Thanks go to Nico-chan for getting those typo's I missed, as well as suggesting wonderful titles not only for the series and the first part! Thanks Nico-chan! *glomp*

These characters are not mine, and neither is Pokemon in general. So please don't think I'm doing this for any reason beyond fun and entertainment purposes...

It's a hot day - almost unbearable. I'm trying to make myself remember why I'm here, why I'm outside of Tamamushi City... The reason is one that I cannot forget. With a subtle motion, I pull a piece of paper out from my pocket - a piece of paper that's changed my life, forever...

Confusion and a helpless sense of anger curls in the pit of my stomach - I never thought I'd think myself helpless. But you're always proven wrong, no matter how much you believe...

To imagine...

"He's back! He's back!"

"It's Green!"

The shouts of the children did little to phase me. I was here, in Masara, with a purpose. I had to make it to my Grandfather's lab... I wouldn't have returned so swiftly, but I had received a call... A call that made the trip seem like a small sacrifice.

"Ojiichan!" I throw the front door open - silly man, he never locks the door. Anyone could just come walking in, and steal his research... There's no answer. I walk in, closing the door behind me. My hand reaches out and finds the light - I turn it on, and the room is illuminated. It looks as it should. Everything is as it should be...

A stray bit of paper lies on the front table, and I walk towards it, snatching it up. My eyes widen, and that's when the first wave of fear swallowed me...

-Answer the phone.-

My attention snaps away from the letters... The phone is ringing. I feel weak kneed, but I grab the phone and press the receiver to my ear. "Who is it?!"

"That's no way to answer the phone. Didn't your grandfather teach you proper manners?"

I hiss, I know where this is heading. "What did you do to him?!"

"He's safe, no worry on that. But we need you to do something for us... And then you'll get him back... It's that simple."

I take a deep breath, calming my nerves. "How do I know you're telling the truth."

"We thought you'd say that... Here he is."

"Green?" He sounds confused, but is unharmed, as far as I can tell. But a voice is an uncertain way to judge...

Dread holds me tight. "Are you all right? What are they doing to you?"

"Green, don't do what they say. I'm an old man, please don't do what they ask you to..."

And then he's gone. "Ojiichan?" No answer. Not him, at least. I hear his captors chuckle. I can't just leave him there... I can't. He's all the family that I have. I have to do this, for him... Oh god, why does this feel like this isn't the last time this will happen? I know it's not the first... Of course, the first time had been under different circumstances. Oh god, why am I thinking about this?

"Wh... What do you want me to do?"

"We're glad you're going to follow along with us. I hope you have pen and paper ready, you need to get this word for word..."

So that's why I'm here where I am. Waiting... I hate waiting. It only makes me feel more helpless... That I could have done something, but I didn't... I couldn't do anything at all.

The sun is unforgiving, and I wipe away the sweat on my brow.

This is... different than the first time I was forced into such a situation. I'd been able to hunt them down... This time... This time, I can only hope I can do what they want me to, so I can save him...

I really hate waiting... I glance back at the piece of paper. The directions... I... I can't believe what I have to do, to save my grandfather. I have to do their dirty work...

-Dark haired. Red cap. He'll have an Eevee... Dispose of him. Make sure to bring that Eevee back.-

It was simple. Dispose of him... That word... dispose... it makes me feel sick.

I put the paper away, and my left hand strays to where I keep my Pokeball's. I can do this simply. So very simply... Fast. I... Scyther. I could call Scyther. No... Too bloody. But... maybe I want to get caught. Maybe I...

I pluck the Pokeball away, and hold it up so I'm looking right at it. I let my hand drop, squinting. Someone's moving closer... This is it, right? I could just turn and walk off. But my grandfather... No, I can't let anything else happen to him. I...

I pause, my mouth falling open at the person who is now in clear range of site. His gaze falls upon me, and he rushes forwards...

-Dark haired...-

Black hair. I'd be lying if I hadn't wondered how he got it to spike like that... I'm sure he could ask the same thing about my own. Or maybe he never bothers with his hair. Maybe...

-Red cap.-

I can't forget that cap... ever since I first saw him in the midst of the forest outside of Masara... He always wears that hat. That hat...

-He'll have an Eevee...-

And he does. It's perched on his shoulder, yet hops down. He recalls it to a Pokeball, and...

"Red?" I ask, otherwise speachless.

This can't be possible. This can't be true at all... I haven't seen Red since the last time, in Shion Town. They couldn't... Some secret, enigmatic force couldn't want me to kill...?

I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think about this. This couldn't... He couldn't... They can't want me to... My fingers feel numb, and the Pokeball slips from my grasp.

"Green!" He calls, then kneels and picks up the Pokeball - it bounced to right in front of him, bumping into his shoe. He holds it up, smiling. "I didn't think I'd see you here..."

My motions seem slow like in a dream, as I take the Pokeball back, and clasp it back on my belt.

I don't answer him, instead I question. "What are you doing here?" It sounds like a demand, I know it does...

He waves his hand dismissively. "I just got my Rainbowbadge from Erika of Tamamushi City!" He announces, proud of his accomplishment.

I nod, absently. "Oh..."

He clasps his Pokeball back at his belt. "So, what are *you* doing here, Green?"

"I'm..." I don't know anymore. What am I supposed to tell HIM? The last time we laid eyes on each other... The last time, he'd been saving my *life*, and now... I'm not ungrateful, you know. I just don't show things...

There's a me no one is supposed to see, and if I thanked him more than I *did*, then...

I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I know why I'm standing here, yes, I can't forget... I'm trying to save my grandfather. But why do they want me to kill Red? There, I thought over it completely! Why...? What makes him so important?

You know very well, a voice at the back of my mind tells me, abruptly. I shake my head, jarring the thoughts... And then I reach out and grab his arm, pulling him after me, as I head towards the distance... There's a slight depression in the ground there, I rested there earlier today, and a river...

"We have to talk."

"Gee, you don't have to be so rough!" He mutters, but I don't let up on my hold. "You don't even say you're sorry..." He hmphs. I roll my eyes.

"Don't be a baby, Red."

"I'm *not* being a baby... You're being a jerk."

"I am *not*..." I sigh. Why am I even doing this? Why am I even contemplating doing what they want me to...? I don't want to think.

"Are we done yet?" He asks, sulking.

"No." But I let his arm go, and I stalk off, looking down at the water. I can feel his gaze on my back, and then I hear him walk up and stand next to me.

"What is this all about, Green?"

I want to look back at him, but I don't. Instead, I cross my arms across my chest, looking out over the water. He sighs in an exaggerated way, and sits down... And then pats the grass beside him.

"Come on, you can sit down... It's not like I bite or anything."

I feel the most unexplainable blush on my cheeks. But I don't move. Not an inch, except for the motion of breathing...

"I don't want to..."

"But if you have something important to tell me, shouldn't you sit down? Standing like that can't be comfortable..."

I don't give in. Red sighs...

"Well, out with it. What do you have to tell me?"

The water ripples expressively. I can't out and tell him the truth... "I don't know." I sigh, and then slump down beside him. "I just don't know..."

"Eh, Green, what's wrong?" I can hear the worry in his voice. I'm always so standoffish to him... He's right, I can be a jerk. Why do you even care now? Why do you ever care, Red?

I don't realise that I spoke those words aloud until he answers me, a smug look on his face.

"I just care... isn't that enough, Green?"

"I've never showed that I cared, though... What's the point? Why should you waste your time on me?"

He sighs, then turns his dark gaze out over the water. "Ya know, Green... Sometimes you don't know you care. And then it slams into you, and... Bam! It's like getting hit with Pikachu's thunderbolt... You don't ever forget."

I only half hear what he's said... but he's right. One day, you're something. And then the next, it's all changed... And I don't even know what I am anymore.

I wish I could tell him... I wish I knew how to get myself out of this mess.

His voice calls me back, "Ano, Green! I have an idea." I look up, and he's smiling such a bright smile.

"What is it?" I ask, lifting an eyebrow in question. What do you have planned, Red?

"It's a hot day... don't you get tired of wearing that sweater all the time?" He's grinning...

"Huh?"

"Let's go swimming! Then we can talk some more." He beams, and then stands and grabs my hand. I'm back on my feet before I know what's hit me.

"Stop it, Red!" I cry.

"Really! If you don't lighten up, I'll have to take that sweater off myself. Now, are you going to take it off or do I have to for you?"

I stutter for a moment, before regaining my composure.

"I'm not playing around, Red! Stop-!"

But he *is* playing around, and he gives me a light push and I've fallen into the water. And then his balance goes, and he follows, landing on me.

"Why you..." I sigh, batting hair out of my face. I sit up, but he's there and I can't really do anything... Blood rushes to my cheeks, burning. "Red..."

"Eh, Green?" He looks up, half soaked. And then he grins again, hands planted to each side of me... He's just... there. So close. "Ano, oops..." Classic Red, classic...

And then I realise I must be going insane, because I start to laugh...

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