The New Kids on the Block: Chapter Two
Quinn- "Together Again"
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Gerald Buck Wharf
Hydrangea Island, Flora
May 19, 2028
The ferry had just docked into the Gerald Buck Wharf in my hometown when I had finally recovered from my shirt, highly-disturbed nap. I don't even know how I managed it, but somehow it happened. The ride was so jerky; the water was incredibly choppy today, unusually choppy if you ask me, but you did not.
I pulled out a small, blue velvet box out of the pocket of my duffel bag and opened it. Inside, there was a radiant ring that I had found a month ago. It was so unique: the band was made out of pure platinum and little flowers had been carved into it. The jewel itself was a medium-sized marquise-cut diamond with a smaller marquise-cut sapphire that was somehow placed inside of the diamond. To set it apart even more, the sapphire glowed a bright blue whenever I happened to be in an uncomfortable situation and it was even cold. Like ice, it was cold; as if had come straight from the freezer.
I had found it in a deep pool that was adjoined to Cascade River, right under the waterfall on Dew Island.
I had been walking along a well-worn path in a forest late one night after all the members of my squad had went out to club to drink booze and fool around with the town's young women. The moon was shining bright that night, almost eerily.
When I went to sit down on near the river, to recollect how glad I was that my year in the service was almost over, and that I would be home very soon. I had thrown a large stone into the pool, intrigued by the splash that it made.
That was when I saw a blue light shoot up into the air, as if it were a signal, and it was coming exactly from the spot where I had lobbed the stone. I jumped up in order to inspect what I had done.
I saw the ring plunging deeper and deeper into the water. Apparently, the stone had somewhat dislodged it from a place in the ground, which led me to believe that someone had lost it there a long time ago.
Fueled by the possibility that I could probably get a lot of money, I quickly stripped down to my underwear and executed a perfect dive. The water was kind of murky, full of sand and dirt, but the jewel was a beacon, guiding me. I used my feet to propel me down further, deeper. My lungs were just about o give out on me when it reached the bottom and I snatched it up quickly.
This pool wasn't as shallow as I had thought it would be, I soon realized. It was deep as if it had existed for centuries. That didn't shock me too much, the river itself was practically prehistoric; it was in all of the historical books that we read in school.
Once I had rose to the top, my lungs burning as if consumed by an intense blaze, I collapsed onto the ground, the ring right beside me.
I stared at it, whatever it was, I could not sell it. I suddenly realized that my baby sister had a birthday coming up, her sixteenth. And she had just graduated the other yesterday (A/N: not May 18th, more like April 18th). Unfortunately I couldn't be there. Knowing Celeste, I knew that she was disappointed, yet understanding at the same time. She knew how commanding the Florien Army was, and how they hardly gave the members enough free time. She deserved the ring.
We're here Quinn, she cried, we're here!
"I noticed," I said. "Did you sleep well Purin?"
Good enough, my newfound friend, a Jigglypuff, grunted. With an agitated—Puff!—he said, my neck is sore though.
"Purin, you don't have a neck," I informed him.
Oh, she mused, well, my body hurts and I need you to massage it!
I, Quinn Briarcliffe, the usually sarcastic asshole many people had grown to despise, and in my sisters' and Trent and Ashley's case, love, felt quite different when around Purin. She brought out the good side in me.
I surrendered my powerful hands for the purpose as I picked up my friend and walked off the boat and unto the sidewalk of a familiar street. My fingers squeezed and kneaded Purin's soft, light pink flesh. She let out a contented "puff" as she sighed. Her eyes were little pools of aquamarine.
I wasn't very far from Briarcliffe Castle, which in turn meant that I was not far from Ashbrooke Park or more precisely, home. It had been one, whole year since I had been there. It felt good to be coming home; it was comforting, like a cool breeze on a hot midsummer's day.
Tall buildings reigned in the downtown area of Hydrangea. Before, Hydrangea had been a quite, snug little agricultural community. Of course it still had its farms and everything, but it had been highly urbanized. In my opinion, it was better the way it was: cool and relaxing.
I'm excited to meet your family, Purin told me.
"I think that you'll like everyone except," he thought with a sneer, "my older brother Sebastian."
Why not? she asked curiously.
"Because I don't like him," I grumbled.
That's why I shouldn't like him? she asked, obviously a bit irate. Her cheeks were inflated, and her eyes shone brightly.
I didn't even bother to answer. I knew whatever I said would make me sound foolish and incredibly immature. There was no use in explaining to her why she shouldn't like him. I guess because there was no logical reason why; he hadn't done anything to hurt her. Me on the other hand...
I quaked in unreserved antipathy. I hated his ass, he's the one who got me into this whole army situation. I knew that I was a problem while in college, but I wasn't his problem, if you know what I mean.
He'd pretended as if he were my father, even though Dad is alive. I don't know where he finds his nerve. Dad didn't agree with him, but he was overruled by Hyacinthe, and Sebastian, the, what I like to call, leaders of the Briarcliffe Clan. Mom was neutral. I couldn't hate Mom or even Hyacinthe, at least they tried to help me out.
In school, I don't know why, but I partied a lot and even got drunk on occasions. I would get into fights too. I was an affected adolescent. I'll never forget that one time when...I shook the thought away from my head.
Silent, I see, said Purin, does this show a sign of guilt?
"Never!"
It doesn't seem that way if you ask me, she said conceitedly.
"I didn't ask you," I snapped, "you asked me."
She huffed, if you I didn't like you I would double-slap you.
"Is that a threat?" I demanded.
Take it any way you wish, she said, crossing her tiny arms, you're so moody sometimes. It makes me feel unwelcome.
"Are you saying that you want to leave me?" I asked; I was worried. I didn't really want Purin to leave, it's just that I am so uncaring sometime. If she left, well, I think that I wouldn't be a moderately happy soul.
I'm not saying that I do and I'm not saying that I don't, she muttered, after all, I am indebted to you. You healed me and suffered through the pranks of those people in your regiment because you had a girly pokemon. It's the least I could do, be at your side for awhile.
"So you feel obligated?" I asked jokingly.
She groaned. Why do you have to be so difficult? She threw her arms up in defeat.
"It's in my nature," I said.
Well, you had better get it out of your nature before you find yourself in serious trouble.
Oh, if you haven't noticed by now, unlike my sister, I can understand pokemon. I don't know how, I don't know why, I just do.
I didn't pay any attention to Purin when she said the last statement. Maybe that is my problem, I guess. I ignore vital information sometimes. I can be such an idiot at times.
"There's one of our homes, Briarcliffe Castle," I told Purin as I pointed at the towering castle with three floors and four turrets at each corner. I could hear the waves crashing into weathered rock of the precipice. I concluded that one day, thousands of years in the future, that Briarcliff Castle would plummet into the ocean due to the intense weathering process.
Wow, do you ever visit there?
"Not usually; it's much too big. I think that the Museum Association of the Flower Archipelago was considering to make it into a museum of some sort. It's the only ancient castle that isn't in ruins on Hydrangea."
Oh, she gurgled. How much longer do we have until the Ashbrooke Park of yours? I'm hungry and I'm thirsty.
"One more mile Purin, just one more mile."
When we were three quarters of the way there, I started to her boisterous cheering and laughter and whistles and stuff. My heart beat faster. I was finally coming home.
I hear it Quinn, I hear it! she repeated as she clapped her hands.
There was a way that I could sneak into the house and make it outside without anyone knowing I was there.
"Purin, get into her okay?" I asked, motioning her into my duffel bag.
This had better not take a long time! she pouted as she climbed in.
A thick expanse of briar roses covered an entire side of our house, and the vines were thick enough for me to climb up on. I saw the window to my old bedroom was open and I knew that I might have a chance at pulling this off.
Climbing the vines was a piece of cake compared to the grueling tasked that I overcame while I was in the army. My muscles flexed as I grasped for a vine, pulling my weight up the wall. My eyes never left my destination, nothing was going to stop me well except—
"I'll be right back! I'm just going to get one of the roses to put into my hair!" Right away I knew that that was Georgiana, my second oldest sister.
I muttered a curse as I hurried up the vine and hurled myself into my bedroom. I rolled on the floor and checked my surroundings; the room was empty.
I peaked out of the window as I saw Geogie twisiting a thick briar rose until it was free. She loosened her wavy golden blonde hair out of its bun and placed the rose on the side. She hadn't changed a bit, always a huge fan of floral life and pokemon. Once she was done, she walked back to the yard where the party was.
I sighed as I dropped my bag into my closet and pulled out a short-sleeved shirt with navy pin-stripes and a pair of tan, wrinkle-free khakis. I had to take a quick shower—
LET ME OUTTA HERE! screamed Purin as I opened the bag. I had totally forgotten about her. My face met with a hot, pink fist and a fell into my bed. Wow, she had a lotta bite.
Don't you ever do that again! she lectured me.
I rubbed my jaw and laughed. "I was waiting to see you attack something. I'm glad that it was me. You have power behind that cute exterior."
Tell me something that I don't know.
I shook my head chuckled some more. "Stay in here while I take a shower."
Whatever.
"I'll be out in five minutes."
So I hurried and did as I said that I would. I liked to do what I said, that way I wouldn't be met with disappointment.
Refreshed and ready to face my family, I picked up the pouting Purin and carried her downstairs. On my way, I peaked out the window. There was Grandma and Grandpa and my aunt and uncles, my family, and members of the de Belleville family and the Fairfields.
I saw a flash of blue hair that walked across the window and I knew that it was Uncle Evan or Uncle Julian or Celeste herself. I didn't take a chance so I stood right next to the door and shushed Purin.
The door flew open and I snatched a small arm and pulled whoever it was towards me. I closed the door with my foot.
"Let go!" Celeste exclaimed but I covered her mouth. She whipped around and was her mouth curved into a smile as she jumped into my arms.
"Quinn! I didn't think you were coming—"
"PUFF!" cried Purin as it was squeezed by Celeste's body.
"What the hell," she muttered as she stepped away and the dazed Jigglypuff sunk to the ground. "Oh I'm so sorry," she said as she lifted the pokemon from the floor and hugged her.
This must be your sister, she said, still dazed.
"Who's your buddy?"
"That's Purin."
"You? With a Jigglypuff, I would never imagine it."
What's that supposed to mean? fumed Purin as she jutted a pointed finger at Celeste. She backed away and said, "I see that she's picked up some of your behaviors."
"I think she learned that on her own."
"Well what are you standing around in here for? Go outside! I just have to put this on the table here," she told him as she placed a new pack onto the table.
"You come with me," I heard myself saying, wishing that I hadn't said anything.
"What? Quinn, out of all the things that you are, a coward is not one of them."
I shoved open the door and stepped outside and collided into Sebastian. He fell to the floor and said, "hey watch where you're going," but he shut his mouth when he realized who it was.
Sebastian had flaming red hair, much more sharper than Mom's fuchsia, that he wore short in a flick. He was tall, but not taller than me anymore. I had him by three inches; I stood at six feet and four inches. He was lean, but not scrawny, he too was a swimmer and had that type of build.
All eyes turned upon me and felt a strange feeling: my cheeks were burning. The same teal eyes from my family looked upon me. The brown and amethyst eyes of the de Belleville group did too. I think I saw the Fairfield blue also.
Mom rushed up to me and gave me a hug, the first to break the silence that had ensued. "Quinn! I'm so glad that you're back. I've missed you terribly," and to my surprise, she wiped away a stray tear.
"Mom," I stammered, not able to go through with saying what I had intended to. Mom rarely, if ever cried. She must have been feeling very guilty.
Everyone flooded me with greetings, hugs, kisses, and handshakes, all except you-know-who. He greeted me with a cold stare, I just gave him a blank response.
"Hey Grandma and Grandpa," I said as I approached the elderly couple. They had to be in their mid-eighties by now and their presence was especially welcome at anytime. I took it that they would be staying her for awhile. They liked to do long visits.
"Hey Sonny," said Grandpa.
"Quinn, you've gotten so big!" Grandma informed me.
I conversated with them for a little while and then I moved on to my siblings.
Hyacinthe, with her flowing magenta hair, looking like the spitting-image of Mom, Georgiana, with her new rose and easy smile, and quiet, reserved, but still pretty and cool nonetheless, Valentine, all shared one table with Christine, Cassandra, and Devon.
"Hey bud," Georgiana said. "I saw you look out the window at me earlier."
"But how?"
"Dude, I'm a journalist for crying out loud! Don't underestimate my abilities. I'm practically a spy!" she said, playfully swatting him on the shoulder. Then she pulled back saying, "someone's getting a little buff over here aren't we?"
I smiled, she and Celeste were by far my favorite sisters. Georgie was so funny and Celeste so easygoing. They were both fun to hang out with.
"Hey Val," I said.
"Hey Q," she said, "when did you get onto Hydrangea?"
"About an hour ago."
"Oh," she said with a nod, "how was the ride?"
"Horrible."
"If I would've know that you were coming, I would have sent you my pass for a free ride on the Hover-Ferry."
"If I would've done that than it wouldn't have been a surprise," I told her.
"Oh. You know, tomorrow I go to the Performing Arts School on Sandy to audition for admittance. Have your fingers crossed for me okay?"
"Of course."
Valentine was an aspiring ballerina. It had been her dream for the longest, ever since she was little. She was a year older than me, making her eighteen, with brown hair, like Trent.
Celeste and Charlize sauntered over to the table in their, what I had just noticed, different outfits.
"What is that?"
Charlize pointed at her outfit, and then at her friends.
"These?"
I shook my head.
"Oh," she said, "just something that we found laying around."
"Laying in a chest in the attic I might add. Have you ever seen anything so lovely?" she asked, pointed at her 19th century dress. It was white crepe material, with a revealing square-neck, and a flowing bodice. Her hair was pinned up and had small, white flowers encircling her bun. Charlize's was similar, but black, with purple flowers.
I didn't answer her question.
"You're such a spoiled sport Quinn," groaned Charlize as she walked over to Brian.
He had grown a lot since I last saw him. He stood about five-foot eleven and had platinum blond hair that was in a flick too. He had a muscular build like a football player.
"Come dance with me," Charlize said as she pulled him over to where Vitamin C's graduation song was playing. She and Brian laughed as they waltzed to the tempo and he even gave her a twirl. Charlize was so goofy.
"Look at those two," Celeste told him as she pointed at her two best friends and grinned. "They're stupidest people that I've ever known," her eyes narrowed as she whipped her head to look at me, "Where's my present?"
I fumbled into my pocket and produced the velvet box. Celeste's eyes were wide in excitement as she took it from my hands and slowly opened it.
"Oh my," she said as she gawked at the splendor of the ring. It was priceless, the look on her face.
I was filled with a pleasant feeling. I believe that it's called satisfaction and nothing could be better. I was proud of myself for being able to make her happy, as any big brother should be able to. I was happy because I had done something nice, charitable, and generous.
"Quinn," she stumbled, a crowd of women encircled her, "I—I—I don't know how to thank you—"
"Shh...just put it on," I directed her.
She took the ring from its case and shivered when she felt the wintriness of the ring shoot through her body. She slipped it onto her ring finger and lifted it into the air.
"It's a perfect fit. I'll never take it off. Thanks bro," she said as she embraced me.
"That was really nice little bro," said Ashley, as he patted me on the back. I smiled; it seemed as if nothing had happened at all, as if nobody cared about the past, only about the present.
I excused myself so that I could go to the bathroom but when I came back, I was face-to-face with Sebastian. I groaned inwardly, what did he want? I didn't have time for his insolence.
"Where did you get it?" he queried as he fixed me an icy glare. Somehow I managed to stand my ground. Those days were over.
"That's none of your concern, I didn't give you the present," I shot back.
He pushed me pointed at me, "you stole it didn't you?"
"I'm not like that anymore. I learned a lot while I was in the army; after all, it was your idea. However, I still can't figure out why you're such an absolute bastard."
"You think that you have changed your ways, don't you? Well I don't! Once a delinquent, always a delinquent."
"Whatever Sebastian," I said as I attempted to walk past him. He blocked my path.
"Move," I demanded.
"What if I don't?" he taunted me.
"I'll make you move."
Celeste walked in just in the knick of time, before I did something that I would not regret. I had been thinking about getting even for some time now. I shouldn't have though; I had to be the bigger person. I wonder what would have happened if Celeste hadn't of come, would we have fought?
"What's going on in here? You both like you were about to come to blows," she said, staring them both full in the eye. Her gaze was so penetrating, that startling shade of blue made it even more so.
I kept my composure, "nothing at all. Sebastian here was just about to move out of my way and I was about to go back outside."
Celeste looked as if she didn't quite believe me. I couldn't blame her, she had reasons not to. If she didn't, she didn't chastise me. I silently thanked her for it as I walked past the both of them, yet somehow I could feel two equally potent gazes attacking the back of my head.
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"Purin, this is my friend Raja. Raja, meet Purin," Celeste said as she introduced her Phanphy and Purin with one another. "And those over there," she said, pointing over to an lively Pichu and a shy Teddiursa, "they're Laurie and Dodger."
The pokemon seemed happy to meet one another. They all had wanted someone to talk to and to spend time with, I guess that it was only natural.
"It looks you all have pokemon," Mom pointed, clearly happy. She was glad to see that her own children had pokemon that they adored.
"Yeah."
"I know something interesting that you could all do that involves your pokemon," Hyacinthe hinted.
"What," cried Celeste.
"Go on a pokemon journey."
"Rika, do you remember ours?"
"How could I not?" asked Lady de Belleville. "Those were some of the best years of my existence."
She was still a pretty woman. She had aged well; I couldn't notice any gray hair or wrinkles.
"Mine was magical too," Hannah sighed. "I met your father there, Brian."
"I've heard this story thousands of times, Mom. I'm sure that everyone else has too."
Everyone laughed.
"But where? I had been thinking about this for a while," Celeste questioned.
"You had? Why hadn't you ever told me?" asked Mom, genuinely concerned and maybe a little disappointed.
"I don't know...I guess that I wanted to surprise you."
"I know," beamed Georgiana, "you could register in the Silver Millenium League that Hyacinthe has going on. Tell them sis."
"Oh yeah, I give trainers their equipment."
"Not their pokemon too?" asked Brian.
"No, the League doesn't allow it."
"Then what type of league is that?" scoffed Charlize.
"A good one," Mom said.
"She's right," Hyacinthe said. "A trainer must his/her own pokemon upon entering; it's the rule."
"How do we got there?" asked Celeste.
"You have to climb Craggy Mountain on Autumn Island. You'll receive further direction from there."
"How many badges?"
"I'm not authorized to tell you everything," she said plainly, "you'll just have to wait and see."
Celeste looked at Brian and Charlize, "wanna do it?"
"Sure," they agreed, and they punched fists.
"This is going to be so hot," cheered Charlize.
"Too hot," Celeste said, "I can't wait!"
"I hope they have fine girls in Celestiette."
Charlize looked insulted, "here's two fine girls right in front of you, in Flora."
"It's different," he said, and to my surprise, I think that I perceived a slightly rosy tint to his left cheek.
Mom looked at me and said, "don't you think that you'll need some sort of guardian?"
"No," they answered quickly.
"I think that you do," she said, apparently not taking 'no' as an acceptable answer.
"Who?"
"I think that Quinn would be the best candidate, don't you Honey?"
"Indeed," he nodded.
"Do I have any say in this?"
"Nope," they replied in unison.
Damn, I was trapped.
"I don't think that he's responsible enough," Sebastian sulked, looking much like a spoiled brat.
"I believe that I am the parent here, and that my judgement, as of now, is best. Lighten up Sebastian," Mom said sternly.
He was obviously embarrassed, he shifted in his chair.
"Besides," Trent said, "if someone tried to mess with them, he could really kick some ass!"
"Trenton Briarcliffe, you had better watch your language immediately!" Mom yelled.
Everyone laughed.
I felt like I was truly at home again.
Perhaps this adventure wouldn't be that bad after all. I mean, I had nothing more profitable to do. Besides, it would allow me to bond with my baby sister. I wanted to see Purin battle another pokemon one day anyways. With some work, she could be a fighting machine...
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Please remember to review and tell me what you think. Your insight is what I need to make the fic even better. I have one beginning trainer...I need some more! Give me the age, sex, appearance, and no more than three pokemon. Oh! Don't forget the name either! ^_-! —The Duke of Briarcliffe