Ash shook his head at Misty's question. "Those three were bundled up from head to toe, how could I recognize them? It's just… when I walked past them, I got this strange feeling. Hard to describe. But it only lasted a moment. Maybe it was just my imagination."
"A strange feeling?" Misty tilted her head, puzzled. After a moment she dismissed it with a shrug and followed Ash toward the shopping mall.
Viridian City wasn't particularly large, but because it housed Kanto's most powerful Gym Leader, its facilities were well developed. The city mall carried nearly everything you'd expect to find in a metropolis.
Ash stocked up on food and supplies, special Pokéfood for Pikachu, a few wilderness survival tools, and plenty of instant cans.
Misty, meanwhile, bought a small arsenal of insect repellent, anti-itch cream, and sunscreen.
After shopping, they strolled around Viridian City and even stopped by the Viridian Gym, not to challenge it, but out of curiosity. Ash wanted to see what kind of Trainer Giovanni, the Gym Leader, really was.
He'd only ever seen Trainers of that caliber on TV. Of course, thanks to the mysterious group chat, Ash had already brushed shoulders with people whose skill matched or exceeded the Champion level. But witnessing a real top-tier Trainer battle in person? That was something else entirely.
Unfortunately, the Gym was built like a fortress. The massive, castle-like building had only one entrance, reserved exclusively for challengers and their companions. No spectators allowed. With no way to watch, Ash and Misty could only leave disappointed.
By the time they finished exploring, the sun was already dipping. Misty suggested staying another night at the Pokémon Center and heading out in the morning. Ash hesitated, then agreed, not for the extra rest, but for the extra meal.
The Pokémon Center's food was leagues better than instant cans, and far more nutritious. For Ash, that was reason enough.
After dinner, Ash leaned back, stretching with a grin. "Ugh, I'm stuffed! Let's go work some of this off. Misty, you have a Pokémon, right? Let's battle! I haven't had a match all day, and my hands are itching for a fight."
Misty tilted her chin up proudly. "Of course I have Pokémon! How could I travel without them? But your Pikachu wouldn't stand a chance against mine. To spare you the trauma, you'd better not challenge me."
Ash twitched at her smug tone, opening his mouth to reply.
WEE-OOH! WEE-OOH!
The Pokémon Center's alarm suddenly blared, red lights flashing across the lobby.
"What's going on?!" Trainers all around them froze in panic. Chansey waddled out, waving its stubby arms to calm everyone down, while Nurse Joy grabbed the phone with a grave look.
Misty's eyes widened. "Someone's breaking into the Pokémon Center? Who would dare? Even international crime syndicates wouldn't have the guts to attack a Center!"
This alarm was one that almost never rang. In fact, Nurse Joy herself had once said it was "just for decoration." A Pokémon Center was considered sacred ground, the Joy family were pillars of the Pokémon League, the ones who carried the most advanced healing knowledge in the world. No one in their right mind would ever attack a Center.
Which meant… only complete idiots would.
"Since you're begging so sweetly!"
"We'll answer ever so neatly!"
(Yes, that infamous chant. At this point, everyone in Kanto probably had it memorized by heart.)
"I'm Jessie!"
"And I'm James!"
"Together we're Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light!"
"White hole, white tomorrow."
"That's right, Meowth!"
Three figures descended dramatically through a puff of smoke, striking poses in the middle of the Pokémon Center lobby. Red warning lights flashed, and thick black haze spread out, filling the room.
The crowd gasped, coughing as they accidentally inhaled. More than one Trainer slumped against the wall, dizzy.
"This isn't just smoke, it's Koffing's Poison Gas!" Misty choked, covering her nose and mouth. But she'd already breathed in a little too much, her head spinning.
Ash, however, stood straight, fists clenched. "Poisonous? I don't feel a thing. More importantly, what's a 'Team Rocket,' and why are you invading a Pokémon Center?!"
His voice rang out loud and clear in the haze.
Jessie, James, and Meowth froze mid-grab as they reached for Poké Balls.
"Wait, he's not poisoned?" James blinked, baffled.
"No way! He doesn't even have a gas mask!" Jessie scowled. "Forget it, he's just some brat. Ekans, take care of him! Use Poison Sting!"
"Ekanssss!" The purple serpent snapped its jaws wide, firing a volley of glowing purple spikes straight at Ash and Pikachu.
"Thunder Shock!" Ash's voice was sharp and sure.
For a brief moment, his body shone with a faint blue aura. The Poison Gas around him rippled, then vanished in an instant. Pikachu, freed from the haze, bristled with electricity.
"Pika-CHUUUU!!"
Bolts of lightning burst out, colliding with the rain of poisonous needles. The clash erupted into a loud explosion that rattled the windows. Smoke and haze mingled, swallowing the whole battlefield.
But Ash's eyes glowed blue. His Aura spread outward, and Pikachu's eyes glowed to match. Even in the thick haze, they could see.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
"Pika-pi!!" Pikachu darted forward, a white streak slicing through the smoke. A loud crash echoed a moment later, and then Ekans flew out of the haze like a rubber band snapping, slamming back into Jessie, James, and Meowth.
"WAAAH!!"
The trio tumbled across the tile floor in a heap, arms and legs flailing like rag dolls, before coming to a groaning stop in the corner.