Oh gods, this chapter was so rushed. I hope you enjoy... Sorry. I'll probably re-write it XD
Normally, Jason didn't like civilization. He didn't like the noise, the stench, the flood of information to his sense, and he definitely did not like the people. In fact, he didn't like anybody on a good day- and today was so not a good day.
The first thing that went wrong was that he saw a Dragonite flying overhead, carrying a member of The Elite Four.
The second thing that went wrong was that he followed the pair to the nearest town in hopes of what- he didn't know, murder or assault- and ended up with a sensory overload. He hadn't been in a town in a long time, and this place was huge.
And the worst thing- in a display of televisions, a battle was depicted. He recognized the fighting style, the way he pulled the cap over his head; the pokemon. And to make matters worse, the bastard was winning.
He watched for a few more moments before stalking off in a hurry, pent up rage making his hands shake. And not even Arceus itself could stop him from exploding when the words blared from the loudspeakers-
"And Red is now the leader and champion of the Pokemon League!"
Agatha drew her pokeball from her bag as she watched a young man clench his fists in rage. Typically, she didn't involve herself in such trivial affairs, but he looked ready to kill someone- and something about him unsettled her. It wasn't the fact that he was 6 foot tall at least, towering over her slight frame, or the fact that he looked like a wild man- disheveled clothes, crinkled shirt, leaves in his beard- but rather, the way he held himself. It was so familiar, a name she couldn't place yet balanced on the tip of her tongue.
The man turned, exposing his face- a strong nose with a ridge, scars etched into his face. His skin was tan from constant sun exposure, and he seemed older than his years. His face changed from shock, to rage in seconds, and he made his way over to Agatha, finger pointed.
"You! Is this true? Is Red the newest Champion of Unova?" He yelled, drawing looks from strangers.
Agatha grinned, eyes sparking with interest. "I remember you. You're that boy from 10 or so years ago. The one that was defeated by Red- so this is what happened to you. You had potential, at least until you went crazy and vanished off the face of the earth."
Agatha knew what she was doing, dangling bait in front of the man's nose. She hadn't had a good battle in a long time, and she eagerly cracked her knuckles, leaned against her Gengar Cane. Any minute now, recognition would flash across his features, and he'd explode. Agatha already lit the fuse.
"You don't know the whole story," the man began, but his voice took on a darker tone.
"But I do, Jason Palmer! You were one of Oak's students at one point. You and Red had a friendly rilvalry- that is, until one of his Pokemon disobeyed orders and killed your Haxorus."
The man, newly named Jason, clenched his teeth. "That's just what the government told everyone- to cover up Red's mistake. I was there- it wasn't an accident. Red saw that he was losing, and played dirty."
Agatha smiled, thumping her cane against the ground. "Perhaps. What are you going to do about it now?"
"I'll just take them all down- starting with you, Agatha of the Elite Four," Jason snapped, drawing his pokeball and releasing a Ninetails.
The old woman smirked, shaking her head. "As always, you fail to see the bigger picture. Take me down, you'll just assume my responsibilities and my title. Not only this, but you'll have so many challengers that you'll never make it to Red. Take my advice- make a few friends-" seeing Jason's face, she cleared her throat- "or alliances, whatever you wish- and just intercept Red during his victory tour."
Jason was taken aback. "Are- Are you helping me?"
Agatha shrugged, releasing Lances's Dragonite and climbing atop it's back. "Who knows? All I know is this- you're going to need a helping hand. I'd start with the pedophile that lives a few houses down- rumor has it he's taking care of a very strong individual."
And with that, Agatha pointed to the sky and promptly flew away.
12 years before
"Baurus, use Hyperbeam!" Jason yelled, jumping to the side to get a better view. Red, looking cool and composed, grinned.
"Charizard, now! While he's vulnerable! Solarbeam!"
The two pokemon met in the middle, massive light and beams exploding from their maw. It was all down to strength now- and slowly, the Haxorus was winning. Charizard quickly lost ground after that.
"Just a little longer, Baurus! Push through it!" Jason called, pumping his fist in the air. After many long years of training and losing, they were about to win.
"Charizard, return!" Red demanded, drawing the pokemon into it's ball. Jason blinked- that was his last pokemon. Why call it quits now?
Red smiled, pulling out a masterball. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Go, Weavile."
James gulped. He could back down, but maybe- just maybe- Haxorus could end it quickly. But then again, Baurus's health was terribly low. A simple attack, such as tackle, could take him down.
"Baurus-" he began, to call him back, but the Haxorus shook his head. His eyes seemed to communicate pride and determination. They could still do this!
"Weavile, use hone claws," Red began, voice just above a whisper. The ice type looked up, eyes glinting. And just like that, it was over.
James hadn't realized Weavile's speed was insanely high. Before he could even utter a word, Red had uttered a command.
"Now, finish it. Use Sheer Cold."
Seo-yun liked the bustling city, the way it seemed to buzz with energy. She liked the constant barrage of people, the smell of pokepuffs and freshly baked bread rushing down the street, she liked the activity. She came from a small town, so this was a welcome respite from boring home.
She'd been there for three days- and still no sign of him. She asked around, and got vague answers- I don't know who you're talking about, how about you ask next door, and even- get off my lawn- but overall, she gathered nothing. All that she figured out was that apparently he hadn't been seen in the city for weeks now, and that she should ask Mr. Tunji, who lived down the street.
With Litwick resting on her shoulder, she heeded their directions. With her hair tied up in a bun and a flower nestled behind her ear, she was ready for anything.
At least, that's what she thought.
"Excuse me- do you know which house lives in? " Seo asked, walking up to a man who was busy stuffing something in a mail box. He was maybe 5'7, with a slender build and a complexion the color of snow. He had sculpted cheekbones and gaged ears, with shaggy purple hair in a well-managed mohawk. Atop his head sat a rather plump and smug-looking Rowlet.
He shut the mailbox and focused his hazel eyes on her for a long period of time, as if reading a book. He swallowed nervously, reached up to make sure Rowlet was sitting firm on his head. The odd thing was, he was looking at her as if he was seeing a ghost of some sort- she could see a haunted look in his glittering eyes. Seo tilted her head, still awaiting an answer.
"I don't know a Mr. Tunji," the man began, his voice low and rusty. "But the only man besides me on this street is inside."
He jabbed a thumb towards the bright yellow house behind him, eyes never leaving her face. Right at that moment, Litwick hopped over on the man's shoulder and waved a stubby hand at the Rowlet, who responded in kind with a hiss and snapping of it's beak.
"Can you get this little guy? Henry here is getting sort of... Agitated," he said darkly. Seo nodded, leaning forward and picking up the small Pokemon in her hands, much to the Litwick's disappointment. Her hand brushed against the man's shoulder as doing so, and he immediately stiffened- as if human touch was foreign to him.
Seo blinked. "I never got your name," she admitted, holding out a hand. "I'm Seo-yun!"
The man regarded her hand for a moment, before finally taking it. His hand was cold to the touch, sending chills up her spine.
"I'm Lilac," he said shortly, removing his hand from her grasp and making his way towards the house. "You might want to hide that little guy- the Old Man tends to get nostalgic when seeing unevolved, cute and companionable pokemon."
James already felt uncomfortable with the atmosphere in the room- but then again, he was never really comfortable inside. Even with Luna in his lap, and him nervously petting the fur on her back and combing her many tails, he still was nervous.
It was a quaint, little home with a cottage-like feel; wooden planks under your feet, stone walls. His eyes skimmed the room, taking in his surroundings. Pictures lined the walls of a younger man, arms wrapped around a woman. Pokeballs, most likely empty, lined the walls.
And sitting beside him on the couch was a young woman in her mid twenties, smiling companionably at him an attempting to make conversation- but James wasn't in the mood. He just wanted information.
"Ever heard of a man named Red?" He asked in a gruff voice, and at the mention of that name Luna snarled, her many tails swaying in aggravation.
Seo's face flashed with something- what, he didn't know- before answering. She was very guarded in her answer, James deducted. "I know him very well."
Her tone hinted at a personal history, and James nodded, trying to appear neutral as possible. Just then, the Old Man appeared, slowly making his way to the rocking chair in the center of the room and easing his way down, grunting. Lilac appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, by his side.
"You all have many questions. Ask away- I have had my morning tea and am content."
James spoke first, leaning forward in his seat. "I was told to come here by Agatha- she said I could find..." he struggled with the word. "Friends here."
The Old Man nodded, squinting his eyes at James. Lilac, on the other hand, seemed surprised.
"The old hag said that?" He asked, incredulous. James let out a barking laugh, although his face was completely serious, without a hint of a smile.
"Is that what you call her?" James leaned back into the couch, scratching Luna behind her ears.
The Old Man smiled. "I prefer the term 'bewitching, breathtaking vixen,'" he finished. Lilac choked on his own saliva, coughing and spitting into his hand. Seo-yun winced.
"I'm here in search for Red," she said.
"Funny, I'm here for the same thing. Except I want to start it with a conversation, and end it with my fist in his face."
Lilac watched the two bicker, eyes glancing back and forth. The Old Man seemed amused.
"Were you dropped on your head as a baby, or were you just born stupid?" Seo snapped, brown eyes blazing. On her shoulder, Litwick bristled, making it's way towards Luna in an attempt to fight. The larger pokemon snapped it's strong jaws and bared sharp incisors.
"That depends. Compared to you, I'm-" The pair were cut off by the Old Man's strangled laugh. He continued for some time, his chest heaving, hacking spit and mucus.
"Whew, you youngin's make me feel so alive. So much fire in your bones. Look, I'll be frank with you. I'm old. I'm lonely, and I'm on my deathbed. It would do me great pleasure if you all bound together and complete these quests. Once done, return to me and tell my about your travels," he said.
There was an awkward silence. Seo-yun's face was one of disbelief, and James's mouth was a hard line.
"I don't owe you anything. I can do this on my own," he began, getting up from his seat. However, the Ninetails he was partnered with wasn't so happy. She whimpered, raised a paw, pleading. James sighed through clenched teeth. "Fine. I'll join you, but let me make this clear- we're not friends. I'm using you for information."
Seo-yun rolled her eyes. "Good thing that's cleared up."
Lilac sighed quietly. "So- where do we start?"
The old man chuckled. "Where else? The Pokemon League."