Vermilion Prepares

Vermilion City had always been the central area of the Kanto Region, and its purpose hadn't differed much from its origins. As the most coastal port city of the mainland, it was responsible for trade, tourism and general transportation to other Regions and areas. Kanto had avoided the temptations to build an airport, and so Vermilion got further popular with cruise ships appearing constantly. Tourists enjoyed their time in Kanto, and most remained in the Region after travelling to the mysterious Lavender Town or the resorts of the Seafoam Islands. Many had began to wonder how all of this changed in only a matter of weeks, and now Vermilion had become the gate to freedom. However, Kanto was not seen as the safe zone any more, and with Team Rocket now within the City, people had fled desperately to relatives or places overseas. Pokemon left the area in fear of being caught and enslaved, whilst the locals left shops abandoned including the single Pokemon Centre. Nurse Joy had fled very quickly, sacrificing her job to save her family and Pokemon with the lack of ships now appearing as the only option. Only a day of ships remained at the Vermilion Port before Team Rocket had complete control of who left and who entered the region. The road to Johto had also been monitored, but the naturally dangerous Mt. Silver blocked the common travellers from entering without severe difficulty. Vermilion was now in complete lock down with more Gym Leaders and former Ace Trainers giving in to the temptations of a better life.

Giovanni sat in the office of the former Pokemon Fan Club as he laughed quietly at the images of successful Pokemon Trainers. The wall contained pictures of past Champions who had conquered the Elite Four and Indigo Pokemon League, and he recognised every single one of them. Walking slowly, his steps echoing around the empty chambers, he stopped and saw the winning team of Blue. His younger face made him chuckle more before the next image of Red appeared to more interest and concern. The world seemed to be looking for this trainer as if he was some hero, and an individual who actually cared about the forces of darkness and evil. Giovanni gazed at the winning Pokemon team and instantly recognised how different things were back then, and how much more powerful he had become now. Red had figured out where his true power came from, and it wasn't talent or skill, but out of pure fluke. He had a weapon that he had no idea about, no idea about its true power and purpose, but Giovanni had done his research. He turned away an sat down at the desk, checking the empty drawers before flicking open his transreceiver and seeing the unanswered phone calls from Blue. He had to make the trade soon, but Blue still remained elusive to Team Rocket hands, but where was his son?

Closing his eyes, Giovanni tapped into every information he had gathered over the past few days. Pewter City had been defended well by Forrest, the local Gym Leader, and a mysterious young trainer of no current identity. He hadn't even registered for the Pokemon League, and so no information could be located about him at all. He turned to the emails and images he had received on the device as he flicked past Forrest and the damage done by the released Kabutops before finally stopping on the young trainer. The image was grainy, but Giovanni's lips soon curled into a smile as he placed the device down. Rain began to appear in the skies outside as he listened to it, but finally there was a conclusion. That boy had to be Blue's son, they looked identical, and Giovanni had spent long enough examining the former Kanto Champion enough to see it. The descriptions given mentioned a young trainer with tremendous courage, strength and belief in his Pokemon. Blue's attributes were there, and the opportunity to grab both the trainers would be here in Vermilion City.

Giovanni stood up and called for Daniel loudly, his voice booming in mere excitement. His number one agent appeared, opening the door with his damp clothes from the rain and wandered over to his Leader. Daniel spoke: "Reporting for duty, Giovanni. What are your orders?"

Giovanni snickered and showed the image of Forrest and Blue's son and replied: "They are coming to Vermilion City. Make sure they cannot escape, we need them both."

"Agreed sir, we have many Rocket Agents here, there is no way through them."

Giovanni shook his head and took a step closer before aggressively calling: "These trainers are special. They can defeat your entire Pokemon team in a flash, so be aware of what we are dealing with. This is Blue's SON, the talent is there."

Daniel stayed emotionless, as were the requirements to be in the position: "Understood, Giovanni. We have still no luck in finding Red as well, sir."

"Red? Forget him, he can't do much any more, I've made certain of that."

Daniel gasped slightly, his mind shocked at those words. Red was a trainer that had taken down the entire organisation by himself, and now the orders were to forget about him. Remembering his position, Daniel nodded and agreed to the orders as he left the Pokemon Fan Club to alert the Rocket Agents of who was approaching. He opened the door as Koga stood in front of him, as the rain started to increase from above.

Daniel spoke assertively, trying to remain in the shelter of the building: "Forrest and a guest are coming, you are in charge of capturing them, Koga."

The former Elite Four and Fuchsia Gym Leader smiled, taking a Pokeball out of his pocket and replied: "Consider the work done, these two stand no chance against us."

Both walked in different directions as Koga sensed there would be something larger coming than just a couple of trainers. No matter what strength they had, they couldn't defeat over fifty Rocket Agents including himself. Blaine may had gone down easily in Pewter City, but he wouldn't make the same mistakes. Giovanni was the only hope for the Kanto Region, and Koga had to defend the Region he held dear even if it meant destroying Vermilion City as a result.

…

The flowing black cape had become damp as the storm began to hit Kanto, and its owner had started to lose a bit of hope. Steven Stone had awaited on the hills surrounding Saffron City for nearly a week now gazing at the changing Vermilion City. It was booming in the usual tourists only a week ago, and now the darkly dressed Team Rocket Grunts walked and guarded every entrance into the City. From the Pokemon Centre to the abandoned Pokemon Gym, everything was dark apart from the Fan Club where the operations were ordered from. Steven gazed, his greying hair moving in the wind, but it wasn't time to attack yet whilst there was still guests to arrive. He had been very aware of the incident at Pewter City and what had happened, and the two important survivors had to leave Kanto immediately. Blue's son was instantly recognisable, but yet nobody knew of his name no matter how he researched. Blue had kept his son a mystery, but now it had been released to the dangers of the world. How he could have been so stupid to leave his son with Team Rocket so much stronger than ever before.

Footsteps appeared behind him as Steven turned to see a familiar face as he smiled raising his hand. The other smiled and shook his hand before muttering: "It has been a while, Steven Stone."

"It has indeed, how are things, Cynthia?"

She took off her black hood to reveal the glistening blond hair of the Sinnoh Champion. She was much younger than Steven, but a much more powerful trainer, and she had travelled a long way to arrive here in Kanto unnoticed. Sinnoh had been her home for many years, and she had held the Champion Spot for several years now.

Cynthia responded as drips of rain trickled down her face: "Things were fine until Team Rocket returned, is Vermilion theirs now?"

Nodding, Steven gestured at the compact Vermilion City as guards walked up and down steadily with every single entrance to the city blocked apart from the few Cruise Ships departing now. Steven looked down and muttered: "We are still waiting for our two guests, it is important they leave Kanto."

"His name is Rod, Steven. The son of Blue, and I can assure he is well worth the time."

"That remains to be seen, Cynthia."

Steven, although the orders given, had doubted the ability of this trainer ever since he was sent to Kanto to assist. How could a trainer, so young and inexperienced, have the talent and ability to battle to more quality than a Champion? No matter how talented his father was, nobody could learn skills just off improvisation alone, but what did everyone see in him? Cynthia took a step forward and turned, looking at Steven directly as she smiled reading his mind. She stroked her chin before speaking again: "The more you doubt him, the less chance there is of success here."

"Rod is only a child! He can't battle and defeat Team Rocket!"

Cynthia shook her head: "I was at Pewter City, and this trainer took down Blaine's Talonflame with raw talent and skill. His Pokemon move to his commands with expert ease, and it is as if they read his mind. Blue could do this as well, and Red too. Something we spent our lives learning they were born with."

Steven looked down still frowning, knowing deep down that this may be true, but he had to see it for himself. A crack lightning rocked the darkening sky as the storm continued to brew up above and the rain emptied down heavier in the warm climate. Down below a few lights began to flicker around the Vermilion City Centre as Steven looked closely predicting a chance to move. Cynthia had the same idea as him, taking a Pokeball out of her pocket she released its contents up above them.

She called: "Gengar...we need your assistance!"

The Pokeball exploded into life as the Ghost Pokemon appeared floating in front of them both, its dark body blending perfectly with the surroundings. Steven nodded towards Cynthia as she continued: "Gengar, use Smog, cover Vermilion City so we can get down there."

Steven looked as the Ghost Pokemon vanished into thin air and made its way towards Vermilion City far below. He turned to Cynthia: "Our guests haven't arrived yet?"

"I've notice that, but let's get things moving before they get here."

Steven took a Pokeball out of his pocket, releasing it high above as it burst into life. He called: "Metagross, go and use Gravity!"

The Iron Leg Pokemon roared loudly before towering down the hill, much louder than Gengar, as it began to glow white with Team Rocket grunts looking around confused. Steven Stone and Cynthia ran down the hill placing their Pokeballs away as they sprinted towards the front gate of Vermilion City as spotlights flashed on around them. Alarms rang around the city as they ignored all the commotion with the entrance to the city approached them quickly.

Steven released another Pokeball directly from his pocket as he called: "Aggron, use Metal Claw!"

The Iron Armor Pokemon had barely appeared before it slashed down at the newly built iron gate, eradicating it to dust as it rampaged ahead of the two Pokemon Champions. Team Rocket grunts were pushed aside all calling for help before a heavy Smog appeared from above as Gengar reappeared to them all. Steven called loudly as Metagross smashed down the rest of the gate and flashed white with the Grunts all pulled off the ground as they hung in mid air looking shocked and confused. All of the major search lights turned on as Steven led Cynthia to the centre of Vermilion, a slight frown on his face as they both took out further Pokeballs ready to battle.

…

From the upper roads away from Saffron City, two trainers saw the horror down at Vermilion City. Their journey from Mt. Moon had been quick and seamless, but they both knew that the hardest challenge was still to come. They had witnessed two individuals smash through the Team Rocket built gate down below, and to their confusion, they wondered who they were and which side they were on. Rod turned towards Forrest as they began to slowly make their way down the road, keeping to the shadows with only one goal in mind: Escape the Kanto Region.

Rod muttered to his friend: "If they are fighting Team Rocket, they have to be with us, right?"

Forrest shrugged as he pushed his long damp hair to one side: "We should be careful until we know who they are. I hope you're ready to battle it out."

Taking a Pokeball from his pocket, Rod took a deep breath and replied with stern confidence: "Let's do this."

Another flash of lightning cracked down from above as the two trainers ran from the shadows towards the lights of Vermilion City as Giovanni looked with enjoyment from the rooftop of the Pokemon Fan Club Building...