Pokemon Chronicles of Darkness

Chapter 31

The end of the test had been as uneventful as an evening spent in the company of a Drowzee, with only the top ten trialists summoned to the stage, swiping their ID cards to receive a mere 200 Team Rocket points each. To others, such a trifle might have seemed a bountiful reward, but to Cain, who still had over 7,000 points to his name, it was but a drop in the ocean.

Team Rocket's point control was as strict as a gym leader's regimen, and it was only by a stroke of luck that Cain had come across a rare Green Aptitude Pokemon egg, aided in no small part by the A.I. system, that he had been able to accumulate 20,000 points so swiftly. Others were not so fortunate.

The main way to earn points in Team Rocket was still by completing missions, for that was the most stable source of points. Catching rare-talented Pokemon or finding various rare items to trade for points, however, was a game of chance, dependent on one's luck and vision.

Cain's advantage was that he had an A.I. system, which made it impossible for him to remain unaware whenever a Rare Talented Pokemon appeared before him. Thus, compared to others, Cain's most stable way to gain points was by catching different Pokemon, and the only thing that could limit him was luck.

But, as with all things, there are times when one should be ostentatious and times when one should keep a low profile. For if one were always to catch rare Pokemon to exchange for points, what would others think? How could someone tell the talent of a Pokemon without using any instruments? Would they not ask to be dragged off to the lab to be studied?

Thus, the crowd gradually dispersed, their faces sullen, for what had just happened was like a time bomb, constantly reminding them that they had to work hard. After this incident, everyone's level of effort would have to go up a notch, and if they did not work harder, they would die!

Viper and the mysterious figure garbed in black robes had already departed the square, surrounded by a phalanx of Team Rocket grunts. For men of their status and position, trifling matters were of little concern, and of course, their minions would see to it that everything was taken care of. Had it not been for the fact that the quality of each batch of trialists affected Viper's annual income, he would not have deigned to be troubled by a group of small children. Would a supposed elite-level powerhouse be bothered by a band of recruits not even worthy of a normal coach's attention?

Besides wanting to accompany Viper to assess the quality of this group of trainees, the mysterious man also had another motive. He wanted to learn more about Cain. Though he had bestowed upon Cain the Shadow Unit Reserve Member Medal the day prior, he knew little about him as a person and thus used the test as an opportunity to observe

him. And from the results, it seemed Cain still met his minimum standards. As Cain was making ready to depart, Xander and his subordinates blocked his path. "Caw!" The first to step forward at the sight of trouble was, of course, Murkrow.

"Caba!" Not to be outdone by Murkrow's display, Xander's Ekans coiled its body slightly, not in fear, but in its most terrifying attack stance.

The most terrifying moment when facing a snake is not when it opens its mouth wide and bares its fangs, but when it curls up and tightens its muscles, showing that it is ready to strike at any moment, its muscles going from taut to slack, like the release of a tightly drawn bow.

Cain stroked Murkrow's feathers gently, gesturing for him not to be nervous.

Watching Cain's actions, Xander raised an eyebrow and also gestured to his Ekans not to get too excited.

With a flicker of light in his eyes, Cain scanned Ekans' data with his system. Pokemon: Ekans (Light Green)

Gender: Male