Thank you, RushedFast, for informing me of that error. I went back and corrected it, along with a few others I discovered. Hilariously, I was still calling Wildfire a Charmander despite the fact that he had evolved only the chapter before that. Anyhow, that's all fixed!

Check out the poll on my profile page, guys. It's just a random idea for this story that hit me. Currently no reason why it would happen outside of having Bill try to figure out why trainers lose control or why Wildfire is doing this to Dante. What do you think?

Should I do a one-shot April Fool's fic for this? If so, about what? I have an idea but I'd love to hear what you'd think. Just keep in mind what story it's for. :P

R.I.P. Super Nerd pride. R.I.P.

Game/Dream 1: Death, Thievery, and…Underwear?

Night was falling…and so were my eyelids. I was tired. Really tired. More tired than I could ever remember being in my whole life!

I was scared. I wasn't going to last. I'd fall asleep soon enough. Then I'd be dragged back into the dreams. Back into a world where Pokemon were real and my injuries became reality (I still had the cuts on my cheek from Wildfire back in Viridian Forest, dude!). I didn't want to go back. Not now. Not yet. Not in Mt. Moon, where there were Team Rocket grunts who had lost control of their Pokemon. Where there was more death than ever. Where it was dark and full of Zubat and Geodude.

I had to stay awake, if only until I got out of Mt. Moon. I'd be fine once I got out of Mt. Moon. There would be sunlight and civilization and all that good stuff! I just had to make it. I just had to last that long

I had barely moved my character a few steps from the patch of red on the floor of the room when I was attacked by a Paras. It was new, so I used Dune to weaken and capture it. Naming it Shroom, I sent it to the PC pocket since I already had six Pokemon on my team (you can only carry six at a time, remember?).

Once I collected the items from the room, I went back up the ladder and had my character wander around the main floor. I eventually found a trainer that I hadn't fought yet. It was another Youngster.

"Go away! There's nothing to find here!"

He sent out a Rattata. I swapped Wildfire for Zapper, letting him sweep the competition with Thundershock and Quick Attack. I sent in Rocket to fight the Youngster's second Rattata. All the fighting managed to boost him up another level. I let Gale deal the finishing blows since Wildfire was already a level higher than him.

Gale used GUST!

Enemy RATTATA died!

Enemy RATTATA died!

Enemy ZUBAT died!

After collecting the last few items on the floor, I found a Hiker standing in front of a ladder. I approached him, already knowing that avoiding a battle with him (which is relatively easy) would be pointless. I might as well get it over with.

"None of your kind shall pass!"

I guess he meant those of us who had lost control of our Pokemon. I already knew that Team Rocket was past that ladder, so the Hiker had obviously failed to keep 'my kind' out. It wouldn't be hard to defeat him since he only had Rock-types.

He sent out a Geodude. I swapped Wildfire for Rocket, letting the Wartortle take them out with Water Gun. Due to his type advantage against the Hiker's Pokemon, it wasn't a surprise that he leveled up from the experience he had gained. I let Wildfire finish the job, however.

Wildfire used EMBER!

Enemy GEODUDE died!

Enemy GEODUDE died!

Enemy ONIX died!

Why couldn't you have stolen this guy's Onix, Wildfire? Why did you have to take Brock's Onix? I wondered.

I headed down both sets of ladders, entering a room with yet another Team Rocket grunt in it. If I recalled correctly, he was the one with the murderous Rati…cate…?

I dropped the Gameboy in my lap, black spots dancing across my vision. My head hurt and I felt dizzy, forcing me to lie down briefly. I struggled to keep my eyes open, fearful of falling asleep. I didn't want to wake up in Mt. Moon. I didn't…

.o.o.o.o.

"Dante? Dante! Wake up, Dante!"

"Is he okay?"

"He's fine. It happens all the time, trust me."

"Indeed, it does. He'll wake soon."

"Nice to know you care so much, feather-butt."

I struggled to open my eyes, dreading what I was about to see. From the voices I was hearing, I already knew what had happened. I had fallen asleep, something I had been avoiding for the past two nights. Now my body, desperate for sleep, had betrayed me. I was back in the dreams…in Mt. Moon…with Wildfire…

As my vision cleared, I could see four faces peering down at me with concern. One was Rocket. The other three were Talon, Zapper, and Dune. Wildfire and Gale (naturally) were nowhere nearby as I slowly sat up on the rocky floor. I registered the chill of the mountain cavern, instantly shivering. As if knowing about my newfound problem, Zapper crawled right into my lap. I smiled, hugging the yellow ball of furry warmth I now had.

"Are you okay?" Dune asked hesitantly.

He was keeping his distance, unsure about me. I didn't blame him. Zapper was being affectionate because (I assume) he knew that I had saved him from the Pidgeotto in the Viridian Forest. I hadn't had a dream since acquiring Dune, so I wasn't surprised that he was shying away from me. That would fade with time (I hope).

"Nice to see you're finally up, Dante. Ready to get moving again?"

I turned slightly to see Wildfire and Gale standing a short distance away. The Charmeleon had his arms crossed over his chest, looking slightly annoyed. Gale simply glanced at me before ignoring me entirely. Typical Gale… At least their personalities hadn't changed with their evolutions. The last thing I needed was for them to become more unpredictable.

I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. But why…? Oh, duh. In-game character muteness. I had forgotten it during my avoid-sleeping plan. That sucked…

I was tempted, oh so tempted, to flick Wildfire off just to see the look on his face. I resisted the urge, however. I really liked living, thank you. Instead, I stood up and began to gingerly step toward a set of stairs carved into the rock not far away. They led downward a little, no doubt leading to where the Team Rocket grunt with the Raticate was. Since I was dreaming, I'd have to watch the Raticate kill its trainer when I won.

I felt like throwing up, but I fought the feeling. I was stronger than that. I had to be, for Rocket. For Talon. For Zapper and Dune. I couldn't afford to show weakness now. Maybe not ever.

As I began to walk down the steps, Zapper curled up in my arms, I remembered my previous battles with the Raticate-using grunt (in my non-glitched games). He was a nightmare in Red and Blue (he's not present in Yellow). A Level 16 Raticate that just loved to use Hyper Fang on you and kill your team. I lost against him a bunch early on in my old Red cartridge (the one I lost when I moved).

Reaching the bottom step, I turned and spotted the grunt not too far away. His back was to me and I could see blood on the ground. Had he already been attacked by his Raticate?

The grunt suddenly screamed, tearing something from his arm and flinging it away. It turned out to be a Zubat, which flapped its wings quickly to prevent it from hitting the ground. It screeched at the grunt, blood glistening on its sharp little fangs, and proceeded to fly away into the surrounding darkness. I realized (with disgust) that the Zubat had probably bitten the grunt, looking for an easy meal.

As if sensing my presence, the Team Rocket grunt whirled around to face me. Zapper sprung from my arms, cheeks alight with electricity. The grunt backed up a step, eyes wide in terror…until they landed on Wildfire and Gale. Recognition shone in those terrified eyes as they suddenly flickered back to me.

"Please, make it stop," he sobbed.

The front of his uniform was torn and stained with blood. His shirt sleeves were nonexistent below the elbows, revealing deep scratches and a set of tooth marks (likely from the Zubat he had flung away earlier). His white gloves were splattered with crimson, likely from touching the wounds on his arms and the blood on his torn uniform. The whip, usually present on their sprites in-game, was nowhere in sight. I wouldn't be surprised if the Raticate had it, since the Pokemon were obviously in charge of the grunts.

The lone Poke Ball attached to his waist snapped open, unleashing the Raticate. Its brown fur was matted with blood, probably from its past victims. Its beady eyes locked with Wildfire's briefly before it hissed at me. I backed up, suddenly scared. Raticate looked bigger in the dreams than I had thought it would.

I sent in Talon, who didn't hesitate to hit it with Peck. The Raticate retaliated with Quick Attack, throwing the Spearow back a few feet. Not willing to give up so easily, Talon shot forward with Fury Attack. Raticate brushed it off easily, knocking him back again with Quick Attack. By then Talon had taken quite a beating from the overgrown rat.

Raticate lunged with Hyper Fang, intent on finishing my Spearow off. Instead of tasting feathers in its mouth, though, it got a bunch of nasty-tasting turtle shell. Rocket had jumped in, allowing me to tend to Talon's injuries. Even with his high Defense, my starter was gasping for breath. The Raticate was stronger than he had thought.

"Hang in there, man!" Talon encouraged.

"You can do it, Rocket!" Dune cried in his squeaky, child-like voice.

"I'll…try…" Rocket managed to say between gasps.

He's hit with another Hyper Fang before he can even catch his breath. I can practically imagine his health bar in my mind, falling straight to red. Just like all the Pokemon do before Wildfire and Gale kill them…

The Raticate lunged, teeth glowing as it used yet another Hyper Fang. I dove, snatching up Rocket in seconds. A blur of yellow shot past me. It's Zapper, defending me from the Raticate with a well-aimed Thundershock straight to its face. The rat screamed, reeling backward from the hit. During the confusion, I sprayed my wounded Wartortle with a Potion.

"You…saved me…Dante…" Rocket gasped.

It was yet another instance where I wished I could speak. Of course I would save him. He was my starter, my best friend. He was my first ally against Wildfire. He's been with me since this journey began. Where would I be without him?

Probably dead. I'm just too reckless without Rocket to rein me in.

I looked up to see the Raticate has dropped onto all fours now, exhausted from the combined injuries it had received from Talon and Zapper. Zapper backed off, recognizing the signs. It'll faint soon, which means that now was the time to abandon the battle. It was Wildfire and Gale's job now.

Except this was a Team Rocket grunt's Pokemon. Wildfire and Gale had yet to kill any of those Pokemon. If anything, those Pokemon were spared so that they could kill their owner. They were exempt from the glitched murder-enemy-trainer-Pokemon rule.

Wildfire stepped forward. "You did pretty well. But not well enough."

The Raticate braced itself against the onslaught of flames that suddenly burst forth from Wildfire's jaws. Its fur caught on fire, singeing it nearly black. When the flames finally dispersed, the Raticate collapsed in defeat. We had won yet another battle.

The grunt slowly edged forward, a yellow diamond-shaped item held in his gloved hand. Kneeling down beside the unconscious rat, he slipped the item into its mouth and quickly backed away. When the rat suddenly jumped to its feet, awake and alert, I realized what the grunt had given it.

He had used a Revive on his Raticate. The same Raticate that he had lost control of. The same Raticate that was about to kill him now for losing a battle.

I opened my mouth to give a warning, briefly forgetting about my muteness in the dreams. But I'm already too late. I realized that the moment that stupid grunt had revived his Raticate in the first place.

"Thank you," the grunt said, smiling at me.

The Raticate whirled around, pouncing upon its former trainer. The man didn't scream. If anything, he gladly welcomed his impending death. The rat tore at his chest and throat with its claws and teeth, splattering the cavern floor with blood.

Rocket hid behind my leg, trembling with terror. Talon, abandoning his usual perch on my shoulder, landed on the floor and opened his wings. Dune didn't hesitate to hide behind them, shielding himself from the bloodshed happening only a few feet away. Zapper buried himself in my arms, paws over his ears to block out the Raticate's triumphant cries as it murdered its trainer. Gale stood by, unaffected by the killing in front of him. Wildfire simply grinned, no doubt pleased with his work.

I fisted my hands and forced myself to bear it. Lock up my anger. Prevent myself from lashing out at the Raticate, at Wildfire, at anyone. It was the first murder of a human that I had ever seen. It was definitely the worst experience so far.

When the Raticate has finished its clawing and biting, making sure the grunt is dead, it scampered away into the darkness. I felt a shiver race up my spine. It's still out there. Watching, waiting…

"Let's keep moving."

Wildfire's voice snapped me out of my enraged shock. I forced myself not to look at the poor grunt's corpse as I walked by it. I stepped in the puddle of blood accidentally, dyeing the side of my right shoe a sick crimson color. The urge to vomit hit me again.

I climbed up the next set of stone stairs that we found and followed the winding path beyond it. I battled the wild Pokemon that we encountered, getting a few levels for Dune. The Sandshrew was still keeping his distance from me. After the murder, I don't blame him. Maybe he'd have gotten closer to me if I had stepped in?

No, that'd be suicide. I like living, remember?

"You there! Get out of here! You're going to ruin everything!"

I looked up to see a Team Rocket grunt standing in my way. He had a Rattata and a Zubat in front of him, both looking ready to fight. I sent in Zapper and Talon to fight them. They have the best chance, after all.

Talon easily took out the Rattata with Peck. Zapper's Thundershock was strong enough to knock the Zubat out of the air. Both of them backed off immediately after attacking, leaving them to either Wildfire or Gale. Gale stepped forward at last, his Gust defeating the pair in one hit.

"W-W-Wait! Give me another chance! It's not my fault!" the grunt pleaded, slipping both Pokemon a Revive.

They don't give him time to beg any further than that. Rattata lunged, hitting the grunt's chest with enough force to knock him to the floor. Zubat homed in on an arm, sinking its teeth into the limb to prevent the grunt of tearing Rattata loose of his throat, where the rat's teeth were currently fastened. I closed my eyes and looked away, unable to watch. I got hit with the urge to vomit once more.

I gave in this time, falling to my knees to throw up (I assume) my dinner. Wildfire and Gale backed off, disgusted. Talon abandoned my shoulder again, covering Dune's innocent gaze with his wings. Zapper scampered away, eyes wide in shock. Rocket was the only one to step forward and rub my back when it was all over.

"Done hurling yet, Dante? I'd like to get out of this cave soon." Wildfire commented. "I can't make it to the top if I'm in here."

Why don't you go to the top of a mountain instead? And stay there! I thought angrily, glaring hazily at the glitch Pokemon.

Wildfire simply grinned. "Get up, Dante. It's time to go."

It wasn't a request. It was an order. We all knew this. That's why we obeyed.

After a quick round of Potions to heal everyone, we continued into the next room. Climbing up a set of stone stairs, I saw a Super Nerd standing not too far away. He was bent over what appeared to be a pair of rocks. I knew they were actually fossils, though. Fossils for Kabuto and Omanyte.

The Super Nerd, hearing us coming, spun around to face us. "Back off! These fossils are mine!" he declared.

He sent out a Grimer right off the bat. I felt dread hit me. Grimer was a new Pokemon. Would Wildfire steal it? This guy was technically a Team Rocket grunt…right?

I sent Zapper into battle first. The Pikachu smirked, sparks leaping from his cheeks. Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful Thundershock. The Grimer cried out in agony, black smoke rising from the burnt sludge on its body.

"Rata-tat-tat! You just got trashed!" Zapper cried, grinning as a second Thundershock took the Grimer down (again, I assume) to the red. Wildfire's Ember knocks it out.

"Damn it!" the Super Nerd growled, returning it. "I won't lose! Voltorb, prove me right!"

I had no fear of Voltorb. Wildfire had already stolen one earlier. Deciding to test my luck, I sent Dune in for experience. A handful of Scratches were enough to leave it winded (does Voltorb even have lungs to get winded with?). Gale finished the battle with Gust, earning another level-up for Dune in the process.

"Grrr! I'm not through yet!" the Super Nerd cried. "Koffing, blow them sky high!"

Was this guy stupid? So much for a Super Nerd. Koffing doesn't get Explosion or Self-Destruct at Level 12. All it has is Tackle and Smog.

I sent in Rocket, who blasted the gas ball right out of the air with Water Gun. Zapper quickly swapped with my Wartortle, delivering a powerful Thundershock to the soaked Koffing to double the damage. The trick worked like a charm. An Ember from Wildfire caused the Koffing to collapse, unconscious. I had won yet again.

"Whoo-hoo! Take that, you gas ball!" Zapper cried, raising his arms in the air triumphantly. "Good going, turtle!"

"No problem, Zapper." Rocket looked away, embarrassed. "It was your plan. I just helped."

"You helped us win, man!" the Pikachu replied, throwing an arm around the Wartortle's shoulders. "And you said you don't like fighting!"

"I don't," Rocket replied, slipping away from Zapper. "I don't like fighting. I really don't. But I fight because I have to. I've got people to protect…like Dante. I failed to protect someone—two people, actually. It was a horrible feeling. I don't want to experience that ever again."

I knew who he meant. The two people that he couldn't protect. It was Emperor and Empress, the two Nidoran that I'd had up until the Viridian Forest. After the fight with the Pidgeotto (and Zapper's subsequent capture), both of them chose to go into the PC pocket to avoid the pain of fighting and the fear that came with being around Wildfire and Gale. As much as I had hated it, I did as they asked. I guess Rocket still felt guilty about that.

Our happy moment of reflection came to an end. Guess who ended it? It should be obvious.

My head snapped up when I heard the Super Nerd shift from angry ranting to terrified screaming. Wildfire had lunged at the Super Nerd, swiping at him with his claws. I jumped to my feet, Rocket at my side, ready to stop the Charmeleon.

"Don't interfere."

Gale stood in our way. The Pidgeotto glared at Zapper and Rocket, who returned his glare with ease. Talon was quick to join in the face-off, landing on my shoulder so that he could look down at the bigger bird. Gale's glare intensified instantly upon seeing the Spearow. Talon was quick to match it, unwilling to surrender so easily.

"Waah! Get away from me!" the Super Nerd cried, trying to run away.

"Oh no, you don't!" Wildfire growled, swerving around so that he was in front of the trainer. "You're mine!"

"WAAAAAH!" the Super Nerd wailed.

With a clean swipe of his claws, the trainer's belt snapped and was promptly torn from the loops that had held it. Wildfire looked at the stolen belt triumphantly before picking through the trio of Poke Balls, hunting for Grimer and Koffing's.

"Hey! Give that back, yo—"

The Super Nerd's rant was cut off by a cry of shock. I abandoned my glaring contest with Gale in order to see what Wildfire had done now. I quickly wished I hadn't looked. I should've known what had happened to the poor Super Nerd.

His pants had fallen down. Without his belt, the Super Nerd's pants weren't able to stay up. They were now pooled around his ankles, revealing a pair of yellow boxers with little Magnemites on them. Face beet-red, the Super Nerd yanked his pants back up in embarrassment.

"Quit looking, damn it! It's not my fault!" he wailed. "Don't judge me by the kind of underwear I'm wearing! They're popular among us nerds!"

I blushed furiously, averting my shocked gaze. I…didn't need to know that, I thought.

"Wo~w!" Wildfire chuckled, plucking two Poke Balls of off the Super Nerd's stolen belt. "Cute," he said sarcastically, tossing the belt over his shoulder. "I'm done. You can have it back now."

"My belt!" The Super Nerd practically dove for it.

While he frantically replaced it around the waistband of his pants, Wildfire snatched up both of the fossils. "I'm taking these, too," he said, though he doubted that the Super Nerd had even heard him. "Let's go, Dante. I think we've seen enough weird things in this cave today."

Agreed, I thought, pitying the Super Nerd. He lost his belt, unintentionally showed us his boxers, lost two Pokemon, and had both fossils stolen from him. What a bad day for him…

Unfortunately, mine was only just beginning.

.o.o.o.o.

PARTY

Rocket, Wartortle, male, Level 18, Tackle, Tail Whip, Bubble, Water Gun, received in Pallet Town

Wildfire, Charmeleon, male, Level 19, Growl, Scratch, Ember, Leer, caught on Route 1 **GLITCH**

Talon, Spearow, male, Level 18, Peck, Growl, Leer, Fury Attack, caught on Route 22

Gale, Pidgeotto, male, Level 19, Gust, Sand-Attack, Quick Attack, caught on Route 22 **GLITCH**

Zapper, Pikachu, male, Level 18, Thundershock, Quick Attack, Thunder Wave, Double Team, caught in Viridian Forest

Dune, Sandshrew, male, Level 15, Scratch, Sand-Attack, caught on Route 3 **GLITCH**

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 **GLITCH**

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

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

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

Crag, Onix, male, Level 14, Tackle, Screech, Bide, Bind, caught in Pewter City **STOLEN**

Scaly, Ekans, male, Level 11, Wrap, Leer, Poison Sting, caught on Route 3 **STOLEN**

Candy, Jigglypuff, female, Level 14, Sing, Pound, Disable, caught on Route 3 **STOLEN**

Whiskers, Magikarp, female, Level 5, Splash, received on Route 4

Pixie, Clefairy, female, Level 14, Pound, Growl, Sing, caught in Mt. Moon **STOLEN**

Rocky, Geodude, male, Level 7, Tackle, caught in Mt. Moon

Batty, Zubat, female, Level 12, Leech Life, Supersonic, caught in Mt. Moon

Fern, Oddish, female, Level 11, Absorb, caught in Mt. Moon **STOLEN**

Trapper, Bellsprout, male, Level 11, Vine Whip, Growth, caught in Mt. Moon **STOLEN**

Magnet, Magnemite, no gender, Level 11, Tackle, caught in Mt. Moon **STOLEN**

Grenade, Voltorb, no gender, Level 11, Tackle, Screech, caught in Mt. Moon **STOLEN**

Shroom, Paras, female, Level 10, Scratch, caught in Mt. Moon

Slimy, Grimer, Pound, Disable, male, Level 12, caught in Mt. Moon **STOLEN**

Smoky, Koffing, male, Tackle, Smog, Level 12, caught in Mt. Moon **STOLEN**

Kabuto **STILL IN FOSSIL**

Omanyte **STILL IN FOSSIL**