YOUR RIVAL'S RATICATE REALLY DIED

 This is another Pokémon Legend, anyway this one can be a true legend.
Did his Raticate really die? It is really obvious that in the first generation of Pokémon (Red/Blue/Yellow) and the 3rd Generation. (Fire Red, Leaf Green) your rival used a Rattata that evolves into Raticate in your firsts battles against him.

After the SS Anne battle, next time you find him, he is in Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower. This means that his Raticate died after the battle against you. He never blamed you about it, but you have part of it. So later, he beat the Pokémon League, and then you get him and challenge him as Champion. You beat him, even, your rival's grandfather, Professor Oak, congrats you instead of him.