"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
The girl apologized and opened the door for Red, gesturing for him to enter.
The girl was beautiful, with brown hair and wearing a white half-circle hat with red stripes, a light blue off-shoulder top, and a red short skirt. It was Leaf!
Red was stunned when he saw Leaf welcoming him, not expecting that his roommate would be someone from his own hometown.
"Long time no see, Red. I didn't expect such a coincidence that my roommate would be you. I'm really so happy."
Compared to Red's surprise, Leaf was more joyful. After all, as a girl, suddenly having to share a room with a strange contestant would have been quite awkward, especially worrying about their intentions.
Fortunately, her roommate was Red, whom she knew well. Leaf felt much more at ease and was no longer as nervous as when she first arrived.
"I'm also very happy to see you again, Leaf."
Red smiled slightly in response.
Compared to sharing with a stranger of the opposite sex, the familiar Leaf made Red much more comfortable, at least avoiding any troublesome complications.
After Red finished organizing his luggage, Leaf took him to the contestants' restaurant, saving him the time of searching for it himself.
Late Night
Red suddenly woke from his sleep. Slightly drowsy, he touched his forehead in surprise, not expecting that he too would suffer from insomnia due to tomorrow's competition.
"Even with absolute confidence, I'm still nervous and excited about tomorrow's battles..."
With that thought, Red got up and put on his red cap from beside his pillow, donned his red jacket from the bed, casually slipped on his black training gloves, and quietly left the room to avoid waking Leaf.
After Red departed, Leaf, who had been sleeping with her eyes closed, slightly opened her right eye and watched his departure with concern.
'This isn't like him at all...'
After a moment, Red arrived alone at the top of the main venue, silently gazing at the battlefieldbelow and falling into brief contemplation.
'Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the Indigo League...'
"I didn't expect our Lord Red would also suffer from insomnia due to tomorrow's competition."
An elderly man approached from behind and greeted him.
"Hello, President Goodshow."
Red turned to find a high-ranking official from the Pokémon League and responded politely.
Charles Goodshow was a prominent figure in the Pokémon League and president of the League Executive Committee that managed the Sacred Fire.
"This is understandable. After all, this is Lord Red's first League competition. It's natural to be too nervous to sleep," Goodshow said with understanding, encouraging Red to relax.
"Perhaps. Rather than simple nervousness, I might be unable to sleep because I'm excited about battling strong opponents."
Speaking of this, Red's eyes showed excited gleams, his hands unconsciously clenched, and his previous slight nervousness completely disappeared, replaced only by anticipation for the upcoming battles.
"I can see that."
Goodshow chuckled and rubbed his nose.
Tonight, not only did Red suffer from insomnia, but Ash and Gary couldn't sleep either. The three boys from Pallet Town each stood at different sides of the main venue, gazing at the large arena and falling into contemplation.
'This is where we'll battle...'
"From now on, I can only fight to the end in my own way!" Ash murmured.
'Red, I will defeat you and become the Indigo League champion!'
"Grandpa, I will bring honor to you and everyone in Pallet Town!" Gary vowed, clenching his fists.
Although it was only slight movement, Red still noticed Ash and Gary, who were also suffering from insomnia. But the current atmosphere wasn't suitable for conversation, so Red wasn't foolish enough to suddenly call out.
After thinking for a moment, Red finally chose to leave, bidding farewell to Damaranch before returning to his room to attempt sleep once more.
The Next Day
The opening ceremony of the Indigo League officially began!
"Ladies and gentlemen, the opening ceremony of the Kanto League has finally begun! Excellent Pokémon trainers and their partners, fighting together with special moves and strength in the Pokémon League! The champion of this tournament will receive not only the honor of being a Pokémon trainer, but also pass a test they must overcome before becoming Pokémon Masters!"
The announcer's passionate speech echoed through Indigo Stadium, and the crowds in the surrounding spectator seats cheered excitedly, raising their hands for the contestants about to appear, anticipating the thrilling battles of this Indigo League.
"Now, the contestants are entering!" the announcer declared.
Contestants of the Indigo League appeared successively from the passages on both sides of the main venue, with the frontmost contestants serving as team leaders, holding up team flags.
"Each of them is an expert who has obtained eight or more badges!" the announcer introduced.
"Ah, I found Ash!"
Misty said joyfully from the spectator seats.
"Where, where?!" Brock asked excitedly.
"Over there!"
Misty pointed at Ash in the venue. However, the nervous Ash was walking so stiffly that he looked comical, with Pikachu on his shoulder watching him worriedly.
Compared to the nervous Ash, Gary behind him looked completely confident, showing no signs of anxiety, and his steps were perfectly normal.
Red and Leaf also displayed confident expressions, forming a stark contrast with the nervous Ash.
There were indeed many familiar faces in this Indigo League. Ritchie, Samurai, and Lance all appeared successively among the contestants.
However, Lance still looked proud, since in his eyes, only Red was worthy of being his opponent.
Lance's reason for participating in this Indigo League was simply to defeat Red in fair combat.
"Look, the Sacred Fire runner is approaching! The tournament's Sacred Fire, which has been passed through the hands of hundreds of people, is now advancing toward the Sacred Fire platform!"
The announcer introduced a girl holding the Sacred Fire torch as she ran toward the platform in the main venue.
Just as the Sacred Fire runner reached the platform and was about to light the flame, a pair of people dressed as messengers suddenly appeared.
"What an amazing performance. It seems a woman is responsible for lighting the fire."
Although puzzled by the sudden appearance of the two people, to maintain order at the competition venue, the announcer chose to adapt and continue commenting.
"Wait, you can't give them the Sacred Fire!"
Ash, recognizing them immediately, saw something was wrong and hurriedly ran to the Sacred Fire platform, trying to stop the runner.
But it was too late. Due to Ash's sudden shout, the Sacred Fire runner was startled, and Jessie directly snatched away the torch.
"Too late!"
Jessie and James, having obtained the Sacred Fire torch, immediately removed their disguises and revealed their Team Rocket identities.
"These three fools have quite some nerve, actually daring to infiltrate the League's official main venue to steal the Sacred Fire. I really don't know what they're thinking."
Seeing this scene, Red couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.