Chapter 27

The following days had been flawless for Fragola. He had never been this happy in his entire life. In the day time, he would go to the bakery and bake better than ever. In the afternoon, he would visit the organization that they decided to call “The Revision”. The name had to be something that would not make the goal of organization too obvious, and one of the new members came up with this name. Also, the organization gained much more attention in a short span of time. When Fragola first joined, he would see around ten people each time, and most of them would not bother to visit for a second or third time. However, after a while, they became too crowded and even those, who refused to come back again, decided to come. Although the founders had been too picky about the members in the beginning, later on, it became a popular secret organization. Each time the meetings gathered more crowded people, everyone found courage and hope inside to change the system with the revolution that they counted on too much.

One of those days, Fragola could not sleep at night. He turned around and around, but nothing helped. Nonetheless, Fragola did not help White sleep either. Eventually, White approached Fragola from behind, put her head on his shoulder and wanted to talk. “Is there something bothering you, dear?” She asked. Fragola was not sure if it was a good idea to be honest at the time. He knew, what he would say could discourage White and others in the organization. But he had to let it out of his system. “One thing that had been bugging me.” Fragola said. “Do you not worry at all? What if there are intruders in the organization? We became too crowded lately, and we don’t even know everyone’s backstory.”

White kissed Fragola on his check delicately. “My dearest…” She said. “I am not fearless, not at all. I worry about things just like you. Even our founders are worrying. But we knew from the beginning. We have taken a big risk. We put our lives in danger. This is worth for what is the cost.”

Fragola did not answer. He remained in silence and watched the night city from the window. Saffron City had never been so perfect for him, but now… He was not even sure if the city was meant to be graveyard for himself.

Fragola and White were in charge of checking the backstories of new members. They spent their whole Sunday reading the papers and coming the conclusion if they were likely to be honest or eligible in the organization. White implied that spending the whole day indoors while it was so sunny and warm was a shame twice. But Fragola was either too busy to pay attention, or he needed to feel safe, thus, he decided to not listen to what White suggested. Out of over 100 applications, Fragola was in charge of around 70 people. He did not cross anyone out, because he believed they needed too much people for this movement. No matter the age, sex or nationality, everyone’s help was welcome.

At some point, Fragola was lost in the papers so intense that White threw all the papers to the other side of the room and began to cry. Fragola put the pen on the table and walked towards her. He put his hands on White’s shoulders. “Baby… What is wrong?” He asked, clearly surprised. White leant his head on the wall and winked the tears away.

“You were right, Fragola…” White said. She sounded desperate. “We are in a big risk. If we make one wrong move, that will cost most of our lives. Will we success in the end? Will everything, everything that we do, be worth it?” White kept talking but because of crying, her words were not clear to be understood. Fragola held her tight and tried to calm her down. “Shh, baby.” He said. “I know why you’re scared. But I believe we are going to make it right.”

“How can you be sure?” White asked. She needed something more solid to hold on more than anything. Fragola smiled gently. “Because I feel inside.” He said. “I promise you, Jenna. No matter what happens, we will be together until the end. I will always be by your side to hold your hand, keep you safe.”

White hugged Fragola and put her head on his shoulder. “Are you telling the truth? Do you mean it, Rabbie?” She said. “I need you to believe in it.”

“I would never make a promise for nothing.” Fragola said. “Believe me, I won’t be lying.”

“You better not.” White responded.

The crazy, exciting, anarchist feeling in the beginning replaced itself with fear and concern after a while. Everything going well and promising sounded so unreal that especially White began to sense something fishy all the time. Although the truth was never spoken, the reason White had changed her feelings and courage towards the organization and the movement of revolution was that her life changed. In the beginning, she had no one to put priority than herself, and she put her life in danger for a meaning without a second thought. But after she met Fragola, she knew she had too many valuable things to lose. She wanted to get old with Fragola more than anything. Sometimes, she wondered if it would be the right decision to quit the organization and go to a beach town with Fragola and start a new life there. “Maybe we can move in a region where the revolutionary movement ended up in success.” She thought. But none of this could be easy for them. Furthermore, she had no idea how Fragola would react to this. He was more interested and passionate about it than anyone else around her. “I can’t ask that him.” She would think in the end.

One of those day, Fragola woke up like he was going to have an ordinary day. He had a breakfast with White, he reminded her to meet at the meeting in the afternoon, White promised that she would be there in time, Fragola went to bakery and did his job with love. When the afternoon had arrived, Fragola left the bakery and visited the meeting room of the secret organization. The meeting was going to be big this time. Around a hundred people were expected to show up and Fragola was going to have a speech with White. When Fragola had arrived, there were around 30 people waiting. Fragola greeted everyone and checked his speech for the last time. However, White was nowhere to be seen. Fragola wondered if she got late because she could not end her shift in time. Her boss would occasionally want her to stay extra hours. Normally, White would not accept it, but the price was good. Therefore, she would mostly agree with it.

Suddenly, a noise was heard coming from the entrance. Fragola put the papers on the table and walked towards the door. A group of black uniformed people were holding guns and walking inside. Fragola understood the situation at that second. What they feared the most came true. Somebody reported the organization and The Revision was officially raided. Fragola fixed his black tie and waited to be arrested. When the police officer approached close enough, he forced Fragola on the floor and shackled him from the behind. Fragola felt that was the end, because of that, he could not help the feeling he had at the moment, disappointment and sadness. There was one thing, however, that made him actually happy. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen, Jenna White, was late to the meeting, and she was still safe. She had a real chance to quit everything and move in a beach town that she had possibly considered.

Fragola, along with everyone in the meeting room, was put in a truck. The police officers gathered them all in the back of it and closed the door behind. The inside was pure darkness. There was not even a small light to see anything. Fragola sat on a metal box and leant on his back. During the whole time, no one said anything. Fragola felt guilty himself the most for inviting all these people, and in the end, he just let them be arrested and probably ruin the rest of their lives. What kingdom had been against the most was the infection of revolution. Fragola was sure that they would be known as traitor in the newspapers. The past few days had been very tiring for Fragola. After some point on the road, Fragola realized that his knees were in pain. He could massage them, but his hands were handcuffed from behind. Eventually, Fragola fell asleep. When he woke up, he had absolutely no idea how long he had fallen asleep, or what was the daytime out there. He wondered if Jenna White heard of everything already. What was she doing at the moment?

Fragola was taken to a place in the back of the truck for an unknown span of time. Fragola had no idea how many times he spent in that pure darkness. He was full of ideas and thoughts in his mind so intense that he could not focus on it.

Eventually the truck had stopped, and the engines were off. Fragola was sure that they arrived. The police officers got off the truck and opened the door on the back. The first thing Fragola checked was the sky. It was dark. The time must had been evening or night. But he still had no idea if that was the same day or the next day. The police officers roughly carried everyone out and escorted them to the ward. They were taken to the prison without a doubt. But where were they exactly?

“For how long we have been in that truck?” Fragola asked. His answer was a damage on his head. Fragola stumbled and fell down after the hit. His head was bleeding. But the police officer ruthlessly made him stand up and walk along.

“You will spend the night here.” A police officer said. “Tomorrow, each one of you will be interrogated. Until then, keep it silent.”

As the officer turned his back and walked out, the whole group found themselves in a big shock. Fragola felt ashamed to be in the same place as the others. Fragola knew that it was all his fault to let everyone in, and because of him, everyone had a ruined future ahead. He slowly walked towards a bed and laid down. He stared at the ceiling, thought about his situation. What was going to happen? What was Jenna White doing? He had no idea but thinking about all these things gave him a grant headache. He thought, maybe it would be the best idea to leave everything for tomorrow. For that night, Fragola only dreamed of many things that he desired to have come true.

Fragola and the others were not given any food that night or the next day. A police officer came to the ward and took everyone to interrogation room. Fragola was asked about the organization. He remained in silence the whole time. The police officers used force against him, but Fragola stuck to his decision of silence. Fragola neither gave any information regarding The Revision, nor other members. “You will be speaking out everything on your own wish. Soon…” The police officer said after he punched Fragola on his check. With bleeding nose and broken tooth, other officers dragged Fragola to his ward.

The afternoon in the ward did not get any better for Fragola either. Fragola was not the only one who got beaten. The others were even madder to the situation. They also did not stick to their silence anymore, instead began to blame Fragola for everything. “You are the reason we ended up here. You said it was safe to join you!” They said. Fragola did not bother to explain that there was always risk in it. Because they would not understand. Later on, six men in the group beat Fragola. Fragola tried to protect himself but he had no chance against six people. Two joined them later. The guardians saw everything behind the bars, but they did not interference. Watching a so-called terrorist beaten up was enough for them.

Hours followed days, days followed weeks and Fragola accepted the fact that they were locked in this place until they rot away. No one would come and give information about what was to come. If someone dared to ask, they would get beaten by the guardians and their truncheons. It became boring for Fragola. Dreaming beautiful things was not keeping him busy anymore. Furthermore, they would give him pain. Fragola was just sitting back and waiting for the hours to pass. In one of those days, a man came to the ward. He was a new face. Nevertheless, he was not just one of the guardians. Not only his uniform was somehow different, but also, he looked much different. He was bigger, crisp and healthier.

“Is anyone able to play an instrument?” He asked after he took his spot in the middle of the ward. No one responded until Fragola raised his hand. “I am.” He said. The handsome man checked Fragola from top to the bottom. “What do you play, young man?” He asked. “Violin.” Fragola answered. The handsome man nodded his head. “Follow me.” He said, as he left the ward. Fragola followed him right behind with his ragged, stinky clothes. The man walked until his office and opened the door. He sat on this glorious chair, and Fragola walked inside his office, waited on the foot. The man showed the empty chair. Fragola walked towards it and sat on it uncomfortably.

“Do you play violin well?” The man asked. Fragola nodded his head. “Before I moved in Kanto, I used to play in a café every night with my band.”

“What kind of music do you play?” The man asked again. Fragola took a second to think. Then, he talked with his tired voice. “My personal preference is western musicals. I love the taste of them. But I can play anything in request if I have the notations.”

“Western musicals…” The man repeated. He showed a paper that he took from his desk and showed it to Fragola. “Are you familiar with this?” He asked. Fragola took the paper. “I am not. But again, I can play it if you want.” He said. The man took a box and put it on his desk. He gently opened it and handed it over Fragola. “Let me see.” He said.

“I haven’t played in ages. If you let me practice for a minute…” Fragola said. The man nodded his head. “Take time as much as you want.” He said. Fragola tried some melodies at first, and then fixed the trim. The man liked it. In the end, Fragola was ready to play. He stood up, looked at the paper and played the music that the man requested. The music was called “Dance of the Fire”. Fragola played the whole song for 4 minutes.

“I hope you like it.” Fragola said, although he had no idea why he was asking this. The man had a pleased expression. “You are indeed good.” He said. He wanted three more songs to play. Fragola played each one of them. “You didn’t disappoint me.” He said. He knew that was the time to introduce himself.

“I am Larke.” The man said. “Corporal Larke. Because of our busy routine, we have been stuck in here as well. We eat here all the time. Our dining room, however, is too silent. I asked our general to have someone to play violin or piano. You are the one.”

“I left it behind.” Fragola said. “I swore not to play anymore. I can’t do that… If I knew…”

“You have no such choice as rejecting.” The man said. This time, he was serious. “We are not a night club here, and we are definitely not asking you. You are going to do what you are told.”

Fragola wanted to speak but he knew it could help nothing. He put the violin gently back in the box and walked out. A guardian led him the way back to the ward. Fragola had a routine later on. Every night from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., he would play the songs that he was requested without a stop. He had a dilemma for his feelings. He sure missed playing that violin and he was enjoying uniting back with it after all those years, but he was breaking his swear. The good thing, at least, was that, he could eat more. He did not have to be half hungry the whole time anymore.

Usually, the military officers would come to eat in the dining room. Soldiers were not allowed to eat there. Therefore, Fragola would see similar faces most of the nights. He did not know the rank of them, but he knew, they were important people in the military.

Corporal Larke seemed to be impressed quite a lot by the fact that Lorenzo was particularly interested in western music. In Kanto, the western music was not that popular. One of those nights, Corporal Larke got drunk and showed Lorenzo his collection of western music. They were the round devices that could play the songs, but they would sound weak. “There is no enough violin.” He said. “You have everything that I seek. Violin, taste of western music, passion to play it…”

Lorenzo only nodded his head. Not only he was not sure what would happen if any other military officer saw them, but also, he was not even sure what would happen if Corporal Larke remembered everything the next day. He probably would not be pleased. Therefore, he was nervous.

Corporal Larke sat on his chair and took a long look at Lorenzo. “You are a handsome young man.” He said. “Don’t you have a lover? A girl who adores you? I bet there are those out there crazy about you.”

Lorenzo felt sick. Thinking of Jenna was painful for his stomach. He felt a bit dizzy, but he pulled himself together by gaining support from the wall. Corporal Larke knew something was off. “Have a sit.” He said. Lorenzo reached to the chair and sat on it. “I do have a lover, sir.” He said. “I haven’t seen him ever since.”

“Does she know you are in Vermilion City?” Corporal asked. Fragola shook his head. “Even I didn’t know I was.” He said. “We are told nothing. We get beaten when we ask. We are not allowed to have visitors except for the elementary family.”

“But I haven’t seen your family here either.” Corporal responded. Fragola nodded his head again. “That’s right, sir. I don’t have a family.”

“What happened to them?” Corporal asked. He was genuinely interested. Fragola took a moment to breath in and out. “They… I lost them long ago. After the loss, I left my homeland and came to Kanto.”

Corporal realized that the more he knew, the more mysteries would come out. He raised his index finger, opened his mouth, ready to ask something until the door was knocked. Corporal took a second to check himself on the mirror. Despite of the fact that the officers were allowed to get drunk from time to time, he would not look messy. “Come in.” He said. The door was opened gently. A brunette came in. The lady had a red dress that fit her fine. Her body lines, the perfect shape, was in the front. The lady pretended she did not see Fragola, walked through the office and talked to the Corporal. Fragola felt uncomfortable, stared at the wall. The lady and the corporal were finally ready to leave the office. “I will talk to you later, young man.” The corporal said.

The following days passed rather calm. Fragola did what he would do. However, he had not seen Corporal Larke. He did not come to the dining room, he did not appear anywhere else. Fragola worried if he got himself in trouble for talking to him that night. However, he felt scared to ask. He was already feeling too tired to even be awake all the time. He could not take the risk of being beaten once again. Instead, he only did what he was asked and looked for Corporal Larke every night he went to the dining room.

One of those days, Fragola was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about his life again. He had absolutely no idea how long it had been since he was locked in the prison. When he looked at the mirror, he saw a tired person, an old man on the inside. He was neglected, his under-eye bags appeared. He was thinner than ever. He had no desire to take care of himself, cut his beard and smile with shining lineaments. He was not the man whom everyone thought friendly and nice anymore. Sometimes, the other members of the organization would beat him for nonsensible reasons. Fragola knew they were being harsh on him because he was the reason they were locked in, but he had no chance to do anything.

A guardian came in the ward. “Rabbie Fragola, come with me.” He said. Fragola was surprised. He would not be called normally. He was sure that he had no visitor, as there was no one able to visit him. He followed the guardian from the behind. The guardian walked through the hallways until he reached to Corporal Larke’s office. He knocked the door. “Come in.” A voice answered. The guardian opened the door. “He is here, sir.” He said. Corporal nodded his head. The guardian walked away, as Fragola came in the office. He was surprised to see the corporal after all this time. The corporal closed the door and showed the chair to Fragola.

“We don’t have much time, Fragola.” He said. “The government attorney issued the decision. You and your friends, all of you are going to be executed tonight.”

Fragola needed a second to understand the situation. The corporal was saying that he was going to die by the night. He sat down and tried to pull himself together. He did not expect to hear it out of nowhere. The corporal waited for a minute, then he kept talking. “I believe in your goal, however. The revolutionary movement ended up in success in where it began. Now, a new system is being regulated, where people have freedom and they have the right to choose their government. I believe in freedom, just like you and your organization do.”

Fragola did not answer. Would it even matter?

“I give you a chance to escape.” The corporal said. Fragola was shocked. He stared at him. “Why… Why would you?” He asked. Corporal remained in silence. “I want the system to change.” He said. “But we don’t have time for it yet. Listen to me carefully, because I won’t repeat it again.”

“Tonight, you are required to play violin in the dining room one last time. No one will tell you anything, so, you won’t know. At 10 p.m., you will be told that you are done for the night. There, do not leave the dining room. Instead, go to the kitchen and find the plate with your name on it. I will have it prepared for you. Eat well but do it as fast as you can. After that, you will find a uniform under the table, in a black bag. That’s the uniform of guardians. Make sure that no one is around and wear it. With the name tag on it, no one will suspect anything. We will have guardians from Pewter City as well. Everyone will assume you are from there. But be careful nonetheless. Go to the backyard. You will find a Pokémon, a Pidgeot. He will be expecting to see you. Don’t worry, she is tamed. She won’t hurt you if you approach properly. Ride her and leave this region. Have a fresh beginning. Go to the regions where the revolution is success. They will accept you easier.”

It was too much information for Fragola to take in at once. “It will be safer if no one sees you with me.” The corporal said. He let Fragola out and expected him to understand the seriousness of the situation as soon as possible.

While Fragola played the violin the whole night, he could not think of anything else properly. His mind was busy with what corporal said. He was told to overcome an army of guardians and leave the region. But how could he do that? He could not leave Jenna behind. Furthermore, he could not just leave what he started. The values that he cared about were too important for him. Jenna White was the reason that he found a meaning, she was the reason he felt something that he never did before. “I will.” Fragola said. “I will leave this hell for once and all, but I won’t leave Kanto until I defeat the kingdom…” He thought. He felt stronger with the decision he made. He was more determined to do what he wanted. “I will… Show you what people are capable of…”

At 10 p.m., Fragola was told to stop. Fragola put the violin in the black box and went to the kitchen. There were only three chefs talking there. Fragola found the plate on a dirty table. His name was written nicely. He ate the whole plate in around eight minutes. When the chefs appeared nowhere around, Fragola gently checked the under of the table. The black bag was there, stuck to the table. He went under the table and took the uniform out of the bag. He wore it. It did not fit him well, but he could live with it. He left the kitchen, acted as calm as possible. He walked through the hallways, but Corporal Larke forgot to tell him which direction to follow. He did not know the plan of the building. He just walked around to find the backyard. Sometimes, he would see other guardians. He would not have eye contact unless they have.

He turned from the corner and saw two guardians talking to each other. That was the dead end. Fragola turned his back, but one of the guardians shouted at him from the behind. “You, over there. Wait!” He said. Fragola panicked, but he kept it calm from the outside. He turned his back, as his heart was beating like it was going to rip off. Fragola and the guardian had an eye contact. He was one of the guardians that would often take Fragola from ward to the dining room. He recognized him.

“Where did you get this uniform?” He asked. Fragola ran through the hallway. The two guardians followed him right behind. Fragola randomly opened a door and saw the stairs going down and up. He followed the stairs down. In the end, he forced a door to the hallway. But he saw other guardians running towards him. Somehow, all the guardians were informed about him. Fragola ran to the other side of the hallway. However, other guardians were running towards him as well. He was stuck in between. Fragola failed to accomplish the task.

Suddenly, a roar distracted everyone. A Rhydon was running towards the hallway. The Pokémon reached to the middle, and attacked every guardian with his tough, strong body. The guardians hit the walls or fainted. Most of them were seriously damaged as well. Corporal Larke appeared from the behind.

“I intended to not be involved. But I see it is inevitable now.” The Corporal said. “Go, save your innocent soul, my boy.” He said. Fragola nodded his head. “I won’t run away, sir. I will stay and fight. I will go to where I belong, where I feel home, and I will make Kanto improve itself. Then, I will be sure to save you. You are not in trouble, sir.”

“Just go!” The corporal said. “You have no time!”

Fragola nodded his head and ran to the end of hallway. He opened the door and found himself in the backyard of the prison. A glorious Pidgeot was standing there with her wide, bright wings. She was taken good care of. Fragola walked towards her gently. “Will you help me?” He asked. Pidgeot opened her wings wide and cried out. She was ready for it. Fragola climbed her on the back and Pidgeot floated in the sky.

“I need to go to Saffron City. Can you do that for me?” Fragola asked. Pidgeot screamed and changed her direction. She was saying she could do it. During his 15 minutes of flight, Fragola enjoyed the feeling of freedom. Fragola was rusted between the moist walls and iron bars. He never felt fresh air in a long time. Pidgeot was bringing him the feeling of heaven. Pidgeot landed on the ground, let Fragola go down. Fragola patted the Pokémon’s head. “I wish I could award you, but I have nothing.” He said. Pidgeot opened her wings wide and flew away. Fragola was once again ready to accomplish what he left. All he needed was find his lover, get in the business faster, and fight the Kingdom.

Nothing could stop him now.

Humans

 * Rabbie Fragola
 * Jenna White
 * Corporal Larke
 * Corporal Larke's Wife
 * The Revision Members
 * Police Officers
 * Guardians

Pokémon

 * Pidgeot
 * Rhydon