Monster

by Raichu

The waves rocked the boat gently. The two occupants didn't care. What they were after took their full concentration.

"How do you know it was here, Mac?"

"I can feel it in my bones. This was the spot where my Squirtle was—" Mac choked on his words.

"I guess you were close."

"As close as that Ash kid is to his bonnie Pikachu. We did everything together."

"You don't watch that stupid TV show, do you?"

Before Mac could answer, the boat started rocking even more. This time it caught their attention.

"Mac, you don't think it's..."

"Definitely, Zac, I can sense it. I don't know how, but I just know."

"Don't you think we should let our Pokémon out?"

"Not yet."

"Do you know what type of Pokémon it is?"

The waves were splashing violently all around them now. Water was entering the boat. Zac started looking worried.

"Psychic. Has to be."

"Why would it take your Squirtle anyway?"

"That's what..." answered Mac, grabbing hold of the side of the boat as it was suddenly tossed into the air, "...we're here to find out."

The boat came crashing onto the water. The hull cracked. Water started to leak inside.

Zac panicked. He let out his Pokémon.

A Totodile appeared. It took a moment for it to assess its surroundings and squawked in alarm.

The boat lurched again. The Totodile was thrown overboard. It landed in the water and started to swim.

The next thing they knew, there was a huge splash of water as big as a waterfall. It came crashing down on them, drenching them. The boat was half-filled. They quickly started bailing it out with their hands.

Then all was silent. Then Zac realized. His Totodile was not with them any more. Zac spun around, staring at the sea around them. It was still and smooth. There was no monster, and no Totodile either.

"Why didn't you listen to me," said Mac.

"I was scared."

"So was I last time. Now you've made the same mistake."

Zac burst out in anger at his friend. He grabbed Mac by his shirt and yelled into his face.

"Why did you bring me to this accursed place!?"

Mac did not resist. He could not help but feel responsible for Zac's loss. He bent his head in shame.

"I hoped that you would help me. I wanted to find out about the monster. The more I know, the better chance I have of avenging it taking Squirtle."

Zac eased off. He felt the same. He could now completely identify with Mac.

"There's one thing left to do," said Zac.

"What?"

"We tell the world."

"What? No one will believe us."

"We have to. We owe it to them. We can't have anyone else falling victim to the same fate."

"Aye, Zac, you're right," said Mac. "We should warn them of the monster. At least we won't feel responsible if there's another loss." He paused for a moment. "Who would have thought that this great big dirty loch..."

"Aye," said Zac, "but it's true. There's a monster in Loch Ness."