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The sun was shining, the Pidgey were chirping, and Oak was having a great day. He had gotten out of a presentation in Vermillion earlier than expected, and he had decided to take a midday walk out to Route 11 to watch some battles and see the new generation of Trainers.

He looked back in front of him and resumed watching the battle. Before him, two young Trainers were locked in a fierce battle. On one side, a Vulpix was working up a fiery whirlwind for a Fire Spin, and on the other, a Nidorino was rushing forward, ready to strike with Fury Attack.

Seeing the Nidorino brought Oak back to his days as a Trainer. What a life it was. The travelling, the fans, and the heat of battle made Oak’s youth a very exciting one. But that time was over, and Oak was an old researcher, far from the thrills of battle he once knew.

Suddenly, a whisper shook Oak out of his daydream. He turned towards the source of the sound, and saw a man wearing a black trench coat and a hat leaning up against the cliffs by Diglett’s Cave. The man turned, revealing his face. Oak instinctively took a step back.

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Lillie stood outside the door to the lab, trying to keep her breathing even. This was the best chance she’d had in years, it could be the best chance she’d ever get. If she blew it now by looking too nervous, she would never forgive herself. With most of Team Rainbow Rocket’s forces off in another dimension with Giovanni, she had finally been able to volunteer for guard duty without raising suspicion. Scientists in lab coats standing guard instead of uniformed grunts had become a common sight in the last few days due to the general lack of personnel. The only thing standing between her and project NBY were a couple of locks, and she already held the keys.

The first key came with guard duty, and would allow her to open the door behind her. The second key had been a bit harder to obtain, but Lillie had swiped it from her parents’ room, made a copy, and returned it before they noticed it was gone. Maybe her mother and father kept quiet about their disagreement with Team Rocket's goals in order to keep Giovanni from closing down Aether's research facilities, or worse, perhaps they actually agreed with Giovanni's plans of multiversal domination. Either way, if they hadn't stood up to Team Rocket yet, she couldn’t expect that asking them nicely to put a stop to the experiments would work now. She’d have to free Project NBY on her own.

She had taken to calling the Pokemon Nebby in her head, as a more pronounceable version of the project code assigned to it. That assumed the creature even was a Pokemon; the scientists couldn’t seem to agree. Classifications aside, it certainly didn’t resemble anything else known to science. Lillie had caught sight of its floating form a few times, before the researchers had figured out how how to properly contain it.

With one final glance to confirm that the hallway was clear, Lillie unlocked the door and stepped into the lab. In the center of the room sat a cage, a black spot surrounded by the white floor and walls. A few other items were scattered about, mostly papers and measuring equipment, but also a white duffle bag that Lillie had snuck in earlier. She walked over to pick up the bag before approaching the cage and using her second key to release the hatch.

Based on the behavior she had observed when the creature got loose, Lillie expected it to fly out immediately, so she took a step back from the container. After a few moments without any noticeable movement, she leaned forward to peer inside the cage. Nebby appeared to have taken a different form, with a hard yellow shell. Perhaps it had evolved since the last time she saw it, although some Pokemon could change their form without actually evolving. It appeared to be sleeping, levitating a few inches in the air with a serene expression.

Lillie reached into the box and gently pulled Nebby out. It didn’t react to her touch, so she simply transferred it to the duffle bag, zipping it closed. That part of the plan went much easier than she expected, since she thought she might have to convince a frantic Pokemon to stay hidden. The next step could be more difficult. Plan A was to walk out of the facilities without anyone questioning her. Plan B was to lie through her teeth until the person questioning her either let her go or detained her. She really hoped Plan B wouldn’t be necessary.

As Lillie prepared to exit the room, her mind wandered back to stories she’d heard of the world before Team Rocket rose to power. Apparently, kids around her age used to go on Pokemon journeys, setting out from home with a single partner and eventually building a strong team. Not too different from her own situation, although she wasn’t at all sure that she would be able to return home at the end of her journey.

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Herbal medicine wasn’t the preferred choice for most trainers. Many advances in modern medicine had made its use unnecessary for the most part, and the taste was foul enough to make Pokemon grumpy. However, there were the minority trainers who preferred the all-natural method to healing their Pokemon. Some veteran trainers practiced this method, justifying it as a way to help their Pokemon overcome hardships. 

The Salveyo Weed, known to cure paralysis, could be found growing at the bottom of the Lake of Rage. It was one of the few remedies the young up-and-coming trainer from Ecruteak City had yet to try for himself, but obtaining the weed was another feat. Without a Poliwag or any other water type Pokemon of his own to make it easier, a young Morty took it upon himself to brave the lake’s cold water and collect the aquatic plant for his ailing Pokemon, paralyzed by the electric shock of a wild Flaaffy. 

Not many people were brave enough to swim in the water of the Lake of Rage, for two reasons. One, the fear of Gyarados becoming suddenly enraged. Two, the lake itself was notoriously cold. In reality, Morty wasn’t quite sold on the benefits of Salveyo weed. Conventional medicine would surely work just fine for his Gastly, but Salveyo weed was one that his grandparents swore by as trainers. Harvesting the weed would be a daunting task, but surely it wouldn’t be so bad once he adjusted to the water’s temperature.

Or so he thought. 

Even in the midst of summer, the lake was still too cold to get used to. He had only managed to get his legs wet below the knees before turning back around. This was a task that was best left to the Poliwag. 

After cutting his losses, the young trainer ventured back to Mahogany Town to heal up at a Pokemon Center, for the second time since he arrived to train at the lake. Without a PokeMart in the small town, it was difficult for trainers to stock up on much needed items to train or challenge Pryce. He was foolish to not stock up on items before heading this way, but he had not expected to run into this problem.

And then he remembered the small and unassuming souvenir shop that rested before the gate to Route 43. He had visited it a few times before in the past, mainly to buy a commemorative trinket for himself. Surely, they carried items for trainers too? How else could anyone prepare themselves for the journey to the two cities surrounding the small mountain town?

Morty peered into the glass window of the shop, shortly after arriving. The lights seemed to be dimmed, even though the sign on the front said they were open. Among the shop’s merchandise, he could see different kinds of souvenirs, but no healing items in plain sight. He felt hesitant to go inside, not seeing anyone behind the counter or on the floor. 

“Hello?” He announced himself, cracking open the front door. Just as he thought, there wasn’t anyone present, but there was evidence that indicated someone had been here. The radio behind the counter was still turned on, playing soft easygoing music. Among the noise, the muttering of conversation took place behind a closed curtain in the back, but Morty couldn’t make out a word that was spoken.

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It had been a few months since she ran away from her home in Saffron City. She had been on the run (not really, she hid on Kanto Route 08) since discovering her telekinetic powers and injuring an older student from her school. Though, in her defense, the student had it coming; they were a bully and kept calling her a 'freak of nature.' She was tired, hungry, and surviving as best as she can. Honestly, she probably couldn't survive by herself; she had help from a new friend, an Abra she rescued from trainers.

She had gotten so used to living in the wild, that Sabrina forgot how to interact with others. So, when she first ran into the older gentleman, she was terrified. The young girl tried her hardest to teleport away, but something about him made her stay. It was probably his calming voice. Or how he presented himself to her. Whatever the reason, the young psychic followed him. He did say that he'd help her control her powers and become her mentor. Hearing this, it didn't take long for her to open up and talk to him.

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Sunday evenings meant one thing- work. 

Nimble fingers threaded through mused locks, lips twitched in slight annoyance. No one ever said being a Gym Leader was easy work.. then again, he’d been putting off this load for almost a week. Tch. Not like it was his fault. Daisy had come up with the brilliant idea of dragging him away to Johto for some much needed, quote on quote, “sibling bonding time”. The ticking of his clock and pens scratches provided the only sounds in the otherwise silent office.  After 30 more minutes passed, Green let out a frustrated sound. To hell with this, he thought, I need some coffee. Viridian was one of those cities that went dead after 11, people bundled in their warm homes, safe from harms way. (Not that anything remotely dangerous occurred nowadays.)

So after purchasing his drink, the last person the brunette expected to see was him. In the years the man had been away, he seemed poised and regal as ever. Their aura was thick, silently commanding your respect and nothing less. Inhaling sharply, Green kept his composure and forced himself to not grip the cup tighter. 

         Guzma rolled out of bed with a bad attitude.  He hadn’t slept—like most nights, he lay fitful and restless until he resigned himself to yet another night without sleep.  This time it was dreams of Ultra Space that haunted him, and he cursed himself for snapping out of his daze in a cold sweat and racked nerves.  It was still early.  The sky outside was a soft grey, and the houses and trees were bathed in the sheer mist of dawn.  Everyone in Iki Town was asleep, but they would be awake soon enough, and it would be sooner still when Hala pounded on the door of his borrowed cabin.  Guzma had no desire to listen to the old man’s lectures today.

         He quickly dressed himself in his favorite faded black joggers and hoodie.  They were comfortable, and warm, and reminded him of better—of worse—times.  He frowned and pulled the hood up over his head.  To hell with Hala.  To hell with Nanu.  He didn’t need their fucking pity; he didn’t need their fucking charity.  Guzma slammed the door behind him and strode off, sliding his sunglasses over his eyes.  His anger brought him all the way to Hau’oli City’s beach.  The lolling and crashing of waves upon the golden shores were gentle and soothing, washing over it with an easy flow.  His footsteps left deep imprints in the sand.  Guzma stood underneath the old boardwalk, his hands deep in the pockets of his hoodie.

         It was quiet down here, secluded, shaded from curious eyes above.  He’d spent a lot of time here as a child—too much time, time he’d rather forget.  A glance at a half-submerged pillar, its concrete side encrusted with barnacles, and he saw a child sobbing uncontrollably and hugging his knees close to his body.  In another spot, the same child wiped away tears on a face beaten black and blue.  Guzma scowled.  He could hear the gleeful shrieks of children and the splashing of their parents chasing them in the water behind him.  Bitch ass tourists, he thought, regarding them with hate.  They were too noisy: the Wimpod he enjoyed feeding would be too scared to visit him now.  Coming here was a bad idea.  Fuck these people.

         Guzma left the beach feeling more sour than before.  He pulled the hood up over his head and kept his gaze low.  The beach city was waking up now, and tourists and citizens alike had the same brilliant idea to enjoy the day’s brilliant sunshine.  It wasn’t so brilliant to him.  He began his slow walk back to Iki Town.  Old man Hala would lecture him when he returned, he knew.  But he’d fucking take it as he had all the other lectures—they were the same thing each time, even if he worded them differently.  Guzma didn’t need Hala to tell him he was a fuckup.  He already knew.

Two weeks.

Silver had spent those fourteen days dreading the end, going back and forth on a single decision; whether to take up his father's offer to meet at the Goldenrod Hotel or not. It had come after Giovanni’s first attempt to make contact with him since the disbandment of Team Rocket in Kanto. Six years had passed in between. Their meeting had been something Silver had desired since the day that Giovanni left.

Silver’s wish was granted with this surprise reunion, but it only made things more complicated. In all the times he’d imagined the moment, it seemed so simple and clean cut. However, there were still many questions left unanswered and many things left unsaid. They had barely scratched the surface of their issues in that meeting. He had finally been given a chance to ask all the burning questions that had kept him wondering for years, yet there were still more and more things to discuss the more he thought about it.

Their first meeting had been too much for Silver. It had not gone on for long, but it had quickly become too overwhelming, too emotionally draining to deal with. It was then that Giovanni offered the chance for them to meet again at the Goldenrod Hotel in two weeks, a chance to continue the conversation they had begun. Each day Silver wondered whether he should accept the offer or leave Giovanni and all their issues in the past.

It had been very painful to dig up the old memories and feelings that Silver had attempted to move past. He had envisioned meeting Giovanni again so differently, too. His father had said things that Silver never expected to hear. He had admitted that he was wrong and he wanted to make things right with him. A nice sentiment, but Silver couldn’t believe it. He’d make promises he couldn’t keep and Silver would be left hurt and disappointed all over again. Giovanni had done little to prove that he could make things right. For all he knew, his father could be doing this because it had some unseen advantage for him.

Yet, at the same time, Silver could never convince himself not to go. He’d been alone for so long. Up until that fateful day when Giovanni disbanded Team Rocket, he and Silver had been close. Silver idolized the man. He had represented everything he wanted to be as an adult and as a Trainer. Amidst all the doubts and feelings that this would most certainly end up hurting Silver even more was a shred of cautious hope. Giovanni was reaching out to him. In all his imaginings, Silver had turned him into a black and white villain, someone who could not admit that he had done anything wrong. It was someone he could fight against and verbally tear apart like he had thought he always wanted. But this was real and Giovanni was far more than what Silver had made of him in his mind.

The choice certainly was not an easy one. Each day brought him closer to the meeting and each day filled him with a growing sense of dread and anxiety. He knew he had to do it. He couldn’t leave this open ended. Silver had gotten plenty of answers in his first meeting, but it couldn’t come close to covering everything. Frankly, two conversations couldn’t either. He tried to think of what to say in advance. At least he knew what was coming now. Silver had had no time to prepare last time. He could only ask the questions that popped into his head as he stood there, frozen in place across from his father. He still had so much more to say.

The day came upon him. His sleep had been shaky at best, but he had expected that. Crobat could sense his nervousness when Silver let it out of its ball. There was a quiet cry of concern as it pressed itself to its Trainer. Silver stroked its head absentmindedly before they set out for the day. There wasn’t much time to spare. The trip from Blackthorn and Goldenrod would take some time. It was a couple of hours of flying before Silver had spotted Goldenrod City. They landed nearby the hotel, it’s luxurious exterior standing out clearly among the rows of skyscrapers.

Goldenrod City was just as busy and crowded as ever. Silver stood there, outside of the hotel, staring out into the street parallel to it. People came in and out of buildings, some people on their Pokegear and some laughing along with friends and some who looked quite important but very tired. Cars of all colors and types sped back and forth as pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks. If he was lucky, he’d occasionally spot a Growlithe or Houndour or similar Pokemon sticking its head out of a car window.

Silver was stalling now.

He glanced back to the hotel behind him. It looked so inviting, yet so daunting at the same time. Giovanni was somewhere inside, waiting for him. Silver had no idea where, but it was likely somewhere he was allowed to go without being a paying customer. He needed to head inside. He was only delaying the inevitable. He turned around and approached the doors as a few people came in and out with their luggage. He stared the doors down for a few seconds before finally stepping inside.

The lobby was lavishly furnished. The main color of the decor was the tasteful and obvious choice of gold, accented mostly with whites and browns of various shades. A glimmering chandelier was at the very center of the ceiling. The Goldenrod Hotel was a well-known and well-loved hotel of Goldenrod, from what Silver had heard. It served businessmen and women and all around rich and important people. It seemed fitting for someone like Giovanni, though the more he thought about it, the more it made Silver want to roll his eyes in spite of himself.

A few people were about the lobby, but there was no sign of Giovanni yet. Silver glanced around the room till his eyes settled on a sign pointing to a hotel bar. If there was any place Giovanni might be on the first floor, it was probably there. Silver made his way into the bar. He stood in the doorway as he surveyed the room. His eyes settled on the bar. There he was— Giovanni.

Silver hesitated. His feelings of uncertainty only worsened and his stomach turned. Was he ready for this? Last time had been so emotionally taxing. It would probably be just the same here, though perhaps less so since he’d at least had the time to prepare now. Still, he’d come all this way and they still needed desperately to talk. Even if, in the long run, none of it worked out... he’d still have more closure than he ever could have had if he’d chosen to walk away the moment he saw his father two weeks ago.