Three years slipped by like a gentle stream, carving new paths and deepening old bonds. For Red, those years were a quiet forge. Under the watchful, playful eyes of his mythical friend, Mew, he and his Beedrill trained relentlessly in the hidden depths of the forest. They grew stronger together, their partnership solidifying from a chance encounter into an unbreakable bond.
And now, the day had arrived. At ten years old, a child in the world of Pokémon was considered ready to begin their own journey. It was the day Red had been waiting for his entire second life.
In Kanto, receiving one of the three official starter Pokémon—a Charmander, a Squirtle, or a Bulbasaur—was a rite of passage, but not a simple one. It required a significant registration fee paid to the Pokémon League and an official recommendation from a regional Professor. This was the exact reason Red had begun his apprenticeship at the Oak Lab so young; his mother, Delia, would have otherwise struggled to cover the fees for both him and his twin brother.
The arrangement had worked out perfectly. In exchange for Red's prodigious assistance, Professor Oak had gladly covered the costs for both boys, ensuring that financial hurdles wouldn't stand in the way of their dreams. It also meant Red never lacked for proper nutrition, and his consistent training had honed his physique to be far sturdier than that of his peers.
"Morning, Mom," Red said, coming down the stairs, already dressed and ready.
Delia turned from the stove, a warm smile on her face. "Good morning, dear. You're up early. What about your brother?"
"Ash is trying to bargain for another five minutes of sleep," Red replied with a knowing smirk. "I have a feeling he might be a little late today."
He could have easily woken Ash, but he chose not to. Red knew some things were woven into the fabric of fate. For Ash, oversleeping today was not a mistake but the first step toward meeting his lifelong partner. Red had no intention of interfering with that destiny.
After a quick breakfast, he stepped out into the bright Pallet Town morning. A sharp-eyed observer would have noticed the single, unassuming Poké Ball already clipped to his belt. Inside rested his Beedrill, whose power had soared to unbelievable heights. Tempered by three years of sparring with Mew, its strength was now formidable, capable of challenging even the Pokémon of the Elite Four's strongest trainers.
A small crowd of neighbors and family friends had gathered outside the Oak Laboratory. When they saw Red approach, a wave of warm applause and cheerful encouragement erupted. In a small town like Pallet, every new trainer's departure was a celebrated event, a moment of shared pride.
After exchanging a few brief greetings, Red entered the lab. Inside, two other trainers were already waiting: Gary Oak, and a girl with kind eyes and long brown hair tucked under a white and red cap. She wore a light blue top and a red skirt, a yellow bag slung over her shoulder. It was Leaf, a close friend Red had made at that fateful summer camp three years ago.
"Well, look who's here. I never thought I'd see the day you were late, Red," Leaf teased with a friendly smile.
"Had a small delay," Red replied simply.
The delay had been a quiet, bittersweet farewell. He and Beedrill had gone to their training spot one last time to say goodbye to Mew. The Mythical Pokémon had rubbed its cheek against Red's, its expression one of pure reluctance. But it understood. After one final, affectionate nuzzle, Mew had wished Red well and vanished in a flicker of pink light, embarking on its own journey once more.
"Red, my boy, ah... how to put this..." Professor Oak began, scratching his head with an air of awkwardness. "There's been a bit of an... incident regarding the Charmander I had set aside for you."
"An incident?" Red asked, his curiosity piqued. It was highly unusual for an official League-certified starter to have any issues.
"You'll see for yourself," the Professor said, gesturing toward the machine in the center of the room. He activated it, and a carousel presented three Poké Balls. Gary stepped forward first, a confident grin on his face.
"Sorry, Red, but since you had your heart set on Charmander..." he said, snatching the Poké Ball containing Squirtle. "I've been looking forward to this little guy for a long time!"
Red smiled faintly. Gary's choice was driven by more than just preference; it was a strategic move, selecting a Pokémon with a clear type advantage over his rival's future choice.
"Then I'll choose Bulbasaur!" Leaf announced happily, taking the remaining Poké Ball. Red noticed the subtle sigh of relief she let out, glad that her preferred partner was still available.
With the other two chosen, Red silently picked up the last Poké Ball—the one meant for him. He was intrigued by what kind of "incident" could have happened.
"Come on out, Charmander."
He tossed the ball. But instead of an eager Pokémon, what erupted from it was a furious jet of fire.
"Red, look out!" Leaf cried in alarm.
"It's fine," Gary said calmly, crossing his arms. "A little fire like that won't even scratch him."
He was right. A shimmering barrier of pure Aura materialized in front of Red, effortlessly deflecting the Flamethrower. As the flames died down, the Pokémon was revealed. It was a Charmander, but one unlike any other. It stood nearly a meter tall, its scales a deeper shade of orange, and its pupils burned with the intensity of crimson embers. It radiated an aura of pure, untamed aggression.
"Professor," Red began, his eyes sharp and analytical, "this Charmander's bloodline... it's different, isn't it?"
"That's right!" Professor Oak confirmed, his initial embarrassment giving way to academic excitement. "Its parent is a pure-blooded Dragon-type of pseudo-legendary lineage! It has inherited an incredible genetic potential, but also an extremely combative personality. It... accidentally injured the original Charmander during transport. We had no choice but to assign this one to you, hoping you'd be the only one capable of handling it!"
Oak watched Red's expression carefully but saw no trace of disappointment. Instead, a slight, satisfied smile played on Red's lips.
"Good thing I didn't pick Charmander," Gary muttered under his breath, earning him a hostile glare from the fiery Pokémon. If Red hadn't been standing right there, the Charmander looked ready to shut Gary up with another Flamethrower.
"I'm very satisfied with you," Red said directly to the Charmander, his voice calm yet firm. "But now isn't the time to test your strength." He focused his psychic energy, gently compelling the volatile Pokémon back into its Poké Ball before it could cause any more chaos.
"You two should release your Pokémon and get acquainted!" the Professor suggested.
Gary immediately let out his Squirtle, which, after a moment of shyness, happily accepted his trainer's enthusiastic embrace. Leaf, however, hesitated, unnerved by the Charmander's explosive entrance.
"Don't worry, Leaf. Red's Charmander was a very special case," Professor Oak reassured her.
Encouraged, Leaf released her Bulbasaur. The Grass-type Pokémon, sensing her apprehension, gently extended a vine in a gesture of friendship. Leaf's fear melted away, and she knelt down to hug her new partner, who squinted its eyes in delight.
Seeing the three new trainers with their partners, Professor Oak straightened his lab coat. He carefully explained the functions of the Pokédex and the standard set of Poké Balls, offering crucial advice for the journey ahead.
"And these are for you," he finished, handing each of them their gear.
Red noticed his Pokédex felt different. It was sleeker, its design more advanced. It was a custom model, a unique piece of technology he and the Professor had collaborated on improving. For now, it was the only one of its kind in the world.
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