All That Once Was

A lonely pile of charred wood lay in a heap of ashes. The smell coming from the leftovers of a small campfire lingered in the forest. Morning light pierced through the trees' leaves creating a Tyndall effect along the burnt firewood.

Across from the recently used camp fire sat a strange fellow. Tall and brawny, the peculiar man sat on fallen tree that looked recently cut down as seen by the gashes and claw marks at the end of the deceased tree trunk.

He had the hood of his sweater pulled over his head to provide further protection from the chilly morning. His arms were resting on his thighs while he fiddled with a Pokeball in his fingers. He wiped off every bit of frost that formed on his Pokeball as time went by. He repeated the process for quite a while, determined to not let any frost stay too long on it.

"Where the hell is he?" he grumbled. His breathe was visible under the cold circumstances which annoyed the impatient trainer. "Doesn't he know that I can't stand sitting in cold for too long?"

He scowled finally decided to give up on polishing his Pokeball realizing it was futile. He stuffed the ball into his pocket. Resolved to sticking his hands in his arm pits for warmth, the grown man quietly protested.

A twig snapping sharpened the man's senses. His light blue eyes swerved to the direction of the noise. He stayed completely still in his place, like a Caterpie standing still to avoid the detection of a Spearow. His still stature didn't waver, not even when he saw someone appeared in the forest.

"It's about damn time, Ember."

Ember entered the camp not affected by the rude welcoming. He grabbed his bag that he left at the stump of the fallen tree.

"Where have you been all this time?" Drake pulled his hood to have wider eyesight range.

"I just went to check on something, but it turned out to be pointless in the end," Ember replied taking out his phone.

"What do you mean pointless?" Drake scoffed feeling that his suffering was all for nothing. "I waited out her for hours all for you to tell it was pointless."

"Well, discuss the matter a later time, but right now it's time for our meeting," Ember said glimpsing at the time. It marked it as exactly eight o'clock.

The phone in Ember's hand began rang and Drake's phone joined in. Drake slightly annoyed took out his phone and answered the call.

"Drake from the 1st division reporting in," he said in aggregated tone,

"Ember from the 1st division reporting in."

From both Kuriasora trainers phones, more familiar voices spoke.

"Ice from the 2nd division reporting in."

"Joey from the 2nd division reporting in everybody!"

"Electra from the 3rd division reporting in."

"Vladimir from the 3rd division reporting in."

Once everyone finished their opening lines, a new voice spoke up.

"….Division Zero acknowledges everyone here," a man said, his voice clearly absent of any notable emotion. "A brief update will be provided from each group in the usual order."

Ember immediately spoke after Division Zero fell silent. "1st Division is closing in on our assigned target. We are close to its resting habitat. Estimated time for a successful capture is about three days."

Ice began not a second later after Ember finished. "2nd Division have successful y captured our assigned target. Articuno is secured in our hands and is ready to be of use at any moment." Though he tried to suppress it, a bit of pride could be detected in his report.

"3rd Division is nearing in on target 3. Currently we are near the power plant that the subject has decided to make as its temporary home," Electra spoke up for her division. "Estimated time of capture is five hours."

A long moment of silence followed Electra's report. No one dared to speak as they awaited the words from Division Zero. After what felt like an eternity, the unnerving silence was broken.

"I see progress is going as predicted," he said as if he expected these exact results. "However, everyone is alleviated of their current assignments and are ordered to report back immediately to headquarters for an urgent matter."

"What!" exclaimed a surprised Vladimir."But we are so close to capturing target 3! We can't live up this chance we have right now."

Drake spoke up against his order as well. "How can we ditch current mission all of a sudden? You know how large of a setback that will be?"

"I know all of you have taken extensive time to track down your targets but right now there is an urgent matter to be dealt with before you can continue. "

Drake opened his mouth to speak again but was shunned before he could say anything by their leader.

"Operation Fullmoon has finally begun."

Everyone was silent as they took in the news.

It was a while before Ember decided to speak. "I see-then we must hurry to base."

"Of course and don't worry about the objectives. Once they find a new place to rest, they will stay there for quite a while."

"How about the 3rd division finishes the job since we are very close to target and won't take much time?" Vladimir asked.

A short pause before the man spoke again. "If it won't take more than a day, I will allow it," he answered. "Any more time taken will result in a harsh penalty."

"Don't sweat it, I'll be quick," Vladimir contentedly said.

"I expect the rest of you early at headquarters," the leader said in a demanding tone. "This meeting has come to an end." The transmission abruptly cut off.

"Well, this is a pain," Drake muttered shoving his phone back into his pocket. Ember, however, didn't put up his device but began to issue a call.

"Who are going to call at this hour?" Drake asked though didn't seem all that interesting.

"Just a call for Ice," Ember bluntly said putting the phone to his ear. It rang once before Ice took up the call.

"What's the matter, Ember?" Ice coolly answered.

"Ice, if I recall correctly, just few days ago you said that you killed my younger brother back at the Sea Foam Islands," Ember said with a blank tone.

"Yeah, why? Are you finally feeling remorse for your lost sibling," Ice mocked.

"Well, the funny thing is that I just happened to see Red not just alive but in healthy condition."

"What are talking about, Ember? Have the lost your brother really affected you that much that your starting to see him in your illusions?" Ice sounded a bit annoyed.

"I've just had a recent run in with him under the circumstances that he had to fight me. He had his Charizard who also looked completely fine. It didn't however put up a good fight against my own Charizard," Ember explained.

"Impossible! I swear I froze him with Articuno's Sheer Cold," Ice responded sounding a bit hectic. "Are you just playing with me, Ember?"

"Do you see me as the guy that would just prank out of blue?"

Ice fell silent. "That brother of yours, he is something. Please tell me that you put an end to his life before he could have caused more mischief."

"I am afraid I couldn't because back-up arrived before I could finish the job," Ember replied.

"I see, well this could become a problem," Ice murmured. "Is there a chance that he may intervene with our plans in the future?"

"I doubt that will be happening anytime soon," Ember calmly responded.

"Why do you say that?" Ice sounded skeptical.

"I believe he has other more important matters to attend to as of the moment," he simply replied.

"Is that so," Ice said catching Ember's drift. "If that's the case then we can continue without worry. Well, at least you have time to catch Moltres."

"Moltres will be captured by the time preparations are complete."

"It better be because time is not on your side this month," Ice said it as if it was threat.

"It will be taken care I assure you," Ember said before ending his call abruptly.

"What is this I hear? Having fun without me," Drake smirked. "If I was there, I would taken care of this back-up this boy had."

"I'll bear that in mind next time I face, Red," Ember said putting up his phone. He collected his bag of the ground. "But for now, we got to head back to base."

Drake's smirk quickly turned to a frown. "Fine, but still don't what's whole fuss about time. I thought we still had a few more weeks ."

"I thought so to," Ember agreed. "But something must have come up for him to suddenly call it now."

"Something, right? Now things are going to get interesting," Drake stood up from his tree trunk. He took out a Pokeball from his belt. "So, less see if I can finally beat you in a race against your Charizard."

"You always want to find some petty pastime for even the most trivial of tasks," Ember noted. "But if it makes you work harder then by all means lets have race." Ember took out his Pokeball that was full of scratches and burn marks.

The devastated Red sat before his house. All that was left was a burnt skeleton of his home. The left side of his house that contained the kitchen and Red's room along with the guest room was left in ruin as t collapsed on itself. A gaping hole in the two story house was left behind.

Red lay there on the ground a safe distance from the unstable building teetering on burnt wood. He tried to ignore the charred smell but the strong odor invaded his nose giving him a difficult time. He was left alone as people were in chaos around him.

The fire department had to come from Viridian City since Pallet Town lacked its own fire fighters. They were investigating the place hoping to find a clue as to what caused the fire. With their Water type partners at their side, they shoved the broken cupboards that used to contain dishes and cups to the side.

Red's mind whirled with depressing thoughts. He couldn't focus on one thing before his scumbag brain thought of a way to relate it to Ember. His state stopped many people from approaching him. Even the kids didn't want to get near Red as if he had some contagious virus.

His mother couldn't come over and comfort him for she was with the townsfolk on figuring a plan for their future. She talked among them talking where they will stay to how they were going to find a new home.

At least she can look forward, Red thought. But that's because she doesn't know about Ember.

Red couldn't bring himself to tell his beloved mother that her oldest son came by to try and burn them in their sleeps. He just didn't find the strength to tell her for it will surely bring her to tears. He also couldn't talk about it because just muttering his name makes Red feel as if will have a mental breakdown himself.

Red slid down a hand to his pocket. His belt didn't have his Pokeballs making him feel even more alone in the world. He turned them over to Leaf who had a Pokemon healing machine in Professor's Oak lab. However, Charizard's wounds will take longer to heal according to Leaf.

Red grabbed a rock close to him to at least the feeling of an object in his hand to composite for the fact he didn't have his Pokemon. He rolled it in between his fingers.

"Don't work yourself to hard," Emily approached Red.

Red dropped his pebble. He didn't want to bother and decided to make it clear. "Leave me alone, Emily."

Emily didn't back off and sat down right next to Red. She joined him in his house watch seeing what the firemen were up to.

"Your Charizard is doing fine now," Emily said bringing her knees to her chest.

Red didn't feel like objecting her acquaintance but still didn't want to acknowledge her presence. So he kept silent.

"Leaf said he will make a full recovery even though he had some deep gashes. Says it's a miracle have made such progress in the healing process even though t has just been a few hours," she informed plucking a piece of grass from the ground. She twirled it between her thumbs as she talked.

Red kept a stern face looking straight forward as if waiting for his house magically rebuild itself to its old self.

Emily sighed. "Look Red, I don't know what happen since you haven't spoken since we found you, but that doesn't give you the right to ignore the people that care about you."

Red eyesight flickered. "What makes you think that I'm ignoring the people I love?" he muttered looking away feeling Emily's stare on him.

"What do I need to explain? Just look at yourself. All by yourself as you stare down your burnt house! How is being all depress going to help you?" Emily said it like a mother scolding.

Red's teeth clenched. He didn't want a lecture on how to act especially from people who didn't understand his situation.

"Unlike you, Emily, I had great memories from the place I was born," Red grumbled. "I had many precious moments in that place and now it's all gone in an hour."

Emily expressed sorrow for the first time since she been with Red. "It's true that I may never be able to empathize with you," her voice fell faint tighten her arms around her legs. "But that won't stop me from sympathizing with you."

Red kept his distant tone. "Why do you go so far to care for me?"

"Don't say such stupid things! I do it because you're a close friend!" she fired back.

Red's mind went blank. He felt somewhat surprised by such an outburst. He slowly clocked his head to his right. Emily was looking at him with a heartbreaking face. Eyes looked as if they were about to burst into tears at any time.

"Stop dealing with this pain alone as if only you can understand it," she whispered. "You have wonderful friends all around you. They all care about you. They all can't stand to see you deeply hurt. They will carry that burden that you carry alone." Red stared back with a somewhat surprised look. His mouth opened to say something but couldn't thing on what to say.

"Now, share that pain with me," she said unraveling her arms and stretched out her legs.

"tch!" Red tried to talk but choked on his own words. I can't hold this in anymore, Red thought. Why do I have to be so weak? The tears he kept inside so hard gushed out like a broken fountain. His head fell limp as his neck couldn't support the weight and fell onto Emily's shoulder who caught him. She hugged him closely as Red bawled onto her shoulder.

What kind of person am I to be so emotionally unstable? I couldn't even keep my cool when I faced Ember! I wasn't even able to contain myself when I first heard the truth from Ember! Cursed himself as he found comfort n Emily's shoulder.

I also have been too weak, He thought. I wasn't able to defeat Ember on many occasions and it nearly cost me my mother, the only family I had! Emily was nearly killed at the Seafoam Islands because I couldn't stop them. I could have died against the hands of Giovanni if Blue hadn't saved me. Kuraisora member Vladimir could just as easily have killed me if he didn't show pity for me.

Red's head was flooded with depressing thoughts. He couldn't find a positive note in the world anymore. He felt that was supposed to die in the past yet luck has only kept him alive. Pretty soon, his luck will run out.

Red cried for a good few minutes until he finally calmed down. His whimpers turned to soft gasps and his shaking settled. He reentered reality to find himself on the teenage girl. He lifted his head to see he left a large wet stain on her white shirt.

"Oh I'm sorry for ruining your shirt," Red sniveled.

Emily replied with a warm smile. "Don't worry about it, Red." She looked into Red's reddened eyes.

Red quickly wiped off his face noticing Emily's stare. He rubbed his eyes feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm sorry for being…weak," he said.

Emily shook her head. "Don't feel ashamed for crying. It's the human's way of showing such care for important things in our lives. Your tears are the physical representation of the feelings in your heart." She lightly poked Red in the chest.

Red rubbed his chest now aware of his heart beating. He looked quite worry as he took in what she said. That's when a smile slowly grew on his face.

"What is it?" Emily asked.

Red held his goofy smile that belonged to a mentally ill person. "I've never expected something so cliché from you of all people."

Emily's smile dropped. "I'm here being the concerned person and yet you decide to ruin such a good mood." Red flashed her a toothy grin. "God you're such a buzzkil." Emily said.

"Well, I still appreciate for what you did for me," Red said returning to watching his house.

"Yeah, yeah, just don't go around telling people that I gave you a shoulder to cry," Emily replied.

"As long as you don't tell people I cried like a baby," Red laughed.

"I wouldn't dream of telling someone how much of a baby you became," Emily scoffed.

Red was about to retort but saw his mother coming.

She approached the two teenagers with a cheery demeanor that a mother must keep to life everyone's spirits. "Good news, Red and Emily!"

"What is it?" Red jumped up ready to receive the good news.

"The Prest family has offered us to stay at their house for the meantime," she said looking more content than usual.

Red didn't see this as good news since he still saw the problem of having a proper home. They couldn't live forever with their neighbors.

"And what about our home," Red weakly gestured to his destroyed home. "Can we really rebuild what we lost?"

Red's mother overly cheerful smile fell. "I'm sorry honey, but everything we had was lost in that house. We will have to start from scratch and look for a new place to live." She tried to explain.

Emily's eyes switched from Red's mother to him. She decided to interject the family matter.

"That's enough of grieving from you guys," she snapped a finger. "I will get this mess all fixed up."

"That's the spirit, Emily. We must persevere and not let this lower our motivation," Red's mother said.

"And we won't have to worry about this mess anymore because I'll have you a new house built in about a week!" Emily proclaimed.

The caring mother was left speechless. "I-I appreciate your determination, dear, but I don't think how much it will cost to rebuild a –"

"I understand it takes a great deal but money is no big deal for me!"

"No, its fine, Emily. I don't want you to take all the costs of rebuilding my house," Red tried to persuade but was futile.

"Listen to, Red. It's not as easy as you make it to seem," she tried to convince her as well.

Emily lifted a mocking finger. "Come on, Red. You know that I could build you a mansion complete with a large pool and golf course."

"Yes, I know but I'm accepting charity from you," Red argued.

"Ah, but it's not charity," Emily inclined. "It's more like my grandfather's way of fully thanking you for what you have done for him."

Red's mom was completely lost. "What is she talking about, Red?"

Emily answered for Red. "My grandfather would be more than happy to help Red because he saved the Silph Corporation from Team Rocket's grasps. In fact, let me call my grandfather to make arrangements for your new home!" she took out her Pokegear already calling her wealthy relative.

"Wait! You interfered with a large criminal organization notorious in Kanto?" Red's mother shouted appalled.

Red sheepishly replied," hehe, I may have stop a few of their schemes."

"Red Ketchum, how can you have placed your life in harm's way without even thinking first!" she began to scold Red.

Emily shut close her phone. "It's done! Construction for your new house will soon begin and for the meanwhile, we have reserved a room in the most luxurious hotel in Viridian City, The Great Ghastly! I also got a credit card for you to be able to go buy new clothes and furniture that you lost in the disaster. All of it will be placed under my tab but grandpa will make sure to pay every single penny!"

Red's mother went from furious to incredibly excited. "You didn't have to, Emily, but considering the circumstances I can't refuse can't I?" she went to Emily to embrace you.

Emily was taken aback by the sudden hug but was quick to return the hug. Never have felt what a mother's embrace felt like, she awkwardly accepted it, yet felt all warm inside.

"And I'm thankful for having such a wonderful son that will go so far as to help other people. Even though it might have cost his life! I raised such a wonderful son," Mrs. Ketchum boasted hugging Emily tighter.

Red found it scary how quickly his mother changed moods. Just accept for now, Red thought it was better than being yelled at.

"Though, I'll be staying at luxurious hotel, I'll like to spend some time at the Prests home since they have been good friends for such a long time that I feel like I will like to share this wonderful news with them over dinner," she said.

"No problem," Emily replied. "Why you don't go with now and Red and I will go a buy the groceries to give to these people."

"You're definitely an angel," Mrs. Ketchum smiled. "I appreciate the help. Please meet me at their house and we'll start cooking the minute you get here."

Emily agreed saying the expenses will all be on her. The mother left to share the good news with the rest of the concerned neighbors leaving the kids to the task.

"I've never seen her so quick to change her feelings that it's scary," Red remarked as they embarked on a short trip.

"Well, I think it's just great to have a mother to watch over you in general," Emily said. She could still feel that motherly love tingle through her body. This is the feeling that I've been missing all this time, she thought to herself.

They both made a quick trip to the market in Viridian city to buy the ingredients that Red had to call his mom for. They left the place with three bags full of groceries.

"You know you didn't have to go as far as buy us new furniture and clothes," Red continue his point.

"Oh stop it already," Emily said. They passed by the local gym when the place caught her eye. "Stop, Red!"

"Huh? What is it?"

"Where is that close sign that you told me this place had?" Emily asked approaching the doors.

Red took a look at the glass doors. He didn't see the sign anywhere on the door.

"Are you telling me that-"

"the gym is open." She finished his sentence.

Red ignored the interruption. "If it's true then I must come back to challenge it. I only one more badge before to enter the Pokemon League!"

"Hold on, Pokemon Champion. Your Charizard still hasn't made a full recovery, so you won't be able to challenge it yet."

Red shifted the bags weight. "Yeah, and don't even have any of my Pokemon to challenge it right now."

"Let's go," Emily said taking her one bag. "We can come back later."

"As much as I want to challenge it, you're right," Red sighed. He lifted his bags and followed after Emily, the girl that he now owes so much.

Thank you, Emily, Red thought.