Rustboro city was still the bustling metropolis. Green covered his yawn with one hand as the two's Pokémon touched down onto the ground. The Pokémon Center with its landing strip for flying-types was too busy to land in for now- instead they would walk through the city. Hopefully the walk to the station wouldn't be too far.

Red moved with certainty through the crowds, his Pikachu perched on his head creating a second hat. Green sighed as he recalled his flying Pokémon, and tiredly trudged after Red. Usually it was him who was one step ahead of Red, going where he knew Red would be too ambush the trainer with a battle. It had worked well enough on their journey, though looking back on it, Green could admit how childish it was. Red had never told him to stop…

"Wait up Red. So we're going to the police and finding out who this kid is, right?"

A short nod. "Because he has some kind of snag machine that'll allow him to steal Pokémon right out of the pokéballs."

Another nod. "And why hasn't anyone else realized this?"

Red half-shrugged with one shoulder. He wasn't very concerned about the why or how. He was more focused on the information given to him, and how to utilize it to destroy this organization facing him. "Shouldn't we tell Hoenn's champion about this-"

"I will."

Just- He'd tell them later. Red and Green both knew the futility of contacting a Champion for help, though Green had seen Lance change. Red hadn't. But Red was supposed to of been working with Lance… But Green knew how long it could take for new information to overwrite the old. He sighed, one hand scrubbing at his green hair. He was so close to just challenging Red to a Pokémon battle until he choked all of the information out of Red's annoying closed-mouthiness.

Red paused in front of the jail, eying it for a moment. Green smirked slightly- was Red getting cold feet or something? Red took a deep breath, shoulders squaring. Green's eyes might've softened just a bit, though he would never admit it. Most people wouldn't see the minute tenseness along the lines of Red's shoulders. Even if Red was daring huge crowds for the sake of others, that didn't mean he liked the crowds.

"Red, should I go on in and get the info?"

Red shook his head, and closed his eyes for a brief moment. He wound up his arm as if pitching something, mouthing two words. Green was absolutely no good at lip reading, but he was pretty sure that it was something like 'Falcon Punch' or 'Courage of Hyrule'. Which made absolutely no sense. Still-

Red looked up, with a degree of calmness in his eyes and marched into the bustling workplace. Instantly eyes turned on him, Officer Jenny's tensing. Green's hand automatically fell to his side, the sheer hostility in the air dragging all of his senses to high alert. "Red-"

Red grabbed him by the wrist. Green's jaw dropped, stunned by the sudden contact. Red's fingers were shaking, barely, almost imperceptibly around his wrist as Red briskly tugged him forward. Some first-class liar had to of taught him this, or Red had observed this tactic from somewhere, because neither Green nor Red were touchy people by nature.

Red marched right up to the desk, plopping a notebook paper with a few pre-recorded words on it on the desk. The Officer Jenny scanned the paper, before looking up. "Do you have any way of proving your authority?"

Red pulled out his Pokedex, flashing it for the world to see. Criminals and Officers alike zeroed in on the red electronic. "I see. This way please. Is this other person-"

Green copied Red, pulling out his own Pokedex. The two hummed side-by-side. If Blue was here, they would make a beautiful trio that would ring softly. But- those of Kanto were always strong-willed and independent of each other. All three Pokedex's hadn't been near each other since the time they had left Gramps Laboratory.

"Ah, I see. If you had said you were sent by the esteemed Professors, then Champion Wallace wouldn't of battled you and would've let you go you know." Her tone was slightly reproachful as she gestured them to the back.

Red shrugged uneasily. Green spoke up, vocalizing the reasons why neither of them flashed their pokedex's around. "Well, we could, but then a whole bunch of paparazzi would descend on here like flies. Besides, that gives the other guys a clue of where we're going. We're just in a bit of a hurry now Ma'm."

Officer Jenny sighed as she marched them through corridors. "That may be true, but this is all still quite a pain you know. We don't exactly have the boy in custody- his father bailed him out a few hours after you vanished with the Kanto Champion-" Green held back a sour laugh at that, because nobody outside of Kanto ever seemed to realize that Lance wasn't the champion any longer- "And we've been back to settling small, petty crimes with our former champion breathing down our necks for any new information."

The woman sighed as she unlocked the door to rows of file cabinets. "The grunts don't really know anything either, and they disappeared during the whole fight that you had in the middle of the city."

Red's face didn't twitch at the finger point, but Green did as fingers clamped even harder around his wrist. If Red seriously didn't let up at some point, Green was going to have to get a new hand. Wait a minute- what did Officer Jenny say? "You had a fight in the middle of the city Red?"

Red's lips went white and thin, even as his eyes refused all other emotions. Red had been taking no-emotion lessons from someone. Green didn't tug his wrist away and took a step closer. "For you to do a battle in the city you must've been pretty pissed off-"

He stopped, seeing a different emotion ripple across Red's face, in a slight tug of lips and turning away of eyes. "Were you scared of them?"

Fire blazed in crimson eyes, as hot and deadly as a Charizard's flames. "Okay, Okay, so not scared." Officer Jenny was giving him the same look that teachers did back in Pallette town whenever Green had a conversation with Red. "But honestly, he threw you off of your high-and-mighty-"

Red snorted, eyes flickering up and down across Green's body in a split second. Green's mouth dropped down in indignation. "Hey, just because you never learned how to strut yourself around and look as fabulous as I did-"

Red turned up his nose, in a that's too petty for me motion. Green snorted dryly. "Don't you dare say you don't have your diva moments. Why else did you call out to me in Silph Co?"

That sucked all of the fun in the air faster then one could say Oak. Red's head turned away, and his death-grip on Green's wrist fell away. Green stared blankly at him, before his brain kickstarted again. Silph Co. was where Red had lost his voice. How could he possibly think about joking about this?

Green held back the urge to bash his head against the closest hard surface. This was the reason why Gramps never bothered remembering his name, because if he was even partially worth acknowledging, he'd know these sorts of things before hand. This was why he liked being one step ahead, because then he could avoid these situations that meant he drove away the people he knew.

But maybe he should apologize- "Here we go, the files for the child. David Cage, fourteen, he's been convicted of several other petty crimes, but due to his fathers influence and the fact that he's a juvenile have kept him out of prison."

Red eyed the company name, and the address located, before nodding sharply and turning on his heel. Green instantly reached out to catch him by the wrist. "Wait up for me, will ya?"

The cold ice of Red's eyes melted a bit, as he slowly nodded. Green hid the sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted to do was to chase Red up the mountain. When Red gently pulled on him, leading him out, Green followed. Neither of them mentioned the fact that Green didn't let go.

The flight to Lilycove didn't take very long, but the hunt for the company building did. It was located in the middle of the city, on the outskirts of the small tents that had pitched themselves along the streets edge. Green was the one who took point here, forcing people to part for him. Red bobbed along in his wake like a rubber ducky.

The shining monstrosity of steel and glass instantly reminded Green of Silph Co. He didn't stop though, and refused to let Red stop either, walking straight in to the building. The air conditioning was running full blast, cooling the two from Kanto immediately. Red's shoulders dropped a bit, glad to be out of the heat.

Green didn't let go of Red's wrist as he marched straight up to the front desk. Red scanned the swirling crowds, elbow resting against his back. Green looked the lady right in the eye, stating calmly, "I'm here to see David Cage."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No. But I think he'll want to see me. I'm Green Oak of Viridian Gym from the Kanto Region."

The lady's eyes went a little sharper, a little stronger on him. Red went taunt as a bow-wire, and Green attempted to peek at him while not showing any weakness to the secretary. There were just these two guys walking towards the elevator-

Red took off like a shot, chasing after the older, larger teenagers. The teens took one look at Red, and went as white as Mount Silver's snow. That was the look of a person who had fought Red when Red was being serious.

Green smirked at the lady, noting the silent horror in her eyes. "Looks like we've found our criminals."

He turned on his heel, chasing after Red as Red successfully, despite being a foot shorter then the two, cornered them against a potted plant. His arms crossed as he stared them down, and Green noticed how armed security guards put their hands at their sides where pokéballs sat. Were they really going to take on the Champion of Kanto? Green was half-tempted to let them try.

Pikachu growled ferociously, electrical sparks falling from his fur to the ground. Green stepped in before the situation could get any worse. "We're here on official Champion Business. I believe you two have a couple of questions to answer."

"Ch-Champions? We don't see no champions here!" The one of on the left bodily, and stupidly, protested. "There's just a coupla kids! You two had to of just started your journey-"

"I'm The Eighth Gym Leader of Viridian City in the Kanto Region. I've held this position for a year and a half. This guy here on the other hand is Red, Champion of Kanto for two years."

That caught everyone's attention. Green stepped foreword. "We also are going to use the fact that we have Pokedex's given to us by the original creator, Professor Oak as part of our authority. You two are coming with us to the Police Station."

Green took another step forward, and double doors leading to an elevator slid open. The two grunts made a wild dash for the elevator. Green and Red took off after them, Pikachu leaping from Red's side to chase after the teenagers. The mouse Pokémon leapt at the two- Red put on a final burst of speed- "ARCANINE! STOP THEM!"

The fire Pokémon dashed forward, with all the speed of the wind. His white tail flickered in the air, and large claws extended from his orange paws. There were a couple of shrieks from the people in the elevator as the large Pokémon pounced on the two teens. The secretary pounced on the opportunity- She grabbed Green by the back of his black coat, physically pulling him back. "Gym Leader or not, this blatant disregard for human life must end now-"

Grunts, Pokémon, and Red rolled into the elevator as normal workers fled out. Red was on his feet instantly, foot kicking out to hit against the ankle. The grunt howled as he clutched at the wounded joint. The elevator doors slid close, as Green yanked his coat from the lady's hold, snarling, "Look lady, if you don't let go of me now, then I will have you arrested for obstructing justice and for harboring wanted criminals."

"On what authority?"

"Champion."

"You aren't the champion, and are thereby exempt-"

"I believe even those who were former Champions, as long as they were not stripped of their powers due to excess and gross misconduct are allowed to wield the power of a Champion when needed."

Her face began to pale. Green smirked, all teeth bared in a feral, wild grin. It was rather catching, he had to give Red that. Even if Green had been a Champion for only five minutes, it still counted. Mostly because nobody could possibly imagine the insane roulette that happened. It was nothing compared to Unova's a year later, but they were still the League that ended up pointing out a very big flaw in the Champion's League way of doing things. Not that they had changed any.

"You-You can't be-"

"I'm Green Oak, Former Champion of Kanto, with all of the duties that are considered part of this position."

The secretary took a step back, letting go of his coat. "I apologize sincerely." There was a note of frustration to her voice though, angry and hard. She didn't want this to be happening- no company would. "Your friend should be exiting out of the elevator doors soon. Perhaps you'd like to sit to one side until he does?"

Green hesitated- Normally he would've looked up building plans to decide if there were any back ways in and out of the building, but he hadn't had time with Red riding on his rear. Green's eyes flickered to the Elevator Doors- "Do you know what floor Red was headed towards? I'd like to meet up with him now, especially as he has my Arcanine."

The Pokémon would listen to Red- it knew Red from a pretty good time back, and even if Green and Red battled quite a bit, they had also worked together a few times. Arcanine would listen to Red's commands. There was a flash of speculation in the Secretary's eyes, something that made his back tingle and go stiff. Red had told him about stolen Pokémon, and if this company was part of it…

Green's face didn't twitch as his hands fell to the pokéballs at his side. There were lots of people staring at him, and it belatedly occurred to Green that he had never faced a situation like this before. Red had faced it, wave after wave of grunts and scientists that charged him down the hallway of Silph Co., never certain who was friend or foe, but Green had stayed outside of that situation. These people wouldn't play by the rules.

He fingered Machamp and Exeggutor's balls thoughtfully- The grass and fighting Pokémon wouldn't do well, but they weren't like Gyrados who wouldn't fit in this building, and Pidgeot would be too confined by the corridors. Or-

Green plucked another pokéball from his side, casually tossing it up and down in the air. "Ma'm. Where is that elevator going?"

"We humbly request that you meet with our Company President." Company President? Just how strong was this guy? "I believe he may be able to answer all the questions you might have."

"I'd rather find Red." Maybe a year or so ago he would've been tempted to leave Red off on his own, and do his own sleuthing. But he didn't want to leave Red alone right now, especially when he was acting so weird. And with the secretary acting like she was…

The Secretary nodded, her updone hair beginning to come loose. "Very well then. I will go check-"

The doors shuddered, and Green flinched at the sound of an explosion. "What was that-" The secretary began, but Green was already moving.

"Machamp! Go! Pry open those doors now. Everyone get outside of the building to safety in case it collapses. Alert the police as well!"

There ought to be enough normal civilians that would obey him. The Secretary took a step back as the four-armed Pokémon rushed past her, and pried the elevator doors apart. Long green vines whipped upwards, wrapping around the frame of the elevator door, and a handwritten note wafted up.

Green, found secret laboratory. Going ahead. Arcanine is guarding grunts.

How in the name of Arcreus did Red manage to find all of these hidden places? What was he, a protagonist to a Saturday Cartoon? Green looked down to where Venosaur could be seen a few floors down that probably shouldn't exist. "Venosaur, I'm coming down. Will you catch me?"

The plant Pokémon rumbled loudly. One vine wrapped around his waist, gently tugging. Green recalled Machamp, and stepped off into thin air. The two vines instantly wrapped around him, cradling and breaking his fall. "Okay, so we've got that done-"

Arcanine yipped hopefully from off to the side where two grunts, unconscious from fear, lay on the ground. Green frowned slightly at them- what to do with them? Red had left a clear path to follow- scorch marks, puddles of water, a few ice patches…

Green crouched next to the Grunts. He would take a minute to tie them up and leave Arcanine to guard. The giant Pokémon would be able to easily carry both of the humans, and fight off anyone who attacked. Green flipped the paper Red had given him to the other side, and pulled out the pen he always saved in case Red might appear.

To who it may concern- these are the two grunts that attached to my Arcanine were those that attacked Rustboro Gym a few weeks back.

He just needed Rope now- Ahah.

"Exeggutor, go." A flash of light, and leafy palm fronds brushed against the ceiling, as egg-heads stared at him and the surroundings curiously. There wasn't anyone around to attack so why- "I need those fronds."

Exeggutor wept as he was stripped of the leafy fronds, which were used to efficiently tie the grunts to Arcanine. "Arcanine, you know the way to the police station right?" A white-furred muzzle dipped in acceptance, "Good, take these guys there, and only let an Officer Jenny take them off, got it?" Another dip. "Wait there for me to pick you up, and go ahead and go now."

He didn't want to leave Red alone-

A Charizard Roar shook the walls, in equal parts fury and pain. That was not a good sound. Green whirled, gesturing to Exeggutor to take point. Venosaur instantly began stomping his way towards the roar, as a second roar shook the building. Venosaur roared back, angrily. Short legs stormed towards the roars, and Green followed along.

"Rhydon, blast through these walls." He would worry about structural integrity of buildings after he stopped Charizard from bringing the building down on their heads anyways. "Give us the shortest path to Red."

Rhydon stopped, allowing the sound waves to reverberate through his horn. He turned to the right, horn drilling through thick concrete. Scientists and grunts shrieked as they ran from the drilling horn thrusting through the walls. "RED!"

Charizard's roar shook the walls and ceiling- a lamp crashed to the ground. Charizard was going to bring down the entire building- "PIKA!"

Green ducked as lightning arced in deadly waves, blowing out lamps. Rhydon lifted his head, drawing the lighting towards his horn and rendering it harmless. Green crouched beneath Rhydon, hand on the thick hide. "Rhydon, no time to stop, keep going!"

Rhydon swept Green into his arms, head lowering and charging straight ahead. Electricity crackled through the building, brushed aside by the ground Pokémon. Green remained curled up in Rhydon's arms, entrusting the Pokémon not to lead him wrong.

He broke into a scene of chaos.

Red was clutching his arm, blood pouring from an open wound inflicted by a fainted bird-type Pokémon lying on the ground. Green frowned at it, attention distracted for a split second- Wasn't that a Sigilyph? But that Pokémon was native to Unova, not Hoenn. It couldn't be found in Hoenn. Why was it here-

Teddiursula roared, from where it was grappling with Snorlax. The two bear-like Pokémon glared at each other, though Snorlax was winning through sheer weight. Pikachu danced around another small, fast Pokémon- a evolution of Evee judging by the look, but Green wasn't concerned about this at all. It was probably the newest 'fairy' type or whatever they were calling it. Blue would know, but it was ignored for now to begin categorizing the biggest threats.

There was some guy facing off against Red, a cocky, self-assured smile plastered across his face. He was twirling a knife in his fingers, eying Red speculatively. "I have far more then six Pokémon, and you only have five. Oh, six now that your Venosaur has joined. I have enough time and Pokémon to waste at grinding down your stamina until you're defenseless again."

Again? Who was this guy?

Venosaur stormed his way in front, vines and leaves hiding Red from the man's view. Green took a step towards the battlefield, Rhydon close by. "He isn't fighting alone. I'm here too."

Red turned to him, eyes full of barely contained panic and anger. "Green…" The signed word was cut off, as Red quickly signed out an attack.

Pikachu obeyed orders, tail glowing as he brought it down straight onto the Sigilyph. It was knocked out instantly. Two more Pokémon took its place. Green surveyed the room, peeking around Venosaur's fronds.

Large machines hummed in the background. What looked like a conveyer belt of pokéballs passed through the room, though the machines were growing darker after Pikachu's ever-present electrical attacks. "Red, get those machines in the back. If we limit the Pokémon he can use-"

Red pointed to where Green could see a few electric Pokémon trapped in cages. "Rhydon, smash those caves. Go! Machamp! Wreck those machines!"

The two Pokémon charged forward- they were heavier hitters then most of Red's Pokémon other then Snorlax and maybe Charizard. They easily took care of the machines, wiping the smile off of the other's face. "I see, two little rats. Shall I make sure that you're both completely silenced?"

Red snarled soundlessly, eyes going rock hard at the threat. Green felt an ice-cold bucket dump down his back. "Red. Is this the guy who… in Silph-"

Fingers, white knuckled and just a little desperate squeezed his wrist. Green felt his own anger flare up at the half-sorrow, half-anger contained in crimson eyes. He squeezed Red's shoulder, able to accept Red's unwillingness to be alone at a time like this. "Let's beat him into a blood pulp and put him away bars for the rest of his life, shall we Red?"

The incipient panic and anger eased at Green's self-assured, cocky tone. Red nodded, before his eyes went wide. "Wha-" His voice slid off, unable to go any further. Green stared dumbly at the blood splattering across the dirty floor. Where was it-

Red was staring at him. Red was grabbing him, hands reaching for Green's side. Red was tearing off his shirt, winding it around Green's side. Green… couldn't feel anything. "Red?" His voice was shaking despite his mind being dreamily disconnected. "What's going on?"

Red shook his head, blood covered fingers pressing against his mouth. "Red-" Green tried again, when the pain hit suddenly, all at once. He didn't have a chance to scream before he surrendered to sweet unconsciousness.

Red had only seen so much blood two times before- once with himself when he dragged himself down the halls of Silph Co. and to a Pokémon Center before collapsing. The second time was with Lance. With the efficiency of Rui and the coldness of Snake, he began to bind the wounds.

If he could talk, he could contact Snake and ask him how to bind these wounds. If he could talk, he could call Lucas and Ness and ask them to heal Green. If he could talk, then a lot of things wouldn't of happened, and if he could talk, he might be out with Lucas right now having a fun adventure across Hoenn and enjoying the time with everyone.

Instead he couldn't talk, was trying to stem blood flowing from a friend without any sort of medical equipment at all, and had his worst enemy just across the room. This guy wasn't Giovanni, who would kill him without loosing an iota of sleep. This guy didn't want death, he wanted pain.

Green didn't stir as Red pressed his hands against the wound. Ike had actually been the one to teach the kids of Smash Manor how to field-dress a wound without any sort of material other then the clothes on your back. Toon Link had been the only one out of all of them who had seemed even partway knowledgeable. Lucas and Ness had their psychic energy that could heal, and Red knew it for Pokémon, but not for humans. Not that Red had been included in that particular little hands-on activity. A very long-suffering Olimar had allowed his space suit to be wrapped up in bandages before staggering off like a mummy.

This lesson swam in his mind. Apply pressure, wrap the wound, and put magical healing herbs on it as soon as possible-

He didn't have any magical healing herbs!

Rhydon roared, making Red flinch. His Pokémon were powerful and well trained enough that they could continue on the attack. Green's weren't. Rhydon charged, burying himself into a wall. The building shook dangerously. Red glanced desperately at the pokéballs sitting on Green's belt. What Pokémon could he borrow to get Green somewhere safe?

Arcanine would have been the best, but the pokéball was empty. Green had probably sent him with the Grunts. Rhydon would be the second best, if he would just calm down, but Rhydon didn't know sign language. Red didn't have Espeon who could psychically link him to Rhydon, he had Lapras instead, who would be useful in water but not so much on land. None of his own Pokémon beyond Charizard and perhaps Snorlax or Venosaur could carry Green.

Red swept his eyes across his Pokémon, before leaning forward to touch Venosaur's hind leg gently. Pikachu bounded by, electrical discharge crackling through the air. Venosaur turned, one long vine reaching out to Red. Red tugged on the vine and Venosaur hesitated at turning his back to the enemy.

Red glanced up towards the ceiling. It was a bit low for Snorlax, but Blastoise took the place of Venosaur, taking any hits that might come that way. Red looked Venosaur right in the eye. "Venosaur, take Green and get somewhere safe."

Venosaur's leaves wilted slightly. Red rubbed his hand against Venosaur's head, and gently pulled a vine towards Green. The two long vines reached out, curling around the unconscious boy. Large, leafy fronds wrapped around Green, hiding him from view. The grass-Pokémon butted his head against Red gently, before obediently turning to the door.

"And where do you think you're going? Fire blast them!"

Blastoise let loose with another hydro pump, water forcing the fire into steam. Venosaur hurried out as much as possible as Rhydon stormed towards the fire Pokémon. Red quickly stood up, and pointed a finger towards the man, eyes icy and cold. All of his Pokémon were exhausted, and judging by the amount of Pokeballs still left, there were about twenty Pokémon left to fight before the other man would be forced to flee.

What he wouldn't give for some pp restores, but he was low on them. He'd have to make-do instead.

Red took a deep breath, pulling off his cap entirely. He was going to need his full range of vision for the battle that was about to take place, lucky charm or not.

The six boys crowded around the computer. Lucas worriedly tapped on the table as Steven laboriously did the typing, and actual searching. "This is our National Missing Pokémon database. They update it real-time as the reports come in. We're searching for a wingull, right?"

"Yeah, from Rustboro City."

Toon Link, balanced on top of Nana and Popo, flailed as he nearly lost his balance. There were a few weird looks being sent towards the group of kids in a tight knot around the computer, but nobody said anything.

Pictures of different Wingull's popped up, most of them slightly blurry and off looking. "When did you get Wingull?"

"Quite some time back- I think about two, three weeks…"

"So under a month?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, that makes things easier."

The search was narrowed, until there was only five pictures left.

The first picture was reported only yesterday- far too soon for it to be Doria in his lap. The Wingull looked on with gimlet eyes, before abruptly tapping his beak against the screen at the fourth picture. "Wing~ Gull! Gull~"

The kids squinted at the tiny picture. It was a bit blurry, but there was a girl and a Wingull in the picture. "Do you think she's the one?"

"Maybe. We'd have to get in contact with her-"

Stephen pointed to the name underneath. "Looks like she registered as a trainer. Probably she wanted to find Wingull. Looks like she's up in Fallarbor Town."

The Smasher's looked at each other. Where was that exactly? "Where-"

"It's further up north of Mauville. Lucas, you remember the Desert right? If we go through the entire desert, and then go west from there then we'll hit the ash fields that surround it."

"A-Ash?"

"Well, I mean, we do live on top of a semi-active volcano. The mountain blows out ash continuously- it's always raining ash there. But there's all sorts of cool Pokémon, and if we're lucky, we can pick up a special piece of Charcoal that'll power up fire-type moves-"

Stephen was off and running now. Ness stood up from where he had crouched on the other side of Lucas, and pointed towards the exit. "Let's get going then! We'll get her back her Wingull, and then have fun adventuring around!"

Stephen nodded with a huge grin, stealing a glance at his trainer card. The fourth gym badge glinted. Apparently the four that had been pulled into the gym with him had ended up cheering him on well enough to actually win the battle. Wattson had been too busy laughing to call out any attacks.

"It's too bad we don't have bikes, but they cost a huge amount of money! I hope you guys are used to walking."

The six of them exchanged dry, knowing glances. When were they not walking everywhere? "There's no buses or anything?" Ness inquired slightly hopefully.

"Well, there's a bus that'll go up there, but… well… it has a reputation for breaking down and everything like that." Stephen looked thoughtful for a moment. "But we can check the schedule."

The Ice Climbers and Toon Link instantly and enthusiastically agreed- this was going to be their first time riding in a bus! Stephen checked the list- tomorrow morning at about six in the morning there would be a ride to Fallarbor Town that would get off around eight or nine at night. "We should totally do it!"

"It's early, but we can do it!"

Toon Link, Ness and Lucas silently watched as the three weirdos of the group eagerly seized on the torture of waking up early. "I'll make sure to wake everyone up!"

The bus tickets were bought with Lucas's and Stephen's slowly-dwindling money. "I can take a break before facing Norman in Petalburg. He's a really tough gym leader from what I've heard."

The comments and Stephen's glowing, smiling face as he obsessively brushed his hands across the gym badges went unnoticed as the group settled down to sleep in the Center. That night they slept peacefully, not ever hearing about the news that began to sweep the island. The news of the disappeared Champion of Hoenn and Kanto launching an attack on several buildings, in several cities.

a/n: Thank you all for the patient wait! I think my next chapter will be also updated next saturday/sunday. Also Guest, I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the strike of the silent protagonists!