Tranquility had to be my first thought when my bleary eyes opened again. Just like when we were at the Pokemon Center, I felt the similar elements. Like the soft bed I lied upon, and the sparsely decorated ceiling. But unlike at the Pokemon Center, I wasn't fervent with anxiety and the sun's cheerful rays pierced the window, and welcoming the morning to the world. To my right was Paladus and Serenity. The sheets crumpled up, and Serenity cradled in Paladus' strong arms; both of them still sound asleep. I couldn't help but commit that image to memory, because it was just so adorable. On my other side, I was surprised to see Red actually not laying next to me.

His Pikachu, still out for the count on the floor, seemed to be at one with mind and body with the generic ying-yang sort of peace in his dreams.

At about that time, the door slammed open. It was Red with a cheesy, big-ass grin plastered on his face - literally as if an adhesive was applied generously to his cheeks - holding a brown paper sack. He grinned even more to the point I swore his cheeks would tear off. He said, "Well it is good to see that you are awake. You were sleeping like a baby and you're lucky that I didn't think you were dead. You must have slept pretty good last night."

I nodded to him "Well Red I can't say that I'll disagree with you. so what have you got in the bag there?"

He dug his hand into the bag "Remember that bakery we passed last night?" I quickly recalled the wonderful aromas wafting from the bakery last night; my mouth almost watering at the thought of those scents. "I got these things called bagels. I had one earlier, and they were just delicious. Felt like Arceus took me on his back and flew around the world. Wanna try one?"

He yanked out a round, brown object from the bag. It smelled somewhat sweet, and succulent. I shrugged, "Sure I guess." I used my telekinesis to lift the bagel from Red's hand. "Yeesh Lunia, you coulda just got up and grabbed it from me."

A white creamy layer was sandwiched between the bagel - having not realized it was actually two halves - "So Red, could you tell me what this weird stuff is?"

"Lunia, it's called cream cheese. Basically, that is what makes the bagel just melt in your mouth."

I spilt the bagel into its two halves, and took a bite out of one half. The second it hit my tongue, it felt like my taste buds were lighting up in an orgy. I couldn't help but moan at the delicious taste. "Damn Red, you were right! This thing tastes incredible."

I proceeded to wolf down the first half of the bagel, and I whined when it was gone. Almost forgetting that there was another half in my other hand, I shoved half of it down my gullet - barely even chewing - damn near choking on the half in the process. I took a a big gasp of air when I recovered from my near-death experience.

Red chuckled, "Lunia, don't die on me now."

I coughed, then slowly ate the next half, trying not to have another episode like a minute prior. After finishing the bagel, I looked into Red's eyes like a puppy, not needing to say anything else. He got the message. "Lunia, there's only two of them here left, and I was thinking to save them for your children: Serenity and Paladus."

"So Red, did you hear anything interesting in town when you were getting those bagels?"

He shook his head, "No, but remember at the Pokemon Center last night, when Paladus read off that thing taped to the door?"

I nodded, "Yes, it had to do with the Pokemon Center being closed last night."

"And," Red added "it was going to be open to recieve any casualties from today's Verde Classic Tourney."

"Red, what's so special about this tournament today?"

Red went on to explain the whole thing."So anyways, a few years ago, there was a trainer under the name of Liam Volkner. Not the Sinnoh Gym Leader."

"Who?" I interejected.

"Lunia just listen to my explanation! We will go to Sinnoh if we have to. It's a region. So where was I? Yeah, that Volkner guy made a pact to the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four." Red said, kinda losing his cool.

"Once per year, tournaments are held here at Viridian City. A couple of Gym Leaders and Elite Four members promised to Volkner that they would help him host this tourney. Anyone is up to the challenge, and people are allowed to take on any alumnus from their Hall of Fame. Anyone who earned their badge, or defeated them is allowed to face them. I for one could probably take on every one of them because I already explained why. But I heard something interesting."

My ears perked, "What is it?"

"Well I heard that Volkner pulled some strings and a Champion is supposed to make and appearance. The catch to that is, Volkner did not say which Champion will be there. Any challenger out to defeat them, can take their crown."

"So Lunia, I was thinking if I could ask you a favor."

"Red, what do you want me to do?"

Red blushed a little. "I heard actually in the news about that little run-in with Team Magma you had in Rustboro. I can't look at you like you are some beautiful, harmless Pokemon. After hearing your story, and about your confrontation, what it boils down to is, would you mind entering with me in the Verde Classic today?"

I blinked twice, unaware of what to say. Without realizing it, I said "Yes!"

Red pointed over to my children, both still asleep. "What do you wanna do about them?"

I shrugged, "I could leave them an aura message."

Red looked puzzled. "An aura what now?"

"You know. Works kind of like hypnosis, but instead of commanding the subject, it just leaves them with audible words in their head. My guess is that the message will respond when they wonder where I am. I'll time it to work then."

Red shrugged, "Go ahead and do that."

I focused my mind, gathering my mental energy into psychic thought. Paladus. Serenity. It's mom. Me and Red left for an event called the Verde Classic. Me and Red will be entered into it. If you want to find me, just follow a large group of people. When you reach them, just send out a little mental blip. I'll hone in and find you both. If you are hungry, there are little objects named bagels in a brown bag. Eat them, and just trust me when I say they are delicious. Love you both. Kisses, from your mother.

I strayed back into Red and nodding to him, and he nodded in confirmation to me too. He grabbed his baseball cap from the floor and put it on, and grabbed his Pikachu in one arm, and his backpack in the other.

Red grabbed the key, and placed the paper bag in place of the key. We left the door unlocked just in case for Paladus and Serenity. Me and Red returned to the clerk's office. Red explained the situation to the old clerk, and the clerk affirmed that he would make sure that Paladus and Serenity were safe.

Across the street, people were swarming the Pokemon Center. Tensions over there seemed high, and Red just couldn't help but laugh. "I feel sorry for those saps. They should've prepared for the tourney earlier. To be honest, I planned on only using Pikachu, but since you came around, you can be backup. Thanks for agreeing to do this."

"No problem Red. Need to unwind from the stress I have, and battling will probably be my best form of venting. So when does the tournament start?"

Red rolled up his sleeve, revealing a wristwatch. "Let's see. It's 11:23 A.M. The guy I was talking to earlier said it should be starting be at 2:00 P.M sharp."

"So what do you wanna do until then?"

Red shrugged, "Actually, I kinda wanted to see what exactly you can do. I mean, I don't even know what your moveset is. Do you even know your moveset?"

"I do know about six or seven moves. I know how to do Psychic and Focus Blast. I can Teleport, although that wouldn't be very useful. I can gather my mind with Calm Mind. I can do it, but I know Hypnosis. Lastly, I do know Thunderbolt."

Red scratched his chin. "Well that is kind of an interesting variety to work with."

"Why? Will you be commanding me around?"

"Well I'm not sure. If you think it would be better for me to pull your punches, I can do it. If not, just do what comes naturally to you."

Time passed rather quickly as me and Red made the most idle small talk that I have ever known. I managed to extract some information from him, although not too important. I learned that he had a friend named Blue, who was the grandson to Professor Oak, and had a sister named Daisy. Red also mentioned that his Pikachu is stronger than no other, toppling quite a few legendaries. I was amazed, but then again at this point, nothing would suprise me.

Red rolled up his jacket sleeve again, examining the time. "The time is 1:54 P.M currently. We should probably make our way to the field now. The opening ceremonies oughta start pretty soon."

Me and Red quickly made our way to the field - more like a small stadium - trying to budge through the crowd to get a halfway decent view. People were lined along a small stage, and in metal bleachers surrounding the field. The crowd was alive with buzzing of chatter. Through it all, I still hadn't picked up any blip from either of my children. I hope they were okay.

The buzzing crowd stopped as a blonde, clean-shaven man in his late twenties went up onto the stage. He was a slim man built like a rail; wearing a light blue jacket, and a pair of long black pants, and shiny black dress shoes to match. He carried a microphone with him.

"Welcome Pokemon fans and trainers alike. I welcome you all to the third annual Verde Classic. I am your Master of Ceremonies: Liam Volkner. Today, we will see thrills! Chills! Unexpected shrills, and entertainment with no frills. Today, you guests are aware what is going to happen. Everyone is open to challenge any of our exhibitioners. Win, and recieve a wonderful prize. Lose, and you get a one-way trip to the Pokemon Center!"

The crowd blasted in cheer from Volkner's opening speech. Bloodlust lined the tone of the crowd; thirsty for the action they so waited for.

Volkner finished his speech. "Anywho, without further ado, lemme introduce our ten exhibitioners." A large projector screen rose from behind the stage, and projected the ten exhibtioners for this year.

Volkner screamed, "First up we have the shockingly electrifying man! Welcome the Electric-type leader from Mauville City: let's give it up for Wwwattssssoonnn!"

A portly man in his sixties smiled, and waved to the crowd.

"Second is the girl who is so sci-fi, and yet so sky high! Let's hear it for our pilot girl Skyla!"

A young attractive woman in a blue sundress with pilot goggles on blew kisses to the crowd.

"Third is our rock-hard determinated trainer. From our stomping grounds of Kanto, It's Pewter City's Brock!"

The crowd went wild when Brock took to the stage. Red shouted, "Yeah Brock!" I looked over to him, "You know Brock?"

"Of course I know him. He travelled along with me and a girl named Misty for the first two years I was a trainer. It's a pretty small world when you know half of the Gym Leaders by a last name basis, and they know you."

Volkner went on bantering, running off the list: Lorelei, a former member of Kanto's Elite Four, Claire, a Dragon-type leader from Blackthorn City, Byron, a Steel-type leader from Sinnoh, Drake, a member of Hoenn's Elite Four, and Morty, a Ghost-type leader from Johto.

The nineth person on the list drew a lot of attention from the crowd. I stopped listening around Morty, and perked up at the words of "former Champion".

"That's right folks, your very own Viridian City's Gym Leader, and former Kanto Champion: Blue!"

I whispered to Red, "Is that the same Blue that is a good friend of yours?" Red nodded. From what I could see, Blue was a hometown hero. He stepped up onto the stage, with an Eevee clamping to his shoulder. He raised his arms, flaunting his swagger, attempting to rouse the crowd. His attempts had an instantaneous effect, and the crowd screamed for Blue.

After about a minute, Blue ceased to rile up the crowd, and took his place with the other exhibitioners. I counted off to myself the nine people that were attending this event. There were ten listed.

Then Volkner paused for a second to give a sense of drama for the crowd. "Now, the moment you all have been waiting for. This year we have a special treat courtesy of me. I have asked for a Champion to make a special appearance, and they agreed to show up. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you your Champion."

To my dismay, the Champion was actually a cloaked figure. This Champion wore a black robe that covered every aspect of their body, other than height and build. I couldn't guess who it was, other than a tall and lightly toned person.

Volkner moved back up, "Yes, unlike the last few years, I want our guest to be a suprise. The Champion will reveal their true identity when they believe they have found a rightful challenger!"

Volkner screamed, "Your Verde Classic exhibitioners of the year folks. Let's hear it for them all one more time."

The crowd applauded the exhibitioners. "So fans, let's get it started! Who's ready to rumble?!"

Multiple fans shot their hands into the air. Volkner paused. "Our first event will be a double battle! Byron and Claire versus our two lucky trainers. C'mon up!" He shot two fingers in seperate directions. A young brunette in her early teens, and an elderly woman, probably old enough to be someone's grandmother.

They both made their way up to the stage, "State your names trainers!" Volkner held the microphone close to each of the trainer's mouths. The elderly woman was named Suzana, and the teenager was Olivia. Volkner yelled, "Let's give it up for the team of generations!" He threw up their arms simultaneously.

"For those who are not aware, this battle is a 2v2. Both teams can only use one Pokemon each."

Both Olivia and Suzana got into a huddle to make up a strategy, as did Claire and Byron. After a minute, they both broke their huddles. Liam Volkner screamed to the crowd, "Let's begin the first battle of the Verde Classic!"

Suzana was first to send out her Pokemon. "Froslass, I choose you!" She threw her Pokeball in the air with expert grace. The small icy female phantom Pokemon chilling the crowd. Olivia grabbed her Pokeball, and lobbed it into the air, "Gabite, let's do this!" The blue reptilian Pokemon burst from its light, hissing, and bearing it's fangs.

Claire was first for the Gym Leaders, "Dragonair, c'mon out!" The blue serpentine Pokemon slithered its way in front of it's master, ready to obey. Byron scuttled for his Pokeball. "Magnezone, show 'em what you got!" The robotic Pokemon levitated towards the Dragonair.

Suzana made the first move, "Froslass, use Ice Beam on the Dragonair!" The Froslass blasted a straight beam of ice towards the Dragonair, which dodged it with ease. Olivia went next, "Gabite, use Rock Slide on the Magnezone!" Byron stood by, while the Gabite used Rock Slide on his Magnezone. The rocks bounced harmlessly off of the Magnezone.

Olivia stood puzzled. "Wha?" Byron laughed, "Kid you gotta do better than that if you wanna win! Magnezone use Magnet Bomb on the Gabite!" The Magnezone released parts of its body, hurtling them towards Olivia's Gabite. She yelled, "Gabite dodge it!"

Byron smirked. "You gotta do better than that." As if on queue, the magnetic bombs found their target, despite the Gabite giving it's all. Multiple small explosions wracked the Gabite as it was thrown back by the small blasts, hitting Suzana's Froslass, and knocking the Froslass down.

Claire screamed, "Dragonair, use Fire Blast!" The Dragonair launched a large column of infernal heat towards the crumpled pile of the Froslass and Gabite. It hit both of them in sync. The Froslass got scorched, but the Gabite hung on somehow.

Byron laughed maniacally, "Magezone, finish them off with another Magnet Bomb!" The Magnezone fired off multiple seeking magnets, all finding their targets. A relentless assault of magnetic bombs struck the Gabite and Froslass.

When the dust cleared, both of the Pokemon knocked out cold. Over in nearly a minute and a half. The crowd erupted in cheer, favoring the Gym Leaders that just stomped a mud hole in both of the first two challengers.

Volkner yelled, "Well that's a display of raw power folks!" Olivia and Suzana both recalled their Pokemon, looking glum, and trudging away from the field. Volkner proclaimed, "Now who wants to go next?"

The crowd was a dead ringer. After the first match, the people were smart to not get their asses kicked by the powerful Gym Leaders. After about a minute, Volkner decided to break the silence. "We will take a five minute break, and come back to you rowdy crowd in time for another match. Be sure to be prepared when we get back!"

The crowds did their thing, and after said time, everyone made their way back to their seats, ready for round two. Volkner made his way up to the stage once more. This time it was going to be a triple battle. Each trainer could only use two Pokemon apiece.

Volkner snatched up three random trainers - luckily not us - and called them up to the stage. This match was as much of a mop-up as tall thhe last one. Lorelei, Drake, and Wattson easily dispatched of all three of the opposing trainers; and in barely under five minutes.

Volkner screamed, "Ooh, and that's another upset for the challengers. Round three must commence!"

This time, a single battle, max party of six allowed, the challenger this go-around being Morty. Another unlucky soul fell to him rather quickly.

By around six o'clock, the crowd was getting rather bored of the same results. Following that - a rotation battle with Skyla - another loss occured. Loss after loss wracked the unwilling trainers. By seven o'clock, Volkner pretty much ran out of trainers.

He sighed. "I'm sorry folks, but if we don't have any more challngers, we may have to end the Classic early. This thing is supposed to last until ten o'clock! Do we have anymore challengers?"

Not a soul stirred in the crowd. Silence once more awkwardly gripping the crowd. Volkner was about to get ready to shutting down the event, but he squinted into the crowd, making sure he wasn't seeing a mirage. He rubbed his eyes, checking to make sure his sight was true. One last hand raised in the stagnant crowd.

Volkner put on a cheery face, and blared, "Ok then people, looks like we got one more challenger for the evening! Will you come on up?"

Muttering gripped the audience, trying to figure out where the raised hand came from. The question was soon answered, and I was quite shocked to see who it was standing up to the challenge.

The hand that rose, and the young man that stood, lone behold was Red.

And mama, looks like I gotta be up to the challenge.