After so long I hope to finally roll up my shirt sleeves and finish this story that has been developing for 3 years and does not end because my laziness and demandating work. The chapters were updated and lengthened the story has grown. It is also being published in Spanish, which is my mother tongue, sorry if there are grammatical errors, I hope to improve the translation over time. It would be highly appreciated if you leave a comment. Finally I am also uploading the story to AO3 :D
Chapter 1. Viridian City.
Delia admired the view of the great Viridian city, it was a very different place than what she was used to in Pallet Town, the streets were full of people, there were many shops and tall buildings. It had been a long time since she had visited the city and she seemed to her that it was busier than usual. There were a few hours left before she was going to get dark, and Delia was walking leisurely through one of the busiest streets, although she knew she had to hurry if she wanted to go back home that day.
Delia Ketchum had lived all her life in Pallet Town, a small place in the middle of the countryside with only a few settlers. The intrepid girl that she used to be, she liked to explore the surrounding forests always ready to find a new adventure and learn about pokemon. With her there was always a little boy with glasses and brown hair, with happy eyes and a sparkling personality. His name was Samuel Oak, and he was the son of the respected pokemon researcher from whom he had inherited his name. The two of them scampered the hills of Pallet Town with delight and got into trouble from time to time. Sometimes they would end up with knees peeleds from climbing trees or crawling after some pokemon.
Samuel had always been through thick and thin with his friend, even at the darkest moment in Delia's childhood, when her father died. Albert Ketchum had been a loving and dedicated father, as a young man he had dreamed of being a pokemon trainer, but gave up that dream to take charge of the family farm, being an only child, he felt responsible. However, he liked to continually visit Professor Oak to find out about his researchs and help him with the pokemon he had on his own farm. Delia had inherited from Albert her love for them and her curiosity to see beyond Pallet Town, so when the poor man died of a heart attack while plowing the ground, she was devastated.
"Hey, Delia, Delia..."
The little girl, barely eleven years old, got out of bed and leaned out the window, she could then see her friend Samuel, and she hurried to open it. The boy was with his hands in the bags of the sweatshirt and he was looking at her smiling, the moonlight was reflected in his glasses and she back at him the look. He said:
"Come down, let's go for a walk."
"Wait a minute"
The girl closed the window and ran for her coat, went out into the hall with great care not to wake her mother who was sleeping in the other room and left the house almost on tiptoe. When they were together he hugged her and handed her a small pink box.
"Take it is a present for you"
"Why? It is not my birthday" She looked at him confused.
Samuel laughed and pulled her with him to start walking, the night was cool and a light air slipped through them hair, the stars above adorned the night and the moon illuminated them.
"In any case, don't open it until you get home. How have you felt?"
"I'm better, I think Mom is the one who has the worst, she is going to sell the farm"
"Why? What happened?" Asked Samuel very concerned.
"Mom said we can't take over of it be alone, she will sell it to buy a small house and save money, she says now we must adapt to life without Dad."
"I see, and how do you feel about that?"
"Dad never really loved the farm, he wanted to be a pokemon trainer and travel the world so I think it's okay"
Delia intertwine her arm with Samuel's and rest her head into him as she had done many times before.
"Maybe you could make that dream come true for him, let's leave this town and live for the pokemon, I've always wanted to be a researcher like dad, but I would like to be more of an adventurer, be in the field, see with my own eyes. We could travel together, meet and learn about pokemon ". The emotion in his voice gave him away as a dreamer, Delia had heard that same tone in her father when he told her about his dreams and felt a warm sensation in her chest.
"It's a nice dream Sammy, but I don't think I can go away from my mother, she only has me, I couldn't leave her alone"
The boy's face grew discouraged, but he quickly returned the smile to his face. He knew Delia adored her mother and had no right to keep away them. He stopped and held her face in his hands. She was looking at him with her chocolate eyes that sparkled with the moon. Her skin was soft and smooth, Samuel's cold fingers made her shiver from it and he pulled away from her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you"
"You didn't," she answered, taking him by the hands.
Suddenly it was as if time had stopped, the air was no longer running and no noise was heard. Samuel approached her and kissed her fleetingly, Delia closed her eyes and kept the moment in her heart. They parted to see themselves reflected in each other's eyes. The young Samuel Oak blushed and even at night she noticed it, a smile settled on her face causing him to turn ashamed and start walking towards the way back to Delia's house, she reached him and hugged him, he shyly put his arm around her shoulders.
A few days later, the farm had been sold and mother and daughter moved into a small but cozy white house on the edge of the main road in Pallet Town, now living closer to everyone. Soon the years passed and both boys grew up. When he turned sixteen, Sammy, as Delia called him, still had the dream of leaving Pallet Town. He had long ago started studying pokemon with his father and now he wanted to satisfy his curiosity for them, out of there. Travel the world, meet different pokemon and trainers. However, he still wanted Delia to accompany him and hoped that she would accept. That's why he wanted to ask her one more time.
One of the things they enjoyed the most was walking around and this time like many times the night had caught them chatting placidly sitting on the grass.
"Delia, do you want to come with me?" The boy stretched out his hand and touched the cheek of his partner who was looking at him thoughtfully.
The young could not help thinking of her mother, who knew she was a strong and capable woman. Since she had done everything possible to provide and take care of her all that time. And although it was one of her dreams to go out to see the world as her father once wanted, the same principles of family morality that made him give up, made her refuse to go with Samuel.
Standing up and with the surprised look of the boy that she adored with all her heart, she said:
"Sorry Sammy, I can't go..."
The brown-haired boy jumped to his feet and took her by the hands. They stared at each other for a moment and pressed their foreheads together.
"You must follow your heart Delia, allow yourself to be happy, please come with me ..."
She raised her face and looked into his eyes, with a brittle voice and shaking hands she said:
"Fulfill our dreams for the two of Sammy ..."
Delia stood on tiptoe and kissed him, when they parted she could see the tears that were beginning to pool in his eyes. She removed from her neck a necklace that he had given her after the death of her father and handed it to him.
"Delia… I…"
"Don't say anything Sammy, we both know it's for the best" She hug him one last time and ran out of there.
Samuel Oak, son, watched his best friend and confidante leave and couldn't follow her. He knew that if he did it it would be painful for both of them, Delia would not want him to stay for her and lose his dreams like her father had. So he put the necklace in his pants pocket and he started walking to the opposite side, the pain in his chest was strong, but he knew it would pass. He would fulfill his dreams for both of them.
The next morning Samuel Oak left Pallet Town and Delia was devastated once again. The mother was afflicted by her daughter who had spent a few days locked in her room, she decided went to see Professor Oak, who had been a faithful friend of the family and who always supported them in whatever way he could. The professor was extremely fond of the Ketchum women whom he saw as family because of the time they knew each other and the affection he felt for the late Albert Ketchum.
They both agreed that Delia would start working with the professor, supporting him with his research, and with some work on the farm. The girl was excited and little by little she came out of her self-absorption, she began to have joy on her face again. Being with the professor she learned a lot about pokemon and had news about Sammy who was traveling the world. The boy sent her some letters to inform Delia of his travels and she enthusiastically read them. She so she found out that he had entered the 'Indigo Plateau Conference' but he had only been among the best 32 of the tournament. He also told her that he had met some trainers while he was traveling through Kanto, they were very strong boys and great pokemon masters. They had been told him about the Johto region and he was excited to go there. So the years passed, Sammy continued to travel the world learning more about pokemon and studying them, he had published a book on evolution and was already gaining recognition among the greats of pokemon research. Delia was still in Pallet Town helping the professor, but she still felt a little sad from time to time. Sammy's letters were decreasing and the last she knew was that he had found a girl who also studied pokemon and that now they traveled together. Delia knew that he deserved to be happy and to find someone that shared and wanted to live her dreams with him.
One morning as she was getting ready to go see Professor Oak, her mother called her from the kitchen. The eighteen-year-old was surprised to find her mother standing by the small kitchen table. There was a backpack and a pokeball on the table.
"Mom?", She asked, confused.
"My little girl, a long time ago your father told me about his dream of traveling the world, I always thought that he could have been a great trainer… That's why I want you to go Delia… Keep his dream live with you"
"But mom..."
"No Delia", the mother interrupted her while she hugged her, "don't stay here for me, I know you have dreams, and I can't just let you put them aside for me, go Delia, follow the path that your father wanted walk"
The girl began to cry and her mother hugged her tightly. She gave her a sweet kiss on her cheek and handed her the pokeball that Professor Oak had sent her. This is how Delia Ketchum's journey would begin.
At last she was underway to the dream she wanted to achieve, she had determination, youth and a great vitality that spread to others. Her first tours took her to Viridian City at that time she felt free and happy, she had left her small town to travel the world, meet new people and learn about pokemon. However, her stay in Viridian City would mark her life.
Delia could hear the furious Houndours behind her, she was running as fast as she could, in her arms she had a small and scared Pichu that had been hurt by those pokemon. She had seen them chase him through the streets of Viridian City when she arrived and she didn't think twice to help him, even though she couldn't use the pokemon that Professor Oak had given her becuase was weakened. She entered a large park with lush trees to try to lose the Houndours however, she had only ended up caught, the three pokemon surrounded her growling and showing their furious teeth, the Pichu in her arms was trembling with fear, she felt that her legs were shaking the same. Delia closed her eyes when she thought that no one would come to help.
"Payday", The voice was loud, but calm.
A Persian jumped forward and hit the three stunned Houndours at the same time, one of them lunged at the feline pokemon.
"Avoid it and use headbutt"
The mysterious trainer yelled with an outstretched arm pointing at the target. The pokemon with the jewel on its head moved great speed and landed a strong blow against the Houndour that was left lying, the other two began to flee leaving the wounded pokemon behind. Delia was impressed. Who had helped her? She could not see her savior well, the light of a park lamp blinded her. A pokeball was thrown against the Houndour who did not fight any more.
"Thank you," Delia said, holding the Pichu.
"You must be more careful," an eyes dark as night looked at her .
Delia could finally see her savior, and he was a strong-looking young man, wearing black pants and a white shirt under a black vest. His features were sharp and his eyes were deep and dark, he had short black hair, and an unflappable presence. The girl had never met someone like him. He was very different from the loud and cheerful Sammy she meets.
"My name is Delia Ketchum," she said, holding out her hand with a big smile.
"I'm Giovanni"
He responded by looking directly into her eyes, he noticed in them a peculiar shine that he did not know. He didn't even realize that he had already spent time holding her hand. Delia looked at clasped hands and smiled at him, causing Giovanni to immediately let go of her, with blushing. The boy turned his back to her, she blinked for a moment, and thought he was very cute behind that harsh image.
"Could you tell me where the pokemon center is? This poor Pichu needs medical attention and I have another pokemon in my backpack that is weakened"
He began to walk followed by his Persian that from time to time rubbing against he.
"Follow me", Delia hear him say calmly.
He guided her to the doors of the pokemon center where he said goodbye to her.
"If you need help again, find me at the Viridian gym"
"In your free time, do you usually help girls in distress?" She commented smiling.
"You were the first, actually," he said as a slight nervous smile crossed his face.
That day she had met the recent new leader of Viridian gym, who was only twenty-one years old; not only had he saved her from the Houndour, but it would take her down a path that she did not think she would travel again, that of her love. The girl decided to stay in the city for a few days to meet her. The Pichu that she had helped was recovered and was now part of her pokemon team.
As she walked the streets of Viridian she looked at a poster above the gym in town which reminded her of the boy she had met just two days before when she arrived. The poster invited all the trainers to visit that place and try to win a medal from their strong gym leader. Then she Delia thought that maybe that boy was training there and she wanted to go see him.
When Delia reached the imposing building she realized that there were many trainers wanting to enter there was a huge line at the entrance and two guards at the front door. They told her that if she wanted to enter she should wait for her turn. Delia didn't want to compete, she just wanted to see Giovanni so she slipped through an emergency exit. She had always been daring and this would be no exception. The emergency exit placed her in a long corridor that she followed carefully not to be discovered. She heard the voices of some people and she hid behind some wooden boxes. Delia walked some more and ended up in the battle area of the gym. The place was lonely and it was huge. Delia could not help being surprised and raised her face looking impressed at the place, it had a Roman touch that she loved. She was suddenlywas taken out of her thoughts when a familiar voice was heard from the back of the room.
"I thought I would never see you again," said the gym leader, getting up from his seat.
"Giovanni?" She asked surprised her looking at him standing and with a pokeball in his hand.
She watched him leap like a Persian from where he was, and she thought he was too skilled.
"Are you coming for a pokemon battle Delia?"
"Are you the gym leader?", She asked excitedly.
"Since a few weeks," he replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You are very young, I suppose you are also very strong too"
"I have worked hard for this"
"I find it surprising, but I am not come for a duel, I just wanted to see you I did not think you would be the leader of the gym!" She blushed a little.
"So, as you're my guest let's share lunch. The gym will be closed for a few hours. Come on, let's go"
Delia followed him and led her to the top of the gym where he had a small wooden table, chairs, and many books. There were huge pots with trees and many other plants. And they had a wonderful view of the city.
"Sit down" Giovanni told her, bringing a chair for she.
Giovanni took off the jacket from his slate gray suit and placed it on the back of his chair. Delia watched him pull his pale blue shirt up to her elbows and she smiled as she saw him move like an excited child around the place looking for something.
"Thank you", she said watching him take out some sandwiches and fruits from a basket.
"I like to come here to eat and to think about my free time, it's a good place"
"You has an amazing sight" Delia took a sandwich and a juice box.
"Forgive the simplicity of the lunch, didn't know I would have company, I don't usually bring anyone here."
"I am honored then, thank you for the lunch, it is very delicious"
Delia realized that Giovanni was a simple man and dedicated to his work. It was not at all like she thought he would be when she first met him, with that unflappable presence and cold gaze from him. The gym leader sat down to eat with her, he didn't have many friends and was always into books learning about pokemon or striving to be a better trainer. However, be related with people was never something of importance to the young man. But he had seen something in Delia's eyes the night he met her that it had caught a lot of attention from and he wanted to see more of it.
"You're not from around here, right?"
"No, I come from Pallet Town, a small place on Route 1, to the north"
"So you are starting your pokemon journey?", Giovanni asked leaning his chair back on hind legs swaying.
"I think so, although it may be a bit late", she said sadly.
"It's never too late to do what you like"
"I imagine you started as a child, right?"
"It was a long time ago, yes. But hey, maybe I can teach you a thing or two before you leave…"
"That would be fabulous", she said, standing up to go hug him.
Giovanni hadn't expected that show of affection from her and he didn't know how to react, but when he felt Delia's warm body next to him, a strange sensation from took hold of him and he also hugged her.
After that Delia began to visit the gym to see Giovanni, they spent entire afternoons chatting about what they liked, about their pokemon and anything that would lengthen the conversations so that they could be together. Delia learned a lot about pokemon battles and about the care she was to give her pokemon. At that time she realized that Giovanni was a very different man with her than he was with others, always being reserved and quiet, with her he was attentive and affectionate. He was certainly a very different man from others she had known. She also realized that she had not thought about Sammy for a long time and that she felt very happy when she was with the gym leader, that she enjoyed chatting with him for hours, sharing lunch or dinner and when he reading her about his favorite pokemon, ground type.
Inadvertently she had spent a month in Viridian City and it was time for her to continue her journey. Although she was no longer quite sure she wanted to continue with that. She found Giovanni like many other times on the roof of the gym. It was afternoon and the yellowish sun was beginning to set. Delia looked at the gym leader from behind, the jacket of his suit was unbuttoned and it was flapping with the afternoon air. His hair, always neat and well combed, was also in disarray dancing with the wind. Delia felt her heart begin to beat rapidly and she approached him, surprising him.
"Giovanni", she said hugging him.
"I was waiting for you" Giovanni hugged her affectionately.
They both looked to the horizon watching the sunset. She was there to say goodbye and he knew it. It was time to say goodbye.
"Tomorrow I must go ..." she finally said.
"I know, you must go your way ... though ..." he was silent for a moment.
"What?" She asked.
They stayed still, they could hear the other breathing. Giovanni knew that he didn't want to let her go, but also that he couldn't make her stay for him. So he took her by the hands and leaned over her. And he kissed her, it was a very different kiss from any other that she had shared with Sammy. In it there was passion and strength, he clung to her like someone who was stranded at sea and finds the land at last. When they separated they looked at each other's faces, Delia's eyes reflected Giovanni's face. He looked like a grieving child who had just lost something important.
"I love you Delia"
Not even Giovanni expected that. He had said it without thinking, without pondering what he said. She looked at him smiling. With her heart wanting to get out of her chest. Delia had never told Sammy that she loved him, although she regarded him as hers first love, and he just limited himself to always telling her that he likes her. The young lady then knew that if she had loved someone until now it was this man in front of her this man who was looking at her flushed.
"I love you too Giovanni", she told him, hugging him.
After that they had spent the night together, Delia had chosen Giovanni as her first. They shared the sweet taste of love. And between kisses and caresses they dedicated words and promises as strong as the ties that now united them.
The next day, Delia left Viridian City saying goodbye to Giovanni and a chapter in her life that had filled her with joy and love. A few months later she would return to meet him again who was waiting for her with open arms. So Giovanni asked her to get married and she gladly accepted. Their married life had started like that of many others full of excitement for the future and a house full of love. Even so, there were things to know about the other, Delia knew little about the family of her now husband, because he did not share much with her, he only told her that he had had a very lonely childhood as an only child and that his father had died as Giovanni a little boy.
His mother was still alive somewhere, but he told her they weren't very close. Which Delia found very sad. Even so, they both had a lot of time to love and understand each other.