Chapter Fourteen: Scarlet, Azure

Several hours remained before nightfall.

The four of them idly lounged inside a small wooden cabin, engaging in dull chatter. Seeing a Pokémon nearby, Ash couldn’t help but pull out his Pokédex. After all, he had originally hoped to receive a proper starter Pokémon, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, he ended up with this chubby Pikachu instead.

“Beep beep. Bulbasaur, the seed Pokémon, a mix of herbivore and carnivore, naturally seasoned for grilling,” the Pokédex announced.

Misty blinked in confusion.

Seeing the other three accept this as normal, she grew even more bewildered. “Hey Ash, did your Pokédex get a virus?”

“No, this isn’t the usual Pokédex?” Ash retorted.

Noticing the puzzled looks from the others, Misty began to wonder if she was the one with the problem. Finally, she quietly took out her own Pokédex.

“Beep. Bulbasaur, the seed Pokémon, one of the beginner starter Pokémon, loves sunlight, the seed grows alongside its body.”

Ash and the others exchanged confused glances.

This time, it was their turn to be baffled.

Ash pointed incredulously at his Pikachu, and Misty understood, moving the Pokédex closer.

“Beep. Pikachu, the mouse Pokémon, uses its tail to sense the environment, cheeks emit electricity in danger.”

Ash furrowed his brow and slid his own Pokédex forward.

“Beep beep. Pikachu, a common electric mouse, unremarkable and unworthy of mention.”

Everyone stared in disbelief.

So it wasn’t just their imagination—the Pokédex really was faulty! Besides, others’ Pokédexes beeped once each time, but his always beeped twice. It was almost as if it greeted others as “little brother” before speaking, its tone peculiarly off.

“Sure enough, Professor Oak gave me a substandard version…” Ash muttered resentfully.

...

During their conversation, Misty suddenly had a thought and hesitated before asking, “Hey, Ash, have you lately been hearing strange voices in your head?”

Ash raised an eyebrow, sensing something was amiss.

Indeed, recently, he often heard phantom voices in his mind. He had assumed these were clues from fate, a sign that he was the chosen one.

“I ran into Gary recently. He said he’s been hearing weird conversations in his head too. Now he struggles to sleep every night; he can’t rest without taking three or four sleeping pills. He breaks out in cold sweat, his hands turn icy, and he keeps having nightmares…”

“Though he looks fine on the surface…” Misty’s expression darkened.

Ash’s body tensed; this didn’t sound good.

“Gary said our hometown of Pallet Town’s feng shui has always been bad, and the trainers who come out of here catch a terrible mental contagion…” Misty said weakly.

A mental... contagion?

Brock and May frowned, somewhat understanding.

“But I sleep pretty well; maybe Gary’s just past the point of no return,” Ash shrugged.

Misty: “Then it’s nothing to worry about.”

After all, she was sleeping soundly as well.

R.I.P!

...

At night, the four arrived at a meadow beside the Clefairy shop. The area was enclosed by a few scattered fences, with a tall platform standing in the middle, as if awaiting something to be placed upon it.

So the four stood outside the fences, eagerly waiting for Clefairy to appear.

...

They kept watch until dawn.

Without a doubt, Gary had tricked them again.

“Damn it! Next time I’m going to beat Gary up and hang him from a tree a thousand times!” Misty grumbled, clutching her round face.

“Should we keep going? I’m exhausted…” May yawned.

“You guys go get some sleep. I plan to stay up all night!” Misty gulped down a cup of strong tea. Her bright eyes were bloodshot, fixed intently on the platform.

She had fasted for nearly seven days; a few more hours wouldn’t hurt!

Ash: “...”

Though he wanted to sleep too, seeing her like this, he worried she might drop dead mid-night. After all, as a fellow Pallet Town native, he’d have to carry her back.

That would ruin his plan to become a Pokémon Master. Sighing, he said, “Alright, I’ll stay and watch. You all head off to sleep.”

Hearing this, Brock and May yawned and returned to the Clefairy cabin to rest.

Soon, only two remained on the grassy square.

The wind rustled through the grass as the boy and girl sat side by side. Next to them, a sleeping green turtle Pokémon and an electric mouse added to the cozy scene.

...

“By the way, Misty, have you thought about what you want to do in the future?” Ash suddenly asked, surprising himself with the philosophical question.

“Me? Not really. I just plan to wander around for now,” she shook her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Her naturally airheaded personality made this expression unusual.

Since she and Brock had only just met, it meant Misty hadn’t embarked on the path of challenging gyms.

Still, she envied Ash a little—though he seemed like a goof, he had known his dream since childhood.

Even if she didn’t quite understand what a Pokémon Master truly was.

They said nothing more, simply staring at the platform in silence, cursing Gary like close friends as they waited for Clefairy’s appearance.

...

Late at night.

Tap.

Suddenly, Ash felt a weight on his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw Misty had fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder.

“Tch, women just can’t handle it!” Ash sneered quietly, inwardly proud. The one who stayed awake till the end was truly the strongest in willpower!

He was the night watch champion!

Under the moonlight, the soft pale glow illuminated Misty’s sleeping profile, her expression playful and enchanting like a sprite.

It was the first time Ash had seen her so up close.

His fellow townsfolk really did have something special.

“A girl like this, if punched in the stomach, would probably cry for ages…” he joked, punching the air.

...

Two hours later, even the iron-willed Ash could no longer resist overwhelming drowsiness.

His vision darkened as sleep claimed him.

“Zzz…”

The two leaned on each other, sitting on the meadow, sleeping soundly.

But minutes later, Ash suddenly opened his eyes.

For some reason, his expression turned cold and distant, as if staring at wood, his voice deepening, eyes full of depth.

It was Red taking control of Ash’s body.

He pushed Misty’s head away sharply, his voice cold.

“You can get up now, right?”

Misty shivered and slowly opened her eyes.

Though her face was the same, the aura was completely different from the cute, naive girl before.

Her lively eyes now gleamed with cunning, as if seeing through everything.

“Hehe, won’t even cherish the chance to lean on me? You’ll be single forever~”

Misty stood up, stretching the arms she hadn’t moved in hours.

A powerful presence that commanded the scene emanated from her, causing Red to frown slightly.

“So you came too, Azure…” Red said slowly.

In Red’s electronic world, he and Azure had been traveling companions.

The moment he saw Misty, he guessed this woman must have realized she was just a game character, her soul transcending and crossing over.

Azure blinked her beautiful eyes.

Then she reached out and grabbed Red’s neck, twisting him in a bend and pulling him into her embrace.

“Still playing the melancholy prince in front of me?”

With her other hand, she massaged Red’s hair vigorously, watching him as if seeing a precious gem turned into a salted fish.

“Oh dear, such a fiery youth, how did two years on Mt. Silver make you so withdrawn? Tsk tsk tsk…”

Red: “...”

Did I go silent because I ate your leeks?

He hastily dodged, keeping his distance.

Women were like roaring tigers, and Azure was the universe’s number one roaring tigress—it was better to keep away...

...

After some exchange, they learned about each other’s circumstances.

They had both crossed over on roughly the same day.

Red possessed Ash’s body, occasionally hinting at his presence, though the oblivious Ash ignored him.

Azure’s situation was worse—she constantly signaled her presence, but Misty mistook it for divine messages and reverently avoided any interaction.

She almost prayed to Azure holding incense.

Red: “...”

“By the way, Blue Green also came over, possessing that kid Gary’s body. Their personalities seem similar—both insufferable. One day, I really want to bag him and beat him senseless.”

“You’ll have to help me cover his mouth! We’ll team up and beat him so badly his soul flies out!”

Azure clenched her fists.

When Misty talked about bagging someone, it might have been a joke—but Azure was serious. If the beating wasn’t satisfying enough, she’d tie him up with stones and throw him into the sea to feed the Gyarados.

Red was not surprised.

Since he realized he was just a game character, Blue Green surely could too.

In the electronic world, both he and Blue Green had reached max level—ultimate beings with no further room to grow.

They had ceased fighting, recognizing each other’s limits.

But now, arriving simultaneously in this new world, Red immediately sensed its difference.

Here, neither trainers nor Pokémon had max levels or ultimate limits.

There was a realm beyond the ultimate!

He could still become stronger!

“Finally, I can battle you again, Blue Green…”

In Red’s deadpan eyes, an unprecedented fighting spirit ignited.

...