I'm about to leave when I notice a man watching us. He has red hair and he's wearing a cape, a completely outlandish outfit. He approaches me, then reaches into my bag and takes out Rage's Pokeball and opens it. The red snake's eyes are brown now, and he's a lot smaller. Couple that with his confused expression, and you have something that looks more like a ten foot teddy bear then a monster.
"I am Lance." says the man. "I have a preposition for you, Ashley." He sends out a Pokemon of his own, a golden Dragonite. I know instinctively he must be important, because Dragonites are extremely rare. "That Gyarados was being mind controlled. It had no wish to hurt you, or your Pokemon. It was forced."
"This guy's nuts. Ashley, let's go." Bronze says, turning to leave angrily, fire flaring just at the sight of Rage.
"Wait a minute, Bronze." Sky says, patting his back. "This could be your chance to avenge Lilly."
"Who did it?" asks Dill, standing alert.
"Who? Team Rocket. Their team is experimenting with mind control. They plan to manipulate every Pokemon in the region- yes, and they may or may not know about us. I can see the golden flecks in your eyes. I know where their hideout is. I can take you, and together, we can shut them down. Make them pay."
"How do you know about Ashley?" Toxis asks, somewhat skeptical.
He holds up a Pokegear, and scrolls through the contacts. Morty's number is there.
I facepalm. "That asshole can't keep secrets for anything, can he?"
Lance laughs, then quickly adds, "No, no not at all. He's not telling the world. Ashley, yes, I have the soul of a Charizard. I wanted Dragonite, but unfortunately it doesn't mega evolve. I too have climbed Mount Silver. Time is running out. You are our last chance."
I nod slowly, taking it all in. How many of my kind are there in Johto, anyways?
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Bronze snarls.
"Look at Rage." says Lance, gesturing to him.
Rage fidgets. "I'm sorry." He says, bowing low. "I didn't try to kill Lilly. It was- they were controlling me. Hurting me. I-"
Bronze opens his mouth, fire brimming inside. "GIVE ME ONE REASON I SHOULDN'T BURN YOU TO THE GROUND, RIGHT NOW!"
I stand in the way of his fire. "Don't. Rage is a teammate now. Tonight, we will fight for Lilly. Tonight's a night for revenge!" I honestly feel awful about this, like something is waiting for us. I already have an idea of where this 'secret hideout' might be, and I don't want to go back there.
Everyone cheers, except for Bronze. He doesn't look at me, just turns away, cold and sad.
Lance gestures for us to follow him, his Dragonite flapping it's tiny wings.
I want him to lead us to the house on the other side of the lake. To the gym maybe. I flash into Toxis, just to enjoy our shared power, but he's scared as I am. His huge ears magnify the sound. It'll be okay, I tell him. We walk forwards together, and I turn back, my hand in his. The whole team is bracing for impact.
Lance opens the door to the hotel, and we walk in.
