As Talon stepped into Vermilion City, he was met with a flurry of activity that caught his attention immediately. Rocket members were scattered throughout the city, moving with purpose and urgency. It was a sight that piqued his curiosity, and he couldn't help but wonder about the reasons behind such a mobilization.
He approached one of the Rocket members, a grunt who seemed to be in a rush, and asked, "What's going on her? Why is Team Rocket so active in Vermilion City?"
The grunt, clearly focused on his task, replied without stopping, "We're preparing for something big, boss's orders. Can't chat now, lots to do!"
Talon nodded to himself, intrigued by the notion of a major operation underway in Vermilion City. He decided to explore further, keeping an eye out for any clues or information that could shed light on Team Rocket's activities.
As he wandered through the city streets, he overheard snippets of conversations among Rocket members. Phrases like "operation surge" and "power play" caught his attention, hinting at a significant event involving Lt. Surge, the Electric-type Gym Leader.
Talon couldn't help but wonder about the connection between Lt. Surge and Team Rocket. He knew that Lt. Surge was a formidable trainer known for his Raichu, but the idea of him working with Team Rocket raised more questions than answers.
Talon goes to the pokecenter intent on calling the boss, he arrives at his destination to find the Pokecenter buzzed with activity as Talon enters, his mind set on contacting Giovanni to report on his progress in Vermilion City. However, his plans took an unexpected turn when he spotted a figure waiting for him out in the open—a tall, imposing man with an unmistakable aura of authority.
"Lt. Surge?," Talon acknowledged, his tone cautious but curious.
Surge's expression remained stoic as he replied, "Talon, I've been expecting you."
Talon's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Expecting me? What do you mean?"
Surge gestured for them to find a quieter spot to talk and led the way to a secluded corner of the Pokecenter. Once there, he explained, "I'm not just the Gym Leader of Vermilion City. I also serve as an Admin for Team Rocket, under Giovanni's command."
Talon's skepticism was evident as he replied, "You expect me to believe that? Where's the proof?"
Without hesitation, Surge reached into his jacket pocket and produced a sleek Rocket Admin ID badge, complete with his name and rank. Talon's eyes widened slightly at the sight, realizing that Surge's claim was indeed legitimate.
"Fine, you have the badge," Talon conceded, a hint of respect creeping into his tone. "But why reveal this to me now?"
Surge's gaze hardened slightly as he replied, "Because things are about to heat up in Vermilion City, and I need to ensure that Team Rocket's interests are protected. You're not the only one with a mission here."
Talon nodded, understanding the situation. "I see. Well then, let's work together—for now."
The two men exchanged a nod of agreement, each understanding the delicate balance of power and intrigue that defined their shared allegiance to Team Rocket. With Lt. Surge's identity confirmed and their alliance established, Talon's focus shifted to the tasks at hand.
The two were interrupted as Talon found himself unexpectedly tackled by a playful Munchlax. The chubby Pokemon rubbed against Talon's side innocently, as if it had accidentally bumped into him. However, Lt. Surge's warning cut through the momentary confusion.
"Careful with that one," Surge cautioned, a hint of amusement in his voice. "He's a pickpocket."
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Talon's eyes widened in realization as he frantically checked his pockets, only to find them empty. "Dammit, that thing stole my Pokemon!"
Surge couldn't contain his laughter at the situation. "Ha, that critter makes a better Rocket than you!"
Talon scowled at the playful jab, his frustration evident. "Alright, enough with the jokes. We have work to do."
The Munchlax, now reveling in its successful prank, waddled away with a mischievous glint in its eyes. Talon, now without his Pokemon, couldn't help but feel a sense of annoyance at the unexpected turn of events.
Talon chased after the mischievous Munchlax, his determination driving him forward despite the growing chaos. The Pokemon darted through the bustling streets of Vermilion City, its round form surprisingly agile as it weaved through the crowd.
As they reached the Vermilion marina, the Munchlax made a daring leap onto a departing ship. Talon's frustration surged as he followed suit, boarding the vessel just before it set sail. The loud blast of the ship's horn echoed through the air, signaling its departure, adding urgency to Talon's pursuit.
With each step, Talon's fury grew. He couldn't let a thieving Pokemon get the better of him, especially not now. The ship's crew and passengers watched in bemusement as a Rocket member chased a Munchlax across their deck, the absurdity of the situation not lost on anyone.
Talon's voice boomed across the ship, "Stop right there, you little troublemaker!"
The Munchlax, seemingly unfazed by the commotion it caused, continued its sprint across the ship's deck, narrowly avoiding crates and ropes in its path. Talon, fueled by determination, closed the distance, his eyes locked on the Pokemon that dared to steal from him.
The ship sailed steadily away from the marina, the waves lapping against its hull. Talon's chase took him to the very edge of the deck, where the mischievous Munchlax seemed to find delight in leading him on a wild chase.
As the chase reached its end, both Talon and the Munchlax found themselves in the depths of the ship's cargo hold. The confined space echoed with the sounds of their footsteps as they maneuvered among crates and supplies.
Exhausted and breathless, Talon finally cornered the mischievous Munchlax, its laughter echoing off the metal walls. With a triumphant grin, Talon retrieved his stolen Pokemon from the cheeky creature. The Munchlax, now seemingly satisfied with its antics, submitted to Talon, its playful demeanor shifting to one of curiosity as it watched the Rocket member scold it.
"You little troublemaker," Talon chided, though a hint of amusement danced in his eyes despite his frustration. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today."
The cargo hold remained filled with the sound of their banter, the situation now more humorous than tense. Talon secured his recovered Pokemon and gave the Munchlax a stern look, as if warning it against any future mischief.
With a final laugh, the Munchlax waddled away, its lesson learned but its mischievous spirit still intact. Talon, satisfied that his Pokemon were returned unharmed.
Talon could hear something that sounded a lot like the whimpers of a child. He told Munchlax to be quiet as he caught wind of something amiss amidst the cargo hold's clamor. Without hesitation, he followed the faint sound to a secluded corner, shrouded in secrecy by tattered tarps and crates.
With swift motions, Talon ripped off the tarps, revealing a scene that froze both him and the Munchlax in shock. The dim light filtering through the cargo hold illuminated a series of cages, each containing young girls in worn, tattered clothing. Their fearful expressions and huddled forms spoke volumes of their plight.
As realization dawned on Talon, a mixture of anger and concern flashed in his eyes. The situation hit him like a ton of bricks. "This is what Surge meant," he muttered under his breath.
Munchlax gasped audibly, its playful demeanor evaporating in the face of such a grim discovery. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken questions and the weight of the girls' silent pleas for help.
Team Rocket's involvement in Human trafficking, sent a jolt through Talon. His mind raced with the implications of such a discovery, the gears of his resolve turning as he contemplated the next steps.
Talon's heart sank as his gaze swept over the faces of the young girls, each one a silent testament to the atrocities that had befallen them. Amidst the despair, his eyes locked onto a familiar face, one that stirred memories of a chance encounter in the depths of the Viridian Forest. It was Serena, her once vibrant spirit now subdued by the harsh reality of her circumstances.
A wave of emotions washed over Talon as he took in Serena's state. Her features, once lively and full of curiosity, now bore the unmistakable signs of drugged weariness and abuse. The sight tore at his conscience.
"Serena," he whispered her name softly, a mixture of sorrow in his voice. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders as he vowed silently to bring justice to those responsible for this cruelty.
Munchlax stood by Talon's side, its playful demeanor replaced by a somber understanding of the situation.
The sudden illumination of the cargo hold revealed Lt. Surge's presence, his expression a mixture of amusement and arrogance as he surveyed the scene before him.
"Ah! I see you found our merchandise!" Surge remarked casually, a smirk playing on his lips. "Impressive stock, don't you think?"
Talon's fury erupted like a tempest within him, his voice resonating with righteous anger as he confronted Surge. "What the hell is going on here! You know damn well Team Rocket doesn't do this to people! Giovanni would never allow this!"
The tension in the air crackled with the clash of opposing ideologies. Surge's demeanor remained unfazed, his confidence bordering on arrogance as he regarded Talon with a calculated gaze.
"Team Rocket does what's necessary to maintain power," Surge retorted coolly. "And Giovanni? He knows where the real strength lies. These girls are a valuable commodity in the grand scheme of things."
“besides he doesn't know. I plan on making enough money from this to fund a takeover within Team Rocket from within and over throwing Giovanni. And I guess in order to stop you from telling him I'm just gonna have to eliminate you”.
Surge said while now glaring at Talon.
Surge sent out his Magnazone and commanded it to use a zap cannon.
The powerful discharge of electricity surged towards Talon, who was momentarily caught off guard. However, Munchlax jumped in front of the attack to protect Talon, energy surged through Munchlax's body, causing it to glow intensely.
Munchlax roared defiantly and unleashed a massive Hyper Beam in response. The beam of concentrated energy collided with the Zap Cannon, creating a blinding explosion of light and power. The force of the clash sent shockwaves rippling through the cargo hold, rattling crates and cages.
When the dust settled, Munchlax stood firm, panting heavily but still ready to fight. Surge looked surprised at the unexpected strength displayed by Munchlax.
End of chapter 7.