Chapter Three: Dexter and Blue and Daisy Too

Yellow stared out at the sea and thought about the town he had lived in all his life. He knew every nook and cranny of this place. He knew when the flowers bloomed, knew when the sea air would shift with each season, knew the shape of the inlet at the most southern tip of the peninsula like he knew the shape of his own tail. Knew the rise and fall of the mostly unused docks like the beating of his own heart. Pallet Town was a part of him. If he left, wasn't that like saying that he didn't care? That this town meant nothing to him? That he didn't appreciate that he had everything he'd ever needed right here?

Yellow let out a frustrated sigh. Why am I even thinking about this? I don't want to leave…right? But the more he thought about Pallet Town the more he thought about Viridian City. About the diversity of the pokémon that passed through that city. Was he content to know the same pokémon for the rest of his life? Was he content to be alone and friendless for the rest of his life? Was he content with being so afraid of change and uncertainty that he'd turn down Professor Oak, the greatest pokémon of this age, a dragonite, who told a pikachu that he was intelligent and trustworthy? If he turned down Professor Oak, wasn't that like saying he didn't believe in him? That he didn't trust his judgement? And what kind of idiot would turn down the chance to travel the country doing ground-breaking research and working for the greatest pokémon alive?

Yellow lept to his feet, cheeks tingling in excitement. Screw being scared. This is my only chance to do something with my life. If I refuse it, then I'm only proving anyone who tormented me for the last ten years right. I would be a coward.

He was running toward the lab before he realized he had even stood up. I still have an hour until the sun sets and Mom starts to worry. I can make it to the lab in time if I run.

As he approached the top of the hill for the second time that day, he slowed down and tried to catch his breath. His lungs ached, his legs ached, and he almost considered turning back around. If he was this tired just running up a hill, how would he face weeks of travel? How would he face mountains? He was woefully under prepared for this.

Fortunately, though he had slowed down, he hadn't stopped, and suddenly the great sliding door was opening and Yellow found himself back in the lab. Professor Oak was standing there in the middle of the lab, arguing with someone. As Yellow approached, he recognized the brown furred pokémon and he almost turned around and walked right back outside, but Oak noticed him first and called out, "Yellow! You're back!"

Yellow's left ear twitched and he forced a smile on his face. "Uh, yeah, I wanted to talk to you?"

"Of course, of course! I was just talking to Blue about the new Pokédex prototype! Is that why you're here too? Have you reconsidered my offer?"

Yellow stared at the floor hard enough to burn holes into it. There were suddenly too many pokémon looking at him. More importantly, Blue was looking at him. If he looked up, he'd lose his nerve.

"Well, Yellow? Do you want to work for me?"

His tail twitched. He bit his lip. He thought about how it had felt to run up that hill and know that he had a purpose. Finally, he mumbled out a 'yes.'

He looked up. He shouldn't have. Professor Oak looked radiant, eyes lit up with excitement and wings fluttering. Blue looked like cold-blooded murder.

"Are you kidding me, Gramps? This is the reason you won't let me take the new prototype Pokédex? You're going to let Wimpychu do your research? He'd never even make it to Pewter City!"

Yellow's ear twitched again, but this time in annoyance. This was why he had to do this! Because there was no worse feeling than letting Blue be right! He was sick of always letting Blue walk all over him. For the last ten years he had let Blue bully him, but no more. He was ready to be his own pokémon. Ready to prove that he could make something of himself.

"I can make it." The words were out of his mouth before he realized it. "I will make it." His cheeks sparked. Energy surged through his body. It was a foreign feeling to him, but it was good. He never wanted this feeling to go away. This feeling of power.

Blue looked shocked. "So you finally found some guts, huh, loser? I'll prove that you can't make it out there. Battle me. If you don't wet yourself in fear than maybe you'll last one night in the wilderness."

Professor Oak sighed, sounding profoundly exasperated. "Please, Blue, not in the lab. And I'm sure Yellow doesn't want to anyway-"

"Challenge accepted."

Blue's eyes widened in surprise then narrowed and Yellow's stomach immediately dropped. This isn't me. What am I saying. This is crazy.

One minute later found the two young pokémon outside the lab, waiting for the other to make the first move. The longer Blue didn't move the more uncertainty latched onto Yellow like a tangela. His body started vibrating with nervous energy. The feeling of power from earlier was gone, replaced with anxiety. This was his first battle. He'd never had any special training besides basic self-defense. Hopefully instinct would kick in and do all the work for him, because he had no idea what he was doing. He had spent hours, days, weeks of his life studying the famous trainers of Kanto, but none of that meant anything if he didn't know how to apply it to himself.

Suddenly a brown blur shot toward him and slammed into his gut. All the air left his body in one rush and he was pushed off his feet. As he shakily got to his feet Blue slammed into him again and Yellow was thrown off his feet again. His heart was racing like he had just run up ten hills. I'm an idiot. Why did I think I could do this. This is terrifying. He got to his feet again and tried to summon some electricity, but he'd never been great at summoning it on command. Blue shot towards him and he was thrown back again.

"You're pathetic."

Yellow got to his feet again, breathing heavily. He wanted nothing more than to give up- to just go home and let his mom wrap him in a hug. He hated this. The humiliation, the pain, the smug look on Blue's face. But quitting would be proving Blue right. Quitting would be proving that he was worthless. He tried to lunge towards Blue but was met with a cloud of dirt in his eyes that Blue had kicked up. Blue let out a nasty laugh.

"You're a waste of space, Yellow. You're nothing. What are you trying to prove? That you can be a hero? That you can be like your dad? You-"

"That's enough, Blue."

Professor Oak had joined them outside. Yellow had never seen him look so disappointed. His heart sank. Was Oak going to change his mind? Yellow's heart was still thumping wildly in his chest, and he wasn't sure if it was due to the battle or the fear of what Oak would say at his poor performance. Blue was staring defiantly at his grandfather, probably mad that the battle had been interrupted.

"Gramps, I just beat this loser without even trying. Let me take the new prototype. I'm taking the League Challenge anyway, what better way to test the prototype?"

Yellow hadn't known that Blue was finally taking the Challenge, but he wasn't surprised. Blue was right. He had barely even tried and still won. Oak gave a large sigh.

"Blue, I told you already, I want you take the older model with you. You're already familiar with how it works, and I don't have the means to transfer what you've already collected over to the new prototype. You'd have to start over from scratch. Besides, after what you've shown me right now I don't think I can trust you with it."

Yellow could see that Blue was shaking in anger, even from several yards away.

"Really? I'm stronger than him! I won!"

"And you acted rashly, gave in to your anger, and taunted your opponent. There's more to being a strong pokémon than physical strength, Blue. It's about time you learn that. Now go wait in the lab, I want to talk to Yellow."

Blue hmphed and stalked off towards the lab, but not before turning his head back and sticking out his tongue. Oak sighed again and turned to Yellow. This is it. This is the moment where he tells me what a failure I am.

"Yellow. The job is still yours if you want it. It's not necessary for you to compete in the League, it merely requires travelling, talking to pokémon, and recording battles. They don't have to be your own battles."

Yellow felt a wave of relief wash over him. He wasn't expected to compete in the League. He wasn't a disappointment for being so bad at battling. Professor Oak still believed in him. He felt himself nod, and Oak smiled and handed him the Pokédex.

"Good! I've included a tutorial that should start as soon as you turn the Pokédex on. It will explain how all of the basic functions work. There's a section for you to make notes, with the capability for you to create multiple files and sections as you see fit. You can record by typing or by speaking into the device. There's a video camera to record battles, as well as a program that will help analyze what moves are being used. There's also an option to record audio, for interviews. But the most impressive thing, and what you'll be focusing on, is the pokémon database. There's a file for each species in Kanto. Right now it contains only basic information about each species. Your job is to add as much to it as possible. The goal is to collect data from across the region which will serve as a way for researchers like me to do studies without having to travel ourselves and leave our labs for extended periods of time. With a robust database, we'll be able to advance in many areas of study, like medicine, or evolution, even how DNA works!"

Oak's enthusiasm was infectious, and Yellow found himself smiling. He was going to be a part of a project that could one day lead to improving the lives of pokémon all over the country!

Oak suddenly turned serious, and Yellow's smile dropped.

"I mentioned earlier that there are rival researchers who want to steal my design. I wish we lived in a world where information could be traded freely, but unfortunately, there are those who would see the Pokédex as a source for profit. Hording the information until the highest bidder shells out all their money, blocking access to those who really need it. The Pokédex must not be used by anyone except you, understood?"

Yellow nodded. "Yes, sir. Understood."

"The Pokédex will be locked and will only open when you input the password. Whenever you transmit data back to the lab you will also have to input the password. I recommend using something that you are unlikely to forget, but not something that someone could easily guess."

Yellow thought about it. What could he use as a password? Like the professor said, it would have to be something he was unlikely to forget. The Pokédex was red, maybe something to do with that color? That would be too easy though, wouldn't it? Suddenly he came up with an idea. His favorite pokedoll. The one he'd been given by his father, before he left. The one that never left his bedside. A red charmeleon named Dexter. He opened the Pokédex and was met with a screen that asked for his new password.

"Now what?" Yellow asked, once he had finished typing in his password. Professor Oak smiled down at him.

"Now you start your journey. You can leave at any time, though I'd suggest waiting until tomorrow morning, at this point. There's not a time limit on this project, and I don't want you to feel rushed. All I ask is that you check in once and a while; any time you stop at a pokémon center should be enough. Aside from that, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want. Explore! See things you'd never get to see otherwise, talk to pokémon you'd never talk to otherwise, do things you'd never otherwise get to do."

The excitement Yellow felt before his encounter with Blue was returning. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He'd secretly always wanted to see more of the world, despite what he tried to make himself believe.

"Thank you again, Professor Oak, I won't let you down!"

"No, thank you Yellow. You're going to help us do great things. Your father would be proud."

Yellow's tail twitched at the mention of his father, but his heart felt warm. He was going to be the best researcher Oak had ever seen, he would make his parents proud, he would no longer be the stain on his family's legacy. He would prove Blue wrong.

But before that, he would have to break the news to his mother.

He still hadn't figured out a way to tell his mother that he was leaving in the time it took him to walk home from the lab. The sun had nearly set, and the sky was turning from deep oranges and pinks to lavender and blue as he watched. The trees looked like they were dipped in gold, and everything had a warm tint that made Yellow both nostalgic and excited. Even if he wasn't home, the sunset would still be there every night, no matter where in the region he was.

He finally reached his house and pushed open the door. He was greeted to one of his favorite smells, pasta with tamato sauce.

"Yellow, is that you? Wait at the table, I'll be there in a minute!"

His mom was in the kitchen, likely spooning out the pasta into a serving bowl as quickly as she could. Yellow climbed up onto the seat and sat the Pokédex on the table next to his plate.

A minute later, his mom appeared, carrying a large bowl overflowing with pasta. Enough for at least three meals.

"Do we have a guest joining us tonight?" Yellow joked as his mom sat down at the table to join him.

"No, silly! I made extra for you to take with you for lunch tomorrow!"

Yellow looked at his mom. The fur around her eyes was damp. She had been crying.

"How did you know I would say yes?"

"I know you. This is all you've ever wanted, whether you realize it or not. You just needed some alone time to think about it. Is that the prototype there?" She pointed to the Pokédex, clearly an attempt to distract Yellow from her face, which she was dabbing with her apron.

"Yeah."

An awkward silence settled over the two pikachu as they ate their dinner, unsure of what to say or how to say it.

Later that night, after assuring his mom that he would call every chance he got, Yellow began packing his bag. He would have to be very conservative with his space. He envied larger pokémon. They had the ability to carry so much more with them. He wouldn't be able to bring many personal items with him. The Pokédex alone would take up one whole side pocket of his bag. Inside the main pocket he threw all the medicine he had in the medicine cabinet, as well as bandages and a canteen. He rolled up a blanket as tight as he could and tied it to the top. He gave one last glance around his room, looking to see if he forgot anything. He opened his closet door, to give one last look inside and saw something move out of the corner of his eye. Oh. I forgot that was there. It was the top half of what used to be a red and white fishing lure, still looped into the fishing wire and hanging on a hook on the back of the door. He stared at it for a few minutes, debating if he wanted to take it with him. It was a useless piece of trash, but it was also a reminder. He smiled at the memory of a younger him and Blue fishing in a nearby stream, arguing over who was better. That was before things changed. Before Blue started lashing out and Yellow started retreating inward. He grabbed the lure and tied it to the outside of his bag. Maybe it can serve as a good luck charm.

He shut the closet door, satisfied that he had everything he needed. If he needed anything else it could wait until he reached Viridian City.

It was hard for Yellow to fall asleep that night, like trying to sleep the night before a holiday. Eventually he was too tired to stay awake any longer, all the running and his poor excuse for battling from earlier had tired him out. This would be the last time he slept in his own bed for a while, and he savored it while he could. He slept soundly and dreamlessly.

He woke to his mother gently rapping on his door. He blinked his eyes open looked around his room. This would be last time he set foot in it for at least a few months, maybe more. He patted Dexter the charmeleon's worn out head. He would have to stay here.

"Take care of Mom, Dexter."

Dexter stared blankly back at him. Yellow grabbed his bag from the side of his bed and followed his mom to the front door, where she handed him his old lunch box.

"Last night's leftovers. For lunch."

Yellow put the lunch box in his bag and hugged his mom. She squeezed him tight and sniffled.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Yellow."

"I know, Mom. I'll miss you too."

Yellow's mom reluctantly let go and stepped back, put her hands on her hips, and forced a stern look on her face.

"Now I want you to be safe out there, Yellow. The rest of the world isn't like Pallet Town. There are thieves and crooks and bandits and bad people. Sleep in a pokémon center whenever you can. Don't get into fights you can't back out of. Don't buy anything that isn't from a licensed vendor. Don't forget to rinse your mouth out or you'll get cavities. Don't-"

"Mom. I know. I'll be fine."

His mom nodded and wiped a tear from her eye. "And don't forget to call me."

"I won't forget, Mom."

"Oh!" His mom exclaimed, "I forgot something!"

She ran into the house and came back a minute later with a package.

"I've had this sitting in the back of a closet, waiting for this day. I can't believe I almost forgot it!"

Yellow took the package from her, intrigued. He ripped the yellowed paper off and stared in shock at what was inside.

"Is this really-"

His mom nodded. "I ordered it years ago, when all you would talk about was travelling the world, training, and battling. Now I know you aren't a fan of battling yourself, but I figure you are travelling, and this hat is only gathering dust in the closet, so it's time I finally give it to you."

The official Pokémon League Expo hat! There were only a limited number made that year!

"Thanks, Mom."

Yellow put the hat on his head, smushing his ears down sideways. He gave his mom one last hug, swung his bag over his shoulder, and set off, giving one last look at his mom and the house he grew up in. She'd be okay. He had to believe that, or he'd never be able to leave town. She'd be okay, and so would he.

He was just about to take his first step out of town when he heard someone call his name.

"Yellow! Hey! Yellow! Wait up!"

Yellow stopped and turned around.

A sleek vaporeon was hurrying up to him, and it took a few seconds to register who it was. Daisy, Blue's older sister. He hadn't seen her in nearly a year. She must have evolved sometime since he last saw her. She was carrying a thick piece of paper in her mouth, and she dropped it at his feet once she caught up to him.

"I'm so glad I caught you, Yellow! Gramps told me you were leaving today, and I wanted to send you off. Blue left town as soon as the sun came up and I was half asleep when he left. I tried to give him this map before he left but he claimed he 'didn't need it.' I figured I'd give it to you instead. If Blue gets lost that's on him."

She gave Yellow a wink, and he smiled back at her, cheeks warming up. Even when his and Blue's relationship was in the worst moments, Daisy was always kind to him.

"I totally forgot about a map! Thank you, Daisy!"

Yellow hoped his embarrassment wasn't showing too much. How could I forget a map of all things! I'm going to die out there!

"No problem! Just be sure to rub it in my brother's face when he inevitably gets lost! He's gotten really cocky and arrogant these last few years." Daisy suddenly grew more somber. "I know my brother comes off as a jerk, and there's no excusing that, but I truly think he's putting on a mask to hide his loneliness. Ever since our parents died, he's somehow grown more distant even when he surrounded himself with more and more new friends. I know he hasn't been kind to you Yellow, but you were his best friend once. I think he just wants things to go back to the way they were, and lashes out when he realizes that things can never be the same. I'm not asking you to forgive him, but please try to keep it in mind the next time he taunts you, ok?

Yellow nodded, and Daisy's face lit up again.

"Good luck out there, Yellow! Oh! And cool hat!"

NOTES:

This was a much longer chapter than the last two! Hopefully I can keep this word length up. This chapter feels really choppy to me, but I wanted to get it posted, so there may be small edits made later to make it read a little smoother.

The fic is off to a slow start, but things will start picking up speed soon. We've got to work our way up to the Plot!

I went back and forth with what pokémon I wanted Blue to be for the longest time. I had him as a squirtle for a while, but eventually settled on eevee. Both species could conceivably have a dragonite grandfather depending on what the grandmother and parents were. I'll leave that up to you, it probably won't play a part in the plot.

What do you think happened to Yellow's dad and Blue's parents? You'll find out in chapter 22!

Next time on WALiaPW, Yellow loses something precious and fights to get it back.