Pokemon : Rewind

"In that case…" Ash hesitated, glancing at Misty before reaching into his backpack. He pulled out the Big Pearl he had won in the lottery.

"I'm just a rookie trainer, and I don't have much to offer, but here's this Big Pearl…"

"Rookie trainer…?" Misty's eyebrows raised as she looked Ash up and down. She hadn't expected him to be a novice.

"I really don't want the Big Pearl. Keep it for yourself; I'm not helping you for any kind of thanks," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. She had helped Ash out of kindness, not for a reward.

"That's a relief…" Ash sighed, relieved. Compared to Ho-Oh's feather, he was more attached to the Big Pearl, especially since it could sell for 3,700 pokes.

While Ho-Oh's feather was invaluable and likely impossible to sell—no one would believe a rookie trainer if he claimed to have it—Ash valued the Big Pearl for its tangible worth.

Misty's expression shifted as she watched Ash happily pocket the pearl. Perhaps she should reconsider accepting his token of gratitude.

"By the way, are you heading to Viridian City now?" Ash asked, trying to change the subject.

"Of course! What else would I do?"

Misty pointed to her soaked clothes, a clear sign that she intended to find a place to dry off.

She had come to this area to fish, hoping to find some suitable Pokémon, but she hadn't anticipated such chaos.

"Then let's go together!" Ash smiled brightly at her, extending an invitation.

"Alright, together it is…" Misty stammered in response, feeling flustered by Ash's infectious enthusiasm. She realized that she had no resistance to his charm.

"Pika!" Pikachu observed the interaction, looking between Ash and Misty, its little paws resting on its round chin as it seemed to sense something between them.

"Let's get moving!" Ash announced after a short rest, feeling his strength returning. He hopped onto the bike, beckoning to Pikachu and Misty.

Pikachu jumped onto Ash's head, its paws leaving muddy prints on his hair, while Misty climbed aboard, gripping Ash's shoulders lightly.

As they rode off, their shadows stretched long under the setting sun, unaware that a pair of eyes lurked in the shadows, quietly observing them.

---

Viridian City, known for its lush greenery, was a large city situated in the western Kanto region.

It connected to the Viridian Forest in the north and the Indigo Plateau in the west, making it a well-known landmark in Kanto.

But more importantly, it housed a Gym established by the Kanto Alliance.

To challenge the Alliance competition, trainers needed badges.

Only those who had earned eight badges were eligible to participate in the annual Indigo Plateau Conference held atop the Indigo Plateau, a grand stage where many trainers aspired to showcase their skills and elevate their standing.

"Here we are! We made it to Viridian City!" Ash cheered, beaming with excitement as they reached the outskirts just as the sun began to set.

"Finally! Now I can change into dry clothes!"

Misty was equally thrilled.

After the day's tumultuous events, arriving in Viridian City felt like a breath of fresh air. She was soaked and uncomfortable, and she was eager to clean up.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu gazed in awe at the sprawling city, its eyes wide. Having only seen the quaint Pallet Town, the bustling metropolis intrigued it.

"Let's head straight to the Pokémon Center! With a Trainer's certificate, you can stay there for free and heal your Pokémon too."

Misty took the lead, assuming Ash might not be familiar with the ins and outs of city life as a rookie trainer.

While Ash was indeed a novice, he wasn't entirely ignorant.

He had seen plenty of episodes about Pokémon Centers during his time watching the anime, and with his limited funds, he knew staying at a Pokémon Center was his best option.

"Recently, there have been incidents of pickpockets, theft, and even Pokémon kidnappings. Please be vigilant, and report any suspicious activity immediately…"

The announcement from a nearby speaker echoed as they approached Viridian City.

"Is Viridian City really that dangerous?" Ash asked, surprised. It was shocking to think that in such a large city, Pokémon kidnappings were a concern.

But then he remembered that Viridian City was controlled by Team Rocket, which made this seem a little more understandable. It was troubling but not unexpected.

If Ash were Giovanni, he certainly wouldn't allow his subordinates to cause trouble in Viridian City. The larger the disturbance, the more likely the Alliance would notice something was amiss.

"Maybe it's just them?"

Ash speculated. In the anime, Team Rocket had a reputation for causing chaos, often acting recklessly—even at the Indigo Plateau Conference.

"It's not that Viridian City is inherently dangerous; it's just that some recent events have raised concerns…"

Misty replied, though she didn't know much about the specifics, only that something was off in Viridian City.

"Wait, you two…" 

Just as Ash and Misty approached the Pokémon Center, a cool voice interrupted them. A small dog Pokémon appeared in front of their bike, blocking their path.

The Pokémon had a sleek black coat and a creamy yellow mane, exuding both cuteness and an air of confidence.

Ash quickly braked to avoid colliding with the Pokémon, only to feel Misty bump into him from behind.

"What's going on?" Ash exclaimed, surprised as he recognized the Pokémon.

"It's a Growlithe!"

At that moment, the owner of the voice stepped forward.

She was a striking policewoman in a blue uniform, her blue-green hair framing a confident face. She surveyed Ash, Misty, and Pikachu perched atop Ash's head with a discerning look.

"Why are you all such a mess? Did something happen?"

she asked, concern etched on her features as she took in their disheveled appearances.

---

Adios