"K.O.!"
The blinking red letters on the screen declared the outcome.
The character Ash controlled collapsed in defeat, while Erika's character froze in a victory pose.
She let out a soft breath, moving her palms away from the joystick and buttons. Her face wore an expression mixed with satisfaction and a lingering desire for more. A living embodiment of "Satisfied.jpg".
"Good game, Ash," Erika turned her head. Her tone had recovered a trace of its usual gentleness, but her eyes still held the sharpness from the battle.
Although she was still annoyed, some of the pent-up pressure in her heart had been vented.
"..." Ash scratched his head. He didn't feel much frustration; on the contrary, he found it quite interesting. It felt a bit like the old days playing The King of Fighters and getting team-wiped on a single coin.
How nostalgic.
Playing games with Erika felt more stressful than some Pokémon battles. "Miss Erika is too amazing; I'm no match for you at all."
Just then, they both realized a problem almost simultaneously.
Misdreavus, who had been floating above the adjacent arcade cabinet—and who should have been crying out in dissatisfaction at Ash's loss or eager to take revenge herself—was nowhere to be seen.
This was out of character for Misdreavus.
But because they had been too focused on the game just now, they really didn't know where she had run off to.
"Hm? Where's Mengmeng?" Erika looked around.
In the noisy Game Corner, amidst the dazzling light effects and the cauldron of voices, that small purple figure was completely invisible.
"Did she get bored and run off to play somewhere else? For a Ghost-type Pokémon, this place is indeed like a giant playground," she guessed, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
This was indeed a guess consistent with the nature of Ghost-type Pokémon, especially since Erika knew Mengmeng was brought up by the Thousand-Year Gastly.
As the saying goes, "like teacher, like pupil."
However, Ash's brows furrowed slightly. He shook his head, his tone certain: "No."
"Although Mengmeng is mischievous, she is very sensible."
"Even if she left temporarily, she would never disappear for so long without saying hello."
"And..."
Ash felt something in his heart.
It was a bond between Trainer and Pokémon. This sounded a bit mystical, but it truly existed. Mega Evolution, achieved when Trainer and Pokémon minds are as one, was the manifestation and sublimation of this very thing.
With his focus sharpened, he could now sense a vague emotion tinged with a little nervousness and curiosity, rather than the joy of playfulness.
"I feel like she discovered something. That state... doesn't really seem like she's playing."
"...It's a little fearful?"
"But that doesn't seem right."
Ash pondered the induction in his heart. This connection was very faint; he had to concentrate fully to feel even a trace of it.
Seeing Ash so serious, Erika's expression also grew somewhat grave. She understood the special induction between Trainers and Pokémon; Ash's worry was not baseless.
She mused for a moment, seeming to make up her mind: "Then there's no helping it. Although I don't really want to do this... I know the person in charge here. I'll go ask him to help pull up the surveillance footage. We should be able to find where Misdreavus went very quickly."
Ash keenly caught the trace of reluctance in Erika's words.
She "didn't really want to contact" the person in charge here?
Connecting this with the background rumors of this Game Corner, Ash had a vague guess in his heart.
Perhaps...
Erika didn't come here just to play games.
Erika was here to keep an eye on Team Rocket?
This guess had a high probability.
"Sorry for the trouble, Miss Erika." Ash didn't point it out, simply nodding to express his thanks.
Ash knew very well that as the local Gym Leader, Erika definitely understood the situation better than an outsider like him. So, one shouldn't try to teach experts their own business.
Erika stood up and straightened the hem of her clothes, which were slightly wrinkled from sitting so long.
Instantly, her entire temperament underwent a subtle change.
From the relaxed state of being immersed in a game just now, she switched to the steadiness and majesty befitting the Celadon Gym Leader.
She signaled to Ash, then walked straight toward the rear of the Game Corner, an area restricted from ordinary customers.
Ash followed closely behind.
Passing through the noisy main hall, the corridor in the back was obviously much quieter, and the lighting became softer, even somewhat dim.
Two burly guards in black uniforms blocked the way in front of a heavy solid wood door like iron towers.
"Sorry, this is an office area. No customers allowed." One of the guards blocked them expressionlessly.
Erika wasted no words. She stepped forward directly and took a badge out from her sleeve.
In the dim light, the badge shimmered with a unique rainbow luster—it was the Rainbow Badge.
This was different from the badges awarded to trainers. This was a badge that possessed true power, symbolizing the identity of a Gym Leader.
She flashed the badge before the guards' eyes, her voice calm but carrying unquestionable authority: "I am Erika, the Celadon Gym Leader. I have business with your manager."
Seeing that badge, the guards' faces changed instantly.
The vigilance in their eyes turned into respect, and even a trace of imperceptible nervousness.
As for blocking her? That would be suicidal behavior. For such a meager monthly salary, why risk your life?
The two exchanged a glance and immediately stepped aside to make way, one of them even bowing slightly: "We are very sorry, Leader Erika. We didn't know you had graced us with your presence. The manager... is right inside."
Erika nodded slightly, put away the badge, and pushed open the heavy wooden door.
Ash followed her in.
He felt that this truly fit Erika's identity as a Gym Leader. She was a true local tycoon.
Even Team Rocket, who could summon wind and rain throughout the Kanto underworld, had to tread carefully in front of Erika. Only Team Rocket's elite executives were qualified to stand against her.
To make Erika back down, Giovanni himself would probably have to come.
This was the gold standard of the Celadon Gym Leader.
The scene behind the door looked more like a high-end reception room than an ordinary office. The carpet was soft, the lighting warm, and a faint fragrance filled the air.
However, the atmosphere in the room at this moment was completely out of tune with this comfortable environment.
A man in a suit, slightly chubby and looking like the Game Corner manager, stood in the center of the room, sweating profusely.
His face was pale, and he kept wiping his forehead with a handkerchief.
Seeing Erika enter, he looked as if he had seen a savior, yet also as if he were even more terrified. His lips trembled, wanting to speak but daring not to.
The manager's gaze did not focus entirely on Erika; instead, he glanced cringingly toward the depths of the room, at the high-backed chair facing away from the door.
As if some truly terrifying monster was there?
Erika's footsteps paused after entering the door. She clearly hadn't expected this situation either. Her brows locked tight, and she stared sharply at the manager: "What is going on? I'm looking for the person in charge. What are you doing here? And who is that?"
The manager's voice trembled: "L-Leader Erika... The person in charge... there... there is a big shot inside waiting for you..."
"Waiting for me?" Erika's heart sank abruptly.
An ominous premonition, like a cold vine, instantly wrapped around her heart.
She came to the Game Corner in person partly to relax, but also because she knew full well that this was Team Rocket's property.
During the day, with people coming and going in the city, there was no need to worry about Team Rocket causing trouble. But the darkness of night was the best protective cover.
To prevent Team Rocket members from causing trouble, Erika often came over at night to keep watch. As long as she was here, Team Rocket wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
But today seemed a bit different.
Erika had only intended to use her status to help Ash check the surveillance. But now... it might end in a fight.
Because the other party seemed to have anticipated her arrival long ago.
Considering Team Rocket's obviously abnormal confidence... had one of the Senior Executives come over?
The Three Beasts: Chakra, Sird, Orm.
The Four Generals: Ariana, Archer, Petrel, Proton.
The Top Executive: The Iron-Masked Marauder.
Erika was pondering the list of Team Rocket's Senior Executives. Team Rocket could be said to be a gathering of the strong. Many powerful individuals did not enter the League system but instead walked into Team Rocket.
Team Rocket's overall strength was extremely terrifying.
Although these guys were hard to deal with, she wasn't afraid. Anyway, those few colleagues of hers couldn't possibly come over openly, so it shouldn't be a big problem.
At least, that was what she thought at the moment.
____
New Story: Junji Ito: I Shall Smash Hellstar Remina
✅ Read 40 chapters ahead on all series.
✅ Get exclusive content and updates.
Help us hit our targets:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 free chapter for all
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 bonus chapters (all stories)!
👻 P - Walnutchan