Growing Loneliness

Professor Oak had travelled internationally and domestically extensively through his time as a Pokemon Trainer and now as a Researcher, but never had he seen this young boy before. His parents were unknown, and at a mere age of ten, he had managed to climb the steep hill towards the Pallet Town Research Lab. There had been growing unrest in the world with a new criminal organisation forming within the Kanto underground, and so questions immediately formed as who would allow a young boy to become a trainer in such a time. No parents were with him, and he was dressed in a flurry of dark red clothing and a hat, worn out already and fabric already beginning to show cuts and holes. Jet black hair shown through below the cap, slightly tilted to one side, but he stood still and murmured gently, "I'm Red, Professor Oak. I'm here to collect my Pokemon."

There was no emotion in the voice, as it echoed around the halls of the Research Lab, no sadness, concern or even a hint of nervousness. Professor Oak nodded, allowing the boy in as he shut the door behind, adding to the echoing noise all around. The famous Researcher turned to face the boy once again and asked curiously, his mind completely shrouded in mystery now, "Do you not have any parents or friends with you? Guardians? Collecting your first Pokemon is a big deal you know?"

The boy shook his head as their conversation came to a quick and efficient end, Professor Oak moving ahead and up a small flight of stairs where three Pokeballs immediately became visible. Stood perched on a podium, they gleamed around the room, sending a dazzle of lights and wonder, but still Red did not even flinch. Professor Oak had given trainers their first Pokemon for many years now, he provided opportunities to become Trainers, but none had ever been as quiet as this boy. Many had thrown parties, brought their fans and even had Pallet Town celebrate the birth of a new champion or successful trainer, but for Red, nothing at all. Did he even understand what this meant?

Red pointed, his arm raising as his clothes pulled slightly, as his fingers directed eyesight towards the centre Pokeball. Professor Oak saw the ball slightly glint red, before blinking and looking away, completely taken aback at what he felt. Energy and heat seemed to form around the room, resonating from this trainer as some machines began to blink rapidly with lights flashing and the overheard fan turning slightly. Looking around, Professor Oak coughed before Red lowered his arm and spoke, "The centre one. I want that one."

"My boy, you haven't even seen what Pokemon that is yet." Professor Oak walked towards the podium, the lights flashing bright above automatically, as he grabbed the central Pokeball and winced slightly as it was warm. Heated up? What was this strange power being distributed around the room, it couldn't be the boy, he was a child, but something else seemed to be surrounding them both as he gazed around suspiciously. "It's important to make sure the Pokemon and you have a connection before you pick it."

Red shook his head slightly and grabbed the Pokeball from Professor Oak's hand, looking down at it and replying, "This is a Charmander, the Lizard Pokemon and a Fire Type. It loves me, and I love it."

Silence fell upon the room as Professor Oak shook his head in disbelief, how could the boy have known what Pokemon was inside? Composing himself, creating a mental note to further his study on Pokemon relationships, he responded with another small cough, "Impressive. You seem dependable, and you are the one of two trainers leaving Pallet Town today. The other is my grandson, Blue. Interesting that both of your names-"

"-are colours? I've realized that." Red still seemed emotionless as he had already turned and begun heading back down the staircase with Professor Oak leaning against the wall in a sweat as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. Nothing in his life had ever felt so riveting and strange as that, with the tremors of energy appearing in the room to add to the confusion, but there had to be an explanation to it. Hearing the front door slam somewhere downstairs, Professor Oak knew what he had to do as he spun quickly and headed towards his main computers. Outside the sun had begun to shine down briefly to reveal a sea of random Pokemon gazing on the grass behind the research lab, but Professor Oak had other things to complete.

Picking up a phone and dialing the numbers quickly, the call was soon answered as he spluttered, "Alder…there is a trainer who has just left Pallet Town. He's different."

"Thank you, Samuel. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I'll be in Kanto soon."

…

Eight badges remained attached and secured inside of Red's damaged and chipped case. Many said that badges told a story, either one of success or constant failure, but for Red they meant nothing at all. A story that had been written on day one was told repeatedly at every chapter where his Gym Battles were won simplistically and with a variety of Pokemon caught and trained to their full potential. He wasn't picky over who he used, but they all were powerful creatures willing to go the extra mile to gain strength and power. However, one remained in his team the whole time: his Charizard.

The fiery lizard had been within him since the beginning back in Pallet Town, and was the only unbeaten Pokemon within his party. Strong, agile and devastating, Red's Charizard had blitz through all opposition with powerful moves and even caused a Gym to collapse back in Fuchsia City. Koga was left in tears, his entire dojo burnt to the ground with a Soul badge hesitantly handed over with a weight of repairs and money forced to be spent behind it. Red did not care, he only had one goal in life, and that was to win the Indigo Plateau league and defeat the Elite Four and Champion. There was only one other individual fighting towards the same goal, but for Red he meant nothing but a reasonable trainer who managed to step ahead of the loosening pack. Dubbed at Kanto's shining lights, Red and Blue continued to battle it out in a constant rivalry that lasted for weeks and months.

Their most recent battle had appeared amongst the issue of Team Rocket, where Red pounded Blue to nothingness within the Silph Co building. No mercy, and even Team Rocket ran away with their eyes sore of tears and sweat as they disappeared scared and scarce. Red defeated them as well, their leader Giovanni eventually bowing down in defeat to a young boy that had now hit the newspapers, television and every social media outlet possible. Red pushed the media away, and nobody was able to find him or anyone who was even related to him. He did not care for them, he only wanted success for himself. That was his goal and objective, and he would win regardless or any condition.

Merciless in battle, and that was his battle cry.

Broken, angry and defeated, Blue was forced to disappear once again as humiliation took over his entire body and mind. He couldn't defeat Red, and every effort he attempted, he would still lose in a complete whitewash. Unreal power and energy would be felt every time they battled, and he would never even land a proper hit despite his distinctive battling style and aggressive play. Red would just stand across from him, silent, hiding his eyes within the shadows of his cap with Charizard dealing devastating damage to his Pokemon and the world around. Footsteps died away as Red could feel his frustration, and he smiled proudly to himself with dust and rubble falling gently off his worn clothes with the Silph. Co building shaking and shivering from the Pokemon battle. Team Rocket grunts had backed away with fear, disappearing from their stations with Red powering them down one by one. But Blue remained, although hurt and fearless, Red noticed he would never run away but remain on the ground staring up until he disappeared into the distance and mist.

This particular occasion presented a different opportunity, and Red stopped with the walls and cracked marble floor threatening to fall apart completely. Each step, and every motion, caused the building to shake further as sparks flew from the walls, shattering the nearby windows as glass caught the wind and fell onto the dark streets of Saffron City, still and silent with sirens echoing in the distance. Turning back to the trainer he had just defeated, Red adjusted his hat and took another Pokeball from his pocket before returning to the battleground. An entire wall of the corridor had been destroyed leaving burn marks and rubble scattered throughout the area with Blue struggling to return to his feet, wincing at every attempt. The battle had been more weary than ever before, but Red felt refreshed and eager to continue his journey, his counterpart looking the complete opposite. Opposites attract? Red failed to understand the distinction, Blue was not an opposite but a complete lost cause.

Bending down to one knee, Red muttered softly as he placed the Pokeball on the ground as it rolled in the shaking building, "Give up, Blue."

Blue coughed, blood spewing onto the ground as he took a deep breath in a world flickering in the lights above as more sparks flew onto the ground. Noticing the empty Pokeball on the ground, staring at it intently before gazing up at his arch rival, he replied with a snarl, "You speak at last, Red. I will defeat you, and I will ruin you."

"I don't fail. That is our difference, I don't fail. Ever."

Red smirked again, raising his cap over his head to reveal greasy brown hair beneath as it flowed down to his shoulders with dust following it further. Their eyes met for a split second as Blue saw something burning from within, a flash of red and a burst of energy as the world changed temperature dramatically before returning to its origins. Red left the Silph. Co building knowing that Blue would never return to face him again, and finally his thoughts would remain clean and clear to focus on what had to be done. His brain worked overdrive, constantly as it ached and cooled for the surroundings, there was something growing from Team Rocket but he didn't care, Charizard would defeat them all, its mind also tailored towards his own. They communicated through thinking, their relationship perfect in an eternal bond of friendship and power. Nobody questioned how they had gained such an intense friendship, but it had existed the day a little Charmander had appeared in his life.

Blue called out from behind, but Red ignored his desperate tones before disappearing once again into darkness. However, another figure had already appeared on his tail with Red distant and unconcerned, but it was there growing from something so unknown. Alder had watched the battle with interest and also confusion as he could not understand or comprehend where the energy appeared from. His Charizard was truly incredible, spurting fire in all directions constantly with no sense of tiredness or exhaustion. The other trainer, Blue, had no chance, but why did he keep coming back to battle a losing cause. Standing on the rubble, his shining red hair flowing in the storm-like conditions, Alder took out a Pokeball, feeling it pulse in his hand before vanishing on the spot.

…

"This is not a safe place, Red." Professor Oak muttered as early darkness fell on Pallet Town. "People die, Pokemon die and you will perish as well."

These words didn't deter Red at all from the task he had chosen to do, and instead they had inspired him. Many still thought he was still able to be defeated, but they were clearly idiots, lost in their own minds of self-fulfillment when there was so much out there. Red had seen the light the second he could think, and he grasped it before anyone else around was able to even consider the consequences or what it meant. He chose to win, no other option was available and that was fine with him. Oak glanced at him, the moonlight shining through the window of the darkening Pokemon Laboratory as a sliver of silver shown from his face to reveal bruises and gashed all over. Questions had been asked, but no answers given, as to how Red always appeared to be beaten up and hurt, yet showing no emotion or pain. Many had assumed it was the rigorous training that he had along with his Pokemon, but Red refused to comment, in fact he refused to say anything at all.

Growing frustrated, Professor Oak tapped Red on the shoulder and spoke sternly, "Cerulean Cave is not a place for humans, Red. There is a dangerous Pokemon in there, not even the world's greatest researchers dare to enter!"

'No place for humans.' The single phrase had hung in Red's mind every step he took towards the fenced off gate to the Cerulean Cave. He was human after all, like everyone else around him, but why did he not understand them? Their emotions, their petty issues with the world and their push to become 'better' than someone else. Why not just be the best immediately and forget about everyone else, leave them in dust. Stupid, all of them and he would once again prove to be beyond their comprehension again. Ignoring the signs and barb wired fences and gates, Red made his way to the entrance and gazed at the tight rocky outcrop and infinite darkness within. No hesitation at all, he entered the cool shadows and remained inside with no strategy or thought in mind.

Red felt at home.

Broken Pokeballs littered the ground along with the corpses of cave Pokemon that were not able to survive oncoming death. Red encountered nothing but simplicity as he guided his own steps through the cave, feeling a burning passion inside of him as his mind connected with the energy of the walls. He didn't need the light to see, he could feel the direction to go, and placing a hand on the rocky wall, energy rebounded back to him. Strength and power, but from a mysterious unknown source that clicked on his interests immediately, and he felt comfortable. A true challenge at last!

Running ahead, excitement building inside of him for what seemed the first time, Red licked his lips and tasted his own blood and dirt before expertly navigating Cerulean Cave with the energy source getting closer and closer…