I’ve finally become champion… after all my hard work, all my effort and training, I now sit upon the Champion’s throne! Blue thought as he sat upon the champion’s throne.

In his hand was the Pokemon that singlehandedly defeated Lance and secured his master’s spot on the throne. Thinking back to the battle that his Blastoise had endured, Blue swelled with pride over his victory. It was, after all, his life’s dream, to become the most powerful trainer alive, and he had succeeded. Still… there was one thought that still weighed heavily on his mind.

Red. He was still out there, and no doubt working his way through the Elite Four as he himself had done. A grin curved onto his features as he remembered the very first battle he and his rival had faced, if one could even call it a battle. Though, onesided as it was, Blue had a feeling that it wouldn’t be too long before Red walked through those doors.

“Hurry up… I’m growing impatient…” he mused to himself as he drummed the arm of the throne with his fingertips.

As the words left his lips, the doors to the Champion’s chamber began to slide apart, causing light to spill inside and illuminate the entire room. Walking through the entrance was a young man wearing a red hat, a red vest with a collar, and a black shirt, with blue jeans and red and white shoes. The youth had light brown hair with dark chocolate eyes that peered out from beneath the hat. Upon seeing him, Blue smirked and stood up and faced his rival.

“Yo! You’re finally here! Fantastic…” Blue called out to the red capped challenger in an enthusiastic manner.

“You didn’t honestly think I’d be far behind you, now did you?” Red replied with a sly grin.

“To be honest, I was waiting for your slowpoke self to show up first. I figured it was only a matter of time before you came waltzing through those doors,” Blue said as he walked down the stairs of the throne to the arena below. “And now that you’re here, I think it’s time we settle things, don’t you agree?”

Red nodded as he stepped into the challenger’s box to face his long-time rival. To think that it had only been a year since they’d set out on their journey, and now they both stood in the Champion’s chamber, ready to decide, once and for all, who was the stronger of the two of them. While it was true that Blue was the more experienced and knowledgable of the two, due to his status as the grandson of Professor Oak, and having prior experience with Pokemon, Red had learned a lot over the course of a year and was now ready to show Blue that he too had what it took to stand where he stood.

“I hope you’re ready, Red. Before you stands someone who has overcome the greatest of odds to achieve his goals. My Pokemon and I have done what no other trainer has been able to do in years! And now, I am the League Champion. Do you know what that means, Red? It means that I’m the most powerful trainer in the world! So prepare yourself!” Blue exclaimed, reaching down for his first partner, snapping it off his belt and priming it.

“You’re not the only one who’s overcome great odds to get here! My partners and I worked together to reach this room. Back then, I was foolish and knew nothing of what it meant to be a trainer. But you… you were always one step ahead of me, and were already well on your way to becoming the trainer you are today. But now, things are different. You may have beaten us back then, but this time we’re going to show you just how strong we really are!” Red roared back, grabbing his first partner off his belt and readying it.

“Alakazam, you’re up!” Blue bellowed.

“Scyther, let’s do this!”  Red declared.

“Alakazam, use Psybeam!” Blue commanded.

“Counter with X-Scissor!” Red countered.

Alakazam extended a single spoon towards the bladed mantis and channeled psychic energies through his body until a sphere of pink and purple energy began to form at the tip of the spoon. A mere moment later, a beam of energy erupted from the tip of the spoon, and shot towards Scyther who stood there with his bladed arms crossed. Keeping his mind focused, Scyther lashed out at the beam and deflected it away from himself before charging Alakazam.

“Night Slash!”

“Reflect!”

Alakazam erected a barrier of psychic force all around his being, shielding him from critical damage as the fast-moving mantis hacked away at the surface of his defense. Staying calm, Alakazam unleashed a barrage of Psybeam attacks to keep Scyther at bay. The flying mantis zipped about the room after being driven away from being within range, and weaved around the blasts as they hit the walls of the chamber.

“Double Team, and Brick Break!” Red hollered.

“Don’t let him get close, use Charge Beam!” Blue commanded fiercely.

In a display of raw power, Alakazam unleashed a torrent of electrical blasts that dispersed the copies that Scyther had worked so quickly to conjure up. However, while his initial effort was a success, his victory was shortlived as the sound of a shattering barrier immediately drew his attention. The last thing he saw after turning around, was a blade infused with dark energy as it slashed across his torso, sending him crashing to the ground.

Blue swiftly returned Alakazam and reached for his next companion.

“Not bad Red, it looks like you actually learned a thing or two. At least now you know how to properly work type advantage,” Blue laughed as he cocked back his arm and launched his next ball into the air. “Arcanine, time for battle!”

The Legendary Pokemon appeared with snarling roar as he was released. Flames crackled in his maw as he stared down his adversary.

“Flare Blitz!”

“Air Slash!”

Arcanine ignited his body with flames and rampaged after Scyther with a vengeance. The cutting winds unleashed by Scyther were of little hinderance as he powered forward at blinding speeds and body-checked the fragile mantis with the full force of his weight, sending Scyther sprawling along the ground and out of the fight completely.

“Scyther, return!” Red cried out, quietly thanking his friend as he placed him back on his belt to grab his next partner. “You’re right, Blue, I didn’t know much back then. But like I said earlier, I’ve grown, and so have my Pokemon! Lapras, let’s go!”

“Lapras, Hydro Pump!”

“Wild Charge!” Blue exclaimed.

Lapras reered his head back, and fired a heavy stream of high pressure water towards Arcanine. The quickfooted canine swiftly avoided the assault and bolted towards Lapras, his body sparking with an electrical current as he closed the distance and collided head-on with his adversary. Lapras cried out in pain as he was jolted with several volts of electricity and sent sliding along the arena floor.

He shakily rose his head again and watched as flames gathered into the mouth of his attacker. With a roar, Arcanine unleashed a powerful Flamethrower attack that ripped through the air with intent to devour the opposition.

“Hydro Pump again!” Red countered hastily.

In an effort to remain in the fight, Lapras mustered up all the power it could and launched a devastating beam of water towards the oncoming fiery assault and pushed it back to its origins, slamming the canine into the wall, out of the fight. Not wasting any time, Blue withdrew Arcanine and released his next choice, Exeggutor.

“Leaf Storm!” Blue shouted powerfully.

“Blizzard!” Red countered sharply.

A maelstrom of ice and leaves clashed within the arena as Exeggutor and Lapras unleashed their attacks, the power thereof, putting both contenders out of commission. Glancing up at the score board, Red couldn’t help but feel a little bit of pride well up as he realized that he was ahead of his rival in this bout. While that was the case, however, he couldn’t allow it to get to his head. This was Blue, after all. And Blue never stayed behind for very long.

“Rhydon, let’s shake things up a bit!” Blue proclaimed as he launched his towering companion into battle.

As Rhydon emerged onto the field, Red felt slightly uneasy at the sight of the behemoth. Remembering his battle with Giovanni, Red couldn’t help but wonder how much stronger Blue’s Rhydon was in comparison to Giovanni’s. Knowing what he had to do, he reached down for his next partner and readied him.

“Hitmonlee, it’s your turn!” Red shouted, launching the Kicking Pokemon into battle.

“You’re not doing half bad Red! But don’t go thinking that just because you’re ahead, you’re going to win. Because I’ve got news for you, I’m not planning on losing this seat. I worked too hard for that! Stone Edge!” Blue echoed.

“And we worked too hard to get here to lose! Close Combat!” Red riposted.

With a mighty roar, Rhydon hammered the ground with his fist, causing the ground to heave, and from the power exherted from the force of the blow, created a trail of massive, sharp stones that jutted out of the ground towards Hitmonlee. The Kicking Fiend launched himself towards the assault and with his powerful legs, smashed the assault to smithereens as he moved in on his adversary. Closing the distance, he lept high and delivered a powerful, High Jump Kick that sent the beast skidding back a great distance.

“Keep it going with Rolling Kick!” Red shouted, pressing his advantage.

“Not so fast! Earthquake!” Blue countered swiftly.

Hitmonlee darted off towards Ryhdon and prepared to leap at his opposition, only for Rhydon to slam the ground hard with his tail and shake the arena floor, sending tremors throughout the chamber. Losing his footing, Hitmonlee stumbled and was met with a heavy blow in the form of a Hammer Arm that sent him crashing into the ground. Pinned by the weight of his foe, he was helpless to resist as more punishment was administered in the form of a Horn Drill, finishing him off.

Damn! I knew he was strong, but I didn’t think he’d be that strong. This really puts me in a bind, thought Red as the three remaining teammates on his belt came to mind.

Blue had the complete advantage at this point, considering the fact that every one of his remaining Pokemon were weak against Rhydon in terms of power. Even so, what his next choice lacked in power, it more than made up for in speed. And speed, was one thing that Rhydon certainly did not have.

“Jolteon, I need you!” Red cried aloud.

The Lightning Pokemon erupted from her chambers and crouched into a battle position, her fur raised at the sight of the towering figure that was her opponent.

“Huh, and here I thought I was crazy using a type disadvantage. If you’re going to do that, at least make it something that can put up a good fight,” Blue scoffed, crossing his arms.

“Oh, we’ll give you a good fight alright. Agility!”

“Stone Edge!” Blue roared.

Towers of stone erupted from the ground as Rhydon powered into the floor with his fist. Try as he might, the speed of Jolteon was something he couldn’t keep pace with. The lightning fast mamal zipped around his attacks as if they were moving in slow motion, gaining more speed as she evaded each stone. It wasn’t until Jolteon got closer, that Blue realized exactly why Red chose her.

“Double Kick!” Red commanded.

Two hard thuds echoed off the ceiling as Jolteon hammered Rhydon in the face with her back legs, twice, sending the Ground-type staggering backwards. In another swift motion, Jolteon fired off a Shadow Ball that further pushed Rhydon back.

“Okay, maybe I underestimated you a little,” Blue admitted, laughing slightly at his own blunder, “but now, playtime is over! Rhydon, use Earthquake!”

“Double Kick, again!” Red reiterated.

Like a blur, Jolteon flashed forward and jumped, just as Rhydon’s tail hit the ground, sending shockwaves through the floor and shaking the pillars that stood on either end of the arena. As Jolteon neared, Rhydon’s fist surged forth, and the two powered into one another, Jolteon being sent soaring through the air while Rhydon landed on his back, out of commission.

The score was tied yet again…

Red and Blue quickly returned their partners and reached for new ones, Red sending out Gengar while Blue released his trusty Pidgeot. Both contenders battled fiercely, the contest ending in a stalemate, leaving both sides with only one Pokemon remaining.

“Just as I planned it,” Blue stated with a grin as he returned his faithful avian Pokemon.

Red narrowed his eyes at Blue’s words.

Of course he’d plan it this way. He knows that Blastoise is his strongest Pokemon and he knows that he has the advantage over Charizard. However…

"It’s funny, because I was thinking the same thing,” Red laughed, grabbing Charizard’s ball and holding it out in front of him.

“These two haven’t fought in a while. But we both know how it went the first time,” Blue reminded, “and it’ll have the same result. Blastoise, let’s finish this!”

“We may have lost to you last time, but that won’t happen here! Charizard, I’m countin’ on you!” Red boomed.

It was finally time. The two heavyweights, and the strongest members of both sides, were finally face to face again after a year of waiting. Charizard snarled as he remembered the defeat he’d been handed during their first meeting. Blastoise gave the giant lizard a smug grin before pointing his cannons toward him.

“Dragon Claw!”

“Aqua Tail!”

Charizard laced his claws with draconic energy and shot off towards Blastoise with malicious intent. Blastoise powered up his tail and swung hard, repelling the assault from the airborn lizard, his tail meeting the glowing green claws of his adversary with brute force, sending his foe flying back a short distance.

“Water Pulse!”

“Flamethrower!”

Water met with searing hot flames, creating an eruption of steam as the two attacks collided. From the veil created, the mighty lizard soared through and slashed the armored turtle across the face with his claws, only to be met with a power-driven Skull Bash in return, sending both combatants crashing along the ground.

Rising to a stand, Charziard stumbled a little and held his abdomen while growling in pain. Blastoise winced from the punishing blow he’d been dealt and staggered a bit as he faced his foe. This was not the same novice of a fighter he’d battled before. Charizard, had grown into a powerful rival and because of that, he would be treated as such. Blastoise was determined to defeat him with every ounce of strength he had left. The same resolve could be seen in Charizard’s eyes.

“Blastoise, Hydro Cannon!”

“Charizard, use Blast Burn!”

The pressure generated from the preparation of the techniques, soon overwhelmed the room as Red and Blue struggled to stay standing. Blastoise charged his cannons to their maximum power before launching a massive orb of supercharged aquatic energy towards Charizard. In response, Charizard unleashed a blast of what could only be described as superheated plasma, towards the oncoming assault. A deafening BOOM, was heard as the two opposing forces collided and struggled for dominance. The entire chamber shook violently, creating cracks in the pillars and the arena from the tremors being released.

As the forces clashed, Red and Blue began to realize that something wasn’t right… at all. Sparks began to fly from the epicenter of their Pokemon’s attacks, and soon the two forces began to pull the two challengers toward the center of the arena.

“Wh-what the hell!?” Blue exclaimed as he felt himself being dragged towards the arena.

“Blue! What’s going on!?” Red called out as he tried to resist the force his body was gravitating towards.

“The hell should I know!? this never happens!” Blue yelled back as he fought his way towards a pillar on his right, grabbing hold of it so he wouldn’t fly off.

“We need to do something, or we’re going to be pulled in!” Red exclaimed as he held onto a pillar he’d worked his way towards.

“Well, if you have any ideas, now would be the time!” Blue shouted above the noisy winds.

As if reading one another’s thoughts, the two returned their teammates, thinking that it would stop whatever it was that was taking place. Unfortunately… this was not the case.

“Well that didn’t work! What now!?” Blue cried as he was suddenly forced towards the swirling vortex in the center of the arena.

“Blue!” Red called out, reaching out for his friend, only to meet the same fate as Blue, being sucked straight into the devouring rip in the dimension.

“Hey Sy... “

“Yeah, Jay?”

“Do you think they’re alive?”

“Of course they’re alive, can’t you see them breathing?”

“Oh! Hey Bastion, didn’t see ya there!”

“Uh, guys? I think they’re waking up!”

Red awoke and immediately coughed up water. Wait… water? why was he wet? had Blastoise’s attack hit him as well as Charizard? He slowly pushed himself up, only to feel that the ground beneath him felt… sandy.

“What…” Blue coughed, “what just happened?” he coughed again, spitting water from his mouth as he came to. “And why the hell am I wet!?”

Red blinked as he heard this. As he opened his eyes, he took in his surroundings and immediately became aware of the fact that they were not in the arena anymore.

“Where… are we?” Red gasped, as he rolled over and sat up.

“Hell if I know, but I don’t recall my throneroom looking like a beach…” Blue paused.

“A beach!?” they exclaimed together as they looked ahead of them towards the expansive ocean in front of them.

“Hey guys! you two okay?” came an unfamiliar voice, prompting the two to turn around.

Before them were three young boys, each around their age. One had light blue hair and glasses, and wore a red uniform, while the other had brown hair and was slightly taller and wore the same type of uniform as the smaller blue-haired individual. Lastly, a young man in a yellow blazer stood with them, quietly observing the two beached individuals.

“We’re soaking wet… and cold. Do we look okay?” Blue snapped, shivering as he stood up.

“Sheesh, this guy sounds like Chazz,” the brunette laughed.

“What kind of name is Chazz?” Blue asked with a raised brow.

Red simply shook his head and rose to a stand beside his rival.

“Be nice, Blue. These guys look like they’re trying to help,” Red replied sternly.

“Oh yeah? and what makes you so sure, Red?” Blue fired back, earning an eye roll from his adversary.

“Red and Blue huh? I suppose that saves time on introductions,” Bastion concluded. “Though you saying that Chazz is an odd name, is a little odd when considering you are named after a color…”

Blue frowned at the jab at his name, but decided it wasn’t worth the trouble of getting into an argument.

“Are we just going to ignore the fact that these two suddenly appeared out of nowhere? because people popping out of thin air just doesn’t happen,” the blue-haired one inputted.

“You’re right, Syrus, it was pretty crazy to watch. It was like the sea just spit them out!” the brunette exclaimed.

“You’re forgetting the giant portal that opened up in the ocean, Jaden,” their raven-haired colleague reminded.

“I don’t know if I believe it was a portal, Bastion, but…”

“Would you mind not talking about us like we’re not here? it’s kind of rude, ya know?” Blue said with an annoyed tone.

“Right, sorry. That was rude of us. Anyway, you two really need to be getting out of those wet clothes. We’ll take you to the nurses office so you can get looked at while you’re at it,” Bastion suggested.

“There’s a Pokemon center out here?” Red inquired, earning a confused look from the trio.

“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand. What’s a Pokemon Center?” Bastion asked curiously.

“You know, a place where you can heal... your… Pokemon…?” Blue stopped as he reached down to his belt and felt absolutely nothing.

“Uh… Red?”

“Yeah?”

“Where the hell are my Pokemon!?”