Jared and Kai watched the long mountains that rose beyond the shores in the far distance.

The captain had announced that the ship would be landing in pallet town in a few hours, so they came out to see.

Leaning on the railing as they approach, Jared smiles, (This ship moves a lot quicker than I thought. It's hard to tell how fast you move when there is nothing but the calm ocean)

.

Time passes and soon a small harbor comes into clear view.

Behind the harbor was a small unremarkable town. At least Jared can't see anything special about it from what little is shown.

Ten minutes before landing, the captain recalls the passengers to their cabins.

Thirty minutes later, Kai and Jared disembark the ship at Pallet town, but before they could leave the tiny harbor, they were stopped.

Two evolved houndoom's growled by the side. Two uniformed men announced themselves as custom agents.

Jared could see that the houndoom's meant business, and they would not be refused!

Jared and Kai were soon led into a small customs office in short order. Along with them were a couple of other passengers.

.

In a small room, Jared and Kai can be seen sitting. A customs agent began to ask the two some questions. The customs office also had its own Natu.

After explaining a few rules, they were allowed to leave.

.

Stepping out of the office, Jared pats his pocket as he walked, (I lost reception and the internet a few hours after we sailed off, so I can't even bring up the GPS, I wonder if this phone is region-specific?)

From behind, Kai speaks up worriedly, "What should we do now?"

Pausing his steps, Jared turns around, "Ah... Kai, we have a small problem... We aren't Kanto citizens, so we are supposedly not allowed to find work... or even live here for more than a month. We aren't even allowed to apply to become citizens from within the region itself. Not only that but we aren't even legally allowed to leave town, at least... unless we can provide proof we are visiting a relative... or for important business."

(I guess this explains why Brian thought it would be a terrible idea for me to travel...)

Kai complains, "Why did we ever leave? You never ever told me the real reason..."

"Ah, Kai, you should know I trust you," Jared scratches his neck reluctantly, "I want to tell you but even knowing might put you in danger."

(If I told him, he'd just get nightmares knowing there are invisible ghosts everywhere, and knowing there is a cunning thousand year old haunters would freak anyone out, so what good will it do him to know? He might technically be older than me, but he's just a child, he shouldn't have to deal with my problems...)

"Kai, just be a kid, let the adults figure this stuff out."

Kai shakes his head, but he doesn't retort.

.

Jared and Kai begin to stroll the small town, in the hopes of finding a cheap place to stay.

With proper directions from a few passers-by, they found a small chain of buildings, and they promptly rented a room inside it for two weeks.

Unknown to them, a man had been watching them since the moment they stepped on the Pallet Town shores.

.

Jared thought to himself while leaving Kai back in the motel, (Money is going to be tight, I hope I can find work... despite the rules.)

.

Walking from place to place, Jared soon became frustrated, (Damn! DAMN! None will hire me, not even under the table, what am I going to do...? I don't want to revert to theft to survive, but I'm not going to live on the streets... I can't do that to Kai.)

Someone taps Jared's shoulder from behind, "I hear you're looking for work, maybe I can help you out?"

Turning around, Jared is a bit surprised to find a handsome man. He was wearing black trousers with a light black jacket.

Jared inspected him, (A poofy black hat with... dyed purple hair? A hipster?)

"You are?"

The man went in for a friendly handshake, then spoke in a flamboyant voice, "They call me James"

Jared blinks, (James? Those green eyes, that hair... Don't tell me this is the team rocket James? In a town of at least three thousand people, there's no way a coincidence this large can exist, can it?)

Hiding his internal thoughts, Jared calmly asks, "I'm Jared, I am indeed looking for work, what can you offer me?"

Looking Jared up and down, James speaks, "You got a pokemon?"

"Yeah?"

"What is it?"

"Gastly"

James thinks for a moment, then clicks his tongue, "Sorry, I think I got the wrong person."

He then begins walking away, (Wasted my time... even if I steal his Gastly there's no way I can contain it, let alone sell it.)

Watching James walk away, Jared ponders for a moment, (If, and I mean IF this is really James from the anime, then he should have a somewhat kind personality despite the organization he was apart of... so, he probably won't mistreat me if I was his employee...)

Jogging up, Jared walks beside James, "Ah, James, I think you do have the right person!"

Shaking his head, James begins to walk faster, but Jared petitions, "I have almost no money, and you could say I'm on the run... I'm not a Kanto resident, and I can't find work here, will you please help me? I have a kid I have to take care of!"

With another shake of his head, James turns around to face Jared, "The work I do isn't something you want to be part of."

Jared splayed his fingers, "I think it is, I have no other options, I can't go back to Alola,"

Looking down in thought for a moment, James continues to walk away, "If you really want work... then come with me."

.

After some time passed the two stood before an unremarkable small-sized building.

James rapped four times on the side of one of the doors.

Someone on the other end asked, "Who is it?"

"87652," James replied.

The door opened with a click, and the stench of cigarettes immediately hit Jared in the face.

Feeling a tinge of trepidation, Jared mechanically follows behind.

The doorman wore a similar outfit to James, and he gave the newcomer a sidelong look, as they were led inside.

Passing through two smoky rooms, Jared saw a few people lazing around.

Soon, James knocks against a black wooden door.

"Enter"

James carefully opened the door to reveal a man in a fancy black suit, and on his chest was a silver striped badge.

Puffing a cigar, he scowls, "Who have you brought me this time, James?"

With a small bow, James replies, "Sir, this man wants to join us."

Letting out a deep puff of smoke, the man growls, "James, get out, and you, sit!"

Jared nervously took a seat, while trying to keep his composure.

Snuffing out his cigar, the man reaches into his pocket, "You want to join our company is that right?"

"Yes"

Removing his hand from his pocket, he reveals he was holding a pokeball.

He presses it twice in quick succession, and a natu pops out from within.

Leaning slightly in his seat, the man begins, "Do you know what kind of company we run?"

Jared nodded, "I have an idea,"

Seeing the Natu nod as well, the man returns his eyes back to Jared, "Are you working with the government or law enforcement in any way, are you a snitch?"

"No"

Leaning over, the black-haired man glares Jared dead in the eye, "Are you trouble? Will your troubles cause my company problems?"

"I... No?"

Squinting his eyes into a glare, the man then continues, "Can I trust you? Are you the type to keep your lips shut tight?"

Jared nods, but the man seems unsatisfied, "Speak, fast, are you trustworthy? Are you able to keep your gab shut?"

Slightly flustered, Jared replies, "Yyes!"

A knock is heard from the door, which prompted Harper to bark, "Busy!"

The noise made Jared flinch, (I hate job interviews... and it doesn't help that this guy gives me mob boss vibes.)

"You will refer to me as Mr. Harper or sir,"

Harper casually returned the Natu to his ball, then used a single finger to scratch the cheek of his shaven face, "What's your name, and what can you offer our company?"

"Jared, and I'm willing to do anything as long as it's not murder or extorting the impoverished"

In a louder tone, Harper snaps, "I said what you can offer me, not what you can not do, be useful now, or in the next ten seconds I'll kick you out!"

Holding up a pokeball, Jared replies, "I have a Gastly, he can go invisible, and knows simple commands"

"Gastly?" Harper repeats the words while rapping the desk a few times, and it was as if he were savoring the sound.

Settling his eyes on Jared's face, he asks with a somewhat disbelieving tone, "Are you the Lunatic of Alola?"

"Uh..."