chapter 4

I was a middle-schooler.

being in school was so much fun.I got to know a lot of people.joining clubs.fell in love.although studying was somewhat troublesome,but being able to go to school everyday was pretty heavenly to me.

there was a teacher that I hate.and he seemed to hate me either.I don't know why,but every time we came across each other he would bring out his Hitmonchan to hold me still,and he would then confiscate my cap.of course I got it back at the end of the day,but anytime we should come across he would do the same thing again and again.until one time I got tired of him,I never wore my cap to school anymore.perhaps that made him satisfied,and from that day onwards he did not bother me as much.

I fell in love at first sight once last year.it was sometime during Spring,a few weeks after the new semester began.I was going home alone,when I saw the girl standing by the riverside.her long black hair swept by the wind,adorned by dancing cherry petals that glimmered in the air.she stood there silently,and her eyes were reflecting sorrow in serenity.

and I,too,stood there without a reason.a few meters away from her,I stood and watch her.until the orange sun completely set,my tight lips could never gather the courage to ask;


"...why are you crying?" 

 

I walked to group with Green,Oak and the curious Pokemons.Green was hugging the cuddly-looking turtle,teasing its curly tail like it was made of cotton.I sat down on the floor near him,and I tried to touch the orange lizard at its tail."Ouch!! what? it actually burns!"

"hah hah,of course, Red! Charmander is a fire type Pokemon,and the fire on its tail serves as a signal of its life.this little one we have here is rather a healthy one,look at how brightly its fire burns!" Professor Oak too,sat with us on the floor.the Charmander seemed disturbed at my attempt, it walked away and sat in front of Professor Oak instead."hah,oh boy Charmander,you're such a cute little Pokemon!" Oak gave it a pat on the head,which he reacted with a roar sounding like the first syllable of its own name."Chiaaaaa~!!"

"this one's Squirtle." Green caught my attention. "I picked this one first,Red! you can take Charmander or Bulbasaur,but no fighting over my Satoru!"

you gave it a nickname already?! and why Satoru?!

"now,let me finish introducing them first,Green! Red,the tiny turtle Pokemon is Squirtle.as you can see it is a water-type! its shell's rounded shape helps to minimize resistance in water.in other words,it can swim very fast.also,it's hydro-based attacks are well known to be one of the most powerful amongst water-type Pokemons."　

"yeah,my Satoru will be the best Pokemon ever! you'll never beat us,Red!" Green was grinning ear to ear,cuddling with the Squirtle like a child getting a new plush doll.and the Squirtle looked like it was enjoying being teased by Green,wagging its tail and grabbing Green's sleeves.


"it sure likes you a lot,Green!" I was feeling a little envious of him...I glanced to the Charmander,but as soon it noticed my glance he turned his head away with a look of disinterest towards me.oh man...this isn't going to work...


"what about this green one,Professor? what's its name?" I asked,pointing to the green bulbous frog that had already fallen asleep.

"this is Bulbasaur,the seed Pokemon.it is a grass type with plant-type attacks,but I'm worried about this one.it keeps sleeping all the time,and very seldom it wakes up,even for meals.and I'm certain it isn't sick or affected with Pokerus...this is another mystery that requires further study."

Professor,I think he simply likes to sleep.

"Very well,Red! since Green has already chosen Squirtle as his partner,you can choose whichever you like between Charmander and Bulbasaur as your very first Pokemon! the choice is very important,for you must consider the path which you'll take when beginning your journey.which Pokemon is more suitable to use in which environment? how will you treat them? does your Pokemon likes you? all these questions will determine your success as a Pokemon Trainer."

I looked to the sleeping Bulbasaur.it was fast asleep and snoring,"Balbaaa...Balbaaaa..." first impression failed me.I doubt if I could even make it fight in Pokemon Battles.I looked to the Charmander again.when it saw me looking again,it showed a shocked face,and then started to growl angrily,scratching the floor with its claws.

"Charmander,stop doing that! you're going to leave scratches on the floor!" Professor Oak grabbed it,and suddenly it became docile again,moaning like a cat in Professor Oak's lap."there,there,Charmander.you can't be a bad boy like that,you get me?" and it growled happily to Professor Oak.

I turned to Green and the Squirtle meaningfully."no!! don't look at my Satoru like that! he's mine,man!" 


I started to feel depressed...


"umm,Professor? do you have...other Pokemons that I can choose...? maybe from the farm..." I curled myself,hugging my knees.I rocked myself back and forth while my finger fiddling the floor...


"I'm afraid no,Red.actually most of the Pokemons at the farm are wild,and the only way possible to get them is by catching them first.and you know what's necessary before catching a wild Pokemon,don't you."

"to defeat them in battle first..." I murmured.

"exactly.without a Pokemon to start with,you can't catch a wild Pokemon."

"then how about I catch one for you Red? Satoru and I will defeat any Pokemon on the farm in no time! just tell me,which Pokemon do you want?" suddenly Green offered an enlightening help.I felt cheered up a little bit,and was about to say "..a Snorlax..." but Professor Oak cut in our rave.

"just hold it a minute,Green! your Squirtle is far too inexperienced to compete with any Pokemon on the farm! having lived in their natural habitats for at least 3 generations,you don't know how strong can a wild Pokemon be developed, to compare with a level five Squirtle!"

"really..." Green and Satoru seemed a little bit down,and I was even more discouraged.

 "don't be so down,Red,Green! you two have very big potential in yourselves,and you and your Pokemons still have a lot more room to grow!"

"but Professor,I don't have a Pokemon yet!"

"oh,I'm sorry...what should I do..."

I don't .want Bulbasaur.please.no offense,but I don't want a rookie trainer like me being troubled by a sleeping Pokemon and got whited out by Caterpies and Pidgeys as soon as I stepped out from Pallet Town.

"hmmm...how about,you take Charmander with you?" Professor Oak held up Charmander,whose eyes were wide in surprise hearing to Oak's sudden proclamation.and my eyes too,were just as round.

"huh?"


>to be continued

chapter 3

"sorry,gramps.it's not time yet for me to tell you that.but I can promise you,you'll not be disappointed in me."

with a confident smile as his expression,Green hold his grandpa's arms,as they distanced again."well,if you say so,I can say no more but to believe in your promise."

without any further contemplations that he was very good with,he chose to rely on the simplest,yet most fragile substance in the world : belief.

that is the moment when Green Oak(オオキド.グリーン) made the oath with his grandfather.no one yet knew what was inside Green's thinking that time,but for certain that oath was something he would put his life on the line protecting,no matter the cost.

what mattered next,was myself.

"How about you,Red? have you decided on what you're going to be in life?" suddenly,Professor Oak turned to me.


this year,I had turned 15 back in the summer.having lived this 15 years in Pallet Town,I was matured enough to learn that this peaceful life had started to feel too mundane and boring.still,I could not imagine leaving my mother to live alone,after father left since I was little to become a Pokemon trainer.he wrote and sent money to mom occasionally until now,so that we knew that he's still alive.

and then there's my closest friend since childhood,Green.back then when we were still children,Green was always more mature and think deeply into things way further than what I could.I guess he did inherit Oak's mentality after all.from him I had learned so many stuffs.seeing things in different perspectives.understanding people and relationships.interactions and manners of speaking.love life.cheering up after getting rejected.and various assumptions about living and Pokemon.


in my own self,I could see a shadow of Green.


"I . . . will become a Pokemon Trainer."

"my,my that's a surprise to hear coming from you,Red! that ambition is truly fantastic! to be a Pokemon Trainer and aims to be the world's greatest Pokemon Master,I am sure you will do very well,Red!"

I could not be sure if his words were encouraging or insulting.but then,regarding the issue about 'Pokemon Master' that Green and I talked about this evening,hearing Professor Oak said all that made me rethink about what I just blurted out of the blue.

Green gave me a meaningful look,and I figured out what he was about to say.I figured it out long ago.

"Gramps,I want to be a Pokemon Trainer too! but I don't think I wanna be a Pokemon Master.living alongside with Pokemons and training them,that's pretty much good sounding to me.I'll try getting in the league too!"

"Oh? is this the ambition you were talking about just now,Green? I thought it might be something different? I haven't the slightest thought you want to be a trainer too?"

"no,that is something else.I will keep that ambition for later and definitely fulfill it,but first I will become a trainer.to travel the far and wide land,seeking for something we could never find in this Pallet Town."

the conversations had become more lively than it was when we arrived.passions and energy filled the room,when Green,Professor Oak,and I talked about being a Pokemon Trainer.although most of the time the talking went to Green and his grandfather.

"since when had you two decided to become a Pokemon Trainer? I did sense a very loving feelings you two have towards Pokemons whenever you visit the farm.this moment you tell me you want to be Pokemon Trainers,is like a dream comes true for an old man like me...to see such young people,filled with passion for Pokemons deciding to make a very grand journey ahead.you will make me proud,Green,Red!"


I cannot tell either,if he was making his own assumptions on us.but seeing a happy man he was,Green and I could never turn him down at this point.still,somewhere inside me...a certain bud of excitement had grown.

"well...I think..."

"just this evening..." Green finished my sentence,as we were already standing side by side at the middle of the room.what he said was definitely the truth,as he proposed the idea just this evening and I agreed when mentioning what I want to be just now.

"hah hah! now that is more unexpected!! but don't worry,a quick decision had always been the best choice!"

"well...I wonder about that.." he was just too optimistic,now.


"now,Green! call Daisy,we'll be going home for dinner! let's celebrate this happy day! of course you'll be staying over,Red!"

 "...Yes!!" said Green and I at the same time.Professor Oak was all grinning over his face,and I bet Green had not seen that grandfatherly attitude for a long while until now. we looked at each other and carved a weird smile.this turn of events were making me dizzy,but it could turn all for the better...

after dinner,I decided to not stay at Green's place.Professor Oak was home after a long time,and I thought it would be best to let them spend the night as a family.still in school jacket,I walked the short route from Green's house to mine.

to tell mom about being a Pokemon Trainer will be very hard...and the night passed without me mentioning anything of what happened at Professor Oak's lab.

the next day,was Sunday.I received a call from Green to come to the lab as soon as I finished breakfast.and so I did.grabbing my flaming red cap from the hat stand,I helped mom to bring out the laundry before taking off to the building on the small hill,at the middle of Pallet Town.


"you're late!" Green showed up at the door before I even pressed the doorbell.he was in a purple long shirt,with a necklace hanging from his neck.

"sorry.so,what's up? and what's with the necklace?"

"I'll tell ya later.c'mon in!"

as I stepped inside,my first sense incited was my hearing.I could hear some animal-like sounds coming from the inside,and the instant my sense of sight came into interpretations,I barely blinked when I saw the Pokemons crawling around the floor inside Professor Oak's laboratory.

One was turtle-like,blue colored and seemed to be very animated.it could walk on two feet and was trying to climb the staircase to the upper level of the lab.another was green,which I thought looked a lot like a huge frog,except the extra large onion attached on its back,and it seemed sleepy and annoyed,curling itself while groaning.the last one was an orange lizard that sat silently,watching at his green companion while the end of its tail seemed to have caught on fire.

"are these...Pokemons?"

Green went ahead of me,and the little Pokemons seemed not afraid of him,unlike most wild Pokemons that are scared of humans.it looked like these Pokemons were tamed and friendly enough with people.while Green caught the blue turtle and brought it to gather with its two other friends,Professor Oak joined us when he came in from the door that led to the farm.

"Ah,Red! you've arrived! come! I'll introduce you to these Pokemons! These rare species are the first ever recorded in the Encyclopaedia!"

"yeah,Red! and gramps said we can choose one to be our first partner Pokemon,too!"


>to be continued

chapter 2

night time in Pallet town was never abounded by effervescence.the placid surroundings where people and Pokemon live together would be an expression of calmness itself,which its sense will reach inside people's heart,filling them with peace and harmonious feelings all through the stay in the merry little town.

on a small hill right around the center of the town,there spread an acre of farm,which purposed as the habitats to a number of Pokemon species since the place was built 50 years ago.into notation,the Pokemons who first brought there had had their kin bred to already a few generations since that time.

while they were developed in a habitat which was modeled to be similar to their original habitats, the well-being of the Pokemons were taken good care by the researcher who built the place,alongside with his many aides that put their whole life into studying the nature of creatures that coexisted with humans...


a medium-sized laboratory was located near the farm,where the researcher lived in the mountain of data and materials of his work line.he is Green's grandfather,but rather widely known as the Pokemon professor.

"hello,mom? it's me Red.yeah,don't worry.I'm with Green right now.where?oh,we're at his gramps'.don't worry about dinner.perhaps I'll be staying over tonight...yeah,I know.tomorrow's Sunday after all.bye."

clicking the red button on the phone,I put it back in my pocket and caught up with Green.we were at the front gate of the laboratory.

"it's freezing out here...hope Gramps got some hot cocoa on his stove."

annoyed by the autumn breeze,we made our way as fast inside the yard.the path from the front gate to the building was slightly lighted with garden lights.as we walked there were a lost Slowpoke sleeping on a garden bench,under the light.there were small-sized Venomoths and other bug Pokemons as well,all that seemed to be attracted to light when night time visited.


DINGGG DONGGGGG...

the doorbell rang as Green pressed it.a minute passed without a response,then he pressed it again.another minute passed.

"I wonder if he's not here?"

"maybe he's at the field?"

"I don't think so.There are Pokemons that are nocturnal but can't see clearly in darkness,so it is dangerous to be out on the farm at night."

"...then your gramps could be in his study.see if the door is locked."

Green did,and reached his hand to the door handle and gave it a push downward.at the same time as he did,suddenly the large door opened into the inside.

"my,Green and Red! what a surprise,I did not hear you're coming! come, come inside!"

a middle-aged man appeared at the door,in a white lab coat and brown khakis.his unshaven face and eye bags reflected his busy life,and bad complexion told that he had not gone out for a long time.his hair was grayed to age,yet the shine in his pupils were showing no sign of retiring still.

Dr. Samuel Oak

               オーキド•ユキナリ博士

"I haven't see you two for a while now...make yourselves at home.I'll pour the cocoa.it must be very cold outside at this time of year,I suppose." He took the mugs from a drawer and went for the stove."...I was preoccupied in my study that I didn't hear your bell..."

Green sat down on a couch,and I sat beside him.

"that's for certain,gramps. what are you researching right now?" as if Green had flipped a switch inside the old man's head,his question led Oak to turn into his lecture mode.

"you see,when I was in Johto a few weeks ago, an uncharted legend caught my interest.have you heard of an item called the 'silver feather'? it is said the feather belongs to a Pokemon only told in legends.I'd spent these last few weeks studying on the matter,and I found out that the item is currently in Kanto,after quite some underhanded strives and altercations happened throughout the century for it.upon this discovery,I might find myself on another travel and look for it soon."

he brought the cocoa-filled mugs to us,conducting the heat from the warm mug into our receiving cold hands.a simple "thanks" sibilated from my mouth,as I started blowing the steam at the same time.however,when I took a glance to Green's face,I found that he was unpleasant about something...perhaps something on the line of Professor's words just now.

"Gramps," he started."Daisy misses you."

Daisy is Green's sister,whom he lived with after their parents passed away a long time ago.She was his only living relative besides Professor Oak.a certain uninterrupted atmosphere filled the air,of which I would choose to stay silent and turn a deaf ear over their family matters.

"Daisy...I haven't see her for a while." the talkative Pokemon Professor was only capable to say that few words,when it came to his own family.

"....grandpa. I don't know if I should be saying...because I don't wanna get your emotional messed up that could hurt your studies.but still,I can't bear to see Daisy sad either."

"......................"

"we don't have anyone else,gramps.you're our only family.the person left to share the world with us."

Professor Oak strolled around the room.he arrived at a big glass cabinet,and gaze silently into the exhibits of fossils and amber arranged inside.he then reached his chemistry desk and tray,where countless tubes and flasks were filled with colorful liquids.he turned of a lighted bunsen,then turned away from it.

he seemed to be thinking restlessly.Green and I looked at him with weird anticipation,without looking at each other.the professor went to a corner with a table and a chair were placed,where on the table there was no free space,all filled with piles and piles of papers and thick books.on the chair was a large blanket that he used when he stayed up reading all night.

"studying about Pokemon is what life bound to mean to me." suddenly the Professor broke the silence."...why do they exist? how do they produce their mysterious powers? what induces the very fast rate of evolution they exhibit? all these questions are what deriving me into endless chain of studies.after a few have been answered,another hundred of questions will surface."

 he sat down on his chair,concealing his figure behind the pile of books.

"at a certain point I had even questioned myself,'will this ever end?' that single query made my heart waver the most.no matter how hard I try,new questions and mysteries will surface,yet I cannot leave the existing ones unattended.the situation made me realize that indeed,the world of Pokemon is bottomless." 

"and then,before I realized,I had turned 60. I know very much that to the longest I only have 20 to 30 years left to live.that is,if my health allows.."

"Gramps!!!" Green jumped from his seat,bumping the small coffee table."don't say things like that! what will happen to us if you're not around anymore...?" a fragment of lamentation was embedded in his childish words.I was sure he was only playing spoiled,but as a friend I was,still I chose to let Oak handle his grandchild.I knew I was not supposed to meddle in this conversation all the way through it.

"dear,Green.in 20 years you will be already independent! living a good life you should,on the very path you choose! the same goes to Daisy. she is already 18,and without me noticing the time,she'll get married,and live a happy life as well."

"but Gramps...." 

 "Green,my boy." the professor came to his grandson,putting his hands on the boy's shoulders." you're turning 15 this year.it is about time you choose the way you go in this long journey of life.it all depends on your own will,Green.what you will become in the future,it's all up to your hand to decide."

both of them looked into each others' eyes,from which I could tell a mutual compassion between those two,was unbreakable.the only time I could see Green lost his cool and untamed nature,was when he was around with his beloved grandfather.

and who would have known,that his grandfather would be the strongest drive in his life ahead from this point.

"gramps.I've long decided about what I'll be in the future." as well as Professor Oak,this was the first time I'd heard of it.

"...really,Green? why don't you tell me about it?" the old man smiled in excitement,and then Green,with his eyes shining like he always be,returned the enthusiasm to Professor Oak.

"no,I won't tell you.at least not now."

> to be continued 

chapter 1

the world continues to spread.

vividly,more lively. and within the raves lay unshaken serenity.that sleeps silently beyond eyes' and minds' reach.

it is a world blessed with nature.

in grasses' tall,in the very depth of ocean.to the edge of horizon's sky.in the dark side of forests.and beneath our walking ground; they live.

we coexist.sharing the same world to live,befriending each other.sometimes manipulating,sometimes being manipulated.with various ambitions running in the veins of both races,we coexist in this world.


...in the so-called world of Pokemon...


is the world,where I was born.

  

" I started to think it was all just a false dream."

"what do you mean, false dream?"

Pallet Town

        マサラタウン

"...I don't know.since date started,there has never been even one person acknowledged as Pokemon Master,hasn't it?" I put my crossed arms on the hedge,looking over the sunset-glowed farm of Tauros.while then,he jumped on the hedge and sat on the small gap between pieces of wood of the white hedge.

balancing himself with both hands holding the board,Green gave the setting sun a long and imagining gaze as well.

"well,maybe you're right...but that is why people keep on striving."

"what do you mean...?"

he turned to me a little bit,and flashed his usual smirk.

"because of the dream,people will keep going.even though they know it is only a false dream...it is enough to push them on.in order to one day,prove to everyone that the dream they have been strongly clung to is actually true...isn't that logic?"

he left me in thoughts for some while.

"...but it all seems too vague..."

"...yeah,I know."

"...how about your gramps,Green?"

"how about him?"

a small herd of Tauros came strolling in front of us.letting their mooing sounds rang in the atmosphere,I let them past before continuing my sentences.

"he's researching them,right?...how many has been recorded,to date?" Green threw his eyes up to the sky,perhaps counting in his head.

"...about 150 in Kanto region alone...he's been going on research visits to an acquaintance in Johto recently to have the Encyclopaedia co-ed, so the number might be increased soon."

"if one hundred and fifty and that's it,won't be too much.."

"I guess so.but to count,there're Hoenn,and Sinnoh,as well as Unova to add.and some other regions boasting their unique kinds of Pokemon too.I can't really tell,man."


"..............................................."


"hah hah! being speechless is so like you! ever still, I know what you're thinking!"

I heaved a sigh.

"truth being told.in being a trainer,can someone actually make a living like that?...travelling the land.collecting badges.get into the League.of course there are money prizes...but then..."

"then...? all those seem pretty good to me.we can even stop schooling." as the night wind comes by,Green got off the hedge and we turned away from the farm.walking small steps to the direction we came from once again.


"...what about the Pokemons."


".........................................."

silence filled the air once more.

"we humans.we are using them to fight.to do various kinds of stuffs.some even commit crimes."

"that Rocket-something?"

"yeah...Team Rocket...don't mention them."

I took a breathe.

"from Pokemon Battling, the good stuffs all come to us.but how about the Pokemons? what do they get,but hurt and pain?"


as the chilly winter evening turned to nighttime,our pace were quickened a little bit.the Spearows and Pidgeys were creating their mundane commotion in the tall grasses of the roadside before returning to their nests.Green and I reached the junction that separated our path to home.


"you say something rather humanly,for someone named after a color.haha!"

"tch.like you're the one to talk."

"just kidding.about your question just now..."

Green threw his schoolbag on his back,and turned away.right after a few steps,he turned back at me who was still standing firm,waiting for his answer.


"...why don't we go and find out ourselves?"


"I beg your pardon."


"let's go see the world,Red.being here in Pallet for 15 years and the time to come,we will never know anything besides rumors and things we see on TVs and prints.let's go and see them for ourselves,Red.first hand.eyes to eyes."

".................................................................."

"it doesn't matter if you don't wanna get a hitch on the 'false dream' of being a Pokemon Master.there're many trainers that don't aim that way too.but then,why not we go and try to understand,what is exactly the world shows,in the eyes of a Pokemon Trainer."

".......I don't get you,Green."

"have you ever get me?haha!"

but a faint smile was already carved on my cold lips.as if,his words were made of string and hook,luring me in.without realizing,my feet were already walking to the opposite of my everyday route.to the point where Green stood.


"c'mon,Red.this is where the fun begins.let's go see Gramps"


> to be continued