Yo, Chapter 3 is here hope you enjoy, and I hope everyone is staying safe during this pandemic. Wash your hand everyone.
Chapter 3
"Dark history?" Gary exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" Leaf asked.
It is quite a long story." Oak told them. "So, I would like you to refrain from interrupting me unless I ask you something. Is that okay?"
The three nodded and waited for the professor to commence explaining.
"As I'm sure the three of you well know," He began. "You were not the first trio of Pokémon trainers to leave Pallet Town on a journey. A couple of years earlier than you, three extremely talented trainers also left."
The group nodded but said nothing, they were well aware of this information.
"As I said they were extremely talented," Oak continued. "Two of them became Champion of the Indigo League. The only two trainers from Pallet to become Champion before Ash. I'm quite sure you remember their names."
"Of course," Leaf piped up. "Green was my sister."
"Ah yes," Oak chuckled. "She wasn't even meant to get a Pokémon that day, she managed to sneak in and take the Bulbasaur."
"Then there was Blue," Blue continued. "My cousin."
"The first ever Pallet Town Champion." Oak smiled. "My grandson and he was a very prodigious trainer"
"Then Red." Ash said simply.
"Correct," Oak replied. "The most famous and successful of all. Defeated Blue to become Champion and became the first to complete the Kanto Pokédex."
Ash was aware of this. Red grew up just up the street from him. Ash idolised him when he became Champion. A true Pallet hero.
"What did you mean by 'dark history' though?" Ash asked.
Oak took a deep breath; he still regretted his actions during that time.
"You remembered a lot about those trainers," Oak continued. "But there is a lot about them you don't know."
"What do you mean?" Gary wondered.
"They all achieved great things, but I'm afraid one of them let it get to his head."
The three Pallet natives looked puzzled.
"Please explain." Leaf almost whispered.
Oak cleared his throat and began his story.
"All three left the same day, much like you three. You see, Red and Blue were a lot like Ash and Gary. They were rivals trying to outdo the other. Much like Gary though, Blue was always one step ahead."
"What? That's not-" Ash started.
"Ash, remember what I said about not interrupting." Oak chastised.
Ash kept quiet, all be it with a sulky face while Gary looked smug and Leaf giggled.
"Continuing on, Red steadily improved so that one day he could be better than Blue. He challenged and won all 8 Gym Badges in the Kanto Region and even managed to take down Team Rocket temporarily. He then successfully challenged the Elite 4, the format being different at the time he did not have to compete in a league, just challenge the Elite 4. When he reached the Champion's room, he saw someone he didn't expect, Blue. As you know, Red defeated Blue and became Champion."
They all knew this; they were waiting for ominous part Oak referred to earlier.
"Red then completed the task I gave both him and Blue the day they set out, to complete the Pokédex. Or so we thought. A day earlier, Blue was hospitalised by a powerful Pokémon like no other. It was previously undiscovered. Red then set out and managed to capture the Pokémon, almost getting his Charizard killed in the process."
Ash desperately wanted to ask what Pokémon it was but remembered Oak's request and stayed quiet.
"Red had everything. He was Champion of Kanto and captured every native Pokémon, except one. He searched for Mew 24/7; it was the only Pokémon he hadn't caught. It became an obsession. He questioned himself why he was unable to find or catch Mew. He concluded he wasn't strong enough, so he made a drastic decision. He cut himself off from everyone. His mother, his friends, myself, everyone. He made a trek up Mount Silver with his Pokémon and trained there against strong trainers."
"We were extremely worried; it was almost as if he exiled himself from us. Everyone wondered how long he'd stay there. I hoped that if a strong enough trainer beat him, he'd come home. But he was the strongest in Kanto. Then it hit me, maybe the strongest trainer in Johto could do it."
"One day I was collaborating on a project with Johto's regional professor, Professor Elm. A young trainer dropped something off to us and received his first Pokémon that very day. I didn't think twice about him until I heard from Professor Elm that he became the Champion of Johto. Then, I decided, he could be the one to beat Red and get some sense back into him. One more test was needed though, I sent him to try the challenge of the 8 Kanto Gym Leaders. He beat them all and that proved it to me. I sent him to Mount Silver to try and beat Red. He then did the unthinkable, he beat him."
"The young man's name was Gold. He was over the moon with his victory. I thought after the loss Red would come home, instead, he just disappeared. During his absence, his mother passed away, so I needed him to come home more than ever. I did the only thing that I could. I reached out to Blue."
Oak's face suddenly changed into one of sorrow.
"However, Blue and I were not on the best terms." Oak continued sadly. "After he lost the title of Champion to Red, I visited the two at the arena. It was my job to induct Red into the Hall of Fame. It was there that I and Blue's relationship began to fall apart. He had just lost everything he worked so hard to gain and I criticised him for it. I accused him of not caring for his Pokémon enough, even though he cared for them more than Red. It was the last thing he needed to hear while at his lowest and he rightfully resented me for it."
"He was not happy to listen to me when I asked him to search for Red, but I begged him almost relentlessly and he reluctantly agreed. He went in search of Red and kept me posted relatively often. Then there was a period when I didn't hear from him for quite a long time. I began to get worried, then one day, I received a call from Officer Jenny at the Viridian City Police Station. She informed me that Blue had been found dead earlier on in the day. I was shocked and distraught at the news. I blamed myself. Not only did I send the boy on the quest that led to his death, but he died angry at me for the mistake I made of favouring the more talented next-door neighbour than the orphan boy who only had me and his sister in his life."
Ash was shocked to see Professor Oak wipe away a tear from the corner of his eye. This man was a role model to him and now he looks almost broken.
Oak cleared his throat and continued.
"Next came his funeral. A desperately sad affair. Daisy, his sister, was beyond grief. I couldn't help but search the crowd for Red, but he was not there. It was at the funeral though that I was approached by your sister, Leaf. She was grief-stricken at Blue's death also. She asked many questions about how it happened, and I decided that she deserved to know the truth about what I asked Blue to do. She then decided, she would pick up where Blue left off and try to find Red. I was happy someone else was willing to try, she was good friends with Red too after all. A couple of days later I received a call from Professor Elm. It was then I realised what a mistake I made."
"He told me that Gold was dead. His body was found not too far away from New Bark Town. It seems that anyone with association with Red ended up dead. Green was in great danger, I tried desperately to contact her in the next few days, but it was to no avail. Soon after I got the phone call I was dreading; Green was murdered also."
Throughout this part of the story Leaf's eyes had filled with tears. She knew of her sister's death of course but she was unaware of the quest that led to it. Oak noticed this and felt this was the time to acknowledge her.
"Leaf, I want you to know how deeply sorry I am that I sent your sister to find Red. It was a decision that ultimately cost her her life."
"No Professor," She said while shaking her head. "I know that she would have went in search of him either way. I can't blame you."
"Thank you." Oak told her, his voice wavering a bit. "However, it is still my fault. I got drawn in by Red's skill and neglected my own grandson. I am truly regretful of my actions."
Throughout this story, Ash was just sitting there in shock. All his life Ash had admired Red. He was the legendary trainer that grew up in the same small town that Ash did. If what Professor Oak said was true, then…
"So, are you suggesting that Red killed Blue, Green and Gold?" Gary asked, voicing Ash's thoughts.
"Maybe not personally." Oak answered.
"What do you mean?" Leaf wondered.
"I don't think Red was working alone. I think he was with an organisation, one he founded, or one already established."
The group fell into a period of silence, each digesting the information in their own way.
"Why did you decide to tell us all this now Professor?" Ash asked.
"Remember what Cilan said to you about Mewtwo." Oak questioned.
"He said that was the second of three they were looking for." Ash answered, it then dawned on him. "Wait, I thought there was only two!"
"What's Mewtwo?" Leaf asked. Gary also looked quite confused.
Oak nodded at Ash and launched into the story of what happened on New Island all those years ago.
"So, there is a genetically modified Pokémon out there?" Gary was reeling from the news, his interest piqued.
"Anyway," Oak continued, not wanting to get side-tracked. "Remember I told you how Blue got badly injured by a Pokémon. That as Mewtwo. But not the same one you met at Tohjo Falls Ash."
"So, wait." Leaf piped up. "Did Red catch Mewtwo?"
"Yes, he did." Oak answered. "For some reason though, he doesn't use it. It wasn't in his possession when he battled Gold. I believe he donated it to someone."
Gary had been piecing all the information together in his head.
"Wait, so are you suggesting that Red joined Team Rocket?" He asked.
The professor nodded his head sadly.
"I'm afraid so, all the signs point to it. Plus, the file Paul stole contained information on Red I managed to extract over the years on Red. That was clearly the main reason for them coming here, the other Mewtwo and the chance to get you and your friends Pokémon were added bonuses. Thank god they didn't steal any of our Pokémon."
Ash found himself nodding yet unable to do much else.
"You should go back to your friends." Oak spoke once again. "I should rest some more, and you shouldn't let this occurrence ruin your homecoming Ash. Enjoy your time with your friends before your next battle."
Ash nodded as if agreeing but his mind stayed on the subject of Red and his actions.
The three Pallet trainers made their way back to everyone else. They were understandably curious of what occurred within the confines of Oak' room.
"What was that about?" Misty inquired, wasting no time in trying to find out what happened there.
"This isn't the right time or place." Gary spoke up. "We're tired, it's getting late and it was a lot to take in. We should rest up and we'll sort everything out tomorrow."
The rest of the group didn't seem very happy to not be informed at that moment, but they conceded the fact that the information on top of their current fatigue wouldn't do any of them any favours.
Gary and Leaf were staying at the lab while the rest were meant to stay at the Ketchum residence. It was a tight fit but on the brisk walk home through the twilight night they made an arrangement. As they walked, Ash dropped back and began trailing. He just wanted some time alone to process what was going on. Arceus knows how Leaf and Gary were taking this.
When Ash reached his house, he assumed everyone had gone to bed as the events of the day had surely placed an intense feeling of exhaustion upon them, he knew he felt that way anyway. So, he was surprised when he walked into his kitchen and found Misty, Dawn, Max and Gaz sitting and conversing at the table.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here so late?" Ash asked.
"We thought that now would be a good chance to get to know each other better," Misty told him. "Make the best of a bad situation."
"Guess that makes sense." Ash remarked.
"Would you like to join us?" Dawn asked with a smile.
Ash knew they were also trying to cheer him up and he appreciated it.
"Sure, why not?"
"Dawn was just telling us about her contests in Johto." Max told him.
The small group exchanged stories for a while. After hearing Dawn's exploits about her contests, the conversation then shifted to Max and his journey then to Misty's experiences in the Cerulean City Gym and finally to Ash and Gaz's separate travels through Kalos. After the stories had ended, the talk shifted to the future.
"So, Gaz, what do you plan on doing next?" Ash asked.
"Not sure." Gaz answered, he looked deep in thought. "I'm thinking maybe travel Hoenn, try the league there."
"Hah, good luck beating my Dad." Max said arrogantly.
"Yeah, I hear the Petalburg Gym is pretty strong." Gaz responded.
"It is, my two battles there were extremely tough." Ash remarked.
"Must have been if you needed two." Dawn teased.
The group began to laugh before Misty asked Ash a question.
"Ash, what are planning to do for now?"
"I'm not sure." He responded in a serious tone. "I was planning on staying here and training, but I don't think that's safe anymore."
"You're up against Lucian next, right Ash?" Gaz asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"I heard a rumour that there was a migration, of sorts, of strong psychic Pokémon to the edge of Vermillion City, I think there might be some really good training opportunities for you there."
"That's actually a really good idea." Ash said as his face lit up. "The thought of facing a group of strong psychic Pokémon makes me hyped."
"Why would they all go there though?" Max wondered.
"I don't know, I was thinking about it earlier, but I couldn't figure it out." Gaz answered.
The group were silent for a while before Misty let out a big yawn.
"I think that it's time I go turn in for the night," She said while once again yawning. "I'll see you guys in the morning."
After bidding everyone goodnight, Misty left the kitchen and entered the hallway, where she was surprised to see Serena talking to someone on the video phone.
Misty didn't want to eavesdrop but at the same time she couldn't help but overhear Serena's laughter. She found this quite odd as after the day's events, laughter is the last thing she expected to hear from anyone.
She was snapped out of her thoughts though as she heard Serena's laugh stop and begin to talk.
"Listen, I better go. I'll see you around Viridian soon. Bye."
Serena hung up, turned around and jumped at the sight of Misty standing there.
"Oh, Misty what are you doing here?" She asked quickly.
"I was just on my way to bed, who were you talking to?" Misty replied with curiosity.
"Oh, no one important. It was just… uh…" Serena was clearly quite flustered, and she was blushing. "Oh, look at the time, I better hit the hay. Goodnight." With that she darted off to where she was sleeping for the night.
Misty's curiosity was peaked now but, unfortunately, she was not staying in the same room as Serena so she would have to wait until the morning to try and get more answers.
Meanwhile back in the kitchen, the conversation was continuing.
"So, when do you plan on moving out Ash?" Max asked.
"The sooner the better," Ash answered. "I think once I organise my things and my Pokémon I'll be on my way."
"Are you going alone?" Dawn asked.
"Well, that's what I had planned." Ash said sheepishly.
"Hey, we didn't all travel this far just to spend one day with you." Gaz interjected. "We all should go. You're training could benefit from us as well."
"You've got a good point there." Ash noticed. "Anyone who wants to come along is more than welcome."
"Yeah!" Max shouted. "I'd love to meet those strong psychic Pokémon."
"One more adventure sounds fun." Dawn giggled.
"Sounds like we have a plan, we should discuss it with everyone tomorrow though." Gaz told him.
"I'd love to travel with everyone again." Ash said fondly. "It's settled, in two days, we'll get going."
Ash couldn't help the smile that creeped across his face. He was looking forward to spending more time with all his friends. After all the craziness that happened earlier today, Ash was happy to look to the future.
Hope you enjoyed that, I'll try have the next one out as quick as I can. Leave a review please, whether of positive or negative all are welcome. Stay safe.
