I slept like the dead that night, and most of the morning had come and gone by the time I woke up. For the first time, I didn’t have to start awake in unfamiliar surroundings and immediately plan my survival. Ekans had moved atop the room's desk by the window, overlooking the street outside the Pokémon Centre. I could see his tail flick from side to side as his head moved from left to right and back again, watching the world go by. Did I get a Pokémon or a puppy? I suppose he must still be pretty young, given he only seems to know the basic moves of his species.
I left him be while I had a quick shower, then threw yesterday's clothes back on. I really hoped this would not become a habit. I needed to pick up a bag and some extra sets of clothes for travelling. Whether that was for running to the mountains to live out my days as a bandit, or taking on this journey, I had yet to decide. Either way, Ekans was going to need to be stronger, or I wouldn’t get far. The ability to throw a beatdown on other thugs wasn’t going to get me far in a land where the local fauna could summon tsunamis at will.
“Hey partner, what do you say we head to one of the training fields round back and see about getting some work in?”
I received an enthusiastic reply as Ekans slithered up and around my legs for a brief squeeze before letting go and moving across to the door. I couldn’t help but smile at him. I didn't know what changed last night, but he seemed to want to stick much closer since I woke up in that alley. I hoped he didn’t think I was trying to abandon him at the centre.
Our good moods lasted only until we grabbed a booth in the centre's café for a quick brunch. I noticed Ekans' reaction first, before I saw her. He froze up along his length, before curling into a pose I was starting to recognise as a combination of defence and preparing to launch an attack.
“Easy, bud, what’s got you so worked up...” my words trailed off as I looked up to see our emerald-haired waitress approach with her notepad and malevolent smirk.
“Hi, I’m…” Grunt, bloody, 2. “Nina, I’ll be your waitress today.” Nina was not in her previous black and reds from the hideout; instead, a cream blouse, black skirt, and apron combo hid the true allegiance of my server. I took a moment to assess the objects in the room, not for any sort of weapon, of course, perish the thought. I just wanted to make sure there weren’t any inanimate objects to blame for this trouble. Ceiling still in one piece, check. No mirrors, check. I’d blame the table, but I picked it, so that would hardly feel sporting. I decided to put this situation squarely on the shoulders of the Snorlax-shaped name tag that Nina flicked as she reintroduced herself.
“What will you be having?” Is this woman really going to just act like nothing is wrong here? Where are Jenny and a disgruntled toddler to point out the mean lady who left her to die when you need one?
“What would you recommend?” A surprisingly honest question – do we eat Pokémon, or are there like normal cows somewhere? I have no clue. She brushed her hair from her eyes, which I noticed is shorter than it was in the hideout, as she leaned over to point at the menu she placed on the table. Activate internal evil laughter! Did the ends get a bit singed there while you were leaving me to die?
“The Psyduck ramen is pretty good, and Ekans would probably like the Pidgey pie.” Well, that’s brutal.
“Sure, that sounds good, thanks.” I could leg it out the door when she goes for the food, but damn if my stomach isn’t louder than a Growlithe right now. Nina whispers into my ear as she pulls back to write my order onto her pad.
“Meet us out at the training fields after your meal.” Us? I scan the perimeter and lock onto a person sitting at a corner table wearing a brown hoodie with an Onix print curling around it, pulled up over his head, and a pair of noise-cancelling yellow headphones around his neck. He glances over, and I get a look at his face. Well, hello Grunt 1. I think it’s safe to assume they don’t want a fight; they could have just jumped me when I hit the routes.
“Great choice, I’ll get the order in. You’re my last table before my break, not that I would dream of frightening you away.” She gives a big, shit-eating grin and heads towards the kitchen.
“Love the hair, by the way.” She recovers from her stumble really quickly and stomps the rest of the way out. Point to Cain. I get a nod from Grunt 1, then he goes back to pointedly ignoring me. Ekans lets out a half sigh, half hiss. “You said it, bud; you said it.”
***
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Okay, this is going to sound terrible. I mean, take everything else I’ve done or said up to this point, and I’m 90% sure this is the worst. Slurp
“That is some damn tasty duck!” Right, terrible like I said. I mean, imagine it; you spend your entire life with constant migraines only for the sweet relief of death to come at the end of a cattle prod through the skull. All so you can wind up in this gourmet bowl of deliciousness. Slurp
I have decided I am okay with it. Also, I found out later that the Pokémon raised for the dinner table aren’t all there in the head. Ekans certainly doesn’t seem to be holding himself back.
“I’ll clean that up for you, so you can get on your way.” I get it, Cosmo, run along and go grant little Timmy a wish or something. I grabbed Ekans, and we headed out of the centre and around the back to an area that had four fields set up for Pokémon battles. There were a few teens battling while younger kids watched on two of the fields, and a third seemed to have been commandeered by a group practicing moves.
One of the battles was between a Diglett and a Bulbasaur. They were basically reenacting a game of whack-a-mole as Diglett would pop out of the ground and try to get off a Mud-Slap before a Vine Whip would snap down on where they had been. It was a good tactic for Diglett; the Bulbasaur was taking damage, and the mud was obscuring their view, making it easier and easier for Diglett to dodge as it slowed. A Dig to the belly when Bulbasaur overextended on a whip was enough to end the battle. So, type advantage isn’t everything.
I think Bulbasaur is the first Poison-type I had seen besides Ekans, but I shouldn’t be too surprised, considering they are a regional starter. I doubt Oak would be handing me one of those anytime soon. My mind and eyes wandered in the direction where I had seen Pallet Town and, by extension, Oak’s lab in the distance. I could…
“Did you have to take so long eating?” Grunt 1 had sidled up to me. I had heard him coming, but wasn’t too worried as Ekans was on full alert.
“Can’t rush a good meal.” I turned to give him my attention. He couldn’t be any older than I am, at least biologically speaking. Nina walked up behind him to join us.
“Don’t get too cosy with him, Luke, lest the upper management's wrath rubs off on you.” That doesn’t sound good; why are you smiling, Nina? That’s just mean. Luke gave me a look of apology. See, this is why you’re my favourite grunt.
“Why are they mad at me? All I did was save Ekans and not let a snivelling brat die while I was at it.” I know that’s not exactly what went down, but you've got to play the role you're given, right? Can’t come across as weak to these two. “Figured if the higher-ups wanted her dead, those would have been the orders, not just tying her up.” Shot in the dark, does it land?
“Ballsy to risk your life for the Team's goals.” Is that a begrudging look of respect I see there, Nina? “Shame it didn’t work out, that construction worker who found the girl called in the gym leader.”
“Yeah, that really brought the storm down on us,” piped up Luke. “We had to hide in that bug-infested forest until the heat died down and they assumed we’d run off to another town.”
“Giovanni got the credit for rescuing the girl and cleaning up the base,” Nina scoffed, oh how little you know. It seems Giovanni really is playing the shadowy leader. Useful information, noted. “That CEO Adams is getting all cosy with the gym leader now, giving him funding and support for his political projects – funding that should have been the Team's ransom money.”
“I see…” I really did see, more than these two clearly did. Giovanni was getting the best of both worlds. He was seen as a hero who helped stop a budding criminal enterprise in the city and managed to get his hands on the purse strings plus any political leverage this CEO (Lily’s dad) had to offer. “So, they're cutting me loose then?” I asked, concealing my hope that this might be the case. Is Ekans crossing his body? He looked like he was doing his best impression of the “&” sign.
“Hardly, they want you out of dodge though. Apparently, someone will be in touch for your assignments, but for now, they want you out earning your badges,” Nina supplied.
“Why?”
“Apparently they don’t want Jenny getting too friendly with you,” Luke answered. “You are to leave Viridian as your last gym, too. So, they must really want you gone.”
“Well, obviously, the execs running this area must be facing the full wrath of the boss for letting a little girl and one powerful Magmar slip through their fingers,” Nina said.
“Yeah, you're lucky not to be sleeping with the Magikarp after this mess,” Luke offered. “Someone must still think you have a use, so best just go along until they forget about you. Doubt they’re in the habit of forgiving.”
“Yeah, you're lucky my brother wasn’t in charge, or a rampaging volcano would have been the least of your worries,” Nina winced slightly during that statement. Huh, I didn’t realize Team Rocket was a family business.
Well, I guess Giovanni showing up to get me out of dodge was actually his way of saving a grunt who had inadvertently done him a good turn. Can’t say I’m pleased to be getting the special treatment. As much as Grunts 1 & 2 seem to think of this as an exile, I can see they are giving me time to get stronger, and it’s likely for more work, not less. So much for getting out of the life. Not that that was the plan, but I had hoped to at least go into business for myself.
“Guess I can’t spend all day with you two then.”
“Obviously, my break is almost over; best get back.” What a hard-working thief.
“Yeah, good luck, Cain. It’s been real.” Luke gives me a pat on the arm as he and Nina make their way back inside. I’m pretty sure Giovani bought the amnesia bit, I guess the news hasn’t trickled all the way down if someone is giving me orders.
“Ekans, I think we might be royally screwed.”
“Ek-ans,” he agrees with a regretful shake of his snout.
***
Ekans and I skipped out on practice, much to his dismay. Instead, we went around town using up what was left of the starting capital Cain's parents had sent. I figured we could hit the ground running with training once we were on the road. We picked up a Silph Co. bag from a thrift store, which apparently really could bend reality. I still think the damn thing is going to eat my arm every time I reach in all the way up to the shoulder to load up our food and camping supplies. It’s clearly a bit older, but beggars can’t be choosers. I also managed to find some thematic hiking gear and a few extra outfit changes. A purple hoodie with Koffing on the back, smoking a cigar, was my favourite find. I decided to keep with the poison theme as much as possible. Not because I cared about branding, but I figured I needed to give the right impression for Koga.
Koga had sent a message via Jenny, who I met up with to ensure I wasn’t labelled as AWOL as soon as we left. He won’t be getting involved in my training until I prove myself worthy. At which time, as those particular undefined conditions are met, a trainer from his gym will seek me out. Yeah, not looking forward to waking up with a ninja hanging from a tree like Batman in the middle of a forest trail. Or worse, randomly getting caught in a net or pit trap while enjoying a scenic route – not like that would really happen. What do I look like to you, a member of Team Rocket…
“Damn.”