Where have the reviewers gone, long time passing? Where have the reviewers gone, long time ago…(looks at Twintrouble and Layton)
A side fact about Reincarnation: starting here, the paths of FireRed and Sapphire will not correspond to that of Ruby in terms of time. I would like to remind you that, in reality, Hoenn and Orre are a territory of Japan and Arizona. Thus, when it is day in one, it is night in the other.
Note: I don't own Pokemon. I'm just one of the many teens who chooses to do something that's besides preparing for a world that will no longer exist once I'm able to grasp it.
Dawn broke over Hoenn, yet Ruby had barely a moment's rest. He stared up at the ceiling of his room, the posters that covered it, and sighed. He had returned home late, and his mother didn't have a care. Ruby was almost a man. But then—why did he regret being treated like one?
He knew the answer to that. Back in his childhood, Ruby always looked to his father for guidance. Ruby always looked to the future, wondering what it had in store for him. Yet, the future was now. Ruby wasn't a little boy anymore. He was a Professional Pokemon Trainer as well as a lover, and possibly the only hope in Hoenn of finding out what the hell is happening. His father, his idol, had passed away shortly after Ruby turned pro. Yet, he was still not even legally an adult. How is one supposed to find their path in the world without even being able to vote in the world you're fighting for?
Ruby sat up slowly. Being a big kid was a drag.
"I didn't know about this Creo," Michael said, "but the orb you reference…I remember hearing about it somewhere. I can look it up, and then we can meet again." Michael sat up, as though he was ready to leave. Ruby had another opinion.
"Meet again? Damnit, why do we have to work on this at all?" Ruby sat up quickly, kicking his chair to the ground. Wally jumped slightly, but Michael had no reaction. Ruby began his monologue.
"This is ridiculous. Shouldn't the adults be in on this? Seriously, we're just kids. Sorry to break it to you, Michael, but we're kids. How are you able to say the fate of the fucking world is resting on our shoulders when we can't even get real jobs? And another thing: if I'm a Pro and you're not, then why didn't you just go and talk to Diamond yourself? That would make more sense than coming here and condemning me to being Hoenn's messiah. I'm not much of a better trainer than you are, Michael. Why do you think I can find out a whole fucking conspiracy when I can't even take four Shadow Pokemon by myself?"
Michael went to the door of the tree house. There was light coming from the horizon. How late was it?
Michael turned to Wally. He was fed up with Ruby's wining. "Wally, I'll call you when I have some info on that orb. Meanwhile, I need you two to do some research. Find out what Legendaries are still roaming free, and if possible, by whom some have been captured."
'By whom.' Ruby rolled his eyes. What kind of seventeen-year-old used correct English?
Ruby threw on his normal garb of sweater, khakis, and the trademark headband, setting off with not even three hours of sleep. Littleroot Town was a quaint place, full of people that you knew personally, and kids that you weren't afraid of getting mugged by. It was a happy place; Ruby recalled his first observation of the town. He did and still did prefer Littleroot Town to Johto's Violet City. Cities had bullies, major schools to get into, and women that would steal your money and leave you once another man came along. At least Sapphire gave him a chance, not a maxed-out credit card.
Yet, Ruby still wished he were back in Johto. He had miniscule worries, simple goals of a college education, and barely any knowledge of Pokemon and what's beyond the City borders.
Ruby picked his Pokenav out of his pocket as he exited his beloved town and went towards Oldale Town. He dialed the number for Wally, and waited for a message.
"Hello, this is Wally. Sorry, I can't get to the Pokenav right now, but if you're an insanely hot woman, I might call you back."
Ruby winced at the thought of Wally in a serious relationship, and the tone sounded for Ruby to leave a message. "Hey Wally, it's me. I'm going to go into Lillycove and see if their library has any info on the Legendaries. Call me back."
Ruby closed the Pokenav, and looked around for anybody in sight. He was alone on route 102. Ruby removed a Pokeball from his belt: if he were going to get to Lillycove at a reasonable hour, the best bet would be to get there by Pokemon. He prepared to cast a flying type when a familiar voice sounded.
"I'm late! I'm late! Oh, Oak is going to have my ass on a platter!"
Ruby looked in the direction of the voice. It came from his lover's father: the infamous Professor Birch. If the Prof was up this early, than perhaps Ruby could stop by for any information on the Legendaries. Despite their less-than-stellar relationship regarding Ruby dating Birch's only daughter, Birch was always looking out for the two of them. Maybe Birch would be willing to help.
…
FireRed leaned his head on the door to the hotel room as he searched his pockets for the key. He forgot one crucial issue about being stuck in the desert: his Pidgeot was KO'ed, leaving him without a ride home. FireRed never liked hitchhiking before, but when it's either that or walking across the desert, suddenly his legs gave way,
FireRed finally had the key, and fumbled it into the card slot. Turning the handle to the room, FireRed would've fallen into it, had a pretty young psychic not been about to leave that moment. Pearl found herself holding a mass of teenage sweat, and didn't say anything about it. If anything, Pearl found it best to avoid talking to him until she sorted out her feelings. Like Dante had said, she needed to know if she could really be with a boy.
Pearl stood FireRed up against the wall, and tried to get away. However, FireRed had regained consciousness. He gave the girl a groggy smile. Unfortunately for her reserve, that smile was one of the cuter faces FireRed made. She was already holding him anyway.
Pearl parted her lips nervously. Should she say something about what she feels? Did FireRed already know, and she'd only look insecure? Or…should she just leave while she could? Perhaps Pearl didn't think this out too seriously.
Too late.
FireRed's lips were upon her in a heartbeat. First they were a softer, gentler kiss, seeing how Pearl would react when she wasn't tired and overly horny. FireRed was taken aback by the softness of her lips, the fullness of her lips, but this only made him want Pearl more. When Pearl began to kiss back, FireRed began to attack more fiercely, taking her in his arms, and pulling Pearl closer. Pearl thanked whatever god there was for his deodorant.
FireRed cradled her head as his lips did a number on hers, as his hands worked down to her hips and lower back. Pearl was in a mass of emotion: she was sexually aroused, and she was aroused by one she really liked. Pearl began to get really into the moment, taking FireRed's tongue and still begging for more. He would've kept going, had Pearl had a vision. It was almost a vision, anyway. The colors were blurry, but the noises were all she needed. Pearl backed away from the vision, refusing to read what FireRed was thinking, especially if it was from a sexually aroused version of FireRed.
Pearl pushed FireRed away and stormed out of the hotel, without even a word. FireRed was left there to consider his own emotions.
…
After a cooling shower, FireRed collapsed on his bed and flipped on the television. Some program featuring a boy with a hat and his Pikachu was playing. FireRed turned down the volume and thought for a moment. Why had he suddenly kissed Pearl? What was with him?
FireRed remembered what he vowed when he came back to the Pokemon world. He decided to be entirely different from his previous life. Red was the pretty boy, with women and fame. FireRed was supposed to be a lone warrior, with no friends or romance. Yet, here he was with friends, as well as a potential girlfriend.
FireRed played around with the thought for a moment. FireRed and Pearl…it certainly sounded nice. Besides, there was no question that he found Pearl to be attractive. Overweight or not, she still had curves and beauty to spare.
But…was he ready for another relationship? FireRed thought about turning down the idea, when another one hit him.
He had started a new life. You only go around the track once, but this was a fresh lap. Perhaps he should take love while the getting is good.
…
Pearl wandered the streets of the shopping market. She didn't originally know it was there. It was one of those open-air malls, with street vendors and performers abound. It wasn't noon yet, but the stores were so crowded that it could've been 8:00 on a Saturday night. Pearl had yet to find her beanie, but didn't need its warmth. She was thoroughly warmed by FireRed, and the feeling of being loved didn't leave her easily. Although, the feeling of wanting sex was starting to get on her nerves. Pearl stopped walking, and stood still in the middle of the road.
If FireRed really didn't like her, than the last two instances of foreplay wouldn't have occurred. She remembered the old saying: 'fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.' If FireRed was kissing her again, than this time wasn't the result of whatever they were doing that night; FireRed actually liked her. Pearl was decided. She would go to FireRed and ask to be his girlfriend.
Girlfriend…the name sounded funny in Pearl's mouth. She was always the neglected child in her life. In a community of psychics, the Halfling didn't have much of a chance attracting men. Yet, here was somebody who probably did like her. Somebody who liked Pearl, the 150-pound-plus loner, the Halfling, the one who was least likely to land a man in a bazillion years.
But then, if she had to face FireRed in the Coliseum…That was too far off. If she could love somebody and be loved in return, than that was worth anything in the world.
Pearl began to walk when she noticed a strange boy walk beside her. He muttered to himself, garbed in a tye-dye shirt and khakis. Pearl sped up the pace, and the boy sped up the pace. Pearl looked over: this was no boy, but a 40-year-old man! Pearl looked around: three more were behind her. What was happening?
Pearl turned the block quickly, trying to avoid a conflict, when she smashed into a tall, brawny man. She was horrified to find he also wore the tye-dye shirt. The man spoke. "So, miss, what brings you to the fair Pyrite City?"
"Hush…" the man cut her off as Pearl opened her mouth. Pearl's psychic power wasn't working.
"I can tell you: the Pokemon Coliseum, aye? Well, after that display back at your match, my boys and I don't think you belong in the tourney. We're gonna knock you out of it right now."
Pearl's power came back right on time: a Water Gun at three o'clock! Pearl ducked quickly, leaving the man to be thoroughly soaked. She looked back. Those men trailing her were not only stopped behind her, but also had out Pokemon! When had they gotten here? They all wielded the same Pokemon: the illustrious Vaporeon, Eevee's water counterpart. Pearl knew about these: weaker trainers gang up on the stronger ones in an attempt to make their chances of winning the Coliseum easier. Well, they didn't know that their opponent had a little secret.
And loving FireRed wasn't the secret she meant.
…
The city wasn't very forgiving to a condemned man. Gold learned this lesson back when he prepared to take the Pokemon Master title, and it proved accurate today. The market was nothing but hard, cold faces staring back at him. The sun was overcast, the weather was cold, and the time was 1:38. In less than 12 hours, Gold's life would be over and he would be waiting for the end. He had given up the façade of Crystal still being in this world. At least the Pokemon Master title would die with him. That was a simple consolation.
Gold looked to his belt. His Pokemon were his only friends. They had seen him through his entire life, and he feared that they would end their lives with him. Was that fair to the Pokemon that did nothing wrong? Should they suffer for the sins of their trainer?
"Hah! So much for that flashy mirror-image stuff! You're just another twerp—one whose time here is up!"
That was the one voice that Gold had actually heard in days. Among the chatter of an outdoor mall with a road running down it, was it fate that he only heard that one sound? Not one for spiritualism, Gold merely strode in the direction of the voice. He didn't run. Gold wasn't one for running when all paths ended in the same way.
…
Pearl grunted in agony as her Chingling fell to the pavement, leaving the three Vaporeon to circle the enemy. Why wasn't her telekinesis working? By now, Pearl thought she would've read the battle ten moves ahead and ended it in half the time. Instead, Chingling was set upon so fast that Pearl didn't even get a chance to synch minds. The psychic fighting style involves the trainer and Pokemon connected on a medium where the trainer can deliver orders and the Pokemon can act. Without this, Pearl and any other psychic trainer may as well be fighting blind.
Chingling stood up wearily, the strands of ribbon on its head struggling to focus together. As soon as Chingling was standing, one of the Vaporeons became cloaked in water and charged straight for its enemy. Chingling was tackled down, crying vainly for aid.
Pearl struggled to get a connection between her and Chingling, but it wasn't happening. Why now? Why couldn't her powers be on the fritz back before today? Pearl thought for a moment, and realized something.
FireRed almost fell into the room, had a pretty young psychic not been about to leave that moment.
She should've seen that before it happened. On top of that, she should've seen she would get jumped. Why didn't her powers work today? They were always working, in one way or another. Sure, they were heightened when her emotions were stressed, but now they were gone. What had happened to her that one night?
Chingling, regardless, was down for the count. It lay on the ground, limp, almost lifeless, and barely breathing. Pearl called it back, but to her surprise, the Vaporeons were not withdrawn upon victory. The man leading the thugs laughed.
"What, you thought we were done here? Sorry, kiddo. We want to make sure you're out. Got it?"
The three Vaporeons turned their attentions to Pearl. What the hell? Pearl backed up slowly, but the Pokemon glared at her with demonic eyes. Any move would mean them jumping. What to do?
There was no point in waiting. The center Vaporeon lunged for Pearl.
…
FireRed woke up from whatever sleep he had come into. Last time he checked, the room was a pale yellow from the glare of the windows. Now the room was dimly lighted. What time was it? He sleepily sat up from the bed, and looked at the clock. 6:42 PM. He had crashed about five hours ago, then. So much for thinking about feelings about one special psychic. And, speak of the devil, she was sitting on her bed, turned away from FireRed, sobbing. FireRed looked at her for a moment before getting up.
FireRed slowly walked over to Pearl, and sat next to her. They faced the closed window, with the hazy orange sky blatantly visible. FireRed said nothing, as he let Pearl cry. She was sobbing silently, like the night where they met. Pearl dried up quickly enough. Her luscious eyes were even more enticing when they were stained with tears, FireRed oddly noticed. Pearl looked him in the eyes before speaking.
"FireRed, where will this lead us?" she calmly asked. FireRed was taken aback. If she was the psychic, then why didn't she already know?
Pearl smiled to herself. It was good to have her powers back. "I know, I should know that. But, I don't need to look into the future or into somebody's head to know what will happen, FireRed."
Pearl sniffled before continuing. "The boat for the next arena takes off in six hours. In six hours, we will no longer be friends, lovers if you want to call us that. We will be back to the way it should've been: enemies, vying for the Pokemon Master title. This will only succeed in hurting us more when the other is eliminated, or when the one will have to defeat the other in battle. Where will this love get us?"
FireRed was about to ask how Pearl knew about the boat, but bit his tongue. He was here to comfort her, not ask meaningless questions. FireRed laughed to himself, how the Coliseum suddenly became meaningless.
FireRed remembered how similarly he felt for another being, a few years ago. He lost Misty because of keeping secrets, and because of not trying hard enough in the relationship. He didn't want that to happen again. FireRed took a deep breath. He had never told a girl his feelings, and didn't want to. It wasn't his style. He did the next best thing.
FireRed thought for a moment before grinning. "If that does happen, it won't change anything. Pokemon Master or not, we're still each other, right? Losing doesn't mean we lose our places in the world."
"You mean you don't care if you lose the match with Gold?"
FireRed was stunned. A match with Gold? Had Pearl read his future, or not? Was she trying to tell him something by asking these questions?
Pearl looked deep into FireRed's eyes, returning the same gaze he had received that night when she was completely wasted. Although, was this really Pearl he was staring into?
FireRed wanted tell her so many things, he wanted to ask so many things. Did she actually like him? Did she know that a forbidden love among trainers would end badly, or was this her own doubt? FireRed knew how he should've reacted: with one of those long speeches about the title being a worldly thing, how love transcends life. But that would be bullshit that he didn't believe. He wanted Pearl almost as much as the title. But after three years of emptiness, that was pretty damn close. FireRed said one word.
"No."
Pearl said nothing. She knew the meaning behind the meaning. Right now, in the moment where nothing else matters, love needs no words.
FireRed found his lips on hers again. Why did all their recent meetings end like that?
However, those meetings ended with two kids not knowing what they felt. Here, it was a connection between two spirits that was forged. Tongue or not, FireRed was in love again. He didn't think that was possible.
Pearl leaned back down while FireRed kissed her, indulged in her, let his wildest dreams come true with her. At least this time, Pearl was happy to be conscious.
…
Gold was back at the beach. He couldn't sleep. The last night of his life, and he couldn't sleep. Gold took this as proof that somebody upstairs didn't have a liking to him. The night air was chilling him to the bone. Gold had removed his hat, letting his brown bangs fly over his face. At least his hair was free.
He looked into his bag, which lay next to him on the sand. Inside were all the items he would need, as well as all of his belongings. He wouldn't be coming back, that was a given. Attached to his belt was his full party of Pokemon, the six that had fought alongside him during his rise to glory. He saw it only fitting that they see him to the end. Some people, he assumed, probably saw it cruel to take his Pokemon to die with him. Gold saw it as a matter of honor: to cheat his Pokemon out of fighting their last battle would be the greatest insult a warrior could take.
Gold stood overlooking the horizon, one last time. He really had become the very best…He really had achieved his dream.
Gold stepped in front of Pearl, and all the voices stopped. The Vaporeons stopped in their tracks. The trainers called their Pokemon back not for calling out another, but out of fear. Fear or respect, one of the two.
He really had become the idol that he swore to become back then, all those years ago. He was an influence to the millions that wanted to be him, and that looked up to him.
"Do what you feel is right," he told the girl about her boy problem. "Even if you guys have to fight in the Coliseum, that's not his fault any more than it is yours. And if he really loves you, then none of this will matter."
He was a hero to the weak, a name among the organizations waiting to attack and those not yet made. Gold was a walking savior to the Pokemon world. The savior was about to be crucified.
As Gold sat down on the sand and watched the sun come up, he wondered if death was the path of a Pokemon Master, or simply the path of a lover.
End Hesitation V: Love Needs No Words