When Silas came to, he found himself lying flat on the ground.
For several seconds, he simply stared upward, trying to remember what had happenened then the memories returned. Silas pushed himself upright and looked around.
He wasn't the only one on the ground.
Everyone nearby appeared to have collectively passed out while traveling through the rift.
That alone surprised him.
Silas possessed a body beyond that of an ordinary human. On top of that, both aura and psychic power existed within him, strengthening him in completely different ways.
He couldn't resist whatever force knocked them unconscious. He hadn't even realized it was happening. There was simply a blank spot in his memories between entering the rift and waking up here.
Silas rubbed the side of his head.
"That spatial travel is no joke."
Around him, the members of Spartan slowly began getting back to their feet.
"We are finally back after nearly a year."
Jason stretched his arms and looked around.
"Yeah, boss. It feels like it's been forever, but only like a month has passed here."
That was perhaps the strangest part.
Nearly a year of their lives had passed on the other continent, yet comparatively little time had moved forward in Kanto.
Silas had experienced battles, near death, tremendous growth, and the creation of new relationships.
For everyone who remained here, he had barely been gone.
Abel approached.
"What's your plan now that we are out? I assume you have orders for us?"
Silas nodded.
"Your main orders for now are to reach the pseudo advanced tier as soon as possible."
Abel immediately became attentive.
"I'm tasking you with several missions that should provide plenty of battling opportunities."
There was no point keeping his newer subordinates sheltered. They needed resources. More importantly, they needed experience. The quickest way to build both was through actual missions.
Abel nodded firmly.
"Thanks. I will not let you down. I swear it."
Silas looked at him for a moment before smiling slightly.
His initial analysis of Abel had been accurate.
The man didn't lack work ethic and clearly didn't lack loyalty either.
He had simply spent too much of his life surrounded by people who abused whatever trust he offered them. Give Abel reliable people around him and a real opportunity to grow, and he would thrive.
The group chatted for a while. Silas did his best to get to know his new subordinates.
Team Rocket was surprisingly generous and allowed everyone who participated in the trial to enjoy a hearty dinner after being settled and a free 3 nights at the base.
The group all sat down together while many other groups sat together.
"I wonder why they are treating us so well. Maybe I can milk this situation to get my dream Dragonite."
Silas looked around listening to the clueless trial participants and chuckled. Clearly, Team Rocket saw great value in the trial survivor but a Dragonite?
"Hey is something fucking funny?"
The man tried to step at Silas but Jason stood in his way.
Silas tapped him on the shoulder to let the man pass.
The aggressive elite officer tried to get continue advancing but in 1 fluid motion, Silas punched him in the gut and knocked the wind out of him.
"What's funny is people like you not knowing your own limits. Get out of my sight."
Silas kicked him away.
Unfortunately, Team Rocket was like this. If Silas showed any weakness, others would come to find trouble with him.
Silas' TR device suddenly vibrated.
He looked down.
A direct summons had arrived to the Viridian City base from Archer.
Silas raised an eyebrow.
They were currently at Team Rocket's hidden base in Vermilion City.
His first thought was that he could simply use the underground routes and travel from there.
Diglett's Cave brought travelers toward Route 2, giving access to the area between Pewter City and Viridian City.
It wouldn't be particularly difficult.
Then a second message arrived.
Silas looked down again.
"Use the teleporter."
He smiled.
He had nearly forgotten Team Rocket had completed those.
More importantly, Silas himself had played a direct role in their existence.
One of the earliest major contributions he made to Team Rocket had been stealing research related to teleportation technology and handing it over to the organization's scientists.
At the time, Silas had simply viewed it as another way to increase his value.
Now the results of that decision were being used throughout Team Rocket.
There were several reasons some of the admins knew his name.
This was by far one of the biggest.
His contribution had also earned him special privileges.
Within reason, Silas could use Team Rocket's teleportation network whenever he needed to respond to official orders.
The cost was 2,000 Rocket Points.
Expensive for ordinary members.
Negligible for him.
Silas finished giving everyone their instructions before leaving.
"Continue training. Take missions that benefit your development, but don't take stupid risks."
Jason nodded.
"We've got it."
Silas headed toward the teleportation facility and after the necessary checks, he stepped onto the platform.
There was a brief flash and then Vermilion disappeared. Silas arrived in Viridian almost instantly.
However, this still wasn't the true location of Team Rocket's central base.
That level of convenience would have created an obvious security weakness.
A Hypno was already waiting for him.
Silas understood immediately.
"Ready when you are."
Hypno's eyes glowed.
The world disappeared again.
Team Rocket's security was absolute.
Even authorized teleportation didn't send someone directly to the organization's most sensitive areas.
The technological system moved personnel between controlled locations through several jumps.
Then, as a final precaution, a trusted Pokémon performed the last Teleport.
Anyone somehow tracking the technological network would still reach a dead end.
The final jump placed Silas directly inside a spacious office.
Large windows overlooked Viridian City below.
Silas immediately recognized the man waiting for him.
Archer.
"Welcome back."
Archer studied him carefully.
"I can tell you've grown a bit."
His eyes settled on Silas' expression.
"The fire in your eyes burns fiercer than ever."
Silas smiled slightly.
"Thank you, sir. The experience was worth it. I gained a lot."
That was an understatement.
Silas had caught several Pokemon. His strength had skyrocketed. He gained 4 additional subordinates. His experiences, especially the near death ones forced him to grow quickly.
Although the trial was perilous, it was undeniable that Silas had benefited greatly by participating.
Archer nodded.
"I wanted to meet with you precisely because of your performance."
Silas listened carefully.
"Ebon sang your praises, as did Viper."
Archer folded his hands.
"Your contributions placed you in the top 2."
Silas' eyebrows rose slightly.
That was higher than he expected.
Archer immediately noticed his curiosity.
"Don't ask about number 1."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Just be happy you performed well."
Silas was curious.
Of course he was. However, he didn't care enough to press the issue. If someone had outperformed him, then so be it. That simply meant there was another target ahead of him.
"No problem."
Archer leaned back slightly.
"The reason I called you here is simple."
His expression became more serious.
"Now that you are a proper elite officer, I can assign real missions to you."
Silas straightened.
"In one month, be in Saffron City."
Archer paused.
"I will find you then."
Silas nodded.
"Okay. I understand. Thank you for giving me enough time to get my affairs in order since I just returned."
Truthfully, Silas felt that everything Archer had told him could have been delivered through a message or call.
There had to be more to this meeting. Still, he showed no dissatisfaction.
Archer suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha! Kid, that's why I like you."
Silas looked at him.
"Even though it seems like I've wasted your time, you show no dissatisfaction or disrespect."
Archer gave an approving nod.
"A true model Rocket."
Another voice suddenly entered the conversation.
"Indeed, Archer. Your new recruit shows great promise."
Silas' body stiffened slightly.
A deep, powerful voice had appeared inside the room without warning.
"I sense strong potential within him."
Silas turned.
A man in a crisp black suit stood nearby.
Persian stood calmly beside him.
Silas immediately recognized both.
Giovanni.
Beside him stood a beautiful young woman. She had long black hair, straight bangs, black leggings, red boots, and a red shirt.
Silas felt the psychic power surrounding her before he even fully processed her appearance.
Sabrina.
Her eyes settled on him.
"Ah."
A slight smile appeared.
"He's a psychic too. Interesting."
Silas suddenly felt energy wash across his body.
His expression immediately changed.
It was an incredibly invasive sensation. He felt as though invisible eyes were examining him from every possible direction.
Silas instinctively circulated his psychic power, he knew he couldn't win but being bullied like this would be worse than losing a fight so Silas decided to give it his all if it came to that.
Seeing the determination on Silas' face, her eyes flickered with interest.
Before either side did anything further, Giovanni spoke.
"Sabrina."
His voice remained calm.
"Stop messing with this young man."
The pressure disappeared immediately.
The office became quiet.
Sabrina looked completely innocent.
"I was just saying hello."
She smiled faintly.
"Nothing serious, I swear."
Giovanni paid her no further attention. He was clearly accustomed to her behavior. More importantly, he tolerated it.
Silas could understand why. Sabrina possessed terrifying personal strength in addition to her talent as a trainer. Her psychic abilities alone were comparable to those of a Champion-level Pokémon.
To the League's knowledge, however, she only displayed strength closer to an elite-class Pokémon.
The deception was intentional.
If Sabrina's connection to Team Rocket were ever discovered, anyone sent after her would prepare for the strength she publicly displayed.
Her actual power would give her an overwhelming advantage when escaping.
Giovanni looked toward Silas.
"I will be blunt."
Silas immediately focused.
"I am offering you a mission."
Giovanni's tone became serious.
"You are one of the few competent members of the organization with a genuine identity that can still function openly."
Silas understood the significance immediately.
"I want you to build a reputation here in Kanto."
Giovanni paused.
"But eventually, you will go to another region."
Silas remained silent.
"Your goal will be to become a high-ranking League official."
Silas' mind began working immediately. This wasn't a normal infiltration mission.
Giovanni was talking about something that could take years.
A legitimate public career. Political influence within another regional League. Silas thought through several possibilities.
"Sir, if I may make a suggestion?"
Giovanni looked interested.
"By all means, kid."
"I think aiming for Sinnoh would be the smartest move."
Archer remained silent while Giovanni listened.
Silas continued.
"I think it would be much easier for us to crush Team Galactic compared to dealing with Team Aqua and Team Magma in Hoenn."
He had already considered the organizations from the knowledge of his previous life.
"Only their leader and executives possess any real power."
Silas' eyes sharpened.
"Their actual strength lies in their technological advancements."
That was the part that interested him.
"If I can acquire that technology, I believe it would provide major benefits to Team Rocket."
Giovanni suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha!"
His expression showed genuine amusement.
"Quite ambitious, I see but your reasoning is sound."
Giovanni considered him for several seconds.
Silas remained calm despite the anxiety he was feeling. Interacting with Giovanni like this was tough.
His presence was suffocating, the man was unfathomable.
Silas patiently waited for Giovanni's answer.