Word Count: 2107

◼️𝐏 𝐎 𝐊 𝐄 𝐌 𝐎 𝐍◼️

Lyra~

"There's a place nearby called the Trainer House. Trainers bring their friends to battle there. Most of the regulars are people who had lost to Green or Red, or maybe both of them," Blue explained.

"That's neat. Are we going to battle some of the Trainers there?" I asked.

"That's right; you should battle with Trainers near your level. It's easier to gain battling experience for you and your Pokémon. Karen is a strong Trainer, but I could tell she was going easy on you."

As we entered the building, Bue grabbed my arm and pulled me to the stairs. I was confused but didn't raise an objection. We headed downstairs, where he was able to lean close to my ear.

"Someone's following us. Mind your back," he hastily whispered.

This felt like deja vu. Silver and I had been followed by Exchanger three years ago and now someone was following me and Blue. I wouldn't say the odds that they are on the good end as Exchanger are very high. Just what do these people want?

Blue spoke to the reception as I examined the area. There were many Trainers in the room, with at least two people on each battlefield. The rest were in groups of three or four people and they seemed to be doing either one-on-two or double battles. The room was almost as large as the Viridian Gym, but it felt more controlled and modern.

"Go battle with some of the Trainers here. Don't worry, this place is only for battles. No one's going to bother recognizing you as Lyra. Green was just being overly cautious with you back in the cave."

"She already told you about that?" I questioned.

"Green may be hardheaded and perceptive, but it doesn't mean she can do everything on her own," Blue noted before raising his head to the ceiling. "Red's usually the one in my shoes, mostly because he was a bit dense and easy to fool. Ever since he told us his training plans in Mt. Silver, I watched Green for the both of us."

"Red sounds like a nice guy," I commented.

Blue nodded. "I can see Red in you; you're both very kind-hearted, willing to help when you're needed, and also a bit slow in certain areas... Helping you reminded me of the time I spent with Red throughout my journey as a Pokémon Trainer. After the incident eight years ago, he became distant from us, and everyone else. I barely heard from him."

"You never went to search for him?" I asked.

"I have to look after the Gym. It's not like I can leave it empty for years, and even if I was able to have time for myself, Mt. Silver is a large, vast landmark. It could take years, if not months, to find him. Red was always a curious person, so I'm sure he's always on his feet and wandering around the area."

"Not that I don't appreciate your help, but what about this case? Don't you have to look after your Gym?"

Once again, Blue nodded his head. "It's my duty as Gym Leader to look after my Gym, but it's not like I have to be rooted inside. I could technically leave my Gym, but this case is much more serious. I'm sure people would be more understanding once the truth is revealed."

'Would the truth really be revealed that easily?' I thought to myself.

After speaking, Blue brought me to a group of Trainers who had finished their last battle. The Trainers agreed to battle with me and my Pokémon, seeing me as a 'strong, worthy trainer' in their words. They were a very lively group and they seemed to be a fun group to battle with.

The Trainer I'm currently battling brought out a Granbull. In response, I brought out Ninetales.

"Granbull; the Fairy Pokémon. It is timid and easily spooked, that if attacked it flails about to fend off its attacker. Because its fangs are too heavy, it always keeps its head tilted down."

"Ninetales, Flamethrower!" I called out.

Ninetales opened her mouth and released a stream of red-orange fire at the Trainer's Granbull.

"Granbull, dodge it! Then use Dynamic Punch!"

After leaping to its right, Granbull's arm began to glow. It dashed forward to Ninetales, ready to swing its arms towards her. But Ninetales instinctively dodged before I could tell her to, similar to how Bayleef reacted against Karen's Umbreon. Ethan must've taught all my Pokémon this instinct.

"Granbull, use Fire Fang!"

As Granbull did as its Trainer commanded, I noticed how Ninetales wasn't moving even the slightest. The Granbull bit down on Ninetales's neck. In an instant, Ninetales's body glowed in light orange, and Ninetales showed no signs of being injured. I looked up to the Trainer, who seemed surprised for a moment before telling Granbull to use Bite and the Pokémon threw Ninetales to the side.

Ninetales's quick reflex allowed her to land safely on her feet.

"Great job, Ninetales!" I commented. "Now let's use Fire Spin!"

Ninetales opened her mouth and released a stream similar to Flamethrower, only that the stream coiled and spun with yellow flame spirling around it. She shot it towards Granbull, who tried to evade the attack, only to get its leg struck by the attack. Its body later became engulfed in the flames from the fire on its leg. The fire continued to coil around Granbull, sending him backwards.

Once the flames ceased, Granbull huffed and took deep breaths, as if maintaining its composure.

"Don't give up, Granbull! It's not over yet! Use Thunder Fang!"

Granbull's fangs glowed yellow, with sparks of electricity surrounding them before Granbull leaped once again towards Ninetales. Instead of staying still or preparing to leap, Ninetales stood as if she's ready to retaliate. I took that as a sign.

"Ninetales, Hidden Power!"

After I spoke, Ninetales's body and eyes began to glow green, as she formed several green energy orbs around her body. As Granbull was in the air, Ninetales leaned her front body down and dashed forward. With her speed, she appeared behind Granbull and shot all the orbs at it. Granbull couldn't turn around in time before it was struck with every orb Ninetales created.

The Granbull fell forward and landed on its stomach, fainted and unable to battle.

After the first battle, more Trainers approached me to battle me as well. I got through the Trainers and their Pokémon with Ninetales, Bayleef, and Ampharos. While battling each Trainer, I kept glancing at Blue who was wandering amongst the Trainers in the room. Eventually, I couldn't spot him anymore.

However, I trusted him in knowing what he's doing, and so I continued focusing on the battle.

Silver would've defeated these people easily. The moment I thought that I sighed to myself. Why was I bringing him up so much? Was I too used to his presence?

After I finished battling most of the Trainers, I managed to spot Blue hastily running up the stairs. I knew something was off, so I motioned Ninetales to follow me and we both rushed to follow Blue. We arrived outside of the building, where Blue brought out a Pokémon—a Scizor—to block someone from leaving the city. When the person tried to run in the other directions, Scizor only continued to appear in front of the person with rapid speed.

I recognized the person: it was the same boy from Cianwood City, and it was also the same boy I saw at Vermilion City.

"Who are you? Why were you following us?" Blue interrogated.

I took a good look at the boy's outfit. There was a large yellow 'G' in the chest area of his uniform. Turquoise hair and matching eyes...

"He's wearing a uniform. I think he's part of an organization," I noted.

The boy looked at me with a surprised expression. He ran past Blue and stood right in front of me. Ninetales stepped in between us, proceeding to glow green until I stopped her. I stared at the man in front of me.

"You're from Cianwood City. Silver and I saw you exit Chuck's Gym, and you looked at us in an unusual way. Who are you, and what do you want from me?" I questioned, repeating Blue's question.

"I remembered you associating yourself with Team Rocket Leader Silver, so I followed you to find out what Team Rocket planned next; however, it doesn't seem you are with him. I'm one of the people sent to find allies, so—"

"Get straight to the point," Blue interrupted, taking a step forward behind the man. "Who are you?"

"My commander is injured. We realized how strong Team Rocket is as an organization, so my commanders sent us to find crucial allies. I'm requesting you to join Team Galactic," the man spoke, ignoring Blue's and focusing on me. I partially felt irritated with his stubborn behaviour, but Blue remained calm and continued to blankly stare at the man.

Blue turned to me afterwards. "Lyra, I will let you handle this. He probably won't listen to me, so I'm going to find Green and bring her here."

After Blue walked away with Scizor, I turned my attention to the man. Team Galactic was the organization this man came from. I never heard of Team Galactic. The only 'team' organization I am aware of was Team Rocket. Didn't Green mention another one before? I wasn't sure about that.

"Is that what you really want from me? Joining Team Galactic? Who is Team Galactic even?" I questioned, still irritated from his recent behaviour.

"We, Team Galactic..." I heard a voice spoke from behind me. Ninetales instantly dashed behind, growling in the direction of the voice. I turned around and noticed a blue-haired man approaching us. "...strive to create a new universe that is better than the one we are currently in. Unfortunately, it seems that we are not the only ones pursuing that goal, and after the most... recent news, we cannot cooperate with them."

"C-Commander!" the man saluted behind me, directly to the blue-haired man.

"Commander? So you are the Leader of this 'Team Galactic'" I noted.

"I am one of Team Galactic's three Commanders, not the Leader. I am Saturn. It seems our objectives were not well-delivered to you, and for that, I will apologize. However, in this situation, we have the same opponent," he responded.

This man named Saturn... seemed to be a well-spoken negotiator, which puts me in a difficult position. Blue and Green were smooth talkers as well, and so was Silver. I'm sure they would've handled this situation I'm in better than what I was about to do.

"My subordinate has misspoken about our intentions. It is not that we want you to join our organization. I'm fully aware you have other priorities to focus on, but I do see it beneficial for us to cooperate and work together against Team Rocket."

I turned away for a moment. "And what makes you assume this cooperation proposal of yours is beneficial for me?"

"We've done our research on Team Rocket, as well as every member in the higher ranks of Team Rocket. In Silver's case, we traced his past to you, Lyra. We both have a mutual goal: to stop Team Rocket. What better way to achieve this than cooperation?"

Why would Team Galactic want to stop Team Rocket? It was then I realized their goals were similar to Silver's goals. There wasn't another potential reason as to why they wanted to stop Team Rocket. As I thought about it, Saturn glanced down at the watch around his wrist and looked back up at me.

"It seems we'll have to cut this greeting short. We don't necessarily need the Gym Leaders or the Kanto Champion. You have the capabilities to stop Silver, even if you're going against Team Rocket on your own. You have a powerful advantage, Lyra. If you alone decide to join us in this cause, we shall meet with you at the Valley Windworks near Floaroma Town in the Sinnoh Region. However..."

Saturn brought out a Pokéball, sending out Magmar. He proceeded to approach the Pokémon, with the other man hastily following him from behind me. Then Saturn turned around to face me with a blank expression.

"...should you decide to become our enemy as Team Rocket already is, discard this discussion from your mind."

I watched Magmar's body glow, just before it disappeared with Saturn and the man.  

◼️𝐏 𝐎 𝐊 𝐄 𝐌 𝐎 𝐍◼️

Be sure to vote and comment on the story. Also, please correct me on any mistakes that might have appeared in this chapter.

Hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next chapter~

~Lisa~