17
I wake up the next morning before anyone else. I look around, and notice Markus sleeping on the ground, and Veera next to him. She must have taken it well I guess… I think to myself, happy for him. I get up quietly, and make sure no one else is up today. I don't see Rachamim anywhere, so I decide to put on my "Deep Purple" shirt that I have not yet worn.
Deciding that being nosy was the LAST thing I wanted to do, I decided to update my journal. A lot of crap has happened since I got out of Pewter, so I wanted to write down these things before I forget. I feel like doing this… in present tense, so I guess I have to write everything before this point again. A story never hurt anyone, right?…
By the time I'm done writing, everyone is up, and never talked to me. Abby seems to have totally forgotten what happened that night, and even said good morning to Markus and I. I still haven't seen Rachamim, even though Sakura has already made breakfast, which seems to be better everyday, and being great food already, that is only good news.
I put away the journal and beckon for Markus and Veera to come over to me. We walk away from the group a little into a clearing. We all sit down on the grassy, somewhat leaf covered ground and I look around at each of them. "Markus."
Yes? He asks, tilting his head in curiosity.
"How did it go? What did Veera have to say about… you know." I kind of glance away when I finish that sentence, somehow feeling somewhat responsible.
He looks at me, as tears start to build up in his eyes. When they finally start to drop down his black and blue furred face, he jumps forward and grabs me, hugging me and sobbing. Veera always wanted to meet her father. I'm just so glad I can actually know one of my cubs. But…
I pat him on the back and almost disregard the fact that he added a but. "It's okay Markus. You don't need to cry. Being happy only makes sense in this situation."
Raizu! He says. These tears are not of Joy. Apparently, after I decided I was finished with the program, they took away Alexis. She refused to have kids anymore, and would attack oncommers. Team Rocket got fed up with it, and removed her. Those were Veera's first memories. He hardly finishes these before he sobs even more and leans his head totally over my shoulder. She may be gone, because of me…
"Hey!" I say, still patting him and trying to comfort him. I look at Veera, and she just turns her head away, staring off into space, as if in deep thought. "You knew what you were doing was wrong. I doubt she wanted you there, just degrading yourself more and more everyday."
He sniffles a bit, and releases me, and gives me a sad look. One of the saddest I'll probably ever see. "Don't worry. We'll find her. We'll make sure you find your mate again Markus. I swear we will."
Through the stream of tears and cries of sorrow, he manages a small hint of a smile. You are truly a kind person.
--
We all pack up and leave for Saffron smoothly. I decided to let Markus walk with us today, thinking a brisk walk will get his mind off of Alexis and what may now be a deep hatred for Team Rocket. He doesn't mention much to the rest of the group, still having only confined most of his secrets with me. I figure it is just because I am his trainer, but I can't help but think there is more too it.
As we walk, Rachamim describes how he came to meet us, and the various hair styles he has used. When he started out his journey, he had long, flowing, lighter brown hair. He then tried it spiky, which is how I saw him at Pokémon Tower. Now it is just loose, and somewhat long. He says he always liked his life. He had it fine in Twinleaf town, and came to Kanto because he preferred out mid-tropical climate to Sinnoh's cold and rainy climate. His first pokémon was Totodile, and admits to having caught an eevee, and having it evolved, and insists it is currently in the PC.
I decide to tell him about my entire predicament. My curse I recently had to deal with, my father's origins, and that we have vowed to disband Team Rocket. When we get to that subject, he becomes noticeably quiet and just says he'll help. None of us suspect anything is up, except that he may not be ready to fully hurt someone when the time comes. I doubt it'll come to that.
After a few hours of walking and conversation, we finally arrive at Saffron. After going through the rest house that borders the city, Serena, Rachamim, and I are all startled by the tall buildings. Sky scrapers seem to line up in endless rows and columns, making a grid of sorts. The Saffron Gym is to the Northern most point of the city, and the pokémon center to the Southern most point. In the city's center stands the tall, overwhelming building that is Silph co., the original creators of the Master Ball, rumored to be able to catch any pokémon without struggle.
We all go toward it, but Sakura stops us. "I think we'll need to set up some kind of appointment, I doubt walk-in's are allowed after the Rocket fiasco."
We all nod and decide that the worst thing that can happen upon going in is just them denying entry. Boy were we wrong.
We walk to the lobby and enter. The room is enormous. The lobby has beautiful crimson rugs, amazing, purple tapestries over the windows and walls, and well lit chandeliers on the ceiling. Inside, we only see a receptionist's desk. We walk up to it and ask if we can see anyone who was here at the rocket incident. She answers that all persons who were here were replaced or moved to different company locations, to prevent such a thing from leaking too far out, or hindering the company. I sigh and decided to walk around a bit more, as the rest of the group talks.
I head to the exit when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I casually look behind me and find a very creepy man. His face is hidden under the hood of a black robe, lined blood red on the inside. It is totally wrapped around him, but I can see he has a black shirt and pants on still. His shoes are black, the kind you would wear for formal occasions.
"Can I help you? I don't work here you know." I say, sounding irritated, to see if my tone of voice can push him away.
"I know that. Do you know who I am?" His voice is dark, and startling. I shudder.
"Should I?" I respond.
"No. This is good." He reaches out at lightening speed and grabs a pokéball that is separated from the rest on my waist, and he jumps back. I hardly realize what happens by the time he gets halfway across the lobby.
That's Veera! I think in my own head. I run after him, pumping my legs to catch up with him. I don't have time to tell the others, and just jump into the elevator to the next floor. When the door opens, I'm startled to find Draxik in front of me.
He gives me a curious look. "Raizu? What are you doing here?"
"Long story." I say. "Did you see a man with a robe go by here? He stole my eevee."
He nods. "Yes I did. Get out a pokémon, we'll go after him. I saw him dart toward the stairs."