Tom stirred awake, his vision adjusting to the bright lights of the Pokémon Center. He blinked; his mind was a bit disoriented as he heard someone call out to him with a gentle voice.
"Ash, your Pikachu's check-up is complete. Everything looks great!"
"Thanks," Tom replied automatically. He froze. His voice sounded… off, younger than it should be. Looking down, he saw hands that were not his own—small, calloused hands that seemed oddly familiar. "She called me Ash...yeah right, Pikachu shit. Did I get reincarnated as Ash?"
A rush of memories overwhelmed him. He saw flashes of Ash's, a life filled with journeys, Pokémon battles, and friendships. He clutched his head, trying to make sense of the tidal wave of emotions and experiences that weren't his. "Ha, these are almost the same as what I have seen on TV."
"Are you feeling alright, Ash?" Nurse Joy asked, concerned.
Tom forced a smile, swallowing his confusion. "Yep, just a bit tired."
Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder, nuzzling affectionately against his cheek. Seeing Pickachu like this brought some warmth to his heart.
Tom stood and took a steadying breath. If I'm Ash now, I need to figure this out quickly. Where am I, and why does this feel so natural? Ha, according to the memories, I am in Kalos, but does Ash actually stop in a Pokémon Center? . With a quick thank-you to Nurse Joy, he left the Pokémon Center, still confused and thinking about what to do and how to interact with people. Will they see me like a weird person? All such questions popped up in his head. He made a quick decision to head to the professor's lab for now, as was that not where Ash headed first since they could not challenge the Gym?
As he navigated the bustling streets of Lumiose City, Tom paused at an airport map he recalled from earlier. Tom's mind buzzed as he traced the map with his eyes, memorizing the streets that would lead to Sycamore's lab. The city was larger than he remembered—or perhaps it only felt that way because of the strange dissonance between his old self and the new memories flooding his mind. He was deep in thought when he noticed a sudden commotion nearby.
The sharp cries of children broke through his focus, accompanied by the frantic fluttering of wings. His heart quickened as he turned to see a flock of Fletchinder swooping down on a small, trembling Spewpa.
Wow! They look just like woodpeckers except for their color. What the hell am I thinking? I need to be helping the Pokémon, Ash thought as he saw the state of the Bug Pokémon's white cocoon-like body covered in scratches, its movements sluggish as it tried to shield itself from the Fletchinder by backing into a corner. There were children nearby who screamed, but they were too scared to approach.
Without hesitation, Tom sprang into action, although Pikachu was already running to the scene. Tom ran toward the scene right behind Pickachu, adrenaline kicking in. "NOW! PICKACHU THUNDERBOLT right in the middle of the flock—that should be enough to disperse them."
Golden electricity crackled through the air as Pikachu released a powerful Thunderbolt. The energy struck the ground right in the middle of Fletchinder; they dodged the attack but did not have the guts to fight back because of their disadvantage against electricity. They flapped their wings and retreated, disappearing into the sky.
Tom reached the Spewpa, crouching low to examine its injuries. "You're going to be alright," he murmured softly, scooping it into his arms with great care. Spewpa shivered but didn't resist, its tiny body too exhausted to protest.
"Those Fletchinder did a number on you. Ha, it's alright, you are going to be ok; we will get you treated soon enough." As he said that, he started to rummage in his bag searching for a potion; when he did not find one, he remembered, "Oh! Ash would always run back to the center whenever he was alone as he never carried a potion; I hoped he was a bit responsible." But he felt the weight of the injured Pokémon in his arms reminded him that this wasn't a game/anime—it was real, and lives depended on his actions; if he did not get it treated on time, it might die.
Nearby, the children began to approach cautiously; he could see there was no fear in their eyes anymore, just amazement and respect, which brought him some relief, but he did not have the time now to greet them or talk to them, as he had to hurry.
Tom gave them a reassuring smile. "You're safe now. If something like this happens again, find an adult or someone who can help, okay? Now I will be running."
T
he children nodded, their eyes filled with gratitude and happiness for their survival. They gave him a bow as Ash ran off with Spewpa in his arms.
Tom adjusted the Spewpa in his arms, feeling its faint, uneven breaths. "Hang in there," he said softly, glancing around. Now where was the Pokémon Center? His mind raced as he tried to recall the direction in which he came in. I was so lost in my thoughts I did not see the direction I came from and for some apparent reason I don't remember which direction Ash had gone to reach the center.
He turned in one direction, then another, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The Pokémon Center feels miles away… what if I don't make it in time?
"All these roads look the same, Pikachu," Ash blurted out clearly, frustrated.
As if in answer, Pikachu pointed its paw toward a nearby road, as if telling him to go that way.
"You think that's the way?" Tom asked. Pikachu nodded confidently.
"Alright, let's go!" With Pikachu leading the way and Spewpa held securely in his arms, Tom picked up the pace. He knew he couldn't afford to waste any time.
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Carrying the Spewpa, Tom began jogging toward the Pokémon Center, unaware that two pairs of eyes had been watching him from nearby.
"Clemont! He was so cool, right!" Bonnie whispered excitedly; her eyes looked like they were almost twinkling. "I agree," Clemont replied, adjusting his glasses. "But why is he going in that direction?! The professor's lab is nearer when compared to the Pokémon Center. We should go and help Bonnie."
Tom paused at a fork in the road, glancing around uncertainly. His lack of familiarity with Lumiose City was apparent. Before he could choose a direction or before Pikachu could point at one, Bonnie and Clemont approached.
"Hey!" Bonnie called out, waving enthusiastically.
Tom turned, surprised. Recognizing the siblings almost instantly because of the memories of his past life, he felt relief seeing them; he had thought he would not meet them since he had not gone to Lumiose Tower like in the original. He did want them as his traveling companion also quite a bit.
"The Spewpa looks hurt a lot," Clemont said, concern in his voice.
"Yes, I was talking to the Pokémon Center apparently. Man! "But I am so lost; this city is so big. Do you know which way I need to go to reach the Pokemon Center?" Tom replied.
Bonnie tilted her head. "Why not just take it to Professor Sycamore's lab? It's way closer!"
Tom blinked, startled. "Wait, really? I didn't know that."
Clemont nodded. "The lab's just a few blocks away. If you want, we can show you the way."
Tom hesitated for a moment before nodding. "That would be great. Thanks."
Bonnie beamed. "Can we come with you to the lab? I love meeting Pokémon!"
"Sure," Tom said, smiling faintly. "The more, the merrier."
As the trio made their way through the city, Bonnie bombarded Ash with a heap of questions.
"Why were you helping that Spewpa? Were you scared of the Fletchinder? How long have you had your Pikachu?"
Tom chuckled, struggling to keep up with her rapid-fire curiosity. "I just did what anyone would do. And no, I wasn't scared. Pikachu and I have been through a lot together."
Bonnie looked impressed, while Clemont stayed a step behind, lugging a large invention.
"Bonnie, slow down!" Clemont panted. "Not everyone has endless energy like you!"
"You're just slow," Bonnie teased. "Maybe you should ditch your gadgets!"
Tom couldn't help but laugh. The siblings' dynamic was entertaining, and their presence was a big help to ease some of his earlier unease and tension.
Unbeknownst to the group, a shadow followed silently. Froakie perched on a rooftop, its gaze fixed on Tom. The Water Pokémon's interest deepened with each act of kindness it observed.
The towering silhouette of Professor Sycamore's lab finally came into view, a gleaming beacon amidst the urban sprawl of Lumiose City. Tom felt a surge of relief wash over him as he saw a building that looked like a lab. The Spewpa in his arms stirred weakly, as though sensing safety was near.
"It's just a little further," Tom murmured softly, adjusting his hold on the injured Pokémon.
Bonnie, bounding ahead with boundless energy, turned back to shout, "Come on, slowpokes! The lab's right there!"
Clemont, dragging behind with his bulky invention in tow, huffed in frustration. "Not all of us have endless energy, Bonnie!"
Tom chuckled, his tension easing slightly at their playful banter. Pikachu, perched alertly on his shoulder, chirped in agreement, as though mocking Clemont's struggle.
Bonnie crossed her arms, smirking. "You wouldn't be so slow if you didn't carry that giant machine everywhere, Clemont!"
"It's not just a giant machine," Clemont defended, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "It's a sophisticated invention! You never know when it might come in handy."
Tom shook his head in amusement. The siblings' dynamic was refreshing, a light-hearted counterpoint to the weight of his thoughts. But he did not stop them, as Bonnie's words worked as a motivator for Clemont to move faster since Ash was already in a hurry to help Spewpa; this was the best-case scenario.
The sleek facade of Professor Sycamore's laboratory gleamed in the sunlight as Tom—inhabiting Ash's body—approached with Bonnie and Clemont trailing behind. The Spewpa in his arms whimpered softly, its injuries still visible but its trembles less severe after the care it had already received.
"This must be it," Tom said, pausing outside the doors.
Bonnie, full of energy, darted past him. "What are you waiting for? Go on in! Professor Sycamore's the best!"
"Yep." He said as they went forward and entered the lab, which was open.
The interior of the laboratory was far larger than Ash had expected.
The moment the doors slid shut behind them, he found himself standing in a spacious central hall illuminated by natural light pouring through the massive glass ceiling overhead. The lab carried a calm atmosphere instead of the bustling energy he had imagined. The faint scent of books, soil, machinery, and medicinal herbs blended together into something distinctly academic.
Directly ahead stood a broad staircase that split upward toward the second floor. Beneath it, the hall extended deeper into the laboratory through several open corridors lined with research equipment and glass observation panels.
To the left of the staircase sat a reception desk where a young woman worked.
Tom barely had time to take everything in before Bonnie rushed ahead.
"See? I told you the lab was closer than the Pokémon Center!"
But as it was, Tom was in no mood to listen to their bickering now as he was ran to the place where the receptionist or researcher was sitting.
"Running ahead inside a research facility is dangerous, Bonnie," Clemont warned while adjusting the heavy bag hanging from his shoulder.
Pikachu clutched on his collar, trying to stay stable.
The receptionist looked up the moment she noticed the injured Spewpa in Tom's arms.
"Oh my—what happened?"
Tom stepped forward immediately.
"We found it getting attacked by a Fletchinder outside the city," he explained. "It's hurt pretty badly."
The woman's expression sharpened instantly with professional focus.
"One moment please."
She quickly pressed a button beneath the desk before standing.
"Professor Sycamore!" she called toward the lower sections of the lab. "We have an injured Pokémon up front!"
For a few seconds, only the soft hum of machinery filled the hall.
Then footsteps echoed from beyond the staircase.
A tall man with wavy dark hair emerged from the inner corridors below, adjusting the sleeves of his lab coat as he approached. Despite the urgency in his pace, his expression remained composed.
The moment his eyes landed on Spewpa, his demeanor shifted.
"Bring it here immediately," he said without hesitation.
They quickly followed as Sycamore guided them beneath the staircase and deeper into the treatment area.
Behind him, Bonnie whispered excitedly to Clemont.
"That's Professor Sycamore!"
"I am aware," Clemont deadpanned.
Above the entrance hall, hidden along the upper railing overlooking the laboratory floor, a lone Froakie crouched silently in the shadows.
Its sharp gaze remained fixed entirely on Ash.
Pikachu glanced upward for the briefest second.
"Pika?"
But when Ash turned to look, Froakie had already disappeared from sight.