"Ding! Your four Pokémon defeated the level 42 Rhydon together, and the experience was shared."
"Ding! Charmeleon gained experience! Level +2! Reached level 33! Learned [Flame Burst]!"
"Ding! Frogadier gained experience! Level +2! Reached level 33! Learned [Smack Down]!"
"Ding! Grovyle gained experience! Level +4! Reached level 32!"
"Ding! Riolu gained experience! Level +4! Reached level 32! Learned [Reversal]!"
Normally, it would be nearly impossible to win a battle against a Pokémon ten levels higher, but when you did, the experience gain was enormous. Since it took four Pokémon working together to defeat the Rhydon, the substantial experience was shared among them. Even so, the level increases were quite significant.
The experience requirements after every ten levels were so steep that trainers often found it painful. Usually, after level 30, it would take several days to level up just once. Eddie had to admit that gaining several levels at once was a first in his entire training career.
Overall, Eddie was very satisfied with the outcome of this battle. Now that he had regained control of the situation, he could make his escape.
"You kid, you actually defeated Rhydon?" one of the Rocket grunts exclaimed.
The entire Team Rocket group was shocked by what they had witnessed, but Koga remained composed. Though impressed by Eddie's series of tactical moves, he wasn't completely taken aback.
"Your battle awareness surprised me," Koga said. "I believe you'll definitely become a strong trainer in the future, but right now, you're still too weak. You shouldn't have come to challenge Team Rocket at this stage."
Koga's murderous intent became evident. Eddie's potential was clear from this battle, and Team Rocket didn't want to face such a formidable enemy in the future. Koga's task now was simple: eliminate the threat before it could grow!
With this thought, Koga reached for his belt, ready to release his main Pokémon to deal with Eddie and Misty.
"Hmph, I knew this would happen after defeating Rhydon," Eddie muttered.
Looking at Koga's murderous expression, Eddie understood exactly what he was thinking. He wasn't particularly worried, though. From the moment he opposed Team Rocket, this confrontation was inevitable—just a matter of time. He only needed to be cautious until he was strong enough.
Seeing Koga ready to bring out his main Pokémon, Eddie decided not to waste words and prepared to leave.
"Charmeleon, [Flamethrower]! Frogadier, [Hydro Pump]!" Eddie commanded while Koga was still reaching for his Poké Ball.
"What? This guy's attacking us now?"
"Everyone retreat!" Koga shouted in surprise. None of the Team Rocket members had their Pokémon out, and he hadn't expected Eddie to strike. Koga immediately ordered his subordinates to fall back.
All the Rocket grunts heard the command and eyed Charmeleon and Frogadier, who were preparing to attack. They retreated one after another, planning to avoid the attacks before bringing out their own Pokémon to counter Eddie.
Unfortunately for them, retreat was exactly what Eddie wanted.
"You've been fooled! I won't stick around to play with you this time. Bye!" Eddie taunted as he quickly hoisted Misty onto his back. Grovyle carried Staryu, and they all made a hasty retreat.
Team Rocket realized they'd been tricked when they saw that Charmeleon and Frogadier weren't actually attacking but using [Smokescreen] to further obscure vision in the already dimly lit cave.
"It's just a diversion. If we know you're planning to escape, what makes you think we won't chase you?" Koga declared, even more determined to eliminate Eddie.
In Koga's experience, people with potential weren't necessarily intelligent, and those types weren't particularly threatening. But individuals with both potential and intelligence were definitely formidable enemies.
Koga had no intention of letting a threat like Eddie escape. He immediately barked orders to his team.
"Everyone, don't panic! This trainer is trying to escape. After him—"
BOOM!!!
Before Koga could finish, a series of vibrations and the sound of heavy objects falling interrupted him.
No one dared move. Under the effect of Smokescreen, they couldn't see anything, but Eddie was clearly still causing trouble, and they didn't want to blindly rush into danger.
"This kid has calculated our every move?" Koga realized.
Unwilling to risk his team members needlessly, but equally unwilling to admit defeat, Koga devised a plan.
"Everyone, release your Pokémon and clear this Smokescreen! Then pursue him—make sure that trainer doesn't get away!"
Following his command, the Team Rocket members released their Pokémon and ordered them to dispel the Smokescreen. Soon, with the Pokémon's help, they cleared the smoke, but they still couldn't advance.
"The path is blocked," Koga said, his face darkening with anger. "So that vibration we heard was from the cave ceiling—he must have ordered a Pokémon to use Smack Down on the rocks above."
"Every move was calculated," Koga muttered bitterly. "If that foolish girl hadn't rushed in impulsively earlier, he might never have revealed his strength."
"This kid is definitely a future enemy of Team Rocket. I must report his existence to the boss immediately."
Koga knew he couldn't capture Eddie now, so his only option was to report the situation to his superior.
Meanwhile, after successfully blocking the path as planned, Eddie carried Misty on his back and fled. Grovyle ran with Staryu, while Charmeleon and Frogadier stayed by his side to protect him. Eddie sent Riolu ahead to scout their escape route.
With its aura-sensing abilities, Riolu was the perfect Pokémon for pathfinding and reconnaissance. It lived up to expectations and quickly located an exit, immediately reporting back to Eddie using its aura.
Having grown up on Mt. Moon, Riolu was familiar with the area despite rarely visiting this specific cave.
Twenty minutes after blocking the path and retreating, Eddie successfully emerged from Mt. Moon cave. Cerulean City lay in the distance ahead—it seemed he had completed his mission.
"Ding! You have completed the hidden task: 'Misty's Rescue'..."