FOREVERMORE

~Part Three Of The Forever Trilogy~

Chapter 13

Rank Up

August 10, 5000.

(Topaz's POV)

The atmosphere was solemn in Tohjo Falls. Jade and Jasper were still attending to the wounded survivors, and Grey was trying to get us organized. The rest of us where gathered around a fire in one of the smaller caves in the waterfall cavern. I had kept Apollo out, and the Rapidash was laying behind me, and I was leaning up against him, using him as a cushion. Raiden was cuddling with Joy and their egg. I was tired, so tired. But for some reason I just could not fall asleep.

"Sapph hasn't come back yet," Rubin said from his spot beside me, sounding worried. "I hope she's okay."

I glanced over at my boyfriend. He looked as worried as he sounded, a cute little frown on his face. But I didn't feel like saying anything to comfort him. The war had just begun, and I was already sick and tired of it. We were doomed without Tibbs. Some Commander I was going to be.

"I'm sure she's just fine, Rubin," Esmeralda reassured him from her spot across from us on the other side of the fire. "She can take care of herself. Besides, Gold went looking for her!"

"That's what I'm worried about!" he exclaimed, leaning forward, closer to the warming fire. "Sapph and Gold aren't exactly on the best of terms as of lately."

As if on cue, the two who had just been mentioned walked inside. Both their faces were flushed, and their clothes were messy. Everyone stared at then.

"Uh, hey guys," said Gold, flushing deeper, sweatdropping.

"Sapph!" exclaimed Rubin as he jumped to his feet. "Where have you been? What have you been doing? And why are you so... so filthy?"

His sister's eyes' flashed. "I've been traveling, duh!" she snapped. "Of course I'm dirty! Stop being such a sissy!"

"Well, excuse me for caring about your hygiene!"

I hate to say it, but he sounded gay right then. I'm so sorry Rubin, but it had to be said.

"You-"

"Both of you, knock it off."

Grey strode into the cave, followed by Jade and Jasper. He looked annoyed, which wasn't surprising at all. Raiden suddenly leaped into my lap, starting me. I sat up straight, trying to push away my fatigue. Something told me Grey had news for us.

"I just contacted Am via Pokedex. I informed him of the turn of events," he said. "Several years ago, Tibbs made Am the heir to the position of High Commander. The High Commander has two generals under him that complete the executives of the Resistance. Am has chosen me, and Topaz."

I wasn't the only one who gasped.

"Me? Me? Are you serious? I can't be a general!" I exclaimed.

"Why not?" asked Grey, his brown eyes cold and serious. "It's Am's decision and it's final."

I couldn't believe this was happening. No one would take me seriously! I looked too young. I remembered when Rubin and I first started dating, people in Mount Silver gave us weird looks until they found out who we were. It had been so awkward for us. There was no way people would listen to me as a general. What was Am thinking?

"You'll be a great general, Topaz," Rubin told me with a soft smile on his face, turning to face me. "Don't worry about it."

I bit my bottom lip, looking up at him. "I sure hope so."

"We need to discuss what our next course of action will be," said Grey as Jade and Jasper sat down with us, interrupting my silent moment with Rubin.

"Oh, what about Viola? We can't leave without her!" exclaimed Jade after she sat down next to Plato.

"Where is she anyway?" asked Sapph; she and Goldy had sat down too, and I noticed they were sitting together.

"She went on a job for Professor Pine with this boy named Alizarin," I answered. "In Johto, I think."

"Alizarin? I know him," Grey said, nodding. "He's a good kid. She'll be fine. We can meet up with them on the way to wherever we decide to go."

That was right. I wondered what happened to Professor Pine. We hadn't found him in the aftermath...

"Um, Chase, I have a question," I said, remembering to use his alias in front of Cyan, Jasper, and Esmeralda. "How old is Alizarin? He must be pretty young, right?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. "He's about fifteen, more or less."

I stared at him. And stared. Really? Alizarin suffered the same fate as I did? Jeez, it was worse for a guy though. I mean, he obviously did not hit puberty. Poor kid. He must be battered up inside about it. Imagine all the teasing he must suffer!

"Oh. He doesn't look it..."

"Yeah. Just don't ever mention it to him. He's very... sensitive about it."

"That's putting it lightly," Sapph snorted.

"Anyways, so we need to decide where to go next," said Plato, changing the topic, probably wanting to get straight to the point already.

Grey nodded again. "Yes."

I looked over at Jewel. She was sitting quietly with her legs up, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her red hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, and her chestnut eyes were lowered. Cookie, her Eevee, was curled up at her feet. I didn't blame her for not wanting to talk to us. I bet she felt ashamed for everything that had happened. She probably felt responsible. But it wasn't her fault she was Synis's daughter!

"We need to go to Unova," I said, and everyone looked at me. "Am and Diamonda are there, and Synis's control is weakest there."

"That's a great idea!" said Rubin. "We could move the rebels to Twist Mountain!"

I grinned at him, and nodded. "Exactly."

"I've never been to Unova," said Cyan, stroking his chin.

"Most of us haven't," said Jasper.

"They have some really unique Pokemon there, don't they?" Esmeralda asked excitedly.

"They do," said Grey. "Almost my whole team consists of Unovan Pokemon."

"Except for Squirrel," Fiori said with a devilish smirk on her face.

"Except for Squirrel," he agreed with a sigh, rolling his eyes at her.

"So when are we gonna leave?" asked Gold.

"In two days," he replied after a moment or two of thought.

...

August 12, 5000.

I was gathering my meager belongings when I noticed the egg was really shaking. Rubin had asked me to take it for the day. This seemed like perfect timing for it to hatch. I picked up the egg, and rushed out of the cave that served as my temporary bedroom. Raiden bounded after me, and Apollo followed. He was out because I was packing my things on him. The first person I bumped into was Jewel.

"Jewel, you're perfect!" I exclaimed. "Here, I want you to take the egg!"

Her eyes grew wide. She looked genuinely surprised. "Really? Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yes, yes!" I handed her the egg as Raiden leaped onto my shoulder.

"Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, beaming.

I smiled. "You're welcome! Hurry, it's going to hatch!"

We watched as the shell cracked after a shudder, and more cracks appeared. The egg began to glow, and there was a bright flash of light. I was blinded momentarily. Once everything cleared, Jewel was holding a baby Pichu with a tuft of fur on top of its head.

"Aw!" she exclaimed. "It's so cute!"

"Pika pi!" cried Raiden. I have a son!

"It's a boy," I told her.

She hugged the baby Pichu gently, and he cried happily. "I know just what to call you then! Storm!"

"Pika pikachu," said Raiden. That's a good name for 'em!

"Raiden approves," I said with a laugh.

"I'm glad," Jewel said, still smiling. "Oh, thank you so much, Topaz! I'll take such good care of Storm, I promise!"

"I know you will, Jewel," I said. "You're obviously not your father."

She immediately hushed, and looked down at the ground. "Yes... Thank you for seeing that..."

"The others will come around with time," I said. "But Grey should trust you. You know him, right? He was an admin for Synis for a while."

"I only met him once or twice," she replied quietly. "Father didn't want me involved with the admins..."

"Jeez, I don't blame him," I said, thinking of Flax. "They're some unsavory characters."

"Indeed, Topaz, indeed."

Not much happened here except for the revelations and the egg hatching.

I have come up with the most brilliant plot for the next arc!

And let's do a writing contest. Write anything about Kummernshipping, and it's due by November 13th, my birthday! I chose Kummern because it's my birthday and nobody's written anything for them yet. xD

And kudos to you if you can guess how old I'm going to be. Those of you who know... SHUSH!

I was also thinking how cool it'd be if the Forever Trilogy was turned into a doujinshi, but, alas, that would take a lot of work. I'd do it myself, but I can't draw Pokemon worth a darn, haha. xD

Well, that's it for today. Revieeeeeeew! :D