The Theory of Grey | Pokémon X

Prologue

How long has it been since you last remembered the past?

Your life has been built up from the moment you were born, though it seems you are not living it to its full extent. Every walking person, every living soul, has a purpose for remaining in the land of the living. One does not follow a routine to live the rest of their life. One does not only labor to gain wealth for their needs. Every living being fills a role in this unstable reality we call Earth.

People on this planet are of the same species, yet they differ in many ways. They can be male or female, wealthy or poor, and maybe even good or bad. No one but themselves can determine who they are and what makes them who they are. While it may be true that your past does not determine your future, it does connect you to the present. No matter how wonderful or cruel it may be, who you are right now is a result of what you have endured in the past.

One person can determine who they are all on their own, be it good or bad. The good strive for peace among each other, while the bad seek power to do as they please. People perish for following the bad path of life. Those who do have lost their way, and it is up to them whether they want to go a different direction or remain lost for good. That is why we must unite to stop this disaster.

That is why the string that connects the past to the present will change the course of the future ahead.

~.~.~

"Sissy! Are you almost done?"

"No! Not yet!"

"But it's been almost an hour since you've started! How much longer is your painting going to take?!"

"Just a bit longer. Be patient will you?"

"... So are you done yet?"

"Dang it, Adam!"

I placed my paintbrush down and looked over at my little brother with an annoyed look. Adam flashed me an innocent look that could fool anyone. However, I, his big sister, knew better than to fall for such a cheap trick. An exasperated sigh left my lips before returning my focus to the almost complete canvas.

"I've told you a million times, Adam. You can't rush art or else it ruins the image you're trying to portray," I said, picking up my paintbrush once again and continued.

"But everyone knows that your paintings are awesome, Sissy! Why spend so much time on it if you know it'll still look like all your other paintings?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Because, my dearest little brother," I began, my green eyes still focused on the canvas. "Behind every masterpiece, a message is waiting to be discovered. What most people see is just a pretty picture and not many cling to the message that the artist wants to portray. That's why..."

With one flick of the paintbrush, I put down the utensil and picked up the decorated canvas for my younger brother to see. Once his dark brown optics landed on the painting, Adam's eyes sparkled in awe. The canvas portrayed an intricate painting of a scenery as the sun began setting down against the sea. A small piece of land was located a bit down further of the canvas, a silhouette of a person standing on that rocky surface. The painted skies were lathered with three different shades of blue while the clouds were painted both white and grey.

Adam's eyes landed on the small figure that was shadowed by the sun. He could not very well make out what it was supposed to be exactly, but he had somewhat of a clue about what it might be. I had incorporated the unknown figure to let others interpret the message their own way. To me, a message did not have to be so assertive. Sometimes, it was best if people took their time to figure it out.

"It's best if an artist takes their time on their artwork to carefully piece together their masterpiece," I stated, a smile rising on my lips as I took in the painting myself.

"Sissy... this has to be one of your best works yet! You're one awesome artist!" Adam exclaimed as he looked up at me.

"Thanks, Adam." I gave him a closed-eyed smile. "It's motivation like yours that keeps me going."

My little brother giggled a bit with a huge smile on his young face. He was such a dork, but I wouldn't have wanted him to turn out any other way. Despite being talented in another way, Adam was always intrigued with my art. I guess you could call him my little cheerleader because he always found a way to compliment my work. My art was the reason we spent so much time together, and I loved it. He was just a little ball of sunshine that could make anyone's day brighter. I looked over at my now dried painting and noticed that something was missing.

"Oh!" I exclaimed. "I almost forgot to place my signature!"

Very quickly, I grabbed a black marker from my messenger bag and quickly took off the cap. I scribbled my signature in the lower left corner of the canvas, which I always did with every piece of art I created. After signing my name, I placed the marker down and smiled once more.

"Emilia Grey... a name that everyone will remember someday."

I hadn't known it then, but if I did, I would've done something about it.

The fate of my family wouldn't have suffered.

Most importantly...

I would've protected the most precious thing that meant the whole world to me.