Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 92: Silver's truth
Ethan had fought his battle. He had won his battle. Defeating his crazed rival who wanted nothing less of the Legendary Suicune's respect. Having gotten the first battle of the day out of the way he set off with Eusine for the time being at least.
On the monitor in the waiting room Silver watched. One of the Trainers he was prepared to face, Lyra, had just attained her third victory, having defeated a Trainer named Brooke who used both a Lantern and a Golem.
Before her was Leviathan. The clear audience's favorite and for good reason. He possessed the kind of Pokémon no other Trainer had. Using only his Zapdos he managed to defeat a Trainer with three Pokémon who were all at their final stage. More importantly, he defeated them all in one blow.
Silver had done the math. Eight Trainers, four matches. There would be just one battle left, not to mention other than him there was only one Trainer left.
He didn't like it but opposing him on the monitor was the image of Mister Viridian which made him needlessly nervous. V wasn't exactly the strongest Trainer of all the remaining combatants but he was the one Silver didn't want to battle the most. He was a killer for starters but not only that he somehow seemed to know Silver.
Part of him wanted to leave. The door was right there; he could exit and eventually be disqualified. And if he was disqualified he wouldn't have to battle Mr. V. But Silver couldn't do that. Not after he came so far.
Silver got up from his chair and turned forth to the door. He proceeded to walk towards where the tournament was being held. It was a short one-minute walk, but for the boy it felt much longer, it was stressful, cold, and most importantly foreboding.
Finally he found himself opening the door entering the colosseum. He could see his opponent so clearly standing in the ring with his arms folded and his signature ominous smirk. One which was nearly paralyzing.
Making his way across the field he received some cheers to which he didn't even register. He was too scared to even notice it. As he stood on the right in front of the battlefield he looked back just once, at the door, at what felt like freedom.
All before he turned back and glared at his opponent.
Mister Viridian looked one good look at Silver and finally gave him an applause as he clapped his hands together.
"Got to say, even though I didn't have much interest in battling you, it does feel nice, like the kind of nostalgia you get when you cross by a scent you recognize." Mister Viridian said as he stopped clapping.
Silver took his first step onto the ring not taking his eyes off his opponent. "Funny you think this is nostalgic, because I don't feel anything."
"Besides fear, you mean." Mister Viridian said before taking a good whiff with his nose. "Yup, that's definitely it, I smell it, fear. And you're not just scared, you're terrified."
"I'm not terrified." Silver argued. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I'm afraid I'm not the one who's clueless as to what he's saying... Leo." He said once again angering Silver. Just the mention of that name pissed him off and he didn't even know why. His name is Silver, not Leonardo.
"Ugh, you two done bickering yet." The announcer asked the two. "Cause uh, if you are, can I get on with my commentary."
"I don't care, do what you want." Viridian scoffed.
"Go ahead, we were just finished." Silver replied.
"Alright then!" The announcer said into his microphone. "For our last match of the day we've got Contestant Silver along with Mister Viridian from... again, Viridian City. As usual with the battles from this round, you two can only use up to three Pokémon, and no substituting unless your Pokémon is knocked out of you see them as unable to continue."
"Yes, yes, we know that." Mister Viridian said before facing his opponent with a smile while pulling out a Pokéball. "Okay gumdrop, are you ready?"
Silver took one good look at him before reaching and grabbing a Pokéball of his. Once he had it he looked at it in his arms before clenching it and closing his eyes.
Once he was ready he opened his eyes and nodded.
Mister Viridian gave an open smile and threw his Pokéball into the air before catching it with the other hand before tossing it. "Alright then, go on Muk!"
Releasing in front of Silver was the poison type he had witnessed battle the other day. It looked at Silver and saluted him before blowing its gooey tongue at him.
At the same time Viridian had thrown his Pokéball, so had Silver and so releasing in front of him was his Weavile.
"Weavile, Weavile!" The dark ice type cried doing a single flip before staring down its opponent.
"Woah! Would you look at that, the evolution to Sneasel first found in the Sinnoh region, what an impressive catch!" The announcer yelled much to the cheering of the audience.
Meanwhile as they were prepared to start. The three judges again watched and Sullivan for one was actually excited to watch the battle.
"Yes! I'm really hoping that Viridian guy wins this, awe who are we kidding, of course he's going to!" Sullivan said joyfully.
Lorelai turned to him with a scoff. "The battle literally hasn't even started yet; the hell are you on about."
"Oh come on, we saw how he battled that girl yesterday, he was ruthless, plus his Hitmonlee was probably the strongest thing I've seen in this tournament other than Zapdos, I just want him to win this is all." Sullivan explained.
"You know I really think we should've disqualified him for what he did, attacking another Pokémon when the battle is already won, awful just awful." Oak complained.
"Hey, I said we should end the battle a lot sooner and the both of you disagreed, so don't complain to me." Lorelai said shaking her head.
Not only them, but Eliza and Elm were playing close attention as well.
"Isn't that kid the one who called out Ethan the other day for not congratulating him or something?" Eliza asked.
"Yeah, think so, the one with the Typhlosion." Elm told her.
"I thought I noticed Ethan coming in with him earlier today, I think they're friends." Eliza guessed.
"Maybe, I don't know much about him, but I know I want for him to win this... after what Mister Viridian did yesterday, I really want to see him get toppled for it." Elm said clenching his fist.
"Haha, that sounds like the inner Trainer in you." Eliza giggled.
"Of course, don't forget I was a Trainer before I became professor." He said laughing as well.
Further above them sat the Champion all by himself as he watched the ring with wide eyes.
That Silver, could he be the same Silver who I battled then... He wondered intrigued.
All while they conversated neither Muk nor Weavile made a move. They were to busy watching their Trainers as they both were trapped by the fierce determination, and in Mister Viridian's case his cold stare.
"You're going down." Silver said trying to mask his fear.
"Hmph, you go and throw the first command, I'll give you that at least." V said crossing his arms.
"Gladly." Silver replied. "Okay then, start with Metal Claw!"
Weavile listened and rushed forth to its opponent with his sharp claws gleaming with what appeared to be steel.
"That kind of attack does no damage to Muk!" Mister Viridian said confidently. To which he was correct as Weavile's claw struck into the Sludge Pokémon clearly not inflicting any damage.
"That's what I'm counting on, now, Icy Wind!" Silver ordered.
Muk looked in horror as he witnessed his opponent pulling his head back only to release sub-zero level temperature winds with a great big blow. Muk tried to move but was clearly unable to being frozen solid.
There was Muk. Every drop of poison within him completely frozen as Weavile stood confidently in front him. Could the Pokémon have been taken out that easily?
"Would you look at that, Muk's been trapped in Weavile's ice, could this be an early end to Viridian's first Pokémon!?" He asked.
Mister Viridian couldn't help but snicker to which Silver tried his hardest to ignore. He raised his hand preparing to continue his offensive.
"Now, once more use Metal Claw!" Silver ordered. Weavile turned to Ethan with a head nod before lunging forth and slashing the frozen statue breaking it into a million pieces upon the ring. This mere act brought a ton of cheers as Muk was seemingly taken out in the coolest way imaginable.
"He did it!"
"It was that easy!?"
"What a weak Muk, that Silver kid's got this!"
Silver heard their cheers yet ignored it. Even he was lost in thought. He recalled how the other day Muk recovered from being blown to bits, could it have been possible it could do the same.
But more importantly, what caught his attention was Mister Viridian's faint smirk which scared him.
"Look down." Mr. V said and so Silver followed.
The many icicles, they were beginning to disintegrate entirely, purple sludge was beginning to overtake them to which managed to creep Silver out to no end. It was a scary sight as what was ice had now become the goo that was Muk.
Weavile was scared at the sight, but what crept it out more was the sudden grasp of its leg. Both it and Silver looked down to see Weavile standing on the sludge and coming from it was a hand.
"N-no!" Silver gasped but it was too late. With Weavile unable to move a muscle the goo started slithering towards the center point in which was the hand... until finally.
Picking up and shaking Weavile while in the air was Muk, now returned to its former glory with the widest grin Silver had ever seen on a Pokémon.
"Smash it to the ground, and then end it with Fire Punch!" Mister Viridian demanded. Muk turned to its Trainer with a head nod before slamming Weavile back first into the ground laying it on the ground.
Raising its other arm it prepared a fist full of flames to which it followed by smashing Weavile in the gut with damage so super effective it caused Weavile to cough up blood along with an eruption of smoke.
Silver was shattered to see once the smoke cleared it was done. Weavile laid defeated with its tongue sticking out and blood rolling from its bottom lip.
"And would you look at that, after a sudden reemergence, Muk takes the win!" The announcer cried. "What a shocking quick first round!"
"Shut up..." Silver muttered under his breath as he recalled his Pokémon. All before looking up and facing his happy opponent.
"I've got to say, I wasn't too keen of the idea of fighting you, I wished far more to face that boyfriend of yours." He said mockingly. "But I've got to say, even I expected more from you."
"As if I care to hear your insults, I'm just getting started!" Silver announced as he grabbed another Pokéball.
"Then by all means, show me what you've got." V said.
"You're up next, Umbreon!" Silver shrieked as he tossed his next Pokéball. Coming from it was his dark type who gave a great, loud bark before landing on all fours.
"...Um, breon!" The Pokémon snarled looking down Muk's soul.
"The evolution of Eevee that can only be achieved through the dark of night I see, although this is restricted only for when a Pokémon feels a strong bond with its Trainer." He said once more clapping his hands. "Now I'm impressed, I mean, someone like you learning a shred of human emotion, you of all people!"
"Don't act like you know me you bastard!" Silver growled. "Umbreon, Dark Pulse!"
As the battle raged on, Lyra watched from the audience and couldn't but notice something was off about Silver... just somehow this battle felt, personal.
"What's going on with him, why's he so pissed off, does he somehow know that creeper!?" Lyra asked herself to which she was surprised to see Leviathan take a seat next to her.
"You know, it's weird, I've been watching this battle and the redhead's battle style is at a complete loss from what it was in his previous battles I observed." Leviathan said holding his journal.
"For someone as strong as you, you sure are concerned with the power of other Trainers." Lyra told him intrigued now.
"Nonsense, it's always a good idea to get a good sense of my opponents, as strong as I am I can always lose a battle still." Leviathan explained. "Although I haven't been much impressed with many of the Trainers here."
"Yeah, I know..." She said thinking back to what he said about Ethan. "But don't think just cause some Trainers might not seem all that on a first viewing, we don't have some surprises up our sleeve."
"Hmph, I don't doubt that." The man said as he shut his journal closed.
Focusing back to the battle, Umbreon fired a Dark Pulse towards the Muk only for the sludge Pokémon to sling his body around just barely dodging it.
"Now, return the favor with Poison Jab!" Mr. V screeched. Muk followed sinking into a pile of goo before slithering over at surprisingly fast speed before reemerging before Umbreon.
"Umbre!" Umbreon said forming a stance. Muk with one arm began to throw many, many jabs, to which the Moonlight Pokémon managed to dodge them all by sidestepping back and forth.
But what it didn't see coming, Muk purposely fainted with the same arm he used for Poison Jab and instead used his other arm slamming Umbreon in the gut.
Silver watched as his dark type was flung through the ring before it redirected itself landing on its feet along with a growl.
"Shadow Ball!" Silver yelled. Umbreon listened and once more dashed for Muk while preparing the ghoulish aura in its mouth.
"Muk, block it with Fire Punch!" He cried.
Muk listened once more preparing a fist full of flames as he sped acrosst the field coming in contact with his speeding opponent.
"Do it!" Both Trainers yelled in unison as their Pokémon went in for the attack. Muk went first, throwing his punch much to the surprise of seeing Umbreon flip in midair and dodging it.
It had to watch as Umbreon widened its' mouth. Blasting Muk head on with a Shadow Ball which caused an eruption of smoke.
From the smoke's vanish was disappointment for Mister Viridian. Muk laid in the ground as a sheer puddle. Knocked out and unable to battle.
"And there goes Muk, which Pokémon will Contestant Viridian use next!?" Mister Viridian once again asking the big questions.
V grabbed Muk's Pokéball and recalled it with nothing more than disdain. "Just a mere Shadow Ball to take you down... disappointing, as usual."
Silver recognized his opponent's disgust with his Pokémon. He used to treat losses like that in a similar manner. All the more reason to piss the boy off, he hated the idea of being anything like the creep.
"Well, I've got to say sweetheart, you did in well in taking down Muk." He said with a sudden twist of emotion as he turned to Silver. "You know, I don't smell as much fear from you as I did earlier, I can change that..."
"Just give it a rest already." Silver snapped back.
"Hmph, very well," Viridian said pulling out a Great Ball now before throwing it.
Released onto the battlefield, a Pokémon Silver hadn't seen before. But one Lyra instantly recognized with her having won and all.
"Woah, a Houndoom." She said gazing at the Pokémon. "Awe, well it doesn't look as big and strong as mine... but it does look more angry."
Leviathan looked at the battle with wonder. "I take it you're counting on Silver to win. He a friend of yours?"
"No. I mean, kind of. I don't know him very well, he's more of a rival to Ethan if anything, but I sure like him a hell a lot more than this Viridian person, I just can't get behind him after yesterday." She explained.
"That we can agree on." He said with a smile.
Not only Silver, but also Umbreon was checking out this Houndoom he not only looked similar but was also of the same typing along with the fire type.
"Umbreon...!" Umbreon growled towards its opponent.
"Houndoom! Hound!" Houndoom barked showing off its sharp teeth.
"Err, I'm going to win this!" Silver yelled. "Umbreon, Shadow Ball once more!"
"...Um, breon!" It yelled charging forth towards its larger opponent with the Shadow Ball already prepared.
"Charge your way through with Thunder Fang!" Mister Viridian demanded. Houndoom listened shooting up into the sky like a rocket with his open mouth surrounded by an electric shroud.
Silver's dark type finally shot out the ghoulish energy ball towards his opponent. It was a for sure hit, but that's what shocked it the most. Instead of taking the hit Houndoom opened its mouth and with the Thunder Fang easily grabbed the move with his teeth easily crushing it.
"W-what!?" Silver cried.
Umbreon was in shock to but not before Houndoom came fact to face with it biting down right on his opponent's neck shocking the life out of Umbreon.
"Umbreeee!" The Moonlight Pokémon screamed in pain.
"Good, now use Rock Smash!" Mister Viridian commanded. Following the previous attack Houndoom shoved his front leg into Umbreon's gut causing the Pokémon to spit up before smashing to the ground nearly causing it to crumble beneath it.
"B-b-breon..." Umbreon cried as he struggled to get up from the previous attack with it having inflicted super effective damage.
"Now end it, Will-O-Wisp!" V commanded.
Will-O-Wisp!? Silver thought recognizing the move. "Umbreon get out of there now!"
Umbreon was still laying on the ground before it heard the cry of the Trainer it loved so much. It flipped around right as the purple flames were thrown at it in rapid succession only for Umbreon to dodge them all the while getting closer to Houndoom.
"Now, Iron Tail!" Silver yelled once he witnessed Umbreon getting in close. Umbreon after dodging the final ball of fire turned swiftly as his tail turned to steel as he smacked it against Houndoom's face causing the hell-dog to scream out in pain.
Umbreon was boosted into the sky by the momentum from Houndoom's smack in the face. Using what was already build up it came back down and with two mid-air swings it landed the Iron Tail two more times inflicting more pain on Houndoom.
"Now, Shadow Ball!" Silver yelled.
"Don't let it, Thunder Fang once again!" Mister Viridian yelled. And surely enough once again Houndoom lunged for Umbreon once more aiming for the neck, but this time it was different.
Umbreon backflipped over Houndoom dodging the electric clutch of its claw. Using the opportunity Umbreon blasted Houdoom in the back with the move causing an explosion.
"What a hit!" The announcer cried. "We can only imagine the amount of pain Houndoom's in!"
"I assure you, not that much." Mister Viridian said with a smirk as the smoke cleared. It was too Silver's fear, Umbreon was stuck in place as Houndoom viciously used his leg to step on the poor guy's tail preventing it from moving.
"...Um, Umbree!" Umbreon squealed trying to move. It looked bad, no matter what happened Houndoom would land the next attack. There was no point in telling Umbreon to use Dark Pulse as it'd do little to no damage to another Dark Pulse. Not to mention Shadow Ball stood also in the same vein.
Mister Viridian let out a cruel grin before he threw his next command. "Now Houndoom, end it with Flamethrower!"
Finally Houndoom opened it mouth. Out came a fierce blast of heat that covered and completely entrapped Umbreon within it. Silver could feel his skin sweating from just he heat of it before the flames vanished, and so to the boy's dismay Umbreon fell down utterly defeated.
It wasn't just that. Umbreon was covered in burn marks and it wouldn't take a genius to tell it was out for the count. Silver sighed as he grabbed his Pokéball and withdrew Umbreon.
Before he put the ball away however, he took one glance at it. Umbreon fought well all things considered he couldn't help but notice.
You did good boy, you did good... He thought before looking up to his laughing opponent.
"Aha, Ahahaha!" Mister Viridian laughed maniacally slapping one of his knee. "No surprise here, just as I imagined, I'm winning."
Silver tried his hardest to ignore him, he needed to come up with Pokémon to use and fast.
I have no doubt I can make it past Houndoom, but I can't use Gengar, can I? He asked himself. "Surely he'll use Hitmonlee after Houndoom, to which it wouldn't be able to touch Gengar for the most part, but if I throw in Gengar now it'll lose to Houndoom.
Mr. V wasn't finished letting lose his laughter as he once more clapped his hands. "You know you are doing amazing, much better than I expected, good show, very good show Silver!"
"Shut up, just shut up!" Silver yelled not trying to hide his anger but he would not reciprocate.
"Silver... or should I say, Leonardo?" There he uttered it. The same words he had used the other day which caught Silver in this whole trance. He couldn't understand why the man he seemingly never met before kept calling him by that very name but all he did now was that he despised the notion.
"What are you talking about you fool!?" Silver said assertively. "Don't act like you know me you idiot, I wouldn't have anything to do with you in a thousand years!"
"There we go again with this whole charade." Mister Viridian said with a small laugh. "Please just cut it out, we both know you know who I am."
"Hound, Hound!" Houndoom agreed barking like a pit bull.
Something was wrong, Silver could see it in the man's eyes, he wasn't kidding. He could tell just by the expression. Mister Viridian really knew him, but how, how did he know him he wondered.
"I don't know you!" Silver cried before his face softened up. "But, you know me, and that's impossible, unless you're..."
Everything paused for the boy in this moment. He in this instance realized the secret to Mister Viridian. Although he was acting different to how he remembered, it was his father. It had to be. The man who joined Team Rocket out of desperation, the man who freed him from the clutches of his fate, and the man who he had hated for so long before learning forgiveness.
"...Father?" Silver finally said out loud. He looked up to Mister Viridian as well who suddenly gave another smile.
A smile, which was instantly followed by a slow laugh, he stood there with his hands on his chest before it erupted and turned into a more maniacal laugh, one which crept Silver out to no end. "AHAHAHAHAHAHA, oh you little fool, did you actually believe I was your daddy!?"
He didn't stop laughing and so Silver was lost in confusion. It was the only thing that made sense. But by again hearing just how crazy Mister Viridian he shook his head before screaming.
"STOP LAUGHING AND TELL ME WHO THE HELL YOU ARE!?" He screamed at the top of his lungs. Letting out all the anger within him. With this Mister Viridian looked up towards him once again wiping a single tear in his eye.
The announcer was now at a loss. No words to utter. Meanwhile the audience was confused as to why he was screaming. Of course they couldn't hear him since he wasn't speaking into a microphone but they could still see the rage in his face.
"Uhh... what's going on here?" The announcer said walking along side Mister Viridian who gave him a smile.
"Hmph, I think it's about time I've explained, cause Leo here needs a little reminder as to who I am." He said clutching onto his fedora.
"What are you...?" Silver asked before he witnessed Mister Viridian throwing off his hat onto the ground much to his surprise.
Silver was at a loss for words as he now could quite clearly see the man's whole face. He looked to be a young adult, looking to be about in his mid to late twenties. He had fair skin, as well as spiky aqua-marine hair. Just seeing his whole face brought out his dead, teal eyes which bothered Silver so...
A headache, that's what it felt like as Silver grasped his head. The man wasn't his father as he briefly believed. Yet he did recognize him; yet at the same time he also didn't. He knew he knew the man's face but couldn't at all even remember the man's name.
"N-no, I don't know you, who, who are you!?" Silver asked nearly falling into a panic attack.
"Still don't recognize me Leonardo, odd, it's me, Archer." He spoke once again filling Silver with another headache. He knew he recognized the name and the man but couldn't put his finger on it. He knew he had it in him yet couldn't at all remember anything.
"H-how do you know me; how do you know my father!?" Silver asked still grabbing his head.
"Because I was the one who trained you from the moment you joined the organization, I was the one an admin and your father gave me the pleasure of shaping your sorry ass into a man." Mister Viridian, now revealed to be named Archer explained.
The announcer hearing this nearly lost his mind. "Wha, T-Team Rock-" Before he finished however, Archer reached over and grabbed his lips closing them shut.
"W-what are you!?" The man mumbled before he noticed Archer with the readjustment of his coat showed off his gun, the pistol in the holster. Just by the sight of it he understood the threat and nodded his head as Archer released him.
"Now, do pardon my manners where was I?" Archer said before getting the idea. "Oh right, Giovanni himself gave me the right to train you, you were with us for two years before you left, ringing any bells?"
Silver slowly nodded his head while still grasping his head. He knew he trained under the tutelage of some Team Rocket members albeit he began to recall few things but a few things didn't make sense. He sure didn't remember being with Rocket for so long.
"But... my father, why would he want for you to train me, he, he never wanted for me to join Team Rocket, I, he told me; he loved me, he would never do that!" Silver yelled.
"No Leonardo... he didn't do those things, your father was the leader of Team Rocket, and he wanted for you to take up after him, but you failed him Silver, you failed him." Archer claimed. "You say he loved you, but you were wrong, he hated you, you were a disappointment."
Silver began to breath heavily. He moved his hand away from his head and clutched onto his heart as he kept breathing. It felt like the universe was crumbling over itself and the only two that existed now were him and Archer.
"I-I don't, that can't, that's impossible, when I was assigned the mission of killing that talk show host, h-he helped me escape, I-I've been alone for these past two years so that I can live my life, not as a Team Rocket member, but as whatever I wanted to be!" Silver yelled.
Archer smiled once more. "No, Leonardo-"
"THAT'S NOT MY NAME!" Silver screamed as loud as he could interrupting his enemy. "I-I'm Silver, this doesn't make any sense!?"
"No... 'Silver,' your name is Leonardo, that's the name you were given the day you were born." Archer said filling Silver with even more shock. Suddenly the walls were closing in on the boy even further. He was dying, slowly, his world was dying.
He fell to his knees with both hands holding his head. "Y-you're lying. Lying!"
"The only one lying here is you Leo, you've lied to yourself from far too long. And that talk show host... the one you say you speared, oh you poor fool."
Silver looked up. He couldn't believe what Archer was implying. "W-what are you trying to say?"
"You killed him Leo. Your father never tried to help you escape, you know that. You're a murderer, just like the rest of us." Archer said crossing his arms.
Silver was horrified, already on his knees his body dropped to the floor as his world suddenly vanished. No longer encompassed in darkness, everything was white. Just him and Archer in the same room. On the same ring.
"...I." He finally spoke. "I would never do that... I, don't remember that!?"
At this very moment Archer finally dropped his seriousness and turned to laughter as he chuckled and then began to laugh as hard as he could.
"AHAHAHAHAHA, I see it now, it finally makes sense!" He exclaimed looking down at his opponent. "My God, you don't remember any of it, you've repressed all of it, ALL OF IT!"
Archer continued his haunting laugh as Silver lied on the floor. He knew now Archer was right, some of the pieces of the puzzle were being filled slowly as they spoke. He couldn't remember much but he knew his name was actually Leonardo, he got the vague memory of changing his name, and he remembered his father, abandoning him, abandoning him all because he wanted to pursue the Team Rocket ideal.
….
"You told me... you were the number one in the world! Are you gonna quit? What are you going to do now?"
"One must acknowledge one's defeat before he can move on... I will go solo...for now... So that one day I will form a stronger organization!"
"What aspect of you was number one? Gathering so many only to be defeated by a mere child!"
"Putting together the potential of many is how you produce a huge power... That's what an organization is... That's the strength of an organization! I failed... to make the best use of my subordinates' potential...! But you shall witness one day the revival of me and my Team Rocket!"
"I don't understand you! You don't make any sense!"
"...You'll never understand, and that's why you can't be a part of this, you're too weak to see what needs to be done. So goodbye Leo, this is the end."
"I don't want to understand you! I will never become someone like you. A coward when you're alone and acting like a tyrant when you're in front of other cowards! I will become strong! I will become a stronger man all by myself! ALL by myself!"
….
That was it. All Silver could possibly muster. Memories so sealed away within himself he wasn't even sure if it was true or if he was just imagining it. But either way he was crushed.
As he lay on the floor. Everyone in the audience watched shocked. They had no idea what was going on. They couldn't hear the two's conversation. All they knew some kid was having a breakdown on the floor, when all they wanted was to see a battle.
Some people booed. Some people wanting him to be disqualified for wasting so much time. Others felt bad seeing the little boy crying, so broken he couldn't even get up, while others...
"What the hell are they talking about?" Sullivan asked unable to hear them.
"I don't know, but the kid seems broken, I feel bad for him." Oak said just as unsure as Sully.
"Think we should disqualify him for hogging so much time?" Lorelai asked the two as they looked at each other.
"Nahhhh!" Sullivan scoffed. "I want to see Mister Viridian crush him."
"Well, I for one don't think the battles quite over yet. Silver could still surprise us." Oak claimed.
"Heh, yeah, and how's he going to do that, cut himself?" Lorelai said getting a bad look from Oak who shook his head.
I pray for you Silver, I don't know what's eating you but don't give in... Oak thought focusing back to the battle.
Silver still lied on the floor. Defeated. He only looked up though as Archer walked up in front of him. "I have an alias too as you must know, I went with Viridian because it was the city Team Rocket was founded, sixty years, ago by your grandfather."
Again in shock Silver looked up towards him not believing what he heard. "W-what did you just...?"
"You heard me, your father's father founded Team Rocket, and he handed his legacy over to your father. Do you understand now, that's all your ever going to be remembered for, if they even remember you... all you'll ever be is the failed heir to Team Rocket, a terrorist." Archer said walking in front of Silver, standing about a meter in front of him.
The announcer watched in horror as Silver's psyche was destroyed before him. He was the only other person who could hear them talk and it was awful. This guy's evil, I-I should, someone's got to stop him, but if I try anything I'm dead...
"N-no, you're wrong..." Silver said no longer yelling but with disbelief.
"I'm not. You can keep denying it but deep down your just the same as us. You know, when you were tasked with killing the talk show host, it took us threatening your life for you to follow our orders and do the deed. But that's the thing with humans, when push comes to shove, under the upmost nature our true nature shows. And you chose the same as any of us would, you killed that man, shot him. Cause that's your nature, just like Team Rocket, you're a selfish coward. Try and convince yourself you're not, that you're better than us, but that the end, you're only human..." Archer said with a cold stare looking through Silver's soul.
Silver looked up at Archer. He was beginning to feel a whole mix of emotions, the anger, the rage, the sadness, the loss of reality. All emotions at once, but mostly, pain.
"Awe, you know it really is sad Leo, at the end of the day, you're just a pathetic orphan who wants his daddy, no father, no mother, how sad... well tell you what, I'll be daddy." He said placing his leg on Silver's head. "Look, Ethan's the only one I want to kill you, it's only a coincidence we're battling right now. If you surrender right now, I'll forget about you, you can leave and never show yourself before me again, how does that sound, kiddo?"
Silver finally knew what emotion to rely on. Anger. He stood up to his knees pulling out a Pokéball, but he suddenly dropped his anger once again. Too out of it to even fight back. He let go of his grip on his Pokéball and it slowly began rolling over, falling of the ring.
Until someone caught it...
There stood Ethan. With Silver's Pokéball in hand glaring towards Archer who returned his gaze.
Ethan's face was shown on the giant monitor to which Elm and Eliza witnessed surprised. "W-what's he doing!?" Eliza asked turning to Elm.
"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure he's making the right choice." Elm replied as he watched his protégé yell at the inhumane bastard in the ring.
"That may be human nature. But that's not Silver's nature!" Ethan claimed which shocked Silver. He turned around seeing him standing there with his Pokéball in hand.
"Ethan...!" Silver remarked seeing the boy.
"You've said that Silver's the same as you, but the difference is when he realized he needed to change himself for the better he was able to! Silver recognizes his faults, atone for them, and moves past them. You're the coward who clings to his fallen organization, unable to move on, stuck in time forever!" Ethan shouted dropping Archer's smile.
"Don't get on my nerves right now kid, you're not my prey at the moment..." Archer said with seething rage. "I'm dealing with one enemy right now, not you."
"Way I see it, your ENEMY NUMBER ONE!" Ethan yelled pointing towards Archer who grew even more angered. "Silver, look."
Silver looked towards Ethan. No words. Just his attention.
"He doesn't know a damn thing about you, he doesn't know the real thing about you." Ethan explained before raising the arm with his Pokéball. "But most importantly... he doesn't even know you're name, because you're Silver, not Leonardo!"
Silver looked into Ethan's eyes before giving a slight nod. He reached his hand over and grabbed his Pokéball and took it back.
"...Yeah, I am Silver." He declared. "No one can take that away from me."
"That's right!" Ethan cheered. "So go ahead and kick that guy's ass!"
Silver turned to Archer just slowly getting up from his knees now with more determination than ever to win this seemingly unwinnable battle. "Hey, asshole, let's hurry up and finish this!"
"...Hmph, then go ahead and throw that Pokéball then." He uttered.
Silver closed his eyes holding the Pokéball in his hand. He hadn't checked when he pulled it out just who's it was but by holding it he could tell.
He opened his eyes and had a full smile before he swung his arm, tossing his Pokéball. "Typhlosion, come forth!"
Out from the Pokéball with a great screech came Typhlosion who let out a sharp cry while radiating with more heat than ever. The fire on his back almost exactly like a real volcano.
"Tyyyyyyyy!" It snarled showing its sharp white teeth.
Houndoom in front of Archer growled back. A battle of the fire types, how fitting.
"A-o-o-okay then!" The announcer said into his microphone. "Looks like the two of them are ready to uh... continue, well then, get on with the good stuff!"
"Sounds like a plan, Typhlosion, Wild Charge!" Silver yelled.
His fire type listened leaping into the air being covered by a veil of electricity which crackled like thunder in the clouds itself.
"Dodge it, now!" The Team Rocket cried. Houndoom of course followed jumping back just barely managing to dodge the attack.
Typhlosion was zapped by the recoil of the attack he landed on the ground the ground Houndoom was previously on.
"Tyrahhhhh!" It screeched as loud as it could before shaking off the pain. Before it could though Houndoom was already coming forth with a Thunder Fang preparing to use its opportunity.
"Houn...doooomm!" The Pokémon said with a roar before biting at Typhlosion's shoulder. Typhlosion was once again zapped by the full force of another electric attack but it wouldn't waver. A fierce brimmer of determination was lit in its' eyes as it glared towards Houndoom who released Typhlosion once it got scared enough.
"H-Houndoom!?" It cried terrified now. Its opponent had seemingly taken no damage from the attack. Too angry to go down.
"Flamethrower, now!" Silver yelled just as determined as his Pokémon. Typhlosion listened and pulled its head back releasing what seemed to be an endless amount of flames which was hotter than anything Houndoom could muster.
"H-Houndoom!?" Archer's Pokémon screamed before being completely covered by the flames. The entire colosseum was lit up with the bright light from the flames and so for the first time Archer was actually shocked.
What the hell's happening here...!? He couldn't help but think as the smoke cleared. He couldn't believe it, but as the smoke cleared it revealed the truth, and Houndoom was lying on his ass knocked out.
"Houndoom is unable to battle, Contest Viridian, please bring out your final Pokémon!" The announcer yelled getting an applause from the audience.
They were cheering not for him, but against him. They were cheering for Silver, the boy who was losing just earlier, crying, but who had gotten back up with more resolve than ever.
"Damn it, return Houndoom, I suppose you'll repent for failing me some other time." Archer said with as he recalled his fallen.
Ethan from the sidelines looked at Silver and they both nodded their heads. The boy then turned around to his Meganium and took a few more steps back. He wasn't needed any longer.
Silver then turned to his opponent with a serious look. "That was for Mandy."
"Who?" Archer asked.
"The Trainer whose Pokémon's leg you crushed." Silver said reminding the man of his past misdeeds.
Archer then once again turned to his smirk. "Oh Silvy boy, if I had known me taking the pride of one amateurish fool then I would've made sure to break more bones."
"Shut up and show your final Pokémon." Silver snarled.
"Gladly." Archer said preparing another Pokéball before he tossed it. "Go on, Hitmonlee!"
Right in front of Silver and Typhlosion came the same Pokémon from yesterday. The same Pokémon single-handedly responsible for utterly destroying its opponent and putting it in a near death state.
It formed its best stance staring down Typhlosion who returned the favor by enlarging its flame.
There was a hot tension like a flame between the two Pokémon. Neither moved. Similarly neither did either Silver or Archer who wouldn't lay their eyes off each other.
But after that silence. The only silence for the whole duration of the battle. Came action.
"High Jump Kick!" Archer cried. Instantaneously Hitmonlee appeared in front of Typhlosion, grabbing the sides of the badger's face before bringing it in for a kick from the knee.
Upon letting go that gave Typhlosion the freedom to leap back gaining some distance.
"Throw it off then use Close Combat!" Archer screamed continuing with his offensive.
Hitmonlee then began to run circles around Typhlosion, Typhlosion looked around trying to catch its movements but the fighting type was way too fast. In fact just by the sheer force of running it kicked up what was damn-near a tornado.
Finally once Typhlosion was dizzy from all the confusion Hitmonlee leaped starting with a punch to the gut causing the fire type to spit up before unleashing a furry of blows that would give Ethan's Heracross a run for its money. With punches and kicks so fast Typhlosion was so clearly overwhelmed it was sent falling to the ground.
"Crush it under your foot, once again High Jump Kick!" Archer yelled.
Hitmonlee leaped into the air with its foot building up momentum. Silver looked up into the sky in awe as he recognized this form of the attack. It was the same version it used to break the Electabuzz's leg.
"Dodge it, Flamethrower to dodge it!" Silver uttered.
Typhlosion after jumping from the ring-floor shot from its mouth a stream of flames fast enough to send it flying back in the opposite direction.
As Hitmonlee was falling down it noticed the flames, easily parkouring over it he jumped over it before leaping back towards its enemy.
Typhlosion after landing to the ground saw the upcoming attack and just barely moved out of the way. But as it did its' arm was scraped by the kick from when Hitmonlee passed it.
With the fighting type noticing this it reversed midair and hit Typhlosion up its jaw with the attack causing a bit of blood to come out of the Volcano Pokémon's mouth along with a cry.
Typhlosion fell to the ground before flipping back once more and landing on his legs standing opposed to its opponent. But this time something was different, it was clearly fatigued from the constant attacks as it breathed heavily with blood dripping from its lip.
"...Ty, Ty, Tyyy..." It breathed heavily.
Ethan watched from the sidelines crossing his fingers. Typhlosion hadn't laid a finger on Hitmonlee yet the fighting type was in perfect condition.
You've got to win this Silver... I know you can, I believe in you, show him, show him what you've got. Ethan thought.
The battle was nearing its close. Typhlosion was at its end, and so was Silver. It was enough that Archer couldn't help but get an ego rise from it. He smiled once more and crossed his arms.
"Okay, Leonardo, this is where this battle ends, you're done. You've tried to battle me, you've tried to forget me, you've tried to change, but it's futile." Archer declared. "You were bound to lose to me, and now you'll pay for it. And it's sad too, you know I was just starting to like you."
Silver then much to his opponent's surprise smirked. "You know, Archer, Mister Viridian, whatever the hell your name is. You said we were the same you and I, but there's a difference."
"Enlighten me. Go ahead, what is this difference?" Archer asked. "You're a killer. I'm a killer. You're Team Rocket. Only difference is I embrace that life, and you try and run from it."
"No Archer." He said before raising one arm. "Typhlosion, Smokescreen!"
The fire type listened opening its mouth. From there came a large puff of smoke. Larger than usual for that matter, the smoke hit Hitmonlee and single handily covered the entire ring. The three of them in that ring excluding the Pokémon, neither he, the announcer, or Archer couldn't see through the dark.
"What the hell are you...?" Archer asked.
"The difference is when both faced with darkness, you choose to dwell in it while I choose to be better, to move on!" He said before raising his arm. "Typhlosion, now, Wild Charge!"
"D-dodge it, now!" Archer screamed. But he couldn't see a thing, all it could see was the parts of the smoke being covered with the bright yellow light of the attack.
"Err... I can't see anything, haha!" He laughed suddenly gaining the realization. "Counter, whatever you can't dodge you can send back and more some!"
Still, Archer could not see a thing. He needed to win. Surely he would. But it was then when the smoke cleared entirely, what he least expected. Hitmonlee was standing apart from him with his guard up while Typhlosion stood behind him feeling the effects of recoil. It hadn't attacked. But it had Hitmonlee by a blind spot.
"Hitmonlee! Move now!" He screamed at the top of his lungs but it was overpowered by his opponent's yell.
"Typhlosion! Flamethrower!" Silver yelled even louder.
Hitmonlee turned its head around, right behind him was Typhlosion with just about the brightest and hottest fire he'd ever seen on its back. Akin to molten lava perhaps. With trails of steam coming from its mouth he opened it and fired off a Flamethrower which made direct contact.
An explosion on the battlefield erupted with both Silver and Archer being knocked out the way from the attack. They landed on their butts outside the ring on the grass. Neither of them had even blinked, their eyes were still laser-focused on the battle.
"I've won it!" Archer claimed.
Silver hadn't said a word. Serious about the battle.
Finally the smoke cleared and so Archer saw the one thing that he wasn't prepared for when coming for this battle. Typhlosion held the knocked out Hitmonlee by its arm, the only thing keeping the Pokémon from falling to the floor.
Then finally Typhlosion let go. Dropping its opponent to the floor unconscious.
The announcer watched in awe before giving a smile. Not one of a commentator who was meant to build hype but of a man who was genuinely happy to see his favorite player win.
He finally raised the microphone to his mouth. "And there we have it, Hitmonlee is unable to battle meaning Contestant Silver is the winner, he will be moving on to the semifinals! And that's all we have for today folks, tomorrow will start the next round with all new rules!"
Silver stood there amazed. He did it, he won. And not only that, but the whole audience also cheered for him. Perhaps it was only because they despised the other Trainer but it still counted. He was doing it. He was moving on to the fourth round.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Ethan who had a smile on his face. "You did it dude."
"...Yeah, I did." Silver said turning back to Archer who was speechless.
Not only him, but the three judges were also similarly speechless.
"H-he actually did it, the kid actually won!?" Sullivan said before sighing. "Mannn... I really wanted that Viridian guy to win, guess that's what happens when you pick favorites."
"That Trainer from yesterday, the one who worshiped Surge, perhaps she'll feel avenged." Oak said with a smile. And surprisingly, Lorelai was also happy, having a wide smile on her face as she laid back in her chair.
"It was actually nice seeing him go down, that Silver kid's not bad at all..." She said looking at him from afar.
Silver had walked up to his starter and placed his hand on his Typhlosion's face gently petting the Pokémon.
"Thank you... I couldn't have done it without you." Silver said with a smile as making Typhlosion bark happily.
"Typhlosion, Ty!" It said eagerly. Ethan and Meganium watched both looking at each other, just happy to see Silver's improvement.
As he pet his Pokémon he saw a shadow approaching him much to his surprise. He turned to see the champion himself standing there with his hands on his hips.
"I-it's you." The redhead said before receiving a pat on the shoulder.
"You've done good kid, you've done good. It looks like you finally understand the virtues I tried to get you to realize all the way back when." He said happily.
Silver looked down with a smile and nodded his head. "...Yeah."
Now with Ethan and Lance he returned his Pokémon, and afterwards he looked up at his opponent who was dumbstruck.
"I-I, I was supposed to win, how did I-" He asked himself before redirecting his anger towards Ethan and Silver. "How did you do it, how did you... I was supposed to win, I was supposed to crush Ethan and demolish him!"
Both Ethan and Silver looked up the fallen Team Rocket with their most serious glares. Ethan decided to go first.
"Look, V... you've lost this. You've failed, your mission is to destroy me and to revive your shitty organization of evil fools, it's over. You can try and kill me all you want, but when evil rises there will always be good to rise against it." Ethan declared before pointing towards the man. "And you, are that evil!"
Archer looked at Ethan once more returning his same gaze. There was no jokes, no death-threats, or any other boasts. Instead Archer just stood there with hatred boiling inside him as Ethan, Meganium, Silver, and Lance all turned around and walked away from him.
It was all on impulse. It controlled his next decision as he flipped over his long coat reaching for his belt as he grabbed the pistol from his holster.
"N-nooo!" The announcer cried, he tried to rush forth to try and stop it but it was too late.
He held the gun over Ethan's head. A clean, quick kill. Of course he would get caught immediately but it was worth it, or at least it was in that instance.
The first person to notice it within the audience was the boy's mother of course who freaked out but still knew what to do.
"ETHANNNN!" She screamed as loud as possible just loud enough for Lance to hear. He turned around and saw the gun, saw the void within its' muzzle and jumped, he crashed into Ethan pushing the kid down before being hit straight in his chest with a fired bullet.
The audience, at least a good two-thirds of it began to scream due to the gunshot. Many people got out their suits and sped out of them to reach an exit as those would do in this case scenario.
Archer seeing as he had just gotten the Champion was pissed he missed and instead moved the gun so it'd face Ethan again. The kid was sitting on his butt, rather than being scared for his life he was kneeling over Lance freaking out.
He was going to do it. Get a kill, get his revenge for everything. If he couldn't prolong it then he could surely rush it. This is what he was meant to do. All before he felt a blow to his head. Falling down to the ground completely knocked out.
Standing over him... the announcer who had used his microphone as a weapon. He was panting heavily yet incredibly happy he had did that. "Mom, if you could look at me know..."
Ethan hadn't noticed this however as he kneeled over Lance grabbing him by the hand. Tears shedding from his eyes as both Meganium and Silver were both by his side.
"Hey, look at me! Look at me, you're going to be alright, hey, you're going to be alright!" Ethan cried. "Just don't close your eyes."
Lance looked at Ethan, he was breathing heavily to when he leaned his body forward reaching Ethan's ear.
"Ethan... you worry too much." He whispered.
"...What?" Ethan asked confused.
Lance with a smile pulled up a part of his shirt, underneath being what Ethan recognized to be a bulletproof vest.
They all turned to each other. Ethan, Silver, and Lance. In the end, good had won out.
Boom, there we have it, that's it. Had some fun with this one. Anyways, yeah, if you thought that maybe Mister Viridian just had to be Giovanni in disguise then sorry, but nope. Archer. If you don't remember him, he's just some random dipshit you battle at the end of Goldenrod, figure I'd expand on his character a bit more. And yeah... that's basically it, bye!