New Bark

Red sat in the backseat of the car, solemnly gazing out of the window, while Professor Oak was turning the steering wheel, whistling a small little upbeat tune.

He absent-mindedly patted his own new cap his mother had bought him, which was of the same design as his old one. He then felt for his bag, retrieving his Pokéballs and he did not want to wait for another second to release them from their red-white capsules after missing them for months.

"Red, we're reaching!"

The bubbly professor pointed towards New Bark Town, houses with green roofs stood high and prominent, and soon the car stopped outside a large white building, a man wearing a white lab coat that had pieces of paper sticking out of the pockets waiting outside to welcome them. His turnip looking head only had a bountiful patch of hair at the very top, and the round-rimmed glasses made him looked well-read and intelligent. Evidently, a Pokémon professor.

Professor Oak clambered out of his driver seat, greeting his colleague with a handshake, and then gestured Red to get out of the car, in which the trainer opened the door and stepped out.

"Elm, allow me to introduce Red, the one who helped me complete the Kanto Pokédex." The Professor beamed as he spoke those words. Elm stumbled forward, and despite looking a little flustered, he gripped Red's hand firmly. They exchanged pleasantries, and before long, the two professors got back to their own conversation about new scientific discoveries and theories that Red himself could not quite comprehend.

Red was granted access to the Pokémon ranch behind the lab, and the moment he stepped into the green field, he eagerly took out his six Pokéballs, letting out his whole team immediately, who pressed Red flat onto the ground in the next instant. The trainer, amidst the crushing hugs, let out a chuckle while telling everyone to get off of him quickly.

The furry mouse then ran up his trainer's back and settled himself on the two broad shoulders he had missed sitting on, before poking the human's soft cheeks, and then proceeding to nibble Red's ears for fun. Espeon, on the other hand, attempted to scramble up his back but her rather long body had trouble placing herself in the right position. The Eeveelution constantly slid back to the ground and she grumbled in jealousy at the electric rodent that squeaked heartily. Giving a sigh, the female Pokémon swished her split tail gracefully, before crossing her forelimbs and settling herself down on the soft grass of the well-trimmed ranch. Meanwhile, Charizard was just circling around the boy nimbly, his flaming tail burning parts of the lawn, which prompted Blastoise to doused out the harmless fire from his cannon. Snorlax started scratching his belly as he yawned and fell asleep at the next second. Venusaur crouched near his trainer and scratched his rough head against Red, who smiled and patted the grass type.

He enjoys spending time with his Pokémon, just like this, and he could have carried on, if not for the many eyes that were staring at his team and himself curiously. He couldn't really blame them since his Pokémon appeared much stronger than any other of the same species. From the corner of his eye, he was sure that one of the assistants was so very close to approaching him to strike up a conversation and bombard him with questions on his team. He hurriedly stood up, recalling all his Pokémon, except for Pikachu, who sat snugly on his shoulder, earning a look a disappointment from the assistant, but that did not stop him from entering the comforts of the lab. Yet, the many assistants continued to look through the sliding automatic glass doors, like how people would look at fishes in the aquarium.

"Ah, what perfect timing, do come over here, Red." Professor Oak called out, and the assistants were gone in a flash. Heaving a sigh of relief, Red went towards the professor, who was sitting in the sitting area with Elm. Oak then picked up a stylish looking device placed quietly on the coffee table, which was black with a bright red wristband.

An Xtransceiver.

His eyes sparkled at the sight of the brand new device, and Professor Oak chuckled at the excitement that was reflected in the boy's eyes. Even Elm appeared amused at the usually silent former Champion's enthusiasm towards new technology.

"I've inputted the numbers of your mother, Green's and mine in this Xtransceiver. Take good care of it." Oak said, passing the Xtransceiver to Red, before moving to a red, familiar looking device.

"And this… is the National Pokedex."

Oak picked up the red and flat gadget. It had a thin piece of glass within two plates of metal that glinted red and was bordered black.

"This is the newest version, with a total of 802 Pokémon waiting to be filed inside." Oak introduced. "I have also transferred the data of the 151 Pokémon you've caught previously." The old professor added. "Don't ever lose it."

The old professor then gently put the Pokédex onto the trainer's palm. Red gasped as he held onto the device, a warm glow coloring his cheeks. He nodded his head profusely before he paused for a while. Gingerly, he took off his cap and held it tightly against his chest. Pikachu then jumped down from his broad shoulders, and smiled heartwarmingly to his trainer, attempting to encourage the awkward teen. Red then nodded to his buddy, before he made direct eye contact with the two professors. Stiffly, he bowed.

"Thank you so much…"

A lump formed in his throat, his heart feeling all warm and fuzzy. He was just so thankful for them to accept him again. For not giving up on this good-for-nothing person like him that once ran away. And for doing so much for his selfish self.

*Three Years Ago*

"P-professor...?"

Oak turned around, and found the door ajar, a familiar figure shifting uneasily outside. After the professor gave his approval, the visitor shuffled his feet and entered the private study. He didn't appear in good shape, for his eyes had a dead look and his hands were scratched in places. He was the Champion, and even after 1 year after his coronation, whenever he returned to Pallet, the poor boy had to face the attention he was given in return for fame.

"Good gracious!" exclaimed Oak, as he examined the damage the 12-year-old boy had suffered. He hurriedly stood up and beckoned the boy over to seat in a nearby chair. Red muttered his thanks, before slumping in the wooden chair, tired of the ordeal. After the visitor had enjoyed and calmed down with a puffing hot cup of cocoa, he then proceeded to state his business here.

"... Are you done with... your research... for those five pokemon...?" With a silent voice, Red asked. Oak sipped his own cup of coffee, as he nodded knowingly. He had expected the boy to come back for them, for this kind boy had the tendency to release those he had caught back into the wild. He had filled the Kanto Pokédex, through catching, trading and then finally releasing most of them. Oak quickly excused himself to go and retrieve those precious Pokémon, and he returned to the study minutes later with his hands holding onto 5 Ultraballs, and Oak passed them back to their owner.

"Are you sure you want to release them? It is quite a pity..." Oak sighed before his voice trailed off when he witnessed a never before seen expression on the Champion's face. It was an expression of resignation, with that slight frown signifying him being tired of something, and finally, those crimson eyes hiding a deep, deep loneliness. The boy did not answer his question, as he stood up suddenly, muttering another word of thanks, and dragged his feet towards the door, that back of his bending forward as if something heavy was weighing him down.

Worried, the professor then asked if he was alright out of concern, and in reply, Red just turned his head back to glance at the old man, his face having an incomprehensible expression.

"I'm... fine..." he replied, his glassy eyes looking down onto the flooring. Before Oak could speak another word, the boy had walked out of the door. Gripping the door handle, those red eyes that belonged to the Champion who stood outside of the room stared at the professor for a few seconds. He averted his gaze as he mumbled,

"Goodbye... Professor Oak..."

The door creaked shut as the visitor left to go through another tiring ordeal of getting tortured by the public.

Little did Oak knew that those were the last farewell words he would ever hear the boy say to him before the passing of 3 years.

The day after that meeting, Red had announced his retirement, not accepting any disapproval by anyone by disappearing immediately after he relayed his intentions to the League. No one knew where he went, where he was when he will ever come back. And truthfully, Oak had actually felt relieved, when he finally understood the reason for that expression on his face. If leaving was that child's way of being free, he would let him go. But it was his mother that was the problem. First, her husband disappeared, and now when her son did the same thing, her mind just shut down and she fainted on the spot upon hearing the news.

While the boy's mother was out cold, Red had actually mailed a letter to her, just a day after the breaking news. The whole of Pallet Town was incredibly worried about how she would cope with her son's absence, but the lady was much stronger than she looks. All she had inside of her, was faith that her son will one day return.

And he did, in the most worrying way possible.

Meanwhile, Red had bowed towards Oak and Elm out of gratitude, and Professor Oak himself could see the boy trembling a tiny little bit. Elm had replied "your welcome" and told the boy to get some rest before he leaves the town tomorrow.

After Red had returned to his temporary room along with the two gadgets, Oak continued to converse for Elm, an hour or two passing by quickly. While Elm had some other lab work to do, Oak was about to leave soon, for he was still a busy man himself. Yet, he thought he should talk to the boy, for it'll take a long while for them to meet again.

When he stood outside the door to Red's temporary room, he raised his arm to deliver a few knocks. Yet, his own hand stopped a few centimeters away from the wooden door as he started thinking how the boy had felt when he had stood outside Oak's study three years ago. Did he felt regretful? Nervous? Tired? Did he merely come to just get his Legendary Pokémon? Or did he really came to visit him?

All these answers were left unanswered as the old professor knocked a few times. A soft acknowledgment came from inside, and Oak slowly turned the knob, entering the boy's sleeping quarters for the night.

"Professor Oak..." The boy regarded the old man with a nod. "... Is there anything you need?"

"Some questions to ask," Oak said before he noticed a folding chair that was leaning against the cupboard. He chuckled as he corrected himself. "Plenty I suppose." He then grabbed the chair, unfolded and sat on it. Beckoning Red to sit down on the bed, the teenager hesitantly sat down, before turning to look at the old professor.

"So," Oak began. "What happened after you left for Mount Silver? And why Mount Silver?"

Red paused, knowing that someday, he will have to answer that question. But in all honesty, he did not really know. It just occurred to him that since there were no more worthy challengers, he might as well challenge Nature itself. Mount Silver was the strongest and most dangerous mountain, making it like a valentine temptation to his battle-hungry self. His main language was battling and he cries out for it, he reaches out for more and more, and the region's hardest place to conquer was just up on that extinct volcano.

He had fought and fought his way through everything, through the heat of the Rapidashes, through the giant Ursarings and Donphans, through the vicious Gyarados, and cunning Misdreavus. The day he arrived at the top, on March 15, the mountain had acknowledged him as the reigning master by raining diamond dust that sparkled everywhere, the natural beauty of Mt Silver presenting itself before him. And from thereon, he just trained and trained, wanting to approach the summit as close as possible. He did not know what the summit was, where it was, but he just knew he had to get stronger and stronger.

Oak listened, patiently, and when Red finally ended his small summary of what happened over the three years, the professor finally got the chance to ask what he really came for.

"Where did the Legendary Pokémon go?" He asked.

Red paused once more, and the teenager pursed his lips as he remembered the events that had transpired after he got those five Ultraballs back. It had been just down by Mount Silver, and Red had released all five Legendary Pokémon:

Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos, Mew, and Mewtwo.

Zapdos started squawking as he landed down on the grass, Articuno and Moltres too landed with a flourish, even Mew and Mewtwo stayed put as all five of them gazed at the trainer.

"You're free now," Red said with a smile, his hands gripping hard on the Ultraballs. Indeed it was a real pity that he was releasing such beautiful and rare pokemon, such strong partners. But he knew his own personal rule was correct, and it was wrong for him to always keep them within those tiny capsules when they could do so much more as free creatures.

Then Mewtwo spoke within Red's mind, which surprised the unprepared boy.

Red, we don't need you to take care of us. Just promise us that you will remain as our master. We will go our separate ways, but we don't want anyone else other than you to catch us again. If you become our trainer, no one else can catch us anymore.

Another voice resounded in the human's mind, presumably Articuno's voice:

We will be going into slumber to reload ourselves. I will be in the Seafoam Islands, Zapdos around the Power Plant, and Moltres at Mount Ember. We will always be here for you, just call our names out loud and we'll be right by your side.

"Wait! But..." Red said, confused.

But before he could say anything else, the three birds exchanged glances, before flapping their great wings and took off, Zapdos flying off with a crack of thunder and with the speed of light, Moltres' tail emitting blazing flames and Articuno's wings making the air all chilly as ice crystals formed out of nowhere and pelted down. Nature sent a gentle breeze that boosted their flight as the trio flew further and further away at unbelievable speeds.

Red stood, entranced by the amazing birds that flew off into the distance, the three Legendary Birds diminished into little spots of yellow, blue and red against the warm sunset. They left. But what was that all about? Did they say they wanted him to continue to be their trainer?

Red hesitated a little before his fingers skimmed over to the small button of the Ultraball, the trainer wanting to unregister the legendaries. This was actually a really easy process, by pressing a tiny button hidden inside the capturing capsule. But before the boy could even flip the Ultraball open, the five capturing devices floated out of his grasps without warning and ended up with the pokemon that had taken them all away.

Mewtwo had a smug look on his face as he spun the balls that circled above his palm, a mysterious purple light surrounding the objects. The legendary psychic Mewtwo then communicated his farewell words inside Red's head.

I'll be holding onto these, trainer. Come to Cerulean Cave if you need me.

Then his humanoid body pumped energy in his thigh muscles, and before long, the purple legendary did a monstrous leap that sent him flying straight east of Mount Silver.

And all that was left was Mew. She floated around and around, her long tail waving aimlessly as she got closer to the dumbfounded trainer. Red regained his composure and glanced at the floating Pokémon that had started spinning slowly around him.

"Mew, why do you all stay?" He asked, not at all understanding why were the five of them so firm about staying with him.

Mew's stared at Red, and continued to spin around the boy, a chuckle escaping her tongue. Finally she hovered right next to his ear and communicated telepathically once more.

Some things don't need reasons, Number Zero.

Giving a cat-like smile, the mythical Pokémon twirled around and with a poof, she vanished into thin air, leaving Red stoned for at least a whole minute. It was not like he could do anything to set them free, for all the Ultraballs were already taken away by Mewtwo. But what did Mew meant by "Number Zero"? After a short moment, he finally decided to push his thoughts to the back of his mind and focus on the challenge at hand. Red turned to look at Mt Silver cave entrance.

A swirling darkness painted the cave entrance inky black, as a single chain was stretched across the breadth of the doorway to hell, a single warning sign hanging right smack in the middle of the chains, the words fading and a few mysterious splatters of dried blood on the old plastic board.

Red did not even bat an eye at the "Danger, do not enter" words as his nerves of steel did not falter one bit. And little did he realized, that a distance away, a whimsy old man had clambered behind the thicket, although sadly, he had missed the splendid display of legendaries and myths. Even so, the old man laid low and observed the mysterious person that had come all the way to this perilous and treacherous mountain. He trembled slightly as he witnessed the boy going under the forbidden chains that clattered bleakly as if signaling his doom.

The old man gave a sniffle, as thoughts ran through his head, certain that the suicidal child will die in that mountain. Only the finest trainers could set foot on that mountain, and not just be any finest trainer, but a Champion. And mind you, even the top could only "set foot" in it, but not "climb it", for it was just way too impossible for any human being to conquer nature itself. which simply proved that the kid was mad, madder than anyone he had ever seen. He had not worn any proper mountain gear, he simply dressed in a casual sleeveless black shirt and jeans, and neither did he announce any high trainer status or whatsoever, making the old man extremely worried for this child.

He had tried to change his mind about going into Mt Silver, but that determination of the boy was not to be underestimated, and finally, the old man could only give in and witness the boy's descent to hell.

When Red had finally disappeared into the darkness, not a trace of him spared under the daylight, the old man had sighed, before trudging home, feeling guilty that he had let the boy ventured into the mountain.

But little did he know that the fella was none other than Red, the former Champion.

"And that was it..." He ended his story, and he watched the professor, who had an awfully serious expression on his countenance. He then stood up suddenly, startling Red, for the boy had never seen the professor looking so fierce before.

"Mew called you 'Number Zero'?" The professor asked, his tone firm and unnaturally worried. The confused teenager simply nodded, and Oak sat back down on his chair, his eyes narrowing. Upon hearing Red's confirmation, he can't help but to recall that day.

That day when the existence of the Major Arcana was confirmed.