The Secret of MissingNo

By Mandy Nader

Chapter 13: Unfinished

At Rose's insistence, Jeremy reluctantly stowed his baseball cap in his backpack and took his hair out of its ponytail before the group prepared to Teleport back to Cinnabar Island.

"Nice hat-head, Jeremy," chuckled Entei, glancing at the young trainer's disheveled hair. Jeremy scowled, brushing strands of light brown hair out of his eyes.

Eric had said nothing as the group arrived back on the warm sands of Cinnabar. With the others following closely behind, he slowly trudged in the direction of the old laboratory. As Stone fumbled with his keys, he turned to the group and finally spoke. "I have to warn you, I'm not sure what we'll find inside. We never completely turned off the lab's life support system, so there's a good chance that at least something is still alive in here. But I could be wrong. Are you all okay with that?"

Rose gulped. "I think so."

"I can't say I'm looking forward to this, but it seems like our best shot," added Entei. "Maybe our only shot."

Opening the steel door, Eric walked inside, paused a moment as if gathering his strength, and flipped the light switch.

The group gasped in horror at the sight before their eyes. The eerie glass cloning cylinders that were once shrouded in shadow were now illuminated, their organic contents bobbing lifelessly in thick, yellowish-green fluid. The sinister-looking machines were also clearly visible, but their purpose was as mysterious as before. A gentle breeze wafted through the shattered window, stirring a pile of long-forgotten research documents.

Awestruck, Jeremy wandered between the dusty cloning cylinders, examining the half-completed creatures inside, and stopping to check the small index cards attached to the glass. The left-most cylinder contained a small, barely-started clone that resembled a very small, square version of 'M. Jeremy tapped the glass cautiously, but the thing inside gave no response.

".4" Started October 4, 1998. Our very first test using Mew DNA. Unstable. Abandoned October 6, 1998.

Jeremy read the neatly-printed card in fascination. That thing was supposed to be the first cloning test? It didn't look anything like any kind of Pokemon to him. Was it alive? Was it ever alive?

Shaking his head, Jeremy looked at the next cylinder. A creature much like the first was floating inside. This clone was about half the size of 'M, covered in the same strange pixel pattern.

"A" Started October 18, 1998. Created from Rhydon DNA, which is more stable than Mew DNA. Stable, but weak. Abandoned November 1, 1998.

Abandoned. What did that mean? Did it mean the scientists merely stopped working with the clone, or had they shut off its life support system completely? Jeremy shuddered. What a horrible 'life' it must be, as an unfinished experimental creature with no hope of completion. Maybe that's why those two Glitches escaped, he thought suddenly. They realized their fate and wanted to influence their own destiny.

Jeremy was abruptly jolted out of his reverie as a sudden high-pitched scream ripped through the lab. He dashed over to the rest of the group and saw Rose with her head buried in her hands.

"Eric, how could you?" cried Rose, pointing up at one of the cylinders without looking at it.

Jeremy looked up at the helpless still-living creature suspended inside the unmarked cylinder. A tiny cat-like creature was completely enclosed in the yellowish fluids, its eyes closed. Occasionally it would open its mouth in a silent cry as it took shallow breaths at random intervals. Its body seemed incomplete, like an unfinished sculpture.

Eric looked away. "Rose, creating genetic Pokemon was my job. It was how I earned my paycheck. If I'd started thinking too much about the ethics of what I was doing, I'd have been out of work. You of all people should understand, Ms. Team Rocket member."

"You… you are going to help this little guy, aren't you?" asked Jeremy, wide-eyed.

"What would that accomplish?" Stone replied, an edge to his voice. "An 'experimental' creature has nothing to gain but further suffering. You remember what happened with Mewtwo, don't you? Humans were never meant to create Pokemon."

"But can't you at least finish what you've started?" yelled Rose, tears in her eyes. "That little guy in there… he's barely alive right now. You can't just leave him to die!"

"I have news for you," Stone continued in an unusually calm voice tinged with bitterness. "It wouldn't be the first time. What do you think happened to the clones that weren't good enough for Giovanni? It's all over the lab: date created, date abandoned. Living things left to die because they didn't meet some impossible standard of being strong enough."

After a few minutes, Entei broke the uncomfortable silence that filled the room. "No one can change the past," he began slowly, "but you can choose your own future. Giovanni isn't paying your salary any more, so I wouldn't give a damn about what he would think. You have to decide for yourself."

Eric looked at the little creature, taking shallow breaths as it floated somewhere between life and death. He sighed heavily. Having to destroy 'imperfect' clones had always weighed heavily on his conscience, but he had dismissed it as only following orders. This time, though, he actually had a say in this little Pokemon's fate.

But… what if he messed up? 'M and MissingNo were still out there, doing God-knows-what in their attempt to conquer the world. Could the world handle another botched creature like that?

Rose put a hand on Eric's shoulder. "I'm sorry I yelled at you," she said softly. "I just hate to see defenseless creatures in pain. Can we save this one… please?"

"Well, I never actually finished working on this one," Eric began. "Since Giovanni's men shut us down before we could show him this one, we were never ordered to shut off its life support. Here, we were trying to replicate some of the physical attributes of a Mew, but we couldn't figure out the complete physical appearance from the Mew DNA alone. We planned to use some physical characteristics from similar Pokemon, but then those two Glitches escaped…"

"Anything I can do?" asked Entei. "If you want my DNA, you can have it. I don't mind sharing if it can help someone else."

"You are a Legendary," Eric mused. "It might help, although I need some feline Pokemon DNA as well…"

"I've got a Persian, will that help?" asked Jeremy.

Rose turned away and released her baby Meowth from the Poke Ball into her arms. "Kitty?" she asked softly. "Would you mind if the nice professor took a little pinchy of your DNA? You can help our new little friend to live." She held her kitten up to look at the pathetic creature inside the glass cylinder. Her Meowth looked inside the cylinder for a few moments, then nodded at her, a serious look on his face.

"Eric, we're in too," Rose said determinedly. "What can we do?"

*****

The next several hours passed slowly. A spirit of anxiety engulfed the group as Eric worked alone in the deserted laboratory. Entei nibbled at his long claws, staring vacantly into space. Rose absently played with her Meowth, but kept glancing back at the lab every few moments. Jeremy was completely restless, pacing back and forth along the shoreline. He didn't want to train Pokemon, or go fishing, or read his Pokedex, or even sit down. The glowing orange ball of the sun continued to sink lower in the sky.

After what seemed like forever, the laboratory door creaked open and a weary-looking Eric Stone materialized.

"Well?" everyone asked in unison, looking at him expectantly.

The Professor sighed heavily. "It needs time. I've done all I can do for it right now. I need to return in a few hours and check its progress, but there's no use in sticking around here."

"So now what?" asked Jeremy impatiently.

"I suggest we get some dinner, maybe take in a movie. I need to get away from here for a while."

"But what about that little critter in there?" asked Entei.

"It needs time to rest and grow," replied Eric. "Genetics is a lengthy ordeal, and although the use of chemicals can accelerate the process, there is a large strain placed on the subject. I think that little one has a very strong will to survive, which is why it survived all this time on the lab's life support system. That should make the process easier, but there are no guarantees…"

"Can't we do anything to help?" asked Rose.

"I'm afraid not. The best thing you can do is stop worrying so much. I know what I'm doing here, but I need a break. And so does the little critter."

"I heard there's a new movie out, some remake of an old monster movie. It's supposed to be pretty good. You guys up for it?" suggested Jeremy. "We could grab some burgers afterwards."

"How are the funds, Rose?" asked Eric.

The girl jingled coins in her pocket. "We've got enough for a night of fun. Shall we?"

"Let's shall," replied Entei.

*****

"That was fun," commented Entei as the group walked out of the theater. A cool breeze was blowing, and the first stars were beginning to appear in the twilit sky. The Legendary Pokemon chuckled. "I loved that cartoon where Snorlax keeps almost eating Pichus. I could watch that over and over again, and it would still be funny."

"The special effects in the main movie were pretty awesome. Even though the plot was totally cheesy… I mean, a 50-foot Tyranitar stomps Rustboro City? Like we haven't seen that story about a hundred times before," added Jeremy.

"The plot was pretty awful, but at least the lead actor was cute!" sighed Rose. Entei made a jealous-sounding growl.

"The movie was a pleasant diversion," said Eric, glancing at his watch. "I really needed something to clear my mind. But I have to check on our little friend soon. If we can swing by the lab for just a moment, I need to check the genetic Pokemon's levels, and perhaps administer some additional nutrients."

"Then can we get dinner?" asked Entei eagerly. "Entei needs food, badly!"

Noticing that one of his shoelaces had become untied, Jeremy knelt to fix it when suddenly a shadowy figure shoved him hard. The trainer fell headlong into a dark, narrow alleyway as his assailant stepped forward, blocking the entrance to the street.

"What do you think you're doing?" asked Jeremy angrily, picking himself up from the uneven pavement. "Who are you?"

"I told you we'd meet again. And this time your little Rocket friends aren't around to help you out," sneered Kevin Gold. "I'm not letting you get away from me this time."

"Look, I don't have time for this…" Jeremy attempted to push past Kevin, but the Johto trainer grabbed his arm, twisted it painfully, and forced Jeremy to the ground again.

"There's always time to bring crooks like you to justice!" Cold anger burned in Kevin's eyes. "I'll make Team Rocket pay for ever stealing from me!"

"But I'm not even-"

But Kevin wasn't listening. "It was only my second day of training. I'd barely gotten started on my very first training journey. I didn't even have a full team of Pokemon yet, and my beloved Cyndaquil was stolen by a whole gang of Rockets. Those cowards couldn't even face me one-on-one… there were ten of them against one ten-year-old kid. They stole my starter, roughed me up, and took half my money. They only left my "common" Pokemon, which they didn't find worth stealing. Can you imagine trying to battle Gym Leaders with nothing more than Rattata, Pidgey, and Sentret?" he spat, his voice filled with venom. A small tear formed in the corner of his left eye. Kevin angrily brushed it away before continuing.

"So it's only fitting that these same three Pokemon will bring you to justice. No low-class thief is going to mess with one of the Golds and get away with it!"

"But I don't want to battle you!" Jeremy finally interrupted.

"Who said anything about battling?" replied Kevin, a vengeful glint in his eyes. He smiled coldly and tossed a handful of Poke Balls into the air. In a brilliant flash of light, three tough-looking Pokemon appeared: a Raticate, a Pidgeot, and a Furret.

"He's a Rocket member!" Kevin shouted at his Pokemon. "You know what to do with Rocket members, don't you?" Jeremy gulped as all three Pokemon glared at him with open hatred, rushing toward him with claws and talons outstretched.

Over the noise of their battle cries, Jeremy heard Kevin laughing. "You Rockets don't play by the rules, so why should I?"

His right arm still aching from where Kevin had twisted it, Jeremy tossed Golem's Poke Ball into the darkness. The Rock Pokemon started, seeing three furious Pokemon charging at it without warning.

"Harden!" Jeremy yelled desperately, hoping to buy himself enough time to formulate a strategy. As Golem's hard skin repelled the first volley of physical attacks, Jeremy mentally tallied his remaining Pokemon.

Let's see, I left Scorch with Eric, so I would only have five Pokemon with me… Nutri's still hurt from the MissingNo battle… but I bet Windslicer would be good against that Pidgeot, and if I use Nightmare's Reflect…

Reaching for two more Poke Balls, Jeremy matched Kevin's glare with one of his own. "For the last time, I'm not a Rocket!" he shouted, releasing his Pidgeot and Hypno into the alley. "Pidgeot, Sky Attack! Hypno, Reflect!"

Kevin swore as his Furret and Raticate bounced off the protective barriers created by Jeremy's Pokemon, their attacks useless against such strong defenses. However, maintaining their shields against multiple foes left Golem and Hypno unable to make any offensive moves of their own.

Meanwhile, the two Pidgeots were performing what looked like an aerial ballet, swooping at each other as they looked for an opportunity to attack. Both Pokemon had incredible speed, and each strike was dodged just in time. This guy's a pretty good trainer, thought Jeremy. Too bad he's such a jerk.

This battle was clearly going to come down to stamina; Jeremy and Kevin were evenly matched, but no Pokemon can battle forever.

"Windslicer, dive!" shouted Jeremy as Kevin's Pidgeot shot forward suddenly. Windslicer dove out of the way, but not fast enough. Jeremy winced as the enemy's talons connected with Windslicer's right wing. Giving an agonized squawk, Windslicer fluttered weakly in the air for a moment before plummeting toward the ground. Hastily, Jeremy recalled the wounded Pidgeot into its Poke Ball before it hit the earth.

Kevin laughed loudly. "How does it feel to see something you care about get hurt?" he taunted. "You deserve everything you get."

Jeremy glared at him through hot tears. "How can you say that? You don't even know me!" he yelled.

"I don't need to," retorted Kevin, as his Pidgeot swooped toward Jeremy's remaining two Pokemon. "You Rockets are all the same."

"No they're not! Some of them are really decent people. Better people than you!" Jeremy pulled out his Persian's Poke Ball and tossed it into the fray. The regal-looking cat materialized, hissing angrily.

"I'm supposed to be insulted by that? What would a Rocket know about decency?"

"Persian, get in there!" shouted Jeremy, ignoring Kevin and focusing entirely on the battle. "Slash attack!"

The large cat crouched behind the rapidly weakening shields and waited for its opportunity. As Pidgeot soared forward to attack, Persian pounced, claws outstretched. Pinning the injured bird Pokemon to the ground, Persian leaned forward, preparing to bite its neck. Kevin cursed and withdrew his Pidgeot. As the bird disappeared in a flash of crimson light, Persian looked at Jeremy and mewed as if to say, Where did my dinner go?

At that moment, Golem's defense finally gave out. The massive Rock Pokemon collapsed as a particularly vicious Quick Attack from Kevin's Furret knocked it backwards.

"Finish it off, Furret!" Kevin yelled triumphantly. "Iron Tail!"

"Persian, help Golem!" cried Jeremy, recalling the Rock Pokemon back into its ball. Persian sprung forward, spraying a powerful jet of bubbles from its mouth. Furret recoiled from the hit, wiping water from its eyes.

"This battle is over," said Kevin, pulling a highly-polished Poke Ball from his belt. "I'm not wasting any more time with you. Go, Zapdos!"

Jeremy gasped. The Legendary Bird soared out of its ball, sparking and cracking with electricity. Its small eyes glared evilly at Jeremy.

"He's a Rocket," Kevin said, pointing at Jeremy and his remaining Pokemon. "Take care of him."

Zapdos spread its wings wide. Overhead, thunder rolled ominously. Jeremy gulped as Zapdos cawed and lightning streaked the sky.

"Hey, Jeremy, there you are," said a deep voice from the street. Kevin spun around to see Entei looking down the alley's entrance, a monstrous silhouette framed in the orange glow of a streetlight. "This guy giving you trouble?" Rose and Eric stood close behind.

"Not you again," said Rose, irritation in her voice. "I thought we told you to leave us alone."

"If you want a battle that badly, we'll give you one," threatened Eric, pulling out a Poke Ball. "Are you willing to take us all on at once?"

"This isn't over," shouted Kevin, climbing aboard his Zapdos and recalling his remaining Pokemon into their balls. "I'll be back, and I'll make you pay for everything Team Rocket's done to me! Get us out of here, Zapdos!"

"Nice guy," remarked Entei as the Johto trainer disappeared into the night sky. "Friend of yours?"

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