c3. The Red Earl Dervish Pokémon Must Be Charmander!
"Good morning, Xiao Chi! Off to the lab today, huh?"
"Good morning, Red! Work hard on your journey and make Pallet proud!"
"Oh-ho, so Xiao Chi's finally becoming a Trainer today? Hah! I still remember being your age when I got my first Pokémon…"
"…"
Walking down the familiar streets of Pallet Town, Chihong greeted the townsfolk one after another. Though his answers were short, his respectful nods and the brim of his red-and-white cap lowered over his eyes carried a quiet confidence. Everyone could see he was different today.
After crossing the main road, he followed the path that curved around a grassy hill, paved neatly in pale stone tiles. Soon, a modern white building came into view the wide dome roof, the rows of windows, the tall windmill in the back.
Professor Oak's Laboratory.
"…"
Red paused for a moment at the gates, staring at the place that had been at the center of his life for years. Taking a slow breath, he stretched out his hand and pushed the heavy glass door open.
…
…
"Morning, Professor Oak."
Inside the lab, Red immediately spotted three figures an older man in a white coat, and beside him, a boy and a girl about his age.
"Good morning, Xiao Chi! I was just waiting for you and…" Oak trailed off, raising an eyebrow. Then, with a sigh, he muttered, "Hah… don't tell me that boy overslept again. That Ash, always running late."
Even as Oak shook his head, his expression betrayed fondness.
"You finally made it, Red! I've been waiting for you!"
The brown-haired boy seated near Oak leapt to his feet. His spiky hair and sharp eyes were instantly recognizable Professor Oak's grandson, Red's lifelong rival, the same figure known in different circles as Blue or Green, but in this Pallet Town, he was Gary Oak.
"Heh. Don't keep us waiting, Red!"
Before Red could respond, another voice chimed in. A beautiful girl with long brown hair, dressed neatly for travel, smiled sweetly at him from her chair. On the surface, she seemed calm and ladylike, but Red knew better. Having known her for over a decade, he was well aware that Blue called Green by some was mischievous, cunning, and had a habit of turning that charm into mischief, often at his expense.
"…."
Red gave only the faintest nod in reply as he stepped toward them, the brim of his cap hiding his scarlet eyes.
"Time flies so quickly…"
Oak's voice broke the silence. Looking at the three before him, he felt a pang of nostalgia. More than ten years ago, these same children had been toddling around Pallet Town. Now, they stood ready to begin their journeys. In their faces, he saw echoes of his own youth when he had first received a Pokémon and set out into the great wide world.
It was always a special moment.
"Grandpa, enough speeches already. Just get on with it!"
Gary's impatience cut through the air. He had been bouncing on his heels since Red walked in, and now he crossed his arms with a scowl.
"Haha… very well, very well. You're all eager, I see. Then follow me!"
Professor Oak chuckled, turning toward the back of the lab, where the polished Poké Balls of the three Kanto starters waited.
Bulbasaur. Charmander. Squirtle.
The moment of choice was finally here.
Professor Oak gave a slightly awkward laugh, scratching the back of his head before clearing his throat. With practiced steps, he led the three teenagers toward a polished machine table in the center of the lab.
With a few quick inputs on the console, a panel slid open, and three smooth red-and-white Poké Balls rose neatly from the mechanism.
Almost immediately, three holographic projectors activated, beaming up shimmering images from the Poké Balls onto the air in front of them.
The projections revealed the three official starter Pokémon of the Kanto region: the Grass-type Bulbasaur, the Water-type Squirtle, and the Fire-type Charmander. Each stood proudly in its light, their cries echoing faintly as if alive.
"Haha, here they are," Oak said warmly. "The three Pokémon you may choose from as your first partners. The choice is yours. So then… who will go first?"
He glanced between the three with a kind smile.
"Brother Chi, you should pick first!"
Gary spoke up almost instantly, flashing a confident grin toward Red. He had already made his own decision days ago but still extended the right of first choice.
"Xiao Chi, go on and choose!"
Blue known here as Bilan nodded in agreement, smiling faintly as her gaze flicked toward him.
"…"
Red acknowledged their words with a small nod, but as his crimson eyes lingered on the three Poké Balls gleaming before him, then shifted to Oak, there was a flicker of doubt.
Something didn't add up.
"Ah, you're wondering," Oak said with a knowing chuckle, stroking his white beard. "Blue came by earlier. She already selected her Pokémon in advance. So now, it's just you three."
"…."
Understanding, Red gave a curt nod. Without another word, he stepped forward toward the table.
There was no hesitation.
The boy's hand extended to the far-right Poké Ball, his choice already firm in his heart.
A flash of red light burst forth as the Poké Ball opened, and a small lizard Pokémon materialized.
Its body was orange, its belly and tail-tip pale yellow. At the end of its tail blazed a steady flame, flickering but bright. Its large eyes glistened black, and sharp little claws flexed at the ends of its short limbs.
Charmander. The Fire Lizard Pokémon.
Red's expression softened for a moment. Of the three, this one had always felt like the truest match for him. It wasn't the balanced choice like Bulbasaur, nor the defensive, reliable choice like Squirtle. No Charmander was pure fire, fragile at first, but with limitless potential if raised with care.
It was the one that needed the most from its Trainer and in return, it was the one that could grow into the mightiest.
"Brother Chi picks Charmander? Perfect! Then I'll take Squirtle!"
Gary stepped forward without missing a beat, immediately taking the middle Poké Ball.
"I guess that leaves me with Bulbasaur. That works out nicely!"
Bilan chimed in with a smile as she claimed the last Poké Ball.
With their choices complete, the three raised their Poké Balls in unison, the room briefly filling with the cries of their new partners.
"Very good," Oak said approvingly. "Now that each of you has chosen, there's one more thing."
He led them over to a second table, where three palm-sized red devices lay waiting sleek, compact electronic encyclopedias and beside them, two rows of minimized Poké Balls, three for each new Trainer.
"These are Pokédexes, and spare Poké Balls. Take them. They will serve as the foundation of your journeys."
...........
---