Kanto Region, Saffron City — Late Night
Red emergency lights flashed as alarms blared throughout Silph Co.'s headquarters.
"Quick! Everyone needs to evacuate now!"
A young Trainer rushed through the corridors, unlocking doors where Pokémon and researchers had been imprisoned. He ushered them toward the exits with urgent gestures.
After ensuring the last of them had escaped, the boy adjusted the red cap on his head and strode forward, his eyes burning with determination.
When he reached the door to the top-floor executive office, he didn't hesitate—he kicked it open with force.
Everyone inside whipped around to face the intruder.
The scene before him was exactly what he'd expected: a slightly overweight middle-aged man in an expensive suit stood surrounded by several figures dressed in black uniforms. The large letter "R" emblazoned on their chests was unmistakable.
"Team Rocket!" the boy spat.
"Where did this brat come from?" The lead grunt's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Looks like you're the one who's been causing all this trouble!"
"That's right!" The boy's voice rang out clearly. "I won't stand by while you torture Pokémon just to get your hands on the Master Ball!"
The leader waved dismissively at his subordinates. "Deal with him. Don't let this kid interfere with my business negotiations with Silph Co.'s president."
"Business negotiations?" The president's voice cracked with anger. "This is an occupation! You're holding us hostage!"
"Now, Mr. President—"
The Team Rocket leader's words were cut short by a scream from behind him.
He spun around to find several of his grunts sprawled on the floor, unconscious and smoking slightly. Standing in front of the boy was a small yellow figure—a Pikachu, electricity still crackling around its cheeks.
"You've really made me angry now." The leader's cold gaze swept over the boy, his expression darkening.
He turned back to the president. "I hope you'll reconsider being more cooperative, because I'm in a very bad mood right now."
Without another word, he hurled a Poké Ball. In a flash of light, a large, blue, bipedal Pokémon appeared—a powerful female Nidoran evolution with distinctive features.
"Nidoqueen!" the boy identified.
"Pika, return!" Recognizing the type disadvantage, the boy recalled his Pikachu and threw another Poké Ball.
White light burst forth, materializing into a massive blue-green reptilian Pokémon. The most striking feature was the enormous flower blooming from its back.
"Venusaur!"
"Venusaur, use Power Whip!" The boy pointed forward, commanding his Pokémon to attack.
"Counter with Poison Jab!"
Nidoqueen's claws glowed with toxic purple energy as she caught the whipping vines. The poison corroded them on contact, forcing Venusaur to retract.
"Energy Ball!"
The flower on Venusaur's back gathered natural energy, forming a sphere of concentrated green light that shot toward Nidoqueen.
"Ice Beam!"
Nidoqueen's horn glowed pale blue before releasing a freezing ray. The beam struck the Energy Ball mid-flight, detonating it in a burst of energy.
The explosion shattered the office windows. Cold wind from the high altitude rushed in, whipping through the room.
"Should I switch to Poliwrath?" The boy's hand moved to another Poké Ball at his belt, hesitating.
He knew Nidoqueen's dual Poison and Ground typing made her resistant to Venusaur's Grass-type attacks. He'd been avoiding using Poliwrath mainly because of the risk—in close combat, one wrong move could leave his Water/Fighting-type poisoned.
"Tsk. What a nuisance."
After just a few exchanges, the Team Rocket leader had already assessed his opponent. This wasn't some rookie Trainer.
"Nidoking, you're up too!"
Another Poké Ball flew through the air. A second Pokémon materialized—purple-bodied and nearly identical to Nidoqueen in build, but distinctly male.
"That's cheap! Two against one!" the boy protested.
"Hmph. This isn't an official Pokémon battle," the grunt sneered.
"Fine. Poliwrath, I need you to—"
CRASH!
Before the boy could release his second Pokémon, the ceiling exploded inward. A silvery-white Pokémon descended through the debris into the middle of the battlefield.
"Mind if I join this interesting battle?"
A smooth, confident voice called from above, drawing everyone's attention upward.
Through the hole in the ceiling, they could see a helicopter hovering overhead, its side door open. Standing at the threshold was a young man with distinctive silver-blue hair, dressed in a sharp black coat, his hands casually in his pockets.
To the pilot's horror, Steven simply stepped out into empty air.
But instead of plummeting, he descended smoothly, cushioned by his Metagross's Psychic power, landing gracefully beside the boy.
"Who are you?" the boy asked, studying the newcomer with curiosity.
"We can talk after this is over." Steven offered him a slight smile.
"Hey! How long are you two going to chat?" The Team Rocket leader's voice was sharp with warning. "This is Team Rocket business, kid. Stay out of it!"
Steven's response was immediate and simple.
"Metagross, Meteor Mash!"
The Steel/Psychic-type raised its massive arms and struck with devastating force—one fist connecting with Nidoking, the other with Nidoqueen.
WHAM!
Both Pokémon were sent flying backward several meters from just two punches.
Steven quickly assessed his opponents. The Nidoqueen and Nidoking were roughly at elite level—strong, but not extraordinary.
And yet this boy behind him, who couldn't have been on his journey for more than a year, was holding his own against opponents of this caliber.
Steven took in the details: the red Trainer's jacket, the red cap, that determined expression on a face he recognized from League records.
Could this be him? The future legend who would reach Champion-level strength in just one year? The one they would call the Battle Legend—Red?
"You little punk! Nidoking, Nidoqueen—both of you use Poison Jab!"
"Block them!"
The Poison-type attacks struck Metagross's metallic body. While the physical force pushed it back slightly, the poison itself had no effect whatsoever against the Steel-type.
"That's incredible..." Red breathed, watching Metagross easily fend off both opponents.
"Don't just stand there—it's your turn." Steven glanced back, prompting him to act.
Red snapped back to attention. "Right! Venusaur, Power Whip!"
Twin vines extended from Venusaur's flower, whipping past Metagross to strike both Nidoking and Nidoqueen with tremendous force.
The impact drove them back several meters, leaving them momentarily vulnerable.
Steven seized the opportunity. "Metagross, Bullet Punch!"
Metagross shot forward in a blur of silver, its fists moving faster than the eye could follow. It delivered a rapid barrage of steel-hard punches to both Pokémon.
The combined assault was too much. Nidoking and Nidoqueen were sent crashing into the wall with enough force to crack the concrete. Neither moved after that.
"Tie them up," Steven instructed calmly.
"Right!"
Red had Venusaur use Vine Whip to bind both the fallen Pokémon and their Trainer. Without his Pokémon to protect him, the Team Rocket grunt was helpless against Venusaur's powerful vines. Within moments, he and his accomplices were secured.
"Thank you both so much!" The Silph Co. president emerged from where he'd taken cover during the battle, rushing forward with gratitude written across his face.
"It's nothing." Red clenched his fist, his voice firm. "I can't stand Team Rocket and what they do to Pokémon!"
"You don't need to thank me," Steven added with a casual shrug. "I was just following orders."
That wasn't entirely true. He'd actually noticed the battle taking place on the top floor of Silph Co. from the air, and when he'd glimpsed Red through the shattered windows, his curiosity had gotten the better of him.
More importantly, though, he had a mission: retrieve the Master Ball and its blueprints before Team Rocket could escape with them.
"You're from Devon Corporation, aren't you?"
"Hm?" Steven raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "How did you know? I didn't think Devon had informed Silph Co. that they were sending someone."
"Because you look just like Joseph Stone!"
"Ah..."
Steven almost laughed. So that was it—his resemblance to his father had given him away.