"Why are you so intent on going after this girl?" Yellow griped.
"Because I love her," Blue snapped. How could he be so insensitive? He saw how much joy Erika brought to Blue. So why couldn't Yellow just accept that? Did he not like her? And for what reason? As far as Blue knew, attacking them was the only time she had transgressed.
Yellow rolled his eyes, and Blue resisted the urge to lay him out.
Blue and his team were now on route 34, hoping to catch Erika before she completely disappeared from Blue's life. He couldn't handle losing her. For some reason, she had been the only person who had been able to withstand his cold, and he wasn't just going to let her walk out of his life.
The sun had set hours ago, and, because Blue had been in a deep slumber, him and his team were just now leaving the shadow-cloaked forest. "I just don't understand," Yellow continued. "She causes you so much pain. She attacks us, and then attacks you, and you still want to chase after her?"
"I need her," was the pained reply. Blue hadn't meant to sound so helpless, but the truth was that he would die before he lost her. Misty must have sensed his pain, because she pushed Yellow out of the way and patted Blue on the back.
"Hey, we'll get her back. No matter what it takes," she replied, offering a genuine smile that managed to brighten Blue's mood.
"Thank you," he replied, his voice beginning to break. A strong wind picked up, and suddenly Krystal stood before the group. She had disappeared a while ago, saying that she had to check something out. Her two companions had left with her, and, judging by the urgency on Krystal's features, Blue guessed that she found what she wanted.
"Hey-" Misty started. Krystal shot her a look and shook her head.
"No time for that," she replied. "Listen to me. That organization that you were once a part of. Do you know anything about it?" Her tone caused panic to rise within Blue. Something was definitely wrong.
"No, I don't know much about it at all. The only thing that I know for sure is where their headquarters is."
"Okay," Krystal started apprehensively. "Team Rocket, Aqua, Magma, Plasma, Flare. Do any of these ring a bell?"
"Yes," Blue answered. "They were all evil gangs that somehow caused harm to Pokemon and Humans in some way."
"Exactly," Maroon entered the conversation. "This organization is basically all of those gangs combined together, and are now being led by Lilac."
Gasps filled the night air. "Wait, so if this organization is after those sacred artifacts in order to awaken the legendaries, what do they plan to do with them?" Green asked. Gravity marred Krystal's expression.
"I have no idea. What I do know is that if they gain control of those legendaries, it could mean trouble for the world."
Blue reached in his pocket, pulled out the rainbow wing, and held it up to the moonlight. Krystal gaped. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes. Erika had possession of it, but then gave it to me. How do I use it?"
"You must go to the burned tower," replied Krystal. "When you reach the summit, hold the wing up to the sunlight. Ho-oh should appear, or at least his vessel. You must convince him to join us at any cost. Even if you have to fight him," she instructed. Blue raised his eyebrow. It was weird taking orders from anyone, especially from a petite blonde.
"What about you three?"
Krystal turned her back and began to walk away. "We will continue to search for the remaining artifacts in Kanto."
"Good luck," said Blue. Krystal gave a one-handed farewell before transforming into Suicune. Maroon and Goldenrod followed suit, and soon they had disappeared into the dark night. Blue turned to his team, determination burning in his eyes. He was going to find his lover and summon Ho-oh, even if he had to sacrifice his life to do it.
Adrenaline was still pumping through Erika's veins as she darted through the empty streets of Goldenrod City. This was her original destination, yet she could not find enough reason to savor the fact that she was finally here. Mostly because this city meant the end of her and Blue, but also because she was being chased by a homicidal maniac. She dared not look back, for fear that she would slow too much and he would catch her. Darting through dark alleys was the only option she had at the moment, but sooner or later Enigma would uncover the pattern. Erika needed to find shelter and fast. But where? She couldn't knock on a stranger's door and inquire a safe haven of them. Her time was quickly running out.
She quick turned into yet another alley and pressed her back against the brick wall. A well needed break was needed, but Erika knew that was impossible. Deciding that she had enough time to catch her breath, she slowly slid down the infrastructure.
"Not your best move, Princess," a dark voice threatened. Before Erika could move, and hand wound around her neck. "Your spores won't work this time. Now, I have a proposition for you. You will retrieve that wing from that bird, or I will kill you," his grip tightened as he shoved Erika into the wall. "I'm feeling awfully generous today, so I'll let you choose. And as an added bonus I will even forgive your little attempt at getting me high."
"Go...Fuck yourself," Erika choked. Enigma's malevolent smile grew.
"I was hoping you would say that."
He threw Erika to the opposing wall, watching her body hit the bricks and her head catching the corner of the dumpster. The blow left her dizzy, and she was unable to move. A hand over her temple yielded enough blood to drench it. The world was now void of color. This was where she was going to die. Enigma stalked toward her, and Erika clenched the hilt of her sword. She wasn't going to die without a fight. When Enigma was in arm's length, Erika unsheathed her sword and quickly slashed, taking off his left leg. He cursed as black blood splattered all over her body.
"You bitch! Why won't you just die?"
"Because I have something to live for," the reply took the last of her breath, and she fell into a darkness.