*Hello all. :3 Please do not get mad at me for forgetting to update last week. I had a volleyball tournament that day (which we lost miserably) and a 3 day competition the next day... Well, anyways, here's Chapter 11! ^^*

Chapter 11

"Here's the place, Fallabor Orphanage." Silver looked up from his map of Hoenn to the small, somewhat run-down building in front of him. It reminded him of what Crystal had told him about the old orphanage she had volunteered at- broken floorboards, dirty conditions, and overall, not the greatest place to grow up.

But I guess it's better than how I grew up… thought Silver, sighing. Most of the time, there's someone in an orphanage who cares about you, who acts as your parent. A sister can't even take the place of a mother or father…

"By the looks of it, it seems nobody has lived here for a while," commented Blue, casting a wary eye on the swaying sign displaying 'Fallabor Orphanage' above her, which seemed to be hanging on by just a single nail. "It just looks like a rat hole."

Silver was about to grunt his agreement when an old man stepped out of the building, alone and holding nothing, staring at the two Dex Holders curiously.

"What would you two youngsters be doing here? The orphanage has been closed for years- nothing interesting for kids of your age," he said, a kind smile on his face.

"We came here for information on a kid named Jade. Would you happen to have known him?" Blue took out her photo of Jade, but the man didn't even need to look at the white-blond hair and the silvery eyes to know who she was talking about.

"I knew him. I was the head of this orphanage, and I raised him up from maybe when he was seven or eight, I'm not too sure. He was an ambitious one, he and his friend, Amethyst. They both wanted to challenge the league, and they did. Unfortunately, Amethyst never came out of that tournament." His voice lowered, and his eyes were shadowed with pain. It was obvious that he had cared about both of the duo greatly. "She was an orphan as well, and she and Jade were always together, talking about who knows what and training the Pokemon they caught."

This is the guy we're looking for! thought Silver excitedly, memorizing each word that came out of the man's mouth, eyes shining with anticipation. Perhaps they could learn Jade's, or Rei as he seemed to like to be called, weakness, something they could use against him.

Blue was a little more solemn, imagining herself in Jade's position with what little information she had been given. Perhaps Jade and Amethyst had been like her and Silver, and just the thought of losing Silver felt like a stab through her back, piercing her spine and her heart in a single blow. But she couldn't pity the bad guy. Not when he had one of her friends in his hands.

"Do you know of any other ambitions he could have had? Did you ever overhear one of Amethyst's and Jade's conversations?" she questioned, sounding like an experienced reporter, voice confident and thirsty for knowledge.

"Why so curious about Jade?" replied the old man, beginning to look slightly suspicious. "He's been missing for years as well- I don't see why anyone would take a particular interest in him unless they had found him."

"We…" Blue paused, wondering whether or not to share the truth, that they had kind of found Jade- except they had no idea where the hell he is at the present moment. Well, as far as lies went, she always figure it was better to just ask for forgiveness later. "We've been studying former Pokemon League finalists since we wanted to compete in the next one, but unfortunately, it seems as if we won't be able to ask Jade for advice." As far as the lie went, it was pretty bad, but luckily, the old man seemed to buy it.

"I don't think he'd be too eager to help anyways. In the few weeks after the tournament, before he ran away, any sentence containing the words 'league', 'tournament', or 'battle' ensured that something would be thrown at your head. I don't know how he is now, but I hope he's doing alright. He was a fine young lad, and I'd hate to see him waste his life." The man bent his head down, sighing, reminiscing in his memories.

"Well, in any case, can you tell us how he battles? Just as a reference? We wanted to learn about some strategies we could use," added Silver, wondering how much more they could squeeze out of the guy. It seemed as if he were running dry already.

"He goes for all-out offensive, no bars held back," he answered nostalgically. "Almost burned down this orphanage more than once with his Salamence. He also came pretty close to destroying it with his Gengar as well- those were quite the strong Pokemon. The only one I know who ever beat him, not that he participated in very many battles, was Amethyst."

"How did Amethyst beat him?" pressed Blue, wondering if they could still use the same strategy.

The man smiled wryly. "Amethyst was a skilled trainer, but she always enjoyed to depend a bit on luck. Her Gallade was trained to score Critical Hits- and one battle, she managed to take him down with luck."

And there goes the strategy planning… thought Silver, realizing that was all they would probably get in terms of battle knowledge. Dang it… How are we supposed to rescue Ruby with this little knowledge?

"Was their goal to just take down the Pokemon League?" asked Blue, sounding truly inquisitive, the perfect mix of innocence and curiosity in her voice- but Silver could tell she was digging for important information. "Did they have other dreams?"

"I overheard something a little strange once- but it seems to be a little fuzzy, like I've forgotten it," recalled the old man, thinking hard. "It was something about 'changing the world' and 'legendary Pokemon', but I know something else. But all of you youngsters are like that. Wanting to change the world and get the strongest Pokemon."

"Could we have your name and a number to contact you again if we need it?" asked Blue, holding out a pad of paper and a pencil. "I have a feeling we might need to talk to you again. Just in case."

"There is no need for a number. I don't have any of your fancy gadgets," the old man laughed, his eyes twinkling for the first time. "My name is Shuu. If you need to see me, just come back to Lavaridge- you'll only need to come back here or ask around. I never leave home."

"Thank you, Shuu," said Blue, smiling. They had discovered a secret.

Sapphire woke up with a gasp, shivering, unable to shake off a choking, terrifying sense of foreboding that grabbed at her heart, her blood, running through her veins like liquid fear. What's going on? she wondered, expecting to see the same kind of chaos that seemed to have taken over her life. A fire, a storm, piercing, chilling silver eyes…

But everything was peaceful; the only sound Yellow's gentle snoring. The blond was sleeping on a couch, a moonbeam ray shining a soft silver on her hair, a calm smile on her face, as if she were having a good dream. Sapphire took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but to no avail. It was as if something were tugging at her, summoning her, but she couldn't figure out what.

It was like she was a scrap of metal and some distance away, there was a magnet, but it wasn't close enough to pull her in. Instead, she was just on the boundary, unable to move away and having the intense desire to move in. This feeling… I know it… But what? she asked herself, trying to force herself to remember. She knew she had experienced something similar before, perhaps not as strong, and she couldn't put her tongue on it.

Then suddenly, something came flooding back to her, a blue jewel orb, glowing slightly, the insides swirling as if they were alive, luring her in as if she were a moth and it was a light. But something stronger had called for her, something as ancient as the seas themselves, no, older still, and that was… Kyogre.

But Rei said I couldn't help him with the two legendaries… And I thought I wasn't connected to Kyogre anymore… she thought, head spinning. He was wrong.

She heard an echoing roar in her head, the roars of two legendary Pokemon, and she instinctively knew it was Groudon and Kyogre. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was no longer in the hospital room. She was seeing from Kyogre's eyes.

The first thing that caught her eye was a glowing, red circle on the ground, similar to the twisting, bending lines on Groudon's and Kyogre's bodies, pulsing like the beating of a heart, the crimson rising higher and higher until it climbed into the sky. With every pulse, she could feel pain, like something was being leeched out of her, however, she knew that the one truly experiencing the pain was Kyogre, and she felt pity for the mighty Pokemon. No matter how much power it possessed, it could suffer too.

Wait… Green said Rei probably has control over Kyogre! And that means… Sapphire could not turn as Kyogre's gaze remained forward, however, out of the edges of her vision she saw the blond figure grin as a purple sphere of energy appeared in his hands, growing with every beat of red.

Then, she froze. Rei's hands were covered in blood and she suddenly realized that the circle she had been staring at was drawn in blood, dark, drying blood that was almost brown now. There were small drips on the ground, leading into a darker corner of the cave which was impossible to make out, but between the flashes of red light, she saw a still, bleeding body lying on the ground, motionless.

She didn't need sight to recognize him, which sounded weird, but was true. The moment she saw the blood, she knew, but she didn't want to think it. But you can't deny something you see right in front of you.

His raven-black hair reflected the crimson and his clothes were stained with blood, as was the ground beneath him. She thought he was dead, he looked dead, there was so much blood, he had to be dead… But she saw him breathing, her eyes catching the minute falling and rising of his chest, and the slightest relief came over her. He wasn't dead- not yet.

Why can't I go ta ya? she thought, trying to will herself out of Kyogre, shutting her eyes tight, wishing that her corporeal body was able to move, to go to Ruby's side, to be able to help him in any way. If she were able to, she'd crawl, she'd drag herself over, anything. It hurt so much to be so close, yet unable to do anything. Why can't I ever do anything? I changed so I could protect da ones I love… Why am I still so helpless!

She opened her eyes again, azure eyes wide with fear and guilt and longing. She couldn't see the cave anymore, the walls lit with fiery red, the floor stained with blood, Ruby's blood, Ruby's body, away in the corner, still bleeding, Ruby, dying…

I know what I have ta do now! she realized, pulling her bag off of the nightstand and casting a guilty look towards Yellow, who was blissfully unaware of Sapphire's real-time nightmare. I'm sorry, Yellow-senpai… But I have to do this alone! If I were stronger, I could have protected Ruby. No one else is allowed to get hurt but me!

She walked over to the Pokemon Healing Machine to pull off her Pokemon, who awoke from the shaking. "Are you guys okay with travelin'?" she whispered, almost too quietly to hear. If Toro and Rono were unable to battle, she wasn't going to force this on them. But they nodded, determined looks on their faces. Smiling, she strapped their Pokeballs to her belt.

She could hear no one in the hallway, and she slowly and quietly opened the door, taking a quick glance around to be sure that no one saw her. If she were followed, it would go against the entire purpose of sneaking out. Her footsteps were as silent as a light breeze, like a phantom.

Once she was a good distance away from the hospital, she focused her mind, listening for a rustling of leaves. There was a hoot, but she ignored it, waiting for a familiar step, a familiar roar. After a few minutes, she heard it, and ran to find it.

"Pilo, boy!" she called out when she saw her Tropius standing in the middle of a clearing, munching on leaves on the higher branches of a tree. "I know where Ruby is. Help me, please."

The Tropius immediately stopped eating and lowered its head so Sapphire could easily climb on, stretching its leafy wings wide. Once the girl had boarded, it took a running start, flapping its wide wings until it was airborne, hurtling through the skies quickly and easily.

Sapphire knew that she'd be able to find Ruby. She could feel it, the calling in her blood. Her instinct would lead her there. Ruby… Wait for me. I'll be there, no matter what. This time, you'll be safe for sure.

*Guess what? I haz started a Nuzlocke comic. :V Check it out on my dA! Username is iluvshadowclaw. :3 Now that the self-advertising is over... Review Reply Time! :D*

ruby-loverr: You feel sorry for him. :3 Ruby doesn't feel sorry for himself, because he can't remember anything! XD I am writing mawr. :3 But I'm only updating once a week as usual. XD

Jositree: Funnily enough, someone else just said that about my Nuzlocke. :V Thank you! XD

FighterGirl14: I finally figured out how to put in a divider... (sadness) I put in a line of asterisks on my iTouch, but for some reason, it doesn't seem to show up sometimes... Thanks for crushing my ChosenShipper heart. :V XD JK, JK. Thanks for the review!

I'll update next week, I promise! Please check out my Nuzlocke if you have time. ;)*