People began to cheer once it became apparent that we had won. Electabuzz celebrated his victory by striking some poses for the crowd.

Alex didn't take his eyes off of me as he returned Tyranitar. My opponent turned and walked away towards the Ice Path.

I didn't have the chance to go after him as Silver and Jess ran over to me. "That was incredible!" Jess told me.

"You've gotten so strong Gold! You're going to become The Champion! I can feel it!" Silver said to me.

I felt blood rush to my face. "Aw, thanks guys. Is Alex going to be alright though?"

Jess shrugged. "I'm sure he'll figure it out. Maybe this will finally get him to stop being such a jerk."

"Anyway," Silver said. "I'm ready for my rematch with Clair. After watching your last two battles I have tons of ideas!"

I returned Electabuzz to his Poké Ball. "Sounds like a plan! You've got this, Silver!"

"I'd like to stick around to watch your battle if that's alright?" Jess asked.

Silver nodded as we walked back to the Pokémon Center. "Totally! And once I beat Clair, we're going back home and then to the Pokémon League!"

I dropped my Pokémon off at the counter to get healed and rejoined Silver and Jess. "Well, don't forget that the Rainbow Festival ends tomorrow night."

My eyebrows went up when I heard this. "Oh yeah! It's really come fast. But we'll be sure we're there!" I vowed.

Jess chuckled slightly. "You better be. Seeing Ho-Oh is not something you want to miss."

I went and got my now restored Pokémon and the three of us made our way over to Clair's gym.

Clair was waiting for challengers and Silver quickly got into the rematch while Jess and I went to the sidelines.

Clair started off with a Gyarados this time but Silver's Skiploom was able to narrowly win. Her Dragonair came next which was no match for Umbreon's speed and durability.

Kingdra was third and managed to beat Umbreon but Crobat was able to finish it off after all the damage Umbreon had dealt.

Silver was incorporating the field into his strategy much more this time around and it was yielding great results.

Clair's final Pokémon was an Ampharos. I knew its Mega Evolution was a Dragon-Type but Clair's didn't seem capable of Mega Evolving.

It was still absurdly strong and made quick work of Crobat. Skiploom managed to get in some solid damage before being defeated.

Silver sent out Ninetales as his final Pokémon and she was able to finally win him the gym badge.

Silver was given his prizes for winning and joined Jess and me. I gave my friend a high five and we departed from the gym.

"Impressive stuff," Jess praised. "I think you guys will do really well in the Pokémon League. Call it a hunch."

We made our final trip to the Blackthorn City Pokémon Center and after Silver healed his Pokémon the three of us got ready to part ways.

"Don't forget to come to Ecruteak tomorrow night!" Jess reminded us.

I nodded. "We won't! See ya there!" Jess waved goodbye and walked off to the Ice Path while Silver and I started walking south down the rocky path.

"This is it, Silver. We've almost reached the end of our journey." I said while we walked.

We trekked across a dirt path and then crossed a wooden bridge to the other side of the canyon. "I can't believe we're already on our way back. It hasn't even been two weeks." Silver replied.

The day had already begun creeping into the afternoon. The sun was pounding down directly on us and the air was dry.

We encountered a couple of trainers but for the most part, the terrain was the main challenge. Navigating between the bridges, through the tall grass, and getting over ledges in the unusual heat was no small feat.

Eventually, though, we managed to get through the canyon and arrive at Route 46. The route had a familiar greenery to it.

A few recognizable low-level Pokémon were running around in the grass and I felt an instant wave of comfort.

We made our way to Route 29, one of New Bark Town's windmills was in view high above the trees, rotating slowly in the wind.

Silver and I wasted no time getting from the route back to our hometown. "We're finally back," I said with a relieved feeling washing over me.

"Hey Gold, I'll meet up with you again in a little bit. I have to go talk to my mom about something important." Silver told me and he walked off to his home.

I strode over to my house and pushed open the front door, revealing my mom sitting down at the table reading something.

She looked up at me and a smile instantly appeared on her face. My mom got up and practically tackled me in a hug. "Gold! I'm so happy you're home!" She said while strangling me.

"It's good to see you too, mom." I choked out before she let me go.

We sat down at the table and I told her about all of my recent escapades. While we were catching up I mentioned that Wooper had evolved into Quagsire.

My mom's eyes widened slightly. "Really now? I can't believe he actually battled much at all. He evolved?"

I took out his Poké Ball and pressed the button on it, sending out Quagsire. Quagsire recognized that we were home and he looked at my mom expectantly.

She rolled her eyes with a smile on her face as she got up and grabbed the bag of Pokémon Treats from the counter. My mom walked over to Quagsire and handed him one of the treats before sitting back down.

"That's Wooper alright. Though he has hands to eat with now." She observed and then turned her attention back to me. "So what's your plan from here?"

"Silver and I are going to head up to Victory Road tomorrow and take on the Pokémon League. Hopefully, we'll be able to beat the Pokémon League with enough time left to get to Ecruteak for the final day of the Rainbow Festival." I explained.

My mother seemed surprised by this. "Wow, busy day tomorrow. You better get lots of rest," She said.

I pulled out my Pokégear to check it and saw a message from Silver telling me to come outside. I excused myself and walked out the door where my friend was waiting.

Silver's skin was pale and when I got a look at his face I was caught off guard entirely. Tears were slipping from his eyes down his cheeks.

"S-Silver? What's wrong?" I asked him.

We sat down at the side of my house and he calmed himself down slightly. "I-I went to ask my mom about what Giovani had told me because I just couldn't get this funny feeling out of my head." Silver started.

His voice shook as he spoke and he took another moment to breathe before continuing. "A-and she told me that it was true. It was all true. I'm Giovani's son and she's actually my aunt." Silver buried his head in his knees.

I sat next to him dumbfounded. "Wait what? Then... who's your mom?"

"Some Team Rocket admin." Silver choked out. "She's still in prison from when Team Rocket got taken down ten years ago. My mo-" Silver stopped himself. "My aunt took me in after they got arrested. I was way too young to remember any of it I guess."

Silver went back to crying and I was unsure of what to do. Giovani had ruined so many lives and tried to destroy everything during his attempted takeover of Kanto and my best friend was his child all along.

I tried to think of the words to say. "W-well who cares about that? It's not like you're evil like him." I told my friend.

Silver looked over at me from his position. My best friend's eyes were now as red as his hair and tears were still streaming down his face. "I care. M-my whole life is a lie!"

I was caught off guard by his response. It's not that big a deal. He never cared about who his dad was before.

Silver put his head back against the wall of my house again. "My aunt always told me my dad died fighting Team Rocket before I was born. Nobody ever talked about him but I had liked to think he was a great person... but now... I know he's not." Silver's voice broke and he shoved his head against his knees again.

I felt bad for Silver but what was I supposed to do about it? It's not like he had ever known his dad. My dad hadn't stayed home for longer than a week for five years.

I stood up as I had an idea. "I know what'll cheer you up!" I said and offered him my hand. Silver looked up at me curiously. "Let's have a battle!"

Silver didn't say anything. He didn't move. He just stared directly at me. It felt like forever when he got up on his own and started walking away.

"Hey! Where are you going?" I shouted at him.

Silver didn't turn around or stop walking. He didn't even flinch when I yelled at him. "My dad is a monster. And you want to have a Pokémon battle? You're just like the rest of this town. One big faker when it all comes down to it." He said. "Good luck with the Pokémon League." And he walked away.

What just happened?