Sorry for the long wait!
I assume a long chapter is a fair compromise? It better be- nearly 12,000 words right here. :) You're not getting another long one after this.
The battle against Lance.
Red had been looking forward to this, as well as his Pokémon. He was wary, Team Rocket could attack at any moment now that Red was the winner, although it was more likely they would attack during his and Cynthia's battle.
The only good thing, is that both of the champions were aware of Team Rocket, and ready to fight back also. Blue had assured him that both Champions brought more than 6 Pokeballs, allowing a decent fight even if the match ended.
"Here we are with the first Champion Battle! Now, the outcome of this battle does not affect the status of the following battle later this day! If Red manages to defeat Lance, he will gain no extra title nor will he be crowned a champion. This match is not for any Pokémon League Title and breaks are allowed. As following in any other battle, a break will commence after three Pokémon of each trainer are unable to battle. Each trainer will be allowed to call for one time out while Pokémon are not attacking at any time. Only six Pokémon are allowed although trainers may use any Pokémon registered at any time during this Conference, not the original six they registered for this match. As in any normal battle, the challenger has the first move. The battle will not take place on any field. Now! In the left corner! Pokémon trainer, Red!"
Red felt his stand be lifted high into the air as he looked out across the field, seeing the indent where he knew Lance's platform would rise to.
Red casted a slight look towards his Pikachu on his shoulder, his Pokémon looking intently at Red as it tensed, recognizing just how…important this battle was.
Previously, fighting Blue was just the two fighting for power, using attacks that were more powerful than any other trainer Red knew of. Now…now this would be different. Pure power would still beat Lance, however if he had the smallest idea of strategy, it would be harder then Blue. Lance had watched several trainers try and beat him, seeing different strategies from all over, it wouldn't be easy for he to simply…overpower him, when Lance knew so many different skills.
No, this would be strategy.
"Pika." Pikachu spoke quietly, Red giving a small encouraging smile to the Pokémon who gave a small smile back.
"Now…You all know him, you've all seen him all around Kanto- Elite Four Champion of Kanto- World known Dragon Trainer- Champion Lance!"
Lance rose with a smile, his cape flickering from the automatic air the platform gave, looking at Red with a small smile and a nod.
'A shame they don't know that I was once a champion, and still am.' Red dryly thought to himself as he looked at Lance.
"Trainers! Reveal your Pokémon!"
"Go on, Salamance!" Lance smiled, throwing his Pokeball into the air, a large dragon revealing itself with a proud and powerful roar.
'The only reason Blue lasted so long is because he's trained his Pokémon to fight me. I doubt Lance could beat Blue currently.' A part of Red's mind whispered as he smiled, looking at Pikachu who nodded, jumping onto the field with a determined look on its face, carefully watching Red.
Lance looked with slight interest as Red held out a hand, swiping it through the air as Pikachu gave a nod, understanding the silent command as it tensed, ready for battle.
"Challenger Red has the first move!"
"Pi-ka!" Pikachu roared, taking off in a run, impressively fast as Lance tracked its movement towards Salamance.
"Salamance, into the air." Lance nodded the large beast rumbling as it flapped its pointed wings as it gently lifted from the ground.
"Ka!" Pikachu roared, suddenly vanishing with the impressive speed of a perfectly timed Quick Attack, slamming into Salamance's side and causing it to land heavily on the ground, surprised at the unexpected hit.
"It's fast Salamance! It obviously wants you on the ground; try to get into the air if you can. If not, keep it away." Lance smiled, having faith in his Pokémon as it flapped again, sending a powerful flamethrower at Pikachu, who avoided it, springing into the air as it cried out from a strong Dragon Claw.
Red tensed, hands gripping the railing that separated him from the field as Pikachu growled, sitting upright. 'Lance's attack power is similar to Blue's then. His defense is not even close if it stumbled from the Quick Attack.'
Red snapped his fingers, swiping the air again as Pikachu took off in a run, Salamance turning in the air and firing another flamethrower after the running mouse Pokémon.
"Flamethrower in front of it Salamance!" Lance cried with a smile as his Pokémon obeyed, releasing a powerful flamethrower in front of Pikachu, causing it to skid and attempt to turn, using an Iron Tail in the ground to slow itself from hitting.
"Finish it with Giga Impact!" Salamance roared in agreement, charging and diving, large orange spirals of energy racing towards Pikachu, who froze, unable to attack.
Red lifted his hands, and gave a loud resonating clap.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted in anger at the attack, electricity bubbling from its cheeks as it arched its back, clouds rumbling above as they slowly formed, rolling in.
"Salamance! Try a different angle!" Lance shouted, recognizing the tell tale signs of thunder. Normally, thunder would miss unless accompanied by Rain Dance. But since Salamance was on a one track path towards Pikachu, directing a Thunder would be easy.
"CHU!"
The Thunder roared as it was sent down from above, slamming into Salamance who roared in pain as the Giga Impact took place, dust rising as lightning crackled above, sending down redirected thin shots, not aimed and only the aftershock of such an electrical attack.
"Salamance! Use your wings and knock away the dust!" Lance shouted, hands gripping the railings tightly as the dust still remained.
Lance looked at Red on the opposite side, a thick feeling in his throat as he noticed the challenger, the way his hat blocked his eyes, showing an emotionless flat line of his mouth, something…almost ghostly about the sight, intimidating. Just looking at him made Lance feel like he was battling something so much more than just a trainer.
"CHU!"
Another flash of Thunder from nowhere and he heard the tell tale sign of Salamance roaring, before a muffled thump of the creature hitting the ground.
"Trainers, do we have permission to clear the dust?" The ref. asked, and Lance gave a nod, Red mirroring it as fans blew the dust away.
Pikachu stood there, looking just as angry although slightly gritty from the Giga impact, standing on the fainted form of Salamance and looking victorious.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted challengingly while it jumped down, taking its position once more on the opposite side, facing Lance with a growl.
"It seems that Trainer Red's Pikachu has felled Champion Lance's Salamance with only three hits!"
"Return Salamance." Lance smiled, recalling his Pokémon and looking at Red with a frown.
"Fine! I wasn't going to originally use this one, since there may be a small repeat, but hopefully it'll be a challenge!" Lance shouted with a smile, pulling out a Pokeball- a Great Ball actually and releasing it.
"Go! Garchomp!"
"Cha!" Garchomp roared, stretching upright while looking at Pikachu with a growl.
Red arched an eyebrow. He had heard stories of Cynthia's Garchomp, he wasn't aware that Lance had one also.
"Amazing! This must be a new Pokémon, we have never seen Lance use a Garchomp in battle!"
'So it is a new Pokémon.' Red thought, using his Pokedex and scanning it, noticing the ground type.
"So! What are you going to do now?" Lance asked with a smirk. Red shaking his head and pointing to his side, the Pikachu returning instantly.
"Red has also returned his Pikachu!"
"Stoise!" Blastoise roared, and Lance felt slight dread, although slight relief at the choice. 'If I can take out Blastoise, he won't have it for my Charizard.'
"Garchomp, into the air!" Lance nodded, the large beast giving a roar and flying into the air while Blastoise growled.
"Dragon Rage!" Lance nodded, Garchomp's eyes glowing while releasing a powerful orange blast of power.
Blastoise used Hydro Pump, catching the blast and dispersing it while wincing as another struck it, knocking it back a few feet.
Red looked around, pointing to the ground and another Hydro Pump was sent, blasting the ground with a wet spray, mist rising and Garchomp spitting in annoyance over the wetness of it all.
"Garchomp, Sandstorm." Lance nodded, Garchomp flapping and dust and grit rising in.
"Blas!" Blastoise roared, a powerful icy blast exploding outwards.
"Garchomp, avoid the Blizzard and use Dragonbreath!" Lance commanded, the icy blast narrowly missing Garchomp and hitting the ground, causing the water to freeze and cover in a thick ice.
"Blas!" Blastoise roared in pain as the Dragonbreath hit it, causing it to fall and skid on the ice.
Red's eyes widened slightly as he snapped, Blastoise looking and Red formed a fist, moving it through the air, causing Blastoise to look confused but obey, curling up into a Withdraw and skidding.
The ice moved it, causing the slam to hit Garchomp, who spluttered in surprise, slamming across the ice and cracking it as Blastoise rose from Withdraw, it's cannons aiming as it charged a Hydro Pump.
"Outrage!" Lance shouted, knowing now that at the state of his Garchomp and the weariness of the Blastoise, both parties were nearly done.
"Gar-CHOMP!" Garchomp screamed, eyes widening to nearly amusing proportions as they glowed red, just as Blastoise released its hydro pump. Thick webs of glowing energy exploded outwards, slamming into anything and tearing the ground to bits as the Outrage grew in power, repeatedly slamming into Blastosie in a wave of power, Garchomp shrieking in confusion as it continued, stomping around as the blast pummeled Blastoise, sending it skidding and groaning in agony, letting out wails as the attack continued to pummel it.
Red pulled up his Pokeball as Blastoise collapsed, trying to rise and falling, all the while Garchomp stomped around, eyes still glowing red as it shrieked in confusion.
"Blastoise is unable to battle! It looks now that Lance pulled a risky move, leaving his Garchomp on a rampage!"
Red's eyes narrowed as he observed the rampaging Pokémon. He pulled a Pokeball out, releasing his large Snorlax as it frowned, seeing the rampaging dragon type.
"Brick Break!"
Red said nothing as Snorlax gathered white energy, Garchomp unable to avoid the direct blizzard, causing Garchomp to fall, unable to battle.
'His Snorlax can use Blizzard. That seems to be the only risk so far that I can tell, and his Pikachu is still aware.'
"Go! Charizard!" Lance nodded, releasing his flying beast, which roared, flaming tail swishing through the air as it flapped.
Red gave a soundless laugh, recalling his Snorlax and instead sending out another Pokémon.
Red's Charizard roared in anger, snorting loudly as it saw Lance's. It smirked, flapping twice and gaining the altitude that Lance's had to take several.
"It seems like this is a battle of the Charizards! A rare sight, we don't normally see two of the same Pokémon battle at the same time!"
"Charizard! Keep it away from you with Flamethrowers!"
Red's Charizard snorted, rolling easily and diving, rising suddenly with a powerful slam, clipping Lance's and forcing it to fall, frantically trying to right itself.
Red gave a small smile as now when the two beasts were closer, you could tell the difference.
Red's Charizard's skin was not a bright orange like Lance's, but more of a reddish color, tanned from the constant sun of Mt. Silver. It was much larger, Red's almost eight feet long while Lance's was the average six foot. It was thinner, much more muscular as well as its front arms looked more similar to legs then simple grasping tools. Lance's was younger, the cream of its belly lighter, not darkened with age yet.
"Charizard! Try to keep away from it! Distance yourself!" Lance shouted, Red's Charizard snorting as it dove, spinning and gaining speed as it slammed into Lance's Charizard, who roared in pain from the Fly attack, slamming into the ground before rising, clamping its jaws on the opponent's tail as it tried to swoop up.
Red's Charizard roared in surprise before tumbling, slamming into the ground and skidding, wings flaring awkwardly as it tried to right itself from its tumble, hitting large protruding chunks of ice and rock from Garchomp's Outrage.
"All right! Cripple it- use Fire Spin then Slash on its wings!" Lance smirked, finally feeling okay about the attack.
Red's Charizard snorted, shaking its head as it rose on its four legs, snapping its head around and stumbling as the Flame wheel smashed into its neck, sending it stumbling while a powerful glowing clawed slash impacted with the thin but strong membrane of its wings.
Charizard roared, wings pressed against its back as it flinched in pain, wings unable to be used due to the large painful jagged cuts on the membrane.
"Pull back and another Dragon Breath!" Lance shouted, but before it could, Red's Charizard lunged with anger in its eyes, a glowing ball of orange in its mouth exploded out, waves of power slamming into the opposing Charizard and sending it into the ground again.
"No!" Lance cried, seeing the powerful and angry Charizard release the Heat Wave.
Lance's Charizard stirred slightly, trying to rise but failing as the opposing Charizard clawed its way over, dragging one leg and its tail, its wings unable to be used.
"Charizard! Rock Slide!" Lance shouted, and his Charizard weakly obeyed, large chunks of rocks falling and slamming into Red's, pinning the beast to the ground as it roared in agony, using a powerful Flamethrower to launch the rocks into the air and away from the ruined field.
Lance's Charizard snorted, head slumping as it fainted out cold.
"Amazing! The battle of the two has ended with Red being the victor! We will now have a short break, then continue!"
Red recalled his Charizard, noticing that although it was crippled, it still had an amazing amount of energy left. His Pokémon hadn't grown more weak, their stamina had outlasted their body's physical.
He smiled, looking at his Pokeballs and his fainted Blastoise. Pikachu was tired, but not at the state of Charizard. No matter what, Charizard would not battle again with his crippled wings and leg.
"Pika." Pikachu muttered, looking at Red questionably while Red shook his head, pulling out Venusaur's instead as Pikachu gave a small nod, understanding sadly.
"Trainers! Please return to your positions!"
Red walked up, Pikachu sitting on his shoulder tiredly while Lance gave a swallow, eyeing Pikachu and sending out his next Pokémon on the restored field.
"Rawrr!" A large, red Gyarados roared.
Red's eyebrows lifted as he saw the discolored Pokémon- a shiny. Shiny's were very rare, most trainers never saw one in a lifetime, Red had managed to see four, a red Gyarados was in…his possession when Red battled him on Mt. Silver. Apparently, in this world Lance had caught it.
"Saur!" Venusaur roared, landing and shaking its body as it saw the much larger Gyarados, although it didn't back down.
"A Venusaur? Red surprises us once more by using a Venusaur, instead of his Pikachu which has a quadruple type advantage!"
"Gyarados, use Ice Fang!"
"Saur!" Venusaur roared, spitting out Leech Seeds which Gyarados ignored, looking in shock as a powerful Double-Edge slammed it off course and into the ground.
"Saur!" Venusaur mocked, stomping one foot.
"Ice Fang once more!"
"Saur!" Venusaur roared, using Take Down to slam Gyarados away, following up with a Leaf Storm, the large beast writhing under the sharp attack.
"Come on! Use Rain Dance!" Lance shouted, Gyarados roaring and rain falling, ruining any chance of a Solar Beam.
"Use Hydro Pump!"
"Venu-Saur!" Venusaur roared, firing off a powerful Leaf Storm followed by a Vine Whip, smacking Gyarados away to the side.
"It looks to me like Venusaur is playing with Gyarados!"
"Come on Gyarados! Ice Fang in close!"
Venusaur waited, before suddenly rearing, growling at the large bite on its flower, but as it landed, it forced the large serpentine creature to follow, slamming into the ground as from its feet, large vines-roots with sharp thorny barbs dug into Gyarados' side, causing it to shriek in pain, writhing as the roots dug harder, forcing the poor creature to the ground as it shrieked, the powerful Frenzy Plant defeating Gyarados almost instantly.
"A powerful Frenzy Plant! This doesn't look good for Lance in any way!"
"Return! Go Altaria! Sky Attack while it's recharging!"
"Taria!" Altaria coed, flapping high before diving, glowing an intimidating blue and purple as it slammed into a shrieking 'Saur!'
"Venusaur is unable to battle!" Red gave a nod to his fainted Pokémon, who suffered two Ice Fangs and a Sky Attack, looking at the Altaria who was managing to fly through the rain storm.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, flinging itself high into the sky with a powerful Thunder, the electric attack showing no mercy as Altaria shrieked, fluttering down and slamming into the ground. Pikachu landed on the ground with a hiss, running before becoming only a blur, an electric current breaking across its skin as Volt Tackle grew in power, slamming into the downed, wet, flying type Pokémon.
It had no match.
"Pi." Pikachu panted, as Lance returned his Altaria, looking at his last Pokémon with a small smile. He knew he wasn't going to win, but he could take down some of Red's Pokémon if he was going down.
"Go, Dragonite." He smiled, releasing his beginner Pokémon as it landed with a thump, looking at the Pikachu before giving a challenging roar.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted back, just as ready to attack.
"You've done well, Red. Much better than I could have expected. You deserved this." Lance smiled before giving a nod, the other trainer nodding back from the shadows of his hat.
"Pika! Pika pika pika pika pika!" Pikachu shouted, voice getting more and more louder as the Volt Tackle got closer and closer, Dragonite holding its ground.
Pikachu jumped, slamming into Dragonite just as the creature pulled back its arm and released a powerful Fire Punch, it's physical attack incredibly strong as it launched Pikachu into the air, in a dead faint.
Red jumped, using the railing as an extra step as he caught his Pikachu, landing lightly on his feet and setting the Pokémon on the ground gently with a smile, before calling out another Pokémon.
"Esp!" Espeon shouted, causing Lance to lift his eyebrows in surprise. He expected the Snorlax to be honest, and was already prepared to fight the large beast,
'Oh. Dragonite's strength is in physical attacks. Using Espeon keeps it at a distance, causing it to use its special defense which is low. Smart.' Lance realized with a small wince, his Dragonite snorting at the Espeon, who hissed.
"An Espeon! Wow, and I was expecting that Snorlax, now that we know it knows Blizzard!"
Espeon glowed a color, before humming and sending a psychic wave into the sky- Future Sight.
"Dragonite! Use Dragon Pulse!" Dragonite roared, sending powerful orbs of energy at Espeon, who nimbly leapt through the air to dodge them.
"Dragon Pulse? A powerful move not normally learned by a Dragonite! Wow! That Dragonite must have been bred with that move!"
"Now! Dragon Rush!" Lance ordered. Espeon chirping and moving, looking up and stilling, unable to escape as Dragon Rush grew closer.
Red snapped, and Espeon's eyes glowed, catching the still flying Dragon Pulse's in a psychic web before hurling them back, slamming into Dragonite and sending it off sprawling in surprise at the Super Effective attack, tearing up the ground.
"Amazing! Espeon just used Dragonite's attack against it!"
"Come on Dragonite! You can do this!" Lance smiled, Dragonite rising angrily and stomping.
"Esp!" Espeon chirped, using Psychic to grab the chunks of broken ground and start hurling the super effective rocks at the flying creature.
"Dodge!"
Dragonite simply didn't have enough speed to dodge, and was hit, slamming into the stadium walls as Espeon sent a powerful Psybeam at it, knocking it down.
"Dragonite just can't get a break!"
"Come on Dragonite! You have this!" Lance coaxed, Espeon sitting and looking at the rain, glowing a slight orange before Sunny Day cleared the rain.
"Come on- this is our break! Overheat!"
Red recoiled in surprise while Espeon gave a "M-re?" Of a yowl as the powerful fire attack slammed her across the stage, Espeon wincing as she tried to stand.
"Dragon Pulse! Follow up with another Dragon rush as its down!" Lance pointed, Espeon turning and catching the Dragon Pulse's although cried out as it was knocked down once more by Dragon Rush.
"Es!" Espeon howled, using the captured Dragon Pulse's to hit Dragonite, who roared, wincing in pain as it charged Espeon once more with a Dragon Rush while Espeon tried to use Morning Sun in the moment she had to regain health.
The attacks hit, and Espeon laid on her side, unable to get up while Dragonite panted, obviously hurt.
Scccsear! A blinding white light from the sky exploded, flashing down with incredible power- Future Sight.
It impacted with Dragonite who through the flash just…stood. Then it dropped.
"Dragonite and Espeon are unable to battle! Red is the victor, with Charizard and Snorlax still able to battle! Red is the victor!"
Red gave a nod, recalling Espeon and gently picking up Pikachu once more, holding It carefully in its arms as he stepped down from the platform. He ignored the uproar from the crowd, instead he approached Lance who was instead simply returning his fainted Pokémon.
"Red. You're…you're incredible." Lance nodded, looking at the younger man who said nothing.
"I wondered why you never battled me previously. I heard about you being from another universe- tell me this. Are you the champion there?" Lance asked, looking at Red carefully, who just…stared.
"It's okay. I'm not going to tell anyone, I just…I want to know if I lost to a champion." He asked carefully while Red watched.
After a few seconds, he gave a nod, confirming Lance's thoughts.
"I thought so." Lance stated with a small smile, holding out one arm for a hand shake.
Red stared before giving his hand after shifting Pikachu to one arm, shaking it calmly while Lance gave a small smile.
"Red!" He looked up slightly, seeing Ash and his group of trainers running towards him with large smiles.
"Looks like your friends, huh?" Lance asked with a small smile, Red shrugging.
"Hey! Great match out there!" Ash smiled, rushing by towards both trainers.
"Thanks! It was great to battle him." Lance smiled, looking at Red who shifted his hat up slightly, showing his crimson eyes.
"I look forward to it." They turned, Cynthia walking towards them with a small smile, causing the group to smile.
"You have your hands full, Cynthia. He's good." Lance laughed slightly, and Red gave a slight nod to Cynthia, who looked at the fainted Pikachu.
"I saw reporters at the Pokémon Center. Lance and I have complete condos that they rented to us. I'll gladly take your Pokémon back to mine, and heal them for you." Cynthia offered with a small smile.
"Yeah! Cynthia is a really good healer! He healed Paul's Pokémon right up after a battle!" Ash smiled, causing Red to carefully look at her before giving a slight nod. He didn't want to try and avoid all of the reporters that asked questions, trying to get him to speak.
"Come on." She smiled, causing the large group to follow towards one of the houses on the outskirts of the city, far away from reporters and other annoying people.
"You can let your Pokémon out here." She smiled, nodding to one of the larger rooms that was probably a living room. He nodded, gently taking out his Pokeballs and setting them on the ground, letting the Pokémon release themselves to relieve their pain.
Gently they revealed themselves, Espeon weakly lifting her head with a tiny mew, before settling it back down on her paws. Blastoise was in his shell, keeping his head hiding to protect himself further. Venusaur was just…lying there, one eye opened while the other closed, the flower on its back nearly closed entirely to help it conserve strength. Charizard was sent down next, laying nearly sprawled as it tucked around its forelegs, the one sticking out oddly while its wings were useless on its back.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked tiredly looking up at Cynthia in curiosity while Cynthia smiled, returning with a bag full of several healing supplies that she set on the floor.
She opened her mouth, about to explain what each of the things were, but instead He quickly picked up a Full Restore vial, easing the top and signaling for his Pikachu to scoot closer.
"Pika? Chu chu." Pikachu whimpered, wriggling closer while Red smiled, gently lifting the tired Pokémon and easing the liquid to Pikachu, all the while taking the spray form and fixing a few of the larger jagged cuts on its back.
"You do this often?" Cynthia asked, genially curios as Red seemed to know what he was doing without any confusion.
"Red never was one for Pokémon Centers." Blue shrugged while Red rolled his eyes. Setting the sleeping Pikachu down and moving towards Charizard, gently extending its leg and applying the spray along where he felt the fracture was, gently repairing it and shifting the thin rough membrane of Charizard's wings to let them heal.
"I can tell. How long have you had your Pokémon? They look very healthy and strong." Cynthia smiled, Charizard opening one eye and letting out a snort of amusement.
"Eight Years. Red and I both started out when we were Eleven, we're both Nineteen right now." Blue clarified while Cynthia smiled, gently stroking one of Venusaur's petals, "Interesting, you look older. I'm Twenty Two right now, Lance just turned Thirty last month." She nodded, Blue smiling also.
"Really? I'm only Fourteen!" Ash stated in surprise, Red saying nothing as he gently stroked Charizard's head, letting the large beast slowly close its eyes with a rumble as its pain drifted and it curled around itself, its tail fire burning steadily.
"You've been traveling for three years?" Blue asked Ash with slight interest, who shrugged slightly.
"Actually, I left Four years ago. I spent a Year in Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh and Hoenn." Ash shrugged, Blue lifting an eyebrow.
"What? No Unova?" Blue snorted while Ash rolled his eyes, looking at Red who moved on to his Blastoise, gently healing the slightly softened chunks of shell from the impacts. They steadily hardened under his fingers as he gently took Blastoise's cannons, healing them softly while Blastoise looked up at Red with a slightly masked look of comfort in the hands of his trainer.
"Your Venusaur is alright, so is this cutie." Cynthia smiled, gently stroking Espeon's side, who gave a small purr of relaxation, Red looking up from Blastoise who lowered itself, gently resting its head on Its webbed claws.
Red smiled, gently patting Blastoise's shell, as he rose, taking one look at Cynthia and his group while gently moving towards Pikachu, who was now sitting upright with a small wince.
He tilted his head slightly, Pikachu giving a small wince and a loud "Cha!" Before it cut off, Pikachu favoring its one paw.
At once Red rushed over, gentle picking up his Pikachu and looking at the tiny paw, noticing the tiny crushed looking at the one edge.
He held a hand for a potion spray that Cynthia gladly tossed over, righting the paw and flinching as he shifted it into the proper position, Pikachu crying out loudly as its tail coiled, wrapping around Red's arm tightly.
Red gently held the paw, using the Hyper Potion to heal the leg while his Pikachu looked at him with lowered ears, showing just how painful the act of healing was.
"You really care for your Pokémon, don't you?" Cynthia asked quietly, Red not even bothering to look up as he gently set down Pikachu, stroking its back once to set it asleep.
He looked up after a few seconds, crimson eyes meeting Cynthia's rival silver before he stood, walking from the building without another word.
"Isn't he rude! He always storms out like that!" May sighed while Cynthia gave a small laugh, surprising the group.
"Oh, it's just the way he is a trainer. Red's bonded so close to his Pokémon he doesn't need to even talk to his Pokémon because they know him so well. The same with me, and my first Pokémon, Garchomp." Cynthia nodded, while Ash casted a look at his Pikachu, which blinked.
"He'll be fine. He'll have to return later anyways for our battle later. He's probably out on a walk or something; I normally take walks before my battles." Cynthia smiled, and Blue blinked, looking out at the door were Red had run off towards.
"I'll find him." Blue sighed, rising and chasing after, pausing as he felt something tug on his leg.
"Pikachu chu?" Red's Pikachu asked, prodding Blue's leg, and Blue smiled.
"Don't worry little Pikachu, I'll find him." Pikachu nodded with a smile, closing its eyes once more.
Blue opened the door, looking around before summoning his own Pokémon.
"Arc?" Arcanine growled, looking around confused as it looked at Blue, awaiting commands.
"Hey. Red ran off, can you help me find him?" Ash asked, Arcanine lowering itself while Blue mounted easily, Arcanine sniffing and starting to walk in a random direction.
Arcanine barked, bounding and sniffing as they headed North, under the shadow of the mountain.
Normally Blue would have thought that Red flew to the summit once more, but Charizard was still at Cynthia's residence, causing Red to remain on the ground. Arcanine paused, sniffing the ground before moving towards a rock ledge from the mountain, sniffing before suddenly looking upwards, Blue also.
Red was sitting maybe four feet above their heads on a noticeable rock ledge, not looking at them but instead at the entire city as a unity.
"Hey stranger, mind if I join you?" Blue asked with a smirk, Red not saying anything and Blue gently used Arcanine to jump up on the ledge, grabbing it with his arms and pulling himself up and over, Arcanine settling down in the shade underneath.
"So, what's on your mind?" Blue asked, swinging his legs slightly as Red just…looked out on the city, not saying anything.
It was a startling reminder of their childhood.
Red said nothing, but instead let out a small sigh, leaning back on the rock ledge, instead he stuck his hands in his coat pockets, not saying anything.
"I know that look, you're thinking about something. The last time I saw that look on your face, it was when you decided to go up on that Arceus forbidden mountain. The time before that, to take on the League- Normally you get that look before you do something life changing." Blue snorted, and Red said nothing, still looking out over the city.
"I know that Team Rocket is likely to attack this battle- I'm having my Pokémon checked up at the Pokémon Center and I've already bought a few instant revives, hopefully it'll be enough. Do you want me to fit a few in your bag?" Blue asked, and once again, Red said nothing.
"Look, if you're really that freaked out by Team Rocket swooping down, I can get Ash and a few others to do checks with their Pokémon during the match. It's not that big of a deal-"
Red shook his head, causing Blue to look at him curiously while Red tensed, shuffling his hands awkwardly.
He looked out, looking pointedly at the battle arena, causing Blue to smile. "It's been a while since you've fought an actual battle, huh?" Blue asked with a small smirk as Red gave a slight nod.
"You like it? Bring back good memories?" Blue smirked and Red crossed his legs, giving a low sigh before turning, looking seriously at Blue with not a hint of joking.
"You're serious, although about what?" Blue sighed, and Red once again looked down at his hands, shuffling them awkwardly as he obviously was unnerved by something.
"Look, I won't laugh if that's what you're afraid of-"
Red shifted his coat, displaying the eight, slightly dirty although still in good condition, gym badges.
Blue blinked, looking at the badges in confusion. What was so important about them? You needed all eight to battle the Elite Four, then the Champion-
The Champion…Gold-
"Oh…Arceus- you want to fight Gold again, isn't it? All this battling- it makes you want a rematch." Blue muttered, voice in slight awe as Red shifted again, somewhat okay with the explanation.
"No? What else, you want to battle the Elite Four and the Cham-Oh."
Red looked at Blue, a slightly distant look in his eye while Blue looked shocked.
"I- You want to reclaim your title, don't you? You want to fight Gold, and be the Champion, the only Champion- Arceus, are you sure? This is a big decision." Blue offered and Red looked at Blue, who let out a low breath.
"Okay, fine. But you'll have to fight the Elite Four again because you're an un recognized trainer-" Red shook his head, nodding to Blue who arched an eyebrow.
"Me? But- Oh, now you're just being lazy. Fine, if I register and say that I want to battle, then you won't get the hassle. We'd have to clear this with the others, Lance and the others. They won't mind- I think they were upset from when you left. There's no doubt that this won't get popularity though." Blue warned and Red snorted, arching one eyebrow and waving an arm at the Silver City.
"Yet again, you're fighting the Sinnoh Champion, I think you can't get much more publicized." Blue winced, causing Red to roll his eyes.
"When we get back, you can have your battle." Blue smiled, nodding Red stood, looking at the flying Pidgey over the city, and the trainers of various flying Pokémon, apparently trying to get an air view of the nearly legendary battle.
"Red, one question." Blue nodded, and Red looked over his shoulder curiously.
"That….Ash said that he saw a Pokeball on you a while ago…" Red tensed.
"Do you have Mewtwo on you? I thought you released it after Giovanni was defeated."
Red said nothing, instead looking at Blue and carefully pulling out the Master Ball, Blue paling from the sight, his jaw actually dropping as Red pulled his coat aside to show the three Ultra Balls on his side, containing the three legendary birds.
"Holy- Red, are you going to use them?" Blue asked, and Red shook his head, showing the gap where the other six normally sat.
Blue nodded, and Red jumped down, landing next to Arcanine who jumped upright in surprise at the sudden appearance, causing Arcanine to stumble back and incidentally slam its side into the rock wall with a yelp.
Red started walking, pulling his hat low on his face as he moved towards Cynthia's home, leaving a startled Arcanine and Blue, laughing slightly while Arcanine scowled, puffing a smoke ring at his laughing trainer.
"Oh, shut up you big furball, it was funny." Blue grinned, and Arcanine moved, pointedly shifting before laying down, not looking at Blue with a huff.
Blue laughed, landing next to Arcanine and forcibly ruffling the giant creature, trying to get it to roll over, Arcanine yawned loudly, rolling just enough to knock down Blue and lay on his torso.
"Gah! Oh you insufferable mutt!" Blue grunted, trying to heave the large creature off of him, only for a tail to sweep up and cover Blue's face.
Blue coughed, spitting out the fur before looking at Arcanine, who was now smirking at him.
"Oh, get off." Blue laughed, reaching an arm around and snaking it under Arcanine's jaw, causing it to give a quiet hum of pleasure before collapsing, one leg kicking in pleasure as it gave a few barks, tongue lolling out.
"Come on, we still have to watch Red's match you know, and stop Team Rocket." Blue pointed out, the large dog frowning before rising, allowing Blue to climb on his back before starting off in a run, racing towards the arena, the crowd parting in sight of he on his dog, recognizing him at once.
He nodded to Ash's group as he joined the stands, taking a spot nearby the original Arena, able to give help if anything happened on the arena floor as a whole.
He looked up, spotting Lance's hair in the box's, and the man gave him a pointed nod, his Dragonite behind him. Blue nodded back, recalling Arcanine and instead summoning his Jolteon, he being the smallest of his Pokémon.
"Stay alert Jolt. Keep eyes open for Rocket." Blue muttered, eyes scanning the skies.
The stadiums filled in, He spotted several of the group scattered on different levels of the stadium, Ash Misty and Brock near Cynthia's corner, near the middle of the stands while Dawn, May and Max were on the opposite side, above Blue with their Pokémon keeping watch.
Slowly, the Stadium lights turned black, causing the crowds to hush as they watched in anticipation.
"Our Challenger, a mystery in itself! A shadow that appeared in the first round without saying a single word. Already he has drawn the gaze of trainers and Gym Leaders all across the world! Already he has inspired others, using final evolutions of the Kanto Starter Pokémon. He has defeated Lance as if he was another step in the competition, and has advanced to this position as if it was a club tournament! Please welcome, the mysterious trainer….Red!"
Blue watched with slight amusement as the floor lifted up, lights flashing before focusing on Red, who had his hat low and blocking his eyes, no emotions. If Blue didn't know any better, he would have assumed it was a statue.
"And now, the Champion of Sinnoh. The first female Champion in recorded Pokémon Elite Four history, able to not only defeat The Sinnoh Elite four and retain her title as Champion, but also able to defeat all other champions, giving her an International Champion status. She won last year's Pokémon World Tournament, and is a Pokémon Researcher at Celestial Town, Sinnoh. Her first Pokémon was a wild Gibble, and she is speculated as currently, the strongest trainer in the world."
The platform lifted, and the cheering grew to an ultimate level as the older champion was revealed, her long blonde hair swaying as she was lifted, the breeze blowing it from her eyes.
"Trainers! As respected, Cynthia will reveal her first Pokémon, then allowing Red to decide his choice before the battle will begin!"
Cynthia smiled, gently pulling an Ultra ball from her pocket, and speaking, one of the forced microphones easily picking up her words and future commands.
Red himself had a microphone, but he wasn't going to use it.
"In respect of this being a major competition, I've decided to use my original six Pokémon which won me my position as Sinnoh Champion. I hope you find this acceptable." Cynthia nodded, and Red quickly caught the underlying message.
'You fight with your original six, I'll fight with mine.'
The crowd cheered, looking at each other excitedly while Blue casted a look at the sky, seeing nothing but fluffy clouds.
Red gave a slight nod while Cynthia threw the Pokeball onto the field, a creature rising from it.
"Go! Spiritomb!"
Red looked at the odd Pokémon, using his pokedex as he looked at the creature.
"and Cynthia has chosen her Spiritomb! A rare ancient Pokémon which has no type weaknesses! What will Red use?"
Red carefully looked at the creature, noticing with a wary expression as he saw the level, 72. This Pokémon was as strong as Lance's strongest. He noticed the type, a Ghost Dark would automatically be unaffected by normal, fighting, and psychic. That automatically caused Espeon and Snorlax to not be a wise choice. It had a half resistance to Poison, causing some of Venusaur's moves to not be as effective- and the defense on the creature was incredible. The speed was pathetic, as well as its total health, if he could get through the defense.
"Who will Red choose? His powerful Pikachu, or the sly Espeon we always see? Will it be one of the rare ones, which we've only caught a glimpse of?"
Red threw his Pokeball, and Blue watched with slight satisfaction as the Pokémon revealed was Blastoise.
"Blas!" Blastoise shouted, looking at the Spiritomb, which looked at Blastoise with an eerie smirk.
"A Blastoise! As the rules dictate, Red will have first move. Begin!"
Blastoise growled, and moved slowly, Spiritomb and Cynthia watching carefully as the Blastoise carefully looked at Red, who showed a closed fist.
Blastoise's shell glowed, almost visibly hardening from the Iron Defense, letting it glow before the glow dimmed, then resuming the Iron Defense once more.
"Spiritomb, Shadow Sneak." Cynthia nodded, Spiritomb letting out a rattling laugh as a large black fast moving blur to race across the ground with an alarming speed.
Blastoise spotted it, its tail glowing blue as it slammed it into the ground, propelling the large turtle into air as the Shadow Sneak vanished from the ground, Blastoise landing easily on the ground and for good measure, using another Iron Defense.
"Impressive, use Ominous Wind." Cynthia nodded, Spiritomb cackling and rising, a large purple tinted air blasted through the air towards Blastoise, who instead dropped to four legs, claws digging into the ground and just…taking the attack.
"Impressive! Blastoise doesn't look as if the attack did anything!"
Blastoise used Iron Defense once more.
"Dark Pulse." Cynthia nodded, Spiritomb exploding out with black energy, Blastoise looking at Red who tensed his hand, forming it in a claw.
Blastoise's claws glowed white and elongate, slashing through the blast and letting it rush around him, the move hacking a hole in the defenses.
"Amazing! Rock Smash, a normally offensive attack now being used as a defense!"
Blastoise looked at Cynthia, waiting as she grew nervous, her moves nearly ineffective against the large shelled Pokémon.
"Use Dark Pulse, then Ominous wind- it won't block both." She nodded, Blastoise ducking and slashing the Dark Pulse while the Ominous wind blew by, causing Blastoise to slide a few feet back before with a growl, it waited.
'It's relying on its trainer. Normally it attacks on its own, but it's obeying.' Cynthia noted, and she nodded, telling Spiritomb to keep it up.
Red snapped his fingers, and Blastoise dropped onto four legs, not giving Spiritomb any time to prepare as it let loose a powerful Hydro Pump, the impact enough for Spiritomb to slam into the wall across and slump downwards, vanishing momentarily into its keystone before appearing again with a hiss.
"Psychic, catch it." Cynthia nodded, the Spiritomb glowing a light blue while it caught Blastoise, which winced at the mental contact, instead of responding it once again fired a strong pulse of water from its jets, hitting Spiritomb, which moaned in pain at the contact, dropping Blastoise, who on four legs, started running.
"Blow it back." Cynthia nodded, trying to find a weak point in the large turtle. The wind blew, powerful and strong but instead of being blown away, the Blastoise's head glowed slightly as it charged in a powerful move.
'Why? Skull Bash is a normal move, it won't have any effect on Spiritomb…Oh! It's using a normal move to force its way through a ghost attack!'
Blastoise roared, lunging at Spiritomb, who in its slow speed status, couldn't escape the sudden transition to a crushing Crunch attack, grabbing the keystone and hurling it out into the middle of the field, Spiritomb's essence being forced into the middle of the field with the keystone.
"Dark Pulse!" Cynthia shouted, Blastoise roaring as the wave slammed into it, knocking it back as once again, another wave pummeled it again and again, causing Blastoise to groan.
Red on the far side frowned, using one hand to tap the clothing on his leg.
Blastoise aimed, and fired.
The beam of water was different then a Hydro Pump, the power was compressed into a thin beam, close enough to the ground to hit the rock and tear it apart in a large rutted groove as it blasted with a nearly light blue color as it slammed into Spiritomb with such speed, not even a Quick Attack could compare to.
Spiritomb's empty keystone clattered to the ground, imbedded in the bedrock as it had a small crack in it, Spiritomb as an entity obviously unconscious.
"And Spiritomb is unable to battle! Red has managed to take out Cynthia's first Pokémon! What will she use next?"
"Go, Roserade." Cynthia nodded, recalling her Spiritomb with a small sigh, gently setting the Pokeball aside.
"Blas." Blastoise nodded with a snort, looking at the slightly shy Pokémon, spotting the hiding face behind the bouquets of red and blue flowers.
Red snapped, and Cynthia leapt into action.
"Magical Leaf, follow then with a Leech Seed." Cynthia ordered as Blastoise opened its mouth, a ball of white before a large powerful blizzard was released, causing Roserade to wince, trying to ignore the painful snow and instead leapt right into action, spinning with grace into the air and using Leech Seed on Blastoise, who winced, one clawed arm supporting itself while the grass move took quick effect.
Blastoise groaned slightly, releasing a powerful blizzard once again, knocking Roserade away while the Pokémon winced, slamming into the ground and skidding as the ice quickly took control of the field, burying it in a blanket of snow and thick ice.
"Roserade, use Leaf Storm." Cynthia shouted, and Blastoise winced, dropping onto its back now as Leech seed grew powerful.
"Rade!" Roserade shouted, using the leaves to cut through the air and slice into Blastoise who stilled.
Cynthia swept her arms through the air, halting Roserade's attack, who panted heavily, but more noticeably tired, probably from not having fought at such a powerful level.
"Stoise!" Blastoise roared, letting loose a powerful and insanely powerful Ice Beam, slamming it into Roserade at a speed almost as fast as the Hydro Cannon, causing Roserade to stiffen in a block of ice at once, fainted from within.
Blastoise dropped over.
"Both Blastoise and Roserade are unable to battle! Who will Cynthia and Red use next?"
Red's eyes narrowed, recalling Blastoise, the Pokémon having managed to take out Blastoise was only because of the lucky Leech Seed.
Cynthia looked at Red, her hand on a Pokeball while she noticed him looking up at the sky, at one particular part in particular.
She looked at the part, eyes sliding to Blue, who rose in his seat, Jolteon following as he casually left the stands, walking towards the steps.
Red noticed Blue leaving and didn't react, instead he pulled out a Pokeball, throwing it out on the field.
"Pika!" Pikachu roared, and Cynthia noticed his cool composure.
"Then go, my friend." Cynthia smiled, pulling out a Pokeball and sending it out on the field.
"Gar-Garchomp!" Garchomp roared, clicking its claws together with a hiss.
"A Garchomp and a Pikachu! Garchomp clearly has the type advantage here, but if the rumors are correct, it's the battle of these two trainer's Starter Pokémon!"
"Garchomp- Sandstorm." Cynthia nodded, and Garchomp roared, a powerful sandstorm flying up into the air, directly above the arena, Garchomp understanding just what Cynthia wanted.
"Pika!" Pikachu roared, letting out a Thunderbolt- not its strongest, and watching as the electricity traveled amongst the dirt in the air.
"What is Pikachu doing? Doesn't Red know that Electric attacks are not effective against Ground?"
The electricity traveled across the ground, up into the air and firing with a thin web of electricity just up into the spot where the snow from blizzard seemed to reflect off of.
The air rippled, as if being repelled, and Red looked up, seeing a perched Pidgeot up on the edge of the roof, then a powerful blast of fire, hitting the vanishing point and glowing an orange, before it spread, showing a noticeable metallic wing, slowly moving upwards to show the body of the giant ship, and the reflector panels failing to hide the large black 'R' on the side.
"Red!" Cynthia shouted, Garchomp and Pikachu recoiling, Pikachu rushing over and leaping, snagging Red's arm and climbing up on his arm as Red gave a noticeable nod.
"Attention people, please remain calm." Cynthia spoke detaching her microphone from her coat's collar, instead holding it to her mouth.
"I'm sorry? Is…is this a disqualification? What is- Cynthia?" The announcer was obviously baffled as well as the ref.
"I repeat, please remain calm and evacuate the arena. You are all at risk." Cynthia nodded while Red leapt over the edge of his ledge, walking out onto the snow and pointedly looking up above, where he knew the Team Rocket ship was.
"I'm afraid we don't understand Champion-"
"People, please evacuate. This is Champion Lance of the Indigo Plateau, you are all at risk from a hostile organization. Please exit the arena in a calm fashion. I apologize for taking your time."
It seemed that Lance's words were the magic key that got the people moving, summoning larger Pokémon to fly or run out on, mothers mounting with children while others just used whatever they could to get out.
Red stared, looking at Cynthia who jumped onto her Garchomp and was hovering in the air, waiting.
Red summoned Charizard, leaping upon it while he already saw Pidgeot dive, swooping with a spin to grab Ash, who leapt upon it nimbly.
They spiraled upwards, May using her Togakis as a mount as she and her brother rose up into the sky.
Red didn't bother to try and figure out where Brock, Dawn, and Misty were or how they were going to get to the roof.
Charizard roared, rising into the air with a powerful flamethrower, illuminating the large ship while Cynthia's eyes narrowed at the offensive ship.
"Dragonbreath!" They swerved, avoiding a purple cloud of fire that only dragon Pokémon and a few other similar Pokémon could create.
"Nice seeing you here." Cynthia noted, Red glancing over as he saw the large unmistakable form of Dragonite, and a spiky haired trainer with a long billowing cape.
"A Pleasure. Hope you don't mind, I sent my Charizard, Altaria, and Garchomp back to get your friends." Lance nodded to Cynthia, who smiled.
"Of course- how thick is the hull?" Cynthia asked, and Charizard snorted, causing Garchomp to look over with surprise as Charizard spun, slowly rising straight up as Red jumped, coat billowing open as he fell in the air, Garchomp instantly swooping over, catching Red who only landed on in a crouch, balancing on the back of the flying creature with something Cynthia could only assume as practice.
Charizard roared, being engulfed with flame as it charged, colliding with the edge of the hull, the metal groaning and giving way as the inferno burnt it to a molten slag, Charizard punching through before the Overheat exploded, causing the hull to explode outward, leaving a hole big enough for a Kangaskhan to walk through with no issue. The height was nearly 7' and 6" in height, allowing Dragonite to pass with only three inches to spare.
"That's a well trained Charizard." Cynthia noted, the three flying in and landing while Charizard snorted, bowing and landing on four legs and stalking forward with a snarl, leaving a bemused Dragonite, who found the sight amusing. Dragonite gave a snort, flinching as a flame tipped tail smacked It angrily.
"How does your Charizard walk on four legs? Mine's always walked on two." Lance noted, and Red said nothing, Pikachu flicking its ears.
At once Pikachu's eyes widened and it launched forward, kicking off of Charizard's horns and landing a powerful Iron Tail at the hidden Crowbat, slamming it into its Golbat brethren, the Pokémon's knocking each other out.
"They know we're here." Cynthia stated with a frown, Red nodding and recalling his Charizard, sending out instead Espeon, who blinked, looking around curiously before it's eyes lit with psychic energy.
"Will Espeon show us the way to the control room?" Lance asked, the Pokémon chirping loudly and turning left down the corridor, Garchomp sniffing as it lumbered around, Dragonite following also as the two walked.
"It seems…quiet. Too quiet." Lance muttered, and Espeon spun, a door blasting off with psychic energy as a large charging Rhydon broke through, a grunt behind as he pointed and apparently, had shouted a command.
"Esp!" Espeon shouted, eyes glowing as it picked up the Rhydon, slamming it into a wall and through the thin metal, knocking it out with only a slam of its mental energy.
"You, where is everyone else?" Lance asked, looking at the scared grunt who stuttered.
"I-I don't know! W-When you sp-spotted-d us, w-we were s-supposed to go to the u-upper deck and t-t-trap you!" The grunt stuttered, causing Cynthia's eyes to narrow and her arms to cross.
"Trap? They're going to attack us all at once?"
"Yeah!" The grunt quickly stated before recoiling at Cynthia's intimidating look, "T-The b-b-boss is here-"
Red spun, staring at the grunt in slight horror while Espeon jumped, grabbing the man with psychic and slamming him against the wall as Red walked slowly towards the man, looking intimidating.
"H-He wanted you b-both! H-He says th-that y-your dangerous! A-a-and you have l-l-leg- The grunt cut off with a squeak as Red gave a scowl, causing the man's eyes to roll back in a dead faint.
Espeon turned, bounding towards the hallway then down while Red moved after, Lance and Cynthia obliging to follow.
"Red, there's a trap up there. Are you sure you really want to fight them all? It may be a firefight." Lance warned.
"We can help!" They turned, seeing not only Blue, but Ash as well as the others, racing towards them with Lance's Charizard, Altaria and a much smaller and lighter colored Garchomp.
"You can go ahead, we have this covered." Blue smiled, looking pointedly at Red.
"No, Blue, you go with Red. I'll fight with the others. Cynthia?" Lance asked, and Cynthia instead took out three Pokeballs, revealing Pokémon.
"Wow- that Milotic is beautiful!" May whispered in awe at the large serpent like Pokémon.
"Rawr!" A large Lucario growled, and a Gastrodon looked at the group curiously.
"A Lucario, eh?" Blue smiled, while Red tried not to even look at the odd Pokémon, having not recognized the species.
"Garchomp and I will follow, the rest will stay and fight." Cynthia nodded, her three Pokémon giving sharp nods, and the three hurried up the stairs, the others rushing ahead.
"Let me go first." Lance smiled, Dragonite nodding before it busted open the stairs. "Twister!"
A large twister was created in the opening room, and at once Grunts rushed out, Pokémon jumping out ready to battle.
"Houndoom- ember!" "Dustox, poison sting!" "Jumpluff, bullet seed!" "Pupitar! Rock Slide!"
Pokémon lunged at Dragonite who winced at the attacks, Milotic skirting in and defending with an Aqua Ring, then a water pulse sending them away while Altaria jumped in, using Whirlwind to send Pokémon aside.
"Go! We've got this!" Lance shouted, frowning as Charizard jumped in, using a flamethrower to sweep the room while suddenly, Ash's Torterra was there, roaring as leaves cut the air effectively.
"Go!" Ash shouted, ducking as a vine whip nearly hit him.
Red dashed forward, Espeon pausing to send aside a charging Phanphy, forcing it to the side.
'Tro!" An angry Tropius roared, landing in front of Red who flinched, Pikachu about to attack before a Blaziken landed, using a Blaze Kick to knock the creature aside. Red casted a thankful look towards May, whose Skitty was using Blizzard.
A whirlpool slammed into a charging Houndoom, knocking it aside while Red ducked under the explosion, skidding across the metal and physically knocking a Grunt down while coughing at a smokescreen, slamming a door open with his shoulder.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted, and Red's mirrored it back at Ash's, giving a nod while Espeon ducked under an angry Tyranitar, running over towards Red. Blue coughed, appearing from above the explosion on the back of Arcanine with Cynthia following, the firefight behind them.
"Sala!" They ducked, The ground buckling as Red was thrown forward, skidding on the ground with a wince as the metal wall caved in, separating him from the others.
Red gasped, looking at the angry Salamance, which quickly began to gather the power of a Hyper Beam.
"Terra!" A Torterra roared, slamming into Salamance and slamming down on it with its front legs, causing the Salamance to groan before going limp.
Red looked up, and the Torterra stepped aside, being returned by a trainer.
Red's eyes widened slightly by the sight of Paul, who only gave a slight nod, Red returning it as the other man turned and walked away, possibly to escape the ship.
Red turned, looking back at the wall which blocked him off, and gave a small sigh, pulling out a Pokeball.
"Saur?" Venusaur asked, and Red pointed to the wall, Venusaur using Leaf Storm to destroy it easily, showing the firefight on the other side- a group of Ninetails having cornered Blue and Cynthia in.
"Come on!" Blue shouted, the Pokémon jumping through while Garchomp released a dragon breath, closing up the hole and sending the Ninetails flying.
"Let's get going!" Blue gasped, and the three set off. Garchomp panting from the attacks, and Arcanine limping slightly while Pikachu and Espeon looked almost completely unharmed.
"Esp!" Espeon gasped, turning to the left and reaching a secret door, slamming it with Psybeam and knocking it open.
It was obvious by the way people dressed that these were higher ranking people. A Boy and a Girl, who grabbed Pokeballs, sending out a Magmortar, while the other sent out a Electivire.
Red didn't even care to think about how ironic it was.
"You're going down, you're idiots for trying to challenge us-"
"Stand down." A familiar voice said, a chair and a desk further back in the shadows.
"What? Can it be?" Cynthia gasped quietly, Garchomp snarling while looking at both the Magmortar and the Electivire.
"You think these two are going to stop us?" Blue snorted, Arcanine growling in anger while the voice only laughed.
"Now why would I think that? You think I'm defenseless?"
The chair spun, and Red tried to resist the urge to command Espeon to break his mind apart.
"I've heard a lot about you, Cynthia, Champion of Sinnoh. And you-" Giovanni scowled, looking at Blue who snorted.
"I won't let you leave here." Giovanni's eyes narrowed and instead Red stepped forward, completely ignoring the Magmortar and the Electivire.
"And you, the rare mysterious trainer. I wonder can you even talk?" Giovanni sneered, causing Red's eyes to narrow.
"I hold a proposition." Red spoke, voice startling Cynthia who jumped, looking at Red with slightly surprise, while Giovanni only smirked cruelly.
"Oh? And what, could you hold for me? You appear out of nowhere, and suddenly you expect me to accept a proposition?"
"A battle." Red spoke, and Giovanni laughed, causing Cynthia to look at Red in confusion while Blue spun, face paling. "No, no stop it red, not again. No." Blue warned, and Red ignored him.
"A battle. If I win, Team Rocket is no more. You are vanished from this plain of existence." Red nodded, voice emotionless while Giovanni rolled his eyes.
"And If I win?"
"Then I join your organization."
Cynthia jolted, staring at Red in shock and horror, causing Giovanni to laugh while Blue shook his head, looking at Red warily, "Red, not again. Please."
Red lifted his hand, while Espeon's eyes glowed, with a psychic blast, both Magmortar and Electivire slamming into the walls and were forced down by metal force.
"I accept your challenge. But on my terms." Giovanni sneered, standing upright and the Persian on his lap jumped down.
"Es-PeON" Espeon cried, energy grabbing the roof and literally, ripping the panels off and revealing the bright sun and open sky above.
"Go, kill them you worthless beasts." Giovanni sneered, throwing his Pokeballs into the air.
"Aggron." Growled, bowing low while the other two opened. A Poliwrath, and a Nidoking, roaring angrily.
Blue stumbled back, the two Rocket grunts ran off, returning their Pokémon and dashing away while Garchomp snarled angrily, Arcanine barking with anger.
"Red, let us he-"
Red glared, stopping Cynthia's words in an instant while Giovanni sneered, Red pulling his pokedex to look at the level.
Levels, 76, 79, 77
They were strong, as strong as Garchomp was.
"So, what are your Pokémon you foolish child?" Giovanni sneered and Red carefully pulled out three Pokeballs, Ultra Balls.
"Oh, you're in for a show." Blue muttered, grabbing Cynthia and pulling her back, much to her confusion.
"He'll use his Blastoise, Charizard and Venusaur, right?" She asked, thinking of the three starters, while Blue shook his head.
Red threw the balls into the air and they opened, in a bright light.
Three mighty birds stood, towering high above the Pokémon, crying out in anger.
"No way." Cynthia whispered, Giovanni's face paling as he looked at the three creatures.
"Leave Giovanni." Red spoke quietly, and at once the birds landed, releasing their share, a powerful Fire Blast, Thunder, and Ice Beam.
An instant hit and the Pokémon were panting, paralyzed, burned and frozen respectively.
"No- this is impossible!" Giovanni shrieked, his Pokémon fainting from two hits as the birds cried out loudly, flapping and flying up into the air from the hole, flying out to possibly destroy the ship.
"I will not stand for this! Go, Machamp!" Giovanni practically screamed, and Red smirked slightly.
"Oh, Arceus." Blue breathed, as Red pulled out one Pokeball, one marked with a purple M.
'Long have I awaited you, Giovanni.'
Machamp fainted with a simple swing of Mewtwo's hand, and Cynthia was huddled in the corner, while Mewtwo didn't pay any attention to the three humans behind it.
'Long have I wanted to…confront, you again under different circumstances.'
"You're a defect! You should have been destroyed!" Giovanni spat, causing Mewtwo to blink slowly.
'And your opinion on these creatures are part of why you must perish. The differences of this universe and my own, is that there is only one legendary Pokémon in my own. You hunt and you kill those here, if you were in my universe you would perish with only one look from the Lord Arceus himself.' Mewtwo scoffed, looking at Giovanni with a scowl, 'You're pathetic.'
"You mindless animal! You don't deserve to live- you should have died like all those other defects!" Giovanni spat.
Mewtwo was suddenly at Giovanni, its eyes glowing with energy as Giovanni was lifted from his spot, hovering in the air and hands going to his neck as he choked.
'You are finished. You and your pathetic existence are finished. You are done, Giovanni. This moment the Trio of the skies are laying the power of the gods upon this ship. This is over.' Mewtwo scoffed, turning and looking at Red, and much to Blue and Cynthia's horror, the creature lowered itself to one knee, bowing its head with respect.
'Chosen One.' It nodded, before bursting into bright blue psychic flame, exploding from the room while keeping the occupants alive.
Red walked forward, grabbing Giovanni and slamming his head into the table, holding his throat in a chokehold before summoning a Pokeball, calling out Charizard.
Charizard blinked, snorting fire and smelling Ice, Thunder and Fire in the air and assuming it was the three birds, before seeing Giovanni and snarling in anger.
At once it grabbed Giovanni, burning claws singing Giovanni's skin as it took a hold of him, snapping his wings open as Red mounted, Pikachu following as they took off into the air, leaving Cynthia and Blue to rescue the four fainted Pokémon of Giovanni.
"Let me go! Let me go you pathetic lizard!" Giovanni shrieked, before growing quiet as he saw the destruction the three birds and the flaming Mewtwo were causing.
The ship was in ruins, smoke and electric discharge blasting off periodically while Ice was causing one engine to slope downwards, on a crash course with the ground. Red could see the police far below, lights flashing and Arcanine and Growlithe on the police force. Charizard snarled as the ship suddenly let out a large explosion, Mewtwo exploding upwards , the ship in fire below it, as it vanished from sight with a powerful Teleport.
The three birds called out loudly, each grasping the ship with their talons before flapping gently lowering the smoking ruin to the ground, where the police quickly swarmed, arresting grunts quickly.
Charizard turned, heading towards the lead officer before he saw a purple head in the distance, a small smile as Paul watched the destruction, no doubt having seen the three birds and Mewtwo.
Charizard landed, and Red looked at the officers who rushed over, automatically arresting Giovanni who snarled, glaring at the officers as they dragged him away. Red looked at Paul, who was watching him, about to walk forward and probably say something before the ground shook, and the officers gasped.
'Chosen one.' He turned, seeing the three birds who bowed to him.
'We have destroyed all of the ship. This organization is no more.' Arcticuno spoke, apparently the speaker of the group.
'Lord Arceus calls for us, we are to assist the chaos that this world suffers with. We will answer your call, Chosen one.'
'Stay safe, and let the sun warm your back.' Moltres bowed, and the three walked away, nails clicking before the leapt into the air, circling once before moving, Arcticuno heading south, Zapdos East, and Moltres North.
"Red!" Red looked up, seeing the group flying down, Blue's Pidgeot carrying both Blue and Ash. Lance's Dragonite carrying him, and his countless other flying Pokémon carrying the others down.
"Red." Cynthia stated, casting a look at Red, and Red said nothing, causing Cynthia shake her head and sigh.
"Did you see that? It was the three legendary birds! I swear I saw them!" Ash was stating, looking at Misty and Brock who nodded, apparently having seen the three also.
"So…what do we do now?" Blue asked, looking at Red who didn't say anything, watching as Giovanni was shoved into a police car.
"Excuse me, what's going to happen to the gym that Giovanni used to own?" Cynthia asked the police officer calmly, and the officer shrugged.
"I don't know, a new trainer will have to take control, I'm sure the league will have to approve." The officer shrugged, sliding into the car and starting it while Giovanni scowled in the back.
"He's gone. Team Rocket's gone." Ash muttered with an almost whisper, looking at his Pikachu in shock while the little creature seemed like it.
Red looked at his Charizard, which snorted, before blasting a fire blast high into the sky out of victory.
Cynthia smiled, while Ash laughed, the others looking at each excitedly as the wreck was cleared out, Pokémon released and the grunts escorted out of the base.
Red looked at his Pikachu, who let out a low breath, and gave a small thumbs up and a small "Pika?"
Red smiled, and scratched his head, looking up at the sky and closing his eyes, quietly thinking to himself. 'I've done it Arceus. Where now? Who now?'
'Hoenn. Magma is of the mountain Jagged Path, Aqua is of the city of the Lily.' An ancient voice whispered.
Red's eyes snapped open.
x-(X)-x End of Part 1 x-(X)-x
Okay- i got a few concerns about Red being too...Mary Sue.
Okay, yeah he's powerful, but face it. When you had the game and you played it...eventually, it just didn't become...fun anymore, because you were so strong.
So i'm trying to show that while i write this.
Anyways- END OF PART 1!
~Oceanbreeze7
(Keep the Reviews coming guys! We can break one hundred!)