Adamo Amet
patreon
Chapter no.52 Life is Scary!
🕑 Added 2025-02-16 18:24:13 +0000 UTCAustin had bitten off more than he could chew.
Of course, this was going to happen eventually. He’d been an idiot to think he could keep up the act forever. Misty had known him as Austin from the moment they met back on Route 1, and instead of correcting her when they reunited in Cerulean, he had just… gone along with it. Because he liked it. Because it felt right.
And now?
Now, he was paying the price.
Pikachu, ever perceptive, nudged his arm, golden ears twitching. “Pika?”
Austin ran a hand over Pikachu’s head, keeping his expression neutral as Misty banged on the door to her sisters’ room. “Get up!” she called. “This is important.”
“They should be down in a minute,” she said, turning back to Austin with her arms crossed, her eyes sharp.
Austin exhaled slowly. “Is this really necessary?”
“Yes,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Then, with a pointed stare, she added, “So, think of an excuse while we wait… Ash.”
Austin sweatdropped.
Overreaction much?
And, first of all, he didn’t need an excuse—he had reasons. Good ones. Ones he had actually put thought into, because he knew this could happen someday.
Misty didn’t say anything else. Just sat there, arms crossed, waiting.
Pikachu tilted his head up at Austin, his little brows furrowed. Austin gave him a reassuring pat, trying to steady his own annoyance. He could feel it creeping in, curling hot in his stomach. She wanted answers? Fine. But dragging everyone into this like he had committed some kind of crime?
The door creaked open, and Misty’s three older sisters shuffled into the living room, groggy and barely awake.
Daisy rubbed her eyes. “What’s going on?”
“Can’t it wait till, like, eight?” Violet yawned, stretching her arms over her head.
Lily nodded, though her head was dipping from sleep.
Austin sighed, glancing at Misty. “Sorry, you three. I guess Misty wanted to turn this into a whole thing, because she thinks she’s hot shit.”
Pikachu sucked in a sharp breath. “Chu….”
The three sisters blinked, suddenly much more awake. They weren’t used to seeing Austin snap like that.
Misty’s jaw tightened. “Excuse me?”
Austin ignored her. He had no interest in arguing with someone who had already made up their mind. Instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his trainer ID, and flicked it onto the table. It spun once before landing face up.
“The name on my ID is Ash Ketchum.”
Silence.
The sisters exchanged glances. Misty’s expression remained unreadable.
“Then who’s Austin?” Misty finally asked, her voice quieter but still firm.
Austin met her gaze, steady. “It’s my nickname.”
Another beat of silence.
Lily furrowed her brow. “How does that work? Ash to Austin?”
Austin shrugged. “Shortening names does weird things. Richard to Dick, Robert to Bob, Jack for John. Peg for Margaret.”
Violet raised an eyebrow. “Austin is longer than Ash.”
Austin smirked. “I was trying to be quirky.”
That, at least, got a few snorts from the sisters.
Misty, however, wasn’t done. “Why?”
Austin tilted his head. “What, do I need some deep, meaningful reason for using a nickname? Maybe I just thought it was cool.” His tone turned sharp. “Oh, the horror.”
Daisy watched him closely. “Austin—Ash—are you mad at Misty?”
“What did I do? I just wanted an explanation. Anyone would ask questions if they found out someone’s been using a different name.”
Austin let out a slow breath, keeping his expression neutral. “It’s not about you asking, Misty. Any reasonable person would. But the way you went about it? Calling everyone in here like I was some criminal on trial? Acting like I needed permission to use a name that I chose? Telling me I’d have to explain myself like I owe you something?”
Misty blinked, caught off guard.
“Who the hell do you think you are, Misty Waterflower?”
Misty’s lips parted, like she had something to say—but nothing came out. Instead, she just looked down, gripping her arms a little tighter around herself.
The room was heavy with silence.
Pikachu let out a low hum, his ears flicking back. He climbed up Austin’s shoulder, rubbing his cheek against him in an attempt to calm him down. Austin exhaled through his nose.
“I’ve got stuff to do,” he said, pushing up from the couch. “Or do I need to check in with Boss Misty first?”
No response.
Then—sniffles.
A shaky breath.
And suddenly, Misty was crying.
Austin shut his eyes, cursing internally. Great. Now I made a girl cry.
Pikachu let out a worried sound, ears drooping slightly. Austin sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. He had expected Misty to be upset, but he hadn’t thought she’d break down over it.
The sisters shifted, exchanging glances. Daisy placed a gentle hand on Misty’s shoulder, but Misty shrugged it off, wiping at her eyes.
Austin felt the weight of Pikachu’s stare on him.
He could fix this.
But he didn’t want to.
Not right now. Not when he was still simmering, still irritated that this even happened in the first place.
So he turned toward the door, Pikachu still perched on his shoulder.
“I need some air,” he muttered.
And with that, he left.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The walk did little to settle Austin’s mind. His thoughts kept circling back to the confrontation with Misty and her sisters, replaying every word, every reaction. He ran through different ways he could have handled it—explaining things more carefully, deflecting with humor, or even just telling the truth outright from the start.
But in the end, he had gone with the simplest explanation—a nickname, a quirk, something a kid would say. Something easy to brush off.
Because at the end of the day, the world saw him as Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old boy.
But Misty and the others? They saw Austin.
Would they believe him?
Logically, they had every reason to. They had seen his intelligence, his resources, his kindness. He had done a lot for them.
A name wasn’t going to change that.
But trust wasn’t just about logic.
Would Misty want to believe him? Or would she feel betrayed that he had kept something from her?
Would Daisy, Violet, and Lily care, or would they simply shrug it off as another one of life’s oddities?
And then there was the real question—the one that lingered at the back of his mind like a shadow:
Did it even matter?
If they believed him, would it change anything? Or would they still see him the same way they always had?
Maybe the bigger issue wasn’t whether they trusted him.
Maybe it was whether he even cared.
Helping Misty and her sisters had been the right thing to do, sure—but had it really been for them? Or was it just another part of his investigation? Another way to test the Butterfree Effect and see if fate truly existed?
Austin sighed, pushing the thought aside.
“Pika.”
A small tug on his sleeve pulled him from his thoughts. He blinked down at Pikachu, who was holding up a scrappy-looking flower, its petals slightly wilted from being plucked between the cobblestones.
Austin took it, twirling the stem between his fingers. There was something grounding about the small, simple gesture. “Thanks, buddy.”
Pikachu puffed out his chest proudly, only to wrinkle his nose the moment Austin held the flower closer.
“Pchu!”
The sneeze was loud, sending the little mouse stumbling back. He shook himself, then immediately crossed his arms, face scrunched in deep Pikachu-offense.
Austin chuckled, hugging him. “Allergic to flowers now?”
“Chu!” Pikachu huffed, squirming out of his grip.
“Oh, I see how it is.” Austin raised an eyebrow. “I have to stay calm all the time, right? But you get to be all dramatic whenever you want?”
Pikachu narrowed his eyes, then gave the slowest, most deliberate nod, like a sage passing down ancient wisdom.
“Unbelievable.”
“Ka-chu.” Pikachu flicked his tail dismissively, as if the matter had been decided long ago.
Rolling his eyes, Austin tucked the flower behind Pikachu’s ear, ignoring the immediate offended Pikachu noises that followed. “Whatever, let’s go eat something before you overthrow me and declare yourself king.”
At that, Pikachu perked up instantly, all previous grievances forgotten.
He’d grab some food, send a message to Nurse Joy—then it was time to see if the investigator had finished his report.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Austin pushed open the glass door to Lowry & Lyle Investigations, stepping into a room that felt more like a high-end security firm than a back-alley detective’s office.
A faint trace of polished leather and fresh coffee lingered in the air, blending with the subtle musk of something more primal. That scent didn’t come from the office itself—it came from the massive Arcanine lying in the corner, its fur gleaming under the office lights.
Austin barely had time to take it all in before a deep voice cut through the quiet.
“Kid.”
Detective Lyle.
The man was leaned back in his chair, feet propped up on the desk, lazily flipping through a case file. He was clean-shaven today, his dark brown hair neatly combed back, but there was still something about him that screamed noir detective. Maybe it was the trench coat slung over the chair, or the calm, unshakable confidence in his sharp gray eyes.
Or maybe it was the fact that his Arcanine was watching Austin just as intently as Lyle was.
“Right on time,” Lyle said, flipping the folder shut and setting it aside. “That’s good. I like people who respect schedules.”
“Didn’t want to keep you waiting.”
Lyle chuckled, reaching for a cup of coffee. “Smart kid.” He took a sip before gesturing to the chair across from him. “Have a seat.”
Austin did. Pikachu, who had been happily riding on his shoulder, hopped onto the desk, carrying a club sandwich drenched in garlic ketchup.
“That’s an unholy amount of ketchup.”
Pikachu, utterly unbothered, took a dramatic bite, making an exaggerated mmm sound before licking the ketchup off his paws.
“He’s a connoisseur.”
“More like a menace.” Lyle exhaled, setting down his coffee before sliding a neatly arranged manila folder across the desk. “Anyway, here’s what you wanted.”
Austin picked it up, flipping through the precisely typed reports. Every page was crisp, every detail outlined clearly. No messy scribbles, no unnecessary fluff—just clean, hard facts.
Lyle leaned back again, watching him read. “Gotta say, kid, you’re a curious one. Not a lot of trainers your age would be running background checks on random people. You want to tell me why?”
Austin didn’t look up from the folder. “Just curiosity.”
Lyle didn’t react right away. Instead, he reached out and scratched behind Arcanine’s ear, the massive Pokémon letting out a deep, contented rumble.
“That so?” Lyle mused. His voice was unreadable, but there was something about the way he said it—like he was testing the weight of the words.
Austin stayed quiet.
“Curiosity’s a funny thing. Most people think it’s harmless, but it’s got a sharp edge. Information’s only valuable if you care about what it means.”
Austin stilled slightly at that.
“See, people don’t go looking unless they already have a reason. Even if they don’t realize it yet.” The man nodded toward the file. “So, tell me, kid. You care about what’s in there?”
“I care about what it tells me.”
Lyle chuckled. “Good answer.”
Arcanine let out a slow breath, shifting its massive paws as it eyed Pikachu’s sandwich like it was prey.
Pikachu, mid-bite, froze. His little arms tightened around his sandwich, eyes narrowing. “Chu…”
“Yeah, that’s not a fight you’re gonna win, buddy.”
Pikachu, undeterred, jabbed a paw at Arcanine and let out an indignant, “Pika-pi!” as if challenging the fire-type to a duel over his sandwich.
Arcanine didn’t so much as twitch. Instead, it yawned. Stretched its legs. Then, with the most condescending air possible, turned its head away as if Pikachu wasn’t worth its time.
“Congrats, you just got ignored.”
Pikachu let out a scandalized gasp, clutching his sandwich dramatically as if Arcanine had dishonored his entire existence.
“Gotta say, that’s the first time I’ve seen a Pikachu declare a blood feud over a sandwich.”
Austin sighed, tucking the folder into his bag. “Thanks for the report.”
Lyle nodded. “Pleasure doing business.” Then, as Austin stood to leave, Lyle added, “And kid—one more thing.”
Austin paused.
“Be careful with what you dig up. Information’s like fire—you don’t need much to start something bigger than you can control.”
Austin held his gaze for a moment before giving a small nod.
As he stepped outside, Pikachu shoved the last of his sandwich into his mouth, glaring at Arcanine like he had won some great battle.
Arcanine, without even looking, let out a low, rumbling chuckle.
Austin didn’t comment.
His mind was already elsewhere.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Austin flipped open the folder, scanning the neatly typed pages inside.
Each name on the list represented a pivotal moment in what should have been Ash Ketchum’s original journey.
• Melanie – The girl with the Bulbasaur.
• The Squirtle Squad – A gang of abandoned Squirtles that caused havoc before he met them.
• Damien – The trainer who abandoned Charmander in the rain.
The reason for the investigation? To see if his presence in this world had caused a Butterfly Effect.
Had his actions altered their fates? Were these moments fixed, destined to happen no matter what he did? Or had he unknowingly sent ripples through time, pushing the world into uncharted waters?
If it was fate, then his choices didn’t matter. If everything was meant to unfold a certain way, then no matter how much he planned or prepared, he was simply playing his role in something larger than himself.
But if it was chaos theory, if the timeline was truly malleable, then everything hinged on him. Every step he took had consequences. Every action, every deviation, could reshape the future.
That thought sat heavy in his mind.
Austin exhaled and turned to the first report.
Subject: Melanie
Full Name: Melanie Fairburn
Parents: Dr. Richard Fairburn & Dr. Eleanor Fairburn
Occupation: Field Conservationist – Pokémon Sanctuary Specialist
Current Location: Hidden Village Sanctuary, Route 5
Background Check:
Melanie is the only daughter of Dr. Richard and Dr. Eleanor Fairburn, two highly regarded conservation biologists working under Nature’s Haven Initiative, an NGO dedicated to the preservation of Pokémon habitats. The organization collaborates with major research institutions, including Professor Oak’s lab, Professor Ivy’s research center, and the Kanto Rangers Division.
Her parents specialize in rehabilitating wild Pokémon that have suffered from environmental disruptions, illegal poaching, or forced displacement due to industrial expansion. Because of their work, Melanie grew up in temporary wildlife sanctuaries across multiple regions, developing an extensive knowledge of Pokémon care from an early age.
In the present day, Melanie settled in Kanto’s Route 5 sector, establishing the Hidden Village Sanctuary, a self-sustaining Pokémon refuge. This location acts as a neutral ground for injured, abandoned, or displaced Pokémon. The sanctuary is well-hidden, camouflaged by the dense forestry of the area, and has remained relatively unknown to the general public—aside from rumors passed between travelers and wandering trainers.
Her work primarily involves:
Providing medical aid and temporary shelter for Pokémon in distress.
Collaborating with Pokémon Centers and independent breeders to rehabilitate abandoned Pokémon.
Preventing poachers and illegal capture attempts in protected areas.
Educating younger trainers about Pokémon welfare and responsible training ethics.
Current Operations & Status:
Sanctuary Condition: Fully operational.
Number of Pokémon in Residence: Estimated 30-40.
Notable Pokémon Residents:
Bulbasaur – Unusually strong territorial tendencies; acts as the sanctuary’s self-appointed guardian.
Oddish Colony – Protected due to habitat loss caused by recent deforestation efforts in the area.
Exeggutor – Previously injured in a trainer battle, now recovering in the sanctuary.
Notable Findings:
The report contained several photographs of the Hidden Village, showcasing makeshift wooden structures among the trees, a small natural spring, and Pokémon roaming freely.
And in one of those pictures—he saw it.
A Bulbasaur.
Not just any Bulbasaur.
Austin’s breath caught slightly as his eyes locked onto the camera glare. There it was—Ash’s Bulbasaur, standing at the entrance of the sanctuary, staring straight ahead with that same protective scowl.
Even through the photograph, its presence was undeniable.
So it was still there.
That meant he could still go and get it.
Austin tapped his fingers against the edge of the page, already formulating a plan.
For now, he turned to the next report.
Subject: The Squirtle Squad
Classification: Localized Pokémon Gang
Location: Purple Town.
Threat Level: Minimal (Classified as Public Nuisance rather than Criminal Entity)
Background Check:
The Squirtle Squad is a loosely organized group of wild Squirtles known for their playful yet disruptive behavior. While many assume they were abandoned by trainers, the true origin is more complicated.
Approximately four years ago, a shipment of Pokémon eggs intended for a Pokémon Breeding Facility in Saffron City was involved in a transport crash outside of Cerulean. Several eggs were lost during the wreckage, and by the time local authorities conducted a recovery mission, a significant portion had already hatched.
The resulting group of newborn Squirtles—left without handlers, trainers, or proper reintroduction into the wild—banded together for survival. They quickly became a well-known presence in the area, engaging in pranks, small-scale thefts, and general mischief.
Confirmed Incidents:
Blocking roads & harassing travelers (stealing hats, backpacks, and food).
Spraying water on pedestrians and causing minor chaos in local markets.
Vandalizing road signs and Purple Town’s Welcome Center.
Overwhelming the town’s Pokémon Center with false ‘injury’ claims for free food.
Local authorities have not deemed them a serious threat, classifying them instead as a recurring public nuisance.
Notable Pokémon:
Leader Squirtle: Unofficially recognized as the leader of the group. Notably larger than its counterparts and wears sunglasses.
Core Members: Five additional Squirtles, highly loyal to the leader.
Encounters with Trainers: None confirmed, though they have been known to follow trainers they find interesting.
Capture Probability: Low, unless directly challenged or approached with an offer of leadership.
Austin closed the reports on Melanie and the Squirtle Squad, leaning back slightly in his chair. Bulbasaur and Squirtle were safe. That was good. It meant things were stable—so far.
But none of this actually answered the question that had been gnawing at him since he first woke up in this world.
Was this fate? Or had he already changed things beyond recognition?
There were ways—a lot of ways—to interpret these reports.
On one hand, the fact that Bulbasaur and Squirtle were still in their original locations suggested that some things were set in stone, that no matter what he did, these key moments would still exist in some form.
But on the other hand, knowing their exact locations now meant he had already deviated from how things originally played out. He wouldn’t be wandering blindly into the Hidden Village, accidentally earning Bulbasaur’s trust by defending the sanctuary from Team rocket. He wouldn’t be stumbling into the Squirtle Squad’s antics and winning over their leader through sheer dumb luck.
This was deliberate. Planned.
That, in itself, was a change.
Austin held off on making judgments. It was too soon to tell. If the world was working on fixed points in time, then capturing them would play out the same way, regardless of his knowledge. But if this was chaos theory, then simply knowing their locations meant he had already altered things.
For now, there was only one report left.
And this was the one that mattered.
Austin flipped open the file on Damien.
Subject: Damien Calloway
Full Name: Damien Alexander Calloway
Parents:
Father: Victor Calloway – CEO of Calloway Global Enterprises, a multi-billion-dollar investment firm with interests in energy, Pokémon pharmaceuticals, and real estate development.
Mother: Helena Calloway (née Devereaux) – Retired film actress and former Johto Elite Beauty Contest winner.
Current Status: Active Trainer.
Background Check
Damien Calloway is the only son of one of Kanto’s wealthiest corporate families. His father’s empire spans across multiple industries, with high-profile business partnerships that include the Silph Co., Devon Corp., and various elite Pokémon research laboratories, including Professor Oak’s lab. His mother, Helena Devereaux, was once a celebrated actress before retiring from public life following a highly publicized divorce.
Investigations into Damien’s childhood upbringing have indicated severe neglect due to both parents being frequently absent. Household staff and former nannies reported that the boy exhibited violent tendencies from a young age, particularly towards weaker Pokémon, which he saw as expendable tools rather than companions.
At age nine, Damien was expelled from an elite Pokémon academy after multiple disciplinary issues, including unauthorized battles that resulted in severe injuries to Pokémon belonging to fellow students. Following this, his father pulled strings to secure a private mentorship with a retired Pokémon League official to train his battling skills.
Trainer Profile
Official League Registration:
Trainer ID: 04672-KL
Journey Start: Vermilion City, Kanto
Received Starter: Charmander (via Professor Oak’s Lab, arranged through private donation).
Primary Battle Strategy: Overwhelming force, brute strength, and exploitation of rare or high-level Pokémon rather than personal skill development.
Pokémon Team Overview (Verified through Battle Registry & Trainer Challenge Records)
Scizor – Purchased from a Johto-based breeder specializing in high-IV Bug-types.
Rhyhorn – Acquired from Silph Co. Subsidiary project on artificially enhanced battle growth.
Electabuzz – Gifted by his father as a ‘correction’ to his loss against Lt. Surge.
Tauros – Obtained illegally through an underground battle auction. (Investigation pending.)
Charmander – Least used Pokémon in rotation; often sent into disadvantageous battles against Water or Rock-types.
Charmander was originally registered to Damien at Professor Oak’s Lab, obtained through a large donation to the facility. While most Charmander given to trainers at the lab show a healthy developmental curve, this specific Pokémon has exhibited low recorded battle experience, frequent losses, and prolonged exposure to type disadvantages.
Notable Battle Footage & Records:
Repeatedly sent out against Water-type opponents without tactical planning.
Visibly exhausted in multiple gym recordings.
Does not display confidence in battles; reluctance noted in trainer command responses.
One particularly noteworthy discovery included a physical irregularity on Charmander’s back— a discolored marking that appears slightly darker than surrounding skin.
Medical Analysis Unavailable (Further investigation required to determine if the discoloration is due to an old injury, a burn scar, or an unknown genetic anomaly.)
Current Location & Activity:
Tracking indicates Damien is en route to Cerulean City.
Scheduled to participate in Misty Waterflower’s Cerulean Tournament.
Austin stared at the words.
And then, he laughed.
A deep, breathless laugh of sheer relief.
His shoulders sagged as he covered his face, the folder slipping from his hands. His chest ached, his breath caught, and before he knew it—
Tears slipped down his face.
Not from sadness. Not from frustration.
But because, for the first time since waking up in this world—he finally had proof.
There was no all-powerful, invisible force keeping the timeline in check.
No divine hand ensuring everything played out exactly as it should.
No scripted fate keeping him locked into Ash Ketchum’s original path.
Everything—every single event—had been nothing more than a series of dominoes.
Meeting Brock.
The Clefairy tribe.
Team Rocket’s repeated encounters.
Misty.
The Dragon Rage Magikarp.
Sird.
Green.
Vee’s entire existence.
None of it had been “destined” to happen.
It had all been reactions to his choices. His presence.
And that meant…
There was no safety net.
No invisible force ensuring he wouldn’t fail.
No guarantees that things would turn out for the better.
And that?
That terrified him.
His voice cracked as he muttered, “I—I’m scared.”
Pikachu, who had been napping in his cap, stirred at the sound of his voice. His ears twitched before he groggily crawled out, blinking up at Austin.
The moment Pikachu saw the tears, he immediately climbed up, hugging Austin’s face.
“Chu…” Pikachu whispered, nudging his cheek.
Austin let out a shaking breath, pressing his forehead against Pikachu’s fur.
The boy admitted it—to himself, to the Pokémon that had stuck by his side from the beginning.
“I’m scared, buddy,” Austin whispered.
Pikachu held on tighter, his tiny paws wiping at Austin’s face.
And slowly… slowly, Austin felt his breathing steady.
Because that was life.
Life was walking forward into the unknown.
There was no shame in being scared of the future.
All he could do—all he would do—was prepare.
Because this wasn’t some predictable anime timeline he could rely on.
This was his journey.
And he would decide what came next.
Comments
Muhammad Hasnain
Noted, I'll fix it after I upload today's chapter.
AnonymousJohn
Just a heads up mate, the formatting in this is absolutely fucked.
