(Just so everyone is clear, the title of this chapter is referencing the Journal of Gio's dad, not Fuji's. That was just an ironic coincidence when I was brainstorming the chapter long ago. Anyway, enjoy!)

The Lost Chronicles of Giovanni – Chapter 38: Forbidden Journal

As planned, a week and 2 days had passed since Gio's victory as the Cinnabar Gym. He and Delia had decided to remain on the island to spend a little more vacation time and to clear Gio's mind of his upcoming troubles concerning his final Gym battle, A.K.A; Confrontation with his mother. Over the week, Lawrence had managed to obtain his own badge.

Finally, Gio felt ready to return to his hometown. For 2 days; Gio, Delia, and Lawrence set flight for Viridian City upon Fearow. But all suspense must come to an end, for the long resented arrival had finally come.

"Nothing seems to have changed.", Gio commented gazing around the city.

Delia laughed. "What were you expecting? Its only been 9 months."

"Which means my birthday is only 3 months away.", Gio noticed. "Time flies so quickly."

"Mines in a few weeks.", Delia mentioned casually. "So . . . I hope you plan on buying me something nice!"

Gio shook his head. "We'll see when that time comes."

Lawrence stretched his arms and yawned. "Wow, you 2 bore me so easily. I'm gonna get going."

"So soon?", Gio asked quickly. "Maybe you could stick around!"

Delia looked at Gio suspiciously.

"No can do!", The chubby cameraman exclaimed. "The Indigo Conference is only but a few months away. I slacked off enough as it is. Now if you'll excuse me, the Pewter Gym is calling my name." He settled upon his Fearow and quickly ascended into the air. "See you two in 3 months!"

"Meowthy!", Meowth chanted a farewell.

Gio watched Fearow vanish into the clouds before Delia spun him around by his collar.

"What was that all about?", She questioned Gio in a concerned tone. "You hate Lawrence. Why ask him to stay?"

"I don't know.", Gio grumbled, slugging his face downwards. "I just thought I might feel more comfortable with more people around me when I have to . . . face her."

Delia lightly tilted his head up to meet his eyes with her own. "I told you not to worry. I'm going to be there with you every second of it. You're struggles are my struggles."

He smiled. "I know, you've been saying that ever since I started complaining."

"Well, why don't I cook you something nice and tasty before we head over to the gym.", She suggested.

Gio nodded. "We can head over to my place. My mom shouldn't be home with all that she has to do at the Gym."

"Lead the way.", Delia instructed.

…...

As predicted, the Mansion was completely empty. Gio examined his home curiously until he finally made his way upstairs to his room. Aside from everything being covered in dust, all was the same as he had left it.

Delia nervously laughed. "Well, looks like Paris hasn't done much cleaning in here."

Gio shrugged. "I was never a fan of Paris cleaning my room so its not that surprising. But its just weird . . . how nothing in this room has been touched since I left 9 whole months ago. Just shows how easily I can be forgotten."

"One more remark like that and I'm not cooking anything!", Delia scolded.

Gio starred down at Meowth. "Take a look around Meowth. This was my life before I had any friends, any Pokemon, any life."

Meowth rubbed against Gio contently. "Meow."

Gio smiled. "Thanks for the encouragement."

"You've always had a life, Gio.", Delia enlightened. "It just didn't take its course until the time was right."

"Good way of putting it." Gio kneeled down and picked up a photo from under his bed. "But my father always told me that life was a miracle and that knowing which way to go with it was destiny."

Delia glared at the photo of a 5 year old Gio and his father, laughing happily as they sat upon a tree holding 2 Medapod. "Medapod?"

Gio smirked. "My dad's life lessons always compared to the life cycle of a Pokemon. He would always say that a Pokemon's evolution is like a human's transformation into a stronger and wiser person."

Delia placed her arm around Gio. "You're dad would be really proud if he saw you now."

Gio placed the photo down upon his bed. "I wish there was some way I could remember him better without my mom censoring my every suspicion."

Delia pondered for a moment. "You don't suppose you're mom could be . . . hiding something do you?"

Gio stood quiet minutes on, before heading towards the stairs. "I'm gonna find out."

…...

Downstairs, Gio stood nervously in front of the Steel Basement Door or rather his mother's 'Private Corridors.'

Delia tapped him. "Maybe we shouldn't do this."

He ignored her and reached for the handle. Its was locked tight. "Come on, open!", He began to shove his body at the door relentlessly. "I know she's hiding something down there if the door is locked!"

"Gio, calm down!", Delia urged.

"Mreow!", Meowth joined in.

Gio reached for a Pokeball and hurled It into action. "Machop, use Submission!"

Machop appeared and immediately tackled the door with all its might. "Maaachopp!"

The steel door collapsed. Machop stumbled to the ground to recover.

Gio then called it back. "Good work, Machop." He then rushed down the basement stairs.

Delia uneasily followed. "Gio, I don't get it. When we first got here, you were terrified to see you're mother. Now you're breaking into her personal space!"

"I repressed all those memories from when I was a kid of her hiding information on my dad.", He explained. "But I'm remembering now. And I'm not just mad at her like usual but . . . .right now I'm furious! I'm tired of all the secrecy and deception!"

The two finally reached the bottom of the staircase to find a dark room. It was practically empty, only containing a large desk, computer, Telephone, and a comscreen fused to the wall.

Delia looked around. "This is is? Whats there to hide?"

Gio approached his mothers desk. "We'll find out soon enough.", He began to rummage through stacks of files and papers piled everywhere. "Well, not much."

"This seems more like an office to me.", Delia commented. "Maybe she was just really focused on her work rather then hiding."

"Yes, what a motherly job she has.", Gio said sarcastically. "Bring you're kid to work day would have blown her mind." He stopped searching and sighed. "Maybe I should just ask her in person."

Delia turned to face Gio. "What exactly is it you want to ask her?"

"I want to know how my father died."

Delia shrugged. "Well . . . if you're looking for a truthful answer then maybe asking you're mom isn't the right way to go."

He remained silent, until Meowth began to franticly call from under the desk. "Meowth! Meowth!"

Gio kneeled down to find a booklet taped under the desk. "Meowth, good work!"

Delia anxiously leaned forward. "What is it? What did you find?" She stepped back as he held up the notebook in clear view. It was a Journal, with his father's signature engraved on the cover but it was tightly sealed with a lock.

Gio stood amazed. "My father's Journal. This is perfect!"

"Can you open it?"

Gio tried to tear the lock but it was useless. "No good. It wont budge!"

"You could pull the old 'Machop Submission' trick again.", she joked.

"No way!", He exclaimed. "I'm not gonna risk destroying something this valuable."

They were suddenly interrupted by the sound of footsteps slowly creaking down the stairs. Gio dropped the Journal in alert.

"Oh no!", Delia whispered in Panic. "I told you we'd get caught!"

Gio quickly looked around in search for a hiding post. His eyes were caught by the sight of a closet located in the corner of the room. He dashed towards it, pulling Delia and Meowth along the way. They speedily bunched into the closet without a sound, leaving the door only a crack open. They starred from it, waiting distressfully.

The footsteps drew closer until finally the culprit was revealed.

"Whose the pregnant lady?", Delia whispered in question.

"Miyamoto.", Gio confirmed silently. "She my mom's assistant and top agent. She was the one who gave me Machop in Cerulean City."

"Oh right.", Delia remembered.

Miyamoto surveyed the room, curiously ogling the Journal dropped on the floor rather than the mess of papers Gio had left at the desk. She leaned down, seized the journal, and began to inspect it like an atrocious detective.

"This is creeping me out.", Delia whimpered in panic. "Whats going to happen if she finds us?"

Gio sheltered her into his arms with Meowth quietly cowering behind them as they squatted to the floor. "Don't make any noise.", he cautioned. "And we'll be alright."

After a few more minutes of examination, Miyamoto placed the book under arms and began to make her way back up the staircase.

Delia attempted to stand up but Gio pulled her back. "Wait till she leaves the house!" After a few more minutes, the mansion's front door slammed shut. "Alright, lets go."

"Where to though?", she asked confused.

He helped her to her feet. "A special place."

…...

From Gio's window balcony, Gio and Delia starred at the sunset in silence while Meowth and Faith had fallen asleep on his bed.

The rare wind brushed against their faces, as they concentrated on the horizon colors.

"So this is the famous thinking spot you keep bragging about.", Delia jested. "I can see why. Its so . . . peaceful. And the view is gorgeous."

Gio nodded. "My favorite spot in the world. Nothing compares."

She looked at him with inquisitiveness. "You don't seem upset about loosing you're father's journal."

"I am.", he mumbled. "But something inside of me is telling me to not to stress over it."

"Not to let rage overtake you.", She agreed. "Thats the smart Gio talking inside of you."

"As much as I want that journal back.", He continued. "I know that I'm going to have to face my mom anyway. I'll just ask her upfront, and if she's not truthful then so be it."

Delia's eyes widened. "You're holding her conspiracy hostage?"

Gio smiled devilishly. "Desperate times call for desperate measures."

"Its that kind of attitude you're mom admires.", Delia warned. "Please don't act like that. It worries me."

"Well, once I'm done with my journey . . . I wont have to take after her anymore."

She tilted her head in puzzlement. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not gonna live with her anymore when this is all over.", He explained. "She'll take my Pokemon away, she'll keep me locked in the house all the time, and we both know that I'm on her bad side right now, so I'd be getting quite a beating."

Delia starred at him in astonishment. "She . . . hits you?"

He turned his attention back to the horizon. "Yeah, when necessary. But it wont matter. I'm just gonna run away when I'm through with everything. But I'll come visit You, Sammy, and Spencer when ever you want."

Delia glared at him. "You seem to have this all figured out . . . but its not going to happen as long as I'm there."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not going to let you live on the streets as a runaway!", She shouted. "If you have to, you'll stay with me."

Gio shook his head. "You're parents would never go for that."

"Then I'll run away with you!", she snapped. "If I have to, I will and I'm not just saying that."

He starred at her in shock. "You'd . . . do that?"

"Of course I would." She leaned her head upon his shoulder. "We're a team."

…...

Torino Forces breached Difo's hideout in an instant. Surrounding the whole premises, dozens of agents infected every portion of the underground laboratory; Kicking down doors, breaking through windows, and prepping their rifles and Pokeballs for any chance of revolt. They violently passaged their way toward the main chamber. At the head of the pack, Colonel Viper lead the assault until he finally halted his men at the sight of the main lab entry.

"Kick it down!", He ordered brutally.

An agent lunged forward and knocked the door down with one quick verve. Instantly, the strike team piled into the room, ready to blitz at the first command . . . But the room was literally empty.

Viper entered in bewilderment. "Impossible!"

An agent stepped forward. "Perhaps we didn-"

"I did not tell you to speak, maggot!", Viper shouted in fury.

Frightened, the man returned to his position.

Viper grumbled in ager before noticing two figures emerging from the dark hallway.

Torino crime lord Metsuma Rocket and Torino commander Crissela appeared.

Viper saluted his superiors. "Sir, I'm sorry to report that-"

"Difo is not here.", Metsuma finished for him. "How unfortunate."

"He must have known of this raid beforehand.", Crissela noted.

Viper turned to his forces. "Search the domain for any clues. Go now!"

The troops scattered, leaving Viper to continue his private conversation with Metsuma and Crissela.

"Its my fault, sir.", Viper sympathized. "I should have had the area scouted 24/7."

Metsuma sighed. "Difo's far more agile then I thought."

"We'll find a way to trace him eventually.", Crissela assured. "He can run but he cant hide."

"True.", Metsuma agreed. "But all this retreating of his is making our job very difficult."

A troop then appeared holding a torn up notebook. "Sir, we found this under a loose tile."

"Well done." Metsuma grabbed the Notebook and dismissed the troop. "Here's your clue, Colonel." He opened the notebook to find several filled pages. "Interesting."

"What?", Crissela anxiously asked. "Difo's reports?"

"Not Difo and not reports.", Metsuma confirmed. "This is the journal of Dr. Fuji."

Viper crossed his arms. "Dr. Fuji?"

Metsuma nodded. "He's a successful scientist, works in the field of Pokemon genetic experimentation. Who would have thought he would ally himself with someone like Difo?"

"The question is, what did Difo hire him for?", Crissela corrected. "Perhaps the journal will reveal some information on the subject."

Metsuma opened the notebook and began to search through pages until he reached a interesting date and began to read off as it was written.

Dated 2 Years earlier -

'September 3rd: Today, I encountered the most intriguing Woman. We met for tea and it seems we share much in common. I couldn't stop staring at her beautiful eyes-'

Metsuma carelessly turned several pages forward.

'November 11th : My time in the Hoenn Region is coming to a close. My team and I cannot keep up with the demands of Team Magma. Tracing any DNA of the Weather trio has been unsuccessful. My Fiancé and I plan to move to the Kanto Region. Surely, I'll find more achievable work there.'

Many pages onward.

'February 10th : The married life is not as it should be. I cant seem to come into any steady work that isn't affiliated with any criminal entanglements. I cant help but feel sorry for the rest of my companions, not being able to perform-'

2 pages forward.

'February 12th : The man we are harboring has finally revealed his name to us; Marcus Difo. Though he refuses to unveil any further information. He is offering to pay us a fortune in profit under the circumstances that we undergo an important experiment. I don't know if I can trust this man, but I suppose sometimes life I about taking risks for the sake of others. And that other, is my wife whom I desperately wish to start a family with someday.'

40 pages forward.

'March 24th: I am still shocked to learn that Difo was once involved with the Organization Torino. The pieces seem to be coming together. His urge for vengeance seems to be controlling his attitude. He has grown far more demanding and barbaric as if he's in charge of the project. I'll just be pleased when Zapdostwo is finally finished and I'll obtain my reward.'

Several pages forward.

'May 30th : Zapdostwo is almost complete but it seems we must relocate to finalize the progression. We have been found by Torino Scouts. We plan to evacuate tomorrow night when least expected. Difo seems very upset about this turn of events. I'd rather ask him where we'll locate at a time when he's in a calmer mood. I'm sure my wife will understand if I simply tell her I'll be away on business.

On another forgotten note, Difo has been eying my journal lately. Indeed, he is a rather unusual character. I wish I could learn his of his secret intents.'

Final Page

'May 31st : Tonight we relocate to New Island.'

Metsuma laughed. "A rather casual final account."

Viper nodded. "Too casual. Not to mention the handwriting for that one seems a little off."

"I have a feeling that Difo is leading us off course.", Crissela said pondering. "Taking the journal and leaving a false entry."

"Likely.", Metsuma agreed. "We'll know soon enough. Looks like we'll have to pay a visit to this New Island."

Viper examined Metsuma. "Sir, You see awfully fascinated with Dr. Fuji."

"His work impresses me.", Metsuma confided. "I wonder how much success he could bring to our future plans" He smiled wickedly and returned to the front entrance. "My Future plans.", he whispered to himself. "A new youth to my arrangement."

TO BE CONTINUED . . . . . . . .

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