Feeling Blue: III

"Keep it together you sap," thought Blue as he took a seat at a small dining table. Its wooden face still bore the scars he and Red had dug into it while building forts in what felt a lifetime ago. His Grandfather was busy pacing back and forth in front of the door talking on his Pokegear, whilst Reds mother Lila worked to heat a small teapot in the kitchen.

"I see… so he was up there after all… Exactly where did they meet? The peak!?... I see and what happened next?... Even then!?… Still that strong."

"Gramps?"

"Thank you for this. I've got to go." With that Oak hung up the phone, turning to face the two with a serious expression. "You were right Lila. Lance confirmed with me that Ethan has returned to his post at the League. Apparently, he encountered Red somewhere near the peak of Mt. Silver.

"Wait, he found Red?!" Blues heart began beating like a drum in his chest. It had been so long since anyone had seen or heard from the former champ. Not since he had outed a branch of Team Rocket in the Sevii Islands over two years ago.

"Indeed, he did. The Champion engaged Red in a full battle and despite Ethans best efforts, he was no match for your son Lila… He really has become a tremendously powerful trainer and yet." Oak ran his fingers through his ever-thinning hair. "Something has gone terribly wrong. I never intended for this to happen. This pilgrimage, this isolation he has subjected himself too. I can't fathom why he has done any of it! Blue, I'm not sure if you know this but. Red hasn't spoken to his mother since the day he vanished. She managed to equip him with a new Pokegear before he left, yet he's never once tried to call her. She's been worried sick."

"Red won't even talk to you? But he loves you! He's such a mommas' boy!" said Blue with an absolute feeling of exasperation. Lila smiled, but Blue could see that her eyes were puffy. She had been crying.

"Before Red left, he stopped here in Pallet and told me that something urgent had caught his attention when he was out exploring the isles. He said that he had to go, and that he wasn't sure when he would come back."

"What did he find out?" asked Blue, his mind running over the many places he had also seen during his ventures throughout the isles.

"He never would say. The only thing he told me was that he had to become even stronger than he was then. I never could piece together why. For two years he's left me with nothing but stray thoughts and questions."

"At first, I was worried it had something more to do with Team Rocket," said Oak who had resumed his pacing, fingers perched on his chin in concentration, "but they have clearly seen the last of their days since the incident in Goldenrod." Oak let out a long sigh. "Red only seems interested in one thing now, and that is becoming even stronger. Beyond battling, he won't even attempt contact with other humans. But there is so much more to Pokemon than power. Somewhere along the line, he lost track of himself, not unlike yourself my boy," he added glancing at his grandson.

Blue found himself overwhelmed with worry. Something clearly had spooked his rival, but what?

"Now it seems he spends his days battling the frightening Pokemon of Mt Silver," whispered Lila, her hands shaking as she attempted to pour herself a glass of tea.

"Here, let me help with that," said Blue, quickly reaching over and steadying her hands.

"Oh Blue," she smiled softly, "it's still strange for me to see you all grown up. When I look at you all I see is that clever little boy who always had something to say. Coming over here at all hours of the day and night. Planning out your adventures together with Red for when the two of you would finally be old enough." Her voice trailed off as her eyes became locked on a distant memory.

"They really were inseparable back then," chuckled Oak. Blue became painfully aware that both were lost in their own memories, and he himself struggled not to fall into another flashback. Lila began to pour a second glass, which she passed to Blue. The cup felt perfectly warm in his hands, and he looked up to see her gazing at him with watery eyes.

"He missed you so much when you two stopped being such good friends. He always wondered what it was that he had done to make you become so distant." Blue quickly looked down at the table, sipping on the tea.

"I… I wanted to be the strongest. I was worried that if I didn't toughen up. If I didn't grow up, that I would never become that. I never meant to hurt him." Lila smiled softly again, before a sudden thought seemed to seize her. In an instant she grabbed ahold of Blues hand.

"Blue. It's you… It must be you! You are the only one that can help my boy. Please go to him. Go and find Red on Mt. Silver and bring him home!"

"What?!" stammered Blue, his mind spinning wildly at the thought, "I'm sorry but I can't do something like this! Red is beyond me!"

"But you can do this," said Oak whose face much like Lila's had lit up with wide hopeful eyes, "Red won't listen to any of us, but he might be willing to listen to you! This is perfect!"

"I already told you though! I lost to the Johto Champ! If he can't beat Red then what chance do I have at-"

"Blue you've always approached Red with the intent of battle, but we don't want you to fight him! You two were once the best of friends I had ever seen! I need you to find whatever remains of that thread between you again! Just try talking to him, see if you can figure out what led to all of this," said Oak. "I know that this might not be fair of me to ask. But I need your help to fix an old fools mistakes. We need you to try and bring that boy back home. Lila has spent far too many days wondering if her son is alive or dead."

"But Red won't listen to me Gramps… He's stubborn as can be!"

"Blue… I love you I really do. But sometimes you can be so blind," chuckled Oak, "If you want to learn the truth. If you want to achieve this bond that you currently lack with your Pokemon and reclaim the strength needed to face someone like Red. Then you have no choice. You must go to Mt. Silver. You might not realize it, but you're truly the only one that can get through to him."

"Gramps… I don't think I can do this."

"Yes, you can!" said Lila, and as she did Blue felt the pure passion and love a mother has for her child radiate from her core. "My son, he needs you right now. He needs his best friend again."

"And you need him Blue. To find a sense of closure, and be able to move forward. To find the thing you claim to be missing inside, and to grow as both a person and a trainer. Besides," Oak added with a grin, "I'm sure that after all this time. He's missed you too."