(As they finally arrived at the Pokémon Center, the automatic doors slid open with a gentle whoosh.)
(The group stepped inside, taking in the familiar, welcoming sight—bright lights, clean counters, and a soft warmth that promised safety after a long day.)
(Behind the front desk stood a woman with bright pink hair tucked under a nurse's cap, her fair skin glowing under the lights.)
(She wore a Mexican-pink dress with a crisp white apron and flat Mary Janes, her expression gentle yet efficient.)
(A Chansey beside her, wearing a matching nurse hat, beamed at the group.)
Nurse Joy: "Hello!"
(Nurse Joy greeted cheerfully, her voice warm and practiced.)
Nurse Joy: "How can I help you today?"
Chansey: "Chansey!"
(the pink Pokémon added with a happy little dance.)
(Misty stepped forward, a hint of relief in her voice.)
Misty: "Do you have any rooms available for the night?"
(Nurse Joy smiled.)
Nurse Joy: "Of course! We have plenty of rooms open tonight."
(Misty let out a visible sigh of relief.)
Misty: "Thank Arceus..."
(Gary smirked but didn't comment, while Green gave a small chuckle at her friend's expense.)
(Ash stepped up to the counter, holding out Spearow's Pokéball.)
Ash: "I'll wait down here, my Pokémon need some treatment after today."
(He gently lifted Pikachu from his shoulder, setting him down carefully in front of Chansey.)
Ash: "They'll make sure you're all good, buddy."
(Pikachu blinked up at him, then nodded slightly as Chansey scooped him up with a cheerful.)
Chansey: "Chansey!"
(Ash turned back to Nurse Joy, tapping the Pokéball lightly.)
Ash: "Just a heads-up, this is Spearow. I haven't opened his ball since I caught him. He's... a little aggressive. And Pikachu doesn't really like going into his Pokeball."
(Nurse Joy nodded, a practiced smile on her face.)
Nurse Joy: "Understood. We'll handle them with care."
(She motioned to a pair of Chansey, and they disappeared into the back.)
(With that done, Ash took a seat in the lobby, letting out a long breath.)
(Gary, Green, and Misty headed off to sort out their rooms, leaving Ash alone for a moment.)
(He leaned back in the chair, stretching his arms behind his head.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Okay, so if I remember right, Jessie and James will probably show up in... what, an hour? Maybe less. Until then...'
(He glanced at the computer station.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Might as well call Mom and Professor Oak.'
(He stood up and moved to the video phone, tapping in the number for the Ketchum household.)
(It rang a few times before he heard a familiar voice.)
???: "Ketchum residence!"
Ash: "Hey Mom, it's Ash."
(There was a sudden crash and the sound of something falling over, followed by frantic shuffling.)
(A second later, the video feed clicked on, there was Delia, still in her bathrobe, towel around her neck, her hair damp.)
(She looked a little frazzled, but her eyes lit up the second she saw him.)
Delia: "Oh, hi honey! Is everything okay?"
(she asked, leaning in close like she could reach through the screen.)
Delia: "Where are you right now?"
(Ash smiled a little.)
Ash: "I'm at the Pokémon Center in Viridian City."
(Delia's eyes widened in surprise, a bright smile spreading across her face.)
Delia: "Viridian City already?! Oh, Ash, that's wonderful! It took your father four days to get there when he started his journey. He'll be so proud, you really are the apple of his eye."
(Ash felt his cheeks flush, rubbing the back of his neck.)
Ash: "Thanks, Mom. Uh... yeah, it's been a day, though. We had a run-in with a Spearow, it attacked Pikachu before it could call for backup."
(Delia's face softened.)
Delia: "Oh, sweetie, I'm so glad you're safe. But make sure you rest, okay? You'll need your energy if you're heading through Viridian Forest tomorrow."
Ash: "I know, Mom. I will."
Delia: "I love you, Ash."
Ash: "I love you too, Mom."
(He hung up the call, letting out a breath.)
(He leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling for a moment before a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.)
???: "Hey, Ash. That your mom you were talking to?"
(Ash looked up to see Gary strolling over, hands in his pockets.)
Ash: "Yeah."
(Ash said, sitting up a bit straighter.)
Ash: "She was probably freaking out all day. You know how she is."
(Gary smirked.)
Gary: "Yeah, Kanto Mom levels of worry. So, what, you're just chilling down here while I'm up there snagging the best room?"
(Ash rolled his eyes.)
Ash: "I figured you'd race Green for the best bed. I could sleep on the floor if i had to, i have remember our sleepovers."
Gary: "Ah, good times, too bad we could never decide whose house to hang out in."
(Gary chuckled.)
Gary: "I mean i had the bigger TV, but your mom makes way better food than Daisy, don't tell her i said that."
Ash: "I won't, its fine."
(Ash shook his head.)
Ash: "But what about Green's place, she has... 2 parents."
(that made both of them laugh.)
(Gary shook his head calming down, he went over and grabbed a chair by Ash.)
Gary: "Well, Green and that girl Misty are actually in the shower now, so I thought I'd come down and call Gramps. Let him know I'm still alive and all."
(Before Ash could reply, the computer chimed with an incoming call, loud and clear.)
(Ring, ring, ring. Phone call, phone call...)
(Gary arched an eyebrow.)
Gary: "Speak of the devil."
(Ash pressed the answer button, and the screen flickered to life, revealing Professor Oak, though he was staring into the wrong camera, giving them a great view of the back of his head.)
Oak: "Hello, Ash! Oh, and hello to you too, Gary! I see you both made it safely to Viridian City."
(Gary immediately cut in, smirking.)
Gary: "Gramps, you're looking into the wrong camera. All we can see is the back of your head."
(Oak blinked in confusion, turning this way and that, before the screen went black.)
(A few clattering sounds later, the camera feed returned, and Oak's face finally appeared, though a little off-center.)
(He tried to play it off like nothing had happened.)
Oak: "Ahem! Well, Ash, your mother informed me you all made it to the Pokémon Center safely. So, tell me, who caught the first Pokémon?"
(Before Ash could say anything, Gary leaned forward with a grin.)
Gary: "Gramps, we're not acting like that didn't just happen."
(Ash snorted, but before they could keep teasing the Professor, a doorbell rang in the background on Oak's end.)
Oak: "Oh! That must be my pizza, terribly sorry to cut this short. It was nice chatting with you two. Please send Green my regards. Good luck!"
(And just like that, the call disconnected before Gary could get another word in.)
(Gary let out a long, exasperated sigh, hands on his hips.)
Gary: "Figures. Can't even get a full conversation with the old man."
(Before Ash could respond, Nurse Joy approached, holding out Pikachu, who looked nice and healthy, and handing over Spearow's Pokéball.)
Nurse Joy: "They're both in good condition. Here you go!"
(she said with a warm smile.)
Ash: "Thanks a lot."
(Ash said, taking Pikachu in his arms.)
(The moment Pikachu touched down, a zap of static electricity coursed through Ash, making him yelp and drop to a knee.)
(Pikachu giggled, cheeks sparking mischievously.)
Pikachu: "Pika-Pika pi!"
(Gary nearly doubled over laughing, barely keeping it together.)
Gary: "Looks like someone's still got a bit of an attitude."
(Ash gave Pikachu a tired look, rubbing his arm where the static bit him.)
Ash: "Well, guess I don't have your trust just yet. We've still got some work to do, huh?"
(Pikachu, in an unexpected moment of honesty, shook his head and muttered.)
Pikachu: "Chu Pika-pi, Pikachu."
(Nurse Joy tilted her head, concerned.)
Nurse Joy: "Are you okay?"
(Ash nodded, forcing a smile.)
Ash: "Yeah, just a little static shock. Nothing too bad."
Nurse Joy: "Well, you should head upstairs and settle in. Get some rest for tomorrow."
(Gary, stretching his arms above his head, added.)
Gary: "Yeah, I should—"
(But he was cut off by the sudden blare of alarms, flashing red lights washing over the lobby.)
Nurse Joy: "Attention!"
(Nurse Joy's voice crackled over the intercom.)
Nurse Joy: "Our radars have detected a large aircraft belonging to a gang of Pokémon thieves. If you have a Pokémon in your possession, exercise extreme caution!"
(Before the message even ended, the lights dimmed, and a thick smokescreen erupted from the center of the lobby.)
(A gust of wind swept through the room as the smoke cleared, revealing two figures striking a dramatic pose, their Pokémon by their side.)
(A woman with long, magenta hair, curled into a comet-tail, and large green orb earrings stepped forward.)
(Beside her, a tall man with shoulder-length periwinkle hair and a single fringe falling between his green eyes.)
(Between them, a Meowth stood proudly, arms crossed and grinning smugly.)
(Ash's eye twitched.)
Ash [in mind]: 'Oh, here we go...'
(The trio began their routine in perfect, synchronized rhythm.)
Jessie: Prepare for trouble!
James: Make it double!
Jessie: To protect the world from devastation!
James: To unite all peoples within our nation!
Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love!
James: To extend our reach to the stars above!
Jessie: Jessie!
James: James!
Jessie: Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!
James: Surrender now or prepare to fight!
Meowth: Meowth! That's right!
(Ash and Gary stood there in stunned silence, the overly dramatic performance catching them off guard.)
(Finally, Gary groaned, reaching into his pocket.)
(He fished out a 1000 Pokédollar bill and handed it over to Ash without a word.)
[To Be Continued...]