Disclaimer: Pokemon and all related characters are trademarked properties of Nintendo and The Pokemon Company. Color Blind is a non-profit, loose adaptation of the Pokemon games found on the various Nintendo handheld consoles.

Author's Note: This fic will be using the Japanese names for the characters, so the Rival Character goes by the name of Green rather than Blue, and the female protagonist goes by Blue over Green

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Act One: Dream Job

Chapter One: I Don't Want To Be A Trainer

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I never considered too much about what I wanted to be when I grow up. I was always too busy in the now, too busy having fun. Playing video games with my friends, going to school, goofing off... the things kids always did. The days passed by and not once did I ever consider my future. I never thought about where I'd be or what my dream job would be. Sure, I toyed with being a police officer or a fireman or astronaut; the standard answers boys gave to the teacher.

Not once did I ever consider becoming a Pokemon Trainer.

"Seriously, Red? That's the picture you're going to use for your training license!" harped the boy with the stylishly spiked chestnut hair. He held a laminated card in his hands and looked ready to tear it in half. "C'mon man, you look like you just rolled out of bed and you're ready to fall back asleep where you stand! Couldn't you have at least combed your hair to look somewhat presentable!" His sharp and sarcastic voice projected his annoyance as clear as day for every passerby to hear.

The boy on the receiving end of the criticism swiped the card back and glanced at it once more to see what the big deal was. On the face displayed POKEMON TRAINER LICENSE in broad, stylish gold lettering along the standard information all licenses were required to have:

Name: Red Satoshi

Sex: Male

Hair: Black

Eyes: Red

Height: 5'6"

Address: 36 Birthshore St. Pallet Town, Kanto.

Birthday: 08/08/20XX

Right beside the information, was the very photo his friend berated him for. The picture of the slender boy showed off his unkempt, jet black hair that began its first steps in invading his face. His eyes, though a vibrant scarlet red, were half lidded and lacked any glimmer of light. Red's face was stoic –not even a smile had tried to escape his lips to make a nice image. The ID was just… plain.

"I don't see why you're so bent out of shape about this, Green," Red replied with his much softer voice. He sighed as he pocketed the I.D. card into his wallet and slipped it into the breast pocket of his red and white jacket, before pulling his matching cap over his mess of hair to conceal it. "Not like anyone will know with this on. Anyway, be grateful I took the licensing test to begin with."

Green's ironically-emerald eyes flared at the indifferent attitude of his friend. Well, their parents had labeled them that – friends. "What? Were you just gonna go to high school like everyone else, Red? You should be glad I convinced your worthless ass to take this test! You get to take a shot at a life that many try and fail at. Hell, your grades were the top of the testing group, below me obviously, but still top!"

"There's the kicker – many kids go off to do this gig and fail at it," Red murmured, voice pessimistic and just the slightest bit bitter. "Why send fourteen-year-olds out on the hardest profession out there when normal people go to school and get a job at eighteen?"

"Because Red, Pokemon-training is the most elite job there is." Green's voice started to swell with energy. It seemed the crest of a passionate rant was on the conversation's horizon. "It surpasses the same old tired jobs the world has to offer! It's a job that always grows and changes because of Pokemon themselves. Working with these living creatures that we shared our history with and still know next to nothing about them! You and I have a chance to be a part of a monumental adventure and a chance to make history ourselves. We could discover the mysteries surrounding them! How can you not be excited about that!"

Red simply shrugged. "Dunno, guess I never thought about it." A heavy and depressed sigh came from his more excited friend. To just be greeted with apathy after a quick rant like that was enough to deflate anyone.

"Damn man, get with it."

"Like I said, I took the test and passed. I never said I wouldn't try." Red did recall this argument before when they had both turned thirteen last year. Green was all ready to do this Pokemon thing as soon as his birthday rolled around. No surprise there though; his entire family was all involved in the Pokemon field and constant exposure to it in his life had obvious influence. Red, on the other hand, never had particular interest in the field, but Green insisted that he join him as a Trainer. Well, it was more like harassed to the point of breaking laws. However, Red agreed to take the test, and he did it to the best of his abilities, granting him the highest grade in his testing block and just below Green's score.

"I sure hope so. Being compared to you is an embarrassment as is." Green shoved his hands in his jean pockets and shuffled his feet around. Green needed to change the subject to keep from getting irritated further. "Blue had the time slot for her final test after you, right?"

"Yeah."

Silence hung in the air around them as Red's indifference had the ability to kill the mood around them. He watched Green pace around and kick pebbles here and there. Red knew something bugged Green as this was the start of his moods. He was always irritated with something when they argued. Why he had to take everything so personal was beyond Red. Green just needed to relax more.

"Gee, guys... with the air around here, you'd think someone just died."

As if by some miracle to wipe away the awkward air, out of nowhere came a perky voice that cut through the painful silence. The two boys turned to see the last member of their little cadre of justice. The girl rolled her aqua eyes in mild irritation at the two boys in the midst of their head-butting. "Do I always need to be around to keep you two from killing each other?"

"Sup, Blue?" Green greeted, perking up a little with her needed intervention. Red muttered a quieter greeting, but at least seemed happy to see her too. "How'd the test go?"

Blue flashed a wide, beaming grin and held up her fresh I.D. like it was a treasure. "Bam! I aced it!" Green plucked her I.D. from her hand to have a glance over. A smirked crossed his lips and he leered at Red's direction.

"See man, this is a proper photo for the I.D," he proclaimed, holding the card out to Red to show off Blue's photo. "This neatly-combed and styled brown hair falls perfectly around her face and shoulders. Her eyes are wide and awake, and her smile just shows she is ready to take on the world! This is the look of professionalism." Red took one look at the card's photo, seeing Blue's complimenting photo. She did have that beautiful chocolate that grew down to her waists and her bangs flipped effortlessly away to keep from impeding in on her face. Her eyes were always bright and full of life, definitely a contrast to Red's half-lidded, pensive eyes. But Blue was a natural beauty. Her pictures always flattered her perky and lively nature.

"Sure you didn't take the test to be a gay fashion consultant, Green?" Red let a rare grin escape as he felt the need to one up the irksome Green. His rival's face contorted into a grimace, fuming at the joke made at his expense.

"You are so dead!" Green made a move to lunge at Red, but Blue caught him by the collar of his purple sweater before he could take a swing.

"Now now, children, all good boys must behave," she chastised as she pulled Green back. "Do I need parent you guys every day?" She glared at the two boys who just shrank away from her accusing look. "We all passed, right? So, we should be excited and preparing to start our journey tomorrow!"

"'Cept Red is being a wet blanket about this." Green grumbled, recalling the argument Blue stepped in.

"What? I don't do 'excited,' and you know this." Red shrugged.

"That is true – he doesn't even get pumped for his birthday," Blue added in. Green's mouth dropped in awe as Blue started to defend the indifferent boy.

"But still... this is a whole different world for us, how can you not be thrilled for this!" Green was ready to start the fight all over again, something Red wasn't particularly looking forward to again. "This indifference is pissing me off. Aren't you excited to do the same thing that your fath-"

"Ah-ah-ah-sshh!" Blue stammered and shoved her hands on Green's mouth to shut him up, but it was already clear on what he said. The two watched Red's face darken slightly as he pulled the lid of his cap down.

"I gotta get going." That was all Red had to say before he turned face to head home. He left the two standing at the lot of the training facility, not looking back once.

Blue, furious at Green's carelessness and running mouth, shot a spiteful look at him. "Are you retarded! Why the hell did you have to bring that up!"

"I didn't mean to! It just came out!" Green waved his arms trying to get Blue off of him. "His attitude was pissing me off!"

"I know Pokemon is an important field for you Green, but you need to consider Red's feelings, too. You shouldn't have bullied him into doing this if he didn't want to do it!"

"Why shouldn't I? Besides, you did too!"

Blue had no defense for her involvement in getting Red to join them. Her eyes fell to her feet, ashamed to look at the world around her. "I guess I got caught up in the excitement of all three of us doing this together..."

Green sighed, understanding her side to wanting Red in on this. However, Green needed to know why Red is so apathetic to Pokemon Training. All he knew was that Red's father was a decent Trainer who took a break when he fathered Red then went back out when the kid was about five. Though, something happened that even his own grandfather refused to comment on.

Though Blue knows something, thanks to her gossipy mom.

"What's so touchy about the subject of his dad and Pokemon Training? I never understood what happened; Red would never talk about him."

"... Mr. Satoshi died when he returned to his Pokemon Training." Green was floored, his face drained of all color when he realized what he did.

"... god dammit, now you tell me."

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My father was a Pokemon Trainer before I was born. Not really an ace, but not a failure as one either. He just seemingly took his time on his journey. I think the Pokemon League Circuit wasn't his thing, so he didn't get pressured to race around the country for the final competition. From what mom told me, she became pregnant with me near the end of one of his rotations of Kanto which caused him to take his leave of training for awhile. He stayed with us until I was about five or so I think before resuming his career. He kept contact for a brief while until his messages just suddenly stopped.

Days of silence turned to weeks, weeks to months, and months to years. It was commonly accepted that his disappearance meant his death as no one had information on him. I used to want to be like him, but with him just... gone... my desire went with it. I guess his disappearance killed any allure Pokemon Training had for me. I don't blame the profession for his death; we all knew it's a dangerous life. I guess I lost faith in the idea.

What I don't get is this: when I decided to test to shut Blue and Green up, my mom never protested. She was happy for it. Why? And why did she never grieve for dad?

"Oh, welcome home Red!" called the loving voice of the brunette woman from the quaint kitchen. Red kicked off his sneakers and walked through the den of their small little Pallet Town home. It was nothing extravagant, but his mom's tenacity in keeping the house clean and orderly made it appear more luxurious than the furnishings themselves did. Even Red's mom with her simplistic appearance gave the aura of someone well off than they really were. Mrs. Satoshi just had your typical mom look, her chocolate hair falling simply to the curve of her back. She was always seen in an apron covering her choice of blouse + skirt of the day, pretty much the stereotypical mother image. Yet, Mrs. Satoshi pulled the look off while not seeming like the stereotype.

"Hey mom." Red replied sullenly before taking a dive into the couch sitting in front of the television. Mrs. Satoshi poked her head from around the dividing way to she her son crash in a depressive mess. It was a rare occurrence for Red to act this way, very rare.

"What's the matter hun?" She asked as all concerned mothers would. She took his hat off and ruffled his black hair, a sign of motherly affection. "Did the test go poorly?"

"Nah... I passed it." The son flipped the I.D. card out of his wallet lazily to show his proof as an official Trainer.

"That's wonderful!" She clapped her hands together joyously, but her son did not share the same enthusiasm as she did. "So what's the matter then?"

Red bit into his lip, feelings of confronting her on dwelling thoughts started to well up. With Green's reminder of his father and confusion of past years, Red needed to get this out of his head. It drove him crazy that only he seemed to be affected by his father. "Why aren't you stopping me?"

His mom reeled back slightly, unsure of what Red's words meant. "I don't... understand..."

"Why aren't you stopping me from doing what killed dad!" Red exploded, another rare instance as he always kept his head. "Why are you letting me do this!"

Mrs. Satoshi paused for a moment and collected herself. A smile flashed across her ruby colored lips and motherly wisdom glittered in her scarlet eyes. "I see what this is about." She sat on what little couch was free from her sprawling son. "Why should I stop you? I have no ill will towards Pokemon or Training."

"... it's what took dad from us... it took him from you." Red struggled to fight back against welling emotions raging within him. He buried his face into the cushions to hide his betraying face.

"So, finally blaming something for your father disappearing… that's perfectly natural, hun. I was getting worried that you were holding yourself back from expressing yourself." Red's mom put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and nudged him affectionately. "Let me tell you something about your father – he was just like you when he was your age."

"... you knew him since he was fourteen?" Red pried himself from the cushion to look at her.

"Longer actually, we practically grew up in the same house together." Her smile was still there and only grew wider as she saw Red was hooked on to what she was saying. "We always spent time together whenever we could. I remember how much of a wet blanket he was... just like you!" She laughed, knowing she got under Red's skin.

"I'm not a wet blanket..."

"Yes you are, hun. You need to learn to live it up a little. Anyway, you're father was just the same until the day he became a Pokemon Trainer."

"Why did he become one?"

"He actually had no desire to become one in the first place. I nagged him to do so until he finally caved in and took the test."

"Wait... why did you want him to become one?" Mrs. Satoshi's face went blank as Red asked the right question to pry out a dirty secret of sorts. Oh well. Might as well tell her son everything.

"... I wanted him to catch a cute Pokemon for me." Red's gaze crashed in disbelief and glared at his mom for such a simple and dumb reason. "I know, selfish of me, but girls are allowed to be. Remember that Red."

"Sure..." Red grumbled still in dumbstruck awe at female selfishness. "Anyway, you said dad changed."

"He sure did," nodded Mrs. Satoshi confidently. "Right when he got his starter. You should've seen him Red. His eyes widened with pure, overflowing joy, you could tell he was ready to burst from the seams. When he embraced his Pokemon, you could feel that your father was born anew. People say Pokemon have the power to change them and seeing that was proof to the claim."

"Green and Blue said the same thing about Pokemon when they bugged me to do this." Red recalled the line from the several hundred reasons they threw at him to take the licensing test.

"They are right and like I said, seeing your father was proof of that. Your father fell in love with Pokemon and could not wait to go out on his journey. But before he left, he promised to marry me as I was the one who pushed him to start his dream job."

"He... really felt like that? That's how you guys decided to get married?"

"Indeed."

"That's... actually nice."

Mrs. Satoshi laughed modestly and let another smile slip from her lips. "It's not easy supporting a Trainer on his journey especially when his visits back home were few and far between. We kept contact through the PokeGear and messages he sent by flying Pokemon when he had no service. Every now and then he'd return home and one visit a few years into his career, I became pregnant with you."

"That's when he took the break to care for you, right?"

"Yep. He stayed around for the five years after you were born to make sure we were well off. Once you were set in school and I was able to work while you were out, he decided to return to his Training to earn better money than the part-time jobs he took here."

"Then he disappeared." Red watched his mom sigh; she knew this part would eventually come up.

"Yes... his messages just stopped one day. So much time passed and I asked Professor Oak and other Trainers if they had any information on him. They knew nothing. It was as if he vanished without a trace."

"He was then proclaimed dead after the search was called off."

"Yes." Mrs. Satoshi paused for the moment and the memories of those times came back to her. However, she held firm, refusing to break. "I carried on though, if I had the strength to carry on while he was away, I could handle his disappearance."

"... you're pretty strong for that mom." Red was amazed at the woman's tenacity to remain focused and calm. He knew if he had been in her place, he'd break.

"I had to be." Pride leaked into her voice, proving that she was still strong as ever. "It's what happens when you love a Trainer."

"What do you think happened to him?"

Mrs. Satoshi took the moment to think, looking deep within herself to find the right answers. Two came up and she wasn't going to lie about either. "Common sense says he's dead, optimism says he's still out there."

"What if we had proof he died, what then?"

"... I still wouldn't feel sad. Actually, I'd be grateful that he died while doing the one thing in the world that made him the happiest." Her stable voice and body language floored Red. This woman would still remain strong even with the worst case scenario. "Your father loved Pokemon more than anything in the world, probably even more than me. There was no question that he was truly alive when he was out on his journey. I can't be sad if he died doing what he loved most."

Red remained completely shocked at his mother's conviction. Was Pokemon Training the one thing that truly set his father off? Did his mom really fully support him? Can she really be that alright with his disappearance?

"I wanted you to also be a Trainer, Red." His mom broke him out of his shock one last time to finally explain her acceptance to his test. "I know you don't remember your father too well, but if you followed his footsteps then maybe you'd come to understand the man he was. I want you to experience what he did, the joy he felt, the thrill of adventure, and the knowledge the journey will bring to you. I want you to be alive."

"But mom... I could die as well..."

"I'm not worried, you're our son." Mrs. Satoshi smiled warmly and reached out to embrace her son. "You're intelligent and capable. You'll have Blue and Green by your side. Most importantly, you'll have my faith and love Red."

"... do you really believe I can do this?"

"Yes."

This was a lot to take in. I learned about the relationship my parents had, the man my father was and what he became to be. I used to be convinced that he met his demise on his journey. Somehow, I can't buy it anymore. I know my mom is being strong and while she acknowledges to likely possibility dad did die, I get the feeling she's still holding on to the hope that he's still out there. That's probably rubbing off on me now.

Then there's what my future holds. This journey will put me on the same path my father was on. Will I learn about him? Will I feel the way he did when I get my starter? Will I find him? Maybe, maybe not. All I know is one thing now: I feel hopeful and willing.

"I'm gonna do it mom. I'm going to be a Pokemon Trainer."

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Author's Final Thoughts: There you have it, the first chapter of Color Blind. As you all can obviously see, this is a rather loose adaptation of the Pokemon games. You can expect some things to be twisted around for narrative convenience and stuff that never occurred in the games as well. Can't have this turning into "why read this if I can just play the game?"

I give out my sincerest thanks to everyone taking the time to read this. I hope you enjoy and look forward to future installments!