The Pokemon League requires all new Trainers who're beginning their journeys to have a controlled partner for their first Pokemon and not some random wild capture, not that someone can capture a wild pokemon without weakening them beforehand.
Professor Oak was given the responsibility for registering trainers from Pallet Town and providing them their starter pokemon. As far as I know, starter pokemon are special, they aren't found in the wild, meaning they're probably bred somewhere else for controlled distribution and are really powerful 3 stage evolution line pokemon. I like all of the starter pokemon equally now, as I grew older I came to appreciate each starter for the potential they have, even Chikorita.
I know the options the Prof will give us, the three starters of the Kanto region. Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur. So does Blue, he mocks me "Go ahead Red, your choice won't matter much to me"
Prof Oak brings us to a table and continues "There are 3 pokemon held here inside these three pokeballs. When I was young, I was a hardcore Pokemon Trainer. My First Partner was the one I battled with the most. Pick your starter carefully".
'I don't think that'll help a person decide their starter quickly Prof' I think quietly before scooting to the table to take a look at them.
I was faced with a Charmander with it's huge bulging eyes looking at whatever moves in it's sight, I could tell it was itching to go outside. Next to it was a Squirtle looking peaceful as ever, I knew he'll be a good pick since he has high defence and special defense. Looking over I noticed a Bulbasaur, with it's large, red eyes and small, sharp teeth who's already looking for a fight.
I know Charmander evolves into a Beast who can mega evolve to get arguably the strongest typing of all, the Dragon typing. I can also choose Bulbasaur who's regarded as the best starter for the Kanto Region. But I've already made my choice.
"I choose you, Squirtle!" I say while pointing to Squirtle, it being oblivious to what's happening before him.
"That Pokemon is worth raising" I hear Prof Oak say. He doesn't stop me from reaching towards the pokeball and taking it for myself.
"Thank you, Professor" I'm overjoyed after obtaining my first Pokemon out of the many I'll own. I knew the Original Red had all the starters at one point, so I don't need to fret over my pick. I'll eventually catch them all.
"I'll take this one then" says Blue coming over to Bulbasaur.
I genuinely thought he'd be too cocky to be picking my counter. 'Well my first battle isn't far away it seems.'
Prof Oak gave both of us a pokedex each. He did give Blue some preferential treatment by providing him with a backpack with the town map and other necessities inside. I didn't care as I can arrange them myself.
"Hey Red, Let's have a battle outside. I can't wait to see your defeated face."
"Bring it on, Blue."
My first time throwing the pokeball was very awkward. I was nervous I'd throw it too far. Prof Oak showed me how to throw pokeballs as they are motion activated, so I couldn't simply press the button to let Squirtle out.
Pokemon are creatures who can shrink themselves to fit into pokeballs, this is a characteristic shared by all pokemon. Hence the term pokemon was created by combining the two words 'poke' referring to pocket and 'mon' to monsters.
I watch for the first time as my Squirtle pops out of the pokeball in a bipedal stance unlike the turtles I've seen in my life so far, well my previous life since I'm Red now.
He looks like a small, light-blue turtle Pokémon just like in the anime. Its small shell seems highly sturdy, so that it can hide within its shell to protect itself from physical attacks.
I bring out the pokedex to scan him and get his information.
The dex says he has a gentle nature which I already guessed, with the ability Torrent which makes his water type moves have greater power if he's injured.
Right now he only knows how to tackle and tail whip, both normal type moves and I'm guessing so does Bulbasaur. Which will make the battle evenly matched if not in my advantage since squirtle has more defense than Bulbasaur.
"Will you name your Squirtle, Red?" Prof Oaks asks nonchalantly.
"Yes, your name will be Bob from now on" I say the first name that comes to mind when I think of something as cool and gentle like this little guy.
Bob, the squirtle makes a high pitched watery cry, "squirt-squirt" which didn't sound aggressive so I take it he's okay with the name.
"Don't keep me waiting, Red"
I face Blue for my first battle ever. I wouldn't lose against an annoying kid like him ever.
Prof Oak gave me a crash course on how pokemon battles work, the pokemon who faints first will be the loser or alternatively if the trainer gives up during the battle, their opponent will be declared the winner.
I don't know have a winning plan, but I know that offense is the best defense.
"Bob use tackle!"
Bob immediately understood my command and rushes forward to tackle the bulbasaur, who is larger and heavier than him. I don't think the Bulbasaur will dodge this as it looks to be the angry dumbass type, just like his trainer. And I'm proven right as the tackle lands.
"Use growl Bulbasaur" Blue commands.
'What does that move do' just then I see the bulbasaur growling at my squirtle, it's guttural sound seemingly frightening Bob.
This might be a problem if the fight lasts too long. The landed hit didn't seem to deal huge damage on the bulbasaur anyways.
"Use tackle now bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur accelerates in but Bob withdraws inside his shell to defend it's attack successfully.
"Keep tackling him whenever you can Bob!" I don't know if my words are understood by Bob but it replies with a calm sounding cry "squirt".
Bob then rushes forward for the second time to tackle bulbasaur, this time he misses his target by a step.
"Too bad Red, seems like my Bulbasaur is stronger, tackle him and end this fight"
Bulbasaur tackles Bob again and this time Bob couldn't withdraw in time to defend the incoming attack. But Blue couldn't have estimated that the smaller and lighter Bob has higher defense than his heavier bulbasaur.
"So he's durable huh? Let's put that to the test!" Blue arrogantly shouts.
Dust swirled across the rocky ground. As bulbasaur and squirtle exchanged hits, at the end of this dirty brawl involving no techniques whatsoever Bob the Squirtle stood firm where as Bulbasaur didn't rise.
'Wow I didn't do shit that battle, Bob carried my ass' I still claim my pokemon's victory as mine. This was less of a battle for me and more of a spectacle.
"It seems like I need to battle more and toughen up my pokemon to face you again. You got lucky this time around Red, but a win is a win. You can earn by winning in battle against other trainers, it's part of the official rules by the pokemon league. Bye Gramps, Smell ya later Red." Blue admits his loss and gives me a sum of money.
I don't mind earning money by beating people up to make my pokemon stronger. It's like catching two birds with one stone.
"Your pokemon is already attached to you Red, it seems you're very talented at being a Pokemon trainer. You do need to battle more to make your pokemon stronger, seek out stronger foes and pokemon to earn gym badges, it'll serve as proof that your capability as a trainer is high" Prof Oak says before going back to his research.
Blue and I parted ways after leaving Prof Oak's Lab. I knew the path to take to return to my home now. It's weird to refer to Red's home as mine but it seems I'm stuck as Red for now. I don't mind it at all, it was one of my biggest fantasies to be in the Pokemon world which is now true. I just hope that my family is safe and I didn't die in my world. I have a theory me and Red exchanged places but who'd make that happen? Arceus? Or maybe time at Earth is paused until I go back to it like in most isekai anime. I don't really want to think of it and enjoy my time here.
Every moment is precious and I can tell Bob leveled up from the experience accumulated from the prior battle but he's still inexperienced. Next time Blue will have a full team of six pokemon and I need to be prepared as well. There's a lot to do and not much time.
The Original Red was singlehandedly responsible for bringing down the crime organisation of Kanto, Team Rocket. An Evil organisation experimenting on pokemon and creating the first artificial pokemon, Mewtwo from the DNA of Mew. Mew itself has the DNA of all Pokemon so I can't think of how they made Mewtwo.
Well I'll have my pokemon by my side, I don't need to tackle all this alone. The Prof was generous enough to give me 5 pokeballs as a reward after I defeated his grandson. He told me it had been so long since he's seen his grandson make a sour face. Whatever that meant, I'm glad I can catch some pokemon right now.
Looking at Bob resting peacefully in the pokeball, I decide to catch some pokemon later and let him rest for now.
My journey back home was uneventful, I did come across a nidorino I wanted to catch. I was approached by some children asking me what pokemon I'm carrying with me. Some wanted to battle but I refused to let Bob keep resting.
After arriving at my house, I looked across to find Blue's sister Daisy waiting for me. "I heard you've become a pokemon trainer Red, take this, it'll help you on your journey. I hope." she says giving me the town map. "Thanks" I reply casually. I didn't know much about her anyways.
"Already leaving home so soon? Right. All boys leave home someday. It said so on TV. " Red's..., my mom continues "if you drive your Pokémon too hard, they'll dislike you. I just heard from Prof. Oak. He said that if your Pokémon get injured or tired you can restore them at any Pokémon Center. If you're going to travel far away, the smart Trainer stocks up on Potions at the Pokémon Mart."
It was late evening already so I decided to rest at my house today and leave tomorrow. Blue already left for Viridian city which is north of Pallet town, via route 1. A route infested with various pokemon individually weak but strong in groups. Therefore it's advised to approach the pokemon cautiously otherwise you can be subject to attacks groups of wild pokemon.
I went to sleep on the same bed I woke up today, feeling a sense of dread. Wondering that if I slept now I'll wake up back on Earth. Eventually I sleep after my physical body of a child couldn't stay awake much longer than it's limits.
I woke with a start, and felt exhilirated that I'm still Red. I take a shower and wear some comfortable clothes for the journey ahead. It was Spring, not too hot nor too cold. Now, I get the feeling Ash must've felt in the pilot episode of Pokemon anime, the excitement and anticipation before starting a grand adventure.
I take a look my Squirtle, Bob, who seems to have rested properly, glad I decided to feed him some berries from the fridge. I bring him out of his pokeball and he greets me with a cheerful cry as if asking whom he'll be fighting now.
"You'll get to fight a ton when we go on route 1 bro" it seemed natural to call him 'bro' as it was a habit I had developed from my past life.
I go downstairs with my squirtle and mom greets both of us warmly. We exchange greetings and have a quick breakfast. Before leaving I decide to pet my mom's Vulpix again.
This time it reciprocates my feelings and allows me to brush it's fur, albeit it was really hot to touch, I tried my best to show it some care before leaving for Viridian city.
At the door my mom comes running from behind, bringing me a box. "Here is a pair of running shoes for my beloved challenger. Remember, I'll always cheer for you! Don't ever give up. Make me proud, honey! Take care!" She gets teary-eyed for a second, but just then wipes her face.
'What a strong woman, leaving your child alone must take incredible will and blind trust in me to do so' I'll not forget her sacrifice and bring her the Champion's trophy next time I come by.
"Thanks a lot, Mom." I hug her as I address her as my mother for the first time. It felt weird but the love this woman showed me in this short amount of time was no less than my own biological mother's.
After bidding her a warm farewell and similarly to the child Daisy next door, I leave for Route 1 to capture Pokemon and make some friends along the way.