A new meeting was about to convene at the town's center in the early morning of Celadon City toward the center of a massive water fountain graciously spewing across several dish-shaped structures. The call of the meeting was to establish a connection with any Pokémon trainer willing to participate in the event. It seemed that it had everything to do with the letter that we gave Erika that very night, but she told everyone in town that had the capability of training Pokémon to be there at around eight o'clock in the morning.

Funny, she's the one who mostly struggles with sleep anyways—no wonder she's late, yet expects us to be there when she isn't present.

Unlike many of the trainers that were present, it was just only me and Red for the time being. Yellow hadn't come out of the lodgings near the Pokémon Center, and after discovering his place was empty, being defeated by the fact that Yellow had disappeared once again.

Damnit Yellow.

Red and I knew he had gone based on the letter he left on his bedside at the inn. I unfurled the zipper of my pouch and pulled out the lettered parchment to read it right next to Red.

My friend was curious about the letter just as much as I was and shared equal concern since, by observing the contents of the lettering he had left behind. It read:

"Dear Leaf,

I have to go to the Safari Zone. Mewtwo warned me that there was about to be something dangerous happening within the jungle of Fuchsia City. I hesitated and protested to him that he wouldn't let me go without your say, but he informed me that there was little to no time and that Solress may be building something."

Another weapon? I widened with astonishment.

So he plans on bringing together the MewThree project very soon.

Everything felt like we were running out of time, Team Love plans to use Ho-Oh to subdue the Region within less than a year, and now we have Team Rocket trying to create another Mewtwo. It was becoming scary and tiresome to think they could combine for a common cause. Yet there were moments when I felt like the threat was becoming even more imminent.

Yet here I am with only two badges to spare.

Granted, much of my strength would come soon after I defeated Erika, but it would be a matter of reaching out to her; that's the issue. I continued reading further:

"Mewtwo says they are looking for a powerful Pokémon, one that was used to create him and they believe this mythical Pokémon may be his ancestor—"

His ancestor?....... Is there another natural Pokémon like him that's not a clone?

"I have to hurry, otherwise they'll bring the new clone over to Giovanni and he will use the clone as his own to try and rule over Pokémon and their resources. Team Rocket will stop at nothing to ensure that the plan succeeds. We thought we had prevented the DNA from being in the clutches of Proton and Petrel in the other world, but we were too busy fighting Charles to realize that some of the Rocket Grunts along with Ariana and Archer had taken the genome of Orchid and escaped the rift of the star gate."

I could not believe what I was reading, all of us were used as pawns to open up the portal in Goldenrod City to get back home, but as a consequence, we've allowed the sample to slip into our world without us knowing.

I thought we at least slowed Solress, but it seems he now has a complete advantage.

"With the clone DNA of Orchid the natural DNA of their ancestor, they will gather together another clone cell of what made Mewtwo in that world and they will be very powerful until we prevent them from succeeding. I only have one shot at this, and it seems that I may have to find his ancestor and warn him of the threat that lies ahead. Leaf, please don't be mad at me. I wanted you to come with but since Mewtwo insisted that I go alone, I hope that you'll be able to overcome your trial and that you will triumph over it no matter the cost."

"Between you and me, Victreebel is not mad at you; he's angry at the people responsible against you, as he had already told me. You have nothing to be upset about; I eventually talked with Erika just before I left to try and inform her of the situation, she's hesitant about my abilities, but she understands the current situation that you find yourself in. She plans on having you come into her Gym for one final trial, train hard, and show Victreebel how strong you have become. He's looking for capable fighters to help him on his quest for vengeance against Team Love, and he hopes you will become his partner. Maybe with a little nudge of faith, he won't let you down. But be ready; he's going to test you and your limits."

I dropped the letter in a flustered and emotional whimper. I couldn't hold in the emerging relief, the feeling of assurance that Victreebel did see my situation differently and that I was close to emerging with tears.

Thank you Victreebel.

Because for the past night, I continued to doubt myself, doubted the Trainer I had become even after I had set foot on this adventure on Route One to become the very best. I wholeheartedly believed I had ruined this Pokémon's feelings toward me, but he didn't see it that way. He was angry, hurt, and upset, and I felt responsible and filled with rage and frustration over the guilt of losing him. Now that none of it mattered to him, it was time for me to do what was right. It was time to win his approval.

"Red?"

My friend turned to me and paused for a brief moment.

"............What is it?"

"Will you help me, just this once?"

"Sure." He smiled.

"I am going to make amends, I want to be friends with the Victreebel. Would you help me to make sure I don't mess up?"

My plea touched him, and with a look of confusion nodded with a gentle smile.

"I will, I think based on the letter we'll be able to make it happen."

"What about Yellow, I am concerned he'll get hurt—"

"Not to worry, you gotta remember, as we journeyed alongside you, we got more robust; I am sure we'll meet with him soon. For now, let's not rush—

Suddenly a tired and sleepy Erika danced her way toward the crowd, there seemed to be about fifteen or so Trainers of us that were all called to the meeting, and many of them were not particularly amused that she was relatively late.

"Ahh-aahhh! Good morning," she yawned.

"So, ahhh-Ahh! Sorry for being late."

"You can say that again Princess," said the Lass Trainer while rolling her eyes at her annoying behavior; she seemed to be conscious of Erika's unobtrusive tardiness while carrying her over her shoulder as she gently nudged the girl to a more comfortable spot near the edge of the fountain.

"Ahh-aaah! Now then... To begin...." She said while slowly drifting away into a deep sleep.

Everyone, including me, watched on in amusement; the Princess remained napping along the fountain's edge while the Lass, red hot as a tomato, pulled out the horn in frustration.

"GET THE HELL UP ERIKA!!!!"

After applying pressure to the air horn, Erika shot straight up from her beauty sleep and, in her alert tone, turned toward the Lass and, with a furrow, yelled.

"I'm up—I'm UP! JEEZ!"

"Anyway, as I was saying—"

"Don't make me use this can again—"

"Shut up! Anyway, I have some important news to share with all of you and its not the best news. It's important that we are all aware of the threat that we now face as a City in this great Region. You will no doubt be shocked by what you are about to hear, but its involving Team Rocket and their deeds. You may no doubt have heard of or maybe encountered Gym Leaders like me in the Region, they are the reason that you are to compete against the Elite Four and to become Champion. They also hold power and authority to govern the Region within certain districts. Many of these Gym Leaders had good intentions, but no sooner did we learn that a new threat is emerging."

The tall lady with red high heels emerged from the crowd beside the Lass and raised her hand.

"What happened to the Gym Leaders exactly and which ones in particular are we referring to that we should all be aware of?"

"There are three of them and they have defected from their positions."

Everyone gasped at this response, while several people within the crowd commented on the significance of the information presented. For most of the known history after the Great War. Most of the locals and townsfolk of the Region knew there was general peace within Kanto, so hearing that there may be Gym Leaders that they'll have to contend with and encounter Team Rocket was quite horrifying news to consider.

"Only three?" Questioned an unknown blond trainer in the front

"That's quite an amount of them that left." Said a Birdkeeper Trainer in the back with contemplative thought.

"What are their names," a petite brown-haired trainer asked beside him.

"They are known as the Triad, the strongest of the Elite members of Team Rocket under their Executive Giovanni." She said while raising the letter for all to see.

"I received a letter from a former Champion of the Region and a beloved scientist who has informed me of their plans. The names of the Triad are as follows, Lieutenant Surge of the Vermillion City Gym and a former combat Veteran. Koga, Ninja and Leader of the Fuchsia city Gym and last but not least of all the most powerful Esper in all the land. Sabrina of the Saffron City Gym. They have all but disappeared and joined ranks with the rest of the organization and are threatening our way of life."

All within the crowd gasped; the Professor's understanding of their plight proved that Erika was not kidding around. It was serious business that Gym Leaders joined Team Rocket. Because now that their forces had substantially increased in size and scope, their general lack of power had also grown, further pointing to how threatening the situation had become.

"You must prepare; they are coming for our cities and towns. They will invade because their purpose now is to take our Gym badges. Once they secure those, they will be able to harness their power. A Gym badge we give you is not just a token of reward as a trophy or access to the Indigo League. Its power lies within and allows the user that carries it to control and trains your Pokémon properly if they have exceeded the current level of the badge holder. Finally, the badge grants the user of a specific type of Pokémon enhanced power of said Pokémon in the party. Suppose Team Rocket has all eight of those badges in their possession. They could use it to harness the power of the Pokémon they wield.

Unbelievable, the power lies within the badge, and its type enhances the typing of said Pokémon. Think of it like this, I defeat Erika in a Gym, but the badge I obtain enhances the power of Grass-Type Pokémon, which I own.

I was shocked to hear this along with everyone; I was aware of the increased obedience factor to hold onto such badges but had forgotten that the benefits included within those badges were to increase Type factors.

No wonder Team Rocket requires the Gym Leaders, and their manpower combined with Team Love will be devastating.

"Who here is ready to help me defend Celadon and take on the challenge of these new fighters? If we aren't prepared soon, they will take our Pokémon and destroy our town."

After hearing Erika call forth our forces to defend Celadon, I stepped forward and raised my hat, revealing my intention. This battle was about to heat up, and I wanted to participate in her clarion call.

"Erika, bring me to your Gym!! I will help unite the world of Pokémon and people! Help me accomplish my goal!"

Erika turned and looked at me with a stern but curious face and, with a slightly raised smirk, declared.

"Very well, your new Trial begins at my Gym Leaf Green."