Damian's villa. After finalizing the basic rules, he reviews the current situation of Team Kanto.
The meeting concludes; in truth, Kanto Team Rocket already has a solid base.
The three Admins hide their identities as Gym Leaders, unless a special operation requires it.
The Four Admins lead Kanto; The Three Beasts lead Johto's Team Rocket.
Various Team Rocket enterprises run steadily, like Celadon Game Corner that has already reopened.
So there's nothing Damian needs to worry about; Archer and the others handle it well.
Right now Damian's core request is to stop Team Rocket from snatching other people's Pokémon and to expand their business scope.
"Boss, I've got a rather interesting contract; would you like to take a look?"
Archer reports to Damian.
"Oh? Tell me." Damian nods.
"Well, a collector contacted us. He says he wants to collect the legendary 'guardian of the seas' Lugia and asks if we can help him."
Archer's expression changes awkwardly.
"Collect Lugia? Is he out of his mind?"
Zinnia heard this and freezes, muttering in disbelief.
Lugia is a Pokémon in the myths and legends of the Kanto Region; Lugia's power, while not as great as Rayquaza, should still be formidable.
How could he dare?
"The desires of people are like a mountain," N murmurs low. He knows many collectors are a bit distorted—money amplifies that distortion.
This is why hunter organizations can't wipe them all out; as long as there are collectors, there will be seekers.
From ordinary rare Pokémon to pseudo-legendary and other treasures, the urge to collect becomes an unending flood, fixated on myths and legends.
That's the vast majority of collectors.
"He says he can pay us handsomely; I haven't replied yet."
"Archer, do you think if we refuse him, will he abandon this ideology?"
Damian ponders; the Lugia-collecting collector reminds him of the villain from Lugia movies.
"Not at all," Archer replies decisively.
"I can tell this person has a severe kink for collecting; even if we reject him, he won't stop."
"Wait, does this collector even have Lugia's location?"
Karen speaks, puzzled; could it be the Lugia at Whirl Islands has been found?
"He says he has a way to force Lugia out." Archer answers.
As for the specifics, the collector likely didn't disclose them.
"Tsk," Karen clicks her tongue.
"What origin is this collector?" Damian muses.
"His name is Lawrence; background not fully investigated, but supposedly tied to Silph Co."
Archer notes that among Kanto's big wealthy families, Silph Co is the richest, having foundational Poké Ball tech.
"Archer, lure him out."
"Yes."
Archer nods; seems Damian is also interested in Lugia?
Fine, use that collector to locate Lugia, then drop him.
Archer quickly foresees the next steps.
"And then take him down, move his assets over."
"Huh?" Archer freezes.
"A man with such a bloated brain is rich enough to squander his money; better for us to take."
Damian speaks with conviction; he's certain Lawrence is the Lugia-movie collector.
His plan to lure Lugia is to capture the stability ocean deep-sea current birds first, then Lugia will appear.
And taking Lawrence's money is for the world's good—without money, Lawrence can't manufacture his airship. If Lawrence has built the airship, what then?
Very simple—steal the airship too, and siphon his remaining funds.
"Yes, I understand."
Archer ponders; does Damian not care about Lugia?
But since Damian has given orders, he'll comply.
Lawrence is just an ordinary person, not a Trainer; capturing him is easy.
"Nothing to do here? I'll go rest," Zinnia stretches and yawns.
"Be free to move about, or you can go with Archer to get acquainted with the organization; Colress, you and I will take a trip."
Damian signals Colress.
"Roger."
Lavender Town, Damian returns here again.
"Dr. Fuji, how have recent researches gone?"
Entering the base, Mr. Fuji is busy with experiments. Colress surveys the area curiously.
As a researcher, Colress can tell that many instruments in this base are top-tier.
"Progress isn't great; you won't let Mewtwo stay with me."
Fuji glances at Damian; he's heard that Damian has become Team Rocket boss.
Clearly everyone's discussing it lately.
"You know, Mewtwo is one of my favorite Pokémon; it's very important to me."
"Hehe~" Fuji's polite smile doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"Colress, this is Dr. Fuji, one of our top researching scholars; Mewtwo was created with Fuji's help."
Colress' eyes light up.
Shadow Mewtwo—could it really be the elder create in front of him? Impressive!
"Senior Fuji, I'm Colress, also a researcher." Colress bows politely to the expressionless Mr. Fuji.
Though Colress is proud, he doesn't claim to be better; their fields differ.
Colress' project is about maximizing Pokémon potential; Fuji clearly is an expert in genes, cloning, and Pokémon studies.
"Hello." Fuji sighs; he'd like to chide Damian for bringing this up, but has no standing to challenge him.
"Colress is an excellent researcher; recently I'll have Shadow Mewtwo come by often to cooperate with you all, and quickly produce Shadow Mewtwo's Mega Stone."
Damian is growing impatient.
Shadow Mewtwo has been growing quickly, so Damian no longer keeps it in limits armor; it can now fully control its power, so the armor is no longer needed.
But Mega Stone is still required.
"To make Shadow Mewtwo's Mega Stone? Interesting."
Colress understands why Damian brought him.
"Yes, if Dr. Fuji still doesn't think that's enough, I can go to Cinnabar Island to fetch Blaine."
Damian says.
"No need, for now have Mewtwo come by for cooperative experiments." Fuji shakes his head; he doesn't want Blaine involved again.
Blaine was one of Team Rocket's researchers too, but he and Fuji fled New Island together and are considered traitors.
However Blaine never revealed Team Rocket's secrets, so Giovanni hasn't sent anyone after him.
"Fine, thanks to both of you."
Damian leaves Shadow Mewtwo at the base; in truth Shadow Mewtwo can be considered a scientist in its own right.
Because Shadow Mewtwo is incredibly smart and knowledgeable, plus it understands its own body; making Mega Stones with its cooperation is much easier.
Celadon City.
"Mr. Damian, you've actually become Team Rocket's boss."
In a small courtyard, a kimono girl watering flowers sighs softly, "Mr. Damian…"
"What's wrong? Shouldn't you be congratulating me, adorable Erika?"
An unfamiliar yet familiar male voice behind makes Erika turn in surprise.
"Mr. Damian?!"
Erika turns, and there stands Damian.
Erika blushes, surprised.
"It's been months; Erika, you're still as lovely as before, pale and delicate."
Damian steps forward and gently pinches Erika's pale cheek.
Erika's face reddens.
"Please… please don't do this."
But next, the flower-arranging miss suddenly feels her mouth being sealed, and she gasps in astonishment.
Her water pitcher slips from her hand, the kimono girl rises on tiptoe and wraps her arms around the boy's neck.
After a long moment, they kiss.
"Ah! Mr. Damian, this isn't appropriate here; what if someone sees?"
Erika clamps down the roaming hand that slipped under her collar, giving Damian a sharp look.
Although this is her private yard, who knows who might be peeking over the wall?
"Alright, it's been months; let me hold you."
Damian shrugs, then gently holds the nature-loving young lady.
Erika presses closer, savoring his scent, closing her eyes.
You're in trouble, Erika, you're in trouble.
You know this man is Team Rocket's boss, and you're Celadon City's Gym Leader.
"Erika's scent is amazing."
The boy's voice whispers in her ear, and Erika smiles.
After a while they head inside.
The tea room fills with a fragrant scent; Erika expertly pours tea into a cup.
"Mr. Damian, will you stay in Kanto for long?"
Erika asks while operating.
"No, I won't stay; I haven't set goals yet."
Erika feels a little disappointed; if Damian travels to other regions, she won't be able to stay with him.
"Nevertheless, I'll stay in Kanto for a while. Erika, do you know a place ideal for farming? A large area with good environment?"
Damian asks about farms to support Team Rocket's operations; they already breed many Pokémon, including Legendary ones, needing larger farms.
"Hmm…"
Erika tilts her head and thinks.
"If you need a large area, there's a vast forest plain near Route Town, and supposedly there's a mountain that looks like a big tree, very magical."
"Route Town…"
Damian ponders; he thinks he might have heard that name before.
~~
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