We Meet Again, What a Coincidence.” 15: Chapter 15: “Handsome Researcher: Yo!
We Meet Again, What a Coincidence.” “Charmeleon!
Use Fire Spin to trap that thing!
Poliwag, use Brick Break and push it back!” Red’s battle instincts erupted in an instant.
The commands flew from his mouth without even passing through conscious thought.
Charmeleon and Poliwag immediately responded.
A blazing vortex of flames roared through the air, spiraling toward the center of the disturbance with remarkable precision.
At the same time, Poliwag leapt forward and slammed down a powerful Brick Break.
Everything happened within a fraction of a second.
While the attacks distracted the rampaging Kangaskhan, Little Red slid directly into the center of the battlefield.
Then he rolled away in one fluid motion.
When he emerged from the dust, there was already an unconscious blonde girl cradled in his arms.
“ROAAAR!” Kangaskhan released a deafening howl.
It completely ignored the scorching flames burning across its body and the impact of Brick Break.
“Charmeleon!
Use Smokescreen and block its vision!” “Poliwag!
Use Hypnosis and calm it down!” Red issued another series of commands.
After carefully placing the unconscious girl in a relatively safe hollow beneath a massive tree root, he turned around without hesitation and charged back into the battlefield.
“It isn’t responding to the attacks!” Red stared intently at Kangaskhan’s movements, capturing every detail.
“It’s protecting something underneath its pouch!” A flash of inspiration suddenly crossed his mind.
His hand instantly reached toward his backpack.
“It’s Earthquake!
Get out of there!” Blue’s warning had barely left his mouth when Kangaskhan’s massive fist, overflowing with terrifying power, smashed into the ground.
BOOOOOOM!
An indescribably horrifying shockwave erupted outward from Kangaskhan.
The earth split apart.
Massive boulders were hurled into the air.
Ancient trees toppled one after another.
The destructive energy spread like a raging tidal wave, instantly engulfing everything in its path.
Including Little Red.
Including Charmeleon.
Including Poliwag.
The entire screen shook violently.
The sounds of shattering stone and collapsing trees filled every corner of Professor Oak’s laboratory.
“Oh no!” All four of them cried out at the same time.
Their hearts practically leapt into their throats.
The dust slowly settled.
As visibility gradually returned, a glowing blue barrier came into view at the center of the battlefield.
The translucent shield radiated a gentle light.
Standing beneath it, directly in front of Little Red, was a familiar figure in a white lab coat.
[Handsome Researcher: Yo!
We meet again.
What a coincidence.] [Handsome Researcher: What are you standing around for?
Hurry up and use a Full Heal!] “Brother Gray!” Red’s eyes lit up instantly.
“I knew it!” His voice overflowed with confidence and pride.
“Whenever trouble appears, he always spawns nearby!” Blue, Green, and Yellow all breathed sighs of relief at the same time.
Expressions of reassurance appeared on their faces.
As though this was simply one of the fundamental laws of the universe.
The camera zoomed in.
Inside Kangaskhan’s pouch were actually two Pokémon.
One was a baby Kangaskhan whose body was covered in ominous purple poison energy.
The other was a severely injured Rattata, covered in wounds and barely breathing.
Red immediately controlled Little Red to pull out a Full Heal.
The spray was carefully applied to the poisoned baby Kangaskhan.
The purple toxin visibly dissipated before their eyes.
The little Pokémon’s tightly furrowed expression relaxed.
It soon fell into peaceful sleep.
Some of the medicinal mist drifted across Kangaskhan’s massive body as well.
The blood-red madness in its eyes rapidly faded.
In its place appeared anxiety.
Kangaskhan hurriedly lowered its head and checked the baby in its pouch.
After confirming that the little one was safe, it carefully lifted out the injured Rattata with its enormous claws and gently presented it to Little Red.
Red immediately understood.
He pulled out a Super Potion and carefully sprayed the wounds covering Rattata’s body.
Although the Pokémon’s pained expression eased somewhat, its injuries were still severe.
It remained unconscious.
At that moment, the blonde girl resting near the tree roots slowly woke up.
Looking at the devastated battlefield around her, she hesitantly walked over.
[Yellow: Um…
could I take a look at it?] Little Red had not yet reacted.
Behind him, the Handsome Researcher suddenly extended a hand and shoved him forward.
Without any room for argument.
The unconscious Rattata was immediately brought before Yellow.
In the real world, Yellow stared at the character on the screen who looked remarkably similar to herself.
Her eyes instinctively shifted away.
The Yellow inside the game took a deep breath.
Carefully, she accepted the injured Rattata.
Then, in the very next moment, a warm golden glow flowed from her palms.
The light felt like gentle spring sunlight.
It softly enveloped Rattata’s entire body.
When the radiance faded, Rattata’s tightly shut eyes slowly opened.
The little Pokémon blinked in confusion.
Then it saw the person holding it.
“Chi!
Chi!” Immediately, it happily rubbed against Yellow’s cheek and cried out affectionately.
“Yellow!” Red suddenly understood.
“So it’s you!
Hahaha!” He turned toward the real Yellow sitting beside him.
“Although I don’t remember ever saving you like this.” “Brother Gray really likes making things up.” “But seeing you in the game makes me really happy!” “You…
you did save me…” Yellow’s voice was almost inaudible.
A faint blush rapidly spread across her wheat-colored cheeks.
“What?” Red hadn’t heard clearly.
Without thinking, he leaned closer.
“Ah…” Yellow’s face instantly became so red that it looked as though it might start steaming.
Just as she was reaching her limit under that close gaze— BONK!
Blue’s hand chopped down onto Red’s head with perfect precision.
Irritated, he reminded him: “The game isn’t over yet, idiot!” On the screen, the in-game Yellow was completely overwhelmed by Rattata’s enthusiasm.
Timidly, she looked up toward Little Red.
Within her clear eyes was obvious affection for Rattata.
And…
A trace of envy that was difficult to notice.
[Yellow: Your Rattata…] Perhaps Red had remained idle for too long.
Or perhaps the Handsome Researcher simply could not bear watching anymore.
Whatever the reason.
The researcher casually nudged Little Red with his elbow.
Then, acting as naturally as if it were his own backpack, he reached directly into Little Red’s bag.
A moment later, he pulled out an empty Poké Ball.
And stuffed it straight into Little Red’s hand.
[Red: …] “Will you hurry up and type something already, you idiot!” Even Green could not take it anymore.
She immediately reminded the still-head-rubbing Red.
Red scratched his head.
He looked at Yellow’s hopeful yet nervous expression.
Then he looked at the lively Rattata in her arms.
At last, he understood.
Taking a deep breath, he quickly typed what he believed was the most appropriate response.
[Red: It really likes you!
Try forging a bond with it!] A bright and confident smile appeared on Little Red’s face.
He extended the Poké Ball toward Yellow.
[Yellow: Can I really…
become a Trainer?] The girl’s voice trembled with uncertainty.
Yet her eyes shone brighter than ever.
When Red read those words, something inside him stirred.
He rubbed his nose.
Then he typed another response.
[Red: If you treat Pokémon with a gentle and kind heart, and always remember that, then you’re already a qualified Trainer!] The real Yellow suddenly froze.
That sentence was like a ray of light.
It seemed to pierce through the screen itself and illuminate memories buried deep within her heart.
Back when she had felt the most helpless.
Back when she had been completely lost.
It was this very boy sitting before her who had used almost the exact same words to ignite her dream of becoming a Trainer.
The Yellow inside the game also stared blankly at Little Red.
Then she nodded firmly.
Carefully, she accepted the Poké Ball.
Lowering her head, she looked at the Rattata in her arms.
Rattata seemed to understand the sincerity behind the invitation.
Without the slightest hesitation, it stretched out a tiny paw and gently pressed the Poké Ball’s button.
Whoosh!
A flash of red light appeared.
Rattata transformed into a stream of energy and entered the Poké Ball.
The ball did not even perform the customary shake.
A single soft ding sounded.
Then it rested quietly in Yellow’s hands.
Yellow immediately released it again.
“Chi!
Chi!” Rattata happily jumped back into her arms, affectionately rubbing against her cheeks.
At that moment, the researcher who had been smiling and observing everything from the side finally stepped forward.
The familiar white lab coat swayed gently.
The Handsome Researcher, Gray, walked over with a smile still lingering on his face.
(End of Chapter)