"Everyone, come out!"
With that, Red immediately threw the five Poké Balls at his waist, releasing Beedrill, Charizard, the giant Steelix, Crimson Gyarados, and Scizor all at once.
As five beams of white light faded, a large number of Pokémon gathered around Red. Such a sight would make most ordinary trainers so envious they could cry—after all, every single one of these Pokémon was something they could only dream of.
[Ding! Successfully stacked Swift Swim onto Kabutops!]
[Ding! Successfully stacked Swift Swim onto Omastar!]
(Swift Swim: During rain or heavy rain, Speed is doubled.)
"Pokémon: Kabutops
Attribute: Rock + Water
First Ability: Weak Armor
Second Ability: Swift Swim
Moves: Slash, Night Slash, Aqua Jet, Ancient Power, Stone Edge, Brick Break, Rock Blast, Razor Shell, Psycho Cut, Ice Beam, X-Scissor...
Nature: Aggressive, adept at tearing prey apart with its scythes and absorbing bodily fluids
Background: The leader of a Kabutops group that survived by chance. In ancient times, it excelled at ambushing prey, shredding them with its scythes and sucking them dry. When moving in water, it folds its limbs and rapidly swims by swaying its shell side to side."
"Pokémon: Omastar
Attribute: Rock + Water
First Ability: Shell Armor
Second Ability: Swift Swim
Moves: Crunch, Bind, Withdraw, Rollout, Water Gun, Ancient Power, Rock Blast, Stone Edge, Surf, Hydro Pump, Pin Missile...
Nature: Aggressive, uses sharp fangs to crush the shells of prey and consume the flesh inside
Background: The leader of an Omastar group that survived by chance. In ancient times, it excelled at ambushing prey, restraining them with its tentacles until they could not move, then delivering a fatal strike with its sharp teeth."
"So it's Red who's back. No wonder these usually calm fellows are so excited."
After finishing the last sip of his soup, Professor Oak leisurely walked over, completely unafraid of any enemies daring to intrude into Professor Oak's Laboratory.
When Professor Oak saw Red's arrival, his face immediately lit up with joy.
After all, Red had accompanied him for three years of research. During that time, the two were inseparable and got along extremely well.
Many times, Professor Oak had even clung to Red's leg in tears, begging him to become his grandson—only to be kicked away each time with a look of disgust from Red.
"Professor Oak, where's Gary?" Red asked curiously. He had expected such a commotion to attract Gary's attention, but there wasn't even a trace of him.
"That boy Gary, ever since returning to Pallet Town, immediately started a Pokémon training plan. He rushed out early this morning—I have no idea where he went to train."
Professor Oak explained, his tone filled with satisfaction. Gary had finally become much more proactive—perhaps something had stimulated him.
"Pika-pi!"
At that moment, Pikachu ran over and leaped onto Red's shoulder, happily rubbing against his cheek.
Seeing this, Professor Oak finally voiced the question in his heart.
"Red, where did you catch this child? When you sent it back earlier, I carefully examined it and found that this Pikachu's physical data is completely different from ordinary Pikachu."
"I caught this little guy in Pewter City. Back then, it used to steal food all the time—gave quite a few shop owners there a real headache," Red joked.
"Pika~"
Pikachu puffed up its cheeks angrily, not expecting its dark past to be exposed so casually. It awkwardly glanced around at the scenery.
"Professor Oak, with your insight, you must have noticed something interesting, right?" Red said.
"If I'm not mistaken, this Pikachu seems to have the same kind of physical data as Ash's Pikachu—both possess strength far beyond that of ordinary ones. Back then, it was precisely because I noticed that Pikachu's uniqueness that I dared to assign it as a starter Pokémon," Professor Oak explained.
"As expected..."
Red showed an expression of confirmation as he gently stroked the affectionate Pikachu.
(Next, it's time for you two brothers to recognize each other...)
When Pikachu was first sent to Professor Oak's Laboratory, it had been very nervous in the unfamiliar environment. Fortunately, Marowak and Dratini were also there, which helped ease Pikachu's anxiety.
Later, through interactions with the other companions, Pikachu gradually opened up and was no longer so afraid of outsiders.
It was precisely because Red sensed Pikachu's inner timidity that he chose not to let the two brothers meet at the Viridian Gym. Instead, he first wanted Pikachu to overcome its guilt so things could develop in a better direction.
As an older brother himself, Red naturally understood Pikachu's feelings.
"Professor Oak, if there's nothing else, I'll rest here with my companions for a while."
With that, Red lay down on the grass. The other Pokémon, seeing this, happily gathered around him, enjoying the breath of nature together.
"Alright~ Just don't catch a cold, though with your physique..."
Professor Oak smiled helplessly at the scene and turned back to the laboratory, planning to continue his research.
...
After an unknown amount of time, Red woke up and leisurely stood. Under the reluctant gazes of many Pokémon, he turned and left Professor Oak's Laboratory, preparing to head home.
However, Pikachu remained on Red's shoulder, returning home with him.
Moments later
Walking on foot, Red arrived home, but Delia still seemed to be out shopping. Seeing this, Red went ahead and returned to his room first.
As soon as he pushed open the door, a warm atmosphere greeted him. Clearly, Delia cleaned the room every day, ensuring that the warmth didn't fade even with the two brothers away.
"Pika!"
Pikachu happily lay on Red's bed, taking a deep breath of the warm scent from the blanket before rolling around on it.
Seeing this, Red could only smile helplessly.
"Without realizing it, that kid Ash has grown a lot. There are even photos of him crying back then~"
Red walked to the glass display cabinet holding certificates of honor. Inside were all the certificates and trophies he had earned over the past three years—but even more were family photos of the three of them.
To Red, family was the most precious honor. These certificates and trophies were nothing more than fleeting experiences in life.
(I wonder how Ash's training has been going...)