"Isn't that simple?"
Grey chuckled, the corner of his mouth lifting.
Green's cheeks visibly flushed. She pressed her lips together, words catching. "You… what are you planning? Officer Jenny is right here—don't do anything stupid."
"Sigh. Just say you're a Gym apprentice."
Seeing where her mind went, Grey rapped her lightly on the head and sighed. "I'm a Gym Leader. Bringing an apprentice along to observe and learn is perfectly normal. That fits under 'family member.'"
"Huh, that's true. Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Green rubbed her sore forehead, one hand on her hip, muttering.
"I did. You literally just said you didn't want to be an apprentice."
Grey took out his phone and played the recent recording.
"Being an apprentice won't do…"
"Hey! That's a separate issue. You never make good on the promises you dangle. It's normal I'd say that…"
Her tone softened a lot.
All she could think was: Grey is way too good at getting under someone's skin.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing."
Smiling, Grey looked ahead.
Mt. Moon was still a ways off. He yawned, then let his eyes drift shut for a quick nap.
They'd likely be in for a tough fight.
…
"Grey, wake up!"
Green jostled him.
With that push, Grey opened his eyes.
The patrol car had stopped, tucked into a small, hidden stone hollow.
Seeing him wake, Officer Jenny lowered her voice. "Gym Leader Grey, there's a Team Rocket encampment not far ahead. I don't think we should keep driving."
"Mm. Then we go on foot. If they dare to camp here, odds are security's tight."
Grey nodded and stepped out.
The three hid behind rocks and watched the camp.
They'd kept a safe distance, which meant Grey could only make out the rough layout.
As for how many were guarding it, better to assume the worst.
"Officer Jenny, taking down Team Rocket counts as a special circumstance, right?"
Grey narrowed his eyes. Most of the structures looked like tents.
A few were rough wooden huts—probably rest shacks built by Hikers.
"It does. Why the sudden question, Gym Leader Grey?"
She looked puzzled.
"Good."
Grey explained, "The League has a provision—special measures for special situations. If we want to wipe them out in one go, we'll need… special means."
"Special means?"
Officer Jenny and Green both tilted their heads, even more confused.
"It's simple. I'll head in and find a way to make them gather together. You two wait for the moment—then set the tents alight."
Grey pointed to the distant tent field, laying out the plan.
"Yikes!"
Officer Jenny's eyes widened.
She hadn't expected that.
"What if they've captured wild Pokémon?"
Green raised her hand.
Arson's efficient, but collateral damage is a risk.
It'd be awful to hurt a bunch of Pokémon just to nab some Rocket grunts.
"Usually not. With desperadoes like these, they're far more likely to ditch Pokémon and run. Even if they have any, it shouldn't be many."
Grey spoke matter-of-factly. "I'll disguise myself first and confirm the Pokémon situation. You act when you see the opening."
"This…"
Green looked at Grey, then at Officer Jenny, then bowed her head to think.
It did seem like Grey's plan was the most efficient right now.
"Then that's the plan."
Officer Jenny saluted Grey. "But prioritize your own safety."
"Got it. Before I go, Green—I need your Ditto."
Grey held out a hand toward her, palm up.
"Come back safe, okay? I'm still waiting on that ticket."
Green poked her cheeks.
"Ditto~"
The beady-eyed Ditto flopped onto the ground and waved Grey over.
"Hey, Ditto. Remember the trainer Combusken punted earlier?"
Grey crouched and pulled up Daisuke's big headshot on the battle club's official site, holding it in front of Ditto. "This guy. In a second, when you go on my face, become him."
"Ditto~"
Ditto drawled lazily.
Grey scooped it up and pressed it to his face.
A cool sensation spread; his cheeks itched as if a thousand feathers were tickling him.
When the itching stopped—
His face was Daisuke's.
They were about the same height to begin with.
Practically identical.
Even up close, no one would spot the tell for a while.
"Clothes next…"
Grey looked at his clean outfit and scuffed it up.
He kept at it until the shirt was torn and a few nasty rips marked his pants.
Now he looked like someone who'd fought through hell to get here.
"Alright. Read the situation and move when it's time. I'm going to recon."
Grey set the little "Riolu" down, pocketed five Poké Balls, and strode toward the tent cluster.
—
"Who goes there? Name yourself."
As Grey approached, a Rocket guard raised a Poké Ball, ready to throw.
"Hold it—I'm here to report!"
"This morning I led a squad to pick you up, and we got ambushed by Cerulean police and a Gym Leader from out of town. I nearly died!"
"Let me through already!"
Grey panted, shooting the man a hard glare.
"So what? No name, no entry. One more step and I'm calling the others!"
The grunt was stubborn, giving Grey no opening.
"I'm Daisuke. Here's my ID."
Grey handed over the ID he'd lifted earlier. "Move it. If you delay and the League catches up, you're the first one I'll hold responsible!"
"Go on."
The guard tossed the card back and stepped aside a little. "Supervisor Yuli is in the largest tent."
"Mm."
Grey didn't pause and headed for the central tent.
Before he reached it, the flap opened.
He stopped, watching.
A woman stepped out.
Cool-faced, black coat, gold-rimmed glasses.
A belt packed with six Poké Balls.
One more than Grey had on him right now.
"Daisuke, baby?"
Her frosty face softened a touch when she saw him standing there.
"Senior Yuli."
Grey tried the greeting.
"Whew… it really is you. Thank goodness…"
Yuli patted her chest, then frowned when she took in his torn clothes.
She bent to examine the "wounds" he'd made.
The way the "blood" ran made her heart ache. "Baby, how did you get hurt like this? Did the League find you?"
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