Standing in the middle of Goldenrod City's main street and trying to comprehend the idea that hit me just moments earlier, I clenched my fists nervously to somehow calm myself down a bit, feeling my stomach twist painfully.
Right in front of me was the southern gate and Route 34, the way to freedom and safety.
If I wanted, I could just go ahead and leave the city, but then again... How sure I can be that the safety and freedom waiting for me out there won't be endangered if I don't do anything now?
I know I can't do much if I don't get any support from the police or the gym leaders and the Elite Four... And so far no one knows that I'm here, trying to make the decision- risk my life for the sake of everyone else, which would most likely change nothing, or do what everyone else does- and flee. I had arrived in Goldenrod yesterday, and since then I haven't seen even a single trace of the police, which was quite surprising and maybe even terrifying, considering how even the not so important (compared to Team Rocket hijacking the Radio Tower) incidents were immediately taken care of by the police and other facilities if necessary.
Here, I couldn't see anyone besides the black uniforms, several scared citizens, some unaware passers-by and shady people who most likely were either cooperating with Team Rocket or were just Rockets without their uniforms.

Well, it's not like I know the details of Team Rocket's plan of taking over Goldenrod City, so maybe they've had the police thing covered too.
Maybe they were holding someone hostage, and that's why no one has decided to take such risk and fight back yet.

Okay... That made sense. Then that's another reason for me to deal with it in stealth mode. And maybe share my idea with someone, though maybe the police have already infiltrated Team Rocket.
I'd be safer that way.

I raised my eyes from the ground to look ahead, imagining myself leaving Goldenrod and stopping by the DayCare Center.

The old couple... They wouldn't be safe without me around. And I'm certain that Team Rocket will eventually lay their hands on the eggs and Pokemon staying in there.
Hopefully no one was stupid enough to leave their Pokemon in the Center when Team Rocket were around, and I hope that all of the Pokemon were picked up by their trainers already.
Then again, the unwanted eggs my 'grandparents' take care of were still in danger.

And a lot of them were the eggs of rare Pokemon, which Team Rocket were after.

Even if I stayed at the DayCare Center (since moving all of the eggs to some other place would be impossible and dangerous for baby Pokemon inside), then I wouldn't be able to stop the Rockets if they barge in at night and point guns at me and the old couple.
But, maybe I'd be much more of a help if I knew about their plans earlier and warned someone, or somehow knocked the idea out of Team Rocket's heads at all.

Damn it...

I know it's serious, and that it's not some kind of movie or a video game, yet I still couldn't help but get a little excited over my sneaky plan. I was aware of how impossibly it must sound to someone more rational-thinking than me, and although I really could imagine how all of this could end, somehow the thought of everything going well was still the main thought that wouldn't let me give up and accept that I'll most likely end up dead.

I guess this is why my mom used to call me 'a hopeless optimist' whenever I'd fallen down some tree or had gotten hurt in some other way, because I wasn't very clever when it came to calculating the success rate and level of danger of my ideas.

So... I guess it's settled then?
I'm about to join Team Rocket for real, and hopefully it won't take longer than a week. My mom will seriously ground me if I won't call her in two days or visit on Saturday. And today it's Monday.

I once again looked ahead and squeezed the strap of my backpack with both hands, swallowing hard. I could feel the tension in every part of my body, and my stomach felt like it was full of sour jelly that for some reason refused to stay still and continued to slowly stir my insides.
I was nervous, but not scared. At least not yet.

So now what? I should probably somehow blend into Team Rocket, and pretend I'm with them.
The group of freshly recruited people should be still around, but... Now I was really late, and I had no idea where they could go.

I decided to just wander around the city and wait for some opportunity to somehow start being a Rocket.
I was a bit afraid of running into the two grunts I met earlier around the Bike Shop, so hoping that it would help, I hid my backpack in some bushes near Bill's house (which was empty and obviously had been ransacked, those bastards...) and tried to think of some fake story about myself.

I wasn't that stupid to tell them my real name and where I live, after all.
It was kind of fun, like coming up with bio of a fictional character.

And so, I decided that if anyone asks, then I'm from Cherrygrove City (in case I had to visit mom, then it's close enough and the same direction from Goldenrod; though I'm not sure I'll be allowed to wander around Johto pointlessly), I'm an orphan and I fled from the orphanage, and I joined Team Rocket just because I'm an angry and rebellious teen and 'it's obvious that who isn't with them is automatically considered being against them, so it's the only right choice to join'.
I hope such talk would be enough for them. What I'm aiming for is being considered a "child easy to brainwash" who'd entirely become a devoted servant, whose DNA in 99% would be Team Rocket.

Well maybe it's a bit too much, but that's exactly what I want them to think of me.

Coming up with fake name was a bit harder, much to my surprise. Everything suddenly sounded either stupid or pompous, or too plain for someone like me.

And, not only coming up with the name was hard, I also remembered that I'm supposed to act differently, considering my tragic past I created just now. I should be more cocky and self-confident, and probably look down on grunts with the same or lower rank, and then as someone who's supposed to be considered a Team Rocket fanatic, I should imitate my love and adoration for the executives.

Easier said than done.

Passing by the Game Corner I looked inside through the window, noticing how crowded with black uniforms it was. All of the people inside seemed to have a good time- they were laughing and talking loudly, much like... much like just normal people celebrating something.
Except they weren't normal people, and shouldn't be even considered people in general.

I was getting closer and closer to the Radio Tower, looking up at the very peak curiously. Maybe attacking from the sky would be the most effective way...

"Hey, you, shortie!"

Uh-oh... It's me.

Remember Gold, you're an angry and rude teen. No shaking, no stuttering, no scared expression.

For a few breaths I kept my head tilted up, pretending to be still watching the Radio Tower, but in reality I was taking my time to calm down and relax my face.
I imagined Silver, and tried to look exactly like him whenever he'd try and pretend to be a stoic adult- bored and offended by other people's presence.
Only it was really difficult in such moment.

I slowly turned my head to look in the direction from which came the voice calling me a shortie (rude…), seeing another young grunt. He had light brown hair that was partially covering his ears. I guess he must be in his early twenties, much like most of the grunts I've seen so far.

"Move your lazy ass over here."

I frowned at him but obeyed, keeping my hands behind me. I didn't want to keep any kind of eye contact so I turned my back to the Tower's wall and pulled on a determined and focused face, hoping that I looked believable. I still had no idea what I was supposed to do, so I had to pretend I'm informed about my duties and tasks. One of them right now was watching the street intently- that's why I didn't look at this guy, duh.
Hopefully he gets it.

There was a moment of silence between us, but I could feel his eyes on me. We stood side by side, and finally he spoke.

"Nervous?"

I didn't answer right away. It would only show that, in fact, I was VERY nervous.

"Not really."

He let out a small breathy chuckle and finally the feeling of him watching me disappeared.

"Everyone is scared on the start."

"Not me."

Wait, was he actually trying to be nice? He sounded nice, not cocky or disrespectful. Weird feeling, I swear... It gives me chills.

"Sure, sure... So what's your name?" he asked, and I bit my tongue sharply which almost caused my eyes to fill with tears a little bit.
Fuck. I don't know my name.

"Why are you assuming it's my first day, by the way?" I hissed, avoiding answering the question.
Somehow everyone could tell I was new here, even this guy- who saw me for the first time ever, and already wearing the uniform.

"You wouldn't be wandering around pointlessly if you weren't new. It's easy to see who is nervous and not sure of what to do, and how to do stuff. Everyone knows their job and you obviously don't. But...you're good at pretending, I must admit."

I looked at him from the corner of my eye, keeping the bitter expression.
This guy... Am I seriously that easy to read?

"But you're lucky. You can consider me your best friend, since I was supposed to pick one of the recruits and introduce them to the resources squad's work. That's the best job to start off with, in my opinion."

Resources squad? What does that mean?

"The boss used to call us hunters, since it's basically what we're supposed to do most of the time. We focus on making sure that the headquarters is equipped properly, and I mean not only stuff like guns but also food and meds for Pokemon. Actually getting new Pokemon for sale is our job too, but you won't be getting any tasks like this anytime soon, so don't try too hard."

Wow... Impressive. They actually had some more complicated hierarchy and structure than just "boss and his pawns". Honestly, I am surprised.

"I understand." I muttered, guessing that staying silent for any longer could make me seem even more lost. And I didn't want it.
This guy said I can consider him my best friend, so I'll do just that. He'll tell me what to do.

"Like I said before, you're lucky to have run into me because I'll give you your first task that will help you get on the right tracks. We're waiting for our truck to arrive, and all you have to do is to help me sort Pokemon they bring."

Wait, sort Pokemon? A truck? Why? Where are those Pokemon from? Are they Pokemon for sale? I hope so... They'd be safe with whoever buys them, I guess. Safer with some spoiled, rich children than in Team Rocket hands.
Unless they're being sold to some company doing tests on them.
Shit.

"So, what's your name?" the guy beside me asked again, his voice friendly and calm. I hated how it sounded, it didn't fit this place at all.
But maybe it was just a mask hiding his true, sadistic self.
Maybe.

And I still didn't know my name. Come on, some plain name like John would be enough...

"It...um..." I stuttered. Damn I really didn't know what it say, and I was afraid to blurt out any of the common names I came up with that had nothing to do with me. There was a risk that I'd forget such name and then everything would be harder to explain.

The grunt leaned in a little and turned his head to look at me curiously when I didn't continue.

"Huh? Could you repeat? You said it so quietly."

Dude, I said "it" and that's all... It... it is what?

"Ethan." I looked at him as he spoke. "That's what you said, right?" he smiled a little, straightening his back.

Have I really said that?

"You're either too shy or too unsure if it's safe to tell me your name, just like every new recruit around your age I've met so far. I can understand it."

For a moment I let my eyes open a bit wider as a vision of him actually knowing everything about me struck me. He acted like he was helping me seem believable to other, true Rockets... He even pulled a fake name out of me, even though I said nothing like 'Ethan'. Or... Did "it, um" really sound like 'Ethan' to him?

Great, now I'm even more scared of this guy. He's abnormally nice and I know that he can't be nice, because hey, after all, he's a devoted Rocket, isn't he?
I don't like that kind of people. I've only seen them in movies and cartoons and comics... The nice and lovely ones, who then murder an innocent person while smiling in a way a child would smile when cuddling a Skitty.

I'm disturbed.

I decided to go with the flow though, hoping that maybe he was genuinely nice and that he really just misheard.
I nodded and muttered my fake name to confirm.

"I'm Jon, but you know, J-O-N, without the 'H', like everyone assume." he chuckled.

Seriously this guy is TERRIFYING.

I nodded again, staying silent.

For the next ten minutes or so we both said nothing. Jon's warm smile faded. My body wouldn't stop trembling every now and then, but I managed to keep my face somewhat relaxed.

The truck we were waiting for arrived on time and stopped at the Radio Tower's back entrance. It was full of big cartons filled with different kinds of Pokeballs, and I immediately figured they were stolen from a PokemonCenter since some of them were labeled with trainers' personal info and other stuff like planned date of picking the Pokemon up. Some of the Pokeballs were either customized or had some name scratched on it (I do that myself, I always scratch my name on every one of my Pokeballs).
I felt really bad seeing all this, knowing that somewhere out there a bunch of trainers, including children, were crying their eyes out because their Pokemon were stolen.
I really had to fight the urge to just grab those boxes and run.

I ruined people's lives and I couldn't do anything about it.
Not yet.

Anyway, first thing I was ordered to do was carrying the boxes inside and then to the basement. Jon, who was apparently one of the higher ranked grunts who were some kind of minor executives, helped me out with everything and gave me a short lecture about what 'sorting' was.

All I had to do was to check what Pokemon were delivered (using an old healing machine; the pokemon were displayed on the screen) and write it down, and then put common (like Rattata, Bellsprout, Poliwag), rare and or evolved (Gengar, Dratini, Gyarados) and non-native ones in separate boxes.

I thought it'd be easy but...
There is about 10 boxes. Each one of them contains about 200 Pokeballs.
That gives about two THOUSAND Pokemon.

Sorting them took ages... And, Jon said that my name will be attached to the report, so if I screw up... Then I'm dead (well, he didn't really use that word but he said I'd 'disappoint' the executives, which sounds equally terrifying).

I was a bit relieved when two other grunts came and joined me, but it still took about seven hours to sort everything out and then fill in some additional papers.

I was glad (I guess) that Jon stayed with me too, and explained that I have to send all of my own Pokemon to the PC box, since the lower ranked grunts like me weren't allowed to use more powerful Pokemon.

"But that doesn't make sense. Isn't it better if everyone uses the most powerful Pokemon they own, regardless?" I asked, deciding to ditch my 'new personality' for a while. I'd rather actually know everything than only pretend I do and then fuck something up.

"At first glance it doesn't, indeed." Jon nodded, looking down at his clipboard and scribbling something before looking back at me and sending me a small, older-brother-like smile.
"But just think, what would happen if a dozen of grunts used their too big or too strong Pokemon simultaneously. It'd be quite chaotic, and dangerous. The Pokemon we use are highly loyal, smart and intelligent. Some of them, like Zubat, are also pretty common so they don't draw attention and it's easier to utilize them as little spies."

Well, that actually makes sense...

"Everyone used to mock us for using six Zubat in a battle rather than one well-trained Crobat… They thought we were just a bunch of idiots, but there's method in our madness."

I was really worried about having to part with my Pokemon. It felt suicidal... It actually WAS suicidal. Only with my own team I had any chance of surviving in case someone finds out I am here just to destroy Team Rocket from the inside.
But, I had to obey...

Once we were done with sorting the delivered Pokemon, Jon informed me that I am free for the rest of the day, but I had to use that time for getting new Pokemon and befriending them, and getting to know the basement.
Apparently Team Rocket used the Radio Tower's huge basement as a place for the grunts to sleep and gather while waiting for any new orders.

I left the tower and went to the nearby Pokemon Center, quickly depositing my team to the PC. I didn't even want to say goodbye or explain anything to them. I knew I'd feel even worse and I'd probably panic if I thought more about what could happen without them by my side.

Jon was already waiting for me when I got back to the basement, smiling at me like usual (sending chills down my spine) and gently patted my shoulder as if to cheer me up. He didn't say anything and just led me down the corridor, stopping in front of a door with a cardkey lock.

"So, I thought about you and other newcomers. For some reason I get a feeling that you're overflowing with potential, even though you're pretty confusing. I mean that nervousness you're trying to hide with that grotesque cold attitude of yours. I decided to let you pick three Pokemon. More than that, you can choose them yourself." he grinned at me almost excitedly, using his card key and then let me inside a big room with huge shelves full of stacks of Pokeballs.

I looked around while my 'friend' approached a desk standing right next to the door and sat down. I turned my attention to him, watching how his cheerful expression changes to focused and serious, but still calm and somewhat warm. In front of him was a binder that looked like it was basically overloaded with papers, barely keeping itself in one piece.
I waited, letting Jon look through the papers in silence.

"Okay," he after a longer while closed the binder, but earlier pulling a small pile of documents out.
"Here's a list of Pokemon you can use. Pick three, like I said earlier."

I stared at him for a while and walked closer, taking the list from him to take a brief look at it. The look on my face surely clearly showed how confused and unsure I still was, causing Jon to speak again.

"All of those Pokemon were caught by hunters, so you don't have to worry about their dislike for you as their new owner."

Good to know, at least I'll save three of those from abuse.

"Once you get them, you'll be considered a higher ranked grunt than the other newcomers."

I looked at him again, for some reason feeling my heart skip a beat at the news. Why? I joined like six hours ago, and I was already a rank above people who joined at the same time? Why...?

"Surprised? Don't be. It's not like higher ranks give you more benefits, or fame, or whatever. The higher ranked you are, the more difficult your tasks become, and the worse punishments wait for you if you fail. Besides, you're still just a grunt. And the ranks among grunts aren't really something real. You can be proud once you get to lead your own little squad."

I swear, that hierarchy of theirs is either fucked up, or it's me who doesn't understand shit.

"For now, all you need to know is that you're at the very bottom. You're my subordinate, and I am a subordinate of Proton. Even if you become a leader of a small group, you'll still be my subordinate. There's no way you'll ever become someone more important than just my right hand, so there's no need to explain it further."

Wow, and I thought he was nice. Even his friendly aura disappeared, and I felt like he was kinda threatening me to not dare steal his position or whatever. It's pretty disappointing, but I guess I was right about his hidden sadistic personality. Well, too bad. Just watch me, pretty boy. I'll become an executive whether you like it or not!

Okay, maybe I won't. But higher position would really make everything easier, especially staying alive and getting important details of their plans.

I found myself staring at the young man before me, his expression changing from slightly warning to expecting.
Ah, I probably should say something.

I pulled my still imperfect Silver-like mask on and looked down at the papers in my hand, taking one calm breath to give myself some time to think of what to say.

"Uhm... You say that higher ranks give me nothing except difficult tasks and worse punishments. But, don't you think it's an honor to know that the executives trust you and rely on you so much? Isn't it a proof of how worth you are? And that the executives recognized you as reliable?" I mumbled, cringing inwardly at my own words. Even if it was just a beautiful lie for Team Rocket, it still hurt to say it while pretending to be perfectly serious.

Argh, too cheesy!

The silence that fell around us caused my body to tense and shake slightly, and I tried to read the list already.

"Pff... Jeez. Kids these days. Don't bark too much, Ethan."

I almost shivered at how deep Jon's voice suddenly became. He basically growled my alias.

That's it. That was my first real warning. Damn it... I'm getting more and more scared of this guy.

"And hurry up already, or I will pick the Pokemon for you."

Alright, here we go. I can choose between obvious Zubat, Sandshrew, Houndour, Koffing, Murkrow, Oddish... Umm... Meowth, Rattata... Ekans, Cubone, Machop, Drowzee... Oh and Sentret.
Ugh it's harder than I expected to decide between such Pokemon.
But, I definitely need a flying type. Murkrow. Okay, so I have one. And what next?
Persian is pretty powerful and I love it... But I already have my own beloved Persian. I wouldn't want to replace her with another one. Maybe if I take Meowth and make it evolve, then I could release it and withdraw my Persian from the PC... It's worth a shot.

I almost stopped breathing when the list suddenly was forced away from my grip and I saw Jon's usually relaxed face twisted in some kind of grim, scolding expression. I must've seriously pissed him off, even if I didn't say anything that offending.
Was he really that bipolar?

Instinctively I took a step backwards and kept the eye contact with my boss who just folded his arms and scowled even more.

"Decided?"

"A-ah, yes, I decided to take Murkrow and Meowth...-"

"I said three Pokemon. You can't even count to three?"

"N-no, that's not the case! It's just hard to decide-"

"Then I will help you."

Well there goes my calm and assertive attitude, and my self-confidence and any optimism I had when I got the idea of joining Team Rocket. Just this one guy was enough for me, thank you very much. If he was that unpredictable and unstable, then I'm afraid to even think about what kind of people are the rest of the grunts.
I felt like running away immediately, but held myself still and I straightened my back when Jon went further into the room to pick Pokemon for me.
He shoved three Pokeballs into my hands and then pointed to the door, so I bowed slightly and left.

I trotted down the corridor wondering if he was pissed enough to just grab random Pokemon for me or if he actually gave me the two I asked for. It's hard to guess...

Just like I was told earlier, the rest of the day was free time for me, giving me some time to hang out with my new Pokemon a bit and wander around the Tower's basement (after all I had to find the room I was supposed to sleep in), so I decided to do just that while I still could. First things first, I had to train whatever team I was given to raise the likelihood of me staying alive in the next few days.

When finally went outside, I leant against the Pokemon Center's wall and started wheezing for air while my whole body trembled violently. Apparently the last five minutes were more stressful than I thought they were...

Uhh I feel like throwing up, but I have to be strong.
Come on Gold, you can do it. No one will kill you without a good reason (I think…), so there's no need to panic.

I slowly let my knees bend and I sat down on the ground, deciding to take a look at my new Pokemon. I released all three of them, relieved to see a Murkrow and a Meowth, but... The third one was a Murkrow, too.
Just great...! That makes no sense, and what kind of type balanced team am I supposed have with two identical Pokemon?!

I couldn't let myself get angry or look disappointed, after all they were innocent Pokemon. I had to take care of them, and ensure that they never even notice how terrible Team Rocket is while we're here.
I smiled at my three new friends, awfully glad that they seemed to already like me.
Who would've thought, huh. Just a few hours with Team Rocket was enough to make me melt in relief at the slight acceptance and friendly sounds of three little Pokemon.
I definitely need a friend. A human friend. Jon had said I can consider him my best friend, but I don't think it'll work out after I'd caught a glimpse of his real self. I'd rather stay away from him, actually...

Congrats, Gold. Digging your grave like this...

A/N: wow I suddenly got really lazy with writing. But I won't stop, haha.

The infamous stripping scene appears in chapter four, so stay tuned! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)