The rain had passed, and a rainbow still hung across the sky, but Ash and Misty had no time to admire it.
"We need to get to the Pokémon Center, fast!" Ash held the unconscious Pikachu in his arms, his voice tight with worry.
Pikachu's breathing was steady, but the strain from forcefully channeling natural lightning was clearly immense.
"Follow me! I know the way!" Misty said immediately. She recalled her Goldeen and ran ahead without hesitation.
Fighting side-by-side moments ago had given her trust—and a spark of curiosity—toward this rookie-looking Trainer who kept creating miracles.
The two hurried along the road, and soon, a familiar red-roofed building came into view—the Viridian City Pokémon Center.
Rushing into the lobby, Ash sprinted straight to the counter.
"Nurse Joy! Please—save my Pikachu!"
"And my Goldeen too, it's exhausted as well!" Misty handed over her Poké Ball.
"Don't worry, leave them to me." Nurse Joy's gentle voice reassured them as she took Pikachu and the Poké Ball, setting them on a cart and handing it to her Chansey. "Quick, take them to the emergency care room."
Watching Chansey wheel them into the back, Ash finally exhaled. The exhaustion he'd been holding back surged over him like a wave, making him almost lose balance.
"Hey! Are you okay?" Misty quickly caught him. "Sit down and rest for a bit. You're hurt too, aren't you?"
She'd already noticed the scrapes on his arm and face, and suspected he'd taken some damage from tanking Fearow's attack.
"Thanks…" Ash sat down on a bench in the rest area, finally getting a chance to clearly look at the girl before him.
Her bright orange hair was tied in a side ponytail—energetic and lively—yet her worried eyes showed kindness.
"Really, thanks to you back there. Otherwise we might've been in real trouble. My name's Ash, from Pallet Town."
"I'm Misty!" She didn't mention her identity. "Your Pikachu… that Thunder attack just now was incredible! Is it really okay?"
"It should be fine. Nurse Joy can definitely heal it."
Ash said so, but inwardly—through the faint connection of Aura—he could sense Pikachu was only exhausted, sleeping deeply while its health slowly recovered. That eased his worries.
"By the way, how did you happen to be there?"
"I was fishing nearby for Water-type Pokémon when I heard the commotion." Misty explained, then huffed angrily, "Those Spearow and Fearow were awful! Attacking Trainers like that!"
As they chatted, the automatic doors slid open again.
A refined middle-aged man in a white lab coat and glasses stepped inside, wearing a gentle smile.
"Oh? Quite lively here today." he said warmly.
"Professor Bill!" Misty recognized him immediately and waved. Since Cerulean City was near the famous Bill's Lighthouse, it wasn't strange she knew the researcher of the Pokémon Transport System.
Ash's eyes widened slightly.
Professor Bill? The key figure behind the Pokémon Transfer System?
But according to the normal timeline, he was supposed to meet him at Bill's Lighthouse later—so early?
"Hello." Bill nodded to them kindly. "Judging by your appearance, you must've gone through something."
"Yes, Professor. We were attacked by a flock of Spearow on the way here." Ash explained briefly.
"I see. The wilds are always full of surprises." Bill nodded, then took a USB-like module from his pocket and handed it to Nurse Joy.
"Nurse Joy, this is the newest data module for the Pokémon Status Analyzer. Please install it and run a test."
"Thank you so much, Professor Bill." Nurse Joy accepted it gratefully.
Just then—
The Pokémon Center lights flickered strangely a few times, then suddenly went out!
Only the dim emergency lamps remained.
"What? A blackout?" Misty stood up in surprise.
"No…"
Ash's Aura suddenly sensed malicious intent—along with a familiar… comedic energy?
He snapped his head toward a shadowy corner of the hall.
"Since you asked so sincerely!"
"We'll tell you graciously!"
Sure enough! That unmistakable intro rang out!
Team Rocket trio leapt from the shadows, striking their bizarre poses!
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
Jessie and James grinned triumphantly while Meowth pushed in a strange little cart holding a portable energy disruptor—the clear cause of the blackout.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"We're Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!"
Ash couldn't help but nod.
The classic Gen-1 Team Rocket motto—truly unforgettable.
"Team Rocket!" Misty snapped into battle stance. "What are you doing here!"
"Hehehe!" Jessie put her hands on her hips. "Can't you tell? We're here to make some money during the blackout! Hand over your strong Pokémon! Especially that Pikachu—its lightning earlier was impressive~ right, Meowth?"
"That's right, nya!"
Meowth tapped at the disruptor, sending special interference waves toward the Pokémon Center's storage and transfer system, attempting to hack it.
"No way you're getting away with this!"
Misty threw a Poké Ball. "Starmie, Water Gun!"
But the moment Starmie appeared, before it could fire—James' Koffing spewed a huge cloud of Smog, engulfing the entire lobby and blocking all vision.
"Useless, useless!" Jessie laughed, "Ekans, use Acid to scare them a bit!"
Ekans sprayed corrosive liquid in Ash and Misty's direction—its aim was terrible, but in the smokescreen it caused utter chaos.
Ash's eyes sharpened.
If this were the original series, Pikachu would get stolen, and they'd cause mayhem afterward. But Pikachu was being treated right now—he absolutely wouldn't let these idiots disturb its recovery or damage the Pokémon Center!
His Aura became even sharper in the dark, allowing him to "see" the exact positions of Team Rocket and their Pokémon.
"Pidgey!" Ash whispered and threw its Poké Ball. "Whip up a Gust and clear the smoke!"
"Pi—ge!"
Pidgey flapped hard, generating enough wind to open a gap in the choking smog—restoring temporary visibility.
"What?!" Team Rocket froze.
"Now! Starmie, Water Gun—aim for that machine!"
Starmie blasted the disruptor head-on!
"Not good, nya!" Meowth yelped as the device sparked violently, then shut down entirely!
The Pokémon Center lights flickered back to life.
"Our machine!" James wailed.
"Darn it! If that's how you want it, we'll do this the hard way! Ekans..."
Jessie hadn't even finished her sentence before Ash moved. He knew he couldn't give these guys even a second to drag things out.
He suddenly lunged forward—not toward the Pokémon, but straight at Jessie and James themselves!
At the same time, his Aura flared, not to attack, but to form an invisible shove that slammed hard into both their backs.
"Waaah!"
"Ow—!"
Neither Jessie nor James ever expected a Trainer to directly target another Trainer (even if it was only a shove). Caught completely off guard, they yelped and tumbled forward, smacking into each other and falling to the floor in a dizzy heap.
"Meowth! Do something, nya!" Meowth panicked.
"Pidgey, Tackle Meowth!" Ash ordered without hesitation.
Pidgey dove down in a swift arc. Meowth shrieked and leapt aside, abandoning the machine entirely.
"You brats! How dare you!" Jessie and James scrambled up, furious and flustered, ready to retaliate.
But at that moment, with the power fully restored, the Pokémon Center's alarms blared loudly, and Nurse Joy raised her communicator—about to call Officer Jenny.
"No good! Joy's calling Officer Jenny!"
"Time to scram, nya!"
Realizing the situation was hopeless, Team Rocket panicked, grabbing their Pokémon and the ruined device.
"Brat! We won't forget this!"
"Next time we're definitely catching your Pikachu!"
"Just you wait, nya!"
And of course, as they ran, they still remembered to shout their signature:
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off—early!"
The trio rushed out of the Pokémon Center in total disarray, disappearing down the street within seconds.
Thus, a potential crisis was resolved with almost no damage at all.
Misty exhaled in relief, staring at Ash in amazement.
"You… you actually just charged at them?"
That was not something normal Trainers did.
"When you're dealing with guys who don't follow the rules, sometimes you gotta use special methods."
Ash chuckled, patting the dust off his clothes.
His Aura told him Pikachu's condition had stabilized and was recovering rapidly. His mood brightened instantly.
Just then, Chansey pushed out a cart—Pikachu and Goldeen's Poké Ball resting on it.
Pikachu had already woken up. Though still a little weak, it looked energetic enough to hop onto Ash's shoulder and nuzzle his cheek.
"Pika-pi~!"
"Great, you're okay." Ash rubbed its head happily.
Professor Bill walked over, looking at Ash with clear approval.
"Calm under pressure, quick to react, and you skillfully used the surroundings and your opponent's psychology. You're very capable, Ash."
[Ding! Host successfully prevented Team Rocket from stealing Pokémon and protected Viridian City Pokémon Center, altering the 'First Encounter with Team Rocket' event. Reward: 300 World Points.]
[Ding! Host gained Professor Bill's approval. Fame slightly increased. Reward: 50 World Points.]
[Current World Points: 1050.]
The system notification chimed timely—a handsome profit. Ash was secretly pleased. His starting capital was looking better and better.
"Well then, I should return to the lighthouse." Bill nodded, then said to Nurse Joy, "If there are any issues with the module test, contact me anytime."
After sending Bill off, Misty suddenly froze as though remembering something horrible.
Her expression twisted.
"Ah! My bicycle!!"
She bolted out of the Pokémon Center. Ash quickly followed.
Not far from the entrance lay a stylish bright pink bicycle toppled on the roadside, covered in mud and rainwater. It looked pitiful.
Even worse—the chain had fallen off, the handlebars were crooked, and the whole frame seemed to have taken a beating from the earlier storm and battle.
"My precious bike!" Misty cried as she lifted it, checking the damage with heartbreak.
"No no no… the chain's jammed, the handlebars are bent… this is terrible!"
Ash stared at the familiar bicycle.
Of course.
History's inertia still showed up here—but at least this outcome was far better than the original "charred skeleton of a bike" ending.
"I'm sorry, Misty." Ash said earnestly. "If you hadn't come to help us, your bicycle wouldn't have…"
"What's the point of saying that now!" Misty snapped in frustration, though the tone was more heartache than blame.
"This is my favorite bike! I rode it all the way from Cerulean City… How am I supposed to get to Pewter City now?!"
She tried adjusting the chain but only got greasy hands for her effort. The bike remained hopelessly unresponsive.
Ash watched silently—knowing this was the critical moment that would bind Misty to his journey.
He stepped forward.
"Don't worry, Misty. Since your bike got damaged because of me, I'll take responsibility."
"Take responsibility? How?" Misty looked at him suspiciously.
"First, let's go around Viridian City and see if anyone can repair it." Ash suggested.
They asked around the city and eventually found a shop that repaired Pokémon gear and bicycles.
The old mechanic inspected it, then shook his head.
"Girl, this bike's taken a heavy beating. The chain and gear assembly need replacing, the frame's slightly warped and has to be realigned… I don't have the right parts here. I'd need to order them from Celadon or Vermilion. At least a week. And it won't be cheap."
"A whole week!? That long?" Misty cried.
"How expensive is… 'not cheap'?"
The mechanic quoted a price. Misty's face fell even further.
For a traveling Trainer, that was no small cost.
Seeing this, Ash knew the time had come.
He gently patted her shoulder.
"Misty, how about this? On the way to Pewter City, I'll cover all your food and lodging. Think of it as partial compensation.
Once we reach Pewter or Cerulean, we'll figure out whether to repair it or buy a new one. And whatever you end up needing, I'll help pay the rest."
He paused, then added with a sincere smile:
"And besides, we can look after each other on the road. My Pidgey and your Goldeen might make great training partners."
Misty looked at his earnest expression, then at her sadly mangled bike.
She hesitated.
She did need to pass through Pewter City to return to Cerulean.
Traveling alone was boring—and dangerous.
And this Ash… though a rookie, was surprisingly competent, intelligent, and… well, dependable.
"Hmph… since you put it that way…"
Misty turned aside, cheeks faintly red.
"Fine! I'll travel with you for now! But remember—you're paying for my food and lodging! And until my bike problem is completely solved, don't you dare try to ditch me!"
"Of course! Deal!" Ash grinned and held out his hand.
Misty finally turned back and lightly tapped her hand against his.
"Then I'll be in your care… for now, 'Meal Ticket'."
"So where are you heading next?" she asked.
"I'm going to Pewter City."
Of course Ash wasn't touching Viridian Gym—not with its… boss. No thanks.
"Pewter, huh… Good. That's on my route too."
And so, thanks to one damaged bicycle, Ash and Misty's partnership was officially—and legitimately—formed.
They stayed the night at the Pokémon Center, and at dawn the next day, after bidding Nurse Joy farewell, the two set out toward their first Gym city—Pewter City.