"Roar—"
The red Gyarados opened its massive jaws and fired a Hydro Pump, dispersing the incoming waves.
After spending the night on the deserted island, Red and Leaf decided early the next morning to leave for a city inhabited by humans. Now riding atop the red Gyarados and following the route previously scouted by Pidgeotto, they headed toward a vacation city perfect for relaxation.
White sandy beaches, blue oceans, fresh air, and beautiful women in swimsuits—this was Acapulco.
The red Gyarados carried the two of them onto the beach, but their eye-catching entrance immediately caused unnecessary trouble. Just the identity of the Gyarados species alone was enough to make vacationers tremble in fear. After all, it was a notoriously vicious Pokémon.
Rumor had it that a certain town once angered a group of Gyarados and was completely destroyed overnight, leaving not even a trace behind.
Of course, that was merely an urban legend. To this day, the League had never located the town that was supposedly destroyed by Gyarados.
"As expected, we caused trouble again~" Leaf said helplessly.
Seeing the situation, Red recalled the red Gyarados. His eyes glowed blue as he grabbed Leaf and vanished instantly from the spot, causing the still-frightened onlookers to mistakenly believe a Ghost-type Pokémon was playing a prank.
...
A short while later
After changing into their swimsuits, the two returned to the beach. The earlier commotion caused by the red Gyarados had already been overshadowed by the rumor of a Ghost-type Pokémon prank. Fortunately, no one had been bold enough to record what happened.
Red wore dark swim trunks with a crimson outer shirt draped over his shoulders, his red cap still firmly on his head. Leaf wore a white swimsuit, covered with a light blue translucent top and short skirt, keeping her figure from being overly exposed.
"Isn't that Red? So the rumor about a red Gyarados is true! I knew it was you. I didn't expect you'd have the leisure to come to Acapulco for a vacation!"
A familiar voice came from behind. Red turned around and saw Professor Oak greeting him, with Delia by his side.
"Red, my child!" Delia hugged him tightly. "During your travels, have you been sleeping well? Are you eating properly? Has the journey been hard…"
Delia had far too many things she wanted to say. Red quietly leaned against her shoulder, listening to her "nagging." Though they often kept in touch through video calls, it still wasn't the same as meeting face to face.
Through their conversation, Red learned why they were in Acapulco. A few days ago, Delia had received an invitation for a community appreciation trip and happened to run into Professor Oak. Wanting a relaxing vacation himself, Professor Oak had come along with Delia to Acapulco.
"I see." Red nodded. His father, who had been away from home for many years, seemed to have an unusual relationship with Professor Oak, which was why Professor Oak often showed concern for their family.
"Professor Oak, Aunt Delia, hello!" Leaf said shyly, not expecting to run into Red's family here.
"So it's Leaf. You're welcome to visit our home after your journey ends," Delia said warmly, secretly observing the way Leaf looked at Red, seemingly guessing something.
"Red, long time no see! I didn't expect to run into you here!" Gary appeared out of nowhere, greeting Red before glancing at Leaf in surprise. "Are you two traveling together?"
"No, no!" Leaf blushed instantly and hurriedly denied it.
"Not exactly. We ran into an accident earlier, so we're temporarily staying together," Red explained.
"That's right! I'm going to defeat Red at the Indigo Plateau Conference. Traveling alongside him would weaken my resolve!" Leaf said firmly. She hadn't forgotten her promise to Red.
"Then count me in too. I've been wanting a rematch with Red for a long time!" Gary locked eyes with Red for several seconds, his gaze burning with intensity. "Red, you haven't forgotten the trainer's handbook, have you?"
"How could I forget?" Red adjusted his cap. "Once Pokémon trainers lock eyes, a battle is inevitable."
"Exactly! Give me a few minutes—I'll go grab my Poké Balls right now!" Gary hadn't expected Red to agree so readily. Excited beyond measure, he turned and ran off to retrieve them.
"That child is still so impatient…" Professor Oak smiled. Gary might act arrogant toward others, but when facing Red in battle, he always became particularly impulsive—almost exactly like Ash.
"Red, how did you get to Acapulco? I heard that the S.S. Anne in Vermilion City sank into the sea a few days ago due to an attack by Team Rocket. The police even reported several trainers missing!" Professor Oak asked in confusion.
"Strictly speaking, Leaf and I are both on that missing persons list," Red explained.
"Professor Oak, don't be fooled by the news!" Leaf said angrily. "The S.S. Anne party was actually organized behind the scenes by Team Rocket. To steal trainers' Pokémon, they used every possible method to distribute party invitations, all to easily rob the trainers aboard!"
"I see. I didn't expect Team Rocket's influence to have infiltrated to this extent!" Professor Oak said unhappily. He hadn't realized the organizer itself was Team Rocket—no wonder they could so easily arrange so many members disguised aboard the S.S. Anne.
"Luckily we ran into Red, or Team Rocket's evil plan would have succeeded!"
"Actually…" Leaf continued, "the main credit for defeating Team Rocket goes to Ash!"
"Oh?! That impulsive Ash?" Professor Oak said in surprise, learning from Leaf how Ash had led the trainers to defeat Team Rocket.
"The journey is so dangerous. You two brothers have really worked hard!" Delia said heartbrokenly. More than praising Red and Ash's strength, she felt pain over the hardships they endured along the way—something no mother wanted to see.
"Don't worry, Mom. Ash and I are both doing well. He's met trustworthy companions too. These are things we have to go through to grow."
...
A short while later, Gary returned with three Poké Balls and his swimsuit-clad cheerleading squad.
"Gary, Gary is the best! Gary, Gary is the greatest!"
Their appearance instantly attracted the attention of most of the crowd—and that was exactly the scene Gary wanted.
"Red, I can't reveal my full strength yet. Let's start with a 3-on-3 battle!" Gary explained. "Under everyone's watchful eyes, I'll defeat you!"
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it." Red nodded, accepting Gary's request.
"Pidgeotto!"
"Wartortle, I'm counting on you!"
Two flashes of white light faded. The golden Pidgeotto shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, dazzling the entire beach and instantly capturing everyone's attention. No one could take their eyes off its radiant golden glow.
"A shiny Pidgeotto—just as expected of you, Red!" Gary said seriously. With a quick glance, he noticed that Pidgeotto's size was nearly comparable to an evolved Pidgeot.
"Ka-mi!" Wartortle snapped out of its daze, recognizing that the trainer before it was the very one whose Charmander had defeated it back in Pallet Town. The realization further ignited Wartortle's competitive spirit.
"Good! That's my Wartortle! We'll use this momentum to defeat Red!" Gary encouraged.
And thus, the battle began.