9 Years later...
Danny was on his way to Archer's office to ask for his holiday. Every member of Team Rocket got four weeks holiday a year, it was up to them when to use it and there were to be no questions asked about it. Danny had decided that this year, he would use his four weeks all at once so he could see his mother properly. But he had also chosen this time because he had managed to purchase tickets to the Pokéathlon, an event which happened every four years that was usually only attended by the rich. However, Danny had saved his money and had finally gotten the tickets, now he had to hope that Archer would let him go.
"Enter," came Archer's voice when Danny knocked on the door. "Ah, Danny, this is convenient."
Danny frowned "What is? I'm here to ask for my holiday. All four weeks."
"Not a good time Danny, there are more important matters at hand."
"Like what? Stealing a shiny Pokémon can hardly be classed as important."
"Well first of all, you are getting promoted to a Team Rocket Commander."
"Commander?" Danny stuttered. For nine long years he had been a grunt and now they were going to promote him?
"Yes, we could use another commander with all of these new recruits to handle and you deserve more than the pay you get." Archer replied. Well, it was true enough. They had been slowly gaining more recruits after 'Gold's Radio Storm' as they called it. And Danny's wage was barely enough to feed himself, let alone his mother. "You'll get to handpick your own team, it should consist of at least ten members."
Danny thought for a moment. He needed the money really. And if he could handpick his own team then missions could be a bit more light hearted and wouldn't have the cruelty that most Rocket grunts had. "OK then," Danny said "I'll be a commander. But I want you to keep your word Archer, I pick my own team. And I still want that holiday."
"I'll give you two weeks, maximum."
Danny considered it before reaching out his hand. "Deal."
Cherrygrove City was in sight now. Danny's home town was so close, and this time he'd have more than a week to stay, it would be a proper holiday. He walked past the Pokémon Centre, taking a brief look inside as he passed. It was as he remembered. Pink haired Nurse Joy was standing behind the counter with her faithful Chansey beside her. She was talking to a red haired woman. Was it Ariana? No, it couldn't be, she wasn't allowed to follow him when he was on holiday. Danny carried on, wondering if Ariana had broken the rules and come here but then all thoughts of Team Rocket left his mind. He had reached his mother's house. Carefully, he took out his key and inserted it into the keyhole. It clicked and the door swung open.
"Mum!" Danny cried out "Mum, I'm home."
"Danny?" came the voice of his mother. "Is that you?" Danny's mother walked into the hallway from the kitchen and her eyes looked with his. "Oh, sweetheart I missed you!" Danny ran up to her and hugged her tightly. After all these years, there had been one constant in his work: his resolve. Danny's resolve never strayed from his mother and he had been forced to commit many crimes in order to keep her alive and well.
"I've got two weeks with you now Mum, let's make the most of them." Danny said as his mother just smiled at him and gestured towards the lounge asking for him to take a seat. "I want you to have this Mum." Danny said, handing over a small amount of money to his mother.
"Where do you get all this money darling?" his mother asked. She always asked this question but this was the one question he would never be able to answer.
"From work." he answered nervously.
"But where do you work? You've never introduced me to your colleagues."
"C'mon Mum, I don't like to talk about work."
"Fine then, no more work questions." she smiled. Danny never knew how she managed to keep so upbeat and happy despite her situation. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
Danny paused for a moment. "No," he said quietly."No, a few weeks ago, I broke up with my girlfriend. She was nice though." It was true. He had accidently started a row with his girlfriend, Kirstie, and she had said that the relationship was over. It was a real shame though, she had been one of the few people in Team Rocket who cared about Pokémon and she was pretty. Danny tried not to think about her, she was probably his only chance of getting something decent out of life and he'd blown it.
"I'm sorry Danny," his mother said in her soothing, caring voice "These things happen darling, but you'll pull through." He hoped so. One day, Danny would leave Team Rocket. One day, Danny would get married. One day, Danny would do his mother proud. But nobody could leave Team Rocket without punishment. A punishment that always resulted in death. So for now, Danny just did what he was told, accepted the reward and kept his mother living. It was the best he could possibly do with this wretched life.
Well here's the first real chapter, enjoy. The first few chapters are mainly for introductory purposes but still, I tried to put in some drama. Don't forget to review, praise or criticism.