It was a certain night.
A faint light shone in the darkness.

Pon...

A faint sound rang through the air.

And so, a certain creature was brought into existence.

Meanwhile, in another location...

Pon...
Pon...
Pon...

More of the creatures spawned one after another.

The creatures shapes and appearance varied wildly.

Among the creatures were quite a few resembling other creatures we were already familiar with.

However, they were different to any other creatures that had ever been in this world.

Like how humans evolved from apes aeons ago, the creatures of this world had their own ancestors.

But these creatures were different.

Suddenly, on that night...

Pon...
Pon...
Pon...

Nowadays, we have an encyclopedia to identify these creatures that suddenly appeared in this world.

The people of the world soon came to identify these creatures as Pocket Monsters.

“Why? How? What brought the Pocket Monsters into our world? To explain this mystery is tantamount to explaining the mystery of mankind's origins.”

An excerpt from “An Introduction to the Research of Portable Beasts” by Professor Yukinari Ookido of the Tamamushi University Portable Beast Department...

＜An Explanation for Parents and Guardians＞
When it comes to Pokémon... A picture is worth a thousand words.

If you want to know about Pokémon, interacting with one directly will teach you much more than reading a hundred theses. Which is to say, despite being an old adage, there's no shame in not knowing what is a mystery to all.
To summarise, using words to explain Pocket Monsters to a person who has never seen one before... would be incredibly difficult.

However, this book is a novel, not an encyclopedia, the appearance of Pokémon will be described in the text. These descriptions are taken from “real creatures other than Pokémon” defined by the 1997 edition of the world famous OED (Oxbridge English Dictionary).

For example,
“A turtle-like Pokémon”, would resemble a turtle...

Described as a type of reptile in the OED. ... The description is of an animal whose body is covered by a hard shell on the front and back with a head, tail and pairs of arms and legs that can be retracted inside the shell. ...

“A frog-like Pokémon”, the OED describes a frog as...

An amphibian with few facial features. ... Their larvae are referred to as tadpoles, they live by the waterside in places like rivers or swamps. They frequently make noise in early summer and hibernate during winter. ...

So...
The OED is considered the world's standard for dictionary definitions.

If among the descriptions of turtles, frogs and other things in this novel, you come across an animal you are not familiar with, feel free to look it up in the dictionary. No matter who the publisher of your dictionary is, the definition of most common words won't vary much from the OED, so please rest assured.

I have this dream.

The universe lies before my eyes... Countless stars are spread around... Beyond all the thousands of stars... a huge sun rises.

And then at that moment, there's a whoosh and I suddenly hear music echoing through my body.

The sound sounds like it's coming from an organ.

Like the ones you see in photos of foreign churches. The kind of organ that looks like a monster made or iron pipes. It becomes increasingly intense.

That noise... my TV or radio cassette player couldn't replicate it. Though I hear it within my dreams, its something impossible to capture on CD or tape. Yet the sound still exists.

It's electrifying, making the atmosphere tremble, stinging my cheeks a little, the ground and chairs seem to vibrate.

But the problem here, or well, not really a problem... This melody is familiar, I hear it regularly, it's the same music from the game Pokémon... But it really gets me pumped up. When I hear this music... I get this feeling... Here it comes, finally, finally, it's beginning... let's go! ... like that. Y'know what I mean?

Oops... In the soundless world of the written word, it's a little difficult to describe the music in my dream.<

Anyway, this awesome whooshing dignified music fills me as the large sun rises.

But the best part is yet to come.

The sun rises and something flies in.

Something... I can't describe it without sounding pretentious.

I've had this dream a countless number of times.

I'm not even sure how many at this point.

I'll just put it simply as possible.

Yes, it's a Pocket Monster. Pokémon for short...

It was a flame Pokémon spewing scorching fire, Lizardon. A great flame burnt at the end of its thick tail. It is the evolved form of the Lizard Pokémon, Hitokage, despite that both Pokémon are able to breathe fire, Hitokage could be used as a cigarette lighter, while Lizardon is on a different level entirely.

Flying on its great wings like kiwhiing, the flames it spews are hot enough to melt boulders larger than the bronze statue in the town plaza in an instant.

The Lizardon, seemingly having been born from the sun mere moments ago, spews flames like gawhoosh as it flies towards me.

I'm not afraid. It doesn't burn. This is a dream after all.

... On top of that, this Lizardon... is my Lizardon. When would I ever get a Lizardon? It doesn't matter. It's my dream...

My Lizardon flies past above my head and I look behind myself to see it flying towards a blue planet.

A blue planet in this universe, yeah, it's obviously the Earth we live on.

Lizardon plunges into the atmosphere and flames envelop its whole body as it descends.

As it descends, it could land in Amerika, Engliss or even Parie, but of course, it's going to land in Tohkyo City... The capital city of the country I live in. Tohkyo Tower and the Harimaku Exhibition Center are there, since this is my dream, Lizardon flies where it's convenient for me.

Because it has descended upon Tohkyo City, Lizardon doesn't rampage like a giant monster.

Instead it continues its descent towards the Shifuya district of Tohkyo City.

Its destination is beyond Shifuya's Park Road, the Yoyoki National Stadium.

Most likely, it's heading for the opening ceremony of the Pokélympics, an international event held once every four years.

The Tohkyo Dome is nice too, but a roofless arena where it can fly through the blue skies suits Lizardon better.

Every seat in the national stadium is filled, of course.

The audience see Lizardon in the sky and begin to cheer.

“Lizardon!”
“Lizardon!!”
“Lizardon!!!”

They call Lizardon's name.

Lizardon lands inside the stadium near the sacred flame's platform and folds its wings, the competitors on the field of the opening ceremony bow their heads. Lizardon looks at the flame's platform and spews fire to light it. The flame flares and soars... That's right, my Lizardon is the final torch runner in the Pokélympics.

Loud cheers beyond the capabilities of Dolby Digital ring out.

Balanced on their swirly tails, a band made of Seadra play a trumpet fanfare with their bugle-like mouths.

The competitors oath begins.

And the one delivering the pledge with all their might, is obviously... me...

“The oath!”

I shout at the very top of my lungs. 92 phons.

“We Pokémon Trainers, in the spirit of the Pokémon League, swear to fight fair and square...”

I'm not sure if the spirit of the Pokémon League is even an actual thing or not, but this is a dream, so just let it slide.

Being a dream, this next part I say after the spirit of the Pokémon League... is the most important part.

“... Pokélympics. Pokémon Trainer representative... Satoshi of Masara Town!”

Masara Town... is my hometown.

Satoshi... That's my name.

The moment I hear that name is the moment I wake up.

What is a Pokémon Trainer?

The basic dictionary on Satoshi's computer defines it as the following.

“Trainers officially licensed by the Pokémon League to raise Pokémon for battle. There are various rules and methods regarding becoming a Pokémon Trainer, but the usual method is to capture wild Pokémon in Monster Balls and raise them into strong Pokémon. In recent years, trading Pokémon between trainers has become commonplace.
To be considered successful as a professional Pokémon Trainer, you must compete in regional tournaments, which to qualify for involves challenging regional Pokémon Gyms and gathering at least 8 badges as proof of your victories.
To learn more about Pokémon training, it's more effective to go on a journey aiming to become a Pokémon Trainer than to read reference books. Experience is the best teacher... That is the secret to understanding Pokémon.”

“Abbreviation of Pocket Monsters.”

“Portable Beasts... (Also, Miniature Portable Beasts) Creatures that can be captured in capsules when their stamina is depleted. Often belonging to Pokémon Trainers. When raised to become stronger can evolve into a different species of portable beast. Come in all shapes and sizes. Can be raised in various methods. To learn more about them, it is more effective to become a Pokémon Trainer than to read reference material. Experience is the best teacher. That is the secret to understanding Pokémon.”

I'm Satoshi, age 10.

I start off putting my Pokémon cap on my head.

I put a throwing glove on my right hand to protect my wrist.

Then I start throwing.

I don't have any Monster Balls though, so it's just shadow pitching.

Once I catch a Pokémon, I need a catchphrase to shout.

Okay, pose!

“Get!”
“Gotcha!”
“Got you!”
“You've been got!”

Satoshi came up with dozens of poses in front of his mirror.

He was trying to figure out his catchphrase for when he caught a Pokémon.

What pose and catchphrase suit me best?

There's so many lines to choose from.

But the most important part is that I decide on something really cool.

Satoshi was looking up the word capture on his computer's dictionary.

And chose “get” as the most commonly used word among Pokémon Trainers.

The dictionary gave the following definition for get.

“Get ＜Obsolete (Commonly used in the past) Etymology... get... English word＞ ... Capture, obtain. Colloquialism for trapping. In the past was used when a man obtained a girl (make something yours), girls also used in regards to obtaining a guy, by the end of the 20th century, its meaning had shifted to only obtaining items, such as when buying them... Nowadays it is no longer part of common vernacular. An exception to this is usage among Pocket Monster (Pokémon) Trainers, where it remains in use in regards to the capture of Pokémon.

＜Example 1... “Krab get (Krab is a species of river crab Pokémon.) another example is “Koiking get (Koiking is a fish Pokémon predominantly made of bones and scales.)

... To obtain a dull Pokémon to catch. On one hand... a waste of effort.

Example 2... “I came close to getting Mew (Mew is a legendary Pokémon whose existence is unconfirmed)”

... To obtain a Pokémon whose existence is unconfirmed. On the other hand... unbelievable fortune. As such it is considered a dangerous (high risk) operation. Something that involves considerable effort.＞

But the use of “get” among those in the Pokémon business is common knowledge.

It was a word used among Pokémon Trainers to the same degree that people in show business always say “Good morning” no matter what time of day it is.

Even among small children playing Pokémon with each other, you'll hear their voices saying “I'll gecchu” or “Gocchu”.

Satoshi wasn't a little kid any more, but could he use the variant kids used while playing? He pondered a moment... Then again, it'd be somewhat improper to speak with a lisp like that... Was his conclusion. ... Perhaps it's better to use the word he's used to? ... Which would mean... In the end, he settled on “get”.

However, even if he's used to using the word, using it in the real world is another thing.

It may be a word everyone uses, but he wanted his own unique cool pose when he said “get”.

So he had spent the past ten days thinking, maybe not, not cool enough, while researching poses.

Whenever he had the time, he was looking in the mirror.

And so it continued, right up to the night before his planned departure.

This country heavily resembles 20th century Japan, but there are some differences.

Allow me to explain a few of those differences here.

For example, compulsory education ends in primary school at the age of ten.

Students are free to continue into middle school if they wish.

When children complete primary school at the age of ten, they are legally considered as adults.

In this facet, it more closely resembles the country England... Engliss, than 20th century Japan.

This is the “All Primary School Graduates are Adults Law”. Or PGAL (Primary Graduates Adulthood Law) for short.

Basically, as of the April following your tenth birthday... you are able to gain a Pokémon License and are permitted to carry Monster Balls to capture Pokémon. However, due to a law for preserving natural habitats, you are only permitted to have six balls at a time.

Of course, there's more to being a legal adult than the right to own Pokémon.

All adult rights are granted. Under 18s don't qualify as minors, not even 14 or 15 year olds. For example, if you were to steal something from a convenience store, the consequences would be more than just the shopkeeper getting mad at you, the police would arrest you. And no matter how much your parents try to apologise, you are still culpable as an adult.

The most important point of this law is... after leaving primary school you make your own life choices.

You can strive to achieve higher education or take over the family business.

Naturally, you're free to search for a job you like as well. If they were so inclined, an eleven year old boy and girl are even free to marry without parental consent. You are considered an adult right down to details like traffic violations. ... And you pay taxes like an adult too.

So, in regards to Satoshi's hometown, Masara Town...

Masara Town is a small town out in the boonies. Despite being legal adults, there's barely any job openings for primary school graduates there.

Due to the lack of jobs, it is a town where most children decide to become Pokémon Trainers.

In fact, most of Satoshi's seniors had left Masara Town to become Pokémon Trainers.

But unfortunately, no trainers from Masara Town ever made it into the national daily top ten charts in the newspapers or TV reports.

However, the popular children's magazine “Pokémon Comic” which boasts a readership of five million as well as the adult oriented specialist magazine “Monthly Pokémon Trainer” and its rival publication “Pokémon Pals (Commonly referred to as PokéPal)” always have a monthly Best 10,000 Trainers list.

Right near the bottom of that list, you may find some trainers from Masara Town.

When this happens, the trainers is featured on the front page in the local paper Weekly Masara Town News with a huge photo and are considered a local hero... Everyone in town throws a huge party. The only supermarket in town celebrates with a bargain sale. Outside their family home, congratulatory telegrams and bouquets are lined up, like a wreath at the grand opening of a pachinko parlour.

The following is an old story from over 100 years ago.

A man from the town named Masara Ookido ranked 931st in the national trainer rankings.

It was the first time anyone from the town had ever made it into the top 1000. Masara Ookido was more than just a local hero, he was practically worshipped as a god. In their excitement, the townspeople erected a bronze statue of him in the town square, and changed the name of the town to Masara Town.

Up until that point, it had been known as Masshiro Town.

Naturally, the new name of the town was decided by a local referendum.

On top of that, Masara Ookido was also elected as the town's mayor.

Since then the Ookido family has been well revered in Masara Town and has had successive generations of mayors.

Incidentally, the famous Pokémon researcher Professor Yukinari Ookido is Masara Ookido's great great grandson (the grandson of his grandson... grandson's grandson) and is the youngest of three brothers in the Ookido family... The eldest is the current mayor of Masara Town... The second eldest runs the Masara Town post office.

Anyway, to become big in this town, your best bet is to become a Pokémon Trainer.

Children of Masara Town dream of beating out Masara Ookido's ranking... That is to say 931st place, and have the town renamed after themselves.

... That goes for me too... I'll change this town's name to Satoshi Town... And I'll be cooler than anyone else...

Satoshi was still posing in front of the mirror.

“Get!”
“Gotcha!”
“Did I get it?”

... It wasn't going well.

“Am I interrupting a fashion show?” A yawning voice spoke from behind.

“You should knock before coming in.”

Satoshi replied as he turned around.

Nok nok. The one who spoke up knocked on the already wide open door to Satoshi's room. It was his mother Hanako standing in the doorway in her pajamas.

“It's your mama in pajamas. What's the drama? Oh, I'm a poet and I didn't know it.”

Is this really the kind of thing a typical mother would say? ... Sometimes, Satoshi would stop and wonder about that.

Besides, when she's not in her pajamas, she's usually wearing a miniskirt.

What? You don't want to read about annoying parents in a Pokémon novel? You want to move on with Satoshi's story already? ...

I get where you're coming from, but think of it this way, not all that long ago back when they were your age, everyone's mother were once kids who loved anime and games just as much as you. They weren't always annoying parents who always order you to study. So stop complaining and deal with it. Besides, you may even learn something important about Satoshi while learning about his mother.

In a lot of ways, Satoshi's mother may be similar to your own, but there may be some notable differences as well.

Looking at Hanako, who is still under 30, you wouldn't think she was Satoshi's mother.

In fact, if Satoshi were to introduce her to someone saying “This is my mother, who'll be turning 30 soon.” they'd probably stare blankly... and shake their head in disbelief.

Then they'd smile politely and think he was joking as they replied.

“Hanako could only be in her early 20s.”

Anyway, Hanako really didn't look any older than her early 20s.

While Satoshi would prefer her to become more like an ordinary older woman, if strangers were to see them together they would likely think they were brother and sister.

While Satoshi wouldn't notice due to being with her all the time, most people would consider her quite the beauty, in fact, when she was 17 she appeared on the front cover of the new year bumper issue of “Pokémon Pals” alongside a flower Pokémon known as Madatsubomi.

It was the biggest thing to happen in Masara Town since Masara Ookido reached 931st on the trainer charts.

It was approximately two years later that Satoshi was born, however she has never told him about her appearance in that special edition of “Pokémon Pals” because “I was so immature back then, yaaah~ ”

After her mother passed away, Hanako took over the family business, the only restaurant in town with an inn (hotel) on the second floor, Masara House: Hanako, which she ran all on her own.

Satoshi's father isn't around anymore.

Satoshi's father was a Pokémon Trainer.

He left town right after Satoshi was born and never came back.

While we're on the topic, Hanako's father... That is to say, Satoshi's grandfather, was also a Pokémon Trainer, he also left home when Hanako was young and never came back.

But that's enough about Hanako for now, let's get back to Satoshi's story.

Satoshi was embarrassed to have his mother finding him practising his Pokémon get pose and replied to her with a furrowed brow.

“So... Does my mama in pajamas have some important business with me?”

When communicating by computer or trying to put on airs, Satoshi refers to himself by the pronoun "boku", but in general he always says "ore".

“Your mama in pajamas doesn't want any drama... little boy. What are you doing at this hour?”

“Don't call me little boy.”

Satoshi snapped back at her.

“Ooh. If you're not a little boy, then what are you?”

Their relationship was less like mother and child and more like a pair of friends.

“I'm becoming a Pokémon Trainer tomorrow, that means I'm an adult.”

Hanako placed her hand to her forehead.

“Right, my mistake. Anyway, Mr. Adult... Do you know what time it is?”

Hanako pointed at the alarm clock on Satoshi's desk.

Hanako got that clock for Satoshi as a present on his tenth birthday.

It was shaped like a Biriridama, a ball-like Pokémon, a clock designed for travel, it opened into two pieces to show the time inside.

When you set the time, it starts of going ririri... Then if you don't wake up biriri... Then eventually kaboom! It would make a sound like an explosion, Pokémon themed goods are quite popular.

They aren't expensive, but Pokémon goods are a perpetual best seller. So it makes them hard to obtain in a small place like Masara Town where Satoshi lives, so in order to obtain that clock Hanako left her busy schedule for three days and went to the department store in the metropolis of Tamamushi City and waited in line for five hours to buy it.

Naturally she also bought herself some nice clothes and shoes at great bargain prices while at the department store, but that was only an afterthought.

For Hanako, that Biriridama alarm clock held more significance than just a birthday present for her son.

It was an expression of motherly love for Satoshi to take on his journey with his tenth birthday just being a chance to give it to him.

“The time is...”

Satoshi opened the Biriridama alarm clock and checked the time.

“Wow, it's already 1 AM.”

Hanako shrugged as she replied.

“That's right. 1 AM is a time for adults... But not a time for new ten year old adults to be awake.”

“But I'm leaving tomorrow.”

“Not tomorrow. 1 AM. It's already today.”

“... I can't sleep.”

Hanako was fluffing Satoshi's pillow as she replied.

“I understand how you feel. Everyone in this town becomes a Pokémon Trainer when they turn ten. Your dad, your grandpa... And even you...”

When mentioning his father and grandfather, she briefly treated Satoshi's pillow like a punching bag.

“Dad and grandpa, huh...”

Satoshi recalled something from when he was five years old.

It was the day he got his first computer.

He was staring at the latest model of PC while Hanako spoke.

“Hey son, I'm talking to you... Your dad and grandpa are amazing Pokémon Trainers.”

Of course, Satoshi had always thought so.

“Hey, mom. I wanna know. What's dad like? ... What kind of person was grandpa?”

This was the answer Hanako decided to give little Satoshi.

“Your dad and grandpa are surreal trainers who could defeat even Masara Ookido...”

“Surreal?”

It was a word he wasn't familiar with.

“Beyond reality... Super real.”

“So they're like super awesome.”

“I guess.”

But on the day he got his computer, the illusions he had about his father and grandfather were shattered. And the following occurred...

Hanako lowered her head as she spoke to little Satoshi.

“Sorry. I lied to you...”

Hanako spoke to Satoshi whose jaw hung wide open.

“Lied...”

“Surreal trainers. Beyond reality, throwing logic to the curb, super real, surpassing reality... It's all lies... I give up.”

Satoshi was the one giving up.

Hanako asked the following.

“When you start using your computer, you're going to go online...”

“Yeah.”

Satoshi nodded.

“And of course, the internet has information regarding Pokémon, so you're going to try and learn more about your dad and grandpa.”

“Yeah. That's right.

“But, you won't find anything. Probably.”

“Why not?”

“Because I lied...”

“Eh...”

“It's not a lie that dad and grandpa did try to become Pokémon Trainers... That's the truth... It's absolute fact that they left on a journey...”

“Yeah.”

“But... To say that they had any success as trainers...”

“Yeah.”

“It's a lie. Probably.”

“A lie?”

“Your dad and grandpa have never made it into the top 10,000 lists in any of the magazines.”

“Yeah, they haven't.”

“I know that's never bothered you, Satoshi... The top 10,000 is made up of people who compete in the annual league tournaments. Only Pokémon Master class trainers make it to the big league... There's plenty of great trainers whose names never make it on the list.”

“Yeah.”

“But, it might be a problem if you search for them on the internet.”

“Internet?”

“Yeah, but on the internet, you can easily obtain a list of all the officially registered Pokémon Trainers in the world... If you're officially registered, your name is on the list... Even the names of deceased trainers are listed, there's at least a billion names on the list.”

“There's a list? ... I never knew that.”

“There is. Anyway... With a computer, even with a billion names, it would be easy to search for dad and grandpa on the list. That's why... before you try to search for them, I'd like to tell you... dad and grandpa aren't on the list.”

“Why not?”

“Because, dad and grandpa aren't professionals yet. Or rather, they haven't made it to the point they can be considered professionals.”

“Hmm.”

A long silence hung between Satoshi and Hanako.

“What are they doing? Dad and grandpa.”

Hanako shrugged.

“No idea. They left to become trainers, but their names still aren't on the list... I guess... they're just failures.”

“Failures... huh.”

Satoshi repeated Hanako's words.

Hanako didn't like the gloomy mood.

Hence why she then spoke up.

“But you aren't a failure, Satoshi. So don't you worry about dad or grandpa... okay. Whether you become a trainer or not is your own decision.”

Satoshi muttered quietly.

“How lame.”

“It is lame. Totally lame. Really lame.”

Hanako smiled.

She was relieved that Satoshi wasn't too shocked by this revelation.

Satoshi's feelings were just as he'd said... “How lame” he thought.

Maybe if he'd known them it'd mean something, but he had only ever seen his dad and grandpa in photos.

Neither of them really meant anything to five year old Satoshi.

Whether his father and grandfather were decent trainers or not made no difference in his feelings about becoming a Pokémon Trainer.

However if he'd found out on the internet, or even when he was a little older, it may have come as a shock.

Thinking about it later, having the pressure of his father and grandfather's failure on him was a somewhat odd form of encouragement.

For example, there was this guy named Shigeru.

Shigeru Ookido was the same age as Satoshi.

He was the grandson of the Pokémon researcher Professor Ookido, who was the grandson of the grandson of Masara Ookido whose statue stood in the town square.

He was a self centered jerk who looked down on others just because he was a member of the Ookido family, his lineage was all he had going for him, yet he was still full of himself.

Since his grandfather's brother was the mayor, he didn't go to the small primary school in town, he deliberately enrolled into a school in the next town over. Every day he had a two hour round trip out of Masara Town. ... It must be tough having to live up to your ancestors.

That's what Satoshi thought sometimes in regards to Shigeru.

... On the other hand, with a father and grandfather who were complete failures... it's quite possible that Shigeru thought that Satoshi... was quite pitiable himself.

“I'm not going to end up like dad or grandpa.”

Satoshi posed with his fist in the air before Hanako.

“Well, you can't be sure...”

Hanako regretted saying that and then tried to lighten the mood.

“Ah, you've got them beat in style though.”

“Huh? Style?”

“The whole getting thing.”

Hanako then mimicked exaggerated versions of the poses Satoshi had been practicing.

“Get, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah”

Satoshi rolled his eyes.

“You just don't get how cool I am.”

“What, you seriously think that was cool?” Hanako asked.

“...” Satoshi had no retort for that.

“Of course. You're so stylish... But there's no point trying to come up with something before you even catch any Pokémon.”

“It's none of your business, mom.”

“It is too.”

“How so?”

“I don't want people thinking I'm the mother of a totally uncool trainer.”

“You only pull the mom card when it's convenient.”

“Of course. I am your mother after all. Anyway, people who rely on stylish poses to determine how cool they are have a long way to go. You won't understand the joy, the excitement of catching a Pokémon, until you experience it for yourself... Anyway, the natural reaction you have when you feel that sense of accomplishment will provide a natural style. That's the style that will suit you best... You won't know it until you catch your own Pokémon... Besides, there's more important things you should be deciding on.”

“Eh?”

Hanako returned his pillow to the bed and pressed the TV button on the computer on his desk.

“There, you're always watching this, aren't you?”

A video of an introductory lecture about Pokémon started playing.

Having already seen it dozens of times he'd already memorised the whole thing start to finish.

Satoshi figured there was nothing new he could possibly learn from it at this point.

“I've had enough of this video.”

“Really? ... Maybe I'll learn something instead then.”

The video explained that after a week without bathing your hair would be filled with dandruff, the kind of beard you'd grow after not shaving for ten days, how dirty your clothes would get after being worn for a whole month, the video was presented by a man who had probably about 50 years of experience in this world.

Other than Masara Ookido whose statue stood in town, the second most famous person was Professor Yukinari Ookido.

“As you are aware, the National Pokémon Association are able to provide a single Pokémon to primary school graduates hoping to become Pokémon Trainers. There are many Pokémon suitable for beginners, however for Pokémon Trainers starting their career, I would personally recommend one of the following three...”

Hanako asked Satoshi.

“It's fine. I know all three of them.”

Satoshi then began to list them off.

“Fushigidane... It's a Pokémon that kind of looks like a frog which has a bulb planted on its back since birth... It's easy to raise, thus perfect for beginners...”

“I see.”

Hanako nodded.

“Then there's Zenigame, which is like a turtle that squirts water from its mouth... It's a little tough to handle at first, but it's better in the long term...”

“Right, right.”

“The last one is “Hitokage. It has a flame on its tail from the moment its born. It's a little dinosaur-like Pokémon that walks on two legs... It's recommended for people who like a bit of a challenge.”

“You know your stuff. So, have you decided... on your new sweetheart?”

“Eh?”

“I mean your first Pokémon.”

“Ah...”

Satoshi hadn't decided as of yet.

He was completely lost as to which one of the three would be his best choice.

“No use keeping it a secret, tell me~”

... He'd been practising his Pokémon get pose without even deciding what his first Pokémon would be. How lame. Super lame...

He couldn't admit that to Hanako.

“Not telling. It's a trade secret.”

“Right. It'd suck if some other kid got the Pokémon you wanted before you did.”

Hanako casually turned up the volume on the video.

Professor Ookido flipped images of each Pokémon as he described them.

“Due to the increase of Pokémon Trainer candidates in recent years, I have one of each of these three Pokémon available for distribution at my laboratory. If you wish to obtain one of them, make sure to arrive early on the appointed day. I'll be distributing them starting at dawn.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“I'm not going to wake you in the morning.”

Hanako always left home in the morning while it was still dark, before Satoshi woke up.

She had to go to the market in the next town over to buy ingredients for the restaurant.

“No need to worry. I've got this.”

Satoshi placed his Biriridama alarm clock by his bedside.

“I've got it set for first thing in the morning.”

“Then hurry up and go to sleep. Oh, don't forget to change into your pajamas.”

She pulled his pajamas from the hamper and handed them to Satoshi.

Satoshi nodded as he accepted them.

“I know.”

“Well, as long as you know...”

Hanako looked around Satoshi's room.

It was unusually neat.

It was never this neat even after a spring cleaning.

... Satoshi was really leaving...

This room... Satoshi had slept here every night for the past ten years since he was a baby, but tomorrow he would be gone.

It'd be quite a while until Satoshi would return to this room.

If he was anything like his father, he may never be back.

It was really starting to sink in.

But Hanako hated teary farewells.

When it came to cuts, bruises or even a tiny splinter stuck in her finger, Hanako would overreact and cry like a baby, but ever since Satoshi's father left she never shed a single tear over a farewell where anyone could see her.

“Get to sleep soon...”

Hanako said that once more before she closed the door.

Hanako wiped the tears from her eyes and wiped them on her shoulder.

... Tears, huh... I'm still young, but I'm already the mother of a full fledged adult at my age... I've had to put on a brave face as his mother... I can recall all the past ten years with Satoshi, ten years, ten months and ten days... All of the hardships... The times it was too painful to go on... Motherhood really was a struggle... But it was worth it.

This is how Hanako felt the day her only son left home.

And now from here until the next ***, we're going to speak about Hanako a bit more, this may be a little long, so if you don't care about Satoshi's mother's feelings, feel free to skip ahead.

But if you persevere and keep reading here, you may be rewarded. It may tie in to what Satoshi does from now on.

Do you know what your mother thinks while you're playing outside or you're playing video games?

This is true. A lot of them are thinking “dammit”. And it's not because you're spending your time playing instead of studying. It's because they want to play too, but can't.

When you spend your allowance on a video game they're thinking “lucky brat”. Because with the money you spend they can no longer buy new shoes or clothes for themselves.

While they're making your dinner they're thinking “I don't wanna do this”. They would honestly rather go out to a restaurant and have some fancy master chef make them a feast. And at a restaurant, there's no need to clean up the table afterwards.

Every day your mother thinks “dammit”, “lucky brat” and “I don't wanna do this”, while doing the jobs a mother has to do.

The jobs a mother has to do include raising you, making sure you attend school, it's hard work.

It may be interesting to observe your mother with her viewpoint in mind.

Anyway, in Hanako's case...

Hanako didn't consider motherhood to be a burden.

Of course, it was never easy... But still, she felt the need to say “Thanks baby” to Satoshi every once in a while.

... Looking after a baby is somewhat comparable to looking after a pet Pokémon in terms of effort... But Hanako figured it was at least somewhat better than being all alone after her husband left home.

At least a baby provides more thrill than a digital pet, if it dies you can't press reset. Maybe I said too much there.

... He became rebellious for the first time around the age of three.

“Ah, Satoshi, you're plotting against me.”

She keenly sensed Satoshi's presence...

“Having such a rebellious son makes me the world's most unfortunate beauty... Sniff, sniff. Waaah, waaaah.” and she began to cry.

Normally at her age, girls would be able to go out and have fun, not working as a single mother, she really did feel somewhat unfortunate. She started off only pretending to cry, but while thinking about her life situation, the tears soon became real.

Satoshi was taken aback by her crying and stopped his troublemaking. “Mama. What's wrong? Are you okay

That was all he could do to comfort her.

When bullies picked on Satoshi in preschool and school, he'd get the teachers or the bully's father to tell them off. Or well, if the bully's father wouldn't tell them off, he'd make sure the teacher did.

Anyway, Hanako's restaurant was the only restaurant in Masara Town.

For single men and men who'd been kicked out of the house after a marital dispute who were looking for a meal, their only options in town were either Hanako's restaurant or a bento from the only convenience store in town.

Hanako's cooking is so good that it was featured in the book “Unexplored Regions: The Best Cooking in Small Towns”. However, if you got into an argument with Hanako and were on her bad side, her famous cooking would quickly become inedible. Also... With Hanako being a beauty who appeared on the cover of “Pokémon Pals”... none of the men in Masara Town were good enough for her.

“Children need a mother and a father! Especially a father! You can't underestimate the importance of a father! A father can't just be working all the time! He has to spend time at home!”

Hanako would complain to the fathers of the bullies.

The fathers would shut up and let her speak.

In exchange... if you can call it that... Hanako would hear out their problems with their wives.

Up until Satoshi's tenth birthday, Hanako received at least 100 proposals from men, but she turned all of them down. There were a few rumours about her relationships with men, but none of them were true.

In fact, she had never actually gotten divorced from Satoshi's absent father.

Because of this, the mothers in town never complained about their husbands going to Masara House: Hanako after work. In fact, when their husbands arrived home late at night and said they'd been at Masara House: Hanako, they'd consider it a relief. Speaking with Hanako would inspire the fathers of Masara Town to do their best to look after their homes and children.

This would help improve the mood of the mothers of the town.

And with both their parents in a good mood, the children would be in a good mood too.

It's hard to say whether this kind of thing would have an effect in the world at large, but at the very least, in a small school in Masara Town, the bullying against Satoshi ended.

With him no longer being bullied, Satoshi loved to play around and cause mischief.

She told him off when he caused too much trouble, but Hanako never forced him to focus on his studies.

But sometimes she'd mutter.

“Your dad and grandpa are out there somewhere trying to become Pokémon Trainers... Must be nice out there...”

It was only occasionally that she'd say this, but over ten years it added to quite a number of times.

It was only natural that Satoshi would come to dream of being a Pokémon Trainer.

Hanako's mutterings, were never in regards to having any concern for dad or grandpa.

Hanako herself loved Pokémon and wished she could have become a trainer too.

If she didn't have to take over Masara House as the only daughter of her family, Hanako would have ignored any opposition from her mother and left home to become a Pokémon Trainer when she was ten, just like Satoshi.

When becoming a Pokémon Trainer, it's always better to start young.

But it's not too late to start as a teenager.

If there was anyone else who could take over Masara House, Hanako would have left it to them and left town.

She hadn't given up yet.

However...

When she was 18... While Hanako's mother was still alive.

There was a young man hoping to become a Pokémon Trainer who stayed at Masara House and she fell in love. The relationship escalated quickly and in practically the blink of the eye they were married.

And then in another blink of the eye, the young man left town, never to return again.

And in yet another blink of the eye, her mother fell ill and passed away, leaving her with only Masara House and the newborn Satoshi.

If you were to ask her if she still loved that young man... Satoshi's father... her answer would be a flat “no”.

After leaving a woman like Hanako alone for over ten years, she wouldn't even get mad at him if he returned, she'd simply ignore him outright.

Up until the day Satoshi left home on a journey to become a Pokémon Trainer, Hanako had hung in there all by herself.

It's only natural... Hanako thought to herself.

Satoshi was her beloved child. She'd take care of him until the day he left. It was her responsibility.

Hanako had decided to continue doing her best on her own... But in the morning, Satoshi would finally be leaving.

She was sad to see Satoshi leave home, yet also somewhat excited.

... When the morning comes, I'll be free. I'm still in my twenties... It's a bit too late to become a Pokémon Trainer, but there's lots of things I could do. Hanako briefly reconsidered the hundreds of proposals she'd rejected... Ahaha... I'd rather not... Lalala.

Hanako felt like a student about to start a summer vacation without any homework.

She then came to her senses.

Satoshi isn't leaving until the morning. She had to keep being his mother up until then.

Hanako nodded to herself and said “yeah”.

Satoshi couldn't sleep.

He was wearing his pajamas. His light was off and he was tucked under the sheets of his bed.

He'd given up on coming up with a get pose.

However, he couldn't decide which of the three recommended Pokémon he should get at the Masara Town Ookido Laboratory.

Fushigidane...?
Zenigame...?
Hitokage...?

He couldn't decide which one to choose.

How much time was left?

As Satoshi dozed off, he heard a distant sound... somewhere outside the window...

“Doh... Doh... Dododdooh”

It was a Dodrio letting out a trio of cries to declare it was the morning.

Dodrio is a triple bird Pokémon which is like a three headed ostrich.

Upon hearing the Dodrio's cry, Hanako went out to go to the market.

It was still dark outside.

But today, the Dodrio's cry was like a lullaby for Satoshi.

Even in his dreams, Satoshi was indecisive.

“Fushigidane, Zenigame, Hitokage... Who should I choose?”

But he had to settle on one eventually.

“Okay, Fushigidane, I choose you!”

Satoshi threw a Monster Ball within his dream.

A Fushigidane came out from the ball letting out a cry of “Danee”. ... Or rather it should have.

What came out instead was a Zenigame saying “Gamegame”.

“Huh? You're not Fushigidane.”

But Satoshi then changed his mind.

“A Zenigame is fine too... Zenigame. I'm glad it was you. Zenigame, I choose you.”

But the moment he decided, Zenigame was enveloped in smoke and turned into a Hitokage.

“Kage? Kage?” Its tail flame flickered unreliably as it seemed to ask... Am I not good enough?

Satoshi replied almost on instinct.

“Hitokage... I'm sorry. You're the one I really want.”

Then Fushigidane leapt out.

“Danee?”

... That's not what you said before? It asked, pouting with the bulb on its back.

“No, it isn't, it's not. I want all of you.” He says that, but “I want all three of you” is too selfish.

“Game...” “Kagee...” Danee...”

All three of them turn their back on Satoshi and leave.

... Uugh, I'm back at square one again...

“Let's try this again... This time, Hitokage! I choose you.”

He threw a Monster Ball again.

But the one who came out of it was Fushigidane.

“Why is this happening? Fushigidane... No, one more time, Zenigame...”

He threw the Monster Ball again.

For some reason, it was Hitokage.

No matter how many times he tried, the three of them wouldn't come out the way he wanted.

“This time, this time, this time for sure!”

Satoshi kept throwing the Monster Balls in his dream.

In a half asleep daze, Satoshi had eventually grabbed the Biriridama clock.

“Thistimethistimethistime!”

Thinking he was throwing a Monster Ball, Satoshi threw the Biriridama clock.

After smashing into the wall, the clock would no longer go biriri or ririri.

The clock broke without making a sound.

However, having not noticed, Satoshi continued throwing Monster Balls in his dreams.

... Ding dong ding dong.

The bell in Masara Town Square rang.

9 AM. Everyone in town was going to work.

Satoshi let out a big yawn.

... Ding dong ding dong... That sound... isn't the alarm clock!...

Satoshi sprung out of bed.

“The town square's bell!”

Satoshi threw the curtains to the window open.

Outside the window it was already morning... Oh no, Satoshi had been planning to leave around sunrise, but it was already closer to noon.

“What! Why?” The Biriridama clock was sitting next to the wall.

“Why didn't it go off?”

Satoshi picked up the clock and shook it.

“Please work... Please work... Please work...”

The Biriridama let out an out-of-order sound.

“Oh come on.”

Satoshi put the Biriridama clock into his pajama pocket and dashed out of the room.

“... Zenigame, Hitokage, Fushigidane, I'll settle for any of you, so please wait!”

He came down the stairs to where the Masara House: Hanako restaurant was.

Having already gotten back from shopping in the next town over, Hanako was tidying up before opening the store.

“Oh, you're still here Satoshi.”

“I'm late. I'm late. I'm late!”

Without even taking any notice of Hanako, Satoshi shot out the front door of the restaurant still wearing his pajamas.

“Same as always... He's hopeless.”

Hanako shrugged her shoulders.

He stayed up late and overslept...

Nothing ever changed, even on the day he was supposed to leave home.

“Dad... Grandpa... I suppose he really is your child.”

But she then smiled as she murmured to herself.

“But he's my kid too...”

Hanako moved the vacuum cleaner all about the floor.

Well, cleaning is done for now.

“Alright! Time to face another bright day.”

Hanako went to the kitchen and started preparing for today's lunch special.

Many people normally tend to only have something light for lunch like a bento or a sandwich. But not Hanako. Some people are totally out of it in the morning and don't get moving until the afternoon. To power on without dozing off, you need to fill your stomach with some nourishment. And not just with quantity, you need a good quality lunch packed with energy. Hanako felt that out of your three meals a day, lunch was the most important.

That's the truth.

She selected the finest ingredients and used them to make nourishing balanced meals, this is why Hanako's restaurant had such a great reputation in town.

Unfortunately, we don't have the time to explain Hanako's special lunch menu in any detail. If you wish to know more about her recipes, I would suggest enquiring with the people who set the menu at the cafeteria or someone as a restaurant with a specialised lunch menu.

However something bothered Hanako today, she put down the kitchen knife she was using to slice the okra (a nutritious type of vegetable known for its stickiness).

Hanako tasted a pinch of the okra, “Nice, this is good...” she said to herself, before going up the stairs to Satoshi's room.

“Yeah, thought as much.”

Satoshi had left behind the luggage he was supposed to take on his journey.

She figured she should take the stuff he forgot over to him.

“... I suppose I should see him off properly.”

Hanako returned to the kitchen and packed today's lunch special into a bento.

The bento wasn't for Satoshi.

For the customers coming for today's lunch special, they would find the place closed while she delivered her son's forgotten items... Closed at lunchtime... When they'd come during their lunch break to have the lunch special... It would be almost too much to bear.

Professor Ookido's Laboratory which Satoshi was headed for was located on the outskirts of Masara Town.

When he attended the primary school in the town square, he'd overcome the barriers to be at his desk in time for his teacher to take attendance, but it seemed he wouldn't make it in time today.

Even running at full speed in his pajamas, it was impossible.

(To be continued in chapter 2)

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 2. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

... Pokémon Related Reference Material 1...

Let me tell you of a Pokémon legend I know that few people are aware of...

Pocket Monsters... Or Pokémon for short.

Pokémon researchers have published many theories, but there's very little we actually know about them.

Despite existing side by side, there is very little we know about the ecology (way of life) of Pokémon species.

It's understandable though.

Throughout the thousands of years of human history, it was only relatively recently that we came to fully understand the animals known as dogs and cats.

Until that point people thought that dogs and wolves were entirely unrelated creatures.

Nobody would believe that cats and lions were both varieties of feline.

As such with Pokémon... For example, Nyarth is a Pokémon that resembles a cat, however we as of yet have no idea what relationship it may share with actual cats.

Firstly, it is only recently that we have started calling these creatures Pocket Monsters (portable beasts).

For a long time, humans divided creatures into to broad categories.

The first was edible animals like cows or pigs, animals like horses you could ride, dogs that could act as guards or sometimes just cute animals that could be kept at pets... Basically, animals that are useful to humans. You could consider them to be humanity's allies. The other category includes insects that destroy crops and wolves that attack sheep, they could be considered humanity's enemies...

Throughout human history, the quest for food and survival has been a constant war.

As such it was a long time before humans came to truly understand animals.

Is it an enemy? An ally? That was all that mattered.

As their way of life became easier, humans gained more curiosity about the world around them, and began the study of creatures other than themselves... The study of animals other than humans known as, this may be a difficult word, biology, is only a recent development in human history.

Anyway, proper research of Pokémon has only started within the past few centuries.

So when a portable beast (Pokémon) researcher known as Professor Ookido from a country town known as Masara Town claimed that Pokémon are fundamentally different creatures from other animals 30 years ago, a large portion of the scientific community took notice.

When did Pokémon first appear before humans? And have Pokémon existed longer than humans have in this world?

The truth is not entirely clear.

It is said that the ancestors of Pokémon existed two million years ago.

However there is no clear evidence for this.

Two million years ago is the time that humanity is estimated to have been born.

That is to say that humans and Pokémon have existed for roughly the same period of time.

At the start of the 20th century, the discovery of Peking Man and Java Man put the origin of man approximately half a million years ago.

But then the bones of Australopithecus were discovered in Africa.

These bones were about a million years old.

And so humanity was thought to be a million years old.

And now the discovery of the bones of a primitive man known as Ramapithecus have placed the estimate at roughly two million years. As new excavations happen, new discoveries about the origin of man may come to light in the following years. Some believe that humanity may even go back as far as three million years.

It is indeed possible that humans have existed for more than two million years.

By examining the chemical properties of unearthed fossils, we can determine the era they lived in.

However this method does not work with Pokémon.

This isn't common knowledge, but it's impossible to detect the chemical make up of a Pokémon's body.

As such, when a Pokémon fossil is discovered on occasion, we are unable to determine the time period it lived in, unlike other fossils.

This isn't the only difference between Pokémon and other creatures. The molecular geometry of a Pokémon's body is also different to that of other creatures.

Basically, Pokémon are highly mysterious creatures.

In regards to the origins of Pokémon, researchers can only say one thing for certain.

That is...

Pokémon have existed since before humans discovered them.

Therefore it is possible that Pokémon existed when humanity originated.

With that said... Or that is to say... There's no way to prove it.

Although thinking about it, the same could be said about humanity's origins.

It is impossible to know if the two million year old human fossils considered themselves as human when they were alive.

That is to say by the time humans realised what they were, they already existed.

These are common questions among humans. Who am I? Where am I? Do I belong here? The answers to these questions... are probably within you already. We're here because we are.

In much the same way, Pokémon exist within this world because they do.

As such, if we were to discover why Pokémon exist in this world, it would likely be related to why humanity exists in this world as well.

This is why other than professional researchers like Professor Ookido, many people research Pokémon as a hobby.

What I know about Pokémon as a small town Pokémon researcher...

I have some rare information that may be of some interest to a Pokémon lover such as yourself.

In a certain rural area, a relatively unknown legend remains.

As people are aware, the universe was created by a great explosion known as the big bang...

Or so they say.

However, according to this legend, the big bang was not the beginning.

There was a god who created the world.

The world had up and down, but was shrouded in complete darkness. And so, light was created so things could be seen. And because being bright all the time would make it hard to sleep, half the day was shrouded in darkness. And so day and night came to be. And this is what God did on the first day.

But though there was light during the day, if you were to look at the world around you it was merely a soupy mess. To use a more complex word, it was chaos.

Well... it was a problem to leave things all jumbled like that, so on the second day... God took the soupy mess and divided it into sea and sky.

But God felt it was a little desolate with nothing but sea and sky.

Nowadays, sets of paints and crayons come in at least twelve colours. Even a rainbow has seven colours.

But the only colours in the sea and sky were blue.

It was quite desolate.

That's why on the third day... God created land on the sea. Having the land all be brown would be boring, so he added greenery... On the land he put grass and trees. Woods ands forests. Basically, he made vegetation. Then on the fourth day... God looked at the sky... and felt it looked empty. So he made the sun to be in the sky at day and the stars and moon to shine at night.

I wonder, did God feel like a child with their first set of colour pencils or crayons at this point?

... It's an understandable feeling.

But he looked upon the world and felt that there should be something that could move about. If you paid close attention, the sea had waves and the wind rustled the tree leaves... But it was too quiet. God wanted something more lively to move about.

Rather than scenery like a painting on a wall, he wanted something that would move dynamically like an anime.

And so on the fifth day... He made birds to fly in the sky and fish to swim in the sea.

Now, what about insects like dragonflies and cicadas? Or shellfish, squids or octopuses? Do dolphins and whales count as fish?

Eh? Uh... Since this is just a legend I heard... Don't ask me about those kinds of details...

Anyway, day five, God made animals in the sky and sea.

So, the sixth day... This time he made various animals on the land.

It was at this point God realised. He made all these great animals in the sky, sea and on land, but maybe he made too many of them...

If these animals competed over the limited amount of space it'd be trouble.

And so, being a rather whimsical God, without consulting any of the other creatures, he made one in his own image.

They were humans.

Even if the humans resembled him in appearance only, God figured it should be able to communicate with the other animals.

So God told the humans.

“Go rule over the creatures of this world.”

Then he told the other creatures.

“Humans are your masters.”

Whether or not the other creatures objected or not is not recorded in the legend.

Since the legend has been passed down among humans, it'd be easy for them to cut any parts that make them look bad.

Either way...

God probably didn't expect the humans to be creatures that would burden the other creatures or fight wars amongst themselves.

Finally, the seventh day... Having finished creating the world, God took the day off.

We now call this day Sunday.

But this God sure loved making animals.

It was his day off, but he felt like scribbling a few new creatures into the world.

As for the creatures he made on his day off...

After making these creatures on a whim, God never told them to either “Rule over the humans” or “Be ruled by the humans”...

These creatures are what we call Pocket Monsters.

Anyway, that's the legend. As I said before, it's a legend very few people actually know of.

It's quite possible that I, the one writing this, and you, the one reading it, are the only ones who know of it.

In fact, as I send this correspondence, I have as of yet... been unable to verify the validity of the legend.

As such, I would suggest not talking to other people about it openly and keeping it close to your chest.

... A nameless Pokémon Researcher with absolutely no relation at all to Professor Ookido...

An excerpt from an email sent to Masaki Sonezaki
A Pokémon Analyst who participated in the 97th International Portable Beast Academic Conference

In order to talk about Satoshi's departure, you must first know more about Professor Ookido. This may get a bit long, but I'm going to tell you a little bit about Professor Ookido.

You can skip to the next *** if you like, but if something from here comes up later and you find yourself lost, then it's not my fault, so please bear with me.

Professor Ookido was well known within the Pokémon scientific community.

In his book “An Introduction to the Research of Portable Beasts” he presented the claim that “Pokémon are different to all other creatures on this planet.”, which gained Professor Ookido a lot of attention within the scientific community at the age of 20.

With the results of his studies widely accepted, he became an esteemed professor in the Tamamushi University Portable Beast Department at the unprecedented age of 25.

However, for some reason he didn't publish any other notable studies and moved back to his hometown Masara Town in his 30s and started up a small Pokémon Laboratory.

There were many rumours about the reason for this ranging from having reached the limits of his research or having his heart broken by an actress in a Pokémon movie that he had acted as a supervisor for, along with many other explanations, however the true reason remains a mystery to this day.

Just like Pokémon themselves, there are many mysteries regarding Pokémon researchers.

When you think about it, it's also a mystery how after all these years of aiming to become Pokémon Trainers that the names of Satoshi's father and grandfather still don't appear on the official registry of Pokémon Trainers. It is said that effort brings results... But no matter how pathetic someone is as a trainer, you would think that after ten years their name would at least appear on the official registry of trainers. Even if you can't afford the membership fee, there's registration for free associate memberships as well.

... Anyway, there are many mysteries that are related to Pokémon.

In the 20 years since Professor Ookido returned to Masara Town, he's continued his own personal Pokémon research.

So how does he still earn the same kind of money he did as a prestigious professor at Tamamushi University when he's living like a hermit...? Twenty years ago he wrote a reference book for prospective Pokémon Trainers called “Ookido's Poké Reference”, it's a classic reference that anyone's mother or father would instantly recognise the cover of, with “Useful charts and current surefire methods to success with Pokémon” it has remained a constant best seller... Which is the most likely explanation of his income.

Satoshi had seen Professor Ookido late at night before coming to Masara House: Hanako for dinner.

It was always right before his bedtime, and it wasn't something he'd ever really discussed, but he considered him to be a strange old man as despite having the option of Hanako's famous cooking he would simply order furikake ochazuke and instant curry, then quietly read a book in the corner of the restaurant while eating his meal.

“What an oddball. He could get furikake and curry at the convenience store.”

The restaurant is busy at night. And Hanako never seemed to take much notice of Professor Ookido.

No matter what kind of person he was though, Professor Ookido ran the only official Pokémon Laboratory in town.

That is the Ookido Pokémon Laboratory. There was nowhere else for trainers to get their first Pokémon.

Satoshi continued to run, run, run and run towards the Ookido Laboratory.

For some reason there was a large crowd gathered outside the Ookido Laboratory.

The sound of bells and drums rang out.

Satoshi pushed his way through the crowd.

“Move, move, move it! I'm going to the lab!”

He thought he was finally through the waves of people when, wham! He had a head-on collision with a boy coming out of the lab.

“Owowow”

Satoshi fell to the ground and grabbed his now red nose.

“I'm the one hurt here.”

Said the person he crashed into.

“Hm? Oh, you're Satoshi. Hey there, Satooshi-san. Are you alright?”

He offered his hand to help Satoshi up.

“Ａｒｅ　ｙｏｕ　ａｌｒｉｇｈｔ？”

He deliberately repeated the question in English.

He was a smug bastard.

Satoshi instinctively muttered his name.

“Shigeru...”

“That's Shigeru-kun to you. Don't forget to add the -kun to my name. So, Satoshi-kun, are you here to see me off as well?”

Shigeru Ookido.

He was related to Masara Town's mayor and is Professor Ookido's grandson. He's also the same age as Satoshi. Shigeru was also leaving on his journey today.

However, his departure as a Pokémon Trainer was downright gaudy. For one thing, he was wearing a frilly shirt with a tuxedo and a cattleya flower pinned to his breast. He looked like he was a member of the royal family or something.

And lets not even get into what other people were wearing. But Satoshi was in his pajamas.

“See you off? Don't make me laugh.”

Satoshi replied.

Shigeru just nodded as if he'd only just grasped the situation.

“Eh? Oh, right, you're going on a Pokémon training journey as well.”

“Damn straight. I'm the same age as you.”

“But to turn up late on the day of departure means you're already...”

Shigeru pointed straight at Satoshi.

“Unfit to be considered one of my rivals.”

“Shigeru-kun.”

Satoshi held back his bile as he addressed Shigeru politely.

“Yes? What is it, Satoshi-kun?”

He was already a smug bastard, but his polite response was dripping with sarcasm.

Satoshi went ahead and asked the most important question.

“Have you already got your first Pokémon?”

“Of course. It's right inside this Monster Ball.”

Shigeru held his Monster Ball up on the tip of his finger so the crowd could see.

He then span the Monster Ball on his fingertip.

The crowd cheered wildly.

“Go, go, Shigeru. Good luck, good luck, Shigeru.”

There were even cheerleaders with pompoms and a brass band.

The cheer squad to see him off was huge.

Shigeru waved to him as he answered.

“Thank you. Friends, girlfriends. I am going to become a super first rate Trainer and make the name Masara Town known throughout the world.”

“Go, go, Shigeru. Good luck, good luck, Shigeru.”

The cheers of the cheerleaders intensified.

“I hate to interrupt you, but... Shigeru-kun.”

Satoshi whispered to Shigeru.

“Yes?”

Shigeru gave a genuinely polite response.

“What Pokémon did you get, Shigeru?”

Shigeru cracked a smile.

“I have no reason to tell you. Because I'm the grandson of the famous Pokémon researcher Professor Ookido.”

He stood in front of the Ookido Laboratory nameplate and posed with the V sign for the people who came to see him off.

Several camera flashes went off. Probably a journalist for the Masara Town News.

Shigeru turned towards the flashes and shouted.

“In the name of my grandfather, I will capture all of the world's Pokémon!”

The Monster Ball on Shigeru's fingertip spun and spun. Round and round.

... Hmph, he's practised quite a bit...

Satoshi was honestly mortified.

Shigeru had totally dissed him and was focused on the crowd that came to see him off.

“I thank everyone who has come to see me off. This is the moment that I, Shigeru Ookido, depart to become a Pokémon Trainer. The day I return is the day that this town named after my grandfather's grandfather's grandfather, Masara Ookido, has its name changed to Shigeru Town.”

“Kyaah, he's so dreamy!”

The cheerleaders grew excited.

... Where exactly has this town been hiding girls like that?...

Satoshi stretched his neck out.

He had never seen them before.

They were middle school students from the next town over who worked part time for a campaign girl company that Masara Town's mayor, Shigeru's grandfather's older brother, always hired around election time.

The mayor himself now had the mic.

“Now, my dear citizens of Masara Town, in honour of his future exploits let us follow Shigeru of the Ookido family to the outskirts of town before we see him off.”

The brass band played emphatically.

Shigeru continued to wave as he hopped into a convertible with a chauffeur.

Still speaking into the mic, seemingly on purpose, the mayor spoke to Shigeru.

“Shigeru, you haven't forgotten anything? You have your bento?”

“Yep, my bento is right here, by the way, this car is a foreign model. It's a Jerman Vento.”

It was a set-up for a lame pun.

... How pathetic... Satoshi thought dejectedly.

But the crowd who had come to see him off laughed.

How exactly the cheerleaders and brass band managed laugh at Shigeru's overly forced joke is a mystery.

“I'm glad you came. Thank you. Thanks for all your support.”

Poof!

Shigeru's car blasted gas from its exhaust all over Satoshi as it departed.

Satoshi coughed choking on the gas, by the time he caught his breath there was neither hide nor hair of the crowd from before, Satoshi's only remaining companion was the wind.

Satoshi clenched his trembling fist...

“I won't lose.”

His hand loosened again.

“Shigeru... is my rival.”

And then a sighing voice spoke up behind Satoshi.

“Haah... Well, I'm sure Shigeru is capable of living up to expectations. But if he keeps that attitude into adulthood, it could be trouble... He better watch out...”

Professor Ookido stood there scratching at his hair full of dandruff.

Satoshi was flustered when he heard the Professor's voice.

“Professor Ookido, wh-where's my Pokémon...?”

“Huh? You're leaving on a Pokémon jour... Oh right, there were four people leaving today, but... Whippersnapper. Shigeru may be going a little overboard with the tuxedo, but surely you aren't planning to travel in your pajamas?”

... I don't need any pajama drama. And perhaps I could have snapped the whip a little to get here sooner, but I'm no whippersnapper... Wait... Oops, recycling mom's old jokes is only going to make me even later.

“Anyway, about my Pokémon...”

“Oh right... This way.”

Professor Ookido lead Satoshi into the Laboratory.

Three capsules sat on a testing bench in the lab room Professor Ookido lead him to.

“My Pokémon...”

Satoshi rushed over to the bench.

The capsules were translucent, you couldn't see inside them but there were labels on them to tell you what was inside.

Satoshi swallowed as he stared closely at the labels on the three capsules.

Zenigame, Fushigidane, Hitokage...

The labels showed the three from his dream.

Satoshi then spoke up to Professor Ookido.

“I was indecisive up until now. But I've made my decision.”

“What is it?” Professor Ookido asked in reply.

“Zenigame. I choose you as my Pokémon.”

“Well then, open it up.” Professor Ookido said.

“Alright.”

Satoshi opened the capsule barely able to maintain his excitement.

“Huuh?”

It was empty.

“It was already taken by a kid who wasn't late.” Said the Professor.

“Ugh... My fault for being late.”

Satoshi regained his composure.

“In that case, Fushigidane will be my Pokémon.”

He opened Fushigidane's capsule. Empty.

“It's gone... Fushigidane...”

“Don't get fussy. Also taken by a kid who came on time.”

“I see... No, in that case... I'll choose you as my Pokémon instead Hitokage.”

And the final capsule had no Hitokage, it was also empty.

“No way.”

“Being moments late for the train or for Pokémon can change your life drastically. This is a universal truth. I've already had three trainer wannabes today. There are three Pokémon I recommend... Three minus three is zero, they're all gone... Please understand.”

Professor Ookido nodded greatly.

“Don't you 'please understand' me, zero... Are you saying I have to leave home without a Pokémon?”

“There's one more, but...”

Professor Ookido brought out a capsule from a cabinet in the back of the lab.

“So you have got one. I'll take it.”

Professor Ookido's expression was grim.

“This last Pokémon has some, let's say problems.”

“Problems... The fact I got here late... is a big enough problem.”

“Well, I feel these problems should really be resolved.”

Satoshi had decided on the capsule Professor Ookido held.

“I choose this one.”

“Close, close, ending impending.” Professor Ookido murmured.

“Eh?” Satoshi stretched his neck out. He had no idea what the Professor was saying.

“To close yourself off is to give in, but closing in to be closer to your goals is the path to happiness, close is a word with multiple meanings. It's important to endure as you close in and get as close as you can without bringing things to a close... It's a universal truth. Please understand.”

Professor Ookido seems to be the kind of person to throw incomprehensible logic at people and expect them to understand.

Come to think of it, despite his regular visits to Hanako's restaurant, Satoshi had never had a real conversation with him.

But based on this conversation, he didn't feel like he'd have understood him anyway.

“So then, just endure it.” Professor Ookido said.

What he said didn't explain anything, but Satoshi was willing to do anything to get his Pokémon.

“I'll endure anything.”

“I see.”

Professor Ookido placed the capsule on the lab bench.

There was no label.

“What's inside?”

“Take a look and see.”

Satoshi touched the capsule and a glow emanated from it.

“Pika...”

That was the voice that spoke up.

If you were to put what it said in writing, then Pika is the only way to spell it.

“Peeka?” The capsule opened as Satoshi repeated what the voice said.

“Chuu...”

This time a Pokémon appeared from within the capsule.

It was short and stout.

Its colour was yellow.

If you looked closely, you could see some brown stripes on its back and the tips on its ears were black, but in general you could still say its whole body was yellow.

It had short limbs and soft fur, making it looks somewhat like a plush toy.

It was just small enough for a small child to hold, the kind of thing you'd want to pick up and hug.

“It's a Pokémon known as Pikachu. Can you endure having him?” Professor Ookido asked.

“Woah... Endure... He's so cute. He's the best.”

“You think?”

“Totally. Nice to meet you, Pikachu.”

Satoshi picked Pikachu up with both hands.

“Pikah!”

... Don't touch me!...

Pikachu spoke with a clearly irritated expression on his face.

And then.

Pikachu discharged a strong electric current through Satoshi's body.

Right from his heart to his fingernails, rather than being numbing, the electricity felt like it was going to tear his body into atoms.

“Th-th-th-th-this is...”

He was twitching to the point where he couldn't even move his body enough to put Pikachu back down.

Professor Ookido used a magnifying glass to examine some odd marks on Pikachu's cheeks.

“Looking at Pikachu's electricity pouches, he's got quite a bit of charge.”

Apparently you can determine a Pikachu's charge by examining its cheeks.

“Qu-qu-quite shocking.”

“Well, of course. Pikachu are commonly known as the electric mouse, this Pikachu in particular is rather shy and not fond of humans, if you touch him the wrong way he'll respond like that.”

“You should have told me that first.”

Satoshi grumbled as he continued to twitch slightly, little sparks still leaping from his hair.

Professor Ookido seems to be the type of person who not only doesn't think about others, but also doesn't care about them.

“Yeah, probably should have.”

He opened the drawer of the lab bench once Satoshi recovered from his shocking experience.

He then produced two things that Satoshi had previously only seen in his dreams.

“Now, here are some parting gifts for your journey... Monster Balls to capture Pokémon and a Pokémon Field Guide.”

When you open the cover of the Pokémon Field Guide you have an LCD screen inside, similar to a PDA. ... It's roughly about the same size and thickness as the book you're currently reading...

Just as Professor Ookido was handing the Pokémon Field Guide to Satoshi...

At that same moment, Pikachu sent another jolt through Satoshi's body.

“I see, this is quite electrifyiiiiiing.”

“I-i-it's quite a buuuuuzzzzz.”

Pikachu continued to shock the two of them for over two minutes.

Eventually...

While Satoshi's hair was simply letting off a few residual sparks, Professor Ookido's was standing on end and letting off smoke.

It seems the electricity had ignited his dandruff.

At this point, Professor Ookido's head could potentially catch fire and leave him bald.

“Pikachuuuuu... I don't think it's good, ha ha ha... to waste your energy like that.”

Professor Ookido said to Pikachu, his tongue tingling.

Hearing the Professor's words, Pikachu stopped his discharge.

“You expect me to take this thing?”

Satoshi, whose pajamas were now tattered, asked Professor Ookido, whose white lab coat was burnt black.

“He's the only one left. But as a species, Pikachu are generally gentle natured and get along well with humans. I've raised several of them as pets, they are also good as a backup power source during a blackout.”

“I'll take one of those instead.” Satoshi snapped back.

“You expect me to give away one of my beloved pets?” The Professor replied coldly.

“Oh... Right.” Satoshi shrugged.

“Anyway, this Pikachu is a bit different to most.”

Satoshi took a look at Pikachu's face, being careful not to be shocked.

“You're a twisted one... aren't you?”

Pikachu looked away in a huff.

“All Pokémon have their exceptions. Anyway, being a little different may make raising it all the more rewarding.”

Professor Ookido spoke as if it wasn't his problem.

“Yeah, you're right.”

Satoshi looked at Pikachu.

If you looked closely, or well, if you looked at all, he was still cute.

Satoshi liked to look on the bright side.

“Just gotta think of him as my own special Pikachu.”

“No matter what you think, there's no other options.”

“Right!”

Satoshi pointed at Pikachu and declared.

“Pikachu, I choose you.”

Pikachu still refused to look at him.

“So, what about his name?” Professor Ookido asked.

“Eh?”

“Pikachu is his species. You don't go calling all your human friends 'human', do you whippersnapper?”

Satoshi already knew that. He's decided on names.

... Zenigame would be Zenibou. If it was a Fushigidane, then Danesuke. A Hitokage would have been Kagetarou. ... If his mother Hanako knew these names, she would probably question his naming sense and thwack him with a paper fan...

Anyway, Satoshi had never predicted the possibility that he'd end up with a Pikachu.

“Uh, a name... Got it! Pikabou... Pikasuke... Pikatarou.”

Pikachu had merely been looking away until now, but at this point turned his back completely.

“I don't think he likes those names.” Professor Ookido shrugged.

Satoshi continued calling out names as he thought of them.

“Pikao. Pikata. Pikazaemon. Pikanosuke. Pikabee...”

... Cut it out... Pikachu shot Satoshi a glare that seemed to say that.

The electricity pouches on his cheeks began to spark again.

“Maybe you should give up on naming him.” Professor Ookido said nervously.

“Is the Pikachu angry?”

Pikachu nodded.

“Some Pokémon who aren't suited as pets resent the idea of humans arbitrarily deciding names for them.” Stated Professor Ookido.

“So that's the case with Pikachu?”

“Usually it would be fine. In fact, they quite like being given a name. Normal Pikachu are well suited to life as pets.”

“So this Pikachu isn't normal...?”

“That's right.”

Satoshi then addressed Pikachu.

“So then, your name is Pikachu. You okay with that, Pikachu?”

... Whatever...

Seemed to be the sentiment Pikachu responded with, shrugging it's lack-of-shoulders.

Satoshi nodded in response.

“Right, Pikachu. From now on, you are Pikachu.”

“Oh, by the way.” Professor Ookido spoke up nonchalantly.

“There's more?” Satoshi asked.

“That Pikachu hates small spaces.”

“Huh?” Satoshi didn't understand what the Professor was getting at.

“It refuses to go inside its Monster Ball. Since it refuses to go in the Monster Ball, you can't carry it in your pocket.”

“...”

Satoshi was speechless.

... Pokémon is short for Pocket Monsters. They are called that because you keep them in your pocket using Monster Balls. A Pokémon that won't go in your pocket. What does that make this Pikachu?

Pikachu muttered to himself.

“Pikachu, pika, Pikachu...”

I'm just Pikachu... is what Pikachu seemed to be saying.

Satoshi was surprised as he left the laboratory with Pikachu in tow.

“Since it's around lunch time, I thought I'd come see how you were doing.”

Hanako was standing before the gate.

And it wasn't just her.

“Everyone else had some free time too, so they came to see you off... It's mostly our neighbours and customers... You should be grateful to them...”

Hanako's tone of voice was in Japanese mother mode rather than just casual mom.

The old folks who lived nearby and a number of regular customers were there with pots, pans and wooden spoons from the restaurant. Some people even had headbands or flags with 'Certain Victory' written on them.

So that Hanako could deliver Satoshi's forgotten items, the restaurant had taken the day off.

And with the restaurant closed, the customers who received the special lunch menu bento figured that as long as they were eating it outside they'd tag along with Hanako.

Seeing as most of the neighbours and customers that came along were actually more interested in eating with Hanako than seeing Satoshi off, the atmosphere was rather laid back... Nothing like Shigeru's brass band and cheerleaders.

“I can't believe you, always late to the end, making me worry to the end, well then, it's farewell for now...”

Hanako looked into to distance as she teared up a little. She had a lot of different feelings, but she put on a brave face as a mother.

“I brought you your clothes and gear you left at home.”

Hanako showed Satoshi his rucksack before pulling a cotton handkerchief from the pocket on her mini-apron to blow her nose.

“Right up until the very, very end you're still causing me trouble... sniff sniffle”

Hanako returned to mother mode.

The crowd of acquaintances were starting to get emotional as well.

They had somewhere along the way forgotten their desire to eat lunch with Hanako.

It's sometimes difficult to distinguish between people who are fans of Hanako's cooking and those who are fans of Hanako herself.

Hanako got gradually more emotional.

She opened the rucksack as she cried.

“Here's your shoes and jeans. Some shirts and pants... I've got some instant meals in here as emergency rations. Some rubber gloves for cooking, you don't want to damage your skin... Ah, there's also some line so you can hang out your laundry.”

... What the heck is this?... Pikachu wondered stretching his neck out.

Satoshi's face was bright red as Hanako kept speaking.

“Cut it out. This is too much, way too much... I'm not Shigeru, I don't need anything big like this until I come back here as the ultimate Pokémon Trainer.”

“I suppose you're right.”

Hanako was now smiling like nothing happened.

“But well, since everyone's already here... We might as well cheer you on with a bit of go, go, go~”

She had now suddenly switched into teenage girl mode.

“... Huh?”

Hanako's expression then went into ten year old girl mode.

She had noticed Pikachu.

“Aah, it's so cute. This little animal.”

Pikachu was somewhat offended by the description of little animal... What?...

“Chuupika...?” His attempt at a threat only came off as being cute.

Satoshi spoke to Hanako.

“Ah... He's my Pokémon... His name is Pikachu.”

Pikachu snorted... “Piiiiiika.” And ignored them.

Satoshi did his best to show off.

“This Pikachu and I are going to get all the world's Pokémon.”

Hanako innocently spoke up.

“Hmm, if he's a Pokémon, then why...”

“Eh?” Satoshi asked in return.

“Pokémon are usually kept inside those things... aren't they?”

She pointed at the Monster Ball Satoshi was holding.

The curiosity behind Hanako's “... aren't they?” was spoken in ten year old trainer wannabe girl mode.

“Ah... You're right... Ah... Yes... Pikachu. Get in the ball...”

Professor Ookido did say he wouldn't go in, but he couldn't be sure unless he tried. Maybe... the Professor was mistaken.

Satoshi brandished the Monster Ball.

He took a flashy pitching form, before lightly tossing the ball.

But a moment later, the Monster Ball was back in his hand.

“Eh...?”

Pikachu had smacked it back with his tail.

“He can do that?”

Satoshi softly tossed the ball again.

“Pi...”

Pikachu kicked the ball back.

“I guess he can.”

Satoshi tossed again.

“Ka...”

Pikachu headbutted it back.

“That too?”

Satoshi tosses the ball one more time.

“Chuu!”

Pikachu did an attack shoot with his arms.

The Monster Ball was aimed to nail Satoshi hard in the stomach.

“Guh...”

Satoshi barely managed to stop the ball with both hands.

“Not bad. Not bad.”

Hanako applauded with a smile.

“You're playing catch... You're friends already. A pitcher and catcher are like a married couple... Proof you're getting along...”

“Eh? ... That's right, Pikachu and I are best... friends.”

Satoshi timidly patted Pikachu on the head.

Pikachu glared up at Satoshi.

But he didn't shock him.

... Seems he might be warming up to me a little...

Satoshi breathed a sigh of relief.

Hanako spoke earnestly.

“You're a perfect couple. ... But... Y'know. Tossing the ball back like that...”

Satoshi and Pikachu waited for Hanako to finish her sentence.

Hanako pointed at Pikachu.

“He's one really weird Pokémon.”

“... Weird Pokémon...”

Satoshi fell into despair.

“You shouldn't have said that...”

Pikachu's electricity pouches began to spark.

It was obvious that he had been offended.

“There's nothing I can do to stop him now.”

Satoshi looked to the sky.

“Chuu!”

Pikachu's sharp voice echoed and Satoshi's body once again felt that unbearably painful sensation.

It was Pikachu's electric shock.

Everyone who came to see him off were electrocuted... The flow of current continued.

“Indeed, a homemaker's wisdom.”

Professor Ookido commented on the rubber gloves for cooking, having at some point come out of the laboratory wearing a pair of rubber boots.

“Well, these rubber gloves Hanako packed are certainly going to come in handy.”

“W-w-w-w-w-why's that?” Satoshi asked as he continued to be shocked.

“Electricity can't pass through rubber. Neither rubber gloves or rubber boots.” Professor Ookido replied.

“I seeeeeeeeeeee.” Satoshi understood.

Hmph... Pikachu shrugged and ended his discharge.

Apparently Professor Ookido's immunity caused him to lose interest.

All the people who came to see Satoshi off collapsed simultaneously.

Everyone was worn out by the thundershock.

Hanako spoke up, having reverted to mother mode after the shock.

“Satoshi, make sure you wear your pajamas when you sleep.”

“Huh...?”

“Even if they're like that.”

On top of being tattered, Satoshi's pajamas were now burnt black.

Pikachu laughed with a pipipi... Then cried “Pikachu!”

“... I did it!”

“... Gotcha!”

Pikachu's declaration probably meant something along those lines.

(To be continued in chapter 3)

Chapter 2 appendix

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 3. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

... Pokémon Related Reference Material 2...

In regards to a mystery I know of regarding Pokémon research...

The first person to publish research on Pokémon was a French author in the late 18th century, Count Tajirin. But if you look through the records of the 18th century when Count Tajirin lived, it's not only when the earliest Pokémon research began. It is also the era of research starting on many other creatures.

Until than point, research of animals, plants and legendary beings was all lumped in as things that weren't humans. The only notable research came from ancient Greece in the 4th Century BC from a scholar known as Aristotle, who had catalogued approximately 500 varieties of animal, but among them were none that appeared to be Pokémon.

Aristotle divided creatures into four broad categories, humans, animals with red blood, animals without red blood and animals resembling plants.

Animals without red blood include insects, shellfish, octopuses and squids.

Animals resembling plants included starfish and sea cucumbers.

The largest category, animals with red blood, was further divided into two subcategories, animals that give birth to their young and animals that lay eggs.

Animals that give birth to their young are what we would now refer to as mammals.

Animals that lay eggs included birds in the sky, creatures that slither on land (snakes, lizards, frogs) and fish in the water.

Surprisingly, Aristotle actually classified whales as separate from fish.

He reasoned that as whales breathe air, they must have lungs, and came to the conclusion that they give birth to their young.

However, Aristotle knew nothing of Pokémon.

After Aristotle, there was no further research in this vein until the 18th century.

It was a common opinion that among all the creatures on Earth, the greatest chosen by god were humans, and there was no value in deeply examining other species.

It wasn't until the 18th century that opinions changed to think that for humanity to better understand itself it should also understand other creatures.

In the latter half of the 18th century... A French scholar named Lamark was responsible for spearheading the movement to learn more about animals and plants.

However there were some creatures they could not clearly document.

For example, they could not document anything definitive on legendary creatures like dragons or mermaids.

Count Tajirin was among the people who studied such creatures.

At the time there were only 30 known species of Pokémon, for example... the flame Pokémon Lizardon bore a resemblance to the dragon... the bubble jet Pokémon Showers bore a resemblance to mermaids (I believe you are familiar with the tale The Little Mermaid, where it's stated that when mermaids die they turn into foam. I imagine that may be where the term bubble jet Pokémon came from.), it's only natural that something resembling the legendary dragons and mermaids existed.

However, there are mysteries.

Such as the origin of the term Pokémon.

Pocket Monsters... Or Keitai Juu rendered in Japanese, where did this name come from?

According to the existing documents, it wasn't until the year 1925 that it was discovered that Pokémon could be stored in small objects like Monster Balls or capsules, this groundbreaking discovery was made entirely by accident by the Japanese Professor Nishinomori. (While examing the energy of the Pokémon species Okorizaru's rage, he accidentally weakened it with a drug overdose, leading it to somehow get captured inside the case for the Professor's reading glasses, forgetting its anger entirely and falling asleep peacefully. ... This is a well known event among Pokémon researchers.)

So what were Pokémon called prior to Professor Nishinomori's discovery? Think about it. We call them Pokémon because they can be stored in our pockets, before we knew this they wouldn't have been called Pocket Monsters. However there is no name for Pocket Monsters other than Pocket Monsters recorded in history.

It is unknown what name Count Tajirin referred to Pokémon by.

No matter what name they went by, Pokémon clearly existed.

But it bothers me that no name for them other than Pokémon remains.

This is only my supposition, but I believe that Pokémon had another name in the days of Count Tajirin. Why was this name erased? And by whom?

As such, the name Pocket Monsters itself carries a certain amount of mystery.

Also, famous Pokémon researchers such as Professor Nishinomori and Professor Ookido at some point retired from doing public studies. In the 18th century Count Tajirin ceased publishing his research after discovering 30 varieties of Pokémon.

Since then, this has become a trend among many prestigious Pokémon researchers around the world.

Why is this? Why would they leave the field after gaining recognition for their studies?

Regardless of this, more people who love Pokémon get into the field of research each year.

There are also new Pokémon being discovered all the time, in Count Tajirin's era there were 30 known species and in Professor Nishinomori's era there were 80 known species, currently there are officially 151... This number is likely to expand in the coming years. There could easily be new species unveiled as soon as tomorrow.

In this era, other creatures have been heading towards extinction.

The only other newly discovered lifeforms have been new forms of bacteria and viruses.

Why is it that only Pokémon are increasing in number...? (Or to word it differently, newly discovered?)

It is a mystery. Pokémon are surrounded in mystery. Hence why humans are so fascinated by them.

... A nameless Pokémon Researcher with absolutely no relation at all to Professor Ookido...

An excerpt from an email sent to Masaki Sonezaki
A Pokémon Analyst who participated in the 98th International Portable Beast Academic Conference

Satoshi changed out of his pajamas and began his journey, carrying his rucksack.

However, things were rough right from the start.

The hill overlooking Masara Town that would normally take thirty minutes to climb had taken Satoshi two hours. The fact that the primary school's bell had just rung to signify the end of the school day proved that.

The fact he could even still hear the school bell from the town square was indicative of the fact he hadn't gotten very far. He was going so slow that if I compared his speed to a turtle, a Zenigame would probably phone up to complain.

The reason for this was Pikachu's complete lack of cooperation.

Not only would he not enter a Monster Ball, but he also refused to follow Satoshi.

In order to force Pikachu, who refused to walk a single step, to come with him, Satoshi had no option but to create a leash using his washing line.

He was wearing the rubber cooking gloves to protect himself from electric shocks and tugging hard on the line, it was not a very dignified sight.

Stuck walking with a Pokémon who wouldn't listen to a word its master says.

At the top of the hill Satoshi took a breather and decided to attempt communicating with Pikachu again.

“Um. Pikachu. Are you going to be like this the whole way?”

Pikachu turned away in a huff.

“Do you really hate me that much?”

Pikachu politely nodded twice, thrice.

“I like you.”

Pikachu pretended to ignore Satoshi and scratched at his face using his forearms.

“Anyway, you're the Pokémon I'm training now. Can you just open your mouth and let me know the truth?”

Pikachu showed off his teeth.

“Uh... Are you going to bite me with those teeth?”

Satoshi took up a defensive pose as Pikachu shook his head and pointed at his teeth.

“Eh? Ah... You're showing you have teeth?”

Pikachu nodded.

“Ah, I said the truth. Not the tooth. Don't you want to talk?”

Pikachu nodded with an expression that seemed to say ... Finally, the moron gets it...

“I don't feel like having this turn into a comedy skit. So how about you act like an actual Pokémon and get inside the Monster Ball? Like it says in the Pokémon Field Guide.”

Satoshi got the Pokémon Field Guide he received from Professor Ookido from his pocket.

On top of the Pokémon Field Guide, there was a sensor similar to that on a TV remote control's switch.

When pointed at a Pokémon, it would display a description of the Pokémon in question on the screen.

It was an essential item given to all trainer candidates getting their first Pokémon from an official laboratory.

Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at Pikachu and read from it.

“Pikachu, a species of Pokémon that commonly live in forests and eat berries, they have a kind disposition, are highly intelligent, are highly charming...”

Satoshi deliberately emphasised the words like kind and charming.

Pikachu... simply nodded as if all this was completely obvious.

“All this here is describing your species...”

Satoshi stopped partway as he reached the passage he wanted to discuss with Pikachu.

“Ah, look at this, it's written right here... A Pokémon that gets along well with its owners. ... See? This is typical Pokémon behaviour, so you should act accordingly.”

Pikachu pressed a button on top of the Field Guide.

The screen changed. It was a proverb in the encyclopedia's appendix.

“Hm?”

Satoshi read it.

“Every rule has its exceptions. This is the one rule that governs all rules.”

Pikachu pointed at himself.

“So there's always going to be at least one Pikachu who isn't going to listen to what its owner says.”

Satoshi muttered. ... That's right! Pikachu puffed his chest out having gotten his point across.

Satoshi came to the realisation that any further discussion wasn't going to go anywhere.

“Fine. We should get along as best we can then. Let's end this nonsense.”

Satoshi untied the line around Pikachu's neck, removed his rubber gloves and offered his hand for a handshake.

... Too little too late... seemed to be Pikachu's reaction based on the sulky 'Hmph!' he made.

“If a handshake won't do, how about this?”

Satoshi offered his index finger.

He recalled a movie his mother Hanako had on video, which had left her in tears.

It was a story involving an alien and a boy who gained a connection by pressing their index fingers together. In Satoshi's childish view it was just a dumb story to make girls cry, but he was willing to try anything to get along with Pikachu at this point.

However Pikachu, obviously unfamiliar with old movies, just turned away in a huff...

“Yeah, that was a dumb idea... It's not going to work like with the alien.”

Pikachu shrugged his shoulders as if to say he was stating the obvious.

Suddenly, at that moment.

Pikachu's eyes immediately locked onto a point in the long grass.

He completely ignored Satoshi's presence to stare intently at that spot.

“Hm? Is something there?”

Peering over as Pikachu parted the grass, he spotted the tiny bird Pokémon Poppo, which was moving about pecking at the ground.

It was likely looking for something to eat.

The tiny bird Pokémon was a common species that Satoshi had often seen around all year.

Even so, he went ahead and pointed the Pokémon Field Guide's sensor at it.

The description on the display was as follows...

“Poppo... Tiny bird Pokémon that flies... Among Pokémon that fly, it is the most gentle and easy to catch. One of the best Pokémon for a beginner trainer to test their abilities on...”

In order to catch a Pokémon, you must first have your own Pokémon weaken it in battle before capturing it in a Monster Ball.

That's the basics of how to catch a Pokémon.

However, upon realising that his opponent was a Poppo, Pikachu instead decided to lie down and relax.

“Pikachu, what are you doing?”

Pikachu, irritatedly, pressed a button on Satoshi's Pokémon Field Guide.

It relayed another proverb.

“A wise Pikachu does not waste its electricity... This means that strong prefer to not pick meaningless battles with the weak... This proverb is also known for being used by power companies during energy conservation campaigns.”

“So you're not gonna fight?”

Pikachu feigned ignorance.

“Why not?”

As if to say... shut up..., Pikachu climbed a nearby tree and spread himself out.

“Understood. I see now. That's how it is. Alright. If that's how you're gonna be, I'll catch it myself. Becoming a Pokémon Trainer is my dream. Right, I'll become the ultimate Pokémon Master... Yeah. I'll declare it now to all the world's Pokémon. I've decided. I'm going to become the greatest Pokémon Master.”

Satoshi was now shouting less at Pikachu and more at himself.

“If I couldn't even catch a single Poppo all on my own, then I might as well... Yeah!”

Satoshi nodded to himself and dropped his bag by the base of the tree.

He turned around his prized Pokémon cap, which he had won from Pokémon Comic... and gripped a Monster Ball in his hand.

“This is my ceremonial first pitch.”

He held it up high. Lifted his leg high in the air.

“Poppo, you're mine now... Monster Ball. Go!”

The Monster Ball was set free from his fingers.

It was a straight shootball, he was confident in his control.

In school baseball games, his pitches were so controlled that they were always dead center leading to nine consecutive hits and a changeover.

“My straight never misses!”

It was perfect. His aim was dead on.

“Got...”

Satoshi started to say “Gotcha”.

However... the Monster Ball hit Poppo, let off something resembling smoke and fell to the ground.

Poppo didn't even seem surprised by the attempted capture.

“Poh”, it simply yawned.

“Why... didn't that work?”

The Pokémon Field Guide displayed new info...

“Use Monster Balls after weakening... Monster Balls should be used on Pokémon when they are tired or weakened. Using a Monster Ball against an unweakened Pokémon is largely ineffective.”

“I'm aware of that, but...”

“Pipipipikachu.”

Up in the tree, Pikachu laughed uproariously, clutching at his stomach.

Satoshi ground his teeth.

“Damn Pikachu! ... Just you wait, wait and see, I will, I'll have the last laugh! ... Hm?”

Satoshi took notice of his bag at the base of the tree.

“Right. Let's pick at you...”

He wasn't calling to Pikachu. He'd had an idea.

Satoshi pulled his burnt pajamas from his bag.

He then snuck up to a Poppo lying down in the grass.

“Stay riiiight there, don't be afraid.”

Kss... Satoshi's footsteps rustled the grass.

... What the?... Poppo looked right at Satoshi.

“Ah... Hello.”

... Who?... “Poppo?” ... Poppo tweeted as it cocked its head.

“Now! Forgive me!”

He leapt upon the Poppo with his outspread pajamas.

Poppo was inside the pajamas.

“Alright! Poppo! ... Got”

Satoshi was about to say “Gotcha” once more.

With a sound like an electric fan, the pajamas began to inflate.

“Ah... What... What's happening?”

As confirmed with the Field Guide at a later time... It was Poppo's special move, gust.

The pajamas stood up fluttering, shooting a fierce dust cloud from the armholes.

This was a special move known as sand attack.

The buttons flew off the pajama top and it exploded like a popped balloon.

Poppo continued its fierce sand attack... which was more like a sandstorm.

Satoshi was covered by the sand.

“Poppo. Poppo.”

Poppo laughed mockingly at the sand covered Satoshi from up in a tree.

He was used to seeing a Poppo come out of a clock to announce the time, but...

“I guess a real Poppo isn't like the one in a Poppo Clock.”

Without even looking to the Pokémon Field Guide, Satoshi recalled a certain proverb.

... A Poppo in the hand is worth two in the bush...

This whole day had been nothing but one disaster after another, and it seemed like it would end on a sour note.

But Satoshi didn't have time to complain.

Something terrible had happened to his bag left at the base of the tree.

At some point, a small Pokémon had snuck up and started eating at it.

Satoshi shooed it off in a fluster.

However, the bag was already in tatters.

“Oh, come on.”

Pikachu, looking down from up in the tree, simply gave an indifferent shrug.

“What was that...?”

Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at the small Pokémon, still peeking out from within the tall grass.

“A wild Koratta. A forest mouse Pokémon... It likes tough nuts and cheese...”

“It occasionally comes into fields to steal food from stupid travellers.”

... That's right... Pikachu nodded to agree with that statement.

Poppo also mocked him, poking its head out of the long grass to laugh, poppopoppo, sounding like a clock.

It seemed this Poppo would be staying out of his hands and in the bush.

“Uuurgh... I'll get you for that!”

Losing his cool, Satoshi picked up a small rock and hurled it at Poppo.

But he missed.

Not even Satoshi's control of his aim is always perfect.

Satoshi was really fired up now.

“You won't get away with this!”

He stormed after it into the long grass.

Poppo mockingly just flew away.

“Tch... How did it come to this... Hm?”

Beyond the long grass, he caught sight of another Poppo facing away from him.

It hadn't noticed Satoshi.

“Alright! I'll get it this time.”

Satoshi threw a small rock.

Konk! The noise echoed out as the rock, right on target this time, got it right in the head.

“Oh yeah! Take that!”

A large lump swelled on the Poppo's head.

However, the Poppo turned around and... something wasn't right. That is to say, this Poppo was not actually a Poppo.

It had mean eyes, a sharp beak... And its cry...

“Gwagyah!”

“Gwagyah... Wait, what.”

Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at it.

The Pokémon Field Guide displayed the Pokémon's information.

“Onisuzume... Also a tiny bird Pokémon, but unlike Poppo has violent tendencies. It will commonly attack both humans and other Pokémon...”

Onisuzume had already taken flight and was swooping at him.

“Hieh...”

Satoshi covered his head and ran back under the tree where Pikachu was.

The Onisuzume grazed Satoshi's sleeve as it swooped. But it hadn't given up on him yet.

Here it comes! Onisuzume was heading straight for Satoshi this time.

However, it suddenly changed the trajectory of its swoop.

It had set its sights on Pikachu up in the tree.

Onisuzume had switched targets and was after Pikachu.

“Eh?” “Pika?” Satoshi and Pikachu were both surprised by this turn of events.

Pikachu instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding Onisuzume's attack.

Onisuzume turned in the air and came for Pikachu once more.

Pikachu signalled a nope pose with his forelegs. ... Chill, I'm not after a fight... He tried to explain as he dodged.

But Onisuzume was persistent and kept swooping at him over and over.

Satoshi looked to the Pokémon Field Guide.

“I was the one who threw the rock at Onisuzume. Why is it targeting Pikachu?”

He pointed the Pokémon Field Guide's sensor at Onisuzume and the display explained...

“Wild Pokémon have a tendency to show more hostility towards human trained Pokémon than they do to humans themselves.”

Satoshi called out to the Onisuzume.

“Back off! Pikachu has nothing to do with this. I threw the rock at you.”

However, at this point Onisuzume had no interest in paying him any attention.

It was focused only on attacking Pikachu.

Onisuzume's beak grazed Pikachu's shoulder.

Pikachu lost his footing in the tree.

Onisuzume's beak closed in on the falling Pikachu.

Pikachu was moments away from impalement.

... He was all out of options now.

Pikachu rotated mid-air as he fell to defend himself.

The only way to defend himself mid-air would be to fight.

Onisuzume instinctively faltered.

“Pikachuu!”

Lightning flashed.

One blow.

Onisuzume fell back into the grass.

“Alright...”

Satoshi rushed over to Pikachu who had hit the ground.

But Pikachu just shook his head.

He glared at the spot where the Onisuzume fell.

Suddenly, the Onisuzume resurfaced, its face burnt black.

It pointed its wing at Satoshi and Pikachu.

“Gwagyah.”

It gave a high pitched cry. In Onisuzume's language, it probably meant something like “Get them!”

After the signal cry, the grass shook and they rose up.

That is, a whole host of Onisuzume.

Their numbers were... almost uncountable. There were a lot of them.

Just the sound of their wings flapping were louder than a biker gang revving their engines at the beach on the weekend.

If we were to stick to just comparing it to other flying things, it would probably also be louder than a fleet of helicopters.

Satoshi's jaw dropped... However, when he finally found his voice he asked Pikachu a question.

“Run away?”

“Pikachu...” Pikachu barely squeaked out his reply.

There's no real need to translate Pikachu's answer here.

This was the first time Satoshi and Pikachu ever agreed on anything from the moment they met.

Satoshi and Pikachu began to slowly back away, not letting their eyes off the mass of Onisuzume.

They then nodded in unison as they turned tail and ran.

As if on cue, the Onisuzume began to give chase.

Their target was, of course, Pikachu.

Pikachu and Satoshi ran and ran.

As they ran, it seemed like they were passing a lot of other Pokémon.

But Satoshi had no time to pull out the Pokémon Field Guide and point it at them saying...

“Ah... That's...”

Which was natural given their current situation.

Running, running. And running some more while running.

While the host of Onisuzume was large to begin with, friends called more friends, continually increasing their ranks.

At this point, rather than a large group, it felt more like half the sky itself was chasing them.

Fleeing, fleeing. And fleeing some more while fleeing.

“Hang in there! Pikachu. I promise, I'll save you!”

The fleeing Satoshi declared this as he had overtaken Pikachu.

“Pikachu...”

... Whatever... Pikachu then shot ahead of Satoshi.

“Ah, I just said I'd save you! Owowow.”

Satoshi's head was pecked at by the leaders of the Onisuzume pack.

However the Onisuzume's attacks were more focused on Pikachu than Satoshi.

The pecks and wing beatings were giving Pikachu some nasty injuries.

Pikachu could barely even keep standing.

Even so, Satoshi and Pikachu ran. And ran. And continued to run while running.

Fleeing, fleeing and fleeing some more... But as they fled... a cliff stood up ahead... a waterfall flowing from it.

Satoshi and Pikachu had been cornered on the edge of the cliff.

Hesitation, consideration and thought... Time was short as the Onisuzume closed in on them.

“Well. Here goes.”

Satoshi held Pikachu close as he leapt towards the waterfall.

Satoshi and Pikachu fell down the waterfall.

Past the waterfall there was a plunge basin, beyond the plunge basin was a fierce current which was highly disorientating.

All Satoshi could do was continue holding onto Pikachu so they wouldn't get separated.

Even grasping for straws, there were no straws to grasp at, so he simply held tight to the tiny Pikachu.

The harsh current gradually weakened and they were spewed out into a lake, Satoshi then felt himself burbling down deeper under the water.

... Wha... I'm drowning... Not good...

Satoshi strained to look around underwater...

He caught a sudden glimpse of large unknown fangs.

He couldn't identify the Pokémon properly through the murky waters, but it seemed pretty clear that it considered Satoshi and Pikachu as nothing but food.

Satoshi struggled to swim to the surface to avoid certain death.

However, he only had one free arm since he was still holding Pikachu.

It didn't feel like he was getting any closer to the surface.

The dark abyss beyond the fangs was rising behind him... Or rather, it was something's mouth.

That something was still after Satoshi and Pikachu.

“Hieh...!”

Satoshi struggled furiously.

He caught something with his fingertips.

It was like a shining thread.

As long as it was something to grab on to, he'd even accept a spider Pokémon's thread.

Grab it, grab it. As long as there's something to hold on to, go for it.

Satoshi wrapped the thread around his hand and held on tight.

A lone girl sat by the lake with a fishing rod.

She was about the same age as Satoshi.

The girl was at this lake, Namonashi Lake, to try and catch a mysterious Pokémon rumoured to live in it.

Almost any lake would have legends of mysterious Pokémon living within. A few famous instances would include Nessie of Loch Ness, Kussie of Lake Kutcharo or Biwahoussie of Lake Biwa. In this lake, there was Namonassie.

It was impossible to say whether or not such a Pokémon really existed, it's possible someone mistook some other Pokémon for it, however discovering the truth for yourself is half the fun.

On her journey, the girl had heard about a lake being nearby and had been camping there for three days with her fishing rod. So far, she hadn't managed to catch anything notable. But still, if you don't put down a line you definitely won't catch anything, the legend of the mysterious Pokémon maintained an air or romance to it. Fishing was a romantic adventure to the girl.

All she had caught today were small fry Pokémon like Koiking... It was almost sunset and she was about to start preparing to leave.

The float on the girl's fishing rod began to bob up and down.

“Hm? It's come. It's here. This is a big one...”

As she pulled on the line, she would soon learn just how big this catch was.

“Maybe it's really Namonassie... Oof.”

The girl chuckled to herself as she timed reeling it in just right.

Fishing is all about timing. If timed just right, then even a ten year old girl can reel in a whopper.

Besides, this was a girl who had made it into the top four of a local boy's and girl's Pokémon fishing contest for three consecutive years. She was more than capable of reeling in even Pokémon heavier than her own body weight.

“Now!”

The girl had chosen the timing to land it.

She let out a fierce yell. And some surprisingly superhuman strength to go along with it.

And with a splash of water, Satoshi was fished up.

“What. A human, huh... That's even worse than small fry.”

Having been caught up in the dream of catching a mysterious Pokémon, the girl seemed quite uninterested in the mystery of why she had caught a human.

Even so, she soon took notice of the Pikachu that Satoshi was holding.

“Oh? That's a Pokémon...”

Having been pecked at by the Onisuzume, Pikachu was covered in wounds.

“What nasty injuries... Are you okay?”

However, Satoshi had also been thoroughly pecked by the Onisuzume.

He mistook the girl's concern as being for him.

Satoshi thanked the girl.

“Thanks, you saved me, I'm...”

“Not you.”

The girl suddenly slapped Satoshi across the cheek.

“What's wrong with you?”

“That's my line. Why is your Pokémon in this condition? The poor thing...”

The girl glared as Satoshi while gently rubbing Pikachu's head.

“You think that's my fault? ... Look, I'm in pretty bad shape here too...”

The back of his jacket had been torn to shreds by the Onisuzume's attacks.

“Don't argue with me, it needs medical treatment asap. It's not far from here...”

The girl pulled a map from her pocket and laid it out.

“There's medical treatment available at the Center in Tokiwa City...”

“There's a hospital?”

“Not for you. A Pokémon hospital.”

“Ah... I see... So... Which way to Tokiwa City?”

“That way.”

The girl pointed at a straight path through the forest.

The time had come. From beyond the lake, that horrible noise rang out.

The noise of the Onisuzume's flapping wings. The sunset in the west was covered by the giant flock of Onisuzume like a cloud. Their numbers were so great that the air itself trembled, ripples formed on the water's surface in the lake.

The bubbling waves gradually closed in.

“Hey? You see that?”

Satoshi asked the girl.

“Yeah, I see it.”

She nodded.

“Sure are a lot of them.”

“Should we run?”

“It's not my problem.”

“Well, it's mine. They've got a grudge against me.”

“In that case, you better start running.”

“Yeah. I should do that.”

Satoshi noticed a bicycle next to the girl.

Satoshi placed Pikachu into the bike's basket and rode off on it.

“I'm borrowing this!”

“Ah... That's my bike...”

“I'll give it back someday.”

He left those words behind as he began pedalling. And off he shot. Full speed down the path ahead.

“My bike... How am I going to get back without it... Ugh, wait up!”

The girl chased after Satoshi.

But there was no way she could keep up with a bike.

The mass of Onisuzume passed over the girl's head.

“No way.”

The girl was blown off her feet by the sheer force of the wind generated by their flapping wings.

The host of Onisuzume paid the girl no mind as they pursued the bike.

Their only interest was in Pikachu and Satoshi.

But with such a huge flock, it seemed likely that the girl's bike would become collateral damage.

The girl turned pale as she imagined her bike being destroyed.

“Hold it, wait a sec.”

The girl called out to the Onisuzume fading in the distance.

“Hey, my bike is innocent in all this! You better not damage it!”

The girl became increasingly annoyed.

... Seriously, that asshole... How could he let such a cute Pokémon end up like that. Then he steals my bike without asking... Next time I see him, he'll pay... Ugh, seriously, I have the worst luck with men... I won't forgive him...

Let me remind you, this girl who has terrible luck with men is still only ten years old.

On the forest path, Satoshi and Pikachu were still speeding along on the bike.

“Hang in there! We're almost at Tokiwa City!”

In the basket, Pikachu was struggling to breathe as he looked at Satoshi.

The damage Pikachu had taken from the Onisuzume was even worse than it first seemed, he could barely even move a muscle.

Lightning flashed past the mountains in the distance.

Drip drop, drops of water rolled down Satoshi's cheek. It was raining. The sound of thunder rang out.

But, louder still was the sound of the Onisuzume's flapping wings. Normally, tiny bird Pokémon wouldn't be flying in the rain. However, the Onisuzume were so caught up on chasing Pikachu and Satoshi, that it seemed as if they hadn't notice the rain at all.

The rain soon became a fierce downpour.

Even so, the Onisuzume wouldn't call of their attack.

As if becoming one with the rain, the Onisuzume began swooping and attacking.

The road had turned to mud, the bike's handles had become slippery and difficult to grasp.

With dark clouds and the Onisuzume surrounding them, the sky seemed pitch dark.

With large drops of rain striking, the road ahead was barely visible. With the roar of thunder, the Onisuzume's attack became even fiercer.

The wheels slipped. He lost balance. And fell.

Satoshi and Pikachu were thrown from the bike as they collapsed.

“How did it come to this!?”

Why had things turned out this way?

Satoshi smashed his fist in a muddy puddle.

He was half angry and half sad.

And it wasn't just due to falling off the bike.

The broken alarm clock. Running late. That jerk Shigeru. Not having any choice for my Pokémon. Pikachu refusing to get in the Monster Ball. The Poppo mocking me. Koratta. Being pecked at by the Onisuzume, almost drowning underwater, almost being eaten by some crazy monster Pokémon, getting slapped in the face by some random girl and now, finally, I'm lying in a puddle of mud.

Why was it today had to be a day like this?

Do you have any idea how much I looked forward to this day?

The day I left home as a Pokémon Trainer... The day I'd dreamt of.

It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Satoshi continued to punch the mud over and over.

At that moment, a bolt of lightning flashed.

He saw Pikachu lying on the ground before him.

“Eh...? Pikachu?”

Pikachu's body was half submerged in muddy water, he could barely breathe.

Satoshi picked Pikachu up in his arms.

“Pikachu! What's happening?”

“Pikachu...” He spoke in a soft voice, almost a sigh.

“It can't end like this!”

Looking up above, the Onisuzume were waiting for the signal to launch an all out attack.

An Onisuzume with a burnt head cried out. It was the Onisuzume that had originally been shocked by Pikachu. It seemed it was leading the attack.

The entire flock of Onisuzume moved to attack.

Having all those beaks plunged in to peck them at once, Satoshi and Pikachu would be goners for sure.

Satoshi wondered what he could do, before making his decision.

Satoshi pulled out a Monster Ball and showed it to Pikachu.

“Pikachu... Get inside.”

Pikachu stared at Satoshi.

“You should go inside.” Satoshi stated plainly.

Pikachu looked back and forth between Satoshi and the Monster Ball.

“I know... you hate going... inside there. But if you go in, then at least you'll survive. So, go inside, I'll take things from here.”

Satoshi placed the Monster Ball down in front of Pikachu.

Then he turned to shout at the mass of Onisuzume...

“Hey you, do you know who I am? I'm Satoshi from Masara Town, the man who'll become the world's greatest Pokémon Master! I'll never lose to the likes of you. I'll get every last one of you.”

Satoshi stood up and spread his arms.

The Onisuzume stopped their charge midair as if to ask, what is this idiot thinking...

“You understand? Don't you dare lay a hand on Pikachu. I'm your opponent.”

Pikachu stared intently at Satoshi's back.

Satoshi spoke to Pikachu behind him without turning around, glaring at the Onisuzume.

“Pikachu. Get in. Are you inside... the Monster Ball? I hope you're in there.”

Pikachu looked back and forth between the Monster Ball and Satoshi's back.

“Onisuzume. You've only been hawking me with a sparrow spearhead, but what's scarier than a hawk? It's me! Oni-chan. Bring it.”

Satoshi waved his hand provocatively.

... Why you!... The Onisuzume lost their temper.

Pikachu was astounded by Satoshi, he'd thought him nothing but a huge idiot. ... But now, he was actually starting to feel something for Satoshi.

Pikachu made one last glance at the Monster Ball.

He then made a faint smile.

Pikachu knew what he had to do.

Satoshi spread both arms and shouted.

“Come on! You squawking sparrows.”

The Onisuzume leader signalled to charge with its wing.

The Onisuzume dived straight for Satoshi.

Satoshi closed his eyes and whispered.

“Gotcha...”

It was that moment.

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu mustered all of his strength, climbed up Satoshi's back, onto his shoulder and above his head... jumping towards the swooping mass of Onisuzume.

That same Pikachu was then struck by lightning.

The combination of Pikachu's electric shock and the thunderbolt's shock blasted away the pouring rain.

The Onisuzume were blown away.

Once the lightning and electric attack faded... The only ones left standing were Satoshi with his arms spread and Pikachu on top of his hat, also with his arms spread. However their bodies were battered and broken...

“Got 'em?” Satoshi whispered, asking no one in specific.

“Pikachu...” Pikachu nodded.

Satoshi and Pikachu maintained their posture, their bodies completely stiff, as they collapsed onto their backs.

Water dripped drop by drop from the leaves of the trees... glistening in the evening twilight.

The rain had stopped.

The unconscious Satoshi was finally coming to his senses.

The fallen bike had been warped out of shape by the electrical discharge earlier.

Pikachu had collapsed beside him. Satoshi picked Pikachu up in his arms.

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu opened his eyes slightly.

“I... yeah?”

... I'll be myself, I'll be Satoshi, Pikachu'll be Pikachu, from here on it's me and Pikachu... yeah? There was a lot he wanted to say, but the only two words he managed to say were “I... yeah.”

Pikachu simply gave a single small nod.

It was at this moment. Satoshi and Pikachu saw it.

It was flying into the sunset.

It flew majestically on its great wings.

Backlit by the bright red sunset, they could only see a silhouette.

It sprinkled small particles of light upon Satoshi and Pikachu.

“What... is that?”

Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at it.

The Field Guide's explanation was blunt.

“Unidentified. It is definitely a Pokémon, however there are many Pokémon in the world yet to be identified.”

“An unidentified Pokémon...”

However Satoshi soon came back to his senses. He held Pikachu close to himself.

“We need to treat your injuries right away. Hang in there. Just hang on until we reach Tokiwa City.”

(To be continued in chapter 4)

Chapter 3 appendix

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 4. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

... Pokémon Related Warning 1...
Portable Beast Behavioural Study – Condotara Laurence, Safari University Amazon Branch Professor

... Interaction with Pokémon...
Until now, there has been a lot of media depicting Pokémon, including anime, films and novels. However, it can be said that none of these have ever depicted the truth of Pokémon. The Pokémon depicted in these works are merely a human interpretation of Pokémon.

To use a fancy word, they are anthropomorphised Pokémon.

And so, this may sound harsh, but Pokémon are viewed in a way that is convenient for humans.

Pokémon are often seen with various expressions... Joyful, crying, angry, etc. However, this is just how human perceive it, but from their personal perspective... Or rather, since they're Pokémon, not people, Pokélly would perhaps be a better word than personally? (Audience, polite laughter) ... But I digress, the point being that we can't ask them directly about their feelings.

To start with, there are Pokémon with pleasant temperaments who appear to comprehend human speech, but we can't be truly sure they actually understand, as we can't ask them personally... Pokélly.

Unfortunately, our research has not yet reached the point where we can decipher a Pokémon's speech. Also, it's not sure whether Pokémon communicate amongst themselves through speech, or by some other form of conveying information. And so taking the recent Pokémon boom into account, this is something that Pokémon researchers, Pokémon trainers, Pokémon pet owners and anyone else involved with Pokémon should reconsider their thoughts on the matter.

The truth is we know nothing about the thoughts, feelings or actions of the Pokémon we associate ourselves with.

It's like the tale of The Ant and the Grasshopper. I'm sure many of you are familiar with this ancient tale. It's the tale of a hard working ant and a fun loving grasshopper who spent all its days singing. However, it's humans who decided that the ant was a hard worker. The ant itself may not personally consider itself to be working. By that same token, the insect known as the grasshopper may not be singing for the fun of it. It may not even consider its cries to be a song. It's humans who think of it as some kind of karaoke fan who refuses to let go of the mic.

The animals known as dogs, are often said to be highly loyal to humans. The animals known as cats, are often said to be moody. Now wait a minute. These are all merely based on human perception.

Perhaps from the dog's perspective, humans are a loyal animal that brings them food.

Speaking of dogs, long ago, there was the legend of the faithful dog Hachiko.

The dog Hachi went to the station every day to meet up with his master

The man passed away, but even so, he continued to wait, and wait, and wait outside that station for his master to return, right until the day he died.

And so, people thought.

Hachiko waited for his master right until he died.

What an incredibly loyal dog.

The tale moved many pet owners to tears.

As a result, they had a bronze statue of the dog erected in front of the station.

But, are we really sure that Hachiko was waiting for his master?

It may merely be the interpretation of humans that the dog was there waiting for his master.

It's possible the reason Hachiko came to the station was because of a delicious food vendor or the presence of a cute female dog.

It may even be that as a dog, he may have had some special dog reason that can only be understood using a dog's logic.

Anyway, since humans can't talk to dogs, there's no way to clearly define his reasons.

I may be raining on your parade by ruining such a nice story, but the point I'm trying to make is that making assumptions about an animal's actions based on human logic can be dangerous.

Dogs coexisted with humans since ancient times. That is an indisputable fact. However, with that said, determining whether they really were friends to humanity or loyal servants to humanity is less than certain.

Even humans who can communicate through words resort to betraying each other. They can lie. As such, even in conversation you can have as little understanding of your partner's thoughts as you do a dog's.

Most likely, the reason that dogs have associated themselves with humans since ancient times is simply due to some special dog logic reason... It's a good way to think.

I may seem to be repeating myself, but I'll say it again anyway.

When interacting with other creatures, we cannot make any assumptions about them based on our own human standards.

Currently, among Pokémon trainers and pet owners of exotic Pokémon, there have been various incidents resulting from “doing things with your Pokémon”.

Examples of such violations of common sense include, being electrocuted when attempting to bathe together with a moody Pikachu. Or being pecked at by your Poppo when you take it out for some yakitori. (Audience, forced laughter) You may be laughing, but these are quite common incidents that occur.

The owners then get mad saying “I just wanted my Pikachu to be clean. But as soon as I was naked it betrayed me.” or “I just wanted to give Poppo something tasty, but it didn't understand.” And so, in a rage the Pokémon are abandoned. As a result, there are countries where the increasing number of stray Pokémon is becoming an issue. While in reality, the owner was the one at fault.

Putting aside such nonsense, there are also instances where vicious Pokémon have injured or even killed their owners. Though they are often unwilling to admit it due to embarrassment, according to unpublished records, 86% of Pokémon Trainers have sustained injuries caused by their own Pokémon.

Many of these incidents occur due to the human arrogance of thinking “It's my Pokémon, so it should do whatever I tell it.”

These mistakes often arise as a result of the preconceived notions they have from depictions of Pokémon in anime, films and novels.

The most dangerous mistake is attempting to capture a Pokémon that moves in large hordes of allies.

Pokémon are not creatures that exist simply for human convenience.

Pokémon are Pokémon. They have various ways of life in this world.

Wild Pokémon in particular are especially unpredictable.

People need to wake up from the sense of security they feel catching or domesticating wild Pokémon, and heed this warning from the Portable Beast Academic Conference.
... Excerpt from a special lecture at the 99th International Portable Beast Academic Conference

Note #1) Professor Condotara Laurence's speech decrying the Pokémon boom is a minority opinion and is largely disregarded. Most of the academics at the conference were excited about the research of a recently newly discovered Pokémon.
... Pokémon Analyst who watched the 99th International Portable Beast Academic Conference on satellite TV
Excerpt from a reflective memo by Masaki Sonezaki

Note #2) The novel “Pocket Monsters” may be considered as a work that views Pokémon in a way convenient to humans. That is, this book you're reading.
However, I will not retaliate to Professor Laurence's accusations. This novel is not written by Pokémon or for Pokémon, it is written by a human for humans.
It's only natural that I have to write in a way that humans will understand.
... Excerpt from an unpublished message from the author of “Pocket Monsters” to Professor Condotara Laurence

By the time Satoshi reached Tokiwa City, the sun had set behind the mountains and it was getting dark.

With Highway Route 2 passing through it, Tokiwa City was a reasonably large city.

Satoshi's Masara Town had gone over 100 years without any notable crimes. As such, they had no police officers or police station, instead of police, all they had were a private organisation of fire fighters calling themselves the “Flame Guard” patrolling every night.

However, Tokiwa City naturally had police stations, it even had a police box on the town's outskirts.

Tonight the police box's night shift was being handled by the female officer Assistant Inspector Junsa. Despite being an Assistant Inspector, she was still young enough to be Satoshi's older sister. Considering that ten year old Satoshi's mother was only in her twenties, a woman in her twenties could probably be Satoshi's aunt.

As such, this big sister-like female police officer could only be about 19 at the oldest.

On that topic, while I specified that she's a female officer, there's probably no need to specify her gender.

In this country, most important fields of work like the police are dominated by women, any men who had jobs with any connection to the police were usually either thieves or private eyes.

Most men tended to try and become Pokémon trainers.

However, the harsh truth is that not everyone can be a Pokémon trainer, more people fail than succeed. Some men realise this early enough and are able to make a change of career, but others chase their dreams until the bitter end and become unable to integrate into society. Having become an adult with no skills other than the ability to throw a Monster Ball makes them effectively useless. Having failed to chase their dreams, they lose their confidence. They were nothing but talk. Unreliable. They always dreamed of getting rich quick. If people like this were allowed to be police, bankers or doctors, cities would be filled with thieves and hospitals would create casualties rather than cure them.

As such, most important, serious jobs in this country were handled by women.

In general, if you were to refer to Assistant Inspector Junsa, the woman on duty tonight wouldn't be the first person to come to mind. Ever since the times of their ancestor Heiji Junsa and his daughter Zenigata Junsa as thief takers (the old equivalent of police officers), the Junsa family have worked as police within this country, as of now, one out of every three police officers in the country had the name Junsa.

The remaining two thirds were either women who had changed their surname after marriage, or their daughters or other relatives.

... Of course, not everyone changes their name after marriage, either way, the Junsa family were well known as police officers.

To sum up, in this country... the name Junsa and the police... are practically synonymous.

The name of the officer here in Tokiwa City was also Junsa... Specifically, Momoko Junsa... In kanji, Momoko's name was written as Hundredth Child. Incidentally, in neighbouring towns there was Ichiko, Niko, Senko, etc., number themed names were common, in fact in Nibi City just down Highway Route 2 lived Momoko's cousin, Yaoko, whose name is written as Eight Hundredth Child. As all sharing the name Junsa could be confusing, it had become tradition among the Junsa clan to be named by number, but many of those who had been stuck with those names didn't appreciate it.

After all a little girl named Misokko, written as Thirtieth Child, wouldn't appreciate her name much.

In respect of the feelings of these girls, this novel will, whenever possible, refer to them only as Junsa.

As such, while it may seem confusing having the police named Junsa in each new city we visit, we don't want to piss off a police officer, it could potentially be quite scary.

Junsa clocked in for the night shift on the time recorder and started her first job of the night.

The announcement chime rang as she picked up the mic.

“Citizens of Tokiwa City, it's almost dinner time... Thank you for your hard work today. As of late, there have been a noticeable number of pickpockets, purse snatchers and Pokémon kidnappers. Please be on the lookout.”

A speaker on the roof of the police box allowed Junsa's voice to be heard through the town.

“Hm? Well speak of the devil...”

She could see Satoshi running outside the police box's window.

Junsa grabbed Satoshi by the scruff of the neck as he passed by the front of the police box.

“Hold it... I'm not letting any suspicious characters past here.”

“I'm not suspicious. I need to get my Pokémon to the hospital...”

Satoshi looked down at the Pikachu held against his chest.

Junsa's face changed to a sad expression as if it was her own Pokémon that was injured.

“What horrible injuries... The poor thing... Quickly, your identification... I don't need a passport, I guess it's kinda like a passtown though... Just show me some ID.”

“Identification? Well, I...”

He didn't recall getting any from anybody.

In other towns, to do stuff like borrow rental videos you needed some kind of identification. However, in Masara Town where Satoshi had lived, everyone in town knew each other so there was no need for ID.

It was possible to get identification documentation from the mayor of Masara Town, but with the commotion caused by Pikachu's electrical shocks at the Ookido Laboratory it had totally slipped his mind, besides, the mayor was busy anyway giving Shigeru his big send off.

Without any ID, he'd just have to try and explain.

“I'm Satoshi, I came from Masara Town.”

“A little boy from Masara Town, you're the fourth one today.”

“Fourth... So Shigeru and the others have already...”

They were ahead of him. Although it'd be obvious if you think about it. Normally... Without the Onisuzume he wouldn't have taken such a roundabout way. ... Junsa spoke to Satoshi, who was biting his lip.

“You're carrying a Pokémon you would keep normally keep in a Monster Ball, a heavily injured Pokémon, I might add. You have no ID either, making it really easy to suspect you as a Pokémon thief.”

On a notice board was a wanted poster of two Pokémon thieves.

The poster had little detail as they had hats pulled down to cover their faces.

“I don't have any ID... Pikachu and I were attacked by a bunch of Onisuzume...”

Junsa shook her head in pity.

“Aw man... This may sound naïve, but my experience tells me you're not a bad kid. But without proof... I have to take responsibility. I'd like to let you through, but I can't.”

“Come on, me and Pikachu, we're injured.”

That same Pikachu pointed one of his trembling forelegs at one of Satoshi's bulging pockets.

He softly cried out.

“Pikachu... Pika.”

Junsa picked up on Pikachu's signal.

“Hm? That bulge in your pocket there...”

“Eh? ... Ah... This...”

Satoshi put his hand into the pocket and pulled out the Pokémon Field Guide.

“Hm, hm. And this is?”

Junsa asked Satoshi with a huge smile on her face.

“Eh... Professor Ookido gave me...” Satoshi answered.

“Masara Town, right?” Junsa confirmed.

“Yeah.”

Junsa pointed with her finger.

“A Pokémon Field Guide. This is decisive proof.”

Junsa took Satoshi's Pokémon Field Guide and flipped to the end.

“Take a look at the last page... This is your identification.”

She showed Satoshi.

The Pokémon Field Guide displayed a photo of Satoshi's face, below was a message written in pen by Professor Ookido along with his signature. Satoshi read it.

“This Pokémon Field Guide belongs to Satoshi-kun of Masara Town. Aiming to be a future Pokémon trainer... If this Pokémon Field Guide is stolen or lost, it will not be replaced... Masara Town. Professor Ookido”

“Well, we better hurry up then.”

Along with Junsa's voice outside the police box,

Brbrbrbrm... The sound of a 750cc motorbike engine rang out.

In mere moments, Junsa was now revving the engine of a police motorbike with a sidecar.

“Your Pokémon's wounds need treatment at the Pokémon Center. Hurry and get in! I'll take you.”

“Yeah!”

Satoshi leapt into the sidecar.

Junsa placed the sirens and lights on just above Satoshi.

“Time to blast off. Turbo mode...”

Whoosh! The white bike's muffler spewed flames and black smoke as it sped off to the inner part of Tokiwa City.

“What the hell... was that...”

A girl stood in front of the police box, choking on the black smoke left behind by the muffler.

It was the girl who had been fishing at the lake. Dragging her battered bike with her.

While following after Satoshi, she found her beloved bike in it's broken twisted state.

She had come to the police box to make a report, and just as she was about to call out for Junsa, she found herself breathing the bike's exhaust fumes.

And to add insult to injury, the one getting a ride on the bike was none other than that thieving boy.

“Uuuugh, you'll pay!”

The girl hoisted her bike onto her shoulders. She was really strong while fishing, but apparently even stronger when angry...

“Wait uuup!”

She ran chasing the police motorbike, carrying her bike on her shoulders.

Bobobobobobo...

The sun had completely set, the only illumination left was that of the street lights and the police box... A strange noise approached the police box left unattended by Junsa.

It was a hot air balloon... A giant balloon that flies through the air using the hot air pumped by an engine.

Two figures were visible on the hot air balloon as it stopped right above the police box.

One of them lowered a fishing line and fished the wanted poster off the notice board.

“So, this is our wanted poster...” whispered a woman looking at the poster.

“You can't even see our faces. These are terrible photos.”

The one complaining about the photos was a man.

These two are members of the infamous Pokémon stealing organisation, Team Rocket, they were the ones in charge of rural areas.

“You can't expect police out in the boonies to recognise our beauty.”

The woman's name was Musashi... A piece of trivia. Prior to becoming a Pokémon thief, she had experience as an art thief. The artworks she stole, if featured on any treasure appraisal program on TV anywhere in the world, would be valued ridiculously low, but she only ever cared about their beauty.

“Truly unforgivable.”

The man's name was Kojirou. Despite his name meaning small second son, he was actually quite tall and an only child. As a child he was a quiet boy who allowed himself to fade into the background, but for a thief he was overly concerned by the quality of his photo.

“It's unacceptable. This is a crime against beauty.” Musashi clenched her fist.

“We'll show the people of Tokiwa City exactly what we're capable of.”

Kojirou smiled, looking at his own face in a hand mirror.

Shining in the darkness behind them... looking up, down and spinning around was a Pokémon... a golden coin on his forehead. ... He was a Pokémon called Nyarth.

“I don't mind a show of force, but our goal is to obtain rare Pokémon... don't you forget that, nyaa.”

This Nyarth could speak the human language. Not all Nyarth can speak like humans. Just as Satoshi's Pikachu is unique among Pikachu in his dislike of Monster Balls, Nyarth was unique among Nyarth in his ability to talk like a human.

No, in fact going by Portable Beast studies, Pikachu's case may be unlikely, but Nyarth's one was practically unheard of.

Nyarth had experienced hardship he had spoken of to no other person, to no other Pokémon even, perhaps I'll talk more about this on some other occasion...

On top of Nyarth's linguistic prowess... He would like to change the saying “coins for a cat” to “coins for a Nyarth”. He also wanted to change its meaning.

“Coins for a cat” has essentially the same meaning as “pearls before swine”, as giving coins to a cat would be pointless. Pearls wouldn't please a swine. Cats and swine would be happier with just some leftover fish. The only ones who would appreciate the value of coins, pearls and diamonds are humans. ... There are times when giving these things to a human woman may also ultimately be pointless, but at least she'll enjoy them. Basically, “coins for a cat” means to give something to someone who doesn't appreciate its value. As such, it's a saying that looks down on other life forms.

Nyarth would like to change the meaning of “coins for a cat”, “coins for a Nyarth”, to exactly what it says, a descriptor for becoming rich. As such, it's a saying he'll often repeat holding up one paw like a beckoning cat.

And tonight also, Nyarth quoted his signature phrase with a devilish grin.

“Coins for a cat! Coins for a Nyarth!”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Musashi and Kojirou responded to Nyarth's quotation, as they took the torn and scrunched up wanted poster and tossed it off into the night sky.

As the police bike sped through the city, the Pokémon Center came into view up ahead.

“I see it!” Junsa gave a thumbs up.

“The Pokémon Center... So that's a Pokémon hospital...”

Satoshi whispered with his mouth agape, it was an incredible building.

“This is an emergency... No complaining... Here we go!”

Junsa shouted this as they climbed the Pokémon Center's front stairs, still riding the motorbike.

They shot right in the entrance and suddenly braked right at the reception desk in the hall.

The woman at reception leapt over the counter and went to stand in front of the bike.

She was a young woman older than Satoshi wearing a white robe. She appeared to be a doctor.

She spoke to Junsa in a calm voice.

“Welcome to the ER... I'm Joy from the emergency ward... Explain the situation.”

Junsa saluted as she relayed the information.

“We've brought a heavily injured Pokémon.”

The woman named Joy took a glance at the Pikachu in Satoshi's arms,

“I see the Pokémon's species is a Pikachu.”

With that said, without even giving Satoshi a moment to reply, she grabbed a mic from the counter.

“This is Joy at reception... It's urgent... Bring me a stretcher for electric type Pokémon!”

“Lucky”

That was the cry heard as a reply.

In the blink of an eye, Pokémon wearing nurse caps shot out with a stretcher for the patient.

The Pokémon had something resembling an egg carried on their belly, and their body was pink all over. The Pokémon are called Lucky, they have a kind disposition, making them well suited for nursing.

Joy spoke softly to the Pikachu in Satoshi's arms.

“No need to worry...This won't hurt... 1, 2, 3... Now.”

In the blink of an eye, Pikachu was moved from Satoshi's arms onto the stretcher.

“To the emergency ward! Quickly!”

“Lucky”

The Lucky took Pikachu's stretcher past reception and into the emergency ward.

They got all this done while Satoshi was still left flustered.

“Time to begin treatment!”

Snap! Joy put on some rubber gloves before heading to the emergency ward.

In a panic Satoshi followed her and asked.

“Um... I...”

“You, what?”

Junsa replied in Satoshi's stead.

“He's the Pokémon's owner, a prospective Pokémon trainer.”

“What should I...”

“Reflect on your actions.”

Joy replied bluntly.

“If you want to become a fully fledged Pokémon trainer... Don't let your Pokémon fight until it's in that state...”

Satoshi was unable to respond.

Joy continued harshly.

“The only thing you can do right now, is stay in the waiting room and pray your Pokémon survives...”

“That's... the only thing I can do...?”

“I'll take care of the treatment.”

Junsa spoke up, saluting Joy once more.

“I'll leave it in your capable hands. I'll take my leave now and get back to protecting the city.”

“Keep up the good work.”

Joy thanked Junsa lightly.

“Just doing my job... Ah, crap. Speaking of work, I left the door open at the police box before I left.”

“Always remember to close up.”

“This ain't good!”

Junsa hopped on her police motorbike and shot off.

“I'll be closing the door for the treatment room too.” Joy said as she entered the treatment room.

“Ah... Pikachu...”

Kshn.

The emergency ward's automatic door closed in Satoshi's face.

The lamp indicating treatment was in progress lit up.

Poppo, Poppo, Poppo...

I had been over two hours... The Poppo clock on the wall rang for 10:00 PM.

Satoshi sat patiently in the waiting room.

The treatment in progress lamp was still lit.

“Ah, phones...”

Satoshi noticed there were TV phones next to the reception.

“Phone call, huh...”

Satoshi picked up the receiver and pushed the buttons.

Hanako's number, his mother in Masara Town.

“Hi, hi.”

On the TV phone's screen a face painted completely white appeared.

It was like a jiangshi zombie from a Chinese horror film.

In shock, Satoshi pointed at the face on the screen and shouted.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Take a look.”

The face on the phone peeled off the mask.

Beneath the white layer, Hanako's face appeared.

“Ah... Mom. Cut the dumb jokes.”

“It's not a joke. It's a face mask. Girls use them once a week to take care of their skin. Girls with an oily complexion should use them once every three days. Yeah.”

Hanako nodded to agree with herself as she spoke.

“You can do whatever you like, but maybe you shouldn't answer the phone with it on.”

“A once in a lifetime mistake... I'm glad you're the only one who saw it... Hm, oh yeah, you're my son Satoshi, aren't you?”

It seems like she only just realised that the one on the other end of the phone was Satoshi.

“Yes, I am your son Satoshi.”

Satoshi nodded with a sigh.

“Ah... No way. Satoshi! If it isn't my son. Where are you?”

She seemed to have regained the demeanour of a parent concerned for their child.

“Tokiwa City's Pokémon Center.”

Satoshi mumbled his answer.

“Oh wow, you're already in Tokiwa City? Amazing. It took your dad four days to reach Tokiwa City. And you did it in only a single day. Gathering every bit of useful travelling equipment seems to have paid off.”

“Every bit of useful travelling equipment...”

Every bit was perhaps an overstatement, but it's true that Hanako prepared everything she possibly could for Satoshi's journey.

But that backpack with all those feelings stuffed inside had been torn apart. The Biriridama alarm clock he got for his birthday didn't work any more either.

Unaware of any of this, Hanako was quite cheerful.

“At this rate, you'll become a much greater Pokémon trainer than either dad or grandpa. Do your best.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Satoshi didn't want to cause Hanako any concern right now.

“One yeah will do fine.” Hanako advised him.

“Yeah.” He simply replied obediently.

“Brush your teeth twice a day.” She followed up.

“Yeah.”

“And wear your pajamas when you go to bed.” Hanako's eyes teared up as she spoke.

“Yeah.”

“Good, now we don't want to rack up the phone bill... So let's end this. Satoshi... Goodnight... 'kay.”

To avoid letting her son see her tears, Hanako hung up the phone.

Beep... The sound of the hung up phone line echoed in Satoshi's ear.

“Ah... Goodnight...”

Satoshi hung up the receiver and walked slowly back to the waiting room seats where he sat.

Satoshi got the toothbrush from his battered bag and whispered.

“Brush my teeth... My mouth isn't a chimney.”

The toothbrush was in such a state that it looked more like a chimney sweeper's brush.

Satoshi sighed once more, adding to the dozens of other sighs he'd made today, and went back to staring at the wall of the waiting room.

There were several framed reliefs (embossed carvings) hanging there.

Their designs looked like something done by a caveman or Picasso.

“Legendary Pokémon” was written underneath the frames.

“Ah... That's” Satoshi spoke up without thinking.

Among the images, was one that he thought resembled the unidentified Pokémon he saw flying into the sunset.

Then something happened.

The phone he used earlier started ringing.

Nobody was at reception.

“No one's gonna answer?”

Satoshi picked up the receiver.

The TV phone's vision displayed the back of a man in a white lab coat.

Instant ramen in a beaker was being boiled on the flame of an alcohol lamp.

The man stirred the ramen with a spork like those you got with school lunches long ago, before turning around.

“Buh...”

It was Professor Ookido.

“Satoshi-kun. It's me, who do you think? Professor Ookido.”

“I can see you.”

“I just got a call from your mother, Hanako-san, a few minutes ago. Beautiful woman. A real stunner.”

It seems that right after she finished her call with Satoshi, Hanako called Professor Ookido.

It's safe to assume she made the call without her face mask on.

“I can't comment on that. Tell her that yourself.” Satoshi replied huffily.

“Well then, if I tell her...” Ookido keenly murmured to himself.

“Why are you calling me?” Satoshi asked.

“Oh, that's right. Satoshi-kun, I hear you've made it to Tokiwa City. Is that true?”

“Professor. Where did you just call?” Satoshi asked once more.

“Tokiwa City. Oh, right. If you answered the phone there, it means you're in Tokiwa City...”

“I'm at Tokiwa City's Pokémon Center... My Pikachu was badly injured...”

“I see.” Professor Ookido let out a deep sigh.

“It's rough... But it's a trial everyone must face...”

“So, the Pokémon of the other three who left Masara Town are also...”

“Nope.” Professor Ookido shook his head easily.

“The other three had very little damage caused to their Pokémon and have already left town. After all, those kids have Hitokage, Zenigame and Fushigidane. They were my personal recommendations. They won't go down easy.”

“I like Pikachu!” Satoshi shouted angrily.

“Hm. Pikachu may shine when polished. Things may pikap... Anyway, for all four of you from Masara Town to have made it as far as the Tokiwa City Pokémon Center in one day...”

Professor Ookido gripped his spork, truly impressed.

“One small step for a Pokémon Master, one giant leap for Satoshi-kun. I'll help you out. I'll cheer you on, even a poor marksman will hit a target with enough shots.”

“A poor marksman?” Satoshi didn't understand what he was saying.

But Professor Ookido wasn't a man who cared much for others.

“Every Pokémon trainer leaving Masara Town should be celebrated. Hooray! Hooray! Satoshi... Now then,”

Ending his cheer there, Professor Ookido suddenly became serious.

“How many have you caught with your Monster Balls?”

“Not even one.” Satoshi could only answer truthfully.

“Not one...” Professor Ookido's expression darkened as he looked down.

“... I regret cheering for you now.”

“But, I saw some thing resembling that thing.” Satoshi pointed at the relief on the wall.

“Hm? Something resembling that?”

From the other end of the TV phone, Professor Ookido shrugged as he looked at the relief.

“Nobody has ever seen that legendary Pokémon. You're a hundred years, a thousand years away from seeing that.”

“Sure looked like it.”

“Sure it did. Ah, it's boiling over... The ramen will spoil...”

Professor Ookido's attention drifted to his ramen.

He slurped on the ramen noodles.

“Hot hot hot... Satoshi-kun, I await hearing your progress. Or not. Goodbye. If the phone doesn't ring, I won't answer.”

“Ah...” before Satoshi could get in another word, the call was cut off.

“Aah! There you are!”

It wasn't the phone, but the girl shouting behind him.

“Eh?”

He turned to find a girl holding the remnants of a bike above her head standing there, wheezing completely out of breath.

“I knew you'd be here.”

“What's with that bike?”

“I found it while chasing after you. Bike, you say? You dare to still call this thing a bike?”

The girl continued speaking holding the bike above her.

“You seriously just called this a bike. It looks more like a half eaten overcooked fish... Nothing left but a charred skeleton. In fact, if you left a fish in this state, its ghost would come back to haunt you. ... Woah... Kyah!”

The girl, trembling with rage, fell over backwards under the weight of the bike.

“You okay?”

Satoshi rushed over without even thinking, but she brushed off his hand.

“Don't touch me. Anyway. My bike. You're not getting off the hook with me...”

“I'll do anything. Reimburse you, whatever. But now isn't the time for that.”

“You destroyed my bike, I don't care whether it's the right time or not!”

“My Pikachu... My Pikachu is...”

“Eh...?”

The girl noticed the emergency ward's red lamp Satoshi was looking at.

“... Is it that bad?”

“Probably, I think so... I, what should I do now...?”

“I see...”

Then it happened. The red lamp went out and the door to the treatment room opened.

Lucky came out with the stretcher carrying Pikachu.

“Pikachu! Are you okay?”

Pikachu was coiled up in a ball and unconscious.

However there was something resembling an ECG attached to his tail and head with a flashing lamp.

He appeared to be breathing.

Joy spoke as she removed her mask and rubber gloves.

“He's out of the woods. It's not often that the medical staff at a Pokémon Center are unable to save a patient Pokémon... Right?”

“Lucky.”

Lucky the nurse Pokémon chirped cheerfully.

“Pokémon Centers are amazing.” The girl smiled.

“Thank you, doctor.” Satoshi was deeply moved, unable to say anything else.

Joy smiled at Satoshi for the first time.

“Now we just have to wait for him to recover fully in the ICU. Please, follow me.”

Satoshi spoke to the girl.

“Sorry. Things are kinda... I will make amends for your bike one day.”

“You're still worrying about that now?”

“Eh?” Satoshi was surprised by the girl's response. She'd spoken of nothing but her bike so far and suddenly she was ignoring it.

“Go with your Pokémon. Hurry up already.”

“Ah, right.”

Satoshi nodded.

“Bike, what bike? What the heck is he thinking? Kids these days... I swear.”

The girl spoke to Joy.

... Aren't you just a kid too?... Joy smiled.

Just as Satoshi was accompanying Pikachu's stretcher out, it happened. Despite all the other... just as... that happened since Satoshi arrived at the Pokémon Center, this is the real deal. This time, an alarm bell rang throughout the waiting room.

Junsa's voice was heard through the speakers.

“Warning. Warning. Tokiwa City is under the threat of an unknown incursion. It is feared to be a gang of Pokémon kidnappers. If you own Pokémon or are friends with any Pokémon, please remain cautious.”

Bobobobo... The sound of a hot air balloon was audible.

Team Rocket's hot air balloon was already positioned directly about the Center.

“Fufufu, their alarm is already too late.” Musashi snickered cooly.

“We'll never be caught, even with all arms the law can't touch us.” Kojirou said. This wasn't intended to be a lame pun about alarms and all arms. He was a serious man.

“They've got to be kidding about just calling us mere kidnappers... We're part of the one and only Team Rocket.”

Musashi noticed the similarity of the words kidding and kidnappers.

“We'll show them... just how terrifying we are.” Kojirou hadn't picked up on it at all.

“Nyattack! (Attack!)” Nyarth shouted. Nyarth considered himself as the leader.

“We don't need a kitty cat to tell us that! ... Whoosh.”

Musashi and Kojirou leapt from the hot air balloon with shoulder jets.

“Nice comeback... If this goes well, our boss will be really pleased, and I'll curl up with him under the kotatsu, surrounded with coins, nya.” Nyarth grinned widely as he dreamt of being curled up on the kotatsu.

“Charge!”

Musashi and Kojirou threw a pair of Monster Balls mid air.

The Monster Balls shattered the Center's skylight and fell down into the hall.

The very next moment, a snake-like Pokémon emerged from Musashi's Monster Ball.

It was an Arbo.

And from Kojirou's Monster Ball came Dogas. A Pokémon somewhat like a round rock, with smoke spurting out from pimple-like craters on its surface.

Suddenly the Pokémon Center's waiting room was completely filled with Dogas's smoke.

“What the!? What is this!?”

Satoshi shouted.

“No matter whatever questions you ask, the answer you'll receive is the world's pity.” The pair responded with this line.

“To protect the world from devastation.” Musashi said.

“To maintain the world's peace.” was Kojirou's line.

“To denounce the evils of truth and love.” Musashi boasted slightly.

“We are the lovely charming villains.” Kojirou spoke gently.

“Musashi.” She introduced herself.

“Kojirou.” Kojirou followed up...

“The pair from Team Rocket, crossing the galaxy...” Musashi struck a pose. It's difficult to describe the pose. And since the pose is ad-libbed, meaning that it's different each time, there's no point in explaining anyway.

“White hole. A white tomorrow awaits.” Kojirou took his own pose. It also seems to be ad-libbed.

And... Just as you thought it was over... Nyarth finally appears.

“That's right.”

And having finished up with his catchphrase, he took the pose of a beckoning cat.

... Uh, so what was that? You may want to ask, but that would be quite rude. The lines and poses upon their arrival, after so much practice, they wanted to bravely show off in front of viewers like us.

But Satoshi didn't care about humouring them.

He went ahead and said what didn't need to be said.

“So, uh, what the hell was that about?”

“Seems this twerp boy doesn't get it.” Musashi brushed off Satoshi's comment, shrugging her shoulders.

“Nobody would understand that without an explanation.” Satoshi stated the obvious.

As such, Kojirou opted to give a serious reply.

“We're after the Pokémon...”

“You're not getting my Pikachu.”

Satoshi stood protectively in front of Pikachu's stretcher.

“Hm... Pikachu? ...” Musashi ridiculed him with a laugh.

“We're not interested in some run of the mill electric rat like a Pikachu.”

“What we're after, are rare Pokémon, far superior to that thing.” Kojirou clarified, adding to Musashi's response.

“Hold it, we don't have any Pokémon like that at this Center.” Joy said.

Musashi, knowing that Joy was roughly the same age as her, spoke as if chatting with a friend.

“Non non non. Are you sure? This place is filled with injured Pokémon. If we take all of them, there may be some wheat among the chaff.”

“Even a poor marksman will hit a target with enough shots.” Kojirou said with a serious expression.

That was their motto... The words they lived by. Simply put, a phrase that briefly summarises their approach to life.

“I've heard that somewhere before...” Satoshi recalled Professor Ookido saying the same thing on the phone earlier.

“A poor marksman... What does that mean?” Satoshi asked Team Rocket.

“You know they'll miss, but with enough bullets, one may hit eventually. There's the occasional fluke in the world. You can't win the lottery unless you buy a ticket. If there's nothing to lose, you might as well give it a shot.” Kojirou politely explained, reading from a dictionary.

“It's really the best approach for anything. Whether you're stealing Pokémon, or searching for a boyfriend or getting married.” Musashi said earnestly, while nodding to herself for some reason.

“So, I'm a poor marksman... I've got nothing to lose.” Satoshi's shoulders slumped.

It had been thirty minutes since his phone call with Professor Ookido, and its meaning finally stabbed him.

“That kinda pisses me off.” He clenched his fist.

“What trifling matters.” Musashi said.

“Doesn't bother me.” Kojirou nodded.

Musashi and Kojirou pulled out gas masks.

“Me-ow too!”

Nyarth said, also pulling out a mask.

“It's time for Dogas to shine, gas 'em!”Kojirou pointed at Dogas.

“Dogas!” Dogas cried in its somewhat dopey voice as it spurted poison gasses.

However the gas filled the area, leaving no gaps.

“Not good! Run!” Joy shouted.

“You won't escape, after them Arbo, extra turbo throttle!” Musashi commanded Arbo.

“Sharbo!” it cried neither Arbo or turbo, but Arbo wriggled around the waiting room and reception.

Both medical equipment and PCs began to spark and be destroyed.

Being pursued by Dogas's poison gasses, Satoshi and the others fled into the hospital wards. I say wards, but the wards are for Pokémon. Pokémon that are sick are left inside their Monster Balls to sleep. As such, the patient rooms looked more like the ball storage at a bowling alley, with shelves lined up with Monster Balls.

Joy closed the ward's door and locked it.

“This door is airtight to prevent any airborne pathogens getting through. We'll be safe from the poison gas here.”

Although it was too soon to truly say they were safe.

Bash! There was a sound like the light bulbs exploding and they were left in pitch black darkness.

“Wah, a blackout. I hate the dark.”

The girl, who until now had seemed fearless, let out a helpless cry for the first time.

“They've cut the power. But no need to worry. We've got our own backup generator...”

The patient room's lights immediately returned.

“Hey...”

The girl let out a joyful cheer.

“Wow... So many Pikachu.”

Within the patient room there were a number of Pikachu wearing electricians helmets spinning, spinning and spinning on a rotating disc.

The sparks flying from the disc went into the electrical lines sending power back to the lights.

At the same time the lights returned, the computer screen on the wall lit up, and the computer's voice spoke “Emergency evacuation procedure commencing.”

“We're going to transfer the sick Pokémon's Monster Balls while we can...”

“Transfer them where?” Satoshi asked.

“They're being transmitted to the Nibi City Pokémon Center.”

As she spoke, Joy started tossing Monster Balls from the shelves into an escape hatch resembling a garbage chute.

“Everybody, help!”

“Lucky!” Lucky carried the Monster Balls. Satoshi and the girl tossed them into the escape hatch.

Joy shouted into the computer's mic.

“This is the Tokiwa City Pokémon Center, we're in a state of emergency... We're transferring our Pokémon's Monster Balls to the Nibi City Pokémon Center.”

The line connected to Nibi City and a voice came from the Pokémon Center. It was a woman's voice on the other end.

“This is the Nibi City Pokémon Center... Roger that. Ready to receive Monster Balls.”

The screen on the wall displayed a map. It displayed a line from Tokiwa City to Nibi City indicating the progress of the Monster Ball transfer.

“A little more... Just a little more...”

“Lo... Look!” The girl pointed at the door.

Gas was starting to leak through.

The next moment the wall broke.

Arbo had smashed through the wall.

The Pikachu on the generator were sent flying.

The Monster Balls still on the shelves fell to the ground.

A few of them rolled out of the room and into the hallway.

“Save them!” Joy couldn't take her hands from the computer.

“I'll do it!”

Satoshi leapt after the Monster Balls.

“Hand 'em over, twerp boy.” Musashi stood in his way.

“Let a brat have a ball and it becomes an all out brawl.” Kojirou spouted nonsense with a straight face.

Behind the pair of them were Arbo and Dogas. And behind them Nyarth was laughing nyahaha.

The girl shouted.

“Hurry, throw them! Throw the Monster Balls and fight.”

“Eh... Ah... Go! Monster Ball.”

Satoshi threw the Monster Ball he was holding.

It's the Pokémon Center's Monster Ball. There's no way of knowing what's in there.

Besides, he had no options other than throwing it.

The Monster Ball was engulfed in light. That's the sign of the Pokémon coming out.

But the one who came out was the tiny bird Pokémon, Poppo.

If it had to be a tiny bird Pokémon, it could have at least been an Onisuzume... Satoshi thought, not even recalling the way they tore him apart during the day.

But the solid fact is, it was a Poppo that appeared.

“It's a bit early for the Poppo clock to be chiming midnight. We're not ready to leave the ball yet.” Musashi said.

“Eh? What's that?” Kojirou turned his neck to ask Musashi.

“What did you mean by that line?”

“You don't know? The strike of midnight, Cinderella.”

“Ah, I'm a man, so I didn't get the reference.” Kojirou scratched his head.

“If we keep wasting time like this Kojirou, it really will become midnight.”

Musashi commanded Arbo.

“Go! Arbo.”

In the face of the snake-like Arbo, Poppo opted to flee.

“Tch! Next one! Go! Monster Ball!”

Satoshi threw another Monster Ball that had rolled off.

Nothing but light came from the Monster Ball.

“Huh?” Satoshi craned his neck.

“There's some empty ones mixed in there too...” Joy was at her wits end.

“Don't go throwing empty ones! Moron!” The girl reprimanded Satoshi.

“Oh come on... Right. Next, go! Monster Ball!”

This Monster Ball contained the mouse Pokémon that had torn through his backpack in the field, Koratta.

“Fufufu... That Pokémon is Small Fry with a capital S.” said Kojirou.

Against the snake-like Arbo's glare, Koratta did as Poppo did... and fled.

The girl shouted at Satoshi in irritation.

“Ugh, geez! Moron! I'll buy some time. You get Pikachu out of here.”

The girl puffed out her chest as she spoke.

“I'm the world's greatest beauty. The name's Kasumi.”

Musashi and Kojirou were momentarily stunned as they stared at the girl named Kasumi.

“World's greatest beauty?” Musashi pulled out a magnifying glass and looked intently.

“Her name's Kasumi...” Kojirou pulled out a notebook and wrote into his diary. He wasn't going to ask for her number. He was just acting seriously.

“Nahahaha” Musashi burst out laughing.

“So her name's Kasumi, it means mist. Who's a beauty? Where's a beauty? Why a beauty? Misty or cloudy, I can't tell the difference.”

The girl named Kasumi had her face turn red with rage.

“I'll show you. With the power of my steady.”

Kasumi pulled out her own Monster Ball.

“My steady?” Satoshi murmured.

“It's a lover during your school years that you can officially tell your parents and friends about.” Kojirou confirmed the definition in the dictionary.

“Steady? The little twerp girl is ten years away from being ready for that.” Musashi said.

“Today's the day you throw away your steady, you better go away or be ready.”

“Ugh, I'm not throwing away my Monster Balls. I'm just throwing them. Go! My steady.”

Kasumi threw her own Monster Ball.

Out of the light emerged...

“What!?” Musashi and Kojirou stared at the Pokémon their mouths agape.

The one that emerged from the Monster Ball was the goldfish Pokémon, Tosakinto.

Despite being called a goldfish, it had a rather colourful body which was flopping on the floor.

“Tosakinto, tosakinto, tosakinto.”

It cried in a voluptuous voice and winked at Musashi and Kojirou, before immediately being returned to its Monster Ball.

“What just happened?” Musashi asked Kojirou.

“That was most truly, the smallest fry among small fry.” Kojirou whispered.

Kasumi spoke proudly.

“That was just an example. After all, a goldfish Pokémon can't fight in a place like this with no water.”

“I see.” Satoshi nodded with admiration.

“You're still here? Stop hanging around and escape!” Kasumi shouted at Satoshi.

“Oh yeah!”

Satoshi pushed the stretcher carrying Pikachu out into the hallway and ran. And ran. And ran while running.

The instinct to pursue something that's fleeing is the same for both humans and Pokémon.

“I've gotta escape.”

“You won't get away!”

Arbo swooped upon the stretcher.

Both Satoshi and the stretcher were knocked over.

They were back in the waiting room from earlier.

Right next to where Satoshi had fallen was the broken bike.

Arbo and Dogas were in hot pursuit.

And the Pikachu upon the stretcher opened his eyes slightly.

“Pika... Pika... Pika.”

Pikachu cried out as if calling for someone.

Then the Pikachu from the backup generator in the patient room appeared the waiting room one by one.

“Pikachu!”

The Pikachu on the stretcher called out sharply.

The backup generator Pikachu all let out a simultaneous discharge.

“No way.”

“Preposterous!”

Musashi and Kojirou were frazzled and burnt black.

Dogas was leaking gas.

Arbo was burnt black and erect.

Exhausted by their discharge, all the Pikachu were also collapsed.

“Geez, they're all useless... Seems it's my turn, nya... Mice are my favourite, nya.”

Nyarth's fangs shone as he exposed his claws, gradually closing in on Satoshi and Pikachu.

“Pika... Pika... Pika...”

The Pikachu on the stretcher was trying to bring something to attention.

“Pika... Pika?” Satoshi asked.

Of course, he had no way of understanding Pikachu's words.

But for the time being, Satoshi seemed to have the right idea.

“Pika... Pika?” Satoshi asked one more time.

Pikachu nodded.

“More Pika...? More Pika?” Satoshi confirmed a second time.

Pikachu nodded a second time.

... Of course, he wants more electicity.

“Lots of Pikapikapika?” Satoshi asked.

Pikachu nodded a third time.

The collapsed bike entered Satoshi's field of view.

“Right... Here goes nyathing!”

He stood the bike up to get on it and began turning the pedals.

“Wha'cha doing nya? That bike ain't going anywhere nya. Nyahaha.”

Nyarth laughed.

“Don't underestimate Pikachu just because he's a mouse. Pikachu and I are about to show our true power.”

The bike's pedals turned.

The wheel span.

It created friction with the lamp's generator.

The bike's lamp lit up.

“Ahnyaa?...” Nyarth squinted as the lamp shone in his eyes.

Pikachu leapt from the stretcher to on top of the bike and placed his tail on the friction generator.

“Nyat the heck!?”

Nyarth was attacked with a massive electrical shock discharge.

The other Pikachu let out electric shocks like a chain reaction.

The Pokémon Center was engulfed in sparks, it shone in the night sky like a building shaped firework.

Musashi and Kojirou were still numb. Their jaws were quivering to the point they couldn't even speak.

Arbo was stiff like a pole. And finally, the gas leaking from Dogas ignited.

“Dogaaans”

A huge explosion... The roof was blown clean off the Pokémon Center.

Along with the roof, Nyarth, Musashi and Kojirou were launched like fireworks and tenaciously clung to their hot air balloon in the skies above.

Arbo and Dogas also avoided separation.

“Whew! I prefer being an explosive firework to that numbing electricity.”

Musashi spoke as a sore loser.

“It's like fwee kaboom! Kagiya! Tamaya!” Kojirou shouted desperately. “Kagiya” and “Tamaya” are cheers that were often heard at firework displays in the old days.

Nyarth shouted.

“I'm nyot Tama. Nyam Nyarth nya... (I'm Nyarth.)”

Tama was a common name for cats in the old days.

“Escape nyaa” He called to escape.

However Junsa had already arrived at the Pokémon Center on her police motorbike.

“You won't escape.”

She put her foot on the accelerator.

“Don't underestimate Tokiwa City's motorcycle cops!”

The motorcycle ran up one of the crumbled walls of the Pokémon Center and with its momentum slammed right into the hot air balloon.

“Nailed it!”

Junsa gave a V sign from the safely landed police bike.

The hot air balloon popped like a balloon and shot to the other end of the night sky.

“This suuuuuucks!” Musashi and Kojirou's screams faded like a rocket blasting off.

The next morning... In the ruins of the Pokémon Center, Joy called the Nibi City Pokémon Center over the TV phone.

The doctor from Nibi City spoke from the other end of the line.

“We've safely obtained all the Pokémon from Tokiwa City.”

“Thank you, until our center is restored, I'd appreciate you taking care of Tokiwa City's transferred Pokémon.”

“Oh wow...”

Junsa on her motorcycle whispered, poking her head in to peek at the TV screen.

“So she's the doctor in Nibi City?”

The doctor seen on the screen at Nibi City's Pokémon Center had both the same name and face as Joy.

“She's my older sister. Which means her name is also Joy. Most of the doctors in this country are from the Joy family.”

Joy smiled.

“Although I'd have to say I'm the prettiest.”

“I never knew that. ... So it's the same with doctors.”

Junsa smiled brightly.

“Most of the cops in this country are from the Junsa family. But I'm the cutest.”

“So we're the same.” Joy said.

“We're the same.” Junsa replied.

“I can hear you.” Nibi City's Joy glared at them.

Tokiwa City's Joy hastily changed the subject.

“Oh, sis. A hard working boy, girl and Pikachu... set out early this morning towards Nibi City. But they're going to have to pass through Tokiwa Forest first.”

Tokiwa Forest is a forest often considered a perilous path for beginners aiming to become Pokémon Trainers.

“No need to worry... I'm sure those kids can handle Tokiwa Forest...”

“Yeah. Of course.”

Joy spoke to the Joy on the other end of the phone.

“Sis, give those kids my regards when they arrive in Nibi City.”

Satoshi's mother Hanako knew nothing of the huge incident in Tokiwa City.

However, she was still awake when morning came.

Ever since she received Satoshi's phone call from Tokiwa City, she found herself unable to sleep.

Hanako took a photo album from the bookcase and looked through the pages.

There were photos of Satoshi as a newborn.

And ones of when Satoshi first began crawling.

Each photo brought back at least thirty memories of Hanako and Satoshi's time together.

Which meant once she started going through all twenty albums of their memories together she couldn't stop herself.

By the time she'd even realised it was already morning.

... Oh no... I need to prepare for today's lunchtime special...

But, no matter what, Hanako was unable to avert her eyes until she reached the final page, leading to her opening the shop half an hour late.

Hanako had a reputation for being a highly dependable woman.

Yesterday's lunch and today's late opening were the first slips she had ever made in running the shop.

... Work is work... I can't let myself slip just because my son left on a journey!

Despite her reprimanding herself, nobody in Masara Town would say a word against Hanako.

She was a single mother under thirty who had just had her only child she spent years raising leave home.

The day after and the following days, Hanako never lost a single customer, she only gained more.

Now let's get back to the story of Satoshi's group.

Tokiwa Forest... is dark at night and also dark during the day.

Within the deep darkness...

“Kyaaah!”

A girl's scream echoed out.

It was Kasumi's voice.

It was the first scream the strong willed Kasumi had let out.

(To be continued in chapter 5)

Chapter 4 appendix

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 5. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

... Regarding Monster Ball Pokémon Transfer Systems...

An excerpt from unpublished documents from the International Communication Bureau to the Japanese Communication Branch

It goes without saying that modern communication systems have their roots in the postal service. However, we have no intention of discussing the origins of post offices in Parie, Franse in the year 1653 or the origin of postage stamps in Engliss in the year 1839. Or how an English man named Cooke patented the telegram in 1843. Or even how the famous Graham Bell patented the telephone in 1876 (despite not actually inventing it himself), or how Italia's Marconi made wireless transmission feasible in 1894, we have no intention of mentioning any of these things.

What we am trying to impress is that to communicate with people far away, we continue to use old methods such as post, phones and radio as we did in days gone by.

With the development of communication technologies such as fax, mobile phones, PC messengers, TV phones, what is transferred through them are not actual physical objects. With the power of the internet, you can see the face of someone on the other side of the world while you talk to them, but you're not actually talking face to face. You are merely seeing an image transmitted by electrical signals and hearing an electronic synthesis of a voice.

To truly speak face to face, you must either go to them or have them come to you.

However, that takes time. No matter what method of transportation you use, you cannot travel the distance instantaneously.

The physical mass of a human cannot be transmitted. This has long been the dream of scientists to achieve. The ability to teleport humans via transmissions. Converting humans into electrical impulses and transferring them to another location, in other words a transmittable human.

However, scientists continued to devote their lives to such research, but were unable to transmit even small physical objects like a pencil, let alone living beings.

Eventually, the feeling that the conversion of physical matter into electrical transmissions was impossible began spreading among researchers. This was called the Untransmittable Matter Theory.

However, an incredible discovery was made during the current century.

It was the result of a three year old's childish mischief.

As you are aware, it is illegal for children to possess Monster Balls without special permission.

However, this child wanted a Monster Ball more than anything.

The child secretly took one of their father's Monster Balls and placed it in of the copy machine in their house. The child thought they could copy it and create a duplicate Monster Ball.

It's the kind of logic a child would have. But the important detail here is that the Monster Ball wasn't empty, it had a Pokémon inside. Additionally, the copy machine had a fax function. Or rather, it was a fax machine with a copy function.

The child got confused between the copy button and the auto-fax button.

The auto-fax button was set to the father's office.

Meanwhile... The fax machine at the father's office experienced a paper jam. When they opened the machine up to determine the cause, they found a Monster Ball that no-one had put in there.

Basically, the Monster Ball had been transmitted from home to the office.

Why did the Monster Ball end up inside the fax machine?

However, the Pokémon who should have been inside the Monster Ball was nowhere to be found. When the father got home, he enquired with his sobbing child about the Monster Ball that had vanished from the copy machine.

The scientific community went into an uproar when it learned of the incident.

The Monster Ball was just an ordinary Monster Ball used for catching and transporting Pokémon.

The Monster Ball itself had no special features to allow it to be transferred by fax.

Which meant it had to be the power of the Pokémon inside.

The thought was that it had some kind of ability to convert its own body along with the Monster Ball into electrical transmissions.

The result of the investigation concluded that it was a feature common to all Pokémon.

In a complicated phrase this is the Portable Beast Transmission Ability. (Abbreviated at Portran Ability... Also known as Pokécom.)

When Pokémon are dormant inside a small item like a Monster Ball, they can demonstrate the ability to convert themselves and their container into electrical signals.

However, it is unknown whether this ability is used consciously or not by the Pokémon.

And so, scientists piled up their research.

In the early experiments, even when the Monster Ball was successfully transferred, the Pokémon inside would repeatedly go missing.

Due to the knowledge that fax transmissions over phone lines or ordinary PC transmissions are not of a high enough quality to avoid accidents, it is now illegal to transfer Pokémon via those connections.

As of now, improvements to the materials used to develop Monster Balls have led to Monster Balls that allow easier transmission of Pokémon.

However, without a Pokémon inside, transmitting a Monster Ball is impossible.

In fact, if a Pokémon were inside you could transmit even a wallet or a pencil case. (This is illegal due to a high chance of accidents. When transmitting Pokémon, please use only official standard transmittable Monster Balls.)

However, and while we may be repeating ourselves, even with the latest Monster Ball technology, without a Pokémon inside, it cannot be transmitted.

Which means that in this world, out of all physical objects both animate and inanimate, only Pokémon can be electronically transmitted. Why is it limited to only Pokémon? This is one of the great mysteries that hold the hearts of both scientists and amateur researchers alike.

Additionally, when it comes to current transmission lines, the most suitable for transmitting Pokémon are the Pokémon Center's exclusive computer network and the Pokémon Satellite Transmitter, but for everyday usage, we recommend the International Communication Bureau's own high capacity Pokénet. There are some fanatics who use unofficial transmission networks as well as a few people who will use a cheap internet connection, but this is not recommended as the safety of the Pokémon is not guaranteed.

To boil down to the main point behind this long story so far, we believe that the pricing of Pokémon transmission should be revised.

Since the worldwide Pokémon boom, the number of users who transmit Pokémon has increased dramatically.

The Pokémon that are transmitted are living creatures. To develop the necessary defences to ensure the safety of the Pokémon and prevent hackers from committing theft... Or rather, kidnapping, as they are living creatures... we would like to propose a 30% price increase to the cost of transmitting Pokémon.

〇〇〇〇/〇... (For confidentiality, the date and name of the sender are removed.)
Japanese Communication Branch... Review Committee

Note #1) Proposals are often made before meetings or briefings to get an idea of your partner's opinions. It's considered as preparation or preliminary ground work.
In this instance... If along with the yearly increase on sales tax, the price was jacked up even further, citizens and Pokémon would be angry? It seems this proposal was rejected on those grounds.

... “Classified Document from Pokémon Crime Division Transmission Sector”
An excerpt from former Police Superintendent General Zenigata Junsa the 893rd

Tokiwa Forest... Shrouded in darkness even at noon...

“Kyaaah!”

Kasumi was crouched down and pointing towards a bush.

“What?”

The echoes of Kasumi's shrill scream surprised Satoshi and Pikachu, drawing their attention to the bush.

There was no sign of anything threatening there.

“Is there something there?”

“Can't you see it?”

He looked down below Kasumi's trembling finger.

“Eh?”

Looking closely, the grass beneath the bush was moving slightly.

Even if something was there, it didn't seem worthy of making Kasumi to collapse and freak out like that.

“What is it?”

Satoshi peered into the grass.

Pyok!

A small Pokémon with a round head poked its neck out. Its head was the same shade of green as the grass, making it difficult to make out until now, its body was about 30 centimetres long, it didn't move very fast and you'd find them anywhere if you were attentive, the forest's worm Pokémon... Caterpie.

Even though Satoshi is only a beginner Pokémon trainer, it was a Pokémon so weak it wasn't really worth catching.

“Oh hey. Just a Caterpie. A cute little bug Pokémon.”

Kasumi shook her head while trembling.

“Even if it's a Pokémon, bugs are gross. Bugs bug me. I hate bugs. Do something about it. You're a boy after all.”

“Right. Fine by me. I'm gonna catch it.”

Typically, catching a Pokémon involved battling it with one of your own Pokémon to weaken it, before getting it in a Monster Ball.

“Pikachu?”

Satoshi tentatively called upon Pikachu, however he simply looked away to as if to say “I make my own decisions” like he always did.

It had seemed like they were getting along better after yesterday, but it still seemed he didn't care to help Satoshi unless the mood hit him.

... I see. Well, if he's like that... I'll handle this without any help... I'll show them I can catch a Caterpie all on my own...

Satoshi grasped an empty Monster Ball in his hand.

When they left the Pokémon Center, he had sneakily taken five empty Monster Balls with him.

“Let's go. Caterpie.”

Satoshi brandished the Monster Ball and threw it with all his strength.

The moment the ball hit the Caterpie... A bright light erupted from the ball and encapsulated Caterpie's body.

The next moment, while Caterpie's body was still bathed in light, it was sucked inside the Monster Ball.

And so, in the spot where Caterpie once stood, only a Monster Ball was rolling on the ground, rattling as it shook.

If the capture were to fail, a flash of light would re-emerge from the ball, with Caterpie leaping out.

Satoshi kept a close eye on the status of the Monster Ball.

How long did it last for... In reality it was only a matter of seconds, but to Satoshi it felt like hours... The Monster Ball stopped moving.

“Gotcha... I did get it, right?”

He asked Kasumi.

“It's obvious just looking at it.”

“So I really got it.”

He asked Pikachu.

Pikachu nodded.

Satoshi's body began to tremble. He couldn't stop himself.

... His first capture... The grand first step of Trainer Satoshi.

“Caterpie! Gotcha!”

Satoshi picked up the Monster Ball and posed holding it high above his head.

“Gotcha!” “Gotcha!” “Gotcha!”

The words came from his mouth naturally. The pose also suited him perfectly.

It was a feeling of pure achievement, his true emotions showed themselves in their own style. The style that suits me best... It's just as mom said.

“Gotcha! I did it!”

While he could have just left it at that, he continued with a dance of joy.

“You did it! Satoshi-kun. You're so cool! Satoshi-kun. Caterpie may be small, but for Satoshi-kun of Masara Elementary, this is the first step on the path to greatness!”

He continued by standing to attention and singing the school anthem.

Even though at school he always ended up humming and had never actually sung the whole song properly.

“I swear... You're such a moron.”

Kasumi muttered in exasperation.

“Who are you calling a moron?”

Satoshi thrust the Monster Ball right in front of Kasumi's nose.

“Kyah! What the hell are you doing!?” Kasumi's hair stood on end.

“Take a look. Inside this Monster Ball is the first Pokémon I've ever caught.”

Kasumi averted her gaze and backed away slightly.

“Don't get too close to me... Even inside a Monster Ball, bugs bug me...”

“Bugs may bug you, but they don't bug me at all. Pikachu spends all his time outside. Caterpie can stay outside too.”

“Hold it... Don't you dare.”

Kasumi took a deep breath, ready to scream.

“Come on out, Caterpie.”

Caterpie emerged from the Monster Ball, full of vigour.

“Kyaa kyaa kyaaaaaaah!” Kasumi screamed with the full capacity her lungs could manage.

Satoshi spoke to Caterpie, acting as if he hadn't heard the scream.

“C'mon, climb up on my shoulder!”

Caterpie looked back and forth between Satoshi and Kasumi.

And then it stared at Kasumi who was frozen in place, her body trembling.

In any case, it turns out this Caterpie is male, and has subsequently taken more of a liking to the female Kasumi.

Caterpie ignored Satoshi and Pikachu completely, heading straight for Kasumi as fast as a worm Pokémon could possibly go.

Creep... Creep...

Kasumi's expression contorted similarly to Munch's The Scream.

“Hiiieeeee...eh, shoo, stop, go away.”

“It's not that bad, is it?”

“I don't care, it's a bug and I hate bugs!”

“Look at him. If you take a close look he's kinda cute.”

“I don't want to look at it, it's not cute and I don't want to see it.”

It wasn't clear whether or not Caterpie had much understanding of human speech, but he could at least tell whether he was liked or hated.

Caterpie quit his creeping and look downcast.

“Aww, Caterpie. You hurt his feelings.”

Pikachu nodded in agreement, understanding how Caterpie felt.

“Ah...” Even Kasumi felt some slight pity for Caterpie...

“You see, Kasumi's just a jerk.”

Kasumi's attitude hardened after Satoshi's words.

“I've never wanted you to like me anyway. Anyway, carrots, peppers and bugs, everyone's picky about something or other.”

“You shouldn't be so picky about things, your mom should have taught you that.”

“My mom? I'm not reliant on my mother the way you are... Mommy, mommy... Only a total mommy's boy would rely entirely on what his mom says. I'm a girl who knows what she likes, as well as what she hates... This woman doesn't need a little kid spouting immature nonsense at her.”

Kasumi was the kind of person who would return any insult threefold, the type of girl Satoshi was terrible at dealing with. The type who would probably be just like Satoshi's mom when she grew up.

... I really shouldn't have brought up the subject of her mom...

Satoshi was already regretting this. He had never once in his life won an argument against a girl. Satoshi had a default response to this kind of situation.

“Hmph, just do what you like.”

“I'll do just as I like then.”

Satoshi picked Caterpie up.

“You're my Pokémon and I like you. I really like you. You're waaay cuter than Kasumi.”

“Hmph, a Caterpie cuter than me? I'd ask you not besmirch my cuteness by comparing it to a mere insect... Anyway, I won't let you bug me any further.”

“Caterpie, now that she's buggered off and is ignoring us, climb up on my shoulder.”

Satoshi placed Caterpie on his shoulder.

“Do what you like! I don't care at all anymore.”

“Then why are you still following us?”

He shouldn't have pushed the subject.

“My bike! You can't play dumb and escape that easily.”

“My bike, my bike, that's all you ever talk about. Can't you just trust me on it?”

“As if I can trust a guy who says a bug is cuter than me? Besides, if you hadn't destroyed my bike, I'd be out of this creepy forest already. This topic is becoming a vicious cycle...”

“A vicious bicycle... Kidding.”

Unable to win with a real retort, Satoshi resorted to bad puns, which angered Kasumi.

“I can't believe you! Making stupid puns at a time like this... You've got no integrity. I'm going to report you to the police.”

“Do what you like!”

“I'm doing just as I like!”

“When I get out of this forest, I'll be hanging around the next town. I'm not gonna run or hide.”

With Caterpie still on his shoulder, Satoshi began to walk off leading Pikachu by the hand.

Kasumi followed several meters behind them.

Satoshi turned around and shouted.

“Why are you following us?”

“This path just happens to be the shortest way for me to get home, and also to the next town's police station.”

“Do what you like!”

He had no other response.

“I'm doing just as I like!”

Kasumi also had no other retort.

Besides, this forest was way too gloomy for a girl to be travelling on her own.

Moonlight filtered through the branches of the forest's trees.

They had to set up camp in the forest for the night.

Satoshi and Kasumi had gotten into their sleeping bags on opposite sides of a stump.

Thinking about it, Satoshi hadn't had any downtime since leaving Masara Town, he'd been constantly occupied until now.

The same went for Kasumi. From the moment Satoshi took her bike, she'd been chasing after him. On top of that, any time she got into an argument with Satoshi it dragged on for ages. The bug hating Kasumi knew that Satoshi's freshly caught Caterpie was somewhere close by, but she was so tired she couldn't keep here eyelids open.

They were both asleep within moments.

However, Pikachu was more exhausted than anyone.

He knew he would rest easily inside his Monster Ball.

But it was Pikachu himself who was determined not to enter the ball.

He would never enter the ball from now on. He had an odd disposition for a Pokémon being raised by a human, but he'd been this way since he was born.

But life outside a Monster Ball isn't always easy for a Pokémon.

Wild cat and mouse Pokémon including Pikachu are mostly nocturnal. Conditions for finding food are more favourable at night. Cats and mice that run around fields and mountains in broad daylight are mostly restricted to fiction like anime, films and TV.

Typically, cats and mice sleep in the day and move about at night. By the way, humans are creatures that do things during daylight. As such, Pokémon that are kept by humans naturally adjust to being awake during the day.

You'll notice this with Pokémon that live in the zoo, but Pokémon who have adjusted to daylight hours sleep shrewdly at night. This is because within the habitat of their cage or a Monster Ball, they can rest without having to fear being attacked by predators. However, for those Pokémon who aren't in a Monster Ball, the night is naturally a dangerous time.

After all, the night is their active period.

Pikachu are a Pokémon that is nocturnal by instinct. As such, the night brought anxiety. As long as he stayed out of the Monster Ball, Pikachu had trouble sleeping at night. On the fairly safe grounds of Professor Ookido's laboratory, he'd slept in the day. But since travelling out on this adventure, he'd had no time to sleep. While he was being treated at the Pokémon Center he had been put under with anaesthesia, but that was a sleep to relieve his pain... Not a restful sleep. Refusing to enter his Monster Ball at night... was actually pretty tough.

However, instinct is instinct... and when night fell Pikachu's senses sharpened, the moment he felt an unusual presence his body began moving.

Ksh!

The bushes shook slightly.

Something was watching from the bushes.

Pikachu took a defensive stance.

However, he breathed out with a “Chuu...” and relaxed.

There was something familiar about whatever was in the bushes.

Gsh!

The thing in the bushes moved quickly.

The moonlight revealed a yellow Pokémon identical to Pikachu.

There's nothing strange about it looking like Pikachu. After all, the Pokémon was a wild Pikachu.

Additionally, the wild Pikachu had an alluring scent unfamiliar to Pikachu.

It was a female wild Pikachu.

With the exception of the Pikachu raised at the Ookido Laboratory and the various Pikachu kept for the Pokémon Center's backup generator, he had never seen another Pikachu. In fact, his upbringing had kept him separated from most other Pokémon. Starter Pokémon given to aspiring Pokémon trainers are typically kept separate from other people and Pokémon as much as possible to avoid any major influences to make it easier for them to become used to their brand new owners.

Amidst the chaos of Team Rocket's raid, he didn't have time to pal around with any of his fellow Pikachu. And even if he had, they were also tamed Pokémon. It was a great surprise to see a real wild Pikachu now.

“Pikachu.” Pikachu called out to say... Wait... to stop the wild Pikachu from leaving.

The wild Pikachu stopped and turned around.

... Are you really a Pikachu?...

Pikachu asked.

The wild Pikachu didn't reply.

Pikachu wasn't sure if she even understood his words.

But the wild Pikachu stayed there, looking at him.

Pikachu was pleased.

... I don't have any bad intentions...

Pikachu rushed up to the wild Pikachu.

The sweet scent of the wild Pikachu was breathtaking.

Without really thinking why, Pikachu timidly held out one of his front paws.

When humans introduce themselves to one another, they often do so with something called a handshake.

The wild Pikachu glanced at Pikachu's paw.

The next moment, chomp! She bit Pikachu's paw.

Then her hair stood on end intimidatingly.

... Don't touch me... she seemed to be saying.

Pikachu stood paralysed, unable to counter attack or even say pika.

... Why...

Chuu! An aggressive growl came from another bush.

Another wild Pikachu appeared from the bushes.

It had lived a life running around fields and forests, its fur was worn out and its withered body was covered in scars.

To a human, Satoshi's Pikachu would be more attractive, cooler and cuter looking.

However...

A wild female Pikachu is different.

The female Pikachu ran over to the withered Pikachu and nuzzled him.

The withered Pikachu cried sharply.

... Domesticated Pokémon... hate... go away...

The female Pikachu also cried.

... Hate... scary... go away...

Pikachu didn't really understand the words of the wild Pokémon.

It was akin to a human listening to someone speak in a foreign language.

But he managed to get the gist of it.

Wild Pikachu and domesticated Pikachu are different... is what they meant.

They hate domesticated Pikachu... is what they meant. They're afraid... is what they meant. And also, that he should leave this forest... is what they wanted to say...

The male and female wild Pikachu rubbed their cheeks together, yet they maintained a cautious posture as they backed away slowly from Pikachu who was still frozen in place.

Then once they reached what they judged as a safe distance, they turned their backs and vanished off into the bushes.

Eventually, from far away in the bushes, the two Pikachu let out song like cries as they frolicked.

The remaining Pikachu stood isolated.

Pikachu looked up at the night sky, and whispered quietly at the moon peeking through the tree branches.

“Pika.”

The moon didn't answer.

Even so, Pikachu looked up at the moon.

Eventually he heard a creeping sound beside him.

By his side was the Caterpie Satoshi had caught.

Under normal circumstances, Pikachu would have noticed Caterpie's approach sooner.

But he hadn't noticed at all.

Pikachu was simply that out of it.

The shock of the wild Pikachu's behaviour had thrown him that much.

“Catercatercater.”

Caterpie had said something to Pikachu.

“Pika?”

Pikachu replied.

Neither of them were able to fully understand what the other was saying.

But Pikachu felt that it was easier to understand what the caught Caterpie was saying than the wild Pikachu.

“Catercatercater.”

Caterpie was doing his best to articulate himself.

“Pikapikapika.”

Pikachu also did his best to give a reply.

The two Pokémon were both bound to the unreliable seeming youth Satoshi as their trainer.

And it was just the two of them for now... If things were to go well, Pikachu and Caterpie would be relying on each other from now on.

Even if they couldn't understand each others words, they were both saying the same thing.

... Well partner... We catter chu our best...

He was curious about life in the wild... But he'll have to settle for this.

Pikachu and Caterpie stared at the moon together.

Then it occurred. They saw the silhouette of a Pokémon flutter past the moon, leaving a silver trail in its wake.

It was a butterfly like Pokémon known as Butterfree.

Butterfree was a species of butterfly Pokémon that evolved from the worm Pokémon Caterpie.

“Catercatercatercater!”

Caterpie cried in excitement. He was incredibly pleased.

Pikachu had no idea that Butterfree was the form Caterpie took after evolution.

But he could tell that seeing the Butterfree had put Caterpie in high spirits.

Pikachu also became happy for no real reason as he replied to Caterpie.

“Pikapikapika.”

“Catercatercatercater!”

“Pikapikapika.”

Caterpie and Pikachu continued their conversation late into the night.

The topic of their conversation wasn't really clear to either of the Pokémon, Pikachu or Caterpie. But there was one thing they both understood.

The pair of them were friends. As long as that much was clear, even if they had no idea what the other was saying, their conversation was enjoyable.

Whether with humans or Pokémon, conversation is perhaps something anyone can enjoy.

Even when none of the words make any sense, it's possible to enjoy yourself.

“Kyaaah!”

The next morning began with a scream from Kasumi.

“Woah, what's up, buttercup?”

Satoshi leapt to his feet.

“Don't call me buttercup, my name's Kasumi, get the bug off!”

“You're the one who won't bugger off.”

“Don't you bugger off without your stupid bug!”

With the misunderstanding of meaning between them, Satoshi came to understand once he looked over at Kasumi.

Caterpie had snuggled into Kasumi's sleeping bag and was sleeping right next to her face. But Caterpie was the only one sleeping, Kasumi was paralysed in fear of the Caterpie lying in front of her eyes. Only her mouth could move.

“Why is Caterpie sleeping with me? Bloody molester, pervert Pokémon.”

Even if she asked why, it's doubtful that even Caterpie would have a real answer.

Perhaps having enjoyed his conversation with Pikachu, he got somewhat carried away before finally going to sleep, and he may have decided that snuggling up with the more delicate Kasumi was preferable to Satoshi.

However, if it had been the adorable to girls Pikachu who had done this, she'd think nothing of it... it was a reaction borne of fear.

Kasumi's barbed insults pierced like arrows.

Being hit with words from “hate” to “gross” was something he was getting used to, but being called a “molester” or “pervert Pokémon” was just crossing the line.

Even if he didn't know the meaning of the words, their intonation stabbed at him.

“Pokémon should act like Pokémon and sleep in their Monster Balls!”

The strength behind her words made even Pikachu lower his head in shame.

Caterpie slowly crawled out from Kasumi's sleeping bag.

He went over to the Monster Ball sitting next to Satoshi's bag, head still hung in shame as he went inside.

Satoshi knocked on the Monster Ball in a panic.

“Caterpie, are you okay?”

No response came from the Monster Ball.

Satoshi lost his temper at Kasumi.

“You went too far. You really hurt his feelings. What if he never comes back out of there again?”

“Eh?”

Kasumi agreed that she maybe went a little far. But...

“Apologise to Caterpie! Say sorry to him!”

Having Satoshi shout at her without even giving her a moment set her off again.

“Even if I were to apologise to Caterpie, I still wouldn't forgive you. It's your lack of discipline that lead to this in the first place. Trainers are responsible for the actions of their Pokémon.”

“Ugh...”

Satoshi faltered. He'd never win against Kasumi with words.

Satoshi whispered to the Monster Ball.

“Caterpie, we'll get one over on her someday.”

But there was no response from the Monster Ball.

Nothing could be heard even if he tried shaking it.

“Not good... I hope he hasn't lost his self confidence.”

Then it happened.

Plop... Something fell on Satoshi's head.

“Huh?”

“Eeew, it's poop... Stay away from me.”

Kasumi raised a scream.

It was bird Pokémon poop.

Above the trees was a bird Pokémon with a fairly relieved expression on its face.

“Uuugh. At the worst possible moment... What the hell is that thing!?”

Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at the bird Pokémon.

“The bird Pokémon, Pidgeon>/span>... The evolved form of the tiny bird Pokémon Poppo... It is much more aggressive than Poppo, but not as violent as Onisuzume, they are highly recommended Pokémon for beginners... It is typically around one meter in size... However their size may vary...”

Satoshi craned his neck. It looked too small to be a meter in size. He wasn't even convinced that its wingspan would reach a whole meter.

“Maybe is hasn't been raised well... Oh well, if it's perfect for beginners, then I'm not just gonna let it pass me by.”

Satoshi pulled an empty Monster Ball from his bag.

“I'll get it.”

“Idiot, even if it isn't the finest specimen, it's a Pidgeon. The basis behind catching any Pokémon is to weaken it with your own Pokémon first.”

Kasumi spoke with arrogance.

“I know that.”

“The only reason you managed to catch Caterpie is because that Caterpie of yours was weak. Just so you know.”

This was simply Kasumi's own way of trying to give Satoshi some friendly advice.

... She's badmouthing my Caterpie again...

Satoshi put his poop covered face up close to Kasumi's and spoke.

“Just watch me!”

“I don't want to watch! Not with that on your face.”

Kasumi shoved Satoshi away with both hands.

Satoshi really lost his cool and turned away.

“Alright, Kasumi, I'll make you gasp in awe. I'll get that Pidgeon using my Caterpie.”

Satoshi tightly gripped the Monster Ball containing Caterpie and threw it.

“Go! Caterpie!”

“Aah.”

“Pii!”

He heard Kasumi's scream and Pikachu's cry. Kasumi's voice was different to her familiar scream though. Rather than a cry of fear, it was more of a panic in the face of danger. Pikachu's cry indicated concern.

Satoshi puffed his chest out proudly.

“See, you're gasping already.”

Pashing! Kasumi slapped him with her open palm.

“Ah... Was I the one gasping in awe?”

“This isn't the time for your nonsense? There's no way a bug Pokémon is going to win a fight with a bird Pokémon that eats bugs.”

Satoshi gulped.

He looked over to where Caterpie's Monster Ball went.

Beyond the Monster Ball lying there, Caterpie was fleeing the pursuing Pidgeon.

Against Pidgeon's swooping attacks and sudden climbs, Caterpie was completely helpless.

He could only run and hide along the ground's surface.

“Hurry and call it back! Your Caterpie!”

Kasumi shouted.

“Yeah, good idea.”

Coming to his senses, Satoshi rushed for Caterpie's Monster Ball.

“Return! Caterpie!”

But Pidgeon's swooping attack was swift.

“Protect yourself! Caterpie!”

Moments before becoming a snack within Pidgeon's beak, Caterpie curled himself up like a necklace.

Then he returned to his ball barely avoiding the beak.

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu shouted as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Pikachu, you wanna fight?”

Satoshi asked.

He didn't need to though.

This was the opponent who had tormented Caterpie.

Pikachu glared at the Pidgeon.

The electrical pouches in his cheeks swelled and his tail stood on end.

Lightning ran through the forest.

“Amazing.” Satoshi murmured.

“That's done it.” Kasumi let out something resembling a sigh.

It was the electric shock that had caused the huge explosion at the Pokémon Center the night before last.

Pikachu's electrical energy had restored itself last night, despite the fact he spent most of the night awake talking to Caterpie.

Pidgeon was bathed in lightning and collapsed unconscious.

“Pika pika.”

Pikachu pointed a finger at Pidgeon as if to say to get it now.

“Y-yeah... Now's the time.”

Satoshi threw a Monster Ball, somewhat flustered.

Pidgeon's body was sucked into the Monster Ball and eventually the ball stopped moving.

The joy Satoshi felt yesterday returned.

“Pidgeon. Gotcha.”

He struck a pose and smiled broadly.

“I did it. My second capture.”

“And there's something else you're getting seconds of today.” Kasumi said.

“Eh?”

Pashing, Kasumi slapped him.

“Ow! You hit me again.”

“Yes, I hit you. And I'll keep on hitting you. Are you even taking this whole Pokémon Trainer thing seriously at all?”

“Of course I am.”

“Then you should learn the basics. Pokémon type compatibility is important. Using a bug Pokémon against a bird Pokémon... that's just downright stupid. You need to look at things from your Pokémon's perspective... Right, Pikachu?” With Kasumi's sudden question, Pikachu's only response was to nod. Satoshi had no words to reply.

Kasumi continued overbearingly.

“Just liking Pokémon doesn't make you qualified to become a trainer. This isn't a game that kids should be playing.”

That's when it happened.

“Indeed. It isn't a game.” A woman's kind voice said.

“It's serious business after all.” A handsome man's voice came from somewhere.

Kaboom. Kaboom. Rainbow coloured smoke bombs went off.

“What the?” Satoshi said.

“What's going on?” Asked Kasumi.

A pair of silhouettes could be seen through the smoke.

“No matter whatever questions you ask, the answer you'll receive is the world's pity.”

The pair spoke in perfect sync.

“To protect the world from devastation.” Musashi said.

“To maintain the world's peace.” Kojirou said.

“To denounce the evils of truth and love.” Musashi was in top form.

“We are the lovely charming villains.” Kojirou added.

“Musashi.” Musashi winked as she introduced herself.

“Kojirou.” Kojirou said as he smelt the rose in his hand.

“The pair from Team Rocket, crossing the galaxy...” Musashi struck a pose.

“White hole. A white tomorrow awaits.” Kojirou took his own pose.

Right at the end Nyarth made his appearance.

“That's right.”

“You guys again, what now?” Satoshi asked.

“No matter whatever questions you ask” Musashi responded.

“the answer you'll receive is the world's pity.” Kojirou finished.

“Stop right there, nya!” Nyarth scratched Musashi and Kojirou's faces.

“Are you planning to do our entrance scene all over again, nya?”

“Oh, right, we're wasting time.”

“If this were a novel, we'd be wasting pages.”

“The author is cutting corners, nya.”

“On that topic...” Musashi said.

I'm not sure how this qualifies as the same topic, but Musashi continued on.

“We have no business with you twerpy lovebirds.”

“Our business is with that Pikachu.”

Kojirou pointed at Pikachu as he spoke.

Satoshi stepped in between them as if to protect Pikachu from Kojirou's finger.

“If you want a Pikachu, there's plenty of other Pikachu you could be going after.”

“But what we want is, quite specifically, that Pikachu.” It was Musashi's turn to point at Pikachu this time.

“Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to point at people?” Satoshi said.

“Mother? Mama? Mummy, I wish I could've...” Musashi suddenly murmured.

“Parents are never supportive when you need them.” Kojirou cried.

“I don't even remember a single word my parents ever told me, nya.” Nyarth stated matter of factly.

“We don't need to hear about your parental issues.” Kasumi shouted.

“Let's get back to the point!” Kasumi's angry outburst brought everyone back to their senses.

“Allow us to explain, Akechi-kun.” Musashi said.

“My name's Satoshi.” Satoshi muttered.

“Allow us to explain, Kindaichi-kun.” Kojirou said.

“This isn't going anywhere!” Kasumi looked as if she was about to explode, her hair standing on end.

“Sorry, sorry.” Musashi apologised.

“Enough with apologies. Get to the point, nya.” An irritated Nyarth pointed his sharpened claws as Musashi and Kojirou.

“I'll cut straight to the chase then.” Kojirou began speaking.

“We, Team Rocket, seek out rare Pokémon specimens. And that Pikachu of yours may just fit the bill.”

And this time, Nyarth also pointed at Pikachu alongside the other two.

“My Pikachu is a rare Pokémon?” Satoshi asked.

“No ordinary Pikachu could trigger an explosion like that one the other day. Therefore it can be deduced that it is not ordinary. Elementary, my dear...”

Musashi was planning to call him my dear Watson, but the shining sharp claws of the Nyarth next to her told her to drop it.

“Ah, is this the part where Akechi-san explains things to Kobayashi-kun?” Kojirou clearly didn't know when to drop these things...

“Cut it out, nya.” Nyarth's claws slashed his face.

“Anyway, give us the Pikachu and we'll leave you be.” Kojirou said as he applied pressure to his face.

“You think I'll just hand him over?” Satoshi checked on Pikachu's condition.

Pikachu was still tired from the large discharge from earlier.

“We didn't think so, but I figured we'd ask to offer the world's pity.” Kojirou said.

“There's no more pity now that we've asked though.” Musashi pulled out a Monster Ball.

“Musashi and Kojirou, travelling the path of Pokémon together...” Kojirou also pulled out a Monster Ball.

“This is obviously now a Pokémon battle, nya.” Nyarth pulled out a folding fan with a picture of a coin on it and began waving it.

Musashi and Kojirou's Monster Balls burst, and the Pokémon Dogas and Arbo leapt out. The same ones who had been used at the Pokémon Center.

“Two against one is unfair.” Satoshi shouted.

“The word unfair doesn't exist in the villainous dictionary of truth and love.” Musashi smirked.

“Then your dictionary is no good.” It's impossible to say how serious Satoshi's statement was.

“No good suits us fine... We're villains.” Kojirou replied completely seriously.

“Cut the crap, you should use two Pokémon as well Satoshi.” Kasumi said with irritation.

“But the rules of Pokémon say you can only use one.” Satoshi replied to Kasumi's exasperation.

“Are you stupid? Seriously? You think the rules apply to people like them? At this rate, both Pikachu and Caterpie are going to be stolen from you.”

“How about we just take care of our opponent and finish this while they're still arguing?” Musashi whispered to Kojirou.

“Let's finish this.” Kojirou nodded.

“Sludge attack!” Kojirou shouted, and Dogas suddenly spat sludge at Pikachu.

The stickiness in his eyes blinded him.

“The battle hasn't even started yet, how could you...” Satoshi's protests fell upon deaf ears.

Both exhausted and blinded, Pikachu was in no state to battle.

“I told you so.” Kasumi said, beginning to get really irritated.

At this point she was tempted to try sending out her own Pokémon instead... But in the middle of a waterless forest, Kasumi wouldn't be able to expect much from the water Pokémon she was carrying.

Satoshi picked up Pikachu and handed him to Kasumi.

“Look after Pikachu. I'll handle this with my other two.”

Despite his words, his freshly caught Pidgeon and Caterpie had just fought.

But he had nothing else he could rely on.

“Pidgeon. I'm counting on you. I choose you!”

Satoshi threw the Monster Ball.

The Pidgeon he had just caught leapt from the Monster Ball.

After being caught in a Monster Ball, Pokémon typically became allies of their new master. And Pidgeon was no exception.

“Pidgeon!”

With a sharp cry, Pidgeon boldly charged Arbo and Dogas.

It continually swooped and climbed, attacking Arbo and Dogas with its beak, but it was still facing two opponents. If it focused on one opponent, the other would come around behind it. It wasn't some kind of super Pidgeon that could overcome the disadvantage of two against one.

The situation was wearing it down and leaving it on the defensive.

“Two against one is unfair no matter how you look at it!”

Satoshi instinctively rushed towards Musashi and Kojirou.

“Children are no match for an adult.” Musashi spoke with pity.

“We'd rather not pick on little kids.” Kojirou stated, as he held back the flailing Satoshi with a single hand against his head.

No matter how hard Satoshi swung his arms, he couldn't reach Kojirou.

“Fight me! C'mon, fight.” Satoshi could do naught but shout.

“We told you you're no match for us...!” Kojirou flicked Satoshi in the forehead with his finger.

Kasumi's slaps were enough to knock Satoshi over. Kojirou's forehead flick sent him rolling like a ball.

“Come now, just hand over Pikachu. We're clearly winning the Pokémon battle.” Musashi smiled.

Pikachu squirmed in Kasumi's arms as if to say “Let me fight!”

Although it was clear Pikachu had no chance of winning in his blinded state.

That only left Caterpie...

However, Satoshi had caught Caterpie without even having a Pokémon battle... Against Pidgeon, all Caterpie could do was run, there was no chance he could win this fight. Sending a Pokémon into a fight you know they'll lose is just being cruel, isn't it?

But Caterpie was all he had left.

Satoshi whispered to Caterpie's Monster Ball.

“You've all I've got left. You're our only hope.”

Satoshi threw the ball carrying his prayers.

“Go! Caterpie!”

Caterpie leapt out from inside the Monster Ball.

“Whanya? That insect ain't got a chance of winning nya.” Nyarth laughed.

“Bugs can bugger off...” Musashi spoke the same line Kasumi did earlier.

“Seeing that larva makes me break out in laughter.” Kojirou broke into a huge laugh.

Satoshi and Kasumi felt frustrated. Even Pikachu probably felt the same.

“Pidgeooo~n.” There's no way a Caterpie that'd normally be a snack could win... Pidgeon cried sorrowfully.

But Caterpie was the most frustrated of all.

Even so, Caterpie faced Arbo and Dogas without showing his fear.

“Wow... What a reckless little worm.” Musashi was surprised.

“This is ridiculous.” Kojirou muttered.

“What a guy.” Nyarth shrugged.

They had to admire Caterpie's courage.

However, they'd still show no mercy.

Caterpie took a stance and began to spew something.

Shhhhhhhh...

It was a white thread.

Caterpie spat his thread at Dogas and Arbo at full force.

“Doga?”

“Sharbo?”

What is this? They had no time to even ponder that question.

In an instant, Dogas and Arbo were unable to move, wrapped up and rolling around like balls of thread.

“Nyo way... It's Nyarth's turn now.”

Nyarth stood in front of Caterpie.

Although it wasn't long until he was a ball of thread too.

Upon seeing the three balls of thread known as Dogas, Arbo and Nyarth, Musashi and Kojirou looked to each other.

“Maybe we should just let him off easy this time.” Musashi said to Kojirou.

“Right, it's not nice to pick on kids. Oh look, we've got three hacky sacks here.” Kojirou pointed to the three balls.

“That sure takes me back. How about we play some hacky sack then?” Musashi suggested to Kojirou.

“Let's do that. Yes, let's do that.”

Musashi and Kojirou picked up the three balls, then ran off. In other words, you could say they fled.

“But, it has to be said... This suuuuuucks!”

The pair's voices echoed through the forest.

Satoshi rushed over to Caterpie who had stopped spewing his thread.

“You're amazing. Not even Kasumi can keep hating on you after that. ... Right?”

“I guess...”

Satoshi drew specific attention to Kasumi.

Her hatred of bugs wasn't so easily overcome. Even so, she had to acknowledge Caterpie's efforts.

And at least some of the credit belonged to Satoshi, the Pokémon trainer who'd been able to bring Caterpie to this point. ... As much as she hated to admit it...

Having noticed Kasumi's feelings, Caterpie's eyes shone with a smile.

The sludge in his eyes having been wiped away by Satoshi, Pikachu's eyes shone too.

“Pidgeo~” Pidgeon cried from the treetops as if to say “Not bad, I guess.”

But these good vibes didn't last for long.

Shhhhhh...

The sound of thread.

Having briefly stopped, Caterpie began to spit his thread again.

“Caterpie, it's okay stop now.”

No matter how many times Satoshi told him, the thread didn't stop.

The thread had rapidly enveloped Caterpie.

“What's going on? Caterpie.”

Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at Caterpie.

“The worm Pokémon, Caterpie, envelops itself in thread when it is beginning its evolution.”

“The start of evolution...”

The thread wrapped around Caterpie's body became green and hardened.

Then, in the blink of an eye, there was a different Pokémon with a green shell there.

The Pokémon Field Guide explained.

“Trancell... The cocoon Pokémon. The evolved form of Caterpie. Out of all known Pokémon species, it has the most rapid evolution. It does not move much until its next evolution. Despite its hard exterior, its innards are soft, so it cannot withstand powerful attacks and should be handled with caution.”

Satoshi whispered.

“Right, you'll evolve again soon if I take care of you. Trancell... I'm looking forward to it.”

Satoshi hugged the immobile Trancell.

Trancell's eyes were the only part of him still recognisable as Caterpie.

Satoshi walked carrying Trancell on his shoulder.

Looking upon Satoshi's back, a thought passed through Kasumi's mind.

... This guy really does love Pokémon... Satoshi may really have what it takes after all...

However, a strange sound drove those thoughts away.

The sound of something winged. But it wasn't the wings of a bird.

They were rapidly beating wings. It sounded almost like a high speed motor...

Satoshi and Kasumi then caught a glimpse of them passing by.

The Pokémon Field Guide suddenly issued a warning.

“Beware the poison bee Pokémon, Spia... It stings with the poison barb on its tail. Its front legs have another two barbs. They often attack in groups and are highly dangerous.”

Satoshi was in high spirits.

…! I guess he really is just a frivolous idiot... Kasumi hung her head.

“Anyway, I hate being in this creepy forest! Let's just get out of here!”

Kasumi increased her pace as if to drag Satoshi along with her.

However, the Tokiwa Forest only gets deeper from here.

(To be continued in chapter 6)

Chapter 5 appendix

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 6. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

＜Secret lecture... Regarding Pokémon evolution...＞

Head of the Shinkar Darwin Theory of Evolution Supportive Committee
Professor Mendel Wallace

Note #1) The Theory of Evolution Supportive Committee is a group of scholars who believe in Darwin's theory of evolution.

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, Pokémon are creatures that should not exist.

However, as Pokémon do exist, this poses a problem to scholars who believe in Darwin's evolutionary theory.

Various theories denying the existence of Pokémon have been brought up, but are largely ignored and considered insane ramblings among modern society.

When things are shown to exist they are widely accepted as fact, but in the world of scholars, this isn't always the case. There are certain extremists among Darwinists who claim that to protect the theory of evolution... Pokémon must be exterminated.

Mr. Mendel Wallace: “The word evolution is to be used for the eternally continuing evolution of creatures upon this earth for over 2 million years, not a word for Pokémon transformations.”

(Members of Audience) “Yeah, that's right!”

Mr. Mendel Wallace: “For example, the evolution of Caterpie into Trancell is like the transformation of a caterpillar into a cocoon before becoming a butterfly, the proper term for this process among animals is metamorphosis.”

(Members of Audience) “No objections!”

Mr. Mendel Wallace: “When an egg hatches into a tadpole that eventually becomes a frog, people don't call that evolution. However, what is known as evolution among Pokémon isn't always a simple metamorphosis.”

(Members of Audience) “Yeah, that's right!”

Mr. Mendel Wallace: There is too much that is unknown about what is known as Pokémon evolution. For example, the evolved form of Pikachu, Raichu, it is uncertain whether it retains memories of its time as a Pikachu. By that same token, it's impossible to ask whether a frog retains memories of its time at a tadpole... Put simply, you cannot know a frog's thoughts unless you can ask a frog, just as you cannot know a Raichu's thoughts without being able to ask a Raichu.”

(Members of Audience) “No objections!”

Mr. Mendel Wallace: “Now the maintained resemblance between Pikachu and Raichu is one thing, but despite living in the same ocean habitat, you'd be hard pressed to say that the fish Pokémon Koiking in any way resembles its evolved form, the atrocious Pokémon Gyarados. Additionally, it would also be difficult to say that a tadpole in any way resembles a frog... At least that much can be said. Other than Pokémon, at least to the best of my knowledge, no creature retains memories of previous evolutionary forms.

(Members of Audience) “Yeah, that's right!”

Mr. Mendel Wallace: “Is it even right for us to acknowledge such mysterious creatures as living beings? We of the Shinkar Darwin Theory of Evolution Supportive Committee feel that neither the word evolution or the word metamorphosis should be used in relation to Pokémon.”

(All Present) “No objections!”

Mr. Mendel Wallace: “No, I would go as far as to say that the mere existence of Pokémon in this world, defying all logic in the theory of evolution, causes problems for our views. ... I say that Pokémon evolution should be referred to by a different name. ... Evolution is not a word to be used for these creatures who ought not exist.”

(All Present) “Yeeaaah!”

An excerpt from a taped recording of a Shinkar Darwin Theory of Evolution Supportive Committee secret rally

Note #2) The general public care little for how the scientific community refer to Pokémon evolution. But it is clear that the phenomenon actually exists... it was simply a case where the word evolution made the concept easy to comprehend and eventually came into everyday usage. Research into the possible connection between evolution as defined in the theory of evolution and the Pokémon phenomenon known as evolution is ongoing.
An excerpt from the memos of Pokémon Analyst Masaki Sonezaki

“Kyaaah!”

Kasumi's scream echoed through the forest.

Since entering the Tokiwa Forest, each chapter has to begin with Kasumi screaming.

It's only natural. The forest is a bug Pokémon paradise, meaning that for the bug hating Kasumi, it was like a training ground for her ability to scream. This scream was no different to the others.

After seeing the poison bee Pokémon Spia pass by earlier, now another bug Pokémon had crawled up near her feet. It had a similar form to the worm Pokémon Caterpie, but it had a horn-like stinger on its head. Checking the Pokémon Field Guide... its name was Beedle, the hairy bug Pokémon. The sting on its head contains poison... it explained. Hairy caterpillars among both regular bugs and Pokémon are often poisonous, so it's best to take caution...

“Whether they're poisonous or not, bugs are gross! Satoshi, do something.”

“Leave it to me. I'm the man aiming to be the greatest Pokémon Trainer in the world. I won't let any Pokémon I find escape me!”

Satoshi puffed his chest. Having gotten onto a roll catching things, he was getting a little carried away.

Satoshi pulled out an empty Monster Ball and waved it, but...

“Whoops, before catching a Pokémon, I should weaken it first... Against a hairy bug Pokémon like Beedle, a bird Pokémon would be best. That's basic type compatibility.”

He repeated back Kasumi's second hand advice.

“In that case, Pidgeon, I choose you.”

Satoshi pulled out Pidgeon's Monster Ball.

Then it happened.

“That Beedle is mine.”

A voice behind Satoshi spoke as another Monster Ball flew past.

“Eh?”

Beedle was sucked into the Monster Ball.

“Beedle's... capture rights... I had the right.”

When Satoshi turned around, there was a boy with a bug catching net on his back.

“No way, that was, I was going to catch that Beedle... You had no right.”

Satoshi voiced his displeasure.

The boy shook his head.

“You're mistaken. I was after that Beedle before you were.”

“You were after it?”

“My Pokémon had already significantly weakened that Beedle in battle. Only a fiend would steal it from me at this point.”

“I'm not stealing anything.”

“Then get out of here. This forest is my turf.”

“You can't claim exclusive rights on catching Pokémon somewhere.” Satoshi muttered.

“Hold it right there. I can't let that comment slide.” Kasumi butted in.

“I hate bugs. As such, I don't even want to catch any bug Pokémon. Don't think I even want to catch anything here, kid.”

Since he was shorter than her, Kasumi looked down upon him as a child.

Kasumi peered at the boy's face as she spoke.

“By the looks of you, I suppose you're a Pokémon Trainer.”

“Eh, uh, I'm not sure I'm strong enough to be called a real trainer.”

The boy's face turned red after having a girl stare at him.

“I see you actually have some humility, unlike some people.” Kasumi nodded haughtily.

“However, while I'm still aspiring to be a trainer, here in Tokiwa Forest, they call me the Bug Catcher.” The boy puffed his chest slightly.

“I guess you must be well known to have a nickname like that?” Kasumi asked.

“I guess you could say a few people have heard of me.”

The Bug Catcher puffed his chest greatly.

“I love bug Pokémon. Using the bug Pokémon of this forest, I'm going to become the world's greatest trainer.”

“Number one, with bug Pokémon?”

Kasumi was aghast.

“Different strokes for different folks.” Kasumi let out a sigh and turned back to the Bug Catcher.

“Anyway, you can't claim a specific area as your personal turf when catching wild Pokémon? Pokémon Trainers have equal rights and chance wherever they are. Claiming turf is just unsightly. Only a complete jerk would say that.”

Kasumi's way of speaking became harsh. The Bug Catcher bit his lip as he hung his head. The Bug Catcher then muttered.

“Maybe I shouldn't have told you this was my turf then. I've just been kinda pissed off today.”

Seeing the Bug Catcher's disappointment, Satoshi spoke up flustered.

“No, I'm the one at fault here, I shouldn't have gone after a Pokémon you already had your eye on. I won't catch any more bug Pokémon in this forest.”

Satoshi offered a handshake in reconciliation.

“No need to hold back on my account. So, where are you headed?”

The Bug Catcher asked as he accepted the handshake.

“The next town after the forest... I came from Masara Town.”

“Masara Town!” The Bug Catcher's grip suddenly tightened.

“Eh? Ah, tightening our friendship then.” Satoshi also tightened his grip.

“Don't mock me.” The Bug Catcher shook off the handshake.

“Over yesterday and the day before, I've battled three Pokémon Trainers.”

“Three of them...” Satoshi had a bad feeling about this.

“The three of them all came from Masara Town...”

... The ones who left Masara Town before me... His feeling solidified. Shigeru and the others had already passed through here.

“So, those three...” Satoshi asked.

“They battled me. They were tough. They laughed at me after defeating my Pokémon.”

The Bug Catcher pulled out a Monster Ball.

“I may have lost three times. But I won't lose to a fourth person from Masara Town.”

Satoshi was shocked. The three who had left Masara Town on the same day as him had well overtaken him, additionally, they had all beaten this Bug Catcher.

... I ain't gonna lose... But, this guy has already been steamrolled by the other three, it'd be kinda mean to crush him like that. Besides...

“Kairos! You're up!” The Bug Catcher shouted as he tossed his Monster Ball.

The stag beetle Pokémon Kairos emerged from the Monster Ball.

“Wow... It's a Kairos.” Satoshi sighed.

Boys have always liked stag beetles since the old days. And on top of that, the stag beetle Pokémon Kairos, despite being a stag beetle, is 1.5 meters tall. A full scale model of one would look amazing in your room. There was no need to even check the Pokémon Field Guide for info on Kairos. He already knew everything about them. He'd never seen a real one before though. In real life, they weren't very common, they were the ultimate dream Pokémon for most boys. Satoshi spoke without thinking.

“I want it...”

“What the heck are you on about?”

... Kasumi, who had no appreciation for stag beetles, rained on his parade. Doing so with such precise timing was something only a girl who truly loves water Pokémon could do.

“No matter how much you want it, you can't take someone else's Pokémon.”

“I know that.” Satoshi muttered with disappointment.

That was a rule of Pokémon battles. Trading Pokémon was allowed with consent from both parties.

You were also allowed to buy Pokémon from a Pokémon shop. But a Pokémon battle was simply a Pokémon battle. Winning a Pokémon battle did not entitle you to the loser's Pokémon. If you try to take your opponent's Pokémon... either by catching or stealing it, your Pokémon Trainer's license would be permanently revoked.

People like Team Rocket who work to steal rare Pokémon, although I'd hesitate to define that as actual work, are the kinds of people who have given up on becoming Pokémon Trainers.

“No matter how strong I am or how much I want his Kairos, I've no intention of becoming a thief.”

Satoshi said with disappointment.

“You're ridiculous. Don't go talking like you've already won.”

Kasumi shrugged her shoulders.

“Man, having a Kairos would be so cool...”

Satoshi still didn't know when to give in.

“You're turning into the green eyed monster. It's his Pokémon. And when he beats you in a battle, those green eyes will begin weeping green tears.”

Kasumi said as her patience ran out. When challenged to a battle by a passing Pokémon Trainer, it is proper manners to accept immediately. Fiddling about and stalling were the tactics of a coward.

She hadn't noticed that by poking her nose in she was delaying the battle.

“Don't let him provoke you into anything stupid!”

Kasumi told Satoshi in a scolding tone.

“I know! The stag beetle Pokémon is just another bug type Pokémon. Birds beat bugs, type compatibility is important in Pokémon battles. I know already, Kasumi.”

Satoshi repeated back what Kasumi had told him earlier as he got out his Monster Ball.

“Bird Pokémon, Pidgeon! I choose you!”

Satoshi threw the Monster Ball.

“Pidgeo~!”

Pidgeon came from the Monster Ball full of vigour.

However upon looking at Kairos, it flew up into the trees and perched unmoving on a branch looking down.

“Huh? What's wrong Pidgeon?”

“I see...” Kasumi nodded.

“What do you see...?”

“No matter how much of an advantage a bird Pokémon has over a bug Pokémon, Kairos is just too big of an opponent. You have to take the opponent's size into account... Only a fool thinks of nothing but type compatibility. You need to take these kinds of things into account.”

... You're the one who kept talking about the importance of compatibility, yet you've suddenly changed your tune...

Satoshi was frustrated, but he had no time to waste on anger.

“Pidgeon. Return!”

Satoshi shouted as he recalled Pidgeon to its Monster Ball.

“Pikachu... You're up!”

There was no response from Pikachu.

Come to think of it, despite all the commotion from when Kasumi screamed until now, he hadn't heard a thing from Pikachu.

“Where are you, Pikachu?”

He looked behind...

“You're kidding me...”

Pikachu was sound asleep on top of a tree stump.

It seemed that after pulling an all nighter he gave in to sleepiness.

“Come on, wake up.”

Satoshi poked at Pikachu using his pinky.

The tip of his finger suddenly felt numb.

“What the?”

Looking closely, Pikachu's body was glowing slightly.

It seems he generates an electric field while sleeping as a defence measure against any attempts to mess with him.

If he were to be woken by force, the half asleep Pikachu may be liable to unleash an electric shock upon both friend and foe.

To touch or not to touch, Satoshi half bluffed his way out of the situation.

“I guess he's tired. Pikachu. I won't push you too hard for now. Letting you get rest is the action of a great trainer.”

“What are you mumbling about?” The Bug Catcher cut him off.

“The other three from Masara Town weren't total windbags.”

The other three from Masara Town were the thing that bothered Satoshi most.

“Now you've said it, you're going down.”

Satoshi glared at the Bug Catcher.

However all he had left was the Trancell he was carrying on his back.

All Trancell had going for himself was immobility and a hard shell. He had no moves that could be considered attacks.

Despite her words fanning the flames of the battle, Kasumi also realised the truth of the situation.

... This is bad, huh? ... Satoshi may be the one going down here...

Feeling a little responsible, she whispered into Satoshi's ear.

“Do you need me to lend you one of my Pokémon?”

“No I don't!”

Satoshi shouted.

“Ah, okay! In that case, no Pokémon or unsolicited comments from now.”

Kasumi turned away in a huff.

Satoshi placed Trancell down from his back.

“Trancell! From here on, this is your fight!”

“Trancell? Seriously...”

The Bug Catcher cocked his head. He was an expert on bug Pokémon. He was well aware that Trancell had no battle ability. However, he didn't know that Satoshi only had three Pokémon to choose from. On top of that, he'd already had three consecutive losses to Masara Town's prospective trainers.

In those battles, he had also used his pride and joy, Kairos. And still lost. It wouldn't be good for Kairos if it kept on losing. It'd lose its self confidence.

“Return, Kairos!”

The Bug Catcher recalled Kairos to its Monster Ball and regarded Trancell with caution.

Trancell is immobile. But immobility is only one of its features.

... He must be planning something? ...

Satoshi had nothing planned. He just had no other Pokémon.

However the Bug Catcher thought things through. He'd obviously chosen it as his best option to avoid losing. But the opponent can't move... so it can't exactly win either. Trancell's signature ability was hardening itself. If it hardened itself, then Kairos's powerful pair of horns may be ineffective. As far as the Bug Catcher was concerned, Trancell would only amount to being a practice dummy for testing the power of Kairos's horns. But it wouldn't be much use if the practice dummy broke. Just like how a boxer wouldn't be able to practice if they tore their punching bag.

... But why did he choose Trancell? ... Not even I, known as the Bug Catcher, would use a Trancell in battle. ... Just what is he thinking?...

Reaching the conclusion of his line of thought, the Bug Catcher pulled out a Monster Ball.

... I've just got to watch my opponent's move. Alright!...

“I'll also go with Trancell!”

A Trancell appeared from the Bug Catcher's Monster Ball. And appear was all it did of course. It made no noise, it didn't move, it just sat there. It didn't even have a staring contest with Satoshi's Trancell. Its droopy eyes simply blinked once an hour. ... That's right, both Satoshi's and the Bug Catcher's Trancell knew they only blinked once an hour and just sat there. The ones staring each other down were Satoshi and the Bug Catcher. The Trancell had blinked for a third time. Yet still they sat there. Satoshi and the Bug Catcher were still staring each other down. The tension between them could be cut with a knife.

“Stiffening is Trancell's signature ability. Why are you two so stiff? You're such kids...”

Despite these words, Satoshi and the Bug Catcher stubbornly held their ground.

The fed up Kasumi had eaten her lunch, washed her lunch box in a nearby stream and finished reading a Horror Queen novel popular with girls that she had secretly stolen from her sister's bookcase. ... Yes, Kasumi has some older sisters, but let's save the details on that for another time... Anyway, she was halfway through her second novel when she looked up and saw the two Trancell still sitting there.

“Pikachuu...?” ... Is something happening?...

By the time Pikachu woke up feeling fully refreshed, the Trancell were blinking for the seventh time.

The sun was beginning to set.

... Seems we'll be camping again tonight... I shouldn't put up with this...

Kasumi sighed as she looked at Pikachu's face.

Basically, Kasumi was sick and tired of the battle instigated between these two.

Even with no end in sight, she wasn't cruel enough to just leave on her own.

... Besides, I've no idea what kind of bugs will come out after dark, I really don't want to be left alone in this forest...

However, something came out even before it got dark.

That was...

The same sound they had heard this morning.

The sound like a high speed motor...

On top of that, the sound coming from above was much louder than before.

... Hold it, I've got a bad feeling...

Pikachu also raised his tail, taking a cautious posture.

Kasumi looked up above her nervously to find the sky beyond the trees was pitch black...

No, a great mass of something black was blocking out the view.

It was the poison bee Pokémon, Spia.

The poison bee Pokémon hunts at dusk. Their prey were other bug Pokémon. And of course, any obstacle is considered a threat. Their poison stings do not discriminate between human and Pokémon.

Kasumi didn't even have time to let out a scream.

Through the storming noise of the Spia's wings, a faint warning could be heard.

If you were to look in the direction of the warning... you would see Satoshi glaring at the Bug Catcher.

The warning came from the Pokémon Field Guide poking halfway out of Satoshi's pocket.

Kasumi ran out between the two.

Kasumi was boiling with rage. All Pokémon Trainers owned a Pokémon Field Guide.

“Morons, both of you... Come to your senses already!”

It's worth noting that Kasumi also has a Pokémon Field Guide. But she keeps it turned off to preserve the battery life. Despite not really having room to speak, Kasumi spoke up anyway.

However her words didn't reach the ears of Satoshi or the Bug Catcher.

“Hey, hello?”

Taking a closer look, their eyes were closed. They had fallen asleep standing.

Kasumi's anger erupted.

“GOOD MORNING!”

She suddenly knocked them flying.

In this situation, the first to wake up has the advantage. The Bug Catcher wasn't the first to wake, but Satoshi is a well renowned sleepyhead. Additionally, the Bug Catcher is an expert on bugs. The moment he heard the sound of the Spia's wings he grasped the situation, knowing exactly what the Spia were after.

“Trancell, return!”

The Bug Catcher recalled his Trancell to its Monster Ball and shouted to Satoshi and the others.

“Everyone, run!”

“Hurry up and run already!”

“Eh?”

The loud noise and Kasumi's shrill cries finally brought Satoshi to his senses and noticed the mass of Spia making a nose dive.

It was as if there were spears raining from the sky.

The whole sky seemed to be nothing but stingers.

All Satoshi could do was run after the Bug Catcher and Kasumi.

Pikachu had already decided that running was his only option.

Having just woken up, Pikachu saw no reason to launch a counter attack on a danger that could be avoided.

He had no grudge against the Spia. The Spia were merely after their latest meal.

And so, the Spia swarmed around the Trancell left behind by Satoshi.

The Spia don't take any more than they require. They had no interest in pursuing Satoshi and the others who had leapt into a nearby stream.

Their shining poison stings exist as a defence mechanism to protect themselves.

“Ah! My Trancell. Where's my Trancell!?”

Satoshi suddenly shouted, not even wiping the water dripping from his hat out of his face.

The water in the stream woke Satoshi up fully, causing him to remember Trancell.

“You didn't recall it to its Monster Ball?” The Bug Catcher asked Satoshi, more dumbfounded than exasperated.

“I don't really want to confine my Pokémon to their Monster Balls... Besides, Trancell's hard, but he could easily be damaged... If he got cracked open inside the Monster Ball...”

“You fool! There's nowhere safer than the inside of a Monster Ball.”

He had no counterargument.

When under attack from the Onisuzume, he had told Pikachu to enter his Monster Ball for his safety. Satoshi of all people couldn't deny that.

“Trancell never said anything about it.”

More an excuse than an argument.

“That's because Trancell can't speak. But it can hear its master's voice. It'll listen even if it can't answer. That's what a Trancell does.”

The Bug Catcher felt frustration as if he himself had failed.

“I misjudged you.” The Bug Catcher said to Satoshi. His eyes teared up. When it came to bug Pokémon, he cared no matter whose they were.

“When I heard you were from Masara Town, I thought you'd have to be pretty amazing... But you can't even protect your own bug Pokémon... Dammit!”

He punched a tree trunk.

Satoshi couldn't say a word.

... He's right. I didn't know a thing about my own Trancell. The reason I kept him out wasn't to make sure he didn't get cracked...

Satoshi couldn't really blame Kasumi for it.

... It was because Kasumi hates bugs that I kept him out to rub in her face... I hate to say it, but... I can't blame anyone else for this... It was my fault...

“I'm... a worthless idiot.”

He whispered sitting on the bank of the stream.

He wasn't sure whether the drops of wetness on his face was water from the stream or his tears.

Kasumi had no desire to see Satoshi in such a disheartened state.

The average girl may have watched in silence or given a few words of encouragement, but Kasumi was different.

“Can we get Trancell back?”

“Eh...?”

Satoshi lifted his head.

“I wasn't asking you, Satoshi. You know nothing about bug Pokémon. And neither do I.”

Kasumi looked to the Bug Catcher.

“So is there a way to get it back? You're the bug expert.”

“Me?”

“Please. Is there a way for us to get it back?”

“Y... Yeah.”

When a girl asks... please... the Bug Catcher is a boy who simply can't say no...

“Trancell should still be alive. It has a hard shell. I doubt their poison stings could penetrate it. The Spia aren't going to do anything to it immediately. They've probably taken Trancell back to be stored in their hive.”

“Then we can get it back. Now we just need to spend our time coming up with a plan to get past them.”

“We may not have much time. Trancell will evolve soon. It'll be soft the moment after shedding its hard shell. It'll have no weapons or techniques. A Spia could sting it at that moment. The Spia will be waiting for that moment too.”

Satoshi suddenly grabbed the Bug Catcher by his collar.

“Where is it? Where's their hive?”

“It's probably...”

The Bug Catcher pulled out a map. It was a map of the forest.

“Under the largest tree in the forest. Nobody is brave enough to go there though.”

“I'll go!”

Satoshi snatched the map and ran down the path ahead of him.

Kasumi was dumbfounded as she watched Satoshi take off, before speaking to the Bug Catcher.

“Geez, he's so careless... Will he get there with just that map?”

“Probably.”

The Bug Catcher replied readily.

“The largest tree is at the end of this path. By the forest's exit.”

“Hold it, the exit is difficult to approach?”

That seemed odd. People should normally flock to the exit.

As before, the Bug Catcher replied readily.

“It's easy to enter, but difficult to leave. This forest has another name, the forest with no exit.”

“I see, I didn't know that... Wait, what?”

Kasumi felt a shiver down her spine.

Whether or not he understood the conversation between Kasumi and the Bug Catcher, Pikachu had a look of concern on his face as he silently chased after Satoshi.

Twilight was approaching.

Even in the forest, it was abundantly clear when you had spotted the largest tree.

Satoshi quietly assessed the situation from behind a rock.

There was no sign of the Spia. They may have been out searching for more prey. However in their place were something else hanging from the branches. Their numbers were uncountable.

Satoshi pointed the Pokémon Field Guide at them.

... The cocoon Pokémon, Kokoon. It is the chrysalis form of the hairy bug Pokémon Beedle during the transition of its evolution into Spia. They are largely immobile...

It was quite a different shape than Trancell.

... My Trancell... Where is he...

Satoshi's eyes searched between the innumerable Kokoon.

His eyes eventually settled on one spot.

Among the yellow Kokoon, a green Trancell hung from a thread.

The thread likely belonged to Kokoon's previous form, the hairy bug Pokémon, Beedle.

Trancell was looking at the sky with its constantly drowsy eyes resigned to his fate. It was quite clear he was to be a meal for the Kokoon once they evolved into Spia.

Satoshi whispered.

“Trancell, I found you. I'm here to save you.”

Then it happened.

“We found you, boy!”

“We'll get you this time.”

It was the pair from Team Rocket.

Satoshi turned around to see Musashi, Kojirou and lastly Nyarth in front of him.

“Couldn't you have chosen a better time for this?”

“No matter whatever questions you ask” Musashi gave her opening line.

“I'm not listening... So please shut up.”

However, Team Rocket ignored this complaint and kept going anyway.

“the answer you'll receive is the world's pity.” Kojirou continued.

“Please be quiet, the Spia will come back.”

But no matter what, Team Rocket wouldn't stop.

Because I don't want to write out the whole thing again, let's just skip it... After going all the way from “To protect the world from devastation.” to Nyarth's line “That's right.” Musashi spoke up.

“It gets kind of old using the same lines every time.”

“Keeping that in mind, we've managed to scheme a little something.”

Kojirou pulled out a remote control.

When a villain pulls out a remote control at a time like this, you'll typically expect it to launch something.

“What the hell are you doing?” Satoshi panicked.

“We like to make a flashy entrance.” Musashi smiled.

“Team Rocket's grand entrance fireworks, one hundred of Japan's finest!” Kojirou pressed the switch.

Fireworks exploded all around them.

Not that many people are actually going to be able to count a whole hundred fireworks going off. However, Team Rocket really didn't skimp out on a single one. There truly was no less than a hundred fireworks there. And not a single one of them was a dud.

Every single Kokoon fell from the tree.

Little dots began to appear in the evening sky.

It was too early for stars to be out, it was the poison stings of the Spia.

The Spia that had been scattered throughout the forest swarmed in burning with rage.

“Wait a minute. What is that?” Musashi said.

“Two bees or not two bees...” Kojirou spoke nonsense.

“Nyowowow.” Nyarth screamed as the Spia stung him.

The two people and one cat screamed.

“This suuuuuucks!”

Satoshi didn't see Team Rocket again for a little while after this.

Not that they didn't want to show themselves. But having been stung all over by the poison bee Pokémon, Spia, their swollen faces and bodies were not something they were willing to display.

After all, they had always presented themselves as the beautiful Team Rocket, Musashi, Kojirou and Nyarth.

While Team Rocket fell victim to the Spia, Satoshi picked Trancell up from the base of the tree.

Run. Run. The forest's exit is up ahead. He glanced to the side and saw Pikachu running.

“Pikachu, you came for us?”

“Pika...”

“Eh?”

Seemingly not the case, as Pikachu ran right past him.

He was followed in hot pursuit by the Bug Catcher and Kasumi.

They were being pursued by a swarm of Spia.

Satoshi was too slow carrying Trancell.

“Give me a break...”

Right behind Satoshi... the swarm of Spear were there.

The sound of the stingers tearing through the air buzzed on.

He wouldn't escape unless he abandoned Trancell.

It'd be a lie to say that the thought hadn't crossed his mind briefly.

But Satoshi couldn't do that.

Satoshi shouted as he threw off any thoughts of abandonment.

“I'll never abandon you again. I want to be together, to travel together! I caught you! I promise you, Trancell! I'll never leave you behind again!”

Even if the Spia were to sting him and drag him to their hive. He wouldn't abandon Trancell until his dying breath.

That's when it happened. Something changed within Satoshi's arms.

Trancell's shell began to crack.

He was evolving.

The hard shell was gone.

This was Trancell's most vulnerable moment... at least according to the Bug Catcher.

... I can't let the Spia get him... a single sting could...

Satoshi held Trancell close as he ran.

... Hang in there, Trancell... I'll hang in there too...

The sound of the Spia's wings behind them became greater.

... The forest's exit is right there... Come on, Satoshi... Trancell...

Satoshi muttered to himself as he ran.

Though it's an exit, it's the forest's exit. It obviously doesn't have a door. There was nothing keeping the flying Spia from leaving as well. But Satoshi was only focused on the exit for now.

... A little more... Just a little more!...

Then it happened.

The weight in his arms lifted.

“Eh?”

Trancell's weight had vanished.

Satoshi looked in front of himself.

Trancell was not there.

In his place, a butterfly Pokémon, Butterfree, with his wings spread out.

The evolution was complete. From Caterpie to Trancell... and then to Butterfree... Butterfree now leapt from Satoshi's arms.

It was the same moment that Satoshi tumbled out of the forest's exit.

Butterfree flapped his wings, hovering in the path of the swarm of Spia.

His wings flapped gently like a butterfly. However, that gentle flapping formed a surprisingly strong gust of wind.

A few steps beyond the forest's exit, the Bug Catcher caught notice of this wind.

He turned and shouted.

“A Butterfree... And the finest specimen I've ever seen!”

Kasumi also turned around.

“Butterfree?”

Not being particularly knowledgeable about Butterfree, Kasumi couldn't comment on the quality of the specimen. But she could tell it was pretty.

“It's beautiful!”

Kasumi's eyes shone. She may hate bugs, but butterflies were apparently a different story. Additionally, Butterfree's wings glittered in the twilight.

Pikachu was also enraptured by the sight. He had watched a Butterfree in the moonlight with Caterpie just last night, and now Caterpie himself had become one.

“Hey you! The special move!”

The Bug Catcher shouted at Satoshi.

“Special move?” Satoshi mumbled.

“Butterfree's special move!”

The Bug Catcher shouted in frustration.

Butterfree's special move... Come to think of it... He'd heard of it... What was it again?

Even Kasumi knew of Butterfree's special move.

It was a well known move.

Kasumi, the Bug Catcher and Satoshi shouted simultaneously.

“Sleep powder!”

In response to the three voices, Butterfree scattered silver powder around from his wings.

The Spia fell. And fell. They fell asleep under the influence of the silver powder.

Eventually the sun set and the whole forest was silent as if it slept.

This may be a superfluous point to bring up, now as the Spia slept it was impossible to tell whether the heavily stung members of Team Rocket were still alive or not. It may be that we never hear from Team Rocket ever again.

“You really helped us out back there.”

Satoshi spoke to the Bug Catcher as he scratched his head awkwardly.

“Not at all... It was all your own effort...”

The Bug Catcher shook his head.

“Eh?” Satoshi asked taken aback.

“A Pokémon will only listen to its master's orders. That sleep powder of Butterfree's was your doing. It's quite hard for a newly evolved Butterfree to pull off that move so flawlessly.”

“Is that so?” Satoshi asked bashfully.

“It's clear how well you cared for your Butterfree as a Trancell... Quite clear indeed. It wouldn't have been able to follow your orders so smoothly otherwise.”

Satoshi's embarrassment was building heavily. So he tried to deflect it.

“There's plenty of Pokémon who won't listen to their trainers as well...”

Satoshi looked at Pikachu as he said this.

Pikachu noticed he was being talked about and turned away in a huff.

“Anyway, this has been a good experience.”

The Bug Catcher extended a hand.

“Eh?”

“The handshake I shook off earlier.”

“Ah.”

The two of them firmly shook hands.

“I'm going to train in this forest a little longer. I may find some bug Pokémon even more amazing than yours.” The Bug Catcher smiled at Satoshi.

“You sure love bugs.” Satoshi replied.

“That's why they call me the Bug Catcher.” The Bug Catcher stated matter of factly.

“Yeah... You're right... It suits you.” Satoshi laughed.

He was glad that he was able to befriend the first aspiring Trainer he met after leaving Masara Town.

They said their goodbyes, and Satoshi felt rather satisfied as they watched the Bug Catcher head back into the forest.

“Hold it, Satoshi.”

... Oh yeah, there's another Pokémon Trainer here...

“Don't get carried away.”

Kasumi spoke pushily with her arms folded.

“What?” Satoshi responded curtly.

“What about Butterfree? Just gonna let him flutter free?”

Butterfree had just been flying about until now.

“Oh, right.”

Satoshi pulled out an empty Monster Ball.

He'd wanted to pick out an especially nice Monster Ball for Butterfree, but really they were all the same.

“Butterfree, return!”

Butterfree leapt into the Monster Ball as if he'd been waiting for it.

“This is good... And slightly belated, but I got Butterfree... Kidding... Heh.”

Satoshi nodded to himself.

“Geez, you're hopeless...”

Though she was badmouthing him... Kasumi thought to herself.

... This kid... He really does... love Pokémon...

Things weren't so bad.

“Pikachu.”

Pikachu mixed a sigh with his cry.

Things weren't too bad at all.

Beyond the forest, a new city awaited.

Its name was Nibi City... A city with a Pokémon Gym.

Masara Town... Satoshi's mother, Hanako, was closing up shop at 11:00 PM.

Her son who had left on a trip to become a Pokémon Trainer had been a hot topic among her customers.

“Satoshi-kun is doing his best out there, huh?”

One customer had said.

“Your son also left to become a Pokémon Trainer, didn't he?”

Hanako replied.

“Yeah, he left the same day as your boy.”

This customer also had a ten year old son.

“My grandson is out there too.”

Professor Ookido muttered in the corner.

He was referring to Shigeru.

Hanako spoke brightly.

“Anyway, four kids left Masara Town on a journey that day. I'm glad for them.”

“I ain't.”

A middle aged man at the end of the table spoke up, he was eating the onion soup Hanako held pride in.

“Our kid ain't on a journey.”

Everyone in the shop looked at the man.

“Our kid is a runaway. No idea why but he just didn't want to stay in the house.”

On the same day as Satoshi, three other boys also left Masara Town.

Each of those children with their own reasons.

Clap!

Hanako clapped her hands together.

“Anyway, we should be happy for the kids on their journeys! Everyone, cheers! It's all on the house tonight!”

Normally, you'd expect to bring out the booze at this point, but Hanako was different. She didn't want her customers going home drunk and getting into fights with their wives. And so what she served to her customers before they left was cocoa au lait... Chocolate mixed with milk.

When the customers left, Hanako cleaned out their cups, locked the shop, went upstairs to her bedroom, changed into her pajamas and noticed the blinking light on the answering machine by her bedside.

Hanako pressed the button.

Satoshi's voice played.

“Mom... I made it through Tokiwa Forest. Next is Nibi City... Mom, I'm sure you're busy, so I'll leave it at that. I'll contact you again later when I've got time.”

... Call any time you're free... And if I'm free, I'll be sure to answer...

Hanako was pleased.

She was able to sleep peacefully tonight.

... So, Nibi City...

Hanako whispered.

Hanako's husband... That's Satoshi's father, and Hanako's father, that's Satoshi's grandpa, had never made any contact.

“All I wanted... was to be contacted...”

Hanako whispered.

The kinds of children who become Pokémon Trainers are highly varied.

And the reasons for which they become Pokémon Trainers are also varied.

The story from here on is about the meetings and partings of these children and their encounters with the mysterious lifeforms known as Pokémon.

To be continued in Pocket Monsters: The Animation Vol. 2

Note #1) Here I provide a fairly pointless afterword.

As this work is a novel, there are a number of ways in which it is different to the anime.

However, the anguished catch phrase of Team Rocket “This suuuuuucks!” wasn't actually planned, but rather an off the cuff ad lib in the studio by actors Megumi Hayashibara, Shinichirou Miki and Inuko Inuyama when Team Rocket made their woeful exit.

And so with Team Rocket, despite my reluctance, I've included this line in the novel in order to be true to their characters.

I wish Team Rocket all the best in the future, I feel sorry for them and offer them my gratitude.

... The Author

The outskirts of the forest...

Looking down from the top of a hill, the lights of Nibi City were spread out before Satoshi, Kasumi and Pikachu.

Satoshi thought back on how long it had been since he had set out from his home in Masara Town.

It felt like just yesterday, but also like an eternity.

So much had happened.

The ten year old Satoshi felt as if in each third of his journey he had experienced about three years and three months worth of events.

But adding it up on his fingers, it was indeed only three days.

... Three days! I've been with this stupid little boy for the past three days...

The world's greatest beauty... self proclaimed of course, Kasumi, let out a sigh.

Through certain circumstances, this was the first time she'd spent so long with a boy, her schooling hadn't been co-ed.

In fact, she had never spent more than half an hour alone with a member of the opposite sex before.

And even that thirty minutes had been in third grade when she called out a boy who had been picking on a girl she was friends with to meet her behind the gymnasium so she could voice her grievances against him and maybe inflict a few injuries too, so it's not like she's ever been on a date or anything.

Of course, if she met a real dreamboat, she wouldn't mind spending an hour, two hours or even the whole day with him.

She'd dreamed of such a thing. Or rather, she was always dreaming about it.

However, Satoshi was nothing like the men she dreamed of.

He'd be cooler... For example, on a sinking luxury ship, he would hold his girl close and protect her until the end... He'd save me even if it costs his own life... He'd be nothing at all like Satoshi.

But Satoshi was who she was stuck with.

Maybe all this is a dream... Kasumi rubbed her eyes. ... Not a dream... And if it was... having Satoshi be the first boy she ever spent a full day with... it'd be... almost too much to bear. A complete nightmare...

“Pika...”

Pikachu made a noise by her feet.

Pikachu was in awe of Nibi City's lights.

As an electric mouse, Pikachu loved the lights at night.

He liked the moon too. And the stars as well.

But as an electric mouse, he really loved electric lights.

Kasumi cheered up a little seeing Pikachu there.

... That's right. Pikachu is here. Pikachu has been here the whole time. ... Which means I haven't been alone with Satoshi. ... Which means, the dream is still alive...

“Wahaha!”

Having blown away the feeling of living in a nightmare, Kasumi let out a great laugh.

... What? Why the sudden “Wahaha” laugh? ... Satoshi was taken off guard by Kasumi's incomprehensible laughter, but as he looked down upon Nibi City, he let out a jolly “Wahaha” himself.

Pikachu also let out a “Pippikapii”.

They were all exhausted, but it didn't feel bad either.

So..

Wow, still a lot of words here.

But I'm used to it this time.

That's right.

This book is neither a game nor an anime.

It's Pocket Monsters in written form.

You may even consider it to be a Pocket Monsters novel.

As such...

The number of kanji may be intimidating.

But you've gotta learn to read kanji sooner or later.

And it's better to learn it here than at school or cram school or from a textbook.

I'm sure you can do it..

After all, if you can remember all the difficult names of dozens of Pocket Monsters, then the kanji in this book should be a breeze.

And if there are any kanji you don't understand, you can go ask an adult.

Your mom, your dad or your teacher at school...

Well, I say to ask them, but there's a surprising number of adults who don't recognise certain kanji.

Or rather, don't remember certain kanji.

If this happens, tell them to get a dictionary.

And not just a Japanese dictionary, but a Japanese-Chinese dictionary... a dictionary that outlines the pronunciation and meaning of the kanji.

They may just learn something.

A lot of adults don't remember how to use a dictionary.

You who can't read kanji and the adult who can't remember.

Neither of you can be considered at fault.

But isn't forgetting something more embarrassing than having never known in the first place?

Even so...

Though there are people who speak badly of adults who get caught up in anime, manga and games, nobody speaks badly of adults who need a dictionary to read kanji.

So don't hesitate to ask an adult how to read kanji.

To be honest, you don't have time to waste worrying about not knowing how to read a kanji.

That's because...

This book contains words other than kanji you probably don't know.

These words won't appear in a Japanese dictionary, a Japanese-Chinese dictionary or any other language dictionary.

This is because they are words that are only used by people within the world of Pocket Monsters.

For example...

The phrase “Pokémon Trainer”.

If you try to look it up in a dictionary you get from the bookshop or library, it probably won't be in there.

But in the world of Pocket Monsters, you'd find it written in any dictionary.

Take a look, it's clearly written there in the dictionary on the bookshelf in the aspiring Pokémon Trainer Satoshi's room.

A Pokémon Trainer is...

“Someone who trains Pokémon. There are various rules and methods to becoming a Pokémon Trainer, but typically they will catch wild Pokémon using Monster Balls and raise them to become stronger. In recent years, it has also become popular for trainers to exchange (trade) Pokémon among each other.

The greatest trial to become an officially recognised Pokémon Trainer is to participate in the regional Pokémon League tournament, which requires challenging and defeating the official regional Pokémon Gyms and gathering eight of their badges as proof.”

And now, Satoshi continues his journey in pursuit of this goal.

Sightseeing guide... Nibi City

It's not certain where the name for Nibi City came from.

However, the surrounding region has a number of towns with colour themed naming, so the prevailing theory is that Nibi City was also named with colour in mind.

Not many would know of the colour nibi... but it's defined in the dictionary.

The term nibi colour is fairly old fashioned. In English you would call it pewter... a dark grey colour. A dull colour. In other words, the colour of an average rock or boulder.

Since olden times, Nibi City has been well known for its stone.

In the past, stone was commonly used as a material to build buildings, monuments and graves.

Beautiful stone like marble in particular was used to build important government buildings, rich people's bathtubs or statues of famous people. Long ago, Nibi City was a bustling metropolis filled with marble, back then it was called Marble City.

The colour of marble is a patterned light ashen grey, not a light yellow or light pink, not even a chocolatey brown.

However the mines ran out of marble, and not long after the name Marble City faded away.

Eventually, other types of stone were also replaced by concrete and synthetic materials.

Nowadays, stone is only really used for either gravestones or to weigh down tsukemono pickles.

Nibi City is no longer the bustling place it once was.

The majority of young people, not liking pickles and not keen on dealing in graves, moved out of the town, leaving behind a population of old miners. With few visitors, the sparsity of the town's population led to it rusting over, they may end up changing the name to Spar City soon enough. ... That's what the tourism guides have to say about Nibi City, but last year's revised guidebooks have a new addition.

Fossils of ancient lifeforms were found in the old stone mines.

The fossil was named the Nibisaurus.

When it was discovered, hoping it would become a tourist attraction the mayor and city hall used the budget allocated for a retirement home to build a science museum focused on ancient lifeforms.

The Nibisaurus alone wasn't enough for a whole museum, so they borrowed extra fossils from other nearby museums, leading to biology experts from nearby universities gathering to work as researchers at the museum.

However the result of the experts investigation brought about an unexpected truth.

The Nibisaurus used as the centrepiece was actually a fragment of an Omanyte, an ancient Pokémon with many other fossils on record. ... The discovered Omanyte fossil was of a malnourished specimen, thus its emaciated form was mistaken for something else.

Nibi City council, having already built the science museum and having no reason to put the museum's researchers out of a job, eventually settled on having it open to the public only on weekends.

Unfortunately, with the museum's only attraction being an Omanyte fossil, it brings very little in the way of tourism, the day it becomes Spar City may not be far off.

After entering Nibi City, Satoshi and Kasumi went towards the Pokémon Center.

In addition to being Pokémon hospitals, Pokémon Centers also acted as hotels for aspiring Pokémon Trainers on their journeys.

If you show your Pokémon Field Guide in place of your ID, you can stay free of charge.

“You're here. I've been expecting you.”

The female doctor at the Pokémon Center smiled at Satoshi and the others as they entered. She was the doctor who had received the Monster Balls transferred to Nibi City when the Tokiwa City Pokémon Center was under attack from Team Rocket.

“Ah...”

Satoshi's eyes widened when he saw her face.

She looked identical to the doctor in Tokiwa City.

The doctor nodded, taking Satoshi's surprise in stride.

“We look identical, don't we? Myself and Tokiwa City's Joy. She's my younger sister... My name is also Joy.”

Used to staying at Pokémon Centers, Kasumi spoke as she signed her name on the register of people staying the night.

“Most doctors at Pokémon Centers are named Joy.”

“That's right, we're all related. ... It can get a little confusing, so you can call me the most beautiful of the Joys.”

“Fufu.”

Kasumi laughed.

“What's so funny?” Joy asked her.

“Every city's Joy-san says that.”

“Oh my... How self centred of them.”

Joy and Kasumi both shrugged.

Satoshi slapped his hands as he spoke.

“Oh yeah. I just remembered, Kasumi referred to herself as the world's greatest beauty earlier...”

“Oh, is that so?” Joy said.

Though he probably should have dropped it, Satoshi answered anyway.

“What a joke. It's hilarious. I mean who'd consider Kasumi as beautiful anyway... Seriously.”

“What was that!?”

To stop Kasumi from completely exploding at Satoshi, Joy stepped in with more to say.

“Anyway, thank you both for helping my little sister. It's due to your efforts that all the Center's Pokémon are safe. I'm sure your Pokémon are tired by now. I'll be glad to take them for you.”

Kasumi nodded when her Pokémon were brought up.”

“Oh yeah. Right. We need to revitalise our Pokémon...”

Restoring the vitality of Pokémon tired out from battle was one of the Pokémon Center's important functions.

“You're right. I'll be challenging the Nibi City Gym tomorrow. I can't go wasting my time with Kasumi.”

Satoshi removed two Monster Balls from his belt, and handed them to Joy.

They were the Monster Balls containing the Pidgeon and Butterfree he got in Tokiwa Forest.

“As if I actually want to spend time with you!”

Kasumi's short cut hair stood on end as she handed her Monster Balls to Joy.

“Bleh! I've got three of them.”

One more than Satoshi had.

“Counting Pikachu, I have three too. Right, Pikachu?”

No answer came from Pikachu.

“Huh? Pikachu! Where'd you go?”

“Oh, the Pikachu that was with you...”

Joy began speaking.

“He's already resting.”

Further inside the Center, there was in an incubator like a baby's cot.

Pikachu was sleeping in it.

Pikachu are typically nocturnal.

So they usually become active at night.

But in a safe place, there's no reason not to sleep at night.

If a Pikachu has to deal with creatures like humans who sleep at night, it's better to just sleep at night if there's a safe place to do so.

Besides, Satoshi was planning to challenge the Pokémon Gym tomorrow morning.

The sooner he rests away his fatigue the better.

That said, it's hard to say whether Pikachu was actually aware of tomorrow's battle.

But Pikachu was sound asleep.

Almost as if he could sense tomorrow's battle approaching.

Oversleeping was practically Satoshi's special ability, but he woke up on time for once.

He woke up immediately as the Triple Bird Pokémon Dodrio began crowing to announce daybreak.

Without eating breakfast, he picked up the still sleeping Pikachu from his cot and dashed from the Pokémon Center.

And spent the next three hours lined up outside the gym until it opened.

Although it's not really a line if he's the only one there.

According to the map in the Pokémon Center, the Nibi City Pokémon Gym was in a backstreet on the city's outskirts.

Although Nibi City was known as a city of stone, the gym was a wooden building that looked ready to collapse... it had some resemblance to a school gymnasium.

Looking at the entryway outside the gate straight on, Satoshi began to lean slightly.

It wasn't an issue with Satoshi's ability to stand straight, the building itself was slanted like a rhombus.

Looking closely, the wall was patched up with plywood in a few places.

There were even a few spots under the eaves where the rain and wind wouldn't get that were patched with cardboard or plastic garbage bags. ... Is this really a Pokémon Gym?...

No matter how many times Satoshi rubbed his eyes, the sign... for some reason, the sign alone was impressively large and made of marble, had the words “Commemorating 100 years... Nibi City Gym” carved into it. Underneath it said it was open all year round. Business hours were from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. From 12:00 to 1:00 it was closed for lunch... There was an additional break from 3:00 to 4:00 for tea... All that was written on the sign.

It seems the place was undeniably a Pokémon Gym.

However, even one hour from opening time, Satoshi was still the only one waiting.

... I'm the only one here...

Pikachu was dozing by Satoshi's feet.

... You gotta be kidding me...

Having come to challenge a Pokémon Gym for the first time, it was somewhat of an anticlimax for Satoshi.

In his hometown of Masara Town, any time something related to Pokémon was released, like new goods at the supermarket or a new video at the video rental store, there was always a huge line of kids.

The word Pokémon was practically synonymous with having to line up as far as Satoshi was concerned.

... Maybe they're not open today...

The next thing he knew, he could smell delicious miso soup. ... I'm starving... I should've eaten breakfast before leaving the Pokémon Center...

I wonder if there's a convenience store where I can buy some onigiri nearby...

But there doesn't appear to be anywhere like that nearby. ... And if I wandered off to buy something, the line might build up while I'm gone...

While he floundered about such matters, opening time grew closer.

Yet nobody lined up behind Satoshi.

Just before opening time arrived, he heard a voice shout from behind him.

“Aah! There you are! Don't think you'll escape me!”

It was Kasumi.

“Escape? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, so you weren't running away then.”

Satoshi was indeed responsible for taking Kasumi's bike without permission and reducing it to scrap.

Kasumi had tearfully left the remains of her bike at a dump in Tokiwa City.

“I never run from anything... I'm the man aiming to be the ultimate trainer.”

“You're speaking nonsense. Any kid can become a Pokémon Trainer. And that has nothing to do with my bike... You weren't in the Pokémon Center's cafeteria this morning, so I figured you were trying to skip out on paying me back for my bike and ran off.”

... Morning... Cafeteria?... Hearing those words made Satoshi's stomach growl.

“What did you eat?”

“Eh?”

“Breakfast, what did you eat?”

“Toast... With lots of strawberry jam.”

“Lots of jam.”

Satoshi's mind wandered.

“It's not particularly well known, but this city grows really good ishigaki strawberries. Joy-san recommended them.”

“Pikachu...”

Having been asleep until now, Pikachu was now awake and making noise.

“What did you eat next?”

Satoshi asked, with an expression almost as if he was going to eat Kasumi's thoughts.

“Ｓｃｒａｍｂｌｅｄ　ｅｇｇｓ.　Ａｎｄ　ｃａｆｅ　ａｕ　ｌａｉｔ...　Ｓｕｇａｒｌｅｓｓ.”

“What language is that!?”

“Oh, you don't know? What language do you think it is, they're fairly common menu items... I guess Masara Town really is out in the boonies... Oh, that smells nice.”

Kasumi noticed the scent wafting from the gym.

“Miso soup… Goes well with rice for breakfast. Especially miso soup with tofu and pickled seaweed and cucumbers.”

“Silence!”

Having skipped breakfast, Satoshi would settle for western food, Japanese food, Chinese food or even cat food. (Rice with katsuobushi bonito flakes... cats love that stuff.)

And so “Tofu sounds good, but I think I'll fry some sprouts in oil today... A little wakegi (a type of scallion)...”

A young man, the one speaking, suddenly came between Satoshi and Kasumi.

“The miso stock goes well with dried sardines.. Today's tsukemono should be picked eggplant extract... Going by today's weather, they shouldn't be pickled longer than twelve hours or else they'll go sour.”

Though I say young man... he had thick eyebrows and traces of facial hair... Which made him practically a full grown adult compared to the ten year old Satoshi.

But if not for the facial hair, you may not have even realised he was male.

He wore an apron with a heart mark on it and carried a broom which he used to sweep outside the gate.

It seems he was connected to the Nibi Gym.

“Uh...”

Satoshi spoke up.

“Oh, cucumber tsukemono would take a bit longer, but it should be fine.”

“Thanks...” Kasumi instinctively thanked the man for the lesson on tsukemono.

“So pops...”

Satoshi wanted to ask about the Nibi Gym.

“Don't call me pops!”

The man said with a tense expression.

“I'm still only fifteen... By the way, miss...”

The man in the apron smiled at Kasumi.

“May I ask your age? Ah, is it impolite of me to ask a lady's age?”

He ignored Satoshi entirely.

“Eh? ... It's fine... I'm already an adult. I'm ten years old.” Kasumi answered.

“Another eight years and things could really get interesting... I'd be twenty three. You'd be eighteen. Uh huh.”

The man nodded with a serious expression.

The significance of being eight years wasn't quite apparent... but speaking of eighteen year olds... Satoshi recalled that was the same age his mother Hanako got married.

Kasumi answered the man with no knowledge of this fact.

“Huh... I suppose I will be eighteen eight years from now.” Kasumi said.

“I'll be eighteen too.” Satoshi added without thinking.

“I didn't ask you.”

The man went back to ignoring Satoshi and spoke to Kasumi.

“My name is Takeshi... Takeshi of Nibi City's Nibi Gym. You may call me Takeshi-kun... actually, as long as it's you, I don't mind if you just go with Takeshi.”

“Takeshi-san!”

Using neither -kun or dropping formalities entirely, Satoshi addressed him with a -san.

“Hm? What is it, kid?”

Takeshi looked at Satoshi almost as if he hadn't noticed him until now.

“I... came to get Nibi Gym's badge! I'd like to meet the gym leader.”

“You've got guts kid... You're planning to challenge a gym leader just like that?”

Takeshi shrugged as he spoke.

“Normally before challenging a gym leader, you need to have some practice matches with the gym's members to warm up.”

“I've got Pikachu. We won't lose.”

“Pika?”

Having heard his name mentioned, Pikachu turned his head.

Kasumi shook her head in exasperation.

“You sure you wanna do this? ... Gym leaders are a lot stronger than your average trainer.”

“I'm aiming to become the ultimate trainer. I can't go putting things off before I get my first badge.”

Kasumi's jaw dropped.

... Isn't he getting a little too carried away here?...

“If you can't stand putting things off, how about you reimburse me for my bike?”

Kasumi said coldly.

“I've gotta beat the Nibi Gym's trainers first.”

“Fine, but don't expect any help from me.”

“I didn't want your help anyway.” Satoshi said indifferently.

... Why you...

Kasumi swung a fist in anger.

“You should!”

It didn't matter either way... Satoshi thought.

“Even if you offered help... it wouldn't be anything useful.”

... How dare he...

In both the Tokiwa City Pokémon Center and Tokiwa Forest, Kasumi had done her best to offer support to Satoshi.

If he doesn't appreciate it then he's not a young man at all... He's a brat. A twerp. A blockhead. A screwball.

“Fine, whatever...”

Ignoring Satoshi, Kasumi spoke to Takeshi.

“Um, you were Nibi Gym's...”

She had forgotten his name.

“It's Takeshi.” Takeshi replied without a moment's delay.

“Ah... Takeshi-san. Please take this screwball kid to see your leader... so that he can be utterly crushed to pieces...”

Takeshi spoke as he continued sweeping outside the gate with his broom.

“Miss. I have no idea about your relationship with this boy, but when a girl deals with a boy, no matter how weird, unpleasant, charmless, bratty or screwballish...”

Satoshi became increasingly angry.

Continuing to sweep, Takeshi spoke with almost a whisper.

“Treat him with kindness. It's a losing battle for this twerp. Don't let him go through with this. No matter how horrible this child is, you shouldn't push him against the inevitable. That is the role of a girl. That is the role of kindness. Kindness becomes you well, miss... at least in my humble opinion.”

His lines were kinda cool.

Kasumi got caught up in them and whispered back.

“I am indeed a girl. Yet, still only ten years old... Do you really seek a mature kindness from me?”

Kasumi's answer came in a monotone like an amateur voice actress reading straight off the script of an anime.

It seemed she thought the whispering made it sound cool.

Takeshi and Kasumi were lost in a world of their own.

“Cut it out already... You're pissing me off...”

Satoshi suddenly began shouting at the gym beyond the gate.

“I'm Satoshi of Masara Town. I'm a man aiming to become the ultimate trainer... With my ultimate partners, Pikachu... Butterfree... and Pidgeon, I challenge the Nibi Gym! My name is Satoshi of Masara Town... You hear me? Nibi Gym leader!”

Takeshi stopped sweeping in front of the gate.

“Masara Town...? Did you just say Masara Town?”

“Yeah, I'm Satoshi of Masara Town.” Satoshi answered.

“I didn't ask for your name. But you're from Masara Town.” Takeshi spoke in a low voice.

“That's right. I'm Masara Town's fourth batter... Satoshi, the cleanup hitter.”

“Fourth batter?” Takeshi asked back.

“That's right. Four days ago, four guys left Masara Town on a journey. And the strongest of them is me, Satoshi!”

Not that I've got the confidence to back my words up, but Kasumi and Takeshi have spouted crap too. It's only fair I get to talk myself up a bit... Satoshi thought to himself.

What's going on?... Pikachu thought as he stared blankly.

The three humans seem to be enjoying their chat.

However, Pikachu, still feeling hungry, had a bad feeling about the upcoming battle.

“You said Masara Town.”

Takeshi said once more.

Upon those words, Pikachu took a defensive stance.

He had felt something frightening about Takeshi since the moment they met.

However his words just now had surpassed frightening and gone straight into dangerous.

As long as you don't provoke something frightening, nothing will happen.

However something dangerous can be set off by anything, and it'll pursue you if you attempt an escape.

Pikachu felt danger in Takeshi's words.

“We've just had three trainers pass through... All from Masara Town.”

“Eh?”

Satoshi gulped.

“The first guy's Pokémon was ridiculously fast. It was tough trying to slow him down.”

I wonder who that was... Satoshi thought about the other kids who left Masara Town the same day he did.

Before he could figure out who it was, Takeshi continued speaking.

“The second guy's Pokémon were cautious and firm.”

Who could that be?

“The third guy, was downright gaudy. He had a cheerleader squad following him around. The cheerleaders were all girls I'd have a good time with in another eight, wait no, three years.”

Takeshi said keenly.

Satoshi had a pretty good idea who the third guy was. ... A guy walking around with his personal cheer squad... It had to be Shigeru.

Satoshi decided to ask Takeshi.

“So how did he do?”

“He wasn't just all talk. His Pokémon were fast, firm and above all, powerful.”

... They're all way ahead of me... Satoshi panicked. He wanted to ask Takeshi.

... Did they all get the badge?...

But before he could ask, Takeshi spoke to him.

“And you, number four, are the toughest of them all?”

“Eh? ... Me?”

When asked directly, he had to maintain his pride.

“Of course. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, you always save the best dish for last. I'm Masara Town's cleanup hitter.”

Takeshi nodded.

“Then I guess the Nibi Gym leader will have to take you on after all.”

“I can meet him?”

Satoshi shouted.

“You've already met him.”

“Huh?”

Satoshi and Kasumi both stared at Takeshi in bewilderment.

Takeshi tossed away his broom and removed his apron.

Takeshi stood there in his pajamas.

“I am the Nibi Gym leader, Takeshi.”

“You...”

“You're...” Satoshi and Kasumi stared at Takeshi wide eyed.

And then a small girl came running out.

She looked to be about three or four years old.

“Big bro. Aren't you having any more miso soup?”

“There's still some miso soup left...?”

Takeshi asked the little girl.

“Yeah. About half a bowl... It's not much... But everyone thinks you should have it.”

Takeshi spoke to the little girl.

“Thanks. But you can split the miso soup amongst yourselves. Big bro has to have a gym battle.”

“Gym battle?” The little girl asked back.

Takeshi looked at Satoshi as he spoke to the little girl.

“This person is a challenger from Masara Town. I need to accept his challenge.”

“Masara Town?”

The little girl furrowed her brow slightly.

The little girl wandered over in front of Satoshi.

“You're from Masara Town?”

“Yeah.”

Satoshi answered.

The next thing he knew, his knee was in pain.

“Owowow!”

The little girl had kicked Satoshi in the leg.

And then the little girl glared at Satoshi as she spoke.

“You won't get off so easy when my big bro crushes you.”

“What's her problem?”

Takeshi held the little girl back.

“She's my little sister. Sorry. She's lacking in manners... Anyway, come on inside.”

Takeshi picked up the little girl and vanished through the gym's back entrance.

“I'm opening the main entrance now...”

Takeshi's voice came from inside the gym.

Gogogogo...

The gym's entrance opened with a rumble.

Despite only being made of wood, the sound of the doorway opening was exaggerated like a stone gate opening.

That wasn't the only thing over the top.

Inside the building was as large as the schoolyard back at the school Satoshi attended in Masara Town.

On the ceiling were lamps lined up like the lighting in a TV studio, lighting up one by one.

It was a lot larger than it had seemed from outside.

It really was like a gymnasium.

Though there were a few spots where the walls were crumbling and repairs weren't exactly thorough.

More importantly, the building had no floor.

Just the pure earth ground with a few boulders scattered around.

“This is where we're battling?”

Satoshi faltered slightly.

The only Pokémon Satoshi had were Pikachu, Pidgeon and Butterfree.

None of them were impressively large Pokémon.

On such a large ground, Satoshi felt just running around could tire them out.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to wash up after breakfast. It'd be nice if we could afford an automatic dishwasher...”

Takeshi appeared atop a particularly large boulder wearing his combat gear.

He may have been speaking of domestic matters, his expression was serious, without a hint of a smile.

“I'll introduce myself again. I am Takeshi of Nibi City's official Pokémon Gym.”

It hadn't really been noticeable when he was wearing the apron earlier, but he was tall with a solid physique.

He had thick eyebrows and narrow eyes, when Satoshi got a decent view of the look in his eyes... he felt as if he wasn't a Pokémon Gym leader, he would be a man who would participate in human martial arts like boxing or wrestling.

“Man, he looks tough~”

Satoshi whispered, prompting Kasumi to say “What, scared already? You're not fighting him yourself. It's a Pokémon battle.”

“I know that.”

Satoshi said as he looked up at Takeshi on the boulder.

“I'll reintroduce myself too. I'm Satoshi of Masara Town.”

“The other three from Masara Town said the same thing, but I'm assuming this is your first gym battle?”

“Huh? I've got experience battling with a trainer training in the forest as well as Team Rocket.” Satoshi stated proudly. Takeshi shrugged.

“Gym matches are different from battles with amateurs or thugs. It's an official match endorsed by the government's Ministry of Education, Sports, Science and Technology, Agency of Cultural Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Finance, the pre-merger Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Pokémon Scientific Community and the International Pokémon Trainer's Association.”

“Sounds complicated.” Satoshi said, as even Kasumi who was far more knowledgeable about Pokémon than him, tilted her head.

“Guess that's what it means to be official. ... The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is one thing, but why do you need endorsement from the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of International Trade and Industry?”

“Dunno.” Takeshi answered swiftly.

“Anyway, there's a whole lot of qualifications and approvals which may sound pretentious at first. While it's only natural to expect your Pokémon's injuries to require medical treatment, in the off chance a trainer is injured, our insurance policy will cover any doctor's fees or hospital charges. It's something to be thankful for. In exchange, the match has established rules.”

“Sounds like a pain in the ass.”

“Even if you're Masara Town's best Pokémon user, if you've never challenged a gym before, you're no different to a beginner. A beginner may use up to two Pokémon... They're permitted to battle freely anywhere on the battleground within this room.”

“If they can battle anywhere...” Satoshi asked.

“What?”

“Can't we make the battleground a little smaller?”

“Different city's gyms have their own characteristics. Conquering all the different circumstances is what qualifies you as a Pokémon Trainer. This is a city of stone. Which means you must battle in a world of stone. Now, have you chosen your two Pokémon?”

Satoshi was troubled. He only had three Pokémon to begin with.

Butterfree only evolved from Trancell yesterday... I better use something more familiar with itself, Satoshi thought.

“My Pokémon are Pikachu and Pidgeon.”

Takeshi spoke looking down at Pikachu.

“How long have you trained with that Pikachu?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Pokémon normally stay inside their Monster Balls. Doesn't it listen to you?”

“You're wrong. I just like being casual with my Pokémon.”

“Sure, whatever you say.” Kasumi said exasperated.

Takeshi then told Satoshi “If you like keeping it casual, then give up on the match. Pikachu is a cute Pokémon. But it's hardly powerful. It's more suited to life as a pet running around the palm of your hand.”

“Come on, as if he'd fit in the palm of my hand!”

Indeed, at around 40 centimetres, Pikachu was small enough to carry in your arms, but not small enough to sit on your hand.

Takeshi's lips curled into a slight grin.

“You should take care of cute things... that's all I'm saying.”

“Don't underestimate my Pikachu. If you do, you're in for a shock.” Satoshi said full of vitriol.

Lame! Kasumi was disappointed by Satoshi's line. Satoshi had no intention of making a joke though, his expression was serious. Which only made him lamer!

Takeshi gave a silent nod.

“If you insist then. As a gym trainer, I must accept all challengers.”

Takeshi leapt down from his boulder.

“There's no time limit! Let the match begin!”

At that moment, the audience seating was filled with children. The eldest boy wasn't much younger than Takeshi and the youngest was the three or four year old girl who had kicked Satoshi earlier, Kasumi was unable to count them all on her fingers. There had to be roughly twenty of them.

All of them wore aprons.

The boy shouted.

“Big bro. I'm not sure no time limit is a good idea, we need to watch the power bill.”

“I know. Has the laundry been done yet? Don't go beyond a double rinse, okay? We can't afford to waste any extra water.” Takeshi answered.

What the heck... this is supposed... to be a battle...

Satoshi deflated slightly.

The boy shouted.

“By the way, big bro. Don't let your guard down or you'll lose the way you did against the other three!”

“I know!”

Hold it? ... The other three?

“Just a minute.” Satoshi said to Takeshi.

“The other three, the three from Masara Town... you lost against them?”

Takeshi bit his lip.

“You're all from the same town. You'd hear about it sooner or later whether I tell you or not. I did indeed fail against them. Knowing my first opponent was from way out in the boonies, I made the mistake of going easy on him and used a weak Pokémon. The second one dragged his match out for a while and I started getting concerned about our power bill, so I got a bit flustered and tried to end things quickly. The group of cheerleaders with the third guy drew my attention and the next thing I knew I'd lost.” ... The guy with the cheerleaders had to be Shigeru.

“But if I have four consecutive losses against kids from the same town, the Nibi Gym's reputation will be damaged. Even if the power gets cut during the match. This time I won't lose. If I'm worried about our power bill, it'd only drag out the match anyway. And fortunately, the girl with you is still a bit immature to take my interest.”

Kasumi suddenly took notice of having been mentioned...

... He's calling me too immature...?

Ngh!

“Satoshi, beat the crap out that old man!”

She shouted as if giving an order.

Takeshi shook his head.

“Not gonna happen. I'll be using my strongest Pokémon right from the start this time.”

Takeshi pulled out a Monster Ball.

“I'll finish off your electric rat... within 30 seconds.”

“Pika?”

Pikachu's expression became irritated by Takeshi's words.

He may not be well versed in human words, but he could somehow tell that he was being dissed.

“My Pikachu can last longer than a TV commercial. As if he'll lose! Go! Pikachu.”

Pikachu, stretched out his shoulders in a way that seemed to say... let's get this over with... stepped forward.

Takeshi briefly gave Pikachu a kind look...

“I hate to pick on the weak, but the gym's reputation is at stake. It's for my family's sake... forgive me.”

Then he threw his Monster Ball.

“Go! Rock snake Pokémon... Iwark.”

Takeshi's Monster Ball opened with a flash of light.

Up to this point, the Monster Ball had been no different from any other.

But the moment he saw the Pokémon that came out, Pikachu was petrified stiff, fear written all over his face.

It was over ten times Pikachu's size.

It was a Pokémon like a snake made of round stones strung together like a necklace. It was Iwark.

Naturally, it was a Pokémon Satoshi had never seen.

He didn't even think to look it up in the Pokémon Field Guide.

No matter how he looked at it, it was so large and powerful looking that Pikachu didn't seem to have a chance of victory.

Satoshi spoke in a daze.

“The other three battled this Pokémon too?”

Takeshi shook his head.

“This guy is my trump card. My victory is assured this time. If I'd used him against the other three, I wouldn't have lost.”

“No way. That's not fair. Only using it against me.”

“That's why I'd like your forgiveness.”

“Asking for forgiveness sounds more like a line for when you're losing... right?”

He sought Pikachu's opinion on the matter, but Pikachu was no longer in front of Iwark.

“Huh? Pikachu?”

He noticed Pikachu by his feet, who gave a shrug as if to say ...You can't expect me to handle this...

“You can't give up without even fighting.”

Somewhat flustered, Satoshi pushed Pikachu forward.

“You're fired up then.” Takeshi said.

“Iwark. Tackle attack.”

Iwark stretched out its coiled body.

Then it began to fall towards Pikachu.

It sent shattered pieces of the battleground's boulders and stones flying.

Pikachu's only option was to run.

Pikachu wasn't the only one running.

Faced with the flying rock shards, the only option for Satoshi and Kasumi was to also run.

“Do something.”

Kasumi shouted.

“I'll hold out at least 30 seconds just running.”

“If all you can do is run, you may as well admit defeat already.”

“You say that, but...”

Satoshi considered the idea of switching out to Pidgeon.

Though no matter how hard it struck with its wings, Pidgeon probably couldn't lay a scratch on Iwark.

Besides, flying around while restricted by the ceiling of the indoor battleground would give it nowhere to escape to and tire it out.

That's when it happened.

“Kyah! Pikachu!”

Kasumi screamed.

Part of Iwark's tail was coiled around Pikachu.

Iwark coiled around Pikachu binding him tightly.

“I hate to do this, but Bind attack.”

Takeshi muttered.

Whether he truly hated it or felt sorry for his actions... hearing him quite deliberately give each order to Iwark pissed Satoshi off.

But this was no time to lose his cool.

Pikachu couldn't move a muscle within Iwark's grasp.

It was only a matter of time before he'd be crushed.

Satoshi's only option was to call out the best move Pikachu could muster in this situation.

“Pikachu! Use Thundershock!”

... As if you needed to ask... Pikachu knew he had no other moves he could rely on.

“Pikah!”

He discharged an electric shock as his whole body trembled.

But it had no effect on Iwark.

Takeshi spoke as he looked at the struggling Pikachu. There was a hint of bitterness in his tone.

“Its upbringing is lacking... An electric attack of that calibre will have no effect on a rock type Pokémon... Listen up, electricity can pass through certain stones and minerals, but they can also be insulated. Various minerals are mixed within the bodies of rock type Pokémon, meaning basic electric attacks won't work.”

“My Pikachu is better than basic.”

Pikachu let off a second and third discharge as he suffered.

Takeshi spoke.

“It's futile. No matter how much electricity you use, it'll only tire Pikachu out. And once it's all out of power...”

“Eh?” ... Satoshi was dumbfounded.

“Don't make me spell it out. If the gym runs out of power, we'll have a blackout. But if a living being like Pikachu exhausts all its power... Well, what do you think will happen? I'm sure you can guess.”

Satoshi was lost for words. ... It's true that Pikachu wasn't just a battery powered toy. He was alive. If all his bodily functions ceased, he wouldn't start back up with a change of batteries.

Takeshi spoke frankly.

“Give up the match. Don't let Pikachu use up any more power.”

The brightness had begun fading from the flashes of Pikachu's shocks.

It was clear he was weakening.

“Satoshi... At this rate...” Kasumi whispered.

“Pikachu is my Pikachu! I never asked for your input, Kasumi.”

Satoshi yelled.

“Please give up! Forfeit the match! A trainer fighting a losing battle like this is no better than abusing their Pokémon.”

Takeshi shouted.

Satoshi understood that.

But it was frustrating. Frustrating that Takeshi was the one who had to say it. Frustrating that he had to hear it from Kasumi too. But...

Satoshi looked at Pikachu. No, he couldn't even bare to look any more.

“That's enough.”

Satoshi fell to his knees in disappointment.

“Stop it. Please, stop it!”

Takeshi spoke with a sigh.

“Do you forfeit the match?”

“I do. I lose.”

“Woo! Big bro! Yay!”

The kids in the audience cheered.

The girl who had kicked Satoshi in the knee rang a bell.

“Iwark. That's enough.” Takeshi called out.

Iwark loosened its grip on Pikachu.

Pikachu was unable to even stand. He lost consciousness and collapsed on the spot.

Takeshi ran over to Pikachu even before Satoshi could.

Takeshi put an ear to Pikachu's chest and let out a sigh of relief.

“Don't worry. It's still breathing.”

He gave instructions to Satoshi as he ran over.

“Get it treated at the Pokémon Center quickly...”

“Right.”

Satoshi replied as he picked up the fallen Pikachu before Takeshi yelled at him again.

“The match is over. Hurry. It's your precious Pikachu, right?”

Carrying the unconscious Pikachu, Satoshi ran to the Pokémon Center.

He felt pathetic. And also worried about Pikachu.

Satoshi was unable to hold back the tears streaming down his face as he ran.

“The Nibi Gym Leader sure is strong. To defeat this Pikachu in such a way.”

Joy murmured as she examined the unconscious Pikachu.

“Eh?”

Satoshi couldn't believe his ears. ... Complimenting Takeshi's strength while Pikachu was still in this condition... It's a bit too callous?

But the one to voice their thoughts was Kasumi.

“That's horrible! Where do you get off? Talking like that.”

Nobody could beat Kasumi when it came to being the first to speak their mind.

Joy smiled at the enraged Kasumi.

“Calm down... This Pikachu will be just fine...”

“What do you mean by just fine?” ... There's nothing fine about him! My Pikachu hasn't moved a muscle since the match ended... Satoshi was the one who flared up this time.

“Your Pikachu... doesn't have a single scratch. He's simply sleeping from exhaustion.”

“He's just sleeping?”

Satoshi asked back.

“He's exhausted a lot of his electrical energy though. But he should be able to recover fine from this on his own. Just let him rest. Let him sleep for today and he should wake up just fine tomorrow... He'll be able to enjoy his breakfast.”

Joy softly placed Pikachu into the cot he had slept in last night.

“Um... Isn't there some way... to charge him up or something?”

Kasumi asked.

“It's no different to humans? If you take unnecessary medicine just because you're feeling tired, you'll only make yourself sick. If we force any strong man made currents on Pikachu at the moment, we'll only harm the electrical pouches on his cheeks... We should let nature run its course. A doctor's job isn't to go doping up their patients. If it's something that will recover naturally, then it's best to leave it be. When the patient is unable to recover on their own is when we need prescriptions and treatment.”

“I'm still not convinced Pikachu will be fine.” Satoshi was still concerned.

“Me too...” Kasumi felt the same way.

“The Nibi Gym Leader is an admirable man.” Joy said with a smile.

“Eh?”

“After examining this Pikachu, I see that he won without injuring it's body. It's an ideal form of Pokémon Battle.”

“An ideal form of Pokémon Battle... One where you don't harm your opponent... huh?”

Kasumi nodded.

“That's a good point. Especially when there's instances where people go for overkill after already defeating their opponent.”

“When it's not a situation of predator and prey, fights between living creatures will typically end the moment it's clear who's stronger. They have no reason to gravely injure the weak... The only ones who go for extra damage or outright killing are humans.”

Joy shrugged as she spoke.

“Well, as long as Pikachu's okay, I'll challenge him again tomorrow. I won't give in!”

Satoshi shouted.

“Satoshi-kun... You... might be better off studying a little more instead.”

Joy said kindly.

“I agree... You're short on both skill and knowledge.” Kasumi nodded.

“What was that?”

“What Pokémon would want face an opponent they lost to a second or third time? ... Fighting when you know you'll lose is the action of a human moron. Think of the poor Pokémon you're commanding...”

Satoshi wanted to say ...What was that?... to Kasumi again, but she'd only respond with ...You need me to spell it out again?... anyway, so he dropped it.

“What do you think I should do then?” ... He felt a little pathetic having to ask.

“You really are a moron. This isn't the only town with a gym. There's plenty of other towns with gyms in this region. All you need to do is win at eight of them.”

Kasumi spoke with the tone of an older sister.

“Even a poor marksman will hit a target with enough shots... huh?” Satoshi murmured the proverb he had only recently learned.

“However...” Joy spoke seriously.

“There's always next time. Next time I'll do better. There's people with that kind of mindset without any real plan will wander constantly from town to town never winning at all.”

Joy looked through the window to the center's lobby.

There was an old man sitting on a chair eating a piece of anpan.

“That old man came here three days ago, according to the center's records, it's his fourth time in town. The last time he was here was twenty years ago.”

“Twenty years ago...” That was twice Satoshi's age.

“Of course, that was before I was born.” Joy said.

“That old man is over eighty years old. For as long as he's been aiming to become a Pokémon Trainer, he's relied on centers for his bed and food. Yet even now he travels between towns aiming to become a Pokémon Trainer. That old man... a medical examination said that he no longer has the stamina to continue as a trainer. I have no idea how I can break the news to him though...”

“You haven't told him?” Kasumi asked.

“Not yet, but I'm sure he's already realised it himself.”

“Eh?” Kasumi asked back.

“I've received contact from elsewhere. That old man gets a medical examination at every Pokémon Center he goes to. And every time the result is the same...”

“No good?” Satoshi asked.

Joy nodded.

“The old man continues to travel from town to town, but doesn't go to the gyms. He goes from town to town hoping that a center somewhere will tell him he's fit to keep training after his medical examination. But I couldn't do that.”

Gshk.

There was a sound of a chair moving.

The old man slowly made his way to the counter.

... It's not like we were trash talking him or anything, but...

Satoshi and Kasumi stiffened instinctively.

“Joy-san. I'm going for a walk.” The old man said.

“Sure. Enjoy yourself.” Joy replied.

The old man silently left via the foyer.

The tense moment dissipated and Satoshi and Kasumi let out a relaxed sigh.

“It's kind of sad...” Kasumi said.

“He's like a fossil of a trainer.” Satoshi said.

“Speaking of fossils...” Joy said trying to change the mood.

“This town has a science museum. And as luck would have it, it's only open on weekends. How about you go check it out?”

“But I need to look after my Pikachu...”

“Just let him sleep until tomorrow morning. Amateur attempts to care for a Pokémon that just needs rest are counter-productive. Pikachu is under my care... Anyway, the museum. It may not be anything special, but the uninformed may just learn something there.”

Joy gave a bright smile.

(To be continued in chapter 2)

Chapter 1 appendix

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 2. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

... Pokémon Related Reference Material 3...

Regarding certain (particularly noteworthy) aspects of Pokémon biology.

Currently, it's said there are 151 confirmed species of Pokémon... (There are written reports that treat this number as established fact, however there are some Pokémon within this number whose bones or fossils have not been confirmed.)

For example, there are the mythical Pokémon Fyre (similar to the legendary bird of fire, the phoenix, known throughout the world) and Freezre (a legendary bird of ice).

And since legendary Pokémon (resembling Eastern dragons of legend) like Hakuryuu and Kairyuu are included in the number of 151, that 151 isn't quite a solid number.

Besides, the distinction between mythical Pokémon and legendary Pokémon isn't quite clear. The mythical Pokémon Fyre and Freezre have names inspired by English words, while the use of the Eastern term ryuu (dragon) describes the legendary Pokémon, this is the most likely explanation I can come up with, but with deeper consideration it's an odd classification system. For example, the name dragon would make it mythical, while ryuu would classify it as legendary.

... Budweiser is Western and Kirin is Eastern... But either way it's still beer, it makes for a convincing argument... (Whoops, slightly off topic there) The point I'm trying to make, is that among the 151 species of Pokémon, not only the rare ones, but the ones you encounter every day, have some instances of truly bizarre biology for a living creature.

It goes without saying that this world is made of organic matter that supports life and inorganic matter like air, water and minerals that don't support life.

To fully outline the difference between organic and inorganic matter would take several thousand page volumes, so forgoing any long explanation, normally lifeforms are made of organic matter.

It's a given that lifeforms contain the proteins that make up organic matter. ... That is to say that these proteins are what carry genetic information. Whether it be animal or plant, life requires the proteins that make up organic material.

That said, there are certain Pokémon that completely ignore this basic law of biology.

For example, rock type Pokémon, like Ishitsubute, Golone or Iwark have bodies clearly made from mineral substance.

... Or the magnet Pokémon, Koil and Rarekoil. Given the attraction and repulsion between the north and south poles of magnets, their movements may not even be those of living beings. At best, they're no different to magnetised minerals like steel or copper.

... Or the poison gas Pokémon Dogas which was first discovered in a military warehouse. If gas were a living being, we'd be killers for just boiling hot water. Drawing a hot bath would be a massacre. But remain calm. Gas is inorganic. Yet, Dogas is alive.

... Nowadays, in areas plagued by industrial waste, you'll likely find the sludge Pokémon Betobetah... Since sludge typically contains inorganic matter hazardous to lifeforms, the people of the city went into an uproar at its discovery.

Anyway, there are a number of Pokémon existing in this world with their bodies not comprising of any organic matter.

But inorganic matter doesn't support life.

These inorganic Pokémon have easily smashed right through this basic common sense logic.

Why not have inorganic lifeforms? What's the point of denying it? ... Some optimistic scholars take this viewpoint.

But if inorganic material can gain sentience, then it wouldn't be odd to assume things from old sci-fi (science fiction) novels or sci-fi films like living robots and computers or machines with souls to be discovered and/or invented.

This would remove the fiction from sci-fi (science fiction), leaving sci-fi authors unemployed along with various other dangerous outcomes. For example, dolls and other toys don't come to life and start moving no matter how well they're cared for. Anime and manga are merely drawn images. No matter how smoothly a character in a game moves, they aren't a real living being.

However, for centuries the number of people who consider their dolls and toys or characters from anime, manga and games as living beings who are their friends, or even lovers, have increased.

This is acceptable as a child, but allowing it to continue into adulthood leads to people who love inanimate objects more than other living beings, it is estimated that about 30% of humanity have currently reached this state. As these people love inanimate objects, as adults they never marry other people and never have children.

Due to the declining birthrates, there are some people who lament the inevitable collapse of the human race.

It was at this point that Pokémon made of inorganic substances appeared. If inorganic substances can gain life, then other beloved inanimate things like fictional characters may come to life too.

This fact served to encourage those who love inanimate objects.

If a person who loved fighter jets, tanks or other weapons discovered the poison gas Pokémon Dogas in a military warehouse, they would jump for joy.

If a real life fighter jet Pokémon or tank Pokémon were discovered, I could befriend it and play out our own little war games.

If a pistol Pokémon or sword Pokémon came into being, we could become best friends and they'd take care of people I don't like in my stead.

There may not be that many people who love war machines or other weapons, but a lot of people love dolls and anime characters.

If perhaps, a doll Pokémon or anime Pokémon came to exist, I'd be able to quit researching Pokémon and befriend my beloved doll Pokémon and anime Pokémon and live a joyful life.

Whoops, I may have let my personal opinions out a bit there. My apologies.

Can inorganic material support life? Let's return to that question.

Around the mid 20th century... a unique (peculiar) theory about life came to be.

It was a theory about inorganic objects not only having life, but something akin to a soul.

The one who came up with this theory was Dr. Lycamo Watson.

I'd like to make clear that this Watson isn't Detective Holmes's friend, but a real scholar named Dr. Watson.

I'll try to explain his theory in simple terms.

For example, you may have even experienced this yourself, but something you thought you'd lost and long since forgotten suddenly turns up one day in a place you never would have expected.

For example, finding a pen or pencil you thought you'd lost years ago in the corner of a room... despite having cleaned out that corner several times before and never finding the pen or pencil there before.

Another example would be cleaning out your closet for the first time in years and finding a doll you could have sworn you'd thrown out as a child in there?

You may have rearranged the closet a few times. But it hadn't been in there at the time.

But why would it turn up once you had forgotten it?

Dr. Watson had a hypothesis. It wasn't a case of you finding it, but the forgotten item wanting to be found.

You had loved it once and treated it well and it had come out wanting to meet you again.

Basically, inanimate objects, though lacking a soul, had the potential to develop something similar to one.

There's something in golf known as a hole in one. It's when the golf ball ends up in the hole within a single stroke, however this event is so rare that it's considered miraculous even for pro golfers.

However, this miracle has been known to happen even for amateur (inexperienced) golfers.

The chances of a pro and an amateur getting a hole in one are actually fairly equal.

Regardless of whether your good or bad at golf, these miracles continue to occur.

Why is that?

Isn't this something to mull over?

Getting a hole in one is the ultimate dream of any golfer.

In order to grant this dream, the ball went into the hole.

Regardless of the golfer's skill, the ball went into the hole for them.

There are other similar examples.

For example, an archaeologist at a dig site discovering an ancient stone tool.

They find a fragment of the stone tool.

If an ordinary person had found it, they'd consider it as nothing but a normal rock.

Even so, among the earth and rocks they discover earthenware and stone tools.

How is it the archaeologist distinguished the earthenware and tools from ordinary rocks?

Many archaeologists give the same answer.

“I thought something might be there and it just turned up.”

They didn't find it, it found them.

The earthenware and tools used by ancient people would naturally desire to be found by a person who wanted to search for it.

No, perhaps the word desire is a little too lifelike.

But with something similar to desire, the inanimate earthenware and tool fragments may have moved on their own...

This power could be considered a form of inorganic life with no organic components...

There are people who decry this theory as ridiculous, however a great number of people now subscribe to this theory, not only in the field of studying life, but also in studying philosophy.

All studies of life and biology ultimately lead to humans gaining a deeper understanding of themselves.

Rock Pokémon and poison gas Pokémon, despite being inorganic are alive.

And of course there are other inorganic Pokémon as well.

I believe that by studying inorganic Pokémon we may also unlock the secrets of organic Pokémon, ultimately leading to the human race gaining a deeper understanding of themselves along the way.

... A nameless Pokémon Researcher with absolutely no relation at all to Professor Ookido...

An excerpt from an email sent to Masaki Sonezaki

A Pokémon Analyst who participated in the 98th International Portable Beast Academic Conference

Annotations by Masaki Sonezaki

The Dr. Lycamo Watson referred to in the text is likely a misspelling of the name of biologist Dr. Lyall Watson.

In the latter half of the 20th century he made a name for himself in a field known as new science.

Getting such a rudimentary detail as his name incorrect brings the level of confidence (or credibility) I have in this email to plummet. Forcing a name drop into such half baked theories... it's a shame.

New science... A method of thought that deals with not only hard science, but also spiritual matters. Do you understand the concept?

Despite being a Saturday, there were few visitors giving it a deserted feeling.

It wasn't in any way impressive, but there were fossilised remains of various creatures on display.

And as typical of a small town museum, to make up for the lack of any real exhibits they had pretty much anything dug up from the ground on display from crystals to lumps of coal.

But despite this, it was all new to Satoshi.

But even so, Satoshi had no interest in fossils for now.

“Wow, it's so pretty.”

Kasumi stopped to look at a piece of amber.

Amber is pine tree resin that has hardened underground, in the old days it was considered a gemstone.

Now as opposed to being considered a gemstone, it's best known for the preservation of ancient insects unable to escape the sticky resin many millions of years ago.

That said, Satoshi really couldn't care less about amber right now if he tried.

It didn't even draw his gaze.

Satoshi simply kept walking as he left Kasumi behind.

Satoshi was simply muttering to himself.

No! No way! No way in hell! ... No matter what Kasumi says, I'm not giving up on Nibi Gym... The other three from Masara Town all got a badge. Even if I get eight badges from other towns, all three of them got theirs from the Nibi Gym. Seems like he didn't use Iwark during their matches. But hiding behind that is just making an excuse... More importantly, I can't just give up after losing my first ever gym battle... No way! I won't stand for it!

Satoshi's frustration grew to the point where he was suddenly sprinting.

His footsteps echoed through the museum.

And then wham... “Ow... That hurt!”

Not looking where he was going, Satoshi had run right into someone.

They were a frail figure. They attempted to grab onto Satoshi as they fell on their rear.

“It hurt for me too... Didn't anyone ever tell you not to go running in a museum?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Satoshi leapt back flustered.

“Hm? You're that boy with the Pikachu.”

It was the old man who had been sitting in the corner of the Pokémon Center.

“You know about me?”

The old man got to his feet unsteadily.

“Make a big fuss around the counter at the Pokémon Center like that and you're sure to draw attention. You were going on and on about the Nibi Gym.”

Satoshi bit his lip. ... He really didn't want to discuss this even with an old man he'd never spoken with.

“It's because I lost.”

Satoshi ignored the old man as he began to walk away.

“Hold it. I've challenged the Nibi Gym many times. I've never once won there.”

“Eh?”

Satoshi turned back.

“... Come with me.”

The old man went over to a display case in the corner of the room.

There was a stone inside the glass case.

A sign read “Thunder Stone”.

It didn't shine like lighting or anything, it resembled an ordinary stone.

“This may look like a regular stone, but this stone came from a place struck by lightning, it's not just another ordinary stone like others you may find in the world.”

... So what's the big deal about this stone? And what does it have to do with me?

Satoshi was clueless.

The old man continued speaking regardless.

“It's likely that the electrical power of the lightning somehow changed the stone's composition. That said, it's not like it's a rare stone. Lightning strikes all over the place, particularly during the summer. There's plenty of these stones out there, so it's hardly rare enough to warrant being on display here.”

... If it's not particularly rare, why should I care about it...

“Well, I'll be leaving now.”

“Now hold on a moment. I haven't had many people to talk to lately. Just hear me out... regarding this stone. Despite being called a Thunder Stone, it doesn't seem to be particularly electric... It appears to be an ordinary useless stone.”

Satoshi was getting irritated.

However what the old man said next changed how Satoshi felt.

“... This stone has the power to induce evolution in certain Pokémon species.”

“Evolution?”

Satoshi asked back instinctively.

Evolution... it's a word with many meanings, but when speaking of a Pokémon's evolution, you are describing a phase in which the Pokémon becomes stronger and turns into another Pokémon.

For example, the Worm Pokémon Caterpie turns into the Cocoon Pokémon Trancell, before eventually becoming a Butterfree... In the few days since he began his journey, Satoshi had already seen it happen right before his eyes.

And now, which Pokémon Satoshi wanted to strengthen up the most... was quite clear.

“So when you say this stone can evolve certain species of Pokémon, you wouldn't by any chance mean...”

The old man nodded. “This stone can evolve your Pikachu.”

“Pikachu can evolve... Pikachu can evolve... Pikachu will evolve... When Pikachu evolves, if Pikachu evolves... Pikachu should evolve...”

Satoshi muttered as if chanting a spell.

... I might be able to beat the Nibi Gym's Iwark. If only I had that stone...

Satoshi's eyes shone.

But he soon let out a sigh. ... It's not like I can just smash the case and steal the stone...

Taking note of Satoshi's reaction, the old man spoke.

“Thunder Stones aren't hard to find... They even sell them at the museum gift shop. Key rings, pendants.. They even significantly outnumber the amber related souvenirs.”

“Thanks, mister.”

Satoshi immediately head off towards the gift shop.

“Hold it.”

The old man stopped him with a relaxed call.

“No need to buy one at the gift shop. I'll give this to you.”

He pulled out a pebble from his pocket and showed it to Satoshi.

“If you were to go searching, it's indistinguishable from any other rock.”

“I can really have it?”

“I was never able to catch a Pikachu. I've no use for the stone.”

“How much should I pay for it?”

“Nothing. It's free.”

His mother Hanako had a phrase she liked to say. ... There's nothing more expensive than what comes for free... There's always a catch... (If someone else buys you a meal, they're probably buttering you up for something... It'll cost you something one way or another.)

So he decided to ask.

“Mister, why would you give a complete stranger like myself...”

“I've challenged the Nibi Gym three times. I came here planning to try a fourth time, but it seems I'll have to give up on that. My problems may be of no concern to you, boy. But if you can earn the Nibi Gym's badge in my place, I'll be happy.”

Satoshi gripped the pebble the old man gave him tightly as he spoke.

“Mister, my name is Satoshi from Masara Town... I'll make sure to fight for your sake too.”

The old man quirked his eyebrows when he heard the name Masara Town.

“Masara Town... So I'm guessing this town is your first Gym challenge then...”

“What makes you say that?”

“Prospective trainers from Masara Town usually come to this place first. Same goes for me too.”

“Are you from Masara Town too, mister?”

“Hm? No, I just passed through once a long time ago. It was a small town with only one restaurant.”

The old man's gaze grew distant, as if gazing into the distant past.

“It still only has one restaurant.” Satoshi replied.

“The proprietress who ran the place was a real beauty.”

“The proprietress?”

“The lady who ran the place.”

... So he's talking about my mom... I guess this old guy knows my mom then.

“I'm not sure I'd call her beautiful, but she's doing well.”

“I see. Good to hear. And how about her kid?”

“Eh? Her kid, you mean me? The restaurant in Masara Town is my house.”

“Eh? Eh? Eh?”

The old man let out three exclamations somewhere between a sigh and disbelief.

“Preposterous... I'm sure I heard the child there was a cute little girl...”

“Do I look like a girl to you?”

“I may be getting a little old, but if you think I'd mistake you for a girl, then I'd probably have one foot in the grave already... Speaking of graves, this city is known for its headstones...” The old man said dejected.

“Don't go talking like that. I'm mom's only child, I don't have any brothers or sisters.”

The old man stared intently at Satoshi as he spoke again.

“My boy, how old are you?”

“Ten years old...” Satoshi answered.

“Ten years old...” The old man repeated Satoshi's age back at him... “I see, I get it now. ... It was over sixty years ago that I went to Masara Town... Fuohoho...”

The old man laughed. It was a sad laugh though.

“A woman I met sixty years ago wouldn't have a ten year old son... You may be her grandchild, great grandchild or possibly even another generation beyond. It wouldn't be odd for a son to appear a few generations down.”

“Huh, that means... You knew my grandma, great grandma or greater grandma then, mister?” Satoshi asked.

“Great great grandma, not greater grandma. Either way though, I suppose that means you're her descendant, boy. In which case... Phew.”

The old man let out a sigh.

“In which case, what?”

“Maybe you should try actually using the grey matter inside your head a little, boy...”

“... Lay off me. I'm leaving. I'm going to go evolve my Pikachu into a Raichu now.”

“Just a moment...” The old man stopped Satoshi once more.

“What now?”

“If you're a child from that restaurant, then you and I have a connection of sorts beyond just being two strangers. So I'll give you another bit of advice. The Thunder Stone probably isn't going to help you.”

“Eh? Are you saying this is a fake?” Satoshi closely examined his pebble.

“It's no fake. But even if you evolve your Pikachu into Raichu, your chances of victory at the Nibi Gym are slim to none.”

“But why? Raichu is stronger than Pikachu, right?”

“Stronger or not, Pikachu and Raichu are both electric types. Electric types are weak against rock types. And it goes without saying that here in the city of stone, the Nibi Gym is filled with rock type Pokémon.”

“So Pikachu can't win even if he becomes stronger.”

“His loss isn't set in stone. But neither is his victory. Do you have any water type Pokémon, boy?”

“Water type?” Satoshi asked back.

“A drop of water may not seem like much, but after many years of erosion it'll open a hole in rock and crack it to pieces. A Koiking's tears of love will tear through stone after a hundred years... as the old saying goes.” The old man spouted an ancient proverb.

“Wait, what?” Satoshi asked in reply.

“Koiking is a fish Pokémon that is so weak that the vast majority would consider it useless. A girl wouldn't give anyone like that the time of day. But even the most down and out loser can find a way into a girl's cold stone heart if he persists in loving her for a hundred years. And this is why water is strong against rock.”

The more this guy said, the less sense it made.

“I've no idea what you're trying to say, mister... but basically, I can win against the rock type Pokémon if I have a water type Pokémon?”

“... Perhaps. The outcome of battle is never predetermined. But you'll have a far better chance than if you use an electric type Pokémon.”

“A water type Pokémon, huh...”

It goes without saying that Satoshi's only Pokémon other than Pikachu were Butterfree and Pidgeon. Despite the great differences between a butterfly and a bird, they were both flying type Pokémon. ... A match simply wouldn't work out between land and sky. Besides, even in the one in a million chance they could pin down the heavy rock Pokémon, they wouldn't be able to fly with it. It was at this point a girl's face came to Satoshi's mind.

“... Oh yeah, her.”

It was Kasumi.

Satoshi recalled that Kasumi liked fishing and had the Goldfish Pokémon Tosakinto, which was a water type.

It's possible she might have a strong water type Pokémon.

At the very least, she would know something useful about water type Pokémon.

But Satoshi shook his head and threw the image of Kasumi from his mind. ... As if I can rely on her. She'll just hold it over me like the bike. If I ask her for a favour, it'll become some kind of lifelong debt...

“Oh, here you are.”

Kasumi finally caught up after looking at the amber.

Satoshi ignored Kasumi and spoke to the old man.

“The outcome of battle is never predetermined... In that case, I'll take my chances with an electric type. See ya.”

Satoshi ran off.

“What's his problem?” Kasumi shrugged.

“What's your relationship with that boy?” The old man asked.

“Huh?” Kasumi asked in return.

“Are you his girlfriend or are you betrothed to him or something?”

“Betrothed?” Kasumi was unfamiliar with the word.

“It means you're making plans for marriage...”

“Marriage...!? I'm only ten years old.”

“You're like two peas in a pod. Like a Nidorina and Nidorino.”

“Huh?” She had no idea what he was on about.

Nidorina and Nidorino are the names of a male and female pair of Poison Pin Pokémon known for getting along well.

“I'm saying that you're well matched with that boy, little missy.”

Kasumi's face went bright red. But not due to being bashful. It was pure rage.

“Y-y-y-yo... You've got to be kidding. Who would believe such a scandal... Ah, that jerk. That's what he told you, huh?” Kasumi bit the old man's head off.

“No, I just got that kind of vibe from the pair of you...”

“Preposterous. That's what marrying him would be. Even if my parents approve of him, I never will... Preposterous. Satoshi! Wait up!”

Kasumi chased after Satoshi.

The old man murmured to himself as he was left behind.

“That boy, Satoshi... That's a real cute girl he's got chasing after him. But no matter where you run, someone will always be chasing after you. But beauty withers over time, and you find yourself too ashamed to go back home. And you find yourself wandering aimlessly chained down by the past.”

This old man may well have been connected to Satoshi's mother's restaurant, Masara Town Hanako. ... He may have even been Satoshi's great great grandfather, but Satoshi and the old man were destined to never meet again.

In this country, even if you're parent and child, once the child leaves home they are to lead completely separate lives.

The most important bond in this country is that of a married couple. It's considered a far more precious bond than either parent and child or siblings.

Therefore when a marriage ends with either a divorce or a spouse running away from home, it destroys the most precious human relationship there is.

Anyone willing to pay the price of breaking such a bond has clearly already cut the ties of parent and child or siblings.

Satoshi's dad and grandpa, chasing the dream of being a Pokémon Trainer, had left home and never come back.

Becoming a Pokémon Trainer was such an alluring prospect that they were willing to throw away the most precious bond of man and wife.

It wouldn't be a stretch to suggest that Satoshi's great grandfather had acted in the same manner, and at that point it's practically a given that his great great grandfather would have left Masara Town under similar circumstances as well.

That great great grandfather would likely have no idea Hanako even existed. But even if he were aware ... There's no real connection between us... I'll leave handling the household troubles to a woman... he'd probably shrug it off with something along these lines.

In this world, whether it be husband, wife or child, the moment you leave home they have no right to criticise you.

In exchange, when your hopes and dreams are in tatters, you may find yourself with nowhere to return.

The moment you stand on your own, you have to take responsibility for yourself from that point on.

It's an unwritten law of this world. (Unwritten laws are common rules that aren't included in written law... For example, don't stab people with a knife. Don't bully people at school... the latter may not be written in any legal document, but it is considered a common sense rule for people to live by.)

Which means that beginners like Satoshi who leave home proclaiming they'll become Pokémon Trainers may find it difficult to return if they are unable to achieve their goals.

Especially if they were a prospective trainer who left their wife and family.

Once they leave their house and hometown, most will never return.

Therefore, even in the case that the old man were Satoshi's great great grandfather, he wouldn't feel any positive connection to him, in fact knowing that he had gotten to such an old age and was still struggling uselessly so close to Masara Town would likely fill him with shame and anger.

The old man sighed.

“No point in hanging around this city any longer. All I can do is get my headstone made... and I've no plans to be buried here.”

The old man slowly walked towards the museum exit.

Talking seriously now... whether or not the old man was related to Satoshi may forever remain an unanswered question.

But the old man did not return to the Pokémon Center that night.

Even if he did return, he wouldn't have been able to battle at the Nibi Gym.

After turning 75, the elderly are not permitted to challenge a Gym if their physical examination isn't favourable.

Yet another unwritten law.

For a trainer instructing their Pokémon, do things like their age or health really matter? ... Politicians over the age of 75 have argued against this policy, leading to discord in the National Diet.

It led to a public referendum where the policy was ultimately upheld.

When in poor health, an elder's vitality drops, leading to impaired judgement, resulting in an increase of haphazard battles where both their own Pokémon and that of their opponent are more heavily injured than is necessary.

It's the same as how old people start having trouble driving cars or playing games on a small screen.

But in that case, why are reckless young people barely over ten with no sense of judgement allowed to drive cars and possess knives? This has also been a point of controversy... But that's a story for another time.

“Pika...”

It was the following morning.

Pikachu slowly opened his eyes in his cot.

His body felt light. The electrical pouches in his cheeks had absorbed natural electricity ions from the atmosphere and he was fully recovered.

But as he stretched slightly, Pikachu felt a paralysing sensation from his cheeks electrical pouches.

It was on an invisible wavelength. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling though. It felt as if it were lulling him to sleep. ... A pleasant feeling he could lose himself in.

But that's also what made it feel like a dangerous sensation.

Where is this wavelength emanating from...?

Looking over at the counter of the Pokémon Center, he saw Satoshi and Joy speaking.

“If this stone is the real deal, then I'd like to evolve my Pikachu into a Raichu.”

Satoshi showed the Thunder Stone to Joy.

The wavelength was unmistakably emanating from that stone.

Joy placed the Thunder Stone under a small electron microscope on the counter and examined the monitor.

“It's a genuine Thunder Stone. If it makes direct contact with Pikachu's cheek pouches for ten seconds, he'll evolve into Raichu.”

“So it'll really work?” Satoshi asked with glittering eyes.

“It will.” Joy wasn't smiling.

“But how long have you had your Pikachu...? A month? Six months? A year?”

“Eh? Uh...”

Satoshi opted to round up a little. “About a week, maybe?”

Joy saw through his lie, but ignored it anyway as she spoke further.

“I wouldn't recommend using it.”

She continued speaking quickly so that Satoshi couldn't get a word in.

“Evolution is simple when you use this stone... But even if he becomes a Raichu with a new shape and greater electrical power, making use of that power would put strain on his body. To use a Raichu's power, he should gain some experience and growth as a Pikachu first. For example, a Raichu's electrical discharge can exceed 10,000 volts. But if he were to suddenly discharge over 10,000 volts, he could risk rendering himself unconscious. In a worst case scenario, he could give himself cardiac arrest.”

“You mean his heart would stop beating...?”

Satoshi spoke these words heavily.

“That’s right, a lot of Thunder Stones originate in this area. So it’s pretty easy to get your hands on one. This Pokémon Center has seen a lot of Raichu who have just evolved from Pikachu and gone into cardiac arrest. The only treatment is to jump start their heart with another electric shock. Their heart was stopped by their own electricity and the Center’s starts it back up again. It’s kind of... y’know. It puts an incredible strain on the body. Even if they’re lucky enough to survive, a lot of Raichu become afraid of electricity and are unable to use their power ever again.”

“A Raichu unable to use electricity...”

“It’s not quite as bad as a doctor who can’t perform surgery... After all, a botched surgery can result in fatality. Even so, for a Raichu who needs an electrical current in their body to be unable to use electricity is quite a pitiful state. They’ll stop intaking new energy and eventually become unable to replenish their reserves. It’s called Electrical Rejection Syndrome. Their once healthy body will gradually become emaciated. Why indeed. Your Raichu will end up looking more like an oversized Pikachu. Are you sure you want to reduce your Pikachu to looking like a deflated balloon?”

Satoshi looked at Pikachu.

He didn’t want to see his Pikachu reduced to skin and bone.

“Do you still want to evolve him into Raichu?”

It was the moment of truth.

“Yeah, I understand now. I won’t do it.”

Kasumi suddenly butted in from behind Satoshi.

“You’re nuts for even thinking to challenge rock type Pokémon with an electric type Pokémon to begin with. Joy-san. Has anyone ever won at Nibi Gym with an electric Pokémon?”

“Very few have.”

“See? If there were, then the Pokémon Center would be filled with Pikachu and Raichu who lost at Nibi Gym.”

“Not necessarily.” Joy answered.

“Very few people would even challenge Nibi Gym with an electric Pokémon in the first place.”

Kasumi nodded several times as she replied.

“I see. If nobody challenges the Gym with electric Pokémon, then they don’t bring any injured electric Pokémon here. It’s common sense.”

“I get it already. I’m not evolving Pikachu into Raichu!”

Satoshi broke his silence as he shouted.

Satoshi came over next to Pikachu’s cot and stroked his head.

“Don’t worry. Pikachu. You don’t have to push yourself... You’re my very first Pokémon. I’m going to raise you the right way.”

Pikachu didn’t quite understand the meaning behind Satoshi’s words.

But he could tell that he wasn’t going to use that mysterious stone with the alluring yet dangerous aura.

He could also tell he had given up on the battle he’d lost yesterday.

But that didn’t sit well with Pikachu.

It’s true that he wanted to turn tail and run when he saw that giant Iwark.

But despite not having fought that many battles, no matter the peril, his electricity had never let him down in a fight before.

Even against Iwark, he had passed out before he could be sure his electricity wouldn’t work. After losing to an opponent, many wild Pokémon will never have the confidence to take that same opponent on again.

But, this Pikachu hadn’t grown up in the wild.

Up until four days ago, he had never known a world outside of the lab in Masara Town.

Plus, he was an oddball who hated being confined to a Monster Ball.

He hated being ordered around by humans, but also hated losing.

The battles he had fought over the past few days made him painfully aware of just how weak he really was.

He was unwilling to let the outcome of yesterday’s battle slide.

If Pokémon can be considered to have something akin to pride, then Pikachu had clearly not given up on his pride as an electric mouse.

Kasumi walked over to Pikachu’s cot.

She was more interested in Pikachu’s condition than Satoshi’s issues. ... That boy isn’t just a poor marksman, but he’s shooting blanks... I wouldn’t be surprised if he pits Pikachu against that Iwark again... These may have been the thoughts going through her mind.

“Hey, Satoshi. Instead of using Pikachu, I can lend you my water type Pokémon instead.”

“I’m not borrowing anything!” Satoshi shouted.

“You all think of me as a complete idiot... I can handle this my own way.”

That said, he had no way of handling it.

He muttered to himself.

“Haaah, if only Pikachu had the power of a water type…”

And once again. Pikachu didn’t quite understand the meaning behind Satoshi’s words. But Pikachu was quite capable of sensing the despair in his words.

Pikachu’s cheeks sparked slightly. He was mad. ... I see, you think that this Pikachu is unreliable, huh? Then I’ll show you just what I’m capable of...

“Pika!”

Pikachu let out a sharp cry, leapt out of his cot and dashed out of the Pokémon Center.

“Ah... Pikachu. Where’s he going?”

Satoshi followed after him.

And then Kasumi followed after him.

“Hold up. You running away?”

Those words had practically become Kasumi’s catch phrase when she chased after Satoshi as of late.

Pikachu was thinking to himself as he ran down the main street of Nibi City.

It goes without saying, he was thinking of how he could beat Iwark.

Pikachu thought back over all his battles until now.

The time he took down the flock of Onisuzume in the torrential rain of that storm... The time at the Tokiwa City Pokémon Center where he blew Team Rocket away, along with the Center itself... Every time, Pikachu’s electricity had pulled him through. But the truth is, a Pikachu’s electricity simply isn’t that powerful.

Something had always acted upon Pikachu’s power.

Pikachu had had his electricity boosted during those incidents...

Pikachu turned off the main street and found himself at the Nibi Gym.

The same as yesterday, Takeshi was outside the gate sweeping in his apron.

As he saw Pikachu, Takeshi’s stern expression melted into a friendly smile as he spoke.

“Oh, it’s you, the Pikachu from yesterday. Judging by your current condition, the damage wasn’t too bad. I’m relieved.”

Despite Takeshi’s kind words, Pikachu simply glared at him.

Takeshi suddenly let out a sigh.

“You haven’t given up yet?”

“Huh? Actually, I...”

Satoshi had already given up. He had only ended up here by chasing after Pikachu.

“It seems like your Pikachu hasn’t given up though.”

“How can you tell?” Kasumi asked.

“He came all the way to the Gym. I’m far more interested in the motivation of a Pokémon than its trainer. Pikachu has a real fire today that he didn’t have yesterday. I’m betting he’s in peak condition.”

Takeshi then spoke to Satoshi and Kasumi.

“By the way, have you eaten?”

“Eh?”

“You skipped breakfast to come here yesterday. And the lady had ｓｃｒａｍｂｌｅｄ　ｅｇｇｓ.　Ａｎｄ　ｃａｆｅ　ａｕ　ｌａｉｔ...　Ｓｕｇａｒｌｅｓｓ, if I recall.”

A delicious scent wafted from somewhere.

Satoshi’s stomach growled in response.

Kasumi spoke, resisting the temptation of the scent.

“No, I haven’t eaten today... I had to go chasing after a certain bicycle thief...”

Satoshi shouted at her.

“I wasn’t running away! I had to go after Pikachu.”

“Now, now. I don’t know about your circumstances, but perhaps you could try not getting into an argument so early in the morning? I had a feeling you might be back today... So instead of miso soup, I’ve got some delicious coffee prepared. For bread, we have freshly baked croissants with plenty of butter... Plain omelettes for eggs. Plenty of salad. A breakfast perfectly suited for the lady’s tastes. Shall you dine with me?”

“You’re willing to feed your enemy?” Satoshi asked.

“We’re not enemies before the match starts. Besides, you’ll get grumpy on an empty stomach.”

Takeshi pointed inside the gate with his thumb in a gesture to invite them in.

“I wasn’t expecting this.” Satoshi cocked his head as he and Kasumi were invited into the Nibi Gym with the smell of coffee.

Only Pikachu maintained a determined expression as he pondered his victory.

“So this is the kitchen...”

Satoshi and Kasumi looked around.

The spacious room which Takeshi had indicated as the kitchen had a kitchen set in the corner and looked like the grand banquet hall of a hotel.

Several long tables were lined up, you could probably seat about 100 people in there.

“Long ago, this town was known as the city of stone and was prosperous.” He said guiding them to a table.

“This Pokémon Gym was a natural gathering place for people. In my great grandfather’s time, we had hundreds of disciples. As proof of the Gym’s prosperity, despite this being the city of stone, the whole place is made of wood. Timber was a luxury material in these parts.”

And indeed, the walls, columns and ceiling, despite being covered in dust, were all made of finely carved wood.

“And you’re the leader of the Gym. Wow, that’s impressive.” Satoshi said with his eyes wide.

“Maybe in my great grandfather’s era. As the world moved on and people stopped using stone, this place fell into decline. There’s nobody left. Nowadays we only get one or two trainer wannabes like yourself passing through for a challenge... All that remains is a battered wooden structure ready to collapse at the slightest provocation and an indoor battle ground.”

Lined along the ceiling were a series of metal pipes spread out like a net, looking at odds with the wooden architecture.

“Is that some kind of decoration?” Kasumi asked looking at the ceiling.

“That’s the emergency sprinkler system, in case of fire. There was apparently a huge fire in Nibi City about a hundred years ago, the majority of wooden structures burned to the ground. ... Wood burns easy after all. Ever since then, all wooden buildings in the city have had compulsory sprinkler systems installed, it’s not pretty, but we’re protected from fires. Just gotta live with it. Besides, that’s not all they’re good for.”

Takeshi walked to the center of the hall and pressed against one of the pillars with his finger.

Gweeen...

An ominous sound echoed as the walls and ceiling trembled.

The sprinkler pipes attached to the ceiling wrenched.

Shyeew...

A fine mist of water sprayed from where the pipes connected.

And as the ceiling returned to normal, the pipe connections stopped spraying.

“You can do that on a hot day to cool things off in here. We don’t need to buy a humidifier.”

“Wow... That was, this place really is falling apart.” Kasumi shuddered in fear.

“It’s fine. Since it rocks so much, minor tremors are absorbed easily, and in the case of a major earthquake, it’s not like the stone buildings won’t collapse too. Still, I’ve no idea how long this place will last.”

Takeshi shrugged his shoulders and called out to the other end of the hall.

“Hey everyone, our guests for breakfast are here.”

With Takeshi’s voice acting as a signal, a stream of children came in and sat at the table. There was twenty one of them.

“Now remember, anyone under nine is too young for coffee. You can have milk or strawberry juice instead.”

“We accept this meal.”

The children began eating.

“Make sure you have some salad. You need to have good nutrition.” Takeshi told the kids.

“Um, since you have no disciples, did you decide to start a daycare service instead?” Kasumi asked.

“They’re all my younger siblings. Fifteen is the oldest and three is the youngest, twenty in total.”

“I’m not sure these numbers quite add up.” Kasumi said as she tried counting them on her fingers.

“There’s eight sets of twins... And there’s nine different fathers.”

“How did this happen?” The numbers seemed ridiculous to Satoshi.

“My mother was the heir to this Gym. To ensure the Gym’s future, she married men with the qualifications to be a Gym Leader and they ended up running out on her... nine in total. Why did they all leave? There’s a lot of us... But we’re all good kids... I don’t get it, but once I got the qualifications to become Gym Leader myself, the next thing I knew our mother had run off leaving behind only a note.”

“Geez…” Kasumi let slip instinctively.

“This is what her note said. I’ve left behind plenty of heirs. With my role fulfilled, I’m going to live my own life to the fullest. But still.”

“Sounds rough.” Satoshi and Kasumi said in unison.

“Yes. It was quite rough for my mother.” Takeshi nodded.

“Not for your mother, for you...” Satoshi and Kasumi said in harmony.

“It’s no problem for me at all. I like raising kids. Though to be honest, instead of raising human children who have had various studies on how to raise them, I’d rather be exploring the unknown of raising Pokémon. It’s a slight regret of mine.”

Breakfast was odd. As an only child Satoshi found that the family breakfast was fun in a way different to school lunch.

Laughing voices went back and forth between the children.

But Pikachu was still pondering in silence in this situation.

How could he possibly beat Iwark.

The time of Satoshi and Pikachu’s second attempt at challenging the Nibi Gym approached.

“Thank you for joining my family for breakfast. But a Gym battle is something else entirely. I’ve no intention of going easy on you, so take this seriously...”

The smile had vanished from Takeshi’s face.

“I’d expect no less!” Satoshi yelled in reply.

But his true thoughts were less confident. ... I don’t really want to fight a battle I know I can’t win. But Pikachu is so fired up... I’ve got no choice.

Kasumi also knew it was a foregone conclusion.

She’d like to cheer for Pikachu. But after having breakfast with Takeshi and the kids, she wanted to support Takeshi too.

And so, if there was a God of Pokémon, she prayed to it from the bottom of her heart. ... Even if Pikachu can’t win, please don’t let him get hurt the way he did yesterday...

“Go! Pikachu!” Satoshi’s voice echoed through the wooden ceiling of the indoor ground.

Pikachu charged out towards Takeshi.

“Take the field! Iwark!”

Takeshi threw a Monster Ball.

Iwark burst forth.

The kids in the spectator seating began to sing.

“Pikachu, electric attack!” Satoshi shouted.

He hardly had to say it. After sleeping all day yesterday, Pikachu’s body was filled with stored electricity which he discharged.

But no matter where on its giant body was struck with electricity, Iwark didn’t flinch.

It moved to strike Pikachu with its tail, like a rosary of boulders.

Pikachu was able to dodge with some light footwork, but with his electricity clearly ineffective, it was only a matter of time until his stamina was exhausted.

But by bathing Iwark in electricity, Pikachu had confirmed something.

... As I thought, electricity doesn’t work against Iwark. ... Which means...

Pikachu stopped moving.

Iwark’s tail closed in from above.

“Pikachu, what are you doing!? Get out of there!” Satoshi shouted.

But Pikachu didn’t move. He flared the electrical pouches in his cheeks to their maximum.

An electric shock was discharged.

But the attack wasn’t aimed at Iwark.

The target of his attack were the lamps on the ceiling behind Iwark,

If he couldn’t hit the lamps, then any other electrical equipment would be fine.

As long as there’s a current.

The moment Iwark’s tail slammed down from above Pikachu’s head, he leapt out of the way.

He didn’t stop his discharge.

The ceiling, the walls, Pikachu’s electricity went everywhere.

The electricity barely missed the top of Satoshi and Kasumi’s heads.

“Wah! Pikachu, watch where you’re aiming! Don’t waste your electricity.”

“This is getting dangerous. I had some really nice croissants earlier, but I’m not hoping to become toast.”

Kasumi muttered as she crouched down covering her head.

“I wouldn’t say no to a toasted hottie on my menu...” said Takeshi.

The electricity rained down on Takeshi and the children in the spectator seating.

Takeshi became flustered.

“Stop. Satoshi-kun. Stop Pikachu’s electricity.”

It didn’t need to be stated. Pikachu’s opponent was Iwark.

“Pikachu! Calm down! Listen to me! Stop! Look at your opponent!”

Pikachu’s discharge didn’t stop.

“Can’t you hear me!? Pikachu! Cut it out!”

Pikachu could hear Satoshi’s voice just fine.

But he wasn’t going to cut it out.

A sense of self preservation and a desire to defeat his opponent made Takeshi decide to put an end to it himself.

... There’s no other way...

Takeshi shook his head and spoke to Satoshi.

“If the Pokémon refuses to listen to its trainer... Sorry, Satoshi-kun. I need to protect myself.”

“Eh?”

“Iwark, go all out. No holding back.”

“Hold it! Are you saying you’ve just been toying with me until now!?” Satoshi shouted.

“I only use as much power as necessary against any given Gym challenger. This is to provide minimum injuries to the challenger’s Pokémon. But I wouldn’t call your Pikachu a challenger. It won’t listen to its trainer and is on a rampage. A Pokémon on a dangerous rampage must be stopped by any means necessary.”

“My Pikachu is a rampaging Pokémon...?” Satoshi froze.

He had no counterargument.

Thinking about it, Pikachu had never obediently followed his orders up until now.

He and Pikachu had gotten out of some pretty tough spots with a positive outcome, but he refused to go into his Monster Ball and refused to listen to his orders, fairly conclusive proof.

On the same token, there’s the fact that Satoshi and Kasumi are travelling together despite not liking each other. ... But still... My Pikachu is my Pokémon...

“Pikachu! Stop it! Quit behaving like this!” All Satoshi could do was shout.

“Iwark! Put an end to that rampage!”

Iwark raised the head of its rosary beaded snakelike body and opened its mouth.

The posture a snake takes before killing its prey.

It’d be quite the picture if it was a battle between a mongoose and cobra, but with the over eight metre Iwark facing the forty centimetre tall Pikachu, the composition of the image was a little off. Iwark’s giant mouth looked big enough to fit five Pikachu.

“Pikachu, run!” Satoshi had nothing else to say at this point.

But Pikachu continued his discharge. And his target still wasn’t Iwark.

One by one the lamps on the ceiling began to burst in a spray of sparks.

The ground’s switchboard blew out.

The battleground lay in darkness.

A blackout...?

A slight light spot appeared.

It was the ground’s switchboard.

It had continued sparking and broken into flames.

“What?” Takeshi muttered with a groan.

Pikachu focused his electricity on the fire.

At the Tokiwa City Pokémon Center, what had caused the Poison Gas Pokémon Dogas to explode was a combination of sparks and fire. Electricity causes sparks, sparks cause fire.

Pikachu hadn’t forgotten the lessons experience taught him.

The cord of the switchboard caught fire.

An alarm went off.

It was the fire alarm.

The next moment, the sprinkler system in the ceiling began spouting water.

Not just in one spot either. Each of the sprinklers began to activate spraying water everywhere.

In the blink of an eye, Satoshi, Pikachu, Iwark, Takeshi and the whole ground were soaked.

With its gaping mouth that could still swallow Pikachu whole, Iwark froze in place.

The water stung Iwark’s body.

Water was getting into both the joints between the beads of its body and into its huge open mouth.

“Damn it! Iwark is weak against water.”

Takeshi’s voice was slightly flustered. ... That’s not enough to take Iwark down on its own though. It’ll restrict its abilities... but...

Takeshi looked a Pikachu.

Pikachu glared at Iwark.

And the electrical pouches on his cheeks swelled. ... In that downpour... When he took down that flock of Onisuzume, his electric shock may have been charged with the lightning, but the electricity also flowed well through the rainwater. ... He didn’t understand the logic. But Pikachu knew enough to realise that water conducts electricity.

Pikachu was a Pokémon who never forgot what he had learned through experience. Especially when it was something he learned during a crisis.

It’s entirely possible that forgetting things is a uniquely human trait.

Pikachu put every little bit of his power into discharging an electric shock directly into Iwark’s mouth.

A pale whitish-blue light engulfed Iwark from head to tail. It was like looking at a snake’s X-ray as Iwark’s innards lit up the darkness.

There were no bones to be seen, but something resembling thin muscle fibres were visibly lit up in white.

The rocks contain materials that allow electricity to pass through as well as insulated materials it won’t pass through.

The glowing bits were the conductive parts. Iwark’s soaked body allowed power to run through the insulated parts too. Iwark’s whole body was a path for electricity from head to tail.

Pikachu’s electric shock ran through this path in the blink of an eye.

The beads of Iwark’s body seemed to come apart momentarily like a necklace with its string cut, but its body came back together as it collapsed.

Iwark didn’t have the strength to get back up.

Takeshi stood there dumbfounded... Satoshi, Kasumi and the children in the audience did the same.

They might have been affected by the electricity that seemed to leak out of the fallen Iwark.

Their hair stood on end.

The flames were extinguished and the water from the sprinklers had stopped.

“Iwark!”

Without even stopping to try and dry the water from his hair, Takeshi ran over to Iwark.

He pulled stethoscope from his pocket and held it to the fifth boulder in the chain making up Iwark’s body.

He then let out a sigh of relief.

“Good. Iwark’s life isn’t in danger.”

“Is it okay?” Satoshi asked.

“It’s just numb. Hang it out to dry and it’ll be fine by tomorrow morning.”

“Sorry. We even set the place on fire...”

“I lost, that was a fine strategy...” Takeshi said.

“Strategy?” Satoshi asked back.

“You made it look like Pikachu was on a rampage and triggered the water, a rock Pokémon’s weakness. You took the disadvantage of using an electric Pokémon and turned it into an overwhelming asset.”

“That was just an accident.” Satoshi tilted his head.

“Don’t be so modest. You took one look at the battleground and learned how to use it. You figured it out. I never realised until now that the sprinklers used to protect the wooden building could be used as a rock Pokémon’s weakness.”

Takeshi pulled a grey coloured badge from his pocket.

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a badge to prove you defeated a Gym Leader.” ... The badge he desired more than anything.

But Satoshi was too proud to accept it.

This victory, if you could call it victory, belonged solely to Pikachu, Satoshi hadn’t given any instructions at all and couldn’t feel any joy of achievement.

“It really was entirely by accident. I didn’t win. Next time I’ll win fair and square.”

... Don’t act so principled... You’re never going to get another badge in your life...

Kasumi held her tongue from saying that out loud.

Raining on his parade would just be petty after being rained on by the sprinklers.

“Was it really just an accident?” Takeshi asked.

“Yeah, I had no idea that was going to happen.”

“This is a problem.”

A boy’s voice spoke out from behind Takeshi. He was a little different to Takeshi.

“Big bro. You lost. Four consecutive losses to kids from the same town. You’re not qualified to be a Gym Leader... You can’t be trusted to run the gym.”

“Jirou, you... really think that of me?”

The boy named Jirou nodded.

“We can’t follow in the footsteps of such a weak older brother. Can we?”

Jirou asked the children.

“Yeah. He’s right. He’s right.”

The children spoke as if reciting lines from a play.

“I’ll be the new Gym Leader here. You can go ahead and vanish somewhere, big bro.” Jirou said. He let out a slight sniffle.

“You’re driving me out then?” Takeshi asked.

“That’s right. You can redo your training or study your favourite Pokémon. We’ll handle the gym from now on... So for our sake too.”

Jirou took the Grey Badge from Takeshi’s hand and thrust it at Satoshi.

“You should take the badge.”

“Eh...”

“Take it... Take it... Please take it.”

The children implored him.

“You’re telling me to take it, but I haven’t defeated Takeshi-san.” Satoshi shook his head.

Jirou spoke to Takeshi.

“Big bro, you admitted defeat to him. You’ve taken care of us long enough. We’ll be fine now. We want you to live your own life doing something you love, big bro.”

“All of you... Thanks.” Takeshi’s narrow eyes narrowed further. They began to well with tears.

“But, Jirou, are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“If I can’t handle it, then Saburou will. Right, Saburou?”

“Leave it to me, big bro.”

The boy named Saburou nodded.

“If Saburou-chan can’t handle it, I’ll step in.”

The eldest daughter Takeko spoke up.

“There’s twenty of us. We’ll get by somehow.” Jirou said.

“And if we get to the end and none of us are up to the task...” Saburou began.

A girl roughly three years old toddled over and spoke.

“I’ll get a stwong husband. We’ll be fine.”

“I get it. You all...”

Takeshi sniffled. Then he turned back to Satoshi.

“Satoshi-kun, I admit defeat. Accept this badge.”

“But, I didn’t win...” Satoshi waved his arms in refusal.

The children had a troubled expression.

“Satoshi-kun...” Kasumi spoke from behind.

“Hm?” As he turned an open palm slapped his cheek.

“Pull yourself together!”

“What was that for?”

“Get over here!”

Kasumi dragged Satoshi off to the corner of the ground.

“Those kids want to free Takeshi-san from the tough life he’s had here. Don’t you get it?”

“Is that what’s happening?”

“You want to be a Pokémon Trainer, right? If you can’t understand their feelings, then you’ll never understand a Pokémon’s feelings. You’ll never become the world’s greatest Pokémon Trainer at this rate.”

“I don’t need a lecture from you of all people.”

“I’m not lecturing you, fine, I’ll make it a request. Satoshi-kun, take the badge... It’s what everyone wants.”

“Really? If it’ll make everyone satisfied, then I don’t have any other choice.” ...And I really do want that badge...

Satoshi spoke to Takeshi.

“I shall graciously accept... the Grey Badge. Really, thank you!”

“Yaaay!” The children cheered.

Having your opponent’s family celebrate your victory, if you can even call this a victory... is an odd feeling.

He then glanced over at Pikachu.

Pikachu couldn’t care less about the affairs of the humans, he was shivering as he attempted to dry his wet body.

He then met Satoshi’s gaze and turned around to say “Pikachu!”

It was almost as if he was saying ...I got it... to him.

It was a much more straightforward statement than Satoshi’s ...I shall graciously accept... line.

Satoshi wondered.

Was the sprinklers going off really just an accident?

Had Pikachu planned it out from the beginning?

Pikachu lacked the human speech to answer that question though.

Besides, whether it was planned by or simply an accident doesn’t really matter to Pikachu at this point.

He had defeated Iwark. It was enough to leave him satisfied with joy and elation.

Afterwards, Satoshi and Kasumi stayed the night at the Nibi City Pokémon Center, and the following morning had breakfast there... Kasumi had a cafe au lait and toast with plenty of butter... Satoshi had a set meal of nattou with nori seaweed and eggs... they both ate their fill.

Pikachu had gotten plenty of sleep and was full of electricity.

Satoshi and Kasumi said their goodbyes to Joy.

“No need to thank me. This is simply the duty of everyone in my family. When you meet the Joy in the next city you visit, give her my regards. None of the other Joys are quite as beautiful as me, but there’s a fair amount of cuteness in our family, so I’m sure you’ll recognise her.”

While they’re all related, it seemed as though the members of the Joy family were much of the same mindset.

Before leaving, Satoshi noticed a public phone next to the door and decided to call his mother Hanako.

He got the answering machine.

She must have been in the restaurant kitchen making preparations for today’s lunch specials.

Hanako would never answer the phone while working or cooking.

“Oh well...”

The answering machine should be proof enough that Hanako was getting along fine.

Satoshi put the receiver down with a sense of relief.

Kasumi watched Satoshi from a distance.

“Calling his mother...? Hmph. He’s practically still in diapers, how disgusting...”

Kasumi had a certain loneliness in her eyes as she muttered that.

Having reached a point where she was done preparing the lunch special, Hanako pressed the button on the answering machine.

“Mom... It’s kinda a long story, but I got the badge from Nibi Gym. I’ll talk later, bye.”

Satoshi’s embarrassed voice on the other end of the phone hung up.

It was the same tone he had when caught causing mischief.

“It’s a long story, he says…”

Hanako smiled.

Once at school he had come first in a race, he apparently ran 50 meters in something between 10 and 20 seconds, he’d been so excited that he spoke about it well into the night.

If getting the badge had gone smoothly, then he would have been saying “I did it, I did it!” and causing a big fuss.

It was obvious from Satoshi’s voice on the phone that he had a difficult time.

“Well, either way it’s great that he’s got a badge. As long as he didn’t steal it... I hope this isn’t the last I hear from him...”

There were records of both Satoshi’s father and grandfather having stayed at Nibi City Pokémon Center. However after that the trail went cold. It was unknown as to whether they had even obtained the badge from Nibi Gym.

“You’re already well ahead of your dad and grandpa. Hang in there, Satoshi.”

Hanako returned to the kitchen to make preparations for the dinner menu.

And Hanako remained completely unaware of the man who may have been Satoshi’s great great grandfather... her great grandfather.

The only failed Pokémon Trainer hopefuls she had any concern for were her husband and the father who had left nothing behind while her mother was still pregnant, that was enough.

“So, mind if I come with you?”

Takeshi’s voice called to Satoshi on the outskirts of Nibi City.

“I’d like to study how Pokémon are raised. I’d like to meet as many Pokémon as possible, which as a prospective Trainer is also your goal. I’d like to observe the behavior of Pokémon that are hurt during capture, or those who evade capture. As well as the psychology of a Pokémon who refuses to enter a Monster Ball.”

He was of course, referring to Pikachu.

“Are you being sarcastic?” Satoshi said grouchily.

“No, I honestly want to research. Besides, things like soup and miso soup are better when you’re cooking for three people instead of one.”

“Three people?”

“Isn’t that girl with you?”

He looked back and saw Kasumi there.

“She’s not with me.”

“I am with you. At least until you pay me for my bike.”

“You’re so persistent.”

“I have to be persistent. There’s no way I’m letting an untrustworthy brat like you out of my sight.”

“What was that!?”

“Stop!” Takeshi forced himself between them.

“I don’t know what’s happened between you, but we have a long journey ahead. Meaningless arguments are only going to tire you out. Clearly you need a responsible adult like myself to mediate between you.”

Satoshi agreed with that. Besides, Takeshi’s miso soup was incredible. It may have even been better than his mother’s.

“Do as you please.” Satoshi said.

“I agree.” Kasumi nodded.

“I do tire of arguing with this brat.”

Besides, Takeshi’s coffee and croissants were delicious. The usual convenience store pastries she got couldn’t even compare.

“I have no objection to Takeshi-san joining us.”

“Then it’s settled. Now then...”

Takeshi shouldered his backpack and began to walk.

“Big bro, good luck out there!”

A small girl called from behind.

They turned to see Takeshi’s youngest sister on the other side of the road.

“Do your best, big bro!”

Twenty children waved their goodbyes.

“Yeah, I’ll do my best.”

Takeshi gave a single wave before he began to walk away briskly.

He didn’t turn around a second time.

He didn’t want his little brothers and sisters to see his tears as he left.

“Hey, wait up.”

Satoshi, Kasumi and Pikachu swiftly followed after Takeshi as they left Nibi City.

(To be continued in chapter 3)

Chapter 2 Appendix

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 3. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

Reference Data

The Past and Present of Pokémon Gyms (An excerpt from a Ministry of Education, Science and Culture paper on Pokémon Gyms)

Long ago, retired Pokémon Trainers would open something resembling a dojo to pass on the skills they had honed over the years, in fact they were actually called dojos back in the day.

They were founded by various masters with different specialties, like the two schools of the Double Sided Grass Star Style for grass type Pokémon, or the two schools of the Double Sided Water Rapids Style for water type Pokémon, the electric type Plus, Minus, Ampere Style, the rock type Double Sided Rugged Style, there are many gyms still held in high regard even now.

Take note... The founder of the Nibi Gym was an assistant instructor of the Double Sided Rugged Style.

The gyms with their styles and reputation were eventually handed down the family line from parent to child, this becoming a standard practice.

But when the Pokémon Trainer boom occurred, gyms and dojos sprung up everywhere... including many whose specialties were dubious.

At that point the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture began to officially license gyms and dojos allowing only one per area with a population of 10,000 children.

Cities and school districts with more than 10,000 children, as well as large metropolises may have multiple gyms.

But with declining birth rates, there’s a noticeable gap appearing in highly populated areas, thus depending on the region you may now find gyms in areas with less than 10,000 children.

With a lack of disciples, the tuition fees used as funding also dried up. Running a gym isn’t an easy job.

For these gyms that remained in these areas, their expenses were covered by government funding. Thus the Gym Leader became a civil servant.

Though it can’t be denied that with the changing times, Gym Leaders employed by the government may slack off on their training since they have a steady income.

Besides, the government income isn’t that much.

Many inheritors of gyms opt not to follow in their parents footsteps as Gym Leaders and instead decide to try and become big shot Pokémon Trainers and earn the income of a star.

As for the students, studying at a gym may make them a master of water Pokémon, but unable to handle any other type, thus resulting in Pokémon Trainers with obvious glaring weaknesses.

The ideal Pokémon Trainer is a Pokémon Master capable of connecting their heart with any kind of Pokémon.

In countries throughout the world, the goal is to raise as many Pokémon Masters as possible.

The reason why raising Pokémon Masters is so important to a country is so important is a national secret.

Even in our own country, raising exceptional Pokémon Trainers into Pokémon Masters is a utmost important priority for the state.

And so, to protect gyms as an educational institution in our country, while also raising well rounded trainers, the badge system was introduced.

Basically, those aiming to become trainers travel to challenge gyms within their local district, they are awarded with a badge if they defeat the gym and must gather eight badges to complete in the district’s league.

This also results in gyms with few or no students to be challenged by traveling Trainers making sure the leaders don’t earn their government wages without working.

By gathering eight badges, potential trainers must face various kinds of Pokémon, becoming Pokémon Trainers who are solid all rounders with no specific weaknesses.

And so, if a Gym Leader loses four badges in a row, they must be taken over by their successor.

As such, even Gym Trainers in regions with few challengers can’t afford to slack off on their daily training.

As a result of this, the Gym Badge system which was introduced over fifty years ago has its issues.

In order to protect a gym over generations, the children of the gym must use the Pokémon customary of their lineage.

But the child of a gym may not want to be just a Gym Leader, but a capable Pokémon Trainer in their own right.

And there’s also boys and girls who wish to follow an entirely different path unrelated to Pokémon.

Overall, running a gym isn’t an easy business, and children who want to pursue an alternative path may not have the option available to them.

In the rare situation where a Gym Leader loses four times in a row, they’re unable to search for a successor and have no family to fill the role, a long standing gym may be left in the hands of a total stranger.

To prevent this from happening, they resort to preparing many successors.

As a result of this, in this era of declining childbirth, Pokémon Gyms are often home to large families who live increasingly difficult lives.

In some regions, there are many Gym Leaders who run a gym in name only and run some kind of other business on the side.

In these cases, they skirt the four consecutive loss rule by losing three times and bribing the fourth Pokémon Trainer to deliberately throw the match.

It’s a complete act of misconduct, but it’s hard to complain when the state of many gyms is downright terrible.

Pokémon Gyms... Particularly Pokémon Gyms in areas with few visitors, require not only a child allowance, but strong government support.

Note... In the case of Nibi Gym... Takeshi leaving would decrease their living expenses. However, it’s difficult to clearly establish his brothers and sisters opinion on that.

When asked to choose between the delicious food Takeshi makes and cheaper living expenses, the answer is clear.

They wanted to free him from the life of a Gym Leader. That’s the honest opinion of his brothers and sisters.

Reference Material: My Dream

My home is a water type Pokémon Gym.

We usually get two or three challengers a month.

The Gym Leader, my dad, often either wins or loses.

When he wins, we have meaty sukiyaki, when he loses we have a gruel made with Koiking scales.

I don’t hate Koiking, but I don’t like Koiking gruel.

On days when he loses, dad puts Koiking fins in his sake and drinks it and ends up rampaging like the atrocious Pokémon Gyarados.

The next day at school, rumours about his loss are going around.

They bully me saying “Your gym is a Koiking... A useless Koiking.”

On other days, when I come home, I’m not bullied but dad puts me through intensive training.

I’ve been training to become a Gym Leader since I was three.

I have to try and hold my breath underwater for three minutes.

If I become a Gym Leader, I’d like to eat meaty sukiyaki two or three times a month.

Excerpt from the writings of a boy (age 8) who lives in the household of a Pokémon Gym

The same old mountain road.

Two weeks have passed since Satoshi and the others left Nibi City.

He had made many attempts at catching wild Pokémon and had consistently failed.

Takeshi’s campfire meals were delicious, but with nothing else to look forward to, traveling the mountain path was incredibly dull.

Even the foul mouthed Kasumi had finally run out of insults and become quiet as of late.

Pikachu walked with his eyes closed.

He sensed no danger and was essentially dozing off into a half asleep state as he walked.

The road lead to the mountain’s peak.

The path split in two as it descended the mountain.

“This path leads down to Hanada City.” Takeshi said as he spread out his map.

“Then this path will take us to a different city.” Kasumi pointed to the other path.

“I want to go to a city with a gym.” Satoshi replied.

“In that case, Hanada City has a gym.” Takeshi said.

“Then it’s decided!” Satoshi began walking.

“Hold it right there.” Kasumi grabbed Satoshi by the back of his collar.

“You haven’t even caught a single new Pokémon. You should give it a little longer before your next gym challenge, perhaps ten years?”

Kasumi had a point.

Other than Pikachu, Satoshi’s only Pokémon were Pidgeon and Butterfree.

Besides, having barely battled with them he hadn’t mastered their abilities either.

However since it was Kasumi who voiced her opinion, Satoshi opted to ignore her warnings.

“Whether I’m ready or not can only be determined after I try.”

“You’re gonna lose. You should give up before you lose what little dignity you still have.”

Being told to give up only made him more stubborn.

“Gathering the Gym Badges is my mission. I’ll never give up.”

Satoshi shook Kasumi off and ran down the path.

“By trying to stop him, you instead spurred him on. Nice work with the reverse psychology.”

“But I really don’t want to go there.” Kasumi muttered.

“Eh?”

“I don’t want to go! Screw Hanada City! But I have to now, otherwise he’ll never pay me back for my bike... Ugh, that damn Satoshi... I won’t forgive you for this!”

Kasumi chased down the path after Satoshi.

It seemed that Kasumi has issues with Hanada City itself beyond having to go along with Satoshi’s gym quest.

“Oh well, it sounds like Hanada City has a reputation of having beautiful young women.”

Takeshi read over the tourism guide attached to the map.

Tourism Guide ... Hanada City

A city of water and flowers... It’s considered the Kanto region’s equivalent of the Attami Hot Springs.

At the base of the dormant volcano, Mt. Furuhanada, it has long since been known as a hot springs resort. Also thanks to the hot springs and geothermal energy, the area is known for a temperate climate where flowers bloom in abundance.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the Hanada in Hanada City’s name refers to the great fields of flowers it has.

The word Hanada may also refer to a cerulean hue, the word sounds as though it may describe a pink or reddish colour, but in actuality it’s more purplish or blue, a fact you may want to keep in mind. Flowers come in many colours. Anyway, Hanada is a city that is inseparable from flowers.

In fact, Hanada City has no rice or vegetable crops, but is surrounded by fields of flowers. Truthfully, with all the volcanic ash in the soil surrounding Hanada, about the only thing other than flowers that could actually grow would be potatoes.

A Well Known Insulting Song<p> ... Hanada City is a city of roses

The women who live there have mighty big noses

If you don’t want a flower you can have a potato

Hanada City, we advise that you don’t go

Additionally, the Hanada River which flows through the soft volcanic ash soil has its path vary throughout the year and occasionally floods, but don’t be concerned as it simply irrigates the fields.

... Hanada City is a city of water

And just like the water are many its daughters

They rage and scream and howl like a storm

Hanada City, you have been warned

Though the flow changes continuously from year to year, it’s resulted in scattered swamplands, new branches of the river and natural waterways, Hanada River and the flower filled Hanada City have beautiful scenery renowned throughout the country, until recently it was a popular spot for honeymooners in the Kanto region.

In the golden era, there was a railcar that ran from the city painted with flowers called the Flower Romance Car.

Though speaking of tourist hotspots, since the olden times various places like game arcades, mysterious circus tents and bars have opened to part tourists from their money, and many kinds of people began to drift through for various reasons.

In no time at all, Hanada City had become somewhere that was no longer safe for young newlyweds who wanted some time alone.

Nowadays, Hanada City’s detractors would describe it as an overpriced, terrible, unsettling excuse of a hot spring town.

Hanada City has many old hot spring inns.

They may generally be overpriced, terrible and unsettling... They get very few customers, and on the inside they’re cheap, terrible and unsettling.

Besides just being a place to relax and take a bath, the one thing hot springs really need is to be effective at healing sickness and injury.

With this in mind, a lot of customers who book cheap inns in Hanada City bring their own pots and kettles in order to do their own cooking while they recover from their ailments.

Hidden among the recesses on the outskirts of Hanada City lies the Kareobana Hotel, one of the inns mentioned.

Though beyond the others, it is an extremely cheap hotel to stay at.

It’s so cheap as the roof is slanted, the wind howls through the walls and the electricity doesn’t work.

At night you need a candle or a lamp for light, it rarely ever got any customers due to this, which is why it is quite odd that two weeks ago the names Miyamoto and Sasaki were added to the guestbook.

Despite the different surnames, they’re recorded as a married couple with one child... His name is Nyantaro...

Though most customers come to recover from illness or injury, at such an inconspicuous place, the shady things going on are likely to cause injury or illness.

With their kind of clientele, the management of the Kareobana Hotel take most things in stride, however these latest guests astounded even them.

That’s because these two guests, or rather, three including the kid, were covered in bandages from head to toe... they looked as if they were mummies or the invisible man.

Additionally, they spend all day holed up in their rooms and come out at night... and only for entering the baths... if you listen to their footsteps in the hallway, the three of them go separately on their own to enter the bath.

The hotel management knows not to pry into their guests lives, they had paid a week’s fees in advance so there were no issues, but the guests were still kinda creepy.

And now currently, within the sealed room the bandages were finally coming off.

Night... Two candlelit figures in bandages were reflected in a mirror.

A woman’s voice came from one of the bandaged figures.

“No matter whatever questions you ask...”

“Nyobody asked anything...”

At the pair’s feet, there was indeed a bandaged child who spoke up.

Though he was more like a ball of yarn than a child.

“Silence!” The other figure kicked the ball of yarn. They had a man’s voice.

“No matter whether the questions are asked...” The bandaged woman corrected herself.

“the answer you'll receive is the world's pity.” The man responded.

“To protect the world from devastation.” The woman began removing the bandages from her head.

“To maintain the world's peace.” The man loosened his bandages.

“To denounce the evils of truth and love.” The woman struggled slightly.

“We are the lovely charming villains.” The man gently followed.

“Musashi.” The woman’s face was now free of the bandages.

She wasn’t as young as Kasumi, but if you said she looked the same age as Satoshi’s mother she would probably get mad.

“My coming of age was only slightly long ago.” Musashi clarified before getting mad.

“Kojirou.” He’s not as young as Satoshi or Takeshi, but he was far from being Professor Ookido’s age.

“Beauty isn’t only for the young.” Kojirou added as a non-sequitur.

“The pair from Team Rocket, crossing the galaxy...”

Fluttering... Musashi’s bandages dropped from her body like a cloak.

Beneath the bandages was a Team Rocket uniform.

“White hole. A white tomorrow awaits.” Kojirou’s bandages dropped.

Musashi and Kojirou’s pride and joy were their specially ordered custom white uniforms.

For some reason they had been wearing the uniforms underneath their bandages.

The pair perfectly struck a pose.

Additionally the ball of yarn had removed its bandages to reveal himself as Nyarth.

“That’s right.”

As he gave his final word, he took the pose of a beckoning cat.

He didn’t wear a uniform, but the coin on his forehead shone brightly.

Musashi smiled looking upon her reflection in the mirror.

“My skin is so smooth... I truly am beautiful...”

“The hot springs here have done wonders for our skin. Mmmm. I’m one fine man.” Kojirou looked at his own face.

“I’m a Nyarth. There’s not much way of checking a cat’s skin.” Nyarth said, his eyes narrowing.

Though it is said that there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

“You’re still you. Nothing new. My skin is practically sparkling though... right?”

“I guess? Though I’ve made a full recovery! Practically sparkling, right?”

“I guess~? But isn’t my coin certainly sparkling?”

They were all quite happy with what they saw in the mirror.

And so, the grand entrance of Team Rocket... Musashi, Kojirou and Nyarth.

In Tokiwa Forest, Musashi and Kojirou of Team Rocket were stung by the Poison Bee Pokémon, Spia, and had swollen up with the poison, and since then they hid out here at the Kareobana Hotel where they’ve been treating their injuries.

And now, their wounds are healed.

The two people and one Pokémon cared little for each other’s recovery and only about their own.

However, Team Rocket’s gang of two people and one Pokémon had made a full recovery.

“The time has finally come... to denounce the evils of truth and love...” Musashi clenched her fist.

“The time has come... for bed... it’s the middle of the night.” Kojirou shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s a moonless night.” Nyarth was staring at the night sky out of the window.

“We should enjoy the hot springs to celebrate our full recovery.” Kojirou said as he draped a towel across his shoulders and exited into the hallway.

“Hold it! Our physical wounds may have healed, but I wouldn’t say we’ve made a full recovery as of yet... There’s something important you’re forgetting.”

Musashi loomed threateningly.

“That’s right.” Nyarth nodded sagely.

“What is it...?” Kojirou cocked his head.

“It’s hardly a meowstry! (It’s hardly a mystery!)”

Nyarth suddenly scratched Kojirou’s face.

“Owowow... Right after I finished healing.”

“Shaddup!” Nyarth obviously meant to say shut up.

“That Pikachu has ruined our pride as the mighty Team Rocket... for a cat Pokémon to lose to a mouse Pokémon... Have you already forgotten... how mortified I am as a Nyarth...?”

“Oh... yeah, I guess there’s that too.” Musashi murmured having apparently forgotten that as well.

“Whaaat? You were talking about something else we’d forgotten?”

“You’re forgetting that we’re broke... we spent everything we had on paying for our hotel room...”

“Ah...” Nyarth and Kojirou stood dumbfounded.

“And we already took an advance on our salary as well... We’re so dirt poor, we barely even have dirt.” Musashi pulled a heart shaped pink purse from her pocket and opened it to shake it out.

Nothing but a bit of dirt fell out.

“What should we do...” Kojirou panicked slightly.

“It’s night... the moon isn’t out.” Nyarth looked up at the night sky.

“There’s only one thing to do... let’s get to work!”

Musashi and Kojirou nodded.

A big part of working for Team Rocket involved burglary.

Satoshi was spending that night at the Hanada City Pokémon Center, the next morning after breakfast he headed straight for Hanada Gym.

As you would expect of a place called Hanada City, there were flower beds on most street corners.

Both sides of the streets were lined with hotel terraces, blooming with flowers.

“It’s beautiful. As I’d expect of a place called Hanada City.”

Takeshi murmured, thinking out loud. Kasumi gave a blunt response.

“They’re fake. The flowers are plastic. It keeps those nasty bugs from eating them.”

“Hmm. They don’t look fake to me.”

Takeshi cocked his head right before Kasumi lashed out in anger.

“They’re so obviously fake! You’ve grown up surrounded by boulders and rocks, so you wouldn’t recognize a real flower if it smacked you in the face, Takeshi-san.”

Takeshi’s eyes widened after Kasumi’s outburst.

“Hey, it’s not like I’m Satoshi. Try cooling it on the attitude.”

“You’re both the same. Satoshi, Takeshi-san... Let’s go to Hanada City... Oh, it’s so pretty... You’re making me sick.”

Satoshi, who had been walking ahead of them, turned back to speak.

“Come on, quit fighting. I want to get to the gym. I don’t care whether or not the flowers are real, as long as the gym has Pokémon and I get a real badge.”

“Shut up! I have no inclination to listen to some eccentric miscreant who only likes Pokémon.”

“Don’t use such big words. Seriously, who even says inclination?”

Satoshi responded irritably, wanting to just go to the gym already.

“What was that!? You damn Pokémon nerd... you want a piece of me?” Kasumi snapped back.

Takeshi stepped between them in a panic.

“Hold up, wasn’t this argument supposed to be between myself and Kasumi-chan?”

Then it happened.

“Alright, you there. You three having the argument...”

At some point a police car had pulled up behind them.

“One girl and two boys... Suspicious activity early in the morning.”

“Eh? No, we’re all friends here...”

After giving his panicked response, Takeshi’s eyes sparkled as he set his glance upon the female officer.

“May I ask your name...?” Takeshi asked her without a moment of hesitation.

It was a different voice than he had used with Kasumi, his pitch had risen. His face was bright red.

... What’s his deal? ...

Kasumi was meaninglessly irritated by him.

“I’m the one asking the questions here.”

The officer responded to Takeshi.

Kasumi took the opportunity to speak before Takeshi.

“I’ve never met these men before in my life... and I’m quite busy today... so...”

She ran off in a hurry.

“Hmm. Quite suspicious.” The officer looked back and forth between Takeshi and Satoshi.

“Huh?”

After staring at the officer’s face, Satoshi absentmindedly spoke up.

“Officer. You’re that motorcycle cop from Tokiwa City, right?”

Sure enough, she was a dead ringer for the motorcycle cop Junsa who had helped get an injured Pikachu to the Pokémon Center in Tokiwa City.

“Hm? ... Right, you must be thinking of my stepsister from Tokiwa City... we share the same family name though.”

It seems that just as the Joy family dominate as the doctors at the Pokémon Center, the Junsa family also dominate the police force of this city.

However, the Junsa family aren’t as friendly on the job as the Joys are.

“Hold on a minute. If you know my sister...”

After murmuring to herself, she suddenly leapt from the patrol car.

In the blink of an eye, she had twisted the arms of Takeshi and Satoshi, getting them both into handcuffs.

It was like the act of a magician.

“Uh, what.”

As the two of them were puzzled by being handcuffed, Junsa spoke tensely.

“Don’t resist arrest. You said that you knew my sister...”

“Eh? I mean, I’ve met her before...” Satoshi responded timidly.

“There’s plenty of reasons someone would know a police officer. Maybe they’re asking for directions, or they’ve lost their wallet, or they’re a heinous criminal.”

Takeshi spoke up again in his sing song voice.

“You’re so pretty, officer.”

“Thank you. I get that a lot.” Junsa replied without smiling.

“I know my way, haven’t lost my wallet. And I certainly haven’t done anything criminal. However, I’d love to get to know you. I’m Takeshi... We just got into town last night.”

“Arriving last night makes you even more suspicious. The criminal always returns to the scene of the crime.”

“Does this look like the face of a hardened criminal?” Takeshi gave her a smile.

Junsa smiled back.

“No. You look like a fool who wouldn’t be capable of a crime. But these days, criminals are pretty good at playing the fool.”

“No way... You’ve got such a pretty smile though, officer.” Takeshi said with a serious expression.

“Excuse me, but...” Getting fed up with Takeshi’s antics, Satoshi opened up his Pokémon Field Guide.

“Will you believe me if you look at this?”

“I see... and where did you steal this from?”

“I’m telling you, it’s my Field Guide... The Junsa-san in Tokiwa City believed me.”

“Hanada City is less trusting than the boonies. What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is also mine. ... I know how these criminals’ minds work.” As she said this, she entered the Field Guide’s serial number into the computer in the patrol car’s drivers seat. The computer’s screen displayed “OK”. Junsa nodded plainly.

“Your story checks out.”

She returned the Field Guide to Satoshi and spoke to Takeshi.

“Well, who are you then?”

“Well, I’m... the former Gym Leader of Nibi City...”

“Proof of identification!” Junsa called resolute.

Takeshi was flustered as he got out his ID card.

“That’s the first thing you should be giving when the police call you up... If you didn’t waste my time, I wouldn’t have had to cuff you.”

After she confirmed Takeshi’s ID on her computer, Junsa removed their cuffs with some magical action with her hands.

“But if my sister is hanging out with people like you... Well, I have to question her taste.”

Despite Junsa muttering this to herself, Takeshi persisted.

“However, this is the first time we’ve met... it must be fate. Perhaps we should take this chance to get to know each other...”

“I’m flattered. But the only people I’m interested in learning more about right now is whoever is responsible for last night’s incident.”

“What kind of incident was it?”

Takeshi asked without missing a beat.

“Somebody stole a giant hose and water pumping engine from the city’s water department... They also took three day old leftovers of three workers’ lunch from the fridge, though that’s hardly an issue.”

“Sounds like an interesting case. Perhaps we can discuss it further.”

“I get that you’re interested in me... But I’m a busy woman and if you continue to harass me, I’ll have to put you under arrest. Like when I saw you with that other girl.”

“Arrest... The way you say it really gets me going, officer. If I were a bad man, I’d gladly go down for you.”

Takeshi said this with a straight face.

Junsa couldn’t help but crack a smile at this. ... Geez, this guy...

Satoshi was losing his patience. Hanging around at this point was only increasing his chances of getting arrested for real.

... She’s going to charge us with obstruction of justice at this rate...

Satoshi remembered an old TV news report he saw once.

An incident where an old man with all the time in the world and nothing better to do, went to the police station to have small talk with the officers on duty, and after a whole week of this they took him into custody.

The crime he was charged with was called obstruction of justice.

The TV newscaster was furious about the treatment of the old man however,

The old man himself was quite happy and quoted as saying “There’s plenty of people to talk to in prison, so I’m looking forward to it.” It was a strange incident.

There’s a bit of a difference between the old man and Takeshi, but Satoshi didn’t want to be involved in any strange incidents.

“I’ll be going now... Here’s my Field Guide.” Satoshi snatched his Field Guide from Takeshi and walked away.

“Sounds good!” Takeshi said brightly.

From here on... whatever Takeshi did was no longer Satoshi’s problem.

However, that evening, Takeshi returned to the Hanada City Pokémon Center repeatedly saying the same thing.

“Junsa-san is so incredible. If only I were five years older...”

It would appear that Takeshi did not get arrested in the end.

... Is this really Hanada Gym? ...

Satoshi had reached the Hanada City coastline.

The map said that Hanada Gym was located here.

However the gymnasium-like building standing before Satoshi displayed a flashy sign.

“Three sensational sisters, underwater revue. A heart pounding, fluttering dream awaits...”

The sign reminded him of the signage for a circus that had come to a festival in Masara Town a long time ago.

The word heart pounding seemed to fit more than fluttering.

Nobody was at the entrance. There was a vending machine selling tickets.

There was a light saying Available Now, so it seemed that something was going on inside.

Satoshi bought a ticket and went inside.

Suddenly, he could hear chanting.

“Sakura-chaaaan!”

“Alright! Ayame!”

“It’s Botan-chan, I’ve been waiting for her!”

There was a crowd on the other side of the door.

There was waltzing music playing, like at an ice skating rink.

But inside was more like a movie theatre than a skating rink.

If you were to call this place a movie theatre, then the movie playing would be called Depths of the Deep Blue Sea.

However, what at first glance appeared to be the screen, was in fact a glass water tank.

There were roughly a dozen men pressed against the glass looking at what was inside the tank.

These men were responsible for the chants.

... What the...? heck is this...

Suddenly something dropped into the water in the tank from above, obscured by bubbles.

A fish Pokémon? Was Satoshi’s first instinct.

The lower half had something resembling fins. The top half was shining. It was surrounded by something swaying like seaweed.

It had to be a pretty big Pokémon.

Not as big as Nibi Gym’s Iwark though...

Iwark was the only Pokémon larger than a human that Satoshi had ever seen in person.

Iwark, as the Rock Snake Pokémon, in order to allow movement looked like a number of large boulders strung together.

That rocky skin was a common sight in mountains and fields.

But whatever was currently in the tank had a blueish whiteness to it, an odd feeling of warmth.

There’s Pokémon like that then..

Then a woman’s voice announced over the speakers.

“Everyone. Thank you once again for coming so early to see the three sisters underwater revue. Now it’s time for the finale. First up, Botan-chan, give your regards...”

The men’s cheers grew louder.

The bubbles cleared, the thing in the tank was waving.

Getting a good look, it was a woman in a sparkling swimsuit. The fins on her feet were diving flippers.

Her long pink hair floating around her had obscured the fact she was human.

... Darn. Just a human... Also, ugh, a girl...

Satoshi was disappointed.

Satoshi always found himself at a disadvantage dealing with women, including his mother.

And since meeting Kasumi, his dealings with them had only become worse.

Looking at her, the woman in the water was a great swimmer.

Though she didn’t need to be wriggling about so much... She’d be better off swimming in a straight line... It’s no wonder she was mistaken for a Pokémon... It’s clearly confusing... A man would be much more straight to the point... Satoshi wasn’t impressed.

Just like yesterday, Pikachu was beginning to doze off by his feet.

Sensing no danger, the nocturnal Pikachu decided on a daytime nap.

The announcement continued.

“Right, next up, Ayame-chan...”

This time, a purple haired woman jumped in.

... What kind of person has purple hair... That’s one of the things he hated about women.

Satoshi recalled when he was four years old, his mother Hanako had dyed her black hair to brown.

... Satoshi had thrown such a fit that his mother hadn’t dyed her hair again since.

“Now it’s time for myself, the eldest, Sakura... Also, before you leave, don’t forget to get souvenirs of this sensational event... Pamphlets, memorial badges, photos of us and more... All available and in high demand from the vending machine. All the best.”

The announcement ended and a blonde woman leapt into the tank.

The pink, purple and blonde haired women linked hands and bowed their heads to the crowd.

The men applauded... they loved it.

A curtain dropped in front of the tank.

A song called “Light of the Firefly Pokémon” began to play over the speakers.

Whether or not any firefly Pokémon actually existed he wasn’t sure, however, Satoshi knew the name of the song as he recognised it from game arcades and theatres between shows.

A prerecorded announcement began to play.

“There will be no encores. The next performance is at 3:00. Souvenirs are available at the vending machine. All the best.”

The men gradually left.

But Satoshi wasn’t leaving.

... What was that... Where’s the Pokémon Gym...

Satoshi peeked behind the curtain.

There was a gap between the curtain and the tank.

He could hear women talking.

“Botan-chan, you were a little sloppy.”

“As if you weren’t, sis.”

Satoshi peeked through the gap.

There was a narrow path.

That’s where the voices were coming from.

Satoshi peeked down the path.

“It’s only to be expected when there’s such a small turnout.”

The blonde woman sighed as she brushed her hair.

Satoshi watched intently from the shadow of the curtain.

“We get a lot more customers during the evening session... I’ll be on point for that one.”

The pink haired woman tossed her hair.

“But if we’re not always giving it our best, we’re liable to slip up when it really counts. Let’s all get some perspective here...”

The purple haired woman spoke as she pulled at her hair.

Underneath the hair, black hair was visible.

The pink, purple and blonde hair were wigs.

All three of the girls real hair was black.

With a feeling of relief, Satoshi spoke without thinking.

“Right. They’re just wigs...”

The women all turned to look. Then all three spoke in unison.

“Don’t look!”

Satoshi flinched.

However, the woman who had been blonde looked at Satoshi and shrugged.

“Though I guess there’s no harm in looking. There’s nothing to hide.”

“You’re right.” The woman who had the pink hair laughed.

“We can’t be so slack about this. This boy had to have been a customer. He could have become one of our fans when he grows up. We’re the stars of Hanada City, we need to act like it.”

The third woman put her soaking wet purple wig back on and gave Satoshi a bright smile.

“Sorry kid. If you’re wanting an autograph, you have to go through our manager.”

“Hold on, since when did we get a manager?”

The woman with the pink wig mockingly asked the one in the purple wig.

“Silence! Botan! Don’t crush the kid’s dreams. Stars are supposed to have managers.”

The purple haired one snapped irritably.

“Now, now, seeing the three sensational sisters at each other’s throats is going to taint his vision further.”

The blonde woman calmed the other two.

Satoshi had no patience for watching some unknown women bickering.

“I don’t want your autograph...”

“Eh?”

The three women stared at Satoshi in surprise.

Regardless of anything else said, it seemed that all three were convinced he’d come for autographs.

“I’m here for a badge.”

“Oh... They’re available from the vending machine then.”

The purple haired one said, seemingly a little disappointed.

“That’s not what I’m after.”

Satoshi pouted.

“What I want is a Gym Badge. Where has the Hanada City Gym gone?”

The three of them stared blankly at Satoshi.

“You must be an aspiring trainer then?”

The blonde asked Satoshi with an exasperated expression.

“That... is the only reason I’m in a place like this.”

“I see, a place like this, not the nicest way to put it. Geez.”

The pink haired one shook her head.

“Boy, this is Hanada Gym.”

The purple haired one stated.

“Then where’s the Gym Leader... where are the Pokémon?”

“We’re the Gym Leaders... I’m Sakura, the eldest.”

The woman in the blonde wig.

“I’m the second oldest, Ayame...”

The purple haired one.

“Third daughter, Botan...”

The one in the pink wig waved.

“To be precise, one of us is the leader. We rotate on a weekly roster, or sometimes just draw lots.”

Satoshi wasn’t content to keep quiet after hearing that.

“Can a Gym Leader do that kind of thing?”

“What kind of thing... our revue?”

The second daughter Ayame asked raising her brow a little. She seemed a little thick.

“I mean... you just kinda swim around a little bit...”

“Boy, that’s what you call art.”

Sakura said gently.

“Indeed, we are the three sensational sisters of Hanada City. Purveyors of beauty and art.”

The third daughter, Botan, said with a smile.

“I don’t care about that. I’m Satoshi from Masara Town. I came for a battle. I came for a badge. Fight me.”

“A kid from Masara Town, huh... Geez.”

Sakura looked at her sisters.

“If you want a badge that badly... it’s fine, right?”

Botan asked Ayame, who seemed to take her duties the most seriously.

“Sure. Have a badge.”

Ayame stated plainly.

“Eh...? What?”

Satoshi was disappointed as dispirited.

“You’re the fourth kid passing through from Masara Town. We’ve seen a lot of you lately.”

Sakura sighed.

“Three others came?”

Satoshi let out a sigh.

Satoshi’s rivals from Masara Town were all still ahead of him.

“You see... Hanada City is known for its flowers. Get it? Therefore, us three sisters are like flowers.” Botan said sweetly.

“Though most of the flowers are fake these days.” Ayame whispered.

“Let’s not bring that up.” Sakura said.

“Besides, it’s a tourist trap filled with hot springs. This is somewhere people come to relax. We barely get any serious gym challengers. Most people are here to play. We’re hardly what you’d call a proper gym. At least not since mom and dad abandoned us.”

Ayame spoke as if it was something that didn’t concern her.

“They ran out on this place too?”

Satoshi was astonished.

First Nibi Gym and now this place, it seems a lot of parents are abandoning their kids.

I mean, at least I had my mom, maybe I was luckier than I realised... he may have thought.

“Basically, even though our parents ran off, by keeping up the pretence we’re still a gym, we’re able to make a living. Besides, anyone over the age of ten is a legal adult in this country... our parents have no obligation to us and are free to do whatever they want.” Ayame said to Satoshi.

“But we’re still young. We don’t want to spend our entire life at this stupid gym. We want to see the world and live a better life.” Botan’s eyes sparkled as she daydreamed.

“So that’s when we realised. We’re beautiful young women. We didn’t need a Pokémon Gym to make a living. We could focus on our looks, brush up any imperfections in our faces and escape this little hot springs town. With our looks and our special swimming routine, we’ll be the stars of the world’s best underwater show. You get it?”

“Not at all. Why would you brush any part of your face other than your teeth?”

It was a serious question for Satoshi, but all three sisters sighed in succession. Heh, heh, heh...

“Anyway, I want a battle.”

“Geez, fine. The other three kids from your hometown totally wiped us out.”

“Wiped you out?”

“This is a town of flowers and hot springs. We’re hopeless in a serious battle... As a result, we’ve just lost three battles in a row. The last kid in particular was so serious it was a little scary.”

“I’m serious too.”

He wasn’t going to back down after hearing that the other three had won.

“Which is why, just take the badge.” Sakura pulled out a pendant kept near her chest.

There was a blue coloured badge attached to it.

“Here, the Blue Badge. Proof of victory at Hanada Gym.”

“But don’t four consecutive losses mean you have to shut down the gym?”

“That’s the rule. But there’s three of us. If we all have a turn, we’ll be okay to last through twelve losses. By which point we’ll be stars and finally leave this place.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Sisters are a great thing to have.”

“I’m an only child.” Satoshi murmured.

“That’s a shame... But cheer up. You get to have this badge...”

“But...”

“No need to hold back... We’re all part of the one big family known as humankind.”

Ayame and Botan also smiled kindly.

He felt a little guilty about it, but Satoshi really wanted the Blue Badge in front of him.

Just as Satoshi thought to say... Thank you...

“Hold it right there!”

A girl’s harsh voice came from behind.

Even the dozing Pikachu, who had followed Satoshi, was surprised by the voice and jolted awake.

He had sensed danger in the forcefulness of the voice,

Satoshi turned to see Kasumi standing with clenched fists.

“Sis... What do you think you three are doing?”

Kasumi glared at the three sisters.

“By sis... You mean, what?”

Satoshi asked Kasumi.

“Satoshi, for this battle... I’m your opponent.”

“Why are you...”

“This shouldn’t come as a surprise... I’m the world’s greatest beauty, the name’s Kasumi. And I am in fact, the youngest daughter of the Hanada Gym.”

“That’s a surprise...”

Satoshi whispered honestly.

It was ludicrous for Kasumi to call herself a beauty next to the three beautiful sisters. She had to be at least five years younger than them... It was like comparing a child to an adult.

“Which means that the three sensational sisters of Hanada City are actually the four sensational sisters.”

Kasumi puffed out her chest.

“More like three sensational sisters and something extra.”

Botan muttered under her breath.

A girl can’t overlook such an insult no matter how quietly it’s said.

“What was that...” Kasumi glared at Botan.

“I’ll say it clearly then. You can’t compete with us, who was it that made a grand gesture of cutting ties and leaving home again?”

Ayame stated in place of Botan.

“I’m not going to let you ruin the gym dad left behind, just because of some dumb idea of becoming stars.”

Kasumi spat back.

“Dad this... Dad that, it’s always about dad with you. Listen up Kasumi, dad abandoned the gym. We’re free to do whatever we want with it... Dad gave up on the gym so he could choose his own path in life.” Botan said looking into the distance.

“I don’t want to hear it.” Kasumi kept shaking her head.

“If my sisters aren’t up to the job, I’ll protect dad’s gym myself.”

“You’re ending your time away? You’ve already ended your relationship with us, Kasumi.”

Ayame said.

“Weedy little Kasumi, so cute alone in her corner.”

Botan shrugged.

“I will defend the honour of Hanada Gym!” Kasumi said, clenching her fists.

“Alright. Let Kasumi do what she wants...”

Sakura said to Botan and Ayame with a strained smile.

“There’s no need to argue with your sister about the gym. Right?”

Ayame and Botan smiled back and nodded.

“Thanks, sis.” Kasumi bit her lip as she turned back to Satoshi.

“Over here, atta boy, Satoshi.”

“Atta boy, really... Don’t talk down to me like that... I’m Satoshi.” Satoshi responded.

“You’re about the size of a Koratta, so atta boy seems appropriate. Afraid to take me on since I know exactly how strong you are?”

Koratta was a Mouse Pokémon even smaller than Pikachu.

Kasumi was clearly provoking Satoshi.

“Pika...” Pikachu let out something resembling a laugh.

Satoshi couldn’t help but be mad now.

“I’ll take you on. Pikachu. You’re up.”

But Pikachu acted as if he didn’t hear, and instead opted to scratch the electric pouches on his cheeks.

“Seems Pikachu isn’t in the mood. I guess that means he likes me. Which means... Your only remaining Pokémon are Pidgeon and Butterfree. I’ve already won.”

Kasumi smiled.

“Ah, no fair!” Satoshi shouted instinctively.

Satoshi and Kasumi faced each other from opposing sides of Hanada Gym’s large water tank.

This was Kasumi’s hometown, Hanada City. A large water tank.. Kasumi’s Pokémon were likely to be water types. Flying Pokémon like Pidgeon and Butterfree wouldn’t be able to fight underwater. Additionally, Kasumi already knew all of Satoshi’s Pokémon. On the other hand, Satoshi was only aware of one of Kasumi’s Pokémon, the Goldfish Pokémon Tosakinto, which he had seen at the Pokémon Center.

With all that in mind, Satoshi knew he was at a disadvantage.

“What’s wrong? Are you giving up? I’ll let you pull out if you want.” There was something unnatural about Kasumi’s intonation.

... To pull out now would damage my pride. ... Alright, if my opponents are water types, they probably can’t fly in the air. Which means we’re probably going to have a stalemate..

Satoshi threw a Monster Ball.

“Go, Butterfree, I choose you!”

The Butterfly Pokémon Butterfree leapt from the Monster Ball.

“You’re going ahead. In that case, I’ll use Hitodeman!”

Kasumi threw her Monster Ball.

From the Monster Ball hitting the water’s surface, a Pokémon called Hitodeman appeared, which true to its name resembled a starfish.

However, Satoshi checked his Pokémon Field Guide.

“Hitodeman... The Star Shape Pokémon.”

Additionally...

“There’s no distinction between the male and female, so any two can mate.” It added.

... So, there’s no mother or father, just two parents. ... Huh, that’s pretty weird.

Despite his difficulties relating to girls... the idea of a relationship with a boy was strange for Satoshi to contemplate.

Satoshi absentmindedly let his mind ponder these thoughts.

Having figured that Hitodeman couldn’t fly, Satoshi had become complacent.

The Field Guide continued...

“Hitodeman’s signature move is... Water Gun.” It said.

Water Gun? ... Did it just say Water Gun? ...

Suddenly, from the water, a spout of water shot like a fountain aimed at Butterfree. It was literally a Water Gun. And not like one of the toys. The water was shot with force stronger than a fire engine’s hose.

Butterfree was hit by the water, the water pressure knocking him back, slamming him into the gym’s ceiling.

... Damn it! Hitodeman can attack a flying target...

Satoshi went pale.

Satoshi had watched Butterfree’s development, from his time as the Worm Pokémon Caterpie, his evolution into the Cocoon Pokémon Trancell, risking his life to protect Satoshi from the Poison Bee Pokémon, and evolving right in Satoshi’s embrace from Trancell into the Butterfly Pokémon Butterfree... He was the first of Satoshi’s Pokémon to have ever evolved during their time together.

It was terrible to see him suffer.

But the only other choice available was Pidgeon.

There was no way it could fight underwater.

But, there was no other choice.

After all, it was better to prevent Butterfree taking further damage.

“Butterfree return!”

Satoshi recalled Butterfree to his Monster Ball, and sent out the Bird Pokémon Pidgeon.

Pidgeon flew gracefully to dodge Hitodeman’s Water Gun.

However the gym’s ceiling restricted how high it could fly.

Additionally, the ceiling was still within Water Gun’s range.

Pidgeon’s wings may also be more resilient to water than Butterfree’s wings.

But, as long as Pidgeon was unable to enter the water, it wouldn’t fare any better than Butterfree.

And eventually over time it’ll tire out. At which point, it’d have to land.

While the Pokémon underwater can sit still and not tire at all.

The flying Pokémon wouldn’t stand a chance in a drawn out battle.

Hitodeman stopped shooting the unnecessary Water Guns.

Time passed.

Pidgeon’s wings began to flap less, it spent more time spreading its wings and gliding. It was clearly beginning to tire.

Satoshi bit his lip.

Satoshi also looked at Kasumi.

... Satoshi... Stop this... Accept defeat and throw in the towel... Throw in the towel and abandon the match.

Kasumi knew how this would end, Satoshi’s stubbornness was just like the stubbornness that had driven her from her home, and it was miserable.

More than anything, she felt bad for Pidgeon who was still hovering.

They say that women can be fickle, I wonder if that’s the same for me too...? Kasumi wondered.

Earlier Kasumi had deliberately provoked Satoshi to fight. But she felt differently now. Watching Pidgeon flying about, her vigour had vanished.

But why?

Anyway, what she really wanted more than winning, was to see the end of Pidgeon’s suffering.

... Maybe I should quit the match... Kasumi thought.

... I can’t do that. If I think like that, I’ll never be a Gym Leader. I need to protect the honour of dad’s gym. But if I really cared about protecting the gym, I shouldn’t have left home, I should have worked harder here at the gym.

The excuse she had used for leaving the gym is that she found her sisters to be insufferable.

Nothing she did was ever good enough for her sisters, who cared more about the dream of becoming stars than anything to do with the gym.

But was that the truth? Despite their complaints, her sisters were still here, running the gym to this day.

Even with “The three sensational sisters underwater revue”, they were still running the gym. ... Maybe they care about the gym even more than I do.

After all... If they hated the gym that much, they could leave without a word just like dad. ... Just like I did... I couldn’t stand being in the gym around my sisters. Just because they’re all a few years older, they became the three sensational sisters of Hanada City... Rather, when Kasumi started primary school, they were known as the three adorable sisters... But Kasumi, had always been weedy little Kasumi... Pathetic in comparison to the beautiful flowers... People had called her a cute little girl, but never pretty... or beautiful... nobody had ever said that. ... These things start to get to a girl after a while.

And so, she gradually turned against her sisters, who had raised her in their parents absence, and eventually ran away from home.

Can I really claim to care about the gym at this point?

... Hold on a minute... Kasumi smiled. I’m literally fighting, right now, with a gym badge on the line... I’m really thinking about this now? I guess I really am quite fickle.

I suppose, I’m not cut out to be a Gym Leader.

At the very least, this doesn’t really feel like winning..

Maybe I should end it... If I throw in the towel on a match I seemed sure to win, maybe I’d seem kinda cool. Forget weedy little Kasumi... Never standing out... Yeah, yeah.

Having somehow convinced herself, Kasumi was seriously considering throwing the match.

That’s when it happened.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise to interrupt your business with some business of our own.”

A woman’s voice echoed through the gym.

It wasn’t Sakura’s voice like the underwater revue, nor Ayame’s voice or Botan’s voice.

Though everyone there would be in agreement that it was a great voice.

If you were to say Sakura had a good voice for the speakers in the shopping district, then this voice was like listening to a local radio station announcer. It was the voice of a pro.

“Who is that?” Sakura murmured. She was surprised by how different it was to her own voice. She wondered if she could be their apprentice.

“What the? This is...” Ayame checked her surroundings.

“What’s going on here? Tell me...” Botan shouted with a pleading look.

“Before whatever questions you ask,” The woman’s voice from before spoke.

“The path we take is one of evil.” A man’s voice. Just listening to it, this voice had a coolness to it, like a voice actor who would play the hero in a Japanese dub of a foreign film.

Continuing, with a thunderous roar the water tank and walls of the gym began to shake.

In an instant, the wall tore open and a giant hose plunged into the tank.

With the sound of an engine running, the hose began draining the water tank.

Two figures appeared on top of the hose.

“Here we are! To protect the world from devastation.” It was Musashi.

“To maintain the world's peace.” Kojirou was there.

“To denounce the evils of truth and love.” Musashi put emphasis on the evils of truth and love.

“We are the lovely charming villains.” Kojirou pulled out a rose flower. Not a daisy, not a violet, not a lily, not even some weedy mistletoe. A rose with thorns... Not a fake, but the real deal.

“Musashi.” She introduced herself needlessly.

“Kojirou.” He stated his name needlessly.

“The pair from Team Rocket, crossing the galaxy.” No normal rocket could cross the galaxy. A high speed engine capable of that hadn’t been invented yet.

“White hole. A white tomorrow awaits.” Naturally, white holes have not yet been discovered in the Milky Way, and even if tomorrow could be seen through one, whether it’s white, black or yellow, tomorrow’s colours are currently unknown.

Nyarth finished off.

“That’s right.”

Sakura listened to Musashi.

“Was that you on the speaker earlier?”

“You noticed?” Musashi asked happily.

“Where did you study?”

“I’m self taught.”

“You’re incredible for someone who was self taught...”

“It was out of necessity. I was always studying alone... I had little involvement with other people.” Musashi gazed off into the distance.

Musashi was a top rate announcer.

In her late teens, Musashi had disguised herself as an announcer at a nation wide radio station.

The program was the top 100 Pokémon... in an attempt to increase the value of Pokémon stolen by Team Rocket, she slipped some unpopular Pokémon into the top ten.

As a side note, the fake top three were Shellder, Paras and Coil...

None of them ever made it into the top ten again.

The content of the broadcast was a complete fabrication, but nobody doubted Musashi’s voice.

Musashi’s voice passed nationwide as a professional announcer.

However, for the sake of a few minutes broadcast, it was unknown how much work Musashi had done to refine her announcement skills..

On that day... The top 100 Pokémon for March 3rd some years ago... Musashi’s voice was broadcast to the nation. People around the country heard Musashi’s voice, never knowing it was her.

On that day, while what was actually said was bogus, Musashi’s voice was the real deal.

Musashi has never forgotten that day. She would never admit it to anyone, but it was the only positive memory Musashi had associated with Hinamatsuri.

“It’s nice to dwell on memories of the past, but...” Kojirou, who had various memories of his own, tapped Musashi on the shoulder.

“Right now, we need to be looking at today...”

“You’re right.” Musashi smiled brightly.

“As for today’s agenda... I was feeling lost about what to get as a souvenir from the hot springs.” Kojirou pulled out a notebook and read it.

“Indeed, as Team Rocket... We primarily deal in stealing Pokémon, so we sought out the local Pokémon Gym... And heard it specialises in water types.”

“And water types need water.”

“They’ll dry out on land.”

“Which means we’ll take them when they’re vulnerable.”

“Stealing so early in the morning... You’re bold...” Sakura said.

“Dried fish make for a great breakfast. Those leftovers we ate this morning were terrible.”

“I’d gladly have dried fish for every meal, nya.” Nyarth licked his lips.

“Well... Jokes aside, the ‘Three Sensational Sisters underwater revue’ held in this gym gets more customers at the evening session. It’s better for us to steal during the day when there’s less people here. So we aimed for the break period when no customers were around. It’s only common sense for a burglar.” Kojirou explained earnestly.

“And imagine our surprise when we got here. Finding some unexpected guests.” Musashi winked at Kasumi.

“Don’t think we’ve forgotten you, twerp girl and twerp boy. We’re still after that Pikachu.”

Musashi pointed at Pikachu.

“We’re glad to have it as something extra. Lucky, lucky. This is great. We never expected to see you here.” Kojirou waved his rose rhythmically.

“Don’t say something extra!” Kasumi shouted.

“I’ve got it!” Satoshi pointed a finger at Team Rocket.

“You’re the ones who stole the hose and water pump engine from the water department.”

“Impressive... Good job with that deduction.” It was obvious without any deduction whatsoever, but Kojirou responded with this line anyway.

“And those leftovers you said you ate... You stole the three day old leftovers from the water department’s fridge.”

“Three days? ... I had no idea those leftovers were so old.” Musashi and Kojirou instinctively put their hands to their stomachs.

“I see... I thought they smelt off, so I threw mine out without eating it, seems I was right, nya...”

Nyarth nodded sagely.

Musashi and Kojirou simultaneously smacked Nyarth over the head.

“We ate those!”

“Kojirou... Do you have any stomach medicine?” Musashi asked Kojirou.

“I’ve got deworming meds too.” Kojirou nodded.

“You’re overreacting, it’s only three days. Remember the time you ate some year old mouldy fried rice and were fine, nya.”

“That’s a record that’s never been beat in Team Rocket history.”

“They called us the stomachs of steel.”

Musashi and Kojirou smiled as they reminisced on old times.

“Good kids, don’t try this at home.”

“We ate it because we were bad kids.”

“While we were talking about that, it seems we’ve drained most of the water.” Nyarth pointed at the water tank.

At the bottom of the tank, Hitodeman splashed frantically.

“Huh...? That’s all?” Musashi asked as her voice deflated.

Sakura responded apologetically.

“Sorry. Our Pokémon Gym... has had a string of losses lately, so our Pokémon are all hospitalised right now.”

Ayame spoke to Kasumi and Satoshi.

“Even if we wanted a gym battle, we have no Pokémon.”

Botan smiled at Team Rocket.

“Maybe the Pokémon Center would have been a better target for you.”

Musashi scratched her head.

“I’m not sure about that... Things didn’t work out at the Pokémon Center in Tokiwa City. As members of Team Rocket, we don’t like to revisit failed plans. It’s outlined in the Team Rocket handbook.”

Looking at the handbook, Kojirou added.

“It also says this. Don’t let failure aggravate you. Team Rocket never gives up.”

Musashi was lost for words, but...

“Hmmm... We’re not giving up! Pikachu is ours!”

The hose in the water tank was now pointed at Pikachu.

“Reverse thrust!”

The water that had been drained now shot back out and slammed Pikachu.

Pikachu was swept away and bashed into the wall.

The drenched Pikachu couldn’t even stand.

“And now we’ll take him while he’s weakened.. Reverse reverse thrust!”

“Or simply, regular suction.”

Pikachu was sucked into the hose.

“Pikachu!” Satoshi shouted, unable to do anything else.

To avoid being sucked in himself, he clung to a pillar.

Then it happened.

Pikah!

Sparks flew from the hose.

“Eh? What was that?” Musashi cocked her head.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Kojirou pointed at Musashi.

Musashi’s long hair was standing on end.

“It’s happening to you too.”

Kojirou’s hair was stuck out like a porcupinefish.

Nyarth’s coin was glittering.

“This is static electricity, right?”

Satoshi had a realisation.

... Pikachu is putting out electricity... water conducts electricity...

“Pikachu, full power! 100,000 volts!”

He barely had to ask.

Pikachu unleashed 100,000 volts.

The hose flew off and the water pumping motor went up.

There was no way Team Rocket remained unscathed.

“This suuuuuucks!”

They vanished leaving behind only their screams.

To clarify, by vanished, I don’t mean they were annihilated or died.

When I say Team Rocket “vanished”, it’s more like they ran away.

“This is for you.”

Sakura presented Satoshi with the Blue Badge.

“Eh? ... But, I didn’t beat Kasumi.”

“Yeah, he didn’t beat me, and I was so close to winning.”

Kasumi pouted, having apparently forgotten that not long ago she was considering throwing the match.

Sakura nodded.

“I get where you’re coming from, Kasumi. But Pikachu saved our gym from Team Rocket.”

Pikachu was grooming his wet fur as if nothing had happened.

“Besides...” Ayame spoke, looking at Pikachu.

“Seeing this Pikachu’s power, our water type Pokémon wouldn’t have stood a chance. If this boy had used Pikachu from the start, you would have no chance of winning, Kasumi.”

“I’m with our big sisters, you’re outnumbered...” Botan smiled.

“No fair.” Despite understanding her sisters point, Kasumi wasn’t pleased.

“... You’re sure about this?” Satoshi was conflicted.

They spoke about him using Pikachu to begin with... But Pikachu had made it clear he didn’t want to fight.

It’s not like Satoshi himself chose not to use Pikachu.

Pikachu had refused to fight.

“It’s fine. Satoshi-kun.”

Sakura took Satoshi’s hand and placed the Blue Badge in his palm.

“Don’t you agree?” Sakura asked her younger sisters.

Ayame and Botan nodded.

Sakura addressed Kasumi directly.

“You didn’t lose, Kasumi. We’re bestowing this badge as the Gym Leaders ‘the Three Sensational Sisters’. Okay.”

Kasumi shrugged.

“Are you really okay with this?” Satoshi asked Kasumi.

“I’m not the Gym Leader... Do what you want...”

“This is difficult.” Satoshi was still wavering.

Kasumi shouted in anger.

“Stop being so indecisive. When a girl deliberately offers you something, you take it... Pathetic, you’re a complete failure as a man.”

“Alright! I’ll take it, thanks.”

Satoshi was truly grateful.

But he wasn’t going to forget what Kasumi said about him.

“Okay, I’m not accepting this as being from you though!”

“I would never want... to give you anything!”

Kasumi smiled as she continued speaking.

“There’s something I’d like you to give me though.”

“Eh?”

“My bike!”

He weakened as she said that.

“Don’t think that I’ve forgotten. You take what you’re given and won’t return what you owe... You’re no different from Team Rocket... a thief... maybe that cop from earlier should arrest you?”

Kasumi pressured him.

Satoshi had difficulty with how to respond with Kasumi’s sisters present.

“Now now... It sounds like you two have a history...” Sakura came in between them.

“Kasumi-chan. How would you like to be Hanada’s Fourth Sensational Sister?”

“Eh?” Kasumi was speechless.

“You could fill in as Gym Leader instead of your disappointing sisters.”

“If there’s four of us, four times four is sixteen, so we can weather out a longer losing streak.”

Botan at some point had pulled out a pocket computer to calculate this.

“Eventually, our youngest sister Kasumi will be the last one standing.” Ayame murmured.

“By that point, the three of us will be worldwide stars with our underwater revue...”

Botan laughed with a smile.

“Uh... um.” Kasumi was flustered.

The gym is important to me... but... but...

Kasumi shook her head over and over.

“I’m not strong enough to be a Gym Leader yet... And I’m not old enough to be beautiful yet... Ah, right, Satoshi hasn’t compensated me for my bike yet... There’s so much more I have to learn yet...”

Kasumi listed off her excuses... yet, yet, yet... about 40 of them all up about why she couldn’t stay with the gym.

As she watched Satoshi and Kasumi leaving Hanada Gym, Sakura whispered to herself.

“Kasumi, weedy little things do grow best in the fields...”

“I guess they say the grass is greener on the other side...” Ayame commented.

“But, I am a beautifully blooming Botan...” Botan put on her wig from the underwater revue.

“And I’m Sakura...” She had her blonde wig.

“I’m Ayame.” She patted the purple wig she was already wearing.

The three took their underwater revue poses and smiled.

That night...

Satoshi and Kasumi reunited with Takeshi at the Pokémon Center, and the following morning they departed Hanada City.

Their destination, wherever the next gym was located.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket were also headed for the city with the next gym.

Looking at the guidelines in the Team Rocket handbook, they preferred “Don’t let failure aggravate you. Team Rocket never gives up.” over “Don’t revisit failed plans.”

This influence of this decision was greater than Nyarth’s pride about... How could a Scratch Cat Pokémon lose to a Mouse Pokémon...

(To be continued in chapter 4)

Chapter 3 appendix

(... If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip ahead to chapter 4. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

... Excerpt from Takeshi’s Pokémon Journal...

Date: XX/XX
I’ve begun travelling with an aspiring Pokémon Trainer named Satoshi, and I’m hoping to meet as many different Pokémon as possible, in order to study the way of life and raising methods of Pokémon.

However, currently, as Satoshi is still a novice, I’ve not seen any new Pokémon as of yet.

Speaking of new encounters, there’s the Junsa-san and Joy-san of different cities, who are all wonderful and striking beauties. Their way of life is a mystery, I’d be a fool to try and raise them and I’m clueless about how to approach them. A textbook called “How to get a date” suggested simply asking “Would you like to get a drink?” would be effective. Though a textbook found in a used bookstore in an old city of hard rocks and boulders like Nibi City, I’m not sure what era this would have worked on Joy-san or Junsa-san... let’s say I have my doubts.

Unfortunately, both the front and back covers of the textbook are torn, so I have no idea what the publication date is.

Anyway, Joy-san and Junsa-san are people, not Pokémon.

This is supposed to be a Pokémon journal so I’m a little off topic, but sometimes while I’m reflecting, I don’t have anything to write about Pokémon... so I end up writing something else.

(Continuing on... More about the various Joys and Junsas, and a number of other women over the age of ten excluding Team Rocket is written... the contents remain much the same. They meet.. things happen.. they eventually part ways.. his impressions if they’re younger than him are along the lines of I’d like to see her in ○○ years.. If she’s older, I’d like to have seen her ○○ years ago.. With ○○ substituting for the number of years their age gap with Takeshi is. It would appear that Takeshi was looking for a mother figure for the younger siblings he left behind in Nibi City, but when it came to meeting a woman to go out with, he wouldn’t want to have to part with her. Accordingly, Takeshi’s journal is primarily filled with his impressions of women, which will henceforth be omitted here.)

Date: XX/XX
... To sum up, I didn’t meet any new Pokémon today either. As such, I’m resorting to writing about Pokémon I’m already familiar with. So, observing my surroundings, I’m surprised to announce that I’ve noticed a fairly rare Pokémon with us. That is none other than Satoshi’s Pikachu. Pikachu isn’t a rare species by any means. It’s always one of the top three most popular Pokémon pets, and for practical uses, it’s often used as a home power source in place of a battery powered generator. Naturally, I already know a bit about their way of life, but lately I’ve learned more than the basic “Pikachu... Mouse Pokémon... Emits electricity, a mild mannered Pokémon” you see written in the dictionary. However, when we look closer at what we know about Pikachu, it mostly applies to domesticated Pikachu, and you realise that there’s a lot you don’t know about Pikachu in the wild.

Think about it. How many of us have actually encountered a wild Pikachu?

Of course, the Pokémon Red Databook (the publication that announces Pokémon extinctions) doesn’t list wild Pikachu.

Plenty of Pokémon Trainers catch and raise wild Pikachu.

But were those Pikachu truly wild?

There’s a number of pet Pikachu who have escaped their owners over the years. Pikachu who have been abandoned too. They’re known as the common Pikachu you see around cities, but what if we think about the ones that breed out in the fields, mountains and forests. Perhaps they cannot truly be called wild Pikachu.

For example, long ago, there were creatures called dogs. They originated from creatures called wolves, which humans domesticated and called dogs.

Dogs that escaped from humans and became feral were known as stray dogs.

Stray dogs are still dogs. Just because they returned to the wild, it didn’t make them wolves.

What we commonly refer to as wild Pikachu, are perhaps comparable to what stray dogs were to dogs?

The true meaning of Pikachu. Just as the wolves gave rise to dogs, is there a precursor to the wild Pikachu?

I think there might be.

Have these wild Pikachu become extinct? Or could they be at the brink of extinction...

That reminds me, in an old Pokémon Field Guide I browsed at the used bookstore (which I don’t currently have at hand) Pikachu was described as few in number and hard to find... or so I recall.

In my childhood naïveté, I wondered how something as famous and well known as Pikachu could be considered a rare Pokémon? It was a mystery to me.

Newer editions of dictionaries and Field Guides are revised with corrections, but the modern Field Guide description of “A mild mannered Pokémon” doesn’t ring true to me.

And the reason for these doubts are due to my observation of Satoshi’s Pikachu.

Satoshi’s Pikachu shows some clearly different traits than the typical Pikachu does.

Firstly, he doesn’t want to enter his Monster Ball. Additionally, while we normally think of Pokémon as creatures that go into Monster Balls, there’s a slight nuance between going in and wanting to go in.

Because we think of Pokémon as creatures that like going into Monster Balls, it’s notable when one shows a dislike for it.

However, Satoshi’s Pikachu doesn’t merely dislike being in a Monster Ball, he hates it.

This perhaps makes him an oddity not only among Pikachu, but among Pokémon as a whole.

Additionally, Satoshi’s Pikachu rarely listens to Satoshi’s instructions.

Satoshi may be inexperienced, but the level of disobedience Satoshi’s Pikachu displays is unprecedented. It’s outright abnormal.

Normally, if a creature owned by a human doesn’t follow its owner’s instructions, it’s considered to be stupid.

However, no matter how you look at it, Satoshi’s Pikachu isn’t stupid. In fact, going by my observation, I’d say Satoshi’s Pikachu is smarter than his owner.

I believe that during the Gym Battle with my Iwark, it wasn’t Satoshi’s talent but Pikachu’s ingenuity that won the fight.

Also worth noting is how Pikachu fights against other Pokémon.

Normally Pokémon follow their owner’s instructions. They do nothing more and nothing less than what they’re instructed.

However, sometimes Satoshi’s Pikachu is far more aggressive than Satoshi himself.

Other times, he has no drive at all.

Whether he fights or not, Satoshi’s Pikachu is the one who decides.

As the Pokémon Protection Society criticise battles... deriving pleasure from watching your adorable pets fight while you watch from the sidelines is cruelty... in the case of Satoshi’s Pikachu, there’s a clear exception.

Regardless of his master’s orders, Satoshi’s Pikachu fights when he wants to fight, and won’t fight when he doesn’t want to fight.

Furthermore, another oddity, seeing as he ignores orders, you may think he hated his owner, in which case he could just abandon Satoshi, but Satoshi’s Pikachu hangs around anyway.

To summarise the current situation, while Satoshi may consider Pikachu to be his Pokémon, Pikachu himself seems to consider Satoshi a companion he just happens to be travelling with.

This is not a normal trait for a Pikachu.

The average Pikachu is affectionate. They’re definitely cute in appearance, but beyond that, Pikachu as a Pokémon species are affectionate towards humans, you don’t have to butter them up.

They simply shower humans with affection.

However, Satoshi’s Pikachu isn’t even remotely affectionate in this way.

As such, Satoshi’s Pikachu is wildly different than the average Pikachu.

This is where I begin theorising.

Could it be that the original Pikachu was something more resembling Satoshi’s Pikachu... so...

We now return to the idea of wild Pikachu.

What if these features of Satoshi’s Pikachu actually come from the original wild Pikachu...

I cannot say whether or not this wild Pikachu I describe actually exists, the mythical wild Pikachu.

But right now, before my eyes, Satoshi’s Pikachu is right there, thus I may be seeing a mythical Pokémon within my daily life.

There’s plenty of Pokémon people refer to as being mythical.

Some people spend their lives pursuing mythical Pokémon.

But, if I really am in the presence of a mythical Pokémon, it’s an interesting development.

My journal has a lot of ifs... and perhaps... written in it.

I’ll try to write more definitively.

Regarding Satoshi’s Pikachu, I intend to continue observing him with this in mind.
Note... Takeshi normally refers to himself by the personal pronoun “Jibun” in regular conversation. However, his use of “Jibun” does not extend to his journal.
In fact, Takeshi rarely uses the pronoun “Watashi” in person.
Perhaps he wants to maintain a level of professionalism in his writing, or perhaps he’s writing his journal with potential readers in mind.

Over a month had passed since they left Hanada City.

They had gone through forests, across mountains and along coasts, but Satoshi hadn’t caught a single new Pokémon.

Some of the towns they visited had Pokémon Gyms, but given their areas of expertise, he hadn’t challenged any of them.

Anyway, the Pokémon Satoshi had caught were still just Pidgeon and Butterfree.

And with Pikachu making three, he had very little variety.

Fighting an opponent you’re at a disadvantage with and making your Pokémon suffer isn’t conduct befitting a trainer.

Not that Satoshi had room speak on the matter, considering his experiences at Nibi Gym and Hanada Gym.

Things weren’t really going well at this point.

He had two badges given to him out of pity. And only three Pokémon...

The others who left Masara Town the same day, how many badges... how many Pokémon... would they have by now.

Satoshi was beginning to lose his patience.

It was around when the trio of Satoshi, Kasumi and Takeshi had arrived in Kuchiba City.

Tourism Guide ... Kuchiba City

A port town.

It contains the largest port in the region, and occasionally plays host to luxury cruise ships. ... The Kuchiba in Kuchiba City likely refers to a vermilion orange hue... In kanji it’s written as decayed leaves, the colour leaves turn when they fall to the ground and rot.

The name is likely unrelated to the colour of bird Pokémon’s beaks.

Typically describing something as rotten sounds bad, but it’s like a red tinged yellow... but it’s not a gross colour.

It’s long been considered an elegant colour in this country, back in the distant past of 1909, the colour was hugely popular in the world of fashion.

There’s a number of explanations about why this city is named Kuchiba, but it’s largely agreed that it’s because Kuchiba City was founded in 1909 as a naval port.

Speaking of the navy invokes ocean blue. Blue and white sailor uniforms... (By sailor uniforms, I’m not referring to high school girls uniforms, but the uniforms naval officers wore in the old days) those are the images conjured in your mind, but the naval officers of the day were quite a flamboyant bunch, and so at the time, chose the most fashionable colour.

As a naval base, you may expect a pretty serious city, but in times of peace, other than having a ticket window for foreigners not much is different, a city flowing with foreign culture, away from the military housing, it is a flashy western style city spreading out.

Ever since this country lost the war (This country lost a war with foreign nations, after which it went through a period of foreign occupation) the city has often housed foreign battleships and military personnel.

Of course, the country has since regained peace and independence, and the occupying forces have returned home, but this port is still used as a base for foreign battleships and many foreigners stayed, settling here.

As such, the stores still employ a lot of foreigners, and a lot of young people came to town, considering it a cool scene.

However, there was a global economic recession, leading a lot of foreign navy to pull out, leaving a number of unneeded aircraft carriers and submarines abandoned.

If left alone, rusted ships will eventually fall into disrepair, leaving only the engines of aircraft carriers and submarines which can’t be properly disposed of. There’s no appropriate location to dispose of the aircraft carrier and submarine fuel, and nowhere else to handle the emissions from burning the engine’s fuel.

As such, the engines were repurposed as generators for the city.

Since then, the city has been fully powered by these engines... making it one of the cheapest places in the country for power bills.

As people can use as much power as they like, Kuchiba City is also known as the electric city.

As a result, the flammable fuel emissions are pumped underground.

Taking responsibility for your own actions... as they say.

Keeping in mind all the foreign military that have settled and international feel of the city, there’s a number of well known landmarks, the most famous one would be the Enpri Building.

It’s a massive building that is immediately noticeable upon entering port.

Long ago, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the SS Enterprise (It’s not a spaceship. Just a regular seafaring aircraft carrier ship.) was fixed into place in the harbour and had a building constructed on it for general use, beginning selling electric manjuu (manjuu cooked by the engine’s steam), electric bread (toast cooked in an electric toaster) and various souvenirs, they eventually expanded to a hotel, a Pokémon Gym and various other things. It’s said that once you enter, you could live your entire life without leaving again.

Though recently, the hull has become incredibly rusted and experts have been calling for an inquiry into the safety of the structure.

It was a building large enough to recognise when you saw it.

“Something this big used to sail the seas, huh.”

Takeshi sighed as he looked at the map.

Satoshi and the others were standing outside the Enpri Building.

“There’s a Pokémon Gym in there...”

He wanted to challenge the gym.

But could he win with his current lineup? ...

“I’m a bit concerned about my hair... Like, what’s with the natural perm?”

Kasumi said as she patted down her short hair.

Kasumi’s hair kept sticking on end.

“I see, so it’s affecting you, Kasumi-chan.” Takeshi said.

“Eh? What is?”

Takeshi read from the guide on the map.

“Your hair is probably reacting to the static electricity... Everything in that building is powered by electricity. It’s generated by the old aircraft carrier ship’s engines. The electricity sort of builds up everywhere. It’s all properly insulated, but people can sense it sometimes. Sort of like an electric massage... Kasumi-chan... does it feel good?”

“Now you mention it, I feel something tingly in my chest... I guess it feels good?”

“Pika!”

As if in response to that, Pikachu suddenly chirped up by their feet.

Naturally, if anyone other than Kasumi was going to feel the electricity, it was Pikachu.

For a while, more so than a good feeling, it was a pleasure that carried him away.

To Pikachu, the Enpri Building was like a castle of dreams.

“Hey! Pikachu, where are you going!?” Satoshi called out.

Pikachu had dashed off towards the Enpri Building as if drawn to it.

Nothing could be said to stop Pikachu in this situation.

Satoshi and the others had no choice but to follow Pikachu.

The ship had a large opening on its side, which acted as the main entrance to the Enpri Building, Pikachu had darted inside and ran down the halls, going straight past the souvenir vendors without a glance, and went down the stairs to below.

Satoshi and Takeshi remained in pursuit.

“Hey, wait up.”

Having been following them up until now, Kasumi’s hair was now sticking out like a porcupine fish.

“Kyah! I can’t believe this.”

There was a sign at the entrance of the stairs.

“... This way to Kuchiba Gym... There’s strong electric fields, but no negative effects to the human body. If you’re having trouble with your hair, we recommend the Enpri Hair Salon on level 2.”

... So this is Kuchiba Gym... If there’s no negative effect on the human body, we’ll be fine... Feels good here...

Kasumi went down the stairs with every hair on her body standing on end.

“Ah, it’s them.”

One of the souvenir sellers called as they pointed at the stairs.

“So they’ve finally made it here.”

Another vendor selling electric manjuu nodded.

It was Musashi and Kojirou.

“Nya, I see ‘em too.”

Mixed in with a bunch of life size Pokémon plushies being sold, Nyarth shifted about.

It’s not like the two people and one Pokémon of Team Rocket had actually been waiting to ambush Satoshi and the others.

After fleeing Hanada City, Team Rocket somehow made their way to this city, but were now completely broke until their next payday.

With no other choice, the pair had taken up a part time job a week ago.

They were able to save up by eating unsold electric manjuu to avoid food expenses.

However, seeing their old enemy Satoshi and his friends turn up by coincidence, they began to formulate a new scheme.

The pair abandoned their stalls and stalked after Satoshi and the others.

The staircase was long.

After descending five floors worth of stairs, a wide floor spread out.

“No way, seriously?”

Huffing and puffing from having run down all the stairs, Satoshi was appalled.

There were four elevators. ... Pikachu, I wish you took the elevator instead...

However, Pikachu didn’t care what Satoshi thought as he went further into the floor.

“Pikachu, where are you going?”

There was a neon sign at an entrance further in... Welcome to Kuchiba Gym... was written in both a foreign language and hiragana.

“Kuchiba Gym...”

Having been chasing a delirious Pikachu up to this point, Satoshi had no idea Kuchiba Gym was here until now.

“Uh... Excuse me.”

Satoshi called out, peeking in through the entrance.

The neon suddenly began to flash as spotlights lit Satoshi and Pikachu.

“Ｗｅｌｃｏｍｅ　ｔｏ　Ｋｕｃｈｉｂａ　Ｇｙｍ.”

It was a foreigner’s voice, and the wall in front of them dropped.

On the other side of the wall, audience seating in and a battleground larger than the Enpri Building’s hall that Satoshi and the others had entered through appeared before them. The floor was covered with something resembling artificial turf. It appears that the floor was covered in some kind of electrical insulation.

“So this is Kuchiba Gym, huh...”

Takeshi sighed.

“This building used to be an aircraft carrier that held a lot of planes. It seems that this gym makes use of one of the old hangars.”

This was also information he was reading from the map.

“I’m not sure I can handle this place.”

Kasumi was trembling with a spellbound expression.

She could feel the electricity from the gym’s ceiling, walls, floor, everywhere.

It was like her whole body was drifting away in an electric massage chair.

Pikachu was beyond spellbound, swaying around as if drunk.

“Ｗｅｌｃｏｍｅ... Ｂｏｙ. All applicants must sign these documents.”

Speaking with a slight accent, a blonde haired foreign man appeared.

He looked like a bodybuilder, his muscles bulging out of his training shirt.

The man handed over an application form with a smile.

“You get 10% off the monthly rate if you pay for an annual membership.”

“I’m not here to join.”

Satoshi said flustered.

“I’m an aspiring trainer. I have two badges.”

“Two badges? Which means you’re a ｃｈａｌｌｅｎｇｅｒ... a challenger?”

Satoshi couldn’t back down after coming this far.

“Well, I guess so...”

“Pwafafafa!”

The man suddenly erupted with laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“You’re out of your depth. Give up, kid.”

Satoshi was furious. The fact that the two badges Satoshi already had hadn’t even been properly won also frustrated him.

“A gym has to accept any challenger!” Satoshi shouted.

The man shrugged his shoulders.

“If you really insist.”

The man pulled out a cell phone.

“Leader... It’s a ｃｈａｌｌｅｎｇｅｒ. Also, the challenger’s Pokémon is a Pikachu.”

“Gwahahahaha...”

Suddenly, the whole gym echoed with a great laugh.

Part of the floor opened up, and a sofa with a large man sitting on it rose. The sofa was adorned with glowing cables, coils and neon. You could perhaps call it an electric chair.

“I’m the leader of this gym, Matisse.” As expected, he had some kind of foreign accent.

The large man stood up. He looked twice as foreign as the previous man. And twice as musclebound too.

“At our gym, we don’t allow Pikachu here unless you’re a member. So we assumed you were an applicant.”

“You don’t allow Pikachu? Why?”

“They’re too weak. Kuchiba Gym is an electric type gym. If you’re going to challenge an electric type gym, the least you can do is not use a weak mouse Pokémon.”

From behind the sofa, an orange Pokémon wandered out.

“This is Pikachu’s evolved form, Raichu.”

“... Pikachu’s evolved form...”

He resembled Pikachu, but was twice as tall, four times as wide and five times as heavy.

“Raichu’s electricity is ten times stronger than the average Pikachu... I suggest you leave now. I suggest you evolve that cute little Pikachu of yours into a Raichu before you think to ｃｈａｌｌｅｎｇｅ me again.”

It was indeed obvious who was stronger just by looking at Pikachu and Raichu.

Anyone could see it based just on their stature.

Raichu looked down upon the Pikachu who was half his height.

“Rai, rairai, raichu...” He spoke with a growl. This electric castle... It’s no place for a runt like you... This is my dominion (turf)...

Pikachu didn’t understand Raichu’s words. However, he understood the message behind them.

Raichu laughed scornfully as he slowly turned his tail, before pointing its tip at the exit.

To Mouse Pokémon, turning tail was an admission of defeat. ... I’m no match for you, please forgive me... I’m sorry... you get the idea.

Which means... in the current situation... Turn tail and get out of here!... is what Raichu was trying to say.

“Pika?” ... Why you...

Pikachu returned a glare at Raichu. The electricity pouches on his cheeks were glowing.

Having been raised in a laboratory, Pikachu was ignorant of the ways of the world.

But he had the instinct to understand this much.

What determines a creature’s dominion (turf), is power. Will you drive invaders from your domain? Or will you be driven out? Power will decide.

And this place is overflowing with electricity. It feels great here.

In fact, electrical facilities such as this are common breeding grounds for the Mouse Pokémon, Pikachu and Raichu.

Pikachu wanted to stay here a little longer.

And although Raichu, his evolved form, stood at twice his height, it wasn’t that intimidating compared to the giant Iwark he had defeated at Nibi Gym.

The only way to know whether you’ll win or lose is to try... he thought.

Matisse spoke to Satoshi.

“If you like, your Pikachu can become Raichu’s apprentice. Give him one month at Kuchiba Gym and he’ll evolve into a tough, robust, mighty fine Raichu.”

“What was that?” Satoshi bit his lip in frustration.

Raichu sneered condescendingly at Pikachu. He once again ostentatiously turned his tail. Then mockingly with the tip of his tail, poked Pikachu right in the nose. ... Listen up, get out of here, turn tail and flee before you forget about this place...

Pikachu wasn’t going to quietly comply after this mockery.

“Pika!”

A sudden shot of electricity.

Raichu bathed in Pikachu’s electricity, surrounded by a swirl of sparks and light.

Satoshi was flustered. An attack had been launched without any signal of a match starting.

“Ah, ah, stop that! Pikachu. You can’t launch a surprise attack...”

However, Matisse laughed with a shrug.

“Your Pikachu is a real live wire. I’ll give you that much. Ｂｕｔ (however), he lacks ｐｏｗｅｒ.”

The swirling sparks and light died down. Raichu was patting the electric pouches on his cheeks like nothing happened.

“I guess you’re not going to quit until you see the gap between our ｐｏｗｅｒ.”

Then he ordered Raichu.

“Raichu! Show them a real 100,000 volts.”

Raichu emitted a flash.

Pikachu went on guard. Or rather, tried to go on guard.

However, in his current state, he was blown back.

The electricity entering his body was enough to make him swell up. Pikachu was like a ball of light.

And that was the last thing Pikachu could recall. The unconscious Pikachu was flung from the gym’s entrance, slammed into the elevator doors, bounced up five flights of stairs, returning to the first floor and falling back right into a pile of plushies at one of the souvenir stalls.

By the time he settled, he was indistinguishable from a Pikachu plushie. He wasn’t moving a single muscle.

Matisse spoke to Satoshi, who was standing there dumbfounded.

“This city’s Pokémon Center is on a hill you can see from the harbour. If you’re lucky, they might be able to save your Pikachu.”

“Hurry up! Satoshi! Kasumi!”

Takeshi grabbed both the numbed by shock Satoshi and the numbed by electricity Kasumi by the arm and dragged them out of the gym.

“Wow, taken out in a single shot.”

Having watched the entire event from a hidden area, Musashi was astonished.

“Is that really the same opponent that we, the elites of Team Rocket, have been worrying about day and night?”

Kojirou said as he looked over his journal.

“That Pikachu was powerful on this other occasion. And that one. And that time, and especially strong on that day. Because of all these occasions, we came to believe that Pikachu was an exceptionally rare Pokémon...”

Nyarth shrugged.

“The average Pikachu would lose to a Raichu. ... I guess he ain’t special after all.”

“Are you saying that all our previous efforts to capture that Pikachu have been in vain?”

Musashi grabbed Nyarth by the scruff of his neck and screamed at him.

“Wait! Rotten, nya.” Nyarth responded as he struggled for air.

“Rotten? No matter how broke or starving we are, all you can think about is food! Eating some uncooked food isn’t going to kill you.”

Musashi tossed Nyarth aside.

“That’s not it! What’s rotten... is if the boss of Team Rocket finds out. If he learns that we have been spending our valuable time working on chasing a plain old Pikachu after already getting an advance on our salaries...”

Musashi and Kojirou screamed.

“This suuuuuucks!”

The two people and one Pokémon had to ensure that Satoshi’s Pikachu was indeed a rare and valuable Pokémon.

Satoshi carried Pikachu to the Pokémon Center, which as Matisse had said, was on a hill overlooking the harbour.

His body was covered in grazes, but his life wasn’t in danger.

This Pokémon Center’s Joy-san was apparently the cousin of the Joy at Hanada Gym...

Despite Pikachu having the body of an electric type, it was still miraculous that after taking the full force of Raichu’s 100,000 volts that all he had suffered was losing consciousness.

“The Gym Trainers at Kuchiba Gym are descendants of military personnel who were left unemployed after the war, so they tend to be a bit rough. They don’t know how to hold back. It’s like... if a lion used its full power against a mouse... Or in this case, an oversized mouse Pokémon against a regular mouse Pokémon... That said, they always go overboard in a match. I can give you some advice if you like.”

“No, I’ll be fine.” Satoshi declined.

“Eh?” Joy asked back.

“Anyway, I’ll be fine. Yeah.”

What happened couldn’t be called a match.

More accurately, Pikachu picked a fight before anything could get started.

However you looked at it, he brought it upon himself.

And so, it was the following morning that Pikachu woke up.

Out the window of the hospital room where he had slept, the Enpri Building was faintly visible through the fog by the harbour’s pier.

The sky looked as though rain was coming.

Though within Pikachu’s heart, he already had a miserable drizzle.

“What a relief. You’re awake... I know I’m a little reckless at times, but you’re pretty reckless yourself.”

Satoshi said kindly.

Pikachu stared at the Enpri Building without responding.

Satoshi could understand what Pikachu was going through.

... It’s frustrating, frustrating, so frustrating... I feel the same... But there’s no way we can possibly beat that Raichu.

“Pikachu, I think we should call it quits this time. We’ll get stronger, a lot stronger, and someday we’ll come for a rematch.”

Pikachu slowly shook his head.

“No? You don’t wanna do that?” Satoshi asked.

Pikachu nodded.

Then he pointed out the window at the Enpri Building and called out.

“Pikapi!”

Pikachu looked up at Satoshi.

Pikachu had a look of conviction.

Small sparks flew from the electric pouches on his cheeks.

He was filled with rage and fighting spirit.

“You... can’t mean... now? You wanna challenge them today?”

Pikachu nodded. And he kept on nodding. ... I feel the same. We didn’t stand a chance, but I don’t want to give up so easily. We may have launched a surprise attack, but he attacked without warning too.

We may have lost a fight, but we haven’t actually lost a match yet. ...

But, Satoshi thought.

... That’s not a great argument though.

We’ve seen the gap in our power, besides, having the match just to satisfy our own stubbornness... No, that’d be taking things too far. Stubbornness is one thing, but this is just stupid.

Pokémon Trainers battle with their Pokémon. Raise them. But importantly, they also protect them.

Satoshi was gradually gaining the self-awareness of a trainer.

Satoshi shook his head at Pikachu.

“No way. I’m not letting you take on an opponent you have no chance of winning against. I can’t let you hurt yourself any longer.”

Pikachu stared intently at Satoshi.

The sparks from his cheeks disappeared. His anger faded.

Pikachu gained a sadness in his eyes, and he continued to look right at Satoshi.

... Don’t you understand how I feel? If I don’t go back, I’m a coward. You want me to become some loser Pikachu who runs from a fight? I’m not ready to turn tail and flee just yet...

Satoshi could feel these words coming from Pikachu’s gaze. ... It’s important for a trainer not to hold their Pokémon back from something they really need to do... I guess if Pikachu has his pride at stake...

“You really still wanna challenge him?”

Pikachu didn’t nod.

But... You can see it in my eyes, right? ... is what he seemed to communicate. Or at least, that’s what Satoshi understood.

“Alright then...” Satoshi nodded.

Then he let out a big sigh.

“But there’s no way you can win in your current state. You’ll probably get torn apart in there. I don’t want that to happen to you, Pikachu... so here’s what I can do...”

Satoshi had only one solution.

Satoshi reached into his pocket.

He pulled out a small rock.

It was the stone he had received from the old man at the museum in Nibi City.

“Hold it, that thing! Is that a Thunder Stone?”

Kasumi shouted from behind Satoshi and Pikachu.

She had been uncharacteristically quiet, her numbness from the Enpri Building perhaps still lingering.

But she couldn’t remain quiet upon seeing the Thunder Stone.

“Yeah, it’s a Thunder Stone...” Satoshi responded listlessly.

“Are you really thinking of evolving Pikachu into a Raichu?” Kasumi could only shake her head in disbelief.

“Hieeh!”

There was a small scream outside the hospital room window.

There was a listening device hidden in the vase on the windowsill, which the two people and Nyarth of Team Rocket were eavesdropping on headphones from a tree branch within view of the window.

“Hold it, if Pikachu becomes a Raichu...” Musashi, who was the one who screamed, shook Kojirou by the neck.

“He’ll naturally become... as strong as Musashi.” Kojirou responded struggling to breathe.

“He’s becoming even more of an ordinary Pokémon...” Nyarth let out a sigh.

They leaned in close and whispered.

“More and more, completely and utterly, this suuuuuucks!”

“So you’re thinking that if he becomes a Raichu, he might stand a chance against Raichu. But have you really thought the repercussions of this through?” Kasumi pressured Satoshi.

“... Once he evolves, he can never go back to being a Pikachu. I’m well aware of that!”

Satoshi shouted in an outburst.

“Besides...” Takeshi spoke in a manner to help calm Satoshi.

“His body mightn’t be able to handle the electrical increase of a sudden evolution into a Raichu.”

“You really think so?”

Joy, who had been tending to other Pokémon in the hospital room, turned to Satoshi and the others to speak.

“Eh?”

“Sorry, I overheard your conversation. That Pikachu took a Raichu’s 100,000 volts attack and only fell unconscious. I think he’s got an abnormal resilience and could probably handle that much power.

“Like how I’m apparently abnormally weak to electricity? ...” Kasumi asked in return.

“Perhaps, you’re not weak at all. You may simply have a heightened sense for electrical currents. Different people have different physical constitutions. And naturally, different Pikachu also have different physical constitutions. Not everyone fits a textbook example.”

“Anyway, I...” Satoshi spoke.

“I like Pikachu. I want him to stay as a Pikachu. But Pikachu wants to fight Raichu. I don’t want Pikachu to get hurt. I just can’t see any other way.”

The words flowed out of Satoshi as he pulled the brim of his cap down further.

He didn’t want anyone to see if anything came from his eyes.

Satoshi held the Thunder Stone out to Pikachu.

“Pikachu, here, feel free to use it.”

Pikachu stared at the Thunder Stone.

Suddenly, the Thunder Stone was slapped out of the window by his tail.

“Eh?” Satoshi looked at Pikachu.

Pikachu looked up at Satoshi’s face and began speaking rapidly while shaking his head.

“Pikapikapikapikapika, pikapikapikapikapika...”

The Thunder Stone that Pikachu had flung smacked Musashi in the face.

“Owowowow... A female announcer and voice actor’s face is her life... I will cry.”

Ever since the idolised gazes of the three sisters of Hanada City, she had been considering herself to be an announcer.

Nyarth joined Musashi as he began to cry listening to the headphones.

“Nya! He’s a real stand up guy for a mouse. It’s enough to make meow cry... This is what Pikachu said. He has to defeat Raichu as a Pikachu. For his pride as a Pikachu, there’d be no meaning in victory if he were to evolve...”

“He’s going to challenge him as a Pikachu?” Kojirou asked Nyarth.

“He’s certainly not like any other Pikachu.” Nyarth nodded proudly.

“That’s our Pikachu for you, he’s a real fine man.” Musashi’s crying intensified.

In the middle of being deeply moved, Musashi and Kojirou came to a sudden realisation.

“Nyarth, you can understand what other Pokémon are saying?” Musashi asked.

“I’ve learned a thing or two. I’m certainly not like any other Nyarth.” Nyarth murmured, looking off into the distance.

“We all have our burdens to bear.”

The two people and one Pokémon upon the tree branch embraced each other in tears.

Satoshi and Pikachu walked on the path down the hill towards the harbour.

“Satoshi, are you and Pikachu going alone?”

Takeshi asked at the entrance of the Pokémon Center.

“This is our problem, just me and Pikachu.”

Satoshi turned down Takeshi’s offer to come.

“Are you sure about this?”

Kasumi asked by the Pokémon Center’s doorway.

“Just this once, let us have our own way.”

Satoshi answered.

“I’m not asking you. I’m asking Pikachu.”

Satoshi staggered slightly at Kasumi’s response.

But Pikachu walked with confidence as he nodded at Kasumi... “Pika!”

The sound of thunder rumbled from somewhere.

The weather was already looking foreboding when they left the Pokémon Center, but by the time Satoshi and Pikachu approached the harbour the sky was pitch black and it was beginning to rain.

Before long the rain was pouring.

Even so, Satoshi and Pikachu continued walking as they stared down the hazy Enpri Building before them.

Beneath a streetlight, two shadowy figures stood with umbrellas.

A geisha and a man in a kimono, both wearing wooden clogs.

As Satoshi and Pikachu walked by, they offered their umbrellas.

“You need not speak. For we may be naught but strangers, allow us the honour of accompaniment to your destination.”

The man in the kimono... It was Musashi in disguise.

“It wouldn’t do to catch a cold before your big match.” The geisha was Kojirou in disguise.

“May your path be lit by our guardian spirit.” A child in a raincoat lit the path ahead with a flashlight as he walked. Naturally, this was Nyarth in disguise.

They may not have been shouting from the rooftops, but this was Team Rocket’s idea of showing their support.

However, Satoshi didn’t respond.

His mind was so occupied with his match at Kuchiba Gym that he barely even noticed the rain or the umbrellas.

Team Rocket protected Satoshi and Pikachu from the rain with their umbrellas throughout the streets all the way to the wharfs.

The Enpri Building was right before them.

Kaboom!

Lightning struck nearby.

“Uh oh... We’re in a thunderstorm holding two umbrellas, and the only nearby structure is the Enpri Building. Isn’t this dangerous?” Musashi whispered to Kojirou.

“Why’s that?” Kojirou asked in response.

“You idiot! We’re like lightning rods out here...”

“Lightning rods?”

“They attract lightning.”

Lightning flashed above their heads. It struck the roof of the Enpri Building standing before them.

Kaboom!

“Hieeeeh.” Musashi and Kojirou tossed aside their umbrellas and trembled with fear.

“The next one might hit us...” Nyarth dropped his flashlight.

“Well then, this is as far as we’ll accompany you.”

“Best of luck!”

They fled tumbling over themselves.

Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!

Three bolts of lightning fell upon the wharf.

It’s said that no matter how fast you run, lightning can chase you down.

It can’t be said what precise location on the wharf the lightning struck,

but three screams of “This suuuuuucks!” echoed in the distance.

But Satoshi, who was staring down the Enpri Building as he approached it, heard nothing.

Though one thing was for certain, the two slackers who had been working part time selling souvenirs never returned after that day.

“They‘re taking a while...”

Kasumi’s hair was indeed standing on end.

“They must be like drowned rats in this rain. I wonder if being wet would provide any advantage for an electric type.”

Takeshi shrugged, thinking about how Pikachu had used water to defeat his Iwark.

They were in the Enpri Building. Takeshi and Kasumi were already sitting in Kuchiba Gym’s audience seating.

“I guess he really meant it when he said he wasn’t going to take any help.”

“He could have at least caught the bus from the Pokémon Center to the wharf.”

“He’s at that age where he still wants to walk everywhere. He’s still just a kid.”

That’s when he arrived.

“Excuse me! I’d like to request the gym battle we postponed the other day.”

A soaking wet Satoshi and Pikachu entered.

“Are you actually serious, kid?”

Matisse and Raichu appeared rising from the floor.

“Serious? I’m Satoshi from Masara Town and I have two badges. I wouldn’t come all the way to someone’s gym for a joke.”

“This ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｌａｄｙ (small woman) and ｙｏｕｎｇ　ｍａｎ (teenage boy) told me all about you.”

Matisse pointed at Kasumi and Takeshi in the audience.

“When did you...” Satoshi’s jaw dropped, before coming to his senses to speak to Kasumi.

“You better not have said anything stupid.”

“Anything stupid?” Kasumi asked in response.

“Like asking him to hold back... because his opponent is a Pikachu...”

“I won’t hold back!” Matisse said sharply.

“But are you sure about using that Pikachu?”

“You always turn Pikachu away because you think they’re weak, but there’s no actual rule saying you must reject a challenger with a Pikachu though.” Satoshi responded.

“True. But it leaves my heart a little ｂｒｏｋｅｎ... it pains me.”

“I don’t want your pity. I’ve got a strategy.”

“That kid, seriously has a strategy?” Kasumi cocked her head.

“A strategy? A strategy that’ll allow your Pikachu to defeat Raichu?” Matisse was slightly intrigued.

“Alright. I accept your ｃｈａｌｌｅｎｇｅ. We’ll use one Pokémon each. Raichu, face your opponent!”

Raichu plodded forward slowly.

“Pikachu, hang in there!”

Pikachu nodded and took his stance.

A steam whistle rang to signal the match had begun.

The building had once been a ship, thus the signal for opening the match fit in with that.

“Pikachu, my strategy is... do whatever you like! I won’t give you a single command.”

Pikachu suddenly ran out onto the gym’s battleground.

“Do whatever you like... that’s his strategy?” Kasumi sighed.

“Well, given that it’s Satoshi, maybe it’s better he doesn’t give any orders... Yeah, this could actually be a good idea.” Takeshi kept nodding in an attempt to convince himself.

Pikachu wasn’t going to use his electricity as a weapon. Pikachu instead used all the electric energy in his body to increase his speed.

He ran through the gap between Raichu’s legs, sped over Raichu’s head, wherever he saw an opening his tail would slap Raichu, the eye, the ear, the nose.

Taking out the eyes would blind him. Taking out the ears would render him deaf. Taking out the nose would prevent him following Pikachu’s scent.

“Eyy! He’s a speedy little bugger. Use 100,000 volts!”

Raichu unleashed his 100,000 volts.

Pikachu didn’t dodge.

“Pikachu, why!?”

Satoshi, Kasumi and Takeshi all gasped.

Moments before taking the 100,000 volts attack, Pikachu stood up on his tail and spun like a drill.

He had opened a hole in the floor, with his tail touching the metal surface beneath.

It was the hull of the old aircraft carrier that was now the Enpri Building.

The electricity from the 100,000 volts passed from Pikachu’s head down into the giant ship’s hull.

The whole building glowed slightly, but the 100,000 volts was but a drop in the ocean compared to the output of the Enpri Building’s engines.

It simply returned to be absorbed by the rest of the generator’s output.

And naturally, Pikachu’s body suffered no ill effects.

“Of course! Pikachu’s body is acting like a lightning rod to redirect the electricity!”

Takeshi explained with excitement.

“I don’t really understand it, but that’s great! Pikachu!” Satoshi fist pumped.

Raichu let off a second and third 100,000 volts, but the result was the same.

Each time, the whole building glowed slightly.

“I’m definitely feeling that... feels good.” Kasumi murmured as her body tingled.

It seemed that Kasumi was the only one in the gym feeling anything from Raichu’s 100,000 volts attacks.

Raichu’s breath started to become heavy while discharging his 100,000 volts.

The intervals between each discharge became longer. He had trouble standing straight.

“Raichu’s tiring out. He’s taking longer to charge his attacks. Pikachu... and Satoshi, they might win!”

Takeshi felt as if he himself was battling and clenched his fist.

Matisse shouted with impatience.

“Eyy. Raichu! If electricity isn’t working, then crush Pikachu with your overwhelming size!”

Raichu looked with blurred vision and threw himself at Pikachu.

But he wasn’t fast enough to squash the speedy Pikachu.

Raichu’s large body flew through the air and slammed into the floor.

Which only resulted in hurting himself.

And as he shakily got back to his feet, he continued to try and tackle Pikachu, hitting walls and the floor again.

Pikachu hadn’t gotten a single scratch.

Takeshi began to give an unprompted explanation.

“This is the weak point of Kuchiba Gym’s Raichu. No matter how big the Enpri Building is, the battlefield has its limits. The high levels of electricity increase the power he gains through training. However, he’s limited by a lack of speed.”

Satoshi also came to understand Pikachu’s battle tactics.

“Pikachu, on your right. Above you! Keep up your Agility!”

The timing of Pikachu’s movements were matching Satoshi’s commentary perfectly.

“And now Quick Attack... and Tackle!”

In perfect timing with Satoshi’s voice, Pikachu plowed right into Raichu’s belly, which knocked Raichu out.

Raichu slowly fell backwards and stopped moving.

“Oooh! I can’t believe it!”

Matisse screamed holding his head.

After confirming that Raichu was definitely unconscious, Pikachu’s body finally relaxed.

The electricity permeating the Enpri Building was soothing to his exhausted body.

But Pikachu no longer thought of this place as the ultimate dream castle.

Satoshi pulled the brim of his cap down to hide his face as he stood.

Pikachu knew exactly what Satoshi wanted to hide.

The journey ahead with Satoshi was sure to lead to many more wonderful places.

Pikachu ran back over to Satoshi’s side.

His expression having completely changed from earlier, Matisse handed a badge to Satoshi with a smile.

“Congratulations. Satoshi ａｎｄ Pikachu. My Raichu and I gave it our all. We’ve no regrets over our defeat. This is Kuchiba Gym’s Orange Badge.. It’s a slightly brighter shade of orange than vermilion. Your future is sure to be bright too.”

“Arigatou. Ｔｈａｎｋ　ｙｏｕ. Merci.”

Satoshi wanted to thank him in every possible language, but he could only think of those three.

For Satoshi it felt like his first legitimately won badge.

Though it may have really been more Pikachu’s victory.

But Pikachu had little interest in Satoshi’s badge, instead tending to Raichu’s wounds as he came to.

Raichu gently extended his tail out before Pikachu.

This was the mouse Pokémon’s way of acknowledging an opponent’s strength.

It was an entirely different gesture than turning his tail. However, this was the first time that Kuchiba Gym’s Raichu had ever acknowledged a Pikachu as his equal.

Pikachu also extended his tail and lightly tapped it against Raichu’s.

Before and after evolution... Though they were two different Pokémon, they stood acknowledging each other.

Matisse spoke while shaking Satoshi’s hand.

“I’ve learned a ｇｏｏｄ lesson today, and it seems my Raichu has learned too.”

“I’ve learned a lot too... But for now, I’ve got... the Orange Badge!”

“Indeed you have, kid.”

Matisse winked.

Takeshi and Kasumi, the latter of whom was still numbed by the electric atmosphere, also smiled.

On a deserted beach, three figures were buried up to their necks in sand.

“Are you sure this’ll get rid of the numbness after that shock?” Musashi asked.

“I’m sure this will work.” Kojirou nodded.

“Seems kinda odd?” Nyarth cocked his head.

Needless to say, burying yourself in sand won’t cure numbness after an electric shock.

It’s said to be a way to cure the numbness you get after eating poison blowfish, but I wouldn’t put much stock on that either.

But the three of them weren’t feeling too bad right now.

The outcome of Pikachu and Raichu’s battle no longer seemed relevant.

“Y’know, that Pikachu is really something else.”

“He’s a rare Pokémon worthy of Team Rocket’s attention.”

“It’s decided then. Aah, it’s swell to have a purpose.”

“It’s swell to know he’s not an average Pikachu.”

“Speaking of the swell, nya.”

“Eh?”

“The swell?”

“Those waves are swelling, nya?”

“Is this high tide or low tide?”

“Ah, I didn’t check.”

The trio’s screams were drowned by the waves.

Hanako, Satoshi from Masara Town’s mother, listened to her son’s voice.

“Mom, I got my third badge. Talk later.”

It was a recording on the answering machine.

It was a short message, but just from the energy of his voice, she could clearly picture the joy Satoshi was experiencing.

... Even so... He’s not overdoing it...

“I guess children really do become adults while travelling...”

Though Hanako did feel a pang of loneliness.

Satoshi and his friends were crossing another mountain en route to the next city.

Satoshi’s three Pokémon are Pikachu, Pidgeon and Butterfree. He also has three badges.

Three for three.

Nobody had taken notice of it yet, but Satoshi now held the local record for most badges earned with least Pokémon caught.

Whether or not that should be considered a good thing for an aspiring Pokémon Trainer is unsure, but one thing for certain is that many more encounters with different people and Pokémon lie ahead, so look forward to it.

To be continued in Pocket Monsters: The Animation Vol. 3

Appendix (Or perhaps afterword)

(... If you're in a hurry, then volume two is finished. ... However, there may be some important information written here that nobody has ever seen before.)

I have a costume of the fossil Pokémon Kabuto at home.

The costume is a detailed replica of the real thing. The outer shell is actually made with real fossils.

These kinds of costumes are like giant plushies that a person can move around inside, often relegated to children’s TV and stage shows or used for special effects in kaiju monster films.

That said I don’t own this Kabuto costume in order to appear on TV or a stage show.

In the middle of the night when most people are sleeping, when the stars are particularly bright, I wear my Kabuto costume and think in silence.

I barely move.

By nature, the fossil Pokémon Kabuto would have sat still and quiet in the depths of the ocean.

The Pokémon Kabuto went extinct a long time ago. But even an extinct Pokémon would have had feelings.

I wear this costume to ponder how this Pokémon lived and thought during its time living on this planet.

However, once I’m inside the costume, I feel at peace, and before I know it, I feel like I’ve become one with a Kabuto.

I feel like that Pokémon who has long since become extinct.

Or at least, I ponder how it must have felt?

This planet has existed for 4.6 billion years... so many living beings have populated this world, all of them with vastly different ways of living.

However, as living creatures, we must all share some degree of commonality.

That fills me with a sense of harmony.

Currently, this world is populated with more than 150 known species of Pokémon. Of course, these are only the ones humans know of, through the forests, fields and shores, there are many more Pokémon yet to be discovered. Those countless Pokémon also have their own lives.

However, the long extinct Kabuto... to the point where I wear this costume, is the one I feel affinity with.

An affinity I don’t feel with present day Pokémon or people.

Where does this affinity originate... Solving this mystery may hold the answers to the past 4.6 billion years of life on this planet? ... What are Pokémon? ... What are people? I seek these answers.

There’s something in this world called mythical Pokémon.

Anyone who knows anything about Pokémon has pursued a mythical Pokémon.

It’s unknown how many mythical Pokémon there are in the world.

There’s no limits to the myths seen by people, thus there may also be no limits to the mythical Pokémon we see either.

It could be possible that there’s truly only one mythical Pokémon.

Something that all life on our planet was linked to.

If we were to designate a specific entity as that mythical Pokémon, then we could no longer consider the mythical Pokémon to be a myth.

Because in such an instance, we would be able to verify the existence of it.

Humans currently approach Pokémon in many different ways.

Pokémon Trainers catch various Pokémon and interact and learn from them that way.

Pokémon Scholars examine Pokémon scientifically.

Each of these approaches are valid.

However, I ponder the lives of Pokémon in this world from a point of pondering life itself.

As such, I also ponder the meaning of life for humanity in this world...

But I’ll leave the complex topics behind for now.

Would you like to wear a Pokémon costume in the middle of the night one day?

A wonderful unity... it will surely lead to pleasant dreams.

The Sound Sleep Pokémon Costume Company
Over 100 varieties available
Discounts for buying in pairs.
We also provide Sound Sleep Pokémon pillows.

Note: This is a misleading piece of advertisement.

The first half has stolen my writing without permission. The latter half is a mish mash of Pokémon philosophers. Only those last four lines are originally written by the manufacturer.

Of course, when I sent in a complaint they responded by sending me a sound sleep pillow shaped like the cocoon Pokémon Trancell as an apology. There’s some truly despicable people in this world.

It’s quite depressing.

An excerpt from the memos of Pokémon Analyst Masaki Sonezaki