[ Red peers at Cilan from the corner of his eye, needing to let the question sink in before he seems to get it. Well, he knows exactly what was said, but. ]

I want to become- [ um. ] I wanted to be the best. [ And he feels embarrassed for admitting it. ] I wanted to fill up the pokédex for Professor Oak and take on the Pokémon League and beat everyone; I thought it's what you did when you were a trainer, but then I found out when I travelled that being a trainer meant something different for everyone. But going up against strong trainers and gym leaders--it was great. I loved every second of it.

[ There's a energy in those last words, going into his hands that he tightens. It's easier to speak when thinking about the past, one not involving a short war. ]

And I still wanted that here... Gold beat me the day after I got here in one attack. [ It was a single pokémon, but he wasn't clueless to the damage it would've eventually led to if unleashed on the others. ] I really wanted to beat him down, and then every other trainer... [ Silver, Ash, Cilan, Chili...

He huffs behind his mouth, brow knitting briefly before softening, but still leaving an uncertain expression on Red's face. ]

And I still do. I want to beat Giovanni down. I want to go home and take down every single gym leader there is! But what does any of that mean here? [ nope, the frustration's still there. Red groans, shifting up his legs just so he can sit his arms up on them closer. ]

What pokémon trainer doesn't want to be the greatest? [ Silver had said something about that, but his answer had been pretty stupid and duh in places. Guy was weird like that. Whatever. ] If that's what you love, don't you want to be up there?

[ ...but remembering Silver, Red's face just becomes more grumpy. He beat that guy that looks like his rival...

Actually, he sure wouldn't mind beating down Silver into the ground right now. ]