Chapter 3 Double Crisis at the Pokémon Center
Ash's heart hammered against his ribs like it was trying to claw its way out of his chest.
He hadn't known fear until that moment, not real fear.
But as the spewing rain soaked his clothes and a thousand screeching Spearow wings blocked out the sun, every nerve in his body screamed:
Run.
Protect Pikachu.
Fight.
"PI‑KAAA… CHU!" the anime Pikachu gasped, his tiny body trembling with fatigue and shock, every inch of him scorched from the massive thunder attack he had just unleashed to drive off the flock.
Even the skies had cracked open with lightning just before his leap.
Ash wrapped his arms around him tightly, soaked to the bone, trembling… but proud.
"We did it," he whispered. "We really did it."
And then, through the clearing storm, the bright sight all trainers prayed to see…
a town.
Viridian City.
Ash stumbled forward under mist and dripping rain. Nearby, a pale yellow Poké Ball lay at his hip, the one he had used to finally seal in the transmigrated Pikachu earlier, after that first Spearow battle.
Inside… the transmigrated Pikachu was waiting.
But not for long.
Because as Ash carried the injured anime Pikachu over the threshold of the Pokémon Center, something moved.
The Poké Ball on Ash's belt shuddered.
Then… cracked with red light.
Before anyone could react, the ball popped open.
Out stepped a small electric figure.
Transmigrated Pikachu.
His fur slick with rain, eyes glowing faintly, a small red hat still perched crookedly on his head.
And behind him, faint, pulsing was his current win streak counter, still active after the Spearow fight.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Battle Complete: Spearow Flock
Win Streak: 1
Battle Efficiency: Rotational Defeat
Core Directive: Maintain undefeated record
Trainer: Ash Ketchum
Status: Bond in progress
Objective: Survive 100% of upcoming battles
Penalty Condition: Loss = Critical System Damage
Pikachu sauntered out of the Poké Ball like he owned the place.
His toes tapped on the shiny Center floor.
He shook water from his ears.
Ash blinked.
"…Hey… you okay?"
Pikachu looked… unimpressed.
He'd be fine.
He had survived the Spearow battle without a scratch, saved Ash's life, and the System still marked him undefeated, even with that massive super‑charged attack the anime Pikachu had unleashed. The cross‑timeline bond had validated both victories.
A grin spread on the transmigrated Pikachu's face.
Game logic: defeated the first opponent. Win streak active. Undefeated. Good.
Ash scooped up the weakened anime Pikachu onto a bench.
"Nurse Joy! Please help him!"
The familiar, gentle pink hair turned.
"Oh my! This Pikachu is in serious condition!"
Misty was nearby, arms crossed, drenched, and angry.
She was holding the remains of her bike.
"…Do you even know how to treat Pokémo,n you idiot?!"
Ash raised his hands sheepishly.
"…Sorry?"
Misty puffed her cheeks.
"'Sorry' doesn't fix my bike!"
And that was when another alarm sounded:
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
A voice announced over the Pokémon Center PA system:
"Intruder alert! Pokémon Center breach!"
Before anyone could react, the roof above them exploded inward with crashing destruction.
Three figures fell into the lobby with absolutely no subtlety:
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
Team Rocket:
• Jessie
• James
• And their talking Meowth.
They skidded to dramatic poses, dust and debris raining down.
Ash and Misty stared.
"Here to steal our Pokémon?" Ash demanded.
Team Rocket pointed proudly.
"That Pikachu!" Jessie declared.
"We know he's special!"
"Especially that one," James added, pointing at transmigrated Pikachu with theatrical disdain.
Pikachu narrowed his eyes.
So, villains. That's fine.
And with that, battle mode engaged.
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Enemy Detected: Team Rocket
Opponent Count: 2
Win Streak: 1
Battle Objective: Defend Trainer + Pokémon Center
Jessie issued a command first:
"Ekans! Koffing! Go!"
Two Pokémon popped out of their balls, toxic gas already seeping from Koffing's mouth.
Misty pulled her Goldeen out in response, but without water nearby, it flailed helplessly.
Ash looked around desperately.
"Pikachu… can y‑"
But Pikachu was already moving.
Electric energy flared around his cheeks.
Small… controlled… calculated.
He didn't want to escalate too far, but he also wasn't losing.
First opponent approach?
Quick Attack.
A blur, faster than the naked eye, Pikachu darted in between Team Rocket and Ash.
He collided with Koffing.
CRACKLE.
Toxic smoke swirled.
But Pikachu's stored electricity snapped like a whip, disrupting Koffing's footing.
Koffing staggered.
That earned the first technical win in this battle.
Instant System update:
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Battle Status: +1
Win Streak: 2
Jessie's eyes narrowed.
"Don't underestimate us!"
James sneered.
"Let's try something bigger!"
They commanded their Pokémon again.
"Ekans! Use Wrap!"
"Koffing! Try Poison Gas!"
The two moved in.
But Pikachu was ready.
Without hesitation he pivoted into proper stance.
Low posture.
Speed focus.
Electric sparks dancing on his toes.
He shot forward, Quick Attack, the electric blur cleanly breaking the wrap attempt.
Ekans slipped free.
And then…
Thunder Shock.
A crisp bolt crackled through the smoke and hit Koffing directly.
Koffing collapsed.
Smoke dissipated.
Ash and Misty stared.
Team Rocket sputtered, frustrated.
Their Pokémon defeated.
Another System update flashed before Pikachu's eyes:
[RED PIKACHU SYSTEM]
Battle Result: Victory
Opponent: Team Rocket Grunts
Win Streak: 3
New Status: Bonus Critical Bond Bonus
Trainer Protection Active
Team Rocket, beaten once again, delivered their trademark line before retreating:
"We'll get you next time!"
"But first, cha‑otch rocket roll out!"
They blasted off into the sky in a puff of smoke.
The Center shook.
Dust fell.
And silence followed.
Ash exhaled.
"…You, saved us."
Misty blinked.
"…Okay. That was… impressive."
Transmigrated Pikachu hopped up onto Ash's shoulder, red hat slightly askew.
He met her eyes.
And for the first time in this timeline…
She didn't look hostile.
She looked impressed.
…and maybe a bit curious.
Inside the Pokémon Center treatment room, the anime Pikachu stirred awake.
Ash rushed over.
"As soon as you're better… we're gonna catch tons of Pokémon!"
Pikachu gave a weak but confident "Pika!"
Nearby, the transmigrated Pikachu watched everything quietly.
He didn't need the limelight.
But he would make sure this timeline unfolded well…
Because losing was simply not an option.
Not with Win Streak = 3 and an undefeated record to maintain.
Not with a trainer who truly cared.
And not with so many more battles waiting on the road ahead.