- N - = Nicky's part

- J - = my part

Chapter 004 - Dinner at Roark's

- N -

"ROARK!"

Serena gasped at her roomate's appearance. Years of living in a family that wore uniforms everywhere had made her more than worried about dressing up in front of guests.

"ROARK! SHIRT! NOW!" She stammered, her face turning bright red from embarrassment and, something else she wasn't too sure of. Before he finished his sentence about getting dressed, she leapt from the sofa and pushed him, still dripping bathwater, into his room. She shut the door and leaned against it.

She wasn't the only one. The girl they called Brown was holding, hard, onto the bridge of her nose. "…I think my nose is bleeding," She admitted happily. "He's prettier than his dad,"

"Don't get used to it, blondie," Serena narrowed her eyes.

Riley chuckled. "He's not usually that absentminded – I remember when he was serious about everything. Do you know he taught pokemon electric moves to cover their weaknesses…? He's always planned ahead." He admitted, remembering the young gym leader.

Brown's expression fell as she began to worry about battling him. She'd won against Bryon out of the man's own carelessness – how could she stand a chance if Roark was always prepared? Rodent purred against her leg, trying his best to keep her spirits up. Without thinking, she picked up the rat and petted his head absentmindedly.

"He's so chipper now," Riley listed for the sounds of clothes rustling in Roark's room. "Whatever you're doing to him, Serena Joy, keep it up. It makes spending time with him so much more amusing."

Serena smiled, but instead she turned to the tiny brown-haired woman. "Dialga and Palkia?" She asked. "Was that the fight when some nutjob tried to take over the world around ten years ago? That Diagla and Palkia battle?"

"The very one," Riley answered. "Amy here was part of the group of trainers that defeated Team Galactic at the summit of Mount Coronet."

"No way," Brown whispered in awe. "That's so cool!"

"I've got dinner ready," Serena pulled a chair at the dinner table, inviting them down to sit. "Tell me everything,"

As her Audino began distributing mashed potatoes on their plates, Serena rested her chin on her hands. For the first time since forever, Brown noticed, the Joy seemed interested in what they had to say. "I love myths and legends." She added, intrigued. "What did you two do? What did you see? Were the both of you together?"

- J -

"Okay! Okay!" Roark protested as Serena pushed him. "Don't push me!"

Amethyst couldn't help but laugh at the scene, not only because it was funny, but also because she felt relieved.

"She seemed to be blushing." Amethyst thought, a grin on her face. "That, and they're living together... I don't know if they're a couple, but I can tell Serena likes Roark, and not Riley! Yay!"

The feeling that Serena liked Roark got stronger when the pink-head told Ms. Brown to not get used to see Roark without his t-shirt narrowing her eyes.

As soon as Riley finished talking about Roark's manners, Amethyst noticed that Stephanie was notoriously worried. She patted the teenager's shoulder, a warm smile on her face.

"Don't worry, Ms. Brown." She said. "A trainer shouldn't depend always on type advantages. If Rodent is a few levels over Roark's pokémon, you should manage to win."

The young woman stroked Rodent's hair with her hand. She had made Dew and Maki get back into their pokéballs, unlike Stephanie.

"Also, don't forget," Amethyst added. "that I can lend you my Roserade if you want."

Her expression turned more serious when Serena asked her about the final battle against Dialga and Palkia.

"Yes." Amethyst said, firmly; she gave Stephanie a sidelong glance. "Well, Ms. Brown, I didn't want to tell you yet, but I guess I have to do it. I'm a Dexholder, a Hoenn Dexholder, and so my brother is, but I think you already knew that about him."

"When we met Diamond, a Sinnoh Dexholder, at Iron Island, we decided to help him and his friends. They were our comrades, after all. Hence, we accompanied them to the final battleground, along with Ms. Champion Cynthia."

As Serena leaded them to the table and they started to sit down, Amethyst kept explaining to Serena, who seemed surprisingly interested.

"I must admit I didn't do much in that battle." Amethyst shrugged. "When us, the Dexholder and Ms. Cynthia, arrived, the Gym Leader had been already beaten. I can't really remember about Roark, though. I think he was hidding underground with his father, Prof. Serbal and Platina's father, doing some research."

Amethyst looked at Riley, shyly.

"To be honest, all I did when I got there was go to help Riley, who was battling against Team Galactic Commanders at the bottom of some stairs." The young woman said. "It was a short battle: the Commanders escaped and Riley went after them, so I went back with my brother and the Sinnoh Dexholders. My friend Diamond was making an incredible speech..."

"It was a tough battle, and the fact that the Team Galactic Leader was crazy didn't help, to be honest. Thanks to our friends' wisdom, willpower and emotions, they managed to land the final blow. Cyrus was defeated and Palkia and Dialga stopped figthing. Well, after that, Giratina appeared and kidnapped Dialga, Palkia and Cyrus, but... that's another topic."

Roark got into the room, finally dressed properly.

"Sorry for the wait!" He said. "What were you talking about?"

- N -

"You seem awful relieved," Brown peered into the older trainer's face. "What's going on?"

She smiled, as Amy comforted her fears about battling Roark; it felt good to know someone was there for her. But borrowing Dew? She bit her lip. Dew had been tame and sweet all afternoon, but even then, there was no telling how the Roaserade would behave on the battlefield, or if it'd attack her the moment she called it out of the ball. Gold's Explotaro still enjoyed pouncing on her even after all the years she'd spent befriending the stupid Typhlosion.

Rodent bristled, shaking himself like a wet dog. "Raticate!" The rat protested, refusing the proposal.

"He's right. I appreciate the offer, Miss Amy, but I can't accept Dew." Brown admitted, before lowering her voice to a whisper. "Ever since I got my pokedex, I've always had to rely on the other dexholders' help – Ruby gave me these shoes when I visited Hoenn… and Sapphire and Emerald taught me how to battle… and Kris keeps teaching me how to defend myself from wild pokemon… and Gold gave me a place to live when my parents went away…"

"Ticate!"

"And he gave me you, too!" She hugged the rat, and checked to make sure no one else could hear her. "See, Miss Amy, when I was younger, I wanted a badge… so Professor Oak asked his grandson to battle me. I only won because he let me – Green told me so himself. He also said that I didn't deserve the pokedex I had, that I didn't do anything to prove myself. I mean, Gold can breed pokemon well, and Kris can catch things… what can I do? I don't battle often, and I don't have a full team… Without everyone helping me, I'm pretty much useless.

"Rodent and I… well, we want to prove to him that we're not handicapped. We can do it, and we can do it without everyone doting on us." Her Raticate nodded in agreement. "This is something we have to do on our own-ohhhhHMIGOD! ARE THOSE MASHED POTATOES?"

She turned to the dinner table, practically drooling, and grabbed a seat before needing to be told. Rodent jumped onto the table and began attacking the bowl of mash, much to the annoyance of the Audino holding it.

"Noaudi!" It scolded. "Audi!""Riiicate," Rodent stuck his tongue out at the pink pokemon and continued to eat until Brown pulled him away. She had begun to listen to Amy again.

"So you were a dexholder too, weren't you?" Brown bit her lip, somewhat embarrassed. "I guess I really should've guessed when you told me you knew Gold and Kris… or when you said Emerald was your brother!"

"Shhhssh," Serena put a finger against her lips. "This is interesting!"

"Roark never told me he was at the battle," She admitted. Then again, she thought, he doesn't tell me anything much – I find out things for myself.

"So you really saw Giratina and Diagla and Palkia with your own eyes?" She finally asked when the petite young lady finished her story and her Audino had started distributing the turkey. "That's incredible. I mean… wow. Were they big? Did Giratina really appear from another world? I've read all the books about them. The myths in Sinnoh keep saying they bend space and time, but I don't think it's possible."

Riley tried his best not to laugh – warping the space-time continuum was definitely not just a myth. Had the Joy been in Sinnoh that day, she would have seen just how real the two legendaries and their powers a corner of his eye, he thought he caught Amy turning towards him, but when he turned his head to check, she was continuing her story. He tried his best not to look disappointed.

"I'm studying legendary pokemon, you see," Serena explained, wondering whether this Amy had gotten tired of her questions yet. "It's my college thesis. I'm doing folklore and anthropology back in Castelia City. We only have one major myth in Unova – it's about a dragon pokemon and two brothers – but Sinnoh… wow… Sinnoh's got so many myths: Arceus creating the world, Regigigas ruling over the titan pokemon… wow, just wow. It's wonderful here."

"So you're here studying fairytales?" Brown asked, her mouth full of turkey and dripping gravy. "Isn't that… I dunno… kinda childish?"

Serena narrowed her eyes. "I don't expect someone like you to understand it," She crossed her arms. "Myths form the fabric of our cultures, and sometimes they ask you to question yourself, especially if you find out they're true." She added, darting a glance at Roark's room.

As Roark came out, she turned her attention back to her plate, hoping no one caught her staring.

"Hmm," Riley rested his check against his hand pensively. "I don't suppose you're also studying the recent Zoroark sightings near Oreburgh, Serena? That would make for an interesting thesis – 'Zoroark, fact of fiction?'" He held his hands in the air, as if to frame up the title.

"Z-zo-Zoroark?" Serena stammered, "Don't be silly – they're a Unovvian myth. I've never heard of one in Sinnoh. Frankly, I don't think they exist. Luxray are easy to mistake for Zoroarks, and so are Lucarios."

If Riley had learnt anything, he kept silent. Serena tried desperately to read his expression, but his facial features seemed as unmoving as his Lucario's. How much did this Riley fellow know? She wondered.

She perked up quickly as Roark took a seat at the table with her, trying her best to disguise her worry.

"We were just talking about the Battle of Spear Pillar," She explained to the gym leader. "You never told me you saw Diagla and Palkia. That's interesting."

- J -

"Haha, it's okay, I understand. Actually, I really know how you feel..."

Amethyst smiled with sorrow. She didn't seem to mind the fact that Rodent was jumping in front of her.

"Before becoming a Dexholder," The young woman said. "I was nothing but a burden to the other Dexholders, specially to Green... I always wanted to help them, but all he did was call me a 'busy-body'... Uh, how could I like a guy like him? Well, I was only 12 after all..."

She flinched when Stephanie started eating the potatoes as crazy. Just like Emerald would have done. He might be an adult already, but his manners were the same as always.

"To be honest," Amethyst added, rubbing her head. "I didn't tell you I'm a Dexholder because I didn't want you to feel intimidated... I did the same with Diamond, hehe."

The purple-eyed woman felt somehow proud when she noticed Serena was so interested in her story. A busy researcher like Serena interested in Amethyst's adventures? That could only happen in her dreams!

"Yeah, they were huge." Amethyst said, her eyes brilliant as she remembered that day. "And their attacks were so powerful... Such an amazing power... No wonder they annoyed Giratina so much!"

"That's right." The young lady added, nodding. "Sinnoh is such an interesting region... You forgot about the Lake Guardians! I saw 'em too! They were so cute...!"

Amethyst wasn't tired at her questions at all. She wasn't one who liked to be the center of attention, but she really appreciated when someone showed interest in her stories.

"Aah, that looks so tasty!" Amethyst exclaimed, slapping as the turkey was served. "Roark'd better come already or he'll miss this delicious meal!"

However, Amethyst's expression turned more serious when Riley mentioned the Zoroark event. She looked at him and at Serena alternatively, curiously.

"She seems somewhat nervous now, or am I seeing things?" Amethyst thought, staring at Serena.

She turned her head to look back at Riley.

"He seems to enjoy making Serena get nervous, however." Amethyst frowned. "Or he knows something? Gaah... I can't tell... Riley is so..."

Amethyst thoughts were interrupted by Roark's arrival.

"Oh! The battle against Dialga and Palkia?" Roark said. "Well, you see, Serena, I was knocked out, so I hardly remember anything..."

The ginger looked at Amethyst, who was still wondering about Riley's intentions.

"In fact," Roark added. "I'm even surprised to remember your face. But again, I think you don't forget such big purple eyes like those, right, Riley?"

Roark winked and Amethyst frowned, without knowing whether to blush or feel annoyed.

"Come on, Roark." Amethyst said; she didn't want more jokes. "The turkey will get cold!"

"Green Oak?" Brown gasped, incredulous. "You liked Green Oak?"

- N -

Riley stopped eating, his fork halfway between his plate and his mouth. Suddenly, he hadn't quite the appetite as he'd had before. It couldn't be, he assured himself. Amy was too clever for that. She would never, ever…

"Did you guys ever date?" Brown asked coyly. "I'd like to see Green do something nice for someone. The day he does something nice for me will be the day I take off all my clothes and dance naked in the rain."

"Rarrr," Rodent shuddered. Clearly, he wasn't too keen on joining his trainer in that bet.

Riley chewed slowly, she had been twelve back then, but was there still the chance that she… No. No, Riley, he shook his head. You can't jump to conclusions like this. She still loves you, the way you love her. She has to.

He had told her she wasn't ready, hadn't he? He'd chased her away. Why had he simply assumed she still cared for him the way she used to after all this time? It had been years, after all. She must've moved on – found other men, other chances for love – and it was all his fault.

He looked down and focused his attention on the tablecloth, trying his best not to look upset.

"In fact," Roark added. "I'm even surprised to remember your face. But again, I think you don't forget such big purple eyes like those, right, Riley?"

"Oh?" He looked up at his friend, blinking slightly from being interrupted in his thoughts. "Oh, yes, those eyes are truly something," He answered wistfully. "You could never forget those eyes."

It was a lie. He had forgotten her – spending all those years wandering the world, away from her, he'd forgotten all the little things about her – he forgot the way she tilted her head when she talked, the way her lips curled upwards awkwardly when she smiled, the way her voice went up and down with her emotions. Being with her now suddenly reminded him of every single thing about her – the shape of her nose, her eyelashes, and, yes, those purple eyes that sparkled when she laughed. It was like she was back from the dead.

He left her and he forgot her. And now, it was time for him to regret it.

"Did you get a concussion?" Serena furrowed her brow, looking slightly worried at the thought of Roark unconscious and suffering for major brain damage. "Concussions lead to stroke," She added, sounding disturbingly like a regular Joy. Starve a fever, feed a cold. Illnesses and their cures were something every Joy could remember, whether they wanted to be nurses or not.

"Audino," her audino chuckled, miming the way Roark put on his helmet every morning.

"Right. Hardhat," She sighed, relieved. There was no way Roark would be dumb enough to go up against legendary pokemon without protection. Still, he made her worried. Why did she always worry about him?

She glanced at the Riley fellow, who seemed preoccupied with something else. Good. The less talk about Zoroarks, the better. Hoping to change the subject, she looked to Amy and the younger trainer (who had started licking gravy off her fingers).

"So, are you two going to the Miner's Dance?" She asked.

- J -

Amethyst laughed hard at the sole idea of Green dating her. Now, it sounded so awful to her...

"Hahaha, well!" Amethyst exclaimed, still laughing. "I was young and silly! When you're young, you tend to like the hottest guy no matter his personality."

Stephanie's funny words made her laugh even more. It all sounded so absurd! Even Rodent seemed slightly surprised because of Amethyst's loud laughters.

"Hell, no! I was only twelve!" The young woman screamed, shaking her head. "To be honest... Well, this is quite embarrassing, but..."

Amethyst took a sip of wine, a slight blush on her face.

"Umh, I've never dated anyone..." She finally said, ashamed. "I've always been focused in my passion for travelling, so it would have been impossible for me to date someone, anyway."

Blushing harder, Amethyst looked at Riley from the corner of her eye. He seemed to be immersed in his thoughts...

"I'm actually waiting for my perfect man..."

"Don't be silly, Amethyst!" Roark exclaimed. "Staying and waiting isn't the best choice! You have to go for it (or him, in this case)!"

Amethyst looked at Roark, perplexed.

"I-I thought you were a serious person..." She muttered.

"I am." Roark said, determined. "But it would be a waste for a beautiful lady like you to keep waiting forever... And any other pretty woman, of course!"

His red hair waving in the air, Roark turned to look at Serena.

"Yeah, of course I was wearing a hard hat, don't be so worried, Serena!" He exclaimed, a strangely warm smile on his face. "Anyway, the ones who knocked me and the other Gym Leaders were the Team Galactic commanders, not Dialga or Palkia."

"Yes, I forgot to add that, sorry." Amethyst said, nodding; she turned to Roark. "Thanks goodness you remembered it, because I was sure you were hiding underground with your father in that battle!"

"Haha, no." Roark laughed. "My father was with Prof. Rowan and Mr. Berlitz, I was battling along the other Gym Leaders."

Suddenly, Amethyst couldn't help but blush at Serena's question.

"O-oh! I hadn't thought about that!" She said, nervous. "I just... wanted to have a look, I didn't intend of participating...!"

"Oh, come on, Amethyst!" Roark exclaimed. "I will be leading the Dance! I'd love it if you join!"

"But I suck at dancing..." Amethyst stuttered.

She didn't dare look at Riley's face. She simply couldn't. She focused her eyes on her plate, still wondering what she would do.

Why couldn't she be so happy-go-lucky as Ms. Brown?