[Cues: Pokémon FireRed/Leafgreen OST - Intro]

The Outsider's Insurrection

Indigo Iliad

Chapter 63: Chaos at the Canyon

Translated Pokémon Speech

Pokédex Entries/Computerized Voices/Flashbacks

Reference to an Accessory in the Games

-o-

(Edge of Grampa Canyon, Route 9 | May 12th | 5:00p.m.)

Ash and his friends got a taste of how fast Pidgeot could really go. The PokéDex was not exaggerating when it said it could fly at Mach-2. When Pidgeot got into the groove two hours ago, it took off like a rocket leaving those behind it in the dust. Ash could swear he could hear screaming, but he assumed it was Giselle. Pidgeot had slowed down to allow the three passengers to regain his bearings. Ash had to hold onto his hat and Pikachu for dear life, but he looked thrilled. Brock was shaking like a leaf and Giselle was all frazzled.

"Hey, I see Crimson and his friends!" Ash said pointing them out.

The four were in the midst of training. Joe was meditating with Cherry and Nigiri. Crimson and Rusty were sparring while Sissi was tending to Otto who was railroaded into a Nidoking. Not that the Pokémon minded.

"Wish I could tell her to stop fretting over me so much." Otto remarked to himself.

He did not mind his trainer; she was fairly caring. He just was not completedly used to it.

"Oi, Sissi. You may want to ease up on your efforts to get Otto to like you. He thinks your fretting over him." Crimson said blocking a few of Rusty's strikes without looking.

Otto blanched.

"Oh, I didn't explain that my boyfriend and his friends can understand her." Sissi said kindly.

Then they all sensed a familiar presence looking towards the sky. Sissi was still iffy on ki sensing but was slowly getting the hang of it.

"Ash." Crimson groaned. "Aw man, how the hell did he catc-Damn it, I forgot about the Pidgeot!"

"I don't exactly see what's wrong with Ash being around." Sissi said as Joe cleared his throat.

"He's a bit too innocent on matters." Rusty admitted. "And that's weird coming from me."

"It really is." Joe said snapping his eyes open.

"Hey guys!" Ash said flying down on Pidgeot.

"Oh…hey Ash." Crimson said with a sigh as Pidgeot. "What can I do for you?"

"I figured I could ask for your help." Ash said coming down with Giselle and Brock. "Giselle and I got a new Pokémon that our Dexes can't scan…plus I want to borrow your TM case."

"I'd be willing to make snacks as repayment because I do want to borrow your TM case as well." Brock said as Crimson sighed again.

"Fine." Crimson said as Giselle asked about the Rare Candies. "Unless you want to pay for them…2400 Poke a pop."

"Seriously, that's out-"

"I mean that's how much the Mart buys one if you sell it to them." Rusty said as Giselle pouted.

Ash sent out Shiroi introducing her to Crimson who took up that the person in front of her had a similar vibe like Ash. Giselle had sent out Miss Steam.

"You're a little far away from Alola, aren't you?" Crimson said.

"Don't patronize me, boy." Shiroi hissed.

"Patronize you? Oh please." Crimson said getting Dex Bulma as Shiroi sputtered. "Bulma, scan them."

"Salazzle, the Toxic Lizard Pokémon, and the final form of female Salandit. Due a malnourished trend in male Salandit, only females have been found. They live deep in caves and forces the Salandit it has attracted with its pheromones to serve it. It creates a reverse harem of male Salandit that it lives with. Filled with pheromones, its poisonous gas can be diluted to use in the production of luscious perfumes. It punishes Salandit that couldn't bring it food with a fierce slap of its flame-spewing palm. Its pheromones are quite potent able attract both male Pokémon and humans."

Rusty and Joe tugged at their collars feeling rather uncomfortable. Brock just had blank look and Giselle was intrigued. Crimson read off what her ability was before moving on Miss Steam.

"A Galar Pokémon? Interesting." Crimson said before using Dex Bulma.

"Coalossal, the Coal Pokémon, and the final form of Rolycoly. It's usually peaceful, but the vandalism of mines enrages it. Offenders will be incinerated with flames that reach 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit." Dex Bulma remarked.

With that, they got to the TMs. Giselle simply got Rock Blast replaced with Rock Slide for Miss Steam, and got new moves for some of her team. Midori wound up teaching Ash's Blastoise how to upgrade from Withdraw to Iron Defense. Ash even made up for the usage of Crimson's TMs by handing off a few TRs he had gotten to him. Soon after the combined group entered Grampa Canyon with all their Pokémon returned.

"You know, why is it called Grampa Canyon?" Ash said as they were all walking down it.

"Supposedly, this place was owned by wealthy, old, and rather…odd American at one point. He apparently to sell it to the government if it was named Grampa Canyon." Brock said looking at his book of information. "At least that's the story. It's actually a big spot for finding fossils as much as Mt. Moon."

"You're into fossils?" Crimson asked. "Pegged you for a breeder?"

"That's just a side hobby. My main passion is studying fossils and the secrets they hold. Suits a Rock-type specialist to want to be an archaeologist." Brock said with a wink. "And from what I'm seeing, there seems to be a dig happening."

Crimson looked ahead noticing a bunch of trainers of varying types out digging to try their luck for fossils. Brock lit up and sent out his Golem to aid for looking for fossils. Ash ran off to get a pickax to mine, being the excitable rookie he was with Giselle following him.

"So…want to leave them and go on ahead?" Crimson remarked.

"Let's…but I want to look for a fossil." Sissi said. "I really am interesting in getting one considering they can be revived. Joe, could you help me?"

"Sissi, dear. Of course." Joe said kissing her check.

The couple went off on their own to explore the canyon leaving Crimson and Rusty alone.

"Honestly, I need to give it a look." Rusty said now leaving Crimson alone.

"I already have two fossils. Well one….technically." Crimson said before sensing a faint energy. "Hm?"

He walked on ahead being find a familiar egg. Togepi's Egg.

"Well well, figures I'd find you." Crimson said taking it up. "Let's get you someplace safe."

Using an Ultra Ball, he gently tapped it capturing the Egg. His order to Dex Bulma? Have it sent to the mansion with instructions to deliver it to Misty. He had Dex Bulma message Joe and Rusty that he was going on ahead. He got the capsule for Red Bullet out releasing the bike out before getting on leaving the place behind in the dust.

Brock sifted the dirt with a trowel carefully as Golem pointed as the rock Pokémon aided with a brush. What Brock uncovered was a turtle shell. Rusty was nearby with Shellshock Sheldon out aiding him. Of course, having a fossil Pokémon got attention with many of Ruin Maniacs chatting him up.

Brock eyed that Carracosta and then the shell.

"Hey Golem, keep an eye on this." Brock said getting up. "I need to get Rusty."

Brock moved over to Rusty managing to get him away from the crowd with Shellshock Sheldon following.

"No need to drag. What do you need?" Rusty asked.

"There's a fossil I found with a similar pattern to that Pokémon. I was wondering if you could id…" Brock said only for Rusty to stop him explaining, "Most definitely a Cover Fossil. Surprising considering they're usually found in Unova."

Brock nodded as he called for Golem to hold the fossil. Brock came over to get his tools before securing the fossil in his bag. Joe and Sissi went having a less successful time only before they ran into trouble.

"Well that's just shitty. Not even a week, we're seeing Team Rocket Grunts. I recognize the two…Butch and Cassidy. Not exactly dangerous…we could take them." Joe said as the two followed them.

"But why are they here though? For fossils or for something else?" Sissi said as they came to a stop. "Wait, that's dynamite."

"Ok, the charges are set. We just have light the fuses and we'll clear the land exposing all those fossils." Butch said getting the denotator out.

Joe took the breath and focused to get a hold on it managing to force the denotator out of Butch's hands before losing control causing it to hit the ground rolling towards Joe.

"Damn it, why the hel-GUH!" Butch said before Sissi sprang out with a right hook.

The bruised grunt fell back on his butt only to see Joe spring out and destroy it a stomp.

"You!" Butch said recognizing Joe. "I still owe you a beating after the last humiliation."

"What's going on he-Of all the people, it had to be this brat." Cassidy snarled. "We were humiliated thanks to your loss, but now I see a second chance for redemption."

"I'll gladly fight you and your bottom bitch." Joe said with a wicked grin.

"It's Bu-you motherfucker!" Butch said realizing exactly what Joe called him. "Primeape, get out and crush them!"

"Houndoom, grant them despair." Cassidy said as they sent out their Pokémon.

With the Dex, Joe checked the levels…he was not all too impressed.

"Ann Wolfe, I got something special for you!" Joe said sending out his Primeape.

"Otto, you're up!" Sissi said having Nidoking get into his first real battle.

"A fight? Finally!" Otto cried out.

"You look weak, Primeape." Ann snarled.

"Appearances are deceiving." Primeape said.

"Suffer under my flames." Houndoom declared.

[Cues: Pokémon Heartgold/Soulsliver – Team Rocket Battle]

"Primeape, thrash the trash!" Butch said as Primeape becomes outlined in a purple aura.

Primeape let a bloody roar as he charged at Ann, but Joe had her use Aerial Ace much to Butch and Primeape's confusion.

"Wait, but that's a fly-WHAT?!" Butch said as a glowing Ann 'flew' into Primeape with the Expert Belt increasing the move's power.

Primeape was already out of the game and Ann spat at the fallen opponent. He was not worth her time. As for Cassidy, she had Houndoom use Flamethrower only to be countered with Water Pulse. The attack dissipated the Flamethrower leaving a cloud of steam. Houndoom leapt out biting Otto's arm.

"Otto. Poison Jab!" Sissi screamed as Houndoom's eyes went wide.

Now, the flaming mutt had a mouth of poison. As they all were fighting, Mondo showed up on his Tauros.

"Mondo, use the spare!" Butch yelled as Mondo hastily got the spare denotator.

"What about the people?" Mondo asked.

"Fuck the people, just do it!" Butch said as his Hitmontop was fighting Ann.

Mondo flipped it open and fumbled before clicking the button. However, something went wrong as a wild Pokémon knocked over some the dynamite to roll…right near them.

"Oh shit!" Joe screamed grabbing Ann and Sissi before diving for cover.

[Music Ends]

Otto shielded all three as the explosions rang out causing a fissure sending everyone down the hole as rocks filled it. For Sissi, she was more than glad for the training as she was able to wall kick off rocks to ease her way to the ground. Otto managed to catch Joe and Ann Wolfe.

"You jackass!" Joe snarled at the Rockets. "Now we're stuck in a damn cave!"

"Ow!" Mondo groaned getting up.

He and his Tauros were a bit hurt as the other Rockets ended up having their falls broken by their Pokémon which they had to return. Mondo had to return Tauros.

"Jackass?! You int-" Cassidy said only for Joe to shush. "Why…"

"Shut up! We're sensing a presence. We're not alone…" Sissi said turning towards the glowing red eyes in the darkness.

"Oh shit…" Cassidy said as out came four prehistoric Pokémon.

Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, and Kabutops.

And they were all pretty angry about being woken up.

"They did it. They woke you up with the noise." Joe said pointing as Butch and Cassidy.

"Noise…woke us up! I will slash you to pieces and drink your remains!" Kabutops said slashing through a boulder with bloodshot eyes.

Sissi returned Otto and Joe returned Ann before they bolted running past Butch, Cassidy, and Mondo who ran after them.

"You dick, you were trying to save your own ass." Butch yelled.

"Not my own, but Sissi's. I may be a dick, but I'll be damned if I don't try to save who I can." Joe said as the Pokémon chased after them.

"Joe, we're going to make it out of this, right?" Sissi said dodging a Hydro Pump.

"Stocking?" Joe asked his Dex.

"Yeah, yeah, I called others. Rusty's on route with help." Dex Stocking said. "Try not to screw up and die."

"You bitch!" Joe snarled before the four realized they were cornered. "Merde! Well, now we're out of road."

Joe was about to say that there was no other choice than to fight only to hear a savage roar get everyone's attention.

"Yeah, that's an Aerodactyl." Joe said quietly before realizing his words. "Oh fuck, we need to run. NOW!"

The other fossil Pokémon shuddered terrified of what they called the 'great devourer'. A wild shiny Aerodactyl lumbered out seeing all of them as prey. Aerodactyl roared appeared before licking its lips seeing them as his next meal. Joe focused his mind on a stone lifting it up with his mind. He felt it, a bond…a draw to Tobirama. Joe's eyes began to glow giving off a white aura off his body. He launched the stone which socked Aerodactyl in the eye which annoyed the prehistoric wyvern only to suddenly scream as his body to feel shocked before falling into the ground with a slam. The secondary trio wanted some answers, but Joe took off with Sissi leaving that trio to scramble after him. Dex Stocking that altered Joe that they opened the hole they feel it.

"That's a relief. All right, Agate! I need you!" Joe said sending out his own Aerodactyl.

Joe got on as Sissi followed suit, but she had sent out Supra to carry Mondo, Butch, and Cassidy out of pity. As for the other fossil Pokémon, they used their Hydro Pump to propel themselves out of the cave. As they all escaped, Joe looked to Rusty.

"We need to get everyone out of the canyon now, because…" Joe said as the wild Aerodactyl flew looking all the more enraged. "That."

Before Aerodactyl could even attack them, a metallic blast of energy sent him spiraling into a pile of rocks.

"Who dares?!" He bellowed.

The culprit? Brock's Steelix with steam smoking from his mouth. Supra shook off the Rockets as the fairy Pokémon was promptly returned.

"You guys all right?" Brock asked.

"Thanks for the save. We need to clear the canyon…because these idiots laid dynamite all over the canyon." Joe said as explosions rocked the ground. "And it's too late…"

"At least the fossils will be ours." Butch said only to be slapped by Sissi.

"At the cost of several innocent lives." Sissi snarled grabbing him by the collar.

"Not exactly, I had warned Officer Jenny. Apparently, one was in the area monitoring the dig…" Rusty said concerned. "But we need to get out of here."

"How much dynamite did you stack?" Joe said whirling towards Mondo grabbing him by the collar.

"200 sticks! 20 in ten spots!" Mondo squealed to Cassidy and Butch's horror.

"What? We were going to use 120 sticks, any more would completely wreck the canyon!" Butch said towards Mondo.

"But I was given orders to use 200! Madame Boss…" Mondo said before covering his mouth.

Before anyone could ask, more explosions rattled the place.

"We need to move!" Brock said as Steelix battled Aerodactyl. "Joe, please tell me you have a specialty Poké Ball."

"Here. It's a Heavy Ball." Joe said tossing Brock it.

Aerodactyl roared racing through Steelix only for Brock to get in front throwing the ball in its face capturing it as the ball vanished off to cyberspace for PC storage. The explosions even just stopped, and all was quiet for a few moments.

"It's over. Thanks heavens, it's over." Sissi cried out in relief.

"Hey guys, we got the canyon cleared up…" Ash said coming up with Giselle.

"That's go-Uh….uh…oh shit." Joe said sensing that energy.

Sissi did as well as fear came over her face.

[Cues: Pokémon Anime OST – Raid!]

Ash was not one to read the room sometimes but seeing Joe and Sissi simply bolt was a clear sign that they needed to leave. And then the ground shook again, and Ash could feel it. An incoming barrage, and the Team Rocket trio practically pissed themselves when they came to be. Aerodactyl. Dozens of them were flying out of the holes all awakened, hungry, and angry at being woken up. Ash looked around. Normally, he would be excited about this but there was just one simple reaction. His Pidgeot was sent out with Brock, Ash, and Giselle will rushing to get on.

"Get us out of here!" They all screamed as Pidgeot took off.

Tapping into his Mach-2 speed, he led a few Aerodactyl on a wild chase. As for Joe and Sissi, they were still running as Rusty caught up to them.

"Damn it, where the hell is Crimson? The moment he leaves, things go cra-Douce Sainte Maria!" Joe said nearly getting his head bitten off by one.

"We need to get into the air!" Rusty said sending out Alta Maria.

Joe called for Agate for him and Sissi to get to which Alta Maria and Agate took the skies.

[Music Ends]

Two Aerodactyls gave them chase screaming about 'sharing the food'.

"They're not food, assholes!" Agate cried before whipping one of them with Iron Tail.

Alta Maria's Hyper Voice assailed the other one's ears before Rusty got hit with a blast of aura sending it falling to the ground.

"Man, I almost feel bad for Team Rocket." Joe remarked.

"I just hope no one was killed…" Sissi said worriedly.

Rusty kept quiet shaking his head. He was torn up because he had feared there were people hurt and had possibly lost their life. All it did was made it livid, but it made him wonder who Mondo was referring to.

"Maybe Crimson knows?" Rusty thought.

Crimson had come to them on Kimiko ready to go to war despite not being at one hundred percent only to see his friends got out unscathed.

"Ok…I sense that Ash and his friends in the opposite direction. The rush of energy is what woke me up…" Crimson admitted bashfully. "I made sure to call Lorelei to let out what I sensed, but…what happened?"

"Remember that trio of assholes in Team Rocket we fought in Viridian?" Joe said as they all landed on the ground.

"Oh…they blew up the canyon, did they?" Crimson asked.

He had hoped that scenario would not have happened given that Jessie, James, and Meowth were out of the picture, but he had forgotten about the other two pains. Begrudgingly, there was nothing any of them could do. Crimson did not want to risk things, but he did call Ash to check on him. Much to his relief, Ash was fine. He was back in Cerulean City. The Aerodactyl that chased them was caught by Misty's dad who apparently punched it into the dirt and wrestled it into submission before catching it.

"Hiroshi is a beast." He thought before hanging up.

The phone rang again with Dex Bulma saying it was from Roulette.

"Talk to me, Veronica." Crimson say answering it. "If it's about the explosion on Route 9, I'm aware."

"Oh, but are you safe? They're closing down the canyon, and they're calling in a bit of a lockdown over at Cerulean City, Route 9, and Crimson City. You need to get to shelter now." Roulette said firmly.

"Well, Crimson City's still pretty far. Any recommendations?" Crimson asked.

"…I think I know a place. There's a small hick village up ahead. Mossgreen Village. Pretty much East Kanto's Beige Town. Boring, unimportant, and a waste. Supposedly, it's where the rejects of Crimson City live in." Roulette said. "Good luck. Your Pokémon wish you well."

She hung up as Crimson returned Kimiko and sent out Red Bullet of its capsule.

"Bulma, how far is that village?" Crimson asked as the others followed suit.

"If you drive fast, you'll get there before eight o'clock." Dex Bulma said as they all took off for the village.

But on the other side, Gilbert was dealing with a whole other set of problems. Trying to escape an Aerodactyl's stomach for one.

(A/N: Don't worry, Gilbert's not going to die…but he is in deep shit. On a side note, I'm canning the Duplica chapter I had planned for this arc as it would not exactly. I do have to build up Crimson City after all, the village from 'The Problem with Paras' was a better fit. Plus, I figured other part of Kanto Town would have a 'Beige Town', a forgettable and overlooked place. North Kanto has Beige Town, East Kanto has Mossgreen Village, and I will reveal South Kanto's soon enough. West Kanto's was Pallet Town until the Oak family grew famed. Central Kanto's would technically be Sepia City. Side note, apparently, I forgot Mondo got shot in the chest in Chapter 28. I never did say if he died or not…so insert your Unexplained Recovery trope there.)