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The sun was beginning to set as Ash and Misty finally reached the outskirts of Viridian City. Their clothes had mostly dried during the two-hour walk from the river, but both trainers were exhausted from their encounter with the massive Gyarados. Pikachu had been sleeping in Ash's arms for the last hour, completely drained from the intense battle.
"There," Misty pointed ahead, relief evident in her voice. "The Pokémon Center. I can see the red roof."
They made their way to the Pokémon Center. The automatic doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the familiar pink-haired nurse behind the counter.
"Welcome to the Viridian City Pokémon Center," Nurse Joy greeted them warmly. "Oh my, you both look like you've had quite an adventure. What can I do for you?"
"We had an encounter with a Gyarados," Ash explained, gently placing Pikachu on the counter. "He's mainly just tired, but I'd like to make sure he's okay."
Nurse Joy's eyes widened with concern. "A Gyarados? That's extremely dangerous! Let me examine him right away."
---
Twenty minutes later, after a thorough examination, Nurse Joy returned with a relieved smile. "Good news! Pikachu is perfectly healthy, just exhausted. Some rest in our recovery room and he'll be back to full strength. You must be quite skilled to handle such a dangerous situation."
"Thank you," Ash said, genuinely grateful. "How long will the recovery take?"
"About two hours should be sufficient. Feel free to use our facilities while you wait."
Ash nodded and headed to the video phone booth. "I should call my mom and let her know where I am," he told Misty, who settled into a nearby chair.
The screen flickered to life after a few rings, revealing Delia Ketchum's worried face. "Ash! I've been hoping you'd call. How's your first day going, honey?"
"It's been eventful, Mom," Ash said with a tired smile. "I'm in Viridian City now, and I've made a friend." He gestured for Misty to join him, and she approached somewhat hesitantly.
"Hi, Mrs. Ketchum," Misty said with a small wave. "I'm Misty. Your son saved me from a Gyarados today."
Delia's expression shifted between pride and worry. "A Gyarados? Ash, please tell me you're being careful! And it's wonderful to meet you, Misty. Are you a trainer too?"
"Yes, ma'am. I specialize in Water-type Pokémon," Misty replied. "Your son is... remarkably brave."
"That's what worries me," Delia said with a fond but exasperated expression. "He's always been like that—jumping into danger to help others. Please look after each other."
After a few more minutes of conversation and promises to call regularly, Ash ended the call and immediately dialed Professor Oak's number. The familiar bearded face appeared on screen moments later.
"Ash! Perfect timing. I was just thinking about how your first day might be going. How are you and Pikachu getting along?"
"We're doing great, Professor. Actually, I wanted to show you something incredible I photographed today." Ash pulled out his Pokédex and transmitted the image. "I saw Ho-Oh flying over Route 1 this afternoon."
Professor Oak's reaction was immediate and intense. "Extraordinary! The legendary Phoenix Pokémon... This is the first confirmed sighting in this region in over fifty years! The academic community will be fascinated. I could offer you a substantial research fee for exclusive rights to publish this photograph."
"That would be very helpful, Professor. I could use the funds for my journey."
"Of course! I'll transfer five thousand Pokédollars to your trainer account immediately. This is exceptional work, Ash. Keep documenting anything unusual you encounter."
As they discussed the details, Misty watched quietly, noting how Ash carefully avoided mentioning anything about a feather. Smart of him—legendary artifacts were dangerous to discuss openly.
After ending the call, they grabbed a quick meal at the center's café and checked into a room for the night.
---
At exactly 8:45 PM, their peaceful evening was shattered by a tremendous crash from the main lobby. The entire building shook, and emergency alarms began blaring throughout the center.
"What was that?" Misty exclaimed, jumping up from her bed.
"Trouble," Ash said grimly, his instincts from his previous life immediately kicking in. "Stay behind me."
They rushed to the lobby to find chaos. A massive mechanical contraption had smashed through the front wall, and three figures stood dramatically in the debris. Ash recognized them immediately from the wanted posters he'd seen—Team Rocket.
"Prepare for trouble!" the magenta-haired woman declared.
"And make it double!" the blue-haired man continued.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
Several trainers and their Pokémon cowered near the walls while Nurse Joy backed away in fear. The mechanical device was already beginning to suck up Pokéballs from the treatment area.
"Team Rocket," Ash said coldly, his voice carrying an edge that made even Misty step back. In his mind, he was no longer a ten-year-old boy but a battle-hardened shinobi facing enemy nin. "You've made a mistake coming here."
"Oh, what's this?" James sneered. "A little boy wants to play hero?"
"That Pikachu looks perfect for the boss!" Jessie added, pointing at Pikachu, who had just been returned from the recovery room. "Hand it over, kid!"
"Never," Ash replied, his tactical mind already analyzing their positions, equipment, and likely combat capabilities. "Pikachu, you ready?"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded, electricity crackling between his cheeks.
"Koffing, Poison Gas!" James commanded, throwing a Pokéball.
The purple Pokémon immediately began filling the lobby with toxic smoke. But Ash was already moving, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to predict the attack pattern.
"Pikachu, Agility in a circular pattern—create a whirlwind!"
Pikachu began moving in tight circles at incredible speed, generating a powerful vortex that sucked up the poison gas and dispersed it harmlessly through the broken wall.
"Impressive," Jessie snarled. "But try this! Arbok, Wrap attack!"
The cobra Pokémon lunged forward, but Ash was ready. "Pikachu, Thunder Shock at the ceiling directly above Arbok!"
The electric attack hit the metal light fixture, which crashed down and pinned Arbok safely but effectively to the floor. Ash's tactical mind was working at full capacity now, seeing three moves ahead like a chess master.
"Meowth, get that Pikachu!" the cat Pokémon yelled, extending his claws.
Ash moved with fluid grace, his enhanced reflexes from his previous life allowing him to dodge Meowth's claws while using misdirection techniques. He feinted left, then rolled right, creating multiple afterimages through pure speed and timing.
"What the—where'd he go?!" Meowth cried out, swinging wildly at empty air.
But Ash was already behind him, having used his knowledge of combat movement and positioning. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt on the machine's power core!"
The electric attack hit the exact weak point Ash had identified, causing a chain reaction that disabled the entire contraption. But he wasn't finished.
"Now for something new," Ash said, extending his right hand. A swirling sphere of blue energy began forming in his palm, growing larger and more defined with each passing second.
"Aura Style: Rasengan!"
The spinning sphere of energy struck the center of Team Rocket's formation, creating a controlled explosion that sent all three criminals flying backward—but not skyward. Instead, they crashed into the center's reinforced back wall, stunned but very much present.
"Pikachu, Thunder Wave to paralyze them!" Ash commanded.
The electric attack washed over the dazed criminals, leaving them twitching and unable to move effectively. Ash quickly grabbed some rope from the emergency supplies and, with movements that spoke of extensive combat training, had all three bound securely within two minutes using advanced restraint techniques.
"There," he said, dusting off his hands. "Three Team Rocket members, captured and ready for pickup."
The lobby fell silent except for the crackling of small electrical fires and the groans of the defeated criminals. Nurse Joy stared at Ash in complete shock.
"That was... that was an advanced Aura technique," she whispered. "I've only seen Alliance members use combat styles like that. How did you learn it?"
"I worked as Professor Oak's research assistant," Ash explained, suddenly looking embarrassed by all the attention. "I helped develop that technique, actually. The Professor helped me write the research paper and submit it to the Alliance for approval."
Misty's eyes widened. "You were a research assistant? But you don't seem to know much about Pokémon theory..."
"I'm good at the practical stuff," Ash said with a shrug. "I developed the fighting techniques, but I hate studying all the boring theoretical parts. Professor Oak handled the academic writing."
"These three are definitely Team Rocket," Nurse Joy confirmed, checking their wanted posters. "I've already called Officer Jenny. She should be here in about ten minutes."
---
Twelve minutes later, Officer Jenny arrived with a full squad of officers and a secure transport vehicle. She surveyed the scene with professional efficiency, taking in the destroyed wall, the disabled machinery, and the three securely bound criminals.
"I'm Officer Jenny," she announced, approaching Ash. "You're the trainer who captured these three?"
"Yes, ma'am. They were stealing Pokémon from the center."
Officer Jenny examined the restraints with obvious approval. "Professional-grade binding technique. You've had extensive combat training." It wasn't a question.
"Some," Ash admitted.
"Well, you've done excellent work. These three are wanted across multiple regions for Pokémon theft, property damage, and disturbing the peace. The Alliance has standing bounties on all three."
As her officers loaded the still-paralyzed criminals into the transport, Officer Jenny continued, "The capture reward is fifteen thousand Pokédollars for the three of them."
"Actually, Officer Jenny," Ash said thoughtfully, studying James's face, "I think I recognize that one from somewhere."
"Oh?" Officer Jenny raised an eyebrow. "From where?"
"There was a missing person poster back in Pallet Town. Rich family looking for their runaway son. The reward was pretty substantial if I remember correctly."
Officer Jenny's eyes widened as she pulled out her notepad. "Are you certain? What family name?"
From the transport vehicle, James's voice suddenly rose in panic: "Wait, what?! They're going to sell me out to my parents?!"
"James, shut up!" Jessie hissed. "You're making it worse!"
"But they'll make me go back to that awful mansion and marry that horrible woman!" James wailed dramatically.
"What horrible woman?" Meowth asked, confused.
"Jessiebelle! She's terrifying! She makes me sit up straight and drink tea with my pinky extended!"
"The horror," Meowth said sarcastically.
Officer Jenny looked back and forth between the transport and Ash. "Well, that certainly confirms his identity. I'll look into this missing person case immediately."
"Not the pinky thing!" James continued to wail. "Anything but proper etiquette!"
"James, you're a criminal now," Jessie snapped. "I think you've got bigger problems than tea manners!"
"You don't understand! You've never met Jessiebelle! She's scarier than any Pokémon we've ever faced!"
Ash couldn't help but grin. "Sounds like there's definitely a story there."
Officer Jenny finished writing in her notepad and looked up with satisfaction. "I'll contact the family immediately. If this pans out, there's typically a substantial reward for information leading to missing persons. Could be twenty thousand Pokédollars or more."
"Thirty-five thousand total?" Misty asked, eyes wide.
"Plus the Alliance commendation for capturing dangerous criminals," Officer Jenny confirmed. "The funds will be transferred to your trainer account within twenty-four hours."
From the transport vehicle, the voices grew more frantic:
"Twenty thousand?!" James shrieked. "Why didn't we think of turning ourselves in for reward money?!"
"Because we're supposed to be the ones doing the stealing, you twit!" Jessie yelled back.
"But think about it logically," Meowth interjected. "If we turn ourselves in, collect the reward, then escape, we'd have more money than we do now!"
"That's... actually not a terrible plan," Jessie admitted reluctantly.
"Except for the part where we'd be in prison," James pointed out.
"Details," Meowth waved a paw dismissively.
Officer Jenny shook her head in amazement. "In all my years of law enforcement, I've never heard criminals discuss turning themselves in for profit."
"They're... unique," Ash said diplomatically.
After Officer Jenny and her team departed with their prisoners, Ash and Misty helped Nurse Joy coordinate the cleanup and temporary repairs. The center's emergency services were efficient, and within an hour, basic operations were restored.
"I still can't believe you captured them so easily," Misty said as they settled back into their room. "Most trainers would have been overwhelmed."
"They were sloppy," Ash replied, his tactical analysis still running in the background. "Too much showboating, not enough actual strategy. Their Pokémon were undertrained, and they relied too heavily on their machinery."
"And what are you going to do with all this money? The Ho-Oh photo, the capture bounties, the family reward..."
"That's a secret," Ash said with a mysterious smile. "But I will make you one offer—I could easily afford to buy you a new bike now."
Misty considered this for a moment, then shook her head. "Actually, if we're going to be traveling together, we might as well enjoy the scenery. Walking gives us more time to spot interesting Pokémon, and a bike would just make us rush past everything."
"Are you sure? It's no trouble."
"Yeah," Misty said, her expression softening. "Besides, after seeing you battle that Gyarados and handle Team Rocket like that... I'm curious to see what else you can do. This journey is going to be interesting."
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