The Opposite of Red
"What?" Red exclaimed, almost dropping the phone.
"He is your brother, Ember is your older brother," Red's mother repeated it to her son.
"That's impossible! I thought he was dead?" Red shouted causing some people to look at him.
"I thought he was dead, too. Judging by the description you gave me, he is definitely your brother," she sighed, and was silent for a moment. "…your brother and your father went on a journey together one time… eight years ago. On that day, a terrible accident happen at … and your father was found dead under a ruble of rocks. His body was found… but Ember's body wasn't found. He was pronounced dead also but I always had my doubts." She smiled sweetly after telling her son what happened.
Red frowned at first by then smiled as well. "So my big brother is still alive. That's great news and I can't wait to see him next time but I'm wondering why he didn't tell me in the first place?" Red wondered.
"Maybe he didn't recognize you, since it has been eight years since he last saw you. You were still a little toddler" she explained. Red thought that was the deal also.
"Well, Mom I got to go to get my pokemon from the nurse. Talk to you later. Bye, love you" Red finished his conversation.
"Bye honey, I love you too. And tell your brother I said hello if you see him and that he can come home anytime he wants." The screen went blank after she finished. Red stood there for a moment to take in on all he learned today.
"Sir, your pokemon are all healed up," informed Nurse Joy. Red absentmindely got up and received his pokemon.
I think he knew because when I first came up to him, he jumped back as if he saw a ghost Red thought, as he got his restored pokemon. He went outside and saw Ken, waiting for him.
"What took you so long?" Ken shouted his question, making Red cover his ears.
"I had to call my mom," Red replied, rubbing his ears as if it would make the pain go away.
"It's good to call your mother once in a while. In fact, I think I will call my mother after I teach your pokemon the awesome move, Mega Pawnch!" Ken remarked, punching the air with great force.
"Speaking of training, let's get right to it," Red said, getting excited. He took out a pokeball and pushed the button on the pokeball to release his newly evolved Charmeleon.
"Let's begin," Ken smirked, pounding his fist together.
In a few hours, Charmeleon had almost completely mastered the powerful move.
"One more time," Ken ordered Red's pokemon. Charmeleon once again, slammed his glowing fist into a boulder near the pokemon center. The boulder was smashed into pieces when the glowing fist collided. "Good job," Ken praised the fire pokemon.
"That was great, Charmeleon," Red praised his starter, and looked of into the distance. A guy was crouching down as if he were looking for something in the grass. Red noticed that he was the trainer, who bumped into him earlier today. Red approached the trainer, leaving Ken and Charmeleon behind.
"...forced to get on my knees. I can't believe that I lost my badges. Me, Paul, lost a stupid case," the purple hair trainer muttered.
"Are these your badges," Red smiled, his hand outstretch with the badge case in hand. Paul turned around with an annoyed look on his face. He let his gaze fall onto the badge cage.
"Those are my badges!" Paul exclaimed, snatching the metal case from Red's hand. "So, you were trying to steal my badges. Typical for a weak trainer." Paul got up and gave Red a cold glare.
"Wh-what?" Red backed away, surprised by the turn of events. "I found them in the grass. I thought that I could give them to you, when I saw you again."
"Is that so? Then I challenge you to a pokemon battle," Paul challenged Red.
"I accept, and you will see that I don't need to steal other people's badges," Red shot back. The commotion caused a small crowd to form around them. The growing crowd were mainly residents of the city that were waiting to see some intense excitement.
"Hey! That's the trainer from Sinnoh," a guy in the crowd said.
"I heard that he is good. That other kid doesn't stand a chance," another remarked.
Ken and Charmeleon had to squeeze through the crowd, so they could get to Red.
"Hey, Red!" Ken called out to get the young trainer's attention. Red looked over and flashed a smile, but it didn't last for long. He turned back to the battle in hand.
"Murkrow, standby for battle," Paul shouted, not wasting a second as he threw a pokeball in the air.
"Pidgey, standby for battle," Red shouted at the same time as Paul. Red then realized something. "Hey, you copy the saying I always say when I released a pokemon."
"I believe it was you who copy my phrase," Paul barked back.
"Come on and battle!" A spectator in the crowd yelled.
"The match is over when a trainer wins two matches out of three," Paul stated his rules.
"Why two out three? Why can't we fight a full battle?" Red asked.
"I believe it is the best way for us to get to know each others battle strategy," Paul explained.
Red thought about it and figured it made some sense. He looked at the unfamiliar bird and took out his pokedex.
"Murkrow: the Darkness Pokemon. This pokemon attacks travelers lost on mountain paths. They lure travelers onto dark mountain trails, so they can later steal their items."
-I missed stealing from people who were lost on the road- Murkrow thought as he remembered his past.
"Alright Pidgey, use Air Cutter," Red cried out his command first.
"Use Confuse Ray, Murkrow," Paul called out his command. Murkrow fired a white orb, and Pidgey attention was strangely drawn to it. The white orb circled around the small bird and when it disappeared, Pidgey was left confused.
"I starting to hate those attacks," Red gritted his teeth. Even thought it was confused, Pidgey brought his wings together. When he opened up his wings, barrage of v-shaped blades made of air were fire from the wings. Murkrow was slashed by the blades.
"Don't let that stop you. Give that pokemon a Wing Attack," Paul said. The black bird flew towards the confused Pidgey, and brought its wing to slam into Pidgey. The brown bird lost altitude and crashed into the ground.
"Pidgey get up. I know that you can do it" Red encouraged his pokemon.
"Pathetic, only a weak trainer will talk like that," Paul sneered. "Murkrow, end that bird's misery by using Faint Attack." Murkrow flew down and disappeared. He reappeared above of the struggling Pidgey. He kicked Pidgey right were it hurts.
"Pidgey!" Red cried in vain, as his pokemon was tossed to the side like ragged doll.
-I am weak, and I am not good enough for Red- Pidgey sadly thought before losing conscious on the ground.
"You did great out there, Pidgey," Red said, firing a red laser from his pokeball to the fallen bird.
"I thought you would have done better," Paul said and the whole time he had on a stern face. He returned his Murkrow back into the pokeball.
"I am not done yet," Red said, taking out another pokeball.
"I now you aren't done since this battle is near to being done yet. Elekid, standby for battle." A small, humanoid pokemon appeared on the field. The top of its head looked like an electric plug.
Red looked at his pokedex for any useful information.
"Elekid: the Electric Pokemon. It charges electricity by rapidly rotating its arms. The space between its horns is its weak spot but don't place your hand in there since you may get shock."
"Pikachu, Standby for battle," Red introduced his own electric pokemon. Pikachu appeared with a confident smile.
"How can a weak trainer, like you, have caught a Spiky-Eared Pikachu?" Paul asked. And why send an Electric pokemon against another Electric Pokemon. Guess he is still a newbie trainer to know his Pokemon types.
"Maybe because I am not a weak trainer. Pikachu show them a powerful attack, Volt Tackle!" Pikachu obeyed Red, began to sprint to the walking power plug. Electricity completely coated Pikachu, but Paul didn't order a counter.
Paul waited until Pikachu was a short distance before issuing a command. "Elekid, use Protect" Elekid created a green transparent bubble around him that could stop almost any attacks. Pikachu collided with the protective shield, and was knocked back. Pikachu landed on his feet, but then cringed when he felt the recoil of the attack.
"Elekid, Thunder Punch," Paul coldly ordered. The little electric pokemon began to spin its left arm and electricity began to charge up in its fist. With its arm still rotating, Elekid ran at the electric rodent.
"Pikachu, intercept with a Mega Kick." Pikachu nodded and did a running start. He then jumped and extended his foot. His foot began to glow and headed towards the walking plug.
"Overpower the attack," Paul called out to his pokemon. Elekid hesitated but still obeyed. He stopped his arm from spinning and swung at the Mega Kick. Both attacks collided but Pikachu's attack overpowered Elekid's Thunder Punch.
-"Take that you electric plug,"- Pikachu shouted as he slammed his foot into Elekid's face.
Red smirked than he remembered that the weak spot between Elekid's two prongs. "Pikachu, use Iron Tail between the horns." Pikachu was confused but decided to trust his trainer. He coated his tail in a metal coating and twisted his body in midair to slam its attack into the weak spot. The hit knocked Elekid into the ground and did hefty damage to Elekid yet it still failed to make him faint.
"Elekid, knock that mouse with a Brick Break," Paul said with no emotion of his pokemon being hurt. The electric pokemon weakly lifted up his arm, and did a chopping motion. Pikachu was knocked off of Elekid's body. With the extra weight off its chest, Elekid got up.
He still has some energy in him but he won't last Red observed his tired pokemon. "Pikachu, one last Quick Attack will do it," Red said. Pikachu agreed and was about to sprint, but his muscles locked up and fell on the ground. "What?...You're paralyzed?"
"My Elekid has the Static ability and when attacked by a physical attack, then there is chance that the pokemon my get paralyzed," Paul smirked, like if he planned it and probably did. "Hit while it's down. Brick Break." Elekid rushed at Pikachu, and raised its arm to bring down on the paralyzed rodent.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack. I know that you can do it," Red encouraged.
"Pathetic. How do you think words will help you win?" Paul coldly sneered. To Paul's surprise, Pikachu jumped at the electric pokemon. Tackling it to the ground, Elekid was knocked out.
"I think you owe me an apology," Red smirked.
"Stupid pokemon," Paul murmured, recalling his Elekid. "Pathetic for a pokemon." Paul muttered to his pokemon.
"Can't you praise your pokemon for once? They try there hardest for you, and you just insult them!" Red shouted, but Paul seemed unfazed.
"I don't care what you think," Paul barked back and sent another pokemon. This pokemon was one that one Red has never seen. It looked like a Turtle with a small twig on its head.
"What is that?" Red muttered as he took out his pokedex for the third time.
"Turtwig: the Tiny Leaf Pokemon. This pokemon hardens its shell when it drinks water. The leaf on its head wilts when it is thirsty."
"I'm surprise that your pokedex can even identify Sinnoh pokemon," Paul remarked. "I am even more surprised that you even have a pokedex."
Red saw that as an insult and returned his pokemon. "Charmeleon, let's battle." The fire pokemon walked in front of his respective trainer.
"A Charmeleon… looks weak so let's go Turtwig. Power-up with Curse." A dark aura cloaked Turtwig as he got slower but in return got a boost in attack and defense.
"Charmeleon, start with a Dragon Rage." Charmeleon opened his mouth and a bluish-purplish flame fired at the little turtle. The powerful attack knocked Turtwig onto his back.
"Stop playing around and attack with Bite," Paul ordered. Turtwig rolled on to his feet and sprinted to his opponent or rather quickly walked to the fire pokemon. Charmeleon smirked at the foe's sluggish movement.
"Hit it with an Ember," Red ordered, certain that he will win. Turtwig was his by a barrage of small fire balls that slowly brought its health even with its weakness to the attack. Once Turtwig was close to Charmeleon, he quickly lunged at Charmeleon. Catching him off guard with his quick movement, he bit down hard on Charmeleon's arm. The crushing power was enough to make the lizard shriek. He tried to shake of the turtle but its grip was powerful.
"Ugh…knock it off with a Mega Punch," Red ordered. With his free arm, Charmeleon slammed his glowing fist into Turtwig's face. The attack made Turtwig lose its grip and sent it flying backwards. Turtwig groaned at the punishment he has been through. A white glow enveloped Turtwig; two bushes grew on its back and it's body grew much larger. Paul's newly evolved Grotle stood proudly of in its new form.
"My task is accomplished," Paul smirked. A green glow surrounded Grotle and its bushes grew larger even larger due to its ability Overgrowth. "Grotle, Razor Leaf." Shaking its body, sharp leaves shot from Grotle's bushes. Charmeleon crossed his arms to block the leaves but was useless since the attacks still did a lot of damage. It was Charmeleon's turn to have his ability to activate.
I guess the Bite did more damage than I thought Red realized. "End the battle with an Ember attack."
"Grotle, Razor Leaf." Grotle shook his body while Charmeleon opened up his mouth. Both attacks collided but with Grotle's Curse boost, both attacks were evenly matched but a few managed to go through. The sharp leaves sliced through the fire and the Ember hit Grotle. Both attacks hit there mark and both pokemon fell unconscious.
"Well it's a tie since we fought three matches," Red scratched his head. Paul ignored him and returned his pokemon. Everyone in the crowd began to cheer for the great match, even thought it ended in a draw. "Hey, Paul." Red got Paul's attention. When Paul turned his head towards Red, Red said," Great match."
"Whatever," Paul muttered and left. The crowd all began to leave when Paul left.
"Amazing battle!" Ken exclaimed, and began to punch the air uncontrollably.
"Thanks," Red sweatdrop at the black belt's enthusiasm. He looked over to Paul's direction he left. He treats his pokemon badly even though the y tried their best for him Red thought , and then headed to the pokemon Center to heal his hurt pokemon.
Red released his pokemon team after they were all healed. All of his pokemon looked at there surroundings, except for a certain depressed bird.
-"Is it lunch time?"- Nidoran asked, jumping up and down with eagerness.
"Time to chow down," Red announced. After Ken left, Red decided it was lunch time for him and his team. He took out a canister with pokemon food from his pack. He turned towards his enthusiastic pokemon but then noticed his Pidgey.
-I lost a lot of battles- Pidgey grimaced.
"Hey, Pidgey what's wrong?" Red quietly asked his gloomy pokemon. Pidgey cocked his head to his trainer, but then turned away. Guilt filled up Pidgey to the point that he had to get away from his trainer. He quickly took off flying.
"Pidgey! Damn, return guys." Red returned his pokemon, thinking it will be better to chase Pidgey without a group of pokemon following him. He then gave chased after his escaped pokemon. The brown bird flapped his tiny wing towards the north of Cerulean City. He flew over a yellow bridge, which Red used to follow. Red ran passed through a couple that was kissing.
"Hey watch where your going buddy," the guy yelled, while shaking his fist at the running Red. Red ignored him and kept on running.
The heartbroken bird took a right and flew into a forest. Red was still following, but tripped over a small, pink pokemon. Red got a face full of forest dirt with a thud. He spat out dirt and turned around to see a Clefa.
"Hey! Watch where you're running," The Clefa scolded Red in English. Red nearly freaked out when he heard the pokemon talk. "What's wrong? Never seen a person accidentally merge with a pokemon," the Clefa said.
"Umm..no ma'am ," Red nervously answered.
"It is sir to you, because I am Bill the greatest PokeManiac in the world," Bill introduced himself.
"You're Bill?" Red blinked in disbelief.
"Yes, I was accidentally merged with a pokemon with a new machine I just made," Clefa explained the situation. "I can use you for help to…AHHHH!" Bill was cutoff by a giant bird, who snatched Bill with its large claws. Red looked up and realized what just happen. Not wasting a second, Red chased after the new foe.
"Don't worry Bill. I will save you!" Red shouted to Bill, who was frantically waving his tiny arms. Red ran than noticed a familiar bird cuddled up in a tree. Glad to see his Pidgey, Red called out to him. "Pidgey, I need your help. This Fearow snatched a pokemon and I need your help." Pidgey sneaked a peek over his wing, but turned away.
"Come on, Pidgey. You are not a worthless pokemon. My friend needs your help since I have no pokemon to chase after it," Red pleaded for Pidgey's help. The bird lifted its wing to stare at his ex-trainer.
-Why is he asking me for help? Whatever pokemon it is, will probably just kick my butt to the curve Pidgey sadly thought.
"Listen, I don't care if you lost the last battles. Don't blame yourself. It was my fault to, since I didn't know the opponent very well," Red tried to convinced Pidgey and it seemed to work.
-He chose me to help him and by helping him will make me stronger. I promised my family that I will become strong and sitting around won't help me Pidgey chirped happily and jumped onto Red's shoulder.
"Thanks Pidgey. Let's go," Red happily said. "The Fearow flew that way." Red pointed his finger at the direction of where the giant bird pokemon left. Pidgey nodded his head and took off in that direction. Red took off as well.
Pidgey looked around with its keen vision and soon caught site of a large brown bird with a pink spiked crest on its head. Pidgey tilted his body to head straight towards the Fearow.
"Please don't eat me," pleaded the little Clefa.
-"Shut up and hold still. So I can eat you,"- Fearow demanded, jabbing his beak at Clefa, but he kept on dodging.
-"Why don't you leave the pokemon alone,"- Pidgey yelled as he slammed his beak into the back of the Fearow. Fearow turned around to see his attacker and saw the tiny Pidgey.
-"You dare interrupt my lunch time,"- Fearow barked at Pidgey. He swung his wing but Pidgey skillfully dodged it.
-"You're going to have to go through me if you want to eat that guy,"- Pidgey retorted, though he was confused on why he was helping the Clefa.
Fearow launched at Pidgey with a Fury Attack. Jabbing its sharp beak at the Pidgey, Fearow try to stab Pidgey. Pidgey flapped side to side to try to avoid the attack. Fearow soon got fed up with missing and stopped.
-"Pesky bird, try to dodge this,"- Fearow shouted, and began to fly towards Pidgey. White streaks of light covered Fearow and than he disappeared at the last second. The large bird reappeared behind Pidgey, and slammed into surprised bird with good accuracy. Pidgey shrieked in pain, and dropped altitude. Pidgey saw the ground getting closer, but was caught by Fearow before he crashed into ground.
-"I don't like my food scrambled,"- Fearow explained his actions, flying back to his feeding cliff. Pidgey felt anger rise in him as he felt helpless. A white glow surrounded Pidgey and he grew larger. Fearow had to let go as Pidgey grew bigger and flew in front of the newly evolved pokemon.
-"I have finally evolved,"- Pidgeotto announced proudly. He admired his new body before he decided to try his new move that he learn through his evolution. He took off at an incredible speed and the white streaks surrounding his body, just like Fearow. He disappeared, confusing Fearow, and tackled Fearow from bellow.
-"Kch…You may have learn a new attack, but I am still stronger,"- Fearow grumbled, when he recovered himself from the attack.
Red entered the clearing and saw the Fearow fighting another pokemon that Red recognized as a Pidgeotto. What's a Pidgeotto doing here…unless it's my Pidgey that evolved Red decided to test his theory. "Hey Pidgeotto! It's me, Red," Red called out. Pidgeotto cocked his head and chirped in happiness.
-"Pay attention to me,"- Fearow huffed as he brought his wing down onto Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto was sent spiraling to the ground and crashed.
"Pidgeotto, don't give up," Red encouraged. Struggling to get up, Pidgeotto looked at Red first then set gaze upon Fearow. Both pokemon were panting and one hit could finish off both of them. Pidgeotto took a deep breathe and shot through the sky. A white trail followed Pidgeotto as he headed towards Fearow. Fearow readied itself, and when Pidgeotto was in range, it swung a large brown wing. Pidgeotto was ready for the attack and avoided it by going up. After Fearow missed, Pidgeotto tackled Fearow from above. He collided into Fearow's chest, sending both falling down. The smaller bird spread his wings to catch air, while Fearow crashed into the ground, unconscious.
"Pidgeotto, you did it," Red cried out. Pidgeotto was tired but was then full of happiness. "Can you get Bill from the cliff?" Pidgeotto was at first confused, but then realized it must had been the Clefa that Red was talking about. He swiftly flew to the cliff.
"Now..how to get off?" Bill pondered, but then noticed Pidgeotto's presence. "Please don't eat me." Bill panicked, trying to look for a place to hide. Pidgeotto rolled his eyes and grabbed Clefa with his claws. He flew back to where Red was standing and dropped the pink pokemon on the floor.
"Are you alright, Bill?" Red asked Bill who was curled up in a small ball. Hearing Red's voice, Bill looked up and saw the young trainer.
"You saved me!" Bill cried happily.
"Actually, Pidgeotto saved you," Red gave credit to his Pidgeotto. "You really have changed."
-"It was nothing,"- Pidgeotto modestly said.
And your appearance wasn't the only thing that changed Red thought. "Well take a long rest," Red said, holding up a pokeball and returned Pidgeotto.
"Well thanks kid. Now, I must go back to my lab. I could use your help," Bill said, and Red agreed.
At Bill's house, which was near a romantic place known as Cerulean Cape, Red watched as the little pokemon walked into a large chamber in a machine. When the doors closed, Red pushed a button on a laptop, like he was told to. Beeping could be heard from the chamber that Bill was in, and then a few lights flashed across a tube that connected Bill's chamber to another chamber. When the beeping stopped, the doors opened on the second metal chamber and a young man stepped out. He had brown hair and a blue collar shirt with a pair of slacks.
"It's good to be in my body," Bill sighed. He walked up to Red. "Thank you for helping me. I haven't introduced myself completely. I am Bill, the creator of the storage system, which helps trainers store pokemon."
""Well your welcome, Bill" Red responded.
"In order to thank you," Bill walked to a few boxes and pulled out a glass container. "I will like to give you this Pokemon egg." A teal colored egg with red spots, sat in on a pillow inside the glass container.
"An egg," Red blinked in disbelief.
"Yea, studies show that eggs hatch faster when it's around active pokemon. I got it from a friend who lives in Goldenrod," Bill explained, carefully handing it to Red. "It will help you on your Pokedex since it's a rare pokemon."
"Thanks Bill," Red said, he then left the house. I can't just carry this around Red thought. He decided to put it in his backpack. Moving stuff around, Red placed the case in his backpack. Red nearly fell down when he put on his backpack. "Dang, it got a lot heavier," Red muttered. "Well time to go challenge the gym leader." Red headed back to Cerulean City.
