Everlasting Memories (Pokémon Hugh X Rosa)

Alternate Ending: Epilogue

"And I never spoke to her again after that," finishes Hugh.

There's a long silence.

He and Nate have arrived at the Gear Station. Being late evening, it's empty, with the exception of the staff and the guy obsessed with stats.

Without warning, Nate launches himself at Hugh and punches him in the face.

Wham!

"What the – " begin Hugh, but Nate doesn't let him finish.

"You. Idiot." snarls Nate.

Hugh blinks in shock. What just happened?

"Nate, what – "

Wham!

"You. Blithering. Idiot!" yells Nate, shaking his fist.

Hugh's rage is building up. Nate is being surprisingly violent. "Can you stop hitting me and tell me what's going on?"

"SHE LIED!" screams Nate. "She lied, you idiot! God. Do I have to spell out everything for you? ROSA LOVES YOU. AND YOU LOVE HER. Now go tell her that!"

"I – " Hugh is out of words. "It's too late. I don't – "

"Do you want me to punch you again?" cuts in Nate.

"No!" Hugh replies. "Look, Nate, you're obviously living in some sort of fantasy where everything works out and there's rainbows and Skitty and – "

"Call her," commands Nate. "Call her right now and ask her where she is."

Hugh sighs. Nate just doesn't get it.

"Nate, stop it," he says irritably. "Rosa and I are never going to happen. Deal with it."

Nate grits his teeth.

"Fine." He smiles maniacally, then throws himself on Hugh and tugs at his hand.

"Hey!" barks Hugh. "Get off me! Get off – hey!"

Although Hugh is strong and tall for his age, Nate's slight build has helped him wriggle out of Hugh's clutches. Finally, after wrestling for a while, he manages to tease Hugh's Xtransceiver off his wrist.

By now, Hugh is more than mildly annoyed. With a roar, he pounces on the thief, only to have the latter kick him squarely in the stomach. He keels over in pain.

Nate scrolls through Hugh's contacts, stopping when he reaches to 'R'. He taps on the 'Voice Only' button next to Rosa's name and waits.

Within seconds, a feminine voice answers. "Hello?"

Nate clears his throat. "Rosa," he says, trying to mimic Hugh's Super Saiyan voice. "It's me. Hugh."

Rosa doesn't answer immediately. "Why can't I see you?" she demands. "And where's Hugh?"

Nate sighs. Busted. "Okay, I'm not really Hugh." he admits. "I'm a friend of his. Where are you right now?"

Rosa is hesitant to answer. "I'm not sure I want to tell a stranger that."

Nate clicks his tongue impatiently. "Fine. Don't tell me. Tell Hugh where you are." He walks over to Hugh and places the Xtransceiver near his mouth. "Hugh, ask her where she is." he instructs.

The injured boy makes a feeble attempt at grabbing the device. But one look at Nate and his raised fist make him rethink his choices. He succumbs.

"Where are you?" he asks her weakly.

"Hugh?" Rosa sounds concerned. "What's going on? Are you alright? Where have you been? I mean, you haven't answered my calls since – "

"Ask her where she is." repeats Nate.