Pokèmon: Blood Red

The Beginning of the End

The sun peaked through the stagnant violet drapes, leaving a streak of light across Jaden's face. His eyes slowly opened, and he scratched his rugged dark brown hair in a tired daze. He sluggishly oozed out of bed and reached aimlessly for his black and white beanie. On his way out the door, his eyes began to settle in the light, and something peculiar caught his eye. He stopped and stared intently at the calendar hanging on his wall. March 5th was circled in dark red.
"March 5th..." he thought, searching for an event to fit the date. "Maaaarchh..." His eyes instantly shot open, and his body jerked with sudden liveliness. He sprinted downstairs, almost tripping, and spotted his mom in the kitchen. "Mom!" He shouted in excitement, "guess what day it is!"
"Friday?" she asked with a smile.
"Mooooooom."
"Oh sorry, I forgot, it's Saturday." She let out a giggle, "Happy Birthday Jaden." Jaden half sprinted towards her and wrapped his arms around her tightly. She hugged him back. Her silky brown hair was tied in a tight bun so as not to get her hair caught in hot grease and cause a tragedy. She wore a light blue cooking apron with a faded picture of a winking miltank. Below the miltank was the phrase "got milk?".
Jaden unlatched his arms and made his way to the door in an optimistic stride. He stopped and immediately turned around, his face red. He sprinted back up the stairs and proceeded to put pants and shoes on. His mom laughed a little, and turned her attention back towards the sizzling pancakes. Her eyes stared beyond the flaming pan. She let out a sigh and then smiled faintly.
"Ok mom, I'm on my way to Proffesor Birch's lab!" He announced, once again sprinting down the stairs and speeding towards the door.
"Hold on there speed racer," she said, grabbing Jaden's arm, stopping his momentum, "you're not seeing any Birches until you eat breakfast."
"Yes mom," he said unenthusiastically, his face sinking a bit. He sat down in a chair across from his mother's chair.
"I made pancakes, your favorite" she said jubilantly, placing a plate of two pancakes on front of him, and an identical set of pancakes in front of herself.
"Pancakes are dad's favorite," Jaden stated plainly, staring at his food as he shoveled it into his mouth.
"Oops, I forgot," she said cheerfully yet unconvincingly, "I always get you two mixed up, you're so alike."
"I guess so." He said, slightly irked. She was right. Pancakes were his favorite. She knew, but he would never acknowledge a similarity between him and his father.
The next few bites were taken in silence.
"I'm sorry honey," she said softly, "I know your exited about being 13*, and everything that goes along with it, but I'm just worried about you going out all by yourself. We've taken care of you for so long..."
"YOU have," He mumbled. He continued to shovel food in his mouth.
"Please, just promise me you'll be safe." She said softly. She had stopped eating. For the first time since they sat down, he looked at his mother's eyes. Tears silently rolled down her face, her eyes glistening with love and salty tears, yet she maintained a smile. He had been a jerk, and he felt incriminated by her caring tears; he was instantly sorry.
"Yeah," he said apologetically, "I promise." His mom smiled and wiped her face with the back of her hand.
"And promise me you'll run straight to the pokécenter if anyone gets hurt."
"I promise."
"And don't go looking for trouble."
"I won't, mom."
"Oh and don't ride your bike indoors, you could hurt yourself."
"Ok mom."
"And don't talk to strangers..., or famous people! Famous people can be weird to ya' know. That explains your father." She giggled at her own joke.
"Mom."
"Oh, and promise me that when you come back, you'll be calling Kaylee your beautiful girly-friend!"
Jaden let out a distressed cough as he choked on bits of pancakes. "...Mom!" He cried, blushing and regaining his breath.
"Oh I'm only messing with you, she is going along with you right? She's such a nice girl, your really lucky you know." She winked. Jaden rolled his eyes, and they both began to chuckle. "I guess it's time for me to let you go..." she sighed. Both of their plates sat on the table barren. His mom stood up, grabbed both of the plates, and headed over to the sink. Jaden remained seated. "You know you'll have to fight your father, right? If you want to advance..." she said out of the blue, continuing to look forward at the dishes she was washing. "Don't let your feelings get in the way of your actions. When the time comes, you'll have to beat him."
Jaden stood up silently, slinging his green backpack over his shoulder. "Yeah, I know."
His mother turned around and wrapped her wet hands around him one more time. "Make sure to call me every once in a while so I know your not dead, ok?" She said, once again letting tears roll down her eyes.
"I will, don't worry," he said reassuringly, "please, don't worry..." They let go, and Jaden turned to face the door. He took a few steps toward the door, and grabbed the doorknob. He paused for a good second, then opened the door. Light flooded into the house, illuminating his face.
"Bye mom," he said anxiously, "I love you."
"I love you too honey." She waved happily. "Try to come back in one piece!"
Jaden gave a nod of understanding, and with that, he stepped into the world.

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*in this story, kids leave home to start their journey at age 13

Thanks for reading, I promise the story will pick up!