The next morning.
At the entrance of the Pokémon Center in Viridian City, the gentle morning light poured down over Ash, coating him in a warm golden glow.
Standing at the doorway, Ash could not help but stretch lazily, taking in deep breaths of the crisp, fresh air that belonged only to the early morning.
In that moment, it felt as though all the fatigue from the previous day had completely vanished.
He straightened up, clenched his fist with renewed energy, and declared spiritedly to Pikachu on his shoulder, “Alright! Fully rested! Let’s keep moving! Our goal is to become a Pokémon Master! And also… to see Ho-Oh again!”
“Pika~”
Pikachu, lying across Ash’s shoulder, merely swayed its tail lazily, giving a response that lacked any real enthusiasm.
Ash did not mind Pikachu’s attitude at all.
However, just as he was about to take his first step forward and set off on a brand new journey, a familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind him once again.
“Finally came out. I’ve been waiting for you for ages.”
Ash’s body stiffened slightly.
He turned around somewhat mechanically, and sure enough, he saw Misty leaning against the wall of the Pokémon Center with her arms crossed, her face full of impatience.
Seeing that Misty had actually been waiting there for him, Ash’s face filled with surprise.
Then he put his hands on his hips and said in an incredulous tone, “Come on, you were serious? Are you really planning to follow me the whole way?”
So early in the morning, Misty was already irritated by his words.
The veins on her forehead twitched as she snapped back, “What else? Do you think I was joking with you? You destroyed my bicycle and now you think you can just walk away? There’s no way it’s that easy!”
Ash curled his lips and let out a vague clicking sound.
He muttered quietly under his breath.
“What a hassle.”
But after raising his head and seeing the annoyed look on Misty’s face, Ash finally gave in, albeit unwillingly.
“Alright, alright, let’s go together then.” Ash waved his hand weakly, then turned around on his own and started walking in a certain direction with large strides.
Watching Ash’s reluctant back, Misty could not help but take a deep breath, feeling her fists tightening.
Traveling with this guy, she was bound to be driven mad sooner or later.
Back then, she really had been able to endure a lot.
Misty could not help but admire her past self.
At the same time, she silently reminded herself.
Stay calm.
Be mature.
Do not stoop to his level.
The direction Ash was heading was not toward the city exit at all.
“Hey! Wait! Where are you going?!” Misty quickly called out, pointing in another direction.
“The exit of Viridian City is over there!”
Could it be that this guy’s terrible sense of direction was already this bad from the very beginning?
He could not even find his way out of Viridian City?
Misty could not help but complain inwardly.
Hearing her shout, Ash, who had already walked some distance, stopped.
He turned around with a puzzled expression, looking at Misty without the slightest hint of embarrassment about going the wrong way.
Instead, he asked in a very serious tone, “Do you know what my goal is?”
“Huh?” Misty was momentarily stunned by the sudden question, but still answered instinctively, “To become a Pokémon Master?”
When they had left Officer Jenny the previous night, the two of them had formally introduced themselves, so Misty naturally knew the goal Ash always talked about.
“That’s right.” Ash nodded, then continued, “But before that, what should my current goal be?”
“Before that…” Misty thought for a moment and quickly came to an answer.
“To participate in the Indigo League Conference?”
Seeing that Misty had finally answered correctly, Ash showed a somewhat satisfied expression and nodded approvingly.
“You finally get it.”
“Get what?” A large question mark practically appeared over Misty’s head as she completely failed to follow his logic.
Ash looked at her blank expression, and his own face froze.
This girl was way too slow.
He could not help complaining about Misty in his heart.
No wonder she had to travel with me.
Without me, she might get sold off somewhere and not even realize it.
Looking at Misty’s clueless face, Ash suddenly felt a bit of pride as a “senior.”
Forget it.
He decided to be understanding and explained, “Of course it’s to challenge Gyms and earn Gym Badges! Don’t tell me you don’t know that the city we’re in right now is Viridian City, and the Viridian Gym is right here in this city?”
Misty fell silent.
Listening to him state something so obvious in such a matter-of-fact tone only made her fists tighten further.
Of course she knew that challenging the League required collecting eight Gym Badges.
Ash’s first Gym challenge should have been in Pewter City.
Although Viridian City also had a Gym…
The Gym Leader of Viridian Gym…
Thinking of that person’s identity, Misty’s expression instantly turned somewhat grim.
Seeing Ash already turning around to continue toward the Gym, she quickly called out loudly, “Wait! The Viridian Gym is closed today!”
Misty was not lying.
Back when she and Ash had come to Viridian City, the Gym had indeed been closed.
And more importantly, the Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni, was the hidden boss of Team Rocket.
If they could avoid contact with him, that would naturally be for the best.
However, Ash’s voice came drifting back from ahead.
“How would we know if we don’t go check? If you don’t want to go, just wait here for me!”
Hearing Ash’s carefree tone, Misty stamped her foot in frustration.
This idiot!
Even though she was full of annoyance, she still resigned herself and chased after him.
“Who said I’m not going! Hey! Why are you running?! Wait for me!”
…
At the same time, inside the Viridian Gym.
Completely different from the bright, sunny streets outside, not a single light was on inside the Gym.
Darkness surrounded the entire place, and even the air seemed filled with a heavy, oppressive silence.
On a raised platform beside the empty battle arena, a figure stood quietly within the shadows.
The man wore a well-tailored suit, his tall frame radiating an imposing aura even while standing still, as if authority itself clung to him.
Giovanni held a wine glass in one hand, gently swirling the crimson liquid inside, allowing it to trace lines along the glass.
His face remained calm and unreadable, showing no outward emotion, yet deep within, turbulent waves surged silently.
When he had woken up that morning, Giovanni discovered that he was in the secret base beneath Viridian City.
He immediately sensed that something was wrong.
After quickly confirming the current date, Giovanni fully understood his situation.
He had, somehow, returned to the past.
(End of Chapter)