Episode II: A Pebble On My Path and Little Droplets On Her Feet
You kept going out and about, unaffected by your recent encounter against Blue, even reaching Viridian Forest.
While there, the music had finally become normal, something that calmed your future worries about possible boss battles or the like.
It was a pretty fun experience to keep defeating Pokémon and leveling Charmander up to 11, even getting to scare the other bug catchers off after you senselessly DESTROYED one of these guys' triple-trouble of Caterpie team with just a little Ember each.
When you finally reached the end of the Viridian Forest, you felt glee as you stepped into Pewter City.
Your first Gym Battle was finally right next to you.
And there was still nobody there to watch your fight, but… Who cared? You weren't looking for fame or recognition.
After getting your Charmander healed back up by a somehow still nonchalant Nurse Joy, who looked just like the Viridian one, you walked right inside the Pewter Gym, expecting to face someone named Brock.
But the only one there was a kid with a blue cap on his head who seemed to be standing around with his Pokémon at the end of the hall, while the wind from the outside slipped in and blew gusts at the sand and dirt on the sides of the arena.
- Don't make too much noise, Sandshrew! They said the guy was pretty close by, and I can't hear anyone else around, but… Don't worry. – You heard the kid say, while he was trying to console his anxious sand-rat Pokémon.
You walked up to the kid and stared at him intently, expecting him to turn and face you so the two of you could start a battle.
(Music: Undertale Genocide OST – Anticipation Extended)
However, when the child noticed your shadow looming over his body, he turned slowly and fearfully, his Sandshrew rapidly walking up to its Pokéball and turning it on to go back inside it.
- U-um… Hello there… This is Pewter's Rock-type Gym… A-are you here for a battle?
You did not reply, not in words but in actions, as all you did was pull your only Pokémon's Ball out of your belt.
- I see… M-my brother, Brock, he's the Gym Leader, so if you want a battle, you're gonna have to wait a little bit till he comes back from Cerulean City. He's warning the others about-uh… Um… - The kid struggled, stuttering and trembling while slowly going for his Pokéball.
You did not speak nor did you move.
Your initial decision had been to wait for Brock, but…
After a single minute of dead silence and a cloud of dust wafting through the air, filtering through the windows…
You locked eyes with the kid, forcing him into a battle stance.
* You challenged Pokémon Trainer Forrest!
As the kid unveiled the form of his terrified Sandshrew (LVL8), you released Charmander, who now had just the same neutral, serious look that you're always wearing on your face.
It has worn that mask of neutrality ever since you defeated Blue in Route 22.
Maybe it didn't take long for the Pokémon to realize that it was in for a VERY serious yet rewarding experience.
And yet, you were about to laugh at the idea that this kid's Sandshrew was mere free XP to save yourself some more minutes of farming next to Pewter.
* What will you do? FIGHT-POKÉMON-BAG-RUN
You chose to FIGHT, selecting the Ember attack. "No mercy", you reminded yourself.
However, just as the flames were closing in on the small, frail rat…
A flash of light blinded the both of you, then revealing the form of a new Pokémon, identified as Geodude, who had received the full blast of your Charmander's Ember, thus going down in a single hit.
Next to the kid's sprite, there was a brown-haired man wearing a half-orange-half-black vest, eyes closed and yet somehow locked in a serious, blazing glare.
- Brock! When'd you…? Oh, no… Geodude got seriously hurt! Is it gonna be okay? – The kid sniffled and cried, letting out all of his insecurities about facing you head on and letting you know that, had you managed to land the single-hit-kill on Sandshrew, he'd just have run away… Probably.
- It's going to be okay, Forrest. Just run away and go to a safe place. Remember our hideout at Mount Moon? – Brock said, revealing a growling, leaderlike voice full of hatred, hatred towards you.
Forrest nodded slowly, quickly running away and calling Sandshrew back in, leaving the both of you to your business.
- So this is the level of power you've managed to acquire by now… Can't say I'm not impressed. Geodude, you did your work when you had to. It's all right. Onix and I can take it from here.
Brock proceeded to caress the flying rock Pokémon's head, and the two of you watched its frame sink into the ground, turning into mere dust as Charmander gained a little more XP.
- Now… Let us begin. You came for a Gym Battle after all, didn't you? You freak. – Brock called out, showing you his next Pokémon, a snake-like collar of rocks named Onix (LVL14).
And now…
* The true showdown begins.
(Music: Deltarune OST – Vs Susie Extended)
You didn't even get the first attack, as Onix immediately shot down a barrage of rocks, forcing you to trust that Charmander was going to be able to dodge them.
However, it didn't have enough Speed stats to do so, and this dealt a little over 20% damage, getting it almost on yellow health levels in the first go.
- Heh. You're gonna have to be a little faster than me if you want to win here.
So he's gonna be a smartass? So be it.
You didn't even stop to choose what to do, electing FIGHT over and over instead of healing your Pokémon as Onix suffered small amounts of damage from a furious flurry of Scratches.
- I wish you could've wasted all this spunk and potential on something else, Something less dangerous… Like I don't know, sports? Because kid, you are NOT cut out for Pokémon training, and your little lizard over there? It's gonna die if you keep things going like this.
Charmander obeyed without chirping back and started flaming towards Onix, leaving it with a BURN.
Onix counterattacked with a Tackle attack, dealing a little over 8% damage.
Charmander utilized Smokescreen, deducting some Accuracy points from Onix.
The snake of boulders replied with a flurry of stones, which ended up missing their opponent by what you assumed was a small margin of error.
- So, you're not as mindless as I thought. The people here told stories about an "All Brawn, No Brains" kinda guy. Color my expectations shattered.
You kept attacking without replying to the man's words, as Charmander shattered Onix's HP in half with a crushing Metal Claw.
- So you're already at that level… You really are kind of a maniac. At first, I was sort of excited knowing that my people even FEARED the trainer that was coming to Pewter, but… Looking at you now, I can see that you couldn't care less about the dust on your pockets, saving it like some sort of souvenir from your every massacre-trip.
You slammed the FIGHT button decisively, striking Onix once again with Metal Claw and getting its health almost to the red zone.
- Well, there's nothing else I can do but lower your HP for now. You'll get tired one day. And remember to switch out. Oh… Right. You think you don't need any more Pokémon, do you? Well, I'm just about to prove you wrong!
You clenched your fists and gritted your teeth, emitting an emotion for the first time in the playthrough, when your eyes fell on the text box saying that Onix had used Earthquake.
A few seconds passed and…
* The enemy Onix's attack missed!
(Music out)
Brock put his hands in his vest's pockets, sighing and looking down as his turn ended.
You struck Onix with another Metal Claw.
* Enemy Onix was killed! Charmander got stronger (LVL15).
- So that's that. What a drag… I thought I'd be able to buy at least a little more time. At the very least, there's people who know that you're out and about, killing Pokémon, and I'm certainly gonna live to tell the tale, aren't I? So… It's not like the others won't be able to get proper training for when you get to face 'em. Hey… What's with the silent treatment, kid? And why is the fight not over…?
(Music: Undertale OST – But Nobody Came)
The battle arena never faded away, and another turn was gifted to you.
* What will you do? FIGHT-FIGHT-FIGHT-FIGHT
A little confused by the sudden change in the menu, you hesitate before trying to look for another option.
There were only four of them.
You chose the first one, as you always had.
Just before the attack menu was presented to you, Brock started talking.
- N-no, seriously. D-don't think about doing anything too crazy right now, kid. I have n-no idea why this hasn't turned off yet but… I'm sure we can sort it out, right? Together. Yeah… All you need is a friend, that's what they say!
You noticed Brock's previously serious expression turning into a horrified, sweating face.
You didn't care.
* Charmander used Scratch. It was super effective!
Never did you move, speak or act while Charmander jumped towards Brock, clawing at him and mauling him to death while eating his flesh and toning down his screams of agony little by little.
The "Super-effective" attack sound effect played in a slowed down loop as the attack continued up until Charmander had completely disembodied the man.
* Brock was killed. Charmander got stronger =).
That was the last text you saw before the screen faded to black and you returned to the overworld.
(Music out)
But what's this…? A cutscene faded in, and you saw Charmander's figure over a blank screen, particles of light spinning around it as its body began to morph.
After a few seconds, when the cutscene ended, you finally realized what had just transpired.
* Congratulations! Your Charmander has evolved into Charmeleon!
Feeling a sense of satisfaction when gazing at Brock's humiliated, broken corpse, you never did emote.
You merely turned your back at the dead body behind yourself, and kept going out and about.
You walked across all of the route right next to this "Mt. Moon" you'd heard Brock mention, sparing your Pokémon any encounters with trainers, likely because they had all run away from you by now.
However, you never did spare the wild Pokémon, not leaving even the last one alive and breathing.
You had long since recognized that you weren't knocking them out, but rather… KILLING them.
And that made it better, in a way.

You shambled around when you reached Mt. Moon, testing your evolved Pokémon's mettle and raw power, managing to destroy a good quantity of rock-types on your way to the other side.
No trainers ever came up against you, nor did you see any from afar.
You reached Cerulean City in immense peace, as if you had just finished a long week of work and were going on vacation.
When you stepped inside the city, you noticed the figure of a man dressed in black clothes who was trying to sneak out of a house.
You ran up to him and faced him head on, not minding the bag full of stolen items, or maybe even thinking that if you were to win this battle, you'd be able to steal all of his belongings, even those that rightfully pertained to the man.
- Hey! Who're you?! Get out of my-
You hastily grasped the black-hatted man's shoulder firmly and violently, shaking him and turning him so he could face you.
- O-oh crap… I didn't… Y-you're that kid on the news! T-the murderer! How'd you even get here?! – The man exclaimed. – Was BROCK not enough for you?!
You did not reply.
- Dammit… I was… I'll admit, man… I've been stealing things for Boss Giovanni for so many years because I had one hell of a fee to pay and… And, god damn it just don't fight me now! All I have from my past life are my three Pokémon! They were gifts from my family… I'd hate to disappoint them now even if I probably already did many years ago! So… Spare me, kid…
A single text box in red popped up after the man's dialogue, and it merely read "Pathetic, is it not? =)".
The battle arena went up.
* You wish to fight against Team Rocket Grunt!
So he's part of a team of criminals, huh? This could be fun.
* Go, Zubat!
* Go, Charmeleon!
* What will you do? FIGHT-POKÉMON-BAG-RUN
* Charmeleon used Ember!
* Zubat was killed!
* Go, Nidoran M.!
You kept attacking, blowing the two remaining Pokémon's candles in a single hit.
However, when the battle was over, the man started to run away, not deigning himself to give you his cash or belongings.
You were starting to get VERY annoyed by his persistent speeding around, so all you did when you cornered him into the border of a bridge next to a river was kick him off and listen to his screams of agony as he begged for air and salvation.
The man screamed and screamed…
But nobody came.
You turned, seeing the stalking stares of a million trainers, trainers who had apparently been arranged by the government as official enforcers, previously simple bandits who had volunteered to train at the bridge every day.
- That's the kid! Everyone, ambush him! – A girl shouted, forcing you into battle.
All the Pokémon she had were a Nidorino, a Bellsprout and a Jigglypuff.
You hadn't even bothered to stop and think about how cute that was, as you let Charmeleon make its way across the battlefield in a flurry of Embers and Metal Claws.
The next trainer, a blue-capped child, threw two of his Pokémon at you, but Charmeleon absolutely obliterated his entire team of four.
Numero Three came up, and your single Pokémon dominated the five-on-one battle with brutal ease, dirtying its claws with the dust of two Pidgey, one Rattata, a Pikachu and a Clefairy.
You kept going on and on, until the last trainer was left with his final Pokémon.
- Hey, listen…! Y-you don't have to finish the job, man! T-there's someone else you can fight! She's definitely gonna make you stronger! – The traitorous, cowardly boy scout mentioned, shaking in his boots.
You silently thanked the kid for reminding you that there was a Gym Leader here, and then…
* Charmeleon used Ember!
As you went back to the overworld, you decided to go to the bike store in case you had racked up enough money to buy one.
Surprise overcomes none of your emotionless features as you find out that, in his haste for leaving the city, the bikes' owner had left all of them there.
And who said you had to pay for everything?
You ride your stolen bike towards the Cerulean Gym, parking it right at the door and walking inside.
From the distance, you can see a young woman, maybe just a little over your own age, a redhead wearing a sundress and small shorts, with her hair hanging in a (somehow) frozen ponytail.
- So you're finally here.
Dead silence was all you heard as she turned away from you, sighing.
- I pity you, somehow. You killed a lot of Pokémon… What for?
Never did you reply.
- I guess that makes sense. Are you even human anymore? I think Pokémon would be too kind of a description for what you are right now. – She looked down at you from her platform surrounded by water, hands in hips, eyes sad and frustrated.
You took two steps forward.
- Ah, there it is. The sweet Grim Reaper move that marks your final day on earth. Really, you should name it that whenever you do it again. It's creepy as hell, sorta gives me "friendly goosebumps", even if it's a freak like you. – She mocked. – But anyway… I'm Misty, the greatest Water-type trainer of all time! And… I'm gonna be the one to put up the greatest show in the world, beating you in the process!
And so, a battle began.
(Music: Deltarune OST – BIG SHOT Extended)
* Gym Leader Misty wants to battle!
You missed that sign, it always meant that there were still people eager to fight against you.
* Go, Staryu!
* Go, Charmeleon!
* What will you do? FIGHT-POKÉMON-BAG-RUN
As always, you choose to fight.
You tell Charmeleon to release an Ember attack on the star Pokémon, resulting in a not-very-effective strike that deducts only 7% of its health.
- Heh! I didn't think the oh, so ruthless maniac from Pallet Town was enough of a meathead to pull a fire attack on a Water-type. It still impresses me that you think you can beat me with that, lizard boy. – Misty concedes.
You want to express annoyance at her jape, but your teeth are already clenched, your body forcing itself to keep fighting.
This said, Staryu counterattacks with a Rapid Spin attack, robbing Charmeleon of a small 12% of its HP.
No matter.
You choose to FIGHT, pressing the button with a rageful smack on it.
This time, Charmeleon uses Rage, slamming its body against that of Staryu's in a furious charge.
Staryu replies with a short flurry of bubbles that explode against your Fire-type's maw, leaving it greatly damaged and taking out a great percentage of Charmeleon's health, leaving it in yellow levels.
- What were you expecting, bringing a flaming piece of murder to fight against a living water gun? – Misty jokes. Staryu does not seem very pleased. Staryu's Attack and Defense fell on purpose! – Come on, Tinkerbell, don't do me like that!
You are… Admittedly weirded out by this interaction.
Nonetheless, you choose to Rage once again, this time the attack becoming much more powerful, with Charmeleon striking Staryu down to almost red HP levels.
Staryu replies once again with Bubble, making Charmeleon suffer as its health reaches red levels, almost on the brink of falling down.
(Music: Undertale OST – The Choice)
- Hey, I'll tell you a little bit of something, since you're relatively new in this Pokémon world. People always send their Pokémon off when the opposing one's health is in the red, but there's a little bit of a problem. You've come too far to get any sort of mercy. So, before it comes down to that… I'm gonna give you a way out unless you want to end up crying in the corner, and uh… I don't really want to kill another Pokémon either, so… Can't you just, like, RUN?
* You are given a choice. The RUN option has been enabled.
You take a long, last look at said option, surprisingly considering it.
You press BAG instead, choosing to heal your Charmeleon up with one of your x25 stolen Potions.
* You are given a choice.
It seems that the turn is going to be yours until you choose to either FIGHT or RUN.
(Music: Toby Fox – Megalo Strike Back Extended)
And you already know what to do.
Pressing FIGHT, the red lizard strikes Staryu with a critical Rage attack in a severe betrayal kill.
Misty's smirking sprite turns her expression into a more somber, hurt one as she watches her first of two Pokémon fall down to the pits of despair.
- Eh… Why was I expecting you to RUN instead? Oh well, I took you for a ruthless, cowardly maniac. Guess you are only two of those things. – She says in a dark voice as her bangs cover her eyes and her lips curl up into a twisted smile. – No holds barred from here on out, crazy boy!
* Go, Starmie!
You no longer doubt yourself, choosing to FIGHT once again and making Charmeleon strike Starmie, though that would have to wait.
All because Starmie was much faster, stronger and harder, striking Charmeleon with a surprisingly powerful Rapid Spin, then receiving the brunt of the lizard's Rage attack and taking it in stride.
- Hey, Starmie. Wanna know why I sent you out? – Misty calls out to her Pokémon, who stares at her with its only neutral pearl-eye. – Staryu's dead.
* Starmie's Attack and Special Attack rose!
* You are in trouble. What will you do?
FIGHT. No questions asked.
Charmeleon throws a Smokescreen towards Starmie, deducting some Accuracy points from the Water-type, who replies by shooting out a Water Gun attack. It was, to your chagrin, very effective indeed.
- You should've run away when you had the chance. I told ya this wouldn't be as easy as the others might've been for you and your little blazing partner.
You make Charmeleon slam its body against Starmie's once more, lowering its HP considerably, though your happiness would not last long, as the Star Pokémon would then reply with a swift Water Gun.
- You make me sick, kiddo. You're just gaining XP for the hell of it… Don't you even care about any of the Pokémon that you've killed?
* You choose to tell Misty that you even killed Brock.
- … I figured. You bastard… I'm going to make sure you don't get past me in any way, shape or form!
And she really tried, making Starmie even attack first due to its Rapid Spin attack.
The strikes are so powerful that even you can sort of feel them, but it does not matter anymore.
You respond with an Ember attack, silently thinking of something.
- That's the best you can manage? Oh, please retire from Pokémon training. In fact, let me show you where the exit door is!
Starmie replies with a severe Water Gun, leaving Charmeleon in red HP levels.
You heal it up and, thanks to Starmie being robbed of some of its Accuracy points, its next attack missed.
- Very clever, coming from a mindless killer like you. – Misty concedes, no longer smirking at her own jokes.
You keep moving forward, choosing Ember for a second time and, what do you know…?
* Starmie has been BURNED!
Misty's sprite's eyes widen slightly beneath the shadows provided by her bangs, but she doesn't back out.
Starmie shoots out a Swift attack, and Charmeleon takes it in stride.
- Oh, go to hell. – Misty simply grunts. – You and me both know how this is going to end up. Charmeleon, dead and suffering, and you, mourning for the end of your journey and not caring a single bit for the little murderer you yourself raised. You are no more than a psycho.
She knows nothing.
You attack once more with Rage, the attack having become so powerful that it makes Starmie's health reach red levels.
Starmie tries out a last desperate attack, slamming its body onto Charmeleon's with Rapid Spin.
However, it is to no avail, since Charmeleon survives triumphantly.
Some of the HP that Starmie had left finally crumbled to ashes, literally, as the BURN effect took place and deducted what the living purple star had left of life.
(Music out)
Misty trembles at her loss, as your Pokémon becomes stronger.
- This can't be… - She mutters, tears welling up on her eyes. – First, you rid Viridian City of its own townspeople. Then, you destroy the Forest and kill Brock. And now… Now you're going to kill me, aren't you?
She looks up at you, desperate, maybe even looking for the slightest bit of mercy in your closed-off expression.
- Y-you're mad… You haven't killed Pokémon, but people too! Do you understand how great a weight that would be on a normal person's shoulders?! I… I could only get this far by… I… I had to…
You don't even wince as you realize what Misty is trying to tell you.
- I've had to kill my own family so I could get Staryu and Starmie to be this strong… All for nothing…
Her spirits crumble and she kneels down onto the floor, covering her face with her hands and letting out a never-ending rain of tears fall from her eyes.
* You are once more given a choice.
* What will you do? FIGHT-BAG-POKÉMON-RUN
You choose to heal Charmeleon up, just to buy time and watch Misty weep a little more.
- I… I hate you…
* The deafening silence is occasionally broken by a sniffle and the drop of a tear. What will you do?
You choose to check on Charmeleon out of spite and vile enjoyment.
The lizard is in a perfect state, as good as can be.
- W-what are you trying to do?
You try to RUN, but it does not work anymore.
- Y-you… Are you doubting your own actions now? Are you, p-perhaps… Feeling remorse for the first t-time in your adventure?
And as if to respond to her question, you FIGHT.
* Charmeleon used Rage!
* Charmeleon has gotten stronger.
The only sounds that follow the gruesome death of Cerulean Gym's leader are not the sounds of dropping tears, but the echo of spilling blood.