Silver sat quietly in the lounge of the Viridian Gym's upper quarters, cross-legged with a steaming cup of hot cocoa in his hand when the doors opened with a whisper.
He just came back from his play date.
Disturbing his hot cocoa time...
How dare thee talk to this young master of the team rocket!
"Sir," came the calm, steady voice of a man. The man was always meticulous, well-groomed, and smelled faintly of fine cologne. He moved like a shadow but spoke like a strategist.
His appearance made Silver's eye shine a little recognising the man from the games. One of the four admins who were right below Giovanni himself and eventually became the leader of the organisation after the boss left.
Archer.
A person with decent leadership but most importantly, was a fanatic for Giovanni. Someone who'd dive head first into a canyon if given the orders from the one above.
There was a gleam in Archer's eyes, a kind of fervour carefully buried beneath professional composure. Not madness, just devotion. The type of man who would take a bullet for Giovanni and ask for another.
"I brought the items you requested," Archer said, setting a sleek black case on the table before Silver. "As per your notes, there is an Assault Vest, a Life Orb, and a Toxic Orb."
The young man had a glint in his eyes, in anticipation.
POV - Silver
"Perfect," I reply, flipping the lid open and inspecting them. My fingers hovering above the Life Orb.
"It extracts stamina for bursts of power," Archer suddenly says, to which I nod. "Prolonged exposure in battle causes severe exhaustion. Push far enough, and it begins to inflict actual muscle damage and possibly internal bleeding. Very expensive." He added at the end which made my mouth smirk a little.
Hearing his explanation was good for me of course. I only had knowledge of its in-game uses but I suppose their actual uses are similar but not quite.
Either way, I can search it up or get someone to tell me. Maybe there are other items better than these.
A thought for later.
I now glance at the Assault Vest and then at Archer which got him to quickly speak. "This one bulks up the user's defence. Could I perhaps guess this is for your Beedrill?"
Archer looked at me with a weird smile which gave me goosebumps.
'This guy has a mental problem. To be fair he is the admin of a terrorist organisation though.' I narrow my eyes.
Giving him a dismissive look he doesn't seem to care.
Archer keeping the same energy started to talk. "Mr Sakaki was already proud when I last spoke to him. And between us… the Gym trainers talk. The Captains say you're already on par with the League's mid-tier trainers at eight."
What was he trying to say? There are people with bad intentions?
To be honest I don't give enough damn about others at this point.
"I'm not here for praise."
"No. But you should know you're being watched." Archer's eyes briefly glinted. "Even if some don't speak of it aloud. Not all eyes are unfriendly."
My thoughts are now confused about what to say.
Maybe he'll like this.
"Let the rats crawl, there's a reason why they hide," I say after a bit of silence, making myself cringe inwardly.
Archer's expression flickered with surprise for the briefest moment. Then the faintest smile touched his lips. "Understood."
...
Later that night, I sat in my room surrounded by some monitors. The pale light from the screens lit my rested bitch face, which looked from line to line, article to article.
A video was playing. The booming voice of Professor Oak echoed through the speakers. "And here we have the most basic but vital chart-type interactions. Fire beats Grass, Grass beats Water, Water beats Fire…"
I watched intently. I didn't fast-forward. I didn't skip.
In case there was anything new to learn.
And of course, there was.
Not because he didn't already know this. However Oak had a way of explaining things that even Silver found valuable with nuances in interactions, references to obscure studies, and stories about ancient battles that reinforced instinct through narrative.
On top of telling me that friendship was actually a tangible strength Pokemon could have.
Want proof?
The friendship system in the games was proof enough.
But this would only be reserved for my real team members like Beedrill.
Other than that another interesting piece of info slid right into my ears.
'No Pokemon is truly immune to some attacks, just very resistant.' I note down.
So obviously a move wouldn't just do "nothing" to them.
On another screen, there was an opened page on Trainer Licensing Systems on how to receive a trainer license.
----
The League Aptitude Test:
Free for minors
Written + practical tests
Rental Pokémon used
Retakes are allowed after a short gap.
----
Professor or Gym Leader Endorsement:
A licensed figure may assign an ID.
No tests are needed if the recommendation is valid.
----
Academy Path:
School-based curriculum
Focus on theory, practice, and etiquette.
----
Mentorship Apprenticeship:
Must be assigned to an existing trainer, gym trainer, or ranger
After demonstrated success, the mentor may issue approval.
----
It was obvious which path I would take. As the son of Giovanni, a Gym Leader, he would be granted a license the moment his father saw fit.
Another thing was my authority as the second in command of the gym.
'I can see my father's Pokemon and their levels...' I thought in glee.
But this was only limited to his registered Pokemon. Let's be honest now, the man definitely had tens of hidden cards as the leader of Team Rocket.
--[Information Folio]--
Name: Giovanni Sakaki
Title(s): Viridian City Gym Leader,
Authority Level: Leader
Alias(es): "Viridian's Monarch", "Earth King"
---
Trainer Class: Gym Leader
League Status: Active Gym Leader – Ground-Type Specialist
License Type: Legacy Access
Trainer ID: #0431-TL-GIO
---
Pokémon: (Restricted Data)
[Rhyhorn - Low Ace]
[Sandslash - Low Ace]
[Hippowdon - Low Ace]
[Dugtrio - Ace]
[Marowack - Ace]
[Gliscor - Ace]
[Krookodile - Ace]
[Garchomp - High Ace]
[Golem - Low Elite Four]
[Rhyperior - Elite Four]
[Kangashkan - Elite Four]
[Nidoqueen - Elite Four]
[Charizard - High Elite Four]
[Nidoking - High Elite Four]
--[Information Folio]--
'Holy shit.' Those were the only thoughts that went through my mind seeing his lineup.
Where was Beedrill even?
He is a solid Elite Four level trainer according to these Pokemon but I'm not buying it. He has to have more but that's not for me to know for now. Even his Persian is missing which in the games is seen in some crucial battles.
Or he just faked their strength...
Charizard was his starter I assume.
Krookodile, Garchomp, Hippowdon and Gliscor were probably newer additions as they were in his Pokemon World Championship team in Black and White 2.
Remembering how much of a monster Garchomp could be a shiver goes down my body.
A terrifying hot, blonde, milf...
Ignoring that his elite four Pokemon do seem to be his core group he used as a newer trainer. Rhyperior, Kangashkan, Nidoking and Queen were strong. People hype him up to be more Champion tier but this might only be reserved for his Beedrill.
Taking in the information my gaze drifted to the window. Moonlight washed over the Viridian forest, and beneath it, he could feel the still presence of something. A sense that he was being watched.
What could that be?
Was it Sabrina?
POV - Omniecnent
The tapping of keys echoed softly through Giovanni's office in the Viridian Gym, a room tucked behind two layers of security and an unassuming bookshelf. His personal secretary Matori who was taken in before she got kicked out of the orphanage was his most loyal non-battle assistant.
She stood before him with a datapad in hand.
"His battle logs, sir."
Giovanni didn't look up. "Summarize."
The secretary adjusted her glasses. "Silver has surpassed 75 recorded League-grade victories, all against certified challengers or Rocket Mid-Captains disguised as trainers. That makes him one of the youngest unofficial prodigies in the region though none outside our network are aware.
Young master is the equivalent to a tier-5 Specialist agent."
Giovanni nodded typing something up.
"He's watched every single public lecture by Professor Oak and some multiple times. He's memorized basic and advanced type theory, has practised applying terrain and momentum, and has internalized your writings on psychological warfare and tactical aggression."
Giovanni finally stopped typing and looked at her.
"Go on."
"He's been applying advanced tactics most adult trainers don't think of. Rage baiting, weak point exploitation, stamina cycling, tempo disruption. His Beedrill has mastered burst acceleration patterns and unpredictability. It consistently ends fights in under a minute."
"And its stamina?"
"Improving steadily. Beedrill has gotten an unexplainable boost and now endures training regimens comparable to those of ace-level Pokemon. It doesn't slow down even after a dozen rounds. His Gliscor is adjusting to the Toxic Orb with minimal discomfort. Rhydon is learning environmental adaptation."
Giovanni leaned back, lacing his fingers. "And the boy himself?"
"Disciplined. Independent. But not reckless. Doesn't show off. Doesn't seek attention. He logs his own footage and reviews his own battles. His mind is focused entirely on improvement." Matori pauses and adds a little of her own.
"It's like all he knows is battling."
Giovanni stayed quiet for a long time.
"He reminds me of myself, sometimes," he muttered. "But he's more... methodical. More subtle."
There was a knock.
"Come," Giovanni said.
Archer entered, crisp as always. He gave a short nod to the secretary, who quietly exited.
"Sir. I've delivered the items, young master Silver requested."
"And?"
Archer's lips curled slightly. "He already understood how each would affect his Pokémon from what I could tell. He's testing the Assault Vest and Life Orb to see which fits Beedrill's combat tempo. The Toxic Orb was already used in Gliscor's training this morning."
Giovanni gave an approving grunt. "And your opinion?"
Archer folded his arms. "He's still a greenhorn but is ruthless to challengers. Calculating always. And unlike the others, he doesn't pretend he's invincible. He plans for loss. He plans to bleed. Using it to climb higher with no ego."
Giovanni didn't smile. But something in his expression relaxed.
"When he turns ten, I'll give him his license," Giovanni said. "And after that... I'll begin involving him in the Rocket structure," Giovanni said with a pause. But in reality, it was hesisation more like, he didn't want to involve his kid with the organisation until he was 15.
Silver though has grown more than he cared to admit.
Archer's eyes glinted at his words. "He's ready, sir."
Giovanni leaned forward, tapping the desk slowly.
"From now on, monitor him more closely. Don't interfere but I want updates on how the tier-5 Field Captains interact with him. And if Ariana visits, say nothing."
Archer inclined his head with a surprised look. "She's allowed to interact with him?"
The boss just gave a silent nod which he quickly understood. She can visit him but not tell him her identity.
"And keep an eye on Sabrina."
At this, Archer raised an eyebrow.
"I know she's been watching him," Giovanni said calmly. "Let her. Just be sure it stays... appropriate."
...
[Time Skip - One year & a half]
Inside the viridian gym, stood alone a young boy with crimson hair, Silver. The sand of the battlefield had only just settled from his last match against a trainer with six badges and a surprisingly nimble Floatzel.
Beedrill stood beside him, wings gently buzzing, chest rising and falling.
"300," Silver whispered, logging the number mentally.
Over the past year, he had fought again and again. After his 75th win, Gliscor had been added to his team. With Gliscor's power and speed rounding out his battle toolkit, the tempo of victories had only increased.
Unsurpringly the items given helped with wins more.
But it was more match-up dependent with Beedrill. If he needed to pierce hard defenses then it was the life orb. Or if he was going to need to tank a hit without being able to dodge like fire moves, then assault vest was the play.
Each 75 wins unlocked a new team member meaning now, with five in hand, he had reached 300 victories.
Now his current team, still not publicly registered stood complete.
----
Beedrill: His oldest partner, fast, brutal, and now capable of Ace-level bursts.
Rhydon: A powerhouse with defensive mastery.
Gliscor: A tactical menace, immune to status, mastering aerial agility.
Gastrodon: Acquired recently, but already adapting to stamina-based stall tactics.
Hippowdon: Main stay partner who is slow but monstrous, capable of battlefield control.
Excadrill: Latest partner who doesn't have a defined role
----
'Unfortunately no Gible.' He thought a bit down. His father instantly rejected it without a second thought. The team had no strong special attackers but at this point, throwing rocks or using sand storms to cover up is better.
Despite the recognition, the field captains never spoke of his progress to him directly. Some offered occasional nods or silent respect. But they never talked.
It was more of an ideal situation
The only thing that did stick in his mind… was her.
Sabrina.
Every battle, every training session she was there. Sometimes in the stands, sometimes just outside the gym. Never hiding, but never speaking unless he approached.
She was watching him. Always watching.
They had spoken a few times since Saffron. She was calm. Polite. Curious. But more than that fixated.
Silver wasn't sure if she even realized it.
And truth be told... he didn't entirely mind. Have you seen the future Sabrina anyway, especially her Pokemon Go counterpart? She didn't treat him like a child. Didn't speak down to him. In fact, she rarely spoke at all unless she had something meaningful to say.
That, he respected.
Some people even on Earth were like that.
Still, the frequency of her appearances had increased. Some of the staff whispered about her presence but none dared block her way.
She always came alone.
Always found a corner to observe from.
And she never missed a day.
Later that Night...
Silver sat on the gym roof, and the city skyline dims in the distance. Beedrill lounged beside him, keeping watch, its eyes occasionally scanning the trees.
"Tomorrow," Silver murmured, "I turn ten."
He'd gone through more battles in two years than most trainers saw in five. He had tested items, taught moves, studied battle psychology and gotten the experience he needed.
Beedrill was now faster than it had ever been, its stingers blurring like lightning during drills. Its endurance was no longer a joke. Its reaction speed had been honed down to split-second twitch attacks.
Ace-tier.
That's what he assessed privately.
From behind, he heard the gym door open.
Archer approached quietly, holding a small black box.
"Silver."
He didn't turn.
"Tomorrow," Archer said, "your father will give you your license. Officially."
Silver nodded once.
"And after that," Archer added, "I suggest you get some rest."
Silver stood, brushing the dust from his uniform.
Archer smiled faintly.
As the two vanished back inside, Sabrina stood on a nearby rooftop watching from a distance.
She didn't blink.