Seeking allies

"Reality is rarely a kind thing in matters such as this. If nothing else though once the mastermind is rooted out I doubt the league will allow another such character to appear in it's midst." I said honestly. Byron nodded "You're right I suppose but I assume you've some idea as to the mastermind given your confidence in sharing this with me." he stated seriously. "You are correct in that I have my suspicions on the matter but I won't point a finger when I haven't personally been to those regions to investigate. What I can tell you however is that Oak no doubt has similar suspicions to myself, speak to him as he is definitely better informed on this matter." I said calmly.-

Byron wasn't dumb by any means and so easily picked up on the hidden meaning in my words. The message was quite clear 'the person behind this is someone even I dare not try and offend at this moment'. I meant it too as out of all the villains I saw from the games I played Giovanni was by far the most terrifying. Even Cyrus who was technically the most dangerous due to exactly how close to achieving his goal he came was not as scary but more of a smart but hyper focused man.-

Giovanni was a VERY different story as he not only ruled team rocket through loyalty rather than fear but also had the league itself playing by his tune since he was a well celebrated gym leader in Kanto acknowledged to be as strong as an elite four or champion. It certainly didn't help that he was a war hero as well from the great war a couple decades back.-

The man was dangerous in the worse way possible as he was the sort of evil that you could go your entire life without noticing even if it killed you. If I didn't know to be on the lookout for him from the games I probably also wouldn't realize that he was the source of team rocket. Seriously in the game you ONLY discover that he was the boss of the team because he battles you for getting in it's way. At no other point is there any evidence of him even being involved with it much less in charge.-

Until I reached elite four levels of power I had no intention of giving such a person a reason to make a move himself to take me out. In this case that meant keeping myself from saying anything that points him out as the leader of rocket. "I see, I will message the good professor about this at a later time then." Byron said not pushing the issue. "Morbid topic aside I was wondering if you might be interested in helping me master steel type energy with my aura?" I asked with a smirk knowing full well he'd take that bait easily.-

"By the three! You mean...?" he asked in shock and disbelief without finishing the question but I knew what it was and nodded. Holding out my hand a few red sparks of fire pitifully flared to life and vanished just as fast. "I have reached a level of mastery over my aura where it becomes possible to learn true moves but it's not exactly easy as I'm sure you can guess. I have learnt to utilize fire, dark, ghost, electric, ground, rock, flying and grass type energies but I lack any pokemon good at the remaining typings which is why I am asking you." I said honestly.

"But why trust me with this information? Aren't you afraid I'd sell it?" Byron asked curiously. I laughed "You think a man who has dedicated his life to preserving a place like Iron island from those with ill intentions could bring himself to do something like that? I sure as shit don't." I said. He chuckled embarrassed "When you put it that way I feel kinda silly for even asking." he said genuinely. "So, interested?" I asked with a grin. "You are asking if I'd turn down an opportunity to help a legendary aura master learn to harness my own typing, as if anyone could say no to that!" he said with a eager smile.-

We didn't start immediately since the timing was not great for it but he did make sure to clear the whole day next wednesday for it. Honestly speaking I didn't actually need his help to learn how to utilize the steel type energy. But not only was this a convenient way to accelerate my progress on that front but it was also an excellent chance to increase my network of allies. During my time in Orre I had learnt that having a web of contacts in a region not only helped with finding stuff out about the place but also served to give me influence over the region if only subtly.-

Not a puppet master like Giovanni exactly but more along to lines of an inside trader who had a general understanding of the flow of the market. I'll admit that my attitude in Hoenn was absolutely horrible for the first half of my time there and in the later half was painted over by a lot of bloodshed and finally that tournament. Not exactly a great start in creating a good impression on future possible allies.-

I was sorta hoping that Byron would let it slip in conversation with the other leaders in the league that I had mellowed out a little while in Orre. Not gone soft mind you but just not as abrasive anymore at the least. I needed allies in this world, a fact that until Orre I hadn't really believed. Sure I had a few people in Hoenn that I could rely on such as Birch and Watson but I hadn't treated them as good as I should have and I regret it deeply.-

Especially at the start of my time in Hoenn, gods I was such an asshole to Birch at the start. I practically burst into his home and embarrassed him in front of his wife and kid before near constantly bothering him with problems one after another even after I left. I treated him better towards the end of my time in that region as I had come to see him as a friend of sorts but the start wasn't the best. They did a poor job of showing it in the games but even when you were just the player character you weren't truly alone in the world besides your pokemon.-

Each of the people you met, the gym leaders, your rival, the professors, your parent/s. There were people in the background of the world rooting you on and supporting you even if it wasn't constantly affirmed by the game itself. Reality was no different in truth though the complexity of the situation also played a part in the support you had as well.