Hi everybody! As I promised, here's chapter one of The Embers of a Champion! Before we start, I'd like to say a quick thank you to those who gave this story a try. Without any more waiting, here it is!
Chapter 1: First Embers
*Pallet Town. February 27th, 1996.
Red awoke to yet another new day. Bright and sunny, Pallet town looked as it always had. This day was different for Red though. Today, he would get his first Pokemon. Of course, he already knew which starter he would choose. With no doubt in his mind, he changed and headed downstairs and outside, but not before his customary nod to his mother, who smiled at him in return. "...Right. All boys leave home someday. It said so on TV," she thought.
As he headed over to Professor Oak's lab, his thoughts briefly flashed with worry about leaving her alone in Pallet Town; However, he quickly dismissed the thought, having already received her approval and encouragement. He had discussed travelling many times in prior conversations, to the point where his mother eventually caved in to his persistence. Walking quickly, he got to the lab, where there wasn't a soul in sight. He decided he might as well do a little exploration before getting his Pokemon, and quickly left the lab and made his way towards Route 1. Just before he was about to leave Pallet Town though, a voice called out to him. "Hey! Wait!"
An old man which he recognized as Professor Oak walked up to him. The professor was old, yes, but it only served to enhance the authority in his voice. He wore a purple shirt, with a lab coat over it. His graying hair was styled in such a way that some of it was parallel to the ground. Red always wondered how the professor kept his hair like that. "Don't go out! It's unsafe! Wild Pokemon live in tall grass! You need your own Pokemon for your protection. You were supposed to wait in the lab, Red."
"I was? Well, I suppose that makes sense." He followed the old man back to his lab, where the professor's grandson and Red's rival, Green, was waiting. "Gramps! I'm fed up with waiting!"
Typical Green. Professor Oak quickly placated him, and started talking to the two of them. "Red, there are 3 Pokemon here. You can have one. Go on, choose!"
"Hey gramps, no fair! How about me?" Of course Green couldn't pass up a chance to complain and be rude. Once again, he was calmed by his grandfather. "Be patient, Green, you can have one too!"
Without hesitation, Red stepped right up to the Pokeball containing Charmander. He promptly released the starter, who looked around briefly before focusing on its new trainer. It briefly sniffed the trainer, and suddenly jumped into Red's arms. Unprepared for the sudden weight, Red was tackled to the ground, inciting a round of laughter from Green. The other trainer then walked up to the Pokeball to the immediate left of Charmander's and released Squirtle.
Being the impatient person he is, Green wasted no time in challenging Red to a battle. "Hey Red! Let's check out our Pokemon! Come on, I'll take you on!"
Professor Oak looked at them nervously. "C-Children, you're still in the lab, you really shouldn't battle in here…" he trailed off, realizing they had already started. "Well, whatever, these Pokemon are still infants, the lab won't be damaged much anyways."
After an intense exchange of several Growls, Tail Whips, Scratches, and Tackles, Charmander proved victorious over its fellow starter. "What?! Unbelievable! I picked the wrong Pokemon!"
Green then rushed out, saying something about battling to toughen his Pokemon up, and of course with his catchphrase, "smell ya later!"
Oak was left to stare at the remains of the wallpaper in the lab, half of it dangling off the wall and scratched up.
Shaking his head, Red headed back home, getting his mother to heal Charmander before he departed for Route 1 and Viridian City. "You take care out there, Red." she said, "and come home safely, okay?" He nodded and headed out to begin his very own Pokemon journey.
So that's chapter one! Hope yall enjoy! Unfortunately, chapter 2 is not complete. Expect an update before June 8th though!