Professor Oak's eyes were wide as he stared at the boy. "Blue? Why, I haven't seen you in ages! Come here!" The professor moved to hug the teenager, who very briefly obliged. "What brings you home?"

"Well, I had to greet the new trainer here. I've heard so much from you and little sis about the kid. Figured it'd be fair to start him off with a battle from a real trainer," Blue smirked, taking the Poké Ball in his hand and idly tossing it.

Professor Oak's brow furrowed. "Wonderful to hear, Blue. Well, I was just about to give Red his first Pokémon."

Blue crossed his arms. "Hey Gramps, you realize he's the only kid in this town, right? What's your plan for the other three?"

The Professor didn't seem to have much of an answer. "I suppose I would keep them here, maybe give them to another researcher? I'm not really sure."

Blue pointed his thumb at me. "Give 'em to old chatterbox. That way they can actually do something."

"Hmmm. Perhaps that wouldn't be the worst idea... All these Pokémon have been in the lab together for so long, it'd be good for them to stay as a team." Professor Oak pondered the suggestion. "Would you like to take the other three?"

I nodded to accept the offer, why would I turn down getting more Pokémon? Professor Oak handed each of the Poké Balls to me, and I added each one to my belt.

"Alright kid, let's see what you've got. I'll be your first battle! Although it'll go so fast you won't even remember it!" Blue remarked, and he opened the Poké Ball he had been holding, revealing a Pokémon with yellow rings and a black body.

The quadruped glared at me with its red eyes. It seemed to have a mysterious energy to itself, shifting from foot to foot as it waited for the battle to begin.

I wonder who that Pokémon is? I thought as I threw Squirtle's Poké Ball in the air, in a flash of light the water turtle appeared. Squirtle was a bipedal Pokémon with baby blue skin, he resembled a turtle and had an orange shell on his back.

"Alright Umbreon, use Shadow Claw!" Blue ordered, and the Pokémon, presumably Umbreon, charged forward. The opposing Pokémon's claws shone with purple energy and it swung them at my Pokémon.

Squirtle tried to dodge but was hit by the claw right into a wall. I and Squirtle shared a glance, I wasn't sure how to command my Pokémon. It's not like he knows sign language. I sighed, unsure what to do.

Suddenly Squirtle got up and ran forward, tackling the Umbreon.

"Looks like your Pokémon has some fighting instincts in him. Let's see if he can take this! Dark Pulse!" Blue shouted, and Umbreon began charging some type of black blast. The foe quickly fired it, hitting Squirtle dead on. The turtle was thrown back and rolled across the ground, falling unconscious.

I recalled Squirtle and threw Bulbasaur's Poké Ball out next. Bulbasaur was a green quadruped Pokémon with a gigantic green bulb on its back. The Seed Pokémon looked at me and ran at Umbreon. Bulbasaur threw his weight into Umbreon, but the Dark-Type shrugged him off with ease.

"Pathetic! Umbreon use Dark Pulse again!" Blue commanded and the Umbreon complied, firing the blast at Bulbasaur and knocking him unconscious.

Blue glanced at me. "Why aren't you commanding your Pokémon, kid? Do you not know how this works?"

I tilted my head at him and Professor Oak sighed. "Blue, do you not know?"

Blue seemed confused, and so I signed to him that I was mute. This did not seem to register in his head. I rolled my eyes and made an x over my throat. "Ohhhh, I just assumed you were weird. How are you supposed to be a trainer if you can't talk?"

I shrugged. I had figured that I could figure something out like I usually had to, but it wasn't like I was given the opportunity before being flung into this battle. Let's just continue this fight!

I recalled Bulbasaur and sent in Pikachu next. Pikachu was a yellow bipedal mouse with two red spots on its cheeks that were sparking with electricity. Once again we shared a glance and this time the electric mouse used some type of electric move, the tiny shock hitting the Umbreon.

"This is sad. I'm sad, right now. Breaking the trend of Pallet Town legends, huh? Umbreon, wrap this up with Shadow Claw!" Blue ordered. Umbreon ran forward, his claws glowing again.

Please dodge it... Pikachu quickly dove out of the way and used another thunder shock. Pikachu had quick reflexes and good instincts, it seemed.

"Shadow Claw!" Blue told The Umbreon and it scrambled to get up and growled. Running at Pikachu again.

Dodge and shock him again! I thought, and Pikachu did exactly as I hoped. The mouse dodged the swipes narrowly and unleashed another jolt of electricity. I think I'm getting the hang of this trainer thing!

"You won't win! Use Quick Attack!" Blue thrust his hand forward and Umbreon ran forward so quickly I couldn't react. The opposing Pokémon caught Pikachu off guard and hit the electric mouse to the ground.

"Now! Last Resort!" Blue's Umbreon was enveloped in a white glow, it ran forward and Pikachu was blinded by the light. The mouse was the victim of a collision that knocked out Pikachu. Umbreon skidded to a stop and then shook out its body.

Well done, buddy. I thought, recalling the Pikachu. I took a breath and sent out my final Pokemon, Charmander. Charmander was a bipedal lizard with orange skin and a yellow belly. There was a red flame burning brightly at the tip of his tail. The fire lizard turned and smiled at me, his tail burning brightly.

"Finish this! Shadow Claw!" Blue shouted, and Umbreon charged at Charmander. The lizard seemed to be waiting for me to say something. Charmander, strike back! We need to take him down!

Charmander then faced down his foe and began to run. The lizard's claws started to glow as he ran forward, preparing to strike as Umbreon approached. They each landed their attacks, and Charmander collapsed, fainting from the damage. I recalled the Pokémonand frowned, this match felt a bit unfair. Umbreon barely seemed to be worn down.

"Don't feel bad kid, you were never going to win. Even if your Pokémon could actually understand you." Blue remarked, returning his Umbreon. "See you around. I'm not counting on it, but if you become a half-decent trainer I might decide I want a rematch."

Blue sauntered out of the lab with a weak wave, leaving me to marinate in my loss.

Professor Oak sighed. "I apologize, Red. Blue hasn't been coping well with the changes in his life. Don't let him get you down. Here, let me heal your Pokémon." Professor Oak offered. I handed the Professor my Poké Balls and he took them to a machine in the back of his laboratory.

I heard the lab doors open again and turned to see who the visitor was. I saw my friend, Daisy Oak. Blue's younger sister. She was the same age as me, and the same height. She had brown hair that went down to just above her shoulders, and the same green eyes as Blue.

The smile on her face was far more genuine, and she bounced over to the Professor and me. Daisy was dressed in white sneakers and blue jean shorts, wearing a large turquoise jacket with a white shirt underneath.

Daisy approached me and glanced back at the door. "Guessing you had the misfortune of running into Blue?"

I signed to her that Blue had made a big show of introducing himself to me and then battling me. I then told her that I finally had Pokémon.

Daisy's eyes widened. "He... battled you? Wait a minute, which Pokémon did you pick?"

"He didn't have to." Professor Oak answered for me, handing me my four Poké Balls. "I decided, with some input from your brother, that it'd be best to give Red all four Pokémon. They've been together for some time, and he's the last trainer in this town so they aren't going to get any more use."

"Well, that's awesome!" Daisy responded. "Don't let Blue get to you, he's a total jerk," Daisy assured me. "He's doing his Gym Challenge in Johto, though. So, we shouldn't run into him much. That aside, can I meet your new team?"

I nodded in response and threw the four Poké Balls in the air, in a flash of light Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Pikachu were all standing there. I caught the empty Poké Balls and returned them to my belt.

"Hello there everyone! I can't believe you're all going on a big journey together!" Daisy cooed, Bulbasaur smiled and a vine extended from his bulb which waved at Daisy. Squirtle struck a bit of a pose before nodding to the girl.

Charmander seemed to be not paying us any mind, yawning and flicking his tail idly. Pikachu sat next to him with a completely neutral expression.

"Yep. That's these four alright." Daisy concluded, chucking at the display. "You're going to do great on your journey, I just know it! It's not going to be the same with all five of you gone, honestly." Daisy's smile seemed to waver. She had plans to go on her journey after turning ten a few months ago, but it was delayed when Blue vanished to go on his adventure.

Professor Oak shook his head and went to his desk, producing a small box from within. "Well Daisy, that reminds me. This is for you." The man handed the box to his granddaughter, who tore it open. Inside the box was a Poké Ball. Daisy took it out and held it in her hands.

"What is this?" Daisy's voice was shaking with excitement as a smile started to spread.

Professor Oak smiled at the girl. "No more waiting. She was an egg from one of your mother's Pokémon."

Daisy's eyes widened and she opened the Poké Ball, revealing a Venonat in a flash of light. Venonat was a round, purple bug with two antennae sticking out from its head. It was very hairy and had two red bug eyes.

A few tears glistened in the girl's eyes. "Grandpa... are you sure?"

Professor Oak nodded. "Go out there, Daisy." The man handed her a red device, a Poké Dex. "You'll do more for me living your life, I assure you." Daisy threw her arms around Professor Oak. They remained in an embrace for a few moments.

Daisy took a few steps back and brushed the tears from her eyes. She grinned at me and returned Venonat. "Well, Red. How about a traveling companion?"

I eagerly nodded. Me and my friend, taking on the Kanto Region? How could I ever refuse? Daisy quickly gave me a hug before backing away.

"Let's meet at the town exit in an hour. I gotta pack! This is so exciting! See ya then!" Daisy seemed to barely be able to contain her energy. The girl turned and ran out of the lab with a spring in her step.