Shadow Fire

The battle was quick. Ethan's Pokemon once again overpowered Petrel's, the executive groaning in exasperation. "Fine..." he said. "The REAL Director is in the underground area. Here's the card key to get in. But don't think it'll make any difference. My boss, Archer, is in the main broadcast office. He's locked in, and you won't be able to get to him."

Len just sat there and wept, his own arms hesitantly going around Haru. "Why?" he repeated. "When will it stop being so painful? Why her? Why not me? She deserves life... unlike me."

The prince merely made a soft whimper, before lowering his glance, soft sobs being heard.

As Ethan managed to make it all the way to the top of the tower, battling an executive or two, the "Director" pleaded for help, before revealing himself as Petrel. "Sorry..." he snickered. "But the real Director's not here. But if you can beat me in a battle, I'll tell you!"

A door was up ahead, Link rushing forward. Hopefully, there'd be a way.

Len instantly jumped. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Haru embracing him. Shock filled his eyes. "H-Haru..." he mumbled. "You... heard it all, didn't you?"

As Silver walked outside, he rushed off, before slowing to a halt, and glancing up. "His taste... his smell..." he breathed out. "Snappy... I feel strange. It's not a bad feeling like last time... but this one... I dunno. C'mon... let's go to somewhere a little cooler." Snappy chomped his jaws in agreement. What place could be better than Route 50?

Link nodded, also taking note of a ladder that was nearby. He rushed towards the ladder, taking note that he could climb up the vines. Reaching the top, he ran around the spiral path, jumping across the small gaps. He came to a vine wall, a big treasure chest in front of it. Opening it up, he pulled out an old scroll, which looked to be the map of the Deku Tree's inside.

Silver disappeared upstairs, and upon setting his glance upon Snappy, gave a grin. Both Pokemon were sitting together and just talking among themselves. The teen cleared his throat, watching as the Feraligatr looked over, before getting up and joining him. "Thank you, Snappy..." he said softly. "I owe you so much. C'mon... let's get out of here. We need to train... only this time... it'll be better." Snappy looked back over at Cynder, giving his own toothy smile, before following his master downstairs.

Link took a few steps forward, stopping as he noticed a web covering a massive hole in the ground.

"I didn't want to be prince..." he said, continuing. "I just wanted for my sister and I to live happy lives. Too much to ask. I'm the one living when she should be. How is that fair?" Looking upwards, a desperate look came to his eyes. "Please..." he said. "Will you bring her back... in exchange for me?"

Inside of Mr. Deku Tree Link glanced around in awe. Slowly, he walked forwards, keeping an eye out for enemies, while listening out for anything that may give a clue as to where enemies may be hiding. Spooky.

Pulling away, Silver gave a half-smile, before taking a few steps to go up the stairs. Before he reached the top, he stopped and glanced down. "Ethan..." he said softly. "Your taste... your smell... and your personality... are all nice. Don't change." The older male continued up the stairs.

Entering into the confession box, Len sat on the empty bench and began to sob, not hearing the soft footsteps enter the church. "It's snack time..." he whimpered. "But I'm not hungry. I don't think I'll be able to go on." Clenching his hands into fists, the blond continued. "Forgive me..." he said, voice cracking slightly. "My sins are many. I have killed many. Not personally, but through my very desire. If I could go back, I would do things over. I didn't ask to be Kiiro's prince, and I didn't ask for so much pain. So why? Why is everything so painful?"

The Great Deku Tree glanced at Navi, eyes showing pain deep within them. "Oh... Navi..." the tree said suddenly. "Thou hast returned... Link... Welcome... Listen carefully to what I, the Deku Tree, am about to tell thee... Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares... As the servants of evil gain strength, a vile climate pervades the land and causes nightmares to those sensitive to it... Verily, thou hast felt it..." Link glanced away, trying not to let the nightmares come back to his waking memories. He glanced back just in time for the tree to continue. "Link..." the tree continued. "The time has come to test thy courage... I have been cursed... I need you to break the curse with your wisdom and courage. Dost thou have courage enough to undertake this task?" Link took a silent breath, before nodding and taking a step forward. Though in pain, the tree smiled, before opening its mouth wide. "Then enter, brave Link, and thou too, Navi..." it continued. "Navi the fairy... Thou must aid Link... And Link...When Navi speaks, listen well to her words of wisdom..." With another nod, Link raced down, and went inside the tree.

Gakupo nodded, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry I upset you..." he mumbled. "You know how I am... speak without thinking. But let me make it up to you. Go find your friend... I'll take these supplies to your mother." The purple-haired teen made shooing motions.

Another smile came to him. He went upstairs... to get Ethan to come down here... I've been pushing him hard, but he still cares for me. "Ethan..." he mumbled. "I must go. I'm going to try and become a better person. I don't want to become my father. I'll surpass him a different way... like Red did." Hesitantly, he stepped out of Ethan's grasp, before moving closer to return what was given to him moments ago. Once again, he could taste apples and cinnamon.

Mido tried, but failed, upon seeing the equipment that Link was packing (no pun intended). "GOOD GRIEF!!" the so-called Kokiri Boss exclaimed, before calming down somewhat. "Well, even with all that stuff, a wimp is still a wimp, huh? I, the great Mido, will never accept you as one of us! Damn it! How did you get to be the favourite of Saria and the Great Deku Tree? Huh?!" Grumbling, Mido moved over to the side, allowing Link to pass, but not before throwing a snarky comment about his pyjamas. Link ignored him and went on his way.

"Why do you keep me here?" he asked softly. "I need to go. I have to... after all, I can't defeat you if I don't at least train..." A small smile showed itself on his lips, indicating he wasn't serious about the last part. But he still felt he needed to go. He needed to be by himself, to re-evaluate himself as a trainer... and as a person. "Hey..." he mumbled suddenly. "I just noticed that Snappy's not here... where..."

Gakupo held his hands up and took a couple steps back. Even he'd never seen his friend so angry. "Okay..." he said. "I'm sorry. I understand. I just... thought this was the justice you'd have been happy with." Suddenly, he glanced around, noticing the absence of the blond. "Hey!" he exclaimed. "Where's your friend? Where's Len?" Len, in the meantime, had rushed into an abandoned church, tears stinging his eyes, bringing fresh memories back. It's too much to bear...

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow at Link's choice of wardrobe, but shrugged it off. A customer was still a customer. "So..." he said. "I'm guessing you need this shield, huh?" Link nodded, bringing out 40 rupees to pay. The exchange was made, the shopkeeper giving a grin. "Now, remember..." he said. "This shield will protect you from a lot, but if fire touches it, it will burn. So be careful, okay?" Link nodded, giving silent thanks before heading back over to Mido.

Silver exhaled heavily, feeling strange again. Cinnamon... he tastes like cinnamon... with a hint of apples. Silver remained silent for a moment, before turning to face the younger trainer again. "Team Rocket are the reason I'm like this..." he admitted finally. "My father... is Giovanni. He was the leader of Team Rocket, and through him, I came to learn much about Pokemon. I had a Growlithe... Fang. He was my only friend. Many people didn't want to be associated with me, because of my father. He held so much power... but then he was defeated by a boy three years ago, and went into hiding. The failure of Team Rocket led to his defeat, and he left my mother and I to cope alone. I hate him for that. I decided I'd do whatever it took to be the best trainer in all, and use my Pokemon to help me achieve that." Silver turned his glance to the wall. "I've met you once before..." he said softly. "I didn't tell you, but three years ago, when my father left, I saw you. I shoved you out of the way. You wont remember, because it hasn't happened for you yet. But soon... you will see. I know you will... the legendary Pokemon, Celebi... it will show you. With it, travel back... and meet me again. For now though, I need to go..." Silver went to leave, but found that he was still being gently restrained.

Gakupo blinked, his expression changing to confusion. "Somehow..." he mumbled. "I figured you'd be happier. Your father has been avenged. All those people he wronged... have been avenged. Light can finally shine in Kiiro once again." Len felt his chest burn. Placing the groceries down, he made a silent retreat, his absence going unnoticed for a short time.

Silver remained motionless for a few moments, before pulling away slowly. "W-what was that for?" he finally mumbled out. "What have I done... to deserve that?" The red-haired teen absently raised a hand to his lips, where the other boy's had been only moments ago.

Thankfully, Link had remembered to grab his wallet on the way out of his house. He never went anywhere without it. Checking quickly, he gave a smile. 80 rupees. More than enough. Making a beeline for the shop, he suddenly stopped as he heard the familiar sounding giggle of Miso, sitting atop the shop's entry. "Hey!" she giggled. "You've got your own fairy now. That's wonderful! I hope you know she will be one of your greatest friends. Be sure to listen to her well. Oh... and nice jammies! Tee hee!" Blushing, Link grinned and shook his head, rushing into the store.