Chapter 3

"Are you sure you need to go? You only just got your Pokémon!" Red's mom asked.

Red was in the process of putting on his gear—and by "gear" he meant running shoes, a backpack full of potions, a belt to hold his six Pokémon, gloves to protect his hands and his favorite hat—to leave. From what he could tell from the letter, he had to leave Pallet Town one day, and go help his father. So why did Red feel so… He wasn't even sure what he was feeling! Anger? Sadness? One thing was for sure, he felt confused, and that was all he had going for him right now. In any case, he nodded solemnly and continued what he was doing. After he finished, he got up and started out the door; all he had to do was take that first step. The first step to the answers he didn't even know he wanted, that first step to learning what's out there, and that first step towards adventure.

Every boy's dream, right? he thought. So why did Red run back into his mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably with tears running down his face? It was because he finally found out how he felt: afraid. He felt afraid that he may never see his hometown again, afraid that maybe this quest isn't worth it, afraid he'll get lost and be forgotten, but most of all, he was afraid of losing the one person who knew him more than he knew himself: his mother.

"Red… Oh, Red. You don't have to leave if you don't want to; we could stay here like we always did! We could—"

Red cut her off with a vigorous shake of the head. He didn't want to go, but he knew that if he didn't leave, he would never find his father and he'd never find out why his father left him in Pallet Town, instead of by his side. Hugging his mother incredibly tight, he looked into her eyes and smiled, to let her know it was okay.

She sighed and said "If you say so." A sad smile crept across her face.

Letting go of his mother, Red pulled his hat down over his eyes, and walked out the door, hoping to whatever is out there, this quest was worth it.

"See you later…" he said.

Red was just about to step onto Route 1, when he heard Green call his name.

"Hey! Red! We never got to battle when we got our Pokémon, so—" he started, walking over to him. When he was close enough, he saw what Red was wearing, and stopped.

"Oh, you're leaving?" he asked. Red swore he saw a flicker of sadness go across Green's face, before it was replaced with that bravado-filled grin he was used to. Red nodded to answer his question.

"Well good luck on your journey, loser. What do you say we have a battle before you go? You know, to test your strength!"

Test my strength? That's weird… Red thought. It seemed out of Green's character to do something to benefit anyone other than himself, and even if he battled Green, his Charmander had the advantage over his Bulbasaur. Shrugging his shoulders, Red pulled out his one Pokéball and looked down at it. What could go wrong?

"Heh, I knew you'd accept! Come on out, Charmander!" Green called, throwing his Pokéball towards the ground. A blinding flash of light revealed the flame-tailed Charmander. "I'll have you know, I've been training! He's twice as strong as he was before."

Sighing, Red threw his Pokéball toward the ground, and Bulbasaur appeared at his feet. It looked into Red's eyes and nodded, as if it understood what it needed to do.

Can… Can you understand me? Red thought. What if it could? Professor Oak always went on and on about how Trainers and Pokémon form bonds that not even the best of professors understand, so could this be one?

Bulbasaur turned toward the Charmander and snarled, asserting its authority. The Charmander looked unfazed, but still stepped toward Green, as if to say "Nice try, but you don't scare me, chump."

Oh screw you, Charmander. Wait 'till I beat you and your trainer!

"Alright, the rules simple! Whoever's Pokémon faints first, loses. Whoever loses pays the winner their allowance! Got it?" Green asked.

"Got it." Red replied.

"Alright then! Charmander, use Ember!" Green called.

A small flame burst from Charmander's mouth, and flew straight for Bulbasaur.

Oh no! Fire is stronger than grass! I'm screwed! Red thought.

Red closed his eyes, expecting a sound to come from Bulbasaur getting hit, but no sound was heard. Opening his eyes, he saw that Bulbasaur had moved out the way. Laughing, Red couldn't believe it: Bulbasaur knew to dodge, without Red telling him!

"Bulbasaur, Tackle!" Red yelled.

Bulbasaur backed up and charged toward Charmander. It's shoulder connected with Charmander and a loud whacking sound was heard. A look of terror flashed across Green's face, as Charmander fell to the ground.

"Get up! Come on, get up! I can't lose to Red; not now, not ever! Get up!" he called.

Charmander got up—with a bit of a struggle—and stood back next to Green. It looked worn, but angry. It snarled at Bulbasaur, and coughed black smoke.

Darn! Thought I had him! Oh well, one more shot and I should be good! We got this, Bulbasaur!

"Hit him with another Ember, Charmander! And make sure you actually hit him this time!" Green called angrily.

"Tackle again, Bulbasaur!" Red called.

The Pokémon both performed their attacks, and Red blinked—though he felt like it was a long blink—and it was over. When the dust cleared, the victor was… Bulbasaur! It looked as if it was worn out, and it had a nasty burn on its shoulder. Rushing over to it, Red put it back into its Pokéball.

I won! I actually won! Take that, Green!

"Wow, you actually won." Green said as he retuned Charmander to its Pokéball. "Guess that means you get my money. Good job, dweeb. Don't think it'll happen again, though!"

Green ran back into the town, and went straight toward the lab. Red looked down at the $100 and Pokéball in his hands. He was still in shock from the adrenaline rushing through his system. He did it; he won! Maybe going on this quest wasn't such a bad idea after all! Red smiled and felt for the first time, felt like he was truly better than Green.

BlueboxTimeParadox: Wow! I'm SO SO sorry I haven't updated in two months, but I guess that's just how it works. First battle, first victory! Go Bulbasaur! What do you guys think Red's final team should be? I'd love to hear your suggestions and comments. PM or review, whichever you prefer.