Pokemon: Bloody Red Version

A Creepypasta Story

Game 1: Glitches and Death

I don't know how it happened or why. I also don't know why it was happening to me. This usually happens to kids who are too curious for their own good. You know, the kind who gladly buys stuff at creepy old men's garage sales without asking about what they're buying or why it was being sold?

Now that I think about it, maybe I should've asked Jerry where he got this. I never did ask…

It happened three months ago. It only hit me now that I should probably tell someone about this. In case something really bad happens to me.

Finals had just ended and everyone in my dorm was mentally drained. All we did was lounge on the couches or watch TV. We didn't really want to do anything.

Jerry, my roommate, came back from town. He'd been out shopping with his parents and managed to get something for me. When I saw it, I felt my jaw drop.

It was a copy of Pokemon Red.

I hadn't seen one since I was a kid. I'd once had one, but I ended up losing it when we moved a few years back. I remembered being depressed about it before the new Zelda game came out. I soon forgot about its loss…

Now that I was seeing it again, my heart raced. My first run through it took me straight to the top with my Bulbasaur, Vinnie. I'd never been so excited about playing a game before I got Pokemon Red.

Being the eager gamer that I am, I begged Jerry to let me play it. He wasn't even interested in Pokemon anymore! Jerry handed it over without a fight. I was so excited to get to my dorm and grab my old Gameboy that I never wondered why the sticker seemed to have been ripped off of the cartridge.

Once in my room (well, Jerry lived there too), I popped the game in and watched the intro run. It was just as I remembered it. I felt my heart soar as I watched Nidorino and Gengar fight each other. When the title screen appeared, my mind was flooded with past memories.

I noticed that there was already a save file. Somebody else had played this game. I pressed Continue in order to check the file. The file name was (predictably) Ash and he had all eight badges, but had yet to become the Champion. As much as I wanted to see what he had, the urge to play for myself took over and I left the file.

I happily clicked New Game, thus deleting the Ash file, and watched the intro with Prof. Oak. I sped through what he said, knowing it was the usual speech he gave in every game about what Pokemon were and his research about them. I once had known it by heart. Now I simply didn't care. I wanted to get to playing, not listen to the ranting of an old man.

When it finally came to naming my character (you could only be a boy in Red, remember?), I went with my usual name: Dante. It means lasting or enduring in Latin. I couldn't remember what I had called myself when I first had the game. Probably something stupid, like Red or Ash (as the last kid had done).

Then I had to name my rival. A few years back, I would've called him Dick because…well, your rival was a dick! He was Gary motherfucking Oak! Duh! When I first had the game, I probably called him Blue or Gary. But now that I was older, I had a better name for him.

I called him Rook, naming him after my roommate Jerry's character. We were once competitive with our games, playing against one another in battles or speed runs to see who could best the other. When it came to Pokemon games, we always named our rivals after our character names: Dante for me and Rook for him. Nowadays, Jerry had lost interest in Pokemon. That didn't stop me from using his character name, of course.

I sped through the rest until I was in my character's room. I rushed through the speech with my mom and didn't hesitate to race toward the grass on Route 1 in order to draw out Prof. Oak. I was led back to his lab, where Rook awaited impatiently.

I sped through the text until I was allowed to pick my starter. When I made to move Dante, I found he wouldn't move. Oak wasn't done talking?

His next words both confused me…and caused a shiver to race up my spine. "Don't let them manipulate you. Stay in control. Don't hesitate. THEY sure won't…"

I was able to move my character again. Forcing Oak's cryptic words from my head (I could've sworn he never said that before), I looked through the starters. It was a choice between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.

I was tempted to relive my adventure with Vinnie the Bulbasaur, but then Squirtle caught my eye. I had never used a Water-type before. Without thinking, I selected it and gave it the name Rocket due to the cannons it would eventually have as Blastoise. Plus it would be funny battling Team Rocket with a Pokemon named Rocket.

Then something weird happened. Instead of picking Bulbasaur, Rook chose Charmander. I distinctly remember that your rival chooses the starter that is strongest against your starter. Why was Rook choosing one that was weak to mine?

I was tempted to restart the game in case it was a glitch, but my rival was already challenging me to a battle. I decided to simply go with it. Maybe it was just a text glitch?

I realized it was no text glitch when Rook sent out his Charmander against Rocket. Typing didn't matter this early anyway since all the starters had were Tackle, Scratch, Growl, and Tail Whip. Once we had Bubble and Ember, then it would be a different story.

I went with my usual strategy: Tackle spam! Rook decided to be an idiot and use Growl non-stop, only using one Scratch before his Charmander was defeated. I felt like dancing for joy. I defeated Gary motherfucking O—I mean, Rook!

My joy turned to fear when I read Rook's text. "Damn it! I'm dead! I wasn't supposed to lose! CHARMANDER, try to understand! I didn't mean to lose!"

Rook abruptly ran from the lab. I tried to shake the dread I suddenly got. Oak's next words brought it back ten-fold.

"He lost control. Poor boy… Let him rest in peace, Arceus."

Arceus? Arceus didn't exist when Red Version was out. Arceus wouldn't be made for a long time!

Confused and a bit fearful, I left the lab in order to go to Viridian City to get Oak's Parcel. Since I had no Poke Balls, I couldn't catch anything yet. I decided to train Rocket against the Rattata and Pidgey that were found on Route 1.

I sped through the trip to receive and deliver Oak's Parcel. When I got to the lab, I noticed that Rook never appeared. After I got my PokeDex and Poke Balls, I decided to see if Oak had anything else to say. My blood ran cold at his next words.

"I can't believe he's actually gone. I told him everything he needed to know. How did it go so horribly wrong?"

I should've turned off the game right then and there. I don't know why I didn't. Maybe the thrill of this 'glitch' had gotten to me? Whatever it was, I wish I'd have stopped right there.

I left Pallet Town after getting a Town Map from Rook's sister. Her words also sent a shiver of dread through me.

"How could this happen to him? He practiced so much…only to have this happen. How could he lose control so easily?"

I didn't know what she meant. Maybe I didn't care. All I know is that I kept going despite all the creepy stuff that was going on around me.

I headed to Route 1 in order to really start my journey. Halfway through the third patch of grass, my character suddenly stopped moving. The screen scrolled up slightly, revealing a few patches of grass that were red. At the center of those patches was a Pokemon sprite. It turned to face my character and spoke, revealing itself to be a Charmander.

"So, you finally came. I've been waiting. You're stronger than Rook was. That's good…"

I was suddenly thrown into battle. I was shocked at what it said.

Rook's CHARMANDER wants to fight!

This was Rook's Charmander? Why wasn't it with Rook?

Then I remembered the red patches of grass it had been on. Prof. Oak and Rook's sister's words came back to me. Was Rook…dead?

I never even got to give Rocket an order before Rook's Charmander attacked. I was shocked.

Rook's CHARMANDER used THIEF!

Charmander can't learn Thief! Thief was made in the Gold, Silver, and Crystal games! How the hell did it do that? Then I became more shocked.

Rook's CHARMANDER snatched the POKE BALL from PKMN Trainer Dante!

Wait! Thief only stole from other Pokemon, not the trainer! What kind of glitch was this? And why a Poke Ball?

The text box suddenly darkened, like what it did when Oak told you how to fight in the beginning. Only this time, it wasn't Oak speaking. It was Rook's Charmander!

"Rook was too weak to handle me…but you're stronger. Take me to the top! If you can't, I'll find someone else who can."

Rook's Charmander was suddenly engulfed in white light. A Poke Ball dropped to the ground and began to shake. It was like catching a wild Pokemon, only without me throwing the Poke Ball. Three shakes and a click signaled a successful capture.

I wasn't given the option to nickname Rook's Charmander. When I went to its summary page, I found out why. It already had the nickname of Wildfire. Its OT (original trainer) was listed under my character's name rather than under Rook. That scared me. Was Rook really dead?

I ran all the way to Viridian City. Oddly enough, I didn't encounter any wild Pokemon. I would've liked to catch a Pidgey. Then again, I always liked Spearow better. Maybe I'd go catch one on Route 22 after I beat Roo—

…But he's dead, right? Or so the game is implying. So did that mean there would be no rival battle on Route 22?

I made it to Viridian and healed my team at the Pokemon Center. I was tempted to box Wildfire when its words returned to me. It wanted me to take it to the top or, if I failed, it would find someone else. Did that mean it would kill my character if I lost, like Rook did? I fearfully decided against boxing it. Besides, just because it was in my party didn't mean I had to use it.

That's when I noticed something. There was no PC in the Pokemon Center. I circled around and around but I couldn't find it. Where the heck did it go? Was this another glitch?

Deciding to continue onward, I headed for Route 22 to train and capture a few new Pokemon. The first thing I came across was a Spearow. Yes! I was definitely going to catch it!

My joy turned to shock when Wildfire popped out of his Poke Ball instead of Rocket. I could've sworn I had put Rocket at the head of the party. Opening the PKMN option in the battle menu, I saw that Rocket was indeed at the head of the party. Why had Wildfire come out then?

When I attempted to switch Wildfire for Rocket, a dark-colored text box appeared. It was Wildfire. "I'm going to get to the top. I can only do that if I'm strong. Let me battle!"

I was abruptly booted out of the PKMN option and into the FIGHT option, giving me no choice but to use Wildfire to attack the Spearow. It was still at Level 5, unlike Rocket who was at Level 9 due to all the level-grinding I did with it on Route 1. I'd have to train the Charmander a bit more if I didn't want my character to meet the same fate as Rook…

Two Scratches lowered the Spearow's health enough for an easy capture. Just as I selected a Poke Ball from the ITEM option, another dark text box popped up. Now what did Wildfire want?

"What are you doing? Aren't we going to defeat it?"

I was given a Yes/No choice. I selected No.

"You're going to capture it? It's weak! Defeat it! Make me stronger!"

Yes/No? I picked No.

"Why?"

I wasn't given an option for an answer. How was I supposed to explain to Wildfire that I wanted to catch it? It wasn't like I could type out the answer.

I don't know why I did it, but I spoke. "I can't beat all of the Gyms with just you or Rocket. We need more team members. That's why I need this Spearow and any other Pokemon I decide to catch. How do you plan to reach the top if you keep getting attacked by Water-types, huh?"

After a few seconds, I was shocked when Wildfire replied via the text box. "So, you need more teammates? More teammates mean that I will reach the top? Fine… Do what you will. Just get me to the top!"

I was returned to the ITEM selection screen. Wildfire didn't interfere when I tossed a Poke Ball, capturing the Level 3 Spearow. I called it Talon since it had claws on its feet (yes, I know all birds have claws on their feet). I'm not that creative with names, as I'm sure you guessed.

Wildfire participated in the rest of the wild Pokemon fights I had on Route 22. It didn't interfere when I caught myself a Rattata (Ratso), a Nidoran male (Emperor), and a Nidoran female (Empress). Any others that I saw, I let Wildfire defeat. This allowed it to reach Level 11 and learn Ember.

I was about to leave Route 22 when curiosity got the better of me. Maybe Rook wasn't actually dead. I only saw red patches of grass when I encountered Wildfire on Route 1. Maybe he got away?

I passed the grass patch and moved further along Route 22, steadily approaching the Pokemon League. Just as I began to lose hope of Rook's survival, Dante suddenly stopped moving. My heart soared briefly, expecting Rook to appear and challenge me to a fight.

Rook didn't appear, but I was thrown into a battle regardless. I was shocked to find myself fighting against a Level 9 Pidgey. Could this be the Pidgey that Rook would've caught? It was the same level, after all.

A dark text box prevented me from doing anything at first. It was Wildfire again. "There you are. Did you wait for very long here?"

"No, but it was long enough. Is this him?" I had to assume that this was the Pidgey speaking.

"Yes, it is. He'll take us to the top. Rook was a failure. Dante will make us champions!"

"Really? Prove it then. Fight me!"

The dark text box disappeared, allowing me to attack. Wildfire was sent out, as I had quickly gotten used to. It didn't seem to want to vacate its spot as my lead Pokemon.

I had Wildfire use Ember to weaken it to half its health. Then I switched to Scratch until it barely had a sliver of health left. Just as I was about to end the match, I was stopped by a dark text box.

"Wait. Catch him. He can help."

No matter how many times I tried to select FIGHT, the same message came up. I wasn't being given an option. Then I tried to switch in Rocket. Wildfire interfered again.

"No. Don't defeat him. Catch him."

Clicking RUN didn't help either. Wildfire seemed pretty determined to make sure I did as it wanted me to.

"What are you doing? You want to reach the top, right? Catch him."

Reluctantly, I clicked ITEM and tossed a Poke Ball at the Pidgey. It put up no struggle at all. Like with Wildfire, I didn't get to nickname it. I'd have to check the PC (if it decided to reappear at the Pokemon Center) to find out its name.

A text box suddenly popped up. "Do you want to add Gale to your party? Yes/No?"

Huh? I already had six Pokemon (Rocket, Wildfire, Talon, Ratso, Emperor, and Empress) in my party. I wasn't anywhere near a PC, so I couldn't switch my party members.

A dark text box appeared. Wildfire was talking to me again. "Add him. He can help."

I chose to do as the Charmander said, clicking Yes. I was suddenly at a new menu in my bag titled PC. The PC was in my bag now?

The only thing in the PC pocket (as I guess it's called, since it's in my bag) was the Pidgey, apparently named Gale. I clicked on Gale's name and was abruptly brought to my current party's screen. A dark text box appeared again.

"Switch out the other bird. I can be of more help than he can."

I guessed that it was Gale speaking, not Wildfire. I chose to ignore it, instead sending Ratso to the PC pocket. There was no way I was getting rid of Talon. I loved Spearow way too much to do that to it.

Once I left the party screen, I went into my bag to check out the PC pocket. Ratso was the only one in there. At least that explained why the PC wasn't in the Pokemon Center. I was practically carrying it around with me. That was pretty cool.

I returned to Viridian City in order to heal my team. That's where I chose to stop for the night. After saving my game, I turned off my Gameboy and got ready for bed. I'd play some more tomorrow.

Too bad I wasn't getting away that easily…

.o.o.o.o.

PARTY

Rocket, Squirtle, Level 9, Tackle, Tail Whip, Bubble, received in Pallet Town

Wildfire, Charmander, Level 11, Growl, Scratch, Ember, caught on Route 1

Talon, Spearow, Level 3, Peck, Growl, caught on Route 22

Emperor, Nidoran male, Level 2, Leer, Tackle, caught on Route 22

Empress, Nidoran female, Level 4, Growl, Tackle, caught on Route 22

Gale, Pidgey, Level 9, Gust, Sand-Attack, caught on Route 22

PC POCKET

Ratso, Rattata, Level 3, Tackle, Tail Whip, caught on Route 22