Wai! Another chapter!
Chapter 10
“You see, Morty needed energy to perform the ritual. Originally, he was just going to draw from the earth, which would make sense, since there’s plenty of spare magic and energy floating around here…”
Red nodded.
“However, because you were in close proximity while he was casting the spell, he used some of yours. That’s why you were so tired afterwards…”
“But now I’m fine!’
“Yes, because you got some of me.”
“Huh?” Red blinked in confusion. How could he have part of Lance? That just didn’t make any sense!
Lance smiled, tossing a poke ball forwards. Red’s eevee blinked.
Red blinked too, but suddenly, he could hear Eevee’s thoughts! What in the world? Unless… he had…
A pale green glow manifested in his hands as he concentrated…
“No!”
“Yes. You have my Viridian Power now.”
“But – that means you don’t have it anymore!”
“Correct.”
“Gomen nasai! I didn’t mean to steal it!”
“It’s not your fault.” Lance grinned. “Besides, now that you yourself have the Viridian Power, can’t you fulfill the Emerald Phoenix prophecy?”
“How did you-?”
“Agatha told me.”
“Oh…” Red suddenly felt guilty. He’d manipulated Claire to bring Lance back to life to fulfill the prophecy and defeat Team Rocket, but now…
He’d run off with Lance’s power!
Oh dear…
“I don’t mind, really. It’s nice to be normal.” Lance lied. He still had the eyes, and some power of his own left…
He could heal by putting pokemon in the sleep of death…
So it wasn’t really a loss.
Besides, he didn’t have pokemon right now, in any case… or did he?
A smile quirked at the corner of his mouth as a presence made itself known.
An Umbreon…
How fitting, for him to begin his new role as a dark master. Lance scooped up the Umbreon, grinning.
Red blinked and then went to lie down and clear his head. So much to think about now! He could fulfill the prophecy?
But how was he to complete the destiny? Was there a list of directions? He hadn’t seen one earlier…
Still, maybe the prophecy was a lie.
That was not a nice thought, because it would mean he had done everything for nothing.
What to do?
Snow… snow was still falling. It was losing its marvel. Red had to act fast, but…
Team Rocket.
It all hinged on the three starters, didn’t it? Team Rocket was still using the badge amplifier to control pokemon…
So he needed to blast it away with more energy.
He had the starters – Blue’s Blastoise, Green’s Charizard, and his own Venusaur…
But would it be enough? No… they had defeated Lance only with Yellow and Pikachu…
Pikachu was gone, and Yellow was a murderer.
He had to think of something!
But why should you, a different voice whispered. It sounded oddly like Green. He remembered the Saffron City Siege…
Green had told him to quit playing hero. That had led to Pallet’s almost demise…
Was it really his fault?
Please, no…
“But so many things are my fault…”
He sat alone in his room, wondering what to do. Inadequate. Yes, that was how he felt… Morty and Agatha and Claire were all downstairs, having tea and chatting, but he couldn’t bring himself to join them.
A soft knock sounded on his door.
“Oh, come in…”
Lance entered, white eyes catching Red’s crimson ones.
“What?”
“Your hair…”
“My hair?” Red blinked. What about his hair? It was messy? Of course , he already knew that. Or…
“You need a look in the mirror too I believe…”
Red gaped at his reflection. How-! It was pure, white, the spikes still there, but it looked completely wrong!
What in Mew’s name-! How had this happened?
“They say shock turns people’s hair white. I daresay I gave you a rather nasty shock about Yellow. I apologize.”
“No! It’s not your fault for telling the truth!”
“Odd, how we always seem to try and comfort the other.” Lance said. Red shook his head, as Lance held out his arms.
“I…”
“Shh, you were there when I needed someone to talk you. Surely I can do the same for you.”
So against his better judgment, he let Lance hold him.
It was … nice.
Neither of them said a word, just watched the snowfall.
Red allowed himself to cry, finally. Inside, he was still a child. No matter if he were carrying out vigilante activities against Team Rocket or not…
He was still a child at heart, forced to grow up too fast.
< Shh. >
Claire slowly closed the door. “Are they?”
Morty shrugged. < Who knows? >
With an impish grin, Claire hugged Morty. “Thank you again, for what you did.”
Morty watched her leave, smiling slightly.
Maybe he did have his own chance with romance…
End Chapter
Completed 2/14/05
Valentine’s Day!
I ate lots of chocolate-covered-strawberries!
Pika-chan: I’m so jealous!
Shoyko: Well, I’m not…
Kairo: Lollipop, anyone?