Percy woke to the familiar weight of Delia's head on his chest, her breathing soft and even. A faint, purple light from the Lucario sleeping at the foot of their bed illuminated the room. He watched her for a moment, a strange pang in his chest. Four years. Four years of this, this secret, intense world they'd built within the cozy confines of this Pallet Town house. And now, they were leaving it.
He gently eased out from under her, careful not to wake her. Lucario's ears twitched, and its crimson eyes opened, fixing on him with an unnerving intelligence.
Going? the thought resonated in Percy's mind, a familiar mental projection from his partner.
The peaceful morning was shattered by the thudding of footsteps down the hall. "WE'RE LATE!"
Ash burst into the room, already half-dressed in his trademark blue jacket and jeans, his hat worn backwards in his haste. "Mom! Percy! We slept in! I'm gonna miss getting my Pokémon!"
Delia jolted awake, her eyes wide. "Oh my goodness! Ash, honey, you're right! Quickly, everyone get dressed. I'll make some toast for the road."
The next ten minutes were a whirlwind of controlled chaos. Ash was a whirlwind of nervous energy, zipping back and forth. Percy calmly pulled on a fresh shirt, a small smile playing on his lips at the familiar domestic scene. As Delia rushed past him with a piece of toast in her mouth, heading to the kitchen, he caught her wrist, pulling her close for a second.
"Hey," he murmured, his eyes twinkling. "One for the road?"
" Percy!" she gasped, though her eyes held a spark of amusement. "Ash is right there!"
"He's busy having a panic attack," Percy whispered, backing her against the hallway wall. He hooked a finger into the waistband of her skirt, pulling her flush against him. "He can wait thirty seconds."
His kiss was quick, deep, and possessive. He nipped her lower lip, drawing a soft gasp from her. When he pulled back, her cheeks were flushed and her breathing was slightly uneven.
"There," he said, releasing her with a light pat on her rear. "Now go make that toast. We have a journey to start."
As he turned to join Ash, Lucario fell into step beside him. The boy is eager.
"Understatement of the year, buddy," Percy muttered, grabbing his own backpack. "Let's go see what the old man has for him."
***
The morning air was crisp and cool as they jogged the short distance to Professor Oak's laboratory. The large, dome-shaped building was a beacon for every aspiring trainer in Pallet Town. Ash was practically vibrating with excitement.
"I wonder which one I'll get!" he babbled, running ahead. "Bulbasaur is so cool, but Charmander has a fire on its tail! And Squirtle is just... awesome!"
Percy and Lucario followed at a more leisurely pace. The boy seems to have forgotten one key detail, Lucario noted calmly.
"That's Professor Oak's problem, not ours," Percy chuckled.
They found the professor in the main research area, a vast room filled with high-tech computers and large screens displaying data about Pokémon. Three Poké Balls sat on a pedestal in the center of the room.
"Ash, my boy! Right on time," Professor Oak greeted him, though his smile was a little strained. He gestured to the pedestal. "Here they are. The last three starters I have available for new trainers."
Ash's eyes gleamed. "Wow! They're even more amazing up close!"
He reached forward, his hand outstretched towards the ball on the left, the one containing a Bulbasaur. But just as his fingers were about to make contact, a loud beep echoed through the lab. All three Poké Balls on the pedestal simultaneously darkened, and with a soft whoosh of vacuum pressure, they vanished back into their slots beneath the podium.
Professor Oak blinked, peering down at a small monitor on his desk. "Oh, dear. My apologies, Ash. It seems I have a... slight update. My computer shows they were just claimed."
"Claimed?" Ash's face fell, his shoulders slumping. "But... but how?"
Oak sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Three other young trainers from Pallet Town were scheduled for an early morning pick-up. They must have come in while I was in the greenhouse. Two of them, a brother and sister, took the Bulbasaur and the Charmander. And... let me see..." He tapped a few keys. "Ah, yes. Gary Oak, my grandson, he was very insistent on getting the Squirtle. He left about ten minutes ago."
Ash looked utterly devastated. "So... I don't get a Pokémon?"
"Now, now, don't lose hope!" the professor said quickly, holding up a placating hand. "It is a bit of a pickle, but I wouldn't send a budding trainer away empty-handed. There is... one other option."
He shuffled over to a large, cylindrical containment unit in the corner. The glass was slightly scuffed, and the power indicator light on the front was flickering erratically between yellow and red.
"He wasn't exactly slated for a new trainer," Professor Oak explained, unlocking the chamber with a series of commands on a keypad. "He's... a bit of a handful, you might say. Refuses to stay in his Poké Ball. A bit temperamental with other Pokémon. And people, for that matter."
As the door hissed open, a small yellow creature with long, black-tipped ears and bright red cheeks zipped out in a bolt of lightning. It skidded to a halt on the polished floor, cheeks sparking with static electricity, and shot a defiant glare at everyone in the room.
"A Pikachu!" Ash breathed, his despair instantly forgotten. He knelt down, holding out a hand. "Wow! You're amazing!"
The Pikachu's response was not friendly. Its cheeks sparked more violently, and it let out a sharp, "Pika-CHU!" A small jolt of electricity shot from its body, making the hairs on Ash's arm stand on end.
"Woah!" he yelped, pulling his hand back. "He's energetic!"
"Energetic is one word for it," Professor Oak muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Are you sure, Ash? Most trainers prefer to start with a partner that's, well, more of a partner."
"I'm sure!" Ash declared, getting back to his feet, his resolve hardening. "I don't care if he's a handful. We're going to be best friends, right? You and me!"
Pikachu crossed its little arms and turned its back on him with a haughty "Pika."
Percy, leaning against the wall with Lucario standing impassively beside him, watched the exchange with an amused smirk. "Looks like you've got your work cut out for you, kid."
"Never!" Ash said, puffing out his chest. He turned back to the professor. "I'll take him! He's the one for me, I can feel it!"
"Very well," Oak said, sounding relieved to have the problem solved. He handed Ash a Pokédex and a set of five empty Poké Balls. "Your official journey begins today, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. I expect great things from you."
While Ash was busy trying (and failing) to befriend the hostile Pikachu, Professor Oak pulled Percy aside.
"And you," the old man said, a serious look on his face. "I've uploaded the necessary research protocols to your own Pokédex. Your dual role is unprecedented, so we'll be making it up as we go along, but the potential for discovery is immense. I expect detailed reports."
"You'll get them, Professor," Percy confirmed, his tone all business. "Don't worry. I'm not doing this for the badge collection."
Oak nodded, patting him on the shoulder. "I know. That's why I trust you with this. Look after that boy. He has spirit, but he's naive. The world can be a harsh place."
"He'll be fine," Percy said, glancing over at Ash, who was now chasing Pikachu around a lab table. "I've got his back."
***
The journey back to the house was an adventure in itself. Pikachu refused to go into its Poké Ball, so it ran alongside them, darting between their legs and zapping Ash's ankles every few minutes.
"Ow! Hey, cut that out!" Ash complained, jumping from foot to foot. "We're supposed to be a team!"
"Maybe you should try bribing it," Percy suggested dryly. "A little ketchup, perhaps?"
"How'd you know about that?" Ash asked, wide-eyed.
"Lucky guess," Percy chuckled.
As they rounded the bend leading into Pallet Town, a sleek red sports car screeched to a halt beside them, its engine purring like a Persian. The tinted window rolled down to reveal a familiar smirking face, spiky brown hair and all.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the loser brigade," Gary Oak sneered from the passenger seat. He was flanked by two girls who giggled at his every word. In the driver's seat was a cheerleader with pigtails, and the car was packed with even more of his adoring fans.
"Gary!" Ash fumed, clenching his fists. "You took the last Squirtle!"
Gary laughed, a loud, obnoxious sound. "Of course I did! A trainer of my caliber needs a Pokémon of the highest caliber! Unlike some people who get stuck with the rejects."
"Pikachu is not a reject!" Ash yelled back. "He's special!"
Pikachu, as if on cue, shot a small spark of electricity that singed the bumper of Gary's car.
"Hey! Watch it, you little rat!" Gary yelled, ducking down. "You'll pay for that! This journey is over before it's even begun for you, Ashy-boy! I'm going to be the world's greatest Pokémon Master, and you'll still be washing my grandfather's lab coats!"
With a final, triumphant laugh, the car sped off, leaving a cloud of dust and a fuming Ash in its wake.
"Can you believe that guy?!" Ash seethed once the car was out of sight.
"He's a piece of work," Percy agreed, putting a calming hand on Ash's shoulder. "But you know what they say: the barking Meowth never catches the Rattata. Let him talk. You'll prove him wrong on the battlefield."
Ash took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "You're right. I will. Pikachu and I, we'll show him!"
He looked down at the electric mouse, who was actually watching the departing car with a thoughtful expression, its tail twitching. A small, almost imperceptible nod came from the Pokémon. A connection, forged by a common enemy.
***
Back at the house, the mood was bittersweet. Delia had packed Ash's backpack with essentials, but now she was going through it one last time, her maternal instincts in overdrive.
"Underwear," she said, pulling out a fresh pair with a sigh. "I packed seven pairs. Make sure you change them every day. No, wait, make that every other day, but only if you're not sweating too much. And don't forget to brush your teeth, morning and night. I don't care how tired you are."
"Mom, I know," Ash said, blushing slightly.
"And socks! Always have dry socks, do you hear me? Wet feet are the fastest way to get sick. And here," she said, stuffing a small first-aid kit into a side pocket. "For scrapes and bruises. Be careful with your Pokémon battles. Don't push them too hard."
"I will, Mom."
"And call me. Every single day. I don't care if you're in the middle of a forest, you find a Pokégear signal and you call your mother. Do you understand me?"
"I understand," Ash said, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. "I'll be fine. I promise."
Delia held him for a long moment, her eyes closed. When she finally let go, they were glistening with unshed tears. She then turned to Percy, who was leaning against the doorframe, watching them with an unreadable expression.
"And you," she said, her voice softer. "You look after him. He's... he's all I have."
"He'll be safer with me than anyone," Percy said, pushing off the frame. He walked over to her, closing the distance between them. "And you..."
He didn't finish the sentence. Instead, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. It wasn't like the quick, stolen kiss from that morning. This was deep, slow, and full of unspoken promises. His tongue swept into her mouth, claiming her, reminding her of everything they were leaving behind. He tasted of mint and something uniquely him. When he finally pulled back, her lips were swollen and her breath was hitched.
"He'll call," Percy whispered, his thumb stroking her cheek. "And I'll be back before you even have a chance to miss me."
"That's not possible," she breathed, her eyes locked on his.
He gave her one last, possessive look, then turned to the doorway where Lucario stood waiting. "Alright, kid. Let's go. The world isn't going to conquer itself."
With a final wave from Ash and a lingering look from Percy, they were gone. The door clicked shut, leaving Delia alone in the suddenly silent house. She stood in the middle of the living room for a long time, the spot on her lips where Percy had kissed her still tingling. The house felt empty, colder. But beneath the sadness, there was a flicker of something else. A memory of his promise.
We'll just have to make them count.
***
The sun was warm on their faces as they stood at the outskirts of Pallet Town, the open road stretching out before them like a blank page. Fields of green rolled into the distance, dotted with the occasional Pidgey or Rattata skittering through the tall grass. The air was filled with the buzz of Combees and the gentle rustle of leaves.
"Alright, Pikachu," Ash said, pulling out his brand-new Pokédex and pointing it at the small electric type. "Let's see what you're all about."
The device's mechanical voice chirped to life. "Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. It keeps its tail raised to monitor its surroundings. If you pull its tail, it will try to bite you."
"It can generate powerful electric shocks," the Pokédex continued. "While it can be startled easily, it can also be quite aggressive when provoked."
"Aggressive, huh?" Ash said, grinning at the Pokémon. "We'll make a great team!"
Pikachu just yawned, scratching its ear with a hind leg.
"Okay, okay, I get it," Ash said, putting the Pokédex away. "You're not the touchy-feely type. But we're still going to be the best of friends. You'll see."
They started walking, Percy and Lucario a few paces behind, content to let Ash have his moment. He was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, his eyes darting to every rustle in the grass, every shadow in the trees.
"This is it!" he announced to the world at large. "My real journey! I'm going to catch a Pokémon right now! Just watch!"
He spotted it almost immediately—a Pidgey, pecking at the ground a few yards off the path. It was a common sight, a perfect, unassuming target for a rookie trainer's first attempt.
"Pikachu, go!" Ash yelled, pointing dramatically at the bird Pokémon. "I choose you!"
Pikachu, who had been ambling along beside him, stopped and gave him a deadpan stare. It let out a flat, unimpressed "Pika."
"Okay, fine, you don't have to go in the Poké Ball," Ash amended, fumbling to pull one of the empty red-and-white spheres from his belt. "But get ready to battle! I'm going to weaken it, and then, I'm gonna catch it!"
He clenched the Poké Ball in his fist, taking a wide, theatrical stance. "Pikachu, use your... uh... your electric shock!"
Pikachu's only response was to sit down and start grooming its tail.
"Pikachu, come on!" Ash pleaded. "It's right there! Just a little zap!"
The Pidgey, finally noticing the commotion, looked up. It took one look at the yelling boy and the non-combatant Pikachu, cooed once in what sounded suspiciously like derision, and took to the air, flying away in a leisurely flap of its wings.
"Wait! No, don't go!" Ash cried, breaking into a panicked run. He grabbed the Poké Ball, reared back, and hurled it with all his might.
It was a throw filled with enthusiasm but utterly devoid of technique. The ball wobbled end over end, sailing not towards the retreating Pidgey, but sideways, arcing gracefully through the air before hitting a thick tree trunk with a loud thwack. It bounced off the bark, ricocheted off a rock, and landed with a pathetic plop in a patch of mud, the capture mechanism never even activating.
Ash skidded to a halt, staring at the mud-splattered Poké Ball in disbelief. The Pidgey was now just a speck in the distant sky.
"It... it got away," he mumbled, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
From behind him, Percy cleared his throat. "You know," he said, his voice laced with lazy amusement, "usually the idea is to throw the ball at the Pokémon. Not to see if you can skip it off a tree."
Ash turned, his face red with a mixture of exertion and embarrassment. "I know that! It just... slipped!"
"Right," Percy drawled, walking over and plucking the muddy ball from the ground. He wiped it clean on the grass. "Rule number one of catching Pokémon, kid: make sure your partner is actually willing to fight for you. You can't just order a lightning strike and expect it to happen."
He gestured with his chin towards Pikachu, who was now chasing its own tail in circles. "He's not a tool. He's your teammate. You gotta earn his respect, not just demand his attacks."
Ash looked from Percy to Pikachu, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "But... how?"
Percy shrugged. "That's for you to figure out. That's the whole point of this journey." He tossed the now-clean Poké Ball back to Ash.
Ash's jaw set. "Fine! I'll earn it! Pikachu, I'm going to catch a Pokémon, and you're going to help me!"
He charged off again, Percy and Lucario watching him go. "Boundless energy," Percy murmured, a small smile playing on his lips. "He'll either be a champion or get himself killed trying. Let's go."
They walked at a more measured pace, letting the boy get ahead. The path wound through a field dotted with flowers and thickets. A few minutes later, they found him again, this time stalking a Rattata that was nibbling on a berry bush. Ash crouched low, whispering to Pikachu.
"Okay, this one's smaller. Just a little jolt, that's all I need. Pikachu, I choose you!"
The Rattata's ears perked up. It looked at them, twitched its nose, and scurried away into the undergrowth. Pikachu hadn't moved a muscle. He was too busy trying to catch a Butterfree that was fluttering past.
"Pikachu!" Ash groaned in frustration. "Pay attention!"
Percy sighed. "This is painful to watch. Lucario, stay with the kid. I've got a call to make." He stepped away, pulling out his phone as he walked toward a clearing. Lucario gave a subtle nod and kept watch over the dejected trainer and his distracted Pokémon.
As Percy paced in the clearing, scrolling through research notes from Professor Oak, he vaguely heard the sounds of Ash's continued attempts to catch Pokémon—failed tosses, frustrated shouts, and the occasional rustle of a creature escaping. After a particularly loud "DARN IT, PIKACHU!" Percy pinched the bridge of his nose.
He needs to learn patience, Percy thought, trying to focus on Professor Oak's message about regional variant patterns in the mountains beyond Viridian City. And Pikachu needs to learn to trust him.
A sudden shriek cut through the air. Not just any cry—it was the sharp, aggressive call of a Spearow. Percy looked up from his phone, frowning.
Probably just startled it, he thought, turning his attention back to his conversation with Professor Oak's assistant about specimen collection protocols. Ash can handle one Spearow.
Another cry joined the first. Then another. Soon, the air was filled with the angry cawing of an entire flock. Percy's head snapped up. He could see a swarm of dark shapes dive-bombing something on the path.
"Hey!" Percy shouted into the phone. "I'll have to call you back."
He broke into a sprint, Lucario already bounding ahead of him. As he ran, he saw the scene unfold: a frantic Ash stumbling down the path, arms flailing, with a furious flock of Spearow in pursuit. Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, was zapping weak bolts of electricity that barely singed the lead birds.
"Ash!" Percy yelled, but the boy was too focused on running to hear. "Lucario, keep them back!"
Lucario leaped forward, palms glowing with Aura energy. He fired precise spheres of blue light that scattered the Spearow momentarily, but they regrouped, their angry cries growing more aggressive.
"Get them!" Percy commanded, closing the distance. Lucario launched another attack, creating a barrier of energy that forced the flock to veer off course.
Ash stumbled and fell, tumbling into the dirt. The Spearow, now free from Lucario's barrier, swooped down for another attack. Before Percy or Lucario could intervene, Ash scrambled to his feet and shielded Pikachu with his body.
"No!" he cried. "Leave him alone!"
A Spearow's sharp beak tore through Ash's jacket, drawing a thin line of blood on his arm. He winced but didn't move, still protecting the Pikachu who was now cowering behind him.
The sky, which had been clear moments before, suddenly darkened. Heavy drops of rain began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour. Ash, already exhausted from the chase, now shivered from the cold and wet.
The Spearow, now thoroughly enraged by the interference and the rain, gathered for one final assault. They surrounded the injured boy and his frightened Pokémon, their beady eyes gleaming with malice.
Ash's breath came in ragged gasps. He looked down at Pikachu, who was trembling against his chest.
"I was supposed to be your trainer," Ash whispered, tears mixing with the rain on his face. "But I failed... I couldn't protect you."
He gently pushed Pikachu toward a nearby bush. "You should leave... save yourself..."
Pikachu looked from the approaching flock to Ash's determined face. Something shifted in the small Pokémon's eyes—a newfound understanding, a spark of loyalty.
With a defiant "Pika!" he scrambled up Ash's body and perched on his shoulder, cheeks sparking with an intensity Percy had never seen before.
Ash looked at his Pokémon, a small smile forming on his lips. "Together, then?"
The Spearow attacked as one.
Pikachu's body glowed with a brilliant yellow light. He raised his tiny paws to the sky, drawing electricity from the storm clouds above. The energy built around him, crackling and popping, until he released it in a massive, blinding bolt of lightning.
The attack hit the flock with devastating force. Spearow after Spearow fell from the sky, their feathers singed and smoking. The remaining few scattered in terror, disappearing into the rain-soaked forest.
Silence descended, broken only by the patter of rain and the distant rumble of thunder. Pikachu, exhausted from the effort, collapsed into Ash's arms.
Percy reached them just as the last Spearow vanished. He stared at the scene in disbelief—the unconscious Pokémon, the injured boy, and the lingering scent of ozone from the lightning attack.
"Impressive," he murmured, kneeling beside them. "Very impressive."
Misty was sitting by the lake, her fishing line cast into the water, humming a cheerful tune to herself. The sudden downpour caught her completely by surprise. With a squeal of dismay, she reeled in her line and huddled under a large oak tree, pulling her bicycle closer to keep it as dry as possible.
Then, through the sheets of rain, she saw a frantic figure burst from the forest path. It was a boy in a soaked baseball cap, clutching something yellow to his chest. He skidded to a halt, saw her bicycle leaning against the tree, and without a moment's hesitation, grabbed it.
"Hey! That's my bike!" Misty yelled, lunging for it.
But the boy, Ash, was already pedaling away. "I'm sorry! I have to save my friend!" he shouted over the rain.
Misty stood there, fuming, her fists clenched. Before she could decide whether to chase him on foot, two more figures emerged from the woods—a tall, dark-haired young man with a Riolu-like Pokémon at his side.
"You!" she accused, pointing at Percy. "Your friend just stole my bike!"
Percy stopped, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "Easy there," he said, his voice calm and measured. "He didn't steal it. He borrowed it."
"It's still stealing if you don't ask!" Misty retorted, stamping her foot. "And what's so important that he had to take my bike in the middle of a storm?"
"His Pikachu is injured," Percy explained, gesturing in the direction Ash had gone. "We were attacked by a Spearow flock. The Pikachu saved us, but it collapsed from exhaustion. We need to get it to the Pokémon Center in Viridian City, and fast."
Misty's anger softened slightly, but not completely. "So that makes it okay to just take my bike?"
"No," Percy admitted. "But it makes it understandable. And I give you my word, we will replace it. I'll even throw in a new fishing rod, top of the line." He smiled disarmingly. "But right now, we need to catch up to him. That Pokémon's life depends on it."
Misty studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. But you're carrying my fishing gear."
"It's a deal," Percy said, already shouldering her tackle box.
As they walked toward Viridian City, the rain beginning to subside, Misty couldn't help but glance at Percy. There was something about him—confidence, maybe, or the way he carried himself—that was different from most boys she'd met.
"So," she said, trying to break the silence. "You're a trainer too?"
"I am," Percy confirmed. "Though I'm more interested in research than battling, for the most part. Professor Oak is sponsoring me as a special field researcher."
Misty's eyes widened. "Professor Oak? The Professor Oak from Pallet Town?"
"The very same," Percy said with a wink. "He's got an eye for talent, what can I say?"
Misty felt a blush rising to her cheeks. "Must be nice to have connections like that."
"It has its perks," Percy admitted. "But it's the journey itself that's the real reward. Seeing new places, meeting new people..." He let the sentence hang, giving her a meaningful look.
Misty's blush deepened. "Are all researchers as... charming as you?"
Percy laughed. "Only the ones who know how to handle their women properly."
Misty's jaw dropped, but before she could respond, he added quickly, "I meant their Pokémon, of course. You know, building trust, understanding their needs..."
"Right," Misty said, though she wasn't entirely convinced. "So, you and the kid... you're traveling together?"
"He's... an interesting project," Percy said, a fond smile on his face. "Lots of energy, no technique. But he's got heart. And that Pikachu... there's something special about that one."
Special was an understatement, in Misty's opinion. The power she'd felt when that lightning bolt struck had been incredible.
They arrived at the Pokémon Center to find Nurse Joy already attending to Pikachu. Ash was pacing nervously in the waiting area.
"Is he going to be okay?" Ash asked the moment he saw Percy.
"He'll be fine," Nurse Joy assured him. "Just needed some rest and a little electricity therapy. He's a tough little one."
Ash breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."
Later that evening, after Pikachu had made a full recovery and was curled up asleep with Ash on a waiting room couch, Percy found himself alone with Misty by the center's large windows, watching the stars come out.
"You were really worried about him," Misty said, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Of course," Percy replied, not taking his eyes off the sky.
Misty found herself studying Percy's profile in the dim light. There was a ruggedness to him, a confidence that went beyond mere arrogance. He wasn't like the boys she was used to, who stumbled over their words or tried too hard to impress. Percy simply was, and that was somehow more compelling than anything else.
"What's it like?" she asked suddenly. "Traveling with a Pokémon like Lucario?"
Percy turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's like having a piece of your soul walking beside you. We don't even need to speak. I just... know things. And he knows me."
"That's... beautiful," Misty whispered.
"It's practical," Percy corrected gently. "It keeps us alive."
Their fingers brushed as they both reached for the same pamphlet on the table. A jolt went through her, and she pulled her hand back as if burned.
"I'm sorry," she stammered.
"Don't be," Percy said, his voice dropping to a lower register. "Accidents happen."
But it didn't feel like an accident to Misty. It felt like... something else. Something she wasn't sure she was ready for.
The relative peace of the Pokémon Center was shattered by a sudden explosion that blew a hole in the wall. Dust and debris filled the room as three figures silhouetted against the night sky struck dramatic poses.
"Prepare for trouble, we're here to collect!" a woman with long red hair announced.
"And make it double, we'll be perfect!" a man with blue hair added.
"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!"
"Jesse!" the woman declared.
"And James!" the man completed.
"Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light!" they chorused.
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
A Meowth popped up between them. "That's right!"
Ash was on his feet instantly. "Team Rocket! What do you want here?"
"What do we want?" Jesse laughed, her eyes already roaming the room. "All these precious Pokémon, of course!"
"Especially that rare one," James added, pointing directly at Lucario.
Percy stepped forward, placing himself between Team Rocket and the others. "You'll want to rethink that plan."
Jesse's eyes lit up when she saw Percy. "Well, well, well. What do we have here? A handsome hero come to save the day?"
"You can be the villain in my story anytime," she purred, taking a step closer.
In a flash of movement, Percy was in front of Jesse, his hand closing around her wrist as she reached for a Poké Ball. His grip was like iron.
"I'm not interested in being in your story," he said, his voice dangerously quiet. "But you seem interested in being in mine."
Jesse gasped, a strange mixture of fear and excitement in her eyes. "What—what do you mean?"
"I mean," Percy continued, leaning in close enough that his breath brushed her ear, "that a woman with your... assets... shouldn't be wasting her time with theatrics and incompetence."
He released her wrist, but his fingers trailed down her arm, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. "Meet me in Viridian City's rose garden tomorrow at noon. Alone. We'll discuss your... potential."
Before Jesse could respond, Percy turned to Lucario. "Aura Sphere."
Lucario complied, launching a ball of blue energy that sent Team Rocket flying out through the hole they'd created.
"Looks like we're blasting off again!" James cried as they disappeared into the night.
Misty stared, wide-eyed. "How did you do that?"
"Do what?" Percy asked, already cleaning up the debris.
"That... with Jesse. She was ready to fight, and then... she just... melted."
Percy shrugged. "Some people just need to know who's in charge."
Misty felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about Percy that was both terrifying and fascinating. He had a power that went beyond Pokémon battles—a way of commanding respect, and submission, that she'd never seen before.
Ash, oblivious to the undercurrents, was just excited. "That was amazing! We have to stop them again sometime!"
With Team Rocket gone and the Pokémon Center staff already working on repairs, the trio settled in for the night. Ash and Pikachu were curled up on one couch, while Misty found herself unable to sleep, her mind replaying the day's events—especially her interactions with Percy.
She wasn't sure what to make of him. He was arrogant, certainly, but also confident, capable, and surprisingly protective. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel both seen and vulnerable.
And that encounter with Jesse... Misty had to admit, a part of her was intrigued. What would happen in that rose garden tomorrow?