The tall, bipedal blue Pokémon slipped in through the large doors. Silent paws padded towards the waiting giant hand. "Master Hand?"

"Lucario. I was hoping that you might be willing to do a favor for me. By now you've probably heard the news that Red and Lucas are both in your world."

Lucario couldn't help the frown that appeared on his muzzle. "Do you want to ask for me to retrieve them? It will be impossible with just me-"

"No, I will not ask you such a daunting task, especially as we have no current data on where exactly they are located. Instead, there is someone else I would like you to find. They should be able to locate the two of them easily enough- and they were a former Smasher before they stepped down and I asked you to take their place."

Another Pokémon then? Red was said to be the first trainer to actually enter…

But who-

"Although it may be in the Kanto Region of your world, I requested you because you would have the easiest time breaching the cave. Pikachu is the only other one I can trust, but he would not understand the reason behind hiding, and would charge straight there."

A picture of a Pokémon that Lucario had heard many daunting tales of fluttered before him, suspended by magic. Lucario swallowed his fear. "Are you sure this is a wise idea?"

"It seems like the best one available to me at this current time. While I could appear in a flash of light, it requires a great deal of preparation and for Crazy to listen to what I say. It's why I prefer to send letters."

Master Hand shook with a sigh. "Will you be willing to go?"

"Yes."

Lucas and Red were friends of his after all.

Lucas clung to a slightly queezy stomach as he leaned against Lapras's hard shell. The Pokémon was pleasantly cool to the touch (Ice Beams being randomly shot over head helped in that matter) but why oh why was the Pokémon going up and down so much?

The sea captain had said something about the boat taking out most of the shock from the waves… Lucas, quite honestly, hadn't been listening. Wingull cuddled up next to him, as Ralts glowed softly, trying to alleviate some of his distress. Lapras swam slowly, bobbing up and down in time to the waves.

Wingull's wings stretched, and the Pokémon abruptly took to the sky in a flurry of feathers. Lucas watched Wingull go, squinting hazily after him. His attention was brought back to himself by a large wave, and sudden fall. "Oooh, I don't wanna ride on the ocean anymore."

He'd almost prefer the Oxygen Machines. At least they allowed him to go at his own pace… which was admittedly slow. "Sorry Lapras. It's nothing against you."

The water-ice Pokémon didn't say anything back, merely continuing on its way serenely. Occasionally he would douse the two in ice shards, the cooling effect temporarily settling his stomach.

Ralts chirruped, and patted Lucas's arm. Lucas looked up with bleary eyes.

Wingull had returned, and there was something dangling from its beak. Lucas jerked in surprise fingers curling around the small berry. It was a Pecha Berry, for curing poison. "Thanks Wingull… but I don't think this is going to help."

Wingull's head tilted to the right, an inquisitive look in his eyes. Lucas smiled as he popped the Pecha Berry into his mouth anyways. It might not be what he was looking for exactly, but maybe…

There was a slight tingle in his fingers and his stomach unexpectedly settled. "Huh?"

Lucas sat up a little. Wingull squawked, tail fanning out in accomplishment. Lucas laughed a little, reminded of the time Kumatora had went stomping off into the woods only to return with a bunch of weird plants. She had then shoved it down Lucas and Duster's throat until they had felt better.

"Thanks." He repeated softly.

Ralts pressed close. Happy, happy, doesn't this feel so much better?

Lucas blinked, and looked a little closer at Ralts. "That was… a full sentence?"

Okay? Are you okay now? Happy?

Yes, those were full sentences.

Well, Lucario could communicate in full sentences. So maybe Ralts would as well. If Red didn't speak at all, then Espeon wouldn't learn full sentences. Or maybe it was just Lucas. Master Hand had said there was a language difference between worlds. Maybe it was grammar differences as well?

Not that he really knew much about grammar. Mom had taught him a few things, and had dad, but after the Fire, nobody had really cared. Well, to be more exact, there had only been Boney to care, and he was a dog. He couldn't really teach Lucas grammar or spelling.

Ralts glanced inquisitively at him. Who is Boney?

The question made his heart freeze, before Lucas attempted to smile. "Boney's a good friend of mine. I think you'll get along with him." He pictured Boney in his head, the faithful brown dog tail wagging, tongue lolling out as he playfully nudged Lucas.

Ralts tried picturing himself next to Boney- The resulting image was a too-tall Ralts. Lucas giggled as he shook his head. "No, no, like this!" Ralts was shrunk down until he was about the same height as Boney. Wingull also appeared, perched on top of Boney's back.

"Speaking of which, what are your names? It seems rude to keep calling you Ralts and Wingull…"

Ralts and Wingull cooed and squawked at each other for a few moments. Then, Ralts turned to Lucas. You name!

"M-Me? Are you sure?"

Ralts nodded. Agree! We both agree! Names, you may name.

"O-Okay. I'll try to think of something really good." Lucas said.

The low, brown strip of land appeared in view, palm tree's swaying in the wind. Lucas leaned against Lapras's neck, staring off towards the island. "Well, at least this isn't Tanetane Island…" He hated that island, and all the memories just the name alone dredged up.

Wingull perched atop his head like a feathery hat. Lapras began to speed up. Now that Lucas was awake, he could see Lapras blasting away a few Tentacool and Tentacruel that attempted to wrap long tentacles around Lapras's neck. Wingull took to the air, swooping down on a small Tentacool. He swallowed it in one fell swoop.

"I thought you'd eat fish, not jellyfish," Lucas said. Then his attention went back forwards to the fast-approaching land. "I can't wait too see what kind of gym this'll be."

Ralts puffed out his chest proudly. We will fight and win!

Lucas laughed. The last dredges of unease were draining from his mind. There wasn't really anything to worry about here, was there?

"Hello!" Lucas froze as a human form cut through the water, somehow keeping pace with Lapras. The water-ice Pokémon didn't look very happy as he blew a few ice sparks at the human. The human ignored them, greeting Lucas, "So then, want to battle?"

"Huh? Here, now?"

Lapras took a deep breath- Lucas moved quickly before the poor human would find himself bobbing through the sea in a coffin of ice. "I'd like too, but I need to get to the town before I get sea-sick again."

The swimmer switched positions, flipping onto his back. Goggled eyes stared up at the sky. "Sea-sick huh? Didn't you bring any Pecha Berries? Those'll get rid of sea-sickness pretty quick. Aha, I know! You're here to challenge the gym, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes, I am." Lucas edged a little closer to the human. "Wingull brought me a Pecha Berry actually. But I don't have any on me- ah!"

Lucas fumbled as a few berries were pulled from who knew where as the man was only wearing what looked like the male equivalent of a bikini bottom. The Swimmer waved a lazy hand. "I'm surprised you didn't get caught by any other swimmer's down this route. I know of several who swim up and down this route in case anyone is in distress."

"I-I think Lapras might've scared them off. I was too sick to notice."

"Probably so. Your Lapras here has one mean look in it's eye. You come from Kanto then? Did you come here after failing to beat gym leaders?" Swimmer paused mid-stroke, before shaking his head. "Never mind, don't answer that if you don't want."

He glanced at the Pokémon beside Lucas. "Anyways, while you're in Dewford, if you need any Potions or anything, just come to me! There isn't a mart that has any healing items, though there's plenty that sell food! Haha! Oh, and check out the Dewford Hall- it has all of the latest trends!"

"I, okay. Dewford Hall and- who are you mister?"

"That's right! My name is Swimmer Flint! I swim this route every day to make sure that there are no drowning people in need of rescue!" Flint?

"Now then! I will talk to you later, but I must go on ahead! Good luck with any other trainers!"

Flint flipped over again, and took off through the waves. Lucas watched the wake bob after the man, a few Tentacool being knocked out of the way. "That was odd."

Very odd, Ralts agreed.

"But fun," Lucas said. "Very fun." If he had traveled with Red, they probably would've avoided the man altogether. But this- this was fun.

Dewford town came into view, a small community. Lucas scanned the town. Small homes built on sandy ground stood next to the sea. He couldn't spot anywhere where crops could be grown- was all of the food imported then? A few swimmers cut past him, playing in the water.

A young couple cried out, "Oh, you should come and swim as well!"

"I-I don't really know how." He tried to avoid swimming after falling into the river. When walking through the ocean, Lucas had just clung to Duster and Kumatora the entire way through. Boney had swam ahead, scouting out oxygen machines.

"Oh, that's too bad, you should learn how. It's an important skill when living near the ocean!" This was the girl, looking thoughtful.

"Especially when Team Aqua is looking to flood everything!" The guy shook his head slightly, but kept in perfect sync with her strokes.

"But its said that Team Magma is with them and is looking to create even more land!"

The young couple giggled at each other. "Land or sea, as long as I'm with you, the world doesn't matter!"

Lucas silently watched them go by.

Lapras began to slow down, pulling level with a dock. Lucas climbed up, and turned to Lapras. The water-ice Pokémon looked back at him then back out at the sea. "Do you want to go back to the pokéball, or do you want to explore a bit?"

Lapras looked back out at the sea, and began to pull away a bit. "Okay, but when it's dusk come back so that way I can give you to Nurse Joy, okay?"

Lapras sped away from the dock, heading towards rocky outcroppings. Lucas turned on the dock, and glanced around. Fishermen were everywhere, lure's bobbing gently in the water. Wingull's circled overhead, gimlet eyes on the Magicarp that flopped uselessly on boards.

There wasn't a single road.

Instead, churned up sand stretched as far as the eye could see. Most people walked by with only sandals on their feet, some in swimsuits, others in every-day work clothes. Lucas glanced around- Red told him that on the outside, gyms all looked the same for identification purposes.

Nobody really noticed the twelve-year-old boy slip through the crowd. Wingull perched on his head, and Lucas carried Ralts in his arms. Ralts was the only one who had a pokéball. Wingull for some reason refused to be caught though he followed Lucas closely. Lucas had simply accepted it. Lucas didn't want them to go in right now anyways- it was a bit too crowded for his comfort. Home had never been so crowded…

"Oh hello there, are you a brand new trainer?" There was a bright grin from the dark-skinned lady, who looked directly at him. Lucas froze automatically. Her smile faltered for a moment. "Are you okay?"

"I- Yes Ma'm. I'm sorry you just surprised me." Lucas meekly apologized, "And I am a new trainer. I think the next gym leader is supposed to be around here somewhere?"

"Ahhh, yes, yes. Brawly is always excited to see new challengers. I can take you to the gym if you wish! Mind you, it can get pretty dark in there. I hope you're not afraid of the darkness."

"K-Kinda." Lucas admitted softly, following after the woman.

"Then it's a good thing you won't be going in alone, right?"

"I won't?"

"No, you have your Pokémon don't you. That's a very cute Ralts by the way. Are you going to enter it into any contests?" The woman smiled down at the white and green Pokémon in Lucas's arm. Ralts waved at her.

"I, that's true." He wasn't alone. "I guess I think of company as other humans…"

The lady paused before a large building. The Pokecenter was a short distance off- Lucas made a mental note to go to it after he briefly took a look around the gym. "Company as other humans hmmm? I can see your point. That's why I was never able to become a truly great trainer myself. Most Pokémon Champions tend to disappear, refusing human contact for Pokémon only. It happened to Kanto's champion, to Hoenn's champion as well. I also heard in other regions there were others who… Well, it doesn't matter. They found their own happiness, right?"

The woman stared off into the distance, before smiling at Lucas. "Don't forget your parents okay? I know it's hard to remember them when you're off on your own adventure, but we're people too. We get worried when our children don't contact us for a long period of time."

"Well, that's enough from me." She said. "Have fun challenging the gym!"

The woman hurried off. Lucas glanced down at Ralts. "My parents? Dad doesn't care…"

Ralts looked at him sadly, Maybe he cares different?

"I don't know. When I disappeared while Dad was looking for Claus, he didn't come looking for me." Was he bitter about this?

The gym door slammed open before Lucas could contemplate his feelings any longer. Another boy his age came walking out, hair disheveled. "Well, that went badly."

The small Pokémon was covered in steel, and large blue eyes stared up at the trainer. "Aron!" It cried. The steel plating was dented.

"Oh, hey." The two kids awkwardly stared at each other for a moment. "You here to challenge the gym? Careful, it's super dark in there, and the gym leader is super strong. I thought with the Tailow I caught earlier on I would have the type advantage, but his Pokémon utterly crushed us. Guess we should go up to Granite Cave and try training some until we can beat him."

The kid grinned. "I got an idea~ Here, let's go together!"

"Huh? Wait, what-"

Lucas was dragged off without being able to protest.

Lance smirked triumphantly from his position in one of the town's many, many hot springs. Aerodactyl beside him preened smugly, also submerged in the warm water. There was no store around- but then again, the spring itself was set high on a cliff-top. The only way up was too fly.

Red slid off of Charizard, who immediately escaped into his pokéball before anything wet could touch his tail. "Hello Red, took you long enough."

Lance's cape and most of his clothes were folded up right next to him. Red looked at them. Lance went still. "Don't you dare touch my clothes-"

Red turned away, letting Lance breathe a sigh of relief. The boy plopped down on a rock next to the older man. "Why am I here anyways?"

"Because we're here to meet a man named Wes. He's the one who originally fought against Team Snagem of the Orre region." Orre region, huh? They were one of those regions that didn't allow trainers to go on a Pokémon adventure until they came of age at 18… "Wes is a pretty powerful trainer, who helped uncover Team Snagem and the Snag Balls in the first place."

Lance sank down further into the water. Aerodactyl rested his snout on the top of spiky red hair. "When he heard about the commotion going on out here, he offered to help out. Since he and Team Snagem have a history of fighting and all. Like how you'd jump on any Team Rocket members that might be available."

Red nodded, and the low, soft crunch of boots on gravel caught his attention. Crimson eyes flickered to the right. A tall man, somewhere in his late twenties to mid-thirties, was walking up to him. Spiked silver hair was slicked back into spikes, but Red's eyes were fixated on the glowing black and red machine attached to an arm. It was the same kind of machine that attackers had back in Rustboro City.

"Are you Wes?"

"Yeah, I am. Are you the so-called Champion Lance?"

"You can say that."

"You're lazing about in a hot spring after your Pokémon was taken? Rather cold-blooded, aren't you?" Wes ran his fingers through his hair as an Espeon and Umbreon flanked either side of him. Was Wes trying to start a fight? While Espeon and Umbreon were powerful Pokémon, Wes would need a few more to be able to take down Lance completely.

Lance snorted. "I called you in for that reason. Why don't you both come on in? We can relax as we discuss out next move."

Pikachu cannon-balled into the water. Aerodactyl screeched at Pikachu, who smirked back as he paddled around the small pool. Espeon and Umbreon settled down at the edge. Red felt Espeon's pokéball shake slightly-

Red released Espeon, and her tail flicked slightly as she sidled up to the other Espeon. Umbreon's ears flicked forward, as the two males rose to their feet. The three Pokémon began to circle each other, sniffing and pawing at each other lightly.

There was going to be a egg later. Red could just tell.

"Red, are you going to join us?"

Red turned to find both Wes and Lance sitting in the hot spring. Two neat piles of clothes lay off to the side. Pikachu waved cheerfully from where he paddled around the two trainers. "So who is this kid anyways?"

"Red... A powerful trainer."

The man snorted. "A child is powerful in Kanto? No wonder your Pokémon were stolen."

"Only one Dragonite was stolen." Lance corrected, voice tight and angry. "And only when I was distracted by the Pokémon attacking me. After that I crushed both Pokémon and trainers. It wasn't even my strongest Dragonite, it was one of my weakest."

"Tch, whatever you say."

Red slowly slipped into the water, feeling the warm water work at tense muscles. Pikachu swam in little laps around him. Red simply lay back and listened to the two discuss strategies. Where Team Snagem could be hiding, which Pokémon had been captured, if Orre region was also being attacked, and Dragonite's weakness. "Umbreon and Espeon will be able to handle the Dragonite. The problem lies in other trainers. If Team Snagem rushes me while I'm trying to re-catch your Dragonite, it won't be pretty. Also, Rui needs to come with me to find any more Shadow Pokémon that will probably be mixed in."

"Hmm, perhaps Red will be of use there."

Red glanced up. Pikachu's ears twitched. "What? That kid? He's what- ten? Even you were caught off guard when you were first attacked."

"Isn't everyone? If Red knows to watch out for it, then he'll be fine."

Red nodded. If he knew he was going to be attacked directly, then he knew that he needed to watch out. It wasn't like it was anything new. "See, Red agrees as well. His Pokémon are extremely powerful so he should be able to keep back any others. And I will join in as well."

Red signed quickly, "Green is coming here, so he might join in the battle as well. Depending on when we battle."

"You can't even talk, and you're planning on joining in this battle? Lance, you have a screw loose to let him in."

Lance shrugged, eyes closing. The sun slowly began to sink off in the west. "Why not try battling him? As it is said, the fastest way to discover someone's true strength is through a Pokémon battle."

"Hah, very well."

"Limit to two Pokémon each?"

"Why not let him have four? He'll need all of them to make even one of my Pokémon faint."

Red smirked. Someone this confident usually had the skills to back them up. What kind of battle would this be like? Lance flinched from across the pool, eyes shooting open. "What kinda bloodlust is that?!"

Red ignored the red-head, more focused on Wes. "Now that's what I call bloodlust. Two vs. Two then, shall we?"

Red smirked. Espeon and Umbreon vs. Espeon and Pikachu. Just how much fun would this battle be?

"Let's do this now!" Wes and Lance stood up from the hot spring, diving for the clothes off to the side. Red glanced at Pikachu, and glanced back at Espeon. Hurriedly he looked away.

The battle between Wes and Red was put off until the morning.

Toon Link and Ness screams were muffled in the howling wind as they plummeted the last few feet to a large pile of snow. WHUMPH! Snow rose and flurried down slowly. "Where are we?"

"I-I don't know." Toon Link admitted.

"Look out below!" Two falling forms could be seen up above. "We're coming down!"

Nana and Popo landed on their feet, knees flexing to take out the shock of the landing. Toon Link moaned in pain, with two sets of feet on his back. "Oh, sorry Toony!"

"Here, PK Lifeup β!" Blue-white light sank into Toon Link's skin, slowly easing and erasing bruises and pains. "There we go. Does anyone know where we are?"

Snow blew past, in a large flurry. Nana and Popo smiled, feeling the cold wind blow across their faces. "It feels nice, to finally be somewhere cold."

"Real nice."

They glanced around, excitement growing. "Let's play!"

Toon Link watched as they rushed off. Ness asked, "So what do we do while they're playing?" They both shivered in the cold wind that blew past. "Let's go find some shelter until they're willing too-"

"NANA!"

Bat and sword were drawn and readied. Toon Link and Ness ran towards Popo's voice. "Popo! Nana!"

"Nana! Duck!"

SMASH! The sound echoed in the mountains, as wood cracked against what sounded like ground. "Got it Nana!"

"Thanks Popo!"

The two Ice Climbers spun into view, moving across the snow and ice like it was solid ground. Toon Link took a step forward- and slipped on the icy ground. A large rock burst out of snow, somehow oddly having arms. "GRAVELER!"

The creature brought its fists down onto the ground, sending ice and rocks flying. Toon Link flinched back, and Ness brought his hands up. Psychic energy flashed, coating each of the four battlers.

Nana and Popo twirled as one, hammers slamming down onto the giant rock. The rock creature fell backwards, legs flailing in the air for a few moments. "What is that?"

Nana and Popo brought their twin hammers down on the creature's head, making it stop moving. "Well, it's down now."

The two crouched next to the ground creature. The two of them poked it, eliciting a moan from the downed creature. "Should we finish it off?"

"Nah, I don't think it usually attacks, we just surprised it." Nana stated plainly. "But this looks familiar…"

"Yeah, I think I've seen a picture of it somewhere."

The two put their heads together, naming off different rooms. "Old Link? No, no. Not Falco- or Fox. Wolf is out. Donkey Ko- no, you're right not them either. It was a room we were invited too, I remember that. But it was really nice and clean…"

"RED! It was in Red's room!"

Toon Link and Ness gaped at Popo's shout. "We landed in Red's world! How lucky are we?"

The two gave each other a high-five. Ness muttered dryly, "I never known the world to be so kind."

"Nah. There's something off here I think…" Toon Link agreed softly, as the Ice Climbers began to dance around each other.

"So. Now what?"

Wind blew across the empty mountaintop.

"We're gonna starve to death."

a/n: Looks like the gang has arrived to Red's world. Oh man are the adults gonna blow a fuse when they find out! Also, congrats to Toon Link and Sonic for making it back into SSB! I didn't think Sonic or Toon Link would make it honestly, but I'm glad they both did.