Saving Shard

Chapter 4

If the Boss of Team Rocket stood beside you in a coffee shop you would never suspect it. He did not seem dangerous at all. There was nothing even slightly suspicious in his appearance. Nothing to indicate that he possessed even a rebellious streak. Not one tattoo decorated his skin, no crazy hair, nor one piercing. Team Rocket's boss did not carry a gun or even a small knife upon his person. Rather, he gave the impression of a sophisticated business man. He was handsome, clean cut and always sported the latest pricey dress suit. Although his name was known by all Rockets he was addressed only as 'The Boss'. His true name was forbidden to be spoken out loud. Any Rocket caught even whispering his name risked execution on the spot. This was the number one rule, for you see, the leader of Team Rocket was also a famous Pokemon Gym Leader. He was a man respected by all — both inside and outside of his criminal organization. Even the Pokemon Master himself was an unsuspecting acquaintance to this man.

Team Rockets boss was none other than the renowned Giovanni of the Viridian City Gym. And Giovanni was truly a master at living a double life.

Giovanni was now a man of fifty five years. His once brown hair had nearly all gone gray, however, the Fates had been kind to Giovanni. His face and build were those of a man many years younger. Unfortunately, he also had the heart of a man many, many years older . . . but this was a medical fact few knew about, and that he did not choose to dwell upon.

Throughout his years Giovanni had acquired rather expensive taste in all things. Every single room, corridor, computer lab, and training arena within the Team Rocket base was state-of-the-art. Everything – no matter a waste bin or biochemistry equipment – was brand new. Giovanni only surrounded himself with the best. Only the finest quality would do. He had steered Team Rocket successfully enough that money was never an issue.

The Rocket staff numbered in the thousands. They were divided into secret locations all over the world. Rockets could be skilled thieves or ironclad defenders. Rockets could be masterful Pokemon trainers, some capable of catching and training exceptionally rare beasts. Rockets could be killers, trained in hand-to-hand combat — experts on modern firearms and classic weaponry - talented in the very art of assassination. Some were even strategic thinkers . . .using their brilliant minds to outwit opposition or work as scientists in his genetic research laboratories. And, in a few exceptionally rare instances, a Rocket was composed of a multitude of these qualities.

These very few select Rockets numbered only four. These were known as the Elites – Giovanni's personal Elite Four. Glare. Shard. Remington. N.K. HIS best of the best, capable of bringing down those the Pokemon Master valued so high. And these Elite Rockets were the only ones regularly allowed into one very special room of Team Rocket's base. A room far larger and far finer than any other in the facility: his office.

Giovanni's office was the size of a Pokemon Center and probably contained more Pokeballs. You would not find one Weedle in his personal collection, but, you would find powerful Alakazams, Mightyenas and Gengars. There was an awe-inspiring Lapras, an undefeated Tyranitar and several supernatural Dragonites and Regirocks. He even had a Porygon and a genetically-recreated Aerodactyl (to name a few of his favorites).

The office walls were decorated with elaborate paintings. These paintings were of his most prized Pokemon. One frame housed an acrylic rendition of Giovanni's preferred Golem. Another painting displayed Giovanni's beloved Persian. However, the grandest painting of them all hung next to his desk, and it was truly a life-sized work of art! This painting was of a different feline . . . a huge lavender one . . .

The Pokemon.

The Pokemon only Master Ketchum had access to.

The Pokemon that Team Rocket Boss Giovanni wanted returned to him. Needed. Badly.