Join my p@treon for more chapters
p@treon.com/Tempest_29
"No... it wasn't the Team Rocket members we met in Acapulco. These were the ones we encountered at the Power Plant—the same group that captured Zapdos," Brock explained, shaking his head.
He understood that Gary was thinking of Jessie and James, but even though they shared the same organization, the Team Rocket members they'd faced in Power Plant were far more formidable than the bumbling duo.
"Zapdos?!" Gary exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise.
The Legendary Electric Pokémon was something Gary had only read about. He'd never expected that Ash had not only encountered it but had also confronted the people who captured it. What concerned him most now, however, was Ash's fate—taken prisoner with no indication of where he might be.
"That idiot is always causing trouble," Gary muttered, turning toward the door. "I'm going to find him right now!"
"Wait a minute!" Brock called out, quickly moving to block his path.
"What are you doing? Don't try to stop me," Gary responded impatiently.
"Do you even know where they've taken him?" Brock asked pointedly.
Gary froze, his momentum halted by the simple question. In his anxious state, he'd momentarily forgotten that he had no idea who these Team Rocket members were or where they might have taken Ash.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Gary asked, his voice calmer now.
"Our first step is to contact Officer Jenny for assistance," Brock replied. Gary nodded reluctantly, acknowledging it was at least a starting point.
"Fine. You two notify the police, and I'll contact my grandfather," Gary proposed.
He'd composed himself enough to realize that the local police might not be sufficient. If Team Rocket had already left Neon Town's jurisdiction, Officer Jenny's authority would be limited. Despite his reluctance to involve others, Gary knew that in this situation, Professor Oak's connections might be their best resource.
"Thank you for your help," Brock said, visibly relieved. Having Professor Oak's assistance significantly improved their chances compared to struggling alone.
With their plan established, Brock and Misty departed for the police station. Gary watched them leave before approaching the videophone in the corner of the Pokémon Center.
Meanwhile, at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Pallet Town, the Pokémon researcher was engaged in a video call.
"Don't worry, all your Pokémon are adapting wonderfully," Professor Oak reassured. "By the way, Green, where are you currently?"
On the screen was Green, one of the trainers who had departed from Pallet Town the same day as Ash and Gary. She had just transferred a newly caught Pokémon and was calling to check on its arrival.
"I'm on Cinnabar Island now," Green replied cheerfully.
"Cinnabar Island!" Professor Oak exclaimed, visibly impressed. "Then you must have earned the Volcano Badge already, correct?"
"Yes! Blaine from the Cinnabar Gym was an incredibly tough opponent. It took everything I had to earn this Badge," Green nodded, proudly displaying a red flame-shaped Badge.
"That's remarkable! Neither Gary nor Ash has reached Cinnabar Island yet," Professor Oak observed. "It seems you're leading the pack!"
What surprised the Professor was that Green, moving at her own steady pace, had actually pulled ahead. While Gary had caught more Pokémon overall, that advantage seemed less significant since Ash had sent over those Tauros. Moreover, Gary still traveled by car, yet somehow seemed to be lagging behind both Green and Ash in terms of Gym progress.
"We're all progressing at our own rates," Green said modestly. "I ran into both of them recently on the road, and they've grown tremendously as trainers. I'm confident they'll collect all the Badges they need."
"You've seen them recently? Then they must be approaching Cinnabar Island soon," Professor Oak remarked, surprised by this coincidence.
"I would think so—"
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Before Green could finish, an incoming call alert interrupted their conversation. Professor Oak paused, then adjusted the screen to split the display. Green's window shrank to one side as Gary appeared on the other half.
"Gary! This is unexpected. What brings you to call?" Professor Oak asked, genuinely surprised.
Typically, Gary only called when he needed to exchange Pokémon. Even after catching something new, he rarely followed up with a call the way Ash and Green did. With no Pokémon transfer pending, Professor Oak was curious about the purpose of this contact.
"It's... it's not about me. It's about Ash," Gary replied, hesitation evident in his voice.
"Ash? What's happened to him?" Professor Oak's expression grew concerned.
Green, still connected to the call, frowned at the mention of Ash's name.
"I just met two of Ash's traveling companions in Neon Town," Gary explained. "They told me Ash has been captured by Team Rocket."
"What?!" Professor Oak exclaimed.
"Is Ash alright?" Green interjected, unable to contain her concern.
Gary looked startled, not having realized someone else was on the line. "Green? You're there too?"
"Yes, Green happened to be speaking with me when you called," Professor Oak clarified. "Please, tell us exactly what happened."
"I don't know all the details," Gary admitted, shaking his head. "According to Misty and Brock, by the time they arrived at the scene, Ash had already been taken away. They have no idea where."
"But why would Team Rocket specifically target Ash?" Green asked, perplexed.
It was clear she didn't fully understand the situation. The Team Rocket members she had encountered near Diglett's Cave were entirely different from the high-ranking Executives who had captured Ash.