For The Longest time

Chapter 6: Leaf's First Gym Battle

It was about midday as Red and Leaf made their way through the outskirts of Viridian City. With a new goal in mind, the two were now on route to the site of Leafs first gym battle; Pewter City.

As they walked side by side, Red curiously glanced over at his companion and smiled. "Hey Leaf, I got a question for you." he asked as she turned to him as well.

"Yeah Red, what's up?"

"How come when Professor Oak and I nicely offered you to be a trainer, you refused?" he noted as he tipped his hat over his eyes, "Yet, when Blue does the exact same and acts like a jerk the entire time....you're suddenly all for it!"

"That's simple!" Leaf stated as she sarcastically rolled her eyes, "I'm the Great Shadow Thief and nobody calls me out and gets away with it!"

Red watched as she proudly raised her fist in the air and began to stroke his chin in thought. "Okay...note to self: When it comes to Leaf....use aggression to get what you want..." he muttered, causing Leaf to sternly glare at him.

"What was that?!"

Hoping she hadn't heard him, Red frantically began to wave his hands in front of his face. "N-nothing! It was nothing!" he quickly reassured her.

Amused at how nervous she was making him, Leaf playfully nudged Red in the side. "Alright nice guy, now I got a question for you!"

"Go on...."

Leaf crossed her arms. "Well...so far I've met you, the ex-champion and now I just met Blue, the ex-ex-champion...." she trailed off before nudging Red in the side again, "So...when do I get to meet the real deal?! The ACTUAL champion!"

Red closed his eyes and crossed his arms as well. "The minute you collect all 8 gym badges and beat the elite 4, then you can meet him!"

No sooner did Red finish explaining and Leaf had the biggest grin on her face. "Can you imagine what would happen if I beat him?!" she wondered before happily clasping her hands together, "Oh! I can picture it now Red! Champion Leaf Green: Shadow Thief!"

Red stared at her dumbfounded. "God help us if that happens..." he muttered to himself, causing Leaf to glare at him.

"Hey! What do you mean by that?" she demanded, giving him a little shove.

"Leaf...you and I both know you wouldn't last 2 seconds as champion!" Red chuckled as he playfully shoved her back, "You'd get too bored from all the responsibilities!"

Leaf tilted her head back and forth in thought until she eventually turned and winked at Red.

"Yeah...you're probably right! Champion Leaf Green is a stupid title anyway!"

The two laughed, thoroughly enjoying one anothers company and before they knew it, Pewter city was within sight.

"Well that didn't take long!" Leaf stated as she saw the huge city in front of her.

"That's because there's no more Viridian Forest to drudge through anymore," Red noted as he motioned behind him, "By the time we walked through the outskirts of Viridian City, we were pretty much here!"

Unlike Viridian city, Pewter city remained pretty much unchanged throughout the years. It still had its trademark museum and of course, the massive Pewter gym.