Pokémon: The First Step Through Kanto.
Hi everyone, how are you? I hope you’re doing well. Here I bring you a remake/reboot of the old Pokémon series titled A Dream in Kanto. I decided to redo it because I got stuck in some parts and later noticed several inconsistencies throughout the story, so this time I’ll try to make everything much better written.
I’ll be using Red Akai as the main character, since Kichiro Kawa wouldn’t really fit into the kind of setting I want to create, and besides, Ash stopped being a good option once he retired… so let’s give a fresh new look to the most overrated protagonist of all :p
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this story a lot, and if you have any questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments section. I’ll read everything you send me. With nothing more to add, it’s time to set off on this new journey 😲🙂
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...“It all began in a world… not very different from our own.”...
...A blue planet....
...Full of life. People. Cities. Mountains. Rivers....
...A world like the one we all know....
...Where the laws of nature govern the flow of each day....
...Peaceful. Familiar. Predictable....
...But somewhere another world exists....
...A world where nature has a voice of its own....
...Where thunder can obey commands....
...Where creatures walk among humans… and humans, among legends....
...That is the Pokémon world....
...A world filled with living beings known as Pokémon....
...Diverse and powerful creatures....
...Some as small as a mouse....
...Others larger than a house....
...Some float without wings…...
...Others burn, freeze, poison, or even distort time itself…...
...Where did they come from?...
...No one knows....
...They did not evolve like we did…...
...They did not rise from the mud, nor were they created in a laboratory…...
...They simply… appeared....
...Creatures of countless shapes and sizes. Some vaguely resembled animals we recognize today, yet in truth… they were completely unlike anything that had ever existed....
...Just as humans evolved from ancient primates, every living being shares a common ancestor....
...But these beings were different....
...They did not emerge through evolution....
...They simply appeared....
...One night—without explanation, without reason…...
...Pop....
...Pop....
...Pop....
...They appeared in forms found in no natural history book....
...In time, people began to call them “Pocket Monsters.”...
...Or simply…...
...“Pokémon.”...
...And from that moment on, the world was never the same again....
......> “Trying to explain the origin of Pokémon is like trying to explain the beginning of life itself.”......
...— Professor Samuel Oak...
...At first, humans feared these creatures....
...They were unpredictable. Strange....
...Too powerful to trust....
...Too different to understand....
...But with time…...
...Bonds began to form....
...A glance....
...A gesture....
...A brief moment of connection between species....
...And then everything changed....
...A new kind of human emerged....
...People capable of understanding Pokémon, guiding them, standing beside them, fighting alongside them....
...They were called Pokémon Trainers....
...As years passed, Trainers built leagues, tournaments, and Gyms....
...Pokémon battling became an art. A profession. A worldwide passion....
...And at the very top…...
...the World Pokémon League, where only the finest Trainers from each nation compete for glory…...
...In this world, Japan also has its place....
...Though it does not dominate like other powers, its Trainers have left their mark....
...
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...Japan has produced great Pokémon Champions....
...Perhaps not as many as America or Europe, but their level is unquestionable....
...Yet within Japan… there is one region that has lived in the shadows for decades....
...A land of ancient forests, forgotten roads, and broken promises....
...Kanto....
...A region on the far eastern edge of the Pokémon world....
...Surrounded by sea and mountains. Once fertile, rich in history, overflowing with biodiversity....
...Today, many consider it a relic of the past....
...A land forgotten by new generations, where Trainers leave… and dreams wither away....
...And within Kanto, in the southwest, isolated among fields and hills…...
...there lies a small town....
...Quiet. Modest....
...Sometimes even erased from maps....
...Pallet Town....
...Though few remember it now, Pallet Town—once known as Masshiro Town—...
...was once fertile land, famous for its agriculture....
...Its fields produced the sweetest Berries, its seeds were coveted throughout the region,...
...and its soil was considered “the purest in all of Kanto.”...
...Life there was simple, yet dignified....
...Days revolved around farm work, sun rituals, family bonds, and the raising of agricultural Pokémon—...
...creatures that helped cultivate, clean, and sustain the land....
...But everything changed the day a different child was born....
...His name was Massara Oak....
...A boy like any other… at least at first....
...The son of farmers, raised among dust, roots, and open skies....
...Yet he possessed something few others did:...
...A natural bond with Pokémon....
...He didn’t need commands for them to listen....
...He didn’t need to shout for them to fight....
...It was enough for him to walk beside them....
...At sixteen, Massara Oak left the fields behind....
...He traveled to towns, cities… and beyond....
...And at the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League, the most prestigious tournament in the country…...
...he achieved the unthinkable:...
...He ranked among the Top 32 Pokémon Trainers in Kanto....
...From that day on, Masshiro Town was renamed in his honor....
...It became Pallet Town—...
...a symbol of all the colors and paths a Trainer could walk....
...The name Oak was no longer just that of a farmer....
...It became synonymous with mastery, perseverance… and potential....
...Massara Oak had descendants....
...One of them became the most famous of all: Samuel Oak....
...A prodigy who once walked the same path as his grandfather—...
...until he chose another: research....
...Professor Samuel Oak,...
...the greatest expert on Pokémon evolution of his era....
...Founder of key theories....
...A pioneer in the study of the bond between humans and Pokémon....
...Thanks to him, Pallet Town shone once more....
...For years, young Trainers journeyed to the Oak Laboratory in search of an opportunity—...
...of a Starter Pokémon…...
...of a destiny....
...But as time passed, the light faded again....
...Samuel grew old....
...The newer generations of the Oak family could not live up to the name....
...The fields lost their fertility....
...Tourism vanished....
...And slowly… Pallet Town returned to obscurity....
...Now, in the year 2004, Pallet Town is little more than an echo....
...Children no longer dream of catching Pokémon....
...They dream of leaving....
...Of studying....
...Of surviving....
...Being a Pokémon Trainer is no longer a calling....
...It is an old joke told with sadness around family campfires....
...The elderly still speak of Massara Oak....
...But the youth… barely remember his name....
...And yet…...
...Something still burns beneath the dry earth....
...A forgotten seed....
...A buried spark....
...Because even in a place without promises…...
...a new Trainer can be born....
...One without a famous lineage....
...One not chosen by destiny....
...One ignored, dismissed, underestimated....
...But who, without knowing it yet…...
...Is about to begin a journey that will change everything....
...A new Pokémon Trainer will rise in Pallet Town....
...One capable of changing it all…...
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...21st Century — Pallet Town August 16th, 2004 — 6:40 A.M....
The sky slowly began to glow with a soft shade of orange, announcing the birth of a new day in Pallet Town. A gentle breeze swept through the dusty streets as morning dew still clung to tree leaves and rooftop tiles. The silence of dawn faded little by little, giving way to the familiar rhythm of daily life.
The first to rise were the farmers.
With steady steps and sun-worn faces, they made their way toward the fields, tools resting on their shoulders, accompanied by Pokémon that helped them with the hardest labor. In backyards nearby, some women hung freshly washed clothes, while others swept the entrances of their homes with practiced, mechanical motions.
Along the streets, the laughter and shouts of children carrying backpacks brought the town to life as they raced toward school.
Man: It sure got cold last night… I hope the Pokémon slept more comfortably than we did. —muttered a middle-aged man, rubbing his hands together as his knuckles cracked, his voice rough from the morning chill.
Man 2: Yeah… and on top of that, the crops keep getting worse. We’re gonna have to find more food sources, or people will stop buying from us. I don’t want another week of complaints. —added another man, crouched low as he struggled to pull the weeds choking his small garden.
Woman: Honey, the kids already left for school. Will you be home tonight?”
asked a woman softly, focused on hanging sheets that still dripped with water.
Woman 2: No, Hiroshi! I’ve told you a thousand times—we’re NOT buying that motorcycle! You already have a Pokémon to get around, you don’t need anything else!
another woman shouted from her porch, talking on the phone as she swept dust away with sharp, irritated movements.
That ordinary morning scene was suddenly interrupted by the presence of a young boy walking down the main street as if the world meant nothing to him.
A red cap was pulled low over his face, hiding his eyes.
He whistled a lazy tune as he kicked empty cans along the road, sending them clattering against the pavement—almost as if he were looking for trouble with every step.
???: Another brand-new day… let’s see what kind of trash this lousy neighborhood has waiting for me. —he muttered sarcastically without slowing down. He approached a trash bin, kicked a can that bounced loudly against a wall, then let out an irritated sigh— Tsk… same old stuff. Nothing interesting.
As he wandered through the narrow streets, his eyes drifted lazily over wild Pokémon moving in the distance and half-torn posters clinging to telephone poles. His presence didn’t go unnoticed, but the townspeople barely spared him a glance before returning to their routines.
To them, he was nothing special.
Just another purposeless kid.
Another nobody lost in Pallet Town’s daily grind.
A short distance away, on an old wooden bench beside a dry fountain, lay an elderly man in a pitiful state. His clothes were worn and faded, and at his feet rested several empty bottles of cheap liquor. He stirred uncomfortably, muttering to himself as he struggled to sit up.

His bloodshot eyes slowly opened as sunlight hit his face…
???: Another bottle curse it all! I need more alcohol! —he shouted hoarsely, startling a flock of Pidgey that took flight at once. His red, unfocused eyes revealed the decay of a broken soul—
Old Man: Another day… same as always. Things just aren’t what they used to be. —he muttered bitterly as he forced himself upright. Staggering, he set off toward the nearest tavern—
The sun continued to rise.
And once again, Pallet Town awakened—
indifferent to the small tragedies its people carried,
like invisible chains wrapped tightly around their lives.
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The boy in the red cap walked calmly through the area, softly whistling as he watched a group of younger kids playing ball nearby. Suddenly, thanks to a somewhat chubby kid’s bad kick, the ball went flying… straight into the young man’s forehead.
Without making much of a fuss, he caught it with one hand and sent it back with a perfect throw.
???: Excuse me, kids… —he muttered as he continued on his way, never stopping his whistle—
Kid 1: That guy’s kinda weird… —he whispered while watching him walk away—
Kid 2: He looks like a drifter… like those guys who hang around the neighborhood. —another added suspiciously—
Kid 3: I’ve never seen him around here… better not mess with him. —he said, and they returned to their game—
The boy ignored the comments completely.
His eyes stayed forward as he walked calmly… until, from a dark alley, a staggering figure approached. Instantly, Red raised his fists, wary.
Old Man: Hey there, friend! How’re you doing? —he greeted him with a sloppy grin. It was the same drunk old man who had been sleeping on the park bench just minutes earlier—
???: Tsk. Just a drunk. You’re not worth my time.
—he replied coldly, trying to walk past him. But the old man stopped him—
Kid 1: That outsider’s gonna fight the drunk! —he laughed.
Kid 2: Wait… that drunk looks familiar. I think I’ve seen him before. —he whispered, trying to place the man—
Kid 3: Shut up—this is where the punches start. —he declared, and all three fell silent, watching closely—
Old Man: Easy there, kid… could you do me a favor? Just a hundred Pokéyen, huh? You’d really be helping me out. —he said, gripping Red’s shoulder with a trembling hand—
The boy slapped his hand away and, without hesitation, drove a punch straight into the man’s cheek.
The impact was so precise that the old man crashed backward onto the ground, stunned and groaning. The kids watching from afar stared in disbelief.
Kid 1: No way! He took that old guy down with one punch!
Kid 2: And he doesn’t even look older than twelve…
Kid 3: He scares me… but I respect him.
The boy shook his hands as if he’d just touched something filthy.
???: If you’re gonna beg, at least do it sober, idiot —he snapped with contempt—
Yet strangely enough, the old man didn’t seem hurt at all. In fact… he looked almost pleased.
Everyone else was confused—everyone except the boy, who watched him closely as the man began to laugh.
Old Man: Hahaha! You’re interesting, kid… you’ve got guts. Not just anyone knocks down the great Professor Oak. —he said as he stood up, smiling despite the pain— How about it? Wanna be my friend? I could teach you how to become a Pokémon Trainer…
???: A Pokémon Trainer…?”
Oak: That’s right. I’m an expert on Pokémon. I am Professor Samuel Oak! —he declared, swaying with misplaced pride—
Kid 2: W–Wait… that drunk is Professor Oak?!
Kid 1: No way. Why would someone like him dress like that?
Oak: So what do you say, kid? —he asked more gently, stepping closer again. But the boy shoved him away impatiently—
???: Listen up, old man. Back off. You stink like alcohol, and I don’t care about your world. Goodbye, loser.
Without another thought, the boy shoved him back into the alley. Oak, half-dazed, sniffed his own breath and frowned.
Oak: Tsk… yeah, I probably need a mint… and I can’t believe I’m introducing myself like this, hungover and all.
Suddenly, a sharp scream cut through the air.
???: Stop! Please—let me go!
Everyone turned toward a nearby corner, where two teenagers were dragging a little girl—no older than seven—by her hair. She struggled and cried, clearly hurt.
Kids: Oh no! They’ve got Saki!
The children froze in fear. But the boy… simply stepped forward.
He stood in front of the teenagers, eyes sharp and fearless.
Teen 1: Get lost, brat. This girl stole our money and won’t tell us where she hid it.
Saki: I only took a piece of bread! I didn’t steal anything else! —she cried, struggling uselessly—
Teen 2: Liar! —he shouted, slapping her hard enough to make her cry even louder— Confess now, or we’ll tell your parents!
The kids didn’t dare intervene—they knew those teens were dangerous. But the boy didn’t move an inch.
Teen 1: Now scram, drifter. We’ve got business to take care of.
???: Why don’t you get lost, you idiots?! YOU’RE IN THE WAY!!!
Before they could react, the boy drove his fist straight into the first teen’s face. The blow sent him crashing to the ground, his nose broken. When he tried to fight back, ??? slammed him into a wall, unleashing a flurry of punches until he collapsed unconscious.
The second teen, furious, let go of the girl and charged.
Teen 2: You little punk!!!
??? dodged swiftly and landed a brutal kick to his stomach, sending him flying backward. He dashed forward, grabbed his fallen cap, and delivered another kick straight to the teen’s face—knocking out a tooth.
Silence fell over the street.
Even Professor Oak, watching from the alley, smiled with quiet admiration.
Oak: Not bad… strength, reflexes, determination. This kid has potential.
The little girl approached timidly, holding the red cap in her hands.
The other kids followed, still shaken, as Saki stepped forward in gratitude.
Saki: Thank you, sir… here’s your cap. May I know your name?
The boy took his cap, put it back on, and gave a half-smile.
Red: Just a drifter with nowhere to go. Name’s Red Akai. Twelve years old… at your service.
Still breathing a bit heavily, Red walked away whistling. But the kids followed him curiously—and soon, Saki ran after him.
Saki: Hey, wait! You’re not from Pallet Town, are you? Why don’t you stay with us for a while?
Red: I don’t know… I’m a lone wolf. I kinda like scaring people.
Saki: Come on, have fun with us, Red-sama! —she said cheerfully, with respect—
Red: Red-sama…? —he muttered, surprised as the kids surrounded him with pleading looks—
Red: Tsk… fine. But first—I wanna know your names.
Immediately, the kids lined up, standing straight with serious expressions.
Tomonori: I’m Tomonori.
Hiroto: Hiroto, at your service.
Sota: Sota, sir.
Kaori: I’m Kaori.
Saki: And I’m Saki.
All: It’s an honor to meet you, Red Akai! —They bowed respectfully—
Red: I always wanted accomplices… alright then. Let’s cause some trouble.
Kids: Yeah, boss!
From afar, Professor Oak watched them walk away in silence, murmuring with a spark of hope in his eyes.
Professor Oak: There’s no doubt about it… he’s the one. The man I’ve been looking for… Red… Red Akai.
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The next few hours passed as if time itself didn’t exist.
Between laughter and wild races through dusty alleyways, Red and the kids became an improvised gang— a band of mischievous troublemakers with rebellious spirit and neighborhood heart. They drew mustaches and crude doodles on old posters, scared off a couple of drunks sleeping in the town square, and even mocked a flock of Pidgey that tried to steal their snacks.
Tomonori: Hey, you feathered creeps! Go peck someone else’s head!
Saki: You’re worse than they are, Tomo!
They jumped fences, scribbled on walls, and lived like the stars of a poorly produced street movie—
rough around the edges, but with a heart of gold.
People watched them with annoyance, yet no one dared say a word. Not because they feared the kids… but because of the boy in the red cap, who led them with a mix of arrogance and rebellious charm.
As the sun began to sink toward the horizon, Saki grabbed Red by the hand and led him toward the outskirts of town.
Saki: Come on, Red-sama… we’ll show you our hideout.
They guided him along a narrow path hidden among bushes until they reached a quieter, more deserted area where the sounds of the town barely carried. There, among overgrown trees and wild brush, stood their “great secret fortress”—
A treehouse.
Or rather… what was left of it.
The roof was barely more than a memory, two of the walls hung from rusty nails, and the whole structure creaked with every breeze. But it was still there—standing stubbornly, held together by childhood pride. Beside it grew an old apple tree that seemed to resist time better than the shack itself.
Red: Needs a few repairs… but it’ll do. —he said, plucking a red apple, wiping it on his shirt, and taking a loud bite. Mmm… still sweet.
Sota: Tell me something, boss… where do you come from? And why’d you end up in this Arceus-forgotten town
Saki: Yeah, Red-sama. Why here? Why not somewhere more… I don’t know… normal?
Red didn’t answer right away.
He kept eating the apple, staring at the orange sky through the gaps in the broken roof. The wind whispered through the branches. After a few quiet seconds, he finished the last bite.
Red: Heh heh… what can I say? I’m an orphan living like a drifter. I look for comfort… and adventure. I don’t know where I came from, and I don’t know where I’m going. I just keep moving forward—without worrying about tomorrow.
Saki: What an answer! Truly worthy of you, Red-sama!
Tomonori: Oh, knock it off already! You sound like you’re gonna marry him, idiot!
Saki: W–What did you call me, birdbrain?!
Red: That’s enough. You can settle your romantic argument later. It’s already five, and I need to get some money to make it through the night.
Kaori: What about Professor Oak’s offer? You could squeeze some good cash outta that drunk old guy…
Red: Tch. You’re too naïve, Kaori. That old man doesn’t even have a place to crash. He’s so deep in alcohol he’d just use me to pay off his own debts.
The kids laughed a little, though some of them lowered their eyes. They all knew he was right.
Hiroto: Well… I heard there’s a restaurant by the plaza. It’s run by a nice old lady. Maybe you could work as a waiter, boss. They pay pretty well…
Red: The last thing I want is being surrounded by annoying people telling me how to live my life. Hard pass.
Saki: I’m sorry, boss… but you’re cornered. You can’t sleep with us… our parents would kill us if we took you home.
An awkward silence fell over them.
No one knew what to say.
Red didn’t respond.
He simply turned and began walking in the opposite direction—away from the town. His expression was arrogant, almost mocking, but his steps were slower than before… as if he were dragging more than just his feet.
Red: Don’t worry about me anymore. I’ll manage on my own… like always. Now go on. Head back.
He whistled indifferently, hands in his pockets, as if nothing mattered.
But in his eyes…
there was weight.
A reflection.
An open wound that couldn’t be seen at first glance.
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...Pallet Town, August 16th, 2004, 7:16 PM...
Night fell like a heavy blanket over the humble houses of the town. Yellow lights flickered behind dusty windows, where families prepared dinner, children brushed their teeth, and adults drowned themselves in TV news—or in their own failures.
But Red… Red kept walking through lonely streets, searching for something more basic than answers: a place to sleep.
With his hands in his pockets and his jacket hanging off one shoulder, his first stop was a cheap inn on the west side of town. The walls smelled of dampness, and the hallway lamp crackled as if it might go out at any second.
He walked in without much hope.
Red: So… can I sleep here?
Owner: Sure, you can stay… if you pay up front. —He held out his hand like an impatient judge—
Red: No lying… I’ve only got 50 Pokédollars I found lying around. How about a little discount?
The old man didn’t even blink. Instead, he grabbed a broom like it was a baseball bat.
Owner: I knew you were too good to be true. Rooms cost 120! GET OUT, you shameless brat!
Without another word, he shoved Red out broom-first, while Red dodged the bristles like they were whips.
Red: Tsk! What a rip-off! That bed was filthy anyway, you cheap old man…
Owner: Go fix your life, you good-for-nothing!
The scene repeated itself with a different face and a different broom at another, better-kept inn. This time, the manager was a large woman with a stern look and a fast hand on the door.
Red: This one looks nicer… Can I?
Woman: Hey, hey! No money, don’t even think about it!
Red: Come on, pretty lady… how can you let an innocent guy like me die out on the street? —Putting on his best puppy-face—
Woman: Get a job, you bum! Nobody sleeps here for free!
Red: Well then, what kind of fetish do you have that I’d need to satisfy? —with dangerous mischief—
The door slammed so hard it echoed down the entire block.
Red: Crystal clear… zero sense of humor. —He muttered as he walked away—
Out of options, Red ended up on an unpaved road at the edge of town, where fireflies were the only decoration and the night cold slipped between the trees. He sat beneath a rusty streetlight and used his jacket as a blanket, softly whistling so he wouldn’t feel the emptiness creeping inside.
Red: Another day like any other… though hanging out with those rowdy kids was kinda fun.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted him from the shadows.
???: Young man… if you sleep there, you’ll catch pneumonia.
Red clenched his teeth. He recognized that voice.
Red: Tsk… you again, old lunatic.
It was Professor Oak. Or rather, the wreck of what he once was: a dirty lab coat, no prestige, only the melancholic eyes of someone who had watched life pass by without ever holding onto it.
Oak: I see you don’t have anywhere to sleep, son… that’s not right. —He spoke with concern—
Red: And you don’t look like you’ve got much to brag about either, you alcoholic geezer. What, here to give me another drunk lecture?
Oak: You’re wrong. I don’t smell like alcohol anymore… I’m sober. And even if I don’t have fortune, I still have a roof. You could have that too, Red Akai… and much more.
Red: And you came to brag that you’re better off than me? Good for you, Oak. Go to hell.
The old man stepped closer, unfazed.
Oak: If you follow me… I can make you a great Pokémon Trainer. You’d earn money. Travel. Stop sleeping in the mud. We might even end up with a mansion… or vacations in some beach country. What do you say?
Red didn’t answer. He stayed silent… actually asleep.
Oak sighed and carefully removed his lab coat, covering him. He walked a few steps away, disappearing into the night fog—until he heard hurried footsteps behind him.
Red caught up to him, the coat hanging from one hand.
Red: I appreciate your generosity… but I don’t want to be part of your twisted plan to keep drinking. —He stared coldly and tossed the coat into his face—
Oak: I told you I stopped drinking when I saw you stand up to those punks. You’ve got something special, kid. Potential. I saw it in your body, your eyes, the way you fight. Let me be your Pokémon mentor, Red… together we could leave a permanent mark on the Pokémon world.
Red: According to Tomonori, you’re Samuel Oak… Pokémon League Champion back in the ’70s. And then what? You got lost in booze? In guilt? You hid in this town because you couldn’t handle the pressure?
Oak swallowed hard. His smile trembled…
Oak: Those were good times… when Trainers weren’t what they are today. But everything reminds me of my wife. My children. Of what I lost many years ago…
Red clenched his fists.
Red: And now you come to me just because I punched a few idiots? Feeling nostalgic? Guilty? Trying to save me because you couldn’t save yourself?
Oak: How can you say that, you ungrateful brat?!
Before the shout could fade, a group of figures approached down the street. Five teenagers with defiant attitudes and dark looks. Red recognized them instantly. They weren’t here to talk.
Red: Look, gramps… we’ve got company. —with a crooked smile—
Gang Leader: So you’re the brat who took down the new guys… You’ve got guts, kid.
Oak: Wait! Don’t hurt Red!
Red: I’ve got more than guts… I’ve got a hunger for a fight. And you… are my dinner. —He took off his jacket and threw it to the ground—
Oak: You idiot, Red! This is madness!
The teens shoved him back.
Teen: Stay out of it, old man. This is between us and him.
Red: Lots of noise… and no bite. Come on, let’s see if you’re not just a bunch of chickens pretending to be tough guys.
Teen: GET HIM!!! —He shouted, giving the order—
Immediately, three teens rushed Red. He barely managed to drop one with a hook to the stomach before spinning on his heels and bolting toward a more open area—a muddy dirt road, barely lit by a couple of flickering street lamps.
Red panted as he ran. He stopped suddenly, turned fast, and surprised the first pursuer with a kick to the gut. He threw a handful of dirt straight into the second one’s eyes, making him stumble and fall with a scream. The third hesitated for a second—and that second was enough for Red to take him down with a dirty but effective sweep.
Professor Oak: Red, be careful…! Use this! —He shouted, discreetly tossing a red-and-white sphere that rolled to Red’s feet—
Red picked it up warily.
Red: What the heck is this…? —He frowned, examining it— A Poké Ball?
Professor Oak: There’s a Pokémon inside! Use it!
One of the teens turned toward the Professor and threw a punch. Oak, far from backing down, struck back with fury, knocking him into the mud.
Red: Tch… let’s see what we’ve got here. —He threw the Poké Ball into the air, releasing an intense white light—
The flash lit up the entire alley, making everyone squint. From within emerged an orange creature, a flame burning at the tip of its tail:
The small Fire-type Pokémon landed gracefully, blinking as it took in the chaos around it. It recognized the old man who had raised it since birth… and a strange boy, covered in blood and dirt, surrounded by enemies.
Professor Oak: Charmander! That boy is your Trainer now! Protect him!
Red: I don’t know your name, but if you’re with me, do something already! Tear their faces up, spit fire at them, whatever—just don’t stand there! —he growled while gripping one of the half-knocked-out teens by the shirt—
One of them lunged from behind, but Charmander reacted instantly. With a short roar, it leapt forward and slashed straight across his face, leaving deep marks. The boy screamed in pain and fell backward.
Red turned toward his new partner, a crooked smile forming on his bruised face.
Red: Not bad, lizard… not bad at all.
The remaining teens took a step back. The flame on Charmander’s tail now burned larger, brighter—fueled by the same emotions raging inside Red…
Teen 2: Tsk… that old man gave him a Pokémon. Doesn’t matter— we can take them!
Charmander: (I never thought my life would start like this… but he needs me now.)
Red: Alright, lizard… you did good. Now let’s take care of the rest. Deal?
Charmander nodded firmly, taking position at his side.
Gang Leader: Let’s go! We can’t let this brat humiliate us! Attack—make him suffer!
The three charged at the same time.
Red raised his fists, ready.
Charmander opened its jaws, claws gleaming under the dim streetlights.
Professor Oak: Let’s go, Charmander! Red, use your left! That’s it, that’s it! Yes! Hahaha! This is glorious! I finally see what I was telling you, Red! Trainer and Pokémon, side by side against the world! This is… this is wonderful!
Amid the chaos, the gang leader approached Oak, his expression colder.
Gang Leader: Old man… you’re right. That kid has potential. How about we end this peacefully and he joins our gang?
Professor Oak: Not a chance! —he snapped furiously— That boy doesn’t have the eyes of a criminal! He has eyes of a future! The eyes of a natural-born Pokémon Trainer!
Gang Leader: Tsk… damn it. We didn’t want it to come to this…
From their pockets, he and the others pulled out knives. The tension thickened instantly. Red and Charmander braced themselves, ready for the worst.
Professor Oak: No… not knives… please. Don’t hurt Red or Charmander!
Red: What are you saying, old man?! I can take these idiots with or without knives! —he snarled, fire blazing in his eyes—
Teens: Oh yeah?! Then you’ll see, you arrogant bastard!
In that instant, Oak threw himself over Red and Charmander, shielding them with his own body.
Professor Oak: If you want to touch this boy or his Pokémon… you’ll have to go through my corpse!
The teens froze for a second. Then the leader gave the signal.
Gang Leader: Then die, meddling old man…
The knives rained down onto Oak’s back. Slashes. Stabs. Kicks.
The old man clenched his teeth hard, refusing to let a scream escape. Beneath him, Red struggled violently.
Red: LET ME GO, DAMN IT, OLD MAN!! I DON’T WANT THIS, I DON’T WANT TO BE A POKÉMON TRAINER!! LET ME GO NOW!!
Professor Oak: I won’t let you go…! I’ll keep going… until I make you the greatest Pokémon Trainer in the world!!! DO YOU HEAR ME, RED AKAI?! YOU WILL FINALLY… BE SOMEONE IN LIFE!!!
Red froze.
Oak’s words… shattered him.
The desperate shouts, the dull impacts, the chaos—everything echoed inside the boy’s heart. And as the flame on Charmander’s tail burned brighter than ever, the neighbors began to come out.
Phone lights. Nervous voices. Rushed footsteps.
Neighbor 1: Call the police!!
Neighbor 2: That’s Professor Oak!! He’s bleeding!!
Neighbor 3: There’s a kid and a Pokémon with him!!
Sirens began to wail in the distance.
Red, still trapped beneath the old man’s weight, watched as his entire world turned upside down.
And without meaning to, without seeking it, that chaotic night…
Marked the beginning of a new life.
One where he would no longer be alone…
One where Pokémon would stand beside him, fighting together against adversity…
And where the fire of a small lizard and an old man haunted by his past would forever change the course of his life…
This was Pokémon: The First Step Through Kanto.
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Clarifications:
This story is set in the year 2004, specifically the year when Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were released (if I’m not mistaken). Therefore, it is based on that era. However, Pokémon from other regions may also appear in the story—see examples such as Let’s Go or the movie Pokémon: I Choose You!.
The protagonist will be Red, and he will have the last name Akai, which canonically belongs to one of his counterparts (Isamu Akai) from the Pocket Monsters manga, to give him more depth. His appearance will be based on the Pokémon Special manga.
Several elements were taken from different audiovisual media, such as Takeshi Shudo’s novels, the Pokémon Special manga, and the various anime adaptations available (like Ash’s anime and Pokémon Origins) to complement and enrich the story with details.
The images I use are not mine, so I apologize and ask permission from their respective creators for using them to represent my story. I do not seek to profit from them in any way—I simply want people to enjoy reading the story.
Some regions correspond to real-world countries. For example, Kanto through Sinnoh represent Japan, so Japanese customs and traditions will appear. The same applies to other countries, as long as and when we reach those parts of the story.
Several ideas and aspects of the previous version and its demographics are preserved; however, some will be removed to better adapt to this story, along with the addition of new plotlines.
Our protagonist will travel across a world based on the modern real world, so dealing with racism—even within his own nation—will be difficult.
The logic of the video games and the anime will be used. That is, I respect and appreciate the type chart, but since battles will not be turn-based, some moves may be altered, as well as the choreography of the fights.
Updates will be slow, so I ask for understanding and patience.
Since information about some characters is unknown, I may alter certain canonical details to better adapt them to the story.
I am still undecided about whether there will be a harem or not, so please comment on this section if you want that or not. If there is a harem, it will only include girls who are within two years older or younger than Red—I don’t want MILFs or anything like that. As always, I look forward to your opinions.
This story is from Wattpad. I'm translating it, but that makes updates slower. If you want better availability or to see the original story, go to this link on Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/story/371717523?utm\_source\=android&utm\_medium\=link&utm\_content\=story\_info&wp\_page\=story\_details\_button&wp\_uname\=NewTaelxD
With all that said, I’ll take my leave—but I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great day / afternoon / night, my readers…
To be continued…
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