Authors Note: God... I am literally up at ridiculous hours lately, writing fanfics for pairings I'm obsessed with. I want to blame lockdown... but is it really? Hahaha! Well, I'm going to at least try and make Red happy in this story :) he isn't Silver after all hahaha. Those of you who have read my other fics will know exactly what I mean by that! Anyways... enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen

Deep within Red's mind, it was becoming exceedingly difficult to focus on something simple like a regular conversation. It felt like static interference, tugging at the seams, causing his hands to tremble in his lap. Gold had noticed his friend's tremors but decided against showing too much affection in case Silver blew a fuse again.

The red-head had made it very clear that he didn't like it when Gold showered Red in his warmness, so for his own sake, he tried to keep it to himself. They had been invited into Kurt's house when Gold flashed a bright smile and asked about a favour. The older man seemed positively thrilled to have company, and for some time they aimlessly conversed about menial subjects.

Red found himself chewing at his bottom lip anxiously, leg bouncing up and down as his mind drifted off to thoughts of Green in that hospital bed. He looked so weak and fragile, and it was up to him to put things right somehow. If they could find Celebi, and allow him to go back in time to a certain point in his childhood where things started to crumble down... maybe there was a chance of salvation?

"Red...?" Gold asked quietly, noticing how the Champion had been deathly silent since coming inside. Crimson eyes blinked suddenly, looking intently into amber irises. He cleared his throat weakly.

"S-sorry... I was miles away."

"Maybe we should tell Kurt the real reason why we are here." Silver groaned at Gold's side, rolling his eyes. "...the sooner we get this over with, the better."

"Is there something bothering you?" Kurt asked kindly, which made Gold unsure on how to word his question. What if this had been a wasted journey and he knew no way of summoning Celebi? Would Red's mind just crumble in front of them? That he couldn't deal with. But not knowing any answers was indefinitely worse.

"Well... we came to talk about the legend of Celebi..."

"Celebi?" He repeated from his chair, looking thoughtful. "...about the shrine in Ilex Forest?"

"Y-yeah sorta..." Gold scratched the back of his head lightly. "...do you know of any way we can summon Celebi to the shrine? Like, is there an item or something?" Silver watched Kurt's countenance closely, noticing how, for that brief second his jaw tensed, and his fingers twitched. Was he nervous, or merely withholding information?

"I would, of course, have to ask why you would need to summon the Forest Guardian, has something happened?" Gold looked across to Red, who by this point looked deflated. He hadn't the heart to begin replaying all these painful memories once again, reminded of the times when Green and himself were blissfully happy and unaware of what the cruel future held for them both.

"Celebi can time travel, yeah?" Gold pursued, as Kurt nodded. "Well, we need to do that... go back in time I mean."

"Arceus be damned why? Tampering with the past is dangerous!" He exclaimed as Silver was slowly starting to lose patience with the old man. His jaw tensed, and his fingers formed into fists in his lap.

"Look, you gonna help us or what?" He spat vehemently, eyes flaring. "...I know for a fact you know how to summon Celebi, so you either tell us so we can make things better, or you have to go to sleep with the knowledge you have ruined someone's love life." Kurt seemed taken aback by Silver's words, as did the other two boys. Gold stared at his friend, not quite believing he had just blurted it out like that.

"Silver..."

"No Gold, don't..." He warned; snorting. "...the old guy definitely knows a way. It's written on his damn face." Kurt cleared his throat before relaxing in his chair once again. His eyes moved across to the hunched form of the Kanto Champion, noticing how he just looked so defeated, a look that should never grace a Champion's face.

"I am guessing this has something to do with you, does it not?" He asked Red directly, and it took a few moments for the boy to realise he had been spoken to. Weakly he managed to nod his head, feeling his throat tighten. No, he needed to be strong; he needed to keep faith.

"...someone is dying Kurt, and Red wants Celebi's help to try and fix that..." Gold finally uttered, releasing a breath that he didn't realise he was holding in. "...that person means everything to him..." Kurt frowned in sadness, lips pursued together as he thought deeply about the predicament.

"Well... there is a way..." Instantly all eyes lifted and bore holes into the older man. "...the shrine has a shallow dip inside of it, the perfect size of a Pokeball. It is not a Pokeball- it is something called a GS ball, and it ended up in my possession many years ago. I have kept it here, safe and sound until I thought it might be useful." Red instantly felt his heart elevate up into the heavens. Was he really saying they could summon Celebi? Was there a way to save Green from all the pain and suffering?

"...do you trust me, Kurt?" Gold asked sternly, arms folded. "Do you think I would put the people of Azalea Town in danger?" He shook his head.

"No of course not, you know I trust you completely Gold, it's just... so sudden..."

"Well, believe me, we didn't plan on this..." Silver groaned tiredly. "...cancer is a bitch, after all, doesn't really give you much warning."

"Cancer?" Kurt gaped, looking between Gold, and Red. Red's shoulder's sagged a little as he nodded weakly, trying to ignore the images flashing in his head of Green lying deathly still in that hospital bed, linked up to the various machines. It crucified his heart.

"Y-yeah... will you help us, Kurt? Please... we wouldn't ask if there was another way." Gold pleaded and hoped that the tone in his voice gave way to his sincerity. Even though deep within he was apprehensive about handing over the artefact, Kurt knew that perhaps this was a crucial time for the Forest Guardian to help. After a few moments, he nodded.

"Okay, I will give you the GS Ball..." Gold watched with bated breath as the older man stood up and walked towards a cabinet filled with various Pokeballs, all designs he recognised that he made from Apricorns. He pulled out a beautiful shiny gold ball and handed it cautiously over to Gold.

"...when you put the GS Ball in the Shrine whoever needs Celebi's help needs to speak aloud what their desire is so the guardian hears you clearly." Red looked at Gold, as he held the golden object carefully in his hands. So, he needed to tell Celebi what he needed to do? What point in time did he need to go back to?

A frown crept onto his countenance. Where would he start? Everything had been almost perfect until just before they started their Pokemon adventure. Green had acted off during that time and had progressively gotten worse. How would he change that from happening?

"Okay... and then do we give the ball back to you?" Gold asked curiously, to which Kurt shook his head as he sat back down.

"No, keep it at the shrine until Celebi returns a second time. It will tell you, trust me." What words could Red even say to a young Green that would stop him from acting like that? Would he return as a child himself, or in his adult form? Arceus, he didn't know. All he knew too well was the incessant beating of his heart deep within his chest.

He felt fingers on his arm as slowly his body was pulled up from the chair. It was Gold, who flashed a kind smile at him. Just behind, Silver's mercury irises were scrutinising his every move as usual.

"Thanks, Kurt, I really owe you one!" The amber-eyed boy beamed happily. Kurt smiled kindly.

"Just... keep safe, all of you. And may the Forest Guardian protect you all."

XxX

As they walked back towards the gloomy Ilex Forest, Red held the GS Ball tightly in his hands, scared in case he dropped and broke it somehow. Gold had insisted that he needed to hold it and prove to Celebi that his intentions were sincere. He couldn't believe that the only hope he had left was a possibility.

"Aren't you a bit scared, Red?" Gold asked softly, looking up at him with large amber eyes. The Champion nodded faintly.

"Y-yeah... I am."

"I never thought I'd see the day when the high and mighty Champion of Kanto would admit he's scared." Silver sneered, as he climbed over a large root from one of the trees. "...just doesn't fit that image."

"I think it's only natural Silv, I mean... this is all new- to all of us."

"I-I... just don't know when to go back to..." Red murmured softly, trying to search his brain for something, anything to go on. He could only really remember certain parts of his childhood, and the bad times were the ones that continued to haunt him more than the good.

"Well, I'd say go back before all this mess happened. It might give you time to figure it out." Gold suggested, flashing the older boy a bright smile to lift his spirits. Silver rolled his eyes.

"...just don't fuck up the future, okay? I kinda don't wanna end up being the leader of Team Rocket or some shit like that." That had been a genuine concern since they had spoken about the whole time travelling thing. Silver prayed that no matter what Red altered, that his own fate would still follow the path of becoming Gold's friend. He didn't want to be associated with his father's criminal organisation- not now, or ever.

"Silv, I promise that no matter what, I'll save you~" Gold teased, winking, as he grabbed onto his scrawny arm tightly. "You're my closest friend! Like hell, I wouldn't fight for that!"

"Ugh... it'll be annoying having to put up with your whining for a second time..." Gold gaped in shock.

"Wha- hey! What do you mean, whining? You would get to experience my great friendship all over again!" For a brief moment, Red witnessed genuine happiness emit from the fiery red-head at Gold's words, and his conviction strengthened somewhat. He didn't just have to save Green; he had to protect Gold and Silver as well.

"You two really are perfect for each other..." He muttered quietly, looking at the two younger boys. "...I am glad you still are close."

"Ughh... perfect is a bit much." Silver groaned as Gold took this opportunity to poke at his friend's cheek playfully.

"Aww see? Even Red thinks we are perfect! So, there's no chance that you're getting rid of me!" It was weird, watching the two of them interact so cutely made Red yearn for that love and affection once again from his own lost best friend. He wanted to see Green animated and full of life, not anger and animosity.

Once the shrine came into view, the Champion's heart felt as if it had traversed into his throat and had started the progress of choking him to death. His skin was clammy, and his whole body trembled in anticipation. He was so scared and nervous about doing this, but there was no other option. He just prayed that Celebi could aid him, somehow.

They all paused, and as amber eyes flickered to the Champion's taller form, he couldn't help but frown a little. He knew Red was worried, but he needed to get the strength from somewhere. They finally had the GS Ball. Celebi would actually be able to help them.

"Don't be scared Red..." He encouraged softly, smiling. "Just... tell Celebi what you need, and put the GS Ball in the shrine."

"Wh-what if... it's not enough?" He muttered sadly, crimson eyes looking intently at the golden object in his hands. Gold shook his head.

"You're being silly. Your soul is pure and honest, and I'm sure Celebi will know that. So, just ask from the bottom of your heart what you need, and have faith." Silver decided to remain silent while this scene played on. As much as he enjoyed tormenting the Champion, he didn't want to anger the Guardian of the Forest for his insubordination accidentally.

Swallowing hard, Red nodded, taking Gold's words on board. He needed to do this. Green needed him. As he stepped up to the shrine, taking in its ethereal beauty, he found himself closing his eyes tightly, allowing all those memories that he had tried to fight off all these years return with a vengeance.

The childhood with Green, playing hide and seek in the forest, messing around in the snow at Christmas time, kissing underneath the mistletoe, those cold winter night cuddles back at home, the laughter that literally consumed him until he couldn't breathe, Green's kindness and warmness to help him through his anxiety and panic attacks. It was all fresh in his mind. Slowly he placed the GS Ball in the shrine's slot, keeping his hands around it, as he focused all of his emotion.

"Celebi... please... if you can hear me... help me save Green. I need to warn him before it's too late... he needs to know about the cancer. It's the only way. Please, if you can hear my voice... I am begging you. Help me save him... help me save the person I love..."

As he let go of the ball, Gold and Silver watched with bated breath as it started to glow. A beautiful, comforting light shone from the object, causing Red to open his eyes weakly, now allowing those once trapped tears to trickle down his cheek freely.

"Wow..." The amber-eyed boy gazed in awe, arm tightly wrapped around Silver's. "... it's beautiful..." As Red looked upwards towards the light, it was then he saw a small green fairy, float downwards until she was right in front of his face. Her large eyes gazed into his own, as a bright smile covered her cute face.

Red's heart hammered in his chest upon seeing the Mythical Pokemon right in front of him, and so close. She appeared curious of the Champion, using this time to fly around his head to inspect him before settling back in front of his face.

"Biii~!" She chimed happily, gently using her hand to touch against Red's cheek, wiping away one of the tears that had escaped. He blinked, body trembling slightly, completely in awe. Celebi was really here; she was right in front of him.

"You're... here..." He muttered, watching as she nodded confidently. "...y-you heard my wish..." Celebi frowned a little upon feeling the waves of sadness emitting from the Champion. He was distraught, something she had never witnessed before.

"Celee...biii?" Tilting her head slightly, she watched as more tears fell from his eyes, and took note how his heart seemed to pulsate pain and anguish throughout his entire vessel.

"Pl-please... I have to save him... help me save Green..." Gold and Silver couldn't help but watch with bated breath. It was so utterly fascinating watching how the Mythical Pokemon interacted with the Champion, how she continued to pet his cheeks to dry the tears away gently.

"Biii...!" Using her smaller hands she moved Red's crumpled face, so he was looking directly into her large eyes, giving him a determined stare. Would she help him? As he felt his breath hitch in this throat and his body tremble, it seemed to provide him with a new lease of life.

"Take me back to my child self... just before Green started getting sick. I might have enough time to save him...please." She nodded and smiled brilliantly before the entire area became illuminated in bright light. Both Silver and Gold shielded their faces from the glare, concerned about the intensity of the light burning their retinas. In a matter of moments, the bright glow faded, and both Celebi and Red were gone.

Gold blinked, feeling suddenly anxious. Was it over, just like that? Did Red manage to go back in time and alter things? Would it affect them both right away? As he turned to his side, he still saw Silver's form, which was a good thing at least.

"So... did anything change?" He asked weakly, and the red-head shrugged slightly.

"I dunno, but not gonna lie, I do feel weird..."

"Y-yeah... me too..."

XxX

A soothing warmth surrounded his body, pulling consciousness into his vessel. His eyes felt heavy; like he hadn't managed to sleep in months, and yet something was desperately trying to get him to open his eyes. But he was so comfortable and warm right now; he didn't want to leave.

As he managed to blink his eyes open and readjust to the light, Red realised that he appeared to be back home. His old childhood home. He remembered the smell of vanilla that his mother loved using around the house. But, there was something else, or more importantly, someone else here.

Shuffling slightly in the bed, his eyes melted into the sleeping face of his old childhood companion. It was back when they were kids, just before they changed the rules about when you could get your Pokemon licence. Had he gone too far back? He was like ten years old again.

Green's arms were coiled around him, just like he used to back then, and seemed so blissfully unaware of everything. His breathing was steady, and serene- which caused tears to form in Red's eyes. He was... okay! He could put it all right!

Without thinking, Red wrapped his arms tightly around Green, not caring if it woke him up. He had wanted to hold him for so many years, to enjoy his warmth and affection once again- and it was actually here, it was real.

Green groaned softly at the weight pressing against him, but he relaxed as soon as he realised that it was Red. A small smile tugged at his lips as he too returned the gesture.

"Hey... you okay?"

"Green... you're here..." He murmured softly, chest tightening as tears fell down his face. The older boy frowned a little, wondering if Red had another nightmare or something to react in this way. Then again, he had always been very affectionate.

"Of course I am... where else would I be?" As he nuzzled into brunet locks of hair and inhaled the scent of jasmine shampoo, Red felt his whole body tingle. Thank Arceus... Celebi had given him the opportunity to save him.

"Please... never leave me... no matter what. Promise me..."

"Hey..." Within seconds Green's warm hands were on Red's face, thumbs tenderly brushing against flushed cheeks. "... what's brought this on? A bad dream?" He shook his head, breathing shakily.

"Green... I need you to promise me that'll never hate me... or leave me... or hurt me..." Emerald eyes blinked in confusion. Just why was his friend thinking these things? He seemed upset, so maybe it was more than just a bad dream? He nodded.

"Of course Red, I promise..." As crimson eyes closed tightly and he allowed himself to nuzzle against Green's palm, deep within his heart pounded intensely. This was it, the chance to turn things around. No matter how events played out during this time, he had to make sure not to let Green change.

"I-I... love you, Green..." Innocently he pressed a kiss against Green's hand, and the older boy felt his cheeks flush suddenly. He was used to Red's outbursts, but this seemed different somehow. Like this wasn't just an 'episode', that the feelings he spoke aloud were genuine, and he meant every word.

"Red..."

"I really mean it... I love you... more than anything." A soft smile tugged at the older boy's lips as he suddenly pulled Red against his chest, cuddling him tightly. For some bizarre reason, just hearing his voice with so much conviction and certainty made his body tingle. Did he love him back? Well, he would do anything for his friend, and enjoyed spending all this time together so- yes, he believed he did. And as more tears escaped crimson irises, he heard the words he wanted to hear for so many years.

"...I love you too Red."