The Pewter Gym battle had ended hours ago, but the tension from it still lingered faintly in Red's mind. The Boulder Badge rested in his jacket pocket, its polished surface catching the light whenever he moved. It was the first official step in this new journey, but to him, it was far from the real goal.
Blue, as expected, hadn't linger. The moment Brock handed him his badge, Blue was gone—charging ahead as if the world itself would be ahead of him if he slowed down for even a breath.
That rivalry was always there, just behind Red's thoughts. Not a blinding obsession, but a steady hum. A reminder. This world's version of him might have been a rookie, but he wasn't that boy. He was a champion. He knew what was coming—and who would be standing in his way when it did.
Instead of leaving immediately, Red made a decision.
He would remain in Pewter for one more day. The wilderness between cities was vast and full of opportunities for training, but Pewter's surrounding routes offered something else: steady terrain, familiar landmarks, and enough space to push his Pokémon to the next level without distraction.
By mid-morning the next day, the outskirts of Pewter echoed with the sounds of battle. Charmeleon was at the center of it all, sparring against Red's other Pokémon with precise, controlled bursts of flame. Red's voice carried through the crisp air, giving sharp commands that kept each match intense but calculated.
Charmeleon's tail flame burned brighter than usual — not in size, but in heat. Every movement had an edge to it, every strike an extra surge of power. Then, without warning, it began to glow.
The light enveloped its entire body, shifting its shape, broadening its wings into existence, lengthening its neck and tail. When the glow broke apart, Charizard stood in its place, wings flexing for the first time. The rumble in its chest was deeper, stronger — almost eager to be tested.
Red took in the sight with calm satisfaction, though his mind noted more than just the evolution.
> Aerial capabilities, higher attack potential, and longer range on flames… this changes the pace of battles entirely.
Charizard tested a wingbeat, sending dust swirling, and then let out a roar that echoed over the trees. It had learned new moves during the transition — power it would soon get to use.
---
By dawn the next day, Red was ready to leave. His supplies were packed with methodical precision, and his Pokémon were fully healed. The path ahead curved away from Pewter, the horizon stretching toward new challenges.
It was a quiet walk at first — until the silence was broken by the faint sound of rushing water and something else… something heavier.
A short distance ahead, the path widened into a small riverside clearing. And in the center of it, a girl was fighting for her life.
Blood streaked down her left arm, staining her clothes, but her stance was still firm. Her orange hair clung in damp strands to the side of her face, her eyes locked on the towering form of a Gyarados thrashing in the shallows.
Red recognized her instantly. Misty — Cerulean City's Gym Leader. He had never met her in this world, but he knew who she was, what she was capable of, and the kind of Pokémon she commanded.
Right now, though, she had only one Pokémon left — a Staryu. It floated weakly in front of her, its jewel core dim. The Gyarados's maw opened, gathering power for another Hydro Pump.
Red moved without hesitation.
"Bulbasaur — go!"
Bulbasaur materialized in front of him, taking position between Misty and the incoming blast. The Hydro Pump hit head-on, water crashing like a solid wall, but Bulbasaur's footing barely shifted. Water-type attacks would never do much to a Grass-type.
"Vine Whip, rapid!"
Two vines lashed out, striking Gyarados across the face and forcing it to recoil slightly. Misty blinked, startled by his sudden appearance, but didn't speak — she was watching him work.
The battle became a flurry of precise commands. Razor Leaf sliced the air, hitting in controlled bursts. Leech Seed latched onto the serpent's scaled hide, vines digging in to sap strength. Each attack landed in quick rhythm, leaving Gyarados no time to build momentum.
Minutes later, the beast crashed into the ground with a shuddering thud. Red didn't waste time. A Poké Ball arced through the air, striking Gyarados and pulling it inside. The ball clicked shut once, then vanished instantly — transferred straight to Oak's lab.
Misty's breathing was uneven, both from exhaustion and from what she'd just seen. "You… didn't even hesitate."
Red didn't answer the observation, only watching the spot where the Poké Ball had vanished.
"That Gyarados… it's mine," she said after a moment, her voice tight. "It went berserk after being stolen a couple weeks ago by… an organization."
Red's eyes sharpened slightly. He already knew exactly who she meant.
"It must have escaped," she continued, "but… it's not the same anymore."
He didn't ask why she was here instead of at her gym. He didn't ask how she'd tracked it this far. He just listened, his face unreadable, even as the mention of Team Rocket stirred a cold anger under the surface.
"Do you know where they are?" he asked finally.
Misty shook her head.
Red's tone stayed even, but his eyes didn't soften. "Let's go."
---
They reached the nearest Pokémon Center shortly after, its front doors intact this time. Red handed over his team for healing, making two swaps at the storage terminal — Pikachu for Mankey, and Spearow for the Gyarados he had just captured. The latter was returned to Misty without a word.
When they called Professor Oak, Red relayed the encounter in direct, clipped sentences. Oak's expression darkened at the mention of Team Rocket.
"There's something you should know," the professor said. "Rumors about Mount Moon… a Moon Stone powerful enough to enormously boost a Pokémon's strength. If Rocket's in the area, they might be after it."
Red ended the call and turned to Pikachu's Poké Ball.
Red sat at a corner table of the Pokémon Center, away from the soft chatter of other trainers. Pikachu's Poké Ball rested in front of him. His fingers drummed lightly against it.
He hadn't called Pikachu out since capturing it two days ago because in Pewter City the Pokémon Center was under repair, and Pikachu's Poké Ball had been stored at Professor Oak's lab.
He pressed the button and let the ball open.
A flash of white light spilled onto the table, forming into a small yellow shape. Pikachu landed with its arms crossed, cheeks faintly sparking. Its black eyes narrowed the instant they met his.
Red stayed still, his gaze calm. "Pikachu."
The Pokémon tilted its head slightly but didn't answer.
"I'm going to say this once," he said evenly. "I didn't capture you just to fill a slot on my team. I caught you because I saw what you can do. You're strong. And I don't waste strength."
Pikachu's ears twitched back, tail flicking once, as if unimpressed.
Red leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "You don't trust me yet. That's fine. I'm not asking you to like me. I'm asking you to give me a chance to prove that fighting by my side is worth it."
Pikachu's gaze stayed fixed, but the sparks dimmed.
"I battle to win — but not at the cost of my Pokémon. Every command I give will be for victory, and every victory will be ours, not mine alone. You give me your power, and I'll make sure it's used to its fullest. No cages. No abuse. Just battles where we walk away stronger."
Pikachu's tail stopped flicking.
Red waited, saying nothing more, letting the silence draw out. Finally, Pikachu hopped down from the table and landed beside him. It didn't smile or relax — but it didn't turn away either.
"That's enough for now," Red said quietly, recalling it back into its Poké Ball. "We'll see how you do"
From her seat nearby, Misty crossed her arms. "You make all your Pokémon agree to work with you like it's a business deal?"
Red glanced at her briefly. "It's not a deal. It's respect."
---
By late afternoon, they stood at the base of Mount Moon. The cave mouth yawned like a dark maw, and outside, Rocket members moved in loose patrols.
They didn't charge in. Red signaled for silence, and they slipped through a narrow side passage. Inside, the darkness was immediate, but Pikachu's Flash lit the way in a pale yellow glow.
The tunnel wound deep before opening into a wider stretch. That's when they saw them — the Rocket group they'd been following.
And this was where the first real clash began.
Poké Balls hit the ground. A Rhyhorn emerged, its horn scraping the stone floor as it snorted, the sound echoing through the cavern like a warning. The air seemed to tighten with the Pokémon's sheer presence.
Red didn't even glance at Misty.
"Bulbasaur."
A flash of light, and his partner materialized, eyes narrowing the instant it saw its opponent.
"Charge it!" the Rocket grunt barked.
Rhyhorn bellowed and thundered forward, hooves shaking the stone. Red's voice was calm, clipped. "Vine Whip, to the side."
Bulbasaur leapt sideways, vines snapping out and lashing across Rhyhorn's front leg. The rock-type roared, stumbling briefly, but it swung its head in retaliation, the massive horn just grazing the cavern wall and sending chips of stone flying.
"Don't trade blows — keep moving," Red ordered. Bulbasaur circled, every step measured. The vines lashed again, striking the back joints this time.
The Rocket trainer's smirk faltered. "Stomp it!"
Rhyhorn reared up, casting a shadow over Bulbasaur — but Red's voice cut through the noise instantly.
"Leech Seed."
A burst of green shot from Bulbasaur's bulb, striking Rhyhorn's chest. The seed cracked, vines spreading in seconds, draining its energy with every movement.
Rhyhorn growled, trying to shake them off, but Red didn't let up.
"Tighten the bind — now Razor Leaf!"
The vines constricted, forcing Rhyhorn to stumble as a flurry of sharp-edged leaves struck its rocky hide, chipping away at its armor.
Misty glanced at Red, astonished at how his eyes never once left the battle. He was reading Rhyhorn's movements like he'd already fought this battle in his head.
"Break free!" the Rocket grunt yelled in frustration.
Rhyhorn forced a desperate lunge, closing the gap — its horn just inches from Bulbasaur — but Red was already a step ahead.
"Sleep Powder."
A soft green cloud burst from Bulbasaur's bulb, enveloping Rhyhorn's head before it could react. The rock-type slowed, blinked heavily, and its legs gave way, hitting the cavern floor with a dull crash.
The Rocket grunt's knuckles whitened around his Poké Ball. His confidence cracked completely.
Red's tone was like cold steel. "Finish it."
Bulbasaur's vines snapped out one final time, pinning Rhyhorn flat before it could recover. The battle had lasted barely over a minute, but it had been one-sided from the moment Red gave his first order.
And then the Rocket leader stepped forward, pulling something from his coat — a syringe filled with strange, glowing liquid.
---
The Rocket leader's smirk widened as he held the syringe up to the light. The liquid inside shimmered unnaturally, pulsing faintly as though alive.
"You think you've already won, kid?" he taunted. "Let's see how you handle this."
Before Red could act, the leader stepped forward and drove the syringe into Rhyhorn's thick hide. The Pokémon roared in shock, its body shuddering violently as the strange fluid coursed through it.
A harsh white light erupted, brighter than any natural evolution. Rhyhorn's shape distorted and expanded, plates of armor thickening, its horn twisting to a lethal point. When the light faded, Rhydon stood in its place — massive, towering, and radiating unnatural aggression.
Misty instinctively reached for her own Poké Ball. "We'll have to—"
She froze when Red's eyes snapped to her. His expression didn't change, but his stare was sharp enough to cut through her resolve. It was a silent command: Don't interfere. This is my battle.
Misty stepped back, her grip loosening.
"Bulbasaur — battle stance."
The newly evolved Rhydon wasted no time. Its horn began to spin, the sound of grinding stone echoing through the cavern. It charged, every step shaking the ground.
"Vine Whip. Anchor!"
Bulbasaur's vines shot out, wrapping around a rock formation to hold its ground as Rhydon's bulk slammed forward. The vines then snapped to the side, twisting the attack just enough to send Rhydon crashing into the wall instead.
Red's commands came in precise bursts, never wasted, each one exploiting a gap in Rhydon's movements. Razor Leaf flurries struck at the joints of its armor, Leech Seed dug into the cracks between plates, and quick sidesteps kept Bulbasaur out of range of devastating Rock Blasts.
The fight wasn't fast — it was controlled. Red wasn't rushing for a knockout; he was systematically dismantling his opponent's stamina.
From the sidelines, Misty's eyes stayed fixed on him. She had fought countless trainers, seen countless strategies, but never had she seen someone fight with such cold precision — never a wasted breath, never a command out of sync.
Minutes passed. Rhydon's swings grew slower, its breath heavier. The Rockets shifted uneasily.
"This isn't… possible," one muttered.
The leader's smirk faltered. "End it! Rock Slide!"
Rhydon slammed the ground, dislodging slabs of stone from the cavern ceiling. They crashed down toward Bulbasaur, but Red's response was immediate.
"Leap. Vine Whip — cut path!"
Bulbasaur vaulted over the first wave of debris, slashing through smaller falling rocks with its vines. But the Rockets weren't aiming for just a knockout.
"Now! Bring it down!"
More of their Pokémon joined in, launching attacks into the walls and ceiling. The rumble grew into a roar — and then the cavern floor between the two sides collapsed in a violent cave-in.
Dust swallowed everything. When it cleared, a massive wall of stone separated Red and Misty from the Rocket squad.
For the first time, Red's voice rose in volume.
"Return, Bulbasaur!"
He immediately sent out Charizard. The fire-type spread its wings, tail flame casting a deep glow over the dust.
"Break it."
Charizard drew back a claw and struck. The blow shattered through the thickest boulder in a single impact, chunks of stone flying across the cavern.
But the space beyond was empty. The Rockets were gone.
Red's gaze lingered on the path they had taken. His jaw tightened just enough to betray his frustration.
When they finally emerged back into the daylight outside the cave, Misty's expression had shifted. She looked toward the horizon where the Rockets had fled, then down at her own empty hands.
"We… didn't get the Moon Stone," she said quietly.
Red didn't answer at first. Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a smooth, faintly glowing stone. The light from it pulsed gently against his palm.
Her eyes widened.
"We didn't fail completely," he said simply.
Misty's lips curved just slightly into the first smile since they'd met.
---