Cold.

Dark.

Nothing.

Silver saw nothing – an abyss. His whole surrounding was a deep, black shadow. His eyes frantically moved around, searching even for a hint of light. But all he can see was nothingness. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Not even a squeak. Not even a whimper.

Not even a cry.

Where am I? Silver slowly moved his feet, trying to find destination from the unknown place. Minutes flown by and his feet began to march faster, running. What is this place? How did I get here? His thoughts burned him with a million questions – all without an answer.

Suddenly, his eyes caught a red light. Unwarily, he sighed in relief. His feet ran towards the bright light, blinding him as he got closer. A small content smile danced on his face, hoping that once he entered into the light, the answers to his million questions will be replied.

But he froze in terror the second vision started to come back to him.

The red light wasn't just any light.

It was a symbol.

A symbol he long loathes.

R.

Silver stood motionless as the crimson symbol burned in his silver eyes. He soon regained consciousness and looked around – rocket grunts were everywhere. With clenched fists, he slowly strode around. He recognized the place very much, it was their headquarters.

The damned place he was born and raised at.

Silver kept his rage bottled inside. This wasn't the time to be exploding into a million pieces. His sharp eyes caught a grunt walking towards him. "Hey!" he spat out, calling him. But the male worker walked away, completely ignoring him. Silver's patience was wearing thin, and the man was the last straw.

"Hey you freak! I'm talking to you!" Silver shouted as he pulled the grunt and faced him. He had expected a feared expression from the unknown man. But instead, the grunt eyed him in silent confusion.

Silver detested the weird emotion he was showing and shook the grunt faster. "Fuck you! How did I get here! Tell me!" But the grunt remained silent, letting his body being violently shaken by the enraged redhead. Silver clenched his teeth tighter. "TELL ME! WHY AM I HERE AGAIN?"

He raised his fist and aimed for the grunt's face. But Silver froze in horror as the statuesque grunt evaporated into thin air, completely evading his punch. His silver eyes widen in both shock and fear. A…A ghost!

Well done, my son.

Silver halted. He knew that voice – a voice he once loved and praised – now hated and despised.

You make me so proud.

The voice began to echo louder and louder.

I am proud to be the father of a strong heir. And you should be proud to have me too.

Silver shut his ears with his palms, trying to shake off the horrible voice. "No…" he gritted grimly.

You…will make a fine Rocket boss one day.

"NOOOOO!" Silver looked up and yelled. His voice vibrating the entire room. But the grunts there kept doing their work as if nothing happened. Silver clenched his teeth, his jaw hurting from the pressure. He opened his eyes. Silver wanted out. He wanted to get out of the damned place he once swore never to return.

"Silver boy! There you are!"

Silver snapped into reality and turned around. He froze in chagrin to see who it was – Archer. The young executive crossed his arms and stared at Silver. "Come on, Sir Giovanni has been looking everywhere for you." Archer reached out to take Silver's hand, but the redhead swatted him away in disgust.

"Fuck off," Silver growled.

But Archer seemed unaffected by his resent. "Come on child, your father is waiting."

Your father. The words were like venom sipping into Silver's ear. "I have no father…" He fisted his hand, ready to aim another punch.

But before Silver could act, the whole surrounding around him changed. The lobby he once knew was now an office. The only office where he wished he would never lay foot again.

"Boss, I've bought the person you were looking for," Archer said, bowing down to the man in front of them. Silver froze in disdain. The dark figure in front of him flashed a nefarious smile.

Silver felt like punching that smile off his face.

Giovanni clasped his hands and strode towards the two men. He stood pompously in front of his only son. He placed one hand on Silver's head. The young redhead snarled and wanted to hit that hand away. He despised even being lain a finger from the man. But Silver just froze, letting Giovanni messing up his hair playfully.

"My son," he murmured, earning a nasty scowl from Silver. "It is time. The time for new era of Rocket!"

Silver gritted his teeth hard, so hard he could feel the tear of blood on his gum. "I am not you…" he snarled acidly, trying to mouth the words out. "I am not a damn Rocket!"

Giovanni looked at his son in disappointment, not believing what he heard. The man shook his head slowly. "So stubborn…" he muttered. His black eyes pierced into the raging silver. "This organization has been my pride and joy. I will stop at nothing to put my subordinates' power at good use."

Silver plucked up his courage and glare at the tall man. He wanted to plant a good fist at his face, but it was as if his body couldn't function. Silver scowled in demise at the sight of his old man's proud face, a face he once craved when he was little.

Oblivious at his rage, Giovanni smiled at Silver. "So I need an heir, a new leader for my beloved team."

Silver shook his head. He spit on Giovanni's shoes and glared at the rocket leader. "Fuck you…" was all he could muster. His voice deep and croaked.

Giovanni widen his eyes at his son in disbelief. Finally, he shook his head slowly and walked to his desk. Silver remained motionless, anger flaring up inside him. The old man sighed heavily and tapped his fingers on the dusty table. "It seems I have to find a new heir," he mused sadly. Giovanni stared at Silver. Without a word, he snapped his finger.

The huge door behind Silver creaked opened.

"You called, boss?"

Silver froze in complete aghast. It can't be? He snapped his body around. His whole world felt like crashing down on him the second he saw who it was.

It was Kotone.

She was in her damned rocket uniform.

He could see her tight uniform top squeezing her body, showing off her bodacious curves. Her legs flaunted deliciously due to her short black skirt and small, high-heel boots. Silver gawked as the top was short, flashing a small stomach and a belly button. Kotone kept her head slightly down. Her black hat hiding her face, flashing only one sinister eye. The redhead's eyes glared at the R symbol on her chest, condemning it.

"Ko…Kotone…" Silver stammered ferociously. "What the…"

Kotone held her right hip, eyes glaring at the shaking redhead. She scoffed arrogantly and walked towards the rocket leader. Silver, shocked to see her ignorant attitude, took hold of Kotone's hand. Only to be slapped harshly on the cheek by her.

"Don't touch me, you pathetic animal," she spat out. Her words and tone of voice was like a dagger, stabbing into his bleeding heart. He could feel the taste of blood on his mouth. Silver gawked dumbly as Kotone walked by him and bowed on one knee in front of Giovanni.

Giovanni smirked superiorly and crossed his arms. "Meet the new heir of Team Rocket, Kotone!"

Silver felt like he was choking on his own blood. He felt his ears were about to explode. Silver clenched his shaken fist and glared deathly at the two dark figures. "What the fuck…is going on…" His throat began to ache as each word came out.

Kotone stood up and chuckled vilely. Silver couldn't imagine the immense pain and heartache he felt right now. This wasn't the sweet, caring Kotone he once known. The woman in front of him wasn't his loving, giggling rival who always showed him the bright side of life.

No. This woman in front of him was the exact opposite of her.

And yet, he felt his heart getting weaker and torn into a million pieces.

"No…" he croaked. "You're not…"

Kotone laughed maniacally, cutting Silver off. "Face it freak. You're done for. You are never strong enough. You are just a sad accident. You're weak, pathetic. No one deserves to give you any love or sympathy. You're just a used, broken tool."

Each word. Each syllable. Every single tone. Silver could feel his whole body being jabbed and stabbed violently as he heard them. He felt the pain in his chest. His ears. His head. His heart. Everywhere.

Silver lay down on his knees, wobbling. How could…How could she… The young man felt his eyes getting wetter. He bit his lower lip roughly, cutting the fragile skin, letting the blood drip. Shaken, Silver reached for his belt, his Pokémon.

But he halted in terror as he felt no Pokéballs on his belt. He looked down at his waist. His mind immediately changed from finding his Pokémon to complete shock as he saw what he was wearing.

A full Rocket uniform.

Silver grasped the clothing on his chest and gawked in horror. The bloody R symbol was painting revoltingly in his eyes, burning his sight. "What the fuck…" Silver tried to open his top off, revolted by the sight. But to no avail, it was as if the uniform was stuck on his body. He bit the glove, trying to pull it off. But the result was the same.

Silver heard a demonic laugh and looked up. Kotone was now standing right in front of his face, hands crossed. Her eyes shined grimly at Silver, as if he was garbage. Her sharp boot kicked Silver on the head, knocking the redhead down on his back.

The redhead shouted in agony. He rubbed his throbbing head. Silver froze in terror to see his hand being painted in red. Blood. His eyes stared at Kotone. The woman snickered menacingly and held her hips.

"Kotone…" he whimpered – weak. "Please…" For the first time in his life, he felt scared. His whole dignity disappeared as his voice begged in mercy at the only important person in his life.

But Kotone remained scornful and pointed a gun at the stunned redhead. "There is no room for a weak person like you."

She pulled the trigger.

Silver yelled in horror and sat up. He breathed unevenly and ran his fingers frantically on his red locks. His eyes scanned the room. There was a closet, a mirror, a desk, a window and a room to the bathroom.

He was in a room at a Pokémon Center.

Now Silver remembered. He stayed in for the night at Blackthorn. The shaken redhead held his head. It was a nightmare. A terrible, horrifying nightmare. His heartbeat was still accelerating like a Ninjask. He took in a few deep breaths.

"Snea…"

Silver turned his head to his side. His Sneasel rubbed his eye, half awake and concerned at his shaken trainer.

Silver bit his inner cheek and slowly patted the sharp claw Pokémon. "S…Sorry I woke you up…" he muttered. Sneasel purred in delight, accepting his trainer's apology. The Pokémon shifted his position and made himself comfortable at Silver's lap. With one loud yawn, Sneasel curled into a ball, closed his eyes and continued his comfortable slumber.

Silver sighed and flashed a small frown. He was still getting used to the idea of loving and caring his Pokémon. But Silver knew in order to be strong, one must show compassion to their Pokémon. And he was happy to see his Pokémon was doing very well since he'd changed. Heck, he was very blessed to know that his Pokémon still stick with him even when he was ruthless back then.

The redhead led out another sigh. His mind suddenly flashed back to his nightmare. He could see his old man, ignoring him when he didn't want to take his place. He could see the other rockets, eyeing him in envy knowing that he is Giovanni's son.

He could see Kotone, glaring wickedly at him in her bloody rocket outfit. Her eyes showed nothing but resent and malice. The redhead felt his heart getting heavier. Silver never cared what other people think about him, but the thought of Kotone hating him…was something he couldn't bear.

Silver massaged his forehead, dizzy at the thought. He could see the nozzle of the gun pointing at his head, ready to take his life. His ears faintly remembered her cackle and malignant tone before she pulled the trigger.

"Kotone…" he whispered unwarily. Suddenly, his heart ached for his rival.

Silver shook his head, groaning quietly as the headache banged his head. Slowly, he lay down, careful not to wake his Sneasel up again. Silver closed his eyes, hoping that the gruesome nightmare wouldn't haunt him again.

Luckily, he slept well that night.

Unluckily, it was the sweet Kotone that was dancing in his mind all night long.