Authors note: Holy cow! I know it's been an age since I wrote for this, but...I had a surge of inspiration. I will EVENTUALLY finish this I swear, just bear with me. Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter Seven
Even after so many years had passed, Red still endured those agonising nights of restless sleep and lucid dreams that taunted his soul relentlessly. How was someone supposed to get over such an awful and traumatising experience, especially when it was your best friend that caused said trauma? Red sighed to himself as glassy crimson eyes watched the dying embers of the camp-fire. It was late at night and his Pokemon were fast asleep, curled up in their Pokeballs, apart from his Umbreon, who stayed watch during the night.
What even happened to Green?
Did he even succeed in life after the Pokemon League?
Was he even still in Kanto for that matter?
He shrugged his shoulders in thought. Who cares. Green left him for dead all those years ago. He didn't care about him, or his fragile heart and mind. He was just another plaything, someone to torment in the hours of boredom. Not that he actually had feelings hidden inside his poor confused heart.
That situation in turn affected Red in ways no-one ever thought were possible. He went into hiding, in solitude on the highest peak of Mt Silver. Away from all kinds of contact with people, where it was just him and his Pokemon. It was just how he liked it, and in all honesty the crimson-eyed boy didn't actually miss anyone. Yes he knew his Mother would be worried, but after a time she'd get over it. Her son was gone the moment Green defiled him. The Red she knew was torn apart, never to return, and it was all Green's fault.
"Brreeeoooon!" Umbreon cooed softly, nuzzling against Red's leg, noticing that the trainer was starting to feel down whenever his thoughts whisked back to that encounter. How he longed to just erase that part from his life completely. In fact, erase Green permanently. Like he never even existed on this planet. However, no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't. It was like the brunet was a disease, infecting him with a poison no antidote could possibly cure.
However his inner musings were cut short when his ears detected the sound of footsteps in the snow, and a faint glimmer of amber light from just beyond the cave entrance. Next to follow was a voice.
"Gosh...how much further? You sure we are going the right way Typhlosion?" Red immediately backed away from the camp-fire, eyes blazing in shock. How did anyone find this place? It was supposed to be so secret that he would never be found, and with that in thought the crimson-eyed boy's heart was pounding furiously inside his chest.
"Phhllloooo~!" Sounded a roar of delight, as Red nuzzled closer to his Umbreon for safety. The dark type was already well aware of the intruders, and was on high alert. His main role was to protect his trainer, and that was exactly his mission in life.
"Man...if I never see snow again it'll be too damn soon. I mean, who in the world decides to take residence up a friggin' mountain?! I mean really... is it a good idea?!" It was a young males voice, and he was whining indefinitely. Red knew that voice didn't belong to Green, so whoever it was he had not encountered previously, but even so, the socially awkward male stared wide eyed at the opening of the cave, praying that they did not find his hideout.
Then he could hear a ringing sound, as if it were someone's phone. It must have been the mystery hiker, because the footsteps ceased and then a quiet conversation began, not too faraway from Red's current position.
"Hello? Crys? Yeah, yeah I'm all good, freezing my ass off but all good. What? No...nothing yet, but I'll keep trying. It's still light outside, but I'll take shelter when it starts getting dark. No...I haven't forgotten...I will do that as soon as I can..." Red zoned out of the conversation and pulled his blanket further around himself to keep warm, whilst his trusted Umbreon continued to survey the situation.
"...oh yeah, before I forget, did you like the cookies Mom baked for your birthday? Sweet! I knew chocolate chip was your favourite! Aren't I just the greatest friend ever!"
The voice seemed to get louder, which made Red wince. Damn, he never intended anyone to discover him ever. He wanted to be alone forever. At least in solitude he could never be hurt. As crimson eyes raised to the opening of the cave, he could just make out a silhouette standing just outside. It was clear whoever it was seemed to be a young male, maybe the same age.
"Anyways Crys, chat to you later. I'm gonna set up camp for the night, 'kay? Yeah. Catch you later!" The speaking stopped, and Red unconsciously held his breath, reared up in defence, just waiting for said intruder to enter the cave.
"...hello?"
The voice uttered quietly and Red knew that whoever this person was had uncovered his hideout, and sooner or later he would have to speak to people again. A thought that made the crimson-eyed boy shudder in disdain. He remained deathly silent, even snuffing out the camp fire so curious eyes had poor vision and hopefully wouldn't be able to detect his presence.
"Is anyone in here?" The young male stepped into the cave, finding it very hard to see due to it being so dark. He felt nervous, unsure if this was a good idea or not. Nervously he glanced at his trusty Typhlosion, who snorted in response.
"Hey buddy, any chance of lighting this place up?"and just like that Red's hideaway was shamefully exposed. In response he shielded his face from the blaze, terrified, and cowering as if he were that child back in Green's evil clutches once more.
"Whoa...wait a minute..." The boy stepped closer, only to pause when Umbreon hissed in discontentment. "Hey...calm down here, I'm no enemy. I'm just unsure...why is there a person hiding all the way up this mountain? I mean...seems a bit crazy and all that."
It seemed the dark type sensed that the boys intentions were of a pure heart, and calmed down slightly, but he remained ever vigilant. One wrong move and he would be eliminated.
"My name's Gold...um..." The boy stammered, glancing around the cave, noticing that it was very small and cramped, yet full of supplies. It was obvious whoever this was had been here for a long time. "Look man...I'm honestly no threat here."
Red nervously moved his hands away from his face so scared crimson irises melted into pools of gold. This boy was so juvenile and naïve, there was no way he could be a threat.
"You've obviously had a hard time or somethin' but you don't have to tell me, I mean...well I'm a stranger, but seriously...are you okay?" Not knowing what else to do, the dark haired juvenile boy went silent, refusing to let his mouth betray him anymore. He knew that he wasn't going to get a response anytime soon.
Huffing, Gold sat crossed legged on the cold hard ground, the eyes of Umbreon continuing to pierce into his very soul like a knife. In his Pokemon journey Gold never once thought he'd discover a recluse hiding in a mountain, however even though it was odd, it wasn't deemed a bad thing.
"What's your name?" He asked softly, noticing that Typhlosion was staring at the curled up boy curiously, snorting in confusion. The fire type had never met anyone like this before, it must have come across as strange to him.
"...leave me alone" Red croaked out, tugging his blanket close around his shoulders.
"Mate, seriously...you can't be doing good being up here all on your own and stuff."
"I said leave me alone." The reply was abrupt, cold, lacking in distinct emotion, and Gold frowned in response. Was there any chance of getting through to this guy? It was blatantly obvious he was suffering, if not physically then mentally it was a given.
"I want to help you, if I can that is..."
"No-one can help me..." Red spat in disdain, crimson eyes glaring at the youngster.
"Well, y'see the thing is...I'm actually in the psychiatric profession so I MIGHT surprise you." It was a joke, however it didn't seem to register to Red. He grumbled to himself and stayed mute. The younger boy sighed. It was like trying to talk to a young Silver back when he was a rebellious youngster, on a path of thievery. There was just no getting through to him.
"I know you probably don't care or anything but...I have food with me... if you're hungry that is." Gold persevered, hoping that he would get a positive reaction out of the male, even if it was a slight smile or some recognition. Red glanced over at Gold, still weary about this new acquaintance who had decided to take residence in his abode.
"I have cookies! Home made by my Mom! I promise they're really good, chocolate chip too...oh wait, crap! Don't tell me you've got some sort of food allergy? Like...gluten free or something? Damn, I should think about that shit..." It came as a shock, to everyone in the vicinity but it was a sound that was like music to everyone's ears. Just like that Red burst into laughter. It was a genuine laugh, a laugh that sounded like it had been missed for years. Gold seemed taken aback and blushed slightly, scratching the back of his neck.
"I don't have a food allergy." Red finally spoke, after having stopped his laughing outburst. "I think you're very strange."
"Ah well, you're one to talk my friend. Hiding up a mountain, not speaking to people and all that jazz. Any reason for that?" Gold had to pry didn't he? And as soon as the words escaped his lips did he instantly regret them from seeing the reaction on Red's face.
"No...wait, don't tell me if you don't want to. I'm sorry for prying..."
"It's not that I don't want to..." He mumbled pathetically, feeling the memories of the past well up inside his mind, hurting him intensely. For a brief moment he shut his eyes, took a steady breath and tried to compose himself. "I just...can't..."
"Oh I get ya! On the run from the cops, is that it?"
"NO!" Red cried out, before laughing once again. "Do I look like a criminal?"
"You want me to answer that sincerely? Mister-deshevelled-and-looks-like-he-needs-a-shower?" Once again, the crimson-eyed boy belly laughed, and it actually made Gold chuckle too. At least his terrible comedic skills came in handy for once. Hooray for saving the suicide victims of today.
"You're...really weird." Red commented, and a shy smile crept upon his face, and it caused his Umbreon to leap in delight. His trainers health must also be a worrying thought, let alone protecting him from the dangers on the mountain. Mental stress was something he could not save him from.
"Why thank you, anyway...my name is Gold. You wanna tell me yours?"
"Red..." He mumbled quietly. "My name...is Red." Then it was as if the younger male was overcome by shock. It just couldn't be, could it?
"Wait...THE Red?! Champion Red?!" This had to be a practical joke or something. The Red that was pictured in his mind was strong, defiant, and true to himself. This guy was a wilting mess of nothing. This was surely no champion.
"The very same..." The crimson-eyed boy muttered weakly, feeling ashamed.
"Jeez man...what in the hell happened to you? Fall on hard times?" His eyes reached the floor as memories returned with a vengeance. Memories of Green betraying his entire trust, ruining his outlook on life so he only sought to be the most powerful Pokemon trainer in the world, but what after that?
There was nothing.
No future.
"Can I ask you something?" Red asked, and Gold nodded instantly.
"Sure. Go for it."
"Have you ever had a best friend who betrayed you in ways you never thought were humanly possible?" He frowned in thought. Sure he and Silver had arguments and rows over stupid things, but betrayal...it was something that they would never do to each other.
"No...thankfully..."
"Well I have..." His heart went out to the diminutive boy. Was that why he decided to keep himself away from civilisation after the Pokemon league? All because his trust was broken beyond repair?
"I'm sorry to hear that..."
"I deserved it...all of it..." Red murmured weakly, coiling his arms around his knees. "It was all my fault...I was so stupid...if only I had been stronger..."
"Hey, if someone hurt you then it's not your fault. Having a kind heart in a cruel world doesn't make you weak, y'know?" Gold's words were sincere, however they fell on deaf ears. All Red could hear, smell, see, touch, taste was the poison behind Green's actions and words. Why did he let that happen? Why was he so weak he couldn't fight him off?
"I made him mad...it was my fault..."
"Stop it. Stop blaming yourself for this." Gold said defiantly, moving closer to the breaking boy. "Whoever that bastard was that did this to you, whatever it was, he deserves to rot in hell."
"N-no...you don't understand..." Then Red's bony fingers started scratching at his neck, down his arms, as if he were unclean. "It haunts me every day of my life...I can't forget it...forget what he did. I want to...but he makes me feel...dirty." Just like that Gold's heart sank like a ship lost at sea.
There was no way Red could be talking about...that, could he?
The crimson-eyed boy seemed distressed, as his teeth sunk into his bottom lip and his head bowed, resting on his arms.
"...so dirty...worthless..."
"Red...you're not any of those things okay? I promise you. Please, don't blame yourself for what this sick bastard did to you. You didn't deserve any of it, you hear me?" And as pleading eyes stared into pools of Gold, he muttered the words that pained him so;
"...all I wanted...was my best friend..."