Read this author's note! If you don't want to see unwanted things...
Take a second (or is it your first?) look at the genre and the main characters of this story!
Yes, I need to remind the shonen-ai theme in this story. You should be able to know what that means.
Oh, this chapter's a long one.
Chapter 4: Partners in Life
"Good work my bird Pokemon!" I praised Pidgey and Pidgeotto after winning a battle against a Pokemon Trainer. Pidgeot, who was next to me, cried sympathetically. Pidgeot didn't fly around on its own as he wanted to stay with us that day. Meanwhile, the lost Trainer sighed and walked away without a word.
"Well, time for lunch." Yes, we Gym Leaders spend lunch break inside our Gym. It's more efficient than going from the Gym to our house just for lunch and then back to the Gym.
I had brought lunch for me and my bird Pokemon. One was a lunchbox with beef teriyaki and steamed rice for me, the other was a sack filled with bird Pokemon food for Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot. I turned the sack upside down while shaking it, so the food would come out. "Here, you all have to fill your hunger." The three birds quickly ran for the food. They were eating their food fast, perhaps because each of them wanted to get more portion of the food. As for me, I ate my lunch at a regular pace, because I didn't want to choke on my own lunch.
After the three of us had finished eating our lunch, I reviewed the battles I had so far that day. "Hey, were you two enjoying the battles we had today?" Pidgey slowly shook his head in horizontal direction, and then he switched to looking up and down. Pidgey seemed confused deciding what answer he would give to me. On the other hand, Pidgeotto gave a straightforward response, he shook his left and right with his eyes closed, signing disappointment.
I asked for Pidgeot's opinion too, although he was only spectating the battles. "What about you, Pidgeot?" Pidgeot shook his head a little while letting out short cries. Pidgeot seemed proud of Pidgey and Pidgeotto's skills, but he wasn't quite fascinated by the battles. The battles were quick because the Trainers who challenged me only had one or two Pokemon with them.
I was starting to lose my energy. A quarter past one in the afternoon, but there was only three challengers who had come. What made the battles boring was the easy win. My Pidgey was able to defeat the Pokemon of the two Trainers all by himself. The team of the last Pokemon Trainer lost against my Pidgeotto. I was afraid this would become one of those days where a leader might take a nap in the Gym, only to get embarrassed after being woken up by a Trainer.
I yawned a lot of times as I waited for another challenger to come. Eventually, minutes would turn into an hour. I saw Pidgey and Pidgeotto were sleeping peacefully, the two leaning on the sides of my stomach. On the contrary, Pidgeot was still full of energy. I managed to do something with my Pokegear. I checked the clock on my Pokegear, 12:30 PM, which means there had been no challengers for over an hour. The Pokegear radio wouldn't be able to entertain me. The next thing I did was looking at the contacts list, finding someone that I could have a good chat with. The name that came to my head first was Morty. He's always the one who called me first, so I figured out that it's OK if I was the one who calls first sometimes. I waited for him to pick up, but I had no luck, Morty didn't answer my call.
Wait... Morty didn't answer my call? All this time, I had always answered his calls although I didn't want to talk to him, and now he didn't answer when I called him. I tried to control my temper, or else I would be yelling at the phone the next time I talked with Morty over the Pokegear. I called him again, but still I got no answer. Third try, still no answer.
I felt a bit angry, but also puzzled at the same time. I pondered about what I should do for a moment. Rather than suffering in boredom, I decided to leave my Gym and go to Ecruteak City to talk with Morty. Outside the Gym, I got on Pidgeot. "Pidgeot, fly to Ecruteak city!" I commanded Pidgeot. Pidgey and Pidgeotto flew alongside me and Pidgeot.
Once I arrived at Ecruteak City, I put my bird Pokemon back into their Poke Ball. Then I headed to the Ecruteak Gym. The interior of the Gym gave me the goosebumps. Mr. Bryde (there's only one name for all caretakers of Gyms in one region) was blocking the path ahead of me. "You must be looking for the Gym Leader. He's not here at the moment."
Wanting to know where Morty went, I asked him, "Do you know where Morty went out to?"
"Sorry, but he didn't tell me where he went out to," answered Mr. Bryde.
Not the answer I wanted. So I tried to get more information. "Did he tell you anything before he left?"
"No, he only told me to stay at the Gym while he's away." I didn't get a single clue about where Morty went out to. Feeling disappointed, I was about to turn around to walk out of the Gym. "But the Mediums in this Gym might know something though. I'll go ask them." I was relieved that he tried to help me. He went to the ghostly path, and later returned with a Medium.
The Medium looked at me from my foot to my head, I didn't understand what she's doing. The Medium adjusted her glasses. "Ah, you're the leader of Violet City. Are you looking for our Gym Leader?"
I answered to the old woman, "Yes, do you know where he is now?"
She nodded a few times while saying 'mmhmm'. Then with her husky voice, she said, "The Gym Leader just had a talk with me not long ago. He said that he needed some time alone. You shouldn't bother the young seer."
I got a little information, but still no hint of Morty's whereabouts. "But I wanted to talk with him. Please, tell me where he is."
She took a deep breath, looking down to the floor. "I see, you are concerned of the Gym Leader." The Medium looked at me on the eyes, her head leaning to the front. I was a bit scared by her look. "I believe you have a good intention." Was she reading my mind? "Before he left, the Gym Leader told me he would be going to the Burned Tower. Not to mention he looked a little depressed back then."
I was satisfied as I had clear information of Morty's whereabouts, though hearing that he's depressed did bother me. But I had enough information, so I decided not to ask more to the Medium. "Thank you for telling me everything. I should be leaving now."
"You're welcome, bird master. I do feel that you're able to comfort the seer," replied the Medium.
I walked out of the Ecruteak Gym, and then I ran to the Burned Tower. I looked around from the entrance, but Morty was nowhere to be seen. I had a feeling that he was in there though, so I examined every corner of the creaky tower. To my surprise, I found Morty sitting against one of the tower's broken pillars. Something's not right, I couldn't see the smile on his face. What I could see from him was bitterness.
"Morty, what are you doing here?" I asked him in curiosity.
He was startled by my presence. "Ah Falkner, it's you. I-I just want to be alone for a while, please. I need a time to set my mind at peace." His left hand partially covering his face, while his right hand telling me to go away. I knew that he faced a serious problem that time, and he would need my help.
Still, the Burned Tower is not the place for anyone to ease their mind. I kneeled down to the wooden floor. "But here? You could've been alone in your own house," I said while sitting on the wall opposite to the pillar, so I could talk head-to-head with Morty.
"No, not my house. It would bring a lot of hurtful memories to my mind." Memories? That word made me thought that his problem might have connection with a past experience.
"And what are those memories about?"
When he's about to explain his memories, instead he said, "Falkner, please. You don't have to mind this. It's kind of personal."
As I was determined to help him, I would not leave so easily. "Look, no matter how many times you tell me to go away, I would still be here until you're feeling better. So seriously, tell me what is wrong with you." I realized I spoke a little too loud when I said those last words. Morty blinked hearing what I had said, and then he sighed with his eyes closed.
"It's about Eusine." Eusine... I couldn't recall when the last time I heard that name was. "I just got a message from him this morning."
"What did he say to you?" I asked with my eyes widening.
"Uh, well..." Morty paused for a second. "It's been three months since the time Eusine went to Kanto. However, if it's from the time Eusine left Ecruteak City, it's been eight months already. A week ago I sent a mail to Eusine asking him when he would return. In his reply, he said he didn't know because studying Suicune's movements would take a long time. He wanted to stay longer in Kanto." And so I had known Morty's situation. He was depressed because Eusine left him for such a long time.
I wondered if Eusine really regarded Morty as his companion. "And he never paid you a single visit ever since he left?"
"During the first two months after he left, yes. After that, no." Morty grabbed his head with his left hand. "Eusine cared so much for Suicune, sometimes it made me think that I'm just an item he used to get him to Suicune."
I did my best to show my sympathy towards Morty. "I never thought you could get so frustrated of Eusine. I have always viewed you two as good partners, you know. I feel sorry for you." I could see a little smile on his face after what I had said.
"Hm, perhaps I was overreacting about Eusine's message, don't you think?" He asked me, raising his eyebrows.
"No, not at all. Being left by someone you really cared about, I know that would be painful." From that point, the atmosphere had become better. Still, I wanted to know more about his partnership with Eusine. "Say, you said your dream is to encounter Ho-Oh, right? Has Eusine ever helped you achieve that dream?"
Morty's smile faded. "Sadly, no. I have always helped him to get him to Suicune, but there's not a single time he's willing to help me encountering Ho-Oh." I was shocked. Morty had done so much for Eusine, but Eusine never helped him in return.
"Does he even know that you wanted to see Ho-Oh as much as he wanted to see Suicune?" I was hoping the answer wouldn't be a 'no', as I might comment in a sharp tone if it was.
"He knows I wanted to see Ho-Oh, but what he doesn't know is that I wanted to see Ho-Oh as much as he wanted to see Suicune." I was relieved I didn't have to shout out comments with harsh words. I thought that Eusine was too focused on his own goal. Then I heard Morty calling my name, "Falkner?"
I only responded with a 'huh'.
He looked down, and asked, "Should I wait for Eusine to return, or should I just forget about him?"
I needed some time to think for the answer. I couldn't say he should wait for Eusine because he was still chasing for Suicune in Kanto, which seemed never-ending. On the other hand, I couldn't say he should forget Eusine because he had been Morty's companion. So I decided to ask him back, "Well, are you still hoping he would return?"
He moved his head up. "Not really. Hoping itself won't do anything." Morty moved his head back down. "Guess I just have to let him go, so he could meet Suicune. I should let him fulfill his dream, as I was his partner."
I was happy that he's able to make his own decision. "There, your problem's been solved." What was better is that he was smiling like his usual self again.
"You're right." He sighed, then his eyes turned to look at me. "Besides, I don't need Eusine's help to meet Ho-Oh. Do you know why?"
I responded quickly, "Because you're able to accomplish that on your own." That was an answer by the way, not a question asking Morty back.
He chuckled at my answer. "No, that's not the reason why. I wouldn't be able to do it by myself."
I was quite sure about my answer earlier. "Then why did you say don't need Eusine's help?"
He rested his head on his right palm. "It's because I have you." He stared at me with a smirk, which was somewhat creepy in my opinion. I didn't know how I should reply his words. As I was thinking what to say, I noticed Morty had moved forward. He was no longer leaning on the pillar behind him.
I was agitated by Morty's behavior. If I stayed silent, there's no doubt he would make his next move. "Uh, glad I can help." I turned my head to the side so I didn't need to see Morty's face.
Still, I could hear his voice. "You've known that I cared so much for Eusine in the past, but he never cared about my wants. I don't want to be like him."
It seemed that Morty was trying to tell me something. "What do you mean you don't want to be like him?" I was still looking to the side.
"Well, you've shown how much you care for me. I don't want you to be disappointed in the end like what had happened to me. That's why three days ago I helped your bird Pokemon." Hearing his answer, I adjusted my eyes so I could see him. Morty had already been sitting right in front of me. Surprised, my eyes looked to the side again.
I became a little nervous. "Morty, I was only trying to make you feel better."
"I know that," said Morty, "But you've done a lot for me. You gave up the Rainbow Wing for me and few minutes ago you willfully wanting to help me get over my problem with Eusine."
As I was becoming more nervous, I couldn't say much. "Th-that's not a lot."
He replied, "From the quantity, it's not. But from the result, it is." Then a moment of silence came in between the conversation. "Falkner, look at me," said Morty with a loud voice. I moved my head so I could see to the front. Morty's face was in my view. "When you got the Rainbow Wing for me, did you do it because I told you to or because you wanted to help me?"
I could feel my heart starting to thump fast. "It-it's because I wanted to help." I still gave short responses.
My heart was beating faster when Morty showed me the nicest smile he could give to me. He's staring at me with his eyes half-closed also. "I'm convinced that you truly cared for me. I could see it from your behavior." He leaned forward, placing his right hand on my left shoulder. "You mean a lot to me, Falkner." I couldn't say anything at that point, as my mind was too distracted by him.
In fact, I had become completely stunned. I had never seen his face that close. What interested me most was his purple eyes. I had never known his eyes looked so attractive, especially from this distance. Those eyes looked as if they were hypnotizing me, filling my mind with only the image of Morty. As his face was getting closer, I had to close my eyes. I could feel his breath on my face. His right hand had crept to my cheek, but my hands stayed flat on the floor. While my eyes were still closed, I felt his lips on mine. All my thoughts were washed away instantly, and I felt like I was flying freely on the sky. Although the moment lasted only a few seconds, it was pleasurable.
Morty moved back, showing his affectionate smile at me, before he stood up. "Falkner, you've brightened my day. I feel like I've been reborn." He waved his hands at me. "We'll meet again another time." Morty had walked out of the tower, but I was still sitting on the floor. I hadn't made a single movement from the time Morty's face was only a few inches away from me, because I was thinking about what he had done to me. When I realized what had just happened, I screamed in my mind:
OH ARCEUS! MORTY JUST KISSED ME ON THE LIPS!
Because I was stressed out, I was finally able to move my body again. I concealed my mouth with my right hand in confusion, and I began breathing uncontrollably. But like what I have mentioned before, Burned Tower is not the place for anyone to ease their mind, so I quickly went out of the tower. Outside, I sent out Pidgeot so I could fly back to Violet City.
When I came back to Violet City, I had made a decision that I should just stay in my house to calm down for the rest of the day. In the Gym, I passed the message to Mr. Bryde so he could dismiss the Gym Trainers and close the Gym. I went to my house afterwards.
I went to my bedroom, throwing myself to the mattress. Then I sent out Pidgey and Pidgeotto. All of my bird Pokemon were confused when they saw my face, which clearly showed that I was stressed out at the moment. "You three should take a nap too. Enjoy your nap time, we're not going to do more battles today."
Pidgey tilted his head hearing what I said, while Pidgeotto looked more confused. Pidgeot looked at me with his eyes half-closed and lips curved-up, it's as if he was teasing me. "Pidgeot, what's with that face expression? Now go take a nap, all of you!" Seeing my sudden rage, my bird Pokemon rushed out of the room. I was finally alone in my room. I couldn't sleep because of what Morty had done at the Burned Tower. A question came to my mind: Morty, why did you do that to me? After that mind-boggling event, I surely wouldn't view Morty the way he's used to be again.
There, you've read the shonen-ai part of the story.
I've seen more reviews. Hey, I'm fine with both short praises and constructive critics.
Thanks for reading this chapter! (and for reviewing if you've done that too)
