The gray Tauros paced, its heavy hooves scuffing the earth. An internal war raged within him—on one side, the burning desire to grow stronger; on the other, the heavy mantle of responsibility to his herd.
Red remained perfectly still, a silent observer. He saw the turmoil in the proud Pokémon's eyes and simply waited, bringing two fingers to his lips in a subtle gesture, commanding his own team to remain quiet and not disturb the momentous decision unfolding before them.
At that very moment, miles away in the warden's office, that same quiet was being shattered.
A compact gas grenade arced through an open window, landing silently on the wooden floor. It hissed, releasing a colorless, odorless vapor that quickly filled the room.
Kaiser, who had been lost in memory while looking at the old photograph of him and Dratini, heard the soft thud. He instinctively reached for the weapons at his waist, ready to teach the intruder a lesson, but a wave of profound weakness washed over him. His body refused to obey, his eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and the world began to fade into a drowsy haze.
"Who… who are you…?" Kaiser managed to slur, his voice a faint whisper, before he collapsed.
The door burst open, and a squad of more than ten figures clad in black uniforms, each emblazoned with a stark red 'R', stormed the office.
The man leading them, clearly in command, stepped over to the fallen photograph. He picked it up, a confident, cruel smile playing on his lips as he studied the image of Kaiser and the young Dratini.
"So the rumors were true," the man mused, his voice laced with triumph. "I never thought we'd find a Dratini in a backwater place like this. Evidence always trumps hearsay."
"Captain Kessler, all equipment for the capture operation is ready," one of the grunts reported.
Kessler nodded, tapping a device on the back of his left hand. A holographic map of the Safari Zone shimmered into existence, and he decisively marked a location in brilliant red: Dragon Valley. There was no doubt in his mind.
"Our destination," Kessler commanded, his eyes gleaming with avarice. "Dragon Valley. Move out."
Back at the clearing, the Tauros herd that had previously fled had returned. This time, their eyes held no fear. Instead, they were filled with encouragement as they looked upon their gray-furred leader. They understood. If their leader could achieve greater heights under this human's guidance, they would not hold him back.
'Go, leader,' one of the elders seemed to project. 'Don't you want to become stronger?'
'We have seen you gazing at the stars at night, filled with sorrow,' another added. 'This is not the life you truly want.'
'If our herd falls into decline because you leave, it only proves we were too reliant on you,' a third declared with surprising resolve. 'It is time for us to find our own strength, to find a new home on our own!'
The sentiment was unanimous. They were freeing him from his burden.
"Your herd respects you," Red said, his voice calm and steady as he extended his hand. "They want you to be free. Come with me, Tauros. I need your strength."
After a final, soul-searching moment, the gray Tauros made its decision. With a determined snort, it nudged the Safari Ball on the ground with its horn, willingly allowing itself to be captured.
Red and his five Pokémon watched as the ball sealed shut without a single shake. A soft ding confirmed the perfect capture.
A moment later, the Safari Ball vibrated, and the gray Tauros reappeared. It shared a look of understanding with Red before turning and running toward its herd for one final farewell.
To ensure the herd's future, the strongest of the remaining Tauros were already clashing, their horns locking as they battled to determine who was worthy of becoming the new leader.
Seeing this, a look of relief washed over the gray Tauros. He returned to Red's side and gently rubbed his cheek against Red's hand, a silent oath of allegiance.
Ding! Successfully added Sheer Force ability to Tauros!
Pokémon: Tauros (Shiny: Gray)
Type: Normal
First Ability: Anger Point
Second Ability: Sheer Force
Known Moves: Horn Attack, Zen Headbutt, Take Down, Thrash, Stone Edge, Iron Tail…
Personality: Energetic and hot-tempered, possesses excellent leadership skills.
Biography: A Shiny Tauros born in the Safari Zone, he was ostracized by his herd from a young age. Through his powerful strength and intelligent mind, he repeatedly helped his family acquire new territory, gradually gaining their recognition and becoming their leader. He often yearned to become stronger, unwilling to be confined, and would sometimes stare blankly at the starry sky.
"Come back for now, Tauros," Red said, recalling the Pokémon into its Safari Ball. He turned his gaze toward the warden's office. He had intended to visit Kaiser and perhaps let his own Dratini meet the one in Dragon Valley, but as he approached, a sense of unease settled over him.
It was too quiet.
A faint, chemical scent hung in the air, a scent that made Red's brow furrow. Something was wrong.
Without hesitation, Red used Teleport, his Psychic energy shielding him from the residual gas as he appeared inside the office. A quick scan of the room revealed no enemies, only the unconscious form of Kaiser slumped in his chair. Red quickly went to his side.
"Mr. Kaiser, wake up!"
Red's hand touched the still-warm chair. His eyes fell to the shattered photo frame on the floor. The target was obvious. Dragon Valley. Dratini.
"Dragon… Valley… Dratini!" Kaiser mumbled, roused by Red's presence. He weakly pointed in the direction of the valley, his eyes wide with panic. He urged Red to go, terrified that Team Rocket would capture Dragonair and its child.
"Don't worry, Mr. Kaiser. They will be fine," Red assured him with unwavering confidence. Just then, the nearby transfer machine whirred to life. The Poké Ball containing his own Dratini materialized in the receiving slot. Before coming here, Red had already contacted Professor Oak, requesting the transfer.
Dragon Valley…
The pristine lake, surrounded by silvery rock formations, was a picture of serenity. But that beauty was now being desecrated by the intrusion of Team Rocket.
Kessler's team operated with cold, technological efficiency. Within minutes, they had set up a perimeter of strange devices around the lake, all aimed at the water.
"Let's see where our little prize is hiding," Kessler said, taking a pair of thermal imaging goggles from a subordinate. He scanned the depths of the lake, his lip curling in a sneer. "A lot of small fry down there."
If not for the risk of startling his primary targets, he would have simply ordered his men to drop explosives into the water and blast everything out.
"Oh?" His sneer morphed into an excited grin. "It seems we have an unexpected bonus."
The goggles had not only located Dratini but also its evolved form, Dragonair.
"Good things come in pairs," Kessler chuckled darkly, his eyes cold. "Set up the supersonic disruptors. Now!"
"Understood!"
His grunts moved quickly, planting four devices around the lake and plunging them into the water. Instantly, the machines emitted a high-frequency pulse, an invisible wave of sonic energy that threw the underwater ecosystem into chaos. The Pokémon below, seized by a painful state of Confusion, began attacking each other indiscriminately.
"Once the cannon fodder clears itself out, Dragonair and Dratini will be ours for the taking," Kessler declared. He threw two Poké Balls, and a massive Rhydon and a fiery Magmar appeared at his side, awaiting their master's command.
Soon, the surface of the lake began to roil as wounded Pokémon floated to the top, their bodies battered and their eyes glazed with confusion and pain.
"What a tragically beautiful sight," Kessler mocked. "And now, the true master of this lake won't be able to resist making an appearance."
As if on cue, the water erupted. A furious Dragonair shot from the depths, hovering in the air before Team Rocket. Its serpentine body coiled with rage, and its eyes burned with hatred as it glared down at the smirking man who had brought ruin to its home.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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