The Beginning

Chapter Four

His office was huge. The large desk was sat in the middle of the room and was mounted with paper, organised into two piles. Around the office hung portraits of his predecessors; Bartolini, DeSeta, Giovanni and other powerful figures. There were no windows in the large room, for how can there be windows underground? There wasn't even a door, but instead, a lift shaft was in one corner. It was cylindrical in shape and made entirely of glass. The Grunts and Admin had to have permission to enter the office via video cameras. One was at the entrance to the lift and another on the computer that was perched on the edge of the desk.
  The office belonged to the leader of Team Rocket, and there he was, sitting at his desk with his back straight and his fingers tapping on the desk. The leader a face that had perhaps once been one of kindness and innocence but now was distorted and shadowed by the evil acts of which he'd committed. He had black, empty eyes that had seen so much more than anyone could ever know. He had straightened, shoulder-length, red hair that split and formed a fringe on his forehead. He wore a black, leather jacket with a white shirt and black trousers. He looked so out of place, but obviously fit into his role well at the same time.
  The computer began beeping. The leader pressed a button and one of his Admin's faces appeared. "What?" he snapped. His voice was harsh and his words hung in the air for seconds after he spoke.
  "Sir, I has urgent news!" the Admin said quickly whilst saluting.
  The leader sighed. "What could be so important that-?"
  "It's about Elm, sir. We believe he's recruited someone else."
  The leader paused. He remembered the last recruit Elm had sent; a childhood friend, much to the leader's surprise. Someone he had known many years ago. And he had had him killed. "Come down." The leader turned the camera off and instantly heard the low hum of the lift approaching.
  The Admin hurried out and stood, saluting his leader. "Sir!"
  "At ease, Proton." Proton obeyed, his hand shooting back to his side. "Now, tell me what you know."
  "We believe that this time the recruit is a boy."
  The leader chuckled. "An easy opponent. Do go on."
  Proton continued. "This boy is of some significance though and we shouldn't underestimate his power, for revenge can do odd things to people."
  "Revenge? Of whom?"
  "His father, sir. His father was Gold Justice. The traitor you had killed a few weeks ago." Proton tensed, waiting to see his boss's reaction. His long face and deep eyes bore into his boss's. He kept absolutely still, not even moving to push his purple hair out of his eyes and back under his black cap.
  "Interesting. If he is anything like his father was as a child, he might be worth trying to recruit."
  "But, sir-"
  "Now, Proton, I know what I'm doing. How many more Pokemon have we stolen since I took over from my father?"
  "A great deal, sir, but please-"
  "And who gave you that promotion?"
  "You, sir, but honestly-"
  "And who has the power to take it away?" The leader smiled.
  Proton sighed. "You, sir."
"Now are we going to do as I say? Go find that boy, and recruit him! Don't come back until you have, or I shall have your head and mount it in the wall. Understood?"
  "Yes, sir."
  "Excellent. Now out of my sight. I'm sick of looking at your scrawny body." Proton hurried to the lift and back up to the Admin level. The leader was left alone.
  He opened a draw in his desk and pulled out a Polaroid of a young boy in a baseball cap and a younger version of himself. They had they're arms around each there shoulders like old friends. "You may have lost Gold to Elm, Silver, but you won't lose his son" he said to himself. Silver put the pictures back and closed the draw.

Night was slowly closing in on Cherrygrove Town. Citizens were turning off their lights and getting ready for bed. There was the occasional bark from Growlithe, but all was pretty quiet.
  Charlie had found the other trainers pretty easily. They were all gathered by fountain in the town square. They seemed at about Charlie's level as they were using Pokemon such as Pidgey and Marill. He had approached them carefully, with Gold staying very close. He stood in a group of boys and girls on the sideline of a battle between a Rattata and a Pidgey. The Pidgey had won with ease, as it was flying around, which made things difficult for the Rattata.
  Someone had spotted Gold and was amazed at how strong it looked. They challenged Charlie to a battle against the boys Aipom. Charlie had used the same tactic he'd used against the Weedle, the Defense Curl followed by the fast Scratch attack. At one point, it looked like Gold had learnt Swift as he'd fired tiny stars at the Aipom instead of using Scratch. Eventually, the Aipom had gotten so tired, that it only took a simple Scratch to finish it.
  The sky had been a vibrant orange then. Now it was an inky, solid black.
  Charlie had found his way back to the Pokemon Center. He said a quick goodnight to the talkative Sam and went through the double doors and then to bed after stroking Gold goodnight.
  It had been an eventful day, with Charlie getting his first Pokemon that morning, leaving at about midday and now he was sleeping in his first Pokemon Center with his first Pokemon curled up at the end of the bed. He'd been so busy he'd almost forgotten about avenging his father. How could he? It was his own mission, like his father used to get, from Professor Elm. Was he now a recruit like his father? Charlie wasn't sure how be felt about that. If Team Rocket found out who he was, it could put him at great risk. Perhaps the safest thing was to get a lot stronger before facing Team Rocket. Maybe take on the Gym that Sam had mentioned.
  Charlie had decided. He was going to get stronger before taking on the full force of Team Rocket. He could build up a team of strong Pokemon and use them all to complete his mission. But he had time for that.
  After all, this was only the beginning.

Author's Note: So that was part one of this epic tale. If you enjoyed it, let me know by sending me a review. My email is millsieminor@hotmail.co.uk and I will always reply. Part two will probably be in next week's update, or maybe this week's if I have the time. Once again, thanks for reading part one and I hope you continue to read the adventures of our shy, small hero, Charlie Justice.
  Foxes Playing Banjos