"Walter Sullivan."

Walter stood and walked in the office, a calm, blank look on his face. He hadn't attended a performance review before but he had been called before the priests of the Order several times. Underneath the calm, he felt nervous. Thankfully, he was permitted to have one Pokemon present with him; Darkness sat on his shoulder as always, with stern instructions to remain quiet throughout the meeting. Walter stood in front of the desk, holding his hands together in front of him. The superior att he desk, one of the admins, eyed him like a dog before a rabbit. Darkness squeezed Walter's shoulder with his talons, tipping his beak up defiantly. "Report on the Prom. Tell me what you did to assist Team Rocket."

"I attended. I assisted in keeping the attack secret. I joined the battle once the reveal came." Walter listed dutifully. "After the fight turned against us I retreated, changed back into my suit and slipped off the premises to evade notice."
"So you didn't attempt to blend in with the trainers or stop them from exploring the mansion after?"
"No." The admin's eyes narrowed and he tapped his finger on the form in front of him.
"I have heard...mixed reports of your fighting skills. Exactly what did you do in battle."
"I had my Bewear thrash to draw attention from other Rockets. My Pokemon led trainers into the path of my teammates. I fought several trainers."
"And how many pokeballs did you take? How many Pokemon did you, personally, retrieve?"
"Eleven."
"How disgraceful." The admin's lips curled into a sneer. "That qualifies as pathetic. This was a major scheme, Sullivan. Weeks were spent organising this event. Money, time, valuable resources were dedicated to this. And you can only return with eleven Pokemon?"

Walter remained quiet. Darkness clicked his beak.
"I'm giving you one chance to explain yourself. And I will be checking your story with your teammates."
"My Pokemon steered and trapped trainers and knocked out the Pokemon they attempted to use to defend themselves. Manaka and Wrath were able to easily take from the trainers." The admin took a pen and wrote something on the form. "I sent my Honchkrow to oversee the situation from the rafters and intervene if help was required."
"And did it?" Walter glanced at Darkness. The bird gave a knowing smile and nodded.
"Yes." Albeit, he hadn't told Darkness to assist Team Rocket, but it wasn't a lie. He hadn't said Darkness helped them. Just that he had been in the rafters to 'help'. Walter focused on keeping his breathing normal. The admin's eyes were fixed on him. It wasn't a lie.
"I see. Because I heard that your battles went well...but you walked away from several without taking anything."

The silence stretched out between them.

"Sullivan, speak."
"That is true." The admin's sneer twisted.
"And are you going to explain why or do you just want to face the consequences?"
"...Does it matter why?"
"No, it doesn't. But most people would try to make excuses." Walter wasn't sure if that was a point in his favour or against it. His calm facade didn't crack as the admin lowered their eyes to write. He didn't fidget or shift. He simply breathed. Darkness squeezed his shoulder.
"That's all I need from you. You will be informed of your results in a week. Glory to Team Rocket."
"Glory to Team Rocket." Walter echoed dutifully. Darkness nodded low to the admin and they left.

Safely outside the base, out in the fresh air, Walter's breathing sped up. He was going to be punished. He knew it. This wasn't the first time it had been drawn out. But, it wasn't his first time being hurt. He closed his eyes and steadied himself with Darkness' soothing presence. He could handle whatever was coming. It was overdue, really. He turned his head into Darkness' feathers. He could endure. With his Pokemon to return to...he could manage.