DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokémon! Pokémon and all its associated trademarks belong to Gamefreak, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. Cover isn't mine either, rights belong to its author.
Welcome to The Crimson Legend!
This story is a novelization of Pokémon Red and Blue versions, with many elements from Yellow and FireRed and LeafGreen versions. This is my first story or fanfic, and I hope you enjoy it. Reviews and criticism of any kind (grammar, ideas, etc.) will be appreciated! English is not my primary language so if there are errors I'd gladly fix them. I will try to update the story as much as possible, though there may be some things that get in the way (such as school). I won't ever abandon this story, even if I haven't updated in a while. This was something that I wanted to do for quite some time. So rest assured, whenever I have free time I will work on this. As Dawn says, "No need to worry!"
This will follow the adventures of Red, Blue and Leaf as they journey throughout the Kanto region. Main pairing is RedxLeaf (Burningleafshipping) but at first it will be a one-sided BluexLeaf (Oldrivalshipping) on Leaf's part. The story will not focus that much on romance, but mainly on adventure and humorous, spontaneous things that happen during their journey.
This story is the first of some others that I also have planned, but will be released later on. Something like this: (the = symbol means that it's the same timeline)
Crimson Legend (Kanto) = Jade Ascension (Hoenn)
Golden Dawn (Johto) = Platinum Dusk (Sinnoh)
Black Truth, White Ideals (Unova, First Black and White games)
Unwavering Hearts (Kalos) = Black Truth, White Ideals: 2 (Unova, Second Black and White games)
Clash of Legends (Final Story)
So that's how it is. After each main story ends, there will be some drabbles or mini stories of events that happen after, before or in between the main storyline of each story. Now, let's meet the leading characters!
Red: Our main protagonist. A curious boy that is quiet and somewhat introverted. He is greatly intelligent and prefers to keep silence in most matters, only speaking when necessary. In truth, he prefers to listen to others first which sometimes leads to people thinking that he is mute. He is near-sighted and needs to wear glasses, but doesn't like wearing them. Red doesn't have any tolerance for people that abuse others, no matter if they're people or Pokemon. Almost always a loner, our hero will learn that not only by doing things yourself but by also cooperating with others, will lead you to greater heights. His dream is to become the Kanto League Champion and thus, the best trainer ever. He adores his mother, which is basically the only person he can call family after his father went on a journey and never came back. He is secretly in love with his best friend Leaf ever since they were kids. Age: 12
Blue Oak: Red's rival and deuteragonist. He has a cocky, arrogant personality and hates being compared or referenced with his grandfather, the famous Professor Oak. Blue wants to be the Kanto Pokemon League Champion, just as Red. He was his best friend when they were young and he, Red and Leaf were inseparable back then. But Blue began to change and somewhat drift off from his old friends. He is somewhat unfriendly to new people he meets, and always uses the phrase "smell ya later" when he bids goodbye to other people. Easily irritated or annoyed when he doesn't get his way, which occurs rarely do to his ingeniuty and luck. Not always having your way is sometimes good for you, though. Life continuously has little surprises in store. As the saying goes, "Learning by experience often is painful- and the more it hurts, the more you learn." Age: 12
Leaf Green: Our female protagonist. Cheerful, peppy, adventurous, and somewhat of a gossip. Leaf always likes to amuse herself and have a good time with her friends. She is a beautiful girl, who is big hearted and dependable. Her dream is to travel around the Kanto Region, discovering new places and experiences as she does so. Leaf is secretly in love with Blue, but he doesn't think of his friend as more than a sister and is easily annoyed by her antics, much to her dismay. She has been Red's best friend ever since they were able to walk and talk properly and the two know each other like the back of their hand. However, will she be able to react to her own surroundings, and discover what love is? Age: 11
So, without further ado, let's go!
Pallet Town, Kanto
11 a.m
We find ourselves in the hills of Pallet Town. They provide an amazing view, which combined with the ocean and vegetation surrounding them easily made Pallet one of the most beautiful places in the region. Truly, a tranquil setting of peace and purity.
"So, would you like to know the history of a good friend of mine…?" asked a boy around the age of 13. He had green eyes and spiky brown hair and was wearing a black sweater and light brown pants. You could tell by his voice that he clearly wasn't excited about this. Next to him was a large blue, turtle-like Pokemon. It sweatdropped at its trainer's antics.
"Blastoise..."
"What the heck Blue!? You could at least try you know?" demanded a girl next to him. She looked around the age of 12 and was wearing a light blue tank top, a red mini skirt and a white hat with a red stripe in the middle that had a pokeball logo in between. She had brown hair, blue eyes and a yellow backpack swung over her shoulder. She looked irritated by the boy's attitude, even though she herself knew why he was like that. She was sitting on top of a big green Pokemon that had a beautiful, enormous flower. The flower was surrounded by numerous fronds.
"You agree with me, right Venusaur?" asked the girl to the Pokemon in which she was sitting on. To her dismay however, it was dozing off quite peacefully. The girl laughed awkwardly at the situation. The boy next to her just sighed.
"Whatever Leaf, I'm out. What the-" said the boy, now identified as Blue. Just as he was about to leave another boy crept behind him and poked him. He was scared senseless, so much that he tripped and fell to the ground, rolling over the hill. This earned him the laughter of a crowd of people who were around, while others just sweatdropped.
The boy behind him only smirked in response. He had profound red eyes and black hair. He was wearing a black shirt, a red jacket with white stripes in the middle, a red cap that was white in the center with a pokeball logo and blue jeans. A Pikachu was in his shoulder, laughing at its trainer's antics.
"Darling, you're here!" happily exclaimed the girl, now known as Leaf. She tackled the boy with an enormous hug; so much that they too rolled over the hill and ended up hitting Blue like a steamroller.
"WHAT THE HELL RED!? Can't you leave me alone? I'm tired of you two screwing me all over with your lovey-dovey things! Seriously, this is the fifth time in this month! Can't the two of you be more damn careful!?" angrily yelled Blue at the couple, who only sweatdropped in response.
Yeah... he was the same reason they were all together: the infamous Red of Pallet Town, current and youngest Kanto Pokémon League Champion. What was celebrated today you ask? Today was the day he departed on a training journey to Mount Silver, and quite possibly the last one his friends and family will see him in a long time. So, his family and oh-ever-so-thoughtful-friends decided that they should organize a get together with some of the neighboring kids, who were yet to go on a journey and thought of Red, Blue and Leaf as their idols. The three of them related their journey and experiences to the future trainers. Meanwhile...
"BLUE OAK, That isn't the way you should talk when there are kids around!" Professor Oak and Daisy yelled back at him at the same time. The younger one of the Oaks rolled his eyes in response. Red and Leaf could be seen smirking at the sight of their longtime friend being disciplined by his grandfather and sister.
"But GRAMPS! DAISY! They were the ones who started it!" Blue retorted, annoyed. Not that it was his fault but rather Red's and Leaf's. More specifically Red. But as fate would have it, lady luck wasn't on his side this time.
"No buts young man!" yelled the professor once more. Blue only groaned and decided to shut up for the moment being. He wasn't the only one though...
"Leaf and Red, I think that is enough." said a woman around 30 years old, who joined the scene when Red "surprised" Blue. She had precious blue hair and the same eye color as Red. She was wearing a red sweater and brown pants.
"But Miss…!" pouted Leaf, who was unwilling to release Red from her grip. Not that the boy cared as he truly enjoyed her "lovey-dovey" ways. He was embarrassed by both of them.
"Mom..."
"No buts, you two. That is enough." commanded the miss, albeit more rectifying this time. When Leaf finally released her grip on Red the boy's mom then proceeded to do the same thing that she was doing, much to the young girl's dismay. Her grip was even stronger than Leaf's.
"Darling... I can't believe you're all grown up now and that I won't be able to see you in a long time...!" said Red's mom, shedding some tears from her eyes. Red was getting "the feels" as one would call it, as he remembered the first day of his journey and the tears that his mother shed.
"HEY! Not fair!" yelled Leaf, who was releasing smoke from her ears, annoyed that her boyfriend's mother got the upper hand. "But awww... don't count me out just yet!"
Leaf then proceeded to embrace the two of them, being joined by Pikachu as the yellow mouse exclaimed its name in happiness.
After Blue cooled off from Leaf's and Red's assault, he started "narrating" once more.
"So, as I was saying…" Blue recapitulated. "Would you like to know the history of this jerk who goes by the name of Red? And the fabulous me of course, why thank you. If you want my autograph get in line."
Blue smirked at Red, who only rolled his eyes and glared at him. Leaf, in turn, only facepalmed.
"Yay! We want to know all about it!" the kids yelled at the same time happily. Some even got in line to get Blue's autograph, much to the couple's dismay.
"Hehe! Okay then… Let's go!"
Pallet Town, Kanto. One year ago
9 A.M
We find ourselves in a medium sized house, almost at the outskirts of Pallet Town. In there lie a boy and his mother, who were now saying their respective goodbyes. Today was the day the young boy left on a journey, like most of the other kids around his age.
"…Right. All boys leave home someday." said his mother, with much tears on her face. Saying goodbye to your only son was hard, and even more if you have been very close and attached to each other.
"Professor Oak, next door, is looking for you. You should go there as fast as possible. It's not good leaving people waiting for you."
Red only nodded, and checked his things one last time. He nodded again to his mother, signaling this was the time to leave.
"I will miss you a lot honey. Please stay safe and no matter what, never give up and continue on your path." said Red's mother, tears on both their faces. She embraced him one last time. After a bit, they released their grip on each other and Red was heading for the door. But, suddenly he stopped and turned to face his mother, taking one last glance at her.
"I will, Mom. I'll make you proud and accomplish my dreams."
His mom nodded at him and smiled. Before he left however...
"And remember to change your underwear or I'll tell Leaf to do it for you!" said Red's mom. Again, Red nodded but this time he blushed furiously, so much that his face was the same color as his name. She and a certain Pokemon were the only one who knew of his crush on his friend Leaf, but not because they asked him; they discovered it on their own.
So now, he was on his way to Professor Oak's house. Still blushing, he rang the bell and was greeted by Daisy, the professor's granddaughter. She was a young and pretty girl, who was also very gentle and had an elegant poise. She liked to drink tea in the afternoons and was also a very skilled Pokémon Groomer.
"Hi Red! … Why is your face red? Do you have fever or anything like that?" asked Daisy, to which Red only shook his head as fast as he could, trying to avoid the topic.
"Right… Well how are you today? So this is the day you and my brother go out in a journey huh? Good luck and never give up!"
Red nodded to her and smiled in response.
"Blue and Grandpa are in the lab right now, if you are looking for them."
Red once again nodded, and bowed to her as thanks. After walking a bit he was at the door of the lab. Opening it, he only finds Blue and some aides, who were busy working.
"What is it Red? Gramps isn't around." Blue said cuttingly, somewhat surprised to see Red there. Red only nodded and went outside again. However, curiosity got the best of him and he went to a trail of grass. The grass itself wasn't dangerous, but the wild Pokémon out there were if you didn't have one of your own, even if they were fairly weak. But just as he was going to make a first step into the grass, he suddenly heard a voice calling out to him.
"STOP RIGHT THERE! Just where do you think you're going?!" asked an old man with brown eyes and gray and brown hair. He was wearing a lab coat along with his usual clothes. Red instantly recognized the person as Professor Oak.
"Red, you know that wild Pokémon live out there! Just what were you thinking!? What if one of those Rattata would have bitten you? You would have died from rabies!"
Red only smirked and rolled his eyes. In truth, he wasn't going anything far and was going to visit a certain yellow electrical mouse, who he was friends with since a very long time. Red met Pikachu at just age 8 and since that shocking (yeah, Pikachu shot a Thundershock at Red back then) moment when the two met, an instant friendship formed between the two. Pikachu would occasionally visit Red at his house and would stay there with him and his mom, the three of them occasionally doing things together. However, Pikachu couldn't stay with Red because he was still too little, and didn't have his trainer license, or so his mom said. However, as today was the day, he decided to take his little yellow friend with him on his journey.
Meanwhile, the professor is still lecturing Red.
"… And that's why you shouldn't go out there. Wait! I know! Come with me to my lab and I'll give you a Pokémon! I almost forgot the reason why I called you over. Blue and Leaf are also going to get one too! Come on, let's go."
And so, Red found himself going back to the professor's lab once more. There, he again found Blue, who looked like he was going to pass out after waiting so much.
"Took you long enough old man! Now give me my Pokémon and I'm out of here!"
"Hush now, young man. Who said you are going first anyway!? We have to wait for Leaf too." Professor Oak replied, angry at his grandson.
Blue grew even more annoyed now, and he couldn't resist waiting even more. So Blue figured he would do something he hasn't done in a long time, ever since he was a little boy; Having an arm wrestling competition with his grandfather. As weird as it may seem, but the Oaks were anything but ordinary. Professor Oak himself had a fairly strong physique despite his age. Apparently, no one knew why...
"GRAMPS! I challenge you to an arm wrestling competition! You will lose this time!"
"No, not right now Blue. Can't you see I'm busy here…" stated Professor Oak, annoyed with his grandson's childish attitude.
"But gramps...!" pouted Blue, not giving up so easily.
"Okay… But this will be the last time I do this with you in the lab." said Professor Oak sighing.
"Fine!" stated Blue, happy that his request was granted.
10 minutes later…
We find ourselves in a mess of a lab, with Professor Oak sitting on top of a hurt and crying Blue's back muttering something about indiscipline, childs these days, and "that'll show you not to mess with me, young man." and a wild Red watching battle videos and strategies on Poketube on one of the computers, completely indifferent to what had happened.
"What the hell is going on here!?" asked (more like yelled) a new voice. They all turned to face a confused and surprised Leaf. Needless to say, Red was stunned by her as she wore the new outfit she which was a lot different from her usual black dress.
"OH MY ARCEUS! Blue, are you okay?" She asked again, running to him after Professor Oak left the boy, who was completely battered up.
"Yeah, I think I am. Thanks." replied the professor's grandson, albeit sarcastically.
"Well now that you three are here, I think it's time for me to explain. You see-" the professor was suddenly interrupted by Blue, again.
"Gramps, just hand out the Pokémon."
"Blue, will you stay quiet for a moment!? Or do you want me to beat you down again just like I did right now?" said Professor Oak. This time Blue kept his mouth shut and listened to his grandfather.
"Okay… Come here you three. Red? Red? RED? RED!? ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?" asked the professor, clearly annoyed.
"… Red?"
They slowly got to the computer that our protagonist was using, and to their surprise, saw him engulfed in flames, writing non-coherent things on the comments section of Poketube to others, who were also doing the same thing. Internet trolling exists in the Pokemon world too!
"Well… THIS could take a while" Leaf laughed, amusing herself with the scene. Both of the Oaks just sighed in response.
20 minutes later…
We find a terribly burned out Red slowly walking to the Professor, Blue and Leaf.
"Well, how did it go, Mr.-I-Know-It-All-Internet-Troll?" spoke Leaf, in a mocking tone. Red didn't even reply to her. Looks like it didn't go so well...
"I figured as much." said Blue, chuckling.
They were interrupted by an even more annoyed than ever Professor Oak, who proceeded to clear his throat to gain their attention.
"Well... now that that's out of the way, let me explain. Here are 3 pokeballs. Each contains a Pokémon that's very rare and unique. You will rarely find another of them out of here. They are Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon, Charmander, the Lizard Pokémon and Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon."
All three of them nodded determinedly at the professor, excited to meet their new partner.
"You can go first Red." Professor Oak said, smiling to the boy. Just as he said this however, Blue interrupted him.
"Gramps! What about me!?"
The professor's grandson was clearly annoyed by his rival having the first pick, but his grandfather managed to calm him down by giving him a warning.
"Blue, I am seriously considering beating you again. Don't poke the Combee's nest if you know what's good for you..."
Blue slowly backed up from him in fear and stayed silent.
"Good boy. Now Red, the choice is yours." Professor Oak said, smiling to the boy.
"Whatever." said Blue, gritting his teeth. "Red can go first. I don't need to be greedy like him. I'm mature!"
Red rolled his eyes in response. He then intently stared at each of the three Pokeballs, thinking for a bit, before deciding on which one. Like he had planned before, he chose the middle one, and let out the Pokémon inside of it, holding it within his arms.
"Ah! I see. So you picked Charmander. You should raise it patiently."
After him, Leaf picked the first pokeball on the table and released the Pokemon inside it, taking it in the same position as Red.
"So, Bulbasaur is your choice, eh Leaf? It is fairly easy to raise." the Professor stated, while Leaf only nodded and smiled at him in response. That left Blue with the third Pokeball. Once he took it, he released Squirtle from it. Not that he didn't want the Tiny Turtle Pokemon as Squirtle was, from the beggining, the starter that the professor's grandson desired.
"Heh! My Pokémon is soooo much cooler than yours, Red!" Blue gloated, looking down at his rival. Red only rolled his eyes in response.
After some words of wisdom from Professor Oak, Red proceeded to leave, as he didn't have any interest in watching Leaf trying to shyly speak with Blue. He knew since a long time that she was in love with him and it was painful, especially when it was fairly obvious that Blue didn't have any interest in her. As fate would have it, Red was the only one she could come to when Blue was annoyed by her advances or simply treated her like a sister, shrugging or saying "whatever" to what she had to say. He knew she wished to be even more than that. Back to the reality however, just as Red was going out of the lab he heard his rival's voice...
"Red! I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"
And that's it, for now. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!
Just a heads-up, Red's outfit is the same one he wears in the Gen 1 and 2 games. Later, he will get the one he wears in the Gen 3 and Gen 4 games. For Leaf, she has the same outfit as in FRLG, just without the hat. She will have it later (and it will play a somewhat important role). For Blue, he currently has the same one as in the Gen 1 and Gen 2 games, and will later have the one in Gen 3, just as Red.
