Silver snapped his body like a bullet, his eyes almost balling out to see the figure. Silver felt his chest tighten, crushing his ribs. There standing right in front of him, was the only person he swore never to meet again – his father.
Giovanni was stunned himself. He didn't expect to see a couple of teenagers to pop out of nowhere. He especially didn't expect to see his son.
Kotone widen her eyes to see the shadow man in front of them. She wasn't blind. It was truly Giovanni, the boss of Team Rocket. She glanced at the redhead – he was shaking in rage – a rage he kept bottled inside from a broken childhood. Kotone bit her lip. There were so many questions swirling inside her mind. Her curiosity was tempting her to open her mouth. But due to the intense atmosphere, Kotone bit her lip, seizing her mouth shut.
Silver gritted his teeth. He didn't what to say, how to react. All his life, he swore if the old man ever shows up in front of his face again, he was already the strongest trainer there is – and he will defeat him. All the words, all the deep black spite he once thought of saying, he once even practice of telling – were now a blank blur.
Giovanni was the first to remove the silent atmosphere. "Silver…I didn't expect to see you here." His eyes carefully observing the redhead. "You've grown."
Silver led out a small scoff. A small smirk flashed upon his face, insulting his father's words. "Hell yeah I've grown. You're still old and wrinkly as I remembered," he said, disguising the small croaks in his tone.
Luckily, Giovanni didn't realize it. The old man led out a small chuckle. Kotone couldn't help but realize that the man's small laugh was the same as Silver's. Suddenly she felt his dark eyes piercing into her. Instinctively, Kotone shifted and hid behind Silver.
The shadow man smirk, another trait Silver obtained from him. "I see you've found yourself a girlfriend."
The word 'girlfriend' echoed inside the cave. Both Silver and Kotone flushed at the word. She cursed under her breath when the man's chuckle became louder. T-That bastard is making a dumb joke! Your son is freaking pissed that you abandoned him and now you're making a dumbass joke! But what was scaring Kotone more was how Silver was reacting to it. Honestly, she liked the man. Spiteful and nasty as he is, Kotone liked him. At times the brunette even thought that maybe she was a masochist for liking something so cruel. Sadly, she knew Silver would never have the same feelings.
And deep in her shattered little heart, she was right when Silver said, "She is not my girlfriend, you fucktard!" Kotone hid her sad frown by covering her face behind Silver, never meeting both the men's gaze.
Silver shuddered as he felt her grip on his jacket getting tighter. He bit his inner cheek, silently regretting saying the words. True, the woman was annoying to the bone. The fact that he has a perky hyperactive brunette for a rival that beats him in every battle still haunts Silver until this day. But Kotone is the only girl that can see good in him – even after the horrifying scene. No matter how many insults he spat at her, how many shoves he inflicted on her, she would always run back to him. The woman can only see sunshine while he could only see rainclouds. But as much as he hates to admit it, he liked her.
But due to egoistic manners, the words he just shouted out loud a few minutes ago were spontaneous.
Giovanni shook his head slightly. His son still loves to yell. Yet, he could care less about Silver's relationship problems.
"This is the Radio Tower. This is the Radio Tower."
A sudden voice shock Silver and Kotone. Both of them peeked to find the whereabouts of the mysterious voice. The teenage trainers halted to see a radio being placed neatly next to Giovanni.
And Kotone recognized the radio host's voice very well. It was one of the Rocket Executives, Archer.
"We are pleased to declare Team Rocket's revival!" The man's voice was filled with excited enthusiasm – before his excitement got crushed by Kotone. "Giovanni! Giovanni! Can you're hear us! We have finally made it!" The signal got cut off immediately, leaving only sounds of broken signals occupying the radio. Kotone knew why the there were no more Rocket broadcasts anymore – she had already reached Archer and defeated him.
The same time she was in the Tohjo falls now.
Okay. Time Travel brain damage. Kotone silently groan at her headache.
"My old associates need me," Giovanni said, his voice stern and sure. He moved his feet closer to the exit. But was soon blocked by Silver.
"And just where the fuck do you think you're going?" he growled. He spread his arms, his feet firmly still on the ground as he prevented Giovanni from exiting.
Giovanni shook his head in disappointment. "Move, my son."
"I am not your son," he spat out grimly. He spat on the ground, almost staining the old man's black shoes. Giovanni remained motionless, watching his son's every move. He gazed into his son's eyes. Suddenly, his heart slightly melts. The boy does have eyes of his mother's. He felt a sharp pain in his chest at the thought of his departed wife. But instead of love and care like hers, he could only see hate and resent in the boy's silver eyes.
Giovanni shuffled one foot forward, earning another deep growl from Silver. The young man crouched, his hands reaching for his Pokéball. Giovanni led out a small sigh. The boy was definitely stubborn as ever.
And he wasn't carefree himself either. Without a word, Giovanni took his Pokéball and released his Nidoking. The drill Pokémon roared valiantly, shocking the cave. His black eyes pierced deeply into his son's silvers.
"We will not repeat the failure of three years ago!" he shouted, his fist clenched in determination. "Team Rocket will be born again, and I will rule the world!" He led out a maniacal laugh. Kotone flinched and gawked at the cackling Giovanni. Her eyes quickly focused at Silver, whose face was filled with disgust.
Unwarily, she tried to imagine the redhead doing a maniacal cackle as his. Realizing how disturbingly ugly it looked, Kotone made a horrid face at the thought. Ew. Her rival giving a weird face at the Radio Tower incident was disturbing enough.
Silver gritted his teeth and released Sneasel. The sight of the sharp claw Pokémon made Giovanni cringe. It…It couldn't be. He rubbed his eyes. He wasn't blind – yet. It was definitely a Sneasel. The Pokémon jumped in joy to see a waterfall. Giovanni felt his chest tighten. The Pokémon looked so carefree, so jolly – exactly like Xander.
Sneasel clapped his claws and tapped the wet rock around him. The cold chill was seeping into his fur and he loved it. Yayy! I like this place! The Pokemon continued jumping in melodic joy.
Silver slapped his face with his palm. Sneasel was goofing off again as usual. "Sneasel, get your head in the game!"
Sneasel stared at his trainer for a few minutes, and then smiled apologetically. He was out for a reason. Sneasel turned around, only to freeze to shock to see a huge Nidoking growling at him. Oh damn this purple thing is huge! The sharp claw quickly shook his head and bared his claws, a small grin plastered on his face. Huge or not, you're going down!
Silver led out a grumbling sigh and glared at Giovanni. He couldn't help but smirk to see the man's priceless face. He knew what his father was thinking. And he felt his chest tighten too. But Silver quickly shrugged it off and crossed his arms. "If you're wondering, that's not Xander," he voiced, ignoring his heartache. "Just a friendly reminder, he's already gone – thanks to you."
The words were like thick venom sipping into Giovanni's ears. The man glared at Silver. How dare he makes fun of me? He gritted his teeth, angry. "You will regret saying that boy…Nidoking!"
The drill Pokémon plunged at Sneasel. The battle between father and son had begun.
Kangaskhan stood weakly, trying to stand his ground. Feraligatr flashed a cocky grin as he swished his huge tail vigorously. The big jaw was winning. Silver crossed his arms, his chest filled with pure glory to see his opponent's Pokémon down. The redhead scoffed arrogantly. Hmph. Should have known. Weak man, weak Pokémon. But he kept his thoughts to himself. He knew it was bad to think of it that way. Heck, he didn't use that term anymore. But since it was the man he hated, the term was exceptional.
Kotone flashed a small smile, proud at her rival. She sat neatly on a huge rock. At first, the minute she saw Giovanni's Nidoking, Kotone panicked. She wanted to help. She was worried that Silver couldn't stand a chance.
But boy was she wrong.
Obviously Kotone had underestimated her beloved rival.
"Yayy Silver!" Kotone cheered playfully, earning a flushed Silver. The redhead growled, embarrassed, and glared at his rival.
"Shut up you idiot!" he stammered. Kotone ignored his rude comment and kept cheering. The redhead led out a small sigh. The woman was being annoying – again. But deep inside, he liked it. Silver fought back the urge to smile.
Giovanni on the other hand, was completely enraged. "What is the world was that? Don't tell me some inexperienced kid – my own son – can possibly be that strong!"
Silver cringed at the word 'son'. He felt his heart being poked harshly, mocking him. "How many times do I have to tell you…" he growled, eyes on the ground. "I am not your son. Not anymore." He face up, eyes burning. "Feraligatr! Finish this jackass off! Hydro Pump!"
With a huge sneer, Feraligatr opened his big jaw and shot out a powerful water blast. The strong current hit Kangaskhan on the chest, knocking her out.
The battle was over. Silver had won.
Giovanni froze in horror to see his fallen Pokémon. His ears caught the sounds of happy cheers. He heard the young woman's voice, shouting congratulations to his son. He heard Feraligatr roaring happily to have won. He heard Silver, his own flesh and blood, laughing cockily at his defeat.
"How is this possible…?" His voice shaken. Giovanni stared at his bare hands, dirty and wobbling. "The past three years have been a waste…? How can a kid like you manage to destroy my dream once again?" He shook his head, trying to deny the painful fact. "The precious dream of Team Rocket has become little more than an illusion…"
Silver returned Feraligatr and flashed an arrogant smirk. It was a dream come true to see his old man fallen to his feet. "Weak old man," he spat. Silver cocked his head proudly. But his victory pose was disturbed the minute he felt someone pouncing on him.
"Yayy! You won!" Kotone cheered happily and hugged Silver's waist. The redhead blushed at her touch and quickly shoved her away. The woman really loves to invade his personal space.
Not that he was complaining…much.
"For fucks sake, would you at least try to give me some damn air to breathe!"
But Kotone remained her happy smiles and bounced chirpily. Her cheeks a faint red. She didn't expect to hug Silver. It happened spontaneously. "Sorry…" she muttered shyly.
Silver rolled his eyes, his cheeks were hot. "Damn you…" he grumbled under his breath. The teenager looked away and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"No…This isn't over…"
The gruesome voice shook Silver and Kotone. Both the teenagers faced up front – eyes completely widen in terrifying shock to see a gun pointed at them.
Giovanni stood firmly on his feet. His knees were still trembling at his defeat. His hands slightly rattling, making the gun wobbly in his fingers.
Kotone gasped in horror. Instinctively, Silver pulled the brunette and shoved her behind his back, protecting her.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Silver shouted. He definitely didn't expect a gun to appear in the old man's grasp.
Giovanni led out another maniacal laugh, the gun tightening in his grip. "Years ago, I told you that you could become the next Rocket heir…"
Silver growled acidly, cursing his words. "I do not want to be a leader of some weak syndicate!"
The shadow man stayed in place. His dangerous grin placed at the edge of his lips. "And you have no idea how disappointing I was when you deny it. Oh how I wanted an heir – someone who can look up to me when I'm gone," he chimed grimly. "But all I received was an incompetent boy, who wanted nothing but love." Giovanni emphasized on the last word wickedly, mocking it.
Silver clenched his teeth harder. He was a fool to have look up to him before. No, he was an imbecile. The man wasn't a role model. He was a villain. A jerk. A monster.
And Silver was a total dumbass to even see him as 'father'.
Giovanni touched the trigger, holding it. The sound made both the teenager cringed. Pleased, the shadow man snickered. "Team Rocket is my life. I have dedicated my heart, blood and soul into it. And when…when it was tore down by some child…" His heart twitched in pain. He could still remember the boy's cold gaze – the boy that had defeated him three years ago. "It felt like the end for me…"
Silver snarled vilely. The man saw nothing but his organization. Once, he may be depressed at the man's rejection. But now that he had found a new light, a new hope, he could care less about him.
Giovanni eyed his son with remorse. "Your mother never did approve of this…The Team Rocket." He led out a cynical chuckle. "But what does she know…All she cares about is love."
That pushed Silver's buttons. "You take that back about mama!" Silver yelled, shocking the cave. Insulting and rejecting him was one thing, but one bad word about his mother, the person that was once his ray of hope, and all hell will break lose. Silver wanted to plunge at Giovanni. He didn't care about the fact that he was pointing a gun and his life was at stake. He wanted the old man to die.
Kotone quickly gripped Silver's arm and pulled him. "Silver! Calm down!" she shouted. Although deep inside, she herself cursed at the dumb man. No one mocks a deceased. And Giovanni wasn't human at all to understand. She tightened her grip, her left hand held a rock while her right gripped Silver.
"Silver, please just calm down! He's armed for Arceus sake!" Her heart beats frantically at the thought of Silver being shot down. Kotone froze in horror and quickly shook her head. "Please stop!"
"Let go Kotone!" Silver was like a rabid Houndoom aiming for its prey.
Giovanni eyed his reckless son. A satisfied grin painted his face. Soon, his eyes focused on the brunette. The woman certainly holds a soft spot for Silver. Suddenly, he cringed at the clear sight of her. Kotone reminded him so much of Emery, his wife. The way the brunette was acting was exactly how his wife behaved. She was filled with love, passion and wonders. His mind wandered where his beloved wife once told him to trust his dreams, to move on and to believe in himself.
But once Team Rocket was build, his wife said otherwise.
"This is wrong…" He remembered Emery's plea. He heard her soft voice, melting his heart. But Giovanni was disappointed. He followed his dream and he expected Emery – the only person he loved and cherished – to understand him. But he was wrong.
Giovanni felt his chest tightened even more, suffocating him. He gritted his teeth and pointed the gun at Kotone. "I've lost everything…And now it's your turn."
He pulled the trigger.
"Kotone watch out!" Silver yelled, pushing Kotone on the ground. Both the teenagers stunned to hear the gun shot and looked up. Giovanni was pointing the gun at them again, ready to shoot.
Quick thinking, Silver rose up and pulled Kotone. Both the teenagers ran outside the cave. Without another thought, Giovanni gave chase.
Multiple gun shots were heard, echoing the cave. It even shock the wild Pokémon out of the cavern. Silver held Kotone's hand and both of them ran for their lives. Shit shit shit! Silver cursed for a thousand times. They took a left turn inside a tunnel.
But soon Silver regretted it horribly as the tunnel led them to a dead end.
"Oh fuck!" Kotone yelled in panic. Their ears caught a sound of a cackle and turned around. Giovanni stood in front of them, his gun pointed coldly at the two.
They were out of options to run.
Giovanni kept his eyes on Kotone. His heart ached miserably as every sight of her reminds him of Emery. He could still see the bright flames burning their mansion as he flew. He could still hear the faint sounds of her wife's screaming death. He could still picture his traumatized son, vigorously shaking at his lap, mourning at the lost of his mother.
While all this time, he was traumatized himself.
Giovanni laughed scornfully at himself. Now, he could see fear in the brunette's eyes. He could see fear in his own son's eyes – the same fear he had masked six years ago. The shadow man chuckled weakly, despising himself. His black, broken eyes fixed on the stunned Kotone. "Time to end this…" He quickly pointed his gun at her and shoots.
Kotone closed her eyes. She trembled in terror the second the gun was blasted. She curled her body closer, praying for the best. But after minutes of silence, Kotone felt nothing. No sharp pain. No bleeding. No death.
The brunette quickly opened her eyes. She felt her heart stop and her eyes gawked in utter fear at the sight.
Silver was lying in front of her – his body limp, his chest red.
"Silver!" Kotone shrieked at the top of her lungs and fell onto her knees. She quickly held Silver in her arms, her eyes frantically observing his body. Her heart was beating out of her chest so hard that Kotone couldn't breathe. "Silver no!"
Silver weakly opened one eye. He bit his inner cheek, baring the sharp pain that was digging his chest. He felt is whole body getting colder, the cool breeze stabbing his wounded hole. Silver cringed as the pain got worse every second. His left hand frailly lifted, reaching for Kotone.
"You…okay…?" he coughed, blood oozing out of the corner of his lips.
Kotone shook her head swiftly. "The fuck? You're hurt, not me." Her panic hand caressed his red hair, which some strands were already more bright red. She felt her eyes getting wetter. "No…" she mouthed. Her other free hand grasped his weak fingers. She felt the coldness in his touch. "No no no!" Her voice was getting louder.
Silver tried to manage a smirk. But his body couldn't seem to respond anymore. In the end, the edge of his right upper lip slightly lifted. "I…d…don't…want…y-you…hu…" he coughed up another pool of blood, staining his chin and neck.
Kotone gripped his hand tighter, telling him to stop talking. "Please no…" Her wet tears began to flow, dripping on the crimson liquid on his face. "Please…" she croaked. The petite trainer released her grip and held his wounded chest, trying to stop the blood from coming out. "Please…" Her voice began to squeak, her face moving closer to his.
Silver felt his eyelids getting heavier. He felt his chest being violently squashed as he tried to breathe, let alone say another word. He felt another pool of red liquid gargled in his throat. "D-Don't cry…" he breathed hollowly. "Y…You lo…we…" he mouthed, barely a sound. And soon, his eyes were shut.
Kotone stunned in horror. "Silver…?" She shook his body. She bought her ear to his chest in distressed, her heart slightly calm to hear faint heartbeats from him. But Kotone knew it'll only be a matter of time before she loses Silver – forever.
Giovanni stared in horror to see his fallen son. He was intended to shoot Kotone. But thanks to his son's stupid impulse, Silver plunged in front of Kotone and defended her – taking the bullet. "My…My son…" he stammered frailly. Giovanni stared at the ground; his grip on the gun was getting tighter. Soon, he glared at the blood-covered brunette.
"You…" Giovanni growled. He had lost his wife. Now, he had lost his son. Giovanni pointed the gun at Kotone, his eyes filled with burning hatred. "How dare you interfere with all this!"
After gently placing Silver's head on the ground, Kotone rose up, her eyes down. Her white hat covered her face. Spots of blood painted her pure hat. Her whole clothing washed in dark red. Her blood-covered fists clenched viciously. Her body began to quiver ferociously.
Giovanni sneered at the woman's fiery energy. He admired her dedication. Unfortunately, it was her time to go. "Goodbye woman." He pulled the trigger once more.
Before the bullet could even touch Kotone, a bright light flashed and in seconds, a huge purplish Pokémon stood in front of the brunette, completely stopping the bullet in mid air.
Using his powers, the bullet crumpled into a million pieces.
Giovanni gaped in shock to see his shot was completely destroyed. He was even more petrified to see a Pokémon – a Pokémon he knew so well before. A Pokémon that was considered dangerous and never to be seen again.
The Pokémon was standing right in front of him right now.
Mewtwo glared at his enemy. He began to emit a bright purple glow, his aura so strong that it lifted many rocks around them. The genetic Pokémon growled viciously. Stay away from my friend.