"What beautiful feathers!"
Misty's eyes sparkled with pure wonder as she stared at the multicolored rainbow feather resting in Alex's palm. It shimmered with soft, iridescent light, radiating a gentle warmth that chased away the last traces of fatigue from her body. She felt oddly refreshed just holding it close.
"It doesn't look like a Fearow feather at all, does it?" she murmured.
Click.
Alex snapped a quick photo of the legendary bird soaring high above them — the rainbow-glowing silhouette against the sunset sky. Pikachu tilted its head upward, ears perked, watching intently.
From this distance, yeah… it did kinda look like a Fearow. But Alex lowered his Pokégear and explained calmly:
"That's not a Fearow. That's Ho-Oh. The legendary Pokémon."
Misty's expression froze. Her head whipped toward him so fast her ponytail bounced.
"Legendary?!"
Alex nodded and quietly told her the legend — the guardian of the skies, the rainbow Pokémon that appears only to those of pure heart, the one said to bring hope and renewal. Misty listened with wide eyes, hanging on every word. By the time he finished, she was looking at him like he'd grown a second head.
First he'd demolished an entire Spearow flock with Pikachu like it was nothing. Now he'd encountered Ho-Oh, caught a rainbow feather, and casually become a "Rainbow Hero." And he knew legends she'd never even heard of.
Who *was* this guy?
After Ho-Oh vanished into the horizon, they continued toward Viridian City. Along the route, whenever wild Pokémon appeared, Alex had Pikachu train — practicing new moves Professor Oak had slipped him via TMs: Iron Tail, Grass Knot, even some coverage options. Electric moves were useless against Ground-types, and Ground hit Electric for super-effective damage. Variety was key.
"Attention, residents of Viridian City: Recent reports of Pokémon thefts have increased. Please remain vigilant and secure your Pokémon at all times."
Nurse Jenny's calm voice crackled over the city's public speakers the moment they entered Viridian.
"Team Rocket?!" Misty gasped, eyes locking onto a wanted poster tacked to a nearby signpost.
The blurry silhouettes showed a man and woman in unmistakable black uniforms with the big red "R." Faces obscured, but the poses screamed classic Team Rocket flair.
Alex leaned in for a closer look and smirked inwardly. Yep — Jessie and James. They looked almost cool here, all dramatic and imposing. This was probably the peak of their "threat" aesthetic before Pikachu turned them into walking punchlines.
"Team Rocket is a criminal organization operating mainly in Kanto, Johto, and the Orange Islands," Alex recited smoothly. "They steal rare and powerful Pokémon to try and conquer the world."
Misty frowned. "Nurse Jenny said they've been active around here lately. Be careful — they specialize in snatching Pokémon."
Alex just shrugged. Pikachu hadn't even zapped them yet; he had zero fear of the trio. In the grand scheme of Team Rocket, only Giovanni mattered — and even he had started as a bug-catching kid whose Beedrill once nearly stalemated Deoxys in a war of attrition.
"Hmm," Alex hummed, glancing at Misty with mock concern. "You gonna be okay?"
Misty lifted her chin proudly, crossing her arms under her small chest and unintentionally squishing her "xiaolongbao" into even cuter little buns.
"I'm going to become a Water-type Pokémon Master! Handling a couple of lowlife thieves is nothing!"
Alex fought a grin. *Don't turn them into Wangzai mantou…* He nodded seriously. "Got it. You're the world's number-one beautiful girl and future Water Master. I believe in you."
Misty's cheeks pinked. When *she* said it, it was confidence. When *he* said it… it felt suspiciously like teasing.
"You… you better mean that!" She shook a tiny fist at him, teeth gritted cutely.
Alex raised both hands in surrender. "I do, I do. Machamp Girl Misty is not to be trifled with."
They bickered and laughed their way to the Pokémon Center.
Inside, Nurse Joy greeted them from behind the counter, her bright eyes warm.
"Welcome! Are you here to check in or heal your Pokémon?"
"Just healing for now, please," Alex said. "Pikachu's had a busy morning."
Pikachu hopped onto the counter and gave Nurse Joy its biggest, most adorable "Pika~" eyes. She cooed and carried it to the back for a quick recharge.
Alex's gaze drifted to the abstract murals on the wall. "Skarmory, Spearow, Starmie, Growlithe…"
Misty snorted. "Those are Moltres, Articuno, Zapdos, and Arcanine, you dork."
Alex just grinned. *Nurse Jenny has legendary beast cubs for everyone. Wonder what riding an Arcanine feels like…*
Ding!
The treatment room doors slid open. Nurse Joy wheeled Pikachu back out on a small cart, fully restored and bouncing with energy.
At the exact same moment:
[Ding! New Mission triggered: Defeat the Team Rocket Trio in an unconventional way, protect the Pokémon Center, and leave a lasting impression on them!]
[Mission Reward: One-star Good Citizen Title (Higher star ratings unlock escalating unexpected rewards)]
Alex blinked. Right on cue.
The Center's alarm blared.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu zipped back to Alex's shoulder, fur bristling.
Glass shattered overhead. Two Poké Balls dropped through the broken skylight.
Koffing and Ekans emerged in twin flashes. Thick purple smoke billowed out, swallowing the room.
"Team Rocket?!" Misty whispered, eyes wide.
Nurse Joy's face paled. She hit the emergency button for Nurse Jenny.
A dramatic spotlight somehow cut through the smoke.
"Since you asked so sincerely… we will tell you with great mercy!"
Alex mouthed the words along in his head. *I could recite this backwards.*
"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 flipped her long magenta hair.
"Jessie!"
James struck a pose.
"James!"
Meowth leaped forward with jazz hands.
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"That's right!"
The smoke cleared. There they stood — Jessie in her cropped top and skirt, James in his rose, Meowth grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Misty tensed, ready for battle.
But Alex… Alex stepped forward with shining eyes.
"Team Rocket!"
He looked at Jessie and James like they were celebrities.
"I finally found you!"
He glanced back at Misty and Nurse Joy, then turned to the trio again.
"I'm your biggest fan. I've always wanted to join! Please — give me a chance?"
Jessie raised an elegant eyebrow. James blinked.
"Kid, joining Team Rocket isn't that easy," Jessie said, but there was a pleased little smirk tugging at her red lips.
Alex pressed on, voice earnest. "Then maybe an internal recommendation? You two look like top-tier operatives — definitely executive level at headquarters. You must have pull!"
Jessie tossed her hair again, clearly flattered. "You want to use *my* connections?"
"Can I?" Alex asked, hopeful.
James exchanged a look with Jessie. Meowth's ears perked.
Jessie stepped closer, hips swaying, voice dropping to a sultry purr as she leaned in.
"Depends, handsome. How badly do you want in?"
She traced a gloved finger down his chest, eyes gleaming with mischief.
Alex didn't miss a beat. He leaned in right back, voice low.
"Bad enough to go through whatever door you want me to."
Jessie's smirk widened into something dangerous and delighted.
"You want to go through my *back* door, huh?"
The room went dead silent for half a second.
Then Meowth cackled. James facepalmed. Misty's jaw dropped.
Alex just grinned wider.
"Only if you say 'pretty please' first."
The Team Rocket motto had never sounded so… negotiable.