Giovanni was going to come back. And he'd be pleased with the work they'd been doing underground for the three years he was gone.

That much Proton was sure of. Sure he'd been a nameless Grunt three years ago but damn he'd worked his way right up to the top. No-one recruited new grunts like he did. No-one scared off losers like he did. He was irreplaceable. Hopefully.

He strolled just outside of Goldenrod City before sitting down beside the river to take a well earned break, taking off his cap and feeling the wind ruffling his teal hair.