This chapter wasn't supposed to be as long as it is but fuck if I had a lot of ideas just pop in while I wrote. Next chapter will hopefully be shorter, but no promises will be made here.
"Come on, hurry up! We only have today!" Black yelled from inside the car, the volume of his voice canceling the need to use the horn on the steering wheel.
While he sat at the passenger's seat, Sapphire had comfortably made a spot for herself in the back. She buried her attention under a pamphlet about Cinnabar Island, her eyes scanning the pictures of its white sandy beaches.
The trunk door slammed down, essentially keeping the contents at the back from falling. Pearl exhaled. "Would have gotten it done faster if someone helped me."
Green locked up the door behind him then pocketed the key to the gym before making his way to the car. It only took them an hour to get ready, and most of the time was spent on Green packing his things since the other four were all set right after breakfast. He found it very odd just how organized they'd become that it was almost suspicious.
Gold stood by the driver's seat, leaning against the door while Green took out his keys. When he finally had it in his hand the Johtoan snatched it.
"Ah, ah! I'm driving."
"Absolutely not," Green answered without hesitation, reaching for his keys back.
"It's your day off! Let us serve you." For emphasis, Gold moved his free hand to point to himself and then to the gym leader. Green didn't back down, only stared at his junior sternly. They stayed like that for almost a full minute until it was interrupted by Pearl slamming the back seat door shut.
"Just give him the keys, Gold. We're trying to get him to relax not give him a heart attack."
Gold grumbled at the jab over his driving skills then dropped the keys back into Green's open palm. "Fine. But I swear one day I will get to drive this car." He gave Green a smirk that made the older man feel a pang of uneasiness in his stomach before he went around and sat beside Sapphire. Once everyone was settled he turned on the engine and made his way to the docks in Pallet Town.
The four wasted no time talking about what to do at the beach and what to have for lunch, despite only eating a hefty breakfast just hours ago. As per usual, Green drowned out their loudness, focusing on the road and the faint sound of piano music he had tuned in on the radio. His attention was caught however upon seeing a familiar face on the road.
He slowed the car, causing all four to stop their lively conversation to see what was happening. Green rolled down his window.
"Hey, Gramps." He greeted the old man, who was, in turn, surprised to see him.
"Green! Oh my… you startled me, my boy." He let out a hearty laugh which triggered a soft smile on his grandson's face.
"Good morning, Professor Oak!" Gold greeted, the window on Pearl's side was rolled down as well.
"Well if it isn't the foreign Pokedex holders! I heard you four were staying at my grandson's, I didn't think you'd still be here after so long." Green shared the same thoughts. He was about to voice them when Black quickly waved his hand.
"Well, Kanto is amazing! It's so much warmer than all the other regions! Like sure Unova's got Undella Town and Humilau City but they're always so jam-packed with people it's hard to really appreciate the beaches there. It's nice to take a break from all this adventuring so we're heading to the beach at Cinnabar Island today! I finally get to have some real fun and I wouldn't have picked a better senior to spend this time with."
It didn't surprise Green to hear his youngest junior compliment him. Ever since they've met at Mt. Silver along with the others Black had been nonstop with all the, for lack of a better term, 'fanboying'. What did surprise him was when Black placed a hand on his arm and smiled at him sincerely. Green's lips parted to speak, to thank him for his words, but all he did was nod.
"The beach you say? My, Green. When was the last time you've spent time at the beach?" His fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he stared at his grandfather's wrinkled face, thinking back to a time when he did.
"Three, maybe four years—"
"Four years ago?!" Sapphire exclaimed.
"Four years old." He corrected which then elicited gasps from all of his passengers. Professor Oak laughed and patted the arm Green had leaning out the window.
"Well, it's about time you visited today! I hear the waves will be perfect for surfboarding."
"Then what are we waiting for!" Gold smacked the headrest in front of him and grinned. "Let's get our beach on already!"
"Goodbye Professor Oak," Pearl said, "it was a pleasure meeting you again."
"The pleasure is all mine. Have fun at the beach and do stay careful."
"We will Gramps." They exchanged goodbyes and Green was on his way again. Once out of earshot from the professor his four companions started screaming.
"Four years old?! You were four years old when you last went to the beach?" Black seemed the most surprised, especially right after his whole spiel about beaches. Green figured he must've been extra peeved too seeing as Black suggested the activity in the first place.
"I was busy." They all groaned at his answer. Green glanced at the rearview mirror and saw that the three in the back were glaring at him.
"Here we go again with the 'busy'. What made you so busy in the next six or seven years that you couldn't even stop to, I don't know, sit down and just look at the ocean?" Pearl asked indignantly.
"I was busy learning to be a good trainer."
"Well, you sure are the embodiment of the title the professor gave you." Black crossed his arms.
Green raised his brow. "That's what titles are for."
"Alright, so you trained really hard until you were the Indigo League Champion for a while and then a Gym Leader, so that worked out really good for you." Gold listed, bringing his fingers out with each point. "But you can't seriously tell me you haven't gone on a vacation or anything since then. I mean hasn't the professor taken you out?"
"He's busy too."
"Okay fine, the guy invented the Pokedex, I'll give you that. But what about your sister? Your parents? Ever spent time with them?" Green stared straight ahead as he didn't answer. He didn't know if he should. Or if he even wanted to. Should he tell them? Did they even know to begin with? He felt their eyes drilling against him and suddenly the dream from last night started to resurface.
"Green?" He stepped on the brake a little too roughly, catching all of them by surprise. When he focused his vision he saw that they were already parked by the docks. He glanced at the mirror again, for a moment meeting Sapphire's blue eyes.
He opened his mouth to speak. Have his lips been dry this whole time? "Sorry. Let me just grab a parking ticket. You guys go ahead."
Green killed the engine and left the car and the four inside of it.
"Do you think we went too far?" Gold asked, his chin resting on the palm of his hand as he sat cross-legged on a wooden bench. Black, who was sitting beside him, looked at him incredulously.
"You think?"
"And what do you mean 'we'? You're the only one who asked about his parents, we just wanted to know if he's always been a stick in the mud!" Sapphire smacked his arm, causing his head to fall and hit the side of the bench.
"Ow! Damn, woman! You don't have to be violent about it. How the hell does Ruby put up with you?" Her hand was already poised to strike again when Black grabbed her from behind and pulled her away.
"Calm down, Sapphire! Let's not upset senior Green even more when Pearl comes back with him!"
"Too late." The three turned to see Green and Pearl just at the entrance of the waiting area. Black let go of Sapphire and stood straight while she dusted herself off and snarled at Gold before smiling at them innocently. Gold gave Pearl a look, hoping to get some backup over the Hoenn girl that clearly threatened him.
Pearl pinched the bridge of his nose. They were certainly so much more work than both of his best friends combined. He then nudged his head to the man standing beside him and gave Gold one stern look.
He at least caught on to the message and stood up. "Uh, hey Green. About a while ago in the car, I honestly didn't mean to—"
"It's fine, Gold." His eyes held their serious gaze, as always, but they could tell there was no anger in them. They tried to search for any hints of sadness, maybe a bit of red in his eyes, or even the slightest bit of a sniffle. There was nothing at all, just the look that they were done with the issue now. "We better get going. Pearl?"
He stood stunned for a second, distracted in the midst of thinking, and then pulled something out of his pocket. "Yeah, I got the tickets right here."
"Good, let's go." He passed by them, bags in tow, and towards the boat's entrance. The rest of them scrambled to follow and Sapphire whispered to Pearl as they walked.
"What happened when you found him?"
"H-he found me actually. I was buying our tickets when he showed up and paid for them instead." Pearl raised a finger when she was just about to say something. "Yeah, I know, we agreed to pay for the expenses but he insisted. I don't know if it would upset him if I didn't let him do it. He radiated alpha male vibes the moment I met him, Sapph, I am not fighting against that in a non-Pokemon battle."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Fine, I'll talk to Green. Just keep Gold away from him for now, would ya?"
"That'll be easy." He smirked. "I heard they have an open bar."
Once they were on board and had their bags loaded in storage, Green excused himself to the upper deck. He allowed them to roam the boat to find something to occupy themselves for the thirty-minute ride to the island. He was a little suspicious at first when Pearl insisted Gold join him and was even more so when he heard the Sinnoan mention 'free drinks' but decided to let it go for now.
He stood against the boat's railings, staring into the ocean. The upper deck wasn't exactly quiet. It was riddled with foreign tourists and normally Green would find someplace a little less crowded but he needed the air.
He thought about what Gold said in the car and how irrational it was of him to storm out and leave them to their confusion. It wasn't like he was offended by it. It was more of how it freaked him out, considering he just dreamt about them. Green never usually thought about his parents. Not even when he was alone. He was young. They died young. It was all an unfortunate accident in the rain. He understood at the tender age of four that he needed to grow up right away. There wasn't anything wrong with that.
"Hey." He turned his head and saw Sapphire walk up to him. He softened his eyes in acknowledgment.
"I thought you'd be roaming the boat with Black."
"I was but then we found out this place had a library and I left him in there." She shrugged and Green raised his brow.
"Black? Really?"
Sapphire waved her hand around, quickly trying to dismiss it. "Yeah, he loves them books. Every other day he'd go out to Viridian's library too. The kid likes readin' I guess."
I didn't know that, Green thought. Had he really been that busy? He noticed the Unovan leave the gym a few times but he always thought he was out looking for a battle. Sapphire inhaled deeply and let out a refreshed breath of air.
"I love the ocean." She stretched her arms and legs, taking the view in completely. "I love being around nature. It's so open and fresh. Back home Papa used to take me on his friend's fishing boat and then we'd sail around not really going anywhere. And we wouldn't worry about gettin' lost because his friend was an expert and I was pretty good on the sea too.
"His friend would teach us how to fish, sometimes I played with his Wingull, sometimes I'd even go swimming into the ocean myself. That's how I met Walo actually, back when he was still a Wailmer that is. Papa always got nervous because he wasn't the best swimmer, so he had to put his entire faith in me to be careful. He's a pretty good dad."
"Do you miss him?" Green found himself asking.
"I do." She paused for a second. "Do you miss them?"
He didn't answer her. Green appreciated the kind gesture she was trying to do but knew the real reason she came out to join him here. Sapphire was a lot more clever than she had others to believe.
"I'm alright, you know. Really." The concern remained in her gaze and a more visible smile from him relaxed the knot on her brows. "Thank you, Sapphire."
He knew she would've wanted to do more to lift his spirits—one that would probably reach her own, should it be even possible—but talking with her would be enough for the time being.
"Hey, no problem. We're a team after all! All five of us together. We can't be a fiery passionate team with a gloomy leader!" She patted his back hard once, which almost smacked the air right out of his lungs, but then she gingerly rested her hand on his shoulder. "Can't have the best of us feelin' down on his day off."
The loud horn from the ship interrupted their conversation and a voice from the speaker announced their arrival to everyone on board. Sapphire returned to her regular self, gushing over her excitement to spend the day surfing and building sand castles. Green found it amusing how it reminded him of when she was still thirteen.
"There you guys are!" Just as the ship approached the harbor, the remaining members of their group finally arrived at the docks. Black was holding a paper bag looking pleased with himself while Gold waved at them, an arm around Pearl's waist.
Green straightened up from the groggy look on the blond's face and the waft of alcohol in the air. "Gold, what did you do?"
"Hey don't look at me! This guy wanted to go to the open bar and I mean, I'm not one to reject an offer to drink, but then he started challenging me and I warned him that it takes a lot to send me over and… well, you can figure out the rest." He explained and Pearl groaned, a hand to his face.
"I should've known. Why didn't I know?" Pearl cried out and slowly dragged his hand away, showing everyone the redness of his nose. Both Black and Sapphire stifled their laughter.
Green approached Pearl and brushed the hair out of his face. "We'll get you some juice so you can sober up okay?."
"Great. Juice. Love it."
After getting Pearl a juice drink from a local stand the group finally made it to the beach. It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon so there weren't a ton of people around. Green gave the others a chance to change into swim gear while he began laying down their towels and umbrellas. It took him little effort to convince them he was fine with the small amount of work due to their clear excitement.
Once he was done unpacking, he leaned back into the lounge chair that he brought and pulled out a book from his bag.
"Ocean time!" He looked up from his page to watch his four companions run towards the clear waves and start enjoying themselves. Green paused from his reading to watch them. He thought about what they said in the car before Gold even mentioned the topic of his parentage. He admitted, he didn't have a normal childhood. But it was only because he had to learn to take care of himself pretty quickly. His grandfather was busy—he was still creating the Pokedex when Green was a child—and his sister spent her time preparing to get a medical degree even when she was only five years older than him. He missed a lot of the 'fun stuff', as they would probably put it. He thought that maybe it wasn't too late for him.
Just as he was about to shut his book Gold approached their little camp already drenched with ocean water. Green instinctively picked up and handed him a towel.
"Done already?"
"Nah, just taking a break. Sapph and Black challenged some swimmers to a Pokemon battle and I did not want to be in the middle of what's to come." He nudged his head towards them, a huge grin plastered over his face. When Green turned to watch from afar he made out Black's Carracosta, a Vaporeon, and a Seaking. Then a deep rumble echoed throughout the beach, effectively silencing every human being in the area, and Sapphire hollered in excitement as she was lifted up into the air on the back of an enormous Wailord.
Green would've been surprised were he in different circumstances—like say he had never met the four—but at this point, he had expected nothing less.
"Those are some poor bastards, let me tell you." Gold laughed while drying his face. "You got any plans on joining us?"
"In a bit. I'd like to finish this chapter first."
"You sure are taking your sweet time." Green shrugged and flipped through his book once again. Silence became of them as he tried to concentrate on the text while the sound of disgruntled yells and excited shouts played in the background.
Gold tapped his fingers on his knee. "I kind of get it. The whole not wanting to talk about your parents deal."
Green stopped and looked at his junior, who kept his gaze forward. His eyes were a little more serious than they normally were.
"Believe me I… I wouldn't talk about my dad either if someone asked." The hesitance in the Johtoan's voice was very unlike him but Green kept quiet. "But clearly I brought up some bad stuff with you and I'm starting to feel like shit what with you not being pissed at me about it. So I'm letting you get back at me by asking one question."
"Gold you don't have to—"
"Nope. I did a dick move. Just let me have it, Green." He turned to him this time, his face creased with nervousness. Green didn't want to subject him to what was clearly a sensitive topic. He's kept it to him for so long after all.
Green remained quiet, staring. His eyes were enough to tell his friend that he wouldn't pry, no matter how much he begged. Gold exclaimed his frustration loudly and fell back unto the towel.
"Come on! Ease my guilt a little!"
"I told you it was fine. I'm not mad at you or the others. It was an honest mistake. I'm not going to make you uncomfortable just because you feel guilty."
They grew quiet again. Green gave him some time to think while he watched the rest of his group. Pearl was off to the side focused on a growing sand castle. His Dugtrio kept popping out of the ground, pushing more sand into the pile next to its trainer.
"You're a great guy, Green."
"Pardon?"
Gold sat back up and placed a hand on Green's shoulder. "Even when you shouldn't be, you are. I hear you get a lot of bad rep for being pretty strict and stoic but you're really cool. Maybe even cooler than senior Red. Don't tell him though."
Green wasn't sure what to respond to that. It wasn't that Gold was never sincere, it was just that he rarely ever complimented him with an aura of seriousness or one almost of… finality.
He was pulled from his thoughts when Pearl yelled loudly.
"I WAS WORKING ON THAT!" The blond was drenched from top to bottom and beside him were the wet remnants of his sand castle. Beyond him were Black and Sapphire rejoicing their victory atop the latter's Wailord.
"Hey, you two! What are ya doin' sitting like a buncha old men! Get in 'ere!" Sapphire bellowed from the distance, her hand waving the two over.
"Yeah! The water is—" Black jumped off the Pokemon and cannonballed into the water, emerging right after, "—great!"
"Well, you heard them Green." Gold stood, letting the towel around his neck fall to the ground. "A beach day wouldn't be complete if I don't dunk your head in the water at least once."
Green raised his brow but wasn't at the least bit negative about it. He shut his book and grabbed the surfboard that lay beside him. Gold's eyes gleamed, hungry for a challenge.
It'd been a while since he showed off. Wouldn't hurt to teach them a thing or two about calling him old.
The rest of the afternoon at the beach rolled by quicker than expected. After showing his juniors up in a small surfboard competition they stopped by at a shack that sold grilled meat and barbecue before returning to the ocean with their Pokemon.
Before he knew it, it was already five o'clock and the sun was starting to set. The group began packing up their things all the while still raving about their day.
"I still can't believe your Wailord showed up like that. I thought you were going to literally destroy those trainers a while ago!" Black exclaimed, stuffing their towels in a bag.
"How on earth did he even get here? Did you withdraw him from the Pokemon Center while we weren't looking?" Pearl asked.
"I don't keep Walo in a ball! That big boy deserves to be roamin' free in the ocean!" Sapphire huffed, still wringing out the water from her hair. "Plus he loves me! Him traveling to Kanto from Hoenn is just a symbol of his love!"
While Green picked up his bag he noticed a book lying across the sand. He picked it up, was sure he only brought one along for the trip and examined it. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger.
"Oh, that's mine!" Black scurried over to take the book from Green's hands.
"You brought a book?"
"No, well, I bought it actually." He smiled sheepishly. "Back on the boat."
"You bought a book at the library?" Sapphire stood, her hands now holding her hips. "I'm pretty sure ya just stole a book, Black."
"For the last time, its a bookstore! What kind of boat has a library on it?"
"The same kind that has a bookstore maybe?" Pearl retorted. Black's mouth hung open but no witty response escaped his lips.
Gold took the book from Black's hands and flipped behind it. "Yeesh! Two hundred pokedollars for a book? Where'd you even get that kind of money?" Black snatched his book back.
"Hey, they don't have this copy in Unova! I had to use my entire allowance to buy it." His seniors ceased their packing to stare at him. As if realizing he made a grave mistake, Black slapped a hand to his mouth.
"I'm sorry, allo-what?" It was then the three turned their attention to the oldest of them for an explanation.
Green continued packing. "Yes, I gave Black an allowance."
"Since when?"
"Since you all started living with me." Loud, offended sounds escaped the three. "Black is still a minor, it is only fitting I provide him with one during his indefinite time here in Kanto."
"And what about us?" Gold's hands gestured between Sapphire, Pearl, and himself. Green straightened up and raised his eyebrow.
"Sapphire is a Pidgeot's flight away from Littleroot, Pearl's father provided him with a card for expenses, and you are an adult who is old enough to earn for a living." He explained, picked up his bags, and began walking ahead of them towards the docks. "Now if we're all set, I think we should catch our boat so we can get to Vermillion City on time."
When Green was out of earshot, the rest of the group had their attention towards their youngest, who held his book to his chest and grinned unabashedly.
"I guess we know who his favorite is."
Then Sapphire threw her slipper at him.
They arrived at Vermillion City in no time and had a few minutes to spare to search for the perfect spot to watch the fireworks show. Though the three still seemed bitter at the revelation that Green was spoiling Black—the former argued that they were exaggerating by saying the Unovan was stealing his attention—they managed to set it all aside and start getting excited again for the show.
"Oh, I can't wait to see this. We have fireworks every week in Nimbasa City so I'm really curious on how another region will top this off. You know, if they can of course." Black scratched his nose proudly while the group walked along the pier.
"If its as good as ya say it is, I wanna see it!" Sapphire chimed, skipping as she walked. "All we got are water shows in Sootopolis, but nuthin' beats classic fireworks!"
"We should definitely go!" They stopped at an area with relatively few people. "If you guys ever visit, White could probably let you stay at her house at Undella. We could tour you around, maybe try the Battle Subway. You guys would love the Ferris wheel."
"Why don't we then?" Green spoke suddenly, not quite as loud but his voice rang very clear in the small crowd. The four froze at his proclamation. He turned his head to look at each of their faces. "Why so surprised?"
"Wait, let me just clarify… did you say you wanted to go to Unova?" Pearl spoke slowly and Green nodded.
"I've been thinking a lot today, about what you've all done for me, and the lengths you've gone through just to give me a day to breathe in the busiest season of the year. And… it's come to my attention that I don't spend as much time as I should with all of you." His eyes lingered on Black a second longer and he is reminded of his book. "You are guests in my home and in my region, and I've been less than hospitable. You've become more than that, however. You've become my..."
The word stayed stuck at his throat while the rest of them stared in anticipation. Green felt a bubbling in his chest and he wasn't sure what it was but it had him turn his head away for a moment before returning back to them, quickly changing the subject. "It doesn't have to be right away. Just give me a week or two to prepare and then we could go. Just the five of us."
Green expected them to rejoice, to start jumping and yelling in excitement over his decision. They've been wanting him to drop work and go on vacation for the past weeks they've stayed with him so it was natural that he expected them to be just as loud when he finally gave in. Instead, they were all quiet. They stared at him as like Stantlers caught in headlights. For the first time since he's met all of them, they were speechless.
He would have passed it off as being caught off guard by Green's sudden want to go on vacation, but what sent that feeling back to his chest was that they all looked uncertain and… guilty.
Gold and Pearl exchanged looks and the older one cleared his throat. "Green that's great! Glad we finally got you realizing you need a break away from work but uhm…"
"What is it?"
Just as Gold was about to explain again, Green noticed the Hoenn girl suddenly perk up and start flailing her arms around. "But! But! There should be other things that you should be paying attention to, too!"
"Like what?" It was then the three other boys stopped looking melancholic and the energy returned to their eyes. Their gaze focused past him.
"Like me, maybe?" Green's eyes widened at the voice and he turned around quickly to see her standing there, a hand on her hip, another holding a purse, and her smile bright and beautiful.
He stood stunned for a second but then started walking over to her. The girl opened her arms and took him in an embrace while Green's hand held the back of her head and brought her closer to him. "Blue."
"Oh look at you being all sweet and sentimental in public." Blue chirped and proceeded to give him a kiss on the cheek, prompting Green to let go of her.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in—"
"Kalos?" He nodded softly and Blue quietly slipped her hand into his. "Oh, yes. I was very much enjoying my little vacation there, mon cœur. But I got a call from four little birdies that told me their papa bird was overworking himself."
"Okay, for the record, we did not call you that when we called her over." Pearl pointed, his cheeks tinted red. Blue placed a hand to her mouth and winked at him playfully.
Green stared at the four of his companions, all of them now sporting their normal grins as if their sudden change in mood a while ago had not just happened. He didn't say anything, but his expression demanded a more detailed explanation from the four.
"Like you and Blue said, we thought you were working too hard. You barely got any sleep and you've looked more stressed out than you've ever been. So we asked her to come over and convince you to relax a bit." Black started.
"We actually didn't count on you figuring out on your own that you were steppin' in workaholic territory already, but we still think you should take this opportunity of Blue being home now and spend the rest of your night and day tomorrow together with her." Sapphire clapped her hands together, signaling the end of the explanation. Green's eyes furrowed still.
"I'm sorry, did you just say 'tomorrow'?"
Pearl took out his phone from his pocket while Gold stretched his hands behind his back. "Hey so remember that night when you made Pearl do all those emails to all those people about your day off and to have it all approved and junk?"
The bubbling returned to his chest but for an entirely different reason now. "What did you do?"
When Pearl was done scrolling through his phone he handed it over to his senior. "We sent the PLA another email."
Green looked over the smartphone and the email from the PLA that displayed on it.
To Mr. Pearl Brooks,
We have reviewed your request for a two-day vacation leave of the Viridian City Gym Leader, Green Oak, and have decided on its approval upon your acceptance, as well as all parties involved, to our terms of agreement on the matter. The following are the conditions of which you and your group have agreed upon:
*That there will only be one full work day allowed out of the two in which the Viridian Gym will be completely closed;
*That a suitable and experienced replacement will take the place of Green Oak as Gym Leader for the day, their past accomplishments be reviewed by the Pokemon League Association;
*That the following trainers—Gold Mason, Sapphire Birch, Pearl Brooks, and Black Santiago—have been reviewed and deemed highly qualified to the position and title of Viridian Gym Leader;
*And that the current Viridian Gym Leader, Green Oak, has given his written consent on this matter.
We thank you for your cooperation and patience and would like to wish Mr. Oak a good rest.
Approved by:
Lance Grayson
Indigo League Champion/Head of the Kanto Pokemon League Association
And at that moment, upon reading the final word of the email, the sky burst into color and the firework show had just begun.