Chapter 35

Kyle's Gift

It was 10 a.m. the next day when I saw clouds forming above some of the tropical areas around Cinnabar Island. I was on the beach, one leg reclined and the other arched up in a way that I was able to rest my arm on it. I had my shades on, a button up shirt with blue stripes, and my old blue jeans that had seen better days. Black biker boots were probably not the best choice for the beach, but I always hated how sand got everywhere, and boots did prevent that from happening. I was enjoying the nice breeze when the cold wind hit my back. That familiar voice rang in my head, and I knew without a doubt what it was.

"Well," I said to Pichu as I took the shades away from my eyes, placing them on my head. "Look likes its time to go." I looked over to my right, and behind a massive mound of sand, Pichu was hard at work building a castle. "Pichu?" I laughed, standing up and brushing off the sand that was stuck in the denim of my pants. "Bud, come on. Articuno is waiting on us."

"Pii-i-i!" He whined, looking at me with such a pitiful face. His eyes wide like a puppy dog begging for food.

"Hey now…" I said. "Don't you pull that on me."

"Pi-cha…" He then got even bigger eyes, and put on and even sadder face.

"Arrgg…" I groaned, looking around the beach. We were alone, not even a Krabby was present. "Fine, you can stay here."

"Pi! Cha!" He squealed happily.

"But only until I get back with Articuno. Got it?"

"Pi-Cha!" He nodded, quickly getting back to work on his castle.

I shook my head, smiling as I walked through the lush tropical forest of the volcanic island. You know, what if something happened to him? Well, its not like he can't take care of himself, he is a two time Pokemon League Champion after all.

"You realize that the first League doesn't count?" Articuno spoke, as I walked closer into the forest.

I looked up, hearing something move in the trees above me as a cold wind began to blow through. "But still, my argument stands. He can take care of himself."

Articuno flew through the treetops, landing beside me as she placed her pokeball down on the ground. "You both have room to mature."

"Well it's nice to see you too." I smiled, holding up her pokeball.

"So," she asked. "When will you let me know what the surprise is?"

"Soon, but first I need to take you there, without drawing attention to ourselves." I pressed the ball against her feathers, sucking her up inside the container. "Now," I said, taking Pidgeot's pokeball off my belt. "Lets head on out of here." In a red light the bird appeared, and just as soon, we took off into the air.

"Head to the beach." I spoke, pointing to where I left Pichu.

***_-Scene Change-_***

"Wow," I said, recalling Pidgeot as I looked at the carnage of the island. Pichu ran off my shoulder, jumping head first into the sand and then bolting for the ocean, gathering sand before the waves pulled it away.

"These poor islands." I looked around. Even though only one of the Seafoam Islands collapsed on that day nearly two years ago, they just seem so… empty now. I held the ice-cold pokeball in my hand as I took a deep breath. "I hope you like this." I threw the ball, and in the red light Articuno appeared. Snowflakes began to fall around us, and she turned to look at her once beautiful home. I felt her heart break, almost as if we were linked together. She turned to look at me, a frozen tear in her eye.

"Why have you brought me here?" She asked. "For what reason have you brought me to my once proud home?"

"This is your present." I said, putting my hands in my pocket. "With the prize money I got from this league, and some of the influential people I know, I was able to purchase these islands for you." She turned, looking at the mountains she once lived in. "When I bought them I donated them to the Pokemon League, and changed them to a Pokemon Sanctuary, Level 1." She looked at me confused.

"Level 1?"

"That means that only pokemon can ever come onto the islands."

"How would that be enforced?"

"By the league." I said, walking up beside her. "The league said that the waters in this area are protected by the Cinnabar Naval Force, so they will be the ones monitoring these islands now." I backed away from her. "I know you said that you will stay with me, but you really don't have too." I then looked down to the ground. "I captured you only to protect you, and now that you are safe, and you have a home… you…"

I lifted my head, and it startled me that Articuno was standing in front of me, almost with a smile. "Thank you." She said. "But my time will come." She turned to see her mountain again. "Thank you very much, and one day, perhaps this will be my home again. But for now," she walked closer to me. "My place is with you. And when you no longer need me, is when I will leave. I know you feel guilt for my lost home, but as you said, it wasn't your fault." She then placed her beak on her pokeball. "I will still be with you. Wherever you go." With that she was sucked back into her ball.

I held the frosting pokeball in my hand, taking in what all happened. I then looked to the sky, feeling the wind from the ocean brush through my brown hair. Where do I go from here? I turned around, watching Pichu chase down a Krabby that was running diagonally across the sand. It suddenly buried under the ground, evading Pichu's pounce. Pichu then began digging, trying to find the lost little crab.

"Come on Pichu." I said with a smile as I walked to the waves crashing on the shore. I stuck the frostbitten pokeball in my pocket, as I grabbed another off my belt, throwing it onto the water. The large serpent appeared, diving under the water and then jumping up again, moving around outside of battle for the first time in a while.

"How are you doing Gyarados?" I asked, wading in the water.

"Gar! Gar!" He smiled a toothy smile, smacking his tail onto the water making a splash that made me bobble in the waves.

I smiled, swimming over to him as Pichu and I climbed on his side. "Take us back to Pallet," I said as I reclined on his back. "No need to hurry either. I want to take it easy."

"Pichu!" Pichu spoke, running up Gyarados's back and sitting behind the fin on his head, acting like he was steering the massive dragon.

I put on my shades once we started moving. "Yep, nothing but smooth sailing." A cloud drifted by as I closed my eyes. This is what I needed.

***_-Scene Change-_***

It was about four or so when we arrived at Pallet. I always enjoyed that little town. Nothing much goes on in it, but the scenery is beautiful. The ocean crashing on the rocky shore of the mountains and cliffs, the little area between them where the water meets the shore… this whole place was all so calming to me.

When we hit the loading docks I recalled Gyarados and made my way to the road. It killed me, and I don't know why I did, but I glanced at the corner of the docks. I saw her. For a small, brief and sad moment, I saw her. She was sailing away, not looking back. Her hair, blowing in the wind as she left.

I shook my head, digging into my pocket for the capsule and item holder which I tossed on the ground. The bike appeared, as did my jacket, helmet and gloves. By the time I was able to put them on, however, Pichu was already in the cup holder, giving me the thumbs up with his goggles and jacket on. I pulled the sun visor down on my helmet and drove off, heading north.

***_-Scene Change-_***

The driveway at the house was still the same. I pulled the bike in, killing the motor as I used my foot to balance it up on two wheels. The thing was massive, weighing at least 300 pounds, so it took all my strength just to keep the thing level. I took a deep breath, exhaling and considering what was going on. Do I really want to go in there? Do I want to fall back into that trap? I looked down at my gloves. How far have I come? And why do I keep coming back? I then cast my eyes on the front porch. Toys thrown all over it. Alisa's dolls littered the swing. Action figures on the steps, and toy guns by the door.

I laughed to myself. Man, Mom has really toned down in her older years. If that were me leaving those toys out there, I would have got the tar beat out of me. I then frowned. I do suppose the only reason why I came back was to see my little brother and sister. I clinched my hand tight. But…do they really… know me? Sure, I raised them for their younger years, but I have been out of their lives for almost two years now. I'm 16, almost 17 and the only person that would know that is me.

I pushed the buttons on the bike, revving the engine as I slid it out of the driveway.

"Pi?" Pichu asked, as I faced the bike to the south.

"We're not stopping." I said. "It's better they forget me. I was planning on never looking back, so why should I now?" We took off down the road, and in the rear view mirror I saw a woman walk out into the driveway. I looked away, focusing on the road ahead of me as I headed back to Pallet Town.

***_-Scene Change-_***

"Hoenn." I said, slamming some cash down on the counter of the loading dock ticket booth. We were in Pallet town, and the sun was just getting ready to sit. Pichu was making a little nest, or something, in my book bag. I still haven't figured out what he does in there, but I don't really care. As long as he's happy, the little rat could be munching on my snacks for all I care.

"Alright." The old man behind the counter said. He rang up the ticket, printing out a paper, and then read it with a funny look on his face. "I'm sorry sir," he said. "But the last boat for the day… well, is not selling tickets any more."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "When is it leaving?"

Right then I heard the whistle blow. I turned my head and saw a small cruise boat departing from the dock.

"That would be it." He then sighed, typing on his computer. "Hang on and I'll give you a refund."

"Don't worry about it." I said with a smile, holding a pokeball. "I'm getting on that boat.

"Son, that boat has alre-" The man stopped when he saw me running out the door. He shook his head. "Kids these days, always in a hurry."

"Go!" I screamed, running off the dock as I released Dragonite under my feet. As if in an awesome movie, when I stepped off the docks she appeared. One of my feet was resting between her wings, the other on the lower part of her back. "Get us on that boat!" I said, pointing my arm at the ship that had just recently departed.

"Dra!" She called out, taking off like a bullet to the ship.

We were there in no time. She landed on the ships deck, making some people turn around and look at us. I recalled her calmly and glanced around the boat. People were staring, almost like a, 'who the heck does he think he is' type of look.

Suddenly two sailors came up to me, big burly guys. "Excuse me sir." One of them said. "Where is your ticket?"

"Call the docks." I said, waving him away. "I paid for my ticket, the old fart just didn't give it to me in time." I stuck my hands in my pocket as I walked past them. "Now, if you don't mind I'm going to show myself to my room. Don't worry, I'll find it." After all, two weeks on a boat is a long time. I might as well get comfortable, even if I take someone else's room in the process.

Why Hoenn? I don't know. Why not Hoenn? Maybe some time away is what I need. Time to unwind, take it easy. Time to not worry about anything, to be myself. Time to… reflect.

I walked down the stairs of the cruise ship, making my way to the rooms. Two weeks in solitude sounds pretty good. Two whole weeks. …

I wonder if hermits have a good life? Hermits... man, crab sounds good right now, I'm starving.

The End

I hope that you have enjoyed the Arson in Johto edition of the Fired Up Fights saga. As of now I have no intention of continuing the story of Hoenn, Perhaps if I get more comments and reviews I will reconsider.

If you are still interested in how the story ends (will Kyle ever meet up with Shonna again?), please read the corresponding stories found here:

fanfiction .net /u/ 1980850/

(without spaces)

Thank you all for your time and contributions to the Fired Up Fights saga. I have had a blast writing these stories and hope that they were just as entertaining to read. I would love to hear your comments and feedback on my writings. I am still working on revising my Fired Up Fights in Kanto, and The Cinders of Kanto, so don't forget to keep checking back for more updates.

If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Once again, thank you all for your support.

Kyle Gray