[ POV Change ]

[ Back to the present.]

After that event, Mewtwo slowly watched the metamorphosis of Team Rocket from a private research organization into an actual militant service, working undercover to fuel its research. However, every notorious organization needed a head, a face to lead it, a face that all agents would respect, and a face that would take the blame should things go awry.

But Giovanni, the Ex Viridian Gym leader, was a businessman. He couldn't afford to be the face of the devil, after all, how else would he be able to enjoy plausible deniability when the time came? And yet… he needed the devil.

And so, he created one.

The one they called Boss.

A man sitting in the shadows, with a Persian at his feet. A man, or rather a position, one that was occupied by two individuals to date. The first is a man called Magnussen, and after his slaughter, a man called Archer.

Giovanni remained the Ex Viridian Gym leader, the one who was mind-punked by Mewtwo and the Boss of Team Rocket into following their commands, should Team Rocket be defeated by some grave eventuality.

Pragmatism. It was a good skill to have. Mewtwo could certainly see the advantages of having it.

"Where is he?" he finally asked.

"In his gym office."

Without further delay, Mewtwo disappeared.

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[ Lavender Tower - Raticate's Grave ]

Austin stood along over Raticate's grave, lost in his thoughts.

( ~ Tap ~ )

Austin took out the cigarette from his mouth before exhaling a cloud of smoke. He didn't even acknowledge Agatha's presence.

" You know it's considered rude to ignore your elders."

" ..... "

" Well."

"Elite Four Agatha." He croaked.

"It is Agatha and nothing else." The old woman replied, her sharp eyes jumping from Austin to the floating shadow pokémon hidden behind the pillars. For some reason, the shadow pokémon felt extremely familiar, and judging by the manner it was shying its eyes away, Agatha knew that it was not a coincidence. She knew this Haunter. It was only a time before her memories spotted it.

"My name is Ash."

"Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. I have heard quite many mentions of your name." Agatha replied in a half-sardonic tone. "Then again, they are not... undeserved."

" Thanks."

Austin replied as he puffed on his cigarette.

" .... "

" ..... "

" Aren't you going to tell me to stop smoking like the twin grandmas ?"

" No, it's human nature to find something to wash away your grief with. And again don't let Grady and Brady hear you call them grandma, they are very vocal about that topic."

Austin nodded while trying to give Agatha a cigarette.

" What are you trying to do, speed up my journey to the grave," Agatha said as she took out a military water bottle.

Austin could smell the alcohol reeking from the water bottle.

So that's what she meant by something to wash away grief.

Austin and Agatha stood silently as they indulged in their vices.

" You know, you have the same look in your eyes just like I did when I was younger."

" When ? a hundred years ago."

" Kekeke, no, make that two hundred years back." Agatha and Austin chuckled collectively as Agatha took a huge gulp.

" The look of revenge."

Agatha's words caused Austin's smile to drop before he puffed his cigarette.

" So are you going to tell me otherwise?"

" No, I was just like you consumed by revenge when my father died at the hands of the monster you killed."

" ..... Sorry."

" For what? For taking away the thing I hated the most. For ruining my revenge."

" ..... "

Agatha took another gulp as she said," I don't know who hurt you but remember the words of this old crone obsessed with revenge. Revenge consumes you and pushes away all the people you hold dear."

"....."

" But I know you're not going to listen. I was just the same. They say there are five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance but for people like us who have been scarred by the world there exists a sixth stage; revenge."

Agatha's words caused Austin to close his eyes as all the moments he had with Raticate began to flash through his mind.

In silence, Austin opened his eyes which glowed crimson red.

The look in Austin's eyes told Agatha everything who closed her bottle as she said, " Looks like my words didn't seem to have an effect. I just came here to thank you for freeing my family from the curse. Even if I feel anger towards you for taking away my revenge, I am still grateful that the curse is finally gone."

Austin absentmindedly nodded as Agatha turned to leave before Austin curiously asked," Aren't you going to stop me ?"

" Kekeke, no, you have made up your mind. Even if I stop you here, you will stand up again to walk this path of destruction. I can only advise you to focus your anger on the thing you're getting your revenge on and not let it lash out against the innocent, I made that mistake and to this day I never forgave myself."

Austin could feel the sorrow in Agatha's words as she left leaving behind a young man who was at a crossroads in life.

Not knowing what he should do next.

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Marowak and Cubone walked towards the hall.

They wanted to thank the human for protecting them.

Suddenly as the human came to view, Marowak immediately stopped Cubone from advancing further.

Her instincts told her that this human was dangerous.

Hearing the commotion, Austin glanced toward the duo and with a nod, he left with Pikachu on his shoulders.

Marowak and Cubone glanced at what Austin was looking at. Only to find, a torn piece of clothing with the symbol of team rocket on it, set ablaze.

Glancing at Austin's back, Marowak had a gut feeling that this human was going towards a path of destruction.

Whatever the result would be, Marowak knew that the world is going to go through a storm with that human at its epicenter.

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Man is such a strange and selfish yet selfless creature.

Words and actions can create such an influence on the body and mind of man.

These emotions led man to conquer this world and these emotions led man through the pathway of life.

Brady and Grady looked at the retreating back of Austin before they walked up the lavender tower to see what made this young man wait from dusk to dawn.

During all of this, the Shiny Alpha Haunter floated on the top floor of the Tower.

She looked over to her side as she saw Raticate look down in worry.

Isn't it time for you to leave?

Haunter asked to which Raticate replied," Then who will look after that idiot of mine."

Haunter replied," I will."