Author Note:
Happy 17th Pokémon Anniversary!
Now onto business everyone… First off, I just want to point out that I have never posted a fanfic before and never had any intention to make one; due to the fact that I am more of a reader than a writer… but then I became inspired by several other fanfics and their authors. So I decided to pull out an old story I had created from countless generations of idea building, and before I knew it, Systematic Fate was born.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to PokéSpe and the sort. (I'm sure you all can tell what is mine and what's not mine).
Prologue:
This story takes place in an alternative universe, one that is pulled away from that of the Pokéverse. A world eternally conflicted by two formidable factions; Science and Magic. Of the whole entire human population, around 80% have been estimated to having a potential power. However about 60% of them have the ability to demonstrate such power, and while the other 20% remains to be seen. This leaves the leftover 20% without any sort of special abilities, what we would commonly refer to as the normal-everyday human being.
Chapter 1
Trouble Was When It All Began
Viridian City
Sometime at night…Maybe around 11:00 p.m.?
I stood panting next to a broken lamp post, looking down on the stone hard ground. This is a problem that would never normally happen to me. I'm caught in a situation where I happen to find myself running around town being chased as though I were a fugitive. At the moment, I was running straight through a little park complete with its very own children's playground, and decided to wait here to cover myself amongst the park's trees from the shimmering moonlight. Catching my breath, I once again peered over in all directions to look out for my pursuer. Suddenly the lamp post flickered on…Bad Luck!
Like that I turned into an Olympic athlete and sprinted for a new record, running down an empty street. A little huffing and puffing as I raced, there was a sign that was posted nearby. It read: Route 22. That's west of Viridian I thought. Why Me!?
I, Red of Pallet Town, have been spending my day so miserably that all I could ever think was that the world wanted to dispose of me. I just couldn't understand why this would all be happening to me; it seemed like any other day that I spent. I wasn't doing anything wrong.
About less than a mile out I stopped and fell to my knees; maybe that crazy guy would stop chasing me if I ran this far. "Man, I hope I finally lost him."
"Jeez, what are you doing?" A voice from behind had startled me.
I turned to meet my reaper. Walking with one hand in his pocket was a boy like me who donned a purple shirt, black pants, and brown boots. Around his neck was a necklace, and his hair was brown in a spiky-flame fashion. It was dark and we were outside of town with nothing much but the shimmering light of the moon.
"You should've just turned yourself in, instead of running away," he said putting a hand behind his head. "That way it would've saved me the time and effort of having to clean up, myself." Putting that hand down I noticed electricity sparked from it.
Getting up I smiled. "I should've known running away from you would be impossible if you followed me all the way to the outskirts of Viridian City."
"Yes, you should have," he agreed. "Now since you didn't make the right choice, loser." Brown-Hair lifted one hand up. "And because I am not as nice as the cops, I will make sure you'll never be able to run off again." Instantly, he threw his hand forward and zapping a ball of electricity at me!
BOOM!
Pallet Town: My House
Earlier that day…Ring, ring! 10:30 a.m. :(
"Uh," I moaned. "Ring, ring, ring!" I sat up in bed, scanning my room. That was an amazing sleep, but to bad I didn't dream of anything though, or at least I don't remember anything in particular. I thought. "Ring, ring!" Feeling a bit dazed, the sunlight was shining through my window… I must have overslept. "Ring!" I rolled over to the edge of my bed and stared blankly at my alarm clock before giving a quick tap. "Late…"
Just so you know my mornings are usually like this. But it's not like I don't attempt to wake up early or anything, as you can see from the constant ringing of my alarm clock, however the problem is that my body is sort of set on a bunch of snooze buttons before I finally have the true urge to get up. And afterwards, for the rest of the morning I would move through the practical sequence of what you might call "getting ready".
First off I hit the bathroom for a quick shower (in order to snap myself out of "zombie mode"), and top myself off by combing my hair; the best has to look his best after all. I would then step out wearing a red hat placed backwards, red and white jacket plus sneakers, black t-shirt with blue jeans. Next is for me to head downstairs to the kitchen for…cereal I guess; I ran out of pre-set pancake mix. Then finally walk outside to begin my day…But no walking today, because I got to run!
"Oh, no, I'm late!" I cried out loud. "I knew I should've slept earlier." Dashing across Pallet Town, I didn't even bother catching my breath. Luckily around here, cars rarely pass by or are even present in town. This was mainly so because Pallet Town is an area neither contaminated nor polluted by smog or other toxins in the air, due to how it is very much unindustrialized. With that sprinting to my destination was a cinch, until I heard a fatal cry of distress, "Ah! She bit me!" Over on some grass, a group of four kids were surrounded by another group, consisting of tall men in black uniforms.
"Why you little snot!" shouted one of the guys, who's finger was clenched by the mouth of a little girl. "Let go of me!" He tossed the girl into the ground. Two other boys tried to come to her aid, but were walled off by the thugs.
Seeing this, I just had to of course be this town's awesome hero and save those kids. "Step away from the ki- oof," I got bashed and landed on the ground. Lying there I could hear the laughter of the bullies.
"HAHAH," went on one of them. "Nice fall maggot. You better know whatcha messin with first!" he laughed.
"Alright guys, that's enough fun and games. Let's head back to the rendezvous point," another one commanded, and they then walked off.
"Red!" shouted the kids. "Are you okay?" came from one of them.
Sitting up I announced, "Of course I am!"
"You sure?" asked another.
"Looks like they tackled you hard," claims a different one.
"Well I planned it the whole time," I reassured them. "I just didn't want to feel sad for them if I were to have really given them a piece of me," I laughed it off hoping they would buy my reason.
"That's awesome Red!" they cheered. From there I was basking in my glory, until one of them said, "So where were you running to, Red?"
"Yikes," I jumped. "I had completely forgotten! I'm LATE!" and once again ran like the wind.
Pallet Town: At the Town's Edge
11:30 p.m.
I stood in front of a large house on the border of town. "I hope I'm not in trouble," I gulped and gave the doorbell a ring. After a couple of seconds I thought there might be no one home and was about to give it one last buzz when the door flew open.
"Where have you been!?" yelled a man standing inside. He was wearing a purple shirt tucked into brown pants, a lab coat with black socks firmly settled into purple slippers. "YOU"RE LATE!"
"Okay, okay I already know that," I tried to defend from anymore reasons for him to keep on telling me off. "I've already said it more times than I could even remember today. I just want to know what job you have for me Professor Oak."
"Ha, if you didn't give me an excuse like that I would have already fired you," he claimed. "But it's a good thing you're eager because I need you to pick something up for me in Viridian City."
"You're sending me to Viridian?"
"Yes, a parcel that was delivered to a resident mart," the professor confirmed. "You just need to catch a bus and pick it up."
"Alright then, I won't fail you professor!" I assured him. Leaving the front steps I went over to one of the only bus stations in town, which was nearby since it's actually placed to the near exit of town.
Viridian City: Bus Stop
3:00 p.m.
"Thanks for the ride," I said to the bus driver. I got out to the bus stop, which unlike in Pallet Town was located more inside of the city itself. Walking in the right direction, I began pointing out differences between this city and Pallet Town. This would include having concrete streets instead of dirt, or brick walls surrounding buildings. Thinking about buildings I noticed there were some big ones set off a bit in the distance. "Let's see," I looked at a slip of paper with the address of the store written on it. "It should be a few blocks away, on the right, after I turn here." Turning the corner I noticed a little blonde girl kneeling over to an outstretched lump on the ground. "What's going on?" I wondered as I ran over to check out the situation. "Is everything alright?" I asked when I got there.
"He's not feeling well," stated the tiny blonde.
"He?" Not sure what she meant at first until I finally realized the blonde was referring to the lump on the ground, which really wasn't a lump at all, but an old man lying face down on the ground. "Oh, uh… let's flip him over first and get him off the street." As I dragged him onto the sidewalk I asked the girl, "So what happened here?"
"I'm not sure," her voice sounded very innocent. "I was just walking to the park when I found him here a minute before you came by."
Passed the curb I held his back up a bit. The old man moaned, "Uh…"
"Looks like he's coming to," I said.
With his eyes barely peeked open, he turned his head over to me, and whispered with a very raspy and dry voice, "Come closer, boy." I raised an eyebrow at his strange request, but because I was worried, I obeyed. "I need…I need…" he desperately spoke.
"What, what do you need?" I cried.
"…a cup…of coffee…"
I dropped my arms. "That's not funny you old geezer, you had me worried sick!"
"Oh come on you, youngster," he argued with a surprisingly clear voice. "Don't you know a man can't go about his day without his cup of coffee?"
"Nope, I'm out of here." I declared ending the conversation.
"Please sir, I can't leave him here and just walk away," begged the girl.
I sighed. "Okay, okay! Just wait here. I'll go get you some coffee, old man, but I'm not doing it for you but for her," I pointed to the blonde and started running.
"Wait!" the geezer shouted.
"What?" I turned.
"Make it a double shot of espresso!" he added.
"Alright! I got it!" I yelled and sprinted off as fast as I can before he could possibly add more.
Viridian City: A Convenience Store
I rushed right passed the sliding doors and was greeted by the sales clerk, "Hey! You came from Pallet Town, right?" I walked over to him. "Professor Oak sent you?" I nodded. "His order had come in this morning. Here, do take it back to him." The clerk handed me the parcel.
Alright, now I can check Oak's Parcel off my list, I concluded. Now I just need the coffee. I scanned the shop. It's a good thing the delivery had been at a convenience store (Isn't that just convenient itself?). I went over to the make-it-yourself aisle. Where there was a microwave, a soda machine, and a coffee maker. I grabbed one of the Styrofoam cups and a popped a couple of coins into the machine. Pressed the double espresso button and capped the cup with a drinking lid.
I was about to make my way back to the geezer and little, until I walked out of the sliding doors, I almost ran her over. "Agh!" I shouted. "What are you doing here?" I asked surprised.
"The man said you took too long, and he couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to wait there with him, but he told me to go get you instead," she replied innocently. "He also said that you may have decided to run off, so I had to go check just in case."
I really wanted to go into a fit of hysteria for how this old man is making me feel, but thought it was best not to make a scene in front of such innocent eyes, "Oh…well," I looked away. "Um, here's the coffee," handing her the hot drink. "Go back and give it to him."
"But what about you?"
"Well, if he asks about me," I doubted. "Let him know that you saw me sneak out of the convenience store, in order to avoid getting him any coffee. And so if he hears of how you went through the trouble of getting the coffee yourself, he will become very proud and happy that you were able to do it instead of me.
Hesitant at first, but managed an, "Okay."
We both said our goodbyes and departed. Now then let's get back to Pallet Town.
Pallet Town: Outside Oak Research Lab
6:50 p.m.
I rang the doorbell. Ding Dong! No answer. I was sure he didn't say he was going to be gone. "Anybody home? Hello! Professor Oak, I'm back with your delivery as I said I would!" I shouted out. I tried to turn the doorknob, "Huh?! It's open!" The door creaked as I stepped in. Wasn't sure why, but before I knew I was tiptoeing my way through the place; it was mostly likely due to the eerie mood the building gives off. This was one of the seldom times I've ever been inside, but this is the first time alone…or at least I think I'm alone. The professor is going to be really mad at me for coming in here, but then again he can't really expect me to wait outside, the sun was about to set.
In the main room there was a bunch of things to expect from a lab such as strange machinery, open books, and scattered papers… not to mention the smell of coffee. I set the parcel down on the tile ground and stretched out on a nearby sofa. Staring at the ceiling, I wondered how much I'm going to be paid for this. Well, I walked into the lab unwelcomed, but once again he never told me he was going to be gone nor did he leave me a note. I continued to gather my thoughts. He sent all the way to Viridian City, so that was a pretty long trip. Unfortunately though I overslept today, thus I was not on time. "Darn that's an even score," I mumbled to myself. I rolled over on to my chest, and stared at the lone parcel on the ground. Hmm, if there was something that needs to be built inside that box, and if he finds that I was able to put it together, then he'll probably pay me extra. I smiled to myself.
Zwip! I cut the duct tape open. I opened up the lid to reveal the contents within, and came upon a pool of Styrofoam balls. I dug my hands through to hopefully scoop up anything useful; taking out two red square devices. "What are these?" I said to myself curiously. Maybe there are other parts inside? So I dug into the box again.
"What are you doing here?" demanded a voice from behind. The shout surprised me causing me to drop the gizmos into the box. I turned towards the voice, and there stood a boy with green eyes. "So," he started. "You're here to steal another one, huh?" he interrogated in a voice that sounded as if he had caught me committing a crime I've already done twice.
"What?" I said dumbfounded.
"Don't play games with me!" Green-Eyes roared. "I know that you and a couple of your pals were sneaking around the lab earlier today."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Man, this guy is nuts, I resolved.
"It doesn't matter now that I caught," he stated. Uh, who caught who? I thought. "Because now I'm going to call the authorities, so stay put you thief."
"THIEF!" I barked in anger. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing?"
"You were the one who stepped in here without a proper invitation." My accuser stepped forward.
"It was getting dark outside, and the door happened to be open," I tried to defend myself. "Plus no one answered the door, and I know it may sound a bit suspicious, but yes I did decide to go inside."
"So you do take responsibility for?" the inquired as if trying to get me to say something he wants me to.
"Well yes, I do," I agreed leaning back a bit.
I guess that was a bad thing to say though, because he stood back and smiled in triumph. "Good, then sit down while I call the cops."
"What!?" I yelped. He began to reach for a nearby phone. "Didn't you hear what I just said?"
He picked up the phone and started to dial numbers, "Yes, I did. You had agreed that you broke into the lab, and so you're guilty as charged."
"Agh! Put that phone down!" First the boy took a huge sigh and did so. "I am innocent I tell you! Innocent!"
"Really then?" he questioned raising an eyebrow. "If so, then why were you shuffling through boxes that don't belong to you?" brown-hair pointed to the opened parcel and continued his way towards me.
"Well, uh…I," I stumbled. I was not sure how to explain to this guy why I was going the through the parcel without making myself look like the bad guy or much rather silly.
"Just what I would've expected," he concluded.
"W…Wait, N-No…I…I mean…I." Stuttering I began to back away from him. Darn it, why am I getting all nervous for, I tried to add up. Wait! That's right! I'm not the bad guy here; I shouldn't be holding anything back. Before I could let out the truth, I tripped on a pile of books on the ground and landed forward towards one of the machines. "Waaa…" My locked elbow hooked onto a lever, this continued with me to pulling down said lever, causing an alarm to screech. "RIIIIIiiiiiinnnngg, RIIIIIiiiiiinnnngg, RIIIIIiiiiiinnnngg!"
"Nice, going idiot," said the punk complementing on my fall.
"Wh-Wh-Wh-?!" I double took three times on both sides; trying to understand what is going on. "What did I do?!" I stressed out.
"Don't worry about it," the boy reassured. He wandered to an office chair and sat down. "All you did was activate an emergency alarm. In which, will signal the cops to come over here for me." He leaned on one hand supported by the armrest. "So they can come and arrest you, of course."
"No!" I jumped. "This can't be happening to me!" And as fast as I could I tried to dash right out of the room, but my jacket was caught by the boy. "Ah, let go of me!" I struggled.
"Oh, no you don't, thief!" he yelled. "RIIIIIiiiiiinnnngg, RIIIIIiiiiiinnnngg!"
"But I'm not …! I'm sorry I came into the lab uninvited…I'm sorry I was rummaging through the box!" I pulled forward trying to break free from his grip. "But I can't go to jail!" Maybe I was being a bit hysterical at the time and panicked, but I definitely had to get this guy off of me. So I retaliated with a round-house kick. Unfortunately he leapt back, dodging the assault and kept his green eyes glaring at me. I made distant eye contact, taking a deep breath before I spoke as calmly as I could, "You have to believe me. I am not this thief you are talking about." I tried to sound as convincing as I could, but then how is that even possible if you are already telling the truth.
He continued his glare. "Alright, maybe you're not a thief… or a trespasser, who snuck in uninvited…but I do know you're the one who just attacked me." "RIIIIIiiiiiinnnngg!"
I staggered back, frozen, my eyes widened as though I were just caught in yet another act. You got to be kidding me, I contemplated. I just became this guy's enemy. And with that realization, I bolted right through the screaming at the top of my lungs, "IT WAS ALL IN SELF-DEFENSE!"
I did not give a second thought on looking back, so I wasn't sure if the guy was chasing behind me or not. And the whole entire running-for-my-life sequence became mostly a blur. I could recall jumping down the steps, and out of the Oak Property, but I just kept going and going. The thing was that I didn't run home (probably because I had a vision replaying through my mind; about an army of cops in front of my house and some random guy from an up above helicopter shouting, "We have you completely surrounded! Come out with your hands in the air!"), but instead I ran for the bus station. This was a lucky decision on my part, because there actually was a bus about to drive off, and so fortunately I made it on; which brings me seated in an empty bus, regurgitating everything that just happened to me.
And since the bus is empty, doesn't that mean I'm safe? I gazed outside the dark window, it was definitely night time. There's no way Green-Eyes could have catch up with me now, right? And even so, what do should I now? Does this make me a fugitive? Or a target for him?
Viridian City: Bus Stop
10:40 p.m.
The bus halted to a stop in Viridian City. I made my way to the exit, but just as I was about to step down the bus driver stopped me, "Kid are you okay? This is your second trip to Viridian, today. Do you need any help? I could call the police for you if you want?" I groaned at his attempts to help me out (even though any of those things would just make my situation even worse), and got off the bus. "Okay, suit yourself." I heard.
I took a good breath of the outside air as the bus departed, until I heard something drop from behind me that made me jump. Turned to see a sight that made my skin crawl, and hear the voice that twisted my insides, "You should have let him call the police." It was my pursuer; he followed me all the way here. I could just imagine him hanging out on top of the bus like some sort of assassin.
"How did you catch up to me?" I pointed at him.
He shrugged a reply, "I simply waited on the roof of the bus." I was right…
"Then why didn't you attack me then?" I wondered.
Green-Eyes sighed, "Because genius, if I caused a commotion on the bus, than I would get in trouble as well."
"Well would just stop following me, I told you I'm-
"Not the thief I am talking about," he interrupted. "I know that already." His glare pierced right into my eyes. "Except this is no longer a concern for the police department, but rather a mess I must clean up."
I just knew it, this guy is crazy. "Alright, this is how it is. Let's start this game of cat and mouse."
He continued to glare at me, but then angled his eyes to a clock located under the bus sign. "Hmph, you have five minutes."
The time limit had fazed me. "Five minutes? Isn't that a bit long?"
Still keeping his eyes on the clock, he put on a smirk, "It won't be difficult to catch you."
A desire to prove him wrong I did a quick stretch with my legs, "Well that's quite a lot of confidence you got there. But I shouldn't be the one to complain, since you were able to hitch a ride on top of a bus without me noticing." He frowned at this. In return I gave him a smile of determination. And since there was no time to lose I made my way towards town.
Viridian City
It's probably 11:00 p.m. by now…
Even though I was the one who declared this game, five minute did go by really quickly, because I was very sure he had already started chasing me. Coincidentally I had basically back-tracked my way through town as I did earlier that day. From the convenience store, to where I met the geezer and little girl, now I knew there was a need of a change in course towards a nearby park. Which had resulted in utter failure, for what was an attempt to catch my breath amongst the dark shade of the trees, had only given me what I'd guess was only a minute. Now I had no other choice but to run to the outskirts of town, west of Viridian City, just in case things were about to get ugly. This is where I end up falling to my knees, in utter defeat at the game of "Cat and Mouse".
East of Viridian City (Route 22)
It was dark and we were outside of town with nothing much but the shimmering light of the moon. I sat crouched on my knees staring at my reaper. He was jabbering on about how 'I should have turned myself in'; But I sort of muted this part out though. Funny, I'm rather impressed by this guy's efforts; he followed me all the way out here, and he's still going at it. I stood up smiling, and decided to give him props for the successful effort he had made chasing me all the way outside of Viridian City.
"Yes, you should have," he agreed. "Now since you didn't make the right choice, loser." Green-Eyes lifted one hand up. "And because I am not as nice as the cops, I will make sure you'll never be able to run off again." Instantly, he threw his hand forward and zapping a ball of electricity at me!
BOOM!
That blast had sort of taken me by surprise. Smoke had dispersed up into the air, and chunks of gravel cement from the road flew in all directions. The smell was a bit pungent and unpleasant, a very familiar electric smell, like some sort of home-chemical odor. Quickly I managed to gather a breath of fresh air, and then spoke. "You know it's not really a battle, if you try to take advantage of your opponent when their guard is down."
I could hear he a bit of astonishment from his voice, "What!?"
"You could have at least waited for me to get ready for a brawl," I added with a smile.
"How did you survive my attack?" He went back to his calm stature. "Unless you're also a-
"An esper!" I completed. "It's true." I held out my hand, revealing to him a disposable lighter. This was an awesome attempt to show off, and reveal just how cool I am.
For a moment he had his eyes on the flame-producing tool, but then spoke in a bit of a superior tone, "You can't possibly scare me with your skills." This caused me to hesitate a little. "Seeing that since you still require a lighter, that would mean you are only a Level 1 Esper." He was sadly right about this.
My thoughts dropped at the words of statement, and stared blankly at the device. It's true I am only a Level 1 Esper, but I can't let his words bring me down. "I might not look like much, as I am." I declared. "But this is all I'll need to defeat you!" Charging at him, I roared, "I'm already the strongest in Pallet Town, next I'll be the strongest in Kanto, and then I'll be the strongest esper in the world!"
Taking a final step forward, a foot away from him, I aimed my fist for his face. But suddenly he dropped completely backwards to avoid the blow, and had one of his feet locked behind my forward heel. Swiftly he swept with that same leg, and before I knew, I was brushed right off my two feet and was flipped onto the ground.
Now on the very cement ground I had declared my dreams on, I made sure I kept eye contact, so not to lose sight of my opponent. Strangely yet annoyingly, he stood there staring at me in pity. This boiled my blood the most, he saw me as an inferior challenger. Instantly, I threw myself back onto my feet, and came at him once more. Main objective was to get this guy back for his insulting gaze. Bad news soon occurred in my head, my barrage of attacks kept on missing; he dodged every punch and kick I forced upon him. That thought had caused me to slow down, allowing my enemy to catch my arm and judo-flip me across the road.
Though only further angered, I laid on the ground staring up at the night sky. There were now a herd of clouds floating by; my pounding heart had then slowed down. This is what he wants me to do. I'm just not fighting straight. I laughed, mused at these thoughts. "Say… What's your name?"
"That's none of your business," he replied.
"Hahaha! Okay then, 'That's-none-of-your-business'…" I rose, renewed in confidence. "My name is Red, the strongest fighter you'll ever face." I gazed back up at the vastness of the night. Clouds had dispersed revealing stars twinkling in the sky. "Sorry about my performance so far." I paused for a moment, soaking up every star within my sight, and finally turned back at him. "I had forgotten to keep my head straight and the will to fight, but now I can give it all I got."
"It doesn't matter how much confidence you put in fighting me, you won't be able beat me either way." He assured.
Heh…You won't be able to shoot my thoughts down this time. I screamed and made a gallant rush, causing my worthy adversary to prepare for an attack. But instead of repeating my mistakes, I shifted completely 90 degrees to the left, up a scaling grass hillside. The street was actually placed on a large sloping hillside, with a large pond near the bottom. Alright, now I have the higher ground. I stared down at him with greater prestige.
On his face he gave me that old piercing glare, as though he were trying to figure me out. That won't help you this time. It's show time! I grabbed my lighter, keeping my left arm extended, flicked out a flame. With the right hand I pulled it close enough to feel the heat resonating in my empty palm. Concentrating at the pure source of the fire (not the lighter itself, but the core of the flame), I willed it with my strength and as a result, it grew as relatively large as Green-Eyes's head. Step-by-step, flicked the lighter off, a flame continued to blaze in the grasp of my right hand. Completing the sequence, I targeted my adversary, and pitched at 85 mph.
He totally knew had it coming for him though, and reacted by pulling out some electricity from one of his hands. Not bad, I discreetly complemented. But, why is he only using one hand? Actually, why is he using the same hand, and keeping the other one in his pockets? Unless…!
Before I could continue analyze this thought, Green-Eyes began to start his counterattacks with bolts of lightning. I carefully maneuvered side to side in order to dodge his lightning spears, making sure I don't slip and roll downhill. I need to keep him busy as well.
"Clink! Clink! Clink!" I volleyed a fireball over for every 'clink' that came before it. Dodge, clink, fire! Were the instructions I played over and over. Additionally it didn't seem to stop him from mirroring my movements as well; we were practically in perfect symmetry. Our light show was soon interrupted after 5 minutes, when my repeated steps went 'Fire, dodge, clunk!' I had run out of fuel to ignite my flames. Bad luck…again!
Without any fuel, my lighter was practically useless. This misfortune did not stop him though, who continues to fire more bolts of lightning. My predicament met with more failures, due to me slipping on my feet and sliding downhill. I hit the pavement only to be met by more lightning fury, so what do I do? My answer: Go downhill once more. Landing onto the shores of a large pond, I rotate over to find Green-Eyes no longer above on the roadside. I scanned the shore for him, but something on the ground caught my attention.
"It seems you have lost your ability to throw fireballs," he says, now appearing on the shores a several feet away. "That means you can no longer fight me at your best," he concludes. "You've lost, Red." And nonchalantly taunts me with flashy sparks of lightning in his hands.
"I guess you may be right," I reluctantly agreed. "But I prefer to say I'm at a disadvantage, rather than at a complete loss." I added.
"Tch..."
"So then why do you fight me with one hand?" I asked. "Is it because you believe you only need one hand to beat me?"
"That part is true, but I guess there's no reason to hide it, since I've won." He took out his other hand to reveal a pair of batteries. Bingo… He's a Level 1 Esper as well.
"I'll have to disagree with you on one thing though. Because you're wrong, I haven't loss yet," I declared. "After all, I'm still up. Aren't I?"
Just as planned, he throws me another shot of lightning. And as a reflex, I dove into a barrel-roll over my previously found object, a packet of matches. Each stick was one fireball. A quick flick of the wrist, I managed to fling a fireball half the usual size. As expected of his reflexes he barely dodged it, but had dropped the batteries, and landed into the pond.
"Ha, very clever," he said very annoyed. He got up dripping wet, and slowing made his way back to shore.
I took out four matches and scattered them across the slope of the hill, causing a wall of fire to ensue. "Next time, don't try to get so overly confident about who has the greater advantage in a fight. Or even more so, when you try to act all greater over others, whose level of skill is just like yours. Specifically speaking, when you're a Level 1 Esper just like me," I preached.
"A Level 1 Esper, huh?" he said solemnly. He bent down to pick up the dropped batteries. I didn't stop, because water conducts electricity. And he is all soaking wet. I've won this one. "You're right." Green-Eyes stood up straight. "You shouldn't get overly confident about who has the greater advantage in a fight," he reiterated. "That would also include you." Suddenly he rushes towards the fire; I noticed he threw a single battery as he charged causing an explosion that would leave small momentary opening within the wall.
But as quickly as I could process his movement, he came back around the flame, using the downwards momentum of the hill to accelerate back towards me. I jumped back, flicking another match. Still advancing, he sends his other battery at me. Stupid on my part, I saw it as an attack, and threw my match at the diversion, causing an explosion. Now it was my turn to take a bath as I was sent tumbling back, leaving my lower body submerged into the pond.
Continuing his way forward, he lifts up his hand, surprising me with a flow of electricity discharging around it. Oh no! He's going straight for the water, but that should also electrocute him as well though? So he has got to stop. But he didn't stop, and dove straight towards the water. He's still going for it…I have no other choice then. As my last attempt to end this, I shot my last match, but not aimed at him. I fired right under him…where I had left my lighter on the mushy ground.
Whether he gets to me first with his hand, it doesn't matter. My lone lighter will finish him in the end, anyways. But before either of us could get any results, a sudden wave crashed onto both of us. It quickly brought us lying on the shore of the miniature lake. I coughed at some of the water I had accidently swallowed. "Where did that come from?" I started.
"What are you two doing?" coming from a voice of a rather frustrated old man. He was leaning forward; his front being below the light of the moon, and so he mainly looked like a tall shady figure.
"Grandpa?" I heard announced by my opponent. Wait this guy has a grandpa?
"Red what are you doing here? He questioned. How does this guy know my name?
I was silent for a moment, and just stared at him; trying to figure him out. But when he stood straight up and light hit his face, I was surprised for who I was looking at. "Professor Oak!?" What are you doing here?"
"I just asked you that," he replied.
I was then in total shock, "Wait you're this guy's grandpa?" I pointed right next to me.
"Why yes I am," the professor gladly confirmed. This made me feel as though I was born yesterday, like as though I was just getting to know people. "And Green, could you explain to me why no one was protecting the lab? And why the emergency alarm was gone? And why my parcel was open?"
He had barraged his grandson with so many questions, that if it were me, I would've exploded on the spot. And just to top it all off… "So your name's Green?" I ventured to say.
This got up him glaring at me again. I was expecting a punch or something from him, but instead he just pointed at me and stated, "He did it."
The professor casted an awful gaze at me, one that would've froze the sun. I fell into a state of panic. But with nothing else to say I innocently smiled and let out, "It was getting dark…"
Thankfully the Professor just let out a huge sigh and walked away. Green got up and paced near the water's edge searching for something. When I had diverted my attention away from him, I was astonished at how many police were investigating the area. I must've been so frightened at what Professor Oak might've said or done that I did not realize there were a lot of cops moving around as well. I then made an attempt to get up, but when you get thrashed by a single wave after fighting with an equally sized opponent who can shoot out lightning from his fingertips, you should expect your bones to have cracked somewhere.
Luckily two medical adults came over and helped me up; they walked me carefully up the hill and to their ambulance. "It was good thing you didn't suffer any major injuries," I heard them say. So they just let me sit on the back entrance of the vehicle. From there, I just sat and watched all the commotion that was going on. Cops were moving from place to place; it was like as if a murder scene had taken place or something. Plus they even put out the wall of fire I had caused before. I then noticed two other medical workers went over to Green, and tried to help him. I couldn't hear him say it due to the distance and all, but I could tell he was telling them to shoo. What's even funnier was that they were offering to put him onto a stretcher, but then they gave up and fled after he lit up some electricity from his body. That reminds, how-
"Mr. Red, we have a few questions for you." Two cops had approached me while I was unaware of their presence. I was guessing they were standing there for a while though.
"Uh, sure. What do you need?" I allowed.
"Where were you on the day of today?"
I wasn't even sure if that was a valid question. "If you mean what I was doing here, I could tell you that." The cops nodded. So I told them all about the breaking in misunderstanding, the long chase, and our little street fight."
"Thank you, Mr. Red. That is all we needed to hear." I would've thought they would arrest me for all the trouble I had caused, but they seemed to have shrugged it off; as though there was something else on their minds. I wonder if something strange has happened. The professor was acting very weird as well. Maybe I should just ask him.
My thoughts were once again interrupted by a female voice. I turned around and met eyes with a girl who looked very tomboyish. As a quick description, her hair had stuck out the most: her hairstyle is a side ponytail which sticks out on the left side of her head. She wore a red-orange tank top with small shoulder straps, and blue short shorts. "You look very beat up." She handed me a folded towel and a cup of hot chocolate. I gladly took the items from her hands, wrapping the towel around me to dry myself off, and taking a sip of the warm drink. "You must've lost pretty badly with bruises like those." She pointed.
I did a spit-take, and then whined, "I did not lose! You should've seen it for yourself… If anything it was a draw." I nodded.
"Oh I saw everything. You shot your puny fireball and missed. Then he was about to zap you into a fish stick."
"Not true! And who are you to say I was losing," I argued.
She fought back as well, "I… would be Misty. And there's no reason to be ashamed about losing to the grandson of Professor Oak."
"Hmph," I pouted. "If you really did see what I was doing, you wouldn't be saying that."
"Sore loser," she quietly commented.
I was about to lose my cool there, until Green came walking up the hill with a towel around his neck. "I take it more of a lost than, than a tie." He said.
"What are you talking about? You completely had control over him," Misty said.
"This isn't completely true." Green held out his hand, revealing the lighter I had aimed for earlier (Note: This was a Zippo Lighter). So that's what he was searching for. "Red. You were aiming this weren't you?" I confirmed this was true.
"Then you need to check up on your eyesight," Misty put in.
Green looked at her annoyed. "Anyways, when I picked this up, I noticed the top valve (where you flick the metal against the flint) was missing. I would've guessed that this was just a refillable tool, but when I look closely inside." He points to the inside of the lighter, and pulled against something the near edges of it. He reveals to us two separate containers, "There is a thin layer of spacing between the container that holds the flammable fluid and the metal armor around it."
"Meaning?" Misty got impatient.
"Meaning that in that very spacing was a small coating of gunpowder," he finished. "So if Red's flame had made directly into the lighter, the flammable fluids on the sides of the container would've caught on fire, and trigger an explosion from the gunpowder."
"Haha, told you I wasn't losing," I snickered. Tomboy gave me the stink-eye.
I would guessed that one of them would've asked me where I got such a lighter, but Green just says, "Far from losing with that possible result, and even so I once again still would have considered that fight a loss on my part." And he continued to add, "Besides…Tying with you is just as bad as losing."
Misty stuck out her tongue at me. "Hey!" I complained.
Green ignored my complaint. "You're Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader, right?"
"That's me," she posed, pledging a hand onto herself.
I was very surprised, "You're a Gym Leader!"
"The one of many," she assured.
Green came between us, before I could ask any more questions. "That means you must've been the one who caused that wave to hit us earlier." Misty did not deny this. "So then what brings you so far from your permitted boundaries," he interrogated.
"Well I was given a request by your grandfather, to come all the way here and help deliver an important package safely here in Viridian City," She explained.
"You mean the parcel," I cut in.
"Yes, how do you know about it?" she asked.
Green spoke before I could, "Because he's a thief."
"I am not a-" I was shoved aside by Green.
"It's a long grueling story," he added. I had a feeling he only said that to insult me.
"About long grueling stories, I need you two to come back to the lab with me." Came the professor from behind the ambulance. "We'll need to talk about important matters, right away." He gestured for Green and I to follow him to a police car, he stopped after a few steps and turned around, "Thank you very much for your help, Misty."
"No problem, Professor Oak." She waved goodbye.
Oak Research Lab
3:30 a.m. I probably have bags under my eyes by now…
Restless from the huge commotion that I went through, I trudged up the steps. When I got into the house, I wanted to collapse right onto the sofa I was lying on earlier. I was almost successful, until Green kept on jolting me awake with his finger. I had no choice but to force myself to stay awake, and so positioned my body upright. The bad news was that my body was so terribly sore, that I kept on slouching. The good news though, was that the hot chocolate had started to kick into my system.
"You guys made quite the mess in just one night," Professor Oak started. "The police department contacted me saying there might have been another break in," he explained "So I rushed all the way here as fast as I could. They told me the emergency lever had been pulled down, but there was no one occupying the house. So I had thought they kidnapped you, Green." There were sounds of concern in those words. "But then I noticed the parcel was open and the contents were still safely tucked inside."
"You're welcome," I said.
"Shut up, you're the one who caused all of this trouble in the first place." Green shot me down.
"That was very true, but I do take blame for telling either of you what was going on," Professor Oak said. Alright I am in the clear, I excited. But he never told Green either? "You see, I never planned to have left the lab, but a problem had occurred in Viridian City. News of a suspicious group of thugs had appeared, mentioning that they were creeping around the city. And so when I got back to the lab, I received word that the people of Viridian saw skeptical characters walking about." He continued. "Arriving there with the authorities, we were led to the sound of explosions and fighting on Route 22, which turned out to be you two. Coincidentally you two had been fighting where the shady gang had also been. But in any case, I believe they are the ones who robbed me before."
Green points out, "And it seems as though they were sneaking around here today as well."
A group of thugs? "I met a group of thugs earlier today, too," I added. They both looked at attentively. "A bunch of them were bullying kids out on the grass."
"Then it seems we will be having ourselves a bigger problem," says the professor.
"So should we call the police then?" I suggested.
"No, we can't do that yet," Green declines. "We need to be a bit discreet about this for the moment. We can't have all of Pallet Town in a huge panic for something we haven't completely confirmed yet."
"That's very much expected of my grandson," Prof. Oak said delightedly. But Green frowned at that compliment.
"What should we do now then?" I asked.
"Right, onto the main topic Grandpa," Green supported. "Why did you call me over here?"
"Of course," He agreed. "I have something for you or both of you actually." He reached into the parcel and pulled out the two red gizmos; handing each to us. "These are my latest and greatest invention. I call them the Psydex. Unfortunately they are my last two, since my first one was stolen."
I was still bewildered at the unknown objects. "What do they do?"
"Don't worry, I'll get into that after the task I have for you both," he responded. "The reason I called you back here Green, is because I require your assistance in delivering an important part for those devices."
"You want me to be your delivery boy?" Green raised an eyebrow.
"You won't be doing it alone; you'll have Red to accompany you." He added
"Wait a second, Professor Oak." I objected. "I already played as a delivery boy."
"Yes and now you are his delivery assistant." The professor backfired.
My mouth was completely open to this response. "Wait couldn't you just have it delivered to Viridian City again."
"That's too dangerous, genius," said Green.
I tossed that theory out of the window. "Fine then… But I still haven't received my pay yet."
"I'll just handle that afterwards, so I'll need you to make this travel for Me." he said back to me. I just gave up from there, because I was after all really tired. "You'll both need to go north of Cerulean City to Cerulean Cape. There, a well-known computer expert named Bill will hand you each a special chip for the Psydex. Three in total; for each of the three inventions I had made." He looked around for a moment and then whispered, "I'll take it that the thieves might not know this yet." He gave out a heavy yawn. "But it's very late right now, and you two will need at least one good day's worth of rest."
It took me a while to have processed this part but I contemplated deeply a bit before I realized. So…I'll be going on another delivery mission… I looked up at Professor Oak. To Cerulean Cape… Then I turned to stare at Green. With HIM!
Fragment from the Scientific Law:
Esper:
Espers are typically defined as simply those who wield special abilities. They are named this, after two separate words: ESP User. ESP stands for extrasensory perception, and the user refers to the one who can translate the perception through the use of their mind. Basically said ESP involves reception of vast information that flows within the human brain, those who can decipher a good portion of the code, would be known as an esper; this allows them to gain large amounts of potential power.
Author Note:
I hope you guys enjoyed this very first chapter I have ever posted. Do remember to keep in mind that this is not my first fanfic thought out though, but the first and probably only one to ever be posted. But anyways, thank you for already being able to stick it out this far, and I greatly dream you all had your time's worth. Also feel free to leave a comment, asks questions if you got any, and constructive criticism is most definitely welcomed. So bring on the critics!
Cast Commentary:
[Red is racing about inside of his messy room. He checks his clock; and panics.]
Red: So much to do, so much to bring!
[He notices the reader and turns his attention.]
Red: Oh hi guys. Sorry about the mess. I was just packing up for the upcoming long trip.
[Quickly turns around and crams a bunch of items into a suitcase.]
Red: You see. I forgot that this is the time where I am allowed to break the fourth-wall and be able to tell you guys about the next upcoming chapter and what else is going on of the sort. But the problem is I got so many things I need to bring with me, I just can't decide. Anyhow, me and Green will be traveling first to Pewter City; passing the winding maze of Viridian Forest. Next time: "Forever Found!"
[Pulls out two toothpaste bottles; one in each hand.]
Red: Now which should I bring? This one says 'best toothpaste to take around', but this one says 'best toothpaste between towns'. Hmm...between towns...around...between towns...around...
[Suitcase blows up behind, leaving clothes and other traveling essentials scattered about.]
Red: [groans] Maybe, I'll just stick to a backpack instead…