Capítulo 66: Chapter 66:
The prestige of the Association had been fading for decades, and their grip on the region was slipping. But they saw an opportunity to turn things around. They would showcase their direct members in the newspapers, with Lance as one of their leading lights.
It was a calculated move, a play for future power.
They also loosened the reins on the civilian trainers. And if they could control the trainers, they could control the region.
In the early days of the Association, when it was a coalition of many forces, the profession of Pokemon trainer was only open to the upper echelons. Civilians were seen as second-class citizens and didn't have the rights or resources to become trainers.
But as peace settled over the land and battles became fewer, the forces grew more powerful and the Association's control weakened.
With the opening up of the profession, the Association established Gyms and Pokemon Centers to support the trainers. They invested resources to help the civilians grow, and over several generations of training, the number of direct members of the Association increased.
This not only stopped the rise of forces with hidden agendas but also helped to stabilize society.
But being a trainer was much harder for civilians than for the direct members of the Association. They had to play by the Association's rules, and the road was long and steep.
Trainers in the Association were divided into two categories - the Direct members and the Non-Direct members.
The latter, often civilians, obtained their first Pokemon through their own means before meeting the Association's rigorous standards. They were the underdogs, fighting their way to recognition.
But Direct members? They were the chosen ones. At a certain age, they were given a choice between three Pokemon with exceptional potential, a Pokédex that marked their identity, and all the benefits that came with being a Direct member, like free treatment at Pokemon Centers and free accommodation. They were living the dream.
One's status as a Direct member or Non-direct member was determined at birth, but that didn't mean the line was set in stone. With great contributions to the Association, they could become a Direct member, securing their place among the elite and ensuring their descendants would be Direct members as well.
This, however, was no easy feat. Only the truly exceptional, those who could rise above the masses, could earn the status of Direct member. But becoming a Direct member wasn't limited to being a Pokemon Trainer. Those who made significant contributions in any field, from Pokemon Professors to Pokemon Breeders, would be granted Direct member status.
Still, there was a glimmer of hope for those who were unable to climb out of the quagmire but daring enough to take a risk. For them, joining Team Rocket was the ticket to change their fate and make a mark on the world. All it took was a willingness to risk everything.
"Attention passengers, the bus to Saffron City is about to depart. Please make your way to Gate A3." Cain jolted back to reality, putting away the newspaper, and making his way to the aforementioned gate.
Settling into his window seat, Cain watched as the city gradually receded into the distance.
"I'm back," he whispered to himself, filled with excitement and adventure.
---
Hours later, Cain arrived in the heart of Kanto, Saffron City. This city was a hub for commerce and industry, with the Silph Company's towering headquarters standing tall at its center and two Pokemon Gyms nestled in the northeast corner.
Saffron City also had the most comprehensive transportation network, including the Magnet Train station connecting it to the Johto region and an airport that connected it to all corners of the land.
The Pokemon Association knew its importance, but so did other forces lurking in the shadows. Team Rocket, one of the most powerful criminal organizations, had a presence here, led by 'The Master of Psychic Pokémon', Sabrina.
Battles erupted everywhere, from the main square to the backstreets. The residents were no strangers to the chaos, and some even placed bets on the outcomes. Trainers of all regions, from Hoenn to Unova, and beyond, brought their Pokemon to test their mettle.
But there was another side to this battle city, one that operated in the shadows. Underground arenas catered to those who sought riches and thrills through illegal battles. Some trainers fought for their lives, while others fought for the entertainment of the wealthy.
Saffron City, the city of desires. A place where the line between right and wrong was blurred, where the lure of wealth and resources attracted all sorts of characters - from Pokemon hunters to assassins.
Although the Association had tried to bolster its public security, it was still a city that required a certain level of caution. The grey and black markets were too numerous for the guards to keep a watchful eye on.
Cain stepped out of the bus, the clock striking noon. He had been cooped up for three hours, his body stiff from the ride. He donned his ordinary trainer's uniform, blending seamlessly into the bustling city, and released Slowpoke from its Pokeball.
In other cities, it might have caused a commotion. But in Saffron City, where wealth and resources were all that mattered, the sight of a Shiny Pokemon was nothing out of the ordinary.
Despite it being just a stopover for Cain, he couldn't resist the opportunity to upgrade his tools. He was in need of a special set of Pokeblock crafting tools, something that would take his training to the next level. His current tools, though adequate, could only make intermediate-level Pokeblocks. But with the right tools, he could create advanced-level Pokeblocks with better effects for his beloved Pokemons.
Intermediate Pokéblocks were a necessary step on the road to greatness, but they were only the beginning. Advanced Pokéblocks could take a Pokemon's power to the next level, doubling their growth rate and unlocking hidden potential.
And the breeders who made these coveted treats? They were the stuff of legends, highly sought after by trainers everywhere and protected by the Association like precious gems. To work for an Advanced Breeder, even for just a single job, was an honor few would ever know.
But becoming an Advanced Breeder was no simple task. It took more than just the ability to craft Advanced Pokéblocks. There were only a hundred in the Association, and they were treated like royalty, their skills passed down through the ages.
For Cain, the journey to become an Advanced Breeder was just beginning. He needed the tools to craft his own advanced Pokéblocks, and he wasn't afraid to brave the dangers of Saffron City to get them.
Money flowed like water to those with the power to protect it. And Cain was determined to be one of those people.
Saffron City was a city of contrasts, and its black market was no exception. As one of the largest underground markets in the Kanto region, it was both a beacon of opportunity and a den of danger.
The black market was controlled by the notorious Team Rocket, who raked in a significant portion of their annual income from its dealings, with Gym Leader Sabrina as its ruthless ruler. Her temperamental personality and powerful psychic powers meant that no one dared to challenge her rule.
But for those with the courage and the coin, the black market was a veritable cornucopia of rare Pokémon items and creatures with impressive capabilities. One could even purchase a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon if they had the funds.
Cain was no stranger to the black market, but he knew that finding specialized Pokéblock crafting tools wouldn't be a mere shopping spree. For those who lacked the strength to protect their purchases, the black market was a place of certain demise.
A labyrinth of danger and temptation where even the toughest trainers hesitated to tread. It was a place that whispered of rare and exotic goods, a place where a man could find anything he wanted - except Legendary/Mythical beasts, obviously.
But why risk it all in the black market, you may ask? Well, for starters, the prices at the shopping malls were steep, and Cain was down to his last 1,000 Pokédollars. And let's be real, he had a few things to sell that wouldn't stand up to the light of day.
But first, lunch. He stopped at a proper-looking hotel, used his Association ID card to book a room by the hour, and ordered food for himself and his Pokemon. Ofcourse he made sure his room was free of any surveillance equipment.
The food arrived, piping hot and fragrant, and Cain savored every bite. But with each forkful, he felt the weight of his dwindling funds. He had spent all but 200 Pokédollars, leaving him barely enough to make it to the black market.
Cain knew he couldn't dawdle during lunch. Time was of the essence, and his Pokémon were the epitome of efficiency. They scarfed down their meal, new and exotic flavors exploding in their mouths, before obediently returning to their Pokeballs. Gastly, too, melted back into Cain's shadow, waiting for the next command.
He hailed a taxi and within a half hour, they were at the entrance of the notorious black market of Saffron City. Cain's 200 Pokédollars were spent in an instant, but he didn't let it phase him. He had arrived at his destination and that was all that mattered.
Cain donned his Team Rocket uniform, and slipped on a black hooded cloak, along with a wide brimmed hat that shielding his face from prying eyes.
He stepped into a seemingly ordinary Pokémon shop, shelves lined with average items, a few people milling about. A friendly receptionist approached him with a professional smile. "What can we do for you today?" she asked. "Our shop is the best and the cheapest. We guarantee your satisfaction."
Although Cain was draped in a voluminous black cloak, the receptionist didn't bat an eye. In the sprawling metropolis of Saffron City, you could never judge a person by their appearance. And Cain was no exception.
He didn't say a word, but instead pulled out his Team Rocket ID card from his pocket. Umbra had already re-branded Cain from a trial-taker to a 'respectable' Team Rocket grunt by the time he left the island.
The receptionist's expression shifted as soon as she caught sight of the Team Rocket ID. Without a word, she led Cain into a dimly-lit room.
She swiped Cain's ID through the computer, scanning the information on the screen with a sigh of relief. Handing the card back to Cain, she reached under the table and pressed a button.
A hidden door swung open in the floor. "Go ahead. No fighting or trouble allowed," the receptionist warned expressionlessly before turning on her heel and leaving the room.
Cain was no stranger to this routine. He had been here countless times in his past life and descended the stairs of the hidden door without hesitation. The secret door sealed behind him, leaving no trace.
As he walked down the stairs, a soft light flickered on, guiding the way. It took Cain nearly five minutes to reach the bottom. The cramped corridor opened up into a massive hall, with corridors leading off in every direction, connecting to all corners of Saffron City.
There were ten such halls in the black market, each with ten branching corridors. Although Saffron City was enormous, the black market was able to tap into nearly every nook and cranny of the city via these pathways, guarded solely by Team Rocket.
Stepping out of the hall and onto the busy street, Cain saw a horde of people, cold and emotionless, going about their business. Many, like Cain, were shrouded in black cloaks.
He saw Team Rocket grunts, who didn't bother hiding their affiliation, strutting down the middle of the street with arrogance. No one dared to challenge them, even giving them a wide berth.
Team Rocket were the reigning power in the black market, but Cain didn't plan on announcing his own affiliation. Just because Team Rocket members had privileges didn't mean everyone was scared of them. Show off too much value without matching strength and you'd quickly become a target for hyena-like fugitives.
"Come on out, Murkrow!" Cain released Murkrow from its Pokeball, letting it perch on his shoulder.
Murkrow's weight had increased again, but so had the strength of Cain's physique. Now, the bird was a manageable weight on his shoulder.
Releasing Murkrow was a necessary show of power. To avoid being singled out in the black market, Cain had to display his muscle and might, and it produced the desired effect. The covert gazes turned away from Cain, intimidated by the fierce aura and faint scent of blood exuded by Murkrow.
In the bustling black market, the air hummed with the bargaining and bartering of adventurers and traders alike. Every corner and alley held a unique array of goods, ranging from rare finds to cleverly crafted fakes.
The alleys reserved for trainers to sell their own items were often the most chaotic, but Cain didn't have time for such trivialities. His goal was to amass enough currency to purchase specialized Pokéblock crafting tools, something that only the larger shops would carry. So he headed straight to the largest Pokémon shop in the market, operated by Team Rocket themselves.
As he entered the large, brightly lit shop, he was greeted by the sight of a dazzling array of Pokemon items. Throngs of people haggled and bartered, their voices echoing off the walls. Cain wove his way through the crowds with ease, his eyes locked on his target: the appraisal counter.
A sign overhead declared its purpose, and behind the counter sat over a dozen steely-eyed Team Rocket members, each with the iconic badge gleaming on their chest.
The appraisal process was straightforward and efficient. For a fee of 500 Pokédollars, the Team Rocket appraiser would evaluate an item and assign a value. Team Rocket's reputation for impartial appraisals had earned them a good name in the black market, and many trainers came to them for a second opinion on the worth of their goods.
But Team Rocket's purchasing price was not high, so many trainers would rent stalls on the street to sell their items for a higher price. This was a time-consuming process, but for those who didn't need the money immediately, it was worth it.
Cain, however, was in a hurry. He pulled out a glass bottle from his Team Rocket belt and placed it in front of the appraiser. The bottle contained a milky white fluid that radiated a soft, otherworldly glow, like the remnants of a shooting star. 'Geocentric Cleansing Milk' was the most suitable item Cain had to exchange for Pokédollars. He'd used a relatively small bottle and filled it to the brim with a portion of his stock, which amounted to roughly one-twentieth of his total.
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