Chapter 2: Childhood Beginnings 2
Blue's shoulders tensed, the weight of his responsibilities pressing heavily upon him. He spoke softly, almost to himself, "I know. But every time I look at him, I see a future I want to protect, a future free from the shadows of our past."
Somehow the Professor nodded, hearing his son with expression a sorrow. "You're doing what you believe is right, and that's all anyone can ask of you. But remember, in trying to protect the future, don't lose sight of the present."
Blue scoffed softly, a bitter edge to his voice. "The present is what worries me, They won't stop until they're put down."
Oak placed a comforting hand on Blue's shoulder. "I understand your concern, but dwelling on what might happen won't change anything. Focus on what you can do now."
Blue looked at Oak with a determined gaze. "I will protect him, no matter what it takes."
Oak smiled gently, his eyes reflecting the weight of their shared history. "Just remember, Blue, strength alone won't see you through this. It's your heart that will guide you."
Blue's jaw tightened, "thankyou Dad but This isn't just about balancing responsibilities. It's about stopping something terrible from happening again."
Professor Oak sighed and nodded, understanding that his hopes were perhaps too optimistic. As much as he longed for Blue to stay, he knew it was not the best of choices to make but he couldn't help but voice his thoughts. It wasn't that he missed his son; he had grown accustomed to Blue's absence ever since he embarked on his journey at the tender age of ten. No, the reason behind his desire for Blue to stay was his grandson, who currently resided in a secluded home.
Professor Oak had tried to spend as much time as possible with his grandson whenever his busy schedule allowed, but those breaks were becoming increasingly scarce, it was not helping that he left the house in the early hours of the morning. That's why he had made the decision to hire a babysitter to step in and raise the child in his stead.
One might wonder why he didn't consider letting the boy stay with the Ketchum family. Samuel had his reasons; he didn't want to burden Delia with the responsibility.
The machine beeped, prompting Samuel to turn and observe the Poké Balls. They appeared darker, and Professor Oak could see a black aura emanating from one of them. The professor's eyes widened as he examined the readings. "What on earth is this thing?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with concern.
Blue closed his eyes, already familiar with these sick and twisted experiments. The machine continued to beep, indicating anomalies and discrepancies. Professor Oak turned to his son, his expression filled with unease. Blue explained with a heavy heart, "Genetic manipulation." His words caused the professor to tense up as the machine displayed messages like "[Anomalies found - Breed does not match species]" and "[Searching for crossbreeds database - None found]."
Blue nodded, his expression serious. The shadows cast by his hair added an eerie quality to his appearance as his eyes appeared to glow.
"That's what I think it is," he affirmed, his gaze locked onto his father's. "I found that egg in an underground chamber that the League discovered. Some of the Pokémon I fought had a similar dark appearance, just like the one from three years ago." He grits his teeth, remembering those days of despair.
Crossing his arms he continued, "I brought them here, hoping you would be able to discern what exactly this... Pokémon is made up of." Professor Oak maintained a stern face as he responded, "From what I could analyze, the Pokémon in question appears to have some kind of corruption or foreign genetic mutation."
"These Pokémon, their build is Unknown, they're a complete mystery" Professor Oak observed, his concern evident as he downed a cup of water. "Are you sure giving these Pokémon to the boys is a good idea?"
Blue nodded firmly, his expression resolute. "Yes, they were just hatched, so training them and taming them should be easier," he explained, his tone serious. Professor Oak shook his head, voicing his reservations, "Blue, I don't think that's a good idea. We should study—"
Blue cut him off, his voice unwavering, "One's birth does not decide the fate of anyone. These are babies, and I will not allow you to treat them the same way the others were treated. no matter what, a Pokémon is a Pokémon" Blue said sternly remembering the horror he had witnessed in those bases, These Pokémon would help his son and it would protect him if blue played his cards right then this one Pokémon could potentially reduce his son's danger.
Blue let out a resigned sigh. "I gave them to you to see if they were unstable" he sighed before looking at the ball in question. "From battling those guys, I know these Pokémon have the potential to become one of the strongest Pokémon." he closed his eyes "The world is getting more dangerous, Therefore, they should be safe with the boys. "there my insurance policy, "he said with a tone of finality. "Professor Oak continued to ponder his son's words carefully. Indeed, the world was becoming increasingly perilous, with various underground criminal organizations emerging. He had followed the news closely and had even witnessed the resurgence of the greatest threat posed by Blue and Red.
His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose as his eyes closed in contemplation. On one hand, children were not allowed to handle Pokémon before the age of 10, But on the other hand, his grandchild was rebellious and refused to listen to him. Samuel couldn't explain how frustrating it was to keep track of him in Pallet Town.
He wished he could simply explain the dangers of leaving this place with a surname like Oak, but he doubted the child would fully comprehend. The professor had a difficult decision to make, and he hoped he wouldn't regret it.
He lifted his head to face Blue "The physical condition of these Pokémon appears to be satisfactory, and there are no visible anomalies in their physiological structure. However, upon closer examination, I have detected a significant genetic Instability that has resulted in an unstable hormonal balance within their bloodstream, characterized by an unusual surplus of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress and the 'fight or flight' response in Pokémon."
He paused for a moment, his expression reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Cortisol, in excessive amounts, can induce heightened levels of aggression and even unpredictability in Pokémon behavior. It's a hormone that is typically released in response to stressors or perceived threats. In this case, the genetic manipulation has led to an overproduction of cortisol, which could potentially make these Pokémon more prone to exhibiting violent tendencies."
"Professor!" an energetic voice pierced through the laboratory, immediately grabbing the attention of the two adults and compelling them to turn their gaze toward the source. Blue fixed his eyes upon the child who had unceremoniously barged into the room, his heart filled with a sense of nostalgia as he observed how much the boy had grown since the last time he saw him.
The youngster bore a striking resemblance to Red, with his jet-black hair and distinctive thunderbolt birthmarks adorning his rosy cheeks. His attire consisted of green shorts and a shirt reminiscent of summer sleepwear. Breathing deeply and placing his hands on his bare knees for support, he abruptly raised his head and unleashed his fervent desire with the full force of his young lungs: "I WANT A POKEMON TOO!" he declared, his arms flailing emphatically like a child in the throes of a tantrum. "WHY DOES GARY GET ONE AND NOT ME?"
Blue's eyes twitched, his ears ringing and causing him to frown. ("He nothing like his father" he mentally scowled. Remembering his early with red. Red was often the quiet type even when he started out as a rookie. he displayed a natural talent that far outmatched anyone. he sighed. What was he doing?, the child is only 6 somewhat.
Professor Oak sighed, resigned to the fact that he and Blue were about to be subjected to an onslaught of endless words from the child. The boy was fervently listing his reasons for wanting a Pokémon, extolling their coolness and insisting that he deserved one as well since Gary was getting one.
Gary walked in calmly, his hands in his pockets, and stated, 'I brought him.' He paid little attention to Ash's outburst, having spent his entire life adapting to the boy's high-energy behavior. 'Gary!!! How do I get a Pokémon?' Ash spun around frantically, eager to learn how his friend was getting a Pokémon. The moment Gary mentioned that he was getting one from his family, Ash sprinted to the research center. Gary couldn't help but smirk in response. "Whatever I want, I get," he said confidently, sporting that trademark cocky grin of his. "It's called persistence."
"Per what now?" Ash asked, confusion evident in his innocent expression as he struggled with the unfamiliar word.
Gary let out a patient sigh, realizing that he needed to simplify his explanation. "It means," he began, searching for the right words to convey the concept. "It means working really, really hard for something you want."
The two boys stared at each other for a moment, his young mind processing this new information. Gary sighed again, realizing that he needed to break it down further for Ash to grasp. He crossed his arms and furrowed his brow, attempting to find simple terms that a three-year-old could understand. "It's like... not giving up, even when things are tough or people say you can't have something or do something."
Eventually, Gary gave up on trying to explain the concept, thinking that Ash might not understand. But to his surprise, Ash seemed to have caught on. The young boy began to excitedly babble and ramble about why he wanted a Pokémon, how he was going to become a Pokémon Master, and all the adventures he would embark on. Blue observed the scene, noting the determination in the child's eyes. He couldn't help but think that Ash was indeed a lot like his own father, Red, who had shared a similar goal of collecting every Pokémon and becoming the best trainer he could be.
When Ash's endless enthusiasm became too much for them to bear, Blue had had enough and clapped his hands loudly, demanding, 'Okay, quiet down now.' However, Ash, fueled by his friend's words on determination, remained undeterred. He continued to express his unwavering determination to become a Pokémon Master, defying the attempts to silence him.
Blue's eyes twitched with amusement as he witnessed the boy's audacity in challenging authority. He glanced at his son, Gary, who simply shrugged, untroubled by Ash's rebellion. Gary had learned from his father that persistence was key, and he had no qualms about challenging authority.
Blue sternly warned Ash, 'Kid, if you don't close your mouth, nobody is getting a Pokémon.' This led to a frown from Gary, who took action by delivering a swift but not too-painful slap to the back of Ash's head. The sudden pain made Ash turn toward Gary, rubbing his head and starting to protest with an 'Ow, Gary, wha—'
But he froze in his tracks as Gary glared at him. 'Quiet down,' Gary snapped, his voice firm and authoritative. 'Can't you see that nagging them will not help us get Pokémon?' The scolding silenced Ash immediately, and he blinked in surprise before nodding, understanding the point Gary was trying to make. he looked down.
Gary turned his head back to the two duo "May I have my Pokémon please." he said with a calm expression. He wanted to maximize his time before what ever plot began when he turned 10.
Blue's gaze locked onto his son, their eyes a mirror of one another. Those familiar eyes, the very same he had once possessed at his son's age, evoked a tidal wave of memories. Nostalgia washed over him like a gentle tide.
With a heavy sigh, Blue settled into a corner of the room, his arms folded across his chest. His nod to Professor Oak conveyed a silent acknowledgment of the proceedings. For the time being, he'd be an observer, a sentinel in the shadows. The Pokéball nestled within his palm felt cool and reassuring, a steadfast companion poised for action should even the faintest whisper of peril arise.
Professor Oak pivoted toward the machine, scooping up two Pokéballs resting there. As he turned back, he approached young Gary. Stepping before the six-year-old, the professor dropped to one knee, meeting Gary's innocent gaze eye-to-eye.
"Gary, before you choose your first Pokémon, let me tell you something crucial about them. Pokémon are not just tools; they are like family. They are living beings with thoughts, feelings, and unique personalities. Building a strong bond with your Pokémon is the key to success as a Trainer."
"Trainers who trust their Pokémon, who treat them with kindness and respect, often find their partnership goes beyond mere battling. It becomes a deep connection, a friendship that will help you grow stronger. Remember, strength is not the only measure of a Trainer. Unity, trust, and understanding are equally important."
Gary pondered Professor Oak's words, a thoughtful expression on his young face. It was clear that Oak was trying to get him to understand the importance of Pokémon or animal love. Such words would have worked on him if but the problem was that he came from a world where he used the best Pokémon to build his teams whenever he played the games. He looked up at the professor, and a confident smile formed on his lips. "Grandpa, You don't have to worry about my future. "
Professor Oak sighed softly, his concern evident in his eyes. "Gary, I understand your passion for battling, but there are rules and laws in place for a reason. Owning a Pokémon younger than the age of ten is illegal. They're not just tools for battle; they're living creatures that deserve our respect and protection."
Gary's smile faltered slightly, but he remained determined. "can I at least keep one as a house pet?"
Professor Oak considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, but remember, even as a pet, it's important to treat them with care and understanding. They're not just there for your amusement." Oak turned to Ash, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Same goes for you, make sure your mom is on board with it."
Ash nodded eagerly, his eyes bright with hope before running off before Oak could finish.
"kid wait!" blue shouted with his hand outstretched but the boy didn't listen, he was too lost in the thought of owning a Pokémon for anyone to get through to him. blue sighed in with his shoulders slumped. Geuss he would have to pay the Ketchem house a visit.
Professor Oak sighed again, turning back to Gary. There was a brief, tense silence between them as they locked eyes in a silent contest of wills. Finally, Oak relented with a sigh. "You can train your Pokémon in the meantime, Gary. But remember, stay within the town limits. It's dangerous out there."
Gary's smile widened gratefully. "Thanks, Grandpa. You won't regret this."
Professor Oak turned around and walked to the machine, his steps deliberate and thoughtful. He picked up one of the Poké Balls, holding it in his hand with a deep sense of concern. Despite the circumstances in his lab, he had to trust Blue's judgment, knowing the seriousness of the situation.
Looking at Blue, Professor Oak's expression was grave. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"
Blue met Oak's gaze with a determined look in his eyes. "Yes, Professor. I want to give him every advantage I can," he said with an unsure smirk.
Oak sighed quietly, his voice tinged with reluctance. As he kneeled before Gary, he placed the Poké Ball in his hands. Gary's heart beat with excitement and anticipation as he looked down at the ball containing his new companion. "Just... be careful. This isn't an ordinary Pokémon."
Meanwhile, Blue stood nearby, holding his own Poké Ball tightly., heart beating He was ready to unleash his Pokémon at a moment's notice if his son faced any danger.
"Thank you, Grandpa," Gary said earnestly, his eyes shining with determination.
Professor Oak nodded, a mix of pride and concern on his face. "Take care of each other out there. And remember, stay within the town limits. It's safer here."
Gary nodded eagerly, clutching the Poké Ball close to his chest. "I will, Grandpa. Thank you for believing in me."
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