&;; p r o d i g y

           Red just used the Pokemon Center’s kitchen to try and make his favorite food; omelet rice. He is very disappointed in the fact that he may have added too much rice and  the omelet wouldn’t close. However, he takes a bite anyway; no point in wasting food if he could help it.  

        Though the texture is not quite right, the taste certainly is and for that, he’s happy.

[★] → “Y’know, I’m almost impressed that someone like you can even use one of the Pokemon Center’s stoves to make anything.” The keyword there was ‘almost’, especially after taking a good look at the mess Red had flopped out into a plate.

           “Surprise you?” The champion shook his head, “I think its called “a taste of your own medicine.” I wanted to try and see if I could annoy you.” payback for how annoying you could be. But it looks like I was only able to kill your mood somewhat. And even then that seemed to come right back up… Still… “ It’s not about being too slow, it’s being unable to let go.” after all why would he want to let go of the beloved team he had since he became champion? They were the most precious partners to him and they were what won him every single battle, however that had become boring init of itself

[★] → “Annoy me? I think we’d both have better chances of seeing a Charizard grow a second head right here and now than you actually getting to me enough to be annoying.” 

No, the only thing that annoyed Green about Red was her persistence and the fact that he’d actually managed to beat him before. It’d take a lot more than a few soft spoken jabs to get under Green’s skin here.

“Okay, okay. Fine, you were right to book the vacation and Alola was totally worth the trip.” She leaned over his shoulder to look outside for a moment, before pointing. “I say we hit the beach.”

[★] → “Already way ahead of you, like always~” He might’ve not been dressed for the beach yet, but the sunglasses he went to pull over his eyes were definitely sign enough.

      I may never find fun but, “It’d be much quieter up on the mountain.” he said with a smirk, making a jab at how noisy, full of himself and obnoxious Green could be. Granted he wasn’t going to admit, he’d miss his rival at least a little. “But if that’s the case, maybe I should raise some new pokemon…” he then paused, worry flickering across his features, what about my current pokemon? He then looked to Green expectantly; apparently he assumed Green would have an answer to his unasked question.

[★] → “Wow, Red, look at you. Calling me out and cracking jokes all in the same day. You’re clearly just looking to surprise me every chance you get all of a sudden, aren’t you?” Green couldn’t help but remark, clearly amused as he plopped both of his hands on his hips.

“But that’s more like it! Maybe you should! You’ve been stuck with same old team for so long, that it’s no wonder you’re bored. I mean, I probably would’ve tossed myself up on some boulder if I’d been too slow to break myself outta the same lame routine, too.” Green needed the excitement, so much that he almost thrived off of it.  

[★] → Propping two huge doors open that lead out to an enormous balcony over looking the ocean, there was no way she could be disappointed with this. 

           “It’s… not fun anymore.” he repeated, or at least he thought he was repeating himself. “I’m only here because of you.” he answered bluntly before crossing his arms; otherwise he’d still be at Mt Silver. It’s not fun nor does it feel like I’m getting stronger when I beat just about everyone I battle. He internally grumbled before his face momentarily lit up, “Though, there are a few fun battles.” He spoke quietly. “I guess you count.” he added with a smirk of his own.

[★] → “Of course I count! I’m one of the most exciting opponents you’ve ever had! You can go ahead and admit it! It won’t embarrass me~” Green wasn’t shy about prodding at break in Red’s doom and gloom attitude. Any chance he could use to pull  the guy back to his senses, Green would take.

“Listen, Red. If things aren’t fun anymore because you’re bored of beating everyone all the time, then switch it up! Do something else! There’s a lot more to this world than just battling with your Pokemon all the time, you know. You’ve just gotta get out there and live a little! And to stop thinking about disappearing to sulk on top of some rock all the time.”

          A moment of surprise crossed Red’s features; a million and one thoughts were running through his head, many of which he’d head no choice but to speak until his voice were to go hoarse as he wasn’t sure Green would be able to catch every single one. Yet he tried to minimize his thoughts to a few words as best he could. 

         “Friends, rivals, fun.” Do I really need to be out for someone’s approval? I don’t want it, I just wanted to have fun… It wasn’t fun anymore that’s why I went to Mt Silver instead… it’s why you had to come and drag me out when it was time to go to Unova. ”Why do you want approval so badly?” You’re a great trainer, you don’t need it. If this is about being better than Oak some how then… look at where you are now.  “I compete because…” because of you, I’d still be on Mt Silver otherwise.

[★] → Green couldn’t help but lift his annoyance back up into a smug smile at that. Red was always easy to read, just like an open book. 

“You really wanna know why?” He’d pause, just long enough to give his chest an enthusiatisic jab with his thumb.

“I compete to see where I measure up! Traveling to find strong trainers, it’s never been about earning their approval as much as it is fulling my own self satisfaction. The feeling you get from beating down an opponent that’s pushed you inches from defeat only to come out on top! That’s why I battle.”

  Who was Red? He wasn’t sure and didn’t really care for that matter, “I ain’t no kid.” Lior growled, he wasn’t going to let some brat get away with his smart-ass mouth of his. “Just who do you think you are?” 

  He asked, he appeared to only care about what he was doing and even saying about his actions. “And what makes you think that, punk?”

  He snickered afterwards, he couldn’t feign ignorance since he was already caught in the act, “I get what I want. It was agreed with me and that trainer, he knew what he was up against. He thought he could beat me, so it’s fair.” Unfair rather, but at least he could say he battled the trainer before stealing off of him.

[★] → “Heh, who do I think I am?” he couldn’t help but repeat the question back with a smirk, his tone almost overflowing with confidence. This poor guy. First, causing a scene bigger than he could handle and then not realizing just who it was he’d stumbled up on. Guess he really was just an average grunt.

“If I said I was here to compete as a Leader for the Alolan Battle Tree, would that ring any bells? Name’s Green. But if you were really the real deal, you’d know that~!” Former Pokemon League champion, Viridian City Gym leader; he’d earned his recognition. 

“Let me just say this. Getting what you want and getting what you deserve are usually two totally different things. Just like in Pokemon battles, the winner usually doesn’t deserve to take another trainer’s Pokemon.” 

           Get ahead? Lame attitude? Is he serious? “That only matters if you have someone to impress or something to prove. And unlike you there’s no one I want to impress!” Oh look, Red got so annoyed he actually spoke more than a sentence. 

And just like that, all the energy in their talk seemed to be let out with Green’s huff. Red sure knew how to kill a good conversation, he’d give the guy that much.

“So then what, Red? Are you saying there’s no one anywhere in this world that you’re out to impress? What’s the point of competing then if you’re not out to earn cognition?” 

           Red then huffed irritably, perhaps Green could  get the gist of what he was saying via body language? If it was beginner’s luck, I wouldn’t be a Battle Legend right along side you. And you say I’m slow.  A visible pause for thought before he’d actually speak, “Style points? Maybe that’d matter in a contest.” Maybe you’ll actually beat me at that.

Even though Red hadn’t said it, he’d caught that insult, but instead of actually acting on it, Green would simply brush it off with light huff and a wave of his hand.

          “–And yet, I beat you.” he spoke quietly with a smirk slowly forming.  Slow and steady wins the race, haven’t I proven that, Green? His smirk seemed to say.

“Yeah, yeah! You’ve just got great beginner’s luck! That’s all that was! But if we’re tallying up things by style points, then I still say I beat you by a mile!” 

         “…I heard that that, Green…”

“Great! Guess that means your hearing works, but you’re late to the party like always. Which only proves my point.”

  A few more times, he threw the pokeball up then down to catch it. One hand in his pocket, keeping the grin upon his face while he decided to look for his next victim - who to steal from next? It wasn’t until he heard someone speak, the kid trainer’s pokeball was placed in his pocket, for the time being, his expression changing to a frown.

  “Huh?” Talking about himself? Perhaps the teen didn’t know who he was, or even who he was talking to. He could let it slide, maybe for the time being. Depends where he wanted to take this conversation.

  “Who are you calling kid?” He growled, he was a grown man for that matter. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you to not poke your nose where it doesn’t belong, short stuff?” He wasn’t going to let anyone get away with calling him names, that’s for sure.

[★] → “C’mon, kid. Even Red’s not that slow.” He’d brush the others’ insults off with a string of his own, perching his sunglasses on top of his head to stay this time before he pushed himself up and out of his chair. “I figured it would’ve been obvious, but if you reeeally want me to spell it out for you instead, then I’m talking you.”

“—And she did. Both her and my gramps, actually. But unfortunately for you, since neither of them are here right now, that leaves me open to make my own judgement calls~! And they’re saying you’re up to something you shouldn’t be, either.” 

  “Come on, kid. Don’t be such a baby, you lost fair and square.” A toothy grin came to his face, chuckle after, stealing a pokeball that contained a kid trainer’s pokemon, the trainer standing, crying. “You thief!” The boy cried, while the adult wasn’t having any of that.

  “I’m not a thief, you agreed to our rules, remember?” Liar, he never really agreed to any such thing and gently pushed the kid down before taking his leave with the pokeball in hand. “Ha! What a wimp,” he laughed. Throwing the pokeball in the air then catching it. He hadn’t noticed there was someone else who watched the scene. 

[★] → So, this kid was that kind of Trainer, huh? It hadn’t taken Green long to figure out that the lanky teenager that’d just sauntered behind the building was the same kid that caused all the commotion he’d heard stir up from the resort’s front. Not very smart on his part. Then again, a Poke’thief wasn’t a very smart occupation to get caught up in, either.

Thankfully for the kid who’d had his Pokemon snatched, Green wasn’t the type to let bullies like this slip under his radar.

[★] → A hand reached forward, flicking the sunglasses he’d had resting over his eyes up with a satisfying click. A figure off in the distance had caught his attention, enough for Green to actually bother shifting in his chair instead of continuing to soak up the soothing summer sun like he should’ve. He wasn’t sure what stood out about the kid, but plenty of time spent traveling told him there was something not right with the others’ behavior.

The mere sight of the charizard sent Flare darting behind the nurse’s legs, almost growling at the sight. Even she couldn’t help but laugh; he’d never been this nervous with their friendly Dragonite when he visited, why be afraid of was effectively a big, fiery lizard? Or did he just know Green had the larger pokemon trained to be more than a challenge for him?

Whatever the reason, it wasn’t stopping Sera from stepping forward, holding a hand up to the dragon as a show of kindness and peace. Even she knew better than to go around touching random pokemon, especially one as large and formidable as he. “He most certainly is bigger than them- Hello there! You look far too happy to have a chance to stretch your wings.” Her smile evolved into giggles once more, taking a minute to slowly, carefully move her hand, making sure he knew where it was going so she’d avoid startling him, and give the side of his neck a fond pat. “Relax all you want here. In fact…”

As if on cue, Vapor toddled back, a basket of berries in her mouth and several puffs lining her back. Unlike her fire-type counterpart, however, the vaporeon was more than happy to stop beside Sera, letting out a soft ‘Kyuuuu~’ around the basket’s handle as an offer for the larger to pick out a puff or two. “I’m not sure if the others’ll come out and say hello, but Vapor and Flare at least will. And Shadow…” A glance; the umbreon had vanished from behind the counter, leaving nothing but an overturned cup. “Shadow might’ve met his match in just once glance.”

Convinced Charizard would be distracted by the offering of puffs and berries, she grabbed a berry from the basket and slowly circled around him. He’d need a thorough examination, but until he got used to her presence, being close would have to do. “He looks healthy… Maybe use a chance to relax a little before you leave and a good meal, but healthy all the same. I shouldn’t expect anything less of you, though – you’ve always been an amazing trainer.” Clicking her tongue to let the large pokemon know she was behind him, Sera gently pet the space between his wings. “He’s strong… Charizard? Can you stretch your wings for me again~? There’s an Oran berry in it for you~”

★┆ After Charizard had managed to stretch his wings and Green was thoroughly convinced Sera’s gang of eevee evolutions had adjusted to the over sized Pokemon being let loose inside their own house, he’d retreated to a nearby sofa; plopping down on the soft cushioned seat in the corner to watch the check up from a distance. Like any Center nurse, he trusted Sera and with the way Charizard seemed to relax with her and her smaller Pokemon around, so did he.

The fire-type gave a glance over his shoulder to his Trainer before obeying Sera and stretching out again. For a Pokemon as large as the evolved fire lizard, his expanded wings took up a majority of the Center’s space near the front counter, but with Green’s approval and an Oran berry treat in it for him cooperating, Charizard was more than happy to flare the appendages out as far as they could reach. 

“Unless we get called back home, most of Charizard’s flying time should be kept to a minimum from here on out. For the next couple of weeks, anyway.” Green added from his spot on the couch before something else had caught his attention. Something that he couldn’t help but lightly lean his head in curiosity to.