A few days after receiving the note from King Red, X and Y met up with Riley at the beach South of Pallet Town. The rest of the Kalosians patrol the beach, and wait for reinforcements to arrive.

"Interesting," Riley says as he reads the note.

"Set up the meeting. Lure Red close. That's when you set up the ambush."

"What? Why would we ruin this opportunity to get what we came here for?" X exclaims.

"Because I am here for war. That is why I brought you here. Or should I remind you why Kalos still stands?"

X grinds his teeth.

"Follow the plan, or else."

"Or else what?" X says, grabbing his sword.

Y grabs her Pokéball and stands beside him.

"Do not bite the hand that feeds you," Riley says.

"You took advantage of us when we were vulnerable. But we are strong enough to take you down," Y says.

Riley chuckles. He then lets out a whistle. 

"What did you just do?" X yells.

"The real question is what did you do to yourselves?"

Riley points out to the beach. They're watching Shauna and Tierno from a distance, who are looking off into the ocean. X then spots two Lucario and their trainers headed right for them.

"You bastard!"

X charges and swings his sword at Riley. Riley grabs his arm and disarms him. He manages to pin his arms behind his back and forces X to his knees.

As Y is about to unleash her Pokémon, Riley's Lucario sneaks up on Y, holding his bone staff against her neck.

"I expected better out of you two. I'm disappointed."

"Let go of me!"

Shauna's voice is followed by a loud smack.

"Shauna!" X yells.

Two Lucario trainers bring Shauna into view. Each one is holding her up by her arm. A bruise is beginning to form on her cheek.

"You have lost my trust. Therefore, I'm going to take this pretty lady as insurance."

"No! Stop! We'll do what you want!" Y yells.

Lucario growls, forcing Y back.

"That's the point Yvonne. You'll get her back once the task is completed," Riley says.

He gestures towards his men, and they carry Shauna away. Shauna glances back in despair.

X struggles under Riley's hold. Riley punches X and throws him on the ground.

"Regardless if you listen to me or not, there will be war. It's the matter of whose side you want to be on," Riley says. He snaps his fingers and the Lucario surrounding Y rush to his side. They then walks off together.

Y runs to X's side.

"What are we going to do?" She asks.

X sighs.

They both look out to the beach, and watch Serena help Tierno up from the ground. She helps him make his way over to X and Y.

"The only thing we can do."

...

***One Week Later***

Red is sitting in his office. Books litter the room as he turns the page of one of his father's journals.

"The natives are becoming restless. I have to crush them before they become a threat. So I ordered to destory their beacon of hope: Luminose Tower. That should control the people in the capital. For the country side, I'll send some troops to burn down their crops. They will have to rely on me for all their supplies," Red reads outloud.

Red puts down the journal and rubs his face.

He can't believe his father did all this. And he was unaware of all of it. He has read three journals so far, but none of them have states why he invaded Kalos. However, the first one did mention something about searching some kind of artifact.

"Red! Can we come in?" Green yells from the hallway.

"The door is open," Red answers as he uncovers his face. Green walks in, followed by Crystal and Yellow. Yellow carries a tray with food.

"We brought you dinner!" Green says as she takes a look around the room.

"Thanks. Just put it on table over there," Red points.

The girls look over to it, where two trays of food already sit.

"Red? There's already food on the table," Yellow says.

"Oh. Then put that tray on a chair. I'll get to it after this journal. Thanks Yellow."

Yellow gives Green a look as she listens to Red.

Green looks over to Red, who started to read again.

Green sighs.

"Red. You can't keep doing this. You have to take care of yourself."

Red doesn't respond.

Green groans.

Crystal walks up to Red's desk and places her hands on Red's.

"Wha-"

Red looks up and he's face to face with Crystal.

"Red. Listen to me," Crystal starts as she forces him to close the journal.

"Everyone deals with death differently. Some cry for days, while others get absorbed in their work. I'm not telling you to stop, but please take care of yourself. For our sakes," Crystal says.

"Fine," Red answers.

"Thank you," Crystal says as she lets go of his hands.

"Yellow, let's go," Green says as she leads Yellow out the door.

As soon as they do, Red gets up from his desk and walks towards the hot plate of food.

"Did you eat already?" Red asks.

Crystal nods.

"Ok," he says as he takes a bite.

It's now or never, Crystal thinks as she takes a deep breath.

"Red, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"The ring you gave me. What does it mean?"

Red stops mid bite and turns to Crystal. He eventually swallows and stands from his chair

"What do you mean?"

"Why did you give me the ring? Is it because you thought it was the right thing to do? Do you want us to go on with the wedding? If so why? You just dropped this thing without a single explaination, and I have no idea what your input is on it. How the hell am I supposed to make a decision without knowing what you feel or think?" Crystal asks.

"Oh."

Red scratches the back of his head.

"Well, I probably should not have just dropped the ring off like that. I just didn't know if I was going to have another chance to. I did not know if there was going to be another attack, or my new duties as king would not allow me to see you. Plus, I did not want to take time away from your mother."

"I understand. But why did you give me the ring?"

"Isn't it obvious? I gave you the ring because I want you to be my queen. I wouldn't have given it to you if it were the case."

"Oh," Crystal says as she begins to blush.

"I'm in favor of us getting married, because we want to, not because we have to. I want to. But you have to decide if you feel the same Crystal. I want your answer when you're ready to answer. That's why I gave you the ring," Red says as grabs Crystal's hands.

"Make sense?"

"Uh huh," Crystal squeaks.

At that moment, Ash barges into the office.

"Red! A letter just came in!"

Red facial expression quickly darkens as he grabs the letter and begins to read it.

"Ash. Gather the vanguard. Let them know we move out in a month," Red orders. Ash nods and runs out.

"Sorry Crystal, I have to summon the council," Red says as he gives her a quick kiss in the cheek.

A frazzled Crystal stands in the office alone, holding her cheek.

...

That night, Yellow runs down the hallway. She pounds on the door. A sleepy Green answers the door.

"Yellow? It's the middle of the night! Why-"

Yellow grabs her arm and pulls her back into the room. She slams the door shut.

"I need your help."

"Help? Help with what?"

"I need you to teach me how to fight."

Green stares at Yellow. She then reaches out and pats Yellow's cheek.

"Oh. So I'm not dreaming."

"Green! Please! I'm being serious!"

Green rubs her eyes.

"Why on Earth do you want to fight?"

Yellow looks down at the floor.

"I'm worried about Red. Someone needs to watch out for him."

"He has Ash and his vanguard."

"But he needs someone to keep an eye on him, not follow his orders."

Green stays silent.

Green thinks for a moment.

"To be honest, I like the idea. But I can't help you."

Yellow sighs and turns towards the door.

"However, I know someone who can."

...

Green leads Yellow down the hallway to a different door. She knocks three times, then walks in. Inside, Blue is sitting on the ground, legs crossed. He has his eyes closed and keeps his composure.

"Wait here," Green whispers as she walks over to Blue. She sits next to him and whispers in his ear.

"What! No way! I'm not going to train her!" Blue exclaims. He turns towards the door and stares right at Yellow.

Yellow gulps.

"Listen! I'm not done explaining!" Green scolds as he continues to whisper in his ear. As she does, Blue's face begins to soften, and curiosity wins over him.

"Is it true Yellow? You can feel Pokémons' emotions?"

Yellow glares at Green.

"I'm sorry! It was the only way to convince him!"

Yellow glares at Green.

"If it is true, then we can both use your gift to your advantage in battle," Blue explains.

Yellow sighs.

"Yes, it's true."

Blue's face hardens.

"Fine. I am warning you now, your training will not be easy," Blue warns.

"I'm ready for anything."

Blue nods in acknowledgement.

"Alright. Then your training starts now."

...

***One Month Later***

Crystal stares at the black box sitting on the desk.

"You know, staring at it isn't going to change anything."

She turns and her mother is sitting up in bed, staring at her.

"Mother! You're up! How are you feeling?" Crystal says.

"Tired. Sore. But other than that I'm fine," she says with a smile.

"Do you need some water?" Crystal asks.

"That would be great honey."

At that moment, Silver walks into the room, a pitcher of water in hand.

"Here Mother," Silver says as he hands her a glass.

"Thank you."

After she drinks, Queen Ana begins to chuckle.

"Crystal dear, I haven't see you this worked up over a boy since you first met Gold."

"Ugh, Mother, do not remind me of that lunatic! He has no manners and constantly teases me! No respect!" Crystal says, waving her arms.

Silver and Queen Ana laugh. The laughter eventually dies down to a comfortable silence.

"Speaking of home, we need to decide when we're heading back," Silver says.

"Why?" Crystal asks.

"I just found out Red is meeting up with the attackers tomorrow."

Queen Ana's face goes pale.

"Mother, are you ok?"

"Y-yes. I just, those people are dangerous."

"Exactly. So the odds of war breaking out are high. We need to be in Johto in order to protect our people."

"That makes sense. But can Mother travel?"

Queen Ana attempts to get out of bed. Her arm shake violently in her attempt.

"Mother, relax, it's ok," Crystal says as she gently pushes her mother back in bed.

"It's fine. I can go with Stuart." Silver suggests.

Crystal looks at her mother, who sighs.

"Can you wait at least a week? I would love to spend more time with my children before war breaks out," Queen Ana says with a slight tremble in her voice.

Silver opens his mouth, but closes it and nods.

"Yes mother."

Author's Note:
It's been a while, I know and I'm sorry! May was a crazy month for me. However, I am trying to write at a more consistent pace (work permitting). I also started a Rant Book where I will discuss randomness, both Pokemon and nonPokemon related so feel free to check it out! I also have my first completed story, New Views, and my short story collection titled Connected to give you some other things to read while I work on Happily Ever After!
Sorry for the long AN!
& as always,
Happy Reading :)
-eV04