From a safe distance, Natsume observed the chaos unfolding.
Ash was currently being mauled by a swarm of furious Spearow.
It wasn't that Natsume was disloyal—he simply lacked Ash's cartoon-level durability. Ash could get pecked within an inch of his life and still ride a bike uphill in the rain. Natsume? He'd be in a full-body cast by sunset.
"Sorry, Ash. This is for your own good," Natsume muttered, taking off his cap in mock respect before calmly turning away.
Time to head to the nearest Pokémon Center and wait for the storm to pass.
He pulled out his Rotom Phone. "Rotom, locate the nearest Pokémon Center."
The device beeped to life, casting a holographic map into the air. Natsume nodded, satisfied.
This wasn't just any Rotom Phone—it was one of his personal models. In the games, Rotom could only possess five appliances. But in reality? Natsume had created dozens of variants: air conditioner Rotom, motorcycle Rotom, toy Rotom. The patents alone had paid for half of Pallet Town's public infrastructure.
As he walked, he thought of the ten scratch cards he'd collected. Maybe today was the day—
"Excuse me?"
A voice pulled him from his thoughts. A girl with bright orange hair pushed a bicycle beside her, eyes hopeful.
"Do you know where the nearest Pokémon Center is?"
Natsume blinked.
Misty.
He stared, silent. Studying her like she was a rare Legendary.
The girl fidgeted. "Uh… hello?"
Natsume pulled out his notebook and began scribbling.
Hair: orange. Twin tails. Appearance: 99.9% match with anime Misty.
"System," he whispered, "I've identified a main character. That's gotta be worth something, right?"
[Ding! Custom non-level task recognized. Reward: $1.]
Natsume sighed. Low payout.
Misty took a cautious step back. "You're kinda weird."
Before he could respond, thunder cracked overhead. A blinding flash lit the sky behind them—right where the forest was.
Natsume's eyes widened.
Ash. Pikachu. The bike.
If Misty didn't lend Ash her bike right now, Pikachu might not make it. And if Pikachu didn't make it, Natsume could kiss his S-rank research subject goodbye.
He grabbed Misty's wrist. "I'll take you there!"
Then he sprinted.
—
Moments Earlier
Ash knelt in the rain, cradling Pikachu close. The Spearow lay scattered, stunned from Pikachu's desperate Thunderbolt.
"Hang in there, buddy. I'll get you help. Just hold on…"
He stumbled to his feet.
"ASH!"
He turned. Relief rushed through him—Natsume had come back!
"Do you have any healing sprays?" Ash asked, hopeful.
Natsume paused. "…Forgot them."
Ash's expression fell.
Natsume patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. It's just a fatal injury."
"JUST a—?!"
Pikachu whimpered weakly in his arms.
Ash clenched his jaw. "I'm sorry, Pikachu…"
Natsume, meanwhile, observed them carefully. The bond between them was strengthening. This moment? Pure data gold.
Then he noticed Misty standing behind them, looking absolutely stunned.
"I think she'd love to lend you her bike," Natsume said.
Misty gawked. "Wait, what—?"
"THANKS!" Ash shouted.
In a single motion, he leapt onto her bike and sped off into the storm.
Misty's scream echoed behind him. "THAT'S STEALING!!"
—
Pokémon Center – Later
Nurse Joy stepped out with a smile. "Pikachu will be fine."
Ash collapsed in relief.
Misty stood nearby, arms crossed, bike-less and furious.
"You," she said, glaring at Natsume. "Explain."
He was too busy scribbling notes to hear her.
Theory: Near-death trauma accelerates trainer-Pokémon bonding. Result: Confirmed.
Ash looked sheepish. "Sorry about your bike…"
Misty's eye twitched. "You're both insane."
Natsume finally looked up. "Correction. He's insane. I'm a scientist."
[Ding! S-Rank research progress: 5%.]
Totally worth it.
***
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