An abandoned warehouse complex stood in the outskirts of Shuangyang City. Once, in the early days of the domestic Poké Ball industry, this place had been filled with crates upon crates of Poké Balls, ready to be shipped across the region. But as the reputation of domestic Poké Balls collapsed, the warehouses fell silent, abandoned one by one, left to decay and crumble. Nature had begun to reclaim this forgotten place, and it had become a paradise for wild Pokémon.
Today, however, the silence was broken. For the first time in many years, this place welcomed a visitor.
"Ahem... how long has it been since anyone set foot here?" Renjiro muttered as he raised a sturdy stick to part the thick weeds blocking his way. Dust swirled up with every step, and the air smelled of rust and old wood.
Beedrill hovered above him, its wings humming as it kept watch.
No one had tended to this place for years. Tall, untamed grass covered the grounds, and vines snaked up the walls of the empty buildings. Renjiro had received the keys and address from Li Zhenhua just the day before. Now, he had come alone to survey the site and decide if it was suitable for Team Rocket's first secret base.
"That should be it," Renjiro said after a short walk, his eyes settling on a large warehouse. Faded paint on its crumbling wall read: Warehouse 09 — the building Li Zhenhua had secured for them.
Renjiro approached the structure, noting the cracked walls and the rust-eaten iron door. The place clearly hadn't seen visitors for a long time.
"Well, let's see if this key works," he said, brushing dust from the lock. But as he tried to insert the key, it became obvious the lock was beyond saving. The metal was so corroded that the key couldn't even enter the keyhole.
"Beedrill, Twineedle — break it!" Renjiro ordered without hesitation.
Beedrill darted forward. Its needle-like forelimbs glinted in the weak sunlight as it struck. A flash of bright light followed. In an instant, the rusty lock shattered into pieces and clattered to the ground.
Creak...
As Renjiro pushed open the heavy door, it groaned in protest, sending a cloud of dust raining down. Renjiro coughed and turned away, waving the dust aside.
But then — Meow!
The sharp cry of a Pokémon echoed through the building. Renjiro's eyes widened as a white blur shot out from the shadows, aiming straight for his throat!
Clang!
A metallic sound rang out as Beedrill intercepted the attack just in time, blocking the strike with its Twineedle. Renjiro's heart raced as he realized how close he'd come to disaster.
He looked up and saw his attacker — a sleek, fierce-looking Persian. The Pokémon hissed, backing off to a safe distance, its eyes burning with hostility.
Renjiro exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves. Thank goodness Beedrill had been out of its Poké Ball. He'd expected wild Pokémon around, but not something so aggressive — or so powerful.
He quickly activated his Eye of Insight, scanning the creature.
Pokémon: Persian
Type: Normal
Ability: Technician (Boosts the power of moves with a base power of 60 or less by 50%. Only the move's base power is considered; items and other effects don't apply.)
Gender: Female
Moves: Growl, Fake Out, Feint, Scratch, Pay Day, Assurance, Slash
Level: 42
Renjiro blinked in surprise. Level 42?! It was rare to encounter a wild Pokémon above level 30 in these parts — and yet here was a Persian that had not only survived but thrived in isolation.
"Meow!" (Get out of here!) the Persian growled, its fur bristling, its body tensed for another strike.
Renjiro could feel her fierce determination. Through his Evergreen Power, he could sense her thoughts clearly.
"We must have entered her territory," Renjiro mused aloud, watching the Persian's every movement.
Without lowering his guard, he spoke calmly. "Persian, let's make a deal. If you defeat Beedrill, we'll leave this place. But if we win... you'll join me as my partner. What do you say?"
A Persian — the symbol of elegance and strength. Giovanni himself had always been accompanied by a majestic Persian, stroking it during meetings or calls. As the founder of this world's Team Rocket, Renjiro thought, Wouldn't it suit me to have such a Pokémon by my side too?
"Meow!" (That's not fair!) Persian snapped, baring her fangs.
Renjiro paused, confused. Fair? When did wild Pokémon start worrying about fairness?
"What's unfair?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Meow?" (You understand me?) Persian's ears twitched in shock. No human had ever answered her like that.
"Yes. Nature gifted me with the ability to understand Pokémon speech. So tell me — what seems unfair?"
Persian hesitated, eyes narrowing. "Meow, meow~" (This is my territory. If I win, I get nothing. But if I lose, I lose everything. It's unfair. So unfair!)
Renjiro smiled, impressed by her intelligence. "You're right. That wouldn't be a fair deal at all. How about this—" He reached into his bag and took out a small pile of Pokémon snacks, laying them on the ground. "If you win, all of this is yours."
Persian's nose twitched. "Meow~?" (What's that?)
"These are special snacks humans make for Pokémon. Delicious, nutritious — better than anything you've tasted out here." Renjiro opened a bag, took a piece of dried fruit, and tossed it to her.
Persian leapt gracefully, snatched it midair, and took a cautious lick. The sweet, tangy flavor surprised her. She gobbled it down quickly, licking her lips when it was gone.
"Meow…" (Delicious…) she purred softly, the taste lingering in her mouth.
Renjiro grinned. "There's more where that came from. Win the fight, and it's all yours. Lose — and become my partner, and you'll have plenty every single day."
Persian stared at the snacks, her eyes gleaming. She wanted them — oh, she wanted them badly. But her mother had always warned her: Humans are cunning. Never trust them.
She hesitated, torn between hunger and pride. The snacks were so tempting...
At last, with a flick of her tail and a determined glint in her eye, she gave a sharp nod. "Meow!" (I agree! But no tricks!)
"No tricks. It's a fair battle," Renjiro assured her. He pointed to Beedrill. "Your opponent. Beat it, and the prize is yours."
"Meow, meow!" (I'm a powerful cat! Let's go!)
Persian crouched, her muscles coiled like a spring, ready to strike.
Renjiro smirked. "Let's show her what we're made of, Beedrill."
Without another word, he reached for his Mage Bracelet. This would be the second time he had Beedrill undergo Mega Evolution since unlocking the power.
As the bracelet glowed, Beedrill began to radiate light, its form shifting, transforming into Mega Beedrill. When the glow faded, the powerful insect Pokémon stood before them, faster, stronger, deadlier.
Persian's ears flattened, but she didn't back down. The battle for pride — and snacks — had begun.
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more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)