Chapter 6: Arrival in Saffron

The forest gave way to suburbs, and finally to the bustling streets of Saffron City. As we approached the outskirts, I ducked into a public restroom to change. My Team Rocket uniform was carefully folded and stowed in my bag, replaced by a more inconspicuous outfit.

I emerged wearing charcoal gray slacks, a light blue button-up shirt, and comfortable but stylish brown leather shoes. A navy blazer completed the look, giving me the appearance of a young professional or perhaps a graduate student. I ran a hand through my hair, mussing it slightly to soften my usual severe look.

Oddish watched the transformation with curious eyes. "What do you think?" I asked, feeling slightly self-conscious. Oddish tilted its head, leaves rustling in what I chose to interpret as approval.

As we made our way deeper into the city, I found myself constantly amazed by the sights and sounds around us. Saffron was a far cry from Goldenrod, its architecture a blend of ultra-modern skyscrapers and traditional Kantonian buildings. The streets were packed with people and Pokémon of all kinds, creating a vibrant tapestry of life.

Oddish seemed equally fascinated, its head swiveling to take in every new sight. I noticed it had a particular interest in the various plantings that lined the streets, its leaves twitching whenever we passed a particularly lush patch of greenery.

"Enjoying the scenery?" I murmured. Oddish nodded, a small sound of contentment escaping it.

As we walked, I found myself paying closer attention to Oddish's behavior. It had a habit of swaying gently from side to side as it moved, almost as if it were dancing to some unheard rhythm. Whenever we passed a food vendor, its leaves would perk up, nostrils flaring as it caught the various scents.

We paused at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change. A young woman with a Meowth on her shoulder stood next to us, smiling down at Oddish.

"What a cute little Oddish!" she exclaimed. "Is it yours?"

I nodded, feeling a strange mix of pride and protectiveness. "Yes, we're... traveling together."

The woman crouched down, addressing Oddish directly. "Hello there, sweetie. Aren't you adorable?"

To my surprise, Oddish stepped forward, allowing the woman to gently pat its leaves. It made a soft trilling sound that I'd never heard before, clearly enjoying the attention.

The light changed, and we bid farewell to the friendly stranger. As we crossed the street, I found myself pondering this new side of Oddish. Had it always been so sociable, and I'd just never noticed?

Finally, we arrived at our destination: the imposing Silph Co. headquarters. The building stretched skyward, its sleek glass and steel façade reflecting the late morning sun. A steady stream of people flowed in and out of the main entrance.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the automatic doors into the lobby. The opulence of the interior was immediately apparent. Marble floors gleamed underfoot, while tasteful modern art adorned the walls. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting prismatic reflections across the space.

Reception desks lined one wall, staffed by impeccably dressed employees. I approached one, putting on my best "interested tourist" face.

"Good morning," the receptionist greeted me with what looked to be a practiced smile. "Welcome to Silph Co. How may I assist you today?"

"Hi there," I replied, injecting a note of enthusiasm into my voice. "I was hoping to join one of your public tours. I'm fascinated by the work Silph does."

The receptionist nodded, tapping at her computer. "Of course, sir. Let me check the schedule for you." After a moment, she looked up. "It looks like our next available tour is in two days' time, at 10 AM. Would you like to reserve a spot?"

I feigned disappointment. "Oh, I was hoping for something sooner. But I suppose two days works. Yes, I'd like to reserve a spot, please."

As she took down my details (all carefully fabricated, of course), I let my gaze wander around the lobby. Security cameras were discreetly placed at strategic points. Guards in smart uniforms stood at key locations, their eyes constantly scanning the crowd. Mental notes were filed away for later consideration.

"Alright, Mr. Hawthorne," the receptionist said, using the alias I'd provided. "You're all set for the tour on Thursday at 10 AM. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to check in. Do you have any other questions?"

I shook my head. "No, that's perfect. Thank you so much for your help."

As we exited the building, I checked my watch. Just past noon, and now we had two days to kill before the tour. Two days to gather as much intel as possible without raising suspicions.

"Well, Oddish," I said quietly, "looks like we have some time to explore the city. What do you say we find somewhere to grab lunch?"

Oddish's leaves perked up at the mention of food, and I couldn't help but smile. We set off down the street, blending into the lunchtime crowd.

We found a small café with outdoor seating that allowed Pokémon. As I perused the menu, a waiter approached, notepad in hand.

"Good afternoon, sir. What can I get for you today?"

I ordered a sandwich and iced tea for myself, then hesitated. "Do you have anything suitable for Pokémon? Specifically, grass types?"

The waiter smiled. "Of course! We have a special blend of nutrient-rich soil and crushed berries that's very popular with grass Pokémon. Would your Oddish like to try that?"

I looked down at Oddish, who nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds perfect, thank you."

As we waited for our food, I observed the people around us. Businessmen in suits hurried past, talking rapidly into their phones. A group of schoolchildren on a field trip chattered excitedly, their young Pokémon playfully interacting. An elderly couple sat at a nearby table, sharing a pot of tea and feeding bits of pastry to a contented Eevee.

Our food arrived, and I watched with interest as Oddish delicately nibbled at its special meal. Its leaves seemed to perk up with each bite, a soft glow suffusing its body. I made a mental note to look into proper Pokémon nutrition when we had the chance.

After lunch, we continued our exploration of Saffron City. As we passed a Pokémon-oriented plant shop, a colorful display in the window caught my eye. Oddish tugged gently at my pant leg, clearly interested in investigating.

"Alright," I chuckled. "Let's take a look."

A bell chimed softly as we entered the shop. The interior was a riot of colors and scents, with plants of all varieties lining the shelves and hanging from the ceiling. A cheerful young man approached us, his green apron identifying him as an employee.

"Welcome!" he greeted us warmly. "Is there anything I can help you find today?"

Before I could respond, his eyes landed on Oddish. His smile faltered slightly, replaced by a look of concern.

"Oh my, what happened to your little friend here?" he asked, crouching down to get a better look at Oddish.

I tensed, unsure of how to respond. The shopkeeper gently examined Oddish's leaves, his fingers lightly tracing the faint scorch marks that remained from the electric modification experiment.

"These burns look like they're healing, but they must have been quite severe," he said, looking up at me with a mix of curiosity and worry.

Thinking quickly, I manufactured a plausible explanation. "We had a run-in with an overly aggressive electric-type Pokémon a few weeks back. Oddish here got the worst of it, I'm afraid."

The shopkeeper nodded sympathetically. "I see. Well, the good news is that with proper care, these leaves should make a full recovery. May I make some recommendations?"

I nodded, genuinely interested in anything that might help Oddish heal.

The young man stood and began moving through the shop, selecting various products. "First, this specialized fertilizer will help promote new leaf growth," he explained, holding up a small bag. "Mix it into the soil where your Oddish rests at night. Next, this spray contains a blend of herbs and minerals that will help soothe any lingering pain and accelerate healing."

He demonstrated how to apply the spray, gently misting Oddish's leaves. To my surprise, Oddish let out a contented sigh, its leaves rustling pleasantly.

"There we go, that feels nice, doesn't it, little guy?" the shopkeeper said with a smile. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "Oh, and just to confirm – your Oddish is male, right? The leaf pattern is pretty distinctive."

I blinked, momentarily taken aback. I had never even considered Oddish's gender before. Quickly regaining my composure, I nodded. "Yes, that's right. He's a boy."

The shopkeeper beamed. "Thought so! Male Oddish tend to have slightly more pronounced veining in their leaves. It's subtle, but once you know what to look for, it's pretty clear. Once he evolves the size and pattern of his mushroom spots will be more evident and distinctively male, what is typically documented in those fancy Pokédexes."

I thanked him for his help and purchased the recommended products, my mind whirling with this new information. As we left the shop, I found myself looking at Oddish – no, at him – in a new light.

The afternoon sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky as we made our way to a nearby park. The green space was a welcome respite from the urban bustle, with winding paths, lush gardens, and a small pond at its center.

We found a quiet spot under a large oak tree, and I settled down on the grass. Oddish nestled beside me, his leaves gently brushing against my leg.

As I watched families playing, joggers running past, and various Pokémon frolicking in the grass, I found myself lost in thought. How had I gotten here? Just weeks ago, I was a cold, emotionless Team Rocket grunt, focused solely on advancing within the organization. Now, here I was, sitting in a park in Saffron City, genuinely concerned about the well-being of my Pokémon partner.

I looked down at Oddish, who was contentedly watching a group of Pidgey pecking at the ground nearby. "Hey," I said softly, drawing his attention. "I've been thinking. Would you like a name? Something other than just 'Oddish'?"

Oddish looked up at me, its expression curious. It took me a moment to realize it might not understand the concept of individual names.

"A name is... well, it's something that's just for you. Not just your species, but you specifically. Something that sets you apart."

Oddish tilted its head, seeming to consider this. Then it nodded, leaves bobbing in what I was learning to recognize as excitement.

"Okay," I said, feeling strangely nervous. "How about... Basil?"

Oddish's leaves drooped slightly. Clearly not a hit.

"No? Alright, what about... Sage?"

Another shake of his leaves.

I thought for a moment, then said, "What do you think of Arlow?"

Suddenly, Oddish's – no, Arlow's – leaves perked up. He let out a happy trill, bouncing slightly on his feet.

I couldn't help but smile, a genuine, warm feeling spreading through my chest. "Arlow it is, then."

As the afternoon wore on, I found myself relaxing more than I had in years. The weight of the mission, of Team Rocket, of my own conflicted feelings – it all seemed to fade away in the peaceful atmosphere of the park.

Without realizing it, I began to doze off, lulled by the warm sun and the gentle rustling of leaves. As I drifted into sleep, my mind wandered, dreams taking shape...

I found myself in the Silph Co. building, the sterile corridors bathed in an eerie red glow from emergency lighting. The air was thick with tension, and the distant wail of alarms set my nerves on edge. My footsteps echoed loudly against the polished floor as I crept through the darkened hallways, my heart pounding in my chest.

Clutched tightly in my hand was a small device – the culmination of my mission, the reason I was here. Its weight felt immense, far beyond its physical size, as if it contained the fate of the world within its circuitry.

As I rounded a corner, I heard voices approaching. Panic surged through me as I realized I was running out of options. I ducked into a nearby office, pressing myself against the wall beside the door. Through the small window, I could see shadows moving, growing larger as they neared.

"Check every room," a gruff voice commanded. "The intruder couldn't have gotten far."

I held my breath, desperately searching for an escape route. The office was on a high floor – no way out through the windows. The air vent was too small. I was trapped.

Suddenly, the door burst open. A beam of light swept across the room, and I found myself staring into the face of a stern-looking security guard. His eyes widened in recognition.

"Here! I've found him!" he shouted.

In an instant, the room was flooded with guards and their Pokémon. Growlithe snarled, their fur bristling with electricity. An Alakazam's eyes glowed ominously, its spoons bent towards me in a clear threat.

"Surrender now," one of the guards demanded, his voice hard. "You're completely surrounded."

I raised my hands slowly, my mind racing. Where had I gone wrong? How had they known I was here? And where was Arlow?

As if in answer to my unspoken question, I heard a familiar rustle. From the shadows beneath a desk, Arlow emerged, leaves trembling but stance defiant.

"Well, well," sneered one of the guards. "Looks like we've caught ourselves a Rocket. And with evidence, no less."

I felt a surge of protectiveness towards Arlow. "He's not involved," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "This was all me."

The guard laughed coldly. "Doesn't matter. You're both coming with us."

As they advanced, Arlow suddenly leapt forward, a cloud of spores erupting from his leaves. Several guards stumbled back, coughing. For a moment, I saw a chance – a small opening in their ranks.

"Arlow, run!" I shouted, making a break for the door.

But I had underestimated their preparedness. As I moved, I felt a sharp pain in my arm. Looking down, I saw a small dart protruding from my bicep.

The world began to tilt and spin around me. I staggered, my vision blurring. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was Arlow, surrounded by guards, his leaves drooping in defeat.

I came to in a stark white room, strapped to a chair. The harsh fluorescent lights made my head pound. As my vision cleared, I saw a man in a lab coat standing before me, a syringe in his hand.

"Mr. Harley," he said, his voice clinical and detached. "Or should I say, Agent Harley? You've caused quite a stir."

I tried to speak, but my mouth felt like it was full of cotton. The man continued, unconcerned by my silence.

"You Team Rocket operatives never learn, do you? Always pushing, always prying into things best left alone." He tapped the syringe, a clear liquid inside catching the light. "But don't worry. Soon, you won't be causing any more trouble."

As he approached, needle poised, I struggled against my restraints. My mind raced, desperate for a way out. Where was Arlow? What had they done with him?

The needle touched my skin, a pinprick of cold that sent a shiver of fear through me. This was it. I had failed – failed the mission, failed Arlow, failed myself.

As the plunger began to depress, I felt a surge of regret. Not for the mission, not for Team Rocket, but for Arlow. For the trust I had betrayed, for the bond I had only just begun to understand.

The liquid entered my veins, ice-cold and burning at the same time. The room began to spin, faster and faster. Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision, and I felt myself falling, falling...

With a violent start, I jerked awake, my heart pounding. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and for a moment, I couldn't remember where I was. As my eyes focused, I became aware of an unusual weight on my head. Slowly, carefully, I reached up, my fingers brushing against something soft and warm.

I froze, barely daring to breathe. Whatever was on my head shifted slightly, letting out a soft, sleepy sound.

Arlow was looking up at me, his eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Carefully, I tilted my head forward, and felt the weight slide into my lap.

Looking down, I found myself face to face with a very sleepy Pokémon, its fox-like features relaxed in peaceful slumber. Its golden-brown fur was soft under my hands, and I could feel the gentle rise and fall of its chest as it breathed.

For a long moment, I sat there, utterly bewildered.