Hello! Now, to get the obligatory stuff out of the way; this fic is the third of a bunch of one-shots I wrote going off of a list of prompts I found, one I unfortunately can't find anymore, based on a story I'm probably going to write in the future, or at least take place in the same game-based universe, featuring prototypes of real scenes I plan to include. So if anyone is reading these after my theoretical series has begun… Possible spoilers ahead. I may just straight-up use these scenes in the future. I'm going to be posting a lot more of these, so if you like this one, keep up with my profile!

Also, while if you've read my previous fics you are probably getting tired of this disclaimer; I use Japanese place and character names for Gen 1-4 stories, English localized names for Gens 5, 7 (except the protagonists), and 8, French localized names for 6, etc. As much as it makes me feel like a purist teenage weeb from 2009, different languages exist in Pokémon, so I thought it would make sense for them to speak and be named in their "native" language. Hence why certain characters are named the way they are in this fic.

So, this fic features an OC. A Rocket Grunt OC. It also goes a bit into my HC backstory for Silver.

Also because I didn't tag them because they're so minor in the story, Apollo is Archer and Athena is Ariana.

Rocket Grunt Ichizou shook as he made his way to the office at the end of the hall.

Boss Sakaki had summoned him. Personally. To his office.

He had been nothing but a good, loyal grunt for Team Rocket. He had been rated highly by his superiors, he'd done his job well if he had to say so himself. So it couldn't be anything bad, right?

But what business could the Boss himself possibly have with him, a mere minion?

His steps echoed down the cold, metallic halls as he continued to walk down them to his uncertain fate.

Finally, he reached his destination. The door to the Boss's office loomed in front of him.

He took a deep breath, and knocked.

"Come in."

He gulped and turned the handle, opening the door to see Team Rocket Boss Sakaki himself sitting patiently at his desk, Apollo beside him, his back straight as a board as always. On the other side stood the Boss's Nidoking, its stare as frightening as its master's.

However, another figure caught his eye; a small child, no older than three, bright crimson hair resembling Athena's, playing with Apollo's jacket.

The Boss's son.

What was he doing here?

"Ah, Ichizou. We have been waiting for you. Come, sit."

Ichizou stiffly bowed.

"I-I am sorry to bother you, Boss."

He just as stiffly made his way to the chair in front of the desk, trying to make as good an impression as possible.

The Boss took a sip from the cup of green tea in front of him, and the grunt, almost not noticing it was there, followed, the drink at least somewhat relieving his parched throat.

Summoning his best formal language - he was never quite good at it - he spoke.

"Thank you for summoning me, Boss. May I ask why you have called me here?"

Sakaki folded his hands on his desk.

"Ichizou. For years, you have been loyal to this organization. Your performance has been phenomenal, and the Admins speak highly of you, despite your sometimes lacking manners."

"Is that so? Thank you, Boss."

Ichizou internally sighed a giant sigh of relief. He hadn't gotten in trouble. He probably wasn't going to get his finger cut off or a scar on his face. Good. Keep it calm.

"And I hear you are great with the younger recruits."

The boy fussed in Apollo's arms.

"Father, this is boring!"

"Young Master Silver, it will be over soon, be patient." Apollo said, hushing the boy.

"…Your skills at teaching and training young recruits are phenomenal, and you are very patient with them."

Ichizou's chest warmed at the praise he was hearing. From the boss himself! He blushed, trying not to grin.

"Yes Boss, I suppose I am. It is not that different from caring for my siblings, after all."

"I have observed your skills and loyalty personally as well. As such, I have a… Unique request for you."

Sakaki faced Apollo, who nodded, bringing the boy closer to Ichizou.

"You do know about my son, Ichizou?"

"Yes, I have seen him on occasion. His name was Silver, yes?"

"Yes! I'm Silver! Da future boss of Team Rocket!"

Silver boasted, puffing his chest out and grinning.

Ichizou had to admit, it was cute.

"…What about him, Boss?"

"As you know, I am often too busy to care for him. As such, I need extra assistance in his care."

Ichizou's jaw dropped.

"Are… Are you requesting that I care for your son, Boss?"

"Yes, Ichizou." He gave his son a pat on the head, to the boy's pleasure. "I am requesting you be his personal servant. We need someone loyal to this organization, who can be trusted. You, Ichizou, are someone who I have evaluated to be trustworthy. I will raise your salary appropriately. His maid shall teach you what you need to do."

The grunt continued to sit there in shock, speechless.

"Do you take this request?"

He stared at Silver, who was now playing with the stationary on his father's desk, then back to the Boss.

"Me… The honor of raising your heir…"

It felt like the massive weight of the world had suddenly been placed on his shoulders.

He was, to say the least, overwhelmed. But he couldn't deny a personal request from the Boss himself, could he?

"Yes… Yes, I accept."

"Good. At the end of the week, be at my residence, 9 AM sharp. Do you understand?"

Ichizou nodded, still half-believing he was dreaming; it felt so unreal. Was this really real?

"Good. You are dismissed."

"Yes, Boss."

The now former grunt quickly stood up, bowed, and exited the office, closing the door behind him. He stood there for a few moments, trying to process what had just happened.

What in the world had he just gotten himself into?

I really like going into Silver's backstory in Team Rocket (this is like one of three fics I've written on the subject; this isn't the last time you'll see Ichizou either), as fics doing so are surprisingly rare. There's just so much potential there.

While many think of Giovanni as an abusive parent, I think otherwise. Though he'd be rather neglectful, teach him bad values and put high expectations on him, he wouldn't be outright abusive. I especially put emphasis on the whole "heir to Team Rocket" thing. I just like the idea of Yakuza Prince Silver so much.

Ichizou came up as a name when I searched up "Yakuza-like names", and it sounded cool. Also the finger-cutting thing is a thing the Yakuza really do. Because Team Rocket is basically the Pokémon yakuza.

I hope you enjoyed! And please leave a review!