“Pokémon!
Start!” Red skillfully opened the Pokédex and connected it to the large television screen.
The familiar startup sound echoed through the room.
The same time.
The same place.
Although Blue, Green, and Yellow did not say anything out loud, their bodies were far more honest than their words.
Each of them settled comfortably onto the sofa, and hidden deep within their eyes was a trace of anticipation that was difficult to conceal.
The familiar opening animation flashed by.
Red loaded the save file.
The screen flickered.
A peaceful, melodious forest theme began to play as Little Red’s figure once again appeared at the lush edge of Viridian Forest.
The moment he spawned, Little Red performed a flashy backflip before throwing out two Poké Balls.
“Come out and stretch a little!
Charmeleon!
Poliwhirl!” Charmeleon immediately ran around like an excited child that had been locked indoors for days.
Poliwhirl, meanwhile, crossed its arms and stood beside Little Red, wearing the cool and composed demeanor of a martial arts master.
Having not touched the game for two or three days, Red controlled Little Red as he bounced energetically along the forest paths, battling trainers along the roadside to regain his rhythm.
Charmeleon chased after Pidgeys everywhere.
Poliwhirl handled obstacles by smashing rocks apart with precise Brick Breaks.
After leaving the tranquil woodland trails behind, the scenery suddenly opened up.
The soothing forest music seamlessly transitioned into the grand, weighty theme of the overworld map.
A city built from gray-white stone slowly emerged before their eyes.
Ancient.
Majestic.
Filled with the weight of history.
[Pewter City] “A city of gray stone, built upon ancient foundations.” The description quietly appeared on screen.
Passing neatly arranged terraces and flower fields meticulously maintained by gardeners, Little Red first headed toward the Pokémon Center to rest and reorganize his team.
As a large city that housed a Pokémon Museum, Pewter City was noticeably more prosperous than Viridian City.
Pedestrians filled the streets.
The sounds of conversation and commerce echoed everywhere.
The entire city felt alive with bustling urban energy.
This time, Red did not rush to explore.
He had made up his mind.
The Gym came first.
There was no way he was going to risk running into Little Blue again and giving that guy another opportunity to mock him.
“The Pewter Gym Leader is Brock.” Red controlled Little Red toward the Gym while speaking nostalgically.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve talked to him.” A smile appeared on his face.
“He’s really someone you can rely on.” “I’m looking forward to battling him.” “Mm.” Blue recalled the slightly dark-skinned young man who always seemed to keep his eyes closed.
He nodded in agreement.
“A man as steadfast as stone.” As someone who also carried the responsibilities of both a Gym Leader and a breeder, Brock’s situation earned Blue’s respect.
After all, Brock not only managed a Gym but also took care of a large number of younger siblings.
That was not an easy burden.
Unfortunately, all of their anticipation was immediately crushed the moment they stepped through the Gym entrance.
A stern-looking middle-aged man blocked Little Red’s path.
[Serious Man: Greetings, challenger!
The Gym Leader recommends bringing at least three Pokémon partners before attempting this challenge.
As this is a beginner Gym challenge, the Gym Leader will battle using a team of three Pokémon.] Red originally intended to ignore the warning.
Then he suddenly remembered his previous battle against Little Blue.
A chill inexplicably ran down his spine.
“…Actually…” He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“Maybe I should play it safe.” “Let’s catch another Pokémon first…” With a somewhat embarrassed expression, Red turned Little Red around and left the Gym.
At the same time, he began pondering an important question.
His current team only consisted of Charmeleon and Poliwhirl.
Who should become the third member?
“Go catch a Jigglypuff!” Green immediately proposed enthusiastically.
“Or maybe a Ditto!” She pointed excitedly.
“I remember seeing them near one of the streams close to Viridian Forest.” Yellow’s eyes also sparkled.
She clearly found the suggestion tempting.
Only Blue remained completely indifferent, arms folded.
Little Red wandered down the road without any particular destination in mind.
Suddenly— A large group of protesters carrying signs came charging straight toward him.
The crowd looked furious.
They stormed past Little Red in a massive wave.
Immediately, Red’s interest was piqued.
Like a seasoned veteran who smelled a side quest from miles away, he quietly slipped into the crowd and began eavesdropping.
Experience had taught him one thing: Whenever something looked suspicious, there was probably a reward involved.
“Wait!” “You little brat!” “Where did it run off to?!” “Get back here!” “…” Little Red followed behind the crowd while secretly listening.
Then— Thud!
He suddenly tripped over something.
Looking down, he discovered that he had stepped on a wanted poster.
Apparently it featured the culprit responsible for all the public outrage.
Curious, he picked it up.
At the center of the poster was a large headshot.
A small Electric Mouse Pokémon stared out with wide innocent eyes.
It looked completely harmless.
Beneath the picture was the description: [Pikachu↑] [A mischievous Electric-type mouse.
Whoever manages to capture it shall receive a generous reward.] [— Pewter City Shopping District] “It’s Pika!” Yellow exclaimed in surprise.
(TN: Pika is nickname of Red’s Pikachu in Pokémon Adventures) The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had spoken too loudly.
Her face immediately turned bright red.
Meanwhile, Red was dragged into a flood of memories.
Wasn’t this…
The exact same way he had first met Pikachu?
Everything was identical.
Exactly identical.
“Brother Gray actually recreated even this part perfectly inside the game!” Red laughed in amazement.
“Pika?” Hearing Yellow call its name, the Pikachu that had been playing outside immediately ran into the room.
After discovering that nothing was wrong, it tilted its head in confusion before lightly hopping onto Red’s shoulder.
“Pika, we were just talking about you.” Red grinned and pointed toward the television.
“Look.” On the screen, Little Red had already followed the angry crowd and cornered a tiny Pikachu against a wall.
[You’re always making a mess of the stores!
We absolutely won’t forgive you!] [You’ve got nowhere left to run, you little troublemaker!] [Everybody!
Catch it!] […] The Pikachu trapped against the wall glared stubbornly at the crowd.
Not a hint of fear could be seen on its face.
“Pika?!
Pika!” The real Pikachu finally understood what was happening.
Instantly, it jumped onto Red’s head.
Then it grabbed the tallest tuft of hair sticking up from his scalp and began furiously lecturing him about participating in the original chase years ago.
“Pika!
Pikachu!” “AAAAH!” “It hurts!” “Stop pulling my hair, Pika!” Red winced in pain.
While Red wrestled with the Pikachu sitting on top of his head, the Pikachu inside the game finally moved.
A flash of light appeared.
Its speed exploded.
In an instant, it became a yellow blur.
Bang!
Bang!
With two precise kicks, it stepped directly onto the faces of the two people standing at the front of the crowd and used them as springboards.
The next moment, it had already landed behind everyone.
Not only that.
As it passed a nearby fruit stand, it casually snatched a Berry.
While chewing away happily, it hummed an off-key little tune.
Clearly, it had no intention whatsoever of taking its pursuers seriously.
Then— Someone seized an opportunity.
A net suddenly descended from above.
Swish!
The Pikachu was completely trapped.
Yet instead of panicking, it merely crouched slightly.
Crackle— A blinding burst of golden electricity erupted from its body.
Powerful currents surged outward in all directions.
The electricity indiscriminately struck everyone nearby.
Even Little Red, who had merely been standing at the side watching the show, was caught in the blast.
His entire body became charred black.
Every strand of hair stood straight upward.
The crowd collapsed one after another.
Cries of pain filled the air.
Meanwhile, Pikachu casually pushed the net aside and continued munching on its Berry as if nothing had happened.
Red finally managed to pry the real Pikachu off his head.
Watching the scene on screen, the corners of his mouth slowly rose.
“Now it’s time for the protagonist to make his entrance.” Inside the game, Little Red struggled back to his feet.
Then he stepped forward dramatically and threw a Poké Ball with a flourish.
“Go!
Charmeleon!” A flash of light burst forth.
Charmeleon appeared magnificently.
It immediately raised its head and released a blazing pillar of fire into the sky, proudly announcing its presence.
The previously angry citizens instantly transformed into spectators.
One by one, they gathered around.
The atmosphere shifted.
What had begun as a citywide manhunt was now becoming something entirely different.
A battle was about to begin.
(End of Chapter)