Hello everyone, this is chap 3.5 XD
Why? because this chapter isn't related to a holiday or a special day but I felt the need to include this for a background and develop a little further the story.
I was writing this at 3 am and my head felt like it would burst so it was a little rushed, I hope it makes any sense.
The title for this chapter comes from a Drogonforce song, I think it kinda suites Green's thoughts and it conveys a lot of what I wanted to write but guess didn't manage XD, if you have a chance to listen to it I recommend it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pókemon and probably never will...
On with the story!
Trail of broken hearts
Green returned to his usual activities in Viridian city's Gym after New Year celebrations ended but not before he went with Red to talk with his grandfather about Red's situation; at first Green seemed reluctant to ask for his gramps help but for Red's sake he would swallow his pride. Red saw Green's discomfort but wasn't sure if he should ask what the matter was.
The professor was surprised to see both boys in his laboratory for different reasons. He looked happy that Red was visiting, in the other hand he didn't seemed to like Green's presence.
While Green was explaining the situation the tension between his grandfather and him was palpable and as it was expected after Green finished talking the professor immediately accepted Red as his assistant.
Red didn't know what to do about the situation, he felt relieved to have a chance to begin and do something with his life and move from there but at the same time he was concerned about Green and the issue with the professor and it looked like he had just made it worse.
"Well with that out of the way I'm outta here" Green said disgusted and left leaving Red and the professor behind, Red thought that things with Green could never be easy.
Days passed and Red didn't have a chance to see Green, he was occupied learning his was around the lab and the other boy… well he probably had things to do too.
One of those days Green appeared at his door, Red invited him to pass. They sat at the couch neither saying anything at first until Green broke the silence.
"I'm sorry 'bout the other day…" Green began "Gramps and I don't have a good relationship" He chuckled bitterly 'evidently' he thought. "I… kind of lose my patience after a while when I'm near him"
He continued "I didn't mean to be rude with you as well… I wanted to tell you that sooner but things got crazy at the Gym"
Red nodded, relieved to hear that Green was still ok with him. He had been anxious just thinking that the emerald eyed boy had reverted to being mean with him.
"What's the problem with the professor?" Red asked, not wanting to be intrusive but genuinely interested in the situation between Green and his grandfather.
Green looked pensive for a moment debating whether or not he should tell Red of the nature of the conflict with the old man.
"Yeah… I guess you have the right to know" He said aloud "…and I suppose now is better than any other time" He looked Red directly in the eyes. 'Fortunately Hanako doesn't seem to be around at the moment' Green thought and sighted heavily.
That gesture signaled Red that the issue was probably more complex and sensitive than he had expected but if Green was ok with sharing a little of his burden he was more than happy and willing to help.
"This has something to do with the way I behaved before and after we began our Pókemon journey…" Green sprawled on the couch and stared at the ceiling trying to feel more comfortable while speaking.
"You're aware that gramps took care of me when my parents passed away…" Red nodded in spite that Green wasn't asking a question. "He raised both Daisy and me, providing us with whatever we needed, food, shelter or whatever… he also took charge of my education; he taught me everything I knew about Pókemon and more" Green directed his gaze at Red and then at the ceiling again.
"My grandpa raised me in a way that I would fulfill his broken dreams and I felt like I owed him my life and believed that it was my duty to attain what he wanted" Green said sadness tainting his voice.
"I was always studying and preparing for the task that had been set for me…" Green smiled a little "…unless I was playing with you." Red smiled too remembering those times.
"Grandpa always said that I was meant to be a great trainer and become champion; succeed where he had failed."
Red felt his heart sink, he understood now where this was going; for years he had yearned for an explanation to justify Green's sudden change, what reasons the other boy would have to treat him like he hated him and the answer was finally being shared with him.
"At a time I began spending more time with you and started neglecting my studies, I suppose grandpa wasn't very happy with that and I would bet anything that this was the moment that everything changed." Green slumped a little.
"To keep it short…he was the one that got into my head the idea that you were my rival and that I had to take you down no matter the price and after a while I believed it…" Green paused a little thinking of what he said. "I don't mean to say that grandpa's entirely responsible for my actions… I… I knew that I was hurting you and I kept going; you were dealing with Team Rocket and Blue and a lot of shit and I kept adding more weight to your shoulders and just to prove I was better than you." Green looked dejected.
He continued "When you disappeared I realized all the stupid things I did… and… well it took me a while to understand that I'm the owner of my life and I began to take the reins of said life." Green sat upright again. "What bothers me the most is that you had to disappear for me to realize all of this." He was angry with himself.
Red didn't know what to say or do with such revelation. He was shocked to say the least, learning that the great professor Oak had in some way brainwashed his grandson to achieve his goals, knowing that a kid that age was vulnerable and easily influenced.
Green tried to lighten the mood smiling a little "I´m sorry... I sidetracked from the main discussion, that being why gramps and I don´t get along now, right?"
'There's another reason?' Red thought, Green seemed to read Red's mind.
"What I just said is part of the problem but not all of it… let's see…" Green tried to organize his thoughts.
"I believe the main problem is that he's disappointed of me."
Red looked skeptic, why on earth would the professor be disappointed? Green has accomplished a lot of things at his short age and only time would say of what other things he was capable of.
"…when I returned from Victory Road empty handed he expected me to settle for the same path he chose, I was about to accept but something inside me kept me from doing it, I refused eventually and he didn't took it well… guess he still believed that I would do whatever he said." Green shrugged
"Since then he had taken upon himself to disapprove of everything I do… and of course it gets to me sometimes and others it just annoys me, I can't understand what he's thinking nor what he expects from me" Green finished.
Red had a sorrowful expression; he couldn't imagine how it was to have the person who raised you reject everything you have become, for a dumbass reason.
"Hey! No need to put that face!" Green poked Red's forehead playfully. "He's family, there's nothing to do. Just promise me something."
Red nodded.
"Don't let any of this affect your work with him ok? He might be might be a son of a…. ahem… I mean he might be a difficult person at times but he's the best at what he does and this is something the old man and I have to sort out… one day." Green tried to look cheerful.
Red was stunned to hear Green vouch for his grandfather despite everything that was said, it made Red look at Green in a new light, with more respect and admiration for the spike haired guy.
After a little while of uncomfortable silence the door was heard and Hanako entered to find the boys sitting on the sofa, she made her way to greet Green but excused herself pretty fast sensing that she might have interrupted something.
Green took the opportunity to say goodbye brushing Red's hand in the process, leaving a burning sensation in Red's skin.
After that, things were again on the right track. Red started to visit Green at the Gym whenever he had the chance, enjoying every minute he could spend with the Gym Leader. But today was different, Red arrived early at the Gym, he usually didn't have the opportunity to see Green at his full role because he visited at late hours when the Gm was preparing to close for the day. This time Red found Green in the middle of a battle with a young trainer that looked tough; it seemed like the Ace trainers were no match for him but Green… he was on a whole different level. Red marveled at the display, while in combat Green gave the impression of directing an orchestra while his Pokémon danced to the unheard music; Red was hypnotized and in the blink of an eye the battle ended with Green as the victor. Red was still entranced that he didn´t notice Green giving some advice to his adversary, said adversary being dismissed and Green approaching him.
He was startled when Green waved a hand in front of his face. Color raising to his face upon being discovered.
"Yo Red, what's the matter?" Green asked entertained by Red's reaction.
"ummmm… hello" Red manage to blurt out.
Green laughed, sending tremors through Red's body "Hello to you too" he smiled still amused by Red's behavior "What were you thinking a moment ago? It looked like you were enjoying it" He teased.
Red's face became brighter.
"Were you thinking about me?" Green teased a little more batting his eyelashes to add effect. Red tried to hide his face behind his cap.
"Oh c'mon I'm only joking!" Green laughed some more and put his hand in Red's shoulder. The simple gesture setting Red's body on fire.
"But seriously did you need something? You don't usually come at this time. Or were you missing me that badly?" Green asked playfully.
'Right' Red regained composure remembering why he was at the Gym. "Professor Oak asked me to get you" he said.
"He did?" Green asked surprised "Whatever for?"
"He didn't say, he just asked me to come and get you" Red said truthfully.
"Can it wait?"
"He said it was kind of urgent"
'Damn' Green didn't want to leave the Gym on the whim of his grandfather, he felt like he was running to his side with the first lights of a fire. He looked at Red 'Better go see what he wants, don't want Red getting into trouble with him for my fault'.
Green sighted defeated "Let's see what the old man wants before I change my mind."
Red nodded.
Before they left the Gym, Green began giving instructions to the Ace trainers in case an emergency arise or if a trainer came seeking a challenge, they were already accustomed to Green leaving the Gym from time to time but the leader loved to make sure they knew what to do.
Red watched Green without being noticed or that's what he thought, it was obvious that Green enjoyed managing the Gym and he was also very good at what he did. The mere sight of seeing Green happy made also Red happy.
They went to Pallet Town's lab reaching it in no time; they entered and searched for the professor, finding him at his usual spot behind a mountain of books.
Professor Oak looked up from the papers he was examining "Glad you're back Red" He didn't seem to acknowledge Green's presence and that annoyed Red, Green didn't pay attention to his grandfather's usual antics.
The professor stood in front of Green "I have a task for you" those were his first words directed to Green and before the green eyed boy could protest he added "From the league."
Green refrained from saying anything, after all whatever he said would fall on deaf ears. He stood there waiting for his grandfather to finish whatever he had to say. Red looked at him.
"I need you to go to Unova region to get a Bidoof"
Green made a confused face 'To Unova? … wait what the hell does he need a Bidoof for? And why I'm the one bringing it? What's this all about?' His gramps sure knew how to try his patience.
The professor cleared his throat willing Green to pay attention of what he was saying "The Pókemon League of Kanto is interested in holding a tradition from Unova, that would help us have a better relationship between the regions and we need a Bidoof for that."
"Whatever the reason I'm not available" Green tried to say as courtly as he could, the professor not paying any mind to what he just said.
"Can't it be sent?" Red asked surprising Green and the professor.
Before Professor Oak could answer Green was already talking "Unfortunately the trade system between Kanto and Unova isn't entirely compatible, we can send almost every Pókemon from this region but we can't receive from them. The machines still have some issues that need to be taken care of."
The professor looked annoyed that Green had intervened but immediately dismissed what Green had said.
"You and Red are going to Unova to retrieve the Pókemon and that's final, besides you can't refuse a direct order from your superiors" With that said it was Red's turn to looked confused.
Well now his grandfather had a point, if the league was the one to give the task…"Wait, Red's coming with me?" Green was surprised that his gramps was involving Red in the matter. Not the he was complaining, having him along would be a pleasant change for what seemed a dull errand… if the red eyed boy accepted that is.
Red didn't say anything, the gears of his mind running wild with the endless possibilities this journey presented and with Green no less. Green was eying him with curiosity.
The professor raised an eyebrow, he had expected Green to throw a tantrum for being appointed at this task; instead the boy was asking if he had to be accompanied by Red. Of course the old man took Green's question the wrong way "You have a problem?"
"No" Green answered "But I think you should have asked Red if he wanted to go or not" Green said as a matter of fact.
The professor was angered at Green's statement but his grandkid was right, he couldn't treat Red like he treated Green. He calmed himself and asked Red in a much softer voice the needed question at which Red nodded without hesitation.
The professor began talking once again in his serious tone "Professor Juniper and her assistant have already been informed and are willing to help in whatever is needed. You'll be departing in a few hours so you better be prepared."
"I'll contact Hanako to let her know and help Red with preparations. The league already knows that you're going to be absent, not that it makes a big difference." Green rolled his eyes. "I'll send all the details to your gear later." The professor said with finality in his voice.
"Yeah whatever" Green said unconcerned for his grandfather, he directed his attention to Red, who looked a little overwhelmed with everything. 'Poor Red' he thought for having to deal with his grandfather's crazy ideas. At least both boys were on the same boat and Green was thankful for that, who would have imagine that his grandfather would give him an opportunity like this? A travel with Red to a distant region was something he couldn't miss even if his life depended on it; meanwhile Red was thinking something akin.
Sooooo that's that, comments? anyone?... no?
I believe next chap. will be better since interesting things will start to happen (if you know what I mean) *wink*
Thanks for reading, until next chap.