Your Hand That Brought Change

Act I: I: A Mad World


"... Cause everything has changed..."


'Where am I?' Green wondered as he glanced around his current settings. What greeted his view was an abandoned park that had a baseball diamond taking up the majority of the field. Multiple baseball equipments were scattered all over the place, and a playground set was placed far off the side. Callings of crows could be heard, like one would find in a cliché horror movie.

'This, this is Pallet Town Park... Sure brings back memories. Yet,' forest green eyes looked up, "last I recall, the sky is blue.'

Indeed, in contrast to the baby blue found during the day or pitch black during the night or even the rare moments where the sky shows splashes of pink, orange, or gray, the sky was a crimson red. The sun was blazing downward, and with the ominous red as a backdrop, it was an intimidating sight that left spots in Green's vision.

Ruffling his spiky hair with his right hand, Green sweated a little more at the strange sight beholded to him. Moving his eyes away from the sky, Green scanned the baseball diamond again to see if he missed any hints that would explain his current situation.

This time, he spotted two figures located on the small hill that could oversee the whole park. Moving closer, Green was surprised to make out one of the figure as himself, except younger. Next to him, the other figure was enshrouded in shadows, though it seems to have similar body structures.

'Well, if I'm seeing this then it must be a memory - No, wait, the sky is red. A dream, then? It explains the eeriness.' Observing the younger him scowl at the other figure in an argument, Green inwardly snorted. 'I was a real brat back then.'

Adjusting his eyesight a little more to clear the previous spots from his eyes, the other figure had slightly shifted from the shadows, allowing Green to see a flash of color. The color red.

'Wait... red?' It wasn't just any random shade of red, but a color that he could familiarize with a certain baseball cap.

Green's eyes widened as pieces of a lost memory rapidly clipped into place. Now directly looking at the figure's eyes (redredred), recognition
dawned onto Green. Memories of a battered baseball cap, a pure white lily bouquet, and an anguish cry echoing on a raining day.

'NO! That figure, it's...!'


Ring! Ring~ RINGGG

"Gah!" Green exclaimed, sitting up immediately with a hand clutched towards his pounding chest. Droplets of sweat slithered down from his head as his heart was racing miles per second. Taking hasty breaths, Green blankly stared at his ceiling for couple of minutes until he had deemed his heart to have gone back to a steady pace. Now calm, Green stifled the urge to groan into his pillow for waking up in a frenzy due to a dream.

'That dream, what was all that about? Was it a nightmare?' Thinking back, Green concentrated on his memories but was only rewarded with images of various shades of red.

Laying back down to bed, Green shuts his eyes to continue his train of thoughts, only to be interrupted by a revolting cheerful voice coming from his computer.

"Oi! Wakey-wakey~ The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and it's such a beautiful day. You know what you should do? Go outside!"

Green resisted the temptation to block his ears with his pillow, knowing that it's useless to block the nagging voice. "What do you want?"

"Me? I want a lot of stuff! Like that new boy band CD that just came out from the music store across the block, oh, or this lovely pair of sapphire earrings, and especially a kiss from that hot actor that starred in this show. My, he is one fine piece of meat!"

Green rose from his bed, having given up on anymore sleep with the voice set out to provoke him. "It was a rhetorical question."

"I know. Doesn't stop me from wanting them all!"

Green ignored the voice, setting out to grab a clean set of clothes and making his way to the bathroom.

"Hey, stop ignoring me! Don't you know it's rude to ignore a lady?"

Slam!

The response was a slam of the bathroom door.

'Honestly, what is with that woman thinking she could barge into my life and owning it,' Green thought, starting the sink faucets and preparing to brush his teeth. 'Waltzing in like she owns the place and constantly pestering me nonstop. And the worst thing is that I can't get rid of her! I rue the day that virus popped her existence over to my computer...'

One Year Ago...

Green had been scrolling through his emails to see if the response he had been waiting for had been replied. Placing commercials and old emails into the trash, Green had reached up to an email by an anonymous sender.

To: Green Oak

Sender: N/A

Topic: Open me :)

(1) attachment

Green was not an idiot that would open random mails sent by people he does not know, let alone the prank mails from his few acquaintances. Who in their right mind would open any suspicious email from an unavailable sender, let alone one that has a smiley face on it? Grabbing his mouse and maneuvering it to delete the suspicious email, the arrow suddenly frozed just as it was about to reach the option.

Confused, Green moved his mouse few more times, but it failed to control the arrow on the screen. Then frustrated, he experimentally knocked on the computer until an obnoxious pink smoke poofed out of nowhere and completely obscured the whole page.

"The hell?" Green muttered.

Waiting for the smoke to clear up, the last thing he was expecting to see was a mini girl in the screen.

Wearing a teal tank top with a sleeveless black shirt under it, the top hugged the girl's curvy figure showing off all the attractive features of her body. The blue miniskirt reached midway of her thighs as her legs were donned with teal leggings. Dark blue headphones were the only accessory found as it was snuggled around her neck, though her hands were covered by white gloves.

However, those were the only normal features of the figure. Where legs should have stretched to meet with feet were instead pixels fading in and out from the ends of the legs. Long hair that reached up to the middle of her back was a neon blue color. Two huge chunks of pixels covered up the majority of both her cheeks.

Overall the girl was beautiful, that is if you were into science fiction or anime. To Green, her image just screamed 'suspicious!'.

While Green was scrutinizing the sudden figure, the virus(?) opened up her eyes to scan the new sight. Forest green eyes collided with electric blue eyes, eyes that looked so alien and out of this world. Then the girl gave a ear-to-ear grin that, now he looked back to, had been mischievous and evil. Green should have gotten the clue then; that would've saved him future torture.

"Hello, boy~"

True to his intuition, the virus had been nothing but trouble ever since she appeared in his computer. Green had tried everything in his many attempts of getting rid of her, including and not limited to: the old fashioned way, wiping his computer data, using different electronics, and even just avoiding them in general. But the virus was just like a cockroach that wouldn't stay dead. She had continued to pester him like her life goal was to annoy him to death. Green even had to ask his sister's fiancé for help, something he grudgingly had to do as it was his last resort. However, that didn't work either.

Glancing, in what seems to be a bored manner, at Bill observing his computer in various angles and typing computer codes that he hold no interest in deciphering, Green was internally hoping with all his might that it'll work. While he may not like Bill, there was a reason why he was a world famous hacker and inventor, and this was the only plan Green had left.

Couple of minutes later, Bill sighed and directed his attention towards an anxious Green. While he looked slumped, there was a gleam in Bill's eyes.

"Dis, dis is marvelous! Da designs, da arrangements of da pixels, even da fact dat she can experience opinions and emotions. I've nevah seen anythin' like dis before!" By the end, stars were exploding in Bill's eyes.

Green felt a knot of dread forming in his stomach as he was seeing the direction where the conversation was heading towards. "You can get rid of her, right?"

At this, Bill gave a pitying look towards the young teen. Which meant... "Sorry, I've tried everythin' but nothin' works."

Green couldn't take it anymore. After months of failed attempts to drive the virus out of his life, he had finally admitted defeat to the new permanent fixture in his daily routines. Slumping in his chair and placing his hands over his face in a moment of defeat, Green gave a resigned sigh. In his laptop, the virus was smiling in triumph over her win.

Turning towards the screen, Bill gave a questioning look towards the virus. "By da way, ya nevah told me yer name, young lady."

Fluttering her eyelashes at him, the virus gave a tinkling laugh. "Call me Azul."

'Azul. The irritating virus that should know one's privacy. Azul might not even be her real name, it can be Aoi or Blue or even a common name like Anna. All I know is that she doesn't have much of a life other than bothering me constantly. Still...' Stepping out of the showers, he dressed into a black tee shirt and cargo pants, then combed his hair. 'How did she get here in the first place? And more importantly, why me?'

Satisfied with his looks, Green stepped out of his bathroom only to enter in a middle of another one of Azul's rant.

"... and honestly, you look like sticks and bones! Your skin is also pale since it's been two years that you went outside. What do those fans of yours see in you that makes your mailbox get swarmed everyday? You need to get under the sun or else you'll become an awkward, antisocial shut-in!"

Green gave an unimpressed look at Azul. "I'm not awkward."

Azul returned the look at him. "Yes, you are! No one knows, nor wants to know, the nerdy stuff you study like, say, the differences between a turtle and a tortoise."

"Turtles are found more commonly found in aquatic landscapes, while tortoises are land animals. They also do not have webbed feet as they do not need it to help swim, unlike turtles."

"Ugh," Azul groaned. "That's my point! The two are basically the same thing, yet here you are spewing out facts that no one cares. My point is that you need to go outside!"

Here comes another round of the old "Go Outside!" argument.

Green glared. "For the last time, no! Besides, I need to work on the research paper-"

"That's due six months from now?"

Funny that the statement didn't come out of Azul's mouth, though it was halfway open, but from the figure standing at the entrance of the bedroom.

"Daisy!" "Big Sis!" cried Green and Azul respectively.

Standing in a graceful posture similar to royalties, Daisy Oak was a beautiful young woman who had recently came home for the summer from a prestigious university located in Jublife City, Sinnoh. Having a rising career as a doctor and a part-time assistant for her grandpa, Professor Oak, she was a famous role model for all kids. Holding a cup of steaming tea in her hands just made her image looked even more sophisticated.

"So little brother, what's this about working on a paper that is due a long time from now?" Daisy asked in a voice dripped with honey.

Green slightly paled at hearing the tone of his sister's voice, but still kept a calm mask. "It's a very important paper that must be submitted as soon as possible."

"Bull! That paper is not even required to be send early, let alone six months, seeing as that's the earliest it can be sent!" Azul was again rudely ignored by Green.

"Azul is right you know, little brother. You should go outside to relax and take a break. It is a beautiful weather today," Daisy lightly urged.

Green turned away from his sister. "Hn. Don't care."

Daisy was usually a calm and very patient person that people said could rival a saint. However, it was also said to never anger her or face the wrath of Satan himself. And frankly, Daisy was getting sick of her little brother's childish attitude to go outside.

With a smile just a bit wider, and sharper, Daisy gave a crescent eye shaped look towards Green with what seems to be a sparkling background behind her.

Green felt the air around him dropped few degrees.

"Ah. Shame how the weather does not seem to appeal to you. Unfortunately, that option is not available anymore. I need a new blender for the kitchen, and since I'm so busy, you will have to buy me one from the Goldenrod Department Mall."

Green send an irritated look towards his sister. "And if I refuse?"

By now, sparkles and flowers could practically be emitted from Daisy. "Well, if you refuse, then you'll need to try out my experimental teas."

Green's back stiffened as a look of horror dawned onto his face.

Daisy was not only famous for her intelligence, but also for her 'to-die-for teas'. She could make a range of different types of tea, each tasting more amazing than the last. Her Earl Grey had placed 2nd at the last year's Kanto Tea Competition. Yet, if one knows how to make wonderful tea, they also know what to do if they desired for an opposite effect. Daisy's teas were literally 'to-die-for' in both positive and negative views.

Green could still remember that stomach ache he had when he was little for ruining one of her school projects. Then there was also that one guy Daisy caught pickpocketing from someone.

'I never did know what happened to that guy. But that was one life-scarring stomach ache.' Just remembering the memories made Green want to shiver, as he deliberately glanced at the innocent looking cup of tea grasped in his sister's hands in a new light. 'Who knows if it's one of that awful brew!'

Azul snickered behind the screen, though she was also internally terrified of the older Oak sibling. While it was fun to watch the tea consumer's faces, she did not want to experience it herself! That was one plus for being a digital being.

Releasing a small sigh, Green grudgingly agreed to Daisy's request without words. It was a life and death matter, so he doesn't have much of a choice.

The sparkling background faded out, though Daisy's smile was as bright as before. "Great! So here's some money, your cellphone, a map, the train pass, and a coat since the train ride can be cold. So have fun, don't come back before noon, and bye!"

Dropping said items into the arms of a bewildered Green, he was shoved to the front door. Quickly giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, Daisy slammed the door right in front of his face, leaving him to the mercy of the outside world.

"What."

...

...

Behind the closed door, Daisy gave a sigh of relief for actually succeeding in driving Green out of the house. Straightening her posture, Daisy made her way back to the kitchen to reheat her, now cold, cup of tea, a sad smile adorning her face.

"Oh, little brother, if you could just accept it's not your fault and move on. He would not have wanted all this."


"Ohohoho, I can't believe you were literally kicked out of your own house!"

"Shut it!"

"Nope, don't want to!"

Green was regretting agreeing to his sister's request the second he stepped outside and into the sweltering sun. The heat was torturous, mosquitoes were everywhere, and just seeing a face of a random person passing was sending shocks into his system. It's been so long since he actually been outside and see real live people other than Daisy and Gramps.

'Have I really been isolated that long to make me this jittery around people?' Not that Green was obviously displaying his actions despite his thoughts, but he really can't have another item to add into the list for Azul to bug him about.

"I'm surprised you haven't melted into a puddle yet, seeing as you barely had any extreme exercising being in that house of yours."

Then, there was the fact that he was stuck with Azul talking to him non-stop through his earbuds in attempts of conversations. If Green had decided to ignore her and not use his cellphone, she would definitely make sure to yell in speaker phone embarrassing lies about him for all public ears to hear. Sticking to communication with her through his earbuds was the only option of not portraying himself as a loony.

Still, Green too was surprised of that fact that his physical stamina was alright, but was nonetheless thankful of his prior years in training for baseball and martial arts. His Sensei* would be ashamed if he saw the lack of effort he putted in maintaining his body.

'Well, at least I do crunches and push-ups in my room to make up for it,' Green thought privately. "Hn. Pesky Girl, you're underestimating me." Not that he'll admit it of course.

"The 10:15 train leaving from Pallet Town will be departing in five minutes! I repeat, the 10:15 train leaving from Pallet Town will be departing in five minutes!" An intercom announced in the train station. At the sound of announcement, Green walked faster towards the train. "Well, that's my train."

The Magnet Train was a widely used train that traveled between the two regions of Kanto and Johto and which stops at selected cities and towns. Pallet Town was the beginning stop that ended all the way to Goldenrod City, Johto. Built three years ago, the Magnet Train had been closed until recently with few renovations. Being a sleek train consisting of twelve carts, and rumored to go up to the speed of 340 miles per hour, it was one of the symbols representing the bond between Kanto-Johto and was nicknamed White Bullet.

Green settled into the third cart, glad to find a window seat without anyone occupying the surrounding seats. The red chair he was sitting in was also very comfortable...

"Wow, Greenie, isn't this train huge!" Azul cried, fighting to see the whole train despite her limited vision behind Green's cellphone screen.

"It's not that big."

"Aww, you're such a spoilsport."

Again the intercom blared to life. "Attention to all passengers, we'll be departing from Pallet Town. Next stop, Viridian City!"

'According to my calculations, if the speed of the train is true, it'll probably take about two hours. A good amount of time to take a nap,' Green thought, still sleepy from waking up due to the unknown dream.

"Hey, Greenie, what should we talk about during the trip? How about boys~" Azul teased.

"Be quiet, Pesky Girl. I'm trying to sleep."

Azul pouted. "Eh? You're no fun."

By then, Green had droned out Azul's voice to the best of his capability until it became one with the background's. Heavy eyelids wavered in place for brief seconds and instantly, he was out like a candle.


BAM! A noise shook Green awake, alarm running in his system. 'What's going on?' Green thought, senses immediately alert and eyes quickly scanning his surroundings to find the source of the noise. Chatters were scattered all over the place, though he saw new figures dresses in black. Something was wrong.

"Azul, what's happen-"

BAM! Another explosion occurred, except Green now recognized it to be a gun shot. Silence reigned in the air at the sight of a smoking handgun held in one of the men in black.

The man smiled, except it was an unkind one that ran warning bells in Green's mind. He and the other figures in black wore half a mask to cover their identities, a bloody red R standing out from their chests. A familiar logo that Green had seen in newspapers before.

Cries could be heard amongst the crowd he was in, as some people recognized the situation they were in as well. Green was tempted to groan with them as well for the development of the new annoyance. 'Why? Of all the times I set my foot in the outside world, and this happens. Against what odds?!'

Yellowed teeth were still twisted in a smile towards all, but no good intentions were promised in it. It was a smile of victory as he was able to grab all's attention.

The intercom boomed and shattered the silence, except it was not the kind voice of a female attendant. This voice was clearly male and high-pitched.

"Ahem. Testing, testing, one, two, three~ Ah, well to all passengers on board, we are Team Rocket and we'll be hijacking the Magnet Train! And you, elite guests, are our hostages!"

...

...


Sensei: Japanese for teacher. While I'll be using American pronouns, Green's teacher, Chuck, leads a dojo so it's plausible. Plus, since Kagepro and Pokemon Adventures originate from Japan, some aspects will be included.


A/N: And a wild horde of Team Rockets Grunts appear! Hey guys, MC here and Happy Friday the Heat-Haze Day! Because who's scared of Friday the Thirteen when there's a time looping day, nope, not this author, especially of both days... Horoscope of the day, do NOT try any new activities out of your comfort zone. Of course if you don't know what I'm talking about then moving on!

Also, how you like the story pic? I sketched it myself since I can't digitally draw, but I almost cried when I saw FF offer picture editing. Especially the option to just... bluify everything. No pun intended. This is how I imagine Azul to look like, and for those who don't know Spanish but recognize the picture... that's Blue. More details will be given of why Blue's name is this or even why she's a digital being, but you can theorize. Her name is not Azul just because I got lazy in naming. It'll be explained in the future.

By the way, if you think Green was too dramatic, my reason is that this is in his mindset, and in the manga it never did focus on his inner thoughts. For me, everyone can be dramatic especially in what believes to be the most private part of you. It was fun to type Daisy though; she always portrayed to be nice yet I feel like she's one of those cool sister that seems to be able to do anything.

I've asked this before, but I wasn't responded so I'll ask again. Question time!

Question: What color do you think represent you the best?

If no one answers, I'll do a different question next time. If anyone interested in Kagepro, I published a oneshot around the same time as this. So go check it out!

Well that's it from this author with too much time on hands. My summer vacation is already halfway over, then school happens. May someone from above help me for I am so doomed. Thanks for reading, everyone, and have a nice day!