The night sky over Celadon City was alight with the glow of neon signs, illuminating the bustling city below in a rainbow of colors. The streets were alive with the energy of the city, as people of all ages bustled about, their chatter and laughter filling the air.

Tall, sleek skyscrapers reached up towards the sky, their windows aglow with the warm light of the city. The streets were lined with shops, their windows displaying everything from the latest fashion to the newest technology. The smell of delicious street food wafted through the air, drawing the hungry to the vendors selling Takoyaki, Yaki-soba, and many more.

As the night deepened, the crowds began to thin, and the city took on a different feel. The bright lights of the shops and billboards gave way to the soft glow of lanterns and the warm light of bars and clubs. The sound of live music and laughter spilled out onto the streets, inviting those passing by to join in on the fun.

The streets were now filled with a different kind of energy, one of excitement and celebration. Groups of friends walked arm in arm, their faces alight with the thrill of the night. Lovers strolled hand in hand, lost in their private world.

But amidst all the hustle and bustle, there were also those who walked alone, their thoughts and feelings are hidden behind a mask of stoicism. These were the ones who found solace in the anonymity of the city, where they could disappear into the crowds and be free.

The neon lights of Celadon City illuminated the dark alleyway as Jessie and James materialized in a dumpster with a thud. The stench of garbage and pollution filled their nostrils as they groggily climbed out, their clothes and bodies covered in grime.

Jessie's magenta hair was matted and unkempt, her once pristine Team Rocket uniform now torn and dirty. Her face was streaked with tears as she hugged James tightly, her body shaking with sobs. James, his normally styled periwinkle hair now disheveled and greasy, held her gently, his injuries causing him to wince in pain.

As they pulled apart, Jessie's words reached James's ears, "I found my mother." His heart skipped a beat as he realized the significance of her words, and a smile spread across his face. But the moment was short-lived as Jessie suddenly pulled away, her gaze fixated on James's roughed-up appearance.

"Doflamingo," she exclaimed, her voice filled with anger and hatred. James's expression crumbled.

The alleyway was silent except for the sound of James's sobs as he broke down, his mind consumed by the events that led to their current state. Jessie held him tightly, her heart breaking at the sight of her partner in such a state of distress. She whispered soothing words, trying to bring him some semblance of comfort.

As his sobs subsided, James pulled away, wiping at his eyes. Jessie looked at him with concern, her magenta hair matted and unkempt, her Team Rocket uniform torn and dirty. "What did Doflamingo offer you?" she asked softly.

James reached into his pocket and pulled out a Pokeball. He held it out to Jessie, his hand shaking. "Growlie," he choked out.

Jessie's eyes widened as she saw the Pokeball and realization dawned on her. Doflamingo had offered James something that he could not refuse, something that he valued above all else. She looked at James, her own heart heavy with the weight of her own decision.

"Did you agree?" James asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jessie nodded, tears streaming down her face. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a picture of her mother. "I found her," she whispered. "But at what cost?"

James hugged her tightly, his tears falling as he realized the gravity of their situation. They had joined something much bigger, something much more dangerous. They could either follow Doflamingo and betray Team Rocket or follow Team Rocket and betray the monster who held the key to their hearts' desires. The answer was clear, they would follow the monster, for he held everything they wanted.

The night was silent, the city was asleep and the only sound that could be heard was the sound of Jessie and James's steps and the beating of their hearts. They were alone with their thoughts, their doubts, their fears, and their hopes.

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[ Celadon City - Hotel ]

The five Pokémon, accompanied by the only human among them, Green, were gathered around a small table, each with a stack of chips in front of them. Lucario, the tallest of the group, sat at the head of the table with a calm and collected expression on his face. Pikachu, the smallest, was positioned to his left, sporting a mischievous grin. Ditto, seated beside Pikachu, appeared to be on the verge of a mental breakdown, his expression wrought with anxiety. Scizor, the largest of the group, occupied the seat to Lucario's right, his countenance stern and serious. Green, the only human, was positioned to Scizor's right, her face exhibiting a determined resolve.

The dealer, a Fearow, was shuffling the deck of cards with its talon, preparing to deal out the hands. Lucario and Pikachu seemed to be enjoying themselves, chatting and laughing as they placed their bets. Ditto, on the other hand, was noticeably nervous, fidgeting in his seat and constantly glancing at the cards in his hand. Scizor, meanwhile, remained stoic and focused, making calculated bets and studying his cards intently. Green was taking the game seriously as well, placing her bets with a confident demeanor.

Even before the game had commenced, the tension in the room had begun to build. The Pokémon and human players were all leaning forward in their seats, their eyes fixed on the cards in front of them as they placed their bets. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation as everyone endeavored to outsmart each other and emerge victorious. Suddenly, a loud snore pierced the air, causing everyone to turn their attention towards Yellow, sound asleep on the leg of Austin, who was immersed in reading a few files on his laptop.

The other players exchanged glances, collectively releasing a sigh of relief as the tension in the room dissipated. "Come on, let's continue the game," Green exclaimed, her sights set on the prize of the money in front of her.

"Hey, Ash wants to join?" Green inquired, while Austin glanced at Burnett, responding with a hint of irritation, "You do realize that all that money you're playing with is mine."

"Oh, don't be such a stick in the mud. What's yours is mine?" Lucario slurred, taking a swig from his drink and hiccuping.

"I think you're drunk," Austin stated, pointing out the obvious as Lucario showed him the middle finger in response.

Austin rolled his eyes, well aware that Green would inevitably clean the table, one way or another.

" Hey, ask Yellow if she wants to join," Green asked as Austin slowly nudged the blonde psychic.

"Come on, Yellow, wake up," He said, trying to gently rouse her. "You're going to miss out on all the fun."

Yellow stirs and rubs her eyes, looking around blearily. "What's going on?" she asks, her voice thick with sleep.

Austin grins and ruffles her hair. "It's just a game of cards, Yellow. Don't worry, you can join in if you want."

Yellow nods before falling back to sleep on Austin's leg which had already gone numb.

The players return to their cards, and the tension in the room starts to build once again.

Austin meanwhile clicked through the files of Jessie's mother, Miyamoto.

While from his meta knowledge, he knew that the woman chased after Mew. The files he had been given from the Boss of Team Rocket, courtesy of Porygon.

As Austin perused the files concerning Miyamoto, they were arranged in a peculiar order, starting with something labeled A2-AnimatedGod and culminating with XX5-ZMoves. Most of the files began with the A2 tag, yet some bore divergent labels.

There was a separate folder devoted to Miyamoto that contained two distinct images: one of Miyamoto beside an unidentified woman, and the other of a solitary flower in a vase. But it was the second photograph that seized Austin's attention. It depicted an expansive painting adorning a wall, a painting so immense it could have hung in the halls of the Louvre.

The painting was an embodiment of the Renaissance style, reminiscent of the works of Michelangelo or Da Vinci. Two Pokémon were depicted in the painting, one colored steel white with shades of blue, and the other a mottled gray with hints of pink. They faced off against one another, the blue Pokémon planted firmly on the ground while the gray one soared above.

The purpose of art, they say, is to elicit emotion. If that's the case, this painting had done its job. A blind fury glowered in the eyes of both Pokémon as if they were prepared to rend each other limb from limb. The sheer intensity of their rage was palpable, and Austin could almost feel their wrath himself.

The pair of Pokémon were portrayed amid a backdrop of ruined, crimson-hued cityscapes, where shattered skyscrapers loomed ominously against a blood-red sky. A chill crept up Austin's spine.

It reminded him of a painting in his world, a painting that had come to be known as "Cronus Devouring His Son." It was a horrifying work of art that had earned a reputation as one of the most terrifying paintings in existence.

The painting before him now evoked that same feeling of madness, with the eyes of the Pokémon appearing to burn through the canvas. Austin tore his gaze away from the painting and closed the peculiar file, intent on investigating the rest of the folders.

Suddenly a document caught my eye. It was named: 'Introduction letter to the God's Project Team.'

As I was engrossed in the file in front of me, Green's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Hey, can we get something to eat?" she asked.

Before I could respond, Lucario interjected in a drunken stupor, "Hey, how about chocolate and ketchup and mustard and spaghetti and..." His sentence trailed off as he collapsed onto the table, snoring loudly.

I shot Lucario an exasperated look. "First of all, never let that old man drink again. I never want to hear those food combinations again. And Pikachu, stop even thinking about creating that abomination, or I will ban ketchup in this house."

Pikachu visibly gulped and nodded, looking as if he were at gunpoint. Austin then turned to Green and said, "There's takeout in the fridge. You can heat it," I said before returning his attention to the file.

But Green wasn't satisfied. "Ash, can we get some pizza?" she asked, her voice taking on a shy tone.

"No," Austin replied sternly.

"Please?" Green pleaded.

"You're going to pay for it," Austin said matter-of-factly.

"Forget it, you cheap bastard," Green retorted, clearly frustrated.

Austin's eyes were fixed on the file before him, his mind absorbed in the minutiae of the details it contained. He was oblivious to the shadowy tendril that slithered over his back, as Haunter's mischievous appendage delved into his pocket and retrieved his wallet.

In one swift motion, Haunter hurled the wallet towards Green, who caught it with a smirk on her lips. "So, boys," she said, turning to the assembled Pokémon, "what do you want to eat?"