Viridian City
A bustling metropolis located in the western part of the Kanto region.
After spending more than ten days training in the Viridian Forest, Raj finally arrived in the city.
The first thing on his mind wasn't a Pokémon battle or adventure — it was a long, hot shower and a night of sleep on a soft, clean bed.
Unfortunately, new trainers like him were usually broke. Luxuries like hotels were way out of reach.
After wandering around Viridian City for a while, Raj found himself standing in front of a grand building — the Viridian Gym.
This was one of the eight official Pokémon League Gyms in Kanto. Trainers who defeated the Gym Leader here would earn the Earth Badge.
Any trainer who managed to collect eight or more badges would qualify to enter the Indigo Plateau Conference, also known as the Kanto Pokémon League.
Those who performed well in the League would gain immense recognition across the region.
However, in the original anime, Ash Ketchum was the only one who ever managed to get the Earth Badge from this Gym.
Other trainers either found the doors closed or ended up in a run-in with Team Rocket.
This Gym, after all, was secretly controlled by Team Rocket — operating under the disguise of a legitimate League Gym, while secretly scouting for talented trainers and powerful Pokémon.
Raj stood before the tightly locked doors of the Gym and sighed.
"Well, this is awkward," he muttered. "I'm literally the son of Team Rocket's original leader, and they won't even open the door for me?"
As he stood there grumbling, a man repairing shoes nearby suddenly looked up at him. The old man squinted, then slowly stood up.
"Are you Raj?" the man asked.
Raj blinked. "Uh… yeah? Do I know you?"
"Someone told me to give you something," the man said as he reached into his jacket. "You don't need to challenge this Gym."
He pulled out a Earth Badge and handed it directly to Raj.
Raj stared in disbelief. "Wait… what? You're just giving me the badge?"
Was his father pulling strings again?
"What's going on?" Raj asked cautiously.
The man grinned. "You've successfully challenged the Gym. Surprised? Impressed?" he said jokingly.
Raj's face twitched. "That's… not funny. Doesn't that make me look like some spoiled kid using family connections?"
"I'm an old friend of your father," the man explained. "He told me to wait for you here. Honestly, I thought you'd arrive ten days ago, but you sure took your time."
Normally, it took only three or four days to travel from Pallet Town to Viridian City. Most trainers would head straight for the Gym upon arrival.
But Raj wasn't like most trainers.
He already knew Team Rocket controlled the Gym — and that Giovanni, his father's successor, occasionally appeared here. A rookie trainer like him wouldn't stand a chance.
So instead, he had detoured into Viridian Forest to train his Pokémon. He'd battled wild Pokémon and helped his Gastly grow stronger before returning to the city.
Because of that, the man had been waiting for him for over ten days.
"Wait," Raj said, studying him. "You're really my dad's friend?"
The man nodded. "Yes. I even held you when you were a baby. But due to… certain circumstances, I haven't seen either of you for years.
I've been waiting for Kenji to resurface. Now that he's out, and you've grown up, it's time for you to hear this message."
Raj's eyes widened. "My father's… out?"
The man smiled faintly. "He couldn't stay in the shadows forever. I don't know how he survived the last ten years, but he told me to find you.
He said you're not to look for him or reveal that you're his son. You must grow stronger — only then will you have a chance to meet him again."
Just as he finished speaking, sirens blared in the distance.
Moments later, several Officer Jenny units on police motorcycles surrounded the area.
"The Pokémon thief Lokaki — we've finally found you!" one Officer Jenny shouted, pointing directly at the shoe repairman.
"Oh?" The man chuckled softly. "Looks like they found me after all."
He turned to Raj. "I've said all I needed to say. Remember what I told you… We'll meet again someday!"
With that, he tore off his tattered scarf, revealing a sleek black cloak underneath. In a flash, he tossed a Poké Ball into the air.
A massive three-headed dragon burst forth — Hydreigon, its black scales gleaming, wings spreading wide, and purple markings glowing across its chest.
[Pokémon Scan
Hydreigon — the Brutal Pokémon.
A Dark/Dragon-type Pokémon feared for its ferocity. It attacks anything that moves, making it extremely dangerous.
Known Moves: Dragon Rage, Crunch, Iron Head, Dragon Breath, Roar, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, and more.
Combat Power: 7,790]
Raj's eyes went wide. "Holy shit… over 7,000 combat power? That thing's insane!"
Lokaki smirked. "Farewell, Raj."
He leaped onto Hydreigon's back, and with a powerful roar, the dragon took off into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.
Raj stood frozen, still reeling from what had just happened.
Who was this guy? His father's friend? Then how powerful was his father, if even his friends commanded Pokémon like that?
As Raj stared after the fading silhouette, the surrounding Officer Jennys turned their suspicion toward him.
"Hold it right there!" one barked. "Why were you speaking with Lokaki, the Pokémon thief? He's a senior member of Team Rocket. Are you involved with them?"
Raj's heart sank. "Oh, come on! He was just talking to me — and then he flies off on a Hydreigon! How am I supposed to explain that?"
"I—I don't know him! I swear this was the first time I've ever met that guy!" Raj protested helplessly. "Do you believe me?"
Officer Jenny folded her arms, unconvinced. Raj could only sigh in despair.