"Starmie, Rapid Spin!" Misty shouted.
"Krabby, Double Team, then use Crab hammer!" Red countered.
As Starmie began to spin rapidly across the floating platforms, Krabby's form shimmered—suddenly there were five Krabbies scattered across the arena. Unsure which one was real, Starmie targeted the one in the center. Unfortunately for Misty, that was just an illusion. The real Krabby appeared to the side, claws glowing, and struck the star-shaped Pokémon square in the gem.
The hit sent Starmie crashing onto another platform with a loud splash.
CLAP!
Both trainers turned. Sakura was standing off to the side, hands on her hips where a referee might stand—if they had one.
"Alright, you two, that's enough training for now. Breakfast's ready," she said in her breezy tone.
"Breakfast can wait a little longer, right, Red?" Misty asked, determined to keep going.
Before Red could answer, his stomach growled loudly. Misty's eyes widened—then her stomach joined in.
Sakura smirked. "So, breakfast can wait, huh?"
"…Shut up," Misty muttered, cheeks red as her sister giggled.
"So, what's for breakfast?" Red asked, trying to change the subject.
"Nothing fancy—just pancakes," Sakura replied. "But you'd better hurry if you still want any. Violet keeps saying she's on a diet, but we all know she eats the most when no one's looking. And right now, she's the only one at the table."
She leaned closer with a teasing grin. "Besides, you two have been out here since dawn… unless you were—"
"VIOLETBETTERNOTHAVEFINISHEDALLOFTHEMAPLESYRUPAGAIN!" Misty blurted, cutting her off. She quickly recalled Starmie and bolted toward the exit, her face pink as Sakura burst out laughing.
"Man, like, it's so easy to mess with her," Sakura said, still chuckling.
Red tilted his head. "What was that about?"
Sakura gave him a sideways look as they walked back toward the kitchen. "Oh, nothing. You're lucky she's cute when she's mad."
"Huh?" Red blinked in confusion.
"…Never mind," Sakura said quickly, brushing it off. "Anyway, do you guys have everything you need for the trip? Vermilion City's not far if you know the back roads, but it'll still take a while."
"Don't worry, Sakura," Red said, flashing his trademark grin. "We've got it covered. Just wait—you'll be hearing about how Misty and I took down both Team Rocket and the Vermilion City Gym Leader!"
"Like, confidence is good and all, but don't underestimate Lt. Surge," Sakura warned. "He's strong. Unlike Brock, he doesn't pull his punches."
"Got any advice for beating him?" Red asked hopefully.
Sakura shook her head. "Sorry, Gym Leaders don't spill each other's secrets. It's kind of an unspoken rule."
"Really?" Red said, disappointed.
"Even if I could, it wouldn't help much," she admitted. "We Cerulean girls are pretty much the weakest Gym Leaders around—and Water types don't stand much chance against his Electric Pokémon."
"Guess you've got a point."
"But seriously, Red," Sakura said, tone softening, "take him seriously. Surge is intense. The only one I've met who's scarier is the Saffron City Gym Leader." She shuddered at the memory. "Just thinking about her gives me the creeps."
Red nodded. "Alright then. I'll give it everything I've got."
Before Sakura could answer, Lily rushed in from the hall. "Hey, sis, like—we might have a problem."
"What kind of prob—"
"YOU ATE ALL THE MAPLE SYRUP AGAIN, YOU BLUE-HAIRED GLUTON!"
The furious shout echoed from the kitchen.
"Chill out, Misty," Violet called back. "I'm doing you a favor! You don't want to get dumped by your boyfriend for getting fat, do you?"
"HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"
Lily and Sakura exchanged a look.
"…Did I just hear Misty blush?" both thought at once.
"Uh, Sakura," Red said nervously, "maybe I should go buy more maple syrup before we leave."
"Wise choice," both sisters said in unison.
Lily sighed. "Sooo, anyone up for eating outside?"
Sakura smirked. "Hmm. Eat inside a battlefield that's about to become a warzone, or enjoy a quiet breakfast outside while those two destroy the kitchen? I think the choice is pretty obvious, don't you think?"
"Are you sure it's okay to leave them like that?" Red asked.
"Don't worry," Lily said. "They'll stop once they run out of things to throw."
A loud CRASH echoed through the halls.
"…On second thought," Red said quickly, "today's a great day to eat outside."
"Agreed," Sakura and Lily said together, already heading for the door.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
It was a beautiful day in the Kanto region.
The sky was clear and blue, bird Pokémon soared playfully through the clouds, and the region's rivers shimmered with carefree Water types gliding along their currents. Humans and Pokémon alike basked in the calm warmth of the morning.
Meanwhile, deep within one of Kanto's vast forests, two trainers were traveling toward Vermilion City.
Their goal?
To challenge the Vermilion Gym—and grow stronger to face the criminal organization known as Team Rocket.
"How long until we reach Vermilion City?" Red asked as he adjusted the strap of his backpack.
"Three, maybe four days… I'm not entirely sure," Misty replied. "If what my sisters said is true, there's a town nearby. We could probably rest there for the night."
"Not a bad idea! Let's go then!" Red grinned, suddenly breaking into a run.
"Wait—Red! Don't leave me behind!" Misty shouted, chasing after him through the forest trail.
Ever since their stay in Cerulean City, Red and Misty had grown surprisingly close. Misty had learned that Red was a naturally gifted trainer—but also a bit overconfident because of it. Spending time with someone who could actually match him in battle, however, had mellowed him out a little.
Red, in turn, learned that Misty had a deep phobia of Bug-type Pokémon. Apparently, she'd had a bad encounter with one as a child and hadn't been able to stand the sight of them since.
It reminded Red of Blue's fear of Bird Pokémon. He couldn't help but draw comparisons between the two.
Because of that, Red made a point to avoid catching Bug types while traveling with her—or at least to not use them in battle when she was around. Not that he minded. While he respected certain Bug types, they weren't really his style.
"Good thing Misty's traveling with me and not Ash," he muttered under his breath. "He'd probably be catching every Caterpie and Weedle he could find."
At least they hadn't run into too many Bug Pokémon yet. Still, Red made a mental note: buy tents before we hit Viridian Forest again.
"So," Misty said, catching her breath, "do you have a plan for beating the Vermilion Gym?"
"Not really," Red admitted. "I asked your sisters if they had any advice, but they said Gym Leaders don't 'snitch' on each other. Sakura just told me to take him as seriously as possible."
"That's actually good advice," Misty said. "From what I've heard, Lt. Surge has a reputation for sending challenger Pokémon straight to the E.R."
Red blinked. "Wait—seriously?"
He remembered Sakura's warning, but he hadn't realized the Vermilion Gym Leader was that dangerous. She'd even mentioned that the only other Gym Leader more intimidating than Surge was the one from Saffron City. With leaders like those, it was no wonder few trainers ever completed the full circuit.
"Ash better take this seriously," Red thought grimly. "Otherwise, he's gonna get flattened."
After a few hours of travel, the forest path finally opened up, revealing the gates of a moderately large city. Not quite as massive as Saffron, but far from small.
"Maebashi City—'Where the Greenery Thrives and Songs Are Written,'" Misty read from a nearby sign.
"'Greenery,' huh?" Red said, glancing around.
Despite its size, the city was blanketed in trees and blooming flowers.
"Well, that explains one part," he said.
"The other's probably because lots of poets and musicians come from here," Misty added. "My sisters mentioned it once."
"They're into that kind of thing?"
"Not Pokémon battles, that's for sure," Misty sighed. "But anything artsy—they're all over it."
As they walked through Maebashi's streets, even the battle-hardened Red and the practical Misty couldn't help but marvel. Fountains sparkled in every square, and the air carried the scent of flowers and fresh leaves. Grass-type Pokémon strolled lazily through the parks, mingling freely with the townspeople.
The city felt alive—peaceful and vibrant. It reminded Red of Pallet Town in some ways, though on a far larger scale.
After some sightseeing, the two trainers' stomachs began to rumble. Instead of finding a restaurant, they opted for something simpler—a picnic in the city park. They picked up a few sandwiches and sodas from a nearby shop and made their way to a massive Zelkova tree in the center of the park.
Beneath its broad shade sat a tranquil pond where several Water Pokémon swam freely.
"This is perfect," Misty said as she spread out a blanket.
"Yeah," Red agreed, setting down their food. "Almost too perfect."
They released their Pokémon to enjoy the fresh air. Misty's Starmie, Staryu, and Goldeen darted happily toward the pond, splashing gleefully. Red called out his partners—Poli, Pika, and Krabby, the latest addition to his growing team.
Krabby clicked his claws and scuttled eagerly toward the water's edge before dipping in beside Goldeen. Poli plopped down by the tree, looking content, while Pika immediately climbed onto Red's shoulder to soak up the sun.
They ate quietly, savoring the calm. The combination of the warm breeze, sweet air, and gentle scent of flowers made even store-bought sandwiches taste special.
When they finished, they leaned back against the tree, watching their Pokémon play. Goldeen was especially thrilled—her movements graceful and carefree as she swam through the pond. The aquarium back in Cerulean had been nice, but this? This was freedom.
Then—
"By Arceus, would you look at those Pokémon!"
The unexpected voice startled them both.
Turning toward the sound, they saw an elderly man hurrying across the grass. He wore a black business suit with a matching fedora and cane, and despite his age, he moved with surprising energy. His white beard and mustache twitched with excitement as he approached, adjusting his sunglasses.
Before they could react, he was already crouched near their Pokémon, gushing over them.
"They're wonderful! Simply marvelous! The sheen on that Starmie—the symmetry! And that Krabby, magnificent claws! Adorable!"
Red and Misty exchanged uneasy glances. Their Pokémon seemed just as uncomfortable—especially Pika, whose cheeks sparked irritably. Starmie and Staryu quickly moved in front of him to keep him from shocking the man on impulse. Poli, however, looked like he was debating cheering Pika on. Goldeen continued swimming, blissfully unaware of the chaos.
"Uh… excuse us," Red said cautiously, stepping forward.
The man turned, blinking. "Hmm? Oh! You must be their trainers!"
"Yeah," Misty said, folding her arms. "And you are…?"
"Oh my, how rude of me!" the man exclaimed, straightening his hat. "I must have gotten carried away. My name is Katsuji Ishizuka, Chairman of the Pokémon Lovers Fanclub! A pleasure to meet such talented young trainers!"
"Uh… nice to meet you too, I guess," Misty replied uncertainly.
"Red," Red introduced himself with a nod.
"Red and Misty, you say?" the man repeated, his eyes lighting up. "Splendid! Absolutely splendid! Then it is my great honor to welcome you both… as honorary members of the Pokémon Lovers Fanclub!"
"…Wait, what?" both trainers said in unison.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" the chairman declared proudly. "Such fine caretakers of such beautiful Pokémon—why, it would be a crime not to include you!"
"…Wait—what?" they repeated again, faces blank.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
How did this even happen?
"Remind me again—why are you here?" Green asked, irritation creeping into his voice as he pushed past a low-hanging branch.
"Oh, come on, Green," said A.J. with a grin. "'Course I wouldn't miss the chance to hang out with a friend."
Green shot him a look sharp enough to cut steel.
Friend? Yeah right. You just decided to tag along after I beat you in a battle and you bought me lunch out of guilt, he thought.
"And what about you?" Green turned to the third member of their unlikely trio. "You didn't have to come along either, Brock."
The Pewter City Gym Leader chuckled, shouldering his pack. "What can I say? I've got some free time before heading back to Pewter. Figured I'd travel a bit, maybe see how the other Gyms run their shows."
"Or maybe," A.J. teased, "you just didn't wanna miss watchin' Green here get all serious when he loses a match."
"Ha. Keep dreaming," Green muttered.
"Relax, Green," Brock said, grinning slightly. "You could use the company. Traveling with other trainers isn't a bad thing."
"Sure," Green replied, tone dry as sandpaper. "If you don't mind me leaving you both behind once we reach Vermilion."
"Fine by me!" said A.J., unbothered. "Besides, I never met any Gym Leaders besides Brock, so tagging along's a great way to meet more."
"Just don't get your hopes up," Green said. "Most of them aren't exactly impressive once you've seen how the League really works."
"Meh. If they disappoint, I'll just ask ya for another rematch," A.J. said cheerfully. "Maybe I'll even give ya a run for your money next time."
Brock chuckled. "You two sound like an old married couple."
"Don't start," Green warned. "I'm just stating facts. So far, A.J. here is the only one who's lasted more than a minute against me in a one-on-one battle. And as much as I hate to admit it, Red isn't bad either."
"Ah, thanks, pal," A.J. said with a satisfied grin. "See? He likes me."
Green groaned. "We're not friends. You're just sticking around like a Remoraid clinging to a Mantine's fin."
Brock laughed under his breath. "You know, you could be nicer about it."
"I could, but I'm not going to," Green said flatly. "Now hurry up. I want to beat the Vermilion Gym and move on as soon as possible."
The trio picked up the pace, their boots crunching over the forest path. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, dappling their trail in shifting patterns of gold and green.
"So," Brock said after a while, "what's the plan for Vermilion Gym? You've probably done your homework already."
"Of course I have," Green replied. "The Gym Leader there, Lt. Surge, specializes in Electric types. Their biggest weakness? Ground types. They're immune to Electric attacks and strong against them."
He paused to step over a root before continuing. "Diglett's Cave is right next to Vermilion City. Full of Diglett and Dugtrio. Once we get there, I'll catch one, train it up, and use it to wipe the floor with Surge."
"Smart plan," Brock said, nodding. "Just remember, Surge's team hits hard. Don't expect him to go easy on you."
"Wouldn't want him to," Green replied confidently.
"Still," A.J. said, scratching his head, "isn't it kinda dumb to build an Electric Gym right next to a cave filled with Pokémon that completely counter it?"
Brock chuckled. "Yeah, I've always wondered about that myself. Maybe Surge doesn't see it as a weakness—just a challenge. Some leaders like testing whether challengers actually think about type matchups before walking in."
"Hmph," Green said with a smirk. "Or maybe he's just cocky. Either way, he's asking to get embarrassed."
A.J. laughed. "Man, you don't hold back, do ya?"
"I don't need to," Green replied. "Facts are facts."
Brock shook his head, smiling faintly. "You really haven't changed since Pewter. Overconfident as ever."
"Confident, not overconfident," Green corrected. "There's a difference."
"Guess we'll see about that when we reach Vermilion," Brock said, adjusting his pack as the road ahead began to slope downward.
The forest thinned as sunlight brightened the horizon. Somewhere beyond those trees lay the port city of Vermilion—its Gym, its challenges, and, most likely, another lesson in humility waiting for someone.
Whether it'd be Green, A.J., or even Lt. Surge himself… that remained to be seen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
After meeting Katsuji Ishizuka, the chairman of the Pokémon Lovers Fan Club, both Red and Misty found themselves "invited" to the club's headquarters — though "dragged" might have been a more accurate word.
The building was modest, only two stories tall, with Pokémon Fan Club painted in bold letters beside a cheerful Pikachu illustration. The real Pikachu, perched on Red's shoulder, looked less than impressed.
Inside, around fifteen to twenty people milled about, most middle-aged or older. Red barely had time to take in the scene before Mr. Ishizuka clapped his hands.
"May I have your attention, everyone! I have the honor of introducing our newest members! Please welcome Red and Misty!"
The room erupted in applause.
"...Wait, what?" the two trainers said in unison.
"Oh my, just look at those cuties!" squealed a woman with glasses.
On cue, everyone rushed toward their Pokémon, nearly knocking Red and Misty off balance.
"Man, what's their deal?" Red muttered.
"Apologies," Mr. Ishizuka said, smiling proudly. "It's just that we all love Pokémon so much. You won't find more passionate Pokémon lovers anywhere else!"
"I know someone in Pallet Town who might disagree," Red replied, thinking of a certain "Ketchum kid."
"Oh, then I'd love to meet him!" said the chairman.
"If he's anything like this bunch, I'd rather not," Misty muttered — only to realize that Goldeen was no longer in her arms.
"What the—?!"
"Just look at those scales! So smooth!" the glasses woman exclaimed, holding Misty's Goldeen like a prized trophy.
"When did—how—what?!" Misty sputtered.
"These Pokémon are definitely used to people," one of the few teenage members commented.
"Um, excuse me," asked a blonde girl, maybe sixteen, "are you Poliwhirl's trainer?"
"Yeah," Red nodded proudly. "Poli and I have been together since he was a Poliwag. I was six."
"One can tell," said a man admiringly. "They're all so well-behaved!"
"My Pokémon are well-behaved too, you know," Misty muttered.
"Thanks," Red said. "Outside of Poli, I haven't had Krabby or Pikachu for long, but I trust them completely. They've helped me win a ton of battles, so they're pretty strong as well!"
The entire room went silent.
"So… your Pokémon battle?" Mr. Ishizuka asked.
"Well, what else would they do?" Misty replied, raising an eyebrow.
"How could we love Pokémon if we force them to fight?!" the chairman shouted, his voice shaking the walls.
Red winced. "We don't force them! We battle to grow stronger together — it's fun for both of us!"
The Pokémon nodded in agreement — except Pikachu, who was too busy eating snacks from a fan club member to care.
"Why would they want that?" Ishizuka gasped. "If they battle, they'll evolve! Then they won't stay cute forever!"
Misty rubbed her temples. "That… that's not even how evolution works."
The situation went from awkward to chaotic when Red accidentally mentioned, "Well, Misty's sisters run the Cerulean Gym, so they might—"
"Red, don't!" Misty snapped, but it was too late.
"Her sisters are the Cerulean Sensational Sisters?!""I love their show!""Can we get autographs?!"
The crowd swarmed again. Misty groaned and glared daggers at Red.
"Uh… sorry?"
"Not yet you're not," she muttered darkly.
Before Red could respond, the front doors burst open.
"HELP!" shouted a frantic man.
"What is it, Ryke?" asked the chairman.
"It's my Exeggutor! Team Rocket stole him!"
The room fell silent. Misty's hands clenched into fists, rage flashing in her eyes at the mere mention of that name. Mr. Ishizuka sighed deeply and walked to a table displaying a framed photo.
"Oh, dear… not again," he murmured sadly.
Seeing their confusion, the blonde teenager from earlier whispered, "About a month ago, Team Rocket stole his Abra. They've been targeting Fan Club members for months."
"Half a year now," another man added grimly. "They've taken something from almost all of us…"
The man named Ryke broke down in tears mid-sentence. His blubbering sounded so over-the-top that even Pikachu paused mid-snack to stare, but Red and Misty stayed composed, determination shining in their eyes.
"Tell us where they went!" Red demanded.
"Wait, you two can't be serious," an older member said. "You're just kids."
"Maybe," Misty said, "but we've already dealt with Team Rocket before — and we won."
The members exchanged uneasy glances. Even if these kids were talented, taking on Rocket was no small feat.
"Are you sure about this?" Ishizuka asked quietly.
"Positive!" they said together.
The chairman adjusted his sunglasses, eyes red from crying. His voice grew serious. "Then I have one request…"
The room went silent. Red and Misty tensed. Would he ask them to bring the Pokémon back safely? To punish the thieves? To stay alive?
"Can you leave Pikachu here for us to cuddle with?"
Both trainers fell face-first to the floor.
Weird old man, they thought in unison.
Into the Forest
After gathering information from the Fan Club about possible Rocket movements, Red and Misty headed for the forest northwest of town — rumored to hide a few small caves. It was also home to countless Bug Pokémon, something Misty wasn't thrilled about.
Red could tell she was tense. Some people might say it was natural for anyone about to face a criminal syndicate — but no, her trembling was for a different reason.
"Bug-types, huh?" Red said carefully. "Don't worry, we'll steer clear of Beedrill nests."
"That better not be a joke," Misty muttered, holding Goldeen's Poké Ball like a lucky charm.
According to his Pokédex, Beedrill were territorial, and Pinsir were even worse — powerful and savage. Without Pikachu, Red's team wasn't ideally suited. Poli was reliable, but Krabby's disadvantage against Grass and Electric types could be risky. Misty's team could handle some foes, but her phobia complicated things.
Red sighed. "Man, maybe I shouldn't have left Pikachu back at the club."
"Okay, their base should be nearby," Misty said. "Where do we start?"
"I don't kno—" Red stopped himself mid-sentence, realizing he was about to suggest they split up. Probably not a good idea.
"What?" Misty asked.
"Never mind. I've got an idea." He released Poli from his Poké Ball. "Poli, use Double Team — spread your copies to scout the area!"
Poli saluted, creating eight shimmering duplicates before sending them in all directions.
"Smart," Misty said, impressed. "You actually have good ideas sometimes."
"Wait, sometimes?"
"Come on," she teased. "Let's check over there while they search."
They explored quietly. Luckily for Misty, there were no bugs — unluckily, there were no Rockets either. After a while, they returned to wait for Poli's clones to return.
One clone. Nothing.Two clones. Nothing.Five more. Still nothing.
Only one was missing. They waited another half hour, growing restless — until Poli suddenly tensed, his eyes widening as strange images flashed in his mind: trees, a ravine, Pokémon fleeing… and a man in black with a red R rushing at him before everything went dark.
Poli gasped, realizing he must've seen his clone's last memories. He pointed toward the forest.
"Poli! Poliwhirl!" he cried.
"What is it? You found something?" Red asked.
"Whirl! Poli Poli!"
"You're not making any sense," Misty said.
Poli facepalmed, then dashed off into the woods.
"Hey, wait up!" Red shouted, running after him with Misty close behind.
They passed frightened Pokémon — many with small wounds, some Bug-types that made Misty avert her eyes. Red frowned. Team Rocket must've done this.
When they finally slowed down, Poli motioned for silence. The trio crept through the brush until they saw it: a group of Rocket grunts loading cages of captured Pokémon into a cave.
"Looks like we found their base," Misty whispered.
Poli glared at her.
"Fine," she sighed. "You found it."
They counted at least two grunts outside, possibly more inside. Taking them all head-on would be risky.
Red pulled out his Pokédex, aimed it at the grunts, and activated a hidden function.Local authorities have been informed. Please leave the area immediately for your safety.
"What did you just do?" Misty asked.
"Called for backup," Red replied. "The Pokédex can send distress signals."
"Since when?"
"...I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay, then what's the plan?"
"Last time I fought them, I took them off guard and freed the Pokémon while they weren't looking. We can do the same."
"Risky, but it could work," Misty said. "One of us distracts them, the other frees the Pokémon."
"Exactly."
"I'll distract them," Misty said firmly, releasing Staryu and Starmie before Red could protest. "Wish me luck!"
She ran out from cover. "Hey, losers! The circus called — they want their dumb outfits back!"
Both Rockets spun around, fuming. Staryu and Starmie blasted them with Water Gun, drenching them completely.
"That little brat—get her!" one yelled. Two more grunts ran out from the cave to join the chase.
"Nice work, Misty," Red muttered. "Your turn, Krabby."
He and his Pokémon slipped into the cave. Two grunts remained inside, guarding cages filled with Pokémon — Rattata, Nidorina, Sandshrew, even a few Graveler. One cage, though, held something different: a trembling Pinsir, far smaller and meeker than any Red had ever seen.
"Let's do this quietly," Red whispered. "Poli, use Hypnosis. Krabby, Bubble Beam!"
The Water-types struck in perfect sync. One grunt collapsed immediately under Poli's Hypnosis, while the other slipped and hit the floor after Krabby's blast. Red tied them up quickly before turning to the cages.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you," he said gently, unlocking each cage one by one. The Pokémon hesitated, then calmed as Poli and Krabby reassured them. Soon every Pokémon was free — except for Pinsir. Its cage had a heavy lock.
"Of course it's the toughest one," Red muttered, fumbling with the lock. "Blue would've opened this in five seconds."
Before he could finish, a woman's voice echoed through the cave. "What's going on in here?!"
A Rocket woman with short brown hair entered, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the tied-up grunts.
"You little brat! Koffing, get them!"
A poisonous haze filled the air as Koffing fired sludge balls toward them.
"Poli, Double Team! Krabby, use Bubble Beam!"
The clones surrounded Koffing, forcing it to dodge — right into Krabby's barrage.
"Now, Ice Punch!" Red called. Poli's real body lunged forward, landing a direct hit that sent Koffing spinning back into its trainer.
"Now Water Gun, Krabby!"
A powerful jet knocked both Rocket and Koffing clear out of the cave. Red followed with one last command. "Poli, Hypnosis!"
The woman barely had time to protest before she and her Pokémon fell unconscious. Red tied her up with the others and noticed a ring of keys on her belt.
"Perfect," he said, grabbing them and hurrying to Pinsir's cage. It took a few tries, but he finally found the right one. "Got it! You're free now, buddy."
"Red! You in there?!" Misty's voice echoed as she entered with two police officers.
"I'm fine!" Red called back.
Misty started to smile — until she saw the Pinsir beside him.
"B-b-b-bug t-t-t-type—"
"Pi?" the confused Pokémon chirped.
"AAAAAAHHHH! GET IT AWAY FROM ME!"
Pinsir yelped and hid behind Red, trembling.
"I think you scared it," Red said dryly.
"I DON'T CARE, JUST KEEP IT AWAY!"
One of the officers approached. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing serious," Red said quickly. "She's scared of Pinsir. He's scared of her screaming."
The officer knelt beside Pinsir, observing carefully. "Well, no wonder. Judging by the size of its pincers, this one's just a kid."
"A kid?!" Misty squeaked.
"Yes. Pinsir judge strength by pincer size. This little guy's probably been exiled by his own kind for being weak."
Red's heart sank. "Is that true, Pinsir?"
The bug nodded sadly.
Misty's fear faded, replaced by pity. Even Poli and Krabby looked down, clearly feeling for the Pokémon.
Red thought back to another kid who'd been left out — a lonely boy in Pallet Town with big dreams and no friends. Ash Ketchum. He'd always seemed so bright and full of energy… yet behind those eyes had been the same kind of loneliness.
Not this time.
Red pulled out an empty Poké Ball and smiled gently. "Hey, Pinsir. How about joining my team? You won't be alone anymore. We'll train together, get stronger, and someday, you can show your old group what they lost."
Pinsir blinked, stunned. Then, with trembling claws and watery eyes, he reached out and tapped the Poké Ball. In a flash of red light, the capture was complete.
Click.Ding.
Red grinned. "Welcome to the team, Pinsir."
Misty sighed in half-relief, half-exasperation. "You really do collect trouble, don't you?"
"Guess so," Red said, looking at the Poké Ball. "But this one's worth it."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
"I'll become a Pokémon Master," said the eight-year-old Ash Ketchum, his voice steady but quiet. "Just you wait, Green."
Green Oak tilted his head, half amused, half curious. "What does that even mean?"
Ash looked away. "You wouldn't understand."
"Oh, come on," Green said, smirking. "Let me guess — it means catching a bunch of strong Pokémon and being the best, right? That's what everyone says."
Ash shook his head. "It's not about catching the strongest ones."
The other boys around Green snickered. One of them nudged another. "Then what, Ketchum? You gonna win battles with weak Pokémon or something?"
Ash clenched his fists. "If they're weak, I'll help them get stronger. If they fall, I'll help them stand again. That's what it means to be a Pokémon Master."
The laughter grew louder this time. Green didn't join in, but he didn't stop them either.
"You really believe that?" one of the kids asked. "You think any Pokémon would even want to stay with you?"
Ash's eyes lowered. For a moment, it looked like he might yell — but he didn't. He just turned away, shoulders trembling slightly under the weight of their words.
"You'll see," he muttered. "Someday, I'll prove it."
And then he walked off, slow and quiet, leaving the laughter behind him.
Not far from the group, hidden behind a fence, a young Red had been watching. He'd heard every word.
"Grow stronger… together…" Red whispered to himself, the phrase echoing in his mind.
It wasn't the loud dream of a kid who wanted fame. It was something quieter. Sadder.Something real.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Tell me, Ash… is this how you would capture a Pokémon?"Red stared down at the Poké Ball resting in his palm. The faint glow of the cave light reflected off its surface like a heartbeat.
He sighed. "Guess I'll ask him when I see him," he murmured, slipping the ball onto his belt before turning around.
"What was that for?!" Misty demanded, hands on her hips. Her Staryu hovered tensely beside her.
Red blinked. "What?"
"You just caught that thing out of nowhere!"
"It looked lonely," Red replied simply. "I couldn't just leave it like that. Besides, I promised Professor Oak I'd help fill out the Pokédex. So really, it's a two-for-one deal."
Misty shuddered slightly. "But… did it have to be a bug type?"
Red chuckled under his breath. "Come on, Misty. I'm sure it won't be that bad. Now let's move — I saw a few more cages deeper in. It's likely the rest of the Fanclub's Pokémon are still trapped there."
Misty let out a long, weary sigh. "Still, why did it have to be that Pokémon? I could've handled a Caterpie… maybe."
Ignoring her complaint, Red and his team pressed deeper into the dim cave, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone. Officer Jenny followed close behind, flashlight sweeping the darkness ahead.
Just as Red had guessed, more cages lay further inside — a grim collection of metal bars and frightened eyes. Within them were several Pokémon: an Exeggutor swaying weakly, a restless Machop, and a small, yellow creature that resembled a baby Pikachu. Red paused, unsure. "Huh…? That one's new."
But before they could wonder further, both he and Misty stopped cold.
"Wait…" Red whispered. "That can't be—"
"What is it?" asked Officer Jenny, stepping forward.
The two trainers exchanged uneasy looks. Inside the last cage stood a Pokémon they both recognized — only it wasn't quite the same. Its fur, its posture, even its expression felt… off.
Something about it didn't sit right.
Misty frowned, lowering her voice. "So… who's going to tell him?"
Red exhaled through his nose, staring at the creature. "Good question."
It took the pair of trainers and the accompanying officers longer to return to Maebashi City than they expected. By the time they arrived, the sky had already darkened, and the lamplights of the city flickered to life like tiny embers.
Once back, the group split up — most of the police returned to the precinct to report to the local Officer Jenny and secure the captured Rocket members, while Red, Misty, and two officers escorted the stolen Pokémon to the Pokémon Lovers Fanclub to reunite them with their rightful owners.
When they entered the building, however, the scene that greeted them was… strange, to say the least.
Pika was sitting proudly atop a small wooden chair that looked suspiciously like a throne, gazing down at the other Pokémon and Fanclub members as if presiding over royal court. A few Pokémon even seemed to be offering him snacks.
Red blinked. "…You know what, I'm not even going to ask."
"Same," Misty muttered. "Too tired to deal with this right now."
After taking a moment to process the bizarre image, the trainers and officers stepped forward and began returning the stolen Pokémon. The Fanclub members' joy was immediate — laughter, tears, and relieved cheers filled the room as they reunited with their beloved partners.
"I must say," said Chairman Ishizuka, eyes shining with emotion, "I am deeply impressed."
Red smiled tiredly. "Thanks. It wasn't easy, but we managed to come out on top."
"Marvelous!" the old man exclaimed. "Tell me, did anything… noteworthy occur while you were out there?"
"Well, I did catch a new Pokémon," Red said, which instantly rekindled the chairman's excitement.
"Splendid! What marvelous creature joined your team, young man?"
Red grinned. "A Pinsir."
The chairman's face fell as though someone had told him his favorite soap opera was canceled. "Oh… a Pinsir, you say…"
"Hey, come on, it's a cute Pinsir. Want to see it?"
"NO!" Misty blurted before anyone else could answer, startling everyone in the room. "I—I mean… it's been a long day. I'm sure Pinsir's exhausted. Best to let it rest in its Poké Ball… for as long as possible."
Red raised an eyebrow. "…Right. Sure."
"Yes, yes, fine," said Ishizuka quickly, waving off the topic. "Now, about my precious Abra — you did find him, didn't you?"
The two trainers glanced at each other awkwardly.
"Well… yeah," Misty said carefully. "We kind of found him, buuuut…"
Red released a Poké Ball, and the light that emerged revealed not a small sleeping Abra — but a tall, yellow humanoid Pokémon with a long mustache and a spoon in each hand.
"Your little Abra… might've, uh, evolved into an Kadabra," Red said cautiously, watching the chairman's expression.
For a moment, Ishizuka stood perfectly still, blinking in silence. Then his face contorted in slow-motion horror."My… my little… nooooooooooo!"
He fainted dramatically, collapsing backward into the arms of several frantic Fanclub members.
"Mr. Chairman!" one of them cried. "Someone get him some water!"
Red, Misty, the officers, and Kadabra all stood frozen, sweatdrops forming on their heads.
"…Weird old man," they thought in unison.
Red crossed his arms, sighing. "The others are probably not dealing with anything nearly this strange right now."
Misty nodded. "Let's just hope they're having better luck… and less drama."
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Author's Note:
Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my book! Your support and encouragement mean the world to me.
I wanted to let you know that I will be appearing for my final semester exams from 12th to 26th November, so I might not be able to post updates during this period. I hope you understand and bear with me.
In the meantime, I'd love to hear your reviews or any questions you might have—they're always welcome!
I truly appreciate your patience and can't wait to get back to sharing more with you once my exams are over.
With gratitude,Neo