Chapter 72: Image of nobility
Evening
Mt Coronet
Dex Criminal's Base
"I'm sorry...I don't think I heard you properly." Green stated with a barely perceptible whine in his voice whilst next to him, Diamond and Blue went completely rigid. "Where did you say Red was being kept?" At the back of his mind, he fully understood what Platinum said; he just refused to believe it. Did Lack-2 have the authority to send Red off to Ransei? Would the Imperial region even accept a commoner amongst their ranks? It finally dawned on him how prepared the Police had been when arresting the ex-champion.
The heiress found Whi-2 plopping down next to her, apparently the young girl forgot about their previous animosity and reverted back to her bubbly, refreshing self. "You heard me correctly senior Green. Red is being held in Ransei and the International Police pulled many strings in order to secure a place for him there, with good intention too, as it is the only place you will not be able to use your status as professor and wriggle your way in." Oak flinched at her choice of words...wriggle? He never 'wriggled' his way in anything. "The International Police planned this meticulously. The region is closed to us, there is no way we will be able to enter...Apart from myself that is."
She heard the three commanders inhale collectively. For some reason, it brought on a small smile to her face. Diamond sat in the middle with Green and Blue flanking him on the sides. At first glance, they appeared as a young family although their supposed child looked nothing like them. Constellate's leader adapted an absent minded habit of brushing Dia's cheeks free of crumbs whilst Green thoughtlessly took any food articles (half eaten or not) and depending on his mood and hunger, he'd either eat them himself or toss them in the air where scizor or charizard would snatch the titbit from the air and gobble it up themselves. Despite Execution's current supervisor lacking in skills and many other areas, the three worked in good harmony and did not divulge into huge arguments.
"Can you help us get into Ran-sei Missy?" Diamond broke the silence engulfing their gathering and enquired with uncharacteristic solemnity. "Please? We will even do our comedic routine in order to cheer you up!" He declared passionately and on the floor, Pearl nodded enthusiastically. Chuckling sardonically, Ruby pointed out that the nobles might ask for something more precious than a measly comedy routine and on hearing his words, the heiress felt cold dread sliding down her spine. Her senior's words drove home how she risked her future for this plan. Of course she would help them, the Dex Criminals meant everything to her and for a brief moment, a choking sensation overwhelmed her and she wanted to cry. Her parents were very reluctant for their only daughter to waste her fate in some imperial region but seeing how strained and desperate her friends looked, she could not turn a blind eye to this. She knew, they would do the same for her. In the very least, Diamond and Pearl will go to the ends of the world for her.
Platina got up from the sofa and gathered her things. "Of course I will help." Her voice vibrated the tiniest bit, like a tightly wound string when plucked. Diamond, Pearl and to the noble's alarm, Whi-2 glanced at her with worry in their eyes and she tried to smile reassuringly. "I am tired...If you do not mind, I'd like to retire to bed." Tossing her sheet of black hair behind her, she grabbed her backpack and briskly hiked upstairs whilst her team mates looked on with tired, anguished gazes.
Next day, Dawn
Sinnoh
Mt. Coronet
In the basement floor of the Dex Criminal's base, an individual sat close to the fire and filed his nails methodically by the warm orange light given off by the flames. Typholsion, on seeing the lone fashionista hunched on the grey carpeted floor, ambled forward and crouched close to him. Ruby leaned against the volcano pokemon and sighed blissfully on feeling its warm, glossy fur brush against his bare skin. Gold sure took care of his monsters even if the older man neglected to take care of himself. Exbo huddled closer and the crimson eyed teenager found a strange companionship with the fire type. Sleep did not grace Ruby that night and he did not want to toss and turn in his bed listening to Sapphire and Emerald's snores. Thus, he crept downstairs and crawled to the fireplace for a sweet reprieve. Without the lights, the cavern looked like some sort of a jungle hideout and whilst these types of places were against his ideal type, he knew Sapphire would feel totally at home and in her element. The teen brooded alone and thought about his father. Since the accident, his dad steadily got worse and his lower extremities atrophied and thinned to match sticks. Norman's paralysis didn't stop him from being the fierce gym leader and although crippled, the man still retained his former authoritative aura. Even though he did not belong to the International Police any longer (a fact which relieved Ruby) the public still respected him greatly.
Lying to his mother made Ruby's stomach churn and heart beat faster; now, it became second nature for him. Competing against contests became increasingly difficult and on several tournaments, he found himself inexplicably blacklisted. Obviously they knew...His consciousness offered and it brought a sense of shame to him. Image the humiliation his father will have to suffer should the International Police decide to make their identities public.
He sighed.
Life is tough when you have an over bearing father and worked as criminal whilst lying to your mother about being a Contest participant. In order to bring an element of truth to his crafted fabrication, he sent all his contest ribbons, trophies and photos to his mother.
While Ruby pondered about his life, a slight creak on the banister of the rickety and rusting staircase prompted him to sharply glance upwards; however, he could not see anything in the dismal darkness. Sensing his discomfort, typholsion ignited it's mane of flames and threw the surroundings into focus. Platina stood by the stairs, blushing horribly and trying to cover up the flimsy silk nightgown she wore. Disinterested, Ruby went back to filing his nails and in the periphery of his vision, saw her descend from the stairs and gingerly crouch down at the edge of the fire place to warm her pale hands. Next to her, rapidash curled around her and kept its master comfortable with its fiery mane.
"I thought you were tired."
Berlitz did not reply to Ruby's rhetorical question right away. "...I lied in order to escape," she finally admitted, "and I wanted some time alone to sort out my feelings. What about you senior?" she eyed him, "I think there are far better places to file nails than sitting on a cold floor in front of a fire."
"True...But it's nice and warm here...And very quiet."
They lapsed into a comfortable silence which was occasionally broken by the hiss and crackle of flames.
"Say senior Ruby..."
"Hmm?"
"Would you ever defect from this Organization to save yourself?" Platina held his gaze as he ogled at her inquisitively. The male shrugged and then replied.
"Yeah I would." His traitorous response shocked her somewhat, but she fully understood what he meant. "Although, if I ever did, the commanders would find and butcher me..."
"Why do you think they would...Butcher you?" Platina asked.
"Seriously?" Ruby raised a perfect eyebrow, "why wouldn't they? It's a reasonable course of action. Get rid of the ones who stabbed you in the back. Besides we operate in high secrecy so it's plausible to assume that in the case we do defect...For some reason or the other, the commanders have every right to hunt us down and make us silent. A traitor amongst the ranks spells death for them." The teenager shifted his position and started manicuring his other hand. "I don't have any reason to betray them though...I think what our seniors are trying to do is noble, even if their methods aren't. Che, who cares anyway? If it gets the work done why bother with the methods? The world never spins on a single person's wish anyway..." he mumbled the last sentence but the heiress heard it loud and clear.
The world never spins on a single person's wish anyway...
She could do this! No, she had to do this.
A soft rustle prompted Ruby to raise his head and he spied Platina getting up from her position on the icy floor. "Thank you for listening to me senior Ruby." She dipped her head in gratitude and let out an uncharacteristic giggle on seeing his confounded expression, "your words motivated me to do what I want to and I finally found the courage to go forward with my plan. I will not have any regrets." Recalling rapidash in a pokeball, she disappeared up the stairs and scarlet irises watched till darkness swallowed up her form. Courage? The Hoenn native thought and wondered if he'd implanted some foolish notion in Platina's head.
Several hours later:
The occupants in the base gathered in the main chamber after the morning hubbub settled down. Platina placed several flat gift boxes on the table and some of the members tried to sneak their fingers under the lid in order to see the contents. Alas, the noble glared at them fiercely and they quailed underneath her strict gaze. She waited for the last person to enter the main chamber and exhaled in relief when Diamond came ambling in whilst Blue tugged a scarf around his neck. Once the members gathered, she outlined her plan.
"As I mentioned before," her clear voice rang amidst stifled yawns and moans, "I am the only one who is able to get into Ransei. In a few weeks my family will receive a summons letter and it will be addressed to me." She neatly wrote the date and time on the fractured white board, someone had the decency to glue the remains back together and thick crack lines ran down the smooth surface of the board. In front of her, the rest of her team mates huddled. The commanders stood directly opposite her with the Johto trainers flanking them on their right side. The rest of the organization crowded on the left and a low table bearing the gift boxes widened the space between the audience and Platina. Green, who trained his gaze on the board spoke up and enquired about the compensation. Surely, the spiky haired trainer intoned, Ransei demanded a hefty remuneration? At his query, Platina became silent and Blue implored her to tell them the details. Hopefully, the female commander chirped, if they all worked hard, they will be able to share the burden as a group. "Their demands have already been met, please do not worry about it," the noble hastily declared, however her commander pressed her on the details and in a small voice, she confessed: "I am...Not actually allowed inside Ransei, in order to secure an entrance with the intention of re-configuring ties with the main family...the branch family must offer one of their offspring in marriage to a member of the main family. So that means...I will no longer be able to work with the Dex Criminals since I'll will be married off to one of the heirs of Nixtorm's main family. This...Is the last time I'll be spending time with this Organization."
Pearl, who stood next to Sapphire and busied himself with concocting training strategies in his head, blanked out after hearing Platina's confession. He gripped the table tightly in an effort not to collapse. His breathing became difficult and his chest squeezed uncomfortably. A fleeting glance at Platina told him the female already steeled herself and agreed to do this all on her own. How could she? He wanted to scream out loud. Why did his friends keep on doing the things they wanted and leave him alone in the dark? Didn't they care about his feelings? A sensation of numbness perfused his legs and he found it difficult to stand. The world spun around him and he saw everything in a smear of colours and blurs. Platina as a bride for someone else? An unknown, faceless entity who might not treat her the way he would? Gripping the smooth surface of the polished desk, he anchored himself to reality and prayed that no one would notice his sudden lapse. The thought of Platina marrying an egotistical nobleman brought on a wave of nausea. He won't accept it, his feelings rebelled and all the tender emotions he held for Platina bubbled to the surface. The Sinnoh native wanted to protest. Platina was his, his and no one else in the Poke-verse will be able to tear her away from him.
His...
The blonde teenager raised his head and amongst the blurred out surroundings, he saw Diamond looking at him dejectedly. His best friend sported the same expression of disbelief and behind the glassy surface of bewilderment; he saw the ache of profound sadness. The chubby boy's mouth hung slightly open, as if he failed to decipher the announcement Platina made a few moments ago. Pearl suddenly remembered that even if he loved Platina with every fibre of his being. Even if he would fight against any other person for her, there remained one other individual where fighting and winning held no meaning. Diamond, who harboured the same intense feelings for his 'Missy', openly showed his childish affection by baking and cooking anything she liked. And Pearl could not win against someone like that.
Yes...He'd gladly hand Platina over for Dia and wish them happiness. However, things did not turn out like this.
"I'm sorry" Diamond mouthed those words and tore his gaze away. The action served to make Pearl feel more isolated. Why did he apologize? The blonde wandered and drowned in a sea of confusion and sadness. His previous sensation of weakness steadily climbed up and seized hold of his entire body. In his entire life...He had yet to experience sadness so acute and deep, it made him want to hang himself.
He wanted to die.
Diamond blinked on hearing Platina declare that she exchanged her status of a free noble in turn for entering Ransei. He did not really understand the part of merging main and branch families but he caught the gist of what his best friend said. Basically, after they managed to penetrate Ransei, which is otherwise impregnable, she will have to live there and marry another dude...meaning, Missy won't be able to hang out with them any longer. Unlike Pearl, who crashed after computing this fact, Diamond first chewed through an entire rice ball before it dawned on him. As soon as he understood, the world around him stopped. It just stopped. His stomach churned unpleasantly and he looked up to see Blue, her visage twisted into one of horror, Green appeared much more calmer and Dia veered his gaze to see his other subordinates' faces frozen with various degrees of sadness and dubiety. Whi-2 stood, her hands covering her agape mouth whilst Ruby had an ugly scowl marring his handsome face. Next to the ebony haired teen, Pearl leaned, his hands gripping the table so hard, Diamond beheld his comrade's knuckles screaming against his skin. The blonde's face kept on getting whiter; he raised his head for a brief moment and the indolent teen spied utter misery on his comrade's face. In the same split second, the chubby commander felt life drain away from him.
They would never hear the morning sound ever again if she left after this assignment.
More importantly, Pearl and himself will never find the courage, nor the time to tell her of their real feelings.
They both had the same feelings for her and they both knew it, although they shared every niggling problem and inner conflict with each other, they kept this one secret to themselves hoping the other won't notice. Diamond, despite his intense feelings for the Sinnoh noble, decided he will be happy if Pearl managed to win Missy's affections over. Of course he would also be sad but his happiness will outweigh his dejected feelings. However, the possibility of Platina having a partner some other than them...Did not enter his mind and he felt foolish. Unlike Pearl, he did not have the burning desire to crush her dreams and refute what she wanted to do. Across him, the blonde looked positively sick and would keel over if he didn't support himself. Dia held Pearl's gaze...watching the multitude of thoughts whizz in his friend's flame coloured irises. Those orange eyes suited Pearl, the commander inwardly told himself, they burned with a conviction akin to an untamed fire. An all-consuming passion. And for this, he was apologetic, because Pearl did so much for him...But all he did was watch as his best friend wrestled with one conflicted emotion after the other. "I'm sorry" he mouthed and yanked his eyes from his childhood friend's piteous form.
He wanted to die.
"Platinum darling...You don't have to do this alone!" Blue sputtered and approached her, "send the letter back..." her voice shook, "we will find another way to enter and this time we will do this together." The brown haired leader gently squeezed Platina's shoulders, however, the noble remained stiff faced and resolute. "Green!" The female Kanto rasped, "Say something!" Losing her composure, Blue took a deep breath to calm herself and to stop her hands from shaking.
"It's a noble sacrifice-"
Slap.
The stinging sensation on his cheek grew into a fiery pain which raced over his face and forehead. Oak blinked and a starburst of pain flared behind his eyelids. Grabbing him violently by his jacket collar, his best friend, red faced and frenzied, shook him and screamed in his face. "Noble sacrifice Green? How selfish can you be you pompous, self-serving moron! Don't you care about her? You don't do you?" Blue screeched, the penetrating tone beating against his ear drums. "If you stopped to consider that she just threw her future away in order to rescue Red!" she inhaled noisily, "you'd be much more grateful you jerk!" The professor endured her harsh words as his anger mounted to apoplectic proportions. Curling his stiff fingers over her wrist, he squeezed with all the strength he could muster and wrenched her hand off his collar. Blue stepped back and rubbed her bruised wrist whilst Strategy's commander glared at her in an enraged manner.
"You should be the one talking last you hypocritical pesky woman!" he hissed lowly and Diamond flinched on hearing his words, "What won't you do for Silver HUH? Tell me! What won't you do for that adopted sibling of yours if he was the one kidnapped? I'm pretty sure you'd defect without second thought and go ahead with trying to rescue him even if it costs your or our lives." Oak loosened his shirt collar and exhaled steam. "Don't you dare talk about selfishness to me!" Clenching his fists, he bore down on the chocolate haired woman who coolly held his acrimonious gaze. Blue didn't step back nor did she quiver underneath his venomous stare. Feeling the situation escalate out of control. Yellow stepped between them and meditated the quarrel. Spitting curse words under his breath, Green spied the terrified expression on Dia's face and decided to quiet down. On the other end, Blue folded her arms over her chest and angled her face so no one will be able to look at the tears sliding discreetly down her face.
A week later. Afternoon
Sinnoh
Mt Coronet
Following Platina's confession, the members of the Dex Criminals were very reluctant to go ahead with her plan. For a few days, the teams mulled about and Pearl, along with Diamond, failed to meet her eyes. She sensed that they were both unhappy with her lone decision and the only people who brought on a semblance of comfort to her otherwise lonely existence happened to Whi-2 and Ruby. Those two, despite their misgivings about her risky plan, sat with her and listened as she forged ahead and assembled a fool proof plan. One sunny morning, when the sun rays glinted off the snow into a blinding white light, she beheld a helicopter descending into the valley and sending glacial winds sweeping everywhere. Out jumped her butler bearing a silver tray and on seeing her sitting outside the base with Whi-2, he bowed and offered her the salver and she picked up a single pale blue envelope bearing her name and status. Neatly tearing it open, her dark blue eyes skimmed over the contents and she smiled satisfactorily. Dipping her head and dismissing her servants, Platina strode inside the base and her confidence wavered on seeing her best friends. The duo were performing some sort of slapstick comedy for the Johto trio and when she entered, the two became deadly silent. Forcing herself to hold her head high, she approached Silver and asked him to gather everyone together. From there, Platina established her strategy and coerced her team mates to follow her against their will. Upon hearing her arrangements, the overall mood of the team lifted somewhat, however her team leader was still fiercely angry with her and Blue vehemently refused to participate. Green, Gold and Diamond, who shunned his personal emotions for the benefit of his subordinates, gave her the all clear and with renewed confidence, she initialized the proposal.
Orange pigmented eyes swung over the sheet like pendulum and read the words with so much scrutiny, people joked that the page might ending up erupting in flames, he didn't care. He wanted it to burst into flames. Pearl read the outline and balked on seeing his name there. Apparently, the team infiltrating Ransei consisted of: Platina (obviously since she is the royal guest), White, Sapphire, Green, Gold (who articulated a delighted scream) and Pearl. No Diamond as Green insisted on two commanders staying at base should the Police try anything whilst they were gone. Further reading divulged minimal information, they were to land on the shores of Fontaine... (Where ever in Ransei it was) and meet up with Mitsuhide, the Warlord of Ransei and Platina's future father-in-law, Pearl's mind snarkily delivered. From there, the company will make their way to Greenleaf and therefore to Valora. The blonde didn't understand how they were supposed to do their job and on questioning his best friend, she replied that the plan is fragmentary and they will have to do some heavy adaptations according to their circumstances. He nodded his head in understanding and quickly shuffled backwards and bumped into an unsuspecting Diamond when she presented a flat box to him. On opening the gift boxes, he heard Gold whistle and the sound seemed to echo from a far off place. Inside the carton, he removed a set of Imperial and ancient styled clothing, the material felt soft and luxurious to the touch and he spied many silk tassels and silver thread making intricate designs on a pale saffron coloured kimono. He also retrieved a pair of charcoal black hakama pants and as his mind digested the pieces of ancient clothing in his hands, in the periphery of his vision, he saw Gold put them on over his regular clothing. Diamond giggled and the sound irritated Pearl for some inexplicable reason.
So...they were supposed to wear these, pose as lesser nobles and infiltrate Ransei is it? The flame eyed teen sorted, not a bad idea at all. He saw Green's jade irises light up with subtle pride. At least someone in the Organization thought like the professor. In the subsequent days, Platina gave them lessons on noble etiquette and mannerisms. Her teachings prompted the whole Organization to sit around her and gape at the idiosyncratic, noblemen tendencies...Seriously; some of them did not make any sense. Pride over a lifetime of happiness? Oh heck no. Exchange a life in order to fulfil some political feud which the person maybe not part of? Or willingly commit suicide in order to reimburse some sort of lost honour? Pearl didn't see the logic in that. The ideas shocked most of them, is this how the Imperial region operated? As the days passed and he learnt more about the antediluvian region, a sick sense of thrill overcame him and he looked forward to the plan. Although he freely started conversing with Platina, he seemed to have lost the casualness of their friendship.
"Senior Gold...You are wearing your clothes the wrong way again." Platina, who lectured the infiltration team on status' and ranks, admonished the man and he simpered disturbingly. "Tuck your shirt in and tighten your belt." Instead of doing it himself, he sauntered all the way in front of her and started fiddling with the kimono, slowly opening it and grinning perversely all the while. In order to hammer the customs in their skulls and make it second nature for them, she ordered the group to start living like nobles, a daily fuss occurred as they tried and repeatedly failed to put their kimonos on properly and to dine in a haughty manner. Several times, Sapphire had been severely scolded for shovelling food in her mouth and White, who did a far better job than the wild trainer, managed to emulate Platina's way of walking as well. Unfortunately, since the three of them started donning traditional clothes, the perverted Johto trainer saw fit to harass them daily. Each morning, Gold wore his clothes with glaring mistakes and he asked Platina to fix them for him. He got punched a few times in the face and White, flawless in her act of a demure lady, expertly cleaned him up whilst suffering from his gross pick-up lines. Gold steered clear of Sapphire as the Hoenn trainer did not have second qualms of exposing her legs and slamming them square into his face much to Platina's horror. On the male's end, Green became a perfect example of an arrogant Warlord whilst Pearl neatly delved into a brooding bratty young master.
Uttering an insufferable sigh whilst her team mates pitied her, the heiress tucked Gold's shirt in and smoothed out the creases. As she finished, the male lightly grabbed her wrists and bent over to her level. "You look beautiful today, "he whispered sensationally and Platina felt her cheeks glow hot, "and you are even cuter when you blush...the pink really compliments the pale cheeks of yours. Oh!" A perverted gleam took hold of his eyes and she absolutely knew nothing good would come out of his mouth in the next few seconds. "How about you become my bride ins-Oof! He straightened up, gripped his back and groaned in pain. "That's Crystal kicking me...She's probably jealous." In spite of his agony, he still winked and grinned. Platina shook her head in disbelief, flushed some more and returned to her teaching.
And so, the days passed by.
"Senior Gold...Please don't lean so close to me." White struggled to get herself out of Gold's embrace and helplessly eyed Silver who, after numerous attempts, stopped assisting her in escaping his best friend's clutches. Crystal long grew tired of reigning him in and disappeared to Palkia knows where. The females were practising folk dancing today and Platina stood on a crude stage and gave them a mesmerising performance. The sleeves of her snow-white kimono flowed in tandem with her fluid movements as she twirled and fluttered about with serene smile on her face. Her lopunny and pachirisu joined her and created a piece of art. The heart rendering rhythms pouring out of an old radio dictated her movements and knitted together a soulful performance. She bowed, tourmaline hair flowing like liquid and asked Sapphire and White to demonstrate a piece. From there, the chocolate haired teenager didn't know how the events proceeded and she came to find herself securely trapped in a grinning Gold's arms. "Uhm...This is a solo performance." She meekly added and turned to Green. The older man and Pearl had their eyes glued to Sapphire who performed some sort of tribal bop and she observed the spiky haired commander trying hard to supress a smile beneath a traditional fan. He eventually caved in and snorted as the Hoenn trainer on stage uttered a war cry and in a surprising feat of acrobatics, cartwheeled over Platina when the noble crouched. Pearl burst into laughter and Gold hugged her tighter.
"Gold...Hands off. Now." Strategy's commander finally noticed her predicament and without as much as a peep, the Johto native smoothly untangled himself from White and performed a ninety degree bow. The amber eyed trainer had resorted to calling the commander Warlord Green, as the man walked with the grace and air of one. Platina even went as far as to secure a sword for him and the black lacquered scabbard was tucked into his waist band, a compliment against the emerald shine of his pants. Give him an ornate headpiece and he'll be ready to rule. Gold joked and again dipped his head when the former rotated to look at him. On passing the ebony haired man, Pearl aimed a kick on his shin and ducked when the breeder aimed a swipe. "Stop messing around and take your lessons seriously. Your clothes...fix them, without the aid of Platina." Scratching the back of his head, he waited till Green went out of sight before sashaying over to the heiress and sweet talking her into helping himself. Platina's hands were forever cold and as she once again smoothed the wrinkles in the silk shirt, he saw her blush. However, the polite smile on her lips looked forced and her eyes were dulled with exhaustion and unhappiness. As she finished helping him and turned around to walk away, Gold silently watched the slight droop of her shoulders.
A happy facade is all they had to keep themselves from screaming and being torn apart. The breeder resorted to using make-up in order to cover the shadows underneath his eyes. If Crystal noticed her lack of powder, she never asked and he felt warm gratitude for that.
He didn't want to look like Silver, a man haunted by memories and washed with bad experiences. His companion handled life rather well.
One afternoon, Sapphire, Pearl and Gold sat together in order to eat and mused about Green ability to use his sword. The Hoenn native listened as a heated debate broke out next to her and she didn't bother telling Pearl that his wide sleeve took an occasional dip in the soup he slurped. According to the two males next to her, Green couldn't swing a sword to save his life. "He can use basic sword fighting techniques you know." Saph pointed out and Gold choked, "Senior Green trains me and sometimes I see him practising with a wooden sword, apparently the dojo he went to during his trainee days were relentless in their training. He said that they used to work him to the bone and sometimes he'd end up with so many bruises that he'd cry himself to sleep."
"What! He can cry?" Gold's exaggerated expression sent Pearl snorting with laughter and seconds later, the blonde swore under his breath on seeing his silk sleeve soaked beyond hope. "Are you sure he use can a sword? He trained ages ago didn't he?" The breeder dubiously queried, "I mean it takes practice to wield a real one...I know senior Red doesn't have any experience in hand to hand combat nor can he use any weapons, but he's a good brawler and he punches where it hurts." Holding up the excess fabric with one hand, Gold repeatedly tried and failed to secure a morsel of food with his ornamental chopsticks and after the fifth try, he stabbed the article of food viciously and victoriously grinded it between his teeth. "Should we ask him to show us?" he garbled and suddenly became very still.
"Shall I lop off your head for a demonstration?" Standing behind them, with a triumphant and somewhat sardonic sneer on his face, Green unsheathed his sword slowly. Pearl mutely observed the cold, tempered steel slide out of the sheath and reflect his panic-stricken visage. "Anything wrong Pearl?" His superior hoarsely questioned and the blonde shook his head furiously. "You look pretty sick."
"It's hard not to look sick when your life is flashing in front of your eyes!" The Sinnoh native informed in a timid voice, "please...put the sword away, I get it, you can use it, no need to scare the daylights outta me." The spiky haired individual noted the faint expressions on Gold and Pearl's face. Sliding the sword back in the scabbard with and audible click, he smoothly removed his weapon and placed it on the table. Grabbing a stool, he sat next to them and was about to begin eating when his clothes unravelled. Amidst supressed giggles and snorts, he exhaled tiredly and fixed himself. The darn clothes didn't want to stay put and he wondered how people wore this on a daily basis. "I don't think you have much trouble acting like a noble senior Green." The blonde piped up once again and pointed a spoon at the older male, "I mean, your personality is similar to theirs...cold, aloof, intelligent and a bit ruthless?" Pearl sheepishly laughed when Oak levelled him a glare that promised pain, mien softening, the leader explained that memorizing the customs of the Imperial regions and implementing them on a daily basis is perhaps the most difficult thing he has ever done. "True..." The subordinate agreed and licked his spoon, "this is so tiring I don't feel like taking this kimono off before I sleep. Putting this on every morning, remembering what to call your seniors and juniors, studying up and implementing the horribly formal etiquette is tiring. I ended up calling Diamond My lord the other day!"
"Warlord Green..." Gold smirked.
"Call me that one more time and I'll ram my fist down your throat!"
"That's a pretty fist you have there..." The breeder continued, seemingly oblivious to the disgusted looks his peers gave him, "where did you get the rings?" Gold jerked his head at the numerous pieces of jewellery adorning the Kanto native's hand.
"Platina said the nobles wear ornate pieces and jewellery in Ransei-"
"Oh hey!" The ebony haired man interjected with a wide grin on his face, "does that mean I'll be wearing gauntlets? Cool! I've always wanted to wear them. Heh, the next time Saph tries to kick me into oblivion, I'll be ready for her." Saph growled when her senior started making annoying punch gestures in her face. Green eyed them for a while before returning his attention to his food. For a moment, he wrestled with his conscious and sighed, picking up a pair of gilded chopsticks; he held up the bundle of fabric at his wrist and ate whilst the three youngsters opposite him delved into an all-out verbal brawl. The commander ducked as a pastry flew over his head and lurched to the side when Pearl threw his spoon in a fit of anger. He lifted his bowl when Sapphire slammed her fist down and gripped his sheathed sword on seeing Gold try to reach for it. Opposite him, the situation escalated into a war as Pearl grabbed a set of chopsticks and poked Gold with it. Sapphire summoned her pokemon and for the umpteenth time, tore the bottom of her lavish kimono into shreds. The moment typholsion and infernape made an entrance on the scene, a fiercely chilling wind blew across them and Green flinched in pain. His legs were frozen. Looking up, he beheld the three trouble makers shivering as well and from the waist down, both monsters and humans were encased in a thick layer of ice. Platina floated towards them, the bottom part of her face obscured by the sleeve of her kimono and behind her, froslass followed wearing a crown on its head. Gold whistled on seeing the noble and complimented the way a golden hair piece shone against her inky strands. She didn't flush this time and sent them all a chilling glare.
"Sit..." Platina commanded and spared a glance at her senior's torn kimono...She'd have to order a few more from home. "We only have a few weeks left before leaving for Ransei and...this is TERRIBLE!" Platina screeched in a high pitched voice and around her, her team members visibly flinched in guilt. Never did the heiress raise her voice before. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and continued to speak: "Take your roles seriously, if the nobles suspect foul play...they will detain and most likely behead us." Sapphire and Pearl gulped at her words. "Moreover...Your pokemon also need training, please empty your pokeballs and leave them in one of the abandoned room upstairs. I do not want any excuses." Gold lethargically lowered his arm and decided that now would be a good time to stop flirting. "Your monsters should be able to function to some degree without you and like yourselves...they must be adorned. First, I will attempt to teach them basic etiquette as they will have to travel outside pokeballs...Decorating them can come later." Folding her hands in her lap, she cast a stern gaze on the trio of trouble makers and resisted the urge to sigh...When will they learn? "Senior Gold-"
"Yes my lovely lady?" The gold eyed man tilted his head seductively and flashed her a brilliant smile. "How may I be of service?"
Flushing and hiding her face behind a mauve sleeve, Berlitz blandly stated, "under no circumstances do you flirt with anyone. The moment you act out of line, you will be under tight scrutiny. And please, for Arceus' sake, loose that odd walking style of yours. The females in Johto might find it attractive but in Ransei, it shows slovenliness and a breach of manners. If you walk like that in front of a warlord, they retainers will swipe your head off." Turning to Sapphire who guiltily smoothed the remains of a splendid red kimono down, the noble continued in her criticism, "Senior Sapphire, I understand these clothes restrict movement but try and restrain yourself when you have the urge to tear them...they are very expensive." The Hoenn trainer blushed and clenched her hands into fists from embarrassment; she felt the blood rushing to her ears and mumbled an apology. "I will try to procure a shorter length for you. As for Pearl..."
"I don't have any problems right?" The blonde politely smiled and she quickly nodded.
"You are doing very well. Thank you for your co-operation."
A short silence fell over the occupants at the table as Green finished his meal, while he ate, he spied Blue and Yellow go about their daily tasks, Diamond and Emerald scurried about carrying different types of electronic equipment whilst Ruby followed them lazily. Whi-2, Crystal and Silver sat in a huddle in the corner of the room and busied themselves with a game. Platina dipped her head and got up from her stool, the soft whisper of silk barely perceptible above the general noise engulfing the cavern as she turned to leave, Gold demanded:
"And when are you going to give me lessons on cat walking? I prefer a one to one session if you don't mind." The amber eyed man simpered. "I promise to be well beha-ARHHHH!"
"Serves him right!" Sapphire hissed and gleefully dunked Gold's head in Green's bowl of soup whilst her team mate screamed murder. Green simply watched, he could feel his patience and sanity slipping away.
"You are going to be the death of me Red" he muttered to himself and gathered his things. "I swear if I die early...It's going to be your fault. Hang on tight...We're definitely bringing you home."
A/N: Poor Green, first he gets smacked by Blue, then the annoying trio pushes his sanity to a point. And Pearl, hang in there buddy. Much thanks to all those who read and reviewed, virtual hot chocolate for you.
At Guest: I guess with all the problems swirling around him, he's going to change no? Another thing, anyone who knows me personally will tell you one thing: I never tolerate anyone out of politeness; so full steam ahead with your stories and head canons :) I appreciate reading them (hey, it gives me ideas too). I think Grandpa Oak spoiled Green so it makes sense if he spoils his daughter as well. As for his son, I think the boy will dote on his mother (Yellow) but he dislikes his father because Green works long hours at the office and spends little time with him. At Silver: Take all the s'mores you want, power food is good for crushing school, good luck with whatever you are doing. At Guest who: I have this crossover story idea in my phone, where Red, Green and Blue are all teachers/professors. Green teaches history, Red teaches general combat whilst Blue imparts knowledge on how to survive in the dungeons…Anyway, Red is surviving…somehow.
At AceTrainerLeaf: Hehe, you could channel that aggression into a punching bag? Or school work? I once tore a paper because I scribble so furiously on it. Look forward to how Red's coping. At Jack54311: Bee pollen is good for energy huh? I need it then. Have you eaten royal jelly? It's a bit bitter but it has a whole host of health benefits as well. Yes Platina will have to marry a noble. Poor her. At Eevee: After this chapter, there are roughly about 15 chapters left. I did plan a sequel, although I'm a bit apprehensive on posting it. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I'm alright, are things going well for you too? You are always welcome to drop by you know, don't be shy. I don't bite. (Unless you are made of chocolate) ;-)