Chapter:16 Officially a Big Company Now
A/N: Just to tell you guys but the MC is immature and childish and is completely based on me like what would I have done. Many people keep asking about his growth and what not even for others. Let me clear one thing it's upto him and them how they grow. After all even original Ash had taken whole 25 years to become a Pokémon Master so no way these guys will be all grown up in few chapter. Also I can tell you more about how I had plan his growth but it will just be spoiler so don't ask about their growth too much ok?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
We finally reached Safari Zone, the air immediately feeling different, wilder, less structured than the forest we just came from. The entrance was a large, imposing wooden gate, flanked by tall, rough-hewn fences that stretched into the distance, hinting at the vastness beyond.
The sounds of exotic Pokémon filled the air, a cacophony of chirps, roars, and rustles that hinted at the untamed wilderness within, a symphony of wild life. Ash, Misty, and Brock were practically buzzing with excitement, their eyes wide with anticipation, eager to explore this unique habitat and catch some new Pokémon.
And met the old man. He was sitting on a rickety wooden chair just outside the gate, looking like he was carved from the very wood itself. He was a grizzled, weathered figure with a long, unkempt hair that seemed to have a life of its own, and a perpetually grumpy expression that seemed etched onto his face.
He clutched a well-worn gun across his lap, its barrel gleaming dully in the sunlight, a silent warning to anyone who dared to cause trouble. He looked like he'd seen it all, every kind of trainer, every kind of Pokémon, and was thoroughly unimpressed by most of it, especially loud ones.
And honestly, I liked this guy's thinking. He didn't like Ash and his team singing. As Ash, in his usual boundless enthusiasm, started humming the Pokémon theme song, a slightly off-key rendition that only he seemed to enjoy, Misty joining in with a surprisingly tuneless harmony, the old man's eye twitched.
It was a subtle movement, but I caught it. He slowly, deliberately, raised his gun, not aiming it at them, but simply holding it up, the barrel pointing vaguely towards the sky, a silent, unmistakable warning. The singing stopped instantly, cut off mid-note.
He took his gun out, silencing them with just showing them the gun. Ash and Misty froze, their faces paling, their mouths snapping shut mid-verse. The sudden, stark reality of a firearm in this otherwise whimsical world was jarring, a blunt reminder that not everything here was sunshine and rainbows.
Brock, ever cautious or idiot, put a hand on Ash's shoulder, a silent gesture to calm him. The old man just lowered his gun, a faint, satisfied smirk on his face, a tiny wrinkle appearing at the corner of his eye. He was a man of few words, but clear intentions, and his methods were undeniably effective.
"Whoa! What was that for?" Ash stammered, his voice a little shaky, his eyes fixed on the shotgun. Misty gulped. "Yeah! We were just singing!"
The old man just grunted, a low, rumbling sound in his chest. "No singing. You guys are tone deaf you can hurt Pokémon here." His voice was gravelly, like rocks grinding together. "And my ears."
Ash and Misty, recovering quickly from their fright, then spotted an old, faded photo on the counter beside him. It was tucked under a dusty glass pane, showing a younger version of the old man, surprisingly less grumpy, with a sleek, serpentine Pokémon coiled around his shoulders.
"Whoa! Is that a Dratini?" Misty exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder, completely forgetting the gun incident. "Did you catch it here? In the Safari Zone?" Misty leaned in, curious, her earlier fear replaced by fascination.
They played around with his old photo, asking about Dratini. "Is it still here? Can we see it? How big is it now? Does it have a Dragonair friend?"
Their questions tumbled out in a rapid-fire succession, completely oblivious to the old man's growing irritation, his eye twitching again. They were like excited puppies, full of boundless, thoughtless energy.
He aimed the gun at them, forcing them to leave the topic. The old man's eye twitched again, more violently this time. He slowly, deliberately, raised the gun, aiming it directly at Ash's head, then Misty's, a slow, menacing movement.
No words were exchanged, but the message was clear, etched in the cold steel of the barrel. The questions stopped. Ash and Misty gulped, taking a hasty step back, their faces pale once more. "N-never mind!" Ash stammered, holding up his hands in surrender. "No more questions about the Dratini!"
Anyway, I took my set of Safari Balls from the counter leaving money behind. The old man, now satisfied that his peace had been restored, grunted and gestured towards a box of Safari Balls on the counter.
I picked up my allotted thirty, feeling their rough, textured surface, a familiar weight in my hand. If I remembered correctly, the Dratini was in some rocky terrain with a lake in between, a specific, hidden spot within the vast Safari Zone, known only to a few. My internal map, a byproduct of my anime knowledge, already pinpointed its location.
Also, as I was left the group and moving alone. As I slipped away from Ash's group, heading deeper into the Safari Zone, a faint, familiar, obnoxious laugh echoed through the trees.
Team Rocket. They had somehow managed to sneak in, probably through another one of their ridiculous schemes, and were now doing their usual dramatic introduction on top of the Safari Zone sign, completely oblivious to their surroundings.
"Prepare for trouble, from the wild lands!" Jessie shrieked, her voice carrying surprisingly far. "And make it double, with our cunning plans!" James added, striking a pose, his arms outstretched.
Just as Meowth was about to deliver his line, a loud BLAM! cut him off. The old man, who had apparently followed them, or perhaps just had a sixth sense for trouble, raised his gun and fired.
Of course, no bullet was stuck to them. The shot went wide, hitting the sign below them, sending splinters flying and a shower of dust. I guess this old man has a seriously bad aim, or maybe he just liked making a point without actually hurting anyone.
Team Rocket shrieked, startled, their dialogue interrupted, their perfectly choreographed routine ruined.
I saw Team Rocket jumping off the sign for Safari Zone entry and using parachute for the landing.
"We're not blasting off this time. We got a parachute on!" Jessie yelled, and they deployed a red big parachute from their bag before jumping off the sign with a dramatic flourish.
Too bad while it was some height from the ground to the sign from where they jumped, it was maybe 1 or 2 floor high only, so they fall face on ground as the parachute didn't even get the chance to even spread out, now covering them.
They landed with a series of muffled thuds and groans, their parachutes draped over them like colorful, useless blankets, completely failing to provide any cushioning.
Their cries of "Oof!" and "My face!" were muffled by the fabric, a truly pathetic, yet hilarious, sight. I almost chuckled aloud.
Well, enough of them. I quickly got to searching. My mission was clear, and it didn't involve watching Team Rocket's slapstick comedy for the rest of the day.
I consulted my internal map, pinpointing the exact (well maybe a bit rough) location of the Dratini lake, a small blue shimmer on my mental overlay. I moved with purpose, navigating the winding paths of the Safari Zone.
Do I need that Dratini and Dragonair? No. My inventory was already overflowing with legendary Pokémon, including a level 150 Shiny Rayquaza and a colossal Dragonite.
A regular Dratini, even a rare one, wouldn't add much to my combat prowess or strategic options. It was purely a collector's item at this point.
Then why I want it? So if in future a book was made of my legendary adventures, it will look like a cool page. Yes, no deeper reason than that.
It was purely for aesthetics, for the narrative, for the sheer satisfaction of having completed another iconic moment from the anime.
It would make for a great chapter title, a cool anecdote to tell, if I ever chose to tell my story to someone. It was about the "cool factor," pure and simple, a vanity project.
Soon enough, I found the lake. It was a secluded, serene body of water, nestled amidst rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation, hidden away from the main trails.
The water was crystal clear, reflecting the sky above like a perfect mirror, and small, colorful fish darted beneath its surface. It felt peaceful, almost magical, a hidden gem within the wild Safari Zone.
I don't want Dragonair, he will need to protect this Safari Zone, so I will take his kid Dratini with me. The lore stated that a powerful Dragonair protected the Safari region from this lake, acting as a guardian for its offspring and the ecosystem.
I respected that. I wasn't here to disrupt the ecosystem or steal a guardian. I just wanted a baby Dratini, a symbol of my achievement, a small addition to my collection.
Though I say that, I only got 30 chances to get it. And these are not Master Balls. This was the real challenge, the real test of my skill. Safari Balls had a notoriously low catch rate, requiring patience and a bit of luck (Cause in game I never manage to catch Dratini without save and load in my previous life).
This wasn't a guaranteed capture; this was a test of skill, patience, and luck, a true grind. I felt a flicker of genuine nervousness, a feeling I hadn't experienced in a while, a thrill of the chase.
I guess this time it's my first time catching a Pokémon other than from Master Ball. Every other Pokémon I had acquired had been through cheats or Master Balls, or through direct, overwhelming force.
This was different. This was raw, unassisted catching, a true test of my abilities as a trainer, relying solely on my throwing arm and the ball's mechanics. It felt strangely exhilarating, a return to the basics of Pokémon catching.
Soon I saw the Dratini. It was a beautiful, slender blue serpent, its small fins fluttering gracefully as it swam just beneath the surface of the clear water.
Its large, innocent eyes blinked slowly, completely unaware of the intense battle of wills it was about to enter. It looked ethereal, almost like a living ribbon of water. My heart gave a little thump, a mix of anticipation and determination.
And I threw the Safari Ball. It arced through the air, a red and white blur against the green backdrop, and struck the Dratini squarely. The ball wiggled once... twice... then POP!
Dratini burst out, looking startled, then darted away with a flick of its tail, disappearing into the deeper parts of the lake. I failed. My first attempt, a miss.
Well, I guessed that, so I didn't panic. This is still real world, even if it escape I can follow it. I knew the odds were against me, that a single throw wouldn't be enough.
My mind was already calculating, planning my next move, adjusting for the Dratini's speed and agility. This wasn't a game where it would just disappear after one failed attempt; I could track it, pursue it, wear it down.
It was a showdown with me and this Dratini. Either I will catch it or not. A silent challenge hung in the air, a personal duel between trainer and Pokémon.
My pride was on the line. I am a champion, a master of this world, a collector of legends (in future). I wouldn't be defeated by a single, stubborn Dratini, no matter how elusive.
I threw 5 more Safari Balls, but it each time escaped. Each ball hit, each wiggle, each POP was a tiny jab at my ego, a small chip in my carefully constructed facade of effortless mastery.
Dratini was surprisingly agile, darting through the water, evading my throws with uncanny precision, almost as if it was toying with me. It was almost mocking me, its blue form a blur.
Honestly, looks like my future book will just be about my failure if I didn't caught it. The thought was humiliating.
"Chapter 16: The Legendary Trainer Who Couldn't Catch a Dratini, Even With Thirty Tries."
No, that wouldn't do. My narrative had to be one of triumph, of effortless victory. This stubborn little snake was threatening my carefully curated image.
So I push through quantity. The moment it gets off the Safari Ball, I throw another before it can even have a chance of running away. It was a relentless barrage, a continuous stream of red and white.
Ball after ball, I kept throwing, giving it no time to breathe, no chance to escape, no moment to recover its energy.
My arm was starting to ache from the repetitive motion (was I always this weak), but I wouldn't stop. I was determined to win this battle of attrition.
And I was still on the failing side. My Safari Ball count dwindled rapidly. Ten balls gone. Fifteen. Twenty. Twenty-five.
My frustration grew, mingling with a strange sense of respect for this tenacious little Pokémon. It was putting up a fight, a real fight, a truly impressive display of resilience. It was almost admirable, if not for the fact that it was thwarting my plans.
I got only 2 more Safari Balls left. My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic drumbeat. This was it. Two last chances.
The Dratini, too, looked tired, its movements slower, its breathing heavier, its once vibrant blue scales now a little duller. It had been a long, exhausting chase for both of us, a true test of endurance.
I threw again. The ball soared, connected, and the Dratini was sucked inside. It wiggled once... twice... three times... The tension was unbearable, a silent scream in my mind.
The ball shook, it pulsed, it seemed to hang in the air for an eternity. And this time, as I was going to throw another, it didn't came out of that Safari Ball this time. The ball clicked. A triumphant click. It was caught.
'HELL YEAH! I WON YOU STUPID BLUE SNAKE LOOKING POKÉMON!'... The roar of triumph was purely internal, a silent explosion of relief and exhilaration that threatened to burst from my chest.
I pumped my fist in the air, a wide grin spreading across my face, a feeling of pure, unadulterated victory washing over me. I had done it. I had caught the Dratini, against all odds, with my own skill.
Well, anyway, I won. Yeah, it was a fair fight, and I won. Only winner decides the past, so I will make sure everyone in future will think that I got it in 1 try.
My internal narrative was already rewriting history, smoothing over the messy details, polishing the rough edges.
One try. That's how it would go down in my legendary book. No one needed to know about the 28 failed attempts, the aching arm, or the near-panic.
Anyway, I left for the cabin. I walked back towards the Safari Zone cabin, my steps light, almost bouncy, the Safari Ball containing Dratini clutched tightly in my hand, a small, precious trophy. I was eager to show off my prize, to subtly rub my success in Ash's face, to see his reaction.
But found that it was empty. The cabin was deserted. The old man was gone, his rickety chair overturned. And so was Ash's group, their backpacks gone, no sign of them anywhere.
I just sighed, a small puff of disappointment. My moment of triumph, my chance to gloat, was ruined. I wanted that old man to note it down my achievements, to see the rare Dratini I had captured, to acknowledge my skill.
Honestly, if I would have caught this Dratini from the last safari ball, I would have thought that it was some protagonist moment, a destined encounter, a sign of my inherent greatness. But it was caught with 2nd last Safari Ball.
Does that mean I am not protagonist? The thought was fleeting, a humorous self-doubt, a tiny crack in my carefully constructed self-image. Perhaps I was just a very lucky side character, a powerful background player.
While I was thinking of such useless things, the old man and Ash's team came back. They emerged from the depths of the Safari Zone, looking tired but excited, their clothes a bit rumpled. Ash was practically bouncing, a huge grin on his face, his eyes sparkling with triumph.
Ash was flexing to me that he rode a Dragonair here. "You won't believe it!" Ash exclaimed, rushing towards me, his voice bursting with excitement.
"I rode a Dragonair! A real one! It was amazing! It was so fast and graceful! And we saved all the Pokémon from Team Rocket again! They were trying to steal the Dratini and other Pokémon! And I caught a lot of Tauros! Like, a whole herd of them!" He gestured wildly with his arms, his voice filled with pride, completely oblivious to my own recent success.
I? I just put the Safari Ball on the counter. "Hey, old man, can you register my Pokémon?"
I said, nothing much, my voice casual, almost bored, a stark contrast to Ash's exuberance. I slid the Safari Ball across the counter, letting it spin to a stop, its green and white surface a silent testament to my victory.
The old man took the Safari Ball and took out the Pokémon inside as everyone got shocked to find Dratini in it. The old man grunted, picked up the ball, and released its contents. A small, beautiful blue Dratini materialized on the counter, its fins fluttering, its innocent eyes blinking.
Ash's jaw dropped. Misty gasped. Brock's eyes widened, a rare display of surprise.
In fact, Ash even blushed from embarrassment at his earlier bragging. While he was riding Dragonair, I already caught Dratini.
His face turned a deep shade of red, a flush spreading across his cheeks, his earlier bragging about riding a Dragonair and catching Tauros suddenly paling in comparison to my quiet capture of a rare Dratini. He looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole, utterly deflated.
"A... a Dratini?!" Ash stammered, his voice a whisper of disbelief. "You... you caught a Dratini?! A real one?!"
Misty stared at the Dratini, then at me. "You just... casually caught a Dratini? While we were out chasing Tauros?"
Brock just shook his head, a small, confused but supportive smile returning to his face. "Remarkable," he murmured.
I just gave them a small, knowing smile.
"Yep. Took a few tries, but I got him. He's a feisty one." I didn't mention the 28 failed attempts, keeping my perfect record intact in their minds.
Anyway, we left the Safari Zone. The old man, though still gruff, gave me a respectful nod as we departed, a hint of admiration in his weathered eyes.
Ash was still red-faced, but the competitive spark was back in his eyes, already planning his next big catch. Misty was still muttering about my "casual" capture.
I told Ash and his team that I will be going for now. "Alright, guys," I said, stopping at the edge of town, where the paved road met the wilder path.
"This is where I split off again. I need to take care of some business, some very important business."
"I need to take care of the new company and all things, and I will meet you guys later." I explained vaguely, gesturing towards the horizon.
"It's a big project, a lot of moving parts, and it requires my full attention. But I'll catch up with you. Don't worry about me, I'm perfectly capable of handling myself."
I take out my Dragonite as I left on it. With a flash of light, Dragonite materialized, its massive form casting a shadow over the town, its orange scales gleaming.
I climbed onto its back, settling comfortably between its powerful wings, and with a final wave, we soared into the sky, leaving Ash, Misty, and Brock standing on the ground, looking up in awe, their figures shrinking below.
I landed on Fuchsia City to get into my new company. Dragonite gently set me down on the outskirts of Fuchsia City.
I quickly made my way to the city's business district, a cluster of modern buildings amidst the more traditional architecture, where the headquarters of my newly acquired company was located.
The building was sleek, modern, a stark contrast to the traditional architecture of the town, a symbol of its growing influence.
I now use their resources to upgrade and buy land near Pewter City and Viridian City and officially change the company's name to "ACEING," letting it merge with my company.
My first order of business was to consolidate my holdings and expand my empire. I initiated the merger, absorbing their existing infrastructure, their workforce, and their vast resources.
The company's vast financial resources were now at my disposal, allowing me to expand rapidly and strategically.
I bought up huge tracts of land near my future headquarters, near Pewter City and Viridian City, securing my territorial dominance and setting the stage for future expansion. The legal paperwork was tedious, a mountain of documents, but necessary for legitimacy.
The first thing I did was make as many Poké Ball cases from them workers. It was just like phone case, just for Poké Balls, with many designs, even Master Ball one, so no one will think anything wrong with me.
I tasked the company's manufacturing division with producing high-quality, stylish Poké Ball cases. These weren't just simple cases; they were designer accessories, complete with various patterns, colors, and even customizable features.
The Master Ball design was particularly popular, allowing me to carry my legendary Pokémon discreetly, blending in with the affluent trainers who would buy these products. It was a brilliant cover.
I also take out some of my shiny normal Pokémon and told them to hold auction to sell these Pokémon.
Honestly, I saw their jaw dropping from many normal Pokémon but shiny in a one place. I brought out a selection of my less rare shiny Pokémon—Pidgey, Rattata, Caterpie, Oddish, Weedle, Paras—and instructed the sales team to organize an auction.
Their eyes widened in disbelief, their jaws literally dropping. A single shiny Pokémon was a rarity, a collector's dream; a collection of dozens, all in one place, was unheard of, a veritable treasure trove. The potential profits were immense, a goldmine waiting to be tapped.
I also made a game department so they can make Pokémon games here. Leveraging my programming skills and my knowledge of future games, I established a new department dedicated to game development.
My goal was to create high-quality, immersive Pokémon games for this world, using their own technology and talent.
This would provide a legitimate source of income, a plausible explanation for my future technological advancements, and a way to introduce new concepts to this world without raising too many eyebrows.
Also the Pokémon FireRed rip-off that I put on website? It was going crazy for no advertisement game. My little passion project, the simple, nostalgic game I had uploaded weeks ago, with no marketing whatsoever, had exploded in popularity.
It had gone viral through word-of-mouth or well sharing across the net. It was already bought by 10,000+ people, and the numbers were still climbing.
The reviews were overwhelmingly positive, praising its simplicity, its charm, and its addictive gameplay. It was a massive, unexpected success, far beyond my initial expectations.
Well, I won't bore you, but my next few weeks going just like that, doing all this business work. The days blurred into a whirlwind of meetings, contracts, product development, marketing strategies, and financial reports.
I was a CEO, a business mogul, managing a rapidly expanding empire, making decisions that affected hundreds of employees. It was exhausting, demanding every ounce of my attention, but incredibly satisfying, seeing my plans come to fruition.
Good thing is that we are now regional level company now. In Kanto, few can be at our level. Our market share grew exponentially.
Our Poké Ball cases were flying off the shelves, selling out as fast as we could produce them, and the shiny Pokémon auctions were breaking records, attracting trainers from all over the region.
We were a dominant force, a major player in the Kanto economy, a name to be reckoned with. Sure, it's not yet world class, but that is just a matter of time, as I haven't put any rare shiny Pokémon yet.
I was holding back my true treasures, my legendary shinies, waiting for the right moment to unleash their full value on the global market.
I didn't put any master ball on market. That was a line I wouldn't cross. Master Ball were too powerful, too game-breaking, capable of instantly capturing a Pokémon.
Introducing them into the real-world economy would cause chaos, disrupting the natural progression of Pokémon catching, devaluing effort and experience. That was a power I would keep to myself, a personal advantage, not a commodity.
Also, I found out that game potion works differently then these real world potions. While real world potion are like just medicine, works slow, no 100% guarantee of perfect healing as per the potion level, but my game potion works with instant result and 100% guarantee of perfect healing as per the potion level.
This was a crucial discovery, a potential game-changer for the entire medical field. Real-world potions were slow-acting, often requiring multiple doses and rest, sometimes even failing.
My game potions, however, were instant, miraculous cures, restoring health completely and perfectly, without fail, regardless of the injury just like in game.
If I have to say, we are already better than anyone on Pokémon medical field except Poké Center Nurse Joys.
But for medicine? We are best. My game potions were a revolution, a true breakthrough in medical technology. I could heal any Pokémon instantly, perfectly, without fail, from any injury or status condition.
This was a massive advantage, a potential monopoly on the medical market, a way to truly help Pokémon on a grand scale, while also making a fortune.
After everything stabilized and my main headquarter will be done in few weeks more, I decided to continue my journey now.
The company was running smoothly, my finances were secure, my headquarters was nearing completion, its foundations laid, its walls rising.
It was time to get back to the adventure, to collect more badges, and to explore the world, to continue my personal quest for power and knowledge.
Well, I didn't told them that where we will met, right? I guess I gotta find them myself now.
I realized I hadn't set a rendezvous point with Ash and his group, a minor oversight in my busy schedule. It was a minor oversight, but one that meant a bit of searching.
While I don't know many filler episodes, I do know some plots, so maybe they are at Grand Canyon? I thought as I go that way with my giant Dragonite.
I recalled the Grand Canyon episode from the anime, a memorable filler arc where they encountered various ancient Pokémon and solved a minor crisis.
It was a good starting point for my search, a plausible destination for their unpredictable adventures.
This time not in a hurry. I go here and there. My flight on Dragonite was leisurely, a stark contrast to my previous hurried journeys.
I took my time, enjoying the scenery, observing the world from above, a vast tapestry of green forests, blue oceans, and bustling cities.
Some random city sightseeing, hovering high above the rooftops, or looking at the scenery of forest filled with Pokémon, their tiny forms moving below, unaware of the giant dragon above. Or the sky when we get past a flock of Pidgey, their wings beating rhythmically, their calls echoing faintly.
Anyway, it was quite enjoyable and relaxing for me. The freedom of flight, the vastness of the world stretching out beneath me, the quiet hum of Dragonite's powerful wings—it was a truly peaceful experience, a moment of calm amidst the chaos of my life, a serene escape from the demands of my growing empire.
But maybe... just a tiny bit... just a teensy weensy tiny bit. I would have preferred to share this journey with someone else. I mean, not Pokémon, but human...
The thought flickered, a surprising pang of loneliness, a fleeting desire for companionship beyond my loyal Pokémon. Someone to share the views with, to talk to, to experience these moments with, someone who truly understood my unique situation.
Suddenly I slapped myself. No need to think deeply. You are not old yet, you are barely 14 in this life. This was a fleeting, sentimental thought, quickly dismissed, pushed aside by my logical mind.
I had a mission, a grand goal. We will have a lot of time for all of that when I would have the world for me. First, conquer. Then, socialize. That was the order of operations.
To shake off my thought, I ordered Dragonite to fly faster now to get to Grand Canyon quick. The moment of weakness passed, replaced by renewed determination.
Dragonite roared, its wings beating harder, and we shot through the sky, leaving the sentimental thoughts behind, a blur of orange against the blue.
Soon enough we arrived at the Grand Canyon, a majestic, sprawling landscape of red rock and deep chasms, truly a wonder of this world.
But the entrance was cordoned off, with signs warning of instability and potential collapse, a clear indication that the plot point had already passed.
Well, I guess they already progressed much further than I thought. But again, it's been few weeks, which is plenty of time for them to progress a lot.
My plot knowledge was becoming less reliable with these time-based scenario, making it harder to pinpoint their exact location.
Well then, I will go and enjoy some another tourist spot here and there before I actually try to find them. No point in rushing now, no immediate crisis to solve.
I decided to take a break, to explore some of the other famous landmarks and attractions of Kanto, to enjoy my freedom and newfound wealth, to simply be a tourist for a while.
Time skip, a week later, I was chilling in a resort of a random city I came by. It was a luxurious resort, with a sparkling pool, comfortable loungers, and attentive staff.
I had spent a week relaxing, swimming, and enjoying gourmet meals from my inventory, completely detached from the world's problems.
Honestly, it felt so relaxing that I don't want to go. I could stay here forever, in this bubble of comfort.
Go? Did I have to go somewhere?... Wait! I was looking for Ash's group, not on holiday!
The sudden realization hit me like a splash of cold water, jolting me out of my complacent stupor. My mission! My Special Pokémons! I had completely forgotten about them in my pursuit of leisure, a momentary lapse in my focus.
I check out of resort and quickly get on my giant Dragonite as we take off into the sky.
I paid my bill, summoned Dragonite, and with a burst of speed, we were airborne, leaving the luxurious resort behind, a blur of orange against the blue sky. My vacation was over.
Ugh, where are they now?! My internal map was useless. My plot knowledge was failing me completely. They could be anywhere in this vast region. The vastness of Kanto suddenly felt overwhelming, a daunting challenge to my tracking abilities.
Anyway, I look around here and there for a bit, then decided to leave it at that. I circled the region for a while, scanning the landscape for any familiar faces, any signs of their progress, any tell-tale signs of their chaotic adventures. But the world was too big, and they were too small, too unpredictable.
I mean, there was no more special Pokémon anymore, I think? So I should just get to 7th gym on Cinnabar Island. My mind shifted gears.
If I couldn't find them, I'd just continue my own journey, my own quest for badges. The next badge was on Cinnabar Island, a volcanic island known for its fiery Gym Leader, Blaine.
I mean, did I look for him? If I don't find him, it's not my fault. A small, self-serving justification formed in my mind. I had tried. I couldn't spend forever looking for them. My own progress was important, my own goals paramount.
I just sigh, but it's not a problem. There were probably no special Pokémon on their journey, right?... A faint doubt lingered, a tiny whisper of "what if?"
What if I missed something important? What if a very Special and Rare Pokémon that I had forgotten had appeared, and I wasn't there to capitalize on it?
No, I dismissed the thought. They were just ordinary trainers, their adventures predictable.
Anyway, I order my Dragonite to move towards Cinnabar Island so we can get our 7th gym badge now!
With a renewed sense of purpose, I pointed Dragonite towards the south, towards the distant, volcanic island, a plume of smoke rising from its peak.
The journey continued, my path clear, my power absolute. The badges awaited, and I was ready to claim them.