beaten two Gyms. Check it out."Inside, two polished badges gleamed proudly against the fabric lining.
"Neat," Leaf replied through a mouthful of donut. "Af fou Jeen?"
"Don't talk while eating," Green said, wrinkling his nose and turning away. "It's disgusting." He leaned back with a sigh. "Anyway, I was planning to challenge this city's Gym—but if what Misty and Red said is true, I might skip it. Sounds like a waste of time."
Misty's expression faltered at the remark, though she stayed silent. Bill, on the other hand, looked mildly taken aback by Green's bluntness.
"Wait," Bill said. "I thought you needed all eight Gym Badges to qualify for the Pokémon League. Aren't you planning on entering?"
"Of course I am," Green said with his usual confidence. "And I plan on winning it, too—beating Red in the process." He smirked, folding his arms. "But you don't actually need eight badges. That's just a misconception. The badges only let you skip the preliminaries."
"Who told you that?" Misty asked, brow raised.
"My grandpa. Apparently, that's how it worked back in his day."
Leaf chuckled softly. "My, aren't you confident? What if someone knocks you out before you even make it to the finals?"
"Heh. Like that would ever happen," Green said, grinning. "I don't plan on losing until the end."
"Oh really?" Red teased, his grin matching Green's. "And what makes you so sure? Maybe I'll be the one winning the whole thing."
Green ticked off his fingers. "Because: A) I scored higher than you on the Trainer Exam, and B) I'm going to make sure my team is made up of the strongest Pokémon I can find."
Leaf smirked. "If grades really matter, then that means I'm better than both of you."
Both boys turned toward her in unison, glaring. "The only reason you scored higher," Green said flatly, "was because you studied nonstop for three months."
"Oh, please," Leaf said with a laugh. "I could've skipped studying and still outperformed you."
Before the banter could escalate, Bill interjected with a friendly tone. "Speaking of catching Pokémon—have you guys caught anything interesting lately?"
"Well, I started with Pika," Red said, nodding to his Pikachu perched nearby. "And I've got Poli, too. Recently caught a Krabby near Vermilion—named him Claws."
"Of course you did," Leaf and Green said simultaneously.
Red frowned. "Oh yeah? What about you two?"
"I've got Jiggly, my starter," Leaf replied, "and a Ditto I caught near Nara Town—Ditty. Oh, and a Clefairy from Mt. Moon named Cleffy. She came to me on her own. Too cute to resist."
"A Clefable also gave us two fossils while we were there," Bill added with a small smile.
Leaf turned to Green with mock curiosity. "So, how many Pokémon have you caught, oh mighty League Champion?"
Green sighed, his expression tightening. "Three so far. Char, my starter; Champ, my Machop; and a Pidgey I caught this morning. But I don't just capture everything I see."
"Suuure," Red and Leaf said in teasing unison.
Ignoring them, Green continued, "I'll name Pidgey once he earns it. I only give names to the ones who prove their worth."
Red frowned. "So you're saying you won't use him?"
"Don't be stupid," Green said sharply. "Of course I'll use him. But I'm not sentimental—I just have standards."
Before the tension could build, he abruptly shifted topics. "Anyway… have any of you run into Team Rocket?"
The table fell silent. Red and Leaf froze; Bill's hand hesitated midair, gripping his fork. Misty's eyes darkened, and Brock's jaw tightened.
"So you have," Green said quietly. "Leaf, you caught Ditto in Nara Town—that was after stopping that daycare cover-up, wasn't it?"
Leaf blinked. "How do you know about that?"
"Before coming here, I was tricked into joining what I thought was a battle tournament. Turned out to be a Rocket recruitment scheme. I played along, stalled the recruiter, and called the police. The officer mentioned that rookies from Pallet had already disrupted several Rocket ops."
Red's brows rose. "Guess we're more famous than we thought."
Green leaned forward. "Then that means you were the one who stopped the attack at the Viridian Pokémon Center?"
"What? No!" Red said quickly. "I stopped them in Viridian Forest."
"What?" Green's eyes widened. "Then who—"
"Didn't you hear me say I caught Pika there?" Red replied.
Leaf frowned. "Wait… none of us have even been to Viridian City yet."
The realization hit Green like a jolt. "Then… it must've been Ketchum."
Leaf's eyes widened. "Ash?"
"Yeah," Green confirmed quietly.
Bill looked confused. "Ash? Who's that?"
"He's the fourth kid from Pallet Town," Red explained. "If Professor Oak gave him a Pokédex, he must be nearby."
"But the Professor never mentioned a fourth Pokédex Holder," Bill said.
The three exchanged uneasy looks. Professor Oak had always treated Ash's mother like family. For him not to choose Ash… it didn't make sense.
"Are you sure?" Leaf asked softly. "We saw four Pokédexes in his lab that day."
"Positive," Bill said. "Last time we talked, he said he hadn't found the fourth bearer yet. As far as I know—it's only you three."
The words sank into the group like a stone into still water.Red looked down, guilt prickling at his chest. He remembered Ash's bright eyes that morning—the excitement, the anticipation—and how easily they'd left him behind without a word.
Leaf's gaze drifted toward the window. Ash had been the first to welcome her to Pallet, the first to talk to her. She'd brushed him off, distant and guarded. Now she wondered if she'd been too cold.
Even Green, who prided himself on detachment, felt a pang of regret. He'd never admit it aloud, but he respected Ash's determination. Hearing that Ash had single-handedly defended a Pokémon Center—it stung.
"So," Misty asked gently, breaking the silence, "is this Ash someone you all knew well?"
"Well," Red said quietly, "he was supposed to start his journey the same day we did."
"Are you… on bad terms?" Bill asked.
"Not really," Leaf said, shaking her head. "He's a good person. As long as you don't provoke him, he's fine. Unless your name's Green Oak."
Green frowned. "...What?"
"I'm guessing you two didn't exactly get along?" Misty ventured.
"…Fine," Green admitted, glancing away. "We argued sometimes. Maybe half the time it was my fault. But he can be really annoying."
Bill and Misty exchanged a glance, silently thinking the same thing: Somehow, I doubt that.
The conversation gradually drifted back to lighter topics, but the mood never fully lifted. None of them—not even Green—could shake the thought of Ash Ketchum.
He'd lost his mother shortly before they all left Pallet. Rumor said she'd died of an illness no one could name. Since then, Ash had changed—quieter, withdrawn, a boy carrying too much weight for someone his age. It wasn't hard to imagine him setting out alone that morning, clutching his first Poké Ball, stepping onto the road without anyone there to see him off.
As they finished their desserts, a heavy stillness lingered. Bill and Misty both felt a pang of quiet sympathy; the unseen boy's story mirrored parts of their own loneliness. Red, Leaf, and Green stared down at their plates, their thoughts far away—wrestling with guilt, regret, and a shared wish that they'd done things differently.
Outside, sunlight streamed through the bakery windows, golden and serene. The chatter of other patrons carried faintly through the air, but to the Dex Holders, it all seemed distant.
And though none of them said it aloud, each of them—even Green—found themselves hoping the same thing:
That wherever Ash Ketchum was, his journey was going well…and that he wasn't alone.
After their meeting at Wigglytuff's Bakery, the Dex Holders went their separate ways across Cerulean City.Red returned to Misty's home, which also doubled as the city's Gym.Green, ever the loner, went in search of an inn.And Leaf—though most knew her as Blue—headed to Bill's lab on the outskirts of town.
To her surprise, the lab was far more advanced than she expected. Rows of humming monitors, neat stacks of notebooks, and the faint scent of solder and coffee filled the air. What surprised her most, however, was learning that Bill himself was the man responsible for managing Kanto's entire Pokémon Storage System.
She hadn't expected that at all.
And true to his word, Bill didn't hold back. He explained everything she'd asked for—his role in Professor Oak's Pokédex Project, and how much of it had actually been his doing.
Turns out, he'd written nearly 58% of the Pokédex's base AI code, as well as several of its auxiliary functions—like the camera, the speaker interface, and even its built-in translation protocols. Leaf listened, genuinely impressed. He had downplayed his contributions before, and she finally understood just how modest he'd been.
When their conversation wound down, they shared dinner—two cups of instant ramen, steaming quietly between them as the night settled in. The talk was light, easy, and full of laughter that echoed faintly through the lab.
When it came time to sleep, Bill offered his couch without hesitation. But Leaf, ever quick on her feet, twisted his offer in her favor.
"Well," she said with mock indignation, "since I'm the guest, it's only proper that I get the bed, right? Offering a couch to a lady isn't very gentlemanly of you, Bill."
He tried to object, but one look at her triumphant grin, and he knew the argument was lost. That night, Bill found himself on the lumpy couch while the Dex Holder claimed his bed, humming happily as she drifted off.
When dawn came, sunlight crept through the curtains and painted the lab in shades of pale gold. Bill groaned as he sat up, rubbing the small of his back.
"Sorry, Grandma," he muttered, glaring at the offending piece of furniture. "But I'm dumping this thing as soon as I can."
Still half-asleep, he wandered into the kitchen—and found Leaf already there, waiting for him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Morning, Bill. Sleep well?" she asked innocently.
He gave her a flat look. "Let's just say it could've been worse. Have you had breakfast yet?"
"Nope," she said brightly. "I was waiting for you to make me some. I've been having omelet cravings, so if you could hurry, that'd be great."
Bill blinked, his expression caught between disbelief and amusement.
"Kidding," she added with a chuckle. "Well, mostly. I do want an omelet, but I'd rather eat it with company."
Bill smiled despite himself. "Really?"
"Of course," she said. "If I didn't want company, I'd have raided your fridge an hour ago."
He laughed and reached for the eggs. "An omelet it is, then."
Leaf rolled up her sleeves to help, and together they worked side by side, chatting idly as the kitchen filled with the warm smell of butter and eggs. By the time they sat down to eat, the morning felt lighter—comfortable, almost domestic.
"So," Bill said after a few bites, "what's next for you, Leaf?"
"You're a curious one, aren't you?" she teased. Then, with exaggerated flair, she lifted her fork and declared, "I'll simply wander the land, guided by the call of adventure—the thrill-seeker that I am!"
Bill chuckled. "Is that so?"
Leaf smirked but then hesitated, her expression softening. Red's words from the day before echoed faintly in her mind—'You don't have to keep everything bottled up.'
Maybe, she thought, he was right. Maybe sharing a little wouldn't hurt.
"Well…" she began, her tone quieter now. "Actually, I might go looking for another Team Rocket base. Or something like that."
Bill laughed, assuming she was joking. "You know, I had a feeling you had a good sense of humor."
"Why thank you," she said with a grin. "If you thought that was funny, just wait until you hear an actual joke."
But when he saw the glint of seriousness in her eyes, his smile faded."Wait," he said slowly, "you're… serious?"
"Yep." She popped another bite of omelet into her mouth.
Bill nearly dropped his fork. "Leaf, are you out of your mind? Team Rocket is dangerous! They operate across two regions! Why would you risk your life like that?"
Her smile faltered. For a long moment, she didn't answer.
"…It's complicated," she finally said, her tone distant. "Let's just leave it at that."
Bill frowned, torn between concern and restraint. "I know I shouldn't pry, but… do you really have to go after them?"
Leaf's gaze drifted to her plate as she thought about it. "Maybe. You said it yourself—Team Rocket's everywhere. And what I'm looking into… it crosses both Kanto and Johto. Unless you have a better lead, they're my best shot."
Bill sighed. "I guess that makes sense… doesn't mean I like it, though."
She smiled faintly. "I appreciate the concern, Bill. But this is something I have to do."
He hesitated, then leaned forward. "Then let me help."
"Seriously, you don't have to—"
"Leaf, please." His tone was firm but kind. "After what happened at Mt. Moon, this is the least I can do. I don't know what you're involved in, and you don't have to tell me if you're not ready—but I want you to know you're not alone in this. I'll do whatever I can to help."
Leaf looked at him, startled by his sincerity. "…What about the storage system?"
Bill waved it off. "I've automated most of it. The network runs smooth on its own now. I've got remote monitors set up—if anything major goes wrong, I'll know right away. Until then, I'm free to help."
She studied him for a moment, then smiled—a real one this time. Maybe she could trust him.Maybe. He was still on probation in her book, but he was getting there.
"Thanks, Bill."
"You're welcome, Leaf," he said warmly. "So, once we finish breakfast, how about we start looking for leads?"
"Sure," she said, taking a sip of juice. "That sounds like a plan."
"Are there any particular cases you want to check out first?"
Leaf's expression turned thoughtful. "…Actually, yeah. There's one kind I've been hearing about."She glanced up, her voice quiet but firm."Have you come across anything that sounds even remotely like trans-regional kidnapping?"
Boring.
That was Green's mood.
Just… boring.
Ever since he left Cerulean City, Green felt nothing but boredom.
Maybe he could have stuck around a little bit more, but doing so meant handing Red the upper hand in their competition. Considering how that idiot had him beaten by one Gym badge, Green had to grow stronger.
So far, though, the Gyms weren't living up to the hype. Pewter was a walk in the park, and Cerulean… well, fashion models didn't make for great Gym Leaders in his opinion.
Beside him, his traveling companion chuckled. "You really can't let anything go, can you?" said Brock, hands behind his head. "You've been complaining since we left Cerulean."
"I have every right to," said Green, crossing his arms. "If the next Gym's as disappointing as the last two, I might as well go back to Pallet Town. If I'm going to waste my time, I'd rather do it from the comfort of my bed."
"Don't forget," Brock said with a grin, "your grandpa's expecting you to catch Pokémon for his research."
Green sighed. "…Right. So maybe not bed, but at least somewhere comfortable."
Just then, he noticed movement on a nearby clearing. There was a boy about their age — green hair, black-and-red shirt — shouting commands to a group of Pokémon: three Rattata, a Beedrill, a Butterfree, and a Sandshrew. All of them wore some kind of harness.
"Alright, Beedrill, Fury Attack! Butterfree, dodge and counter with Razor Wind!" the boy yelled.
The Pokémon obeyed instantly. Beedrill lunged, its twin stingers flashing. Butterfree dodged nimbly at first, but the barrage was relentless. After a few hits, it was overwhelmed and went down hard before catching itself midair.
"Nice job, Beedrill! Butterfree, ya gotta work on ya speed! If we aim to win this year's Indigo Conference, we gotta be in peak condition, got it?" the boy said, and his Pokémon responded with fierce, proud cries.
Green arched an eyebrow. "At least he's serious," he muttered.
Brock hummed. "Those harnesses look heavy… he's using resistance training. Not bad — though it's risky if you don't pace it."
Green was about to move on when one of the boy's Rattata noticed them and squeaked a warning. The boy turned and grinned when he saw the two trainers.
"Hey there! What's up?" he called out, walking over.
Green sighed and turned around reluctantly. "Not much. Just heading to Vermilion City. Saw you training your Pokémon. What's with the harnesses?"
"Oh, these? They help ma Pokémon grow stronger! Best way I can describe it is like having your head and arms pulled toward ya stomach," the boy said proudly.
Brock blinked. "That's… pretty intense. You're careful not to overdo it, right? Too much resistance can cause strain."
"Well, can't reach da top if ya ain't serious," said the boy with a shrug. "No pain, no gain!"
Green scoffed. "A little pain's fine. But if they can't battle afterward, you're doing it wrong."
The boy chuckled. "Guess we'll see. Anyway, name's A.J. What about you two?"
"Green," said the Pallet Town boy.
"Brock," said the Pewter Gym Leader with a friendly nod. "I'm tagging along for a while — making sure this guy doesn't get himself in trouble."
"Ha! Good luck with that," A.J. laughed. "So you're both heading to Vermilion?"
"Yeah," Green said. "Planning to challenge the Gym Leader there. And he or she better not be a disappointment like the last two."
"Really? I heard that guy's tough," A.J. said.
"So did I," said Green. "So far, the rumors have been wrong."
"I take it ya both plannin' on the Indigo Conference?" A.J. asked.
"That's the plan," Green replied.
"I am too," said A.J., "though I ain't taking no Gym badges. I train at ma own pace, at ma own place. The preliminaries be damned — we go all-out or not at all!"
Green smirked. "That's one way to waste potential."
Brock sighed. "Don't mind him — he has a competitive streak the size of Mt. Silver."
A.J. laughed again. "I like ya attitude, Green. Say, how about a match?"
"Why, you feel like losing right now?" Green shot back, smirking.
"Nah, I just wanna see what kind of fire I'll be dealin' with at the League."
Brock crossed his arms. "We've got time. Might as well stretch our legs."
Green shrugged. "Fine. One-on-one sound good?"
"Perfect," said A.J. "Right, gang?" His Pokémon cheered in response.
They moved to opposite ends of the clearing. A.J. whispered something to his team — words of encouragement, probably — before they stepped back, leaving Sandshrew by his side.
Green smiled confidently. "This'll be over fast."
"Cocky already," Brock muttered under his breath. "Classic."
"Pidgey, come on out!" Green shouted.
A small bird Pokémon burst from the Poké Ball, chirping proudly.
"A Pidgey, huh?" said A.J. "Alright, let's see what ya got! Sandshrew, Fury Swipes!"
"Dodge and use Air Cutter!" commanded Green.
Sandshrew lunged, claws flashing, but Pidgey swooped aside and countered with sharp crescents of wind that struck directly.
"Defense Curl!" A.J. called.
Sandshrew rolled into a tight ball, absorbing most of the blow. When the dust cleared, he was barely scratched — and glowing faintly from boosted defense.
"Not bad," Brock commented, rubbing his chin. "That's smart use of type resistance."
Green gritted his teeth. "Alright, not bad, but let's see how long you last. Pidgey, Tackle!"
"Dig!" shouted A.J.
The ground type vanished beneath the battlefield in an instant. Pidgey halted mid-dive, eyes scanning for movement.
"Stay sharp!" Green warned.
Minutes passed. Silence. Then—
CRACK!
The ground split behind Pidgey.
"Behind you!" Green yelled, but it was too late.
"Fury Swipes, go!" A.J. shouted.
Sandshrew burst out and slashed Pidgey five times in quick succession, sending the small bird crashing into the ground.
"Pidgey!" Green ran forward a step, but Brock held him back.
"Easy — let him stand up. He's still got fight left."
Sure enough, Pidgey staggered up, wobbling but determined.
A.J. smiled. "Ya got spirit, I'll give ya that. But he ain't lastin' much longer."
Green's glare hardened. "He'll last as long as he needs to. Pidgey! Wing Attack!"
"Sandshrew, Dig again!"
Sandshrew disappeared underground once more.
Green smirked. "Bad move. Air Cutter — straight down the hole!"
"What?!" A.J. yelped.
Pidgey unleashed the attack with full force, creating a small explosion underground. Sandshrew was blown upward from a new opening nearby, dazed.
"Now! Tackle, then Wing Attack!" Green shouted.
Before A.J. could react, Pidgey slammed into Sandshrew midair, then followed up with a glowing wing strike that sent the ground-type plummeting.
"Finish it with Air Cutter!"
"Overkill," Brock muttered — but he was smiling.
The blast struck true, leaving Sandshrew unconscious on the ground when the dust cleared.
A.J.'s eyes widened. "Holy… Miltank. You weren't kiddin'."
He knelt beside Sandshrew, checking on him. Green approached, spraying a Potion on Pidgey.
"…Still not sure about you," Green said quietly to his Pokémon, "but you did good."
A.J. stood and offered his hand. "Guess ya weren't all talk. Ya whooped our butts like no one else. That's the end of our streak."
Green shook his hand. "You're strong too. Definitely the toughest I've fought so far."
Brock nodded. "I'll second that. That was a great battle."
Before they could say more, every Pokémon's stomach — including Pidgey's — growled loudly.
A.J. laughed. "Looks like they're hungry. Hey, why don't ya join me for lunch? My place ain't far."
Green started to refuse. "It's fine, I have—"
"Nonsense," Brock interrupted with a grin. "Free food, Green. Don't be stupid."
"…Fine," Green sighed. "Lead the way."
A.J. chuckled. "That's the spirit. C'mon, follow me."
As they walked, A.J. glanced over his shoulder. "So, where ya from?"
"Pallet Town," said Green.
"Pewter City," added Brock.
"Saku Town," said A.J. "Probably never heard of it. Real small place."
"Pallet's about the same," Green admitted.
Brock smiled. "Guess great trainers come from small places."
A.J. grinned. "Couldn't agree more."