Red the Rocket

Chapter III

Red was walking back from the Celadon City Gym with the badge held proudly in his hand.  Charlie, who had evolved mid-battle into Charizard had defeated the Gym Leader easily without breaking a sweat.  The Team Rocket member was just heading to his dorm to repack his supplies when the intruder alarm went off.

"Well, I better do something about that."

As he was running Red overheard a grunt, "It's just one kid!  How is he mopping the floor with us?"

The young trainer ran faster, he only knew one other child with that level of skill, Blue Oak.  Red came around corner just to see Blue win another battle.  A Pidgeot flew around the large room they were in.

"You killed my Pokemon, Red!  I am going to take you and this entire organization down to avenge him!"

Red calmly released Charlie, who soared into the air and engaged in battle with Blue's Pidgeot, which dodged Charlie's Flamethrower for a bit but ultimately collapsed when a single Flamethrower connected.  Blue then released a Blastoise that, before Red could return him, hit Charlie with a powerful Hydro Pump.  The Charizard then started to fall and Red returned him.

Matthew was sent onto the battlefield and immediately began using Karate Chop to hit the weak points of his opponent's shell.  The Blastoise was stunned for a moment from the rapid attack before he recovered and blasted the Machoke away with a blast of water.  Matthew stands and began to run forward, ducking various blasts of water.  He finally landed a Brick Break on the top of his foe's head, knocking the Blastoise out cold.  Matthew was already panting when Blue sent out an Alakazam that blasted the Machoke with a beam of Psychic energy, which caused the Fighting type to immediately keel over.

Red released Sandy, who ran forward and up the wall, catching her foe by surprise.  Seeing an opportunity, the Sandslash dropped onto the disoriented Psychic type with Crush Claw.  The Alakazam survived, but fell unconscious.  Blue then sent out an Exeggcute, which launched a few green balls of energy at Sandy.  She managed to dodge the first two but a third sent her flying and unconscious.

Sweating a bit, Red sent out his Jolteon.  He knew Georgia would not fit in this room.  As his other Pokemon did, the Electric type followed his trainer's commands and launched a Shadow Ball his opponent.  Blue was caught by surprise and the slow moving Pokemon had no time to dodge the attack.  The Exeggcute went flying, still conscious, but not for long as another Shadow Ball flew through the air and knocked out the pink Pokemon.

Blue released a Growlithe, which is quickly knocked out by a Thunderbolt.

"This isn't the last you'll see of me!"  Blue cried as he ran back towards the exit to avoid being captured by the grunts now rushing past Red.

"Jolteon, for your valor in battle today I will give you a name, Jasper."

The Rocket grunt then turned and headed to the base's healing center.  After they heard of how Red had defeated the menace and saved their bacon, many of the grunts let Red go ahead of them, which allowed him to move up quite far in the long line.  As soon as he healed his Pokemon, the young trainer felt a tap on his shoulder.  Red turned to see one Giovanni's head men standing there.

"Giovanni would like to see you."

The young Rocket grunt followed his higher up to Giovanni.

"Hello Red, I will not keep you long, seeing as you were just getting ready to leave."

"Thank you, Sir."

"I just wanted to thank you for driving that boy, Blue Oak, from our base.  He has not been captured yet, but he is now a wanted figure among Team Rocket.  I know that you are currently a field agent traveling the region to grow stronger, which I like.  However, I would like to offer you a promotion to Admin of Field Affairs.  You might be called upon more frequently, but we will be sure to arrange travel so that your journey is interrupted as little as possible.  This position will come with benefits, most of which you are already aware of, so I will not bore you with the details."

"Thank you, Sir, I gladly accept."

"Good, one thing I want to know.  What drives you?"

"Revenge."

"Could you elaborate?"

"Seven years ago, when I was half my current age, my mother was brutally murdered by some thug.  I want revenge on that sick man."

"I see, you may go."

Red leaves, however, he listens through the door, suspicious.

"Mr. Giovanni, does that not sound like something you did?"

"That is for only me to know."

"But, Sir, if you are the one he spoke of, then you should be more careful around him."

"I am not concerned about a mere child.  He merely confirmed what I suspected."

"So, I am correct."

Red left, not needing to hear more.  He already knew what he would have to do, play it cool, and then, when the time was ripe, strike for revenge.  After all, it is a dish best served cold.