Devastated, that was the emotion that accompanied Red as he left the rocky building known as the Pokemon Gym. The brim of his cap was covering his eyes as he roam the streets of Pewter City, his loss against Brock fresh in his mind as he thought about how the battle transpired. After Shnx's defeat to Geodude, his Kakuna could not fair much in the match due to the Rock type's speed which managed to get it a quick victory although it had a few difficulties due to Red's quick thinking. As he was defeated, the raven haired teen slumped before he recalled his Pokemon, looking at the ground, frustrated with the events that just happened before he heard a slow clap.

"That was a fantastic battle! Your skills are impressive, Red. But you lack self-esteem and conviction. The moment you lost your willpower, you lost the battle, Red." The gym leader commented, walking over to the scarlet eyed teen and putting a hand on his shoulder, causing the teen to look at him as he continued. "Have confidence in yourself and your Pokemon and their abilities and they will take you far, even at times that things are not going to your favor."

As the words left the man's mouth, Leaf descended from the stands, putting her arm around Red before hugging him, which he was barely able to hug back as he looked at his Pokeballs on his belt before he heard the gym leader speak again.

"Just trust your Pokemon and train them and you will not have to worry about them." Brock said with a smile on his face. Despite his broken state, Red nodded which caused the gym leader to smile.

"I'll be here if you want to challenge me again. I'll be looking forward to it." He said before going to the back of his gym, leaving both of the teens in the silent room. As Leaf turned her head to Red, the memory subsided as he got back to reality, quickly dodging a random passerby on the street as they both continued to the Pokemon Center.

Worried, Leaf looked around, trying to find something that can be used as some sort of distraction. Her eyes landed on a huge building that has a stone symbol on its banner, causing a smile to appear on her face.

'The Pewter Museum, perfect.' She talked in her thoughts as she followed Red to the Pokemon Center. After healing his Pokemon, the teen look at his Pokeballs with a melancholic expression as he sighed sadly. Having enough of his sad mood, Leaf grabbed the teen's arm as she dragged him out of the red building, much to the confusion of her red capped companion as he looked at her with a surprised expression on his face.

"We're gonna go to the museum, Red! I wanna go and see the fossils that they have!" She said as she briskly walked towards the grey building with a wide smile on her face as she continued. "And you're coming with. And no grunts of disagreement."

As they entered the museum, both teens look with marvel and surprise in their eyes as they observed the entrance, seeing various discoveries and sculptures as they journeyed to the receptionist.

"Welcome to the Pewter City museum. How may I help you two today?" She said before she noticed Leaf's arms locked with Red's, causing her to grin mischievously and looked slyly at the duo before she composed herself. She then covered her mouth as she eyed the teens.

"Can we get tickets for two please?" Leaf asked.

"No problem. That will be $100." The lady said, hiding the grin on her face as the brunette took some money out of her pocket only to be stopped by Red who quickly went into his pocket and gave the receptionist the amount. Noticing this, Leaf pouted as she glared at the red capped teen, who looked at her in confusion, as they pass the receptionist who was giggling uncontrollably as soon as their backs were turned and too far to hear her. 'They're so cute together. To be young and in love.'

"C'mon, Red! I wanted to pay for that." The brunette said, receiving a shrug from the raven haired teen. They walked around the museum, seeing different discoveries like various scales, gems and some bones. After a few uninteresting exhibits, the two teens came across a fossil with a shell on it which immediately caught their attention as they marveled at the relic before one of the employees standing beside it explained to them. "Like it? This is a Helix fossil. It contains the DNA cells of Omanyte. It is a prehistoric Pokemon that is known for its sturdy shell and its strange way of swimming by adeptly twisting its 10 tentacles."

Leaf was in awe while Red diverted his attention to another fossil across from it, making his way towards it. He then noticed the employee standing next to it, catching the person's attention by waving at them and then pointing at the display.

"That is a Dome fossil. It has Kabuto cell in it. Kabuto is Water and Rock type Pokemon that is known for using the eyes on its back to avoid predators and hiding on the seafloor." She explained to the teen, receiving a nod from Red as he observed the fossil.

"You seem like you've seen this before. This isn't your first time, isn't it?" She asked with a smile, receiving another nod from the scarlet eyed teen as he tipped his hat to her. He then heard Leaf calling for him as she briskly came to his direction before looking at the fossil on display.

"Oh! What's this?" She said while gawking at the exhibit, allowing the employee to explain again. After a half an hour of checking the various types of fossils, rocks and gems, the two teens took a break, ordering and sitting in the cafeteria section as they're enjoying their food.

"Man, this tour was great so far! Don't you agree, Red?" Leaf asked as she took a bite of her food to get a quick nod from Red which made her smile. The red capped teen noticed this, giving her a confused look which caused her to giggle.

"I'm glad that you're doing better. You look broken after that battle." She stated, looking at her food. Hearing that, Red had a melancholic look on his face as he eyed the Pokeballs on his waist. He then grabbed one of them and pointed it to the ground, releasing Shinx who just slumped on the ground. Instantly realizing its mood, Red left his lunch and went into his bag to take out a bottle of juice and a bowl and poured the beverage into the bowl, giving it to the Pokemon. The Electric type eyed him with an expression of confusion before Red started to pet its fur, causing the Pokemon to purr as it felt better and started drinking the juice.

"Don't worry, Shinx. Next time, we'll show him who is boss." The teen stated quietly but confidently, Shinx nodded in agreement before continuing to drink the berry juice. Feeling a bit better and gaining some confidence, the Pokemon started happily nuzzling itself onto Red's cheeks. They both then heard a clicking sound, turning to see Leaf giggling as she held up her Pokegear.

"I got a picture! You two are so cute!" She commented, trying her best not to squeal while looking at the picture. Groaning at the brunette antics, Red returned to his seat and continued eating his food. When they were finished, Leaf noticed a grain of rice stuck on the scarlet eyed teen's face, raising her brow until an idea popped into her head.

'I wonder.'

Grinning mischievously, she started getting close to Red with her eyes half closed and her lips puckered, causing the teen to retreat while looking at her confused as a thought came across his mind. 'What on earth is she doing?'

"Hey, Red. I wanna say something to you." She said in a seductive tone, closing the distance between her and Red's faces to the point that their noses are touching. A pink line started to appear across the raven haired teen's face as he tried to look away only to be stopped by Leaf's hand holding his face in place. He then closed his eyes, accepting his fate as he felt a finger on his chin, slowly opening his eyes to see the brunette eating a rice grain that was stuck on his face.

'Oh! It was just a grain of rice on my face.' He thought, releasing a breath he didn't knew he held which causing Leaf to pout as she fold her arms and furrowed her brows.

"You know, Red. Not every guy gets the chance of having a pretty girl touch noses and take a grain of rice from their face. Why not a thank you?" She stated in frustration, folding her arms and looking away. 'But you decided to do it though' Red mentally rebutted before he put his hand on his chin, contemplating before he groaned and then agreed, opening his mouth and about to speak until he heard a voice from the distance, making Leaf groan in an annoyed matter.

"If it isn't Leafy?" A teen with blondish brown hair and purple eyes slammed his hand on the table that they're sitting on, surprising Shinx and Red as they tried to stop the food bowls from toppling over before they both stood up and watched the boy look at the brunette with a smirk on his face. The teen and his Pokemon could feel the malicious and dark aura from Leaf which caused both of them to step back and sit down, trying their best to act natural and avoid any form of alteration or any attention to themselves.

"Nolan." The brunette said with all the toxic that could be presented in her voice.

"What's a beautiful girl like you doing in a rock museum like this, Leaf?" He stated as he sat on the table, brushing his hair which got some of the girls in the museum apart from Leaf, who had the most bored and uninterested face as she looked at him as she answered his question.

"I'm sightseeing the displays, Nolan. What would anyone be doing in a museum apart from that?"

"Well, I came here to see my girl. Why haven't you called me or anything, Leaf? I thought you said you wanted us to journey together, babe." He said, putting his fingers under Leaf's chin and giving her an alluring grin as he got closer to her face, much to her disgust. Feeling uncomfortable, she retreated her head and smacked away Nolan's hand.

"One: No, I did not. Two: We are not a couple. And three: Don't call me babe, Nolan." She said, pointing her finger at the teen before quickly finishing her food and walking to Red's direction, only to be stopped by Nolan, who grabbed her arm which caused him to rub the spot that she hit.

"C'mon, babe. Don't be like that. What happened to you, Leaf?"

"Nothing happened, Nolan. I'm always me. You should realize that you're a jerk." She went around him only for Nolan to spin around and hug her in his arms.

"Stop playing hard to get, Leaf. It doesn't fit you."

"You know, Nolan. There's this thing called no. You should read up the definition when you have the chance." The brunette said, pulling herself away from Nolan's grip and looking him in the eye.

"Now, if you would excuse me, I was spending some time with my friend over there." She said, pointing at Red who was hoping to be ignored through the ordeal. Leaf went up to him, grabbing his arm before going out of the cafeteria area, as the scarlet eyed teen just immediately realized something. 'Did she just call me her friend?'

He then turned his head to Leaf who winked at him with a smile on her face. He was about to smile along with her until he saw Nolan standing in front of them with his arms folded, causing them to immediately stop and almost stumbling forward.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, bub?" He said to Red who gave him a confused expression as Leaf rolled her eyes. The blonde then grit his teeth as he approached the red capped trainer and grabbed Leaf away from him before knocking off the teen's hat. As he walked up to stare into Red's face, he flinched and backed away as he took a glance at the raven haired teen's crimson eyes which was hidden in his hair.

"Dude, what the hell is with those eyes?! You look like a damn demon!" Nolan yelled, terrified of the raven haired teen which causing everyone within the museum to hear his outburst. Having everyone's attention on him, Red felt uncomfortable as he quickly hid his eyes in his black hair and searched for his cap.

"You must've hypnotize Leaf with those eyes. No way would she go with a freak like you. Have you looked in a mirror?" He continued, looking at Red with a disgusted expression. Leaf watched the raven haired teen worriedly as he endured insults from Nolan.

"Nolan, you need to stop." She protested however it was in vain as the blonde pushed her to the ground and continued his verbal assault. Red simply sighed and ignored him, walking over to help Leaf up from the ground and also picking up his hat off the floor. As he dusted off his cap, Nolan smirked as he took up a soda and walked up to the raven haired teen, much to the worry of Leaf as she tried to stop him. Despite her attempts, she failed as the blond proceeded to chuck the soda onto Red's face, causing his shirt to be soaked before taking a cup of smoothie from a table and then pouring it on the red capped teen.

"You know, strawberry looks good on you." He teased as everyone in the museum laughed at the raven haired teen who simply walked away, wiping the smoothie and soda off his hair and face. Leaf was about to follow Red until she saw him suddenly stop in his tracks.

'This will only continue if I don't step up for myself.' He continued thinking before turning his gaze to Leaf who was looking at him worriedly.

'One way or another.' Finishing his thoughts, Red then laid his eyes on Shinx who looked visibly frustrated as it glared at Nolan, which earned a chuckle from the silent teen.

"Hey Shinx." Red quietly said, getting the Pokemon's attention.

"You must be pretty frustrated after that gym battle and it's not healthy to bottle it up." The raven haired teen paused, releasing a sigh as he looked at the Electric-type with a smirk on his face and continued.

"How about we release some of that frustration, huh? Vent out a little?" As Red finished his statement, Shinx smiled and nodded as it leaped off his arms and positioned itself in front of him, glaring menacingly at Nolan. Understanding what this means, Nolan laughed heartily before he turn his gaze from the Electric type to its trainer.

"Do you really want a battle, you freak?!" The blonde taunted, receiving a nod from Red who put his cap on his head. Realizing the silent teen's request, Leaf's eyes widened before she ran over to him, holding him into a huddle, much to the frustration of Nolan.

"Are you sure about this, Red? Nolan is stronger than you think." She stated receiving a confident nod from the scarlet eyed teenager as he walked off towards his opponent.

They both then go to a battlefield on the outside of the museum, followed by spectators who were cheering loudly for Nolan. As they both got to their respective sides, the referee came and then he announced. "This battle is a 2 on 2 battle between Nolan and the…red capped kid-"

"His name is Red!" Leaf announced, giving the man a vicious glare that made her aquamarine eyes look darker which frightened the man as he cleared his throat before continuing. Nolan looked at the girl with a frown before turning to Red, clenching his fists as a thought came through his mind. 'What did he do to you, Leaf? What kind of mind games did he play on her?'

"And uh, Red. Substitutions are not allowed. Is there any objections?" The referee questioned.

Both teens shook their heads as they made eye contact. Noticing Nolan's cheeky smirk, Leaf clasped her hands as she looked worriedly at Red who has a serious expression on his face. 'I hope you know what you're doing, Red.'

"Good! Now let the battle commence." The referee concluded, raising his hands and then descending them which signaled the start of the battle.

"Hope you're ready to lose, red eyes!" He said, throwing a Pokeball into the air which released a brown Pokemon with a pointy nose with a twig on its head. "Go Nuzleaf!"

"Nuzz!" It cried as it beats its chest. Red thought for a moment before he commanded Shinx to retreat, much to its surprise. As it reluctantly went to the raven haired teen's side, the young trainer took out a Pokeball which released Kakuna onto the field, causing Nolan to laugh hysterically and Leaf to feel more worried.

"You're seriously fighting me with a Kakuna?! This is hilarious. It's either you're just plain stupid or you don't understand Pokemon at all." He resumed, holding his sides as he slowly descended on the floor. Despite the insults and laughter throughout the crowd, Red stood still waiting on his opponent, unfazed by the verbal assault. Leaf noticed this, watching the silent teen's behavior as he waited for Nolan to calm down.

'Red, what are you thinking in that head of yours?' She thought, interrupted as she saw Red looked at her, winking at her before focusing his gaze on his blonde opponent. As Nolan calmed down, he looked at Red with a smirk on his face before motioning him to make the first move.

"Harden." Red calmly commanded as Kakuna stood still, its skin strengthened as it shined in the sunlight. Leaf realized his strategy as she started to cheer him on, much to the frustration of Nolan who gritted his teeth in jealously.

'How dare he?' He thought as he clenched his fists, looking at Red with pure malice in his eyes.

"Nuzleaf, now use Pound!" Nolan ordered darkly, making Nuzleaf charged forward quickly to attack the Bug type. The Grass Pokemon then punched Kakuna, knocking it away from its initial position.

"Harden." Red commanded again, as the Cocoon continued to strengthen it skin as it started to sheen.

"What's wrong? Is Harden the only move you know?" Nolan teased, everyone in the ground laughing with him.

"Now Nuzleaf, use Razor Leaf!" As he made his command, Nuzleaf threw a barrage of sharp leaves at Kakuna, which resulted in the attack being bounced off its hard skin, much to Red's glee.

"The same strategy with Brock, huh? Not really a bad strategy." Leaf said to herself as she observed the battle in front of her.

"It's an excellent strategy if you ask me. Especially for a Pokemon like Kakuna." A voice said behind her, startling her as she turned around to see Brock with his arms crossed. Various people noticed the gym leader as a commotion was made, causing the two battlers to be distracted at the battle as they turned their attention to the Rock type specialist. Noticing the man who beat him, Red started to lose confidence which caused Brock to frown upon noticing it. 'C'mon, Red. Remember, an unshakable will.'

"Your boyfriend is a lot smarter than you think. Honestly, I barely won the fight that we had." He commented as he observed the fight before him, making Leaf look at him astonished with a blush on her face as he gave her a smile. As this was happening, Red took deep breaths to calm his composure before turning back his attention to Nolan, which made a smile go on the gym leader's face as he noticed this.

"Just watch." He then watched the battle as Leaf tried to hold in her blush as she bashfully mumbled in a low tone as she connected her fingers. "…he's… not my boyfriend…"

As the battle continues, Nuzleaf started to pant as its movements became slower and more sluggish, which started to surprise everyone but Leaf and Brock.

"Nuzleaf try another pound." Nolan commanded in frustration as the Pokemon hits Kakuna with another strike before collapsing to the floor, much to everyone's confusion. Wide eyed and in awe, the referee went to Nuzleaf, searching its body.

"N-Nuzleaf is unable to battle! Kakuna wins!" He announced

"Nice one, Red!" Leaf cheered loudly before seeing the reactions of everyone around her. She saw the mixed and surprised expressions of the crowd as they looked at the battlefield.

"What's going on? How did Nuzleaf lose?" Nolan complained as he looked at the unconscious Pokemon with a confused expression.

"What's going on?"

"Did he cheat?"

"Is this staged?"

"I think the kid with the red cap cheated."

"Something's wrong here."

"Yeah! He did. He was smiling the entire battle."

Everyone started to argue amongst themselves about Red's victory causing Leaf to be frustrated until a loud voice resonated through the crowd which caused them to be quiet.

"SILENCE!"

Brock came to the battlefield and looked towards the crowd.

"No cheating has been done in this battle. I can assure you. Red took advantage of Kakuna's Harden and increased its defense. And since Kakuna is capable of moving its pincer, he used that opportunity and skillfully let it attack Nuzleaf when it got close with a Poison Sting, writtling its defenses until the result, as you see here." He explained to the congregation, which calmed down some of the spectators in the crowd. Feeling frustrated, Nolan returned his Nuzleaf before taking out a Great Ball from his belt, gritting his teeth as he glared at Red. As he gripped the ball tighter, he looked at his opponent as a thought crossed his mind. 'I will crush him into dust. He will not win this battle.'

"Go Houndour!" Nolan threw the Pokeball in the air, releasing a black dog with a red snout onto the field who exhaled red embers from its mouth as it glared viciously at Red.

"Nice job, Kakuna." The red capped teen returned his Kakuna before looking at Shinx, who was brimming with anticipation as it quickly came unto the arena, making eye contact with its opponent. As the referee lifted his hands which signaled the start of the next match, Nolan immediately made a command, catching everyone off guard. "Houndour, use Ember!"

Houndour shoot a barrage of fire bullets at Shinx, who nimbly dodged the attack.

"Start charging until Houndour attacks." Red ordered silently, as the Electric-type absorbs the electricity within the air as into its body, creating a veil of lightning around the Pokemon.

"What is he- oh no." Nolan realized the raven haired teen's plans as he had a thought in mind.

"Smog now!" The blond commanded as Houndour exhaled a cloud of smoke that enveloped the field, causing some of the spectators along with Red to cough.

"Tackle." As that one word left his mouth, Shinx started roaring before running with its body still covered in electricity as it sprinted across the field able to slightly see the Fire type through the smoke. The Electric Pokemon immediately tackled Houndour, resulting in a scream to resonate through the air or all to hear. As the black poisonous mist cleared, both Pokemon stood across from each other, not losing eye contact.

'What just happened? That's the second time I saw that attack now.' Red thought, taking out his Pokedex and pointing it at Shinx. The device screen lit up, showing some new information about Shinx but one thing stood out to Red when the device showed a new move called Spark, much to his surprise.

'Was that move Spark just now?' His thoughts continue as he looked at both Pokemon to see that Houndour panting heavily as it struggles to stand. Leaf clasped her hands together before she felt a hand on her shoulder, seeing Brock give her a nod before he opened his mouth. "Like I told you, just watch."

"Howl now!" Nolan commanded as he balled his fists, looking angrily at Red as his thoughts spiraled out of control. 'I can't lose this.' As the battle ensues, the blonde tried his best but was only able to watch as his Houndour could barely keep up with Shinx's agility.

"Leer." Red said, keeping a calm and cool demeanor as he watched Shinx let out a menacing glare at the Houndour, unnerving the Pokemon before a thought came to his mind. 'Hmm… Let's try this new move.'

"Now use the move that you learnt, Spark." Shinx then made a battle cry before charging Houndour, surrounding itself with electricity as it sprint towards the Fire type, knocking it back from its initial position. Seeing this, Nolan started to slowly lose composure as the fight progresses which Brock quickly notice as he made a frown to the blonde. Noticing this, Leaf raised a brow as she looked between the gym leader and the battle before she heard the man's voice. "This is what I'm speaking of, Leaf. Gym battles are much more than getting stronger and type advantages, it comes with skill. My gym allows the trainers to have an unbreakable will, even in times of trouble and loss. Have defense in your mental fortitude as well as your faith in your Pokemon."

As the man said this, Leaf then realized what he was saying to Red, which caused the man to smile.

"Red did not lose the battle because he was weaker, he lost the battle because he lost confidence in his Pokemon. When you have a will and determination that's unshakable, you start to become calm and notice things, your opponent's strengths, weaknesses, patterns and more. The more you notice is the more you catch on and be able to utilize that against them to the point that even a strong opponent, despite of type advantage, can be beaten." As Brock finished his speech, the brunette looked in awe before she turned back to the battle between Nolan and Red, the raven haired teen having a calm expression with the blonde having the complete opposite.

'I can't be losing like this. It's impossible.' The blonde thought as he made another command, just for Shinx swiftly dodged the Ember and countered with a Tackle, making his anger and frustration increase as he tugged on his hair.

'This battle should be done with me as the victor and Leaf in my arms.' Another thought came as he heard Leaf cheering from the crowd for Red, who had a calm composure on his face throughout the whole battle.

'I should be the prodigy, the undefeated hero. How am I getting beaten by some peasant? A common person with unusually demonic eyes.' His thoughts were interrupted as his Houndour hit the floor, knocked unconscious which caused his thoughts to come to a stop.

"Houndour is unable to continue battling! The winner is Shinx. Thus, the victory goes to Red!" The referee announced loudly. Hearing this, Nolan stood still before falling to his knees with a dejected expression on his face. He watched as some of the spectators from the crowd cheered for the silent teen who put his cap over his face to hide his blush before he went over to Shinx and picked it up. Red then made his way towards Nolan before extending his hand towards the blonde who looked at it.

'W-What do you want? You won the battle, you damn bastard. Want to humiliate me more?' His thoughts started to escalate until he got up, glaring at the red capped trainer who beat him with eyes of pure hatred.

'There's no way I lost to this guy. No way!' He thought as he ascended his hand and then went to punch Red in the face. When his fist was about to connect to the red capped trainer, it was stopped by Brock who looked at him with a face etched with disappointment.

"Your name is Nolan, right? Understand that it's alright to lose. You can't win every battle but you can't want to hurt your opponents over something so little. Just train next time so you can beat him." The gym leader lectured the blonde who pulled his arm and started to walk away. As he made his way to the exit of Pewter City Museum, he looked back and saw Red petting his Shinx before he was tackled into a hug by Leaf, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground with the brunette latching onto him. Seeing this, he clenches his fists as he went through the door before he bumped into Brock once again, who was looking at him with a frown. Angered more by the presence of the gym leader and him before the man mentioned something that stopped the trainer. "Do you now realize what I saying to you during our gym battle, Nolan?"

Hearing this, Nolan's eye twitched before he continued out of the building, mumbling incoherent words that fade in the distance. Brock looked at the teen as he departed until he turned his gaze to Leaf nuzzling Red chest.

"I can't believe you won! You beat Nolan! Even Brock couldn't beat him!" She exclaimed, causing the silent teen red's eyes to widen as he turned to the gym leader who nodded. Seeing the smile on Brock's face, Red started to understand what the Rock specialist was saying as the statement went through his mind once more.

"The moment you lost your confidence, you lost the battle. Just have more faith in yourself, Red."

As the day ended, Red and Leaf made their way to the Pokemon Center with Shinx resting comfortably in his arms, the brunette stealing glances at her capped companion.

"Sooo how was the tour in the Museum?" Leaf asked nervously as she clasped her hands behind her back and started fidgeting. As she asked her question, Red then took her hand and shook it eagerly as a sign of thanks, making the brunette blush.

"That means you like it then?" She asked, receiving a quick nod from the scarlet eyed teen. Leaf smiled as she saw the silent teen petting his Shinx with a smile on his face. Red then remembered something as he went into his pocket and took out a bracelet made up of various gems which he gave to her, putting in around her wrist as he crossed his fingers. 'Let's hope she likes it.'

"T-This… is for… me?" Leaf was barely able to word the question out of her mouth as she receives a nod from Red. She looked at the bracelet on her hand, watching the various gems on it shine in the moonlight. Smiling, she then turn her head from Red as she tries her best to hold back her blush before she got an idea, a smirk appearing on her face which her companion noticed as he started to sweat. 'I don't like what that smirk means. If there's one thing I realize with this girl, whenever she smirks, it's bad news."

"If you really like it that much then you should thank me." Leaf said bashfully as she puffed her chest. Red looked at her in surprise before he started to slam his hand on his face, groaning exhaustingly. He then put his fingers on his chin, wondering what to do. 'Do…do I have to do this? But she helped me feel better… but… I dunno…'

The brunette look at him contemplating for a minute before she sighed in disappointment, hiding it as she scratched her head.

"Sorry, Red. It was a joke. You don't have to-" She said until she heard something that interrupted her, causing her to stop speaking immediately.

"…Thanks, Leaf…"

As the words resonated in the air, Leaf stood motionless as she stared at Red, starting to come closer towards the teen, who was getting confused as he slightly stepped back, until she stood close enough that their noses are almost touching.

"Say that again." She said, her eyes gleaming as she gazed at the silent teen. Red pulled his hat on his face as he tried to walk away only to be stopped by her hands holding him in place, much to the teen's worry.

"You're not getting away until you say it again, cherry eyes." She said adamantly, looking at him with a serious expression and tightening her grip on him.

'Do I really have to?' Red thought, trying to escape her grip only to be held into place by Leaf. After a minute of trying, he then gave up, sighing before he prepared himself again. 'This is so embarrassing.'

"…t-thanks…" He muttered.

"Louder and just like last time." The brunette said, earning a groan from the red capped trainer.

"Thanks, Leaf." He attempted again, saying it clearer this time as he was annoyed at this point.

"That's better." Leaf said with a huge smile, letting go of him and pulling out her Pokegear.

"I got it on recording. A monumental moment for the great detective Leaf!" After she finished her statement, Red started to sweat as he lunged after the device, trying to grab the device but missing as she moves it away from him. She then put the Pokegear in her dress as she stood triumphantly with her hands on her hips. "Try it. I dare you."

Red looked at her before clicking his teeth and making his way to the Pokemon Center.

'You win this round.' He thought as she joined him with a victory smirk, latching onto his arm as they went to the red building.

"You know, I wouldn't mind if you tried, Red." She said as she guided his arm to her waist, getting a red line from the red capped teen's face as he tried to pull away his arm, only for her to hold him in place as they entered the center. 'Another thing I realized about her is that she is stubbornly strong.'

Both of them approached Nurse Joy, asking for their Pokemon to be healed and a room for the night. As they prepared themselves for some sleep, Leaf's Pokegear rang, earning a groan from the female as she begrudgingly answered the call.

"Hello…"

"Hi there, Leaf! Guess who it is?"

"K-Kimberley?!"

"Yep, gurl! In the flesh or should I say voice? Who cares? How are you doing, Leaf?"

"You know, started my journey and just got my first badge from Pewter City."

"Cool, me too. I got my first badge from Erika!" As Kimberley stated this, Leaf's eyes immediately got wide eyed as he counted on her fingers before she opened her mouth.

"Wait. Isn't Erika the fourth gym leader of Kanto? How did you get her gym badge so fast? How strong are you, Kimberley? Didn't you just started?" Her behavior earned a chuckle from her friend as Kimberley started to explain.

"Actually, it depends on the number of badges that you have, Leaf. They fight at your level according to that. Although, Brock would officially be the first gym leader to most because Professor Oak is in Pallet Town."

"Oh really? I didn't know that."

"Yeah! The more you know, huh? Hey, we should meet up at Cerulean City!"

"Yeah, sure! I'd love too!"

"Awesome! Let's meet up in a couple days, Leaf."

"A couple days?!"

"Yeah, we'll meet up in like two or three days from now."

"Two or three days? Uhhh… I don't know…" She answered as she looked at Red who was sleeping soundly with Shinx on his head, laying down comfortably.

"What? You have a boyfriend or something?" As Kimberley said this, Leaf started to blush as she made incoherent sentences as she looked at the slumbering teen in her room.

"Don't tell me it's Nolan?" As soon as that statement came out of Kimberley mouth, all blush and nervousness left the brunette's body as she stated emotionlessly. "Not in a million years, Kim. Even if we're fossils."

As she said this, the two girls laughed before Kimberley whined again.

"C'mon Leaf! We haven't met each other in months, Leaf. Pleeeeaaasssseee."

"O…Ok." Leaf sighed in defeat as she glanced once again at her snoozing roommate with a sad expression. She went to his bedside, moving Shinx off his face and lightly brushing his hair as he slept peacefully. After a while, she then went to her bed and started to drift to sleep.

Leaf woke up to see Red emerging from the shower with a towel on his head. Noticing that the brunette has woken up, he smiled and waved at her before putting on his jacket.

"Morning Red." She mumbled, wiping the sleep out of her eyes. After she took a shower, she then remember the conversation between her and Kimberley before she looked at Red, who was putting on his shoes.

"Hey Red." She started, gaining the silent teen attention as he turned to her. She bit her lip, trying to find a way to relay the news to the teen as he looked at her worriedly.

'I have to tell him sooner or later.' She thought as she took a deep breath before looking at Red with a determined expression.

"I'm sorry, Red. I really wanted to help you train for the rematch." Leaf said melancholically as she packed up her stuff before she continued. "But I have a friend that I have to meet at Cerulean City in a couple days and I have to go there soon. So…"

Despite being saddened by the news he just heard and knowing possibly what she is implying, Red went over to the girl and put his hand on her shoulder, which stopped her from continuing. As she looked up to him, she saw him smiling at her, earning a smile from the brunette. They then went to eat before they exited the Pokemon Center making their way towards the other side of the city.

'Why does this have to end? Why couldn't stupid Brock have lost the match? Why didn't stupid Red have a Pokemon that was super effective?" Leaf thought as she tried her best to slow her pace as they journeyed towards Route 3, turning her gaze to the raven haired teen as they reached the gate. 'I'm gonna miss him and his red eyes. Possibly the only person so far that sees me for me and not anything I have.'

"Farewell and thanks, Red." Leaf silently said as he waved to her, saying a silent bye to her. Leaf stood still before tears started to swell in her eyes, threatening to come out. She then ran at top speed and tackled the silent teen into a bear hug, nuzzling her head in his jacket which he returned. She then quickly kissed him on his cheek before running towards Route 3, leaving a very confused and blushing Red.

"Till we meet again, Red." She said with a slight blush, waving before going off into the distance. Shaking himself from his stupor, Red waved at her before going towards the other border of the city. After a half an hour later, Red arrived into Viridian Forest as he released his Pokemon and then took the time to inhale the air around him and listen to the sounds of wild Pokemon in the grass. After he stretched, he looked at his partners, who were getting anxious until he started to slowly make his way to the deeper parts of the forest as he opened his mouth and announced.

"Alright, guys. It's time to train for your rematch." He announced as his Pokemon cheered and begin their relentless training with one goal in mind: to defeat the Gym Leader of Pewter City: Brock.

It's done. It's done! Finally! This chapter was not supposed to take this long honestly and I'm kinda surprised that it did. Making Nolan was kind of a pain but it was worth it. I hope you guys like the fact that so far the Gym Leaders are more than just bosses, or small steps what I should say. I always thought they gave the vibe of teachers or like people who should give off stuff more than a TM and a badge. Oh yeah, Leaf will be gone for now but she will be back soon. Well, I'm glad that you guys love the story so far and thanks for the reviews for the story. Hope you guys like the chapter. Enigma out!