"Finally, a glimmer of hope," Feng Che murmured, watching the shifting progress bar.
"If only I could have brought my spatial ring from the game with me."
That ring was packed with every heavenly treasure Feng Che had ever collected: Groudon's Red Orb, Kyogre's Blue Orb, Rayquaza's Delta Emerald... and those were just small pieces of his collection. He even had several of Arceus's Elemental Plates.
[Ding! System restarting...]
[Ding! System restart failed. System entering self-repair mode.]
[Ding! Insufficient energy detected. Repair failed. System initiating self-destruction.]
[Ding! System destroyed.]
Before Feng Che's eyes, the entire projection dissolved into a chaotic mess of glitched code. Then, with a sharp pop, the system vanished into thin air.
The sound left Feng Che standing there in utter bewilderment.
"Are you kidding me? This system is a piece of junk! I waited all this time for that?"
"I have a few choice words I'd like to say to whoever made this..."
He felt as if a stampede of Ponyta had just trampled over his heart. Suddenly, a heavenly sound echoed in his mind.
[Ding! System restart successful.]
A blue screen flickered back into existence. However, the interface was stripped bare, leaving only a single option: Scan. A small note accompanied it:
Scan: Can detect detailed information on Pokémon and items. Please explore for specific details.
"You absolute piece of work. Zero stars," Feng Che grumbled internally.
Just then, Uncle Kaiser's voice drifted over.
"Feng Che, my Mightyena didn't take too much damage this time. Just a simple treatment will do."
Kaiser scratched his head sheepishly. Feng Che was always so enthusiastic about treating his Pokémon and never once asked for anything in return, despite his life-saving help. He just diligently managed the shop.
It made Kaiser feel a bit guilty. He knew well enough that as a member of Team Rocket who didn't pay League taxes, taking Mightyena to a Pokémon Center would cost him a fortune. He'd be drowning in debt. Yet, he couldn't bear to lose the partner that had been with him since childhood.
Pokémon Centers and their "kindness" were reserved for the wealthy, the middle class, and those directly affiliated with the League. Kaiser would never forget the day he thought his loyal partner was a lost cause—until this black-haired youth burst in and promised he could save it.
"You've already made so many potions for my team," Kaiser said gratefully. "Now, when they get hurt, I can even handle some basic emergency care myself."
Though he had his suspicions, Kaiser never asked where Feng Che learned his medical techniques. He knew everyone had their secrets.
"By the way, I have some news. This could solve your status as an undocumented citizen once and for all."
Kaiser tried to look serious, but he couldn't hold it back. A wide, excited grin broke across his face.
Feng Che was about to release Kaiser's Pokémon from their balls, but his hand froze mid-air. His usually calm heart skipped a beat.
"See? I knew that would get a reaction. I thought you were going to check on Mightyena first," Kaiser teased, feeling like he'd finally won a round. "I thought you were going to keep acting like nothing matters. You're usually so composed I forget you're just a kid."
Kaiser walked to the door, flipped the sign to "Closed," and pulled down the metal shutters.
"You've probably guessed where I come from by now," Kaiser said, his tone turning grave. With the eyepatch and the scar, his expression looked almost menacing. "I am a member of Team Rocket—a Captain under Lady Sabrina's command. Those days I disappear every month? I'm out on missions."
"Now, an opportunity to shed your 'black' status is right in front of you. And that is: Join Team Rocket."
"Team Rocket can fix your papers and let you truly integrate into society. But choosing this path means your peaceful life is over. It's a dog-eat-dog world down there," Kaiser grumbled.
However, Feng Che noted the pride in Kaiser's expression. He clearly identified with the organization.
"At the end of the day, this world is ruled by the law of the jungle. If you don't stand strong, you won't survive anywhere." Kaiser reached into his backpack with a calloused hand and pulled out an envelope embossed with a red 'R' insignia.
"This is your way out," Kaiser said triumphantly, waving the envelope.
Feng Che took it as Kaiser explained further.
"This letter of recommendation was the reward I requested from Lady Sabrina after successfully completing my last mission. I'm acting as your sponsor to bring you into the fold. Along with this, you'll get to go to a Team Rocket ranch to pick out a Pokémon of your own."
Kaiser looked Feng Che in the eye. "If you refuse, I'll have Hypno wipe the memory of this conversation from your mind. I'll still keep you on at the shop—this will always be your home—but you'll have to find another way to deal with the League authorities on your own."
He waited for the final answer.
"Since you've gone to such lengths to give me this chance, Uncle Kaiser, I would be a fool not to take it."
Feng Che pocketed the envelope without a second's hesitation. He had waited far too long for an opening like this. He was sick of the limitations and the constant looking over his shoulder that came with being undocumented.
Kaiser let out a long breath of relief, his tense muscles relaxing. He had truly worried that Feng Che wouldn't be "on the level" and might refuse. Had that happened, he would have been forced to use Hypno's subpar hypnosis to wipe the boy's memory—an act that could cause anything from a massive migraine to a shattered mind.
With the tension broken, Feng Che tossed the Poké Balls, releasing Kaiser's team.
Kaiser's main force consisted of a Hypno and a Mightyena. The Mightyena was primarily grey, with thick black fur covering its tail, back, and limbs. Two dense ridges of fur ran down its spine. It watched the room with piercing red pupils set against yellow whites.