Chapter 3: Sunset on a Charizard

4 more days to deadline

"Meet me later today at Pewter City, 2pm," came a short message from Green. Crystal had reported to work in the morning only to find out that Green had applied a week's leave on her behalf, apparently telling Professor Oak that he "needed her help in some things". She was surprised that Professor Oak had so readily agreed, though she suspected that Green might have reminded Professor Oak that she had never taken any leave off work.

And thus, Crystal found herself outside Pewter City's Pokemon Centre five minutes before 2pm, waiting for Green to arrive.

"You're punctual," said a voice to her left. Surprised, Crystal spun around to see Green striding towards her with his hands in his pockets.

"Wouldn't be nice to be late," she politely replied, while stepping towards Green. "Where are we heading today?"

"I got us tickets to the Pewter Museum of Science. Thought you might not have been there yet. They have some interesting display that you might like," replied Green. "The gym leader of this city, Brock is a friend of mine, who also happen to work at the museum. I managed to get us free tickets thanks to him. Shall we go?"

"You mean like on a date?" asked Crystal tentatively.

"Well, yes, like what normal couples do together. I thought it might help us act more natural with each other." Green glanced at Crystal and continued, "While we may know quite a bit about each other from yesterday, we are still not that comfortable being around each other such that people might suspect we are a couple. Not that that will be our aim - we probably just need to be comfortable with each other as close friends to be able to pull off our act with Gold."

While assured that she doesn't need to go out of her way to treat Green as her real boyfriend, Crystal was still unsure as to how the whole thing will play out. She's willing to give it a try though, since Green seemed to have really did a lot of research into the whole couple relationship thing.

"Alright then, let's give this a shot and aim to be best friends," Crystal said finally. "You are right about me having never been to the museum though. How did you know?" she asked, her head cocked to one side

Green shrugged, "Shrewd guess. Shall we go? The museum is located north of here."

As Crystal trotted alongside Green, she can't help but notice the number of people who were looking at them. They're mostly girls, realised Crystal with a jolt. At this point, she felt a little uneasy getting stared at, though one look at Green tells her that he is simply ignoring all the looks that were coming their way.

"Um, Green, may I ask why so many people are looking at us?" asked Crystal uncertainly.

"Just ignore them and they won't do anything to you." came a curt reply. Noticing that Crystal didn't seem assured by his response though, he sighed and stopped abruptly. "Alright, I should let you know that what is happening now is not an uncommon occurrence. So try not to get affected by it for the next week when you are out at Kanto with me. Here in Kanto, Red, Blue and I are rather well known and recognisable due to our participation in the Pokemon League, in addition to the fact that we are the Pokedex Holders of acclaimed Professor Oak. Hence we are treated like celebrities in public, unlike in Johto," explained Green.

"I see..." responded Crystal slowly, blinking as she processed the information she just received. "Well in that case, I might as well bask in your glory while I can then," Crystal attempted to joke.

Green stiffled a snort. "You'll be lucky if we don't get mobbed," he said darkly. "Some fangirls like to crowd around me and demand for autographs and what not. Though I guess having a pretty girl beside me today does stave them off," said Green as he glanced at said girl beside him.

Somehow, Crystal finds herself being pleasantly surprised to hear Green praise her. Who doesn't like it when someone praises him or her? justified Crystal to herself. "You know Green, I feel honoured to hear compliments from you, which is probably rather rare in itself. Guess I don't owe you a favour after all if I am helping you as much as you are helping me," said Crystal teasingly. "Oh, I see the museum in front!" pointed out Crystal, before half sprinting forward to take a closer look at the building and leaving Green behind.

Green stared wide-eyed at Crystal half sprinting away, reeling in slight shock for having complimented her without realising it. He hardly ever complimented anyone aloud - a nod of approval is a compliment in itself - much less compliment a girl. Well it's true anyway, Crystal is a pretty girl, he argued with himself. But still.. It's the fangirls, he thought firmly. The thought of them got me distracted that I wasn't conscious of what I was saying.

Shaking his head slightly to clear his thought, he walked forward to where Crystal stood, who was still admiring the majestic building of the museum. "Are you ready to go in?" asked Green, trying to keep his tone as calm and normal as possible.

"Yes, let's go," nodded Crystal before she made her way to the entrance of the museum with Green trailing behind her.

A few hours later, Crystal emerged from the museum, feeling pumped with excitement from all the things she had seen and read in the museum. It turns out that Green is an excellent tour guide (Well, no surprise there, thought Crystal), providing additional information to the exhibits, as well as some interesting backstories to the museum and some of the exhibits. Green had said it was due to a gym leaders' exchange conducted by the Pokemon Association for gym leaders to be acquainted with towns and cities they are not in charge of.

"Looks like it was a right decision to bring you to the museum," remarked Green. Crystal had not only listened attentively to everything he had to say about the exhibits, but had also engaged with him in a discussion over some of the information in the museum. Not something that Green had minded of course, since it is rare for someone who can and will have such intellectual discussions with him. He could even see how her eyes sparkled as she viewed the various exhibitions.

"It sure was! Thank you once again for bringing me here," bowed Crystal politely.

"Glad you enjoyed it, it was nice to have all those discussions we had too," replied Green. "Is there anything else you would like to do?"

"Well.. I did wanted to meet Brock and thank him personally for the ticket, but he wasn't at the museum earlier. Do you know where he might be?" asked Crystal.

"If he's not at the museum he is most likely at his gym. We could go there if you want. You might even catch him in a challenge if you are lucky," offered Green.

"That does sound interesting. Let's see if Brock will be in his gym then!" agreed Crystal.

"I have never actually been to a gym.." pondered Crystal out loud as they made their way to the gym. "I mean, besides entering your gym for errands, I don't really know how gyms function. Or even watched a gym challenger match before."

Green raised an eyebrow at Crystal. "You surprise me. Well there's always a first for everything. Here we are."

Pushing open the gym doors, Crystal saw that the interior walls were covered with rocks, and there were multiple boxing rings located within the gym. "I didn't know gyms can be so elaborate. I mean, your gym looks nothing like this," Crystal said, amazed by what she saw.

"It's usually up to the discretion of the gym leader to decorate their gyms. Most gym leaders choose to decorate their gyms with the element of their expertise. I just don't see the need for me to do the same hence I didn't do much to my gym," Green explained. "In fact I think there's a gym leader in another region who changes his gym decorations so often no two challengers see the same decorations," added Green as an afterthought.

"Oh here comes Brock," nodded Green towards a figure walking towards them.

Crystal turned to see the said gym leader approaching them, remembering him from the gym leader tournament years ago.

"Hi Green, I see you have brought your friend to my gym," greeted Brock.

"Brock, this is Crystal. She is one of our junior Pokedex Holder from Johto region, and is currently helping my grandpa with his research. Crystal wanted to thank you personally for our tickets to the Museum of Science," introduced Green.

At this point, Crystal gave Brock a polite bow before saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you Brock. I would like to thank you for the free tickets you have offered Green and I. I really enjoyed the exhibits at the museum, so thank you very much for the free tickets."

"You don't need to be so polite with me," smiled Brock. "Any friend of Red and Green is my friend too. Would you like a tour of the gym?"

"I would love to! But... " Crystal glance sideways at Green, asking for a silent permission to do so.

"Go ahead. I'll just wait for you here while you tour the gym since I already know most of the things here," responded Green.

"Alright then, thanks!" skipped Crystal as the tour began.

Though the Pewter Gym wasn't very big, Brock managed to find many things to tell Crystal about - why he picked the decorations, how he managed to put up the decoration, how he became a gym leader, how his many younger siblings aim to obtain the Boulder Badge and go on their own Pokemon journey. Crystal in turn hadn't spoken much except to indicate she is listening and to tell the story of how she became a Pokedex Holder. He sure talk a lot more than he looks, sweatdropped Crystal, as Brock continues with his story telling.

At last the tour is over, and the two of them head back towards the entrance of the gym.

"Are you and Green dating?" asked Brock suddenly.

Crystal mouth fell open. "No! I mean yes! I mean no, not really. We aren't really dating!" spluttered Crystal frantically. The sudden question had thrown her off, and she couldn't make up her mind as to telling the truth or to keep the pretense that they are supposed to be dating.

Brock chuckled. "You seem undecided as to whether the two of you are dating or not. Perhaps that's an answer you need to obtain from Green."

Crystal felt herself grow red with embarrassment. "We aren't really dating. He's just helping me by pretending to be my boyfriend. Please don't misunderstand," she tried to explain.

"I see. Well, what isn't real might just come true one day. Nothing is set in stone," said Brock thoughtfully. "Maybe you two can give it a try," winked Brock.

Crystal literally felt her cheeks burning from embarrassment at this point. Oh Arceus, why does he have to insist that there is something going on between me and Green, groaned Crystal.

Before Crystal could clarify herself further however, they had reached the entrance of the gym where Green was waiting for her.

"You can have your friend back, Green," said Brock cheerfully.

Oh Arceus, make him stop, begged Crystal silently.

Green gave a wary look and asked, "What did you guys talk about?"

"Oh nothing much, just telling her about my gym and stuff," replied Brock casually.

"Okay.." said Green slowly, looking from Crystal to Brock, trying to figure out what had happened in the last half an hour or so.

"Let's not disturb Brock anymore," began Crystal, as she gave a pleading look to Green. "Thank you so much for you time and for the ticket, Brock. See you again soon!" bade Crystal hastily as she hurried Green out of the gym.

"Remember what I said!" Brock called out as the doors closed behind Green and Crystal.

Crystal gave a sigh of relief, glad that the "talk" was over.

"What was that all about?" asked Green, slightly baffled by the exchanges between Crystal and Brock.

"Huh um it's nothing. Brock was just joking with me," Crystal hastily replied, and tried to change the subject. "Shall we go for dinner? I'm getting a little hungry."

Crystal and Green ended up in a small restaurant near the Pokemon Centre. Green had assured Crystal that the food is rather decent and that they have nice desserts. (Crystal had raised her eyebrows and remarked, "I didn't know you like to eat desserts." Green had merely replied, "Good desserts are hard to find.")

A silence fell over them as they started to eat their food. (Green had taken the liberty to help Crystal order what he thinks is good.)

"The food here is really nice. Good recommendation, Green," smiled Crystal as she ate her dessert (ice cream sundae).

"It is one of the hidden gems of Pewter City," Green replied after taking a sip of water. "Would like to try some of my cake?"

Crystal's face brightened. "May I?"

"Sure," Green said as he proceeded to cut a piece for Crystal to try.

"Mmhh, the cake is nice too. Maybe I should eat out more often," laughed Crystal.

Green eyed Crystal as she happily ate her food. "So," he started casually, "what were you and Brock talking about back in the gym?"

Crystal promptly choked on her food, which startled Green. "Drink some water," he added hastily.

After Crystal recovered, she looked up to see Green looking at her expectantly for an answer. She felt the blush claiming her face again as she struggled to find the right words to answer him.

"It's nothing much," she replied evasively.

Green, however, was not going to back down so easily, and pressed on, "Doesn't sound like it was nothing much."

"Um, it's just, Brock was just asking if the two of us were dating," stammered Crystal, not daring to look Green in the eye.

"And what did you say?" Green asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I got flustered at the sudden question, and tried to explain that there was nothing going on between us. But he didn't seem to believe this and even suggested that the two of us should get together.." Crystal trailed off.

Green on his part seemed unfazed by what Crystal has just said. "Well why not?" he asked.

Crystal blinked. "Why not what?"

"Why not we get together? " Green repeated. "I don't see anything wrong with that."

Crystal gaped at Green, flabbergasted. Did I just hear that right? "I'm sorry Green, I'm not sure how I should respond to that. I mean it's kind of awkward discussing the possibility of getting together with each other."

"Maybe you should feel honoured," he stated. "I'll go pay for our meal first while you finish up your food." With that, Green left the table, leaving Crystal to think over what he had just said.

...

"Are we meeting tomorrow?" asked Crystal the moment they stepped out into the open. The setting sun had tinted the sky a glorious orange, bathing both of them in a soft orange glow.

"If you want to," Green said, as he gazed towards to the setting sun. "Do you want a ride on Charizard? That should give a spectacular view of the setting sun," he offered, not taking his eyes off the orange sky.

Crystal gazed towards the setting sun as well, admiring the various shades of orange, red and specks of green, trying to imagine how the setting sun will look like high above the ground. "Sure, why not," she smiled.

As Charizard ascended to the skies, Crystal saw that Green wasn't exaggerating about the spectacular view of the setting sun. "Wow," she breathed, mesmerised by the sight in front of her.

"I know, I like to ride Charizard sometimes just to watch the sunset."

Crystal tore away from the sunset and saw that Green was lazing with a smile on his face. He looks more attractive bathed in the glow of the setting sun, thought Crystal, remembering that Green had said he preferred night time to day time.

"Maybe the next time you watch the sunset on Charizard, you could ask me along too," suggested Crystal, as she turned back to western skies.

The question hung around the air for a long while, while the two of them lost themselves in the beauty of the setting skies. The sun starts to descend below the horizon, and Green surprised Crystal by answering a "Sure." As Charizard continued to fly towards the west though, Crystal thinks that the warmth that is threatening to burst out of her chest has nothing to do with heat of the setting sun.

...

By the time, Crystal reached home, the sky had completely darkened.

"Thanks for the ride again, Green." bowed Crystal. "I'll hold you to your word to watch the sunset on Charizard again." She smiled, "Shall I plan for tomorrow? You have been making the plans for the past two days."

Green nodded. "Let me know then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Notes:

The gym leader who changes his gym decorations so often is of course a reference to Burgh from the Unova region.

Brock's family was never featured in the Pokemon Adventures manga, but in the anime he was shown to have many younger siblings. So I'm borrowing some backstory from the anime side.

Johto is located to the west of Kanto, and hence Charizard would be flying westwards facing the setting sun as they fly from Pewter City to Violet City.

A/N

Slight fluff in this chapter, and also a cameo by Brock. As you can tell, this chapter marks the start of a more than friend relationship between Green and Crystal. The entire chapter focuses on Crystal's POV and thoughts, so I'll leave you to think about what Green means when he said Crystal should be honoured!

Getting all squealy from my own fluff. Just needed a healthy dose of that to make my life better ^^

Also, I like to hear what readers think about my writing - be it how I write, the plot, the pace, the characters, anything. So I would appreciate it if you take the time to review and let me know (: