A/N: HEY GUYS! So, I decided to review another chapter and post it, since I haven't posted anything for this story in a while. As I said in the last chapter, my life has been a mess lately and I'm trying to put the pieces back together. Nothing serious, though. I'm just tired of the same mundane routines and need to experience something more engaging. Shake up my routine a bit. So, well, if I'm on hiatus for a bit that's only because I'm searching for a new job/trying to start a career and trying to do all of that fun stuff. Yeah… fun… whoopie. Plus, it's tax season and I'm trying to gather all of my forms and shit, plus I'm taking time to update my resume. I'm only doing posting this chapter at this very moment because I need a break from all of that.
Let's just say I'm tired of my life right now, and I need to find something either more fun or just new in my life. I may like routines, but I'm just… tired. Tired of the same and mundane routines I currently have.
I just miss being in school. At least in school I could always look forward to my classes and learning something new. That's not really the case, anymore, unless you count stuff like youtube and whatever.
Anyways, just so you guys know for the overall story, I was just going to have the characters stay in one spot, but then I got bored of Viola exploring a building all the time. My story eventually hit a standstill, so in the chapters I'm recently writing, I change the location, again. Just to shake the story up a bit. Plus, with the new location, I have a lot more creative ideas to go with, and depending on how it's all written will determine the information Viola discovers. There is a lot of loose ends that are begun in this first half of this part that need to be wrapped up, so I may just end up doing a part 3 to this Origin Story. We'll see. I just don't want to be writing 50+ chapters into this parter. I'll end up becoming disoriented and probably lose interest.
Or not. We'll see. It's not like I wrote an outline for this story or anything. It's all in my head, which means I can change it whenever I want to. There's just particular things/events I want/need to show, and everything else is just for the fun of writing it in or because I was in the mood, at that moment. I'll confess, I wrote this chapter about a month and a half ago, in December. That's how far I'm behind in reviewing these chapters and posting them. But, hey, at least there's a lot of chapters waiting to be posted ^^.
Anyways, to end this long ass A/N, firstly I started posting an Alpha Sapphire Wonderlocke story on my wattpad account: [ story/136644366-ghastly-turquoise-alpha-sapphire-wonderlocke-story]. It's just a side story I'm working on so I'm not pigeonholed into just writing this story. You guys are free to read it and tell me what you think about it. I probably won't post it on this account until much later, but yeah. Just so you guys know. ENJOY this chapter! And THANK YOU for reading my story so far!
! #$%^&*()
As Giovanni stepped out of a room he looked down at his wrist watch; a grumble leaving his breath as he began to walk down the hallway. The day had been an utter mess, and tomorrow won't be any easier. So much blood was now on his hands, and if it wasn't directly, then indirectly. Apologies had to be made, and those that have 'disappeared' need to be entirely disposed of.
But he had this feeling that if he appeared in front of his granddaughter covered in blood, she wouldn't be very happy with him.
So, he stopped in a bathroom, quickly washing the blood off of his hands and running a wet handkerchief over his bloody face. He thought about taking off his suit coat as well, but quickly decided against it, noticing the splotches of caked blood on his white shirt. Instead, he buttoned up his coat, hoping it would be enough to hide the evidence, and calmly made his way to his suite.
"Viola. Are you here?" he called as he stepped into the apartment space, noticing most of the lights were on, though a couple were turned off, and he cautiously narrowed his eyes, noticing the silence surrounding the space. "… Viola?... Persian?..." He snarled underneath his breath, reaching for a handgun hidden in an inner suit pocket, and as he sensed movement he aimed the gun at a space in the living room, only to quickly lower the weapon. "When I ask if you are here, tell me."
"Sorry~… And you shouldn't be aiming your gun around here. You could accidently kill the kid," the persian snorted, sitting his rear down onto the carpet as he began to groom the back of his hand. His ears twitched slightly as he heard his human companion sigh deeply underneath his breath, as he began to sit down by the door so he could take off his shoes. "… Long day?"
"You could say that. Had to clean up everyone's mess –"
"The kid didn't have dinner tonight. Waited for you. Passed out in her room," the persian stated simply, letting a yawn leave his breath as he stood back up onto his four legs and began to walk over to the blood soaked human. "… You should clean that blood off, you think?"
"That's the plan," he groaned, rising to his feet the moment he kicked off his shoes, only to glance down at the feline and glare at him. "Where is Ariana?"
"Left, by about eight. Said she wouldn't wait all night for you to show up… So, can we eat?" the persian asked, but Giovanni only rolled his eyes and scoffed, making his way into his bedroom, to throw off his coat, before stepping into the bathroom to rinse off his face and hands. He rubbed until his skin became red and raw, and figured it was enough as he walked back into his bedroom, slipping on a comfortable pair of pants and shirt, before making his way to the bedroom across the hallway from his own.
He noticed his persian was waking up the eevee that had been sleeping upon the girl's lap, his granddaughter sprawled out on the floor, her arms under her head as she slept peacefully. He couldn't help but smirk at the sight, but, realizing the time, he knew he messed up.
"Viola… Viola, child," he spoke, kneeling down and gently shaking the girl's shoulder, "wake up. Time for dinner."
"Hmm?..." she grumbled, blinking a few times before rubbing her sore eyes, glancing upward to notice her grandfather looking down at her, before she put two and two together and looked over at the alarm clock by your bed. "… It's nine."
"Sorry child. I was late –"
"You have blood on you," he heard the girl say, a frown adorning his face as she slowly sat up and sighed deeply to herself. "… I thought you're the boss guy," she continued, causing the man to give her a curious look. "You have to do the dirty work too?"
"Ah… yes, at times," he chuckled lightly, standing up to his feet and shoving a hand into his pocket. "Come on. Let's have some dinner. I'll have the cooks bring us something hot and fresh –"
"We have a microwave. We can reheat the food. Daddy taught me how," he heard the girl say, and while he would normally say no, seeing the tired look on her face, but the smile that was adorning her features, made him smirk in response.
"Alright… if that's what you want, but if you burn the food I'm having the cooks bring us something," he smirked down at the child, ushering her out of her bedroom, and noticing out of the corner of his eyes the persian and eevee following behind them, and his son's honchkrow sat atop a bookshelf, looming down at them before nuzzling back into the peaceful slumber the dark-type had preciously been enjoying. "… I'm sorry about being late. I gave you my word, but I broke it."
"You didn't break it," the girl exclaimed as she reached for the plates of food on the kitchen counter, only for the adult to snatch up the plates and place them in the microwave, giving her a smirk while she huffed in response. "But… you killed people, huh?"
"Ah, yes," he chuckled nervously, wondering to himself not only was this conversation not suitable for a child, but she seemed strangely calm about the entire thing. "They were the… traitors. I have to set an example. If anyone else here is even thinking about attempting to dismantle or take over the team, then this is a good deterrence."
"… In those gangsta movies the mob bosses keep their hands clean. You don't?"
Giovanni couldn't help but glance down at the child curiously, wondering why in the world she'd watch those sorts of movies, and her father would allow this? "The real life is different from the movies. The media glorifies or diminishes what we teams are all about. Us… criminals. It's strange for me to see kids watching these thriller/crime movies and saying they want to be just like them. If I could, I'd give anything to not have to be the Boss of Team Rocket," he stated, but noticing the girl's confused look on her face, he smirked, patting the girl upon the head and making his way to a cabinet, snatching up a couple of cups and pouring some tap water into the cups. "… No matter what you do, you constantly have to look over your shoulder. Even if you try to be one of the good guys, you're never truly safe. It's a curse our family has… Even if you and your father had no affiliation with Team Rocket, our enemies… those that are bitter with the team, will still see you as a Rocket member.
"I'm sorry it has to be that way. Criminal or not, you're linked to this team, even if you don't want to be. If I could, I'd break all ties with this team, but… I'm in too deep now. There's no turning back," he decided to tell you, glancing down at his hand for a moment, closing his eyes and gripping his hand into a fist tightly as he recalled everything he had to do, especially today, before turning to the girl and giving her a light smile. "Drink some water. You're probably thirsty, right?"
"Ah… r-right," she responded, accepting the cup of water that was offered to her and watching as the older man took a mere sip, before making his way to the lower cabinets and grabbing three bowls. Noticing the persian getting excited, she smiled happily, walking over to the persian and scratching the feline behind his ears, where he liked to be scratched, causing the feline to purr contently as the man smirked at the girl in response.
"You have a way with pokemon, don't you?" he decided to say, patting the small eevee on top of the head before he stood back up and began to pour water into one of the three bowls.
"Yes, well… I lived by Ilex Forest so… it was like a playground for us kids that lived in Azalea. Union Cave was dangerous, and we were told to stay away, and the Slowpoke Well could only be accessible for half of the year. I spent a lot of time in the forest," the girl smiled lightly, turning her attention to the eevee that jumped into her arms, and she giggled, happily picking him up as she looked up at the older man, "but I got Spirit from Viridian Forest."
"Oh?" he exclaimed with a smirk as she quickly nodded her head.
"Mum and I were visiting Auntie Yellow, you see. I-I found a bunch of eggs, but I didn't take any of them. Just watched from a distance. Auntie Yellow says I shouldn't disturb the wildlife because it's their home," she told him, the man giving the girl a curious look as she continued excitedly. "But when they did hatch, the mama wasn't happy with the furry gray coat her child had, and she kicked him out of the den. I came over and took the baby eevee, and Auntie Yellow helped me clean him up and showed me how to take care of him. Mum wasn't very happy when she came back in the afternoon, b-but she let me keep Spirit! And I don't think I'd be the same without him," the girl finished, nuzzling her cheek against the top of the eevee's head, and the man smirked at the content smile upon the eevee's face as he nuzzled back, the two of them happily enjoying each other's company before she set the eevee down and wandered back to his side.
She looked at the microwave, expectantly, before he shook his head and grinned, opening up a particular cabinet, which held a bunch of pokefood, and he quickly poured the pellets into the two bowls before shoving the bag away, closing the cabinet door, before turning his attention back to the little girl by his side. "It's good to have a friend, even during the worst of times… I find it funny that your eevee is from Viridian, though," he chuckled underneath his breath, the girl staring at the man curiously at he continued with a content grin on his face. "Same forest I caught my first pokemon," he stated, gesturing to the persian who was currently chowing down on the food in front of him, while your eevee took his time in eating the food from the other bowl, "and also the forest I played in as a child. My mother never liked that I'd vanish for hours, though."
"You played in a forest too?" the girl couldn't help but ask, and he grinned at her enthusiastic tone of voice.
"Of course. I grew up close to Viridian City, meaning I was a resident of the city. I lived in the forest, though. Before… my mother messed up, and the police were onto us. We couldn't live in the public sphere anymore… but I did learn a lot more about being a part of Team Rocket. Just… my mother didn't give me a choice in the matter. Not really," he sighed underneath his breath at the memory, but the girl smiled lightly in response and nudged his leg, getting his attention.
"We all lose things. That's okay, as long as we're alive and have family, right?"
"I suppose so," he chuckled at the girl's reasoning, turning his attention to the microwave and hoping he didn't accidently burn the leftover food… again. "… How about we have our dinner, kiddo?"
"O-okay," the girl exclaimed, reaching out for the food that was brought of the microwave, but he ushered the girl to drawers that had utensils. They went about setting up their meal in the dining room while their pokemon had almost already finished their meal, and the honchkrow was just waking up to notice that food was being served for the night.
)(*&^%$# !
Like usual, you were up before the sunrise, sighing to yourself as your restless sleep kept you from dreaming. At least you didn't have to dream about your mother or father, but the questions you've begun to formulate has sent your mind in a tail spin. Plus…
Today, now that the team's… problems have settled down, you are to formally accompany your grandfather today. You personally doubt he will give you some sort of tour of the facility, but at the very least, he wants to introduce you to a bunch of people.
At least you know Ariana… at least…
But you're very, very nervous.
Killers, murderers, and thieves. You know that the criminal life isn't a glamourous one, but to learn that you come from a family branded as killers and mobsters is… unsettling. Even so, you hope your nervousness isn't shining through too much. Back then, in Goldenrod, to you it was all a game. Now… after having to be on the run with your father for so long, you know this is serious.
At any moment, someone could come by and get rid of you, or worse. Someone you'll care about will die, for no reason except revenge or simply to kill, and you will be powerless.
You can tell, just by looking at your grandfather, that he doesn't want to tell you anything. So, it's up to you to find the secrets that have been buried for so long. The truth hurts. You know that, but… then again, why shouldn't you have the truth? If you don't have the truth then… then… how can you live in a world full of lies and deception?
But for today, you needed to act like, well, a child. A shy girl, you suppose, who listens and doesn't speak her mind. That way they will do all the talking… simple questions, so they don't realize that you're egging them on to tell you the truth.
Adults truly can be naïve at times.
But then again, you are curious. Just what does your grandfather do anyways? You get it. It's not like the movies or the tv shows. This is real life, but… it's obvious that he's trying to hide himself. You could smell blood on him last night, and you have no doubt that he killed some people. Just… is he remorseful?
First Rickie, and now the grandfather you thought was dead can kill someone without much thought. Could… you become that way?
Do you want to become that way?
Either you kill… or don't kill… There is no in between. Just… when the time ever comes, could you pull the trigger? Stab? Watch the life leave someone's body? You're not sure… but…
You can tell that the team means something to your grandfather. Now you're curious to find out what that particular something is.
After using the facilities, you slipped on an outfit that seemed to fit you, left by your grandfather. He told you that, later, he'll have more clothes bought for you, but for now the outfit will do… you suppose. It's just not really your style, so you made some adjustments.
You slipped on the black dress pants, using the belt provided, but put on your big, clunky black boots and warm socks, since the air-conditioned building was always so cold. You put on the white collared shirt, leaving it untucked, and you slipped on your black jacket, making sure it smelled decent before doing so. It wasn't your traveling jacket with a hood, but a black jean jacket with a couple of playful buttons on the breast pocket, and a couple of hidden pockets where you can… hide things. You doubt you can get away with a hood over your face, so you might as well be comfortable. Normally you would wear gloves, but you decided to leave your gloves in your room. After all, it's not like it would matter if you snatched something underneath their noses or not.
"Don, you coming?" you asked the honchkrow that was currently perched on top of your only bookshelf in the room, and he shook his head, nuzzling into the makeshift nest you made for him with a blanket, and you chuckled as you turned to your eevee, who was waiting for you on top of your unmade bed. "Shall we go, Spirit?"
"Sure thing," he agreed, and you nodded in response as you shrunk both Don's pokeball and Spirit's into their tiny forms before shoving them into your pockets, and making your way out into the living room, Spirit calmly following behind you.
You were surprised to notice that your grandfather was already up, for you thought you were the only one that wakes up so early, and he glanced from his newspaper for a moment before going back to sipping his coffee. You couldn't help but give him a nervous look. "A-ah… Y-you're up."
"You thought I wouldn't be? I heard you showering, so I decided to wait," he told you, and you smiled nervously as you made your way to him, noticing his persian was lying on the ground, by his owner's foot, yawning to himself while you turned your attention back to your grandfather. "You need to tuck in your shirt."
"B-but –"
"Tuck in the shirt, Viola, and I'll accept that pitiful excuse of a jacket," he stated, causing you to huff in response and tug at your jacket.
"It's a very good jacket, I'll have you know! It's my favorite one to wear, as long as I'm not trying to sneak around," you snorted, reaching for a chair as you jumped up onto the seat, giving him a curious look as he continued to read his paper. "So… a-are we waiting for something or what?"
"It's not even seven yet. I try to give everyone till eight to be ready… You wake up early too?"
"Always made daddy mad, and mum would just let me roam around until breakfast time," you stated happily, causing the man to chuckle underneath his breath.
"I see… An early bird, like your grandfather."
"More like an insomniac," you shrugged, causing the man to give you a curious look before gently putting his paper down, only to sip more of his strong brewed coffee. "… S-so –"
"Sometimes I have my breakfast here, but today, I figured we'd go to the cafeteria for our breakfast today. Seeing as you're awake already," he decided to tell you, causing you to nod quickly at the thought of food. "… Plus, there aren't that many grunts and agents up this early, so we will more or less be undisturbed."
"Oh… O-okay –"
"And child."
"Yeah? –"
"If you want anyone to take you seriously around here, don't hesitate. Don't stutter. Speak with confidence, alright?"
"Ah… yes sir, yes," you answered quickly, the man giving you a light smile before staring into his cup and sighing to himself.
"… I'm hungry too. Let's go get our breakfast."
"O-okay!" you exclaimed excitedly, jumping out of your chair and noticing both the persian and your eevee were starting to sit up, standing up on all fours as you waited for your grandfather to get out of his chair. "What's for breakfast?"
"Whatever you want, child. The cooks can make anything for you."
"Oh… that's no fun," you huffed, the man giving you a curious look as you knelt down and scratched the feline behind the ears, causing him to purr happily against the palm of your hands. "Ah… are we taking the pokemon or…"
"My persian always follows me, and I don't see a reason why your eevee cannot follow you. Just be aware of your surroundings. There's a time and place to have your pokemon follow you, and only one can be out at a time," he told you, causing you to nod your head as you stood to your feet and gave him a curious look. "Then… let us be off."
"Of course!" you exclaimed excitedly, your hand reaching for your stomach as you already felt a gurgle rising. Considering your food was a bit cold last night, it wasn't as satisfying as it could be. That's for sure, but getting fed always made you feel hungry. No matter what the situation is.