Red was up and ready that morning, the boat was about to dock at Vermillion City, he picked up his bags and gestured for Pikachu to climb onto his shoulder, which he did.
As he stepped off the boat the bright sun hit him, he let out a gentle sigh, he was glad to finally be home, well, almost. He still had a little way to go.
Red called for his Charizard to come out, climbing on board he put a hand on Charizard's neck
"Take us home" he said, Charizard knew exactly where to go from here, letting out a powerful roar before taking off.
After landing Red called for all his Pokemon to come out so they could stretch and relax, he walked up to his front door, opening it and dropping his bags inside
"Mom?"
There was an almost instant squeal
"Is that you Red, is that my baby?"
His mother came to greet him as they both came in for a hug
"It's me, mom, I'm back" They held each other for a little while before his mother quickly let go
"I almost forgot!" she rushed off, Red followed behind her, curious.
When she turned back to him she held out her hands"It's not much, but, Happy Birthday son". She smiled, handing him a new cap, Red took off his old one put the new one on.
"Thanks, mom, it's perfect!" smiling, and giving her a thumbs up.
While catching up with his mother she brought up Blue, she explained how he had become a powerful gym leader, but was spending more and more time away from the gym; it worried his grandfather, then he explained how Blue still came to check on her to make sure she was okay and help her out with anything she might have needed.
Red sat and smiled to himself, he felt his cheeks grow slightly warm, Blue might hate him but he appreciates the effort he has put in for his mother.
He always knew Blue had a very caring side to him, but his arrogance always got the better of him, he started to grin to himself as memories he had with Blue came back to him.
His mother caught on to this
"You okay son, you seem really happy"
"Oh, yes, I'm fine" Red stood "I'm going to see Professor Oak, that okay mom?"
"Of course it is, I'll have dinner ready for you"
"Thanks, mom" Red hugged her again, then set off for the lab.
As he got closer he was getting anxious, but.. why?
He was excited to see the Professor again, he guessed he was just nervous, it has been a while.
He approached the door of the lab and knocked gently, the door immediately swung open, but it wasn't Oak stood in front of him, it was Daisy, she looked up at him and as soon as she realised who it was she swung her arms around him.
"Gramps! You'll never guess who!"
She let Red go and dragged him inside. Professor Oak was grumbling something as he made his way into the room before seeing Red stood before him.
"My boy! How are you?" Red walked over and shook his hand, Oak instead decided to pull him in for a hug
"O-oh, I'm good"
Red had a quick look around the room, there was no sign of Blue, his nerves calmed a little.
Professor Oak made them both some tea, Daisy had left by this point so they could talk and catch up.
After a silence, Red decided to ask"Is Blue around today?".
"That boy is currently at that gym of his for once"
"For once?" Red remembered his mother telling him that Blue was spending more and more time away from the gym.
"Yes, he began spending less time there and just last night he admitted to not wanting to be the gym leader anymore before he stormed off" Professor Oak sighed.
There was somewhat of a long silence, then Professor Oak piped up again
"I have a perfect idea"
"oh?" Red was puzzled, he had no idea what Oak was thinking.
"I spoke to my cousin after Blue left last night, he lives in Alola, and I thought Blue could do with a break, sun, sea, soft sand, and a whole lot of different Pokemon, I think it's just what he needs".
Red thought for a minute "It does sound perfect"
"Good, so I must ask, will you go with him?"
Red jumped a little, startled, that was not what he was expecting.
"But I haven't spoken to Blue since..." Red trailed off, placing his cup of tea down.
"I know, but he needs a friend again, he needs you, Red"
Red looked down,
'Friend, I doubt he sees me as his friend anymore' thought Red. He gave it a little more thought but before he could come to a decision the door opened.
