Secrets Untold
Ash hummed a tune, as he thought about his somewhat boring months after his older brother and Green left. It had been the longest peaceful period of time for him and Gary. Gary had commented how nothing interesting had happened at all and how he missed his brother a lot. The most interesting moment had been when Mew had come to the Oak ranch surprising the Professor and his assistants. It had been on one of the slower days too, when everyone just wanted to nap and do nothing. Mew turned out wanted to cuddle and would not go without his nap. The Professor had a ball of a time observing Mew up close.
Gary was just giving a finishing touch to his assignment spoke up, "You know..... I have been thinking about something."
Ash sighed softly, "What is it, Gary?"
Gary murmured, "I think, Green is hiding something from me."
Ash stopped writing before starting again, "You as well, huh?"
Gary looked up, "Red too?"
Ash nodded, "I don't have a doubt. I also bet it has something to do with the Mt Moon incident last month."
Gary scratched his chin, "The one on the news? Yeah, probably."
Ash sighed, "Dad and Uncle Blue were furious. They tried to keep a smiling face for us but I could feel their anger."
Gary looked down, "Should we ask them? Red and Green?"
Ash shook his head, "Not over the phone, no. We'll have to talk to them face to face. Whatever happened there made them very wary."
Gary, "Ah.... Like provide a safe place first then ask."
Ash nodded, "I'm finished with all my assignments. Even the one from Blaine."
Gary smiled, "Me too ~ We just need to send them to Blaine and submit the others tomorrow."
The two went down stairs to the lab where the Professor was working and announced they had completed their work. Samuel smiled and asked them to help in grooming the younger Pokemon while they took care of the older ones. Ash grinned and went out followed by Gary to the field where Charmander and Litten were following the Professor's Charizard around as he did his rounds. Their Everstone collars glinting in the sunlight as they ran beside the older Fire type. Pikachu and Eevee were following Blue's Gengar's instructions as he showed them how to create shadow ball.
Ash, "Hey guys ~ Time for grooming."
Gary grinned, "Yup ~ Who wants to go first?"
Gengar, -Let's take a break for now. You two have been training for three hours straight.-
Pikachu, -I almost got it though.-
Eevee, -I guess.-
Charizard flew back down, -That's enough running for now little ones, we will continue again tomorrow.-
Ash, "Charizard, Gengar thank you for helping our Pokemon."
Gary beamed, "Yeah, big guys. We really appreciate it."
The two older Pokemons nodded before leaving for their areas. The two boys went with the four Pokemon towards the area where the younger Pokemon were kept. The young Pokemon invited them to join them enthusiastically. Ash and Gary both grinned as they started their work and started to groom the young Pokemon one by one. It has been truly peaceful few months for them although the same could not be said for the older siblings.
Red huffed as he and Riley trained, "I hate to say this but I think my little brother's trouble magnet habit rubbed off on me."
Riley snorted as he deflected an aura ball, "Really? I thought, that was all you."
Red shook his head, "Nope. Not one bit. It all started with Ash, I just picked it up from him."
Snivy and Charmander were training with Lucario and Riley's Lucario. The young Riolu had evolved during their time at Mt Moon. It was just supposed to be training for them, in stealth and endurance, but it turned out to be a death match with Team Rocket. To say, his Dad was furious that Team Rocket had attempted to kidnap the young Aura users when they realized who they were and what could they do was an understatement. Now the criminal organization knew of his existence and it made him feel wary. The only upside was his face was hidden thanks to the cloak and mask Riley insisted they wore.
Flashback:
Red had entered Mt Moon behind Riley before he was pulled to the side, "Ri.. "
Riley covered Red's mouth, "Shh! Quiet!"
Red then heard people talking and laughing maliciously from their hidden area. Riley moved from their position and took out face masks and cloaks for both of them to wear. Red raised an eyebrow but did not argue and put the clothes on. They quietly followed the two who led them towards a camp of sorts where there were more people dressed in similar clothing moving and working. But what caught their attention were the trainers being held in a cage and the wild Pokemon being held in another.
Red pulled back, "This is not good."
Lucario, -Oh Arceus!-
Riley grimaced, "We can't take them on without risking the lives of the hostages."
Red took out the pokenav his Dad had gifted him for becoming an apprentice, "I'll call Dad. He can provide backup, hopefully. Don't worry it's on silent mode so they won't hear us."
Cypress picked up the phone on the second ring, "Son? This is a surprise."
Red, "Dad, no time for niceties. We came across a group of weirdly dressed people with R on their vests. They are holding trainers captive as well as the wild Pokemon."
Cypress' eyes turned dark, "Where are you, son?"
Red, "Mt Moon, Dad. Please Dad hurry. One of them even threatened to kill a trainer in front of his Onix if he did not dig. The poor guy was terrified, and begged them not to touch his Pokemon. Another one was molesting a young girl infront of her Pokemon. I don't know, if I can keep myself from confronting them."
Cypress, "Son, stay strong! Riley keep Red with you. How many people were their?"
Riley, "There are around twenty of them here. Three in the West tunnel, two in the east tunnel, two in the north tunnel and two in the south tunnel. So, a total of twenty nine."
Cypress, "We are almost there. Be careful."
What followed the end of the call was Lucario, Riley and Red planning on how to get the pokeballs to the trainers so they could defend themselves and get out of the cave. Riley showed Red how aura cloaking worked and while he could not cover himself up, Red could definitely hide Snivy. He was tiny enough, while Riley would hide Riolu and guide the grass type and Aura Pokemon towards the pokeballs and take them to the trainers. Lucario guided Red through the process as he guided Snivy to follow Riolu and take the trainers pokeballs. They quietly returned them and urged the trainers to keep quiet, they nodded grateful to have their pokeballs back.
One of the grunts however noticed the empty shelf, "The pokeballs are missing."
The leader, Sniper barked, "What did you say?"
Before the grunt could answer they were attacked by the Rangers who had found them. Red noticed it was his Dad's team and gave a sigh of relief. What followed was a massive battle brawl between Rangers and trainers on one side and the Team Rocket members on the other. But between the five Rangers and ten trainers they made a decent team, joined by two Aura users. When Sniper saw them however laughed a cruel and cold laugh.
Sniper, "Forget the stone. Bring me those Aura users. They will make a fine gift as well."
To say Cypress, Luc, Blissey and Arcanine blew their top when they heard the order loud and clear was an understatement. They were furious and the two canine and one healing Pokemon entered Mega evolution as they fought back without holding back their power. Red who had heard the order was a bit shaken but shrugged it off and fought against the grunts who wanted to capture him and Riley. Riolu had evolved half way through the fight and with Snivy and Charmander they made sure their partners were safe and untouched. What followed after that were a series of whirlwind, Red is pretty sure he had blood on his hands now. He snapped out of it only when his Dad hugged him and comforted him.
Riley stood by his side, "Red?"
Luc, -Cub.-
Red looked around and noticed that the trainers were gone then broke down, "I.. I.. I.. I killed them."
Cypress, "Red, son, little love! Breath! Just breath! That's it."
Red calmed down clutching his Dad, "I killed two of them Dad. And I feel so dirty. I can smell their blood on me."
Cypress looked at him sadly, "I know, son. I know. I felt the same way when I killed the first time. It was not easy. Never is."
Red looked up shocked, "Wha..... What? You killed too."
Cypress nodded, "I had no choice, just like you didn't. It was either that or be killed or worse."
Ace walked up to them, "Kid.. What happened today is something you have to face sooner or later. This is the true life of a Pokemon trainer. It's not always easy or bright or always about badges, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. I'm sorry, if I'm sounding very callous but unfortunately, life is a bitch that way and I rather you realize this early on then end up dead."
Red was taken aback, "I... Huh.. I don't think, I don't want to become a killer. I rather not repeat this at all."
Ace nodded looking satisfied, "And that's why you will be okay. Killing should never be a thing."
The Rangers had left after making sure they were alright and getting Red a therapy session with someone they could trust. Later, that night he had called Green who looked haggard as he himself felt. Green had tried to smile as he greeted but it came out as a grimace. Red recognized that look and asked only two questions.
Red, "How many did you kill and who?"
Green's eyes widened, "What? What do you mean?"
Red smiled tiredly, "We ran into Team Rocket base and some of them attempted to kidnap me. We had a live or die death match. I'm pretty sure some of the trainers lost their Pokemon. One trainer was killed too and I killed two of the grunts."
Green looked exhausted now, "We were attacked by Team Rocket here too. They wanted what was in Silph Co. I didn't mean to kill them. They were threatening kids, Red, kids. Same age as Gary. I just and I just lost control and I broke their necks."
Green started to cry, "They had even killed a Pokemon in front of their trainer and I didn't reach them in time. I just lost it."
Red nodded, "I lost control too, before I killed them. They were threatening to kill my Pokemon and I couldn't just accept it."
The two of them had talked the night away finding comfort and support in each other. Riley and Sabrina had let them knowing they needed it and they had slept in. They had agreed to not tell their younger siblings about it though they knew they would probably suspect something. They also knew they wouldn't pry either, not till they were ready to talk.
Flashback end:
Mew flew towards Red from wherever he was hiding and snuggles against him in comfort and apology for what happened. Red smiled and pat Mew as he took a break and sat down next to his tutor. Riley was now used to the legendary Pokemon appearing in front of them again and again. He half wondered if Mew visited Green, then he realized that was a silly question to even ask. Samuel had told them what Mew had told the two kids about the soon to be trainers. He only hoped things did not get worse from here.