This takes place directly after Dream 4 in Bloody Red Version.

Chapter 1: Investigation

Somewhere in the world, amongst its many people, there is a boy. A normal boy to the eye—age 20, black hair, brown eyes. He goes out, does things… Anyone you'd ask would say he's normal...but this boy had a secret... A particularly interesting one. Not even his parents knew about it.

But this secret revolved around the world of Pokemon... Yes, those cute and sometimes...kind of terrifying creatures that turned into a worldwide craze. Cards, shirts, toys, a TV series...and games...especially.

You talk to anyone else, they would say Pokemon is a fun hobby. Though if you talked to this boy about Pokemon, he would say with the absolute most certainty in his voice, "Oh yeah, they're fun as a game...but when you find out they're real... That's when it gets interesting."

Some people don't know what to think of that statement. Others think it a joke. Others think it kind of crazy.

For him...Pokemon have evolved—pardon the pun—way past just a game...

.o.o.o.o.

One day, that boy goes back into his house. It's a rather big house... You'd wonder how a 20-year-old could afford that. He goes down to the basement of it...and there it is... Wires, beeping lights, etc. It looks like a tech nerd's dream down there. There's a giant screen on there, currently showing nothing. It looks like it's scanning something, but nothing's come up. There are some...tube-like machines at the other end of the room as well.

He sat down in the chair as another figure, this one out-of-sight, came down. The boy turned and smiled to it. "'Sup?"

The figure walked up to the screen and spoke. "So...ya find what that signal is yet, Clint?"

The boy named Clint relaxed in the chair, arms behind his back. "No... It's really weird..."

"Why?"

"Well...usually...signals like this only go off once and then stop because, more often than not, it's a glitched game and whoever used that particular one...kind of has a breakdown or throws it out the window...or both."

"Yeah, I feel you... So, you think this is different?"

"I'm not sure..." Clint admitted.

A window appeared on the screen. It's of another figure, kind of blacked out. A sort of dull, mechanical voice came through the speakers.

"I have not been able to locate the exact coordinates of the anomaly yet..."

Clint sighed, looking down a bit. The figure next to Clint looked to him. "...Man, you think this is gonna be the one to have—"

"I don't know..." Clint interrupted.

The figure sighed and patted Clint's arm. "Maybe it will be, man... I know how much ya wanna find 'em..."

"Mhmm..." Clint lifted his head with a little smile. "But hey, don't worry about it too much, man, alright? Why don't you head up? I'll catch up with you in a bit."

"A'ight," the figure shrugged. He put up his...hood...and walks away.

Clint goes back to watching the screen. That other figure is still present in the chat window.

"Come on... Show up for me one more time..." Clint whispered softly.

.o.o.o.o.

Clint was down there all night...waiting... Usually he had to because, at first with glitched games...they suck you in that way. He just prayed with everything...it hadn't been destroyed... It's usually hard to destroy these types of games...but it can be done... He waited...staring at the screen.

The figure on the monitor spoke once more. "You need to sleep eventually."

"Not now, I don't..."

"You are going to expel your energy needed for later. Go and rest. I shall continue monitoring."

Clint stared...and sighed...and started to rise...until...BEEP! Clint plopped right back down.

"THAT HAS TO BE IT! Locate it!" he ordered.

The monitor vanished and the scanner expanded to a virtual layout of the world. It zoomed back in on the US, pinpointing, pinpointing...THERE.

Clint grinned. "There you are...again. Whoever you are, you're the only other person to visit the world of Pokemon more than once... The other one being, well..." He gave a half laugh. "Me... Alright, I suppose I should head out then!"

The figure appeared on the chat monitor again. "Negative."

"...Wha?" Clint yelped, baffled.

"Allow me to recon who it is, to see if there is a threat," the figure on the monitor requested.

"Oh, like I would just go barging in, not asking any questions..." Clint grumbled.

"..."

"...So, you're gonna go recon and tell me what's up then?" Clint asked.

"Yes..."

Clint sighed dramatically. "FINE... I'll wait..." He sat in his chair, annoyed. "Do your thing..."

The monitor vanished...and that particular figure goes to where the signal is sounding.

Clint looked down, muttering to himself. "Please...let this be the one..."

.o.o.o.o.

That certain figure stepped through the woods. It kind of...looked like Clint... Human figure, clothing, black hair...but...red eyes...

This is where the signal was... This is where he should find them… He sniffed the air...and closed his eyes...

Red version...

It took him back a bit...but this isn't the time to be thinking of such endeavors... This is a time to find and analyze...

.o.o.o.o.

Dante sighed, getting up. He could see the small injuries accumulating on his teammates from the training. Wildfire and Gale were fighting like crazy, ignoring their pains and aches in pursuit of power. Rocket, Talon, Dune, and Zapper didn't have that same drive. Their drive was to protect him, Dante, from the harshness that was the two glitch Pokemon.

Maybe we should go to the Pokemon Center, he thought.

He looked at Talon, who seemed to understand his wish. He spread his wings and cawed loudly, instantly calling the attention of the rest of the team. "We should go to the Pokemon Center. We all need to rest," the bird declared.

"Rest won't get us to the top!" Wildfire growled, tail lashing angrily at the interruption.

"Neither will fainting unnecessarily," Gale pointed out.

After a moment, the Charmeleon snorted. "...Fine. Let's go."

Dante sighed in relief, grateful to the Fearow for voicing what he could not. The group headed for Nugget Bridge in order to return to Cerulean City's Pokemon Center. Nugget Bridge is still littered with blood spots and burn marks from the damage Wildfire and Gale created. There's even a dent in the guardrail where Dante got slammed and nearly drowned.

Dante fought to ignore the shiver that ran down his spine. The drowning had happened nearly an hour ago yet he couldn't stop thinking about it. He nearly DIED! Would he have died in real life if he died here? Would dying have been better?

No! I decided to stay alive so Wildfire can't hurt anyone else! I've lasted this long with him. I can still keep going. I just have to get him to the top. Then it'll all be over.

Forcing his head up, Dante was secretly happy to leave Nugget Bridge behind as they arrived back in Cerulean City.

.o.o.o.o.

The figure searched for them further. He crossed Nugget Bridge, emotionlessly surveying the damage. With a battle like this...he would be healing his Pokemon and then returning to possibly train...

He continued to walk, noticing the dents in the guardrail as well... A ferocious battle, that much was certain, to do damage such as this.

He pressed onward, Cerulean City up ahead. If they are to train more...he must look for the nearest grasslands...

.o.o.o.o.

Dante exited the Pokemon Center after healing his team. Wildfire, though still irate about interrupting his training for something as mundane as healing, had calmed somewhat. Dante was grateful for this. Zapper had climbed up to his shoulder now, uncomfortable being so close to Gale. His fear of the Pidgey lineage still persisted...

Might have to fix that later. It's no good to be so scared of a teammate. If anything, Wildfire might use that against us later.

Dune suddenly yanked on his pant leg, begging to be picked up. Ignoring Wildfire's snorts and muttered insults, Dante did as requested and scooped up his beloved Sandshrew. At least thing stupid glitchy game gave me a Sandshrew, Dante thought, smiling. That's the only good thing it's done for me so far.

Dune and Zapper provide silent comfort as they crossed Nugget Bridge again, returning to training in the surrounding grass.

.o.o.o.o.

The figure's assumption was true...

There was a trainer with a full party of Pokemon heading into the grass. A boy, he noted. Now to see exactly what they are capable of...

He followed, making sure none of them knew of his presence.

.o.o.o.o.

Wildfire and Gale show no remorse to the wild Pokemon they battle, slashing and burning them to the point where Dante honestly wonders how they survive. Wild Pokemon sure are durable...unlike the ones owned by humans.

Or glitch Pokemon, Dante thought, glaring at the pair.

Nearby, Zapper is helping Dune to get strong. "Come on, kiddo! Put some effort into that Scratch! Do it like you mean it!"

"But I don't WANT to hurt anyone! I'm scared!" Dune whined.

Dante couldn't help but give a sad smile. Aren't we all?

Talon is fighting plenty, though his attacks—thankfully—lack the ferocity and bloodlust of their glitched teammates. If anything, he's purposely holding back against these weakling wilds. Dante chuckled, reminded of how hard the Fearow had fought before he evolved, before he saved Dante from the suffocating river...

Rocket is sitting beside him, one paw resting on top of his hand. Dante feels just a touch safer, knowing he has such loyal friends by his side.

.o.o.o.o.

The figure watched through the trees, taking note...

The trainer cannot speak... He suffered from the muteness... Clint did in his first travels as well. He read the trainer's facial movements and noted when his Pokemon battle...

Two specific ones... The Pidgeotto and the...Charmeleon…destroy the Pokemon in which they battle with. The other four seem like eager Pokemon... Nowhere near the violent factors and capabilities of the other two, though they could attain such tendencies—the Fearow especially—they don't seem to want to.

Every time a wild Pokemon is killed, he noted the boy's sadness and disdain... He realized it quickly. The boy has lost control, which means those two may not be normal Pokemon...

Further analysis needed.

The Wartortle looks strong, however, with it resting, he cannot analyze. The Pikachu seems helpful, cocky but helpful... He noted the scars on its back. Pidgeotto scars...from that one or another...

Further analysis needed.

The Sandshrew seems young, scared, more inexperienced and fearful, he noted. The Charmeleon is the most ferocious in his attacks, but the Pidgeotto is not far behind... Interesting Pokemon...

A curious Rattata started sniffing the figure. He looked down and kicked it away. The Rattata growled and tried to bite the figure's leg, but the figure just grabs him and chucks him...clear across the trainer's battleground and in the line of sight and sound of all of them...

Misstep in judgment, however he is unafraid of any of the ramifications it may lead to... He fears nothing...

.o.o.o.o.

The Rattata sails overhead, squeaking. Everyone freezes to look up and watch it fly briefly before hitting the ground with a sickening thud. After a moment, it gets up and stumbles away, obviously in pain. Silence reigns briefly before being broken...by none other than Zapper.

"A flying Rattata. Now I've seen everything!"

"Rattatas fly?" Dune asked, horribly confused.

"Someone probably threw it," Talon corrected, unimpressed. "I don't blame them. Rattatas are annoying."

"Stupid flying rat," Wildfire snarled, returning to training.

Rocket looked at Dante. "Is that normal?" he asked.

Dante shook his head. Talon must be right. But who threw it?

He looked around until he saw someone standing across the grass patch, half hidden behind a bush. Gale was also looking in that direction.

"You're a horrid hider," the Pidgeotto commented dully. "If you have something to say to us, come out. We know you're there."

"Huh?" Wildfire looked over. "Who the heck is that?"

"An idiot," Gale replied, turning away.

Why do they always judge people by behavior? Dante wondered, looking at the strange person. Well, he sure doesn't look normal.

The figure stepped out of the brush, face emotionless. His red eyes fixed on all of them. In a dull, monotonic...almost robotic voice, he spoke to them. "To be fair...I don't need to hide... I could have been come straight to you... However, I find analyzing from a safe distance is a more favorable choice..." His eyes go to Dante, then the rest individually. "You all seem to have your own methods of training..." His eyes stop on Wildfire and Gale. "You two in an especially interesting manner."

Wildfire frowned. "Who are you and why are you stalking us? Do you want to get killed?"

Dante sighed, hanging his head. Why must you threaten everyone we meet? he wondered.

Dune clung to the boy's leg, catching his attention. "That guy," Dune whimpered. "He's creepy."

"Yeah, he's giving me the heebie jeebies," Zapper agreed.

"Well, he sure looks odd. Not your average person, that's for sure," Talon noted.

"You're not from here, are you?" Gale questioned. "And I don't mean this city. I mean this world."

What? Dante looked at the guy again. …Gale's right. He's not like anyone we've ever seen before. Pokemon has had some weird characters, sure, but none like this guy. Could he be...?

"...Who...am I? …" The figure looked to the side, head sort of twitching slightly. "Who...am I?" He's sort of asking the question to himself...but he turned back to them after a moment. "I was merely observing you to collect data, as you—" His eyes locked onto Dante. "—have made a substantial amount of noise lately. You, of course, came back more than once..."

What? Dante froze, suddenly scared. Has he been watching me? Is this another glitch? No... The game wouldn't purposely make a person...would it? He keeps mentioning data. Is he a computer program? Then how'd he get in a Gameboy game? This makes no sense.

"Well, you're freaking weird," Wildfire decided. "You don't even know your own name? You're not even worth my time. Come on, Gale. We're going back to training."

"Agreed," the Pidgeotto nodded, turning away from the strange man.

Dante wasn't sure what exactly to do. If only I could talk. I could ask him something. Is what Gale said true? Is he not even from this world? Is he...from my world?

The figure looked to Wildfire and Gale. "Training is important to you... Why?"

"Why? Duh! So we can get stronger!" Wildfire replied, glaring at the strange person. "If you're not strong, you'll be trampled to dust by those that are. I'm going to the top. If you can't help me get there, then you better get out of my way...or else."

"Strength is better than weakness," Gale said simply.

"I see... So, you believe you are strong enough to reach the top? Stronger than all?" the figured asked.

"I've gotten this far without much trouble. And I'll get farther still. If you're gonna stand in my way, then you better say your prayers. I don't show mercy to weaklings," Wildfire warned, smirking cruelly and displaying his claws as an added threat.

"So, you assume that you can kill me?" His face, voice, posture… Nothing changes with the intimidation. He just stares at Wildfire with those red eyes.

"Everything can be killed, one way or another," Wildfire said. "If you're offering yourself as a demonstration..."

"If you wish to strike me down, you may attempt to do so." This guy just literally said 'you can kill me' with no emotion...

"Attempt? I won't just attempt to, moron, I will!" Wildfire declared, lunging...only to leap back when Talon flared out a wing.

"Hold on! Something isn't right!" the Fearow said. "Nobody would just willingly let a Charmeleon try to maul them simply to prove a point. You're not normal, are you?"

"What the heck, you dumb bird?!" Wildfire shouted, peeved.

Not normal... Dante thought. Yeah, this guy definitely isn't normal.

Dune clutched Dante's pant leg. "I'm scared," the Sandshrew whimpered.

The stranger doesn't move an inch. "If he wishes to kill me, allow him to do it. It seems to be the only thing which fills his desires to give him anything close to the sensation called happiness... I assure you, he will not kill me. He may attempt, but he will not kill me."

"Even better reason not to let him even try. Who do you think he'll take his rage out on if he can't kill you?" Talon challenged. "Sorry to ruin your fun but I'm not putting our team's health at risk just so you can have your sick, twisted fun with Wildfire. Even if he might deserve it."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Wildfire snarled.

"Don't let them get to you. If you can't kill him, that man isn't worth the effort," Gale advised, frowning.

"Yeah, yeah," the Charmeleon muttered, reluctantly agreeing. "If it won't get me to the top, it's not worth going after."

Dante sighed in relief. Thanks again, Talon. He looked at the strange man. But still... He actually WANTED Wildfire to try attacking him? Is he insane? I guess it's just because he doesn't know how Wildfire reacts. But still...

"As you wish..." the stranger relented.

That same Rattata he threw lunged and climbed onto him. The man doesn't even flinch. Then…it chomped right into his neck.

Dante would've screamed if he was able, but all he could do was raise his hands to cover his silent scream. Dune provided the scream for him, burying his mousy face into Dante's leg.

Zapper jumped back, shocked. "Oh, man! That Rattata is PISSED!"

"I guess we know who threw it now," Talon commented, flinching as he watched the rat gnaw at the man's neck.

"Ugh... Get it off! That's horrible! Do something!" Rocket cried, half-hiding behind Dante's other leg.

...Blood...doesn't come out of his neck... It's...a white liquid...with purple and orange mixed in. The man's eyes start glowing red as he grabbed the Rattata and yanked it off effortlessly. His neck wound healed up in an instant. He looked to the struggling Rattata and opened his mouth, and what came out...is a screech...

A Nidoran screech, not an actual Nidoran... The Nidoran call from the game…and an off one at that.

He chucked the Rattata up into the air and it flew. He waited and it came down right in front of his face. He opened his mouth again and a torrent of water blasted it, sending it flying into the forest. His eyes return normal and he cracked his neck, twitching a little.

"A slight annoyance dealt with... Where were we?" he wondered.

...What the hell is this guy? He CAN'T be human! Dante thought, terrified.

"...That was...odd," Talon said.

"Odd? Odd?! That was freaking sick, dude!" Zapper shouted. "And not in a bad way! In a cool way!"

"Now I'm even more scared," Dune whimpered.

"I think I am, too," Rocket agreed.

Me three, Dante decided.

Wildfire and Gale looked back at the man in time to see the display. "...Gross," Gale commented upon seeing the stuff that came from the man's neck. "You're definitely not from around here."

"No duh," Wildfire deadpanned, frowning at the Pidgeotto. He looked back at the man. "Okay, weirdo, what do you want with us? You're obviously stalking us for some reason. Spit it out! I'm sick of looking at you already."

"Forgive me... In all of this, I forgot to introduce who I am... Allow me to do so... I am The Missing Number..." the stranger replied.

Missingno?! Dante realized. So he IS a glitch...

"The Missing Number?" Talon repeated.

"Never heard of it," Zapper commented.

"That's a stupid name," Wildfire said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"You may call me Missingno if you wish. It is not common for you to have never heard of me... I am not supposed to exist at all, but here I stand..." the stranger, Missingno, explained. "A Pokemon...just like all of you... Contrary to what my form depicts... If wished, I shall show you my true one..."

Missingno usually crashes the games it appears in. If Red crashes...will I die? Dante wondered fearfully.

"Not supposed...to exist?" Talon repeated. "What does that mean?"

"He's...a Pokemon?" Dune repeated.

"Definitely a weird-looking one," Zapper commented.

"You still haven't told me what you want with us," Wildfire said, growing impatient.

"Simple... Something in which may be hard to comprehend to the young minds such as yourselves...but other worlds exists outside of this one." Missingno turns to Dante. "Your trainer is from one of them...and he is a rare case of one that has kept coming back... This intrigues me."

I'm not doing this because I want to. Even if I stop playing the game, I'd probably keep coming back while I sleep. That's already been proven, Dante thought, frowning. Besides, Jerry's gone now. Rook's dead...I think. This'll all end if I just do what Wildfire wants.

"So what? You're here to take Dante away?!" Wildfire snarled, falling on the defensive. "Then you're killing me first! I need him to get me to the top! He got me this far! He'll get me the rest of the way, whether he likes it or not!"

"Agreed," Gale said, stepping forward as well. "If you threaten our goals, you'll regret it dearly."

"I am not here to take Dante away..." Missingno said. "I am merely here to see him, as said. He does not seem to be able to talk... The muteness side effect is an annoyance, is it not?"

Annoyance? It's hell! Dante thought, nodding quickly.

"Mute? You mean Dante's supposed to talk right now?" Dune asked.

"He does sometimes," Rocket replied. "But it always sounds like it's coming from the sky more than it coming from Dante himself. It's...weird."

"Oh," the Sandshrew nodded, understanding.

"So, you want to see our trainer? Why?" Talon asked, cautious yet curious.

"The only other one who ever came back was one other person. No one else has been able to handle it psychologically, or physically. So the fact in which your trainer Dante has survived without a mental breakdown proves he is formidable...which leads me to my next question. What are your names, Pokemon of Dante?" Missingno asked.

Survived? Mental breakdown? What's he talking about? Dante thought, growing more afraid. Is this game really that dangerous?

"I'm Talon," the Fearow replied, still staying cautious.

"Zapper," the Pikachu said.

"I-I'm D-D-Dune," the Sandshrew stuttered.

"I'm Rocket," the Wartortle introduced.

"The name is Gale," the Pidgeotto said, not bothering to pay Missingno any attention.

"As for me, I'm Wildfire. Remember it! I'll be at the top soon enough! Then NOBODY will be able to defeat me!" the Charmeleon declared.

Missingno said nothing for a long while. "...Your name is Wildfire?"

"Uh, yeah? Are you deaf, too? Let me say it louder," Wildfire said, cupping his clawed paws around his mouth. "MY NAME IS WILDFIRE! REMEMBER IT!"

Gale frowned, shaking his head. "...I believe I nearly lost my hearing."

"Shut up, you baby," the Charmeleon hissed, glaring at his companion.

"..." Missingno rubbed a hand against his temple, a sort of whirring sound escaping him. He stopped. "Chance of me reporting back and getting a calm response just went down to zero... Possibly negative..."

"Response?" Wildfire frowned before shrugging. "Whatever. Let's go back to training. The deaf guy's hearing stuff."

Wildfire wandered off to train, Gale following him.

Reporting back? To who? Dante wondered

"...To let you know...you are going to get another visitor... Most likely very soon..." Missingno said. He turned, saying one last thing before he left. "A pleasure, Dante..."

Missingno walked off, vanishing from sight.

Another visitor? Dante thought. Is that good...or bad?

"Well, that was...odd," Talon said.

"Now what?" Dune asked.

"That was the most fun yet!" Zapper laughed. "The Missing Number! Wow! Wait until I tell... Well, I have no one to tell. Crud..."

"It's okay," Rocket consoled, patting his friend on the back.

"Is the crazy guy gone?" Wildfire called.

"It appears so," Gale replied, noticing Missingno's absence.

"About damn time," the Charmeleon huffed. "That guy was WEIRD. And not in a good way. In a bad way. A really, really bad way."

"That's saying something, coming from you," Gale noted.

Wildfire frowned. "...Shut up."

.o.o.o.o.

Missingno reported back. Clint was half asleep at the computer. He looked up, snapping awake. "So...?"

"A boy trainer named Dante," Missingno reported.

"Oh... That it?" Clint asked.

"He had a Pokemon party," Missingno replied. "Dune—a Sandshrew, Talon—a Fearow, Rocket—a Wartortle, Zapper—a Pikachu, Gale—a Pidgeotto, and a Charmeleon..."

"...Weird... Two starters on the same team. That doesn't usually—" Clint suddenly looked up. "What did you say?"

"A Charmeleon…"

"...What's his name?" Clint asked.

"..."

"...What's. His. Name?" Clint repeated testily.

"He is ruthless and may kill on the spot," Missingno replied evasively.

"NAME. MISSINGNO." Clint shouted.

"...Wildfire..." Missingno finally said.

"...I'm going...now." Clint got up and started getting ready.

"He doesn't seem to know who he is or anything, Clint," Missingno argued.

"Don't care!" Clint said stubbornly.

"He may kill you," Missingno added.

"Don't care!" Clint barked.

"Your stubborn attitude for wanting to find him has clouded your judgment of—"

Clint turned to Missingno with a serious face. "Her last words to me were to find him and I'm going to do it, Missingno. I don't care about the consequences."

Missingno froze. After a moment, he nodded. "...Affirmative...I shall give you the coordinates."

"Alright," Clint said with a small smile. "Now, please."

The computer whirred and a hatch to one of the tube-like machine opened. Clint quickly grabbed that same figure from before and plopped him in the chair.

"'Ey, man, what are you doin'? It's late here. I'm tryin' ta sleep!" he complained loudly.

"We found him..." Clint said firmly.

The figure stared at him for a long moment. "...Wha'?"

"Wildfire is that signal..." Clint explained.

"...So what, ya want me to battle?"

"No, I want you to stay here and guard the monitors until I get back. Open up a portal so if something gets too rough, you get me out. It's simple," Clint replied, gesturing to the keyboard.

"You say that and there are about a hundred some keys in front a me..." the figure pointed out.

Clint sighed. "Sean, don't be stubborn."

"I ain't stubborn! I'm just sayin'!" the figure, Sean, argued.

"Just do it!" Clint urged. "Unless you want Zepplin to help you—"

"Nuh-uh! Noooo way! I can do this on my own..." Sean barked quickly.

Clint turned...and looked down... He smiled. "You wanna come too?"

There's no response.

Clint just smiled and picked him up. "Ok...but you know what you do to people, so get in my coat." He unzipped it and put whatever it is in there, zipping it back up. "Alright."

He steps in the hatch.

"Press the button, Sean," Clint instructed.

"Yeah, yeah, what 'chu think I'm doin'?" Sean muttered. He pressed a button and the hatch closed. Sean folded his arms. "Pssh, I can do this on my own easy, look at dis!" He hit some random keys. "See, that's smart-like, ain't it?"

Missingno just stared. "...You just messed up the coordinates for Clint to land..."

Sean froze. "...But only a little bit, right?" he asked hopefully.

.o.o.o.o.

There's a flash of light and Clint is suddenly in the world... He felt air underneath him and looked down... He's now ABOVE the training ground Dante was at!

"...SEAN!" he yelled.

He fell a good 15 feet to the ground, landing on his back.

"...Ok... Ow!" Clint groaned.

.o.o.o.o.

Sean stared at the monitor nervously. "...He was in the sky, wasn't he?"

"Yes..." Missingno replied.

"...My bad..." Sean admitted sheepishly.