Disclaimer: I do not own the Pokémon Series, I do not have any rights to the Pokémon Series and I do not make any money from writing these fic's.

A/N: Written for Remi's Novel length challenge and different POV Challenge. The prompt for this chapter is Rivalry and the POV for this chapter is Red's.

Chapter 5

"About time," Red said with a friendly grin as he watched Ash join him on the deck, as he stared at the sheepish trainer Red caught the movement of the platform as it was moved away from the ship. "For a moment there I thought that you were not going to join me."

"Never, we are going to Johto after all!" Ash replied quickly, Red found himself chuckling softly at the expression on Ash's face. "I just got a bit caught up...saying goodbye to my home town."

"Ah, now that is something I can understand," Red said as he turned around to rest on the side of the ship and stare out onto the quiet small town. "When I first left I was homesick for a week, I kept expecting to wake up back in my house, in my own bed and being yelled at by my mum for over sleeping."

"Really?" Ash asked as he came to stand besides Red, Pikachu happily perched on his shoulder. "W-was it hard? How did you cope?"

"It got easier as time went on, there was so much happening, so many new experiences and so many adventures to go on that I got caught up in my journey. But I made sure to always call my mum whenever I reached a Pokecenter," Red said calmly as he turned his head and gave Ash a reassuring smile. "It will be alright Ash, we will be there for each other and I am sure that we can find souvenirs from each town and city that we visit to send back to Professor Oak and your mum."

"Yeah...thank you Red, I like that idea a lot," Ash said with a small nod of agreement as a tiny but true smile came to his face. "I know that mum loves cute things but also practical items."

"What about you?" Red asked, he watched as Ash quickly turned to look at him in surprise. "What sort of thing do you like? What sort of Pokémon do you want to capture? Am I right in thinking that you are planning to take the gym challenge?"

"I am...and I am not really sure as I have never really thought about it," Ash said unsurely, reminding Red of himself when he first started out. "But I know that it does not matter to me if the Pokémon I capture are ugly or beautiful or weak or strong. What I do know is that I am going to train my Pokémon so they do not have to worry about being too weak to protect themselves and their friends...but I guess one big rule is that we have to get along with each other."

"No offence but for a rookie trainer you are unormally smart," Red said with a playful grin as he watched Ash's face turn bright red. "Normally all I hear from new trainers are how they are going to catch strong and rare Pokémon, they never say anything about hard work and training."

"Well...I guess I am different then," Ash replied with a sheepish grin, Red found himself chuckling in agreement as he returned Ash's smile. "But then again...with this rivalry I have going on-"

"Between you and Gary," Red said sharply as he gave Ash a pointed look, he knew where the younger trainer had been going and he did not like it one single bit. "But I have a feeling that Gary will realise what is going on soon enough when he does not run into you."

With those words said Red turned back to the scenery while leaving Ash to his thoughts. The familiar feeling of the ships powerful engine suddenly bust into life making Red feel that familiar spark of excitement at the thought of a new journey. As the ship began to slowly make its last minute checks emotions churned through Red as realisation hit him.

'I...I really am getting away from this horrible place...no more glares or stares' Red thought as he stared out at his home town. 'I hope that Ash takes his time...I really do not want to end up coming back to this place too soon...I wonder...if I can find a nice place in this new region I might see about settling down and making a home for myself. I have enough money with all of the Pokémon battle's and Leagues after all.'

Taking a deep breath to let out all of his stress Red allowed a smile to appear on his face only for it to grow as a familiar horn like sound echoed throughout the area. As he allowed the excitement of a new journey to hit him fully, like a child on Christmas day, Red could also feel the nerves and excitement buzzing through Ash.

"Do not worry Ash, everything will be alright and we will make it to Johto without any problems," Red said without missing a beat or looking away from the town. "These sailors have made this trip many times and are old hats at it. I bet that we will end up in Johto without running into any problems."

"How did you know?"Ash asked nervously, Red could feel his little brother figure's eyes rest on him. "About the sailors and the about the boat journey and how-"

"Everyone has similar fears, especially new trainers and I could feel your nerves rolling off of you. I do not have to be a physic Pokémon to be able to feel your emotions squirt," Red said in a good naturally as they ship slowly began to move away from the port. "But trust me when I say that things will even out and you will find your feet."

"I hope so," Ash replied as he found himself watching his home town starting to grow smaller as the ship began to pick up speed as it headed out into open sea. "How long do you think it will take me?"

"It is different for everyone Ash, and it will come to you in no time at all. In fact by the time you have it you will not even realise it until it has been several weeks or even months," Red said with a kind smile as he placed a comforting hand on Ash's shoulder. His heart went out for the smaller trainer as Red found himself pinned down under a pair of large worried eyes that seemed to think that Red held the answer to everything. "For now how about we find our room? We will be on the ship for at least one night and trust me when I say that you will soon find yourself loving a proper bed."

"Mum warned me about that but because of my little problem I can sleep almost anywhere," Ash said, Red found himself nodding his head and allowing the information to wash over him like water off of a Golduck's back. "But from the stories mum told me I have to agree...did you know that mum told me this story about my dad having to sleep up a tree?"

"Up a tree? Do you mean he slept in a hammock?" Red asked in surprise as he guided Ash and Pikachu towards one of the many doors that would lead them down into the ship.

"No, I thought that at first too," Ash said with a grin, one that Red was secretly relieved to see as he remembered only too well all of the emotions he had felt during those first few moments away from home as he took his first steps out into the big wide world. "Apparently dad had somehow ended up angering a pack of Growlithe who chased him up a tree. In the end he spent two days and one night up in the tree until the Growlithe got called away by something."

"Wow, it sounds like your dad had some interesting adventures," Red said thoughtfully as they neared the ships door, he made sure to keep a steady hand on Ash's shoulder all the time though as the younger trainer had not yet found his sea legs. "I wonder what our adventures will be like. Now...let's find someone who has an idea where our rooms are."

"Maybe one of those sailors will know? Or are there special people to guide us, like in hotels or at big festivals?" Ash said causing Red to let out a thoughtful hum as he agreed with Ash. "We could just wander about and use it as a reason to explore the ship."

"Good idea, I like your thinking," Red said as they came close to the door, he took two steps forwards in front of Ash and opened the door before making a 'after you' motion to Ash. "Led the way, oh great Pokémon trainer and chose which direction should we go in?"

Sharing a playful grin with Ash, Red watched as his travelling companion walked through the door. As Ash walked by it was easy for Red to see the mixture of emotions on Ash's face as he tried to make a decision that both trainers and Pikachu would approve of.

"How about...we turn..." Ash began as he took a few steps into the hallway, allowing Red to follow him.

"Yes," Red said with an encouraging smile. "Should we go left or should we go ri-"

A loud high pitch scream suddenly filled the air, cutting Red's words off. Without a single thought Red quickly dashed forwards, pushed Ash up against the ship's wall and stood in front of him while one hand flew down to the row of Pokeballs on his hip. The other hand secretly went to his trouser pocket which was the location of his secret knife. While Red hated the thought of even having to think about carrying a knife it was for self defence reasons and situations like their current one.

"Just what was that and who screamed?" Red asked, more to himself than anyone else, as he scanned the hallway carefully. He could hear the crackle of Pikachu's electricity from Ash's shoulder as the electric mouse Pokémon prepared itself to defend its trainer. "Keep close Ash, and stay alert. We do not know what made that scream but something tells me that we are about to find out."

As if answering Red's words a door several feet down the hallway suddenly banged open causing the trio to jump in surprise. Tension grew as they turned to the newly opened door's direction only for them to stare in both shock and surprise.

To Be Continued...

I don't know if anyone has any thoughts but should I stick to the Canon Pokémon or change it around a bit?

I do not know if anyone would be interested but the other day I started the Epic Pokémon Cross Stitch. I was wondering if anyone might be interested in me making a small blog and showing its progression?