I didn't speak to my parents about Pokémon.

Eddie and Zack, bless their souls, did. Zack climbed into my lap while I was watching a movie after dinner, and proceeded to hug me until I responded equally. He murmured something about dragons, reinforcing the fact I was still to catch him one when I saw one. If I ever see one, I wanted to say, but breaking my youngest brother's heart was something I couldn't do.

I went to bed like I always did, but I had it in my head that I was going to leave early that morning, before anyone could notice. Mainly because I didn't want anyone hurting or saying I hadn't sorted anything out. I had it all planned, contrary to their belief. My bag was packed and ready, lying at my desk. I'd tidied my room and re-organised everything, just to pass time. I'd called the school and told them I wouldn't be there for a while - it was common, everybody had left for Pokémon, at some time or another. The school even encouraged it. I can always go back to school. But what was I going to do with life, anyway? It seemed so easy. Too easy, really. It seemed as if they were glad to be rid of Darrell Redford at last.

I was up at 7AM. Sleep had come to me in dotted bursts; woke at midnight, 3AM, and 5AM. I wanted to get away as soon as possible. Sitting in my bed, looking at my room - tidy for once - was so surreal. It didn't look like it was mine anymore. All the posters were still there, everything that belonged to me was there…but it looked more like Joel's room than mine. Being able to see the floor was nice. But not enough.

Having a shower made me feel no better, and neither did changing. Even looking at myself - blue Iron Maiden T-shirt, black jeans, white high-tops - didn't spark any change or sudden epiphanies that I wanted to be in Pallet Town. Flame and Ace sat quietly, waiting for me. They seemed to understand, and even let me return them to their Poké Balls.

Birds chirruped outside - but they weren't birds to me any longer, they were Pidgey and Spearow and Pidgeotto, they would be caught by some young trainer and used in battle, then never used again rather than flying free like they deserved. They used to be just birds. But now they were liberty and freedom, and I was part of the force that took it away from them.

I will never do that to my guys.

The sky was a sweet-coloured lilac mixed in with blues and oranges. Kanto had always been famous for its sunsets and sunrises, especially at the southern city of Vermilion, where the view was spectacular. I ignored it for now and slowly treaded downstairs, a piece of paper and pen in my hand. I had to leave, right fucking now, otherwise I never would.

Dear whoever reads this first,

Yeah, I did it. I left. I've got my phone with me, so you'll know where I am. I'm doing this because I want to, not because you kept telling me as a kid I would do it the minute I got a Pokémon of my own. You were right. I'm raising my guys with the best care they'll ever get. Once my first guy gets to his final evolution, which won't be too long, I'm hoping…I'll fly back home and visit. Promise.

Eddie, I'm really sorry for doing this so suddenly. I know you didn't want me to go.

Zack, you know how you wanted me to catch a dragon? I'm holding you to it, buddy.

Mum and Dad, thanks for the advice last night. I'm definitely crazy. Call the Professor if you want to know anything. But I don't think you understand what I'm wanting to achieve, though.

I don't really know, either.

- Darrell.

Simple. But before I could let myself succumb to crying, I was out of the door.

There was no point attempting to brave Viridian Forest so early in the morning. It had barely gone quarter to eight and it was still too dark to see anything in the trees. I had no clue who or what could be lurking in the bushes, and I wasn't risking my Pokémon leading the way either. Until it was light enough, I would just have to train.

"We've got a long way to go," I told my Pokémon as they played about in the grass together, half-hunting for any foes. I thought they were still too young too battle for themselves just yet, but the time would be soon. They both looked at me, ears pricked up with awareness. "The first Gym is in the next city, and it's a Rock-type. And I want you to learn an actual Fire attack today, Flame."

A Pidgey had crept up behind my Charmander, and he noticed it quicker than a lightning strike. Ace rushed behind me - I began to understand that he wasn't scared; he was letting Flame take control. I picked him up so he could watch and build up the experience for himself. I bit my lip, remembering what I had thought about the birds earlier.

Oh well. I won't let him kill it.

"Go get it, boy," I nodded to Flame. Encouraging my Pokémon actually made me feel a little better.

"Charrr," he growled, trying to sound intimidating, but the Pidgey was larger than usual and appeared to be completely unfazed by my little reptile. This thing meant business, it seemed. Ace was literally buzzing with excitement, miniscule sparks erupting from his cheeks. Before I could make a move, the Pidgey slammed itself right into him, pecking at his body endlessly, and Ace yelped.

"Fucking hell! Scratch it, Flame! You can do it!"

He recovered himself quickly - I tried not to look at the gash on his side - and lunged at the Pidgey, his eyes glistening with ferocity and pain. He evaded the attacks well, receiving only a little damage, and after a few scratches, he stood back from the advancing Pidgey, eyes flashed bright red, wide open and an enormous blast of fire erupted from his mouth. The Pidgey squawked unpleasantly and flew away into the fading lilac sky.

"Pika-pika-chu!"

"Nice one, little dude!"

Flame was a quick learner.

I hadn't battled a trainer properly before, and I wasn't looking forward to the experience. Flame had advanced a level or two, around level 11, and Ace had caught up to him after he electrified who knew how many of the birds. Viridian Forest had lightened up a little - and honestly, my mood had as well.

But my stomach wouldn't stop rumbling. I had left without breakfast.

Fuck, did I miss my mother's baking.

But that was just how life was going to have to be now. I would have to take what I could get, stop staying up so late, and learn what this whole journey was all about. I thought of the cities I would visit, and how advanced lots of other trainers were. I had a long way to go. Longer than I thought it had been.

A young bug catcher in the forest asked to battle me and I took it. Flame won easily, having the obvious advantage, and he showed up all the rest of the youngsters that tried to beat him - Ace didn't have much chance over the bugs, except for any Butterfree or Beedrill that came our way. Both of them were on a roll, bounding on ahead of me, and I was walking along, not really focused on anything at all, thinking of Joel, Eddie, my parents, that girl I used to date years back, what would I do that night-"Hey! You!"

A voice snapped me from my thoughts - no one disturbs me and lives, asshole - and I stopped walking, turning around to find myself face-to-face with a rather irritated-looking Gary. My mood immediately spiralled back downwards, even when Ace came rushing back to me, curious to know why I wasn't following him. He held two berries in his paws and nibbled on them nervously. The little dude knows him.

"Haven't got very far, have you?"

"You're best leaving me alone."

"Nice Pikachu you have there."

I didn't even comprehend what he was saying to me. He had to be nuts. Absolutely. No way about it. Either he was winding me up, or he genuinely wanted Ace. Well. There was no way he was getting his grubby hands on my Ace, and I pitied any unlucky Pikachu that he managed to catch. Please, Gary, never catch another Pokémon.

He had spoken again, but I didn't listen or care.

"Forget it, man. Leave me alone. You're crazy."

"Shut up, fucker! Go, Wartortle!" He threw out a Poké Ball and a fair-sized, dark blue turtle popped out, looking much fiercer than the Squirtle I had known before. Fucking hell, he had evolved fast. I had to give it to Gary - he was good at raising Pokémon. Just maybe not in the right way. Let me take that statement back - if there was a bad trainer in the world, he was standing before me.

First he wanted Flame, and now it seemed like he wanted Ace.

He meant it.

Shit just got real.

"Let's go for it, then!" I knew that Flame would have no chance against the Wartortle, having the disadvantage, while Ace was clearly superior even when he lacked in level. "Thunder Wave it!"

"Bite!"

The attack landed on Ace's tail. Even when paralyzed, that thing was good.

"Thundershock!"

"Pika-chuuuu!" he cried out, the sparks exploding from his red cheeks, shocking the Wartortle severely. I realised he had a small puncture wound from the bite but I couldn't do anything about it. Without me even commanding him to do so, he zapped the Wartortle after it bit him again, both of their last moves. After the turtle was down, I recalled him. Gary's face was ready to explode with anger but he was silent when he threw out his next Pokémon, a Spearow. Ace would have had the advantage again, but it was Flame's turn, and I wanted to use his brand new move.

"Ember, Flame!"

"Peck!"

Flashbacks of the oversized Pidgey attacking Flame rushed back to me, much more gory and graphic than they really had been, but I dismissed them with a cry and waving at my face. I must have looked crazy. I blamed it on bees. Focused on the battle.

"Not a very good trainer, are you?"

"Shut up-"

An enormous pain hit me square in the jaw and I landed on the grass. The fucker had punched me in the face. He punched me. In the face. Gary punched me in the face. I was hurt mentally more than physically, and God did it hurt like a bitch - a stinging, sharp pain like a knife. I didn't even know what I had done to piss him off that much. I cradled my jaw, groaning in pain, hoping nobody had witnessed his little assault. A metallic flood filled my mouth, my tongue soaked with blood, and I could see Flame staring at me, waiting for a command; he'd knocked out the Spearow by himself.

I think I'm going to pass out. Sweet Jesus.

"Cha-aar?"

"C-Come back, Flame," I managed to croak, before spitting out blood - and probably chunks of flesh. He was sucked back into his ball quickly and I lay there stupidly, holding my jaw and bent over in pain, groaning awkwardly. I needed to get to a Pokémon Center, or to my mother, or to anyone in the world that wasn't Gary Oak dear god get me out of here-

"Let me tell you this, Darrell," he spat my name with such scorn like it was some deathly offensive swear word, towering above me. I was terrified more than anything he was going to stomp on me. I had a disgusting phobia of broken bones. "I don't know why the fuck my granddad gave you that Pokémon, but it isn't going to continue for any longer. You're not a real fucking trainer, and you never will be. You either give me both your Pokémon right now and leave quietly, or I beat the shit out of you and take your Pokémon."

What a charming person.

He must have been a hit with the ladies.

I spat out the remainder of the blood and coughed, looking at the grass, wondering what to say. There was no way I was giving up Flame and Ace. No absolute fucking way on this Earth. It was either give them up or have the shit kicked out of me. Whatever I did, all of us were going to get hurt. I sighed, and looked up at him, eyes narrowing, and trying to speak with as much hatred, anger, resentment and disgust as possible.

You are not afraid of this fucker. You are Darrell and you are not afraid.

"Suck my fucking dick, Gary Oak."

I didn't know how I got out of that situation alive.

He didn't break every bone in my body, or take my Pokémon, or even say anything. He just spat at me, punched me again in the same spot and walked away furiously. There must have been more anger and meaning in my voice than even I heard, but it wasn't worth thinking about. All I thought was wondering what Joel would say when he heard about it. It wasn't like I was going to forget soon enough.

I made it to Pewter City Pokémon Center after about ten minutes of extreme pain and worried by-passers asking me if I was alright, and did I need any assistance. When I pushed myself through the doors, everything turned into a dramatic movie moment and every ounce of pain suddenly rushed to me at once, overwhelming me.

I looked a sight. Mud coated my T-shirt from falling back after the punch. My hair was always a mess but now it had grass and mud in it, and it had also started raining, just to add to my brilliant day. My clothes were drenched, and I was freezing. It was a burning, fiery Hell pit of pain, making me sweat and shiver, stabbing and aching and stinging, and it was difficult not to scream out.

"H-Help…"

"Oh, my word!" The nurse behind the counter was quick to rush to me before I collapsed, and called for her Chansey to come and assist her. I was lifted onto a stretcher of some sort and took in the blinding white, and she led the Chansey through to a little room with a small bed in it and nothing else. She rummaged around in my bag for fresh clothes and came up with a white T-shirt and shorts. It was difficult to change, not to mention embarrassing - but she was kind and didn't say anything.

"I'll put these in the wash in a moment. But first, I want you to tell me what happened, and who you are. My name is Nurse Joy, by the way."

"Darrell R-Redford," I coughed, and felt my eyes brim up with tears. I always hated being fussed over like this, the kind of thing parents did when you'd been sick in the night. "I…I was in V-Viridian Forest…trainin' up my P-Pokémon….then…this g-guy I kinda know asks t-to b-battle, b-but he was…c-crazy…he l-lost, and t-then he p-punched me in the f-f-face…really h-hard…"

"It looks broken," she said sadly, but she smiled bravely for me. "But nothing that can't be fixed! How long have you been out with Pokémon, Darrell?"

"Since today…I wanted to b-beat the Gym Leader…"

"That'll have to wait for a few days. You only started today and you were punched for losing a battle? Do you know who it was?"

I was hesitant for a few moments. There was no doubt in my mind that Joy would have known who Gary was, there was no way he didn't just wander Pallet Town and Viridian City. He'd been all over the region, most likely. But if telling Joy meant that Gary would have been caught, then so be it. I was a sadistic bastard, but fuck that. He deserved it.

"…Gary Oak."