Late update…yay~.

Okay, so this is what happened:

-Heat was unbearable.

-No inspiration neither desire to write.

-I had no more than one review so there was no pressure.

-I was busy last week because of my graduation speech.

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Moving on to plot matters…

-These would be the secondary characters (confirmed):

Lyra, Red, Yellow and Silver.

-Those who (sadly) will not appear: Black and White.

-Still confirming: Crystal, Gold, Sapphire and Ruby.

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Belated thanks to:

Once-upon-a-saturday

DCA123

GreySparkles

Thanks you for either alerting or reviewing... or for doing both~!

I should tell you that this chapter is going to be somewhat confusing, but all is going to be explained in the next chapter, I promise.


~Smooth Criminal~

CHAPTER 3: Not as planned


Blue.-

I walk towards the entrance of my parents' house. No one is out at this hour I know that, not beyond 8 p.m. which is a relief. Why they do that still remains a mystery, though it seems like some kind of curfew to me. A curfew…

Why?

Anyways, it's not my problem for now.

I can't help but notice how the carpet of golden and orange leaves under my feet crackle in a pleasant way. The front lawn of my house seems like it was once an ideal place to play, the broken swing is just a reminder of how much fun I used to have.

A bitter sensation rises up my throat and I try to just continue without further distractions. When I reach the door at the back of the house I just turn the knob and happily waltz in. There's no need to break in as I already did that a long time ago. I keep the back door open as I know no one will bother entering the house.

A nice town filled with nice people.

I keep it open because it would be tiring having to break in every single time I come. I don't even lock it after getting in as I am 100% sure no one is out. Though, I don't turn the lights on, light the fireplace or something like that; I can't take such risks. I just sleep on the sofa –because there are no beds upstairs - and set my alarm to wake me up before dawn.

Sometimes, when I am too tired I stay more than just for the night. It is quite risky though, as someone might see me or try to be 'helpful' and clean the front lawn.

From a short distance I throw my bag to the counter, grab a stool and place it in front of the granite counter at the kitchen and sit. I snatch the ribbon that keeps my hair up in a bun and carefully mess my hair to its usual state again.

I hear raindrops hitting the ground and I see a lightning meander the sky through one of the windows.

A sigh escapes my lips, as I make a recount of how many things are annoying me at the moment.

I'm tired.

But I can't go to sleep; I'm 'supposed' to wait until I receive his freaking message in his damned cellphone-like pager. I'm not sure of what it is as he made it especially for this 'event'.

I'm bored.

I'm bored most of the time, so there's nothing I can do about it… except maybe get my pokemon out and brush their fur, but no, not that either because if they get too lousy people will wonder what is going on… yeah, I sound paranoid but I just can't take any risk, not now, not ever.

Especially not now.

I'm hungry.

Well, I think I had some chocolate in my pouch; let me see… no there's nothing left.

People would think that being the richest thief there is would keep you away from starving… well, they are wrong.

As soon as I'm done with this job I will eat an extra big pepperoni pizza with some extra chee-

"Message received".

I stop drooling as the message alert in my phone snaps me out of my fantasy.

ABOUT FRIGGIN' TIME!

I take out the blue little pager from the pouch attached to my belt and stare at it. I don't even know what this is exactly; he made it for me after all. We are the only ones in the world with a pager like this. Untraceable, private and unique, those are its characteristics. It's something like a free and untraceable communicator.

Suddenly I realize I still have my 'work' clothes on. I leave the pager on the granite counter; I need to change my clothes.

I have on the same clothes I wear for almost every theft I commit: a pair of black sneakers, tight knee-length black shorts, plain white hoodie and – the most important of it all- my mask!

The mask was given to me by, without a doubt, the most kind and beautiful person I could have ever met. She was a circus girl, who helped me when I needed it the most.

It is something like a carnival mask, painted in a pale golden color with black sequins and embroidery at the borders, and with some black feathers on the right side.

A quite fancy and beautiful mask overall.

I put the mask in my black bag and take out Abra's pokeball from my pouch. I grab my regular set of clothes: my red skirt and blue tank top from my bag. I put the pokeball in one of my pockets and walk towards the bathroom. I always carry Abra with me in case I need to escape quickly, always, no matter where I am.

A bit paranoid, I know, but being the person I am I have to be cautious always.

I change into my other set of clothes and leave the others in the bathroom. I can pick up those before I leave, no hurries.

As I walk towards my pager I see something that attracts my attention. Through the window I saw a black shadow of something, no… someone pass by. I freeze.

Holy. Freaking. Mew.

The footsteps are coming closer, the leaves' crackles reveal his position. It stops.

Wait, is all of this actually happening? It feels almost surreal…

*Leaf crackles.*

HOLY SHIT! I GOTTA HIDE!

An almost inaudible whimper escapes my mouth as I silently run from the kitchen. The first thing I see is the living room so I crawl under the table moving one of the chairs a little bit aside. I'm trembling; I couldn't think of anything better…

Wait, it is okay! It's not like I left the door open or anythi…oh, never mind.

Okay, I can handle this, I can handle this… now if only I could find my-

The door squeaks, he found it is open.

Okay I just have to find Abra and I'll just… he is not in this suit. Oh, perfect.

Seriously, what is happening with me today?

He is in. His steps are slow but firm, echoing throughout the place.

"What is this?" The question comes from the kitchen, in a confused but calm and smooth voice.

Crap, my pager thingy.

I have to make a plan now.

Okay…I could continue to crawl to get to the fireplace; there is the chance that maybe he would notice but way too late, besides the chimney is wide enough for me to fit in. Once on the roof I will hide and when he is out I will come back for my things and get the hell outta here.

Hohohoho~ I'm such a genius!

I fist-pump in the air and hit my hand with the table…

So much for my genius time.

The footsteps come closer.

CRAWL!

"Who is there?"

A chair blocks my way to the chimney…

Fuck. My. Life.

Suddenly, I'm being tugged by my feet… great, just when I was about to move the chair aside, he drags me all the way out of the table.

HARD.

Oh, damn… this is the end of it all.

Maybe if I turn around I can find some way to punch him and run away or something like that.

...

The hell?

I panic for a second but then I realize who the guy in front of me is; the very same guy from this morning. I smirk and carefreely rest my weight on my elbows.

Well, that's interesting… what is he doing here?

He seems shocked, at a loss of words, his mouth is slightly agape and is frowning slightly as if trying to process the whole thing; so I make the first move.

"My, my, what do we have here?"

"A handsome, sneaky, trespasser"

This seems to snap him out of his thoughts because almost immediately his expression changes into the serious, little friendly frown.

"Who are you?"

Water is almost literally cascading from his hair and clothes and now I'm getting wet too, I was just growled at and discovered by the least convenient person in the whole freaking world… yeah, my day just keeps getting better and better.

"I think I should be the one asking that question, you know?" A tint of amusement is hinted in my voice.

I mean, really? He is the one breaking into my home and is demanding me who I am?

Yeah, I don't think this day can get any better, it seems nearly damn impossible.

His frown got even deeper, which is quite surprising as I thought it just couldn't get any more. He is staring as if he is actually remembering me from this morning… I'm damned if he is.

"What are you doing here?"

Great. Another question I won't answer.

I tilt my head in pure confusion, roll my eyes and stare at his, though in the inside I feel relieved that he didn't recognize me, I need him not to.

I leaned in, getting closer to his face just to get under his skin in the way.

I snap at him, in my best flirtatious sweet-poisoned tone of voice. "Why don't you tell me that handsome? I believe you are the trespasser here dear, not me."

"Why do you keep avoiding my questions?" he snarls, in a suspicious tone of voice. He mimics me and also leans in.

"Why do you keep asking them? It's not like I should be the one answering them"

I lean again – because this is a game for two- and grin at him; bickering with this guy is surely amusing.

"Well one of us should. Besides, you already know who am I, don't you?" His tone of voice is lower, and perhaps, softer. His expression changes and his face is unreadable.

I feel myself tense up and frown slightly. He knows, he recognized me…

I'm doomed.

"I'm a trespasser as you said earlier. And what am I doing here? What trespassers do… trespass."

No shit, Sherlock.

"Does that answer your questions?" he growls.

I tap my chin with my finger and ponder for a while. No, that doesn't! I still don't know what the hell you are doing here!

"I think so…"

"Well, now answer mine. As far as I know this house has been abandoned for years, so this house isn't yours."

"Neither is yours" I cut in, smiling at his frown.

"If it isn't your house, why are you here?" his voice is demanding, and his words echo inside my head.

I feel the urge to snap at him, avoid this all again, but I don't, instead I shut up.

"And why do you keep avoiding my questions?"

I feel his breath hitting my skin, and only now I realize our closeness. During the entire argument our faces got closer and closer, until reaching this point. We are a mere pair of inches apart…

"I would answer you if you weren't all over my face"

A smug grin spreads through his face.

"What? Can't play your own game?" it comes almost as a purr and it sickens me, because yeah, it's my game, and of course I can play it… so I lean a couple of centimeters more.

"Of course I can" I respond almost immediately in a grim and serious voice that I'm pretty sure matches my expression. I mean business.

I mimic his grin, and by now I know I am getting under his skin because he frowns.

He gets off of me and for a moment just stares

"Nice earrings" he mutters, a bit thoughtful.

I flinch; of all the things I expected him to say he says… nice earrings? I narrow my eyes, and put on my best poker face.

"Thanks. They are pretty aren't they?" I ask fluttering my eyelashes a couple of times and smiling. Girl charm, do your thing!

"Yes they are. And they were even prettier the last time they were seen, at Jhoto's Lauren's jewelry store…"

Oh my Arceus… I'm caught.

"That unique pair of handcrafted earrings were stolen like a year ago… and now happen to be in your ears…"

He crosses his arms and stares at the floor for a moment before staring back at me and adding "Interesting."

I close my eyes swiftly, clench my jaws and bit my lower lip, then open them and stare back at him.

"I'm not a thief if that's what you are implying… I found them in the tall grass; they were shiny and caught my eye, end of the story." I snap in a cool but outraged voice.

In a swift move I get to my feet and dust my skirt. From beneath my eyelashes I glance at him smugly.

"Now handsome, if you'll excuse me…"

With a wink I turn and try to make my way to the kitchen.

"No, wait…"

He grabs my wrist firmly and pulls me, I stumble back and find him with an annoyed expression.

THE NERVE OF THIS GUY!

"Your story is far from over." He states in a cool voice, I think he didn't believe my story, oh well…

I have to get the hell out of here ASAFP.

In a second my thoughts disappear almost magically, there is something in the distance, a sound, a familiar, frightening, sharp melody… and as it starts drawing near it finally clicks in my brain.

"The police…" he mutters; rather apprehensively, his attention focused to one of the windows that faces the street, his grip on my wrist looses even.

Why would he react like that? It's not like they are coming for him… are they? No, of course not. I am the one who stole Calypso's eye, isn't it the reason why cops are coming? The guy from the museum… he was close to me so maybe he listened when I told Abra to teleport me to Pallet town.

Only a question repeats in my mind as I stare at his cold green eyes…

What happened?

"Duck" he states, face blank.

Has he gone insane?

"What? A duck? Yeah, it's a pretty animal, what's that got to do with anyth-"

He grunts and sits on the floor, sitting me with him in a harsh yank from my wrist. I land flat on my butt and yelp.

"What was that about?" I hiss, frowning at him.

"We have to get out of here" he whispers, though it seems he is rather talking to himself and not answering me.

What? He didn't quite figure in my future plans… in any case, those plans involved escaping from here and from him, not with him.

"We, sounds like plural to me hun"

"Come with me" he states grimly.

I am taken aback, he means it. After a couple of seconds of staring and no other sound but the police sirens in the distance I decide to play dumb.

"Aww… how sweet!" I squeal lovingly, lifting my hand up to his cheek and pinching it before having my hand smacked back to the floor. I yelp and turn serious.

"But as much as I would like to flee with a criminal convict and ruin my life… I'll say no, thanks"

With a hurried grin I make the run for the kitchen being stopped, once again, by him. The difference this time is that I won't keep playing the 'run and return' game so I grab his wrist and twist it along with his arm and post him firmly to the wall at my right.

I grab both of his arms in my own patent arm lock. Carefully I rest my head near his neck, and recover air.

"It seems that you don't take a 'no' for an answer, huh?" I breathe in his ear.

"Well, listen up handsome, no one gives me orders, specially strangers… and if I say no, its no. Are we clear?"

After a pair of seconds of listening to the distant ringing of the police siren I continue "Good."

Warily and quickly I free one of my hands to take the ribbon from my pouch and tie his wrists. It seems he hadn't just kept himself glued at the wall without saying a thing, he had planed his next move waiting for the right time… and it seems it's now because in less than a second he frees from my arm lock and pins me against the floor.

That was quick.

Seriously? That's what I'm thinking? Some random guy just pins me against the floor in a compromising position and the first thing I think about is 'That was quick'? Well, honestly I don't mind this at all, though I must say he is applying much more force in my wrists than needed but… oh dear god this is utter nonsense!

"Now listen to me pesky brat…" he growls, glaring daggers at me with his cold green eyes.

This is not going to be good…

"I don't care what you think or just who the heck you think you are. You don't want to receive orders from strangers? Great. That makes it two of us." He spats grimly.

I flinch at his tone of voice.

"Now, if you don't want to receive orders from cops to go straight to prison and hand in your pretty earrings I'd suggest you to be cooperative for the first time in your life and do as I say."

I stare at him wide-eyed. This is the longest he has ever talked, and now it makes me want to never be repeated again.

He releases me from his grip and crouches beside me. The police sirens just keep sounding closer and closer…

"Was I clear?" he asks bitterly.

"As crystal, sir" I snarl back.

"Then move, gather all your things"

Hastily, I stand up to my feet and feel a little light headed as my stomach growls annoyingly.

I didn't have dinner, great, just plain great.

I run to counter and shove the pager in my pouch, zip the bag and throw it over my shoulder. Then I enter the bathroom and grab Abra's pokeball but before shoving my 'work' clothes in I hear footsteps behind me so I close the door shut so he can't see the clothes; he would recognize me as the masked thief.

"You have an abra." he mutters, looking at the ball in my hand.

I sigh, and take Abra out.

"Yes. Where should I teleport us?"

The annoying police siren is so close now that I almost had to shout.

"Viridian forest."

In a second we are at the very center of Viridian forest, and even if I don't have the slightest idea of why he chose such a close destination, I complied.

The air feels somewhat heavy and mist surrounds us, sticking low to the ground.

Hiding somewhere in the dark wild pokemon await, and just a couple of miles apart police search for me and him. And, yeah, in the meanwhile I have to figure out how to get hell out of here because: one, he is the one I have to blame for the theft, how am I supposed to sneak in his house to hide the gem while he is with me? And two, he knows about the earrings thing, which compromises my identity. He can't know that I am the masked thief.

I sigh.

What went wrong?

This was supposed to be an easy and quick job, one more theft and I would see my parents and Silver again. I would drop this 'masked thief' thing and finally live like a normal girl.

"We'll rest here. Scizor and I will watch and make sure that the police don't enter the forest" he states, his face blank and leaning in a tree. In a second his Scizor was out and mimicking his owner, leaning against a tree at my other side.

"I just met you, you know." I mutter, both of my hands behind my back.

"How can I be sure that you won't try anything funny while I sleep?" I ask, a too knowing smirk spreading through my face.

Suddenly, something clicks in my brain and 'poof'! I have a plan.

He walks towards me and I back away.

He rolls his eyes and answers "Trust me, I won't."

This is a cover, I'll try to distract his attention from my hands, because right now I'm trying to reach the pouch attached at the back of my belt. That way with abra out I can just get away from here and continue with my original plan.

"Well, sorry, but my mum taught me not to believe in strangers."

"I'm not a stranger." He states.

"What's your name then?" I ask, narrowing my eyes a bit.

I almost got it! Just a little bit more…

He hesitates but answers, somewhat reluctant "Green. What about yours?"

He takes a step forward and I back away once again.

"Blue."

"Well, Blue…" He says, approaching as I back from him until I hit the back of a tree.

Damn.

He leans in and whispers in my ear "Didn't your mother teach you that you shouldn't keep things away from others?"

I avert my gaze from his cold stare and just stare at the ground. "I don't know what you are talking about."

Just a bit more, why does it keep slipping from my fingers!

"Give me that Abra's pokeball" he orders, but I look the other way and just remain silent.

He moves at the side and immediately mutters "Scizer."

In a second the bug pokemon is all over me, his pincer is at my neck and the other is trying to yank my hand from my back. I gulp and smirk half heartedly.

"So maybe you aren't as soft or stupid as I thought, huh?" I snarl, though the pincer is half choking me and talking sounds more easy than it really is.

Maybe I was wrong; maybe my day could get way much better…


They met... WOHOOO!

All screwed up, I know, I know. Their meeting was... weird, they didn't expect to found each other. And, yes, they have met... though Green doesn't know it yet.

Next chapter:

What happened earlier that day...

Don't miss it! It will explain a hell lot of things!

Almost 4,000 words... WOW.

I hope you can forgive my tardiness with this extra-long chapter.