Chapter 177: Silver's Origin
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Indigo Plateau – Trainer Village (Azure's Hut)]
Both Green and Silver were stunned hearing the news. Turning again to Azure, Green said in a confused tone, "I'm sorry, can you run that by us again…?"
Azure's expression grew serious as he sighed, explaining to them in a calm tone, "Listen carefully, what I'm about to tell you might be hard to hear, but please stay calm. I know where Silver's father is."
Silver's eyes widened in shock, then lit up with joy. Finding their lost families had always been a shared dream for both Green and Silver.
But the happiness didn't last; a flicker of worry crossed his face. He asked, concerned, "My father… is he okay? Did something happen to him?"
Silver asked those questions as he saw Azure's serious expression. He thought his father was in trouble as he thought, 'Had something gone wrong? Was my father alright?'
Green shared the same worried expression on her face. She placed a hand over Silver's shoulder in supporting comfort as he steadied himself.
Seeing his anxious expression, Azure added with a calm smile, "Don't worry, he's fine. His alive and kicking, but it wasn't the reason I asked you to stay calm as it relates… to his identity."
A creeping sense of unease crept into Silver's heart. He whispered cautiously, "… His identity…?"
Not understanding, Silver furrowed his brow. Taking a steady breath, Azure finally said calmly to them, "Using Celebi's power to see into the past, present, and future, I can confirm that your father is Giovanni – the leader of Team Rocket."
Both eyes widened, hearing this, as Green clenched onto Silver's shoulder. She looked shocked as she thought, 'My little brother… is the son of Team Rocket!'
Silver clenched his fist as the realization struck him as he said in a tone of disbelief, "My father is… Giovanni?!"
Silver has heard news of this before from Green. And of all the possibilities, he never expected this as he muttered, "Green… give me a minute…"
He clutched his head, staring blankly at the floor. Today, he and Green came seeking answers, fully prepared to accept the truth of whatever it was of Azure's involvement and answers for the Masked Man's reason for not seeking his treasured goal.
However, he wasn't prepared to face the truth. And Azure had no reason to lie, as he had Celebi with him, showing the two a brief glimpse into the future, showing the undeniable truth to them.
Silver longed to find his parents and live the life he'd dreamed of, surrounded by family and happiness. But now being revealed the truth the dream felt like an illusion shattered into a million pieces.
Silver has heard and witnessed the havoc Team Rocket wreaked in Kanto from Green. The thought of being connected to them by blood made him feel sick as he muttered, "So that's why the Masked Man captured me… because Giovanni's wicked blood flows through my veins?"
Staring at his own hands, Silver looked hollow, like his spirit had left him. Seeing Silver in this state, Green's heart ached.
Fortunately, it wouldn't be for long as Azure cut in, he added, shaking his head, explaining to them calmly, "No. The Masked Man only needed talented Trainers; you just so happen to fit his criteria. But Bloodline doesn't mean anything."
Silver slowly lifted his head, dazed. Azure grinned. His tone was calm but unwavering as he declared, "Your father is Giovanni. So what? Does that make you as bad as him? Nah… that's crazy."
Silver tried to reply, "But – "
Azure cut him off as he knew how to handle this, as he said calmly, placing a hand over his shoulder, "No buts! Crime is about actions, not by blood. Giovanni, being the leader of Team Rocket, doesn't mean you're destined to be like him. Your Soul Silver and not Giovanni."
Sure enough, Silver's expression softened. The dead look in his eyes began to fade as Azure continued explaining, "Even if someone did something wrong, it doesn't mean they can't change. Take Blaine, for example, he used to be a member of Team Rocket, but he changed his ways after meeting Red and even fought with us against the Elite Four. Right Green?"
Green eyes shone, getting the idea, explaining how Blaine helped the group against the Elite Four, changing for the better. Then Silver's Poke Ball shook…
*Pop*
Sneasel emerged, grabbing onto Silver's pant leg, trying to comfort him, "Sneasel… Sneasel…."
Meeting Sneasel's concerned eyes, Silver took a deep breath, slowly pulling himself together. His eyes regained their clarity and fiery determination as he declared, his voice steady, "I'm fine, Sneasel… I'll do whatever it takes to destroy my father's evil empire. I'll show him."
In that moment, he chose his path, standing firmly to his beliefs even if it meant standing against his father, as he thought seriously, 'I'll correct the wrongs my father had committed and get him with my own hands!'
Green watched as Silver seemed to swing from one extreme to another. She hesitated to find the right answer, but Azure then gave Silver a book that read 'Secret Earth Arts' as he explained, "If you're going after your father, then you'll need this. I found this hidden deep in the Viridian Gym after it was abandoned years ago. The previous Gym Leader, Giovanni, was an expert on Ground-type Pokémon. It contains all of his knowledge… you'll need it to understand the man you're after. Try mastering all of its secrets when you have the time, Soul Silver."
Silver hesitated before ultimately getting the book. Azure smiled as he obtained the Secret Earth Arts books, using them to integrate his understanding of Ground-type Pokémon, and he could bring out the best of their abilities.
Seeing this, Azure pondered curiously as he thought calmly, 'He'll need a Ground-Type to practice. Hmm... I could give him my Rhydon since Daisy told me how rough he's been lately. He'll match perfectly with Silver's personality.'
Azure smiled knowingly as he simply gave the book to Silver, as he would likely need it more than him. Green smiled slightly as she saw Silver's state as she spoke to Azure in a thankful tone, "… thanks, Azure. Guess you really helped us, huh?"
Azure merely grinned as he brought out a piece of paper with a written address and name, handing it over to Green as he said proudly, "Heh. You give me too much credit, Green. And here is yours. Info regarding your parents. And who knows, you could introduce Silver to them, having him as an official little brother."
Green took the piece of paper as she asked, rubbing the tears off her eyes from the joy of being able to locate her family, "Haha… who uses paper these days, Azure. You know you could've told us before, right…"
Azure genuinely smiled lightly, seeing their expressions as he smugly replied, "And where would the fun be in that, seeing your expressions? Worth it."
*Thud*
By then, Green suddenly hugged Azure, startling him, unfamiliar with this kind of affection. His Pikachu, Eevee, Celebi, and even Marshadow chuckled lightly, seeing their Trainer flustered as he mumbled shyly, "Wha – What is this Green! You're not stealing my wallet now, are – "
*Chu*
He froze processing as Green kissed him on the cheek as she said in a cheeky tone, rubbing the tears of joy off her face, "You are a total jerk, you know that! But… I suppose you're our friendly jerk, huh? See ya! And… thanks."
Green left shortly after with a light blush on her face as Silver followed. But he turned as he nodded his head kindly before giving him the death stare threat, "For what's it worth, Azure, thank you for helping us, but… if I ever see you get handsy with Big Sis Green, you're courting death!"
*THUD*
Slamming the door harshly for a loud thud sound, Azure returned to reality. He rubbed his cheek absentmindedly as he murmured to himself, "The hell… at least you could've warned a guy… I was not prepared for that. And why are you laughing?"
He shot a glare at his Pikachu, Eevee, Celebi, and Marshadow, lightly chuckling at his predicament. This pissed Azure, offering his face, blushing red as he yelled, "You all are gonna get it! Come back here, you rats!!"
What was assumed next was a chase of Azure attempting to beat his Pokémon. He wasn't very successful in his endeavor, as they laughed at his embarrassing moment, much to his frustration.
Eventually, Azure panted too tired to chase his team as he slumped down on his bed, "Whew… sigh… I hate you guys."
*Plop*
Lying down on his bed, exhausted, Pikachu, Eevee, and Celebi chuckled, seeing their trainer tired from chasing them. Marshadow just helplessly shakes its head at the predicament.
Ho-Oh from within the Premier Ball chuckled, witnessing the scene before it. Marshadow couldn't help but ask Ho-Oh telepathically of its choice, 'Lord Ho-Oh… are you positive he is the partner you wish to ally yourself with?'
Ho-Oh, listening to Marshadow's words, mentally replied, chuckling at the Gloom dweller's Pokémon reaction, 'Of course I'm certain, Marshadow. After all, most Rainbow Heroes have their unique personalities. Plus, I'm curious to see what this one's end of his road is like.'
Marshadow gazed at Azure as he attempted to strangle his Pokémon with a beating, red, flustered expression on his face, only for his Pokémon to laugh at his face, avoiding him. It only sighed helplessly, shaking its head…
/////
[Kanto Region, Meanwhile, Indigo Plateau – Trainer Village (Red's Hut)]
As Green and Silver get their respective closure and a hopeful future for tomorrow, the other Seeded Trainers get to work on formulating their plans. They researched against the other seeded Trainer's Pokémon, trying to formulate a plan.
Within one of these modern huts, Fire Red, who had suspended his Gym Leader License temporarily to enter the Tenth Pokémon League Tournament, began to use the PC within the huts to search for his opponents.
He typed in the screen's search bar as he looked intently at his target info in a serious tone, arms crossed, "Let's see… Azure Sky. And… enter."
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Name: Azure Sky (Seeded)
Gender: Male
Age: 14
Hometown: Kanto Region, Viridian City
Achievements: Move Researcher, Ninth Pokémon League Champion.
Pokémon: Pikachu, Eevee, Arcanine, Dragonite, Scizor, Gengar, Quagsire, Ampharos, Weavile, Gyarados, Heracross, Hitmontop, Houndoom, Tyranitar, Skarmory, Mismagius, Steelix
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Red eyes narrowed as he murmured to himself, gazing at the info intently, "It seems like he has variety in his team, like mine. And Ho-Oh is here must mean they haven't updated it yet. But I won't lose…"
Red took in a deep breath as he relaxed. Ever since he lost to Azure, he has trained hard for the day of the rematch. His time was spared with Koga and Bruno as he calmly looked at the screen in front of him.
Red slowly grinned, feeling his competitive spirit ignited. His expression was shown in the reflection of the screen as he muttered, "I'll be sure to win this time. After all, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. And an ace in the hole."
Red leaned his back against the chair as he stared at his Poke Balls he brought with them. Only one was set apart from the others, having a frosty glow veiling around it…
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A/N: Reach the goal of 50 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!