Rust's the village weirdo, and Bluebell's his wheelchair-bound childhood friend that's unfortunately stuck with him. Pallet Town's a lot quieter once they leave on their journey.
"...Squirtle, you don't have to tolerate his insanity if you don't wa...
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"We're Team Rocket, and we're a group seeking ways to make Pokemon training, breeding, and raising a financially-viable career option!"
The dark uniforms stood out strangely against the morning countryside, and Rust couldn't help that his eyes were drawn toward them. They had a banner and table set out, clearly here to recruit those interested in their cause.
Some of the locals and travellers were already approaching the bubbly, socialite woman, mildly bemused by what she had to say.
Being a trainer was a very profitable career, that was indeed true.
Sure, kids were encouraged to go on pilgrimages, but that was more about independence and self-discovery. They were all expected to use that journey to find the right career path for themselves to settle down. Most of them don't really pursue the Pokemon League seriously, anyways.
In reality, among those in the career path centered upon Pokemon, only those that worked in gyms and trainer schools had stable incomes. Ace Trainers were freelance mercenaries as far as people were concerned, and Pokemon Professors needed to churn out lots of research to even barely sustain a lifestyle.
Rust could understand why Team Rocket's roadside marketing spree was a good business tactic. A day where people could simply travel around the world, doing nothing but enjoy the world of Pokemon, was still very far off.
But something was off.
"Have you ever been troubled that your Pidgey isn't strong enough to defend against wild Pokemon attacks? Well fear not!" the red-haired Team Rocket lady puts her hands together sweetly as her stoical blue-haired partner hands out brochures. "They can be trained in our facility, to become strong, capable workers! And soon, you can even send them out to be your little breadwinners, heading out of the town to do odd jobs!"
At this point in society, something like that was still unheard of.
The enthusiasm in the crowd was great.
"Are you for real?"
"It's a real concern! The Rattata around these parts have been eating into my stock lately..."
"People in Pallet can't even travel freely over. If only my Spearow was a little stronger, it could walk my son to and back without needing to wait for the men in the evening."
Something was suspicious about Team Rocket. People were now filling up their box with their Pokemon, labelling them nicely and recording their names in a book. Some even came upfront and paid a fee for the supposed training program.
Rust's feelings of uncertainty were shared by someone else. He watched the scene from beside the Pokemon Center doors, but there was someone else— a slightly older girl who couldn't be much older than himself, also watching the scene warily. She was dressed distinctly like a ninja— a kunoichi?--- she's clearly a travelling trainer on her pilgrimage.
