SLACKERS

EPISODE XXIII

SINS OF THE FATHER

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - THE SINS OF THE FATHER

On a warm July night in New Donk City, Mihalis Dualwielder (or was it Mihalis Sakaki? He had no idea at this point) stood on the edge of his balcony, leaning against the wall that separated him from a rather unfortunate fall. He took the new electronic cigarette out of his pocket, haters be damned, and took a huge drag. It still wasn't the end result of his eventual quitting, but in his eyes, it was a step in the right direction.

Above everything, he was glad his mother was completely fine and safe at home with Mew. After Mewtwo had warped them all back to the balcony, Mihalis had asked Mew to accompany Amanda so he could look after her and make sure she was okay for a few days. He had Misty at home for company, so he felt it would be good for his mother to have the same.

He looked down to the streets below, idly watching the tiny cars drive beneath him. Maybe he'd go on a drive soon, too. Or maybe he'd get out of town with Misty again. Anything to get his mind off what had happened.

Nothing was going to disturb the peace he'd finally found.

And that's why Mihalis didn't move a muscle when he heard a voice behind him.

"Hello, son," it said.

He recognized it immediately, and never took his gaze away from the city in front of him.

"I have nothing to say to you, Giovanni," said Mihalis, calling him by his name as a way of disowning any relationship there might be left.

Behind him stood the man dressed in a suit without a tie, and a matching fedora. Mihalis wasn't even interested in guessing how Giovanni had found his way to his home, let alone the penthouse, a notoriously difficult area to access.

"I would speak with you, if you'll permit," said Giovanni.

Mihalis, still exceedingly angry, refused to answer.

Giovanni sighed, realizing he wasn't going to get any conversation from his son.

"Then I'll speak, and you can do whatever you want. You can listen to me, ignore me, respond to me, anything. But I wanted to tell you something before I go."

Mihalis remained a statue.

"I'm sorry. For everything."

The man leaning against the wall found himself taken aback. He was fairly skilled at reading Giovanni at this point, and he actually sounded sincere. Maybe he actually was here to apologize. After all, what Mihalis have to lose from standing there, looking out into the city, and letting an old man ramble for a few minutes?

"When I was a young man, all those years ago, my only motivation was my love for Pokemon, and for training them. I aspired to become the best, and I held onto that dream as tightly as I could. As I grew older, my grip on that dream became an obsession. So much that I began to crave control. Not just over that dream, but the dreams of those around me. I manipulated thousands into doing my bidding. I prized growth and success over the value of others. You were right about me. I robbed, cheated, lied, and killed. All because of that mad obsession with making Team Rocket the most powerful organization known to man. I wanted everything. I thought I had it."

Mihalis closed his eyes.

"And now look at me. Look at us."

The younger man sighed.

"Worse than anything, I used and abused you and your mother. I wanted a family of my own for many of the right reasons, but for far more of the wrong ones. I wanted you to carry on my legacy, but I was wrong. I neglected your mother and stopped seeing her as the love of my life. She wasn't at fault for leaving, I drove her away. And now that I dwell on it, I don't blame her. Now I understand we can't be a family. I've caused too much damage for that to become a reality. So badly would I love that chance you once mentioned to start over, but it's far too late for that."

Mihalis almost turned around. He certainly thought about it, but he still couldn't bear to see Giovanni's monstrous face.

"I... I suppose I just wanted you to know. I've made good on my promise, and Team Rocket is no more. I've released everyone from their duties and permanently closed the Viridian City gym, as well as all of our other outposts. I know it's not enough to earn your forgiveness, but I hope, someday, I can receive it."

He almost turned around again.

"I love you, son."

That comment was what finally made Mihalis decide to actually turn around.

He did, and Giovanni was gone.

He took a deep breath and went back to his old place, leaning against the wall. Then another voice appeared behind him.

"Mike?"

This voice inspired him to turn back around immediately. It was Misty, dressed in a maternity nightie, her hair let down in loose curls, and her face illuminated by the city lights.

He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was beautiful.

"What are you still doing out here?" she asked as she cutely yawned, rubbing her eye with her wrist.

He said nothing. He slowly approached her, put his arms around her, and pulled her in. She wrapped her arms around his back, pulling in close.

He felt the baby kick.

And that gave him an idea.

Hey, kid.

First off, if you're not 13 yet, don't read this. Just wait until then, you'll know what I mean. If I'm not around when you see this, then this'll be my chance to tell you about who I was, and what was happening, when you were born. Not all of this will be easy to hear, but you're old enough to understand the truth now.

I hope your grandmother is a part of your life. She's the most amazing person I know; she deserves the world and more. Before she got engaged, her name was Amanda Sakura. She didn't have anyone else in her family to keep that name going, so we passed it on to you. If she's around, I'm sure you know her well at this point, and I'm thrilled about that.

That brings me to why I'm doing this to begin with. Your mom and I are most likely not going to talk much about your grandmother's ex-fiancé. My father.

His name is Giovanni Sakaki.

...

When he was a young man, he was a popular trainer. Really successful. He... he loved what he did. He was proud of it, damn good at it too. He loved his Pokemon and he loved training them. So much to the point where he actually started a trainer's club right out of high school. I think it was just him and his buddies at one point, and he was the leader. He called it "Club Rocket." I'm sure you know where this is going... The club grew over the years, and eventually two girls joined up. One of them was your grandmother.

She got to know Giovanni on a personal level, and he asked her out. They dated for about two years before he proposed. The time they were together probably saw the team's fastest growth. She's actually the one who suggested they change the name to "Team Rocket." Eventually, they conceived me, but at that point, Giovanni was already on his way out. All he cared about was me "continuing his legacy" or some shit like that.

So she left him. She gave birth at 20 and dropped me off with Professor Oak, and she went into hiding. I was adopted soon after by the newly-evicted king and queen of Hyrule, and they raised me. The whole time, your grandmother found places to stay where Team Rocket wouldn't think to look, and after a long enough time, she was given a home in Kalos, where she lives today.

As for Giovanni...

...

Well... today's the main reason I decided to make this video. He, your grandmother, and I all got together for the first time recently. The circumstances were... less than ideal. He was doing something horrible, and she and I went to stop him. She got hurt, and I exploded at him, but I think it might have snapped him out of it. For the last thirty years, Giovanni has been an infamous criminal. Team Rocket is... was... a global crime syndicate that stole Pokemon and sought control over anything it could find. Giovanni was obsessed with control and power.

I think you can handle me putting it bluntly. Your grandfather is not a good man. Maybe even evil. But today he admitted everything he had been doing was wrong. He came to me and apologized for everything, and ended Team Rocket on the spot. It's not the kind of thing I can just forgive on a whim. Maybe I'll never be able to. I don't know. I guess I've got a lot to think about. But your grandmother is okay now, so that's good enough for me.

I want you to know, no matter what happens, that I love you so, so much. If you've waited to watch this until you were 13, then you'll understand what I'm about to say. When I first got to know you, I wanted you to stay forever. I hated having to give you up. I can imagine my mom must have felt something similar when she had to give me up after having me. She told me everything she felt, and I wanted to do the same. Nothing is more precious to me than you. I swear, when you're born, I will never be another Giovanni. I will do my best to be the best goddamn dad of all time. I'll watch every recital, help with any training, and listen to all of your problems. Hopefully I can even give you away when you get married.

...

You know, I talk about you getting married, but I don't know anything about it. I guess... it hasn't really crossed my mind until now. But I think I want that, too. Especially if you, your mom, and I are going to be a family. She and I have been together for... let's see, almost 20 years now? Shit... where's the time going.

*laughing* I guess I've got more to think about now than just Giovanni, huh?

Well, anyway... I love you, Sakura. I can't wait to meet you in just a few short months. We're going to do this family thing right. I promise.

Mihalis clicked a few buttons, then closed his laptop. He looked around the lounge where he had just recorded what he hoped would be the first of a series of videos for his unborn daughter once she'd reached an appropriate age.

He then stood up and slowly walked out the door to the bar, where his buddies were waiting.