Chapter 357: The Evolver
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Pallet Town – Oak's Lab]
The familiar warmth of Pallet Town's sunset glowed across the horizon as Green descended from the vast, cerulean sky. Below, the rooftops of the quaint village seemed to breathe a sigh of peace, a stark contrast to the turbulent adventures she often found herself embroiled in.
*Fwp*
With a graceful spiral, her magnificent Moltres, a fiery legend itself, folded its colossal wings and landed softly in the yard of Professor Oak's laboratory. A faint chuckle escaped Green's lips as she recalled the majestic bird, its form dissolving into the cool comfort of its Poké Ball.
Green thanked her Pokémon kindly, "Thanks, Moltres. Rest up."
Stepping onto the well-worn path leading to the entrance, Green felt a familiar mix of anticipation and trepidation. It had been a long journey, filled with high-stakes battles and critical missions, but this visit was different. This was personal.
*Thud*
Pushing open the oak door, she stepped into the bustling yet cozy interior of the lab, the familiar scent of ozone and old books filling her nostrils. She called out, spotting the esteemed researcher hunched over a complex array of machinery, a magnifying glass perched precariously on his nose, "Professor!"
Prof. Oak, startled, nearly dropped his apparatus. He blinked, adjusting his spectacles, and a wide, beaming smile spread across his face as he saw Green replying, "Green! My dear, it's wonderful to see you! And right on time. I trust your journey was… eventful, as always?"
Green smirked, leaning against a lab table laden with various Pokémon samples, replying casually, "You could say that. But this time, Professor, I'm here for a little more personal. I'm finally going to meet my parents."
Professor Oak's eyes twinkled with genuine delight. He congratulated her proudly, "Ah, yes, your parents! I've been meaning to congratulate you, Green. It takes immense bravery to confront one's past, and even more to forge a future as you have. I knew you'd find them eventually. You've become such a strong, independent young woman."
He clapped his hands together, his enthusiasm radiating through the lab as he continued, "My dear, I am so incredibly proud of you!"
Green felt a blush creep up her neck, a rare sight for the usually unflappable trainer. She chuckled, waving a dismissive hand, though her heart swelled with warmth, "Professor, please! You're embarrassing me! I just… I finally felt ready."
She took a deep breath, the decision that had simmered for years now a solid, imminent reality. Professor Oak continued, oblivious to her embarrassment, "Well, speaking of journeys. I was just about to provide you with a special pass. There are some intriguing new findings on One Island in the Sevii Archipelago, and I thought it might offer an excellent opportunity for a family reunion, perhaps?"
He gestured towards a pristine white pass lying on his desk. Green shook her head with a knowing smile as she replied, "I appreciate the thought, Professor, but I'm one step ahead of you. I've already got a pass. Remember when I told you I was scouting out the area over a year ago for Moltres? Had a hunch it might be poking around those remote islands. Had a chance to do some recon. Picked up a pass then."
She tapped a pocket on her belt as she continued casually, "Though, thankfully, it was a last migrated at Victory Road where I captured it."
Prof. Oak mused fondly, a fond smile on his face as he said happily, "Always thinking ahead, aren't you, Green? That's my Green. Resourceful as ever. But speaking of preparations, that reminds me. I'll need your Pokédex, if you don't mind. I'm intending to implement a mass upgrade for the models. New data, improved interface, higher storage capacity. A full overhaul, you could say."
Green unclipped her Pokédex from her belt and handed it over. It's familiar, sturdy weight felt strange in his hands as she replied, "Sure thing, Professor. It's seen its share of adventures, that's for sure."
She watched as he carefully placed it on a specialized charging port. She asked curiously, "I suppose I'll have to wait a bit to get it back, then?"
Professor Oak confirmed, peering at the device with a critical eye, "Indeed, given the scope of the upgrade, it will take some time. Not just yours, but Red's and Blue's as well. I hope to get them all sorted by tomorrow morning."
Green replied, a genuine smile gracing her features as she said excitedly, "That's perfectly fine. Honestly, it's probably for the best. I won't need it while I'm catching up with my parents. I want to give them my full, undivided attention. No distractions, no emergencies, just… family."
The thought alone filled her with a profound sense of peace she hadn't felt in years. Just as the last word left her lips, a cheerful, melodious voice echoed from the lab's entrance, "Is anyone home? Smells like burnt toast and science in here!"
Green and Professor Oak turned in unison as the door swung open, revealing Azure. He had a relaxed yet confident air about him, an easy smile playing on his lips.
Perched jauntily on his left shoulder, a vibrant, energetic Pikachu twitched its ears, its cheeks sparking playfully. Resting comfortably on his head, an equally charming Eevee yawned, stretching its paws daintily.
Professor Oak exclaimed, his face lighting up even further, seeing them, "Azure! Pikachu! Eevee! How wonderful to see you all! You've just missed Green telling me about her plans."
Azure's eyes met Green's, and a familiar, amiable grin spread across his face as he asked kindly, "Green! Fancy seeing you here. Long time no see."
Green returned, her smile softening as she greeted the three, "Azure. Still carrying those two around like royalty, I see."
She nodded towards the Pokémon, who both offered a friendly greeting. Pikachu gave a sharp 'Pika!' while Eevee chirped a soft 'Eevee!'
Azure chuckled, patting Pikachu's head as it cried out happily, "Wouldn't have it any other way. They're pretty much glued to me. So, what brings the intrepid Green to Pallet Town? Not another evil organization again, I hope?"
Professor Oak intervened before Green could reply as he stated calmly, "No, nothing of the sort! Green is finally off to meet her parents! But speaking of adventures, Azure, how was your training retreat at Mt. Silver? I've heard whispers of the intensity you put your team through up there."
He gestured broadly, encompassing not just Pikachu and Eevee, but also referring to Azure's powerhouse main team: his sleek, predatory Shiny Gengar, the formidable metallic Scizor, the fiery, loyal Arcanine, and the majestic Dragonite.
Azure's grin widened, a knowing glint in his eyes. He thought of the relentless, brutal sessions under the harsh, freezing winds of Mt. Silver, the air crackling with raw Trainer Skills.
He remembered the grueling, high-stakes sparring matches with Mewtwo, the Legendary Pokémon moving with blinding speed and power, forcing him and his partners to push beyond every perceived limit. It wasn't just about battling; it was about refining his perception, his reaction time, his ability to predict, to adapt, to seize any opening against an overwhelmingly strong opponent.
Every flinch, every misstep, had been brutally punished, every subtle shift in battle advantage ruthlessly exploited by the Genetic Pokémon. It tested his very limits as a Trainer along with his Pokémon.
He relived the feeling of his Pokémon, Gengar's ghostly body flickering through devastating attacks, Scizor's metallic claws gleaming as it parried blows, Arcanine's fiery fangs snapping through the frigid air, and Dragonite soaring and slamming with earth-shattering force.
And then there were Pikachu and Eevee, his oldest friends, his anchors, who, despite their smaller stature, faced down Mewtwo with unyielding courage, their every move sharper, their synergy with him more profound than ever before. It was a baptism by fire, a forging of spirit and skill that left them all stronger, more connected, more capable.
*Shiver*
Azure finally replied, a slight shiver running down his spine at the memory of his training, despite the warmth of the lab, "Worth every single frozen limb. The air up there really clears your head. Just got myself cleaned up and came straight here. Didn't expect to find you here, Green. Good timing, I guess."
Professor Oak, sensing an opportunity, reached for the pristine white pass he had initially offered Green as he asked, "Azure, as it happens, I have a pass right here for One Island in the Sevii Islands. Given your recent intense training, perhaps a change of scenery, a gentler exploration, would be just the ticket before you dive into whatever new challenges await you."
Azure's eyes subtly flickered to the pass, and an imperceptible smirk touched his lips. He mentally thought cautiously, 'One Island, huh? So, the Firered and Leafgreen plot arc is finally kicking off.'
His unique perspective as someone who had understood this world gave him an uncanny foresight, a meta-awareness of the unfolding events. He knew that this simple pass was the prelude to a far larger conspiracy, the first breadcrumb leading to the resurgence of Team Rocket.
It would be an interesting experience, to say the least, to witness these events unfold firsthand, and perhaps even subtly influence them with his own unique set of skills and partners. And the idea of traveling there with his 'old team' – reconnecting with the simpler joy of exploration, without the crushing weight of competitive tournaments or world-saving heroics, was surprisingly appealing.
He took the pass from Professor Oak's hand as he thanked the Professor kindly, "Thank you, Professor. That sounds… relaxing. Just what the doctor ordered, after battling a certain Legendary as a sparring partner."
He gave a wink that only Green, who knew his eccentricities, fully caught. Green clapped her hands together, a sparkle in her eyes as she said excitedly, "Perfect! Then I'll lead the way! I was just about to head out myself. It'll be great to have you along, Azure. I mean, it's not often I get to play tour guide."
She paused, her expression turning more earnest as she added, "And honestly, I'd really like to use this chance to return the favor. Two years ago, when I was struggling to find any solid leads on my parents – you remember, all those dead ends and false trails – you were the one who helped me cut through the noise. You got me the vital info, the right contacts, the real location. You practically handed me the key to finding them. I just… finally dared to turn it. So, consider this me doing my part to repay that kindness."
Azure waved a dismissive hand as he casually said with a grin, "No need for repayment, Green. We're friends, after all. Just make sure you don't get lost, city slicker."
Green scoffed, playfully punching his arm as she retorted, "As if! I practically know these islands better than you know your own Pokémon's move set!"
With a final round of goodbyes to Professor Oak, Green stepped out of the lab, a renewed sense of purpose radiating from her. With a flourish, she summoned Moltres from its Poké Ball, the legendary bird materializing in a burst of golden light and fiery plumage.
*Pop*
She swung herself onto its back, already eager to embark on this new, personal journey as she yelled, "Let's go, Moltres!"
*Fwp*
Azure, watching her ascend, gave a soft smile. He then called out his own majestic partner as he hurled a Poké Ball into the air.
*Pop*
With a resounding roar, his powerful Dragonite, a creature of immense loyalty and strength, appeared beside him. Its scales gleamed in the setting sun, and its kind eyes looked expectantly at its trainer.
Azure effortlessly climbed onto its broad back, Pikachu scrambling to its shoulder, and Eevee nestling into its lap commanded, "Alright, Dragonite, let's follow Green. Time for a little island hopping."
*Fwp*
In moments, both trainers, mounted on their magnificent flying Pokémon, soared into the deepening twilight. Moltres, a streak of living flame, led the way, a testament to Green's fiery determination.
Dragonite, a beacon of strength and serenity, followed closely behind, carrying Azure, Pikachu, and Eevee deeper into the Pokémon Adventures world, a world Azure knew held many secrets and many more adventures he was uniquely poised to face.
Back in the quiet confines of his laboratory, Professor Oak sighed contentedly. He murmured, gathering the various tools needed for the Pokédex upgrades, "Such bright young trainers. I hope Green succeeds in her goal."
He laid out Green's Pokédex, a pristine empty slot awaiting Red's, and another for Blue's. He hummed a soft tune, already envisioning the enhanced capabilities of the devices, the new possibilities for research and discovery they would unlock.
*Crack*
Just as he reached for a micro-soldering iron, a sudden, chilling rustle filled the air. A small, dark seed, barely noticeable, fell from the ceiling, landing silently on the polished floor. Before Professor Oak could even register its presence, the seed burst open, and thick, vibrant green vines erupted from it with terrifying speed.
*RMBL*
They snaked and writhed, instantly coiling around Professor Oak's ankles, then rapidly ascending, binding his arms to his sides, and finally wrapping around his mouth, silencing any cry for help.
From the shadows, a figure emerged. He was tall, gaunt, and clad in a sinister black uniform that bore the crimson insignia of the newly reformed Team Rocket: Orm, one of the organization's dreaded Three Beasts.
An unsettling smile stretched across his face as he surveyed his captive. Orm's voice was a low, chilling rasp, "Professor Samuel Oak, if I'm not mistaken. It's been a while since Team Rocket paid a visit to your quaint establishment. But we have unfinished business, and something you possess is now ours."
He stepped forward, his eyes fixing on the single Pokédex resting on the charging port. Je stated coldly, "A box of dreams filled with the records of the journeys and battles of the Pokémon Trainers who carried them. It looks like the tip about you gathering the Pokedexes from their holders was correct. I'll be taking that."
Though bound and gagged, Professor Oak's mind raced. He had to alert someone, anyone. With a surge of desperate strength, he strained against the vines, his fingers brushing against a small device on his belt – his Fame Checker.
*Click*
With a click, barely audible over the rustling of the encroaching vines, he managed to activate its record function, hoping against hope that someone would find the recording. But then...
*Woooosh*
Suddenly, two blurs of movement erupted from the deeper parts of the lab. A powerful female Kangaskhan, Oak's loyal Kanga, charged with a guttural roar, her pouch swaying slightly. Close behind her, a majestic Fearow swooped down, its sharp beak aimed directly at Orm.
Professor Oak mentally urged them on, a surge of pride mixing with his terror, "Kanga! Fearow! Stop him!"
Orm merely smirked, unimpressed as he eyed the two rushing at him, "Foolish creatures. Do you honestly believe you can stand against Team Rocket?"
*Snap*
With a snap of his fingers, two Pokémon emerged from their Poké Balls…
*Pop*
They were Shuckle, their bodies encased in hard, protective shells, their powerful defenses legendary. Kanga launched a devastating Dizzy Punch, but the Shuckle, moving with surprising agility for its size, met the blow, its shells absorbing the impact with minimal recoil.
*BANG*
Fearow dive-bombed, its Drill Peck a potent weapon, but one of the Shuckle quickly used Withdraw, further hardening its defenses, utterly deflecting the attack. Orm commanded, his voice cold and precise, "Power Split."
*Shiii*
The two Shuckle glowed, their combined powers flowing into Kanga and Fearow, drastically reducing the loyal Pokémon's strength. Orm ordered, "Toxic!"
*SPLASH*
Both Shuckle unleashed streams of corrosive poison. Kanga roared in pain as the venom seeped into her fur, weakening her. Fearow squawked, its flight becoming erratic as it, too, succumbed to the debilitating poison…
*THUD*
In mere moments, the two loyal Pokémon were overwhelmed, collapsing to the ground, unconscious. Orm stepped over their fallen forms, his gaze returning intently to the bound Professor.
He picked up Green's Pokédex, turning it over in his hand. Orm uttered, in a confused voice, "Hmm, only one? I was informed there were three. Or have your little 'chosen ones' strayed from their path?"
Professor Oak, his breath coming in ragged gasps, managed to shake his head, the vines preventing him from speaking. Orm bent closer, his eyes narrowing as he uttered, "Speak, old man. Where are the others?"
He exerted pressure on the vines, tightening their grip, eliciting a muffled grunt of pain from the Professor. Finally, Professor Oak managed to force out a hoarse whisper past the vines, words barely audible, "They… others… tomorrow…"
Orm mused, tapping the Pokédex against his chin, "Tomorrow, you say? How inconvenient. No matter. We adapt."
He then pulled out the Fame Checker as he demanded, "You will contact Red and Blue. You will tell them to leave their Pokédexes somewhere easily retrievable, and you will instruct them to proceed to the Sevii Islands immediately. Tell them it's urgent. A matter of utmost importance, from you, their esteemed Professor. Do I make myself clear?"
Professor Oak's eyes, filled with dread, met Orm's chilling gaze. He knew he had no choice. The lives of Red and Blue, and perhaps the future of the region, depended on his compliance, at least for now.
He gave a single, reluctant nod, the weight of his forced betrayal settling heavily upon his shoulders. The game, it seemed, had just begun.
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!