Author's Corner.
Slybill: I'M NOT DEAD! Phew, now that that's cleared up, I had so much fun in Dubai and sorry Omega but no sandstorms. Lots of Skyscrapers though.
Scarlet: Just get on with the show!
Slybill: Right!
DISCLAIMER: SLYBILL DOESN'T OWN POKEMON.
Castelia Sewers, Unova Region.
The air was cold and dank with the stringy but unsurprisingly-persistent smell of garbage pervading the quiet atmosphere. Mixed in with the silence however were small gasps and pants for breath and in time, the sound of puddles splashing drew closer and louder until a fleeting blur of green quickly passed the scene. The blur belonged to the gangly young man dressed in a plain white shirt and grey pants with emerald-green shoes. Tugging on the black and white baseball cap on his head, he continued onwards, grey eyes darting here and there in anticipation for any one of the numerous Team Plasma grunts ready to jump him.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
The expected grunt and her Scrafty stood defiantly in the man's path and with a sigh, he slowed down up till about 10 feet away.
"We've finally found you, deserter!" the orange-haired grunt sneered and Scrafty charged a Focus Punch in its hand. "Come quietly with us and King Ghetsis shall do you no harm."
So...that man is King now...
The greenette slowly raised his hands above his head before giving a very sly smirk, hinting the Plasma grunt that something had gone amiss. Right as she contemplated knocking out the greenette, crimson aura swirled around his arms and with a bark, the "man" slammed his fists into the ground causing a big explosion that sent smoke and debris in different directions. The stunned grunt could only splutter as the shape before him glowed and shaped-shifted into a bipedal fox-like pokemon, mainly grayish-brown in coloration with crimson and black accents. Its voluminous, red mane billowed in the smoky wind and the spluttering grunt's eyes widened in realization. Zoroark?!
"Focus Punch!" she yelled and her pokemon jumped into the air before bringing its glowing fist into the Dark-type pokemon. Without any audible orders whatsoever, Zoroark brought its paws forward and unleashes a blinding and powerful Hyper Beam at the Hoodlum Pokemon, causing another massive explosion in the process. Scrafty's unconscious body fell back against the concrete and the grunt gave a sharp hiss. "Useless pokemon!"
Just at that moment, something black and green flitted through the smoke and before the grunt could pull out another pokeball, her eyes came face to face with a mask. Literally. It was a strange but common one with black on the entire right and white on the entire left. Grey orbs pierced right into her making her shiver and she couldn't fathom what kind of expression lay behind the ominous mask but one thing was for sure. Those grey eyes were annoyed and by the tightening grip on her wrist from the gloved fingers, she could tell that this wasn't going to end well.
"Your Pokémon..." he said in a cool, clear but clearly strained voice. "How dare you call it useless."
The girl yelped at the sudden numbness to her arm. "W-What I do with my pokemon is my business...Natural."
N's grip relaxed for a moment before tightening again and with a gasp, the grunt shivered as another gloved hand pressed itself to her face.
"First of all, I deserted no one."
A sickeningly-sweet smell wafted from the glove.
"Second, Pokémon aren't property or tools and should never be treated as such and frankly, your answer sickens me."
Light-headedness. The grunt struggled against it and the hand on her face but it was clear she was losing badly.
"Third, it's N." Darkness. "Nothing more. Nothing less."
THUD.
N brushed the tea-green hair framing his mask and patted his Zoroark lightly.
You look like something that jumped out from a Matrix movie, it...she remarked and N chuckled. It was true anyway. Ever since he got back to Unova three days ago, he had to don the ankle-length black trenchcoat, dark pants and boots since Team Plasma (which he had thought to have disbanded 11 years ago) had suddenly upped and started after him madly.
"She called Ghetsis King..." he stated, walking up to Scrafty and pulling out a Max Revive. "I wonder what he's up to."
The closer we get to your sisters, the sooner you find out, the Illusion Fox replied, solemnly watching her friend healing up the orange lizard. But I'm very sure he's up to no good.
The Scrafty opened its eyes slowly and stared in gratitude at the ex-king of Team Plasma.
"Go on," he whispered, pulling the pokemon to its stubby feet. "Get out of here as fast as you can. You are free now."
Grinning widely, Scrafty nodded and headed straight for the exit (but not before kicking the Team Plasma grunt in the gut of course). With that done, N straightened up and adjusted his collar.
"Let's go Zoroark," he declared and walked back into the darkness. "It looks like Team Plasma really needs to be reminded of who its true king is..."
Mistralton General Hospital, Mistralton City, Unova.
A worried Violet pushed past the nurses and Audino with Espeon hot on her heels as she rushed for ward 61. Behind her, Vann was once again trying to get her to calm down.
"C'mon Violet. It's not like he's dead or anything," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "We should at least let him rest."
"I still have to see him!" she hissed, slapping the hand away. "I need to see if he's really okay."
Vann sighed. Maybe it was a bad idea calling Scarlet's foster sister after all. Said ravenette wuld probably kill him for that.
Espeon barked suddenly, forked tail pointing at the door at the end of the hallway labelled '61' and with a deep breath, its purple-haired owner walked past the sliding door. She stopped upon seeing the unconscious and bandaged teen on his bed and released her breath at the slow but steady heaving of his chest. Jolteon lay on the bed next to him while White sat beside his bed, head laying on his lap. Her small hand was interlocked tightly with Scarlet's making Violet smile slightly as she walked up to them slowly and quietly.
"Thank goodness," she whispered, tears of relief rolling down her cheeks as she brushed the matted hair from Scarlet's wet forehead.
Vann drew a seat and plopped down, heavily exhausted. That was to be expected anyway. Not only did he have to impersonate a doctor and battle to save Scarlet's life, but also, he had to fix the heavily damaged cube and pacify Violet. "I so need a raise..."
"Sshh," Violet hushed, seeing as White began to stir. The trainer woke up anyway and rubbed her puffy eyes before giving a yawn. Though faint, Violet could make out tear streaks on her pale skin and bags under her eyes probably attested to the evident lack of sleep.
"Violet...?" she asked, voice a little hoarse. As soon as the mist cleared from her eyes, she rushed into the older woman's arms and sobbed into her bosom.
"I heard what happened," Violet whispered, patting her lightly. "And I'm sorry about Skyla."
White simply nodded into her chest and the sobbing died down until only her shoulders were left trembling. Tearing herself off of the woman, she sat back on the seat next to Scarlet and stared at the open collar in his gown, giving her a view of his bandaged neck and the beginning of a stitch.
"You better not look further down," Vann chipped in, getting White's attention. "It's not something for the weak-hearted should really see."
Violet gulped and fiddled with the buttons before openng the gown a little. Scarlet would be mad, but she just had to look. But not before having White sit a little far from the bed and fall asleep.
"What's the damage, Vann?" she asked as the brunette walked up to her.
"Broken ribs, heavy straining of the muscles, a punctured lung, damaged heart..." he replied, counting them on his fingers. "I couldn't be bothered to count the rest cos he went into cardiac arrest shortly after the initial diagnosis. I'm just wondering if this might affect his mental state."
"Scarlet never lets stuff like this daunt him," she said. "That's why I worry for him." And with that, she drew the collar apart and put a hand to her mouth to stop the whimper escaping her throat at the sight of his torso. The scars were horrible, maybe even worse than before. A long, white bandage lined his lower abdomen and stitches decorated his chest like some sick Frankenstein-gone-wrong experiment. "Oh my..."
"Told you so," the brunette sighed as Espeon walked up to Scarlet and licked his cheeks making him groan and stir. Slowly, his eyelids lifted and his green eyes met with Espeon's purple ones and they both stared at each other before the Sun Pokemon assaulted his face with licks and nips.
"Been a while, hasn't it, Espeon?" the ravenette asked, lifting the pokemon to his face and sitting up. "I guess Violet's pretty mad at me for this."
The comment was obviously directed at the purple-haired woman but Espeon nodded all the same and Scarlet dropped it on the bed before, with a wince, shifting to face his sister. "Hi Vi."
Violet however was not amused and the ravenette knew he was in for a tongue lashing when she asked for Vann and White to step out for the time being. With the door firmly closed behind them, silence ensued between the hunters, the beeping of the meters being the only source of sound echoing throughout the ward.
Scarlet coughed at the uncomfortable silence and looked down to see the horrible stitches lining his chest. "There goes my dream of being a swimsuit model. Heh... boy."
SLAP
Scarlet held his smarting cheek and gave the woman a sharp glare. "And what exactly was that for?"
"That was for making me worry, duh!" she replied and put her hands to her hips. "Just what the hell were you doing?"
"Well if you must know, I had to fight off that blonde fangirl of mine that gave me the lovebite back in Castelia," he snapped, rubbing his now reddening cheek. "Also, I don't think its a good idea hitting me when I'm injured."
"You had a run-in with Team Plasma again?" she sighed and put a hand to her forehead. "Why does it feel like they're after your head or something...?"
Scarlet shrugged and ran a finger down his stitch making Violet wince slightly.
"Look, I'm sorry for hitting you and all (not to mention grateful for retaliating since you wouldn't let just anyone touch you) but I did tell you to be careful."
"You didn't come all this way to bust me and apologise," he replied nonchallantly and crossed his arms. "This better not be what I think it's gonna be."
The purple-haired woman faced the floor and fiddled with her fingers. "Well...it is. Quit the missio-"
"No." Violet bit her lip as the ravenette lay back on his bed and closed his eyes.
"But Scarlet, it's getting too dangerous...even for you."
"I'm still alive, aren't I?" he mumbled, rolling on his side thus turning his back on her.
"You look alive at least, but have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?" she persisted, poking his back.
"Thanks sis. That comment sure did wonders for my self-confidence."
Violet rolled her eyes. Why'd Scarlet have to be such a stubborn Charizard at times? "I'm serious. Don't think I don't know what's going on. Vann told me that that Dragon Boost of yours is virtually butchering your lifespan not too mention those fights of yours leaving more scars and all."
Scarlet stiffened. "Your point is?"
"Are you looking for death?!" she screamed in frustration. "It's like you're down on one knee begging the reaper to marry you or something!"
"This doesn't concern you, Violet," he replied, stoic as ever. "All I'm trying to do is train the ditz so I can get my money."
Silence. Espeon twitched as Violet stared at the injured teen. Feeling somewhat relieved at the silence, Scarlet snuggled into the warm covers and was about falling asleep again when Violet said something that made him stiffen.
"It's not the money you're after, is it?"
...
...
"What makes you think that...?" he asked lowly and still facing away from her.
"What kind of sis would I be if I couldn't read my baby bro even if, personally, he is the hardest thing in the world to read."
Scarlet huffed and shifted to make space. "Are you hopping on or what?"
Smiling, the purple-haired huntress gingerly sat on the bed and faced him, or his back anyway. "The hole," she began and Scarlet drew a sharp breath.
Looks like we're gonna see a new side to Violet's brother, Espeon thought as Jolteon twitched and awoke with a yawn.
"Maybe it's me...but I think you put up a mask to hide your true self."
"I so do not," he said rather quickly and cursed himself as he felt Violet smile.
"I don't need a psychic pokemon to know you're lying," she said coyly.
"If you're so smart then tell me what you think my true self is," he snapped defiantly.
...
Violet ran a finger up his back before hooking it on his collar and drawing him up slowly. Now face to face, she noticed the full uncertainty in his green eyes and the way they twitched ever so slightly.
"A sad, hollow soul that needs saving," she stated, tapping his chest lightly. "You lost something important way back when and thanks to that, you feel like there's a big, fat hole in your heart that desperately needs to be filled. Right?"
Scarlet looked away, scowling. Cute. "That obvious?"
Violet shook her head. "Took me a long time to figure it out. Psychology was part of our Pokemon Professor course back in school anyway."
Scarlet gave her a confused look. "You wanted to be a Pokemon Professor?"
The girl nodded curtly and giggled. "Strange, right? A pokemon huntress dreaming of being a professor of all things."
"Actually...I guess it's okay," he replied and straightened up before putting a hand to his heart. "Not as strange as this thing in my chest."
"Feels bad, doesn't it? The bigger the hole, the more miserable you really feel," Violet remarked and smirked as the ravenette arched an eyebrow. "What?"
"You can tell all this just by looking at me?" he asked in disbelief.
"No." Violet smiled wryly and laid down flat on the soft bed. "Let's just say, I know what you're going through..."
...
...
"...Oh..."
"My twin sister was pretty much my whole world. When she died, my soul must've died with her cos I was pretty empty. Like really, really empty and I remember doing pretty stupid things to fill that space. Taking her Espeon didn't help and neither did joining ORPH for the thrill of hunting."
"But you filled it, right?" Scarlet asked anxiously and leaned in closer as she nodded. "How?"
Violet's hands planted themselves on his cheeks before pulling him down until their foreheads touched. Blushing at the feel of her breath against his face, the ravenette stared right into her eyes and got his answer before long.
"...Me...?"
The girl nodded and sat up slowly while still looking into his eyes. "I saw myself in you and I realized that I should stop feeling sad for myself since there are other people far worse than me. So I took it upon myself to pester you until you accepted me as a friend and sister and gradually, the hole just filled up on its own as we grew together."
Scarlet stared at her and slowly pointed to himself. "So, I need a friend or something? How come I don't feel anything even though I've got you and Jolteon?"
"Because it varies for different people, Scarly," she replied. "For some, it's materials like money or food."
"I feel something when I earn a million from a successful job," he interjected and winced as she butted foreheads sharply.
"That's the hunter talking, Scarlet and let me finish. Material stuff are only temporary and you know it. Effective things would have to be emotions. Joy, Fulfilment, heck maybe even love. For me, I think it was that feeling of responsibility and pride when I'm helping you out with problems like these. It'll take a while, but I'm sure you figure out what you need. Eventually."
...
"I don't get it. I thought you came to stop me," Scarlet sighed after a moment. "How was that supposed to dissuade me from catching Reshiram?"
"If the money's not what you're truly after then I think it's a waste of time spilling your blood in this region."
"Hey! It's not like I can avoid the fight even if I wanted to," the ravenette snapped and pulled away. "Besides, we're kinda popular with those Plasma guys now and I've got to protect White."
Violet smirked. "Protect White? Looks like there's something else tying you to this mission now."
"It's only for the job." Scarlet took the cube from his bedside table and beamed the Audino outside the window. "Don't get any funny ideas. I. Don't. Like. White."
"Hmmm," was all she replied as he patched himself up. The scars still remained and the wound in his chest was too deep for the beam to totally heal so he left it stitched up but his body was strong enough to walk now. Healing Jolteon, he picked up his pokemon and stood by the doorway. "You're still going along with this suicide mission?"
Scarlet smiled and opened the door. "You know me too well, sis. Also, I think I want to enjoy the Unova region a little longer."
Both Violet and Espeon rolled their eyes at his obnoxiousness and got to their feet.
"One more thing before you go," Violet called and once again pressed her forehead against his.
"What is it this time?" he asked impatiently as Jolteon began to squirm from the lack of space between the two.
"Sending happiness energy, duh," she replied with a giggle. "Do this for White when you go to comfort her 'kay?"
Scarlet sighed. "Comforting was never my strong point..."
"I know. Do it anyway."
The funeral that followed the next day showed the hunter just why Mistralton loved Skyla as her lifestory was belted out among the weeping crowd consisting of just about every citizen of the tiny city and even the previous gym leaders of whom White had fought earlier on.
"Her life though short, was well-lived," Burgh remarked as he fiddled with his tie. "Like the short but beautiful life of a Volcarona."
"She was a model to all and she'll forever dazzle my heart and make me spin," said Elesa, struggling to choke back sobs.
"A mighty nice gurl. She was never meant fer this rotten shithole called Earth," Clay added and tipped his hat. "I'll miss her. That's fer sure."
White simply stood at the gravestone and stared with Scraggy cradled in her arms. On cue, rain began to fall and Scarlet inwardly remarked at how cheesy the setting had become. He saw White's lips move but due to the heaviness of the storm, he could barely make out the words and he frankly shouldn't have cared anyway. People and pokemon alike would have to die at some point (an event he considered a little rare though. It was the pokemon world after all). But there was something about the way everyone cried for Skyla, the way they talked about all the good things she had done for the city, the way White's and Scraggy's tears blended in so well with the pouring rain. Something about all these made the ravenette's fist clench and unclench repeatedly and all kinds of emotions flowed through his eyes, well-hidden of course by his calm façade. At the same time, one thing kept screaming into his head making it throb painfully.
"The innocence is breaking."
2 hours later...
"The Pokemon League has been alerted and are now well-aware of the situation," Elesa stated solemnly and nodded into the receiver. "I see. Okay then, later Drayden." Snapping her phone shut, she accepted the drink an attendant handed to her and took a slow sip. "Looks like Unova's on high alert now. Thank Arceus White's safe anyway."
Scarlet nodded and stroked Jolteon's fur. "I heard you guys were like family."
"Yeah. Skyla was always the cheery baby sister among us gym leaders." Elesa's hold on the glass tightened. "Those Plasma guys or whatever they call themselves will pay even if I have to see to that personally," she growled menacingly before relaxing and getting up from the seat. "I have to get back to Nimbasa. I hope seeing death first hand didn't...uh...scar you guys or anything."
The boy robotically shook his head and faced the window where he could still see White kneeling in the rain before the grave.
"I know. I'd be more worried about her too," the model remarked knowingly and patted his shoulder. "I'll see you guys later. Good luck and be very, very careful."
Scarlet nodded and watched her and her Emolga leave the reception. Time to get moving too.
...
"White," Scarlet called as he trudged up to the white-haired teen. "Time to go."
White didn't seem to respond so he came in a little closer and poked her head. Snapping up, the girl dusted her feet and picked Scraggy up gingerly before throwing her usual goofy smile. "Sorry. I lost track of time."
Scarlet stared at her smile. It seemed normal and yet abnormal all the same. "Are you okay?"
"...Not really. But Skyla told me to move on and that's what I'm gonna do," she declared and pumped a fist into the air (knocking out a random bystander in the process). "So let's go, Scarly."
Scarlet watched as she walked past him quickly and turned to see her hurrying into the church reception while rubbing her eyes. Something occured to him and he knew it might be awkward but if he wanted her to cheer up faster, he'd have to do it.
"White!" he called and she froze before turning to meet him with fresh tears spilling from her yellow eyes. Scarlet walked up to her and cupped her face in his hands before drawing her close and gently bringing their foreheads against each other. White blinked as pink stained her pale cheeks.
"Uh...Scarly...?"
"Sending...happiness energy. So shut up and listen to what I've gotta say," he butted in and looked into her amber orbs. "I know you're hurting deep inside and you may not show it but you feel like all you did had gone to waste. It didn't though and it's okay to let out those emotions every once in a while cos bottling 'em is not a very good idea." He put on a smirk. "Besides, you're only human."
White stared before her lips began to quiver. Giving a shaky smile, she grabbed his arms and finally broke down, wailing and weeping loudly. Scarlet didn't mind the tears staining his suit. He rarely wore it anyway and deep down, he would've gladly broken down with her there and then at seeing her in the sorry state she was in. But no, he couldn't do that. He had to be strong. Even when his memories began to rush back again and tears began to sting his eyes, he still held on long enough to eye White's pokemon standing in the distance.
"Get in here," he called and the pokemon gladly huddled round them in a group hug.
The sky cried for their heart-wrenching loss and as one, they wept into the heavy rain.
Underground Plasma Castle, Unova Region
Alphinia sat against the stone ledge and stared at the large garden in the courtyard. Something splashed against the ledge as the events three days ago replayed through her head and she lifted her sleeve to wipe her eyes before giving it a quick inspection. She chewed her lip at the result and sighed.
"Huh? Why the hell am I crying...?"
Author's Corner.
Slybill: Yo people! Sorry if Scarlet seemed a little out of character there but I'm just trying to picture what it's like to be in his boots. Oh yeah! Who would've guessed that all that travelling gave me a teeny writer's block? I'm doing a small side-story as a request while I get over it though.
Awesome: Call it a movie if you will. Scarlet and White will definitely be there of course! And it'll be way shorter than this main story.
White: So watch out and keep your eyes peeled, followers! A Simple Pokemon Movie will be up any moment from now!