"Ahhh!" Silver landed on the cold ground, face first. He lifted his upper body, cursing at the pain.

Before he could resent some more, a heavy weight slammed him on the back of his head.

"Kyaa!" Kotone crashed onto something soft. She held her chest, trying to catch some breaths. Never had she been so scared in her life. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. There were nothing but a wide grassy field and a clear blue sky…

Wait, what?

She gaped, not believing what she saw. Blue skies and a grassy field! Kotone rubbed her eyes hesitantly. Clearly she wasn't blind. She wasn't in Ilex forest anymore.

Kotone heard a loud muffle, her bottom wobbling. The petite trainer looked below, and gasped in horror to see who it was.

"Get…offmm…meee…" The muffling was getting louder.

Kotone quickly stood up. Silver raised his torso and gasped madly, breathing for air. His silver eyes glared bitterly at the guilty brunette.

"Uhm…sorry?" Kotone apologized, but her voice didn't sound so guilty. Her lips resisted the urge to grin.

Silver leapt up on his feet and patted the dirt of his black shirt. A sudden chill swept under his skin. His eyes focused on the petite woman who was still wearing his jacket. He realized that his jacket was quite bigger on her. The sleeves wrapped her hands fully and the seeing that the woman was wearing shorts, wearing the outer wear completely covered her short pants – only revealing her slender legs and red shoes.

It was as if the woman wore nothing but his jacket.

Suddenly, the cold wind wasn't the reason he was shivering anymore.

Silver inhaled deeply and led out a huge exhale, trying to get himself to focus. He opened one eye, staring at his confused rival. "Give my jacket."

Kotone gripped the red and black clothing, pouting. "Why? I like it. It's warm."

Because seeing you in that way makes me hungry for you. "Because you're irritating and I'm cold. Now give!"

Luckily with a heavy heart, Kotone removed his jacket and toss it to Silver. The redhead rolled his eyes and wore it. His nose caught faint scents of vanilla and chocolate. Silver bit his inner cheek harshly. He recognized that smell – the smell of her hair – and skin.

He ran his hand through his hair and sighed heavily. Being with the woman was challenging enough. His eyes quickly focused on the open field, finally realizing that they weren't in Ilex forest anymore. Silver looked at the brunette.

"Where are we?" Silver asked.

But Kotone looked away and shrugged lazily. "I don't know."

He grunted at the woman's ignorance. Obviously she was sulking about the jacket incident. Silver shook his head, annoyed. Pesky childish woman.

His eyes continued gazing upon the area. Somehow the place seemed familiar to him. He moved his feet, trying to get a better view. The more he looked around, the more confused his head was.

"Hey wait up!" Kotone yelled and chase after the distracted redhead.

Silver ignored her and kept his pace. His heart began to beat faster, his mind hurting as each thought passing through him. This place…It can't be… Silver halted as his silver eyes widen in shock.

"Silv-oof!" Kotone bumped on his back. She rubbed her slightly swollen nose and grumbled. "Auww…" Her brown eyes glared at Silver, whose back was on her. "Next time, give me heads up if you want to stop," she mumbled. But her rival stood there, not a single word came out from him. Confused, Kotone poked his back. "Silver?"

"It can't be…" he voiced out unwarily, shaking.

She was more confused than ever. Kotone shifted her feet and stood beside Silver. She bent slightly forward and looked at Silver. Her eyes couldn't believe to see his face, stunned and horrified. She waved her hand in front of Silver. "Yoohoo, Silver. You there?" No response.

She followed his stricken gaze, only to see a lady sitting contently in front of a lake. The young woman stared at the clear water, clearly distracted too. Kotone gazed back at her rival. The man was still frozen, his lips slightly apart. Suddenly, she was shot with shock to see a faint shimmer in his eyes.

"Silver…?" Her voice soft in concern.

"Yayy! Come on Xander!"

A child's voice shook her into reality. Kotone quickly fixed her gaze back on the peaceful-looking lady. This time, an image of a running child and a Pokémon – a Sneasel occupied her vision. The child ran happily towards the smiling woman, his small arms waved up in the air.

"Mama! Mama!" The child yelled in joy, jumping into the woman's open arms. The woman, apparently his mother laughed softly. Soon the Sneasel joined in the family bonding and all three of them hugged.

Kotone scrunched her eyes, trying to get a good view. That was definitely a Sneasel. The lady was a stranger to her. But the child – the small laughing figure in the woman's hug – he had red hair. He seemed six in her eyes.

"Mama!" The child chirped loudly. "Today me and Xander found a hurt Pidgey. She fell off her nest. The Pidgey was crying but then me and Xander healed it. You wanna know how, mama?" His mother giggled at his son's enthusiasm. Without waiting for another minute, the boy continued. "It's because I have Oran berries. You always say that Oran berries are delicious and good and nice for your health. So I bought 'em. And me and Xander gave some to the poor Pidgey. And then the Pidgey was fine and flew back in its nest. Yayy!" The small redhead child jumped, clapping his hands in joy in front of his mother.

The young woman flashed a small smile and patted her son's head. "That's my boy," she said, her voice filled with a mother's soft tone.

The child smiled proudly and fisted his chest. "You said in order to become a Pokémon Master, I have to be nice to Pokémon. I'll prove to you, mama. I will be nice to all the Pokémon and I will be the strongest trainer ever and I will make you proud!" The toddler shouted in pride, making her mother smiled even brighter, amused by his determination.

Xander squealed in joy and jumped on the woman's shoulder. The young mother smiled aand scratched Xander's head, earning happy purrs from him. Her eyes soon back on her zealous child. She placed her hand gently on the kid's shoulder. "You will soon achieve all of that, my precious Silver."

Kotone almost tripped when the words reached her. Sil…SILVER!

Her head snapped to the redhead. Silver had his head down. She realized his body was vigorously shaking, his fist clenching so hard that Kotone could hear faint snapping sounds. She was still dumbstrickenly confused from the shock, but her thoughts were quickly focused on the Silver in front of her, worried.

Her hand slowly reaching out to him. "Silver…"

"Why?" Silver cut her off, his voice shaking and croaking. "Why…is this happening…?" He gritted his teeth, ignoring the painful friction in his jaw. Silver dug his nails in his palm, almost cutting his skin.

"I love you mama!" The sound of the child's voice vibrated in his ears, stabbing and twisting his bleeding heart. He couldn't take the sound and sight any longer. All the memories – the memories he kept hiding away and locked up deep inside his life – all of them were crashing back to him. The only past he swore never to look back, he was standing right in front of it now.

Silver moved his hands up his hair, scratching his scalp frantically, trying to remove the dark thoughts. He had just seen the only person who he loved the most – the person who he had lost forever. The person now was sitting two miles away from him, completely oblivious at his presence. Silver felt his throat being clogged, unable to breathe. He felt his eyes getting wetter. Soon, small drops of tear flowed down his cheeks. Silver shut his eyes roughly, cursing as the painful memory was even clearer in his closed eyelids.

"Fuck…" Silver growled, pulling his hair, ignoring the physical pain.

The horrifying sight was scaring Kotone. Instinctively, the brunette gripped the shaking redhead's shoulder and shook him. "H-Hey Silver, what's wrong?" Her voice stammered in utter concern.

Her worry got even deeper as Silver didn't respond. He didn't swat her hand away as usual. He didn't spat any bad words at her. He didn't even look up and glare at her. No, he was still face down and coldly quivering.

"Silver!" Her voice got louder. She held his chin, trying to lift it up. But Silver swiftly grasped her wrist. Kotone winced as his grip was tight, gripping at her skin. "Silver…that hurts…" she muttered in slight fear, trying to remove her hand from his intense grasp. "Silv-"

"Don't…" he growled, his teeth bared. "Fucking touch me…"

Kotone was getting more and more scared. The Silver in front of her was different than before – very different. The man was rude to her before and she had owned her fair share of shoves and assaults from him in the past years. But this time, he seemed ruthless and violent. And for the first time in her life, Kotone was petrified.

"Silver…please let go…"

Suddenly, a small cry hit their ear shots. Kotone looked up. It was the Celebi.

Deep inside her heart, she was relieved. "Ce-Celebi! What's going on?"

But the small legendary didn't say a word. Soon, another bright light flashed on its body. The petite trainer cursed inside her throat. Damn it! Not again! Kotone closed her eyes and looked down, bracing for impact.

Before the two flashed into the time portal, Silver cringed as his wet eyes caught the sight of the loving mother-child moent. His heart ached miserably as he heard woman said, "I love you too forever, my son."

Kotone and Silver landed on the ground again. Her body felt numb as she kissed the cold dirt. "Ouch…" Kotone sat on her knees, mumbled and rubbed her shoulders. Opening her eyes, she realized Silver was sitting, growling furiously next to her. Her attentions quickly flicked around her. It was night time. Unwarily, she led out a small sigh of relief.

We're in Ilex forest.

Or that's what she thought.

"You told me… you were the number one in the world! Are you gonna quit? What are you going to do now?"

The harsh voice shocked both the teenagers. Kotone snapped her head to the direction of the sound – and gawked in horror to see who it was – Silver.

She turned her head dumbly at the redhead next to him. It was also Silver. The redhead, however, also posed a dumbstricken shock to see another version of himself. Kotone fixed her gaze in front. The other Silver looked younger. His hair was slightly longer and the jacket he wore was certainly bigger than him.

"One must acknowledge one's defeat before he can move on… I will go solo… for now." Another voice occupied the area, a mature voice. The sound seemed alienated to Kotone but when she looked at her rival next to her, his face showed that he knew that voice very well.

And he didn't like it one bit.

"Silver…" Her hand almost touched his hand gently, careful not to be harshly gripped again. But was soon abruptly stopped as she saw his nail digging deeper into the soil. Kotone looked at Silver – he was completely enraged. His teeth clenched in deep fury. His body almost crouching, his face showed nothing but pure loathe and blood thirst.

Her heartbeat was beating in panic.

"So, that one day I will form a stronger organization!" She heard the man's voice again. Focusing her gaze on the two feuding humans, she could see the man pounding his fist onto his palm. He had his back on the young Silver, almost furious as the now Silver.

The young Silver stomped his feet closer to the shadow-looking man. "What aspect of you was number one?" he demanded, his voice filled with so much rage for a child. The youngling clenched his fist, holding back a punch. "Gathering so many only to be defeated by a mere child?" The young Silver chuckled acidly, adding salt to the man's wounds.

The man stood in his position, his back never shifting from him. "Putting together the potential of many is how you produce a huge power…That's what an organization is… That's the strength of an organization!" he said, his voice filled with pride and ego. But soon a small sigh escaped his mouth. His head down, his black hat hiding his shameful face. "I failed… to make the best use of my subordinates' potential!"

Before the small version of Silver could say a word, the man continued. "But you shall witness one day the revival of me and my Team Rocket!"

Kotone gasped. Team Rocket? The criminal organization that she had thwarted two years ago, the man was talking about it. Suddenly, her mind clicked on the incident where she'd meet Petrel, the Rocket Executive.

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...

The executive's voice chimed in her head like a bell. And then it hit her. She snapped her head back at the feud. The man in front of her was Giovanni.

And the young one – was his son.

Kotone felt like her cheek had been slapped multiple times. She looked at the present Silver. He looked more savage by the minute. His silver eyes burned viciously at Giovanni, completely forgotten that Kotone was next to him.

Kotone didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to respond. Her ears caught the young Silver's voice.

"I don't understand you! You don't make any sense!" The small redhead yelled at the top of his lungs.

But Giovanni didn't move or flinch. "One day you will understand." And just like that, he walked away, leaving his one and only flesh and blood.

The twelve year old Silver clenched his fists furiously. His hung his head down, his eyes filled with angry tears. "I don't want to understand you!" he shouted madly. "I will never become someone like you! A coward when you're alone and acting like a tyrant when you're in front of other cowards! I will become strong! I will become a stronger man all by myself!" The young Silver scratched his neck, cutting deeply in his skin, trying to remove the immense heartache. "ALL BY MYSELF!"

Seeing the blood oozing out of his neck, Kotone spontaneously stood up and ran towards the raging youngling. "Stop! Don't do that!" she cried. She couldn't bear to see her rival in pain, whether he's the present version or the past version.

The young Silver stunned to hear a female voice and turned around. The woman seemed taller, probably older than him. He growled, his tears flowing rapidly on his cheeks. The young woman stood nervously in front of him. He was more than confused as to why the strange woman seemed to care about him.

Kotone stood awkwardly in front of the young one. Shit! I'm not supposed to be seen! Her eyes gazed softly on the furious redhead. Her heart ached to see small trickles of blood on the nape of his neck. Unwarily, her hand reached out. "You okay?"

Her voice was filled with soft and gentle care – a voice very much like his departed mother. Remembering her, the young Silver felt his eyes getting wetter. With a loud growl, he swatted her hand away. "Fuck off." The young child shoved Kotone away and ran as fast as he could. The sight of the stranger's brown eyes crushed his heart even more. The look she just gave him was the same look his mother once had.

The young Silver shook his head hard and ran faster – completely oblivious at the older Silver past him.

Kotone stood there, biting her lip. She was both worried and guilty at the sight of the broken child. With a heavy sigh, she slowly turned around, only to see his furious rival. Her heart felt heavier than ever to see his sorrow face. His eyes were nothing but anger, grief and agony. Slowly, her feet strode until she stood in front of Silver.

His head was hung down, his red hair falling, acting as curtains to his face. Kotone twiddled her fingers nervously. Never had she encountered a grief-stricken Silver – especially something that was so unexpected as this.

She twiddled her fingers, unable to say a word. Kotone looked up. Her eyes froze in horror to see faint lines on his neck – a scar.

A scar from the bleeding scratch he did five years ago. The same scratch Kotone had just seen.

Instinctively, her soft hand gently caressed the black scar, earning a good flinch from Silver. Swiftly, he gripped her wrist. His silver eyes pierced sharply into the scared browns. Under the moonlight, her eyes gleamed beautifully, causing his heart to shudder. He was angry – no, he was furious. His whole past had been displayed right in front of his rival. He felt remorse and hatred for himself. He felt like stabbing himself with a knife. He felt like scraping his eyes out, blinding him for his shameful life. He felt like running away from her, never coming back. All sorts of malice and pain encountered his mind.

But seeing her soft eyes, he felt calm.

Something he doesn't deserve at all.

"Silver…" Her voice woke him up. He looked at the woman. Her face showed nothing but fear. Unwarily, Silver chuckled dryly. Of course she's scared you shitass. She just saw who you are, who you once were. Now she'll leave you. She'll run away. No one wants to be friends with a criminal boss's son. His heart dropped drastically at the thought. He let go of her grip. Silver clenched his fist, hitting his head many times.

"Silver…Stop…" Kotone held both his hands before any damage could be donw. She felt her heart aching everytime she saw pain in his eyes. Her gaze focused on the man's face – sorrow and lost of hope.

"Cerbiii…"

Celebi's cry snapped both the teens, gazing at the legendary. Silver growled, his rage building up again. The redhead swatted her hands away and stomped towards the Pokémon.

"You…" he growled, looking up. "You fucking pest! You did this! I will kill you! You brought me back here – the place where I don't want to remember! I want to forget! You brought me here, forcing me to look back into my past! And I hate it! I HATE IT ALL!" Silver yelled. He fell on his knees, his fists punching the cold tar. "FUCK EVERYTHING! I FUCKING HATE EVERYTHING!"

Kotone froze in shock. Silver was acting like a mad man.

He felt his tears washing his face. Silver ran his hand up his messed up hair. "And you've bought Kotone too…She has seen everything…" he sobbed quietly. "I will lose everything I love…again…" His thoughts wandered back to his smiling mother. He could see her gentle smile and soft laugh everytime she saw him. He could see Xander, her mother's Sneasel and his best friend, jumping happily at him, playing with him. He could see the grassy field, the place he had just been, the place where he spent a lovingly quality time with the only person he loved.

The last time he spent time with her.

He could see her mother, engulfed in flames. He could hear her terrified screams. He could see Xander trying to save his beloved trainer, only to burn by her side. He could see himself, doing nothing – helpless. His eyes showed utter fear. He felt his little body being lifted, being brought farther apart from the only person he found love.

Silver felt like killing himself right now. He'd rather die than endure the eternal suffer.

Kotone moved her feet towards the down Silver. She was speechless. When she got closer, she heard small sobs from the redhead. It made her heart felt even heavier, crushing her ribs.

"Silver…" Kotone reached out and patted his shoulder.

Silver bit his lip harder at the sound of her voice.

"Cerrbiii," Celebi chimed. Soon, another portal opened in front of them, sucking them in. Kotone groaned silently, cursing at the Celebi's bad timing. Silver just sat there, motionless.

Soon, the two disappeared into the light.

In a flash, the two teenagers landed on the cold ground. Kotone quickly looked around and groaned. They were still not in Ilex forest. A huge waterfall filled her vision. They were inside a cave.

Silver gritted his teeth. He had had enough with all the time travel. It was as if his heart hasn't had enough traumatizing heartbreak for one day. He felt Kotone's grip on his arm tightening, somehow easing him up.

But his nerves were more than calm when both the trainers heard a voice.

"Silver?"