Hey everyone! My name is Sandro, and I actually already wrote the first four chapters of this story years ago. Now, with my improved writing skills, I want to remake and continue it, while also working on my own book. This Pokemon fanfiction, together with "Red's apprentice", and "8 Elements" may be the perfect side-project. Without further ado, let's begin. If you wanna read the original, here is a link. s/11237228/1/Pokemon-Firered-Leafgreen-Nuzlock-IGiovannis-sonsI
Like every day, our young protagonist strolled down that oh so familiar dirt road, leading from inside town, where his school was located, all the way to his home. Red roof shingles appeared between lush, green treetops. A familiar sight. Ashton slowed his pace, adjusting the straps of his backpack.
A normal day. Like any other. Too normal. Nobody had congratulated him. Not surprising, very little people actually knew today marked his 16th birthday. He didn't even tell his closest friends.
It just didn't seem right. All that attention he'd get. Even if Misty and Rocko would've loved to throw him a party. Ashton sighed, finally reaching his front yard. Inside the house was quiet. As always. His mother was at work.
He went to grab the door handle and let himself in, but it didn't budge. Locked. She forgot again. Of course.
Fine. He'd just wait here until she got back. Which wouldn't be too long, Ashton concluded while checking the time on his phone, her shift should already be over.
Suddenly, a drop appeared on screen. The boy, eyebrow raised, went to wipe it away, when another one followed. Drops of water began pouring down on him. Ashton's gaze wandered upwards. Of course.
Grey clouds covered a previously blue sky. It had to rain now. He pressed himself closer to the front door, hoping to escape the downfall. It wouldn't hurt texting his mom to hurry the hell up, he decided.
Before he could, though, a noise made him perk up. Sounded like a cat. Meows seemed to come from behind a corner. Ashton shrugged, shoving his mobile phone back into a random pocket, before going to investigate. Their concrete driveway led downwards into a ditch, right beside one of the house's walls. Inset in said wall was a metal door, leading to the basement.
Again, that noise, coming from inside. That's when Ashton noticed the door creaking open. Right before the downfall really got going, he slipped inside, slamming the door shut with a loud thud.
He took a deep breath, hand feeling along the wall to find a light switch. Ha, got it. Lights flicked on, dousing their dark basement in warm orange.
Ashton shielded bright grey eyes – some may even say they were a dull silver colour. Once they had adjusted, he finally inspected his surroundings, interrupted by a loud meow.
Moonshine. Now he remembered, Moonshine broke in again this morning. Right after his mom went to work. Ashton didn't have the heart, or patience, to catch her and kick her out.
The black cat chirped at him, hopping off her windowsill, before rubbing her fluffy cheeks against his ankles. Ashton rolled his eyes.
He bent down to give her a pat, knowing his mom would be furious. She hated all animals. He never got why. Though, her hostility never kept that little black street cat by his feet from stopping by and getting pets.
Damn. It's been years since he's last visited the basement. They kept all the stuff they didn't need in here. Boxes and crates, shelves and displays filled with old cables, tools, jewellery, art by unknown artists and the like littered every last corner.
Grey eyes wandered across the mess, finally stopping on a cardboard box with 'Ashton' in big, bold letters on it. Must've been his old childhood toys. He stepped closer, throwing a glance inside. Some old dolls, action figures, some toy cars, and even a Gameboy Colour in red. Yup, he loved playing Pokemon on the old thing. Thinking about it now, he was obsessed with those games.
He collected vinyl figures, plushies, even the first couple Manga issues once Ashton could actually read well enough. He sighed. Embarrassing. Getting so into a kid's game.
Ashton shrugged, finally deciding not to bother with that old stuff, and ascending up those stairs leading into the living room, Moonshine right behind him. The black cat jumped onto the mantle of their fireplace as soon as Ashton had turned on the lights, sniffing the family picture, before laying down to clean her paws.
The boy threw a glance towards that picture, immediately averting his tired gaze. That picture. It always seemed odd to him. Probably because his dad wasn't on it. Not that he really cared. Why would he?
His dad couldn't even be bothered to leave any photos of himself behind. Ashton's existent, and his mother's fading memories, were the only proof he was even real. Though, he had a feeling somebody else was missing.
A roll of thunder went along with flickering lights. Great. Now the power was dropping in and out. Ashton threw himself on the couch, eyes shut, listening to giant raindrops hitting the roof.
Lights flickered again.
On.
Off.
On.
He didn't care. It didn't matter. He was close to drifting off anyway.
Another clap of thunder.
Off.
On.
Off.
Soon, those lights remained off, and his world plummeted into darkness.