Pokémon The Wonders of the Wo...

By PikaMew-02

5.6K 209 791

Red, a young trainer from Kanto, sets off on his Pokémon journey to make new discoveries and fulfill his drea... More

Prologue: The Journey Beyond
The Secrets of Route 1
Return to Pallet Town
Understanding One's Potential
Rivaled Battle
Encounters in Viridian
A Rocketing Threat
Riolu's Tale
Rock-Hard Determination
Panic in the Lab
Together in the Mountain
Arriving at the Floral Lagoon City
The Cerulean Mermaid
Calming the Tides
The Fire that Burns the Sea
Trouble in the Tunnel
Rivaled Rematch
Electrifying Fists of Fury
Vermilion Night Out

A Spark of Inspiration

131 6 3
By PikaMew-02

~{Author's Pre-Notes}~

(Mew walks through a dark hallway in an abandoned ship floating in the depths of space. With a weapon in hand, Mew kept their guard up.)

Well, this is creepy. I hope this hall does not have any of those mutated corpses. But anyway, so last time on this vast adventure, Red and Leaf found themselves in trouble against another Team Rocket Leader. Fortunately, Professor Oak arrived and was able to help the duo fight off the bad guy. However, it was Leaf to be the one to save everyone with the use of her powers. Also, Leaf's Bulbasaur evolved into Ivysaur! Anyway, after our three characters made it out of the Underground Path, Leaf suddenly blacked out! Is she okay? What will happen? Let's see how the story progresses.

(A gas pipe suddenly lets out air)

Gah?

(Mew jumped in fear from the loud noise the gas caused )

Motherfu-

_____________________________________________________

"Hey!... wake... up!" A male's voice persisted.

"Please... wake up!" Another male voice, much older implored with concern.

The voices continued speaking, to the point where both voices sounded like one person. One of a wise and intelligent man.

The voice said, "Wake up. My sweet daughter..."

Could it be?

"Dad..." Leaf mumbled.

Just then, a sweet aroma filled the air around. It had a nice smell to it, almost tasty.

*GASP*

In an instant, Leaf's eyes snapped open, widening in shock and bewilderment. With a sudden burst of energy, she propelled his upper body off the ground, her heart pounding like a frantic drum. Gasping for air, she couldn't help but immediately start sniffing the air, becoming captivated by the sweet smell that invaded her senses. It almost smelled like cake.

As her vision cleared, she caught sight of two figures standing before her with expressions that mirrored her previous reaction. It was Red and Professor Oak, sitting at her side.

She rotated her head and noticed Ivysaur sitting on her lap. She realized she must have used the aroma from her flower to bring him back to consciousness. Gratitude and confusion mingled within Leaf, leaving her unsure of how to react.

"Where am I? What happened to me?" Leaf's voice wavered.

Leaf's attempt to rise from the ground was met with a sense of dizziness, her head still spinning from the events that had unfolded in the dark, treacherous tunnels. Red and Professor Oak, concerned for her well-being, hurriedly moved to support her, urging her to lie back down and rest until she regained her strength.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to recall what had happened. Red and Oak quickly filled her in on the details.

"Just as that Team Rocket guy was charging to attack us, you, somehow, used Earthquake and collapsed the entire tunnel. When we emerge from the tunnel, you collapsed right after," Red explained.

"We believe it must've been because you used a move you hadn't used before and must've cost you a lot of your energy and what led you to faint. Thankfully, you didn't get harmed in the aftermath." Oak added.

Leaf pondered about the previous event, trying to recollect what happened. She then remembered.

Leaf recounted the events, her tone tinged with wistful reflection. "Wait, I think remember now. After we defeated that Team Rocket guy's Pokémon, he chose to fight us with himself. I used my powers to push him back to the opposite end of the tunnel, separating us from the middle. I then charged up a lot of energy so I could cave in the tunnel. Seeing that Pupitar used Earthquake must've led me to use that move and cause the tunnel to collapse. I didn't mean to use it, but, I don't know... my body just did its own thing and well I used that move."

"I imagine your powers are becoming instinctive." Red theorized.

"That could be the reason. Ugh... my head is spinning. Is there anywhere I can rest?" Leaf voiced as she placed a hand on her head.

Oak sprung up as he pointed south. "Indeed! Vermilion City is close by! If we keep on traveling south, we'll be there in no time!"

"Let's get to it then. Here, Leaf. I'll carry you there." The boy declared with great chivalry.

"If you insist." Leaf smiled.

With a quick scoop, Red lifted Leaf in his arms in bridal form. They were then off to their next destination.

_____________________________________________________

Day 3
~{Vermilion City- 12:50 PM}~

It took a while for Red and Oak to get the weary Leaf to their next destination. The toll of exerting her powers had left Leaf drained and fatigued. Eventually, after getting through every obstacle in Route 6, specifically young Pokemon trainers, the team arrived in the port town known as Vermilion City!

Vermilion City is a bustling coastal metropolis nestled along the cerulean shores of the Kanto region, which embodies a harmonious blend of urban energy and seaside tranquility. Renowned for its maritime legacy, this vibrant city is a haven for trainers and travelers alike, offering a rich tapestry of experiences. The bustling harbor hosts a symphony of maritime activities, with massive cargo ships, luxury liners, and humble fishing boats navigating the glistening waters. The city's heart beats along its sun-drenched streets, lined with a medley of boutiques, eateries, and markets that resonate with the harmony of cosmopolitan culture and coastal simplicity. The undeniable focal point is the magnificent Vermilion Gym, an electrifying spectacle presided over by Lt. Surge, a dynamic Gym Leader known for his Electric-type Pokémon.

As beautiful as the city looked, there were more pressing matters at hand. Upon spotting the city's Pokémon Center, the trio raced to it to get Leaf some help. To their relief, this Pokémon Center happened to be a resting spot for traveling trainers, with plenty of rooms to stay in, and a sauna as well. The gang ordered two rooms, one for Leaf and the second for Red and Oak. Once they had their rooms, Red carried Leaf to her room and sat her on the room's bed.

"There you go, Leaf. Nice and cozy." Red commented as he placed Leaf on the bed.

"Thank you, Red. I'm so glad to be in a soft bed again. This will help me get some better rest." Nestling onto the plush beds the Pokémon Center had, Leaf's senses were caressed by a warm, enveloping embrace that traversed through her body, inviting relaxation to wash over her.

"How are you feeling, Leaf?" Oak inquired with genuine concern.

Leaf, weariness evident in her every movement, took a deep breath before responding.

"I'm still tired. I can hardly sense my powers flowing through me."

"They'll probably take a while to recharge," Red stated.

Leaf nodded while trying to get comfortable in her bed. "Resting up will do me some good in replenishing my powers. Maybe once I'm better, I would like the chance to explore the city."

Red's spirit resurged, a blazing glint in his eyes as he voiced his enthusiasm. "I'm really fired up to continue the Gym Challenge and battle against Lt. Surge! I think I'll go find the Gym in the meantime" Red raised a fist, feeling energetic with a fiery determination. "Professor, want to tag along?" The boy asked his mentor.

A chuckle escaped Oak, his expression one of gentle decline. "I appreciate the offer, Red, but I'm going off to a store. After all, it feels kind of weird walking around without a shirt." Oak pointed as he brushed the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Oh come on, Professor! There's nothing wrong with being shirtless. Lots of guys do it. Besides, you never know when someone wants to admire muscles like yours." Red joked as he placed his hands on Oak's pecs and started squishing them like pillows.

A cross-vein appeared on Oak's head, finding Red's obsession with his muscles to be kind of annoying. As a way of telling him to settle down, Oak raised a hand and smacked Red's head, almost like a father smacking his child for disrespecting him. This caused a comedically large bump on the boy's head.

"OUCH!" The boy yelped.

"Please, calm yourself, boy!" Oak voiced with a stern voice as he crossed his arms.

"Yes, sir..." Red replied as he twitched in pain comedically.

Leaf chuckled, not really understanding what was happening but still found it amusing.

Red then brushed away the pain as he was ready to make his leave to explore the city. "Anyway, since you're here now, Professor, you'll finally get the chance to see my battling skills in person. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with my strategic battling skills. Anyway, I'll let you know when my battle is. Later!"

"I look forward to it, Red!" Oak exclaimed, his voice trailing as the door closed.

The man took out his Pokéballs and released the Pokémon he had with him. He then turned to Leaf "Anyway, Leaf. I'll be heading out too. I'll leave my friends here to keep you company if you don't mind."

"Clefi."

"Mime Mime."

"Rillaboom."

All of the Pokémon sweetly waved to Leaf.

"Not at all! I would love to have their company. Thank you, Professor. As for me, I'm going to rest now." Leaf uttered, as she fixed her pillow and lay peacefully.

"Very well. You three, please take care of Leaf as she rests. I won't be long." Oak requested.

"Clefi Clef!"

"Mi mime!"

"Rilla boom!"

The three Pokémon all nodded in understanding, saluting to Oak showing that they are up for the task.

Oak smiled and exited out of Leaf's room. However, as he took a few steps away from the door, he began to ponder more about the girl's powers.

"Perhaps I could ask a few more questions about her powers. I definitely want to know more about them."

A few steps into the hallway, Oak's feet stilled before he made his way back toward Leaf's room. He creaked open the door to ask his questions, "Leaf, I wanted to ask..."

Oak stopped as he noticed his Pokémon friends watching over Leaf as she was now fast asleep.

"Hm. Oh, I suppose I'll ask her later," Oak muttered softly, closing the door behind him and walking away.

_____________________________________________________

~{Route 5- 1:49 PM}~

"Easy, Blue, calm down now." Daisy Oak's voice resonated gently from the holographic projection of her image, emanating from a Pokédex.

Seated cross-legged on a weathered rock, Blue's expression was a mix of frustration and contemplation. He absentmindedly stroked his newly evolved Wartortle's shell as he tried to shake off the agitation that had set in since he saw Misty embrace Red moments after their fierce battle. Wartortle, sitting down next to his trainer, glanced nervously at the holographic image of Daisy Oak, his sister, who seemed to be the voice of reason at this moment.

"I just can't wrap my head around it. When did they get so close...? Maybe I should've said something to her when I battled her, but I guess I was too overwhelmed by our battle." Blue muttered, his voice tinged with a touch of jealousy.

"Oh, come on, Blue. We both know that Red can get along with anyone! So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Red befriended Misty," Daisy responded, her voice carrying a tone of understanding.

Some semblance of calm seemed to return to Blue's eyes, though his pout remained. "I know. but... This was one of the reasons why I wanted to stick with him through Kanto..."

"Because you're worried that he might form a bond with someone else and you won't get the chance to tell him how you truly feel?" Daisy inquired, delving deeper into Blue's thoughts.

Blue's gaze faltered, his shoulders drooping slightly. He nodded, a mixture of vulnerability and frustration in his expression. "Yeah, Sis. Red... he's always been the one."

"Oh! I see," Daisy replied softly, her tone indicating that she was connecting the dots.

" I get that anyone can form a close bond with him, and he can be with whoever he likes!" Blue stated further.

"Then why don't you confess to him? Tell him your true feelings for him" Diasy suggested Blue do to get this off his chest.

Blue froze, but his legs visibly shook.

"I-I..."

Daisy then watched as the boy started tearing up.

"..."

"Come on, brother! Why the tears?"Daisy's voice softened even further.

"W-Wartortle!?" Blue's starter Pokémon cooed in worry.

Blue started rubbing his eyes to wipe the tears away. His voice quivered as he confessed, "*Sniff* I-I've wanted to tell him'. I've wanted to tell him so many times... B-But every time I tried, freeze up, Sis... I'm weak!"

"Unable to confess your feelings to someone doesn't make you weak, Blue. You don't have to confess unless you are ready." Daisy's words held a comforting reassurance.

"I know sis. *Sniff* But, confessing to someone like Red.... I see it as difficult. "Blue admitted as he wiped his tears. "Red isn't the type to show affection openly. I don't know what he thinks of me when we're together... If I tell him, what if he takes it lightly or... or everything changes between us?"

"I see your point. But, you know, you can't keep these feelings bottled up forever. Before you know it, it will be too late... Only you can decide when to share them with Red." Daisy voiced.

Blue's tense posture seemed to relax, and he contemplated his older sister's words.

"I know, Sis. I want to tell him at the right time. I've been thinking, maybe after I beat him in the Pokémon League and become the champion... then, maybe I'll confess once we're together in the Hall of Fame," Blue's voice gained a hint of determination.

"Hm!?" Daisy uttered with an eyebrow raised. "In front of the whole world? That's quite a bold move. Won't you be nervous?"

"I think by the time I become champion, I'll have the confidence. But, I'm still thinking it through, though," Blue admitted.

"Well, it's your decision, Blue. And whatever you choose, I'll support you," Daisy's voice held a note of pride and encouragement as she gave Blue a caring smile.

Blue gave a slight grin, appreciating his sister's unwavering support. "Man, this journey has really changed me. I never expected myself to vent my feelings about my rival to my sister of all people and then get taught a lesson by her. Not that I couldn't learn them on my own, but it's nice to hear it from you."

A warm feeling settled between them, a bond strengthened by the shared moment. Daisy felt proud seeing his little brother continuing to grow as a person and was very appreciative that Blue came to her to talk to knowing that she would always be there for him.

Blue's gaze shifted ahead, catching sight of a gathering crowd up the trail. Intrigued, he knew it was time to end the call.

"Gotta go, Daisy. Looks like something's happening up ahead. I'll call you once I reach Vermilion City," Blue announced.

Daisy nodded in understanding. "Alright, Blue. Just remember to stay safe. I've heard about Team Rocket and I don't want you running into them."

"Don't worry, Sis. I'm always careful when I'm out adventuring. Besides, if I run into those losers, I'll show'em a thing or two about stealing Pokémon. My team and I can handle anything." Blue affirmed in his usual cocky manner, feeling confident in his trainer skills to take on any Team Rocket members he runs into.

"I'm serious, Blue. These people are really dangerous. Please try to be careful." Daisy voiced with a stern look. "Oh, and have you seen Gramps..."

Before Daisy could finish her sentence, she was cut off by her brother.

"Alright, Daisy. Later."

Blue powered off the Pokédex and turned his attention to his loyal Wartortle, a small smile playing on his lips. As he walked toward the commotion, he felt a renewed sense of purpose, his conversation with Daisy having lifted a weight off his chest. While he still isn't sure when he wants to confess to Red, he does feel a little more confident when he does tell him.

"War!" Wartortle happily barked to his trainer.

"Let's get going, Wartortle. We don't want to fall too behind Red."

Blue and his Wartortle then made their way over to where all the people were. The two were confused by all of the commotion. The scene ahead unfolded with a clamor of journalists, reporters, and curious onlookers swarming a beleaguered police officer. Blue's steps quickened, and he approached the commotion, intrigued by the unfolding events.

"How did this happen?" A male reporter questioned.

"Will the Underground Path be fixed anytime soon?" A journalist chimed in.

"Do you think Team Rocket was involved with the tunnel collapsing?" Said a pedestrian girl who was recording the event on her phone.

"People, please! I don't know how this happened, but unfortunately, the Underground Path is off-limits. Additionally, Saffron City is closed off to all visitors due to potential Team Rocket activity. These are direct orders from the International Police,"  the police officer's voice struggled to maintain authority amidst the barrage of questions.

The people began to cause an even louder commotion, continuously asking more questions.

"Great, how am I going to get to Vermilion City, now?" Blue thought to himself.

Suddenly, a cameraman who was standing in the far back of the crowd turned around and caught sight of Blue and Wartortle.

"Hey, Gaby. Isn't that the trainer who's competing in the League?" The cameraman voiced to a woman next to him, clearly a reporter.

"No way! Good eye, Ty. Let's go talk to him and get an interview before others get to him."

The two interviewers approached Blue with the woman immediately starting an interview with Blue as she raised her microphone to him.

"What a surprising encounter we have here today, folks. Not only has there been an unknown collapse in the Underground Path but I'm standing here with the second trainer to defeat Misty today! Blue, tell us what are your thoughts on the situation right now?"

Blue was becoming overwhelmed, finding it very sudden for him to be put on the spot out of nowhere. Though, he knew that he could not let himself get distracted by his new fans.

"Hey lady, I'd love to answer all your questions, but I need to reach Vermilion City for my Gym Challenge. And, considering the situation here..." Blue voiced, referring to the collapsed tunnel and how he is unable to go through Saffron City.

"Don't worry! I've got you covered." The reporter stepped forward as she held out her cell phone.

Immediately, the woman began to tap her phone and make a call. Blue soon realized that she was calling for a ride for him so he could get to his destination.

"Your ride will be here in no time!" The reporter said with a wink.

Blue was grateful for the report. "Whoa, thanks miss..."

"The name's Gaby. And this is my trusty cameraman, Ty." Announced the reporters

"How's it going?" Greeted Ty as he continued to record Blue with his large camera.

"We're interviewers from TV Mauville from the Hoenn Region hoping to find the latest scoop on the resurgence of Kanto's Indigo League Challenge. Lucky for us, we found one of the trainers we were looking for. So, mind if we interview you?" Gaby asked persistently as she put her microphone up to Blue.

Before Blue could answer, a flying taxi flew down in front of him. The taxi was carried by a large Pidgeot who was being ridden by a man. The Flying-type Pokémon elegantly flapped its wings as it landed in the taxi.

"I'm looking for someone named Blue." The flying taxi driver called out.

"That's me!" Blue replied.

"Alright, then hop on board, kid." The man affirmed as he opened the taxi door for Blue.

Before Blue stepped forward, Gaby stopped him to persuade him to let them interview him. "How about we come with you and interview you in the taxi? This will be a great opportunity for the world to get to know who you are as a person and as a Pokémon trainer."

"Wart." Wartortle called his trainer, encouraging him to accept the interview.

While Blue wasn't much for being in front of a camera, he did like gaining attention. "Sure. Why not?"

This thrilled Gaby and Ty as they were finally getting the scoop they were looking for. Blue and his Wartortle entered the taxi, followed by the two reporters.

Gaby wasted no time starting her interview with the trainer. "Now, let's start off by talking about your childhood."

Blue responded. "Well..."

From there the Pidgeot began to flap its wings, lifting the taxi into the air. They were all off to Vermilion City.

_____________________________________________________

~{Vermilion City Gym-1:58 PM}~

"U-Um... I'm sorry challenger Red-" A soft-spoken female staff member of the Gym addressed the young challenger.

"Just Red, please."  the boy interjected, a friendly smile gracing his lips, clearly not one to be swayed by formalities.

The staff member nodded, her demeanor respectful. "Okay, Red. I regret to inform you that Lt. Surge is not currently present in the Gym."

Red's reaction was a mix of astonishment and confusion. "What?"

"Lt. Surge is a busy man with so much on his plate. Most recently, he's been helping with the construction of a new building in the northeastern part of the city, possibly a museum in honor of those who fought in the war so many years ago. Additionally, he is finding ways for ships to become powered by pure electricity rather than oil. Furthermore, he has been teaching lots of trainers to become soldiers and assisting them in training with Electric-type Pokémon."

Red's eyes widened as the revelation unfolded before him. "Wow! I had no idea he was involved in so much. I've come across news about all the Gym Leaders in Kanto, but this... this is new." His voice echoed his surprise.

The staff member nodded sagely. "Lt. Surge is a man of action, not words. He prefers deeds over media attention. Undoubtedly, he stands as an exemplary Gym Leader."

Curiosity sparked in Red's gaze. "Do you happen to know where he is currently? I'd like to challenge him."

Fortuitously, the staff member's lips curled into a knowing smile. "You're in luck. I'm well aware of his schedule and whereabouts at all times.  Around this hour, he likes to go to Diglett Cave and train his Pokémon there. I'm sure you can convince him to come back since he's been waiting a while now to battle a strong trainer. I must admit,  I'm looking forward to your battle with him after seeing you fight Misty. I'm sort of a sucker for epic Pokémon battles." Her words were accompanied by a subtle wink.

"You won't be disappointed. I'll make sure to give Lt. Surge all I have and make it a battle to remember!" Red voiced with a fiery determination as he raised a fist.

"You'll find Diglett Cave by heading toward Route 11. Best of luck to you, Red," the staff member offered with a parting nod.

Red then decided to take out his Pokéballs and let out his team so they could all walk together. He glanced down at his Pokémon on the ground, watching as Charmeleon and Luca yawned lazily,  waking up from their rest. Drei, on the other hand, appeared to still be sleeping. Red tapped his Dragon/Dark-types head so he could wake, which made Drei wake up in confusion.

"Dein?"

"Alright, gang. Let's hurry on to find Lt. Surge so we can have our epic battle!" Red's voice reverberated with enthusiasm, his spirit invigorated.

"Deino ." Drei barked, communicating to Red as he looked at his backpack.

"You want me to carry you in my bag? Wouldn't you want to walk alongside us as explore?" Red said to Drei.

"Deino! Dei!" Deino barked with persistence.

"Alright. Well, don't blame us when you miss something cool." Red awkwardly chuckled as he took off his backpack and opened it up, allowing Drei to hop in.

He put his backpack back on and raised a fist, "Once again, are you guys ready to go!?"

"Ri!" Luca cheered, his face beaming with delight.

Charmeleon, though displaying a more nonchalant demeanor, extended a claw in subdued agreement.  "Cha..."

"You could be a little more excited, Bud..." Red sweatdropped to the unenthusiastic starter.

The group then all made their way to the edge of Vermilion City, with Drei sleeping in Red's backpack with his head sticking out while Charmeleon and Luca walked beside their trainer. It was a short walk until the group found themselves right in front of the dark entrance of the infamous Diglett Cave. If it weren't for the lanterns that were just inside, then no doubt the entrance would've looked pitch black.

Red and his Pokémon stared at the inside of the mines, hearing some eerie sounds from within.

"Welp... Let's go in and find Lt. Surge!" Red started marching in, with his Pokémon cautiously following from behind.

Once inside the cave, the team noticed a ladder within a small room leading down to the main area of the cave.

"Be careful while climbing down, alright." Red gave caution to Charmeleon and Luca as they got onto the ladder.

"Char." "Ri." The Pokémon nodded.

Upon walking down the ladder, Red and his team paused to absorb the sight before them. The cavern's expanse, bathed in ethereal hues cast by radiant crystal formations, imparted a sense of otherworldly wonder. Stalagmites and stalactites, adorned with an array of mesmerizing colors, melded together to create an entrancing tapestry, suffusing the cavern with a celestial azure glow.

"Cool!" He unintentionally shouted.

"Cooool!" his voice echoed through the chamber, resonating with a childlike delight that mimicked the enchantment of his surroundings.

"Oh! This reminds me of the Underground Path."

Cupping his hands around his mouth, Red's playful shout reverberated, filling the air with a resounding "Helloooooooo!"

"Hellooooooooooo!" The cave returned the playful greeting, evoking laughter from the teenager.

"Heh, heh." Red chuckled, amused by the sounds.

He looked to see his two awake Pokémon staring at him with blank expressions.

"Oh, sorry. Let's um... move on."

The group made their way deeper into the cave with Red leading the pact. Unlike most caves, this cave wasn't bustling with various species of Pokémon. Instead, it homed what is known to be the largest population of Diglett and Dugtrio in the world. Surprisingly, these Pokémon weren't as aggressive as the wild Pokémon Red had encountered before. In fact, a lot of the Diglett appeared incredibly friendly, willingly approaching the team and walking alongside them.

"This is... pretty relaxing. Very peaceful." Red marveled at the tranquility.

Luca nodded in agreement as his eyes became sparkles, staring at all the crystals they came across. Drei found himself leaning his head out of Red's backpack, staring at the sparkly objects with twinkles in his eyes. Charmeleon, however, looked annoyed as the group of Diglett that were following started playing around with him. They were particularly mesmerized by his blue-flamed tail, booping their nose on the tail.

"Char!"  Charmeleon growled, attempting to assert his space.

"Dig! Diglett!"

The Diglett, undeterred by the scolding, returned with joyful antics, continuing to boop their noses against Charmeleon's tail.

"Cha? Char..." Charmeleon sighed, realizing that the Diglett weren't going to leave him alone anytime soon.

Red laughed seeing the Diglett finding a liking to Charmeleon, even if Charmeleon didn't approve of the childish games.

"Come on, Bud. They just want to be your friend."

"Ch..." Charmeleon grunted as he turned his head away from Red while crossing his arms.

Red simply gave an awkward chuckle as he continued to lead the way.

The tunnel was rather long considering that Diglett Cave is known for being the longest cave in Kanto and is the quickest way to-and-from Center Kanto and Northwest Kanto, an estimated 2-hour path while walking. While many trainers find traveling through this cave to be tiresome, Red is not one to get easily tired and finds traveling through the cave to be quite a fun experience.

"Leaf and Oak missed out on this. Though I can't blame them." Red mused, casting a glance toward his Pokémon.

Taking advantage of the tranquil setting, Red engaged his team in a reflective conversation. "You know, I've been thinking about Leaf for a little while now. It's so cool seeing Leaf improve on using her powers. And now that Professor Oak is with us, I bet he can find a way to help Leaf use her powers.

Luca felt a little puzzled as he looked at his trainer, not sure who he spoke of.

"Ri?"

"Oh, that's right. You didn't get a chance to meet him. He's a man who studies Pokémon. He's my mentor and a friend too. He showed up earlier and helped us fight off that Team Rocket leader back in the Underground Path. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to meet you.

"Ri!" Luca's tone conveyed astonishment.

"Char?" Hearing this caught the attention of Charmeleon as he turned his head back to face Red.

"I was surprised when he showed up. He is such a cool professor and knows a lot about Pokémon. Knowing that he's tagging along with us does make it feel safer to travel around, especially knowing that Team Rocket is around."

Charmeleon agreed with Red, as he felt that their safety was important.

"Char, Cha." Charmeleon uttered to Red.

"You feel the same way, huh Bud? Anyway, another surprise to me was the Pokémon Oak had with him. I don't know about you guys, but the Mr. Mime with him seemed like he belonged to my mother. And the Clefairy reminded me a lot of Blue's sister's Pokémon. I don't know who the Rillaboom was, but he seemed cool. I'll need to talk to Oak about this.

His Pokémon responded with resolute enthusiasm with Luca raising his fist, Charmeleon expressing quiet respect, and Drei barking in spirited affirmation.

"Ri!"

"Cha."

"Dei."

"Glad to know you guys are with me on this." Red grinned, feeling the connection between him and his Pokémon growing stronger.

Just as they continued to walk, the group began to hear loud noises coming from up ahead. They all ran toward the noise and were surprised to see what was going on. Within a large open area within the cave, an extremely large Dugtrio shot out various Mud Shot attacks into the air, aimed towards a particular target. Red's gaze followed the trajectory, landing upon an Electrode and a Magneton that agilely evaded the earthy onslaught. Behind the two Pokémon appeared their trainer, the very trainer Red was looking for, Lt. Surge.

Lt. Surge was a large, muscular man with spiked blond hair and light skin. He appeared to have an olive green open military jacket with sleeves rolled up into small cuffs, with olive green pants and black boots. He also had black fingerless gloves, with some iron buttons on the edge, as well as a dog tag necklace around his neck. And around his waist was a belt that carried his Pokéballs.

Red and his team watched as Lt. Surge and his Pokémon battled the large Dugtrio.

"Alright, time to finish this! Electrode, use Gyro Ball! Magneton, use Flash Cannon!"

"Eleeeeec!"

"Magnenene!"

Both Pokémon began to charge up their moves. Electrode attacked first, spinning incredibly fast before shooting straight at the Dugtrio, damaging it a lot. Magneton was then prepared to attack next, ready to let out Flash Cannon. Just as the Flash Cannon was about to fire, Lt. Surge caught sight of Red and his Pokémon.

"Magneton, hold!" Lt. Surge shouted to his Pokémon.

But it was too late, the Magnet Pokémon fired its attack at Dugtrio. However, Dugtrio managed to swerve out of the way of the attack, causing it to miss. But the Steel-type attack kept on flying, now heading toward Red and his Pokémon.

"Get out of the way, kid!"

Red and his Pokémon quickly jumped to the side and dodged the attack as it created a loud boom upon impacting the ground and leaving a large dug cloud.

Lt. Surge ran over to where Red was to make sure he was safe. "Hey, kid! Where are you?!"

*COUGH! COUGH!* "Right here! We're okay!" Red's voice cut through the dissipating dust, relief threading his words.

"That's a relief." The man uttered softly.

Then, the large Dugtrio continued to throw attacks at Lt. Surge's Pokémon as their battle was not yet over.

Lt. Surge looked to Red, lifting him from the ground by tugging on the boy's shirt and straightening him up.

"Alright, soldier! While I'd like to interrogate you about why you're here, I need to get this battle over with. Want to help me out? You look like a trainer who has some skills." Lt. Surge suggested.

Red didn't hesitate to answer, immediately wanting in on the battle. "Hell yeah!"

_____________________________________________________

~{Vermilion City Pokémon Center-3:57 PM}~

*YAWN*

"Now that was a good sleep." Leaf mused aloud, a pleasant sensation coursing through her awakening senses. As she rose from the bed, she could already feel herself relishing in the replenished energy.

"I feel all better now. I should go Red and Oak about this- WAH!"

Leaf's exclamation turned into a startled cry as she tumbled off the bed, the abrupt sight before she jolted her senses. Her eyes widened in surprise as her gaze met Mr. Mime, Clefairy, and Rillaboom, who for some inexplicable reason, stood in front of the girl, watching over her.

"Mime."

"Clef."

"Riboom!"

The three Pokémon all smiled as Leaf glanced up at them.

Leaf's panic mingled with confusion as she struggled to make sense of the situation. "I wasn't expecting you three to be right in front of me. What are you three doing, by the way?"

A hint of timidity colored the three Pokémon as they made apologetic motions. They explained to the girl that they were tasked by the Professor to watch over her while he and Red were out.

Leaf giggled upon hearing their explanation. "I see. Well, I don't think he meant to literally watch over me. But, I'm glad you all kept me company."

The Pokémon sweatdropped upon hearing the girl's words.

"Mime. Mi mi mime?" Mr. Mime became interested in Leaf's ability to understand Pokémon and the powers she uses. He asked her if she knew how to use them well.

Leaf became timid as she rubbed her left arm with her right hand. She then gestured a 'sort of' signal with her hand, implying that she only knew how to use a little of it, but she is still training to better use them.

"Rilla boom rilla?" Rillaboom's curiosity depended, interested in knowing if Leaf always had her powers. Was she born with her powers? 

"That's the thing, I don't have many memories of when I was younger or how I got my powers. I just knew I had powers inside of me. I think it was instincts that told me I could do things Pokémon can do." Leaf voiced.

"Clefi clef?" Clefairy was surprised that the girl had no recollection of her past. However, she found it hard to believe that she did have a single memory. The Fairy-type asked Leaf if she could remember any of her earliest memories.

"I-I think I remember being in a place I called my 'Remember Place' with my friends when we met someone new."

The Pokémon all reiterated in unison Leaf's mention of her "Remember Place."

Leaf continued, "It's a place that helped me remember things. I don't know why I called it that, but I believe it was my home. I was there with my friends Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Mew, and Mewtwo."

Mewtwo? The Pokémon had never heard of such Pokémon, piquing their interest even more.

"They were another Mew that was with us. Mewtwo was the new friend we all met and we taught them lots of things when we first met them. We showed them all of the special things we could do like the abilities we had. I think that's the first time I ever used my powers. Somehow I knew I had them without ever using them before." Leaf affirmed.

The Pokémon find this to sound kind of strange. They questioned further, wondering if there was anything else Leaf could remember about her past.

Leaf's gaze turned introspective as she sifted through the memories locked within her mind.  "Um...let me think. On that same day, when we met Mewtwo, my friends began to fade away one by one. First, it was Charmander, then Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Soon, I began to disappear. It felt like I was falling asleep. The next thing I remember was waking up in the forest with Mew. And then I met Red. But, that's all I can remember."

This intrigued the three Pokémon but puzzled by the information Leaf gave. It all sounded very odd. Especially her disappearing. They questioned if there was a reason for that.

"No. It just started happening and then everything went dark." Leaf answered.

"Mime..."

"Clefi..."

"Ri..."

As much as the Pokémon wanted to help their new friend, they felt that weren't the right Pokémon to ask about Leaf's past. They all lowered their heads apologetically, wishing they could've helped. Leaf was definitely a real mystery to them.

Leaf smiled, feeling grateful that her new friends wanted to help her. She petted each of their heads to make them feel better. "It's okay. I'm glad you three want to help. But, I'm sure I'll be able to find more about myself eventually."

Leaf's gaze shifted to her hands, her focus momentarily captured by the faint glow emanating from her palms. A realization dawned on her, prompting her to voice another thing to the Pokémon, hoping that maybe asking them this could raise their spirits. "I may know of some way, you can help me. Seeing how each of you knows lots of different moves, I was wondering if you three could teach me how to use some of your moves?" She voiced timidly.

The Pokémon's eyes widened, their interest piqued by Leaf's request.

"I know how to use various types already, but there's still a lot I need to learn. I want to understand my powers so I can control them better. If I can learn how to properly use even more moves, then I can probably gain more control of them and use them to protect others. I just don't want to hurt anyone because of my powers. So please, can you teach me?" Leaf pleaded to the Pokémon.

The Pokémon all gained beaming smiles after hearing Leaf's reason. It was plenty enough to convince them.

"Mime!"

"Clefairy Clef!"

"Riboom Boom!"

The three Pokémon crowded Leaf, budding heads with her as tears of joy filled the Pokémon's faces.

"Aw, thanks you three! " Leaf replied with a spark of encouragement and finding a liking to the three Pokémon.

The Pokémon then raised their hand to give the girl thumbs up showing that Leaf can count on them to teach her."

"I'll do my best to follow in your teachings," Leaf replied as she gave a sweet smile.

"So... what should we do now?" Leaf asked the three.

*Grumble*

Leaf blushed in embarrassment as she began to hear her stomach growl. "Guess that answers my question. I wonder what kind of food there is here in this city. Care to join me?" Leaf asked the three Pokémon.

The Pokémon nodded, as they too could go for the food right about now.

"Alright!! Let's go do some exploring, Once we're done, we should go find Red. We did say we would meet him for his Gym Battle and I don't want to miss that. So let's get going." Leaf declared.

_____________________________________________________

~{Diglett Cave-4:11 PM}~

"Duuug Triiio!" The commanding roar of Dugtrio reverberated through the cave, a triumphant declaration as it unleashed a torrent of Mud Bombs, propelling them like earthy artillery toward their targets, Red and Lt. Surge's Pokémon.

"Avoid them by jumping, Luca!" Red's commanding voice shouted across the battlefield, urging his Riolu to move.

With a graceful bound, Luca soared above the battlefield, a masterful display of agility that allowed him to deftly sidestep the incoming mud, leaving them to collide with the ground below.

"Now, Force Palm!"

Radiant white energy enveloped Luca's clenched fists as he zeroed in on the burrowing Mole Pokémon, channeling his inner strength into a mighty blow that connected with a resounding slap.

Lt. Surge seized the moment of vulnerability, a strategic glint in his eye. "Now, Voltorb, use Gyro Ball!"

With an electrifying flourish, Voltorb transformed into a whirlwind of motion, spinning with increasing velocity as it propelled itself toward Dugtrio. But just as victory seemed imminent, Dugtrio demonstrated its cunning by vanishing beneath the ground, causing Voltorb's spinning assault to sail past its target.

"Damn it! This Dugtrio is smart. Too smart for my liking." the Lieutenant muttered in frustration.

"No kidding. And now we're down to our last Pokémon. We need to be on alert!" Red replied glancing down at Charmeleon and Drei who sat next to him as they were worn out from taking a lot of damage from the Dugtrio.

Within the depths of the cavern, a heavy silence befell the combatants, uncertainty hanging in the air. Then, as if a storm were brewing beneath their feet, the ground began to shudder, the rapid movement of Dugtrio sending tremors rippling through the chamber. The tension was palpable, the moment filled with anticipation.

Abruptly, Dugtrio erupted from the earth beneath Voltorb, launching the Electric-type Pokémon toward the cave ceiling where it became ensnared. Before Lt. Surge could react, Dugtrio pressed its advantage, a multicolored surge of energy radiating from its three heads, converging into a devastating Tri-Attack that struck Voltorb with unrelenting force. Voltorb's consciousness wavered before it succumbed to the onslaught, falling into unconsciousness.

With a heavy sigh, Lt. Surge retrieved his Pokéball, gently recalling his fallen comrade. "You've done good, Voltorb."

His gaze shifted toward Red, a momentary nod of respect passing between the two adversaries. "Now, the weight rests upon your shoulders, soldier."

A grave expression crossed Red's features as he met Lt. Surge's gaze, a firm resolve burning within him. Luca, his final Pokémon, stood poised and ready, a beacon of determination in the face of the towering foe.

"You gotta hang in there Luca. You can do this. We just need to remain focused."

"Ri." Luca affirmed with a determined nod, his stance unwavering as he braced himself for the impending move from Dugtrio.

The intensity of Dugtrio's glare was not lost on Luca, each of its three heads chanting in eerie unison as they prepared their next move.

"Dug Dug Dug! Trio Trio Trio!"

A low rumble began to emanate from the earth, the vibrations growing in intensity, causing the cavern to quiver.

"Oh no. Earthquake! Brace yourself, Luca!" Red's voice rang out, realization dawning as to the impending danger.

The earthquake attack surged with overwhelming power, threatening to unbalance Luca, who fought valiantly to maintain his footing amidst the tumultuous ground.

"Ri! Ri!" The urgency in Luca's cries was evident, his struggle to remain steady evident in his strained efforts.

He needed a solution, and he needed it fast, his mind racing as he felt the cascade of rocks and pebbles that began to rain down around them.

A pebble then hit Red in the head, triggering a moment of inspiration as he looked upward at the cave's stalactites.

"Luca, quick! Jump up onto the falling rocks to get you into the air and grab onto the stalactites!"

With a burst of determination, Luca complied. As the ground beneath him trembled and threatened to give way, Luca transformed into a blur of motion, hurtling toward the ceiling with remarkable speed. With precision timing, he grasped hold of the stalactites, suspending himself safely above the tumultuous fray.

Dugtrio responded swiftly, a volley of Tri-Attack projectiles hurtling toward Luca.

"Luca, use the stalactites to block the attacks!" Red's command was resolute, guiding Luca's acrobatic maneuvers between the descending energy projectiles, the crystalline structures absorbing the impacts.

Dugtrio continuously shot Tri-Attack at Luca in hopes of managing to hit him once. With each attack hitting a stalactite, it caused them to break from the ceiling and come crashing down. Seeing the falling debris, Dugtrio quickly hid underground. However, Luca ran out of barriers to block the attacks, leading him to jump back down. This proved bad for Luca as he was left wide open for Dugtrio to attack from any direction.

Red knew that he couldn't tell where Dugtrio was going to hit. But, not impossible for Luca. "That's it! Luca, use your aura abilities to sense Dugtrio's next attack! Channel your focus and see where they'll come from."

"Ri!" Luca's eyes closed, his body becoming a conduit for the surrounding energies as he honed his senses. A pulsating aura, potent and undeniable, began to emanate from beneath Luca. His awareness heightened, attuned to the impending threat. With clarity, he discerned Dugtrio's movement beneath the earth's surface, a tremor of anticipation signaling its approach.

Eyes snapping open, Luca launched himself into the air just as Dugtrio's three heads reached the surface, narrowly avoiding their strike.

"Now Luca use Counter!"

"Riiii!"

Luca evaded the attack and immediately delivered a triumphant kick right back that met all three of Dugtrio's heads simultaneously. The Mole Pokémon reeled back, its trio of heads spinning dizzily before slapping the ground, succumbing to the relentless move and fainting.

With a triumphant fist thrust into the air, Red and Luca reveled in their victory over the formidable Pokémon. Charmeleon gave an affirming nod to his Fighting-type companion, while Drei danced in celebration. "You were amazing, Luca!" Red praised his Riolu, a grin of admiration lighting up his face.

"Char." Charmeleon chimed in, conveying his approval of the valiant effort.

"Deino, Dei!" Deino barked enthusiastically, his excitement palpable.

"Riolu Ri!" Luca rubbed the back of his head in gratitude.

Approaching them, Lt. Surge applauded heartily, "That was a remarkable display of strategic prowess, soldier Red! Your Riolu is exceptionally well-trained. Of course, your other Pokémon are no slouches either. You've lived up to my expectations of your strength."

A quizzical look crossed Red's face, "Wait, you know who I am?"

The lieutenant draped a towel around his neck and wiped the sweat from his brow, chuckling, "Indeed, soldier."

"No way! It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant!" Red's enthusiasm was palpable as he shook Lt. Surge's hand.

Their handshake was firm and hearty, the camaraderie evident between them.

"The pleasure is mine. But what brings you this far into Diglett Cave?" Lt. Surge inquired with genuine curiosity.

As they released their grip, Red responded with a confident smile, "I came looking for you! Your Gym staff told me you were here, and I wanted to challenge you for my next Gym Badge as part of the League Challenge."

Lt. Surge's admiration grew, "You've got spunk, kid. It takes true commitment to chase your goals relentlessly. You're a shining example of dedication, and I commend you for that. Now, thanks to your help, we've taken down this Alpha Dugtrio."

"Alpha Dugtrio?" Red's amazement was evident, quickly followed by realization. "Well, it makes sense when you think about it. That size was hard to ignore. It was an honor to battle alongside you and defeat such a powerful Pokémon."

"Yes, it was indeed a powerful adversary." Lt. Surge acknowledged, his gaze shifting to the Alpha Dugtrio. "Though it may seem like a victory for you, for me, I see it as a loss."

The Alpha Dugtrio then regained consciousness as it was surrounded by the comforting touch of the Diglett and other Dugtrio that inhabited the cave. The Diglett and Dugtrio were all proud that their alpha did their best which made the Alpha Dugtrio feel better.

"Why do you say that?" Red questioned the lieutenant.

Lt. Surge's gaze remained on the Alpha Dugtrio and their companions as he explained, "I come here to train against strong Pokémon, especially the Alpha Dugtrio. Training the Pokémon here challenges my Electric-type Pokémon against their Ground-types, it serves as a good way to test and improve my team's skills. Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. It's a dynamic system."

The Alpha Dugtrio approached them, its demeanor warm and appreciative. It dug into the ground and resurfaced with a handful of Rare Candies, an offering to Red.

"Wow, that's quite a reward!" Red's surprise was evident, followed by gratitude as he spoke to the Alpha Dugtrio, "Thank you, Dugtrio!"

"Trio Trio Trio!" The Alpha Dugtrio chirped before rejoining its colony, burrowing back into the earth.

"They're quite friendly," Lt. Surge mused, watching the Ground-type Pokémon disappear into the depths of the cave.

"Now then, it's time we head back to town. We wouldn't want to keep our Gym Battle waiting any longer," Lt. Surge suggested, turning to Red. He then eyed the young trainer as he was about to put on his backpack. "I don't suppose you'd be able to keep up with me wearing that, would you? It'll probably take us about an hour to get out if we jog back. I got to warn you, I'm a pretty fast jogger."

Red adjusted his backpack as Charmeleon and Luca stretched their legs a little, as they were all up for jogging. Drei stayed cooped up in Red's bag as he was not one for jogging.

"Won't be much of a problem for me. Nothing can hold me back from a job! Not even my heavy backpack!" Red declared with confidence.

"I like your spirit! Let's get moving, soldier!" Lt. Surge led the way, jogging ahead, with Red and his Pokémon following behind.

Matching Lt. Surge's pace, Red jogged alongside him, eager for the conversation to continue.

"So, Red, what inspired you to undertake the Pokémon League challenge?" Lt. Surge inquired, looking to engage the young trainer.

"At first, it wasn't about the League challenge. I simply wanted to become a strong trainer like my dad and journey across the world, like he did," Red responded.

"A valid goal to follow. What changed your perspective?" Lt. Surge continued the conversation.

Red's eyes glinted with determination, "It was my friend, Leaf. She convinced me to take up the Gym challenge seeing as we were already going on this journey and thought it would be good for me to do. After some thought, I realized that to truly follow in my father's footsteps, I need to become Champion of the Indigo League like him."

Lt. Surge's gained a surprised look, "Your dad was the Indigo League Champion? Impressive. Now that you mention it, you seem to have a lot of similar features to that of one of the champions the region had a long time ago. Especially the cap you have on right there."

"Did you know him?" Red inquired, curious about any possible connections.

Shaking his head to the side, Lt. Surge explained, "Unfortunately, no. I wasn't in Kanto during his Championship era. However, I've read extensively about him. Word had it he was the pinnacle of strength. Having a father like that must be an honor.  Not to mention, he looked like quite a handsome man." Lt. Surge muttered that last part as he lightly blushed at the fact.

A bittersweet smile formed on Red, "I wish I had more memories of him. He passed away when I was very young, so I barely remember him. Regardless, I'm striving to make him proud."

"I may not know much about being a dad, but I can tell that he would be proud of your accomplishments. Battling to reach the top and getting to explore the world. That is something to be proud of." Lt. Surge affirmed, giving Red a reassuring pat on the back.

Red's gratitude was clear in his expression, his determination reaffirmed by Lt. Surge's words.

"Speaking of battles, how was your showdown against the renowned Lady Misty? I would've watched if I weren't occupied with my training."

Red turned his head to him with a happy expression. Red's excitement was evident, "Misty was amazing! She had a brilliant sparkle in her eyes that showed how much she was enjoying our battle! Kind of like how electricity flows through your body from the battle videos I've seen you in, Lieutenant!"

"Is that so? I didn't think you were one to pay attention to the emotions of your opponents in battle. I believe that is needed in a trainer, to be able to tell not only how your Pokémon feel, but how your opponent and their Pokémon are feeling as well! Only then can you create the spark to have an electrifying battle!" Lt. Surge said with a pumped-up fist.

Red beamed, "I agree! Misty told me you'd be eager to battle me, considering how strong of a trainer I am so far!"

"Haha, I'm looking forward to it!" Lt. Surge's laughter resonated with energy.

As Lt. Surge and Red ventured through a narrow path, a moment of quiet fell upon them. Sunlight pierced through a hole in the cave's ceiling, casting a warm glow on the ground. Feeling a gentle breeze from the opening above, they unconsciously quickened their pace.

"So, Lieutenant, how often do you train in this cave?" Red's curiosity ignited a conversation, his eyes gleaming with interest as he approached the ladder leading upward.

"Almost every single day, my friend! My motto is 'Train hard to bring a spark to others!'" Lt. Surge proclaimed, a proud grin lighting up his face.

"But... you take breaks, right?" Red inquired, his tone carrying a hint of concern as he recalled Misty's moments of stress.

"Of course, I do. I ensure I have proper meals, get a good night's sleep, and even indulge in some well-deserved naps or treats," Lt. Surge responded, his expression softening.

A smile returned to Red's lips as they emerged from the cave's depths, stepping into the evening sunlight that enveloped them. The jog continued with Charmeleon and Luca keeping pace despite the increasing challenge. Yet, they all got to appreciate the beautiful colors of the sky as the sun looked to be going down.

They followed a dirt path bordered by tall grasses, Pokemon darting away to conceal themselves as the two trainers breezed by.

"Why do you train so much?" Red's curiosity pressed on as their footsteps carried them forward. "The media always sees you either in the gym or running somewhere with your Pokémon. There must be a driving purpose behind this dedication."

As they continued their jog, Lt. Surge's breaths found a steady rhythm, his eyes fixed ahead.

"Well, my dedication wasn't always this fervent. Before I arrived in Kanto, I resided in a different region. Battling was initially a hobby, and I held the title of the mightiest trainer in my former home. Yet, I didn't engage in it frequently, as my primary focus was on becoming a soldier in the military."

He and Red slowed down their pace a little as they continued to follow the path.

"Phew... anyway, I put off battling for a long time since I had to fight actual battles once I became a soldier. I don't know if you know this but I was part of this "Great War" that took place a long time ago."

"Really?" Red's breath mingled with the rhythm of their run. "I had no idea. The media never mentioned you being in any war."

"I tend to avoid unveiling that chapter of my past to the media. I'm hesitant to provide the news with information that they might twist for their gain. But, yeah, the war was the toughest phase of my life, filled with loss – both of friends and Pokemon. Yet, their sacrifices paved the way for a historic turning point, the end of the war, and the arrival of peace."

Their route carried them back to Vermilion City, the east entrance greeting them as they approached Lt. Surge's ongoing construction project – a museum paying homage to real heroes, both people and Pokémon that fought in the "Great War." They stopped to gaze at the building as it was being constructed. A shared moment of reflection preceded their further exchange, set against the backdrop of a gentle breeze.

"What did you do after?" Red asked.

Lt. Surge's gaze held a determined cast as it remained fixed on the building.

"In the following years, I attained the rank of Lieutenant and transferred to Kanto's military division. I took on the responsibility of training recruits, imparting the art of harnessing Electric-type Pokémon. For a while, I bore the reputation of being a strict and mean lieutenant. I, myself, accepted these labels as a true reflection of my character. Constantly serious and always yelling. As if I didn't have a heart. It was as though the war had sapped my vitality, leaving me as an embittered man without a care for anyone."

"Really? It was that bad?" A hint of astonishment entered Red's voice, his ears attuned to this unexpected facet of the Electric-type Gym Leader.

Lt. Surge nodded, his gaze anchored to the construction project before them.

"Yeah. The pervasive dislike from those around me eventually drove me to contemplate retiring from my post. In secrecy, I began to gather my belongings, plotting my departure. But, it wasn't until I remembered seeing a picture from my military training days. I saw me, my old friends, and our Pokémon brimming with joy right after a Pokemon battle. I looked at the smile I used to have and remembered how electrifying battles made me feel. Pokémon battles were things missing in my life that radiated happiness, both within me and to those around me. So once I started battling, it not only brought the jolting joy out of me once again, but it brought joy to others who battled me. Retirement was no longer on my agenda; I reclaimed my self-belief and eventually opened my own Gym here where people could battle me anytime. People no longer saw me as grumpy or mean and instead saw a strong and valiant role model who was really just a big softy. Seeing all the smiles I bring to people I battle, and people who watch me battle is all I need to bring me smiles

Lt. Surge then glanced down at Red with a confident smile. "So when you ask me what drives me, it's to bring a spark of joy to others through battling! Hence, my motto."

Red's enthusiasm surged anew, manifesting in an eager declaration. "Your story is truly inspiring, Lieutenant. I can see why many people look up to you."

Lt. Surge gave a soft chuckle, finding great appreciation in Red's company. "You know, I never expected a trainer like you to be one to listen to the things I have to say. You're really something else, Red. Thank you.

Red's response was swift and earnest. "Gosh, I don't know what to say. I should be thanking you for giving me the chance to get to know you better, Lieutenant. You have inspired me a lot, today."

A determined hand was laid upon Red's shoulder as Lt. Surge fixed him with an unwavering gaze, his other hand raised in a triumphant fist.

"You're quite an exceptional trainer, Red. From one Pokémon trainer to another, a strong bond between you and those you meet is crucial. Once you establish a flowing connection, you're sure to have a lasting friendship.

Red felt the vigor that infused Lt. Surge's words, the spark of wisdom resonating with him as the Lieutenant confirmed their newfound friendship.

"Your words are truly electrifying, and you've made me feel pumped up for our battle" Red rejoined, his eyes gleaming.

Lt. Surge's laughter unfurled, rich with mirth. "Likewise, soldier."

Red and Lt. Surge then resumed their jog, their footsteps weaving through Vermilion City's myriad streets. Enthusiastic citizens captured snapshots of this uncommon spectacle, the city's esteemed Gym Leader and the now-renowned Red exercising side by side. The sight of the two trainers began to get people motivated, eager to watch the two trainers battle it out.

Their rhythmic jog finally led them to the grand entrance of the Vermilion City Gym. As they came to a halt, Lt. Surge turned to Red, his breath subtly hinting at his exertion.

"We've arrived at our destination. It may be dark now, but hey at least we made it," Lt. Surge announced, his breath hinting at exertion.

Charmeleon and Luca arrived moments later, reclining with evident fatigue.

"Char..."

"Ri..."

Empathy tugged at Red as he observed his exhausted companions. "Seems like we need more than just battles for exercise," he mused inwardly.

"I must say, Red, I'm impressed." Lt. Surge grinned, dabbing his forehead with a towel to rid it of sweat. "Honestly, I didn't expect you to keep pace the entire way, especially with that backpack on."

Red wiped a bead of sweat from his brow, chuckling. "Oh, it was a breeze! I keep myself in shape too."

Red lifted his shirt, unveiling his well-toned physique – the well-sculpted six-pack abs, the firm chest, and the bulky biceps– a testament to his dedication. "See, pretty cool, right?"

Lt. Surge crouched down with a hand on his chin, impressed by Red's physique, "To have such muscles at a young age you must've started exercising when you were even younger. You should join me in my Gym and work out sometimes."

Red lowered his shirt and chuckled, "I prefer working out outdoors."

Lt. Surge stood back up and smirked, "You sure? I can train you and you can become just as big as me." The man then removed his shirt to show off his muscular physique. "What do you think, Red? Pretty electrifying, right?"

Red was caught off guard as soon as he saw Lt. Surge shirtless. The boy couldn't help but become entranced by Lt. Surge's muscle. His head was right at the height of Surge's pecs. Red could just imagine himself placing his face in between the Lieutenant's large chest, imagining them being warm and squishy.

Red quickly snapped out of his trance as he brushed the back of his head while steaming as he was tempted to get the chance to feel another man's muscles, especially someone who was as jacked as Surge. However, he held himself back, wanting to keep his cool in front of such a cool Gym Leader.

"So muscular!" The boy commented. "But, as much as I'd love to bulk up like you, I'm not much of a gym person. Still, I appreciate it." He said with a blushing grin as he stepped back.

Lt. Surge put his shirt back on as he chuckled. "Well, if you ever change your mind, my gym is always open." Lt. Surge expressed with a wink.

"You better not try to distract me with your muscles during our battle!" Red joked.

"Oh, so you like that, huh? If that's the case, I may end up using it as a tactic to use against you if you're winning." Lt. Surge laughed.

"You better not!" Red pointed at Surge with a pout.

"I like your spunk, kid. Speaking of battle, I better head inside and get everything ready for your Gym Challenge. That'll give you plenty of time to prepare. How does an hour sound for you?"

"Wait, don't you think it's a little late?" Red asked.

"Not at all! Nighttime battles are always a breeze! Besides, I'm looking forward to seeing that fiery spirit from you and your Pokémon. Go and prepare, then hurry on back!" The man energetically.

Red liked seeing Lt. Surge's enthusiasm for their battle. The boy took a step back and executed a dignified salute. "Sir, yes sir, Lieutenant! It was a pleasure getting to know you, sir!"

"At ease, soldier. I, too, enjoyed my time with you! If you ever want to spend time together just give me a call! See you soon, Challenger Red! " Lt. Surge waved back with a big smile.

"Oh, and it's just Red!" Red finished.

With a chuckle, the Electric Gym Leader made his way inside his nearly empty gym, planning to shower and then get the Gym ready for the much-awaited battle.

"Hm, I can already see all the spark of energy that flows through this boy. Such confidence, and being able to interact with others so well... Quite an interesting trainer that Red is."

He grinned as a faint electric jolt reflected in his eyes.

"But, can his spark outlast mine, though?"

As Lt. Surge entered his stadium, Red strolled to the middle of the city path, scanning the surroundings for his friends.

"Hm, I bet they're out exploring the city. I mean this is a beautiful place to explore..." He thought, looking up at the bright blue sky.

His attention shifted to Charmeleon and Luca, who seemed a bit worn out, not due to the time of day but the unexpected jogging session.

"Alright, let's swing by the Pokémon Center to give you guys a breather before the Gym Challenge. I know you're both looking forward to it."

His Pokémon nodded in agreement, and together they headed for the Vermilion City Pokémon Center.

_____________________________________________________

~{ Vermilion City Pokémon Center-6:50 PM}~

Upon entering the Pokémon Center, Red promptly approached the nurse's desk to tend to his Pokémon's well-being. As he was about to head off in search of his friends, he suddenly halted, spotting a familiar visage that caught his attention.

"Blue?" Red arched an eyebrow as he recognized his friend/rival.

The spiky-haired boy turned around maintaining his usual nonchalant expression, yet his eyes betrayed a spark of light upon seeing Red.

"Red..." He uttered in a subdued tone, his cool exterior momentarily punctured. "Were you out traveling this late?"

Drawing nearer, Red extended his hand in a friendly high-five gesture. "Blue! I hadn't expected you to be in Vermilion City so soon. I'm glad to see you've made it."

This brought a faint flush to Blue's cheeks, a reaction he couldn't quite suppress. "Well, of course, I made it. I can let myself fall behind you after all." Blue said in his usual cocky manner.

"I'm guessing your battle with Misty went well?" Red inquired.

"Obviously! Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you. You should get that through that big brain of yours." Blue retorted, playfully tapping Red on the head.

"Guess you're right. I tend to forget that you like to make things into competitions all the time, but, hey, I'm not complaining." Red replied with a friendly smile.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, did you battle the next Gym Leader yet?" Blue asked.

Shaking his head slightly, Red responded, "Not yet. I'm on my way to face Lt. Surge. You planning on watching my battle?"

"Hell, yeah! I wouldn't want to miss seeing you battle. You always look so hot out there." Blue voiced as he hinted at his attention towards Red.

"What was that?" Red raised an eyebrow as he didn't hear Blue well.

"I said your Pokémon always look so fired up out there!" Blue countered, his voice tinted with a touch of awkwardness, concealing his emotions for his rival.

"That's true. My Pokémon are always filled with determination. Just like me." Red affirmed proudly.

The two laughed it out for a little, a small bridge mending the quality time they'd been missing out with each other.

Suddenly, a notion ignited in Blue's mind, sparking a glint in his gaze. "You know, Red, considering we're both about to face Lt. Surge, I had a thought—" Blue swung his arm around Red's shoulder with a sly smile." How about a Pokémon battle right now!? Just you and me.  Winner gets to challenge Lt. Surge first. What do you say?" The boy answered, looking pumped up when a competitive attitude.

Red's eyes reflected surprise in them. "For real!? Why a battle all of a sudden?"

"I just wanna make things fun for both of us. If I win, I get ahead of you. If you win, you stay ahead. Sounds like a fair deal, if I do say so myself. Besides, it's been a while since we last battled. But, if you're not up for it..."

"No, no, I'd love to battle. I've been itching for a rematch for a while now," Red reassured.

Blue's eyes sparkled, "Really!? I-I mean, of course, you would. I know you can't resist a battle!" He said arrogantly, hiding his delight for Red accepting to battle.

A grin adorned Red's face. "I have to warn you, my team and I have been training hard. We won't hold back."

"I'd be disappointed if you did," Blue replied, a hint of pout in his voice.

"A Pokémon battle! Quick, Ty, we can't miss this!" Gaby's voice boomed out of nowhere, appearing between Red and Blue.

Blue was startled at Gaby's sudden appearance. "You guys were here!?"

"Absolutely! When we saw you conversing with this fine individual, we thought capturing it on film would be quite the catch. It's intriguing to see how you engage with others," Gaby exclaimed, brimming with enthusiasm.

"You what!?" Blue's face turned red, hoping the camera didn't catch his comment about Red being hot.

Red's brow furrowed in confusion. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

Gaby didn't hesitate to introduce herself. "Gaby, daily reporter from TV Mauville. And this is my trusty cameraman Ty."

"Sup. Hold the phone... you're Red! The other Indigo League contender, right?" Ty shouted as he fanboyed.

"According to what Blue's shared, you're quite the talented trainer. Great with Pokémon, strategic, and you have a way of talking with others. Is that right!?" Gaby inquired, microphone ready.

"Noooo. Don't ask him anything..." Blue quietly panicked on the side as he didn't want Gaby to ask Red anything about them."

"I'd like to think so. But if you don't mind, Blue and I are about to have a battle." Red declared politely.

"I see. We understand." Gaby stated as she gave an apologetic bow.

"Phew... that was close." Blue let out a sigh of relief, grateful that Red managed to spare them from a potentially revealing interview.

"However, could we film your battle? Our viewers would love to witness your battling styles," Gaby proposed.

"That's fine by me. I enjoy giving people a glimpse into who I am," Red agreed with a genuine smile.

"Perfect! Ty, let's set up."

The interviewers quickly raced off to the Pokémon Center's battlefield.

Red and Blue exchanged awkward chuckles.

"They seem friendly," Red remarked.

"I guess. They've been hounding me all day. It's nice to get attention, but man, fame can be draining," Blue admitted with a hint of annoyance.

Red placed a reassuring hand on Blue's shoulder. "Well, get used to it. It's only going to increase. Let's try to focus on the challenge and not let it overwhelm us."

"Yeah," Blue agreed, feeling a sense of camaraderie and confidence in Red's presence.

Walking side by side onto the battlefield, a voice suddenly called out from behind.

"Red! Blue!"

Both turned to see Leaf hurrying toward them.

"Leaf! I was wondering where you were," Red greeted, genuinely glad to see his close friend.

"Same here. The Professor and his Pokémon and I tried finding you but no luck. We decided to explore the city instead. Everywhere we went was so cool," Leaf shared with a pure smile of wonder.

"I wished I could've joined you guys but... Wait, where is Oak?" Red inquired, searching the area for his mentor.

"He's still walking around. He said he needed to make a phone call before heading back here."

"Glad to know. It's kind of interesting seeing the Professor travel with us." Red expressed, his eagerness evident.

"Wait... Gramps is here!?" Blue interjected in astonishment.

Red explained, "Yeah! We met up with him earlier today. He came looking for us as he wanted to make sure we were safe. He was relieved to know that we were."

Blue was intrigued by the knowledge about his grandfather being here in the city. "Interesting. I should have a word with him so I can catch him up on my progress. Anyway, can we get our battle started?"

Red nodded. "Right. Leaf, care to watch me battle Blue?"

"What about me?" Blue teased.

Leaf giggled. "Oops, my bad. I suppose I'll cheer for both of you then."

Leaf giggled apologetically. "Oops. Sorry, Blue. I guess I'll be rooting for both of you then." She said innocently.

Settled at their starting positions, Red and Blue faced each other across the expansive battleground. Leaf made her way to the bleachers, taking a seat in anticipation. Around the field, Gaby and Ty meticulously positioned their cameras, primed to capture the clash between two adept trainers. Gaby strode to the referee platform, ready to officiate the battle.

"I'm Gaby here reporting, and prepared to referee, an exciting battle you won't want to miss. Two trainers, both from Pallet Town, have come together and will have their second battle against each other. Prepare for the epic battle between the Red and Blue! Let the battle... BEGIN!"

_____________________________________________________

~{Author's Post-Notes}~

(Continues walking the creepy ship drifting in the space.)

Hey, glad you made it to the end of the chapter! I just want to say that Red is best boy! It's so fun writing things with him and expanding on his character.

Additionally, we got to learn a little about Lt. Surge which I was especially proud of writing. Just like what I did for Misty, I wanted to give Lt. Surge his own backstory as I feel that giving side characters, especially Gym Leaders some backstory of their own can help my readers relate to them in some way.

Aside from that, we got to see some bonding between Leaf and more Pokémon. We got to learn a little bit about Leaf's past, but mostly on what she could vaguely remember. Hopefully, we get to learn more about Leaf as the story progresses

(Sees a figure in the distance)

But as for the next time on Pokémon Wonders of the World, look forward to more Pokémon battles as we are finally getting more Red VS Blue and Red's next Gym battle! Until next time, I'll see you again in the next chapter. And remember, please leave any comments or feedback you have about my story. Thank you!

(A loud roar echoes through the hall as a bunch of Necromorphs begin to run toward Mew)

Oh, come on!

~{PikaMew- August 21, 2023}~

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