"…It's me!"
The voice rang out, firm and unwavering. For Giovanni, there was no longer any need to remain in the shadows. Once Team Rocket launched their assault on Saffron City and occupied it, he stepped out from behind the curtain and into the light.
Once known as the Viridian City Gym Leader—the strongest Gym Leader in all of Kanto—yet secretly the Boss of Team Rocket, Giovanni was both infamous and mysterious. Low-profile, yet larger-than-life. And now, every influential figure in the world had their eyes on him.
"What did you mean by that just now?"
Logan gestured for Daisy to remain calm. Against a man like Giovanni, he could never afford to be careless.
Giovanni was among the last people Logan ever wanted to face. Not only was he immensely powerful, but also dangerously intelligent. His endless conspiracies and schemes were exhausting to deal with, leaving both body and mind weary.
"My words mean exactly what they say. I can tell you where the people of Pallet Town are being kept."
Giovanni's slow, steady voice carried a weight of authority and intimidation.
"Oh? For the great Boss of Team Rocket to go to such lengths capturing those villagers, only to openly reveal their prison location to me… don't tell me this isn't some elaborate trap?" Logan's eyes narrowed sharply.
"There is no trap. To me, the people of Pallet Town are meaningless. They are currently held in the underground safe chamber beneath the western tower of Silph Co. Aside from my three Executives, all our combat forces have been dispatched to Saffron's transportation hub to fend off the Gym Leaders. That means if the girl beside you attempts a rescue, she will encounter no resistance."
His words were calm, almost casual, yet they pressed down on Logan like an avalanche.
"You're suggesting Daisy goes to rescue the villagers… Then what about me?"
Logan raised his finger to himself.
"You, of course, are coming to meet me. I am waiting right now on the top floor of Silph Co.—in the President's office."
And with that, Giovanni cut the communication. The surveillance room fell into silence.
"Logan, don't go! This is definitely one of Team Rocket's traps!"
Daisy grabbed his hand tightly. Her palms were drenched in nervous sweat, her icy grip trembling. Her lips quivered as she shook her head desperately.
She could tell from his expression—Logan intended to face Giovanni head-on.
Logan fell silent in thought, then gently patted the back of Daisy's hand. His voice softened.
"...I already scanned the area. Just as Giovanni said, there are no guards nearby. If you go now, you should be able to rescue the townsfolk safely."
"And you?" Daisy's voice was filled with fear.
"Of course, I'll go face Giovanni."
"No! You can't! It's too dangerous—there must be another way!"
She pleaded with him, her eyes welling with tears. The thought of Logan throwing his life away for her and the villagers terrified her to the core.
"If I don't go, who knows what Giovanni will do to them? His words can't be fully trusted. If I refuse him, we'll only provoke him—and then you'll be in danger too."
Logan's tone was resolute, heroic. It carried the weight of a warrior who knew he might never return.
The truth was, Logan knew he was already under Rocket surveillance. Even if he tried to flee, Giovanni would never let him escape. In that case, it was better to march straight into the storm, making it seem like he was sacrificing himself for the greater good.
The true innocents caught in this conflict were Daisy and the villagers. Giovanni's schemes were aimed only at Logan, Red, and Blue. Without them, he would never bother with simple townsfolk.
"…Logan!" Daisy's voice broke, her eyes brimming with tears. She truly believed he was walking into a deathtrap. Yet despite that, Logan chose this path—for her, and for those helpless people.
Clutching his hand with all her strength, she whispered through trembling lips:
"Promise me… promise me you'll come back alive!"
She knew she couldn't stop him. All she could do now was pray.
"Relax, I'm not going there to die… If Blue defeats Rocket's Executives, send him after me."
"Alright. If Blue wins, I'll have him join you immediately!"
Without hesitation, Daisy betrayed her little brother's freedom.
"Then it's settled. Go now and free the villagers. This is the closest underground shelter to Saffron—once you save them, head here…" Logan handed her a map he had prepared in advance. "By the way, Daisy—do you have any Pokémon capable of fighting?"
She quickly grabbed her Poké Ball from the desk. "Clefable is mine. It's not the strongest… but it can fight."
"That's good enough. At least you'll have some protection. I thought of lending you one of mine… but I don't know what I'll face ahead. You'll have to rely on yourself."
"I'll be fine… but Logan, you must be careful! I once had a dear friend named Flame—she and I promised to grow up and compete in Pokémon Contests together. But after she went to Hoenn… I never heard from her again. Please, don't let me lose another friend."
"I'll be careful. Now go!"
Logan turned her around and pushed her forward.
Hesitant for a moment, Daisy suddenly stood on tiptoe, planting a quick kiss on his cheek—before running off.
"…Really now. Acting like we're in some over-the-top drama." Logan muttered, rubbing the spot where she kissed him.
Drawing in a deep breath, he steadied his heart. Ahead was perhaps the most dangerous battle he'd faced since crossing into this world.
But when he searched inside himself for fear… he found none. No terror. No dread. Only a blazing fire, a savage thrill. A violent hunger to make the entire world kneel before him.
His face remained calm, but within, his soul churned like a maelstrom.
From the moment he chose the hardest path—a Dragon Trainer's path—he had already left behind the dull life of working jobs and wasting away indoors. He was ready for a grand, turbulent life… even if it meant death.
To live like summer flowers—brilliant and bold. To die like autumn leaves—quiet and beautiful. As long as I live, I will bloom with everything I have.
He stepped into the elevator of Silph Co., watching the floor numbers climb toward the top. Each level listed the departments of the massive corporation. When his eyes fell upon "Finance Department," he smirked and pressed the button.
Inside Silph Co.'s Finance Division, dozens of Rocket operatives busied themselves with stacks of ledgers, records, and terminals.
"How's the data coming along?" a voice suddenly asked.
"The company's total market value is 91 trillion credits. Most of that is in stocks and real estate, but liquid assets amount to around 7 trillion. We are transferring these assets into Team Rocket's hands through legal channels. Once Kanto is under our full control, all of Silph's assets will belong to us completely."
The officer answered mechanically, then froze.
That voice… was unfamiliar.
He turned, and saw a young man smiling shyly at him.
"…I've been broke lately. Do you think you could add a few more zeroes to my bank account?" Logan asked with disarming innocence.
The officer's first instinct was to refuse. But then his eyes caught the Jolteon at Logan's side, its mane crackling like living thunder.
Cold sweat dripped down his temple.
"…N-no problem! Team Rocket is always… charitable. We strive to help the poor whenever we can. In fact, we just happen to have a fund transfer earmarked for charity. It would be an honor to… assist you."
For a brief moment, Logan almost believed it. Was Team Rocket really a charity?
After all, they'd already gifted him Mewtwo, beautiful women, an Eevee capable of endless evolutions… and now they were giving him money.
What kind of world still had organizations this "benevolent"?
--------------------
T/N:
Check out my Patreon
[email protected]/FictionalRealms784 - (Replace '@' with 'a')
for 5 Advanced Chapters absolutely FREE—or unlock 35 Advanced Chapters
--------------------