A/N: At the bottom but~
Disclaimer: In no way shape form or fashion do I own Lucas, Riley or any characters in this fan fiction. All ownership belongs to Nintendo for the creation of these two lovely characters. Besides, if I did own them I would be a rich mofo. This is purely a work of fiction~
Note: Thank you so much for the reviews last chapter! I was surprised to see that people actually commented on this story! Spread the AuraShipping love~ here's chapter two! I'm sorry for being late with the update for this story! o3o
Summary: The older we get, the more our feelings for one another grow even stronger. But...how far will Lucas go to get his seven year crush Riley to feel the same way? Lucas has four months to see if Riley feels the same way before he has to finish a battle with a challenger for his title as 'Champion' of the Sinnoh Region. But...what will he do when he learns that Riley is no longer just the wandering trainer he met years ago on Iron Island?
The Older We Get
"And the winner of this battle is Gym Leader Riley!" the referee announced, his booming voice filling the semi-hollow inside of Canalave Cities Gym. The challenger stood there, in a state of shock unable to fathom how my Steel types were able to take out his well balanced team.
The challenger stood there, his yellow vest covered in grime from the training that he'd done before coming here, his black sweater stopped a little bit above his knuckles. Removing his goggles from his eyes slowly allowed for me to catch another glimpse of those emerald green orbs.
His blue pants with orange stripes running down the side did not seem to be fairing much better than his yellow vest. His black shoes covered in grime as well, removing the head hand like device atop of his head he placed it into the small fanny pack like object hanging on the side of his left hip.
A shaky hand returned his Infernape to its red and white capsule. Mumbling soft words of praise to the duel fire/fighting type resting inside its capsule safely. The said duel fire/fighting whom almost spelled defeat if I had not called upon my Steelix to summon a sand storm to temporarily blind the duel type monkey.
Still, I had to give props to the young challenger. What with being so young, and from the Orre Region and traveling with only a few Pokémon (that he somehow managed to balance with a few but efficient moves) to his name. What with the region being a desert, and all. It's hard for one to come across Pokémon.
Walking towards the challenger, holding my hand out for a friendly handshake to thank him for a good battle, the best one he's had in a while. The boy managed to keep him on his toes, and to second guess his previous thoughts about how to defeat him.
Looking up at me with those large doe emerald green eyes the boy watched me carefully. I immediately regretted holding my hand out to shake his, like many other trainers I'm unsure about the Orre Region traditions or how one goes about thanking a battler from that region for a good battle.
Do they shake hands? Are they happy when they have a good battle or do they feel ashamed? Once I started thinking about the thoughts going through the boys mind, I felt a cold sweat run down my neck sending shivers down my spine. I almost decided to apologize to the boy, but a the boys small hand wrapped around mine.
My hand swallowed his, his un-gloved lightly tanned creme colored skin disappearing in my own grip. Sending me a small lopsided grin, causing his short reddish brown hair to fall into his eye's. "Thank you for battling me Mr. Riley!"
I couldn't help but return his excited grin with one of my own, "It was no problem at all Michael. Its not every day that a Gym Leader from a different region is able to accept a challenge from a trainer from the Orre Region." a light pink blush dusted Michael's tanned features, scratching the bridge of his nose we talked for a few more minute before Michael's escort (or traveling companion I'm not sure what he is to the boy) walked out from behind the shadows created by the steel pillars of the gym. A stoic expression on his face, showing neither anger nor joy for Michael's lose.
The boy stood there, his dirty blond colored hair sticking out in every direction possible similar to Michael's hair style. Metallic sun glasses sitting atop of his head, his liquid golden eyes showing no emotion what so ever, his skin looked as if it were a shade or two darker than Michael's own tan. Leading me to believe that he was outside much more often than the younger boy.
His outfit consisted of what looked like a blue jacket of some sort, dark blue gloves concealed his hands from my view, and black pants that hugged his legs, followed by what seemed to be fairly heavy black boots on his feet.
But the thing that made Michael's friend seem the most frightening was the white line reaching from one side of his face to the other. If we were closer I think I would be able to see that it was a scar of some sort, but I remember reading somewhere that marks were given to people who've committed some sort of crime.
And that mark would be a constant reminder of that crime. A mark that was placed upon criminals to scream at the normal every day to day citizens to avoid this person that there bad news. Yet... I couldn't help but wonder if the mark on his face stood for something else... something much different from a crime.
Maybe that mark is there to so he can remind himself of some sort of sin. But... what could that sin be?
"Michael... we should visit the Pokemon Center to heal your Pokemon..." the teens monotone voice caused chills to run down my spine. Michael looked at the boy, his face seemed to brighten at the sound of the other's voice. "Yes, we should do that Wes! That's a good idea~ my Pokemon put up a good fight."
Turning to say good bye to me, with a small wave Michael made his way towards the boy know as Wes. Whose face softened for a split second while ruffling Michael's already disheveled hair. The two walked out of the gym, leaving me alone with the referee.
"Haha, that boy was pretty good, eh Riley? Kid gave you a run for your money." turning to face the referee I couldn't help but agree with him, "Yes... it's not every day one finds them self with the ability to battle a trainer from the Orre Region."
"Yeah... aren't things different over there Riley?" the referee asked again, nodding my head I replied. "Yes, to the trainers over there in the Orre Region, they do not battle for fun. They battle for honor and a chance to find a place in life. Finding a wild Pokemon over there is as if you landed gold, regardless on what the Pokemon might be they raise it with love and affection-"
Looking at the door which Michael and Wes had entered and left a smile formed on my face, "In hopes that it will be able to help them go to other Regions. Not many of he Orre Regions citizens come to other Regions because it's so different from their's most stay there for their entire lives." I proceeded to walk towards the door Michael being my last challenger of the day, best do some training at Iron Island after I heal my Pokemon from this adrenaline rush of a battle.
Turning to face the referee I called out, "That's the last challenger of the day Daniel! We can lock up and take more challenger's tomorrow if any make it this far!" Daniel let out a hearty laugh, agreeing with me about challenger's making it to my Gym. The Trainer's themselves have been scarce, Michael being my first challenger in almost two weeks.
The other Gym Leaders are really giving the Trainer's a run for their money. Taking a deep breath of the salty air once outside the Gym I couldn't help but smile while watching the Wingull's flying over head crying out into the wind their cries being carried through out the town. Today was a good day and who knows maybe tomorrow will be an even better one.
Upon entering the Pokemon Center a large crowd was gathered around the TV. Curious I walked towards the crowd, and low and behold whom I see on the screen none other than Lucas himself. The boy has grown so much since their last meeting having teamed up in the Battle Tower a few times to do Double Battle's when Lucas friends were unable to participate.
Apparently the Elite Four's battle stadium was out of service, due to Lucas and his challengers powerful attacks. Three months was the amount of time that was given to fix the stadium back into tip top shape. Then again, that was only an estimate it could be even earlier that the stadium would be finished.
Lucas.
The mere thought of the current Champion and his big doe like blue eyes sent a shiver down his spine. When had he last heard Lucas's voice or seen him face to face rather than on TV destroying another's dream at becoming the next Champion? Seven years- that's how long it's been since they were able to meet face to face. Lucas upon receiving more and more challengers his appearance at the Battle Tower was becoming increasingly rare.
Its clear to be said that Lucas was more than missed by myself it was hard to continue going there only to learn that Lucas was not present. That he was at the Indigo Platue fighting Trainer's for his title. Then again, when I was offered the chance to be the Gym Leader of the Canalave City Gym... I jumped at the chance to take it. May it have been for the honor of being a Gym Leader to be closer to Lucas... or just to fill the gap in his life that Lucas had left behind.
I was entirely unsure, but one thing was for certain- I dearly wanted a chance to hear Lucas and see how he's doing with my own eyes. The TV was not enough the letter that eventually stopped coming were not enough to satiate anything.
It was clear for all to see, I needed to see Lucas- but for now I am bound to my duties as a Gym Leader in Canalave. Curse this horrid fate of ours, I truthfully wish that I could change it.
"Hello and how may I help you today Riley?" Nurse Joy's chipper voice pulled me out of my thoughts, a quick smile found it's way onto my face as I asked for her to heal my Pokemon. Nodding her head yes, Nurse Joy and her faithful Chansey skittered off somewhere to heal my Pokemon back to full health.
Leaving me with my thought's of wanting to see Lucas.
Thank You: For all of the reviews! They've really made my day!