After finally calming his mother down, Red made a quick exchange of Pokemon at Cherrygrove City, leaving his Johto team within the PC at the Pokemon Center. Upon leaving the center, Red walked to the sea nearby the city and released all of his Pokemon from their Pokeballs, minus Pikachu, who was on his shoulder, with one Pokeball landing in the water. Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, Snorlax, and Lapras, who is in the water, all let out mighty cries upon being released and adjusted their bodies for this first time in three years. When they finished, the Pokemon greeted each other happily, and proceeded to do the same to their Trainer. That is, until they saw "Ethan."
They let out screams in anger at the Trainer, and Red could tell that they all wanted to know where their real Pokemon Trainer is. Red anticipated this though, and he titled his head to Pikachu and nodded. The electric mouse did the same, leaped off his shoulder, and faced the five furious Pokemon. Pikachu unleashed a mighty Thunderbolt at the sky, catching the attention of the five. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu yelled at his comrades. He proceeded explained to the five that the Trainer in from them is indeed Red, their Pokemon Trainer, just with a different look. They all still casted a doubtful look to Pikachu, and he begged them to believe him. They turned to Red, who merely stood there staring at them. Suddenly, he grabbed his hat, which was worn backwards during the time, switched it around and pulled it down. The eyes of each Pokemon, excluding Pikachu, widened. That hat was the same one their Trainer wore, the Pokemon recognized. Then, in the next moment, four of the five Pokemon felt an icy chill when Red pulled his hat up, leaving only a fraction of his eyes to be seen, glaring at them. That stare!
Blastoise shot water from his cannons in celebration, creating a mini rainfall. Venusaur, Snorlax, and Lapras let out cries of joy as they recognized their Trainer. Pikachu joined in the celebration with his own cries of "Pika Pika" and Red just smiled. The small party desisted upon hearing a powerful roar. The Pokemon and the Trainer turned to Charizard. The lizard marched towards Red, with a deadly look on his face. The Pokemon tensed up, wondering what the outcome may be. Red just stared down the pseudo-dragon. Charizard, upon reaching the supposed "unknown Trainer," glared down at Red, a Flamethrower at the ready in his mouth. No intimidation was seen on Red's face as he and his Pokemon both had an intense stare down. The other Pokemon watched in anticipation, but were ready should their fellow team member were to make any move on their beloved Trainer.
The passing seconds felt like an eternity, and the tension seemed to keep increasing exponentially. Neither Charizard nor Red gave each other any signs of weakness during their silent battle. Lapras was ready to use his Psychic attack to hold back Charizard if need be. Snorlax was prepared to deliver a powerful Giga Impact should Red be harmed in any way. Venusaur, even if he was weaker than the flying lizard, would stop Charizard with his Frenzy Plant should said Pokemon attacked. Blastoise had his cannons locked onto Charizard, waiting patiently with a Flash Cannon ready, too nervous to attack with a Hydro Cannon. Pikachu, however, would not show the same mercy as he charged a Thunderbolt. No way would he let anyone hurt Red, not even his teammate.
Suddenly, Charizard released his Flamethrower at the sky. The Pokemon prepared to attack, until Red held up his hand at them. "Don't," that hand meant. The five eased up a bit, but still ready to take down Charizard. Said Pokemon then snapped his head down back to Red, and then...smiled. He put out his hand, and Red, too sporting a smile, graciously accepted the handshake. The other five Pokemon finally relaxed, celebrating the occasion with cries of happiness. Red watched silently, but the smile on his face never died down.
When the noise dissipated, Red pulled out his Town Map. He gathered his Pokemon near the sea to allow Lapras to see as well. On the map it showed both the Johto and Kanto regions. Red then pointed to a city and looked at Charizard as he did so. Charizard nodded since a walk there would be pretty long. He then looked to his other Pokemon, who all nodded. They understood why Red chose that place. Red took out four Pokeballs and returned Blastoise, Venusaur, Snorlax, and Lapras to their homes. Pikachu took his spot on top of Red's hat, grabbing it tightly now, and Charizard lowered his back. Red climbed onto Charizard's back and hung onto the Pokemon's neck tight enough to hang on and allow the "dragon" to breathe. The flying lizard flexed his wings a bit (being in a ball for a few years does take a toll on your body) before taking off to the sky. It took some time to find a comfortable flying speed, but Charizard did eventually, with Red and Pikachu letting go of their grip and relaxing for the ride.
Thirty minutes passed before the Charizard finally arrived at the destination. It let out a low growl to his Trainer to alert him of their arrival. Red once again held onto his Charizard, and Pikachu on his shoulder, before the flying lizard descended. He landed in front of the Pokemon Center, catching a few residents off guard. Red and Pikachu climbed off, with Red returning Charizard to his Pokeball, although Red knew he won't be in there for long. The Pokemon Trainer then made his way to the appropriate building, stopping right in front of its door. Red gave a glance at the Pokemon on his shoulder. The look on the mouse's face was one mixed with eagerness, nervousness, but most of all, confidence. Seeing his friend gave Red a heightened drive. Right when he was about to open the door, Pikachu tapped Red's face. The Trainer eyed his buddy questionably. Pikachu then pointed at Red's hat. Red looked up to see that his hat was worn in the "correct" position. Red understood, instantly reversing his cap. He gave Pikachu a thumbs up, the electric mouse doing the same, before the duo nodded to each other and entered through the building's door.
Upon entering, Red and Pikachu saw, at the end of the building, was a boy about the same age as Red. The boy "recognized" the Trainer and gave a slight wave. "Yo Ethan! Back for the rematch?" The boy walked towards the duo, although not acknowledging Pikachu. "I was hoping you showed up sooner. My team got way stronger since your last visit and I was itching to fight you again." When the boy reached Red, he took notice of two things. "I see you changed your hat. Black, I think, to red. Personally I would've chosen blue or green myself. Also, what's up with the Pikachu?" Said Pokemon smirked at the boy's obliviousness. Red couldn't restrain his amusement either, now sporting a smirk as well. "You seem amused. Mind letting me in on the joke?" Red agrees silently. Slowly, he reached for his hat, turned it around, and stared at the boy.
"He...hehe...hehehehehe...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The boy responded. The people outside the building were wondering why there was such an unrestrained laughing coming from that building. It was quite some time before his laughter died down.
"To think, you were right in front of me the entire time. I should've seen it sooner. Well, that doesn't matter now." The boy then gave Red a somber look with a sad smile. "Three years. It's been different around here, you not around. I understand though. I probably would've moved too. I may not look like it, but I don't particularly enjoy the fame. Still," the smile returned to one of friendliness. "You could've at least written," he joked. "I guess that doesn't matter now. Did you want something old friend?" Although, the boy already knew the answer. Red nodded to Pikachu, who jumped off of his Trainer and prepared himself in a battle position. "HAH! Alright then! Now that I know who you are, I'm really getting excited!" The boy walked a fair distance away and grabbed a Pokeball from his belt. "Let's make this official, shall we?"
"Pokemon Trainer Red, as the Gym Leader of Viridian City, I, Blue, shall accept your challenge!"