章節 22: Chapter 22: The True Protagonist
After their stroll in Viridian City, Misty took Ash to sell the Big Pearl they had found earlier. With the money, they went shopping for supplies. While picking up essentials, Ash noticed Misty eyeing a small trinket and decided to buy it for her as a token of gratitude.
"It's just a hair tie," Misty said when Ash handed it to her. Despite its simplicity and low price, her smile beamed as she fastened it into her hair.
Ash sighed in relief. Misty's earlier annoyance seemed to melt away. Looks like gifts do work, Ash thought, though he still couldn't figure out why Misty had been upset in the first place.
Back at the Pokémon Center, the two began organizing their purchases. Misty's practical approach impressed Ash, who hadn't realized how much preparation went into traveling.
"Why do we need all this food and water?" Ash asked, looking at the piles of supplies.
"You won't always find berries or streams in the wild," Misty explained. "You need to be prepared. And since your backpack can't fit much, we'll use mine for the extras."
By the time they finished, it was nearly ten o'clock. Their shared dormitory room had two beds—Misty quickly claimed the one near the balcony, leaving Ash with the one closer to the bathroom.
As Misty came out of the bathroom in her pajamas, Ash sat on his bed, contemplating the next steps in his journey. Pikachu had already curled up near his pillow, fast asleep after an eventful day.
"I'm going to challenge the Viridian Gym tomorrow," Ash announced. "Do you have any tips?"
Misty looked startled. "Viridian Gym? You have three Pokémon already?"
Ash tilted his head. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"To challenge a gym, you need at least three Pokémon. It's one of the basic rules," Misty said, eyeing him curiously. "Besides Pikachu, do you even have another one?"
Ash froze. "Uh... I don't." He realized he hadn't caught any Pokémon yet. If only he had captured that Pidgey earlier...
"Well, that settles it. We're heading to Pewter City first," Misty said matter-of-factly. She pulled out a map of the Kanto region and pointed. "Start with Pewter Gym. Then we can make our way back to Viridian City for your eighth badge before heading to Indigo Plateau."
Ash studied the map and nodded. Misty's suggestion aligned with the standard League challenge route, and it seemed like the best plan.
"Thanks, Misty," Ash said sincerely. "Without you, I'd probably be wandering in circles."
"We're friends, Ash. There's no need to thank me for something so small." Misty pouted, looking slightly annoyed.
"Well, I still appreciate it," Ash said, grinning. "But fine, I won't be so formal in the future."
Misty blushed and quickly climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over her face. "Goodnight, Ash," she mumbled.
"Goodnight, Misty," Ash replied, turning off the lights. As he lay in bed, he had a nagging feeling that he'd forgotten something, but his exhaustion soon overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep.
---
High above Viridian City, a hot air balloon shaped like Meowth's head floated silently in the night sky. Inside the basket were two humans and a Pokémon—a talking Meowth.
"Are we sure about this?" James, a young man with lavender hair, asked hesitantly. He had a noble air about him, but his current demeanor was anything but confident.
"Of course, we are!" Jessie, a woman with long magenta hair, snapped back. Her voice was filled with ambition. "If this plan succeeds, the boss will reward us handsomely. Promotions, raises—we'll be unstoppable!"
Meowth grinned. "That's right, Meow! This is Viridian City, the boss's territory. Everything's under control, Meow!"
"But..." James hesitated, glancing at the Pokémon Center below. He had traveled enough to understand the risks of their plan. Despite Viridian City being controlled by Team Rocket, they rarely caused a stir here.
Jessie glared at him. "James, stop being such a downer! When we're promoted, don't expect a share of the rewards if you keep this up."
"Alright, alright," James relented. He couldn't abandon his companions, even if he had reservations.
"We'll cut the power to the Pokémon Center, then grab all the Pokémon in storage during the chaos. It's a flawless plan, Meow!" Meowth said smugly.
Jessie smirked. "Let's go!"
In unison, Jessie and James tossed Poké Balls from the balloon, shattering the Pokémon Center's skylight. The Poké Balls landed in the lobby below with a loud crash, startling the trainers and staff inside.
With a burst of white light, two Pokémon emerged.
One was Koffing, a purple, spherical Pokémon with various protrusions and a sinister skull pattern on its belly. It floated in the air, emitting a noxious gas.
The other was Ekans, a snake-like Pokémon with a yellow underbelly and piercing eyes. Its coiled body exuded menace as it hissed at the startled crowd.
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie began.
"And make it double!" James added, slipping seamlessly into their familiar motto.
As chaos erupted in the Pokémon Center, Ash stirred in his sleep. He still couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong...
(End of Chapter)
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