"Charmeleon! Use Fire Spin to trap it! Poliwhirl—Brick Break and push it back!"
Red's battle instincts exploded into action, his commands coming out instantly.
Charmeleon and Poliwhirl responded immediately.
A blazing Fire Spin roared forward, spiraling toward the center of the disturbance.
At the same time, Poliwhirl's powerful Brick Break came crashing down.
In that split second—
Red slid into the center of the battlefield with a swift slide kick, then rolled away to create distance.
When he stood up again, an unconscious blonde girl was already in his arms.
"ROAR—!"
Kangaskhan let out a thunderous roar.
It ignored the burning flames on its body and the impact of Brick Break.
"Charmeleon! Use Smokescreen to block its vision! Poliwhirl, use Hypnosis to calm it down!"
Red issued another set of commands.
After placing the unconscious girl into the hollow of a tree root for safety, he immediately turned around and charged straight back into the battlefield.
"It's not responding to our attacks! It's protecting something under its pouch!"
Red stared closely at Kangaskhan's movements, catching every detail.
Suddenly—
An idea flashed in his mind.
His hand quickly reached into the backpack.
"Earthquake! Move!"
Green's warning rang out just as Kangaskhan slammed its massive fist—charged with terrifying energy—into the ground.
BOOOOOOM—
A horrifying shockwave erupted outward from Kangaskhan.
The ground shattered.
Massive boulders were blasted into the air.
Towering trees toppled.
The destructive force surged forward like a tidal wave, instantly swallowing everything ahead—
Including Red, Charmeleon, and Poliwhirl who had just rushed back into the center of the battlefield.
The screen shook violently.
The sound of shattering rock and snapping trees filled the entire laboratory room.
"Not good!"
All four of them cried out at the same time, their hearts jumping to their throats.
The dust slowly began to settle.
As visibility returned—
A gentle blue energy barrier glowing softly appeared in the center of the battlefield.
Standing in front of Red inside the barrier—
Was a familiar figure in a white lab coat.
Handsome Researcher:
"Hey! We meet again. What a coincidence."
Handsome Researcher:
"What are you standing around for? Hurry and use a Full Heal!"
"Rei Akagi! I knew it!"
Red's eyes lit up with excitement.
His voice was filled with pride and certainty.
"Whenever trouble appears, he always respawns right beside us!"
Green, Blue, and Yellow also relaxed simultaneously.
Their expressions clearly said "Of course it's like this."
As if it were an unquestionable law of nature.
The camera zoomed in.
Inside Kangaskhan's pouch—
Two Pokémon were curled together.
One was a baby Kangaskhan covered in ominous purple poison fumes.
The other was a severely injured Rattata, barely breathing.
Red immediately controlled Red to take out a Full Heal and spray it precisely onto the poisoned baby Kangaskhan.
The purple poison mist visibly faded.
The baby Kangaskhan's tightly furrowed face relaxed as it drifted into peaceful sleep.
Some of the spray also drifted onto Kangaskhan itself.
The violent red rage in its eyes quickly disappeared.
In its place appeared anxious concern.
Kangaskhan hurriedly looked into its pouch.
After confirming the baby Kangaskhan was safe, it gently lifted the injured Rattata with its massive claws and carefully handed it toward Red.
Red immediately understood.
He took out a Super Potion and carefully sprayed it onto Rattata's wounds.
Although Rattata's pained expression softened slightly, its injuries were still severe.
It remained unconscious.
At that moment—
The blonde girl placed near the tree root slowly woke up.
Looking at the devastated battlefield, she nervously walked closer.
Yellow:
"Um… could I take a look at it?"
Before Red could react—
The Researcher Babehind him suddenly gave him a light shove.
Red ended up standing directly in front of Yellow while still holding the unconscious Rattata.
In the real world, Yellow glanced at the character on the screen who resembled her.
Her gaze flickered shyly.
The in-game Yellow took a deep breath and carefully accepted Rattata with both hands.
The next moment—
A warm golden light, like gentle spring sunlight, flowed from her palms.
The light softly enveloped Rattata.
When the glow faded—
Rattata slowly opened its eyes.
It blinked in confusion.
When it saw the girl holding it, it happily rubbed against Yellow's cheek, squeaking cheerfully.
"Yellow! So it's you? Haha!"
Red suddenly realized what was happening and turned toward the real Yellow beside him.
"But I don't remember saving you like that before. Rei Akagi really likes making things up! Still, it's nice seeing you in the game!"
"I-I was saved…"
Yellow's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
A faint blush quickly spread across her wheat-colored cheeks.
"What?"
Red didn't hear clearly and leaned closer.
"Ah…"
Yellow's face turned bright red.
Just as she was about to completely lose composure under the close gaze—
Thump!
Green delivered a sharp chop to Red's head.
"The game isn't over yet, idiot!"
On the screen, the in-game Yellow looked overwhelmed by Rattata's enthusiasm.
She shyly raised her head and looked at Red.
Her clear eyes were filled with affection for Rattata—
…and a faint, almost unnoticeable hint of envy.
Yellow:
"Your Rattata…"
Perhaps because Red hadn't moved for too long—
Or perhaps the Researcher Basimply couldn't bear watching anymore.
The researcher casually nudged Red with his elbow.
Then, very naturally, he reached into Red's backpack, pulled out an empty Poké Ball, and stuffed it into Red's hand.
Red:
"…."
"Type something already! You idiot, Red!"
Blue couldn't stand it anymore and shouted from the side.
Red scratched his head.
Looking at Yellow's hopeful yet nervous expression on the screen—
Then at the lively Rattata in his arms—
He finally understood.
Taking a deep breath, he began typing into the dialogue box.
Red:
"It really likes you! Try forming a bond with it!"
Red smiled brightly and confidently as he handed the Poké Ball to Yellow.
Yellow:
"Can I really… become a Pokémon Trainer?"
Her voice trembled with uncertainty.
But her eyes shone brightly.
Red read the line and suddenly felt something stir inside him.
He rubbed his nose.
Red:
"As long as you treat Pokémon with a gentle and kind heart, you'll already be a qualified Trainer!"
The real Yellow froze.
Those words felt like a beam of light piercing through the screen.
They illuminated a long-buried memory.
When she was at her most helpless and lost—
It was this very boy who used those exact words to ignite her dream of becoming a Trainer.
The in-game Yellow also stared blankly at Red.
She nodded firmly.
Carefully taking the Poké Ball, she looked down at the Rattata in her arms.
Rattata seemed to understand the sincerity of the invitation.
Without hesitation, it stretched out its tiny paw and tapped the Poké Ball's button.
Whoosh—
A flash of red light.
Rattata transformed into a streak of light and entered the ball.
The Poké Ball didn't even shake once.
With a soft "ding," it lay quietly in Yellow's hand.
She immediately released it again.
Rattata happily squeaked and jumped back into her arms, rubbing affectionately against her cheek.
At that moment—
The Rei Akagi researcher, who had been watching with a gentle smile, finally stepped forward.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789