Pallet Town – Home Sweet Home

Red walked up to a large black gate with the letter "V" decorating the center. He rung a doorbell on a nearby column.

"Who is it?" A deep, booming voice bellowed from the built-in speaker.

"It's me, Joe." Red said into the speaker.

"I don't know who you are, Me." The voice replied.

Red sighed, "It's Red!"

"Oh, hey Red," the voice said again, "You came back a little later than your mother expected. She's really worried."

"Sorry Joe." Red said, leaning his head against the column.

"Why are you apologizing to me? I don't really care. You should save your apology for your mother."

"Just open the door please."

"Roger."

The gate split in half and slid horizontally behind the columns revealing a fairly large walkway to a large white mansion perched high upon a hill. Red walked up towards the mansion, which took around five minutes. He finally reached the large 20-feet tall, 16-feet wide doorway, which had another gold 'V' in the center. He rang the doorbell on the side and the doors parted into the house, revealing a large, fanciful entrance hall.

The floor was wood laminate with a large velvet rug in the center. Two large stairwells could be seen to both the left and right, leading to an upper balcony. The ceiling held a crystal chandelier that brightened the entire room.

"Mom! I'm home!" Red yelled. He walked up the left stairwell and into a hallway. He opened the door to his room and entered. Red kicked off his shoes and flopped down on his king-size bed. He stared at the digital clock on a small table next to his bed. It was just now approaching 8:00 P.M. Red rolled over to face the ceiling. He stared at the rectangular patterns that had been etched into it, "I can't believe I'm finally leaving," he muttered to himself.

Just then he heard three knocks on his door, "Coming!" he yelled. He jumped up from his bed and answered the door. Standing there was a large, muscular man. He wore a tight black t-shirt and blue jeans. He had long black hair tied into a ponytail and had a big, bushy mustache, "Joe?"

The man grabbed Red by the neck and put him in a chokehold, "Hey! Stop!" Red yelled. Ignoring this, the man pulled Red down the hallway and down the stairs. He brought Red into the dining room where a beautiful woman who looked no older than thirty sat at a table, "Mom! Tell Joe to let me go!"

"Joe," the lady said. Joe nodded and released Red from the hold. Red jolted away from Joe, rubbing his neck, "You're late Red," the woman said, "You're dinner's gone cold."

"It's okay Mom, I'm not hungry," Red said. This was, of course, a lie as Red had not had anything to eat since his breakfast in the morning.

"You could have told me you were going to take so long."

"Sorry Mom. But it wasn't really supposed to take anywhere near as long as it actually did," Red replied. His mom brought a cup of tea to her mouth and took a sip. Red sat down in a chair next to hers, "But you won't have to worry about me much anymore. As of tomorrow morning, I'll be on my own adventure!" Red smiled.

His mom began to tear up and she suddenly burst into sobs. Red stopped smiling, "Huh? What's wr-"

His question was stopped when his mom suddenly embraced him, "Oh Red! I can't let you leave me here alone!" she cried.

Red groaned, "Mom, you knew this was gonna happen. I've been planning this date for months. Besides, you've got Joe to keep you company!"

Red's mom pushed him away and wiped away her tears, "Well see," she sniffed, "That's what I want to talk about."

"What do you mean?" Red asked.

"Well," she sniffed and crossed her arms, "I will not permit you to go on this journey alone. So I'm sending Joe with you."

"What!" Red yelled. He glanced toward Joe who was glaring at him.

"Got a problem, Red?" Joe asked.

"But mom…..Joe hates me!" Red yelled.

"I don't care, Red," his mom said sternly, "This is a very dangerous thing you're doing, and Joe is strong enough to protect you."

"Mom!' Red yelled, breaking out into a nervous laughter, "I-I don't need Joe! I-I'm already going to go with Leaf!"

"Leaf?" she asked.

"You know! The girl who used to come over and play when I was younger!"

"A girl!" Red's mom yelled in shock. She stood up and put her hands at her hips, "Well you're certainly taking Joe then! Hell, be glad I'm letting you even go at all!"

Red sighed and tilted his head back, "Mom, it's not like that at all."

"Joe's going with you no matter what you say! Now get to bed! You've got a long day ahead of you tomorrow!" She stormed out of the kitchen.

After he was certain she was out of hearing vicinity, Joe piped in, "You know, if you really wanna do something with that girl, I'll leave you alone."

"Shut up Joe." Red said beginning to slouch.

The morning had finally come. Red had packed his bag full of necessities such as food, camping material, a couple changes of clothes, and medicine, as well as a few Poke Balls. He put on blue jeans, a plain black shirt, a red and white vest, a pair of red and white sneakers, and finally, an official Pokemon League cap. All this and his yellow backpack filled with the necessities for his journey meant he was finally ready. He looked into a mirror in his bedroom and smiled, "Alright!"

Once he had gone all the way down to the gate, his mom and Joe were anxiously waiting. Joe had his arms folded as if annoyed, while his mom held a tissue in her hand with tears in her eyes. His mom hugged him again, this time a much shorter one, "Do you have food?"

"Yes Mom."

"Clothes?"

"Medicine?"

"Mom, I have everything. I'll be fine."

His mom began to cry again, "Don't worry ma'am," Joe said, "You're son is in my hands."

She wiped were face and smiled, "Okay then! Good luck!"

Red smiled, "Bye Mom," he then gave her a hug himself, "I love you."

Red's mom smiled, "I love you too sweetie," Red the straightened his hat and began leaving towards the town gate, "Goodbye! Be safe!"

"I will! Bye!" Red yelled back.

Leaf was waiting for Red at the town gate. She wore a sleeveless blue shirt, a red skirt, red and white shoes with blue socks, and a white hat. Upon seeing the two, she looked somewhat surprised.

"Yo Leaf! You ready?" Red asked.

"Yep!" she said smiling, "But who's this?"

"This is Joe," Red said, "He's basically our butler, but he was in the military or something, so Mom made him come along as a bodyguard. You don't have to talk to him if you don't want to."

Joe stepped forward, "Joe Deayr" he said as he bowed, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Oh," Leaf said surprised, "I'm Leaf Lagrange. I'd prefer it if you didn't bow."

"Lagrange?" Joe stood up, "Hmmm…"

"What is it?" Leaf asked.

"Oh nothing," Joe said, "Just remembering someone from my past is all."

"Well if introductions are over, let's head out!" Red said.

The three departed Pallet Town, this time for good. Their next destination was Pewter City.