'Yellow?'
Red stared in shock towards the individual that was in front, who was a blond girl who stared at him in disbelief as she put her hands to her face before she asked. "Red? Is that you?"
When she asked her question, the scarlet eyed teen responded with a quick nod, using his cap to cover his eyes. After looking up and down at Red, Yellow then noticed Shinx who was in a battle position with its tail around the teen's foot, much to her surprise. Red wanted anywhere but where he is at right now, ready to run for it at any given chance.
"You got yourself a Pokemon?" She said dumbfounded which he nodded again. The blonde looked at him before she changed her face into a hardened expression on her face, about to say something until a voice called for her, startling both her and Red. She turned to see Blue running towards her, his face smirking at her before he noticed the new member on the route, his eyes widening in complete shock as he scrunched his face in frustration. "No way…" he muttered, gazing at Red who still has not lifted his face from the ground as he wants nothing more than to be done with this. The spiky haired teen then gritted his teeth in anger, glaring furiously at Red, who stood still, not daring to move.
"HOW?!" He yelled to the top of his lungs, once again startling the two teenagers on the road as he started to pant. "How the hell did you get a Pokemon?!"
Red didn't answer, just glancing at Shinx who was getting unnerved by Blue's behavior as it slowly started to take shelter behind his foot. This made the brunette more furious as he started to stomp towards the raven haired teen, sneering in his face in a menacing manner.
"What? Ignoring me now?"
"…" Red continued his silence as he once again could not look the two of them in the eye, much less speak to them. 'Why does this have to happen to me?' He thought as he felt small compared to the rage of the two other persons within the conversation as of the moment, which made Blue repeat his question in a low tone.
"Speak, Red. You have a mouth, don't you? Now tell me, how did you get a Pokemon?"
Silence ensued, making Blue more aggravated as he watched the raven haired teen before him show great interest to the ground. Having had enough of the silent treatment, the brunette raised his fist, ready to punch Red only to be stopped by Yellow, much to the confusion of the two boys. Yellow looked at Blue with a soothing smile, holding Blue's fist and lowered it. "Don't waste your energy on this." The blonde gestured to Red before she grabbed Blue's arm and carried him away from the raven haired teen. "That…piece of trash isn't worth your time. Let's go." She said coldly, making the two teen's flinch, mostly Red at every word that exited her mouth.
"Fine." Blue sighed in defeat, calming himself before he noticed a Pokedex in Red's pocket which made him furious. Before he could confront the raven haired teen on it, sirens started to fill the air, overlapping any noise that previously could be heard on the route. Police cars started to stop by the teens with officers coming out, having Growlithe and Herdier by their side. Yellow and Blue looked around with bewildered expressions before they turn their gaze at Red who had a look of terror on his face as he faced the officers. "Freeze! Put your hands up!" said the young female officer with blue hair, who glared at Red, eager to command her Growlithe onto the teen.
"Calm down, Jennifer." said one of the officers, trying the calm the young woman down.
"Jeez, I told you. It's Jenny!" She yelled, grinding her teeth in irritation at the officer before she then resumed to glare at the red capped boy.
"Red, what have you done?" said Blue as he looked at Red in annoyance, with Yellow mimicking his expression. The raven haired teen sighed, his eyes glancing at everyone in the area looking at him with angered and disappointed expression. He shook his head as he pointed down the streets, indicating to them that a bunch of escapees has wreaked havoc across the city and has went into that direction. After he gave them evidence and give them information and evidence on the incident, the police agreed, going into the direction to see if they can intercept the men before they reach past the Pokemon League and reach the forest over there. As they left, the others stayed, glaring at Red before they all ganged up on the boy, readying their handcuffs.
"You're coming with us, kid. You know the most about the incident that took place and we'll need some more information before sending you off." One of the officers stated as he put his hand on Red shoulder, gripping it hard which made the teen yelp in pain.
"How do we know he's not lying? How do we not know if he did it?" said Jenny with a smirk on her face as she opened the door to the vehicle, gesturing Red to go inside. The teen couldn't choose as the man grabbing his shoulder tightened his grip, putting the boy in more pain as another cop twisted his other hand as they both carried him to the car. Noticing the look on its partner's face, Shinx leaped forward, using the Growlithe and Herdier as stepping boosts as it launched a tackle to the police officers back which made him release the teen. The man turned around, planning to kick the Pokemon before Redd dived in the way, taking the kick for the Electric type, shocking the man.
"This is exactly why we need him to come with us. We need some more information. And we need to research it a bit more thoroughly." The officer said as he continued the kick the boy before putting his boot on the teen's head. Red could not believe what he was hearing until the officer took his foot off his head, allowing the teen to stand as he looked into their smirking faces.
'Just like back then, nothing's changed.' He thought with a melancholic expression before turning his attention to Shinx, who was confused and scared at the people around. The officers then approached them closer to them, one of them grabbing Red's arm and dragging him towards their car which caused Shinx to retaliate against them once more only to be stopped by their Pokemon.
"We apologize about scaring you two, Blue Oak. Hope you guys have a wonderful journey." Jennifer said, bowing to the two teens before joining the rest of the officers. Yellow showed no expression towards the scene before however Blue held an anxious and angered as his mind wandered to the Pokedex he saw within Red's possession. 'When did Red get a Pokedex? I know that his mother did not buy it for him due to only researchers and professors being the only ones that can hand them out. It can't be…'
As his thoughts came together, he then caught a glimpse of the Pokedex again in the Red's pocket. Seeing the device again, he noticed a sticker of a Kangaskhan on the top section of the red gadget, giving him the final piece to confirm his suspicions. 'That sticker is Gramps' favorite Pokemon, Kangaskhan. Did he steal it? There's no way that he steal it.' As the spiky haired brunette's thoughts accumulated and wandered, his anger started to grow as he pulled away from Yellow grip and went to Red with eyes full of rage.
"Wait!" Everyone stopped what they're doing to look at Blue who walked past the police and towards the raven haired teen with a scowl on his face. He then reached for the Pokedex in Red's jacket which caused the red eyed boy to struggle furiously against the officers' grips until he was able to get one of his hands free and smack away the young Oak's hand. Balling his hands into fists, Blue look at Red, his expression then changing to surprise as he saw the red eyes of the teen glaring at him menacingly.
"That's my gramps' Pokedex, Red! Give it back! Now!" The brunette shouted, quickly recovering from his stupor. Red shook his head, making the officer holding his arm grip it tighter, making him yelp in pain.
"Give back the Pokedex, kid." Commanded the officer as he applied pressure on the raven haired teen arm. Despite the excruciating amount of pain he's in, the red capped boy refused to give the Pokedex which made both the officer and Blue to growl in irritation. As they tried to pry the device off Red's grip which gave no result of success as Red proved to be a lot stronger than they had thought, the brunette stopped and then came up with an idea.
"How about a deal then, Red?" Blue stated as a smirk started to appear across his face as he took out a Pokeball out of his hand, starting to spin it on his finger as he pointed at the scarlet eyed teen.
"We will have a battle right here. If you win, you can walk away here scott free. No police. You get to leave." As the brunette stated that, the officers were about to protest with scowls on their faces before they heard him continue. "However, if I win, you will give me your Pokedex and you'll need to go with the police officers." Blue stated this as some of the officers nodded, showing their agreement to the deal.
Upon hearing this, Red opted to run away as he glanced around him to only see the officers surrounded him. The black haired teen knew that if he would be at a huge disadvantage as Shinx is injured and Blue knew what his Pokemon and he knew that the police will try their best to make sure that he loses however the teen does not have much of a choice as he felt the officers grips on him tightening on him like a vice as if they're trying to break his body apart. Red slowly nodded which brought Cheshire like grins as they pushed him towards the battlefield, making him fall on his face which caused them to laugh heartily at the teen's expense. 'Well, it doesn't hurt to try, right?' The raven haired teen nervously thought before he looked ahead, checking his surroundings before he tried formulating a plan in his head.
"Are you sure about this, Blue?" Yellow stated to Blue in s serious yet silent tone in her voice to the spiky brunette. The boy looked at the blonde with one of his eyebrows raised which she caught as she sighed before she explained. "You know that Red is no pushover when it comes to battles, right? He's almost as good as you are." She explained to the boy who started to scowl before he waved his hand in the air.
"Please, with how much Charmander and I have trained, this battle is basically a cake walk."
"A cake walk with no sugar if you're not prepared." When Yellow said this, Blue looked at the blonde dumbfounded. "What?" The girl questioned as the spiky haired continued to stare at her. 'She had a sense of humor?!' He screamed in his mind before breaking of his stupor and making his way to the battlefield.
As Red walked to his section of the battle arena, he look to his side at his Electric type who looked a little winded as it walked beside him, causing the teen to worry. He then bent down to the Pokemon as he patted its head, making it look at him with a confused expression.
"You sure you wanna do this, Shinx? I mean, this is my mess. You can just leave if you want." The raven haired teen said, worried about his friend. Shinx barked confidently, looking into the teen's eyes with a determined expression which the boy understood before he got up and turned his gaze to his opponent who was ready as he looked at him with a smirk plastered on his face.
"Get ready to lose, Red!" Blue announced, throwing a Pokeball which released Charmander. The orange lizard growled loudly, shooting fire from its mouth.
"Go, Shinx." Red muttered as Shinx ran to its side of the battlefield. The two trainers look at each other, their Pokemon mimicking their stances as one of the officers went to the middle and waved his hands.
"This will be a one on one match between the prestigious Blue Oak" As he said this, he heard loud cheers around which surprised Red before the teen looked around to see the trainers within the route were watching the battle, creating a crowd which made him lower his cap on his face. "-and…Red Fires. Begin!" He bellowed as his arms descended, signaling the start of the battle.
"Charmander, Scratch! And don't let up!" Blue quickly commanded, Charmander obeyed as it lunged towards Shinx and land a barrages of scratches on it, earning a cry of pain from the Electric type. "Good, now Ember." He continued, as the lizard breathed a fireball from its mouth, hitting the Electric type, scorching it.
"Shinx!" Red shouted, balling his fists as he witnessed the Pokemon on the ground, struggling to get up. "C'mon." The crimson eyed trainer silently cheered as Shinx got up, having a look of pure determination which unnerved both Charmander and Blue.
"Ember, now!" Blue ordered, grinning as he heard the crowd loudly rooting for him. "Dodge, Shinx." As Red made his command, Charmander open its mouth to release a flurry of flames at Shinx who nimbly dodged the attack.
"Good job, Shinx. Tackle." Red ordered calmly, the Electric type moving the lizard Pokemon before extending its hind legs to bash Charmander who was knocked back from its initial position by the attack. Quickly, it got up before growling loudly, showing its determination and spirit which made a smirk appear on Blue's face as he lifted his hand.
"Show him that you're superior, Scratch!" The lizard quickly dashed towards Shinx with its arms raised and claws ready as the target stood still with a serious expression, waiting for its trainer's command.
"Leer." Red muttered, with Shinx contorting its face into a menacing glare which frightened the Fire type, making it slow down. "Retreat and use Tackle." The raven haired teen resumed, fixing his cap. Following its trainer's order, Shinx swiftly jumped back, dodging Charmander's attack before lunging forward and crashing into the lizard, sending the Fire type skidding back to its side of the field, much to his opponent's frustration. Blue clenched his teeth, furrowing his brow as he witnesses his Pokemon struggling in the fight against Shinx as it took another Tackle from the Pokemon, making everyone gasped as the lizard stopped, only to move as it ascended back on its feet.
"What are you doing? We can't be losing to these losers! Ember!" The spiky haired teen yelled, folding his arms as he started to consider Yellow's warning. The blonde watched from the crowd, witnessing the fight from her spot in the audience as she winced at another hit Charmander received, a thought going through her mind. 'I told that idiot that he should not underestimate Red.'
As Charmander got itself up from the ground, the lizard Pokemon roared loudly, frightening everyone as the flame on his tail starts to grow and burn fiercely. Red witnessed the sight, lowering his cap to his face as he realized what's going on as Blue smirks at the development of his Pokemon.
"What's going on?"
"Woah! Its flame got bigger."
"What going on with Charmander?" A trainer asked, looking around for an answer.
"That's Charmander's ability, Blaze." Yellow explained to the trainer as she watched the battle intently. 'Well, this happened. Forgot about its ability. If he plays his cards right, Blue's got this in the bag.' She thought.
Seeing this, Blue grinned as he raise his hand and made a command. "Ember now, Charmander! And don't stop attacking!" The lizard obliged, letting out a giant blast of fire that was heading towards Shinx.
"No!" Red shouted before he made a command. "Shinx, try to dodge it!" As he said that, Shinx proceed to dodge the fireballs, successfully avoiding some of them until one of them created a shockwave that knocked the Electric type into an incoming Ember, leaving it skidding across the battlefield, barely standing. Before the red capped teen could make a command, his Pokemon got hit by multiple Ember attacks which sent it on the ground, unconscious.
"N-no."
Walking over unto the battlefield towards Shinx, Red fell to his knees, cradling the unconscious Pokemon then furrowing his brows in frustration as he heard the crowd cheering Blue for his victory. Gritting his teeth, he didn't notice the referee announcing the results of the battle and Blue walking up to him, looking down at him with pure disappointment.
"A deal is a deal. I will be taking this like you need it where you're going." The brunette said before he swiped the Pokedex from Red. The raven haired teen was about to confront him until he felt someone slap away his hand to see Yellow beside Blue glaring at him with her Bulbasaur vines out of its bulb, ready to attack which made him lower down his hand as he looked at Shinx with guilt plastered. 'I'm sorry, Shinx. I shouldn't have made you fight this battle.'
"You don't deserve to be a trainer. You don't even deserve to have a Pokemon, you damn murderer." Blue said with an emotionless tone, glaring down at Red. The raven haired teen flinched as he heard the words departing the brunette's mouth. Seeing Red's reaction, Blue shook his head before walking past the raven haired teen, not caring if he hit him. "You're a huge disappointment. Can't believe I was once friends with you."
The words stung Red harshly as he continued staying on the ground, resuming to cradle Shinx in his arms. He went to get up only to collide with Yellow which knocked him back on the floor. The blonde clicked her teeth before spitting in Red's face and then storming off to follow Blue. The red capped teen wiped the spit off his face before attempting again to get up only to meet the eyes of one of the police officers who immediately grabbed his shoulder, dragging him to the car.
"I told you I don't know anything about them." Red tried again to protest, earning a stronger grip on his shoulder which caused him to grunt in pain.
"That's what they all say, kid. That's what they all say, you red eyed scumbag. Trust me. I have been waiting to do this to you from that damn incident you caused." The officer muttered before roughly flinging Red into the car, making him drop Shinx and causing his head to collide with the other side of the car which made him hold his head as he felt intense pain coursing through his dome. Red went towards the Pokemon only to be met with a baton to the face before the policeman closed the door which collided to the boy's face, knocking the teen out. The officer then went to the driver seat and drove the red capped boy towards the station, chuckling as the teen slumped silent on the backseat. " You're going to be locked a for a long time."
As Red regained consciousness, he was in a room with a bunker at the corner of the room. The teen sighed as he watched outside the room from behind his bars. 'So this is jail, huh?'
'My journey, my escape from that town ended before I even knew it.' As the thoughts left his head, he tried to fight back the tears escaping his eyes as he got up off the floor and towards the bed. Turning his gaze to the ceiling, the dim light flickering in the room, Red started to play the short session of events that happened since he went out and started to become a trainer. 'It has been rough these past few days. At this point, most trainers would have to worry about is the new move their Pokemon learnt. Meanwhile, I'm here stuck in jail for something I didn't do because of my eyes and an incident that was caused without my knowledge.' He thought as he watched the ceiling bulb as it went through the pattern of turning on and off.
He then closed his eyes, trying to lose consciousness and drift into the realm of slumber. 'I just hope that Pikachu and Shinx are ok. Shinx…he needed healing. Hope someone healed him. And Pikachu…' His thoughts were interrupted by sounds emanating from the distance followed by the opening of a door. Red resumed keeping his eyes closed, hearing the source of the noise come closer to him. The teen's red eyes opened as he heard a banging sound on his cell door, springing him up from his bed.
"Wake up, kid." An officer said, not paying attention to Red and continuing to bang his baton on the cell door until he saw the teen walking towards him. As the teen got near the man, the teen recognized his face, seeing that it was the police officer who cried on the scene about his daughter who he lost in the fire. Before the boy could react, he got knocked across the head by the man's baton which send him to the ground. Red tried to get up only to feel hands wrapped around his neck, squeezing it as he opened his eyes to see the officer looking at him with an enraged face.
"You think that you can just spend your entire life here with all the lives you've taken. You should be executed for the lives you stole!" The officer stated, his grip getting stronger around the young trainer's neck as he struggled to wring out of the older man's grip.
"You took away my daughter! My sweet Nia! You took her away from me! From her dreams!" The man continued as the red eyed teen started to flail about his limbs, desperate for air. As seconds passed, Red was starting to slowly lose consciousness as his eyes closed as the last sight he could see was the police officer looking around before standing up and locking the door and walking away from his cell.
"Hey, wake your ass up, kid!" Red woke up as he looked up to see a police officer by his cell, impatiently waiting on him as the tapping of his foot echoed through the place.
"You got someone here for you, kid." The man said, cuffing the teen's hands and gesturing for the boy to follow him. Red's eyes glistened with hope as he starting thinking about who would have done so.
'Is it Mom?'
The officer opening the door for the teen and escorting the teen out of the place and into the reception area. As they reached the receptionist, Red searched the room in hopes of finding his mother only to find the old man and his granddaughter that he saved standing by the counter.
"Hello there, young one. How are you doing?" the old man said with a smile on his face, his granddaughter behind him glaring daggers at Red. The teen simply put up a shaky thumbs up with a weak smile. The old man then looked down, surprising the red capped boy. "I apologize for the poor way that we have treated you during these past few days." He said, making the officer beside Red clicking his teeth with a frustrated expression on his face.
"For your information, this degenerate took part in the event that almost caused the complete destruction of this city. We're doing what we are supposed to do, lock him up in jail." The officer stated, making the teen huff in annoyance. 'Lies. Total lies.' Red thought, narrowing his eyes at the police man.
"How do you know that the child was part of what happened?" The old man queried calmly, making the officer started to stutter as he searched for a reason.
"He was-" He started to say before he stopped as he put a finger on his chin.
"Do you have any proof of him partaking in the event, Officer James?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"This child saved us from those goons, twice. If he weren't there, most of us would've lost our lives. And from what I've seen, the kid was combating the people who were causing the incident."
"I-It could've been a set up. T-to try and trick you in order to get you at your most vulnerable state."
"If that's the case and we were in so much danger, where were you at the time of the event?"
"We-we…"
"Yes, I'm listening."
"…" The officer went quiet as he started to sweat profusely which made the elderly man sighed as he walked up to the man.
"I can understand that you are not all knowing and you can't be everywhere at once or the moment trouble arises. However, you can't let your emotions get the better of you. You're an officer for Pete's sake. At least give the boy a chance to speak for himself."
"Ha! Give this murderer a chance to speak. You've gone senile, old man. I don't know why you're willing to go this far for a kid who has so much blood on his hands, his name is starting to make sense."
"…Because I'm willing to thank someone even if they're a thief. And trust me, this boy is not a thief." The old man stated which shocked both the officer and his granddaughter as they both give him a look of confusion.
"Plus, I can tell. He's not as bad as you all rile him up to be." The elderly man said confidently, making a small smile appear on Red's face. "Now, would you do us the favor of undoing the boy's cuffs?" The old man kindly ask, as the officer reluctantly released the teen from his bindings, much to Red's relief.
"Hmph! Your funeral." The man muttered uncaringly before going back to his office as the elder watched the man retreat before parting a few words. "I bid you farewell."
"Come, young man." The old man said, turning and walking towards the door. Red followed then topped as he saw the elder in front of him.
"I never got to ask you your name." He asked to which Red responded by showing him his trainer card. "Red Fires, it seems you're an individual of few words." He said, earning a nod from the red capped teen. "Well, my name is Simon and this is my granddaughter Nora." He explained as they walked through the door of the police, Red inhaled the fresh air before he saw something from the corner of his eye. Recognizing the item, he ran towards the garbage bin, finding his backpack within the discarded items.
'My backpack!' He yelled in his thoughts, searching it and elated to see that everything in his bag was untouched. After his search, he slung the bag on his back before returning to the old man and his granddaughter as the three of them went through the city. Red immediately felt uncomfortable when he could feel the glares of the people as he passed them until they reached a two story house with a green roof. Simon opened the door as his granddaughter went in, he then motioned for Red to enter which the teen reluctantly did, much to the distress of Nora.
"Welcome to our home. Hope you will enjoy yourself." The old man said, as a Pokemon quickly came out from nowhere and tackled Red to the floor, licking his face which caused the teen to laugh. His eyes widened as he saw it, realizing the Pokemon immediately.
"S-Shinx?!" He muttered, frozen stiff as the stared at the Electric type.
"We found it injured after the police took you away. So we took it to the Pokemon Center to get healed." Simon explained, watching Shinx play with its trainer before it curled itself in Red's lap, putting a smile on the man's face. 'It was devastated, almost not capable of smiling when I found it. Wow. Kid must be one hell of a trainer for it to show this amount of affection.'
"I'd like to thank you for all you have done these past few days, Red. As a token of my gratitude, I would like to present you with these." The elderly man stated, taking a box from a drawer and putting it on the table. Red looked at the box skeptically with Shinx hopping on the table, eyeing it with curiosity.
"Open it." Simon said smiling. The teen obliged, opening the box to see six Pokeballs and a few Potions. Surprised, Red picked to see that they are empty which made his mouth agape before looking at the old man.
"I…I-I can't take this…" He could barely mutter, dumbfounded and surprised by the elder's kindness.
"You can talk after all. Don't worry about it, Red. You deserved it." Simon said, waving his hand. The teen looked at the items before bowing.
"Thank you very much, sir. Thank…you." The teen said as tears threatened to escape his eyes which made the old man smiled and surprised the granddaughter as the man waved his hands in the air. "No need to be so respectful. Call me Simon. Also, you're free to stay here for a while." As he stated those words, he went into the kitchen, Nora behind him as they made something for dinner.
For two whole days, Red spend his time recovering from his wounds and the poison while speaking to Simon, preparing himself for his journey and getting a well-deserved rest, which the elder and even Nora started to enjoy the youth's company. As night fall on the day before he departs, the teen sat in the guest room, thinking to himself. 'All I wanted to do is to travel the world but look what happened, I lost my partner before I could do anything about it. All I could do was watch as she was captured. When she needed me the most.' The teen got up and sighed as he paced around the room before he clenched his fists as his expression hardened.
"That Vincent guy was strong. Even with advantage in speed and the paralysis, it took everything we had to beat it and that was just his Scizor. Not to mention the other Pokémon that he had with the invisible barrier. And that Mightyena… He's gonna be stronger and I will need all the strength and power I can get to beat him." Red muttered as he started to pace the room faster before he immediately stopped.
'I swear I'll get you back, Pikachu. If it's the last thing I do. I lost someone special to me already and I'm not losing another.' He finished as he glanced towards the box. As Red stared at the box for minutes, he then opened the box and took a Pokeball and looking at it before he remembered something. "Hold on. Didn't Blue say that he and Yellow are taking the League challenge? That means I can use the gyms as a way to get me stronger."
'But will it won't that easy. Technically, I don't have a Pokemon and if Shinx doesn't wat to. I don't want to force it to come with me. Do I have what it takes?' Shinx hopped on the bed beside the box, watching the teen muttering to himself. It then leaped into Red arms, catching the teen's attention as it snuggled against him. "Thanks, Shinx. Thanks for keeping me company. I'm indebted to you." Red said in gratitude as he sat and petted the Pokemon, much to its delight. The Electric type then eyed the Pokeball on the bed before it pressed the ball with its paws, enveloped into a red light that got transported into the ball.
"Shinx." Red said surprised, as the ball moved a couple times before making a clicking sound. It then released the Electric type, who grabbed the ball with its tail, giving it to the teen, who accepted the gadget, before hopping into his lap. Smiling, the red capped teen petted the Pokemon, causing it to curl itself on his lap. "Thanks, Shinx. Thanks a lot." He said before taking the items out of the box and putting it into his bag before he froze as he heard a voice.
'Don't mention it.'
Red looked around, finding no one except Shinx in the room. 'Huh? That's weird.' He took one last search around the room, finding nothing as he took off his hat and scratched his head. 'Swore I heard something.' After sorting out his bag, he laid on his bed, drifting to the land of sleep.
He woke up early the next morning, getting himself ready as he departed from his temporary room with Shinx by his side. Simon and his granddaughter were in the dining room as the red capped teen entered the room, the elder smiling as he saw the rejuvenated teen and his partner. "Leaving so soon, Red?" As the old man asked his question, Red responds confidently with a nod. "Alright, but make sure to take care of yourself." Simon said, as he extended his hand for a handshake, which the teen obliged as he left the house.
After a few minutes, Red reached the border of the town, ready to proceed onto Route 2 until he heard a voice.
"Wait!"
Turning around, he was surprised to see Nora running towards him. She panted before she regained her composure as he walked up to him.
"Here you go." She said, giving him a big lunch box. "I understand how Viridian Forest is like. It's good to replenish yourself, it's a long walk to Pewter City." She explained, smiling as Red stared dumbfounded at the box. "Take it as an apology for how I treated you." Nora said, before the scarlet eyed teen looked at her, nodding.
"…thanks…" Red said which surprised the woman before she turned and walked the other way. She then pulled the teen into a tight hug. "Farewell. And be strong, alright?" She said, to which returned the gesture as he nodded. She then released the hug before turning to Shinx, petting it. "Look after him, alright?" The Pokemon nodded confidently as it yelped. She then waved which Red returned the gesture before turning around and heading off, glancing at the hospital with a serious expression. The teen then continued his path as he went through the gate and to Route 2.
"I wouldn't believe that he had that happened to him, poor kid." Oak said on the phone.
"Yeah. Circumstances came around and events happened before I could give him the Pokeballs."
"Thanks for taking care of him, Simon."
"Don't mention it. He deserved it. It's honestly hard to believe that kid caused the incident years ago."
"Yeah… He's far too kind. I need to make a check back on that incident. Some things just don't add up, Simon. There's too much people don't know about the incident."
"Please do. Something feels wrong. We need to know the truth of that incident. I made a check and some witnesses stated that the kid was not at the school on that day. That's not all, Simon. When the incident happen, every kid at the school stated that they saw the same image while another person stated said that they saw the boy on his way to the school…" Oak explained, which caused Simon's eyes to widen.
"That's impossible. To be at two places at once. Do you think it could be an illusion of some sorts, Samuel?"
"It could be. Whatever caused it has the immense power to create illusions…" Professor Oak pondered before an aide came into his office, informing him of an issue that just occurred.
"Sorry, Simon but I have to cut this conversation short. My help is needed. When we get the time, we should hang out again like the good old days."
"Sure, Samuel. I might bring the old bat to join us as well." Simon joked which caused the professor to be speechless.
"…Please don't…"
"Don't worry, Samuel. Well, I'll speak with you later." Simon stated before the call ended. He looked out his window onto the people bustling on the street and then at the sky. 'I don't like this bad feeling.' He thought, before going to his shelf and running his hand through the variety of books that he has.
'I don't like this at all.'
'The League challenge, huh? It's gonna take me a lot before I can reach the strength I need to save her. Just wait for me, Pikachu.' Red thought as he finally reach Route 2, looking at the various Pokemon that live in the grass and the trainers on the route battling or looking for Pokemon.
"Let's go, Shinx. We've got work to do." He said, which the Electric type nodded as they continued to trek down the road, ready to take on the challenges of their journey.
Whew! Another chapter completed! Well, that ends the Viridian city arc. So yes, we're finally leaving Viridian City. Sorry if the chapter is super long. Things had to change and honestly, everything was supposed to take like 2-3 chapters initially however with how it was at first, I don't think it would've went well. Hope you guys like the chapter and happy holidays to all y'all! Thanks for the reviews and I may be putting out another story with this pretty soon. Not sure how soon but soon. Enigma out!