Pokemon: You're the Monster

by robert.williamstn

What if we didn't train Pokemon to fight our battles for us but instead harvested that power to use in hand-to-hand combat between men? Here is the original storyline retold with that notion in mind and some twists as well. With protagonist Red form the video games, we see Kanto through his eyes and a cast of other folks. New chapters should be up every Tuesday!

5. Mount Moon and Bill's House

7

I hoof it after the Rocket member into Mount Moon and nearly run smack into a man.

"Whoa!"

"My apologies! Did you see a member of Team Rocket come through here?" I ask.

"Yes, he went that way!" says the man in a lab coat as he points to a corner on my left. I thank him and rush forward and round the corner.

I can barely see my guy in black at the end of a long tunnel. There are cracks in the top of the cave which allow natural sunlight to brighten my path, but it's still dark. I'd hate to be here at night!

The thief looks back and gives a startled look before turning around to keep running. I try to speed up and several Zubat fly in my face. The Screeching is hard to bare, but I swat at them with my claws to make them go away. There must be dozens in this tunnel and who knows how many in the cave itself. After what seems like an eternity, I make it to the end and turn once more.

This time I see different directions to take. No sign of the Rocket member. I decide to run straight down the path in the middle of two others. As I get closer to another bend, I come across a large man in a vest and hiking gear. I ask him about the Rocket member, and he simply points his wooden cane straight ahead of me. I give him a thumbs up and start running again.

When I get to the end of this path, I see nothing but a dead end and what looks like a hole in the floor. I step forward, and upon further inspection I discover a hole with a ladder leading to a level below.

It occurs to me that my Charmander ES level is higher than my Nidoran one so I decide now is the time to transition. I concentrate on Nidoran's power and feel my strength go down slightly. When I'm ready, I start running ahead only to trip over something. What is that?

"WHOA!" I yell as a rock with two mushrooms begins to move by itself!

I step back and realize this creature is a Paras, a large bug creature and not a rock at all. I give the animal a Leer and it quickly scurries away.

As the Paras leaves, some rocks fall from the wall and start rolling around. These aren't rocks either but Geodude, a rock animal with two arms and a face. They crawl on the ground like undead towards me, and I try not to panic. It occurs to me that I can do something new, an attack I haven't done before.

The thought "Do it!" flashes through my brain. I jump at the nearest Geodude and kick him with my other leg then spin and deliver a second kick with my left, a Doublekick. I hear a crack and watch as Geodude crawls away. Is this a Fighting move?

Fighting moves are super effective against Rock types, but I thought Nidoran was a Poison type. I should have used this move against Brock earlier. What was I doing?

Before I can give myself a proper hard time, the other Geodude try to attack me. I spring forward and perform my newest attack on them. Bouncing from Geodude to Geodude is a snap, and before long the group is all fleeing the scene. I feel my power rising and notice my hands are…glowing?

Suddenly my whole body feels warm and tingly. All of my skin is glowing, and I feel my muscles flexing and pumping. In my mind I see Nidoran glow then change into a Nidorino. I have experienced an evolution in my Element Skill!

I check my Skillfinder which reads LVL 16. Other stats have also risen significantly. But before I can throw a parade, my mind snaps back to the mission at hand. Find the Rocket member!

I dart forward and come across another ladder leading down. I take it and see a Rocket member harassing a man in a lab coat. He's wearing the same stupid outfit but a different guy then my target. How many of these Rocket guys are there?

"GIVE ME THE MOON STONES!"

"I don't have any! Please!"

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" I belt.

The bully sees me, drops his victim, and proceeds to run off down a hill.

It's much darker down at this level so I lose sight of him almost instantly, but that won't stop me! I check to make sure the scientist is all right.

"I'm good, but you need to get out of here. Team Rocket are dangerous criminals! Mount Moon isn't safe."

"You let me worry about Team Rocket!" I say.

He nods at me nervously, and I turn to the chase. Up and down different hills and around a few bends I go. Sometimes a few Zubat or Paras cross my path, and I Leer to keep them at bay.

After a long time of running in what feels like an empty cave, I finally hear a commotion around the corner. As I get closer, light creeps towards me on the floor. I round the last bend and see several young trainers and some hikers standing together and arguing about something.

"YOU GO!"

"ME? I'M JUST A GIRL! YOU GO!"

"I'M TOO OLD! YOU GO!"

"HEY!" I call out.

The group stops and turns to look at me. Some have confused expressions while others seem more annoyed.

"I was chasing a guy from Team Rocket through here. Have you seen him?" I ask as I walk closer.

"What are you one of them?" asks the hiker.

"No, actually. Team Rocket stole some fossils from the Pewter City Museum, and I plan to get them back."

"How are you going to do that? Team Rocket is mean, and they don't follow any rules. They'll kill you!" says a frightened girl.

"But we have to do something!" says a bug catcher. "They stole my wallet and without that I can't afford any food for the week. My Mom is sick at home. Someone has to do something!"

They start to argue and yell once again. This time it gets even louder.

"HEY! Calm down! I'll get your wallet back."

The group quiets down. From the back steps forward a nerdy looking man with big frames glasses.

"You? How are you going to do that?"

"I just got my Boulder belt, and I know I can beat those punks."

I show them the belt from my bag and receive some smiles.

"Good point, but I want to test you," adds the man with glasses. "If you can beat me, I'll give you some items and have your back. If not I'll tell your Mom, to come get you. Ha!"

I don't say a word and nod. His smirk vanishes, and he runs towards me throwing pellets on the ground as his friends try to dive out of the way. It takes me a second to realize it, but he has dropped Poison Gas near me.
I jump at him and use the Doublekick.

BAM! BAM! Crack!

He doubles back as an Element Skill breaks. He seems preoccupied with his thoughts so I take the moment to transition. I feel Charmander's heat in my chest, and just as the nerd tries to throw more Poison Gas I shoot Embers towards him.

Crack!

He falls down and beats his fist in the ground, obviously disappointed with himself. I the crowd smiles and raise their hands in excitement. I think the fight is over when I notice his eyes go yellow. The nerd opens his right hand and a ball of electricity appears in it!
He slings the ball at me like a baseball, and I feel tremors course through me.

That Spark really hurt!

He forms another one, but I shoot an Ember at him making him lose his attack. I breathe a few more, and he finally stops for good. A final crack and I know I've won the match.

"WHOA! You beat Miguel!" says the hiker. The group claps for me.

"All right…I don't want to say it, but you beat me. Take this," he says and hands me a bag of Potions. I use one on myself and feel completely refreshed. Then I have a familiar tingling in my body and see my skin glow.

"WHOA!" everyone shouts.

My Charmander Element Skill changes to Charmeleon. I feel much stronger than before. Two evolutions back to back just like Brock said!

"What's your name man?" Miguel asks.

"My name is Red. Thanks for training with me Miguel. I promise I won't let you down. I'll make Team Rocket pay."

Miguel and I bow to one another then I take the ladder behind everyone which goes up to a higher level. As I surmount the top rung, I see a lone Rocket member leaning against a wall and chewing gum. He notices me and takes to running.

"WAIT! STOP!" I call out and chase after him. He jumps onto a ladder at the end of the room, and I follow right behind him. As I get near the top, I see him run towards a Blue of light. It's the exit!

I head outside into a path with tall grass but don't see anyone. Where did he go?

Whip!

My answer Wraps around my arm. The Rocket member comes into view from my right just as he catches my arm with his whip. I try to break free but I can't.

Whip!

Another member catches my left leg. I try to claw at the whips as three other black clad grunts come into view. One of them is the one I originally chased into Mt. Moon.

"Look at this kid! Tried to catch us like a chicken or something. What is he a wild dog?"

"You know what we do to wild dogs!" one of them says.

"Smoke him!" another answers.

I notice them all throw Poison Gas towards me. If I wait too long to act, they could take me out!

I chuck up some Embers at the guys holding the whips and feel the whips go slack. Once I'm free, they all take turns trying to Tackle me, but I counter with more Embers. I watch two of them go down.

One guy throws something at me, and I feel strength go out of me. It takes me a second then I recognize the item, a Leechseed! I feel my strength steadily leaving my body. The Rocket Grunt glows as energy flies through the air to him from me.

I pause to transition and take a few Tackles in the wait. Each remaining Grunt uses their whip to lash at me. I grit my teeth with each blow until the transition completes. Spinning out of the whips, I jump and go for a Doublekick. The move knocks out one guy, but the other two dodge me.

They both open their hands then close them and open them again to reveal tiny purple needles in the palms of their hands. The tips remind me of the needle that Weedle used to attack Green.

They fling the needles at me, and some of them hit me in the arm as I try to block. The Poisonstings burn as they make impact. I feel myself getting sick and remember the Antidote in my bag. I'll use it after the fight if I can last that long.

Wait a second!

I visualize the Poisonsting in my mind and close then open my hands. Both palms reveal deadly needles. Ha!

I notice the Rocket members frown and turn to run away. Before they can get far though I fling the spikes. They both topple to the ground, but one of them gets back up and disappears around a corner.

"Freeze!"

I hear a lot of shuffling of boots and dirt kicking up in the air then see several men in uniform approaching me. They have their hands on something at their waists, but I can't see what it is. I stand perfectly still though the Poison makes me feel woozy, and I sit down.

"He's been poisoned!" yells a cop.

"Kid, you got an Antidote on you?" he asks. I think I point at my bag though my eyes are closed so I'm not sure what I point at exactly. I hear him rustle through the bag and feel a cool prick touch my arm. The Antidote kicks in instantly, and I can feel warmth in my face and open my eyes once more. One police officer is squatting down in front of me, and the others are all walking around.

"One got away!" says a cop.

"What happened here, kid? Are you with Team Rocket?" asks another.

"It is OK…" says a voice from behind me."This is one of the good guys!"

I turn around and see Ned, the scientist that came to Brock earlier. He must have tried to run and catch up with me because he looks out of breath. I doubt he is used to this sort of thing.

"What happened here?" the cop in front asks.

"These guys tried to steal from people. They took some fossils from the museum and at least one of them stole a kid's wallet, maybe more," I respond.

The Rocket Grunts squirm on the ground while we talk. The cops search them and collect random things including a wallet and what must be a two fossils.
"I'll take those back please. The Dome and Helix…phew. Thank you!" Ned says.

"Red I am so grateful for your help," he says turning to me. "Can I offer you something?"

"That's not necessary."

"I insist! Take this!" he says and gives me some money and a bag of white stones.

"Those are Moon Stones! Use them to evolve certain Element Skills or…give them to a friend. They are actually quite rare. Only found in Mount Moon so you might even be able to sell them for a pretty penny. Your choice."

"Thanks Ned!" I say.

"HEY!"

I look behind me to see the group from the cave catching up to us. They all come up to me and offer a high five. The hiker helps me get to my feet and gives me some money, too.

"Way to go, Red!"

"You're a real hero. You took Team Rocket all by yourself!"

"Awesome job!"

They all say something to me but soon I can't focus. I notice the boy talk to a cop about the wallet that was recovered and frown.

"This isn't it!" he cries.

"There was one that got away!" I add.

"We'll find the culprit and get it back!" says a cop. "If any of you finds the wallet or the thief, please contact the emergency line."

The cops promise to keep looking for the thief that robbed the boy and head out. After saying our good byes, we all part ways. I head down the path until I reach a small ledge at the end of the ground. There is a drop off that allows one to get to town but going forward would mean I wouldn't be able to make my way backward. Well here goes nothing I guess.

Plop!

And just like that, I'm on the ground facing the entrance to Cerulean City. A town not unlike the last two I visited, Cerulean City is home to roughly 27,000 people but one difference is there are many directions to go from here.

I have entered town by "Route 4" according to a sign. I think I missed the sign for Route 3 next to Mt. Moon's entrance but who cares? To the east of town is the Power Plant and the path to Lavender Town. South of here is Saffron City and the rest of Kanto. Once I get the belt here, that will be my next destination. I'm not sure what is to the north but from here I can see hills and a river that opens to a beach.

The sun is setting over Mt. Moon, and I am starting to feel hungry again. Time for dinner!

I slip into the Market and grab some snacks and a sandwich to eat at a table by the window. Here I can sit and eat in peace while looking at all the lights and passerby. Sitting still while I eat, I notice for the first time today how much pain I have in my feet. Do I need new shoes? I could probably buy some with all of my earnings, but where do you get shoes around here?

Before I can complete my thought, a familiar couple passes by my window. Green notices me and makes Blue stop as she waves at me. I wave back, and we all move to meet at the door.

"Red, where ya been, man?" Blue asks.

"Hey Blue! Green! I just got here from Pewter City. I got my Pewter Belt!" I say showing them the belt.

"Well it's about time, man! We just got Cascade Belts!" he says and Green holds up two blue belts with a water drop on each one from her backpack.

"Aw man! How are you guys so far ahead of me?"

"Ya snooze ya lose, Red. Hey did you happen to get any new Skills?"

"I did. I got a Nidoran male Skill. Oh! Both my Charmander and Nidoran Skill evolved. I feel so much stronger!" I say raising a fist to the sky.

"You only have two Skills."

"What do you mean?"

"We both have three now!"

"What!?"

"Yes, I helped him get one actually," Green adds as she pokes Blue in the arm.

"Ah why did you have to tell him that? It's not my fault that Abra like to just Teleport away. The only way to catch that Monster Skill is to Paralyze it or put it to sleep."

"I got an ES from a Clefairy in Mt. Moon that knows Sing," Green adds. "It's quite impressive that I know how to do that. Want me to put you to sleep?" she says leaning towards me.

"Uhhh, I am good. No thanks!" I reply.

"Are you sure it doesn't hurt at all. Oh I almost forgot! Our skills evolved, too! My Bulbasaur Skill is now an Ivysaur one and my Caterpie evolved into two different skills: first Metapod then Butterfree!"

"Whoa!"

"Isn't that cool? And Blue had his first two skills evolve as well: Squirtle to Wartortle and Pidgey to Pidgeotto, but that last one is giving him more trouble to train!"

"Oh shut up would you! The Butterfree Skill was a dumb choice ya know! Bug Pokémon are weak and have many weaknesses. You'll regret having that Skill before you know it," Blue barks.

Green bites her lip and stops talking.

"Stick in the mud…" she says with a sigh.

Why does Blue have to be so sensitive? He's taking it out on Green and probably doesn't even care.

"Well thanks for the updates. I wish I had gotten here sooner, but I had to head back for my other Skill past Viridian City and then ran into Team Rocket in Mt. Moon."

"Team Rocket? What's that? Green asks.

"They're some real bad guys. They rob and steal and won't hesitate to hurt anyone that gets in the way of what they want. You're telling me you ran into them?"

"Yes, they were trying to take fossils from the museum, and I caught a bunch of them but one got away…"

"Wait! Are you being serious? Stop joking around, Red!"

"I'm being serious, Blue!"

"Dude you didn't take on Team Rocket! Quit lying!"

"Oh never mind."

"Hey Red, I believe you! You're so brave," Green interrupts.

I give her a smile and say thanks just as she looks at her phone.

"Uh…I just got a text from my Mom. Red?"

"Yes?"

"Did you run into my Dad?"

"Huh? Oh yeah I…"

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"

Her voice is loud and heavy and her gaze intense. Blue and I blink and stare at each other with our mouths open. What happened? Is she mad at me?

"Why?" I finally ask.

"He…" she covers her mouth and her eyes start to water."He went home and threw away his liquor. He just checked into a rehab on Cinnabar Island. I…I don't believe it."

"Oh my gosh…that's great news!"

"OH MY GOD! What did you do? What did you say? He's going to get better! I can't believe it! I just can't believe it!" Green says bouncing up and down and gives me big hug.

She nearly knocks me to the ground and for a moment I feel shocked and kind of dizzy. But as she lets me go, I feel her hair brush against my face and see her eyes looking into mine. The sweet aroma of her perfume lingers on me just long enough to make me forget that Blue is even with us. A euphoria comes over me I can't explain and when she steps back, I find myself nearly falling forward.

"Wow! I like your perfume," I blurt out.

"Thanks!" Green says with a big smile. "Blue got it for me!"

I suddenly remember my Blue and notice him making a scowl as he stares intently at something in the distance.

"Yeah, I beat this group of punks on Route 24, and they gave me a Gold Nugget. It's worth some money so I traded it in and took her shopping. You know how girls are!" Blue says seeming quite annoyed.

"Cool."

"Oh hey Red, I hope you're not planning on seeing the Gym Leader any time soon. The one you need to see, the redhead…"

"Misty. Her name is Misty!" Green says.

"Right, she gave us belts and said she was skipping town. I think the other people at the Gym are either ranked too high or too low to give you your belt."

"Wait what? Ah geez!"

"Hey Red, it's been great and all, but we should probably be going. I wanted to get to Saffron City before it got too late. I heard there are two gyms there. Well one is more like a practice one," Blue says and starts walking off.

"Oh are we parting ways again?" Green asks looking frantically at Blue and me.

"I mean we don't have to? I could just come to Saffron City with you guys and come back later for this belt," I say but notice that Blue isn't listening at all.

"Well smell ya later, Red!" he says and waves a hand without looking back.

"Oh um…there he goes!" Green says to me. "Blue is kind of strange, isn't he?"

"More like full of it," I answer.

"No, I mean. What's that word? I forget! Anyway, I hope you catch up to us soon, Red. See you later!"

She waves and starts to walk off when I call her name.

"Green!"

"Yes?" she says turning back to look at me. She stands still with a curious look in her eyes. I should have something to say, but I blank for a second.

"What is it?"

"Um. Would you like my number? I mean so we can text and keep up with each other."

I see a grin come over her face.

"Just to let you guys know where I am or find out if you're close I mean."

She walks up to me and once more I can smell her wonderful perfume. I wasn't sure, but now I'm convinced it's something woodsy, like pine comb.

"Of course! That's very smart," she adds.

We exchange numbers and give each other one last hug. I watch in silence as Green runs off to catch up with Blue. I don't know what to say, but I feel very happy that she joined us on our journey. She looks back at me and gives a wink and laugh. What did that mean? I feel my face for food on my lips and dust my hair off thinking maybe she saw something on my face from my last meal and didn't want to tell me. She turns around and walks on and for just a moment I watch Blue and Green walk into the setting sun.

8

I'm walking around town when I head "Ha ha. You're cute!"

I see a redhead in a white dress holding hands with a young man in a tuxedo. They are far enough away now that I can barely see or hear them. The couple is clearly on a date, and I'm about to look away when the guy happens to look back.

We make eye contact, and I realize this is the Rocket member that got away earlier only now he's dressed differently. He seems to recognize me as well and suddenly pulls on the girl by the hand, dragging her north of town.

I don't have to think anymore. I take off after them and follow them out of town. The girl doesn't seem to notice. They round a bend just as I make it to a long, wooden bridge over a river. This must be where Blue got that nugget earlier. No one else seems to be out this way. I can see tall grass to my left that probably contains wild Pokémon but nothing of interest.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

I hear the wood of the bridge pounding under each step of my feet until I finally hit dirt again and turn a corner. Coming around a small hill, I see several little hills to pass through or simply jump down. If I had an overhead perspective, I could tell where to go but right now I'll just have to guess.

I run down a path and reach a dead end then try to make way back. I try a few more routes, but every time I go out I get turned around. Which way is it?

I decide to use a technique my father taught me once when we got turned around in Viridian Forest. I hug the left wall and follow it to a dead end. Turning around, I continue this process for several minutes. After multiple turns, I come to a clearing where I can see a building by a beach and the couple from earlier.

"HEY!" I call out.

The couple turn around and look at me. The thief jumps to his feet and raises a fist towards me.

"BEAT IT MAN!"

"GIVE ME BACK THAT WATCH!" I hound.

I see his face go pale and without another word take off towards a nearby house. The girl stands up but doesn't follow. She doesn't seem to know what's going on. She at least probably isn't part of Team Rocket.

Sprinting after my target, I ready some Poisonstings and launch them his way. He takes one in the leg and falls down. I run up to him and get within a few feet of him when he stops trying to get away and instead cradles his calf like and infant.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Someone hits in the head from behind repeatedly, and I fall down trying to cover my head after taking multiple blows to the noggin.

"What are you doing!?" yells the girl.

"Ah…my head!"

"Explain yourself!"

"OK! OK!" I plead hoping she won't hit me again. I look over at the guy who is trying to pulls the needles out of his leg but won't go through with it. Not really a tough guy at all.

"You stole that kid's wallet," I say looking at him. "You work for Team Rocket!"

"What's it to you, pal?" he groans.

"WHAT!?" the girl growls. She didn't know this. "UGH! This date is over! I'm calling the police," she says and whips out her cell phone from a dress pocket. The Rocket member and I sit in silence nursing our injuries as she turns on her phone and explains the situation to the cops.

"What? Yes, this is Misty from the Cerulean City Gym. The guy's name is Ken…wait…IS Ken YOUR REAL NAME!?" Misty barks at in our direction. Ken nods sheepishly.

"WHAT IS YOUR NAME!?" she turns to me next. I sit up now feeling the pain in my head lessen and look her in the eye. She seems disarmed by my gaze. I have nothing to be afraid of as I'm not the villain here.

"My name is Red. I'm a Monster Trainer."

She stares at me for a moment as if not sure to believe me than looks away ah she answers her phone.

"Yes I'm still here. The other one is Red. No, he's just a trainer."

We wait for a few minutes until a group of policemen arrive on the scene. They all have grey uniforms and serious faces on. One man comes with them in civilian clothes and a trench coat with a note pad in hand.

They all take their turns asking the three of us questions. I can tell that Misty is thoroughly embarrassed by the whole experience. We are separated when we talk so no one really hears what the other has to say. When the cops seem satisfied with their questioning they take Ken away. Misty stomps away without looking back. What a horrible date!

Just as everyone starts to walk away, the man in the coat stops me and asks to stay behind.

"Red huh?"

"Yes sir!"

"Your Dad was in the army right? Satoshi Himura."

"Yes."

"Well Red, I appreciate what you did here today. Please keep it up and if you see or hear anything more about Team Rocket, please give me a ring," he says as he gives me a card. "Good luck!"

I read the card and see a caption: "Looker: International Police" followed by a phone number. When I look up, he's already started walking away.

"HEY!" I yell. He looks back over his shoulder.

"How do you know who I am? How did you know my father is Satoshi Himura?"

"Because Red. You look just like him!"

"What!?"

I call out to him, but a fog comes up from the beach, and just like that, he's gone. I'm all by myself.

I sit in silence for a few moments on the beach and listen to the sound of waves lightly hitting the sand and sloshing back to sea.
That man knew my father. Was he a soldier? What kind of name is Looker? Is he a good guy? Where did he go? I can see my father in my mind leaving our house in his Red unit uniform. He has on brown garb with this red jacket on over the top. I feel it with my fingers just like I did when he gave me a hug bye all those years ago. I didn't know it was the last time I'd see him. The last time I would be that close to him.

Thump! Thump!

I snap back to the present moment when I hear something like a hammer. Where is it coming from? There is no one here anymore. I'm alone in this beach except for the lone house to my right and adjacent buildings next to it.

Thump! Thump!

All of the lights are turned off, and it looks like no one is home. Walking back toward the house and town, I try to place the sound.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Looking next to the building, I notice a cellar door that goes beneath the house. Did they just move? I walk closer and see the doors shake a little.

"Hello?" I ask.

"Help!" says a voice behind the doors.

I drop down to my knees and transition my skills. With claws at the ready, I begin Scratching the doors and lock. After a couple minutes the lock breaks loose.

Chunk!

I pull open the doors and find a young man lying on the steps covered in ash and smoke. The man reaches out to me, and I take his hand. The basement looks as if some explosion just took place here.

"What happened? Are you OK?"

"There is a master plan…the designer. Don't try to change the design. The power was too great! Don't do it!"

"What? I don't understand. What plan?"

"We are formed within the plan…cannot alter it though we tried."

"I don't understand you. What's your name?"

"I'm sorry. You don't know yet. Not yet…I am William Masaki. Please call me Bill."

"My name's Red. What happened here?"

"Tried to…mess with time. Red tell Oak he was right! Don't mess with the plan. We have choices within the plan but not outside of it."

"You mean Professor Oak? What plan?"

"Red…please take this," he says and pulls two envelopes out of his shirt pocket and hands them to me. One has "Yumi" written on the front.

"Can you take this to her? Yumi…lives in Fuchsia City with his mother…my mother."

"Your mother?" I ask.

"Please! I'll give you a reward…in advance…the other one."

"Bill, you don't have to do that…"

"Take them. There's no time!" he says, and I can see in the other envelope a sort of ticket.

"It was for him…me and sissy…I'm sorry!" he groans and lays his head down. I try to nudge him, but he doesn't respond. As I lean forward to flip him over, he vanishes. The man simply is nowhere to be seen, as if he were never there at all.

"Bill? Bill!"

I look all over the place, but Bill is gone! I walk through the basement and find nothing but tools and pieces of machinery thrown about. A fire went out down here and left black marks on the floor and walls as well one big spot in the middle of the ceiling. The stairs at the end of the basement are missing some steps, but I climb my way up into the lab above.

Like the basement, much of this room has equipment that appears to have blown up. How long ago did this happen?

I make my way through the lab into the kitchen noticing a locked door left wide open on the way. In the kitchen I see some dishes on the floor that appear to have fallen after the explosion. Checking the fridge, I notice it's modestly full with fresh meats and vegetables. Closing it back, I turn around to see the den encased by a glass wall viewing the beach.

This place must have been amazing before the explosion! I take a step forward into the living room and find a picture on the floor with a Bill, a similar looking girl, and an older lady.

I find a different combinations of these people and deduce that the lady is Bill's mother and the girl is his sister Yumi.

"Ahem!"

I stop in my tracks and turn to my side seeing the young man. I thought I was alone! He squints his eyes at me.

"Excuse me but just what are you doing in my house exactly?"

"Uh…Bill?"

"That's my name, but who are you?"

"What!? I was just talking to you in the basement. Where did you go?"

"Basement? What is this, some kind of joke!?"

"What? No! Bill it's me, Red."

"I've never met you before in my life! If you'll please excuse me, I'm a scientist and one of my projects just exploded. I will need to replace some things and don't want any interference. Good day!" he says motioning for me to go out the front door.

"But…your letter!"

"I believe you were leaving!" he says walking me to the front door.

"Shouldn't we call the police?" I ask.

"NO! I mean they just came here the yesterday and earlier today! Can't a man work in peace?" he bellows as he pushes me out the door. I feel it slam behind me.

"Good bye?" I say to myself. Weird. I look at the envelope with the message. It's a sealed letter and part of me wants to read it, but I stop myself. I plan on visiting Fuchsia City anyway.

Checking the other envelope, I find a ticket that says "Two for one: Board the S.S. Anne." I read the caption on the back, and it's clear this ticket will get me and one other person for a week long cruise that ports in Vermillion City. Should I use it though?

Bill 1 gave it to me, but Bill 2 kicked me out of his house. Do clones exist? What about what Bill 1 said about messing with time? Did one Bill revel through time and come back nicer than the other? You can't clone people or travel in time so what DID happen at Bill's house? Did I even talk to Bill?

Bzzt! Bzzt!

I check my phone and see a text from Blue showing "😛."

I respond, "😛Hey, do you know anything about S.S. Anne? Someone tried to give me a ticket for two to ride it for a week long cruise."

"Me, too. Gramps got me one. You can be lazy and eat food or train like me. You're coming, too? Cool!"

"Yeah!" I say before I stop myself, but before I can give the long story he starts texting again.

"Green wants to know if she can come."

"Yes, that would be great! So your ticket is just like mine?"

"Yeah, just said that idiot!"

"Yo chill."

"Green is very excited!" he texts and at that moment, I get another text from her with a smiley face. This is awesome! I send her a smiler back.

I tell them I'll talk to them more about the trip tomorrow. It's getting late, and I'm exhausted. I have to get back to Cerulean City and shower and sleep at the Focus. Blue and Green say good night, and I walk back without incident to Cerulean City. The sound of waves in the distance sooth me, and it's hard to keep my eyes open.

I get into the Focus feeling completely drained. I get a towel and bottle of "cleaner" from the front desk then make my way to the locker room. The shower is small with a shower head and rack for hygiene products covered by a dark curtain.

The warm water feels great on my sore body, and after I get out the shower I see a machine for washing my clothes. I put them in the machine and in a few minutes they pop out and a green light comes on. Next to the machine is a dryer. I plop them in and again they are finished in only a few minutes and come out with satisfying Ping! I put start to put them on but notice some clothes stacked against the wall.

The Focus has provided long johns for sleeping. How did I miss this last time? Maybe Viridian City is too small to pack all of this into their Focus?

I take the clothes that look like my size and put them on. A little loose around the waist but just right on the length of sleeves and pants. There are several people walking around, but I don't pay them any attention and crawl into the pod assigned to me. I close my eyes and fall right to sleep.

The next morning, I change into my regular clothes and dump my sleepwear into a bin by the door and walk back out front. I grab the breakfast up front and munch it down while checking my phone for messages. Nothing.

The idea comes to me that if Blue has a ticket like mine, Green can go with him. That means I can take a guest, too.

Staring at the phone for several minutes, I hover over the name "Daisy." Finally I click the name and text her.

"You what?"

"Yes, I got this ticket for two. Would you like to come with us?"

"Yes! Of course. Wow thanks for thinking of me! 😀"

"No problem! 😀"

Well that went well! I haven't texted Daisy much before other than to basically ask if Blue was free. Could this be really happening?

I put my phone away and walk out of the Focus reflecting on my journey so far. I beat some Team Rocket thugs into shape yesterday and also got my first belt. I got this cool ticket for a cruise and now the most beautiful girl I know is coming with me. I'll get my next belt in a few minutes and then be on my way.

I walk across town to the gym and smile once I see the lights on and people going in and out. I walk in the front door to find a large pool taking up most of the gym and a catwalk snaking its way across the room overhead. It looks to be only a few feet above the pool. There are many places where one might get off of the catwalk to get in the pool and…battle?

I see some boys struggling to chase down some girls in the pool and others laughing. Some kids are dressed in swimsuits while others have on normal looking clothes like me. I walk back and hear a familiar voice.

"You!"

I look to my right and then down into the water to see Misty floating in the water. A scowl on her face.

"Hi…"

"Don't 'hi' me! What do you want?"

"Uh…I…my name is…"

"Oh I know your name, Red. You're here for the Cascade Belt right?"

"Yes."

"Well I'm not going to hand one out you know. You'll have to get in here and fight me for it."

"In there?" I ask, but instead of answering me, she dives below the water.

And with that I take off my shoes, hat, and jacket off and sat them down with my bag by the edge of the pool.

"Fine! Here I come!"