Pallet Town was quiet, with few houses and small, uninteresting sights. It was nestled in the countryside between thick forests, sparse hills, and grassy plains. The town's main source of entertainment was a small pond in the back, and the fresh air that fluttered through the morning breeze was its primary source of comfort.

It was a town where everyone knew everyone, and the only claim to fame the town had was a researcher who was born there. Samuel Oak, the creator of the Pokédex, was a researcher who made strides in the field of Pokémon and, in doing so, strides throughout the world.

"Hey Cyan! Stop playing on the roof of the barn!"

"Never!"

All of that was trivial compared to raising his grandson, Cyan Oak. A bright, aquamarine-eyed boy with orange-tinted hair, a rascal who loved to do everything except give his grandfather a break. Thank goodness Cyan's older sister, Daisy, had already grown out of all that stuff. It would have been impossible to raise two troublemakers. How lucky he was that she was off in college now, content with not making his life any harder.

"Cyan! Seriously, you're going to fall!"

"Nu-uh! I'm fine! Tiny will catch me if I fall off!"

Samuel scowled as he turned to his Arcanine, Tiny. A name Samuel Oak had given it in his youth before he had realized how big the Growlithe would get. A prime specimen of her species was lying down with a bored expression, a mask contrasted by the minute twitch of her toned muscles whenever his grandson got a little too close to the edge.

"Okay, so she'll catch you. That still doesn't mean you can play on the roof!"

"But why!?"

Samuel groaned as Cyan pouted from his place on the barn roof as if Samuel was in the wrong for not wanting his grandchild to play twenty feet off the ground. It had been a while since he had tried raising a child. Lord knows his son Leo hadn't been any easier, but he was pretty sure 10-year-olds weren't invincible.

Yet.

Cyan might prove him wrong if he kept trying to climb the dome on top of the barn, straining his neck to try and get a better view. It took every inch of Samuel's patience to stop himself from ordering Tiny to jump up there.

"Cyan! I'm serious!"

"Just one more-"

Cyan's words halted as his grip slipped on the thin bar of the cross of the dome, and he tumbled from the top of the barn. A yelp escaped the boy as he tried to grab hold of anything, only to be met with air, and his vision no doubt jumbled between a view of the open sky and the nearing grass.

Oak didn't need to act, knowing his partner had already moved. Oak could only watch resigned as his grandson's body was free in the wind, and he fell with a sense of weightlessness Samuel was sure his grandson adored.

Back in his youth, Samuel had fallen in love with it too.

The air whipped past his hair, the feeling of not being tethered to anything, the sense of freedom that came with being able to move in any direction, as if his life had become a breath of fresh air.

It was exhilarating.

Such an addiction was thankfully not in Cyan's cards just yet. Unfortunately for the free spirit, or fortunately, in hindsight, it didn't last long enough. A set of solid jaws clamped down on the nape of Cyan's blue t-shirt, pulling him to a stop a few feet before he hit the ground—Tiny's low growl indicating her approval of the boy's reckless actions.

"Thanks, Tiny," Cyan laughed sheepishly, "I'll order you an extra bone next time Gramps leaves his computer unlocked."

"...nine?"

"Yeah, the Bouffolant bones. You'll break any other ones I get you."

"Arcanine."

Tiny gave an affirmative nod and ungracefully dropped Cyan onto the ground. Samuel watched as his grandson rubbed his bruises before walking up and crossing his arms. Not sure whether to be proud or miffed that his grandson had resorted to bribing Tiny right in front of him, "You know you won't be going near my computer for the foreseeable future, right?"

"You say that but always forget to turn it off." Cyan sang. Samuel Oak frowned and opened his mouth to retort, stalling because he couldn't lie to his bright grandson and say this time would be different. So, instead, he ignored his bad habits with the newer technologies and moved on to the crux of the matter.

The fact that there was no way in hell he was going to let Cyan off Scott free after what he pulled, "Well, you're grounded, so it doesn't matter."

"Hey! That's not fair! You're just mad because I'm right!"

"No." Samuel Oak said, pointedly ignoring the disbelieving glare his incredibly perceptive grandson shot him, "I'm mad because you fell off the barn. You're lucky Tiny was here; otherwise, I would have been wiping you off the ground so the Miltanks wouldn't have mistaken you for feed."

Samuel Oak watched as Cyan stuck his tongue out in a childish retaliation, an aggravated sigh taking him as he got ready to go into a lecture that was certain to make Cyan regret his actions if he refused to reflect on them. His parental tangent halted as he heard his neighbor, Delia Ketchum, call out from the fence separating their barn from the dirt road that led back to Pallet Town.

"Professor Oak! I've been looking for you!"

Samuel Oak felt a warm smile grace his face as he turned from his unruly grandson. It was a mistake on his part because the instant he did, Cyan jumped the fence and dashed back toward Pallet Town. Giving a wave back to them as he sprinted like his life depended on it.

"I'm going to play with Red! Smell ya later!"

"Cyan Oak! We're not finished, young man!" Samuel yelled, sighed, gave up, and pinched his nose as he saw Cyan speed up, ignoring every word from his mouth and making a beeline for the Ketchum household. Dalia watched the entire thing with a slight chuckle, returning to Oak with the bundle of cloth in her arms that held something much more precious.

"Cyan sure is something, Professor Oak. I can't wait to see how he handles babysitting Ash and Gary when they're older."

Delia chuckled as she saw Oak look up to the sky as if praying that Cyan wouldn't accidentally set his baby brother on fire. A sight that made Delia laugh and hold the baby boy in her arms a little closer, the bubbles of her child of a few months lighting up the air.

They also lifted Oak out of his worries. Oak turned his kind eyes towards the baby swaddled in cloth and smiled gently. Oak peeked over at the boy with tanner skin than his older brother yet the same black hair.

"Well, isn't he a lively one?"

Oak smiled as Ash gave a toothless grin at him, the first signs of baby teeth edging his guns as a childish laugh rang through the air. Oak's smile was matched by Delia, who laughed kindheartedly, "Yeah, he is. I want to think he got all the energy that Red didn't pick up from us."

"Ooh, that's a plausible theory. Do you think that means Gary will be calmer than Cyan then?"

"I highly doubt it." Delia chuckled as Oak sighed, taking the chance to look around the barn.

"Where is little Gary anyway?"

"Still in his crib. Alakazam is watching over him." Oak shook his head, "I was supposed to try and get Cyan inside for dinner, but as you can see, that endeavor didn't end up bearing fruit."

Delia laughed, and Oak sighed, his eyes peeking up as he remembered what Delia had said a few minutes earlier: "Ah, by the way. Is there a specific reason you needed to see me?" Oak tilted his head curiously.

Delia nodded. "I was wondering if you could watch Ash for a few days. I know you're busy caring for Gary and Cyan, but my husband called and wanted me to visit him. Something about finally getting a few days off of work—lord knows that hasn't happened in months."

Oak gave an 'awe' in understanding, nodding as he opened the fence and walked with Delia back to the house. "Well, of course, I'll take care of Ash for a few days." Oak agreed, not bothered at all at the prospect as he smiled. "You should say hi to my son and daughter-in-law while you are there. It's their anniversary. Couldn't wait to see the hot springs."

Oak smiled as Delia chuckled knowingly, "Oh, no wonder they left Cyan and Gary. I was curious when Red told me that Cyan was mad he didn't get to go on a 'vacation' with his parents."

Oak laughed in response, "Well, I don't suppose you'd want to take Red with you? Or is this a late anniversary present?"

Oak chuckled as Delia flushed before rolling her eyes, "No, Professor Oak, nothing like that. As for Red, I would ask him to come, but I'm pretty sure his dad would want to show him the lab, and I don't need Red falling asleep on me... again."

Oak laughed loudly at the reminder that Delia had tried to show Red the intricacies of Professor Oak's lab and that the poor boy had fallen asleep while standing. One of the few things Professor Oak could confidently say Red and his grandson had in common was their absolute avoidance of anything scientific regarding Pokemon. The two boys preferred hands-on experience over anything else.

It was the only reason Oak even considered Cyan's pleas to become a lab-sponsored trainer. On some level, Oak knew Cyan and Red would learn more in the real world rather than being cooped up at home, but Oak had already made his decision on that matter, and it was final. Even if there were a smidge of benefit, he wouldn't send Cyan, or Red for that matter, on a journey. Twelve was already far too young for his liking, and ten wasn't any better, even for the gifted.

Oh, and how unfortunate it was that those two boys were gifted.

"I'm sure Cyan won't mind having Red over for a couple of days," Oak forced a smile on his lips, tossing aside the depressing thought for another time. Delia returned it with a grateful grin. "Thanks, Professor Oak, that would be a great help."

Oak waved his hand in goodwill, his footsteps halting as he felt Alakazam's aged intelligence ring through his head like a microphone.

"Samuel, there's been a direct message to your email. It's been labeled as urgent."

Oak paused in his steps, his eyes wide as he let his thoughts float in Alakazam's direction so the psychic Pokémon could pick them up, "What's the issue? Is it the league?"

Oak waited for an eternity for another message, his heart setting in his throat as one of his oldest Pokémon and best friends spoke with near reluctance, "No, it isn't. At least not directly..."

Samuel couldn't blame him, though.

"It's from Blaine."

It was obvious whatever it was, it was anything but good.

Cyan raced down the dirt road, checking behind him to ensure the two adults weren't watching. A slight smirk caught his lips as he bolted into the surrounding forests while they were distracted.

Hah! Red's gonna freak when I tell him!

Cyan laughed as he ran through the forest to their usual meeting place. The various bug-type Pokémon watched him pass by without much suspicion: a stray Caterpie here, a Butterfree there. The forest was filled with weak-level bug Pokémon. It was filled with weak Pokémon, so Cyan had no reservations about sneaking out to meet Red.

"Rattatta!"

"Sorry!" Cyan yelled with a sheepish chuckle as he almost stepped on a Rattatta hiding in the shrubbery. Cyan held his hand up in apology as he continued jogging past the hissing rodent, hopping over a log and finally making it to the small clearing near a stray stream where the two children of Pallet Town had made their base.

It was a small fort built against a tree, covered in a tray tarp from the barn. The various sticks and stones held together were tied with a caterpillar string they had stolen from the wildlife. All they had to do was scare a couple, and they had a free supply of sticky and durable string, able to hold their fort together without worry of rain or wind.

The outside had some native shrubbery to hide it from anyone who only gave it a passing glance. The first was big enough to hold Red, Cyan, and the third visitor Cyan had found a week ago. A stray pidgey that had hurt its wing, and since then, Cyan and Red had teamed up to nurse it back to health. They have been successful so far; at least, they thought they were.

"Red! How's the Pidgey doing!?" Cyan called as he moved the tarp out of the way, not surprised at all to see Red sitting with the sleeping Pidgey in his lap. Cyan knowing better than anyone that Red almost always chose to spend his time around Pokemon if he could, he seemed to prefer them to people.

"..."

He also wasn't the best talker, but Cyan would work with him on that. He'd been learning to read Red since their parents introduced them to each other, and he could tell that the slight nod Red gave was equivalent to Pidgey being healthy.

"That's good. Do you think he'll be good enough to fly tomorrow? I want to take him to the top of the barn so he can have a good place to take off from."

Red gave him a narrowed look, the red eyes piercing through his short, ruffled black hair and the red cap he always seemed to wear. Cyan rolled his eyes and held his hands up in mock surrender, "Okay, I get it—no flying from the barn. I still want to see her fly soon, though. That way, we can prove to Gramps that we're ready for our Pokémon journey!"

The age limit for getting a trainer license in Kanto was the youngest in the world, with ten being the earliest you could go. The caveat was that you had to be recommended a trainer with at least gym leader-level experience. Those were few and far to come by, usually reserved for the gifted and growing that would be stifled in their hometowns, waiting until they turned 12, the usual age to start a trainer's journey.

Cyan's grandpa was considered equal to that of a gym leader, being a pioneer in the researching field had its perks, and Cyan wanted to use those perks to start his journey two years early. That was why he wanted to make sure the Pidgey they found was in good health, if they proved they could nurse a wild Pidgey, all on their own, it was bound to score some brownie points with the old man. Who knows, he might even let them keep the Pidgey. She had grown on Cyan.

"Oh, is she waking up?"

Cyan watched with wide eyes as the Pidgey in Red's lap chirped, blinking its round eyes open and shuffling the bandage wrapped around its bruised wing. A few chirps escaped the bird's lips as she looked at Red happily, then turned to meet Cyan's eyes and practically beamed, " Pidgey!"

"Hey girl, you miss me?"

Cyan laughed as the Pidgey hopped off Red's lap, waddling over with its casted wing so Cyan could pick her up. Cyan happily obliged and held the Pidgey in his arms, sitting down across from Red so he could see his reaction.

"Hey, look, Red. She likes me more than you. You jealous?"

"..."

Cyan huffed as Red tilted his head blankly, the innocent confusion on his face taking all the fun out of Cyan's teasing. It was even worse because Red probably didn't realize how rare it was for a Pokémon to like him more than Red. It was like Red was a magnet for Pokémon or something. They all enjoyed being around him.

"Ugh... whatever... you're no fun."

Cyan ignored Red's confused look, preferring to stroke Pidgey's feathers in his lap instead. The soft preening of her chirps filled the fort as Cyan started talking since he knew Red wouldn't do it: "You know, I think Gramps is going to let us become trainers early. Like today, I jumped on the roof, and he didn't even send Tiny after me until I fell. He's trusting me more."

Cyan watched as Red tilted his head with innocent curiosity. This was one of the things he liked about Red since he wasn't worried, just curious. It felt nice not to be babied. Cyan was 10, not one like Gary. He could handle climbing a few barns, and he liked that the silent boy seemed to understand that.

"I wanted to see how far I could get up. I also wanted to see how much forest I could see from up there."

Cyan watched Red nod, giving him his nonverbal agreement to continue with the story, "So yeah, I climbed up the barn. To the twisty thing that spins when it's windy, with the weird bird Pokémon on it."

" Pidgey!" Cyan's friend, the soon-to-be Pokemon, cried. Cyan's intuition and a vague recollection of Daisy ranting about fixing it back before she left for college gave him an answer to his question that he didn't quite believe: "A cupola?"

It sounded like a made-up word, to be honest.

"You ever heard of that Red?"

Red shook his head. Cyan became pretty sure his Pidgey was lying, but he decided to give the tiny bird a little satisfaction and play along. He didn't want the bird to worry about the injuries affecting its intelligence and wing.

"Well, anyways, I got to the top of the Caparison thing and could see almost all the forest. I even saw where it cut into the mountains, but it was nothing compared to the ocean." Cyan smiled, stroking the Pidgey. He'd probably have to come up with a name soon if he was going to make a case for keeping her, but for now he recalled the ocean that he hadn't known existed past the pond at the back end of Pallet Town.

"It was awesome; it goes on for miles, Red. What's even crazier is that there were Pokémon there. Like big Pokémon, I think I even saw a Wailord."

Cyan smirked as Red's eyes widened in shock, his ego inflating because he had gotten a reaction out of Red, and that was something no one else in Pallet Town could claim. Except maybe Red's parents and Red's little brother...

They were family, though, so that didn't count.

"Pidgey!"

"Oh shoot, sorry. What was I saying again..." Cyan murmured after zoning out. "Oh yeah, it was awesome. Once we get our hands on a water Pokémon that won't attack us," well, more like when Cyan got a Pokémon that wouldn't attack him, wild Pokemon never attacked Red, "We'll surf out there and get a giant Pokémon. I'm already calling dibs on a Gyaridos, so you'll have to get a Poliwhirl. Or a Goldeen. I heard they don't talk either."

Cyan smirked as Red huffed, a disappointed expression on Red's face as he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms in a silent pout. Annoyed that he wouldn't be getting a Gyarados but willing to make a compromise, one that he proceeded to write in the dirt between them.

"...Hell no, I'm not letting you name my Gyaridos. Your naming sense sucks."

Red frowned, writing more words in the sand that turned Cyan's face red: "Hey! I was throwing out ideas when I said to name the Pidgey Birdie! I wasn't being serious!"

"Pidgey!?"

"Hey, he's lying! Don't listen to him!" Cyan shook his head emphatically. "Trust me, you don't want Red naming you. He has the naming sense of a log..." Cyan shivered dramatically, "or my parents."

"Pidgey?"

"Well, I'm glad you asked, little one," Cyan said, pointedly ignoring Red, who rolled his eyes and sassily leaned back as if ready for one of Professor Oak's lectures. Cyan sticks his tongue out at Red before focusing on his new best friend, Pidgey, "See, when my older sister was born, my parents named her after a flower. Daisy. Cool name, right?"

"Pidgey."

"Glad you agree because apparently, they didn't. When I was born, they had the bright idea to name me after a color. Even got Red's parents to do the same." Cyan smirked as Red's eyes narrowed in displeasure. "But they couldn't decide between Green or Blue, so they went with Cyan since it's a mix. Awful, right?"

"Pidgey."

"Exactly! Even worse, they realized their mistake, and Gary got a nice name. Now I'm a color, albeit a cooler color than boring old red," Cyan tilted his head as a stray pebble flew past his head, "But it's still cemented them as having terrible naming sense. And Red's is just as bad. So don't trust him! He'll probably name you wings or something!"

"Pidgey!"

Cyan beamed as Pidgey squeaked in righteous outrage. He gave Pidgey an affectionate hug since she understood his plight and was heading his warning: "Oh, I knew you were the best! So much better than Red and his terrible naming sense!"

This time, Cyan couldn't react fast enough. A stray twig bouncing off his forehead was Red's answer, and sadly, he didn't have a chance to retaliate because a distant yell caught their attention. It sounded like a girl's voice coming from somewhere in the wayward forests. It was hard to pinpoint, but he could vaguely determine what she was screaming.

"Help! Help!"

Cyan's eyes widened and met Red's similarly shocked ones. Red bolted out of the fort while Cyan took a moment to safely put the Pidgey on the ground and whispered, "We'll be back," before running out after Red. "Hey, Red! Wait up!"

Cyan had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't make it back in time for that dinner Grandpa asked him for.