The following day, Silas and Andra finally prepared to return to the base.
They decided to head back to the Mount Thunder base rather than immediately returning to the beach.
At their current level, the beach base simply didn't have much to offer them.
Once a Pokémon reached the advanced tier, most of the resources available in the shop became significantly less useful for increasing their levels.
The items weren't worthless, but the amount of resources needed to produce meaningful growth had increased dramatically.
There was another reason as well.
Viper needed to know what happened.
If the Luminary Court was stationing trainers as powerful as the ones Silas and Andra had just encountered around ancient ruins, then there was a good chance other important locations were being guarded by similarly dangerous people.
That information alone could save lives.
Silas and Andra decided to take a roundabout route.
Partially, this was to avoid the Court members who had recently cornered them.
Neither had any desire to immediately fight a Pokémon like that Mega Emboar and the others again.
Those divine pearls were able to revive a Pokemon health and power them up. The amount of power it erupted with was terrible, hopefully there was a consequence.
The second reason was more productive. There was another potential mural site nearby that Silas wanted to investigate before returning.
The location was supposedly inside a cave beneath a large cliff. Silas was particularly interested in it after what they had discovered at the previous ruins. Unfortunately, their plans changed before they could get very far.
Both TR devices suddenly produced notifications.
Silas looked down.
A high-priority message appeared.
"All trial participants, including elite officers, can no longer participate in missions for the remainder of the trial. You must return to the main base for further instruction. You have 1 week. Failure to comply will be treated as treason."
Silas stared at the message.
"Well, I guess that answers what we're doing next."
Andra nodded.
They were less than a day away from the main base by flight.
There was no reason to rush.
Instead, Silas and Andra remained where they were for several more days and allowed everyone to recover completely.
After everything they had recently experienced, Silas had no intention of traveling with injured Pokémon if he didn't have to.
The extra rest allowed everyone to return to 100%.
You could never be too careful. They had already been ambushed several times. There was always a chance something would happen during the trip back. If trouble appeared, Silas wanted every Pokémon ready to fight.
The morning they finally left was peaceful.
Silas and Andra ate a quick meal together while their Pokémon finished eating nearby. Afterward, they returned everyone to their Poké Balls.
Andra climbed onto Tropius behind Silas.
The first half of the return trip passed quietly. Tropius flew steadily through the air while Silas and Andra enjoyed the cool breeze.
They chatted casually, occasionally falling into comfortable silence.
After spending several days traveling together, neither felt the need to constantly fill the air with conversation anymore. Unfortunately, that peaceful journey didn't last.
As they drew closer to the base, Silas sensed numerous Pokémon rapidly approaching.
A flock of Fearow appeared and this group was quite large.
Silas quickly scanned them.
4 had already reached level 52.
He sighed.
Fearow were essentially the Beedrill of bird Pokémon.
They were aggressive, territorial, and prone to abusing their numerical advantage against anyone unlucky enough to encounter them.
Silas initially intended to simply defeat them and continue traveling but that changed when 2 Fearow attempted to run him through with their long beaks.
"Espeon!"
A translucent barrier instantly appeared.
Both Fearow crashed into the defensive wall before they could reach Silas or Andra.
Silas' expression darkened.
"Fine. You asked for it."
What followed was less of a battle and more Silas venting his anger.
Electivire was his instrument of destruction in this case.
Powerful electric blasts spread throughout the flock. The Fearow were shocked repeatedly until the entire group had suffered significant damage.
Silas didn't kill them. Instead, he captured every single one. If they were going to try to kill him, they'd better be ready to suffer the consequences.
Every captured Fearow would be sold. There were other groups of Flying type Pokémon throughout the remainder of their journey, but thankfully none were as aggressive.
Eventually, something familiar appeared in the distance. Silas could now see the dome and beyond it, the beach.
Andra smiled.
"We finally made it back to the base."
Silas stared ahead.
As Tropius descended, he felt an unexpected wave of nostalgia.
When he had first arrived here, his strength had barely been acceptable compared to the monsters gathered for the trial.
He had been a promising talent but there had been plenty of people stronger than him.
Now?
Silas genuinely possessed the strength expected of an elite officer. His Pokémon were stronger and his own psychic and aura abilities had grown. Spartan had developed. Even his standing within Team Rocket had changed.
Silas remained silent for several moments.
"Odin?"
He looked toward Andra.
"Are you alright?"
Silas laughed when he realized he had been standing there staring at the base.
"I'm just thinking about whether or not we are sharing a suite or maybe a room while we stay here. But that's up to you."
Andra immediately gave him a look.
"In your dreams."
She paused.
"But we should definitely keep in touch."
Silas smiled.
"Haha! Are you asking for my number?"
"Don't be corny. I'm just being practical. Don't overthink it."
"Of course."
Andra rolled her eyes.
The 2 continued talking for several more minutes before finally parting ways. Silas' first destination was the exchange counter.
A man he didn't recognize was working there today. Silas didn't particularly care who handled the transaction. He placed several Poké Balls on the counter.
"I have some Fearow to exchange. Please evaluate them."
"Yes."
The employee collected the Poké Balls and placed them through the scanning machines.
Several pieces of information appeared on the screens. After reviewing them, the man looked toward Silas.
"We can offer you 40,000 Rocket Points for these Pokémon."
"Deal."
The transfer was completed shortly afterward.
Silas left the counter without purchasing anything.
There simply wasn't much available here that interested him anymore.
That realization alone demonstrated how much things had changed.
As Silas walked deeper through the base, something else stood out. There were barely any people.He slowed down and looked around. The difference compared to before was obvious.
There were less than half the usual number of Rockets moving throughout the facility.
Hallways that had previously been crowded were now strangely open.
The dining areas were quieter and even the training facilities seemed less active. Silas didn't dwell on it for long. He had already reviewed the messages from his friends. Everyone he personally cared about was alive.
It was a cruel way to look at things but admittedly practical. Silas couldn't mourn every Team Rocket member he had never met. His responsibility was first to himself, his Pokémon, and the people under him.
Speaking of his people, Spartan had already returned. They were staying in an unusually large living area created from 2 connected suites.
Silas headed there immediately.
When he entered, he was pleasantly surprised.
His friends had 3 other people were with them, Chelsea, Abel, and Sirius.
Precisely the recruits Silas had tasked them with approaching.
His recruitment plan had succeeded.
Silas studied all 3.
Abel stood out immediately.
The man looked hardened. He wasn't physically imposing but he had the look of someone that couldn't be trifled with lightly.
There was an obvious guardedness in the way he carried himself. Silas understood why, Abel had been betrayed and exploited far too many times.
People like him eventually learned to assume everyone wanted something from them. However, Silas also understood another side of that personality.
People lile Abel were loyal to a fault, you just had to be worthy of that loyalty.
Chelsea and Sirius appeared more relaxed but Silas' aura told a different story. The tension around them was thick. Neither knew exactly what to expect.
Silas walked toward the 3 recruits.
"Welcome to Spartan. I am Odin."
Silas looked between them. Everyone became quiet.
"My orders are absolute. If you can follow me honestly and earnestly, I will help you however I can."
His gaze sharpened. He didn't bother softening the statement.
"Loyalty is the most important thing."
Silas casually allowed some of his psychic and aura power to spread outward.
The pressure filled the room.
Chelsea, Abel, and Sirius instinctively moved into defensive postures.
Silas immediately withdrew it.
"There's no need to be on guard."
He smiled slightly.
"Consider the display a warning."
Abel spoke directly.
"Okay. I can be loyal, but how can I trust that you will be loyal to me in return?"
The room became quiet again.
Abel continued.
"I'd rather be on my own than be exploited."
Silas laughed.
"Hahahaha! Straight to the point, I see."
He wasn't offended. If anything, he respected the question.
"I've heard about you. A hard worker abused by his superiors."
Abel's expression became slightly colder.
Silas continued.
"That won't happen here."
He reached toward his waist.
"As a show of good faith, I have already prepared Pokémon for all 3 of you."
Silas threw out 3 Poké Balls and some a group of small blue Poliwag appeared.
The 3 recruits looked at them.
Silas explained their levels and potential. Their expressions immediately changed. Even without Silas' system, none of them were inexperienced enough to mistake these Poliwag for ordinary Pokémon. The quality was obvious. They had a high ceiling which is a blessing no matter what.
Silas wasn't making empty promises. He was giving them valuable Pokémon before they had even done anything for him.
All 3 thanked him repeatedly.
Poliwrath were well known as powerful and reliable Pokémon. Receiving a talented Poliwag was an excellent foundation for anyone rebuilding their team.
Abel looked toward Silas in astonishment.
"Thank you, sir. If you are serious about treating us well, then you have my undying loyalty. I swear it."
Silas laughed slightly, this guy was almost too respectful.
"Hahaha! There's no need for the 'sir.' Odin is fine. Also, for you, I have a second Pokémon."
Abel looked confused.
"I can't have you running around with just Poliwag."
Silas handed him another Poké Ball.
Abel hesitantly accepted it before releasing the Pokémon. It had fur with a red streak and long, sharp claws.
Abel stared.
"A Zangoose?"
His expression changed immediately.
"I can't take this."
Silas raised an eyebrow.
"The Poliwag is enough. I can't take this."
"You can and you will."
Abel fell silent.
"From now on, you are one of my trusted men. That means you must have the means to defend yourself."
Silas shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"If you feel indebted to me, then get stronger and I'll consider us even."
Abel opened his mouth but nothing came out.
There wasn't much he could say after hearing that. Silas didn't waste any more words on the subject.
The 3 recruits were taken to the training grounds so they could begin getting acquainted with their new partners.
Abel particularly needed time.
Unlike Chelsea and Sirius, he had essentially been forced to rebuild from nothing.
Silas looked at the 3.
"All I want you to do for the next few days is train hard."
He paused.
"As in the entire day."
Their expressions became serious.
"Your food and resources are completely taken care of until you reach the pseudo advanced tier."
Silas looked between them.
"This will remain true even after we return to Kanto."
That statement carried weight.
Silas wasn't simply offering a few temporary benefits to gain their loyalty. He was investing in them. The 3 immediately got to work.
Silas had already prepared what each person needed.
Chelsea was straightforward.
Her remaining team consisted of Arbok, Weezing, and Ariados.
3 Poison types.
Unfortunately, each only possessed D-rank potential. Their ceilings were currently low but Silas intended to gradually correct that.
By mixing small amounts of Drapion's blood and venom with Pokéblocks created using oasis water, he believed he could steadily improve the quality of their bodies over time.