>>29477504Nah, you're right, it's mostly bantz. The manual for RBY does say Blue's become more mean and competitive lately, wanting to prove he's better at everything, but that doesn't mean they stopped being friends at any point, both you as Red and him are heading out into the wide world, and you get a rivalry going for how well you're doing for yourselves. That culminates at the Indigo Plateau, Blue thinks he's now king of the world as reigning Champion, and Red comes in to kick his ass one final decisive time, plus the lecture he got from his gramps afterwards. They might not have done much together since then until GSC/HGSS, but it doesn't surprise me in the least that they're portrayed as buddies here in SM. Hell, Blue is still just as snarky as ever, poking fun at Red's muteness. I burst out laughing watching the trailer when he said
>What do you think, Red? 
