Red awoke to the image of Professor Oak leaning over him, hands clasping his arms and a look of worry on his face. At seeing that he was awake he quickly pulled him into his arms and held him tight. The two of them sat there a moment like this, neither speaking, before Professor Oak released him and held him at arm's length.
"I am sorry for surprising you like that," Professor Oak said, looking Red in the eyes. "I know it was not the most tactful thing I have ever done, but I hope you will understand that I did it for your own good." Professor Oak released Red and stood up.
"I know." Red said and also stood up, putting his hand on Professor Oak's shoulder. "I understand now what you were trying to do and I thank you. At the time I didn't," Red dropped his hand and looked down at his feet. "I allowed my emotions to get the best of me instead of taking the time to understand what you were trying to do. I know you would never had done something without having a good reason for doing it, especially something like this."
"To be honest," Professor Oak said languidly. "I also did it for my own reasons."
"What do you mean?" Red asked, looking up and giving Professor Oak his full attention.
"When I was younger I had never thought I would have kids. Not that I hadn't wanted them it was just that I had been so focused on my work that I never gave any thought to finding someone and settling down. Then by chance the two of you came into my life and everything changed. No longer could I focus solely on myself and my work. I had become a father and now had two little boys to take care of. It was rough in the beginning for all of us, but over time we became the family that we are now. You two had become the most important thing in my life and I would do anything to protect the two of you; especially you Reginald." Professor Oak looked compassionately at his adoptive son.
"Why would you feel you would have to protect me more? Do you not care for August and I the same?" Red looked somewhat hurt by that notion.
"That is not it at all." Professor Oak reassured Red. "I care about the two of you equally, but I do not feel I need to protect August the way I feel I need to protect you because unlike August you have something you need protecting from."
"What would I need protecting from?" Red asked looking thoroughly confused.
"From yourself." Professor Oak said both matter of factly and rather sadly.
"From myself? I don't understand." Red continued to look confused and now a little hurt.
"Do you know why I have always known that you would leave?"
Red shook his head in response.
"It is because of the fire I see in your eyes every time I look in them. The boy who attacked you all those years ago did more than just mark your skin; he also left a mark on your soul. Wounds of the skin can be healed with medicine and time, but wounds of the soul are not that simple. These wounds are unique and require something different to cure each one. For some it could be something as simple as time and for others it could be something far more complicated and potentially more dangerous. For you I fear the cure is the latter. I had hoped that with time I could extinguish that fire, but as the years went on I saw no change and decided to prepare you the best I could."
Red said nothing to this.
"My giving you the Charmander had been my last chance at possibly swaying you to abandon your journey, but as I can see that isn't the case. If anything I have only made your resolve stronger."
Red's face was steadfast and unwavering. His eyes showed a fire, no longer hidden, burning in his eyes.
"I am proud of the man you have become, but I will never approve of your reason for wanting to leave. I can understand it, but I will never accept it. They say when you embark on a journey of revenge to dig two graves, but remember you are not on this journey alone. If anything were to happen to Augustus because of your need for revenge; I will never forgive you."
"I understand." Red replied, a look of complete seriousness on his face.
"Very well. There is no way I can convince you to forget this vendetta of yours?" Professor Oak asked halfheartedly knowing full well the answer.
"I'm sorry. You know I cannot do that." Red replied.
"Then you will need this." Professor Oak reached into his lab coat and produced a Pokeball. "If you ever hope of confronting this person again than you will need to grow stronger starting with this." He placed the Pokeball in Red's hands. "There is a good chance that he will still be using his Charmander, or one of it's evolutions, also he is not the only trainer that owns a Charmander. If you ever hope to become a proper trainer you will need to get used to being in the presence of one. So take the rest of the day and bond with your Pokemon."
Professor Oak began to walk away and called back to Red as he did. "I wasn't lying when I said that I had done this for you. I know it won't be easy, but I know you will be able to overcome it and become a stronger trainer because of it. Try not to say out too late for we have an early start tomorrow!"