Deep in Kanto's Waters



Deep in the waters of Kanto, it is rumored there is a beast that no one has seen and survived to tell the tale.

“Mom, I’m leaving,” A young boy’s voice said amid the silence. A child clad in a red hat with a Pokeball logo on it, a red shirt, and jeans was standing in front of his home, his mother hugging him tightly. Dark spots on the child’s shirt—undoubtedly tears from his mother—were beginning to lighten up a bit. His mother sniffed.

“Oh, Red… please be careful…” She wiped her eyes for the umpteenth time, sniffed again, and let go of her embrace. Red pulled his hat down over his eyes and nodded. Then, before his mother knew it, her child had left her home. His home.

The child had been called upon by Professor Oak to perform a task that the now senile professor could no longer complete—complete the Poke Dex. Alongside Oak’s grandson, Blue, Red chose a Pokemon that would get him started on his journey. Red chose Squirtle and Blue chose Bulbasaur. After a short scuffle inside the professor’s laboratory, the two left on their way. Red was going to complete the Poke Dex before Blue. After performing a small task for the professor, Red continued on his way. The child blew past Viridian City, Cerulean City, Vermillion City, Pewter City, Lavender Town… local trainers and Gym Leaders all bowed down to the young prodigy before them. Much to Red’s dismay, however, no matter how far he was, Blue was always past him. It didn’t matter where they were. Blue had always advanced past Red, his obnoxious demeanor causing Red to dislike and eventually hate the young man who had been set on this quest to hinder him.

Slowly but surely the child’s team grew. By the time Red had gone to Cinnabar Island, he had a Nidoking, a Blastoise, an Aerodactyl, a Haunter, and an Arbok. The child had been searching ceaselessly for the sixth addition to his group. After inspecting his Poke Dex one last time, Red knew which one he wanted. Tentacruel, the final evolution of Tentacool, had caught the young trainer’s eye. He destroyed Blaine and his gym, obtaining the last badge he needed to face the Pokemon League of Kanto.

The child flew back to Viridian City and purchased some Poke Balls. He always favored the original ones to the Ultra Balls held in stock by the further towns in Kanto. After he purchased them, he spoke to a cantankerous old man—or rather, was forced to—who showed him how to catch a Pokemon, even though the child knew very well how to. It was apparent the old man had a severe case of dementia. After dealing with the old man and his ramblings, he flew back to Cinnabar Island. He told his Blastoise to Surf. Red stayed along the coast of Cinnabar Island, not wanting to stray too far. He wanted this to be over as soon as possible so that he could challenge the Indigo League. After surfing for a bit, a splash of water came up. Red grinned in excitement.

The grin was short lived. Instead of a familiar blue cephalopod with red pearls greeting him, something far worse did. A mess of bones and flesh, dripping mucous and other bodily fluids rose from the waters around him. The creature’s hide was spackled with purple dots and black dots and all other colors that didn’t meld at all. More fluid leaked out of the creatures body, orifices located everywhere. There was no discernible face, there were no discernible features. The creature offered a screech, and faced Red, ready to be challenged.

Red’s mouth hung agape, unsure of what to make of the monstrosity in front of him. He fumbled for his Poke Dex, watching the abomination the whole time, and opened it, hoping it would identify this alien creature. The Poke Dex had only three syllables to offer: “Missingno.”

Red screamed and cast out a Pokeball, this one containing his Haunter. The Haunter left the ball enthusiastically until it saw what lay in front of it. Its expression became fearful and pained, and it whimpered in fear. Red ordered the Haunter to use Night Shade. Haunter lingered too long, however, and the creature cast it down into the watery abyss from whence it came. Red was unable to draw his Haunter back. His beloved Pokemon was forever lost in the frothy waters below.

Red screamed in fear, and told his Blastoise to take him back to land. The Blastoise, unware of what was going on, did as he was told and took Red to the island once more. The creature—Missingno—followed them, spewing liquids an screeching as it did so. Red drew back his Blastoise and ran towards the Pokemon Center, needing to describe to someone what he had just witnessed. A few scientists from the fossil restoration lab heard the kid screaming and had come out. Red told them to look at the coast, and they did so, but saw nothing.

Red described to them what he saw, and the scientists nodded gravely. They saw this as an opportunity to study a new Pokemon, possibly number 152. They told Red they would find this Missingno that he had seen and would deal with it. They retrieved their Gyaradoses and dove into the murky waters. Red never saw them again. Shaken by this ordeal, Red told his Aerodactyl to fly back home to Pallet Town. His mother was grateful to see her son again, but noticed his depressed and eerie behavior. When questioned about it, he would lock up in a seizure-like state. After visiting the doctor for many months, it was determined Red had PTSD. From what they would never know. To this day, Red will lock up if asked about Missingno.

Deep in the waters of Kanto, it is rumored there is a beast that no one has seen and survived to tell the tale. No one but a child named Red. Selto854 (talk) 04:07, January 1, 2015 (UTC)Selto854