Eddie and Misty were preparing for battle, but Team Rocket remained unaware of their presence, conversing openly as they approached. This gave the pair an opportunity to overhear some valuable information before the confrontation.
"Lord Koga, according to the intelligence provided by the boss, we've investigated numerous sections of Mt. Moon and only found scattered Machop. There's no sign of any Machoke or Machamp whatsoever," a Team Rocket member reported, his tone respectful.
"Our instruments indicate that continental plate movement isn't responsible for the Machop family's migration. A comprehensive investigation would require significant time for a detailed report."
"No need to investigate further," replied a more authoritative voice. "If it's not a natural cause, then human intervention is the only explanation. Report this to the boss—he will determine our next steps."
"We also extracted some Moon Stones during our investigation. Our mission here is nearly complete. Let's withdraw now."
A chorus of affirmation followed from the Rocket members.
"I thought Team Rocket had taken the Machop family," Eddie thought to himself. "But it seems another group is responsible." He had been targeting a specific Rocket Executive, believing them responsible for the Machop disappearance. Now it appeared he needed to reconsider his approach.
But there was no time to dwell on this revelation, as Team Rocket had reached their position.
"Two kids wandering around here?" called a man wearing a black Team Rocket uniform with a red scarf around his neck. A Rhyhorn stood beside him, and more than twenty Rocket grunts followed behind. "Oh, they look like a couple. If you're seeking excitement, you've chosen the wrong place. It's quite dangerous here."
The taunting voice belonged to Koga, the third Executive of Team Rocket.
He wore a black cap pulled low, effectively concealing most of his features. In the cave's dim lighting, Eddie and Misty could only make out his mouth and the lower portion of his face.
"If I didn't know your identity, I might have mistaken you for an ordinary Team Rocket Captain," Eddie remarked, raising his eyebrows. He had to admit Koga's disguise was effective—Misty showed no indication that she recognized him as the Fuchsia City Gym Leader.
"Hmm, are these your Pokémon? You don't seem like ordinary kids," Koga observed.
Despite his confidence in his disguise, Koga hadn't compromised his trainer's eye. He immediately assessed the approximate strength of the Pokémon before him. What had begun as casual mockery quickly shifted to serious scrutiny.
He had initially dismissed them as young trainers who had entered the cave for adventure or training, but seeing their Pokémon's strength and battle-ready stance, he realized the situation was more complex than it appeared.
Eddie and Misty exchanged glances. Eddie nodded to Misty before stepping forward. "Team Rocket, correct? A week ago, did you steal Pokémon from Cerulean City and use them for biological experiments?"
Eddie's question might have seemed unnecessary, but he wanted Misty to receive final confirmation. Regardless of the answer, a battle was inevitable—this was merely a courtesy before resorting to force.
"Oh, so the owners have come knocking," Koga replied with a smirk. "The fact that you found this place suggests you're not ordinary trainers. But you're exceedingly arrogant."
Koga avoided answering Eddie's question directly, expressing surprise that these two trainers had dared confront them so boldly.
"Answer me!" Misty shouted, stepping forward. "Did you steal my Gyarados a week ago and use it for biological experiments?"
Koga hadn't answered explicitly, but Misty was already fuming.
In the Pokémon world, the bond between trainer and Pokémon is sacred—most trainers view their Pokémon as family. If your family member was kidnapped and subjected to experiments, anyone would be outraged.
Misty's anger was entirely natural. Despite Eddie's repeated warnings about maintaining composure, she couldn't contain her fury when face-to-face with the Team Rocket Executive.
"Hmm? What was that?" Koga cupped his hand to his ear in an exaggerated gesture. "Team Rocket conducts so many experiments—it's just a Gyarados. How could I possibly remember such a trivial detail?"
His taunting behavior and dismissive tone were deliberately provocative.
"You—! I will never—" Misty's face darkened with rage as she prepared to command Staryu to attack.
"I knew it," Eddie muttered. "Misty, fall back! I'll take the lead—I'll handle this!"
Seeing Misty about to charge forward, Eddie quickly pulled her behind him and wordlessly commanded his Pokémon to advance.
It wasn't that Eddie didn't want Misty to fight—he was genuinely concerned that her emotional state would compromise her judgment in battle.
Eddie quickly checked his Pokédex for information:
Name: Rhyhorn
Type: Ground/Rock
Ability: Rock Head
Level: 32
Eddie's confidence surged instantly. Koga was using a relatively weak Pokémon to maintain his cover. Facing a mere level 32 Rhyhorn, Eddie felt completely at ease—almost amused.
Though he knew Koga surely had stronger Pokémon, the Executive would likely withhold them until absolutely necessary.
"We can handle this level 32 Rhyhorn," Eddie thought.
"Frogadier, step forward! Defeat this villain!" Eddie commanded with righteous determination.
"Froag!" Frogadier leaped forward, energy already gathering in its hands as it launched a Water Pulse directly at Rhyhorn.
"Tch, a Water-type? That's troublesome," Koga sneered. "Rhyhorn, Drill Run!"
Koga recognized the threat when Frogadier used Water Pulse. At similar levels, type advantages could be decisive.
Despite his personal strength as a Poison-type specialist, managing this Rhyhorn against a Water-type opponent wouldn't be simple. Facing Frogadier's Water Pulse, Koga opted for a direct, piercing counter-strategy.
Upon receiving the command, Rhyhorn—despite its instinctive fear of water attacks—obeyed without hesitation. Its body began spinning like a steel drill, using the horn on its head as the attack point as it charged straight toward Frogadier.