A soft, insistent pressure on his cheek pulled Ash from the depths of a heavy, dreamless sleep. His eyelids fluttered open, his vision blurred, and for a moment, all he saw was a haze of yellow hovering above him. He squeezed his eyes shut again, disoriented, the warmth beneath his head too soft to be a pillow. His sluggish mind tried to piece things together — hadn't he been talking with Professor Oak? Then he'd gone to check on Yellow… He must have been more tired than he realised.
When he blinked his eyes open again, the blur sharpened into cascading strands of blonde hair, loose and untamed, spilling down beside his face. His head was resting on Yellow's lap. She had fallen asleep sitting upright against the wall, her back pressed to the headboard, her right hand resting on his hair as though she had been soothing him in her sleep. Her left hand lay slack across her lap, fingers curled loosely.
The pressure on his cheek came again. Turning his head, he found Pikachu perched beside him, tiny paw poking insistently at his face.
"Pika!"
"Mooorning, Pikkaachuu…" Ash mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
The sun was beginning to filter through the curtains, the sunlight painting the room in soft gold. The light caught Yellow's hair, turning it into a halo of vibrant colour. Ash stared at it for a long moment, his groggy mind caught on a simple thought: So that's why she was given her name.
His gaze drifted to her face. She was still asleep, her head tilted forward, chin almost touching her chest. Her breathing was slow and steady, but her neck was bent at an awkward angle. Concern tugged at him. Her neck will hurt if she stays in that position.
Reluctantly, he shifted, lifting his head from her lap. The warmth lingered even after he moved away. His stirring must have roused her, because she squinted against the light, stretching her arms stiffly behind her. A soft yawn escaped her lips, her hair falling in messy waves around her shoulders.
Ash smiled faintly at the sight. He reached out, resting a hand gently on her head. "Morning, sleepyhead."
She blinked blearily at him, her lips forming a small pout. The expression was so unguarded, so childlike, that he couldn't help but chuckle.
Without thinking, he gathered her hair in his hands, smoothing it back. The strands slipped easily through his fingers, softer than he expected. He worked clumsily but carefully, tying it into a loose ponytail with the band she always carried. When he finished, she turned her head to look at him, her wide, innocent eyes meeting his. For a moment, the room felt suspended in quiet, the horrors of the forest far away.
He let his hands fall back, reluctant to break the contact.
Rising from the bed, he offered her his hand. She took it, and he helped her to her feet. She moved slowly, still shaking off sleep, and padded toward the bathroom with her clothes draped over her arm.
Left alone, Ash sat back down on the edge of the bed, his mind already turning to the day ahead. Mount Moon loomed in his thoughts — not just as a destination, but as a challenge. They would need supplies, but what should they get?
A faint echo brushed against his thoughts - half a whisper, half a familiar sigh. 'Need advice?' Roshi's voice sounded off in his head, sudden and grounding in the quiet.
Ash blinked, startled, then felt a rush of relief. 'You're back! What happened after the crowd attacked me in the gym? So much has happened, you know.'
'That I can see. Man, I missed so much.'
'What were you doing exactly?'
'Hmph. Your Aura started acting up again after the crowd attacked you. It must have accelerated your healing after the injuries you sustained in the gym battle and at the hands of the crowd.'
Ash winced at the memory, rubbing absently at his ribs. 'Did it hurt like the previous time?'
'Yup. I tried to go outside, but it burned me up in a few places. It basically considers me a foreign entity and is trying to get rid of me, I believe.'
Ash's chest tightened. 'You won't die, right?'
'No. Glad I can do whatever I want with my memory's personification. I had to make the place grounded in your mindscape, which took such a long time due to the injuries I sustained. I won't die; I'm already dead, remember?' Roshi's tone was dry, but Ash could feel the reassurance beneath it.
'But…'
'Eh, I'll be fine. As long as something really supernaturally unexpected happens, I'll be fine in the comfort of my home in your mindscape. You must have fallen asleep again for your mindscape to get adjusted to my 'house'.'
Ash frowned. 'Even if it was there since you arrived? Do you know what's causing these issues?'
'No, but I do have some idea.' Roshi's voice grew sharper, edged with irritation. That blank‑faced, irritating piece of—yeah, let's not go there. It can also be due to their special case. Roshi noticed how much more violent this world was than the one he thought he knew from the anime. That guy must have meddled when he was sent there. Oh, he was getting a piece of his mind when they met ever again, that is.
Ash shivered, a chill running down his spine as something heavy settled in his mind. Roshi's anger was rare, and it unsettled him, even if he did not know why.
But Roshi's tone softened again. 'Right now, you've got someone to protect. Focus on that. Mount Moon won't be forgiving. If Viridian and Pewter were any indication, you can't afford to stumble in blind.'
Ash nodded to himself, the weight of responsibility pressing down again. 'What do you think we should buy for the next part of the road?'
As the sound of the shower slowed, Ash began gathering the bandages to rewrap Yellow's hands. His mind ticked through the list, along with Roshi's inputs.
Dry food for themselves, yes, but also for the Pokémon. He frowned, realising he didn't even know all of their preferences. They'd have to ask Nurse Joy before they left.
Maps, too. A detailed description of the tunnels. He couldn't afford another disaster like Viridian Forest. Preparation was everything now.
He glanced at Pikachu, who had curled up on the pillow, watching him with steady, knowing eyes. Ash gave him a small nod. "We'll be ready this time," he murmured.
When Yellow emerged again, dressed and fresh, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders, Ash added one more item to his mental list. Poké Balls. He had only a few left, and after yesterday, he knew better than to underestimate what they might face.
He exhaled slowly, the weight of responsibility settling on him again. But when Yellow smiled faintly at him, still drowsy but steadier now, Ash's mind had steadied. Plans had taken shape — lists, supplies, steps forward. The forest was behind them, but the road ahead waited.
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The cafeteria of the Centre was hushed at that hour, the kind of quiet that felt fragile, as though even a raised voice might shatter it. The clink of cutlery against ceramic carried clearly across the room, mingling with the low, steady hum of the vending machines. A few trainers dozed in the lounge chairs by the window, their Pokémon curled at their feet, but otherwise the place was still.
Ash and Yellow sat side by side at a corner table, their plates simple: toast, eggs, and a small bowl of berries that Pikachu and Eevee shared between them. Yellow ate slowly, her bandaged hands making the motions awkward. She fumbled once with her fork, the utensil slipping against the plate with a sharp scrape, but she didn't complain. She simply adjusted her grip and tried again, her expression calm, determined.
Ash kept sneaking glances at her, his own food cooling on his plate. Every time she shifted or winced, he tensed, ready to step in, but she managed on her own. That quiet determination made something ache in his chest. He wanted to help, but he also didn't want to take away the dignity she fought to hold onto.
Pikachu nudged a berry toward Eevee, who chirped happily and nibbled at it. The small, ordinary moment of sharing made Ash's lips twitch into the faintest smile. For a few minutes, it almost felt normal.
When they finished, Nurse Joy approached their table. Her expression was soft, but her eyes were sharp, watchful. She had seen them come in the night before, had seen the exhaustion in their faces, the tremor in Yellow's hands, the way Ash had hovered protectively at her side.
"Heading out today?" she asked gently.
Ash nodded. "Mount Moon."
For the briefest moment, Nurse Joy's smile faltered. She recovered quickly, but the flicker of worry didn't escape Ash's notice.
"You are going to need supplies to go through there," she said, her tone brisk but kind. "The caves will be infested with Zubat and other kinds of Pokémon. Make sure you stock up properly. If you go to the east side of Pewter, you'll reach Route 3, which leads directly to Mount Moon. There are Poison-types along the way, so Antidotes are a must. I'd also suggest Paralyze Heals and Awakenings. The caves can be… unpredictable."
Ash inclined his head. "Thanks a lot, Nurse Joy. We'll make sure to get them."
Beside him, Yellow bowed her head in gratitude, her hair falling forward to hide her face.
Nurse Joy hesitated, then leaned in slightly, her voice lowering. "Make sure you have quite a bit of money on you when you go to buy those supplies."
Ash frowned. "Why is that?" Yellow looked up too, her brow furrowed.
"You remember what happened at the gym?" Nurse Joy's tone was careful, but the weight of her words made Ash stiffen. He nodded once, his jaw tightening.
"You should be careful," she continued. "Some shopkeepers may overprice you deliberately. Others might sell you defective items. It's a way of… harassing you. Please, look out for such things."
Ash's eyes widened. "What?!"
Nurse Joy's expression softened with sympathy, but her words were firm. "It's unfortunate, but it happens. You might face hostility. I would even suggest getting masks for the two of you, just to avoid drawing attention."
Ash's mouth opened, then closed again. "But…"
"I know you hate it," Nurse Joy said quietly, her gaze flicking between the two of them. "And I am ashamed to even suggest it. But the truth is, you should probably leave Pewter as soon as possible. If you set out within the next few hours, you can make it to the Pokémon Centre on Route 3 before nightfall. Rest there, and tackle Mount Moon in the morning. It will be safer."
The words settled over them like a heavy blanket. Ash and Yellow exchanged a glance — reluctant, resigned. They both nodded.
Nurse Joy gave them a small, encouraging smile before stepping away, her footsteps soft against the polished floor.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The cafeteria's quiet pressed in again, broken only by the hum of the vending machines and the faint chirp of Eevee finishing the last berry.
Ash pushed his empty plate aside, his hands curling into fists on the table. Yellow reached out, her bandaged fingers brushing lightly against his sleeve. He looked at her, and she gave him a small, steady smile. It didn't erase the weight of Nurse Joy's warning, but it anchored him.
Together, they rose from the table. Pikachu hopped onto Ash's shoulder, Eevee trotting at Yellow's heels. The market awaited them, and beyond it, the road to Mount Moon.
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The Pewter City market was just as bustling as they remembered, but the vibrant energy felt different now, as if it carried a weariness beneath the noise. The air was thick with the mingled scents of bread, leather, and dust, but instead of feeling welcoming, it pressed down on them like a weight. The words Nurse Joy had spoken still clung to their minds, a warning that seemed to echo in every glance they caught, in every muttered word that wasn't meant for their ears.
Ash adjusted the collar of his jacket higher, trying to shield himself from the stares. Yellow stayed close behind him, her right hand gripping the back of his jacket like a lifeline. Her eyes darted nervously from stall to stall, lingering on the colorful displays of fruit, cloth, and trinkets, but never long enough to forget the tension in the air.
They tried to go about their business as quietly as possible. Rope, a map, some dry rations — the essentials. But each shop they entered seemed to sour the moment they stepped inside. Prices were quoted at double the usual rate, sometimes more. When Ash questioned it, the shopkeepers sneered, their voices dripping with disdain. "Take it or leave it, boy. We don't haggle with troublemakers."
Every resource mattered. Even money. They had no choice but to leave, their coins still in Ash's pocket, their dignity chipped away with each rejection.
Eventually, they managed to buy a few things from vendors who seemed more interested in profit than in drama. The prices were still inflated — a quarter more than they should have been — but at least the transactions were quick, the sneers less sharp. Ash accepted the losses with clenched teeth, his jaw tight, while Yellow kept her head bowed, her grip on his jacket never loosening.
But when they tried to buy Pokémon food, the hostility sharpened into something uglier.
The shopkeeper was a large, burly man with arms like tree trunks and a permanent scowl etched into his face. He sold them a bag of pellets, and for a moment Ash thought they had finally managed a normal purchase. But when he opened the bag, the stench hit him immediately — sour, damp, unmistakably rotten. The pellets were stale, flecked with mold.
"Hey! This food has gone bad!" Ash's voice rang out sharper than he intended as he strode back to the stall, the bag clutched in his fist.
The man barely looked at him. He snatched the bag, sniffed it once, and sneered. "Smells fine to me. You must have a sensitive nose, brat." With a casual flick, he tossed the bag into the trash behind his counter.
Ash's blood boiled. "Then give me my money back." His voice shook with anger, but he forced himself to stand tall.
The man laughed, a cruel, barking sound that carried across the market. Heads turned. "No refunds. Now get out of my shop before I call security and tell them you're causing trouble."
The crowd that had gathered chuckled, their amusement sharp as knives. "Yeah, get lost!" someone shouted. "Serves you right!"
Ash's face burned. His fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms. Every instinct screamed at him to fight back, to shout, to demand justice. But Yellow's hand tugged at his jacket, grounding him. He swallowed the fury, turned on his heel, and pushed his way through the hostile crowd. The laughter followed them like a shadow.
They tried the apothecaries next, hoping to at least secure healing items. But every door they entered was another wall slammed in their faces. Either the shopkeepers refused them outright, their eyes cold and dismissive, or they quoted prices so outrageous they might as well have been mocking them. Ash's frustration grew heavier with each rejection, his shoulders tight, his steps sharp. Yellow said nothing, but her silence was heavy, her eyes downcast.
Finally, they tried their luck in the PokéMart. The bright lights and orderly shelves felt almost alien after the chaos of the market. The prices were closer to fair, though still high. For a moment, Ash allowed himself to hope.
But even here, the world found a way to remind them of their place.
"Why is there such a difference in price between the items I bought for her and me?" Ash asked the cashier as they checked out, his voice tight with suspicion.
The cashier, a middle-aged man with tired eyes, looked at him with the same condescension Ash had seen all morning. But when Ash produced his badge at the man's request, the change was immediate. The cashier's expression shifted from disdain to bewilderment. He typed something into his computer, checked the badge again and again, his eyes flicking between Ash and the screen. Finally, satisfied, he returned the badge with a new, almost wary respect.
True to Brock's words, Ash was given a discount — 10% off the standard price. It wasn't much, but it was something. He bought what they needed: dry food for both humans and Pokémon, healing items, and Poké Balls.
But when he tried to hand some of the Poké Balls to Yellow, the cashier intervened.
"She doesn't have a Trainer ID," the man said flatly.
"So?" Ash snapped, his patience fraying.
The cashier sighed, leaning forward as if bracing himself for the argument. "She isn't an official trainer. That means the price of Poké Balls is higher for her — 240 instead of 200. Your badge gives you a discount, but only for you. Not her."
Ash's fists clenched. "That's not fair—"
The cashier cut him off, his voice low and serious. "Listen. There's more. Poké Balls are linked to Trainer IDs. That's proof of ownership. Adults can buy them with their citizenship IDs, but she's a child and a civilian. That means she doesn't have explicit ownership of her Pokémon. If someone takes her Poké Balls, they can claim her Pokémon as theirs. That's the law. I can't change it. The system is made that way."
Ash's stomach twisted. He looked at Yellow, who shook her head quickly, her lips pressed into a tight smile. "It's okay," she signed softly, her hands trembling.
But Ash saw the truth in her eyes. The fear. The shame. The unfairness of it all.
He hated it. He hated it so much. But his hands were tied.
The cashier's voice softened slightly. "If it's any consolation, once she gets her own Trainer ID, she can link her Poké Balls to it. Then the Pokémon will be registered as hers. The problem is getting that ID in the first place. That's for you two to figure out. Good luck."
Ash exchanged the Poké Balls reluctantly, his jaw tight, his chest burning with helpless anger.
---------------------------------
The streets grew quieter as they left the market behind. The noise of haggling and laughter faded into the distance, replaced by the steady rhythm of their footsteps on the cobblestones. Ash's fists were buried deep in his pockets, his shoulders hunched. Yellow walked beside him, her pouch of berries clutched close to her chest, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Neither spoke for a long time. The silence between them was heavy, filled with all the words they couldn't say.
Finally, Ash muttered, "It's not fair." His voice was low, almost a growl.
Yellow glanced at him, her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn't sign anything back. Instead, after a moment's hesitation, she reached out and slipped her hand into his. Her grip was small, trembling, but steady.
Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, let out a sharp "Pika," his cheeks sparking faintly, as if echoing Ash's frustration.
Ash exhaled slowly, the anger still burning in his chest but tempered by the warmth of Yellow's hand. He looked ahead, toward the eastern gate where the road stretched out of Pewter and into the wild. Mount Moon loomed in the distance, its shadow dark against the morning sky.
They had what they needed. Barely.
And they would face whatever came next together.