AN: Hey folks. I've always loved the battle between Gold and Red in the Pokemon games so I decided to break it into a 3 chapter story. Please read and review if you have the time, thanks and hope you enjoy!

Red vs Gold! The Showdown of Champions!

Chapter 1: Red Legend

"Man, this place is too big!" roared Gold in frustration as he planted a squat on the rocky ground. For the past several hours Gold had been stumbling in the half dark maze that was Mt. Silver. The journey from New Bark Town to Mt. Silver had taken several days and even that was a hardship in of itself. The toughened wild pokemon, elite trainers around every corner and tricky terrain named a just few. These were just the many things a pokemon trainer, especially a seasoned trainer, had to put up with when searching for their next opponent.

"I wonder how much further it is." thought Gold to himself as he looked at his poke`gear. He scrolled over a couple screens on the tiny device only to discover the compass was malfunctioning. Sighing, Gold stumbled to his feet and proceeded to take his hat off and comb through his hair. The mountains stifling air was doing a number on him. He glanced towards his left and made his way toward the far wall, hand outstretched. A trick he had learned a while back was to place your left hand on a wall and follow it and eventually you'd find your way around.

Sure enough, after about an hour of walking Gold could tell he was getting farther into the mountain having not come across the same place twice. It still didn't help that he didn't exactly know where he was going but it was better than calling it quits and heading back to the entrance. While contemplating a course of action, Gold was distracted by the sudden but familiar sound of running water. It was faint but he could definitely hear it further down the passage. He quickened his pace a little bit, his hand still on the side of the wall, the sound growing louder and louder. In the distance he could see an end to the tunnel, a swift and cool breeze sweeping through it.

Gold came to a halt as he reached the end of the tunnel. The noise was deafening and as Gold tried to fixate his eyes on the source he was startled as a swarm of Goldbats swooped down from the cave ceiling. Their yellow eyes pierced the half dark abyss as they set their sights on Gold. The bat like creatures rushed down towards the intruder whose arms already braced for the attack. He was ready to take the charge full force only for the mass of beating wings and fangs to rush by him, paying him no mind. Relieved, Gold let down his arms and saw in front of him the source of the familiar noise. Towering before him was a massive waterfall which descended into a swift current leading somewhere else inside the mountain.

"Great" he thought. "Another obstacle."

But honestly Gold didn't care. He didn't care about the unknown number of wild pokemon lurking in the shadows, the difficult terrain, seasoned trainers or the fact that he was completely and utterly lost. As long as he could have a pokemon battle with that trainer he'd face a whole nest of rabid Beedrill or swim in a lake full of raging Gyarados. Anything to take on the legendary trainer, Red.

Red.

The most powerful trainer in all of Kanto and Johto. A prodigy from the Town of Pallet. Pokemon League Champion at the age of 10. After his conquest of the Elite Four 3 years ago Red just seemed to vanish. No one had seen or heard from him since. There was the rumor that Red had just gotten tired of battling every would-be trainer, so he went where no average person could follow, Mt. Silver. Some said he went there to hone his skills while others said he went there for only the strongest of trainers could hope to find him.

After Gold defeated the Elite Four he started hearing such rumors and decided to investigate them personally. Deep down Gold didn't want to believe the most powerful trainer had just decided to throw in the towel and go off to live a hermits life. Being a Pokemon League Champ himself, Gold knew what Red must be feeling, the desire to face someone even stronger than those at the Elite Four. To take on an opponent that would push you to your absolute limits. That was what Gold was seeking and knew Red must be too. The very thought of having a match against his hero made Gold's blood rise as he hurriedly fumbled around in his pocket, revealing a tiny red and white ball. With one tap the ball expanded and the trainer chucked it into the air, a dazzling white light filling the caverns emptiness. Inside the river was Gold's once rambunctious, now faithful Red Gyarados. The young trainer jumped into the air and onto the dragon-like pokemon's back and gently patted its head.

"Alright Gyarados, we're heading up!" he declared as the red behemoth shot forward, scaling the monstrous waterfall. Crisp, cool water sprayed around Gold as he ascended to the upper level where a large pool of water covered the surface. Beyond that he could see surrounding rock leading to one tunnel. It was at the sight of that tunnel Gold felt something stir deep inside him. He motioned Gyarados to move forward and the two came to the shores edge. Gold promptly returned his water pokemon to its poke`ball and stared intently at the tunnel entrance. His fist tightened as his heart began to pound, the sound of it blocking all others. A giddy grin sprouted on Gold's face as he rushed forward, his hat almost flying back as he did so.

"This is it!" he shouted. "He has to be here!"

Gold ran faster and faster, the sound of his pulsing heart drumming madly in his ears. He could feel the mounting anticipation shoot up and down his body, ready to burst from his chest. His hair flew back, his hand on his hat as he continued to rush down the murky passageway. It seemed to go on and on, as if this one path was made specifically to weed out those not ready to challenge what was ahead. Gold's legs began to give, his muscles aching and twitching, only sheer determination pushing him forward. Finally, Gold could see the exit. A faint light gave way to the darkness and Gold could hardly contain his excitement. He had finally made it!

Gold slid into the room at the end of the tunnel, a cloud of dust and rocks flying behind him as his lungs finally caught up with his body. Eyes half open, the fatigued trainer tried to gather his surroundings. It was lighter than the rest of the passageways and clearings, the air also somehow felt smoother. Another moment and Gold could see that the room he was in was dome shaped and walls were a bit smoother than the rest of the mountain. Finally the most impressive aspect of the dome was a plateau in the center of the room with stairs carved all around it. Gold was left in awe for a moment until a figure caught his eye atop the structure. In an instant Gold's stomach dropped, his eyes went wide and his knees began to tremble. It was him.

"Stay cool, stay cool." repeated Gold over and over, focusing on calming his body.

"You finally made it." spoke a voice from atop the plateau.

Gold looked at the towering figure in a quizzical fashion, not sure if Red was addressing him or not.

"You were expecting me?" he pointed at himself confused.

"You're the one who will give me the challenge I've been looking for right?" he responded smiling at the young boy.

Gold pumped a fist and nodded with an intense ferocity.

"That's what I like to see. You can come on up and we can have our match." motioned the figure adjusting his red and white hat.

"This was it." thought Gold as he walked up the stone set of steps." He was finally going to get his match against the prodigy.

Gold approached the top of the plateau and there he saw where their challenge would take place. The top of the plateau was seemingly worn from what Gold could only guess were pokemon techniques. Some of the plateaus corners chaffed and several cracks littered the floor and surrounding dome. It took a moment for Gold to realize the young man was staring at him, waiting for him.

"Let me introduce myself." he began.

His hand outstretched, the figure looked at Gold with a respective gaze.

"I'm Red from Pallet Town and I've been waiting for a strong challenger to find me here."

Gold stretched out his hand and grasped Reds.

"I'm Gold from New Bark Town; it's an honor to meet you in person."

Red scratched the side of his hat as a flattered look crossed his face.

"Now now come on. We're equals here so there's no need for that."

Gold gave an embarrassed smile as the two trainers finished their greeting.

"So how does a 6 on 6 battle sound Gold?" asked Red happily as he began to walk to one side of the plateau.

"Sounds good to me." replied Gold as he mirrored his opponents lead.

Red and Gold stood silent for a minute, taking in the moment before the greatest battle in pokemon history.

"Ready?" shouted Red reaching for a poke`ball from his jacket.

Gold nodded as he pulled out his first poke`ball.

"Let's Go!"

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