Chapter 38: Team Rocket Duo

Julian rose early, fully aware that today marked the beginning of his journey to the mainland. He quickly prepared himself, boarding the waiting ship. After a two-day voyage, he disembarked at a port near Fuchsia City. Unfolding his trusty bike from his space pouch, he pedaled toward the city, intent on replenishing his supplies.

As he arrived in Fuchsia City, his heart sank when he spotted someone he'd rather avoid: Ash. It was evident that Ash had recently triumphed over Koga. Julian knew all too well that trouble seemed to follow Ash wherever he went, and he had no desire to be entangled in it.

Julian successfully restocked his supplies at the bustling market. Just as he was about to make a discreet exit, he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He couldn't help but sigh in resignation, recognizing the voice all too well—it was Ash's. Julian muttered under his breath, cursing his luck for once again finding himself unable to evade the trouble that seemed to follow the trouble Master wherever he went.

Julian turned to face the source of the voice, finding Ash rushing toward him, followed closely by Brock and Misty.

Ash greeted him enthusiastically, "Hey, Julian! Are you here to challenge the Gym Leader, Koga? Just so you know, he's really tough, and I even managed to snag a badge!"

Ash proudly displayed his collection of six badges, and Julian simply nodded in response.

Julian couldn't help but think, 'It seems I've wasted a fair amount of time exploring, allowing even Ash to come close to catching up with me. And as for Gary, he's probably already secured seven or even eight badges, though he's unlikely to stay put and collect more badges quietly.'

Julian then replied to Ash's question, "Well, you see, Ash, there's a lot more to discover out there. Time's of the essence if you want to become a Pokémon Master."

Ash, puzzled, asked, "Hurry? Hurry for what?"

Julian nodded knowingly. "You wouldn't want Gary to one-up you, would you? Last I heard, that brat already boasts seven or maybe even eight badges."

Ash's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, you're right! Guys, we've got to go! I need to earn my next badge!"

Without hesitation, Ash pulled Brock and Misty along, swiftly exiting the city. Julian watched with a sly smile.

'It's remarkably easy to distract this kid,' Julian thought to himself. 'Just throw Gary into the mix, and he forgets everything else. Now that I've used the Gary card, I'm free to continue my journey as well.'

Julian set off on his bike toward Lavender Town, his next destination being the Rock Tunnel, which could only be accessed through Lavender Town.

Julian contemplated, "I should pay a visit to Mr. Smith to see how he's been doing."

After several days of camping, training, and riding, Julian finally arrived in Lavender Town.

He reflected on the journey, thinking to himself, "It's funny how the maps of Kanto in my previous world made everything seem small. Being here in person is an entirely different experience. It took me four days just to travel from Fuchsia City to Lavender Town."

Julian entered Lavender Town, and the eerie, quiet atmosphere that hung in the air was as he remembered it. The imposing Pokémon Tower loomed in the distance. Upon reaching Mr. Smith's house, he knocked on the door, but there was no response. Julian cautiously tried the doorknob, and to his surprise, the door swung open.

Inside, he found the house in disarray. The tea table was overturned, and a vase lay shattered on the floor. A surge of anger welled up within Julian as he surveyed the scene. He decided to leave the house and knocked on the neighbor's door, but there was still no answer.

Julian, sensing that someone was inside, didn't hesitate. He kicked the door open and entered the house. Inside, he found a skinny, frightened man cowering in a corner, clutching a stick for self-defense. The man's fear was palpable, and he looked like he was on the verge of panicking.

Julian, his gaze icy and unwavering, demanded answers. "Tell me what happened in Mr. Smith's house."

Sensing the urgency of the situation and determined not to waste any more time, Julian unleashed a powerful, intimidating presence—a manifestation of the spiritual energy he had cultivated over time. The weight of this pressure bore down on the skinny man, rendering him incapable of resisting any longer.

Overwhelmed by the heavy presence, the skinny man succumbed to the pressure and began to reveal everything he knew.

The skinny man, clearly shaken by Julian's presence, began to divulge what he knew. "Two individuals arrived in town earlier, claiming to be members of a group called Team Rocket. They demanded that the townspeople hand over their Pokémon. When some residents resisted, the two intruders used their own Pokémon to forcefully capture them. They attempted to escape, but the townsfolk chased them in the direction of the Pokémon Tower."

Julian remained stoic, his expression unchanging. "Is that all you know?" he inquired, his voice still cold.

The skinny man nodded frantically, his fear evident. "Yes, that's all, I swear. Please spare me."

Julian didn't spare the skinny man another glance as he tossed a handful of Pokédollars in his direction, compensating him for the broken door. Without a word, Julian left the house, hopped on his bike, and sped toward the Pokémon Tower.

As he neared the tower, Julian caught the sound of hushed voices in the vicinity. Not wanting to alert anyone, he parked his bike and cautiously approached the source of the commotion. There, he stumbled upon a peculiar sight: a colossal machine with massive mechanical arms. One of these arms held a cage filled with captured Pokémon, while the other gripped Mr. Smith, who was clearly struggling.

Butch sneered at Mr. Smith, taunting him, "Old man, I told you to give up. You're already on your deathbed. Why do you cling to these Pokémon? And that goes for all these old fools lying on the ground."

Cassidy joined in, her voice dripping with malice, "That's right, you old coots. Pokémon are better off being used by the boss to conquer the world! Hahaha!"

Julian's anger boiled over as he witnessed the scene. The sight of injured people and Mr. Smith being tormented struck a nerve within him.

Julian didn't waste a moment. "Infernape, come out!"

Infernape materialized on the scene, taking in the dire situation. It understood that trouble was brewing for the two aggressors.

Julian issued his commands with unwavering determination. "Activate Blaze, then Flame Charge!"

Infernape, now fully in control of its fiery power after evolving, didn't need a second invitation. With a resounding roar, flames ignited and danced wildly around Infernape's form. The fire spiraled upward, reaching toward the heavens and casting a blazing orange light over the entire area. The intense heat and radiant glow turned the surroundings into a spectacle, resembling the eruption of a volcano.

Butch and Cassidy were caught off guard by the sudden transformation of Infernape. As they turned to see what was happening, they found themselves facing an unstoppable wall of flames. Before they could react, the searing inferno tore through their machine like a hot knife through butter. Sparks flew as the massive robot sputtered and its mechanical hands released their grip, freeing Mr. Smith and the cage full of Pokémon.

Julian acted swiftly. "Ivysaur, come out!"

Ivysaur materialized on the scene and Julian wasted no time in giving orders. "Use Vine Whip to catch Mr. Smith and the cage!"

Ivysaur's vines shot out with precision, wrapping securely around Mr. Smith and the cage, safely bringing them to Julian's side as the flames of Infernape continued to blaze around them.

Ivysaur's strength had grown significantly over time, making the task of catching the cage full of Pokémon and Mr. Smith seem effortless. With careful precision, Ivysaur landed them gently on the ground, ensuring their safety.

Julian wasted no time with the next step. "Kabutops, come out!"

Kabutops emerged and swiftly executed the command. Its sharp Metal Claw sliced through the cage's bars, freeing the Pokémon held within. Among them was a Marowak, which immediately rushed toward Mr. Smith, checking to see if he was okay.

Julian couldn't help but notice the evolved form of Cubone, now a Marowak, among the freed Pokémon. He thought to himself, 'Looks like Cubone has evolved.'

Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the area as the massive robot burst into pieces. Butch and Cassidy were sent sprawling to the ground, their figures shrouded in black smoke. Dazed and disoriented, they struggled to make sense of the chaos around them. Before their eyes, they saw the Pokémon they had attempted to snatch had been liberated, and in the center of it all stood a young man with three powerful Pokémon by his side. They realized that this man was the one responsible for their current predicament.

Cassidy seethed with anger as she shouted, "How dare you attack esteemed members of Team Rocket!"

Butch chimed in, bristling with indignation, "You have no idea who you're dealing with!"

Julian, unimpressed, replied coolly, "Who are you two, anyway? Just a couple of clowns?"

Julian was well aware of their association with Team Rocket, but he had little interest in them, considering them nothing more than peripheral characters, albeit slightly more competent than the infamous Team Rocket trio.

Butch started, "Prepare for trouble..."

Cassidy chimed in, "And make it doubl—"

But their attempt at the familiar introduction was cut short when Julian interrupted, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Shut up, you idiots! If I hear another word from your mouths, I'll ensure you suffer the consequences."

Butch and Cassidy couldn't help but shiver as they felt an eerie chill wash over them upon hearing Julian's threat. His cold, penetrating gaze seemed to bore deep into their souls, sending a shiver down their spines. However, they quickly shook off their fear and regained their composure.

Cassidy rallied herself, determined not to be intimidated. "How dare you! Go, Houndour and Raticate!"

Butch, too, released his Pokémon with determination. "Primeape, Hitmontop, it's your turn!"

Cassidy commanded her Pokémon. "Raticate, use Bite! Houndour, Fire Fang!"

Butch followed suit. "Primeape, Karate Chop! Hitmontop, Rapid Spin!"

Julian swiftly issued his commands. "Infernape, Heat Blast on the fighting duo! Kabutops, Stone Edge on Houndour! Ivysaur, Solar Beam on Raticate!"

The distance between the two battling teams allowed for the execution of these powerful attacks. Infernape's Heat Blast tore through the ground with incredible force, decimating both fighting Pokémon. Kabutops launched a barrage of sharp stones with Stone Edge, sending Houndour flying through the air. Ivysaur unleashed a blinding Solar Beam that left a deep trail in its wake and sent Raticate soaring through the air.

Butch and Cassidy stood there, mouths agape in shock, as their Pokémon were defeated in a single blow. Realizing they were completely outmatched, they hurriedly recalled their Pokémon and attempted to make a hasty escape.

Julian, not willing to let Butch and Cassidy escape without consequences, declared, "You can't just leave like that. Allow me to assist you."

Butch and Cassidy suddenly felt an eerie chill creep down their spines as dread washed over them.

Julian continued without hesitation, "Infernape, use Flamethrower!"

Infernape unleashed a scorching Flamethrower attack, sending Butch and Cassidy hurtling into the sky.

After dealing with them, Julian turned his attention to Mr. Smith. Concerned, he asked, "Mr. Smith, are you all right?"

Mr. Smith, relieved to see Julian arrive in the nick of time, expressed his gratitude. "Julian, it's a good thing you came when you did. I couldn't fathom what might have befallen these people and Pokémon. But don't worry about me; I'm unharmed."

Julian nodded in agreement. "I think it's best we head to your house and let you get some rest. You must be exhausted."

Mr. Smith readily concurred, saying, "Yes, yes, let's go."

The townspeople, along with their Pokémon, departed from the scene as Julian escorted Mr. Smith back to his home. Mr. Smith kindly invited Julian to stay for the day, but Julian initially declined. However, Mr. Smith insisted, and Julian eventually agreed to stay for a while before continuing on his journey.

Despite Mr. Smith's persistence, Julian ultimately agreed to stay for a short while. During his visit, he allowed Kabutops and Marowak to play together, watching them with a smile as the two evolved Pokémon frolicked like playful children. After enjoying a meal served by Mr. Smith, Julian spent a few hours at the house.

Eventually, he bid farewell and continued on his journey, with the Power Plant as his next destination.