#001 (Bulbasaur) | Video

[versusseeker]

[The feed opens up to a young man - rather solemn-looking - in a red hat. There is what some may consider to be a rather strange-looking creature perched upon his shoulder, blinking curiously into the camera along with its trainer.]

Pika-pi?

[It's the little yellow thing that is the first one to make a sound, earning it a small scratch behind the ears from the man in the hat. He looks back to the camera then, tilting his head to the side a bit and, in a soft voice - barely more than a mumble - addressing the network:]

Where are all the Pokémon?

[He's new.]

Comments

[namesaquestion]

I'm Nikolai. I'm the one that's going to be the greatest trainer in the world. ....When we get home, of course.

Who are you? Another weakling like the rest of the trainers here?

[versusseeker]

[The world's greatest trainer, huh? Sounds like Blue. But who is Red to question this kid's dream? For all he knows, maybe he will be.

[Anyway, Niko. Have the shortest self-introduction you've probably ever heard.]

Red.

[namesaquestion]

[Red?

As in that Red? The one one that ruined his life? That turned his father into a coward? THAT ONE?

Nikolai's whole face flips from ánother trainer, probably weak, to Rage and Hate.] You.

VIDEO 8)))

[halloflamer]

[It's Blue]

[grinning]

[tossing a popcorn kernel into his mouth]

[that's it, that's the post]

[versusseeker]

[Mmmmkay.]

[halloflamer]

[Griiiinning grinning grinning.] You'll see.

You were up on Mt. Silver being a dork when this brat came 'round, hah!

[versusseeker]

[Well. If he'll see, he'll see. Shrug?]

[versusseeker]

[He blinks, points a finger to himself.

[Me?]

[namesaquestion]

Yes, you. You're the one that ruined my life, you fucking brat!

[versusseeker]

[Okay, so now he does look a little affronted - not to mention confused. His finger stays pointed at himself as he shakes his head. You must be mistaking, kid.]

[namesaquestion]

When you took down Team Rocket.

[Nikolai: one angry teenager. Who hasn't yet privated this. Then again, he thinks he's being vague enough.....]

[versusseeker]

[Team Rocket? There's a name he hasn't heard in a while. But, even ten years later, it still serves to darken the man's expression, leaving his brow to settle heavily over his eyes in what could easily be a glare.

[So, this kid was a part of Team Rocket?

[No. He looks way too young for that. Even if they were still around today he'd be too young. What could he possibly mean by that, then?]

How.

[That's a demand, not a question. Don't jerk him around, Niko. You're bringing up a serious topic, here.]

annnnd PERMA PRIVATE.

[namesaquestion]

You turned my dad into a coward, AND RUINED MY LIFE YOU FUCKING BRAT!

[He pretty much shouts/screams the last part, pent up anger and fury needing a target. And Red is the target.]

When I see you, I'm going make you regret that with my fists.

[versusseeker]

[Pikachu reacts to that one before Red does, its cheeks sizzling with electricity and its body tensing into a dangerous crouch. Just you try and lay a hand on its trainer, Niko.

[Red lays a gentle hand on the rat and it eases just a bit under his touch. But his expression hasn't lightened at all as he keeps cold, calm eye contact with the angry boy on the other end of the feed.

[His dad? Well, Red supposes that could be any one of the Rocket members. But there's really only one name that he can recall from the bunch.

[Surely this kid couldn't be talking about that man.]

Who?

[namesaquestion]

Hmph. That rat would make a nice snack for my haunter. [His smirk is malicious and cruel, and while he *wouldn't* really let his haunter near enough to even nibble at it, Red doesn't need to know that.

Anyway, he's too pissed off at Red to think about consequences that his words and actions will/might have.]

Boss Rocket. Giovanni. My coward of a dad.

[versusseeker]

[It's a little out of character for Red to smirk at a threat, but Niko's very nearly brings a smile out of him. He would like to see you try, Niko. On his shoulder, Pikachu's cheeks begin to spark again.

[Let's get him, Red.

[The trainer ignores his Pokémon's request, still maintaining steady eye contact with Nikolai.

[Giovanni. So that is who this kid is talking about. The name nearly has Red's blood boiling, but he keeps his composure, his voice still quiet, calm, and steady when he speaks.]

He is a coward.

[He was a crook. He was evil. And Red had thwarted him for the good of the Pokémon and the people of the Kanto region - perhaps even the world, had he allowed the man to carry on with his plans.]

That isn't my fault.

[namesaquestion]

[Noooo. He was the best dad. He was the strongest number one trainer ever!]

Yes. It. Is. [Each word is punctuated with a snarl, Nikolai's eyes holding nothing but malice.] If it weren't for you, he would never have up and left like he did!

[versusseeker]

[Actually? That would be the guy you're talking to right now. Sorry, kid.

[Still. Red's expression softens just the tiniest bit at Niko's last few words. He knew that Giovanni had vanished. What he didn't know was that he left a kid behind in the process.

[Nobody deserves that.]

I'm sorry.

[Take that to mean whatever you will, Niko, but Red is being sincere. He's sorry that happened to you. He's sorry that you had to have a coward for a father. He's sorry that he had to be the one to bring that reality to you at such a young age.

[For all of that, he's sorry. He really is.]

[namesaquestion]

[Too bad Nikolai is too angry, too bitter and too emotionally charged to even consider that Red might actually mean it.

Nope. This is the start of a temper tantrum that is going to last for... a while.] NO YOU'RE NOT!!!!!! YOU RUINED MY LIFE. I HATE YOU! You're going to pay for it when I see you, brat.

I'll make sure of it.

[And with that dark promise - threat?- he hangs up.]

[versusseeker]

[Whelp. Guess he'll have to keep an eye out for that one.]