After breakfast they made their way out of the hotel stepping into the now vibrant sun, their eyes taking a moment to adjust to the bright change.

  Blue lugged the backpack, somewhat regretting filling it so much. "Totally worth it though" he inadvertently said with a small laugh.

  "Huh?" Red responded glancing over at him.

  Blue responded with a sheepish expression, "I-uh, I didn't mean to say that.. Out loud.." he replied, a nervous laugh followed.

  "Oh, okay" a small pause, "...Do you want me to carry that for you, it looks pretty hefty" Red asked Blue.

  "Nope, I got it! You may be taller than me now but I'm still stronger" Blue replied confidently, with a hint of his usual cockiness. "C'mon, we have to hurry or we're going to miss the ferry, we have a whole day ahead of us!" he quickly said before Red could say anything else, a smile beaming across his face as he threw his hand up to Red then hurried on ahead of him towards the island's city.

  Red watched with an affectionate smile, a gentle laugh escaped him as he followed behind Blue curious as to what he had planned.

  They arrived at the ferry terminal in Heahea city and Blue walked over to a desk with a man at the opposite side who greeted Blue. While Red looked at a large map of all the islands on the wall.

  "Two tickets for Ula'ula island please," Blue asked the clerk while taking out his wallet to pay.

  "Ula'ula huh. We haven't been there yet" Red said while studying the map "It seems to be the biggest island Alola has, there will be a lot to explore".

  "Pika pi" Pikachu responded in agreement while also looking at the map from Red's shoulder.

  "And we have a whole day to do it" Blue piped in cheerily as he walked over to them. "I've got our tickets, let's go," he said, waving them in front of Red.

  The journey to Ula'ula wasn't a long one and they were soon docking at the Ula'ula Ferry Terminal located to the east of Malie City. They disembarked and headed into the city.

  "Do I get to know anything about what we're doing today?" Red asked puzzled, having no idea what Blue had in mind.

  Blue stopped and turned to Red, he looked into Red's eyes with a soft expression causing a pink glow to blossom on Red's cheeks.
  Blue slipped his fingers into Red's palm, looking down at their hands intertwined then looked back up at Red, a gentle grin now across his lips "Sorry, but that's a no" Blue replied.

  Red let out a sigh "Oh well, worth a shot though" he laughed.

  "You can try all you like, I'm not saying anything and you'd better get used to it, we have a few things we'll be doing today" Blue laughed back. With his hand still in Red's, he continued walking pulling Red along with him"C'mon, we have some time before lunch" Blue said cheerfully.

  They walked through the city passing by a variety of different stores and other buildings.

  "Wow, this place looks like it was pulled straight out of Johto" Red said in awe.

  "Yeah, the city was designed by people who moved here from Johto. There's a tower in the garden too, the one near the ferry terminal, it's similar to the Bell Tower in Ecruteak City." Blue replied.

  "You know your stuff" Red gently laughed.

  "I did my research before we came," Blue said confidently.
  "Oh, here it is" Blue stopped and gestured towards a building different from the others, this one had a yellow roof while the others were green.

  "Wait, this one has a gym symbol on it, I thought Alola didn't have gyms?" Red was a little confused as he examined the familiar symbol.

  "It doesn't, this is an unofficial one but just want until we get inside," Blue said excitedly.

  They entered the building and Red was hit with nostalgia. "When did Surge move to Alola" He joked as he peered around the room. A few trainers scattered amongst the trash cans, only these were full of ice and drinks, purely for aesthetic.

  "Yeah, this place is designed after his gym. I thought you might like it, at least as a call back to our younger days," Blue said letting out a small laugh.

  Then, they were approached by a woman "Hello, my name is Jim Gyde and this is the Kantonian Gym! It takes big and brassy nerves to take on this gym. Defeat all the gym leaders and you will be the new Kantonian!"

  "I think you'll find we're already Kantonian" Blue replied with a laugh in a harmless, sarcastic manner.

  "Well nevermind that then, It'll cost you 5,000 Poke dollars per adult male to challenge us" replied Jim.

  Before anyone could say anything else they were interrupted.

  "That won't be necessary... That is if you accept my challenge" A man dressed in a generic martial arts uniform said as he approached them. "I'm the Kantonian gym leader," he said as he grabbed one of Red's hands and one of blue's shaking them as he introduced himself.

  Red was about to respond but the gym leader spoke up again.

  "No need to introduce yourselves, Red sir,"

  "Oh, just Red is fine" Red replied, visibly embarrassed.

  "Of course, and Blue as well," the gym leader said throwing a smile in Blues direction.

  "Well well, finally some recognition I deserve, you can call me sir if you like" Blue replied confidently pointing his thumb at himself.

  "Blue..." Red rolled his eyes at him,

  "Fine, just Blue" he responded almost sounding a little disappointed, Red giggled lightly.

  "Yes yes, Red and Blue, will one of you do me the honor of accepting my challenge of a Kanto-styled gym battle? One Pokemon each!" The gym leader asked enthusiastically.

  Red looked over at Blue who seemed pretty pumped about it, Red gently hit his shoulder with his palm "You should definitely do it" he smiled at Blue,

  "Wait, really? But you're the better battler" Blue responded almost in awe.

  "It's all yours," Red said, throwing blue a thumbs up.

  "Great, then I accept your challenge!" Blue said in an assured tone.

  "I'll be waiting, come to the back of the gym when you're ready," The gym leader said as he left Blue to prepare for their upcoming battle.

  Other people in the gym started to congregate around the gym leader, where the battle would be taking place. Blue started to look a little nervous as he watched everyone group round.

  Red caught Blue off guard and pulled him into a hug "You'll be fine, you got this"

  Blue responded and wrapped his arms around Red "Sorry, I'm a little nervous, excited too. But you're right, I can do it" Blue let go, a smile on his face.

  "Go get 'em," Red said assuringly,

  "Pika!" Pikachu also replied cheering for Blue.

  They walked to the back of the gym, the crowd parted for them until Blue was stood face to face with the gym leader once again.

  "Ready?" The gym leader asked in a powerful tone.

  "Always" Blue responded back with a confident grin on his face.

  The gym leader turned to Red "Would you please be the judge for this match?"

  "O-Oh, yes of course" Red was caught a little off guard by that.

  Everyone took their places giving the two competitors enough space for their battle, the room went quiet and Red held a hand in the air, Pikachu copying him.

  "Ready?" he asked them, they both nodded in response.

  "3... 2... 1... GO!" Red shouted as he threw his hand down in front of himself, Pikachu doing the same again.

  "PIKA!"