Pokémon: Rough Water (Sequel to Finding Red)

Chapter 11: Hallucinations or Visions?

[Skylar's POV]

The air felt strange. It didn't have its "city scent" anymore. In fact, it smells unusual right now. Seawater, to be precise. But how could the wind bring the scent of the sea to here if it was miles away?

"Hey, are you going to eat that?"

My head suddenly started to ache. I squeezed my eyes shut and placed a hand on my forehead.

The Tao Trio growled angrily, the Swords of Justice behind them, glaring at the woman.

"Hello?"

"Soon you'll all just be legends. Nothing, nothing more but legends!" she cackled. "I'll start with the three of you. Your powers are certainly admirable. Too bad they'll be taken away!"

"I'm talking to you."

One by one, each dragon from the Tao Trio froze. Pityful expressions were seen on their faces, but it all happened too fast. The dragons were petrified for a split second, then exploded into tiny particles of stone and dust. The Swords of Justice could do nothing but watch. The four of them looked at each helplessly, knowing that they were to be next.

"Earth to Skylar?"

As the Swords of Justice were being petrified by a cannon, Keldeo gave me one last look. He mouthed me four words before being completely turned into stone. I wasn't that good in lip reading, but I quickly understood his last message. "Before it's too late," he said.

"SKYLARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! What's wrong with you?" Blue yelled, shaking my shoulders.

"Oh, right....." I said, snapping back into reality. What the hell just happened?! It's not real, stop imagining things, I told myself. I glared at him. "Calm down, will you? I was just thinking deeply."

Great lie right there, Skylar.

"How am I supposed to calm down when you weren't acting like yourself just a few minutes ago?" he asked me.

I'll try to believe that he actually has concern for me, but as for now, I can't. I've got too much on my mind to handle.

"Sorry....." I apologized, sipping my milkshake. "Sure, you can have my fries." I turned away from him, letting out a sigh that immediately turned into a gasp.

He pulled my jaw towards his face, inches away. His green eyes stared directly into mine. We were so close......... so close that I could practically feel his breath on my lips. Wait, I've seen this before. Was it in the cinema? Yeah, I've seen this in a movie before! This is the part where the guy kisses the girl, no?

Haha. Hahahaha. In your face, Oak! You think I'll fall for this? Definitely not. Blue will never, ever, ever, fall in love with me. I'm sure of it. 100% sure! I smirked at him, wondering whether to laugh at his face or not. It's ridiculous, just absolutely ridiculous!

"Skylar....... I.......... I think...." he began, leaning an inch closer.

I already guessed what he was going to say. I'm not a fool to fall for that. It was really hard not to laugh, the least I could do was clench my jaw. Nonetheless, I stayed silent and waited for him to finish what he was saying.

"I think- I think I'm in lo-"

Rrrrrringgggggggggggg! Ringgggggggggggggg! Rrrrrrrrrringgggggggg!

I burst out laughing. This is such perfect timing!

"Hahahahahahahahahahaha..... That, hahahaha........ Was, hahahahahaha...... Hilarious!" I said between laughs. Nice try Blue, nice try.

He shot a look at me then took out his Pokégear. "HELLO? WHO'S THIS?" he angrily asked. If that was Gramps, he'd sure be dead for speaking to him in that manner.

It was on loudspeaker. ".... It's Silver. Can I talk to Skylar?" He sounded grumpy. Gold told me that Silver turned back to being arrogant and grumpy ever since I've left. I know that Silver hardly smiles, and that's enough for me to know. I don't really mind, he's still my best friend and he will always be. But now that I'm back......... he's even more grumpier.

"How did you know she was with me?" Blue asked, eyeing me closely.

"Just let me to talk to her."

"You called my number, not Skylar's. Then you are going to ask me to talk to her?" Blue rolled his eyes, handing his Pokégear to me. "Almost got away with it...." he mumbled.

"She's with you, obviously." he replied sarcastically.

"Hello? Silver?" I spoke, wondering why he was still up at this time of the night- I mean, morning.

"Look behind you." was all he simply said. I swear I heard him take a deep breath.

I looked over my shoulder and gasped, almost dropping Blue's Pokégear. I blinked twice, making sure what I was looking at was real.

"LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!" I ran to my beloved Glaceon and squeezed in her in a tight hug.

"Lace?" Blue asked.

"Glace glaceon." I'm back. "Glaaaaaaceon glace glaceon!" I missed you, Skylar!

"Lace, I missed you too. And I'm sorry..." I told her, keeping her close. I was so happy that she came back. I thought she would stay mad at me forever. But after all, I'm still her trainer, and she's still my Pokémon. So she can't be permanently mad at me.

"Glace glaceon, glace?" Can we just forget about this? Lace asked, nuzzling my cheek.

"Definitely. Say, where's Silver?" I asked her, petting her head with a smile.

"Glace glaceon, glaceon glaceon glace, glaceon." We trained, and stayed at the Pokémon Center. But he told me he had important matters to attend to so he had to return me to you.

"Oh.... Okay then." I smiled. Her expression gave me the hint that she's still suspicious about something. Oh well. I still love Lace, no matter what.

"He hung up." Blue said. "I think we should get some sleep at the Pokémon Center. We can go back to Lack-Two's house in the morning. What do you say?"

"Sounds good to me." I replied. "Let's get some sleep, okay Lace?"

"Glaceon."

~~~

We might have taken rooms in the Pokémon Center, but I didn't sleep, unlike Lace. She was sleeping soundly like a small child. I didn't want to sleep. Earlier, when were sitting on a bench outside and Blue was asking me if I was going to eat, something bothered me. I didn't feel comfortable at all. The moment I stepped out of Lack-Two's house, I knew something was up.

Whatever I saw earlier, that was really weird. Like who right in their minds would petrify legendary Pokémon and shatter them to particles? How would you obtain their powers by doing that? Obviously that person or those people are not right in their minds.

Now, I've heard rumors about some people seeing visions about stuff that's supposed to happen, but ME?!? No way and no thanks. I don't see visions. Furthermore I wouldn't want to. The future is always a mystery, and I don't want that to change.

I looked at Lace, her small, gentle figure breathing peacefully. She could still be mad at me, but she doesn't know how lucky she is. She doesn't have to worry about anything. At least not for now. I almost wish I could sleep like her, so I could sleep my troubles and worries all away. But I can't. It's too early for that. Arceus knows what I've been through.

I was certain of one thing: I wasn't hallucinating earlier.

But it wasn't a vision, either. I didn't see the woman's face, or even what her clothes look like, but I have to find her.