Pokémon Red (Book 2)

The Vision

Masked Man's POV

"Hmm. Finally, I've been waiting for this very moment." Giovanni took his hands out of the pocket very gently. His voice was croaky. He seemed quizzical yet radiant. He had questions which were unanswered and I wanted them to remain like that. As much as I knew coming here was a terrible idea, a part of me wanted this meeting. I wanted to meet Giovanni, after what he did.

"Me too." I replied with a grim. I did not trust this man and had a feeling that we weren't alone. I knew Giovanni too well and in that case, he didn't come alone. Team Rocket grunts must be all over the place, just to catch me.

I rolled my eyes around the area. It was too dark to point out a person in the bushes or on a tree branch. There was no sound as well, only the wind could be heard, whispering softly in the ears. The winds were cool, reminding me of the coming winters, I realised that I had wasted yet another year plotting on Giovanni.

Yes, I was very much against that man. I have a history of myself that I'd love to narrate but now wasn't the time. Only if I could somehow get through this meeting, which I was sure wasn't gonna happen.

"Who are you?" Asked Giovanni, sardonically.

"I thought there was some real meaning of this meeting rather than asking already-asked questions."

"Yes, there was." Said Giovanni, looking at the ground. "But now." He looked at me. "The only meaning is - you answering all my questions."

"You can ask me anything but my name."

"Is that so?" Said Giovanni. "I want to see your face." He grinned. "Well, you yourself said - anything but your name. I want that mask off."

"And what if I deny?"

Giovanni gave me roguish look. There it was, I was once again correct, my intuition has always been loyal to me. He lifted his black hat off, followed by loud footsteps of several people. I looked around only to see that I was surrounded by Team Rocket Grunts.

"Surprised?" Asked Giovanni with a victorious grin. "Not yet?" He gestured his fingers to call one of the grunts from the darkness. A grunt walked forward and his face was revealed.

I was shocked, I thought I was the only one plotting against someone but no. Giovanni made a story for himself, to get into the good zone. Out of police's reaches as now people believed Team Rocket was disbanded.

"Charles?" I said. My voice was taut with confusion. Many things were coming together and I finally understood the meaning of Giovanni's grand plan, at the same time, more things fell apart, which would mean half of the information that I was given, was false.

"At your service." Said Charles, smiling.

"Charles is rather a great actor, isn't he?" Said Giovanni. "Last year I made him incharge of Team Rocket, so that I could finally clear my name. He continued doing the things I asked him to do. Meanwhile, to confuse you and others, I asked him to act like he wants to kill me. And guess what, you believed. So you started taking his side. When Charles told me that, I started doubting you. Then I ordered Cassidy to kill that kid, Red. But you saved him. Then, I had my doubts clear. You wanted him alive for something, why were you saving the kids? I was so confused. But then I thought, who's the person who'd want to kill me and get any kind of profit? Why would you hide your face? Who are you? Then finally, you obviously are older than me and that voice is kind of familiar. Then, I was sure, I was sure about who you were. Just a matter of lifting the mask off, brother. Just remember our plan, and stick to it. Remember why we made Team Rocket. We have to avenge it. We have to avenge what happened to us. We didn't deserve it, brother. Lift the mask off and come with me. There's still time, we can win, together."