After taking some time to brush his teeth, Spark-with-pants ran as fast he could towards the Vermilion City Pokémon Center. Rays of sun were casted upon his face, creating an undesired heat upon his face. He pulled up his hoodie and kept running; heart ponding hard against his chest.
Two minutes later he was by the door of the red building. Candela and Blanche resting against its walls.
"Hey Spark!" Candela greeted him with a muscular hug, taking away all his breath and probably fracturing some ribs. Her short red hair and tanned skin brushed against his cheeks and her everlasting smell of cinnamon filled his insights. "How's that blonde spiky hair holding up?"
"Hello Spark," said Blanche, softly patting his head after Candela freed him.
Her hands were cold. They always were. But it was a pleasant feeling in this hot summer day. Spark wasn't sure how she could be wearing her jacket on a day like this. He gave her the lapis blue jacket last winter, as a birthday gift, and she wouldn't take it off after that. Only watching her long white hair over her shoulders made him feel asphyxiated.
"Too much for asking you to be here in time," she said as she read her watch.
"Sorry. I was watching Cynthia's battle against Byron," he said with glint on his eyes. "She is so gorgeous, and powerful. That Gible is super strong too. I am telling you, this might only be her first badge but she's got potential. Anyway. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry. I told you to be here some time before that scheduled. I knew this would happen.
That was Blanche. Always too organized for her own good.
"Good. Now that we are all here. Let's go get our vouches," Candela said as she grabbed a small heavy bag from the floor.
"What's in there," Spark asked. Curiousness in his voice.
"Something."
...
Vermilion city was a bigger city than what it looked like. On the road to the Poké Fan Club, they found a parked truck selling berries. They stopped by and bought some Orans and Razzs. At first, Spark was unsure if the man would sell extravagant fruits to a couple of ten years old but apparently, he couldn't care less.
"Straight from the Sinnoh Region" he said, almost proud of himself. "Got my little buddy here in one of my casual pickups," he added as he gave his Bidoof a friendly lean.
Candela and Spark started eating the berries right away, but Blanche insisted on cleaning them first.
It was a beautiful day. Hot, but beautiful. The sound of Pidgeys and Spearows could be heard in the distance. Young trainers battling. The Poké Mart salesman yelling his daily offer. Pokémon playing with each other.
Pokémon.
Spark, just couldn't wait to get his own.
A couple of minutes later, they found themselves knocking at the door of the Poké Fan Club, were they would get their vouchers to get a free bike.
Although, it wasn't free. It was certainly not free. They had worked long days grooming Pokémon to get their own bike. In his mind, Spark was concerned about what he would do with a million-dollar bike, but he tried not to give it much thought. Besides, the Chairman was a multimillionaire man, buying him another bike would be no problem, at least in Spark's head.
A door opened in an awkward manner, articulated, perhaps. An old small figure materialized behind. Fancy clothing, a shining steel walking stick and some big shades that looked out of place on his tiny face.
"Oh, Candela, Blanche. How are you?" He greeted them. "How are my favorite girls in Vermilion doing?"
Spark was so enthralled, he almost didn't notice he hadn't mentioned him.
"Hey!" He yelled, calling out his attention. An infuriating look marked on his temple. "What about me?"
"Huh? Oh. What was your name again?" Spark looked at him seriously, expecting a joke. But nothing happened. The Chairman had really forgotten his name.
"Spark," he answered. Annoyance in every wave of his voice. "The name's Spark."
"Spark? That's an odd name for a young girl."
"Ahhhh? What is wrong with you? I am not a girl! It would be easier to mistake Candela for a boy than me for a girl old man!"
Candela sent a punch right to his stomach, taking away every oxygen molecule in his lungs.
"Right. Did you come to visit to hear about my Pokémon?"
Spark, was still trying to grasp some air, so Candela answered. Of course, it would be the answer Spark would expect from an angry Candela.
"Of course we didn't come here to hear about your Poké…"
Her voice was silenced by Blanche. Now it was Candela the one looking for some air.
"Yes sir, but we also had other issues we wanted to discuss."
"Oh yes, yes. Very well. Come on in."
Blanched followed the Chairman right away, ordering them to follow. Candela remained breathless, on her knees, muttering something repeatedly.
Spark leaned by her side, trying to make sense out of the noises.
"What a cold devil she is," she repeated, looking at the ground.
Spark couldn't help but laugh at her words. Then, he murmured:
"You'd make such a great couple."
And he walked inside, with a grin from side to side.