"So, Red, you considered the invite yet?"

"Hm? Oh, right, the invite to that Smasher's thing."

The pair were sitting at the top of a grassy hill, which overlooked the city of Pallet, their hometown. The quiet and peaceful village was currently shrouded in grey, signs that it was nearing dusk and evening was nigh. Dark clouds had gradually begun to form over the town, giving fair warning that a storm was on its way. Nevertheless, the duo continued their conversation.

"Well, have you thought about it, yet?"

"Yeah, I guess…" muttered Red, his body propped up against an oak tree, his mind deep in thought, "and I truly believe that going would be a great opportunity to see how Squirtle and Ivysaur perform against different opponents…but…"

"But what, Red?" queried Blue, Red's rival and childhood friend. "What is it?"

"This…this…this Smash College seems gruelling, I mean, you saw the letter, they were gonna invite at least 30 more applicants into the campus, all of which I have to face. Battling over 30 equally skilled fighters isn't exactly going to be a cakewalk. So the question is, Blue, am I up for it?"

"Yes, it is going to be a challenge, but I reckon you can handle it."

"Are you sure?"

"Well," pondered Blue, "There has to be a reason why the folks at the college selected you, right? I mean, if they'd known that you didn't have what it takes, then they wouldn't select you in the first place."

"I guess that makes sense," grunted Red.

"Plus," continued Blue, now beginning to stand up, "I can't recall how many times you and your Pokemon have bested me, and this is me we're talking 'bout."

The brunette stared at the luminous, azure sky, before turning back to his companion. "Red," he shrugged, "They don't call you 'The Fighter' for nothing."

Red stood up, and he too, gazed at the night sky, almost hypnotized by its beauty. "You know, Blue," he said, eyes still cast upward, "I'm gonna miss this place when I depart."

A single raindrop, rocketed down, and embedded itself into the ground next to Blue's left foot, dampening the soil. The two trainers then headed off, back down the hill, towards their respective houses. However, just as they entered the patch of wild grass that was positioned outside their town entrance, the clouds began to unload their full content down on Pallet, and the boys were heavily drenched, their once-dry clothes now water-clogged and sagging.

"Man," Red sighed, as they approached Blue's house, "My mother is gonna spank me for this."

"Wish I could stick around to see that," snuffed Blue, taking out the keys to his house, "But right now, I need a hot glass of milk, an even hotter shower, and a bed."

"You said it, bro. Well, see ya."

As the door clicked opened, and Blue stepped inside, about to bid goodbye to his friend, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Hey Red!" he yelled, halfway through his door, "When do you leave, anyway?"

"In two days," came the reply, "I'd better start packing!"

"Good luck, buddy!"

"Much appreciated!"

And with that, Blue closed the door, and Red hobbled towards his own house, and rang the door bell twice, thinking how his mother would react to his image, when would he see Blue again, and of course, what would he encounter when he reached Smash College.

Notes: Good, bad, mediocre? Leave some reviews, readers, and I'll see you all in the next chapter! :D