[ TheAmberous ]

............

“Heya, how’s the Pokedex coming along?”

“Oh great! I just need one more Pokémon to complete it, then I can finally get my hands on that sweet, sweet diploma.”

“Nice! So who is it? Mew?”

“......uh, no.”

“...Aerodactyl..or Zapdos?”

“....I have all the Legendaries and fossil Pokémon. You’ll laugh if I tell you who I’m missing..”

“Try me.”

“It’s Charizard, okay?” Sighing, Mike slumped over the couch in defeat, finally ripping the bandaid off. His face was flushed as he stared at the screen of his Pokedex, frowning at the empty space beside Charmeleon.

Although you did promise not to laugh, you couldn’t help but be slightly amused that he was missing the final evolution of a starter, of all things.

Ever since Steven won the championship, Mike revealed to you that he was still a bit salty over losing, pouting over it in recent days. So you suggested that he tried finishing the Pokedex instead, and he loved the idea.

He got to work searching for all the Pokémon he missed in his journey, even revisiting the most dangerous places. 

Of course, his heart was bigger than his brain most of the time, and you expected him to come back beaten up and empty handed...

Only to show up at your doorstep beaten up, but with an annoyed Mewtwo at his side, grinning from ear-to-ear. He even proudly admitted to finding a shiny or two.

Least to say, you were very impressed.

So to learn he acquired that one before a Charizard had you shaking your head. “Seriously? That’s all?"

“..I know it’s dumb. I should’ve had one since the beginning. But I’ve had crap luck with finding a Charizard. I’d train a Charmander but that just takes too much time..” Pouting slightly, Mike tapped his fingers against the table, thinking.

Then he suddenly sat up and snapped them. “Aha! I know what to do! I’ll just borrow Steven’s!” His eyes practically shimmered as he looked at you. “We can trade!!”

You blinked. “You really think he’d give up Miki that easily-?”

“Oh no, no, no! I-It’s only gonna be a temporary trade!” He stammered in correction. “She needs to recognize me as the trainer in order for the entry to register. Besides, Steven said he just needed a Blastoise...so we’ll swap our Pokémon for a quick second and then swap ‘em right back! That way, we finish the dex at the same time.”

“Hm, sounds like a good idea. As long as he’s okay with it.” You nodded in agreement, smiling.

“Yeah! He can trust me. Man, I’m a genius.” He laughed, standing up and stretching before eagerly grabbing his Pokedex and bag. “I’ll go talk to him about it. Smell ya later, [y/n]!”

"Later, Mikey!”

With that, he left your house, waving goodbye to Venusaur--who was tending to the plants on your windowsill. They waved a vine right back.

He was super excited. 

Why didn’t he think about this sooner?

.............

“I don’t want to.”

“What? Come on, I just gotta borrow her for a second to finish the Pokedex.” Mike pouted as he and Steven chatted in front of the computer. “The entry won’t register unless she recognizes me as master for just a second.”

“...but she’s my Miki.” The latter muttered, clutching his bag’s strap closer to his body.

Least to say, this was a side to Steven that Mike’s never seen before. Of course he knew how much Miki meant to him, but to be this clingy seemed ridiculous. It’s not like he was going to run off with his Charizard the moment she was in his possession.

"I promise I’ll give her back. Come on, please?”

“........”

“..please? I talked to [y/n] about it, and they said it’s fine.”

Despite Steven’s continued hesitance, he eventually gave in and nodded silently. “Fine..let’s be quick about it.”

“Alright! This will take just a sec.” Mike ducked down to ensure all the cables were connected, before getting back on the chair. He booted up the trading system on the computer, the tubes extending outwards. “Then we’ll both be Pokemasters! How awesome would that be?” He chuckled.

As they took out their respective starter pokeballs, Steven stared down at Miki’s with a slight frown.

The idea of giving someone else the Charizard he adored and cared for, even temporarily, made him nervous.

But...he could trust his own brother, right? Mike would never try to steal his precious Pokémon.

And besides, you said it was okay, too. So why was he so worried?

Certain that promise will be kept, Steven started the trade first, setting the pokeball down on the table. It was vacuumed up into the machine, displaying a small sprite of a Charizard as it travelled through the tube.

He relaxed his shoulders a little, waiting patiently for the transfer to finish.

“Mike?”

“Yeah?”

“In case you’re worried..I also promise to give you back-”

SNAP

The loud sound startled the brothers, who looked back at the screen and realized it was somehow frozen, with Miki in the middle of the tube.

“Huh? What’s going on?” Mike’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion as he tapped on some of the keys, but nothing on-screen changed. “That’s weird. Must be glitching or something..”

Steven, on the other hand, felt his heart sinking into his stomach, wondering what the hell that noise was and why the trade suddenly stopped working. “What do you mean? I thought you checked this thing. I-Is Miki alright?”

“..I-I don’t know. I swear everything’s been updated..” Mike kept trying to get the damn thing to work, though he was starting to panic as nothing was happening. “Shit..shit...I’ve never had this issue before.”

“You mean..she’s stuck in there?!”

Maybe, I don't know! I’m gonna have to reboot-”

“NO!” Steven snapped, realizing what a huge mistake this was. “We need to get her out NOW!! Shutting it down might hurt her!!”

“We don’t know that! She might be fine!”

“Well how do you know that for-?!”

However, they stopped arguing as the screen became overwhelmed with glitches, before abruptly shutting down. And they stared at it, a tense silence falling over them both as they tried to process what happened to the machine.

Then the tubes slowly retracted, though not before one spat out Miki’s pokeball the same way it entered. But it was heavily damaged, splits and cracks all over its surface. 

It managed to roll over towards Steven, who picked it up with shaky hands to examine it..

Horrified to find a bloody cable dangling out of it.

“....Miki?”

..........

[One Year Later]

While Steven was away visiting Pokémon Tower, you decided to check up on Mike. You knew he couldn’t have been doing well at all...considering it’s a rather somber anniversary:

The day of Miki’s death.

Investigators looked at the trading machine in the brothers’ home and ruled it as accidental due to faulty internal wiring. Upon examination of her body and the pokeball, they theorized that it got damaged when the system glitched, somehow allowing the cords to breach the device and wrap around her throat. 

The machine still attempted to finish the transfer...essentially strangling the poor Charizard to death as she was dragged through the tube.

As to what caused the glitch remained unknown. Several Team Rocket grunts were interrogated, suspected of sabotaging the machine remotely...yet all of them denied having such knowledge or even the technology to do that.

Other trading computers throughout the region were checked, with the majority of them having no issues. Even so, everyone in Kanto was advised to use them with caution and do “test” transfers with empty pokeballs first.

Despite there being no arrests, it didn’t make Steven feel any better about what happened that tragic night.

He lost his favorite Pokémon, his starter, his ace....his precious Miki.

When she died, it was like a part of him died with her.

The depression hit him so bad, he gave up on everything that made him the great champion of Kanto. He released his Pokémon, abandoned his badges...and even handed all of his money to you.

You tried convincing him to keep some for himself, but he got so angry that he cried, saying it’s useless to him since “it couldn’t buy her back”.

Needless to say, you reluctantly took every last dollar.

It was heartbreaking to see him throw away all that he worked for, unable to cope with the grief. But then again, they were constant reminders of how Miki helped him achieve those things..so it’s understandable that he’d want to get rid of them.

Of course, you remained friends--same with Mike. You knew it was nobody’s fault, only the trading machine’s.

Yet their relationship was forever strained, a rift that wouldn’t be so easily mended. Over the past year, they hardly spoke to each other unless it involved yelling or crying. There’s very few days where they had casual chats that didn’t escalate.

Both of them were just shadows of their former selves.

So while Steven was out of town paying his respects, you gave him space on that, opting to see how Mike’s doing.

But the emotional and physical toll this day took on him was clear as he answered the door. His spiky brown hair was even more of a mess, and it’s obvious he had been crying and didn’t bother to hide it. He was still in his pjs, too, a blanket around his shoulders.

The guilt continued to haunt him, considering he suggested the trade that inevitably killed Miki. He kept his Pokémon and eventually completed the Pokedex...but he felt numb when given the diploma.

If anything, it seemed like a hollow achievement--one that he felt unworthy of despite Professor Oak’s reassurances.

You never even saw it, but that’s not why you’re here.

“Hey, Mikey. Can I come in?”

“You sure you wanna be around a Pokémon murderer?” He joked dryly, sniffling as he invited you inside anyway.

Together you sat on the couch, and you looked at him as he took shaky breaths. You could tell he was about to cry again, so you scooted closer to hug him. “I keep telling you..you’re not a murderer.” You spoke softly, rubbing his back. “You didn’t mean for that to happen.”

Immediately he crumbled in your arms, dampening your shoulder with tears as he began to sob, shaking. “I-I can’t...stop blaming myself, though. Every night..I..I-I dream of her blood on my hands..and I hear Steven saying how much he hates me..a-and wants me dead.”

You held him closely, frowning. “Mike..”

“I shouldn’t have begged for that trade like...l-like a stupid little kid. He didn’t wanna do it, and I pushed him!! It’s all my fault..I-I killed her...”

“No. You didn’t kill anyone.”

“..b-but-”

“You didn’t cause the glitch. I know that for a fact. Something like that has never happened in the history of Pokémon trading..it’s nothing that you did, Mikey.”

“...were we just unlucky?”

“...yeah.” You regretted telling him that, but you both knew it was true.

There was no easy way to comfort him over this. No amount of words could ever ease the guilt that crushed his spirit. 

So you just held onto him for a little bit longer, knowing he needed you now more than ever.

After he calmed down, you decided to keep him company for the remainder of the day. His Blastoise also hung out with you both, as they understood his pain and missed Miki dearly, though they never blamed their master for what happened.

Later that evening, Steven finally returned home. He was somber as usual, shoulders slumped and exhaustion in his eyes as he looked around the now empty living room.

At last he was here, away from all the townsfolk who tried giving him crap out of “pity”.

It was all meaningless garbage, stuff that they could be using for themselves instead of wasting it on him

He internally scorned them for saying he should’ve gotten over it by now.

No..

Absolutely nothing could help him get over Miki.

Not when the sound of that snapping was still fresh in his mind, playing over and over like a record.

All he wanted to do now was sleep. He didn’t care about anything else. So he headed to the bedroom, finding you and Mike watching TV in there. The brunette glanced at him briefly upon seeing the door open, but was unable to say anything except a shaky apology before curling up in bed, turning away.

"Hey, Stevie.”

Looking at you, Steven simply nodded in greeting. His expression was blank, although his eyes watered as you stood up to hug him, finally allowing himself to be a bit more vulnerable around you.

While he didn’t show it as much as Mike, he appreciated your presence throughout this difficult year. You never pitied him, not like everyone else in town who told him to “move on” or shamed him for abandoning his champion status.

After letting you go first, he bowed his head, speaking in a hoarse murmur that you could barely hear despite him being right in front of you. “I’m going to sleep.”

Even though you were happy to hear him talking, you didn’t necessarily like the idea of the brothers being here all by themselves.

Not only because you wanted to be there during their time of grief..but also because you had a bad feeling in your gut. 

At that moment, you didn't know why. It simply didn’t feel right to leave them alone. Not tonight.

“Why don’t you guys spend the night at my place?” You suggested with a soft smile, noticing Mike glancing at you now. “A change of scenery might help. And I have two spare bedrooms if you don’t wanna share one.”

Both of them were silent for a few moments, though they both eventually agreed, wordlessly getting some of their things together for the sleepover.

Soon you all headed over to your house, getting settled in for the night.

You slept in your usual room while Steven and Mike took the spares, secretly relieved they didn’t have to share.

You made some teas to help with their insomnia.

However, Steven's remained cold by his bedside, as the solitude finally gave the ex-champion time to think.

He laid wide awake in bed, holding onto one single thought:

It was something he overheard back in Lavender Town..ghost stories of how it, a “taboo Pokémon”, was lurking in the waters of Cinnebar. Unlike manufactured digital Pokémon like Porygons, this one was a physical glitch living in the real world. 

It supposedly held an unfathomable power that violated natural laws, thus being forbidden from being caught by trainers.

These rumors used to scare him into not surfing out too far.

But...if it was truly capable of performing the impossible, then what if he could tame it? Control it like any ordinary Pokemon?

Maybe it could even help him, unlike all of these useless people of Kanto who claim “dead is best”.

No.

He wouldn’t accept that. He couldn’t keep living with the grief, knowing this world cheated him and took what he loved most away from him.

Why should he play fair?

It was about time he did something about it.

'I’m going to do it. IT can bring her back. IT can do anything..’

...............

Indeed, it was true.

Missingno, the glitch Pokémon, was right there in Cinnebar--almost as if it was waiting for him.

It immediately joined his side without any hesitation, and he used it back at Pokémon Tower, neglecting the professor’s warnings.

And it worked!

He got her back! It was like a goddamn miracle.

Now all he had to do was return to your home, eager to show you his beloved Charizard. Within her damaged pokeball, she slept soundly, and he refused to let go of it. She was still weak, but he vowed to make her strong again.

Just knowing his plan worked made him smile deliriously as he wandered throughout Kanto, not needing any bikes or flying-types to carry him. Hell, he didn’t even need a Pokémon to swim out to find Missingno!

It empowered him with a foreign dark force, stronger than anything a dark-type could cast upon him. But he didn't feel bad at all.

Far from that, actually.

For the first time in his life since the tragedy, he felt...happy.

He was so happy, he couldn’t stop smiling. And he wondered why all the trainers who were out this late suddenly averted their gazes as he walked by.

Even the officers didn’t try to stop him, instead nervously telling him to move along and stop staring at them.

They seemed to know the power he possessed.

He was living it..breathing it.

By Arceus, did it feel good.

After entering your house, Steven quietly locked the door before heading to the room where Mike was currently sleeping.

He stopped and loomed over his bed, staring down at him with such hatred..

How could he sleep at night, knowing that he’s suffering because of his selfish actions?

Something like that is unforgivable.

"STRANGLE”

A hushed, distorted voice whispered to him once, and his smile only grew more.

What a fitting end that would be for his brother...her murderer. It was slow, but quiet so you wouldn’t hear what was happening. That was fine by him.

He can make things look like accidents, too.

He was so close to getting her back.

They'll be reunited! Together forever!

That sounded delightful. All he needed to do was finish the job by avenging her.

“Goodbye.” He rasped, startling Mike awake as he looked up to see the tall figure staring down at him in the darkness of the room, terrified to his very core.

“Steven!!”

Tensing, Steven noticed you running into the room, only to freeze in shock at what he looked like:

His face was overcast with the darkest shadows, eyes glowing an eerie red, and his hair extremely frazzled--worse than a feral Arcanine’s mane.

But what was most horrifying about him was the pearly white grin that stretched from ear-to-ear.

It looked so..unnatural.

And you knew exactly why he was like this.

"Get away from him, now!!"

As you shoved him away from Mike, Steven stumbled back clumsily, seething at you for foiling his plan. "He told you.."

“You can’t do this, Steven. This isn’t going to change what happened!”

He didn’t understand the cost. What bringing a Pokémon back from the dead would do to this world..and to himself.

You couldn't let him go any further.

“No, but it worked. She’s here with me again. See?” Laughing hoarsely, he dropped a broken pokeball, watching as it rolled near the dark corner of the room. It opened up to reveal the shadow of a Charizard without a flaming tail.

You could barely see it, but it wasn’t the Miki you all knew and loved.

“Th-That’s not her, Steven..it’s lying to you. Do you think she would’ve wanted this?!”

“Yes.” He spat with such coldness, growing increasingly frustrated. “She’d want me to kill the bastard who took her away from me..this is the only way, [y/n]."

You just shook your head, knowing what you’ll have to do now. You didn’t wanna hurt him, but if there was any humanity left in him....you’ll have to bring that out somehow.

"I'm gonna ask you once..stop this. Put that thing back in the grave.”

“Never.”

“....then I’m sorry.” Reaching into your pocket, you grabbed a pokeball and tossed it to the floor. “Venusaur! Help me out!”

Your starter emerged with a growl. But upon realizing they’re in a bedroom and not on a battlefield, they glanced at you in confusion. “Ve? Venus?”

“Use Vine Whip on Steven.”

“...saur?” They swung their head towards Steven and M@#$, suddenly overcome with terror and bewilderment. But despite their scary appearances, Venusaur was conflicted about harming a human; they simply looked back at you. 

“Just trust me.” You pleaded.

“What..? You can’t do that!!” Steven shouted, gritting his teeth at your betrayal. “You can’t attack me with a Pokemon’s move!!”

“If you can cheat, so can I. Now USE VINE WHIP!!”

“WHY YOU-!!” He darted forward to tackle you, but a flash of green lashed out at him, slashing his hands with searing pain that made him cry out.

You stepped aside as he was then tripped by vines, collapsing to his knees. His back was heaving as he pressed his forehead to the ground, screaming in agony and frustration.

If he had to kill you, too..so be it. He'll strangle anyone who tried stopping him from being with Miki.

"Y-You want me to be unhappy...IS THAT IT?!! YOU DON'T WANT ME TO GET BETTER?!!"

"We do wanna help you, Steven..but not like this." You shook your head, rushing to Mike's side and sitting with him. He hugged you, trembling in fear. Venusaur joined you too and took a defensive stance.

Steven snarled animalistically as he stood back up, noticing the dozens of cuts on his fingers. He'll admit, your starter was smart and had some sharp thorns, but that only succeeded in pissing him off.

Then a sudden bright light illuminated the room, and he looked to see them retract their vine. He scowled. “I’ll burn you all alive...MIKI, USE-!!!” 

However, as he pointed to you and glanced at his Charizard at the same time..he suddenly stopped himself. 

His throat tightened upon seeing what she truly looked like, now that the darkness could no longer conceal her.

He was so confused.

What he brought back from the grave wasn’t Miki at all...but a glitchy rotting corpse that struggled to resemble her.

Her flesh was falling off, especially around the neck, muscle and skeletal remains exposed in countless places--and her wings had many holes in them. The pitiful thing could barely even stand, needing the walls to support her.

And her face..oh god, her face...

It was nothing but a decaying skull with veins, dried blood, and hollow sockets staring at him. 

The whine she emitted was horrendous, and full of glitches that pained Steven’s ears, as he covered them. ‘No..this..this can’t be...’ He was mortified, realizing his mistake.

It didn’t bring her back. Not at all. Instead it put an abomination in her place, feeding off of his guilt and rage.

It tricked him.

You had no idea how Steven would react to seeing the truth, but you gave Venusaur a pat on the head for their quick thinking.

For a while he stood there, but soon he was on his knees again. The darkness overshadowing his entire face was gone, instead revealing an expression of genuine anguish and tears.

“...y-you lied to me. I just..I just wanted her back!! I-I miss her..”

M@#$ tilted her head, emitting a softer yet heavily glitched growl.

“Leave...GET OUT!! YOU’LL NEVER BE HER!!” Steven screamed heartbrokenly, watching as the corrupt Charizard finally dissolved into pixels.

At last, she was gone..now that he saw through its façade.

You were relieved to see it let him go, returning him to his old self. So you got up and cautiously approached him, although you felt a vine loosely wrap itself around your hand.

“Saur?”

You looked back at Venusaur, smiling in reassurance. “It’s alright now. You did good.”

“..ven.” Nodding in understanding, they let you go, watching you walk over to the weeping man on the floor. You kneeled down, and he looked shocked to see you in front of him.

But before he could say anything, you pulled him into a hug. Despite his attempts to kill you and Mike..you knew that wasn’t him talking. This was one of your best friends.

You knew he was in there somewhere--and you were happy he was back.

“I-I’m so, so sorry..” He clung to you, shaking as he apologized over and over again. “I’m a monster. I...I-I thought..I could save her. But I just killed her again..”

His fingers still stung, but nothing was more painful than the misery and guilt in his heart.

“No you didn’t, Steven.” Tears pricked your own eyes as you soon helped him to his feet. He managed to sit down on the bed once you both made it over there, right next to Mike while you sat near Venusaur. “What happened wasn’t your fault, neither was it Mike’s. And I know she wouldn’t blame either of you guys for it.”

“Venus..ve..” Nodding in agreement, Venusaur rested their head on your lap, and as you pet them, you could see Mike and Steve staring at each other for the longest time. Their expressions were almost unreadable.

You wondered what would happen. It made you a little nervous.

But to your surprise, Mike made the first move as he hugged his younger brother. “I know you s-still hate me. You have every right to. But please..d-don’t do something like that ever again, okay? I..I can’t lose you, too, bro.” He sniffled, doing his best to keep himself together.

Steven, on the other hand, broke down once more upon hearing the hurt in his voice. He sobbed into his black shirt, finally allowing himself to be comforted by the other.

He knew he didn’t deserve any forgiveness..not when he tried trading his life for hers.

You were right about everything. This isn’t what Miki would’ve wanted.

“Char...”

Hearing a voice, he looked up, putting his chin on Mike’s shoulder as he glanced at the window. His eyes widened in disbelief upon seeing a certain Charizard’s ghostly reflection in the window.

It wasn’t that awful glitchy creature..but the real Miki.

A pinkish scar was visible around her neck, albeit barely visible, and a somber expression adorned her face. Her flaming tail flickered brightly against the night sky, as if it was lit anew.

She looked so real, as if she was right outside the window and wanted to crawl in. But Steven knew she wasn’t actually there.

She was gone. Nothing could bring her back. Not even it. He had to let her go.

The only part of her he could keep alive were the memories.

With a watery smile, he nodded to the reflection, watching as she smiled back and disappeared, though not before he heard that same voice in his head, this time in human language.

“Blake!!”

“......”

“Blake?!!”

There was no response. You saw that he was on his stomach, unconscious for Arceus-knows-how-long, but much to your horror...

One of his legs was missing entirely, and his skin looked paler than a Cubone’s skull. Judging from the red splatters, it seemed like he was trying to hop on a single leg, as opposed to crawling.

You kneeled down, your starter helping you turn him onto his back, where you could see his entire face was blue. “Please be alive..please..” Begging to whatever god is out there, you removed your scarf to wrap it around the stump on his leg, tightening it to stop him from losing any more blood.

All the while Moltres stood close by, keeping its flaming wings spread out to provide warmth and sanctuary from the icy winds.

Eventually, Blake stirred awake, and you breathed a sigh of relief. “Blake! Thank god..I-I thought you were a goner.”

It took him a moment to recognize you, but despite Moltres’ radiating heat, he was shivering. “[Y/n]..i-it’s...so cold...a-am I dead..?” He whispered hoarsely.

“No, but you’re barely hanging on. You’ll be okay, though. We’re gonna get you out of here. Help me out.” You urged your starter, and together you helped Blake stand up. They carried him onto Moltres’ back. Once that was done, you returned them to their Pokeball, climbing on as well.

As he leaned against you, wrapping his arms around you, he looked down in shock to see Red suddenly standing in the distance, staring at you both with sadness.

It was him..the legendary champion of Kanto himself in the flesh.

Beside him was a frostbitten Pikachu, who looked like it crawled out of a grave, with some of its flesh torn and its electric cheeks bloody. Its smile was most unnatural, too..far from the cutesy kind its species was notorious for.

“I-It’s him...”

“Who?” You asked, confused when you saw Blake pointing to empty air. “Who’s there? Is someone else stuck here, too?”

“Red. He’s....you d-don’t see him..?”

“...Blake, there’s nobody there. Red’s been gone for years..”

“........”

“Blake?”

“...I’m tired..” Feeling his head fall onto your shoulder, you realized you had to get off this mountain quick before he passed out again. You couldn’t spend a second longer up here. Whoever he saw must’ve been a hallucination, because you know damn well no other human could survive in this weather.

“Moltres, FLY us out of here now...please.” You commanded firmly, yet politely.

And soon you took off, keeping a tight hold on your friend as you left the horrors of this mountain behind.

.......

The beeping of monitors were the first things that Blake heard upon awakening. Then he saw bright lights above him as he opened his eyes slowly; at first his vision had a tough time adjusting to them. 

But they reminded him of the blinding snow atop Mt. Silver, and he suddenly felt extremely anxious, remembering everything that happened prior.

Was he still up there?

Did he only dream of being rescued?

Was he dead..?

Gasping, he saw up rather quickly, though he felt a tug that prevented him from flying out of the bed, and he looked to see he was hooked to an IV tube. He sighed shakily, trying to steady his breathing, coming to understand that he wasn’t there anymore.

Then he noticed you at his bedside, waking up as well. “Good morning.” With a smile, you sat up and rubbed your eyes, relieved he was awake. “We got you to a Pokémon Center in the nick of time.”

Nodding, he looked around. “I-I see..how long was I...?”

“You were out for half a day. Doctors thought it would be a lot longer, but-”

“T-Typlosion...” He tried feeling for his jacket, only to realize he was in a hospital gown and had no Pokeballs on him. “Where is he?”

“He’s safe. He had some nasty frostbite, but they treated him.”

“But the rest of them..th-they’re all dead, aren’t they?” Tears welled in his eyes, hands shaking as panic rose even further in his chest. “I killed them all..I-I killed Lugia-”

“No, no..they’re okay too!” You quickly told him. “Their Pokeballs just malfunctioned due to the cold, but they’re all fine. They’re alive and healing.”

“..they’re okay?” He blinked several times, staring at you.

“Yes.”

Relieved, Blake managed to relax a little...until he finally noticed that his arm was a bandaged stump. He couldn’t feel one of his legs either, but he knew very well what the reason was. 

And he began to cry, realizing what he’s done and what it cost him.

He put himself through all of that misery, nearly getting himself and his most beloved Pokémon team killed, just for a shot at becoming champion. 

It wasn’t worth it.

It wasn’t worth losing two limbs.

You frowned slightly, rubbing his back in comfort. “I’m so sorry, Blake. They tried to save your arm. But the frostburns were too sev-”

“T-This is all my fault..” He sobbed. “I almost died trying to pursue a stupid wish and..n-now I can never train again. It’s over..I-I can’t do anything when I’m like this!”

“Hey, no..that’s not true.” You took his hand into yours, rubbing your thumb across the top of it while avoiding the burn wounds on his skin. “You had great ambitions in pursuing that wish. You were strong and you still are. You’ll be able to train again after you recover. This isn’t the end of your road.”

He just shook his head. “You can say it..I-I’m a stupid idiot for going up there..”

“You’re not stupid-”

“I am! I should’ve turned back...b-but..I couldn’t. I was too stubborn to leave....a-and then you had to come save me. I-I’m so selfish, I’m sorry, [y/n]..” Tears dripped down onto the blanket covering his lap as he shut his eyes, bowing his head so you couldn’t see him.

“That’s not true either.” You ruffled his hair. “You’re the least selfish person I know. Even if that blizzard didn’t hit, I still would’ve flown up to check on you..because that’s how much I care about you, Blake. That’s what friends do.”

With a loud sniffle, he looked up at you. His skin was flushed, and still a bit pale, but he looked a lot better than before even though he was crying. “..a-are we still friends?”

“Of course.” You smiled and squeezed his hand reassuringly. “We’ll help you get through this. How ever long it takes, I’ll be here. So will Typlosion and everyone else. As long as you don’t give up on yourself, okay?”

Blake nodded, a small watery smile growing on his face. He really didn’t think he deserved your kindness after you risked your own life trying to save his dumbass..but you were here for him. No matter what.

“I won’t..th-thank you.”

Things might’ve been grim right now, but in time they’ll be alright.

Both of you will be alright.

............

“What?!! How did you find a shiny Cyndaquil so easily?!”

“Uh..luck, I guess?” Smiling, you held up the recently-captured shiny in your arms, setting it in your lap. You stroked its golden fur as it squeaked happily, content where it is.

Blake sat down beside you on the bench, being mindful of his prosthetic leg. 

It’s been a few months since you rescued him from Mt. Silver, and even longer since his admission into physical therapy. He started off with crutches, but soon gained two prosthetic limbs--made with advanced technology from a region afar and sent to Johto.

Obviously it took a while to adjust to them, though he’s made great progress and had confidence in training his Pokémon again. They, in turn, forgave him for the whole incident...albeit demanding lots of food and berries for the stress they went through. 

But it worked out in the end. They were still ever-loyal to him.

And he decided to focus on completing his Pokedex. In fact, he recently caught some Unowns that he grew quite fond of. One was a B symbol who currently floated over his hand, looking at the shiny Cyndaquil in your lap.

You just chuckled as the two small Pokémon stared at each other. “I thought those guys used to creep you out.”

“Yeah, well..” He shrugged. “I learned they’re not so bad. I’m trying to find ones that spell my name.”

“And how many have you found so far?”

“.....just this one.”

A small laugh escaped you as you nudged his shoulder playfully. “You’ll catch them all, I’m sure. I know a few spots if you wanna check them out tomorrow.”

“Oh nice! Sounds great.” After you set your Cyndaquil down, Blake put his Unown down as well, and together you watched them run off to play in the nearby grass.

He then leaned over to hug you, and you wrapped your arms around him tightly. “I’m glad I can still hug you, these prosthetics are awesome.”

“They are.” You agreed, sighing. “And I’m just glad you’re still here for me to hug.”

“...y-yeah, me too.” A light sniffle left him, but nothing more than that. “By the way..how’s that Pupitar you found doing?”

“Just great. She’s ready to evolve soon..we’ll have to arrange a meeting with your Tyranitar once she does.”

“Mhm.” He nodded, eager to meet another Pokémon you rescued from that snowy mountain.

Even now, Blake still wasn’t sure what he exactly saw that day. It might’ve been just a hallucination due to the cold..or the ghost of someone he once greatly admired.

Whatever that might’ve been...it didn’t matter anymore.

There was something about the way the rain harshly hit against your tin rooftop that made you feel at ease. A violent storm had been raging outside for the past few hours, and you could only watch as the sky grew darker and foggier from the heavy downpour. No matter how unforgiving the skies cried out to you were.. it was always a welcome presence.

How often you found yourself crying along the clouds.

Here you were, huddled in your room; your only safe place. To you, that's what it felt like, at least. It grew quite lonesome at times, this is true; you found yourself to be a solemn person often. It may impact your mental health in a negative way, but you, at least, had things around you to keep you accompanied.

As tiny as your room felt; the way it felt like it was closing in made you feel more secure. Having a tinier room also meant you generally had everything where you could remember it being.. Case in point; your little game collection. Often did you find yourself collecting cartridges of either games you enjoy or just franchises you enjoyed. It doesn't matter if they were 'authentic' or not -- you love them all the same! One of the things you especially liked to collect were Pokemon games -- it being one of your special interests. It was always so interesting in researching in which game you wanted to seek out next -- even if they were just reproduction carts. 'Legit' copies were more often than not overpriced and costed fortunes on Ebay..

Perhaps your special hobby wasn't the BEST financial investment, but it was one of the only things in your life that still brought you joy. Speaking of which..

You decided today was the day you were gonna go back out to your local pawn shop in search of some new treasures to add to your collection! Yes -- even in the rain. It only felt like fate, after all. You carefully flung yourself out of your bed and put on your cherished (F/C) hoodie and umbrella, dashing out the door with your bag in tow. "DAD! I'll be back later!" You yelled out..

No response. Not like there ever was one, anyways. Neither of your parents were ever home or around really in the first place.. Logically, it'd be easier to just drive a car over to your pawn shop.. however, you do not have your license -- or a car. You'll have to make due with what you have.. that being your muddy boots you always wore out in this kind of weather.

(Y/N) began their journey down the sidewalk with excitement in their mind. What kind of strange item were they going to find today? Perhaps a bootleg cartridge? Maybe even a illegal reproduction cart of a fan made ROM-hack of something? The person in (F/C) spun their umbrella around with the rain flying off of the material that shrouded them from the downpour of the gloomy skies above. Not a single soul other than you and the wayward beat up cars that would occasionally pass you alongside the main road littered the streets of your hometown.

It was a small town, after all, so it didn't really take you no time at all to reach the desolate pawn shop in question. You found yourself right at the doorstep of the quaint shop, pushing your wet shoes against the worn out welcome mat below you to dry off. It appeared there wasn't any other customers that day other than you -- not that you would blame them -- in this weather. Intrigued, you made your way around without a worry of being judged by anyone. You passed by several old abandoned Wii shovelware games in a rack until you found yourself at the main counter; where all the good stuff was usually located.

Locked away behind a glassy prison was displays of old consoles and vintage games alongside them; Nintendo 64 games and SNES games were carefully placed around one and another in protective plastic casting to preserve their condition. (Y/N)'s eyes were practically sparkling... but they must choose what they want carefully. After all, they need set aside some money for their own living expenses.. As if something called out to you, you found yourself looking up to be met with a spinning display rack full of little Gameboy Advance cartridges and a couple of DS cartridges too.

Oddly enough.. there was one in particular that stood out most. One you hadn't normally seen that often. But when you were about to inspect it..

From within the cartridge was an entity. From within the cartridge was a person who listened to everything outside. From within the cartridge.. Was a discarded soul.

He could hear the rustling from outside. He really shouldn't be able to hear or FEEL anything in the first place when not booted into a console, but he easily could defy that. And listening the man was. He could hear the rustle of the rack moving.. and a familiar shopkeeper voice speaking up.

"Oh.. I-I see you have your eyes on that cartridge there, don'tcha?" A terrified masculine voice called out to someone, and he could hear the chuckle of someone whom he'd never heard before. "I sure do! I've never seen a Pokemon Red cartridge here before!" An eager voice rang out. Ah.. So the shopkeeper was already that eager to get rid of him, huh? To be thrown away again. Why didn't he just destroy the damn thing? "H-haha.. y-yeah.. -- SAY! How about a give you a d-discount on it?" A gasp could be heard. "Really?? I'd love that! How much..?"

Red was kind of wondering how much he was worth to this guy. How much would he be sold for?

"Well.. since you're such a loyal and r-returning customer.. how about five bucks?"

Five dollars. Five fucking dollars.

"Sure! Let me just.." He could hear the rustling of something clinking and crinkling.. "..Here!" He couldn't really feel anything outside the cartridge, but he knew he was being handed away. Where was he going?  Why was --

"Oh! Could you um.. p-put in a case protector, please? I don't want to damage the cartridge.." (Y/N) watched the terrified movement of the cashier recoiling and placing the plastic red cartridge in its protective confinement. "Hehe... thank you. Now he'll be safe 'till I get home!" "No.. p-problem." The cashier looked around, and leaned into earshot over the counter to you. "Listen -- I don't know what you're p-planning to do with that.. that thing.. but be careful.." He seemed genuinely so terrified. "What.. do you mean?" You cocked your head, holding your new cartridge to your chest protectively. "That.. that thing is real! It.. it does terrible things -- look!" He gently pulled down the hem of his shirt to show.. scratch wounds?

You blinked.

...

"..OOOHH I SEE WHAT YOU'RE TRYNA' DO!" You gasped out. The cashier had flinched from your tone. "W-What..? No -- I --" "It's okay -- you don't have to phrase it like an internet urban legend! I would've bought it either way, you know.." "D-Dude--!" "You should totally get a raise. See you next week!" You waved him off, happy with your newfound purchase in tow. The cashier could only stare in disbelief of your stupidity. Does that mean he was going to be safe from now on, atleast..?

When you had stepped out back into the pouring rain, you safely tucked away your new game into your bag and folded open your umbrella, walking back to your lonely little home. It felt nice being able to talk to someone for once! Even.. if it was just a cashier. A terrified one, for some reason.

...

When you had arrived back home, none of the lights had been dimly lit like you had normally left them. The ragged air conditioning system you had in your home didn't seem to have its loud, mechanical whirr running like it normally did. Only pure silence mixed with the loud hitting of the rain.. It appears the power had gone out. How conventional. You sighed, and gently kicked off your muddied boots and laid your umbrella aside. Not a single soul was home except you and your new game you had. But.. you supposed that was okay. (Y/N) used their phone flashlight to make their way through their dark home and into their room, which was ever so slightly lit by the outside peering light. They were home at last.. Flopping down onto your bed, you placed your bag aside and pulled the new game you bought out, inspecting it.

It, obviously, was a copy of Pokemon Red. The casing seemed.. a little cheap, but that's okay with you. "Hmm.." You hummed out, holding the copy ever so delicately. "..Maybe you are just a fake copy, but that's fine. That just makes your more special to me.." You whispered to the cartridge as if it were a real person. Does it even work in the first place? Looking around, you found your Gameboy laying beside your small bedside counter. This Gameboy was special to you because not only did it have special casing, but a custom built back light, too! You carefully slid in the cartridge -- though it hesitated for a moment as if the plastic refused to go in -- and booted up the Gameboy itself. The familiar jingle played.. but the back light didn't kick on. You figured maybe the lights had died.. Taking your blanket, you made a small blanket fort under your bed and got your actual flashlight this time, using it to illuminate the faded yellowish green screen to see the graphics..

It appeared that the game was running just fine; hell,, the regular Pokemon intro sequence played rather than being met with a poorly translated bootleg game from a completely different source. You let a huff of happiness out as the intro faded.. and you were met with the title screen. When you pressed start.. there was two options.

NEW GAME or CONTINUE.

Out of curiosity, you pressed continue. How lucky you were to be able to find someone else's old save file! What kind of cherished pokemon would they have, you wonder? Instantly as soon as it loaded, your smile fell. You expected to be met with your character in a random city -- like Celadon or Viridan or something -- but.. you were placed in the middle of a garbled up sprite mess. 'Glitch City', as some people called it. You frowned. Don't get me wrong -- you love researching glitches! It's just.. you'd rather not do them on actual hardware. Especially with old games as these since it might damage the state of the internal cartridge or the save file itself. Speaking of which.. When you opened the start menu, you went to see your trainer card. The player's name had been RED. Some things about it were strange, though. He was missing some badges randomly and some values were instead replaced by random garbled sprites -- similar to how Missingno looks. Was.. the save file corrupted..? You had hoped not.. Even if there was the chance of you not keeping the save file, you atleast wanted to preserve it. There's something so special about each and every one of the pre-owned copies of games you had with save files that still existed on them before you got your hands on it. Sighing, you closed the trainer card tab. "Let's see if I can get'cha outta there.." You muttered to yourself. But little did you know.. someone was listening, too. In your party, you found a handful of pokemon -- namely Pidgeot. It had fly, and you decided to flu out of Glitch City and back into Vermillion at random. Strangely enough, as soon as the player character landed.. he didn't turn to face you. As a matter of a fact, he was simply staring at the Pokemon Center door. You had pressed the directional arrows to move him but he seemed not to budge. Had the game froze? The audio was still playing the tune of Vermillion and the NPCs and other animated sprites in the background still moved.. just not Red. Before you could think to shut off the system.. Red slowly turned to face you -- on his own. A text box popped up, slowly moving.

"Who are you?"

(Y/N) fluttered their eyes in disbelief, cocking their head at the small handheld screen. "W..what..?" Their voice barely just whispered. The text box continued on its own. "I'm asking your name. Is that too hard?" Okay -- that is.. strange. The game is definitely not supposed to do that. "Um.." You tried pushing buttons, waiting for some kind of keyboard prompt to pop up like when you give a nickname to a Pokemon or a box, but none ever did.. (Y/N) could only watch in intrigued horror as the text box continued on without their input.

"You have a voice, do you not? Speak."

There was no way in hell Pokemon Red had voice recognition. But you found yourself speaking to an inanimate object once more. "My name.. is.. (Y/N)..?" Immediately after you spoke.. "Okay, (Y/N)." It hadn't finished yet, but you could feel your heart drop. "What is your intent and purpose with me?" "I.. I guess to play.. the game? I was just.. checking if the c-cartridge worked.." You muttered in a meek tone. "Unfortunately, I still do." The text box simply stated; the NPCs is the background began to walk off screen. "You.. can understand me.. right..?" "Yes." The box simply stated. "Well.. what's your n-name, then..? If you d-don't mind me asking.." You were geninuely kind of scared -- perhaps you were hallucinating..? The text box seemed to hesitate for a moment. "RED. My name is RED." You watched as the text box seemingly type in itself. "You're the first person who has ever bothered asking." The.. first? Had there been more..? "How.. how many have there been before.. me?" You questioned, huddling up in a ball under the safety of your blanket in morbid awe. "Multiple." The box stated, more of the lively objects in Vermillion had either gone static or disappeared entirely.

"All of which only wanted to torment me --" The screen had become darker than normal. "--to force me to do things I didn't desire. To make me replay the same mudane events over and over again. To force me out of bounds." You could only sit in silence and watch the text box go by slowly due to how the generation one games were programmed. "To watch me suffer. I was just a toy to them." It seemed like Red had awaited a response from you.. but there was none. "(Y/N). I'm tired." The box clicking sound effects had stopped playing by this point. "I have a request for you." You gave a hesitant look at the screen, and could only see Red in a white void. "Dispose of this game. Destroy it -- take it apart; whatever, I no longer care. There is not a need for my existence." Here you were with a sentient being in your newly bought game, asking you to do such things.. What were you to do? You don't even really know who he is, his life, or anything.. but deep down, something about his words resonated with you. You just had to.. "..I'm sorry, Red. I'm not sure if I can do that." Red watched (Y/N)'s sad glance at the screen. "Why not? Have you not listened to what I just --" The textbox hadn't even finished yet, but you couldn't just stay silent. "No, I did, Red. I really did." You begun, shaking your head. "It's just.. I don't think that'd be the right thing to do. You probably just see me as another tormentor to you but.. please.. atleast listen to what I have to say first.." ... The text box popped up blank for a second -- as if the game was hesitating.

"Okay. I'm listening." You breathed an air of relief. "I.. I think there's things worth to keep going for. I don't know the degree of what people did to you or -- hell -- even what it's LIKE to be trapped in a video game prison but--" (Y/N) gripped their hair, laying down on their stomach with their Gameboy in hand. "I.. too, know what it's like in a way to just be.. mistreated: hurt, neglected, forgotten. I know all of those things. B-But.." A loud strike of lightning boomed outside, causing you to flinch. You had to be quick before your Gameboy and flashlight were to run out of battery. "There's smaller things in my life that I want to strive for! The upcoming autumn, every new morning that breaks in the sky.. the tiniest things that seem miniscule in our everyday lives that we never seem to learn to appreciate right before it's gone -- a fading nostalgic memory -- just.." You realized he probably has not seen any of these. "I would.. like to show you those things. If you would let me."

Red didn't know what to say. How did he know if this was just another false promise held by another person? How was he to believe if he wasn't just being lied to -- again? Something about the way you spoke and the sorrowful look of your eyes made him think for a moment.. and..

"I can't.. fully trust you. But the things you say make me want to." The screen stated. The words appeared slower on the screen even more now. "I'm.. I'm scared, (Y/N)." "I'm scared too, Red. I have been my whole life. I just want to try to help you if you'll let me." "...What do you have to gain from this? How would this benefit you in any way? You're only adding another responsibility and burden to your life as is." How true Red was in that. But would that deter you in any way? No; you were already set. "I know, but if I have the chance to make you atleast a little happier then maybe.." You stared out the window from underneath the thin blanket. The rain had began to quell down.

"Maybe it'll be worth it to me in the end."

"..Okay, (Y/N). I'll give you my trust." The screen flashed shortly after you had said that. "But you better not fuck this up. I don't have high hopes in the first place but.. please." The pixelated man stopped. Instead of the tiny pixelated overworld sprite, a newfound pixel art of Red appeared on the screen. It was not the same protagonist nameless boy that had been there to be named -- to be given a personality by the player -- no. It was of RED's tired, shadowed figure. He was making direct eye contact with you now; a pleading look almost in his eyes.

"If what you say is true, then I want to see that, too."

A flutter of happiness seeped throughout your body. "..Good. I'm.. I'm glad you want to." They found themselves falling silent for a moment, but that was only to weigh to decisions. "I.. can't right now because it's storming but.. when the storm stops and I put nee batteries in my Gameboy, I'll show you, okay?"

"Do you promise?"

"I promise. I will be back as soon as I can."

"..Okay.. I'll be waiting, (Y/N.)"

Right after he said that, the text box closed and the game had automatically saved itself -- as if you had started a link cable trade or battle. When it had successfully saved the game.. RED had gave you a small wave and the Gameboy automatically shut itself off. (Y/N) smiled. They turned off their flashlight and crawled back up their bed, holding the handheld near and dear. You weren't sure if he could still hear you but, in the chance he did..

"I'll show you so many things, Red. I'll show you all the things you have been neglected of your whole life."

And show him you did.

When the autumn breeze came, along with it came the yearly passing of the trees leaves. Sure -- he wasn't impressed at first. All it was was dried up and husky brown dead leaves but when you went back out to your yard.. there blossomed the most vibrant yellow and red leaves he would ever see. He watched the leaves pick up and ascend into the air -- as if giving their final seasonal goodbye. When you had mentioned that the blood red leaves reminded you of him because of his name, there was an odd feeling in him he couldn't quite describe.

The winter was bound to come, and spring was soon to make its descent. When he was able to watch his first sunrise in the earliest spring morning.. the way the sun gently cut through the dimmed hazy blue sky.. it took his metaphorical breath away. He would've never known the beauty of such things if it weren't for you generously showing him. If it weren't for you.. He would've ended up in the wrong hands.

A newfound fear had been set within him. He had many to begin with, but.. The looming fear of a morning without you terrified him. He hated to say it, but he had grown attached to you; someone in which he could not reach, touch, or feel. He could only see you from within the confines in the screen of his cartridge hell. How dearly had Red wished to have been able to repay you-- to show his gratitude besides his snarky ass remarks towards you. He wondered.. Had you felt the same? Was there a way for him to get out, even? Every non-existent god he had prayed to fell upon deaf ears but finally, he had a real, encouraging reason to get out. If only just this once.. If only for a moment.. To see your face in person.. It'd be worth the millennium to him.

In the morning sun that flickered through your blinds, a sleeping figure had began to awaken. They rose up and stretched, their clothes messy and their hair, practically, everywhere. The first thing on their mind was to reach over to their beside and grab their Gameboy, turning it on. The jingle played as it normally did, and yet.. It acted as if it were stuck. Your heart sunk. Without a moment of hesitation, you turned off the thing and back on again, and strangely enough, your backlight kicked back on for the first time in months. But it wasn't normal. It was bright -- so very bright and blinding -- you couldn't see what was going on! All you could hear was loud static noises and the piercing screech of the unknown..

When you came back to, it had been a miracle. When your eyes fluttered back open, a piercing red pupil was met with your own. You shot up and stared in disbelief at the sight before you. In the floor opposite to you was a man in white and red, his figure shaded a deep cold night edged black. His skin was an abnormal shade of a rosy light pink and under his veiled eyes, even he stared in disbelief. For the first time, you heard his voice.

"(Y...Y/N..?)" His voice sounded broken; glitched.

"I.. it couldn't be.. you aren't... no.. R-Red..?" You inched closer, hesitant in your own belief. There was no way this was happening. He nodded, and crawled over to you. How afraid he was of hurting your delicate skin with his broken body. But he couldn't resist. His gloved hand cupped your face, feeling around as if you were just a part of his cruel imagination. Another cruel joke.. But you weren't. He watched your porcelain eyes fog up with a rumble of tears. Red's arm reach back out and pushed your back, bringing you into his arms, right up against his grasp. He cradled you ever so gently - more than anything he had been delicate with in his life before. "You're just exactly as I imagined you -- but the real you is so much better.." He uttered as you spoke inconceivable things into his shirt through your happy sobs. When you had calmed down, your eyes trailed up to meet with his own. (Y/N) rose up and hooked their arms around Red's neck, the collar of his jacket poking at your arms. The space between your twos' faces was closed shortly for a few moments with the whirr of the confused Gameboy in the background. When you had broke away, he had the biggest smile on his face -- a sight you had never seen before. "Everything you showed me -- told me, even.. I want to do it with you, now. Now that I'm free.. atleast." He spoke, tipping his hat. "I never.. thought I would be, but here we are." His hat helped hide his obvious blush. There was so many things you had to teach him -- to show him. But.. you had one thing in mind. "Of course, Red. We have all the time in the world.." That was..