Author's Note: Hi folks. I really love this story and am happy that you guys are giving it a chance. Now there are some things I need to inform you about before you get into this story. First off, this story is in the point of view of Leaf. Now I understand that many relate Leaf to the manga character Green (I'm going by the American names here), since Green's appearance does change to base off of the FireRed and LeafGreen female character, but in my mind, she's a different character. So she will not resemble the personality of Green. This is just how I depicted her as and I kind of prefer her like this, but that's just me. Second I'm kind of basing it off the plot line of the games, but I may twist some things in here. I'm starting with Kanto, and naturally working my way through. This is going to be a long story, but I think it'll be worth it. Third, I put this under Adventure, but there will be comedy and romance in here too, but its not overpowering enough to be considered it's genre. I only put this story under Leaf because I don't really want to make the main couple obvious before you read it. Though after you read this chapter, one of the potential couples will be quite obvious.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. Pokemon belongs to Nintendo, game freak and Shogakukan Comics.
Leaf waited nervously at the breakfast table as her mother set out their meal. Today was a big day for her. She was going to go out and face the world, on her own.
Professor Oak had deemed her old enough to begin traveling and so today she was going to get her pokémon for the first time in her life. Though she knew she should be excited, Leaf felt only dread. She had no idea what she was getting thrown into and she always feared facing the world on her own. She really wanted to just stay home with her mom, but she knew that everyone her age was leaving their nest now. It would be sad if she was the only one to stay home, so that was why she hadn't made a single complaint. It still didn't make facing the situation pleasant.
"Oh dear, this is just so exciting!" her mom gushed as she sat down and the two began to munch on their food. Leaf just kept quiet, though in her mind she was disagreeing with her mom.
"So, what pokémon do you think you're going to get?" her mom asked. Leaf just shrugged as she slowly chewed her food.
"Well, I'm sure it will be a cute pokémon. I'm not expecting you to be like them Elite Four characters, but I'm sure you'll be great." Her mom began to blab on. Leaf sunk into her seat at the mention of the Elite Four. They were the strongest pokémon trainers in the Kanto region. Leaf knew there was no way she would ever defeat them. She didn't really want to anyways.
Suddenly, there was an impatient knock at the door. Her mom rolled her eyes as she got up to open the door for the intruder. Leaf began to blush profusely, knowing full well who it was. Leaf's mother opened the door to reveal a panting, spikey haired male. He leaned into the door and gave a quick greeting to her mom before turning to Leaf.
"Hey, has Gramps come over here?" Blue asked. Leaf shook her head.
"Oh. Where is that Old Man! He's holding me back from becoming the new pokémon master!" Blue grumbled before running off again.
Her mom closed the door and huffed her way to Leaf.
"That boy really gets on my last nerves! Thinking he can just barge in here and interrupt us as he pleases. I don't understand why the professor hasn't put a leash on him." Her mom spat. Leaf frowned. She didn't like when her mom bad mouthed Blue. Sure he was a little rude at times, but he had some good points. She just couldn't think of any at the moment.
"You know what; you hurry along and get over there! I don't want HIM getting the first choice on a pokémon before you!" her mom pushed Leaf out of her chair. Before she could protest, her mom handed Leaf her messenger bag and drove her out the door.
Leaf sighed miserably as she began to walk to the laboratory. She could feel her stomach twist and turn in anxiety. This was it. The journey was about to start.
Leaf was almost to the Lab when she felt herself hesitate. She wasn't ready for this. She needed to calm her nerves so Leaf walked in a different direction. She decided to take a small walk around in hopes that it would calm her nerves.
Leaf greeted the villagers as she walked by them. Pallet Town was a small place. The typical every-one-knows-everyone village. It wasn't very famous, and the majority who lived here never ventured out of the village like Leaf. Despite this, many trainers have passed through this town, especially since the Indigo Plateau was only accessed from the route near Viridian City, which was the next city over from Pallet Town.
Leaf found herself near the entrance to the first route out of Pallet Town, Route one. Leaf grew a little curious. She was interested on seeing what exactly she was getting herself into. She had never ventured close to the exit of Pallet Town due to many warnings of dangers in the wild. This would be the first time she would get out of this village, so she just wanted a little peek.
She slowly crept towards the small path way, being sure no one was watching. She noticed that she wasn't the only one at the entrance. A boy around her age stood looking out at the path way. He wore an oddly familiar cap.
As she got closer, Leaf realized that it was Red. He was the third person going to get a pokémon today. Leaf never really talked to him as he had always been somewhat hard to approach, at least for her. Blue on the other hand, had never been afraid to go talk to him. In fact, the two were rivals, always competing against one another on anything. Red had a confident air about him and most of the times he was quiet. Sometimes he came off as intimidating but most of the villagers liked him non-the-less. Leaf personally preferred Blue, but that was mainly because she had a huge crush on the boy.
Leaf hesitated on greeting Red, but figured she might as well. Leaf was about to say something when someone beat her to the punch.
"What are you two doing?" There stood behind her was the great Professor Oak. He towered before the two in a dressing-down manner.
"Oh. I'm sorry!" Leaf quickly squeaked. Red didn't say a word.
"It's dangerous to be out here without a pokémon! Come. Let's get you impatient kids into the lab!" Professor Oak rebuked the two.
Leaf felt ashamed of herself, and followed the professor with a slight gloom. She noticed that Red was now beside her, walking as if he were used to Professor Oak scolding him.
When they got to the Lab, they found Blue there, impatiently tapping his foot. Leaf blushed violently at the boy's presence.
"What took you so long, Gramps? You should have just let me get my pokémon first so I can just start already!" Blue grunted. Leaf heard Red click his tongue in annoyance.
"Oh, calm down Blue. It wouldn't be right to give you a head start only." Professor Oak chuckled. Blue and Red were glaring at each other, not even paying any attention to the older man. Oak sighed, before deciding to move on.
He looked at the three youngsters before him. "Well, this is probably our biggest group. I'm very proud of you three. You are all ready to go out into the world and begin your journey!" Professor Oak began his speech.
Blue and Red groaned as Leaf shifted uncomfortably. Leaf hadn't ever really been victim of Professor Oak's speeches, but she had a feeling she didn't want to be put through it.
"Gramps, can ya just get to the giving out pokémon part!" Blue complained. Red nodded in agreement. The professor shook his head in disbelief.
"The youth these days! Fine, we'll just get to the pokémon part. Now I want you to know that these are good pokémon from my days as a sapling. I trust you all to take good care of them."
"Yeah, yeah, we know. Let me just pick my pokémon." Blue grumbled, as he moved towards the table carrying the pokéballs that held their awaiting pokémon. Leaf noticed that there was exactly three pokéballs.
"Not so fast!" the pokémon professor grabbed onto Blue's shirt and yanked him back. Blue gagged at the tug. "I didn't say you could choose first!"
"Why not?" Blue whined.
"Because you are acting like a brat. Plus I have the say on who goes first. And I choose…" Oak looked around until his eyes landed on Leaf. She twitched in horror. No No No No No!
Unfortunately, he did exactly what she feared. "You Leaf. You can have the first pick. And then Red." Oak smiled. Leaf forced a smile back, but mentally wailed when she got a glare from Blue.
"But Gramps! What about me!" Blue cried.
"Be patient Blue! You will get the last pokémon. If I hear another complaint from you, I might just postpone your journey to next year!" the professor threatened. This managed to keep Blue shut. He glared at his grandfather.
"Now go on, Leaf. Pick your pokémon." Professor Oak urged Leaf on.
Leaf nervously walked towards the desk and glanced at the three balls. The first pokémon was a grass pokémon named bulbasaur, or so it said on the information sheet below. She glanced at the other two, which was a water pokémon and a fire pokémon, and figured bulbasaur was the best pokémon to have. One of the others was a pokémon Blue often talked about getting, and she didn't want to anger him by taking it. After all, she figured grass pokémon were probably the least dangerous of the three.
"Oh thank god! The one pokémon I didn't want!" Blue praised out loud. Oak slapped the back of his head, as Leaf blushed. She was glad she didn't take the pokémon he wanted. Maybe he won't be mad at her for getting first pick.
"Ah, so you choose bulbasaur. A good pokémon, easy to raise. So I believe it's your turn now, Red" Oak gave Leaf a nice pat on the back.
Red stepped forward, giving Blue a cheeky smirk, before analyzing the two pokémon before him. Leaf noticed that Blue was watching Red carefully.
Red eyed the two pokémon carefully, thinking hard on what to get. His hand hovered over the two pokéballs for a while, before he stopped over one. The fire pokémon.
"Don't!" Blue gasped. Red ignored him and grabbed the pokéball, showing it to Professor Oak.
"Yes. Good choice charmander. Now, you need patience to take care of this pokémon, but in the end it will prove to be a good choice." Oak nodded approvingly of Red's choice.
"Dammit Red! You took that pokémon knowing it was what I wanted!" Blue growled. Leaf felt really bad for him. It wasn't fair of Red to take that particular pokémon just to irk Blue.
"I would never make a choice on a pokémon just to make you mad! That would be really stupid. You weren't the only one who wanted charmander. I wanted him too." Red snapped at the spiky head. Blue growled at him angrily.
"Blue, quit complaining! Squirtle isn't a bad pokémon to have! He's great!" Oak placed the last pokéball in his grandson's hand. Blue frowned at the pokéball, but quickly recovered.
"Whatever. It doesn't matter what pokémon I have! I'll be the best with any pokémon!" Blue boasted. He then looked at Red with a big grin on his face.
"Hey! Let's check out our pokémon in a battle!" Blue pointed at Red. Red smirked, and turned his red baseball cap backwards, in acceptance.
"Whoa you two! Not in the lab! Go outside!" Oak got between the two. Blue only grunted before walking out of the lab, Red following behind him.
Oak sighed and looked at Leaf with a weary smile. Leaf smiled back, nervously holding the ball in her hand.
"Well, it looks like those two are out. That leaves you to do a favor for me." Oak shook his head. Leaf felt her stomach turn once again. She was already going to have to start her journey? She felt really overwhelmed at the moment from just getting a pokémon. She wasn't ready for this.
"Um, what is it?" Leaf felt her voice quiver slightly.
"I need you to head over to Viridian for me, and at a pokémart, a parcel should be waiting for me. I want you to retrieve it for me." Leaf could feel her feet go wobbly. She was already going to leave the village? She was far from ready for anything of the sort. She just got her pokémon! How was she to know what to do in case of encountering a wild Pokémon?
"Now, it's real easy to get there. Just follow the path, and you'll be sure to hit Viridian. You may need to cross some patchy area of grass, but don't worry. Your pokémon can take them on." Oak said, assuring her. Leaf gulped. She was going to have to do this.
"Uh, take what on?" Leaf asked when Professor Oak never explained what he meant.
"Wild pokémon, what else could I have meant?" Oak arched an eyebrow. Leaf blushed in embarrassment. Sometimes she didn't quite follow things.
"Um, what moves does bulbasaur know?" Leaf quickly changed the topic. Oak nodded approvingly.
"Good question. This bulbasaur is a level 5 and so knows tackle and growl." the professor thought before answering. Leaf nodded before saying goodbye, glad to get out of the lab.
"Squirtle! Tackle!" Leaf heard Blue yell out when she got outside. Right in front of the lab, Blue and Red were fighting with their pokémon. Leaf watched in awe at the two pokémon in battle. They were both so strong. She looked at the pokéball in her hand, wondering what her bulbasaur was going to be like.
Leaf sighed and began to make her way to Route one. When she reached the small, but menacing pathway, she looked out at the wilderness. It was breezy and seemingly empty. Chills ran down Leaf's spine as she felt that she was being watched. Deciding to let out her pokémon for company, she released her bulbasaur.
The blue little creature, when released, yawned loudly then looked around his surroundings. He looked up at Leaf with big red eyes. He waited expectantly.
"Um, hi. My name is Leaf. Um, I'm going to be your partner." Leaf bowed in embarrassment. "It is nice to meet you, uh." Leaf stopped. What was she going to call the bulbasaur. Just bulbasaur? Or was she to make a name up for the pokémon?
"Bulba." The Pokémon simply stated. Leaf looked at the pokémon, and smiled. That sounded like a good name to her.
"Ok. Bulba. It's nice to meet you Bulba." Leaf put out her hand. Suddenly two little vines shot out from the Pokémon's back sprout. Leaf was startled at first, but then noticed how it gently waved at Leaf, as if to say it wanted to shake. Leaf obligingly took one of the vines and shook it. Bulba jumped in happiness then nudged against Leaf's leg. Leaf felt so flattered and happy. Perhaps this journey wouldn't be so bad.
"Um, so Bulba, we have to go to Viridian City, so we will be walking through this clearing. Ok?" Leaf asked it. It cried out, saying it understood. Leaf felt so much more at ease. Maybe she would be ok with this.
Leaf was panicking. She found herself facing a rattata ten minutes into walking down the path on route one. She and Bulba were just peacefully walking when this rattata just jumped at them. It also didn't help that Bulba was hiding behind Leaf in fear as well. What was she supposed to do?
Leaf looked at the Rattata, who looked back at her menacingly. Leaf looked at Bulba pleadingly. "Please use tackle on it or something?" but Bulba shook his head in fright. What was she going to do now? Professor Oak had never told her that her pokémon might be scared to fight as well.
Suddenly something blue and red flashed before her. When her vision cleared, she realized she saw a squirtle and charmander before her. They were in a battle stance, ready to fight the rattata.
"Really! A rattata! This is just too easy!" Blue stepped forward, with Red behind him. Leaf blushed, but calmed down in relief. She was going to be ok with these two being here.
The rattata, startled by the appearance of the two pokémon and blue's confident outburst, ran away in fright. Bulba relaxed again when it left.
"Wow Leaf. You're pokémon is real sad if it can't even defend you from a rattata! How pathetic!" Blue sneered. Leaf looked down in embarrassment and disappointment to herself. This was her fault. If she had showed some confidence and bravery, then Bulba wouldn't have been frightened. He was just scared because his owner was scared.
There was a quiet pause with Leaf sulking, Red not saying anything, Bulba glowering at Blue, and Blue beginning to feel the awkward silence.
"Ah, well its ok. I guess not EVERYONE can be as awesome as I am! You'll probably get better soon though." Blue gave Leaf a pat on the shoulder.
"R-really!" Leaf suddenly shot him a hopeful look, eyes all sparkling. Blue was taken back a bit.
"Uh, sure." Blue pulled his hand back, making Leaf realize that it was on her. She froze up in shock. How did she not notice his glorious hands touching her?
"So let's move on you lovebirds." Red grumbled, walking back on the path. Leaf felt like fainting. Did he just call them love birds? She felt like her dream was coming true. Blue rushed to get ahead while Leaf was too busy in her little fantasies.
When Leaf finally snapped back into reality, she found Bulba staring at her curiously, glancing back at the boys every once in a while as they were beginning to get farther away.
"Oh. Those people are my…" Leaf blushed at the image of the seductive Blue in her head. She gushed in embarrassment. When she looked down, she realized that Bulba was no longer there. She saw him trotting after Blue and Red, leaving Leaf behind. Leaf ran after the group when she realized she'd be alone if she didn't catch up.
A/N: So how was it? Give me some critiques and comments, even if you just wanted to say you absolutely hated it. I really loved the way I portrayed the characters, not to be cocky, but mainly because it's how I always imagined them to be. I guess I'd naturally be biased. I always imagined Leaf to be a ditzy fan-girl (of Blue), Blue to be a egotistical asshole (well that's actually how he is lol) and Red to be a suave aloof character. Oh, but I really love Bulba, Charmander and Squirtle, but you'll have to wait for the next chapter to understand why.
Before I go, I would like to give credit to my awesome pal, Karra. She got excited with me on the idea and also looked over and edited my horrible grammar. Plus she's inspired me to actually feel like this is an actual worthy story.