Once in the room, Alex opens a small book with photos of his younger days and realizes that it has been ten years since he committed his worst offenses while in Team Galactic. Under Sinnoh law, the statute of limitations would have elapsed by then, technically making him a free man. He closes the photo book, lies down and falls asleep. As he sleeps, Alex begins to contemplate some of the events that brought him to this point. Starting around the time he abandoned Team Galactic and left Sinnoh ten years prior.
Pokémon: The Silver Savior
Chapter 2: Destined Encounters, Part 1
Trouble at Diglett's Cave
Flashback
Alex, having recently turned 19 years old, stands near the edge of a pier just east of Sunnyshore City. Earlier that morning, he fled from Team Galactic's headquarters in Veilstone City. Alex gathered all his belongings from his room, and quickly left before anyone could realize that he was gone. Although Veilstone had a sizable presence of Galactic members, his stealth skills were adequate to evade everyone, especially considering it was not daylight yet and he know the routes that they covered during that hour. Luckily for him, any Galactic members that may have been sent after him weren't likely to go near Sunnyshore City. As he awaited the ship that would help him escape from his tainted past, Alex was approached from behind by an attractive blonde female similar in age.
"Well…guess it's time to bid farewell to Sinnoh. Sure, Cyrus rescued me from that orphanage some years ago, to which I am still grateful. I just don't understand why he wanted to betray me though." Alex says to himself.
"Are you really leaving Sinnoh?" The blonde woman says with a hint of sadness in her voice as she approaches him carefully.
Alex sighs and shrugs his shoulders. "Yeah…I am. Can't take the life of crime any longer. Especially when Cyrus wanted to backstab me after all these years. I don't suppose you intend to flirt with me again, Cynthia?"
"Normally I would consider it, but…now isn't a good time apparently." Cynthia calmly says to him. "Is something bothering you?"
Alex turns to face her. "Nothing is wrong. It's just…for a while, I've been feeling like Cyrus had been plotting against me in some way. After I eavesdropped on him talking to the other Galactic Commanders behind my back and what they were planning, my doubts were confirmed. He was going to try making me into his personal hitman, then rat me out after the first job was finished. Last night, I decided to pull the plug once and for all, and…here I am now."
"Why couldn't you just go into hiding somewhere, instead of leaving Sinnoh entirely?" Cynthia asked him.
Alex raises an eyebrow. "Cynthia, are you nuts?! Do you realize how many spies are around that would snitch to Cyrus if they ever saw me? Too many. Don't forgot that every police department in Sinnoh have me marked as their most wanted, even above Cyrus. To top it off, I managed to get caught up with Interpol. I don't know how I'm not rotting in prison for life. At least if I leave, I only need to worry about evading Interpol, if anyone. That, and I won't drag anybody else down with me."
Cynthia's face changes from a neutral to a more saddened expression. "I suppose it is for the best. For a while, I got the impression that you were feeling doubt. Guess my questions were answered."
"I'm sorry Cynthia. I know you like me and all. With everything I've done over the last 10 or so years, willingly or otherwise, I'm already beyond redemption. You should find someone who deserves you more than I could ever hope to." Alex starts to look away from her.
Cynthia walks up to Alex and hugs him lightly. "That's why I fell for you Alex. You have yet to be completely tainted by Team Galactic and Cyrus's ways. No other Galactic member to this day has ever shown remorse for even their most heinous acts. There is still hope."
"I suppose you might be right. Even as somewhat of being Cyrus's right hand, I refused to commit any bodily harm. Took a while for him to listen to me though. So, I guess I'm still clean in that regard." Reluctantly, Alex returns the favor and hugs Cynthia. Her embrace tightens a little before shedding a few tears and lightly sobbing into his shoulder.
"There's no telling how long it will take for you to find what you seek. When the day comes that you truly feel like you've atoned for your past, please come back to Sinnoh…and more importantly…to me." Cynthia stands on her toes and kisses Alex, much to his surprise. She holds the kiss for a few moments before releasing him. After letting go, she turns away and leaves the pier, but not before a few parting words that Alex will not soon forget.
"I'll be waiting for you Alex. I pray that Arceus will watch over you on your journey, and reunite us one day." Cynthia blushes lightly, and sheds a few more tears. Unbeknownst to her, a small tear leaves Alex's eye.
Soon after Cynthia is out of sight, the ship loading for Slateport City arrives. Alex boards the vessel and departs for the Hoenn region.
End Flashback
Alex wakes up in the Vermillion Hotel around 8AM. His heart begins to race after remembering the kiss that Cynthia gave him all those years ago.
"Why do I still think about her, even after all this time…after everything that happened to me? Could it be…? Nah, I doubt it. She's probably married to someone else by now. Probably has a child or two besides." He says to himself. Alex gets up to shower, changes his clothes, and grabs breakfast. While eating his breakfast, Alex overhears a few people talking about a performance that will take place later that day at the Cerulean City Gym.
"Hmm…Cerulean City. I would like to go, yet I also want to stop by Diglett's Cave first. Heard it was an interesting Pokémon." Alex thinks to himself. After checking out from his room, he travels east towards Diglett's Cave.
Diglett's Cave
Once he enters the cave, Alex sees two individuals in black outfits causing trouble for the local Diglett.
"Blasted Diglett. Stay still already!" The male says in a gravelly voice while trying to chase a few Diglett with a net.
"Hurry up and catch them already Butch! Take that egg back there too!" The female barks at the male.
"It's Butch! Oh, that's what you said."
"An egg? Better do something and quick." Alex throws a rock at the male.
The male grumbles angrily "Hey! Who did that?" He looks and sees Alex. "Heads up Cass, we have company!"
"One lousy trainer? This shouldn't be much of a challenge." The female faces Alex.
"Oh crap. Not what I intended." Alex prepares for a battle.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
"Here's our mission, so you better listen!" Both speak together.
"To infect the world with devastation!"
"To blight all people in every nation!"
"To denounce the goodness of truth and love!"
"To extend our wrath to the stars above!"
"Cassidy!"
"And Butch, of course!"
"We're Team Rocket, circling Earth all day and night!"
"Surrender to us now or you will surely lose the fight!"
"Oh, it's you clowns from Sinnoh again. Cassidy and Bitch. Surely you would have quit doing this lame gig by now." Alex rolls his eyes.
Butch is biting his lower lip and drawing blood "It's Butch! Not…Bitch, you asshole!"
"I should have figured you would say that Hitch. Only a pair of has-beens like the two of you would hassle Diglett and Dugtrio for no reason." Alex reaches for a Pokeball on his belt.
"That does it. After we leave here…I am changing my name!" Butch is really irritated now.
"Has-beens you say? We'll teach you…Houndoom!" The canine Pokemon emerges.
"This shouldn't be long. Empoleon!" Alex follows suit by calling out his Empoleon. "Water Gun!" Empoleon makes short work of Houndoom.
"My turn! Mightyena!" Butch calls out Mightyena. "Hyper Beam!"
Alex is not worried about such an attack. "Empoleon, brace for impact then follow up with Steel Wing!" Hyper Beam hits Empoleon, but doesn't seem to do much damage. Empoleon's Steel Wing is another story, which also makes short work of Butch's chosen Pokémon.
"Butch, you're an idiot! You must have forgotten everything from Sinnoh. Empoleon is part Steel-type and is resistant to such moves! We better call Dr. Mambo for backup!" Cassidy yells at Butch
"It's Namba!"
"Doc, we…ahhh!" Butch tries to make the call for help, but is pulled into Arena Trap. The egg they were after had hatched while Alex had them occupied, and now the newly hatched Diglett is rallying the other Diglett and Dugtrio against Team Rocket.
"Diglett Dig Dig Diglett!" A shiny Diglett emerges from the ground. Other Diglett and Dugtrio rally around it.
Butch manages to get out of the Arena Trap after a few minutes. "Double battle this time Cass! Primeape!" Butch pulls out Primeape this time.
"We're going to kick your ass! Raticate!" Cassidy calls out her selected partner.
"Empoleon, return!" Empoleon is recalled. "Pyro, Tundra…you're up!" The two shiny Pokemon emerge, eager to fight.
"Umm, Butch…are you seeing this?" Cassidy backs up.
Butch turns towards her while backing up also "Yeah Cass. Two Pokémon, one of which is legendary, and neither of them are in a good mood. I'm thinking we should just cut our losses and scram."
"For once, good idea!" Cassidy and Butch recall their Pokémon and bolt for the entrance of the cave.
"Not so fast! Pyro, Tundra…Flamethrower and Ice Beam now!" The two attacks connect, causing an explosion which sends the two Rocket members flying.
"We should have ran faster Hooch!" Cassidy yells.
"It's Butch…oh never mind!" Butch crosses his arms while sailing in the air.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Alex recalls his Pokémon once things quiet down. A good number of wild Diglett and Dugtrio give him angry glares, thinking he is in league with Butch and Cassidy. The shiny Diglett that hatched during the commotion begins to plead with the others that Alex is not with the other two. After a few minutes, most of the Diglett and Dugtrio leave after giving an indication that they are grateful. The shiny Diglett chooses to remain behind.
"Why aren't you going back with the others, Diglett?" Alex ask the little mole Pokémon. It moves slowly towards him and gently rubs against Alex. Alex reaches down to pet it, which it seems to enjoy quite a bit. While petting it, he reaches for an empty ball and a berry, Diglett happily eats the berry.
"What do you say little guy?" Alex holds the empty ball near the Diglett. The other Diglett and Dugtrio watch on.
After a few moments of contemplation… "Diglett!" The Diglett indicates its happiness at such an opportunity and nudges the button on the front of the ball, which captures it immediately.
"What should I call you? Hmm…" Alex tosses the ball "I know what will work. Come on out Dig Dig."
"Diglett Dig Dig…Diglett Dig!" The newly obtained shiny Diglett tells the others not to worry about it, and that it will be in good hands with Alex. The others nod in gratitude, then go back to their lives.
"Well Dig Dig. What do you say we head for Cerulean City?" Alex walks towards the entrance of the cave.
"Diglett!" Dig Dig follows Alex towards the entrance, then retreats to its ball. Together, they head for Cerulean City.
(End Part 1)
