A Night in Rustboro

Deja Vu. Rod had seen this play out all before already, not in his dreams or imaginations, but it had happened only a few days previously in Oldale Town. Another Pokemon Centre, another injured Pokemon and another anxious wait outside the Emergency Room with Nurse Joy working with her staff inside. Rustboro City appeared very quickly after they escaped the Petalburg Woods, its rushing tall buildings and beautifully designed streetscapes and landmarks. It's Pokemon Centre was known as one of the biggest in the Hoenn Region with several Nurse Joys working within along with over twenty Chansey and specialist staff. Shellos was given instant attention, but now it wasn't Rod pacing up and down the lobby, but Forrest instead. They both hadn't spoken much since battling the apparent poacher back in the forest, their minds confused over what to do next. Officer Jenny had approached them a few hours earlier as the sun set outside, but she had seemed surprised to know a poacher had existed so close to town. Rod didn't say much during the interview, but his Pokemon had come through uninjured overall and the battle against the multiple Golbat proved good experience.

Starly looked a lot stronger, and Nurse Joy had commented how it could be close to evolving into its next stage. Rod had done some preliminary research, but he was not going to force the Starling Pokemon to evolve, and more wait until it was ready. He had never seen a Pokemon evolve before, and the idea of it intrigued him. Starly would evolve into a Staravia, a much faster and stronger Pokemon whom would be more adept to battle. Fletchling had been his lead Flying Pokemon for battle, mainly due to the knowledge it would eventually become a Talonflame, the Pokemon he had battled back in Pewter City. All Pokemon had the ability to get strong, and he forced himself to remember, they each needed equal respect.

Night time had fallen once again on Hoenn, and at least they had a place to stay this time with the Pokemon Centre, but it felt more uneasy than ever. The Poacher had been unknown to anyone, so was he and Forrest being singled out for something? Was it Damon trying to capture him for Team Rocket? So many questions, and a huge lack of answers or people with the ability to answer! He placed his mug of hot chocolate down, probably harder than he expected, as a few onlooking trainers turned their heads in surprise. Leaning back on the soft cushions, hearing Forrest continue to pace behind him, Rod gazed at the five Pokeballs lined up on the table. He hadn't booked his Gym Battle with Roxanne yet as he didn't feel ready, the memories of losing to Norman still flooding through him. His Pokemon were looking sharp, but they remained young and inexperienced. If Roxanne used Rock Type Pokemon against him, Bulbasaur would be his prime partner due to Type Advantage, with Nidoran's Double Kick attack and Fletchling's Steel Wing coming after. It would be a difficult battle with his lack of appropriate types, and he would have to think of a specific strategy.

Rod hadn't noticed Forrest sit back in front of him, and he jumped as his friend seemed to read his mind, "If you want to know how to beat Roxanne, you have to question how you battle."

"What do you mean?"

"Against Norman, you battled rashly early on and you didn't understand how your Pokemon battled," Forrest had a very serious tone, his eyes looked down at the ground, "Nidoran's Double Kick is only able to be used from its hind-legs, and so it turns its back on an opponent. Risky unless timed well. Bulbasaur's Vine Whip trick will only work against certain opposition, and you need more options for it."

Stroking his chin and thinking, Rod questioned, "So what do you recommend I do? Teach my Pokemon new moves?"

"New moves, new strategy or both! You have to think about it, but focus on the mistakes you made against Norman. You have the strength to overcome most trainers, but why did you lose?"

Rod thought back remembering how his Slakoth had managed to use Flamethrower, completely nullifying any purpose Bulbasaur had in winning the battle. He replied, after careful thought, "I don't need to teach them offensive moves...but some different kinds of moves."

Forrest smiled weakly, patting Rod on the shoulder before returning to pace the lobby area once again. What other moves could Rod teach his Pokemon that weren't their own natural ones? Flicking open his Pokedex, already looking worn from their journey so far, an image of Bulbasaur appeared in front as Rod scanned some of the most popular moves it was known to learn. He scrolled past the usual Razor Leaf and Solarbeam until he landed on something different, Leach Seed. A small seed would shoot from the top of its bulb and cause the opposing Pokemon to weaken consistently and restrict movement. But how do you teach it? Rod still wasn't sure, and he continued to examine some of the other options of his other Pokemon and their adaptability to new moves.

The Pokemon Centre door flicked open, the glass wiping against each other smoothly as a gust of cool wind swept inside. Rod shivered, looking up from his Pokedex, at a much older trainer walking in, his black tracksuit pants slightly damp and a white sweatshirt also wet. His brown hair remained completely dry though, curiously, as it spiked up towards the ceiling. Rod caught a brief look at his hooded face as their eyes locked for a second, his mind suddenly wondering why a feeling of familiarity had appeared. Coughing slightly, he approached the desk and laid down several gleaming Pokeballs as Nurse Joy approached with her usual smile.

He spoke calmly, the whole room now gazing at him, "Could you please heal my Pokemon."

Nurse Joy responded, looking at his wet clothes, "Of course! Oh dear, you are soaking wet! We can dry your clothes here as well."

"I'll be fine, Nurse Joy. I will collect my Pokemon in a couple hours."

He wandered back the way he came, ignoring the onlookers as the Pokemon Centre had gone completely silent. Even Forrest had stopped pacing to look at the individual, and only when the glass doors closed shut behind did they all start talking again. Rod stood up, curiosity flooding through him, as Forrest gestured a slight nod through the door. Even Nurse Joy seemed curious as to who this person was, but there was a sense of familiarity to him, Rod had seen this person before, but not for a long time. Forrest wandered back over and asked, stroking his chin, "It's like I've seen him somewhere before."

Nodding, Rod turned to his friend and stood up replying, "I'm going out for a bit."

Forrest had no response as Rod walked out of the Pokemon Centre, its safety left behind him, as he buried his Pokeballs into his pockets. Shivering in the cooler temperatures at nights, the large stone buildings of Rustboro City shining grey in the moonlight, as street lamps flickered on and off. Rod could see the cloaked individual walking down the road directly, his clothes leaving a trail of dripping water behind. Keeping quiet, Rod followed him through the Rustboro City alleyways, clothes drying from the windows high above and strung across. The city had a very trademark design with its grey rock matching the Gym Leader, Roxanne's, Pokemon Type choice, and even the twisting streets carried this resemblance. Rod kept close to the walls, hearing murmurs of music from some of the apartments despite the late hour of night, but the footsteps of the individual continued to echo around them.

Taking a deep breath, Rod spun around another corner, his target's footsteps mysteriously disappearing into the darkness. There was no street lamps down this road, and Rod felt as if he was in a darkened pit with the sinister moonlight creeping past the orange roofed buildings around. A chill was sent through him as he shivered violently on the spot before regaining his control, but the feeling of being watched remained. Glancing around at the darkness, he considered turning back and tracking down this person later when he returned to the Pokemon Centre, following him now was just a stupid idea.

Rod wheeled around, but then a voice echoed from behind, the darkness coming to life as a Pokeball flashed open, "You aren't who I expected to come through Petalburg Woods."

Illumination split through the alleyway, Zubat screeching and flying away from the light above as several Hoothoot did the same, Rod's eyes took a second to refocus. Blinking, the cloaked individual stood in front of him with a shining Pokemon hovering above. The man removed his hood to reveal spiky long brown hair and hazel eyes, his face bruised and cut. Rod had seen this person before, but only once as a young boy. The grandson of Professor Oak, Gary.

Gasping in shock, Rod took a step back and replied, his mind in confusion, "Gary? What on earth are you doing in Hoenn."

"I could ask you the same question." Gary responded with not even a smirk or a twinkle in his eyes, was he upset at something? "I would have thought current events may have pushed you to leave Hoenn by now."

"Current events?" Had Gary come here just to find him to play games and puzzles? It had been literally years since they had last met, when Gary was still a Pokemon Trainer before returning to Kanto to research like his Grandfather. He had once been labelled a Kanto Champion, victorious in the now diminished Indigo League, and with several won badges from Gyms around the world. His work in Pokemon Evolution and Behaviour had led to achievements academically and across the world. Gary had left home two years ago with an unknown task at hand, and here he was now in the flesh, in Rustboro City. "Why are you here, Gary?"

"That is none of your business, Rod. People are looking for you, and they will find you. Team Rocket want you. Do you even know why?"

"Enlighten me then, Gary. I am in no mood to play games." Rod had no idea where the hostility was coming from, and the Pokemon hovering above continued to glow, his curiosities wondering what kind of Pokemon it was.

Gary responded, his arms crossed with his clothes still noticeably damp, "Your Father, Rod. Blue has vanished and Giovanni needs him. You are bait and you are the only person that can bring Blue out of hiding."

"My Father left me so I can go on a journey. He must know what he is doing, and I am following what he said." Rod had raised his hands, as if defending someone behind him, but he remembered the note back in the Viridian Gym. His Father told him to leave on a journey, and here he was in Hoenn fulfilling that. "My Father, Blue, is a former Champion, Gary! He knows what he is doing!"

"He made a mistake, and here you are in danger. You haven't even lasted two days without being hit with something. Vermillion City? Oldale Ruins?" Gary paused for a second, his Pokemon hovering above in a circle as it lit the area, Rod now realising it was using Flash, before continuing, "Petalburg Woods?"

"How did you know about Petalburg?" Rod already knew the answer, everything now connecting in his mind. Gary's clothes were wet from the Mist attack used in the forest, and his plan to push Rod out of Hoenn would continue. "It was you. You left that Shellos there and attacked us!"

"You have to leave Hoenn, Rod. Go to Unova or Sinnoh, somewhere safe." Gary had seemed to ignore Rod's epiphany completely, as he stood motionless, his arms now uncrossed, "Leave, or I will make it happen.

Rod had had enough, anger bubbling inside of him as his right hand took out a Pokeball from his pocket. Gary seemed to had noticed as he dusted himself down, his shining Pokemon suddenly spinning rapidly in a circle, the lights flickering like orbs into different directions. To Rod's surprise, they stuck onto the walls of the building, illuminating the entire area. Gary's face became completely lit as he smirked and continued, limbering up for battle, "If you think you're going to beat me, then you need to re-evaluate your career choice, Rod. I've seen more than you can even imagine, and have scared kids like you off for fun."

Rod chucked his Pokeball in the air and called, "I'm not going to let you push me around Hoenn, Gary. I don't know who you are working for, and why you care. But this ends here! Shinx!"

The Flash Pokemon appeared, sparking furiously with electricity as Gary's floating metallic Pokemon looked down. Gary shook his head and called, "Bronzor, use Faint Attack!"

"Use Discharge, Shinx!"

The Bronzor flashed away into darkness as Shinx unleashed a powerful Discharge attack in all directions. One of the strains of electricity struck down hard as the invisible Bronzor was hit, its Steel Body feeling some of the damage, but it would remain ineffective. Rod had figured it was a Steel type, but he had no idea what kind of Pokemon this was and its strengths. His Pokedex was back at the Pokemon Centre, and he felt stranded in a losing battle. Gary had barely flinched as he prepared to call his next move, Shinx already struggling down below to deal with the swift moving Bronzor above.

Gary ordered, "Flash Cannon!"

Bronzor unleashed a powerful silver jet of light from its body, similar to Forrest's Steelix, but now Rod had no response to it. Shinx was struggling to move to dodge the attack, and his mind was clouded and full of emotion. The Flash Cannon got closer until a screeching cry from above was heard as a large darkened object appeared, landing in front of Shinx, as it crouched down and shielded the small Flash Pokemon from the attack. Gary still looked on, completely uncaring about what had just happened, his facial expression remaining blank. Rod took a step back, completely shocked at what happened, but it was a Garchomp standing in front of him. The powerful Dragon Pokemon, and something else clicked in his mind.

Cynthia's voice came ringing from behind him as Rod turned around, shocked to see the Sinnoh Champion here as well. He hadn't seen her since their brief meeting back at Vermillion City, where they took on Giovanni after seeing Steven Stone disappear under the building. Her face was glowering red as she stormed past Rod, "Gary! What the hell do you think this is?"

Gary's response was one of boredom, as his Bronzor hovered above around Garchomp who leered at it angrily, "I'll be done in a minute Cynthia, Rod will be out of the way."

Cynthia slapped him, hard. Rod flinched seeing her pale arms wind up and hit Gary across the face as he stumbled to one side, his arrogant-esque persona vanishing for a second. He coughed, feeling the red hand mark on his cheek, with Cynthia now yelling, "You think chasing off Rod here will make you a bigger person, Gary? You are in charge of a criminal fighting organisation, and Rod is not a criminal."

"Team Rocket is going to get him, and then we'll be in trouble." Gary responded, pushing Cynthia aside as he regained balance, "If they get him, they get Blue, and if they get Blue...they get...him!"

His last word came out in a sneer, though audibly one of pure fear as Rod listened on. Shinx was returned safely to its Pokeball as he wandered past the large Garchomp in front, giving it a friendly pat on the wing, before calling out, "I don't know what is going on here, but you both have to give me answers."

Cynthia spun around, her face still full of rage as she pushed Gary aside, his body slumping against a wall before he dusted himself down. She spoke directly to Rod, her voice clear, "At the Pokemon Centre. I will tell you what is going on."

…

It had all started several years ago when Team Rocket originally tried to take over Kanto. Their plot and plan was simplistic but effective, and all past criminal organisations were overpowered with their money and influence over Kanto and eventual Johto Regions. Giovanni had risen from Pokemon Trainer to a Gym Leader, but his ideals were always disguised on a face once so pure and innocent. His thirst for power had driven him insane and so his mistakes had begun to pile up leading to a single trainer, originating from Pallet Town completely eradicating the organisation. Team Rocket was left confused at his strength and power, the ability he controlled his Pokemon and his dedication to ridding them was beyond what anyone had seen before. This trainers' name was Red, and he had been known as the strongest trainer to ever exist in the Pokemon World. His team was vast, but importantly he had never lost. After defeating the Kanto Gym Leaders and the Elite Four he managed to get past his closest rival: Blue.

Red soon vanished when Team Rocket disappeared and his whereabouts remained unknown and mysterious as stories were told about him. The memories of what he gave to Kanto had never been forgotten, but there was no links to his family or anything. It was as if the boy had appeared from nowhere and disappeared into nothing. Giovanni also disappeared, leaving Team Rocket to fight for themselves as they failed again in Johto, their plans too easy to follow and forge. The world had finally come to peace with the largest organisation of criminal history apparently gone. They had no leader and no more followers apart from those imprisoned and locked away for good. But how had they returned?

It was at this point where Cynthia stopped speaking, as Gary beside her looked out of the glass Pokemon Centre window at the darkened parkland and trees. Rod and Forrest sat across, their coffee releasing light swirls of steam into the air. They had listened keenly understanding the story, but who was this trainer known as Red, and why was he so important?

Cynthia spoke, looking down at the ground, her blond hair hanging loosely around her head, "Giovanni wants Red on his side, and if he does achieve that...Team Rocket will be unstoppable."

Forrest shook his head and looked up, "You both are strong trainers, and we have Pokemon Champions. Surely one of you can defeat Red, he can't be unbeatable."

"Red's power doesn't come from his Pokemon. It never has, and it never will." Gary had spoken for the first time since he ambushed Rod in the middle of Rustboro City an hour before. His voice crackling slightly, "Red was born with something. Something we are trying to discover, and it has the power to consume anything."

Cynthia nodded, agreeing with her eyes now watering slightly, "It's the same power that killed Steven Stone."

There was a pause as the whole Pokemon Centre, now empty due to the late hour, went silent with the beeping of various buttons behind echoing around. Rod looked down at his muddy trainers as memories flickered back through his mind. Steven Stone was in that exploding house where Giovanni emerged somehow, completely ill-free and powerful, was that the kind of power Team Rocket had?

Rod asked, muttering and still not looking up, "How did Giovanni get this power then?"

"We don't know." Gary looked out of the window, breathing heavily with his eyes still looking blank and uncaring, "That is why we are here."

"Team Rocket is in Kanto." Forrest asked, perplexed, "Why are you in Hoenn?"

"The Thieves Guild attacked Oldale Town and we believe Team Rocket are connected to them." Cynthia explained, as she wiped tears from her eyes, "This is our only way to discover how to defeat them once and for all."

Gary turned to Rod, his eyes still fiery, as he spoke directly, "If Team Rocket get you, they get your Father and soon Red will come. Arch Rivals united again, and Team Rocket will be undefeatable. So you have to be safe, and Hoenn is dangerous."

Would he really have to leave? His Pokemon Journey already coming to a swift end due to Team Rocket wanting him as bait? Rod shook his head and slammed his hands hard on the wooden table as everyone jumped in shock. Rod spoke sternly, looking up at both Gary and Cynthia, "I am not giving up my dreams to go into hiding. If Team Rocket want me, then they will have to try harder because they are not getting me."

Cynthia reacted first, her eyes still watered but yet determined, she turned to Gary and lay a hand on his arm, "Rod could be the solution, Gary. He is a good-natured trainer and he has a future. We can't take that away from him."

Professor Oak's Grandson looked back at her with disgust, but he nodded slightly before looking back at the window and retorting, "I only have one goal, and that is to stop the Thieves Guild. Anyone in my way gets hit in the crossfire. Stay out of trouble and you won't get hurt."

Putting an arm around Rod, Forrest spoke, "Rod will be fine. I am a Gym Leader, and he has potential. I won't let Team Rocket get hold of him."

"Understood." Cynthia nodded and stood up, gesturing to Gary to do the same, "We will meet again Rod, but hopefully in a nicer world."

Gary wandered past her towards the Pokemon Centre desk where he retrieved his Pokeballs from earlier. Cynthia followed him, still wiping her teary eyes as the Pokemon Centre doors slid shut quietly from behind. The last hour had passed so quickly, and Rod was still riveting from the conversation. There was a real threat here, and he had been placed directly in the middle of a storm where many wouldn't make it. Forrest coughed and muttered under his breath, "You have a Gym Battle coming up against Roxanne. I'd rather think about that than Team Rocket, don't you think?"

Looking up, Rod smiled, "That Gym Battle is mine to win. I am ready!"

The Emergency sign behind them finally froze and flashed off as a very tired looking Chansey wandered through the door with Nurse Joy. They both turned around to see a small pink Pokemon sleeping in her arms as it shivered in the Pokemon Centre lobby. Forrest stood up first and walked across with relief flooding his face as Shellos let out a warm cry...