The Power of Viridian is different from psychic power and Aura abilities. Its abilities are mainly reflected in communicating with Pokémon, understanding their inner thoughts, possessing healing capabilities, and soothing the heart.
"Not a bad ability." After obtaining the Power of Viridian, Red felt his mind being calmed as well.
But just as one wave subsided, another rose. When Red was secretly satisfied and preparing to leave Viridian Forest, a group suddenly barged into his detection range. Red quickly stepped forward to take a look and discovered members of Team Rocket wearing black uniforms marked with a red "R" chasing a Pokémon.
"That's an Eevee?" Red wondered. How could an ordinary Eevee prompt Team Rocket to mobilize so many people to capture it? Or was there something special about this Eevee?
"Magneton, use Thunderbolt!" The Team Rocket squad leader sent out his Pokémon and commanded Magneton to attack the fleeing Eevee.
A surge of electricity burst from Magneton's body. Just as it was about to hit Eevee, Eevee suddenly emitted a white glow and evolved into Jolteon.
With its Volt Absorb Ability, Jolteon directly absorbed the electric current and immediately retaliated with Thunderbolt.
"It can evolve without a Thunder Stone?" Red said in surprise. What happened next shocked him even more. A blazing stream of fire rushed toward Jolteon, but Jolteon showed no fear. Its body shone white once again and transformed into Flareon.
With its Flash Fire Ability, Flareon absorbed the flames and countered with Flamethrower.
"This is bad! Test Subject No. 2 is too strong!" one Team Rocket member complained.
"As expected of Professor Hemlock's creation. Its strength truly is extraordinary!" Yagawa laughed and clapped as he stepped out from the shadows, his ferocious gaze locked onto Eevee. The flames just now had been the handiwork of the Magmar behind him.
Magmar was the reward Yagawa received after becoming a squad captain. Originally, he was only supposed to receive a Ponyta to fill out his strength, but after being assigned to Professor Hemlock's side, he benefited from the arrangement and obtained a powerful Magmar instead. This made Yagawa extremely smug. Whenever he had the chance, he would send Magmar into battle just to enjoy the envious looks of his subordinates.
"Team Rocket? Test Subject No. 2? Could it be that this Eevee, capable of evolving at will, is a Team Rocket experiment just like that Gyarados?"
Red quickly analyzed the situation, staring displeased at Team Rocket as they wreaked havoc in Viridian Forest.
"I'll leave it to you!"
Beedrill and Scyther once again threw Team Rocket into chaos. Though they had once fantasized about capturing these powerful Pokémon, their strength quickly sobered them up. Scyther rushed forward with Fury Cutter, defeating the Pokémon attacking it, then followed up with Air Slash, forcing Team Rocket to separate from Flareon.
"Team Rocket, I won't let you do as you please," Red said calmly, glancing at Beedrill and Scyther.
"Pokémon: Beedrill
Attribute: Bug + Poison
First Ability: Swarm
Second Ability: Sniper
Moves: Poison Sting, Fury Attack, Swords Dance, X-Scissor, Brick Break, Poison Jab, Agility…
Personality: A lone wanderer, but sincere toward companions. Will give everything for Red, even its own life.
Background: A solitary ranger from Beedrills in the forest regions. Unwilling to be bound by its tribe, it left to travel across various lands.
Its sharp gaze seems capable of locking onto an enemy's vital points with precision. The poison in the stinger at the end of its tail is three times more potent than that of its kind. Once pierced, terrifying toxins instantly spread through the enemy's body. However, in pursuit of the ultimate battle senses, it usually refrains from using its tail stinger—unless teaching an arrogant fool a lesson."
"Pokémon: Scyther (Shiny: Green)
Attribute: Bug + Flying
First Ability: Technician
Second Ability: Swarm
Moves: Quick Attack, Fury Cutter, Agility, X-Scissor, Air Slash, Hone Claws…
Personality: Arrogant…"
When Red saw the description in Beedrill's personality section, he froze for a moment and silently lowered his head, pressing down on his cap.
Mistaking them for wild Pokémon that had come to help it, and unable to sustain its stamina, Flareon reverted back to Eevee. Though it could evolve into different forms, each transformation was accompanied by intense pain. If it weren't for survival, Eevee would never change forms.
"Where did this brat come from, daring to interfere with Team Rocket's 'sacred plan'?!" Yagawa said impatiently. The events of the past few days had already robbed him of proper sleep, so he had no good expression for Red, who had come to cause trouble.
"I just don't like what I'm seeing," Red replied, frowning slightly and ignoring Yagawa's increasingly cold expression.
"Magmar, use Flamethrower! Golbat, use Air Slash!"
Beedrill easily dodged the flames, while Scyther countered directly with Air Slash.
"Magneton, use Thunderbolt!" The stunned squad leader snapped back to his senses and hurriedly gave the order.
"Onix!" Red threw out a Poké Ball. A towering, majestic giant Onix appeared before everyone, effortlessly channeling the Thunderbolt into the ground.
"How is that possible?! This Onix is way too huge!" Yagawa cried in terror. The forest sunlight had already been dim, and now it was completely overshadowed by the massive Onix.
"Pokémon: Onix
Attribute: Rock + Ground
First Ability: Rock Head
Second Ability: Sturdy
Moves: Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Iron Tail, Sand Tomb, Dig, Sandstorm, Double-Edge…
Personality: Gentle by nature, unwilling to remain ordinary, longing for greater strength.
Background: The dominant leader of the Onixs from Mount Hideaway. Possesses commanding presence and leadership. Its descendants are spread throughout every corner of Mount Hideaway, guarding the safety of its kin. Yet it finds its mundane life dull and yearns to meet a powerful Trainer."
"Use Iron Tail."
Though it could not deal effective damage to Magneton, it was enough to knock it to the ground.
"Body Press!" Red commanded.
(Body Press: A Fighting-type move introduced in Generation VIII. The user slams into the target with its body. The higher its Defense, the greater the damage dealt.)
The giant Onix lunged forward, its entire body crushing Magneton beneath it. A faint tearing sound could be heard.
Body Press was perfectly suited for Pokémon like Onix, whose Defense stat was exceptionally high.
The violent noise snapped the terrified members back to reality. In just a short moment, Magneton had been instantly defeated by the giant Onix.
"Magmar, hurry and use Fire Punch! Golbat, charge in with Poison Fang!" Yagawa roared, not expecting Red's strength to be so terrifying.
Magmar attacked Beedrill with fists engulfed in flames. Beedrill responded with Double Team, countless afterimages surrounding Magmar and confusing its vision.
Seeing Golbat approach, Scyther used Quick Attack to seize the initiative, slamming into Golbat and knocking it away.
"Unfortunately… with your strength, you can't defeat me," Red said calmly. His arrogant tone nearly drove Yagawa mad.
Beedrill and Scyther battled Magmar and Golbat, while the giant Onix single-handedly faced the remaining Team Rocket members. Fortunately, the Pokémon paired with these ordinary grunts were relatively weak and became mere experience points for Onix, easily defeated.
Seeing Magmar's stamina nearly depleted, Beedrill quickly ascended into the air before plunging downward, using gravity to unleash a powerful Giga Impact, smashing Magmar deep into the ground, leaving only flames flickering upward from the scorched earth.
Scyther glanced at Beedrill, unwilling to fall behind, and rapidly closed in on Golbat, trying to defeat it. However, Scyther ultimately did not possess the same overwhelming strength as Beedrill. After repeated exchanges, it still failed to defeat Golbat.
This could not be blamed on Scyther's weakness; after all, most of its preferred moves were resisted by Golbat and could not deal effective damage.
Fortunately, in the end, Scyther spotted Golbat's opening and defeated it with a close-range Air Slash.
"Whether you trust me or not, if you don't treat your injuries, you'll soon close your eyes forever," Red warned as he tossed a healing spray toward Eevee.
At first, Eevee looked at Red with hostility. But pressured by Beedrill and Scyther's displeased gazes, and ultimately defeated by Red's stern tone, it reluctantly picked up the healing spray and left. Before disappearing deep into the forest, it cast Red a deep glance.
"Don't go! You belong to Team Rocket!" Yagawa tried to chase after Eevee but was frightened to the ground by Scyther's Air Slash.
"I never said I would let you go," Red said coldly, holding no goodwill toward Team Rocket before him.
When the remaining Team Rocket members attempted to flee, Red signaled the giant Onix to intimidate them. Onix let out a roar that echoed throughout the forest, frightening everyone into freezing in place.
Red then silently dialed the phone number of the Pewter City Police Department, waiting for Officer Jenny to arrive. After the authorities handled the matter, he would conveniently ask for a ride to Pewter City.