Silas decided that he would participate in the attacks against the Luminary Court's bases.
Staying inside the Team Rocket base while Viper and the others moved against the intruders would be safe, but safety alone had never been enough for Silas.
The Court had already tried to kill him more than once, and if their goal was to monopolize the real resources on the island, then allowing them to operate freely would only make them stronger.
More importantly, the nearest confirmed stronghold was close enough to reach within a day's journey. It was hidden behind a waterfall in the rainforest region of the island, and if Silas moved carefully, he could scout and strike without needing to commit to a direct assault against the entire base.
The location itself made sense. Trial Island's ecosystems still amazed him whenever he thought about them. From a bird's-eye view, one could see a rainforest receiving constant rain while, on the other side of the island, a desert remained dry and sunbaked as though the two climates belonged to different worlds.
There were mountains, forests, beaches, caves, and swamps all stitched together without collapsing into chaos. Now that Silas knew this island was one of Mew's creations, the impossible harmony finally felt reasonable. Divine power could make the irrational seem natural.
Before leaving, Silas reached out to his subordinates and ordered them to meet him inside his suite.
Jessie, James, Meowth, and Jason arrived quickly. This would be Jason's first real meeting with the rest of Spartan, so Silas took a few minutes to handle introductions properly. Fortunately, the atmosphere remained relaxed.
Jessie and James were curious about the swordsman Silas had recruited, while Jason was polite and cautious without seeming timid. Meowth, naturally, inspected Jason like a senior officer evaluating a new recruit.
Silas quickly noticed something amusing.
Jason clearly had a crush on Jessie.
The same young man who had fearlessly fought three aggressive Pinsir with only a sword now seemed noticeably more careful whenever Jessie addressed him.
His posture straightened slightly, his answers became more polite, and he made an obvious effort to be pleasant. Silas had to admit that Jessie was attractive. Her long flowing purple hair, athletic body, and fiery confidence made her difficult to overlook.
What surprised Silas was James.
He had always suspected that James secretly carried feelings for Jessie, yet no conflict appeared. James noticed Jason's behavior, but rather than becoming hostile, he simply smiled faintly and allowed the conversation to continue. Either his feelings were not what Silas assumed, or James was far better at managing them than expected.
Silas decided not to interfere.
Personal dynamics could either strengthen a squad or poison it from within. For now, Jason's interest in Jessie was harmless, and everyone remained focused on the mission.
"Jason," Silas said, shifting the meeting toward business, "how has your training with Scyther been going?"
Jason's expression brightened immediately.
"We've enjoyed steady growth. I actually caught a second pokemon the day after we returned to base, and we've all been training hard together."
He produced two pokeballs and released them.
Scyther appeared first, standing confidently with his blade arms lowered at his sides. Beside him appeared a bipedal crocodile pokemon with a light brown body and dark stripes.
Silas smiled.
"Wow, a Krokorok. Let me take a good look at your team."
He scanned both pokemon.
Scyther (M) — Level 35
Ability: Steadfast
Potential: B-
Moves: Rank B Slash, Rank C Air Slash, Rank C Wing Attack, Rank C Fury Cutter, Rank C Quick Attack, Rank C Brutal Swing, Rank C Double Team, Rank C Quick Guard, Rank C Cut, Rank C Double Hit, Rank D Protect, Rank D Agility
Krokorok (M) — Level 32
Ability: Moxie
Potential: C+
Moves: Rank B Power Trick, Rank B Hone Claws, Rank B Bite, Rank C Sand Tomb, Rank C Dig, Rank C Sandstorm, Rank C Torment, Rank C Crunch, Rank C Fire Fang, Rank C Thunder Fang, Rank D Stone Edge, Rank D Protect
Silas nodded in approval.
Krokorok had decent talent, but what interested Silas more were the three Rank B moves. That kind of proficiency suggested hidden potential beyond the simple rating. Scyther's growth was even more impressive. In only a short time, he had reached level 35 and improved Slash to Rank B. Silas could easily imagine Jason and Scyther crossing blades every day, pushing one another through relentless sparring.
Jessie and James had also made strides in their pokemon training.
Meowth was now sitting at level 35 and had apparently been suppressing the light of evolution. Jessie had her level 39 Primeape and Ursaring, her level 36 Nidorina, and a newly caught level 30 Murkrow. James' Pichu had also evolved, leaving him with a level 39 Golbat, a level 37 Nidorino, a level 35 Rhyhorn, and the newly evolved level 33 Pikachu.
Their growth was satisfying.
The incompetent bumbling trio from Silas' memories no longer existed.
They were now fearsome Team Rocket officers under his command.
Silas couldn't help thinking about Meowth's suppressed evolution. A powerful talking Persian would be a sight to behold. Secretly, he wished Meowth was his own pokemon, but he would never steal from his own people. That was a line he refused to cross. Loyalty had to be mutual. A leader who robbed his subordinates could never expect true devotion in return.
"You've all made excellent progress," Silas said after finishing his evaluation. "That means this mission should be easier than it would have been a few weeks ago."
Everyone focused on him.
"The Court's goal is to monopolize the real resources on this island. That means they will aggressively pursue any Rocket members they believe can be killed. I will be using you all as bait to draw out their members so we can ambush them. They won't approach me directly if they recognize my strength, but they may pursue officers they believe are isolated."
Meowth's ears flattened immediately.
"Boss, that is cruel. I didn't train hard to have the honor of being bait at the end of the hook."
The room became quiet.
Silas slowly looked down at him.
"It seems time away from me has made you bold, Meowth."
His tone remained calm, but the atmosphere changed.
"In Team Rocket, the strongest reign. Would you like to have a battle to determine who is in charge here?"
Meowth's confidence vanished instantly.
"No, no. That will not be necessary, Boss. My apologies for speaking out of line."
Silas held his gaze for a moment longer.
"Don't let it happen again. I can't promise leniency after I have already warned you once. The way we interact normally is fine. I see all of you as companions, but make no mistake about our defined roles when it comes to business. You are my subordinate. A valued one, but still my subordinate."
Meowth lowered his head.
Silas understood the disadvantage of being too close to his subordinates. He wanted Spartan to become a group that genuinely cared for one another, a group that operated like a loyal family rather than disposable tools.
At the same time, a mission was not a casual discussion. When danger arrived, authority had to be clear.
Discipline and camaraderie were difficult to balance, but if he wanted the culture he imagined, he would have to suffer through moments like this and correct them properly.
James stepped forward carefully.
"Boss, please cut Meowth some slack. Since separating from you, he has been the de facto leader of our group and has led us successfully with his sharp mind. It's hard going from giving orders to taking them again in such a short time."
Meowth looked at James with obvious gratitude.
Silas noticed the exchange and took it into account. James defending Meowth wasn't defiance. It was loyalty expressed properly, and that was something Silas wanted to encourage rather than crush.
"Fair enough, Meowth, mind your position in the future. Also, good work leading your squad. In the future, if you have suggestions, you may voice them. Just remember that the final decision. remains mine."
Meowth nodded quickly.
"Understood, Boss."
Silas said no more.
Jason chuckled quietly from the side, clearly enjoying watching Odin discipline his subordinates. Silas also appreciated Jessie, James, and Meowth's discretion.
They continued referring to him as Odin in front of Jason, preserving his cover identity without needing to be reminded.
Once the tension faded, Silas began explaining the mission in detail.
They would not attack the waterfall base directly. That would be foolish. Instead, they would approach the region near the stronghold and lure out a smaller group.
The Luminary Court seemed aggressive and confident, especially when hunting Rocket members they viewed as weaker. Silas intended to exploit that arrogance.
The plan required a carefully prepared killing field.
After leaving the suite, they traveled toward the rainforest route that would eventually lead to the waterfall stronghold.
The air became humid long before they reached the area. Thick green foliage closed around them, and the sound of running water echoed faintly in the distance.
Rain fell intermittently, sometimes as a gentle mist and sometimes in sudden heavy bursts that soaked the leaves before vanishing again.
Silas selected a narrow path between dense trees where visibility was poor and movement would naturally funnel pursuers into a predictable route.
"Here," he said.
Vibrava and Excadrill moved first.
The pair worked beneath the surface, softening the soil along the path until it became unstable. It wasn't obvious from above, but beneath the thin surface layer, the ground had been loosened into something close to quicksand. Once weight pressed down on it, the surface would collapse and pull the victim deeper.
Frogadier followed by using Toxic Spikes multiple times into the softened pit. Poisonous barbs disappeared beneath the earth, hidden from sight but ready to pierce anyone unfortunate enough to sink in. The move was already dangerous on ordinary terrain, but buried inside a quicksand pit, it became vicious.
Vibrava then used Earth Power with careful control.
Instead of attacking, he restored a thin layer of ground above the trap, making the path appear normal again. Silas crouched beside the finished section and examined it closely. Even knowing where the trap was, he would have struggled to distinguish it from the surrounding soil.
"Excellent."
Espeon stepped forward next.
Her role was delicate.
When Jessie, James, Jason, and Meowth returned with pursuers, Espeon would use Psychic to create a thin stable path beneath their feet, preventing them from triggering the trap while fleeing across it.
The Court members chasing them would not receive the same support and would fall directly into the poisoned quicksand.
Her presence served another purpose as well.
Espeon was rare and sought after. If the Luminary Court members saw her running alongside what appeared to be vulnerable Rocket officers, greed might push them into recklessness.
Silas took his position high among the trees once everything was prepared.
He concealed his presence with aura and psychic energy, remaining still among the branches while his pokemon spread into assigned locations. Ursaring waited where he could fire from range.
Monferno and Electabuzz hid with clear lines of attack. Excadrill remained underground, prepared to strike from below.
Vibrava concealed himself near the edge of the trap, ready to reinforce it with Sandstorm or Earth Power if necessary.
The bait team departed.
Then came the waiting.
A full hour passed without anything happening.
Silas remained motionless.
Waiting was often more difficult than fighting. A battle demanded action, but an ambush demanded patience. A single careless sound or movement could waste all their preparation.
The rainforest around him breathed steadily, leaves dripping with moisture and insects buzzing from every direction. Silas slowed his breathing until even his own heartbeat felt distant.
Then Espeon's voice entered his mind.
"Boss… they're coming."
Silas opened his eyes.
Every pokemon under his command became alert at once.
————————————————————
There will be a bonus chapter tomorrow. I appreciate the powerstones!!
Thanks for the continued support on my first fanfic!!
Moving forward, every 50 Power Stones, I will release a bonus chapter.
I will also be releasing bonus chapters for milestones. The next ones are 100k views and chapter 100.
Finally, I will be releasing 3 extra chapters once we reach 10 reviews. 5 star reviews are appreciated but not required, I want honest feedback so I can improve.
Once again, thanks for all the support and feedback!