Word Count: 2253

◼️𝐏 𝐎 𝐊 𝐄 𝐌 𝐎 𝐍◼️

Lyra~

After following Blue to the other room, Professor Oak sat me down to talk about my journey with my Pokémon so far. He also asked me to bring out Bayleef to ask her the same questions. Even though Silver and I were stuck with one another three years ago, I remembered making wonderful memories during our journey together.

Professor Oak asked whether or not I received his newest Pokédex device yet. I remembered using the device on Ampharos back home and brought it out from my bag. Blue, who sat on my right, grabbed the Pokédex from my hand to look at it. As he did, the Professor explained to me that the Pokédex he had Professor Elm give to me was an upgraded version of my old Pokédex: the National Pokédex. It was capable of recording data for Pokémon outside of Johto and Kanto.

"While you go on your new adventure, I hope you will continue filling the Pokédex for me," he requested.

I nodded and turned to Exchanger, who sat on a separate sofa with Green seated to his right. There were three sofas in the room. Blue, Ethan, and I were seated on the middle sofa, with Blue on my right and Ethan on my left. Green and Exchanger were on the sofa closest to Ethan, while Professor Oak and Khoury were on the sofa closest to Blue. The two sofas were facing each other, with a table in the middle.

Exchanger took a deep breath before he spoke. "Now that Lyra's awake, Team Rocket's operations will begin today. I don't think it's wise to charge head-on to their base."

"It is something we all mutually agreed upon," Green added, glancing in my direction for a second before turning back to Exchanger. I knew what the glance meant: Don't act irrationally.

"Team Rocket is going to break into a laboratory tonight in Veilstone City if I remembered correctly. They were stealing from another organization, who had similar intentions with the data Team Rocket needed," Exchanger continued.

"Do you remember the name of the organization?" Ethan asked.

Exchanger shook his head. "The organization wasn't well-known to the public, so there wasn't an official name for it. I believe they were just a small group of scientists researching about Dialga and Palkia."

"What about your intention? We know how Team Rocket wants to make use of the data, but do you remember any additional details?"Blue questioned.

"I was desperate, so I searched for as much data about Dialga and Palkia as I could. After I found enough information, I acted accordingly. I... stole from them. I commanded someone to steal from that small organization."

"Be careful; don't contradict yourself. Was someone else in charge of the theft?" Green stated.

"Green wasn't with you in the past, and I highly doubt Evolver time travelled twice. Since you had led Team Rocket in the past, I assume you had some executives like Archer. Do you remember anyone in particular that stood out from the rest?"

Exchanger raised his head immediately at Blue's question, before twisting his face into a confused expression. I took the time to stare at him; he was trying his best to remember.

"While Exchanger tries to remember, we should consider going to the Sinnoh region to start our next move—or should we introduce Lyra to Karen and Will?" Ethan suggested.

"Who's Karen and Will?" I asked.

After I spoke, Khoury rose to his feet and stared at me with disbelief. "You don't know Johto's Elite Four?" he exclaimed.

I heard Blue breathe out of frustration. "Sit down, kid. You can't expect people to know everything."

Blue's tone was harsh, but I knew he was defending me. I glanced at him for a moment, to which he took a quick glimpse at me before turning to Green. "Your thoughts?"

"It won't be too bad if she meets them. Plus, she can learn some new tricks," she replied, with her cheek resting against her knuckles.

I turned to Ethan for answers.

"Karen and Will are part of Johto's Elite Four. Before facing the Champion, you need to defeat those two and the two other members: Bruce and Koga. Karen and Will were also victims of the Masked Man, just like Silver and Green," Ethan answered for me.

Green immediately scoffed after Ethan's explanation. "Victims? They weren't kidnapped like us, you know. Let's not forget what happened eight years ago."

"That's all in the past," Blue spoke up, getting up from his spot on the couch to sit next to Green. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I agree with you, Ethan. We should have Lyra meet Karen and Will. I brought them to Viridian City so Silver and the other Team Rocket members would take longer to track them."

"Domino."

We all turned our heads to Exchanger as he muttered with a clear voice.

"Domino?" I questioned.

"I remembered now... she was my Elite Officer, who used to serve under Giovanni. After I had announced Team Rocket's true revival, she was one of the experienced members from the original Team Rocket that came forward to join me," Exchanger explained.

"And she is the one we should be careful around besides Exolver?" Green inquired.

Exchanger nodded his head in response. "She knows a lot... I sent her out on various missions to get us closer to our goal. It was all taken care of swiftly. I don't remember what exactly I had her do..."

"You'll likely remember once we tell you the present Silver's plans," Ethan noted, getting up on his feet. "So Blue and I will take Lyra to Viridian City?"

"Ethan, I need you and Exchanger for something in Saffron City. Blue can take Lyra to Viridian City. Also, be sure to take the kid with you," Green responded, getting up on her feet as well.

Blue rose to his feet while keeping one of his hands on her shoulder. Khoury was fiddling with the edge of his shirt nervously as Green spoke.

"I thought we agreed to not attack them head-on," I recalled.

"We're not going to attack them. I need to investigate something, and I require Ethan's assistance. Exchanger has the background knowledge I need, so I'm bringing him with me."

Ethan hummed in response and helped escort me out of the lab. I turned back and noticed Khoury getting up from the sofa. Blue went to talk to Professor Oak and told me to wait for him outside.

I passed Green on my way out of the lab and heard her muttered under her breath.

"She better expect me..."

Just how many grudges did Green have against others?

"Kid, follow Lyra outside," I heard Blue exclaimed from the other room.

Ethan and Exchanger were already outside, and Green had just exited. After a couple of seconds, Khoury exited the lab as well. He stood next to me as we waited for Blue to come out. I heard Ethan bring out his Dragonite, and after glancing in his direction I saw Green approaching him.

I turned to Khoury who appeared to be examining Exchanger. The latter was looking up to the sky, take slow deep breaths synchronized with his eyes closing. After a moment, Exchanger stopped and stared back at Khoury before shifting his gaze into a quick glare. He approached Khoury and me with a neutral expression. It was the same expression that I was used to seeing three years ago.

I was about to say something, but Exchanger raised his hand towards me and took off his cloak. He stood in front of Khoury and looked down on him. Exchanger's outfit was identical to Silver's, but his shirt was purely black while Silver's shirt leaned closer to dark purple; his pants were navy compared to Silver's regular purple pants.

I had noticed how different they were in emotion, which is typically reflected in their eyes. Silver's gaze was cold and indifferent, while Exchanger's gaze held warmth and compassion. They were like opposites; it would've surprised me if I didn't meet Silver before and was told they were the same person.

"Don't think I don't know who you are."

I froze at Exchanger's statement. Khoury didn't seem to understand either, as he slowly started to raise his hands and back away with light steps. He leaned closer to annoyed than blatantly confused, but I pulled onto his arm as Blue exited the building.

"Did something happen?" he asked us.

Exchanger shook his head in response. "No... it's nothing."

★ 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 ★

Blue informed us that Viridian City was north of Pallet Town. He directed us through Route 1 and to the city with no trouble. Khoury appeared starstruck while gazing at the buildings around us.

"My Gym is over there, and this path here will take you to the Pokémon League," Blue explained to me. "Karen and Will are in the Gym, so we'll start there before I properly show you around."

The three of us entered the Gym. I noted the ancient architectural theme the building displayed. The walls were dark brown accompanied by the sandy beige floor, and pillars were standing tall with small cracks; fancy designs adorned the walls.

The place had an earthy feel to it.

There were people inside, battling with their Pokémon with other people. I assumed they were previous Team Rocket members who didn't join Silver. Two people stood out from the rest: a man with purple hair and a black mask over his lilac eyes and a woman with long, wavy silvery hair and eyes. They seemed to be instructing the other people inside the Gym.

"Usually Gym Leaders design their Gym to represent the type of Pokémon they would be using against Trainers. This Gym clearly represents Ground or Rock Types, but I heard you use a variety," Khoury noted.

"You used the keyword—usually—and besides, I don't feel like remodelling the place," Blue replied.

"Is there a reason? I would think it's efficient—"

"Hey Will, someone wants to battle you," Blue called out towards the purple-haired man, shoving Khoury out in front of us. Khoury looked startled and looked over his shoulder at Blue, who just shrugged his shoulders.

The purple-haired man approached us and placed his hand on Khoury's shoulder.

"Is that so? Well then, why don't we get started? Allow me to help you get stronger," Will spoke, smiling at Khoury before pulling him away from us.

I wasn't sure if it was just me, but something was menacing about Will's smile, the chilling feeling that accompanied it. However, I thought it was just my imagination. Even if what Green said was true, how he and Karen willingly joined the Masked Man, I shouldn't judge him like that.

I turned my head to face Blue. "Don't you think you're pushing him too much?"

"He'll get used to it. If he would've left the cave instead of continuing inside, he would've never been on Green's list."

"You care a lot about Green," I commented.

Blue huffed, chuckling as he patted my head. "Assume what you want. Green and I have our history. I'm just looking out for her."

"I heard Green is the Champion of Kanto and that she was substituting for someone. Do you know the real Champion of Kanto? I thought for a moment that you guys might have some connections together."

Blue let out a soft chuckle before taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I know him... He's training in Mount Silver, and he had been training there for around eight years now... ever since that incident."

"Is the incident you're referring to the time Silver lost his memories?" I reckoned.

Blue nodded. "Correct... that's actually the main reason why I refuse to remodel the Gym. Giovanni used to be the Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym, you know."

"Silver's father used to be the Gym Leader here? I wouldn't have guessed."

"No one did. It wasn't until an actual search, as well as Giovanni's sudden disappearance, where all the strings were coiled into a ball again. Giovanni passed away from the fire, and I don't think Silver knows he died."

As Blue explained parts of the past to me, my ears picked up the sound of heels approaching us. It was getting louder and louder every step. Eventually, a voice spoke after Blue.

"Intense conversation we're having... Amusing, but enough with all of the gloominess. You're Lyra? I am Karen of the Elite Four. I've heard many things about you. Would you kindly allow me to confirm those rumours in a battle?" she requested, pulling out a Pokéball from her belt.

"Karen, I don't think—"

"You're being so uptight, Blue. It's just a harmless battle. What do you say, Lyra? A friendly competition?" She turned to me with a smile.

It was also as chilling as Will's smile. However, hers seemed more menacing, yet it was also cleverly hidden behind her poker face. It's intuition that I'm feeling what I'm feeling, but I can't back down. If I lose, it would only signify that I can't defeat Silver.

I nodded and grabbed Bayleef's Pokéball from my bag.

◼️𝐏 𝐎 𝐊 𝐄 𝐌 𝐎 𝐍◼️

Be sure to vote and comment on the story. Also, please correct me on any mistakes that might have appeared in this chapter.

Hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to the next chapter~

~Lisa~