Blue stared out over the grass, looking at nothing in particular. Gold had beaten him, and somewhere in his heart, the gym Leader knew he would beat Red. Thinking the name brought bile up in his throat. Everything was taken from him that day, almost three years ago. Now it was time to end it. He stood and brushed off his pants. Reaching for his Pokeballs, he summoned the creatures that had fought with him for so long. They all appeared and waited patiently, hoping their master would give them a command. Instead, the brunette pressed a button on each Pokeball and rendered them useless.
"Don't worry," he said in a low voice as his companions screeched out in shock, "You are free to do as you wish now. I have something that needs to be done."
He quickly walked away, his Pokemon still standing where they were in shock. But that was no concern of his now. He took a knife from his pocket and examined the edge. A straight edge, glinting the last of the light. It would suit his needs of it. He took off to the west, where his final battle was waiting.
The wind was still cold. Even after descending the mountain, the wind was cold. His pale skin almost shone in the last rays of sun. Red looked at the tired mouse in his arms, fainted from the extreme battle he fought not an hour ago. All of his Pokémon were in bad shape. Maybe he could find a center open, possibly Viridian. He was just glad he no longer had to stay on that frozen peak. His whole body was sore, but he knew he had to press on. It took several moments before he noticed someone walking towards him. However, he knew who it was as soon as he saw the light glint off emerald colored eyes. Eyes that were also filled with shadow. He didn't know what to say as Blue approached, and did nothing when he felt his fingertips dance across his cheeks.
"Even now, I could say 'I love you'." The fingers fell from Red's face, and the same hand delivered a vicious blow against the pale Trainer. As Red fell, Pikachu fell to the ground and rolled. It was so weak; Blue doubted that it realized what happened. "I guess Gold really did give you a run for your money." As Red struggled to stand, Blue kicked him so he lay on his back. With quick fingers, Blue took his opponent's belt and Pokeballs, attaching a small device to each one before tossing them far. "I lost everything that day. But for some reason, you always lingered. I could never move on." He noted the look on Red's face and said, "Don't worry. I won't harm your team. I've set your Pokeballs up to fail in about a minute from now. They'll be free, unlike us."
Red again tried to stand, but Blue was faster. "You know what really sucks?" The leader asked rhetorically, "I don't even feel anything. I just know that I've hated you since that day, even though I love you. I can't do that anymore." He walked a couple steps away, allowing Red to stand. As eyes of blood met the darkened green gems, Red knew the shadow that was filling Blue's heart. Only the very last rays of the sun covered them, and the Champion felt the shadow creep over his heart and soul.
Very well, Red thought. Somehow he knew it would come to this. So as Blue turned and rushed him, he ignored the slight pain and sudden warmth. As he felt his energy drain from his chest, Red lifted his arms to Blue's shoulders. With all the compassion and emotion he had left, he uttered one last thing to his old rival.
"Forgive me."
It wasn't long before the roars were heard. Even less till Blue felt the first stream of fire hit his back. It was followed by beams of water and ice, leaves with the edges of knives ripped through flesh and bone. I could never ask for your forgiveness. In the end, you were still braver and stronger than I ever could be.