Dream 2: Battle of the Birds and Bugs

I wish I could say that I didn't play the game for a few days. I wish I could say that I didn't touch my Gameboy or Pokemon Red for at least three days. I was scared…and for good reason.

When I woke up after that first dream, I was bleeding. There were three deep cuts on my left cheek. I couldn't tell anyone where I got them. Who would believe me when I explain that it was from a Charmander? Nobody, that's who.

It got worse from there. Jerry disappeared from school. Nobody knew where he went. It was like my roommate had vanished off the face of the Earth. His family hadn't seen him. His basketball coach hadn't seen him. Everyone in our dorm hadn't seen him. He was simply…gone.

I got really scared. What if what happened in the game happened in real life? I mean, I got the cuts on my cheek from Wildfire. What if when Rook had died in the game, Jerry had died in real life? Had I just indirectly killed my own best friend?

I was paranoid for the entirety of the day. I expected Wildfire or Gale to show up out of nowhere to drag me back to Kanto. Back to that bloody journey I had started. Back to Wiggles and Sting and the knowledge that my (formerly Rook's) Pokemon had killed their trainer. Back to my fearful team. Back to that living nightmare of a game.

Like I said before, I had been planning on not touching Pokemon Red for three days, if not forever. Sadly, I forgot about the dreams. The moment I shut my eyes that night, I was back in Viridian Forest.

Wildfire and Gale were gone, no doubt defeating helpless Caterpie and Weedle to get stronger. That left me with Rocket, Talon, Emperor, and Empress, all of who were happy to see me again. I wish I could say the same to them, but I was deathly afraid. I didn't want to see Wildfire or Gale ever again.

Sadly, I had no option but to see them again.

I dreaded their arrival. Would they have another trainer-less Pokemon with them? Would I be in for more injuries from Wildfire?

It was none of the above. Wildfire and Gale appeared without any extra Pokemon. Wildfire didn't so much as look in my direction. Regardless, the rest of my team (minus Gale) flinched when he spoke.

"Pewter City is just past this forest. Let's get going."

I shakily stood, Talon perched on my shoulder, and followed Wildfire as he led the way. A shiver ran up my spine when Gale perched on my other shoulder, quietly preening himself. Talon glared at him but said nothing, thank goodness. I didn't want to be between them if a shouting match (shouting on Talon's side, monotone chatting on Gale's side) occurred.

If I remembered correctly, the first trainer we would have to fight had a Caterpie and a Weedle. As we headed north through the forest, I could feel dread filling me. Could this be Wiggles and Sting's trainer? Was he…dead?

My fears were confirmed when we came across a patch of grass just a short distance from the main trail. Talon had pointed it out to me. It was smeared heavily with blood. I forced myself to go no further off the trail. I doubted that Wildfire and Gale could eat a kid. That meant there had to be a body back there…right?

Swallowing the guilt and terror that welled up inside of me, I forced myself back onto the trail. I barely noticed a smirk crossing Wildfire's face. I felt sick to my stomach. How could the Charmander be enjoying this?

We found a kid not far from the sight. The poor guy nearly jumped out of his skin when we spoke to him. I wondered if he had heard Wildfire and Gale killing that other boy. The sick feeling returned instantly, along with fear at the kid's words.

"Did you hear it? Those screams? Something's out there!"

In a panic, the boy suddenly unleashed his Pokemon, a pair of Weedle and a Kakuna. He was muttering madly to himself, eyes wide in terror while his body was wracked with heavy shivers. I was certain that he was going to have a heart attack.

"Allow me."

I didn't even see Gale abandon his perch on my shoulder. I just saw a blur of brown and white. The boy screamed when his Kakuna suddenly fell on its side, its outer shell broken open by the Pidgey's beak. Blood gushed from its lifeless corpse, staining the grass scarlet.

No way. He…

My thoughts were scrambled. I was tongue-tied, not that I could speak anyway (curse you, in-game character muteness!). I could barely unleash a choked gasp.

He killed it. It's dead. Why did Gale kill it?

Gale's assault had only just begun, of course. He whirled around, barely making a sound, and lunged at the two Weedle. Both screamed and begged, pleading for their lives. The heartless Pidgey would hear none of it, however. Like Wildfire, he thought of only one thing.

Making it to the top.

I heard Emperor and Empress sobbing somewhere behind me, terrified at the bloodshed. Rocket clung tightly to my leg, glaring teary-eyed at Gale's turned back. I could hear Talon huffing harshly, feathers fluffed to appear far bigger than he actually was. His claws dug deep into my shoulder, no doubt drawing blood.

I couldn't bring myself to care. I just watched the bloody carnage as Gale tore the two Weedle to pieces. When the job was done, he casually cleaned his feathers and beak. I briefly wondered if Gale had killed before I had caught him.

The bloodshed was met with applause courtesy of Wildfire. Gale, obviously proud but not showing it, gave a mock bow to the Charmander. Wildfire simply grinned, all sharp teeth and bad intentions, and bowed back mockingly. I was disgusted.

The Charmander abruptly turned to me. "That's two down. Ready to keep going?" His voice was honey-coated venom.

I stiffly nodded, unable to give a verbal response. I would've strangled him if last night's incident hadn't proved that it would more than likely be useless. I started to follow him when I paused, looking at the boy.

"I'll die," he whispered, cradling the dead Kakuna in his arms. "Why? Why would you kill them? We just wanted to live…"

I felt horrible. Ignoring the burning glare at my back (coming from Wildfire, if you can't guess), I approached the distraught boy and knelt beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder. I could feel myself crying, the tears running down my cheeks and falling to the blood-stained grass under my feet.

The boy looked up at me, tears streaming down his bloody face. Realization dawned in his eyes. "You've lost control," he whispered.

Lost control… Prof. Oak mentioned that before, back in Pallet Town. Was this was that was? Was letting Wildfire and Gale do as they please…losing control?

I guess, in a sense, that's what it was. I, as the trainer, was supposed to be leading the way. I was supposed to issue commands to my Pokemon in battle. Since Rook's death and Wildfire's capture, that had all changed. Wildfire (and, to an extent, Gale) was in control.

I slowly nodded. The boy, eyes softening in understanding, released his Kakuna's corpse in favor of hugging me. I was shocked at the action but not by his whispered apologies. I guess I was someone to be pitied in this world…

We left the boy where he sat, in the bloodied clearing where his two Weedle and his Kakuna were brutally murdered by Gale the Pidgey (unfortunately, mine). The guilt in my heart lessened a bit due to the boy's apologies. Why had he even apologized? It was my fault his Pokemon were dead. Shouldn't I be the one apologizing?

…I guess, in the end, it hardly mattered. It didn't change how things ended up. I don't think anything could've changed that.

We were almost out of the Viridian Forest when Wildfire stopped us. Gale flew ahead instantly, following the sound of (what I guessed was) an injured Pokemon's cries. The Pidgey soon returned and began directing us (from my shoulder) toward the noise.

I was shocked to discover that it was a Pikachu. It had deep claw marks on its back and shoulders, blood staining its bright yellow fur. It could hardly move. Sparks of electricity jumped from its cheeks in warning.

"We've got to help him!" Empress cried.

Wildfire stopped her before she could approach. "No! Not yet. Just wait. It will be here soon."

"It? What's it?" Emperor demanded, moving forward to stand by Empress' side.

"You'll see soon enough if you'll keep quiet." Gale replied curtly. "Just watch."

I wanted to argue but, due to in-game character muteness, I couldn't make a peep. I reluctantly waited for whatever it was Wildfire had mentioned. I prepared to lunge forward, however, just in case it decided to make lunch of the wounded mouse.

We didn't have to wait long for it to appear. And, boy, was I shocked to realize what it was.

Descending from the treetops above, magnificent wings spread, was a Pidgeotto. It was only present in Viridian Forest in Pokemon Yellow but, by now, I had gotten used to how some of the glitches worked. If this was the same one from Yellow, then it had to be Level 9. The highest level wild Pokemon in Viridian Forest…and the rarest wild Pokemon in Viridian Forest, with only a 1% encounter rate!

If I wasn't living in the game at the moment, I would've been jumping for joy. But I was living in the game, so I found myself terrified. Pidgeotto was one big bird!

Then I remembered the Pikachu. The Pidgeotto had to be the one that attacked it! And now it was coming to finish the job! So much for all Pokemon eating berries! This one obviously craved meat!

I don't know what happened next, only that Wildfire and Gale didn't get the chance to stop me. One moment I was watching this giant bird descending from the sky, the next I had the Pikachu in my arms and my team (minus Wildfire and Gale) was attacking the massive bird. The Pikachu was limp in my arms, either unconscious or…

No! Don't think like that! It'll come true if you do!

I shook the negative thoughts from my head, pulling out a Poke Ball from my bag. A tap on the head was all it took for the Pikachu to be captured. I applied a Potion to the red and white sphere, healing the Pikachu back to full health. At least that proved that it wasn't dead…yet.

The Pidgeotto was furious that its lunch was stolen from it, driving it into a mad frenzy. I actually had to hide behind a tree to avoid its battering wings and wickedly sharp talons. Its loud cries left my ears ringing.

I could only watch as my four Pokemon attacked the Pidgeotto valiantly. It shrieked and flapped harder in order to get off the ground, its belly battered from Emperor's Horn Attack and Empress' Scratch. Talon attacked it from above with Peck, aiming for its back. That left Rocket to damage its wings with Bubble.

The battle was going so well. I was certain that we would win. I should've known better. This game was glitched beyond imagination. Of course something bad was going to happen right when things were finally looking up for us.

The Pidgeotto, apparently realizing that going up wasn't helping, decided to try going down instead. Emperor and Empress were forced to pull back in order to avoid being landed on. Once it was on the ground, the Pidgeotto didn't hesitate to start its counterattack.

I wanted to shout for Talon to get out of the way, but I was too late (not to mention mute). The massive bird twisted around and smashed a wing into the Spearow, sending him crashing into a thick clump of bushes. Talon was back up in seconds, feathers sticking up every which way. He remained undeterred as he shot into the sky to attack once more.

One heavy flap of its wings sent the Pidgeotto speeding forward, slamming its clawed feet on top of Emperor and Empress. Both Nidoran cried out in agony as they were crushed beneath sixty pounds of bird. Rocket tried to drive it off with Bubble, only to be sent tumbling away by one of its wings.

Cut up and bleeding, the two Nidoran were screaming and crying. I couldn't take it. I couldn't let them die. I grabbed their Poke Balls and returned them both, leaving the Pidgeotto to stand on solid ground rather than two squishy Nidoran. I nearly threw up when I saw blood leaking from Emperor and Empress' Poke Balls. How glitched up was this game?

I was suddenly glad that I couldn't talk. Or make any noise whatsoever. If I could, I'd be screaming and crying myself hoarse by now. I was scared. If people could die in this game, could Pokemon? Could Emperor and Empress have died just then?

My thoughts were cut off when I heard Rocket cry out. The Squirtle was dangling from the Pidgeotto's beak by his tail, flailing madly to get free. Fear hitting me like a brick wall, I struggled to find his Poke Ball.

I was saved by Talon, who dive-bombed the bigger bird from above with a well-aimed Peck to the back of the neck. Rocket fell to the ground and instantly ran to me. I dropped to my knees and gathered him up in the tightest hug possible. I felt tears running down my cheeks and my shoulders shaking with silent sobs. I nearly lost my starter

The Pidgeotto took to the skies again, attempting to chase Talon. The Spearow was too fast for it, however, and used the trees against it to continue his attacks. Talon showed the Pidgeotto no mercy, rage shining in his beady eyes. I silently cheered him on, wishing I could for real. Thanks to in-game character muteness, though, I could only watch and pray like my life depended on it…or Talon's, since he was the one fighting right now (not me).

With one final turn, Talon zoomed around the Pidgeotto until he was right in front of it. Dodging a swipe of a wing, he shot forward like a bullet out of a gun and crashed into its chest with enough force to throw it backward. Blood came from its open beak as it fell, eyes wide in shock and pain as it collided with the grassy ground below. After a few moments of helpless flailing, the bird ceased to move. Bloody-beaked and feathers askew, Talon threw back his head with a cry of triumph.

I feared for a moment that the Pidgeotto was dead. My worries then shifted to Talon, who weakly flapped back to me. I just barely caught him before he fell from the sky, his wings giving out in exhaustion. Silently thanking him for his hard work, I returned him to his Poke Ball.

"Is it dead?" Rocket shakily asked, tugging on my pant leg and indicating the fallen Pidgeotto.

"No," Gale answered for me. "But it may as well be. It lost way too easily to you weaklings."

"W-We're not w-weak!" Rocket argued, glaring at the Pidgey. "Y-You didn't f-fight it! T-Talon, Emperor, Empress, and I d-did!"

"We would've if you guys hadn't rushed in," Wildfire countered.

"Y-You were g-going to let th-that Pikachu d-die, w-weren't you?" Rocket accused.

Wildfire didn't respond. His silence was clear enough. I knew it. He really would stop at nothing to "make it to the top", as he liked to say.

Rocket seemed to understand his silence, too. "You bastard!" the Squirtle cried, lunging toward him.

I held Rocket back, stopping him from trying to maul the Charmander. As much as I would enjoy it, I feared for Rocket's life. Wildfire was stronger, if only by a level. Not only that but he had back-up in the form of Gale. Rocket could possibly take Wildfire out with his type-advantage, but Gale was both strong and fast. I remembered how the Pidgey had killed the two Weedle and the Kakuna from earlier, imagining what that beak and those talons could do to the turtle Pokemon.

I clutched Rocket tightly to my chest, glaring at Wildfire. The Charmander gave me a jagged-toothed smile, clearly feeling triumphant. Gale did no such thing, merely turning his back to us. We weren't even worth his time…

Applying Potions to Talon, Emperor, and Empress' Poke Balls (along with healing Rocket with one), I released my other three Pokemon back into the open. Talon flapped up to my shoulder, snorting when he locked gazes with Gale. The Pidgey looked away after a moment, annoyed. The Spearow grinned. For once, he hadn't looked away when meeting looks with Gale! I could feel him bouncing from foot to foot in joy on my shoulder.

Confident that Talon was fine, I gently gathered the pair of Nidoran to me. Emperor was glaring hatefully at the unmoving form of the Pidgeotto (thankfully not dead) somewhere in front of us. Empress was still crying, clutching my shirt in her tiny paws.

Then she said the one thing that stabbed me in the heart.

"I don't want to be here! It hurts too much! I want to stay, but I don't want to get hurt!" Empress cried, tears in her eyes.

"Empress, it's okay. It's gone. Look!" Rocket pointed to the unmoving bird. "Talon beat it! It can't hurt you anymore."

"But other things can! And so can they!" Empress looked at Wildfire and Gale, who had wandered a short distance away. "I'm scared, Dante! I don't want to die!"

"You won't die! I'll protect you, okay?" Talon offered.

"And Wildfire will roast you," Emperor replied coldly. "Admit it! We're not safe as long as those two are here."

"I kn-know it seems b-bad, but D-Dante will find a w-way to f-fix this." Rocket turned to look at me. "R-Right, Dante?"

I wish I could say I did. I wanted to be able to do something. I just couldn't. I had tried last night with smashing Wildfire and Gale's Poke Balls, but Wildfire had interfered and injured me for it. I didn't think there was much else I could do about them.

My silence said it all. Rocket's hopes died, along with the cheerful smile he had been struggling to hold onto. I felt horrible. This was all my fault.

"There's one way we can stay while avoiding those two," Emperor finally said.

"How?" Empress asked, hopeful.

The male Nidoran turned to look at me. "Put Empress and I in the PC. It's the only way short of leaving you, Dante."

"But…that means there will only be two of us against Wildfire and Gale!" Rocket argued.

"We're not nearly strong enough to help you." Emperor countered. "I'm sorry, but Empress and I can't keep doing this. Maybe one day, in the future, we can help…but not now."

"I'm sorry, Dante…but he's right." Empress whimpered, ashamed. "I want to help, I really do! But I'm scared of them. Don't be mad…please?"

I wasn't mad. If anything, I understood. The PC was safe from Wildfire and Gale. They couldn't torment the Nidoran duo if they were in there. As much as I hated to admit it, it was probably for the best. Emperor and Empress would be safer that way.

I hugged Empress close, tears escaping my eyes once more. I would miss them both dearly. As if understanding, Empress hugged me back. Emperor slowly approached, hugging me as well.

"It's been nice knowing you." Emperor said, looking at Talon and Rocket. "Good luck to you."

"We'll miss you," Rocket sniffled, teary-eyed again.

"It won't be as fun, but good luck to you both. Maybe we'll meet again one day. Until then, I'll keep Gale and Wildfire on their toes." Talon promised.

"I don't doubt that," Emperor chuckled, smiling.

"Goodbye, guys. I'm so sorry that we're leaving." Empress whimpered, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Don't worry about us. We can take them." Talon said.

I reluctantly returned both of them to their Poke Balls. Opening the PC pocket was perhaps the hardest thing to do this time. I was saying goodbye to two dear friends. Who knows if I'd ever get to see them again?

With a heavy heart, I dropped both Poke Balls into the PC pocket. My party was now reduced to four, leaving two spaces open for new members. I just hope I won't have to deal with anymore glitch Pokemon joining my team.

As I withdrew my hand from the PC pocket, I felt an electrical shock run up my arm. Tearing my hand from the PC pocket, I found myself holding a Poke Ball. Electricity shot across its metallic surface, causing me to drop it on the grass. A voice, slightly robotic-sounding, echoed in my head.

Do you want to give a nickname to PIKACHU?

That's right! I had caught it, but I never gave it a nickname. The electricity had stopped, allowing me to pick up the fallen Poke Ball. My hand still stung, like shaking someone's hand and realizing they have one of those buttons that shock you when you touch it. What was that again? A zapper…? A buzzer…? Oh yeah, a joy buzzer!

A zapper…

I smiled when I thought of that word. It wasn't a common nickname that I'd seen for Pikachu, unlike Sparky or Sparks or Bolt. Zapper sounded like a nice name for a Pikachu.

I started to feel tired, weirdly enough. Yawning, I sat on the ground before flopping onto my back. The world was begging to fade out of focus…

"D-Dante! Are y-you okay? Is s-something wrong?" Rocket cried, concerned.

"He's tired, that's all. Stop panicking." Gale said.

The rest of their conversation faded away. I briefly remembered that I still had Zapper's Poke Ball in my hand. Oh well… I guess he could join the party for a bit. Wildfire and Gale will be outnumbered, at least.

My thoughts became hazy. My body felt numb. My eyes fell closed the rest of the way as the feeling of grass underneath me began to disappear…

.o.o.o.o.

PARTY

Rocket, Squirtle, male, Level 14, Tackle, Tail Whip, Bubble, received in Pallet Town

Wildfire, Charmander, male, Level 15, Growl, Scratch, Ember, Leer, caught on Route 1

Talon, Spearow, male, Level 14, Peck, Growl, Leer, caught on Route 22

Gale, Pidgey, male, Level 15, Gust, Sand-Attack, Quick Attack, caught on Route 22

Zapper, Pikachu, male, Level 5, Thundershock, Growl, caught in Viridian Forest

PC POCKET

Ratso, Rattata, male, Level 3, Tackle, Tail Whip, caught on Route 22

Xena, Mankey, female, Level 5, Scratch, Leer, caught on Route 22

Wiggles, Caterpie, female, Level 6, Tackle, String Shot, caught in Viridian Forest

Sting, Weedle, male, Level 6, Poison Sting, String Shot, caught in Viridian Forest

Emperor, Nidoran male, Level 12, Leer, Tackle, Horn Attack, caught on Route 22

Empress, Nidoran female, Level 12, Growl, Tackle, Scratch, caught on Route 22