•Underground Stadium, Kanto Ops HQ, Viridian City, Kanto•
•March 6th, Morning•
•Amber (Wolfe Alias) POV•
Chapter Forty-Eight
...Just Maybe
Darrius chuckled as he looked at both me and Silver. "Well, it was fun, but you still didn't even defeat a single one of my Pokémon, so you both still need a lesson in team work. Though I think today you got a small taste of what it feels like to actually work as a team instead of just bickering."
His gaze met mine. "So, Wolfe, as soon as you're well enough to walk, I'll have you two doing the survival challenge, anyway."
"You're kidding! They're doing that old thing?" Dex asked with an amused grin.
"It'll teach them the ropes of teamwork." Darrius nodded.
"That's pretty harsh. I hated it. Have fun, and good luck," Dex smiled and yawned. "I didn't realize how tired I got from battling. I think I might need to take a nap."
"That's not a bad idea; I suppose Wolfe should get one as well," my dad chimed in.
"I agree. Both of you, I order rest. I'll be bringing you back to your quarters, Dex. Silver, make certain Wolfe rests up. The sooner she's better, the sooner you two can have fun in the survival challenge," Darrius agreed.
"Fine," Silver complied with a grunt.
With that, Darrius and Dex left us as Darrius wheeled Dex out. Dad looked at Silver and me and grinned. "Well don't you two look ever so cute together."
I groaned. "Please, Officer Neilstone, you've got to be joking."
Silver remained silent.
Dad continued. "Really, I think you two would make quite a team. You battled well when you weren't fighting. But you definitely need to work on that fighting with each other. Wolfe, you need to be more lady-like and not be so defensive. And Silver, you need to learn to respect Wolfe as well. You might just find out that you two are more alike than you'd think if you got to know one another."
"It's hard to get to know someone when they keep everything a secret," Silver commented quietly.
"I admit, that's true, but you shouldn't hold it against Wolfe so much. She is under direct orders not to disclose personal information to anyone. Don't feel so angry that she won't tell you. She can't tell anyone—not even her own family." Dad said calmly.
"What's that supposed to mean? I always thought that Wolfe didn't have a family," Silver smirked.
"I do have a family, thank you. Parents, cousins—that sort of thing," I spoke up.
"Hmph. Right. So you lie to them, too?" Silver accused.
"I try not to, but some things I can't disclose." I sighed.
Dad put his hand on my shoulder. "I'm not saying it has to be instantaneous, but I think you two could become good friends if you just gave it a try. Anyway, I suppose we should head back to your quarters. I have something to give to you once we get there, Wolfe."
"Yes, sir." Silver began pushing me as the three of us went back towards the elevator.
"So, I heard you two are rooming together, huh?" Dad asked with a playful voice. "Guess that means you're Wolfe's boyfriend now, Silver," he joked as the elevator doors closed behind us, and we started going up.
Dad always loved joking with Silver; I guessed even after these circumstances, that hadn't changed, after all.
"I'd rather not even think of that, honestly," Silver replied glumly after we got off the elevator.
"You still miss my daughter a lot, don't you?" Dad asked as we continued to the mess hall.
"Yes sir. I miss her. Very much," Silver replied solemnly.
"I understand. I miss her, too, a lot of the time," Dad replied thoughtfully.
Dad, what are you doing?! Did Darrius tell you about the problems between Silver and me?
"…Mr. Neilstone, if I may ask something," Silver trailed in.
"What is it?"
"How can you act so cheerful? She was your only child. How can you just keep living so happily when her murderers are still out there today?" Silver said quietly.
Dad sighed. "Ah, Silver. It's not easy. Loss is never easy, especially when it's someone close. Be it a child, parent, sibling, friend, love, or teacher. Each person deals with it in their own way. I deal with it by remaining happy. I think of what a happy girl my daughter was, and how she always wanted to make people smile. She'd be upset if I let things get to me, even her own death, so, I try to be happy."
Dad continued. "I do miss her, but I'm fine as long as I think about the person she was. And, I know that we are working hard to catch the people who did that to her, so I know that in the end, justice will be served. In a way, her death is allowing us to catch even more of Team Rocket then just the individual involved in her death. I think that if she knew that, she'd be content."
Silver didn't reply for some time. Finally, he said, "I see."
"Silver, how are you handling her death? Personally. You don't have to answer, but I'm just curious." Dad asked.
I could tell Silver was looking at me so I said, "Don't mind me. I don't really care what you say—or not."
Silver sighed. "It's hard," he stated quietly. "At times I wake up and think I'm still in the schoolhouse, and that I'll find her already up and working on a lesson plan, or training her Pokémon, or just lounging around."
He paused a moment. "And then I realize I'll never see her again, much less be with her. Your daughter was my very best friend, Mr. Neilstone. I don't know if it's the fact that I found her that makes it even harder, but when I think of Amber now, at times, I see her dead in my mind. And I hate it."
"I see. That's understandable. I know how you felt for my daughter, Silver. Even though I make all those jokes about you being her boyfriend and whatnot. And even though you still might not realize it, I understand. You loved her dearly. It's hard to lose someone you love. It'd didn't matter whether you loved her like a sibling, or a friend, or even a boyfriend. The fact still remains. But, I just want to tell you this, so maybe it'll help you. You can think on it. What you're doing…is wrong." Dad said gently.
Silver stopped at that. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean the way you are handling things on your own. You're pulling away from everyone else. I saw how much your Sneasel still cares for you. Silver, don't pull away from your other friends just because you're scared you might lose them, too. Life is about losing sometimes. And you usually don't know what you have until it's gone, but it's best to keep on going." Dad gently stated as we were stopped momentarily.
"Make new friends and experience more of the world. Don't seclude yourself and wallow in hatred. It'll only lead to an early demise, and I don't want to see that happen to you. I know I wasn't always around when Amber brought you home, but you're a good kid at heart. Remember that, okay? Just think on what I'm saying." Dad finished.
"Yes, sir," Silver stated neutrally as he started to push me again finally bringing us to our quarters.
I got myself out of my own wheelchair before I could be pushed further, and I managed to limp to my room and get onto my bed. Silver stayed in his own little space in the living room while Dad followed me to my room and shut the door.
He looked at me as I sat in bed. "So, that's how it is…" he trailed off.
I tilted my head in puzzlement. "What was all that about, anyway?"
"Just trying to give him some advice is all. And, since it came from an outside source, now you know a little more about how he feels, too. I don't want to hear that you two are fighting any more, okay?" Dad asked gently, yet firmly.
I sighed. "Yes sir…"
"Wolfe, I mean it. I saw how you two were fighting like children in that battle. Both of you are old enough to act more maturely than that. And, Darrius told me about everything that's been going on with you two. Maybe now since you both understand a little more about each other, you'll keep it in mind next time you feel a fight coming on. He's a work in progress, okay sweetie?" Dad smiled softly.
I groaned. "I don't think there's any work or progress going on there."
Dad laughed. "You'll see. He may just surprise you yet. He's still not over losing you. He didn't have anyone with him to help him with the grieving process, and for some people, being alone for that is a living nightmare. You need to keep that in mind."
"But anyway, that's not why I came back here." He pulled a pokeball out of his pocket and handed it to me. "Here's Speckle, just like you wanted. If I were you, I'd tell her hi, but make sure Silver isn't around when you do since she does speak telepathically."
I hugged my Dad. "Thanks, Dad," I said quietly. "I know this is the best thing for her. She'll be safe in that Lapras pod. I just hope they're still there when I return to Johto…"
"I'm sure everything will be fine," he grinned. "Well, anyway, I need to get going. I have a case in Vermillion. Petty thieves keep making house break-ins. I need to see if this is Team Rocket related or not."
"Good luck with that," I grinned back.
"Thanks. Be sure to get plenty of rest and heal up. Good luck with Silver. I'm sure things will be just fine," he turned to leave.
"Thanks. I'll try my best to behave. Be careful," I stated as he exited my room. I yawned and lay down. Within a few minutes, I was asleep.
I had been through so much in such a short period of time, but there I was, back with my best friend in my life. People depended on me. The whole region of Johto hung in the balance as I did my best to recover physically and mentally from all that had occurred.
I knew that life from that point onward would not be easy, but with some luck, I could make it manageable. And possibly, in some way, I could somehow repair the damage I had caused to the people I had loved most and swore to protect with my very life…just maybe.
To Be Continued...