When Moon travels back to the Kanto region to start a new adventure and confront her past, she unknowingly stumbles into a prophecy that her father, a Kantonian scientist, was trying to protect her from. Now, it's up to her, Gladion, Hau, and her ch...
Moon bounded off the ferry like a pidgeot taking flight, gaping at the region that she once called "home." Although it looked exactly the same, just being there felt different, nostalgic even.
Although it was rather chilly, the sun was shining, the air smelled of food from local street venders, and the boardwalk was bustling with both people and pokémon.
"Terra firma under foot again," Hau exclaimed as he stepped onto the docks of Vermillion City.
Gladion followed behind the two friends, dragging his red backpack in one hand. Using his free hand, he rubbed his opposing arm. "How is this even possible?"
"How is what possible?" Hau asked, looking over his shoulder at Gladion.
Hau and Moon noticed that Gladion was shivering. "It's even colder now than it was last time I was here!"
Moon laughed, cocking her head left and right as she tried to locate someone in the busy crowd. "Don't worry, there's a clothing shop not far from here. It's autumn, so they should have some sweatshirts and jackets available.
Moon began to walk forward and the boys followed her lead, weaving in and out of the herd of people. After a few minutes of trotting around aimlessly, Moon looking this way and that, and Hau heading to every street vendor he could find, Gladion finally asked. "So, who are we looking for again?"
"Just an old friend of mine," Moon replied, giving one last look around. "That's funny... he should be here by n-" She suddenly fell silent, the corners of her parted lips turning up in heightened surprise. Tears filled her grey eyes and before the boys could ask her what was wrong, she broke out into a sprint.
Stunned by her sudden behavior, they watched as Moon jumped straight into the arms of a guy who looked to be about their age. He was taller than her and as bulky as Hau. His spiked, straw-blond hair was combed off to one side and his light brown eyes resembled pools of melted caramel. Gladion also noted that his smile looked bright enough to light a match. He was wearing a black jacket over a light, white sweatshirt, long, brown khakis, and a brown cross-body satchel that was strapped over his shoulder.
He embraced Moon and lifted her off the ground, spinning her as if the boardwalk was a dance floor. She began to chortle, and although Gladion had always thought Moon's laugh to be a sweet melody, he couldn't help but feel wounded. He clenched his fists, his blood boiling inside of him. Who is this guy? Who does he think he is, locking his arms around Moon?
After their moment, though it felt like a painful eternity to Gladion, Moon untangled herself from the mysterious guy. Looking back at the boys, she caught sight of Gladion. He had a betrayed look in those green eyes of his and she felt her face heat up. Coughing awkwardly and looking away from him, she answered their unasked question. "Hau, Gladion, this is Green, my childhood best friend."
"I'm Hau, Moon's other best friend. Howzit going, dude?" Hau, who was in the midst of eating a chili dog, extended his free hand towards Green.
Green accepted Hau's gesture and smiled, shaking his hand with a firm grip. "Nice to meet ya, Hau. I've heard many wonderful things about you." He looked over at Gladion, whose leafy eyes had been set ablaze. "And who are you?"
"Gladion." Gladion huffed, trying to subdue his own jealous rage. "Moon's–"
"Gladion?" Green thought for a moment, as if trying to recall a certain detail. "She's never mentioned you before. But, nice to meet ya!" Green smiled warmly; Gladion felt as if he had just been stabbed in the back.
Moon looked around once more. "I take it my Dad didn't come?"
"He wanted to, but something came up." Green saw the disappointed look on Moon's face and quickly explained. "H-he wanted to throw you a Welcome Home party, so he's trying to make everything perfect before you arrive." He worriedly ruffled his hair. "Man, he's gonna kill me if he finds out I told you. Pr-pretend to act surprised, okay?"
Much to Gladion's discomfort, Moon laughed. "Consider me 'blown away.'"
And with that, they left the boardwalk. Green hailed a taxi as soon as they reached the street and told the driver to take them to Cerulean City, where Moon's father lived.
During the entirety of the ride, Gladion couldn't help but recall how ecstatic Moon looked upon seeing Green, or how she had laughed when they embraced one another. There was a churning in the pit of his stomach and the longer that those thoughts lingered, the sicker he felt. He looked up to witness Moon and Green catching up, discussing what had happened since their last encounter five years ago. Gladion prayed that Moon could someday smile at him the way she was smiling now.
I know... I'm cruel. Also, did you notice the play on words ("Green" as in the character AND the color that usually describes jealousy)? I don't know, I was pretty proud of it.
[\/\/\/ Credit: Tensai-kun on Zerochan] https://www.zerochan.net/875163
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