Evolution Explosion
Staravia soared high in the sky on the route to Vermillion City. Only a few hours away a ferry would take Forrest and Rod away from the increasing dangers of the Kanto region to start fresh in Hoenn. Rod gazed up at the perfect blue sky and at his newly evolved Pokemon smiling.
"It's great Staravia finally evolved, its Aerial Ace will be perfect now!" He exclaimed to Forrest who was reading a tour guide of the Hoenn region.
"It's great, its balance will be much better and have the chance to learn more moves and attacks." Forrest replied, his head still buried in the book. "Looks like Littleroot Town Harbour is where the boat leads to. Home to Professor Birch's laboratory."
"Professor Birch, hopefully he'll give us a hand."
"Of course, he's where all new trainers begin the journeys in Hoenn. You'll see a lot of rare Pokemon there compared to here in Kanto. Even your Staravia is incredibly rare to have here."
They both turned a corner as they set along the beaten path across to the bridge that opened to the gorgeous sparkling ocean. Vermillion City had become a tourist attraction in the recent years, with an injection of money leading to new beaches and a revamped light industry section. Wingull and Spearow were perched high on the Vermillion Bridge. The last obstacle to the harbour.
A trainer approached them at the start of the bridge. He wore a cap and had sunglasses on in the heat of the day. He smiled and waved politely. Rod and Forrest waved back, and they both met at the centre of the bridge. The trainer spoke.
"My names Roger, and I challenge you to a battle trainers. Who wants to go? Two on two!" He was very excitable about it, and very confident.
Forrest spoke first: "Rod give it a go, this is a good warm up before the Hoenn region."
Rod nodded and agreed to the terms. He had a battle earlier that day in the Pokemon Centre back at Cerulean City, and he knew Spinarak was feeling good today. They lost that last match so his Pokemon would want to win this one. Staravia landed on the bridge and greeted the Wingull as they watched the battle unfold. The trainers took ten steps back with Forrest agreeing to referee the two on two battle. It began.
"Sentret let's go!" Rod called out releasing the Furret Pokemon.
"A Sentret eh? Well lets go Machop!" Roger called out confidently, a fighting type would have no problem with a normal type like Sentret.
Rod pulled out his Pokedex: "Machop, the Superpower Pokemon. Machop's muscles will never tire or cramp no matter how long it trains." This would be tough. A battle against a Pokemon that doesn't tire, Rod and Sentret braced themselves and the first attacks were called.
…
"They're going to Unova, Giovanni" said Blaine. "They are looking for someone as the spies tell me, a former Team Rocket member?"
"I don't know any in the Unova region." Giovanni replied as they got off the plane at the Indigo Plateau in Kanto. "Go to Unova, it's a distance but I trust you. Intercept their transport, find out what is going on. And do not cause any problems, the last thing we need is Unova's Government finding out about a Team Rocket member there as well."
Blaine nodded and made a quick phone call. The money and expertise of Team Rocket had corrupted him but he had no idea, he and the other former Kanto Gym Leaders all stood beside the plane. They were to travel to Unova next, a faraway region. Blood would be shed over there no doubt, but the financial benefits and the good for Kanto in the future was mind blowing. There was no more doubt in the Gym Leaders as they prepared for their next flight. They were in a trance like state, and whatever they were told seemed correct and just. Project D was firmly underway.
…
"Low Kick followed by Karate Chop go!" Roger didn't hold back as he continued to rain down attacks on Sentret.
"Sentret, Defense Curl!" Rod replied hurriedly, Sentret needed more defense especially against such strong moves. The Furret Pokemon cried out as Machop made contact again but curled up wrapping its tail around its head protecting.
"Use Low Kick again!"
"Sentret, jump and use Swift." Sentret dived upwards avoiding the oncoming Machop and released Swift that made explosive contact on its back. Rod realised Roger's style was very physical, and so keeping distance would make his attacks ineffective. Sentret hung in the air as it opened its body up and allowed the breeze to carry it slowly down to a Machop struggling to get up.
"Machop end this now with Karate Chop." The Superpower Pokemon jumped up and aimed its hand again, this was faster than Sentret had anticipated and contact was made.
Rod called out as Sentret went head first into the hard ground of the Vermillion Bridge. Roger laughed aloud and commented on his Machop's strength again and the poor type match up Rod had. The smoke was clearing when a large glow appeared within the smoke, Sentret was glowing bright white.
"Another evolution!" Rod exclaimed and Forrest cheered happily as Furret released itself from the lights surrounding its body. It was much larger and its tail extended further out. Furret cried out for its first time and glared at the bewildered Machop and trainer Roger.
"Low Kick, get it quickly!"
"Furret use Slam." Furret dived to the side of a flailing Machop and turned its body using its tail to make contact. The impact was large and Machop was sent spiralling to the side of the bridge to be caught by the netting. Roger looked shocked and returned his Machop cursing out loud at Rod's luck.
"No way, you are lucky. This next Pokemon will make you pay!" He was still confident as he took out his second Pokemon.
"Furret awesome job, return!" Rod couldn't hide his happiness at another evolution, and confidence was welling up inside of him. "Go Spinarak!"
The Spider Pokemon released itself from its Pokeball and faced Roger, who called: "Go Grimer!"
The purple Sludge Pokemon appeared with poisonous gases appearing above its body. It was plain disgusting, but still a strong opponent. Roger called the first attack.
"Use Sludge Bomb!"
"Spinarak, Confusion!" The Spider Pokemon jumped in the air and glowed a tint of blue. The sludge released from Grimer's mouth stood still and slowly was sent flying back towards it making direct explosive contact. It was a super-effective move to use on a Poison type.
"Gahh, this can't be!" Roger's face grew more contorted. "Grimer use Venoshock and don't miss!"
"Spinarak use Scary Face!" Rod knew his Pokemon's move pool wasn't very large, until it evolved into Ariados it would lack a lot of size especially against tough and physical Pokemon. Spinarak shot a web high onto the bridge and turned upside down revealing the face on its back. Grimer was taken aback and the Venoshock did not establish. "Now finish it off with Poison Sting!"
With Roger's mouth wide open in shock. Spinarak dived down from its web firing pink sharp stings down at a vulnerable Grimer who hadn't made a single move hit yet. It cried out upon contact and was left settled on the ground fainted and unable to battle.
Vermillion City was quiet as the evening road in slowly. The ferry was booked for tomorrow morning, and Roger decided to show Forrest and Rod to the Pokemon Centre before he departed back to Cerulean City to train further.
"That was a good battle Rod. Your Pokemon look set for the Hoenn region already, you just need to catch a few more different types." Forrest exclaimed as they sat outside the harbour looking at the vast Kanto Ocean ahead of them. A family of Krabby and Kingler sat sleeping on the cold sand below.
"I feel ready. Just need the ferry to go, and hopfully we get there in one piece."
"I hope so too."
They stood up finishing their meals before returning to the Pokemon Centre where their Pokemon were being healed by another Nurse Joy. They departed to their separate rooms upstairs dreaming of the wonders of the Hoenn region ahead.
…
Blaine, Koga, Sabrina and Erika all sat on the transatlantic flight towards the Unova region. They didn't speak. No words were necessary, they knew what had to be done. Entering as former Gym Leaders was the perfect cover of their real intentions. If there was another Team Rocket agent in Unova, they had to find him. Find him before anyone else does and discovers the weaknesses and secrets of the organisation.
The plane was en route to Mistralton City. Little did they know Daniel and the PM were also on their way over as well.
