Chương 12: Chapter 12: Shadows in the Pokémon Center

The Pokémon Center buzzed with the sterile hum of fluorescent lights, casting a faint glow that felt far too calm for the storm inside me. I leaned back in the hard plastic chair, arms crossed, eyes locked on the clock. Its hands ticked slow. Agonizingly slow. The soft, rhythmic beeping from Pikachu's heart monitor filled the room, an ever-present reminder of what hung in the balance.

Misty sat a few feet away, curled up in her chair, my red jacket draped over her small frame. Her breathing was slow, even—she was out cold. Good. At least one of us could rest. She needed it after the mess we barely crawled out of earlier today.

I, on the other hand, couldn't shake the gnawing restlessness creeping up my spine. I had to do something. Anything. I glanced at Ash slumped over the side of Pikachu's stretcher, face buried in his arms, exhaustion seeping from him. He was out too, but he'd snap awake the second that Pikachu stirred.

"It's about time," I muttered under my breath, pushing myself to my feet. The chair creaked against the tile floor, loud in the otherwise quiet room. Too loud.

I strode toward the vending machine near the back, fishing out a few Pokédollars from my sling bag. The soft clink of coins echoed as they disappeared into the slot, and the clatter of the soda can dropping felt louder than it should've been. I cracked it open, taking a slow sip, my eyes drifting back to the stretcher.

Ash didn't move. Pikachu's chest barely rose, still weak, still struggling.

Damn it.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Not with the cheats I had. Not with everything I'd planned. I had a game-breaking advantage, and still, the world was throwing punches. My grip tightened around the can until it crumpled slightly under the pressure.

A rustling sound came from the treatment room, drawing my attention. I straightened as Chansey waddled out, her pink figure bathed in the dim light. She carried a tray, balancing two Pokéballs with a steady grace that didn't match her round form. Without a word, I met her halfway.

"Thanks, Chansey," I said, keeping my voice low. I gave her a quick pat on the head as she beamed, her cheeks flushing a deeper pink.

"Chansey! Chansey!" She spun around, waddling back through the door with the same soft steps she came in with.

I clenched the Pokéballs tight, feeling the familiar surge of control coursing through my fingertips. I turned slightly, making sure no one was paying attention. Misty stirred, pulling the jacket tighter around her, but she didn't wake. Ash still hadn't moved. Then i release both pokemon from their pokeball.

With a flick of my wrist, a holographic display flickered into existence, hovering just in front of me, visible only to my eyes. I didn't waste time. My fingers swiped through the stats—Bulbasaur's stats.

"Growth… Leech Seed," I murmured, eyes narrowing as I pinpointed the upgrades. They'd be useful, and right now, we needed every edge we could get. I tapped the screen, and a faint glow surrounded Bulbasaur's , pulsing as the new moves registered.

"Bulba! Bulba!" came the familiar cry from the Bulbasaur, vibrating with new energy.

A smirk tugged at my lips. "Good. You'll need them soon."

Pidgey fluttered its wings nervously from its perch on the bench beside me, watching the interaction with curious eyes. I met its gaze, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, Pidgey. Your turn's next." The display shifted, focusing on Pidgey's stats. Gust was already highlighted. A simple tap, and the energy transfer was complete. Pidgey shuddered as the new power surged through it, ruffling its feathers in a way that almost looked like excitement.

"There we go," I muttered, the smirk still playing on my face. "Gust in your arsenal now."

Pidgey let out a soft chirp, hopping closer to me, wings twitching as if testing the newfound strength.

"Come on," I said, patting my shoulder. "Perch up."

Pidgey hesitated for a moment, then with a soft flap, it landed on my shoulder, its tiny claws gripping my shirt but light enough that it barely registered. I reached up, brushing my fingers through my thick, black hair, the weight of the bird almost comforting. It was like having a silent partner in this madness, even if Pidgey didn't fully understand it all yet.

I reached into my bag for some food, but my fingers met nothing but empty space. A frown tugged at the corners of my mouth.

"Great," I muttered. "I'm out."

Bulbasaur wobbled slightly on the bench, and I glanced down at it, then at Pidgey, who chirped expectantly. Both of them were waiting for the same thing.

"You guys hungry?" I asked.

Bulbasaur nodded in response, and Pidgey let out another soft chirp. Perfect.

"Figures." I sighed, slumping back into the chair. "I'll deal with it later."

I shut my eyes for a moment, leaning back, Pidgey's soft feathers brushing against my cheek as it settled into place. The faint hum of the Pokémon Center filled the air, but my mind refused to quiet. There were battles ahead, battles I couldn't afford to lose. But even more than that, there were plans—plans that stretched beyond the Pokémon world, reaching into something bigger. Something darker.

I wasn't here to just win some badges or become some top-tier trainer. No. This was about power. Real power. And Pikachu's condition? That was just a setback. A setback I'd crush once I had the right moves in play.

My breathing slowed, but my mind didn't. Even in the stillness, the planning never stopped. The path to the top wasn't easy, and I'd already learned that this world liked to throw curveballs when you least expected them.

The soft click of a door opening shattered the quiet. My eyes snapped open, body tense as I scanned the room. Misty was still asleep. Ash hadn't stirred. But the footsteps approaching were slow, deliberate, echoing against the cold tiles with each measured step.

I didn't move. Not yet. My fingers brushed the Pokéballs at my side, hovering just above the release switch. My senses flared, calculating every possibility. Friend or foe?

The footsteps stopped behind me, just out of sight. My pulse quickened, but I kept my breathing steady. Pidgey shifted nervously on my shoulder, but didn't make a sound.

I could feel the presence—whoever it was, watching me. Waiting.

Slowly, carefully, I turned my head, eyes locking onto the figure standing in the shadowed corner. Sharp eyes gleamed back at me, filled with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

The battle wasn't over. It hadn't even begun yet.