~Author's Corner~
Start of one of the new three fics I promised a while ago in Chasing After A Legend - which, by the way, has been majorly updated with rewritten chapters and new scenes.
Also, I've got a Twitter now - or, uh, I've got an X now. An ex? Anyway, it's the same as my pen name, AdventureHNGH, so feel free to drop a follow if you want more frequent updates about my works, other projects I'm involved with, or general ramblings and things like that. It's a bit bare at the moment, but I reckon that'll change soon enough.
Here we got a prequel to Chasing After A Legend, and a take on Pokémon Trainer Red's origins. As with Chasing, expect a mix of game, manga, and anime worlds.
Also, I posted another new Pokémon fic entitled Cursed Blessings, which takes place in medieval times. Would very much appreciate it if you checked that out as well!
Pallet Town, Kanto.
Also known as the boonies.
It was founded during the early 20th century, named after its first mayor who apparently achieved 931st place in the Pokémon League (because up to that point, none of its residents had even reached the League, let alone compete in it). For 80 years, it remained a crummy little town in Southern Kanto, even while the rest of the region continued to change and evolve.
Naturalists would say that Pallet was a treasure trove, a reminder of the peaceful coexistence between humankind and nature, its lush greens, clean waters, crisp airs, and surrounding wildlife free and untouched by the pollution that proliferated other settlements.
But pessimists would say that such beauty was nothing compared to the poverty that ran rampant throughout Pallet's streets, that the calm and serene atmosphere only served to distract from the fact that crime reigned supreme even among the pathetically low population.
Spots of homelessness were present among the rich greenery. Robberies and assaults were known to take place even as the sun shone peacefully. Even the small and feeble Pokémon that often wandered into town were better fed than the hungry laborers struggling to make ends meet. It all made for a depressing paradox between the picturesque landscape and its ugly underbelly.
That wasn't to say everyone in Pallet Town lived in such miserable conditions. For instance, the famous Professor Samuel Oak, descendant of Mayor Pallet and brother of the current mayor, called this town home – not to mention the hotbed for his research.
Yes, people not just from Pallet, but around Kanto, were utterly perplexed when, after earning his PhD in human-Pokémon relationships from Celadon University, Oak decided to move to the town of his so-called "heritage" when he never stepped foot in its borders before in his life. His colleagues even tried to convince him of how much of a waste it would be – but Oak was steadfast in his decision to take up residence in Pallet Town.
Of course, more than a few disgruntled residents, from delinquents to hardened criminals, would try to make trouble for him and take some of the fruits of his labor for themselves. Strangely, none of them succeeded. No one knew why, but rumors of a Wild Bull roaming the premises were quite popular.
In any case, Pallet Town had long been a place of curious interest for land developers, even though it was tucked away in the quiet corners of Southern Kanto. However, this interest became more feverish thanks to the burgeoning reputation of Professor Oak. As word of his groundbreaking research and residence spread, companies saw the allure of the pristine landscapes and saw potential in Pallet Town, and incessant proposals for land development boomed.
The Professor, however, was determined to keep the town unpolluted and its ecological harmony intact. He was not about to let hungry land grabbers disrupt the town's delicate balance. With this resolve, Professor Oak used his influence and connections, reaching out to the current mayor and other government officials to stave off the impending wave of development. He made it clear that Pallet Town's natural beauty and coexistence with Pokémon were non-negotiable.
It was remarkable how even the most powerful of estate companies failed to put a dent in Pallet Town's land.
The only organization that managed to break through was a small land development company known as Concordia Ventures. Unlike the others, Professor Oak actually knew its CEO personally from his time at Celadon University.
Their proposal was different, too, and it impressed him in ways others hadn't. The company was willing to work in harmony with Pallet Town's ethos, ensuring they didn't disrupt the surrounding Pokémon and other wildlife. They would even allocate a large amount of land for the Professor to house and study Pokémon.
In a rare display of trust, Professor Oak and his brother gave Concordia Ventures their blessing to operate in Pallet Town – if they fulfilled one more condition. The company's CEO had to promise to commit to affordable housing for the town's impoverished residents.
It was a cautious step forward, an experiment in balancing the town's preservation and the potential for progress. As the construction began, it remained to be seen if this delicate harmony between progress and preservation would endure in the little town...
"I don't know how you can endure that little town."
A bespectacled young man with black hair sighed as he heard the man on the phone say those words for what felt like the tenth time. He peeked into the kitchen from his seat in the living room to see his brown-haired, blue-eyed wife approaching with two cups of tea. "Help me," he mouthed.
The woman smiled in sympathy and put her husband's cup on the coffee table in front of him.
"Harold? Hey, Harold, answer me when I'm talking to you," the man on the other line barked.
"Yes, father, I'm here," Harold Concordia hastily responded. "Helena needed a quick hand with the tea, that's all."
"Hmph. Really, though, of all the places you could invest in. You know, you ought to pull out and find somewhere better for your business to work."
"I'm not backing out, dad," Harold said seriously. "And besides, this town isn't that bad. In fact, it's a gorgeous little secret of Kanto."
"Bah. Don't make me laugh. It's just one big cesspool. Honestly, what could Professor Oak be thinking, choosing to live there , of all places..."
"Alright, alright." Harold sighed and rubbed his eyes. "But since we're here, anyway, we might as well put our money into making this 'cesspool' a better place to live."
The man on the other line hummed, as if putting some serious thought into it. "Hm. You know what? Maybe you should, if nothing else than to make sure your daughter doesn't grow up in such a filthy little town."
Helena Concordia frowned and crossed her arms at her father-in-law's harsh words.
"Fine, fine." The CEO of Concordia Ventures really just wanted this conversation over with. "I'm sure Professor Oak would appreciate it, too."
"Please, he'd be happy enough with his little corral project. Even if I can't fathom why he needs so much space just to study Pokémon."
"Probably can't fathom it because Pokémon are scared of your big, ugly face..." Helena muttered.
Harold tried and failed to stifle a snicker.
"Eh? What's the matter with you?" Harold's father grumbled on the other line. "You find my concerns funny, do you?"
"N-no, it's just..." Harold attempted to explain, only to be cut short when his wife grabbed the phone from his hands.
"It's just that Blue looks so happy even though she's covered in dirt! Guess we better give her a nice long bath! Alright, hugs and kisses, bye bye~!" Helena quickly said over her father-in-law's confused spluttering and hung up. "Ugh, that guy..." she sighed and put the phone down. "It's like he always has a reason to be upset."
Harold weakly smiled. "Well, at least it's coming from a good place this time... sort of."
Helena frowned. "He's just blowing things out of proportion, honey."
"I'm not sure..." the bespectacled man's smile fell. "I know I'm the one who was eager to work on Pallet in the first place, but he's not wrong when this may not be the safest place for Blue."
"Oh, cheer up. Blue will be safe here. And she'll have plenty of fun when she attends the Professor's academy."
"I suppose that's true, as long as she doesn't hang around the wrong folk... wait." The man's expression turned alarmed. "Where is Blue?"
The woman froze. "W-what? I thought she was..." She turned to the front door, only to see it ajar. "Oh, no..."
BOUNCE.
Bounce.
Bounce...
BOUNCE.
Bounce.
Bounce...
A little boy, about three years old, absently bounced a ball up and down the dirt path. He had short, black hair and wore a dark, charcoal shirt and white shorts. His small, red eyes watched the ball rise and fall like a metronome. He continued playing with the toy for a little more time before letting it fall in his arms. The child blinked a few times, then looked up blankly at the orange sky, spotting a few bird Pokémon flying overhead.
He wished he could fly like that, too.
His gaze returned to the ball that he held, quietly admiring its red-and-white pattern. He really liked this ball, but he wished he had someone else to play with. But that would mean having to talk to someone, and talking to someone meant he had to have a... no, that wouldn't work.
Oh well. Maybe it was time for him to return to his mom.
"Hi!"
The boy let out a silent gasp and dropped the ball in his hands. Hands shaking, he nervously turned to face the unfamiliar voice and saw a little girl about his age smiling wide at him. She wore a black tank top with a blue collar, sky-blue shorts, and grey sandals. She had long, brown hair with a bit sticking up on top of her head, and eyes the color of the ocean.
"I'm Blue! What's your name!?"
"..."
"Oh, whoops! I forgot mommy told me to do it like this!" Blue suddenly took the boy's hand and shook it. "Hi, I'm Blue! It's nice to meet you!"
"..." The boy just stared at her, blushing at the sudden contact.
"Are you okay?" Blue tilted her head. "You're red!"
How did she know that?! The boy's awe grew as he nodded eagerly.
"Oh, okay... So what's your name?!" Blue's excitement returned, making the boy confused. And apparently it showed on his face because the girl let go of his hand and seemed alarmed. "Oh no..." she whimpered. "Why are you lookin' at me like that? Did I... do something wrong...?" Her eyes began to tear up.
"...!" The boy shook his head quickly, but it did nothing to stop her tears from building. In a panic, he looked around for anything that could help him out, and his eyes landed on a blue orchid. He yanked the flower off the ground and presented it to the brown-haired girl.
"Ooh, pretty!" Her sad mood instantly vanished and she took the flower eagerly. "It's blue, just like me!"
The boy nodded.
"Look, look!" She held the orchid near her eyes. "My mommy and daddy named me Blue 'cuz my eyes are blue, see?"
"..." Hesitantly, the boy pointed to himself, and then to his own crimson irises.
"Huh?" Blue tilted her head in confusion. "How come your eyes are so... red? Ohh! " She pointed at him in realization. "You're Red!"
"...!" Red nodded.
"Cool! You're just like me!" Blue grinned widely, making Red smile in return.
"Nr-ow-uh!"
"Nr-ah-uh!"
Red and Blue's attention were drawn to the shrill sound of two Nidoran – one male and one female – chirping happily as they played with each other in a tall patch of grass.
"Whooooa! I've never seen those kinds of Pokémon before!" Blue was in awe. "Hey, do you like Pokémon?!" She suddenly asked Red.
"...!" Red nodded eagerly, stars in his eyes.
"Me too! Wanna know my favorite? It's Jigglypuff! Isn't it the cutest!?"
Red paused and seemed to think about it for a moment before nodding slowly. In truth, he only agreed to make Blue happy.
"Hee hee!" Blue giggled. "I like you! Wanna be friends?"
"...?!" Red's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly got a hold of himself and nodded with a small smile.
"Yay! Okay!" The small girl grabbed the boy's hand in excitement, paying no regard to the blush on her new friend's face. "You're my first friend in Pallet Town! So that means we gotta play every day, right?!"
Red's mood soon mirrored the other child's. He couldn't believe that he had an actual friend now!
"Bluuue! " A worried voice called out, making both children raise their heads and look around. "Where are you, sweetie?!"
"Oh, that's my mommy!" Blue turned her head to face Red. "I think I gotta go now..."
Red slowly nodded, a bit put down. He watched his new friend run off in the opposite direction for a little bit before turning around and starting to make his own way home.
"Bye Red! See ya tomorrow!"
Red spun back to see Blue waving wildly at him. Sparks returned to his eyes as he waved back and nodded excitedly. They stayed like that for a few seconds more until Blue turned and resumed running. With a wide smile on his face, Red began walking in the opposite direction.
"Oh, sweetie !" Helena cried in relief as she scooped up her daughter in her arms. "You had us so worried, Blue!" Soon her face turned stern, and she held Blue so that they were facing each other. "Now what were you thinking, you silly girl?! You don't go running off like that when we can't see you!"
"'Kay!" the little girl smiled toothily.
"..." The young mother pouted. "Don't you mean 'sorry', Blue?"
"Sorry!" Blue exclaimed with that same smile. "Hey mom, I have a friend here!"
"Wha-?" Helena blinked. "What do you mean, sweetie?"
"I met a boy today!"
"A boy ?!" Helena shrieked. "Blue, you should never go talking to any strange men, you hear me?!"
"Huuuh?" Blue tilted her head. "He's a man? But he was small like me!"
"... Oh." Blue's mother looked slightly embarrassed, but she quickly recomposed herself. "Never mind Blue, that's great! Did he tell you his name?"
"Yeah, he showed it to me!"
Helena's paternal instincts went on high alert. "Showed you what-now ?"
"His name!" Blue paid no attention to her mother's tenseness, nor the confusion that followed. "It's like mine, see?!" She pointed to her eyes.
"Like yours...? Do you mean his eyes, hun?" Helena was starting to understand the picture.
"Yeah yeah! But his aren't blue! His are..."
"Reeed?! "
A young woman, dressed in a carmine sweater and blue jeans, called out to the near-barren streets of Pallet Town. Her hand passed her worried crimson eyes as she brushed back her dark blue hair.
"Red, please!" Rose Akai tried again. "Come out where mommy can see you! Red ?!"
…
Her frown deepened and she looked around frantically. "Please, baby, come on out...!" She was starting to grow desperate. "Red, honey, please say someth-"
Rose stopped herself and looked down. She really was a failure of a mother; first she lost her child, then she forgot that he couldn't speak. Tears fell and hit the ground as she bit her lip. Oh, how she cursed her luck. For Rose Akai was not the luckiest person in the world – not in her entire life.
She was born and raised in this crummy little corner of Kanto called Pallet Town for the first four years of her life. Her mother died in childbirth, and her father had to resort to robbery and extortion to support himself and his daughter.
Yet Rose's father was not abusive, despite his career as a street thug – he loved his little Rose more than anything in the world. To him, being a criminal scumbag was worth it if it meant providing for his only child.
She couldn't help but think that he was a better parent than she could ever be.
When Rose turned five, her father decided to take her around town to celebrate. He ended up getting shot and killed by a rival gang member that same day. The murderer couldn't find it in himself to kill her too, so she was left alone, both her parents torn away from her. Both dying because she was born, so she told herself. For the next five years of her life, Rose lived at the Pallet orphanage. She wasn't the only child there, and her caretakers tried the best they could, but still she felt incredibly lonely while she stayed there.
Rose smiled bitterly despite herself. Her three-year-old son was so, so lonely, even for his age. She wondered if it ran in the genes. If that was why no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't do anything about it.
But now wasn't the time to worry about that, she told herself. No, she could worry about her son's upbringing after she found him. Although she had been miserably failing for the past half-hour. Rose's fists clenched in frustration, knowing that it was no good asking for help, either. After all, this was Pallet Town. At best, she'd be ignored, and at worst, she'd get hurt. Neither outcome would bring her any closer to finding her one ball of happiness in her life.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of a catcall.
"Hey babe, you lost?" a man wearing a stained, white tank top and sporting a bad mullet along with a cocky grin sidled up to her, his eyes leering. His confidence seemed bolstered by his misguided assumption that he could be of assistance. "I can help you out," he offered, oozing a false charm.
Rose's expression suddenly went hard, her response swift and dismissive. "No thanks."
Undeterred, the man leaned in closer, his arm attempting to wrap around her shoulders. His pungent odor assaulted her senses, a mixture of unwashed clothes and stale alcohol. "Ah, c'mon sexy," he persisted, his breath hot and rancid. "Don't be like that. A pretty lil' thing like you out here alone can be dangerous."
"I can take care of myself," Rose replied firmly, her voice laced with an air of unwavering confidence that wasn't there moments ago.
The man's grin widened, revealing yellowed teeth as he gestured toward a dimly lit alley nestled between two buildings. "Yeah? Well, a lady like you shouldn't have to do that. Come on, why don't I show you how helpful I can be?"
A surge of irritation ignited within her, but Rose managed to keep her composure. "Please, not now. I'm looking for my child," she explained, her tone softened by a hint of vulnerability.
The man's intentions took a darker turn, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Oh, a child, huh?" He leaned in even closer, invading her personal space. "I can give you a child to look after, if y'know what I mean."
Rose's patience reached its limit, her eyes narrowing as she spoke tersely, "Look, I'm not in the mood for this, especially not with such a disgusting creep."
A malicious sneer twisted the man's features as he pressed her against himself, his proximity unwelcome and repulsive. "Disgusting, huh?" he spat, his grip tightening possessively. "You ain't seen nothin' yet." His intentions were clear as he attempted to pull her back with him into the alley.
But he wasn't aware of just how strong Rose's resolve was. With a swift, fluid motion, she reached into her jacket pocket, her fingers closing around a compact object.
"If you really want to help me out," Rose's voice was cold, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Then help me send you to hell."
Without hesitation, she thrust a stun gun forward, and a surge of electricity arced across the metal prongs, connecting with the man's body. His confident demeanor crumbled into pain and shock as he emitted a guttural cry.
Amidst the dimly lit street, the roles had been reversed. The aggressor now found himself incapacitated and vulnerable, while Rose stood resolute, her spirit radiating a newfound strength.
"AHHH!" the man wailed, his grip on Rose releasing involuntarily. His knees buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground, a convulsing mess.
Panting, Rose stood over him, her expression unwavering as she looked down at the writhing figure before her. "That was for what you were about to do to me," she stated with a steely resolve, her voice cold and detached.
Her anger, fueled by a mixture of fear and indignation, surged anew. With a quiet but fierce anger, she delivered a swift and powerful kick to the man's head. His skull made a sickening thud as it collided with the pavement, and he fell backward in a disoriented daze.
"That's for going as far as you did," Rose declared, her words carrying an edge of ferocity that contrasted sharply with her otherwise insecure demeanor. The man groaned, his attempts to regain his bearings thwarted by the pain that pulsed through his skull.
But Rose was far from finished. She leaned down, her fingers curling around the man's grimy hair. With a swift, fluid motion, she slammed his teeth against the unforgiving concrete. His mouth erupted in a chorus of pained yelps, his grimace contorting in anguish.
"That's for having such bad breath," Rose continued, her voice dripping with bitter sarcasm. Her grip on his head tightened, her nails digging into his scalp.
Her anger was relentless, her pent-up rage finding release in every blow she delivered. In a final act of retribution, she seized upon a last target. With a swift, calculated motion, she aimed a fierce blow at the most vulnerable part of his anatomy. Her foot connected with precision, and the man's agonized scream echoed through the streets as he crumpled, his face contorted in excruciating pain.
"That's so you have nothing to try this with ever again," Rose hissed, her voice cold as ice and her eyes flashing with vindication. She spat on the man, her disgust palpable as the spittle landed on his dirt-streaked face. "And that's for my son," she declared, her words a chilling reminder of the motivation that fueled her wrath.
With her heart pounding and her breath ragged, Rose stepped away from the writhing man on the ground. The streets seemed to hold their breath, the quietude disrupted only by the chirps of distant Pidgey flying in the dimly lit sky.
With her heart still racing, Rose turned away from the crumpled figure on the ground. It was then that her gaze sharpened as she caught a glimpse of something familiar – a hint of black hair disappearing around the corner of a house. In an instant, her focus shifted, and she moved with urgency, her steps purposeful as she followed the trail of that telltale hair.
Rounding the corner, her eyes locked onto a sight that instantly melted the remaining tension from her body. There, a few feet away, stood her red-eyed son, looking both scared and determined as he scanned his surroundings. Without hesitation, Rose closed the distance between them and scooped him up into her arms. The child's nerves immediately relaxed once he was safe in her hold.
"Oh, baby, I was so worried about you," Rose murmured, her voice cracking with emotion. Her eyes welled with tears as she held him close, relief and love flooding her heart. "Are you okay?"
Red nodded against her shoulder, his small arms clinging to her tightly. Rose's maternal instincts kicked into high gear as she inspected him, her fingers brushing over his hair, his clothes, seeking any sign of harm.
After confirming that Red was unharmed, Rose's worry gave way to curiosity. She crouched down to his eye level, her expression gentle. "Where did you go?" she inquired, her voice soft and understanding.
The weight of Red's silence hung in the air, and Rose's heart ached. Offering him a sad smile, Rose reached out to gently touch his cheek. "That's okay, Red. I'm just happy you're safe," she reassured him, her voice warm and comforting. She pressed a tender kiss to his forehead. "Come on, let's go home and get something to eat," Rose suggested, her tone lightening as she shifted her focus to their shared future. With Red securely in her arms, she turned and began to walk away from the alley, her steps purposeful yet gentle.
The scumbag who tried to assault her lay on the street forgotten and out cold.
~Author's Corner~
Pushing this again, but I encourage you to follow me on Twitter/X if you want to learn about progress and updates for my fics, as well as other projects I'm part of. You can find me AdventureHNGH!
And now that I've posted the beginning of two new fics... Chasing After A Legend Chapter 19 is coming next!