Chapter 42 - Red

"Ladies & gentlemen, that Gyro Ball has completely knocked out Abomasnow!" The announcer screamed.

Brandon was now battling, with a young girl at his side, against two other people. They were horrible with team work, so they each just focused on battling one trainer each. Brandon's Wartortle, & his opponent's final Pokemon, an Abomasnow, had seemed to be battling forever. I was glad it was finally over.

"What's this?" The man over the microphone cried, as we saw Abomosnow begin to slowly get up. It's trainer was just as shocked as we all were. The Abomosnow used Wood Hammer & poor Warortle was smashed under Abomasnow's huge fist. It was over. "It's all ogre now..." Richie said, trying to lighten up the mood. I laughed against my will, recalling the 'Shrek Is Love, Shrek Is Life' video that Richie had been obsessively watching for a few days now.

I covered my eyes, as if I was watching a horror movie, then peeked at the screen to see Wartortle lying down on the ground.

Brandon's team mate was biting her lip nervously, Abomasnow & Wartortle were the last Pokemon on the field, this would decide if Brandon lost or advanced to the fourth round. "No," I mummbled as the voice began to talk again. "& it looks like Wartortle is done. Ladies & gentlemen, this round goes to- What?"

I looked at the screen & saw Wartortle begin to glow white. I smiled, knowing exactly what was happening. "I can't believe my eyes! Wartortle has just evolved into Blastoise!" The guy screamed excitedly. The crowd cheered, but they were nowhere near as excited as me, Adriana, & Richie were.

"Fuck yes!" I jumped out of my seat. Richie jumped up too & we both gave each other big hugs.

I saw Brandon give a command for another Gyro Ball, & finally the battle was over. Brandon had managed to pull through & win! He hugged his new Blastoise & I smiled at how happy he looked.

When he came back to talk to us, he had a huge grin on his face. "Congrats on the Blastoise. Now we both have one," Richie grinned. The two boys high fived each other. Amy just rolled her eyes. She didn't talk much... Adriana & I were busy talking about her & Gary.

I watched the douche trainer, Damien battle, & win his match fairly easily, despite having horrible team work efforts with his partner. He was able to win using that Kingdra he used in just about every battle. I really didn't wanna end up battling it... It was like a monster now.

For the rest of our time stuck in that big room, we talked to each other & some of the other trainers there. I met this really cute boy, named Red, with brown hair & the prettiest brown eyes. Something about him really caught my attention... I didn't know what it was, but he just had that kind of personality that made you instantly like him, even though he wasn't super-talkative. He was actually pretty quiet, but it just made him more intruiging & mysterious. How had I not noticed him before this day?

"I heard Lance, the Champion, is exceptionally strong, I heard he hasn't been beaten in years," Red's eyes went a little wide. "I can believe that," I nodded. "I... I really am determined to battle him. He's... He's the reason I started liking Pokemon training &-" "He's your idol," I cut in. Red looked at me & just nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, that's no suprise there. He's mine, too. & my big brother's, he always wanted to meet Lance, he looked up to him so much," I smiled, remembering Randall when he used to speak of the Champion & of how he wished to meet & battle him someday. We both used to talk about him like he was a God.

"I've always wanted to meet him, too. He's great," Red seemed to be spacing out. "He's funny & cool, but sometimes he's a douche," I said casually. Red shot me a wierd look. "You know him?" He looked suprised. "Yeah... Erm... I'm actually staying with him & the Elite Four back at their place, while I compete here," I said slowly. Red looked at me with disbelief, then he chuckled. "You almost got me there."

"How much you wanna bet?" I smirked & raised an eyebrow. "I'll bet you a box of pizza," Red suggested. I laughed. "Okay deal. A box of pizza it is." To seal our bet, we shook on it. I sure hoped that everyone back at the house, or more like mansion, wouldn't mind...

We all healed our Pokemon, & walked towards the Elite Four & Champion's place after the battles for the day were done. It turns out Richie was bring Amy over, so I didn't feel to wierd about inviting Red over anymore.

Richie & Brandon seemed to be getting along well with Red. Everyone was. Even Amy, who was more quiet than he was. Adriana thought he was cute. "He's really cute! Don't tell Gary I said that," she gasped when she realized what she said. "I won't. & I know he is," I took a quick glance & looked away. I sure ran into a lot of cute boys. But none of them compared to Lancey.

"Hey," Brandon was the first to speak when we got back to the mansion. The Elite Four & Champion were laying on the couch, eating pizza, again. "Do you guys do this every day?" Richie questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Fuck off kid, this is our routine. Want some pizza?" Bruno asked bluntly. "Hell yeah I want some pizza." Richie plopped down on the couch & began to eat.

"I uhh... I brought some company, I-I hope it's okay with you guys if Red stays here for a little while," I said nervously. They turned to look at Red. "Hey, I saw you battling earlier!" Karen pointed out. "You're really good," Lorelei added, nodding at him. Lance just examined him, I wondered what he was thinking.

"Come on, Red. Sit," Will urged him. Red looked at me, & then back at them. He smiled. I sat down & he sat beside me. "By the way, I brought company, too. This is Amy," Richie pointed to the red haired girl seated next to him. "Hello Amy," everyone greeted her. "Where's Gary?" Adriana asked. "Still asleep. When he wakes up he's gonna have a hell of a hangover," Bruno answered,"Now shut up, I like show."

Adriana rolled her eyes & left to go find her boyfriend. "This show sucks! Why do we always have to watch it?" Will groaned. "Then go watch tv in your room," Bruno spat. "I wanna watch it here though!" He cried. "Will, shut up & go away," Bruno said, before shoving the rest of his pizza slice in his mouth. "Fine, I'll go watch something good in my room," Will stood up & left. "Cry baby," I heard Bruno mutter.

"Bruno... This show actually is pretty damn boring..." Lance said, kicking his feet up on the couch. "Fuck you, Lance. You're boring," he retorted. "Lance, shoes off the couch," Karen scolded, as if she was his mother. "Sorry mom," he said sarcastically, before kicking off his shoes & laying his feet back on the couch.

"Hey Lancey, cool Psyduck socks," I laughed so hard when I saw him wearing some white socks with little Psyduck faces on them. It just didn't seem like the Dragon Master/Champion would wear.

Maybe if they were Dratini socks it'd be more understandable, but Psyduck socks? I'm sure all the nosy paparazzi would get a kick out of this.

"All my other pairs were dirty!" He yelled defensively. "Mmmmhmm," I chuckled.

"Shut up, at least I don't moan out my name in my sleep," he rolled his eyes. What? I looked at him with a face full of confusion. Everyone looked at me with wide eyes. "In your sleep, you moan my name," he winked, making everyone tease me. "Okay can you two go fuck already & shut up? I swear I can never watch my show around you people! I'm going to my room!" Bruno shut the tv off & stormed off. I was still blushing with emberrassment.

"& I'm taking this pizza box with me!" Bruno came back for a box. "Noooo! Anything but the pizza!" Karen cried, & threw herself on the floor & clung onto Bruno's leg, trying to prevent him from leaving, but he easily shook her off & stomped away with the pizza box.

"Sorry, Red, about these idiots," Lorelei apologized. "It's fine, really, I just thank you for allowing me to be here. It's nice to meet you all, & Lance. I... I am honoured..." Red trailed off.

"Thanks, Red," Lance nodded cooley. "I saw you battling out there. You have some skills, kid. In fact, I think we might end up battling..." Red's face lit up. "You can count on that," he said, full of determination. "I won't go easy on you, you know," Lance said, sounding cocky. "I won't either," Red responded matching the same cocky tone as Lance. Lance snickered. I think he liked Red.

No, not in that way...

We continued to talk & laugh for a good thirty minutes. Red was getting along well with everyone, especially me *cough cough*. Eventually, Gary came into the living room groaning & looking like a zombie. "Gary, you look like you starred in a zombie movie," Karen said, eyes wide. "You look dead," Lance added. "Thanks," he grumbled, dragging his feet to the kitchen to probably get something to drink.

"I feel like shit," he groaned when he joined us on the couch, sitting beside Lance. "You sure look like shit," Lance said in a tone of voice that made us all laugh. "My head hurts so bad!" He cried. He looked up to see other people on the couch. "Oh, hey there. I'm Gary," he said weakly.

"Amy," Amy stated blankly. "Red." At the mention of the name, Gary's head shot up. "Red? That name sounds familiar. You've battled me before, haven't you?" Gary asked. Red nodded. "I did." "Oh man, Red! I remember you! Guys, this kid, is incredible!" Gary shouted loudly. "Why didn't I see you battling in the previous rounds? I almost thought you didn't come," Gary said, glancing at Red.

Red shrugged. "I don't know. But I definately would not miss the Pokemon League," Red answered. "Lance, you gotta watch out for this kid. I actually think he could beat you," Gary grinned at Lance, who was now looking at Red. "You think so?" Lance asked, sounding shocked. "Aw, come on Gary. Enough with the compliments. You're gonna make me blush," Red joked.

"Are you staying here with us?" Gary questioned. "Yeah are you?" Karen added. Lorelei looked at him too, hoping he would say yes. "You can stay here," Lance nodded cooley. Wow. Everyone barely met Red & they loved him already. See what I mean? He was impossible to hate! & if anyone did dare hate him, it was because of jealousy.

"Ummm... You sure?" He raised an eyebrow. Lance nodded. "Yeah," Lorelei agreed. "Definately, Red," Karen smiled. "Umm..." he thought for a moment. "Come on Red! Stay here," I begged. I was begging? I didn't even realize it until I saw Red smirk at me. "Damn Katrina stop being a kiss ass," Lance scoffed. I flipped him off. "So yeah?" I asked. "Well, if you want me to... Yeah," he answered.

Everyone looked happy about him staying.

"I just need to check out of the Pokemon Center," Red got up. "Wanna come?" He smiled & asked me. "Yeah," I nodded. "Any of you guys wanna come?" Red scanned over everyone sitting on the couch.

"Nope, hangover," Gary replied, slouching back. Karen & Lorelei shook their heads. "Don't wanna see paparazzi," Karen said & Lorelei agreed with her, muttering something about her wanting to shove her fist down their throat. "No, we're gonna watch some porn," Richie smirked & grinned at Brandon. "Yup," Brandon replied, smiling evily & high fived Richie. Amy simply shook her head. "Fuck it, I'll go," Lance spoke up & got off the couch. I was actually suprised that of all people, that Lance wanted to come.

We all walked out of the giant mansion & walked toward the Pokemon Center not too far away. It was quiet for the first few minutes. "You guys ready to continue with the Indigo League tomorrow?" Lance suddenly asked us, attempting to bring up a conversation. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Red said. I simply nodded. "You know, that girl you were paired with was a horrible team mate," Lance brought up. I guessed he was referring to our battles earlier where we had to partner up with a random person.

"Don't even get me started on her!" Red raised his voice. "She was horrible, she kept using Earthquake & moves that hurt not only our opponents, but my Pokemon too!" He screeched angrily. I didn't remember seeing Red battle, but his partner sounded horrible. I was glad I didn't have a bad partner, Samantha & I won without too much difficulty.

"I saw that. Even I wanted to punch her in the throat, & I wasn't even battling," Lance groaned. "Tell me about it, I almost had Venasaur use Solar Beam on her," Red rolled his eyes.

"But you still won. Most trainers would have lost. That's where I saw your skills, Red. You're talented," Lance complimented. I frowned.

Lance never called me talented.

Not even after I SAVED HIM in Goldenrod.

Jerk.

Red checked out of his room pretty quickly. While we were at the Pokemon Center people kept trying to talk to Lance, especially girls. For some reason, I felt really really angry. "Turn that frown upside down," Lance joked when he saw how upset I was. When we began to walk back to the Champion's place, a group of trainers laughing & talking turned their attention to the three of us. They gasped, seeing Lance. "Hey!" They stopped us.

"Let's battle, me, & you," one of the boys bravely said, speaking to Lance.

He sure had balls, & big ones. I had never heard someone talk to him like that before.

Who would? When I first met him, he was a serious, intimidating person. Never would I have dared to speak to him so boldly.

It wasn't until I was comfortable around him that I joked around with him. & 100% of it was thanks to Karen, who brought me into their conversation about him stripping & when he was drunk.

Lance gave him a wierd look. "Don't talk like that to the Champion!" A girl scolded. "Lance I'm so sorry," she said, giving him puppy eyes. I felt pretty annoyed by her, honestly, & I didn't even know her.

"Excuse me," Lance said in that same serious tone as always & walked around them. "Hey, did you not hear me? I said I wanna battle!" The boy repeated, stepping in front of Lance. "If you manage to place in the top four, you can," Lance answered calmly, but sternly.

The boy shook his head stubbornly. "Don't be dumb, Rick! He's the Champion! He'll destroy you!" A boy's voice shouted. "You should take your friend's advice, Rick," Red spoke up, giving the kid a displeased look.

"Really? & I suppose you won't battle me then?" The boy turned his attention to Red. Red smirked. "Okay, let's battle," he nodded & walked away to give the two enough space to battle.

"I said I wanted to battle Lance," the boy scoffed. "But maybe if I show him how easily I can wipe you out, he'll accept my challenge." The boy, Rick, placed himself directly across from Red.

"I want a rematch Red. We both know that in the second round you cheated," another boy stepped up beside the boy who was rude to Lance.

...The first guy in history to dislike Red. What?!

Red didn't look scared or worried at all when the two kids released a Blaziken & a Metagross. They looked pretty tough, too. I'm sure they would wipe me out if I had been battling them...

"Two on one? That's no fair," Lance shook his head & walked to Red's side. "Two on two is more like it." Red looked at Lance appreviatively & smiled. He then looked back at his opponents Pokemon, & grabbed a Pokeball. Lance did the same.

I had a feeling this was gonna be good. The other kids in the group looked just as suprised as I was. Neither of us spoke, we all just huddled up together, with our mouth hanging open, as Red & Lance threw their Pokeballs in the air & released their Pokemon.

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