When Those Sapphire Eyes Shone

Prologue

Pag-ibig ay isang kakaibang bagay,

Minsan maaari itong lumikha ng ng pinakamaramingmagandang mga alaala

Minsan maaari itong lamang magdala ng kawalan ng pag-asa,

Ngunit ito palaging nagdudulot ng pag-asa.

Hindi mahalaga kung gaano katagal mo na-hiwalayin

Ito ay pa rin doon.

The rustle in the leaves could be heard nearby as the sounds of rushed footsteps crushed the twigs underneath his feet. Pokemon nearby scattered back into the deep woods as he rushed by. The evening sun shone down on him as the shadows under his feet looked like they had twisted into dark demons and were ready to captures his soul. This only made him run faster. He reached his hand out and pushed branches aside before feeling one hit back, sending him down on his feet. Mud and dried up leaves were in his mouth as he spat the taste away.

His eyes shook when the haunting image came closer and the sense of fear raised him to his feet, recklessly running down narrow paths between the huge forest trees. He patted down around his waist and cursed under his breath.

Of all times to leave his pokemon it had to be today.

Holding onto the straps of his backpack tighter he came to a stop and noticed a steep fall was going to greet him if he continued. Taking a quick glance back he saw the haunting image wasn't going to stop. Swallowing hard he hid behind a huge trunk of a tree nearby and prayed under his lucky stars. Closing his eyes he heard the roar before hearing it scream as it recklessly ran pass the trainer wondering why he came to a halt before finding out why.

The provoked Ursaring fell down the steep hill, hitting its head on some bushes on the way down. The trainer looked from above glad to be alive and stopped when he did as minutes later he watched the pokemon walk away, no longer having the ambition to chase after him. Still not moving from his spot, his feet started to sink into the ground before discovering that was not the case.

The ground was not stable due to a sudden landslide in the area.

Before the young boy could scream for help he felt his legs being tugged into the ground as he fell down for the ride. It kept on going and what felt hours in reality were only seconds. He kept his eyes closed even when the nightmare was over but he couldn't help but wonder if what had happen been real. So his eyelids slowly rose and his auburn eyes shone. Mud, fallen trees and leaves greeted him no matter where he looked. He was glad he wasn't sucked into the depths of the mud like he had felt.

With little energy in him he pulled his backpack from his shoulders and pulled the zipper to showcase what was inside. The berries were bruised but nothing was squashed. The trainer gave off a sigh of relief- at least something went right.

Sudden vibrations cut through the air at high speeds filled the sky above him. It was a sound he was too far familiar with.

"Beedrill." He cussed underneath his breath.

The sunlight rays bounced off their needles sending glare into his eyes, casting his hand over his eyes as the pack of Beedrill came in closer. Opening his eyes for a brief moment the trainer was able to shut his bag tight before pushing himself up to his knees before feeling the mud shake. Looking to his right he noticed small holes appeared from the ground due to the Beedrills using Poison Sting but missed horribly.

"I was never good with Beedrills." He rushed up to his feet and threw his bag over one shoulder.

The sound of the air being cut due to the Pokémon chasing him was something Ash knew he was never going to get used to. But after being chased by another Pokémon beforehand and falling down with a landslide his legs suddenly had enough and toppled on him. Sending him down onto the ground. Mud greeted his face once again.

Opening his eyes and turning to face the sky he noticed the Pokémon where ready to send thousands of small poisonous needles at him. Ash didn't waste any time and tried to push himself up but his body refused. He tried again and again but to no avail. He looked back up and their needles shone even more into shades of neon purple. He simply closed his eyes and waited for it to be over and done with.

After some time later, and nothing happened, Ash opened his eyes; the young trainer saw a huge beam of fire crossing his body, just missing him as it went straight into the pack of Beedrill. The flames wrapped themselves around the Beedrills as it broke into fire separate beams of their own, taking shape of a star.

The Pokémon screamed its own name in pain and flew off into the distance. Ash rested his head down and looked behind him. First he could see nothing but black boots as the sun fell deeper and deeper into slumber behind the tall trees in the forest. Ash rolled over onto his stomach as he pushed himself up to his knees. In the distance was a coated person wearing what seemed to be a mask of a Mega Blaziken.

"You."

The man didn't reply to Ash as he took steps closer and closer to the weak trainer. He didn't seem to stop until footsteps were heard in the distance, making their way over to them, as they got louder as the seconds went by. They suddenly came to a halt as Ash glanced over his shoulder.

"...Serena."

Her teal eyes that were always filled with such excitement and joy were suddenly replaced with dread and fear after seeing in the state Ash was in. Mud and dirt stained his clothes and cuts and bruises, though they were not that severe still sent chills up the girl's back. The light brunette's footsteps were heard through the forest with the setting sun behind it before a flash of fire was seen heading towards her where the mask man stood. The move was uncalled for and unpredictable. Things the man was known for doing.

Although all he took was a quick glance Ash knew where it was heading and with the little energy he had left, rose to his feet and fell down on Serena, both dodging the Fire Blast attack that was aimed originally at her.

He heard her scream as they both fell down on the wild grass with Ash's arm over her waist, like he was acting like a barricade for her. The steps of the man went closer, only by a step or two as the setting sun casted more shadows through the forest. Pulling himself from his close friend Ash's eyes made their way to the masked man as his long coat swayed with the wind.

Due to all what had happened Ash was too tired to speak or even move as his sight on the man was weakening. Serena on the other hand rose to her knees and kept him balance on his own as she was too busy looking at him than the man that her tried to kill them again. Keeping him upright while keeping control of her emotions were proving difficult for the young racer.

His hand was seen near its mask as his fingers wrapped around the mask lightly and sudden, a face was revealed. He couldn't see clearly except the sapphire eyes shining as bright as the setting sun behind them. His eyes thicken, as tears were seen running down his face before his eyes found a way to close on him. The panic screams from his close friend didn't stop as she held him close to her chest.

When Serena gazed at the masked men the mask had returned. With a sudden blink he had faded as the young trainer looked back at her fainted friend. Somehow his tears didn't stop as they kept on rolling for a few seconds later before they came to a stop.

Ash didn't want to stop looking as the cold sapphire eyes that stung him deeply. A minute longer, that was all he wanted. Maybe if he were stronger he would have and then maybe, maybe ask questions why. He didn't have to see their face to know, it was those eyes that told him everything.

And maybe, when they would meet again, he'll ask for forgiveness, something he didn't want from her until now, when those sapphire eyes shone.

Hours had come to past and with the help of his friends Ash discovered he was back at camp with voices overheard, causing him to slowly wake up after fainting in the forest, recklessly saving Serena from what of could of been a horrible, horrible accident. He pushed his body up to a sitting position and held his sore head. His fingertips came across bandages wrapped tightly around his head before his eyes came to contact that so did his wrists.

Everything felt sore, everything felt painful and it only felt worse when the image of the unmasked person came into his mind. Ash held his head tightly as he tired to shake his head, but even that proved to be painful. Looking around his could see not even his Pokémon were around in the tent he was in. He gave up thinking the reason why as the voices from outside made their way to him.

"It was just meant to be a simple trip to gather berries. How can it get so bad?"

"I have no idea, after I heard the landslide I just had to check things out. I'm so glad I did."

That was Serena's voice. Ash was sure. The other took time but he soon recognized it to be Clemont, another new travelling companion of his.

"But Ash is okay, right? Nothing bad happened to him?"

The other voice was filled with panic; a voice that was normally filled with cheer was suddenly distressed. It was no other but Bonnie.

"Yeah, I've tended to his wounds. Lucky they weren't as bad as I first thought. He should be fine by the morning, after that we can continue to travel into the next town for Ash's next gym battle."

"He would be excited to hear that!" Serena's voice was filled with cheer.

Next thing that filled Ash's ears was the sudden jump that Serena had made from what he imagined to be from the table and chairs. Next were her footsteps before the sound of the tent door opening wide and by the entrance was the woman herself. Her smile was wiped away when she saw the condition he was in.

"I heard everything."

Serena pondered as she tilted her head to one side, "Then why don't you sound excited then?"

"I nearly got you killed, what is to be excited about that?" He avoided eye contact with her as he lay on his back and rolled to one side. "And just because I couldn't get some decent berries."

Serena's eyes didn't leave him as she crawled deeper into the tent and placed her hat by the entrance. Gently she sat by his side, her arms wrapped around her knees. Ash rolled to his other side with his back facing his dear friend. He closed his eyes in hope he would return to slumber but his body stood awake. He readjusted the pillow his sore head was lying on before both sitting in silence. Even with their background - knowing each other since they were children they still had their moments where they wouldn't speak a word to one another.

Ash had saved her once again, like in that moment in the forest when they were children. He had come to her aid. All she got that day was a sore and bruised knee. He on the other hand got more than a simple bruise.

"You couldn't predict that was going to happen Ash." the brunette began.

"You talk like that isn't the first time that has happened." His voice was low. "Sometimes I wonder why he suddenly saves us and then tries to hurt us the next minute."

"Don't worry about it." Serena fanned her hand. "I promise I'll be careful."

Ash's eyes gazed at the blank canvas of the tent wall. "What if there is no next time?"

The young trainer had no words to say and gave off a sigh. Their conversation was leading nowhere. Reaching over for her hat she placed it on tightly before taking one more look at her old friend. He didn't move, not even to look back at her like he would always do. He didn't greet her goodnight with a smile or a wave. He just lay there, on one side with his face facing the tent wall. Staring into oblivion.

The empty silence told Ash that Serena was no more and he finally rolled onto his back; nothing but the ceiling of the tent in his view. His eyes half lit as he gazed at his wrist, wrapped in bandages of their own. Blood was starting to stain the outside layers of the material but Ash decided to ignore it as he closed his eyes.

The image of the huge blast of fire that had saved him played in his mind before the traumatizing attack suddenly turned on Serena. With his weak and whimpering body he was able to save her just in time. Damaging his body even more from the fall. The pain was still fresh throughout his body.

He save another, yet another still remained lost.

"I don't want this feeling." Ash heard himself speak, which surprised him. He thought he had convinced himself he had spoken those words only in his head.

It had been years since the heart in his chest beat so. The stuttering, the overprotecting, the mentoring. He had done that all before and his feelings then were no different to now. He clenched onto his blanket tighter as the memories poured through. Sometimes, when she smiled he would see her pouring through. He didn't like it for many reasons. One, he would sometimes remember her smile for somebody else and second, after tonight he hated it more.

"Just go away." He begged. "I don't need this."

A sudden shadow was painted on the blank canvas of his tent outside. The campfire still stayed alive, bright enough for the shape to take place. Ash acted like he didn't know what the image was by the way he kept staring at it with his empty eyes. His emotions were everywhere and his mind was at a lost.

But he couldn't keep him waiting.

With a gentle push, his blanket found their way off of him as he pushed himself up to his knees. Lifting up one legs proved tricky as the other followed, only taking note now that his right leg was also covered in bandages; it was the same foot that got sucked into the landslide hours earlier. So each step he took with that foot stung for a few seconds before he would repeat it again. Ash was surprised he made his way outside with little to guide him. Looking around he saw Pikachu making his way to the tent before seeing the surprise in his eyes to see his trainer outside.

His cheeks suddenly had sparks flying when he greeted Ash's mysterious companion. But a hand was held out telling him to stop and even relax. The sparks may have ended by the little mouse kept his guard up and stood in front of his trainer.

"I'm surprised you even went out."

Ash had no response and looked at the man with a blank reaction. The man examined Ash's posture and noticed he was holding on his left arm tightly and was leaning to one side. A bloodstain could be seen coming through his bandages that were on his wrist. His eyes avoiding his.

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

Still avoiding the man's gaze. "Where do I even start?"

The man chuckled, "You could ask if I'm alright."

Finally finding the courage to look the masked man in the eyes, "That's a dumb question; I obviously know that isn't true."

"You haven't even asked."

"I don't need too." The trainer explained. "When you took off your mask, I looked into your eyes and I knew everything wasn't."

The masked man took a step back in shock. He didn't remember Ash to be so observant. If he did he would never remember it for long. To take in something so deep and keep it was rare since all Ash ever wanted was to battle and reach his dreams. His friends just helped him along and he helped them with their own ambitions.

His hands reached deep into his coat and pulled out a small bottle. The bottle was transparent and the liquid could be seen inside, swaying along to any movement the owner would make. A small step was taken and Pikachu's cheeks lit up again, sparks ready to escape his cheeks.

"It's alright buddy, relax."

The mouse's ears perked up, "Cha!?"

"Trust me." He even managed to give off a small smile.

Following the orders of his trainer the mouse took a step back and watched his trainer and the mysterious trainer meet up. Their hands meeting as the bottle was giving to the injured trainer. Pikachu watched as Ash completely avoided looking at the man even with the mask on. Every time they would meet their reactions would be different, one day he would save them, the next he would try to hurt them. Was he just toying with their lives?

When the medication was placed into the hands of Ash, the trainer made his way to his own mask as it slipped off with ease. The hair soon followed as it fell down his shoulder with ease. Opening his eyes shone the same eyes from before. A smile was seen but it wasn't how they both remembered it to be. It was painful for them all.

"Take care." The hand of the trainer softly patted the cheek of Ash and soon the mask made its way back on the trainer's face.

His lips trembled as he bit his bottom lips to stop, but he couldn't. He closed his eyes and hung his head so nobody would notice the tears flooding his face. He always hid his tears from everyone - even Pikachu.

"You really care for me, don't you?"

His head perked up at the sudden soft words he heard. Holding his arm tighter, Ash gave off a small cocky smile. "You have no idea." But the smile didn't last long and noticed the man that wore the Mega Blaziken mask had now gained some distance from them both before fading into the distance.

Faded into the darkness - it now had become his home.

As Ash turned back to the direction to the tent he woke in, soft lips graced his right ear.

"That makes me very happy to hear that, Ash."

And like the wind the presence of the mysterious trainer faded, back to the darkness he had now called home. A sudden breeze passed them both as Ash stood still in the early hours of the summer night.

They were not the words he wanted to speak - to hear yet, he spoke them anyway.

He wanted to yell, to scream but he couldn't. He wanted to ask him so many questions one after the other or even send Pikachu to battle. Cuss on how he could involve Serena into their problems. But he just trembled at even thinking of his name. His short name all of a sudden became hard to pronounce.

"I don't want any of this." He held up the bottle of medication to his eyesight before looking away. "Always leaving with a gift. How typical."

At least he cared. At least she still cared.

Love is a strange thing,

Sometimes it can create the most wonderful memories

Sometimes it can only bring despair,

But it always brings hope.

No matter how long you have been apart

It will still be there.

A/N:

I promised I wouldn't do this. I really did. I did everything I can but nope, never happened. Ugh, I hope I don't regret this later on. Please.

Anyway I think I trolled my readers with the starting of the chapter in filipino. xD I just wanted to start off different. lol. The bottom half is the translation of the top. I really did purposely made it into a different language so it will give you more reasons to read all the way to the bottom. The quotes are written by, yours truly (me) and most of the chapters ahead will have quotes written by me. xD

A long prologue I know but it sets up the story. Now, I won't write the next chapter until a few episodes of XY will come out or whenever I finish playing XY (the game) since I refuse to be spoiled about the story line until I finish the game myself. (and plus I'm at the lost with the pairing. lol)

This will be updated slower than my other fics because I need a few moments from the XY to start the base of my story as the rest will be based of my total imagination. So I'm treading carefully when to and not to update this. Please understand. :D

~midnight