FOREVERMORE

~Part Three Of The Forever Trilogy~

Chapter 20

Betrayed

January 5, 5001.

(Cerise's POV)

I admit it, I felt awful. But I just had to tell him, to let him know. I wanted him to know how I felt. I wanted him to be happy, though. I wasn't about to try to steal him away from my older sister. They were happy; anyone could see that. I wanted them to be.

Oh my Arceus, Topaz was so mad at me.

I was trying to avoid her the best I could. She was a ticking time bomb; I could feel it. She was going to explode soon, I just knew it.

Sapph was annoyed with me, too.

Rubin hadn't spoken with me since the confession.

Oh, I felt so bad.

I needed to talk to my sister, to make her understand. I knew it might trigger her explosion, but I was just tired of the awkwardness. Crimson had even given up trying to mend the rift. It was all my fault, so I had to fix it.

We were walking at a steady pace, with Alizarin leading the way. I was more towards the back of the group, with Crim and Indi. I took a deep breath, picked up my pace to catch up with her, and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Topaz!"

She turned around to face me rather abruptly, jerking even, and stopped. "What?"

I winced at her harsh tone. "I need to talk to you..."

She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing me. "About what?"

"I need to explain myself," I said. "Please..."

She stayed silent for a moment or two, obviously contemplating. "Fine." Then she turned back around to face the others. "Where can we meet up with you later?"

"We're almost to Dragonspiral Tower," said Alizarin. "We can wait for you there, I guess."

"All right," said Topaz before turning back to me. "Well, come on."

I followed her back to a sheltered area. It was snowing, as usual for the winter, so it would be nice to get out of the weather. Once we were in the shelter of the copse, she turned around to face me, her expression serious.

"Okay. Talk."

I took a deep breath. I could do this.

"I'm sorry," I said finally. "I'm so sorry. I don't want to ruin anything for you and Rubin, I swear. I just wanted him to know how I felt, that's all. Please... don't hate me! I just wanted him to know. Please understand."

She just looked at me.

"I love him, yes," I continued. "But I just want him to be happy. I'm not going to try anything, and even if I did, I know it wouldn't work. He loves you a lot, Topaz. He really does. He would die for you. Yeah, I can't help but feel jealous. But I'm not going to mess up it for you. I'm okay with that. Really."

She brushed her bangs out of her eyes. "I see..." She paused, pursing her lips. "I... don't hate you, Cerise... Really. Yes, I'm mad at you, but who wouldn't be? You're my sister, and I can't hold a grudge forever. I'm just used to people screwing with my relationships. I'm paranoid about it, okay? I don't want another Scarlet. I get you. I-"

Suddenly, something came busting through the trees, uprooting them slightly as it barreled by, covered in flames. I yelped, jumping back out of the way, while Topaz merely took a few steps back. The flames that covered the Pokemon dissipated, revealing a black and white striped equine I had never seen before in my life.

"W-What is that?" I stammered.

"A Zebstrika," Topaz replied, slowly moving her hand down to the belt she wore that held six Poke Balls. "They're native to Unova, but I don't think they're supposed to live around here. It can't be that strong and be wild, anyway."

"You got that right, sweetheart."

I flinched at the sound of a masculine voice. I suddenly felt deja vu as a guy walked out from the tilting trees. He was rather tall, with curly pale, pale blonde hair, and piercing icy blue eyes. His skin was bronzed with tan from being outside a lot, startling against his light hair and eyes. He was one of the hottest guys I had ever seen, and for some reason made Butterfree flutter in my stomach. He was dressed for winter, of course, and a brown Raichu followed him.

"Flax," my sister growled, her hand clenching into fists. "Don't call me that." That was the first time I had ever heard venom in her voice. "What are you doing here? First Maroon, then Verdant, then Navy, and now you."

So his name was Flax, then. Why did I feel like that was familiar?

He laughed, and smirked. "Unova's my home region, sweetheart. Is it a crime to visit my own home state?"

She grit her teeth. "Stop lying," she snapped. "We all know you're not here to visit your home region."

His smirk grew bigger. "Ah, you know me all too well. You're right. I'm not here to visit my home region." He paused, and a malicious grin formed on his handsome features. "I'm here searching for Synis's lovely daughter."

"Oh my Arceus, Synis has a daughter?" I gasped, taken by surprise.

Flax turned his head to look at me for the first time. He looked me up and down, making me feel self-conscious. He smirked again, amused about something. Huh?

"Cerise Rosso, one of the four missing children that were lost during transportation to the future," he said. "So we meet again. Sexy, as always."

My whole face flushed at his compliment as Topaz gave me a confused look. "W-What are you talking about? I've never seen you before in my life!"

Flax laughed. "Amnesia, eh? Well, you did hit your head rather hard. That's a pity. I really enjoyed... our time together."

How did he know about the accident I had? I couldn't have amnesia; I remembered everything in my past... except for the month before the accident and getting kidnapped and everything that had to do with that. This guy knew me, and he knew Topaz, too. What was going on?

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"Well, your lovely sister did say my name, but I guess I can say it again. The name's Flax," he said. "Flax Ama. I wondered where you went to. You were... really fun."

"What did you do to her?" demanded Topaz, looking furious.

Flax laughed, grinning wide. "Aw, is little Topaz jealous? You're just mad that your little sister lost her virginity before you did."

Wait, WHAT? HOLY-

"Shut up!" she yelled, looking truly, truly terrifying in her anger. "You bastard! How dare you mess with my sister! Apollo, Flare Blitz, now!"

She chucked a Ultra Ball, releasing her Rapidash. He let out a battle cry, covering himself in crimson flames right before he lunged at Flax. His Zebstrika leaped in the way, taking the blow. The next thing I knew, Topaz was dragging me away, still shouting commands to Apollo. She then released her Aerodactyl and sent him to warn the others.

I was so confused.

Topaz yanked me around a tree. Apollo joined us moments later. She shoved me up on the fire horse, and lifted the reins up over my head so she could hold them behind me. Then we were riding, galloping through the forest.

I risked a glance behind us. Flax was chasing us on his Zebstrika. Crap!

Apollo skidded to a halt as we broke out into a clearing that opened the way to a massive crumbling ancient tower. The tower was surrounded by a frozen solid lake. This had to be Dragonspiral Tower, since everyone was waiting around for us.

"Flax is here!" Topaz yelled as we got off Apollo. "He's looking for Jewel!"

The redhead yelped, and quickly moved to hide behind Cyan.

"Who the heck is Flax?" demanded Cyan.

"A admin of Synis," Grey replied stiffly, scowling. "He's the worst out of them all. Even worse than Karen."

I gasped. Oh my Arceus, no!

"Arceus, what is with us bumping into all the admins!" yelled Sapph. "Who's next, then? Karen?"

"Relax, Sapph," her boyfriend told her. "He's so outnumbered; we're gonna kick his butt!"

As if on cue, the Zebtrika galloped into the clearing. I backed up closer to the others. This was all so crazy, and I was just so confused about everything.

"Flax," Grey said icily, scowling deeper. "There's no point in continuing. You are outnumbered by far. Get out of here."

The tension in the air was so thick, I shivered. Most of it was coming from Grey and Flax. It was so scary.

"I'm not here to fight, traitor," snapped Flax. "I'm here for Jewel, and nothing else. Her daddy wants her back."

Huh? How as Grey a traitor? Ugh, why was everything so confusing! Would anyone ever explain anything to me?

"You think we're going to just let you take her?" Cyan scoffed. "You must be out of your mind."

Flax laughed. "Cyan Oak. You think you can stop me with just one pathetic, low leveled Charizard? You may be the son of Blue, but you are weak and useless compared to him."

Whoa, how did he know Cyan had a Charizard?

"Shut up!" shouted Indigo. "Leave my brother alone! Who do you think you are? How dare you insult my family!"

Flax sneered. "You really are spunky, aren't you, Indigo? I guess living in the past does it to you. But you're just as pathetic as your brother."

"Shut up," snapped Crimson, his red eyes flashing. "Shut up. You really are a dumb blonde, aren't you? Waltzing in like this and insulting us all. You're one of the admins? Jeez, I thought a admin would be smarter. Synis must have low employee requirements."

Flax obviously did not like having his intelligence insulted. He merely sneered. "All you can do is make verbal threats. You are too spineless to make a move, mini-Red."

I knew that was one thing that irked my little brother. Being called a mini-Red. Yeah, he was, and their personalities were even very similar, but he loathed being called a clone of our father. His thing was being Crimson, not Red. He opened his mouth to retort.

"Enough!" yelled Grey, looking very, very ticked. "All of you, shut your traps. I am not in the mood to listen to pointless banter that gets us nowhere. Honestly, Flax, you are a idiot to believe we'll let you just take Jewel. If you want to keep your worthless life, I'm giving you twenty seconds to get your lousy ass out of here. Starting now."

Flax narrowed his eyes. Without a word, he took out Poke Ball, and re-released his his brown Raichu, and gave it an order. I yelped as the Pokemon leaped at Grey, slashing its sharp pointed tail at his cheek. It only made a small cut, but started bleeding immediately. Grey's Serperior released itself, and lunged at the strangely colored Raichu. But Grey told him to wait as he wiped blood off his cheek.

Flax merely smirked devilishly, and left.

...

(Topaz's POV)

"I'm healing your face whether you like it or not," I told Grey as we walked into Dragonspiral Tower.

We had all decided to stay in Dragonspiral Tower to the rest of the day. The weather was getting really bad. We would travel across the frozen lake tomorrow. Or whenever the blizzard let up. We would set up camp inside on the first floor.

"Fine," said Grey with a annoyed sigh. "If you insist."

"We're going to set up camp, General Rosso," Esmeralda told me. "A lot happened to you today, so relax and enjoy yourself."

"All right, thanks, Ez," I said. "But don't call me 'General', okay? We're all friends here."

She smiled, and saluted, making me laugh. "Sorry, I'm just so used to you being my commander, and now general..."

"It's okay," I told her. "Now go set up camp."

"Right away, General!" she said, saluting me again. "Er... I mean, will do, Topaz."

I laughed again, and waved her off. I turned back to face Grey, and I looked up at him. Dang, he was so tall; Am was the only one taller than him. He was even taller than Indigo. And I was the shortest around. How was I going to get to his face? Sitting down would be too awkward. I had to find something to stand on.

"Come with me," I said, heading toward the stairs to find fallen debris that I could stand on to reach his face.

Grey followed. It took a few minutes to find a slab of marble that was suitable. I hopped up on it; there was barely any room on my feet. It elevated my stature by a whole foot, though. I had to balance. I gestured Grey over. We almost were eye to eye now.

"Hold still," I ordered. "This will sting a little."

"Just hurry up before you fall," he sighed.

I reached out to the still slightly bleeding two inch long cut on his cheek. But the movement ruined my balance, even though I moved my hand slowly. I fell forward, and instead of the typical headbutting my friend, we accidentally kissed.

It was fast, and we quickly broke apart. Grey had to catch me from falling flat on my face.

But... It was long enough.

My mouth hurt, and I rubbed my lips as I turned around toward the doorway that lead to the stairs back to the first level.

There stood Rubin, my boyfriend, his gorgeous blue eyes wide with horror at what he had just witnessed.

No. No no no no. NO.

"Rubin!" I gasped, startled. "Rubin, it's not what you think!"

He shut his mouth, and his expression turned angry and hurt. That look in his eyes... It would forever haunt me. I would never be able to remove that from my memory.

"Sure it is," he said bitterly before turning around, and leaving.

Crap.

That so did not just happen.

Okay, I lied. The Macbeth parody will be finished next chapter, which will end on a happy note. I couldn't ruin the effect of the cliff hanger with a parody. Sorry guys.

CLIFF HANGER! There hasn't had one in a while, so I had to change that. xD

You hate me, don't you? Well, messing with ships doesn't make me happy either.

You've been wondering about Rubin's temper, right? Well, you'll get to see it explode next chapter. Yay!

So, you both know more about Cerise and Flax.

No, Flax/Cerise is not the unknown ship that Cerise is under in the list. NEVER WOULD I SHIP THEM. It's crack, nothing more. GOT THAT? IT GOES NOWHERE.

Cerise is no longer a ship sinker. Flax has given you even more a reason to hate him.

I'm so sorry, Grey, I had to mess with you again. I'M. SO. SORRY. At least you're over Topaz. *cries*

There was a little Aquamarineshippy and Primaryshippy moment, too.

So, everyone reaches Icirrus next chapter! And expect two new characters and a MAJOR SURPRISE. Well, two major surprises. And, actually, these two characters are the last who join the main crew. They're not related to the Pokedex holders at all.

Am and Dima will be back soon! :D

And before I forget, this update is early because I forgot to tell you (if you haven't already read it) that Evermore is UP! SO GO CHECK IT OUT!

And remember, Evermore makes every ship safe, so no ship sinking will ever happen... permanently, anyway.

REVIEW!