Celadon City was vibrant and bustling—the largest city in Kanto, known for its massive department store, the Game Corner, and the Rainbow Badge gym led by Erika.
Andrew walked through the city streets with Pikachu on his shoulder and Froakie at his heels. The water-type had been training intensely since joining the team, growing stronger and faster each day. Andrew could feel their bond deepening, though they hadn't yet reached the level of synchronization that Ash had mentioned.
His first priority was the gym battle, but as he passed by the famous Celadon Game Corner, something felt… off.
The building looked normal enough—bright lights, cheerful music, people going in and out. But Andrew's instincts, honed from months of encountering Team Rocket, were screaming at him.
He paused, studying the building more carefully.
Pikachu's ears twitched. "Pika?"
"You feel it too, don't you?" Andrew murmured. "Something's not right here."
He decided to investigate after his gym battle. First things first—the Rainbow Badge.
Celadon Gym - The Challenge
The Celadon Gym was beautiful, filled with plants and flowers of every variety. The air smelled sweet, and sunlight filtered through a glass roof. It felt more like a botanical garden than a battlefield.
Erika stood at the center—elegant, composed, wearing a traditional kimono. She looked serene, but Andrew knew better than to underestimate her. She was one of Kanto's elite gym leaders, specializing in Grass-types.
"Welcome, challenger," Erika said with a gentle smile. "I am Erika. I can sense you have a deep respect for nature and your Pokémon. That will serve you well in this battle."
"Thank you," Andrew replied. "I'm Andrew, and I'm here to challenge you for the Rainbow Badge."
"Very well. This will be a three-on-three battle. Standard rules. Let us begin."
The Battle: Andrew vs Erika
Round One: Charizard vs Tangela
"Tangela, grace us with your presence," Erika said calmly.
The grass-type emerged, its body covered in writhing blue vines.
"Charizard, you're up!" Andrew called.
The dragon roared, flames burning intensely on his tail.
"Tangela, Vine Whip."
Dozens of vines shot toward Charizard.
"Flamethrower, burn them away!"
Charizard's flames incinerated the vines before they could reach him.
"Now, Dragon Claw!"
Charizard dove forward, his claws glowing with draconic energy, and struck Tangela hard. The grass-type was launched backward, knocked out in a single hit.
Erika recalled Tangela with grace. "Your Charizard is powerful. But power alone does not guarantee victory. Victreebel, your turn."
Round Two: Charizard vs Victreebel
The large plant Pokémon emerged, its bell-shaped mouth opening to reveal sharp teeth.
"Victreebel, Solar Beam."
The grass-type began gathering sunlight, its body glowing.
"Charizard, don't let it finish charging! Air Slash!"
Razor-sharp air blades shot toward Victreebel, interrupting the Solar Beam charge and dealing damage.
"Razor Leaf!"
Sharp leaves shot toward Charizard.
"Dragon Dance to evade!"
Charizard performed the graceful aerial maneuver Andrew had been training, boosting his speed and attack while dodging the Razor Leaf.
"Now, Flare Blitz!"
Charizard's entire body erupted in flames as he charged forward like a meteor. The attack struck Victreebel with devastating force.
Victreebel collapsed, unable to continue.
Erika's serene expression didn't change, but Andrew could see respect in her eyes.
"You've trained your Charizard well. The bond between you is evident. But let us see how you handle this. Vileplume, show them the power of nature."
Round Three: Charizard vs Vileplume
Vileplume emerged—a mature grass-poison type with a massive flower on its head.
"Vileplume, Petal Dance."
A whirlwind of razor-sharp petals filled the air, creating a beautiful but deadly storm.
"Charizard, use your wings to create a wind current—blow them away!"
Charizard beat his powerful wings, creating a gust that dispersed most of the petals.
"Solar Beam!"
This time, Vileplume charged faster, and the beam of concentrated sunlight shot toward Charizard.
"Dodge and counter with Dragon Pulse!"
Charizard narrowly avoided the Solar Beam and fired back with draconic energy. The attack struck Vileplume directly.
"Vileplume, Sleep Powder!"
A cloud of blue powder spread across the battlefield.
"Charizard, fly above it!"
But Vileplume had anticipated this. "Petal Dance—above!"
The petals shot upward, striking Charizard and forcing him back down into the Sleep Powder cloud. The dragon's eyes began to droop.
"Charizard, stay awake!" Andrew shouted.
But it was too late. Charizard's eyes closed, and he began to fall.
"Now, Sludge Bomb!"
The poison-type attack struck the sleeping Charizard hard. He crashed to the ground.
"Charizard!" Andrew called.
But the dragon was unconscious, still asleep from the Sleep Powder.
The referee raised her flag. "Charizard is unable to battle!"
Andrew recalled his partner. "You fought great. Rest now."
He pulled out his second Pokéball. "Ivysaur, I need you!"
Round Four: Ivysaur vs Vileplume
Ivysaur emerged, and the two grass-types faced each other.
"A grass-type mirror match," Erika observed. "Interesting choice."
"Ivysaur, Razor Leaf!"
"Vileplume, Petal Dance!"
The two attacks met in midair, leaves and petals colliding in a beautiful display.
"Solar Beam!" both trainers called simultaneously.
Both Pokémon began charging, their bodies glowing with gathered sunlight.
The two beams fired at the exact same moment, meeting in the center of the battlefield. The energy clash created a massive explosion.
When the smoke cleared, both Ivysaur and Vileplume were down.
The referee raised both flags. "Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"
Andrew recalled Ivysaur. "You did amazing."
He looked at his remaining Pokémon. This was it—everything came down to his last choice.
"Gengar, let's finish this!"
The ghost-type emerged, grinning mischievously.
Erika sent out her final Pokémon—another Tangela, fresher and stronger than her first.
"This is where we conclude our battle," Erika said. "Tangela, Mega Drain!"
Energy-draining vines shot toward Gengar.
"Phase through them and use Shadow Ball!"
Gengar became intangible, the vines passing harmlessly through, and fired back with a Shadow Ball that struck Tangela directly.
"Bind!"
Vines wrapped around Gengar—and despite being a ghost-type, the physical restraint worked. Gengar was trapped.
"Mega Drain again!"
Energy began draining from Gengar.
"Gengar, Shadow Ball barrage—detonate on yourself!"
Gengar created multiple Shadow Balls and detonated them at point-blank range. The explosion destroyed the vines and damaged both Pokémon, but Gengar could take the hit better than Tangela.
When the smoke cleared, Gengar was still floating—battered but standing. Tangela was unconscious.
The referee raised her flag. "Tangela is unable to battle! The winner is Challenger Andrew!"
After the Battle
Erika walked across the battlefield with grace, holding out the Rainbow Badge—a beautiful multicolored badge shaped like a flower.
"You've earned this," Erika said. "Your Pokémon fought with courage and trust. That is the true strength of a trainer."
Andrew accepted the badge, adding it to his collection. Five badges now. Three more to go.
"Thank you for the battle," Andrew said sincerely.
"Continue to nurture your bonds," Erika replied. "They will carry you far."
Erika walked across the battlefield with grace, holding out the Rainbow Badge—a beautiful multicolored badge shaped like a flower.
"You've earned this," Erika said. "Your Pokémon fought with courage and trust. That is the true strength of a trainer."
Andrew accepted the badge, adding it to his collection. Five badges now. Three more to go.
"Thank you for the battle," Andrew said sincerely.
"Continue to nurture your bonds," Erika replied. "They will carry you far."
That Evening - The Game Corner
After healing his team at the Pokémon Center, Andrew couldn't shake the feeling about the Game Corner. He decided to investigate.
He entered the building—it was crowded with people playing slot machines and various games. Everything seemed normal on the surface.
But Andrew had played the old Pokémon games in his previous life. He remembered the Game Corner in Celadon City. He remembered what was hidden beneath it.
A Team Rocket hideout.
He wandered around casually, observing. Most people were focused on their games, but Andrew noticed a few individuals who seemed out of place—not playing, just watching the crowd. Security? Or Team Rocket lookouts?
Then he spotted it—in a back corner, partially hidden behind a poster. A suspicious switch on the wall.
Andrew waited until no one was looking, then pressed it.
A section of the floor slid open, revealing stairs leading down into darkness.
Andrew's heart pounded. He pulled out his Pokédex and sent a quick message to Professor Oak with his location, then recalled all his Pokémon except Pikachu and Froakie.
"Stay alert," he whispered to them. "We're going in."
They descended into the hidden base.
Team Rocket Underground Base
The underground facility was massive—sterile hallways, locked doors, and the unmistakable presence of Team Rocket. Grunts patrolled in groups, and Andrew had to duck into side corridors to avoid being spotted.
He moved deeper into the base, following the sound of voices and machinery. Eventually, he found himself overlooking a large chamber from a catwalk.
Below, dozens of caged Pokémon lined the walls. Team Rocket scientists worked at computer terminals. And in the center of it all, directing operations, were two figures Andrew recognized immediately.
Cassidy and Butch.
"The shipment needs to be ready by tomorrow," Cassidy was saying to a scientist. "The boss wants these Pokémon modified and combat-ready for the next phase."
Modified? Andrew felt sick. They were experimenting on Pokémon.
He needed to stop this. But how? There were too many grunts, and Cassidy and Butch were there. He couldn't take them all on alone.
Then alarms started blaring.
"Intruder detected on Level 3!" a voice announced over the speakers.
They'd found him.
"It's that brat!" Butch snarled, spotting Andrew on the catwalk. "Cassidy, it's James and Jessie's kid!"
"Get him!" Cassidy ordered. "Don't let him escape!"
Grunts poured into the corridors. Andrew ran, Pikachu and Froakie at his side, but he was quickly surrounded.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Froakie, Water Pulse!"
They fought desperately, taking down grunt Pokémon left and right, but more kept coming. Andrew released Charizard, Gengar, and Ivysaur, and his team fought with everything they had.
But the sheer numbers were overwhelming. One by one, his Pokémon fell—exhausted from the earlier gym battle and now facing dozens of opponents.
Charizard went down under a combined assault of Golbats.
Gengar was hit by a critical Hyper Beam and collapsed.
Ivysaur fought valiantly but eventually succumbed to repeated attacks.
Pikachu was still fighting, but visibly exhausted.
And Froakie—the smallest member of the team—stood protectively in front of Andrew, breathing hard but refusing to back down.
Cassidy and Butch approached through the crowd of grunts.
"You're persistent, we'll give you that," Cassidy said coldly. "But you've made a fatal mistake coming here alone."
"Butch, finish this," she ordered.
Butch threw a Pokéball. "Primeape, Machamp, end this!"
Two powerful fighting-types emerged.
"And mine," Cassidy added. "Houndoom, Granbull, take them down!"
Four powerful Pokémon against an exhausted Pikachu and a young Froakie.
"Pikachu, Froakie, return!" Andrew called, trying to recall them.
But Froakie refused, slapping away his Pokéball with one hand. The water-type's eyes blazed with determination.
"Froak!" he cried out defiantly.
"Froakie, no!" Andrew shouted. "You can't—"
"Primeape, Close Combat!"
"Machamp, Dynamic Punch!"
"Houndoom, Flamethrower!"
"Granbull, Play Rough!"
All four attacks launched simultaneously at Froakie.
Time seemed to slow.
Andrew saw his Pokémon—this small, brave water-type who'd chosen him, who trusted him—about to be overwhelmed.
And something inside Andrew broke.
"FROAKIE!" Andrew screamed, throwing himself forward.
He wouldn't reach in time. He knew he wouldn't.
But Froakie heard his trainer's desperate cry. Felt the bond between them—the trust, the care, the absolute refusal to let each other fall.
And something awakened.
Froakie's body began to glow with brilliant white light.
The four attacks struck—but they hit a barrier of pure evolutionary energy.
Froakie's form grew larger, sleeker, more powerful. The light was blinding, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
When the light faded, Frogadier stood where Froakie had been—taller, stronger, covered in bubbles that formed a protective foam scarf around his neck.
"Frogadier!" the newly evolved Pokémon called out, his voice deeper, more confident.
Cassidy's eyes widened. "It evolved?!"
"Frogadier, Water Pulse—full power!" Andrew commanded.
Frogadier created a massive sphere of water and launched it. The attack struck all four Pokémon simultaneously, sending them flying backward.
"Now, Double Team!"
Multiple copies of Frogadier appeared throughout the chamber, confusing the opponents.
"Quick Attack!"
The real Frogadier moved at incredible speed, striking Primeape and knocking it out.
"Impossible!" Butch snarled.
Pikachu, reinvigorated by his teammate's evolution, sparked with electricity. "Pika!"
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt on Machamp!"
"Frogadier, Water Pulse on Houndoom!"
The two attacks struck simultaneously. Machamp was paralyzed by the electric attack, and Houndoom was blasted backward by the water.
But Granbull lunged forward, jaws glowing with fairy energy.
"Frogadier, look out!"
Frogadier turned—too late to dodge completely. The Play Rough attack connected, sending him tumbling.
But the water-type got back up immediately, barely winded. His new evolution had given him significantly more durability.
"Andrew!" a voice called from behind.
Andrew turned to see Officer Jenny and a squad of police officers pouring into the base.
"We got your message!" Jenny shouted. "Backup is here!"
The tide of battle shifted instantly. Team Rocket grunts began fleeing or surrendering.
Cassidy snarled. "Retreat! Everyone, retreat!"
She and Butch released smoke bombs and disappeared into the base's deeper sections, escaping once again.
But the base was compromised. The caged Pokémon were being freed. The operation was over.
After the Raid
Andrew sat outside the Game Corner as police processed the scene. His entire team had been healed by emergency Pokémon medics, and they rested around him.
Frogadier sat beside Andrew, looking proud but tired. The water-type's evolution had saved them all.
"You were incredible," Andrew said softly, putting his hand on Frogadier's head. "When I thought I was going to lose you… I couldn't accept it. And you felt that, didn't you?"
"Frogadier," the Pokémon responded, nodding.
Officer Jenny approached. "Andrew, that was incredibly reckless. You could have been killed."
"I know," Andrew admitted. "But those Pokémon needed help. And I couldn't just walk away."
Jenny sighed. "You're brave. I'll give you that. And thanks to your intel, we've shut down a major Team Rocket operation. We found evidence of illegal experimentation, weapons development, and connections to other bases across Kanto."
"Cassidy and Butch got away," Andrew said with frustration.
"They always do," Jenny replied. "But we'll get them eventually. For now, you should rest. Your Pokémon need recovery time."
That Night - Video Call with Professor Oak
Andrew sat in his Pokémon Center room, Frogadier resting beside him on the bed, when he called Professor Oak.
Gary's face appeared, and his expression was serious.
"I heard about the Game Corner," Gary said without preamble. "Andrew, you can't keep doing this. You're one trainer—you can't take on Team Rocket alone."
"I wasn't trying to take them on," Andrew protested. "I was just investigating, and then—"
"And then you found yourself in over your head," Gary interrupted. "Again. Andrew, I understand your determination to stop Team Rocket. I respect it. But you have to be smarter about this. Work with authorities. Don't go in alone."
"Froakie evolved," Andrew said, changing the subject slightly. "During the battle with Cassidy and Butch's Pokémon. He evolved into Frogadier."
Gary's expression softened slightly. "I saw the report. Emergency evolution triggered by the bond between you. That's significant, Andrew. Frogadier is one step closer to potentially unlocking the Bond Phenomenon that Ash mentioned."
"I could feel it," Andrew said quietly. "During that moment when I thought I'd lose him. It was like… our emotions synchronized. Like we were sharing the same determination to protect each other."
"That's the foundation of the Bond Phenomenon," Gary explained. "But it's also a reminder of how much your Pokémon care about you. Which is why you need to be more careful. They'd risk everything for you, and you for them. That's admirable, but it can also be dangerous if you're not strategic."
Andrew nodded, understanding. "I'll be more careful. I promise."
"Good. Now rest. You've got three more gym badges to earn, and after tonight, you need recovery time."
Two Days Later
Andrew stood on the outskirts of Celadon City, his team fully healed and ready to continue the journey. Five badges gleamed inside his jacket—Boulder, Cascade, Thunder, Marsh, and Rainbow.
Frogadier stood beside him, stronger and more confident than ever. The water-type looked up at Andrew with absolute trust.
"Three more badges," Andrew said to his team. "Fuchsia, Cinnabar, and Viridian. Then the Pokémon League."
"Pika!" Pikachu cheered from his shoulder.
"Frogadier!" the water-type added.
Charizard roared from behind them, flames burning bright.
The road ahead would be challenging. Team Rocket was still out there, planning something bigger. Cassidy and Butch had escaped again. And Andrew was now known worldwide as both a hero and a target.
But he wasn't afraid.
He had his team. He had his determination. And he had a promise to keep—to return Ash's hat when he was strong enough to stand beside him as an equal.
The journey continued.
And Andrew was ready for whatever came next.
Meanwhile - Team Rocket Headquarters
Giovanni sat in darkness, watching surveillance footage of Andrew's battle at the Game Corner base. His expression was unreadable.
"The boy shut down our Celadon operation," an underling reported nervously. "Cassidy and Butch barely escaped."
"I saw," Giovanni said calmly. "James and Jessie's son continues to interfere. And his Froakie evolved during the battle. The offspring of Ash Ketchum's Greninja."
He leaned forward, studying the footage of Frogadier's evolution.
"Interesting. Very interesting."
"What are your orders, sir?"
Giovanni was quiet for a long moment. "Let him continue his gym challenge. Let him grow stronger. And when the time is right…"
He pressed a button, and the screen displayed Andrew's file—now updated with significantly more detail.
"We'll see just how strong James and Jessie's son really is. Prepare the Viridian Gym. I'll be taking personal interest in his eighth badge challenge."
The underling saluted and left.
Giovanni continued watching the footage of Andrew and his Pokémon—particularly the bond displayed during Froakie's evolution.
"You have potential, boy," Giovanni murmured. "Let's see if you're as strong as your reputation suggests."