Pokémon: An Unexpected Odyssey

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter
The Journey continues
Cheers!

 

[Petrox]

Nice to mention the stick up Misty's entitled ass. She deserves a wake up call before its too late.

 

[kinja427]

Why hasn't this chapter gone up on RR yet?
Not complaining, I just find it strange.

 

[Adamos_Amet]

Regret.

Misty had felt it before—more times than she liked to admit—but she had never been one to regret what she said.

Why should she?

Her mother never taught her to back down, never raised her to be the kind of person who swallowed her words. If you had something to say, you said it. That was how Misty lived. That was how she fought.

And yet…

After her argument with Austin that morning—after hours of waiting for him to come back and finding nothing but silence in return—regret was all she felt.

Ash Ketchum.

No—she refused to call him Ash. He had always been Austin to her, the person who had been there for her, the one who had gone out of his way to help her and never asked for anything in return.

And yet, when he had finally needed something from her—just a little patience, a little understanding—she had demanded answers like he was beneath her. Like she had the right to own his truth.

Now, with every passing hour that he didn't come back, the silence grew louder. She had spent so much of her journey alone. Even when she had her sisters, even when she had Pokémon, even when she had a dream to chase, she had always felt like she was on her own. But now, when she was closer than ever to achieving that dream, she had thrown away the one friendship that made it possible.

And for what?

Because she had let her pride get in the way? Because she had let her temper run her mouth? Misty let out a heavy sigh, staring at the half-empty pools of the Cerulean Gym.

"Hey."

A voice broke through her thoughts, and Misty turned to see Meowtholomew making his way toward her, balancing a tray of sandwiches in his tiny paws.

A trench coat. A fedora. Whiskers twitching with every step.

The guy was a complete weirdo. The first time she saw him, she had nearly burst out laughing. A tiny man with cat-like whiskers, dressed like some shady street informant, talking with an accent straight out of a detective movie? Come on.

But apparently, according to him, he had a rare genetic condition from being bitten by a radioactive Meowth.

Misty hadn't believed a word of it. But Austin hadn't made a big fuss about it, so she didn't say anything either.

"You should eat somethin'," Meowth said, hopping up onto the bench beside her and setting the tray down.

"I'm not hungry."

Meowth shrugged, not pushing it. "Alright, but Boss Daisy told me ta tell ya—no tournament today. She wants ya ta rest. Eat somethin'. Get ya head straight."

Misty sighed. "Yeah… that's probably for the best."

She wasn't in any state to battle right now. Not with him still gone. Still, just to stop Meowth from nagging, she picked up one of the sandwiches and took a small bite. Then she pushed the rest toward him. "You and your friends can have the rest."

Meowth blinked. "Oh—uh, thanks!" His whiskers twitched in surprise, but he reached for a sandwich anyway.

Then he stopped.

His sharp little eyes narrowed.

"Somethin's buggin' ya."

Misty tensed slightly. "It's nothing."

Meowth snorted. "Kid, when people say it's nothin', it's usually somethin'."

Misty hesitated, then exhaled, gripping the bench beneath her. "...Have you ever felt bad about something you said?"

Meowth tilted his head, thinking.

Then he grinned, sharp and knowing. "Course I have. That's the blessin' of talkin', ain't it?"

Misty frowned. "Blessing?"

"Yeah," Meowth said, gesturing with a sandwich like he was giving some great speech. "Ta be able ta say somethin'—ta speak, ta be understood—ta be heard? That's a blessin'."

He leaned back slightly, flicking the brim of his fedora.

"When I was just a scrawny little runt, I taught myself how ta walk like a human, how ta talk like a human. And ya know what happened?"

Misty stayed quiet.

Meowth's grin didn't fade.

"They called me a freak."

Misty's stomach twisted.

"But," Meowth continued, waving a paw, "through speakin', I found a place. Through speakin', I found people who listened. And that's all that really matters."

He glanced at her, eyes sharper now. "Things only happen when ya say somethin'. Good or bad, it don't matter. The world don't move unless ya speak up. And if ya don't like what ya said?" He smirked. "Well, lucky for you—ya still got your tongue, don'tcha?"

Misty's breath hitched slightly. She didn't answer at first, just stared down at her hands.

"...Thanks."

Meowth shrugged like it was nothing. "No problem."

He grabbed the tray of sandwiches and hopped off the bench.

"I'll be takin' these back ta Jessie and James. You, uh…" He tilted his head. "Ya figure out what ya gotta do yet?"

Misty clenched her fists.

Yeah, she did.

Meowth smirked, already turning away. "Good."

---

Austin sat in front of the Pokémon Center's communication room, watching as the screen flickered before settling on Nurse Joy's familiar face.

"Nice to see you finally called," Joy said, arms crossed. "Your Rattata and Spearow were getting restless."

Austin winced. "Yeah… sorry about that. Things got a little busy on my end. Figured it was easier for them to stay with you while they recovered—at least long enough that they wouldn't draw suspicion."

"Of course, the mysterious hero has to hide his identity," Nurse Joy teased, a knowing smirk on her lips. Then her expression shifted, more serious. "But I'll have you know that Spearow was extremely aggressive. We had to keep him separated from the other patients. He even injured some of the Chansey nurses."

Austin winced again, this time deeper. "Damn. I—I'm really sorry about that. I'll make it up to them. I'll give Spearow a… stern talking to."

"Mmm-hmm. You do that." Nurse Joy didn't sound convinced. Then her gaze softened. "Rattata, on the other hand, was an absolute sweetheart. A joy to have around."

"That sounds like her. How are they both doing?"

"I'll send you their full medical reports—both a detailed and simplified version. Thought you'd appreciate not having to wade through the jargon."

Austin exhaled in relief. "You have no idea how much I appreciate that."

"Rattata has made a strong recovery," Joy continued. "No complications. The only thing left is some fur regrowth, but that's normal. I'd recommend a few more days of rest before she undergoes any serious battling."

Austin nodded. That was a weight off his chest. His little lady was back, just needed a little more time.

"Now… about Spearow."

"His case is a little more… interesting."

"Interesting how?"

Nurse Joy paused, choosing her words carefully. "Well, physically, Spearow's injuries weren't the main concern. He didn't have severe external wounds. The real problem was… mental."

"How so?"

"Think of it like this," Joy said, adjusting the camera slightly. "Imagine a professional athlete—someone at their peak—suddenly getting bedridden for months, maybe even a year. Their muscles weaken, their coordination deteriorates, and even though they remember how to move, their body just… doesn't respond the same way anymore. They have to relearn everything—from balance to endurance, from reflexes to precision. And that process? It's frustrating. Maddening, even."

Austin's hands tightened into fists.

"Spearow's going through something similar. His body is strong—stronger than it's ever been. But his instincts haven't caught up."

"...I am not following?"

"Spearow still thinks he's the same as before, but with his new size, weight, and muscle structure, his old instincts just don't work."

"Give me examples."

Nurse Joy nodded. "For starters, his flight mechanics are completely off. His wingspan hasn't adjusted to his new weight, so he keeps trying to take off the way a normal Spearow would—but his heavier frame means he can't generate the same lift. He goes up but loses stability, which makes him crash. Hard."

Austin grimaced.

"Due to this, he gets frustrated, and that frustration turns to anger. And that's why he attacked the Chansey nurses when they tried to calm him down. He doesn't understand what's happening to him. His self-perception and reality aren't lining up, and it's making him angry at everything."

Austin let that sink in.

"Right. Forget the stern talking to. I need to actually help him."

"That would be best," Joy agreed.

"Alright. I'll take care of it. And I'll make it up to the Chansey nurses. How about I send you some money? Buy them all something they like—as an apology from both Spearow and me."

"I think they'd appreciate that."

Then the pink-haired woman paused, grinning mischievously.

"Buuuut…"

"What?"

"What do I get?"

Austin blinked. "What?"

"C'mon, kid. I was the one who fixed your Pokémon. Don't I get somethin' too?"

Austin deadpanned. "You do realize you're asking a ten-year-old for money, right?"

Nurse Joy waved a dismissive hand. "Let's just say I'm preparing you for the real world. Being a successful trainer means you'll attract all kinds of gold-digging bugs. I'm just giving you practice."

"Uh-huh. And in this practice scenario, what kind of bug are you?"

Nurse Joy flipped her hair dramatically. "Obviously, the beautiful kind."

Austin snorted. "Right. Should've known."

Both of them laughed. After a moment, Joy leaned forward slightly. "Jokes aside, what have you been up to? You seem… different."

Austin blinked, caught off guard. He hadn't expected to be this comfortable talking to an adult. Most of the time, he felt like he was walking on eggshells, like he had to act a certain way to avoid suspicion. But Nurse Joy? She felt safe. Like he could actually talk to her.

Still, he hesitated. "...That's a long story."

"Summarized version, then."

Austin sweatdropped. "Figures."

He leaned back, gathering his thoughts.

"Alright… here goes."

---

By the time Austin finally returned to the Cerulean City Gym, the sky was painted in deep shades of blue, the streets bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. The long day had drained every ounce of energy he had—a meeting with Professor Oak about the Dragon Rage Magikarp, a conversation with Delia, and now this.

No rest for the wicked, huh?

He pushed open the door, stepping inside quietly, Pikachu curled up and fast asleep in his arms. The scent of something warm and inviting hit him instantly, mingling with the faint hum of the night. Across the room, Misty sat at the dinner table, staring down at a pot in front of her, her fingers tapping against the wooden surface.

The moment she saw him, her head snapped up.

"A…Austin." She stood up abruptly, like she had been waiting for hours.

Austin held up a hand, motioning for silence. "Shh."

Misty blinked in confusion until she noticed the tiny yellow lump snoozing in Austin's arms, his ears twitching slightly.

"I should take him to bed first," Austin murmured.

"And then… can we talk?"

"Sure."

A few minutes later, Austin returned, his shoulders feeling lighter without Pikachu's weight. He took a seat across from Misty at the table, stretching out his sore arms.

"Pikachu's out like he worked a full-time construction job today."

Misty smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah."

A moment of awkward silence settled between them.

"…Did you eat anything yet?"

"Not really."

Misty nodded, reaching for the pot in front of her. "I made some pasta," she said, removing the lid.

The moment she did, a wave of rich, savory aroma filled the air. Steam curled from the pot, carrying the scent of perfectly cooked noodles tossed in a creamy, herb-infused sauce. Small bits of diced tomatoes and basil glistened under the warm light, blending together in a way that made Austin's stomach immediately remind him of how little he had eaten that day.

"I could eat."

He grabbed the ladle, scooping a portion onto his plate. The first bite was heaven. The pasta was soft but firm, coated in a velvety sauce that carried just the right balance of garlic, butter, and fresh herbs. Each bite melted against his tongue, the flavors lingering long after he swallowed.

"…Damn, Misty," he muttered, barely pausing before taking another bite. "This is really good."

A small, almost shy smile flickered across her lips. "Thanks."

"…And I'm sorry."

Austin paused mid-bite, glancing up.

"For what?" he asked, swallowing.

"For… this morning," Misty admitted. "I—" She exhaled, shaking her head. "That was wrong of me."

"Misty, anyone in your position would've asked questions. It's normal."

"But it wasn't just the questions," she said quickly. "It was how I said it. The way I demanded answers from you like I was—" She stopped herself, her throat clenching.

She exhaled, looking down.

"I'm not your boss," she whispered. "You don't owe me anything. And I was wrong to act like I did."

Austin stared at her for a moment before sighing. "…Oh yeah, don't worry about that. I kinda forgot already."

Misty jerked her head up. "You—what?"

"I had a lot of stuff to do today. Guess it took me longer than I realized." He picked up his fork again. "How'd the tournament go today?"

"…We, uh. We canceled it."

"…Why?"

"We were too… worried about you."

The words settled heavily between them.

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

Misty didn't respond right away, just nodded, staring down at the table.

For a while, they just sat there, eating in comfortable silence. Then, Misty cleared her throat. "So… what were you doing today?"

"Mostly just talking to Professor Oak about the Dragon Rage Magikarp project. He and his team will be coming by tomorrow afternoon to do some science stuff."

Misty raised an eyebrow. "Science stuff?"

Austin gave her a flat look. "Do I look like a scientist?"

Misty giggled. "Fair enough. The professor's team won't get in the way of the tournament, right?"

Austin shook his head. "Nope. Oak assured me they'll stay out of the way."

"…Then why do you look so tense?"

"Because there's… someone tagging along with them."

Misty tilted her head. "Who?"

Austin hesitated, then exhaled.

"…Delia Ketchum. My mom."

"Wait, is she also a scientist?"

Austin snorted. "No. She runs a restaurant. But she wanted to spend the weekend with me, so I was wondering if—" He hesitated. "—if there's no issue, can she stay here with us?"

"Of course she can stay! Daisy and the others will love having her here!"

Austin raised an eyebrow. "That was quick."

Misty fumbled slightly, suddenly flustered. "I—I mean, it's only polite! Besides, I don't mind cooking for the weekend."

"Well," he said casually, "you do make a mean pasta."

Misty's entire face turned red. She looked down, pressing her hands against her cheeks, letting out a tiny, muffled squeal.

Austin's brain short-circuited.

Wait. Wait. Is Misty—?

He took another bite, mentally processing.

…Don't tell me she's trying to impress my mom.

Another bite.

…Don't tell me she's developed a crush on me.

Another bite.

…Fuck. Arceus, please, I'm begging you—don't throw anything worse at me.

His plate suddenly cracked. Austin's entire soul left his body.

Great. I just jinxed it. He sighed, rubbing his temples. Austin had no idea just how much insanity was waiting for him next.

---

The Next Day

The Cerulean Gym was bustling with activity.

A large white research truck pulled up to the front of the gym, its tires rolling smoothly over the pavement before coming to a steady stop. The vehicle was imposing, larger than a standard transport truck, with the Kanto Research Institute's emblem painted on the sides—a stylized Poké Ball encircled by an atom-like design. The truck's rear doors swung open, and out came a team of lab-coated researchers, unloading crates of equipment, scanning devices, and storage units. Some carried heavy-duty coolers—probably filled with specimens or scientific instruments—while others adjusted the wheeled carts stacked with data tablets and computers.

Austin and the Cerulean Sisters stood outside, watching the organized chaos unfold.

"Well, well, well! What do we have here?"

A familiar, cocky voice rang out from the back of the truck, and before anyone could react, a figure leapt down from the vehicle.

Gary Oak.

Dressed in his signature purple long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans, his spiky brown hair catching the sunlight, Gary landed smoothly before straightening with a smug grin.

"So I hear from the old man that you discovered something big." His grin widened. "Just so you know, I'm gonna make an even bigger discovery. Mark my words."

Austin smirked, a chuckle slipping past his lips.

"Hey, I'm serious!"

Austin shook his head, still smiling. "No, I believe you." He offered his hand. "Good to see you, man. Hope you've been doing alright since everything that happened on Mt. Moon."

Gary paused briefly, glancing at Austin's outstretched hand before smirking again. He shook it, his grip firm. "You think something as small as that is gonna stop The Great Gary Oak?"

Austin chuckled. Yeah, that sounded like Gary.

"I'm glad Gary is still his confident self."

A warm, familiar female voice rang out, turning everyone's attention toward the truck's main side door, which had just opened. Austin already knew who it was before she even stepped out.

Delia Ketchum.

She emerged from the vehicle with the same gentle elegance she always carried, dressed in a peach-colored blouse and white capris. Her auburn hair was neatly tied back, and her eyes were bright with warmth. Gary barely had time to react before his grandfather stepped down right behind her, letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Maybe he needs a little less confidence."

Gary rolled his eyes. "Pfft. Says the guy who spent all morning geeking out over some research notes."

Austin didn't pay much attention to their usual banter, his focus locked on Delia.

His mother's eyes found him immediately, her lips curving into a soft smile. Without hesitation, she held out her arms.

Austin didn't even think.

He stepped forward and hugged her.

Delia leaned back slightly, studying him with a sharp motherly gaze.

"Have you been wearing clean underwear?"

Austin groaned as the Cerulean Sisters burst into laughter.

"Ohhh, can't the genius prodigy keep his underwear clean? Huh, Austin?"

Austin's face burned. "Oh, shut up."

Delia blinked, turning to Professor Oak. "Austin?"

The professor chuckled. "That's the name our young Ash here is using for his research paper—keeps the reporters and sponsors from bothering his Pokémon journey."

Delia's expression cleared in understanding. "Oh! Well, that makes sense."

Gary, however, snorted. "I think it's lame."

Austin's eye twitched.

Gary grinned. "Seriously, couldn't come up with something cooler? Austin? What, were Ace and Blaze already taken?"

Before Austin could respond, a bright, crackling spark suddenly ignited beside him.

Gary barely had time to jump back as a yellow blur leapt forward.

"PIKACHU!"

A bolt of electricity shot from Pikachu's cheeks, narrowly missing Gary's foot as the rival trainer yelped, stumbling backward.

"HEY!" Gary snapped. "Keep your rat in check, Ashy-boy! Or should I say Austin?"

Austin smirked as Pikachu landed back on his shoulder, tail flicking smugly. "Maybe you should keep your mouth in check, Gar-Bear."

The two boys locked eyes, a familiar crackling tension forming between them—one that didn't need words to be understood. Lightning clashed between their gazes.

"Well, I'm not surprised." Delia's voice cut through the standoff.

"Not surprised about what?"

"Your father had a habit of using a nickname instead of his actual name."

Silence.

Austin's entire body froze.

Misty blinked. "Wait… what was it?"

"His nickname was Red Ketchum."

Austin kept his expression neutral. I figured as much. Blue is Gary's father. Red is Ash's father. But then… why is Green my age? His head hurt, but he shook off the thought for now.

"Well," he said, forcing himself to focus, "why don't we go inside before we start unpacking everything?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea."

And just like that, the chaos was only beginning.

An Hour Later

Professor Oak's team worked efficiently, unloading advanced monitoring equipment and setting up analysis stations around the battle arena. The hum of machinery, the clatter of metal cases being unlatched, and the soft murmur of scientists discussing data points filled the air. Daisy, Violet, and Lily—though usually not ones for hard labor—had rolled up their sleeves and were actively helping the researchers.

"Careful with that one," Daisy warned, watching as a scientist positioned a large bio-sensor array near the battlefield. "If it falls, it's so not coming outta our budget."

"Ugh, this is so much work," Violet groaned, but she continued carrying a bundle of cables to one of the monitors.

"Hey, think of it this way," Lily chimed in. "We can totally say we helped with a scientific breakthrough. How many performers get to do that?"

Daisy smirked. "Yeah, plus, it makes the Gym look super professional."

---

Professor Oak was hunched over a clipboard, scribbling notes and calculations as he observed Magikarp resting in a large, transparent observation tank. The tank was equipped with multiple electrodes that monitored the Pokémon's aura output, muscle contractions, and metabolic activity. A bioscanner hummed softly, displaying fluctuating readings on a holographic screen nearby.

Professor Oak adjusted his glasses. "Fascinating… Its aura signature is far weaker than that of a naturally occurring Dragon-type user, yet it's still able to manifest Dragon Rage."

Misty stood beside him, arms crossed, watching intently. "How are you planning to monitor Magikarp during the tournament? Will it interfere with the battles?"

Oak glanced at her with a reassuring smile. "Not at all. The sensors we're using are non-invasive. We'll be tracking changes in its body temperature, heart rate, and energy output in real-time—all without affecting its movement." He tapped on his tablet. "My goal is to observe how Magikarp's biological functions change before and after battle."

"So, you're looking for what exactly?"

"The metabolic cost of Dragon Rage," Oak explained. "In theory, using a move like that should be impossibly draining for a Pokémon like Magikarp. But the fact that it can use it at all suggests something unusual in its aura distribution."

"Aura distribution?"

Oak nodded. "Every Pokémon has a natural aura, though for most species, it's passive rather than active. Dragon-types, for instance, have innate reservoirs of aura that fuel their Dragon-type attacks." He gestured toward Magikarp. "But this Magikarp? It shouldn't have enough aura density to sustain Dragon Rage, and yet… here we are. So how many times can it use Dragon Rage before it tires out?"

"From what I've seen?" Misty thought for a moment. "Five times. After that, it's completely drained."

Professor Oak tapped his chin. "Interesting. That's half the normal limit for a trained Dragon-type."

"Wait, really? Dragon Rage is usually used ten times?"

Oak nodded. "A healthy Gyarados or Charizard can use it ten times before hitting their natural energy threshold. If Magikarp's limit is five, it suggests that its aura pool is significantly smaller. The question is—"

Oak's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"—is that limit due to Magikarp's natural biology, or is it because its body isn't designed to handle Dragon energy?"

Misty's eyes widened slightly. "Wait… are you saying Magikarp might be damaging itself every time it uses Dragon Rage?"

Oak tapped a few notes on his clipboard. "We won't know until we compare its pre-battle and post-battle metabolic readings. That's why today's tournament is so important."

Misty swallowed. She had never thought about it like that. Was Magikarp hurting itself just to use that attack? Her grip on her arms tightened. "Then I'll make sure it doesn't overdo it today."

Oak smiled approvingly. "That's exactly the kind of awareness a good trainer needs."

Meanwhile, on the other side of the gym, Austin was standing next to his makeshift merchandise booth, watching as his mother examined one of the T-shirts on display. Delia hummed, running her fingers over the fabric. "These designs are adorable." She paused, eyes landing on one shirt in particular—a muscular Pikachu flexing like a bodybuilder. She raised an eyebrow, amused. "And this?"

Austin groaned internally, already feeling the heat creep up his face. He pointed at Pikachu, who was perched smugly on the table.

"…His idea."

Pikachu puffed out his chest, striking the exact pose as the buff Pikachu on the shirt. "Pika!"

Delia laughed. "Oh, no need to be embarrassed! I love it." She grinned at her son. "How about I buy one?"

"You can just have one."

"What kind of mother would I be if I didn't support my son's business?"

"You should've told me this sooner. You could've been my first customer."

Delia beamed. "Well, since I wasn't, how about you make me a custom one? Something only I can wear."

Austin chuckled. "Alright, sure. What kind of design do you want?"

Delia tilted her head playfully. "Hmm… I don't know. Surprise me."

Austin sighed. He already knew this conversation was going nowhere. Delia was the type of mom who would love anything just because her son made it. No, if he was doing this, he was going to make something good.

"Alright," Austin said. "What's your favorite Pokémon?"

Pikachu immediately tapped his chest, grinning. "Pika!"

Austin pinched his partner's cheek. "Not you."

Delia laughed, then paused for a moment before saying, "Riolu."

Austin froze.

"…Wait, what?"

Delia smiled at his stunned expression. "Oh, you don't know? Riolu is this—"

Austin kind of blanked out as she started explaining. He already knew what a Riolu was. That wasn't what shocked him. What shocked him was that Delia's favorite Pokémon was Riolu. In everything he had ever seen about her, Delia Ketchum was just… Ash's mom. A woman who cooked, cleaned, and waved happily as her son ran off on his adventure. Nothing deeper than that.

But now he had questions.

"That's… an interesting choice," Austin said slowly. "Why is Riolu your favorite?"

Delia smiled fondly. "Because it was the folklore hero Pokémon of the town I grew up in."

Austin's stomach dropped.

"…What town was that?"

"Rota."

Austin stiffened.

His mind raced. Rota? As in, the Rota from the Lucario movie? The one with Sir Aaron's Lucario? That means— Wait… could I actually free him? Lucario reacted to Ash's aura in the movie. But my soul isn't Ash's… would it react to me?

"Sweetheart?" Delia's voice pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. "You got really serious just now. Is something wrong?"

Austin blinked, quickly composing himself.

"Oh… no. I was just thinking of a Riolu design for you, Mom."

Delia's face lit up. "Oh, baby, you don't have to think so much! I'll just take this Pikachu shirt!"

Pikachu cheered as Delia scratched behind his ears.

Austin, however, was already lost in thought.

---

"So cute!"

Delia squealed in delight, clasping her hands together as Austin introduced her to his Pokémon. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, taking in the unique personalities of each one.

Austin, standing proudly, chuckled. "Well, my team isn't the biggest, but I'm proud of each and every member..." His voice carried a quiet confidence, a sense of pride that ran deeper than just words. "...of my family."

His gaze shifted toward his Pokémon, and as if on cue, his most problematic—yet proud—bird was sitting off to the side.

Spearow.

The small, sharp-eyed bird sat on a plush pillow, the cone of shame securely fastened around his neck—a precaution from Nurse Joy to prevent any sudden, unprovoked attacks. If looks could kill, the cone would have burst into flames. Spearow sat there, shoulders stiff, his feathers slightly ruffled in sheer displeasure. His beady eyes flicked toward Delia, narrowing slightly, as if daring her to say anything about his current predicament.

Delia hesitated.

Austin noticed immediately.

He wasn't blind to how people reacted to Spearow. They saw aggression. A temperamental fighter. Someone unpredictable. Dangerous. Something to be cautious of.

But that wasn't what Austin saw. He saw a Pokémon that wanted respect, not fear.

Austin walked over, crouching beside Spearow.

"This is Spearow," he said, his tone steady. "My eyes in the sky. The best flying-type in Kanto." He smirked. "And soon? The best in the world."

Spearow's eyes widened slightly. Then, his chest puffed out. Austin reached forward, scratching just behind the bird's angular beak, right where the feathers were softest.

Spearow froze for a brief second—then slowly, instinctively leaned in. The tension melted from his small frame, his wings drooping ever so slightly, and for a rare, fleeting moment, he looked utterly relaxed.

"I… I didn't know Spearows could be this adorable!"

The moment she said it, Spearow's eyes snapped open.

His entire body tensed. Then, in an instant, he jerked away from Austin's hand, straightened his back, and turned his head away in the most dramatic, 'I'm too cool for this' motion possible.

A perfect, badass pose.

Unfortunately, the effect was completely ruined by the cone.

Austin couldn't stop himself from grinning, and neither could Delia, who giggled behind her hands.

Spearow side-eyed them sharply.

Delia cleared her throat quickly. "Oh! What I meant was… handsome."

Spearow gave a satisfied nod.

Austin rolled his eyes—then suddenly felt small claws scratching at his pants. He looked down just in time to see a familiar tiny figure trying to climb up his leg. Grinning, he bent down and carefully scooped up Rattata, hoisting her up so that her small feet dangled in the air.

"And this little lady," he said, holding her up with one hand, "is the fastest—"

"Pika!"
"Spear!"
"Horsea!"

A chorus of protests erupted from Pikachu, Spearow, and Horsea all at once.

Austin didn't acknowledge them.

"—and the most spunky member of the team."

Rattata let out a triumphant squeak.

Delia cooed. "Oh, she's precious! How about I make her a little hat? Something cute!"

The moment she said it, the other Pokémon lost their minds.

Pikachu stomped his tiny foot. "Pika!"
Spearow flared his wings aggressively. "Spear!"
Horsea bubbled loudly in protest. "Sseaaa!"

"… I think you're gonna have to make hats for everyone."

Delia giggled. "Of course, of course!" She booped Rattata's nose, making the tiny Pokémon's whiskers wiggle excitedly. "But the first one? That's for you, my little lady."

Rattata chattered happily, already envisioning her new look. Austin set Rattata down and turned toward the small water bowl beside them.

"And now," he said, carefully lifting up a small, wiggling Pokémon, "our newest member. And the future dragon of the team."

Horsea.

The tiny seahorse let out a cheerful trill, blinking up at Delia with big, innocent eyes.

"How can something this cute turn into a ferocious dragon?"

Tell that to Game Freak.

Horsea twitched at that—then, without warning, sprayed a small jet of water straight at Delia's face.

"Ah!"

Delia yelped, stumbling back as drops of water dripped from her blouse.

Rattata squeaked indignantly, as if saying, See?! Horsea's a future dragon!

Austin, meanwhile, was holding back laughter.

Delia sighed, pinching her earlobes. "Alright, alright! I apologize! I don't know much about Pokémon, but I'm sure you'll become a beautiful dragon. And when you do? I'll throw you the biggest party ever!"

Horsea released a few happy bubbles, clearly forgiving her.

"See? She gets me."

Austin smiled before glancing around.

"...Where's Vee?"

Pikachu pointed toward the bathroom.

Austin narrowed his eyes. "Vee, come out. I have someone special I want you to meet."

"...Um."

Austin frowned.

He walked over, pushed the bathroom door open and a roll of toilet paper slowly unraveled onto the floor. There, in the middle of the absolute disaster zone, sat Vee —Umbreon, completely wrapped in toilet paper. It was everywhere—around his tail, tangled in his ears, draped around his neck like a ridiculous scarf. And, of course, he had a chunk of toilet paper hanging from his mouth, which he was very actively chewing.

Austin sighed deeply.

"And this," he said, "is Vee."

Umbreon paused mid-chew.

"The biggest troublemaker on the team."

Umbreon slowly looked down.

Delia covered her mouth, laughing.

Austin exhaled, stepping forward and carefully untangling the paper.

"But I love him," he murmured.

Umbreon lifted his head slightly, blinking in surprise before softly nuzzling into Austin's hand.

Delia watched the entire scene unfold, a gentle warmth settling in her chest.

She didn't say anything. She just observed. The trust. The love. The unspoken understanding. And in that moment, Delia Ketchum knew she had nothing to worry about.

Her son was growing into a fine young man.

---

The rest of the day had been a blur of activity. With the tournament gaining more traction, Austin had found himself busier than ever. Delia had proven to be an absolute powerhouse when it came to selling T-shirts. Her natural charisma and enthusiasm had single-handedly doubled their sales, charming passersby and trainers alike. And, of course, his marketing strategy had worked brilliantly.

A Pikachu in a buff Pikachu T-shirt?
A Rattata sporting a tiny cap with her own face on it?

The kids loved it. The media ate it up.

With the local Cerulean news covering the tournament, the event had begun gaining massive popularity. At least fifty trainers had signed up, some even bragging about how they had traveled from Vermilion City just for the prize money. Austin, sitting at a makeshift registration table, was scribbling down trainer IDs onto the official league documentation.

Everything was running smoothly.

BANG.

The sudden slam of a palm against the table jolted Austin from his paperwork.

His eyes flicked up. Standing there, grinning like he had just won the lottery, was Gary Oak.

"I caught it!"

"…What?"

"A Magikarp," Gary said, grinning wider.

"…Okay?"

"What do you mean, okay?! Don't you get it? Now I can do my own research on Magikarp!"

Austin sighed, already sensing where this was going.

"So what exactly," he said slowly, "are you planning to discover, Professor Gary?"

The sarcasm was palpable. Gary, however, missed it entirely.

"I'm glad you asked!" He crossed his arms, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "I'm gonna research how Magikarp can breathe out of water."

Austin stared at him for a long moment. Then, without looking up, he casually picked up another entry form and continued writing.

"Already been done."

Gary blinked. "What?"

Austin didn't even pause. "That research was conducted by Professor Quincy T. Quackenpoker in 1973. Published in The International Journal of Aquatic Pokémon Studies."

Gary's jaw slightly unhinged. "…You're making that up."

Austin finally glanced up, giving him a flat look.

"Gary," he said, "I spent days researching major scientific studies on Magikarp to see if anyone had ever documented a Dragon Rage-capable one. Do you really think I wouldn't have come across something as basic as respiration studies?"

There was a beat of silence.

"…Well, whatever," Gary huffed, crossing his arms. "I'll just do research on something else."

Austin smirked, returning to his paperwork.

"Uh-huh. You do that, Professor Gary."

"Sign me up."

Austin raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"The tournament, obviously," Gary said.

"You're serious?"

"Of course I am. I've already beaten Brock. This'll be easy money."

Before Austin could respond, a loud buzzer echoed through the gym. Gary immediately went on alert, his hand instinctively reaching for a Poké Ball. "What's that? Trouble?"

"No. It means someone defeated Misty."

Gary stiffened. "Wait—what? So… the tournament's over?"

"It means the winner moves on to the second round."

Gary's confusion was visible, so Austin leaned back, deciding to spell it out for him.

"See," Austin began, "the tournament is divided into two sections. The first round is where trainers fight Misty. If they win, they qualify for the second round—the actual tournament."

"Wait… so fighting Misty wasn't the tournament?"

"Nope."

Gary's immediate scowl told him everything he needed to know.

"Oh," Austin said, "you thought fighting Misty was the whole thing, didn't you?"

Gary's huff was all the confirmation needed.

"Doesn't matter," the boy muttered. "I'll just win the whole thing."

Austin chuckled, sliding a registration form across the table. "Well, good luck with that, Professor Gary."

As Gary scribbled down his details, Austin went back over his mental checklist.

The main appeal of this tournament was simple: money. A solid prize pool ensured that high-level trainers from other cities were showing up, thinking they had a shot at easy cash.

Austin had structured the competition so that Round 1 forced every trainer to battle Misty—which meant that Misty racked up legitimate wins, boosting her battle record to apply for the gym leader position.

And Round 2? It became a battle royale between the best trainers—where Austin himself could enter.

And if he entered? He'd win—which meant he kept the prize money.

Austin bit back a smirk.

This whole tournament was a money-printing machine, and he wasn't about to lose a single cent of investment. And on top of all that, Damien was bringing Charmander straight to him.

It was almost too perfect.

Almost.

Because, of course, nothing in life was ever that easy.

"Excuse me."

Austin looked up to see a furious-looking teenager, around fifteen, stomping toward him.

"Yeah?" Austin said, already bracing himself.

The guy scowled. "My wallet got stolen."

"…Stolen?"

"Yeah!" The teen ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "I was talking to this girl near your T-shirt stand—she was super cute, right? I was gonna buy her a shirt 'cause she liked one, and then—" He gestured wildly. "—boom! My wallet's just gone!"

Austin sighed. Of course, life couldn't just let him run his tournament in peace.

No.

There always had to be something. Because, apparently, in reality, success wasn't a straight road—it was a twisting, turning mess full of problems.

And right now?

He had a pickpocket to deal with.

---

Next chapter drops on March 2nd!

(But if you're eager to read ahead, you can check out early chapters over on Patreon!)

Let me know what you thought of this chapter—your feedback keeps me going and inspires new ideas. Thank you all for being part of this journey! You've been amazing readers, and I'm so grateful for your support.

Until next time,
—Adamo Amet

 

[ThunderBasilisk]

Fantastic chapter as always. And I honestly can't wait till Charmander shows up.

 

[Lillie Jones]

Thanks for the chapter
The Journey continues
Cheers!