Chapter 15: The Tarzan Rip-Off

After getting out of the city, the vibrant energy of Saffron City slowly faded behind us as we walked along the main road. The sun was bright, and the air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of city life.

Ash was still buzzing from his default win at Sabrina's gym, muttering about how he'd get stronger. Misty and Brock were trying to cheer him up, offering advice and encouragement.

I told Ash and his team that I will go my way for now. I had some work to do, things that couldn't be done with a group of curious companions. My personal projects, my grander schemes, required solitude and discretion.

"Hey guys," I said, stopping at a crossroads, "I'm going to split off here for a bit. I've got some... personal business to take care of."

Ash blinked, surprised. "Huh? But we're going to Celadon City! Are you coming with us?"

"I will meet you guys at Fuchsia City. I'll catch up. You guys go on ahead, I'll see you there." I offered a vague wave of my hand, trying to sound casual.

After giving our bye, we went our separate way.

Ash, though still a bit confused, accepted it.

Misty looked slightly suspicious, but didn't press.

Brock just nodded, a knowing look in his eyes, as if he understood I had my own agenda.

They continued down the main road, their figures shrinking in the distance, leaving me alone on the quiet forest path.

As I got in the middle of the forest, the trees quickly enveloped me, the sounds of the road fading into a gentle rustle of leaves.

The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. I found a secluded clearing, far from any trails, a perfect spot for what I was about to do.

I took my Shiny Rayquaza out for the first time in the real world. The Master Ball flashed, and with a thunderous roar that shook the very ground, the colossal Shiny Rayquaza materialized.

Its scales, a shimmering black and gold, gleamed in the dappled sunlight, its eyes a piercing red. It coiled majestically, its immense body stretching across the clearing, dwarfing the surrounding trees.

And let me tell you, absolutely massive size. It was way bigger than my Dragonite. Maybe 5 times? My Dragonite was already huge, a behemoth that could punch holes in gyms.

But Rayquaza was on another level entirely. Its head alone was larger than a small car, its body thicker than a tree trunk.

It was a true sky serpent, a living mountain of scales and power. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking, almost intimidating.

Anyway, I tell it to use Dragon Ascent and it became Mega Rayquaza. "Rayquaza," I commanded, my voice filled with awe, "Mega Evolve! Dragon Ascent!"

The legendary dragon roared, and a blinding light erupted from its body, engulfing the clearing. Its form twisted and expanded, growing even larger, even more imposing.

As it got even more bigger. When the light subsided, Mega Rayquaza stood before me, its black and gold form even more intricate, its power radiating outwards in palpable waves.

It was a true god among Pokémon, its size now truly colossal, easily ten times larger than my Dragonite, perhaps even more. It filled the entire clearing, its head almost touching the treetops.

I guess level 150 made it such a massive Pokémon. The sheer amount of energy it contained, the raw power, had manifested in this incredible growth.

With a subtle ripple, Rayquaza created a transparent, shimmering shield of energy around me, protecting me from the elements, from the immense forces we were about to unleash.

As we traveled much faster than sound, reaching Pallet Town in just a minute. Maybe even less. Rayquaza launched itself into the sky with a mighty roar, a sonic boom echoing through the forest.

We shot upwards, then horizontally, a black and gold blur against the blue sky. The world below became a streaking canvas of green and brown, the distance melting away at impossible speed. The wind howled outside the shield, but inside, I was perfectly still, perfectly calm.

If not for the shield, I would just be paste from air resistance alone, not to mention I would probably fall before we even moved. The sheer speed was unimaginable.

Without Rayquaza's protection, I would have been instantly vaporized by the friction, or simply torn apart by the G-forces. It was an exhilarating, terrifying experience, a true testament to the legendary's power.

Well, anyway, I walked out of the outskirts of Pallet Town. Rayquaza gently set me down on the outskirts of Pallet Town, a quiet, idyllic place, then vanished back into its Master Ball.

I then walked the short distance to Pina Town, the familiar town with its town hall and bustling streets. My mind was already on the next phase of my plan.

And started registration for making a headquarter in the land between Pallet and Viridian City. This was my long-term goal, my base of operations.

I found the town's land registry office, a small, unassuming building, and began the process of acquiring property. I wanted a vast tract of land, enough for future expansion, enough to build something truly impressive.

As I take out all the PokéDollars I gained from St. Anne and take it all to get as many land I can. The massive pile of PokéDollars I had salvaged from the sunken St. Anne was more than enough.

I laid it out on the counter, a glittering mountain of cash that made the clerk's eyes widen. I bought every available plot of land between Pallet Town and Pina Town, a huge expanse of forest and open fields.

And save some to making a headquarter there. I kept a significant portion of the funds aside, earmarked for construction.

This wasn't just a simple house; it was going to be a proper headquarters, a fortified base, a place where I could conduct my experiments and store my growing collection of Pokémon.

I then go find builders to build it. I spent the next few hours meeting with various construction companies, discussing blueprints, materials, and timelines.

I wanted something modern, secure, and spacious, a blend of a research facility and a comfortable living space. I outlined my vision, emphasizing the need for discretion and endurance.

After making a the contract and paying it in advance, finally I was out of my all the funds. The contract was signed, the massive payment transferred, and my bank account was officially empty.

Every single PokéDollar I had acquired was now invested in this ambitious project. It was a huge gamble, but a necessary one.

Well, I can't just start selling right away, as the question will came about how do I keep getting all the selling items or Pokémon. My inventory was full of valuable items and Pokémon, but I couldn't just start dumping them on the market.

It would raise too many questions, too much suspicion. How was I acquiring these rare goods? Where were they coming from? I needed a legitimate front, a plausible explanation for my wealth.

The only thing I can do is first gain a support from someone. I needed a powerful ally, someone with influence and resources, someone who could vouch for me, or at least provide a cover story.

Someone who could legitimize my operations and help me navigate the complex economy of this world.

I do have candidate, so maybe it will be done by the time my headquarter would be done building. Professor Oak.

He was the obvious choice. His reputation, his vast research network, his connection to the Pokémon world—he was the perfect partner.

I had already sent him the Clefairies, establishing a connection. I would approach him with a carefully crafted proposal once my base was ready.

Or maybe I will go to anime one that I remember?

Next thing? I try making a game. While the builders were busy constructing my headquarters, I had another project in mind, something to occupy my time and potentially generate some income. 

Not anything fancy, I just tried making Pokémon Fire Red. Although I did alter it so it don't show Giovanni or Mewtwo. I changed the names like Oak, Pallet Town, but it was an exact copy of Earth's version of Pokémon.

I wanted to create a game that would appeal to the people of this world, something familiar yet new. I stripped out the controversial elements, making it a pure, wholesome adventure.

Also there is no good game here. Like they think using real Pokémon is all the fun they needed.

How can I make the game, you ask? I was a programmer in my previous life, although not a genius, but I certainly could make a game like this.

My skills weren't cutting-edge, but I was competent enough to replicate a 2D RPG. I could code, design sprites, and implement game mechanics. It would be a challenge, but not a very tough one.

For the next week, I spent my time making it. I holed up in a rented room in Pina Town, my laptop glowing late into the night.

I coded, debugged, and designed, pouring all my energy into the project. It was a refreshing change from the constant adventuring, a return to a familiar comfort zone.

After that, I posted it online under the company website. Once the game was polished and bug-free, I launched it.

I created a simple website, a digital storefront, and uploaded the game. It was a quiet release, no fanfare, no marketing blitz. I just put it out there and let it go.

Although I thought a lot and finally decided to call the company "ACEING." It was a simple, memorable name, hinting at success and mastery.

It sounded professional, yet approachable. It was the first step in building my own empire in this new world.

Anyway, after that, I just left it online to let it grow. I wouldn't actively promote it yet. It was a passive income stream, a long-term investment.

If it gained traction, great. If not, no big deal. My focus was still on my headquarters and my Pokémon.

Next is getting some backing. My funds were depleted, and I needed more resources for my ambitious plans. A powerful ally was crucial.

After making sure the work will progress smoothly with my headquarter and evolved my Marshtomp to Swampert, Combusken to Blaziken, and Grovyle to Sceptile.

I spent a few more days overseeing the construction, ensuring everything was on track. During this time, I also focused on my starter Pokémon, feeding them rare candies and battling them to trigger their evolutions.

Marshtomp glowed, its form expanding into the powerful, bipedal Swampert.

Combusken erupted in a fiery display, becoming the agile, martial artist Blaziken.

And Grovyle, with a burst of leaves and energy, transformed into the sleek, swift Sceptile.

They were all powerful, fully evolved Pokémon, ready for any challenge.

I decided to leave now. My base was underway, my Pokémon were stronger, and my game was launched. It was time to rejoin Ash's group and continue the journey, to collect more badges, and to explore this fascinating world.

I take out my Shiny Rayquaza as I go to Celadon City for the next badge. The familiar black and gold form materialized, its immense size making the forest feel small.

I climbed onto its head, and with a silent command, we soared into the sky, heading towards Celadon City, a bustling metropolis known for its beautiful gym.

I decided to try how fast I can change Pokémon. This was a new experiment, a test of my inventory's capabilities and my own reflexes. It was a risky maneuver, but the thrill of it was irresistible.

I take my Rayquaza back while we were still in sky and now I was falling. With a thought, Rayquaza vanished, its immense form disappearing into my inventory.

I was suddenly plummeting through the air, the ground rushing up to meet me at terrifying speed. The wind roared in my ears, and my stomach lurched.

And take out my Mewtwo and tell it stop my fall. Just as the ground was mere hundreds of feet away, a flash of light, and Mewtwo materialized beneath me.

"Mewtwo, stop my fall!" I commanded, my voice sharp. With a subtle ripple of psychic energy, my descent abruptly halted, as if an invisible hand had caught me.

As we nearly going to crash on the ground, we stop by Mewtwo's power. We hovered in mid-air, a few feet above the treetops, the ground a blur beneath us. The sudden stop was jarring, but exhilarating.

Honestly, it felt awesome, I wanna do it again and again. The sheer power, the control over gravity, the rush of the freefall followed by the instantaneous halt—it was an incredible sensation, a pure adrenaline rush.

This time it was Celadon Gym. It looked like it was under construction from recent fire. We landed discreetly outside Celadon City, and I made my way to the gym.

It was a large, greenhouse-like structure, but parts of it were charred and boarded up, with scaffolding around the damaged sections. A faint smell of smoke still lingered in the air.

I talk with some worker from there and they told me that Erika will be in her perfume shop. A construction worker, wiping sweat from his brow, confirmed my suspicions.

"Yeah, big fire last week. Gym's closed for repairs. Erika, the Gym Leader, she's at her perfume shop in the department store. You can find her there."

I go met her and told that I was here to challenge her for the gym badge. The perfume shop was a fragrant oasis, filled with delicate scents and elegant displays.

Erika, a serene woman with a gentle smile, was tending to her plants. "Welcome," she said, her voice soft. "How may I help you?"

"I'm here to challenge you for the Celadon Gym badge," I stated, my voice polite but firm. She looked surprised, but then her smile returned.

"Oh? Very well. We can battle in the garden behind the shop. It's quite lovely this time of year."

And we fought in the garden. It was a beautiful, lush garden, filled with blooming flowers and exotic plants.

The air was thick with the scent of blossoms. Erika sent out her Tangela, then her Weepinbell, and finally her Gloom.

I didn't take out any super overpowered Pokémon this time... well, just a normal Sceptile. I wanted to give Sceptile a chance to shine, to prove its strength against a type-disadvantaged opponent.

It was a test of my own training, not just my legendary power. Sceptile was still incredibly strong, just not level 150 strong.

And defeated her with it. Sceptile moved with incredible speed, dodging Tangela's Vine Whips and Weepinbell's leaf blades.

Its Quick Attacks and Leaf Blades were precise and powerful, making short work of Erika's team. Gloom, her ace, put up a good fight or smell, but Sceptile's agility and raw power eventually overwhelmed it.

Erika smiled, a genuine, warm smile. "You and your Sceptile are truly magnificent," she said, her voice gentle.

"Your bond is clear, and your strength is undeniable. You have earned this."

I gained the Rainbow Badge. It was a beautiful, multi-colored badge, sparkling like a prism. I thanked her, and with a polite bow, exited the garden.

And get out of the city into the forest and get on my Rayquaza as we get into the Fuchsia Gym with the same manner.

I left Celadon City, heading into the dense forest outside. Once I was sure I was alone, I called out Rayquaza. We soared into the sky, heading south towards Fuchsia City, already planning my next aerial entrance.

Take my Rayquaza back, falling down, then saved by Mewtwo. As we approached Fuchsia City, I repeated the maneuver.

Rayquaza vanished, I plummeted, and then Mewtwo appeared, stopping my fall just above the city limits.

Honestly, this skydiving is so much better. The thrill of the freefall, the sudden stop, the feeling of absolute control—it was addictive. It was the perfect way to travel, fast, efficient, and incredibly fun.

Anyway, I found Koga practicing shuriken throwing. We landed discreetly outside Fuchsia City, a ninja-themed town known for its Poison-type Gym Leader.

I made my way to the gym, a dojo-like building, and found Koga, a stern-faced ninja, practicing his shuriken throws in the courtyard. His movements were precise, deadly.

I go to him and challenge him for gym. "Koga," I said, my voice cutting through the air. He stopped, turning to face me, his eyes sharp. "I'm here to challenge you for the Fuchsia Gym badge."

This time, I take out Blaziken. I wanted to give Blaziken a chance to shine. Its fiery kicks and martial arts prowess would be perfect against Koga's Poison-types.

And easily defeat him as well. Koga sent out his Venonat, then his Golbat, and finally his Weezing.

Blaziken moved with incredible speed, its fiery kicks incinerating Venonat and Golbat. Weezing, with its noxious fumes, put up a fight, but Blaziken's Blaze Kick was too powerful, sending it crashing to the ground.

Koga, though defeated, nodded respectfully. "Your Blaziken is a true master of combat," he said, his voice gruff.

"Its power is undeniable. You have earned this badge." He handed me the Soul Badge, a small, purple badge shaped like a soul.

Then I start my way to the Fuchsia Pokémon Center. My sixth badge. The League was almost within reach. I headed towards the Pokémon Center, ready to rejoin Ash and his group.

I found Ash and his group there. They were sitting at a table in the lobby, looking exhausted but relieved. Ash's face was still a bit green, and Misty was fanning herself.

"You guys okay?" I asked, walking over.

"Yeah," Ash groaned. "We just finished a Pokémon race. It was... something." He looked traumatized. Misty sighed. "And Ash almost lost there. It was exhausting."

I met them and join them again. Well, I was back here again. Sigh. My brief period of solo adventuring was over.

Now it was back to the usual chaos, the predictable plot points, the constant bickering. But they were my companions, for better or worse.

Anyway, get going and soon we were lost again in the forest... The next day, we left Fuchsia City, heading into a dense, sprawling forest.

The path quickly disappeared, and we found ourselves wandering aimlessly, the trees closing in around us. Ash and Misty immediately started arguing about who was to blame for getting lost.

Anyway, the forest was filled with Pokémon. Despite being lost, the forest was teeming with life.

Pokémon of all kinds darted through the undergrowth, chirping and rustling. It was a beautiful, wild place, even if we were hopelessly disoriented.

Suddenly Ash decided to catch a Chansey as he was going to throw his Pokémon. He spotted a large, pink Chansey. His eyes lit up. "A Chansey! I'm gonna catch it!" he exclaimed, reaching for a Poké Ball.

Suddenly Officer Jenny jumped out with a gun at Ash, wearing that Chansey hat that Ash was going to catch.

Before Ash could throw, a figure in a police uniform, wearing a ridiculous Chansey-shaped helmet, leaped from the bushes, a large, futuristic-looking gun aimed directly at Ash. "Halt! You're under arrest!" she yelled, her voice stern.

He was arrested by here and we were taken to her camp. Officer Jenny, a no-nonsense woman, immediately handcuffed Ash.

We were then led to a hidden camp, a small, makeshift base deep within the forest, filled with various Pokémon under her care.

After some interrogation, she found that he didn't really know that here it is illegal to catch Pokémon. Ash, bewildered, tried to explain himself.

"But... but I'm a Pokémon trainer! I catch Pokémon!" Officer Jenny, after a thorough interrogation, realized he was genuinely ignorant of the local laws, which protected this Pokémon habitat.

Suddenly an alarm blared to life as Officer Jenny told that another Pokémon hunter came. A piercing siren cut through the air, and a red light flashed on a console.

"Another hunter!" Officer Jenny barked, grabbing her gun. 

She got into the jeep. We also joined her. "We'll help!" Ash declared, jumping into the passenger seat. Misty and Brock piled into the back. I, seeing no other option, reluctantly joined them.

Bad idea. She was driving in an uneven terrain. I should have thought before jumping in. The jeep immediately lurched forward, bouncing violently over roots, rocks, and potholes. Officer Jenny drove with reckless abandon, her face grim.

Now we were rocking, it was no way near pleasant at all. My teeth rattled, my head banged against the roof, and my stomach churned.

It was a truly miserable ride, far worse than any turbulence Rayquaza could ever caused. I clung to the seat, regretting my decision.

The jeep burst into a large clearing, revealing a herd of Kangaskhan, their babies in their pouches, grazing peacefully. Soon we got into an open area filled with Kangaskhan and saw Team Rocket catching them in a net.

A large net descended from the sky, trapping several of them. Team Rocket, in their usual ridiculous outfits, were operating a giant net-launcher.

Before we can do anything, a Tarzan rip-off little guy came saying "Kangaskhan!" as he tore the net from his boomerang.

Just as Officer Jenny was about to act, a small, wild-looking boy, dressed in a loincloth of leaves, swung through the trees, yelling "Kangaskhan!"

He landed with a flourish, and with a surprisingly sharp wooden boomerang, sliced through the thick net, freeing the trapped Kangaskhan.

Honestly, how is it that sharp? The net was intact from all those Kangaskhan but cut by wooden boomerang? It defied logic.

The net had held powerful Pokémon, yet this small, seemingly primitive weapon sliced through it like butter. It was another one of those anime logic moments that made no sense.

Anyway, now freed Kangaskhan easily sent Team Rocket flying from there jeep. The freed Kangaskhan, enraged, immediately charged at Team Rocket's jeep, sending it tumbling end over end.

Jessie, James, and Meowth were launched into the sky, their cries of "We're blasting off again!" echoing.

That little boy joined Kangaskhan and go with them. The boy, who seemed to be raised by Kangaskhan, embraced one of the adults, then swung away into the jungle with the herd, disappearing as quickly as he appeared.

Soon a helicopter came with a couple getting out of it. A sleek, modern helicopter descended into the clearing, and a well-dressed couple emerged, looking distraught.

They were clearly wealthy, their clothes expensive, but their faces were etched with worry.

They asked if Jenny was the officer of this zone and told that they are here to find their child.

"Are you Officer Jenny?" the woman asked, her voice trembling. "We're looking for our son. He disappeared years ago, somewhere in this jungle."

Officer Jenny suggested to talk in her camp, so we go back to the camp. "Let's discuss this back at my camp,"

Officer Jenny said, leading them towards her jeep. The ride back was just as rough, but the urgency of the situation overshadowed the discomfort.

While they were talking inside, I was taking a stroll outside. I was not used to such a ride at all. My stomach still felt a bit queasy from the jeep ride.

I needed fresh air, a moment of peace away from the emotional drama unfolding inside. I walked around the camp, stretching my legs, enjoying the quiet of the jungle.

Soon they came out. Ash and his team take the couple in a makeshift carrier platform like they were royalty. The couple, now looking relieved, emerged from the tent.

Ash, Misty, and Brock, ever eager to help, had fashioned a makeshift carrier out of wood, and were now carrying the couple on it, like they were royalty, through the jungle.

Good thing I was out, no way I am doing that. I watched from a distance, shaking my head. It looked incredibly uncomfortable, and utterly ridiculous. I was glad I had opted for a quiet stroll.

Suddenly we saw a baby Kangaskhan on the road all injured. As they were carrying the couple, a small, injured baby Kangaskhan stumbled onto the path, its leg clearly hurt. It whimpered, trying to reach its mother, who was nowhere to see at all.

I just used Super Potion on it. Without hesitation, I pulled a Super Potion from my inventory and sprayed it on the baby Kangaskhan's leg.

The wound immediately began to close, and the baby whimpered in relief, its eyes wide with gratitude.

Just as I finished healing the baby, a wooden boomerang came whistling through the air, aimed directly at my head.

I instinctively ducked, and it sailed past me, striking Ash squarely in the face with a loud THWACK. He yelped, clutching his nose.

It was the same little brat from before. Tommy. He emerged from the bushes, his face contorted in anger, glaring at me. He clearly thought I was trying to hurt the baby Kangaskhan.

The couple came shouting "Tommy! Tommy!" from which I know his name, though really no point in remembering him. I will probably never see him again.

The couple immediately rushed towards the boy, their faces filled with joy and relief. "Tommy! Our son!" they cried, embracing him.

Suddenly as the couple introduced themselves as his parents to him, he started shouting things like his mom is Kangaskhan. The woman sobbed, trying to hug him.

"We're your parents!" But Tommy recoiled, pushing them away. "No! My mom is Kangaskhan! You're not my parents!" he yelled, pointing at the Kangaskhan group's direction.

But suddenly his father used a big stick on his head, knocking him out cold. The man, clearly dumb and casual, grabbed a large stick and, with a swift, decisive blow, knocked the little Tommy out cold. The boy crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Honestly, seeing that, I was glad I don't have parents in this life. The sheer brutality of it, the desperation—it was a stark reminder of the complexities of human relationships, and a confirmation of my preference for a more detached existence.

Well, his mom then started scolding his father while helping the boy. "Dear! What did you do?!" the woman shrieked, rushing to Tommy's side, glaring at her husband. She cradled the unconscious boy, her face filled with worry.

Suddenly he opened his eyes saying "Mommy." He stirred, his eyes fluttering open, and he mumbled "Mommy..." looking at the woman. But soon he started acting all confused about this mom and Kangaskhan being his mom.

He looked at the woman, then at the Kangaskhan's direction, then back at the woman, his brow furrowed in confusion. The stick had apparently given him a convenient case of amnesia regarding his jungle upbringing.

Suddenly Officer Jenny came telling that the hunters were back and she needed help. A new alarm blared, and Officer Jenny rushed out, her face grim. "The hunters are back! And they're more heavily armed this time! I need your help!"

We go there and found it was Team Rocket in a big Kangaskhan robot.

We rushed to the scene, and there they were: Team Rocket, in a massive, crude Kangaskhan-shaped robot, stomping through the jungle, firing nets and lasers. Their incompetence was matched only by their persistence.

As they were overpowering them, I decided to step in for the first time in a while against Team Rocket.

Ash's Pokémon were struggling against the robot's powerful attacks. This was a direct threat, and it was time to end their antics. My anonymity was less important than preventing further damage.

I take out Swampert, with a flash of light, Swampert materialized as it turned the ground near us into a swamp, making the robot moving very difficultly.

With a powerful stomp, it unleashed a torrent of water, turning the dry earth into a thick, clinging swamp. The Kangaskhan robot immediately bogged down, its massive feet sinking into the mud, its movements becoming slow and cumbersome.

Swampert unleashed a concentrated blast of water, a powerful Hydro Pump that struck the robot's chest with immense force.

The robot groaned, sparks flew, and with a loud CRACK, it exploded, sending Jessie, James, and Meowth soaring into the sky, their cries of "We're blasting off again!" echoing.

His parents came thanking me for saving their kid. Tommy's parents, having witnessed the whole thing, rushed over, their faces filled with gratitude.

"You saved him! You saved our son!" the father exclaimed, shaking my hand vigorously. "We can't thank you enough!"

In fact, they have decided to now live here with their son and Kangaskhan and decided to give me their company as a reward for saving them and their son.

"We've decided to stay," the mother said, smiling.

"This is where Tommy belongs, with his Kangaskhan family. And as a token of our eternal gratitude, we'd like to give you our company. It's a large corporation, very successful. Consider it a reward for saving our son, and for showing us the true meaning of family."

I humbly take it. A large corporation? Just like that? It was an unexpected bonus, a massive windfall.

"I... I accept," I said, trying to sound humble, though internally I was doing a victory dance. This was the backing I needed, the legitimate front for my operations.

As they embraced their new life, leaving behind everything, and me now the owner of their company, it was a win-win for us.

They had found peace and family, and I had gained a legitimate business empire. The irony was not lost on me.

We said goodbye as we get going our way. The family, now reunited and happy, waved goodbye as we left the jungle.

Ash, Misty, and Brock were still a bit bewildered by the whole ordeal, but they were ready to move on. My journey continued, now with a new title: CEO. The world was truly full of surprises.