Hollow Demon 22

   So, this is life.

   Cruelty.

   Bitterness.

   Agony.

   Death.

   It's funny, really. How a person's reason to live and be happy can be snatched away in seconds. The first minute, you're actually smiling; actually thinking that there is no wrong in this world.

   The next minute: Your life is destroyed and dead before your very eyes, with your soul hanging in the balance.

   You just can't be happy forever, can't you?

   I can't be happy forever, can't I?

   "Cerbiii…"

   A small chirp echoed inside the abyss. His eyes slowly fluttered open, inviting the darkness as his only vision. Head turned left; emptiness. Head turned right; blankness. His eyes resulted with small, three blinks, mind still dazed as to where he was.

   "Biii…"

   There it was again; the chirping sound. He looked up, but all he could see was darkness. The man then stared down, eyes wide in horror to see his body floating in nothingness. "Where…" His body froze to hear the sound of his voice. His hands moved to his neck unwarily, thumb caressing his soft flesh. A gulp slipped down his throat, feeling the liquid oozed down to his stomach.

   There were no scars. There were no bruises. Not a single wound imprinted his body. Not a single tear of flesh was shown on his skin. His hand moved to his chest. His heartbeat pulsed in a normal matter, giving no signs of it weakening. Baffled, the man caressed his chest. There was neither a hole nor a trace of a stab on his torso. A gulp was bestowed once again. His empty mind was soon tangled with a million questions. "What-"

   Hi there!

   He looked up, eyes round yet again to see a small green figure in front of him. The Celebi flew around the only human, mouth forming a small smile. Oops, sorry to scare you. The time travel Pokémon giggled amusingly, hands cupping her tiny mouth. I'm Celebi, if you seem to have forgotten me.

   "Ce…le…bi…?" He asked in a dumbfounded tone. The Pokémon's mouth had not moved, but her telepathic voice was crystal clear in the man's mind. Celebi nodded, happy that he was still able to speak.

   Yes! And I'm guessing you can still remember your name, right Silver?

   Shock was all he could feel once the tiny legendary voiced his name. Silver blinked like an idiot, gawking at the giggling Pokémon. "How did you…?" His voice had gotten louder and clearer at each passing minute. "How did you know my name…?"

   Celebi laughed yet again. I've always remembered your name, Silver. I never forget it. In fact, Moving an inch closer, Celebi cheerfully mewled, I never forget about you.

   His body floated backwards out of reflex. Silver just stared at the tiny creature as if she was a ghost. He parted his mouth, wanting to ask a million questions that stumped his mind. But a second passed, and Silver shut his mouth again. The man looked around. The place was still coated in a blank, empty abyss.

   Suddenly, a thought entered his mind, making his heart skipped a beat and his eyes narrowed into a sullen glow.

   Now he remembered why he was here. Now he recalled why he would exist in such a barren place. He remembered the last fight he had inside the huge office room. He remembered meeting the only love of his life and duelling her to the death. He remembered a gun pressed onto her stomach, the metal contraption ready to release its bullet and snatch her life. Then he remembered locking her into a tight hug, mercifully begging her to snap out of her dark trance.

   He remembered her soft voice as she was slowing regaining back her memories. He remembered the ground violently shaking as Mewtwo went berserk. He remembered shooting Archer to make the wrathful tremor stop. He remembered tiles of the ceiling falling like shooting stars.

   He remembered seeing Kotone from afar as she lay unconsciously. He remembered seeing a sharp tip of a sword quickly dangling and falling to her death. He remembered dashing towards his girl, all the while mouth screaming her name. He remembered tripping and falling on top of her. He remembered something sharp piercing into his back that it plunged into the very core of his frailly beating heart.

   And most of all, the last of his memory – the only memory he had before disappearing from the world – that he remembered was himself whispering "I love you" before Silver shut his eyes forever.

   Even though his heart was now beating healthily, it felt like it had dropped down to the corner of his stomach. Looking at the patiently waiting Pokémon, Silver woefully asked, "Am I…dead?"

   Those words slurred out of him like dots of poison. He didn't need to hear her speak though for he knew the obvious answer. Silver looked down, his teeth gritting madly in frustration. Now he remembered. Now he remembered perfectly as to why he was wasted in such a dark territory. Hands balling into fists, he lightly banged his head. Clutches of his red locks were tangled between his fingers as Silver pulled them painlessly. His breathing got uneven and ragged. Light hisses breathed through his gritted teeth. "I'm…dead…Aren't I…?"

   He definitely knew the grim answer.

   Or so he thought. Yes and no.

   His head shot up, silver eyes gawking at Celebi's words. "What?" His voice was filled with confused bewilderment. "What do you mean 'yes and no'?"

   Silver's dumbfounded reaction made her giggle. I mean yes you're dead in that world. Celebi pointed her hands down, as if referring to the Pokémon world. But you're not in the afterlife yet. So your soul kinda hangs in between, thus not being fully dead. Chuckling, Celebi scratched the back of her head. I know. It's kinda confusing, isn't it?

   Silver merely gawked without a word, answering her question.

   A soft smile formed on her lips. You see, Celebi twirled around Silver, this is a plane that exists between our world and the afterlife. After your soul left your body, it travels to the next life through this barren plane. It takes a while to get there and your soul or anyone's soul isn't supposed to be 'awake' in the process. Realizing what she had done, the time travel Pokémon scratched her head again and meekly stuck out her tongue. In which I wasn't supposed to wake you up. My bad. She gave out a childish giggle.

   Her explanation only increased his dazed bafflement. Slowly, he looked at his hands. So…that means I'm still dead… A small frown curved his pale red lips. Even with Celebi's complicated and confusing explanation, it wouldn't change the fact that he was already forever gone. Both hands moved to his chest, feeling his beating heart; one that wasn't supposed to bump a single beat anymore. Eyes closing to a shut, Silver sighed bitterly. That means I'll never get to see Kotone…

   Suddenly, his thoughts screeched to a halt. Something else came to his mind, making him stare right back at the floating Pokémon. "Wait, if I'm…" He stopped, mouth apart and open. He could feel his body tremble in utter terror. Silver forced a gulp, unable to say those four dreadful letters. "If I'm…dead, then why are you here? Don't tell me you're…'gone' too?"

   Celebi blinked in confusion, then laughed out loud in amusement. Silver gaped at her enthusiastic personality.

   For a brief moment, Celebi reminded him of Kotone.

   No silly. I'm perfectly healthy and very much alive. She flew a few steps in front of the man's face, breaking him from his daydream. You see, I have the ability to travel to this plane whenever I want. Only a few legendaries and very few ghost Pokémon can do this. With a playful wink, she added, And I am those special few.

   The more she explained, the more dumbfounded he got. It took him a few minutes to finally let all the information sipped into his mind. "Wait, wait." Silver waved his hands while his legs kicked the airless air. "If I'm… 'gone' and you're alive and practically existing here now in front of me, then why?"

   A soft purr escaped her mouth. Well, Taking a few steps back, Celebi waved her arms up in the air, to show you this. A bright green light appeared above her head. Silver slightly flinched at the sudden light. His arms shielded his squinted eyes as the man tried to make-do with the change of situation. Finally, the blind light dimmed, enabling him to look forward.

   If not for the fact that he was already dead, Silver's heart would cease beating now as he saw the images on Celebi's portal.

   All were dressed in black. Thin, dark veils covered their sullen faces. A few gathered around, heads down and hands clasped together for a prayer. Only one lady stood in silence, trembling hands cupping her mouth. She stood in the middle of the crowd. Her legs wobbled weakly. Her shoulders couldn't stop quivering ever since she woke up. Her eyes were a deep red and fully swollen. Her cheeks were flushed yet thin. Finally, she fell on her knees. Her gloved fingers dug into the soft soil. Her hat plopped to the ground. Finally, a whimper breathed through her pale lips. The woman tried to scream, but her vocal chords had reached its limit. She just kneeled there; hopeless and utterly drowned in eternal sorrow.

   His tombstone stood in its place. Clouds shielded the bright sun, adding more grief to the mourning crowd. And even more despair in Kotone's shattered, demolished, broken heart.

   His eyes stopped at the name of the tombstone: Silver M. Wolfe.

   It was his grave.

   It was his funeral.

   Silver fell to his knees, though body still floating in mid-air. "I…" He mouthed out, eyes glued to the fallen, tearful woman. "Why…"

   Celebi didn't answer him. She looked as Silver fell into despair. This is your future. Or to be more accurate, your last and only future. She gazed upon her portal. Cries and wails of others echoed in their ears. But Kotone's voice was the loudest, making her form a sad frown. It's so sad to know that she will never be the same again.

   His fists were formed yet again to hear her words. Silver looked down at the abyss. He couldn't bear watching the tragic scene no more. Unfortunately, Kotone's broken sob was still heard, making him shiver in complete self-hatred and guilt. "Stop it…" He hissed lowly, hands cupping his ears. "Stop. It."

   However, it was too late. His mind soon stabbed him with such heart-stopping thoughts. He knew she will never smile again. He knew she will never laugh again. He knew he had brought her into a wave of eternal despair. He knew he had done it once again; bringing the people that he loved into complete sorrow and grief.

   Even though he was now a ghost, Silver didn't question at the fact that a tear was trickling down his cheek. Kotone…Please…Don't cry… His head gave out a few slow shakes. The man bent his torso that his forehead reached the same level of his knees. "Please…I'm sorry…" In the end, his voice was mournfully shattered.

   The Pokémon watched as Silver broke down into tears. Head inclined to the left, she slowly floated towards Silver.

   "Why…" She heard him asked yet again. "Why are you showing me this…?"

   It maddened Silver to hear Celebi answered him with a laugh. Sorrow replaced with anger, Silver growled furiously and looked up, "What's so fucking fun-"

   His words reached a silence once Celebi said, It's because I wanted to show you this before I make a few alterations.

   Well, that was unexpected. "Few…what?"

   Silver made the funniest faces when he was in shock. And that really made Celebi laugh in glee. She was beginning to build a liking to the young man. Oh it's nothing, really. Just a little something I like to do on my spare time, she joked as Celebi waved her arm, removing the horrendous vision. Instead, it was replaced with another portal.

   This time, Silver could barely breathe to see the images on the screen.

   It was the time where the violent tremor happened. The time where Silver saw Kotone fainted near one of the huge statues. The time where the tip of the sword dangled and threatened to fall on her; which in the end fell on him.

   "What the…" He was speechless beyond words to see himself.

   "Kotone!" He heard his own living version screaming for her as he dashed helplessly. He could see him cringed and groaned in wounded pain, yet body still pushing its limit to reach Kotone.

   Now let's see… Silver then focused his attention at Celebi. The time travel Pokémon stared at her portal, fingers lightly tapping her chin as if in thought. If we remove this tiny little fragment out of the way. Celebi snapped her fingers.

   The man gawked at the screen. A single tile fell from the ceiling – the same tile that made him trip and fall on Kotone. But before that piece of rubble could slam the floor, it disintegrated into clear nothingness.

   And just like that, everything changed completely.

   Instead of tripping, Silver was able to run perfectly. Instead of falling on top of her, he was able to pull Kotone out of the way.

   Instead of the sharp stony sip stabbing the back of his chest, it merely fell and crashed onto the floor.

   Silver then saw him and Kotone rolling on the floor, him groaning another painful sound. The redhead lay on his front beside Kotone, mouth panting and gasping for air. He could see himself staring at the brunette, mouth forming a thankful smile.

   Just as things couldn't get any more startling, Silver froze to see a small piece of debris falling on his head. His eyes went round, then seized into a shut.

   But instead of closing his eyes for good, this time, Silver just fainted.

   Celebi laughed happily. Silver gawked in silence.

   "What the…" He looked at the time travel Pokémon. The Pokémon had her back facing him. Slowly, the redhead stood up, legs slightly bent as his body still drifted like a balloon. "Why…?"

   A few seconds later, Celebi finally turned to face her baffled audience. A sweet smile formed her lips. Everybody deserves a second chance, Silver.

   That moment. That one single moment, Silver swore once the Pokémon muttered his name, it sounded exactly like his mother.

   Before he could do anything, Celebi's body glowed intensively. Her eyes gleamed an iris-less green glow. She raised her arms and looked up. "CerrrrBIII!" Green aura expelled from her tiny figure. Once again, Silver was almost thrown back. Growling quietly, he kept his posture and shielded his eyes. "What the hell-"

   "Mama! I love you!"

   He froze to hear his young self. Quickly, Silver looked forward, not caring whether the light was too bright for his eyes.

   Once he saw what was happening in front of him, his eyes were so round that it could bulge right out of its sockets and his mouth was so down it could tear off his face any minute.

   Because what appeared right in front of him wasn't a portal anymore. No. It was a thousand portals; all showing his happy, cheerful past.

   "Come on, Xander! Last one there is a rotten egg!" He could see his young self running along with his childhood friend and laughing happily.    

   "Weee! Faster, Papa, faster!" He could see his little self cheerfully waving his little arms while sitting on Giovanni's shoulder; the man himself running around in circles.

   "Mama! Lookie I made a drawing of us!" He could see his toddler-self proudly showing a picture of his family to his smiling mother.

   "I'll prove to you, Mama. I will be nice to all the Pokémon and I will be the strongest trainer ever and I will make you proud!" He could see his little self screaming in utter determination and his mother giggling in amusement.

   "Feraligatr, you…uh…You did…good…" He could see his teenage self awkwardly complimenting Feraligatr, the first time he showed affection to the Pokémon.

   "Guys, get off me before I go berserk again…" He could see his 17-year old self sighing in defeat as his Pokémon drowned him in their hug attacks.

   "Thanks…" He could see his recent self – the night where he apologized for his deranged behaviour - crying happily as he was forgiven by his team and gave him a loving hug. It was also the night where Silver knew he had finally obtained his family.

   All the memories. All the images that were shown. It all gave Silver a huge wave of emotions. More tears poured down his face. But rather than sorrow, it was replaced with utter blank bewilderment. Scenes of him smiling and laughing were all he could see. Images of his departed mother and father, and Pokémon planted into his eyes and brain. All of them laughed enjoyably. All of them smiled joyfully.

   "Cerbii." Celebi's voice snapped his attention. Another blind light happened beside him, making him turn to his left.

   A loud gasp escaped his mouth to see that this time, Celebi wasn't alone.

   A beautiful lady stood beside the legendary. Her body was cladded in a pure white dress. Her long, red hair cascaded to the back of her waist. The lady opened her eyes, revealing a pair of majestic, mesmerizing hazels. A gentle smile formed her red lips, happy to see the gawking child.

   It was Emery Wolfe, his mother.

   "M-Mama…?" Silver asked in completely stupidity. His tearful eyes didn't blink at all as he gawked at the woman in front of him. "M-Mama!" Like a robot, his legs swiftly dashed to her. "Mama, Mama, Mama!" He cried and cried again, sprinting as fast as he could to Emery. Without a word, she spread her arms, welcoming the child into her arms.

   In less than seconds, Silver embraced her mother. He hugged her neck and placed his mouth on her crimson hair, seeing that he was now taller than her. "Mama…" He mouthed her name over and over, voice broken into woeful cracks. Emery reacted with a sweet laugh. Upon hearing the soothing voice that was her mother, Silver swore he had lost his ability to breathe.

   He broke his hug, yet hands still gripping on her shoulders. His eyes didn't deceive him. His mother was really standing before him. Emery cast a loving smile as she met the man's gaze.

   Hand softly petting his cheek, Emery softly spoke, "My Silver. How you have grown."

   This time, Silver swore he really did die and gone to heaven. "Mama…" He tried to say any other words, but all that came out was that one single word.

   "Snea!" Another chirp made him jump. Silver glanced on the woman's shoulder. His silver eyes widened to see Xander happily standing on Emery's shoulder. "Xander! You're here too!" Without waiting for a moment, he snatched the sharp claw Pokémon and locked him in a tight hug. The Sneasel squeaked breathlessly, making Silver realize he was quite overdoing it. Holding Xander a few inches away from his face, Silver bashfully apologized, "Sorry…"

   'It's okay, Bro.' Xander forgave the human and tapped Silver's nose. The redhead chuckled dryly, tears still streaming down his cheeks. Making himself comfortable in Silver's arms, Xander purred lovingly. The man did nothing but laugh like an idiot, still not believing the miracle he was in. Silver gazed at her mother, who gave him a motherly smile.

   "I miss you a lot, Silver." Emery murmured softly, hand caressing his red hair.

   His cheeks were shaded in bright red. Silver looked down, droplets dripping onto his shoes. "I miss you too, Mama. I miss you and Xander a lot…" He hid his face on the Sneasel's soft fur, helplessly hiding the childish sobs that escaped his mouth.

   Suddenly, his body froze as his mother wrapped her arms around him. "Silver my dear, we were never gone." Emery pulled him down that Silver rested his head on her shoulder. "Both Mama and Xander looked out for you while you were in your journey. We made sure you lived a happy life. And even though you couldn't see us, we were always there all along, watching you as you grow up to become a fine young man."

   Hearing every word she said. Hearing every sentence that sipped right into his brain and heart, it made Silver cry louder than usual. He wept and sobbed shamefully. His arms turned into noodles and unwarily released Xander. The Sneasel fell, but quickly took a clutch of Emery's dress. He scurried to her shoulder and sat happily. Silver hugged her mother tighter, showing no signs of letting go.

   But to his dismay, it was Emery that let him go. "M-Mama…?" A jolt of panic slammed into him as Emery gently released his grip. "M-Mama…No…"

   Before he could scream, Emery placed a finger on his lips. "I have to go, my son. While you have to get back to where you belong."

   His heart broke and shattered to hear his mother could even speak such nonsensical words. Silver quickly gripped Emery's hands, head frantically shaking in disbelief. "N-No…Y-you can't-"

   "Silver…" Emery murmured again, seizing him shut. She flashed a soft, motherly smile, melting every ounce of his heart. "You're never alone, remember? I'm always here…" Her palm moved to his chest, stopping to where his heart belonged. "In your heart…"

   A frown was still all she could see. His shaking had gotten slower, but his eyes were still wet and swollen from all the crying. "I need you…"

   "I know, baby." She replied softly, yet with a hint of mourn herself. Both hands cupping the man's cheeks and hazel eyes gazing upon her child's silvers, Emery softly said, "But there is someone who needs you more right now."

   Just as she finished those words, a whole new vision of portals appeared around them. Silver gawked at the newly formed screens. His swollen eyes were round as saucers to see the images on each portal.

   It was Kotone.

   "You, boy! I'm asking you! Are you a stalker?" He could see Kotone poking him annoyingly as she asked him without fear; the first time they ever met.

   "Silver, huh? What a cute name for a cute face like you!" He could see Kotone happily complimenting on his name as she stumbled upon his Trainer card.

   "Silvy! Look! I made us friendship bracelets! Now wear it before I have Typhlosion burn you into a crisp yay!" He could see Kotone running towards him with her usual perky self.

   "Yay! I have a boyfriend and his name is Silver!" He could see Kotone jumping excitingly and locking him into a tight hug right after he – finally – declared a relationship with her.

   "My precious Skitty! Who's my precious Skitty? You are! Yes you are! Yes you are!" He could see Kotone comfortably snuggling on his head while he himself sighed in defeat.

   "You're a good man, Silver. You may be arrogant and mean at times, but no matter what, I always know you're a good and loving man." He could see Kotone standing before him as she said those words, resulting with his face being beet red.

    "I see you as a good person, Silver. You may have a dark past but who doesn't. Nobody's perfect. I'm not perfect. But people can change – whether it's for the better or for worse." He could see Kotone murmuring those words to him after she learned about his past. Silver knew, at that moment, he felt like it was a miraculous dream that someone could love a monster like him.

   "I love you…" Finally, his eyes stayed glued to an image of Kotone hugging him the last night they were together. Those three words rang in his ears like a melodious bell. The sight of her gentle, hopeful face had snatched his ability to breathe right. Unwarily, his body floated to that certain portal, eyes still stuck on the brunette.

   "Kotone…" His mouth whimpered her name, arms reached out to touch her face. Oh how he missed her. How he missed her voice. How he missed her face. How he missed her smile that always lifted his spirits up. How he missed her laugh that always brought a shine in his counting days.  How he missed her, the only light that brought hope in his once scarred life.

   He missed her. And foremost of all, he definitely loved her.

   His body slightly shook to feel a hand on his shoulder. Silver turned slowly, only to see her mother and Xander, both giving him sweet, angelic smiles. But compared to them, Silver still gave a sad frown. "I need her too. But I…" Silver slowly looked up, meeting her mother's gaze. "I'm going to miss you a whole lot…" He looked down, not wanting Emery to see more pathetic tears on his red face.

   He froze to feel her mother's soft touch as she touched his chin, slowly pushing him up to face her. Emery let out a low, loving laugh. "Silver, my dear and precious son," Her thumb lightly wiped away the drops that dripped down his cheeks, "you are never alone. I will always – always – be with you. And who knows? Fate works in many different ways." Her smile grew warmer, finally making Silver form a small half-smile. "One day we'll meet again. Even though at that time I won't meet you as your mother, but one thing's for sure, if it's meant to be, we will definitely see each other again."

   Silver could only be rendered speechless at his mother's convincing words. Finally, he took one long, deep breath and exhaled slowly. Pursing his lips, the man looked at Emery. Her smile was all he could see. He then peeked at Xander, who also gave him an assuring grin.

   A moment of silence wafted the air, surrounding the mother and son pair. Silver peeked from behind, eyes staring at the image of a smiling Kotone. His heart softened at the beautiful face, feeling a sense of want and need sipping into his veins. He inhaled another breath and released it again. Once confident that he was fine, Silver cast a glance back at his mother. With a wide, boyish smile, he cheerfully assured, "Then if that's the case, I can't wait to see you again, Mama."

   Emery's smile widened that it could reach her ears. "I'm so proud of you, my son." Both mother and son embraced each other, hugging for the last time. The hug lingered longer than before. A few minutes later, Silver released his grip and chuckled bashfully.

   The three shared their last laugh. Eyes on the Sneasel, Silver patted Xander. "You and Mama take care, alright?"

   Xander replied with a tenacious bark.

   Back on Emery, his eyes narrowed into a softer gleam. "I love you, Mama."

   Emery flashed a white smile. With a little tiptoe, she gently kissed his forehead. Just as she did, her body began coating in a bright white light. Silver could feel her body fading into non-existent. Though half of him was still shattered that he wouldn't be able to meet his mother again, the other half – the half that believed in fate – skipped in joy, anticipating to see not only the 'other' Emery, but also his Kotone.

   Just as they disappeared, Silver could feel his body feeling very light. He looked down, silver eyes widened in shock to see his body turning into white dusts. His mouth parted, but he didn't scream. He felt no pain, and for that he felt no fear. Instead, a smile was bestowed upon his lips. He felt calm and at ease. One by one the portal poofed into oblivion; eventually leaving only a fading Silver. He shut his eyes and looked up as the light reached his neck and chin. His smile stayed intact until the last ray of light finally covered him whole.

   But before he could return back to the life he once owned, Silver could vividly hear the last words of his mother: "I love you and always have, my beloved Silver…"