I'm back, everyone! I really appreciate the feedback from the last chapter, and I decided to start shortening my chapters. I actually have quite a bit done already, almost 30,000 words, but I'll be breaking it up a bit over the next few weeks, so please be patient! Thanks to Eevee for reviewing, and I will start taking your advice! I honestly don't like theprologue part that much - I think it needs a lot of work. I honestly wanted to throw it out there and get it over with, and hopefully, it wouldn't be too bad. Now, I'll be putting down about 5-6k words at a time as opposed to 10. Hope you guys enjoy! Please leave feedback if possible! I want to know what you guys think, and what you think I can do better! Thanks!
June 1, 1996 (8:56 AM)
The sun blazed over Pallet Town's little suburb. It was about nine AM, but that didn't stop it from being too hot, at least for some. At the same time, though, it was a certain blessing for some, including a certain mother of a young teen named Red, who she was desperately trying to wake up.
"Red, honey!" She called from the bottom of the stairs. "It's your big day, let's get a move on! You have to be to the lab by ten!"
The lump underneath the covers groaned in agony. He didn't want to get up, but he did at the same time! He was so tired from not being able to fall asleep the night before and didn't fall asleep until about two in the morning. He wanted to not be bothered for at least another hour, but his mother was persistent.
"Young man, I won't ask you again!" She opened his door, about to scold him. "Oh, you're up!"
Red was "up", all right. Sitting up in bed. "Morning, mom. Can you ask the professor if he can wait a bit?"
"Red…"
"Okay, okay! I'm up!"
Red knew not to challenge his mother when she began to visibly seethe. "Your bag's all packed, honey. Don't forget to withdraw the stuff you bought from the mart the other day as well!"
Red glanced over at his PC, which had Item Storage Technology, meaning he could store physical items by transferring them as data into the computer. He could then pull them out at any PC in the region. "Thanks, mom."
"You're welcome," She smiled at her son. She smiled to avoid letting the tears in her eyes fall.
Red didn't waste any time getting ready. He had gotten new clothes and shoes for his journey, and while he was still pessimistic about the whole arrangement, he felt more confident with new clothes. After freshening up with a shower, he put on his new black t-shirt, freshly washed, along with a red and white vest to go over it. Kanto had hot summers, and he wanted to wear something that wouldn't make him uncomfortable. He had also bought a few pairs of new jeans, as well as a pair of red and black sneakers. To complete his clothes, he picked up the red and white hat his dad had gotten for him years ago. Finally, he slung his new backpack over his back, a yellow over-the-shoulder type with plenty of space for items he could use.
With a sigh, Red stared at his bedroom for what would be the last time in a while. His bed, covered with white sheets and a big quilt that smelled like fresh soap, his little TV with a Super Nintendo game system, as well as his PC, which he had recently received as a gift. Red knew he was pretty spoiled, since he was an only child. His grin slowly fading, he turned off the light and shut the door.
Red meandered downstairs to find his mother eating her breakfast in front of the television, which was playing an unknown movie. There was a plate of eggs and toast on the opposite side of the table, which Red assumed was for him.
"Morning."
It took a couple seconds for her to acknowledge him. "Good morning, dear. Eat your breakfast, okay?"
"Don't have to tell me twice."
Red wasted no time eating his scrambled eggs and toast, while his mother kept her eyes on the screen. From what Red could gather, it was about four boys who were looking for something in their town. In one scene, they were walking across railroad tracks.
"Mom, what movie is that?"
"I'm actually not sure, I just turned to it." She looked at him, her eyes irritated from crying. "It's making me a bit nostalgic, though."
"Come on, mom, don't cry."
She was now focusing on him completely. "I know, I know. I should be happy that my son was chosen for something like this. Besides, you get to be with that Cassie girl, too, right?"
Red's cheeks flushed at the mention of her name. "N-no, apparently not. I mean, we're all going at the same time, but we can't travel together."
"Oh, I see," Melancholy washed over her face like a stream of water. "I'm sorry, Red. I knew you were looking forward to being with her, but I guess you guys'll stay in contact, right?"
Red nodded. "Definitely!"
Red's mom looked at the clock before turning back to him in what he could only describe as alarm. "You need to go, honey. It's a fifteen-minute walk to the lab and you only have twenty minutes! Come on, go, go, go!"
"Mom, it's fine! Sheesh, I'll get there on time!" Red protested as him mom pushed him out the door, following closely behind him. Red looked down the road and knew the professor's lab was just a short walk away, it was that short walk that would set him on a new path, a new beginning. He turned back to his mom, who was unable to restrain her tears.
"I'm so happy for you, honey," She spoke, her words strained. "Always look forward, okay? And remember, you can always come home."
"Well, I can't before my second badge, but I'll visit. I'll visit a lot."
She pulled him into a tight hug. Red wanted to release before she did, but she held on so tight he couldn't separate from her for several seconds.
"Mom, I, uh…I gotta go."
"Oh, yes!" She released him from the hug, his arms warm and sleeves creased from the contact. "Go, honey! You don't have much time left, sorry!"
Red took off down the path, his backpack slowing him down slightly. Even with the weight of his new backpack, Red felt like he was flying down the road, weightless and free.
"Bye, Red!"
He looked back and saw his mom waving from the front porch. He waved back as he kept going down the path, knowing what was in store for him at the lab.
Red was about halfway down the path before he saw Leaf.
"Heeyyy!"
His yell caught her attention, and she yelled back. "Red, hey!"
He stopped right next to her, hands on his knees, panting. "Hey…"
"You actually got up on time? Who are you, and what have you done with the Red I know?" She smirked, her tone playful. She had gotten new clothes herself: A blue collared tank top, a red skirt, and a hat with a premier ball (like a pokéball but white with red interior) design, as well as a yellow shoulder bag, much like Red's backpack. Red had to resist the urge to stare.
"Hey, that's hurtful!" He snarked, placing his finger on his chin. "Especially coming from you, Miss Cassie "I sleep in until twelve on Saturdays" Greene.
"Hey, jerk!" She tapped his arm with her fist. "That was only a couple times!"
"A couple? More like a ton."
"Shut up!"
The two laughed and chatted as they made their way to the professor's lab. Professor Samuel Oak's lab building was a bit larger than a house with a single story but had a huge fenced property for keeping Pokémon and studying them. It had a big shingled roof and a white cinderblock foundation. Red and Leaf had both been inside a number of times, but never in the research area and only the living space.
"Well, this is it." Red broke the silence.
"Yeah." Leaf replied.
Looking up at the building, Red felt as though it wanted to crush him and Leaf, and he didn't know why. Maybe it was the nerves?
"Let's go, we can't keep the professor waiting." Leaf spoke up again, fiddling with the hem of her skirt.
"Yeah."
The two opened the front screen door that led to the inside of the lab, stepping inside with nervous steps.
"Professor?" Red called out.
There was no answer, but the two continued before them was a nice foyer area that had a staircase leading up both to the left and right. They knew this was because the second floor was where the professor, Daisy, and Blue lived.
The followed the carpeted floors towards the double doors in front of them. With hesitation, they opened them, and had to run inside to get in before the door closed, it was so heavy.
"Professor?" Red called again. "We're here!"
"Quit yelling, Red! Get up here!"
In the near distance, there was a familiar face: Blue. He stood, arms crossed over his black collared shirt. "Gramps isn't here! He's up and disappeared!"
While Leaf and Red didn't like Blue and rarely talked to him, they had formed what could be classified as a 'truce' between them, resulting in Blue being more…civil. They ran up to him, even more confused than before. "What do you mean he disappeared?"
Blue shrugged. "Beats me! Gramps is always doing stupid stuff I don't understand, anyway. Why don't you go find him?"
Leaf's eyes narrowed and she put her hands on her hips. "Why us? He's your grandpa."
He shrugged again, as though he had trademarked it. "Because it isn't my problem, okay? If you give him enough time, he'll come back on his own."
Leaf groaned as she sat down in a nearby chair. The carpeted room had bookcases and a few tables in it, as well as a healing machine for Pokémon. One of the tables had something on it that was covered in a sheet. "What're we gonna do, then? Leave it to the professor to give us a required meeting time only for him to miss it, not us."
"I'll go find him."
Blue and Leaf whipped their heads back at Red, who was setting his backpack down. "What?"
"I'll go look around town, so watch my stuff, okay?" Red walked up to Blue, his hands in his pockets. "Don't try anything funny, Blue."
"Hey, hey, I won't, man. Go do whatever, we'll be here."
"Be careful, Red!" Leaf called out as Red ran out, the large doors shutting with a loud slam.
Blue and Leaf were alone and dead silent. Leaf sat on a chair, her elbows on her knees.
"So, uh," Blue broke the silence, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. "You sleep well?"
Red didn't know where to start, honestly. Maybe the professor was out grabbing snacks, so the grocery store was an option. Maybe he went to the bank or something? While Pallet Town was small, it still took an hour or so to go through every major area in the town, and in the heat of the summer, it would be exhausting.
Red decided to check with Daisy, first. He went into the living area of the lab and found Daisy drinking tea in the living room.
"Hi there, Red!" She spoke in her sweet voice, the opposite of her brother's nasally tone. "Need something?"
"Where's the professor? He's not here and we're on time."
She looked up in thought, setting her teacup down. "I'm not sure. He said something about running an errand, so he's probably in town."
Red groaned internally. That could be anywhere! "Okay, thanks, Daisy!"
"Red, wait-!" She couldn't get out what she wanted to say in time, he was already gone.
"I felt the temptation to spoil Grandpa's surprise, but I guess I shouldn't." She snickered to herself, resuming sipping her tea.
Red's hat was the only thing protecting him from the sun, which he had been running around in for the past fifteen minutes.
He checked around the residential areas, didn't find him. He checked at the market and the post office, still didn't find him. There was no Pokémart or Pokémon Center in town, so he couldn't check there. He finally considered one more plausible option.
He was around the town exit, or on Route 1.
Route 1 wasn't a terribly dangerous area, and it was where many trainers started their journey after receiving a Pokémon from the professor. It had very few Pokémon, and was a steady climb up, with hills and ledges and plenty of grass. Nonetheless, people weren't allowed to go unless they were driving a car or they had Pokémon. Red had neither.
"I guess this is where we'll leave town…" Red mulled to himself. His mind wandered back to his mother, and her tears at him leaving. He was forced to swallow his emotions about leaving in order to keep moving, but he wanted nothing more than to stay. He didn't want this, but unfortunately, he had to. For Leaf, for the law, and ultimately, for himself as well.
"Maybe the professor did leave town. There's a Pokémart in Viridian City, so he could've went to pick up some items and such."
Red considered his options. He could wait here for the professor on nothing more than a dumb hunch, or he could go out on his own and risk being attacked. Wait, what if the professor was in danger? He's not the sprightliest guy around, maybe he was being held up by wild Pokémon?
Red swallowed his fear as he gazed up at the gate leading out of the town and therefore, safety. It appeared to grow in size, wrapping around Red and the area he stood in. Shaking his head, Red began to walk towards the gate.
Five steps.
Four steps.
Three steps.
Two steps. He was right there.
One step.
"Stop, Red!"
Red nearly flew in the air in surprise as the man of the hour himself, Professor Samuel Oak, appeared from behind a nearby house, running towards him. His white lab coat was flapping behind him almost heroically as he dashed up to the young man. "Red, you did it! Excellent!"
Whoa, Red was so confused. "D-did what?"
"You passed my little test!" The professor grinned as he fixed his grey hair.
Test?
"I decided to test you three kids, and the results were certainly interesting!" He put his hand on Red's shoulder. It was a bit wrinkled and pale, but he had a strong grip. "I'll explain as we go back to the lab."
Red's confusion didn't subside as he and the professor turned back in the other direction. Red just hoped he would hurt himself in it, as many Pokémon did.
Professor's Oak's explanation was what Red needed to understand the situation. The older man didn't mean any harm or malice by not showing up, he merely wanted to see who would go out and try to find him, and possibly try to leave town in the process.
"Red, I'm actually quite proud of you. You took the initiative!" The professor hummed happily as he and Red approached the lab. "I had low expectations for my grandson," His mood soured a bit. "but I figured that you or that young lady Cassie would go the extra mile! Great work!"
Red was a bit embarrassed to be showered in praise like that. "It was nothing, professor! I guess I just took what my mom always told me to heart: make the first move."
"That's good advice, my boy!" The professor opened one of the double doors to the lab with ease, as if he'd been doing it for years. Oh, wait, he has been, Red thought.
The two stepped inside, and the temperature change was immediately evident. "Ah, I love my air conditioning!" Professor Oak laughed.
The professor continued on towards the lab, with Red in tow. How could such a smart, accomplished man be this…eccentric, Red thought. Surely, he was just joking around a bit? After all, no professional would make children chase after him like that? Right?
"I'm back!" The professor opened the large double doors with a hearty slam.
"Gramps!"
"Professor!"
Blue and Leaf's voices could be heard in the back of the lab, along with some aides that were working nearby. Blue stormed up to the professor, angrier than a wet meowth.
"Are you serious, grandpa?!" He snarled, his arms at his sides. "I'm fed up with waiting! I wanna get this journey started already!"
Leaf came up to the group as well, albeit more calmly. "Blue, relax! It's not like he was gone the whole day." Leaf huffed. She turned her attention to Red. "Nice work, Red. Not only did you find the professor, but you set off Spiky over here…"
"I heard that, Greene!"
"Alright, alright, that's enough. Follow me, you three."
The three kids followed the professor through his lab and towards the table that had been covered by a sheet, but said sheet had been removed. Instead, there sat three individual pokéballs, about a foot apart from each other. They glistened in the artificial light from above, and the deep red plastic on the tops seemed to draw Red in with their symmetry.
"Now, you three were some of the very few who received trainers licenses this year, and you're also the last ones to leave!" The professor laughed. "Nonetheless, since there are three of you, and there are three Pokémon here! There just a few that were left from my career as a trainer years ago!"
"Cut to the chase, gramps…" Blue mumbled, tapping his foot.
"Be patient, Blue. Patience is a virtue that all Pokémon trainers must learn some time or another. Anyway, I will be gifting you with your very first Pokémon. These Pokémon were specifically chosen as the Kanto Region's official "Starter Pokémon", meaning they are given to new trainers starting out…"
Professor Oak kept talking, but Red snuck a look over to Leaf, who had her eyes fixated on the pokéballs. She was shaking just barely, and her hand kept clenching and unclenching in an unknown emotion. Fear? Excitement? Anticipation? Red was feeling all of those and then some at the moment.
"…alright, my spiel is over. I don't wanna talk your ears off, or you'll never make it to Viridian City by nightfall!" He walked over behind the table where the pokéballs were placed. "Red, you have first pick, young man."
"What?"
"What?!"
Red and Blue both spoke up at once, the former in surprise and the latter in disgust. "Come on, gramps! Why does he get first pick? I'm your grandson, and I'm the only one here who actually wants to be here! I should get first pick!"
"Blue, what did I tell you about patience?" The professor's tone shifted from jolly to stern in a flash. "Red gets to pick first because he passed my little test, something you failed. You and Cassie can decide amongst yourselves who will go next, but Red goes first because I said so. Is that clear?"
Blue scoffed and rolled his eyes, but nodded.
Red walked to the table, unsure of how he should react. It didn't feel fair that he was the one to go first, but he felt accomplished because he had beaten Blue at something.
"Professor?" He spoke up.
"What's wrong, Red? Having a hard time picking?" The professor chuckled.
"No, I was just wondering if I could pass my privilege of going first to someone else."
The professor cocked his head in confusion. "What makes you say that?"
Red shrugged. "I dunno, I'm just a little indecisive, and I want to take my time. So, I think Le-er, Cassie should go first."
They all turned to Leaf, whose face began to flush from the attention. "N-no, Red, you should go first! Don't worry about me!"
"But I want you to go first, Cass." Red crossed his arms. "I'm not doing this 'cause I want to, remember? We have to do this journey, and since you're more dedicated than me, you should get first choice."
Leaf shook her head, still smiling. "No, Red. You get first choice cause the professor said so." She looked to Blue, who was tapping his feet faster than ever. "Besides, Red, if you don't pick soon, Spiky here will explode." She laughed.
"Somebody get me a barf bag, cause you two are making me sick with your lovey-dovey nonsense!" Blue made a retching motion. "Just pick, Red!"
Red and Leaf immediately recoiled at the comment about being romantic.
"Shut up, Blue!"
"Lovey-dovey? Ew!"
"Alright, that's enough."
The three turned back to the professor, who while appeared to be amused, but was also fit to be tied. "I'm putting my foot down. Red, you're picking first, and then Blue, be a gentleman and decide with Cassie who will go second and third."
Red sighed, while Blue and Leaf merely shrugged.
Red stepped forward once again, his steps unsure and weak. These three Pokémon were all very different and interesting, as he had learned in the trainer's school. Not only that, but each Pokémon was very different in its personality, much like how humans were. This Pokémon could be lazy and unmotivated, quiet and taciturn, or passionate and wrathful, and anything in between. Even the smallest of Pokémon could wield great power.
Red reached down and picked up the ball on the farthest right. It felt cool to the touch and the plastic surface was smooth and shiny, but Red couldn't help but feel that there was a sleeping behemoth inside the little sphere, something dangerous.
"Ah, you've picked up Charmander, the lizard Pokémon!" The professor walked up to him on the opposite side of the table. "Charmander is a strong Pokémon, but it's tough to raise, Red. I understand you're not enthusiastic about wanting to be a trainer, Red, so maybe Charmander isn't a good choice."
Red mulled it over. While certainly the concept of a hard-to-raise Pokémon really disinterested him, maybe it was a good thing? Since Charmander was apparently so hard to raise, maybe that would provide him with the excuse he needed to end his journey early. That's it, Red thought. With any luck, he could convince Leaf to quit as well.
"No, it's the one I want professor. I choose Charmander."
"Well," The professor chuckled, if a bit uncertainly. "that's your decision, Red. Good choice! I hope you raise it well."
Red took the pokéball with shaky hands and stared at it, wondering if he could see the Pokémon inside of it. He was merely greeted with the bright red top of it, shining in the light.
"Here, Red," The professor reached for the ball. "let me show you how it works."
Red let the professor take the ball into his aged hands, and with a swift press of the button on the front, it expanded in size, to around the same size as a softball. With a grunt, the professor threw it in the air, and with a flash of light, it opened, and out came a bright, white light, which soon materialized on the ground as the Pokémon Charmander.
Charmander was a small, reptilian Pokémon, orange in color, with big, beady eyes and little fangs and claws. It's most striking feature was its long tail, which had a brightly lit flame on the end. The little Pokémon stood up and meandered towards Red, growling softly and cooing as he nuzzled close to his new trainer.
"Ah, he likes you!" The professor laughed. "Not all Pokémon will immediately bond with you, kids, but these Pokémon are very young and new to the world, so they should get along with you just fine. They're a bit like you three: fresh, greenhorn trainers without much experience."
"Wow, Red! It's your actual Pokémon, now!" Leaf clapped her hands as she ran up to him and his newly acquired Charmander. "He's so cute!"
She offered the little creature her hand, which he licked lightly, cooing and purring.
"So adorable! Not as cute as Bulbasaur, though." She winked at him.
"You think he's that cute?" Red laughed nervously. "I just hope he'll cooperate."
Blue scoffed as he made his way over to the table "If you two are going to be so preoccupied with a silly Pokémon like Charmander, then allow me to show you a real Pokémon!"
With one fluid motion, Blue took the pokéball next to the where the one Charmander had been resting, and threw it into the air, releasing another young Pokémon. This time, it was a small, blue Pokémon with stubby arms and feet, a round, hairless head, and a big, red shell that covered most of its body. The look was completed with a tail the same color as its body.
"Come, Squirtle!" Blue called.
"Turr?" The little, blue turtle Pokémon replied. Thankfully, it recognized Blue as its trainer and ran headlong into his arms.
"I choose Squirtle, then." Blue snarked, sticking his tongue out at Red.
"Blue, you and Cassie were supposed to agree on who would choose next!" The professor fumed. "I can't believe this!"
"Professor, it's fine!" Leaf stepped forward, waving her hand as she reached for the last one. "I wanted the final Pokémon, anyway! It's been the one I've wanted for years!"
"Oh, uh…" The professor backed away. "If you say so, young lady!"
"Yep!" Leaf turned towards the empty space in front of her where Blue and the professor had released the other Pokémon. "My turn!"
She tossed the pokéball in the air, as the others had done before, and out from it came the same white light. This time, it materialized into a small, green, quadrupedal creature, with a reptilian face and little claws; it's most striking feature was a large, green, plant bulb on its back. The bulb seemed to take up most of the space it occupied.
"Saurrr…" It gurgled, turning towards Leaf.
"Hi, Bulbasaur! I'm your new trainer!" Leaf giggled as she leaned over to pet it.
"Surr…" It growled, licking Leaf's hand with its pink tongue. It appeared to be sleepy more than anything.
"Good, er…" Leaf lost her sentence halfway through. "Is it a boy or a girl, professor?"
"I believe all of them are male, at least most likely. Pokémon that are designated as Starter Pokémon are male a majority of the time, for some reason. I guess it's in their species." The professor walked back to a machine behind the table. "Now, I have something else to give you three."
The trio turned their attention back to the professor, their newly acquired Pokémon in tow. Charmander had snuggled up to Red's legs, while Squirtle stayed in Blue's arms. Bulbasaur, on the other hand, was sleeping in Leaf's arms.
"These," he pointed to the now opened spherical dome, revealing three red mechanical devices that looked a bit like books. "are the Pokédex! They are, at least, in their completed form. They're empty right now, but I want to give you three the job of filling them up! This was a lifelong dream of mine, to make an encyclopedia of all Pokémon in the world, but now I'm too old, and I'm cooped up in this lab." He laughed as he gathered them in his old, capable hands. "So, here!" He had thrust them into the younger, probably-less-capable hands of the three kids in front of him. Red, then Blue, and then Leaf.
"Filling the pokédex, huh? Sounds like it won't be too hard, then." Blue turned to Red and Leaf, pokédex in hand and Squirtle resting on his shoulders. "I'll just say this now, then: Red, Leaf, I don't need you guys. I'll personally fill this pokédex and fulfill my grandpa's dream, and I'll be the greatest trainer in the world. So, I guess I'll smell ya later."
Blue returned Squirtle to its pokéball with a red flash of light and bolted out of the double doors.
The professor sighed. "What a kid," He mumbled.
"So, what's next, professor?" Leaf asked, returning her Bulbasaur to its ball.
"Your next stop is Viridian City, kids. Blue already knew that, so he doesn't need to stay and listen to me anymore." He walked the two out, taking in the midday sun. "I wish you two the best on your journey. I'll accompany you to the gate if you don't mind."
The professor, Red, and Leaf slowly made their way to the Pallet Town gate, all the while Red was with his thoughts. He looked down to the lizard-like Pokémon at his feet, who was keeping up with an unsteady pace. Red could see himself almost in the little creature, with its young, naïve eyes and tottering steps. The difference between the two was Red was just a kid, and he didn't have any special powers. He was just a normal, weak kid. What could he possibly accomplish, even with Pokémon at his side?
I guess that's what I'm supposed to find out, he thought.
The three made it to the city limits, where the path to Route 1 lay in front of them, like the maw of a diabolical creature ready to swallow them.
"Alright, this is as far as I go, kids," The Professor crossed his arms, smiling. "Look at you two, you've grown up so much since I've first seen you, especially you, Red. I just wish my grandson would be more willing to get along with you two, but he's an Oak, I guess…"
"It's really okay, professor. A little competition never hurt anyone, right? A little rivalry?" Leaf chirped, her hands placed behind her back shyly.
"You've got a good point, dear. Now, if you don't mind, I have many things to do! I'm a busy, busy old man! Good luck, you two!" He called out as he turned back. "If you need anything, call me at a Pokémon Center! The phone is free to use!"
Leaf and Red watched as the professor became a smaller and smaller blip in their field of vision. Red's heart began to ease as his nervousness faded, and he could see the goosebumps on Leaf's smooth arms begin to fade as well.
"Red?"
"Eh?" Red snapped back at Leaf's voice.
"Come on, let's go. It's already noon, and we gotta get to Viridian City by nightfall, remember?"
"Yeah, uh, yeah…you're right." Red mumbled as he turned back towards the gate. "Let's go, Leaf."
She giggled at his absentmindedness. "Yeah, sounds good!"
"Hold up a minute!"
Red and Leaf turned around to see none other than Blue, who had apparently meandered his way to the exit as well. "Don't think you're going to leave town without battling me, Red."
"Battling you?" Red's eyebrow perked. "Why should I? You've been nothing but a neck pain this entire time."
Blue shrugged. "'Cause you'll look bad in front of your girl, right?"
"What?!" Leaf's face flushed. "Blue, shut your mouth! Red doesn't have to prove anything to you!"
"No, Leaf. I'll battle him."
"Huh?" She walked around to face him, her eyes boring into his. "Red, you don't have to fight for me, okay? I'll fight for myself."
"Leaf, I'm not gonna battle right now for your sake," Red pulled Charmander's ball from his belt with a soft snap. "I'm battling for me right now." He looked past her to Blue. "I'm sick of your taunting! Let's go, Blue!"
"Sounds like fun." The young man replied, taking a pokéball from his own belt. "Squirtle!"
He launched the ball into the air, which released the Tiny Turtle Pokémon. Squirtle seemed to be just as ready to battle as its trainer, standing in a way that looked like it was about to pounce.
"C-Charmander!" Red threw his own pokéball in the air, releasing Charmander. The little Pokémon was a tad confused, but as soon as it saw its opponent, it's little eyes hardened into a sharp glare, and its tiny claws extended with a barely audible noise.
The two trainers and their Pokémon stared each other down for several seconds, waiting for the other to make the first move. The outskirts of town were often a place of battle because of the dirt road and lack of grass. Leaf stood several feet away on the sidelines, watching them with anticipation.
"Come on, Red. You can do this!" She thought furiously, clenching her fist.
"If you're not going to attack, Red, I will!" Blue pointed in his opponent's direction. "Squirtle, ram it!"
"Ram it?" Red thought out loud. "Charmander, watch out!"
It was too late, though, as Squirtle launched its entire body into Charmander, sending it flying a few feet back towards Red. It didn't seem terribly fazed, though, and stood right back up, a small bruise forming on its stomach.
"Charmander, uh…" Red didn't know exactly what to do. All of the battling lessons from the school were leaving him. "Growl at it!"
Charmander reared its head back and released a shrieking, high-pitched snarling noise, making Squirtle cover its ears. He had learned in the school that some Pokémon could use skills that would lower and raise their battle attributes, such as offense and defense, in the school, and Growl was a move that many, many Pokémon could use.
"Ram it again!"
"Charmander, Scratch!"
Before Squirtle could make contact, Charmander raked its claws across the front of its face and neck. The collision sent them both back, but Charmander had taken more damage. The little fire Pokémon was beginning to breathe heavily, and its body was covered in scratches and bruises.
"Don't give up, Charmander!" Red called to his Pokémon.
"Cha!" Charmander turned back to Red, winking. Whether the wink was intentional or not, Red didn't know.
"Tackle it again!"
"So, it's Tackle!" Red realized as Squirtle threw itself at Charmander for the third time. "Try and dodge!"
Red's command registered with Charmander just in time, as it leaped away from Squirtle's attack perfectly. The Water-type Pokémon crashed into the ground, recoiling from its own force.
"Scratch, again!"
Charmander raised its claws like an executioner's axe at a guillotine, bringing them down several times against Squirtle's body and shell. Little marks were beginning to show on Squirtle's blue skin, along with some blood.
"Squirtle, come on! Tackle!"
Squirtle leaped up and pushed Charmander back, and charged again.
"Focus, Charmander! Scratch!"
Another perfectly timed attack. Charmander brought its claws down on Squirtle as its body made contact with Charmander's, pushing the former away slightly while sending Charmander sprawling. Both Pokémon remained on the ground for several seconds. Red considered calling a draw before Charmander slowly rose to its feet, panting and huffing.
"What?! Squirtle, no!" Blue recalled his Pokémon, hanging his head in shame. "I can't believe it! It's like I picked the wrong one!"
"Nice work, Charmander!" Red ran up to his Pokémon, pulling it into his arms. He was covered in dirt and bruises, but Charmander appeared to be just as pleased as Red about the victory.
"Char!" He growled softly as Red returned him into his pokéball.
"Great work, Charmander."
"Hey, Red!"
Red looked up at his opponent while placing the pokéball back on his belt. Leaf also ran up to join them. Blue walked over to Red his hands in his pockets, but a smile on his face. "Not a bad show, Red. You're more of a fighter than I thought."
"R-really?" Red chuckled. "That was actually kind of fun."
"Glad to hear it, but don't get cocky 'cause you won." Blue sneered. "That was just a fluke. I'll beat you next time."
"Blue, don't diminish Red's victory." Leaf admonished, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He smacked her hand away. "Get lost, Leafy. I wasn't talking to you. Might see you guys in Viridian. Don't get eaten by the Rattata on Route 1. Smell ya later."
Blue walked away as Red mulled his victory in silence. He had won his first Pokémon battle! How on earth did he do that?! He had scored lower than average on battling aptitude on the test, but somehow, he pulled out a win, albeit a really close shave of a win.
"Red, nice job!" Leaf took his hand in hers, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I knew you could win!"
He was shocked at her touch but grateful. "T-thanks. I guess we should take care of Charmander, right?"
"Y-yeah, definitely. Let's get him patched up before we go."
"Sounds like a plan.
