EPISODE 30: Cunning!*

Unaware of his location, my hunt for him begins. The last time we met was in the forest beside New Bark Town. My boat hits the shores of Azalea since it is the closest shore from Rocket Island. I expect him to either be lurking in the walls of the town or somewhere nearby. Assuming he's a Pokemon Trainer for stealing a starter Pokemon, I describe his looks to the local for perhaps they have seen him nearby.

According to one of them, they have seen the man walk through the forest of Ilex earlier this morning. According to the locals, Ilex Forest is extremely vast, traveling through it in a day is merely impossible, hinting the man could still be lurking somewhere deep in the forest. Without having any flashlights or whatsoever, I face the darkness the forest of Ilex has to offer.

The only thing I could hear is my footsteps crushing the grains of gravel and sand, the silent blow of the eastern zephyr, and the wicked cries of Nocturnal species. Their sounds, they seem to haunt my body, forcing it to tremble at times whenever I hear or see something out of the ordinary.

Continuing my walk through the forest, I notice something peculiar. I could smell the scent of fire, hinting of a camp nearby. I follow the scent only to find myself near a campsite with only one tent. Could it be, the cunning man could be lurking in this tent? Beside the tent is a campfire glowing fervently through the darkness of the night.

Silence shrouds the place, keeping it very mute. Piquing my interest, I have made the decision to investigate further, walking closer to the camp. My footsteps disturb the silent eerie, accidentally catching his attention. Fully aware with his guard up, the same man I met back in the forest beside New Bark Town appears in front of my eyes.

He exits his tent, wherein coincidentally, his stolen Totodile has already evolved into a Croconaw. We both kept heavy eye contact at each other, thinking of who would make the first move. His Croconaw also joined the massive stare down, glancing at my face like a thug.

"Who are you?" I query, starting off the conversation.

"Is that why you came? So you could know more about me? How strange, I've never piqued one's interest before, Rocket grunt." He replies in a sarcastic manner.

"I am an elite operative of Team Rocket, and I want answers now, who are you?"

"I see, so my eyes have caught you. You know what? It's been a long time since I was a member of Team Rocket. How's things back there?"

"Wait... you were a former member of Team Rocket?" Hearing his words, my guard fell as I change my expression into aghast.

"I was, not until he left. I am Silver, and I vow to destroy Team Rocket. You're nothing but an organization of misfits. I once believed in the organization, but after realizing the truth from my father, I've lost hope." He introduces somewhat angry after recalling a memory.

"It... it can't be." I slowly step backward with my eyes locked into him. They have completely flinched due to this unexpected reveal.

"You're... You're the son of Giovanni!" I add, realizing the truth.

"For years, Team Rocket has been a manor of malice..." He mumbles in a soft voice. His voice inclines, "I will prove, that I am stronger than my father, much better, and more cunning than him. I have no need for leading Team Rocket thus they turned to the executives. I am a trainer, and I will prove my father wrong!"

"Giovanni will return."

"I believed in my father for many years, and I am surprised that until now, you still have faith in him. He is not coming back, and you must understand that." He convinces, grinding his teeth against each other, showing his wrath to my face. Now I understand why he has caught my attention, his eyes are as those of Giovanni, cunning.

"He told me, he will return with more men. I am surprised that a son like you lacks faith at his own father."

"He told that to me too during the night we last met. Since then, I've never met the old man again. You're confused about what to believe in, aren't you? Follow me." He instructs, lighting a twig on fire by scratching it on a tree to serve as a torch. He starts to walk further from his tent, towards the depths of the forest he went.

Without hesitation, I follow him for I want to know what happened with him and Giovanni. Who am I to believe in? The son or the father? Where is he leading me in the first place? I follow his path, walking with him to the deepest parts of the forest of Ilex. My thirst for answers has only begun, and the more I follow him, the more it becomes clear to me.