Warning: This story will have Yaoi (BoyxBoy love). If that isn't your fancy or you just hate this couple Kindly either:

A. Hit the back Button

B. Be brave, read the story and try your best to ignore the yaoi-ness

C. Understand it's my story and that no matter what you say, I won't change my story to match your views

D. Have an awesome day and NOT flame/troll

E. Do all of the Above but A

Author's Note - Hi everyone! I hope you've been enjoying my recent updates! I've really just been motivated to write lately and continue my story. I know some of you read my other stories and I want to let you know that'll I'll be updating them soon as well.

On another note, I'm probably going to go back and rewrite some of the beginning chapters of 'Ending of a King's Reign'. I love how I wrote them and everything but I feel that they're not up to par of my current writing abilities. It doesn't help that this story was started when I was like 16 years old and I'm now soon to be 22. I've matured over the years and my writing style has changed.

Plus, they're so lackluster! I reread my story and there's a few parts that just make me cringe hardcore – plus there's issues with grammar and a few sentences I just completely ignored to finish writing. It's super embarrassing! I won't be changing anything that matters to the story line. Just updating and tweaking the story – giving it more life! I'll let you all know in an Author's note when I update a chapter so, if you want, you can go read it!

Anyways, I want to thank you all for sticking with me for so long! I really appreciate it! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 20 – Burnt: Month 1 of 4

Maria was standing in an alleyway. She was drenched in blood – and she felt ecstatic. She had just stabbed Dylan and Green – she really loved the feeling of watching Green wither away. She wanted to stay to watch the life fade from his eyes but hearing Red's cries before she snuck out made this moment all the sweeter. Maria started to giggle when she heard sirens. She stifled her giggling when two ambulances and a police car poured into the street. She kept quiet and watched them rush into Simisear Bakery.

Maria was humming to herself in delight when the door opened – hearing Red's uncontrollable and heartbroken sobbing satisfied her so much. She grinned and started to skip down the alleyway. She had done what she needed to do. She smiled and thought of her parents and how they could now rest easily knowing that the man that killed them was no longer living a guilt-free and happy life.

She really wanted to kill Red herself but she knew that would only do so much for her. She really, really wanted him to suffer for what he did – and what better way to make someone by killing the person he loves most?

Red was going to feel the pain she felt – but at least he'd get to say goodbye unlike her. She was greeted by flames of hellfire from Team Rocket on the day her parents were murdered – and she could only wish that she could do that same. If Red hadn't of been there with them when she struck, she could have lit the Bakery on fire. She could have spent more time making Green and Dylan suffer. Maria stopped for a second and thought about Green. She felt tears start to well up in her eyes and guilt started to crawl underneath her skin – she she shook it all away.

It was a pity that Green had to suffer like he did. He really was a nice guy – but Maria didn't care about that. She got her revenge and couldn't stop smiling. She was sure Green would forgive her in the afterlife – he was a reasonable man. Just a shame he had to go. She really did like him.

Maria kept walking down the alleyways, trying as best as she could to be stealthy. She wanted to go back to the house and shower. She also had to dispose of all her clothing and clean herself up – and then go into hiding. Maria wasn't stupid. She knew what she had done. She attacked and killed two men to avenge her parents but murder was still murder – and she didn't want to rot in jail and she certainly didn't want Red to have the final laugh.

She was going to have to kill her current self and move on – she was going to finally live a peaceful life. Once Maria was at the house, she darted in trying her best to not let anyone see her. She hurriedly closed the door and kicked her shoes off. She raced upstairs to the bathroom and stripped. She rinsed herself off and even took the moment to lather herself in shampoo and conditioner – she didn't want the smell of blood to linger on her. When Maria was done showering she turned to the mirror and saw her reflection. Her eyes were shining with such majestic power and life – and Maria cracked a wicked smile.

It was time for a small makeover.

Maria started to rummage around the bathroom looking for sissiors to cut her hair but could only have a razor and a few other male hygiene products. Maria rolled her eyes and sighed, running out of the bathroom and downstairs into the kitchen. She yanked the knife drawer open and picked up a knife up. She put the knife between her teeth and tied her hair into a loose ponytail. She grabbed the knife out of her mouth and placed it slightly above the hair tie – and she ripped through her hair. Maria winced as a few hairs fought her and she had to yank the knife through.

Stray hairs floated down to the floor and she picked up her cut off pony tail. Maria kept it in her hands and the knife as she made her way back upstairs. Maria dashed into her room and frantically started looking for her school backpack. After a few minutes, she found it and dumped everything that was in it into a empty drawer on her vanity. Maria stuffed her hair and the knife in the backpack and then turned to her closet.

"Only the necessitates. I can't pack too much or it'll weigh me down," Maria said to herself, trying to focus on what she needed. She knew she didn't have time to ponder what she wanted to take or not. Maria ran her hands through the closet and pulled a few pair of jeans and shorts plus a few t-shirts and tossed them into her backpack. She turned to her bed and pulled her soft plush blanket off and stuffed it nicely as she could in her backpack. Maria stood up and wiped the sweat off her brow.

She was exhausted from all this rushing around. She really just wanted to lie down for a bit but she wasn't sure when the police would come here and she definitely wasn't going to stick around and wait for them. Maria ran over to her vanity and picked up the picture of her and her parents. She smiled fondly at it and kissed the picture. She placed to ever so gently in her backpack and zipped it up. She tossed her backpack onto her shoulders and ran out her room. She hurried down the stairs and almost tripped. She caught herself but felt a sharp pain in her back.

Maria winced and reached behind her and felt something wet. She pulled her hand to her face and her mouth dropped in awe. She had forgotten about the knife she had put in her backpack and Maria wanted to slap herself – but she figured accidentally stabbing herself was good enough. Maria rolled her eyes and continued towards the front door. The wound ached but she knew she could easily ignore the pain and move on. She could take care of it later.

Maria flung the front door open and closed it quickly before racing off to an alleyway. Maria ran with extra care in the world – she just wanted to get out of Pallet City as soon as she could without causing any attention to herself. Maria continued onward until she reached the city limits. Once she was out of the city, she collapsed in a nearby field. Her eyes were heavy and she was gasping for her. She wanted to sleep but she couldn't.

Maria's back was starting to ache more but she just ignored it – she just kept telling herself she'd care for it in the next town. It'd be safer to take care of it there. Maria laid on the cool, crisp grass in the field and took a deep breath, trying to calm her body. The grass was absolutely splendid against her hot and sweaty skin. It kissed and rejuvenated her. Maria didn't want to move from where she was but she had no time to waste.

After resting there for a few more minutes, Maria jumped up and started towards the next city. She decided to stay off the main roads whenever daylight hit and mostly traveled through the forest to avoid anyone seeing her. Maria never did change her shirt so if someone saw her and saw the blood they'd surely call for help – and that'd only put Maria in a tough situation.

As Maria was forcing herself through the forest, her feet got stuck in mud. Maria grunted as she tried to get her feet unstuck but was only wearing herself out. Maria stopped moving and rolled her eyes. She reached her hands down into the mud and yanked on her one foot, freeing it. She gasped for air and started yanking on her other foot when the wound on her back started to act up.

Maria winced and started to grind her teeth. She kept yanking on her foot to get it unstuck but her back pain started to worsen. Maria started to whimper as she was forcing herself through the pain to get herself unstuck. Eventually, she was able to get her other foot unstuck but she was in tears. The wound on her back was on fire and pain was traveling all over her. She crawled out of the mud bit and collapsed on her stomach.

She was going to take a quick break. She needed it.

(POV Change: Red)

Red flung open the doors to Simisear Bakery and yanked his phone out of his pocket. He was irritated and wasn't in the mood for anything. Green had found out that he was a part of Team Rocket and it made his blood boil. He wanted to rip and tear Jesse and James a new one but he knew that wouldn't change anything. Red also felt somewhat guilty for what he said to Green. Saying that they were both full of surprises was only going to bite him in the ass later. Red sighed and shook his head. He was an idiot.

Red was going to have to be selective in what he let Green know about his job and position. Red sighed and answered his phone.

"Hello? Red speaking," Red huffed out, closing his eyes to try and calm himself down. Red's eyes suddenly jumped awake as Jesse started to cry into the phone – but she was talking to fast and he couldn't understand what she was trying to say. Red spat out, trying to calm Jesse down. He sighed to himself as she quieted down. She was probably trying to apologize for earlier but she never was this worked up whenever she had apologized in the past.

"What's wrong, Jesse?" Red asked. Jesse took a breath and started to speak more calmly.

"It's about that girl that's with you! You need to get away from her quick and take Green with you. She's no good and is only going to cause you trouble, Red," Jesse spat out. Red raised an eyebrow and looked over his shoulder and into the Bakery. Maria was smiling cheerfully at Green and tugging at his arm to go into the kitchen. Red returned to looking ahead and huffed.

"What do you mean? She's a thirteen year old orphan that we adopted. She's harmless," Red questioned, making a confused face. Jesse sighed and raised her voice.

"You dumb twerp! Her parents were apart of the pharmaceutical disaster and clean up you were in charge of! You basically killed her parents and the reason she was talking to me tonight was to figure out who the hell my boss is so she can get revenge!" Jesse roared out, causing Red to wince and pull the phone back a bit – and then his eyes went wide. Red's hands started to tremble. Red had openly said in front of Maria earlier that he was a part of Team Rocket and that he was Jesse's boss.

Red had given Maria the information she needed to get revenge.

Red told Jesse goodbye and hung up on her. He turned and walked into the bakery and was met with dead silence. Red swallowed hard and took a breath to try and calm himself. There's no way Maria would do anything to hurt him or Green. Green had nothing to do with what happened three years ago and Maria knew that – or at least he hoped she did. Red took another breath.

"Hello? Where are you guys at?" Red called out, trying his best to remain calm. This wasn't normal. Dylan would definitely be talking up a storm or something that would be making a lot of noise. He wasn't a quiet man at all. Red started walking to the kitchen slowly – he was afraid of something but he wasn't sure what. Red was almost in the kitchen when he started to speak again.

"Why the hell aren't you guys saying anyth-" Red said before being greeted with a scene he'd never forget and never wish to see. Green was laying on the floor gushing with blood from his fresh knife wounds. Green's body laid neatly on the ground but was silently screaming for help. His body was twitching just barely – Green was slowly fading away. Red ran over and gently picked up Green, cradling him in his arms. Red started to tear up and cry. His heart was beating fast.

"Green! Green, oh my God, what happened?! Green?! Answer me!" Red cried out, no longer able to hold back his tears. Green winced and pointed over to the counter. Red laid Green back on the floor gently and checked behind the counters – and there was nothing. No one was behind there. Red frantically turned back to Green looking confused – and then he saw Dylan.

Dylan was sitting up and holding his gut, barely conscious. Red started to bawl harder and reached into his pocketing, grabbing his cellphone. Red bent down and started to look Dylan over while he called the police station.

"Hello?! I- I need someone here right away at Simisear Bakery. Multiple people have been stabbed and they're not going to live for much longer," Red rambled out, trying his best to stay calm. Red listened to the operator.

"I-I don't know just send someone! Please hurry, I can't lose my lover like this. Please hurry," Red cried out. The operator told him help was on the way and Red hung up his phone. He was able to see that Dylan would be fine for a bit till help came – but he didn't want to turn around and see Green. His heart couldn't take it and his stomach was calling to hurl – but Red forced himself to turn towards Green.

Green was laying in a pool now of his own blood. Red gasped and ran over, dropping down to the floor as quickly as he could and started to cradle Green, crying. Red leaned Green's bloody body against him and hugged him. Tears continued to flow down his face – this couldn't be real. This had to be a really bad nightmare. Red used a hand and started to pinch himself hard on his face, desperately trying to wake himself up – but nothing worked.

This nightmare at all – it was reality.

Red shook his head and kept holding Green in his arms, petting his hair softly. Red started to kiss Green's forehead.

"Please hang on, Green. I love you. Don't die on me when we are finally together and happy. I need you," Red whined out, trying his best to calm himself down and encourage Green to hang on for dear life. Green mumbled something and Red jumped, alerted at Green's sudden mumbling. Red smiled briefly and continued to pet Green's hair.

"I'm here for you, Green. I'm not going to leave your side", Red whispered out, tightly embracing Green. Red kept holding onto Green crying until help came. When the police officers first rushed in , they had their guns ready to fire – but they lowered them whenever they saw Red holding Green crying. The ran over and comforted Red. One of the men used his walkie to talk to another car while the other started to perform immediate emergency care on Green.

"Sir, are you with us?! Keep yourself in tune with my voice, I'm police officer Garret and I'm not sure if you can hear me but I'm going to work on saving your life, sir," the police officer quickly spat out. The other police officer kept speaking into the walkie talkie as he looked over Dylan. Dylan wasn't injured as bad and was able to speak somewhat

"We have a 447. Two victims with multiple stab wounds. Looks like with a regular kitchen knife. We're going to need ambulances ASAP; be ready for transport to the nearest hospital and get the ER ready for them," the police officer rattled out. Red kept watch over Green as the police officer tried his best to control the bleeding with torn pieces of Green's shirt. Police officer Garret looked over at Red and then down at Green.

"Help me apply pressure to these spots right here. We're gonna try and slow the bleeding until the ambulances arrive," Police officer Garret said, pointing to where he wanted Red to keep pressure. Red scrambled to help – he wanted Green to live so he'd do anything this man said to accomplish that. Red and Police Officer Garret kept pressure on Green's wounds while the other officer helped Dylan to his feet and supported him to walk out of the bakery to meet with the EMT's outside. Dylan was barely together when he looked over at Red. Red's eyes met his and Red started to tear up.

Dylan's eyes were empty – and not just because he had been stabbed. It was what he saw done to Green. Red adverted Dylan's dead gaze and focused back on Green.

"Green, hang in there. Please do me a favor and ignore any light you see. Stay with us. Stay with me. Please don't leave me just yet," Red whispered out as he started to cry again. Police Officer Garret's face was swept away with sorrow.

Within a few minutes, the EMT's rushed into the bakery and Red was pushed away from Green. Red started to panic and raced after them. The EMT's looked at him confused and Police Officer Garret stepped in. He held his one hand up to stop Red. Red's eyes were pleading and begging to go with Green in the ambulance but the police officer didn't care about what Red wanted.

"Sir, we're going to have to ask you to wait and see this man right here at the hospital when he's stable. We're going to save him so please give them the space they need to do so," Police Officer Garret sternly said. Red's shoulders drooped and he lowered his gaze. The EMT's loaded Green into the ambulance and they raced off, sirens blaring. Red was left alone with the two police officers. They offered him a ride to the hospital and Red took them up on it. They drove in silence.

When they got to the hospital, Police Officer Garret told Red he'd have to see him later to get a statement on what happened and Red just shrugged it off. He just wanted Green to be okay – he'd worry about giving a statement later. Red rushed off into the hospital after telling the officer 'goodbye'.

Red frantically paced back and forth in the waiting room of the emergency room when he was eventually joined by Daisy and Oak. Daisy and Oak were both absolute wrecks. When Daisy saw Red, she stomped over and started hitting Red and yelled at him. Oak had to rush over and pull her off him – but that didn't stop her from yelling at Red.

"Where were you?! How did this happen?! Why weren't you there to protect him?! Daisy yelled out, causing people to look over in concern. Red flinched and looked down while Oak turned Daisy towards him and smacked her across the face. On lookers gasped and Daisy just stood there quietly reeling from the hit. Oak's eyes were teary.

"It's not Red's fault. We don't know what happened just yet but when we do, we'll act accordingly. Don't let your emotions fly off the handle like that again, Daisy. I raised you to be better than that," Oak spat out towards Daisy causing her to cry. She ran off towards the bathrooms and Oak sighed. Oak looked over at Red and walked over to him, patting him on the shoulder.

"Don't listen to her, Red. She's just really upset and heartbroken, trying to find someone to blame right away to make herself feel better," Oak said, rubbing the back of his neck. Red looked over and sighed, trying his best not to cry. Oak and Red sat down in the nearby chairs and waited in silence. Daisy eventually reemerged and joined them but didn't dare look at either one of them.

Red glanced over at the doors leading to the emergency room and bit his lip. He wanted to know if Green was okay or not. He wanted Green to be alright and awake so he could smother him with love to help him heal. Red was going to be with Green the whole time – he wasn't going to let the man he loved suffer alone especially since it was all of his fault. Red bit his lip harder.

All of this was his fault. He wanted to protect Green but in the end he only ended up hurting him worse.

After a few hours of what seemed to be endless waiting, they were all finally allowed backed to visit Green for a little bit. They all walked back together in a group anxiously, unsure of what to expect. When they entered the room, there was a nurse checking on Dylan and the other bed was sealed off by a curtain. Dylan faintly smiled but you could tell deep down he was hurting – physically and emotionally.

They smiled back at him and Dylan pointed over to the curtain, annoying the nurse with his movement. They all three walked over to the curtain but noea single one of them budged to touch it.

They were all scared – they were afraid he'd be dead laying there. Oak sighed and slowly pulled the curtain back. Green was laying in the bed connected to tubes and loud machines while his body was heavily patched up. Daisy gasped and leaned onto Oak, starting to cry instantly. Red closed his eyes to fight back the tears and clenched his fists in a tight ball. Oak was trying his best to stay strong, but you could see it in his eyes that he was weeping inside.

"How did this happen? Why is my grandson like this?" Oak asked to himself absentmindedly. Those words stung Red's ears and the guilt started to consume him. He wanted to come clean but what good would that do right now? It'd only cause more suffering and pain for Daisy and Oak and Red didn't want that. He wanted none of this to happen and he certainly didn't expect it.

All Red ever wanted in life was to live peacefully with Green, the man he loved dearly. The man he respected and cared greatly for – but no matter what he did, the world had it out for him. To take and ruin everything he worked hard for. Red started to sob silently and his body shook.

Red loved Green but it was like the world was telling him to stop. That it was wrong and wasn't meant to be – but Red was too stubborn. He wanted to be happy. He wanted to see Green be happy like they were when they were kids. Green would always be laughing and running around with a huge grin on his face all the time. Green was rarely sad and only got angry on rare occasions and was just the most happy-go-lucky kid you could ever meet.

Red bit his lip and felt his thoughts go away. He looked over at Green and decided to walk over and sit on the edge of the bed. He ran his hand through Green's soft, silky hair and leaned in and kissed him on the forehead. Oak and Daisy walked over as well and placed one of their hands on Red's shoulders. They stayed quiet until Daisy took a breath and started to say a prayer.

"Dear Arceus, please let my brother live. I can't bear to lose him again and not get him back this time," Daisy said, trying her best to stay calm. Oak coughed to cover his crying and Red looked over his shoulder at Daisy teary-eyed. He smiled faintly at the both of them.

"Green's a tough guy, I"m sure he'll recover. We just need to be here for him now," Red whispered, trying not to startle them. They both looked at Red and smiled. They all agreed that they'd be here for Green every day - even if he wasn't awake. They sit by his side and talk to him and hope that he could hear them. His wounds were ghastly and he had to be put into a medical coma. If they hadn't his body could have gone into shock and he could have died.

After visiting with Green for a bit, Oak and Daisy tried to talk to Dylan but he just sat there staring at them – it was like his eyes were trying to speak for him. They'd move around frantically but his lips wouldn't move a muscle. They said they'd visit him everyday as well and all they got out of Dylan was a nod. Oak and Daisy looked back over at Red and Red shrugged, unsure of what to say.

Dylan was such an eccentric and lively person that to see him this broken was disheartening.

Oak and Daisy left the room and Dylan laid down, turning his back to Red. Red focused back on Green when was startled by Dylan's sudden talking. Red turned towards Dylan but Dylan refused to move and face Red.

"It...It... It was...Maria," Dylan mumbled out, keeping his back to Red. Red's eyes went wide with horror. Jesse was right – she was a dangerous girl and Red single handily led her to Green. Red's stomach started to churn and he felt dizzy. He had caused all of this.

Dylan's body started to shake and Red rushed over, turning Dylan over. Dylan's eyes were wide, trying to show some type of emotion but it was as if his body was telling him no. Red gently grabbed a hold of Dylan's shoulders.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Red asked. Dylan's eyes started to tear up and he tried to speak but he couldn't. Red kept trying to encourage Dylan to talk but it was as if his body was refusing – it seemed like his mind was trying to protect him more and it was slowly killing Red. Red sighed and decided to give up. He rubbed Dylan's back to try and calm him down.

"When you can talk please tell them who it was. I would but I'm certain they'll take your word better over mine," Red whispered out. Dylan nodded his head 'yes' and shooed Red's hand off his back. Red made a funky face and Dylan pulled his bed covers up, indicating he wanted to rest. Red sighed and stood up, looking back over at Green. He felt his heart ache with guilt and walked out of the room. He pulled out his cellphone and took a breath.

Red was going to have a word with the Team Rocket Higher ups and see if it could be possible to find Maria – and once he did, Red was going to make sure she could never do something like this to Green ever again. If she had an issue with Red she should have attacked him, not Green. Red felt his blood boil as he pressed in each number on his phone to contact the higher ups.

Red was going to protect Green – even if it meant killing one more person.

End of Chapter 20

Author's Note – Hi everyone! I hope you liked this chapter! The next four (including this one) chapters are going to be about what happened in the four months Green was in a coma. I kind of highlighted about it a bit in the last chapter but I'm going to really flesh out what happened up to the moment Red confessed that he was responsible for what Maria eventually ended up doing! So excited to write it! I hope you guys will enjoy it!

Also, I'm going to start rewriting the first few chapters as I stated in my first Author's note. So please do keep an eye out for them! I want to reminds you that I'm just updating them up to my current writing style – I'm not going to change any events, characters or anything important to the story line.

I want to thank you all for following and favoring this story. I really do appreciate it a lot! Also, your reviews make my day and I'm so happy to write for you all!

Thanks for everything, everyone!

- Love, Twisted List