A/N: I was watching one of my favorite Pokémon episodes yesterday, so I decided to write a fic set in my own universe. I took down the original fic because I realized that no one wants to read about OCs in this fandom. If there's interest, I'll repost the old story.
It's also Red's Birthday today...
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
The Ghost of Maiden's Peak
Written by Fenikkusu
Beta'd by Ahny (Coffee Cat)
"How many years has it been, Satoshi?"
The world spun at the speed of light, but it didn't feel like that to the people and Pokémon that lived on it. Satoshi was one of those people. He sat on the edge of a cliff, the wind ruffling his black hair. Jean-clad legs dangled over the edge swinging back and forth with the rhythm of the wind. If he were to lean forward any more, he'd find himself falling into a field of sharpened rocks.
"I've lost count."
"This isn't like you! Stop moping!"
The man's mouth twisted into a sad smile. "I'm not moping."
"Then what are you doing?"
"I'm waiting."
"Don't tell me that you're gonna stick around here forever! You're twenty-one. You have your whole life ahead of you!"
Satoshi fell backwards, staring up at the murky skies above. Instead of the blue he came to know and love as a child, a dense purple haze covered the land. "A life during the Chaos Era? What kind of bullshit are you talking about?"
"Satoshi Akai, don't take that tone with me."
The trainer huffed, "It's not like you can do anything about it anymore."
There was long silence. "Point taken. Well, then… what're you gonna do?"
"I told you already," Satoshi replied. "I'm going to wait."
There came a sigh. "At this rate, you're gonna end up like that girl with the purple hair that Takeshi was swooning over."
Satoshi shrugged, "Whatever. It's not like I have anything else to do."
"What about your Pokémon?"
Satoshi sat back up, bringing his knees to his chest, using them to support his chin. "They were all Converted into Rogues. I haven't seen them since."
A gasp. "Even Pika?"
"I gave him to Shigeru in Unova. He's safer there."
Another silence encompassed them. "So. What're you waiting for, anyway?"
Satoshi turned his deep brown eyes to his left, where the person accompanying him sat. "You know."
A mocking laugh, "Not really."
"You just want me to say it out loud." Satoshi felt thin arms wrap around him. There was no weight behind them at all.
"Maybe."
"I'm waiting for you, Kasumi." The pressure on his shoulders lifted.
"Satoshi, you'll be waiting for a long time. You really shouldn't wait," she urged.
"I understand now, why that girl waited such a long time." Satoshi laughed. "I guess I'll keep her company now." He felt a light touch on his cheek.
"Satoshi… I'm not coming back anytime soon."
"That's all right," he replied, leaning into the touch. "I can wait."
The first rays of the sun began to peek out from below the horizon. "I'll come back to pester you tomorrow."
"Do what you want. I'm not leaving."
As the sun rose, Kasumi faded from view.