"You're going to Celadon City, right?" Cassy asked in a low and sad voice.
Brendan looks at her from the place he's leaning on. He could stand up now. At least with something to hold on to. But he's taking steps faster now. He refused to hold on to something more than five minutes. He stumbled around but still didn't let Cassy or Haxorus to help him stand straight.
"Where else?" He said in a 'duh' manner.
Cassy shrugged. "I'm suggesting somewhere tropical." She said desperately. She tried to make it sound funny but with everything that happened last day made her afraid. Afraid, because of how differently she see's him now. She's afraid of losing the Brendan she knows and darkness will overcome him.
"We had a base at Cinnabar Island. We could always move there." He said hopefully. She wasn't the only one who tried to take him away from Team Rocket. He once in while tried to bring her back to Team Rocket and join him and become a power couple.
Cassy shook her head. "I'm thinking more about Alola. I've heard they have some regional stuff going on there. We'll have a beach and go for fishing." She said again.
Brendan looks at her sadly. He stumbled forward and stood facing her. "I think I forgot to mention you. I missed you. I always did. It was so wonderful when we were a team." He said taking her hand and bringing it for a gentle kiss on the knuckles.
Cassy smiled. After a while She smiled. Not smirked or laughed. She just smiled. "We could always be a team. But I'm afraid team rocket is closed subject for me. The only thing that connects me to it is you, Babe. Just think about everything i said so far. It'll make sense and you'll be free with me." She said.
Cassy saw his sadness grow but she didn't wonder why. "I think I am free. Don't you understand? We're destined to represent team rocket. We used to help our Boss to seek his visions. He gave us reasons to keep going. But one day I lost you. Ever since then, I started miss you more than anything. We could have been out there fulfilling our duties. Together." He said.
Cassy just listened to his words. "I have reasons. But trust me. I've started to see clearly. For once, give me a chance. I'll show you what's out there around the world. It's not always team rocket." She said, not even trying to hide her desperation. She's trying real hard.
Brendan sighed and let go of her her hand and backed away. "I'm sorry, Cassy. But I don't want to throw away my purpose. I guess we both have our own visions." He said.
Cassy lowered her head. "I know. But just come visit me once a while. I'll be around." She mumbled.
Brendan looks at her closely and moved closer. Then he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "I'll miss you. I always do." He said.
Cassy nodded. "Maybe I will be the same." She said and gave him a small kiss on his lips and then on his left cheeks. Cassy was always been good at hiding her weaknesses. And that's why she could hide her tears by blinking.
Once they are ready to go, both of them turned to look at each other again. "We're are you going from here?" He asked.
"Lavender Town." She replied.
"You're always there. Why?" He asked.
Cassy hesitated. "Maybe I'm comfortable there for now. I don't know why." She said.
Brendan however didn't buy it but didn't question her further. "You can talk to me always. You know, if something bothers you." He suggested.
"I will... Eventually." She smiled sadly and turns around and ran away.
Brendan looks at her retreating figure and watched as she go out of his line of sight.
Just as she left, he felt that familiar pinch in his heart. It always happened whenever they said goodbye. He sighed again and looks up at the dark rainy sky and looks at Haxorus.
"We're going home." He said. But he's not talking about the place he grew up in.
With that he recalled Haxorus and started his own journey. First to Saffron city. Then Celadon City from there. Within two days, he'll be in Celadon. His boss has a lot of missions and he'll be there to do his part.
He swallowed his pain and discomfort as he walked forward. But eventually the rain started to pour down once again.
FEW HOURS LATER...
Brendan ignored the raging downpour and he didn't even bothered to run. Rain is one of them things that always helped him when he's hurt. It works like cover. He doesn't have to feel the pain, because the coldness of it will always numb his body. He won't have to pretend like it doesn't hurt if he don't even feel the pain. He grew close to nature by being a team rocket member. He always sleep outside in the wild when he's out on a mission. It's just like when he was on his Pokemon journey.
That thought always angered and saddened him. He just tried to forget those days when he was desperately trying to overcome his struggles. But it's nothing he could just forget one day. He remembers how much of a failure his journey was. But now that same thought fuelled his anger and confidence. He do have past mistakes that could help him overcome the obstacles in future. He keep those memories in order to fuel his rage and make sure he no longer hold back any of his attacks. Those memories just only making him more powerful and monstrous. And he never going to forget those who were the part of the said memories. He'll destroy those who belittled him. It's just matter of circumstances when he unleash his chaos and make them suffer. And he never ignored the feeling that this all being just a powerful beginning for him. He'll go to the extents that will make him completely opposite of the failure that old Brendan was.
He zoned out as he walked. For him time just passed by. He ignored the tiredness of his body that threatened to make him stumble. He just gave the priority to report his boss rather than stop and take care of his own body. Team rocket will find him a great asset. He'll make sure of it.
Saffron city was only few hours away from where he is currently. The rain kept him cool and hydrated. Because of it, he didn't saw the point of stopping around and wait. His only stop would be at Saffron Pokemon centre. Even though he does not possess a trainer ID, he always had money. But sadly this time is an exception. His money was ruined with his uniform few days ago and right now he's broke. But he knows a trick. A trick to get instant money.
Brendan planned his stay and proceeded his way forward. Seconds turned into minutes and the minutes become an hour and the hour become hours. 4 hours to be exact. 4 goddamn hours, and he finally able to see the lights of saffron city in the night. The rain never stopped. It's almost like God Arceus himself trying to make his every little move hard. Brendan just have to deal with it try to move on.
He was panting and his tired eyes looks at the city and it felt like forever since he left vermillion city. The long walk with with his current weak state really made him faceplant the muddy pathway. On a normal day, he won't get tired so easily. But right now he's just recovering from his injuries. He didn't waste time hanging around and moved forward.
Brendan recall being here more than hundred times. But the first time he was here to challenge the gym leader Sabrina. He lost everytime to her powerful yet playful Haunter. He wasn't expecting the psychic gym leader to use a Ghost type. He remembers how easily he was lost. More than 6 times. Maybe on the seventh try, she might have gone easy on him. He barely won that day. Those memories of disappointment and Shame always threatened his mind whenever he was here afterwards. It's been quite a while since then. Back then he wasn't a rampaging team rocket guy. He was just a nerfed pathetic trainer. His old Pokemon didn't have any strong connection to him like his current ones. He just had to release them and move on. A best decision of his life.
Eventually he reached Saffron city and there were people roaming around with umbrellas and the Pokemon who loves water enjoyed their time out of their Pokéball.
Brendan didn't wait around to look at anyone. But everyone else looks at his way as he passed. He heard voices of concerns and confusion. He knows he maybe looks like a mess right now, but he's now sure that he looks way worse than he thinks.
His bare feet already lost their feelings due to the cold water, a while ago. That's why he stumbled every now and then. He's going towards the Pokemon centre. He'll get money like he used to be, a get a place to rest.
Ignoring the eyes on him, he walked towards the Pokemon centre. In five minutes he's closer to the building. Just as he about to enter, the automatic sliding door opened and he was exposed to the light coming from inside the place. Like before people looks at his way.
Brendan stopped at looks around. Nurse Joy and others looks at his appearance and he knew their a bit shocked. However that didn't avert his attention from him task at hand. He needs money. That's what he's looking for anyway. Looking around he exchanges looks between each trainer that gathered there, until his eyes landed on someone.
Easy money. He smirked. Without any delay he moved closer to the boy who sat on the couch with some girls and boys, laughing. They haven't paid him a glance earlier. And that's why when he stood next to the couch, looking directly at the trainer, everyone was confused.
They looks at one another and looks at him. "What do you want? Why are you standing there and staring at us like that?" A boy with trimmed hair asked.
Brendan didn't look away from his Target, who's a purple haired boy with expensive outfit. "I'll battle you for 500 pokedollars." Brendan said straightforward.
There was a silence before everyone sitting with the boy started to laugh out loud. The purple haired boy had an egoistic amusement on his face as he looks back at Brendan. "Look at this fool. Challenging Lock out of all the damn extras here." A pink haired girl laughed at him.
"I think he's sick or something." Another black haired girl smirked.
"He doesn't even know the standards." A blonde boy said.
Brendan didn't even listened to their insults and completely ignored them. He's only looking at the Purple haired boy, who found it pretty annoying. "Haven't you heard my friends? Just leave. Why are you even embarrassing yourself?" The purple haired boy who known as Lock said dismissively.
Brendan shrugged. "You see, I'm low on some money. Just was looking for a an easy target." Brendan said with an unreadable expression.
The laughter died down and everyone looks at him in pure anger. "Did you just call him weak?" The pink haired girl shouted.
Brendan didn't even look at her way.
"She asked you a question, you dumb freak." Another boy shouted.
"I want money. Say yes or no. Or I'm going to look for a strong trainer." Brendan said looking directly at Lock, who's eyes twitched s bit indicating his anger.
Lock stood up silencing his friends and moved close to Brendan. "How about 1000 pokedollars? I'll give it if you somehow defeat me. But when I defeat you, you'll apologize to us in front of everyone." Lock stated with a confident smirk.
"That's extra pokedollars for me, then." Brendan said coldly.
But then. "If you want to battle, go underground. I'm not allowing you to cause any trouble up here." She said pointing at the door that leads to underground battle place where the trainers can have a friendly battle.
Brendan didn't even paid them mind before walked towards the door.
Once everyone is underground and took their places on their places, the referee, who's an elderly man let them know of the rules. "It's gonna be 1vs1 battle. The trainer who has a fainted Pokemon will lose the battle. Now bring out your pokemon." He said.
"Destroy him, boss."
"No, toy with him first."
"Show him, boss. Show him not to mess with you again."
Lock' friends cheered and some booed Brendan. It's so childish. Brendan thought.
"Prepare for apologizing every one of us." Lock said and threw his Pokéball. "Go Primeape."
Brendan looks at them and smirked. Without saying anything he threw his Pokéball.
When the Pokemon came out of the Pokéball their eyes widened. "What is that?" One of them asked.
"I've never seen it before." Another one said.
"A Pokemon of another region, huh?" Lock said.
Brendan shrugged. "Sure." He said and looks at his Pokemon.
Lock' eyes twitched. "Primeape, Use thrash." Lock ordered and he didn't missed Brendan' smirk.
"Bisharp, end it." Brendan just ordered.
Bisharp took off instantly and before Primeape could even strengthen up it's attack, Bisharp leaps up and came back down with a powerful iron head right in middle of Primeape' forehead. The blow was so quick that Lock and his friends felt a gust of wind passing them by. And a loud sound came back from their back where the blur went.
Lock and his friends stood frozen with their eyes widened. Primeape no longer can be seen where it stood a second ago. Instead, they saw Brendan' Bisharp standing there staring at something in their back. Lock and his friends looks back and their shock was intensified. They saw a knocked out Primeape sticking inside a dent on the wall.
Referee didn't even realise it too. But he regained his composure again. "Primeape is unable to battle. Bisharp wins." The referee almost forgot Bisharp' name. Even he haven't seen a Pokemon like this before.
"1000 pokedollars. I'm sure you're a man of your words. If you won't give the money, then I'll question your 'standards'" Brendan said recalling his Pokemon.
Lock and his friends didn't even know what to say. "Y..you cheated." One of Lock' friends said.
But Brendan didn't even looks at his way. He stretched out his hand for his reward. Lock was fuming and before he could say something, he remembered what Brendan said about his standards.
Lock growled and pulled out a roll of bills and was about to hand it over when Brendan points him to stop. "First open the roll, count the money for me then hand it over. I won't bother counting." He said.
Lock' eyes twitched in annoyance but did as told. If he refuse, it means he doesn't have standards. He'll turn out to be, not a man of his words.
Once done, Brendan just left without a second thought.
That's how he got a room at Saffron city Pokemon centre. Even without a Trainer ID, all he needed was money. 150 pokedollars exact.