Premortem

At a bike shop in Cerulean South, Red, Blue, and Leaf meet thirteen-year-old Aiko Sakai, who uses analytical reasoning to pick an affordable mountain bike. Impressed, they buy similar gear. Aiko reveals she has been training in secret for years because her overprotective father forbade her from becoming a trainer after her mother died in a pokemon attack. She accepts their invitation to travel together.

As they ride south, they spot a combee hive with several pineco nearby. Rather than rushing in, Red suggests a "premortem"—imagining the plan has already failed to identify potential flaws. They refine their strategy, using frozen honey tied to Blue's pidgeotto to bait the swarm away. The plan works perfectly, allowing them to safely catch six [pineco].

They make camp for the night. Red practices his psychic abilities, sensing Aiko and Leaf’s minds, but struggles to lift a rock. Suddenly, they are interrupted by the arrival of Professor Oak, Daisy, and Laura Verres on a pidgeot and a swellow.