The next day...
Because the Master Ball restart project had been exposed, Silph Co. decided to temporarily freeze the research.
Team Rocket had long arranged their escape plan in advance. The International Police who rushed in as reinforcements could only barely catch a few abandoned pawns who had been left behind. After strict interrogation procedures, they were all confirmed to be low-level personnel who had never had access to real intelligence—nothing more than Team Rocket's cruel "layoffs."
As for Damon, who had previously fought Red, he seized the opportunity to escape by grabbing Crobat's small wings amid the chaos caused when the International Police stormed Silph Co., taking advantage of Sabrina and Kadabra mistakenly believing he had been defeated.
Lance also came to fully understand Team Rocket's strength through this incident. Their hidden forces had already infiltrated the upper ranks of the League. If not for the spies within the League's top brass stirring trouble, this operation would not have ended so hastily.
The Silph Co. incident rang alarm bells in everyone's hearts. Tonight's confrontation could be described as a comprehensive victory for Team Rocket, delivering a heavy blow to the League's official reputation. Although they failed to obtain the Master Ball, Team Rocket's researchers still managed to seize a large amount of research data.
After the matter settled, Red received a letter of thanks from the president of Silph Co., along with a phone call inviting him to visit the company when he had time. The president wished to personally repay Red for last night's favor.
Not wanting to go through the troublesome formalities of announcing himself at the entrance security desk, Red simply used Teleport to appear directly in the president's top-floor office. His sudden arrival startled the president and his secretary, but once they recognized him, they immediately stepped forward to warmly welcome him.
"Red, thank you once again for saving Silph Co.!" the president said gratefully, clasping Red's hands while signaling for his secretary to leave the room.
"These are responsibilities I should fulfill as a Pokémon Trainer. There's no need to be so polite," Red replied modestly, asking him not to be so overly enthusiastic.
"Red, if possible, please allow Silph Co. to provide evolution services for your Onix and Scyther. We will supply the highest-quality Metal Coats!" the president promised.
The Metal Coat was an essential item required for the evolution of Onix and Scyther. A superior Metal Coat could also significantly enhance the combat support of a Pokémon preparing to evolve.
"It would be my honor. I trust that with Silph Co.'s financial resources and technology, you can provide my Pokémon with excellent Metal Coats," Red said with slight excitement. After all, the giant Onix and Scyther had been clamoring to evolve, their eyes filled with a desire to grow stronger. Clearly, last night's battle had indirectly ignited their fighting spirit.
"As expected of you, Red. I thought I could give you a surprise," the president said with a knowing expression, though he still shook his head slightly in disappointment.
Steelix and Scizor had first appeared in the Johto region. At the time, researchers could not determine the conditions for their birth. However, from their vague outlines, they deduced that they were evolved forms of Onix and Scyther. After extensive research, they eventually discovered that a Metal Coat was required for evolution.
"Here is the data on Onix and Scyther." Red took out his Pokédex and transmitted the information to the office computer. "The material requirements for the two Metal Coats are different. I need you to strictly review them ten times. Once the Metal Coats are customized, please send them to Professor Oak's Laboratory. If possible, assign a few researchers to assist Professor Oak as well."
"Rest assured. For the evolution of Onix and Scyther, Silph Co. will execute everything with absolute rigor. We will not allow even the slightest negligence!" the president assured solemnly.
Although Silph Co. could provide high-quality Metal Coats, when it came to Pokémon evolution technology, Red trusted Professor Oak in Pallet Town more. After all, the latter was an authority in the research world.
Afterward, under the grateful gazes of all Silph Co. employees, Red awkwardly walked out of the building. Whenever someone passed by, the president would "enthusiastically" run up to them and, with a grateful expression, introduce Red's "glorious achievements" to the bewildered bystander.
The spectacle embarrassed Red so much that his face flushed to the tips of his ears, and he hurriedly left Silph Co.
With the data provided by Red, Silph Co. understood the differences between the two Metal Coats. The first required heavy weight and high defense, three times thicker than ordinary Metal Coats—clearly prepared for the giant Onix. The second required reducing gravity by half, ideally achieving a lightweight and thin version that fit the body without sacrificing agility—obviously prepared for Scyther.
After returning to the Pokémon Center, Red sent back the giant Onix and Scyther and reminded both Pokémon not to be rude to Professor Oak, as their evolutions would require his assistance.
As for the vacant slots, Red decided to retrieve Milotic and Thousand-Year Gengar for the time being. As for Dratini and Cubone, the two little babies, they would remain at Professor Oak's Laboratory to properly replenish their nutrition. Experiencing training too early would hinder their growth. Red did not want to ignore the childhood his Pokémon deserved just for the sake of increasing strength.
Meanwhile, Beedrill and Charizard had to remain by Red's side to adapt to the power after Mega Evolution. But Red firmly believed one thing—his Mega Evolution with Beedrill would be extremely smooth, perhaps not even requiring deliberate adaptation.
"What a pity. I can't use the photo from Acapulco back then!"
"Red, what photo—"
Under Professor Oak's utterly confused gaze, Red hung up the phone regretfully. Recently, Professor Oak had been delighted to study the Pokémon Red sent back. He couldn't have been happier and certainly wouldn't feel tired about the tasks Red arranged. He even boldly declared,
"Send them over as much as you like!"
The trio who had been missing for quite some time finally arrived in Saffron City today.
"This is great! We finally don't have to get lost and sleep in the forest anymore!" Misty said emotionally. Although the three had followed the route Red directed them toward, their innate talent for getting lost still delayed their arrival in Saffron City.
"Alright! I'm going to challenge the Saffron Gym right now!" Ash said excitedly, while Pikachu on his shoulder crackled with fighting spirit.
"Let's find the Pokémon Center and register for a room first," Brock suggested. With Saffron City's public security recently restored, more and more travelers were visiting. To secure a room, the trio had rushed there during the day without stopping.
"That's true. I wonder who fixed everything up," Ash wondered aloud.
At that very moment, Red, who was at the Pokémon Center, suddenly sneezed.
"Could it be Giovanni is regretting it?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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