Chapter Text
Between a Donphan...
Aether Corporation
Foyer
The flash of light of thirty Pokeballs opening at once was blinding and caused Red’s heartbeat to accelerate. However, the dissipation of the light revealed something much more underwhelming. A horde of Radicate stood before them, their gnarled chittering piercing the air.
At this, Red and Blue could only exchange incredulous looks.
“ATTACK!” shouted the lead Rainbow Rocket grunt.
“Charizard, go!” ordered Red throwing his Pokeball into the air.
“You know what to do Blastoise!” commanded Blue, mimicking Red’s actions.
It was seamless. All Red and Blue had to do were point in the direction of a target, and Hydro Pumps and Fire Blasts flew. The first ten Radicates fell easy. The next ten had the temerity to dodge around the onslaught. Soon, both Charizard and Blastoise were practically against the wall, being swarmed and pelted with Hyper Fangs. Red felt a shiver go up his spine.
Mt. Silver
9 and a half years ago
Pushing against the howling, frigid wind, Red saw a cave. He could also hear the snarling of a herd of Donphan.
Great, Red sighed inwardly The one cave I find that isn’t up a cliff, and it’s got a herd of Donphan in it. Guess it’s inevitable then.
The Donphan roared, three of them zooming out to meet the supposed intruder.
In three quick button presses, Red enlarged three of his Pokeballs, throwing them into the air as if he were throwing flower petals.
“Snorlax, Espeon,” ordered Red, “Keep’em busy with Body Slam and Swift. Venusaur, use Sunny Day and then use Solar Beam!”
The Pokeballs opened, and the trio went to work. Snorlax paradoxically moved the fastest, dogpiling onto one of the Donphan, while Espeon pelted the other two with star-shaped projectiles.
Meanwhile, the snow gave way to the hot sun, and Venusaur blasted the triage of Donphan. Yelping, the Donphan zoomed towards Red.
For the briefest of moments, Red felt every joint in his body locks up. A pair of vines grabbed his wait, Venusaur pulling him to safety as the perpetually spinning Pokemon retreated down Mount Silver.
“Thought I was roadkill there for a second Venusaur,” Red sighed, “Thanks, buddy.”
Venusaur grunted in approval, a cheeky grin on its face.
The legendary trainer and his three Pokemon walked into the cave. Its darkness was seemingly unending. The perfect shield from this atrocious weather.
Red unsheathed his other three Pokemon, Charizard Snorlax, and Blastoise. Brief flashbacks of the three days he spent in the Safari Zone trying to get a Squirtle and Bulbasaur came to him whenever he saw Blastoise and Venusaur standing tall, and he couldn’t help but beam with pride.
“This is camp for the next little while boys and girls,” Red explained, “We’re going to get even stronger tomorrow, but for now, take a rest, you earned it.”
His team cheered, Snorlax immediately collapsing, snoring loudly.
Red chuckled, “Charizard, you take point, the rest of you lay down wherever you feel comfy.”
Charizard gave an agreeing huff, the remaining Pokemon moving into a single file behind him, Red in the rear.
Now
“RAPID SPIN!” cried Blue.
Blastoise spun, knocking the swarming Raticate asunder.
“Fire Spin Charizard, now!” Red commanded.
The Raticates that weren’t immediately knocked out due to their proximity to Charizard were engulfed in the new circle of flame.
“Okay!” the lead Rainbow Rocket grunt quivered, “We retreat.”
“Douse it,” Blue growled
Blastoise nodded, extinguishing the flames around them.
“Oh wow, they already did it,” cried a familiar voice.
Lillie, Ello, and a new, silver-haired figure stepped through the rising steam into the room.
“Well shit kid,” the new person hooted, “You didn’t tell me you were palling around with the Red and Blue. Guess that’s what being a champeen’ll get ya, high falutin’ friends.”
“Who the hell is this?” Blue demanded.
“It's ya boy Guzma, leader of the former Team Skull. I got an invite to this gang of mooks, but turned ‘em down.”
“Yeah,” Ello added, “He’s a friend, don’t worry.”
Blue rolled his eyes, placing his hands on his hips, “Oh really? So what can you tell us Guzma?”
“You remember all them legendary Pokemon cataclysms from a couple of years back, caused by regional Teams?
“Remember? Me and Red almost got called in on all of ‘em, but some local kid always swept it up.”
“Well,” said Guzma, “ These idiots are from separate universes where they succeeded.”
“If that’s the case, why do all the grunts use Kanto Pokemon?” asked Blue.
“Because the grunts are the only thing from this dimension. All Kantonian,” Lillie reasoned.
Guzma laughed, “Sister’s already got her head wrapped around this whole thing damn.”
“So that means Giovanni’s the one behind this, backed by successful terrorists,” concluded Red.
“And the legendary Pokemon that comes with that I’m sure,” Blue groaned
“Sounds like a Smash Brothers issue,” Red said.
Blue blew a raspberry, “We four can take care of it, no need to call in your buddies.
“Hell yeah we can,” Ello cheered, “No need to be chicken skins about it. After all, you guys are legends.”
“I’m not a legend,” Red snapped, “Let’s get moving.”
Red walked silently into the next room. Blue strode to meet his friend, while Ello and Lillie trotted awkwardly behind..
“Ey yo, what’s his problem?” Guzma shouted.
“It’s a long story,” Blue said, “You need to stay behind and cover our six.”
“Sheesh, fine,” grumbled Guzma as the the other advanced further into the Aether Foundation