Author note: Hey everyone! This is my first FanFic, so any feedback is GREATLY appreciated, any at all. I'm sorry for my crappy writing too, it isn't the best. Also, I think I should warn you that some chapters, much like this one, aren't the most thrilling. This one especially since I had to introduce everything, and all the back stories and stuff. Well, next time it'll get better I promise!

Disclaimer: I do not own, or have any share or part of the Pokémon franchise. This is a work of fiction based off of the franchise; however it is not being sold commercially and is only there for the use and enjoyment of fans such as myself. Thank you.

Isolation

Chapter 1

The grass rustled in front of the two little boys. They looked at each other with excitement, their faces glowing in the setting sun. Hand in hand, they squatted down to get a better look. They might not be allowed to go in, but being close was allowed. At least, that's what they believed.

Finally, their anticipation wore off as a tiny purple head poked out of the long stalks in front of them. "Tata!" the Pokémon cried in surprised before scurrying away again. The two boys laughed at its reaction before getting up. Without letting go, they walked back into their sleepy town.

"Can you believe it?" The black haired boy said, "We actually saw a Pokémon! One day, I am going to be the best Pokémon trainer out there!"

Grinning at his friend's excitement, the other boy, this one with brown hair, responded. "And what am I gonna be then?"

"You can be my sidekick!" The black haired boy responded, his eyes lighting up at the thought. "That way, we would never be apart."

"I'm not anyone's sidekick! You'll be my sidekick, how about that?" The brown haired boy gave his friend a small push, just enough to upset his balance, without knocking him over.

"Hey! Never in a million trillion years!" The black haired boy shoved back, before running away, avoiding his counterparts retaliation. Together, the two boys laughed, yelled, and ran, the setting sun illuminating their backs.

I slowly opened my eyes to see the sun streaming in to my room. The soft glow told me it was still very early in the morning. To my surprise, I felt wetness on my cheeks, and I knew I had been crying again. Why was it always that dream that came to me when I finally fell asleep? Why did I find myself crying every time I awoke? It was just him. There wasn't even anything special about him. Why was he haunting my memories and dreams?

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I would never be able to answer those questions, so I decided I might as well get up and do something worthwhile. Pushing all my wonderings to the very back of my head, I got up and went into the bathroom to take a shower. I had to be ready for today; I couldn't let myself get distracted.

Today, the Kanto league chairman was coming to give me a quick visit and checkup. It had been a month since I finally reached my goal of becoming the champion, the strongest trainer.

I can still remember my crowning moment, when Green's Blastiose finally went down with the help my best friend, Pikachu. I remember the crowd roaring out in excitement, congratulating me on my win. I also remembered the look of disappointment and hate that crossed Green's face, and I remember the feeling in my chest that stopped my lungs from working. It's just the excitement, I told myself; you are excited, not sad! Snap out of it!

I turned the water of the shower to the coldest it could go and hopped in hoping the freezing water would drown out my memories. I gasped as it splashed down onto my skin, doing exactly what I needed it to.

I ran through the washing process as fast as possible to escape the harsh water. It took a total of about five minutes to finish my shower and dry off. Shivering back in my room, I went in and pulled out my favorite outfit. My worn blue jeans slipped on like a second skin, followed quickly by my white shirt, my red and white jacket, and to top it all off, my favorite red and white hat. The cloths looked a little thread bare, and a little dirty, but the clothing brought back so many memories from my 7 year long journey, both good and bad.

Checking quickly in the mirror to make sure I looked alright, I laughed at the state of my hair. I had given up years ago trying to tame the black mess that topped my head. It always had such a chaotic look to it. Somehow, I thought it kind of suited me though, so I just left it as it was.

I looked at my clock, surprised to see it was only 6 in the morning. The league chairman wasn't coming until 12, so I had a lot of time to kill. I decided that I might as well go and care for my Pokémon. I crept down the stairs and entered the main floor of my tiny childhood home. We only had two rooms in the house, my bedroom upstairs, and our salon/kitchen/dining room downstairs. Mom was still asleep on her pull out couch and I didn't want to wake her, she was always working so hard.

Things had been hard for us after dad ran off. I didn't really remember him, since I was very young when he left, but mom said he was the kindest person she had ever met. To this day, she doesn't know where he went or what happened to him. I think she still blames herself for him leaving. Anyway, after he left, mom started falling behind on our rent on our home in Golden Rod. She was working her ass off in a small diner as a waitress, but it wasn't enough. We moved a year later after losing the house. Our Pallet town house was cheap, and mom was able to find some work, cleaning Professor Oak's lab and house.

Once I was able to travel, I sent as much of my prize money home as I could spare, I knew we were always on the line of dept. With my win at the league, the prize money I had gotten was enough for us to support ourselves for a while, so I knew I didn't need to worry that much anymore.

I successfully managed to get out of the house with waking her, and I silently closed the door behind me. Since our house was so small, I was keeping all of my Pokémon at the Professor's lab. Pikachu had wanted to come with me, but I needed him there to keep peace between everyone. Every once and a while an argument would break out between them and Pikachu was the only one who could talk some sense into them. He was good at that, keeping peace. I knew I could always rely on him, no matter what.

I knocked on the door, hoping someone was up. I hadn't taken a jacket and it was colder outside than I expected. Dancing from one dew stained foot to the other, I waited patiently. Finally, one of his assistants opened the door. He looked exhausted, and I knew he had been up all night researching something.

"Oh, it's you, Red. Come on in, I'm guessing you are here to see your Pokémon." He yawned and opened the door further, walking in in front of me. I just nodded in response, and followed close behind. He didn't expect a verbal answer either; everyone knew I wasn't much of a talker. I used to be such a loud child, I always heard mom say. I guess my Pokémon journey had changed me more than she knew. At least, that was what I told her.

I walked right over to the container where the Professor held all the Pokémon he kept in his care. I knew the Oak estate like the back of my hand. Green and I used to spend countless days together, exploring every inch. That is, before we stopped talking. I shook my head again, clearing out the memories. I grabbed my five poke balls as soon as I spotted them on a nearby shelf. I knew Pikachu had to be around, since he hated going into his ball. He was probably still asleep. I searched until I located a small bed tucked into the corner. Curled in a tight ball in the center was Pikachu, sleeping peacefully. I almost debated leaving him, but I knew he would be mad if I did, so I gave him a quick nudge with my hand. He blinked his eyes open, looked around, and then locked onto my face.

"PIKAAAA!" He cried out, jumping onto my arm and running up to my shoulder where he nuzzled my face, sending small shocks of electricity into my body. Not enough to hurt me, just enough to make my legs go numb. I rubbed his head and headed out into the cold again.

The Pokémon food was stored in shed close to the forest. The Professor had set it up so that wild Pokémon could come in and grab a bite without having to worry about humans. Up the hill from the shed and the lab lay the sprawling Oak mansion. The Professor was paid pretty well for his efforts in the field.

As I approached the shed, I released each of my beloved Pokémon. One by one, out came Charizard, Snorlax, Poliwrath, and Espeon. I released Gyrados into the pond a little bit away from the others. They were all very excited to see me, I had forgotten to visit in a week or so, which was a very long time for the seven of us. Well, at least, five of them were excited. Snorlax had just fallen asleep again as soon as he was out of his poke ball, but I was used to the treatment.

I went into the shed to bring out each of their breakfasts, Pikachu still perched on my shoulder. Each of them had a specific food that I made, just to fit their tastes. A friend of mine, a gym leader that went by the name of Brock had taught me some of his recipes while I stopped to visit him and is family a while back. I think everyone really loved the food I gave them.

Pouring out their correct portions (Snorlax's being two full bags); I put the food in front of them and smiled as they chowed down. Being with my Pokémon always made me perk up a bit. They were the closest friends I had, and some of the few creatures I felt comfortable talking to.

I looked up the hill at the mansion, remembering my long ago friend, the one who had been closer to me than even Pikachu. I sighed, no matter how hard I tried; I couldn't stop thinking about him today. I really wish he would leave my thoughts. He was always there, in the back of my brain. His taunting, his teasing, and that empty feeling I had developed ever since we stopped being friends never left me.

I looked back up at the house, trying to stop the flow of memories. To my surprise, I saw a person walking away from the house, heading in my direction. The light was directly behind them, turning them into a shadowy blob. My guess was it was probably Daisy, Green's older sister. She had stuck around and married a guy in town. She still helped her Grandfather with chores with the Pokémon. She often met me by the shed in the morning because we generally rose around the same time. We didn't talk much though, we just continued on what we were doing.

I turned my back to the figure, deciding that it must be Daisy, and I wasn't in the mood to even look at her at the moment. I had trouble talking to people all the time, but every so often this crushing pressure stops me from even acknowledging their existence. I just freeze.

I went and sat beside Pikachu who had just finished his meal. He crawled into my lap and tried to fall asleep again. The morning sun was finally warming the outside air, and I leaned back, letting the warmth soak into my skin.

"Uh, Hey" I heard behind me. The voice nearly stopped my heart. It wasn't Daisy; it was a man's voice, and one I knew too well. I turned my head to see him. He was standing awkwardly behind me, his hands in his pockets, his favorite purple shirt hanging loosely from his body. His head was down, staring at the ground instead of me, his long, shaggy brown hair falling down into his face. I gulped, my throat feeling dry, and nodded my head in response. I turned away from him again, unable to keep my eyes on him. His very presence made my heart beat faster out of, panic? Yeah, that must have been it.

"Is it ok if, if I sit here with you?" He asked. I nodded. He sat and stared out with me for a bit, not saying anything. The tension inside me was about to break. Why was he here? Why was he even talking to me? He hated me, he had made that clear. So why would he ever take time out of his busy schedule to visit with me? Why was he even in Pallet? I had heard he was doing some extra training off in another region or something.

He must have read my mind, for he said, "I was in Hoen for the past month you know? I was training like crazy, but, I don't know, must have gotten bored. I decided to come and give Gramps a visit before I head out again. I'm thinking of going further abroad this time. Maybe Sinnoh." His voice sounded calm, as if talking to me was the most natural thing in the world.

"Why are you talking to me?" I blurted out. I covered my mouth in embarrassment, my cheeks flaming. I realized how rude it was for me to say something like that. I hadn't meant to be rude; I hope I hadn't offended him too much.

To my surprised, he laughed. It started as a low chuckle, but grew louder and louder, until he finally got control of himself. "That's just like you to say Red; it's nice to see you're not different." He smiled and looked down. I was very confused.

"Truthfully, I thought I might as well try. I- I know we don't get along or anything, and I know that that was my fault, but I was hoping we could get over that." He kept his eyes on the ground, playing with a piece of grass between his fingers.

I was shocked to say the least. Why the hell was he reaching out? It didn't make any sense.

"I thought you hated me." Oh shit, I did not mean to say that out loud.

He kept his head down and said in a rush, "Well, I was just thinking we could put that behind us." He took a breath, and then slowed down to explain.

"While I was in Hoen, I thought a lot about our battle, and I decided that hate wasn't going to help me move forward. I put the past behind me, and I was hoping you might be able to do so as well?" His voice sounded so hopeful. It was true, it really did seem like he was changed. Normally, this far into a conversation, even one as awkward as this, his huge ego would have made a huge introduction.

I didn't respond. It was a lot to take in. This so out of character Green didn't even seem real. Was he saying that I should put behind those years of abuse that he put me through? Should I just forgive him for making my life so awful? No, I thought, I couldn't do that. Not ever. However, somewhere deep inside, I felt a part of my saying yes. It was small, but something about it almost drowned out the no's. I needed some time.

"I'm going to need a bit of time." I stated bluntly, and then walked away. I thought I heard him sigh behind me, but I decided it was just the wind. I don't know why I walked away. The situation had become too much I guess. I was always running away. As I walked back in the direction of the lab, I recalled all my Pokémon, except Pikachu, who had woken up and was now perched once more on my shoulder.

I let myself in at the lab, putting away my five poke balls. I let Pikachu stay with me, since I really needed his company for a bit. I was so confused by Green's approach this morning. I was so lost by the whole thing. It felt like my whole world had been torn apart.

I don't really remember when, but a couple years before we started our Pokémon adventures, Green just stopped talking to me. At the time, he had been my only friend, and I quickly developed into the quiet person I was today. It just got worse when we left for our journeys. I caught up to him as he was leaving town, but he made sure I understood where I stood in the relationship. The names he had called me haunt me to this day. Every time I met up with him over our seven year long journey, the meetings became harsher and more aggressive. Our final meeting was right after he was crowned champion, a title I ripped out from under him moments later.

And now he wanted to be friends? Is that even possible? Just start up again like that? Might as well give it a try, I thought. It's not like things could get worse.

By the time I got back home, it was already 11. Mom was out, probably going to clean the lab or something. Plus, she knew the Chairman was coming to our house, and she agreed that I needed to be alone for that meeting.

I made myself a sandwich, which I shared half with Pikachu. He covered it in ketchup. I never understood his love of the sauce. We cleaned up, and I went upstairs to wash my face up a bit and brush my teeth. After I finished, I went down and sat on the window seat, watching as people came and went in front of the house. He would be arriving any minute.

Now, when I say the Chairman is an odd fellow, I really mean it. He came out of nowhere it seemed, until I noticed the helicopter flying away from the house. The short, bald and bearded fellow fixed his clothes up a bit, and then knocked on the door. I opened it quickly and smiled. He beamed back at me.

"Red my good fellow, how is championship treating you? Wonderful isn't it?" He was the kind of guy that always seemed to be on the edge of yelling all the time. He wasn't one to let you speak either, not that I wanted to.

"Now, I have a very important meeting to get to right after this, so I'll make this short and sweet. Red, my good fellow, I need you to move."

I stared at him. I was not expecting that. "What?" was all I managed to get out before he continued.

"Yes, yes I know. It's harsh. We have been keeping the press away from this town for your month of rest, but we can't hold them back any more. And therefore, we need to get you away. Fast. And to somewhere very remote." He explained, very loudly.

"Where?" I asked. He must know already.

"Where indeed my good fellow. A lovely mountain, you will love it. We will be dropping you off at the bottom of mount silver, you are to go up to the peak, or there about. Apparently there is a very comfy housing there only for champions. You are to stay there for a while too. Helps you harden up a bit. No one will be able to defeat you soon. And don't worry, we will tell your mother."

"Wait, we are leaving… now?" I was dumbfounded. I didn't want to go, but I knew I had to. There was no other possibility in the leagues eyes. This was a tradition, and they were tradition freaks.

"Well of course right now, come on" He grabbed my hand and steered me to the door.

"Don't I need to pack?" I asked.

"Everything is supplied for you, when you reach the top. Pikachu is coming of course as well. Your other Pokémon must remain here though. It would take too long to retrieve them, and there is no PC up there." He was strong for such a short person. Before I knew what had happened, I was in a helicopter and flying away from my sleepy little town. Off to some mountain for no real reason.

The funny part was, I wasn't sorry to leave my Pokémon or my mother without even saying good bye. No, the reason I wanted to stay the most was to say good bye to Green. I guess we won't ever make up, not anymore. Who knows how long I'll be gone.