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It had only been a day since Walpurgis had returned to Motterosa City, and a little less than a week since he had returned to Zatao from Kanto. Walpurgis scratched the back of his head as the elevator door opened up to the dorm floor. What had he done wrong? He couldn't think of anything. Opening the door to his room, he was greeted by the ringing of his communicator. Closing the door behind him, he quickly answered the communicator.

"Hello?"

A voice crackled to life. "Hey, Walpurgis. Ah, uh, kinda forgot ta mention - ah told the higher-ups what went down in Saffron."

Walpurgis' throat was suddenly dry. Is that what had the higher-ups after him? "What did you tell them?"

"Ah said -" Karina's voice was silenced as the call disconnected, having been forcibly overwritten.

"Agent Walpurgisnacht." It wasn't even posed as a question.

Walpurgis swallowed. "Yes, sir?"

"Agent Kriemhild Gretchen informed us of your activities in Saffron City. You lied to your superior about what you were planning. Why?"

Even if they couldn't see his face, Walpurgis knew there would be little benefit to lying, and none at all long term. "Because I would never have been allowed to go if I had."

The voice flared up. "You are absolutely right! You are a valuable asset, and we would not allow you to sacrifice yourself on some fool's errand!" The voice continued to get louder and angrier. "Furthermore, you brought Kriemhild Gretchen, who is currently embedded on a deep infiltration mission, with you! Not only did you risk her cover, you risked her as an asset as well!"

Walpurgis resisted his urge to tell them that Karina had come of her own volition, knowing that she had probably told them that herself.

"The two of you went alone against ridiculous odds, and you could have been captured or killed!" There was a brief pause, and the voice softened. "However, you did not. You not only returned, but you killed Commissioner Hughes, a perpetual thorn in the side of our Kanto operations. For this, you have been promoted to Director. However, if you ever try to pull a stunt like this again, there will be severe consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good." The communicator suddenly went silent, signalling the end of the call.

Walpurgis breathed a sigh of relief before pausing. Wait. Director?

Walpurgis stirred at the sound of knocks on the door. Glancing at the clock, he found that he had fallen asleep for a few hours. "Sorry, be there in a second..." He yawned as he finished speaking. Opening the door, he found himself face to face with Jeremiah.

"Hey, Walpurgis. Was told to give you these." The blue haired man handed Walpurgis two pokeballs, which he recognized as the ones Karina had given him. "Brass says they don't need them, so you get to have 'em."

Accepting the two pokeballs, Walpurgis nodded. "Alright, thanks, Jeremiah."

"Hey, no problem, man." The older rocket turned and left.

Thanagor nodded. "As you say, my liege." He bowed his head at Walpurgis.

Marisa looked over at the nidoran and laughed. "'My liege'? Fancy."

The poison-type pokemon glared at her. "Be silent, thief. I neither asked nor needed your opinion."

The sandshrew shrugged. "Whatever. I'll say what I want."

Before Thanagor could respond, there was a series of red flashes as Walpurgis sent out the rest of his pokemon. The largest of the two rattata's chattered threateningly at the two pokemon before Walpurgis picked him up. "We're not fighting, Gangrel. Satori, you calm down, as well." The liepard slinked backwards from creeping behind Marisa and growled unhappily. Setting the rattata down on the bed, he continued speaking. "Guys, these are Marisa and Thanagor. Marisa and Thanagor, these are Gangrel, Satori, and Nazrin."

Nazrin was the first to approach the two new pokemon. "Hiya! My name is Nazrin. You'll play with me, won't you? Mom and dad aren't that good at playing, but they're really strong. Like, super strong. I heard that, once, they took down a mew and a gengar without even breaking a sweat!" She paused. "I wasn't born then, but I'm pretty sure it's true! Why? 'Cause I'm Nazrin!"

Marisa tilted her head. "That doesn't really explain anything," She said, then smiled. "But I like your style. Sure, we can play together..." The sandshrew crept close to the young rattata and whispered into her ear. "You know where we can find anything shiny to steal? Shiny things are great. I'm not sure why, they just are. Trust me."