Had this done a while ago but only now did I finally recall that it needed to be posted. Sorry for the wait!

Can you find the reference to Darren Shan that I snuck in this chapter? lol

Claimer: I own Dante and the cast of BRV. No stealing!

Disclaimer: Clint, Mudpuppy, Liz, and the plot of this story belong to CHIKARAfiction.

Chapter 9: Gale Speaks

Gale dared to get close to the quiet Charmeleon. "...You okay?" he asked, worried.

"I'm fine. Leave me alone, 'kay?" Wildfire growled, turning away.

"What happened?" Gale pressed.

"Nothing! I said BACK OFF!"

Wildfire let out a short burst of flame, catching some of Gale's feathers on fire. The Pidgeotto squawked in surprise, flapping away and patting out the flames. Wildfire simply turned away, not the slightest bit apologetic about his actions. Gale sighed, inspecting his burnt feathers with worry.

"What was that about?" Talon wondered. "I've never seen him have a go at Gale before."

"Scary..." Dune whimpered.

"..." Clint went over to Gale. "Hey... You alright?"

"Perfectly fine," Gale replied, still inspecting his burnt feathers. "There's no need for concern, especially from a meddler like you."

"Ouch! Harsh, so soon after getting burned by his buddy," Zapper winced.

"He's covering up his pride. Who cares? He deserved it," Talon huffed, unsympathetic toward the other bird.

"Hey…" Clint reached into his pocket. "I usually always carry stuff around with me." He pulled out a Burn Heal. "...I can take care of that for you, no questions asked."

"Like I need your help," Gale said coldly, though he didn't move away from Clint. He simply kept inspecting his burnt feathers...over and over...like he couldn't believe that had actually happened to him...

"I say leave him like that," Talon called.

"I'm not trying to be your enemy," Clint explained. "You just look like you're in a bit of pain and I'm offering to heal the burn, that's all."

"Yet you are very much an enemy, boy. Again, I have no need of assistance." Despite his words, the Pidgeotto indeed held out his burnt wing.

Clint sighed. "Look, you can peg me as an enemy all you want but when's the last time an enemy offered help? I'd leave the Burn Heal to use for yourself but...wings aren't the same as a hand. Not an insult since I can't fly either."

"...Things have changed since you dared to show up..." Gale grumbled, wing still outstretched in a silent gesture for treatment.

"Yes, things have changed." Clint applied the Burn Heal to Gale's wing. "...But I'm starting to wonder if you really regret me showing up or not. Seems you like Wildfire and, in some strange way, he cares somewhat about you. Almost like you knew each other well before any of this happened."

"That's none of your business. Nothing but bad things has occurred since you arrived here," Gale said coldly, refusing to look at Clint.

"Nothing but bad things has happened since I arrived here," Clint parroted. "And yet you won't look me in the eye. Tell me, Gale...you aren't a regular Pidgeotto, are you? You weren't a regular Pidgey either, were you? You weren't just some wild Pidgey that Dante found and caught..."

"Again, that's none of your business, boy. You think I'm a fool and will play into your hands, but think again. Your story about being here to reform Wildfire is nothing but a cover story for your deeper motives. Don't think I don't really know what you want," Gale warned coldly, still refusing to make eye contact.

"...You're the only one he told about the eyes, aren't you?" Clint said pointedly.

"...I recall no such conversation. You spew nothing but lies, child," Gale replied.

"Ouch!" Talon flinched. "Hurt and still hurting others..."

"Verbally, this time," Zapper added.

"His cruelty knows no bounds," Rocket nodded.

"Quiet in the peanut gallery," Gale ordered.

"Peanut gallery?! How dare you!" Talon shrieked.

"You still won't look me in the eye and deny me. Even if you did...you couldn't conceal it," Clint declared. "You're worried about Wildfire. He actually hurt you and he never did before, but that's not my fault. You know it isn't. There's something going on in Wildfire's head that he can't comprehend, and neither can you. Memories he's trying to suppress, things he's trying to contain... If he keeps it up...it's going to be a lot worse. In my opinion, he's a ticking time bomb...and I think you care too much for him to see him explode..."

"It's in my best interest that Wildfire be just a tad predictable," Gale reluctantly admitted. "Then you show up with your sob story and a creature claiming a blood relationship with Wildfire. You've made him change for quite the worst. You're only hurting him if you keep this up, boy. It would've been better had you never arrived. Don't you realize the danger you're putting us all in? Or do you simply not care?"

"I care more than you could ever dream, Gale...but I made a promise to Liz," Clint replied, trembling with emotion. "She died in my arms, Gale. Whether you believe that or not is up to you...but why would I be here? Why would I be trying? Because I'm just some random nutcase? Why would I care so much about Wildfire if I never met him before, know his name before he ever said it? Gale, you are very smart, very intelligent. Wildfire's stubborn and pompous, like his mother. You agree with Wildfire on a lot of things because of his short temper...but you see...you see, there are too many constants in my story for it to be a lie. You just are scared to admit it because you're scared for Wildfire and what he might do if you told me...but I'm telling you, Gale...even if I left, even if I stopped...Wildfire's dreams wouldn't, his mind wouldn't... I understand fully because the eyes you deny, I've seen them. They've haunted my nightmares for years, the voice too... Have they ever haunted your dreams, Gale? You're much more collected than Wildfire, plus you're up in trees. We'd never know if you'd freak out. You'd merely fly away. Have you seen the eyes in your dreams?"

"I don't know these eyes that you speak of," Gale denied, though his gaze lowered slightly. "As for your story...whether it holds truth or not, you're ruining everything Wildfire and I have worked toward. Wildfire is no longer allowed to fight, I myself now avoid it since your fish-dog could very well crush me, and you've allowed our trainer to regain a little control in this journey. Though the latter is easily ignored, the former is annoying. That is merely how we fight. Who are you to alter our behavior based on your views? Try all you want, boy, but you cannot stop us from our goal. That much is absolute."

"I would happily allow you to fight, so long as you didn't kill...but I guess I suppose you can't..." Clint's voice lowered to a whisper. "Because that's how they taught you..."

Gale flinched away from the boy. Once he recovered, he yanked his wing away and glared. "This is your last warning, boy. Stop getting in the way."

Clint looked up, gaze firm. "And Gale, this is all I have to say to that. What you plan to do...it won't get Wildfire or you to the top. It's only going to destroy you both in the end...and if I have the power to stop that and make you both see that, I shall, whether you both like it or not. Sorry for the inconvenience and I hope your wing feels better."

"Then you will be destroyed in your efforts, boy. 'Sorry for the inconvenience', as you say. Good day." Gale took to the sky, landing in a tree nearby and preening his feathers thoroughly.

"Man, he really let you have it," Talon commented. "You okay?"

"I'm perfectly fine," Clint reassured, brushing grass from his pants. "He's rattled..."

"Really? Couldn't tell," Talon said sarcastically.

"I hope Wildfire's not going to try anything with the rest of these trainers," Dante commented.

"If he does, Mudpuppy will stop him!" Zapper declared.

"I dunno, guys," Dune said, sounding unsure. "I think something's...wrong with him."

"What do you mean 'wrong'?" Rocket asked.

"I just... I got a bad feeling, guys," Dune admitted. "I'm scared..."

"Of Wildfire?" Rocket questioned.

"I don't know, but whatever it is...it's really bad," Dune whimpered.

"Something is wrong with Wildfire. I see it too," Clint agreed. "Whether it makes him more violent in battle, or...a bit off in thought, we'll have to see. Right now, he seems to be thinking of things. What, I can't be sure, but it was enough to shove Gale away."

"I'm scared..." Dune whimpered.

"Everything will be okay, Dune," Dante reassured, hugging the shivering Sandshrew. "We'll figure this out. Soon, I hope." He stood up after a moment. "So, I guess we should finish with these trainers."

"Yes, let's get to them," Clint nodded, rising to his feet.

"Why don't you go play with Puddy, Dune? I'm sure that'll be fun," Dante suggested.

"...Okay," Dune nodded, shuffling over to the massive Caterpie.

Dante headed toward a nearby trainer, another Bug Catcher. "Hey, check out my awesome Butterfree!" the Bug Catcher cried, sending out his Butterfree.

Clint watched the fight. Mudpuppy kept a close eye on Wildfire. There was worry on his face. The fact Wildfire's been quiet this long, not sleeping, may have been a new record.

Talon stepped forward, ready to battle. He unleashed a powerful Gust, easily tearing the Butterfree from the sky. A few Pecks knocked it down to low health. The Fearow abruptly tensed, ready to fly. You're not getting the better of me this time, Wildfi...re...?

...Nothing happened. Wildfire was still where he was before. He hadn't made a move to attack. He wasn't even looking at the battle. The Charmeleon just sat there, staring at the ground, flaming tail twitching slightly. It was as if he didn't even know there was a battle going on.

"Uh...? Wildfire?" Talon dared to say.

Mudpuppy stared at his kid. "..."

"...Talon, just make the Butterfree faint," Clint suggested. "I don't think Wildfire cares right now."

"I can tell," Talon agreed, knocking the Butterfree out with Peck.

The Bug Catcher returned it without an issue. "Great battle! But what was with all the looking-at-the-Charmeleon stuff?" he asked.

"Just...something weird going on. Don't worry about it," Dante reassured.

"Okay," the Bug Catcher shrugged, walking away.

Dante looked at Clint, horribly confused. "...This should be good, but I have a feeling it's bad," he guessed.

"Mudpuppy, I think you broke your kid," Zapper commented, looking at the Swampert.

"...Well, give me a break! I'm learnin' to be a dad here," Mudpuppy agued.

"Rule number 1: don't break your kid," Zapper joked halfheartedly.

"..." Clint took some tentative steps toward Wildfire, clearing his throat. "Wildfire...?"

The Charmeleon looked up, frowning. "What now, moron? Go away."

There was no sign of his usually growling or threats. Just boredom and tiredness.

Clint sat down next to him. "Something seems to be on your mind. Might help if you talk about it."

"Don't need to talk about anything. Go away," Wildfire growled, a bit of his usual aggression returning briefly.

Clint frowned, unimpressed. "Wildfire, you are docile. You didn't even care a battle was happening. You attacked Gale. Something's definitely on your mind."

"Like I want to talk to you, moron," Wildfire growled again, getting to his feet. "Go burn. Like I need you. Or anyone else. I'm fine on my own."

He walked away...and promptly tripped over his own two feet, falling face-first to the ground.

"...I meant to do that."

"...He's definitely not okay," Talon deadpanned.

"Like hell you did," Clint muttered.

Mudpuppy scooped the Charmeleon up. "Son, there's denial…and then there's just plain stupidity. Something's definitely wrong with you."

"Go burn," Wildfire said coldly, but the aggression was replaced with exhaustion.

He didn't even try to struggle out of Mudpuppy's arms. His eyes were half-lidded and his tail flame was smaller than usual.

"Maybe he got sick from all that water after all," Rocket commented.

"Serves him right!" Zapper declared.

"Maybe we should take him to the Pokemon Center?" Dante pointed out. "He's definitely not looking or acting well."

"I don't think he'd get sick from that water now, not after a whole night and even longer," Clint rationalized. "But something definitely wrong with him..."

"Let's finish up these trainer battles. After that, we'll get him to Vermilion's Pokemon Center. Mudpuppy, you mind hanging onto him while I do this?" Dante asked.

Mudpuppy shook his head. "Not at all."

Clint looked over to see how Gale was dealing with Wildfire's sudden ailment. The Pidgeotto was perched on a nearby tree branch, doing his best not to seem concerned. The way his feathers were ruffled gave him away, though.

"Kay! Just two trainers left. I'll go fast," Dante promised. "Come on, guys!"

He headed for the next trainer, another Jr. Trainer girl. She was quick to issue a battle challenge. "Pidgey squad, assemble!" she cried.

Zapper charged, bolts of lightning easily frying the trio of Pidgey in no time flat.

"Awww! You're kidding me!" she cried in defeat.

The last trainer was a Jr. Trainer boy. "Spearow! Raticate! Show this kid your power!" he cried.

Zapper's Thundershock easily took down the Spearow, OHKOing it. Rocket unleashed a powerful jet of water, defeating the Raticate after a few blasts.

"No! How could I lose?" the boy wailed.

Dante doubled back to the rest of the group. "Okay, we're done! Let's go!" he gasped.

"Alright," Clint nodded. "Great job, by the way."

They ran down the path, heading for Vermilion City. Mudpuppy stared at Wildfire in his hand, his concern seemed to be growing by the minute. They soon passed through the city gate, the words Vermilion City painted on it. Dante quickly found the Pokemon Center and headed for it.

"Welcome! May I help you?" Nurse Joy asked.

"My Charmeleon's acting weird. I think he might be sick, but I'm not sure," Dante reported.

"Put him in his Poke Ball and I'll run a scan to see what's wrong." Nurse Joy said.

Clint waited off to the side. Mudpuppy put Wildfire down gently. Dante returned Wildfire to his Poke Ball, handing it off to Nurse Joy. She placed his Poke Ball on a machine nearby and switched it on, rainbow light washing over the sphere. On a monitor nearby, a silhouette of a Charmeleon appeared along with a bunch of data.

"I'll have the results of the scan within an hour," Nurse Joy explained. "Please come back then."

"Okay," Dante looked at Clint with uncertainty.

Clint nodded and sat in a waiting room chair. "All we can do is wait..."

"We're just going to sit here? For an hour?" Dante asked.

"Unless you want to do more training?" Talon said. "Or try challenging the Gym?"

Clint also kept looking at Gale to see how he's reacting and holding up. The bird was perched silently on the back of a nearby chair, eyes on the monitor. He didn't move much, almost looking like a statue.

"Well..." Clint sighed. "You guys go train, if you want, or go to the gym. Gale's a Flying-type so I don't think you'll be using him much with Surge, plus I don't think he's leaving. You won't have to worry about any Pokemon deaths...but I think I'm going to stay here."

It was obvious that Clint was worried. Wildfire was sick...and he already lost Liz…

"...I think we trained enough today," Dante said, sitting down. He looked at Clint, worried. "...He'll be okay. Wildfire's tougher than he looks. Like he'll let some sickness take him down for long."

"What do you think it is?" Dune asked childishly.

"I think it's a cold. I'm blaming all that water," Talon said firmly.

"Gale didn't get wet, but he was sneezing earlier. Does that mean he'll get sick too?" Zapper wondered.

"..." Clint went over to Gale and sat next to him quietly. "You alright?"

"Perfectly fine. Your concern is unneeded, boy," Gale said, unmoving, eyes still locked on the monitor.

Clint sighed, looking down. "...You aren't the only one worried, Gale. I hope you know that."

Gale was quiet for a while. When he finally spoke, his voice was nothing but cruel. "This is your fault, you know."

"I knew you'd say that but, really, how do you know this wouldn't have happened even if I wasn't here? I can't be the fall guy for everything, you know," Clint chuckled weakly.

"I warned you that you were killing him. What reason would Wildfire have to get sick if you hadn't showed up? You're causing unneeded events to occur, events that are changing our plans for the future. It would've been easier had you simply never appeared or if you had simply left before this could happen," Gale said coldly, looking at Clint for the first time.

"Do you think I want him to die, Gale? I don't... I lost his mother already, I'll be damned if I lose him."

"If he dies due to your interference, you will suffer for it. That, I promise you." Gale looked back at the monitor. "Want to know how I know you will?"

Clint leaned back in the chair, eyes closed. "How?"

Gale looked at Clint out of the corner of his eye. "Because I will kill you. And your fish-dog. And all that you hold dear. I will find and destroy them as punishment for your interference. Then I will find a way to silence Dante. Then I will carry on with getting to the top. That is how I know you will suffer, boy. It's not a threat, I assure you. It's a complete...and total...promise. And I always keep my promises."

Clint opened his eyes. "...You really care about Wildfire and I respect that, but Gale…can I let you in on a secret?"

Clint moved close and whispered into the Pidgeotto's ear.

"If Wildfire dies, I want you to kill me…because knowing I couldn't keep Liz's dying wish, and knowing I couldn't do anything to help or save him from the hell he went through, will be enough to do it. That's how much I care about him, Gale. You keep writing me off as some little boy who's ruined your life, but my life has been complete hell too. I have cried and had sleepless nights knowing Wildfire was gone, knowing his mother—my best friend for 12 years—was dead because of HIM, because of the holder of those eyes. When I found him, it was the happiest day I've had in awhile. Even if he was corrupted, even if things had happened—and don't deny what happened to you because things did happen to both of you and that's why you're so close. I love him..."

Clint gave a watery smile. He looked ready to cry.

"Gale... Do you understand? Do you know how much Liz wanted him? How much we all couldn't wait to see him? I knew him for months as he grew in her belly. I talked to him every. Damn. Day. And then HE cut him out of her and left her for dead. If you don't think I don't have some sort of emotional stake in this, then you need to open your eyes and stop thinking I'm the cause, I'm the reason, because I wasn't the reason! The eyes, HE is the reason for his nightmares! For his suffering! For yours too, no matter how much you deny it! I care about him just as much as you do, maybe more... GOT IT?"

Clint moved back to his seat and sat there, misty-eyed.

Gale didn't move for a very long time. He just sat there and stared at the monitor. When he finally did speak, there was no malice or hate. No anger. Nothing but sorrow.

"...Your story is no lie, that I know and understand. For that, I sincerely hate you. However, I will do as you ask. If Wildfire dies, you will join him." The Pidgeotto turned to look at Clint. "One question, if I may ask."

Clint rubbed his eyes. "Go ahead..."

"Why? Now that you've seen Wildfire as he is now, why try to save him? He does not know you. He does not care for you...or your fish-dog...or your story. He does not remember or care. All of your efforts to bring about such remembrance are ending in nothing but pain and misery for you both. Why persist? What good will it do? Is a promise to a dead companion truly worth all this?" Gale questioned.

"..." Clint looked to him, teary-eyed, and smiled. "Yes, it is worth it. I loved Liz with all of my heart...and she knew what was going to happen to Wildfire. She knew where they were taking him. It was going to hurt him. It was going to warp his mind...and she knew the only one that would be able to bring him back...would be me. Wildfire doesn't care...because he doesn't remember, and he chooses not to remember. You can't tell me he's not suppressing things, Gale. He refuses to remember where he was trained, but you remember because you have a much leveler head."

Clint moved closer to the Pidgeotto.

"...Tell me what it was like, Gale. If I'm going to die in less than an hour...it won't make a difference, will it?" he pleaded.

Gale was quiet for a long time before speaking again. "It was hell. Indescribable pain. There was no rest, never any rest. Just pain. Death wasn't kind enough to grace us with its presence. We were damned the moment we set foot in there. Nobody could save you. Nobody could hear you call for help. Nobody could hear you scream. Worst of all...nobody cared."

"..." Clint shook, bending the arms on his seat. They're metal. "I cared, god damn it..."

"How would we have known?" Gale asked. "Nobody there cared. We were tools... Weapons... Nothing more, nothing less. If you didn't do your job, you were retrained until you could or you fell over and gave into to it... The madness. You're sane and obedient...or insane and deceitful. But even the latter, no matter how clever they believed themselves to be, could defy ITS orders. There was no do or die. Just do or lose yourself in madness."

"I'm sorry... I really am..." Clint choked down a sob. "I tried... I tried to find you...but every time I got close, damn him... Damn him to hell..."

After a moment, he forced himself to take a deep breath.

"...So what now? You're free and you still listen to it?" the boy asked.

"We have no choice. Like I said, it's do or lose yourself in madness. There is no alternative. We cannot run. We cannot hide. It will find us no matter what. There is no such thing as freedom. Obedience is all we have left," Gale replied. "But...there are ways to get around it. It cannot hear our words, cannot read our minds. Not if we're here, away from it. But if we get too close, it'll know everything immediately. How, we likely will never know."

Clint frowned. "...You know, I've rocked him already. I've fought tooth and nail with him and his lackeys. I'm probably the only one who's given him as much trouble as he's had. I understand your fear, Gale, of him, but...you can fight...if you have enough friends. I am one of those friends...and together, we can all get back at him for what he's done. You can call it foolish but when it comes to him, I'm no fool..."

"You think you know so much but in reality, you know so little. You're fighting a war you cannot hope to win. You know NOTHING, child! NOTHING!" Gale squawked, flaring his wings. "All you will gain is death. You cannot win. Forget your promise! Cling to life while you still have it! Your position is better than most! You have something to live for, surely?"

"He killed my best friend, took her child, and tried to turn him into a cold ruthless monster. I'll fight him to the death if I have to!" Clint snarled angrily. "That's how much, again, I cared about Liz and I care about Wildfire. Call it suicidal...but that's how much I care...and as for you. You probably think I don't care about what happened to you or the other Pokemon there...but I do." He shakes a bit, the arm of his chair snapping off. "...I'm gonna stop it...by any means necessary..."

"In death, may you be triumphant," Gale muttered, turning away.

Dante looked at Clint, seeing the arm of his chair snapped off. "Dude, what did you do?!" he yelped.

Clint blinked, coming back to reality from his rage. "...Sorry..." He discarded the arm. "Got a little angry..."

Clint turned to Gale.

"Think about what I said, Gale. You aren't alone...and people are willing to fight. If you honestly can live with yourself and continue to let happen what's happening...and feel like you can do nothing...then you've lost." Then Clint smirked. "...But something tells me...you haven't given up because you know what's happening now has happened to you...and there's someone here who is willing to help…who cares and who is willing to do all he can to make it stop... Just think about it..."

"No guarantees, boy," Gale said, though there was a touch of sincerity in his voice that nobody had heard before...

"A little?" Dante countered. "A little anger doesn't rip a chair arm off."

"...Yeah... Sorry, just a deep conversation," the other boy explained, giving a nervous giggle.

Clint smiled a little at Gale and leaned back, continuing to wait on Wildfire. Dante sighed before sitting back down. He looked up at the monitor.

I hope he's okay, Dante thought.