"Why is Brother Rei Akagi everywhere~"
Red complained while controlling Red to walk toward the researcher's figure.
Blue couldn't help but chime in.
"Wasn't he always like this when we traveled back then? Appearing and disappearing like a ghost. Sometimes I even suspected he was secretly following us…"
When they got closer, it was indeed that familiar handsome face.
Handsome Researcher: "Hmm? Red, are you interested in space travel too?"
Handsome Researcher: "Ahem, let me tell you a secret—there are also Pokémon in outer space! If you happen to obtain a strange stone, you can bring it to me."
"Pokémon in outer space… strange stone?"
Red rubbed his chin.
"Did we just trigger some kind of hidden storyline?"
"Obviously. Would Brother Rei Akagi just randomly spawn on the roadside? Think back—whenever we ran into trouble during our journey, didn't he always show up right on cue?"
Blue fired off his usual sarcastic remark while staring thoughtfully at the dialogue box.
"Pokémon from outer space… Looks like there's a lot more hidden in this game than I imagined."
"If you don't know, just call him and ask~ After all, he only answers your calls."
Blue (the girl) interjected, sounding slightly resentful.
"That guy… usually doesn't give direct answers."
Blue rubbed his temples. Whenever Rei Akagi started talking in riddles, it always gave him a headache.
"Besides, this is clearly part of the game's storyline. It's obvious we're supposed to explore it ourselves."
"Um… the interaction isn't over yet!"
Yellow reminded them softly.
Sure enough, the Researcher Baspoke again on screen.
Handsome Researcher: "Oh right—Mt. Moon hasn't been very peaceful lately. Be careful if you go there to explore. Here, take this."
"Red received the Running Shoes from the Handsome Researcher!"
Handsome Researcher: "Your mother asked me to pass these to you. As your Pokémon grow stronger, you'll also be able to rely on their power to travel faster and overcome obstacles along the way."
Handsome Researcher: "But remember—some cities have no-fly zones above them. If you're traveling on a Flying-type Pokémon, make sure to land in advance. And… if you have time, visit home more often. Your mom misses you."
The interaction ended.
The Researcher Bagave Red a hopeful look, then turned around and continued studying the space exhibit.
"Pokémon riding system…"
Blue immediately saw through the mechanic and sighed in amazement.
"The level of freedom in this game… it's unbelievable."
"Yeah…"
Red was about to reply when his gaze suddenly sharpened. He pointed toward an inconspicuous corner of the exhibition hall.
"Look over there!"
Everyone followed his finger.
In the shadows stood two figures in neat black uniforms, quietly talking to each other.
"Team Rocket! Brother Rei Akagi really dares to put anything into this game. Looks like the story ahead won't just be the boring Pokémon League challenge~"
Blue exclaimed, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Do you think Uncle Giovanni will go after him when he finds out his organization is the villain in the game? I'd actually love to see the two of them fight!"
"Ah… Brother Rei Akagi won't get into trouble, right?"
Yellow's heart instantly jumped with worry.
"Relax!"
Red quickly reassured her.
"I'm not sure about other things, but those two actually have a pretty good personal relationship."
"Go listen to what they're saying."
Blue rarely took the initiative to command Red, clearly interested in Team Rocket's movements.
Red controlled Red to casually walk past the two men, pretending to be passing by while secretly eavesdropping.
Man in Black A: "The capture operation a few days ago actually failed! The boss is furious!"
Man in Black B: "Sigh! You can't blame us entirely! Who would've thought that after setting up such a perfect trap and almost catching that legendary Pokémon Mew, something like that would happen?!"
Man in Black A: "Don't remind me! We had more than sixty people there, and we were taken down by a single guy fighting alone—without even using a Pokémon! And Mew escaped in the chaos!"
Man in Black B: "But the latest intel says Mew fled to Mt. Moon. The other teams are already heading there. We just need to handle the support operation…"
"Mew!"
Red was startled.
"That's exactly what Team Rocket was after back then! I can't believe the game even includes a Pokémon like that!"
Then he sighed regretfully.
"I felt pretty down for a long time after failing to form a bond with Mew back then."
Unlike Red's straightforward reaction, Blue was thinking much deeper.
A Legendary Pokémon…
If Mew appeared, then the other Legendary Pokémon must exist too.
For Rei Akagi to openly reveal such secrets…
Even Blue had to admit he didn't have that level of boldness.
But that was exactly why he respected him.
Mew…
Following typical game logic, maybe it could actually become a partner.
Maybe this time…
He could make up for the regret from back then.
"… "
Suddenly—
Man in Black A: "Hey! Exactly how long are you planning to keep eavesdropping?!"
Man in Black B: "Grab him! Don't let him get away!"
"They noticed me too?!"
Red stared at the screen in disbelief.
Blue mercilessly mocked him.
"You call that 'passing by'? You walked past them more than ten times in one minute. Anyone would think you had something wrong with your brain."
"Stop chatting and run!"
Yellow hurriedly warned as Red was surrounded by the two men on screen.
"Run from them?"
Red raised an eyebrow.
He had no intention of escaping.
Just as the enemies were about to pull out their Poké Balls, he struck first.
"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!"
The Pikachu on Red's shoulder still looked a little reluctant. But perhaps because they had spent time wandering the city together earlier and built a bit of camaraderie, it followed the command.
A dazzling bolt of electricity shot forward.
The two men froze mid-motion while reaching for their Poké Balls.
Their bodies convulsed violently, smoke rising from them before they collapsed stiffly onto the ground.
—Logically speaking, a Pikachu at this level shouldn't even know Thunderbolt yet.
Red hadn't checked the data.
But he called it out anyway.
And Pikachu actually used it.
Which was…
Ridiculous.
The loud commotion quickly attracted the attention of security guards and museum staff, who rushed over from all directions.
Blue immediately took control of the dialogue.
On screen, Red looked calm and spoke clearly.
In just a few sentences, he framed the two charred men on the ground as terrorists attempting to blow up the museum's valuable exhibits, while he himself became the brave young hero who foiled the plot in time.
"I'm really glad Blue is our teammate…"
Red sighed sincerely.
This ability to twist black into white—
No, to turn danger into safety—
was incredible.
Blue snorted proudly, raising her chin.
Red looked at the Pikachu on Red's shoulder, which seemed slightly proud of itself.
He cautiously said,
"We've been wandering around together for quite a while now. You should listen to commands by now, right? Whatever—let's head to the Gym!"
Decision made.
Red once again stood before the heavy doors of the Pewter City Gym.
The moment he pushed the door open—
He collided head-on with someone rushing out.
It was Green.
This time, Green didn't even bother with taunts.
As they brushed past each other, he simply shot Red a vicious glare before running off without looking back, his entire posture radiating frustration.
"Tsk. Looks like we were a step too late—he already got the Gym Badge first."
Red commented casually, then added without realizing the irony:
"So rude. We're supposed to be rivals and partners, yet he doesn't even say hello when we meet."
Completely ignoring why Green might be acting like that.
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