Guilt at Every Move

You left him. You failed him. You lost him.

Blue coughed loudly as the swirling dust cannoned around him, geysers shooting hot water out of the ground as they bleached the darkening skies above. It had been over three months since he left Viridian City, and immediately his travels brought torture and psychological pain he never knew possible. From hiding in the outskirts of the Kanto Region, he had finally made it to Hoenn but the conditions were dreadful. Team Rocket had heightened their search parties with drones and groups of their Elite Trainers and Officers had blocked several paths. Large ransoms and payments were made to the individual who found him and gave him over to Giovanni, and this was a large opportunity for those in the small villages and those who could track and follow. Disguises and lies were used to deceive many, but Blue was running out of options and there seemed to be nobody left to defend him. Words of betrayal and regret hadn't left his mind since the day he left home, and his Pokemon also felt similar emotions. Blue had no idea where his son was, and with no contact whatsoever, he was probably locked away and caught by Team Rocket. Closing his eyes shut, Blue buckled down to his knees again with sand biting into his skin, and landed upon the ground. Tears wept out of his severely dehydrated body before exhaustion steadily took over his body.

The wind intensified, sand whipping up once again, as Blue reopened his eyes and continued to pull himself towards the cave opening ahead. He had created a Secret Base in the Route 11 Desert over a week ago now, collecting all the supplies he could from the nearby Mauville City, but it had steadily been wearing out. With no bed and a lack of a solid drinking source, the conditions were worsening a lot more and Blue knew there would only be a few days left before he had to move again. Professor Oak had kept nearly all of his Pokemon with Rhyperior being the only one in his party at the moment. A very strong Pokemon but currently weak and lacking proper food and treatment to the many battles they had already to get here. Blue needed an answer, and a real place to call home with the world seemingly closing in on him.

Shadow of the secret base caught him, overwhelming his body, as the blistering sandstorm disappeared away under the shelter of the rocky outcrop. Breathing heavily, Blue rolled onto his back and wiped the tears and dirt from his face, however he wasn't alone. A slight cough was heard from deep within the darker shadows as Blue blinked and attempted to turn over, before failing and landing on his back again. He muttered, "Just take me away then. I give up."

The response was something Blue had not expected, but warmth filled his blood as familiarity returned to mind, "Never thought I'd hear you ever say those words. You give up? Funny one, Blue."

Forcing himself over, Blue blinked again as the figure focussed, as long spiky brown hair and matching eyes appeared to him on pale skin. Attempting to smile, instead groaning in the pain of moving his cheeks, he replied, "Gary Oak. What on earth are you doing in Hoenn?"

"Could ask you the same question, seems to be something that runs in the family."

It took a second for the words to sink in before Blue jumped to his feet, immediately feeling them wobble in exhaustion, before approaching Gary and pushing him against the rocky wall. He pushed back, but Blue was much too strong for him as usual, "Where is Rod? Is he in Hoenn? Do you have any idea how many Team Rocket agents are working here to find him?"

Gary eventually fended him off, punching him hard in the stomach as Blue backed off winded, "You are so weak! Rod is in Hoenn, but he is safe. Cynthia is watching over him whilst I do the dirty work. Team Rocket is working through the Thieves Guild in Hoenn, but we have a spy in there and progressing through the ranks."

"A spy? Don't tell me you sent Steven in there!" Blue smirked, looking away as some of the failed missions of the past came back to mind, "He'll probably blow it again."

"Steven Stone would never have completed this mission. We have had this spy working in that corporation for months." Gary coughed again, spitting on the sandy ground, "He died in Vermillion City. You would have known that if you didn't run."

"Dead?" Blue shrugged and sat down on one of the rocks as he took a swig from a bottle of water, only half of it remained, "He was always so reckless when it came down to crunch time."

"The point is that it could have been averted if you agreed to help us. Rod was there. He saw the whole thing."

"Tell me where Rod is, Gary. I swear to god!"

Shaking his head, Gary paced the small Secret Base before glancing back at the former Viridian City Gym Leader, "If you go near your son, you both will be captured. That is your own fault. You ran away and left to fend alone. Giovanni is a smart man, Blue. I am here to offer you an opportunity to make a difference."

"I have done enough for you already. I am done with The Light, Gary!"

"Big words from a man lost in the middle of a desert and hiding in a danky place like this. We can offer you a lot, Blue, and full protection from Team Rocket. You may be able to see Rod again as well, if you help us."

"But why me?" Blue asked, perplexed, he had worked for Gary's organisation many times in the past, his battling ability taking on some of the largest criminal organisations in the world. His legacy as a former Kanto Champion had brought him chances in the military, police force and also in terrorism prevention. The Light though, were a completely independent group of the strongest trainers, who all fought to create peace. "There are many good trainers out there."

"As much as I hate to admit it. You are the best we have at the moment."

"How so?"

"Team Rocket have Red, and he is willing to help them if they get hold of you."

The blustery winds of sand outside was all that appeared in sound for at least a minute as Blue swallowed the remaining drops of water and glanced downwards at the news. Red. The only trainer he had ever hated so much to the point of wanting to murder him. His attitude, magical talent and arrogance had overcome him in the Kanto League so easily, losing the Champion spot in a matter of minutes. His power had been untapped and unknown to so many, in fact after he wiped Team Rocket out single handedly the first time, he vanished and became a myth although so recent. His blood began to boil as he punched the ground hard, feeling the sand dig into the wounds suffered from the heavy travels completed so far. Gary seemed to notice his anger and a glistening smile appeared in front of a truly defeated Blue.

"Red didn't defeat you, Blue. He didn't defeat anyone." Gary explained as he opened up a small satchel held around his waist, and took out a glistening red crystal from within, "What does this mean to you?"

Looking up, Blue saw the crystal in Gary's hand and took a step back, his mind now in a complete blur with bewilderment splitting it apart. It couldn't be. He gasped, "I feel the same power Red had when he defeated me. But how do you have it?"

"Many people have this power now, Blue. You are the only person that knows anything about it, and we need your help."

Blue looked at the crystal, feeling hatred flow through his body again, and after glancing back up towards Gary's annoyingly brown eyes, he spoke, "I'll help you. But I will be the one who takes on Red, understood?"

"Of course.."

…

They all stood outside the still smouldering remains of Vermillion City, but there was no regret on there minds. This is where it all began and where it would continue. Giovanni combed his slick black hair back as he turned to face his entire Team Rocket organisation, from Grunts to Officers and Gym Leaders to various Elite Four Members. Never had such a strong group of trainers appeared together with a sole purpose in mind, and that was to bring balance to a world so warped and out of shape. This wasn't world domination, the capturing of powerful Pokemon or even wanting pure power. It was about creating balance in a free world where Government would not rule over, and the anarchy of reality would become true. Many wanted that after years of Kanto Government corruption, but Giovanni offered them something completely new: a future.

Raising his arms with the applauding and talking sinking into silence, the Team Rocket Leader called, "Welcome to Vermillion City, and thank you all for your support so far. I know many of you doubt me still, as I created Team Rocket so many years ago, but I have significant news. At the fall of the Kanto Government, we have already reduced the amount of debt owed to other regions and companies and provided twenty new Pokemon Academies and Schools for new trainers. We have given you all the opportunity to make a choice."

Clapping ensued from all before dying down once again with Giovanni now leaning forward on the dark podium. He glanced at the palm of his hand and felt the energy inside his body grow, still lacking full control of it. Forcing it back, he coughed and wiped blood from his nose before speaking loudly once again, a smile etched on his face, "We have a special guest today with us, and an individual we all have known of and followed. He is the strongest Pokemon Trainer that the world has ever seen, and the first to have truly conquered the world in his field. He needs no introduction, but instead immense applause. Team Rocket have now officially become unstoppable, and you all can now rejoice."

Murmurs shot through the crowd as heads turned, but movement on the stage fixed their eyes on the unknown. Would it really be the one trainer they thought and believed in? Giovanni stood aside as a man appeared behind, his red hat glistening in the Vermillion sunshine, but his skin remained cold and even fading blue. His brown hair had tinges of grey poking around the hat as he gently pushed Giovanni aside and looked up to the gasp of the audience. Chaos began as people started to yell, Grunts running in to stop the riot and arguments. Nobody had ever thought this trainer would reappear again, and here he was standing before them.

One of the Kanto Locals called out, her shrill voice mixed with pain and confusion, "Why did you leave us? Why did you abandon Kanto when we needed you most?"

There was no answer from the individual on stage as he allowed the cooling sea breeze to move him slightly, but his emotions remained still and unturned. These were the people that supported him many years ago, but never enough for his liking. Nobody had bothered to search for him properly and instead lorded his name to the world as some mythical being, some God that would represent all of them and bring the Kanto Region to a reputable level. He came from a small beginning, from Parents who ignored him and pushed him into the wilderness at a young age. From then, he fought anyone opposing him and Team Rocket was one of those groups. Giovanni seemed to notice his ignorance as the repeated yells from the audience increased fervently.

The Team Rocket Leader walked back to the podium, his guest taking a step aside, before raising his arms and calling, "This Trainer is here to fight for us. He is on our side, and we can all rejoice! The Future of this Region is ours! Don't you understand how amazing this feat is?"

A mixed response from the crowd told him otherwise, but Giovanni's patience was now being tested. Glancing over at the trainer, his brown eyes sparking back at him, he knew that a large part of the deal had not been completed. Blue had not been captured yet, his whereabouts still unknown throughout the world and his son had also eluded the Thieves Guild. The crowd grew quiet once again as the Trainer returned to the podium and coughed before muttering, very softly as his weak voice amplified to Vermilion City, "Leave me alone."

Giovanni gasped as the Trainer grabbed a worn Pokeball from his pocket and turned towards him, "Red...what are you doing?"

Red threw the Pokeball into the air as it exploded into life, an extremely large Pokemon appeared with its bruised wings appearing first and fiery tail. Charizard, and one of the most feared Pokemon on the planet due to its sheer strength and power. Combined with Red's battling strength, the heat from its flaming tail was near to an inferno with Giovanni and his Grunts, along with the crowd running backwards in fear. Red smiled, adjusting his hat slightly before yelling, "You wanted to know the secret behind the power you have, Giovanni? Let me give you a taster of what true power is, you idiot."

Giovanni shook his head and turned away, jumping off the stage before the Charizard spat out a consuming Fire Blast from its mouth. Immediately the world exploded with the bricked ground of Vermillion spilling into a million pieces with the crowds of Team Rocket Grunts and Civilians running for their lives. Red looked at all of them with a mixture of justice on his mind before commanding Charizard to continue the onslaught, his Pokemon eager to attack after so many years of training in isolation. The former Kanto Champion walked towards a fallen Giovanni and kicked him onto his back, the man flinching in pain.

Red yelled, his voice now straining with the blue skies above becoming crimson with clouds appearing from nowhere, his hands had begun to glow red with energy forcing Giovanni into the ground, "You know nothing about the power I have, Giovanni! I am done with your calls for me, using me like a puppet! This power...its something you cannot just create. I was born with it!"

Giovanni shook his head and laughed before Charizard flew overheard to release another jet of fire, "We can modify what you have, Red. You are a cheat, and your Pokemon are all cheats. People know about your power now, and you cannot overcome them. You are alone, Red! Alone!"

"Enough!" Red punched Giovanni hard, feeling his nose break in the process as the Team Rocket boss yell in pain, "Charizard, toast this man! Flamethrower!"

Red's whole body flashed red in anger, as Giovanni rolled around with blood pouring out of his nose. Charizard's roar was the last thing he would hear until darkness flooded the world, and life seemed to leave his very body, almost tearing it away in the flames. Screaming in pain, Giovanni tried to crawl away but all strength had left him as Red walked away, his brown hair flailing in the charcoal atmosphere. The Flame Pokemon screeched loudly in the fiery skies above as Red returned it back to its sizzling Pokeball, and took one look back at the Team Rocket Leader. Helpless and with no clue left as to where to go, but that was how Red had left him so many years ago when they originally met. Cracking a smile, Red began to enjoy being back with society and the world, but only one target remained on his mind.

Looking up at the world around him, the destruction and chaos caused, Red roared with his voice echoing throughout the world with his whole body flashing red, "I AM COMING FOR YOU!"

With a single click of his fingers, Red disappeared into nothing but smoke as Giovanni looked on with a weak smile on his face. Finally the trainer had returned to the world after years of solitude and nothingness. Little did he know, Giovanni was one step ahead this time, and Team Rocket would continue to rise despite it all. Steadily, he released his Transceiver from his pocket and spoke softly, "Red is loose, and is coming for the target. Let the Thieves Guild know immediately, and heighten our search for the source of power. We must find it before they do."

"Agreed sir."