EPISODE 20: Temptation*
"I haven't properly introduced myself haven't I? My name is Giovanni, the founder of Giovanni Industries, and the head of Team Rocket.
Many people despise us, they call us absurd when the only purpose I ever wanted to achieve is to become better versions of ourselves. Why can't they see the gift, I'm willing to give?
Mankind has always been shrouded with fear. Fear, it is the path which leads to anger, in return, anger leads to hatred... and hatred leads to suffering. It is what blocks us, from using our true potential as human beings. For more than a century, fear has forged men to become short-sighted fools.
You see, when I was a young man, perhaps of the same age as you, my mother died due to a rare genetic disease that slowly eats the flesh of men. I couldn't do anything but to watch her slowly fade into nothing but bones and scraps. I scream and mourn internally, trying to hide my emotions from my mother. Even when dead, I talked to her gravestone. She is my inspiration, the reason why I lived.
Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years, I never knew that my father was on the Grim's death list as well. On his way back home, his heart suddenly stopped, causing him to lose control over his body. His car crashed on a steep hill, and was found dead afterwards.
The doctors told me that my father died due to a heart attack that occurred when he was driving. Now? I'm left with nothing but my Meowth. I knew, that if I need to survive against life's finest flames, I must make a living, for it is only money that satisfies human beings like us.
I established my own company, which would soon become famous throughout the Globe! Giovanni Industries, I hold the future in the palm of my hands!
Years have passed, and besides from being a businessman, I became a father. Yes, my wife gave birth to a son which up till now I earnestly love.
But for a son, a price must be settled. In exchange for our son to live, my wife sacrificed herself, and slowly faded away when giving birth to our son. That's when I realized how feeble humanity is. We are prone to many issues, problems, and diseases.
The enemies of today are no longer rivals, terrorists, or psychopaths. The enemies of today are those which dwell in our bodies, pulling us down into the depths of our chambers.
First my mother, then my father and now? My wife?! I cannot withstand another innocent soul dying because of diseases, issues, or problems. There must be a cure! There's always a cure...
I established Team Rocket, to complete my goal. To become better versions of ourselves, a version where we can withstand anything which comes to our path! There shall no longer be deaths, losses, despair, and woebegone! A world where humans outsmart Pokemons.
For years, I've done my research, every book I've read, slowly leads me to the answer I was seeking for. Who or what is the cure? What can turn us into something far greater than Pokemons?
Mewtwo. A Pokemon formed by the ancient remains of Mew, and has a reputation for being the world's strongest Pokemon... All I have to do is to find Mewtwo, harness, and extract its power to make a serum which could turn humanity into better beings.
It is a harsh thing for the Elite Four to neglect my plan. Can't they see how I'm saving humanity? Or... are they just short-sighted fools? No matter what I do, I tried to convince Lance to help me, but it seems to me he's not interested nor is the Elite Four.
To protect the world from devastation, to unite all people within our nation. To denounce the evil of truth and love, to extend our reaches to the stars above. This is Team Rocket's true purpose, to save the next generations... For the darkness shall beget the light. A small price to pay for salvation.
I hope you will help me too. Together, we can save the world, one step at a time. No more burdens, no more pain, no... more agony." Giovanni beams with encouragement as his tone shifts frequently. After hearing about his plan, my perception towards Team Rocket changed. A life with no burden nor struggle for all of humanity seems like a just thing to do.
No one will be bullied because of their disorders anymore, no one will be thrown with stones and pebbles at their face. Although, a part of me still suspise him. I feel like he's hiding something from me, another ambition perhaps? An ambition containing his true identity, an ambition which withered his heart.
"In the meantime, I want you to have this," Giovanni utters. On his black marble desk, he places down a small microchip with an R logo on it. His smile gave me a hint that he is giving it to me.
"This is a microchip, it will help control your Dysphemia, meaning you'll be able to speak fluently starting from now... that's if! You promise, to work alongside me and Team Rocket." Giovanni bargains with a tempting look. His Persian gave me an intimidating awe as if it was waiting for a good response. My body shudders while thinking of the decision. Should I continue, and officially register as a grunt? Or should I back out?
I mean, Giovanni's plans doesn't sound too evil right? Saving the world, with the use of a Pokemon's power, what conflict could arise from that? A life without burdens, that is the desire I've yearned for, and I will do whatever it takes for my desires to be fulfilled.
"Good... You are now an official member of Team Rocket Luna Evergreen. Starting from this day onwards, you'll be training under the supervision of the staff of the Rocket Academy. Don't get me wrong, even a trainee like you can participate in missions and operations.
Now, all you have to do is to attach the microchip on your nape. It will control your temporal lobe, giving you ease and comfort when speaking. However, I need to warn you, if that microchip ever gets disconnected, your life will come with it. The Temporal Lobe is a sensitive area of the brain, it controls not only speech but also memory and comprehension." With the help of Matori, Giovanni's secretary, she is able to place the microchip on my nape. At first, I could sense the pain, as if you were getting hit by lightning or worse? Electricity. My body feels dizzy for a moment, and my sight deliberately dims. My energy seeps out of my body, like a spirit departing from a corpse.
"It may drain your energy at first... but when you wake up? You'll be... a better version of yourself." Giovanni utters gently. His face gave me a vicious grin while watching my body drop on the black marble floorings. My body lost consciousness... and now the only thing I could see is nothing but twilight darkness.
"Bring her to her room. Her training as a grunt... starts tomorrow." Giovanni instructs as a bolt of lightning descends from the sky. The storm has arrived, and the rain has come to play. For some reason, my new boss is a Pluviophile, a person who is quite fond of enjoying a stormy weather.
"... and soon, I'll be the richest man in the world." Giovanni's voice murmurs while watching the rain ooze to the ground.