One Love, One Heart

Chapter 24: Gimme Shelter

A new moon was out tonight. Only the sounds of wind pushing blades of grass kept silence at bay. Pokémon that thrived in daylight nestled in their homes for the night while their nocturnal counterparts ventured out to hunt. In the forest's darkness, a green-haired coordinator lay on the grassy floor. His eyes slowly opened, revealing his emerald eyes.

The boy sat up and looked around. His dark aura was gone. "What happened?" Drew looked at his hands.

Recent events started flashing before his eyes. He remembered leaving May, flying after a Ho-oh, and Flygon suffering a sneak attack from somewhere. The last thing he recollected was falling to his doom, or so he thought. "What have I done?" Drew's eyes widened as he thought about his recent actions. He pounded the ground angrily, "How did this happen?" He felt deep remorse. A teardrop streamed down his face, "May, I'm sorry."

He thought about the events he experienced at the beach. Drew was convinced he didn't dream the moment and was sure something had come over him. Did his attacker plant something inside him? Even Drew knew the story of Ash and the King of Pokelantis thanks to May, so he wouldn't put it past him that dark forces were at work. The coordinator wasn't sure what they wanted from him, but there was only one way to find out. The boy would continue to Viridian Forest. He hoped he'd get some answers if he did as the voice commanded. Drew wondered how he even survived his fall from so high. Did someone save him?

Drew reached for a Pokéball when he realized he had trouble seeing through the darkness, "Come out, Typhlosion!"

The Johto starter roared before his trainer. "Typhlosion, let's head into the Viridian Forest. You'll light my way if I need it." Drew looked at Typhlosion, and his Johto Pokémon nodded. Then it began walking forward as it led the way to the forest with the LaRousse trainer behind him. Typhlosion's back flames were bright enough to illuminate a 12-foot radius of the dark grassy field. They were only a few steps away from entering the Viridian Forest.

As they took their first steps inside the silent forest, Drew advised, "It's quiet, Typhlosion, too quiet. Stay alert." They walked as much as they could, gazing through every bush and tree for signs of anything strange. Maybe this was a waste of time, Drew sighed. Suddenly, they heard trees rustling. Drew and Typhlosion looked to the treetops with a desire for answers.

"So, you came, the question is why?" a dark figure revealed himself.

Drew and Typhlosion saw someone sitting on a tree branch. The fire from Typhlosion showed a man in a black coat whose face remained hidden by his hood. He seemed well-built, and something about him gave Drew the chills. At that moment, he realized that the man resembled the man described on the news.

"I've seen you on the news," the coordinator glared.

Leaves rustled as the man in the black coat dropped himself on the grass, "I doubt it."

"Who are you?" Drew asked impatiently.

"The real question is why you are here?" the strange man asked rudely.

"Do you take me for an idiot? You've been in my head. You made me end up here!" the LaRousse resident spat angrily.

The man stared at him, "I've never been inside your head." He crossed his arms when he sighed.

"I don't know if I should believe anything you say. You just said that I came as if you were expecting me. It can't be a coincidence that I found you here either," the coordinator's patience began to run low. Typhlosion snarled at the stranger, sensing Drew's frustration.

"Fine, I was somewhat expecting you. Although I was hoping you'd stay away. Go home," the stranger warned.

Drew's eye color turned dark, and a dark aura encircled his body. The man in the black coat backed away a bit, "He's under control. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this." The stranger spoke with a regretful tone.