FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Red stood in front of the door to the lab, bracing himself. It had only been a few days, but it seemed like forever since Red had been here, because in that time he had made a true friend. He looked down at his Charmander, which stood beside him. It had become routine for Red to leave it out of its ball now, and the two shared a companionship that probably wouldn't have been there otherwise. Red could've sworn the Pokémon understood him, and he felt like he was close to understanding it as well. The rational part of his mind told him that this was foolish, but he didn't care.

It had taken a few days for Red to make it back to Pallet Town by foot. He knew there was a shortcut, as one boy had eagerly told him that there were ledges he could hop, to reduce the time it would take to less than a day. But Red had never been a big fan of jumping, and the ledges around Viridian City had annoyed him. He had decided he would just keep away from them for a while. And the longer it took for him to get back, the more time he could spend with his Charmander.

It had grown considerably over the course of the return trip, and it had learned a new move, its first fire-type move. It would playfully shoot little streams of flame at leaves or bushes it passed by, and would eagerly watch them burn like a campfire. Red had taken some marshmallows from his pack that he hadn't realized were there - his mother always thought of everything - and enjoyed telling stories to the little Pokémon in the dark.

The Charmander had saved him from attack on more than one occasion. The first time, Red had tripped over a root, and gotten stuck in a tangle of vines that he couldn't escape. This was before it had learned to breathe fire; the Charmander had used Scratch, severing the vines with two swipes, and gotten Red out of a situation that would have left him stranded until a traveler should pass by, or a wild Pokémon should take advantage of his situation and attack him.

And that brought him to the second event. It was the dead of night, two days after this. Red had been awoken by a group of Rattata, who were squeaking menacingly as they made their way toward him. He recognized a few of them as the ones his Charmander had defeated earlier that day, and he quickly realized that this must be a ploy for revenge. The Charmander had growled fiercely at all of them, but to no avail; its Scratches also did little, because there were just too many. All hope seemed to be lost. The Charmander attacked one after another, saving its trainer, inches before they reached him. Red swung his pack repeatedly in an attempt to help. But they just kept coming.

And then, suddenly, the Charmander sent flares of fire into their midst, causing them to scatter and run. This was the first time the Charmander had used Ember. Red remembered the feeling of great relief and affection he had felt for his Pokémon. He had been thankful beyond belief. Once all the Rattata had ran off, Charmander had gone back to Red, cooing gently. It was then that he realized the real friendship the two shared, and always had, though he hadn't realized it before.

And now they were at the building where they first met, and Red knew what the consequences of going back might be. Because the Charmander had eaten Blue's Squirtle here after defeating it in its very first battle; it had devoured the weakened Pokémon right before his eyes, and there was not a thing Red could do to stop it. He had been horrified afterwards, and saw the Charmander as a monster, a beast that had to be gotten rid of. But he thought differently now that he had gotten a week to get to know the Pokémon.

He was sure that what it had done was a mistake. He knew that it what had done was only to impress him. It wasn't a violent type at all on its own, and it had not known the consequences of its actions. When it saw how upset Red had become, it felt regret, and tried to do everything it could to make up for it. Red saw this for what it was, and he forgave the Pokémon.

This was why he was so nervous to go back to the Lab. Professor Oak would likely see this in a totally different way. He might take the Pokémon away from him, and who knew what could happen to it then! Red was so scared that he had considered storing the Charmander away, maybe in his house, while he delivered the package the Viridian Mart clerk had given him. However, Charmander refused to go back in its ball. It seemed eager to get to the Lab. There was something knowing in its eyes, like it needed to share something. No matter what he did, the Charmander insisted they go into the Lab together. And so Red he took a deep breath.

And he opened the door.

Everyone seemed to gasp as he walked inside, with his Charmander right beside him. Red kept walking without greeting anyone. He didn't even look. It was like a dream; everything around him was blurred and his attention was focused solely on his destination, and on the Pokémon beside him. The Pokémon walked straight, solemn and business-like, paws by its side, which would have made Red laugh if he hadn't been so terrified.

"Ah!" said Professor Oak. "You're here! And just in time, too! I have something for you, and - yes, there he is!"

Blue walked into the lab as the Professor spoke, and Red noticed that he seemed completely happy and non-affected by the loss of his Pokémon. But he couldn't think about that now. He kept his attention on the Professor.

"Before you start," he began, "I need to know. Do you remember what happened last time I was here, after the battle?"

"Yes, of course! You won spectacularly, I've heard from my assistants. Something seems to be bothering you, Red. What is it?"

"Professor, I can't do it. I can't let it go! We've been through so much this week, Professor, and it's my friend. Please, don't make me get rid of my Charmander. . . ."

Professor Oak was quiet, and then said, "But, Red, what do you mean? No one has told you to release your Pokémon. No one would ever do that."

"Yeah," said Red anxiously. "But it ate Blue's Squirtle. And, I'm sorry, Blue, Professor, but I just can't get rid of my friend."

The Professor turned to Blue. "You didn't tell him?"

All was silent. Blue smirked. "I thought he already knew."

"Knew . . . what?" Red asked slowly, completely lost. What was going on?

Still grinning, Blue reached to his waistband and pulled off the Poke Ball that was there. He lifted it, and, looking into Red's eyes, called his Pokémon out. There was a mischievous gleam there.

Out on the floor in front of them, there appeared a Squirtle.

Red didn't even need to look close to see the star-shaped mark on its shell.

"But . . ."

"Red," the Professor explained soothingly. "It is a common practice among Pokémon to show their dominance to their defeated opponent. It gives them power and confidence, and it shows their trainer how strong they have become. Sometimes they even do it for fun."

The Professor walked around the desk and beckoned Red to sit down.

"When this happens, it is beneficial for both parties. The winner gains more experience, and the defeated Pokémon who joins it makes it stronger. At the same time, the other Pokémon gains strength as well. For however briefly, it is now part of the victor."

However briefly? Did that mean . . .?

"The design of Poke Balls and Pokémon Centers makes this possible. When a Pokémon is brought in, it is checked for foreign data. Any that it contains is recovered. The Pokémon or Pokémon are sent to the last Pokémon Center the trainer they belong to used last. The trainer can reclaim his Pokémon there."

A torrent of emotions ran over Red.

"When a Pokémon is consumed, it reverts to the same form as when it is called to its Poke Ball. This is why Pokémon Centers are so important. It is completely harmless."

Harmless? Red was bombarded with questions. "But how do you know the Pokémon doesn't feel pain? How do you know it doesn't suffer?!" How? How? How?

"Well, I would think that they would tell us! Or more appropriately, the other Pokémon, if they minded it." The Professor chuckled. "You don't believe me. Go ahead, ask your Charmander."

Red opened his mouth, but then closed it. He could see the truth in the Pokémon's eyes. And he realized: this was what it had wanted him to know. The communication between him and his Charmander was not his imagination. The Pokémon wasn't just a mindless creature. It had a heart, and a soul. A pang of guilt ran through him as he realized how badly he had treated it.

"This may work for caught Pokémon," the Professor continued, "but for wild Pokémon it is different. Wild Pokémon do not use Poke Balls. When a wild Pokémon consumes another, it is final and absolute. But when they are caught by a trainer, they are freed of this burden."

"But then - that's evil! How could you end something else's life like that!?"

"No Pokémon is evil, Red. The lives of Pokémon are very different from ours, with different sets of rules and customs. They do what they must to survive. But on a happier note, when a newly caught Pokémon is brought to a Pokémon Center, many wild Pokémon are released that day. A caught Pokémon will act largely as its trainer does, because that is what it knows. But just as human emotions are complex, so are a Pokémon's. Always treat Pokémon with respect, and you needn't worry about anything else."

Red was quiet again. He still had a hard time believing it, but the more the Professor talked, and the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. This was what the real world was like. And he realized that he was happy. He could keep his Charmander. He looked to it, and it softly cooed back.

"Professor, what was it you wanted to tell us?"

"Oh! Yes. I almost forgot. I want you two both to help me with something. But first I need what is in that parcel."

Red handed it to him, and he opened it and pulled out a ball. "Ah, this is the custom Poke Ball I ordered!" Professor Oak seemed to study it for a moment before saying, "I have a special assignment for the two of you."

He pointed to his desk. "On the desk there is my invention, Pokédex! It automatically records data on Pokémon you've seen or caught. It's a high-tech encyclopedia!" He went to his desk brought the little handheld pads over to the boys. "Red! Blue! I want you to take these with you!"

Red took his - Pokédex, was it called? - and turned it in his hands thoughtfully. The machine was a reddish color and had even more buttons on it than the PC back in the Pokémon Center in Viridian City had. But these were labeled, and he didn't bother asking the Professor about them.

"To make a complete guide on all the Pokémon in the world . . . That was my dream! But, I'm too old! I can't do it! So I want you two to fulfill my dream for me!"

"Of course!" said Red instantly. He felt like he owed it to the Professor, somehow.

"Definitely!" agreed Blue eagerly. He was excited by the prospect of an adventure.

"Get moving, you two! This is a great undertaking in Pokémon history! I'm sure you will make excellent work in the world of Pokémon! It is your destiny."

Destiny. This was something Red hadn't heard before. But he liked it.

"Alright Gramps! Leave it all to me!" declared Blue. "Red, I hate to say it, but I don't need you!" He pushed him tauntingly. "I know! I'll borrow a town map from my sis! I'll tell her not to lend you one, Red!"

He left, laughing his head off. Red didn't mind. He had just remembered. Daisy. . . . He turned to the Professor with a new sense of purpose.

"Pokémon all around the world wait for you, Red!" said Professor Oak. I know you will do a great job. I wish you luck!"

Red left the Lab and made a beeline straight for Blue's house, where he knew Daisy would be waiting. His heart fluttered in his chest.

He hadn't talked to her since maybe a week before he left. They had been friends for as long as Red could remember, even though she knew that he and her brother didn't get along. Red's secret was this: he had a crush on her. While he didn't think she knew it, he saw that sometimes she would make an action, or say something, that hinted that she knew how he felt. She was only a year older than him, so the friendship wasn't unreasonable.

He arrived at Blue's house (which was next door to the lab, so it didn't take long), and took a deep breath. He called the Charmander back into its ball and nervously knocked on the door. He didn't think it would be polite to just walk inside. Not on her.

"What are you doing back here?" called an annoyed voice from inside the house. "I'm not giving you anything else, so you can just . . ." She stopped as she opened the door. "Oh, Red! It's great to see you! Come inside!"

She was taller than him, but only by a little. The difference would be made up in a few years. She had long, brown hair and always wore a green headband over it. She had a confident personality and laugh that left you breathless. In Red's opinion, she was the most beautiful girl in all of Kanto.

She closed the door behind him and explained, "My brother was just here. He wanted a map, like he doesn't already know all of Kanto by heart. He studied that thing daily before he left."

"Was he here?"

"Oh yeah, he just left, like a minute before you came. He was going on about some Pokédex Grandpa gave him and a mission to get more Pokémon than you."

Red's ears grew red. "Well, to be honest, I don't really mind. I don't care much for completing the Pokédex. I mean, I just want to be a good trainer."

"I'd bet anything you'll be better than Blue," she stated. "He's too impatient to do much of anything. Hey, I already saw his Squirtle but I never got to meet your Pokémon. Can I see it?"

"Oh, yeah!" Red was glad she had asked. He had wanted the two to meet, but he wasn't sure how to suggest it himself. He let Charmander out of its Poke Ball and she gasped.

"Ooh! It's so cute!" She eagerly pet its head it and seemed to enjoy it. "You look really strong already, too," she observed, this time talking directly to the Charmander. "You'll be the top dog in no time! And you've got an awesome trainer taking care of you, so you'll have no problem."

"Char, char!" said Charmander happily, and Daisy laughed. It wagged its tail a little, but not so much as to let the fire on its tail become a problem in the closed confines of her house.

"You guys will definitely go somewhere," said Daisy thoughtfully. "A lot further than me, anyway." She laughed again. "I never made much of a trainer."

"Well, that's just it," Red confessed. "Charmander's great, and it's strong enough, but we're always getting lost. It's been a real problem."

"I've got something for that. Wait here." She walked across the room and began to rummaging through a drawer. After a minute she exclaimed, "Here it is!" and came back to the table Red was sitting at. "Here, this will help you!"

Red unfolded the piece of paper she had given him, and it didn't take long for him to realize what it was. "Oh!"

"Use the Town Map to find out where you are," Daisy said. "There are some places that it doesn't give the full directions to, like Viridian Forest. But most Routes are labeled, and cities, too."

"This is great!" Red said. "I mean this is really, really good! I got lost in Viridian City." He laughed. "Now I don't have to worry."

"I'm glad you like it." Daisy smiled. "It's getting late. . . . We've been here a while. You probably can't wait to begin your journey, can you? And you too!" she said playfully to the Charmander, which was now lying in her lap. It lifted its head and cooed softly at her. Red and Daisy laughed.

"Yeah, I guess so," Red admitted. But he didn't really want to go. This was the first real talk he'd had with Daisy for a long time. "Listen. Before I go, there's something I need to tell you." He was unsure of what he should say next. He wanted to tell her that he really cared for her, and that no matter what happened he would come back to see her again. But he felt silly saying it, because the subject had never been breached before.

He was saved the trouble.

"I know what you're thinking," said Daisy softly. "I've never said it before, but I really like you. And I know you've felt the same way about me for a long time. I notice how you act when we're together." She paused and placed a hand over his. "I would love if you and Charmander could come back and visit sometime."

The world was spinning, and Red felt like he would fall and never stop. She liked him! He was gripped in a tight embrace of shock and happiness. Charmander must have noticed it because it began to wag its tail again. This day could not get any better.

"It was really nice stopping by here before I left," Red acknowledged. He was glad his voice was steady. In his mind he felt like stammering into the stars.

"And I'm glad I got to see you," said Daisy. She sounded normal again. She got up from her chair, which was good because Red wasn't sure he'd be able to move on his own. He followed suit and she walked him to the door.

"You may want to put Charmander back into its Poke Ball," she observed, pointing to the Pokémon who had followed right behind.

"No, that's not a problem. I mean, it likes to stay outside. It's cool."

"Awww!" Daisy said. "I've heard of people who keep their Pokémon outside their Balls before, but I've never actually seen it. You two make a great team."

"Thanks," Red said. He couldn't stand being there any longer. "Well, until next time, I suppose."

Daisy kissed him on the cheek, and he felt like he was standing on a cloud. "Until next time," she confirmed.

Red wanted to skip and jump all the way to Viridian City.

And that's exactly what he did.

---

Red was on Route 22 when a Mankey jumped out from the long grass and attacked him. It was a few days later, and instead of proceeding directly to Viridian Forest, Red had decided to take a detour to check out the Pokémon League Gate. And here was a Mankey opposing him. Charmander finished it off quickly.

Red felt invincible. No matter what Pokémon stood against him and his Charmander, none made even a dent in their health. As it was, he almost felt like he could challenge the Pokémon League now. Of course, he wasn't so confident as to be stupid. He chuckled to himself for even considering the idea. Still . . .

Res heard some talking ahead, and it sounded familiar. A pit dropped in his stomach, but then he realized this could be another opportunity to show him up. Blue didn't seem at all surprised to see Red there.

"Hey! Red! You're going to the Pokémon League?" He smirked and made an L shape with his fingers. "Forget it! You probably don't have any badges! The guard won't let you through!"

"I just wanted to check it out. Y'know, size it up. I can't imagine you'd think to do that. Why are you here, anyway?"

Blue looked like he'd been smacked in the face, but he quickly recovered, a sly grin forming. "By the way, did your Pokémon get any stronger?"

"You're really going to ask that? Or is this a challenge?"

"Yeah. Let's fight, Red!"

"You're on." He pointed and his Charmander jumped in from of him, teeth bared. Red remembered something and smiled grimly. Blue didn't notice.

"Pokémon aren't supposed to live outside their Poke Balls, you know," he shot. "You're going to get yourself into trouble for that one of these days."

"Jealous? I bet your Pokémon just don't like you enough. Or maybe you don't like your Pokémon. Maybe you're not good enough."

This was too far. Blue was furious. "Oh yeah? I'll show you! Go, Pidgey!"

Red shuddered as the Pidgey attacked. He shook himself and reminded himself that this was real, and that he needed to get a grip. He couldn't be caught up by an old dream now. The Pidgey blew sand at his Charmander, and it was momentarily blinded. He cursed.

"Charmander, use Ember!" he ordered, but while the fire shot from his Pokémon's maw, it met no target. It had missed, feet from where the Pidgey stood.

Red tensed. His Pokémon couldn't see. How was it supposed to fight? Then he had an idea. "Use Growl!"

Though Charmander couldn't see, it could still growl, and with its eyes squinted shut it looked even more fearsome. The Pidgey recoiled and blew a Gust at his Charmander. The sand was blown away. Ha! Charmander could attack again, and it did just that. The Ember burned the opposing Pidgey, and it hurt. A lot.

Blue ordered the Pidgey to use Sand Attack again, but though Charmander was again blinded, the Pidgey could take no more. It dropped to the ground, the burn having taken its toll.

Red cheered. "Hold on," said Blue. "I still have one more Pokémon." He didn't look worried at all.

But Red had seen the false confidence act too many times to be worried. "Oh yeah? Bring it! Charmander will defeat any Pokémon you throw at it."

But the Charmander really didn't look like it would agree. It was panting heavily, and once again had sand in its eyes. It was frantically trying to clear them out, but Red didn't notice.

"And you thought you could beat me!"

Blue smirked. "Heh. We'll see." He threw his Poke Ball and out came Squirtle, his first Pokémon. He had gotten it at the same time Red had gotten his Charmander.

"You think you can beat me with that little turtle? Or maybe you forget our first battle?"

"Squirtle, use Tackle!"

Squirtle drove its shell into Charmander's side, sending it painfully through the air. Red flinched. "Charmander, use Ember!"

In midair, Charmander twisted around and blew fire at the Squirtle, who blew it away like it was air. Of course. Fire moves were not very effective against water type Pokémon.

"Nice try, Red. Your Pokémon has learned its own element. Too bad mine has, too. Squirtle, use Bubble!"

Water moves were super effective against Fire Pokémon. This wasn't good. "Charmander!" Red said, now that it was back on the ground, "jump up and spin!" Charmander looked at him tiredly and did as it was told. It jumped right as the water bubbles shot past, and spun right out of reach of the stray edge shots.

Ha! It worked! But Red had no time to celebrate. The Squirtle jumped, inside its shell, and spun right towards the Charmander. It hit, and as it did so it poked out its head and latched on as the Charmander fell back to the ground.

It hit hard. It tried to get up, but it was no good, and it fell on its stomach. The Squirtle released it, and stood haughtily over it. Then it reached down and grabbed the Pokémon's tail. The flame not even affecting it, the Squirtle slurped it up. Then it grabbed its hind paws and licked them over before scarfing those down, too. Defeated, too weak to move, Charmander did nothing.

In a swift motion, it was drawn halfway into its predator. Squirtle continued to taste over its meal, murring gently. Charmander reached out and actually rubbed the Squirtle's stomach from the outside before its front paws were pulled inside by the Squirtle's tongue. It was playing the perfect part of submissive prey.

A few gulps later and the Squirtle's tongue was wrapped around its head. Charmander squeezed its eyes shut and slid down the victor's throat. And then it was gone.

Squirtle stood proudly, arm out, with a "peace" sign formed by two fingers. If it had sunglasses it would have looked perfect. It was victorious.

"Yeah!" crowed Blue. "Am I great or what?"

Red remembered what the Professor had said and was careful not to let his doubts show. "Aww, you just lucked out," he muttered.

"I hear the Pokémon League has many tough trainers," said Blue. "I have to figure out how to get past them." Then he smirked. "You should quit dawdling and get a move on. That is, if you don't give up now. Personally, I hope you don't, because then I can beat you again further down the road."

He pointed at his Pokémon. "Consider this payback." Squirtle emphasized this with a pat of its belly.

"Smell ya later, Red!"

Red trudged back to Viridian City. He felt strange. Lonely. This was his first time really separated from the Charmander for almost two weeks. He knew he would see it again, but it was an uncomfortable feeling.

And this was his first loss. Well, he had to lose once and a while, right?

It seemed his journey had really begun.

TO BE CONTINUED