The two stared at each other for a long moment before Red finally broke the silence.
"You're here."
Green's gaze was deep, his words carrying hidden meaning.
"Because you're here too."
The exchange was strange.
Back in the digital world, the two of them had competed from the moment they chose their starter Pokémon all the way to the very end. Only after reaching the absolute peak—when there was nowhere higher to climb—did they stop, finally acknowledging each other.
But now, in this world, it felt as though everything had reset to the moment they first stepped out of Pallet Town.
This time, Green didn't want to lose to Red.
And Red had no intention of losing to Green either.
"Hmph."
Just as Ash and Gary watched with excitement, fully expecting a clash between two peerless powerhouses, Green suddenly snorted and dispersed the overwhelming battle intent.
Ash & Gary: "???"
We were ready for the showdown and this is it?!
Wasn't this supposed to turn into an all-out duel?!
Green turned his head and gently brushed his hand against the nearby wall. In his calm eyes appeared a trace of something that shouldn't have been there—nostalgia and regret.
With his back to them, he spoke slowly:
"I won't fight here. Next time. Next time, I'll make all your Pokémon faint."
In the past, Red would've immediately shot back with something like, "You always say that, yet my Pokémon are still hopping around just fine."
But this time, he didn't argue.
He simply watched Green's back in silence.
Even in their previous world, Red had sensed something was off—but since Green never said anything, he hadn't pressed further.
It seemed that the all-out battle they'd fought back then—on the S.S. Anne—had involved something Red never knew about.
"…"
Without another word, Red grabbed a completely bewildered Brock and headed toward the deck.
Someone as proud as Green didn't need explanations.
After they left, Gary, still linked to Green's soul, couldn't help but ask softly,
"Are you okay, big bro Green…?"
This was the first time Gary had felt such turmoil from someone who normally treated everything as trivial.
Fragments of memory surged through Green's mind—panic, regret, self-blame, tears falling one by one…
And hands stained with blood.
As if he had once killed a Pokémon.
"I'm fine," Green replied calmly. "Keep investigating Team Rocket. Suicune is with you—if you run into something you can't handle, rely on it."
As he returned control of the body, Green added quietly,
"Oh—and after we disembark, go with me to Lavender Town."
"I will," Gary nodded solemnly, then added helpfully,
"Just apologize to sister-in-law and everything will be fine."
Green: "…"
Damn it—forgot about that part!
On the deck, it wasn't as bright as the main hall, but it was still well-lit. Wearing black only made you stand out more.
As the sea breeze blew past, Ash regained control of his body.
"Alright, alright, hurry up."
Pressed by Brock's serious questioning, Ash could only explain Red's situation.
He laid it all out—but aside from saying there was a mysterious being living inside him, along with a bunch of terrifying Pokémon, even Ash didn't really understand the full picture.
Where did Red come from? What was his goal?
World domination?
Ash had no clue.
Brock fell silent for a long time.
Considering all of Ash's past miracles, this explanation oddly made sense.
Anything strange happening to Ash was… strangely normal.
"Oh, right," Brock suddenly said. "Ask Senior Red—what was I like in his world?"
He accepted the situation shockingly fast—and even grew curious.
If Ash corresponded to Red, and Gary to Green, then surely there must have been a Brock in that world too.
…Right?
I'm not just some nameless background character, am I?
"Hold on, don't rush—I'll ask him," Ash replied.
After a moment of internal communication, Ash said slowly,
"There was a Brock too. Pale skin, huge sparkling eyes, tall and handsome, blond hair and blue eyes. Pewter City Gym Leader and idol trainee. All the older sisters in Kanto were crazy about him."
He repeated Red's words exactly.
…Though it sounded suspiciously like nonsense.
Brock: "!!!"
He immediately swung one leg over the railing, ready to jump.
"Ask Senior Red—if I die here today, will I reincarnate over there tomorrow?!"
Ash: "…"
No. You'll just die peacefully at the bottom of the sea.
In a corner of the deck, two sailors were crouched together.
"Damn, I heard someone in the company just got promoted from Stubborn Iron to Fearless Bronze," one whispered.
The other took a drag from his cigarette and cursed,
"To hell with Farfetch'd—I've been stuck in Bronze for ten years! When will I finally reach Unyielding Silver and see the world?"
At that moment, two figures walked past them.
They looked young, so the sailors didn't pay much attention.
Ash suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed dramatically,
"Oh my God—there's lingzhi growing on the deck over there!"
Brock immediately played along.
"Lingzhi?! That's a heavenly omen! This is incredible—I must tell my secret-button uncle!"
The two Team Rocket sailors exchanged looks, completely baffled.
Unova tourists?
Brock's skin tone kind of fit.
But soon, their eyes lit up.
Lingzhi was a divine blessing! If they collected it and presented it to their superior, this entire operation would be blessed with success.
They'd heard that Apollo was superstitious.
Maybe tomorrow they'd finally be promoted to Unyielding Silver!
Grinning slyly, the two sailors said,
"Friends from Unova, dangerous Pokémon often guard such rare plants. Stand back—we'll handle it."
"Very dangerous~"
Ash and Brock suppressed their laughter and followed behind.
When the two sailors reached the "lingzhi," they frowned.
"Uh… doesn't look like lingzhi."
"Is lingzhi green?"
"And… doesn't it look kind of like… garlic?"
Before the words finished, the green "lingzhi" suddenly shook.
A huge cloud of yellowish powder burst out, engulfing both men.
Paralysis spread instantly through their bodies, and they collapsed to the ground.
"Nice one, Bulbasaur! Now use Vine Whip—tie them up tight!"
Ash commanded confidently.
With that level of intelligence, dreaming of Silver rank was a joke.
Bulbasaur lashed out with vines, binding the two sailors into a tight bundle—expert-level restraint.
Paralyzed and bound, they could only mumble,
"Damn… Farfetch'd…"
"Who… are you…?"
Brock calmly removed the cigarettes from their mouths and flicked them into the sea, flashing a bright smile.
"We just want to tell you—smoking is bad for your health."
The sailors: "?"
"Come on, hurry up," Ash said, recalling Bulbasaur while starting to strip their uniforms.
"It's late—let's get changed."
Half an hour later.
Even the usually calm Brock finally snapped.
"Damn it, Psyduck damn it! Paralysis Powder was enough—why did you have to use Farfetch'd's Vine Whip too?!"
Ash: "…"
They were still untangling Bulbasaur's vines.
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