Hypno had a ruff of thick white fur around its neck and pointed ears atop its head. It held a string in its hand, with a metallic ring used for hypnosis dangling from the other end. It was a master of its craft; a mere three-second gaze at that swinging ring was enough to put anyone into a deep slumber.
[Hypno: Sigh. Kaiser is scaring the kid again. With my mediocre hypnosis skills, who does he think he's fooling?]
[Hypno: Last time, Kaiser forced me to use Hypnosis, and I got chewed out by Lady Sabrina. She said my technique was sloppy and that forcing me to use it was an insult to Psychic-type Pokémon.]
[Hypno: Seeing Kaiser getting scolded like a disobedient grandson back then felt as refreshing as eating a chilled watermelon on a hot day. Hehe.]
Hearing Hypno's inner monologue, a slight smile tugged at the corner of Feng Che's mouth. He knew Uncle Kaiser was bluffing. In truth, Feng Che had been listening to the thoughts of Hypno and Mightyena for a long time.
He had known for a while that Uncle Kaiser was a high-ranking member of Team Rocket—a Captain, no less—and that his direct superior was the telepathic prodigy, Sabrina. Feng Che had been patiently waiting for Kaiser to act as his sponsor. Joining Team Rocket was his only viable path to shedding his "black market" status.
To that end, Feng Che had subtly dropped hints more than once, praising Team Rocket's organization, their leader's vision, and Lady Sabrina's youthful brilliance. Under these deliberate prompts, Uncle Kaiser had finally come through with the recommendation letter.
A letter written personally by Sabrina carries immense weight. I owe Uncle Kaiser a massive favor for this, Feng Che thought with silent gratitude. To repay him, I need to make sure Mightyena's recovery is perfect.
Feng Che studied Mightyena's injuries, pondering his next move. Right, let's test the System's scanning function on Mightyena.
He focused his gaze on the Pokémon and mentally commanded: Appraise. This was the standard method for checking stats in the game. He wasn't sure how much of the original functionality remained.
Instantly, a detailed data panel flickered into view:
Pokémon: Mightyena
Gender: Male
Potential: Elite (Orange)
Ability: Intimidate
Level: 32
Type: Dark
Moves: Snarl, Howl, Sand Attack, Bite, Odor Sleuth, Roar, Swagger, Assurance, Scary Face
Status: Minor lacerations on the abdomen caused by sharp claws.
Mm, it's exactly like the game. The "Elite" potential is highlighted in orange.Elite quality is one in a hundred; most Pokémon in this world are only of Common quality, Feng Che noted.
He examined the wounds. Mightyena wasn't severely hurt; the lacerations on its belly had already received basic first-aid from Kaiser. Feng Che reached into a cabinet and pulled out a tub of dark, gooey medicinal paste.
[Mightyena: Oh, man... that's eye-watering. Every time I smell that paste, I just want to curl up and die.]
[Mightyena: Can't Feng Che improve the recipe? Just make it smell a little less like a dumpster?]
Feng Che could practically see the goosebumps rising on Mightyena's skin as it recoiled. The Pokémon backed away two steps, letting out a low, pathetic whine until its rear hit the wall, leaving it with nowhere left to run.
This Mightyena has a much keener sense of smell than the average of its species, Feng Che thought. I already suppressed the odor as much as I could, and it still hates it. Talk about a difficult patient.
He knew that no two Pokémon were identical. Even within the same species, individuals varied; some had superior tracking abilities, while others possessed raw power that made their moves hit harder than their peers.
Despite his inward sympathy, Feng Che ruthlessly scooped up a glob of the black paste and slathered it onto Mightyena's wound.
[Mightyena: I'm dying... I'm actually dying. The stench is going to take me out before the wounds do!]
Mightyena wailed internally, feeling like it was about to pass out. Even though the searing pain of the scratches was instantly replaced by a soothing, icy coolness, it still couldn't get over the foul scent.
Once the treatment was finished, Feng Che checked Hypno to ensure it hadn't sustained any hidden injuries. Finding it healthy, he finally tore open the Team Rocket envelope.
Inside was a letter addressed to the Team Rocket Ranch, written by Sabrina herself. With this, Feng Che was entitled to claim any Pokémon he chose from the facility. There was also a map, a Team Rocket token, and a small slip of paper. The token was a pendant featuring a bold, crimson 'R'. The map pointed to a location in the outskirts of Saffron City, while the paper listed a license plate number and a specific time.
"I was going to explain the details, but you're a quick one, aren't you?" Kaiser said. "Tomorrow, at the edge of Saffron City, a shuttle will take you to the headquarters. The supervisor at the ranch is an old acquaintance of mine—I've already pulled some strings."
"When you get there, just hand over that letter. You'll be allowed to pick any Pokémon you want."
Kaiser spoke casually, but Feng Che knew the man had called in some serious favors. A personal recommendation from Sabrina was a golden ticket, and being granted free choice at a ranch was a privilege usually reserved for the elite.
"Alright, don't give me that look. It's the reward you've earned," Kaiser said, waving off Feng Che's gratitude. "But listen, kid... you look a bit fragile. People will try to walk over you. Remember: if you want to make it in Team Rocket, trust no one."
"Team Rocket isn't the League. It's survival of the fittest. We only respect the strong. That's my final piece of advice."
"If you ever run into a real emergency, find a way to contact me. I still have some connections, and if all else fails, I'll beg Lady Sabrina myself. She should still be willing to give me some face."
Kaiser grinned, revealing eight nicotine-stained yellow teeth. Feng Che realized that despite being a member of a villainous organization, Uncle Kaiser possessed a truly sincere heart.