Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01
....
Ariana rephrased her question, "What did you find?"
Caleb met her gaze and spoke deliberately, "Dr. Fuji isn't delusional. Amber is still alive."
As for whether the 'Amber' that alive now was the original... that was another matter entirely.
"No, that's impossible." Ariana's delicate brows furrowed slightly, "I saw Amber die with my own eyes. I even attended her funeral..."
Caleb observed her expression closely and continued, "Besides Amber, I also saw multiple Bulbasaurs, Squirtles, and Charmanders at Dr. Fuji's home, each marked with black serial numbers."
Hearing this, Ariana's face instantly paled. Her pupils contracted sharply, as a flicker of shock passed through her eyes before she could mask it.
Caleb caught it immediately. His gaze sharpened as he pressed further, "So the current Amber and those Pokémon... they're all clones, aren't they?"
Ariana exhaled, realizing Caleb had already pieced it together.
She turned to stare outside the helicopter window at the night sky and admitted softly, "That's right..."
She offered no further explanation, and Caleb didn't ask.
Silence engulfed the cabin until the helicopter landed atop the Rainbow Game Corner...
Only then did Ariana speak again, "This matter ends here. Do not bring it up again in front of Dr. Fuji or [Amber]."
She paused and glanced at Caleb, "You didn't show up at the manor today. Dr. Fuji was furious. After tomorrow's operation, you'll move into his residence."
Caleb halted mid-step behind her, "Using me to stabilize Dr. Fuji's moods? Do you really think that'll work?"
Ariana shrugged, then replied in a cold tone, "Whether it works or not isn't my concern. All I know is that as long as Amber is happy, Dr. Fuji will keep working. And you... don't exactly have a choice."
The thinly veiled threat made Caleb narrow his eyes. His dark pupils revealed nothing under the cover of night.
He hated this feeling of being controlled...
'As expected... compared to Team Rocket, the League is far more likable...'
'Fine. Since we're laying cards on the table now, don't blame me for what happens next...' Caleb schemed.
With that thought, he replied flatly, "Got it. I'll babysit your little science project."
The moment he spoke, his interface updated automatically:
[Unique Hidden Mission: "Amber" - Progress Updated!]
[Objective: ???]
[Completion: 10%]
Ariana left without another word...
...
Caleb returned to his quarters with Mimikyu in tow...
As usual, the other three players were waiting outside his door.
"Tomorrow's the Dragon-Type Pokémon Festival. If nothing goes wrong, I should complete my main mission," Gwen announced.
""Same here,"" Lucien and Victor echoed.
Caleb remained thoughtful. He wasn't worried about his own main mission... he was wondering what would happen to it if Team Rocket collapsed...
'Worst-case scenario can't possibly involve me leading a Team Rocket resurgence...'
"By the way," Caleb suddenly recalled something and turned to Lucien, "Once the main mission is completed, can we leave this world immediately?"
Lucien nodded, "You can exit anytime after submitting the quest. Though in safer scenarios, most players wait until the last day."
Victor, however, looked uneasy, "I just hope Team Rocket doesn't pull anything tomorrow. This scenario is way too dangerous."
Lucien immediately clamped a hand over his mouth, "Don't jinx it! Quick, say 'knock on wood'!"
Victor shoved him off, annoyed, "Haven't you noticed? The base has been swarming with new faces lately. I talked to one guy earlier, turns out they transferred here from Mt. Moon's base. This many people? It feels like they're prepping for all-out war with the League!"
Lucien sighed, "I just want out of this scenario. Being monitored 20 hours a day is torture. Praying my next one is a slice-of-life type..."
Gwen blinked, "Scenarios have genres?"
Since they'd likely never meet again after this, Lucien generously shared his knowledge, "Yep. Scenarios come in all types, or as you put it, genres... Action-focused ones like this force you into battles... These are super risky, and you can easily lose your life if not careful. Slice-of-life Scenarios are simpler: raise Pokémon, challenge Gyms, go sightseeing, done..."
"...Besides those, there are special scenarios too; werewolf games, escape rooms, stuff like that."
Lucien then glanced at the two newcomers sympathetically, "For you to get this type for your first run... you're just unlucky..."
After wrapping up, the group chatted a while longer before dispersing...
....
~The Next Morning~
The annual Dragon-Type Pokémon Festival kicked off in full swing...
Celadon City had transformed into a carnival. Stores overflowed with dragon-themed plushies and merch. A massive poster of Lance dominated the central square, visible from anywhere in the city.
At 8 AM sharp, celebrations began at the Rainbow Plaza...
...
Simultaneously, inside Team Rocket's base...
Ariana summoned Caleb's group to the same meeting room as before.
Caleb exchanged subtle glances with the others.
Then the door opened.
A middle-aged man with a crew cut and sharp hawk-like eyes strode in, he was clad in a sleek black suit.
He scanned the four recruits with his hawk-like eyes, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and said, "Welcome to Team Rocket's official ranks... But before your induction, you'll each complete a solo mission to prove your worth."
Ariana chimed in smoothly, "This is Team Rocket's current leader. Address him as Boss or Sir."
No one spoke.
No introduction was needed, all four recognized the man instantly...
"What's the mission?" Lucien asked in a deep voice.
"Give it to them." Giovanni gestured.
Then Four Team Rocket grunts entered, each carrying a black briefcase. They set the cases down and flipped them open, revealing timed explosives, handguns, smoke grenades.
Victor gulped audibly at the arsenal.
Giovanni studied their reactions, then smirked, and said, "Sabotage the festival. Plant bombs, steal Pokémon at gunpoint, or attack Lance directly."
"...Don't worry. To minimize... mishaps, each of you will have a personal assistant." Another gesture, and four more grunts filed in.
The players' faces darkened.
It was obvious... these were their handlers...
Victor's voice trembled with suppressed rage, "You're sending us to die."
Giovanni laughed, then said with a firm tone, "Lance won't kill you."
After countless clashes, he knew Lance inside out.
That man would rather take a bullet himself than harm an innocent... Especially his own comrades...
...
Giovanni...