POKEMON : STARTING WITH FLASH METAGROSS

"It's time to replenish supplies..."

In the depths of the cave, Rax Chand muttered to himself while rummaging through his backpack.

Cubone stood silently nearby, deep in thought about mastering Iron Head at 100% efficiency. Meanwhile, Beldum hovered expectantly, its gaze fixed on the backpack, knowing snacks and treats would soon emerge.

Looking at his two preoccupied partners, Rax chuckled helplessly.

"I'll head back to town today. Beldum, return to your Poké Ball for now."

"Be-tah~"

Reluctantly, Beldum vanished into its Poké Ball. With Cubone at his side, Rax left the cave and made his way back to Iron Rock Town.

---

When Rax arrived at the ramen shop, it was the afternoon break.

"Hey, you're finally back," Captain Yusaku greeted with a mix of humor and concern.

Rax grinned sheepishly before pulling the captain aside to the backyard for a serious discussion.

"You want to automate the uploads?" Yusaku raised his eyebrows, trying to process what Rax was proposing.

"Yeah," Rax confirmed. "I'll collect the data, write a small program, and set it to upload the intel to headquarters in batches—quietly between midnight and 1 AM. They'll never catch on, so don't worry."

Yusaku blinked, realizing his understanding of Rax's tech skills was still too shallow. "Fine, but make sure the data's ready on time. The organization doesn't tolerate delays."

Nodding, Rax then brought up a more pressing matter. "There've been new faces in town. Any idea what's going on?"

"I heard there's a competition soon," Yusaku replied. "Collect all the intel, especially on the participants."

Rax immediately thought of the fiery-haired trainer he'd encountered earlier. Could she be here for the event?

---

Later, Rax headed to an internet café, opening the regional website to dig deeper into the competition.

The search revealed the details:

The first Galaxy Department Store in Iron Rock Town was about to open, and to celebrate, a small trainer competition would take place on the same day.

Rules: Trainers could use one Pokémon each.

Prizes: A minimum voucher of 200 Pokédollars for participation, with a grand prize of 100,000 Pokédollars for the winner.

Rax leaned back in his chair, mulling over the information. The event seemed straightforward enough, but one thing stood out: the name "Galaxy."

In the Sinnoh region, Galaxy Group wasn't just a prominent enterprise controlling major commercial avenues—it was also the precursor to the infamous Team Galactic. On the surface, the company seemed harmless, even praised by the Sinnoh Alliance. But Rax knew better.

"I'll just collect the basics for now," he decided. As an intelligence officer for Team Rocket, he was obligated to report on public events. Still, he avoided diving too deep into Galaxy Group's potential ties. If he ever got the chance to leave Team Rocket, he wanted a clean break.

---

Returning to the ramen shop, Rax updated Yusaku on the findings.

"The ramen shop's been swamped lately," Yusaku remarked. "Think you can handle the intel collection on your own? If not, I've been watching a few potential recruits among the waitstaff. Two seem promising."

"More helpers would be great!" Rax grinned. "The extra time would mean more training for me."

Shaking his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation, Yusaku replied, "Fine, but for now, it's still your responsibility."

"Oh, by the way, can I enter the competition?" Rax asked eagerly. "I need more battle experience."

Yusaku shrugged. "Go for it. Your cover's solid. Just don't mess up."

---

At the registration booth outside the Galaxy Department Store, a cheerful attendant handed Rax his contestant number and a promotional brochure.

"Trainer Rax Chand, here's your competition number and product catalog. Don't miss out on our grand opening deals!"

Rax skimmed through the brochure, noting the impressive discounts. He made a mental note to stock up after the competition—especially if he won.

---

The next day, Iron Rock Town buzzed with excitement as trainers and spectators gathered outside the department store. Three makeshift battle arenas had been set up in the open space opposite the building.

Rax, armed with a miniature camera, found a spot with a clear view. His job was to record noteworthy contestants for his report.

The competition began with a promotional speech from the store's management, followed by the first matches. However, most participants were casual trainers—elderly ladies with Meowths and Glameows or young kids with basic Pokémon.

It wasn't until the fiery-haired trainer Rax had noticed earlier stepped into the arena that things got interesting.

She sent out a Turtwig, eliciting gasps and murmurs from the crowd.

With its stubby limbs, oversized head, and a sapling sprouting from the top, the Sinnoh starter Pokémon was undeniably adorable.

"Turtwig," Rax murmured, his eyes lighting up. This was the first time he'd seen one up close. "I need to get one someday…"

The match was short but impressive. Turtwig used Razor Leaf and Bite to swiftly knock out its opponent's Zigzagoon. The crowd erupted in cheers as the trainer embraced her victorious Turtwig.

"Next match: Contestant No. 146, Rax Chand, versus Contestant No. 51, Nanci! Please report to Arena 2!"

Rax stood up, heart pounding with anticipation. It was his turn to battle!