Seeing Ash's reaction, Professor Oak hurriedly explained.
"It's like this. Red happened to be in Pallet Town recently, so I asked him to investigate the recent Pokémon disappearance incidents in Sinnoh."
"But after Red arrived in Sinnoh, he told me he'd discovered something interesting… and then I completely lost contact with him."
As he said this, Professor Oak let out a deep sigh.
Given Red's strength, Oak truly couldn't imagine anyone in this world capable of harming him.
And yet—
That sudden loss of contact still filled him with unease.
"Don't panic just yet. Red probably hasn't run into any major trouble. But if you have time, help me look for him. It's been so long since he last called—his mom, Hanako, is nearly worried sick."
Aside from Oak himself, the most anxious person about Red's disappearance was undoubtedly his mother.
"Professor Oak, please tell Mom not to worry. I'll definitely bring Red back," Ash said seriously.
"That's good. Just remember to stay in contact. Don't suddenly pull a disappearing act like Red did."
Even at the end, Oak couldn't help but add that reminder.
Unfortunately, Ash barely seemed to hear it before hanging up.
[Blue]: Hahaha, this is hilarious. Red's gone missing? Who's got the guts to mess with that guy? More likely he found something fun and ran off to enjoy himself.
[Green]: Red isn't like you. He's not that unreliable.
[Professor Oak]: Everything seems connected. Perhaps Red discovered the truth behind all this and went to rescue the missing Pokémon.
[Lance]: That's likely. Champion Red is very responsible—if you ignore the fact that he retired after five minutes.
[Lorelei]: Hahaha, Lance's heart must be shattered. The champion he values so much—two consecutive Kanto Champions just gone like that.
Alright! This topic is officially unworkable!
Lance: MMP! Why does everyone keep targeting me?!
Back on screen—
Ash's mind was racing.
The strange dream.
The Spatial and Temporal Deities of Sinnoh.
Piplup's disappearance.
Two Dawns.
Red's disappearance.
Ash felt certain these things were connected.
He could vaguely sense the link between them—
But something was still missing.
"Ash, what's wrong?" Dawn asked softly when she saw his troubled expression.
Even now, Dawn was the one comforting him.
Truly the most considerate Dawn.
"I feel like I understand something… but also like I don't understand anything at all."
"Pika…"
Even Pikachu, perched on Ash's head, fell silent.
Do you hear yourself right now?
That sounded like you said nothing at all!
"Forget it. I'll try contacting Miss Cynthia later. In Sinnoh, asking her for help is never wrong!"
As he said this, a smile returned to Ash's face.
That sudden change left Dawn a bit confused.
Why are you so happy the moment Cynthia's name comes up?!
Still… given how bizarre everything was, maybe Cynthia really did know something.
However—
Just then, a hot-air balloon with an enormous Meowth head appeared in the sky above the park.
The balloon drifted slowly downward and stopped right over Ash and Dawn.
"Hehehe, nice work, Meowth! You found the twerp's location so fast!"
"Of course! (≧^.^≦) Meow~!"
"Hmph! He dared to zap us into the sky the other night! Totally unforgivable!"
"That's right! This time we'll get payback! Meow~!"
"And we'll grab Pikachu and present it to Boss Giovanni!"
"Wobbuffet~!"
Thinking about promotions and pay raises, Team Rocket grew visibly excited—
As if endless funding were floating right in front of their eyes.
"Who's up there?!"
Shrouded in the balloon's shadow, Ash immediately looked up and shouted.
That single line seemed to trigger a switch.
"I think I just heard someone say, 'Who's up there?'"
"Since you asked so sincerely!"
"We'll kindly tell you!"
"..."
"That's right, meow~!"
Dawn pinched the bridge of her nose in resignation.
These idiots really never change. After getting beaten so badly, they still dare come back.
"Team Rocket again!" Ash shouted angrily.
"Nonono! What do you mean 'again'? We are messengers of love and peace! For the sake of world peace, hand over Pikachu!" Musashi declared.
Everyone collectively raised a question mark over their heads.
So righteous-sounding, yet you're still just stealing Pokémon!
"I won't let you get away with it! Pikachu, go!"
"Pika!"
Already prepared, Pikachu began charging up its attack.
This kind of situation was second nature to Ash by now.
He pointed upward, signaling Pikachu to aim at the balloon.
But—
This time, Team Rocket wasn't panicking at all.
"Twerp, you've fallen right into our trap! Meowth, use the Pikachu Capture Device X05T-2!"
"Already set! Meow~!"
To Ash's confusion, Meowth pulled out a launcher-like device from the basket.
"Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted.
But Meowth was faster.
The launcher fired, releasing a golden electric net into the air.
Not only did it suppress Pikachu's Thunderbolt, it completely enveloped Pikachu.
"Didn't see that coming, did you?! This is our secret weapon developed specifically for Pikachu!" Musashi bragged, hands on her hips.
If anyone could be called Pikachu's lifelong nemesis, it was definitely these three.
No matter how strong Pikachu became, they always managed to invent something to counter it.
Sometimes, your greatest enemy understands you better than anyone else.
Seeing the situation turn bad, Ash immediately grabbed another Poké Ball.
"Charizard, go! Use Air Slash!"
A blazing orange dragon appeared in the park, flames surging around its body.
The moment it appeared, Charizard unleashed a torrent of fire—
Which had absolutely nothing to do with Air Slash.
And worse—
The flames weren't aimed at Team Rocket's balloon.
They blasted straight into Ash's face.
Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.
Unbelievable!
It attacked its own Trainer—with Flamethrower of all things!
And yet—
The unbelievable continued.
After half a second of silence, Ash burst out of the flames, sprinting forward.
"Hot hot hot! Charizard, stop! You're going to burn me alive!"
And this wasn't even the most shocking part.
The boy looked completely unharmed.
Not even a single hair on his head was burned.
"Roar!"
Charizard turned away, snorting disdainfully as the flames faded.
"All right, my fault! I shouldn't have brought you along on the day you were heading to Charicific Valley!" Ash said weakly, brushing soot off his head.
That only made Charizard angrier.
"Roar roar roar!"
Up above, Team Rocket leaned over the basket, fascinated by the spectacle.
"I'm supposed to be going on a date today! You're making this really awkward, meow~," Meowth commented.
"So even Charizard has a girlfriend now. Meowth, you should work harder too."
"Yeah, you're a real man! Don't give up on love just because of a few setbacks!"
Meowth stared at them blankly.
How did this turn into my problem?!
I've already sealed my heart shut, meow!
"All right, Charizard! Red's Charizard is in Sinnoh too—when we meet up, I'll have his Charizard train you!"
"Roar!" You promise?!
"Of course!"
Agreement reached, Ash and Charizard moved at the same time.
Ash pointed upward.
Charizard beat its wings, sending out transparent blades of air.
Team Rocket, still gossiping, didn't even react before being blasted away.
"We're blasting off again!"
The balloon and the trio vanished into the distance like shooting stars.
Ash clapped his hands, very satisfied.
Beating Team Rocket always felt good.
However, that comfort didn't last long.
Another voice rang out.
"Hey, kid. Hand over the Pokémon you're holding."
Ash spun around.
This voice felt oddly familiar.
And sure enough—
Three familiar figures stood before him.
"Team Rocket?!"
"Team Rocket?"
"Pika?"
Ash, Dawn, and Pikachu were all stunned.
They were sure the last three had just been blasted away.
But no matter how they looked at it, the three in front of them were exactly the same.
Something was off.
[Matori]: What's going on? Why are you three wearing Team Rocket elite uniforms? When did you get promoted?
[Lance]: This should be Team Rocket from another world—just like the other Dawn earlier.
[Musashi]: I'm so excited! So in another world I get to wear an elite uniform?!
[Lance]: No registration needed. If you join the League, I can make you elite International Police agents immediately.
[James]: No way! We're Team Rocket in life and death!
[Lance]: …
What exactly is wrong with Team Rocket?!
Elite International Police is way better than being Team Rocket!
[Bruno]: That's rough, Lance. Champion you couldn't be, subordinates you can't recruit—tragic.
Back in the park—
"No! You're not Team Rocket!" Ash said firmly.
They looked the same, but their demeanor, their aura—completely different.
That sharp, elite presence was something the usual trio could never have.
They might wear Rocket tech armor, but his instincts didn't lie.
These weren't his Team Rocket.
"Enough nonsense. Meowth, take him out," the other-world Musashi ordered impatiently.
The Meowth who used to be a mascot stepped forward.
"Twerp, your face is really annoying, meow~."
He raised his hand—
A Dark Pulse blasted toward Ash.
Charizard slashed it aside with its claws.
"Nice Charizard. We'll be taking it," said the other-world James calmly.
He lifted his arm, firing two electric nets that instantly ensnared Pikachu and Charizard.
The current surged.
Charizard was caught completely off guard.
It tried to tear free—
But the net wouldn't budge.
"What kind of material is this?!" Ash shouted.
"Our secret weapons aren't something Pokémon can break," Musashi smirked.
"Who are you people?!" Ash demanded.
"Heh. Meowth, let's go."
They ignored him entirely, preparing to leave with their captures.
Ash tried to chase after them—
Only to be forced back by another Dark Pulse.
"Next time, kid, it won't hit the ground at your feet, meow~."
Meowth's grin was vicious.
Still, Ash refused to abandon his partners.
"Meowth, finish him," Musashi said coldly.
Meowth increased the output.
"Die, brat! Meow~!"
A massive Dark Pulse engulfed Ash.
And at that critical moment—
"Dragon Rush."
A cool, clear voice rang out.
A blue dragon slammed into the Dark Pulse, blocking it completely.
Ash fell into a warm embrace.
"Ash, are you okay?"
Cynthia looked down at him with concern.
Ash… was being princess-carried.
[Diantha]: Shameless, Cynthia! Take your hands off Ash! His first princess carry should be mine!
[Caitlin]: Well, that confirms it. Diantha and Cynthia aren't on bad terms because of politics—it's because of Ash.
[Cynthia]: You're just a loser. Accept defeat. Ash belongs to me alone.
[Lusamine]: Oh my, oh my! They're not even pretending anymore! Yay! My ship is real!
[Elesa]: Don't be fooled—they fight like this because they're actually close. It's super sweet.
[Ash]: Huh? Mom said this is called "jealousy," but… where's the vinegar? I don't see any.
Ash looked utterly confused.
What… exactly is happening here?
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