"BOOM!"
A bolt of lightning tore across the sky, which suddenly turned dark and overcast.
It looked like it was about to rain. The girl pushing her bicycle glanced up worriedly, then turned her head to look at the unresponsive Natsume beside her. She asked again:
"Um… do you know where the nearest Pokémon Center is?"
Natsume remained silent. His eyes were unfocused, as if lost in deep thought.
Misty blinked in surprise.
The young man in front of her looked clean and gentle—he didn't seem like someone hard to talk to.
"Um…"
On her third attempt to speak, Natsume finally snapped out of it.
"Whose kid are you?"
He looked down at the ten-year-old girl as if he didn't recognize her at all.
"…"
Misty was stunned. She hadn't expected that to be the first thing out of his mouth.
"I just wanted to ask for directions. My name is Mi—wait!"
She was about to introduce herself when Natsume suddenly raised his hand to stop her.
"Don't tell me your name just yet."
"Huh?"
Misty gave him a confused look as the strange older boy pulled out a notepad and pen.
Natsume studied Misty intently, scribbling notes.
Hmm. Hair color like Misty. Hairstyle like Misty.
Oh my Arceus—even the face was exactly like Misty's!
After a quick round of deduction, he wrote his conclusion:This girl is Misty.
"System, I've decoded the identity of the girl in front of me. She's one of the main cast members. That alone makes this a valuable research subject—a breakthrough, even!"
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for deciphering a custom Tierless research subject. You are awarded 1 Pokédollar in paper currency.]
Feeling the single Pokédollar materialize in his backpack, Natsume shrugged.
No luck scamming the system today.
Apparently, the system didn't think much of his self-defined research subjects.
Over the years, Natsume had tried many custom research topics, hoping to receive rewards from the system.
But clearly, he lacked the instincts of a top-tier researcher.
Aside from a few Rotom-related projects that earned B or C ranks (and some decent rewards), most of his ideas—like "Can Grass-type Pokémon self-harvest and sell their own produce?" or "Can three Digletts team up to pretend to be a Dugtrio in battle?"—were all judged as Tierless garbage topics.
Those got him nothing but a single Pokédollar each.
"You're weird… what are you even doing?"
Watching Natsume's constantly changing expressions and his muttered self-talk, Misty took a step back, uneasily.
Was this guy possessed by a Ghost-type Pokémon?
"Chuuu—!"
Suddenly, a loud crackling sound of electricity came from the forest nearby, drawing both of their attention.
"Could that be… a Pokémon?" Misty muttered.
But beside her, Natsume's face twisted in alarm. He smacked his own forehead.
Oh no!
Now that Misty had met him instead of Ash, Ash wouldn't be getting her bike. Without the bike, there was a good chance Ash might not make it in time to get Pikachu to the Pokémon Center.
And if Pikachu died—what then!?
A wave of dread surged in Natsume's heart.
Pikachu wasn't just Ash's first Pokémon—it was an S-tier research subject!
"I know where the Pokémon Center is! I'll take you there!"
Snapping back to reality, Natsume grabbed Misty by the hand and sprinted in the direction of the lightning.
"Pikachu!!"
In the forest path, dozens of Spearow scattered from the lingering sparks of electricity. Left behind, Ash sat charred and sobbing, cradling an unconscious Pikachu.
Pikachu had protected him… and taken heavy damage in the fight against the flock of Spearow.
BOOM!
Another crack of thunder, and the sky opened up. Rain poured down in sheets, soaking everything in seconds.
Plop!
Warm raindrops splashed onto Pikachu's face, causing a faint spark from its red electric sacs.
Its eyes, barely open, twitched. Through its fading consciousness, Pikachu could just make out Ash's trembling voice:
"Pikachu, please hang in there! I'll get you to a Pokémon Center—I promise!"
Clutching his barely-conscious partner, Ash stood and began running on foot toward town.
But just then, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Ash!!"
It was Natsume!
Ash turned around with hope in his eyes, seeing Natsume rushing toward him.
Natsume was a Pokémon researcher—he'd know how bad Pikachu's injuries were. Maybe he even had Potions on him!
Ash sprinted toward him, shouting:
"Do you have any Potions?! Pikachu's hurt bad!"
"Potions? Oh! I forgot to bring any."
Natsume blinked, then scratched his head sheepishly.
Hey—first time traveling, right?
"Wh-what do we do then? The Pokémon Center is really far…"
Ash's face visibly fell.
Seeing this, Natsume patted his shoulder and comforted him:
"Don't worry, Ash. It's just a mere fatal injury."
"Oh, it's just a—WAIT, WHAT DO YOU MEAN MERE FATAL INJURY?!"
Ash panicked even more after hearing that.
"I'm sorry, Pikachu… I failed you…"
Ash lowered his head, guilt heavy in his eyes.
"Pika… chu…"
Pikachu murmured weakly in response, as if trying to reassure him.
Seeing this touching scene, Natsume nodded in satisfaction from the side.
Looks like their bond would improve after this.
Which meant… his research could finally begin!
Ash was about to take off running again when Natsume grabbed his arm.
"I think this young lady would be more than happy to lend you her bike."
Ash followed Natsume's pointing finger and froze.
Only now did he notice the girl behind Natsume—the one with the bicycle.
"Huh? M-me?"
Misty blinked in confusion as both boys turned to her.
"Whatever happens, thank you!!"
Without hesitation, Ash jumped onto Misty's bike and pedaled away like lightning.
Watching her bike vanish into the rain, Misty panicked.
"Hey! That's practically robbery—WHA—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Natsume smacked a wad of cash into her hand.
"Deposit," he said coolly.
Then, turning away, he commanded his Rotom Phone to enter flying mode and zipped off after Ash.
Misty stood frozen, umbrella in hand, completely dazed by the absurd turn of events.
She looked down at the thick stack of bills in her hand, blinking.
A thousand Pokédollars?
This could buy several bikes!
Suspicious, she counted them.
And immediately froze.
Aside from the top note, which was a thousand Pokédollars, the rest… were all one Pokédollar bills.
Forget buying a bike—this wouldn't even cover a wheel!
A visible red flush crept across Misty's face.
In the pouring rain, her expression twisted with fury.
"Natsume! You and that thief are both shameless bandits! GET BACK HERE!!"
Misty tossed her umbrella aside and, like a raging Gyarados, charged into the rainstorm in pursuit.