Return [Closed- Locked]

[Red]

He never came down from the mountain. The media, the fans, the angry ex-Rockets looking to take him out... it just wasn't worth the trouble. He might sneak to a mart once in a while to grab some food and supplies, but then he'd run right back up. It was a ritual by now, and he knew exactly when and where to be to avoid running into anybody who might recognize him.

He decided to stay for more than five minutes for once, the champion warily walking into the town that he called home... the town that was now revered as some magical place where kids turned into master trainers. God, he hated every last one of those paparazzi morons who tried to hype up a little town into some sort of Pokemon mecca.

"Chu...?"

The worried chirp from the rodent perched on his shoulder was a bit of a relief, the black-haired figure sighing as he ruffled a patch of rough, static fur between the Pokemon's ears. Looking around, Red was relieved to see that nobody appeared to notice him... after all, this early in the morning, when the sun was barely slipping above the horizon, most people were in bed, especially in a sleepy little town like Pallet. He decided it was definitely a smart idea to return Damian to his Pokeball way back in the woods... that Charizard threw a fit every time he got near civilization.

"...Don't worry about it, Sparky. We're just here to talk to Professor Oak, pop by my house, and go. I've timed it perfectly. Nothing weird's going to happen today."

He'd learned this routine the hard way- if he felt bold enough to pop out a little early? A bunch of crazed fans and challengers. He liked to go get something to eat without being surrounded by interviewers looking for a cheap, easy story.

He didn't regret not being in contact with the regions. He didn't regret leaving Lance to fight any challengers in his stead. He really just... didn't care all that much anymore. He was champion. He'd beat everything there was to beat. What was he supposed to do now?

Sighing as he strolled through the small town, cautiously avoiding flower beds, Red approached the impressive lab- about the only big building within a five-mile radius- with Sparky still eagerly sitting on his shoulder, obviously ready to see the professor.

Knowing the coast was clear, Red sighed as he slipped his hat back where it belonged, knocking on the door once for good measure. It took him a while to actually think about who might be behind that door.

"If Oak's out on some expedition or at some Pokemon conference... oh god. The last person I need bugging me is him."

[blue]

Well, no. Professor Oak was still home. In fact he would be the person to open the door, surprised to see the 'Pokemon Champion' at his door after who knows how long. It was so nostalgic in a way, pretty lame if one didn't like cheesy stories. The Pokemon Professor would allow Red in, and as he walked back towards the table, guess who stood there?

"Wow, talk about serious deja vu," of course he was referring to the fact that this was how it all started. A cocky grin was apparent on his face, and as he observed his rival he also took in that it indeed had been quite some time. Years, in fact! Years since everything ended, and they both grew up. Team Rocket, Giovanni, so on and so forth. Now Red was a hyped up super star while Green was the eighth gym leader of Viridian, having taken Giovanni's place.

He thought fate was sort of cruel though, especially how most people kept out the info on how Green used to own Red's ass (literally) before they fought after the Elite Four. Oh well, he couldn't have everything his way. "How's living in Caves? I heard they were cold and wet, or could that be after you've had your night-time accidents?" his right hand shifted up as his index finger wiped under his nose in a cocky manner, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"But thanks to you, I'm now a respected Gym Leader and guest-teacher, and soon to be a famous Professor. Heh!" he pulled down his right eyelid, and stuck his tongue at Red. Ahhh, so many old memories.

[Red]

The irony in this situation was so thick and obvious it might as well have been the day they both stampeded into that lab, eager young boys ready to kick each other's asses after so many childhood brawls. There were some things Red missed about Pallet Town- his home, his family, the relaxing atmosphere. And then there was one thing he didn't miss.

There was a faint twitch of his eyebrow the minute Green started in with the typical insults, the Pikachu perched on Red's shoulder heaving a great sigh- Sparky'd seen this happen. Sparky'd seen this happen so many times he had been enjoying the years without the fights.

Of course, Red would admit that he'd been soundly thrashed the first few times because of his stubborn refusal to catch more Pokemon- a Pikachu and a Bulbasaur could only get you so far- but after the first few fights, Green got his ass kicked. Did Red really have to bring that up? The young man was usually apathetic- icy, cold, silent. All of that changed the minute he walked in that door and saw his rival.

"You're the Viridian gym leader now? No wonder so many people are running to the Indigo Plateau. I thought it was the first seven that sucked, but now I'm starting to think..."

He heard the protesting squeaks from his companion, Sparky obviously irritated after seeing this scenario play out so many times before. If they would just not fight for once...

"Mt. Silver's pretty nice. Been doing a lot of training for the last... three years."

Oh god, he really had been a hermit, hadn't he? Maybe he should catch up on the world... or maybe not. Maybe he'd just talk to Green, probably fight him, and then run right back up to the mountain where he'd been for so long.

"...Anything big going on? Nobody's run up to get me, so I imagine everything's good in Kanto ever since I beat Giovanni."

And then he suddenly thought of Green- Green, of all people- being a Pokemon professor. The guy just... didn't... this was the ten-year-old who got angry as hell when his Charmander didn't beat Red's Bulbasaur, who got pissed if Red caught something for the Pokedex before he did.

"You know, Green, it's just a little hard seeing you take on the family name. Wouldn't you just throw the balls at kids instead of handing them out?"

[/blockquote]

[blue]

"You're the Viridian gym leader now? No wonder so many people are running to the Indigo Plateau. I thought it was the first seven that sucked, but now I'm starting to think..."

Lolwat. It seemed that Red was quite delusional today, implying that the one and only Green would allow these kids to beat him. Hah! As if! A quirky smile shifted on his lips as he placed both hands on his hips, looking down on the black haired teen. "Oh no, I simply thought that you would get bored. You know how I just love to make your life difficult." He was charming, no doubt. But the two could taunt each other over and over again and never tire.

His eyes noted the Pikachu to which he stared at rather impishly, his smile becoming devious as his childish emotions began to stir. Something was said about Mt. whatever, since Green didn't really hear it. Rather he retrieved a pokeball, threateningly holding it near the Pikachu. Not like he could take it, anyways, but he had knowledge that Pikachu wasn't fond of pokeballs at all.

"Cmon Pika-Pika~ You should return to your pokeball. Fufufufufu."

"You know, Green, it's just a little hard seeing you take on the family name. Wouldn't you just throw the balls at kids instead of handing them out?"

"wat." eyes turned to Red as he sternly stared him in the eye, a sudden wave of tension filling the air. It would almost be as if lightning battled mid air in the line of their eyesight, and he removed the pokeball from where it was near Pikachu. Rather, he left a slight 'humph', and ran his left hand through his hair. "Of course I wouldn't do that. But I'd make them reach for it." he thought about that picture - Green standing there with a lab coat on as he held a pokeball in his hand, arms outstretched upwards as the kids jumped up and down trying to reach them.

Heheheh. Good plan.