"Hey there, trainer. If you don't mind, we would like to ask you some questions."
Officer Jenny took the initiative and spoke first.
Eric observed the group of officers and then nodded, signaling her to continue.
"Okay first, what are you doing in Mount Moon?"
"I was heading towards Cerulean City and wanted to train here."
Officer Jenny nodded.
"Alright. Next, did you come across anything unusual while you were here?"
Eric pondered for a moment before answering, "There was an unusual Nidoking. It didn't look in control of itself and had blood red eyes. It was stronger than it should've been too."
"Unusual Nidoking?" Officer Jenny frowned. This was in line with the trail Kai had got. Team Rocket was really experimenting with Pokémon here.
"I see. Thank you for the information. A word of advice: you should get out of here as soon as possible. Things could get dangerous."
Eric went quiet for a moment. This didn't have anything to do with him. Ideally, he should get on his way. He wasn't the hero type. But experimenting with Pokémon... that didn't feel right with him. He had a soft spot for Pokémon, much more than humans.
"If you need any assistance, I don't mind helping."
"Hm? Thank you for being so considerate, but we will handle it. It is our job after all."
Officer Jenny politely rejected his help, but then Kai interjected.
"You're Eric, right? The one who was in that article?"
"Hm? You know him, Kai?" Officer Jenny turned around and asked.
Kai nodded.
"If I'm right, he's said to be the third fastest trainer in Kanto to become an intermediate-level trainer."
Eric was a little surprised to be recognised as well.
"Yes, that was me."
"I see. In that case, Miss Jenny, it might not be a bad idea to let him join us. We are up against Team Rocket after all. An additional intermediate-level trainer would be quite helpful. Not to mention, his Haunter was very powerful."
Officer Jenny contemplated for a bit. She had pride as a member of the Jenny family and did not want to involve a regular trainer in police business. But then again, this was Team Rocket they were talking about, and she knew better than to underestimate them.
Sigh. "Alright, we will take you up on that offer. Thank you for helping us, trainer. Once this is over, we will reward you on behalf of the Kanto Police."
"No worries. I don't like Pokémon being experimented on. I won't reject the reward, though."
"Bahahaha! That's the spirit, Kid! I like you. Always get compensation for the work you do!"
The burly officer laughed as he put his arm around the scrawny officer.
"I am Brax. This one here is my younger brother, Lax. Since we will be working together, let's get to know each other!"
"Get your hands off me! How many times do I have to tell you?! Aghh! Anyways, I'm Lax. Don't listen to anything my brother says. He is an idiot!"
Eric felt like he was looking at a lame attempt at a comedy skit. He nodded towards them.
"Eric."
Kai also greeted him as he walked towards him with his hand extended forward.
"I'm Kai."
Both of them locked eyes, sizing each other up, as they shook hands.
Eric felt slight pressure from Kai. He got the idea that he wasn't someone to be taken lightly.
All the talking woke Growlithe up from his sleep, as he looked at the new faces curiously.
"My, how cute. Is this Growlithe recently hatched?" Office Jenny commented as she reached out to pat Growlithe's head, but stopped herself.
"He is. And you can pet him, I don't mind." Eric could tell that she stopped as she felt it was inappropriate to do so without his permission.
Growlithe was so cute that the group then spent a few moments making a fuss over him.
"Growll!"
Well, at least he was enjoying himself.
"Cough. Alright, let's stop this now. We really don't have time for this, let's get going."
Officer Jenny said as she reluctantly let Growlithe go. She also secretly signalled Kai to run a full background check on Eric. If they were working together, she had to make sure he wasn't someone shady.
As the group made its way deeper into Mount Moon, a Dugtrio was secretly observing them. It then quietly dug deeper into the ground, vanishing from sight completely.
---
"Tch. Another failure."
"We gotta keep trying. Considering that psycho, our lives are on the line here. Hmn?"
As the two Rocket grunts continued their experiment, one of them noticed a Dugtrio approaching him.
"Did you find someone?"
The grunt asked as he released a Kadabra from a Poké Ball. The Kadabra and Dugtrio talked with each other for a while. Then, the Kadabra turned towards the grunt, and its eyes turned blue.
It was using telepathy to explain to the grunt what the Dugtrio saw.
"The league police? What the hell? We were careful, so how did they know?"
"This is not good. We need to make a run for it."
"We can't, dumbass. Our boss is a psycho. F*ck. What is with this shitty luck? Wait-"
The grunt stopped panicking as he smirked, looking at the caged Pokémon evilly.
"Well, since the police is so eager to catch us and we can't run away... let's greet them with a little surprise."
"You don't mean-"
"Let's see how they deal with an army of berserk Pokémon. Kadabra, come with me and place the cages where I tell you to. Let's set the stage for our guests."
---
"The path ahead is split into three directions," Lax said as he looked at a map on his phone.
"According to this map, all three routes converge into one location. Based on the trail we've followed till now, it is likely that this is where Team Rocket is."
"So, we can follow any of these paths and reach them?" Jenny asked.
"Ideally, yes. But I imagine they would have a way to sense someone approaching. If they can identify us as the police, they could take one of the other two paths to escape while we advance."
"So, we split up?"
"Ehh? But that is always a recipe for disaster," Lax complained to the idea.
"Bahaha! You're too timid to be a Kanto officer, brother. Grow a spine!"
"Shut it, you brute! We have to be well prepared. Don't you remember what happened last time we split up?"
"Bah! That was that damn guy's faul-"
"Enough! No more arguing." Jenny gave them a rare cold stare. One that sent shivers down their spine.
"What do you two think?" She eyed Kai and Eric.
"I think we should split up. Knowing Team Rocket, they would most likely feel our presence. Meaning, they would surely try to escape through one of the other routes. While it is risky, splitting up is the only way to ensure that we catch them. Besides, we can always communicate with one another if we encounter them. Then it's just about stalling them out till the others get there"
"I see. And you?" She then turned to Eric.
"I'm fine with splitting up. That seems to be the better way if we want to catch them."
"Are you sure? It is going to be very risky. Unlike us, you don't have the obligation to undertake such a risk."
Eric, of course, knew how risky this could be. It wasn't long ago that he faced a near-death experience. He had no idea how strong these Rocket members were going to be, but that was precisely why he didn't want to back down. Living a life full of fear, he refused to live that way. If he were going to run, it would only be after he had assessed that there was no other way.
Besides, he didn't think they were above the Advanced level. Otherwise, the league police would've sent stronger people. People beyond the advanced level were rare. It wasn't so easy to continuously meet them.
He then glanced over at the Arcanine beside Officer Jenny.
Lvl 46, Deep Blue Potential.
"I'm certain." He answered.
Officer Jenny looked at him for a moment, then continued.
"Alright! Brax and Lax, you two take the left path. Despite your differences, you two work surprisingly well together. Eric and Kai, you two take the right one. Kai, look after Eric and make sure he's safe. And I... will take the middle path! I am the only advanced-level trainer here after all. Are we all clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" They all said in unison, besides Eric, who just nodded.
Brax then put his arm around Kai and Eric, much to their discomfort.
"Bahaha! I know you two can handle it, but still... stay safe!"
"Dammit, Brax, don't raise flags! Leave the worrying for me." Lax shouted from behind.
"We'll stay safe, but the same goes for you two," Kai replied as both he and Eric got out of Brax's grasp.
"Bahaha! We've been police officers for much longer than you, kid. You don't have to worry about us."
Both Kai and Brax bumped fists as they smiled.
"Alright then, let's get to work. Stay safe and contact me the moment you find something." Officer Jenny said as the group split up and headed to their respective paths.
-----------------------------
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