Authors Note: God... I'm sorry this has taken an absolute age to do! I was stuck with ideas, and then got to reading fanfiction again and it sparked my love! Also we are in lockdown again so, what else to do but finish off my fics! I'm thankful for everyone who had stuck by my side throughout this hiatus, and ugh I hate myself! But... hopefully it should be finished soon :) enjoy this next instalment!
Chapter Twelve
"Dammit!" Silver cursed, throwing the controller on the floor in a rage. Once more, he had lost against the goggle-head that sat next to him. Gold's face beamed happily as he had won three out of three maps, and easily at that. The red-head really was terrible at games. He just lacked patience and got riled up too quickly.
Gold had decided to stay at Silver's for a few days since being at the hospital with Red, and they spent the majority of that time playing games, watching films and eating takeout. It had been a nice break instead of being cooped up at his own house, being forced to do chores.
Spending time with his friend was just the medicine that the doctor ordered, and for those few days- he was slowly starting to feel like his old self again.
"Wanna go again?" He teased, receiving a playful punch in his shoulder for his comment. Silver eyes melted into amber as a small smirk tugged at his lips. Even though he loathed losing to Gold, deep within he was happy they could indulge in simple moments like this. If it were taking his mind off Red and his toxic relationship, then he would sacrifice the feeling of winning if only to see that stupid smile of his.
"Nah... otherwise I will end up knocking you out." The amber-eyed boy laughed out loud, nudging Silver's shoulder playfully.
"Like you could! We all know how our battles end up, Silv~."
"A battle is not the same as a fistfight, Gold. I would knock you out easily~."
"Noooo! You can't mess up my beautiful face!"
Over the years, even though Silver could still be snappy and fiery at the best of times, he had learned to mellow slightly, and that was progress in Gold's books. He smiled at his friend, taking great pleasure in seeing his cheeks flush.
Then the sound of Gold's Pokegear ringing erupted into the atmosphere, alerting the red-head at his side. Stern mercury irises melted into the goggle-heads form as he grabbed the device, and looked at just who was calling him. His face paled as he swallowed hard. Was it someone he didn't want to talk to? Crystal maybe?
"You gonna answer that?" Silver pushed, watching how Gold's gaze became uncertain.
"... it's Red..." Immediately upon mentioning the Champion's name, Silver couldn't help but snort in disinterest. Was he feebly attempting to dig his toxic claws back into his friend in a vain ditch effort to salvage what was left?
"Fuck that guy. Ignore it." He spat, watching as Gold's fingers hovered over the answer button. Was he seriously considering it after everything? Maybe that was because the raven-haired boy possessed such a pure heart, that just wanted to help anyone in need?
"...I have to see what he wants." Gold muttered before placing the device to his ear with bated breath. "...hello?"
"Gold...? I didn't think you'd answer me..." Red's soft voice infiltrated into his ears, and just his sheer words alone caused the younger boy to frown a little. Silver watched him curiously, ready in case things took a turn for the worst. If that asshole Champion thought he would get away with it, he had another thing coming.
"...is something wrong?" Red paused as if to contemplate his words carefully.
"I need to ask you something. What do you know about Celebi?"
"...Celebi?" Gold repeated as his amber eyes connected with Silver's. The red-head wondered why that information was necessary. Celebi was a mythical Pokemon heard of in legend, but no-one had ever seen it. Did Red want to sing Green to sleep with fairy tales or something?
"Do you know where I can find Celebi?" From the tone, Gold could tell that the Champion seemed desperate. Was he trying to find a way to save Green, perhaps? He had heard of the rumour surrounding Ilex Forest and the shrine, but as far as he was aware it was nothing more than a myth that held little value.
"... it's a fairy-tale, Red. Do you really believe that?"
"Gold, please... it might be the only way. I need your help... please..." His voice broke and instantly any resolve that the goggle-head had, withered away. Hearing that pained tone in Red's voice made him long to just hold the boy in his arms and tell him everything would be okay, despite everything.
"Red..." Silver's eyes flared hatefully, knowing that his friend was once again getting pulled into this elaborate game, and he didn't like it one bit. He wanted to rip the device from Gold's hands, scream at Red and tell him to leave him alone, but he couldn't. Doing that would ultimately upset the raven-haired boy more so he had to play along for now.
"...please help me Gold...I-I don't know what else to do...!" His eyes widened as he heard the Champion break down on the other end of the phone, and it crucified his fragile heart. He hated seeing Red cry, and always wanted to be able to help in some way.
"Okay, okay, calm down. First, tell me, why are you looking for Celebi?" He sniffled to compose himself, and shaky breaths echoed down the receiver.
"...if I can go back in time with Celebi to save Green... he might not die...!" Amber eyes widened in shock. So that was the grand master plan. To time travel and alter the course of fate. Would it even be possible?
First, they had to find Celebi if it even actually existed and then ask for help. Had Red thought through the consequences of tampering with the past? It would alter the future, and everything would be different.
"Red, that's dangerous! You shouldn't go messing about with the past! What if it makes everything much worse?"
"It's the only option, Gold! Green will die if we don't try something...!" He sounded so desperate, and needy, two things that the goggle-head struggled to deal with. Even though deep within this plan didn't sit right with him, he knew that he somehow had to help Red. If there was a slight chance of putting things right, they should surely jump at the opportunity?
"...Arceus Red... I'm not too sure about this..." Silver watched him curiously, just catching snippets of the conversation. Were they still talking about finding a Mythical Pokemon? Was that really how desperate Red had become? Anything to save his precious toxic boyfriend.
"G-Gold... I'm not asking you to come with me, I just... I just need to know where to go."
"Don't be so stupid! I would never let you go there by yourself!" The younger boy ended up shouting, noticing how the red-head at his side seemed to perk up more than ever. His stern gaze focused intently on him, ready to intervene if necessary. Red sighed, tired of fighting with the stubborn boy.
"Fine... can you meet me at the Goldenrod Magnet Train Station? I'm going to get a train from Saffron there... figured it'd be quicker than flying over." Gold nodded obediently.
"Of course! Just drop me a message when you're nearby, and I'll head out." On the other end of the line, the Champion smiled. He indeed was thankful for Gold's co-operation during this time, even though he had treated him so poorly. But he had Silver, right? And that fiery red-head would always manage to lift his spirits no matter what.
"I will do. See you soon." With that, the conversation ended abruptly.
Silver glared as he watched his friend put the Pokegear down beside him, his body language signalling that he was worried. Was he concerned that the red-head would explode at him and curse him for being so pathetic and stupid? Well, even though he wanted to say those things, when he looked into broken amber irises, that resolve just died a death completely.
"Silv... I'm sorry... I know you're mad at me..."
"I'm not mad," He cut him off suddenly, jaw tensing somewhat. "... you've always never listened to what's best for you, so why change the habit of a lifetime." With a heavy heart, Gold sighed heavily, wondering if he was making the right choice here. He knew that he had feelings for the Champion, and he also knew how badly Silver was against it. Was he just making the situation worse?
"...why don't you come with me?" He suggested, causing the red-head to tilt his head slightly, clearly confused.
"What, to the forest?"
"Yeah! Then at least you'll know that the only reason I'm helping Red is as a friend." Silver sighed softly, shaking his head. Gold didn't need to prove anything to him; after all, he was free to do whatever he wanted. He was just concerned about his friend's welfare and mental state.
"Gold... you don't need to ask for my permission. I don't own you."
"I know that. I also know you don't like Red..." Understatement right there. "...please, I would like you to come with us." Chewing on his bottom lip, Silver tried to settle his nerves. The way his friend was looking at him, so full of desperation- was making his resolve continue to slip away. A part of him was terrified that he would end up just blurting out his feelings, even though he desperately fought to keep them hidden from sight.
"...I don't know..."
"Silver..." Then his hand reached for the red-heads, holding it tightly for affirmation. It caused heat to explode on his pale cheeks as mercury irises drowned in amber. "...I need you... please?" With a shaky breath, Silver couldn't help but nod weakly as those words tingled his skin. Just what the hell was Gold doing? Did he have any idea what he was saying or how it sounded right now?
"F-Fine..." He stuttered; flushing. "...but just this once!" Then his whole body became ensnared by strong warm arms. Gold pulled him close, gripping him tightly in a hug, smiling. Silver wasn't very comfortable with physical contact at the best of times, so this was overwhelming. Even so, he couldn't help but melt into the embrace and enjoy the soothing warmth his friend emitted.
"Thank you so much, Silv! You're the best!"
"Yeah... yeah..." The faintest of smiles tugged at his lips, as tentatively he raised his arms to curl around the raven-haired boy, fully allowing himself to enjoy this moment, despite his inner self screaming bloody murder at him.
XxX
It had been about an hour when Gold received the Champion's dreaded message, letting him know that he was about ten minutes away from Goldenrod Station. Thankfully Silver lived in the city centre so getting to the station wouldn't take long at all. Even though the red-head had agreed to come with them, he was starting to regret his decision.
What if when Gold saw Red again, he would revert to type and end up becoming a blushing submissive mess, willing to do anything he said? Just the mere thought of it was making his blood boil. No way would that happen. He would make sure of it. Gold deserved better, much better than some deadbeat Champion's empty promises and toxic lies.
"You okay?" Gold's voice interrupted his thoughts as they left the apartment. Silver nodded as he locked the front door.
"As good as I can be." The raven-haired boy frowned.
"...you really don't like him, do you?" Mercury eyes closed for a moment.
"Of course I don't fucking like him. He hurt you like you don't mean anything, and that pissed me off." As he pushed the key into his jeans pocket, both boys made their way over to the station. It was a cloudy overcast day, rainfall threatening overhead. As they walked side by side, the itch to link arms with Gold was clawing at Silver in ways that he never believed were possible. Just what the hell was wrong with him?
"You used to be way worse by the way," Gold teased, smirking. "I mean... you pushed me down outside the Pokemon Laboratory when we first met!" He rolled his eyes.
"That was an age ago, and I was angry at everything- not necessarily you personally." The raven-haired boy felt playful now he had got his friend on the ropes, and sidled up to him, wrapping an arm around his.
"Oh? And explain the whole Rocket Hideout thing~? I mean... was that the first time you saw me almost naked?"
"GOLD!" He yelled, face erupting into crimson. "Arceus be damned! I was NOT trying to get you naked!" He wiggled his eyebrows as they walked down the street.
"So you were just trying to take my clothes off for no reason? Hmm... I smell Tauros shit..." Why was this still a topic of conversation even after all this time? It was bad enough that he couldn't get that image out of his head, let alone being teased about it. Now he thought about it, was it back then that he figured out his feelings for Gold? Or at least where it began?
"Shut the fuck up Gold, or I'm going back home."
"Haha! I'm just kidding Silv."
They entered the station, and thankfully today it wasn't busy. Gold pulled to a stop, gazing up at the large overhead boards at the arrivals. Red's train from Saffron was due to arrive in three minutes. As mercury irises beheld his image, Silver noticed how his body language felt strained.
Gold was worried, upset even- and was trying his best to conceal it behind teasing and playfulness, just like he always used to. The raven-haired boy's arm remained locked around his own, and for once, he was okay with this. If it meant he felt grounded or even marginally better, then he would sacrifice his discomfort this once.
"It'll be okay..." Silver muttered, watching how his friend turned to face him, smiling faintly.
"Yeah... I have you after all." Swallowing hard, the red-head looked away. Why did he keep saying those things? It was as if he was Gold's most favourite person in the world, which of course he wasn't. That damned Champion was, and he hated it. No- he loathed it. All he wanted was for Gold to be free from that negativity and to be as happy and carefree as he used to be.
When the train pulled in, Gold felt anxiety swarm his vessel completely. He was nervous, and yet he didn't know why. It wasn't as if he had never seen Red before, so why did he feel so on edge? Was it the fact that he knew Silver wasn't happy with this situation?
He shot a glance at the red-head, noticing that he wasn't even paying attention. He was too busy looking at a nearby advertisement, anything to take his mind off the pressing issue that was about to unfold. Seeing that damned Champion, and resisting the urge to punch his face in. Gold had now removed his arm and used it to wave to Red's tall figure as he left the train.
Every single second that this went on, Silver could feel himself slipping further and further into the void of depression. Despite everything, was he still not good enough to get Gold's full attention? Was it because he wasn't worth anything and didn't deserve to have his feelings reciprocated?
"You're here..." Red's soft voice interrupted those negative thoughts, and mercury irises flared in hatred. Gold nodded, smiling weakly.
"Of course. I said I would. Silver is coming too." Red felt his heart drop when that steely gaze pierced him. If looks could kill, then he would have been dead on the spot. But, despite Silver's frosty demeanour, he decided against backing away. This was the only option they had to save Green, and he needed to make sure that it worked.
"Y-yes... sure. Um... so do you know where to go?" Thankfully Ilex Forest wasn't that far from Goldenrod, but finding Celebi wouldn't be easy. He knew that and was also mentally prepared in case it proved to be an impossible task.
"Ilex Forest isn't far from here, so yeah... about twenty minutes or so." Red walked closer to the two younger boys and instantly noticed that the red-head snaked an arm around Gold's, pulling him closer protectively. So, now he understood. As he looked into eyes of mercury, everything was slowly starting to make sense.
"Let's go then."
XxX
Ilex Forest was dark and gloomy as usual, despite it being daytime. The canopy of trees proving so dense not that much sunlight could trickle through to illuminate the Earth. Even so, Gold knew the forest pretty well and led the way through its narrow walkways, avoiding any unearthed roots on the way.
Red was nervous, and yet also excited at the same time. The idea about meeting a Mythical Pokemon was a once in a lifetime thing, and if it decided to help him save Green, then that would have been the best-case scenario.
Silver walked just behind Gold, keeping in-between the two boys. The last thing he wanted was for the Champion to sink those toxic claws of his back into Gold. He would damn well do anything to prevent that at this point.
"So... I know where the shrine is... but I've never seen Celebi there." Gold spoke as they walked.
"It's a fucking fairy-tale, that's why." Silver cursed.
"Silv, don't say that! We need to have some faith! Where's the magic otherwise?" He rolled his eyes.
"...I hope Celebi can help..." Red murmured weakly, his heart heavy as lead in his chest.
"I'm sure if we can find a way, then Celebi will help you, I mean... you ARE the Kanto Champion after all."
"Yeah, and fuck everything up for the people of future..." Silver groaned as he manoeuvred past a large rock. "...meddling with the past is dangerous as fuck."
"Tell me something I don't know... but... I don't have any other choice." Red answered feebly, looking down in sadness. Green was suffering, and he wanted to stop that. If by going back in time, he could prevent all of the bad things, then he would do it over and over again.
"Yeah you do, let that fucking bastard die."
The walking stopped, and as Gold whipped around, he saw the figure of Red lean against a tree to support his weight, as his chest heaved painfully. Narrow mercury eyes stared him down in triumph as he witnessed the high and mighty Kanto Champion crumble right before him. Tears fell down his cheeks as he closed his eyes tightly.
Immediately, Gold rushed over to him, hands on his arms, making sure he was okay. The older boy was breaking down at Silver's words, and the red-head wasn't bothered in the slightest. That was only a fraction of what he truly deserved.
"Silver! You can't say stuff like that!" Gold chided, watching as his friend rolled his eyes.
"Why not? It's the fucking truth! If that bastard died then all this would be over! I'm sick of all this shit!"
"You're upsetting Red! He cares about Green! You can't say such horrible things!" Gold's voice was rising, and it was making the red-head feel even more riled. How dare he defend him! After everything, he had done! He was still there, playing the role of supportive lovesick Growlithe, and it made him feel sick to his stomach.
"...and who is going to stop me?! I'm just telling it like it is! But you're too fucking lovesick and wrapped around his finger to see the reality of it all!" Amber eyes sparkled at his words, as he held Red in his arms. The Champion tried his best to block out all of the harsh words and shouting, but it was no avail. It was all getting too much for him.
"Silver..."
"I am done with this shit! I am going home! Clearly, you have already chosen who means more to you right now." Fuelled by anger and adrenaline, the red-head stomped back the way they came, ignoring any of Gold's protests and pleas. It was all just broken promises and lies, why did he need to listen to it?
"STOP!" Fingers gripped his arm tightly and pulled him back suddenly. Mercury eyes flared, and as he turned around, Gold was right in front of him. "...please Silver... stop this fighting! You don't need to compete with Red! Okay? I am helping him as a friend, nothing more! I promise you." He looked at the ground, teeth chewing on his bottom lip.
"...I...I don't believe you, Gold. I'm sorry... but actions speak louder than words in this case." His fingers dug into Silver's wrist, preventing his escape, which caused the fiery boy to sigh heavily. He just wasn't listening, was he? Did he want to have his cake and eat it too? Was that it?
"...then please... let me prove it! Let me show you that you're the only person I need in my life." As their eyes met, Silver could feel his heart start to pound in his chest at his words. Wait... did he mean all of that? His voice sounded genuine, after all. After a brief moment of consideration, Silver conceded.
"Okay, fine. Once all this is over... you can prove that." Gold smiled brightly and briefly wrapped his arms around the slender form of his friend before they walked back to Red's form, who by now had recovered a little. His cheeks were still flushed and eyes bloodshot from crying, but he wasn't collapsing anymore, which was a good thing.
"I'm sorry for what I said... I was out of order." Silver grumbled out the apology, noticing how the Champion meekly nodded in response.
"...thanks..."
"Now, let's go find this damned shrine!" Gold beamed, wrapping his arms around Silver and Red's, tugging them along the path. Hopefully, they could find a way to summon Celebi, or learn of a way of getting the Mythical Pokemon's attention- after all, it was the last hope.
XxX
The shrine was in a state of disrepair, covered in moss and untouched in years. When crimson irises gazed on its form, he felt tears sting his eyes. It was here, and real. The shrine was right in front of him, and yet- there was no sign of Celebi.
Gold gently pressed a hand to the roof of the shrine, trying to wipe away the moss that had grown there. He remembered walking past this during his journey to collect Gym Badges. Kurt from Azalea Town had mentioned it being to honour the forest guardian- or something like that.
"Well what a surprise, Celebi is not here." Silver chimed in, leaning against a nearby tree, watching as Gold looked cautiously around the small structure.
"...no-one said it was going to be easy," The amber-eyed boy remarked, looking for any signs that might help them locate the Mythical Pokemon.
"Is there a way to call Celebi maybe?" Red spoke up, wondering out loud. He wasn't sure, but the fact they found the shrine was something positive at least. Gold looked thoughtful. The only lead he had was maybe to talk to Kurt about it. He had been the one to tell Gold about it in the first place, so perhaps he knew more about how to summon Celebi?
"Well, there's this one guy in Azalea Town who crafts Pokeballs who knows about the shrine. It might be a good idea to talk to him about it." Silver rolled his eyes.
"...we are dragging other people into this now?"
"Look, it might be the only option we have. Just being here isn't enough for Celebi to show up, so we need more information." Gold shot back as he moved away from the shrine. Surely there must be a way, but right now they had no idea. Red nodded.
"Let's go and see him then. If he can help, then it's worth a try."
"We might need a certain item or something to get Celebi to come here, you know like with Ho-Oh needing the Rainbow Wing and all that." It made some sense in the raven-haired boy's mind, but the shrine was so small the only thing that could fit would have been the size of a mere Pokeball.
"Fine, let's go before I change my mind." Silver grumbled, moving away from the tree. Gold nodded, smiling brightly as the three of them made their way towards Azalea town, ready to speak with Kurt.
If he had any information that could help them, then it would help. Red just prayed that this wasn't all just a waste of time after all- Green didn't have much of it left.