"So, are you two going to teleport me or what? I can't run all the way there," Hiro yelled as he made his way towards the twins. If they were really the Eon Duo, he had no reason to distrust them. After all, no Pokémon had ever betrayed him. Even the ones he had slayed yielded the same materials, none of them suddenly transformed back into a Ditto after death.
"Of course, mister, that's why we're here. Mother told me you might've have figured out who we are. Have you figured out who we are, Mister Harmony?" the twins giggled; Hiro couldn't distinguish their voices most of the time.
"Aren't you two Latios and Latias?" Hiro asked, before reaching out his hands. He was sure that was necessary for assisted teleporting.
"Wow, you're actually smart, mister. But we're sill young, or you wouldn't be able to figure out our identities."
"Where are your parents, then?"
"The Florist Lady."
"Wha-" Hiro didn't have time to screech as his vision was blinded ny a bright light for the second time, but much more soothing than the man-made flash he had used before. For a moment, his stomach felt like sinking and then he discovered himself on the highlands of Blackthorn; at least that's where he hoped he was. He had no idea what the place was supposed to look like. It definitely wasn't as foggy as he had expected. They had landed in front of a large building. It was the gym, as he figured out from the sign.
As cheerful as ever, the twins knocked on the door. "Miss Clair, you've got visitors!"
Clair stared at the trio, dumbfounded before breaking out in rage.
"Riko, Rika, didn't I tell you to not bring visitors this late at night?"
"Yes, but you see, miss, this guy really needed some help. He jumped straight into a pit without a rope, you see." one of the twins spoke out.
"Where did you even learn sentences like that? Anyway, come to my house. You three can't stay inside the gym." Clair sighed and got out of the gym. Her house wasn't far away.
"Thank you, Miss Clair, I've heard many tales about you back in my-" Hiro tried to spark a conversation as he followed Clair. He didn't like being dependent on anyone, but he had no choice. Besides, occasional help from people wasn't a bad thing.
"Back in your days as a trainer? Stop blabbering and tell me what were you up to." Clair interrupted him.
"Actually, I'm not a traditional trainer. I go around running errands." Hiro tried to clear things up, "This time I picked up the wrong job, but these two saved me."
"Of course they did. That's what the Dragon-type do."
"Wait, you know their true identities?" Hiro was taken a little aback.
"I didn't become a dragon master for nothing, Mister – what's your name, again?"
"It's... Hiro."
Hiro figured out it was time to start telling the truths, now that he was mostly exposed.
"That's a fine name, but what did you do?" Clair spoke up as they reached her house.
"You can find it on the news, Miss Clair!" Riko cheered.
"Damn. I'm famous." Hiro tried to laugh, but his tongue felt dry as a sandpaper again. Will he have to abandon everything and start again? What about Diana? He clutched her Poké Ball.
"You literally charged into a Pokémon Center and tried to coerce the nurse into giving you someone else's Pokémon? That's stupid, even for young men like you." Clair spoke as the four of them sipped tea and watched the newsreader go along the lines of:
"...The aftermath of the presumed terrorist attack at Goldenrod City's Pokémon Center around 8 o' clock this evening ultimately has no accounted casualties or any major upbringing other than the communication inside the building being down for a few minutes, trapping a few young trainers in and rendering the healing unit useless. The trainers as well as the staff are safe. According to a volunteer who goes by the name of Leaf, informed the media that the attacker indeed had no evil motivation, he was merely looking for the Pokémon of his friends; but Leaf was tasked to capture the attacker for unrelated suspicious behavior around the city. The attacker got away after distracting everyone with a flash grenade and mysteriously disappeared. He was supposedly working for someone he called Zach...
Hiro felt a smile creep up on his face. So they didn't figure out where he was yet? And Zach was a lead in this case? Things weren't as grim as he had thought, after all. He should be really grateful to the twins for bringing him here, but when he glanced to his side to look for them, they were gone.
"Uhh, Miss Clair, where did they go?" Hiro asked Clair, dumbfounded.
"Probably left for Goldenrod so it won't be suspicious. I trust their judgement." Clair nonchalantly replied.
Hiro was getting curious about them. "Where did they come from, anyway? I thought mythical Pokémon were just that, myths."
"They came to Johto seeking shelter after being chased away from their hometown. You've probably heard of Alto Mare, right?"
"Right."
"One day the city was attacked by another one of those gangs trying to use Pokémon for profit or something... they couldn't really tell me for sure. They said they ran away because they couldn't fight off them all and their technologies. They are actually the descendants of the previous Latios and Latias."
"What happened to the previous ones?"
"Perished, trying to protect them."
"Oh." was all Hiro could say. Did cruelty know no bounds?
"After coming to Johto, they took shelter with someone they call the Florist Lady, I've never met her," Clair continued as if she was talking to herself.
"Well, I have, she seems like a nice person." Hiro threw his opinion.
"Can you thank her for me if you ever go back to Goldernrod, for taking good care of them? I'm not suggesting you go back anytime soon, though."
"I know, but what do I do now?"
"What are you complaining about? There are plenty of errands to run here. You'll make a fine scout, with that stupid head and Dragon-like bravery."
Did Hiro hear a sign of praise in her voice? Maybe. But that didn't matter to him. He wanted to be the hero to only another being.
Diana.
"Thank you for your hospitality, miss. But it's still not clear to me why they brought me here." Hiro said.
"Oh, they probably hoped I'll give you a place to stay, with you now being a fugitive and all." Clair spoke in her usual tone.
"Will you be kind enough to do that?"
"No. You have to earn it."
"That was one odd way to tell someone to work, huh?" Hiro thought before excusing himself outside. He really wanted to talk to Diana and Porygon. Porygon could wait until tomorrow, however. He probably figured everything out already.
Hiro moved to a quiet part of the city before releasing Diana from her lock.
"Hiro! Are you okay?" was her first response upon being freed. Hiro smiled, the familiar sense of warmth he felt around her returning to him. For the first time since evening, he felt like things really were alright and no harm could befall them.
"I'm okay, Diana, no need to worry." he assured her, grabbing her shoulders. She was in her natural form, and the furs brushing against his fingertips were comforting.
"Did you get the Pokémon back?"
"Sadly, no. It was actually a trap."
"Now you know why I really never trusted that friend of yours, Hiro."
"You were right. Next time you get a feeling like that, let me know." Hiro smiled.
"But where are we? This place seems different." Diana inquired as they walked along the near-empty road.
"It is. We're in Blackthorn City."
"How did you get here?"
"Those twins I told you about. They also knew how to teleport from place to place."
"They must be really powerful."
"They are. I would like you to meet them if I see them again."
"Why not? Will you not go back to Goldenrod?"
"Maybe I can't, they're looking for me."
"Are we living here? This place seem peaceful."
"Probably. I think I'll start working as an actual ranger who helps people cross the Ice Path."
"That sounds just like you, Hiro."
"Does it? I don't care anymore. I just need a place to crash right now, I'm really tired."
"Just try to not help someone else this time."
"I'll consult you for advice in such a case, oracle."
The pair walked around the city and talked.
And talked.
Their world now only consisted of the two of them, and they didn't mind.
This was the beginning of a new life for them.
[The End.]
[Author's note: Thank you for reading! I would be nothing without your valuable attention. If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to write to me about them.]