Red's Gabite followed his trainer for several reasons. The first was quite obvious. Red was strong. He had a fiery spirit that inspired Gabite and an immeasurable courage that would make any Braviary green with envy. The second reason was that Red was talented in raising his team. He had an uncanny ability to train and support all of his Pokemon with unparalleled ease. Gabite noticed this early and knew that he had to take a piece of that pie.
It was how he became Gabite, after all. From the runt of the litter to a fierce warrior, Gabite only had Red to thank for that.
The third reason was the other Pokemon. Red caught a diverse set of allies to his side, many of them willing and amicable to their common trainer. With Pikachu as the de facto leader, everyone was satisfied with the arrangement. No one could really challenge the unnaturally wise Pikachu and no one could really match the electric rodent in strength either.
Gabite was uncomfortable at first to the fact such a small yellow thing can just smack away his evolutionary strength so easily, but he got used to it after seeing said yellow thing decimate Pokemon like Rhyperior or take a Draco Meteor to the face and come out standing.
It was clear to all of Red's Pokemon that Pikachu was the boss so no one complained. The rodent proved his worth time and time again.
Of course, the others were all useful in their own right. Grotle and Infernape were his brothers-in-arms, Butterfree had always taken care of them whenever she was present, and the Wartortle had an air of peace and serenity that calmed down many of their brethren. Buizel and Ivysaur were worthy rivals, and Charizard's air of superiority gave Gabite more motivation to grow stronger (no matter how much he reluctantly admitted it).
Even the freshly caught Treecko and its sage-like personality was a welcome addition to the team.
Gabite had great respect for Red and his Pokemon and it only cemented his loyalty to his worthwhile trainer.
However, out of all these reasons, there was one more that truly made Gabite more determined than ever to be by Red's side as much as possible. It certainly was more applicable here now than ever.
Gabite gazed with admiration at the draconic presence beside Red's rival. If he was the runt, the weakest of the clutch then she was certainly the best example of their species that he had ever seen. Truly, she was beyond all of her kin!
Cynthia's Gabite was, in his mind, the perfect example of a warrior.
It was only sensible for the Pokemon to try and impress her with his strength! That was how dragons work and with Red and Cynthia's close bonds, he always got to meet her at least once in a while.
This time, it was different.
Red and Cynthia's agreement to travel together for some time was the perfect opportunity. After some demands (more like pleading, but dragons didn't plead, Gabite convinced himself), Red agreed to Gabite's stay during their journey. His trainer always had a penchant for using his more freshly caught brood, but Gabite would not falter here!
His first plan was to prove his worth in battle. He challenged her, wanting to utilize everything Red taught him to impress the female dragon with his might. He had pride in his battling skills and his trainer refined his potential into a sharpened blade.
That did not turn out as planned.
Cynthia's Gabite destroyed him. Claws clashed with claws, fangs barred against fangs, power met with power, and every single time, she would destroy him and leave it at that. Not even a single glance.
He had a long way to go it seemed. The dragon groaned as he picked himself up. Pikachu looked at Gabite with a pitiful gaze. Treecko gave him a pat on the back.
Gabite sulked.
XXX
She felt Red guiding her through the darkness. She gripped his hands, her feet crunching through the grassy landscape. When Red said he had a surprise for her, she wouldn't lie about being curious. When he held a blindfold over her face, that curiosity changed to bewilderment.
He had never done something like this to her before. It must be quite the surprise if it required blinding her vision. She accepted the cloth and was whisked away to who knows where.
His hands squeezed hers in comfort. He didn't need to do that, Cynthia inwardly smiled. He cared for everyone around him and perhaps he feared that she would be worried about the thought of blindly following someone. He didn't need to be so concerned. She trusted him. She squeezed back, silently telling him that she was fine.
They were by the edge of Mauville City, close by but not truly there. They were out in the wild still, and Red wanted to do one more thing before they entered the city. She impatiently sighed. "This better be worth it, Red."
"I wouldn't have done it otherwise, Cynthia," he spoke with an amused tone, only increasing her curiosity even more. "Patience is a virtue."
She pouted, "Aren't we spending this year training?"
"Yes, 365 days." Red gently moved her towards the destination. "More than enough time to enjoy our trip through Hoenn."
She gave a noncommittal hum. He stopped, forcing her to pause. She tilted her head when she heard some shuffling around her along with the scent of food. She felt Red's hands remove her blindfold and her eyes widened at the sight.
She heard the cries of her Pokemon first along with Red's.
When her eyes adjusted to the light, she was dazzled by a scenic view of Route 117. They were by a sparkling pond, a picnic neatly laid out with a basket of food. What really caught her eye was a giant vanilla cake with her name on it and 13 candles placed on top. She held her breath and looked at the grinning Red with astonishment.
She completely forgot.
"Happy birthday, Cynthia."
Their Pokemon cheered in the back.
In her complete embarrassment and excitement for their journey to train and become strong, she somehow failed to take into account her birthday. She flushed when Red smirked and guided her to join their party. Judging from her rival's face, he noticed.
Her flush grew deeper as he began singing Happy Birthday. His voice was rough and coarse, but the energy was there and with their Pokemon joining him, the singing was a chaotic but mirthful celebration.
Laughter and cheers reverberated the field as the Pokemon began to dance around them. She grinned as Glaceon was quick to join her side. Even her mysterious Spiritomb was soaking up the positive atmosphere.
They never traveled together before so there was never an occasion like this. They would meet, talk, and leave, and for all the years they knew each other, they'd never been able to celebrate their birthdays together. Their journey throughout the Pokemon world was always rife with work. They were so busy an-
She yelped when a spoonful of cake entered her mouth. Red was clearly enjoying the look on her face as the coldness spread throughout her tongue and the melted creamy vanilla was absorbed into her taste buds. It was an ice cream cake. How did he know she loved ice cream?
"Please tell me that you didn't forget your own birthday."
She gave him a light slap on his shoulders at the inquiry. "W-Where did you get this cake anyways?"
"Mauville," Red supplied, taking another spoonful of cake and feeding her. She blushed before taking the spoon. Honestly, Red, she could feed herself! S-She wasn't someone to coddle. She couldn't help the joy that spread throughout her body at Red's efforts though. He put in the work to plan this entire party despite the fact that she forgot it herself.
That wouldn't stop her from feigning a glare at his expression.
I can see you holding in your smile!
"You didn't have to put so much effort on this, Red," Cynthia huffed, "We have a lot of work to do an-"
He stopped her lips with a finger. "And like I said, we have plenty of time," Red smirked before wiping off some of the cake on her face. "It's not every day that you officially become a teenager. It's your birthday, Cynthia. Celebrate it while you still can."
Cynthia felt her heartbeat at his smile. Since when did he become so mature? Trick question, he always had been. He always took care of her, he always noticed the little details whenever she didn't, and even now, he would freely give her his wisdom.
He did all of it without expecting anything in return and that was what really hit her the hardest. They were friends and rivals, they were each other's measure of growth and support through their journey. He did this for her and it boggled her mind. He bought her cake! He prepared all of this in secret and even got her Pokemon involved!
Best rival ever.
A thought did cross her mind and it was enough to clear her thoughts and give him a look. She cleared her throat, "Red, how old are you?"
He blinked at the question. "I'm thirteen."
"Weren't you twelve when we began our journey together," Cynthia looked at him suspiciously. The boy was suddenly quiet and his expression sported the greatest poker face she had ever seen. Cynthia's body felt cold and it wasn't from the ice cream cake. She spoke carefully, "Did you let your birthday pass by without telling me?"
The tone of her voice caught the attention of their playing Pokemon. Pikachu sent a panicking look at his trainer. Good. He better be worried!
He gave a nervous laugh. "W-Well, I may have forgotten it."
You shouldn't lie to me, Red.
"But you remembered mine."
"It's not like it was that important, Cynthia." The way he said it made her frown, "Spending time with you and our Pokemon was enough. I didn't want to make a special occasion out of it."
That didn't make sense in her mind. Didn't everyone love birthday parties? Didn't everyone want to acknowledge the day of their birth?
"You can be so stupid sometimes, Red." When she saw him about to protest, it was her this time that placed a finger on his mouth. The boy was rarely surprised, but her action stupefied him. "Your next birthday, we're going to celebrate it. Do I make myself clear?"
He sighed in exasperation but nodded with a rueful smile. "Whatever you say, Cynthia."
She gave a resolute nod, "Good." She smiled brightly and all the Pokemon around them sighed in relief at a disaster averted. "Now what plans do you have for my birthday, Red?"
He laughed at that and their trip through Mauville City was probably one of the most fun experiences she had in a while.
XXX
There were many things to say about Red's Charizard. He was a battle-hardened warrior. Gabite could agree with that. He was the key to Red's victory against the rising Kanto star, Lance. Sure, Gabite shrugged. He was clearly a towering example of what Red's Pokemon could become. The Gabite wouldn't deny it.
That wouldn't stop Gabite from glaring at the dragon imposter every time he had the chance!
Days had passed and he sat beside his new brothers-in-arms, a Taillow and Treecko, feasting away at Red's food. Pikachu was with them along with the trainer Cynthia's brood. Gabite was sitting with his companions, enjoying the soreness of his muscles from a well-done training session. His body began to straighten when Cynthia's Gabite walked over to their group.
That normally wasn't a surprise, of course. Due to Cynthia and Red's relationship, her Pokemon would always interact with his. It still caught Gabite's attention, nonetheless. He was ready to once more find a way to impress his fellow kin when his mood immediately soured.
Curse you, Charizard!
Cynthia's Gabite immediately began asking about the overgrown lizard and all he could do was nod numbly from the questions and admiration clearly shown on the female dragon's face.
Pikachu gave him another pitiful look while Taillow and Treecko were also awed as the female Gabite regaled tales of the things she had seen the Charizard do.
Charizard's battle against Dragonite was phenomenal!
He could do it too! Dragons can fight dragons just as well!
Would Red ever bring his Charizard with them?
His trainer better not!
Was Charizard willing to spar with her whenever he had time?
Not until he can prove his strength to her first!
Of course, Gabite had no intention of saying that to her face.
He simply sulked.
The sagely Treecko gave Gabite another pat on the back. At least there's one Pokemon on his side. He gave the grass-type a grateful nod.
Thanks, buddy.
XXX
Wallace gazed with admiration at the city before him. Slateport was truly a grand locale. With the rhythmic waves, the bustling activity, and the delicious smell of the fruits in its bazaar, Wallace couldn't help but bask in all of its glory.
This was his stage!
And the world will know his name!
When he wins the Slateport city Pokemon contest, of course.
The thirteen-year-old smiled his pearly whites as he considered his next course of action. He'd done well in the previous Ever Grande Conference and he would no doubt do wonderfully again. He decided to focus more on contests this time. Young trainers always had very similar goals. For Wallace, it was something that he shared with many others.
He wanted to be the best!
For every trainer, however, their interpretation of being the best could vary. To some, it was to be the best in battle. To others, it was to be the best in contests. Wallace was different. He wanted to be the best in both! Grace and power! That was his goal, his destination, and to compete in the league and contests was everything he ever wanted. Wallace crossed his arms, nodding at the thought. He grabbed the pokeball of his trusty Milotic and with confidence, marched onward to the Pokemon Center.
That was when he met them.
The familiarly long blonde hair, steel grey eyes, with clothes of dark grey and light black could only belong to one trainer!
"Cynthia!"
"Oh, it's you, Wallace."
Not the most welcoming greeting, but he ignored that as he waltzed toward her.
"I had thought you would be leaving Hoenn. Has my homeland struck something within your heart? Have you found your home away from home?"
Cynthia gave him a weird look before shaking her head. "I decided to train my Pokemon for an extra year before leaving. I wanted to journey with my friend." She pointed at a boy beside her. Raven black hair, amused amber eyes, and lightly tanned skin. His clothes were a thematic blue.
"Red Satoshi."
"Wallace Mikuri," he offered a handshake in which the boy easily took, "the future champion and top coordinator of Hoenn!"
"Juggling both? Very ambitious of you, Wallace."
"What better way to create a legacy than to reach as high as the stars?"
"You make a fair point," Red nodded, "I'm sure you'll do well."
Wallace gave a thoughtful smile at his words. No lies or deceit within it. He truly believed it! How interesting! "You flatter me, Red. I work just as hard as everyone else!"
"I assume you're here for the Pokemon contest?"
"You've heard of it? Excellent!" Wallace nodded vigorously. "I will be participating in this event."
"I hope to face you there then."
Wallace paused and gave Red another look. "You're a Pokemon coordinator as well?"
"Oh, not really," Red smiled with some embarrassment, "I have had friends that were coordinators, but it's not exactly my thing. I prefer battling, but I've done a few. Pokemon contests came from Hoenn. I decided that one of the best ways to experience the Hoenn region is to try some contests."
Cynthia gave Red an astonished look. Wallace was pleasantly surprised. He gave a bright smile, nodding enthusiastically. "I couldn't agree more, Red! Hoenn prides itself on our beautiful spectacles and stage presence. Watching or participating in events like these is truly a great way to begin your journey through the region!"
"Then I'll see you there."
"Gladly, Red, gladly!"
They talked some more, trading tales and tips from their adventure. Cynthia was still as bright as ever, soaking up the information he supplied like a sponge. He regaled stories of the Pokemon he met and rivals he'd made.
Wallace throughout it all watched Red. The boy added his two cents occasionally but otherwise was silent as he and Cynthia caught up.
He privately wondered how well he would do. Even inexperienced coordinators could shine like unpolished diamonds in his mind.
XXX
Wallace always had an eye for beauty. It had helped in his Pokemon journey. In battle and in contests, he could see the most minuscule details, the emotions of trainer and Pokemon, and the elegance and power that exuded from those around him.
When he first met Steven and declared him his rival, he could see the hidden steel within the trainer's gaze. He was unbending in battle, sharp and enduring in life. His young rival was like a blade in Wallace's eyes, refining and grinding through obstacles until his edge was as sharp as the steel he dominated.
His mentor, Juan, was as splendid and graceful as the fluid water he favored. Adapting, sparkling, and unpredictable, his mentor truly was the rain he embodied. It shone through like the rainbow after a storm. It was what persuaded Wallace to follow in his footsteps.
Then there was Cynthia. She was different, she was like the sun. Limitless, radiant, and oh so powerful. She held discipline like Steven but also heart like his dear mentor, Juan. She battled fiercely and for those she cared about, she was intensely loyal and warm to them.
When she crushed Steven and Wallace in the Ever Grande, he also saw an unmatched determination to be the best. She had ambition in spades but it never blinded her and her love for her Pokemon.
Wallace had met some beautiful people in his life, both inside and out. He was able to gleam it from their performance.
And today, he found another.
Thunder rained on the stage like gleaming gold. It was a cacophony of ice and powdered snow. The Lapras's Ice Beam forged a kingdom of cold, tiny shards of frost sprinkling over the crystalline castle from the devastation wrought by lightning. The reflection born from electricity made it a nation of glistening amber.
The Pikachu's Iron Tail began to sculpt and Wallace got to observe parts of Red's beauty through the excellence of his Pokemon.
If Steven was unbending steel, Juan the sparkling waters, and Cynthia the unmatched power then Red was the swift and ruinous storm itself. Quick as lightning yet unpredictable like storm rain, his beauty was loud, akin to the nigh booming of thunder. His presence demanded the spotlight, his contestant clothing presenting himself as the old heroes and guardians.
He gasped when the force of nature that was Pikachu cut through ice with barely any effort, the precision and accuracy of his strikes spoke volumes of its experience and training. Not even his Pokemon held the graceful skill to create something like this.
The bond between them was electric, sparking a passion within Wallace's eyes that he rarely felt as he witnessed the glorious beacon of golden light before him.
Wallace began to wonder to himself as the stage clapped and cheered.
This boy had the potential to become one of the finest coordinators the world had ever seen. Surely he jests when he said that he was inexperienced in the art of contests! Nay, Wallace firmly believed that Red was simply downplaying his talents. This boy was a marvel and he would rather damn himself if he was not going to encourage Red to continue what he simply considered a once-in-a-while activity.
Wallace would always advocate being the best that one could be, but what was the point of being the best when one's competition was not up to par?
They say that beauty was within the eye of the beholder.
Then the beauty of Red Satoshi was a force of nature. Wallace would not let that magnificence fade when he could do something about it!
XXX
The Slateport contest ended with Wallace's victory. It was to be expected. He trained hard, held plenty of experience, and his Pokemon were trained to be elegant and powerful.
It didn't cheer him as much as it should. He was too busy charging toward a peculiar trainer with a Pikachu on his shoulders.
He could hear their words.
"Since when were you a Pokemon coordinator?" Cynthia's inquisitive tone brokered no room for escape.
Red smiled and shook his head, "Well, Cynthia, I am not."
"I beg to differ!" Wallace smiled his pearly whites. "That was a wonderful show, Red! If you didn't tell me of your inexperience, I would have thought I was facing a top Pokemon coordinator in the flesh!"
Red coughed, "Now you're just flattering me, Wallace."
"Even the judges admired your work, Red! Do not deny what we saw with our own eyes." Wallace looked at Cynthia who only nodded in agreement at his words. With her support, he looked at Red with expectant eyes.
"I had friends that were coordinators," Red gave a reminiscent smile, "and I just wanted to try one for personal reasons."
"Your friends would be proud! I think you can reach the top." Wallace's words were loud and encouraging. Red laughed awkwardly. "Please give deep thought into this, Red. Your show was one of a kind. It didn't have the elegance that most coordinators had, but it held something more primal and special. It was a unique beauty!"
"I am also collecting badges an-"
"Wonderful! We can be rivals in both contests and badges!" Wallace patted a very lost Red in the back, "Juggling both requires more effort, but the results are worth it."
"Bu-"
"Just think of the experience!"
"Wall-"
"You said that you wanted to experience Hoenn? This is one of the best ways!"
"I rea-"
"Please give it some thought, Red!"
"I'll think about it." Red's soft words were uncertain and Wallace frowned when the boy's eyes looked lost. Was it just him or did Red's confidence dim? Cynthia too seemed to notice her rival's change of state and watched him with concern.
Another question for another time.
He simply gave one final grin and an encouraging handshake.
"That's all I ask."
XXX
Traveling with Red was a completely new experience for Cynthia.
The thirteen-year-old girl normally traveled alone, exploring the world with nothing but her bag and Pokemon companions. When he suggested that they explore and train in Hoenn for a year before she took on the Battle Frontier, she accepted. When he suggested doing it together, she was surprised but at the same time, excited.
They would always meet from time to time in Sinnoh and they could only call each other when they split, so doing their adventure together this time was something she was secretly happy to do.
So when they began their journey, Cynthia realized several things.
Red could cook. Oh, he was not a master chef by any means, but the food he cooked was astonishingly good. When they had their picnics or ate together, it never really occurred to her where he got his meals. She just assumed they were store-bought. Never in her journeying career had she thought that he was able to make food this good at relatively cheap resources!
That was what was the most surprising out of it all. He made it without using up a lot of their supplies.
"I don't know if I should be insulted that you think so little of me or flattered that you enjoy my food."
She blushed before placing the rice ball down, "D-Definitely flattery." She was tempted to take another bite, but curiosity got the better of her, "I didn't know you could cook."
"Come now, Cynthia," he gave her a small pat on her shoulders while making some puffs for her Pokemon. All of their Pokemon were spread out on the grassy fields enjoying their own meals. Her Glaceon was certainly savoring the spoils of Red's culinary creation. "One should learn how to cook when going on their Pokemon journey. It's common sense."
"I know that," Cynthia murmured before savoring another bite, "I learned how to cook as well, but anything I made was never this delicious."
"I learned from some of the best," Red smiled before feeding another puff for her Glaceon.
"Like whom?"
"People I've met during my journey."
"I guess that makes sense."
Red laughed as he sat beside her taking a bite of his own rice balls. "I can make some jelly-filled donuts too if you want."
He could make those too? Always full of surprises, Red! Cynthia had a conflicted expression on her face as she ate. She could only eat so much. "Probably later."
Red grinned in amusement, relishing in their silence to savor the rest of their meal. They talked a bit, played with their Pokemon, and then began mapping their route. As they surveyed and contemplated the best places to go, Cynthia decided to ask something that was bothering her ever since their encounter with Wallace.
"Red," Cynthia paused, trying to formulate what to say, "About the Pokemon contests, I know Wallace means well, but you don't have to do it if you don't want to."
Red blinked before giving Cynthia a reassuring smile. "I know."
"So you're not going to do it?" Cynthia tilted her head. Well, never let it be said that Red was a hesitant individual. For how long she'd known him, he'd always looked like he knew what he was doing.
Red gave a small smirk, "On the contrary, after some thought, I decided to try a few more."
Cynthia blanched.
XXX
Months passed and all Gabite knew was that there were no gods in this world.
Arceus had forsaken him.
The Grovyle gave a sympathetic look while all Pikachu could do was sigh in exasperation. Swellow, Corphish, and Torkoal did their best to cheer him up. That didn't really work as Gabite groaned before falling on his knees, the soft grassy fields softening his descent.
"It's my win again, Red!"
"Still as sharp as ever, Cynthia."
His trainer's rival gave a joy-inducing smile as she complimented her Gabite who only took one glance at him before paying all of her attention to the blonde trainer. Red watched the display fondly before walking toward his own dragon.
"Don't be down, Gabite. Every loss is a learning experience."
Easy for you to say. You're not trying to impress the one you're battling.
Gabite grumbled as he continued to rest his injuries. Red smiled softly before taking out a potion to treat his wounds. "I admire your perseverance, but you won't catch her attention with simple strength."
Gabite gave a doubtful look at his trainer. That might be the case for humans, but dragons were different. Power is what made the world go round for those with draconic blood. It wasn't an opinion, but a simple fact.
His words didn't completely process until a minute later.
The dragon paused for a moment, before looking at his trainer incredulously.
He knew?!
"I knew," Red patted the stunned dragon's head, "You're not good at hiding it. It's the job of the trainer to understand their Pokemon, y'know? We can't exactly speak the same language." His trainer smirked, "Cynthia thought it was cute that you have a massive crush on her Gabite."
Gabite's last vestige of strength finally faded and he fell on both knees. The shame, the horror. Did everyone know? He turned to his allied brethren who only looked away at his desperate gaze. Red sighed sympathetically, murmuring soft words, "Before you chase after someone, you should work on yourself first."
The ground-type looked at Red inquisitively. The way he said those words were odd to the Pokemon. There was always an air about Red that many of his brothers-in-arms noticed. Only Pikachu didn't seem bothered about it but that was only because the electric rat had the same aura around him as their trainer.
There were many theories concocted by his fellow Pokemon and many that try to find explanations for Red and Pikachu's oddities. Primeape and Ivysaur really didn't care. They sensed Red's fighting spirit and joined his ranks to tackle stronger foes. Charizard was of a similar mind. He saw Red's ageless experience in battle and bowed to him.
Charizard bowed to no one.
Buizel commented once that their trainer had a mature feeling to his commands as if his words echoed a hidden weight to it. Even Butterfree added her two cents, saying that she felt their trainer had a distant warmth, attracting her to him like a Venomoth to light. Grovyle mentioned a very similar premonition, confiding to Gabite that Red didn't feel like his age.
Gabite felt what his other Pokemon said at this very moment, looking straight at Red's amber eyes.
His trainer was special. He straightened himself as he paid attention to the thirteen-year-old's advice.
"You want to keep training?"
Gabite nodded resolutely. Red was silent for a moment, only to speak up once more. His words surprised the dragon. "Will you listen to me?"
That was rather obvious, Gabite thought, but he nodded again nonetheless. Red nodded before finishing treating his injuries. Gabite followed Red, joining Cynthia in the feast she prepared for them. The girl quickly sat beside Red, chatting their worries away once again. His dragon was deep in thought, taking a piece of the Pokemon food and taking slow, deliberate bites.
Before you chase after someone, you should work on yourself first.
He was the weakest of his clutch, yet Red chose him out of every other Gible. He was content with the strength he obtained from Red's guidance, but he wanted more. He wouldn't betray his trainer's trust; he was offered harsher training, to become as strong as Red could take him. He'd grow stronger, if not for her, then for himself.
For once, Gabite understood his fellow rival, Charizard's, fascination with their trainer.
XXX
That fascination was quick to change into terror.
Arceus, why?!
Gabite ate dirt, his head slamming into the ground from the Iron Tail he endured overhead. He growled, forcing himself up to face his opponent. The dragon had a second to witness a sudden blur of yellow before his left side spiked with pain, a Quick Attack crashing through him with the force of a high-speed train.
He released a defiant roar and went back up.
The Pikachu suppressed him again, sending the Gabite's face back to the earth.
It had been like this for a few months. At Cynthia's curiosity, his trainer only mentioned that his Pokemon would be undergoing some special training. Motivated by this, Cynthia too began devising a way for her team to grow stronger as well. Red gave a mirthful chuckle at his rival's excitement and let each other handle their own routines.
It was during the night in Fallarbor Town. One of the empty battlefields revealed less of a fight and more of a one-sided beating.
Smack!
Gabite could barely think as Pikachu was beside him in an instant. He forced his claws up to block the Pikachu's forceful strikes, instinctively weaving and dodging through the brutal rodent's barrage.
Despite the punishing attacks, Gabite could feel himself growing stronger. For every beatdown, for every loss, he learned and grew. For every painful hit, his body instinctively memorized it. For every swift strike, he was able to move even a tiny bit faster.
Don't go easy on him, Pikachu.
He remembered those words. Confusion was set to realization. Realization changed to horror. Horror turned to determination.
Determination transformed into confidence.
All you need is confidence.
Red's smile as he murmured those words reenergized the exhausted Gabite. He roared as his claws slammed into the ground, the sheer force sending billowing smoke and dust around him.
For every defeat, there is an opportunity to grow.
Pain erupted from his back as metallic tail met draconic scales. Twirling backward with a growl, his jaws dug deep into Pikachu and slammed the rodent into the ground. A Flamethrower was erupting from his throat until a searing, burning heat spiraled downward at the electric-type. The descent created more dust and debris as the flames began scorching the earth around him.
There is more to battle than strength.
The smoke cleared and his claws once more parried Pikachu's blitzing speed. His body moved on its own, forcing Gabite to dig down. Pikachu didn't let up and began his descent to follow the dragon into the underground tunnels.
The air became superheated.
Pikachu had no time to retreat as a Flamethrower flooded the tunnels, searing fur and sending the rodent back to the surface. Gabite appeared behind the stumbling electric-type and with dragon-powered claws struck down. An Iron Tail parried the blow.
Know your limits.
Gabite began retreating as Pikachu's attacks became swifter and harsher. He roared another defiant cry, blasting pulses of dragon-like energy. Pikachu dodged all of them with unexpected grace, effortlessly entering Gabite's personal space once more.
Electric rodent fought ravenous dragon.
It was a scuffle, a brutish fight that slowly whittled down on Gabite's impressive stamina.
His legs started caving in as Pikachu slammed into him more and more. It was akin to a hammer digging the nail deeper into the earth. Gabite cried painfully as the ground broke beneath him. He refused to falter here.
Let it be said that the ground broke before the dragon.
He felt one last defiant surge of energy within him as his claws grabbed the rodent and tossed him away.
Do you trust me, Gabite?
Pikachu was already before him as if his efforts were for naught.
SCHLIIIIIIIIIIIIIINK.
His legs gave out, his throat choked up and his arms numbed. The dragon fell on his knees, a severing Iron Tail ending his final stand.
He was too weak.
"Good job, Gabite."
Red was in front of him again, potion in hand.
The dragon groaned as he clenched his jaw in frustration. He endured the stinging of his wounds as Red treated him. He'd fought for so long, worked so hard but he still lost. How did you match that strength? Dragons were power incarnate. Legends were told of their might, yet he couldn't defeat a common Kanto rat. How could anyone leave the gigantic shadow of Pikachu? It was usel-
"Gabite." Red's eyes looked into his with a seriousness he rarely showed. "Don't lose yourself."
The dragon-type looked away.
"You've grown strong."
He almost scoffed at his trainer's words.
Red smiled, patting Gabite as he motioned him towards where the rest of his Pokemon lay. Glalie, Corphish, Grovyle, and Swellow welcomed him to the clearing, all of them also sporting wounds from their training with Pikachu.
He relaxed as he joined his brothers-in-arms, taking comfort in the fact that he wasn't the only one enduring these fights.
Cynthia joined them once more, seeking out Red immediately, his trainer accepting the rival's companionship. The two always felt inseparable in the eyes of their Pokemon. The admiration both had for each other as rivals were palpable. The bond between them was fascinating to Gabite.
Would he have a bond like that?
The dragon-type felt the proud patting of the patient Grovyle, once more congratulating him for a battle well fought. His broken pride slowly recovered as they learned from their losses. Pikachu joined them, contributing to their discussion.
Throughout it all, Gabite was ignorant of the female dragon's inquisitive stare.
XXX
"Cynthia, it's good to see you!" An older, mature voice spoke through the screen. Once more, they were at the Pokemon Center. Red went off outside to purchase more supplies, giving her some time to spare. Deciding to best use this time to call her family, she began with the first person on her mind.
"Grandma," Cynthia smiled brightly at the image of Professor Carolina. "I just called to check on things."
"Oh we're doing just fine here," Carolina returned the bright smile with her own. Despite her age, she still had some youthful energy. "We've been watching your journey through Pokemon TV. All of Celestic Town is proud of you and Red's achievements!"
"It's nothing special, grandma," Cynthia said, "I couldn't have done it without Red's help though. It's because of him that I pushed so hard."
"Well, that's what rivals are for, dear."
"Yes, but he's much more than that."
Carolina laughed at that. "You've been speaking so highly of Red lately. Is there something I should know?"
"We've been traveling together for a while now," Cynthia responded, "Red has been a wonderful companion. He's already gotten the eight badges and has even competed in several Pokemon contests. We've been training so far, but I can tell that our Pokemon are getting stronger and part of it is thanks to him."
Carolina gave a sly smile as her granddaughter went on and on about her rival's accomplishments. "Is that right?" Carolina gave a boisterous laugh, "Then I'm glad that you've made a close friend from your travels, Cynthia."
"He's the best rival anyone can ever ask for."
"Just a rival?"
Cynthia paused before laughing softly, "Well, I guess I can consider him my best friend too."
"It's wonderful to hear that, Cynthia," Carolina's reply held genuine mirth and something more. "Your sister has been keeping track of both of your adventures. She's been very enthusiastic about Red recently."
Cynthia blinked at that. Her younger sister was an excitable one, but she didn't expect her to also be tracking Red's journey. "Really? Even Red's?"
"Oh, I think she might be even more interested in his than yours," Carolina chuckled, "Especially since the Pokemon contests. She was completely enchanted by Red's performance. His dashing clothes and his powerful Pokemon have been the talk all over Celestic Town. The Prince of Celestic, they call him." Her grandmother smirked before whispering loudly, "Between you and me, it's clear she's got a crush on him."
Cynthia frowned slightly, "I don't think she's even met him."
"I wouldn't worry about it," Carolina's words were carelessly good-natured, "It looks to be more like idol worship." Carolina then smiled like a Persian who caught the Pidgey and suddenly Cynthia didn't feel so safe, "I know you wouldn't want any competition for his attention."
What.
"We're just friends and rivals, grandma," Cynthia released a breath in exasperation. Her face was flushed at the thought. While the thought of her sister and Red growing close made her strangely uncomfortable, it wasn't because of anything like that. She was just protective of her sister, that was all!
"Of course," Carolina's tone made it clear she didn't exactly believe her.
She pouted.
"You're teasing me."
"I am your grandma," Carolina chuckled as if that was all that needed to be said before returning to a softer expression, "I'm glad you called. We were wondering about you. The last time you contacted us was during the Ever Grande Conference."
"Red and I have been busy," Cynthia assured her, "We've been training our Pokemon and we may have gotten a bit sidetracked. You wouldn't believe how strong Garchomp has become! The training really paid off," Cynthia smiled as she remembered the rigorous methods they've endured for months. It was painful, but it felt fulfilling as well. "Gabite finally evolved when I battled Winona and Brawly a few weeks ago."
"That's great to hear," Carolina praised, smiling, "I see this year-long training has been good to you."
"I was thinking of battling the Johto Battle Frontier," Cynthia continued, "I get to travel with Red a bit more if I decide to choose that one. He'll be going to Johto too."
"Ah, I definitely see."
Cynthia paused and looked at Carolina suspiciously, "Something tells me we're not on the same page."
"Oh, I'm on the right page, dear."
Cynthia gave her a deadpanned look. Carolina smiled innocently. Cynthia cleared her throat, "Our trip through Hoenn will be almost done soon. Once Red finishes the Ever Grande Conference, we'll go right away."
"You sound confident of Red's victory, Cynthia."
"I have the utmost faith in my rival, grandma. He's been working really hard." Cynthia gave a strong stare as if daring her grandmother to refute her statement. She saw how hard Red trained his Pokemon lately. It motivated her, made her work harder, and the efforts of their labor were starting to bear fruit. "I truly think he can win the league this time."
Carolina smiled at her granddaughter's confidence. "Well, you know him best. We'll be cheering him on in Celestic Town. Please give Red our regards. I know your sister would be cheering him on the hardest. "
"Grandma," Cynthia whined. The old professor laughed. They continued chatting, making small talk before they finally exchanged their farewells. When her grandmother's face blinked out of the screen, she gave a sigh and turned around.
Honestly, grandma Carolina could be such a handful.
She always meant well, however, and her enthusiastic energy was a constant support for the young trainer. She called upon Garchomp and patted the dragon's head. Her companion basked in her attention before Red finally finished and returned to her.
"Hope I didn't keep you waiting."
Cynthia shook her head, "I was able to speak with my family back at Celestic Town."
Red smiled at that. "That's good. I really should contact my mom sometime. I know she worries about me."
"You should," Cynthia agreed. Red rarely talked about his family so it was always surprising when he brought it up. Cynthia liked to think it was because he started trusting her more as they traveled together.
"How are things back home?"
"They're calling you the Prince of Celestic now," Cynthia's tone was teasing.
"Maybe I shouldn't have done those Pokemon contests."
Cynthia laughed.
XXX
"Hello Pokemon TV, this is Rob!"
"And this is John!"
"We're live and bringing you to this year's Ever Grande Conference! Tell me, John, just what is going on down there?"
"Plenty of fierce battles are raging all over the city. We've got some strong contestants this year. Steven and Wallace are once more present to test their worth. Both of them have been garnering a strong following in Hoenn. Mastering the metallic element, Steven Stones is known throughout his native region as the Prodigy of Steel!"
"Do not forget Wallace! Like a riptide, the rising Artist of Water has dazzled the world with his fabulous water-types! Mentored by the great and spectacular Sootopolis Gym Leader, Juan, he plans on making a giant splash in this year's conference."
"Those two have quite the infamous rivalry, eh, John?"
"They are Hoenn's iconic duo, but it seems that when it comes to rivals, they're not the only ones, Rob!"
"There's another!?"
"Coming from Sinnoh, Celestic Town's Prince is here to pick up where the Princess left off!"
"Golly, John, it seems that you are right. Hailing from a land far away, another challenger has come to face Hoenn's best. Will he be as successful as last year's Sinnoh challenger?"
"Tune in to find out!"
XXX
Gabite roared as he lifted the Metagross and slammed it down into a torrent of superheated Flamethrower. The crowd cheered when the Metagross fainted as it struggled to keep standing. There was a burning drive within the Pokemon's eyes.
That drive was clear to see for the entire world.
The crowd cheered harder.
Gabite ignored it. He had bigger concerns to worry about.
I'll be relying on all of you.
Red had the tendency to bring the Pokemon he'd caught in the region to the conferences. Only in special circumstances did he bring a Pokemon from another region to battle. Pikachu was an obvious exception, but when he stared at all of them, including Gabite, he could feel the weight of Red's trust on his shoulders.
He wouldn't forget this.
He refused to let his trainer down.
For the past few days, Gabite and his brothers-in-arms went forth, decimating all that opposed them. Grovyle's speed was unparalleled. Gabite had bonded with the wise Pokemon and they only grew stronger as they trained, bled, and fought together. Swellow, for all his aggressiveness, focused all of it into the tournament, causing fear and discord for their foes.
Gabite had watched his trainer catch a myriad of Pokemon, many were birds, but Swellow was truly the most ferocious of the lot.
Glalie, Corphish, and Torkoal were slow and steady. If the rest represented the ravaging speed, these three showed that even Red's strategies could utilize a slow, enduring method. The three were the stable ground in which their team held the line against the encroaching forces.
"Battle position, Aggron."
Gabite stared down the gigantic metal beast and his mind was briefly reminded of his defeat at the hands of Rhyperior. Too weak, too frail. His strength couldn't match the ground-type.
Not anymore.
Fire started erupting from his jaws. The Aggron growled in response to the threat before him. His foe was taking him seriously, acknowledging him as someone that could break him, defeat him.
Focus.
Gabite charged forward, channeling his boiling wrath into a refined and tempered edge.
When Aggron and Gabite clashed, the crowd could only look on as they witnessed a battle that would forever be remembered as one of the highlights of this year's entire conference.
XXX
Cynthia hugged Red as tight as humanly possible the moment he entered the Pokemon Center.
"You won!"
He hugged back before chuckling and pushing her off, "I'm not through the wringer just yet, Cynthia."
She ignored his words and began shaking him. She heard a light 'umph' from him as his body endured her ministrations, but she didn't care. Her rival won! He won a conference! Her blood pumped from excitement when he blew the competition out of the water.
Wallace was a hard-fought fight and Cynthia was enraptured when Red battled tooth and nail to gain a close victory from him. He conquered everything in his way until only Steven was the last one standing. In another battle that made her breathless, his Gabite stole victory from the jaws of defeat.
She had never seen a Gabite as determined as the one she saw from that battle. The closest was from her own and that spoke volumes of what she saw in the finals. Red didn't seem too bothered by her actions and gently detached himself from her. "I still have to battle the Elite Four and then face the champion."
"You can beat them."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Red grinned, "but I doubt that."
She ignored his words. Honestly, Red, have more confidence in your Pokemon! "Who're you fighting first?"
"Drake," Red hummed. Cynthia clicked her tongue as she recalled who exactly that is. Of course, she knew the man. The dragon master was considered one of the finest trainers Hoenn ever produced. He traveled all over the world and obtained all sorts of Pokemon. The experience hardened him into a fine battler. That wouldn't stop her though.
"Then we'll train for that."
"You're killing me here, Cynthia." Despite his words, he allowed himself to be dragged by the girl. "I just finished the Ever Grande Conference. Can I at least take a break before I go back into training?"
"Time waits for no man, Red!" It was the Elite Four! She never experienced it herself, but she was not going to let her rival fail horribly when it was also his first time to battle the vaunted League's finest. It confused her why he felt so relaxed despite the upcoming battles ahead.
"Have you ever heard of the saying, stop and smell the roses?"
Cynthia turned her head back to him, staring at the exasperated boy as if he was crazy. "We're fighting the Elite Four!"
"I'm fighting the Elite Four."
"Details, Red," Cynthia grinned brightly as she brought forth Garchomp, "Let's get you used to fighting dragon Pokemon."
"Cynthia, no."
"Cynthia, yes."
He looked at her with a deadpan expression. With a wave of his hand, he sent out Pikachu. Electricity arced through the air as the rodent leaped down.
Cynthia was suddenly reminded that Red was in fact quite used to battling dragon-types that day.
XXX
Gabite opened his eyes, ignoring the roaring of the crowd. The stadium was grander, louder, and more pronounced than any that he had ever been in. That made sense to him. In greater battles, it was expected to fight in greater stages. The arena was littered with craters, broken boulders, and scorch marks. No doubt left behind by his previous allies.
He growled when he could see the terror of the skies before him. A giant Salamence floated, looking no worse for wear. He ignored the dragon for a moment and turned towards the screen.
He was the last one, huh?
Five of Red's Pokemon had fallen, decimated, and crushed by the enormous strength and experience of the Elite Four's dragon master. Their skill and training of one year couldn't hold to the lifetime's adventure of the pirate trainer.
That didn't mean they didn't hold their own. Three of Drake's own Pokemon toppled down like kings, two of them defeated by the devastating strength of Pikachu while the third took the combined power of four others. Gabite wouldn't let his brood's work be in vain. His eyes went back up to the imperial Salamence and heat started pooling from his mouth.
This was one tall order to back up.
He remembered his training with Pikachu. His thoughts returned to his battles against overpowering opponents like Aggron and Rhyperior. This might be the highest wall he had to climb, but dragons did not back down.
Gabite gave out a challenging war cry. The Salamence didn't bother to respond. It simply attacked with Dragon Rush.
It was fast. Gabite had no reason to deny his opponent some semblance of acknowledgment. Due to its power as one of the finest Pokemon of an Elite Four, it held a speed that few could match. That power shouldn't be ignored. He didn't doubt that.
But it wasn't as fast as Pikachu.
The power was there, but as Gabite's body moved out of the way of the rushing dragon-type, he couldn't help but compare the dragon to the rodent. The overpowering aura was reminiscent, but unlike Pikachu's mysterious depth of power that was as limitless as the stormy skies, Salamence's was the ever-expanding might of a conqueror. The power was familiar, but he felt the rodent was far more impressive.
Competitive wrath surged through his veins and his mind and body began moving with a ferocity that rarely appeared within him. His claws began glowing with draconic energy as he retaliated to the dragon's aggression.
He recalled all of Red's training as he met the dragon.
Power reacted with power. It was like two mighty warriors barring their swords and armor for a duel that would shake the world. Gabite certainly felt that as he weaved, blocked, and attacked through all of Salamence's stoic offense.
Gabite knew he had a long way to go. He could feel his strength waning against the overwhelming power whenever he met the Salamence head-on. Torrents of flames erupted from their jaws, draconic energy clashed with draconic energy, and their claws were tested on thick hides.
You're nothing compared to what I've fought.
Gabite's claws ripped through Salamence's flesh, Dragon Claws furiously clawing through the enduring beast. He could feel the Salamence's body reverberate with shock when he realized that his younger opponent wounded him. Gabite gazed defiantly back at his foe, signaling his will, his intent to break the dragon. Salamance flew upward, that annoyingly stoic demeanor cracking.
The Salamence swooped down with another Dragon Rush.
I've faced faster.
Like slow-motion, Gabite swerved out of the way, using his momentum to propel himself right in Salamence's face once the rushing dragon slowed. The bigger dragon had no time to react as he was confronted once more by the ground-type.
I've faced stronger.
It was a surreal battle for those who watched. Drake's fans knew the power of that Salamence. It was one of his mightiest Pokemon. Some could even say it was his signature dragon, the one that everyone looked forward to watching and cheering on.
Yet this Gabite was fighting it on even footing.
The battlefield broke before the two's charge. The thrashing beasts collided once more in a show of brilliant draconic energy. Wrathful heat showered the stadium. Salamence, the towering dragon that dominated Hoenn's skies battled the ground-shaking Gabite who called Sinnoh's earth his home. Two dragons of opposite nature refused to back down. It was a battle of legendary proportions.
Gabite didn't care about that.
He wanted to win.
He wanted to win for himself. He wanted to prove to his trainer that his hard work paid off. He wanted to yell out to the world that Red was the greatest, to be by his side when it happened, and to prove that this runt of a dragon could do the job just as fine as any.
Smack!
Gabite roared as he endured the crushing presence of Salamence's combined assault of Dragon Rush and Zen Headbutt. Claws grappled onto Salamence's head, forcing his legs to hold strong as he was pushed onto the edge of the stadium. When his back hit the wall, the Salamence's pressure only strengthened.
He was going to lose here.
The Salamence pushed even harder, burying him deeper into the wall.
He was going to lose.
He was going t-
Gabite, don't lose yourself.
At that moment, Salamence's image was superimposed with Pikachu's overwhelming shadow and then all he saw was white.
XXX
The world was silent. The stadium's crowd held their breath as smoke and debris covered the corner of the wall in which the two dragons danced. Drake watched it all without a word. Throughout the battle, he was given multiple surprises. It wasn't looking good for his old heart.
He battled many trainers. He'd seen their Pokemon. Most of them were well-trained, a lot of them bringing excitable energy to the arena. From excitement to resignation to seriousness, he fought and protected the defending champion from waves of opponents.
In all his years, he was never as speechless as he was now.
His Salamence was thrown to the ground, his normally indifferent dragon struggling to stand up from the bruises and wounds that littered its once impervious body.
Stomp.
The world began shaking as the smoke cleared.
Stomp.
Like a king, the sky's ruling dragon gave out an expression of a once-forgotten rage.
Like an executioner, the earth-shaking foe swung down with the force of a mountain.
When Salamence fell, the crowd didn't cheer.
They were too stunned.
For where Gabite once roared, a Garchomp bellowed.
XXX
"Do you have everything?" Cynthia clasped her hands as they began packing everything for their journey.
Red nodded slowly, the Pikachu jumping onto his shoulder and rubbings his electric cheeks affectionally against his trainer's. Cynthia smiled at their display of affection. Red turned to her. "How about you, Cynthia?"
"I got all I need," Cynthia responded.
Red's challenge against the Elite Four was as electric as she thought it'd be.
He couldn't defeat the first of the four but he was close. Taking out five of Drake's six Pokemon was an excellent showing and she knew that her rival would only grow stronger from there. When Garchomp bulldozed his way into Drake's ranks, she wasn't the only one to scream in awe and jubilation. His newly awakened dragon quickly became a fan favorite of the crowd as he challenged and defeated Salamence and then proceeded to end Drake's fifth Pokemon in a draw that got the crowd wild.
Speaking of that Garchomp, she gave a mischievous look when she saw her dragon-type mingling with Red's.
The male Garchomp seemed to have no idea how to handle the constant attention, his face expressing confusion and a desperate look for help. Red's Hoenn team didn't deign to respond to his pleas for aid and instead were content to watch the show before them. Cynthia's team was among the group spectating it with merriment.
"Young love," Red breathed a huff of amusement.
Cynthia rolled her eyes, "That's a bit hypocritical to say, Red. We're young too."
"Doesn't make it any less true," Red responded, giving a brief smile as he watched the dragons, "I'm happy for them."
"Something tells me you've had a hand in this," Cynthia grinned, "A few months ago, she would hardly look at him in the eyes. Now she's a constant presence at his side."
Red blinked, smiling slightly, "Not sure what you're talking about."
"Sure, Red."
He laughed, "Well, are we ready to head to Johto?"
"Nope!"
She spritely jumped in front of him, holding her arms behind her as she smiled with mischief. He looked absolutely baffled by the sudden change in atmosphere. Even their Pokemon stopped their actions and started joining their trainers. Red gave a suspicious look when Pikachu jumped towards Cynthia's shoulders.
He sucked in his breath when Cynthia took out a nicely wrapped present from her bag.
"Honestly, Red," Cynthia had a genuine smile plastered on her face as she offered the gift, "You tease a girl about forgetting her own birthday when you just did the same."
Red was silent before grinning, "I guess I deserve that."
"You dummy." She forced the present onto his hands. "Happy fourteenth birthday, Red."
He looked down on his gift and Cynthia once more witnessed the confident and normally indifferent trainer's demeanor crack. Her spirit tingled as his eyes roved over the finely wrapped silk of the box. No words were spoken between them, but as his fingers delicately thumbed through the surface, she couldn't help but shiver when he gave her what she would consider the purest form of gratitude from him for many years.
He smiled. A genuine one. It was a small thing. It wasn't a loud declaration of his contentment, but it was real. There was no teasing, no tricks, or anything of that nature. She got to see a bit more of him, witnessing the rare behavior that not many could claim to know.
"Thank you, Cynthia."
She would forever treasure this moment, she knew.