Crystal wakes up to a mouthwatering smell. She opens her eyes, and next to the bed is a small wooden table with hot steamy pancakes and syrup. Her stomach instantly growls.

She sits up and starts to stretch. She looks next to her, and no one is next to her. Then it all comes flooding back.

"Oh my Arceus! I slept with Red!"

Crystal covers her face with her hands.

"Good morning Princess."

Crystal looks up, and Yellow is standing there, with a pitcher of milk and an empty glass in her hands.

Crystal's face turns bright red.

"No! It's not what you think! We literally just slept together in the same bed, that's it!"

A smile grows on Yellow face.

"It's ok m'lady. You don't have to explain anything to me," Yellow explains as she puts a glass on the table and pour milk into it.

Crystal covers her face and groans.

"Here is breakfast from Red. He also asked me to give you this," Yellow says as she gives Crystal, who grabs it without looking up.

"Thank you Yellow. And please, call me Crystal," Crystal says as Yellow bows and walks out.

Crystal unfolds the piece of paper.

Good morning! Sorry I left, I have a training session with my apprentice, and you looked so peaceful sleeping that I didn't want to wake you. I hope you enjoy breakfast! I made it myself! If you're bored and would like to see some Pokémon battling, we will be at the training ground behind the castle.

-Red

Maybe I should go visit, Crystal thinks as she grabs a fork full of pancake and brings it to her mouth.

I will, as soon as I finish these amazing pancakes!

~~~~

"Charizard, use Flamethrower!" A raven haired boy yells as he rides on the back of his Charizard, with a Pikachu on his shoulder.

"Aero, dodge it and use Hyper Beam!" Red yells, as his Aerodactyl dips down and fires a Hyper Beam underneath of Charizard.

"Do a barrel roll and fly down!"

The boy's Charizard's obeys, and dodges the the attack, and flies low along the ground. The boy pulls out his sword, and jumps off, his sword crashing against Red's who was standing on the ground, watching.

"Your execution was sloppy and reckless," Red says, as he forces the boy back and lunges at him.

"Maybe, but I need to test my opponent's strength somehow! Charizard!" The boy yells, and Charizard scoops down and picks him up.

"An air battle it is! Aero!"

Soon, both trainers are riding their Pokemon, exchanging blows and attacks.

"Looks like you're going for a new record Ash," Red says, as his Aerodactyl charges at Charizard.

"Hell yeah! 'Cause I'm gonna beat you today! Counter with Seismic Toss!" Ash yells, as Charizard flies under Aero and grabs her, and begins to dive towards the ground.

"Shake them off by spinning!"

Aero obeys and tosses Charizard off. But that causes Charizard to frantically fall towards the ground, causing Ash to lose his grip on Charizard.

"Red!" Ash yells as he heads straight towards the ground.

"Ash!"

Aero dives straight for Ash. Charizard regains his balance, and dives for him as well, but Ash is falling way too fast. None of them are going to get there in time.

Suddenly, two vines reach out and circle around Ash's waist. They slow down his fall and gently put him on the ground.

Charizard, Aero, and Red land next to him.

"Ash! Are you ok?"

"I think so. I, ah!"

Ash immediately grabs his left arm.

"Oh no! Is he ok?"

Red and Ash turn around, and see Crystal rushing toward them, with a large green Pokémon with a flower mane running behind her.

Crystal is wearing black leggings, and blue long sleeve tunic, with a bag on her back.

"His left arm is hurt. I think it could be twisted or sprained," Red explains, as he gently forces Ash to sit down on the ground.

"Let's take a look, shall we?" Crystal says as she places her bag on the ground and starts digging into it.

"Red, m'lady, I promise you, I'm ack!" Ash exclaims as Crystal grabs Ash's arm.

"That's what happens when you don't call me by my name," Crystal says as she begins to wrap it.

"Sorry. Thanks Crystal," Ash says, blushing.

Wow. Ash and Red look very similar. It's as if they're twins. They're both wearing their blue and red uniform. The only noticeable differences are that Ash is wearing a hat, and their height difference, Crystal thinks as she continues to tend to the wound. 

"Sorry about that Ash. I didn't mean to knock you off like that," Red says as he pats Ash's back.

"Sorry Pikachu, Charizard," he adds as he pets Pikachu and gestures towards Charizard.

"It's ok Red! I get we were just training! You know what they say: no pain, no gain!"

Red chuckles and nods.

Charizard whimpers and rubs his head on Ash's shoulder.

"It's ok Charizard! You did your best, and I know you wouldn't let me fall on purpose," Ash explains as he pets Charizard's head.

"There! You're all set to go!" Crystal exclaims as she finishes tying Ash's sling.

"Thanks a lot Crystal!"

"The pleasure is all mine. Your name is Ash, right?"

"Yep! Ash Ketchum, at your service!" Ash says, as he bows before Crystal. His Pikachu drops down from his shoulder and does the same.

"And here is my buddy Pikachu!"

"Hi! As you know, I'm Crystal, Princess of Johto. And here is my best friend, Meganium!"

Meganium squeals happily as she runs next to Ash and rubs her head on his chest.

"Ok, that's enough now," Crystal says, returning Meganium into her Pokéball.

"I didn't know you liked Pokemon battles," Red says.

"Yeah! I love them! But it isn't quite my forte."

"What is then?"

"Pokémon catching," Crystal says with a grin.

"Then maybe we should-"

Red stops mid sentence, then runs off towards the center of the opening.

"Come out now!"

"Red, what's-"

"Crystal, stay close to Ash. Ash, protect her with your life!"

"Yes sir!" Ash answers as he quickly grabs Crystal by the arm and pulls her away.

Suddenly, a huge water blast hits Charizard, instantly knocking him out.

"Charizard!"

"Stay down! Aero, use Stone Edge!"

Huge boulders rose from the ground, hitting bushes and trees. Silence follows. No Pokémon is hit or comes out of hiding.

"Pika!"

Red turns, and Ash's Pikachu is hit with an Ice Beam, freezing his leg to the ground.

"Aero, into the sky, now!" Red orders, as he tries to run back towards Ash and Crystal, but he feels something bump into him.

"What in the-"

Aero shrieks, as she falls and hits the ground. The flying dirt clears up and she's on the ground unconscious, with her wings covered in ice.

"Sneasel!"

A Sneasel appears from the bushes, a smirk on his face.

Red clutches his fist so hard his whole body starts shaking.

"You're not gonna get away with this!"

Red reaches for his Pokéballs, but his hand is greeted with air.

"What? Where did they go?"

Red then turns to Crystal and Ash.

"Do you guys have your Pokéballs?"

"No, we don't! I don't know what happened!" Crystal yells as she helps Ash tend to his Pokemon.

"Damn it!" Red yells, as he picks up his sword.

"Interesting. So the Kantoian Prince isn't as strong as everyone thinks he is," a voice says.

"How about you show yourself and find out for yourself you coward!" Ash yells.

"Ash, calm down. Remember what I told you to do," Red says, as he stares at Sneasel. Sneasel then stops, and disappears in a blur, heading towards Red.

A long clang breaks out as Sneasel's sharp claws hit the metal of Red's sword.

"Red!" Crystal yells, as she watches Red react and block every swipe from Sneasel.

"Don't worry Crystal! He's the best trainer and knight in Kanto! He is the champion after all!" Ash yells.

He's the champion? Crystal thinks as Red swings his sword forward, forcing Sneasel to step back. Red sheaths his sword and grins.

"Sneasel?"

"I win."

Suddenly, Pika lands on top of Sneasel, and unleashes a Thunderbolt at point blank range. Sneasel faints instantly.

"You know, for once I'm actually grateful you take naps during training!" Red exclaims as Pika nonchalantly walks over to Red.

"Pika pika."

"I don't know what you said but I don't appreciate that tone of voice!"

Crystal giggles.

They're so different but yet seem so perfect for each other, she thinks as she sits down next to Ash, who's between caring for Charizard and trying to break his Pikachu free from the ice.

"Here, let me help you with-"

Crystal is interrupted by growling.

"Ash, did you-"

"Yeah, I heard it too. Crystal, get behind me n-"

Ash doesn't finish his sentence. He's hit with a Water Gun which throws him away from Crystal and lands on the ground.

"Ash!" She yells, but before she can move, she see a Hydro Pump heading straight for her. She closes her eyes, and waits for the impact. One second passes. Then two. Then three.

Crystal open her eyes, and Red is standing before her, his body shaking as he blocks the attack with a shield.

"Red, what are you doing?"

"Protecting you Crystal!" Red grunts, as the attack digs his feet into the ground.

"Why?"

"While you are under my care, I will not let anything happen to you!"

Crystal gasp. She expect the usual "you're a princess!" answer, not this. She can feel her face grow warm.

"Pika, now!"

Pika then jumps in the air, with Pikachu, now free from the ice, and together unleash a powerful Thunderbolt attack from where the Hydro Pump is coming from. They don't stop their attack until they Hydro Pump ends. Red then collapses on the ground.

"Red!" Crystal yells.

"Check on Ash first!" Red yells, out of breath.

"I'm fine! I'm just wet!" Ash answers, rushing to Red, who already has Crystal at his side.

"He's fine. How about you?" Crystal ask as Red struggles to sit up. She then sits behind him, allowing him to sit and slightly leans against her

"I'm fine, just tired," Red answers, his voice a bit shaky.

Clapping fills the training ground.

"Congratulations, you exceeded by expectations," Silver says, as he walks out of the forest, returning his fainted Sneasel.

"Silver! Ugh! I thought I recognized that Sneasel! Why on Earth would you attack us? You're lucky Red's hurt otherwise I would-"

"It's ok Crystal, really," Red mutters, as he looks over at Silver.

"That was a very powerful Hydro Pump aimed at your sister."

"I know," Silver says as he pats Ash on the back. Ash simply stares at him, as he walks towards Red and Crystal.

"But I knew you wouldn't let it hit her. I just wanted to make sure," Silver says.

"Oh, here's your Pokéballs back. Sneasel used Thief while you guys were busy with the first Ice Beam," Silver says as he gently places Red's and Crystal's on the ground next to them, and begins to walk back towards Ash.

"Silver, where do you think you're going?"

"Returning this young man's Pokéballs, and after he returns his Charizard, he's going to take me back to the castle, so you two love birds can enjoy some alone time," Silver smirks as Ash returns Charizard and looks over at Red.

"Sir?"

"Go ahead and take him back."

"Follow me Prince Silver," Ash says, as Pikachu climbs on his shoulder, calls back Charizard, then begins to leads the way.

"Silver! You're not going anywhere until you apologize!"

"Ash right? I'm Silver. I gotta say, I'm impressed with your battle style. Maybe after you recover from..."

"Silver, don't ignore me! Oh, just wait until I-"

"Crystal."

She stops and looks at Red, who's smiling at her.

"What's wrong?"

"You're cute when you're angry."

Crystal's face flushes with deep red.

"Will you listen to the sounds of the forest with me?" Red asks.

"Of course," Crystal says, as she wraps her arms around Red, who allows it.

I don't know what it is, but I don't ever want to leave this spot, Red thinks, as he lays there in Crystal's arms.