Green could not sleep that night. He lay still in his bed, staring at the full moon through the open curtains (it took a few arguments and some punches were thrown in order for Yellow to see his way and accept that the curtains were going to be pulled back no matter what he did). Green loved these nights. The only thing that could make it more enjoyable is if he didn't have to share a room with Yellow. Yeah, they were friends, but sometimes Yellow was just too much for Green to handle. He was annoying, immature, and, worst of all, arrogant. Everything was always about him, and even when it wasn't the subject always switched to it being about Yellow.
Green closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He heard his roommate rustle in his sheets. And then, ever so quietly, he heard him speak.
"I think Blue likes this girl." When Green didn't give a response; Yellow continued speaking. "Don't get me wrong: I like her and all. But I just think that she's just going to bring trouble. I don't know. Maybe I'm just being paranoid."
Green still did not answer. He would not engage in any form of conservation with Yellow for the rest of the night. Hell, he might even prolong that period for weeks. Yellow must have sensed Green's thoughts because he, too, fell silent. There was something inside of Green that told him what Yellow just had. She was going to bring trouble. As much as he hated to agree with Yellow, he had to on this. Green would be watching Erika's every move, and if she made move that was threatening, he would kill her right there. Sure, Blue might be upset but it would be in everyone's best interests.
Sleep still evaded Green as he closed his eyes. It wasn't just Erika that was keeping him from sleep. No. There was someone else. He sensed that there was another presence following his every move. Whether it was friend or foe, Green could not say. Whatever the case, he was going to make sure he was ready for anything.
Erika awoke to birds chirping outside the window. She slowly sat up and groggily rubbed her eyes. What time was it? She looked over to where Blue had slept last night only to find that he was not there. Had he left her? That bastard! Something else caught her eye: her flower that she had laid by her bed was gone. Her heart quickened as she searched herself for the rainbow-colored wing and was relieved when she felt it. Whew. So why had Blue taken her flower? She stood from the bed and noticed some clothes lying on the dresser. There was a note beside them, and Erika read it aloud.
"I thought that you might want to take a shower, so I borrowed some clothes from Misty for you to wear," Erika smiled as she laid the note down. She picked up the clothes; A long-sleeved, flannel shirt that was black and green, a pair of black skinny jeans, and green panties and bra. There was also a towel underneath. She took the towel and the clothes and walked into the bathroom, double checking to make sure that she was the only one in there. She then turned on the water and began to strip.
Erika took in a deep breath as the warm water poured over her body. What was the deal with Blue? What he had said to her last night still stung. He didn't desire her, probably never would. And yet…his body betrayed his words. The way he reacted when she had asked him if he desired her. She couldn't be sure, but she was almost positive that she saw a bulge in his pants. Why did he lie? Maybe he didn't desire. Maybe he just wanted sex. Even though Erika wasn't that type, she would sleep with him for one night. God, he was gorgeous. Even thinking about his body made her wet.
Maybe he was pushing her away. Maybe he didn't want anything to do with her. Why? Sure, she wasn't a beauty, but she wasn't ugly. Erika turned off the water, got out and began drying herself. As soon as she finished dressing, there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Erika asked, somehow already knowing it was Blue. "What do you want?" She asked after he answered her.
"I was just wondering if you found the clothes," he replied.
"Yes, thank you."
"Are you naked?" Blue choked.
"What?"
"I-I mean are you dressed? I was wondering because I wanted to come in." Erika smiled as she moved toward the door and opened it.
"Fully clothed," she splayed out her arms. Blue's face was as hard as ever. "Did you need to talk to me or something?"
"Um, yeah. We're getting ready to leave, and I just wanted to see if you were ready," he moved to the side so that Erika could walk past him. She gathered up things and stood across the room from Blue.
"Yes, all ready."
Resisting her was a chore that was becoming harder to do every time he saw her, especially when she was dressed like that. She had rolled the sleeves up about mid-arm. Every button fastened except for the top two, allow some cleavage to show. Was she doing that on purpose? Blue continued down, only to stop at her legs. The material of the jeans were snug, and he could almost imagine how smooth
and luscious her legs were. He wanted them wound around his neck. Now. Erika cleared her throat, jerking Blue from his fantasy. "We were about to leave?" God, her voice was so sexy. What was he doing? He shouldn't be fantasizing about her. Not now. Not ever. He would kill her if he got too close to her, and that he would not allow. Blue would rather die without knowing Erika the way he wanted to than to live without her.
"Yes," Blue replied distantly. Apparently, Erika was looking for more of a response because disappointment lined her face. It's for the best.
"So where exactly are we headed?" Erika asked as she stepped outside.
"The dogs have a hunch that what we're looking for will be in Ecruteak City. You know, where the burned tower is," was his reply as he closed the door behind them."
"What are you guys looking for?"
Blue hesitated. Should he tell her? Okay, technically she was part of the team-for now. Still, telling her about their plan would just create a stronger bond, and Blue couldn't have that. It would just make it that much harder when they had to part at Goldenrod City.
"If you don't want to tell me that's fine. I understand," there was a hint of anger in her tone. What could Blue say? There was no way he could tell her why he was reluctant to give out any information. When he couldn't find the words to say, Erika picked up her speed. Damn it! Blue had never been this frustrated before. He noticed that the walls were beginning to ice over and took a deep breath in order to calm himself. His attempt was futile.
Just as he reached for the door that lead outside, a large gust of wind tore apart the front of the building and sent him flying. Reacting quickly, he rebounded and dove behind the nearest wall. Seconds later, Green appeared next to him.
"What's going on?"
"Some guy-Bugsy I think- came out of nowhere and attacked us," Green reported.
"Is everyone okay?"
"Yes, for the most part. Yellow and Red have some minor injuries."
A wave of relief crashed over him, only to be overcome adrenaline. He reached for his blade, and, with a look in his eyes that told Green to follow, dashed outside. His first instinct was to inspect his companions. Yellow and Red were standing in front of who Blue assumed was Bugsy. Blood was dripping from their bodies, but as Green had said, they were okay. Krystal and her entourage flanked Bugsy's sides, while Erika and Misty hid behind a building.
Good. Erika was safe. Blue turned his attention back to Bugsy. "Why do you attack us?"
Bugsy laughed without humor. "You are the three evil legendary birds, are you not?" Crap. To his knowledge Erika had no idea what they were. Had she even heard of the three legendary birds? Surely she had. Everything pure in the world viewed them as a threat and wanted them eradicated from the world. And Erika was a pure as it got. He looked over to see revelation cross her face. Was this going to affect how she felt about them? Suddenly, Erika turned and ran toward the forest just outside the village. Blue almost yelled after her but caught himself before a word escaped his mouth. If there was even a sliver of a chance that he could be with Erika, that chance was now reduced to nothing. Damn. He was going to tell her when he felt the time was right but this little brat had beat him to it. A sudden dark rage engulfed Blue, and he could feel the wind begin to pick up. This was bad. He turned to his men and, with a demonic voice, ordered them to go after Erika.
"But what about-"
"Just go!" Blue's roar had cut Yellow off, and Yellow, along with everyone else, was out of sight within seconds.
"Aw c'mon! I was looking forward to killing all three of you at one time," Bugsy whined.
"Such big talk from such a small person," Blue retorted as he fought the darkness that was rising in him. If he let it consume him, he would do things that he would regret later. Like, maybe killing his opponent. "Back down, and I will let you live."
Bugsy snorted. His hands began to glow, and seconds later they were metal claws. Without warning, he lunged forward. Blue's wings emerged from his back and he flew in the air, landing behind his enemy. "Last warning: Back down or you will not leave here alive."
"You seem so sure of that," Bugsy said just before launching another attack. Once again, Blue evaded with ease. The darkness rose with every move Bugsy made, and soon it would be impossible to fight. He would have to end this quickly. Holding out his hand, he mentally commanded his sword to appear.
It was a beautiful weapon. The hilt was made complete of ice, while the blade's transparency came from the mixture of ice and metal. If the first slash didn't kill, ice would infiltrate the wound made, almost guaranteeing death. Blue moved toward Bugsy with such agility the human eye could not track him. As he entered close quarters with his opponent, he slashed, aiming for the abdomen. He felt the initial impact, and could feel his sword tearing through flesh. Keeping his pace, Blue spun so that he was now behind Bugsy. He lifted his sword to administer the final blow, but as he thrust the sword he heard the clang of metal.
Bugsy had somehow been able to keep up with Blue's speed and counter his attack with his metal pincers. How was he even able to move? His sword should
have immobilized him with the ice. With amazing force, Bugsy shoved Blue back and, joining his claws, began to twist his body at an unbelievable speed. Just barely managing to evade the attack, Blue regained his ground and wiped away the blood that dripped from his head. He stretched his wings- preparing an aerial attack- but a sharp pain caused him to cringe and fold his wings back. Blood began to pool at his feet. It seemed as if Bugsy hadn't complete missed with that attack. Without the use of his wings, Blue would slowly lose the energy to fight.
"What's wrong? Can't fight without your wings?" Bugsy taunted. He knew exactly what would happen if Blue's wings were impaired.
"Bastard," Blue breathed weakly. His enemy took a step forward, readying another attack.
"Looks that the Legendary Bird Articuno isn't as powerful as everyone says he is. Think of all the fame I will get when I finally bring you down."
Acting on impulse, Blue dashed for Bugsy. He swung his sword once again-
Clang!
Shit! More metal. Bugsy grasped Blue's hand that held his sword and twisted. The breaking of his wrist was audible and caused him to release his weapon. Bugsy tossed the metal to the side. Shit. Blue was without a weapon, and within seconds he would probably be dead if he didn't think of something quick.
The darkness was still rising inside him. Maybe he should just let it take over. There was no one around that could get hurt. And Blue was beyond caring for Bugsy's life. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to just let go. But he couldn't. There was something deep inside him that was preventing him from killing this kid.
"You better not hesitate!" Bugsy shouted as he struck at Blue. He countered with a punch to his abdomen. The breath was knocked out of his opponent, giving Blue the opportunity for another attack.
"Damn," Bugsy cursed as he reoriented himself. "I let you get to me."
It was time to end this. Once again, Blue stretched his wings, ignoring the excruciating pain. The wind began to pick up, and within moments, the sunny day was hidden by an overwhelming blizzard. The wind chomped on Bugsy causing him to cringe. The blizzard was so frigid that even Bugsy's metal was subjected to it. He couldn't see anything, couldn't move. That was just how Blue liked his prey: helpless. Unable to be detected, Blue flashed to where his sword had been thrown, and then in front of Bugsy. Blue shoved the weapon into Bugsy's thigh, causing him to scream. Blue could feel his enemy's blood began to freeze. With a mental command, the blizzard disappeared.
Blue withdrew his sword from Bugsy's leg. "Damn," it was Bugsy who was breathless this time. "Well, aren't you going to finish me off?" He asked when Blue
began to walk away.
"I'm not going to kill you. And you should probably get help, or you're going to lose that leg."
The darkness inside him finally subsided. Now the only thing he had to worry about was where his friends were. And if Erika would now be one of those many who would want to kill him.