"Madam, I also need help buying some land for myself."
Silas pulled out a card and placed it on the table.
"I have 20 million Pokédollars here. Can you look into it?"
Before Madam could answer, Silas released several of the larger Pokémon families he had brought back from the trial continent. The sudden appearance of so many Pokémon made his need for additional space immediately obvious.
Madam looked around before nodding.
"I see why you need the space."
She studied several of the Pokémon for a moment.
"I can keep an eye out. I know real estate is cheaper in the Sevii Islands, so I'll include options from there too."
Silas smiled.
Having Madam tap into her connections on his behalf would save him a great deal of trouble.
Quality real estate was almost like a natural treasure in this world.
Having enough money didn't necessarily mean you could purchase the best properties. Some land never reached the open market, while other properties were passed quietly between families, businesses, and influential trainers.
Without the right contacts, a person could have the money and still never receive the opportunity.
"Thanks. Let me know how it goes and if we need to sweeten the deal."
Madam nodded.
After discussing business for a while longer, the conversation naturally shifted toward lighter topics.
Madam told him about the Ursaring becoming semi famous chefs around Pallet Town.
Silas initially thought she was exaggerating until she described several townspeople regularly stopping by specifically to eat food prepared by them.
Then came stories about the orphans.
Broken windows, missing food, messing with the local domesticated Pokémon, etc
Listening to Madam complain while obviously trying not to smile brought back countless memories.
Silas found himself reminiscing about his own time at the orphanage.
Especially the years he spent there with Rex and Zane.
For a while, the conversation remained lighthearted.
Then Madam's expression suddenly became serious.
"Have you heard from Rex since we last spoke?"
Silas immediately noticed the shift in tone.
"I actually ran into him while I was passing through Cerulean City."
Madam's eyes sharpened.
"He seemed to be doing well. I wouldn't worry too much about him. He's a natural when it comes to raising Pokémon."
Madam sighed.
"Unfortunately, we know that all too well."
Silas' smile slowly disappeared.
"There was a scientist working at the Pewter City research lab."
She paused.
"He was murdered."
Silas remained silent.
"All of his research and materials were stolen."
Madam looked directly at him.
"Rex is suspected of being the culprit."
Silas stiffened slightly.
"The staff who survived identified him as a Team Rocket member. From their description, he seemed to have some authority as well."
Silas didn't immediately respond.
The irony wasn't lost on him.
Madam was sitting across from another Team Rocket member without realizing it.
Worse, Silas probably had just as much blood on his hands as Rex.
If not considerably more.
Madam continued.
"If you see him again, please tell him to turn himself in."
Her expression became worried.
"Or, if possible, capture him yourself."
Silas raised an eyebrow.
"Bruno was furious when he heard what happened. Rex's starter was technically a League Pokémon provided through him."
That explained the concern.
Madam shook her head.
"I don't want Bruno to find Rex first."
Silas understood exactly what she meant.
"Duly noted. I'll keep an eye out."
He didn't argue.
Based on his knowledge of the Generation 1 games and the wider circumstances surrounding certain researchers, Silas doubted the deceased scientist had been some completely innocent, law-abiding academic.
That didn't automatically justify Rex murdering him but Silas knew better than to accept the League's version of events without question.
He decided to reserve judgment until he learned more.
Silas remained in Pallet Town for several more days.
His Pokémon enjoyed the break almost as much as he did.
The children loved having so many powerful Pokémon around, although Tropius quickly became the overwhelming favorite.
During her stay at the orphanage, Tropius repeatedly carried groups of children through the skies around Pallet Town.
Madam initially protested.
Then she saw how careful Tropius was with them and eventually stopped trying.
The children would climb aboard laughing and return talking over one another about everything they had seen from above.
By the time Silas prepared to leave, he found himself slightly offended.
Several children were hugging Tropius and begging her not to go but nobody cared if he came or went.
Silas crossed his arms.
"I've known you people for years."
One child looked at him.
"Tropius can fly. Can you carry us into the sky?"
Silas stared at him.
"Remember your words when it's time for you to start your journey. I hope Tropius helps you get your first Pokémon."
The kid's face froze when he realized the implications of Silas' words.
"Brother Silas, don't be like that! You know I look up to you the way you looked up to big brother Bruno."
"Wow, look at you with the quick silver tongue all of a sudden."
Silas laughed and chattted with the kids for a little while longer. Eventually, it was time to move on.
His next destination was Pewter City.
With Tropius combining Synthesis with her Tailwind-based flight method, the journey only took a few days.
Because they traveled primarily along official Pokémon League routes, wild Pokémon encounters were relatively uncommon.
Most of the aggressive Pokémon they encountered were Fearow flocks.
Even those rarely committed to an attack.
The moment they sensed the peak pseudo advanced-tier energy radiating from Tropius, most wisely turned around.
Silas had no complaints.
He had already captured enough Fearow recently.
After several days, Pewter City came into view.
The city was more attractive than Silas remembered from the games.
Stone buildings blended naturally into the surrounding environment while trees and other vegetation remained scattered throughout the urban area.
The entire city seemed designed around maintaining a balance between civilization and the rocky wilderness surrounding it.
Silas didn't waste much time sightseeing. He headed directly toward the gym and had. Tropius descend nearby.
Silas had barely started walking toward the building when a sharp voice called out.
"Halt! Produce your identification."
Silas turned.
A police officer was approaching.
Only then did Silas realize how much attention he had attracted by arriving on the back of a massive Tropius.
Several people nearby were staring.
Silas looked back at the officer.
"I've done nothing wrong. I'm here to challenge the Pewter Gym."
"Right."
The officer held out his hand.
"Well, if you have nothing to hide, produce your identification."
Silas suppressed a sigh.
He had absolutely no interest in wasting his time arguing with some random officer. He pulled out his official identification and handed it over.
The man scrutinized the card as though he expected Silas' picture to peel away and reveal Giovanni underneath.
After an unnecessarily long inspection, the officer handed it back.
"So you're just another country bumpkin."
Silas' expression remained neutral.
"Enjoy your gym visit."
The officer smiled mockingly.
"And be careful not to injure your Pokémon too badly. You probably can't afford too many injuries to your team, I'm guessing."
Silas accepted his identification.
"Thank you for the kind reminder."
The officer narrowed his eyes.
"Boy, I caught some sarcasm there."
Silas said nothing.
"I'm sure you have more manners than that."
The man pointed toward him.
"Next time, I'll be fining you for obstruction of justice. The fee is 10,000 Pokédollars."
Silas simply turned around and walked away.
People who used a tiny amount of authority to randomly bully others weren't worth his time.
He dealt with genuinely dangerous people. He had fought trainers who could command pseudo legendaries.
He had nearly died more than once. Getting into an argument with a bored patrol officer would accomplish nothing.
Silas entered the Pewter Gym.
The interior immediately looked more professional than he expected.
There was a comfortable waiting area near the entrance and several offices further inside.
A large glass wall separated the lobby from one of the battle arenas.
A match was currently underway.
Geodude versus Bellsprout.
Silas watched for several seconds.
Both Pokémon were clearly inexperienced.
It was a novice challenger.
Silas approached the receptionist and presented his updated League identification.
The attractive woman scanned it before glancing at something on her computer.
Her expression changed slightly.
"Please wait here."
Silas nodded.
Only a short time passed before a man emerged from one of the offices.
Silas immediately recognized the resemblance.
The man looked remarkably similar to Brock from the anime, only significantly older.
"I'm Flint, the leader of this gym."
He looked Silas over.
"Are you Silas from Pallet Town?"
"Yes."
Silas stepped forward.
"I'm here for my challenge. I've been approved to challenge the gym leader directly despite having no badges due to my sponsorship from Sabrina."
The moment Silas said Sabrina's name, Flint's expression changed.
A distinctly lecherous smile appeared.
Silas immediately understood where Brock had gotten his disposition toward women.
Apparently, it was genetic.
"So you found favor with the gorgeous Sabrina?"
Flint sighed dramatically.
"You're a lucky man."
Silas shook his head.
"It's not like that."
He gestured toward the Poké Ball at his waist.
"My Espeon impressed her during a battle. That's it."
Flint looked slightly disappointed.
"Well, in accordance with the rules, you do get to challenge me directly."
His demeanor became more serious.
"However, make no mistake. I won't be going easy on you."
Flint reached for a Poké Ball.
"I'll be using advanced-tier Pokémon."
Silas smiled.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Flint laughed.
"Haha! You've got some guts. I like it."
They entered the main battle arena.
Flint moved toward his side before throwing a Poké Ball.
"Let's start."
Light flashed and large armored Pokémon appeared. It was Rhydon, the evolved form of Rhyhorn.
Silas studied it carefully.
This was where maintaining multiple identities became irritating. Inside the trial continent, secrecy mattered less.
Battles frequently ended in death, and there were countless opportunities to use Pokémon without creating lasting public records.
Back in Kanto, things were different. Gym battles were documented. League officials watched carefully, scouting for talent. Trainers remembered powerful teams.
Silas needed to carefully decide which Pokémon would become associated with his legitimate identity.
That was unfortunate because Poliwrath would have been excellent against a Rock-type gym.
Silas reached for another Poké Ball.
"Go, Espeon."