Chapter 23: Silver

Travis, Kathie and I were training hard during the last few days. After Kathie saw us practicing our moves she wanted to join in so we took turns wit our training and one of us would always keep an eye on the eggs.

Fighting without commands of a trainer was a different experience. Travis had the biggest problems at first as he never fought a battle without Jess' commands, so he had to learn when to use which move on his own. Kathie once was a wild Pokémon so she did better in the beginning than Travis.

As for me...I already fought battles as trainer and as Pokémon, so I had a little advantage over them. Maybe thinking like a human isn't always bad. It helps a lot when you exactly know what to do, even though it's hard to do the fighting- and the thinking part.

One of the eggs soon started to move from time to time, but it took another day until Kathie excitedly called Travis and me who were in the middle of our training to come over to her. The first egg had some cracks, and the cracks were expanding over the eggshell. We excitedly watched how the first pieces of the eggshell broke away and a sharp claw appeared in the hole and started to expand it. The hole was soon big enough for the Pokémon to come out. It appeared to be a Sneasel, so this must be the red haired boy. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at his surroundings.

Where am I?

Don't worry, you're safe, we're in Ilex Forest. I told him.

Wait you can talk? He seemed confused, but when he saw me, he looked like he suddenly knew what's going on as he looked down at his body.

I see, I'm a Pokémon, too now. I guess you saved me?

Yes, are you alright? I know this must be a weird situation to you, but you'll get used to it. This happened to me, too.

I know, I was there when it happened. Could I maybe talk to you in private Martin?

Who's Martin? Kathie asked

Oh that's me, that used to be my name when I was a human. And, sure we can talk in private. Kathie and Travis could you leave us alone for a moment.

Kathie and Travis went off to go training.

You said you were there when I got turned into a Pokéegg. Does that mean you can still remember your human life?

Of course I can, why do you ask?

Well, I can't remember anything besides some small details. I don't even know your name.

Oh, that's...I'm sorry for your loss...Well, my name isn't important anyway, just call me Silver.

Alright Silver it is then...You can call me Nick now. Jess gave me that name, and I decided to go with it.

Why don't you just use your actual name?

I thought that this was some kind of new life, so I might as well accept a new name. You know, I had no memories so I also had nowhere to go to, so I decided to stick with Jess, and I quickly accepted my new life.

I see, so...you like your Pokémon life?

I definitely do. Despite the circumstances, I'm actually glad this happened to me. Now to you. How do you feel about it?

This all feels so unreal to me right now, I guess I need some time to get over it.

Then maybe you should join our training?

You think so? I don't really like fighting. That always reminds me of what I've done in the past.

Believe me, you'll feel better when you're fighting. That's a Pokémon thing.

I guess I'll try it then, but first we need to talk about something else. Since you lost your memories, I'm not sure where to start here.

Just tell me everything you know about me and this Team Rocket stroy.

Alright, before I start I guess I need to tell you, that I'm the son of the former Team Rocket boss Giovanni, and that's why Team Rocket has always been a part of my life even though I ran away from home when I was ten and stole a Pokémon from Professor Elms lab and went on a journey to become stronger. There was that one trainer though who was always better than me. At the end of my journey, I realised that strength doesn't matter when there's no bond between trainer and Pokémon. Team Rocket was disbanded three years ago after that incident in Goldenrod City, but they're still active as you already saw. I always kept an eye on them, but I never really knew what they were after. About two months ago, some guys in dark ninja suits and a strange guy with a white lab coat and some strange machines met with the rocket guys. Shortly after, you appeared in Johto, and you told me that you were chasing Team Plasma. It looks like they joined forces with team rocket and the obvoisly developed this thing that turns Pokémon and their trainers into eggs. I don't know how this thing works nor why they even developed it. I only know that it can't be good. Anyway, we tried to sneak into Team Rockets base but they found us and they used their new weapon on you and your Samurott. They said something about test subjects. I panicked there, so I grabbed your egg and somehow escaped. On Route 29 I found that girl, and I gave her that egg, so they wouldn't find you when they got me. I didn't think of the consequences of my actions and only later I realised, that I brought her in great danger. I guess you know the rest of the story.

I just sat there and thought about what Silver just told me.

This whole story is bigger than I thought. Team Rocket and Team Plasma are working together...What are we going to do about this?

I don't know yet. I don't even know if we can do anything now that we've all been turned into Pokémon. Heck, we don't even know what they're planning!

Can you tell me where their base is? Maybe we can do something.

Their base is on Route 45 hidden in the mountains. It's too far away from here anyway.

Well, maybe we can't do anything for now, but that's no reason to just give up. For now, you should just get used to you new life. Try to enjoy it. And there's still two more eggs to hatch. Maybe we'll get some intel from that Rocket guy.

Wait, that guy's been turned into an egg too?

Yes.

Maybe you're right. Now I'm motivataed and I wanna join your training, but first...I'm starving, do you have anything to eat here?

Sure, we collected lots of berries and we still have some Pokéfood from Jess left.

Does that Pokéfood even taste good?

It's really tasty, just try it.

I gave him an Oran Berry and some Pokéfood. He tried the Pokéfood first.

You're right it's better than I expected.

He ate it all and then he also ate the Oran Berry.

Alright I'm ready, when do we start?