The morning sun spilled through the curtains, golden light washing over Red's small room. It was the kind of quiet, crisp morning that begged for movement — for the start of something new. Red opened his eyes slowly, though he had already been half-awake, his mind tracing the events of yesterday in the back of his thoughts.
A new day meant new choices. And today, one of those choices would mark a step forward in his journey.
He dressed with methodical precision — not rushed, but deliberate. First came the red cap with the white front, its familiar weight settling onto his head like a silent promise. Then the red shirt with its clean white collar and shoulders. It wasn't exactly the same as the outfit from his old world, but close enough that when he caught his reflection in the mirror, it felt… right.
Last, he reached for the Poké Ball on his desk. Inside, Charmeleon stirred as if sensing its trainer's readiness. Red clipped it onto his belt with a muted click.
"Let's get started," he murmured to no one in particular.
---
In the kitchen, his mother was already up, humming softly as she tidied away breakfast dishes. She turned at the sound of his footsteps, her face warm with its usual mix of affection and quiet pride.
"Heading out early today?" she asked.
Red nodded. "Going to see Professor Oak."
She smiled knowingly — she had probably guessed what this visit meant. "Well, make sure to eat something on the way, and don't forget to call once in a while."
He allowed himself a faint smile. "I will."
After a brief goodbye, Red stepped outside. The air was cool but already warming under the rising sun. Pallet Town was just waking up — a few trainers jogging past with their Pokémon, shopkeepers sweeping doorsteps, and the smell of fresh bread drifting faintly from the bakery.
---
Professor Oak's lab sat at the far end of town, a sturdy, familiar building surrounded by small plots of well-tended grass where Pokémon often roamed freely. From the outside, it looked almost identical to the one from his old world, right down to the weathered stone steps and the bell by the door.
He pressed the bell and waited.
No answer.
Frowning, Red knocked — once, twice. Still nothing.
He tested the handle and found it unlocked. That drew his eyebrows together. Oak was a respected researcher with equipment, data, and Pokémon in his care; leaving the door open was… careless.
Pushing the door open, Red stepped inside.
---
The lab smelled faintly of paper, polished metal, and the earthy scent of Pokémon. Shelves lined with research notes, diagrams, and Poké Balls filled the space. Various machines hummed quietly in the background, blinking with soft indicator lights.
He walked further in, taking it all in. The place was uncannily similar to what he remembered — almost enough to make him feel like he had stepped backward in time.
As he rounded a corner, his eyes landed on rows of Poké Balls neatly arranged on display racks. Each was carefully labeled, no doubt containing Pokémon for research, storage, or future trainers.
It was in this moment that footsteps sounded from a hallway ahead, and the sharp voice of Professor Oak cut through the air.
---
"You there! What do you think you're doing?"
Red turned calmly to see the Professor striding toward him, white lab coat flaring slightly with each step. Oak's eyes narrowed.
"Breaking into my lab, are you? Trying to steal something?"
Red didn't flinch. "Door was open."
"That doesn't give you the right to—"
"I'm sorry for entering without permission," Red interrupted, his tone even but firm. "But leaving your lab unlocked is reckless. If I were a thief, you'd have lost something by now."
Oak blinked, caught off guard. Not many kids would walk into his lab, admit fault, and call him careless in the same breath. He studied the boy more closely — the calm stance, the clear eyes, the lack of nervous fidgeting.
"…Hmm. Fair point," Oak conceded slowly. "So, if you're not here to rob me blind, what are you here for?"
---
Red met his gaze. "To start my journey. I was hoping you'd give me a Pokédex. I'll fill it in no time."
Oak raised an eyebrow. The statement wasn't arrogant — it was delivered plainly, as if Red were merely stating the weather.
There was something intriguing about that. Confidence without showboating. A seriousness that didn't feel forced.
After a pause, Oak said, "All right. Let's see if you're as good as you claim."
He crossed to a workbench, retrieved a sleek red Pokédex, and handed it to Red along with six empty Poké Balls.
"Before we go any further," Oak began, "I usually offer new trainers a choice of starter Pokémon."
"I already have one."
---
Red unclipped a Poké Ball from his belt and released Charmeleon in a flash of white light.
Oak's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. A Kanto starter — already evolved — standing proudly before him was not something he saw every day. The Professor stepped closer, studying the Pokémon's healthy build, the alert focus in its eyes.
"You've had this Charmeleon for a long time, haven't you?"
Red gave a small nod.
Oak hummed thoughtfully, then gestured toward a table where three Poké Balls rested. "Even so… if you'd like, you can still choose one of the others. I don't mind."
In truth, Oak did mind — but only in the sense that this was a calculated offer. There was potential here, more than he'd seen in a long while. Potential that might one day surpass even his grandson.
---
Red approached the table, fingers brushing lightly over the Poké Balls before selecting one. With a press of the button, the capsule opened to reveal a small Bulbasaur.
The Pokémon blinked up at him, shifting nervously.
Kneeling, Red extended his hand slowly, palm open. For a moment, Bulbasaur hesitated — then allowed Red's fingers to gently stroke its head. The tension in its small body eased, and a faint purr-like sound escaped it.
A slight smile touched Red's lips, fleeting but genuine.
Oak noticed. It was a small thing, but telling. The boy's serious, almost cold demeanor softened instantly when dealing with the Pokémon.
"Looks like you've made a friend," Oak remarked.
Red recalled both Charmeleon and Bulbasaur, tucking their Poké Balls back onto his belt. He gave Oak a brief nod of thanks, then turned toward the door.
"Good luck, Red," Oak called after him.
Without looking back, Red raised a hand in acknowledgment and stepped out into the sunlight.
---
Red stepped out of Professor Oak's lab with his new Pokédex secured in his jacket pocket, six empty Poké Balls clipped to his belt, charmeleon's at the center and bulbasaur's beside it
The air outside smelled faintly of freshly cut grass and the distant sea breeze that drifted up from the coast. Pallet Town was peaceful as ever. Kids played near the edge of the dirt road, and a few townsfolk waved as he passed, but Red didn't stop to chat. His eyes were already fixed on the horizon where the dirt path began winding toward the forested route ahead.
Charmeleon rested quietly inside its Pokéball on Red's left, its presence steady and confident even without being fully released. On his right, Bulbasaur shifted slightly within its own Pokéball, its senses alert to every rustle and patch of grass outside. Though both were tucked safely away, Red could tell Bulbasaur was especially eager to begin its first journey beyond the lab.
---
The first wild encounter came quickly. Just ten minutes past the last Pallet house, a Rattata burst from the grass, teeth bared in a warning display.
Without hesitation, Red recalled Bulbasaur's Pokéball and threw it forward. The little Grass-type appeared in a flash of light, landing gracefully on the path.
"Bulbasaur, tackle!"
Bulbasaur lunged, hitting the Rattata square in the side and sending it rolling. It tried to scurry away, but a quick follow-up Vine Whip snagged its hind legs.
Pokéball in hand, Red stepped forward and tossed it with a clean motion. One shake, two, click—the Rattata was his.
He didn't celebrate, simply clipped the ball to his belt and continued on.
---
The road narrowed into a trail as it entered denser woodland. The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy, dappling the ground in shifting patches of light. Wild Pokémon sounds echoed all around — bird calls, rustles in the leaves, the occasional distant cry of something larger.
Red felt the steady presence of Charmeleon and Bulbasaur within their Pokéballs at his sides. Though unseen, Charmeleon's sharp instincts seemed to reach out in alertness, while Bulbasaur's quiet energy hinted at its curiosity. Red stayed silent, observing and calculating as the world around him thrummed with life.
---
A shadow swept across the trail — a Spearow diving low.
Red recalled Charmeleon's Pokéball and threw it forward. In a flash of light, Charmeleon appeared, landing firmly on the path.
"Charmeleon, Smokescreen!"
A puff of dark smoke billowed from Charmeleon's snout, enveloping them both and throwing the Spearow off course. As it flapped in confusion, Red's voice cut through the haze.
"Ember. Hold back."
A small burst of fire flickered from Charmeleon's mouth, clipping the Spearow's wing just enough to drop it into the grass. Red wasted no time, tossing a Pokéball.
Another capture. Another addition to the team.
---
By midday, Red reached a shallow creek that wound across the route. The clear water sparkled in the sun, and the air was cooler here. He sat on a flat rock at the bank, removing his cap to let the breeze pass through his hair.
Both Bulbasaur and Charmeleon were out of their Pokéballs—Bulbasaur lowered its head to drink from the stream, while Charmeleon crouched on the opposite bank, eyes sharp as it scanned for movement.
Sure enough, something stirred — a Poliwag rippling through the water.
---
The surface of the creek rippled as a Poliwag broke through, its round eyes darting between Red and his Pokémon. Bulbasaur stood at the bank, vines twitching slightly, while Charmeleon remained crouched on the opposite side, watching intently.
Red adjusted his stance, eyes narrowing. "Bulbasaur, get ready… Leech Seed!"
Bulbasaur reacted instantly, firing a small seed from its bulb. It struck Poliwag squarely on the back, sprouting thin vines that quickly coiled around the Water-type, draining its strength.
Poliwag flailed in panic, splashing water in all directions, but the draining vines slowed its movements with each passing second.
Red didn't waste the opening. He pulled a Pokéball from his belt, holding it firm for a heartbeat before throwing it across the bank. The ball struck Poliwag, splitting open in a burst of red light that drew the Pokémon inside.
One shake.
Two.
Three—click.
The ball stilled. Another capture secured.
Red returned Bulbasaur to its original spot by the bank and gave it a small pinch of Pokémon food from his pack. Bulbasaur happily nibbled, while Charmeleon kept watch over the quieting creek.
---
Not far beyond the creek, the forest thickened again. Red had just stepped over a root when a blur dropped from above — a Mankey, screeching and swinging its fists.
Red's hand was already at his belt. He unclipped a Pokéball and threw it forward. "Charmeleon, let's go!"
In a flash of light, the Fire-type appeared, claws flexing as it faced the wild Mankey.
"Dragon Breath!"
Charmeleon inhaled deeply before unleashing a shimmering burst of energy straight into Mankey's chest, forcing it back a few paces.
"Scratch — hold back."
Charmeleon lunged, slashing just enough to stagger the opponent without knocking it out.
Red's Pokéball was in the air an instant later. It struck the Mankey, pulled it inside in a burst of red light, and rolled across the forest floor. One shake. Two. Three—click.
The Fire-type let out a low rumble of satisfaction. Red stepped forward, patting its shoulder once before they continued down the trail.
---
As the path began to slope upward, a large shadow swept across the ground. Red glanced up and spotted a Pidgeotto circling against the fading light, its wings cutting through the air with sharp precision.
Bigger than the average Pidgey—stronger too. It would be a worthy addition.
"Charmeleon, go!" Red called, releasing the fiery lizard in a flash of light.
Charmeleon's tail flame flared as it growled, eyes locked on the bird above.
"Ember—scatter it!"
A burst of flaming embers shot upward, forcing Pidgeotto to bank hard to avoid the attack. But that split-second dodge left it open.
"Now—Smokescreen!"
Thick black smoke billowed into the air, disorienting the bird as it flapped through the haze. Its movements grew erratic.
"Quick Attack, cut it off!"
Charmeleon lunged forward with surprising speed, slamming into Pidgeotto mid-flight and sending it crashing to the grass.
One swift throw of a Poké Ball later, it was his.
---
By now, the sun was low in the sky. The forest cast long shadows across the road, and the warm orange glow deepened into the first hints of evening.
Trainers heading back toward Pallet passed him on the trail, some with tired Pokémon in tow, others chatting in pairs. Red gave each a brief nod but didn't break pace. His focus was on reaching Viridian before nightfall.
---
The trees began to thin, replaced by open fields dotted with wildflowers swaying in the breeze. From the crest of the last hill, Red could see the distant glow of Viridian's streetlamps.
Both of his partners rested quietly inside their Poké Balls, clipped to his belt. The rhythmic weight of them was a steady reminder of the day's battles and the miles they had covered.
He descended the hill in silence, the crunch of his boots against the dirt path the only sound in the cooling air.
---
The cobblestone streets of Viridian stretched out before him, bathed in the gentle glow of lanterns and shopfront lights. The air smelled faintly of baked bread and warm pavement.
Red paused at the city's edge, letting his gaze travel over the buildings, the busy sidewalks, the distant hum of life.
Without a word, he adjusted his cap and stepped forward. The automatic doors of the Pokémon Center slid open with a soft hiss, spilling warm light into the cool evening air.
Tomorrow, the next step of his journey would begin.
---