Title: Bleak
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: None
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #74, Black
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: None

“We’re ruined, I tell you, ruined!” His mother screeched, tearing at her hair. Red had to restrain an expression of shock – it seemed to have gone gray overnight.

“What’s wrong?” Red asked, setting down his fork after swallowing his bite of scrambled eggs.

“What’s wrong? What’s wrong you say?” Madeline screamed. “Your Father’s dead, that’s what’s wrong! And that idiot left behind so many gambling debts we’ll never be able to pay them off! I should have divorced him while I had the chance, that lazy bum! We’ll have to sell the house! Ahh! All of my beautiful, precious jewels…my wonderful things… we won’t be able to afford to live here in Saffron any more! We’ll probably have to move to some out-of-the way place like Pallet…” She shuddered and broke off into hysterical sobs.

Red silently finished breakfast quickly and slipped out. In his room, he packed his clothing and equipment quickly and efficiently. His was not giving up his most valuable possessions without a fight. As far as he was concerned, they could do without this large, empty house, but his mother was sadly sentimental.

He finished strapping his tent and sleeping bag down, before he nodded. It was done. His badges glittered on the inside of his vest and all of his pokémon were at Professor Oak’s. It seemed that his vacation was about to be cut short and it was time to go out on the road again.

Truthfully, he did not mind overmuch. He was used to a trainer’s life, and he was happy out in the wilds. His mother could groan and complain, but he didn’t have to listen. Half an hour later, he was out the door and catching the Magnet Train to Johto.

After all, what better way to make a fresh start than elsewhere?

End Fic

Completed 3/29/07

Writing general pokemon fiction can be oddly soothing sometimes… ^^