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Chapter 0: Spark

11th March 1975, Tuesday – San Francisco, California.

It felt like that little maroon armchair was going to vanish in the large and empty living room.

Just photos and pictures on the walls, together with an oak ottoman, kept it company. Moving was imminent. Simon, a handsome 31-year-old man, was slowly walking through the room, lightly brushing the wooden furniture as he passed by. He was holding a picture frame while gazing at a smiling group, all wearing lab coats. Bright grins gazed up from the faded photo, eyes shining with determination, and something akin to nostalgia. Simon was sure. He wanted to leave California.

After all, Pallet Town was a calm place, perfect for his family... Not to mention that he worked there. Time had passed since he joined the research team of his father: the old Samuel Oak. Every time he thought back at his first day at work, he couldn't avoid to smile for the mess he caused. He tipped over so many shelves, accidentally destroying half the samples gathered from the researchers in the lab...

Six years had passed and still his colleagues were laughing at that accident.

"If it wouldn't for my father, I would have been fired in an instant!" he always said, giggling to himself. Simon Oak had never accomplished a lot with his studies, and that work he was offered from his father was the biggest turning point of his life.

He put down the frame and headed to the armchair, letting himself sink into the soft pillows. His memories wildly began to rise to the surface. It felt like a century has passed since then, but still, remembering those moments was always a pleasure.

1969...

That was the year, on his first day at work, he met Allison Rowe, or, as the rest of the team knew her, the "sweet Ally". Athletic body, nice chest and beautiful blonde hair that highlighted the deep blue of her eyes. If, in the past, someone had told him that that beauty would have become his wife, Simon wouldn't have ever believed that.

Not because he was ugly, not at all! Tall, mahogany colored hair, azure eyes, and a body every girl wants to see.

No, the problem wasn't his appearance. Simon Oak, when he began to work for his father, was 25... But he was so immature it seemed like he was 13 years old at most. Whims and disasters occurred every day. Really a kid. He was always scolded by his best friend, Hikaru Suzaku. Doctor Suzaku, actually.

Even if he was six years younger than Simon, this Asian guy had a brain as good as a computer. Not really tall, lean body, straight black hair and dark eyes. A regular Japanese teen, but with such a gift of the gab and self-confidence to bewitch everyone, regardless their gender. He was just 19 when he got promoted to Department-Chief of the same team Simon was in.

Even the "Sweet Ally", despite being 4 years older, had a crush on the composed and trustworthy Japanese teen.

Those two would eventually get married... or have sex at least. Everyone was sure of this. Everyone but, ironically, Hikaru Suzaku. The young Department-Chief only had eyes for the new Britannic brunette: Claire Field. When she arrived at the lab, she was just 14 and couldn't really work. She was just there, handing glass tubes and samples to her father that every two months went back to London, taking her with him.

When Claire Field was absent, Simon suddenly become essential, but not for researching. He was an unlimited source of laughs for his friend Hikaru, consumed with the thought of his secret love... So secret that everyone was aware. It wasn't difficult actually, since he couldn't get his eyes off her.

"What are you waiting for? Go and tell her!" Said Simon, as soon as Claire set foot in the lab again.

"T-Tell her what?" Asked the whispering Hikaru, as he become as red as a PokéBall.

"Oh come on, don't play dumb with me! Go and tell Field she's making you crazy!"

The Asian teens face turned all shades of red and when it reached crimson, he walked away. The conversation ended like that.

Three years passed quickly. Kanto Island was a Japanese colony already, and the construction of residential areas were almost finished; but a town seemed to stand out among the others. It was small, more so than Pallet Town maybe, and the name given was about the flowers all around the place. The whole town was full of a sweet lavender aroma.

Lavender Town was quite unique, not only for the scent but for the presence of a Christian church. Predictable. Kanto Island was part of Japan but the most of its inhabitant were from America, French, England, and Italy, all of which were mainly Christian countries.

That building had, in fact, an architecture so unique on the Island that it was impossible not being surprised, especially admiring it from the inside. Wide stained glass windows, adorned with sacred figures mosaics, looked even wider from there. Two lines of sturdy wooden pews went through the whole nave, sometimes interrupted by tight passages, finally reaching the altar surmounted by a gigantic marmoreal crucified Christ. Sequences of candles, half their original size, twisted and turned through the area up until the heavy front gate.

But something was different that day, not just the uncommon amount of audience.

A multitude of pure white flower bouquets filled the church, and a long red velvet carpet conjoined the great wooden open gate to the small marmoreal steps beneath the altar. The wedding invitation was a surprise for everyone, still on that day, that woman, really walked in the Lavender Town church dressed in white.

The wedding dress made her more beautiful than ever. Opalescent silk clothes descended, followed the long skirt while skillfully made intricate works ascended through the corset. Her arms, uncovered by the dress, were wrapped to the elbow by long white silk gloves. The golden hair was tied in a chignon while a veil was concealing the eyes leaving naked just a cerise pair of lips. A goddess.

In conjunction with her father, the wedding march started to accompany her walk on the red carpet.

Now and again the tip of a cream colored elegant shoe peered out from the lower border of the dress while she walked towards the altar. The young groom seemed paralyzed, the sight of his future wife had made him stiff like frozen fish and he couldn't take his eyes off her heavenly being.

The audience was thoroughly enjoying the scene.

Some girls had teary eyes, and even the General Supervisor Samuel Oak was clearly touched and was loudly blowing his nose. This was a rare event for lab rats like them, not counting that it was the marriage of two beloved colleagues. No one would have said that not even as a joke and someone really believed it actually was a joke when the formal invitation arrived the past week.

Printed on what seemed to be a pretty expensive paper, fine and sinuous words told:

"Simon Oak and Allison Rowe

Request the honor of your presence as we join hands in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony
On Thursday, September 7, 1972 at 10:00 am

At the Church of the Holy Virgin of Lavender Town "

Obviously it was no joke.

The bride was finally at the altar aside her groom, and Hikaru and Claire, as Best Man and Maid of Honor, approached them. Even they couldn't believe their eyes, but it was impossible to deny the obvious: the clumsy Simon and the Sweet Ally were marrying in front of them.

The suit wore by the Asian guy was a pain to him. At least now he was finally able to see Claire without her lab coat. She had a chignon like the bride's, only two curly locks of hair descended on her chest. Claire noticed his stare and immediately turned her head blushing furiously. She looked happy from his attention but... did that mean she knew about Hikaru's feelings?

"Brothers and sisters, today we are here before God to unite Simon and Allison in the holy sacrament of matrimony." The priest's words made Hikaru come to his senses, to his role and to the two golden wedding rings he was entrusted with. Speeches full of clerical terms followed. Hikaru wasn't accustomed to these kind of ceremonies, to be honest it was his first time to an event like that one. It felt far too distant from a Japanese wedding.

The most of the guests seemed to perfectly know the screenplay. In fact, they were emotionally reacting in advance. Like while watching a movie you knew far too well, lots of them started wiping their tears or giving warm stares to the couple at the altar knowing the words the priest was going to say.

Samuel Oak, sat aside Ally's father, was the most excited.

Something big was going to be pronounced and this time, thanks to Hollywood, even the young Asian could foresee the next "scene".

"I, Simon, take you, Allison, to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love from this day forward..." It was the first time being this serious for him.

The old Oak was holding tightly onto his tissue while looking with teary eyes. Ally's father placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling, like everyone else.

"I, Allison, take you, Simon, to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love from this day forward..." She was clearly moved and barely able to speak.

"You may exchange the rings." Said priest solemnly.

Then Simon walked toward his friend and took the wedding rings. Hikaru was incredibly anxious while he handed him the objects on a small elegant and opalescent pillow. The rings were made of pure gold, glowing while bathed in the light gushing from the wide windows. It really seemed that they had the power to tie together two people's souls.

"We're going to the new restaurant in Saffron City after the ceremony... And guess who'll be sitting with our cute British girl?" Whispered Simon to Hikaru, rather ironically.

Those words were a shower of cold water for the boy. He stayed still for a couple of seconds, with his stare lost in space and the pillow towards where his friend was an instant ago.

"And now by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The sound of the pipe organ and the applause brought Hikaru back on Earth. He was pretty absent that day. Bride and groom walked fast on the red carpet ending into a traditional rice shower. They were in seventh heaven. Ally's eyes were still teary, and Simon couldn't force that dumb smile off his face.

A two-seater carriage was waiting for them outside the church; no roof, cream varnish, and golden details all over its structure. The coachman greeted the bride by lifting his top hat. Her teary blue eyes become wide and wider before that fairy view, her husband had totally surprised her. Without motor vehicles, carriages and bicycles were a habit on Kanto Island. But this kind of excellence was a rare sight.

Two ponyta were pulling the coach, one of the most beautiful of the Pokémon species. A pony-size equine, but far more slender than the regular animal. The ivory fur was full of opalescent reflection due to the sunlight. Their deep black eyes were covered on the sides by blinkers while the lucid hoofs were gently hitting the ground under them. But the most amazing thing about those Pocket Monsters was certainly their manes and tails entirely made of dense golden and scarlet flames. The coachman petted one of them calmly passing his hand even though the tongues of fire.

Seeing that scene reminded Hikaru Suzaku that his team was still unable to explain how those flames could be barely... lukewarm.

Everyone moved to the "Très chic": a Saffron City French restaurant.

The banquet was opened with exquisite Salmon Mousse, followed by a steamy Vichyssoise and the classical Escargot. Honestly the most of the guests didn't even touch the last course. During the pauses between dishes, the volume of the music become higher, allowing those who wanted to dance an enjoyable time on the dance floor.

Two hours passed and food was still coming.

Despite now Ally's (and now Simon's) encouragements at Hikaru's and Claire's table, 4-B, no one had talked yet. Both of them were going to crush under the weight of the embarrassing silence. While waiters was clearing the tables for the dessert dishes a soft melody filled the place. The couple was asked to start slow dances. Under everyone stares, they began to dance, followed by an outburst of applause and those delicate notes. Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night". Truly a beautiful song.

While dancing with the wife, Simon made a gesture with his head to his Japanese friend. It was unmistakable: "Hurry up, dumbass!" Hikaru smiled, lowering his stare. Thanks to the music, or his friend, the boy come to his senses one last time, sadly shaking his head. Even if he didn't speak, his thoughts were far too simple to grasp. "Look at you... Doctor Hikaru Suzaku: the genie that become Department-Chief at just 19 year old... Can't talk to a girl."

Suddenly the spell that was keeping table 4-B silent broke.

"It was too kind of you to not scold me for my inelegance, I didn't speak to you at all. Please, forgive me, it was not my intention to bore you so much."

Claire wasn't expecting to hear such a speech from who, until a short time ago, seemed barely able to eat. In front of her right now there was the same essential laboratory leader that guy was: the voice confident and calm and the gentle look he has had brought a lump in her throat, she felt her face becoming hotter and hotter. Hikaru stood up.

"I would like to have a smoke, I'll go outside so the bride won't get angry." He smiled. "This said... I could never let alone such a beautiful girl." For a moment Claire thought she had a heart attack.

Loud and embarrassing as always the old Samuel Oak broke the magic of that moment.

He was offering quite the show to the guests with his personal off-key version of "Strangers in the Night". He was dead drunk.

"No. It would really be unforgivable to leave you here. Especially with these people around." Hikaru went on, with a veil of irony. Claire chuckled. "Would you like to go with me?" He proposed. She just nodded happily.

That Sunday Saffron's building site was closed, the only sound in the air was the muffled sound coming from the door behind them. Hikaru took a Marlboro pack out of his breast pocket.

"I... sorry... I'm really sorry... and... I don't want to look like a girl that make a pass at an older boy but..."

Not a cigarette came out from the pack. Claire unexpected words had blocked both Hikaru and the girl. She seemed even more embarrassed then him, blaming herself for that speech. Why did she start talking? Why should he be hearing something this pathetic? Like if she was the first to confess to him...

"I like you since the moment I saw you, Claire. I would like to be at your side, from now on."

Calm and smiling, Hikaru interrupted her confused thoughts. She was now looking at him. Everything happened so fast, she didn't know if that boy tried to guess what she wanted to say or if those were actually his words. They both went silent for a couple of seconds.

"Did... Did I upset you...?" Asked an embarrassed Hikaru. Claire blushed excessively, however she shook her head. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, revealing a timid smile.

"Not... Not at all, you too... … ..." Claire lowered her voice so much that her words were impossible to be heard.

"What?" He asked.

"I said that...! I... You too... I...!" Her voice was really loud, she hesitated for a moment then widened her big brown eyes and glared with decision at him so close that she could have watched her reflection in his dark eyes. "I like you too..." She said in a whisper.

Hikaru smiled, he thought that the girl was going to shout at him and instead she had been so discreet, cute actually.

He moved the curly wisp of hair near her cheek with his right hand.

"You too." He reaffirmed, finally pressing his lips on Claire's.

They came back in a couple of minutes; the gorgeous voice of Frank Sinatra was still filling the setting while they headed to the dance floor for their first dance, greeted by ironical words from the lab's colleagues. An unforgettable day for a lot of people.

Three years passed quickly and Simon was now the father of a beautiful little two years old angel.

It was just his daughter voice that brought him back from his memories, bringing him back to the maroon armchair: bringing him back in 1975. On that day his little girl Daisy was turning two.

The man stood up from the armchair and looked one more time the photo before getting started with the birthday party decorations. It was filled with his best memory of the time on Kanto Island. The more visible were actually the four of them. The day that photo was taken, Hikaru still hadn't spoken to Claire, but it was right after the flash they had talked to each other for the first time.

Simon's head appeared between Hikaru's and Claire's, they looked like two kids back then, while his arms were trying to keep them side by side. That picture was black and white but his Japanese friend's blush was pretty clear anyway. He didn't spoke to him for the rest of the week.

Simon then looked on the right of the photo, Ally was staring at that improbable trio whit a smile on her face.

Ally... She actually was his wife and granted him the joy of becoming father.

It was thanks to her too that Simon hadn't doubts left, they would have moved from California.

One year later, in 1976, the two couples, and the little Daisy, moved permanently in Kanto Island.

Question Of The Week

Aww! The sweetness! xD
There you go shippers, you finally have a full wedding ceremony! Do you like this couple? :P

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