The air around Bill's cottage was unnervingly still. Red and Blue had been standing in the remnants of the ransacked house, trying to figure out their next move. The destruction around them told them everything they needed to know: Team Rocket had been here, and whatever they were after, they wouldn't stop until they got it.
"We should split up," Blue muttered, his usual confident tone replaced by something far more serious. "You check Cerulean City. I'll—"
Before Blue could finish, a rustling sound came from the bushes outside. Both of them froze. Red's heart pounded as his eyes darted to the edge of the clearing. The sun was beginning to dip behind the trees, casting long shadows across the ground, but something darker was moving among them.
Two figures emerged from the underbrush, stepping out of the shadows with an all-too-familiar air of menace. Red's breath caught in his throat.
It was them.
The woman was the first to step forward, her cold, calculating eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. She was tall and angular, her pale skin framed by jet-black hair pulled into a severe ponytail. Her expression was one Red would never forget—those sharp features, the cruel, thin-lipped smile that had twisted with mockery the last time they met. She still wore the black uniform emblazoned with the red "R," but now, her gaze was even colder, more vicious. She had been the one who ordered the attack back in Mt. Moon, watching as her Ekans coiled around Red's Pokémon, her voice dripping with cruelty.
"You thought you'd seen the last of us, kid?" she hissed, her voice as sharp as the first time Red had heard it. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed a Poké Ball into the air, and with a flash of light, her Ekans uncoiled on the ground, its forked tongue flicking as it eyed Red hungrily. Above them, a Zubat swooped down from the treetops, screeching as it circled in the air.
The man stepped up beside her, and Red's stomach twisted with the familiar sense of dread. He was bulkier than his partner, with a brutish frame and a shaved head that gleamed in the dim light. His expression hadn't changed since Mt. Moon—his smirk was still grim and taunting, like someone who enjoyed the pain of others. His deep-set eyes glinted with the same malice Red had seen before, and the scar that ran across his cheek twitched as he chuckled. It was this man who had released his Geodude on Red in Mt. Moon, using its crushing strength to finish Red off without a second thought.
"Looks like the kid didn't learn his lesson last time," the grunt said, his voice low and mocking. He tossed two Poké Balls in quick succession, releasing Geodude and Spearow, just as he had done before. But this time, there was a new addition. Behind him loomed a Rhydon, its massive frame casting a long shadow over the ground, its horn gleaming as it let out a deep, rumbling growl. The man's smirk widened. "We brought something special for you this time."
Red's fists clenched, his eyes narrowing as the weight of the situation hit him. These weren't just any grunts—they were the same ones who had left him for dead in Mt. Moon. The ones who had shown him just how ruthless Team Rocket could be. But this time, he wasn't going to let them win. He had been unprepared before, caught off guard by their cruelty. Now, he was ready.
Behind the grunts, Red spotted Bill, tied to a chair near the cottage, his hands bound tightly and his face pale with fear and frustration. His mouth was gagged, but his wide eyes said everything—he needed help, fast.
"You won't get away with this!" Bill tried to shout through the gag, though his voice came out muffled.
The memory of Mt. Moon, of the pain and humiliation these grunts had inflicted on him, flooded Red's mind. But this time, he wasn't going to let them leave him lying on the ground again. His hands moved to his Poké Balls, his determination stronger than ever.
He wouldn't lose. Not this time.
The tension snapped as soon as the Team Rocket grunts released their Pokémon, the clearing around Bill's cottage erupting into chaos. Red didn't waste a second. His hand flew to his belt, and in one swift motion, he tossed two Poké Balls into the air. "Charmander, Pidgey—let's go!"
Beside him, Blue's face was set in a grim line. He matched Red's movements, calling out his own Pokémon. "Squirtle, Spearow, you're up!"
The battlefield came alive in an instant, every Pokémon moving at once in a flurry of wings, flames, and stones. There was no time for calculated moves or strategies—this was a brawl, pure and simple. Every Pokémon was fighting simultaneously, their trainers shouting commands over the din.
Ekans lunged at Charmander, its fangs gleaming in the fading light as it hissed and coiled, ready to strike. "Charmander, Ember!" Red commanded, his voice steady despite the chaos. Flames burst from Charmander's mouth, searing Ekans before it could sink its fangs in, but the snake Pokémon didn't retreat. It hissed, its body glowing faintly with a menacing poison, and slithered toward Charmander again, relentless.
Above them, Zubat swooped low, its wings creating a screeching noise that made Pikachu's ears twitch in confusion. "Pikachu, Thundershock!" Red called, trying to counter the effect of Zubat's Supersonic waves. Sparks flew from Pikachu's cheeks, a bolt of electricity shooting upward, striking the Zubat mid-flight and sending it crashing into the grass. But the battle was far from over.
On the other side of the field, Blue's Spearow and Squirtle were holding their own against the second grunt's Geodude and Spearow. Geodude lobbed rocks at Squirtle, testing its shell's durability, while Spearow swooped down to attack Blue's Pokémon with sharp, precise strikes. Squirtle's shell withstood the barrage, but Red could see Blue was playing defensively, biding his time for the right moment.
Suddenly, a tremor shook the ground. Rhydon had entered the fray, its massive body stomping toward Red's team with terrifying force. Every step sent a ripple through the earth, causing Red to lose his balance momentarily. "Pidgey, Gust—now!" Red yelled, trying to keep Rhydon at bay.
Pidgey flapped its wings furiously, whipping up a powerful gust of wind that kicked up dust and dirt, blinding the giant Rock-type for a moment. But Red knew it wouldn't hold for long. Rhydon let out a deep, earth-shaking roar, swiping at the air with its massive horn, searching for its target.
Red's heart pounded in his chest as he quickly assessed the battlefield. Bill was still tied up, helpless, and every second they spent in this fight was another second Team Rocket gained control. He couldn't afford to be overwhelmed, not again.
"Charmander, hit Ekans with another Ember! Pidgey, keep Rhydon distracted!" Red barked, his voice rising above the cacophony.
Ekans recoiled as Charmander's flames scorched its scales, finally forcing it to retreat with a pained hiss. But Rhydon was closing in, and Red's strategy of using Pidgey to buy time wasn't going to hold forever.
Pikachu darted between the combatants, its quick movements keeping it just out of reach of Rhydon's thunderous stomps. Red knew Pikachu would be crucial in taking down some of the flying and water-weak Pokémon, but against the massive Rhydon, the situation was more precarious.
Beside him, Blue shouted commands to Squirtle, who launched a stream of water at Geodude, pushing it back with sheer force. "Spearow, use Aerial Ace!" Blue commanded, and his bird Pokémon dove sharply toward the opposing Spearow, their wings colliding in a rapid clash of feathers and beaks.
Red clenched his fists. They were holding their own, but this was far from over. The grunts hadn't expected such resistance, and Red could see the flicker of frustration crossing their faces as they realized they weren't winning as easily as they had before. But Rhydon's presence loomed over the battle, a constant, heavy threat.
"Pikachu, Thundershock! Aim for Zubat!" Red ordered, knowing he had to clear the field if they had any chance of turning the tide. Pikachu unleashed another bolt of electricity, this time striking Zubat with pinpoint accuracy, sending it crashing down again, its wings limp.
But the ground trembled once more as Rhydon advanced, unrelenting.
Just as the battle seemed to hang on a knife's edge, the sound of hurried footsteps pounded from the path behind them. Red glanced over his shoulder, his heart leaping as he saw several trainers sprinting toward the clearing, their Pokémon by their sides. It was the trainers from Nugget Bridge—the same ones who had urged him to hurry earlier.
"We've got your back, Red!" one of the trainers shouted as they arrived, eyes wide with determination.
With a quick motion, the first trainer hurled a Poké Ball into the fray. A Butterfree materialized in a burst of light, its delicate wings shimmering in the dim light as it flitted into the chaos. "Butterfree, use Sleep Powder!" the trainer commanded, and in an instant, a cloud of shimmering powder rained down over the battlefield, drifting toward the Rocket grunts' Pokémon.
Another trainer released a Rattata, its small body darting between the larger Pokémon as it aimed for the legs of Geodude, teeth bared. "Quick Attack, now!" the trainer called, and Rattata shot forward in a blur of motion, ramming into Geodude with surprising force.
The reinforcements were just what Red and Blue needed. The tide of the battle began to turn as the Team Rocket grunts found themselves suddenly outnumbered. Butterfree's Sleep Powder floated down over Ekans and Zubat, the two Pokémon slowing as the powder took effect. Zubat's wings faltered mid-flight, and it dropped to the ground, eyes closing as it fell into a deep slumber. Ekans, too, slithered sluggishly before collapsing, its body curling into a limp heap.
Geodude let out a low growl as it struggled to defend itself against Squirtle's Water Gun and the relentless barrage from Rattata, its stony exterior beginning to crack. The bulky grunt's smirk faltered as he realized his Pokémon were faltering.
Blue, always quick to seize an advantage, didn't miss a beat. "Squirtle, finish it! Water Gun, full power!" he commanded, and Squirtle unleashed a powerful jet of water, sending Geodude skidding across the ground before it slammed into a rock and fell still.
"Pidgey, keep at Rhydon with Gust! Pikachu, help Butterfree with Thundershock!" Red barked, his confidence returning as the battle began to tip in their favor. Pikachu's Thundershock surged through the field, striking Spearow mid-flight and sending it crashing into the dirt.
The Rocket grunts exchanged panicked glances, their previous smugness evaporating as they realized they were being overrun. The taller woman's sneer twisted into frustration as her Zubat lay unconscious at her feet. "We need to fall back," the bulky grunt growled, his deep voice tinged with desperation. He recalled his Geodude and Rhydon in a flash of red light, their forms vanishing into the Poké Balls. The woman followed suit, recalling her Ekans and Zubat with a flick of her wrist.
"We're not done yet, kid," the woman spat, her cold eyes locking onto Red's. "We'll be back, and next time, you won't be so lucky." Her voice dripped with venom as she backed away, her retreat swift and silent.
Within seconds, the two grunts had vanished into the shadows of the forest, their threat hanging in the air like a dark cloud.
Red exhaled, his body trembling with the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. They had won. This time, Team Rocket had been forced to retreat.
The battlefield slowly quieted as the last echoes of Team Rocket's retreat faded into the distance. The remaining trainers and their Pokémon gathered their breath, some kneeling to tend to their injured partners, while others stood, staring at the space where the grunts had vanished. Red's heart pounded in his chest, his body still trembling from the adrenaline, but the threat was gone—for now.
Bill staggered to his feet, his face pale but alive with relief. The ropes that had bound him were discarded on the ground, his body shaking as he regained his composure. "You... you saved me," he murmured, his voice thick with gratitude as his wide eyes took in the destruction around him.
His gaze fell to the scattered papers and broken machinery strewn across the ground. The inside of his cottage was in shambles, and outside, the remnants of the battle marked the once-peaceful landscape. Bill slowly moved forward, almost in a daze, his fingers brushing against a shattered piece of equipment.
"This could have been catastrophic..." Bill muttered, his voice low, as if trying to process the damage. "If Team Rocket had succeeded in taking my research..."
Red clenched his fists, the reality of what had just happened beginning to sink in. He glanced at his Pokémon—Charmander, Pidgey, and Pikachu—all of them battered and exhausted but standing tall, watching him. They had given everything to protect Bill and his work. And for the first time since Mt. Moon, Red felt a deep sense of accomplishment, like a weight had lifted from his shoulders.
But that victory felt fragile. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
Blue walked over, his usual cocky smirk not fully formed, but still lingering. "Well, looks like we showed them we're not as weak as they thought, huh?" he said, though his tone carried a rare edge of respect. "Still... that was close."
Red nodded but didn't say anything at first. His eyes were fixed on the wreckage of Bill's house—the broken windows, the papers scattered across the yard, the technology that lay in pieces. This wasn't just another battle. Team Rocket had shown their hand. They were organized, relentless, and willing to destroy anyone who got in their way.
Bill turned to them, his expression serious despite the faint gratitude in his eyes. "You don't understand how important this was," he said quietly, drawing Red and Blue's attention. "The technology I'm working on... it's not just about transferring Pokémon. It's about reshaping how trainers interact with them. If Team Rocket gets their hands on it, they could take control over the entire system—manipulate trainers, access Pokémon remotely, disrupt everything we know about the bond between people and their Pokémon."
The weight of his words settled over Red like a heavy fog. Team Rocket's ambitions weren't just about causing chaos or stealing Pokémon anymore. They were playing for real power—power that could give them control over Kanto and beyond.
Blue's smirk faded as the gravity of the situation sank in. "They're more dangerous than I thought," he muttered, his eyes narrowing as he looked out over the wreckage.
Red exhaled slowly, his hands still clenched at his sides. "What do we do now?" he asked quietly, though his voice carried a determined edge.
Bill ran a hand through his hair, glancing back at the destroyed cottage. "For now, I'll rebuild and secure my research. I've got to stay low, but... I'll keep developing. You two need to stay vigilant. This won't be the last time they try something."
Red's eyes flickered with resolve. The feeling of helplessness he had experienced in Mt. Moon still haunted him, but now it was accompanied by a burning determination. "They won't stop," Red said, his voice firm. "And neither will I."
Bill offered him a grateful smile, though there was a lingering sadness behind it. "Just be careful, Red. Team Rocket is growing bolder, more dangerous. They won't hesitate to come after you again."
Red glanced at Blue, who was staring at the horizon, his arms crossed, lost in thought. It was rare to see Blue look so serious, so focused. Their rivalry seemed distant now, like something from a different life. What lay ahead wasn't about who was the better trainer or who had the strongest Pokémon. This was about stopping something much darker.
The two of them stood side by side outside Bill's house, the fading light casting long shadows across the ruined landscape. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the soft hues of twilight bathed the scene in an eerie calm. The air was cool now, carrying with it the scent of the forest mixed with the smoke from the smoldering remains of the battle.
The trainers from Nugget Bridge, having done their part, were quietly leaving the scene, offering brief nods of farewell to Red and Blue. They had helped turn the tide of the battle, but even with their victory, the atmosphere was heavy with the realization that this was far from over.
Red's eyes scanned the darkening landscape. The once peaceful area was now littered with the debris of Team Rocket's attack—Bill's research scattered like fallen leaves, broken shards of glass twinkling faintly in the last light of day. The devastation was a reminder of just how fragile their victory had been. Team Rocket had been beaten back, but they would return. Stronger. More determined.
"We'll be ready for them," Red said quietly, mostly to himself, but Blue nodded in agreement.
"They won't know what hit them next time," Blue added, his confidence slowly returning, though his gaze lingered on the destruction. "We're not just playing anymore."
Bill, standing in the doorway of his ruined home, gave them a solemn nod. "You've already shown you're capable of more than most. But be careful. The path ahead won't be easy."
As the final light of the day faded and the first stars began to appear in the sky, Red and Blue stood outside Bill's cottage, looking out over the aftermath of the battle, their thoughts heavy with the weight of what was to come.
And in that moment, beneath the darkening sky, they both knew—this was only the beginning.