DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN POKEMON. ELSE WE WOULD'VE KNOWN WHERE THEIR HAMBURGERS CAME FROM BY NOW!
Reshiram was inside White all along. No wonder she acts like this. But as much as it pains me to say this...her brother did make a smart choice.
Now that I think of it...I probably shouldn't have gone with this mission had I known the consequences.
Not that I didn't enjoy it...but...Ever since I ran into the ditz, my life was never the same again.
Fighting monsters, meeting new pokemon, uncovering dark secrets. It was all fun while it lasted. I didn't even think once about the reward for catching Reshiram.
One more badge to go, huh. Wednesday's the limit. The deadline. The end.
But truthfully...I don't want it to end. I want to spend more time with White and her wacky friends. Because she filled it. She sealed the hole. I don't even get sad when I think of Jade and the professor.
But I know that it can't last. A friendship built on lies never does. That's what Violet told me a long time ago. Besides, White wouldn't want a warped person like me.
I'd simply lose my mind and end up killing her...or worse...influencing her. So that's why I've made up my mind.
I won't burden White any longer. I won't hinder her progress too. I'll leave as quietly as I entered. Maybe I'll even let her keep Jolteon. He's a lot happier anyway.
I know that doing this will tear a bigger hole in me. I know that I'll just be going back to square one. Besides, it's for the best although Violet would be mad.
I would've left ORPH to continue with White. But I don't have a choice in that matter. I tried, once. A normal hunter would've died on the spot...but the brat replied and said he'd known all along of Violet's uncertainty. And that he'd kill her instead if I vanished from ORPH. So as you can see, I'm pretty much chained to the bad guys. But hey, it's a lot better than sacrificing my soul to some monster.
Well, that's my decision. It was nice being with you, White. I'll enjoy the last days with you and cheer you on in your final match against Drayden.
Maybe I'll even confess and tell you who I really am. You'll hate me...but that's for the best. At least you won't miss me, right? Damn...since when did I get so mushy...
Jeez...my heart feels weak right now so I should probably end this before I have a possible breakdown. Sorry if I sound a little cheesy.
In the darkness surrounding me...you were pretty much the only light I saw. And I know that no matter what I do...I won't reach you. So let's enjoy these last days together, White. Let's run and play all the games you tried to make me be a part of. I'll even by you that C-gear you always wanted since your birthday is coming on Friday. Then we'll part and say our goodbyes and you'd better not try to change my mind.
After all, when you love someone...you have to be ready to let them...go...
Tuesday. Opelucid City, Unova.
"Scarly...Wake up, Scarly..."
Scarlet slowly opened his green eyes and took a minute for his foggy brain to fully register White's puzzled face looming over him. A second later, the teen went wide-eyed when he realized that the girl was sitting astride his waist.
"Ne Scarly, you look sick," the ignorant trainer remarked and felt his reddening cheeks. "Whoa! You're burning up too! Do you have a fever?"
For reason's best known to the hunter, the feel of her fingers against his cheeks brought a wave of awkwardness upon him and he drew a sharp breath as he noticed the heavy cleavage White was accidentally showing as she leaned closer to scan his flustered features. To make it worse, Jolteon was watching with possibly the most interest he had shown in years.
"Your eyes are swollen," the trainer deduced. "You must be very, very sick."
With the perverted thoughts running through his head, White wasn't too far off from the truth.
"Maybe we should skip training today," she offered.
"I agree. Cosplay as a nurse and look after him instead."
Scarlet's head jerked to the left and his body rattled upon seeing the same brunette from yesterday, lying beside him with a sly smile on her pretty face.
"Don't mind me," she whispered and gave a thumbs up. "Let her ride you like there's no tomorrow!"
"EEEHHH?!" he finally screamed and gave a sharp roll, instantly switching his and White's positions before jumping off the bed and holding the blanket to his naked torso. "Who the hell are you?! And why'd you bring a stranger, White?"
"The name's Aqua, handsome."
"And she's the lead singer for Aqua Mareen!" the trainer squealed and Scarlet recalled the concert to be held on Friday.
"Scrap my first question. Why's a celebrity in the room and on my bed?"
Aqua turned her head and blushed. "After all you did to us last night, don't tell me you can't remember-"
"I did no such thing," the hunter denied flatly and Aqua pouted.
"You're no fun," she mumbled before putting up a smile again. "Anyway, I just came in to check out Opelucid. As expected, I got a little lost when I tried escaping the fans but your friend helped me hide in the park. From there, she gave me a tour, we got lunch, I got tired and that's how we got here."
Scarlet looked from White to Aqua before sighing and making his way to the bathroom. "Sorry, I need to wipe the blood off my nose."
"We slept nude by the way," the woman called and Scarlet stopped in his tracks before giving her a horrified look as more blood cascaded down his nose. "Kidding."
With a nod, the ravenette headed into the bathroom and soon after, the sounds of water splashing against enamel echoed lowly throughout the hotel room.
"So White," Aqua began and sat up straight. "What's your plans for the week?"
"U-uh, we were gonna train for my upcoming gym battle tomorrow."
"Is that so?" the woman cooed and leaned a little. "I heard their gym leader was exceptionally tough. But you wouldn't have come this far for nothing, right? I'm sure you'll win."
"Thank you!" the trainer exclaimed. To think she had the celebrity's blessing, this week was definitely going to be her lucky week for sure.
"Come on, Scarly! You're not moving as fast as you always do!" White called to Scarlet who was lagging behind the two females. Even Jolteon, who possessed a normally lax nature, was moving faster than him.
"Whatever," he sighed but continued at his slow pace. Truthfully, he himself had no idea why his legs were feeling so heavy today and every now and then, his head would throb painfully, making him wince with each step.
In time the group reached the park and Aqua sat down to watch White pit her pokemon against Jolteon. With a lot of effort, Scarlet suppressed the pain in his head and directed Jolteon on which path to take when facing Emboar and Krokorok while also advising White on how to handle Drayden's dragon-type pokemon.
"What pokemon does he have, anyway?" Aqua piped up.
"A Druddigon, a Fraxure and his toughest, a Haxorus he grew up with. That's the main one we'll have to watch out for," White replied and focused all her attention on the mock battle at hand. Imagining Jolteon to be a dragon-type, she called out the moves necessary for effective damage and in thirty minutes, Jolteon was finally cornered between Emboar's Hammer Arm and Krokorok's newly learned move, Foul Play.
"Let's stop here for now," Scarlet stated and rubbed his banging temple. White arched an eyebrow. Normally she would be the one to tire out and call for a break after two hours of rigorous training at the least. Something was up.
"You don't look so good," Aqua speculated upon closer inspection and White noticed the way he chewed his lip and brushed his forehead lightly. Also, his skin had significantly paled.
"Are you okay...?" she asked and Scarlet's head snapped up.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine...just give me sometime to get over this headache then we'll continue. Can't have you losing just because I'm fussing over a head," he replied and dropped himself onto the nearest park bench. Jolteon whined a little but Scarlet ruffled his furry head and gave a reassuring smile.
"Oh well, if the guy says he's fine then let's leave him to rest," Aqua stated as soon as she reached White. With a smile, she pulled out a pokeball and twirled it on a finger. "You said you needed training against Dragon-types, right? Let me help."
White gave her a surprised look. "You mean you want to battle me? Gee, I don't know. I often tend to lose it when I get serious and that always happens during a battle."
"Then we're alike," the woman laughed and tossed the ball before catching it and pointing it at the trainer. "So battle me. I promise you I'll be serious."
After a brief pause, White nodded and Aqua led her to a large pond near the park.
"I train water type pokemon so hope the management doesn't mind me using the pond," she remarked and took one end of the water.
"I doubt they would," White replied, taking the opposite end. "So, let's do this."
"Right." Aqua did a twirl and dramatically tossed her pokeball. "Go Kingdra!"
With a dazzling flash of light, the water rippled as her blue Water/Dragon-type pokemon landed and it gave a proud squeal at the impressed trainer.
"Kingdra, the Dragon Pokemon. It lives in caves on the seafloor and creates giant whirlpools every time it moves," White's pokedex beeped.
"It's beautiful," she remarked and pulled out her own pokeball. "I'll just have to muscle it out with this one. Go, Teddy!"
Her Beartic landed in the water and bellowed at the oversized seahorse.
"I guess I'll referee then," Scarlet said as he walked up to the sides of the pond and raised his hands to both pokemon on each side. "The battle's over when any one of the pokemon are unable to battle and blah blah blah since I'm too lazy to state the other rules. Begin!"
"Just so you know beforehand, I'm quite the challenge," Aqua remarked and pointed to her opponent. "Kingdra, Dragon Pulse!"
Kingdra nodded and leapt high into the air before pointing its powerful snout down and firing off a gigantic ball of light.
"Beat it back with Superpower!" White ordered and Teddy rose to full height before giving a roar and thrusting his fist into the attack, dissipating it with an explosion that made the water splash around violently.
"Bounce!" the woman called and Kingdra brought its curled tail forward before dropping unto Teddy with devastating force. The dragon bounced off the pokemon's head and gave a look of surprise as its opponent simply stared it down with a toothy grin. "It's not Black's pokemon for nothing..."
"Hammer Arm!" White ordered and the Freezing pokemon raised its arm high before sending it towards Kingdra.
"Dodge and use Hyper Beam!"
Kingdra ducked and swam around Beartic before leaping into the air again and sending a multi-coloured beam at his back, making him growl in pain. But he also grinned knowing what would come next.
"While it's resting, use Icicle Crash!"
With a loud bellow, Teddy launched five long icicles at Kingdra but to their surprise, the pokemon dodged each projectile in mid-air.
"Giga Impact!" Aqua ordered and her pokemon surrounded itself in a purple hue before rocketing down on Teddy.
"Ice Punch!"
Teddy charged up his arms before sending them both upwards, instantly connecting them with Kingdra's snout. The pokemon continued pushing down on its opponent nonetheless and Scarlet wondered why such an attack hadn't broken its snout. After seconds of pushing, White got an idea.
"Teddy! Reach in and grab it!"
Impressed, Aqua watched as the Beartic took hold of Kingdra's snout and hurled it back into the water with a loud and sharp splash.
"Good one, White."
"Thanks," the trainer replied, putting up her usual battle smirk. "Although I wonder why Kingdra was able to dodge that Icicle Crash after using Giga Impact. It normally shouldn't have been able to move."
Aqua's only response was to smile and point at her opponent. "Hydro Cannon."
Kingdra shot out of the water and arched its head back while charging up a big ball of water.
"Surf!" White countered and Teddy brought his own arms close before charging his own pulsating sphere.
"Fire!" both girls ordered and their pokemon complied, Kingdra letting fly its watery cannonball while Teddy smashed his own attack into the pond, letting it explode and unleash a big wave that swallowed the Hydro Cannon. However, the powerful sphere burst through and socked Teddy square in the gut, knocking him out of the water and into the trees nearby. The move carried a lot of power too as some small trees fell over from their collision with Teddy's back.
"Now that's powerful," Scarlet remarked as Teddy painfully clambered out of the fallen leaves and trees.
"Powerful as always, Kingdra," Aqua gloated and her pokemon sneered at its opponents. So far, it didn't look at all worn out after using the high-end water type move and Scarlet marvelled at the fact that Teddy was still standing.
"Teddy's not down yet," White stated and unknown to her, her eyes flashed purple. "In fact, we're just getting started."
Aqua laughed and Scarlet detected a slightly haughty ring to it. "Then we'll have to kick it into high gear, right Kingdra?"
The dragon pokemon nodded and swam at high speed towards the Beartic. "Rapid fire Hydro Cannon!" its mistress called.
Interesting, so it can do a rapid fire version too? Scarlet mused and saw White's calculative expression. Wonder what the White will do about that...
"New technique, Teddy," she began and flexed her arms. "Super-super power!"
Her pokemon rose to full height and the others watched as the reddish aura around him began to turn slightly purple, probably in tune to his trainer's eyes. Meanwhile, Kingdra raised its mouth and fired off several smaller, but still powerful-looking, orbs. Teddy's black eyes glinted and he roared as his muscles swelled to breaking point.
"Let's go!" the girl cried and he surged forward, deflecting the projectiles with relative ease.
"Amazing," Aqua whispered with that familiar edge of battle lust gracing her tone. "Keep firing, Kingdra!"
Kingdra defiantly let fly its attacks and Teddy sent his muscular arms left and right, punching the balls away. It wasn't very long before he reached Kingdra and the startled pokemon watched as his arms clasped together and rose high into the air.
"Kingdra won't be able to move after using all those Hydro Cannons," Scarlet muttered. "This move could end it."
Teddy brought his arms down on Kingdra's head and the water scattered at the impact. White ignored the spray and kept her eyes glued to the her pokemon whose back was turned to her. However, her eyes widened in surprise and confusion when she saw Kingdra far ahead of the confused Beartic.
"It dodged?!" she blurted and Aqua laughed again.
"Kingdra's highly trained and very speedy too. Plus, it doesn't get worn out that fast even after using those high end moves," she explained and beckoned to White with a finger. "Come. Let's continue our spar. I haven't had a fight like this in ages."
The smirk came back and White nodded enthusiastically. "Right!"
Opelucid City Pokemon Center.
"Who would've guessed that your little playfight would've degenerated into that war," Scarlet deadpanned as the girls took their pokeballs from the smiling Nurse Joy. "We'll have to call it a draw since the management came and stopped it when it got too rough. Personally, I think it was a good idea cos you would've destroyed the park otherwise."
Aqua rubbed the back of her head and gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry I kind of lost my mind back there. Kingdra and I tend to go a little wild if it gets too intense."
"It's okay," White laughed and pocketed her pokeball. "Besides, it was a good way to train. Now I know I'll beat Drayden for sure! Thanks for the spar."
"My pleasure! Besides, what're friends for?" Aqua replied, patting White on the shoulder.
"Friends..." the trainer echoed and grinned widely. "I'm friends with a celebrity! Yay!" she exclaimed and pumped a fist into the air. For the first time in their journey, Scarlet sighed in relief at the fact that she didn't knock out any random bystanders.
After a few minutes of chatting and general lazing around, Aqua checked her watch and gasped in surprise.
"Look at the time! I'm supposed to be rehearsing with the others right now!" she exclaimed and took White's hands in hers. "I guess it's bye bye for now but I'll be sure to watch your gym battle tomorrow!" Turning to Scarlet, she tapped his forehead and smiled at him. "Get well soon! You need to cheer her on for tomorrow, 'kay?"
Despite his aching forehead, Scarlet was able to blurt out an affirmative and the woman got off her seat before smoothing out the wrinkles on her skirt. Satisfied with her appearance, she waved to the teens before leaving the Pokemon Center.
"I'm so lucky," White sighed dreamily. "I hope she sees me in the concert."
"She'll probably get you front row tickets," Scarlet remarked and pressed the cold milkshake to his head. "Sorry I couldn't do much today."
"You don't have to apologise, Scarly." White smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. "Everyone gets sick once in a while. Even people like you."
"I wonder if that was supposed to comfort me," he deadpanned although he liked the weight of her body against his. He was going to miss that. "So, I think I've got a basic idea of who you're using against Drayden. Emboar, Sandy and Teddy, right?"
The girl nodded and sipped her drink. "His Haxorus is the main challenge I need to watch out for so I'll be saving Teddy for last."
"Good plan," Scarlet agreed and winced as the ache spiked and dropped again. "Hopefully, I'll be okay enough to watch."
"It wouldn't be safe for you to come if your head hurts," White said, tone laced with concern. "It could get really loud. If you're still sick by tomorrow then you'll have to stay back and rest."
"But it's your last gym battle. I at least owe it to myself to watch," the ravenette persisted and gave a small smile. "It's just a headache anyway. It'll go away soon."
The girl looked uncertain for a moment before she sighed and shrugged. "Okay. But you're still staying behind if the headache isn't gone by tomorrow."
The hunter simply huffed and finally took his drink down to sip it. Here he was trying to make the best of his last days with White and a stupid headache was already itching to ruin it. Either the after-effects of dragon boost were taking their slow toll on him or he was just stressed out from the secret he had learnt yesterday.
"White," he spoke up after a brief silence among the trio. "You don't have to show me Reshiram if you don't want to."
The trainer tilted her head in surprise. "What?"
"I said you don't have to show me Reshiram," he restated and leaned back. "I'm sure you had a good reason for keeping its location from me for so long and I'm happy you're willing to break that reason and show me anyway. But if its a burden or something, I wouldn't want that, so you don't have to reveal Reshiram."
White lowered her head. "Iris told you, didn't she?"
"I wasn't supposed to have it from her but well, you know how it goes," Scarlet remarked and laughed nervously at the annoyed look Iris would probably give him. "How did you know?"
"I saw her following us back then," White replied and chuckled. "She's not very good at hiding with that hairstyle of hers."
"True," the hunter remarked. "But then again, you're always true anyway."
The PC continued in silence with only the low sound of White stroking Jolteon's spiky fur to provide any noise. For some reason, the reception was void of any trainers whatsoever and for a brief moment, the silence seemed to make them feel like they were the only ones in the world.
"I want to."
"Hm?" Scarlet uttered as White rested against his shoulder again.
"I'll show you Reshiram," she clarified and closed her eyes as the gentle afternoon rays streamed in through the windows and lulled her to sleep. "I don't mind revealing Reshiram to you. You've helped me come this far and I'm sure I would've been dead without you."
Without him by her side or just without his help? the hunter mused inwardly. Her sentences could be so ambiguous at times.
"Besides," she sighed and gave his arm a squeeze. "I trust you. So you just sit back and relax while I get my last badge, Scarly. Then we'll see Reshiram together..."
As Scarlet watched her sleep, he couldn't help but feel an uncomfortable lump in his throat at her previous statement.
I trust you.
The pain in his head significantly increased as he mulled over that statement. Maybe he wouldn't tell her his occupation. He preferred to have her smile instead when they would eventually part. With a sigh, he pressed his drink to his forehead again and cursed the headache. Was this his body's way of telling him that it too would miss White dearly? No, that was illogical and mushy. Only couples claimed to have that. But then again, Scarlet wasn't sure what he and White were to each other anymore. Casual friends? Best friends? Friends with benefits (not in that way, of course)? Coach and trainee? Or maybe...that friendship that existed between couples? The ravenette didn't like thinking about that last part. It made his head hurt more.
Jolteon watched his brooding master and began to pass the boring afternoon by musing over their journey so far. In all actuality, the pokemon kept a log of some sort of his life with the ravenette he had come to know and love as his master. For now, the recent entries into mental diary seemed to be conflicting with its previous entries especially on Scarlet's overall well-being. When Jolteon had first met the boy eight years ago, he was obviously startled, seeing as his annoying trainer had been replaced by this stone-faced, dead-eyed child with a bandage running across the right of his face and the bridge of his nose. Any normal pokemon would've acted disobedient or even hostile since there was no official trade-over in the first place. But something about the child sparked an interest in Jolteon, something he could never get from his previous owner. Sure there was nothing particularly wrong with the latter and it wasn't like Jolteon hated him or anything. He just didn't feel satisfied with being another one of his numerous pokemon (the newest and weakest one too).
So he decided to see just what would become of the young boy. Even as child then, Scarlet had never ceased to surprise him with his cold-hearted demeanour towards others, especially the man-child who had supposedly rescued him. You'd think he'd have been grateful but it was more like he would've preferred dying in that tundra. Another thing was the way Scarlet had acted towards him when he first released him from his pokeball. In all honesty, he looked scared of the lightning pokemon. Later on, Jolteon had learnt that Scarlet had developed a serious phobia for any mobile, living thing non-human ever since that fated day and as such he had felt an odd sense of duty to the boy, drawing close to him on some occasions and trying his best to show the child that he meant no harm if he respected himself. Over time, Scarlet adjusted positively to pokemon and when his body was well enough to function properly, Boss had put both boy and pokemon to intense training, aiming to make hunters out of them. The apprenticeship was intense and somewhat hectic for a boy his age but somehow or the other, his cold attitude had gotten him through and his prodigious knowledge of pokemon weaknesses and biology helped him advance through the ranks with Jolteon at his side.
Then they met Killa. The assassin-turned pokemon hunter had been the one to truly draw out Scarlet's ruthlessness and Jolteon had updated his mental diary of Scarlet's emotional status, starting from hollow, to cold and for the time being, to heartless and sadistic. It was thanks to that that Scarlet developed another talent, one Jolteon didn't take to very well. Manipulation. The child had absolutely revelled in it much to the lightning pokemon's dismay. Scarlet usually tended to try out this technique on others and it was no surprise that hunters, technicians and other pokemon stayed far, far away from them. Unfortunately, that only worsened matters as Scarlet in turn groomed the talent and used it on a much larger scale. It was thanks to him that three other apprentices got seriously maimed in a hunt, one technician got fired (and probably killed) and a few pokemon went missing for reasons unknown. Things came to a head when he finally topped it off with Killa himself and we all know how that had gone. Having had enough fun with that, Scarlet changed emotions again and Jolteon found himself cancelling out some entries to add more updates on his master's erratic behaviour. Sometimes he could be extremely jumpy, at other times he would get happy and grin for no reason, then he'd go sad and empty and hollow all at once, and finally he would just act insane.
By the time Scarlet had turned twelve, he had long since been promoted to hunter and his attitude had finally settled on one stagnant point. Dick. Jolteon knew that that wasn't worthy of being called an attitude but he just had to pin it to the narrow-eyed tween. However, their mutual respect for each other had grown and the pokemon found himself trusting him more and more. For although Scarlet absconded others and treated them as plain livestock, he had never, EVER, acted negatively to Jolteon. Not even a dose of harsh words or treatment and as far as the pokemon knew, Scarlet looked at him differently...like a mute brother and not a pokemon anymore. That was probably one of the main reasons why he had created the glove function in his cube as he had preferred to fight alongside Jolteon instead of standing at the side-lines like a coward or trainer.
Again, the pokemon had to update when a certain purple-haired apprentice crossed paths with them for the first time. In all truth, Jolteon had thought her to be a slut and her Espeon had the haughtiest eyes he had ever seen. But as time passed and Scarlet's initial coldness had chipped (much to Jolteon's surprise), they learned to accept the newcomer and big sister who had helped them out on various occasions. Scarlet's attitude would always tone down whenever she and her pokemon barged in or made a random (and sometimes hilarious) entrance and Jolteon was a little happy that his jaded master had found some much needed human company. But even so, this brought about the last and final stage of Scarlet's overall behaviour.
Black and White.
A term Jolteon had coined after careful analysis on his friend and partner. Scarlet had always showed the black side (ruthlessness, hatred, anger and scorn) whenever he was facing a pokemon or people he wasn't going to use in the near future. The white side however (mild-mannered, docile, helpful but still-slightly scornful with the occasional tsundere) had been reserved for Jolteon, Violet, Espeon and maybe that lecherous technician who had helped him create his cube. Jolteon was okay with this one. At least he wasn't harming people as much as he used to. So for the moment, he put the diary away and went through the years with this new phase his partner was in, satisfied at the relatively lively life they were living.
Then a girl named White stepped in and his diary basically went to rot along with Scarlet's attitude. There had been just so much to record and it made the lightning pokemon shred some pages in frustration and annoyance. At first, things were normal. Scarlet got greedy, tried to capture Scolipede, ran into an airhead etc. But what Jolteon just couldn't put his paw on was why he had stopped Scarlet from shooting the unconscious trainer. Of course, it had to do with a vague sense of familiarity and the fact that she had helped them in her own...unique...way to avoid the Scolipede's wrath. But there was something else the pokemon had felt when he gazed upon her snow-white hair.
Change.
That was it. That was what him and Scarlet had gradually started going through since they began their mission with this girl. The plan had been simple enough. Follow her through Unova and train her into a strong trainer in the course of nine months. And with her strong attitude, determination and a pinch of supernatural help, they had gone this far in just a quarter of that time-period. However, Jolteon had never anticipated playing heroes and bad guys with the insane members of Team Plasma and also running into White's weird pokemon and human friends. All that made some impact on the duo and Jolteon was slowly getting more and more conflicted in tune to Scarlet's changing emotions. His master had gone from Black-white to snarky to for now, grey. Right in the middle. But there was one big oversight that the duo had never dreamt of committing. And that oversight was slowly taking Scarlet over the edge of insanity (or had it done that already?). It was probably the number one law of manipulation that Scarlet had broken.
Never fall in love with your pawn. E-V-E-R!
Because if you do, in Killa's exact words, you are screwed. Big time.
Now that Jolteon thought about it, how could a trained hunter like Scarlet fail in that aspect. Several hotter, older and more matured girls had literally thrown themselves at him and he had rejected each advance with as much coldness as he could muster. So why? Why did he, even though he wouldn't it, fall for this snowy haired, bubble-brained and gullible albino with scary yellow eyes and a right hook that could knock a Hitmonchan straight to heaven in one hit? What was so special about innocent, little White?
...
...
Oh, that's right. White so much reminded Scarlet of a certain boy he had talked about years ago. What was his name again, John, Jake, Jade...Oh well, the lightning pokemon couldn't be bothered to remember. It was probably why she could reduce the logical, calculative and deadly hunter to a docile, love-sick, semi-friendly and overly-self-conscious teenager who practically smothered her in attention (in his own level-headed, hard-ass way, of course).
But despite his initial shock and confusion, along with the frustration that came with mentally burning the imaginary diary, Jolteon loved this Scarlet and he loved White even more for her playful influence on the boy. So that was why it had come as a shock to him that she had shortened the lifespan of their friendship. Scarlet would see Reshiram, capture it and leave White heartbroken and sad much sooner than expected (Jolteon had no idea who their employers were so don't blame him for his current assumption).
Jolteon pointed his black eyes to his now-dozing master and he let out a small sigh. This would be much harder for Scarlet since he would be the one to do the talking and Jolteon doubted that he'd ever be truly happy after leaving White. The lightning pokemon was even going to miss her pokemon. That kooky band had become family to him now and he was semi-sure that Emboar was crushing over him (insert shudder here).
I'll just have to see how it plays out, he remarked and lay his head down to join the teens in their slumber. I only wish this happiness could never end.
Shopping Mall Nine, Route 9.
Aqua slumped into her love-seat and fanned herself with her hands.
"Hot," she sighed and let out a small noise as the waiter behind her draped a cold towel over her head. "Thanks. By the way, why're you dressed like that, Draco?"
Draco frowned and snapped his fingers. "Ah phooey! I thought I had you back there!"
The brunette sat up straighter. "Draco, you're the only person here who walks around with that stupid top-hat on. How wouldn't I recognise you?"
With a huff, the knight took off the hat and tossed his wavy hair about, attracting the attention of various female shoppers and waitresses. "Guess I don't need this anymore then."
"You still haven't answered my question," Aqua said and wiped her face as Draco dropped a wine bottle on to her table.
"Since I'm in on this retrieval, I felt it necessary to be as close to Opelucid as possible." His head hung low however and anime tears streamed down his face. "Unfortunately, they wouldn't let me work in the high-end restaurants in the city cos I was attracting too much attention. So here I am, waiting on humans like a slave. At least I get to wear this groovy waistcoat~!"
"Why does that excite you...?" the brunette deadpanned before throwing the towel at a random stranger who immediately got on his knees and, with teary eyes, thanked Arceus for the celebrity's godly sweat.
"So how was your little date with those two?" Draco asked as he proceeded to uncork the bottle and pour for her.
Aqua fiddled with the glass and smiled. "Scarlet is sexy. White is daft. Jolteon suspects me and that makes me laugh." She took a sip of her wine and scowled. "I wanted Pinot Noir."
Draco gave his closed-eye, slice of melon smile and Aqua immediately bit back her complaint. Despite the way they acted, Draco was leagues ahead of her in strength. He just never took himself seriously but that didn't stop him from giving his "Don't push your luck" smile whenever people started taking him for granted.
"Anyway, she's challenging Drayden tomorrow and I said I'd watch. Just to assess the old man's dragons and see if their possible threats."
"Good job. I also heard you battled White in the park and nearly levelled it in the process," Draco commented and gave a mocking glance. "I could stake my life on the assumption that you went more than 50% with her in seriousness."
Aqua folded her arms and pouted at her darker colleague. "More like 61% but I couldn't help it. Her brother's Beartic is strong."
"Just so long as you didn't completely lose it and summon your other pokemon."
The brunette smiled to herself before putting up a serious expression. "Scarlet's sick."
"I know," Draco replied with his ever present smile.
"Are you that scared of him?" Aqua asked and the man kept mute, opting to clear the table instead. "His gloves are destroyed, making him less of a threat too. You didn't have to activate G-factor already."
"Aqua-chan. You're underestimating people again," the knight sang and he scanned the bottle's label. "Oh wow, this isn't Pinot Noir. Bert isn't gonna live this down."
"Bert?"
Draco thumbed the waiter across the table. With his model build, cool demeanour, round permed hair and confident swagger, he looked each and every inch like your average working-class bully.
"He's been picking on me since I got here." Draco set the bottle down on the tray and lifted it before giving Aqua a casual smirk. "I tried ignoring him but he's quite persistent. Think he's jealous of me?"
Who wouldn't feel envious of Draco's exotic colour and wavy locks?
"Whatever," Aqua huffed and stood up. "It's not my problem if you've got a few working hazards since I've gotta get back to practising with my band."
"About time you did," her partner remarked and lowered his head. "Scarlet's strength lies in his ability to think logically. Mess that up and he's done for. Then taking the innocent girl will be a piece of cake. Plus, if all else fails, we still have our secret weapon."
The brunette nodded before waving at him and heading for the exit. Before she reached the stairs, she heard a sudden crash and spun around to see Draco face-first on the floor and in a growing pool of Pinot Noir too. With the whistling Bert standing so close beside him looking like he'd just passed by, it didn't take a second to piece together what happened. With a laugh, the knight got up, wiped his face and smiled at Bert before clearing the broken pieces of the wine bottle and glass.
As he left to go get a mop, Aqua noticed the way his smile twitched ever so slightly and she suddenly remembered something.
When was the last time Draco had ever had a proper meal?
Author's Corner.
Slybill: Sorry for the long preamble. Just wanted to do a short chapter on a field day with Aqua. White's gym battle is coming up next and after that is-
Ghetsis: Hello everybody.
Scarlet *in a whisper*: How'd he get there?
Burgh *also whispering*: I have no idea. He suddenly hijacked the audio room.
Ghetsis: Considering the fact that I've only ever talked once in this corner, I feel it is my right to bring you a current update. First of all, I would like to thank our prestigious author and producer, Slybill, for taking the time to create a photo of me. To those who wish to see my face, please don't hesitate to check out his DeviantArt account.
Slybill: How did he find that picture?!
Ghetsis: Also, there seems to be a poll on his fanfic account pertaining to a certain showdown in the final volume. I strongly suggest you cast your vote as it is quite necessary for progress. Lastly, A Simple Pokemon Movie is still in the works as I have persuaded our author to continue updating its pages. I assure you that he has not forgotten all about it.
Slybill: Just remembered today, dickhead.
Ghetsis: As for its release, expect it sometime in October. Have a nice day and I wish you a heartfelt apology in advance for what I will do in the later chapters.
Slybill: Now that's what I call "lying through your fangs". Anyway, he's right. The movie's coming so don't worry. And I'm glad to see you again, Juliette Casterwill (your old ID name was so freaking long!).