Donna led Silas into the back room of the Hunter's Guild without wasting time.
The moment they reached the door, she stepped aside, opened it, and allowed him through. Once Silas entered, she closed the door behind him, leaving him alone with the people waiting inside.
Percy and Archer were already present.
Alakazam stood beside Percy, thin arms crossed behind its back while its mustache twitched faintly with every subtle shift in the room's psychic energy. Gliscor rested near Archer, its wings folded loosely as its tail swayed behind it with relaxed confidence.
There was also a third man in the room.
He was broad-shouldered and heavily built, with the kind of presence Silas usually associated with hardened fighters rather than office managers. His expression was calm, but not soft. The man looked like someone who had personally broken more than a few people before deciding to run an organization from behind a desk.
Silas kept his expression neutral while quickly scanning the two Pokémon nearby.
Alakazam — Level 80 Ability: Magic Guard Potential: A Moves: Rank S Teleport, Rank S Psychic, Rank A Psybeam, Rank A Psycho Cut, Rank A Thunder Wave, Rank A Shadow Ball, Rank A Calm Mind, Rank A Energy Ball, Rank A Miracle Eye, Rank A Ice Punch,Rank A Fire Punch, Rank A Thunder Punch, Rank A Future Sight, Rank A Psych Up, Rank A Tri Attack, Rank A Protect, Rank A Light Screen, Rank A Reflect, Rank A Recover, Rank A Drain Punch, Rank A Hyper Beam
Gliscor — Level 42 Ability: Poison Heal Potential: B Moves: Rank B Aerial Ace, Rank B X Scissor, Rank C Steel Wing, Rank B Facade, Rank C Swords Dance, Rank D Roost , Rank C Earthquake, Rank C Fire Fang, Rank C Thunder Fang, Rank C Ice Fang, Rank C Stone Edge
Both scans surprised him.
Alakazam's power was obvious even without Hermes, but seeing the actual level and move mastery confirmed just how terrifying Archer truly was as a trainer. Rank S Teleport and Psychic alone made Alakazam a monster on any battlefield, especially in the hands of someone with experience.
Gliscor surprised Silas for a different reason.
It had grown again.
The last time he had seen it, Gliscor was already progressing quickly, but the improvement was still noticeable. That told Silas something important. Percy wasn't just relying on Team Rocket's reputation. He was actively strengthening his Pokémon, which made him even more dangerous than his calm attitude suggested.
Archer spoke first.
"This is Gus," he said, gesturing toward the large man. "He runs the day-to-day operations of the Hunter's Guild in Viridian City."
Gus didn't waste time with unnecessary greetings. He placed a card reader device on the table.
Silas understood immediately. Archer knew he had money now.
Somehow.
Silas reminded himself once again never to underestimate Team Rocket's information network. He had only received his share recently, yet Archer already knew enough to arrange this meeting as though payment had been inevitable.
Silas pulled out his black card and completed the transaction without complaint.
The debt had bothered him since the moment he accepted the deal. Owing money to a powerful organization was never wise, especially one like the Hunter's Guild. Now that he had the means to settle it, dragging things out would only create unnecessary complications.
Gus checked the confirmation. Once the payment processed, his stern expression softened into a broad smile.
"Now that the unpleasantness has passed," Gus said, leaning back slightly, "I can say properly that I value your talent, young trainer. Plenty of people make deals like this and fail to deliver."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"How about joining my guild officially? I can return the two million you just paid and add another two million from my own pocket as an entry bonus."
Silas blinked once.
That shift in attitude was sharp.
A moment ago, Gus had been the man collecting a debt. Now he was recruiting him with a sincere offer, and strangely enough, the sincerity made the situation feel more unsettling rather than less.
The Hunter's Guild clearly valued results and Silas was someone who delivered.
Before he could respond, Archer chuckled.
"You know this boy is destined for Team Rocket. Why bother competing with me?"
The room quieted slightly. Silas felt the weight of the moment settle over him.
This wasn't just casual recruitment. This was a choice between powers.
The Hunter's Guild and Team Rocket were both enormous organizations with reach, resources, and influence far beyond what ordinary trainers could ever access. Joining either one would change the trajectory of his life.
A few weeks ago, Silas might have hesitated out of moral discomfort.
Now, after everything that had happened, his view of the world had become far less simple.
The League had authority, but authority hadn't protected Tangrowth.
The League wore righteousness openly, yet Koga had watched cruelty unfold without intervening. His subordinates had slaughtered wild Pokémon on Mount Silver and tried to kill Silas and Madam, only for the League to label them traitors after the fact when the situation became inconvenient.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket had helped him.
Archer had shown him kindness when he didn't need to. Percy had treated him with more honesty than many so-called legitimate people had. Even the Hunter's Guild, dangerous as it clearly was, respected contracts and results.
Silas didn't suddenly believe criminals were good people.
That would have been stupid but he did understand something now.
Power mattered. Connections mattered. So if he wanted to protect himself and the people close to him, he needed more than ideals.
He needed backing, resources, and most importantly, personal strength.
"Mr. Gus," Silas said carefully, "Archer has already shown me kindness, and technically I'm already a hunter. I'll join Team Rocket and remain a hunter as well."
Archer smiled with visible approval.
"Silas, I knew you would choose wisely."
Silas understood the meaning behind the praise.
He could have turned the moment into a bidding war. He could have tried to squeeze both sides for benefits.
Instead, he showed gratitude without fully cutting himself away from Gus. That balance mattered. In a room filled with people who valued talent, loyalty, and usefulness, appearing greedy too early would only damage future trust.
Gus suddenly burst into laughter.
"You have a way with words," he said, clearly amused. "I suppose that arrangement can work."
Then his smile sharpened.
"But I have an open-ended mission for you, and it is nonnegotiable."
Silas didn't flinch.
"I can accommodate you as long as it doesn't cross my bottom line."
Gus looked even more entertained by that answer.
"There's an area called the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City, far to the east. Only League-recognized trainers can enter legally. It's rich with rare Pokémon, though most are lower quality."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I need you to capture three female Dratini or Dragonair."
Then he laughed loudly.
"If you see a Dragonite, run."
Silas accepted the mission.
He had no reason not to.
Dratini and Dragonair were unbelievably valuable, especially females with breeding potential. A request like this made perfect sense for the Hunter's Guild, and although it would not be easy, it aligned with travel he would eventually need to make anyway.
Once that matter settled, Silas reached into his supplies and presented Archer with one of the peculiar Beedrill.
"These Beedrill are unusual," Silas explained. "From what I observed, they're stronger than normal because they suppressed their evolutions and evolved much later."
Archer's expression shifted immediately. He studied the Pokéball with interest.
"You might have struck it rich," Archer said. "The boss is particularly fond of Beedrill. He will take great interest in them."
Silas felt his attention sharpen.
The boss.
Archer didn't say the name, but Silas didn't need him to.
If Giovanni himself became interested in the Beedrill, the reward might be far beyond what Silas originally expected.
Archer slipped the Pokéball away.
"I'll let you know how it goes. But if they're as interesting as you believe, you'll be rewarded well."
The three men continued chatting for a while afterward.
Gus explained a few practical details about Hunter Guild access, though most of it boiled down to completing missions, delivering valuable Pokémon, and avoiding behavior that harmed guild interests. Archer, meanwhile, seemed more relaxed now that Silas had openly agreed to join Team Rocket.
Before Silas left, Archer handed him a compact black device marked subtly with Team Rocket's insignia.
"This is a TR device," Archer explained. "Communication, records, mission access, and server connection. Rank determines how much information you can access."
Silas turned the high tech device over in his hand. He had to admit it was an impressive piece of equipment.
"I'm starting you at the bottom as a grunt," Archer continued. "You have the strength to climb quickly, at least to Elite Officer if you keep progressing at this pace."
Silas nodded.
"Your first mission will be at Mount Moon near Pewter City, north of here. We leave tomorrow afternoon at three. Meet us at the gym and don't be late."
"Understood."
When Silas walked out of the Hunter's Guild, he felt strange.
He had officially joined Team Rocket the notorious criminal organization.The irony was difficult to ignore.
So far, the supposed criminals had treated him better than many representatives of the supposedly righteous Indigo League. That didn't make Team Rocket noble, and Silas wasn't foolish enough to romanticize them.
But it did reinforce one thing; The world was not as clean as children were taught to believe.
Silas found Madam waiting outside the underground market's central path. She had clearly been busy, carrying several packages containing high-grade training materials for her Pokémon.
When Silas told her he had handled unfinished business with the Hunter's Guild, she didn't press for details.
That was one of the things he appreciated about Madam.
She knew when not to ask.
For a few moments, she simply studied him with an odd expression Silas couldn't quite identify.
Then she reached into her bag and removed a strange band.
Silas immediately felt strong energy radiating from it.
"This is a mid-grade Muscle Band," Madam said. "It increases the power of a Pokémon's physical moves by ten percent up to level sixty-five. Take it."
Silas's eyes widened.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
The problem was that Madam had said it just loudly enough for nearby people to hear.
Silas noticed immediately.
A small group of men not far away glanced toward the item with obvious greed. Their eyes lingered too long, and their body language changed subtly as they watched Silas store the Muscle Band.
Silas quickly put it away.
"We should go," he said.
Madam agreed readily.
That reassured him for about five seconds.
Once they exited the underground market and changed out of their cloaks, Madam climbed onto Arcanine's back. Silas naturally assumed he would ride with her.
He was wrong.
Madam looked down at him calmly.
"Silas, remember your vow to be decisive with your enemies."
Silas froze.
"Meet me back at the Pokémon Center when you've handled your business."
Before he could respond, Arcanine vanished in a flash of light.
Teleport.
Silas stood there alone under the night sky.
For a few seconds, he simply stared at the empty space where Madam and Arcanine had been.
Then realization settled over him.
He had been set up.
The loud comment about the Muscle Band should have been obvious. Madam had baited opportunists deliberately, then left him alone to deal with the consequences.
Silas exhaled slowly.
"So this is training."
He didn't know whether to laugh or curse.
Probably both.
Viridian City felt different at night.
The main streets still held traces of normal life, but the areas near the underground market carried a sharper edge. People moved quickly with their heads down, shadows stretched long between buildings, and every alley seemed to hold eyes waiting for weakness.
Silas quickened his pace toward the Pokémon Center.
He knew it would not be that easy.
Less than five minutes later, two cloaked men stepped out onto an empty street ahead of him.
Masks covered their faces but their intent was obvious.
One of them tossed out a strange device along with a Hypno. The Hypno caught the pink sphere.
Psychic energy surged into the device, and the entire street became enveloped in a faint barrier. Sound dulled immediately. The distant noise of Viridian City faded until it felt like the world had been cut away from everything beyond this small stretch of road.
The two men laughed.
"Leave your Pokémon and all your items on the ground," one of them said. "Then back away. If you do that, I might consider not hurting you."
Silas looked at them calmly.
"That is your promise," he replied. "Not mine."
His gaze sharpened.
"I'm feeling dangerous tonight."
Both men regarded him like foolish prey. Silas released Monferno and Electabuzz.
The two Pokémon appeared beside him immediately, both already tense from the atmosphere.
One of the masked men chuckled.
"Ooh. Both are raised well, and one I've never seen before. What a lucky break."
They released their Pokémon.
Arbok.
Golbat.
Scyther.
Hitmonlee.
Hitmonchan.
Fearow.
All six attacked simultaneously.
Silas scanned them quickly and identified the main threats almost immediately. Hitmonlee and Scyther were the most dangerous. The others were still threats, but none of them shook his confidence.
Every Pokémon was level thirty-nine except Scyther, which stood at level forty-one.
"Hermes," Silas ordered internally, "record everything currently happening. Compile scanning data on their Pokémon and mine."
The familiar presence of Hermes settled at the edge of his awareness.
Being able to communicate silently with the AI was like having an invisible assistant watching every angle of the battlefield.
Silas felt himself become extremely calm. He knew what needed to be done. Nothing else mattered.
"Electabuzz, Thunderbolt. Monferno, Flamethrower."
His voice remained steady.
"Both of you aim for Scyther."
Electabuzz and Monferno both sensed the change in their trainer immediately.
They responded in kind.
Thunderbolt tore across the street while Flamethrower swept in from the opposite angle, forcing the enemy Pokémon apart and breaking their initial formation. Silas had targeted Scyther first because it was the most dangerous enemy on the field.
Scyther reacted quickly.
It dodged Thunderbolt midair, then twisted its body sharply to avoid Flamethrower.
However the two attacks had done their job. They forced Scyther downward into closer range.
"Electabuzz, Thunder Punch."
Electabuzz surged forward immediately, electricity crackling around its fist.
"Monferno, cover with Flamethrower."
Flames roared behind Scyther before it could reposition properly.
The combination gave it almost no room to resist.
The other Pokémon swarmed toward Monferno and Electabuzz, but Silas remained focused. The battle quickly became messy, with attacks flying in every direction as Arbok lunged, Golbat dove, and Fearow tried to strike from above.
One by one, enemies were knocked down but a problem quickly became obvious.
They kept getting back up.
The opponents weren't weak enough to be removed cleanly through restrained attacks. Knockouts took too long, and while Silas's team focused on one target, another recovered and rejoined the pressure.
That delay created risk. Silas felt Madam's words echo in his mind.
"Mercy toward enemies can become cruelty toward your allies."
His eyes sharpened.
"We stop holding back."
Monferno glanced back once.
Silas gave the order.
"Shadow Claw. Aim for Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan's legs."
Monferno moved instantly.
Dark energy formed around his claws before he vanished into close range.
The first slash tore through Hitmonlee's supporting leg. Earlier, the Pokémon had already injured one knee after missing High Jump Kick. Monferno targeted the other leg without hesitation, completely removing Hitmonlee as a mobile threat.
The second slash struck Hitmonchan moments later, severing one leg cleanly and sending it crashing to the ground.
The screams that followed were sharp. Silas felt his stomach twist slightly but he did not take the order back.
He couldn't.
The two masked men froze in shock at the sudden brutality. Then rage followed.
"Arbok, crush that thing!"
Arbok lunged forward and wrapped around Monferno instantly, coils tightening as Crunch clamped down near his neck. Monferno's body strained under the pressure, and pain flashed across his face.
Silas's chest tightened. For one second, instinct urged him to panic. Then Monferno's eyes changed.
Aura leaked from his body.
The blue energy seeped outward slowly at first before expanding like flame catching dry grass. Within moments, the aura ignited fully, wrapping around Monferno in a cloak of blue fire.
The smell of burnt flesh filled the air.
Arbok shrieked as its body began burning where it touched Monferno, but Monferno did not move to escape immediately.
Instead, he grabbed Arbok with both hands.
The blue flames grew brighter.
Silas stared at his partner, feeling the same calm intensity reflected back at him.
Monferno had understood the lesson too.
The battlefield fell silent for half a breath. Then Monferno tore himself free.