The World the Boy Saw

Gabite took the field next. He stood almost a meter shorter than his larger foe. He was outclassed in stature and size but if they were being judged by their condition, Gabite would have won that by a long shot.

Rhydon groaned as he got into battle stance.

Wanting to attack first, Giovanni issued his order. "Rhydon, Earthquake!"

"Gabite, Dragon Claw him!"

Gabite didn't have anything foolish thing to say and acted on his command right away. His speed was greater than Rhydon. Rhydon barely managed to touch the ground with his hands to perform the move when Gabite attacked with dual Dragon Claws.

-"Why you!"- Rhydon was slashed across the face. He flinched at the second hack jumping back. Gabite didn't let down and jumped to slash him across the chest with both of claws.

-"Dam-mit."- Rhydon fell onto his back slowly that it seemed as it time has slowed down.

-"That was easy,"- Gabite mumbled hopping back to his of the field.

Giovanni shook his head in disapproval. "This is quick one that uses speedy moves," he muttered to himself. He took out a new Pokemon after taking a moment to think. "So, try to lay claw on my next pokemon!"

A turtle-like bipedal Pokemon with plated, green rocks as its shell appeared. As tall as Gabite, it still couldn't make perfect eye contact for its head protruded from the center of its shell raising its three fingered hands on stubby arms.

-"A walking boulder!"- Gabite yelled surprised. He eyed the groves in Golem's shell finding them excellent for digging ones teeth into.

-"Don't give that look! It's freaking me out,"- Golem saw the glint in Gabite's eye. He looked past him to see the young trainer raise a red device towards him.

"Golem: the Megaton Pokemon. It is capable of blowing itself up. It uses this explosive force to jump from mountain to mountain. It sheds its skin, and its body turns tender and whitish. Its hide hardens when it's exposed to air."

"A boulder like Pokemon," Red noted. "I guess you're going to have fun with this one Gabite."

Gabite licked his chops. –"Let's go now!"-

"Dragon Claw again!"

Gabite dashed right away too excited to even think clearly. He pounced at Golem with his Dragon Claw raised over his head.

"Golem, retreat into your shell," Giovanni ordered.

Golem did just that. He curled up into a perfect sphere. His hard shell was slashed by a powerful Dragon Claw. The boulder like Pokemon barely felt a thing as his foe tried to claw his way inside.

-"Come-out!"- he swiped once more. –"Fine then!"- He dug his claws as hard as he could into the shell and swooped down to try and take a huge bite.

-"What are you doing?"- Golem asked from within his shell muffled. It felts as if his opponent was taking a nap on top of him.

"I don't know what that bizarre Pokemon is up to but run it over while you have your chance. Roll Out!"

Large globs of saliva drooled out Gabite's mouth as he gnawed on Golem's shell. To him, this was the most pleasant boulder he has ever gnawed in his entire life. He refused Red's order to get back until Golem began to move.

-"Hey!"- Gabite had to jump back when Golem began to slowly move forward. –"I was in the middle of something!"-

Red smirked. "How will Golem ever run over Gabite if he can't even touch him?" Giovanni ignored the question.

"Golem, now!"

Golem accelerated to a speed that finally matched Gabite's. Gabite jumped to the side to avoid being mauled over. Golem did a quick U turn accelerating even more. This time he knocked Gabite straight into the air. He crash landed back on the ground.

-"That hurt!"- Gabite groaned.

Golem turned around to try and crush him this time.

"Gabite, you'll be safer underground," Red said.

Gabite dug into the ground. He escaped the rampaging boulder as he roamed in his domain. Golem created a small explosion that sent him into the air. He unraveled to land on the field making it shake from his weight.

"Get to it, Golem. Earthquake." Giovanni commanded taking his stance.

"Gabite, get out!" Red yelled out.

Golem lifted a single foot up high. The ground below him erupted as a Gabite jumped out to tackle him. Golem was thrown of his feet but recovered by rolling back up. He reemerged into his standing form.

-"I never knew you could travel so swiftly underground,"- Golem expressed his surprise. He looked worry.

-"Thanks delicious boulder!"- Gabite gleefully exclaimed.

"I see your dilemma," Giovanni began. "But we can work around that. Let's see him try to take you down in your Roll Out."

-"Yeah, you can't hurt my tough hide."- Golem curled up and charged.

"Gabite, back underground."

Gabite returned to his domain. He felt the loud rumble Golem created on the uneven surface as he passed right over him. He paused to rub his jaw that still pained him from the earlier Roll Out.

"It's your chance to Earthquake," Giovanni announced.

"Gabite, get him again with Dig!"

"This time it won't that easy," Giovanni scoffed.

Red didn't see Golem stop to perform Earthquake. He felt small vibrations under his feet that slowly increased little by little.

"Earthquake? But how?" Red observed closer. Golem has started to slow down but not sluggish enough for Gabite to catch up.

"He is doing it in his Roll Out mode," Giovanni replied.

Golem did slight hops that got higher and higher. It soon sounded like a jack hammer on concrete was being repeatedly used in the gym.

"Gabite, stop him," Red said trying to keep his balance after each shockwave.

"There's no way that your Gabite will reappear under Golem mass or he'll suffer some terrible damage," Giovanni remarked.

Golem jumped once more this time it was straight up in the air. He soon reached his maximum height and dropped as fast as a bullet. The ground exploded right at the moment Golem landed. Red braced for the impact from an Earthquake. He dropped his guard once he saw Golem fly through the air to land on the other side of the field.

"What? Impossible!" Giovanni said flustered. He looked up to see his opponent's Pokemon standing in front of a hole.

-"that-really hurt,"- Gabite gasped. He had his claws raised awaiting for the retaliation.

"And how is your Gabite still standing?" Giovanni took another look at Gabite's state. That's when he noticed the damaged appendage on the left side of his head. "I see…he didn't attack directly but from an angle. That's how he managed to launch Golem this way."

Red called Gabite to give him some well deserved praise. "You did great by attacking from the side. That probably saved this battle."

-"It was that or I get buried underground!"- Gabite reclaimed.

Golem got back onto his sturdy legs. He waddled back to his place.

"But you still look find to me," Giovanni muttered. "So this time use Roll Out and take him out with a good Earthquake. He doesn't look in the right condition to take another hit like that."

-"Gotcha,"- Golem returned to trampling the rocks on the field.

"Gabite, I can't afford you to try and take that Roll Out Earthquake combo. So, let's take him on while he still hasn't picked up speed!" Red proclaimed.

-"It's okay, I don't feel like trying to gnaw on him anymore,"- Gabite sighed.

"This is suicide," Giovanni mocked. "Show them to not take you lightly."

Red was willing to pull of this stunt. "Brace yourself, he's coming!"

Gabite took his stance as the massive Pokemon rolled towards him. He grunted when he intercepted him with his arms crossed. The rugged surface of Golem's hide scraped against Gabite's hard scales. Golem slowly picked up speed pushing his foe back little by little.

"Gabite, Dragon Rage!"

Gabite poured out his energy through his mouth. The Dragon Rage was a powerful shockwave that inflicted internal damage and at his level, it was strong enough to push him back.

-"Gahh! I can't take it!"- Golem uncurled not able to handle power. He rolled onto his back in pain.

"Don't stop! Get up and Ice Punch!" Giovanni harshly ordered.

"Gabite, you got him! Don't let down and Dragon Rage!" Red eagerly ordered.

Golem rolled back onto his feet just in time to be knocked back by a powerful Dragon Rage. His high defenses weren't able to keep out the shockwave that threw him back. He rolled to Giovanni's feet unconscious.

Giovanni sighed at the pitiful sight. "I should have not placed my trust in you," Giovanni murmured taking out another Pokemon.

"Hey! He tried his hardest for you," Red said.

"His best wasn't enough to do suitable damage to your lizard," Giovanni replied. "Marowak will swiftly end this!"

Giovanni's next Pokemon was significantly smaller than the rest of his Pokemon. Tan skin standing on two legs, wielding a thick bone like club as well as donning a skull on its head, the creature reminded Red of the Cubone he met before.

"Marowak: the Bone Keeper Pokemon. From its birth, this savage Pokémon constantly holds bones. It is skilled in using them as weapon. It has been seen pounding boulders with the bone it carries in order to tap out messages to others."

Cubone, Red remembered the one he encounter before hoping he was safe.

"Destroy this nuisance with Bone Rush."

Marowak gave Gabite a mean look. He let out a shrill cry that gave a weird echo with the help of its skull. The cry sent shivers down Red's spine. He jumped Gabite throwing his bone club.

"Gabite, dodge!"

Gabite ducked down avoiding the spinning club. He then charged at the defenseless Marowak. He lunged with Dragon Claw. He slashed across Marowak's chest. He jumped back in pain.

-"Take this shorty!"- Gabite slashed again. Marowak lowered his head so his skull took the Dragon Claw not leaving a scratch. He pulled back and swiped again. He knocked his foe back a few steps.

"Gabite, watch out!" Red saw the bone come back around head towards Gabite's head as Marowak kept him busy.

-"What!"- Gabite turned back to see the bone smash right into his face. He was knocked onto his back knocked out.

"That was a good run, Gabite," Red said returning his Pokemon. Marowak picked up his bone and held it to Red as if ordering him to let out his next Pokemon.

"Let's see," Red muttered as he had to decide now. Eevee might be able to handle this guy. I mean this is the small Pokemon Giovanni has released so this could be her only chance to fight.

"Alright, Eevee, get ready to battle!"

-"Gym Battle!"- Eevee squealed.

Zexal hoped up and down. –"Alright, Eevee! Kick this guy's butt!"- he shouted from the sidelines.

-"I will be kicking everybody's butt today!"- Eevee replied confidently.

Marowak let out another bone chilling yell. He lifted his club ready to fight.

"This won't take long," Giovanni mockingly said. "Boomerang!"

Marowak threw his club once more but with even more force this time. Eevee jumped to the side avoiding it.

-"Hah, you got to do better than that!"- Eevee said.

"Watch out for the club, Eevee. It will return," Red warned.

Eevee looked back and saw it turn back.

"Rock Slide! Limit her movement."

Marowak launched boulders at Eevee.

"Now, Eevee run!"

Eevee bravely ran at the tumbling boulders. She used her agile body to maneuver through the rocks. She jumped in front of Marowak. She smirked.

-"Oof!"- Eevee fell frontwards after receiving a hard blow to the back of the head.

Marowak lifted his hand to receive his bone that flew right to his hand after clobbering Eevee.

"Eevee, are you alright?" Red asked worried. Eevee jumped right back up.

-"How dare you attack me from behind me!"- Eevee yelled angered. She fired a Shadow Ball right at her target. Marowak reacted but wasn't quick enough to block it. The Shadow Ball exploded throwing onto the ground.

Giovanni didn't want to be pushed around by a weak Pokemon. "Marowak, stay alert. Don't let her get you like that ever again."

-"I won't,"- Marowak murmured to himself. Gripping his club, he got right back up.

"Now, Bone Rush it."

Marowak charged at Eevee, who looked quite please with herself, raising his club. He stare down Eevee with the eyes of a murderer.

"Eevee, Tackle him!"

Eevee would have laughed at Marowak's sluggish movement but reacted instead. She sprinted towards Marowak in a zigzag pattern to confuse him. He swung seeing get close but she ducked below the club. Marowak's went wide when Eevee head-butted his stomach. He staggered backwards feeling sick.

-"And take this with you!"- Eevee said launching a Shadow Ball that hit the Bone Keeper.

-"Yeah! That's it, Eevee!"- Zexal cheered. Eevee flashed him a grin.

Red crossed his arms. He saw Giovanni grit his teeth as his cute little fuzz ball was beating his cold blooded fighter.

Giovanni clenched his hand. "That's Marowak. Shake this place with Earthquake. Your useless in combat," he sighed.

Marowak used his bone as a crutch. He continued to give Eevee his death glare. Even harsher than before was his gaze.

-"I will not let down my ancestors!"- He yelled lifting his club to bring back down to the ground. He shook the area with a strong earthquake.

-"Whaaa!"- Eevee lost her balance and was now flopping the floor like a Magikarp on flat land. She received terrible bruises from the ground. She weakly got up after the Earthquake calmed down.

-"Eevee, don't give up!"- Zexal shouted though he did look quite worried. Eevee was now limping and she had only one eye open.

"Such a weak Pokemon to be all battered up after an Earthquake," Giovanni remarked. "And to think this weasel gave Marowak such a hard time."

"There's no way my Eevee will lose that easy," Red shouted. "I have trained her to the best of her ability. No matter how grim the situation is, she is always there keeping her spirits high. No Earthquake no matter how strong will deteriorate her spirit."

"You speak so highly of your Pokemon," Giovanni said. "I'm going throw that large ego of yours down my pitfall when I defeat you once and for all."

"And how will this defeat bring me down?" Red asked.

Giovanni was taken back. "What do you-I mean how else-" Giovanni was lost for words. "If I defeat you, this will be the first step of Team Rocket's comeback!"

"By defeating me, this will bring back Team Rocket?" Red said skeptical.

"Yes, you are the trainer who has knocked us down from our throne at the top," Giovanni said with compassion. "I as leader of Team Rocket will retrieve the king's throne that rightfully belongs to Team Rocket. Boomerang!"

"Eevee, Tackle!"

Eevee pushed back the pain she felt. Hearing how her trainer thought of her, was what made her pick up the pace. She ran up to Marowak, slower than usual, but swift enough to avoid the punches Marowak tried to land on her.

"The Bone Club!" Red reminded.

-"I know!"- Eevee panted. She could hear the bone whirled through the air as returned. –"I'm not getting hit by that again!"- She jumped onto Marowak's head. She pushed the skull down making it harder for him to see. She saw the bone marrow heading towards her.

Marowak reached and grabbed Eevee's bushy tail. Feeling the lush fur in his hand he gripped it. He pulled Eevee from his head and slammed her onto the ground.

"Eevee!" Red shouted. She lay there limp like a log.

Marowak grumbled as he fixed his skull helmet. He put it back in place which was the last act for the day. The boomerang he threw clashed with his skull. It made a sickening sound similar to a hammer hitting concrete ground.

It was a double knockout as Marowak collapsed onto the ground.

"That was an excellent show Eevee!" Red praised returning his Pokemon. Giovanni wordlessly retrieved his Pokemon.

Zexal looked sad seeing his friend lose. Emily bent down to comfort him.

"Hey, she at least managed to defeat a Pokemon from Giovanni which isn't easy at all," She comforted him.

-"Yeah, she kicked her opponent's butt," he remarked smiling.

"You are down to your last Pokemon," Red said pleased to say those words. He released his Pikachu onto the field.

Giovanni paused to realize what Pokemon Red has released. He let out a short chuckle.

Emily paused her eyes darting around as if expecting some sort of trick. Red just thought that he may have lost it. Pikachu glared at him getting down on all fours.

"This has been quite an experience, boy," Giovanni said. "To think that I was worried for a second about losing."

"Are underestimating my Pikachu? You did the same with my Eevee and she pulled through the end," Red responded.

-"Yeah, don't think I'm no pushover,"- Pikachu said producing electricity.

"I am underestimating your Pokemon but for a good reason this time," Giovanni cockily said. "Your Pikachu will have no way of fighting against my last Pokemon." He released the Pokeball sending his last Pokemon onto the field.

Red saw it was a Dugtrio. Just three heads poking out of the ground was all that stood in his way of winning his final gym badge. Is Giovanni really all that confident in these…oh no!

"Yes, that's right, boy," Giovanni deviously smiled. "You have no moves to hit my Dugtrio if Pikachu is all that you have!"

Red gritted his teeth. "But I still have Pidgeot to quickly end this!" He took out Pikachu's Pokeball.

"Not so fast!" Giovanni lifted a hand.

Dugtrio went underground to appear in the middle of the field. He shook the entire field making it slant towards his point. The area was now a large pit trap that drew Pikachu in. He was now at an angle that Red couldn't return him back into his Pokeball.

"Area Trap will keep him here!" Giovanni declared.

-"What the hell is this?"- Pikachu tried to move upward to flat ground but dirt moved under him as he tried to move. He was kept in place unable to escape.

"You had a great run, boy, but this battle is now in my control," Giovanni regain his calm, yet smug attitude.

Emily didn't appreciate where this was going. "It's not over till the last Pokemon falls, Red! Wipe off that smirk of his face!"

"Don't go blabbering such nonsense. There is no hope for you now," Giovanni raised his arms to the ceiling as if he was praising building itself. "Team Rocket will not be pushed around by some run of the mill trainer. Dugtrio, it's time. Use Dig!"

Red couldn't think of anything for now so he issued an order to dodge while figured out a strategy to deal with this kind of foe.

"Dodge it!"

Pikachu tried sprinting this time making some progress but enough to escape the Dig attack. Dugtrio pooped right under him sending flying to the air. He landed onto the other side of the pit trap.

"Ancient Power now!"

Large rocks floated around Dugtrio and fired them one by one, all hitting Pikachu. He went back underground safe from any retaliation. Pikachu mustered strength to get back right up.

"This won't do. Pikachu try to escape with quick attack!"

Pikachu ran with the help of his boosted speed. He ran around in the pit trap as a Dugtrio followed close behind him underground. The ground behind Pikachu exploded every few seconds with Dugtrio's heads appearing for half a second before vanishing back underground.

-"I can't keep this up forever, Red!"- Pikachu yelled feeling sand fall onto his back from Dugtrio's most recent ground disturbance.

Red knew Pikachu wouldn't be able to keep up the chase forever. It would only a matter of time before Dugtrio landed another solid hit. He closely followed Dugtrio, studying its movement, execution of attack, and swiftness.

Red observed carefully before making his decision.

"…Iron Tail, behind you now!" He suddenly shouted.

Pikachu somersaulted backwards on cue. He closed his eyes as dirt was sprayed into his eyes. Pikachu brought his metallic tail down hitting Dugtrios' heads. They immediately retreated underground after the hit.

Pikachu took the rare moment to catch his breath. He panted having felt like he ran a mile, but was still on alert for the fierce counterattack. He turned to the sound of rocks breaking open. Dugtrio has appeared in the middle of the field also the center of the pit trap it made.

"I see you had enough of toying with your prey," Giovanni remarked. "Do it with pleasure, Dugtrio. Demonstrate your true power. Earthquake!"

Dugtrio violently shook the field. Pikachu was at his mercy, thrown around like a rag doll. Pikachu ended up on his back once it ended. All three heads pulled their heads underground.

"Pikachu, you got to get up!" Red said.

-"That's easy for you to say,"- Pikachu muttered rolling onto his feet. Dugtrio appeared right below him, sending him straight into the sky.

"Ancient Power in the air!" Giovanni ordered.

Pikachu was pelted with rocks as he came down. He crash back on slanted land with a small groan. He didn't move a muscle nor did he let out another yelp.

Red fell onto his knees. His Pikachu lay before him terribly hurt all because he couldn't think of an appropriate strategy to fight. He left Pikachu on his own to fight.

"Dammit! Sorry Pikachu! I'm sorry that I failed you as your trainer!" Red bawled striking the ground with his fist.

Emily wanted to say something to comfort Red. She just bit her tongue, not able to think of anything at the time.

"Don't blame yourself kid," Giovanni spoke up sounding like he sympathized. "You fought all you could but your Pokemon are inadequate to take on this gym. Though, that still m=sort of makes you the terrible trainer since you did choose them."

Red had enough of Giovanni's arrogance. "This is not Pikachu's fault. He had the strength to defeat your Dugtrio and the speed, but I, the trainer, couldn't think of anything to put those abilities of his to use. Pikachu, is one of my must trustworthy companions, but I failed him as his companion."

Giovanni shifted to more menacing tone. "It's a damn Pikachu! He didn't have a chance against a ground type since Lightning attacks are his main modes of attacking. Face it, your Pikachu is as useless as Metapod in a tree," Giovanni said as if trying to knock sense into him."

-"Hey! I'm right here."- Pikachu mustered all of his strength to weakly get up.

"But this Metapod has more of a stubborn attitude to it," Giovanni added.

"Pikachu, I'm sorry," Red apologized. "But I don't want you to fight anymore."

Pikachu spat on the ground. –"I can still keep going. You believe I can take care of this guy, then I will fight to fulfill that,"- he confidently said facing Dugtrio in the middle.

Red jumped to his feet. Faith restored in himself, he accepted his Pokemon's will. "I won't fail you this!"

"What are you going to do? Zap the ground and hope for a response?" the criminal asked looking agitated. "This is just pointless. Dugtrio use Dig!"

-"Heh, it won't hurt to try!"- Pikachu said firing a Thunderbolt in all directions just because he could.

Red watched the light show. That's when he had realized electricity would be useful in this battle.

"Pikachu, keep producing those electric currents but with less potential!" Red ordered.

-"Uh, sure."- Pikachu fixed the power of his Thunderbolts to small sparks that escaped his body in all directions.

"What are you up to?" Giovanni asked feeling a little uneasy.

"You'll see," Red smirked. "Pikachu, I want you to Iron Tail this sneaky guy."

-"But how am I going to tell when-"- Pikachu paused. He sensed some disturbance underground that his electricity passed through. He had to produce more to energy for this disturbance sucked up his energy like a vacuum.

-I see,- Pikachu smirked. –Quite a clever use of my electricity.- He hopped into the air. He spun around and brought his tail down just at the moment Dugtrio protruded from the ground. The tail slammed Dugtrio back underground.

"How!" Giovanni shouted stunned.

"It worked!" Red jumped. "Pikachu just keep this up to predict when he approaches you. Head to the middle in case he tries to Earthquake again."

Don't tell me he figured away to use electricity to follow Dugtrio's movements, Giovanni thought furious.

"Dugtrio, move faster and Sucker Punch him," Giovanni commanded.

Pikachu used Quick Attack to approach the center still creating electricity. He sensed Dugtrio right behind. It appeared before Pikachu could use Iron tail. Dugtrio aimed to hit him in the gut for a cheap hit but a swift kick to the face caused him to wince.

"I have others ways of fighting then just my tail."-Pikachu brought his Mega Kick up as to present it to him.

Dugtrio looked quite fatigued. It shook its heads for before disappearing again.

"It's pointless now. Dugtrios are pretty frail so one more hit will do it," Red remarked. "My Pikachu has time to react to any attack your Dugtrio tries to pull this time.

Giovanni visibly gnashed his teeth. "How could you? Victory was in my reach and-" He breathed in heavily. "What am I saying? I will win this! Just this rodent and a weakened, poisoned bird. Dugtrio, Ancient Power once more!"

"Quick Attack!"

Dugtrio popped up in the middle picking up several rocks. Pikachu dashed and slam into him before he could throw those rocks. The Ancient Power lost its mysterious power and dropped one by one onto the ground.

Watching Dugtrio fall to the last blow from Pikachu, Giovanni dropped to his knees. As if his whole world has just been turned upside down in a second, he felt devastated.

"Yes, Red!" Emily jumped in joy. Her excitement passed on to her Zorua who yelped in gratitude.

Pikachu smiled dropping onto the ground exhausted. -"I did it."- he whispered.

How did I let this happen? How did I let Team Rocket down? He looked up seeing Red approach the pit he created. Words left his mouth that he didn't hear before the trainer returned his tired Pikachu.

"What is it that drives you forward?" Giovanni asked looking down not to meet his gaze.

Red gave him a confused look. "What is it, Giovanni? What do you want?"

Giovanni looked up looking solemn. "Just what is it that keeps you moving forward?" He asked again sounding a bit desperate.

"Shut up with this nonsense and give Red his Gym Badge!" Emily barked.

Red saw not the terrible criminal boss of a large organization but a gym leader not able to accept defeat. He wasn't go to spout his entire reason but enough to give him an idea.

"My Pokemon. They are that help keep moving forward," Red replied making direct eye contact.

"Your Pokemon? What do you exactly mean?"

Red raised Pikachu's ball. "They keep on growing, getting stronger. Their trainer must keep up with their growth or he won't be worthy of being called a Pokemon trainer," he elaborated. "I can't be caught up with my past or else it would hinder me. That will hinder my Pokemon as well." He thought about Charizard.

"Are talking about your bond? The bond a trainer and a Pokemon have," he said getting up.

"Yes, that's what separates me from you, Giovanni," Red pointed out. "I cherish this bond I have with my Pokemon, but you on the other hand, don't even acknowledge them as having feelings."

"Because they are just wild creatures that have only the instinct to fight. They are the perfect tools for fighting!" Giovanni announced. "Why would they need a trainer to learn to use an instinct they are born with?"

"Because they are not born with the instinct to fight," Red responded. "They are sentient beings. Beings that only want to be accepted in this world."

Giovanni looked like he had an epiphany. He rubbed his head feeling confused.

"Red, why are trying to explain this guy how this world works? He only sees it as a way to make profit. There is no way that he will understand," Emily impatiently said.

"Your right," Giovanni responded. He faced Red with a stern look. "I don't understand what you say."

"See, it's pointless talking to him," Emily pointed at him.

"But I'm want to understand by what mean when talk about these bonds you form," Giovanni surprised Emily by his answer.

"You can't be serious!" Emily disputed.

Giovanni nodded. "I'm serious. I have no reason to return to Team Rocket after losing the trainer who debunked it. I will want to pursue the meanings of your words."

Red blinked. "My words?" he said not sure if he really meant it.

"Yes. This bond you freely talk about. This is something that money will never buy," he said. "I, having never experience this, will try my hardest to figure it out how is works. This will be my next goal."

"Wait a minute!" Emily held up a hand. "You expect us to believe that you are going on this spiritual quest to form a bond with your Pokemon?"

"Emily-"

"No Red! I think he is just playing along with us so he can trick us and escape back to Team Rocket," Emily declared.

Giovanni shook his head. "I'm done with Team Rocket. As to prove it to you." He took out a black two-way radio from his back pocket.

Pushing the bottom on the device he said," Executive Commander Archer."

"Giovanni, what do you request?" Red knew that was Archer's voice.

He locked eyes with Emily before talking. "I am disbanding Team Rocket. The organization will no longer exist as of right now." He dropped the device onto the ground.

"What! Giovanni, what do you me-"

Giovanni crushed the communication device under his foot. He let out an audible sigh. "I'm done with my way of being a criminal. I want a new start."

"That's great, Giovanni," Red said.

"Before I forget," he dug into his pockets to pull out a TM and a badge. He walked in silence to Red.

Red gulped once Giovanni arrived. He felt slightly nervous never have been this close to Giovanni. He lifted his hand to receive the TM and green pendant in the shape of some sort of plant.

"The TM contains the devastating move Earthquake. Use it with caution," he warned. "And the Earth badge to show trainers you have defeated this battle."

"Urh thanks," Red felt uneasy having Giovanni acting not so menacing.

"Red." Red blinked thinking he was hearing things when Giovanni actually said his name.

"Wh-what is it, Giovanni?" Red said

"Don't lose to anyone at the Indigo League," he said turning around he snapped a finger which activated the bridge to reopened behind Red. A dark shadow shifted in the corner of his eye.

"Red, stop!" the gym leader barked. He quickly turned around.

"Now-what's wrong?" Emily could see the dread Giovanni had on his face.

"We are free to talk now," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Look I am going to say everything I know about this other group here in Kanto," Giovanni began getting Red's attention. "I never figured out the exact name of this group but all I know that had goals that are dangerous."

"Dangerous goals," Red muttered.

"Yes, and its linked to the Legendary Birds of Kanto," he added.

"Red, does he mean Kuraisora?" Emily turned to Red.

"I'm afraid so," Red replied.

"So you have met this organization?" Giovanni asked.

"Yes, I have met the before several times before. They managed to capture one of the legendary birds so far," Red informed.

"This is bad," Giovanni cursed under his breath. "And the crystal orbs. Have they gotten a hold all of them?" Red nodded.

Giovanni looked even more worried. "Listen Red, I tried once to hinder them by trying to steal the Fire Crystal but they were to powerful for my Executive Commanders."

"Wait, you stole the orb from the SS Anne to try and protect Kanto?" Red said flabbergasted.

"Yes, I didn't do it for Kanto at first but as a way to try and have this organization become my puppets for awhile," he closed his eyes as disgusted by his past actions. "But I realized that what they were planning were diabolical. I did it to try and protect my organization at first but I really did it to save my own hide."

"What they are planning is that terrible?" Red questioned.

"They have large plans for those Pokemon," Giovanni replied. "I'm not sure what it is exactly, but listen to me, Red. You are a much better trainer than me, so you must go and stop them."

Red fell silent.

Giovanni turned back to leave. "Don't let them bring despair to Kanto or even to the World at all." The large doors closed right behind him.

Emily shot Red a worried look. "Is he telling the truth?"

Red looked down at the badge that glinted in his hand. "I trust him. I also have a feeling that what they are planning is much larger than just taking precious artifacts as well as powerful Pokemon for money. They don't seem to be after money by my perspective."

Emily picked up her Zorua. "Then we got to search for them. Who knows if they have caught the other two Legendary Birds."

"It's a possibility," Red pocketed his reward. "But we got to hope for the best. Come on let's go home for now." He left with Emily to his hotel.


In the forest close to the city, a dark figure appeared in the trees. He let out a short laughed as if had gone crazy.

"I knew having that boy live a little longer will benefit us," he said out loud.

"So do you mean he managed to disband Team Rocket?" a second masculine voice asked.

"The kid did it," he replied. "Giovanni, a powerful person I must admit, will no longer mess with our plans."

"Yes, that is crucial. That man knows more than he lets on," the second man agreed. "Let's go back."

Both figures disappeared in the blink of an eye.