This will be my version of a future Red/Blue story.
After turning over for what seemed like the thirtieth time, Forrest decided that he wasn't going to get any sleep. He rolled on his back and sighed. The cabin he was using wasn't uncomfortable, even though it was small. It was just one of the basic cabins on the luxury ship. The boat was traveling smoothly over the waves. There wasn't even any rocking. The small window was open letting in the wind as it brought the smell of the sea breeze.
'It's still not enough,' Forrest thought.
Sighing once again, he pushed the covers off and sat up. He stretched then stepped up. His 13-year-old spine hardly popped as he raised his arms over his head. After twisting his arms in circle, he looked at the clock on the bedside cabinet.
23:10
"It's almost midnight," he groaned. He looked around his room, taking in the twin bed, desk and chair, and the wardrobe. "Maybe I need some space. I have just enough room to take one step in either direction in this place."
He put on his shoes, opting to leave his shorts and shirt unchanged. But before he stepped outside, he grabbed the pokeball that held his partner off the cabinet. Forrest could see the creature through the red cover stir slightly. Then it opened its eyes and looked at Forrest.
"Sorry for waking you, buddy," Forrest said. "But I need some air. Want to join me?"
The creature inside nodded. Forrest slowly opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Almost all the passengers aboard the boat had gone to bed, but the bathrooms and the observation deck on the aft were still open. Forrest made his way quietly through the hallways, following the arrows that led to the balcony. He opened the glass door, breathing in the wind that embraced him. The aft observation deck only had a couple that were gazing out at the moon overhead.
Letting them have their moment, Forrest kept to his side of the boat. He sat down on one of the deck chairs and pressed the release button on his pokeball. In a flash of light and smoke, his Pokemon emerged. The creature opened his eyes and gazed at Forrest.
"Grrrr," the creature yipped.
It was a Riolu. Standing about two feet tall, Riolu resembled a canine standing on its hind legs. It was covered in blue fur with black fur on its legs, long ears and chest. It also had a black mask surrounding its red eyes.
Riolu was a fighting-type Pokemon and considered a baby. Forrest hatched it about a year ago. It was given as an egg from his mother, who volunteered to take the egg from a Day-care couple. It was still considered young. It only learned a few attacks so far.
"Sorry for waking you, Rio," said Forrest. "I just can't sleep. Don't know if its claustrophobia or nerves about arriving tomorrow."
Rio hopped onto the chair and patted Forrest's leg in a comforting gesture. Riolus had the ability to sense aura thanks to the ears on the sides of their heads. It could sense the auras in people and other Pokemon. It could do other things as well, but Rio was too young to do anything except sense his emotions.
"Thanks, buddy. Are you looking forward to tomorrow?"
"Grr-yip!" Rio said happily. It clapped its hands together in a show of joy.
"Me too." Forrest turned to look up at the moon. "I wanted to start our journey in Sinnoh. But mom's going to the Kalos region and dad's starting a new business. We had to change plans. Especially now."
Oddly enough, it was Forrest's mom, Helen, who was the Pokemon trainer. She had competed in several Pokemon League tournaments and was always traveling to different regions. She hasn't won any major League tournaments but has come in the top 4 winners for the past 10 years.
His father, Richard, had been a trainer for only a few years before he decided to follow family tradition and become a berry farmer. He was one of the top farmers in Sinnoh and had given several lectures at Pokemon universities. His teachings include proper gardening and how berries affect Pokemon.
Just a few months ago, his father and mother decided to move to a warmer climate. Sinnoh was in a cold climate, which sometimes ruined berry harvests. Coincidently, a well-known Pokemon researcher was looking for a farmer to help supply berries for Pokemon he studied. Richard left to check the area to see if berries could grow. He called Helen and Forrest saying there was a good farming plot near the town and decided to move.
Forrest agreed easily. It really didn't matter. He was going to leave for his first Pokemon journey in a couple of months and his mother was going to compete in the Kalos region at the same time. But a week before his journey began, his father called and said the researcher was looking for a trainer to help further his Pokemon studies. He would be given a popular starter Pokemon as well as a top of the line Pokedex.
Pokedexes were expensive in all regions. They were usually given to trainers who apprenticed under Pokemon researchers or scientists. One could buy one from a major tech company, but it would take nearly 10 years of saving before you could afford it.
This new development made Forrest change his mind. He was now on his way to an unfamiliar region to compete in the Pokemon League.
Forrest sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I just wish it didn't' take so long to become a Pokemon trainer."
Every 10-year-old dreams of getting a license when the time comes. The world opens up to them and fills their lives with adventures, dreams, and friendships. There wasn't a day that went by that Forrest, or any other kid, would imagine themselves winning the Pokemon League, competing in Contests, traveling around the world, and many other possibilities.
But there was a harsh truth that came with that dream.
Pokemon, once captured, could be caring, lovable, and great friends. But wild Pokemon could be dangerous and unpredictable. A month didn't go by when an inexperienced, young trainer would be mauled, poisoned or even killed by a wild Pokemon. And with the advancement of communication and technology, the lists of injuries and deaths would be reached around the world. There were also reports of dangerous organizations that would kidnap or steal young trainers and their Pokemon as well. Such as the Team Rocket or Team Plasma.
Around 50 kids would go missing every year.
Another problem was inexperienced trainers didn't know how to properly take care of their Pokemon or would use uneducated methods to train and battle. There were several reports of young trainers mishandling and endangering their partners. Even reports of them being abused. A young trainer who couldn't learn from losing could be considered dangerous.
So, the Pokemon League Association passed the Trainers Bill. It made new trainers take a 2 month-long seminar for Pokemon training. Once, Pokemon schools and academies were a voluntary choice. Now, it was mandatory. Things like medical care, battling, wilderness survival, items, potions and antidotes, and a dozen other things. At the end of the seminar, a day of long tests was filled with written exams, Pokemon care, and mock battles with trained Pokemon. Pass and you get your license.
Fail and you don't.
But there was an exception. Once a child turns 10, he or she could get a Jr. license and care for 1 Pokemon. They couldn't battle, compete in the League, or capture more Pokemon, but they could have 1 companion until they passed the license exam.
However, there was another blow to young trainers soon after. And it came from the governments of all regions and a teacher's union.
If a trainer could make a living being a trainer, that was great. The problem was they would leave without ever completing their schooling. And if a trainer decided to quit and begin a real job, it would be hard to do since they only had a 5th grade education.
The teachers and parents wanted their children to have a full education but didn't want to deny a child from becoming a trainer. So the union proposed a new bill, called E.O.T. or Education of Trainers. It was a standardized test that featured Grammer, Reading skills, Mathematics, and Science. Four basic subjects at a junior high-grade level. Students could take it as many times as they liked, but only once a month. If a student could get above a 75%, then they could leave school and get their trainer's license.
The Pokemon League Association agreed.
This, unlike the Trainer's Bill, made many children angry. They felt their chances of friendships and adventures was being denied. A lot of students, Forrest included, wanted to boycott school until the League dropped the bill. The League retaliated, saying it would not have any League Championships, Coordinator Contests, or any other League sponsored events. It would also deny trainers their licenses.
Forrest sighed once more as he watched the night sky. After the League's statement, Forrest and a lot of students calmed down. Afterwards, Forrest began studying as hard as he could so he could pass the E.O.T. test. But the first time he took the test at 10, he realized just how advance a junior high-school student could be. The grammar skills were hard, and the math didn't make any sense at all. When did math have letters?
He soon realized he had a lot to learn when his first score came back 25%
Forrest began taking his education a little bit more seriously. But it was still years before he finally passed. In between schoolwork, he studied as much as he could about Pokemon. His knowledge of berries had really help. He received Rio's egg for his 14th birthday, then pass his Trainer's license exam just a year later.
And starting tomorrow, he would see if all his work payed off.
"Alright, I'll try sleeping again. We got a big day starting in just a few hours."
"Grrarr!" growled Rio, its eyes shining.
Forrest picked up his pokeball and pointed it at his Pokemon "Come back, Rio. Let's get back to bed."
The next morning, a voice over the intercom announced the ship would be docking in 15 minutes. Forrest dressed, checked his supplies, and waited. He was wearing sturdy hiking boots, beige cargo pants, a dark green T-shirt, and a black camping vest. He fitted a baseball cap with the universal symbol of a Pokeball on his head. Rio's pokeball was attached to left side of his vest for quick access in case of danger.
This was it. He was arriving at his new home.
"Attention passengers. Docking procedures have been completed. If this is your stop, please make your way to the off-ramp. Otherwise, please remain on the ship until all passengers have boarded."
Forrest picked up his backpack and made his way to the off-ramp. When he stepped outside, the bright sunlight blinded him for a moment before his eyes adjusted. The ship was docked near a small harbor port. The town was nearly a half-mile away. It was the picture of perfection. A town untouched by pollution or overcrowding. Small little homes dotted everywhere with each home having its own personal windmill to provide clean electricity. Forrest could even see the fountain in the center of town.
He heard the cries of birds and saw a flock of Pidgey and Spearow flying above him. A light trilling came from the ocean and he saw a school of Tentacool and Poliwags swimming in the ocean. He smiled.
"Almost perfect," Forrest muttered.
He walked to the ramp entrance. There was a woman there waiting to take passengers tickets as a few citizens climbed onboard. The clerk saw Forrest and beckoned him forward.
"I guess you're the only one unloading?" she asked.
"I guess so," Forrest said as he handed her his ticket.
"Very well then," she smiled. "Welcome to Pallet Town."
Forest slowly walked through his new home, taking in the houses and people walking in the streets. They were mostly adults, but there were a few kids playing in the streets as well. It didn't find anyone his age yet.
He found the library, market place, and the small school as he walked to his new home. He had the address and if he followed the main road, it would lead out of the city to the farm. On his way, he passed one of the biggest buildings in town: a three-story laboratory with glass windows and a large observation deck on the top of the building. The building also had the largest wind turbine in town.
Professor Oak's laboratory.
In front of the building was a large bronze stature of Samuel Oak. It was wearing a lab jacket and carried an open book in one hand. An old smile was etched on the man's face.
Forrest's gaze at the statue was broken when the doors opened, and a girl walked out. She looked to be the same age as him, maybe younger. She had dark, brown hair that was cut short to her chin. She was dressed in a pair of blue pants that cut off at the knee, a white blouse with a large, blue flower on the bottom hem, and was wearing a pair of wire-framed glasses. A Pokeball was attached to her belt. In hand she clutched a weaved basket.
The girl walked until she stopped in front of Forrest. She looked him up and down, her eyes focusing intensively on his.
"Who are you? I've never seen you before," she said in a monotone voice.
"I'm Forrest," he answered carefully.
"Are you here to see the professor?" she asked.
Before Forrest could answer, the laboratory doors slammed open and another girl rushed out.
"Iris, wait up!" she shouted.
This girl might have been a year older than him. She was taller than him by a few inches. Her hair was dark, blonde with shades of red highlights in her long curls. She was wearing red socks to her knees, a pair of red shorts, a black shirt with a short jacket that reached just above her stomach and was wearing straw hat with two feathers in it. She too was carrying a weaved basket and had a Pokeball on her belt.
"I thought we leave together and-Oh!" the girl stopped when she saw Forrest. "We have a visitor."
"More like trespasser," the brunette, Iris, said.
"Hey, I was just passing through," Forrest defended. "I was just looking at the statue."
"Don't mind, Iris. She's suspicious of everyone, even her own neighbors," the brunette said. She then held out a hand. "I'm Scarlett. You've met Iris. Who are you?"
Forrest shook her hand. "Forrest. I just arrived today, but my dad has been living here for about a month, growing berries."
"Oh, you're Mr. Richard's son. He did say you were coming here in a few days."
"You know my dad?"
Iris gestured with basket. "We're providing the laboratory with berries we just picked this morning."
"Plenty of hungry Pokemon need healthy berries to grow strong."
I hope dad's being paid for those berries, Forrest thought.
"So you're going to be joining us in helping Professor Oak gather data on Pokemon in the Kanto region?" asked Scarlett.
"I am. I also plan on competing in the Indigo Plateau Championship."
"Me, too," said Iris. She gave him a small smirk. "Guess that makes us rivals."
"Guess so," he smiled back. He turned to Scarlett. "What about you?"
"I don't know, I just plan on exploring the region until I find something that catches my fancy," explained Scarlett. "Looking forward to it though."
"That's a good plan. So, can you two direct me to my new home?"
They both nodded and Forrest followed them to the town's outskirts. After a few minutes of walking, Forrest spotted his house. It helped that there were dozens of berry trees surrounding the house. It was styled just like the ones in town. Simple, but comfy.
"Dereerereerereerereer!"
Forrest heard the constant chattering of his father's Dugtrio nearby. He spotted it plowing through the ground, creating a furrow to grow new berry trees.
"Hi Diggy!" he called out.
The Dugtrio paused and all three heads smiled at Forrest before it got back to work.
There were already trees with fruit. Oran, Pecha, Sitrus, and Slepnr berries were already ripened. Several other were just blooming flowers. Even more were just saplings.
"Forrest!" called out a voice.
There was his dad, standing on the front porch carrying a basket of Oran berries. The two men were almost matching in looks. They both had dark, black hair, tall frames, and strong chins. Richard was actually only a few inches taller than Forrest. The only difference that set them apart was Forrest's green eyes, which he got from his mother as opposed to his father's brown ones.
Richard set the basket down gave his son a hug. "Glad to see you made it."
"Thanks, dad" Forrest said.
"Aww," said Scarlett.
Forrest immediately let go, his cheeks pink. Everyone else just laughed.
"I see you've met my two helpers," he said.
"We met in town," answered Forrest. "You're already proving berries for the laboratory."
"Yep. Just helping out the residents of Pallet Town's Pokemon. All Pokemon the town's trainers catch are sent to the laboratory for study instead of being cooped up in the PC systems."
"That sounds really awesome."
"It is," said Scarlett. "We get to feed everyone's Pokemon, including our future Pokemon we get tomorrow morning."
Forrest frowned. "You're leaving tomorrow?"
"We've been ready to leave for weeks," answered Iris. She looked annoyed. "Scarlett thought it would be a good idea to wait for our third trainer to arrive so we could all start off together. Even though it was a stupid idea."
"Iris! Don't be so mean!" Scarlett pouted.
Iris then placed the basket down and walked to the other side of the front yard. She grabbed the pokeball on her belt and faced Forrest. "Now that you're here, let's see what kind of trainer you are."
"What?" asked Forrest.
Iris raised the pokeball in her hands. "I challenge you!"
Hello everyone. This will be an OC story that takes place 20 years after the events of Pokemon Red/Blue. It will be based mostly on the Pokemon Adventures manga. There will be more characters, old familiar faces, new pokemon and new adventures. Unlike the anime, the pokemon will not be saying their names. Hope everyone can enjoy.
