"A dagger? Where did he get a dagger?" The Captain scratched his head, sounding genuinely confused.
He began to second-guess himself. In this specific Team Rocket reserve trial, he was certain that no daggers had been provided as part of the standard survival kit.
"Don't overthink it. I left that dagger on the bus," Tyron said calmly. "This sharp-eyed kid found the items I hid under the seat. Look up his file; I want to know who recommended him. A sprout this good should be snatched up for my squad immediately."
Tyron made the call without hesitation. He was thoroughly impressed by Feng Che's performance.
"Let me see..." As one of the lead examiners, the Captain naturally had the clearance to access the records of every candidate. "Found him. His sponsor is Captain Kaiser. Furthermore, he's here with a personal letter of recommendation from Executive Sabrina. It looks like you're out of luck, Lord Tyron."
In Team Rocket, your sponsor determined your faction—it was an unwritten but ironclad rule. Since Feng Che was recommended by Kaiser, who served under Sabrina, he would naturally fall under her command once he passed the trial.
"A shame. Such a promising talent," Tyron said, shrugging with a hint of feigned helplessness.
Tyron was a top lieutenant under Lord Apollo. The faction of the Three Executives (Sabrina, Lt. Surge, and Koga) had long been at odds with the faction of the Four Generals, led by Apollo. However, despite his words, the Captain didn't see any real disappointment on Tyron's face.
Unaware of the hidden cameras, Feng Che was currently busy examining a "beast path"—a trail frequently used by wild Pokémon. Pokémon habitually used the same routes, leaving behind clear footprints. To an experienced hunter, a beast path was a roadmap showing exactly who frequented the area.
Feng Che looked at a string of small, plum-blossom-shaped prints and immediately identified the owner.
"Oh? There are Eevees here?"
Feng Che was pleasantly surprised. Eevee was a relatively rare Pokémon with eight possible evolutions. Their base stats were well-balanced, making them excellent candidates for focused training.
"A pity. Judging by how dry these tracks are, this Eevee passed through here three days ago."
Feng Che knelt and grabbed a handful of dirt. By feeling the moisture levels in the soil, he deduced that this wasn't a regular route for the Eevee.
"Forget it. I'll stick to the plan and find a Pidgey first. 'Regional Birds' are easier to track."
He slapped the dust from his hands. Drawing his dagger, he began hacking through the obstructing brambles as he moved deeper into the forest.
"I might as well collect some of these thorns. They'll make perfect torches if I use the lighter."
Feng Che knew these specific brambles were oily plants, rich in natural resins. They would ignite easily with a spark and produce thick, billowing smoke. If he encountered a Pokémon he couldn't handle, he could light them to create a distraction for his escape.
"What's this?"
Parting a cluster of bushes, he heard the faint, rhythmic sound of gurgling water. He pricked up his ears to pinpoint the direction.
"It's close. No more than a hundred meters away."
He could smell the damp, heavy scent of evaporating water. The surrounding shrubs were slick with moisture—a surefire sign of a nearby water source.
"There are always more Pokémon gathered near water. I'll just wait there for them to come to me."
Feng Che crept toward the sound. Peering through the dense foliage, he saw a small stream. Sunlight danced like golden sand upon the water, creating a shimmering effect that made the surface look like a silk ribbon encrusted with gems. The current shifted between rapid flows and gentle pools, kicking up a fine mist where it hit the rocks. The water was crystal clear, revealing a bed of smooth, water-worn pebbles.
There was no shortage of Pokémon playing and drinking along the banks. A flock of Pidgey fluttered down from the trees, landing by the water to drink and preen their feathers. Near the edge, several Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ were interacting in pairs; Feng Che counted at least three couples. Small groups of Rattata and Oddish drank nearby.
In the water, Goldeen blew bubbles in the current, and Magikarp stared blankly at nothing, occasionally leaping out of the stream to flop onto the muddy bank. A few Poliwag were splashing around playfully.
"Perfect. A whole flock of Pidgey. I just need to pick the best one and catch it."
"As for the other three balls... what should I go for?"
Feng Che's eyes drifted between the Nidoran and the Poliwag. All of these species possessed a three-stage evolutionary line. In the eyes of Team Rocket, three-stage evolutions represented higher value and, consequently, more points.
The Nidoran♂ were four-legged Pokémon with large ears, small teeth, and red eyes, resembling spiked mice. Their backs were covered in toxic barbs; if threatened, they would release a potent venom. The Nidoran♀ were small, blue rodents resembling rabbits with red triangular eyes and a single white incisor.
Then there were the Poliwag—round, blue-skinned tadpole Pokémon with elastic skin. Their bellies were white, featuring a clockwise spiral pattern which was actually their transparent internal organs. Their tails were sleek and feather-shaped.