Red.

A/N: This is a novelisation of generation one. Pokemon events and characters belong to Nintendo. Other characters and some events belong to Hidenori Kusakaand Mato. I own nothing, and write this for entertainment. Note: This is based on the games, not the Manga series.

Under the cover of night, a man slipped from his house and made his way to the town's exit. He looked back upon the town, knowing he would not return. He would not see Pallet town again.

'Wait,' a voice called out after him.

The first man stopped and turned to the second approaching. He must have been in his mid-to-late forties. His hair was already beginning to gray, his face greatly matured. His white lab coat was neat and presentable

'Good evening, Professor Oak. What can I do for you on this fine evening?'

'So, you're going through with it. What about your family. Your son is turning three tomorrow.'

'Why, yes. I was quite aware of the fact,' he replied.

'If you leave them, then at least abandon this foolish plan. Damn it, Pokemon are living creatures, not tools!'

'I fail to see your point,' the man replied monotonously.

''You sick, demented fool!'

'Then perhaps it is for the best that I leave.'

'You know I can't allow that!' Oak shouted, 'I'll-'

'Do what? Battle me,' the man snorted, 'we both know you can't beat me.'

Oak's fist clenched. He was right. There was nothing he could do except watch him leave.

'Please do me a favor. Look after them for me.' He asked in a softer voice, before leaving the town entrance. Oak fell to his knees.

'I'm sorry Akane…Red…But don't worry. I'll make it up to you. He may have left, but I won't.'

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

He moaned as he was awakened from his sleep by the obnoxious sound of his alarm. He raised his hand and swept his raven hair from obscuring his crimson eyes. After rubbing the gound from his eyes, he finally pulled the covers from his thirteen-year-old form. Shifting his eyes around the room, he took in all that surrounded him, finally resting on his clock. Eleven-thirty-five, he silently noted. Suddenly, his form froze in sudden and horrible realization. He was meant to be at the lab. How could he have set his alarm so damn late? He quickly sprung to his feet and rushed to get dressed, making note to carefully step over the sleeping Growlithe. His mother kept several Pokemon in the house as pets, and for assistance with the housework. He threw his clothes on, covering himself in red, white, and black, the same colour scheme he always wore. Finally, to finish it off, he took his red cap and placed it on his head, the peak obscuring his face in shadow. Several bangs dropped down around his eyes.

He rushed down the stairs, narrowly evading the Poliwhirl as he did. As he made his way to the door, he saw the Likitung and Rattata both sleeping on the couch. The Pidgeotto too, was resting in the middle of the room. As he exited the house, he made for the lab in a run.

'Red!' called a woman. He came to a halt and turned to face his mother. Along with her, both the Machop and Oddish where helping her in the garden. 'Aren't you going to have something to eat first?'

'I'll have something at the lab,' Red replied before taking off in a run once again.

As he ran, he passed another house. It was the house of his friend, Green, who happened to be Professor Oak's grandson. The fact that the two were friends was something that others never understood. The two were as different as two could get. Green was popular. Made friends easily. Loud. In addition, as far as Red was concerned, the most obnoxious boy to ever have lived. Whereas Red was a nobody. Quiet. People only knew who he was by the fact that Green was his friend. Plus, he was quite possibly the most introverted boy ever to live.

When they were younger, they would play everything one could think of. Every single time, Green would win, and would make every effort to rub it into Red's face. The two competed and pushed one-another to their limits. They were best friends, and one-another's greatest rivals. Around the time when the two became ten-years-old, Green found a new passion. Pokemon. The creatures that inhabited the world with humans. It did not take too long for the passion to pass on to Red. Green had all he needed to satisfy his curiosity, however it was a different story for Red. That was why he went to Professor Oak. The professor would teach the boy all he needed to know. In exchange, he would work as his assistant.

Finally, Red came to a stop. He had arrived at an enormous building. He swallowed a large lump in his throat. Oak was a man who utterly despised being kept waiting. Red sighed. No point in keeping him waiting, any more, right? He steadily made his way to the door, reached for the door handle, pulled at it, and…nothing. Was he out? Red reached for his pocket and pulled out a key. He wasted no time in unlocking the door and entering the laboratory. Empty. Red sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Where was he? Why did he not tell him he was going somewhere? Everything in the lab was locked up, and his key only opened the front door. Now he couldn't do any work, and he had no idea where Oak was. Just then, red spotted a piece of paper on Oak's table. He quickly approached it, snatching it into his hands before reading over it.

Red.

I am sorry I am not present, however something came up. There was a sighting of a rare

Pokemon near Viridian city. Please pass this message onto Green, for he was to come by today.

Yours truly,

Professor Samuel Oak.

Perfect. He didn't have to rush here after all. That means he could go home until Oak returned. First he would have to stop off and tell-

'Hey! Red!'

Perhaps not. Looks like Green was already here. Red spun on the spot as his friend entered the lab. Wild brown hair framed his head, and his arrogant smirk consumed his face.

'So, where's Gramps?' Green asked.

'Out,' was Red's response.

'Gee, that's real helpful,' Green rolled his eyes as the sarcasm dripped from his tongue, 'He was supposed to be giving me a Pokemon today. Where could he be?' Green asked as his grin vanished.

'There was an emergency at Viridian.'

'Is that right?' Green said as his smirk returned, 'well then, I guess I better go meet him then.'

'What are you talking about?' Red asked, unable to believe what his friend said. Did he not understand how dangerous that was? An entire heard of Rattata made the road between Pallet town and Viridian city their home. Not to mention all the Pidgey that nested there.

'Won't he be surprised? Smell ya later!'

Red shuddered. How he hated that obnoxious farewell and Green damn well knew it! As he rushed out the door, Red sighed as he rubbed his temples. He should go after him. He had no choice…did he? It wouldn't be so bad if he left him, would it? Leave him? Chase him?

'Damn it!' Red growled to himself before charging out the door and to the town's entrance. He arrived quickly, stopping as he approached the overgrown grass that dominated the path of route one. This could get tricky very quickly. Pokemon have a habit of hiding in tall grass, and were difficult to spot, near impossible if they were staying still. He could go back to the house and borrow some of the Pokemon there, but they aren't trained for battle. In addition, that would take time, and for all he knew, Green was already under attack from a Pokemon. If that were the case, then was there anything Red could actually do? He could work as a distraction, and that may just be enough…

Red took off at full speed, not wanting to run into any wild Pokemon. In front of him, he saw movement in the grass. Before he could react, a giant purple rat-like creature jumped out at him, fangs beard. Red instinctively stepped to the side, causing the Rattata to miss. He sprinted off, the Pokemon in pursuit. There was no chance in hell that he could out-run a Rattata. Just as he doubted things could get worse, he heard a sudden cry from the air. A Pidgey? No, more like a Pidgeotto. That was the last thing he needed. By the look of the shadows on the ground, it was closing in. It was right above him. Red could not get away. The Rattata jumped at him and the Pidgeotto lunged down. Suddenly though, unexpected to the two, Red dropped to the ground as the Pidgeotto's claws closed, catching the Rattata. The bird shrugged it off, half satisfied with its catch as it quickly flew off into the sky.

'That was too close for comfort,' Red mumbled as he got to his feet and dusted himself off. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to face a predicament like that again.

Luckily, Red arrived at the city without more interruption.

'Hey Red!' Green's voice shouted. Red turned to face him with a deep scowl on his face. As Green saw this, he jumped back.

'Geez, what's wrong with you?' Green asked.

'Don't ask,' Red spat.

'Fine, be that way,' Green dismissed, 'So, where do you think gramps is?'

Red didn't pay any mind to the question, he was far to occupied. A bright and brilliant light was heading their way. Suddenly, it stopped before him and the light dimmed, revealing a small pink creature.

'Wow! Is that a Pokemon? I've never seen anything like it!' Green exclaimed.

'It's…Mew.' Red stated, unable to believe his eyes.

'Mew? That's one of a kind, isn't it?' Green smirked as he reached for his belt, pulling free a red and white ball. A pokeball, 'I'm gonna catch it!' Green threw the ball, but as it soared through the air, Red caught it, 'Hey, this is my Pokemon!'

'Look,' Red simply said as he pointed to Mew who was frantically flying around them, 'it wants us to follow it.'

'How do you know?'

'Because it's obvious,' Mew quickly flew off, followed by Red, who was followed by Green.

'Oooff!' Oak groaned as he was slammed in the chest and pushed to the ground.

'What's wrong old man? Weren't you going to stop us?' laughed the man in black. Beside him stood a large Pokemon. A Machock.

'Team Rocket trash!' Oak spat, 'if I could only get to my Pokemon…'

'What was that?' the man growled, 'Machock, do it!' The Pokemon charged forward and grabbed Oak by the throat, before lifting him.

'Let him go!'

Oak froze as he heard the voice, 'Green! What are you doing here?'

Red sighed. Green had just charged in without any idea of what to do. At least he served as a decent distraction. As discreetly as he could, Red approached a backpack, one he recognised as belonging to Oak. He wasted no time in reaching it, and opening it. Good, Oak had brought some Pokemon with him, three in total. Each of the balls were different, each specially made for a different purpose. One was a lure ball. A ball specially made for water-types. Another was a Volcano ball, which was specifically for fire types. It was all red, rather than red and white. The last was a Forest ball, made for Grass types. It was a Green, grass-like pattern.

'Hey!' Red suddenly froze. It was the man in black. The Team Rocket member. He had found him, 'another one! Machoke, get him!'

Machoke growled as it threw Oak across the ground. He groaned in pain as he slammed against the pavement. The ferocious Pokemon roared in rage as it charged forward. Crap, No time to think! Red grabbed one of the balls without looking and threw it forward with a push of the button located on the front of the round object. As it soared through the air, it opened, triggering a grand explosion of smoke. The blast threw the ball backwards into Red's hand. As the smoke cleared, the Pokemon that once resided inside the ball was revealed. It yawned and stretched its muscles, before spotting the opponent in front of him. The green Pokemon swallowed hard. On its back was a large onion-like bulb. Its eyes where crimson, just like Red's. This was Professor Oak's Bulbasour.

'Is this a joke?' the Rocket laughed, 'crush it!'

Machoke lunged forward and brought its elbow down on the smaller Pokemon, however he jumped backwards. It growled as it lunged forward. Again, he jumped back. Again, and again. Bulbasour, though trained enough to obey humans, was not an experienced fighter. If Red remembered correctly, its rank was only five, where as the Machoke would be at least rank twenty-eight. Frustrated, the Machoke threw its fists down on it.

Dodge to the left!' Red called.

Bulbasour done as instructed. As the Machoke's fist slammed into the concrete, its target was directly in position for a counter-attack.

'Tackle!'

Bulbasour jumped at full force, slamming its body into the Machoke's neck

'A strike like that would be enough to harm even the strongest Pokemon,' Oak commented as he and Green used the distraction of the battle to make their way to his back-pack, 'take your pick Green.'

'Well, if Red chose a grass type, then I want fire!' Green announce as he took the Volcano ball.

'Very well then,' Oak said as he took the Lure ball. Both threw the Pokeballs, summoning the Pokemon. Two new Pokemon, a Charmander and a Squirtle, emerged from the smoke, 'all right you two, into the battle!'

The Machoke growled as it got back to its feet and charged, only to be smacked back as a turtle Pokemon tackled it. A Squirtle, but from where? Soon after, another Pokemon jumped into the battle, this one a Charmander. Red's bewilderment was answered as both Oak and Green joined him.

'Be careful boys. It out-powers us!' The warning was made for Green more so than Red.

'Yeah, yeah,' Green dismissed, 'Use scratch!'

Mew watched the battle in awe. These humans and Pokemon were fighting together so desperately for her. If she didn't do anything, then they were done for. She needed to do something immediately.

The three Pokemon surrounded Machoke, striking at it as commanded.

'You worthless Pokemon!' the Rocket growled, 'hurry up and strike! They're tiny, damn it! Crush them already!'

He could shout as much as he wanted, but it would do nothing. Throughout this battle, the Machoke hadn't used any techniques at all. It was using only its brute strength. Machoke growled as loud as possible before sweeping its arm at Squirtle, sending him flying.

'He fainted!' Oak gasped. Even if it is nothing but a belligerent brute, it was still too strong for Pokemon with such little training. Oak threw his Lure ball, capturing the unconscious Pokemon, before it bounced back into his hand. He couldn't see anyway of defeating it. Suddenly though, a bright light from behind appeared. Before he could turn to face it though, the light flew straight past him and into the Machoke.

'Is that…' Green began.

'Mew.' Oak finished.

The light dissipated, and the Machoke was thrown through the air, before its unconscious form landed before the Rocket.

'What?' The Rocket stepped backwards, 'I don't have any left. We underestimated its power,' unable to do anything else, he spun around and took off at full speed.

Oak turned to Mew, 'thank you,' in response, the pink Pokemon purred before flying into the horizon. 'What a magnificent Pokemon,' after a good few seconds, the professor turned to the two boys, 'come boys, let's recall our Pokemon and head back to Pallet town.

They did as instructed. When they returned to Oak's laboratory, they put their Pokeballs into a medical machine, an out-dated version of the ones used in Pokemon centres. While they waited, Oak took the time to speak with the two.

'What you have done was both reckless and dangerous, however because of your actions, I was saved. Not only that, but you proved to me that you are both ready to become trainers.'

DING.

Oak approached the medical machine and removed the balls. After which, he returned the Forest ball to Red, and the Volcano ball to Green.

'Thanks gramps!' green exclaimed. Red remained silent, his eyes never leaving the green device in his hands. Finally, a Pokemon of his very own. He had been looking forward to this day for three years. 'Hey Red!' Green called, snapping the boy out of his thoughts, 'come on, let's test them out!' Red turned to Oak. Was it appropriate to have a battle inside a laboratory?

'Go ahead. It will be a good idea to get used to your new Pokemon.'

The two boys moved to an open part of the lab, before releasing their Pokemon.

'Use scratch!' Green ordered. Charmander lunged forward and closed in on Bulbasour.

'As soon as you jump back, use tackle!' Red called. Charmander brought its claw down, however its target jumped back. Before the young dragon could recover from its own attack, Bulbasour lunged his body forward, and sent Charmander flying across the room.

'Get up and keep attacking!' Green commanded. Charmander done as he was told, jumping to his feet, and charging. His claw scratched Bulbasour with enough force to knock him down. This was quickly followed by several more strikes to the Pokémon's frame.

Not good. Bulbasour was trapped. At least, he was until Charmander kicked his body across the ground, and began charging.

'Great work, Charmander! Now finish it!' Green shouted.

This was over. However, not in Green's favour. Charmander closed in on his enemy, ready to deal the final blow.

'Now! Tackle!' Red ordered.

Bulbasour jumped up, and slammed straight into Charmander's chin. With one final cry, Charmander flew before Green's feet.

'Get up,' nothing. 'Are you serious? Oh man, I picked the wrong Pokemon.' Green complained as he returned Charmander to his pokeball. 'Oh well. I'm gonna make mine fight wild Pokemon to get stronger. Smell ya later.' Green smirked as he rushed out of the lab. There it was again. That obnoxious farewell. Red sighed as he returned his Pokemon to its ball.

'Red,' the boy turned to Oak, 'take the day off. Get to know your Pokemon.' Red nodded before leaving the lab. Now alone, Oak was finally able to ponder what he had just seen. 'As I expected, Red is a tactician, where as Green relies entirely on brute force. Quite different styles, and both of which may be just what I need.

Outside, Red continued to stand idly as he gazed at his Forest ball. He won? He'd never won before. He had…A grin grew on Red's face. He had never felt so alive. He sent another look to his pokeball. He needed a name. Sour…That would do nicely. Attaching the sphere to his belt, he made his way to his home.

A/N: Don't expect a steady pace of updates; this isn't one of my top stories. Also, rank is equivalent to level in the games.

Pokedex status

Red

Sour. Rank Five

Green

Charmander. Rank five