Former Rival

[Green]

He let out a sigh as he with-called his Arcanine from battle, the trainer who had just entered the Viridian City Gym skulking off in defeat, dragging their feet sheepishly as they likely headed for the town's Pokémon Center.

The adventures he shared with his Pokémon five years ago seemed like a distant memory now. His short-lived time spent as the Pokémon League Champion, and his various encounters with his old rival and neighbor; Red, seemed like they happened a lifetime ago.

With Team Rocket disbanded, and Boss Rocket retiring from a life of crime in order to become a Pokémon Breeder in a distant land, Green had taken the role of Viridian City's Gym Leader. Though it had made him feel ancy at first to remain in one place for so long, he had since grown accustom to his role.

But the trainers who had been facing him the past six months or so seemed to be declining in overall quality. He couldn't even remember the last time he had presented someone with an Earth Badge, and most of his battles required fewer and fewer of his Pokémon needing to take an active role in the battle.

More and more his thoughts returned to his 'glory days', as he liked to think of them. There were good times and bad times, but in the end, he had always had fun. He also found himself wondering what Red was up to, though he would never admit it if anyone asked.

[Green]

He deliberated on his current situation for a few more days before he came to a decision; he would take a brief break from his role as an active Gym Leader. He had filled out all of the necessary paperwork from the Pokémon League, more than he really liked; It had seemed to him that things had been much easier when he was younger. He left his most loyal underling in charge of the Gym until his return.

Journeying through Kanto, filling out pages on his Pokédex to aid his his grandfather's research, encountering people and places across the land. Those days were done, merely a slowly fading memory imprinted in his mind, but that wasn't to say that no new adventures couldn't be out there waiting for him. He turned back, looking over his shoulder at Viridian City's Gym one final time before he started heading North in the direction of Viridian Forest.

He had considered heading South and visiting home, but he had ultimately decided against it. Last he had heard gramps was in Sinnoh on business and his sister had left home about two years earlier. And certainly his old rival, Red, would be nowhere to be found in Pallet Town. Red had become a ghost ever since he had given up his position as Pokémon League Champion. Last he'd heard Red was training at Mt. Silver, but that had been two years ago. He supposed he could be anywhere now.

Shrugging such thoughts off he pushed onward.

[Green]

As he made his way through the forest it was familiar territory. Not only had he passed through here as a kid, but he also came to train here from time to time in within the past few years due to the fact that it was so close to his Gym.

Usually the path was lined with Trainers itching for battle, mostly bug catchers since Viridian Forest was known for its Bug-type Pokémon, but today it was quiet and still. The sunlight filtered down through the trees and he could hear the gentle chirps of bug Pokémon and the cries of bird Pokémon from the canopies of the treetops. It felt almost surreal knowing that he would eventually breach the northern side of the forest and continue onward rather than linger in the forest for a few hours before heading back to Viridian City.

His train of thought was distracted by a rustling sound in front of him. "Hm?" His eyebrows furrowed in curiosity as he looked down at the source of the noise to see a wild Caterpie had appeared in front of him. He smiled to himself. "When was the last time I caught a new Pokémon?" He asked himself, his hand at first lowering to his belt before he stopped it. "Furthermore... when was the last time I bought Pokéballs?" He remembered dubiously then raised his hand again.