Chapter 114:

It was high noon, and the sun's rays glimmered on the pavement as Cain sauntered out of the Pokémon Center, his stomach sated from lunch. He set his sights on Route 44, the solitary path east of Mahogany Town.

In the distance loomed a towering mountain, its peak veiled in a shroud of mist, and its slopes blanketed in a frosty mantle of snow. Cain's heart quickened with anticipation - that mountain was his destination, a frigid haven teeming with ice-type Pokemon. He was on the hunt for a Swinub, and fate would decide if he stumbled upon an Onix.

But before he could reach the mountain's base, he had to brave a dense forest, lurking on the fringes. Although the snow mountain appeared tantalizingly close, after a grueling hour of trudging through the woods, it seemed to retreat further into the distance.

Now, on the outskirts of the forest, Cain found himself in the company of fewer people, but still enough to make his acquaintance. Unlike the forest outside Goldenrod City, this one bore many traces of human activity. In fact, he encountered several groups of people in a frenzied rush, unmistakably members of Team Rocket.

As expected of the largest Team Rocket base in the Johto region - the forest had become a makeshift training ground for the nefarious organization. Cain, dressed in the standard-issue uniform of the Association, seemed an odd sight in this place, a beacon of innocence amidst a sea of corruption.

Team Rocket grunts, devoid of their signature uniform, cast him hostile glares, while the non-affiliated trainers shied away at the mere sight of his clothing.

Mahogany Town was a notorious hub for Team Rocket, a well-known secret among the trainer community. While they weren't foolish enough to murder every non-Team Rocket member, they also had no qualms about eliminating those who provoked them. Meaning that as long as one's affiliation wasn't too conspicuous, they turned a blind eye to outsiders.

But Cain's attire was conspicuous, a bold declaration of his allegiance to the Association. Although the Association held some sway in Mahogany Town, the wilds belonged to Team Rocket. Even many Association members opted to conceal their affiliation, wary of drawing the ire of Team Rocket loyalists.

Cain hadn't intended to draw attention to himself. He'd been out of Mahogany Town for so long, he'd forgotten about the dangers lurking outside its walls. It wasn't until he felt the weight of their judgmental gazes that he realized his mistake.

In his past life, as a Team Rocket grunt, he'd given little thought to these matters. But now, as an "Association member", he was at a loss for how to proceed. With all eyes trained on him, he had little choice but to showcase his might, hoping to dissuade any unnecessary trouble.

"Slowpoke, come out!" Cain's voice boomed with authority as he summoned his Pokemon to the fore.

Those who had been surreptitiously observing him, their gazes sly and furtive, ceased their scrutiny as their eyes alighted on Slowpoke. Any trainer who could tame such a creature was no mere amateur, and they knew better than to provoke one with such potential for devastation.

As Slowpoke emerged, Cain sensed the crowd thinning out. He pressed on into the dense forest, but even as the spectators dissipated, he could still feel a pair of eyes fixed upon him.

Undeterred, he journeyed deeper into the wilderness, the number of wild Pokemon increasing with each passing step. After two hours of trekking, the crowd had dwindled to naught, and the verdant woods reclaimed its dominion.

Suddenly, Cain halted in his tracks, his voice cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. "Show yourselves!"

Seconds passed, and the air hung heavy with anticipation, but no movement ensued.

Cain smirked, his voice dripping with disdain. "No need to hide. When did Team Rocket become so craven?"

Two figures emerged from the shadows of the foliage, one tall and imposing, garbed in gray, while the other was nondescript, dressed in black. Both eyed Cain with a mixture of shock and derision.

"How did you find us, kid?" The tall one quipped with a snarl.

Cain chuckled, his expression aloof.

"Kevin, why waste your breath on this nobody? He's probably just a hapless fool who got lucky. Let's take what we need and go," sneered the other man, his arrogance and contempt laid bare for all to see.

Kevin held Cain in his steady gaze, sensing a latent danger emanating from the youth before him.

"Kevin, let's not dawdle. We might lose our chance if someone else shows up," the other man continued, his impatience palpable.

Kevin reached out and stopped his companion, who was about to make a move, gripping the man's shoulder in warning. After a brief hesitation, he spoke with a steely tone, "Hand over your Slowpoke, and we'll let you leave unscathed."

"Kevin-"

"Shut up!" Kevin barked, cutting off the other man's objection. The sound of his voice was commanding, rendering his companion meek.

Yet, despite the display of obedience, one could detect a glint of fury and malice carefully concealed in his eyes.

Their intentions were clear - it seemed the allure of a Shiny Pokemon was impossible to resist.

As the duo eyed Slowpoke with avarice, Cain seemingly hesitated, but then slowly reached for a Pokeball at his waist.

The two were taken aback, their excitement mounting at the prospect of easily acquiring such a coveted Pokemon.

Kevin, standing at the forefront, couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Perhaps he'd overestimated this Association trainer, but he couldn't shake the niggling sense of danger that lingered in his mind. It must be his imagination. Simultaneously, dark and tempting thoughts started to brew in his mind. This was a rare Shiny Slowpoke. Why should he share it with anyone else?

The other man, who had been shadowing Kevin, cast a sidelong glance at his companion, his hand creeping towards a Pokeball on his belt, ready to launch an ambush at a moment's notice.

But as they prepared to strike, Cain's lips twisted into a smirk. "Come and get it, boys."