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

Chapter 10

“Nice to meet you, Red.” The woman greeted him. She had pretty dark red hair, like Lance’s, and he wondered if they were related. “I’m Lorelei.”

“I’m Agatha.” The woman leaning on the walking stick told him. She was … he rubbed his eyes.

“Um… are you related to Green?”

“Such a perceptive child. He’s my grandson.”

“Oh!”

Lance did not say much, as Red acquainted himself with the other two members of the Elite Four. Lorelei was not sure where Bruno was, but he was probably off training.

Bruno was powerful as a minion, but he was too fickle.

Red would do well to take his place, if he were ready. A bit more and he would tip, Agatha concluded.

They did not say more.

Back in Kanto, havoc was breaking loose. Red was missing, the men who had been sent to fetch him were dead, and rumors were flying high. Despite Oak’s protests, that Red was not that type of a person, the Kanto League issued a warrant for him. Kill on sight…

Green did not know what to do. If even his grandfather had no power, what could he do? So he bent his head and buried his anger deep in his heart, where it began to smolder, for Green was much more patient then Red, but even he was feeling grim, particularly since the Kanto League had allowed him to keep only three of his pokemon. The others were claimed. He could catch more later, of course, but it would not be the same… and he only had three because he was now a League researcher.

And off in Johto, Blue and Silver continued their work.

“Let me kill you.”

The blue-clad league trainer shivered. He did not recognize the voice, and all he could see of his opponent was a pair of glowing eyes. His Growlithe whimpered and hid behind him.

“Please! I never did anything to hurt you!”

“Liar.” The voice was a hissing whisper. “You are such a liar. Don’t you remember who I am?”

“No!” Pete felt something wet stain the front of his pants and looked down in horror. The Scyther by the boy’s side clicked its scythes.

“Then you will not scream it.”

Pete screamed as the Scyther lunged forwards.

Green yawned as he turned off the television. It was another senseless murder of league personnel. He shrugged, and petted his Ninetails.

He had chosen to keep Charizard and Ninetails, and his Golduck… his grandfather had managed to cadge Machamp as well, keeping it for heavy lifting around the lab. But his Pidgeot and Scyther, and the rest of his team, were gone… released into the wild, far from Pallet.

Green sighed.

Hopefully they had found a good trainer to take them in, but who would do it? He had been swarmed by fangirls, but he had not had any true friends, unless Red counted, and Red was still missing, with a warrant on his head.

Green fervently wished Red luck if he was alive, and turned back to his atmospheric measurements. They were experimenting on Rattata – determining whether it was possible to raise them at higher elevations.

Red whimpered slightly as Lance petted him. He knew that the time would soon come when they would show the League and the rest of the world their crimes, but for now… for now…

He just didn’t care any more.

“Let me kiss you.” Lance whispered.

Red nodded, his lips parting as Lance bent over him. He wanted this so very badly, even though he truly did not know the magnitude of what he desired…

He sank down with Lance supporting him, and they touched once more.

Agatha sighed. Young love could be so time-consuming she turned to Lorelei, who was busy making some very nice ice sculptures.

She laughed at that, and watched Red’s pokemon train each other. It was lucky they were so talented, especially that wonderful Eevee of his…

Such a gain! It could possibly power the badge energy amplifier, but the overload might kill the pokemon as well, and Red was not one to sacrifice his pokemon, even for the good of the world. She approved of his mindset.

Her ghosts cackled in glee as they floated through the twists and turns of Cerise Island, their laughter cascading down the tunnels.

Although the Island was volcanic, and living in caves could be termed uncomfortable, it was not the Elite Four’s only base. Their true base was deep in Whirl Islands… and that was where they truly lived, waiting for the time when Lugia would rise and they could purge the world.

Ghost, Ice and Dragon were all very powerful elements. Fighting was not so much so, and besides, Bruno was no good if uncontrollable…

They scrapped the idea with Bruno, now that they had Red. Agatha erased his memories, and Red took his place. His clothing had to change also, or else it would be too recognizable. His hair stayed much the same, but instead of the clothes he had once worn, he now donned pants and a long-sleeved shirt of dark red. Over his shoulders draped a long jacket with split tails of silver color.

It was certainly different.

He wore sunglasses over his eyes to hide their unnatural color, and streaked his hair with gold to make it stand out.

There was certainly no way anyone would recognize him now, or so he hoped. True, his voice would be harder to hide, but he could find ways around that. Practice helped, and although Lance still refused to talk, Red was beyond caring.

After all, Lance did not need words to convey his emotions.

Red idly wondered if he could learn that trick, but banished the thought quickly thereafter. It was not his style to stay silent and unresponsive, despite provocation. He snuggled closer to Lance, making a mental note to buy some extra blankets next time he went out.

Of course, the Elite still searched for news of Giovanni, but none had been found. The eighth badge was crucial for their scheme.

Lorelei usually went out. After all, she had never been seen before. Lance had, though that was by virtue of his birth to Blackthorn’s Dragon Clan. Agatha had once been the runner-up for the Pokemon League Championship. Red himself was still in hiding, and they wished to play it safe…

The Elite Four would be magnificent when they finally struck, and that was what really counted.

End Chapter

Completed 6/7/06

I can’t say I feel that sorry for Red. I just think he’s doing the best he can…