Let's go Pikachu part three

Rocket Hideout - diff version

Blue groaned. "Mia, you always do this! You’re so stubborn—"

I raised a hand. "Nope. Not listening. Don’t care."

Red tilted his head, watching me with that unreadable expression of his. He opened his mouth—then closed it, deciding against whatever he was going to say.

Lillie stepped forward hesitantly. "But... what if it’s dangerous?"

"Then it’s dangerous." I shrugged. "Look, I just took down all those grunts, I have a full team, and I’m not about to let any of you get in the way. So just stay here."

Blue crossed his arms, glaring. "I hate when you pull the Champion card."

I smirked. "Then maybe you should’ve beaten me back when you had the chance."

Blue twitched. "Oh, you little—"

"Mia!" Lillie interrupted, looking genuinely concerned. "Please, don’t do this alone."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I’m not alone, Lillie. I have Pikachu, I have my team, and I’m going to end this." I turned, facing the path ahead. "I won’t let them keep doing this."

Paulo frowned. "Mia..."

I clenched my fists. "Team Rocket has done too much. They hurt people, they steal Pokémon, and they don’t care who they have to step on to get what they want. Someone has to stop them, and it might as well be me."

Red suddenly stepped forward.

I turned to him. "What? Gonna tell me not to go?"

"... … …" He shook his head.

I blinked. "Wait, really?"

Red reached out and adjusted my hat. Then, in the softest voice, he said, "Be careful."

I stiffened.

Lillie gasped.

Blue’s jaw dropped. "DID YOU JUST—DID YOU JUST SPEAK?!"

Red turned, walking away like nothing had happened.

Paulo stared. "I think I just saw history being made."

I swallowed, then turned back toward the path. "Alright. Time to finish this."

And with that, I ran ahead, Pikachu on my shoulder, ready to face whatever was waiting for me.

Back at the Pokemon Center, Blue sighed. " It's been an hour since we last heard from her."

Lillie gave him a sympathetic look. " It's only been ten minutes since we left her and came here."

" Feels like hours ." Blue groaned, collapsing on the couch.

Bellis sighed. " This isn't good. What if-"

Suddenly they heard a loud blast.

In the direction of the Rocket Hideout.

And where I was.

" MIA!" Lillie screamed as they ran out to see a human flying in the air, shielding a Pikachu and falling in the forest.

Red's eyes widened, and he took off running, Paulo, Blue, Bellis and Lillie following.

When they arrived at the crash sight, I was coughing while standing up. " Ugh... That wasn't very pleasant."

" Mia!" Lillie exclaimed, sighing in relief. " You're okay."

I grinned. " Yeah."

Then I gasped. " Oh no!"

I grabbed my bag and dug through it.

And I picked up a broken device.

I swallowed and walked to Professor Bellis. " Professor, I swear, I tried to-"

Bellis just grabbed and hugged me.

My eyes widened. " Wha-"

" Mia, I don't care about the device. I care about you." She said softly.

I blinked. " This wasn't how it was supposed to go."

Red blinked

Paulo raised a brow. " How was it supposed to go, then?"

" Well, I was supposed to be gone, and the device was supposed to be okay. Professor Bellis would be happy, and Red would regain his title of Champion. Blue would challenge him. Lillie and Paulo would marry and be happy. And you wouldn't remember me, because I know I'm a pain in the neck."

And before they could say anything, I added one last thing. " Besides. What's the point of living if the one who literally brought you up doesn't hug you anymore except out of reluctance?*

I turned to walk away,

but a hand grabbed my wrist.

I froze.

"... … …"

Red.

I didn't dare look at him. I couldn't. I was already too overwhelmed, too raw from everything. My chest ached, my body hurt, and I just wanted to disappear before they could tell me how wrong I was.

But he wouldn't let go.

"... … …"

I swallowed. "Let me go, Red."

He tightened his grip.

I clenched my fists. "Red. I said let go."

Still, nothing.

Then, before I could react, he pulled me toward him—and into his arms.

I stiffened. My breath caught.

Red was hugging me.

Not out of reluctance. Not because he had to.

Because he wanted to.

"... … …"

I felt his hand rest on the back of my head, holding me there. I was too stunned to move.

"You idiot," Blue muttered, but for once, he didn’t sound angry. "You serious right now?"

Lillie sniffled. "Mia… you really thought we'd just forget you?"

Paulo sighed. "You're a pain, yeah, but our pain."

Bellis chuckled softly. "You mean more than some old device, dear."

I bit my lip, my hands trembling. "... You don’t—"

Red hugged me tighter.

I squeezed my eyes shut. "But you—"

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"... … I do."

And that’s when I broke.

I buried my face in Red’s chest, my shoulders shaking as I finally let myself cry.

And this time, when I hugged him back, he didn’t pull away.