The next day, Silas continued his routine as normal.
They consisted of morning conditioning, Pokemon drills, & breeder training.
Only in the afternoon did he finally set out toward Cerulean Cape while disguised as Odin.
The skin mask subtly altered the structure of his face just enough that even people who knew Silas well likely wouldn't recognize him casually. Combined with slightly different posture, speech cadence, and clothing style, the effect was disturbingly effective.
Silas had practiced the persona over the past two weeks.
Odin walked a little slower than Silas. He spoke with fewer wasted words. He didn't smile as easily.
Silas was careful not to overact. A disguise that drew attention was worse than no disguise at all. Odin didn't need to seem mysterious or theatrical. He only needed to feel like a competent trainer with enough confidence that most people wouldn't bother him unnecessarily.
Teddiursa walked openly at his side.
Froakie remained nearby as well, occasionally leaping between rocks, railings, and low walls as they traveled toward the famous bridge leading to Cerulean Cape. The small frog pokemon was clearly enjoying every second of finally having a healthy body. Even now, Silas occasionally caught Froakie jumping simply because he could.
That alone made Silas feel that all the danger had been worth it.
As Silas approached Nugget Bridge, he immediately noticed the atmosphere was lively.
Several trainers stood gathered around the bridge entrance while spectators watched battles excitedly from the sidelines. Loud cheers occasionally erupted as trainers won or lost matches. Some younger trainers were clearly there to prove themselves, while others hovered around the edges, calculating whether the entry fee was worth the risk.
At the center stood several disguised Rocket members collecting entry fees. Apparently Team Rocket had discovered an easy method of making money: Take advantage of overzealous trainers.
A sign near the entrance read:
"Five Trainer Gauntlet Challenge
Prize — Five Big Nuggets
Entry Fee — 1000 Pokédollars"
Silas flashed a knowing smile. This was easy money.
The setup was clever because it didn't feel like a scam. The prize was real. The challenge was real but the odds heavily favored the organizers. Most rookie trainers were emotional enough to believe one or two early wins meant they could push through the entire gauntlet, and by the time they lost, they had already paid.
It was honest enough to avoid trouble and dishonest enough to be profitable.
Very Team Rocket.
Silas approached casually and paid the fee before speaking.
"I want doubles format."
The organizer raised an eyebrow.
"Doubles costs extra."
Silas immediately handed over another four thousand pokedollars.
"I gave you 5000 in total."
The organizer grinned instantly.
"Accepted."
Several nearby trainers became interested when they heard the conversation. Doubles battles were always more entertaining.
There was more movement and general chaos meaning more chances for spectacular mistakes. Double battles tested a trainer's flexibility.
Silas noticed Frank standing farther back near the end of the bridge, watching the operation with the casual posture of someone overseeing a profitable side arrangement. Frank didn't acknowledge him yet, which suited Silas perfectly. Odin should not appear too familiar with Team Rocket officers in public.
The first opponent stepped forward quickly.
He was short, broad, and stocky with an oversized hiking backpack strapped to his shoulders. His clothes were dusty, and judging by the way he carried himself, he was likely a mountain-route trainer accustomed to rock and fighting types.
He released both pokemon confidently.
Machop and Graveler.
Silas calmly released Froakie and Teddiursa. Several nearby spectators looked surprised.
"Those are babies."
"Is this kid serious?"
"A Froakie? You don't see those often."
"That Teddiursa looks soft."
Teddiursa glanced toward the crowd, offended but Silas ignored the chatter.
The battle started immediately.
"Froakie, Water Pulse on Graveler."
Froakie rapidly condensed an orb of spinning water before launching it forward. Compared to when he first recovered, the move now formed much faster. The water compressed tightly, spinning with enough force that even before impact, the air around the orb faintly distorted.
"Machop, Karate Chop!"
Machop stepped in aggressively and smashed through the incoming Water Pulse but immediately realized something was wrong.
The compressed attack detonated violently upon impact. Water exploded outward.
Machop staggered backward in pain, its arm shaking from the unexpected force. The attack had been aimed at Graveler, but Froakie's control over compression made even interception dangerous.
Silas nodded slightly.
Good.
"Graveler, Rollout!"
Graveler curled into a spinning sphere and launched itself directly toward Teddiursa.
Silas remained calm.
"Use Payback."
Teddiursa planted its feet firmly as dark energy coated its paw. The instant Rollout connected, the dark aura doubled violently in intensity due to the incoming attack.
Teddiursa's small body slid backward several inches, but the bear pokemon endured the impact with a fierce little growl.
BOOM.
Teddiursa slammed its paw directly into Graveler's spinning body. The dark energy exploded outward, forcing Graveler out of Rollout entirely.
The crowd reacted immediately.
"Whoa!"
"That little thing stopped Rollout?"
Before Graveler could recover, Silas and Froakie pressed their advantage.
"Water Pulse!"
Froakie responded instantly.
The second Water Pulse struck directly and Graveler collapsed instantly.
Several spectators blinked in surprise. The coordination between the two young pokemon was excellent.
Once Graveler fell, Machop quickly became overwhelmed in the two-versus-one scenario. Teddiursa pressured from the front while Froakie attacked from angles, using Quick Attack to reposition whenever Machop tried to focus on one target.
The battle ended quickly.
Silas moved to the second trainer without wasting time.
The next four challengers proved similar in skill. They weren't useless, but they lacked the kind of pressure Silas had become accustomed to. After surviving Mount Silver, assassin ambushes, and high-risk Team Rocket operations, these bridge trainers felt almost slow by comparison.
That didn't mean the battles were worthless. Silas used the opportunity entirely for development.
Froakie repeatedly practiced faster Water Pulse compression, cleaner movement transitions, and partial flying-energy manipulation for Acrobatics training. Each time he leapt, he tried to channel flying-type energy through his limbs before striking with Pound. The result was unstable and not yet a true Acrobatics, but the early foundation was there.
The attempts prolonged some battles unnecessarily but Silas allowed it. Training under pressure produced better results than safe repetition.
Meanwhile, Teddiursa focused heavily on anticipation and aggression. Silas wanted him to learn when to take hits, when to counter, and when to pressure without waiting for direct orders.
A slow pokemon needed exceptional timing to compensate for weaker mobility, and Teddiursa's future as an Ursaring would depend heavily on reading opponents properly.
Silas wanted his pokemon to develop battlefield awareness. Rigidly controlled pokemon eventually hit ceilings.
Trainers who micromanaged every movement produced predictable combat patterns. Those trainers could rise quickly early on because their combinations looked clean and disciplined, but their pokemon often lacked adaptability once battles became chaotic.
Strong trainers needed pokemon capable of independent judgment, coordinated aggression, and flexible reactions, especially in doubles battles.
Whenever one partner attacked aggressively, the other had to instinctively cover openings without waiting for commands. If Froakie pressured too deep, Teddiursa needed to be ready to intercept. If Teddiursa committed to a heavy strike, Froakie needed to cover his retreat.
This was the combat philosophy Silas wanted for Spartan.
Not obedience alone.
Competence.
By the time the fifth trainer lost, several nearby challengers looked visibly hesitant about stepping onto the bridge afterward.
Silas collected the rewards calmly before approaching the organizer. Only now did he fully recognize him.
Frank, the officer from the Mount Moon operation. He glanced at Silas briefly before nodding faintly in approval.
"Humble too. Rare combination."
Silas slipped the five Big Nuggets away calmly.
Frank watched him for a moment before speaking more quietly.
"Your pokemon are young, but they move like they've seen real danger."
Silas met his gaze evenly.
"They have."
Frank seemed satisfied with that answer.
As they chatted casually, Team Rocket continued collecting money from overeager challengers. Several trainers still tried the gauntlet despite watching Silas steamroll it, convincing themselves that his success meant the challenge was beatable rather than realizing he was simply far above their level.
An hour passed.
Then movement near the opposite side of the bridge caught Silas' attention.
Gary.
He was returning from Cerulean Cape.
Gary walked with Wartortle beside him, posture confident but not relaxed. His earlier defeat at Mount Moon clearly hadn't broken him. If anything, Silas could see something sharper in him now. Gary's expression carried the irritation of someone who hated falling behind and had no intention of accepting it quietly.
The moment Gary reached the bridge midpoint, he stopped abruptly.
Standing ahead of him was another trainer around the same age.
Messy black hair, simple clothing and Pikachu on his shoulder.
Ash Ketchum.
Silas immediately moved closer while silently scanning Pikachu.
Pikachu (M) — Level 36
Ability: Static
Potential: B+
Moves: Rank B Thunderbolt, Rank B Quick Attack, Rank B Protect, Rank C Reflect, Rank C Iron Tail, Rank C Volt Switch, Rank C Slam, Rank C Electro Ball, Rank C Agility, Rank C Double Team, Rank C Volt Tackle, Rank C Brick Break, Rank C Light Screen, Rank C Surf, Rank C Mega Punch, Rank C Nasty Plot, Rank C Thunder
Silas' eyes narrowed.
This movepool was absurd. It was far beyond what a normal trainer should possess at this level. Someone had invested tremendous resources into Pikachu already.
As a pokemon fan in his previous life, Silas had always wondered why Professor Oak treated Ash unusually well. Delia Ketchum was by no means poor, but normal wealth could not explain this kind of foundation. A B+ talent Pikachu alone was extraordinary. This many advanced moves made the situation even more suspicious.
Ash absolutely had hidden support somewhere. Whether he knew that or not was another question.
"Ash," Gary called coldly, "you're begging for a beating and I'm happy to provide one."
He released Wartortle immediately.
Ash sighed.
"Gary, I just wanted a friendly battle."
"Yeah? Well I didn't."
The contrast between them was almost funny.
Ash looked sincere, straightforward, and slightly exasperated. Gary looked like every unresolved grievance in his life had chosen this exact bridge as the place to surface.
There was history here. Silas could tell instantly. He also knew from his previous life how deep this rivalry went.
This wasn't just a random rivalry. Gary's irritation seemed too personal, too practiced, as if Ash had been annoying him for years without even fully understanding how much it bothered him.
Pikachu hopped from Ash's shoulder and immediately began taunting Gary and Wartortle.
It stuck its tongue out repeatedly while making mocking gestures.
Wartortle instantly became furious.
Silas almost laughed.
Pikachu was genuinely obnoxious. And worse, it knew exactly what it was doing.
Ash rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"Pikachu, don't provoke them too much."
"Pika pika."
Pikachu said it with the tone of someone who had no intention of listening.
Gary's face darkened.
"Wartortle, shut that smug rat up."
The battle started immediately.
Despite the type disadvantage, Wartortle fought aggressively.
He used Rapid Spin, Gyro Ball, and Water Pulse in succession.
Constant pressure.
Gary clearly understood that allowing Pikachu to control distance would be disastrous. Wartortle attacked with relentless momentum, using its shell to accelerate and force Pikachu into constant movement.
Meanwhile Pikachu moved like living lightning.
Every dodge happened at the absolute last moment possible.
Minimal wasted movement and maximum efficiency.
It didn't flee wildly. It slipped just outside range, forcing Wartortle to commit slightly too far each time before punishing with quick electric counters.
Several nearby trainers stared in awe.
Even Frank crossed his arms and watched with genuine interest.
Silas studied both sides carefully.
Gary's Wartortle had grown sharper since Mount Moon. Its attacks carried more aggression now, and the earlier bitterness Silas had seen in Gary seemed to have translated into training intensity.
Ash, meanwhile, commanded differently from most trainers.
He wasn't as technically polished as Gary.
His orders were looser.
But Pikachu understood him almost instinctively, and Ash seemed extremely comfortable trusting Pikachu's judgment. It gave their battle style an unpredictable rhythm that was difficult to counter.
Wartortle suddenly combined Rapid Spin and Gyro Ball together.
The spinning shell accelerated violently across the bridge, scraping sparks from the stone beneath it.
This time Pikachu finally became serious.
"Protect!"
A green barrier flashed into existence.
BOOM.
The attack rebounded.
The instant Wartortle bounced backward, Ash and Pikachu took advantage.
"Thunder!"
A massive bolt of electricity crashed downward at nearly point-blank range.
Wartortle screamed under the impact yet somehow remained standing.
Gary gritted his teeth.
Then his eyes sharpened.
"Wartortle, use the triple combination."
Silas' expression changed slightly.
Even nearby Rocket members looked surprised.
Wartortle immediately began gathering energy.
Rapid Spin.
Gyro Ball.
Water Pulse.
All three merged together simultaneously.
Water spiraled violently around the spinning shell like a vortex. The rotation from Rapid Spin created speed, Gyro Ball added crushing rotational force, and Water Pulse layered unstable water energy through the motion.
The pressure alone distorted the air nearby. Silas immediately understood the danger.
Combining moves always strained pokemon. Two-move combinations were difficult but manageable with practice. Three-way combinations were entirely different. At this level, the recoil alone could cripple weaker pokemon if the move failed or overextended.
These kinds of attacks were usually trump cards for powerful trainers.
For example, Lance's Dragonite could supposedly combine Draco Meteor, Dragon Rush, and Extreme Speed into a world-shaking attack that few pokemon could survive head-on.
For Gary to already have something similar at his level was almost unheard of.
Wartortle launched itself forward.
Pikachu tried dodging but Wartortle doubled back mid-charge at an even greater speed.
Direct hit.
Pikachu crashed into the ground violently, creating a crater.
Dust and steam rose everywhere.
The crowd went silent.
Wartortle staggered heavily afterward. The recoil was immense. For several seconds it actually dropped to both knees before forcing itself upright again. Its breathing was rough, and even from a distance, Silas could tell the triple combination had strained its body badly.
Across the battlefield, Pikachu slowly rose from the crater.
It was clearly furious.
Electricity exploded wildly around its body.
Ash's expression changed.
"Pikachu…"
Pikachu didn't look back. It wanted this clash.
"Volt Tackle!"
Pikachu became a streak of lightning.
Gary responded instantly.
"Wartortle—meet it with Wave Crash!"
Water erupted around Wartortle like armor before launching forward.
The two pokemon collided head-on.
Neither yielded.
Electricity and water exploded outward simultaneously.
The resulting explosion briefly covered the bridge in steam. Several spectators stumbled backward from the shockwave, and even the disguised Rocket members forgot to maintain their casual act for a moment.
Then silence.
As the steam faded, both pokemon collapsed unconscious.
For several moments nobody spoke.
Then the sound of clapping was heard from the side and everyone turned.
A young man approached casually from the direction of Cerulean Cape.
He was a short and thin nerdy looking teenager with brown hair. He had an oddly confident demeanor.
Silas recognized him immediately.
Bill, the true target of the mission.
Bill continued applauding while smiling brightly.
"That," he said enthusiastically, "was an incredible battle."
His eyes moved between Pikachu and Wartortle with open fascination rather than simple admiration. It was the look of someone who saw pokemon not merely as battlers, but as living mysteries worth studying.
Silas joined the applause naturally.
Because honestly, it truly had been a pleasure to watch as a battle enthusiast.
Both pokemon had fought brilliantly.
The tension between Ash and Gary had elevated the entire fight. Even the spectators still looked energized by the dramatic double knockout ending.
Gary recalled Wartortle silently, his expression complicated.
Ash hurried to Pikachu and carefully lifted the exhausted pokemon into his arms.
Neither trainer said much at first because didn't need to. The battle had spoken clearly enough.
Silas watched Bill approach them with interest, already adjusting his plans internally. Archer had said Bill was a pokemaniac, and Silas could see it immediately. Bill wasn't just watching the trainers. He was studying the pokemon, the combinations, the battle instincts, the rare development paths.
This was a man who could be lured by curiosity.
And now, Silas had finally encountered him in the most natural way possible.