Promise of a Lifetime

Author's Note: Today is the 20th anniversary of Pokémon! I am writing this fic as a celebration of this joyous event, I hope that you will have a blast reading this, and remember our love towards the years of being a trainer!

Coming from Hong Kong, I can tell you that the Chinese forums are exploding with happiness. To Chinese Pokémon fans, having Chinese support is the best anniversary gift for them, many of them thinking this will be an unfulfilled lifelong dream. So, even though there is no gameplay shown, there are still people out there, happy with what they get, so please don't berate TPC that much. .

Of course, I should not start another story, with Autumn Leaves (an Hyperdimension Neptunia story that is like a take of the story between Atari and Nintendo, if you are interested in what it is) around, but…the 20th anniversary! This is the best day for me to get my very first Pokémon fic going! I originally get another plan for my first Pokémon fic, but this is a celebration for trainers, so… enjoy the stories of our champions, though not of all of them get a happy-ever-after, it is still a cause for celebration!

The title of this story comes from Kutless' song, Promise of a Lifetime.

Finally, I am sorry for the awfully long Author's Note. I will respectfully stop talking now.

Disclaimer: Pokémon is the property of Game Freak, Creature Inc. and Nintendo.

Chapter 1. The Silent Seeker

Some people call me a genius. Some people call me a freak. What am I?

In all honesty, I do not know.

There is only a thin line between the two anyway.

In my life, there was always one person in my heart.

My father.

Professor Oak tried his best to fit into his shoes, and I respected him for that. It was just not the same, knowing that he was playing a role for someone, not as himself.

He was a good man.

It was just… He was not Father.

Till this day, I treasured my memories with him.

He had always loved the tranquility and mystique of the Viridian Forest. It was a daily routine for us to be taking a walk in the lush forest, lovingly dubbed as our bonding time.

The soothing routine changed one day. Like always, I waited for him at the entrance of the forest, waiting for him to begin our daily walk after he finished his work.

I had been debating whether to return home and tell Mother that he was missing when Father showed up, late for half an hour.

"Father? Why are you late?"

"Nothing to worry about, my boy." Giving a curt response, Father changed the subject abruptly, "We should get going, it is getting late."

I would have known that something was wrong now, but the then five year old boy did not notice a thing.

Gripping Father tightly, I treaded alongside him. Childish curiosity sparkling in my eyes as I saw every rare Pokémon peeking their heads out at the father and son in the forest at such a late hour.

"Father, look!" I pointed at the bright yellow tail hanging above the rustling grass.

"Huh? What is it?" My voice shook Father out of a trance, it seemed. "That's a Pikachu tail. Pikachus are incredibly rare and elusive, you can go and take a look. Remember to keep quiet and don't startle it, it may shock you if it feel threatened."

I nodded, eager to get a closer look. The Pikachu turned around, seemingly noticed my intentions were not malicious, and started scooting closer to my outstretched hand.

I rested on hand on the electric mouse's head, rubbing him gently. The mouse trembled under the touch, releasing cute, soft mumbles of "Pikaaa…".

"My boy, Father forget to get something. It is quite close to Pallet Town here and the Pokémon are mostly friendly in this area, so it will be fairly safe. Play around for a little while and then go home first, alright?"

I nodded enthusiastically, which Father smiled at and ruffled my hair. "Good. And be quiet, my boy, keeping your voice down keeps you safe, and that's a good boy for Father. Understand?"

He walked away from my life forever after those last words.

I had asked Mother many times about why Father never came back. She always pursed her lips, forced a smile on and said he had important things to do and could not afford to come back anymore.

"But if you are a good boy and make him proud, he may return one day, who knows?"

"Make him proud? How?"

"See there?" Mother turned away from me, pointing at the looming mountain faraway. "That's Mount Silver, said to be the place for the strongest trainers. When your Father is still a young trainer, it is his dream to get on the mountain. He had not, because of the sheer number of badges required."

At that very moment, I realized what to do and what would be my aspirations.

"Pika!" And Pika, the Pikachu from the forest who followed me back to home on that very day agreed.

If I stayed afterwards, I would have heard Mother's soft murmurs, consisting of difficult words like "divorce" and "adultery".

Pika and I started our journey not long later, with whisper of the silent boy ringing in our ears.

Defeating Blue, disbanding the Team Rocket, entering the Hall of Fame… all those had seemed like a breeze to me. All I ever wanted was to leave an impression for Father to come back, and took me to Viridian Forest for a walk again.

No memories could compare to that fateful day, that fateful place. The day that I lost someone I looked up to, and the day that I gained someone to rely on.

Pika looked at me, his eyes understanding. As he swiftly climbed up to my shoulders, I took my steps into the Indigo League.

When I was standing outside of the Pokémon League, Professor Oak came to congratulate me on becoming the Champion. I smiled, but under that smile, I felt hollow inside.

Father, did you see me? Am I… Not enough? If not, why aren't you here?

Then I remembered. Mount Silver. I grinned at the said mountain, located near the Indigo League.

I knew what I had to do next. Being the Champion of Kanto was merely the beginning.

I still had badges to earn.

Standing at the top of the snowy mountain, I felt adrenaline pumping into my blood.

Excitement. Happiness.

I did it. I fulfilled Father's dream.

Father, are you proud of me now? I will wait for you here, for you to see this. I asked Blue to take you here if you ever visit. Professor Oak can take care of Mother, he is much better than me at the job anyway.

No matter how long, I will wait for you. Atop this mountain, where our dreams come true.

Maybe I am a genius with what my Pokémon attained with me, thwarting

Team Rocket and entering the Hall of Fame, a dream of many.

Maybe I am truly a freak, chasing after a parent who may never return, holding to my hope desperately like a lunatic.

I do not regret it.

Above all, I am a son, seeking for the long-lost parent who carries a missing chunk of me. Maybe only when I see his smiling face, glowing and proud, would I truly found the happiness that I wanted.

The Silent Hero, Ghost of the Mount Silver… Call me whatever you want.

No matter what I am called, I know who I am.

My name is Red, the child who wishes upon the stars for his father.

Feel free to tell me what you think of the story, I enjoy every review. English is not my mother language, I will gladly accept comments on my language and writing style, as with how to improve them.

Thank you for the read! And train on, everyone!