“Yeah. I never heard of the Pokémon actually wearing the ribbons…” she admitted. It was a strange prospect, no doubt. “I would get some kind of case for your ribbons. Oh! And you can make a sticker or something to put in the slot for which Pokémon won the ribbon!”
“Not a bad idea… I guess that could be something I can get on the side for later. I’ll looking into it. But really, you should let your Pokémon wear the ribb0ns every now and then. They can really bring out some cute features if you can pull it off right.” It seemed like the two of them were just going to try and exchange ideas for their ribbons now.
He let out a joyful laugh and hugged the other back. It was always nice to see an old friend. After all, they did save the world together. He might have used the trainer to get the job done, but it ended up being a new friendship that he will always treasure.
❝I’m so glad to see ya, too! I’ve been pretty busy in my forest, keeping things they are supposed to be. I was gone for awhile after all, so I needed to get things organized again. But I haven’t had any adventures since the last time I saw ya. How about ya?❞
“Well, after you left, I was able to win all of the contests here in Hoenn on the last day of the deadline. Then I had a birthday party with Sapphire. Besides that, the two of us went to the Battle Frontier to meet with a new friend of ours named Emerald. Sort of had to save the world again with the rest of the dex holders. No big deal, right?”
Oh yes, that was not a big deal at all. Saving the world like that was going to become an everyday thing for him if it kept up.
…The fourth person he’s met who said they won’t pry. He looked at the hand for a moment before slowly bringing out his hand to shake Ruby’s. Ruby, huh? Like a gemstone or something? He hates wondering the same thing as that man but… what is it with parents naming them after colors and gems?!
“Likewise. Thanks for not prying.”
“No need to thank me. We all got a past we don’t like to talk about, right? So don’t worry about it.” A nervous laugh came from the young man as he waved his hand about. Wow, was he ever making this become more awkward than it had to be. But hey, that was starting to become kind of a specialty of his now.
“So have things been okay since I last saw you guys? Nothing troubling any of you?”
The guardian listened closely, thinking hard about what the other said to see if any of it jogged up his memory. Some things did sound familiar, but he still couldn’t place them in any of his memories. That was until the other spoke about the Blue and Red orbs. His eyes widened as the memories of said events began to flow through his mind, remembering them as if they just happened the other day.
❝I remember! I remember ya now! I remember doing all of that! Sorry that I forgot! I that I was never going to see ya again after I did all of that. I wasn’t sure if you would remember! I have no idea why I completely forgot. But hello! Nice to see ya, again, Ruby!❞
Remembering the events made him become overly excited. Going on a small journey with the trainer has a very exciting time for him since he barely left his forest. It was probably all by chance they were meeting again.
“So you do remember me! That’s great! And don’t worry about it. My friend Emerald explained all of this to me before and said that there may be a chance I wouldn’t meet you again. The you I had traveled with anyways. But I’m so glad that it is you!” He went over and gave the currently human looking Pokémon a hug. This was a great day indeed.
“What have you been up to since we last saw each other?” he asked as the hug was parted. “Did you go on any other adventures? Or did you just return back to where I found you before we left home?”
Why did he keep bringing up Valentines day? Sapphire honestly feels like she’s missing some key aspect to all of this but, hell, asking seemed far too awkward. Part of her was still a smidge suspicious admittedly but what harm could going along with it cause? It was just Ruby, after all, and even he couldn’t be up to anything too bad.
“…. a’ight.” She concedes with a small nod. “Wait… s’that mean I gotta wash up’n dress nice and stuff? If we’re going out to eat or somethin’ like that, I mean.”
Good. She was going to go with him to dinner at least. It made him a little glad that she wanted to. In all honest, he felt a little bad lately. Something seemed to be really bugging Sapphire but he just wasn’t sure. Or maybe he was sure and was just pretending to not know. Either way, Ruby hoped that maybe doing something would make her feel a little better.
“Well usually yes, but I’m not going to make you this time. As long as you’re washed up then we can go as we are. And I don’t think I can deal with trying to get you into any kind of dress right now.” There was a brief smirk on his face as he teased her. Yet if he didn’t watch it then he might just get a good whack to the jaw as a return gift.
To say the gym leader owned a set of standards, and was ( for a lack of a better word ) hard to impress, well, it’s true. The destined guardian to his city, the sole protector of his people, a contest master, wasn’t he allowed to have them? A softness washes over prim features, a smile emerging upon his lips as it spreads along them, genuine.
’ Mm. Just don’t get too ahead of yourself, alright? I know you’ll do absolutely great if you keep a level head and work alongside with your pokemon. Believe it or not, they can detect their trainer’s emotions and it can certainly spread to them, which profoundly affects how you’ll perform in the contest. Now, you don’t want your pokemon to topple over in the dancing portion due to nerves. Just take your time and practice. I’m sure you’ll do great. ’ It was words of wisdom once spoken to him, by his dear master, and it would only be plausible to spread this to his disciple.
’ Indeed. There is no other place in Sinnoh where a contest hall is located. I should know, I participated in a few contests myself there. A very grand place it is, if I do say so myself. Hearthome is a large city, so it does make sense. ‘
Ruby was luck to have Wallace as a master. He was always there to make sure that the boy didn’t screw up horribly like he did in the past, and told him what he should be focusing more on than others. Above all. he encouraged him and his love of contests. That was really the most important key factor in just how important this man was in his life.
“You’re right. As long as I keep a level head and work with my Pokémon, I’ll do a fantastic job out there.” He listened to the rest of what his master had to say, seeming to understand just how important emotions were between trainers and their Pokémon. He realized this too when first using Mimi in the beauty contests, and time after time with every mistake he made. There was no way that he would be forgetting that. This was why he was certain that things would go great. Ruby had faith in all of them and knew that he just had to be there for them as they prepared for the new set of challenges.
“Thanks, Master. I’m really glad I have you around to help. I’ll make sure to follow your advice and make you even prouder of me.”
“… I find this both good and bad, Why are you wanting me to be yours?” Didn’t seem like she had been acting like her usual self. Did he do something wrong without realizing it again? Why did she want him to be hers? Was she going to hurt him badly? So many questions are running through his mind. Most of them are wondering if he was going to get hurt or have to get majorly dirty.
Whomever this guy was, he sure as heck put emphasis upon his appearance. Doubts arouse, suggesting that bringing it up further would result in any positive consequences, and it was decided upon that such a course of conversation ought to be avoid. “Noted, I’ll say nothin’ more on th’ subject.”
The second question was, ironically, easier to answer than the others’ initial statement. “M’ name is Brendan Birch, an’ I’ve got a strong feelin’ that I’m your alternate.”
“Alternate.” It was said rather bluntly, with Ruby not sure if he should really believe that or not. But then again, he did pass through a time slip, and if there was different timelines then does that mean there are other versions of himself? Well that was a weird thought. Who knows what they would be like.
“… wait you said ‘Birch’. So that means you’re related to Professor Birch?” So then he even had a different dad… That made it a little more awkward for Ruby for some reason. He isn’t sure why, or he does and just doesn’t want to think about it.
