Viridian City
Dusk had fallen, and with no transportation available, Mason and Ash—who was carrying an injured Pikachu—hurried toward Viridian City. Luckily, they arrived in time, but just as they were about to enter, they were stopped by Officer Jenny, who was on patrol.
This was not surprising. Recently, Viridian City had been plagued by thefts perpetrated by Team Rocket, prompting a substantial increase in security measures. What neither Mason nor Ash realized, however, was that Viridian City was actually the secret base of Team Rocket's Kanto operations.
"Hold it right there! Suspicious individuals are not allowed into Viridian City!" Officer Jenny said firmly, stepping in front of them.
Pikachu whimpered weakly in Ash's arms, immediately drawing Officer Jenny's concern. She scrutinized them carefully, but her sense of duty kept her cautious.
"If you don't have proper identification," she explained, "city regulations forbid suspicious individuals from entering."
"We're not suspicious!" Ash protested anxiously. "My Pikachu is badly injured! I need to get him to the Pokémon Center—now!"
Officer Jenny crouched to examine the wounded Pikachu, her expression softening. Still, regulations were regulations.
"My two little brothers, unless you have identification, I can't let you in," she repeated.
Mason quickly pulled out his Pokédex. He opened it, and the screen lit up, displaying his profile photo. He pressed a button, and the device emitted a mechanical voice:
"This Pokédex belongs to Mason of Pallet Town. Work hard, Pokémon Trainer! Please note: if a Pokédex is lost or stolen, it cannot be reissued. Message from Professor Oak."
"This Pokédex is the best proof of a Trainer's identity," Officer Jenny said, explaining to the still-panicking Ash.
"Officer Jenny, please," Mason pleaded. "Take my brother to the Pokémon Center first. Pikachu's injury worries me."
Touched by his urgency, Officer Jenny relented.
"I just happen to be finishing my shift. I'll take him."
After activating the rolling gate, Officer Jenny helped Ash onto her motorcycle and sped toward the Pokémon Center. Before leaving, she looked back at Mason and smiled.
"I didn't realize you two were twins," she remarked. "It's hard to tell at first glance."
"..."
Mason said nothing, watching them leave.
Instead of following, Mason had other plans. He decided to challenge the Tokiwa Gym first. To avoid worrying Ash, he agreed to meet him at the Pokémon Center later that evening.
Standing outside Tokiwa Gym, Mason immediately sensed its imposing aura. Tokiwa Gym was arguably the most formidable Gym in all of Kanto. Its leader, Giovanni, was not just a Gym Trainer—he was the elusive mastermind behind Team Rocket, a man who played both sides of the law.
Publicly, Giovanni worked with the Pokémon League and Viridian officials, bringing prosperity to the city. Secretly, he funneled profits and resources to his criminal empire.
A true "black and white" operator.
Taking a deep breath, Mason stepped forward.
"I'm Mason from Pallet Town. I officially request a Gym Battle against Leader Giovanni!"
Two heavily built guards wielding massive axes blocked the entrance. They exchanged a glance, clearly reluctant. Few rookie Trainers ever challenged Tokiwa Gym, and it was nearly closing time—they were eager to go home.
However, seeing the determination burning in Mason's eyes, the guards hesitated. At last, they slammed their axes into the ground with a heavy thud. Slowly, the gate behind them creaked open.
Inside the Gym, Giovanni was lounging lazily on a sofa when he received word of a challenger.
"A challenger? How unusual," he mused. When Mason's image appeared on a monitor, Giovanni smiled faintly.
"I didn't expect to meet this boy so soon."
The lights inside the dark Gym flared to life as Mason entered. The arena floor gleamed under the sudden illumination. Mason looked up toward the second-floor balcony, where Giovanni sat casually.
"I am Giovanni, Leader of Tokiwa Gym!" he declared.
"I'm Mason from Pallet Town!" Mason responded with equal confidence.
"You're quite bold. I accept your challenge," Giovanni said, his eyes glinting with interest.
The two guards, now acting as referees, made the official announcement:
"The match will be three Pokémon each! The first side to lose all three Pokémon will be defeated! Gym Leaders cannot switch Pokémon during battle! There is no time limit! The battle begins now!"
Giovanni remained lounging on his sofa as he casually tossed a Poké Ball onto the battlefield.
"Go, Rhydon."
A powerful Rhydon materialized with a roar. Mason, unfazed, responded immediately.
"Let's go, Onix!"
His massive Onix burst forth, its enormous body almost scraping the ceiling. The sheer size of Onix cracked parts of the roof structure, while Rhydon huffed, clearly excited to battle such a massive opponent.
Onix let out a mighty roar, its eyes filled with determination.
"Impressive," Giovanni remarked. "I see that Mia Chashan tamed that Onix. I didn't expect a rookie Trainer to control such power."
Giovanni leaned back, intrigued.
(This boy's strength... it's real.)
Professor Oak's unusual mobilization of Team Rocket resources to defend Pallet Town had drawn Giovanni's attention. Through his spies, he had learned about Mason—and what he saw now impressed him.
"Rhydon, use Drill Run!" Giovanni commanded.
"Onix, counter with Iron Tail!" Mason responded.
The drill on Rhydon's forehead spun furiously, but Onix's iron-coated tail slammed into Rhydon's face first. In a raw contest of strength, Onix sent Rhydon sprawling.
"Rhydon, Arm Hammer!"
"Onix, use Double-Edge!"
The battlefield shook as the two giants collided. Thanks to Onix's "Hard Head" ability, it suffered no recoil from the brutal Double-Edge. Capitalizing on Rhydon's momentary weakness, Mason shouted:
"Onix, tail attack now!"
Using its tail with deadly precision, Onix hammered Rhydon backward, then struck a vital point with Iron Tail.
"Finish it with Stone Edge!"
Sharp stone blades erupted beneath Rhydon, shattering its stamina completely. Rhydon collapsed with a thundering crash.
"Rhydon is unable to battle!" the referee declared.
Onix roared triumphantly and slithered back to Mason's side, its scarred face beaming with pride. Mason, without flinching, gently patted Onix's rugged head.
"Not bad," Giovanni admitted. "You've mastered smooth move combinations. Hard to believe you're a rookie."
Mason narrowed his eyes, wary of Giovanni's compliment.
Without pause, Giovanni sent out his next Pokémon—a muscular Nidoking.
"Come back, Onix!" Mason called. He swiftly pulled out another Poké Ball.
"Your turn, Gyarados!"
With a burst of light, Mason's blood-red Gyarados emerged, roaring ferociously. His Intimidate ability immediately lowered Nidoking's attack. However, Nidoking's muscles bulged, his eyes turning crimson with rage.
"Fighting Spirit ability," Mason deduced.
Nidoking exhaled thick white steam, glaring murderously at Gyarados. Giovanni watched thoughtfully.
(Is this the infamous Experiment No. 1 from Professor Xiemu? I didn't expect it to be captured already.)
However, Giovanni harbored no particular greed for this Gyarados. He had seen too many rare Pokémon already. Only true Legendary Pokémon stirred his ambitions now.
"Gyarados, Hydro Pump!"
A raging torrent of water shot toward Nidoking. Calmly, Giovanni countered:
"Freeze it with Ice Beam!"
Nidoking's Ice Beam solidified the Hydro Pump into a massive icicle.
"Mega Punch!" Giovanni ordered.
Shattering the ice, Nidoking sent deadly shards flying toward Gyarados. Nidoking then lunged, slamming a Mega Punch into Gyarados's abdomen.
Enraged, the blood-red Gyarados retaliated by biting down viciously on Nidoking's arm with Crunch. Nidoking struggled but couldn't break free.
"Brick Break, now!" Giovanni commanded coolly.
Through sheer pain, Nidoking powered through, landing a Brick Break on Gyarados's head. Staggered, Gyarados released Nidoking with a furious roar.
(As expected, the blood-red Gyarados's attributes have truly changed. Professor Xiemu's experiment is a success...) Giovanni thought, his mind racing.
(Such a genius... he must belong to Team Rocket. If not—he must be eliminated.)
A dangerous glint flickered in Giovanni's eyes.
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