Let's go Pikachu! Part 2

Wait... that is Red, right?

Red winced as I yanked his face. His usually stoic expression faltered, and he let out a rare but sharp, "Mia... stop."

I scoffed, not loosening my grip. "Oh, now you talk? That's convenient, 'Red.' What’s next? You’re gonna tell me you’re actually the real deal? Nice try, buddy, but I’m not buying it."

Blue groaned, still rubbing his arm where I'd socked him. "Kid, seriously, I know you're dense, but this is a whole new level. We’re the real deal!"

"Ha!" I barked. "You expect me to believe that after all those Team Rocket grunts with your exact voice and attitude? Sorry, not falling for it. You’re just better actors!"

Paulo and Tina exchanged uneasy glances. "Uh, Mia..." Paulo began, "What if they actually are Blue, Red, and Leaf?"

"No way." I shook my head firmly. "The real Blue wouldn't be dumb enough to walk into a villain ambush without knowing it. And the real Leaf wouldn't be that polite when I started throwing punches. As for Red... well, Red never talks, but that grunt just spoke! Case closed."

Red rubbed his face, muttering under his breath. "... you're insane."

"See?" I grinned triumphantly. "They're breaking character now. Red doesn’t talk like that!"

Tina tugged at my sleeve. "Mia, I hate to say it, but you're not making any sense. What if they're actually real? Maybe they were just confused at first—"

I narrowed my eyes. "Look, Tina, I know what I’m doing. I’ve watched enough of these Team Rocket impersonators to know they don’t just stop at voice copying. They go full-on face-swapping too!"

Blue threw his hands up. "Face-swapping?! What are you even talking about?! We’re not actors or some kind of impostors!"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, that’s exactly what a villain would say."

Paulo facepalmed. "I can’t believe I’m saying this, but maybe we need some kind of test? Like a way to prove if they're really who they say they are."

I crossed my arms. "Fine. One test. But they better pass with flying colors."

Blue groaned. "This is ridiculous. All right, kid, ask whatever dumb question you want so we can clear this up."

I grinned deviously. "Okay, Blue. What's my favorite food?"

Blue blinked. "Huh?"

"What's. My. Favorite. Food," I repeated slowly.

He scratched his head. "Uh... ramen?"

I glared at him. "Wrong."

Paulo and Tina looked at me in disbelief. "Wait, isn’t it ramen?" Paulo asked.

"Exactly," I hissed. "A fake Blue wouldn't get it right because they overthink things!"

Blue groaned. "Are you serious right now?!"

Leaf stepped forward, rubbing her arm. "Mia, look, I get that you're on edge, but maybe you’re just a little paranoid—"

Before she could finish, I lunged at her, grabbing her ponytail. "Let's see if this comes off!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Paulo shouted, pulling me back. "Mia, stop! We’re gonna get arrested for assault if you keep this up!"

Tina sighed. "At this point, I don't even know who’s more confused—us or these three."

Red, who had been silently enduring everything, finally spoke again, his voice low but firm. "... we're your friends. Believe it."

I froze for a moment. My grip on Leaf's ponytail loosened. Red's words echoed in my head, but my instincts were still screaming not to trust them.

"Nice try," I muttered. "But I’m not falling for it."

Blue threw his hands up. "You know what? Forget it. Just knock us out if it makes you happy!"

I cracked my knuckles. "Gladly."

Paulo and Tina sighed in unison. "This is gonna take all day."