Disclaimer: I do not own nor am I affiliated with Pokémon or any of its parent companies. I am merely a humble storyteller. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy this journey with me.

Note: I am English, so some of the wording, spellings, and expressions will be those commonly used in England.

Chapter Twenty-Three: A Reunion and a Tough Battle!

Evan hung his head in shame. "I want to apologise again," he said. "But this call came out of nowhere. I wouldn't go if it wasn't important."

"It's fine," Leaf reassured him. "We're all on our own journeys after all. This stuff is always bound to happen."

"Yeah, it's totally cool," Red concurred. "Besides, you've helped us a whole bunch already. We can't thank you enough."

Evan's eyes left the ground and found his two pseudo-students. "You two are amazing, and I am glad to have known you. But," he thumped his chest, "I promise to work hard on perfecting the rest of those Pikachu and Eevee techniques and bequeathing them to you. We will find each other and your Pikachu and Eevee will have a full arsenal of unique moves."

"That sounds amazing," Red and Leaf said together.

Thus, the trio became a duo as the Move Tutor went on his way to the Sevii Islands, and Red and Leaf trekked towards Nugget Bridge, a major section of Route Twenty-Four, eager to arrive at Cerulean Cape. Because it was not just for romantic trysts, right? Right?

"Evan's a cool guy," Red said, adjusting his cap so the sun would not shine in his eyes.

"Yeah," Leaf said. "Honestly, after the Mt. Moon fiasco I was a little wary. And when I say a little, I mean a lot. I mean, you never know, Team Rocket could have members travelling around incognito."

"Incognito?" Red said questioningly.

"It means in disguise."

"In disguise." Red shuddered. "That's a creepy thought. Thanks for that, Leaf, I'm going to be looking over my shoulder all the time now."

"You're welcome."

Red punched Leaf playfully in the shoulder; Leaf paid back in kind. Pikachu scurried further ahead, away from Eevee who still seemed to be wanting to have a conversation with him.

"Pikachu," Red said, shaking his head.

"Pikachu's a character, isn't he?" Leaf said.

"He is." Red's gaze wandered from Pikachu to Eevee. Eevee. One of Leaf's partners who would help her on her journey. Her journey… "Hey, Leaf, so what are you up to after Cerulean Cape? Just catching Pokémon and searching for the ancient and Legendary ones? Wait, you mentioned something about Cinnabar Island, didn't you?"

"I did," Leaf said. She showed her pearly whites off to Red. "I suppose I can tell you now. Did you happen to go to the Pewter Science Museum?"

"Nope."

"Figures," Leaf sighed. "Well, I did. And I met the Gym Leader Brock and a scientist named Tomo."

"Brock's awesome, isn't he?" Red said with a smile.

"He is," Leaf said. "I actually battled him and got a Boulder Badge."

Red's eyes almost popped out of his head. "You did? But I thought you weren't into battling? You know, the fun kind of battling?"

"I'm not. But it was a one-on-one and he insisted I have it. Anyway, stop distracting me. This scientist called Tomo gave me a job to do on Cinnabar." Leaf cleared her throat because this was obviously a declaration of stupendous importance. "I am to deliver a Fossil to the lab there and hopefully it'll be resurrected as a Pokémon."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" Red shrieked, startling Pikachu and Eevee; the former scowled at him. "Fossils can become Pokémon? Real life Pokémon? Since when?"

"It's a recent thing," Leaf explained. She smiled like a Meowth that got the cream. "And I've been entrusted to get this Old Amber – that's the Fossil's name – to Cinnabar." She squealed. "It's so awesome!"

Red could not help but smile at her enthusiasm, but his thoughts took him to the hunk of rock he had been carrying in his rucksack, a hunk of rock he had not even thought of since he acquired it. Could he himself go to Cinnabar and have it brought back too? There was a Gym on Cinnabar after all, so it was not out of his way. Maybe…

"Earth to Red."

Red was pulled out of his stupor. "Sorry, Leaf, just thinking."

"Well, there's a first time for everything."

"Hey!"

Leaf took his hand. "Come on, Nugget Bridge shouldn't be too far."

o~o~o~o~o

After a shorter time than expected, the duo and their Pokémon came to a bridge, which obviously had to be Nugget Bridge because if it wasn't then what the heck bridge was it?

Nugget Bridge was a long bridge that stretched as far as the eye could see and was completely flat. Its width was around seven metres and it was coloured entirely in gold. Its material was impossible to discern by either sight or touch; wood, stone, metal, it was impossible to say.

"Wow," Red and Leaf gushed together. The latter pulled out her map and the duo stared at it in deep concentration, the former frowning as he struggled to fully understand the contours and grid numbers and other map-sounding jargon.

"It's a bit of a trek," Leaf said. "As I said, Nugget Bridge is pretty much Route Twenty-Four. Cerulean Cape is over here," she jabbed her finger at a spot on the map, "at the end of Route Twenty-Five." She folded up her map and stowed it away. "We'd better head off now if we want to make good time and –"

"Yo! You two still struggling along back here?"

Red stiffened.

Leaf stiffened.

Eevee stiffened.

Pikachu stared nonchalantly at the source of the shout.

And the source of the shout was none other than Mr. Blue Oak.

Their spikey-headed former friend swaggered up to them down Nugget Bridge. He saluted them in a mocking fashion.

"Hello, Blue," Leaf said rigidly.

Red stayed silent, unsure of what to really say.

Blue grinned. "How are you guys doing? Because I'm doing great. I caught a bunch of strong and smart Pokémon. They've been helping me win lots of battles."

"I'm sure they have," Leaf replied.

Blue turned to Red. "What? You're not going to say anything? Here, let me see what you've caught, Reddy."

Red's cheeks burned crimson. "Don't call me, Reddy."

Blue tapped his chin, as though giving serious consideration to Red's demand. "Uh, no." He chuckled and pulled out a Poké Ball. "Here, how about we at least show off our Starters? Give them a bit of a reunion?" His green eyes hovered over Pikachu and Eevee and widened, as though noticing them for the first time. "You've got a Pikachu and an Eevee? Wait, whose is who?"

"Eevee is mine and Pikachu belongs to Red," Leaf stated.

Blue let out a low whistle. "I'll give you guys credit for catching those two – even I haven't got them yet." He shrugged. "But what does that matter? I'll get them eventually, so you can feel a bit of pride for having them ahead of me. Call it a pity win."

Red and Leaf scowled at him.

"Anyway, I hope you remember this guy."

Blue opened his Poké Ball and, in a flash of light, out came a turtle Pokémon that looked oddly like his Squirtle. Like Squirtle, it was bipedal and had a brown shell and yellow underside, but unlike Squirtle it had darker blue skin, a lighter blue but fluffier tail, equally fluffy ears the same colour as said tail, and two fangs protruding from its mouth.

"Squirtle evolved!" Red exclaimed, taking out his Pokédex. Leaf did the same:

Wartortle, a Water-type Pokémon and the evolved form of Squirtle. Often hides in water to stalk unwary prey. For swimming fast, it moves its ears to maintain balance.

"Yep, Squirtle was just winning battle after battle, so it only makes sense that it would evolve," Blue said smugly. "Isn't that right, Wartortle?"

The only one who could be smugger than Blue at that moment was his Wartortle. It puffed out its chest, as much as a turtle-like creature could.

"Well?" Blue demanded. "Where are yours?"

Leaf scoffed. "Fine." A second later, Bulbasaur was blinking back the sunlight. He then noticed Wartortle, his eyes widened momentarily in surprise, before he nodded cordially at it, who returned the gesture.

It was Blue's turn to scoff. "Still in its base form. Meh, I'm not surprised. That's what happens when you have no real interest in battling."

Leaf muttered some unsavoury words under her breath.

"What about you, Reddy?" Blue said, rounding on him. "Not going to join in?"

Red very well did not want to join in. Blue was going to show him up, that was as clear as day. He could not show Charmander to him. He did not want himself nor Charmander to be subjected to Blue's ridicule. Admittedly, it was not world-ending, but to be looked down upon by Blue was sickening. They were former friends, the same age, from the same town. Why should he believe himself to be superior? It did not make sense.

But did it matter? So what if Charmander had not evolved yet? It could evolve eventually, couldn't it? And it had done so much already on their journey. It had taken down a Gym Leader's Onix for pity's sake! With a severe type disadvantage nonetheless!

No, it would not matter what Blue said. He would take it on the chin.

Blue snorted when he saw Charmander.

"Still a Charmander," he said, his visage writhe with derision and humour. "Well, I'm not surprised, Reddy. You technically didn't even choose it. You probably didn't even want it. And here I thought you were a battler too. At least Leaf has an excuse because she doesn't like battling. What's yours? Is it because you're not as capable as me?"

Charmander hung his head, his blue eyes watery. Bulbasaur trotted over to him and wrapped a vine around him in a Grass Pokémon hug. Wartortle awkwardly scratched its ears and looked the other way.

"Hey, you're going too far!" Leaf roared. She marched up to Blue and jabbed him in the chest. "People move at different paces, Blue! People experience different things on their journeys! You can't judge how far someone else has gone based on how far you've gone, especially when the journey's not even close to being over!"

Blue held up his hands. "Okay, okay, maybe I went a bit too far. But it's just a bit of banter. We're rivals after all. It's all part of the game."

He patted Leaf on the head and nudged past her. "I'd still say I'm way ahead of you," he said to Red. "But how about we check how far with a battle? Come on – our eyes have met."

Red swallowed. Yes, he could battle Blue. They have never had a battle before, so it could be a bit of fun and vindication. Besides, it was not like there was anything truly as stake. Like Mint said, if he lost, he could still get back up and try again.

"Okay, Blue," Red said. "I'll battle you."

"Sweet," Blue said. "Does a three-on-three battle sound okay?"

Red nodded.

Blue turned back to Leaf. "Would you ref the match?"

Leaf agreed and the two boys took their places for their battle.

"Are you ready?" Leaf asked.

"Yes," Red and Blue said together.

"Good. Now, choose your Pokémon."

Choose their Pokémon. Well, there was only one Pokémon Red was going to start off with.

"Charmander, I choose you," he said.

Charmander tottered forward, his tail low, his head still hanging.

"Charmander, eh?" Blue said. "In that case, I'll use this guy."

From out of the Poké Ball Blue tossed materialised a shaggy, brown rat creature with a long, whip-like tail, two overlarge incisors, raggedly ears, a cream-coloured front, six whiskers, and webbed, three-toed feet. Oh, and obviously it had front paws, which also had three digits. Cue the Pokédex:

Raticate, a Normal-type Pokémon and the evolved form of Rattata. It uses its whiskers to maintain its balance. It apparently slows down if they are cut off.

Raticate shrieked at Charmander, who flinched.

"It's okay, Charmander," Red said. "You can do this. Forget what Blue said."

Charmander gave no indication that he heard him.

"Are you two ready?" Leaf asked, casting an anxious eye over Charmander.

A quick nod was all the answer she needed. "Okay, begin!"

"Charmander, Ember!" Red commanded.

Fiery sparks spewed from Charmander's wide mouth towards Raticate.

"Quick Attack," Blue said calmly.

Raticate evaded the Ember and zipped at Charmander, its bulk and speed sending him sprawling.

"Charmander! Are you okay!" Red screamed.

Charmander struggled back to his feet, barely able to take his head off his chest. Had he taken too much damage from that one hit? No, it could not be. Charmander had taken a heck of a lot more from Onix and Koffing.

Red gritted his teeth and ordered a Metal Claw. Darn that Blue.

Charmander's claws took on that metallic sheen that proved devastating in their battle against Brock and ran forward. But he was slow. Blue and Raticate saw it coming a mile away.

"Hyper Fang," Blue said, his voice laced with boredom.

Raticate's overlarge fangs seemed to extend another few inches. It caught Charmander's claw in its mouth and bit down.

Charmander shrieked and squealed, pushing its other hand against Raticate's furry body and trying to pull itself free. Raticate only bit down harder.

Red desperately screamed Charmander's name.

Blue rolled his eyes. "Is this the best Charmander's got? No, scratch that, is this the best you've got? This can't be it."

Charmander's screams grew more desperate.

"Use Metal Claw with your other hand!" Red ordered. "Hurry!"

Obeying his Trainer, Charmander raked Raticate across the face with his metallic claws. Raticate released Charmander's arm, which hung limply by his side, and fell back. But it recovered quickly, its eyes fierce, as though demanding to know why such a weak Pokémon would dare cause it damage.

Charmander tottered over to Red, his face contorted in agony.

"Charmander, how are you holding up?" Red asked, taking his Pokémon's arm and gently pressing the wound; Charmander hissed and winced but did not look his Trainer in the eyes. "This is because of what Blue said, isn't it? You're not fighting to your fullest because of what he said."

Charmander's silence acted as the perfect confirmation.

"Just ignore him," Red said. "He's just winding us up." He patted Charmander's head. "Do you want to continue, or should we leave it to Pikachu and Beedrill?"

Charmander shook his head, but he still did not look Red in the face. He wobbled back and stared down his foe, who whipped its tail on the ground, ready and raring to go again.

"About time," Blue said. "Seriously, Reddy, this is nowhere near the battle I thought it was going to be."

"Red, is Charmander all right to continue?" Leaf asked.

"Charmander's fine," Red said, the smile on his face closer to a grimace. "He's just getting his second wind."

Leaf did not seem convinced. "Fine. The battle will recommence."

Blue started the offensive this time and Raticate rocketed forward, its scary fangs eager for another taste of the Fire-type Pokémon.

But Red was ready. It was Metal Claw time again.

With a clang of two swords clashing against each other, the two attacks connected, knocking each Pokémon back. Charmander recovered quicker, ready to perform Flame Charge.

A Charmander engulfed in flames charged into Raticate, scorching a little of its fur.

"Hyper Fang again," Blue said, flexing his fingers.

Hyper Fang missed. But Charmander's Metal Claw missed after that. Then Hyper Fang barely scraped Charmander's belly, after which Ember singed Raticate's whiskers.

"You're doing better, Reddy," Blue said. "But it's time I put an end to this round."

"What? No, you won't. Charmander, Ember."

"Sucker Punch."

Raticate crouched and glared at Charmander as the fire lizard took a deep breath, ready to rain flaming bullets upon it. But just when he was about to, Raticate raced forward, even faster than it did with Quick Attack, and shoulder-charged it. Charmander's head jerked back and it collapsed by Red's feet.

"Charmander is unable to battle. Raticate is the winner," Leaf declared.

"What… what kind of move was that?" Red asked, picking up Charmander.

Blue shrugged, grinning knowledgably.

"It's a move that let's you hit the opponent first if they're going to use a damaging move," Leaf explained. She frowned at Blue. "You couldn't have said that?"

He shrugged again and instead said to Red, "You ready to continue?"

Red's gaze never left Charmander. Blue's words did more of a number on him than Raticate's assault did. Well, at least he learned something new: a Pokémon's strength was not just physical. He needed to have a long conversation with Charmander.

"You did so well," he whispered and returned him to his Poké Ball. He turned to Pikachu. "You're up, buddy."

Pikachu nodded curtly and dashed forth. His cheeks crackled with electricity.

"Finally, someone with a little spunk," Blue said. "Try not to bore me this time."

Round two began with a Sucker Punch from Raticate and a Tail Whip from Pikachu.

Pikachu wagged his tail cutely at Raticate, who stayed put, no openings for its Sucker Punch to take advantage of.

"Hyper Fang!"

"Thunder Shock!"

Raticate bared its teeth once more, but an electric jolt from Pikachu stopped it in its tracks.

Blue clicked his tongue and ordered another Sucker Punch.

"Tail Whip!" Red cried again.

Okay, that made sense. Red could always think on his feet. Blue smiled despite himself. But this battle was still far from over, and he ordered another Quick Attack.

Before Red had a chance to counter, Raticate rushed into Pikachu, sending the electric mouse skidding across the ground. However, Pikachu got back up, a little worse for wear, but no major harm done.

To Zippy Zap, or not to Zippy Zap? Maybe later. For now, it was time for…

"Rock Smash!" Red yelled.

Pikachu leapt into the air, so high he might have been flying, or about to fall with style, most likely the latter. He performed a cartwheel mid-air before heading back to earth, his tail having an urgent meeting with Raticate's head.

Raticate was done.

Well, Raticate did not think so.

It caught Pikachu's tail between its teeth.

"Yes!" Blue cheered, pumping his fist upwards. "Okay, use Hyper –"

"Thunder Shock!" Red said, urgently.

Both Pikachu and Raticate glowed yellow, and when the glow stopped, Raticate was the only one smoking. Blue still had his fist held above his head.

Leaf made the call. "Raticate is unable to battle. Pikachu wins."

"Aw," Blue moaned, returning Raticate. "Quick thinking, Reddy. I'll give ya that."

Red held out his hand for a high-five from Pikachu. Pikachu high-fived himself instead.

"Let's see how you take on this guy now," Blue said, holding a Poké Ball that was blue and decorated with red stripes, which Red now recognised as a Great Ball, a superior Poké Ball. The Great Ball burst open.

Red visibly shuddered as he took in the Pokémon. Even without the Pokédex, he knew what it was. It was a popular Pokémon to use in battles, a hardy creature. How on earth had Blue gotten one?

Pinsir, a Bug-type Pokémon. If it fails to crush the victim in its pincers, it will swing it around and toss it hard.

Oh, what a fearsome creature this Pinsir appeared to be! It stood at approximately the same height as the children, its segmented body a dirty brown. Its mouth was one of nightmares, a horizontal opening in its body filled with long teeth, and the claws on its hands and feet did nothing to lessen its fearsomeness. But that was not all; on top of its head were two large, spiky, grey pincers. Pinsir clicked them together.

Blue taunted Red a bit, but they washed off Red, and soon the next round commenced.

"Thunder Shock!" Red said.

Pikachu struck Pinsir with its attack, but the Bug-type charged through it, determined to fulfil its Trainer's order for a Vice (Vise) Grip. Pinsir's pincers clamped Pikachu and held him fast.

"Pikachu, get out of there!" Red shouted.

Pikachu could not comply and the pressure of Pinsir's hold persisted.

"Thunder Shock!" Red yelled. "Just use Thunder Shock!"

Pikachu zapped Pinsir. He zapped it again. And then a third time after that. Finally, Pinsir released Pikachu, who flopped on the ground, body aching, fur scuffed. But he got back to his feet, held up by his wobbly legs.

That Pinsir was a monster. How could it take three successive point-blank Thunder Shocks? They had to have done something, damaging it in some way. It would be stupid if they did not. Yes, maybe a few more solid hits would take it out.

"Pinsir, Bug Bite," Blue called out.

Pinsir advanced on Pikachu, hissing and snarling.

Now was the time. "Pikachu, Zippy Zap!"

Streaks of lightning surrounded Pikachu's body and he sped forward, colliding heavily with Pinsir, who shrieked as the powerful attack left it reeling.

But Pikachu did not escape unscathed; Pinsir's teeth scraped his sides and along his leg. He struggled back up once more, this time with a limp.

"Good work, Pikachu," Red said, his desperate attempts to stop the anxiety he felt from entering his voice coming to nothing. "You're doing so well."

But if Red was feeling anxious, then Blue was feeling the opposite. "Whoa, Reddy, you got a critical hit. What luck, eh?" He smirked. "But that's all the luck you're going to get. Pinsir, Vice Grip."

"No, you don't," Red said. "Pikachu dodge and counter with Rock Smash!"

Leaf barely stopped herself from screaming 'That won't be effective, Red!', but as a ref she watched on as impartially as she could, keeping her lips zipped.

Vice Grip missed, and Pikachu swung his tail, aiming for the sweet spot between the pincers. Yes, a solid strike to the cranium.

Unfortunately, Pinsir did not fancy having a headache.

It caught Pikachu's tail in its claws, a firm grip that Pikachu could not escape from. He hung from Pinsir's hands like a ragdoll, powerless. Although, if he could use…

Yes, Thunder Shock. All he had to do was electrocute Pinsir again and –

"Seismic Toss," Blue said.

Oh no.

Pinsir jumped in the air and swung Pikachu over its head. With a great deal of force, it hurled Pikachu into the ground, so hard he hit it and bounced many metres away. Pikachu did not get back up.

"Pi-Pikachu is unable to battle. Pinsir wins," Leaf said, a tad stunned. Bulbasaur and Eevee appeared equally so, shaking their heads agitatedly.

Red ran over and cradled Pikachu. "Pikachu, are you okay?"

Pikachu stirred and squeaked something before heading back down the path of temporary oblivion.

"You were awesome," Red whispered. "Totally awesome. I'll hand you over to Leaf. You can just relax now."

When that was done, Red took out his last Poké Ball. A bug-on-bug battle. This would be fun. Thus, the two dangerous, formidable Bug-type Pokémon stood across from each other, the sounds of buzzing and clicking filling the area.

"A Beedrill, huh?" Blue said. "Wow, you actually got a fully-evolved Pokémon. I mean, I would be impressed, but it's only a Beedrill."

Beedrill angrily buzzed something at Blue. Its meaning was not lost on him.

"Feisty insect, isn't it?" Blue said. "But mine's feistier."

And it was. Despite having taken some serious, direct hits from Pikachu, Pinsir still proved itself a real warrior. Its pincers clashed against Beedrill's stingers, a duel with dual swords, neither one giving an inch, the impressive insects both determined to come out on top.

Blue yelled out for a Seismic Toss. Oh, he was sweating. He was sweating a lot. Who would ever imagine that Red would push him so hard? It was a challenge. But a challenge he would overcome.

Pinsir held fast to Beedrill's skinny arm and chucked her into the ground as it did Pikachu.

However, unlike Pikachu, Beedrill had wings. She spread them out and mitigated the impact, although the damage was still clearly substantial.

"Awesome, Beedrill," Red said. "Now, aim your String Shot at its pincers."

"Get out the way, Pinsir," Blue said.

But Pinsir was not fast enough. Streams of sticky thread splattered on its pincers, freezing them into place, as immobile as a Snorlax blocking a path.

"That's child's play," Blue said. "And I'm not talking about the movie. Pinsir, break out of it. Full power!"

Pinsir strained and struggled, clawing at the string, forcing its pincers to move, which they did, marginally.

Red was not having any of that. "Use a full-powered String Shot! Turn it into a gross, sticky statue!"

Beedrill doused Pinsir in reams and reams of string, its limbs and pincers no longer usable, only its face remaining uncovered. There was no better time to take it out.

Beedrill obliged with Red's command of a Twineedle, jabbing Pinsir twice. And the second strike came with an added bonus: Poison, as evidenced by the dark shadows under Pinsir's eyes. Pinsir was as good as fainted.

"What are you going to do now?" Red asked Blue, grinning. "Not so tough now, are you?"

Blue grinned back. "I'll show ya what I'm going to do." He held out his Pinsir's Poké Ball. "Pinsir, come back."

Red's jaw hit the ground. Oh yeah, they never said substitutions could not be made. That was an oversight if there ever was one.

Blue turned to Wartortle. "You ready to end this? Red's getting a bit cocky. Let's put him in his place, okay?"

Wartortle nodded and stepped forward, its fluffy ears twitching, its even fluffier tail bouncing. It looked up at the giant bug with no fear and perhaps a bit of condescension.

This was trouble. Of course, it was. Red and Blue had obtained their Starters at the same time, but the latter's had already evolved, evidence of its extensive battle experience. But Beedrill had plenty of experience too. She had to, didn't she. She was fully evolved after all.

o~o~o~o~o

"Pay up, Reddy," Blue said, his gloating so painful Red found himself wishing for another Wing Attack onslaught instead. That felt like a relaxing massage compared to this. Reluctantly, he paid Blue his winnings and cursed himself and his luck. How was he meant to remember that Bubble Beam lowered the opponent's speed? Since when did Rapid Spin raise the user's speed? Why did Bite flinch Beedrill so many times in a row? Yes, that was why Beedrill succumbed to Wartortle, simply bad luck and a lack of knowledge. That was it. Just that. It was not the fact that Blue had indeed trained his Wartortle quite well that he might have still achieved victory even if Red was more enlightened on certain Pokémon techniques. That was it, wasn't it?

"That was a decent battle, I guess," Blue said, shrugging. "Nothing to write home about though. I hoped you would've pushed me a lot harder."

Red clenched a trembling fist but remained silent.

"I think Red still did very well," Leaf said. "He took down Raticate and damaged the other two."

"I wouldn't say that Wartortle took much damage," Blue retorted.

Leaf scowled at him; Blue shrugged again and flashed them a grin.

"Well, I'd better be headed off. Pokémon to capture, battles to win, the world to see, the whole shebang." Blue's eyes widened and he snapped his fingers as though remembering something. "Hey, have you guys heard of Bill?"

Red barely regarded the question, thus Leaf took it upon herself to answer. "Yes. He invented the Pokémon Storage System."

"Right. Well, I went to visit Bill and got him to show me his rare Pokémon, and it added a lot of pages to my Pokédex. After all, Bill's a world famous PokéManiac. I actually stayed at his cottage for a few days to learn a little from him." Blue's green eyes danced. "Totally worth my while to go to Cerulean Cape."

Leaf could not help it. She gasped. "Really? He lives at Cerulean Cape? He's that nearby?"

"Yep," Blue said. "It might do you and Red wonders by going over to see him. You can thank him since you're using his system. And maybe you both can learn enough and end up half as good as me. I especially feel sorry for you, Reddy. No, really. You're always plodding behind me, aren't you?"

Red glared at Blue.

"All right, I'm gone," Blue said. He turned on his heels and marched away, calling over his shoulder, "Smell ya!"

And with that Red and Leaf were left alone by their former friend. Red kicked a stone and it hurtled into the river, settling into its new home at the bottom. What now? He lost, yes, but he was not going to return to that pitiful state he found himself in back in Pewter. He was not going to insult Mint by ignoring her kind words and the time she spent with him training. But he had to come back from this. That was only natural, wasn't it? When one loses, doesn't it make sense to work on the shortcomings that caused it so it would not happen the next time? Yes, it was easier said than done, but that was what happens in all aspects of life, so we can all be better. But for Red that meant…

"Leaf, I'm sorry. I'm not going to Cerulean Cape."

Red's eyes would not leave the spot where the stone disappeared. He continued: "I know Blue said meeting Bill could help me, but it will delay my journey even more. I don't care about the Pokédex as much as you, and I'm sure I can meet Bill later. I really need to work with my team and make us all stronger. We need to earn all the Badges. I can't let Blue or anyone else get so far ahead of me. Again, I'm sorry, Leaf."

Red did not know what to expect: Leaf shouting at him, demanding to know why he was putting his foolish pride ahead of common sense; Leaf trying to persuade him to reconsider, that visiting Bill would help him more than he could ever imagine; Leaf looking at him in disappointment, a sad shake of the head to compliment her disenchanted eyes.

It was none of that.

Leaf wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him from behind. "I understand," she said.

She let go and Red swivelled around, shocked. "You're… you're not disappointed?"

"A little bit," she admitted. "But we're on separate journeys, aren't we? You just have to do what you feel is right. If staying in Cerulean to train and fight the Gym is what you want, then go ahead. I'll support you all the way. And we'll meet up again." She shuddered. "Hopefully, it won't involve Team Rocket next time."

"Leaf," Red whispered, the corners of his eyes prickling. He smiled at her before pulling her into a hug of his own.

And it was when he ended the hug he was hit by inspiration. In the blink of an eye, he pulled out the Fossil he had acquired from Mt. Moon. "Here," he said, holding it out to her.

She stared at it blankly for several seconds before recognition dawned on her face. "Red… you have a Fossil?"

"I was meant to tell you about it, but I completely forgot," Red explained. "I remembered just before we ran into Blue. And I want you to have it."

Leaf backed away. "I can't. You found it. It's yours. Besides, you can get it restored at Cinnabar and maybe you could use it on your journey."

"I could," Red said. "It would be cool to use a Fossil Pokémon. But it would be even cooler if someone who knows all about this stuff had it. Trust me, Leaf, it'll be better with you. Anyway, I probably won't get to Cinnabar for a very long time."

"Red. I –"

"Just take it," Red said, stepping forward and placing the ancient spirally stone in her hand.

And that was that. Red relinquished his ownership of his Fossil. But what did that matter? It was now in much better hands than his. And there was still a lot more interesting things in the world of Pokémon to find.