Before Misty could unleash the full force of her righteous fury, Natsume hit her with the most effective silencing method known to man.
Cash.
He slapped a wad of bills into her hands like he was sealing a real estate deal.
"Deposit," he said solemnly, then immediately switched his Rotom Phone to airplane mode and sprinted after Ash like his life depended on it.
Misty stared down at the money. The top bill read ¥1,000.
Hope surged—for exactly three seconds.
The rest?
All single-dollar bills.
This wouldn't buy a tire, let alone a new bicycle.
Her eye twitched. A vein throbbed dangerously at her temple.
"YOU CHEAPSKATE THIEVES!!"
Misty flung her umbrella to the side and took off after them like a rampaging Gyarados mid-Aqua Tail.
—
Viridian City Outskirts
Ash pedaled with wild desperation, rain pelting his face, Pikachu limp in the bike's basket. Tires kicked up water as the terrain blurred by.
Natsume caught up beside him, completely dry under a sleek, Rotom-powered umbrella.
"Pedal faster unless you want to die," he chirped, somehow both cheerful and serious.
Ash gasped for air. "Natsume, what does that even mean?!"
"Less questions, more cardio!"
Ahead of them, Officer Jenny stood near the checkpoint, one hand resting on a Growlithe's Poké Ball, the other gripping a wanted poster with Team Rocket's faces on it. She glanced up, eyes narrowing as they sped toward her—Ash drenched, Pikachu unresponsive, Misty screaming bloody murder in the distance.
Natsume hissed, "Show your Pokédexes!"
Ash fumbled his out, holding it up like a student trying to prove he did his homework.
Jenny's eyes darted to the trainer IDs. She gave a slow nod—and waved them through.
"STOP THEM!" Misty's shout echoed behind, but it was too late.
Jenny stepped directly into her path, releasing Growlithe in one smooth motion. The fire-type snarled with practiced menace.
"You've got nerve showing your face here," Jenny said flatly. "A Pokémon researcher was attacked."
Misty froze. "Wha— they stole my bike!"
Jenny folded her arms. "Right. And I'm a Mimikyu in disguise. Nice try."
Misty opened her mouth. Closed it.
Growlithe growled again.
This was a nightmare.
—
Viridian Pokémon Center
Ash barely rolled into the parking lot before his bike gave up on life entirely. The front wheel popped off, the frame collapsed, and the entire thing fell into a sad little heap.
Nurse Joy rushed outside, took one look at Pikachu, and swept him away into the emergency ward.
Ash watched, soaked and breathless. "He'll be okay, right?"
Natsume crouched beside the bike's remains, scribbling notes in his journal.
Interesting. Without the Thunderbolt destroying it this time, fate still found a way.
He clicked his pen thoughtfully.
Hypothesis: Narrative causality is a measurable force.
[+1 Pokedollar.]
Natsume sighed. "Philistines."
Inside, Ash paced nervously, chewing his lip. His Pokédex rang—a video call from his mother. He hesitated, then ignored it.
"Natsume," he muttered, "how are you so calm?"
"Not my Pikachu," Natsume replied.
Ash looked at him like he'd just kicked a Caterpie.
—
MeanwhileInside a black hot air balloon marked with a large red "R," three figures huddled over the edge.
James rubbed his hands together. "Viridian Pokémon Center's got a whole ward full of injured Pokémon. Something rare's gotta be in there!"
Jessie grinned. "This haul might finally get us noticed by Giovanni!"
Meowth's eyes gleamed. "Ooooh, and maybe even a raise, meow!"
A fourth voice casually joined in. "I'd love to study Mewtwo once this is over."
Meowth blinked. "Yeah, great idea—WAIT. WHO SAID THAT?!"
The trio whirled.
Sitting cross-legged inside the balloon, notebook open and completely unbothered, was Natsume.
Jessie shrieked. "GHOST TYPE!"
James fainted on the spot.
Meowth nearly jumped out of the balloon. "HOW DID YOU EVEN GET IN HERE, MEOW?!"
Natsume looked up calmly. "Climbed the rope while you were arguing."
Then he flipped a page in his notebook.
"Now, if you wouldn't mind—I have a few questions about Mewtwo's recombinant DNA strand…"
***
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