Red cursed as he slipped into the center. Blaine wasn't replaced. So he hid in the center until the other two entered.

"Dear lord... Had to be Fire!"

"Bet Red won with ease." Blue must've felt his gaze as he turned to meet it. He paused before calling out.

"How 'bout ya tell us?!" Leaf turned to look at him as he silently eyed them. The duo went over as he looked away.

"Well?" He held up a note.

'Haven't fought him yet.'

"Really?" He nodded as he petted Persian.

~~~

He couldn't avoid the man. And of course he said something while the others were watching.

"Went easy once. Not twice."

Blastoise was almost taken out by the first Pokemon. Thankfully Dragonair was able to deal with the remainder, but Blaine still did damage. And even after.

"Strike two."

Persian had to pull him out of the gym before the others went after him. His face was pretty pale as Persian got him to sit down. This was why Persian was assigned to him. Blaine.

"Red?" He didn't answer as Persian licked his face, trying to regain him.

~~~

Red didn't recover, so Amber had to take over.

"Verde..." The Admin was on his feet as the smaller girl gently rolled over to him. Persian had sent word of Red's location and she knew something bad was going to happen. "Get a group to Cinnabar."

"But Miss-"

"Red's in Cinnabar. So is Blaine. If Blaine's gotten into his head-" She shuddered. "The point is that Blaine has something that could tear apart our operation. Make sure the group knows that. Blaine has experience. And Red might've been hit."

~~~

Red was unconscious when Verde, in a disguise, got there to analyze the situation. His eyes widened as he went over and knelt down. Persian purred softly as he petted her.

"Oh dear..." He felt a pair of eyes on him before a voice hit his ears.

"Excuse us-" He glanced back to see Leaf and Blue, who obviously had returned to continue Red's recovery. He adjusted his hat before standing up, slightly looking down at them. "Do you know Red?"

"Oh yes. Hard not to hear of such a hero."

"Kinda meant personally." He petted Persian as she purred.

"I trained Persian here when he needed a Caretaker. Took months." Persian went back to tending to Red, who hadn't moved from his spot.

"I see..." Verde smiled before sighing.

"I best go... I was just traveling around and was going to rest here... but I don't have time... Excuse me." They waved before he got outside and made a call. "I need men in Cinnabar. The Boss was hit. I'll give info when you arrive."

~~~

Red blinked out of the daze as Blue gently pressed a washcloth against his head.

"Morning." Red paused as he rubbed his face. "You were out for at least a day." Red hummed as Leaf joined them.

"Team Rocket's in town." His mind went blank. He knew either Verde or Amber would've had to make the order. But what caused it? Persian was on his lap, so he wasn't moving. Blue sighed.

"You rest here, Red. We'll be back." He nodded as they went out. He pulled his phone out before calling Verde.

"Sir, you're awake."

"Yeah... What's happening?"

"Your sister called an order after Persian gave your recently resting location. I made sure to double check before calling the order for forces here." Red smiled.

"At least you checked... I'll meet up with you once I can convince Persian to let me up."

"Or you could rest like I can bet you've been told to. But to get out of that lecture, I'll be hiding behind the center." He hummed before hanging up and petting the large cat.

~~~

After getting Persian up, they joined up while watching the battles.

"Yeah... Blaine's the problem. He was there when this started. 'When I take over, I will make sure nothing gets in my way. Even you.' He was the one to take that comment and now he's using that against me." Verde gulped. The admin made sure to explain everything, so they were caught up.

"So he needs to go down?"

"The problem is that Blastoise was almost taken out by him-" Persian growled, letting him know what Verde really meant. He then paused. "Right. Do you-" He smiled as Verde revealed Amber's signature Pokemon's Pokeball. "Perfect. Let's tear him down."

~~~

One of the grunts gave Amber a chance to command her beloved ace. So the two boys, the Classy Cat Pokemon and female grunt went after Blaine, who was hiding in the mansion. While Leaf and Blue went after them, they fought 4 on 1. Persian soloed while Dragonair, Gengar and Eevee took their trainers' commands against Blaine's bigger team. Leaf and Blue were just slightly late. Red loomed over the older man as the admins and grunt turned to the newcomers.

"Leave Blaine alone!" Red didn't move as Amber hissed from the phone.

"Not after what he did to me! Eevee!" The small Pokemon let a cry loose before racing in front of the group. "You guys go! I want this fight." Red did not need to be told twice. He returned Persian and nodded to Verde before locking eyes with the grunt, who nodded. As Verde teleported them, he glanced at Red.

"Well?"

"Amber's cleaning up. They have nothing against her. She's still in the hospital, one they can't touch."

~~~

Eevee was a little rusty since its last battle. Leaf managed to take it down before Amber chuckled.

"Ooh... I should've... let her out earlier... my bad Eevee... you did lovely..." The grunt returned the small pokemon before Venusaur grabbed her. Leaf took the phone before smiling.

"Now then, who are you? And have you been the one targeting Gym Leaders?"

"Ha! I'll be truthful about that second one. No, I have not."

"What about the first?"

"That's not for you to know. All I'll say is this; you had the chance to visit me in Vermilion." They were stunned until she giggled. "Oops! Gotta go! Dear Friend, could you make sure Eevee returns? Thanks!" She hung up before the grunt got out of the trap, snagged the phone, and vanished. The duo simply went to Blaine's side.