The Power of Viridian settled within him, a gentle, verdant energy distinct from the sharp clarity of his psychic abilities or the vibrant pulse of his Aura. It was a quieter power, a deep, empathetic resonance that allowed him to not just sense a Pokémon's emotions, but to truly understand them—to feel their joy, their pain, and their spirit. It could soothe a troubled mind and mend a broken body. As Red felt its calming influence wash over his own soul, a rare, peaceful smile touched his lips. "An incredible ability," he murmured.
But the forest's tranquility was short-lived. A new wave of chaos erupted nearby, and Red's senses were immediately flooded with the frantic, terrified energy of a Pokémon being hunted. He moved quickly, and as he broke through the treeline, he saw them: a squad of Team Rocket grunts in their black uniforms, chasing a single, desperate Eevee.
(An Eevee?) Red thought, narrowing his eyes. (Why would Team Rocket dispatch a full squad for an ordinary Eevee? Unless...)
His unspoken question was answered in a flash of light.
"Magneton, use Thunderbolt!" the grunt leading the squad commanded.
A crackling web of electricity shot from the Magneton, intent on paralyzing the fleeing Pokémon. But just as the attack was about to strike, the Eevee let out a pained cry. Its body was consumed by a blinding white light. Its soft brown fur bristled, turning a sharp, spiky yellow. It was no longer an Eevee, but a Jolteon. With its new Volt Absorb ability, it drew the electricity into its own body, converting the attack into pure energy, and retaliated with a furious Thunderbolt of its own.
Before Red could fully process the impossible sight, a new threat emerged. A torrent of fire shot from the shadows, aimed at the newly formed Jolteon. But again, the creature reacted. With another pained shriek and a flash of white light, its form shifted once more, its spiky yellow fur melting into a soft, crimson coat. It had become a Flareon. It absorbed the flames with its Flash Fire ability and unleashed a blistering Flamethrower.
"Damn it! Experiment Two is too strong!" one of the grunts complained.
"As expected of Dr. Fenris's work. Its power is indeed extraordinary." A new figure stepped out from the trees, clapping his hands with a predatory smile. It was Yagawa, the squad leader Red had sensed earlier, and behind him stood a powerful Magmar, the source of the recent fire blast. "It seems my new Magmar will get a proper workout."
(Team Rocket. Experiment Two. Just like Gyarados,) Red pieced it together, his expression hardening as he watched them wantonly destroy the ancient forest.
"I need your help," he said quietly, releasing two of his partners. "Beedrill, Scyther."
Their sudden appearance threw the grunts into a panic. They recognized strength when they saw it, and any thoughts of capturing these two magnificent specimens were instantly extinguished. Scyther rushed forward, a blur of azure, and used Fury Cutter to disable a grunt's Pokémon before driving the squad back with a sweeping Razor Wind, creating a barrier between them and the beleaguered Flareon.
"I won't let you do as you please," Red said, his voice cold and flat.
As his two bug-type warriors stood ready, their profiles flashed in his mind.
Pokémon: Beedrill
Type: Bug / Poison
Ability 1: Swarm
Ability 2: Sniper
Known Moves: Poison Sting, Fury Attack, Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Brick Break, Poison Jab, Agility…
Disposition: A loner by nature, but fiercely loyal to his companions. Would give his life for Red without hesitation.
Profile: A former lone wolf of the Viridian Forest Beedrill clan. Unwilling to be bound by the constraints of his family, he left to travel the world alone. His sharp eyes lock onto an enemy's vital points with unnerving accuracy. He reserves his potent stinger for teaching arrogant foes a lesson, preferring the thrill of pure combat.
Pokémon: Scyther (Shiny: Azure)
Type: Bug / Flying
Ability 1: Technician
Ability 2: Swarm
Known Moves: Quick Attack, Fury Cutter, Agility, X-Scissor, Air Slash, Hone Claws…
Disposition: Arrogant…
Red was so touched by the description of Beedrill's loyalty that he unconsciously tipped his hat down, hiding his expression.
Mistaking them for wild Pokémon coming to its aid, the exhausted Flareon reverted to its original Eevee form. The transformation was not seamless; it was agonizing, a violent tearing of its own genetic code. It would never choose this path if it wasn't fighting for its life.
"Who the hell are you, brat?! How dare you interfere with Team Rocket's sacred work!" Yagawa snarled, his patience worn thin.
"I just don't like what I see," Red replied, ignoring the man's rising fury.
"Magmar, Flamethrower! Golbat, Poison Fang!" Yagawa commanded.
Beedrill easily dodged the flames, while Scyther met Golbat's charge with a preemptive Air Slash.
"Magneton, Thunderbolt!" the other grunt leader shouted.
"Onix!" Red threw another Poké Ball. The ground shook as his colossal Onix appeared, easily absorbing the electricity into the earth.
"How is that possible?! That Onix is huge!" Yagawa cried out in horror as the giant's shadow completely blotted out the sun.
Pokémon: Onix
Type: Rock / Ground
Ability 1: Rock Head
Ability 2: Sturdy
Moves: Rock Throw, Stone Edge, Iron Tail, Sand Tomb, Dig, Sandstorm, Double-Edge…
Disposition: Gentle, but unwilling to be ordinary. Longs for greater power.
Profile: The former king of the Mt. Moon Onix clan. It grew bored of its mundane life and yearned to meet a powerful trainer who could show it the world.
"Iron Tail," Red said calmly. The move, though not effective, was strong enough to send the Magneton crashing to the ground. "Body Press."
Onix lunged forward, bringing its full, massive weight down on the Magneton. There was a sickening crunch, and the Steel-type was instantly defeated.
"Magmar, Fire Punch! Golbat, get in there!" Yagawa roared, his face contorted with rage. Beedrill used Double Team, surrounding the Magmar with illusory clones. Scyther, meanwhile, intercepted the Golbat, but its Bug-type moves were resisted, and the fight became a grueling stalemate.
"It's a pity," Red said, his indifferent tone driving Yagawa mad. "With your strength, you can't defeat me."
While his ace Pokémon were engaged, Onix single-handedly faced the rest of the grunts, turning their weak Pokémon into experience points. Seeing Magmar's stamina finally wane, Beedrill shot into the air and descended in a devastating Giga Impact, slamming it into the ground and leaving it completely incapacitated.
Scyther, unwilling to be outdone, finally found an opening and defeated the resilient Golbat with a point-blank Air Slash.
The battle was over. The surviving grunts were frozen in fear.
Red turned his attention to the injured Eevee. "Whether you trust me or not, if you don't treat those injuries, you'll die." He tossed a healing spray toward it.
The Eevee looked at him with hostile eyes, but under the stern gazes of Beedrill and Scyther, it relented. It picked up the spray in its mouth, gave Red one last, long look, and then vanished into the depths of the forest.
"Don't let it get away!" Yagawa screamed, but a warning shot from Scyther's Air Slash sent him scrambling back in terror.
"I have no intention of letting you go," Red said coldly. He signaled to Onix, which let out a roar so powerful it paralyzed the remaining grunts with fear.
Red calmly took out his Pokédex and dialed the number for the Pewter City police station, arranging for Officer Jenny to come and clean up the trash.
***********
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