On the second day after Red's departure, Ash's trio had exhausted themselves with self-training attempts, going everywhere from mountaintops to seaside locations, but without much result. With the Indigo League approaching rapidly, they could only sheepishly approach Professor Oak's research lab, hoping to receive guidance from the experienced professor.
"So, we'd like to ask Professor Oak what kind of self-training would be most effective?" Brock asked earnestly.
"Yeah, please tell us a good method," Ash said hopefully.
However, Professor Oak looked at the trio with complete exasperation.
"Ash, how can you speak so casually? The Indigo League opens next week!"
"What?!"
"Pika?!"
Ash and Pikachu simultaneously exclaimed in shock.
"Gary and Leaf left long ago, and your brother Red also departed for the Indigo Plateau yesterday. Given your terrible habit of getting lost, I strongly advise you to leave immediately," Professor Oak said with a mixture of urgency and amusement.
"This is terrible! I can't keep putting this off!"
Ash hurriedly departed from Professor Oak's research lab, just in time to encounter Delia, who was waiting outside for him.
"Our Ash is really too laid-back for his own good!"
Delia said helplessly, assisting Ash with organizing his backpack properly.
"Thank you for all your care!" Misty expressed her gratitude.
"We're so grateful for your hospitality!" Brock agreed wholeheartedly.
During their extended stay, both had been guests at Ash's house, receiving Delia's attentive care and motherly attention.
"You're always welcome to visit again anytime," Delia smiled warmly.
"We're off!"
With that declaration, Ash's trio turned and departed from Pallet Town, pausing to wave farewell to Delia and Professor Oak.
"Ash, do your absolute best!" Delia called out her blessing.
After several days of steady travel, Red arrived at the mountain path leading to the Indigo Plateau. With approximately half a day's journey remaining, he would reach his destination and the site of the upcoming League competition.
However, before reaching that goal, unexpected Pokémon battles seemed inevitable on these well-traveled routes.
"Come out. I've been watching you for quite some time," Red said calmly, glancing toward the occasionally rustling grass on the left side of the path.
"I didn't expect your perception to be so sharp. Truly impressive!"
With that acknowledgment, a samurai youth emerged from his hiding spot. He wore his hair in a traditional braided ponytail and carried a wooden practice sword hanging at his waist.
"If my assumption is correct, you're also a contestant participating in this Indigo League, aren't you?" The samurai youth inquired with measured formality.
Red remained silent but nodded in confirmation.
"Then, how about a duel with me? I am Samurai. I've been training in seclusion within these mountains, and now, before participating in the Indigo League, I desire one final test of my abilities. What do you say?"
Samurai issued his challenge with solemn dignity, as if he truly meant every word he expressed.
Red regarded Samurai with obvious displeasure, clearly recognizing what ulterior purpose this individual had for choosing to challenge passing travelers on this particular route.
"If you're accepting by default, then allow me to explain the stakes of this match. The losing side must surrender all the League badges in their possession. Can you accept these terms?" Samurai explained with apparent confidence.
"What a boring trick."
Red frowned with distaste, preparing to turn and continue his journey.
"Do you intend to avoid a match with me? Having your badges taken here amounts to the same thing as losing in the first round of the Indigo League."
Samurai attempted to provoke him, turning to address Red, who was about to leave.
"Do you want to avoid this challenge and be branded a coward by everyone?"
Red paused momentarily, turning back to regard Samurai with surprise. "I have to say, you possess quite some audacity. Since you desire a duel so desperately, then use every ounce of your strength in your futile attempt to defeat me."
With that declaration, Red threw a Poké Ball from his belt. The brilliant white light faded, revealing Marowak holding its signature thick bone club.
"Since it's Marowak, I absolutely refuse to lose!" Samurai declared confidently, also sending out his own Marowak to battle.
Marowak was an inherently battle-loving Pokémon species, especially when encountering others of its kind. Upon seeing that the opponent shared its species, Samurai's Marowak immediately rushed toward Red's Marowak, intending to launch an aggressive assault.
"Marowak, control yourself!" Samurai shouted, not expecting his partner to lose composure so dramatically.
"Impatient creature. Marowak, use Bone Club," Red commanded with complete calm.
Unlike Samurai's undisciplined Marowak, Red's partner held tremendous respect for its trainer. Without Red's explicit attack command, Marowak would never engage in mindless brawling with members of its own species.
Red's Marowak regarded its approaching kinsman with obvious disdain, adopting a precise combat stance with its bone club.
"Marowak!"
Under Samurai's horrified gaze, his own Marowak was decisively knocked to the ground by Red's Marowak's single, perfectly executed Bone Club attack, lacking even the strength to continue struggling.
"Your skills amount to nothing more than this..."
Red shook his head dismissively, while his Marowak also regarded its defeated kinsman with clear disdain.
Marowak had anticipated an excellent, challenging match, but instead discovered only one-sided domination, which proved genuinely disappointing for the battle-hungry Pokémon.
"Impossible! My strongest Pokémon, Marowak! How could it be defeated with a single move? Stand up, Marowak!"
Samurai shouted desperately, attempting to encourage his fallen partner.
Whether motivated by wounded pride or simply refusing to accept defeat before its own species, Samurai's Marowak managed to stand again, barely maintaining its balance.
"Excellent work, Marowak! Use this determination for a Headbutt attack!" Samurai commanded with renewed hope.
"Take Down," Red stated with unchanged calm.
Both Marowak charged toward each other, but Samurai's partner was clearly intimidated by its opponent's overwhelming presence, its eyes inevitably revealing traces of genuine fear.
"BANG!"
A thunderous impact echoed through the area. Samurai's Marowak was sent flying backward, the tremendous force creating a spiderweb pattern of cracks in the ground where it landed, demonstrating the devastating power behind the Take Down attack.
"Pokémon battles cannot be won through loud shouting alone."
Red observed with his characteristic calm expression, studying the now-panicked Samurai.
"Don't concern yourself. I have no intention of claiming your League badges. Besides, you don't even possess a single one currently, do you?"
With that observation, Red retrieved a Poké Ball to recall his disappointed Marowak and prepared to continue his journey.
"Wait! I did possess League badges once. They were earned through tremendous hardships and dedication. My Marowak and I worked together, conquered several League gyms, strengthening our resolve whenever our spirits threatened to break."
"To participate in the Indigo League, we desperately collected those badges, finally managing to gather all eight and completing our special mountain training regimen with Marowak."
"When we descended the mountain, I was tempted by fruit that appeared along the roadside. Unable to resist the temptation, we fell into an obvious trap, tumbling into a deep pit and having our precious League badges stolen from us."
'Of course, it's those three persistent fools. I didn't expect anyone would actually fall for such transparent schemes and be unable to retrieve their League badges from Team Rocket's trio...'
Red glanced at the dejected Samurai, genuinely surprised that someone could fall victim to such an obvious trap and prove incapable of recovering his badges from those bumbling thieves.