Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was scary. One minute Red was with Snorlax enjoying some free time, next thing he knew, a big unknown..portal opened and sucked him and Snorlax right into a new area. It didn't look like Kanto, or Johto for that matter, and all he had with him was the clothes on his back, his phone with no reception, his team, his trainer ID and his badges. Basically the bare essentials needed for traveling.

This place looked so artificial, like it was man made. Not a naturally occurring environment at all. If he didn't know any better he'd think this was some sort of trick pulled by some Pokémon. Actually, maybe this was a Pokémon's doing?

No matter where Red looked it was blatantly clear there was only one thing to do, move forward and explore. Or just pull out Aerodactyl and look around, that's also something he could do.

He popped out Aerodactyl who looked around confused before huffing at Red and nuzzling him.

"Hey Aero, I need to fly around this place." Red muttered as he climbed onto Aero's back, just loud enough so it was between him and his Pokémon out of worry someone or something was listening.. Aerodactyl of course nods and flies high into the sky so Red could look around. Seemed no matter how high they went, Red couldn't see the end of this place. There were mountains, more forests, towns it seemed. Wait. Towns? "Aero, there" Red said pointing straight to the town he saw, still keeping his voice quiet.

Aerodactyl dove in without thinking making Red cling onto it for dear life. They abruptly crashed into the ground, Red rolling off of Aero and staring up at the sky all dazed.

"Is it another faller?" He heard get called out by someone. When he looked over it was some tall guy with short somewhat spiky blue hair. "Hello, I'm Archer. Who must you be hm?"

".....Red." Red said getting up with the help of Archer. Red instinctively returned Aerodactyl to it's ball upon seeing something related to civilization. Not like Aero was evil or anything, but he was still learning how to be gentle with such squishing things.

Archer's eyes showed no recognition but he continued on, speaking as if this was a regular thing. "Welcome to Pasio, this is a pocket dimension of sorts only accessible by the excellence of Team Rocket."

Red stared at him then blinked. Was this some sort of manga? What? 'That one time I got Isekai'd into another universe where the villains won and opened a wormhole into other universes!'. Red looks around to see if he's getting a prank pulled on him. Archer stood there, not reacting, just keeping a smile on his face and waited for Red to stop looking like he's about to see cameras and get told 'ahhh you just got pranked!'.

"Sorry...but, Team Rocket disbanded?" Because of me. That part went unsaid but Archer only nodded along, hand on Red's shoulder. Though this man was a complete stranger and Red's gut told him to be wary, this was the only person who was helping him so he had to trust him to a default.

"Well, other universes exist thanks to the creations of Palkia and Dialga, Celebi, Hoopa and Arceus. It's a little wormhole, a digit of sorts."

Word jargon.

"I see your confusion, why don't I draw it out for you." Archer said, going to bring Red inside of a building that was neatly decorated. Could be someone's home? Or some sort of cafe? Maybe both? Red literally cannot tell. Regardless he was sat down at a table and Archer starts to draw on a napkin.

"The red one will be your world, blue is mine, purple is Pasio." Where did he get colored pens? Did he have these laying around for when 'Fallers' come? Is this actually a regular occurance here? "My world actively sends a portal to Pasio, creating a echo chamber where that activity proceeds to bounce off other worlds, Pasio receives that bounce and starts to pull from other worlds, like your world, and then your world sends in more noise so this- well, is an echo chamber.

"Does that make sense Red?" Archer asks, dropping the pen and looking up at Red.

Red stares intently at the drawing, this doesn't help him for shit. But he nods. "....I think I get it. .....So how do I get home?"

"....Well, Team Rocket is great and all-"

"Archer, how do I get home?" Red says sternly, cutting Archer off. Yes he's been a help, but he wants to go home. Why is this guy even trying to rattle off praise of Team Rocket anyway?

Archer's smile falters, turning into a slight frown and he shakes his head.

"I'm sorry Red, you currently cannot. The reason you're here to begin with was because of a mistake." Archer admits, standing up solemnly. He wasn't here to try and reason with Red, or convince him to join Team Rocket, he didn't even know who this kid was. All he knew was this a Faller, he could help, so he did. If Red joined Team Rocket it was a bonus but Archer wasn't doing this with the initial goal as such. "If you perhaps joined Team Rocket-" Archer was just going to lightly persuade.

"No thank you." Red says staring directly into Archer's eyes trying to find malice. "..I don't agree with what they do..I never will. If you are behind me being here, I'll battle you and Team Rocket again. I've done it once and won, I'll do it again and win." Red said, standing up too.

Archer only huffed and nodded. "You must be strong then, well, I wish you the best. Had you agreed I would've gotten you a home." Not a single trace of hatred or bad intentions that Red could find, so he allowed his body to relax, let himself not try to let his hands hover over his balls. Archer raises his eyebrows and tilts his head, not so subtly informing Red that he knows he's looking for something.

"....Why is Team Rocket doing this?" Red muttered as Archer was gently nudging him to go outside with him.

".." Archer pauses, then thinks for a moment. "Multiple reasons actually, but the one we'll tell the public is the most simple one. Power."

Red looked at Archer as the man had a glint in his eyes. Neither of them were in a position to fight, and honestly, Red assumed that this guy was going to be too strong...So he just nods, disgruntled, and lowers his hat to cover his face.

"Ah, the protagonist. I understand, I'll be seeing you on the other side."

"....What's the reason you're doing this?" Red questioned, slightly looking up, Archer seemed to have not really considered being asked this because he looks like he's having some sort of processing failure.

Before he could respond, overhead the sky turned purple and a vortex opened, someone else was falling through. Archer glanced at Red then the new faller. "You want to handle this?"

"Aero!" Red shouts as he throws Aero's ball out. Aero sprung out and soared through the sky, catching whoever it was falling and landing far more gracefully onto the dirt in front of them. Archer hums quietly, then pats Red on the shoulder.

"I'll be off now, Red. I'll keep my eye on you." Couldn't even answer a simple question and now he's leaving to handle this? Great.

"..." Red almost shot him a glare but was interrupted by the person who Aero caught groaning. He looked over and...Blue? Blue was here?

"Ugh my head..good thing you caught me- oh what the? An Aerodactyl?" Blue said looking confused while holding his head. He looked over and saw Red, getting even more confused. "Hey buddy, when did you catch an Areodactyl?"

"Awe...oh uh" Before Red could properly answer that one, he's not Blue's Red, and two, he's had Aero for a while, Blue immediately stood up looking like his eyes would pop out of his skull and pointing at Red.

"You- you spoke! You can speak!?"

"Uhm." Oh he's too awkward for this. Too much social interaction. "Yes?"

"Where are we?" Blue said looking around perplexed.

"Blue, you're in another..like...timeline. Like you got isekai'd."

"So I'm dead!?"

"No?" He doesn't know! Oh why is this not going smoothly? He looks around for Archer hoping that maybe he was here and would help but to no avail, of course, Team Rocket is useless once again. "Uh..no...like.." How does someone explain calmly that you're now apparently in a new universe with no way to go home, no glue, no borax.

Blue was pacing around and Red just watched unsure if he should hug him or put his hands in his pocket or don't move his hands or maybe he should leave or maybe he should just blurt everything out Archer said and hope the word vomit was coherent.

That sounds the best option.

"Blue, listen..we're in a place called Pasio? It's some world that Team Rocket is sucking people off to from other worlds?? And we can't go home."

"This isn't any better! Actually! This is worst than dying! At least I know I'm gone for good!"

"...." Well, he tried. Maybe didn't try his best but, limited options here.

"What do we do Red!? Are you even Red!?"

"Of course-...I just...don't know what to do...now.." He lowers his hat to cover his face, Blue immediately grabs it and lifts it to stare at him. Hm. He's older than Red's..that's going to be weird to think about. 'Oh he looks like my Blue.' Yeah that's not creepy.

"Should we travel together?" Blue said looking straight into Red's eyes.

Red feels his face flush from the intensity because woah mama this is a bit too much! However he gets his composure and nods, holding Blue's hand. Though this action catches Blue off guard he nods back glad that this is an agreement.

"Anywhere with you is worth exploring, Blue. No matter the version of you, it's still you."

----

Traveling around Pasio had it's quirks. Tons of trainers meant tons of money, and Blue swept the floor as he used to be Champion so tons of money. Red adjusted to taking a more domestic role of getting foods and budgeting their money, and Blue's charisma usually got them a free motel room for about a day or two, maybe a lowered rate for a week if they got lucky so they had left over money for silly things like splurging on some actual restaurant food.

There were days they had to dumpster dive for some stuff, unfortunately they did find a little Pokémon in one of the dumpsters, clearly abandoned. Blue told Red that they'd never dive again because they can't save everyone they meet, as much as both of them want to. They just can't. It was just a little Eevee, you'd think that those would be popular because they're so cute and low maintenance. Maybe it was a runt?

Didn't matter anyway, they weren't going to leave it, so they took it. Red had an Espeon, who took almost a parental role for the Eevee, and while no one was mad at the Eevee it was another mouth to feed. Which was troublesome.

But, the struggle was worth it if in a nice cozy restaurant you look over and see all your Pokémon -your family- all happy and fulfilled.

"Alright, counted what I got this time from battles. Four hundred and twenty-three dollars."

"Add that to our savings.." Red muttered, doing mental math. "We won't have to do much this week to keep our heads above water."

"Yeah but..." Blue looks out the window, frowning. "There's only so many trainers in Pasio and there's only so much we can do. We're gonna meet our match soon, we're gonna get screwed over by Team Rocket."

"..We won't. It's fine Blue. Trust me." Red wasn't good at comforting Blue, or anyone at that matter, but he sure tries hard. He's never had to try this hard with anything actually, emotions were always complicated. Just when he thinks he understands it, he doesn't.

It never really bothered this Blue though, because he looks right back to Red and smiles. "You're right, with you and I as a team, we got it all handled." It was a nice warm feeling Red always got around Blue, like it actually was all alright and that the world wouldn't end in a moment's notice.

"Red? Blue?" A female voice said with the sounds of some heeled shoe coming over.

The duo looked over in confusion, being greeted with...uh?

"Leaf?" Red said, standing up.

"Uh- No! Green, actually. I am Green." Green said, do a little playful bow with a smile on her face. Blue eyed Red as if prompting him to please explain.

"Blue, in my world...it was Leaf, you, and me who lived in Pallet Town and left. It seems we found another friend in Pasio."

"Oh! Yes! Isn't this place just.. interesting?" Green said smiling still.

"Soo interesting." Blue said, rolling his eyes.

"Red, scooch!" Green said playfully, nudging Red more into his seat so she could sit down with them. "I settled down in this town and got myself a job, you know, there are just empty towns waiting for Fallers to just, move in."

"That sounds like a ghetto waiting to be exterminated." Blue commented quietly, looking at Green as she leaned onto Red's shoulder. He lowered his hat to cover his face but Blue knew he was uncomfortable. He just knew it.

"Maybe, but would you rather be homeless with slight risk of death or stable with slight risk of death?"

"..Stable." Red muttered. Blue blinked and leaned back, a scowl growing on his face. Yeah sure, being stable is ideal but for crying out loud! These towns are probably being tracked! Well..no, if Red wasn't concerned then it must not be a problem.

"What's with that face huh?"

"Oh, no, just a bad thought that came on my mind. Stable would be nice, can we settle down here?"

"Probably! It's a tight squeeze but I know I wouldn't mind being back with my best friends!" Green cooed, she stood back up and almost tripped on that little Eevee. "Oh- sooo cute!" She cooed again, picking up the little thing and nuzzling into it.

"Green, do you want it? Neither of us can keep it, besides..it clearly likes you." Green blinked at Red's words before looking at the Eevee and smiling brightly.

"Oh! Of course! Hey, by the way, your bill is on me~" She said with a wink as she left them alone to go back to her job since she did waste an awful lot of time being with them.

And that's how meeting Green went, now they had a home, it was small and one of them had to sleep on the couch while someone else slept on the floor. They did shifts at least so it wasn't like Green was hogging up the bed while Blue had to be on the floor like a dirty Pokémon. However more often that not, they'd all just share the bed when they really needed the sleep. Green's work hours and Blue's battle hours were just in sync enough that by the time they were a month into living with her, everyone could have the bed at any given time.

But it changed before they knew it.

After Green, it was actually Crystal.

Green was the one who found her, it was completely unexpected. She was just walking back home from work, her cute little Eevee in her purse, when all she heard was this scream. It was a female's scream which set off enough alarms as is, but it was a young girl's scream. Now it could be a teenaged boy who hadn't hit puberty yet but she wasn't taking any chances regardless!

She dashed over to the source and found Crystal being attacked by some low lives trying to rob her. Hopefully just rob her.

"Charizard! Get 'em!" She threw her ball and out came Charizard who immediately started blazing. It was over before it started.

Crystal stood behind Green peaking over to see if the crooks were gone.

"You okay?" Green said turning over to Crystal.

"Oh-..Yeah I think so?"

"You have a place to stay?" She asked, grabbing Crystal's hands.

Crystal's stranger danger wasn't amazing, but she could feel that Green was trust worthy. She shook her head, frowning slightly. "I don't, no. I've been wandering around for the last two days actually.."

"You know where you are?"

"Not Johto, that's for sure."

"You are correct, it's soo not Johto! Here let's go back to my place, I live with Blue and Red! I'm Green, and we'll explain everything."

Crystal's eyes lit up in recognition, looking excited. "The Red and Blue?"

"Mhm! The Champs of Kanto!"

"Oh- well, yeah I guess they are Champions too..Ah not the point! I'll come over Ms Green!"

"Just Green, what's your name?"

"It's Crystal." She replied softly, watching as Green returned Charizard.

"Alright Crystal, let's go."

The rest of the night was filled with just as much confusion as the first night when Blue met Red. Crystal's head was positively spinning and Red had to figure out how to live in a house with three more people than it should have. It eventually led to Crystal finding a program where if you defeated two big challenges you'd get a free house in a new location. They'd figure out how to get transport later since it was a long while from major stores, but it wasn't far from a bus so.. they'd figure it out.

Blue and Red swept the first challenge and failed on the second, the first challenge was Pokémon related, the second challenge was trainer related. Green passed the second challenge smoothly, but it was still a bust. But this led Crystal down a rabbit hole of these types of challenges where the prize was a place to live, though most of them did one person locations, like an apartment room free of rent for the first year, or a free condo that's squished in an rather undesirable location. A whole week of at least a hundred of these types of things until Crystal found a challenge that was willing to give a house big enough for them, free of charge. This time everyone read thoroughly. It was a beauty contest. This seemed fishy but there was no way to see if it was bullshit until the day of.

Crystal decided it was her time to shine. With her team ready to perform and the trio ready to support her, there was no way she'd lose! And she didn't lose. She won the competition, just barely however, and boy did that stress her out! When they arrived to the location of where the house should be, Blue immediately understood why this place was up for grabs. See he's already had to buy a place before, so he knows when there's trouble.

The plumbing needed fixing, the boiler wasn't working, the air conditioning and heating were iffy, only one bathroom and it had mold, big backyard which needed a lot of taking care of, the unsafe stair, the mysterious source of water that kept showing up in the living room when they walked on certain parts of the floor. There was also no furniture, which was the least of their problems. It needed fixing, sure, but nothing that the trio wouldn't handle. Oh, and Crystal as a plus one.

The bonus though was this was a very big place, could easily fit in ten people if they did some bed arrangements right, like two people per room. Crystal kept telling everyone to keep one room ready for Gold to move in because she just knew he'd be found soon, and that's basically everyone she knows.

Through a lot of shifts from Green, countless battles from Blue and Red, a few side gigs from Crystal, a lot of charisma from Blue, finding a new passion in becoming an idol and going into contests and winning from Crystal, and finally Red getting an actual proper job working in a center, they managed to fix just about everything wrong with the house. There was only so much they could do really, some things weren't worth spending money on. Like the heater and air conditioning, just use fans and have blankets. The boiler had a really flippant timer so it was just a matter of adjusting to it, no need to spend money on that more than they already have.

Just when Red and Blue thought this was it, they finally got a home to just settle into, that's when they found Gold.

They were both in the backyard, discussing about if Red should try to get a promotion or quit because of current work conditions. It was a fifty-fifty. Either Red quits and finds a new job paying more and gets the same treatment, or he gets promoted, paid more, and still has to deal with people breathing down his neck.

"I mean, you can always just depend on me Red." Blue said passively, looking out to the distance as a lone Pidgey flew by.

"Green and you only bring in so much money." Red said rubbing the back of his neck.

"You're a literal financial genius!" Blue praised turning all his attention onto Red. He leaned closer and held onto his arm. "I don't think we could've made this far without you! You could quit right now, I make my cash in battles and hopefully Green can land herself a better paying job- and we'd still be fine!"

"..Mn. Maybe." Red muttered, lowering his hat to cover his face. Blue slightly bent down to still look at Red's face, and Red side eyed him just long enough to catch Blue's pout.

"You have to put more faith in us, you know." Blue said straightening up.

"I...have lots of faith. Just not faith in other's abilities to be generous."

"Erh, yeah that's fair, alright." Blue said with a huff as he crossed his arms and leaned on the wall.

"We buy in bulk and with coupons, we rarely splurge, we have to meal prep two weeks in advance, and worse of all, we partially depend on thirteen year old to get us some cash to keep up above water for an extended period of time."

"....." Blue thought for a moment then decided to brush it off. It's not bad, it's great, they're independent, and Blue never thought he'd get to see himself go this far to the point that his biggest struggle right now is currently two week meal prep and having some extra cash from a thirteen year old who makes some ridiculous money for just dancing around on a stage. "Can you even believe how much Crystal makes when she wins?"

"It's a lot, yeah." Red agrees with a slight nod. Blue lifted up Red's hat to see his face and Red made no attempt to stop him. "I just worry she'll hurt herself or this pay is enough because she's a young lone girl who has easily beaten Pokémon."

"...You worry a lot." Blue muttered, running his hand through his hair. Before Red could try to process an attempt to defend himself, or if he even wanted to, a portal opened and they watched someone just fall straight through. The sound was gross as the body hit the floor and for a moment Red wondered if they just witness a death.

Without needing to look at each other, both Red and Blue ran over to the person who laid on the floor motionless. They saw someone who neither of them recognized but it didn't really matter since Blue instinctively went to check on them. Had to be around the same age as Crystal..

"Red, help me bring him in, he's still alive." Blue said as he picked up the teen.

Of course Red didn't need to think twice, immediately going to help, he opened the door for Blue and together they got this kid to Blue's bedroom and laid on his bed while Red scramble to grab water. Green was the only one who knew first aid and she sure as shit wasn't here!

While Red was on his quest to figure out what to do, Blue was trying to wake up this kid, slightly shaking him and poking him. Disgruntled, the kid slowly open his eyes and looked around confused.

"Where...?" His eyes met Blue and he sat up even more confused, holding his head while Blue had his hand on his back.

"Are you okay? You fell through the sky there." Blue said quietly, trying to soothe the teen.

"What? No..I was, trying to hide from Team Rocket..huh?"

"Well, good thing they're not here." Blue said with a charming smile as the boy slowly became more aware of his environment.

"Wait..you're Blue!" His eyes had recognition in them and he got slightly excited. "You have the biggest rebellion camp- wait am I-?"

"Oh woah no no, nothing like that! Hi..you're in Pasio. Welcome." Blue started, and Red come through the door with water and...Pokémon medicine in his hands. At first Blue was about to comment on it, but Gold's eyes lit up again.

"And you're Red!- what's happening?" He said slowly looking frightened.

"First, what's your name?" Blue introjected, hand on the boy's shoulders.

"I'm Gold." Gold said as Blue slowly rubbed his back.

"Gold?...I see, well, Red give him the water please." Blue said, continuing to being smooth. Red stared at Blue's softness, feeling his face slowly creep red. He lowered his hat and gave Gold the water. "You know a blue haired girl named Crystal right?"

"Uhm..I know one named Kris." Gold muttered, quickly drinking the water as Red immediately reacted and put his hand under Gold's mouth so nothing spilled.

"Red, can you get him more? Poor boy here is just-" Blue was going to say 'famished' as he reached out to stroke Red's arm and lean onto him but Gold cuts him off.

"I'm fine!"

They both looked at him, then at each other and Blue slowly let go of Red, who then crosses his arms. "Well, we haven't eaten yet for lunch, I think we should start with making it." Blue said slowly turning his gaze back to Gold with a lazy grin.

"..True, we should." Red agrees and Gold just blinks in confusion, before trying to toughen up his look.

"Uh, well, let me help you two!..Please.." So much for trying to be a 'big boy'.

"I dunno Gold, you're still pretty hurt.." Blue said looking over at Red to see what he thinks. Red looks over to Blue then back at Gold and hums.

"..You're job that..will help us greatly, will be staying in bed and healing." Red says with a slight nod, uncrossing his arms to tip his hat upward. 

"Yeah, that sounds like a good game plan! Quick thinking Red, love to see it from you as always." Blue says, flashing a smile. It was real easy to change anyone's mood as long as Blue was the one doing the work, it just came easy for him. It definitely made Champion work so much easier for sure too. A quick smile, some nice words, a wave, it did the job and got the fans swaying, and it definitely gets his friends in a good mood!

Red lowered his hat almost immediately to hide the slight blush he got from the compliment, and Gold watched them interact with eyes of a Luxray. They seemed close..he wasn't really used to anyone being close to each other without being lovers. Were they?

"Well, c'mon Red. You know I'll need extra hands in there. Food fights back sometimes!"

"You just want me hovering over you." Red muttered, slightly raising his hat to give a little smirk to Blue. Blue did a sly glance over to Red before snickering and taking Red's hat and putting it on.

"You're my backup, duh." Blue quips as he pulls Red through the door to leave.

Gold did a slow triple blink before laying down and turning to his side. Oh boy, he was not ready for this.

And he really wasn't. It took him a while to adjust, Crystal lost her mind when she saw Gold and while the whole Pasio thing was explained, Gold still kept thinking he was dreaming and would do some pretty reckless stuff. Probably within two weeks though, he was accepting that this was real and this is his new life, somehow no one teased him about how long it took him to get out of denial. Crystal didn't mind being called 'Crys' but Gold didn't want to keep tricking himself like that so quickly dropped it, and honestly? This place was so much better than home. Like, so much better.

His room was almost triple the size of his room back home, he didn't have to share it, there was room for everyone to exist comfortably, the food was always fresh and good, and oh my Arceus he got privileged enough for television. It was heaven, he was able to have unlimited entertainment, see anything, learn anything! Sure he still got stuffy if he did nothing for too long, but he could just pull an all-nighter just watching shows nonstop! The binges never ended, and Crystal was always happy to be by his side and see new stuff. Red would give him some recommendations and Blue taught him how to filter things he wants to watch, he loved it here. 

It was peaceful, quiet. His only issue that did keep him up at night once or twice was money. Green and Blue say that Red is just paranoid and that they had plenty of money helped, the fact Crystal did shows and gave half her money to the trio didn't help. It made Gold want to do something to get money for them too but the trio would constantly tell him to stop and just relax.

Then Lyra showed up.

Gold and Crystal were, for lack of a better word, dumbasses. They were currently trying to jump over a fence, that was unlocked, just to see if they could, so they could feel like rebels. It was stupid, but both of them didn't want to deal with police or anything. 

Goofing around, with their Pokémon by their side just in case, when a vortex opened and out jumped Lyra who seemed spooked, neither of them knew what to do.

"Ethan! What's happening?" Lyra cried, running up to Gold and immediately hugging him tightly.

"Woah!? I'm Gold!" He said, trying to push her off but as she rubbed her face into him, and Crystal put her hand on his shoulder, he stopped with a sigh and embraced her. He could acknowledge she's just a scared little kid.

"Huh, so that's what the vortex looks like from the other side.." Crystal mused, looking over to where the portal just was. "What's your name?"

Lyra sniffled and hiccupped a bit, looking over to Crystal before quietly saying -"Lyra"- and stuffed her face right back into Gold's jacket.

Gold and Crystal looked each other unsure what to do, Gold wasn't amazeballs at comforting people and they both just kind of assumed that this Lyra girl didn't give two flips about Crystal. There was one option, pick her up and carry her home.

Good grief Gold wasn't built to carry people around, he really needs to focus on getting into shape! Maybe that's what he'll do in the meanwhile..not the main task at hand however, lugging Lyra was. She was as helpful as a bag of potatoes, just being limp and putting all her weight in Gold's arms that couldn't possibly keep holding her for long.

Crystal was speaking, but Gold was too busy focusing on his breathing to pay attention, and this Lyra girl wasn't acknowledging that Crystal exists so really Crystal was just talking to a wall. So focused on not dropping Gold, he got surprised when Crystal yanked him by his hoodie making him spin around all confused.

"You almost passed by the house again." Yikes, bad habit. He was so used to going back to his actual home that he had yet to remember the outside of this new home. His cheeks got a little rosy and he started to walk down the long road they had to go down just to get home. It was in a such an odd location, it had a bunch of stuff near it but it was so deep from everything, it was almost like a little hidden grove. In a way, it made Gold rationalize the unlikelihood of Team Rocket finding them, in another way, it made Gold think the worst for something and they were now too isolated to get help.

When the road started to let up and you could actually see home, Crystal ran to the front door to open it up for Gold who suddenly felt like Lyra gained another fifty pounds. Arceus this is not okay.

"Call someone Crystal!" Gold shouted out as Lyra nuzzled her head into him.

"Got it- Green! Green come over here!! We found someone!" Gold squints his eyes at Crystal, wasn't Green working today? Or was it Red going on some job hunt? Oh too many adult things to worry about, whatever.

Green came out of the house in a flash and went straight for Gold. "Oh my, you got your hands full don't you? Hehe, hii~" She cooed, always having a soft voice when greeting new people. If Blue made you feel like you're old friends and you could trust him, Green made you feel like you're able to let all your walls down and tell her anything. "I'm Green, what's your name?" 

"Lyra.." Lyra glanced over to Green while Gold was mouthing over and over 'Help. Me.' to Green who saw and giggled with a smile.

"Well Lyra, why don't you get inside and you let our poor Gold over here rest his arms. He's not the same big strong man you probably know him as." Ouch, what the hell Green??

Lyra hesitantly nodded, letting go of Gold then took Green's hand as she was guided inside.

No, nothing that was said to her once inside actually stuck. She believed every word said, sure, but there's not a thought behind those eyes. In one ear, out the other. At least she understood she wasn't going home any time soon, so she just clings onto Gold and follows him around the house, much to his annoyance. Only free time he ends up getting is when Green sends him off for errands and oh boy has he been any happier to go to any store for any reason, even the lady stores to get things like underwear.

----

Gold wasn't the only person that wanted peace ever since Lyra came around. Just about everyone in the house got busy, just to keep their mind from exploding. Gold got to focus on himself, Crystal wanted to focus on her performing hobby before burn out gets her, Green wanted to get a promotion that was more pay less work, Blue wanted to boost his ego and Red wanted to figure out another way to make himself useful for his friends.

It didn't matter how much they praised him and told him he does so much, he didn't feel like he did anything and that's what mattered to him. Besides even if he did a lot of stuff that made him feel accomplished, he's still feeling stuffy from being in the same environment.

So, outside he goes!

Their home, although in that cozy corner by woods, was also near down town. So it wouldn't take a long while until Red found something to do. Games seem enticing, so did the food, but none of that would make Red discover himself. A battle meant nothing if the blade used was broken, so to sharpen his mind, his body, his blade, he had to do something. If not be the sword to use to slay the evils, then be the shield that was used to defend against them. 

But again, he can't do that by eating and playing video games. Even if theoretically he found some flyers for a tournament and you have to play a video game so you can win big cash, that still wouldn't be what he wants. He's grown rusty in battle due to a lack of them, so, he needs to battle.

Passing by some more stores, looking into the windows to see what could be inside, he realizes he's been going down an all too familiar street. He's been subconsciously walking to where Green works. It seems his body always takes him back to where he really wants to be, with Green. Well, it also does that with Blue if Blue had an actual location where he did stuff in. Point being, he was now standing in front of Green's workplace and debating if he should pop in. By now the staff knew him and Blue because they pestered Green a lot. Well, Blue does, Red was always just there because he likes his friends.

He knew Green was working hard, but a quick stop by might help him figure out what he wants. Clearly, he wants her, considering how he literally is standing outside her workplace like an actual freak. That little bell rang as he opened the door and nodded as he walked by the hostess. He went to the employee's only door and stood outside, just as he was about to open it for himself and violate several health codes, the door swung open and Green was on the other side.

She blinked then tilted her head with a grin. "Yeah big guy? Couldn't wait for me to get off shift?"

"...Do you want to walk around?"

"Of course I do! How considerate to know when I needed you." She cooed, arm locking with Red's as she goes past him and starts to slightly drag him out of the door. "I'm on break! Be back in 30 minutes! If I'm not, I'll just make it up on a later shift!" She yelled back at the hostess as she leaves.

Red caught Green's pace and kept up just fine by her side, not looking anywhere else but her. He didn't really know what else to look at anyway. She was scrolling on her phone, checking on her socials for any messages she didn't see while working.

"Hey when my break is over, get Lyra some sushi okay? She has a tummy ache and wants some." Green said dismissively, her head leaning on Red's shoulder.

If she had a tummy ache then why is she eating? Whatever, he'll get the sushi anyway. Red lowered his hat to try and cover the blush that crept on his face from her leaning. Green wasn't stupid, she knew he was blushing, he literally thinks he's unreadable when he hides his face but come on she's knows that boy.

"Oh and get Blue some chocolates, he's craving some."

"Did he say what kind?" Red says, raising his hat to see Green's messages but instead he was greeted with her grinning at him, not a phone in sight. She just wants to mess with him. 

"Nope, how odd that my phone is now so low in battery~." She cooed, reaching for Red's pocket. "Maybe you have something in here for me?"

"Uh." Is running away an option? He stiffens as she digs her hand NOT in his pocket that's just straight up in his pants, and teasingly feels around. As quickly as she did it, she retracted her hand and pouted.

"Awe looks like no."

"Why'd...Erm.." His hat couldn't save him from this, he felt so uncomfortable because he was feeling so many emotions at once. Mainly excitement. Also a little fear because Green is intimidating. Definitely lots of Butterfrees in his stomach.

"Oh! Wait, Red look!" She grabs him by his collar, bringing him to her height and makes him look to the right where there's a group of people surrounding someone with a bunch of papers it seemed. "I wonder what they're promoting. Let's go check it!"

"...Okay.." He muttered as her perfume was filling his nose from being so close to her. Before he could try to recalibrate himself he's immediately dragged across the street, still by the collar of his shirt, all the way to the group. Green lets go of him and he tries to fix his appearance so it didn't look so disheveled. 

"The champions of varied worlds have came together! They've made The Pokémon Master's League!" The person who everyone was surrounding shouts. "This is their way to try and keep Pasio feeling as homey as they can! Gym leaders, champions and the Elite Four who are all recognized in Pasio have made a system where you collect badges and fight other to climb up the podium to become the Champion of Pasio, filled with special challenges some of you have never dreamed of!" Red squinted his eyes at the person, trying to see if he knew them. He had a gut feeling that he should. "If you have a friend or family member who was a Champion in their world and would like to reclaim their title in Pasio, come see me directly!" 

That's all Green needed to hear before she went straight into the group and pushed past people to get to the center where the person stood on a stood. "Hi! I'm Green, nice to meet you! I have a friend, Blue Oak, grandson of Professor Oak! He was the Champion in his world and he's been around Pasio!"

"Oh..yes, yes, I've heard of him." The person said, handing Green a flyer with the League's information. "My name isn't needed! I promise, I promise!" Red felt like that was the most suspicious thing ever said, so he made a mental note of their appearance. The...balding purple hair, the awful posture, the...overall creepy look this guy had. Okay Red is pulling Green away from this guy.

"Wh- hey! We didn't talk to him about Blue yet!"

"No. Not a word to him." He says firmly as he kept pulling Green along.

"Red! What if this is Blue's ticket to making it big again?"

"He..he doesn't like that work. Just shut up and come on home. I'll swing by with that sushi and chocolate later." Red said, keeping his voice leveled and tipping his head down slightly making a shadow over his eyes, which made him look handsome, but also serious. So unlike him...alright then, Green will listen to him. 

The walk back home was tense, and silent. Half way, after Red had snatched a photo of the flyer and sent it to Blue asking for his opinion and expressing his worries, Red stopped being so decisive for Green and walked by her side instead of in front of her, keeping their hands locked together just in case. It didn't make the walk any less tense though. During it, Green read over the flyer in her head, approving of everything it said. She was definitely going to show the kids at home.

PML in big letters and the rest of the letters in a smaller font followed writing out 'Pokémon Master's League' neatly. Time was dated as June 1st through September 30st making it a four month long event. Teams are made by a Gym Leader and you collect badges and compete against other teams. Registration details on the back. Then in a smaller font, contact information.

Seems easy, they'll just be one big team and crush the competition. That contact information will come in handy for Green when she needs to harass Blue about letting himself sign up to prove he's a Champion. They have pride in this family damnit!

Green looked up from the flyer after glancing at the back of it and sees the path back to home start to show, so she leans into Red, holding his arm and sighs. "No place like home, hm?"

"...Home is where you and Blue are."

"Awe! That's so sweet Red..." She said softly looking up at him with a genuine smile. Only for it to fall immediately. "You're not going to say a single nice thing to me for the rest of the week are you."

"Huh..? Don't I always try to be nice to you?"

"Oh! You're lying to me! Or you're a moron.." She woes dramatically, pulling away from Red as he tries to grab her. She felt his finger tips graze against her waist so she turned and grinned at him. "If you want me, come get me." Then despite being in heels, turned and started to run.

Red knew what she was playing at, and he was going to play with her. So he started to chase her along the path back home, it didn't take much effort to catch up and wrap his arms around her for a big hug from behind, ignoring her squeals as he lifts her up from the ground just to be a little extra.

Putting her back down they both acknowledge that they're right in front of the door and with another grin on Green's face, "Your fly is down." She then casually approaches the door and slams it right open before Red can even check to see if she's bullshitting or not. She was, but now he had a delayed entrance, which didn't matter because he immediately caught up with her again.

----

In the living room, Crystal stared at the flyer after Gold and Lyra already got the explanation from Green, reading it over carefully and deciding if she should go verify it for herself. Meganium laid its head down on a couch nearby, silently eyeing Exbo who never left with Gold, while Crystal was lost in thought about her options.

Verifying this event would put a holt on her ribbon collection progression. It's not something she was taking seriously anyway, just a neat side thing that made her feel like she was accomplishing things.

"Crystal!" Blue called out, grinning as he approached her with a gift in his hands. Blastoise walking behind him.

Crystal looked over to him and put down the flyer on a table and approached him. "Yes Blue?"

"I got you something, I heard there's a little challenge upcoming with some big shots and I wanted you to look your best." He said as Blastoise cried out in agreement. She smiled softly at him as she took the box, and judging by it's weight, it had to be clothing.

"You didn't have to.." She says, her fingers grazing over the box.

"I wanted to, don't think too much about it, alright?" He said as she slowly nodded, the smile on her face not dropping.

"Oh-" She immediately turned to the flyer and grabbed it, trading its spot with the gift. "Here, there's this thing going on, I haven't verified it but Green told Gold and Lyra about it with Red so I think it's safe? Anyway, it's a thing for all strong trainers, and apparently if contacted and proven you're a Champion you get a special place? Like you get to be one of the challenges..but, Blue do you want that? To be recognized?"

To lose his vacation? Yeah, sure why not. Pasio was getting a bit too boring anyway, he needed his thrill.

"Alright, sounds solid. Verify it for me when you can, if not I'll go run by and look for information myself."

"Red and I were going to be on it, I was just reading the fine print since I know you both are so old."

"Hey, watch it or I'm going to take away your gift." He huffed, crossing his arms and turning his head away to pout, making Crystal chuckle behind her hand. When Blue was over his dramatic reaction they both stayed silent so Blue could read the flyer over. "I don't know..it doesn't mention a prize of anything. Red did show me this through messages and I told him I didn't think it was good since he was so worried and I tend to just agree with him.." He trails off, reading anything that could alarm him. "It only says to contact this number if I want to know how to be a recognized Champion. This is so shady but also so expected for Pasio."

"How so?"

"Pasio is kind of like a civilization being built, we have standard things but then stuff more advance like challenges are word of mouth and you just have to trust the person running it. It's their first time trying to do something this big, and by their I mean, anyone's, so this is all brand new. If we were back in our own worlds, then you'd hear about it on the news or have actual stations made for registry and you don't have to prove about being a Champion because it's simply known. But here? We don't have that. So..."

"They're using the good will of the people?"

"Hmm..I think that whoever made this is trusting that they'll receive the same trust they give to others."

"Okay..so just look for more information then when we verify it, go in head first?"

"Yep! Seems like a gameplan!" 

"Should I start now?"

"Woah woah slow down Crystal, we aren't in any rush to do anything."

"...Right." She glanced over to her Meganium, who was lazily sleeping away. "Blue, I have to admit..I don't feel like I trust my battling capabilities anymore because I haven't had a need to use them. Can...I get a refresher from you?"

"Huh?" He cracked a smile out of surprise, then leaned on Blastoise. "Oh of course Crystal, only if you can handle the taste of defeat. Just so you know, it's salty." He said as his smile turned into a devious smirk. 

She grinned back at him, backing up to her Meganium and waking him up to get ready for a battle. "Oh, no no, defeat tastes like florals." 

"Cocky already? Hah! Let's go outside so we don't tear up the house." He said as he turned away and walked off with a sway. Crystal isn't one to focus on body language but Blue was always cocky in his walk, it's something that always seemed to get Red going when they had an argument, if they had one.

She chased after him because unfortunately short people can't run for shit, meeting him at the backyard.

"Make sure you give it your all Crystal, don't you hold back because you're worried I can't handle it."

"I'm not like Red or Green!"

"Hmm, maybe a little bit like them." He said, closing one eye and bringing his hand up to his other eye to do a pinching motion which from his perspective meant he was squishing Crystal's head. As childish as that was.

"Then if I'm so like them, I'll wipe the floor with you!"

"Aren't I supposed to be helping you? You need to work on your battle shit talk." He said, pushing his hair back and casually pointing at her as his way to command Blastoise to start. One big hydro pump came blasting Crystal's way, barely missing her and shotting out a window.

They both just stood there and stared at the busted out window.

"We'll fix that later, okay re-coop we're going into the forest for this!" Blue said throwing up his arms and starting to walk away. Crystal hesitantly nodded as she and Meganium started to follow, gotta pray the scary evil Green doesn't find out they broke the window. She'll blame it on Gold and hopefully so will Blue. Unless Blue is a wimp. He is. Shoot, they're going to be yelled at.

----

It's not that Red disliked Lyra, it's just that he knew she wasn't the completely innocent sunshine child that everyone kept assuming she was.

Red tried to not be paranoid, but he knew she was scheming. Her smiles were always performative in a weird way, either she was playing up how happy she was or she was never happy to begin with. She was just so easy to forget about in an odd way. If you asked who lived in the household, you'd say Lyra because you know she lives with you, but if asked what does she do, no one could answer. Red certainly couldn't.

He didn't mind if she had her secrets though, he didn't care if he was the only one who saw through her. Though he probably is the only one who can see through her because he's been with Blue and Green for as long as he has. He's grown aware of his environment. He's grown cautious.

The only thing he really wanted with Lyra was her to feel welcomed and wanted, so that was what he'd do. He's been a bit too harsh on his views of her recently and it's unfair. His conversation with Blue made him think about Lyra on a deeper level. 'Maturity gap' was said. Yeah, Red certainly agreed there was one, but not in the sense she's too immature, she's too calculated. Acting exactly how you'd imagine a twelve year old to act, you cannot find a flaw in her behavior if you just go 'she's only twelve'. It was almost genius how she crafted herself.

So really, it's not that Red disliked Lyra. He just didn't know how to approach her.

Well, he can do it how he always approaches everyone else, really awkwardly. He got to her bedroom door, and knocked once waiting for her.

"Who is it!" 

"Red."

"Oh?" He heard the quiet confused 'oh' from Lyra and that's when he knew for a fact he was right. Soon the door opened and there was Lyra, beaming with happiness as always.

"Can we talk Lyra?"

"..Uhmm, did I do something?"

"Not exactly." He said, coming in as Lyra closed the door behind him. He heard that click from a locked door. "I just want to tell you something."

Lyra slowly nodded her head, looking oblivious, having those Deerling eyes and all.

"Remember that everyone in this household is family, and we all love you." He said, unsure where to go from there. He only half planned this conversation. "Uhm." Great. Okay, what else can he say? "I..I am here for you. For anything. My lips..are sealed." He said, grabbing his hat to lower it and cover his face.

Lyra blinked at Red a few times before giggling. "Okaaayy!" She said and went in for a hug. Red stiffened at the sudden contact but then gave in and hugged her back.

"Sealed." He repeats, and he felt like a fool once it left his mouth. Conversating skills be damned.

"I got it!! But don't you worry! I don't get messy I promise!" She announced proudly, pulling out of the hug.

"Alright. I'll trust you."

"Yay! I trust you too Red!"

He sighs, internally cringing because he doesn't want to go 'drop the act', that's just weird in any context. So here's Red, just standing there like a doofus while Lyra went back to her desk to...write something. Probably something he should ignore. Looked like a diary, only that's some good hiding skills, it's such an obvious place for secrets that you can have a decoy diary with nonsense then a real one with anything you want.

"Uh." He becomes acutely aware that he's being weird, and his cheeks flush while he tries to hide his face, again. "I'll be going now."

"Okay! See you later!"

"See you Lyra...I'm serious, call me if you need me." It was his way to let her know he knows. If she realized that he knows she knows that he knows, what the fuck did I just type out, anyway if she did, then that final nail in the coffin would hopefully be recognized. If not, uh..Red just looks weird. He is weird, but weirder.

"Okaaay" She drags on her words, tongue out to the side while she writes, kicking her feet. Red just sighs and leaves her room. "What's his problem?" She mutters, looking at her door.

----

It was going to be a long day, that was for certain. After some time and effort, it was verified to be an actual legit contest being held, so next step was Blue going to this meeting to see what the fuss was and if he could be a recognized Champion.

Even though the plan was to be there with Red, he chose to opt out that part of the plan just in case something happened to him. He left in the early morning, shortly after Gold left, with Red's hat on his head. No amount of words could convince Red to work with him, so it was needed to boot him from the meeting.

The trip was easy, not a single issue occurred, Blue bus hopped a bit then rode a train but eventually got to the meeting point. It was a massive stadium, there he saw some familiar faces. People like Koga, Misty, and Brock. He saw some faces he knew were from Johto, like Falkner, Whitney and Clair, but didn't see anyone from Kalos that he knew. It was a lot of people, certainly, but not an odd amount.

No one was in groups, people were all just talking amongst themselves all trying to either get to know each other or catch up. Though, Blue notes how a girl with lower back length blue hair stayed closer to an exit, alone. He didn't know who to speak with so he took his chances and came over to her.

"Heya!" He says, flashing her a bright smile with his hands in his pockets, looking as casual as he could.

"Oh? Do I know you?" She asked tilting her head as she brushed through her hair with his fingers.

"No, but why not get to know me?" 

"Blue Oak, Kanto's Champion~" He says as his smile turns into a grin and he points at himself victoriously.

"Karen, Elite Four of Johto."

"Ahh, we didn't have you in my world you know. Are you friendly?"

"I don't know.." She dragged her words, slowly forming a smirk. "I have a tendency to bite." She said with a dangerous tint in her eyes.

"Hmm, I think I'll take my chances Karen. I know how to use a spoon."

"Oh, how dirty." She said with a smirk. "Are you waiting for someone too?"

"Me?...Honestly yeah a little, I don't know a lot of people here so I'm waiting for a familiar face for me to show up."

"I'm waiting for big man Lance to show up."

"Lance eh?  Do you know who's all going to show up?" 

"The king of the tournament. We already had all of Kanto show up, unless any other people claiming to be a Champion show, Johto..no one claiming to be a Champion is here, no one from Hoenn has shown up yet, but I do know for a fact that Lorelei is coming, but we have some people from Sinnoh, no Champion other than Cynthia is here." She sighs. "It's unfortunate of the people I know who haven't fallen here yet."

"Oh?" He did know who Lorelei was but it wasn't relevant. It was interesting use in the words, 'unfortunate'. What's unfortunate about people not being here other than pure selfishness?

"Yes, Will hasn't fallen, neither Steven Stone nor Wallace have fallen either, I haven't seen anyone from Kalos at all." She says, with no indignation of emotion. It wasn't like how Red spoke, how he was always monotone, it was like she just didn't care. And yeah, sure, Blue didn't know who Will was, but she clearly could give less of a damn about Steven or Wallace, almost felt performative. Like saying buzzer words to keep Blue under the covers.

"Yeah, I noticed the Kalos thing too..that's..I want to say a pity but it's not, it's good that they're not here. It means their world is unaffected and safe." Blue says, just as Karen quickly looks away then back at Blue, it was so fast he would've missed it. She's definitely hiding something, he needs to be safe with what he says. Slightly, changed his posture, standing up straighter and appearing more confident. More oblivious. Hands over his head to support it, in all ways carefree.

"Yes, it's okay to say it's unfortunate, selfishness is a part of human nature. I would've liked some of my friends here, but eh."

"Ah well, agree to disagree!" Blue said with a big cheerful smile. Now he wanted information, but how does he do that in a way that isn't obvious? "What have you been up to huh?" 

"Nothing much. Been here, then there. Battling sometimes, sleeping other times."

"Hah, you can say that again. You know when Lance will show up?"

"Probably now if I had to guess. People have been pouring in this entire chat." She says, continuing to play with her hair. Despite her casualness, Blue can't help but sense an underlying darkness in her. Looking around, he can tell lots of more people have shown but again, not anyone else he knows. Just as he was about to turn his attention back to Karen, he spotted the big man himself. Lance...in some uniform? The R on his chest told Blue that it was a Team Rocket uniform but it wasn't one that Gold showed him so either he's in the super high ranks, it's the uniform of his world, or Lance didn't know what the uniform looked like.

Everyone was staring, it was certainly unexpected. Yet, Blue felt as if some of the stares were only for anticipation of what will happen, not staring because it was so...odd. Lance only needed to straighten himself up, making him look much more taller and menacing for any lingering whispers to stop.

"I am Lance. You may know me, you may know me by another name. Regardless of how you knew me, I am not him. As Giovanni's right hand man, it was in my favor to come here and tell you all that I cannot participate in this event due to, well, my association with the very organization you despise."

Not a single word came out from anyone. Somehow, trying to use shifty eyes -that anyone like Lance or Karen definitely saw right through-, Blue looked around for reactions. Mostly shock, some seemed feigned. This wasn't right.

Something wasn't adding up. People knew something Blue didn't. Or rather, knew someone.

It took only for one person to speak up, Karen, for everyone else to erupt in more whispering. "So, Dragon Tamer, you expect us to tell the entirety of Pasio that their idol is now scum?"

As absurd of a question it was, Karen was right. Blue knew that telling anyone about this, especially common people like Gold, would send them haywire.

"Well, I suppose I could be a pseudo-champion then. I only participate in the League as a final opponent but until then make no known appearances."

What? No way. This had to be planned, it came out so fluidly. Blue was definitely not trying to hide it now, he was looking around wide eyed, only few others had the same reaction. This couldn't be happening. Blue looked back at Lance who raised his hand again, silencing the group, just as Blue decided that he'd continue to play the fool. Blind the shepherds, blind the sheep.

"I'll let you all speak about it and then do a meeting with the official challengers. I'm sure you can call Erika and Pryce." Now it was time for chaos but Blue watched as Lance went straight for Karen closer to the exit. He heard them, he made sure he heard them. "You were a little quick don't you think?"

"Oh hush big man, I did my part."

"Just because you like to bounce around to do whatever you like doesn't mean you can play those games with me." If Blue was Karen he'd start running honestly, but no, of course, she rolls her eyes. Even if her body language was still submissive.. "If this goes how it should, I'll be able to be on the ranks of the League and make sure that no funny business is happening and that things go smoothly."

Business? Things go smoothly? Oh come on. Is Blue watching the birth of Gold's world?

Karen played with her hair making an absent hum. "I think it'll be fine. Isn't Sabrina with Erika too?"

"Sabrina and Pryce are with Erika. Or at least should be by now. Sometimes when she's with Silver she gets a little distracted by how easy it is to mess with him. I get it, guilty pleasure."

Silver? Blue knew that name. Karen didn't though, or maybe she didn't care. Maybe both.

"Isn't that Giovanni's gremlin?"

"I'd hardly call him a gremlin. More like, teenager."

"Same thing, both of them shouldn't be fed or wet at night, if you know what I mean by that second part hahaha."

"I doubt that boy is ever getting action."

Harsh but hey, Blue didn't know the kid. Gold would probably agree, or yell out of joy. Maybe both.

"Hey, Blue, why you staring so hard?"

"Oh- because it's so unbelievable that Lance is part of..." He had to think so quickly it just spewed out naturally. He couldn't let them know it was because he was actually trying to get information. Lance knew, Lance could see through the corner of his eye how Blue's eyes would dilate when he recognized something, he saw how Blue's body language was so terribly obvious he was trying to play it cool when he wasn't in fact cool. He just didn't care. If Blue was a problem, guess what? There's literally at least twelve people in this very stadium who could get his ass no problem. And if he was a problem elsewhere? Well, Team Rocket owns Pasio.

"It's alright. I understand, it's a bit complicated in itself. Just no I do not mean direct harm against trainers....who prove themselves worth my mercy." Blue caught the hint quickly, Lance doesn't hurt people. It's so odd how it felt like they were speaking in code but one of them spoke that code as their native language while the other was just barely conversational. "If anything, I'm a glorified babysitter."

"For Silver, yeah?"

"...Yes. Did he exist in your world? I've found it that not many people know of him."

"No but he existed in my pal's world. He's the snotnosed brat with the Sneasel right?"

"Not a brat, I assure you. That boy is every bit humble. Don't be fooled Blue. Think what you will of Team Rocket or me, but don't associate that child with us. He's just the son of a man who has too much power." Too much. Okay, sneaky. A way to say that Silver is harmless -yay for Gold!- and a way to say that Lance doesn't much like Giovanni.

Okay, okay, this whole thing isn't as bad as it seems. Maybe. Hopefully.

"Okay fruit sticks, isn't it time for us to go ask if they have an opinion on you being in the league?"

"Right, yes. Thank you Karen. Come on Blue, your vote matters to me too. I won't take it personally."

Well, he was going to vote against it but now he feels obligated to vote for it. Damn you DARVO tactics. Wait was this DARVO? Man. Blue needs to really learn how to be a great actor. He might need to harass Crystal a bit about her friends from the contests, she's definitely made a few.

Going back to where they were previously at before the exit, everyone was gathered in a circle. Whispers bounced off the ears of Blue, but none caught his attention.

"We have Erika on video call, she has Sabrina and Pryce with her!" Misty says, holding up her phone on speaker with Erika on the other side who looked at Lance with surprise. "She's up to date."

"Well, what do we think?" He asks into the phone. After a small pause Erika looks at Sabrina and Pryce and nod.

"I and Sabrina believe you should join. Pryce disagrees." She said softly, having a sweet smile on her face.

"And raise your hand if you agree with Erika on yes?" A number of hands raised. Blue counted them as quick as Lance did. 21. "And for no?" Just as before, hands up, including Blue, but it only went to 8, excluding Blue's vote. No way. In a room with thirty people, somehow it's a landslide for Lance to be here?

Blue shot Lance a look, almost as if to say 'you couldn't make it any more believable?', and Lance locked eyes with him and immediately shrugged. It was so natural Blue almost believed he didn't know this would happen. Almost.

Lance knew he would win but good lord not like that. He couldn't wait to tell Giovanni about how funny it was. Though he'd have to also tell Giovanni that Silver is known in a certain household as a problematic burden. If he could find a way, Lance would like to ask Blue if he knew Silver's team to get him a Pokémon. Currently, Lance only had one Pokémon in mind for Silver and it was a Magikarp.

Blue didn't socialize. He didn't need to. He knew if he did the conversations would be around Lance. So he left, as soon as he could. He was planning to leave later so he didn't really pay attention to bus routes when he should've and he did end up going on a treasure hunt to figure out how to get home but after a tough battle he found himself going to that familiar cozy corner where the house was hidden. He took a deep breath, gently messing with Red's hat as he got closer and closer. He didn't even realize he wore it the whole day.

He could've hid so many expressions with this thing! Oh well, it'll come naturally for him. He took of the hat, and smelled it, sure it had Blue's shampoo in it not but he smelled Red's scent over it. It was his hat after all.

It was such a comforting smell, Red was such a comforting person. If Blue had the ability to pick, honestly, he'd be back home, with this Red, and they'd be living together. They'd be the best rivals, best friends...best lovers.

But Blue isn't stupid. He sees the eyes Green shoots Red, he sees how he gets flushed and hides himself whenever getting her attention. He knows. He wish he didn't know, but he does. Red doesn't act the same way to Blue's presence. He's never seen Red hide himself around him, and either that's a sign of deeper trust, or it's just a simple thing of Red not feeling exposed around him. If it was the latter, Blue might just fall apart for a while.

As he approached the house, he sped up his walk, putting back on the hat and was ready to break down the door. Through the window he saw Gold- Gold? Why is Gold in the kitchen? OH Arceus he'll burn down the entire house!! Play it cool! It's dinner time, maybe Gold's fat ass is trying to get some extra portions. That thought did make Blue chuckle. He got the front door soon enough, and after a few deep breaths he has a big smile as he opens the door, smelling whatever goodness was cooking and saw Green working diligently with Gold being her little work slave. Well, that's all fine and dandy but Blue wants Red. 

"Hey, I'm back!" He said with that smile still stuck on his face as Green looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes playfully at him, meanwhile Gold looked like he just saw Arceus. "Where's Red? I need to go brag to him that I met Cynthia."

----

After food was done, and after everyone had their fun at the dinning table, Blue went right back upstairs to his room, flopping belly down on his bed and ready for some needed sleep. Though, the universe had other plans for him causing for Red to knock on his door as he slipped into the room. Didn't even wait for Blue to say he could come in, for all Red knew, Blue could be trying to beat his meat. He wouldn't mind Red watching him, but Red might.

"...I thought a little bit."

"Yeah?" Blue said as he rolled over on his back to look at Red as he approached the bed.

"....I think, we should go and look around in the stadium?" He said, sounding unsure. Blue scooted over to the side to let Red sit and he did so a bit hesitantly. Blue knew that face, he knew how Red looked literally the same as ever because he has all of one expression constantly with slight differences in them, but, those differences where here. Red is nervous, if it wasn't obvious in his voice, it's obvious to Blue just looking at him.

"You think we should try to play hero?"

"Maybe. Or you go back tomorrow, and I come with you and make sure no funny business is happening." That second part, he sounded certain. It stirred something in Blue's stomach how Red would do anything for him...and for Green. Not like she was undeserving, but Blue liked when it was just him and Red. Would he give her up in a heartbeat? No. Would he wish secretly it was just him and Red? Yes. But he had no ill will against her, he wanted only the best for her, and Red.

"Yeah it sounds chill. Aren't you supposed to be in your room staying up all night reading your stupid manga."

"It's currently a donghua, you know this, I was telling you about it earlier."

"Hey hey hey, I said stupid manga."

"...If I didn't like my books, I'd hit you with one." He said in a flat tone, though Blue knew he was joking. It's just one of those things. When you're so close to a person you can pick up every little thing...though Blue likes to think he can pick up every little thing. "But if you're that tired, then see you tomorrow. Don't try to sneak out."

"Wouldn't dream of it.." Blue said, turning to his side and getting comfortable under the blankets.

"You don't have many dreams anymore, do you?" Red asked, looking out to the hallway about to close Blue's door.

"I have one dream, a dream I keep strong." Blue replied in a quiet whisper.

Though Red didn't verbally respond, he did perk his ears up at this, quietly closing the door and eagerly went to his room to sleep the night away. The night was silent, peaceful. Everyone had plans in the morning so no one was doing anything late into the night. Except for Blue.

Even as Blue tried to sleep, he couldn't help but toss and turn, he couldn't bare it. He grew restless at the possibility of what Team Rocket was scheming. It was more surprising to him that he sat up, filled with adrenaline. He had an idea. He and Red go now.

He quietly got to Red's room -already changed in clothing fitting for running around and getting dirtied in- and sneaked to his bed, very gently shaking him. "Wake up, you want to get information with me right? Then c'mon." He whisper shouted as Red woke up and huffed.

He didn't want his friend hurt, so he quickly got up and got dressed. Blue sat on the bed, watching him as he undressed his shirt and slid out of his pajama pants, maybe he shouldn't stare but it's not insane to think that Red is handsome and easy eye candy. (For Blue anyway.)

Red stuffed on a white shirt and some regular long pants and turned to see Blue stare at him all dreamy. "Dude..."

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking about saving the day." Blue replied with a grin as he got up.

"You're so gay.." He mutters, putting on his hat to cover his face as he always does. It was a level of safety that Red couldn't really explain, having no face made him feel more comforted than not speaking did. Sometimes he wish he could just quit the speaking thing entirely but when he tries he always finds the will to keep speaking to others because he still likes social interaction even if he doesn't like the concept of himself existing. He doesn't know, it's messy to think about. He likes existing, but he doesn't like having to put effort in his own existence, just wants to interact with the world without having to do anything with his mouth or face.

Blue hummed, grabbed Red's hand and off they went in the dead of night with their teams balled. It took enough time as is to get to the stadium WITH active transport, they had no clue how they'd get there by foot, but they'll do it one step at a time.

"How far is it Blue?"

"Ah, it took me like five maybe six buses and a train, just because at the time no bus went straight to the train station, so they were all just stop and go."

"...Aero out?"

"....Aero out." Red grabbed the ball of his trusted Aerodactyl and threw it up, letting out Aero as it cried out and flapped around happily in the sky. Upon seeing its trainer, he got on the ground to allow being mounted. Red helped Blue onto Aero before he got onto his back, gently petting Aero to let him know it's okay. "Lead the way Blue." Red said quietly, holding onto Blue's waist for protection.

Oh how he wanted them to stay like this. Why now is he having his feeling explode all over the place? Maybe it's nerves. It's probably nerves, yeah...ugh. He needs to direct Aero. That'll be easy enough.

It didn't take long since they had an actual mode of transport, and landing nearby the stadium gave them plenty of time to sneak over. As if no one saw the giant fossil Pokémon. The stadium, of course, had nothing. No one was there, no secret entrances. Nothing.

"If we split up, we'-" Blue pondered as he stood under the bleachers looking at the litter that somehow spawned in here even though no competition has been held in there yet.

"No, shut up." Red cut him off bluntly, almost aggressive.

Even thought this was Blue's idea, Red seemed antsy. Hostile. Red knew there was something here, he knew they were being watched, but from where? By who? Were they friendly? Probably not, but he can't do anything about it. It wasn't a bad idea to come here, but they're sitting ducks, far away from nearby police stations, with no leads on anything, with only the moon being their light.

They needed to leave. Simple.

So, Red gave up. He grabbed Blue's arm and started to drag him to an exit.

"Woah, Red.."

"Don't you feel it Blue? I thought you were the socially smart one." He grumbled, lowering his hat as he didn't wait for Blue to keep up with him -luckily Blue did-.

"Feel...what? Listen if your gut is screaming at you, so is mine, but my gut is usually always wrong."

"Well-! Why are you-" Before Red could finish his sentence in the hall of the exit, they got surrounded. Just grunts, nothing awful. "We can't cause damages, be careful Blue."

"I know careful." He said as he chucked out Blastoise. "Get 'em big guy! Any means!!" Red nodded wordlessly, fixed his hat and threw out Venusaur.

It was simple battles, they were just meant to wear out their Pokémon instead of harm them. Blue caught onto this after the fourth wave of Pokémon, so now it's his turn to grab Red and run. It happened in a blink of an eye, Blue balled Blastoise, then grabbed Red's ball for Venusaur and balled him up too, grabbed Red's wrist and just starting hauling ass.

"We could've taken them."

"They know that! They're sending weaker ones on us to tire us! We need to leave, Aero is too noticeable!"

"And you expect me to believe you conveniently pulled Pidgeot out of the box for this!?" There was so much bafflement in Red's words. Genuinely, what was Blue thinking? Even if he did, no way that 4'11 bird would be able to carry two young adults on it's back.

"Ah, I did but that wasn't my point!" Blue said as they make it out of the stadium fully, Team Rocket still hot on their trails as they ran down the road, trying to find a forest or something that will easily lose them in. "Just, stop talking! I got this!"

"I trust you."

The adrenaline was high, Blue barely knew the area and Red was blindly following Blue. Blue was looking for one thing, water. A good Champion doesn't keep just six Pokémon, they get at least twelve for rotation, and wasn't Blue just lucky that he caught his twelfth Pokémon recently? He was finally, by his own standards set, a proper Champion.

But that water is what he needs to show off this Pokémon.

So running, and running, zigzags, anywhere they could, they would. Before Blue knew it, far away from the stadium in a dingy man made forest made to raise property values, he saw a stream. It wasn't much but if that could lead to a sewer, that was enough. Hopefully though it led to a real thing river. Using that stream, Blue and Red quickly ran in the direction the water was flowing, getting to one big pond.

"We're not jumping into that thing are we?" Red asked, catching his breath.

"Are we being followed?" Blue responded, bent over on the ground fully letting his body relax.

"I can hear them looking for us."

"I can't."

"Your heart is beating out of your chest."

"You can hear that?"

"Mhm. Let's just do Aero."

"No, dude..they'll hurt him."

"...." Red had no words, carefully listening for footsteps. When he heard something get too close, he picked up Blue - who made an 'aweuaah' sound- and started running again. This time faster. This time like he knew it was over if they were caught. Deeper, deeper, until the forest couldn't even pick up the moon.

He looked back once and saw two Houndooms chasing after him. That one time was all his body needed to keep pushing.

Suddenly a ripping sound echoed in his and Blue's ears, making Red drop to the ground, letting Blue fall out of his arms while they both covered their ears, withering in pain. When the pain stopped, Red slowly removed his hands and just stared at the dirt and panted.

"Ah, Golbats are so useful, don't you agree?" Red saw the boots before he saw the owner of that voice. Looking up he slowly saw the Team Rocket admin uniform and...

"Archer-!"

"Yes, we meet again Red." Archer says with a twisted grin on his face. "I must say, it's awful that these are the circumstances." He cooed, circling around them as his Houndooms stood still, ready to pounce.

"You...you know why we did it though!"

"Yes, yes and we really cannot have you troublesome children running around. Karen warned me you'd act up Blue."

Red turned his head to Blue who was being held up by two grunts that Red didn't notice.

"Put him down Archer!"

"Red, you and I have no beef other than the fact you chose his side. I have issues with him, now be a good child and stay out of this."

"I'm sixteen damnit! I'm old enough to work at Team Galactic." Red said, standing up immediately to start a fight.

"Then go work for them. Don't make this my problem." He says, his tone dropping low and threatening.

Red darted his eyes back to Blue as he heard his body be slammed to the ground followed by a groan. "Stop- don't hurt him. You're better than this."

"No, I truly am not. I don't kill kids, but I'll give a child a proper discipline when needed." He mused as he approached Blue, hands behind his back. His steps were calm. Calculated.

Red was going to run up to Blue, but Archer's Houndooms surround him and keep him at a distance as he watches Archer look at Blue, inspecting him.

"Hold his arm down."

"What?!"

"No!"

Despite his struggles and his attempts, Blue couldn't get out, he got hit with a lick attack from a Golbat and was paralyzed. He couldn't even scream if he wanted. It took a couple tries from Archer, first putting his foot on Blue's left arm, light pressure on it.

"Please, we get it! We'll stop butting in! Don't do it!"

"It's business, I hope you two understand. You're both very talented, could easy pose a threat to us. It's just risk management."

"You've managed the risk! We won't try anything!"

"Red..." He slowly turns back to Red, giving Blue some more time, who could do nothing but lay on the ground and hear everything, feel everything. "I know you, you eager child of the sun. You may not use your words the same way everyone else does, and you certainly don't act like them. If I do nothing to him, you will both wait for a week before coming back harder."

"And what makes you think that you breaking his arm won't make me do something tomorrow when you sleep."

"I always liked that fire in you. I saw it when you came into Pasio. I see it now." He pauses, looking back at Blue, then at Red. "But you're right. Absolutely right. So, how about we play a game?"

"What are you? Some Rotom?"

"Ah, well, I thought maybe this could be lighthearted. You're still a child, you can't even drink." He pulls out a key from his pant's pocket. Shiny and golden. "I leave you two stranded here, and leave this key here. If you find the key, there's a box. A box to cure Blue's paralysis."

"...Deal. Leave him alone."

"Alright. You heard him. Knock him out." Red felt the back of his head meet a force, and next thing he knew it was morning. He could assume it was morning due to all the birds chattering around him with Blue who stayed still on the floor.

He immediately started digging, looking anywhere and everywhere for this thing. His bluff worked, he got Archer off his back. It was fine. It'll be fine.

The reflective surface was enough to spot, and surprising, maybe to show he was a good man, Archer put the cure next to the key. Unlocking it and taking out the bottle, he flipped over Blue and poured it into his mouth, causing him to cough and gag.

He blinked a few times, tears going down his face as he immediately hugs Red and starts balling. After a few minutes of silence and just Blue crying, he finished, and stood up wonky.

"This is so embarrassing."

"It's alright...It's not your fault."

"We need to get out."

"The forest is too crowded for Aero. Let's go." Red muttered, not wanting to speak anymore. It was all just too much.

They held hands, worried about separating again, silently just trying to retrace their steps. They were actually going the opposite way, going to a location they shouldn't. Like a Team Rocket warehouse.

"...I don't think this was the right way." Blue says, in an attempt to joke.

"....." Red grab his Pokémon balls, ready to shoot out Saur and go Primeape style on them.

"There's those two troublemakers Archer spoke about!" They heard two grunts say by the doors as they came over. "Hey wasn't that one supposed to have a broken arm?"

"Bring him inside! Get a crowbar!" The other chirps as they both get a grin and since Red and Blue's bodies ache, and only Red had to the energy to start throwing fists, it was a very one sided battle. Blue was just too tired to do anything really.

(hi just in case u dont wanna read the part where blu gets his arm brocken, im putting this message here ;3)

Red handled the person manhandling him, only to realize Blue was gone with that other guy. Great. Okay, time to save the day. He quickly got into the warehouse where he saw Blue being held by two people, both by the arms while he was kneel and a third person holding out a crowbar.

They lifted it over their head then swung down at Blue's right arm. Nothing at first happened despite Blue's scream as he kept trying to wiggle out. It hit again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Again.

It was such a brutal process that Red and Blue didn't even process when that bone in his arm actually snapped. Everyone paused hearing the breaking of the radius and ulna. The crowbar fell to the ground, just as two Houndooms came over.

"What is the meaning of this!?"

Archer.

Red slow turned, being greeted with Archer by his side, then being moved behind him in a protective manner.

"Since when did you work on your own terms?!"

"But sir!"

"No but sir! I said it was off, we would not hurt these children because they got their lessen. And yet here I am, looking at the one who's arm is bending in a way it shouldn't!" By now, Blue was absolutely crying in pain, incoherent, holding his arm after he was dropped again. He didn't know if he would've preferred it paralyzed or not. "Go call a cab right now and get this boy to a hospital. Now! That is a direct order or else what happened to him happens to you!" He barked out, his Houndooms growling as the three grunts all scampered off without a word.

Red rushed to Blue's side, pulling him into a tight hug, rubbing his back and trying to figure out desperately what to do. He can't forget himself for doing nothing but standing in watching. It felt so surreal. It felt like it wasn't happening. Even if it was happening.

It felt like he really was interacting with the world as if it was a video game. And he can't forgive himself for the consequences. 

(hiyaa it's done for the most part :3)

"Red..Red." Blue muttered repeatedly as Red adjusted him to look at him, by now the adrenaline was kicking and Blue's pain felt numb. "I have to tell you something."

Is now the time? A quick side glance to Archer, who was pacing back and forth told Red that if it's important than so be it.

"Yes?"

"I'm in love with you..and I've- I've- I realized after all this crazy shit, I didn't want to die without telling you!"

"You're not dying.."

"I feel like I am!"

".....Blue...I..." He felt his face turn as Red as his name. He glanced over to Archer again who was just standing there and staring at them like they were insane to have their romantic moment in the same spot where one of them just got their arm broken but he guess they were pretty insane to begin with. "I..I..." Red couldn't form a proper sentence, couldn't think of if he wanted this or not, or at least if he wanted it right now.

"Do you want me like how I want you Red?"

"I???" He didn't know! He was kind of worried a second ago about his friend not getting hurt and now it's about his friend getting heart broken?? He couldn't think straight, not like he could when he has a man confessing to him, but point was he's clammy, uncomfortable, and only knew to do one thing. Grab him by the collar and pull him into a kiss. It felt like the thing to do. It felt right. It felt like he should've done this a long time ago. His grip softens and he cups Blue's face.

Meanwhile Archer is looking mortified at these two.

Blue slowly moves his left hand and places it onto Red's chest, and attempted to deepen the kiss. That's a bit out of both of their pay grade because Red has only kissed girl's on the cheek and Blue kisses his mirror like a freak. So they both very awkwardly opened their mouths and didn't know what the fuck to do.

Do they move their tongues? Does one of them move forward? Who does what?

Red made the first move, going into Blue's mouth, it felt weird. Good. But weird. And they just clanked teeth. It's okay, they'll try again to- and they clanked teeth again.

Blue pulls away, a little trail of spit coming out of his mouth as he's beet red, fanning himself and looking away. Before he could say a word, Red pulled him right back in. It was going to be romantic, if they didn't again, clank teeth.

It'll be fine, they'll get the hang of it.

Blue felt his stomach knot up as Red's tongue attempted to enter his mouth again and Red opened his eyes to inspect the area again and Blue looked goofy and he couldn't laugh that's mean and he glanced over to Archer and locked eyes with him awkwardly as he was mid-face sucking with his -new- boyfriend.

"I won't even try to comment on this, just hurry it up."

Blue immediately pulls away. "Oh I thought you left!"

"No."

"Oh! Red! You!"

Red looks at Blue wide-eye, throwing his hands up, not knowing what to say or do. This was his fault for making it really weird.

"We'll talk more in the ride to the hospital...I guess."

"I love you."

"Gah! Don't say that!"

What?? Okay Red is shutting up now. This sucked.

Sucked like his earlier face sucking.

Anyway, after a few minutes of awkward sitting, the three grunts were back and they, along with Archer, escorted the two teens to a cab from the front of the warehouse, literally across the damn warehouse' back door.

They were THAT close to civilization this entire time? Fuck.

----

So morning was just a little hectic. Gold had to go out for errands as Green requested -which he was not happy about- and Lyra was going to train to be the best she can be for the league, Crystal wasn't doing anything yet but later in the day she would leave to attend something with her friend group that the house wasn't allowed to learn about because she refuses to be teased by 'the likes of Blue' for her friend choice, and Green had to go to work. Leaving Red and Blue, at least, everyone assumed they were home.

So no one saw Blue's arm as Red carried him to the front door. Was it needed? No. Was he carrying him anyway? Yes.

Blue's arm was in a DYI cast made out of Red's shirt as Archer realized he'd have to pay out of pocket and no one in that car wanted to be associated with each other anymore so everyone cut their losses and ran. The cost with Red and Blue was a free arm brace. But they got that at home!

"We have a lot to talk about.." Blue said steadily.

"I know. I know."

"Are we together?"

"...Yes." Red said, looking Blue in the eyes. "I..I should've picked up on your hints earlier. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I thought I was okay just being friends, but then..I had that scare. I was going to tell you in the woods, but.."

"It's okay. I understand. I love you Blue." Red said, in a quiet tone, his left hand caressing Blue's cheek.

"You say it so sincerely." Blue whispered. As if he only wanted just them to hear and was scared evil blue hair and pronouns would show up.

"I mean it, that's why." There was a slight pause, as he slowly retracted his hand. "We need to go get some rest, want to sleep in my room?"

"I'd love to Red. Anywhere with you is where I want to be."

Then they heard the door open, changing the topic entirely. Looking over they see Gold, spotting a black eye and busted lip, covered in gunk looking at Blue's arm wide eye.

"Uh- I'm..back?"