A shorter one this time, since it's more of a transitional piece. It's needed to keep things moving at a decent pace though, and to give Red some more time to think.
Poke-Ball 20: Frugal
For all his rough training and battle style, Red had only lost one Pokemon. It had been early into his journey, just outside of Pewter Town. His Rattata had been facing off against another Trainer's Nidoran Male, and was about to win, when suddenly a Pidgeot swooped down and snatched Rattata away. It had happened so suddenly that both Trainers were left there frozen, before Red dashed back into Viridian Forest. He never did find a scrap of the purple rat Pokemon, and for a while it was painful even seeing a Rattata. Which happened a lot, being one of Kanto's most plentiful Pokemon.
Red felt that same kind of disbelieving numbness in his chest as he and Blue traveled through Route 8. Travel was slow since Blue was still a little weak, and they didn't talk much. Yet Red didn't mind too much. It was relaxing taking in the simple but picturesque scenery. It seemed like it had been forever since he had done that. This frugal way of life was so nostalgic.
…And, well, it was nice journeying with his best friend. He should have done that when they were still chasing after badges. He wouldn't have wanted that all the time, but he should have done that at least some. Maybe that would have been more fun. Maybe their Pokemon would be on more equal footing too. Maybe…
Maybe Red should just forget the whole rebellion thing. Already things were getting out of hand. This was supposed to free him and everyone else, yet all it had done so far was entangle everyone instead. He expected that to some extent, but not how everything was falling apart so quickly.
However, he had to deal with Erika. Killing Blue's Arcanine in her deranged spite was bad enough, but almost killing Blue was inexcusable. If she really was as unhinged as Blue said, that made her extremely dangerous. Red had all of Team Rocket searching for her, but he sure hoped a Grunt didn't try to take her on. Who knew who she would go after next with unbalanced and murderous intent.
Red already knew the answer to that question. That's why he kept Pikachu out at all times, and tensed up whenever he saw Pidgey fly overhead.
IIIIII
Fun fact: The Rattata being swooped up by a Pidgeot is actually based on an old America's Funniest Home video, of all things. A boy got a white mouse as a present, put it atop of its cage, and then a hawk dives in out of nowhere and snatches it up. Pretty dark humor for AFV, but it stuck with me.