With a soft groan, Pikachu was wheeled out of the operating room by Chansey and Nurse Joy, looking thoroughly exhausted, still recovering from the intense power drain it had suffered earlier.
"The injuries have mostly healed, but Pikachu is still very drained," Nurse Joy explained to the concerned Ash. "All it needs is a good charge and some rest, and it should be back to normal."
Put in human terms, Pikachu had simply overworked itself. Now, it just needed some good "recharging."
"Oh, thank goodness…" Ash let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy!" he said sincerely.
"It's my duty," she replied with a kind smile. "And if you need a place to stay, I can arrange rooms for you."
Due to the League's support program, Pokémon Centers offered trainers free lodging and meals. While the accommodations were modest, it helped trainers save on expenses, especially the newer ones with limited funds.
"That would be amazing…" Ash began, his gratitude evident. But just as he was about to accept, a loud bang erupted from above.
With a shattering of glass, two Poké Balls dropped down from the ceiling, releasing Koffing and Ekans into the Pokémon Center.
Thick, choking smoke spread through the room.
Luo Yuan, already anticipating something like this, quickly covered his mouth and nose and reached over to cover Misty's as well.
"Cough, cough… Wh-what is this?" Ash spluttered, caught off guard by the smoke.
Luo Yuan smirked to himself.
This single question would start a rivalry that would follow Ash for hundreds of episodes. If future Ash had the chance to go back in time, he'd probably hold his own throat shut to avoid ever asking it.
But the question had already been asked, and the wheels of fate were turning.
Through the smoke, three figures landed in classic poses.
"Since you've asked so nicely…"
"…we'll answer with grace!"
"To protect the world from devastation…"
"To unite all people within our nation…"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love…"
"To extend our reach to the stars above…"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket, blasting off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
As the smoke cleared, Jessie, James, and Meowth, dressed in Team Rocket uniforms, appeared before them.
"Team Rocket!" Nurse Joy cried out first. As a member of the Joy family and the head of the Viridian City Pokémon Center, she was all too familiar with Team Rocket's reputation across Kanto.
Misty recognized them next. Having grown up around Gym battles, she knew about Team Rocket as well.
Luo Yuan, of course, didn't need an introduction—he knew all about them. Once the situation in Hoenn settled down, his ambition was to climb the ranks and become Team Rocket's branch leader there.
Out of all of them, Ash was the only one who looked around cluelessly, still unaware of what Team Rocket was.
Pleased with the fearful reactions, Team Rocket felt a surge of confidence.
"You should know what that means—hand over your Pokémon!" Jessie commanded.
"Yeah, you! The kid with…." She pointed at Luo Yuan, her eyes widening as she squinted. "Is that… a Dratini?!"
James and Meowth froze in shock.
They hadn't expected their luck to be this good—a Dratini, one of the rarest Pokémon in Kanto.
If they could capture it and offer it to the boss…
Lost in daydreams of praise and reward, Team Rocket didn't notice the odd look on Luo Yuan's face.
"Are you sure you want to take my Dratini?" Luo Yuan asked, stroking Dratini's head with a hint of amusement.
It didn't surprise him that they didn't recognize him.
After all, Luo Yuan had been assigned to Hoenn almost as soon as he joined Team Rocket. Only the higher-ups and a select few middle managers knew his identity.
The Team Rocket trio, despite their special uniforms, didn't have clearance to know who he was.
"Why wouldn't we? Ekans, attack!" Jessie yelled, bristling at his amused expression.
"Go, Koffing!" James added.
The two Pokémon lunged toward Luo Yuan from either side.
Only Meowth stayed back, a thoughtful look crossing its face. "That voice… where have I heard it before, Meowth?"
But Luo Yuan didn't give Meowth time to think further.
Watching Ekans and Koffing, he shook his head.
"They're poorly trained."
Had it not been for Jessie and James's connections, these two would never have made it onto Team Rocket's elite roster.
"Charmander, go!" Luo Yuan tossed Charmander's Poké Ball, intending to deal with the trio on Ash's behalf.
This way, he could position himself as Team Rocket's "opponent" while giving the trio a bit of a lesson for targeting his Dratini.
In a flash of white light, Charmander flipped into the air, and before it even touched the ground, Luo Yuan had already issued his command.
"Use Flamethrower!"
Charmander opened its mouth mid-air, unleashing a stream of flames at Ekans.
The Flamethrower was noticeably stronger than when it had last fought Pinsir, with improved stability and power.
"Ackss!"
Caught off guard, Ekans was hit squarely by the flames, its scales sizzling as it fell back, partially scorched.
Koffing, seeing Ekans hit, attempted to rush at Charmander with a tackle.
But before it could close in, Luo Yuan gave another command.
"Charmander, counter with Iron Tail!"
Charmander dodged Koffing's attack with a swift sidestep, then spun around, its tail glowing as it whipped it straight into Koffing.
Smack!
Koffing was launched back at Team Rocket with even greater force.
The impact sent Jessie, James, and Meowth flying, and both Ekans and Koffing lay on the floor, knocked out cold.
Jessie and James stared at Charmander, who looked fresh and raring to go, and shuddered. Without a word, they turned and bolted out of the Pokémon Center.
"Come back, Charmander," Luo Yuan said, recalling it with a satisfied look.
Seeing the admiration in Ash's eyes, Luo Yuan couldn't help but wonder: if Team Rocket wasn't blasted off by Pikachu this time, would they even keep going after him?
---
T/N: WOAH IRON TAIL?? HOW? Charmander is simply built different