Author's Note: OK, maybe it couldn't have been done this morning… Oh well. I write better at night anyway. No, seriously, it's true. But what the heck, this story ain't about me, so let's carry on with this concluding chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything here except for Stan's past, Pokémon nicknames, my made-up characters etc. Idea's from Pokémon Gamecube games, but now I must note that I do NOT even own the ideas. They belong to I-don't-know-who. Also, I own the game XD Gale of Darkness myself but I don't even own Colosseum since I can't find it any where anymore…
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Chapter 4 – Crossroads
Stan's POV
Ow… My ears… I don't even scream as loudly as THAT.
"Stanley Tiger, if I've already told you, I'll tell you again: I forbid you to go to a place that's so full of danger, especially if that certain place is ORRE! Should anything happen to you, I won't be able to answer to your father!" Sheesh, I knew Amma was worried, but I didn't think she'd be that worried.
"But, Amma, I have to go there!" I argued back. "If you won't let me go there for my sake, why not let me go there for Delcatty's sake? For all you know, she may be out there!" Amma seemed dumbfounded. Even though she didn't say anything, I know that she knew that I was right. Amma never knew how to argue back anyway. I always have the advantage when it comes to arguments. Believe me; it's very hard to talk back to me.
"But… I've lost Delcatty to them," Amma whispered, emphasizing on 'them'. I immediately knew that she was referring to Cipher. "What can I do if I lose you to them, too?"
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Amma." Hey… I know that voice! It's Mom! But… what's she doing here? "Your guardian's right, Stan," she stated while walking towards us. "You shouldn't be out there alone, knowing that it's fraught with danger." I rolled my eyes, shook my head and turned away, ready to walk away when Mom tugged on my arm, not letting me go. I sighed and sat back down.
"See? Even your mom agrees with me," Amma said triumphantly.
"But it's not fair!" I argued. "How come Dad got to go there when he was my age?"
"Th-that's… That's supposed to be…" Mom gasped. I knew what she was trying to say.
"It's supposed to be a secret, isn't it? Well, unfortunately for you two, I happened to stumble upon Dad's diary when I was doing some spring cleaning back home nearly 5 years ago. That was after my accident at Gateon Port. Dad told me that he had wanted to throw that away but I insisted on keeping it, so I read it till it stopped abruptly…" I stopped for a moment to take a look at their shocked expressions before I continued, "But the last entry was dated at least 10 years ago, when Dad was writing about going to Orre when he was 5 – my age! How do you explain that?! I mean, Dad got to go, but how come I don't get to go?" Silence. No one spoke for a while. I think they felt that I was right.
"… Yes. It's true," Mom said, breaking the silence. "Your father did go to Orre when he was your age. You're right, Stan. We shouldn't deprive you of your only chance to venture to Orre." Really? Oh my gosh, I should've gotten the video camera to tape this moment down, but I was too nervous to. I had to listen to Amma's opinion.
"I agree with your mother." YES!!!! "HOWEVER…" NO!!!!
"Um… However…?" I muttered, trying to get Amma to continue.
"However, there is one condition…"
"And that would be…?" I gulped.
"If you want to go that badly, you'll have to win the Hoenn League Championship. And when I say win, I meant that you MUST win as the Champ."
"Amma…" Mom 'retaliated'.
"Siberia, take this as Stan's grand breakthrough. If he can prove to me that he's ready to take on this task, I'll let him go to Orre with no complaints."
"… Alright, if you insist…" Mom turned to me. "Stan, can I talk to you for a while?" I looked up at her, turned to face Amma who nodded, so as I turned back to Mom, I nodded as well. I saw her smile faintly and she took my paw and led me outside. "Stan, this is about what I asked you just now…" Oh, no. "Do you… forgive me?" Aw, what the heck…
"That's… uh…" I couldn't answer her just yet. I wasn't ready! If I say yes, I'll have to go stay with her, away from Amma who had been taking such great care of me for years, but if I say no, I'll break Mom's heart! What should I do…? "M-Mom… I… I don't know…"
"What do you mean? It's either yes or no, son."
"Yes, I mean, no, I mean, yes! No, no, I mean…!" I panicked a little. I got pretty nervous before sighing and calming down. "What I meant is, yes, I understand what you mean, but no, I can't answer you just yet…"
"Oh…" I think I broke her heart.
"Can you give me some time to… consider?"
"… Sure. All you youngsters need is time, anyway."
"Thanks, Mom." I hugged her as thanks and went back into the house. I heard shouting and realized that my Pokémon were arguing again. I hid behind a window and overheard them arguing something about me and Mom and… Amma?
"No, Stan should be with his own mother!" That was Toggy, my female Togepi. "He hasn't seen her for years! Don't you think they should be reunited?"
"But Stan's happy here, with us!" Nightshade argued back. "Besides, this should be his decision, not ours. We Pokémon have no right whatsoever to have the final say."
"Sheesh, we weren't talking to you, Nightingale!" Fahrenheit shouted.
"It's NIGHTSHADE!!!!"
"STOP THAT SHOUTING!!!"
"YOU'RE SHOUTING, TOO!!!!"
"AM NOT!!"
"ARE TOO!!!"
"AM NOT!!!!!"
"ARE TOO!!!!!"
"AM NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"ARE TTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Would you two KEEP IT DOWN IN HERE?!" Great, now Danielle's caught up in their argument, too. I saw the other Pokémon back away from Nightshade, Danielle and Fahrenheit as they seemed to get ready for a fight. "Like what Brother Nightshade said, this is Stan's decision, not ours." Danielle seemed to calm down. "He will decide who to stay with, simple as that. Whatever his decision is, we as his Pokémon have to accept it, am I right?"
"Yes, Danielle…" my Pokémon apologized. I got to hand it to Danielle; she can really stop a fiery argument. Then, someone tapped on my shoulder. I turned around and…
The next day…
"Stan, is this really your decision?" I looked down at Evolution who was pulling a long face.
"Yes, Evolution. It is," I said regrettably. "Why the long face?"
"No, I'm just upset that…" Evolution started. "I'm just upset that both Amma and Siberia are upset."
"Silly girl, why should you get upset over this?" I patted her on the head to comfort her. "They should've been prepared for whatever the outcome is. This is my decision."
"…"
"Come on, give me a big smile, why don't you?" Evolution then looked up at me and gave a very forced smile. "That's my Evolution…" I whispered as a tear slid from my eye. Picking up my sling bag and slinging it over my left shoulder, I waved Evolution good-bye and went out of my room as I thought about what had happened yesterday…
Flashback
I day ago…
"Yes, Mom?"
"Stan… I saw what happened with your Pokémon and I can tell that you are shocked as you have never seen them like this before, right?" Mom was spot-on… True, I have seen my Pokémon throw tantrums but I have never seen them like that before. All my life, I have been their Trainer and yet, I never knew they had this strong-willed side in them… After all, we rarely battled against tough Trainers. "Stan, though you haven't told anyone what your decision is, I know you have already decided within your heart. Mind telling everyone your decision?" How'd she know about that?! I panicked a little. "But I know you aren't ready to tell anyone just yet. I know your character, Stan. You are my son. And whatever your decision is, I'll always respect it." As Mom started to walk away, I stopped her.
"Wait, Mom! I'll tell you what I've decided…"
"Oh?"
"Mom… I've decided to…" As I spoke, I could feel that Amma was watching. "Mom, I love you but I don't forgive you…" I went on my knees. I could tell that Mom was shocked. "But I want your forgiveness instead… as my decision is… not to follow you nor Amma…"
"W-What?"
"Yes, Mom… The thing is, I'm not ready to go with you. I still have my Pokémon to think about. On the other hand, I can't bear to break your heart either…" I finally muttered out. "But… All I want is to follow Dad's footsteps… I want to fulfil his wish…" I started to cry. "Please, Mom… Let me have the final say after all this is over… I promise I'll come in first place in the Hoenn League Championship…"
"…"
Flashback ends
Present…
I know I had hurt both of their feelings a little… But it's my decision. Evolution was upset that I was heading to Orre with her. Yes, with her, not without her. She never really liked to battle nor go on adventures… I cried because I was both nervous and sad about Dad… As I wiped away my tears, I continued running towards the registration center. But as I ran, I can't help but feel that Mom's presence was there.
My Siberian Mom would be there for me, no matter what happens. And I'll always be her son.
Always.
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A/N: And… done! Yay for completion! I was rushing through this in order to be able to submit on Saturday but if the date shows 28-01-07, I won't be too surprised. I came home late so I worked on this late as well. And mind you. I completed this right at midnight. Cool, eh? Looks like I'm late. Oh well, it can't be helped.
Revengeful Battle will be under the Pokémon category as it leans on more Pokémon theme-based ideas, which means that there will be more battling and Pokémon so this will be under the Pokémon category. Check my profile out and scroll all the way down to look for it. It should be there late in the afternoon. Very late in the afternoon. I still got homework to do…
Dedicated fic countdown: 6 (7) more days to go! I think my friend's username will be Azure-Umbreon or something like that… Yeah, she decided to change it. More details later! Until next time… See ya! Oh, and before I forget… Treat your Umbreons with care! … Or else!
umbreonrawks