Trust, Untrust

"I like you... as more than a friend," he whispered, his cheeks burning up harder than he expected, but he kept his fists clenched, rather conflicted about his emotions at that moment as he confessed his feelings to the girl, who appeared stunned, for her eyes seemed to become larger and larger as his words sank in. He assured himself that the moment was right, after spending such a long time second-guessing himself. He glanced down, trying to hide his pink cheeks, until he noticed the tattoo peeking out of his sock.

He shifted his foot, suddenly reminded of his duty, his mission, and his fear.

What if... this feeling he feels for her was not of his own?

What if... he is romantically attracted to her, because of the legend?

He started to question himself, all the while afraid to look up and meet her at the eye. He was merely a boy, who was crowned as the Champion of Hoenn. He who has nothing, but a pair of hands, his Pokémon, as well as his secret identity of being a half-card.

Since ten, he knew he would no longer have a simple, easy life.

Since ten, he knew that he was destined to walk the thorny path with someone.

And since ten, he knew that this girl would be his partner for life.

It never needed any form of verbal agreement. She was aware of it as well, and when she first met him, they immediately came to a silent consensus that they were connected. He never liked the idea of his life being decided in such a manner, and he tried to avoid developing any sort of feelings for her.

Yet he still found himself attracted to her. He started to search for her figure in the crowd, yearn for her touch, and miss that cheerful laughter that lifted his spirits every time he hears it.

Silly, perhaps.

He was a silly fourteen year old child who had a hopeless crush on his best friend.

"I..." Her soft voice trailed off. She was hesitating.

"I might be liking you because of the whole Major Arcana business," he said nervously, his palms sweating profusely. "But I still want to be with you. Maybe my feelings are fabricated. Maybe they don't come from my own heart, but even so, I like... no, I love you." He nearly choked, but he managed to get the words out. His cheeks were hotter than ever.

"Me too," she whispered.

His heart stopped.

"I mean, I-I can't be a hundred percent sure, that I love you because of my own feelings, but I am sure that...," May said, as she tried to ease her heart that was beating out of control. "I want to be with you."

A pregnant pause emerged between the two teenagers.

"I...," he said.

"I...," she said, at the exact same time.

They paused once more, before both of their cheeks lit up, red and glowing while they timidly reached for the other's hands, their fingers slipping into the gaps of the other. And slowly, they whispered to each other in unison.

"... Love you."

The door was closed, and the group outside the lounge looked at the Hoenn Champion and the Pokémon Coordinator, the couple wearing looks of melancholy and depression.

"We can try listening to their conversation?" Ethan suggested, clearly not reading the mood.

"It's soundproof, Goldy. And please, shut up," Green said in a low voice.

A long, agonizing silence followed, and Ethan gulped multiple times, as he glanced left and right, at Lance, then at Green, then at Lyra, before he was at a loss of words, and finally, for once, he decided to stand still.

"I...," began Brendan, who placed his hand onto his beanie and pulled it down, almost covering his eyes. "Have to go to the washroom."

No one said anything, and he hurriedly strode off, and once he turned around the corner, May leaned against the wall, tears threatening to spill out.

"I'm sorry, I need to be alone for a second," she said, her voice strained.

Green sighed, before he grabbed Ethan by the hoodie and started dragging the confused younger boy along, with a solemn Lance walking faster ahead. Lyra followed, her hands cold with sweat, before she stopped for a second, and glanced at the older girl, wanting to say something, but in the end, could only walk away.

"Morty, aren't you coming?" Ethan called out.

"Nah," the man replied. "I have to stay here."

He then grinned his usual smile, in which Green merely let out a huff, and walked on. Soon, only Morty and May were left in the corridor.

Morty then leaned against the opposite wall, bending his head down and lightly shifting his scarf up, and he closed his eyes, hooking his thumbs in his pants' pockets. He was quiet, almost unreactive, as he stood there in a laid back position.

May was now curled up against the wall, hugging her knees tightly, sniffling. She then looked up at the Gym Leader, who after a few seconds opened his eyes, noticing that the Pokémon Coordinator was looking at him curiously.

"I have to remain near to that lazy ghost," he simply said. "Or else he will go 'poof'."

She hugged her knees tighter, looking uncomfortable.

"Just treat me as if I'm not here, lady," he said with a smile. "I have near zero presence."

She eyed him, wary, but finally decided to stay at her spot.

The minutes passed, but neither had any sign of movement. It was all very quiet, until Morty swung himself forward to stand straight, his eyes studying the door. May jerked her head up, surprised, but seemed to realize that the talk between Red and Sei was over.

And true enough, the door swung open, where Red appeared, his Pikachu perched on his shoulders. The trainer was about to exit, when he saw Morty in front of him.

"How was it?" the Gym Leader asked. Morty was incredibly curious about what the two had talked about, considering that he had never seen anyone else, except for his grandfather, to talk to the queer ghost.

In return, Red nodded his head, grabbing hold of the bill of his cap. Morty smiled at him good-naturedly, as he unhooked his thumbs from his pockets.

"I hope I managed to help," he said. "But I supposed there are still many questions that ancestor of mine left unanswered."

Red nodded his head again, and then from the peripheral of his vision, noticed May already standing at, the girl gazing at him, her eyes puffy.

"... I'm sorry…," he found himself saying. May eyes widened, and she shook her head.

"What for?" she asked, her smile almost forced.

"Because..." Red averted his gaze, thinking that he should not probe into the matter. He looked at her once again.

He did wonder how much time the both of them have left, but he pushed the question to the back of the head, as he instead asked, "...Where are the rest?"

"Nearby, I suppose," Morty answered as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll text Green."

The Gym Leader then whipped out an old-looking PokéGear, and with fast fingers, typed the message. After a few seconds, the device vibrated, in which Morty peered at the screen and said, "Room 302."

"Shall we go?" He smiled as he snapped the device closed. Red and May glanced at each other, before they nodded in agreement. Morty, placing one hand into his pocket, sauntered off, while the two walked behind him.

It was a short trip to the particular room, which turned out to be Red and Green's shared room. Green, Ethan and Lyra had been hanging out inside for a short while, but upon the threesome's arrival, Ethan was quick to jump up and start shooting out questions.

"What did the ghost say? Did he possess you? Oh! Or are you the ghost? No, wait, get out of Red now, ghost! I want to battle him!" the boy said as he circled around Red, who let out a sigh of defeat. Green rolled up his sleeves in annoyance, and Ethan immediately sweat-dropped and ceased his incessant blabbering.

"Where's Lance?" Morty asked, upon noticing the lack of the man with his flashy cloaks.

"He left," Green lightly replied, before he turned to May. "He has already helped the two of you to settle your lodging, so I shall assume that you and Brendan are aware of where to go after this."

"Oh, yes," the Coordinator answered courteously. "No worries."

"And one more thing," Green continued. "We have to check out by noon."

"Sure." Morty grinned.

"Okay, so where's Brendan?" Ethan spoke as he sat on one of the beds, dangling his legs. Lyra shot him a glare, while May merely smiled and said, "I'll be sure to inform him on whatever Matsuba Sei has told Red. Let us start."

Pikachu poked his trainer's cheeks, prompting the boy to inform them on what happened in the lounge.

"... He told me to find this man... called Neo," Red began hesitantly. "... Who happens to be... my father..."

"Wait," Green said. He held out a hand. "What did you say? Your dad?"

"How is your father related to the Major Arcana?" May said, looking confused. Red gulped, as he tried to calm himself down, and gritting his teeth, he answered, "... He refused to tell me...

The people in the room noticed the slight agitation in his voice, and the trainer was now clenching his fists tight, clearly angry, about something. But none of them knew what it was.

"Neo is the key to the mystery of the Major Arcana... that's what he told me..." Red continued.

"Strange…," muttered Ethan. "How does the ghost know about your father? I mean, that ghost should have existed centuries... ago..."

The sudden silence enveloped the five of them, and Green immediately turned his head to look at the boy.

"Unless, Neo is a card," Green said slowly. He looked at the rest of them, who all seemed to agree as they gave little nods of their heads. Morty simply stared at the group, as he leaned against the wall, relaxed.

"... No, there's more…," Red said as he swallowed a lump in his throat. "...The ghost said that the legend of the Major Arcana... is not entirely true..."

"Figures," Green deadpanned. "I've always thought that the story had loopholes."

"... And that... Neo knows what really happened…," Red continued as he squeezed his eyes shut. He appeared conflicted, but no one could grasp what he was feeling right now.

Meanwhile, Ethan nearly face-palmed himself, as he exclaimed, "Your dad? Again?"

"But how will your father know what really happened?" Lyra said, before she faltered for a while. "Unless...

"...He was present when the events occurred," Red concluded, his voice sounding strained.

Everyone gasped at that moment, but Red was not yet done, and he continued to speak, "... The last thing he told me was... the name of our enemy... no, the nemesis of the Major Arcana... 'The betrayer who has lived longer than any human…' and a former member of the First Generation of the Major Arcana..."

He took in a deep breath, calming himself down.

"Licinius."

Silence.

Everyone was at a loss for words, as they tried to take in whatever the former Champion had said, and it was until Green stepped in, the boy feeling absolutely weirded out.

"If he lived longer than any human, is the ghost saying that, we are dealing with a non-human... no..." Green paused, feeling that the idea was way too outrageous to even think about it.

"An immortal," Morty said coolly, as he fiddled with his scarf. "I'm not all too sure about what's with the Major Arcana and all, but from what I hear, it is rather apparent that there are people in this world, who..." The Gym Leader froze for a second, before he continued, "Are unable to die."

"And if you think along these lines, it is quite highly likely that Neo himself is also an immortal." Morty continued, before he raised his hands up in surrender and added. "But this is just my guess, don't take it too seriously."

Yet, no one had any other explanation for the ghost's strange words, and at the next instant, the room fell deadly quiet. Red lowered his head, uncomfortable and confused.

"So what?" Green suddenly said, looking fairly calm. "Immortal or not, we still have one goal."

"Right," May said as she nodded her head.

"We have to find every single card," Lyra continued

"At all costs!" Ethan shouted as he furrowed his brows, his gold eyes glinting with excitement.

"Pika!" the mouse cheered, his little paw punching the air.

"Yay," Morty blandly muttered. "I'll leave this to you guys, so now if you'll excuse me, I have Gym duties to attend to." He glanced at his PokéGear, which had started to vibrate.

"Thanks for the help, Morty," May said as she gave a short bow.

"Anytime." He smirked. "Ethan, I'll leave the checking out to you."

"Yeah," the boy said as he nodded.

Waving a quick goodbye, the Gym Leader sauntered out of the door and left.

Meanwhile, Green let out a sigh, before he turned to May.

"I've been meaning to ask you this, May," he said. "How did you and Brendan know about the ghost and his identity as one the First Generation cards?"

"Ah." May smiled. "We did some research these past few years, and we chanced upon an old diary. It was seemingly written by a card who was once part of a past generation."

"Did he or she specify which card and generation was he or she from?" Ethan asked, curious.

"Unfortunately... no. The diary itself was found by Steven during one of his rock excavations."

"Steven?" Lyra asked. "As in, Steven Stone? The Steven Stone?"

May chuckled, as she nodded her head, before she continued, "Steven had been a great help these past few years. If it hadn't been for him, we wouldn't have received our powers, nor would we have found the diary. The discovery was a chance encounter, you could say. Afterwards, it took us quite a while to get it examined, but the results were rather poor, I'll have to confess."

"How so?" Green inquired.

"Much of the writing could not deciphered, saved for the information on Matsuba Sei. The long years of decay had also worsened the condition of the diary. And there were pages that appeared to be deliberately torn off." She explained. "There were also brief explanations on the plates, but that was all it provided."

"I'm not wrapping my head around any of this!" Ethan groaned as he fell flat onto the bed, earning a distinct grunt of displeasure from Green, considering that the bed was his.

"What's with all these complicated mumbo-jumbo of special powers, ghosts, original human beings, and even immortals? Seriously!?" the Johto Champion moaned, before he sprang back up, his gold eyes staring at May. "But more importantly, why would one of the Lovers die? That's just stupid."

Lyra immediately pinched Ethan, chiding him for his insensitive remarks. The boy winced in pain, before he hurriedly apologizing. May merely shook her head, and the corners of the Coordinator's mouth turned up slightly. But no real signs of mirth could be identified on her face as she, as a habit, used her right hand to grip her left arm, the older girl attempting to stop the trembling that have already been noticed by the other four members and one Pikachu in the room.

"I suppose we can wrap up for now," May said. "I believe we will meet again two days later during the Welcome Party at the Indigo Plateau."

"We'll look forward to that." Green grinned, while Ethan tried not to cringe at the thought of suits and hair gel. Red seemed to sink deeper into the bed, looking glum, clearly not entertained by the very thought of socialising with anyone. He could already guess that the reason the League higher-ups had summoned him to the Indigo Plateau this evening was to have him fight, and of course, to have him get ready and announce his return to Kanto- no, to the world.

"Thank you all for your time," May ended off, before she exited the room, her footsteps light and dainty.

"She left…," Ethan gasped as he patted his chest twice. "I've been blessed."

"And yet you were such a blabbermouth!" Lyra muttered, irritated. "Read the situation, you idiot!"

"I said sorry, didn't I?" he retorted, before he faltered for a moment. "... Does one of them really have to die?"

The mood went solemn until Green spoke. "They won't... no, they can't. If either of them were to die, we will fail in our mission."

"Wait..." Red said suddenly, prompting the other three to turn to look at the trainer.

"... There's something strange about the Lovers...," Red began. "... Why are there two people in one card...?"

"Erm, because they are Lovers with an 'S'?" Green said matter-of-factly. Pikachu immediately shot a glare at Green, irritated at his proud tone.

"But it is supposed to be... twenty-two people... And there're only twenty-two cards," Red said slowly. "What if... the death of one, is to balance the numbers out?"

A loud thud sounded in the room, and all turned to look at Green, whose eyes were wide like saucers, as if he was struck with a fearsome thought.

"Pika-pi?"

"What's wrong?" Lyra said. The Gym Leader's eyes darted between the three of them, before he took in a deep breath and spoke with a dangerous tone.

"If the death of one can balance out the numbers, it is possible that, Brendan and May..."

He gritted his teeth, fists clenched tight, brows knotted into a tight frown.

"... May be here to get rid of one of us to save their own skin."

Gasps of shock and disbelief instantly emerged within the room, while Pikachu tilted his head to one side, looking confused.

"Hold right there, Green Oak!" Ethan shouted. "Get rid of one of us!? Are you doubting the Champion of Hoenn and my idol- I mean, May?"

"Yes."

"Are you kidding me?" Ethan gasped as he slapped his forehead. "They are here to help us, for Arceus's sake!

"Then why did they wait for four years before suddenly announcing that they are part of the deck?" Green argued. "Brendan said it was too early, but why? Because we're too young? That's stupid. I'm not buying it, and I'm not ready to trust them."

"You-!" Ethan go ready to yell, until he met the piercing gaze of the Gym Leader.

They glared daggers at each other for a long while, until Lyra said with arms crossed, "Boys, hold your horses."

The two stopped their glaring game, and turned to look at the girl, who sighed. "Personally, I think we should trust each other as much as possible. We already have a common enemy, which is the man called Licinius. And if we were doubt each other, we will just fall apart."

"I want to believe in everyone," she said firmly. "No matter what kind of reasons the Lovers have for revealing themselves to us at such a time, and no matter who you are or where you come from. That goes the same for every other card that is still out there."

"Suit yourself," Green muttered as he reclined himself. "You are the Hierophant, after all."

"Greeeeeeenn-," Ethan began, until Lyra grabbed him by the collar and started dragging him towards the door.

"Wait, Lyra! Let me get a piece of him!" Ethan shouted. "How dare he doubt my idol!"

"Oh, shush, you and your hot-headedness." She sighed as she shoved him out the door. She slammed the door shut quickly, locking it, while the furious pounds on the door made her click her tongue in annoyance.

"I'll deal with you later," she muttered, as she turned around, her cheeks lighting pink when she looked at the two good-looking boys. She cleared her throat, and said, "I understand where you're coming from, Green. But it won't hurt to trust him a little, since Kanto and Johto are going to work with Hoenn to fight the war."

Green stared at her for a while, before he sighed and nodded, looking rather reluctant. "I won't be fighting on the frontlines, but I will be assisting my father and the team headed by Professor Oak. See you both during the Welcome Party."

She flashed a grin, before unlocking the door and exiting quickly. Afterwards, a few groans and shouts resounded from outside, and soon it was quiet.

"Are you okay?" Green asked as he looked at his friend. "It must have been a shock."

Red took in a breath, as he rubbed his clammy hands. His father, who suddenly appeared before him ever since the start, since Mount Silver, and now this.

"..." Red then nodded his head, forcefully, as cold sweat rolled down his forehead.

"Don't stress yourself out too much over it." The Gym Leader muttered. "Take it slowly, okay?"

"... Yeah." Red uttered, before he reached out for his bag then was sitting at the bed post.

Green sighed, and then glanced at the clock that hung on the wall.

"One hour," the Gym Leader said as he turned to Red, who tried to distract himself by feeding a berry to Pikachu. "Any plans?"

The trainer paused, his finger holding onto the berry that was inches away from the mouse, who flailed his arms to grab the snack. The trainer muttered a sheepish sorry, and quickly gave the berry to the mouse, saving himself from electrocution. As Pikachu savored the snack, the trainer turned to his friend.

"... I have to go... to the Indigo Plateau... at seven o'clock in the evening..."

Green chuckled as he propped one leg up. "About time for the League to come for you."

Red groaned, his shoulders sagging down, while Pikachu patted the boy's messy hair.

"I don't like the League's treatment towards you, either," Green sighed. "Remember I mentioned before that the League abolished the rule that the Champion had to fight challengers everyday?"

Red shuddered a little at the thought of it, and nodded in reply.

"To add on," Green said as he frowned. "I found out that they also set up that specific rule immediately after the Kanto League Championship Finals, you know... our match."

"And because the rules had been pretty much forgotten by the populace, and it has been a while since a Champion was crowned, no one really questioned the existence of such a rule."

Red pursed his lips, while Pikachu lightly jumped down his shoulders and curled himself up on his trainer's lap.

"It's as if the rule was created just for you," Green said as he stared at his friend, who lowered his head, the trainer habitually pushing his cap downwards to hide his eyes. Clearing his throat, the Viridian City Gym Leader then added, "But that aside, I assume you're free in the afternoon?"

Red nodded his head.

"Great. Let's go," Green said as he stood up, stretching his body.

"... Where?"

"Hmm?" The boy glanced at his friend, before he dropped his jaw open. "You forgot about them?"

"...Who?" Asked Red, looking surprised.

Green sighed, smacking his face with his palm.

"Your Legen-"

A few knocks on the door interrupted the conversation, and Green hurriedly walked towards it, slightly irritated. The moment he swung the wooden door open, he stopped, as a slightly taller figure stood before him.

"Hello," Brendan said.

"Oh," Green replied, his eyes narrowing. "It's you."

"Sorry to intrude," he began. "Do both of you have any plans in the afternoon?"

"Yes," Green said.

"... No…," Red said at the same time.

Green buried his face into his palm, as he grumbled incoherent words. He turned around, temples throbbing as he said, his voice loud, "We do have plans!"

"... Which is?" Red asked. "You didn't manage to finish... what you were trying to say..."

"To get back the Kanto Legendary Pokémon that you let go three years ago, you... Fool!" Green shouted in the spur of the moment, clearly ticked off by how forgetful Red could get.

"Legendary Pokémon?"

Green turned over, just to see the Hoenn Champion looking more eager than ever. Brendan grinned, genuinely excited.

"Oh, we can handle it by ourselves," Green said, as he waved his hand. "I'm sure you're busy, Champion of Hoenn."

"Well, I could say the same to you, Gym Leader," Brendan said calmly. "Besides, I'm in Johto now, my duties don't really matter until the other Hoenn trainers come here tomorrow."

"I've closed the Gym for today," Green said with a visible scowl. "What about May? Don't leave your girlfriend waiting."

Brendan's face fell, as he bit his lower lip. He let out a despondent sigh.

"Actually... I'm not planning to see her for the rest of the day," he said hesitantly. "We need some time to... calm down... and think after all that... well, you know."

"And?" Green murmured, quirking his brow as he looked at the older trainer warily.

"I don't know my way around Johto, and I thought I could use someone's help. Ethan and Lyra had rushed off before I got to say anything-"

"So you came to us," Green concluded.

"Well, that's the gist of it," Brendan agreed.

"Too bad, we're from Kanto," Green said monotonously, the Gym Leader not feeling very welcoming towards Brendan. "We know next to nothing about Johto."

"Oh, you jest," Brendan chuckled.

"Clearly I am not."

"... We're going to Kanto," Red spoke.

"Oh?"

"Red!" Green gasped.

"..." Red looked up at Brendan, who took out a Poké Ball from his pocket.

"I don't mind flying over to Kanto. I can help with getting back your Legendaries," he offered. "I know I may sound pushy, but I'm quite desperate to get a guide without exposing my identity. I'm not supposed to be here in the first place."

Red observed the Champion who was standing at the door from tip to toe, then fixated his gaze onto the Pokéball. Pikachu was similarly staring at that particular Poké Ball intensely, while little zaps of electricity leaked out from his red cheeks.

Perhaps he was a tad bit interested towards what kind of Pokémon Brendan Yūki has.

"... I don't see a problem…," he uttered, while Green was ready to object to it, but a glance from his friend made him sigh, the trainer clearly reluctant to go with the idea.

"Thank you, Red, Green," Brendan said, before he extended a hand out. "I hope we get along."

"I sincerely hope we do," Green drawled, not even trying to hide his sarcasm, and he returned the Hoenn Champion's handshake with a tight grip. Brendan seemed to be unsurprised towards the trainer's rather hostile attitude, as he merely smiled a little.

Afterwards, after Brendan decided to go off to the lobby to wait for them, and while it did not take long for Red and Green to pack whatever they have into their backpacks, it did not stop Green from having a dark look on his face. Sure, he did not trust Brendan all that much, but Red's odd choice to allow the trainer to tag along puzzled and annoyed him.

"...Give him a chance," Red said as he folded his red vest and shoved it into his bag. He had opted to wear just his sleeveless black shirt and blue denim pants.

"Tch, fine." Green muttered, as he ruffled his hair. He donning a dark juniper green wide-neck shirt, and beige shorts that reached his knees. He seem to pause for quite a while, causing Red to glance at his friend quizzically, only to see Green staring at his pendant dolefully. The accessory was of a light blue color with dark blue streaks of color marbling around the stone.

"... Green," Red called out, concerned. The Gym Leader broke out of his reverie, and quickly wound the accessory around his neck. With a click, the clasp snapped close and he looked up at Red.

"Let's go."

Green Oak then hurriedly slung his bag over his shoulder and with large steps, headed for the door. Red gazed at his back, as he suddenly reminded something Sei had told him right before he disappeared. Something the ghost had forbid him from telling anyone else.

"This is an advice specifically for you, Number Zero, The Fool. You can choose to take it, or leave it. But listen carefully."

Red's blood went cold, but he willed himself to stand up and follow after Green, while Pikachu tilted his head to the side, puzzled as to why his trainer looked so pale all of a sudden.

"Beware of Green Oak."

As Green locked the door, Red felt the urge to say something to his friend, anything at all, but his mouth was slack, and all he could muster, was silence.

"Because the betrayer of the First Generation, was Licinius."

The trainer glanced at side profile of Green, where he could see the inconspicuous "I" tattoo as clear as day.

"Number I, The Magician."