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The morning sun spilled into the Cerulean Gym, casting golden hues over the now-bustling main hall. After a hearty breakfast, Delia packed up her things, giving Austin one last hug before leaving for Pallet Town.
"Take care of yourself, sweetheart," she said, squeezing him tight.
"I will," Austin promised.
"And wear clean underwear," Delia added with a teasing smile.
Austin sighed playfully. "That one might be a challenge."
Delia laughed, ruffling his hair one last time before waving goodbye.
Not even fifteen minutes later, a familiar trio strolled into the gym, right on schedule.
Jessie. James. Meowth.
Unlike their usual over-the-top entrances, they arrived casually, adjusting their uniforms and yawning like they had actually become responsible workers.
Austin grinned, already prepared for them.
"All right, guys," he started. "Before we get to work, I need your help with something."
"Smells like bonus pay, boss."
"That it does," James said.
"You treat us too well," Jessie added, her stomach audibly growling.
"I just know how to keep my best workers happy."
The trio beamed at the praise.
"All right, here's the deal," Austin continued. "We had a pickpocket incident the other day, and Misty and I agreed it's time to install a security system. Think you three can handle that?"
The moment he said it, the trio snapped into business mode. Jessie adjusted her gloves. James straightened his jacket. Meowth cracked his knuckles.
"Boss, ya talkin' to da best. Dis is gonna be a cakewalk."
And with that, they were off.
The next hour was a blur of activity.
Jessie took charge, directing the placement of hidden cameras and motion detectors in key areas of the gym. James set up the main control panel, making sure all the systems were linked and running smoothly.
Meowth, despite being the smallest, did all the wiring and installations, his claws surprisingly precise as he ran cables through the walls and ceiling.
"Meowth, hand me the screwdriver," James called.
Without looking, Meowth tossed it over his shoulder, and James caught it perfectly.
"You guys… are really good at this."
"You expected anything less?"
Meowth wiped his paws. "Kid, we ain't just good. We're da best."
Soon enough, the job was done.
James leaned back with a satisfied sigh, wiping sweat from his forehead. "And that should do it."
Austin nodded approvingly, inspecting the sleek, hidden security panel now mounted near the entrance.
"Great job, guys," he said, pushing the food cart forward.
The trio's eyes sparkled.
"We love you, boss," they chorused.
Austin grinned. "Love you too."
As they dug into their well-earned meal, he casually added, "After you eat, one of you is gonna have to show me how to actually use the system."
James raised a hand. "I'll do it. I love teaching."
Jessie rolled her eyes. "You love hearing yourself talk."
Meowth, mouth full, muttered, "Same thing."
Austin just chuckled, watching as the trio wasted no time devouring their food.
Jessie daintily picked at her salad, eating with an air of self-importance, while James—a certified rich boy—ate like he was fine dining. Meowth was going to war with his food. The cat Pokémon had one plate in each paw, alternating bites so quickly that Austin half-expected his jaw to unhinge like an Ekans.
"Sweet merciful Arceus, Meowth," Austin gawked. "Did ya even chew that?"
Meowth paused mid-bite, blinking. "Chewin's optional."
Jessie scoffed. "You're going to choke one day."
Meowth shrugged, stuffing another bite into his mouth.
Austin shook his head, then said, "I was thinking of making some custom shirts for you three. You can each pick a Pokémon design."
Meowth's ears perked. "Oh, oh, I want a Meowth, obviously!"
Austin chuckled. "No surprises there."
James tapped his chin, eyes wistful. "A Growlithe," he said quietly.
Austin caught the tone immediately.
Jessie waved a hand dismissively. "Just give me a plain shirt. I don't really like joke shirts."
Austin smirked. "I'll throw in a plain one and a joke one."
"You'd do that?"
Austin shrugged. "Why wouldn't I? You guys are awesome. If I had a legit business, I'd hire you three in a heartbeat. Best workers ever."
For a moment—just a split second—the trio froze. They looked at each other, unspoken words passing between them. They had never been praised like this before.
Not in Team Rocket.
Austin could see it—the way James fidgeted, the way Jessie's usual bravado faltered, the way Meowth's ears twitched like he didn't know how to process what he just heard. Finally, Austin leaned forward.
"Actually," he said casually, "I'm kinda curious. What did you guys do before working here?"
Jessie and James immediately stiffened.
Meowth licked his lips. "Well, ya see, we was just… grunts."
James sighed, looking down at his plate. "We're still just grunts. Honestly, nothing's changed."
"Hey, none of that. We are slowly moving up, right?! We recently got a promotion! Just wait it out, and we'll be executives!"
Austin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That sounds nice."
Promotion? Executives? That was different from the anime. What had changed?
The trio exchanged nervous glances.
Jessie let out a forced laugh. "Haha, yes, nice, that's nice!"
James nodded rapidly. "Yes, executives! In the company we work for! Ho ho ho!"
Austin hummed. "Well, whatever this company is, I hope you guys succeed." He paused. "And if it fails, you can always contact me. I'd love to help you out."
The trio blinked.
"For real?" Meowth asked, ears twitching.
"Of course," Austin said sincerely. "From what I've seen, you guys could easily make it big on your own."
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
The trio looked at each other, their expressions quiet, thoughtful.
Austin just watched, hoping—just maybe—his words might change something. Because he genuinely liked them. And he wanted them to make it out of Team Rocket. But for now, he had his own things to deal with.
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Austin sat in front of the security monitor, fingers steepled as he watched the screens with sharp focus. Lily had taken over T-shirt sales, freeing him up to keep an eye out for the thief. But after hours of nothing happening, boredom crept in.
His gaze flicked between the monitors, then down to his notebook, where he began mapping out his future plans.
As much as he loved Pokémon Adventures, he had to admit—the first two arcs were… messy. A lot of bold ideas, but the storytelling had been experimental, leaving gaps in motivations and character development.
Take Green, for example.
She was a thief, but why? The manga never really explored it deeply, at least not in a way he could remember. It left too many loose threads, which made dealing with her now all the more complicated.
Still—he had a plan.
"Pika, pika, pika!"
Austin snapped to attention as Pikachu pointed at the monitor showing the hallway leading to the bathrooms.
There, on the grainy security feed, was a couple. A nervous-looking boy—flushed and wide-eyed, clearly out of his depth—and a smirking girl leaning into him, her fingers tracing slow, playful circles over his chest.
She was pulling him in. Austin narrowed his eyes. At first glance, it looked like nothing more than a teenage romance moment. But Austin wasn't fooled. There—a tendril of something snaked from the girl's purse toward the guy's wallet.
Gotcha.
Austin shot up from his seat. "Let's go, Pikachu!"
The electric mouse hopped onto his shoulder as they sprinted down the hall.
By the time he arrived, the scene was playing out exactly as expected. The boy—dazed, completely in a love-high haze—barely noticed Austin's approach. The girl, coquettish and smooth, turned to him with an exaggerated pout.
"Oh, wow," she said dramatically. "Someone's in a hurry. Are you here to tell me how breathtaking I am, or should I compliment you this time, handsome?"
Her fingers traced the boy's arm, pulling him closer.
Austin didn't have time for this. He blew his whistle sharply. The girl winced, putting a hand to her ear. "Ugh! Rude, much?" She huffed. "Can't a girl enjoy a private moment with her new… friend?"
The boy blinked, looking at Austin half-annoyed, half-confused. "Hey, man, what's your problem?" he muttered, clearly still under her spell.
"My problem?" Austin folded his arms. "Buddy, check your wallet."
The boy frowned. "My wallet? Why would—" He froze. His hands patted his pockets. "W-Wait—!"
The girl clicked her tongue. "Aw, don't be like that," she purred, leaning in. "Maybe you just—dropped it somewhere. Or maybe…" She trailed a single finger down his chest, eyes gleaming. "Maybe this guy just ruined our perfect little moment because he's got some issues. You're not gonna let him come between us, are you?"
Austin rolled his eyes. This girl could sell ice to a Regice.
"Yeah, look here—" The boy turned back to Austin, brow furrowing.
"Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
The hallway erupted in golden light as Pikachu's Thunderbolt struck its mark.
"Murder?!" the boy shrieked, stumbling back in horror, eyes wide with panic.
The girl's body shuddered, her skin rippling like liquid before collapsing in on itself—melting into a puddle of sickly purple goo. A wet, unnatural slithering filled the air. Austin didn't flinch. He knew exactly what this was. As the shifting, morphing mass of goo reformed, the disguise faded—revealing Green standing in the aftermath, Ditto at her feet. Her face was a mixture of shock and irritation, lips pursed in mild annoyance as she dusted off her now slightly singed sleeves.
"Ugh. Well, that's not very gentlemanly of you." She pouted dramatically. "Do you always treat girls this rough?"
"Only the pretty ones."
Green tilted her head, a slow grin creeping onto her face. "Ooh…"
Austin ignored her and turned to the still-dumbfounded boy.
"Go get the staff," he said. "Tell them Austin found the thief."
The boy didn't need to be told twice.
He bolted.
Green let out a mock sigh, placing a hand over her heart.
"Aww, leaving me all alone with you? Careful, Austin, people might talk~"
"Don't worry," he said, reaching for his belt. "I got you a gift."
With a flash of light, Spearow materialized.
Green's entire face lost color. The flirty smirk vanished instantly.
Austin saw the way her body stiffened—a clear, instinctive reaction to the trauma she still carried. Good. This would make their conversation easier. Green took a slow step back.
"W-What do you… want?" Her voice cracked slightly.
"I want to hire you for a job."
Green blinked. Even Pikachu and Spearow exchanged glances, as if they hadn't expected that. Green let out a mock gasp, placing a hand on her chest. "Oh, but I don't normally work with men who attack pretty girls like me. How ever will you make it up to me?"
Austin's smirk widened. "I know who the Masked Man is."
Green jerked. For the first time, her flirty mask slipped entirely. Her eyes widened. Her breath hitched. Austin let that sink in for one long second. Then—the sound of rushing footsteps.
"Time's up," he murmured.
Green's eyes darted between him and the incoming footsteps. Austin took a step closer.
"Meet me here at midnight." His voice was low, firm. "And I'll tell you everything."
Green clenched her fists.
For a moment, she looked like she wanted to demand answers from him. But then—her survival instincts won out. She grabbed a Poké Ball.
"Abracadabra, darling~" she sang.
With a flash of light, her Abra appeared. And in the blink of an eye, she was gone.