Poké-Petty: How One Collector Served Cold Revenge in the Pokémon Card Line
If you’ve ever tried to snag the latest Pokémon cards, you know the scene: the anticipation, the camaraderie—or sometimes the cutthroat competition—of waiting in line for that fresh restock. But in this wild world of cardboard creatures and secret rares, sometimes things get… personal. Just ask Reddit user u/rupat3737, whose tale of Pokémon pettiness is as satisfying as pulling a holo Charizard from your very first pack.
Let’s set the stage: a new Pokémon set is dropping, excitement is high, and our hero is stuck working while the vendor stocks the shelves. With a simple request for a favor, a rival turns the moment into a public spectacle. But as karma would have it, fate gives our protagonist the perfect chance for revenge—and they take it with gusto.
The Anatomy of a Pokémon Line
For the uninitiated, Pokémon card launches have become a modern-day gold rush. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia, flipping for profit, or just want to see the sparkle of a brand new card, you’re bound to encounter a colorful cast of characters in these lines: the die-hard collectors, the casual fans, the parents on a mission, and—of course—the opportunists.
But sometimes, it’s not just about the cards. Sometimes, it’s about respect.
The Rude Rival Emerges
In our story, u/rupat3737 was simply trying to score some packs while on the clock. They offered the first-in-line guy a little incentive to grab something on their behalf—a totally reasonable ask in the trading card trenches. But instead of a polite decline, the response was a public, “NO! I’M NOT GRABBING ANYTHING FOR YOU!” right in front of a small crowd.
Was it necessary? Absolutely not. Was it embarrassing? Probably. Was it the kind of thing that sticks in your mind and festers until you get your chance at sweet, sweet payback? You bet.
Revenge, Served Four Times Over
Fast forward to a later restock, and our protagonist finds themselves first in line—with their nemesis now standing sheepishly at position two. Suddenly, the rude rival is apologetic, trying to mend bridges and hinting at a specific item he “just needs for his kid.” (Sure, buddy.) The implication is clear: he wants our hero to leave one for him.
But this isn’t just any collector—this is a collector with a memory long enough to remember a public snub. So when the vendor finally stocks the shelves and the coveted item appears—four boxes in total—our protagonist grabs all four. No sharing, no mercy, no apologies. The rude guy leaves empty-handed, and justice is served, Poké-style.
Petty or Perfectly Justified?
Is this the pettiest Pokémon tale ever told? Maybe not, but it’s certainly relatable. The Pokémon community, like any fandom, thrives on the unspoken rules of fairness and respect. When someone breaks that code—especially in a way that’s unnecessarily rude—they’re kind of asking for a dose of their own medicine.
What makes this story so satisfying isn’t just the revenge, but the poetic symmetry of it all. The guy who once denied a small favor in the harshest of ways now finds himself on the other side, pleading for mercy—and receiving none. Our narrator isn’t a scalper or a villain; just a collector who knows not to let bad manners go unchecked.
Lessons from the Line
There’s a moral here for all of us, whether you’re a Pokémon fan or just enjoy seeing a bit of well-earned comeuppance:
- Be kind, especially in niche communities where you’ll cross paths again.
- Don’t assume you can walk all over people—you never know when you’ll need their help.
- And, maybe most importantly, never underestimate just how petty a Pokémon fan can be when provoked.
Gotta Catch ‘Em All… Except Kindness?
The world of Pokémon collecting is wild, weird, and sometimes wonderfully petty. While most of us are just there for a good time and maybe a rare pull, stories like this remind us that what goes around really does come around—even if it’s in the form of four shiny boxes disappearing before your eyes.
Have you ever experienced pettiness in a fandom or hobby line? Got your own tales of revenge or redemption? Drop your stories in the comments below—let’s hear how you handled your own “Pokémon line” moment!
Gotta catch ‘em all—and maybe teach a lesson or two while you’re at it.
Original Reddit Post: Petty revenge in the Pokemon line