Chapter 2: Training begins  

Esther & Persia walked in as she released another Pokémon, this time a female Dragonair. She liked dragon-types a lot because they were so majestic. It curled around her right upper arm, nuzzling against her. Surprisingly, Persia got along well with Dragonair and her other bird & Dragon types. As she reached the waiting room, which was right next to The Boss's office, she was surprised to see so many people in one room. Fortunately, there were still some seats left, so Persia saved one so Esther could tell the secretary she had arrived.

As Esther approached the desk, she noticed the name plate on the right, which bore, "Ms. Renée Ascot" in big letters, then underneath read "secretary." As soon as she had told the secretary she was in, she sat down in the chair Persia had saved for her. "Hey, aren't you that new girl who just joined?" A voice to her right asked. She turned to see Robin looking at her.

"Yes, why?"

"Oh, I just thought you'd be…uh…shorter."

"I'm tall for my age."

"Which is…"

"Fourteen."

"Wow! You're one of the youngest members."

"Hmm…cool, I guess."

"That is cool! It means he's got high expectations for you." Robin said, grinning.

"'He', as pertaining to The Boss?"

"Yeah. Team Rocket lingo for the head honcho."

"Oh."

"I just realized something. I got so caught up in talking with you, that I didn't even properly introduce myself!" Robin said, blushing. "I'm Robin." "I'm Esther." Esther answered back. "Nice Dragonair, though I would put it back in it's Pokéball before you meet the Boss, otherwise, he might think you're giving it to him." Robin said, grinning. Just then, the secretary called over to her and Robin, "He wishes to see you both now."

Esther pulled out a compact mirror from her pocket and checked her hair carefully. "Oh, for crying out loud," Robin said, "it's not like you're in a beauty contest or something." "Well, I just…Ok." Esther stuttered, replacing her compact. She smoothed out her cape as she put Cyanea (Her Dragonair's nickname; means "Sky Blue") back in its pokéball. Ok, she thought to herself, take a deep breath, go in there, stop being so nervous, make a good impression and be yourself. Just before they reached The Boss's office, she prayed quickly. Robin saw how jittery she was and took the initiative to knock on the door. "Come in." the voice on the other side said. Help…Esther mused. Persia could sense how tense her trainer was, and licked Esther's hand. Esther smiled, & decided now was as good as a time as any to use a Hyrulean relaxation technique. She closed her eyes and let the Triforce of wisdom calm her down. "You Ok?" Robin asked, putting her hand on Esther's shoulder. "Yeah…" "You two going to come in or what?" The Boss growled.

Robin opened the door to the office. Giovanni was working on a laptop when they came in. He closed the top quietly. "Sorry for that, sir." Robin apologized. "Ms. Bryars here was really anxious out there. I had to calm her down." Esther blushed a light red. "I wasn't anxious…I'm always like that on the first day of work." Robin rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right." She said under her breath. "Ok, now if you two will shut up and listen…" Giovanni said, frowning. Both girls stopped bickering immediately. "Thank you. As I was saying in the e-mail I sent you, Ms. Esther, I called you here to introduce you to your trainer (As in, Robin trains her for her job in Team Rocket), although it seems that you've already been acquainted." He said, smiling.

"Wait a minute! That means…" Esther realized, and then looked at Robin, who grinned at her. Esther started mouthing the words "You're my trainer?" to Robin, who nodded. Esther frowned, then decided to get back at Robin for the earlier comment. "I should have figured out earlier. You were much too nice for a blonde." Giovanni snickered as the catfight continued. "Hey, you're the one with the weird mark on your left hand!" Robin growled angrily. "You know, Robin, I think we should continue our little fight outside. I'm sure The Boss has more important things to do than to watch our battle go on. Isn't that right, sir?" Esther said, sending Giovanni a glance that meant, 'Go along with it.' He caught the glance and nodded. "She's right. I have much to do, though watching your little argument was definitely amusing. Now both of you, out!" Robin and Esther scurried out of the office quickly.

Giovanni sighed and shook his head. I must be going soft, he thought, as he resumed his work. I actually went along with that glance that new girl gave me. He thought to himself, and then stopped typing. I think I'll have a look at her file, & see what's with her. He went to the filing cabinet and opened the drawer for the Rank C Rockets. That's strange, he thought, as he flipped through the files, trying to find hers. I don't see an "Esther Bryars," but I know she filled out her form. Maybe the secretary still has it.

"Sorry, sir," The secretary said over the intercom, "I handed it to you after she had filled it out." "Hmm…that's odd, because I remember putting it in the file cabinet." Wait-a-minute! What if she goes by another name? I better check again. This time, anything with the last name Bryars, I'm examining.

Giovanni thought. "I'll check again, just to be sure, Ms. Ascot." He radioed back. He shuffled through the files again. This time, there were results. "Here's a 'Hadassah Bryars'." He put the document on his desk, and continued searching through the files in the Rank C folder, then he checked the other ranks, just to make sure he hadn't accidentally put it in there. "One result? That's it? Oh well. Guess I'll have to go with what I've got. We'll see who you really are tonight, Ms. Hadassah, or whatever your real name is." Giovanni said, laughing evilly to himself.

Meanwhile, Robin was going over the basics with Esther, who was doing quite well, though she asked Robin to repeat the more complicated subjects so she could remember them. The training had started at nine-thirty & lasted nine-and-a-half hours, with occasional ten-minute breaks in-between. By the time they were finished, Esther was completely exhausted. "It gets more exhausting than that later on. Just wait 'till you're actually doing it on a real mission. You're just a little tired compared to how you'll feel after doing one," Robin said, then she smirked, "If you ever get that far, that is!" Esther was too tired to retaliate, though. She just felt like fainting. "I've got to keep my eyes open just a little longer…" She said to herself as they went to their room. Persia licked her hand, seeing that her master was discouraged and tired. Esther smiled and stroked Persia's sleek fur.

As they entered the room, Esther flopped onto her bed. She closed her eyes, imaging her home five miles away. I wonder what Link and Josh are…Just then, Robin interrupted her thoughts. "You did well for a newcomer, Bryars. You made it through your first day. I didn't think you would, but you did. Want to come to the bar with me to celebrate?" "Sorry, I don't do alcohol." Esther replied, her eyes still closed.

"There will be boys there."

"I don't give a care."

"The Boss might be there…"

"And…your point is…what?"

"Well, you obviously have a certain thing for him…"

"What do you mean?" Esther said, eyeing Robin curiously. "Well…I noticed that your eyes were, like, glued to his the whole time." Robin responded, smiling. "And his were glued to yours the whole time too. Maybe he likes you."

"If he did, he would never admit it."

"Maybe you need to tell him how you…"

"Well, two problems: one, I have no personal feelings for him. Two, if I did tell him, he'd kill me himself, or fire me and then hire someone to kill me." Esther said, shuddering. "Good point." Robin said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Ms. Robin, I'm going to bed. Have a good time at the bar. Just don't get drunk, please." Esther said aloud, then she whispered to herself. "Last thing I need is a drunk blabbering idiot on my back tomorrow, instead of just a blabbering idiot."  "Huh? What did you say?" Robin asked, eyeing Esther suspiciously. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all." Esther said, trying her best to look innocent, but failing miserably.

"Whatever. I'm going down to the bar. How 'bout I come tell you if the Boss is…" Robin started. "Will you please drop the subject? I'm very tired and I am in no mood to talk to anyone about anything." Esther said pleadingly. "We can discuss it later, after I get a good night's rest. Good n…"

Just then, the phone rang. "Hello." Esther said into the receiver after reaching for the phone. "Hi. Is Esther there?" A familiar voice asked over the phone, just as Robin left the room. "It's me, Link!" Esther said in a happy but tired voice. "How's everything going?" Link asked. "Well…"