Chapter 1

Return to Fuchsia City

The Gulf of Kanto-

            It was a smooth ride on Lapras.  Red had no idea that a Pokémon this large could be as graceful as it moved through the waters.  It had a long blue neck and kind eyes, and a bumpy yet comfortable shell that Red and his friend, Blue, could sit comfortably on.  Lapras trudged on as the calm waves rippled around in its wake, and still the ride was smooth and brisk as a car on a freshly paved road.

            Of course, this was just the Gulf. Once they got out to sea the ride would be bumpier, Lorelei had told the two young Pokémon Trainers.  Lapras was Lorelei’s Pokémon in truth.  She had let them borrow Lapras as the means to crossing the sea on their way to Cinnabar Island.  Lapras could take them directly without all the stops that a ferry might take, and ride much faster if need be.

            Red and Blue had left the port city of Vermillion the previous day, and this morning the sky was a light blue and orange that reflected off of the water.  The two Trainers had just lent a hand in defeating Team Rocket in Saffron City.  The Rockets were a highly organized crime syndicate who managed to infiltrate Saffron and completely take over the city itself. 

            Team Rocket had also had assistance from some of Kanto’s Gym Leaders.  Sabrina was the most formidable ally that they had, she was able to control others’ minds with her powerful psychic abilities, but she had been defeated by old Agatha, an Elite Four member like Lorelei.  Red had heard her talk about how Sabrina herself had been controlled too.  So she didn’t really get in trouble. 

            Red looked at his companion, Blue.  She was very cute, and very talented as a Pokémon Trainer.  Unlike Red, who was traveling Kanto to defeat the eight Gym Leaders and earn their badges to compete in the upcoming Kanto Pokémon League Tournament, Blue sought to hone her skills as a Trainer by traveling the world, experiencing new things, and making new friends through capturing Pokémon. 

            Of course, to be able to compete in the Pokémon League Tournament, Red would need a strong and balanced team of Pokémon too. Red smiled as he went through his five Pokémon in his head.  His first Pokémon was Squirtle, who had later evolved into Wartortle, a Water-type Pokémon he had received from Professor Oak in Pallet Town.  Wartortle was a confident, friendly Pokémon with intense resolve who Red could always count upon. 

            As far as sheer strength was concerned, Machoke was his strongest Pokémon.  It was a  Fighting-type Pokémon that had evolved from Machop during a fight with his rival Green’s monstrously powerful Charizard, and was able to hold his own (for a while) with its strong muscular body.

            His newest Pokémon was Scyther, a large Bug-type Pokémon that was lightning-quick and agile.  It had sword-like appendages for arms and it spun around as it always landed its attacks with absolute precision.  He had captured it in the Safari Zone near Fuchsia City, and it had tipped the scales in the battle against the Gym Leader Koga (along with a spicy fruit).

            His other two Pokémon he had had for a while: Pidgeotto, the Flying-type bird Pokémon, and Pikachu the little electric mouse.  Pidgeotto was a good battler; quick, instinctive and (thankfully) potty-trained.  Pikachu was an excellent change-of-pace Pokémon that shot electric shocks through the red cheeks on its little yellow body. 

            Blue had not said much since they left Vermillion City’s harbor.  She was turning into an excellent Trainer in her own right, and possessed strong battling instincts as well as a few intensely formidable Pokémon. There was her first, Nidorina, a Poison-type who she had as a pet when she was younger.  She had the large Venusaur, a dual Grass/Poison type, who was large enough to ride on in the shade of the gigantic flower on its back.  Then she had caught Butterfree, who she had raised since it was a little Caterpie.  She had the cute tadpole Poliwag, who was able to put its foes to sleep by swirling the spiral on its tummy.  Lastly she had caught Snorlax, the gargantuan, fat Pokémon who did as its name suggested, and slept a lot. It would normally awaken for food, but otherwise awoken, it would attack relentlessly in a grumpy rage.

            “Is there anything wrong, Blue?” he asked her.

            She just kept gazing towards the sunrise in the east, and nothing but water stretched all around them.  “Not really,” she answered, but Red knew there was something wrong.

            During the fight with Team Rocket, Blue had been the last known person trapped inside the Silph Building when it collapsed from an intense battle between Lorelei and a mind-controlled Bruno on a lower floor.  Nobody really knew how Blue managed to escape, but she had arrived at the Pokémon Center with a hurt arm riding on Venusaur a few hours in the aftermath. 

            “We should be at Fuchsia City by this evening,” Red said, checking his Pokedex’s map application.  The Pokedex was a high tech Pokémon information machine that doubled as what we would call a smart phone.  Red, Blue, and Green himself had each received one from Professor Oak after he had supplied them each with a rare Pokémon and sent them on their journey. 

            Blue hardly acknowledged him.  She was often lost in thought these days, and Red decided to let her have some space.  He had kissed her when she arrived back at the Pokémon Center, and she had kissed him back, but that day seemed years ago, not days. 

            They were journeying to Cinnabar Island and the seventh Gym Badge.  The island’s volcano could be seen small on the horizon from Red’s hometown of Pallet, yet he had never been there himself.  Their trip would be multi legged as they planned it out.  From Vermillion City, they would sail almost directly south to Fuchsia City to rest up and visit their friend, Janine, who was the new Fuchsia Gym Leader and Queen of the Ninja Kingdom.  Janine’s father was Koga, who was tricked into helping Team Rocket, and disappeared in shame after he realized what he had done. 

            After Fuchsia city they would ride south and west across the ocean, making a beeline for Cinnabar Island.  The sea past the Cycling Road Bride that connected Celadon City and Fuchsia was rough, and spending too many days in those open waters could lead to certain doom. 

            The day came and went as Red enjoyed the breeze that came from Lapras gliding across the water.  The nights were always cold on the open water, but tonight was chillier than usual.  Eventually, the bridge could be seen on the horizon just as the sun was going down, and Red could make out the lights of Fuchsia City in the shadow of a great cliff.  Towering above the little thatched roofs of the city was the Palace, which was also the City’s Gym. 

            Janine was waiting for them as they landed on the beach and Red recalled Lapras.   She was standing on the beach in front of her own Ninja guards, skilled Pokémon Trainers who also had martial arts skills of their own.  Behind the guards, half of the city seemed to be there, and Red could hear the shouts and cheers and applause as they approached. Even Blue couldn’t help but to smile.

            “On behalf of the people of Fuchsia and all the citizens of the Ninja Kingdom,” Janine began, “I want to say thank you for helping to defeat Team Rocket once and for all!” She hugged Red like one would hug a longtime friend, but at the mention of Team Rocket, Blue’s face turned solemn again. 

            She must be traumatized from her escape from the building, Red thought.  Most of the people still held captive in the Silph Tower had been rescued by a mysterious Pokémon Trainer known only as the “Phantom.”  The Phantom, like Sabrina, Saffron’s Gym Leader, and Agatha of the Elite Four, had extremely powerful Psychic abilities, and most everybody rescued from the falling Tower had told the same story: a tall man, robed in grey had appeared suddenly and then they found themselves at the Pokémon Center. 

            Red and Blue had encountered the Phantom many times on their journey, and he had always been quasi-friendly to them and the Elite Four’s motives of stopping Team Rocket.  Lance, the Elite Four’s Leader and reigning Pokémon League Champion, didn’t trust him however. 

            Lance had asked Blue if the Phantom had saved her too, but of course she didn’t remember.  Lorelei had pointed out that she didn’t appear immediately at the Pokémon Center, so it was unlikely that it was the Phantom’s doing. 

            “We’ll talk at dinner,” Janine smiled, trying to change the subject.  They followed Janine towards her palace as the townspeople dispersed back into their shops. It was colder than he remembered and Red almost reached for Blue’s hand but decided against it. He would wait until she was in a more cheerful mood.

            They arrived at the palace and had the whole Great Hall to themselves.  Janine had put a long table their and told them to release all of their Pokémon.  Lapras was well taken care of in a pond outside, and Snorlax was taken out back to a pile of fruits, and the other Pokémon joined Red and Blue at the feast.

            Wartortle, Pikachu, Nidoran, and Poliwag all ate and then ran around to play.  Pidgeotto and Butterfree stayed to eat, while Machoke and Scyther ate quickly and then began sparring.  The mantis and the grey Fighting-type were of a similar height, and Red had instructed them to spar against each other every so often.  They were both fierce competitors and soon his two Pokémon became close as best friends.

            “When do you plan on leaving?” asked Janine.

            “Tomorrow morning,” Red answered eagerly.  “I’ve got to get to Cinnabar Island to get my seventh Gym Badge.”

            Janine smiled.  “A little hasty aren’t we?  Blue, don’t you want to stay and rest a while?”

            It was almost as if Blue didn’t hear the question, but eventually, she answered.  “Oh no, it’s fine with me.  Sorry, I was just lost in thought.  Have you heard anything from your dad?”

            Janine took a drink.  “Just one letter.  He’s away training and meditating.  He didn’t mention anything about where he is, but I don’t look for him.  He’s a master of the Ninja arts, he won’t be found unless he wants to be.”  She looked at Red and smile.  “But he did mention he aims to participate in the Pokémon League Tournament.”

            Red was taken aback, but he smiled anyways.  Gym Leaders didn’t need to gather badges to enter the tournament, but nonetheless they entered often.  “Why?” he asked, wanting to know.

            “He says he thinks the best way to atone for his crimes is to win his way into becoming an Elite Four member so he can better help citizens all over Kanto who were affected by Team Rocket.  Besides,” she laughed, “I’m not giving the Gym Back.”

            Even Blue laughed at that.  Red smiled and Janine turned to her again with an intrigued look on her face. 

            “So Erika said that we don’t know how you got out of that tower when it came down,” Janine was obviously impressed.  “I’ve been trained in the Ninja arts my whole life and even I can’t believe how fast you got out of there.  Erika said that Agatha said you must have been at the top of the tower when it fell down, but the ghost or Phantom or whatever wasn’t the one to save you. How’d you do it?”

            Blue’s bowed her head, dropped her fork, and stalked off to the room that had been prepared for her.  Red, Janine, and all the Pokémon present at the feast watched in silence as she wordlessly walked away from the table. 

            Janine looked at Red, dumbfounded.  “Was it something I said?”

            “I don’t know,” answered Red, truthfully.

Saffron City-

            Lance had spent his days flying around Saffron City looking for the Phantom.  He had to question him.  All of the Rockets who had invaded Saffron, including the ones trapped inside Silph Tower, had been accounted for.  The Phantom had saved and delivered every Rocket inside the tower, except one: the Rocket Boss.

            Lance was convinced the Boss was still alive, and he had to question the Phantom about his whereabouts.  It’s funny how the Phantom always shows up when Team Rocket is around, and then when he disappears, so does the Rocket Boss.  He flew around on Dragonite day after day after day, but in the back of his mind he knew that he would never find the Phantom in Saffron City anymore, but he had to find some clues.

            Today, something caught his eye.  It was a little ways out of town, but it was strange.  A large hole in the ground had appeared near a grove of trees, and Lance thought himself lucky to have found it.  It could only be seen from a certain angle.

            He pulled out his four-screened communicator and the other three Elite Four members instantly picked up.  Lorelei, his girlfriend, the old Agatha, and his best friend, Bruno each appeared in turn. 

            “I found something, meet me at these coordinates if you can.”

            Agatha and Lorelei were the first to arrive. Soon after Bruno appeared in a flash of light along with Sabrina.  Lance still mistrusted Sabrina, after all, she was Team Rocket’s staunchest Gym Leader Ally, as well as the Rocket Boss’s closest informant.  Agatha had stopped him from detaining her.  Sabrina was not herself, she said.  Lance didn’t always agree with Agatha, but he trusted her when her mind was set on something.

            When Sabrina had been under Team Rocket, she had tricked Bruno into falling for her before she closed Saffron City’s gates and put up a giant invisible dome around the city with the help of some of her Psychic Pokémon.  She had used her influence over Bruno to keep him away from the rest of the Elite Four, and then exerted control over his mind.  The intense fight between Lorelei and Bruno’s Pokémon was what sent the Silph Tower crumbling down.

            Sabrina said she had no memory of the situation, and neither did Bruno.  If that’s good enough for Agatha, it’s good enough for me.

            Lance watched Sabrina as she inspected the hole in the ground.  She does have a different look on her face than she did.  I shouldn’t need her help though… If only I had gotten to the Rocket Boss first.

            The Rocket Boss’s identity was still unknown.  Lance had internally criticized himself for not being the first one to get to him.  He was convinced he could defeat him, and arrest him quickly.  Of course, he was the reigning Champion, who couldn’t his Pokémon stand up to?  Whenever he shared these feelings with Agatha, she reminded Lance that he wasn’t there to arrest the Rocket Boss because he had flown away towards a burning building where he saved dozens of people, as well as an unconscious Red and what turned out to be his friend, Green.

            He watched suspiciously as Sabrina knelt down and touched the grass near the big hole in the ground.

            “What do you feel, Sabrina?” asked Agatha.  Sabrina closed her eyes.

            “There were two people here, they came out of the hole…” She looked towards the west.  “One went that way, the other lay here a while before he or she went the other way.  I think it was… a girl.  Oh! She rode on a Pokémon.”

            Lance watched as Agatha closed her eyes, as if listening to something.  He had seen Agatha use her Psychic powers before.  At first, he questioned them, but they always turned out to be right.

            “The trees here are happy,” she said.  “The Pokémon was most likely a Grass-type that shared the sunlight it gathered with its surroundings.”

            “A girl riding on a Grass-type Pokémon,” said Lorelei.  “That’s obviously Blue.”

            “So what do we make of this hole in the ground?” asked Bruno.

            Lance looked down into the dark hole in the ground.  “And what do we make of the man who went the other way. The Phantom, perhaps?”

            Agatha shook her head, eyes still closed.  “No, the Phantom was never here.  Psychic people and Pokémon always leave behind a trace of their power, involuntarily.  I’d say the man was just a regular man.”

            “Are you saying that you can track the Phantom?” Lance asked Agatha.

            The old lady frowned.  “It’s hard to say… But one thing I do know is that the only people unaccounted for in the Silph Tower’s collapse were Blue and this Rocket Boss.  And if we know that Blue was here, then perhaps the Boss is the other person who was here.”

            “There’s only one way to find out,” said Lance.  He jumped into the hole.  His feet hit solid dirt, and he could see a tunnel open in front of him. Dragonite followed suit. “We have to find out where this tunnel leads.  Meet me back here tomorrow morning.  Agatha, you go the way the man went and let me know if you find anything.”

            Agatha chuckled.  “Oh my dear Lance my bones are too old to walk that far, and my powers too dim to track a regular person.  Sabrina?” The beautiful Saffron Gym Leader looked up.  “Why don’t you go and track whoever that man was? Lorelei, you can take this old hag back to my room at the Pokémon Center.”

            Lance almost spoke against sending Sabrina to track what could be the Rocket Boss.  What if she’s still working for them?  Instead, he nodded his head and proceeded down the tunnel.  It wasn’t long before he received a text from Bruno on his communicator.

            Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her. 

            “He has no idea what she did to him last time,” Lance said quietly to himself, his voice echoing in the dirt tunnel. 

            Eventually the tunnel came to an end.  Lance reached up and felt wood and concrete above his head.  Dragonite blasted a Hyper Beam attack at the top and flew lance above the end of the tunnel. 

            “Good, work, Dragonite,” he said.  “It’s just as I thought”.

            The ruins and rubble of Silph Tower loomed directly below where they emerged.