To this day, I wonder if he was playing a game with me on that night. But, as time passed and we grew closer, I knew that I had found the one I wanted to spend my life with.
I left Viridian frequently, the call of collecting too much for me to bear, but I always made my way back. Back to the one who had captured my heart. He was always mysterious and enigmatic, but I never needed to know more than he was willing to tell me
Finally, one night, on a hill overlooking Viridian Lake, he confessed that he, in fact, returned my feelings. I could tell it was very difficult for him to say, accustomed as he was to being the emotionless Boss Rocket. I rewarded him with a most passionate kiss, and an even more passionite night. In the morning, I left for Blackthorn. Our parting was no different than the other times I had left, with a gentle kiss, and my vow to return.
Had I known, I never would have left his side.
It had been three days since I last saw him. The trade in Blackthorn had been successful, and I was on my way to Crimson City, hot on the trail of a rare painting. Since the life of a Collector requires one to be constantly aware of new opportunities, I casually switched on my multi-way radio.
The airwaves were full of nothing but the usual, beginners in over their heads with trades they could not possibly fulfil, updates on Legendary sightings (I must admit, I cringed when someone said that Lugia had been sighted). And, as it was shortly past midnight, there were the occasional off-color comments about Mary, the starlet of Goldenrod Radio. I smiled, and put my craft on autopilot. It was nothing compared to the one that now lay under the ocean at Shamuti, but it was home.
Or was it? Over the past few weeks, I had come to think of Viridian as my home. That would be an interesting life, one I had not thought of yet. Being the leader of Team Rocket as well as the Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni could not be expected to leave the city very often. But I could always return there. Return to him.
Through my reverie, I could hear the dispatcher mention Viridian, and I shifted my attention back. What I heard chilled me to the bone.
"This is Tabitha at Viridian Radio!! I repeat, Viridian Gym is under siege!!!"
I froze.
"I don't have all the details at this time, but from what we do know, the Viridian Police have found conclusive evidence proving that Viridian Gym Leader Giovanni is indeed the leader of Team Rocket, as has long been speculated. More details as we get them."
I fell to my knees. My dear Giovanni!! Would I next see him behind prison bars? Would I ever see him again? No, he had to have escaped. He simply had to.
The radio's patrons were silent, for the most part. One trainer simply said "Damn," and left the channel. The few who did speak did so haltingly, not wanting to risk missing the next update. Finally, the stifiling stillness was broken by a brief announcement.
"A short update on the siege in Viridian--we have just recieved word that Giovanni is indeed inside the building, and Officer Jenny has instructed the police to use any means necessary when dealing with him. Repeat, Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, is in the Gym, and Officer Jenny is willing to take extreme measures to bring him to justice. That's all the information we have at this time, we will keep you updated as new details arise."
*Giovanni...please be all right.* I pleaded to the sky. Tears ran down my face as I considered what could happen.
At precicely one o'clock, the most terrible feeling crept over me. It started in my chest, and spread to my mind. I had long heard that one can sense the death of a loved one, and I prayed this was not what I was feeling.
Over an hour I waited, the most agonizing hour of my life, before Tabitha returned with more information.
"The siege on Viridian Gym is over. Repeat, the siege on Viridian Gym is over."
I tensed up, waiting for it. I knew what she was going to say, but nothing in the world could prepare me for when she said it.
"Giovanni is dead. Repeat, Giovanni, the Viridian Gym Leader, is dead."
I left Viridian frequently, the call of collecting too much for me to bear, but I always made my way back. Back to the one who had captured my heart. He was always mysterious and enigmatic, but I never needed to know more than he was willing to tell me
Finally, one night, on a hill overlooking Viridian Lake, he confessed that he, in fact, returned my feelings. I could tell it was very difficult for him to say, accustomed as he was to being the emotionless Boss Rocket. I rewarded him with a most passionate kiss, and an even more passionite night. In the morning, I left for Blackthorn. Our parting was no different than the other times I had left, with a gentle kiss, and my vow to return.
Had I known, I never would have left his side.
It had been three days since I last saw him. The trade in Blackthorn had been successful, and I was on my way to Crimson City, hot on the trail of a rare painting. Since the life of a Collector requires one to be constantly aware of new opportunities, I casually switched on my multi-way radio.
The airwaves were full of nothing but the usual, beginners in over their heads with trades they could not possibly fulfil, updates on Legendary sightings (I must admit, I cringed when someone said that Lugia had been sighted). And, as it was shortly past midnight, there were the occasional off-color comments about Mary, the starlet of Goldenrod Radio. I smiled, and put my craft on autopilot. It was nothing compared to the one that now lay under the ocean at Shamuti, but it was home.
Or was it? Over the past few weeks, I had come to think of Viridian as my home. That would be an interesting life, one I had not thought of yet. Being the leader of Team Rocket as well as the Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni could not be expected to leave the city very often. But I could always return there. Return to him.
Through my reverie, I could hear the dispatcher mention Viridian, and I shifted my attention back. What I heard chilled me to the bone.
"This is Tabitha at Viridian Radio!! I repeat, Viridian Gym is under siege!!!"
I froze.
"I don't have all the details at this time, but from what we do know, the Viridian Police have found conclusive evidence proving that Viridian Gym Leader Giovanni is indeed the leader of Team Rocket, as has long been speculated. More details as we get them."
I fell to my knees. My dear Giovanni!! Would I next see him behind prison bars? Would I ever see him again? No, he had to have escaped. He simply had to.
The radio's patrons were silent, for the most part. One trainer simply said "Damn," and left the channel. The few who did speak did so haltingly, not wanting to risk missing the next update. Finally, the stifiling stillness was broken by a brief announcement.
"A short update on the siege in Viridian--we have just recieved word that Giovanni is indeed inside the building, and Officer Jenny has instructed the police to use any means necessary when dealing with him. Repeat, Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, is in the Gym, and Officer Jenny is willing to take extreme measures to bring him to justice. That's all the information we have at this time, we will keep you updated as new details arise."
*Giovanni...please be all right.* I pleaded to the sky. Tears ran down my face as I considered what could happen.
At precicely one o'clock, the most terrible feeling crept over me. It started in my chest, and spread to my mind. I had long heard that one can sense the death of a loved one, and I prayed this was not what I was feeling.
Over an hour I waited, the most agonizing hour of my life, before Tabitha returned with more information.
"The siege on Viridian Gym is over. Repeat, the siege on Viridian Gym is over."
I tensed up, waiting for it. I knew what she was going to say, but nothing in the world could prepare me for when she said it.
"Giovanni is dead. Repeat, Giovanni, the Viridian Gym Leader, is dead."