"Man, I'm exhausted." Leaf plopped on the grass of Route 7, panting heavily before she turned to Red. "How is it that you can be able to have so much energy?"
Red shrugged as he was jogging around the route with Poli. "Alright, Poli. Just let me know if your legs feel tired and keep your arms like this, ok?"
The Pokemon nodded as it along with Meowth and Luxio followed him around the route, the group unaware of a determined Torchic tailing right behind them, much to Leaf's surprise. "Man, that little Pokemon is so energetic."
After a while, Red made the Pokemon take a break and eat their food while he continued training, unaware of a certain brunette looking at him. Leaf watched Red train, the girl in a trance as she watched his every movement. The brunette sighed dreamily as his hair, now put into a ponytail dance as he executed every punch and kick before he started to do push-ups, her eyes seeing the beads of sweat glistening his mildly toned muscles. His crimson gem eyes shone as the sun's rays bounced off them, making them sparkle like rubies. Leaf found her heart beating faster, unable to take her eyes off Red when she started noticing features on his face now that his hair is no longer fully covering his face.
'Did he always have a mole under his left eye? That's kinda hot.' She thought in a daze, unaware of the drool on her face before she noticed the once deep gash that he received from their escape from the Team Rocket hideout now a badass scar that went along his neck. 'That is also hot.'
Leaf is used to seeing strong and bulky men, she did remember her father always training her in close combat and exercising her in preparation for her journey. But something about Red's slim built that made the girl's bit her bottom lip as she tried her best not to move her head from the spot to miss anything from the display Red was giving her.
"Damn. The things I would do to that boy." She opened and closed her hands instinctively while she licked her lips. After he was finished, he walked over to Leaf who was still in a trance. "Uhh. Leaf are you ok?"
"Oh yeah. I am." She said before Wartortle shoots a water gun to her face which snapped her back to reality. She then started to blush before she cleared her throat. "O-oh right. Yeah, I'm ok. But Red, did you do boxing or something?"
"Yeah. Ever since I was eight." Red answered while stretching himself, he then let out a few more quick jabs. "Dad used to let me train with the Machoke that he use for his excavation. But I never got the chance to finish my classes."
"Seriously, is that why..." Leaf put her fingers before she got up and in a battle stance in front of Red. "Show me what you got, Red. Don't hold back."
"Uhh...ok." Red raised an eyebrow before he got in a boxer stance. Leaf was surprised when he got close to her in one dash, the girl taking a step back before she made a sidestep, Red right in front of her. The brunette then attacked with a barrage of jabs that he quickly evaded before he was a few inches in front of her face.
'He's fast.' She thought as she tried to go for a light jab which made Red step back before he quickly moved to the side. Leaf was barely able to grab his arm before it was swat away by Red. She then tried to land a few blows which were expertly blocked by Red before she had to dodge the strike, much to her surprise.
'So he's a counter boxer? You barely see any of those anymore.' She smirked before she changed her approach, going for grappling techniques which caught Red off guard until she was able to grab his arm. "Time for a spin."
Red was quickly sent to the ground, Leaf straddling him as she put her hands on his abdomen, her face heating up. 'Where were these abs? I can barely feel them through the vest.'
"I win, sweetie." She said with a seductive smirk, bringing her face to Red and kissed him. The black-haired teen blushed furiously and looked away, unaware of the situation going on in Leaf's head. 'This is not a dream. THIS IS NOT A DREAM! GOODNESS, HIS LIPS FELT AAAAAMMMMAAAZZZIIIIINNNNG!'
"I need another." Leaf was about to kiss Red again only to be stopped when they heard a loud voice. 'Stop bothering me. Mama's getting busy.'
"Leaf!" The voice got louder, much to the girl's annoyance. 'Don't you see I'm busy right now. My lips are unavailable to answer right now.'
"Leaf!"
"Huh?" Leaf was knocked out of her trance when she realized that she was still on top of Red who was calling her for a while with a worried expression. "Are you ok?"
'Aww, it was a dream. Damn it!' She pouted, getting up and stomping her foot out of frustration, much to Red's confusion. "The hell happened?"
"You kinda trailed off there. Blanked out after you threw me to the ground. You alright?" Red got up and dusted himself off before he noticed Leaf crossing her arms and fuming. He was about to ask her what is wrong but he heard Kim running towards them with a few tickets in her hands. "Hey hey hey! So-What are you two doing?"
"Training." Red answered. "Leaf was helping me with improving my fighting skills."
"Yeah. And it was getting to the good part." Leaf mumbled before she noticed Kim glancing at the both of them suspiciously, Red wiping his face with a towel while she tried her best to act as natural as possible which failed when her friend noticed the blush on her face.
"Oh! So you've been 'training', huh?" Kim said, looking at her with a teasing smirk which made her blush get bigger.
"I guess you've been having it 'hard' with Leaf." She grinned, Leaf's face getting pinker as she understood what she was saying while Red was oblivious. Kim then decide to change the subject by flashing three tickets in her hand. "Forget that! I got tickets to the Game Corner Club Party!"
"Seriously?!" Leaf said with sparkles in her eyes while Red scratched his head and checked the brochure of Celadon City in his bag. "It doesn't show it on his brochure. What's that?"
"Well, duh! It's an event for all of us to get crazy and partay! Apart from the Underground Hangout, it's the hottest party out for us rebellious teens alike in Kanto!" Kim said while dancing before she handed two tickets to Red and Leaf. "So I got tickets for the three of us."
"Oh! I'm so there!" The brunette jumped excitedly while Red just shrugged and put the ticket in his vest pocket. "Why not?"
They then saw a bunch of vehicles passing by to go towards the direction of Route 16, Red doing some stretches after throwing a bottle of water to Leaf who raised a brow at the multitude of vehicles. "What was that about?"
"Apparently there's some fossil exhibit going on." Kim explained, Red almost broke his neck when he turned to her. "Fossils?"
"Yeah. Saw them yesterday. They even have that thingamajig they use to revive them." She scratched her head.
"Revitalizer." Red corrected her.
"I'm a trainer, Red. Not a scientist." Kim stuck her tongue out at Red before she stomped towards Leaf, about to drag her until she pinched his nose. "I've been meaning to tell you for a while. You need to take a bath. You stink!"
Leaf sniffed herself and was about to say until she heard an alarm which Red stopped. "Well, that ends our training for today. I'm hungry."
"Fine." She picked up her things and followed her friends to the Pokemon Center.
It has been a few days since Red and Leaf had their little date and since then, Leaf has been noticing some changes to Red's personality around her. She has been noticing him stealing some glances at her from time to time. The brunette would be lying if she said that she didn't like it and it's not like she has not feeling odd herself. Recently, she has been finding it difficult to tease her red capped friend due to both her fluttering heart and her face heating up.
As they reached their room, Leaf immediately got her clothes and rushed into the bathroom. "I'm going in first. And Red, if you want to join, just knock, ok?"
Red ignored her which made the girl as she threw a bar of soap at him which missed. "Damn it. Wish I had your aim."
"Just bathe!" Kim threw a towel in Leaf's face, almost making the girl fall over as the bathroom door closed. "I can only handle so much of your stench."
After the trio finished and got themselves prepared for the day along with eating breakfast, the trio went to Route 16 to see the fossil expedition but were stopped when they saw a road of trainers, much to Leaf's elation.
"Can't we chill out with the training?" Kim complained as she started panting. "Like please. Can we not?"
"What do you mean Kim? We are going to chill out with the training." Leaf took out a Pokeball with a huge smile on her face while Red followed. The two then went to battle the trainers on the route, the rest of their teams watching the bouts between the Pokemon while eating Berries and porridge. After taking down several trainers, the two then came across a couple who were dancing with each other before stopping in front of them.
"We're gonna be your opponent. There's no way that you can beat our love! Right, Lea?"
"Yeah! Let's show them, Jed!"
The couple then hugged each other, Leaf feeling slightly jealous at their affection. Kim simply stepped back as Red and Leaf prepared themselves until their opponents locked lips with each other, much to the trio surprise.
"Couldn't you do that inside?" Kim said as she ate a bag of potato chips.
"I wanna be like that with you, Red." Leaf locked arms with Red, tracing circles along his sleeve while blowing kisses at him, the girl trying her best to ignore her heating face. They then saw their opponents sent out a Rapidash and a Meganium which immediately went into a battle stance before the teenage couple.
"Wow! Started out with the big guns, huh?" Leaf smirked as she released Wartortle while Red shared a look with Luxio who leaped unto the battlefield. As the battle commences, the couple commanded their Pokemon to lunge forward only to be stopped by Wartortle's Protect then electrocuted by Luxio, much to their trainers' surprise.
"Oh no! You can do it, guys. Show them our love!"
"Yes, my darling! We won't be stopped!"
Their Pokemon got up before Meganium started glowing while Rapidash dashed towards the two with flames covering its body. Red and Leaf nodded at each other as Wartortle intercepted the Fire type with a Brick Break before using Water Pulse which knocked it into Meganium.
"Discharge!" Red said, Luxio vanishing and appearing between Rapidash and Meganium, the two unable to get a chance to do anything when they were hit by the electrical blast that covered the field, Wartortle having to use Protect to survive the move. As the light subsided, everyone watched both Meganium and Rapidash still standing until they fell to the floor.
"I can't believe it...We lost..." The couple watched in disbelief, the guy holding his girlfriend in his arms as they both fall dramatically, much to Red and Luxio's confusion.
"Nobody can't beat our love!" Leaf said as she intertwined her fingers around Red's, much to the red capped teen's embarrassment. She then blew him a kiss which made a small blush come across his face, the teen not noticing the girl's face turning his namesake. "W-we literally only won by using the element of surpr-"
"Who cares? It's all love." She grabbed his arm and dragged him further up the road, the trio noticing a bunch of tents scattered around the route along with some table showing huge stones and fossils.
"Woah! It's like a miner's paradise!" Red beamed as he ran to various tables, checking out the stones. Kim and Leaf checked some of the jewelry, the brunette smiling when she realized some of the gems have battle benefits as she took some of them.
"Not gonna lie. That looks good on you, Mawy!" Kim said as she watched her Mawile posing with a metallic necklace, much to Leaf's confusion. "What's that around Mawile's neck? It's looks gorgeous!"
"They can customize some items to look like jewelry. So I did it with a Metal Coat I got and voila!" She pointed to Mawile who used Iron Head which looked stronger when the necklace glowed. Leaf then looked ahead to see some people by the gate of Cycling Road, seeing a few scientists by the grass. "Wonder what they're doing."
"They're checking on the Pokemon in the area." The vendor said as he sold a woman a bracelet. "They basically make sure that trainers and merchants like us are careful with routes. This is why they put Professor Oak's lab near Route 1."
"They also help in updating the Pokedex so that you know which Pokemon appears where." The two girls heard a familiar voice before they turned around to see someone who they were not expecting. "Brock!"
"It's good to see you two. I was a little worried after the little Celadon incident." Brock folded his arms.
"Oh please. It's gonna take a little more than that to shake us up!" Leaf waved it off while Kim gave a sideways glance. "Speak for yourself. I'm still pissed off about my old skirt."
"Hmmm. I would've thought that Red would be with you." Brock said, Leaf letting out a smile while Kim pointed further down the route, the three of them seeing the red capped teen approaching them. "Brock. Nice to meet you again."
The man smiled as both shared a fist bump before Leaf folded her arms. "So what're you doing here?"
"Slight vacation. Plus, the guys here needed some guarding." Brock pointed to the men organizing the tents which made Red interested as he wondered about what was in the huge tent in the middle. "I've heard rumors of an unruly biker gang around the Cycling Road so we're trying to be wary of that. How about you guys? I'm guessing you're aiming for Erika's gym."
"Yeah but she is strong." Red said.
"…and annoying." Leaf added.
"Well, it's as expected. Erika is known for her impressive usage of nature. Heh! But if you think Erika is hard, you're gonna have a real scare when you face Koga." Brock smirked, getting a slight reaction out of Leaf. "I don't like the sound of that."
"It's no biggie. You'll cross that bridge when you reach it. Hope I didn't damper the mood."
"Nah! It's all good. Just me and my honeybun here. He pretty much dragged me here." Leaf grinned, intertwining her fingers with his before planting a kiss on Red's cheek which made him blush embarrassingly while mumbling. "Says the girl who bought a Nugget's worth of gems."
Brock chuckled at their antics before he was called by someone, leaving the trio to themselves as Leaf cuddled up to Red.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Red said with a raised brow at Leaf who gasped dramatically which made him roll his eyes. "Why would you say that, honeybun? I'm just showing my love to you, babe!"
Red simply sighed as he looked at her to see her pouting face and puppy eyes before he quickly turned around and walked off. 'Dad. Witnessing your suffering against the hypnosis of Mom will not be vain.'
"Hey! Come back here, you-"
"Don't tell me you're not out of nicknames?" Red turned to her, seeing a smirk on Leaf's face before she went to his ear and whispered. "...cookie kiss..."
'Impossible...how?' Red thought, slowly stepping back as Leaf started chuckling.
"You thought that was my limit. Fool, I've only used a fraction of my power!" Leaf said with her arms crossed, laughing dramatically while Red fell to the floor with his eyes widened. "T-this can't be?"
"You two are so idiotic..." Kim put her face in her palm as she tried her best not to laugh, earning a giggle from Leaf and a shrug from Red. The trio continued on their little tour, watching some of the fossils and even seeing some of the Fossil Pokémon in display which excited the three.
"Woah! Never knew Tyrantrum was that huge." Kim put a hand on her chin as she watched a slideshow of the red t-rex rampaging through a forest, Leaf beside her. "Yeah! The Pokedex made them look smaller than expected."
Upon seeing Brock, a smirk came across Leaf's face when an idea came to her head, Red noticing her expression almost like he saw a light bulb over her head. "Leaf, what are you going to do?"
"Hey, Brock! You wanna have a battle?" Leaf ran over to the gym leader with a huge smile. "Sure. Why not? I'm interested to see how much you two have grown."
"I'm just gonna...you know. Watch from here." Kim said as she walked a few meters away and took a seat on a rock. "So which one of you is going first?"
"Dunno. Alright! Rock paper scissors!" Leaf said as both her and Red have their hands up and then made their choices, Red winning by having rock which beat her scissors. "Darn it. Lucky."
Looking at the sidelines faraway is Nolan who is seething with anger when he saw Leaf hugging Red before he went to the battlefield. "To think she would leave me for him. That just really pisses me off."
He then smirked as he got off his bike and went towards them. "Well, you won't be for too long."
"Lux, let's go!"
Red released Luxio who immediately went into battle stance which made a smile come on Brock's face. "Ah. Isn't that the Shinx I've battled a while back? He's evolved...and looks stronger now."
"Yeah. We went through a lot on our journey, right Lux?" The lynx nodded as they both faced saw Brock released a Bastiodon. As Leaf declared the beginning of the battle, both trainers stood still as they observed the other, Red taking out his Pokedex to scan his opponent's Pokemon.
'Ok, it's a Rock and Steel type and it can take a lot of punishment. Alright, I'm going to need to be careful with this one.' Red thought before he thought about his options, seeing Brock awaiting his move. 'Ok...doesn't hurt to go first...'
"Alright Lux! Thunder Fang!" The lynx ran forward, Brock impressed by its speed but he voiced his move. "Bulldoze!"
Bastiodon raises its feet then slams them to the ground, the shockwave traveling towards the Electric type who leaped into the air, Kim and Leaf surprised by its athletic ability.
"Was Luxio always that athletic? I didn't even notice that." Kim questioned to which Leaf shrugged her shoulders with a knowing smile which did not go unnoticed by the blue haired girl. "You know why, don't you?"
"Maybe..." She smiled knowingly as she saw Luxio's claws get enveloped by lightning before it slams them into Bastiodon's face resulting in a loud clanging sound which made the girls cheer along with their Pokemon. "Go Red!"
'He's gotten better with his fighting style. Being able to find his own way to cover his weaknesses and also a way to boost his strength.' Brock thought as he watched the Steel type being pushed back by the attack. 'But...'
Red then noticed a change in the fossil creature before his eyes started to widen. "Luxio, get back!"
Bastiodon's body was immediately covered by an intense orange aura until it rams into the Electric type, sending it flying to the other side of the field, much to Leaf's confusion. "Woah, that's tough. What move was that?"
"...Counter..." Red muttered with a click of his tongue, seeing Luxio able to get up off the floor despite the injuries it received. Brock smiled as the lynx stretched its legs and let out a bellowing roar before he noticed Red changing tactics, launching a Discharge at the shield dinosaur which blinded it then taking advantage of the situation by landing a Night Slash.
"Good move." The gym leader commented to which Red nodded gratefully. "Thanks. Thunder Fang!"
Luxio speedily lunged forward, Brock observing its movements before he voiced his move. "Get ready, Bastiodon. Bulldoze!"
"Switch to Charge!" Luxio's body starts glowing with electricity as Bastiodon used Bulldoze to shake the arena. As the attack travelled, Luxio avoided the move by jumping on the rocks created by the slight quake then attack its opponent. Brock smiled but it faded when the Electric type puts its paw over Bastiodon's eyes.
"Discharge." Luxio shot a focused blast of lightning from its mouth to knock it back, much to Brock's surprise.
"Well. Would you look at that?" The gym leader smirked, crossing his arms before he hardened his expression. "Stone Edge."
Bastiodon roared, summoning multiple rocks from the ground but they were easily avoided by Luxio before it shot a blast at the ground to push it into the air. Seeing this, Brock and the other scientists and trainers sported looks of surprise at the boy's display of skill. "What the?"
"Damn!"
"Red! Nice one!" Leaf celebrated happily, getting a blush from her red capped friend. Red then noticed Brock making his Pokemon shoot the boulders into the air within the direction of Luxio. "Well, let's see how you deal with this."
"Lightning shield!"
Suddenly, Luxio unleashes a shield of electricity that destroyed the projectiles before it saw Bastiodon coming towards it with its head coated in steel.
"Iron Head!"
"Night Slash!"
Within a second, the two Pokemon clashed, Bastiodon quickly winning before Red started thinking quickly. "Use Discharge in your paw to power up the Night Slash!"
Luxio surged all the electricity in its body into its paw, slamming it onto Bastiodon again which made the shield Pokemon started to descend quickly to the ground. "Unreal!"
"It's pushing back Bastiodon to the ground." Brock noticed.
At that moment, Red made Luxio use Discharge from its hind legs to propel itself to the ground, taking Bastiodon along with it before they both crash into the field, creating a huge crater. Brock smiled until he saw Luxio jumping out of the crater with slightly no damage.
"Alright, let's-" Red stopped when he heard clapping, looking at Brock who was patting his Bastiodon. "Nice job."
Red and Luxio watched the man walked to his Bastiodon, patting his Pokemon before he turns to Red. "You are one terrifying battler. Seriously, using its attacks to propel it, increasing Luxio's normal strength. You use your Pokemon in a way that is very much different from the norm and I must commend you for pushing yourself this far."
"Oh, thanks. But why didn't you continue? You could've beaten me." Red said as Luxio sat beside him. Brock returned his Pokemon before he took out another Pokeball. "I'm not here to win a fight. Just to see how strong you've become. And I have to say, I'm very impressed. Now-"
"Alright, my turn." Leaf got her Pokeball ready as she ran to her side of the field, Red going to sit down.
"Alright, show me what you have, Leaf!" Brock smirked as he readied his Pokeball.
"Hell yeah!" Leaf said as she threw her Pokemon out, revealing Wartortle. As soon as Brock was about to throw his ball, he heard a commotion, turning to see a guy in a hoodie arguing with one of the people guarding the big tent. "What's happening there?"
Seeing Brock and the others coming to him, the hooded person then released a Houndoom who used Roar on everyone, making their Pokemon return to their Pokeballs before he readied another Pokeball which Brock noticed. "Sudowoodo, Double Edge!"
One of the trees near the tent rushed towards the man and knocked him down, the guards about to restrain him until he smiled when his Pokeball enlarge after falling on the ground. "Confuse Ray!"
Suddenly, the capsule opened and released an energy wave hit everyone, making everyone disorientated and dizzy which gave him the chance to run. Fighting against his headache, Red then dashed towards the hooded person, the individual clicked his teeth until Red got hit by a blast of water, the teen looking back to see the hooded person has disappeared. "Damn it. Where did he go?"
Red could not get the chance to answer when another blast of water came towards him which he dodged, turning to see Omastar. "What the? Shoudn't you be…"
He looked around to see that all the fossil Pokemon have gotten out of their cages, rampaging the area as everyone tried their best to stop them. Red could not get the chance to look around for his friends when he had to dodge another blast of water, avoiding a few more blasts before he released Clefairy.
"Pummel him with Brick Break." Clef immediately went to work and launched a barrage of strikes before it was grabbed by Omastar's tentacles then thrown into a rock. It then tried to grab him by his wrist, about to bring him towards it until Clef landed a Mega Kick on it that knocked it out.
"Nice!" Red said until he still felt the grip on his arm, seeing the Pokemon dazed as it opened its beak and dragged him towards it. "Oh no, you don't. Continue using Brick Break."
Clefairy then launched another barrage of punches on the fossil, going relentlessly on the offense until it landed one last blow which took down the fossil Pokemon.
"Seriously, how did they escape?" Red said as he saw all the fossil Pokemon going on a rampage, his eyes landed to an Aurorus about to attack a helpless vendor, Vulpix coming out of his bag. "Flamethrower."
The fox shot a flaming bullet that hit the Pokemon on its head, knocking it down. Meanwhile, Leaf was trying her best to avoid getting slashed by a Kabutops before he got a Pokeball ready.
"Seriously, you're a pain in my ass!" She said as she released Lopunny who landed a spin kick on the Rock type before it unleashed a flurry of kicks that sent back the fossil Pokemon into a rock. Kabutops' blades then glowed as it lunged towards Leaf only to be stop when it was slammed to the ground by a Thunder Punch from Lopunny.
"That's one down." The brunette wiped sweat from her brow before she noticed an Armaldo coming towards her only to be put to sleep by Mothim who flew beside Kim. "Nice one, Mothim."
The group then saw a group of fossils approaching them which was stopped by an Ice Beam, leaving them frozen as Red ran to them with Poli on his back. "You guys ok?"
"Yeah, how on earth-" They felt a tremor, Red grabbing the two girls to move out of the way when an Armaldo came out of the ground and about to attack them only to receive a punch to the face from a Midnight Lycanroc, the trio seeing Brock. "Are you guys alright?"
Leaf made a thumbs up. "Yeah. We're good. No biggie. Not like it could get any worse."
Suddenly, the roof got destroyed as everyone watch as a huge rock bird ascended to the sky before it unleashed an ear-splitting scream that made everyone grabbed their ears.
"Woah! Is that a pheonix?" Kim asked as she saw the figure in the air.
'That's an Aerodactyl?' Brock thought before he readied himself as Aerodactyl started glowing in a white aura until it shot a powerful beam of white flames.
"Get down!" Brock said as his Lycanroc punched the ground to summon huge pillars of stones to stop the attack. As the attack dispersed, Leaf immediately made Lopunny use Jump Kick which was stopped by its wing, much to its trainer's surprise. "How is it so strong? Continue with Return, Lopunny!"
Both Pokemon continued to trade blows until Aerodactyl slams its wing unto the bunny, sending it into a rock. The fossil then made a nosedive towards Lopunny until Lycanroc got in front of it, taking the blow and holding it in place. Its arms then glowed before it punched Aerodactyl in the face which the Flying type was able to recover from the blow then leap into the air.
"Discharge!" Red commanded, Luxio using the move which the bird dodged before one of the bolts collided into it, much to everyone's glee.
"Nice hit, Luxio!"
"Good job!" Brock smiled.
They could not get the chance to celebrate when a Tyrantrum was coming towards them which was stopped by Poli's Ice Beam. Leaf followed by letting her Lopunny dash forward and land a barrage of kicks on the red t-rex, the final kick making it tumble to the ground. As they were getting attacked by the other prehistoric Pokemon, Red started noticing something, his eyes widened as he saw Aerodactyl in the air, its skin having no wounds as it glared down on them.
"H-how? It's not even fazed..." Kim muttered in shock, the Pokemon screeched which caused an immense pressure to fall into the group.
"This was like that time with Gothitelle..." Leaf mumbled before she made Lopunny use Thunder Punch which Aerodactyl easily dodged. It then dashed towards them with its wings glowing, its attack clashing with Luxio's Night Slash, Leaf gritting her teeth. "Lopunny! Help Luxio!"
The two Pokemon tried their best to hold their own against the fossil Pokemon until the pterodactyl flew back to avoid a Bubble Beam from Poli. Aerodactyl then tried to use another Ancient Power which was stopped by Lycanroc, Brock noticing its wings turning to iron. "Grab its wings quick!"
The red wolf was too slow to do so as the fossil smacked it multiple times with Steel Wing before it took flight. Aerodactyl heard something underneath it, looking down only to get by an Iron Head from Mawile, Red was about to make Poli use Hypnosis but he was blown by Aerodactyl who immediately recovered. "Woah! It's so strong!"
"No kidding! Look out!" Everyone had to back away when it used Ancient Power, creating rock spikes on the floor, the attack stopped by Lycanroc who used Stone Edge to counter it. It was about to continue until Red stopped it with Vulpix's Extrasensory, the teen sending Poli to use Hypnosis until it let out a screech which made the Pokemon around them turn to them.
"Great, this just had to happen." Leaf said as she barely dodged a Cradily coming towards her before making her Lopunny fight it, the same with Kim as she had to make Mawile have to fight against a Rampardos.
"Red! Can you handle the Aerodactyl?" Brock asked as he had Lycanroc fight against two Bastiodon, getting a thumbs up from Red as he dodged a Wing Attack. Watching Aerodactyl ascend to the air then unleashed a wave of Ancient Power which created a stone cage for him as both him and it locked eyes, the teen having to make Poli use Bubble Beam to which it dodged before diving towards him.
"Jackpot." He muttered, lifting his hand that Vulpix walked on before unleashing a Flamethrower which hit the Rock type, coating it in flames. Red noticed that this did not stop it as it continued flying towards him. 'Is that all you got, boy?'
"Maybe. Poli, Ice Beam to create spikes." Poli unleashed a wave of ice that stopped the pterodactyl before it took a hit from Luxio which sent it into one of the stone pillars. Aerodactyl then got up and took the area as both it and Red had a staredown. 'This means war.'
"Let's go!" Red said as his Pokemon stood beside him.
"Jump Kick!"
Lopunny landed a drop kick on a Kabutops, knocking it out as Brock cleans them up with Lycanroc. Kimberley was able to take down a Rampardos with Mawile but she missed an Omastar who then started using Surf, the tidal wave going towards Celadon City. "Uh oh."
"Watortle! Stop that wave with Water Pulse!" Leaf released Watortle who stood in front of the wave, glowing intensely as he tried slowing the wave.
"Purugly, Nubnubs! Ice Beam!" Kim sent out her Purugly and Swinub.
"Aurorus, help them with Ice Beam!" Brock sent out his Pokemon.
Together they were able to freeze the tidal wave, the residents of Celadon marveling at the ice sculpture. Before they could do anything, a Tyrantrum broke the ice sculpture, much to Leaf's dismay. "Give me a break. Alright, Wartortle, Brick Break!"
As the two were about to fight, Tyrantrum was hit by a blast that knocked it out in one hit, everyone turning to see Erika who was covered in mud. She then smiled which made everyone slightly uneasy until she opened her mouth, slightly out of breath. "Is that it?"
Brock was about to answer until they heard an ear-piercing screech. As they all looked up, they saw Aerodactyl which made Brock worried. "I thought Red was dealing with Aerodactyl."
Kim looked up then pointed. "I think he still is."
When they all looked up at the pterodactyl, Brock and Erika shared expressions of disbelief as the woman face palmed. "Oh dear."
"Wooohoo!" Red yelled in excitement as he held onto the ropes tied around Aerodactyl's mouth as they all soared through the sky, Poli grabbing onto his jacket. "This is everything I thought flying would be!"
'We're going to die!' Poli screamed as he grabbed the teen's jacket as hard as he could.
'Get off me!' Aerodactyl's eye twitched as it tried to shake off the black-haired teen as they went into the city. "Look out below!"
Everyone looked up in concern and some in an amusement manner as the Flying type crashes into the ground, Red was racking his brain until he looked back to Poli.
"Ice Beam to cushion our fall." As he was about to hit the ground, the tadpole shot an Ice Beam that created a platform of ice along the ground that Red used to slide on the ground and avoid hitting into people before he was brought back into the air. Aerodactyl tried to fling him into a building which Red was carefully avoided by creating another ice platform, Poli then launched a Bubble Beam in retaliation which the Rock-type dodged. 'You're so annoying! This isn't a joke. I'm going to kill you!'
"If I had a nickel for every time I heard that…I'll have a lot surprisingly." Red put a finger on his chin. "I really need to think about my life choices."
'You will not get the opportunity if you're dead!' Aerodactyl said as he flung them towards the grass of Route 7, surprising the trainers in the area as Red was able to land safely thanks to Poli's Bubble Beam.
'Why don't you fight me, child?' Aerodactyl roared angrily before he unleashed a powerful blast which Red clashed with Ice Beam, the attacks creating a shockwave that started to freeze the area. As it finished, Red looked at Poli whose legs started to shake.
"Take a break, Poli! You did great." Red recalled Poli to its ball before he sees Aerodactyl dashing towards him which he ducked under before throwing a Smoke Ball which caught the Rock type off guard.
'You think this will-' The fossil was cut off when a punch connected to its face.
"Shut you up. Yes." Red answered, his Clef using Brick Break which clashed with Steel Wing until he let out a roar. 'Alright, then. Show me your might, boy!'
The two then continued the fight, Clefairy holding its own against the pterodactyl until it was able to land a few punches that sent the bird flying. While the Pokemon tried to recover, it then got hit by a boulder that knocked it into a tree. "Continue with Brick Break!"
Aerodactyl instantly vanished, going around Clefairy before it sped towards Red who quickly ducked under it when it made a swipe at him. Returning Clef, he threw a Pokeball into the air while moving out of the way of an Ancient Power, Beedrill landing a Poison Jab.
"Shoot him in the eyes!" The bee shot two balls of silk which blinded the Flying type before it unleashed an assault of strikes using Assurance. Before it could continue, Beedrill got hit by Aerodactyl's Wing Attack, barely able to intercept the other strike which knocked it away. "Beedrill!"
Red took distance from the Pokemon, returning Beedrill while he was evading Aerodactyl's attacks as he tried to use Vulpix to weaken it. After a while, the Rock-type stopped, confusing the teen as it outstretched its wings.
'What are you doing, boy? You think running away and making your little plans are gonna beat me? Stop running and face me like a warrior!' Aerodactyl screeched, causing Red to stop as he faced the giant bird, much to its confusion. 'So you can understand our speech. Interesting. Then you should understand what I mean. Stop holding back and fight with all your strength! I want a fight that is worth my efforts!'
"What do you mean?" Red asked as he picked out another Pokeball.
'You're just returning your Pokemon every time they receive a hit. How can they learn to toughen up if you keep being in front of them like a guardian?' The pterodactyl landed in front of him, a scowl on its face. 'Don't tell me. Are you afraid of your Pokemon being hurt? You battle but you're afraid of being hurt. Does that not defeat the purpose? What is the purpose of training and practice if you're not willing to use those skills? You're just holding yourself back!'
Red looked down, remembering what happened at the Power Plant and at the Pokemon Tower with Blue until he heard a screech from the prehistoric bird. 'I've seen many like yourself. Willing to battle but cower when you see blood. They all died because of their cowardice. You have great skill but you will need to steel your resolve. Do not be afraid to attack!'
Hearing this, Red faced Aerodactyl, the Pokemon waited as the teen went through his options before he tapped his shadow, summoning Dusclops. Seeing this, the dinosaur smiled as he braced himself. 'And don't hold out on me! You understand our speech so fight with all your wisdom and experience!'
"Rush towards it and use Shadow Punch!" Dusclops immediately went on the offensive, Aerodactyl blocking its attack with Steel Wing as they both took flight. Both Pokemon traded blows, their collision knocking them back before Aerodactyl let out a barrage of white bullets.
"Dodge it!" Dusclops evaded the blasts until one hit it but it recovered quickly, knocking another one which went towards Red, barely missing him.
"Stop them with Shadow Punch!"
The ghost unleashed a barrage of black fist projectiles that destroyed its opponent's blasts, the Flying type lunging toward the phantom but it was hit by an invisible strike that rocketed it into a tree. 'Good job, keep it up! Don't stop attacking either because I'm down. Keep fighting!'
Aerodactyl then closed its wings and was about to glow which Red noticed. "Stop it from using Roost! Disable, Dusclops!"
Dusclops' eye glowed before it launched another attack, the prehistoric bird taking flight then landed a Steel Wing which made the ghost dizzy. Gaining back its bearing, the Beacon Pokemon grabbed the Rock type by the neck before slamming it to the floor which made it bounce from the impact as Dusclops phased through it and the ground.
"Alright! Come back up with Shadow Punch!" Red commanded, Aerodactyl unable to get time to recover when Dusclops punched it in the gut, launching it into the sky as its body glowed with Ancient Power before it tackled the ghost, its increased speed allowing it to land multiple strikes.
"Future Sight!" Dusclops' eye turned blue which made it be able to predict Aerodactyl's movements, landing a Payback before he held it then descended to the ground.
'Release me, phantom!' Struggling and thrashing against its opponent's grab, the Flying type smacked the ghost with its wing which made Dusclops get enveloped by a dark aura as they started to fall faster. 'My apologies but I refuse. The master wants you incapacitated.'
'Impressive! That's it, boy!' Aerodactyl tried to glow. 'Now this, this is a fight!'
"Go Dusclops!" Red said, his eyes glowing which made Dusclops' aura even bigger before it slammed Aerodactyl to the ground, the crash causing a massive earthquake that made everyone on the route lose their balance.
"Woah! What just happened?"
"Did it have to do with that huge bird?"
Running towards the crater, Red searched through the smoke before he found Dusclops who is barely able to stand with Aerodactyl beside it, the Pokemon unconscious.
"Nice job, Dusclops." Red said, Dusclops giving him a thumbs up before retreating to his shadow. As he waited, he took out some Poffins which he put down beside Aerodactyl who started to laugh. 'That bleeding heart of yours...will be your undoing.'
"I'll be the one to decide that." Red answered, smiling when he saw the fossil eating the food begrudgingly. He then took a seat as he looked at his slingshot with a serious expression on his face before he used to shoot at an Archeops coming towards him, knocking it to the ground and defeating it with Luxio.
'I must commend you on your aim. You have the skills of an archer...however you have a long road ahead of you.' Aerodactyl said as the Pokemon lifted himself and went in front the trainer. "Yeah...I know."
'In order to better your skills, one must better themselves. You must know your weakness and your strengths...and strengthen your heart. You are kind and there is nothing wrong with that but you will come across many that will use that kindness you have against you. For that, you will need to learn to control your emotions.'
Hearing this, Red's expression mellowed, Aerodactyl grinning before he smacked the teen lightly on his back. 'Learn that there is going to be a time that you will need to take matters into your own hands. Regardless of your morals and for the sake of your family.'
Red was speechless, thinking about the Pokemon's words until he heard a voice, seeing the men coming to retrieve Aerodactyl. "Thanks, Red. Nice job holding down the Archeops and Aerodactyl. We'll take it from here."
'Hmm. I refuse to be taken by those people again.' Hearing this, Red was caught off guard when Aerodactyl rose to the air and glared at him. 'I only provide assistance to those who can beat me in combat. I will not be used as a prop!'
"Wait!" Red said but was blown away by the winds created by Aerodactyl as it ascended to the sky. The Pokemon then charged a strong blast, creating a huge tornado as it ascends higher into the air. Seeing Leaf and the others in the distance, Red started to worry when he sees the trainers on the route about to attack Aerodactyl. "They won't be here on time to capture him."
'You will need to take matters into your own hands. Regardless of your morals.'
Remembering that thought, Red quickly took out an Ultra Ball and threw it at Aerodactyl, the capsule hitting the Pokemon and capturing it, much to everyone's surprise. "What the?"
"That boy is rude. I'm going to give him a piece of my-" Brock stopped the scientists, the two seeing Red approaching to them with the capsule in his hand. "Sorry about this. Uhhh, I kinda didn't have a choice."
The scientist looked at the boy, sighing before he took the capsule which moved away from his hand. "Huh?"
He tried again but failed when the capsule moved away from him. "What the? Are you doing this on purpose, child?"
"N-no, I'm not. Honest." Red raised his hands before he put the Ultra Ball on the floor, the scientist about to pick it up but failed and fell on his face when it rolled away and hopped into Red's pocket. The scientist was about to fume out of frustration until a hand went on his shoulder, Brock shaking his head. "Let Red keep the Pokemon. I don't think it will listen to you anyways."
"Fine. That Aerodactyl was always stubborn. I hope that you're right." The scientist said as they recapture the rest of the fossils. "Now we have everyone except Carracosta. Where did it go?"
After the group left, Erika let out a tired sigh before she gazed at the teenagers, seeing Red who is talking with Leaf. Her expression mellowed before she turned around and was about to go back to her gym.
"They're something, aren't they?" She turned to Brock who was a few meters from her. She then turned to Red and Leaf who were talking to Kim and some of the other trainers on the route, Red barely participating in the conversation.
"Indeed." Erika said before she left, everyone able to finish then say their farewells.
It was in the early morning, everyone asleep, unaware of a certain raven-haired teenager who is practicing his aiming as he made a perfect shot to a berry that was falling. He then hit a discus in the air as well, continuing his training until he noticed a shadow.
"You made me catch you, didn't you?" Red said as he hit another bullseye, hearing a chuckle before he felt a breeze behind him. Turning to Aerodactyl, he fiddled with his slingshot. "If it was anyone else, you would've come out of the ball."
Aerodactyl simply smirked which made Red sigh as he aimed at the next set of targets. Before he could shoot the stone, an arrow passed him and hit the target which surprised the teen. Turning around, Red saw Erika with a bow and quiver, the woman approaching him before she held out the bow and arrow with shaky hands towards him which made him confused. "Ummm..."
"Try using this." She put the bow and arrow in Red's hands, the teen looking at her before she motioned him. "Go ahead. Try it out."
He then nodded, turning towards the target before he tried angling himself while he took aim. As he steadily pulled back the arrow, he then noticed how difficult i is to use the weapon. 'This is kinda hard.'
"Try to put your body in the right pose. Raise your arm and take a deep breath." Erika taught and instructed Red who put himself in the right posture as he was able to get the arrow to be pulled back but failed again. After a while of getting adjusted to the weapon, he shot the arrow which missed the target, much to Red's disappointment. "Darn!"
"Not bad. Obviously, it's harder to deal with a bow than a slingshot." Erika said as she took aim, hitting two targets at once. "But it has its uses. Want me to teach you?"
Red looked at his slingshot before he nodded, a slight smile on Erika's face.
"Alright, let's get started."