It never occurred to Lucas to ask where exactly they were headed. He knew that they would appear somewhere in Red's world, but he hadn't thought to ask about one very important aspect- the climate.

"A-A-Achoo!" Lucas sneezed violently as he shivered in the cold wind. The snow fell unending around the two people that stood at the peak of the mountain. He glanced towards his taller companion. Red wasn't wearing much more than he was-

Red stood on the top of the mountain with the sort of rosy cheeks one would expect from a sauna, not a negative degree mountain top. Lucas's body was wracked with violent shivers once again. Red finally seemed to notice his plight.

His traditional red cap was lifted off of his head, and placed firmly on Lucas's. Then, a cool, comforting hand guided him to a small cave.

The cave was clean, with a small fire pit. Wood was stacked up along the sides, waiting to be tossed on. Charizard flashed into existence, as Red crouched down to begin piling wood into the shallow pit. There was cold, dried food carefully packed away and tucked into snowdrifts.

Lucas shivered again. Charizard rumbled softly as he dipped down low to wrap his tail around Lucas's waist, the flame dancing at the end of his tail warming the child. Red gestured to Charizard, who let out a low, quick flame. Soon, a merry fire was crackling in the shallow pit. The flames sent warm shadows dancing along the walls, as Red released the rest of his Pokémon.

Charizard, Venosaur, Blastoise, Pikachu, and two others that Lucas could not recognize appeared. The Pikachus' ears twitched as it turned towards Lucas, curiosity sparking in its eyes. This Pikachu wasn't the same as the one in the mansion. This one was bigger, a chunk of its ear missing to create a notch. Red ran a hand down Pikachu's back, making the mouse-like Pokémon purr.

He lifted Pikachu, carefully handing it over to Lucas. Lucas just as carefully took Pikachu, feeling the rapid heartbeat through warm fur. The Pikachu's tail flicked, bumping against his nose. Lucas smiled, and looked at the last two Pokémon.

One was gigantic, taking up what looked to be an entire roads worth of space. The other was a small, catlike creature, purple fur dark in the shadows. Red pulled out a red device, and flipped it open.

The biggest one was a Snorlax, the smaller one was a Espeon, according to the device. Lucas cautiously held out a hand to Espeon. "H-hello, Espeon."

A warm, dry nose pressed against his palm, and Lucas realized with a start that he could feel Espeons emotions. Of Happy Happy Joy Joy. The Pokémon was a psychic, just like him and Ness. Red sat off to the side, watching the two interact, though there was the slightest tint of a smile on his usually stoic face when Espeon began to twine around Lucas's legs purring. Lucas didn't really notice, too caught up in Espeons thoughts.

Pokémon didn't really think the same as humans, though Espeon came close. Smell like Friend, Friend happy when he is near. Do not be scared, we will not harm. Snoring very careful with small ones. No fight.

Lucas looked up to the Snorlax, it's image mixed in with the 'word' snoring. The giant Pokémon rumbled low and deep. One giant paw that could crush him like a leaf extended outwards, the claws wiggling slightly.

Lucas cautiously placed his own hand in that giant paw. He was rewarded with a low, happy rumble, and the claws dug softly and painlessly into his skin. Though it was gigantic, it knew its strength and knew how to control it.

Red patted Snorlax's stomach, and bent to pull a large package of food from a snowdrift. He tossed it upwards, and the Snorlax instantly bit at it. Enough food to feed ten people disappeared in a gulp. "Wow. He eats a lot."

Red nodded, moving from Pokémon to Pokémon. He fed each of them by hand, or set out their food, and took a step back, eying them critically. Finally, he brought his hands up to sign.

It was too fast for Lucas to completely pick up. There were a few words, here and there. Leaving…stay…protect…back in… no harm… run…

Red was leaving? Lucas's stomach sank slightly. He had thought that they would stick together the entire time they were in this new world. Red turned to Lucas, with a pre-written letter in his hand. Charizard snorted as he extended his wings.

Red swung up onto the Pokémon, watching Lucas for a long, long moment, before he gently smiled. Lucas attempted a small smile back, Espeon and Pikachu butting against his shoulder and feeling so very, very warm.

The letter crumpled slightly in one hand as Red took off into the billowing snowstorm. He didn't want to be alone-

Not alone. We here. Protect. Guide. Safe. Company. Espeon murmured, nose pressed against his wrist, and Lucas managed a shaky smile at it. The Espeon gently guided him further into the cave, as Snorlax rolled across the entrance. His bulk blocked out any cold winds or gusts that might blow in.

Venosaur extended giant leaves, and careful vines.

No, he wasn't alone. They might not be able to understand each other, but he wasn't alone. Lucas smoothed out the paper in his hands, and inched closer to the firelight to see what was written there.

Hey Lucas,

I forgot to tell you earlier but I'm going to need to get tickets for the trip to Hoenn. No worries though, my Pokémon will protect you from any wild Pokémon or any trainers. Just get some sleep, because tomorrow will be busy.

The note wasn't signed, but it didn't need to be. After all, the oddly shaped letters with a few too circles could belong to one person and one person only. Lucas glanced around the cavern. Snorlax was deep asleep, snoring a low rumble. Blastoise had withdrawn into his shell. Espeon and Pikachu sat next to him. Venosaur sat a bit away from the fire, leaves rustling slightly with every breath.

"Red… just where am I supposed to sleep?"

Espeon took the hem of his shirt in its teeth and tugged him to Venosaur. The leaves opened up, and curled around Lucas in a soft, warm cocoon. Pikachu jumped onto Venosaur's head, a sentinel position to watch the entrance. Lucas could feel his eyes closing slowly, warm and safe with Red's most trusted companions.

The fire spluttered softly, as Lucas dropped off into a peaceful sleep, the note quietly wedged between two rocks.

Red thanked all of the Legionaries he knew of that he was not recognized. He didn't expect to be recognized at midnight in the small boat office, and the woman behind the counter was sufficiently tired enough that she probably wouldn't of recognized Mew itself if it had appeared before her, but it was still nice. Maybe disappearing for a few years had made everyone forget about him.

He glanced at the two tickets in his hand. It had cost a bit more then what he had originally expected, but it didn't matter. The ship wasn't famous, which meant that nobody on it should recognize him. The ship also had a few stores on it, which mean he could educate Lucas a bit more on what was considered normal knowledge. And, well, he had enough money to buy half of the region, let alone a ship ticket.

At least he could get Lucas his very own bag/backpack. Red was already missing his own a bit, and carrying all of his stuff by hand wasn't a good way to do anything-

A familiar shock of green hair made Red back up quickly. If it was Green…

No. The green hair was there, but it was pulled back into a ponyta-tail, instead of sticking straight up like Green's. He stared at the teen, who looked bedraggled and exhausted. His head cocked to one side- the Trainer didn't look too familiar, but judging by the clothes…

Was he from the Unova region? What was he doing here then? Unova had one of the highest age limits out of all of the regions. Though it did look he was old enough… A slight throb came from the center of his throat, reminding him that he should leave and return to the cold. There the pain would be eased by just a bit.

Red shook his head, turning away. The teen wasn't his problem to be concerned about. He tried to make himself walk away. The exact same personality that refused to walk from Team Rocket, no matter how hurt he was, refused to let him walk away from this green-haired teen. He sighed as he walked up to the teen standing forlornly in the empty docks.

Quietly he tapped the teens shoulder.

The teen whirled around, a dark frown crossing his face. "What do you request child?"

Child? He hadn't been called that in two and a half years.

He quickly wrote down on a piece of paper, 'I wanted to make sure that you were okay.'

A frown creased the teen's face. "You cannot speak?"

Red sighed. At least in Smash Mansion no one had asked him the question. Patiently he nodded, as the teen hesitated. "I'm… I'm looking for someone – no, two people - I know. They disappeared two years ago. I do not know where they went. They disappeared completely. But… I do not know if I will find them here. This region has its own disappeared champion."

The green-haired teen looked out across the land. "But I will still look for them. I wish to see those Trainers again, and assure them that I understand what they meant so long ago. That Pokémon and humans can live together in harmony."

Red scratched his cheek slightly, mind traveling to where all he had disappeared too, before writing a single sentence.

'If you want to find them, look for the high places, where Pokémon are strong and wild.'

If this trainer was half as good as this teen was making them out to be, then somewhere where it was wild and lonely, where they could be alone with their Pokémon, that would be where the trainers would be. Red could well understand that feeling himself.

The teen looked at the piece of paper in puzzlement, before looking up. By then, Red was already gone. Charizard took off into the night, flaming tail leaving a arc of light behind, before it too vanished into the dark night sky.

Mount Silver, the place he would always consider home, rose before him. The perpetual blizzards raged on the top. Red sunk lower on Charizard's back, arms locked around the flying dragons neck.

Charizard flew lazily- he knew the winds of Mount Silver like his trainer. He rose and dipped in time to the breaths of the terrifying mountain, snow masking any rocks that threatened their safe passage. But rising before them was a flat platform that Red liked to stand on while waiting for a strong trainer to arrive.

Charizard landed on the rocky platform, sighing heavily and in relief. Red rubbed his neck, silently asking if he would be alright for the flight to Ceruleun City. Charizard nodded, rubbing his nose against his shoulder. He would carry his trainer and Lucas to the waiting ship.

Red and Charizard walked into the cavern.

Lucas was slumbering soundly in Venosaur's leaves, sleeping soundly without a nightmare. Espeon was the cause of that, her nose against his cheek, glowing slightly in her effort to keep at bay any bad dreams.

Charizard tiredly dropped down next to the fire, wings aching from the long flight. Within seconds he had curled up in a corner of the cave and had fallen fast asleep. Red stood next to Snorlax, one hand on a paw. Snorlax's back was slowly coating in frost, ignored by the giant Pokémon. It took a lot to freeze the giant Pokémon, especially as it didn't mind the cold. All of its fat could easily ward off the cold for months.

He stayed like that for a long few hours, watching the mountain in its unchanging, yet ever changing glory. It felt so good to be back- he felt so much more powerful, and so much more in control here on this mountain. Even the wild Pokémon avoided his little cave, after being beaten so many times. The entire mountain seemed to welcome him back.

It was a little too bad Red was leaving again in the morning. Crimson eyes turned away from the billowing snow, and back to where most of his Pokémon lay asleep. Espeon glanced at him, forked tail swishing quietly through the air. It was unusual for Espeon to grow close to a human so quickly, but Lucas was a kind soul. The fact that they both had psychic powers probably only sped it along. Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder, rubbing his head against Red's neck. Red petted him back, the soft fur reassuring him. Snorlax grumbled happily as Red settled next to his head, hand running along the short, thick neck. A giant paw nudged him lightly, glad to be back with the one he considered his equal and his friend.

Red smiled as he slipped into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning both were awoken by the quiet beep from Red's Pokédex. Red got up first, rekindling the fire and warming food up. Lucas scrambled to his side, ready to help. He, Red quickly discovered to his surprise, didn't actually know how to cook on a campfire. He knew it in an abstract way, but none of the little ways that made it an overall easier experience.

Red showed him a few of the ways to make things easier, before turning to the task of feeding all of his Pokémon. The cruise ship wouldn't leave until 11, and boarding would start at 8. It took about a hour to fly down the mountain and to the city, a half-hour to walk through the city to the docks. Landing his Charizard in city limits would draw far too much attention.

Lucas didn't chatter as he ate breakfast, but his hands were shaking slightly. Red pulled the bright, multi-colored tickets out of his pocket, passing them over. "The S.S. Lance?"

Red nodded. It was named after the Pokémon Champion, undefeated until Red came along…

"Who is this Lance person? Is he strong?"

Ah. That's right, history. Red scribbled down onto a notebook, 'Lance is the champion of the Elite Four for both the Kanto and Johto region.'

"Oh. So that means he's really strong right? Did you ever fight him Red?"

Red nodded. The fight was hard, and long, but he had won. "I won."

"Really? That seems pretty cool!"

'He's a Dragon-type user, he's weak against ice attacks. I just used Lapras and Blastoise to ice them all down.'

Red smiled slightly, head tilting out to look at the swirling snowstorm. "So where are we Red? So I know where to go if we need to get back." Lucas sipped at the thick stew, but his eyes were sparkling as he looked down at the tickets on his lap.

"I'll tell you more when we get on the ship, and get a map as well." There was a lot to teach Lucas on their one-week trip through the ocean. It would be enough to at least make it so that way he didn't stand out too much in Hoenn, though he would stand out at least a little.

Lucas nodded mutely.

Within the hour, Red had Lucas firmly tucked beneath him, sheltering him from the cold as Charizard took to the air to fly towards the city. Lucas shivered occasionally between the two warmth's, arms tugged in tight around himself. Neither of them tried speaking, even when Charizard's wings faltered for a moment.

Charizard was one of the most powerful of all his kind, but even he had weight and speed limits.

They touched down in a small forested area, only a bit off from the city, and where Red had expected to land. The trainer rubbed Charizard's nose in appreciation, feeding him a few poffins in thanks. The dragon eagerly snapped them up, before returning to the pokéball to rest.

It didn't take long for them to reach the docks. Lucas lagged behind with each step, drinking in the sights and sounds of a Pokémon filled city. Red patiently waited for him, hat tugged low to hide his crimson eyes. "There's so much stuff!" Lucas whispered.

Red nodded, and together the two slowly made their way to the waiting ship.

It wasn't too terribly old, but it wasn't new either. It was just a passenger ship headed for Hoenn region, sitting low on the water. Tentacool could be seen in the waters, darting in and out of waves. A few Staryu drifted by, mixed among the Goldeen and Magikarp. A flock of Pidgey's flew overhead, past the slowly queuing line of people waiting to get aboard the ship.

Lucas handed back Red's ticket from where he had kept it safe in his pocket, and tugged the backpack further up onto his back. Red eyed the rope wrapped around it for a moment, before shrugging. Whatever made Lucas a little happier…

"Welcome, Welcome, Welcome." The ships captain, an old, but still fit man stepped down the gangplank. "Welcome aboard the S.S. Lance. And no, it isn't named after the former Champion."

There were a few sighs, stifled before they could get too loud. Red rocked onto the balls of his feet, apparently willing to wait out any long speech the Captain may give. Lucas dropped down beside him, staring at the sleek lines of the ship. "But I'm sure you don't want a lecture right now, so let's get you all aboard and us on our way."

A few smiles now greeted the Captain. Lucas scrambled back up again, and Red caught his hand, pulling him up to be one of the first people to the line.

The Captain looked at them both oddly. "This is it? Are you just visiting Hoenn? You certainly can't be running away to it like some young idiots who want to get around the age limit to becoming a Pokémon trainer. After all, Kanto has the lowest of 'em all."

Red shook his head, and brought up his hands before hesitating. The chances of the sea captain knowing sign language was practically nil. "Ahh, mute are ya? You must be going to the hot springs. Anyways, if ya need anything, my cabin has the sign 'Captain' on it. Don't hesitate if ya need anything."

With that, Lucas and Red were ushered on board with only a backpack worth of packing between them.

Before the boat could fill, Red started off with a tour of the boat, and a quick explanation of the facilities. The Pokémon healing machine, the computer that allowed you to access the Pokémon, and a few other places. Machop's and Poliwhirls marched down the hallways, carrying giant boxes with ease.

Lucas nodded at each of the quick explanations, and then half-froze when they stepped into the mart.

It was different from the usual marts that Red frequented. Instead of being stocked with Pokémon healing items and a few TM's, it was filled to the brim with items that a lost traveler would have forgotten. Clothes, backpacks, blankets, maps, watches that had a whole host of interesting stuff on them…

Red just waved a hand, told Lucas to pick out whatever he wanted, and went hunting for a world map.

By the time Lucas had finally picked out a few things, Red had narrowed down the selection to two different maps. One was the traditionally folded up paper map with all of the major routes between cities and towns highlighted, while the other was a digital chip put inside of one of the watches. The digital would only have major routes and cities, and nothing else…

Red glanced towards Lucas, dawdling over backpacks, and went with the paper version. Lucas had always had an aversion to mechanical things, though he had never explained why. The folded up paper, backpack, a PokéNav, a belt with the ball stations ready, and a light-weight coat was added to the mix. Red looked at the coat, slightly puzzled by it. Was Lucas really that cold on Mount Silver? He found it nice and warm.

"Red? What's this?"

Red tapped the label on it. "PokéNav? It can tell time, Pokémon status for contests-"

The cashier interrupted, "It's the native equipment for most Pokémon trainers to have in Hoenn. I know how much Kanto likes to go in without anything, but we figure that we should probably have a bit more. You can even call people with it."

"Oooh."

The cashier nodded, looking at Red in confusion, "Aren't you going to get one too?"

Red shook his head. He pointed to Lucas, and the Cashier shrugged. "Have fun with it. Go ahead and try it out while you're on the Ship. Unlike other ships we're not a battle ship, so don't get into any Pokémon fights, got it?"

A nod from both of them. "Good! Thank you for buying this, and have a nice day."

The two escaped back to their shared room, purchases firmly in hand, as the hallway began to fill with curious explorers. No sooner had they reached their own room, when across the Public Announcement System came the Captains voice. "Alrighty then me sea-newbies. We're shoving off of shore. Dinner is served at six o'clock sharp in the dining hall, be there or go hungry."

A cackle, and the ships engines began to thrum to life. Lucas instinctively crept nearer to Red. "I've never been on a boat before…"

Red threw a companionable arm around Lucas, comforting the boy. He beckoned Lucas over to the computer, withdrawing a single Pokémon. He placed two pokéballs into Lucas's hands.

"Espeon and… Which one is this Red?"

"Lapras. If you ever fall into the water, Lapras will keep you safe, right Lapras?"

Within the pokeball, the Pokémon nodded, fire burning in its eyes. Espeon, obviously, had already been filling in the water-ice type on the situation. Espeon and Lapras generally traded places, though sometimes Red broke the six Pokémon rule and had Lapras up Mount Silver with him.

"Is this really okay Red? I thought you said that Pokémon might not listen to you if you didn't have the right badges…"

Red nodded. 'I asked my Pokémon if they were okay with sticking close to you since you're new to the world, and don't have your own Pokémon yet. Espeon likes you enough that she was very happy to agree. Lapras trusts me enough that he's willing to listen to you.'

In a battle, the Pokémon wouldn't listen to Lucas, choosing their own ways of attacking, but Red figured it would be fine. After all, Lucas didn't know how to battle at all yet. If he tried giving commands, all that would happen would be a lost battle, no matter how good the Pokémon were.

'If someone ignores the rules, and forces you into a Pokémon battle, they both know what to do, and will end it fast.'

Lucas gulped and nodded. Red crouched down onto one knee, showing Lucas where to attach the pokéballs to his side. Then he made Lucas practice a bit until pulling out a pokéball, tossing it to release a Pokémon, and returning the Pokémon were a second movement. Espeon good-naturally put up with the constant in and out, as Pikachu yawned from his shoulder. Snorlax, Venosaur, Charizard and Blastoise remained within their pokeballs for now. They would stand out far too much on this tiny ship full of people moving regions.

When Red was assured that Lucas would be able to defend himself even if a wild Gyrados attacked the ship, he promptly fell onto the bed, and took a nap.

Lucas wandered the ships hallways, Espeon padding beside him. Her calm, steady, stream of mental snarking kept his own nerves at bay. This was his first time on a boat, on traveling so long on a boat, and being surrounded on all four sides by the sea made him remember that Island-

No worry, strong, powerful, we protect. Espeon promised him proudly. She had no doubt in her power, and judging by the wiggle that came from Lapras's ball, he had no doubt either. It reminded him of Boney, and how Boney had kept the nightmares at bay, refusing to let them close.

"Thanks, Espeon."

The cat-like Pokémon purred in contentment, as she flicked her tail against his nose. Lucas grinned, as he continued wandering down the hallway. Red had given him his pokédex, along with a quick explanation on how to use, not to use it in front of other people as they'd get the wrong idea, and told him to have fun around the ship, as they'd be staying there for the next week.

And, Red had promised to start working on a Pokémon Guide for Dummies (as Snake would've put it) so that way Lucas wasn't asking another question every other step.

Espeon bounded ahead of him, racing out into the bright daylight. Lucas followed swiftly, eyes widening in delight. Water surrounded them everywhere, sparkling and glittering- but that wasn't what caught his immediate attention. What caught his attention were the Pokémon that darted and played through the waves.

"Momma! Momma! What are those Pokémon?"

"Take a good look honey, these Pokémon don't often come out of their deep-sea environment. See, there's Huntail, and the pink ones are Gorebyss, oh, and those hearts are Luvdisc's!" The mother, a young woman of about twenty-five, pointed out each Pokémon.

Lucas edged closer to listen in too the woman talk, feeling a bit envious of the child in her arms. "Oh look! There's a pod of Wailmer and Wailord!"

The giant Pokémon swam by, dwarfing the ship easily. Lucas leaned over with wide eyes, as Espeon perched on the railing beside him. Large, slow, ungainly, not fast, smart, pretty like me The smugness in Espeon's voice could've rivaled Kumatora's when bragging about one of her new psychic attacks she had just learned.

Lucas petted Espeon, allowing her that smugness as he looked out across the water. The woman seemed to notice him. "Hello, who are you?"

"I-I'm Lucas. Pleased to meet you Miss."

"The pleasure is all mine. Are you heading out on your first Pokémon adventure?"

Lucas nodded, and the woman's smile dimmed slightly. "To see your child leave on their own adventure… It's why I left Kanto. Hoenn demands that the child be at least twelve before their allowed to set off from home. Kanto says the child can set off at ten. I know recently they've raised the age limit, but no one has listened to it."

Ten? Had Red really been on his own since ten? How old was Red anyways-

"Well, would you listen to me blather! You should enjoy Hoenn, it's a tropical island with many hot springs and its very own active volcano. No need to worry though, it won't erupt or anything, and there aren't many earthquakes."

An… Island, huh? Just like home…

"It never does get cold there."

Lucas nodded to the words, fiddling with the Pokénav clipped to his belt. Espeon stretched on the tiny pole, and Lucas held his arms out. Lightly she jumped into his arms. The mother looked at him for a long moment, before smiling gently as she led her child back inside.

Lucas remained outside, looking out at the sea.

He wasn't sure how much time passed, when a warm hand descended on his shoulder. "If you keep staring out like that Sonny, you're gonna go blind. Don't underestimate the light off the water."

"Oh, Captain! What are you doing here?"

"Couldn't help but notice how long you've stayed out here even when yer Espeon went to sleep."

Ah, that's true, her thoughts had been a lot quieter and more content. "So I came on down to see how ya were doing."

"Fine. I'm just… surprised sometimes to see how big a world can be."

"You ain't seen nothing yet. Only bits of Kanto, and soon Hoenn. Most maps don't even cover anything more then five regions, and there's hundreds of them." The captain chewed on the stem pipe clenched between his teeth. "This Espeon ain't yours, is it?"

"No, how could you-"

"Yer a bit too scared and uncertain to have a Pokémon so proud and regal. She wouldn't normally be-"

Espeon growled, fur bristling. Lucas froze as he could feel claws beginning to dig at his flesh, before they abruptly retracted. Espeon continued growling, eyes fixated on the Captain.

"Huh, she might not be yours, but she certainly does care fer ya a lot." The Captain mused. "I mean no offense to the boy, but ye have to admit, he isn't yer normal type of trainer, especially fer one as strong as you. Ye didn't get to be this way by going with him."

Espeon sniffed, looked away and cattily twining around Lucas's shoulder. It was clear what she thought on the matter, and Lucas giggled slightly. Hmph. Bravery different, still here. Heart big, almost too big.

Espeon pressed her nose against his cheek. Heart as big as my feeder.

Espeon though he had a heart as big as Red's? Lucas's heart warmed at the thought, as he hugged her close. The Captain grinned at the sight. "Who knows boy, you might be able to find a Pokémon to be this close with you until the day you die."

It was… a comforting, and discomforting thought. For someone to be so devoted to him. Father was that devoted to Claus and Mother, and Lucas had been left behind, left alone for so long. He didn't want anyone to feel the same way…

"That… That seems really amazing." Lucas said at last.

The sea Captain laughed freely. "Yer somethin' else yerself kiddo. I don't think you'll make it to the league, but I don't think that's where yer aiming either."

Lucas smiled slightly, as the ship sailed onwards.