AN: Thank you so much for the reviews and feedback! Please check out chapter 3 again as I have made some edits :)

Chapter 4: Night Raid

"Oddish, use Acid!"

The glob of purple liquid arced through the air, sizzling as it struck the opponent's Rattata. The small rodent Pokémon squealed in pain, its fur smoking where the acid had made contact.

"Rattata, Quick Attack!" my opponent, a fellow Rocket grunt named Derek, called out.

His Pokémon blurred into motion, but Oddish was ready. Without my command, it sidestepped the attack, leaves rustling as the Rattata rushed past.

"Now, Absorb!"

Green tendrils of energy shot from Oddish's leaves, latching onto the Rattata. I watched as the energy drained from our opponent, Oddish's leaves perking up as it absorbed the stolen vitality.

The Rattata stumbled, clearly weakened. Derek gritted his teeth, knowing he was cornered. "Come on, Rattata! Tackle, full power!"

But it was too late. As the Rattata charged, Oddish unleashed another Acid attack. The purple liquid struck the charging Pokémon head-on, and with a final squeak, it collapsed.

"Match over," called out Instructor Vega. "Victory goes to Miles and Oddish."

I nodded, acknowledging the win without enthusiasm. These training battles had become routine over the past few weeks, each victory feeling less significant than the last.

As Derek recalled his fallen Rattata, Vega approached me. "Decent work, Harley. Your Oddish is showing improvement." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Report to Admin Archer's office immediately after you clean up. Seems you're finally getting your first field assignment."

My pulse quickened at her words. A field assignment. A chance to prove my worth beyond the confines of the training rooms and laboratories.

After a quick shower and change into a fresh uniform, I made my way to Admin Archer's office, Oddish trailing behind me. The admin's quarters were located in a more secluded part of the base, the hallways quieter and better maintained than the grunt areas.

I knocked on the door, entering when a curt "Come in" sounded from within.

Admin Archer sat behind a sleek desk, his piercing gaze fixed on a computer screen. Without looking up, he gestured for me to take a seat.

"Harley," he said, finally meeting my eyes. "Your progress reports have been... intriguing. Dr. Fane speaks highly of your work in the lab, and your combat instructors note steady improvement. It's time to put those skills to the test in the field."

He tapped a few keys, and a holographic display flickered to life above his desk. An aerial view of a familiar building appeared - the Goldenrod City Day Care Center.

"Your mission is simple in concept, but requires precise execution," Archer continued. "You'll be leading a small team to infiltrate the Day Care Center and retrieve several valuable Pokémon eggs. Intel suggests they're keeping some rare breeds there, including potential Dragon-types."

I leaned forward, studying the holographic layout. The Day Care was a modest two-story building, surrounded by fenced-in fields where Pokémon roamed during the day. At night, most would be recalled to their Poké Balls, but security would still be a concern.

"Your team will consist of three other grunts: Aria, whom you've worked with in the lab, and two others - Jace and Mira. They'll be under your command for this operation."

I nodded, absorbing the information. "Security measures?"

Archer's lips curved into a slight smile. "Good question. The Day Care employs a night watchman and has basic alarm systems. Nothing our tech team can't handle. Your main concern will be stealth. Get in, secure the eggs, and get out without raising any alarms. If you're discovered, you have authorization to use force, but remember - dead bodies raise far more questions than we want."

He handed me a small data pad. "Full mission details are here. Memorize them, then destroy the data. You move out at 0200 hours. Any questions?"

I shook my head. "No, sir."

"Good. Dismissed."

As I left Archer's office, my mind was already racing with plans and contingencies. This was it - my chance to prove my value to Team Rocket beyond the controlled environments of the base.

The next few hours passed in a blur of preparation. I studied the mission details meticulously, committing every aspect of the plan to memory. At 0130, I met with my team in a small briefing room.

Aria nodded in recognition as I entered, her Zubat perched on her shoulder as usual. The other two, Jace and Mira, I knew only by reputation - competent in battle, but untested in the field.

"Alright, team," I began, my voice low and steady. "Here's the situation..."

I laid out the plan, detailing each person's role. Jace would handle disabling the security systems, Mira would keep watch, while Aria and I would secure the eggs. We went over the building's layout, potential obstacles, and our escape route.

As 0200 approached, we made our way to the surface. The night air was cool on my skin as we emerged from a hidden exit, the lights of Goldenrod City twinkling in the distance. We moved silently through the shadows, our dark uniforms blending into the night.

The Day Care Center loomed before us, dark and seemingly peaceful. Jace moved ahead, his fingers dancing over a small device that interfaced with the building's security system. After a tense moment, he gave us a thumbs up - we were clear to enter.

We slipped inside through a side door, the interior dimly lit by emergency lights. The main floor was a reception area, with stairs leading up to where the eggs were kept. Mira took up position near the entrance, while the rest of us ascended the stairs.

The egg storage room was climate-controlled, rows of incubators humming softly. Aria and I moved quickly, identifying the most valuable specimens based on our intel. We carefully placed each egg into specially designed containers, ensuring they'd remain stable during transport.

Just as we were finishing up, Mira's voice crackled in our earpieces. "We've got company. Police patrol, approaching from the south."

I felt a surge of adrenaline. This wasn't part of the plan, but we'd prepared for such contingencies. "Jace, how long until the security system reactivates?"

"Three minutes," came the tense reply.

"Mira, delay them if you can. Everyone else, we're leaving now. Stick to the plan."

We moved swiftly but carefully down the stairs, the precious cargo secure in our backpacks. As we reached the ground floor, I heard a commotion outside - Mira engaging the patrol officer.

We slipped out the side door, intending to circle around the building and disappear into the night. But as we rounded the corner, we came face to face with a police officer and his Growlithe.

"Freeze!" the officer shouted, his hand moving to his radio.

There was no time to think, only react. I quickly glanced at the corner where I had instructed Oddish to hide while we collected the eggs, a precaution that now proved invaluable.

"Oddish, Acid attack!" I called out.

Oddish sprang forward from its hiding spot, leaves rustling as it moved with surprising speed. It launched a glob of corrosive liquid at the Growlithe. The fire-type yelped in pain, its fur sizzling where the acid made contact, but quickly retaliated with an Ember attack at its trainer's command.

The small flames struck Oddish, and I could smell singed leaves. The type disadvantage was severe, but we had no choice but to fight through.

"Oddish, Sweet Scent, then follow up with Absorb!"

As the sickly-sweet aroma filled the air, disorienting the Growlithe, I saw something change in Oddish's stance. Its leaves began to vibrate, releasing a fine, purple powder into the air.

Poison Powder, I realized.

The Growlithe inhaled the toxic spores, coughing and staggering. Its Ember attacks became weaker, less focused.

"Now, Acid again!" I commanded.

This time, the attack struck true. The Growlithe whimpered and collapsed, overcome by the combination of poison and acid.

The officer reached for another Poké Ball, but I was faster. In two quick strides, I closed the distance between us. My fist connected with the back of his head, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

"Let's move," I said to my team, my voice calm despite the pounding of my heart.

As we melted into the shadows of Goldenrod City, eggs secured and mission accomplished, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Pride in our success, concern for Oddish's injuries, and something else - a faint unease that I couldn't quite place.

But there was no time to dwell on it now. We had a long night ahead of us, and Team Rocket would be waiting for our report.

We slipped into the hidden entrance of the Team Rocket base, the cool underground air a stark contrast to the warm night we'd left behind. The adrenaline of the mission was starting to wear off, leaving a strange hollow feeling in its wake.

"Good work, team," I said, my voice low as we made our way through the dimly lit corridors. "Report to the debriefing room. I'll handle the... cargo."

Aria nodded, a mix of excitement and nervousness in her eyes. Jace and Mira looked relieved, the tension of the night's events still visible in the set of their shoulders. As they headed off, I made my way to the secure storage area where the stolen eggs would be kept.

The room was climate-controlled, much like the one we'd just raided. I carefully placed each egg into a designated incubator, noting the slight variations in shell patterns and colors. One egg, slightly larger than the others with faint blue markings, caught my attention. A Dragon-type, perhaps? I pushed the thought aside. It wasn't my job to speculate.

With the eggs secured, I headed to the debriefing room. Admin Archer was already there, along with my team. His eyes gleamed as I entered, a predatory smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Excellent work, Harley," he said. "I've heard the preliminary report. A successful extraction, and you even handled an unexpected complication. Impressive for your first field mission."

I nodded, accepting the praise without comment. Archer turned to address the whole team.

"You've all done well. This operation will significantly boost our breeding program. Rest up - you've earned it."

As the others filed out, Archer held up a hand, signaling me to stay behind. Once we were alone, his expression became more serious.

"That officer you encountered," he began, his voice low. "Any chance he got a good look at you?"

I shook my head. "Unlikely. It was dark, and the encounter was brief. I made sure to incapacitate him quickly."

Archer nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Good. We'll keep an eye on police reports, just in case. Your quick thinking prevented what could have been a messy situation." He paused, studying me intently. "How did it feel? Your first taste of real action?"

I considered the question. The mission had been exhilarating in its way - the planning, the execution, the split-second decisions. But as for how it felt emotionally... "It was... interesting," I finally replied. "A good test of our training."

Archer's eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to read something in my expression. After a moment, he nodded. "Indeed. Well, get some rest. I have a feeling you'll be seeing more field action in the near future."

Dismissed, I made my way back to the barracks. The base was quiet at this hour, most of the grunts still asleep. In the small room I shared with Oddish, I finally had a moment to reflect on the night's events.

I released Oddish from its Poké Ball, noting the singed leaves and general fatigue from the battle. Rummaging through my supplies, I found a Potion and carefully applied it to Oddish's injuries. The Pokémon let out a soft sound of relief as the medicine took effect, its leaves gradually regaining their healthy green hue.

"You did well today," I murmured, more out of habit than genuine praise.

Oddish was soon dozing in its usual spot, leaves twitching slightly in what I assumed was sleep. I studied it for a moment, recalling how it had learned Poison Powder in the heat of battle. A useful addition to its moveset, and a sign of its growing strength.

As I prepared for bed, my mind kept returning to the moment I'd struck the officer. It had been necessary, a calculated move to ensure our escape. So why did the memory leave me feeling... unsettled?

I pushed the thought aside. It was irrelevant. The mission was a success, and that was what mattered. As I drifted off to sleep, I found myself wondering what other challenges Team Rocket had in store for me.

The next few days passed in a blur of routine - lab work, training sessions, mission debriefs. But there was a subtle shift in how the other grunts treated me. Whispers followed me in the corridors, a mix of admiration and wariness. Word of the successful night raid had spread quickly.

It was during a lab session with Dr. Fane that I noticed another change. As I worked on analyzing a new batch of toxins, I felt her eyes on me more often than usual. Finally, she approached my workstation.

"Your field performance was impressive, Harley," she said, her voice low enough that the other grunts couldn't hear. "It's not often we see someone excel in both the lab and the field."

I nodded, acknowledging the compliment. "Thank you, Dr. Fane."

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping even lower. "I have a... special project that could use someone with your unique skill set. If you're interested, meet me in Lab B after hours. Just you - leave your Oddish behind."

Before I could respond, she was gone, moving on to inspect another grunt's work. I returned to my analysis, but my mind was racing. A special project? And why did she want me to come alone?

The rest of the day crawled by. During the afternoon training session, I found myself distracted, my commands to Oddish lacking their usual precision. Instructor Vega noticed, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

"Focus, Harley," she barked. "One successful mission doesn't make you invincible. Sloppiness gets grunts killed in the field."

I nodded, forcing myself to concentrate. But as the session wore on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to change.

Finally, as the base settled into its nighttime routine, I made my way to Lab B. The corridor was deserted, my footsteps echoing in the silence. At the door, I hesitated for a moment before pressing my palm to the scanner.

The lab was dimly lit, most of the equipment powered down for the night. Dr. Fane stood at a workstation in the far corner, bent over something I couldn't quite see.

"Ah, Harley," she said without turning around. "I'm glad you came. Tell me, how much do you know about the limits of Pokémon abilities?"

I frowned, unsure where this was going. "I'm familiar with the standard movesets and evolution patterns, if that's what you mean."

She turned to face me, a strange gleam in her eyes. "But what if those limits could be... expanded? What if we could create Pokémon capable of things beyond their natural abilities?"

My eyes widened slightly as the implications sank in. "You're talking about genetic modification?"

Dr. Fane smiled, a cold, calculating expression. "Among other things, yes. Team Rocket has always pushed boundaries, Harley. But this... this could revolutionize everything."

She gestured for me to come closer. On the workstation lay a series of vials filled with an iridescent liquid I recognized from our previous work, along with several syringes and a stack of data pads.

"Our neurotoxin project was just the beginning," she continued. "With the right modifications, we could create Pokémon that are stronger, faster, more obedient. Imagine an army of enhanced creatures, loyal only to Team Rocket."

I studied the equipment before me, my mind racing with the possibilities - and the potential consequences. "And where do I fit into this?" I asked, my voice carefully neutral.

Dr. Fane's smile widened. "You, Harley, have shown a unique aptitude for both scientific precision and field work. I need someone who can help develop these enhancements in the lab and then test them in real-world conditions. Someone who won't be... squeamish about the necessary experiments."

I nodded slowly, taking it all in. This was far beyond simple theft or battling. This was the kind of project that could change the balance of power not just in the criminal underworld, but in the entire Pokémon world.

"Of course, this is all highly classified," Dr. Fane added, her tone becoming more serious. "If you accept, you'll be working directly under me, separate from your regular duties. No one else can know about this, not even your teammates from the field mission. Do you understand?"

I met her gaze, seeing the ambition and ruthlessness there. A small part of me whispered that this was wrong, that there would be no going back if I agreed. But a larger part, the part that had driven me to join Team Rocket in the first place, was intrigued by the challenge, the potential for discovery.

"I understand," I replied. "When do we start?"

Dr. Fane's smile returned, triumphant now. "Excellent. We'll begin tomorrow night. For now, familiarize yourself with these," she handed me one of the data pads. "And Harley? Welcome to the future of Team Rocket."