When Red returned to the gym later that night, Green was busy on the phone. Red gave him a nod and went to the shower. He could listen to a recording of the conversation later, see if it was anything important.

After he was done showering, he dressed and went downstairs. He found Green in the kitchen, eating a sandwich. "Busy evening?" Red asked, nodding towards it. "Hope you at least had a proper dinner?"

"Don't worry about that," Green said with a smirk. "As a gym leader, I have good knowledge of what I need to eat to keep a proper diet. I haven't burnt any calories today, so I don't need more than this."

"You did have a battle earlier."

"Hardly a challenge," Green said dismissively. "Besides, there are more important matters than dinner right now."

"Such as?"

"I was just talking to Ruby. He and Sapphire are coming to Kanto. Someone assaulted Sapphires father, professor Birch, during a break-in at a lab here in Kanto about two weeks ago. They've been preparing to come here ever since they got the news, but didn't think to call ahead until now."

"Where will they stay?" Red asked, careful not to let his annoyance show. "What are they planning to do? What do they think coming here will achieve? Are there any clues as to who the attacker was?"

"Lt. Surge was seen in surveillance cameras at the lab, along with a few other Team Rocket members."

"Was Birch badly wounded?" Red asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Not really. A couple of burns, a bump on the head. Sapphire was apparently worried about it though, and Ruby promised to help her."

"Well, good to see you'll be getting some help with your investigations then," Red laughed. "I must admit I'm not very good at things like that."

"I do prefer to walk alone on such things, but I guess you should never turn down backup. In case of a fight, they are both quite capable."

"Yeah, the last thing we need is another death," Red commented. Green looked at him for a heartbeat, then nodded.

"I must admit, I was surprised at the way Silver was killed. Him and Giovanni were both capable fighters... However, I guess if they were taken by surprise it wouldn't matter. Either that, or someone betrayed them."

Red felt as if a chunk of ice had fallen into the pit of his stomach, freezing him from the inside. Had Green found it all out? Was this a test? He knew that Green was suspicious by nature, but he did not think his rival could have found proof of something like that.

"What do you mean?"

"There's always power plays going on in criminal organizations like that. Giovanni and Silver may have been in someones way. Some subordinate that had enough of following orders..."

"Like who?" Red countered. "Surge seems to be the only person powerful enough in Team Rocket at the moment, and it wouldn't be his style."

"It is of course possible Surge was used by someone else," Green said, shrugging. "Some powerful ruler we haven't encountered before, maybe. There's still so much about their organization we don't know about. I feel like the investigation isn't going anywhere. I should've returned right away to start it."

"Green, I'm sure it'll be okay," Red said, his voice lacking any enthusiasm. Green did not seem to notice.

"I really should have," Green mumbled. "At least then Blue would've seen that I cared. Now she seems to think I'm indifferent to Silvers death, to her feelings, to-"

"Green!" Red interrupted. His friend turned to look at him. It was the first time Red noticed how tired his old rival seemed. How... harmless. "It'll be okay. We'll find who did it. We'll make sure you and blue get close again."

He felt a sad tug at his heart. He really did want Blue and Green back together. He really did want them to have a happy ever after. He wanted a future where he lived with Yellow in Viridian, with his friends nearby.

That was something that could never happen. Green would never agree with his actions, no matter how hard he tried to explain... Yet he had to do it. The alternative was too horrible to even consider. Hopefully, he would at least be able to talk Yellow into joining his side. Blue could help. Even if Yellow did not agree with his actions, she would understand them. He was almost certain.

And Blue... if Blue ever found out the truth, Red would have to kill her. He could not live his entire life fearing he would get a dagger in the back. Those from other regions, he did not know yet. Ruby and Sapphire would be angry about Birch. Gold could perhaps be turned, as Red had trained him, but Crystal worked for Oak and-

"Red?"

"What?" Red replied, snapping back to the then and there.

"You were spacing out," Green told him, opening the fridge. "You do that more and more often, nowadays."

"Sorry, lots to think about."

Green simply nodded and took another drink from the fridge before closing it. "Good night. Don't stay up too late," he said, exiting the room. Red heard his footsteps grow quieter and quieter until they disappeared completely. A while later, he got to his feet and walked to his own bed in the guest room. He would have to make sure Blue was loyal to him as long as possible.

The best way to do that would probably be to tell her the true reason behind what he was doing... and how he was sure they would win. After all, she was putting her life on the line. She deserved to know that she worked for a good cause, and what that cause was. His last thought before he drifted off to sleep was low he would break the news to Yellow and the others, when the time for that finally came...