Red was completely and utterly miserable.

Rain dripped down a leaf, splattering against his nose. Cold, Red could stand. Snow, Red enjoyed. This humid, hot, sticky heat however was threatening to kill him. The twelve-year-old slumped against a tree, as Venosaur nuzzled against his arm. The Pokémon was the only one enjoying this weather. Even Blastoise was reluctant to come out of his ball in this oppressive heat.

Red leaned against the tree, watching wild Volbeat and Illumise danced around each other, lights flickering in an age-old mating dance. Speaking of mating, Espeon was getting a bit big… he would have to leave her with the recuperating Lance until her Egg was pushed out.

Red buried his head in his hands, and reminded himself to breathe. The last time he had seen so much blood was in Silph Co. And the fact that Lance was so pale…

Lance might've been self-confident and aloof the first time they met, but Red had noticed the difference the second-time around. He was kinder, more willing to help, not so aloof. Red had taken his place instead as the aloof one. It had happened on Mount Silver, it happened in Smash Manor. He was the aloof, distant one.

A Tropicus roared in the distance, and it began to rain a little harder. Red glared at the falling drops mutinously. Maybe he should find a Pokémon that knew Sunny Day… Venosaur nudged him lightly, leaves rustling invitingly.

Red stooped down, and huddled against Venosaur's side. Pikachu's pokéball rocked slightly, but stopped the second Red touched the ball. Pikachu had long escaped the rain through the pokéball.

The pre-teen stared out at the rain, thoughts inevitably drawn back to Lance. He was, despite his injuries, busy with his Dragonite. Grooming it, talking to it- all physical activities were out so there weren't any flights or walking, but Rui assured them that Dragonite was responding to the treatment. Already it was more affectionate, carefully nuzzling Lance's cheek or hair.

But that was only now, at the end of the week. At the beginning of the week, it had been Rui staggering into a Human Hospital, Lance on her back and blood still seeping through make-shift bandages. Red had lent her Charizard, and faced the remaining Dragonite with Blastoise. The Pokémon, understandably freaking out over the fact that its trainer was injured, and that some human it didn't know was taking its trainer away, kept trying to attack.

Blastoise had kept it back, battling it until it had been automatically caught up in the pokéball's return. Lance had reassured the Dragonite after that, letting the dragon Pokémon scrunch into his room. There was a little bit of understanding in Lance's eyes now, as he looked at Red.

"Do your Pokémon do this as well?"

Red had nodded then, watching as Pikachu strayed (but not too far) and Espeon and Umbreon huddled together. The male and female certainly seemed content. Lance sighed, "How did you get them to calm down?"

He hadn't.

Red shrugged, avoiding looking at Lance's face. The pale Champion had been sitting in a chair, fighting through the pain without drugs. Lance had sighed, letting his shoulders rest against the back. The posture looked uncomfortable, but it at least took pressure off of the wound.

Pikachu jumped on a tiny bug, and startled a Taillow into taking flight. Lance watched the on-going proceedings with hooded eyes. Two Dragonite sunned silently, but still well within easy fighting and biting distance of Lance. "I guess I understand a bit more about how you felt after Silph."

Lance didn't see Red get to his feet and calmly walk away. If he had, he would've probably been concerned. He probably would've recognized the fact that Red was leaving the place altogether and not going out on one of his 'walks'. He had seen Red pull the same stunt once before, when Red had retreated too Mount Silver.

Red curled up a little further against Venosaur's back, feeling the rough skin of the Pokémon, thickened through years of being on Mount Silver, against his back. The rain had let up a little, though the heat hadn't, making him sleepy and droopy. He knew if he checked his 'gear' he would find messages from Wes, Rui, and perhaps Lance.

He didn't want too look.

He still hadn't heard back from Green- Green was probably on a boat or something headed right over. "Saur?"

Venosaur's voice sounded like it was coming from a good distance away. Red could feel his eyes sliding shut, compelled by the warmth. Maybe if he just slept for a bit, the heat would lighten up…

Bright corridors stretched out in every direction. Cold, impersonal furniture and paintings decorated the walls every so often. Hands hung at sides, as eyes surveyed the set of pathways laid out before him. He could distantly recognize them-

A red-eyed, black haired ten-year-old appeared, hand up to his cheek. Bright red sluggishly trickled out, and the small Pikachu in his arms, with plenty of cuts itself, worriedly stared up at him.

The child's mouth moved, chattering away reassurances to Pikachu. Everything was fine. See, look at him-

He knew what was going to happen next. Red knew it. He had lived this once. He stretched out his hand, trying to yell. 'Go back! Go back! Green is there. He'll help. Don't go that way! You'll-'

The lance of bright light that slammed directly into the child made Red practically sob in frustration. Hands pounded at an invisible wall. It's fake! His mind screamed, distant and remote. It's fake! You don't know how it went down! You were just walking, and suddenly there was a pool of blood and Charizard was flying you to a Pokémon Center.

But it seemed all too real as suddenly Red was the one being slammed against the ground, words and noises trickling out slowly with the blood. "So then, what's going to be your last word?"

His lips moved, struggling to form one last name- 'Gre-'

Red slammed awake as Venosaur roared. Lips moved, desperately trying to shout out the name that he couldn't finish in his dream. That he hadn't been able to finish in real life. The forest shook, and the rain trembled in response to that mighty roar. Leaves and vines, tightly but tenderly wrapped around him, prevented him from struggling too much.

Red forced himself to relax. The vines loosened in response, letting themselves fall way one-by-one. Venosaur rumbled, twisting slowly to butt his head into Red's stomach. Red silently shook as he wrapped his arms around the broad, flat head.

This was the other, unstated reason why he had left. Both the Championship and Kanto almost entirely and why he had left behind Lance.

Nightmares.

It was silly, and stupid. He was a hero, a Champion, a legend. Even if it was all fading now, replaced by the tales of Gold, he was still the source of inspiration to many. And Heroes, just like both Link's, Mario, Fox, Falco, Sonic and all the others in Smash Manor didn't get scared. They weren't haunted by nightmares, night after night until their ears rang with their own screaming that couldn't exist because Red couldn't scream. They didn't feel petty resentment towards Green for not arriving in time to save something he's learned to live without.

But- Red's head thudded against Venosaur's broad skin. The sun was beginning to set- the nightmares had taken a bit to kick in. At least he got some rest, even if it felt like the rest had been shattered into shards that cut instead. "Saur?"

Red smiled into the thick skin of Venosaur. Venosaur rumbled, low and soft, soothing away nightmares like he had for the past week. Red traced a small thanks into Venosaur's skin, watched as the Pokémon shivered and growled in happiness. Pikachu's ball rocked violently, in time to the other pokéballs. Red placed a stilling hand on them- they could break out of the balls if they wanted, but they were willing to trust him now. They were willing to trust Venosaur would keep him safe.

"Hello, is someone there?"

The light, female voice rang in his ears. "Hello? I heard a Pokémon roar- I just want to make sure that there aren't any humans around."

"I don't think anyone is here Sapphire."

"Shush Ruby."

He knew those names. The missing Champion and her companion. "Sapphire, I'm tired and so are you. We've been chasing Latios and Latias too keep them safe from over-eager trainers for months. Plus we've had to keep checking in on Regice, Regirock and Registeel. You probably just imagined it."

"I couldn't imagine something that loud. And look at it this way- we'd at least know if Groudon and Kyogre were woken up again." Sapphire said, half-jokingly. There was a heaviness to her words though. A remnant of the painful memories.

Red stepped towards the voices, Venosaur moving alongside. They emerged from the thick forest, Red's hat pulled low to keep the sun out of his eyes. They were standing on a short, rocky outcropping, looking down at the two fourteen-year-old's that stood back-to-back. Both of them were from the picture.

It was the girl who noticed him first. "Ruby, up there!"

People and Pokémon were instantly on guard, eyes on him. Red gestured to Venosaur- Ruby and Sapphire moved as one. Two Pokémon flashed into existence and hands reached out to catch each others. The duo regarded him, waiting for an attack. Red signed, "Do you understand sign-language?"

Ruby frowned. "Sign… language? Are you not a trainer then? But yeah, I kinda understand."

Sapphire nodded along, "It's okay Ruby, I know it. Dad taught me before I went running off into the wild."

Red reached into his backpack to fish out a picture of the grunts he had been tracking down. He held it out to them. Sapphire was the one who took it, frowning at the images. "This is… Team Magma and Aqua working together? That's impossible! Their bosses reformed. The two of them… They're still on Mount Pyre, along with the orbs to make it up to the old couple…"

Red signed quickly, "They're under a new banner now. They've been stealing Pokémon with new pokéballs."

The two looked at each other, experience keeping them from panicking. Ruby said slowly, "We should of checked on their bases more often. But for now, we should separate- you take Team Aqua, and I'll take Team Magma."

"Y-Yeah."

Ruby and Sapphire hands squeezed each other, as the two looked reluctant to part. Red signed, "I can help."

"Hmm? Are you really a trainer?" Ruby frowned at him- but Sapphire's eyes widened.

"Wait. I heard rumors… of a guy in Kanto that was tremendously strong. He had red eyes like yours Ruby, and he doesn't speak a word. Are you Champion Red?" Sapphire was on-guard, but confident.

Red evaluated her for a long moment. Sapphire would be a powerful battle, and she might even win. Red nodded slowly. "I am Red. But I'm not Champion. That title belongs to Gold now."

It had taken so long for the child to defeat him, but he kept coming back until he at last won. It was a bitter-sweet victory, one that neither enjoyed.

"I see. Then I- as Champion… No, I'm not Champion either. I handed it to Wallace when I left. I, Sapphire, former Champion of Hoenn would like to challenge you to a battle."

Ruby gaped at her. "Are you nuts? You'll probably loose! Everyone knows the rumors about Kanto and Johto strength!"

Sapphire didn't say anything, staring up at Red. Red slowly nodded, hand falling to Venosaur. The prospect of a battle thrummed in his veins.

"WAIT!" Ruby broke in here, looking a bit desperate. "Battles between Champions will have to wait. They always wait until the end, right? We have a lot to do, and our Pokemon need to be at full strength."

The two former champions regarded each other for a long minute. "Yeah, it'll have to wait." Sapphire sounded disappointed. "Another time. Do you have a map? Ruby and I will check half of the bases, if you'll check the other half."

Red nodded, and Ruby sighed in relief. "Okay, we'll check to make sure Rayquaza is still around as well, in case we need him."

Red really, really hoped that this was the real Rayquaza and not Master Hand's failed attempt at Rayquaza. A flying Pokémon that used dig? Perish the thought.

Ruby and Sapphire leaned into each other for a moment. "Team Aqua and Magma huh? Brings back memories."

Not good ones, judging by the faces. Red held out his paper map, and the two marked in every base they had visited. "We might want to check the Sunken Ship on the route to Dewford. They might be there as well."

Sunken Ship huh? It sounded like a place Green might visit…

Red marked it down as something he would visit.

When they separated, there was a fire in each of their eyes, not seen since two years ago when they had risen against a force that no adult would. Red could feel the same fire thrumming in his veins, as Charizard took to the sky with more purpose then he had too in years.

Cities and land passed beneath him, hidden and revealed with each wingbeat. Red didn't notice, didn't care. This wasn't his region. He was just helping out a bit. Yeah, he had left behind Espeon and a note with Lance, telling them he had met up with The Champion had been slumbering away, exhausted and pale still. The shot really wrecked havoc with him…

Waves roared beneath him, and as Red leaned down across Charizard's neck, his eyes fell on a Pokémon he could well recognize. A beady eye peered at him.

Red couldn't even pretend it wasn't there specifically because of him. Hoenn had no native Pidgeot's. Especially not Pidgeot's that puffed their feathers out and screeched a battle cry loud enough to wake the dead the second they spotted a Charizard. Oh, and most Pidgeot's weren't accompanied by a shock of green hair sticking up every-which way.

Charizard slowly circled to the ground, and only one thought circled around Red's mind. I should run away.

The twelve-year-old Viridian Gym Leader arms crossed as he stared at the descending Charizard. Red schooled his face into a neutral position, tugging his hat as low as he dared. He couldn't show weakness to his rival. He just couldn't.

"Hey. You're late."

Only Green 'One-Step-Ahead' Oak would call me late.

And his heart, the part that had ached so long that it had become a part of him, finally unclenched enough to bring a real, wide, smile to his lips.

Lucas, on the other hand, was miserable because his thoughts kept going back to Ness. His powers were truly beginning to disappear as well. Even nightly practices with Ionia couldn't hide the fact that his power was weakening, the energy ball growing smaller and smaller. Nearly two weeks had passed since he had been in Dewford, and the excitement from earning his second badge was already wearing off.

Doria flapped into the shallow cave, a few berries dangling from his beak. Ionia grabbed one, chewing on it thoughtfully. Doria carefully ate the other, eyes on Lucas as he stared out at howling wind.

Stephen had disappeared into the desert to find some cool wild Pokémon, looking to build his team with as few weaknesses as possible. Lucas found he didn't really want new Pokémon- he just wanted to travel with the two he had.

Maybe contests were a better fit for him? Or maybe neither battles nor contests were going to be part of what Lucas wanted to do. Stephen didn't seem to mind, but he was out in the howling wind alone. Maybe Lucas should've gone with him. Nobody deserved to be alone.

Even Pokey? His mind whispered. Pokey, forever trapped alone.

But… if it was what the boy-king wanted…

Lucas's head dipped to his knees, as he stared out at the whirling desert sand-storm. Doria and Ionia huddled close. A mound of dust and dirt appeared at the entrance-way. Lucas screeched in surprise- "Doria! Water Gun!"

Stephen fell back, eyes swirling as he was hit face-on with a burst of water. Lucas gaped for a few moments, before scrambling forward. His PKI might be weak but it wasn't gone. He could still do a bit of healing.

When Stephen stirred a few seconds later, hand on the side of his head, Lucas sighed in relief. "You okay Stephen?"

"Y-Yeah, just fine. What was the number of the truck that ran over me?"

Lucas half-giggled, fidgeting nervously. Stephen shook his head, the PKI working its wonders on whatever damage he had. "Either way- I found it Lucas! I found a ground-type that likes me and is willing to come along with me to see the world!"

"Is this really a good idea? Going out and looking for them?" Lucas questioned, "I mean, I thought the best friends came to you when you aren't expecting it."

"But you have to put in some work as well, I mean, if all of your friends drift towards you, then it stands to reason they'll just drift away. Some of the most long-lasting relationships are those where both sides clash, fight, and come to an understanding. Right, Trapinch?"

The Pokémon's large mouth snapped together. "He has a trapping ability- no wild Pokémon can run away from him unless he allows it."

"Is that… really a he? Or is that a she?" There was a suspicious sparkle with the eyes that reminded him of the Magypsies.

Stephen fell silent, looking closely at Trapinch. After a second, he lifted a hind-leg, peeking underneath. "Female. She."

"Ah."

"Okay, let's go to Lavaridge Town, so that way I can get all of this dust and dirt off. Then Me 'n' Trapinch can train, and you can try out the Normal Contest if you want."

"Lavaridge Town huh?"

Ionia escaped into his pokéball. Doria scrunched up in Lucas's arms, as Lucas draped a light jacked over the Pokémon. It shielded the Pokémon from the worst of the sandstorm. Stephen continued chattering on, occasionally spitting out a mouth full of desert sand. "Yeah, there's a lot of Hot Springs. A lot of older people go there to rest and heal. I don't believe it myself, but most of the older people swear by it. Plus, because of the warm sands, there's a lot of Pokémon Eggs that get left unattended. If you're lucky, you can pick one up and the owners will let you hatch it."

The wind began to die down, blocked by towering cliff-sides.

Hot Springs huh… Could he expect coffee and a psychedelic message to be placed directly in his mind? But that was Mr. Saturn's coffee. Would it work with regular coffee?

"D-Do you know of one with coffee?"

"What's coffee?"

Ah.

Stephen led the way to the small car hanging from the ropes. Lucas watched as the landscape rumbled below him, a few hikers taking the rough, rocky pathway. There was an older couple across from him. They and Stephen hit it off nearly instantly, with Lucas adding in a few comments whenever possible.

When they disembarked, the couple had invited the two to use their house as a place to rest after soaking at a hotspring. Stephen grinned as he pointed forward- "Let's go!"

"Umm, Stephen… do you mind if I look around?" Wingull had fallen asleep in his arms, and Ionia didn't seem ready to come out of his pokéball. "I-I want to see if they have any coffee around here…"

"…Okay." Stephen hesitated, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes please." It was nice, to listen, and not be expected to talk back. Red never talked at all, but everyone expected replies, when all Lucas wanted to do was listen. Ness was far more outgoing, and was always asking for an opinion Lucas didn't really want to give.

"Okay! Let's go!" Stephen waved an arm in mid-air. "I'm gonna hunt down this coffee thing!"

Lucas laughed quietly, and nodded. The two turned away, missing a brightly-stripped shirt that strode through the crowds, as four tired children straggled into town. Lucas and Stephen instead began combing the city, asking if there was any place that served coffee with the dip.

Most places hadn't even heard of coffee, and could offer no suggestions on where to find it. It took a few hours, but Stephen came charging back with news. "I found a place that serves it! It's a bit of a dump, and really old, but they have coffee."

"Really? Thanks Stephen!"

Stephen proudly grinned. "Hah! Told you we'd find it!"

The old building was creaky, run-down, and had more then a few rotted boards. There was only one old, old man at the front, snoring away. Stephen left the money at the cashier, and turned to the small kitchen area. "Guess we get to make our own coffee-"

"No." Lucas murmured softly. "Look."

Two cups of steaming coffee were set on a small platter. A ladder (way too tall for the counter) rested against the counter next to the platter. If Lucas listened carefully, he could hear a soft "BOING!"

"Huh? But who made it? It's still hot-"

"It's okay Stephen, I think I know. It'll be fine."

Feet shuffled out of sight, soft 'BOING' and 'DAKOTA' filling the air every so often. Stephen listened with the oddest look on his face. "Is there new Pokémon around?"

"No, not Pokémon. Just some Mr. Saturn's."

Lucas wasn't even going to wonder how or why they were here in the Pokémon world. Mr. Saturn's were just like that. You didn't try to apply real world physics to them. "You seem really happy Lucas, so I guess I'll drop it. I've never seen you smile this much."

Lucas touched his cheeks slowly- he was indeed grinning from ear-to-ear. Probably because Mr. Saturn's were such fun-

Stephen opened the sliding door with a loud rattle. Two sets of eyes were drawn to a far corner, where a stack of five creatures that looked like round heads with big noses and giant feet balanced carefully atop of each other.

Lucas stared at the Mr. Saturns.

The Mr. Saturns pretended they were part of the scenery. "Is that-" Stephen began.

"Yeah." Lucas interrupted.

The two humans stared a bit longer, steaming hot coffee mugs in hand. The stack began to sway sideways. Lucas cleared his throat, and pointedly turned away. Stephen, after a few moments, did the exact same thing.

There was the sound of feet hitting the ground, and a few loudly whispered, "RUN AWAY."

The two patiently waited until the feet had stopped, before turning around. Badly hiding Mr. Saturn's peeked out from bushes and behind rocks, each with a handkerchief tied around their neck. Lucas glanced down to find one pressed up against his legs. "Shhh! Am Hiding!"

"Let's go into the hot spring Lucas."

Stephen confidentially led the way, and Lucas followed. Lucas had to admit- even knowing the Mr. Saturn's were begin, friendly souls, the fact that there were so many staring at him was a little unnerving. Stephen was really brave for being the first to make a move with so many eyes, and he didn't even know Mr. Saturn. Stephen fell into the onsen water with a happy sigh.

"Finally!"

That's right. Stephen had been twice as hot and dusty as Lucas. He had been out wandering the desert, and Lucas had selfishly made him search out this place that was probably nothing like Stephen had been planning. "S-Sorry." He murmured, looking down at the water.

"Huh?" Stephen twisted to look at him. Confusion was written all over his features. "Something the matter? You look all sad."

Lucas swirled the water with one finger, glancing at the coffee cups sitting off to one side. It was so hard, to explain himself. Nurse Joy could encourage it out, and so could Stephen apparently. "Sorry that I dragged you all around town."

"Oh, that. Pfft, I offered, didn't I? Anyways, I'm going to see what this coffee thing you wanted so much tastes like!"

He reached over, picking up a mug. Lucas copied the motion. The bitter taste flooded his tongue- Stephen gagged slightly. Lucas gulped it down, feeling the warmth fill his stomach, reaching what the warm, bubbling water couldn't.

His eyes slid close, and a familiar, warm voice reached his ears. Lucas listened carefully, words carving themselves into his heart.

When the words stopped for a few moments, Lucas wondered if it was time to wake up. Then, the words began again, voice different. "Lucas, you have many friends. These friends are willing to follow you wherever you go. Whatever you decide to do, they will listen. Lucas, you have grown. You are your own person. Whatever you choose to do, remember that your friends and family will always love and respect you and your choices."

Lucas's eyes fluttered open, staring out across empty water. A voice floated into one ear, "See, I told you he'd wake up. He just had some coffee."

"The water is so warm. It's like the Dream Fountain Stage!"

"I know, right? Want to see who makes the bigger splash?"

"You shouldn't splash in an Onsen, it isn't meant for that. It's just meant for sitting and relaxing in." That scolding voice was Stephen.

"Lucas, you okay?" And that was…

"Link?" Lucas blinked slowly, sitting up in the water where he had comfortably floated.

Five faces gathered around eagerly. "Have a fun trip?" Ness inquired.

Lucas nodded. Ness frowned a little- Stephen broke in with a bright, "Cool! So then these guys are your friends?" Lucas nodded again. "Okay then! You know, you have weird friends. I've never seen anyone travel without any Pokémon."

"We can handle ourselves just fine." Ness snapped back.

Lucas sank a little lower into the water. Stephen frowned a bit, obviously off-put by Ness's behavior. "Hey, what's the matter with you?"

"Who are you?"

"Lucas's friend. My name is Stephen. What are your guy's names?"

Ness remained stubbornly quiet. Toon Link spoke up, "My name is Link. This is Ness, and over there are Nana and Popo."

"Are you two brother and sister? You match…"

They both shrugged. "We don't know."

"I think we are." Nana stated thoughtfully. "I mean, didn't we sleep in the same tent when we were with the tribe?"

Popo frowned. "Did we? I don't think we did. I think that was when we got separated."

"No, no, there was a blubber lamp roasting seal. I remember that much. We can't hunt seal, we're not big enough yet."

The two looked thoughtful, staring off into the distance. They murmured quietly between them, comparing and striking out answers. Toon Link grinned, and turned to Lucas, "Anyways, we're sorry to bother you, but do you know how to get back to the Mansion? We're kinda lost."

"Lost?"

"We fell through a random portal to here. We'd of followed you if Master Hand hadn't closed the regular portals-"

"Uh-oh." Lucas shrank down in the water even further.

Stephen stated Lucas's thoughts with a simple, "He's in big trouble, isn't he? If you're gonna hide out here Lucas, I know the perfect island you can do it in. Or- you can go to the floating town! They allow anyone there."

Toon Link glanced between Stephen and Lucas, before asking softly, "How long have you been traveling together?"

"Just for a few weeks." Stephen immediately replied, saving Lucas from having to talk. "We met in Dewford, when he went in to go challenge the gym. Of course, I kinda dragged him out, but it was probably a good thing."

If they hadn't met, Lucas would probably be begging Red to come to Dewford and pick him up. He didn't handle being alone very well. Ness's scowl grew a little deeper. Stephen, in return, bristled slightly more. The two's eyes clashed.

Toon Link sighed as he slowly slipped into the warm water. "This place reminds me of home. Well, along the coastline it does. We got so many odd looks when we sailed into port."

"You have your own ship?" Stephen eagerly jumped on the new subject, "That's so cool! What kind of ship is it?"

"It's just an old sailing ship we borrowed from an guy who lived down the coast. He didn't think we'd make it, but we did."

"Oh." Silence fell for a few moments. Stephen stirred the water with a few kicks, before his head popped up again. "But why did you come all this way just to talk to Lucas? Couldn't you of just called him on his gear?"

Silence.

"Huh?"

As Stephen expounded upon the ins and outs of Pokegear and how the gear could contact people instantly despite huge space differences, Ness edged closer to Lucas. "Is that guy really your friend?"

Lucas nodded instantly.

"Oh." Ness frowned for a moment longer.

Lucas gathered up all of his courage-

Two voices blurted out, "I'm sorry!" at the same time.

Lucas and Ness stared at each other for a long, long moment, before smiling.

A piece of Lucas's heart that had been hurting ever since arriving upon this world, eased.

a/n: POKEMON X AND Y. POKEMON X AND Y. POKEMON X AND Y. Thank you for reading this chapter while Pokemon X and Y are out. I hope this chapter was worth it.