Could I really say much other than we're returning to the present? Well, maybe yes but not this time. Hope you like it!

The Airborne

The bright morning sun poured itself into a window in the airplane. Razer forgot to raise the curtains on his window before he fell asleep, so he was awakened by the sun shining brightly upon him. He found himself on the same position he was before he dozed off: he is still buckled up to his seat and his arms and hands are resting on the cushioned seat.

Razer unbuckled his seatbelt, stood up, and stretched before checking on his belongings that he was able to save. Everything is still in their proper positions; his two cases are still under the seat and his laptop and clothing are resting on the glass tabletop.

He let himself be bathed by sunlight for a few moments before approaching the window. He looked down the window and saw nothing but the clear skies, where in reality everything down there is probably doomed.

Looking down at the tranquil skies gave Razer a thought. Here they are, the members of the UR, comfortably sitting in an airplane that is several thousand feet away from all the burning chaos below while so many people are literally facing the blazing inferno down there. That thought made him remember his trip to Santalune Forest and the other times where he could see his own skin and face. Even if that is the embodiment of his former self, he considers it only as a hollow shell where his old self has been destroyed and Razer has surfaced.

Yes, he does express emotions, but only to his Pokemon, the only part of his former self he has never erased and would never erase. He has dwelt on that fact ever since he dumped his past and donned a new identity. But even then, and up until now, he could still feel some shreds of his past haunting him. One of them is the feeling that has been tormenting him ever since everything started to go awry.

Worry.

He has remained indifferent even when the whole Kalos Region was engulfed by flames the day before. He also felt nothing to the fact that almost all people down there may have died already. But now, the emotions he is trying to fight and fend off has emerged victorious in their clash against Razer's indifference. He could now hear the endless cries for help of several people in his head. The voices multiply exponentially to the point that he wobbled and nearly collapsed on his seat.

He sat down and closed his eyes. He inhaled and exhaled, then everything was suddenly muted. When he opened his eyes, he felt like he has just awoke. He forgot the agonizing sounds of pain, but the worry still lingered in him.

Then, he realized. When it comes to emotions, he could not simply forget everything; he is merely creating a seal to prevent such emotions to ever surface. But, not one object lasts forever, and he is bound to feel again.

I won't let it. All I have to do is repair it again and again. Doing it forever is better than having you come back.

He was so deep into thought that he did not notice Alice is already in front of him. He only realized she was there when he raised his head up and about to stand up.

"Were you here even before I woke up?", Razer asked since he no longer remembers the real moment when he woke up and was conquered by worry.

"Uh, no. Uhm, yes I saw you contemplating something under your seat but I was just here a few seconds ago.", Alice answered, initially in a shyly manner but became more active and somewhat playful. "Lance asked me to come pick you up because we will have a meeting."

"Well,", Razer responded while cupping his forehead with his right hand and massaging it behind the fabric."I guess it's about time we do it, right?", he continued while looking up again to the eyeglass-clad female.

"Well, I guess we should get going right now. With all that's happening, we don't have much time to pass up important matters.", Alice said matter-of-factly.

Razer stood up and Alice moved backwards to let him stand up. As they moved, Alice's hair swayed a bit in such a way that it brushed Razer's fabric-covered face. Even with the scarf, Razer was able to take a sniff (unintentionally) of the Kanto Champion's hair. It smelled like the rare and expensive shampoos sold only in select shops in Kalos. Of course, the plane clearly has possession of it and showers, since with her hair's smell and texture, she obviously took one just the evening before-

Wait. What is with these thoughts? Unless...

He's experiencing it again. The indescribable feeling, the inescapable pull. He has forgotten his interaction with Gabrielle after he beat her, sure, but then again, emotions are not simple memories one could simply throw away. As long as a person lives, he is bound to feel something. Razer denies that he is not an exception to this fact, yet for the second time, he is exhibiting the act of feeling. He never underwent to this ordeal in several of his acquaintances, but something about these two girls disrupts his normal functions. Maybe-

No. It can't be it. It can no longer be it.

Two things surprises Razer both in a good way and a bad way. He could think several things under a second and he is amazed to no end. Yet, what he thinks and getting irrational by the scent of shampoo are things he endlessly curses.

I'm cutting too much! Dang it! Obviously there should be a meeting in this, but I'm gonna move it to the next chapter. Again, hope you like it! If you think something's crappy, though, just comment, but don't be too rude, please?