Who knew the silent one would be such a chatter box in his head?

Ah, the mountains were the perfect place to be. Not just any mountains of course; I'm talking about Mt. Silver, at the very summit. Oh yes, I'm the one named after a very popular color. I'm the one who's starter Pokemon burns hotter, and brighter than the very sun. I am the one with an energetically adorable yellow mouse. I am the one who gets every single person fearing, and swooning over me. I am the one- who appears stuck on the mountain.

Now don't get me wrong, I know how to get myself down. But I really needed some peace and quiet up here. The echoing silence of the mountain could almost match my mastery of ellipses; and I enjoyed it's solitude and majestic view of the land below, when you're at the very snowy summit of it all. I guess you could say I was training my Pokemon. You'd be surprised how well you can work out in freezing-cold temperatures.

Ah yes, being my silent-protagonist self on a beautifully snowing mountain of death. What fun. Oh, how that snow falls like dust. The way those shiny, pure-white flakes gently fall on my face and hair. My hat, which usually should be on my head, was on the head of my Pikachu, who was also nuzzling my leg playfully. Smiling down at my cute yellow friend, I bent over and gently stroked his soft yellow fur. I was up here for well over a few years now; Of course I'd come back down to get some supplies, but I always found myself returning to this very place. Why was that? Out of all the amazing places there are, across Kanto, Johto, and all the likes, I'd always end up back here. And why, out of all the legendaries and powerful Pokemon I've come across on my travels, that I always remained with just my same six Pokemon consisting of a Pikachu, Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, Snorlax, and an Espeon? The answer never mattered to me.

My eyes loomed across the snowy mountain.

Maybe I'm looking for something. A purpose, perhaps. Every time there's new Pokemon to catch, I always capture them with such ease, every new Region, I'm finding it easier, and faster to explore every single nook and cranny. Either I'm getting too good at this- or I'm getting too old. Too old? You're never too old to be a Pokemon Trainer! Look at that old-lady of the Kanto Elite four! Helga, I think her name was. My memory frequently fails me when it comes to names. Then again, I'm not really a Trainer, aren't I? Admittedly, I'm the Master- Master of every single region, every single other trainer out there in existence. I... I could almost say that I was getting tired of being the master. Maybe that's why I stay at this mountain. I envy how it gets a fresh new blanket of snow every Winter, while I'm stuck with the title of 'Champion' glued on my forehead. Figuratively, of course. Journeys became shorter and shorter, and Triumphs became less appealing with each win I've accomplished.

Pikachu was pulling at my long blue pants with concern, staring up at me with wide glittering black eyes, that shone a glow of deep-brown. I nodded, letting it know that I was alright. Pikachu chirped it's always adorable, 'Chu!' and points it's zig-zagging tail right behind us.

Hm, due to all this pointless thinking I've pondered in, I couldn't hear those steps of shoe against snow until just now. Swerving around, I draw my Pokeball that contained the all-powerful Charizard, while Pikachu growled, sparks of yellow electricity sparking off both it's round red cheeks.

"I knew I'd find you here." It was, surprise surprise, Blue! Great, he's gone from being utterly annoying and cocky to being a stalker who seems to know where I like to stay. I'm not at all surprised that he managed to reach the top of the mountain as I have; I have to admit, he was indeed a powerful trainer, and Gym leader.

Standing my ground while watching Blue with little to no emotion, I keep the Pokeball gripped in my hand, Pikachu still remained wary.

"Chill out man, I'm not here to battle you. I think I'd know who'd win anyway." He muttered the last part to himself. Where those eyes of jealousy? Of course, I could tell emotions from half a mile away. Well, if I had binoculars, maybe. I went on watching him with calculating eyes, and a shrugged my shoulders up.

Then what are you doing here? I know that he would have no idea what I'm saying, but people usually get the idea anyway. Blue crossed his arms, glancing away briefly. When he turned back to me, his blue-eyes were almost dulled down to a steel-grey.

"It's about your mother. She's-" I went still. Rigid. I even felt a little sick. She's what? Won the lottery? Made a few pottery? Alright, sorry for making terrible rhymes, but I really wish Blue would hurry up and tell me what happened to my mother.

My mother... She's the only family I have. I just wish she was just missing me, and simply wanted me home, and not in any trouble or anything. Being in trouble was my job anyway.

I was so busy training and trapped in my current dilemma as the most powerful trainer on the whole planet, that I forgot about having a home in Pallet Town. I guess being obsessed with Pokemon does that to you.

"She's very, very ill, Red. I only just heard about it, because Gramps contacted me to tell you the bad news. The doctors says she might not make it. I thought maybe you could visit her and—" I didn't care what he was going to say next, I already knew anyway. I strode right up to him, and grabbed at his shirt, pulling his face close to mine. I narrow my eyes in a venomous glare, holding back grim thoughts in my head.

And what, say good bye? There will be no need to say good bye!

"What's gotten into you? Let go of me!" Blue managed to pull away from my grip, uncomfortably petting himself down to make sure his limbs weren't torn off. Oh come on, I wasn't that violent... Most of the time. I jab my index-finger at his direction, and then motion away from the mountain.

Now go away, I stay at the mountains specifically to avoid annoying people like you.

"Look, stop being such a silent idiot, and just tell me what you're thinking!" He swiped his arm as if it was a sword, snarling at me like his Arcanine. I wonder how that Pokemon was doing. I remain silent as usual, because that's the next thing I'm best at doing apart from never loosing a single battle. Only- I don't think I'd do too well in a singing contest. Eventually Blue calmed down, as neither of us said a single word. He gave me an apologetic look, as if it was all his fault that I never speak.

"We all forgot what your voice sounds like. Even your own mother. She wants to see, and hear you- she can't come to you, being in a Hospital bed and all. Like you care anyway, thinking too much about your precious Poke-" Once again, I decide to interrupt his sentences, but this time, I had a decent excuse. I swing my fist square in his face, and he stumbles back into the snow, almost creating a snow angel beneath him.

That assdick. How dare he even think that?

But guilt tore at my insides. I wasn't thinking too much of my own mother, for all these years of training... Was it my fault that she grew ill? Because I neglected to see her? I watch Blue rub his jaw in obvious pain, where I had recently punched him. My knuckles was still burning at the impact- I was never the kind to get into physical brawls. I left that to my Pokemon.

"What the hell is your problem!?" He hollered.

My problem? What's my problem!? You just assumed that I cared about my Pokemon more than my own mother! Why the hell would you even think that!? Not that I cared about my Pokemon less- I love both my Pokemon, and my mother equally! Silently walking away from him, I began to head back down the mountain. I now knew my next purpose- see mom.

"That's right, walk away from everybody and everything and disappear like a lonely, silent ass! That's all you're good at doing, apart from being the Champion of the whole damn world!" I could see Blue follow after me out of the corner of my eyes, his teeth gritting with bitter rage.

I marched on, ignoring him. Pikachu hops after me, and threw my hat back up to me. I quickly place the hat back on my head, allowing the cap to shade my eyes.

I felt hands grab at my shoulder- Blue pulls and turns me around to face him. Geez, his hands sure can grip! It's almost like he's crushing my shoulder. Either that, or I'm just not that strongly built for any physical contact whatsoever. I must admit, I never really work out- I leave that to my Pokemon. I seem lean enough anyway. Maybe a little too skinny, spending so long up in these mountains with barely any food or water to spare...

For some strange reason, Blue didn't look angry anymore- he just looked as if he lost the game. Well, he has lost our last battle, all those years ago. He's still angry at that? I'm not surprised. He was whooped pretty badly, even from a trainer like myself.

"You know what I always admired about you? You always listened to people, hearing everybody's stories. You were as patient, as you were powerful. What happened to you, Red? I know people change, but- I never expected you to be so damn different." Blue's words, for once, went into my ears, and echoed in my mind. Most of he time he'd say something degrading and pointless before I kicked his ass in a Pokemon battle. Ah, those were the days.

Yet... I've changed? How so? I just don't like taking crap from spiky-brown-haired people who used to constantly bully me all the time anymore. I'd say that is an improvement to my different self. I didn't even feel different- well, maybe that was just a lie to myself. As cleche as this sounds, I did feel a lot more hollow. Everyday the emptiness gets darker, and wider. And I don't, nor want to know why.

I frown and turn away from Blue, tipping my cap with my fingers to hide my eyes away again. Pikachu climbs up my shoulder and nips at Blue's hand, and he instantly draws away with a grunt. I hide an amused smile.

"I know you'll get to the hospital, Red. Just... Get there, you idiot." He murmured with strain in his eyes. He took out a Pokeball, releasing his Pidgeot. Mounting on the enormous bird-Pokemon, he took one last glance at me, and then lifted off into the mountain air.

I watch him fly away until he and his bird was a dot in the sky. I knew I could always fly away on Charizard, it would have probably been far more quicker as well. I wanted to see Mom, I really did- but somehow... I feared seeing her. Seeing her face when she looks at me with those loving, brown eyes she'd always give me. If I'm so different, what will she do when she sees me? I haven't looked at a mirror for years, and I pay no attention to reflections.

I suddenly feel a weak jolt of electricity across my whole body, and I almost jump up in fright. I turn to Pikachu with a small frown of disapproval, as it winks and cutely chirps at me again. Yeah, Pikachu's right- I better get Charizard out and fly there, walking there will take ages.