Kapitel 9: Chapter 9: Shadows on the Horizon

The rain battered down in relentless sheets, as if the sky itself was determined to make our journey as miserable as possible. Mud splashed up with every step, clinging to my sneakers and slowing me down. I could feel the water seeping into my socks, and the weight of the damp air made every breath feel like I was inhaling through a soaked rag. My red jacket—now draped over Misty's shoulders—offered no comfort, its vibrant color dulled under the stormy sky. The only thing keeping me going was the faint glimmer of Viridian City in the distance, a promise of dry clothes and a warm bed.

I tightened my grip on the sling bag, ensuring it was secure. Inside, the familiar weight of the Pokéballs and Pokedex offered a small comfort. These were tools of survival in this world—no, more than that. They were keys to power, to freedom. The knowledge that I held an advantage here, with my cheat abilities, was the one thing that kept my steps steady as the rain tried to wear me down.

"How the hell do trainers travel so far on foot?" I asked, the irritation creeping into my voice before I could swallow it down. My breath came out in huffs, the fatigue setting in as each step grew heavier. The mud sucked at my shoes, the cold seeping into my bones.

Misty looked over at me, and despite her unreadable expression, I could sense a flicker of amusement in her eyes. "Oh, you'll know soon enough. You're one of us now," she teased, her tone laced with mischief. She wasn't even trying to hide it.

I gritted my teeth, letting a small smirk tug at the corner of my lips. "Yeah, yeah," I shot back, picking up the pace. My feet splashed through puddles, the icy water soaking through to my skin. It was uncomfortable, sure, but I'd be damned if I let Misty think she could outpace me.

She matched my stride easily, her footsteps light and sure despite the muck. That confidence, that ease—it reminded me of the seasoned trainers in my previous life's memories. This world, as simple as it might seem on the surface, had depths and dangers that only the most prepared could survive.

Every so often, I glanced ahead, my eyes scanning the shadowy path for any sign of trouble. This world was deceptive. Bright and colorful on the surface, but underneath, it was full of predators. Both Pokémon and people. I wasn't about to be caught off guard.

Then we saw it—a twisted wreck, the metal frame crumpled like a discarded toy. What was left of Misty's bike was a sad, pitiful sight, its once sleek wheels now bent and crooked. I couldn't help but chuckle, the sound rough and a little bitter. "Looks like Ash took good care of your bicycle."

Misty's eyes narrowed, her expression darkening as she crouched beside the wreckage. Her fingers brushed over the bent spokes, the once-pristine bike now a twisted memory of its former self. "What did that little runt do to my bike?" she growled, her voice low and dangerous.

It took everything I had not to laugh outright. Her temper flared so quickly, a storm in its own right, and I could see why this moment had sparked her legendary partnership with Ash in the anime. The irony wasn't lost on me.

She stood abruptly, hoisting the broken bike onto her shoulder with a strength that seemed almost unnatural for someone her size. "You're serious?" I asked, incredulous. The bike was practically dead weight, but she lifted it like it was nothing.

"I'm not leaving it behind," she said, her voice resolute. That fiery determination was something I hadn't fully appreciated until now. It wasn't just about the bike—it was about principle, about making sure Ash paid for what he'd done.

I shook my head, pulling a few pokédollars from my pocket and thrusting them toward her. "Here. For helping me with that fishing rod earlier—even though I didn't catch anything. We had a deal."

Misty looked at the money, then back at me, her expression softening slightly. "You really don't have to," she said, though there was a hint of something else in her voice—respect, maybe, or just surprise that I was following through on my word.

"A deal's a deal," I replied simply. I wasn't the type to back out of an agreement, no matter how small. Besides, this was about more than just paying her back. It was about establishing trust—something I knew would be crucial in the coming days.

As we started walking again, Misty glanced at me with a raised brow. "Shouldn't you be carrying this like a gentleman?" She gestured to the bike still balanced on her shoulder, a playful challenge in her tone.

I shot her a sideways glance, smirking. "You know I can't lift that thing. But if you want to buy a new one, I'll buy that for you."

She grumbled something under her breath, but I didn't catch it. Probably for the best. I picked up the pace again, the rain finally starting to let up as we continued down the winding road toward Viridian City.

The silence that fell between us was comfortable, the tension from earlier dissipating as the city's skyline grew closer. I let myself take in the scenery—lush forests on either side, the distant hum of wild Pokémon. For all its dangers, this world had a beauty that was undeniable. There was something pure about it, something worth fighting for. Something I hadn't felt in my previous life.

My thoughts drifted back to that life, the noise, the chaos, the relentless grind that had worn me down. Here, despite the absurdity of my situation, there was a strange sense of peace. A purpose that had eluded me before. I clenched my fist, thinking about the trainers I will encounter—the chaos they could bring.

𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦.

After what felt like hours, the trees finally parted, revealing a cliff that overlooked Viridian City. The sun was setting, casting the city in a warm, orange glow that made the rain-slicked buildings shimmer. I stopped, taking in the sight. "We're almost there," I muttered, more to myself than to Misty.

She came up beside me, her bike still slung over her shoulder. "You sure you're ready for this?" she asked, her tone serious for the first time since we started walking.

I didn't answer right away. My mind was already racing with possibilities, with strategies. This city was the next step on my path to power, to becoming the strongest Pokémon Trainer this world had ever seen. But as I stood there, overlooking the city, I felt something else—a tug of uncertainty, a flicker of doubt that I hadn't expected.

Just as I was about to take a step forward, something in the shadows caught my eye. A movement, subtle but unmistakable. My hand instinctively went to the Pokéball at my belt, muscles tensing as adrenaline surged through me.

Misty noticed my sudden shift and followed my gaze. "What is it?" she whispered, her voice low, almost fearful.

My eyes narrowed, focusing on the shape lurking at the base of the cliff. It was too far to make out clearly, but the way it moved—slow, deliberate—it wasn't a wild Pokémon. No, this was something else. Something dangerous.

"Trouble," I said quietly, my voice steady even as my heart began to race. I could feel the storm coming, the tension in the air thick enough to cut. Whatever was waiting for us down there, it wasn't going to be an easy fight.

But then again, nothing worth having ever was.