Hello again! Why am I posting another chapter without waiting for Remi. Well, apparently she either wrote one too many or I wrote on too few, but things are unbalanced on my side. So I'm writing an extra chapter, which works out since this chapter would be hard to fit in otherwise. Enjoy!
Poke-ball 24: Blessings
Blaine watched the sea drift in and out across the eastern sands, but he dared not go near them. No one who knew Cinnabar Island and its sordid past did. Only adventurous tourists and greedy merchants got near the place.
That was one advantage of the Missing Numbers, or, as the Pokedex called them, MissingNo. Their rumored existence brought even more visitors than the pre-war days, and their impulse to clone possessions to excessive amounts made everything cheap. It was one blessing among many, many curses, but it was a blessing nonetheless.
Self-inflicted curses, Blaine reminded himself. The now-abandoned mansion was once a lab dedicated to recreating and perfecting the legendary Mew. The results were Ditto, Mewtwo (which later escaped) and abominations like the MissingNo, which ultimately made the lab unusable. But not before some were shipped out for the war effort.
It was a decision that did far more harm to Kanto than little Johto ever could. The horrible creatures easily escaped, spreading their unnatural nature to other Pokemon and to the very land itself. Blaine noticed the incredible influx of Poison-types now dwelling in the region, no doubt drawn to the pollution. In turn the legendary birds had migrated away, except for Moltres, his friend since the good Rocket days. Perhaps even before, when he first saw the fiery bird while he was lost in the cold mountains. To this day Blaine never knew what a Fire-type was doing in such a freezing place.
Of course no other area was as deeply affected as Cinnabar Island, the birthplace of the creatures. Nothing but Tentacool resided in these waters now, and many other Poison-types had migrated to the decrepit Pokemon Mansion along with the resident Fire-types. Then there was that eastern strip of beach, where the MissingNo and its cousins would rise from the sand like zombies. There was even talk of skeletal Kabutops and Aerodactyl. Blaine had not seen them, but he knew certain creatures appeared to certain people. It was one of many behaviors that no one understood, and probably never would. It was dangerous to research such beings. Many lost their memories trying to do so. Others vanished and never returned.
This land is sick, thought Blaine. We need help, but the higher-ups are too ashamed to admit it. But if something isn't done…
Well, that was why Blaine supported Red. Not because he thought the young Champion could overthrow a government, even with assistance, but because it would cause scandal. Scandal that other countries would notice, and no doubt investigate. And it wouldn't take too much investigating to realize something greater was wrong with Kanto. Another blessing in disguise.
Blaine had gotten the call from Agatha, saying how she would lure the brats so they could learn the truth firsthand. He did not approve of her methods, or of her in general, but he agreed with the idea. So here he was, watching the tides changing as he waited.
IIIIII
Alright, hopefully that clears some things up. The main purpose is to set things up for the big fight on Cinnabar. After that it'll be tying up loose ends. So, about...4 to 6 drabbles left, depending on how long the climax takes. With some luck, we might be able to finish this story by the end of the year.