Feraligatr fainted in front of Silver. The battle had ended and Silver had lost. He clenched his fist tightly, ignoring the nails digging in his palm. His eyes glared at the caped man and his Dragonite.
Lance sighed quietly. The redhead had put up quite a fight. But the way he treated his pokemon were downright barbaric and harsh. He faced the young trainer. "I have to say, that was quite a battle. But the way you commanded your pokemon – there wasn't a hint of love in it."
Silver gritted his teeth. "Don't you dare judge me..."
But the dragon master wasn't a slight shaken by his voice. "All I'm saying is that you don't care and love your pokemon enough. Actually, you don't seem to care and love them at all. And that's disappointing. All pokemon should be loved."
Silver had had enough of his rambling and marched towards the man – only to be blocked by his Dragonite. The dragon pokemon growled – signalling Silver to step back. Forcefully, the redhead scooched backwards. His eyes stabbing Lance.
Lance stared at Silver with a sympathizing look. Stubborn fellow. Before he could say anything else, his Pokegear rang. Lance answered his call and talked on the other line. Leaving Silver standing like a fool filled with rage.
The boy kept glaring at the dragon master. He had almost reached Mahogany Town when suddenly he saw an intimidating looking trainer trained with a Dragonite. For the first time in his life, Silver felt all fired up to defeat the trainer. Finally, he looks like a worthy challenge. But as soon as the battle started, Silver knew he counted his Pidgeys before they hatch. The trainer's Dragonite wiped out all his pokemon in one blow.
Silver clenched his fist. He stood quietly as Lance was talking on the other line. I am not moving from this spot until I win!
At least that's what he thought, until he heard Lance said, "So you're confirmed Team Rocket did this to the Magikarps near Mahogany Town?"
Silver froze. Team Rocket. The name was like poison sipping into his heart. The boy clenched his teeth even harder. Those bastards…They really are back. He felt his whole body was like a time bomb – ready to explode any minute. Completely forgetting his instant rematch with Lance, Silver called Feraligatr back into his pokeball and rushed off to the next city.
After Lance hung up his Pokegear, he looked around – his eyes finding the stubborn redhead. He was gone. Lance sighed quietly and swiftly climbed on Dragonite. "Come on boy, to the Lake of Rage."
His loyal dragon nodded and with one loud roar, he flew up into the skies.
Kotone tiptoed quietly in the Rocket Hideout. Ampharos stayed near her trainer. Her eyes moved around cautiously on the lookout for more grunts. Kotone sighed. The minute she'd reached Mahogany Town, she ran to the gym – only to be guarded by a weird looking man, saying that the gym is closed for today. So out of boredom, she went to the Lake of Rage.
And much to her surprise, she saw a giant red raging Gyarados.
It was raining heavily at the lake and the Gyarados was demolishing everything in sight. To protect the people and the lake, Kotone fought the atrocious pokemon and finally, with a happy smile, she caught it.
And just when she thought it was over, the minute she got on land, a mysterious caped man came to her and asked her about the incident. Kotone just shrugged – thinking that it was just a natural occurrence. But as soon as the man said it was Team Rocket's bidding, she thought otherwise.
"You're helping me defeat the menacing organization, okay?"
After a few minutes of understanding the situation, Kotone nodded. A few hours passed by, and she was now in the Rocket Hideout in a small Mahogany shop.
Kotone kept her head down. Her eyes focused on finding the boss's room and avoiding more grunts. The grunts' pokemon may be weaker than hers, but she knew it won't be long until her pokemon were out of energy.
Her eyes caught a huge metallic sliding door. Kotone smiled.
Finally! The damn boss's door! She sneered. You're toast you pr-
Her thoughts went blank as she felt someone clamped her mouth shut and pulled her backwards.
"Mmhmm!" was all she could muster. She felt her body being lifted and placed on the strangler's shoulder. Kotone wiggled roughly for freedom. Her eyes stared at her Ampharos – who was staring at her in confusion. W-What the…? Ampharos, don't just stand there! Help! Kotone panicked. Her light pokemon did nothing but follow them while she's in captivity.
Finally, they stopped at a farthest side of the building. The mysterious predator threw Kotone on the ground. Kotone groaned in pain and glared at the rude attacker. Her mind was filled with curses and attack plans for him.
But all that was nothing when she saw who it was. "Silver?"
Silver scratched the back of his head in distress. When he knew Team Rocket was messing up in Mahogany Town, he's rushed to the scene of the crime.
He didn't expect to find the annoying trainer, however.
"What are you doing here?" he asked bitterly. The last thing he wanted was a distraction.
Kotone stood up and fixed her hat. "Oh, you know, I thought there was shoe sale here. So I, like, thought I'd totally drop by …" She held her hips and glared at Silver. "I'm trying to stop Team Rocket! What do you think I'm doing!"
Silver smirked as she tried to intimidate him.
Kotone crossed her arms. "What are you smirking at, jerkface?"
He raised an eyebrow cunningly. "Jerkface. Wow. Nice one. Where did you learn it? At the Weak Dumbass Convention?"
Kotone clenched her fist. She didn't have time for this. She didn't know why Silver was here. But his problems can be dealt later. "Move," she hissed as Kotone tried to push him away. Silver didn't even budge. The close position they were in reminded Kotone on the incident at Olivine. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks – causing her to silently growl. She didn't even know what came over her that night. But when she woke up the next morning, she found herself alone in the room. Silver had left.
She pursed her lips shakingly. Kotone, this is not the time for that! Kotone focused her eyes on her Ampharos. "Ampharos! Thundershock!"
Silver widen his eyes in horror. "Wait…wha-"
His body went completely numb as Ampharos hurled a jolt of electricity at his body. Kotone took the opportunity to move as far away from him.
Silver lay on the ground – twitching from the aftershock. Kotone smirked and hugged her Ampharos. "Good girl."
Ampharos purred happily. Silver leapt back on his feet and glared at Kotone. "What was that for?"
Kotone stuck out her tongue. "I told you to move away. But you didn't. So that's what you get for being stubborn. Besides, what are you doing here?"
Silver patted his shoulders. "I'm stopping Team Rocket, you idiot. What does it look like?" His answer caught Kotone off guard. "You wanna stop Team Rocket?" she asked dumbfoundedly.
Silver glared at his enemy. He was slightly disappointed at her tone of question. "Yes. Don't sound so surprise, woman."
A few silent minutes passed by. Finally, the teenager shrugged and walked to the metallic door. Knowing Silver, their argument could last for days. Silver growled quietly and followed behind. Soon, Kotone opened the door with the slide key she'd found. Team Rocket's business of havoc is over. Her eyes focused on a shady looking man wearing a black hat.
Silver pushed Kotone away. He froze in horror as he saw the one person he wished he will never meet again.
It…It can't be…
"You!" Kotone pointed her finger at the shady man – oblivious at the terror stricken boy next to her. "You're under arrest and I'm gonna whip your ass for what you did to those poor Magikarps!"
The man snickered and stood up. His eyes pierced both the teenagers. "Muhahaha, we've been waiting for you. So, you're Kotone?" He strode closer to them.
Ampharos crouched between them, protecting her trainer. Her lips remained shut as the enemy chuckled vilely. "Do you not know who I am, child? It is me, Giovanni. The majestic Giovanni himself!" The man laughed maniacally.
Silver clenched his fist. His body began shaking in anger and resent. His mind pictured the bitter incident that happened three years ago. The day where he'd lost everything. The day he'd became vile. The day he'd swore he will live without. The more he thought about it, the angrier he was. "You bastard!" Silver snapped loudly.
Kotone was startled by his tone and looked at Silver. He looked nastier and tenser than before. "Silver, what's wr-"
"You fucktard! Stop disguising to be that bastard! Show your true self!" he roared.
Kotone widen her eyes in shock. "Silver, what are you talking abo-" Her words were cut short when the fake Giovanni laughed.
"That boy has keen eyes." He sighed. "And I've worked so hard to mimic him." Before Kotone could get some answer, the man ripped his skin off his neck. Oh my Arceus! What the hell is he doing to his face! She felt like vomiting. Kotone looked at her Ampharos – the pokemon felt like losing her lunch too.
Finally, the mask came off. Petrel smirked. "I am Petrel, a Team Rocket Executive! You must be trying to sneak into the radio-transmitter room. Well, that's not going to happen. You and your little boyfriend are not going anywhere!" He took a pokeball and released a Koffing.
Kotone growled. She wanted to fix his statement, but judging by Silver's wrathful expression, she knew he wasn't paying attention. She faced her gaze on her enemy. "Come on Ampharos! Show him what we've got!"
Ampharos yelled while bright sparks jolted out of her body. You're going down, ugly!
The battle had ended. Petrel had lost. The executive frowned at his lost and glanced at the two trainers. During their battle, Petrel couldn't help but trying to remember the redhead's face. He seems familiar. "Since disbanding Team Rocket three years ago, our Giovanni has been missing. But we're certain he's been waiting for the right time for our revival." He cackled madly. "Losing to you won't change the fact that you are unable to get in the radio-transmitter room! You need my voice to unlock it!" The executive released his Weezing and before anyone could say a word, a huge smokescreen covered the entire room.
Kotone coughed and released her Arbok. "Arbok! Suck in all this smoke!"
The cobra pokemon nodded and with one huge inhale, all the smoke disappeared.
And so did the enemy.
"Damn…" Kotone muttered. She was so close. Her eyes looked around the room. There was only a small Murkrow and a shaking Silver. Kotone remembered his hateful tone when he yelled at Petrel. He looked more foul and spiteful than ever that for once, Kotone felt scared. Slowly, she strode towards him. "Silver…"
Silver looked up. His eyes saw nothing but the old man's face. But we're certain he's been waiting for the right time for our revival. Petrel's words hummed in his head like a poisonous melody. He scowled angrily. "AHH!" Silver yelled as he punched a wall – causing Kotone to take a few steps backwards – afraid.
Arbok wrapped his trainer carefully and growled at Silver, protecting Kotone.
Kotone petted her Arbok. "It's okay boy." She stared worriedly at the angry redhead. "Silver…what happened back there?"
Silver kept his mouth shut. His body was still shaking and his fist was once again bleeding. But all of that was nothing compared to the everlasting pain in his heart. He thought of his despicable old man. Then, he thought of his pokemon – how he treated them – how the hurt them when they lost. His eyes were on the ground. "That Lance…" he snarled as he suddenly remembered the dragon master. "He said I didn't care and love my pokemon enough…"
Kotone rode on her Arbok and commanded her pokemon to walk closer to Silver. His words were barely a whisper. "Silver…"
His eyes pierced sharply at Kotone – causing her to shiver. Silver gritted his teeth. Again, he saw the serene calm in her brown eyes. Her voice was soft and soothing that it actually calmed himself a little. Silver snarled and shut his eyes with his fist. His emotions were getting in his way again.
Suddenly, he felt a pair of soft hands holding his fists and pulling them away. Silver looked straight. Kotone was smiling softly at him. Arbok stood very closely behind her – just in case the redhead tried to do something rash on his trainer.
Silver growled. He wanted to pull his hands away but Kotone tighten her grip. "Silv…"
He shuddered. That was the first time she'd ever gave him a nickname. And oddly, it didn't bother him.
Kotone brushed his fist, her finger wiping the red liquid away. "Heh," she giggled. "Is hurting yourself a habit now?" Her brown eyes beamed at his silvers. The redhead looked away. Her touch was sending small sparks in his body. Silver gritted his teeth and pulled his hand away.
"Silv-"
"I will handle that damn organization alone. I don't need your help. I don't need anybody's help." He glared at Kotone – his eyes filled with rage and demise. "I will destroy them one way or another," he snarled. Without waiting for a response, Silver stood up and marched away.
Kotone frowned as her rival left. She had no idea why he'd wanted to stop the evil organization. Heck, she had no idea why he'd cared in the first place. The girl was dumbfounded.
Silver…
Silver ran as fast as he can into the outskirts of Mahogany Town. He shook his head many times as he ran farther and farther into the forest.
One must acknowledge one's defeat before he can move on…
Silver gritted his teeth. The words were swarming in his head.
Putting together the potential of many is how you produce a huge power…
He clenched his fist. Silver shut his eyes as tight as he can – removing the wicked thought that danced in his mind.
But you shall witness one day the revival of me and my Team Rocket!
But we're certain he's been waiting for the right time for our revival.
"NO!" With one loud roar, Silver jabbed a tree with his wounded fist – deepening the cut. His body was shaken in pain and rage but Silver ignored everything and punched the tree over and over again. His past was flashing before his eyes. "No no NO!"
Suddenly, two bright lights flashed on his belt – revealing Feraligatr and Sneasel. Without haste, Feraligatr held his trainer's waist and pulled him away from the tree.
"Feraghh!" Master, stop!
Sneasel pushed his trainer away. Silver struggled from his pokemon's grasp. "All of you let me go! Release me, you idiot!" he shouted. But Feraligatr secured his hug. He had enough of seeing his trainer hurting himself.
"Snea!" That is it! Sneasel released an icy-cold beam on his trainer's feet – freezing him into place.
"What the hell Sneasel! Release me!" Silver tried to move his feet. But the ice was frozen solid. He couldn't even budge. His eyes glared at his two pokemon. "What the fuck is wrong with you two?"
The two pokemon sighed quietly. Feraligatr stared at his trainer in concern. He knew Silver will eventually smack them if he was free from his frozen chains. But rude master or not, he still loves Silver and he didn't want him to get hurt.
Silver wriggled harshly. His hands punched the icy rock, hoping to crack it open. Unfortunately, not a single crack was shown and to make matters worse, the freezing chill stabbed his bleeding cut – biting the deep wound. Silver gritted his teeth. He felt his eyes getting wetter.
"ARGHHH!" he yelled as loud as he can. Finally, Silver lay on his bum – hurt and indignant.
"Stupid…Stupid…" he muttered. He shut his eyes with his palm. Silver saw his smiling mother – smiling at him sweetly every morning when he woke up. He saw the laughing pokemon around him – playing with him everytime he went out. He saw his parents – hugging each other and showing signs of forever love.
But Silver knew that was all a lie. His mind soon saw his mother – flashing a weak smile on her deathbed. He saw his father – neglecting him when he craved love. He saw the incident three years ago – his only blood and flesh abandoning him when the old man lost to a mere child. Silver cringed. The day where he knew love was meaningless and pointless.
But his heart began to doubt otherwise when Kotone flashed in his mind. The female trainer smiled innocently at him when he insulted her. He could hear Kotone's giggle even when he wasn't joking. And then, he remembered that night where he was Kotone's warm blanket. He protected her and he doesn't even know why. Silver can still imagine her sweet scent and her touch that made his skin prickled.
Silver growled. W-What the hell…is wrong with me…?
"Ralighh…"
Silver opened his eyes. Both his pokemon were still standing in front of him. Both held a worried look. Silver frowned. He never understood his pokemon. He hits them. He mocks them. He tortures them when they lost. Yet, they were still loyal to him.
Actually, you don't seem to care and love them at all.
Silver snarled at the dragon master's comment. I don't need love. I don't need care! I don't need anybody! He cringed as he felt a sharp pain. Silver looked at his palm – the cut was getting worse.
"Snea snea…" Silver looked up. Sneasel held a red fabric that he knew so well. He remembered the first time Kotone treated him at the Burned Tower. It was the first time he ever felt pampered ever since his mother died. The boy gritted his teeth as tight as he can. Silver pinched the bridge of his nose – fighting back the tears. Damn it…
He felt his hand being pulled away. Silver opened his eyes in shock when the sharp claw pokemon covered his wound with the material. Sneasel wrapped in carefully and tied it into a pretty bow. "Sneasel!" The pokemon yelled happily at his craftsmanship. Yayy! All better!
Silver stared at his pokemon in disbelief. His own pokemon had just helped him. And he had done worst to them. The redhead hung his head down. Oh dear Arceus, what the hell is wrong with me…
Feraligatr and Sneasel stood quietly in front of their trainer. They smiled when Silver finally said, "I'm fine…Come on guys…Let's…get out of here…"