Although Red possessed outstanding strength, he was not an inspector dispatched by the Pokémon League. Under Red's suggestion, Yas and Kaz sincerely sought advice from Nurse Joy on how to establish a double battle Gym.
"Hmm? Although there are currently no double battle Gyms in the Kanto Region, this approach is still feasible—as long as you can pass the assessment to become Gym Trainers," Nurse Joy explained.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy!" X2
The two were so excited they nearly knelt to thank her. There had been a way to resolve their conflict all along, yet they had never thought of it, foolishly causing trouble in Dark City for so long.
Seeing the matter resolved, Red took out his Poké Balls and recalled his Giant Steelix and Scizor, preparing to leave together with Sylveon.
Just as Red and Sylveon were about to leave Dark City, Yas and Kaz called out to him at the same time.
"Master, please accept our first Black Badge!" X2
The two sincerely presented a jet-black League badge to Red. Its design featured the lightning of Electabuzz and the blades of Scyther, painted over in black.
"This is the very first version of our Black Badge, and also the most commemorative one," Yas explained.
"Please believe in our strength. We will remember your guidance and will definitely establish the Kaya Gym as an official League Gym. So please, you must accept our Black Badge," Kaz said.
"Since it's your sincerity, I'll accept it." Red smiled, taking the Black Badge they offered before waving goodbye and turning to leave.
...
After several days of travel, crossing the vast desert, Red finally arrived at Neon Town, known as the Sleepless City.
Neon Town was called the Sleepless City because it was lively at all times. Due to people sleeping very little, the residents here were often irritable and short-tempered.
Bright neon lights shone everywhere, dazzling both day and night. To the south lay a desert, while to the north stretched a forest.
Not wanting to attract unnecessary trouble, Red headed straight to the local Pokémon Center. The Nurse Joy here, due to chronic sleep deprivation, also had a rather irritable temperament, occasionally scolding careless rookie Trainers—almost making some children cry.
Red walked toward the phone booth, intending to contact Professor Oak to change his team.
"Hello, hello—oh, it's Red. Rare for you to contact me so proactively. Looks like you want to switch your traveling team again," Professor Oak said, already used to it, preparing to receive the Poké Balls.
"That's not necessarily the case, Professor Oak," Red replied awkwardly. "Do I only contact you when I need something?"
(Isn't that exactly the case?)
Professor Oak muttered inwardly. He seemed to have gradually become Red's errand man—contacted when needed, otherwise practically nonexistent.
"Looks like Professor Oak needs a little excitement," Red joked. He originally planned to bring out the secretly taken photos, but after a moment's thought, he realized there was another matter that could both get Professor Oak's help and not make him feel wronged.
"Professor Oak, do you know of any fossil Pokémon that are still alive today?" Red asked.
"Fossil Pokémon?! You mean Aerodactyl, Kabuto, Kabutops, Omanyte, and Omastar?!" Professor Oak exclaimed excitedly, pressing his face close to the screen, his 'hungry' eyes fixed on Red as he eagerly awaited an explanation on how to find living fossil Pokémon.
"Secret!" Red said calmly, cutting off Professor Oak's enthusiasm.
"Oh come on, Red! Don't crush the enthusiasm of an old man like me!" Professor Oak complained, his excitement instantly deflating.
"Even if it's a secret, I promise I'll send you fossil Pokémon in a few days for research. In return, you'll need to help me figure out their carnivorous habits so there won't be issues during training later," Red said.
"No problem. By the way, that Snorlax you sent back is quite special—it actually enjoys fitness training. As a result, its appetite is twice that of a normal Snorlax. Fortunately, it hasn't eaten me into bankruptcy. Once the Poké Blocks are ready, you can take Snorlax with you on your journey."
After finishing their chat, Red also swapped out his Pokémon. For now, he sent Giant Steelix, Scizor, and Tauros back to Professor Oak's Laboratory, reminding him to properly train Tauros.
Seeing on the screen that the transferred Tauros was a shiny, Professor Oak immediately became excited again, itching to begin research right away.
"Professor Oak, send over Charizard, Pidgeot, and Hitmonchan."
After a moment of thought, Red decided to bring these three Pokémon back into his team.
Hearing Red's request, Professor Oak hurried to the backyard and called the three Pokémon over. Upon hearing Red's summons, they became so excited they shouted loudly.
"Is it really necessary to be this excited?" Red said helplessly. "You'll be back by my side soon enough."
As the transfer machine activated, three Poké Balls were sent one after another into Red's hands. With everything settled, Red chatted briefly before ending the call with Professor Oak, then turned and headed to the second floor, preparing to put in earplugs and get some proper sleep.
...
Great Canyon (Grampa Canyon), a place famous for its magnificent canyon scenery. Recently, fossils of extinct Pokémon had been unearthed here, sparking a wave of Trainers rushing to dig for fossils.
Red arrived at the central area of the Great Canyon. At a glance, he saw people carrying pickaxes and wearing archaeological backpacks, heading toward the rumored central excavation zone.
"Yo, Red! Didn't expect to run into you here. Looks like you've also heard the rumors about digging up fossils of extinct Pokémon."
A red-brown-haired boy approached and casually patted Red on the shoulder—it was Gary.
"That's part of the reason…" Red replied. Turning to look, he noticed Gary was dressed very formally, having already changed into the outfit of an archaeological assistant carrying a pickaxe.
"You're dressed pretty seriously," Red teased.
"Well…" Gary blushed awkwardly. Although he had dressed up intentionally, being called out so directly by Red still made him feel embarrassed.
"Brother! Gary!"
Just as Red was discussing how to excavate fossil Pokémon with Gary, Ash's traveling trio happened to pass by.
"Oh? Isn't this Ash, the fourth-place finisher who's always late?"
Seeing his childhood friend, rival, and favorite target of teasing, Gary instinctively mocked Ash upon spotting him.
"Damn it, Gary! I'm going to battle you right now!"
Ash stomped angrily, directly challenging Gary to a Pokémon battle.
"Sigh…" Gary let out a helpless sigh. "Ash, you're still as impatient as ever. I'm heading to dig up fossils of extinct Pokémon—I don't have time to play childish games with you."
After speaking, Gary waved goodbye and headed toward the excavation center with his group of cheering girls.
"I'm so jealous of Gary… traveling in a car with so many girls…"
Brock, with tears streaming down his face, watched as Gary left with a group of beauties in his arms. He then turned to look at Ash and Misty, shook his head, and let out a deep sigh.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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