In Hoenn...

Amelia sat alone, thinking about what Silver said to her. She wondered if she was heartless enough to give up an innocent girl and boy's life to evil just so she can protect her reputation.

"I think it's time to-"

Then Silver walked over and sat down next to her.

"I think it's time I told you another secret."

Amelia tried not to look at Silver as he spoke.

"You know how you were talking about Giovanni?"

"Yes...what about it?"

"What if-I told you I was somehow related to him?"

She looked at him in shock.

"Like, personality-wise? Because if that's true, you're not like him at all-"

"I'm his son."

Her shocked face turned into full-blown surprise. With that face came a tear or two.

"You're-kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding."

However, Silver kept the same stern expression, showing that he was completely serious.

"But how?! You're not like him at all! You're smart and caring! When I saw Giovanni, he seemed to always be strict and angry."

"Just because I'm not like him now doesn't mean I wasn't like him then..."

"What do you mean?"

"Let me tell you a story."

"..."

"When I was younger, I was, as you could say, an 'evil' person. In the Johto region, I stole a starter from Professor Elm's lab. I was actually proud of myself, and I was ready to train it. That is, until I meet someone. He went by the name of Gold. He's currently the champion of the Johto region. Anyway, I really didn't care about anyone or about what happened to the world. All I knew was that I wanted to be as awesome as my dad. I wanted everyone to respect me and I gained their respect by force. I took things by force, sometimes even resorting to theft. But as I watched Gold and how he truly had a heart for Pokemon, as well as gained more respect by doing the right thing, I got jealous. And that respect he got was genuine respect. I tried to see how he did it through battling, and although he rarely spoke, he told me a lot about it. When I finished my journey, I gave my starter back to Professor Elm, despite being fully evolved. He let me keep it, though, saying it took guts to admit to mistakes, especially serious ones, such as theft. When I left the lab that day, there's something I felt: what respect truly felt like. I felt no more need to be evil or seek revenge. When I told my father he thought I was joking. So, as a result, he had me involved in every scheme he made."

"Wow..."

"Anyway, that's my story. Basically, what I'm saying is that although you were assigned a purpose, it's your choice to go through with it. I was raised unlike normal people: I stole and I disrespected people, but, I was lucky enough to have someone make me rethink my entire purpose and change my path, no matter what others will think of me."

"..."

"Let's get moving. We have to drop you off in Sootopolis City."

They continued to walk and Amelia started to think.

"Maybe he's right..."

"Who's right?"

"Silver...I think he's right."

"Does that mean-"

"Yes...it does. I'm not doing Giovanni's work."

Amelia walked with a happy but determined face, now that she realized she had the option to free herself of Giovanni's spell. Suddenly, they heard a quick rustle in the grass. Umbreon stood ready for battle and waited for its opponent. It was just a Drowzee crossing the path. They breathed a sigh of relief, but too soon. Just then, the Drowzee used Hypnosis and put the four to sleep. A man walked out of the grass.

"Giovanni? They're right here. Understood. Drowzee, use Psychic."

The Pokemon picked up the four and followed the man away. Meanwhile, back in Kanto, Giovanni was watching the entire thing unfold.

"Oh, son..."

He put a shock stick in his pocket.

"I didn't want it to come to this..."

In Sootopolis City...

Serena was sleeping alone with her Pokemon by her side. She had gone to the Sootopolis Gym and gained some helpful advice on how to defeat Lisia. While she was sleeping, she heard the door open and thought it was either Amelia or May, so she got up to greet them. However, the person was more muscular and had a Gengar by its side. Before she could scream for help, the man had its hand over her mouth and commanded Gengar to use Hypnosis, thus putting her to sleep.

"Giovanni? It's Archie. Yeah, yeah, I've got her. Now can I stop for Slowpoketail? Finally. I'll meet you back in Kanto."

In Unova...

Haxorus, Iris' last Pokemon, had fallen to Ash's Pikachu once again. Iris was more enraged as ever as Ash celebrated his victory over the champion of the Unova region.

"I'm sure you know where to go from here."

She then stomped down the stairs and exited the Pokemon League. Ash manually rode the elevator to the top floor and recorded his name in Unova history. While Ash was on his way down, however, he suddenly heard a voice in his head.

"Ash?"

"Who is this?"

"It's Delphox."

"What's wrong? You sound worried."

"Remember Giovanni, Archie, Maxie, Cyrus, Lysandre, and Ghetsis?"

"Yes, the leaders of every organization I shut down. Why?"

"They've kidnapped us! Serena is still sleeping because Gengar used Hypnosis!"

"Where are you going?"

"I think we're going to Kanto...I don't know the exact location."

"Let me know when you get there. I'm on my way."

Ash knew that he had to put his quest on hold. He released his Gyarados and flew straight back to his homeland.

TO BE CONTINUED...