《Dreamers Insanity - Pokemon fanfic》


 Cannibals and Devils(redone)

    As if a switch had been flipped, Jared found himself abruptly lifted from the comfort of his home, where he had been leisurely watching cat videos on YouTube, and suspended high above a vast, monochrome ocean. The sudden, dramatic shift felt like something out of a movie.


    For a few moments, Jared could only blink in confusion as he attempted to make sense of his new surroundings. Though he tried to move his head to get a better view, he found himself frozen in place like a statue.


    Slowly but surely, the once-monochrome sea began to take on a deep blue hue, and panic set in for Jared. The ocean rushed up to meet him, and he let out a blood-curdling scream, clawing frantically at the air in a desperate attempt to escape.


    Hours passed, and Jared groaned in frustration as he felt his skin starting to blister. He couldn''t believe that whoever had put him in this situation hadn''t bothered to come back and rectify it.


    "I''ll file a complaint! I will..." he muttered, but his words trailed off into defeat.


    As he lay there, resigned to his fate, Jared couldn''t help but think that at least his death would be an interesting one. The sun overhead seemed unnaturally large and bright, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that he was no longer on Earth.


    "Toto, I''ve got a feeling we''re not in Kansas anymore..." he muttered to himself, even though he''d never been to Kansas and was allergic to dogs anyway.


    He shook his head, realizing how absurd his thoughts were becoming. "Get a grip," he scolded himself.


    But then, a morbid thought occurred to him. "Maybe I''m already dead," he mused. "Did those cat videos finally do me in? The comments said you can die from cuteness... Am I now paying for my sins in the seventh layer of hell?"


    In a moment of sheer horror, Jared lifted his hand out of the water, feeling the pruned skin on his fingers. He let out a blood-curdling scream. "NOOOOO, MY FINGERS ARE PRUNING! THIS REALLY IS HELL!"


    Jared''s mind raced as he tried to make sense of his situation. It seemed fitting that the ocean, something he had always been afraid of, would be his personal hell. However, he couldn''t shake the feeling that he didn''t deserve this. Though he wasn''t the most charitable individual, he couldn''t think of anything he had done to warrant eternal damnation.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Suddenly, he heard a distant splash, and fear crept into his heart. Straining to see what had caused the noise, he couldn''t make out anything from his position. "Oh God, what was that?" he thought, hoping it wasn''t a shark. "Sharks aren''t allowed in hell, I won''t allow it!"


    __________________________________________


    Minutes ticked by, and Jared struggled to ignore the eerie sound and suppress his growing fear. "Whatever," he thought to himself, "if there''s something lurking in the water with me, it should just come and devour me now. Anything would be better than this!"


    As he lay there, he found solace in the warmth of the ocean, grateful that he wasn''t at risk of freezing to death.


    But then it hit him like a ton of bricks - he had been stripped of all his clothing when he was transported here. "Now I''m nothing but a piece of naked human driftwood! and the sun is eventually going to burn me to a crisp!" he grumbled in frustration.


    A darker thought crept into his mind: what if he was meant to slowly dehydrate and bake in the scorching sun while being tormented by whatever creatures lay beneath the gentle ocean waves? "That scoundrel! That snake!" Jared seethed, feeling a newfound anger towards whoever was responsible for this cruel fate.


    As he pondered his fate, he heard another splash, this time much closer. His heart raced as he attempted to sit up, but his body remained frozen in place. The ocean suddenly grew turbulent, tossing him around like a rag doll. Jared cried out and searched for something, anything, to hold onto, but to no avail.


    All of a sudden, a dark figure emerged from the water, causing Jared''s fear to escalate into pure panic. From his side view, it appeared to be some sort of massive sea monster, its jaws gaping wide as it charged straight towards him. Jared screamed once more, certain that this was the end.


    To his surprise, the creature slowed down and appeared to hesitate. Then, rather than attacking, it circled around him and quickly dived below.


    Jared felt bewildered and relieved all at once. "What in the world was that?" he muttered to himself. He didn''t get a good look at the creature, because in his panic all he could think about was escaping.


    As the waves calmed down and the ocean returned to its dull, colorless state, Jared began to question his sanity. He had always been a skeptic when it came to the supernatural, but now he wasn''t so sure. Perhaps this was truly hell, and maybe there really were undersea monsters that could pause before attacking.


    "What was that thing, and why did it seem familiar?" Jared wondered aloud. "Have I watched too many horror movies?"


    He shook his head and scoffed, "No, impossible. I hate scary movies. I haven''t seen one since I was eight years old because I had nightmares for months."


    For what seemed like hours, Jared lay there, consumed by his worries and fears. But eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he drifted off into slumber.

 Rescue(redone)

    Jared''s raw, sunburned body jerked violently as his arm was suddenly grabbed, jolting him awake. Instinctively, he yelled and flailed, striking something hard with his elbow and recoiling in pain. Gasping for breath, he felt his arm released and heard a man''s voice from above, "Relax, I''m not going to hurt you, buddy."


    Cradling his throbbing elbow, Jared looked up to see a muscular man wearing futuristic sunglasses with surprise etched on his face. Standing beside him was a young man no older than fifteen, scowling at Jared.


    Struggling to compose himself, Jared noticed that they were on a small wooden boat without sails. It dawned on him that he had collided with their vessel, causing the pain in his arm.


    But the realization was short-lived, as the next moment brought an even greater shock. Screaming at the top of his lungs, he found himself face to face with a monster half-submerged in the water. His body convulsed in terror, flailing like a drowning cat. He swallowed water and hyperventilated, forgetting even how to swim.


    As he began to sink, he hit his arm against the boat again in a last ditch effort. But the pain was nothing compared to his panic. Just as he was about to go under, the unfamiliar man grabbed him by the armpit and hauled him onto the boat with surprising ease, causing the vessel to rock back and forth from the sudden motion.


    The strong man sighs and moves back, seemingly to give his panicking charge some air. Taking a seat, he scratches his chin while watching Jared''s pathetic frame gasp for breath and cough up slimy seawater.


    But Jared''s mind is still filled with instinctive fear.


    Jared found some relief after clearing his lungs, but the half-submerged monster at the front of the boat decided to change all that by craning its neck towards Jared''s face.


    The creature came closer and closer, and when it roared with a "LAAAAA", Jared did the only sensible thing to do in such a situation and resumed screaming.


    His saviour began to chuckle before erupting into laughter.


    After a good thirty seconds, Jared managed to get a hold of himself and decided to relocate his now hoarse voice to the task of shouting mostly intelligible words, "AHHH NOOO, WHAWAHT ISS THAWT THIINGG, DOWNT EAT MEEE!"


    The laughing savior wiped a tear from his eye at the unexpected plea and then spoke in between laughs, "Hahaa, that''s hahaha, uhm.. haaaha, he won''t hahaha hurt hahaa you."


    Using his left hand, Jared managed to find purchase on the rim of the boat and then moved himself into a crouching stance while slowly backing away in instinctive fear from the gaping maw not two feet from him.


    He decided to ask the same question but said it much louder than intended, "What is that thing?"


    The happy-go-lucky savior chuckled once again, "Ah, that''s Yoshi, my Lapras. Hey, Yoshi, give him some space. The poor man''s clearly been through a lot."


    Complying with his trainer''s command, Yoshi moved his head away and gave a snort, stealing glances from above the water with interest.


    Just behind the muscular savior was a snarky voice, "He doesn''t know not know what a Lapras is?"


    Listening in, Jared''s sunburnt mind began to churn and process the words the two had spoken. "Lapras? Lapras... wait... wait a minute..."


    Jared then croaked out some words in shaky disbelief, "Lapras... Lapras is a Pokemon?"


    Kukui smiled, "He sure is. He''s my best friend too!"


    "A Pokemon?"


    "Yep," he replied cheerfully.


    Jared moved his eyes from the monster''s face to peer down at the shell connected to its large body. Eyes wide with disbelief, Jared began losing strength in his legs and slid down the rim of the small boat into a seated position. Clutching his injured arm and cringing from the blisters, he held his chest and took a few shaky breaths. ''Okay, okay, okay... this is good news. At least this means it''s probably not a water planet, and there are no cannibals here to eat me.''


    The two strangers conversed back and forth for a few minutes until eventually, Jared somewhat processed his situation.


    Turning his eyes from the Lapras, Jared decided to listen in on the conversation between the two strangers.


    "Bane, even if it''s a joke, you are taking it too far. "


    "..."


    ''So that boys name is Bane... and my savior is named Kukui... kinda foreign-sounding, isn''t it? Wait foreign? Aren''t I the foreigner in this situation? and he called me a commoner?"


    Scratching his wrist, a new thought popped into his head. ''No, is sounding foreign really the crux of the issue here? THEY SPEAK BLOODY ENGLISH, I''M ON ANOTHER PLANET, AND THEY SPEAK ENGLISH!!''


    Feeling overwhelmed, Jared says the first thing he can think of, "So, erm, please... don''t throw me overboard. I''ll even give you money if you save me."


    Hearing this, Kukui looks over with a straight face, and points at Jared''s naked body, "But I think you may have lost your wallet?"


    Seeing Jared''s choked expression, Kukui slaps his knee and laughs. "I can''t get enough of your expressions, it''s too priceless."


    Kukui then pats Jared hard on the back, inflicting a critical hit on his sunburned body. "Don''t worry, you are safe with me. Although, if we didn''t show up soon, you were probably dead meat. I''m really curious how you ended up out here. You don''t look Alolan. Were you visiting the island and encountered an accident?"


    Cringing from the painful red handprint left on his sunburnt back, Jared replies, "Ow, no, sorta. I don''t know. Do you have any spare clothes I can wear? The sun is killing me."


    Kukui tilts his head in puzzlement, then a few moments later he tosses over a shirt, "Did you hit your head or something?"


    "No, no... my last memories were... of sitting on my couch," Jared replied in exasperation.


    "Interesting, go on."


    "Erm, so, where is this?"


    Kukui answers while pointing to somewhere in the distance. Jared turned to look but distant fog obscured his view, "We''re off the coast of Route Fourteen. I heard there was a sighting of a giant Tentacruel, so I was trying my luck to see if my young friend here and I could catch it. We werent lucky enough to find it, but at least one of us was lucky, haha."


    Jared then notices the Lapras shake its head with a smile as if it were able to understand the corny joke.


    "Can it understand us? And what do you mean by Route Fourteen? Where is that"


    Kukui responds with an uncharacteristically serious expression, "Yes, but never call Yoshi a "It". He''s my partner!"Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Jared''s sunburned face slowly begins to get even redder from the unexpected chastisement, then he laughs inwardly, ''I know some people on Earth that would love to be scolded while butt naked, but I''m not one of them.''


    Kukui spent a moment rummaging through one of the two small bags positioned near the center of the small boat, and from his hands he produced some spare shorts. "You''ll probably want some of these too. You''re a bit smaller me, but they should fit well enough"


    A bit bashful from his nakedness, Jared replies curtly, "Thanks... "


    Jared tries on the shorts and, along with the black and white striped shirt, "No underwear though..."


    "Hey Kukui... actually, nevermind," Jared then reasoned to himself, "Yes, wearing someone''s clothes is one thing, but the underwear might be a bit too weird..."


    Kukui looks over in puzzlement for a moment before producing a smile. "So, what''s your name? and to answer your previous question, route fourteen is near to Tapu village"


    "Jared. So, Tapu Village? I dont know what that is."


    Kukui motions over the slippery wooden floor of the boat, while Jared holds onto the rails in fear of capsizing. Grabbing Jared''s limp hand, Kukui gives it a shake. "Well, maybe you have temporary amnesia, at any rate it''s nice to meet you!"


    Smiling even wider, Kukui continues with interest. "Now that I think about it, that''s a very unique name though. Where are you from, Jared?"


    Jared coughs in an attempt to buy himself some time to think. ''I don''t want to come off as a lunatic, so it''s probably best I hide the fact that I came here from a different world. Kukui seems nice on the surface, but... I''m technically an otherworldly alien. So... maybe it''s best I make something up, at least until I figure out how they treat aliens. Considering Alola is a real place, and the only two regions I actually know the name of are Kanto and Johto... and the fact that Kanto and Johto are probably far away from here, then... that probably means if I make something up, they likely won''t be able to confirm it.''


    After a short moment of deliberation, Jared replies, "I''m from Johto, uh... Pallet Town."


    Rubbing his chin in thought, Kukui ponders for just a moment. "Pallet Town isn''t in Johto though?"


    In response, Jared''s eyes open wide. He then abruptly stands up while desperately shaking his hands. "I, uh, sorry. I was confused. I meant Kanto."


    Seeing Kukui nod in acceptance with a smile, Jared inwardly sighs in relief. ''That was close... how can i be such an idiot...''


    From his position behind Kukui, an unimpressed Bane can be seen looking on with his arms crossed.


    Laughing to hide his embarrassment, Jared croaks, "Ah... do you have any water? I think dehydration must be affecting my ability to think."


    Reaching back into his bag, Kukui hands over a water bottle. "Sure thing!"


    Grasping the bottle with both hands and nearly losing his balance in the process due to the slippery floor, Jared begins greedily chugging down the water.


    Sputtering when a little water enters his windpipe, Kikui can be seen smiling slightly, clearly amused by the mans expressions.


    Kukui then turns his head to the water-bound monster. "Hey Yoshi, can you please take us to land? Oh, and Jared, you might want to hold on to something, hehe."


    Putting the water bottle down, Jared leans over the short railing on the side of the boat and holds onto the rim of the boat with his uninjured arm. He is now ready for any rapid movement!


    Wiggling his ears, Yoshi slowly begins to move. A submerged rope soon becomes visible as the boat turns slowly, and after a moment the rope becomes fully taut. The rope is looped over Yoshi''s shell on one end, while the other is tied firmly to the boat''s bow.


    A short time passes, and during this time Jared stares at the back of the fast-moving Lapras in thought. ''Is this really not the Loch Ness monster?''


    The group travels in silence for a few minutes, and a cool breeze blows despite the hot sun. This breeze prompts Jared to shiver in his slightly damp clothes. "Weird, I could swear I felt warmer when I was in the water."


    Kukui laughs, "Right? funny how that works isn''t it?"


    During their travel, Jared feels a tap on his shoulder, and when he turns around, he finds a sandwich held near his face.


    "Hope you like tuna fish."


    Looking at the sandwich in confusion for a moment, Jared contemplates the words. "Tuna...? How do they have tuna fish, and I thought that the world of Pok¨¦mon had no real animals, only Pok¨¦mon? How does this place share so many similarities with Earth?"


    A minute later, Kukui breaks Jared from his internal monologue, "Say, Jared, what happened to your Pok¨¦mon? Did you get separated from them when you ended up here?"


    "I... never had one before, probably," Jared replies.


    Kukui reacts with surprise, "You came all this way from Pallet Town without a Pok¨¦mon?!"


    With a cough, Jared explains, "I... I already told you my last memory was sitting at home. I have NO idea how I got here."


    "So you''re a commoner after all. I knew it, a proper trainer wouldn''t end up butt naked in the ocean after all."


    "Bane, I don''t want to hear that talk anymore."


    "Fine..."


    An hour into the trip, Jared feels a familiar tap on his shoulder. Turning, he finds Kukui, who is seen pointing to a spot a little ways out. "Jared, do you see that over there?"


    Jared turns to look and is greeted with a rather shocking sight. In his view are packs and packs of large, oval-looking red fish. The fish are happily swimming around and leaping out of the water periodically. It was like a endless tide of churning red.


    Jared leaned over the side of the boat, squinting at the shimmering mass of fish-like creatures swimming below. He could see the distinct orange and white markings on their scales, but he still couldn''t believe his eyes. Magikarp were considered to be the weakest and most useless Pokemon, yet here they were, swimming in perfect synchronization in the warm Alola waters.


    Kukui, noticing Jared''s uncertainty, explained that the Magikarp would come here every summer to breed. The sight was truly a remarkable one, and Kukui couldn''t help but smile at Jared''s amazement.


    Jared nodded slowly, still in a state of disbelief. He had always been fascinated by the world of Pokemon, but he had never imagined that he would actually be able to witness it with his own eyes.


    As the boat slowly drifted away from the school of Magikarp, Jared couldn''t help but feel a pang of longing. He almost yearned to jump in and swim with the Pokemon, to experience the world of Pokemon firsthand.


    His thoughts raced with excitement, and he finally realized that he was living his childhood dream. His eyes welled up with tears, but he didn''t care. For the first time in his life, he was just happy to be alive.


    ''This is a dream I could have never dared to wish for, a wish a worthless bastard like me didn''t deserve, but... even still, if this is somehow all a dream, I don''t want to wake up. I want to be here for a little longer, as long as possible...''


    Kukui put a warm, comforting hand on the tearful man. "It''s like you''ve never seen a pack of wild pokemon before, hehe. Really cool though, aren''t they? Just think, any one of them has the potential to become a giant man-eating Gyarados! "


    Jared''s eyes went wide, "Then Isn''t it dangerous to be here?"


    "Naw, we''re probably fine."


    After a four-hour trip over the calm ocean and several more questions from Kukui, the group was soon nearing an inlet.


    Lining the shores of the inlet was a large concrete dock. The dock held ships of various sizes. The ships ranged from small boats similar to the one they were on, but there were also many medium-sized vessels. These vessels all shared one thing in common: they did not have a sail!


    Jared pondered quietly, ''This is a lot bigger than what I''d imagine. I mean, it is called Tapu village, but this dock is fit for a city!''


    Rooted along the shore were packs of scattered palm trees, and they were accompanied by random patches of small, sweet-smelling red and yellow flowers.


    Placed sporadically throughout the landscape were a few sparse fields of small shrubs, their leaves and branches appearing as if they were struggling to survive the salty breeze. The shrubs were no more than a foot high, their spindly branches reaching out as if pleading for fresh water.


    Despite the lack of vegetation, the air was thick with a sweet scent that mingled with the putrid stench of rotten fish. It was as if the scent was clinging to the shrubs, imbuing them with a faint, cloying fragrance that permeated the entire landscape.


    As the wind picked up, the shrubs swayed and rustled, their delicate branches and leaves rustling together. The sandy terrain was littered with other debris and rocks, but the areas around the dock was pristine.


    Jared covered his nose in disgust, but he quickly got used to it.


    The colorful wooden houses on stilts were painted in bright hues of red, blue, and green, adding a cheerful vibe to the otherwise rugged and salty dock. The stilts rose high from the water, indicating that the town was susceptible to high tides and storms.


    Jared observed the bustling activity on the dock as they approached. Men and women, both young and old, worked in harmony with their pokemon, unloading their catch from small boats and fishing vessels. Some were busy sorting the fish, while others mended their nets or cleaned their boats.


    Beyond the dock, the town tapered off into a cluster of small houses, barely visible from their position. The houses looked quaint and cozy, with thatched roofs and brightly colored walls. Further away, a hill rose steeply, almost obscuring the horizon. It looked like a wall, separating the town from the outside world.


    As they drew closer, Jared''s attention was drawn to a medium-sized boat stranded on the shore. Three short men were perched atop the vessel, submerged waist-deep in the water, working on the coral growth on the ship''s bottom. Their faces were intense with concentration, and they worked with practiced efficiency, oblivious to the world around them.


    Getting nearer, Jared got a better view of the three "men," and their true appearance prompted Jared to ask, "Hey Kukui, are those Machops with clothes?"


    With a small chuckle, Kukui nodded.


    "This is all so... incredible. I feel like I''m dreaming right now. "


    "pft, your expressions are still priceless"

 WHERE IS OFFICER JENNY?(Redone)

    The small boat was calmly guided towards the concrete dock by Lapras, who scanned the area for a vacant spot to dock. As they approached, Kukui and Bane collected their bags and stepped onto the walkway, while Jared stood in awe, taking in the bustling scene around him. The crowd began to form in front of them, but Jared was too captivated by the environment to notice.


    Kukui exchanged a silent nod of appreciation with Lapras before he retrieved a red and white sphere from his bag, "Hey Jared, watch this" Jared watched with anticipation as Kukui activated the ball with a click. A bright beam of crimson light burst forth, enveloping Lapras, and to Jared''s surprise, the majestic Pokemon began to glow red and then vanished in a flash of light, leaving him momentarily stunned, as Kukai laughed "hahah, priceless."


    Regaining his composure, Jared accepted Kukui''s outstretched hand and was helped out of the boat, but they were stopped by an energetic young boy before they could take another step. "Professor Kukui! When I saw that Lapras coming in, I knew it was you, so I rushed back home to get this. Please, will you sign your autograph?" "Of course, and thank you for your support!" Kukui said with a smile.


    It was only after a few more greetings and autograph before Kukui got past the crowd.


    Bane felt envious of Kukui''s fame, wondering when he too would be as well-known. The trio made their way along the concrete dock, passing several colorful houses on stilts, and people bustling about with their Pokemon. As they reached a walkway leading further in, Jared began to wonder about Kukui. Who was this man, and why did everyone seem to know him?


    As they ascended the lengthy stone pathway, Kukui cordially exchanged greetings with numerous individuals, and a few more autograph signings commenced. "You seem to be well known," Jared remarked. Kukui scratched the back of his head and replied, "Haha, just a little bit."


    "Many of them called you professor. If you don''t mind me asking, what is it that you are a professor of?"


    "Many things, but I specialize in pokemon attacks."


    "Interesting..." Jared said in passing, but his mind was elsewhere. He felt like a kid in a candy store, and his eyes kept pulling his attention this way and that. He admired the colorful houses on stilts and the bustling activity of people with their Pokemon. He noticed several Poliwags lazily sunbathing on the dock, their round, blue bodies contrasting against the brown wood. A couple of Marills were playfully chasing each other, their light blue fur shimmering in the sun.


    "Are any of these pokemon wild," Jared asked.


    "A few maybe" Kukui smiled, before pointing up, "up there though... its a different story."


    Turning his gaze to the sky, Jared saw dozen and dozens of small bird''s flying around


    Jared squinted his eyes to get a better look and realized that they were all spearow. Their brown feathers glistened in the sun, and their sharp beaks were visible as they screeched loudly. Each one had a distinct pattern on their wings, some with more spots than others. Jared noticed that some spearow had longer tails than others, and some had slightly curved beaks. He marveled at how the spearow could fly so gracefully, changing direction in unison as if they were one entity.


    "They are all wild?"


    Kukui nodded cheerfully, "Yup" holding up a finger, Kukui explained, "Spearow don''t get along with any pokemon outside their flock, so you can be certain that most spearow groups are wild. "


    "Ah ok"


    The sunglass wearing professor chuckled hearing Jared''s absentminded reply.


    After fifteen minutes of walking, they finally reached the final stretch. Kukui and Bane were still energized, while Jared was panting and questioning his choice of diet and exercise. Despite his fatigue, the sight of more Pokemon along the path increased Jared''s spirits. "Are those Bellsprouts also wild?" Jared asked. Kukui gave them a glance and replied, "Hmm, probably, but are you able to bond with grass Pokemon?" Jared was curious and asked, "How do you bond with pokemon?" Kukui replied, "Haha, let''s keep going, shall we?"


    As Jared ascended the cobblestone steps, he more closely observed the small green Pokemon standing tall with stem-like bodies and long vine-like arms, all along the steep hillside. Their round heads featured beady eyes and a small mouth, with a sharp-toothed grin.


    The Bellsprouts were clustered together in a field, their vines waving lazily in the breeze. Some were shorter, while others towered over their peers. Their leaves rustled in the wind, producing a soft rustling sound that was soothing to the ear. The field was surrounded by lush green trees, and the sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.


    Jared felt a sense of tranquility wash over him as he gazed at the Bellsprouts. They seemed content and peaceful, as if they were in tune with the world around them. Kukui noticed Jared''s fascination and smiled, "They''re quite beautiful, aren''t they? They are also easy to raise, and are quite popular with grass-focused trainers."


    Despite his exhaustion, Jared persevered, one step at a time, with Kukui occasionally looking back, offering words of encouragement. Finally, they arrived at the peak. Seeing Jared''s exhausted state, Kukui suggested they take a break to rest.


    Finally catching his breath, Jared saw a sprawling paradise appearing just over the hill. He saw dozens of neat rows of brightly colored homes and businesses, tidy pruned gardens, along with rows of colorful flowers arranged in a beautiful assortment. And, of course, there were many people and Pokemon going about their day.


    The coconut trees stood tall and proud, with their long leaves rustling gently in the sea breeze. They cast a welcome shade over the pavement


    Walking along, Jared shielded his eyes sun''s intense rays, as his sweat dripped off his body. He gazed around, he couldn''t help but marvel at the meticulous arrangement of the trees, which appeared to create a natural barrier between the sidewalk and the road. The smooth and even concrete pathway was devoid of any cracks or potholes, and it was evident that the residents took immense pride in their community and worked tirelessly to maintain its pristine condition.


    Jared''s musings were abruptly interrupted as he asked himself, ''...That''s weird, how do they have electricity and concrete but no cars?'' But his questions were soon answered.


    Despite the presence of all kinds of pokemon on the roads, Jared''s attention was immediately drawn to a few magnificent Ponyta. As he watched them trot down the road, their fiery manes and tails blazing in the sunlight. Each one was a stunning shade of cream, with a striking contrast of flames that ran down their spine, legs, and tail. The Ponyta''s muscular build was unmistakable, with a powerful chest and strong legs that propelled them forward with ease.


    Some of the Ponyta were carrying riders, while others were harnessed to small wagons, carrying goods and supplies. His question as to what the roads were used for was now answered at least.


    As he surveyed his surroundings and abruptly found himself in a daze. He was plagued by an unsettling sensation that he couldn''t quite shake off. It felt as if he was standing on the precipice of two realities - one that was familiar and another that was foreign. The atmosphere was shrouded in an uncanny quality that made him feel like he was a mere pawn in a set piece. Despite the similarities to his old world, he realized that the smaller details were slightly off-kilter. "There were no cars; people walked differently, and even the smells were unfamiliar," Jared observed. He also noticed that the houses were built differently than on Earth. Despite this, he couldn''t deny that they looked natural, and not out of place, but in his mind, they still looked jarring somehow. Jared began to wonder if the world was even stranger, then perhaps he would find it easier to accept.


    Jared''s heavy breathing caught Kukui''s attention, and he asked, "Are you alright, do you need another break?"


    As the world spun around him, Jared gazed at the ground and tried to regulate his breathing. "No, I''m just out of shape. I''ll be okay once I catch my breath," he replied with a feigned sense of assurance.


    Kukui responded sympathetically, "It must be hard for you."The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "No, really, I just need a second," Jared replied.


    Bane snorted and interjected, "He means it''s hard for non-trainers like you without the bond boost."


    "Bane!" Kukui said with exasperation.


    "What''s a bond boost?" Jared asked innocently.


    The two looked at Jared with surprise.


    "Is that a strange question?" Jared asked, confused.


    Kukui shook his head, "I''m sorry, i thought you were making a joke earlier, so you really don''t know about this stuff?"


    "I guess he really did hit his head"


    "BANE!" Kukui scolded.


    "Just saying," Bane shrugged.


    "Really, Bane..." Kukui said, while sighing inwardly, ''This kid used to be so sweet and loved everybody. I didn''t see him for a few years and found out he became a sponsored trainer, but meeting again I now wish I hadn''t. How does a good kid go so wrong, even going so far as to degrade common people over and over. I really must be blind'' Kukui shook his head inwardly, as his thoughts continued, ''But it''s not really his fault. This engrained behaviour is a symptom of the overall poor attitude that trainers have. But so what if we are a bit stronger and live a bit longer than normal people? Without them building our cities, making our food, and supporting us, how many trainers would still have the blessed life that they take for granted?''


    Ending his thought, Kukui offered the tired man a shoulder. Initially, Jared refused the assistance, but Kukui insisted, and they continued to move forward. "To address your inquiry, the bond boost is a symbiotic relationship between a trainer and their Pokemon. As the Pokemon develops and becomes stronger, so too does the trainer, with benefits ranging from increased strength and resistance to elemental energy, to a longer lifespan."


    Jared''s eyes widened with intrigue. "A longer lifespan? Does that mean one can become immortal?"


    Kukui chuckled in response. "It''s possible, well, maybe."


    After pondering for a brief moment, Jared asked, "Can anyone become a trainer, even me?"


    Upon hearing this conversation, Bane laughed condescendingly, causing Kukui to frown as he tried to ignore him, as he grew increasingly discontent with Bane''s behavior, "For the most part, no. Without a strong affinity, the gains from your bond will be minute, however, that does not preclude the possibility of becoming companions with a pokemon" Kukui replied.


    Kukui then paused and began rummaging through his bags, eventually pulling out a clean cloth. "I am unsure of your natural affinity for Pokemon, but I have several elemental stones that I keep for research purposes. Mind you, I only have five types here: Thunder, Water, Normal, Grass, and Ice. Take a look at this."


    With care, Kukui opened the cloth to reveal a small stone that began to faintly spark as it came into contact with the air. Removing the cloth and holding the stone in his bare hand, it quickly began to glow. "Isn''t this cool? This is a Thunder Stone, a naturally occurring byproduct that sometimes emerges when lightning strikes rock. This glow indicates that I have a small affinity with Electric-type Pokemon. Now it''s your turn," Kukui said, handing the Thunder Stone to Jared.


    With expectation, Jared held the stone in his hand, but nothing happened. Scratching his head, Kukui took the stone back, saying, "It appears that you do not have an affinity for Electric-type Pokemon. Let''s try another."


    Jared noticed that each stone was contained in a different way. The thunderstone was smothered in a cloth, the water stone was contained in a glass beaker filled with water, the bug stone was kept in a beautifully adorned stone bowl, the ice stone in a metal thermas, while the normal stone was not kept in anything special.


    Regardless, he didn''t show the slightest affinity for any of them.


    Bane shook his head as he thought inwardly, ''He doesn''t have a response with the four most common elements, let alone the thunder stone. Almost all sponsored trainers have at least a little affinity for every element, which means even if he finds some affinity, it doesn''t matter, he will still be the dregs of the dregs. A commoner from now until the end.''


    Seeing Jared slight disappointment, Kukui waved it off, " Don''t worry about it, these are only a fraction of all the elements. Everyone has some affinity, no matter how small. "


    Hearing that, Jared was slightly hopeful, "Then do you know where i can get tested for the others?"


    "Well, normally you would be tested at birth, but you could maybe pop around my lab sometime if you decide to visit Hau''oli island in the future. We keep at least one or two of every kind of elemental stone."


    Kikui hummed " But, by then you might have recovered from your temporary amnesia. Anyways, let''s get going."


    The three resumed walking, but when they passed by a certain cafe, Jared chuckled when he saw a clothed Mr.Mime acting as a waiter.


    After traveling for another twenty-five minutes, the three found themselves outside a building with a cursive sign that read "Tapu Village Police Station."


    Kukui and Bane strode confidently into the police station, but Jared lagged behind, lost in thought.


    Jared had always felt nervous talking with law enforcement, whether in his old world or in this one, but then he had an amusing thought, ''there''s always a chance they might have Officer Jennys working here.''


    With that hopeful thought, Jared finally made his way into the station. He quickly noticed a large pokemon sleeping in the corner, which he quickly identified to be a fire-breathing arcanine. The small dog bed the pokemon sat on looked slightly humorous for the arcanines oversized appearance, but he doubted anyone would be brave enough to laugh. Jared now noticed that the interior was pleasantly cool, a welcome respite from the hot Alolan sun outside. ''ahh, air conditioning, at least this is one thing that isn''t different from earth.''


    The building was large from the outside, but the reception area was actually relatively small, with white walls adorned with glass-encased diplomas and certifications, giving the space a solemn and serious atmosphere.


    The rest of the building was partitioned off, with a single door accessible only behind a long service counter. Two men sat behind the counter: a middle-aged man with a moustache on the left, and a younger, clean shaven bald man, almost looking like a monk. Both men''s eyes widened in recognition as the trio approached.


    "If it isn''t Kikui, what brings you here today?" the first man asked in a friendly tone. Jared couldn''t help but think that there was probably no Officer Jenny working here after all.


    Kukui took charge of the situation, addressing the older mustachio''d officer with a polite greeting shaking his hand, "Hey Makoa" then he nodded to the other officer, "and hello Kahiau, it''s good to see you both again, my acquaintance and I..."


    As Kukui continued with the explanation, Bane was frowning. When he heard Kikui describe him as an aquantance, it really irked him, ''Damn, whys he so angry over a commoner? That geezer said it himself, he doesn''t even have a pokemon. Of all commoners, he''s clearly the bottom feeder of all bottom feeders.''


    Jared watched as Kukui effortlessly navigated the conversation, also marvelling at the fact that trainers were able to act as unofficial police. But, the thought of irresponsible kids like Bane running around with the power to arrest people made him uneasy.


    As Kukui continued to discuss Jared''s circumstances with the bald officer, Bane''s perpetually annoyed expression gave Jared pause to think. Was this kid always in a bad mood or if it was this just his resting expression.


    With the report concluded, Kukui patted Jared''s back and slipped him a piece of paper with his number on it. "It was nice meeting you Jared, and I''m glad I could help you out," Kukui said with a smile. "But I have some business to attend to with Bane, me and him need to have a long chat. These officers will take it from here and make sure you are taken care of. When you get a phone, be sure to let me know how you''re doing, alright?"


    Jared nodded and stuffed the paper into his pocket, watching as Kukui and Bane made their way out of the station. As Kukui gave one last wave and shouted, "You''re gonna be alright Jared, before long this will all just be a funny story!" before disappearing through the automatic sliding glass doors, Jared couldn''t help but feel a sense of gratitude.


    If I had met a few kind people like him back on Earth," Jared thought to himself, "then maybe I wouldn''t be the wreck I am today. But perhaps I''m just shifting blame. Either way, I hope I run into more people like him." With a sigh, Jared shook his head, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead.


    Jared followed Makoa down a long, white hallway with bare walls that contrasted with the reception room''s decor. He could also hear sounds emanating from deeper in the building, perhaps people were working.


    After a few twists and turns, the officer led Jared into a small, brightly-lit room furnished with a single table and two chairs. The officer politely gestured for Jared to take a seat.


    Although not as appealing as a smoking hot officer Jenny, the bald officer seemed like a decent fellow. Jared took a seat opposite him, the chair creaking slightly under his weight.


    "Hello, Mr. Jared. I am Officer Makoa," the bald officer introduced himself properly. "I heard about your story from Kukui, but I would like to ask you a few more questions if that is alright with you. I''ll be honest, I''ve never seen a situation like yours and I''m not a completely sure how to handle it."


    Meanwhile Jared barely heard what the man said, ''he asks it like a question, but it''s not like I can refuse, and why would I? I''m not suspicious! I''m not a alien from another planet or anything, no way...'' Despite his inner turmoil, he managed to reply, "Yes, sure. What do you want to know?"


    The bald officer pulled his chair closer to the table, took out a small notebook and pen from his shirt, and neatly folded his fingers together on the table.


    "You are from Pallet Town, correct?" the bald officer asked.


    Jared''s heart sank as he thought, ''Oh god, Jared you are a lying bastard, and your lies are already catching up to you! If they try to confirm this, what am are you going to do? If they find my birth record and don''t see me on it... what will happen to me? ''


    "Yes, I''m from Pallet Town," Jared replied nervously, his palms starting to sweat.


    Brian took a moment to scribble some words into the notebook before continuing, "What kind of work did you do there?"


    Jared''s mind raced, ''Hah... it just gets worse and worse, why didn''t I think up an answer for such an obvious question when I had the chance? Now I have no time to think!... oh actually I know what to say!''


    "I walked people''s Pokemon for them," Jared stuttered. "I was a p-Pokemon walker."


    Jared breathed heavier, as his thoughts swirled, ''Oh god, why didn''t I say something more believable like a Pokemart clerk? and why did I stutter? since when do I have a stutter? Oh god, It''s all going downhill now, Jared thought to himself.''


    ''He''s going to write this in the notebook again, isn''t he?''


    Hearing the scribbling, Jared eye twitched, ''Oh god, oh god, he is. He''s writing my lies into his book, ahh ahhhh, its no longer a note book, it''s a book of lies now, all lies!'' Jared panicked internally, but did his best to keep a straight face. Unfortunately, he didn''t notice his blistered face getting redder and redder by the second.

 Hostage(rewrite)

    The officer observed the man across from him growing redder and redder. With a sigh, he said, "Jared, please wait here. I''ll be back shortly." He left the room, leaving Jared alone with his blistered thoughts. Jared tapped his foot, anxiety creeping in. "Oh God, oh God, he knows, doesn''t he? He left to get handcuffs. Why did I lie? It''s all over for me now, isn''t it?"


    After an excruciating half-hour, a knock finally came at the door. Makoa walked in, followed by a woman in her fifties with a no-nonsense posture. "Hello, Jared," she said, extending her hand for a shake. "I''m the Chief of Police, Ailani, and this is Dr. Noa. We''re here to make sure you''re okay. Do you mind if Dr. Noa checks you over?" Jared shook Ailani''s hand and nodded in agreement. Dr. Noa began his examination, carefully checking Jared''s vital signs and asking him a series of questions about his health and medical history. He listened to Jared''s heart and lungs, checked his reflexes, and peered into his eyes and ears.


    Dr. Noa finished his examination and then turned to Ailani to explain. "Besides the nasty sunburn and a bit of dehydration, he seems to be in good health. I can''t find any sign of a concussion, such as external bruising or slurred speech either, but he does seem to have some general confusion, so if there is an injury, it''s probably not serious," he said. "I also don''t think there will be much need for blood tests, so if there is nothing else, I''ll be off."


    Ailani smiled with a stiff expression, Dr Noa wasn''t supposed to say all that in front of her charge!


    Acting like everything was as planned, she replied, "Alright... Dr. Noa, thank you for stopping by on such short notice." As the doctor left the room, Ailani took a seat across from Jared. Folding her fingers over the table, the stern woman gave a rare smile. "It looks like you''ve had quite a day, haven''t you?"


    "Yes, I have."


    "I have already read over your file and spoken with Mr. Makoa, so I think I grasp your situation for the most part. There won''t be any more official questions."


    Jared asked without thinking, "You''re done with the questions, so you''re not suspicious of me? What if I was a criminal?"


    The stern woman chuckled.


    After hearing the laugh, Jared instantly regretted his question. ''Damnit, what are you doing, Jared? You''re just about in the clear, and then you start asking retarded questions again, as if you had a nervous tick. I know you''re afraid of the police, and maybe you nearly died, and maybe you''re an alien to this planet... wait, maybe I''m actually doing pretty good! Still, I need to shut up!''


    Ailani noticed Jared''s face growing redder, but chose to ignore it as she asked, "Are you not very good with authority?"


    Jared''s eyes widened, "How could you tell? Can you read my mind?"


    Ailani chuckled. "No, I can''t read your mind, but I believe what we have been told about you. You have nothing to worry about now. Our only goal currently is to help you."


    Suddenly Ailani turned to Makoa, who had been standing behind her like a guard. "Makoa, could you please bring us some tea?"


    "Of course, I''ll be right back," he replied.


    "Excellent, take your time," Ailani said before turning back to Jared. "Just relax, this tea is worth the wait. It''s a specialty of Alola, actually."


    After some small talk, Jared began to feel more at ease. That''s when Makoa returned, handing them each a cup of tea before returning to his position behind Ailani.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Ailani craned her head to face Makoa. "I''d like to speak with Jared in private."


    "Sure thing, Chief," Makoa said as he left the room.


    As the door clicked shut, the two were alone once more.


    Ailani smiled, after taking a sip of tea, "good tea right?"


    "Yes, thank you."


    "That''s great that you like it, Jared, but there''s something I need to tell you, and I want to make sure you don''t misunderstand," Ailani said, noticing Jared nodding slowly.


    She continued, "I may not look it, but I have served this community for over eighty years, and I''m skilled in getting to the truth of most matters. I want to help you, so I hope you can be honest with me. I also want to emphasize that you''re not in trouble, but... did you make up the story about where you''re from and who you are?"


    Jared''s eyes widened as he realized something so he decided to come clean, "I... I''m sorry."


    Ailani nodded, "It''s good that you''re sorry, lying is never a good idea, especially to the police. But I can understand that you were scared. With that said, can you tell me the truth now? I would like to know who you are and where you''re from."


    Jared inwardly cursed at how easy it was to read him. ''Of course, they figured it out with how bad I am at lying, but I can''t exactly tell people I''m an alien from Earth. What if they try to dissect me or something?'' That''s when Jared decided he would need to tell the truth without revealing the real truth. He reasoned that only by muddying the waters would he be able to get out of this situation.


    As Ailani carefully observed Jared''s expressions and voice fluctuations, she sought clarification, "So, you''re saying you don''t remember much except sitting on your couch, and then finding yourself in the water?"


    Jared nodded, "Yes, that''s all I remember."


    Trying to narrow down his origins, Ailani asked, "Where do you think you''re from? Are you not from Alola?"


    Jared hesitated, "I don''t think I am from here."


    Perplexed, Ailani probed further, "Do you remember any specific landmarks or street names from where you are from?"


    Jared pretended to struggle in thought, "I only know a few general places and things, but I don''t believe I live there."


    As Jared shared the little information he had, Ailani asked clarifying questions, trying to piece together his origins. She deduced, "Based on what you''ve told me, it seems like you might be from Kanto or Johto. Do you think you have amnesia?"


    Jared contemplated her question, "It''s possible."


    ''It''s not a lie, anything is possible after all,'' Jared thought.


    Ailani approached the situation from different angles, asking questions and trying to uncover the full truth. However, Jared remained calm and continued to tell misleading truths. He surprised himself at how well he was able to pull it off.


    Much to Jared delight, Ailani had begun to draw her own conclusions. Seeing that she seemed done with questioning him, Jared asked on reflex, "Am I free to go now?"


    Ailani''s response was firm, "No. Letting you go now would not be in either of our best interests. I will need you to stay here for a few days in the hopes that your memory improves, which will allow us to properly identify you."


    Jared was slightly aghast, "So you''re just going to lock me in a prison cell? And what happens if nothing changes?"


    "We will cross that bridge when we come to it, but be rest assured that this will all be figured out by then," Ailani reassured Jared with a confident smile.


    Ailani stood up promptly, her black uniform crisp and neat. She lightly fixed a small crease in her shirt before gesturing for Jared to follow her. As they exited the interview room, they walked past a flurry of officers rushing by, their faces serious and focused.


    Some howling can be heard from the reception room. Jared wondered if it was the Arcanine.


    "Is there anything serious going on?" Jared asked.


    "Nothing for you to be concerned about," Ailani replied.


    As they turned down a corridor, they approached a row of blue doors. Ailani paused for a moment before selecting one and leading Jared inside. The room was small and sparsely furnished, with only a narrow cot and a small desk in the corner, but at least there was a private bathroom.


    After letting Jared into the room, Ailani introduced him to the amenities before attempting to excuse herself, but Jared stopped her. "Mrs. Ailani, I don''t mean to be a bother, but could I perhaps have something to read? I don''t really have anything to do in here."


    "Uh, right," Ailani paused and said, "We don''t usually have guests like you, so it completely slipped my mind." She massaged the bridge of her nose, before adding, "I''ll come by later and bring you a few comforts. And I''m sorry, but I''ll have to lock you in for now. It''s standard procedure."


    "Okay..."

 Paradise?(Rewritten)

    The food in the "prison" was surprisingly decent. The breakfasts were hearty, often consisting of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and slices of fresh fruit. The lunch and dinner menus changed every day, offering a range of options that included both meat and vegetarian dishes. Whether or not the scrambled eggs actually came from chickens, Jared didn''t really care, it all tasted good enough. Over the next few days, Ailani visited Jared and brought him his promised ''creature comforts,'' such as books and newspapers. Initially, Jared was feeling down about being locked up, especially since there was no television in this world. However, thanks to the books, he found himself learning a lot about various subjects and the happenings on Alola. Additionally, his sunburn had healed nicely.


    Jared had been waiting for Ailani to bring him more books, but instead, she arrived with news of his freedom, holding it in her very hands.


    "Good morning Jared. Will you please come with me?" she asked.


    After a minute, Jared found himself sitting across from Ailani in a room that looked identical to the one where he had been interrogated all those days ago.


    Ailani''s voice interrupted Jared''s thoughts. "It''s unfortunate that you were unable to recover your memories; however, I have some good news for you," she said with a smile. "We have expedited your application for temporary citizenship and will provide you with subsidized residency for four months, along with a monthly stipend. During this time, you will be required to attend Halu College to fill in your missing knowledge."


    "What happens if I never remember? Can I still stay here? Can I work?" Jared asked.


    "I''m certain that reasonable actions will be taken in that event," the chief replied, shoving the papers she was holding into his hands. "These are your temporary citizenship papers, and underneath that is your new address and bank account number. Just below that, you''ll find a house key taped on as well. You already have the map I gave you the other day, so I''m sure you can easily find your way to your temporary home."


    From within her pocket, she pulled out a small rudimentary phone and handed it over. "Do you know how this device works?" she asked.


    "I think so," Jared replied, looking it over.


    "In case you don''t, there are instructions on one of those papers. I also wrote down our station''s number, as well as Makoa''s private number. Please don''t hesitate to call him if you remember anything. You can make as many calls as you like using that device, but don''t abuse it," Ailani instructed.


    As Jared stepped out of the police station, he took a deep breath of the warm, fresh air. He felt the sun''s rays beating down on him and shielded his eyes with his hand as he made his way down the smooth stone steps. Jared''s skin, pale and slightly blistered skin was exposed to the sun for the first time in what felt like an eternity.


    Looking around, Jared had noticed that the Arcanine that had been in the lobby was nowhere to be seen, and the dog bed had been removed as well. He briefly wondered where they had gone, but he didn''t feel like solving this mystery right now.


    Outside, the area around the police station was somewhat deserted, but he could still see a few Pok¨¦mon and their handlers going about their business. Jared noticed that most of the Pok¨¦mon he saw were common water types such as Poliwags, Woopers, and Merrils, with a sprinkling of others like Pidgey, Rattata, and Machops. The lack of evolved pokemon made him curious, but he was more interested in getting to his new accomodations.


    Feeling a little out of sorts, Jared pulled out his phone, only to quickly remember that it didn''t have a screen and needed to be plugged in. He sighed, realizing that he would have to adjust to life without much technology for a while.


    With the map in hand, Jared oriented himself and began walking toward his temporary home. As he walked further in, the once wide and beautiful streets beginning to narrow. The further he went the more unkempt the streets became. The number of people walking the streets didn''t decrease much, but they moved a little quicker and there were fewer Pok¨¦mon to be seen. The city he had seen so far had appeared to be a well-maintained paradise, but now, cracks were starting to appear in that idyllic image.


    Jared wondered if this was the pokemon equivalent of the ghetto.


    As Jared continued walking, the streets, which had once been wide and orderly, had now given way to narrow and winding alleys, barely wide enough for four people to walk side by side. The transition had been gradual at first, but now it was impossible to ignore.


    Jared peered closely at the people he walked past, and noticed that they looked tired and wary, as if they had seen too much. Their clothes were old and worn, with patches of dirt and grime that seemed ingrained into the fabric. He saw a few people huddled together in doorways, sharing a meager meal, and others sitting on the curb, staring off into the distance with hollow eyes.


    As he continued on, he realized he had entered a small shop distract. He saw a variety of shops and establishments lining the narrow alleys. The first shop he passed had a sign that read "Gloom''s Garden," with a picture of a happy-looking Gloom tending to a row of potted plants. The entrance was boarded up, but through a broken window he could see packs of scattered seeds, and broken down gardening tools littering the store.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    The next store he passed was called "Geodude''s Gems," but the window was shattered and the interior was covered in a layer of dust. He could barely make out the outline of a display case in the back of the store, which looked like it had been ransacked long ago.


    All the other stores had no signs, and had clearly been repurposed as living spaces.


    Further down the alley, he found the only shop that seemed to have any business. It was a small restaurant with a sign that read "Farfetch''d Fare," featuring a picture of a happy-looking Farfetch''d holding a platter of food. People were seated on the patio outside, and the aroma of grease and spice wafted out, making his stomach growl. Inside the restaurant, a few customers were enjoying their meals. In the dimly lit dining area, he noticed a few Meowth lounging under the tables. Perhaps they were waiting for scraps.


    Despite the poverty and hardship evident in the area, the people and Pokemon seemed to be making the most of what they had, carving out a life for themselves amidst the chaos.


    Passing through another alley, few wizened old men walking side by side, Jared passed by them quickly and couldn''t help but notice they reeked of beer. Soon he found himself standing in front of a small townhouse. There was graffiti scrawled on the side in bright, neon colors, and a few steps away from the house was a street pole, but no light. It was now acting as nothing more than a monument to a time when things were different.


    Jared took a deep breath and looked around him. The alley was home to a combined total of twenty cramped homes, all of them in a state of disrepair. There was a vibe of poverty and desperation that Jared knew all too well, having grown up in similar circumstances.


    "Ah... the neat and beautiful red-tiled roof houses, and the beautiful gardens started to give me the impression that poverty and crime didn''t exist here, but how wrong I was," he muttered to himself. "No matter this world or mine, humans are still the same aren''t we?"


    Looking his new home up and down, Jared shook his head with a small amount of exasperation, "My new home has already been vandalized..." he remarked to himself. He took another quick look around and noticed that he was the only soul in sight. All the houses had their doors firmly shut, as if to keep out the outside world.


    Before returning the key, he by chance looked next door. Behind a broken glass window in the house next door there stood an unhealthily thin child, no more than three years old. Jared watched the child for a while, but soon averted his gaze with a sigh. With each passing moment, this place transforms into a world akin to Earth. It reminded him of his own neighborhood, where crack addicts and drug dealers ruled the streets. Where the duality of humanity''s nature is on full display, with both cruelty and kindness existing starkly side by side.


    Looking back to where the child had been, Jared saw nothing except the shadow of the window, "Maybe I should call the police about that child... maybe there is something akin to social services in this world?" he pondered.


    "At least my windows are intact, small as they might be! Not bad, not bad!" he said to himself, trying to convince himself that things could be worse.


    After struggling the door open, Jared muttered to himself, "Door needs work... maybe I can buy some tools?" As he walked through the small house, he found a single dirty mattress in the bedroom and a chair without a desk. "Well, beggars can''t be choosers," he thought to himself.


    In the bathroom, he noticed a wooden basin serving as a makeshift bathtub. "At least it''s cleaner than I expected, and the toilet flushes," he said, trying to find some comfort in the situation. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, Jared knew he would make do for now.


    Jared let out a deep sigh as he settled onto the mattress. "A small pity about the hot water, but this is already better than I deserve. I got this place for free after all," he smiled, taking in the simplicity of his new home. He couldn''t help but feel grateful for the roof over his head, even if it others would simply see it as a rundown shack in the middle of nowhere.


    As he lay there, he realized that the mattress was much harder than it appeared. "Hard as a rock... that hurt," he groaned, shifting his weight to find a more comfortable position.


    After a few minutes of rest, Jared mustered up the strength to face the stubborn door again as he wanted to go outside. He wrestled with the handle for what felt like an eternity before finally managing to pry it open. He then sat down on the porch steps and pulled out his map.


    Studying it carefully, he traced his finger along the roads until he found the nearest food store. It was a good twenty minutes away, but that didn''t faze him. He also marked the location of the bank, which wasn''t too far from the store. With his plan in place, he committed the route to memory.


    But then it hit him ¨C there was something important that he would need, a bag! Opening the map again, he marked a few stores that might possibly sell one. He decided he would check them one by one after hitting up the bank.


    Quickly rising to his feet, Jared put away the map, locked the door, and began making his way to the bank. As he walked down the alley, he caught sight of three children, no older than ten, standing together wearing dark and faded clothing. They whispered amongst themselves before scurrying off into another nearby alley. Jared couldn''t help but wonder what their story was. Were they orphans? Had they been abandoned by their parents?


    Jared shook his head at this sight. Poverty and inequality seemed to be universal constants for people, no matter which world you lived in. Even the innocent were not exempt, as he had seen earlier that day in the window of his neighbours building. He made a mental note to call Makoa, to see if something could be done for these children.


    As he turned the corner, the sound of three sets of footsteps could be heard behind him. Jared spun around to see the same three children from before, and before he could react, four more appeared from the other direction. He was surrounded.


    Jared quickly realized that he was probably being mugged. Trying to keep his composure, he raised his voice and spoke loudly, standing up straight to appear larger than he was. "What do you kids need?" he demanded.


    To his surprise, the seven children seemed taken aback by his sudden outburst. After a moment''s hesitation, they turned and disappeared back the way they had come.


    Jared breathed a sigh of relief as he continued on his way, but his thoughts were still with those children. "They can''t be leading good lives if they have to resort to shaking people down in an alley," he mused to himself. "Maybe if I tell Makoa about them, something can be done."


    But as he walked, doubt crept into his mind. He didn''t know enough about how things worked in this world. What if he inadvertently made things worse for the children? What if they were imprisoned instead of helped? He couldn''t bear the thought of causing them harm inadvertently.

 Wasnt built for me(remake)

    As the alleys grew wider and turned back into streets, Jared felt a sense of relief wash over him. It was as if he had left some of the gloom and despair of the impoverished alleyways behind him. But the crowded streets ahead presented a new challenge. Even more people than he had anticipated were out and about, bustling towards a particular area. Curiosity getting the best of him, Jared approached a random stranger and asked what was going on.


    The man chuckled at Jared''s apparent ignorance. "You''re not from around here, are you?" he asked. "This is a daily occurrence. There are arena battles taking place, and the folks around here come to watch the matches. I''m about to head there myself if you want to tag along."


    "No thanks, and sorry to bother you."


    "psh, no sweat off my back. Take it easy man"


    "You too."


    Seeing the man saunter off, Jared was intrigued, but he knew now wasn''t the time or place for entertainment. However, he did want to mark the arena on his map, just in case he had some free time later on. A quick look at his map revealed the location''s name: Tapu Village Battlegrounds.


    After marking it down, he continued on his way, Jared couldn''t help but notice the stark contrast between the joyful energy of the people heading to the arena and the desperation of the children he had seen earlier. A Wooper skipped past him, followed by an adorable little girl. They looked so carefree and happy, but it only served as a painful reminder of the children he had encountered in the alley. These two groups were living only minutes away from each other, yet their situations were like night and day.


    Finally, Jared arrived at his destination. The bank was an impressive structure, with sparkling clean glass windows that rose several feet above eye level. Above that, beautiful stained glass windows adorned the facade, giving the building the appearance of a grand church from his home world.


    Jared walked towards two imposing Machokes, their tidy white uniforms accentuating their bulging muscles. He couldn''t help but wonder how long they had been guarding the entrance of the bank.


    His curiosity soon turned to the purpose of the bank itself. Was it only for storing money, or did it also store Pokemon? Jared had never had much interest in the financial side of things, but more than that, he was curious about something he had read in the newspaper. Apparently, Porygon were the preferred security for banks, and he found himself curious about their whereabouts within the building, and how exactly those pokemon protected the bank itself.


    "Why do the banks need Pokemon guards if they have Porygon?" Jared mumbled to himself, eyeing the two Machokes standing stoically at the entrance. Their bulging muscles barely hidden beneath their tidy white uniforms.


    Before he could make his way past, the left machoke, drawing Jared''s attention, then began flexing one arm while making disconcerting sounds.


    Raising his eyebrow, Jared ignored the pokemon and made his way past. Jared couldn''t help but appreciate the cool blast of air conditioning that greeted him. The hustle and bustle of the outside streets was in stark contrast to the quiet exterior.


    Jared took a moment to take in the surroundings. The interior of the bank was lavishly decorated with chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings and polished marble floors stretching out in all directions. He could see a few Porygon floating around, monitoring the activity and keeping a watchful eye on everything.


    Jared approached one of the two tellers, a friendly-looking woman with a warm smile, and explained that he was a first-time visitor who needed help withdrawing money. Her eyes crinkled kindly as she guided him through the process, and Jared couldn''t help but feel a little embarrassed that he hadn''t known what to do.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Thank you so much," Jared said, feeling a little more confident now that he had successfully navigated the bank. "I''ll be sure to remember for next time."


    ''She''s probably wondering how I''m so ignorant for my age isn''t she! But I''m not self conscious or anything!'' Jared convinced himself.


    Walking out the bank, Jared patted his small pocket of paper money, as he passed the two burly pokemon guards, he wondered if the 250$ poke stipend was a little or a lot.


    Stepping out of the bank, Jared scanned the shopping district, searching for a store that could provide him with what he needed. He spotted a store with a sign in the shape of a sheep that read "Mareep''s Threads and travel supplies" and decided to check it out. As he entered, he was greeted by the sight of racks of clothing in various shades of electric blue and yellow. As he looked around, his expression soured. The prices were a bit too absurdly high! It was 125$ poke for the cheapest bag, and he still needed food and clothing. So, he was forced to leave the store empty handed.


    He needed a backpack, and clothing, but after looking around, he clearly felt the shopping district he was definitely not for him. His only option was to search for a cheaper alternative.


    He scanned the busy street, taking note of the different stores and their prices. Everything was expensive, and he couldn''t believe the stark contrast between the lives of the people in this area and those in the alleyways, who looked more like wandering ghosts that had given up.


    For now he was getting hungry, and this shopping distract clearly wasn''t made for him. If he was going to fulfill his needs, he would need to venture somewhere a little more run down.


    Checking the large map of the city, he began moving back the way he came.


    .


    As Jared walked down a narrow alley, he couldn''t believe his luck. There, laid next to a dumpster was a worn-out bag. Inspecting the object, it looked to be made of faded brown leather, and the condition actually looked pretty good from the outside!


    But as he opened the front flap, Jared heard a hissing sound from inside, which made him flinch back in surprise. After taking a few steps away and looking back, he saw a giant spider emerging from the backpack. The sight of the creature caused Jared to gulp. Its dark body was covered in light green spots, and its large, red eyes glinted in the dim light. Its long, thin legs twitched as it crawled out of the backpack and onto the ground.


    Perhaps fearing the danger the large human posed, The small one pound pokemon scurried away and quickly disappeared into the dumpster, leaving Jared feeling dumbfounded by the unexpected encounter.


    From one of the books he had read in the station, Jared had heard a story about Spinarak infestations, how they could invade a house and leave it uninhabitable. Until that point Jared always imagined pokemon as these helpful creatures, and didn''t stop to think about the danger they posed.


    Slightly creeped out, and a little unwilling, Jared grabbed the bag and shook it, making sure there were no surprises left inside.


    Seeing that the bag was empty, and in pretty good shape, Jared slung it over his shoulder, and continued walking down the alley, leaving some parting words, "Sorry about stealing your home... little demon spider." He didn''t know whether it could understand him or not, but he hoped that perhaps his words would console the creature.


    Just up ahead, Jared heard the distinct sounds of a scuffle. As he approached, he saw a small, scrappy-looking Meowth with dirty fur and a crooked tail bickering with a scruffy, brown-feathered Spearow over a half-eaten sandwich. The Meowth had a mischievous glint in its green eyes, and its claws were unsheathed, ready for a fight. The Spearow, on the other hand, had a sharp beak and piercing eyes that darted back and forth between the sandwich and the Meowth, as if calculating its next move. Jared stopped in his tracks, eyeing the two Pokemon warily. From what he understood, the Pok¨¦mon in towns were generally docile and wouldn''t dare attack a full-grown human. However, even a full-grown human would likely end up on the losing end if they were to fight a Pok¨¦mon head-on. A scuffle between two hungry-looking Pok¨¦mon wasn''t something Jared wanted to get in the middle of.


    Jared asked himself whether he should go another way, but just then the meowth yowled and lunged at the Spearow, swiping at it with its glowing white claws. The Spearow, quick on its feet, dodged the attack and as the his beak glowed white, he slyly retaliated with a quick peck at the meowth''s head. The Meowth hissed in pain and anger, clearly upset at taking a losing exchange. However, from this point on, the Meowth was more cautious, and didn''t recieve anymore wounds. Jared watched from a safe distance, mesmerized by the battle, however since they were more focused on defense than offense, the intensity of the battle was low. Jared had never seen a Pok¨¦mon battle before, and he couldn''t help but admire the agility and skill of both combatants. As the battle raged on, the smaller spearow began to tire, eventually deciding the sandwitch wasn''t worth it, and flew off.


    With the sandwitch in his mouth, meowth took a glance in Jareds direction, fully displaying the golden oval coin inbedded in his forehead before he scampered off as well.

 Crime and Punishment

    Jared found himself back in the poor man''s shopping district once again. He remembered passing through it earlier on his way to his new home. He had seen a few closed-down stores and a restaurant selling greasy street food, but he wanted something more substantial, like a bag of rice and a few loaves of bread.


    After a few minutes of walking, he came across a small grocery store with a sign that read "Pokebites, Fresh Produce and More" in faded letters. Jared pushed open the door and was greeted by the smell of fresh fruits and vegetables. The store was small and sparsely stocked, with shelves lining the walls and a few refrigerators at the back.


    Making his way through the store, he actually found exactly what he wanted! They actually had rice and bread!


    Some time later, Jared left the store with his bag of rice and bread, as well as some basic cooking spices and tools. H checked his wallet and realized that he still had $195 left. He felt pleased that the prices were so reasonable.


    However, he also felt a slight regret for buying so much food as he still needed to fit some clothing in his bag after buying them. He made a mental note to be more mindful of his purchases in the future and not to overbuy. Jared then continued on his way, looking for a store where he could buy some clothes to complete his shopping trip.


    After browsing the only used clothing store, he managed to get a few old shirts, jeans, and underwear, leaving him with merely 55$ poke.


    Just then Jared spotted the seven kids from earlier sprinting out of Pokebites carrying various things.


    As the two plainclothes security men burst out of the store, Jared took a moment to observe them, as the first shouted to the second, "Lokela, I got the one on the left!"


    The first man had short, cropped hair that was shaved closely to his scalp, giving him a military-like appearance. His jaw was square and defined. He wore a pair of sunglasses that covered his eyes, adding to his intimidating presence.


    The second man was taller than the first, with a ganglier build that still carried an air of power and strength. He had long, slicked-back hair that was tied into a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck. His sharp features gave him an almost wolfish appearance, with a thin nose and pointed chin. He had a small, barely visible scar above his left eyebrow that added to his rugged and dangerous aura.


    As the men threw their Pokeballs, their muscles tensed with anticipation. They had clearly done this many times before.


    The two Pokeballs opened to reveal a red dog with a dark white mane. Jared quickly identified it as a Growlithe. The other was a black dog with strange bone plates on its head and back.


    "This... must be a Houndour?" Jared muttered unsurely.


    The men ordered their respective Pokemon to attack, and soon two of the young thieves were pinned to the ground.


    The Pokemon relentlessly tore at the thieves'' limbs. Blood spattered everywhere, coating the ground red The young thieves screamed in pain, their voices raw and hoarse as they begged for mercy.


    "Wait... what is this, what are they doing?" Jared watched in abject horror as he took a few unconscious steps forward.


    "Alright, that''s enough, the two men called their pokemon off, and began talking with each other. After the two Pokemon stopped their attack, it could be seen that their snouts dripping with blood as they surveyed their handiwork.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    The two men didn''t bother chasing the rest down, clearly they seemed happy enough with their current accomplishments.


    Noticing the gathering crowd, one of the men cursed, "Look at them gather around their own, damn commoners they''re like rats."


    Jared quivered out some words, "They went way too far, oh god, there is so much blood..." Jared unconsciously took steps towards the kids, but he was soon blocked by the two guards. "Get back, we got this situation handled!"


    But Jared barely heard them, "...Oh god no, the blood keeps coming out, why isn''t it stopping, no no no"


    Emotions running high, he tried to push his way past the two men. He wanted to help the children in some way, but the two men held him back.


    Jared relented after he was pushed to the ground. He asked with gasping breaths, "Why is nobody helping them?"


    Lokela spoke to his partner, "Ikaika, go have a call sent out, I''ll stay here and watch over the situation."


    "Psh, fine."


    As Ikaika went back in the store, several people had gathered around the scene, their faces a mixture of shock and concern. Some of them had raised their voices in protest, while others looked on in silence.


    The two dog pokemon began growling at the crowd, as an elderly man came forward, "You went too far, they were just kids" the elderly man said, his voice quivering with anger and concern.


    The man sneered at the elderly man. "Hmph, what do you commoners know?" he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "This is the third time these thieves have stolen from here, so I was hired to deal with it."


    The elderly man looked at the man with disbelief. "That doesn''t give you the right to-" he said.


    The man flashed his sponsored trainers license in the elders face, "This is official police business now," he said. "I don''t want you muddying up the crime scene, so don''t stick your nose where it doesn''t belong."


    The elderly man shook his head and left the scene with gritted teeth.


    Jared felt his sanity slipping. He could barely think; he just stared at the children as they lay there, their bodies slightly shaking. Their eyes seemed to be pleading with him, but soon they turned still, and their eyes became lifeless.


    Eventually, a loud voice could be heard from the scene, asking the crowd to disperse. Jared raised his head and saw a familiar face. It was Mokoa, the mustached officer he had met back at the police station.


    Standing up shakily, Jared felt his voice was dry. His first few words didn''t come out, but he finally managed to say, "Makoa, you have to help them, they''re-")


    Jared was interupted by the officer, "Jared, what are you doing here?" shaking his head, Makoa then said, "You should disperse with the rest."


    "Why is nobody helping them?"


    "Get going" with a bit of concern in his eyes, Makoa walked forward and held Jareds shoulder as he led him away from the scene while whispering, "Don''t drag yourself into this"


    Makoa left a few more parting words, before heading back to the scene, "You have amnesia, so might not know how things work, so let me tell you that there''s nothing you can do here. Please go home and don''t pull yourself into this trouble."


    "But..." Jared croaked.


    Standing there in a daze, Jared heard a man and a woman talking, but the words that came out of the man''s mouth made Jared''s mind go dark, "Yeah I saw the whole thing, It''s a pity to see children that young on their own and get hurt so badly, but I suppose that''s what happens when you turn to a life of crime."


    "Why don''t they just disband that orphanage if they can''t control their kids?" the woman sighed.


    Not wanting to hear more, Jared shambled away into an alley alone, unsure of where he was going or what to think.


    After tripping over a trash can in the alley, Jared sat for a long time with his back against the brick wall.


    Suddenly, he started crying, but soon his tears turned into laughter. "Hahaha, what the fuck? What the fuck?"


    Standing up, Jared began walking home. Anyone who saw his face along the way would detour around him. His twisted expression, which looked like a mixture of laughter and crying, gave off the vibe of a person who had lost their mind.


    But from Jared''s perspective he no longer cared how he looked, and he didn''t care if people could hear his shouts, "You thought this was a paradise? You like telling jokes? How hilarious you are hahhahaha!"


    Turning the key and getting inside his home, Jared continued to mock himself. "What a hero you are! Look, look at you slink away and hide in your home just like you always do! Hahaha.")


    He laughed and laughed, and shouted some more, "And you were thinking of calling someone to help them?! haahahaha! If you are going to send them to their deaths, then maybe you should just kill them yourself ha!."


    Jared raised his arms, "What a grand hero, what a grand hero you are!"


    .


    When no more tears could be shed, and no more grievances could be vented, Jared just sat there numbly with a twisted smile. After a long time, he fell asleep with his head leaning over and his back against the wall like a long forgotten mannequin.

 College.

    Jared suddenly found himself in a desolate alleyway with no entrance or exit. As he looked around, he spotted two figures standing in the distance: one with sharp features, slick-backed hair, and a ponytail, and the other sporting a shaved head and wearing sunglasses. Then Jared remembered their names: Ikaika and Lokela!


    As Jared watched in horror, the two men tossed out two small shadows, and with each passing second, the shadows grew larger and larger, eventually combining into one. It was as if the darkness was feeding their endless growth.


    He then heard one of the men speak, but he couldn''t understand a single word. All he could make out was the man''s sneering face.


    Just then, the growing shadow charged forward like an unstoppable tide of gnashing teeth!


    Fearing for his life, Jared ran, but he quickly reached the end of the alley.


    With chattering teeth, Jared unwillingly turned to meet his fate, and soon sharp teeth began ripping into his flesh. He cried out and begged, but there was nobody around to save him.


    After what felt like an eternity of pain, the shadow finally let him go. He fell to the ground, and as he lay there he saw a light in the distance which slowly drew closer. From within the light a man appeared holding a brightly lit lantern! He saw the man looking down at him, but he knew for certain the man could save him if he would only reach out for him.


    So Jared begged the man and pleaded, although Jared could no longer speak, Jared still tried to convey these emotions with his eyes, but the figure just watched silently over him.


    .


    Waking up to the sound of his screams, Jared looked around with bloodshot eyes, his heart beating a million miles an hour.


    "Fuck fuck fuck fuck, I can''t breathe."


    Gasping for breath for a minute or two, Jared eventually steadied his breathing. But then he gritted his teeth as the previous day''s events washed over him. But remembering was too painful, he didn''t want to remember anymore, he just wanted to forget, so he tried his best to think of something else instead.


    Just then, he heard a knock at the door. He thought it was his imagination at first, but then he heard it again, along with a voice, "Mr. Jared, are you in?"


    ________________________________


    Struggling himself up, Jared wiped the sweat off his face, and moved to the door. He had forgotten to lock it the previous night. After opening the rusty door, he found an unfamiliar face looking up at him. Based on his appearance, this stranger in his mid-twenties could be mistaken for a scholar. He had a studious look about him, with his glasses and his well-groomed appearance was most certainly out of place for the filthy alleys. He wore a collared shirt, dress pants, and leather shoes, which were all neatly pressed and well-maintained. His neat and well kept cloths reminded Jared of a teacher he had once known.


    The man gently bowed, "Ah, it''s good you are in Mr Jared, I am Akamai, a tutor from Halu College. I believe you should be expecting me?"


    Recalling his memories, Jared nodded, "Well... I heard that I''m supposed to attend the Halu college for a while, but I didn''t hear anything about when that would be."


    "I see, well, I was asked to escort you there today, so here I am. Are you able to make the trip with me now? " He then leaned in and took a sniff, "But, you may want to change into something... cleaner. "


    "Alright uhm, "


    "Akamai"


    "Right, Sorry." Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Jared nodded with some reluctance, "I can come with you, but can you give me like... five minutes please?"


    "Certainly. Please take your time, I will await your return."


    .


    Some time later, the two men exited the alleys, and Jared found himself in a new area he had not yet explored. However, it was just as upscale as the expensive stores he had visited the other day. Different pokemon and their handlers could be seen everywhere, but Jared soon realized something strange. He had actually noticed it earlier as well. There were very few evolved pokemon. For every thirty marrils he saw, there was maybe one azumarill, the same with the other types, the only exception being the bug types. He saw more butterfree than caterpie. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    After a brief five-minute walk, they passed by a large park filled with lush greenery and accentuated by a meandering stream that flowed into a wide pond. A fish was happily splashing around the mouth of the stream while some children fed it breadcrumbs. He also saw quite a few marills swimming unattended, Jared reasoned that those must be wild ones.


    Jared also noticed several street performers showcasing their talents. One performer, dressed as Pikachu, was juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Another performer, dressed as Charizard, was breathing fire and regaling the crowd with a heroic tale. "Hero Ash''s Charizard may have been smaller, but it was no less fierce and mighty than the evil Charizard, as they traded blows equally in the skies. The evil Charizard realized he was no match for his heroic adversary and retreated cowardly!" The audience booed at the evil Charizard''s cowardice. The performer continued, "However, Ash would not let this evil foe leave so easily! He gave chase! And with a mighty breath, his Charizard singed the evil Charizard''s wings with a blast of fire." To accentuate the story, the performer breathed out a torrent of fire, wowing the crowd.


    "Ash, huh? So in this world, he was some kind of hero?" Jared mumbled to himself.


    "Hm, did you say something?" Akamai hummed.


    "No, I was just thinking out loud. So, how much further is this place?" Jared inquired.


    "We are almost there. Have you memorized the route?"


    "I think so, but I can always find it on the map, I''ll definitely mark it down."


    Akamai nodded with a smile.


    Jared and Akamai continued walking until they finally arrived at the college. The college was a sprawling campus with several buildings made of red brick, white columns, and large windows. The grounds were well-manicured with trees and gardens, and there were several students walking around, some carrying books and others chatting with friends.


    As they approached the main building, Jared noticed a large statue of a Blastoise in the courtyard, surrounded by benches where students were sitting and reading. He casually looked at the epitaph, which read, When the very light of this world faced extinction, Hero Gary''s mighty Blastoise gave it''s life in the battle of the primordial sea. We will forever honor this pokemons sacrifice.


    "Another Hero huh." Jared commented.


    Akamai leaned over, chiming in, "Yes, without him, Alola would quite literally be underwater," Akamai said with a small laugh.


    "How long ago was this, battle of the primordial seas?" Jared said, getting up.


    "Five hundred and five years, two hundred and twenty days now."


    Jared was surprised, "That''s very specific. impressive,"


    "Thank you. That''s why they keep me around, at least I hope!" Akamai joked.


    As they entered the building, Jared saw several notice boards with flyers advertising various clubs and events right at the entrance. There were clubs for Pok¨¦mon battling, breeding, and even fashion.


    Akamai led him to the admissions office where they were greeted by a friendly receptionist who handed Jared a packet of forms to fill out. As he started filling out the paperwork, Jared couldn''t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to study in such a prestigious institution. But at the same time, he felt conflicted. He was eager to learn more about the world of Pok¨¦mon and maybe even become a trainer himself, but he also felt a sense of revulsion to the idea now.


    After filling out the paperwork, Akamai showed Jared around the campus. The college was a sprawling complex of modern buildings, nestled in the heart of the city. The buildings were adorned with various Pok¨¦mon statues and murals, depicting famous trainers and their Pok¨¦mon. The campus was bustling with students of all ages, who were rushing to and from classes. It was a vibrant and lively atmosphere.


    As they walked around the campus, Akamai explained the various buildings and facilities to Jared. He pointed out the library, the labs, the gymnasium, and the dormitories. Finally, he led Jared to a small building on the edge of the campus.


    "This is where I''ll be tutoring you," Akamai said as he opened the door.


    "You''re my tutor?"


    "Why, are you dissapointed?" Akamai laughed.


    Inside, the room was small but cozy, with a desk and several bookshelves lining the walls. There were posters of various Pok¨¦mon with detailed descriptions hanging on the walls, and large whiteboard stood at the front of the room.


    "I heard you have amnesia," Akamai said as he handed Jared a textbook, "It''s important to figure out what knowledge you are missing so we can get you up to speed and back into society."


    Jared began explaining what he knew as Akamai questioned him.


    As Akamai''s brow furrowed more and more, Jared felt a little bad for being so ignorant.


    "I see. Well, at least it''s not the worst case. You have a good grasp of math and writing, so I suppose we should spend our time here getting you up to date on history, and..." Akamai paused before saying, "What are your elemental synergies like?"


    Jared quickly realized what he meant. "Do you mean the thing you need to bond with a Pok¨¦mon?"


    "Precisely."


    "I... uh, I don''t know. I mean, I had a few tested."


    "And which ones were those?"


    "Uhm, let me think." Jared then recalled, "Water, grass, normal, uhm, electric... I can''t remember the last one."


    "I see, and what were the results?"


    "Not that great."


    "Hmm, well, for now, we can just work on history today."


    "Okay."


    "Lets start with the four guardian deities of Alola..."

 unfinished and unedited 8

    The sharp rays easily pass through the barred windows rousing a man from his slumber.


    Jared sat up with a yawn and reflexively pulled the phone off the charger to check the time.


    He scratched the top of his head with sleep still in his eye''s "How did I end up sleeping this long? I know it should have been around six pm when I got home"


    "and..."


    As sleep is finally shaken from him, he started to recall the prior day''s event and clenched his fists. He fell back down on the mattress with a defeated sigh, "I hope those children are okay."


    The phone suddenly vibrated in his hands. He sat back up and found the same message as yesterday staring back at him, it was threatening him to go to Halu High School or else.


    With heavy feelings, he began preparing himself for the day.


    Thirty minutes later, and with the two papers inside his mostly empty backpack, he''s out the door once the bag is strapped to his back.


    "This damn door, I''ve just moved in and I''m already sick of fighting to get it closed"


    Taking a quick glance around the empty alleyway, and with one more check of the GPS, he was on his way to the school.


    Still feeling pangs of guilt about the previous day, Jared decided to dial Brian the baldie to check if the kids were alright.


    It rang a few times until Brian''s familiar voice is heard, "Hello, Jared... I didn''t expect you to call me so soon, did you manage to remember anything?"


    Brian sounded tired, but so was he. Jared went straight to the point, "Do you... I mean,*cough* I was there yesterday when those two kids got mauled by the Houndour and Growlithe, are those two kids okay?"


    Brian went quiet for a few seconds before he spoke, "They", He takes a deep breath. "Didn''t make it"


    Jared felt as if someone gave him an invisible blow, he stumbled back almost falling down and dropping his phone.


    Kneeling on the sidewalk, he clenches the phone in a vice-like grip.


    Brian said something, but Jared can no longer hear it. He no longer wants to hear it.


    Feeling his mind start to feel the jolts of yesterday''s emotional meltdown, he once again loses himself in waves of stinging emotions. Each jolt a new memory, each thought a bee sting in his mind.


    (...When I came to this world I felt this was a paradise... but this isn''t like the pokemon world I fell in love with. Why does the world seem so beautiful at a glance, and then so disgusting on closer inspection?)


    Jared then takes a shaky breath,


    (Why... I want so badly to see its beauty, but at every turn... it proves that it''s all skin deep, like an apple with a pristine outer layer, but full of maggots just under the surface. WHY WHy Why why...)


    Jared clenched his fists unknowingly,


    (...This isn''t supposed to be like earth, it''s supposed to be better than that... It''s supposed to be ... I don''t know... more... it ... yes... it ...s... was the world of pokemon always this way? Was it always this cruel and corrupt? Was I just living in a beautiful delusion all along and refused to see it for what it truly was?)


    Tears well up in his eyes,


    Jared choked back sobs, "They were just kids, why did they have to die for a bit of food? How come the bystanders stood there and did nothing?)


    He gasps for air as he comes to a new realization. A few passers-by give him curious looks at his dramatic display.


    "I I... I was the same as them."


    Clenching his fists harder, until his unclipped nails dig into his skin.


    Blood begins to drip onto the pavement, but he doesn''t feel it.


    "Even... even if I would have been mauled by those pokemon, I could have tried to save those kids, but I ... I watched them, I let them die, I let them die, just like the others. I was just as selfish, just as cruel, only thinking of myself!"


    "Hypocrite, hypocrite! HYPOCRITE!!"


    (...I know this pain better than anyone! Yet... yet I still did nothing. No, I won''t be a bystander any longer, I won''t allow this anymore!)The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    His tears suddenly stop as he opens his palm, and lets go of his fist.


    He reaches his hand out. He could see something. This... something was intangible, but he felt he could grab it. Yes, he could make it appear if he only reached out!


    His rolling emotions began to calm with newfound clarity.


    "...Yes, that''s right, I don''t have to be a bystander any longer! Unlike earth, I could become strong, I bet the strongest trainers could even bend the society around them to their will! Maybe I could be that trainer! And maybe...maybe I could become strong enough to make the world of pokemon the way it was meant to be."


    Jared whispered again, this time with a little more madness in his eye''s, "Yes, only I can change it!!!"


    Delusions of grandeur begin to fill consume his mind,


    (I must be special, that''s why I was brought here, these people living in this world accept this cruelty because they were born into it. I''m different! I''ve seen what this world can be, Yes, it must be why I''m here! It''s because everything is wrong, only I know the way things need to be!)


    He begins laughing with a twisted smile, then suddenly shouts and scares a passer-by, "Yes, hahaha hahaha I wasn''t wrong, I didn''t make the wrong choice back then!"


    (...Walking around and solving every injustice is only treating the symptoms, and not the root cause. Unless I change the laws and policy, only then will things truly change. ...Yes! I was brought here to make things right! I can''t save others if I have no strength, and if I threw my life away to save those children then who is going to save this world?)


    Feeling newfound strength and determination he stood up, but then bent over to pick up his phone. He had dropped during his emotional episode.


    He then called Brian back, he didn''t want to risk Brian sending someone to check up on him due to a misunderstanding.


    With only ten minutes until eight, he double checked the coordinates.


    (For now, I should keep this deep in my heart... I think if others know... then I might really get put in a straight jacket.)


    .


    In five minutes he was right before his destination, the Halu high school gates.


    The school ground was one acre wide and two acres across in a rectangular shape. A chain-link fence reaching two meters in height surrounded the whole perimeter.


    Watching the cramped school grounds Jared muttered, "Quite a small area for a school isn''t it?"


    Looking past the fence was a large blue-painted concrete building. Those that paid attention would find a single large plaque at the front of the building which reads *HALU HIGH SCHOOL*


    Turning his eyes away from the buildings beyond, Jared noticed a middle-aged security guard with a Pidgey on his shoulder. He was standing next to an opening in the fence.


    Jared stopped when he observed a few youths making their way through the gate, however, they were shockingly all around nine or ten years old.


    (Isn''t this supposed to be a high school?)


    Jared continued walking, and he noticed the kids were smiling happily at the bird pokemon. He couldn''t help but smile too.


    However, he felt his smile was not the same as theirs, it was a smile with meaning and intent behind it, perhaps it was an ember of resolve... but it was hard to say if it would stay lit, for it was but an ember, and it had not yet been tested by sweat and blood, nor time and adversity.


    With two bronze-colored rings through his right ear and a walkie-talkie strapped to his belt, the security guard eyed the suspicious adult.


    In an effort to create no misunderstandings, Jared opened his backpack and pulled out his papers before heading up to speak.


    Accomplishing that task, Jared walked up to the man while trying to seem friendly, "Hello sir, I was told to come here by eight am, so here I am."


    The deadpanned man looked him up and down. His eyes landed on the papers in Jared''s hand, "Is that so?"


    He began reading from where Jared had directed him, and soon he handed the papers back.


    "Quite an interesting situation you are in Mr Jared..."


    Scratching his chin for a second, he lifted his arm, and with just his thumb he pointed over his shoulder, "Head in and contact reception."


    Jared quickly nodded "Thank you... Mr? "


    Still deadpanned the security guard replied, "Haku"


    "Alright Haku, thanks for your help!"


    Joining the small stream of children, Jared made his way into the building. He got a few looks, but he didn''t mind.


    Through the open door, Jared was immediately greeted by a reception desk.


    At the desk sat a lady wearing a large polka dot blouse, with an especially large chair supporting her weight. Two kids were chatting with her as Jared came in.


    Looking from the doorway, it could be seen that the reception area was separated by a wall in an L shape. The hallway bends around the corner on the left. On the right was a single smooth hardwood door, it was just a few meters away.


    The obese reception lady finished talking with the kids. Her sloppy eyes then beckoned the newcomer with interest, "Can I help you with sumthin hun?"


    She slightly straightened up, and through her folds of fat, a nametag popped out which read *Nana*


    Jared wasted no time handing her his papers, " Hello Nana, I was told to come here by eight am"


    Nana scans the paper with a grunt, but just then the bell rang.


    Still holding Jared''s paper''s in her clammy grip, she uses the reception desk to struggle herself up with her free hand.


    Finally standing, the obese reception lady waddled over and knocked on the fancy door.


    After ten or so seconds, an authoritative voice can be heard from behind the door.


    Following the obese woman into the office, Jared finds a very expensive mahogany desk. A few were papers neatly placed on the side.


    From his presence alone, Jared reckons he must be the principal, or whatever passes for one in the pokemon universe.


    It wasn''t due to the fact, that the plaque on the door literally said, *principal''s office* but the fact that he gave off an air of authority.


    His stern features and strong chin gave Jared the impression that he won''t tolerate nonsense from anyone, and his tired eyes show that he longs for retirement.


    There was no nametag on his beautiful and expensive black silk suit, but there was one on the desk.


    The receptionist spoke kindly, and to an observer, it could be seen, that the way she spoke was quite different than her usual sloppy ways, "Principal Kale, the gentleman you have been expecting has arrived~"


    The obese lady made a bit of small talk with the principal, while Jared clicks his tongue, he feeling quite impressed, (...This guy''s got quite a nice place all to himself, and I can''t imagine those portraits on the walls are cheap!)


    After a few more words, the lady waddled back out the door and closed it shut. A screaming chair could be heard outside. This indicated to Jared that the woman was sitting back at her post.


    Seeming to be done with his reading, the principal stood up to give a firm handshake, which Jared reciprocated, "I''ve been expecting you Mr Jared"

 unfinished and unedited 9

    Principal Kale elegantly motioned towards the door and gently put a hand behind Jared''s back as he led him out.


    Closing the door behind him, he began walking past the reception, and without looking back he commanded "Will you please follow me Mr Jared?"


    Jared almost wanted to crack a joke, but he held it back.


    (It''s probably best I keep my mouth shut, I don''t think he''s the kind of person to appreciate my humor, and making a bad impression now might not be the best idea. Yes! being quiet has always been a good decision for me in the past, it''s hard to talk yourself into trouble if you don''t open your mouth, then again, wasn''t I taken to the police station for doing nothing but loitering...)


    Exiting the room they traveled towards the left side of the divider.


    Past the receptionist, and soon they turned the corner.


    The inside is much as you''d expect for a school on earth, long straight hallways, with some cold metal lockers lining the sides, although much shorter than you''d expect for a supposed Highschool.


    In between the breaks of the lockers were solid pale yellow walls, and spaced apart were doors made of hardwood, although none of the doors quite as nice as the one for the principal''s office.


    The echoing of his shoes on the hard and cold laminate gave off a lonely feeling. Jared felt that it filled him with a weird sense of trepidation as bad memories of his own time in school on earth started to surface before he suppressed them.


    Further into the building more of the layout came into view, the school consists of eight hallways, either vertical or horizontal, crossing each other neatly like the lines on a checkerboard.


    The principal hesitated briefly before going into one of the rooms and opening the door.


    From the view behind the principal, a young female teacher at the very back of the classroom can be seen standing in front of a large chalkboard as well as ten students sitting on simple standardized desks all around nine or maybe ten years old.


    It made Jared wonder again why call it a high school at all when they are only as old as elementary schoolers.


    (Hmm, perhaps there''s a loss in translation somewhere...? Oh well, I''ll find out why eventually, no secret can escape Jared Holmes the famous neurotic detective!)


    It was strange to Jared. It was not the room itself, but the fact that the room seemed rather bare for a classroom of such young children. He expected to see more color.


    The left side of the classroom had a quarter wall, and above it stood two large glass windows, they were separated by a divider.


    The sun was doing its best to shine through, but the blinds impeded it, reducing its brightness, and next to the window on either side stood two medium-sized potted plants.


    The principal greeted the class warmly, and the students greeted back in unison.


    Principal Kale looked around for a moment, and from a blind spot from where Jared was standing, Kale gestured towards someone asking for the person in question to assist him.


    After a moment, a well-dressed youth around five feet in height, and seeming to be around fifteen years old exited the room and began following the principal down the hall, but his serious expression paired with his freckles seemed a bit unusual and out of place for his young age.


    If the name the principal called was true, then his name should be "Koi"If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Jared snaps out of his thoughts as the two began walking further away, so Jared quickly jogged to catch up.


    .


    After half a minute the three arrived at the far west wing of the school and there stood a denser row of doors with smaller rooms, most likely for one on one tutoring.


    The principal opened one of the doors and looked inside briefly before walking in and switching the lights on.


    The room is much like the classroom seen earlier but smaller scale and without a single window, giving it a claustrophobic feel.


    Two desks could be seen facing each other, one large and one small, they were most likely for a teacher to assist a single student.


    Completing the room were a few all-purpose chairs stacked up on the back wall next to the chalkboard.


    The principal chatted with the youth for a few minutes to get him up to speed. After they finished, the principal exited the room. He closed the door behind him.


    The youth then casually turned to Jared, and in a mature voice you wouldn''t expect, he calmly and unhurriedly spoke,


    "Mr Jared, I am a tutor here, you may call me Mr Koi, I understand here that you have amnesia, and I have been asked by Principal Kale to assess the knowledge you know so that I may know how to better teach you, so I hope you will cooperate with me."


    For around two hours, he systematically went through different subjects, such as pokemon, math, history, science, and writing, including grammar.


    Jared''s ability in math, writing, and basic science seemed up to par with a high school graduate, but Koi soon found Jared''s knowledge in history to be nonexistent!


    On the subject of Pokemon, Koi seemed very surprised to see that his new student could name them all, yet couldn''t tell him their eating habits, where they are found, and couldn''t even accurately explain the behaviors of a single pokemon.


    Now onto the most shocking piece of news yet! when he had asked Jared how many days are in a year he said 365, and koi replied 1095!


    There are also 36 months in a year! Instead of making new names for each month after the twelve, for whatever reason each month keeps its name for three months consecutively, for example, January, second January, third January, until switching to February.


    (Waiit a minute!! If it''s three times longer than an earth year doesn''t this mean they live as long as bloody high elves!? It is all starting to make a bit more sense now at least, and now I know why the children in a high school are only nine years old, they probably only spend a single year there!)


    "Shocking"


    "What was that Jared?"


    "Sorry, nothing"


    (I also learned that kids start school at seven, and graduate at ten... perhaps this is why they have a system where trainers act in the same capacity as police officers... well that''s a relief, I feel a little better that the ten-year-olds are not ACTUAL ten year olds.)


    Jared''s eyes go wide, (WAIT! DOESN''T THIS MEAN MY REAL AGE IS NOT EVEN TEN ON THIS PLANET DESPITE MY OLDER APPEARANCE?)


    (Oh god... please don''t tell me I''m going to keep aging normally because I came from earth... because it will be rather depressing to see everyone around me stay young while I age three times quicker.)


    (Huh...)


    (Perhaps this is why Ash Ketchum from the anime always seemed to stay the same age... but I always thought it was for marketing purposes though...)


    After the two hours were up, Koi seemed satisfied, and he asked his student to meet him for another session tomorrow.


    (I gotta sigh with relief to that! While being taught by a fifteen year old with an earth age of forty-five is awkward, it would be even more awkward to be in the same classroom as those... thirty year old ten year olds... )


    Jared exited the room, but the tutor remained behind.


    He began searching for another exit, but all he found were some fire doors. He wisely decided not to discover if they were alarmed, because he felt it would be terrible if he caused an uproar on his first day.


    Finding his way back to the reception he waved goodbye to the morbidly obese receptionist while saying a small prayer for her abused chair on his way out.


    (I need to count my blessings, while I didn''t get teleported into this world with some sort of godly talent... but... If I somehow reincarnate as a chair in the future... please don''t let me be that one!)


    Leaving the air-conditioned building, he was back into the hot Alola sun once more, with his backpack heavier than before.


    (It sure was nice of Koi to let me borrow some books, if I''m ever going to become the best pokemon trainer and change this world, I can''t do it from a place of ignorance. Yey for knowledge!)


    As he walked past the deadpanned security guard, he couldn''t help but smile at the pidgey, and it too smiled back with a friendly squawk "PII" "GGGI"


    Jared considered going home, but quickly shook his head, he felt that as fun as studying right this instant would be, he really wanted to see that Mr Mime waiter he saw the first day he arrived in the city.


    He felt his memory was a bit hazy, so he couldn''t remember the route he had taken when he was brought to the police station all those days ago. He opened up the GPS and scanned the names of the cafes in the hopes it might jog his memory.


    He was glad he did because he found one with the name " Mr.Mime Cafe," Jared suppressed a chuckle, (well this makes it easy!)

 unfinished and unedited 10

    A man can be seen walking down the street and gawking at everything he sees, it was one of Jared''s few joys when he came to this world.


    Stopping once to check the GPS, he resumes putting feet to pavement, but just then a smiling azumarill walks up close to him from behind.


    Its blue skin and long bunny ears, along with an oval body made the creature look no different from a stuffed toy, if not for his nearly one-meter tall frame.


    Jared looks around and realized that the azumarills trainer was a bit further behind. He couldn''t resist taking the opportunity to try to pet it.


    When he reaches down with his outstretched hand, the azumarill stops smiling, and immediately slapped his hand away with a hiss. Locking eyes with him, it looked up as menacingly as its adorable face can muster, as if daring the foolish petter to do it again.


    Jared''s eyes widen in surprise, it didn''t hurt, but that didn''t stop him from instinctively cowering back anyway.


    (I thought pokemon only said their name... since when can they hiss?!)


    Clutching his unhurt hand, he looks bashfully over at the young sunglass-wearing pokemon trainer, but the trainer just smirks at him without turning his head and goes on his merry way, the azumarill gives one last mean look and swiftly catches up with his partner.


    (Okay, Jared, note to self, don''t pet other people''s pokemon without permission... oh who am I kidding I''ll probably do it again.)


    Continuing on his way, he soon found himself on the other side of the street from the Mr.Mime Cafe. He smiled when he spots the familiar sight of the Mr. Mime happily serving customers under the shaded patio.


    He intended to cross the street right then and there to get a closer look, but a few fast-moving cyclists in colorful clothing riding past made him think better of it.


    Jared scratched his ear, (it''s a bit strange that the only cars I''ve seen so far seem to be for law enforcement... oh well, I can ask my tutor about that tomorrow.)


    Once the coast was clear, he did a slow jog across the wide street, and in a few breaths of time he was right before the cafe.


    Examining the Mr.Mime from this closer distance had made him realize the pokemon was much taller in person, he was like a young human. The only thing he wore was a pair of embroidered shorts, so Jared wondered if he could pass for a human if he covered himself from head to toe and wore a hood.


    While pondering why the Mr. Mime was wearing anything at all the answer hit him,


    (Ahaha I see, having a human-like waiter in a cafe is one thing, but having that waiter serve customers with his dangling balls hanging out is another, so that''s why he''s wearing shorts.)


    Jared cut that thought short because he wanted very much to get out of the sun. He takes a seat in one of the empty chairs and continued watching.


    Having satisfied his curiosity, and now starting to feel comfortable in his new shady spot, he fishes one of his books out of the backpack and begin idly reading, but before too long he''s politely asked to leave if he didn''t come in and order, he complies with the request and put the book away bashfully.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    He Sighed, (all good things come to an end!)


    Slinging his backpack on, he decided to begin his trek back home.


    Jared grumbled in his mind, hrmph, (I was just leaving anyway, not because you asked me to leave but because I was getting thirsty! self-consciousness activates!)


    On his way back, he spots the same Feraligator. He and his trainer were strolling down the street.


    Crossing the street, Jared follows after them in an effort to get a better look at the towering blue bipedal alligator pokemon from up close.


    At first, he tried to keep a few meters back, but since they didn''t appear to notice him, he decided to get a bit closer.


    As he gets nearer, he was forced to cover his nose after getting a whiff of the beast, and it was not pleasant. The smell of rotten seaweed soon forces him back to his original distance.


    Noting the trainer walking just in front of his pokemon, Jared curses under his breath "Ugh, how can he take that stench? I think that pokemon needs a bath... or ten."


    He carried on watching the two walk down the sidewalk, but didn''t pursue, he instead decided to keep watching until they pass out of sight. He had hopes of seeing that weird pale gold glow from their last encounter.


    Focusing on the creature, he sighs when nothing changes.


    He watches for a minute more, but as they turned the corner at the end of the street, their figures soon become obscured behind a small building, and at that point he quickly loses interest, and he decides to carry on walking home.


    After an uneventful journey, he soon finds himself nearing the alley, he then puts on his scary face to deter would-be thieves, and being only one street away he decides to jog the rest of the way home.


    When he finally arrives back in the alley, he spots the twelve-year-old and eight-year-old from yesterday, they were idly sitting against the wall of one of a nearby home, chatting.


    He halts his jog when they notice him, and then begins walking towards his own house at a more measured pace, but soon stops when he hears them tramp towards him.


    Jared turns around to face them,


    The twelve-year-old marches up to Jared confidentially, but the eight-year-old child freezes where he is when he meets the man''s hardened gaze.


    Breaking eye contact with the man, the child looks around, he seemed to be unsure if this was a good idea.


    From this close proximity, it could be seen that while the children''s clothing are dirty, it''s not in too bad of shape, and while on the thin side, they don''t appear as malnourished as you''d imagine street urchins to be.


    The older boy has a slightly stunted appearance, with a full head of wavy yet greasy platinum blond hair that barely obscure his determined blue eyes.


    Those with a keen eye might realize he''d be quite handsome with a simple wash, but it could be imagined that hygiene is not a high priority of his.


    (Looking at his arms he seems quite muscular for... well for a kid.)


    A small distance behind him, he examines the scared eight-year-old, white long hair awkwardly hangs over his round, lively face, but his dead green eyes tell the sad tale of the life he''s lived thus far, and similar to his older protector he seems small and stunted for his age.


    Noting the twelve-year-old pause his steps a couple of meters from him, Jared ceases his examination and mentally prepares himself in the event he has to defend himself.


    The older boy too examines Jared for a moment, then confidently looks him in the eye.


    With a hoarse voice uncharacteristic for such a young boy he asks, "Old man, I remember you from yesterday, do you know if my two friends are alright?"


    Behind the taller youth, the eight-year-old child''s eyes seem to gather some light, and with a little courage, he jogs his way over to the older kid. He grasps the taller child''s dirty shirt in his small hands from the rear, and peers at the mean-looking man from behind the safety of the older boy.


    Jared crosses his arms at the question, and his sudden movements makes the two boys flinch back.


    In response, Jared''s expression slowly softens, but he was not willing to put up a weak front.


    He diverts from the subject temporarily to ask his own question, "I can tell you, but how about you tell me your names first, I''m Jared."


    The muscular twelve-year-old squints his eyes, seeming to be uneasy about the question. He retorts with a nonanswer "What do you want our names for, you gonna report us to the cops?"


    With a shrug, Jared replies in the same strong tone, "Do I look like a good samaritan to you?"


    Not breaking eye contact, the boy appears to consider the words for a moment then replies in a softer, and less confident tone of voice "I''m kai and the scardy cat behind me is Kalio, can you please tell me if my friends are alright now?"


    Jared lets out a long sigh, and while looking away for a moment he bluntly states as if tearing off a bandaid, "they''re both dead, I''m sorry."

 unfinished and unedited 11

    Kai clenches his fists while his handsome face twists with furious emotions tinged with helplessness. The news had hit him hard, but it didn''t let that get in the way of keeping his eyes on Jared, in case he dares try anything in his moment of weakness.


    Jared looks at the small boy behind him with softer eyes, and clicks his tongue when he spys the exact moment the light in those once expectant eyes turns dead once more.


    Kalio''s small fragile hands lose their strength, forcing him to release Kai''s clothes as his knees buckle from underneath him. Tears start pouring down his childish face from his hollow eyes. He doesn''t make a sound.


    Jared''s eyes glaze over in thought as he watches the scene, (this place is starting to appear more and more like earth... maybe crueler, yes... yes, I know it well, in the place I was born, sights like this are not uncommon.)


    Not having the heart to continue observing the painful scene, Jared turns to walk away, but he looks back when a question pops into his head, "Hey Kai, how did you boys end up on the streets?"


    Kai ignores the question, and he picks the unresponsive Kalio up, before throwing him over his shoulder.


    While trudging away, he snarls with clenched teeth without looking back, "None of your business old man!"


    Scratching his head Jared unlocks his door and heads inside.


    He tries to lighten his mood by noting how funny it was that someone who has lived more days than him was calling him an old man, but his heavy emotions don''t brighten in the slightest.


    With heavy feelings, he gets himself a drink of water from the small kitchen sink and throws some rice in a pot. As he watches the pot of rice simmer, he slowly begins losing himself in a cloud of hazy thoughts,


    (Was it not long ago that I vowed to become the greatest trainer, and save kids like Kai and Kalio? Is my resolve so weak that I feel leisurely enough to go sightseeing at the Mr.Mime Cafe?)


    The saddened man slaps his cheeks.


    (No... and I don''t even know if I''ll age three times slower like the rest, is my remaining time on this earth truly abundant enough to accomplish my goals if I continue to waste it so frivolously, can my dream be accomplished so halfheartedly?)


    "No"


    (And four months isn''t long at all... after this precious time passes, how much will I be able to study if I''m forced into backbreaking labor?)


    "No" he whispered louder


    (I''m far behind the others in knowledge and years, if I don''t give it one hundred percent there is no breaching that gap.)


    "NO" He yells


    "Yes, I think it''s time I discover just how strong my own resolve is, and just how much of my own blood... yes, let''s see just how many blood and tears I''m willing to shed, let''s see if my resolve is more than just a fading flicker."


    After finishing the last grain of cooked rice in his bowl, his eyes begin to gain another imperceivable ember as he glares at one of the bags of uncooked rice.


    --


    (Hello again dear invisible audience did you know I have a superpower?)If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    (Don''t worry my dear invisible audience I''ll explain! Do you know how certain memories become seared in your mind as a child, such as when you hurt yourself badly or you were exposed to a traumatizing situation and you can never forget them no matter how much you try?)


    (My superpower is just that! While I can''t fly like superman, or run super fast, I have the power of masochism!)


    (For whatever reason, I am able to sear anything I see into my mind as long as I expose myself to an unbearable amount of pain.)


    (But don''t get too worried my invisible audience, for I have no plans on permanently harming myself!)


    (How then am I going to go about this task then you might ask?)


    (Well, my dear audience, I had just earlier removed my clothes and laid them to the side, then I sprinkled some rice on the concrete floor next to my bed, and I''m currently kneeling there while trying to memorize a book called *A Short History of Alola* all the while trying not to scream.)


    (But why then am I monologing you might ask my dear listeners?)


    (Well, as you know, when I''m in a situation that is too unacceptable for my own mind to handle, to prevent my mind from collapsing I start writing novels in my head in an effort to distance myself from the external world. It was a trick I instinctively learned to survive my parental abuse!)


    (Pity the novel-writing trick only works against external stimuli and not my own thoughts, or I wouldn''t keep having emotional breakdowns, oh well, small blessing Jared!)


    (So then, Jared, you might ask, Isn''t spending all your time monologing and not memorizing inefficient?)


    (Tut tut tut, yes and no, while I can only memorize in this state and not comprehend a single thing being searing into my head due to the blinding pain, once it''s seared in there it still becomes several times easier to fully absorb the information after the fact!)


    (I''m like a savant! everyone calls me the masochist of all savants even! well none but me calls me that except me, but even if I''m the only one to say it that still counts for something, right, me? *right!* ok it''s good to see we are on the same page, and that you agree with myself, me!)


    --


    After about an hour, the sweat and pain become too much to ignore and starts making Jared dizzy, so he decides to take a break.


    He painfully drags himself to the mattress, and he sits down with a wince.


    Without the blinding pain, his mind slowly becomes clear.


    He starts picking the pieces of rice out of his bleeding knees while taking the time to try and digest what he just memorized.


    While pondering the newly seared information, he takes a shaky glance at the small pool of blood next to his bed, and can''t help but think to himself, (well that was horrific, but he still felt it wasn''t nearly as painful as watching Kalios hollow eye''s... let''s be strong.)


    A half-hour later the shaking stops somewhat, and now feeling a bit less dizzy he struggles himself up to clean the blood and scattered rice.


    He repeats the process a few more times, but with each new attempt he''s forced to take a longer break, his stamina was recovering less and less each time.


    He finally decides to stop when a quarter of the book is perfectly memorized.


    He glances up from his trembling knees, and he peers out from the small barred window from his mattress. He found the sun was nearly set.


    He lets loose another shaky sigh, then mocks himself, "time sure flies when you''re having fun... no actually it doesn''t... that felt like an eternity of torment."


    After he finishes picking the rice embedded in his bloody knees, he leans over next to his mattress and picks up his phone. He taps it once to make it light up, and finds the time is already Nine thirty PM.


    Feeling anemic, he stands up shakily and makes his way to the bathroom.


    (The bathroom has no shower or bath, and the hot water doesn''t work, but he just shakes his head with a thought, half the point of showering is to enjoy the feeling of the hot water anyway, so it''s no big deal.)


    He grabs one of the cloths he had the presence of mind to purchase, and with gritted teeth he sits on the toilet.


    The bathroom is so cramped that it''s possible to reach the small sink from the toilet seat, so he leaned over, and steadies his shaking hands just enough to turn on the tap.


    The water comes out in a sputter, and with his other hand, he wets the cloth with the lukewarm tap water, and then he spends nearly ten minutes cleaning himself off.


    He begins preparing some more tasteless brown rice, and he forces it down his throat despite his nausea.


    While he owns a wooden spoon, he''s not using it this time.


    He had tried holding it earlier, but quickly gave up that idea, and tossed it aside when his quivering hands failed to remain steady enough to eat with it.


    Forcing himself not to vomit up his precious rice in the fear of wasting it, he cleans up and stumbles to bed.


    His last thought before sleep took him was nothing more than a prayer, a hope that his shaking body will steady itself by the time he wakes up, so he can repeat the same torment the next day.

 unfinished and unedited 12

    With the gentle sun rays endlessly forcing their way through the barred bedroom window, a phone begins beeping signaling that it''s seven am and it''s time to get up.


    A grumbling man clicks the phone off then curses when he realizes that he had forgotten to plug the phone in last night.


    Seeing the battery in the red, he decided it would be wise to plug it in the charger while getting himself ready for the day.


    He went through his usual morning routine unhurriedly. He was still feeling a bit shaky from yesterday, so he chose to take it slow and easy.


    Feeling a bit better when he had his fill of tuna and rice despite the taste, he was soon out the door.


    Jared knew exactly what kind of neighborhood he lived in, so he took a glance around the alley and sighs in relief when not a single soul can be seen.


    He then turns his eyes and glances up to the broken window next door, where he had once seen a small child.


    He reels back in shock when he sees an impossible occurrence!


    Deep inside the shattered window, a strange shapeless creature stares out from the darkest part of the room!


    With two sharp teeth, the disembodied shadow smiles sinisterly, making Jared reel back in shock. The surprise nearly toppling him over.


    Rubbing his eyes, Jared looks back, but he finds the terrible visage was now gone.


    With a gulp, he laughs nervously to himself in an attempt to dispel his unease, but a chill creeps up his back despite the warm morning sun.


    Jared clenches the straps of his backpack and quickly makes his way out of the alley in the direction of the school. He was still feeling lingering adrenaline.


    Once out of the poor distract, he finds the familiar sight of busy people and their pokemon going about their lives. This filled him with some reassurance, and soon his fear is completely forgotten, evaporated, like a puff of smoke.


    Ten minutes later he stands before the school gates.


    A few smiling children greet the pidgey that was perched on the deadpanned security guard''s shoulder. As they make their way past, the pidgey gives a happy squawk from all the attention.


    Checking the time, Jared noted the bell will ring in fifteen minutes.


    He made his way to the room from yesterday, he knew he had plenty of time, so he took it slow. He unknowingly opened the door to the small room and turned on the lights, while waiting patiently for his young tutor to arrive.


    .


    He hears the bell ring sometime later, and after a few more minutes of waiting, Koi barges into the room unannounced. He was carrying a couple of large books, along with a stack of paper and writing utensils.


    While looking as serious as ever, he elegantly places the objects on the desk opposite Jared.


    Normally each room would have one small, and one large table, but due to their larger statures, they had wisely replaced the smaller desk with one of the larger ones, since neither of them would fit.


    After a greeting, Jared showed him the books he was lent, upon Koi''s request.


    Koi then took a seat across from his older student, then he spoke, "Sorry I''m late, the school is having a field trip, and as a tutor, I had to help manage the signups. "


    Jared asked with interest " When is it?"


    Koi replied seriously, "The trip is going to last all day, and that would take time away from your study"


    After the chat, Koi explained what he would be teaching Jared for the next two hours.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    With that done, he then begins reading from a large heavy tome of a book. The book was called "The Habits Of Pokemon And How They See The World"


    The text was dry, but he added in his own insights to break up the monotony so it wasn''t too bad. While the experience was far more enjoyable and less painful than the rice method, Jared still felt he didn''t retain nearly as much information in the entire two hours, as he did with five minutes of the masochistic method.


    Before the session was over, Jared remembered a question he had wanted to ask since yesterday, but he frowned when the answer was somewhat... unhelpful.


    The reason there are so few cars is due to the fact that the general public is not allowed to own a vehicle, and when Jared asked why, Koi said it had always been that way so he''s not sure.


    With the session concluded, Jared borrowed the same two books again, and he exited the nice air-conditioned school back into the warming Alola sun.


    This time he decided not to waste any time sightseeing, and he chose to head straight home to study. Turning off his phone he stuffed it back in my pocket. He noticed the phones battery was close to death.


    (Yes, this is all the more reason to not dilly dally!)


    Turning into his narrow alley, he gets a pang of fear. He had forgotten it, but now that he was back, he remembered the scene of shifting shadow.


    Nervously, he makes his way to his house. He unconsciously looks up towards the broken window where he had seen the shadow, but he sighs in relief when nothing strange appears.


    Dragging his feet, he heads inside the humid room, and locks the door.


    Dropping his backpack on the cracked concrete floor, he gets a quick drink of water.


    He then looks over at the bag of uncooked rice and clenches his teeth unconsciously. The sight of the rice now giving him phantom pains from yesterday''s agonizing experience, but he soon shook his head and decided to suck it up.


    He then sprinkled some rice in the usual spot, then firmly took the partially memorized book, before kneeling down with a light sigh, "Here we go again."


    The process felt no less painful than yesterday, but he struggled through it as best as he could, and since he had more daylight to work with, he managed to memorize an additional fifty percent of the book, for a grand total of seventy-five percent!


    Noting the time had grown late by the waning sun, and confirming his suspicion by looking at the phone, he shakily took a few minutes to sit back on his bed and thought about what he had memorized through the whole painful process.


    Trying to cheer himself up at his progress he scowled when he remembered the larger book that will soon take its place in his masochistic memorization spree.


    With the sun now set and a full belly, he was soon back in bed.


    A lightbulb went off in his head, as he remembered his mistake from yesterday, so he pulled the blanket off himself, and strained himself up with a sigh, and with shaky hands, he turned the light back on.


    He took a few seconds to hook his phone up to the charger, and after a small beep of confirmation from the phone itself, he then turned off the lights and laid back down to snuggle into his blanket.


    Before he knew it, sleep had him firmly in its grasp.


    .


    An unidentified amount of time passes when he feels something stir him awake.


    Keeping his eyes closed, he begins to hear a strange bubbling sound like a steam engine, but quieter, and feeling an odd gust of wind above his head, he finally decides to crack open one of his eyes.


    Peering through the darkness, and in his direct line of sight right above his head, he barely makes out a strange shapeless blob.


    The blop hovered not three feet above his head!


    He notes the large faintly glowing white eyes, the eyes were paired with a large fanged mouth. The mouth began opening in a toothy smile!


    In the mouth itself, he sees a large purple tongue dangling out it as the creature stares straight into his fearful eyes.


    Too scared to scream, he just stares at the constantly shifting blob of gas and shadow, still too sleepy to fully process what''s happening.


    He then hears a voice in his head, a voice that is not his own.


    It laughs like rustly leaves and crackling paper.


    As if reciting an ancient curse the voice echos in his head, " Why do you do that to yourself human?"


    As if the answer would bring the creature the greatest joy, its toothy grin smiles even wider as it inches closer.


    After a moment more, the sleep begins to shake from the awestruck man, and while screaming, he leaps off the bed and turns on the light. Cold sweat drips down his back despite the still humid room.


    He turns back to look, but finds nothing out of place! the shapeless creature was gone... as if it never was there at all!


    He grabs his chest in an attempt to tame his fear, and calm his breathing, and after half a minute he succeeds.


    With half his fear tamed, he''s now questioning what he had just experienced.


    (Did I imagine it?)


    He feels his heart begin to beat faster, as he recalls the memory of that dark sinister shadow smiling from that shattered window, and soon he draws his own conclusion.


    He then shakes his head with a nervous smile, as logic and understanding begin to overpower his fear.


    Keeping the light on, he grasps his shaking right hand with his left, and then he timidly takes a seat on the hard mattress with a plop. He looks up at the shining lightbulb above,


    (No... I don''t know what I saw, I''m probably just feeding my own fears with pointless speculation, yes I''m sure of it! This is probably just a nightmare playing out from what I THINK I saw yesterday morning.)


    He nods to himself, and then he croaks out a half-hearted laugh in an attempt to finish off his fears. He then smiles to himself, and speaks slowly to none in particular, "Yes, this is nothing more than my own mind playing tricks on me."


    Feeling his emotions now under control, he boldly turns off the lights and gets back into bed.


    Te fearful emotions leave, but soon they were replaced with a new emotion,


    (Tomorrow is going to be another long and painful day.)

 unfinished and unedited 13

    Waking up with a grunt, Jared felt his knees screaming in pain from the two days of abuse.


    Noting the sun is not as bright as he would expect, he tapped his phone for the time and finds the symbol for six am staring back at him.


    Jared mumbled, "An hour early, well... no sense going back to sleep now,"


    Feeling his neck ache, he looked at his mattress and clicked his tongue, "This was too uncomfortable! Next month I''ll have to buy a pillow... and that means I''ll save even less money..."


    A short time later, he finds himself once again staring into the pot of cooking rice in a daze. Recalling what he had memorized last night, he mouths some words,


    "It was a waste"


    (Memorizing that book was almost a complete waste of time!)


    Besides learning the names of the cities, and their cultures, all it talked about was how they went about unifying the islands, and how they heroically fought the original inhabitants off the island two hundred years ago, and how they liberated them from their barbaric ways by teaching them civilized culture, and forcing them to only speak their language.


    Having finished reviewing the information, and now fully prepared for the day, he once again headed out into the morning Alola Sun.


    He looks around briefly at the deserted alley, and soon decides to sit on the front steps to take in the morning aroma.


    Despite it being summer, he feels a slight sting in his nose when he breaths in, all due to the salty air.


    (Maybe I should call Kukui, it''s been more than a week since I last spoke, but it''s only seven-thirty am, if I call him now will he be awake)


    He threw that thought out of his mind and decided to do it anyways while rationalizing the reasoning with a silly pun, (a sunny guy probably rises with the sun, so it''s probably fine,) but it was really due to the fact that he had a question that he needed to ask, and now he wanted to know if his silly pun would come true.


    Jared then pulls the number out of his pocket, and dialed him up, and after only three rings it was answered in a cheerful tone.


    The dialer chuckles when he hears the overly friendly voice, (It seems my pun rings true!)


    Gazing distractedly up at the broken window next to his home, Jared quickly replies, "Hey Kakui, it''s Jared!"


    "AHH! Jared!, I''m glad you finally got a phone! did everything work out okay, did you get your memories back?"


    (Heeh, this guy is really too energetic!)


    "No, but I''m living well, I just thought I''d call to thank you again for saving my life and ask you a few questions"


    (Not exactly well, but... I don''t want to baggage him with my problems.)


    "Ahh, that''s too bad, but I''m sure you''ll get your memories back in no time!"


    An annoyed voice can be heard in the background, it was telling Kukui to not be so loud early in the morning. Jared identified the voice to be Bane.


    Kakui gives an unbothered chuckle and then continues in the same cheery tone. "Sorry about that Jared, I''d be glad to help you, what do you want to know?"


    After his sentence, Jared smiles when he hears a defeated sigh from Bane.


    "I''d like to know if you''ve ever seen a pokemon start glowing gold"


    "Mmmm, no, not gold, but when a pokemon uses a move, they will faintly emit white steam for a moment, is that what you saw?"If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "Not exactly..."


    (What did he just say??)


    "Wait, why would they emit steam?"


    Jared felt he could almost hear Kukui smiling through the phone now.


    "Hehe! So you didn''t know? don''t worry, Professor Kukui will tell you then! Pokemon use their own stamina and body fat and convert it into power, this is the reason they are much stronger than us humans!"


    Kukui pauses to think for a moment, then continues, "Ah right, that''s also the reason why pokemon grow stronger as they grow larger, It''s all because they have more energy to work with!"


    Jared replies with obvious interest, "That makes sense, but doesn''t that mean that a smaller pokemon species will always be weaker than a naturally larger one? "


    "Oho! you ask some good questions Jared! Yes, that is true, but with enough training, they can bridge the gap! Anything can be achieved with a bit of hard work and determination!"


    Jared''s mood begins to brighten. He felt it difficult to be unhappy when talking with such a bubbly person.


    "Thanks for letting me know Kukui, I just have just two more questions"


    "Sure, ask as many as you like, I''m happy to help!"


    "Have you lived in Alola all your life?"


    "Sure have, but since I found my partner Lapras five years ago, I became a Sponsored Pokemon Trainer, and I''ve been traveling around to different regions since!"


    Jared''s mood dips. He was about to bring up a heavy subject, but before the words leave his lips, he instead chose to ask about something else,


    "Sponsered trainer? then If you don''t mind me asking, what''s a Sponsored Pokemon Trainer? who sponsors you, and what do you do when you become one?"


    "Mmm, that''s a complicated question, but I can at least tell you how I became one!"


    Kukui clears his throat then speaks up, "To become a Sponsored Pokemon Trainer you need to be recognized by a government-run lab, you can find them in almost all towns and cities, and it''s actually very difficult to become sponsored!"


    Kukui laughs heartily while recalling a memory, he then continues, "To tell you the truth I used to run a pokemon lab myself, but a free spirit like me can''t be contained in a lab all day you know!"


    He clears his throat again, "Usually you become one by placing top three in a local tournament. These tournaments happen every three months in the cities, while in smaller towns they''ll either hold the tournament every nine months, or in other cases only winning first place gets you the honor, and while I can''t speak about other regions... but for the Alola islands the matches are always one on one until knockout, or forfeit."


    Kukui pauses, "Ahhh, that reminds me, there should also be some prizes for lower placings, but what really draws the trainers in is the allure of becoming an official trainer!"


    He then laughs cheekily, "Hehe, but because I used to be a professor, they let me become one when I asked, it was super nice of them!"


    Bane can be heard muttering through the phone, "Or they wanted your hyper ass gone"


    "Haha Bane, always the joker aren''t you, so Jared, were you thinking of becoming a registered trainer like me!?"


    Before Jared could open his mouth Kukui interjects. "Oh right, as for what I''m supposed to do... *cough* erm, I''m supposed to go around winning tournaments to bring publicity and honor to the lab, but... instead I travel the world to see how pokemon live in their natural habitats, and send my findings back to the lab!"


    -On kukuis end, some beeping can be heard from a different phone, Kukui pauses to whisper with Bane, then quickly speaks back into the phone, "I very much enjoyed our chat Jared, but if you don''t have any more questions I have to cut our conversation short. I''m getting a call from the lab you see!"


    Finding himself already before the school gates, Jared replies "I''ll catch you next time, I have to go as well actually."


    "Hehehe call back anytime my friend!"


    Jared hangs up with a smile as he weaves his way past the Pidgey.


    During his two-hour session with the youthful yet stern tutor, the two hours quickly come and go as Jared felt himself thoroughly enjoying the lecture due to his happy mood.


    (Koi guy may be young, but he really knows how to keep my interest, but I suppose that''s to be expected, he must spend most of his time teaching hyperactive children after all... wait, are those thirty year old ten year olds even hyper?!)


    .


    Twenty minutes later Jared was back home, but this time with only a single book in his bag.


    (I know it''s only been a few days, but I think I''ve learned enough history, especially when I have to go through great pains to ingrain the knowledge into my head, yes, it''s time I focus on the knowledge that will help me become a trainer!)


    The thunking tome of a book he was reading this time was called, "A beginners guide to the skittish, the nonreactive, and the bold, the behaviors of all 251 pokemon species."


    He had scanned the pages of the pictureless book before beginning the session, and found the knowledge to be exactly what he was looking for.


    After eating some food he passed another painful day with bleeding knees, and suppressing screams. Due to the sheer size of the tome, he was only able to barely memorize around six percent of it by the time the sky became dark.


    Shakily, and with throbbing knees, he dragged himself onto his hard mattress, and after a few minutes started to drift off.


    Before sleep could take hold, the recurring nightmare was back!


    He froze, Jared held his eyes fast shut, he could feel it, the feeling of a foul hissing wind!


    It was coming closer through the blackness.


    (Oh god, what do I do? the shapeless demon in the dark is back! and it''s here for me!)

 unfinished and unedited 14

    The shapeless shadow''s voice thundered in Jared''s mind, it held an otherworldly laugh, "I know you are awake human!"


    Slowly opening his eyes fearfully, Jared''s mind quaked while observing the twisting ball of shadow.


    The two days he spent putting himself through agonizing pain over and over had started to pay dividends. This was only the second encounter, but he felt his mind steeled enough to resist outright screaming.


    With a shaky breath, Jared begins drawing some strength from within himself, and then musters the courage to speak, "y-You were h-here yesterday w-weren''t you? W-what are you?"


    Suddenly, the mass of shadow and gas begins to congregate together, and soon reveals its true shape.


    It had no body, and appeared as nothing but a head of swirling shadow and gas with sharpend fangs.


    (Oh... god.... I think... I think I found the Headless Horsemans missing head.)


    "Silly human, now do you see?"


    With chattering teeth, Jared gulps, "Y-you''re a pokemon, a-aren''t you?"


    The shadowy ball of gas smiles mockingly, its voice hammering into Jared''s head, "You''re not very sharp for a human are you?"


    Jared''s teeth fail to stop chattering, but tries his best to form a coherent question anyway, "I I, w-what do you w-want from me, h-how can you t-talk?"


    The grinning ball of shadow ignores the blubbering human, and begins floating its way closer and closer, until stopping half a foot from the shocked man''s face.


    Jared''s eyes go wide with fear, as the monster opens its fanged mouth wide. It looked as if the creature intended to swallow him whole.


    Its horrible voice once more quakes in his mind, it was more sinister than ever, "Aren''t you going to run and turn on the lights, human?"


    Noticing its fangs now an inch from his face, Jared softly asks, "W-why are y-you doing t-this?"


    It draws back, then begins to float around the room in circles, Jared does his best to follow its floating form with his eyes, but he somehow always keeps losing track of it, as if it were phasing in and out of existence!


    Suddenly Jared feels the foul wind touch the back of his neck, and his mind once again booms with a chaotic voice, "You humans are not fun when you don''t run, why aren''t you running human?!"


    Jared begins to sense the threat of death was close, and a calm begins to come over him.


    Feeling the tornado of air behind his head, he turns to face the creature and manages to reply without a trembling voice. "Is that truly the question you want to ask? do you not want to know the answer to what you asked me last night?"


    Seeing the look of surprise on the ghastly visage, he wonders if he even saw a hint of fear, so he asks again "Do you want to know or not?"


    The creature vanishes in a puff of smoke, and then reappears on the ceiling.


    Its voice once again appears in Jared''s mind, but the voice sounded strange... normal? almost pleasant even... "Tell me human?"


    Jareds fear changes to wariness as he looks up, "If I tell you, you aren''t going to eat me afterward are you?"


    Jared flinches as his mind begins to shake with powerful laughter before the voice suddenly said, "I won''t eat you human"


    (...This is a gastly, I''m sure of it now. What did it say last night? It wanted to know why I was doing something to myself?)


    "Just to be clear, are you wanting to know why I put myself through so much pain?"


    The ball of gas grins.


    "It''s not a big secret, I do it because it helps me memorize my book faster"


    the gastly spins around and pulses as it seems to mull the answer over, then it begins slowly floating towards the human.


    Jared starts feeling slightly nervous again, so he blurts out, "Why are you haunting me?"


    It ignores the question and continues floating closer, until it suddenly pauses half an inch from the human''s face.


    (Ok, deep breaths, don''t scream then turn on the lights, that''s just what it wants.)


    The maw of the shadow smiles widely, "I eat emotions human, and the rarest and most delicious emotion of all is the pain humans intentionally inflict on themselves, you''re the first human I''ve ever seen do this willingly over and over and over"


    Jared''s face scrunches in confusion, "You''ve been eating my emotions?"


    The smiling fiend seems to look through the human with a vicious grin as its laugh rocks the human''s mind once more "Your delicious pain lured me here human"


    I''ve never heard that gastlys literally ate emotions...


    Jared''s mind swirls with thoughts, (Maybe... this situation is actually salvageable, maybe... maybe this could be a blessing in disguise. It said it eats emotions, so perhaps humans aren''t on the menu, still... I''d be a fool to trust it.)


    "So, you''re not going to harm me then?"


    "Even if I do nothing human, won''t you harm yourself?" Jared felt his mind once again quake from laughter, so he nervously laughs along with him.


    While feeling the threat of death and adrenaline slowly fading from him, Jared''s shaking body begins to regain some calm. Although it did nothing to dispel the trembling from his own self-inflicted injuries.


    "Did your trainer send you here to prank me?"Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The ghastly scoffs with a roar, "You think a mere human can tame me? there''s no human alive that can make me submit, and the one who dared to try... met his end!"


    Jared then sat up straight and shamelessly asked with genuine intent, "I have something I need to accomplish, If you join me and help me fulfill it, it will benefit both of us."


    The gastly disappears and reappears back on the ceiling, but Jared somehow got the impression the creature was annoyed.


    With an unimpressed giggle, Gastly asks, "Why would your accomplishments benefit me? Why should I human?"


    "Because if you do, I''ll let you eat my pain as much as you want"


    Sneering, the gastly licks its lips, "But human, I can do that without your permission, can you stop me?"


    Jared laughs, then gives a quick lie, "My memorizing method is only a little faster than remembering it normally, if I were to stop harming myself, then wouldn''t you lose your delicacy?"


    The gastly flinches, prompting Jared to muse inwardly, (...I lived on the streets for a long time gastly, do you think I don''t know an addict when I see one?, but I''ll take this slow, for now, even if taming you proves impossible, I can''t give up this chance.)


    "You don''t need to give me an answer right now Gastly, you can even keep eating my emotions, but know I won''t use this method forever. If you join me, however, I can continue to hurt myself just for you."


    Gastly gazes at the bold human while pulsing for over half a minute, then vanishes without a word.


    Silently watching the space it used to occupy, Jared whispers to himself after a minute, "You''ll definitely become my partner gastly, and you''ll get the food you desire as long as you help me!"


    Imaging the beautiful future he will bring, Jared sinks further into self his self-delusions, (Yes, what is a little pain compared to the endless paradise I desire to bring?) And with that, Jared laid back down, and soon he was once again fast asleep.


    In the morning, Jared woke up as usual, but this time from the phone''s alarm.


    He clicked the phone to stop the racket and looked around the room. He shuddered when he realizes that the gastly may have watched him sleep all night!


    He shakes off the unease along with the sleepinessm and he prepares himself for school.


    With his bag strapped on, he''s back into the depressing alley.


    Before turning the corner, some footsteps can be heard, he turns to look and see''s none other than Kai.


    Jared eye''s him warily "Were you waiting for me?"


    Kai scoffs "No, I live here!"


    Jared chuckles, "Don''t tell me this sidewalk is your home?"


    "No you idiot, I live nearby okay?"


    Scratching his chin Jared replies, "So what do you want Kai?"


    He looks away for a second, then meets the older man''s eyes, "Got any food?"


    Jared snorts, "Cmon It''s only been a few days, there''s no way you''ve already finished off the bags you stole, and even if that wasn''t the case, I don''t even have enough money to buy a pillow, let alone enough money to give food away"


    Kai turns his back and begins walking away, "Hmph, you coulda just said no"


    Jared lets out a sigh as he walks away, he once again feeling emotional, (I feel for Kai, and I know his struggles all too well, but because of that, I won''t be taken advantage of. I know that when you are on the street you have to take any opportunity you can get. Even if you have enough to eat now, I know better than anyone that it won''t always be the case... and it''s not like I can help everyone.)


    Jared coughs with a whisper, "But... if he gets thinner, I suppose I can help him out... just a little"


    Twenty minutes later Jared is sitting in the small tutoring room once more.


    Tapping his foot he waits, the bell had long since rung, but the tutor was still late by fifteen minutes.


    The tutor stomps in, Jared swallows what he was going to say when he noticed his tutor''s foul mood.


    Jared instead gives a smile, then spoke, "What''s wrong Koi?"


    The tutor blinks, "Nothings wrong, just some personal matters that I don''t want to talk about"


    He begins the lecture, but Jared decides to interrupt it with a few questions. These questions had been burning in his mind since last night, "Do you happen to know anything about Gastlys?"


    The tutor gives a perplexing look, "Why do you want to know?"


    "I... I was just curious about how a sentient ball of gas can exist at all"


    The tutor''s perplexion grows, but he answers anyway,


    "Hmm, yes, I know a bit, but don''t get your hopes up too much, there is not much known about gastlys you see... But, what I do know, is that they are impossible to tame unless they are willing. This is due to the fact that they can turn completely invisible, and can even phase through solid objects, or simply disperse at will."


    Jared blinks in thought, (that ghastly was definitely watching me the whole night wasn''t he... I sure wish I could turn invisible, but I''m responsible, I definitely wouldn''t use that power to spy on women while they were changing clothes, definitely not.)


    "They can''t simply be captured through combat either, because even if you injure or knock one out they turn completely invisible while unconscious, and then fade into nothingness, and some scientists speculate that they might be immortal"


    Seeming to forget he was talking to someone, the tutor taps the table in thought,


    "Hmm yes, this means that only a scarce few trainers, even throughout history have ever tamed one. They are also prankers by nature, and without them willingly showing themselves, perhaps we would never know they existed at all, and for that reason, it''s also very difficult to classify their rarity...


    Jared scratches his head and changes the subject, "Do you know if pokemon can talk?"


    The tutor replies with slight amusement," No, while some pokemon can sense your emotions or act as a lie detector, and others can parrot words back to you, I haven''t ever heard of a pokemon holding a conversation, but that doesn''t mean they can''t learn the language and understand you."


    "What about through telepathy?"


    "I''ve heard of psychic or ghost type pokemon using telepathy to convey emotion, but the mind of a pokemon is different from ours, just like how we couldn''t understand a fish even if it could speak english, we, in turn, can''t speak to the fish. There have been attempts to teach pokemon to write, but all attempts had failed."


    Having no more questions, the lecture begins, but Jared felt too distracted thinking of Gastly, so the time spent was a bit wasted.


    A short time later Jared was making his trek home, he was lost in thought.


    (Is that gastly at home special, or is it because the trainers lucky enough to tame one never revealed they could speak?)


    Hearing two men in their thirties chatting as he walked past, Jared stopped, something they said caught his ear.


    "Nah man, I ain''t going, there''s no way my rattata has got what it takes to make it into top three."


    The other guy laughs "Heh, well you still got two weeks to prepare him!"


    (Top three... are they talking about some sort of tournament?)


    Damn, I should have asked someone about that, oh wait, doesn''t this coincide with the school field trip?


    (But without a pokemon it''s not like I can even participate...no... wait, that''s not entirely true, if I can get that gastly to go I could definitely participate!)


    Jared loses his train of thought, as he chuckles at the two men''s banter.


    "Nah... didn''t your wooper recently evolve two months ago, maybe it''s a sign that you should sign up!"


    "Hahaha, if I go will you cheer me on? "


    "Of course, just as long as you pay for my ticket!"


    Having heard enough, Jared continues walking until he was out of earshot range of the two jokers.


    Curiosity gets the best of him, so he fishes out his phone and begins punching the words, *Tapu Village Pokemon Tournament* into the search engine, and can''t help but scratch his head when only one result pops up. He clicks the website link regardless, however.


    Once the website loads, packs of different headlines and articles could be seen, and a few pages down Jared finally found what he was looking for.


    (Hmm, I see, so the tournament will be held near the center of the city at the Tapu Village Research Center... uh... tournament rules, uh... uh... ok I see, twelve days from now, so it wasn''t two weeks... At least they don''t charge a fee to enter, only to watch, or else I wouldn''t even have the opportunity to try, then again, if I joined the school field trip, I could probably watch for free.)


    Jared schemes, (I have to convince Gastly to go, if I miss the tournament It will be three months until I can try again, and if I can become an official trainer all sorts of doors will suddenly open up to me!)


    (I don''t think I''ll be able to finish memorizing that book in time though...and if I''m forced to leave town and go participate in tournaments I''ll have much less time to study...)


    (Still, even if I''m not knowledgeable enough...)


    (Yes, I still can''t let such an opportunity pass me by, what if the competition in the next three months is too stiff and I fail? won''t I just be kicking myself for not trying now?)


    An ember in his eyes begins to glow... (Gastly, you are my only hope now!)

 unfinished draft 15

    Jared suddenly felt a chill down his spine breaking him from his thoughts. A police officer had once again tapped him on his shoulder for loitering suspiciously.


    Opening his eyes wide, he turns around to find the exact same officer as the other day.


    (Ergh, it''s him again, doesn''t he know loitering isn''t a crime? I really did nothing wrong, there isn''t even a no loitering sign, this is an outrage!)


    Jared bowed his head anyway and apologized.


    After the officer left, Jared fell to his knees with a sigh,


    (Oh god, I did it again, there''s no cure... I am a serial loiterer! Why can''t a man have a life-changing event anymore without getting arrested?)


    Jared stood back up and grinned, (Hmmhmm! if one day I become famous, I bet people will beg me to loiter outside their stores! Yep!)


    Coming home, Jared met Kai once more in the alley, but even with a warm greeting, kai gave him the cold shoulder and walked off.


    Jared continued home, and he went through the same painful memorization process as yesterday, until the night finally came.


    "Gastly, are you there?"


    As if by teleportation, congregations of darkness bubbled near the ceiling, and soon Gastly took shape. The creature watched without a work.


    Clearing his throat, Jared asks, "Have you given any consideration to what I asked you last night?"


    The Gastly said nothing and disappeared once more. It refused to show It''s face again, no matter how much a certain foolish human pleaded.


    Jared went to sleep and repeated a similar day, he once more asked if Gastly was there, and once more it appeared at its usual haunt, just under the ceiling.


    This time Jared tried to make small talk,


    "Say gastly, I couldn''t help but notice you always appear in the same place, could it be that this is where you sleep?


    "I don''t sleep human"


    "Maybe not sleep, but is that spot perhaps comfortable?"


    Gastly just stared.


    Coughing to change the subject, Jared speaks up, "What do you do for fun?"


    "I eat emotions"


    (Well... that doesn''t sound like fun, but then again, I''m not a sentient ball of gas.)


    "How do you do it? I don''t think I once saw you while I was memorizing."


    "I pull in the emotions of the humans within my influence."


    Pretending to be very surprised, Jared playfully asks, "Ergh, so you''re saying I was inside you?"


    "Stupid human, why are you bothered by this now, it''s always been this way, your stupid human brain just didn''t realize it."


    With that, Gastly was gone for the night.


    A few more days pass, and each day a certain gastly spoke to a certain human, but unknowingly Gastly found himself staying a little longer to chat each time, before disappearing for the night.


    "Say, Gastly, is it just me, or do you seem a lot bigger than before?"


    "Dumb pathetic human, isn''t it obvious? Humans eat and grow big and fat, so naturally, I grow too."


    (I don''t mind... but he''s getting a lot less reserved with his insults... maybe he''s starting to like me?)


    "How old are you gastly?"


    "How would I know that foolish human, only you humans would bother to track the passage of time."


    "Gastly, before you disappear, there is something very important to me that I''d like your help with"Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    "I don''t want to human"


    "Come on, I didn''t even say what it was yet!"


    "You think me ignorant human? I know you humans are gathering to fight using your pokemon slaves"


    "You knew about the tournament?"


    "How can I not, you humans talk so much. Even if I don''t try, I can hear it from every corner of this place you call a city."


    Gastly then glares, "Save your breath human, I won''t be your slave"


    "Oh, it must be because you are afraid, you once talked about killing a human that dared capture you, but it seems that you really are as you appear, just a big ball of hot air"


    Gastlys body begins to expand and contract in apparent anger. Its voice booms in Jared''s mind, "You think I can''t win your little tournament stupid human?" Gastly then calms down after a moment, "You are trying to trick me human, don''t think you can goad me so easily"


    Jared watches as Gastly slowly begins to go invisible, then shouts, "You don''t understand Gastly, I have to go no matter what, I have something I need to accomplish, and winning that tournament is a building block towards it!"


    Gastly vanishes completely.


    Jared continues shouting anyway, "Don''t think I can''t see how big you''ve gotten from devouring my pain gastly, you''ve been using me, didn''t anyone tell you about give and take in a partnership?"


    "If all you do is take, we can never stand as equals! I never wanted a slave, I wanted a partner, but the only one that sees the other as a slave here is you Gastly!


    Holding a palm over his eye, Jared curses, "I swear you won''t get any more of my emotions to eat... at least until you at least hear me out gastly!"


    .


    Jared never called for Gastly after that day, and Gastly likewise never appeared.


    It was now five days before the tournament, and the days were passing quickly.


    Jared had stopped using the masochistic method. After his impassioned speech to Gastly, he felt his learning speed plummet, but he was stubbornly keeping to his promise.


    Finally, it was the last night before the tournament, and Jared was feeling anxious, he tossed and turned and found himself unable to sleep, "I need to relax, I can accomplish my dream even without the tournament, it''s just a little loss in momentum... there''s always time if I have the will and drive..."


    After an hour, Jared finally felt himself slipping into unconsciousness, but he was awoken when he felt a familiar presence, one he had not felt for a few days.


    The gastly was back, he looked angry and hungry, it''s voice boomed In Jared''s mind with venom, "Tell me human, what is your dream, I''ll listen just this once"


    Jared opened his eyes with expectation, but then sighs when he hears the question, "So you heard my mutterings earlier... Gastly, to understand my so-called *dream* I have to first talk about how I came to be here."


    In great detail, Jared began explaining to the gastly about the world he came from, while it listened silently.


    He told him about the paradise he thought this world was when he had first arrived on the cities warm shores, Gastly remained silent.


    He told him about the rotten underbelly he discovered when he had moved into his new home, Gastly remained silent.


    He told him about the deaths of the children, Gastly listened silently.


    Finally, he told him about his dream to change the world and bring about peace. The gastly speaks, "This is why you harm yourself human? It''s for this impossible nonsense?"


    Jared smiled brightly, "Yes, you may think it impossible, but I thought you would know better than anyone else... yes... the lengths I am willing to go through to accomplish it, am I wrong?"


    Gastly floated silently, its form pulsed as if he were in thought.


    "I can promise you this Gastly, If you became my partner I will never mistreat you, I would even be willing to hold you above even my own life."


    The gastly scoffs, "I''ve seen how you treat your own life, you may have wiped the blood off the floor, but it''s still there, you think those words are enough to move me?"


    Gastly then smirks, "Tell me this human, if you promise to value me even above this dream of yours, then maybe I will agree."


    Jared stayed silent, for a long moment before speaking, "I won''t lie to you gastly, and don''t think I can''t see that you are testing me"


    Gastly narrows its eyes.


    "You are right gastly, I am willing to lie about everything, but to lie about my own beliefs, and even put another above it... even as a lie?"


    Tears start pouring from Jared''s eyes, as he speaks with madness, "HAHAHAHA, Gastly, even the thought about putting my dream below someone else makes me sick, it makes me feel like I''m already dead."


    "Say... Gastly, you may not think well of other humans, or even me, and yes, I know them better than anyone, they lie, they cheat they steal, even I would do the same, but there is one thing I can promise to you, and that is the tears I''m shedding now, are they lies?"


    The gastly continues to listen with complicated eyes, as its form pulses thoughtfully.


    "Gastly, I don''t know about other people, but I can accomplish what others can''t, I feel it strongly."


    Jared looks away with a beaming smile, reminiscing,


    "Looking back now, I felt that I lived worthlessly, and I would have probably died worthlessly, I don''t care if you trust in me, in fact, I don''t need it, but if you feel you can trust that I will greedily follow my ideals, then partner with me here and now, stand as equals with me in pursuit of the same impossible future... yes, the same bright future!"


    Jared looks at the unmoving Gastly, while it stares into the distance.


    "Say gastly, how about we make a bet? if I give up halfway, yes, if my will breaks and shatters halfway, no... what I mean is, if I give up my ideals, if really such a day comes to pass, I will willingly offer up my soul, yes, my very being for you to devour whole."


    Gastly turns back with a slight smile, "Stupid ugly human, even if you offered up your soul, I wouldn''t be able to eat it... You have a few screws loose... No, you are definitely the craziest human I''ve ever seen, but... I think it might be interesting to see how far you can go, at least... before reality forces you to bow your head."


    Jared''s mind roars with Gastlys laugh, "Fine human, I''ll trust you this once, but if you give up, that will be the last time you''ll ever see me, and don''t bother tempting me back, for you will never again see my shadow!"


    Jared then let out a radiant smile at the gastlys words, perhaps the most brilliant smile of his life, then utter''s,


    "Alright partner"

 unfinished draft 16

    Waking up from the sound of his phone going off, Jared felt better than ever, he was now a pokemon trainer, and while gastly wasn''t technically caught, he still felt a rush of adrenaline anyway.


    The first thing Jared did when he got up, was to call the Tapu Village Research Lab,


    "Hello, pokemon lab, I''m a trainer, can I please sign up for the tournament?"


    A professional-sounding man on the other end replies, " The signup cutoff is in one hour, and you must register in person."


    "OH SHIT"


    "Excuse me?"


    " Ah nothing, I just remembered I need to uh... use the bathroom"


    The man directly hangs up upon hearing that reply.


    "Embrassassing..." Jared muttered.


    "More importantly... oh god, this is cutting it way too close for my liking, if I leave now, then I can definitely get there in time... but how am I going to get Gastly over?, he said he hates the sun, and I have no Pokeball for him to hide in! shit shit shit."


    Looking around in a panic, Jared pleads, "Hey Gastly are you there, it''s really important"


    A grumpy-looking Gastly can be seen appearing on the ceiling, "I told you I don''t like the sun human!"


    "Er, well, I have a bit of a situation, I have to get to the pokemon lab right now if I want to sign up, is there any way you can travel in the sun?"


    "There is, but you won''t like it human"


    .


    A man can be seen running down the sidewalk of Tapu Village City, he was uncontrollably shivering despite the hot Alola weather.


    (He wasn''t kidding, when he said I wouldn''t like it, my body feels like a bloody refrigerator when he possessed me.)


    Jared mutters in between breaths as he runs towards his destination, "Hey gastly, I don''t suppose you can use telepathy or something and read my mind, so people don''t look at me like I have schizophrenia?"


    "No, stupid human"


    "Well, what about possessing a rock or something so I can carry you?"


    "You already asked that, and the answers still no! Why don''t you bash a rock against your head instead?"


    Gastly then growls angrily, the reverberations almost knocking Jared over.


    "Gastly cut it out!"


    "No! you could have left me at home human, and then signed up on your own, yet you still brought me out here!"


    Jared chides while huffing and puffing, as he continues running, "No, I already told you, I have no idea what the situation is going to be like, what if they require you to be present? I don''t have time to come back and get you, and even if that wasn''t the case, the battles will still take place during the day, and without a pokeball, I have no other means to bring you over unless you wanna hop out into the sun"


    "Hurry up then... human, I can feel the sun through your skin, I feel... uncomfortable"


    "YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE? I''M FREEZING TO DEATH HERE"


    Jared''s sudden shout made a nearby pedestrian jump. The pedestrian curses the man running past.


    "You ass!"


    With chattering teeth, Jared grunts, "Hey gastly, I don''t suppose you know how to fight?"


    "I''ve been in many fights human"


    "What moves do you know then?"If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Moves?"


    "Yeah, don''t you know how to do stuff like hypnosis and lick?"


    "Of course I do human!"


    "Alright, what else can you do besides that?"


    "...I can go invisible"


    "Hey gastly, I''m starting to have second thoughts about our chances of winning..."


    "Shut up human, go fight them yourself then"


    Cough, "uh... what level are you gastly?"


    "Stop being stupid and make sense human, don''t think I won''t ignore you forever!"


    (Oh well, it was worth a shot, why couldn''t I be transported to a pokemon universe with a system that has pokemon levels? This is clearly unfair! I want to file a complaint! yes, I''m going to petition god to rectify this situation the next time I see him!)


    .


    It could be seen from a distance, a large hulking metal giant stood thirty-five stories tall, and dozens of acres wide. It stood proudly and daunted those that approach. People and pokemon can be seen streaming into it, it was as if they were a gushing torrent. There were very few coming out of it.


    Pausing his steps some fifty feet away, Jared remarks while putting his phone away, "Okay, something tells me that''s the place."


    "Then go already stupid human"


    Rushing in with twenty minutes to spare, Jared mixes in with the crowd of people, as he pushes his way through.


    "I wonder why there are no guards at the door?" Jared noted.


    The inside was unexpected, the roofs were extremely high, and crowds of people and their pokemon could be seen standing around idly, as if waiting for their fate. They all had determined looks.


    There was an uncountable amount of people, but the size of the floor easily accommodated them with lots of space to spare. The noise of so many talking people was like a hellish chorus, and on closer inspection, the people were all of different ages.


    (Hmm, It seems that with such long lifespans there''s no restriction on age, but perhaps that means the competition will be fierce)


    There were up to a hundred people lined up orderly, but they were spread out in fifteen lines. Next to each line stood a man wearing a black uniform with dark blue jeans, on their right arm was a thick red stripe, wearing a tall blue cap.


    Jared couldn''t help but chuckle at their attire, (They look like they belong in the red ribbon army... although I wouldn''t mind if this were the DBZ universe... who wouldn''t want to fire chi blasts and destroy planets with a wave of their hand?)


    Moving his eyes away, Jared took a second to find the shortest line, then he made his way towards one with clear haste.


    Jared pretends to cover his mouth to cough, then whispers with chattering teeth, "Hey Gastly, I don''t suppose you can come out now?"


    The chill that had accompanied him on his way over suddenly vanished, but Gastly was nowhere to be seen.


    Jared whispers again, a little louder now, "Er, are you still here partner?"


    "Yes pathetic human, stop looking so nervous, you will make other stupid humans question my decision to follow you."


    Straightening up, Jared laughed, then spoke louder than he should, " HAH, we can''t have that now can we?"


    The four people lined up in front, as well as people from other lines, looked over in confusion at the random outburst.


    Coughing, Jareds face turns a bit red at the unwanted attention.


    Ten minutes later, a word was called that broke Jared from his reverie "Next"


    From a loudspeaker, it could then be heard, " REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSING IN FIVE MINUTES, THOSE NOT IN LINE AFTER CUTOFF WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REGISTER."


    Ignoring the loudspeaker Jared steps up, "Hello sir, I would like to register for the tournament"


    After handing over his proof of identity, the teller asks, "Alright sir, what pokemon will you be entering?"


    "Gastly"


    The middle-aged teller''s eye''s widened with a shout, "GASTLY?"


    The teller had said it a bit loud, which caused a few people in the direct vicinity to hear it.


    Some people could be heard whispering, "Did the receptionist just say gastly?"


    "Nah, there''s no way"


    Many eyes were now on Jared, and he started to feel uncomfortable.


    Jared confirmed albeit bashfully, "Er, yes"


    The receptionist regained his calm with a cough, "You''ll have to excuse me, sir, this is the first time I''ve ever heard of someone entering with a gastly."


    The teller then hands Jared a strip of paper with some numbers on it. The piece of paper had his name along with his age, and his registered pokemon.


    The teller then spoke respectfully," In case you didn''t know, this tournament will last three days, there are ten floors and eight arenas. There is no pokemon center here, however, if you go and show them this slip, they will heal you for free as long as the tournament lasts.


    The man then types into his computer, "Your match will be in approximately two hours if fast, and two and a half if slow, during that time you can watch the matches, however, you won''t be able to hear your name called unless you wait here."


    "Er, can you tell me which arena, and is there a way you can just call my phone?"


    "No."


    With that, Jared was asked to step aside, and he did so.


    A few people gave him intrigued looks as he walks past, but Jared doesn''t seem to notice.


    Picking an empty spot, Jared waits, (you''d think they''d have a better system in place for this, for such an advanced society they really do a lot of things the old-fashioned way... although, I admit, I do kind of like it.)


    Gastlys voice then echos faintly in Jared''s mind, "Potions won''t work on me human"


    Fishing out his phone, Jared pretends to talk into it, "What?"


    "I said your stupid human pokemon centers are useless on me human."


    "I know for a fact that''s not what you just said, but then how am I going to heal you if you get hurt?


    "Simple human, just let me eat your pain"


    Jared grumbles into the phone, "Are you serious? I can''t just mutilate myself here, isn''t there anything else I can do?"


    Gastly gives a mental shrug, "I recover faster during possession"


    ...


    "Of course you do...", replies an exasperated Jared.


    (While possessions make me feel cold and tired, but... compared to mutilation this is nothing!)

 unfinished draft 17

    Jared saw something he hadn''t noticed when he had come in because he had been too focused on signing up.


    At another entrance to the building, on the other side, there was a separate lineup, and a crowd of people seemed to be buying tickets.


    Just then, a cold voice boomed through the loudspeakers above, "The cutoff time has elapsed"


    (that was close, if I accidentally lined up there thinking I was registering, I would have lost my chances to compete... and that gastly probably wouldn''t ever let me live it down, for rushing him over with me.)


    As if on Q, the red ribboned security guards planted themselves directly in front of the lines, and began deterring late comers from attempting to line up.


    A minute later, and after a bit of static, a magnetic older woman''s voice can be heard shouting through the loudspeaker amping up the crowd, "HELLO FUTURE OFFICIAL TRAINERS!"


    "And welcome to the quarterly Tapu Village Research Lab Pokemon Tournament! I see many bright hopefuls out there among you! and I''m excited to see you become the next official pokemon trainer! In just half an hour the matches will begin!! When your number is called, please come up, and you''ll be escorted to your opponent!"


    "As a reminder, the rounds are one on one single-elimination, you are not allowed to use any other pokemon besides the one you registered, and if you do not show up within fifteen minutes of being called you will forfeit, so be there or be square, thank you!"


    The excitement was now palpable, people of all ages could be seen clenching their fists, or cheering in excitement, while many others were shaking nervously. If an outside observer glanced around, it would seem more like a human exhibit on human emotions, rather than a crowd of competitors.


    While they all had different circumstances and backgrounds, today they all shared the same goal, yes, they all wanted to become recognized as an official pokemon trainer. They each felt they had a shot, but in the end, there can only be three winners!


    The prizes below the coveted three would act as nothing more than a poor consolation prize in the eyes of the expectant crowd!


    The magnetic voice was then replaced by a more muted male caster that begins droning on about the restrictions and rules, as well as a quick rundown of the arena layout.


    Shaking a bit with excitement, from the earlier voice riling him up along with the crowd, Jared tries his best to focus on the new announcer. He feared he would somehow missing some crucial information.


    Those that listened would learn that the arenas were nearly identical. Each arena is exactly one hundred yards squared *football-field-sized*, and completely closed off. The lighting would be even. This was to make it fairer for the pokemon sensitive to bright light, or those weakened by the sun. This was something a certain trainer and his Gastly felt very thankful for.


    There would be plenty of obstacles and waist-deep pools of water evenly distributed, and plentiful rocks and sand to accommodate all pokemon types, but Jared mused that the layout of the arena would likely favor water pokemon, already knowing the inhabitant''s preferences for water types.


    .


    A pretty young lady with neatly braided hair and cheerful blue eye''s can be heard holding a mic, which distracted Jared''s train of thought,


    "Hello, and welcome, I''m your host Leilani, and I''m coming to you live at the Tapu Village Research Lab, the excitement is growing here, and I can promise you this will be one of the greatest tournaments yet!"


    The camera pans to her left but keeps Leilani in the frame, "On my left here are three super talented young trainers. Many will agree that they stand a good chance at snagging a top placing with their extraordinary water pokemon!"


    "The viewers at home may know these three aspiring trainers from their exhibition matches held here weekly, and broadcasted to you at home, but let me introduce them to you anyway!"


    Jared knitted his brows, (Weekly? it''s a pity I never heard about this until now!)


    A crowd of people and trainers had since started to gather around from a distance. They listened with interest as the woman''s voice continues echoing loudly,


    "The first trainer on our left is someone you all know, born right here in Tapu Village City is none other than our very own Akoni! and with his adorable and super rare vaporeon. He remains undefeated since his debut! With his vaporeon''s agility and technical strikes, along with the ability to dodge strikes by turning into water vapor, he and his vaporeon rapidly rose to fame since his graduation three months ago! and is now the number one seed!"


    As a trainer who had never fought, Jared thought it prudent to memorize the faces of the top competitors, even if it wouldn''t give him an advantage.


    The youngster named Akoni can be seen when the camera briefly focuses on him, he looks weak, as if he never had a hard day in his life, he was richly dressed in a gaudy black suit, and had neatly combed short black hair.


    He was handsome, but not thoughtful, he smirked arrogantly when he was called out, and he didn''t seem to think much of the competition.


    (Ergh! something tells me this is a setup, I bet his rich parents had this pokemon trained and prepared for him the day he turned ten... gastly is still untested... so I have no idea how he will fare even against normal competitors let alone him, so I hope to god we never meet in the ring. Wait... what''s this about vaporeon''s being able to turn into vapor? Is this similar to when gastly disperses?)


    .


    After another introduction the camera pans back to show a new face, his name was Ken, seventeen, he can be seen smiling calmly with cool confidence, his poofy brown hair, and relaxed demeanor made others feel happy to just be in his presence, his pokemon was a wartortle, freshly evolved.


    He had apparently competed many times, and always placed top fifteen, and now with his evolved wartortle, he was a fan favorite to reach the top three.


    "Last but not least is Kekoa! with his powerful tentacruel, he has been having great results recently, so he''s someone you should watch out for!''


    (That''s interesting... I never would have thought a tentacruel would be a top competitor... wouldn''t it struggle to perform in the waist-deep water?)


    The final trainer appeared to be twelve years based on his youthful demeanor, but when you looked into his sharp green eyes, you could see an undisguised hunger in them for victory, Kekoa nodded when he was mentioned, and went back to sizing up his competition.


    Jared scans the last trainer, and memorizes his face with a frown, "Why are the top seeds so young? wouldn''t long-time trainers with years and years of experience have a much better shot?"


    A voice can then be heard from behind, "Hehe, I hope you don''t think me rude, but I couldn''t help but overhear what you said."


    Jared casually turns to see a long brown-haired man, with a slight beard but no mustache, his kind eyes, and the smile lines on his face along with his strong muscles reminded him of Kukui. Jared greets him politely in turn, "No not at all, if you''d be willing to tell me I''d be very grateful actually, my name is Jared, and you are?"


    "Hale", Hale reaches out and gives a firm handshake, "Sorry again for striking up a conversation out of the blue, maybe I''m just a bit nervous, I''ve been competing for years, but I never placed well."


    Then Hale sighs, "As for your question, I think I have an answer to it, it probably comes down to talent and dedication."


    "How so?"


    "Well... I can only speak from experience, so don''t take my words as true, but as I''m sure you know..."


    Hale leaned in, as if he were telling a secret, "It''s hard to train your pokemon when you''re working all day... and the diets of the pokemon are very important, most normal folks like me can only afford to feed our pokemon cheaply, and after a few years of losing competitions, it''s easy to get discouraged and slack."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Jared nods in thought.


    "I don''t think I''ve seen you around, have you competed before Jared?"


    "I er, uh, I never competed"


    Hale seems a bit surprised, " Never competed? At your age? Not even in the towns?"


    Jared feels his cheeks redden, " Er-r, I always wanted to, b-but... it''s kind of a long story..."


    Gastlys voice then booms in Jared''s mind, "Stop being pathetic in my presence human, you''re stumbling over your words like an idiot!"


    Jared smiles at Gastlys comment, "Say, Hale, when''s your match?"


    Seeing the strange change in Jared, Hale replies questioningly, "In about two or so hours, why?"


    "Well, I was thinking of going over to watch a few matches, you want to come with me?"


    Hale smiles widely and laughs, "Yeah man, let''s do it"


    .


    After traveling through one of the many elevators to the second floor, Jared and Hale find themselves greeted to an enclosed area.


    The place they were in now was a long horizontal strip.


    Behind them were clean windows stretching far off, and in front of them was a door around twenty meters away. Above the door was an ornate plaque with the words, *Arena two.*


    The other arenas would also presumably be found if you simply traveled further down the strip, but they decided arena two was a good a place as any, and they made their way through it.


    People could be seen streaming out of the elevators on either side, while the more athletic of them took the stairs up, but they all had a goal, and that was the arena.


    The inside looked much like a hockey rink, there were bleachers to sit all around, and ultra-thick reinforced glass to prevent shrapnel from impacting the audience, but the see-through glass still allowed the viewers to see what''s happening.


    Jared''s eyes opened wide when he saw four Mr. Mimes standing idly around the stadium, they were in a box formation. Jared couldn''t help but ask his new friend "Any idea what they are doing?"


    Hale raised his eyebrows, then looks over to where his new friend had pointed, "aha them, they are there to reinforce the glass with a barrier to prevent accidents, although most matches won''t require it, there have been accidents in the past so it''s now mandatory."


    The arena itself was not quite as described, Jared chuckled when he notices the amount of water was more than advertised, the arena had artificial rivers that connected to one another, each covering at least half of the field in a grid, with everything else in between.


    Food and drink vendors were busily going up and down the isles, while around a hundred people were sitting around waiting for the show to start, with more spectators likely to come.


    While the people waited, Jared could feel their raw visceral excitement at the hope of a bloody spectacle, at least he thought that''s the feeling he felt.


    Jared then imagined that this must be what it was like in a Roman Coliseum.


    .


    Looking down into the arena itself, Jared sees two people that looked something like referees, they were on opposite ends of the arena waiting for something.


    Jared begins looking around from his seat, and was surprised to see that there were no camera crews in the stands, perhaps they got tipped off that the match taking place wouldn''t be worth their time, he thought.


    Sitting in the stands, chatting idly with Hale, the first match was soon announced by one of the referees down below.


    Halia with psyduck


    VS


    Iulio with seel


    Iulio was a weather-beaten man in his forties, while Halia was a freckled girl looking to be around fourteen.


    The two threw their pokeballs, and then the referees on either side shouted, "Begin"


    The two trainers and their pokemon were nearly eighty yards apart from their opponent, so after the announcement yell, they began cautiously moving towards each other, with their pokemon leading from the front.


    Jared was disappointed when there was no commentary, but a mic strapped to each trainer at least let him hear their voices, at least from where he sat.


    In between the lull, while the trainers were moving towards each other, Jared turns to his new friend and asks, "Who do you think will win?"


    Hale scratches his chin with a grin, "Mmm, I think the seel will struggle, the psyduck can use psychic moves, and the seels water type moves will have less effect due to psyduck''s water typing... Hm yes, the seels only hope is to get in close with a bite or a headbutt, but they aren''t known to be agile on land... then again neither is the psyduck, I suppose only time will tell."


    In response, Jared scratched his chin thoughtfully.


    .


    Finally, in range, the two trainers give quick commands,


    "Psyduck, use confusion, don''t get close!"


    "Seel, rush in for a headbutt!"


    Psyduck eyes glowed purple as the seel trundles, the creature moved faster than you''d imagine!


    An almost invisible sheen of purple flashes towards the seel, and impacts it on its left flipper!


    Seel roars in visible pain, as the blow knocks it off balance and lands him painfully into a nearby protruding boulder.


    Fortunately, Seel was now out of Psyduck''s line of sight and wasn''t at risk of Psyducks bombardment during his moment of weakness.


    Iulio becomes flustered, "Er, Seel, pick yourself up, just keep closing the distance, don''t let up"


    Seel gets himself up from behind the cover, then spies the smirking Psyduck had moved further away. He then once again begin''s barreling towards him, but he was visibly slower than before.


    Hale shakes his head, "Charging in isn''t going to work, he should have pressured the psyduck with water gun to unbalance it, while he moved in close. Conserving stamina was a poor move, and with his injured flipper, he won''t be able to close the distance at this rate."


    Jared nods along, not averting his eyes from the battle.


    "Psyduck! Keep him away, spam your confusions, don''t let up!" Halia cried.


    "Don''t let him hit you, Seel, evade into the river!"


    Seel jumps into the river, a steak of purple flies past, and lands a lucky hit on his back flipper!


    Seel falls painfully into the river with a splash, blood starts to flow from its wounds, and the confusion was beginning to make its head feel muddled, but he finally slinks down into the water, to avoid any more damage.


    "Seel, stay in the water, try to recover!"


    The crowd halfheartedly jeers, they weren''t quite impressed by the poor showing so far.


    "Hey Hale, what happens when a trainer runs and hides with his pokemon, or two trainers stay back and don''t fight?"


    Hale blinks, "Fights can only last for a maximum of fifteen minutes, if both trainers stay back, they will both be eliminated, or in the event that one trainer''s pokemon stays in the open, while the other hides, the pursuing trainer will win, while if both pokemon become unable to battle, then... I think it will come down to a referee''s decision."


    Halia orders her psyduck to stay where he is, and to keep his eye''s on the river.


    A sort of lul came over the field for nearly ten minutes, then suddenly Iulio shouts, "Seel, out of the water, shoot psyduck with water guns, try to get close, but don''t get hit!"


    Bleeding, Seel explodes out of the water with a murderous glint in his eyes, and he begins peppering high-pressure water guns at Psyduck.


    Psyduck keeps his distance, and he tries his best to bean the evading seel with another confusion.


    A confusion whizzes past, a near miss!


    Seel catches Psyduck in the lower body with high-pressure water, knocking psyduck directly off his feet!


    "Psyduck get up, don''t let him close in!"


    Psyduck has no cover, and from this range, the Seel wouldn''t miss his water guns.


    Psyduck struggles himself up, then another water gun sends it sprawling back to the ground.


    "That''s it seel! Now! close in with a headbutt combo, let''s finish this!"


    Seel was rapidly closing in, he was now only six meters away, and gaining.


    Seeing Psyduck unable to get up, or increase the distance, Halia screams, "Psyduck, stand your ground! just hit him from where you are, he''s weak!"


    Psyduck turns his body and faces the approaching Seel fearfully.


    The sharp point above Seels head was now rapidly approaching, and after a blink of hesitation, Psyduck fires a point blank confusion straight into the seels neck.


    Seel roars, spitting blood from its mouth, but holds on and tenaciously closes the last few feet.


    The psyduck has no more time to fire off a confusion and he panics.


    Halia panics too, and gives out contradictory orders, the Psyduck turns to flee, but slips.


    With inevitable momentum, Seel rams home right through the psyducks chest, and blood begins pouring!


    With the psyduck embedded in his horn, Seel flings his victim up high, and like a ragdoll, the bleeding Psyduck falls down HARD with a crack.


    Psyduck doesn''t move.


    The crowd erupts into cheers, as the referee declares Seel the winner.


    Blood dripping from his neck and flippers, Seel collapses on the ground with a glorious grin.


    He had won!


    Jared''s eyes widen in utter shock, " Hale! Psyduck got three hits on the seel, and yet he was defeated in only one!?"


    Hale laughs, still feeling the thrill of the match, "the seel is big, he can take more punishment, and it was really only one good hit. If the psyducks aim was more true, and he struck the Seels head, perhaps we''d have a different winner, that seel was really tenacious wasn''t he? that was truly exhilarating wasn''t it?"


    Jared frowns, "Yeah... but that psyduck wasn''t moving, you think he''s okay?"


    With a light wave, Hale just chuckles, " Pokeman have an incredible lifeforce, even if you cracked that psyducks head open, it still won''t be enough to finish them off. "


    Hale then continues in a more serious tone, "unless your goal is to kill, death is rare, and quite unlikely"


    They stayed to watch a few more matches, but none were quite as exciting at the first.


    .


    Jared went back, but Hale stayed to watch one more.


    Finding a spot to stand in the wide-open first-floor lobby, Jared picks up his phone then spoke, "Say, Gastly, what did you think of the matches, do you feel confident?"


    Gastly gives a mental snort, " I didn''t watch, those weaklings are not worth my time"


    With exasperation, Jared chides, "You can''t be serious, you only know lick and hypnosis and you already have a superiority complex?"


    "Hmph, stupid ugly human you''ll see."


    Forty minutes later, Jared hears his number called, and with heart palpitations, he head''s up to the counter, and he gets led by one of the red ribboned security guards to arena four.


    Being led through a few staff-only doors, Jared finds himself standing under an overhang.


    Through it, he felt an illusion play out before him, through that wide door was a new world, a world only his own, and one only he can tread.


    Through that wide door no longer laid an arena, no, through his eyes, it was now a gate to war!


    A proving ground, a place where dreams can be made or broken, a place to inflict your own will on others or have it shattered before you. At this stage, you are given an opportunity, an opportunity to build your first stepping stone towards your ideals, on the back of another, and if you dare misstep your world will crumble never to be reformed!


    Feeling the ringing of fate in his ears, a ring only he can hear, Jared steps into the lights, as a crowd cheers.

 unfinished draft 18

    The referee gives Jared the rundown at the entrance, and as expected, the time limit was fifteen minutes, and he was only allowed to use Gastly.


    After a minute more the referees on either side announce into the loudspeakers, "Hale and Ariados vs Jared and Gastly."


    The crowd strains their eye''s trying to find the rarely seen Gastly, but many of them frown in confusion when all they see is Jared.


    .


    "BEGIN!"


    Clearing his throat, Jared mutters, "Wait, did I hear wrong? did he say... Hale?"


    Getting his head back in the game, Jared whispers something, but it was too quiet for the mic to pick up on, "Hey, Gastly, I don''t suppose you can possess pokemon and defeat them from the inside?"


    "No human, I can possess a pokemon, yes, but, I wouldn''t be able to do anything besides make them feel cold, and unlike a weak human, their overpowering lifeforce would only make me weaker."


    "Well... er, do you need me to like, tell you to do moves?"


    "No dumb human, only stupid pokemon need to be told what to do, just distract them."


    The crowd continues looking on. They were confused as to why Jared didn''t throw a pokeball. Even the referee seemed a bit confused, but Jared had assured him he was ready.


    As the two trainers get in range, Jared''s eyes widen when he indeed spots a familiar face.


    The pokemon of his new friend was an ariados!


    Hale laughs, "It''s a small world isn''t it Jared! I wish you the best of lu-" Just then, Ariados gets hit by slow-moving hypnosis directly to the back of his head, and the insect pokemon then falls unconscious.


    Gastly smiles cruelly from behind Hale then vanishes, only to reappear by Ariados''s right forelimb.


    Gastly then gets to work licking the ariados''s yellow and purple spiderlike limb.


    Hale looks deeply surprised, and shouts, "NO! Ariados snap out of it!"


    Araidos rouses from his slumber, and quickly turns to fire a short-range leech life at the gastly, but Gastly just smirks.


    He had noticed Ariados twitching right before waking up, and had already begun dematerializing.


    Seeing the Gastly disappear once more, Hale commands, "Guard your head Ariados, don''t let hypnoses hit again!"


    Hale then glares at Jared, angered by the sneak attack mid-sentence.


    Jared just watches with wide-opened eyes.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Ariados raises his left forelimb, but his right doesn''t respond, the paralyzing licks did their work.


    Cold sweat runs down Hales back, "Ariados, keep an eye out, I''ll let you know when Gastly appears!"


    A few minutes pass, while Hale and his large bug pokemon warily eye the surroundings. Sweat dripped down his back, and Hale waited impatiently for Gastly to reappear, he dared not let his guard down.


    Suddenly!


    From the water, hypnosis accurately strikes Ariados''s head on the right side, his remaining forelimb could only uselessly guard his left.


    Gastly disappears from the river, and reappears on Ariados''s left forelimb a second later, and begins furiously licking it, Ariados wakes up quickly this time, and he rolls over to fire off another leech life, but Gastly was already long gone.


    Beginning to feel dread now, Hale screams, "Shake it off Ariados it''s not over yet!"


    Just then Gastly begins materializing behind Ariados.


    Hale shouts, "Ariados behind you!"


    Ariados does his best to use his two remaining back limbs to turn around, but he was slow!


    As Araidos turns, Gastly casually moves with him, then unhurriedly begins licking Ariados''s left-back limb with a wide grin.


    Slowly Ariados''s left-back limb fails him, and it drops down lifelessly. Admirably, he does his best to turn with his only functioning leg, but it''s a fruitless struggle.


    Then, Gastlys voice booms in Jared''s mind with laughter, "You see human, you see my strength now?!"


    Seeing the Araidos now unable to move, but still flailing about, Gastly begins ineffectively gnawing on the limp back limb on Ariados''s left.


    Slowly, very slowly, purple blood starts dripping from the small bite marks.


    Araidos screeches in pain and fury, but can do nothing.


    Hale shakes his head with a sigh, and throws a pokeball, " Ariados return"


    With a victorious grin, Gastly fades away once more.


    .


    Just then a voice erupts from the loudspeakers, "Jared and his Gastly win! and will advance to the round of 120!"


    The crowd was silent for a moment, but soon begin halfheartedly cheering. The display was too strange, and nobody really knew what was going on during the match, as Jared didn''t give any commands.


    Hale glares at his victorious opponent with a resentful tone, "Did you need to sneak attack me mid-sentence?"


    Jared frantically shakes his hands, " I I, I, t-this is my first pokemon battle, I-I didn''t even know what he was g-going to do."


    The invisible gastly growls in Jared''s mind, "Shut. Up. Human."


    Scratching his head, Hale looks down at the ground with a sigh, then looks back up with a laugh, "Sorry Jared, it wasn''t your fault, the match already began, I should have known better than to stop for a chat."


    Jared looks down, "Sorry Hale"


    Hale walks up and pats him on the shoulder with a genuine smile, "It''s alright my friend, your gastly is strong!"


    Seeing Jared not meeting his eyes, Hale scratches his stubble and continues, "Yes, I think we would have lost no matter what, so don''t worry about it okay?"


    The referees begin leading the two away to their respective sides, while Gastly berates Jared in his mind,


    "STUPID HUMAN, IF YOU ACT THIS PATHETIC IN VICTORY, I CAN''T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN DEFEAT, WHAT HAPPENED TO "CRUSHING" ALL IN YOUR PATH?"


    Jared just mutters depressingly, "I will, but I still feel I wronged Hale."


    Gastly roars so loudly in his mind that Jared gets knocked to the floor. The referee leading Jared out turns back, and looks at the downed trainer questioningly.


    "NO, YOU STUPID FOOL! WAKE UP, HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL WHEN THE PERSON I FOLLOW KEEPS SHOWING HIS PATHETIC SIDE TO ME? WHAT HAPPENED TO LYING, CHEATING, AND STEALING TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR IDEALS?! STOP LYING DOWN LIKE A BEATEN DOG, AND STOP PITYING THE PEOPLE YOU DEFEATED IDIOT!!!!!"


    Jared blinks in shock.


    In a more subdued tone, Gastly angrily spits, "Stupid human, can''t you see how you are making me feel, when you look like that?"


    The referee starts shaking Jareds shoulders and says something, but the voice seems muted and distant to Jared''s ears.


    Gastlys voice then booms louder than ever, "YOU ARE NO LONGER ALONE STUPID HUMAN, YOU NEED TO BE STRONG FOR THOSE THAT TAKE UP YOUR CAUSE OR THEY WILL LOSE FAITH!!! IF EVEN YOU FALTER THEN HOW CAN YOU EXPECT THOSE THAT FOLLOW YOU NOT TO FALL AS WELL?!!

 unfinished draft 19

    Closing his eyes Jared gives a complicated smile before whispering, "You''re right, Gastly, I''m not the only one walking this path anymore, I can''t let my feelings keep getting in the way."


    .


    "Mr Jared, can you hear me?" Finally shaken from his trance by the referee, Jared opens his eyes, and looks around before realizing he''s still in the tunnel that leads to the arena.


    He struggles to his feet, then dusts himself off like nothing happened, "Yes, sorry about that I''m fine."


    "Are you sure? you were out for over two minutes, and muttering to yourself, maybe you should just wait, I called for help, a medic should be here soon."


    Not wanting to make a big deal out of it, Jared replies with a reassuring smile, "Really it''s nothing, I just er, just got so excited for the tournament that I didn''t sleep well for the past two days, so I got a bit dizzy that''s all."


    Frowning, the referee then pulls out a walkie-talkie then spends a short time letting them know everything is okay.


    .


    Jared is taken to the end of the tunnel.


    Waiting there is the same red ribboned guard from earlier, the referee heads back into the tunnel, while the guard leads Jared back to reception on the first floor.


    Jared learns that the round of 480 is not over, and is told his next match should be in approximately five hours.


    Picking a spot on the first floor, along with the other trainers Jared soon discovers that the amount of remaining competitors has greatly reduced.


    (Hah...)


    Jared pats his stomach, (fives hours huh... I haven''t eaten this morning, now I''m starving, I''m either going to have to go back home and eat, or find out what I can buy with only five dollars.)


    Fishing his phone out of his pocket, he was about to say something to Gastly, but then a thought suddenly hits him, "Oh shit"


    (Oh no, I didn''t even call the school to let them know I wasn''t going to show up, and I don''t even have the schools number), "shit shit shit"


    Putting the phone to his ear, Jared speaks, "Hey Gastly, I need to run over to the school to let them know what''s going on, can you possess me?"


    Gastly''s grumpy voice appears in his mind, "Just go, I don''t want to go out in the sun."


    Jared frowns, "You need to recover from your match anyways, so just possess me"


    "Stupid human, I didn''t even get hit, I don''t need to recover"


    "Don''t lie to me, I know using moves consumes your energy, so stop making a scene and just get in already."


    A deep chill begins to pervade Jared''s body, and with a shiver, he heads back out into the hot Alola sun.


    .


    Near the entrance, Jared finds his friend, and when their eyes meet, Hale smiles.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    They exchange numbers, and Hale makes Jared promise to let him watch his next match.


    Jared leaves in a warm mood, despite the bone-chilling cold from the possession.


    .


    Thirty minutes later, Jared passed the deadpanned guard and his pidgey, and now can be found talking to Nana the obese receptionist, " Er hello Nana, I just thought I''d drop by and let you know I was skipping school for the tournament."


    Noticing a sweaty and shivering Jared, Nana slightly straightens her slouch, then speaks lazier than ever, "Mosta the teachers an students ar over ther on a field trip, why didnit you just go withem?"


    Jared scratches his head, "Erm! I have a pokemon so I''m competing."


    Rolling her eyes Nana nods, "I''ll mark youw as present fer the next three days, go have yer fun."


    Still shivering, Jared is back in his alley, there he spots a bruised and battered Kai sitting against one of the disrepaired homes, next to a broken street lamp. he was looking thinner than he last saw him.


    Jared stops to chat, "Hey Kai, what happened, you lose a fight?"


    Kai just looks away and shakes his head with a lost look in his eyes, all the arrogance and fight in him seeming to be gone.


    Jared sighs at the nonanswer, then a memory begins playing back in his mind as the cold is temporarily forgotten, (Isn''t this just like me back then? am I now the passerby watching someone else struggling at death''s door?)


    Noticing Jared look away, Kai lets out a feeble sigh then hangs his head down in thought, (yes, he''s just like the rest, just like the rest of them my life is worth no more than a passing glance, as they go on their way.)


    .


    But, unlike all the others that averted their eyes, Kai looks up to see Jared now standing over him, holding out a warm hand, "Say, Kai, I got some extra food, why don''t you come in and have some?"


    Kai looks up with surprise, as he instinctively grabs hold of the outstretched hand, and can only utter "Why?" as he gets to his feet.


    Jared begins walking away with a shiver, "Are you coming or not?"


    Opening up the door, Jared walks in, but Kai hesitates before the entrance, "You''re not tricking me are you?"


    Jared just laughs, "What reason would I have to trick a dying dog on the side of the road, get in here already."


    .


    Gastly had since left Jared''s body, so the frigid chill disappeared.


    Sitting around a pot of boiling rice, Kai licks his lips hungrily.


    Jared clears his throat, "Say, Kai, What happened to your friend?"


    Kai shakes his head, "He went back to the orphanage"


    The older man nods, "Why don''t you go back there too?"


    "I can''t go back, not after what he did to my sister."


    Jared stirs the rice with a frown, " Who''s he, and what did he do?"


    Shaking his head, Kai refuses to speak about it any further, making Jared frown deeper.


    While watching Kai hungrily eat, Jared scratches his neck while looking up at the ceiling, "Say, Kai, if you promise not to steal my stuff and run away... would you like to live here with me for a while? I know it''s cramped, but it''s better than the street."


    Looking at Kai for an answer, Jared sees him pause his eating and lightly nod, before continuing to stuff his face.


    Jared sighs in his mind, (it seems beneath all that bravado was really just a suffering kid huh...)


    Checking the time, Jared notices that there was still plenty of time, but he really wanted to watch more of the live matches, so he stood up, "Alright, Kai, I have somewhere to be now, and I''m taking the key with me, you can stay in here if you want, but you won''t be able to get out until I return"


    "W-hen will you be back?"


    "Hmm, probably eight hours"


    Thinking for a moment, Kai puts down the bowl and replies unsurely, "Then I-I''ll stay here if it''s ok..."


    "Alright, but if you use the mattress, clean yourself up first, there''s no bath, but there are cloths to wipe yourself off, don''t dirty the mattress okay?"


    Looking down, Kai replies, "Okay"


    Preparing himself to leave, Jared feels the familiar chill of Gastly in his veins.


    "Why did you do that human?"


    Jared pretends not to know, "Do what?"


    "Foolish human, from inside, that boy can easily kick down your door and run."


    "True, the hinges on the door won''t be able to bear a good kick from this side... but... maybe he will, maybe he won''t"


    "You risk much stupid human, can you afford to lose all your food?"


    With a laugh, Jared smirks, "It''s like you said Gastly, I should be willing to lie, cheat, and steal, if he takes my things and runs, we can just steal what we need can''t we?"


    "Idiot human, you know what I truly ask!"


    "Gastly, I''m too focused on running to talk, I''ll tell you later okay?"


    Gastlys voice can be heard cursing in Jared''s mind in his mind with all the insults he can think of," Stupid Ugly Ignorant Idiot Human"

 unfinished draft 20

    Making his way through the trainer waiting room, Jared hears people talking so he stops to listen for a moment, "I hear Akoni and his vaporeon are about to battle in arena four, you going?"


    "Nop, I''m probably getting called up soon, you go."


    Jared rubs his chin, (Hm? How do they know that? Is there a live video feed somewhere that is feeding people this information? Oh well, guess I was going to watch some matches anyway, arena four is a good a place as any.)


    Putting his phone to his head, Jared speaks up, "Say, Gastly, you gonna get out? I''m freezing here."


    Gastly gives a mind snort, then the chill begins to fade.


    .


    Walking towards the elevator, Jared asks, "Say, Gastly, I got a question for you, are you able to absorb all emotion or only negative ones, and can you absorb emotion from more than one person at once?"


    "All emotions, and all humans in my radius"


    "Why don''t you just go into a crowd of people or something and feast, isn''t that more efficient?"


    "Stupid human, you know nothing! Pulling in normal emotions costs more energy than it gives me, or else I wouldn''t be following your stupid self around."


    Scratching his head, Jared sighs, "Can you eat like... normal food too?"


    "No"


    "Good, because I don''t need another mouth to feed", Jared playfully remarked.


    "Stupid human"


    " Oh I see how it is, you call me stupid all day, so you can dish it out but you can''t take it huh?"


    "..."


    Jared chuckles at the silence, "How about we go check out arena four, partner? Surely even you, the great "Gastly" wouldn''t be one hundred percent confident against the number one seed huh?"


    "Arrogant human, I liked you better when you were a groveling mess"


    "I''ll take that as a yes"


    .


    In arena four, a match was still heatedly underway!


    Paras


    vs


    Poliwag


    Walking down the arena stands, dropped popcorn, and spilled juice could vaguely be sniffed, making Jared nostalgic.


    Sitting down, a man and his wife could be heard discussing the fight, and Jared soon learns the state of the match.


    The poliwag has been struggling after taking a partial stun spore, but the paras can''t seem to strike a decisive blow due to inexperience. Due to only knowing scratch and stun spore, Paras could only try to close the distance to deal damage.


    Looking into the arena, Paras can be seen hopping a few meters away from the poliwag, as it dodges a bubble.


    "Paras, just keep dodging, he''s getting tired out!"


    The arena was now soapy with bubbles, and after a successful dodge, Paras slips.


    Poliwags trainer smiles, "NOW! POLIWAG! KNOCK EM DOWN WITH A WATER GUN INTO A HYPNOSIS!", he shouts.


    Jared hums in wonder, (Poliwag knows hypnosis? I thought he was water type?) As he pondered, Paras narrowly avoids a water gun but was once again off-balance, a second water gun strikes true, knocking Paras onto his back.


    Poliwag fires a hypnosis, but the now flailing paras coincidentally blocks the blow with his front claw, as his trainer cries for him to get up.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Back on his feet, Paras dodges an imprecise water gun from a now visibly exhausted poliwag.


    Poliwags trainer panics, but a closer inspection would reveal a cunning glint in his eyes. He orders a command, which the crowd boos and jeers, "Poliwag, hide in the river, and recover your stamina."


    The opposing trainer sees an opportunity, "Paras, close in and scratch him up, he must be on his last legs!"


    Heavily breathing, Poliwag makes a beeline for the closest river, but it''s eight meters out, while Paras is already within two.


    From the blindspot of the Paras, it could be seen that Poliwag was overcharging a bubble in his mouth.


    "PARAS WATCH OUT!"


    Paras''s trainer notices it, but it''s too late, shifting his body mid-run, Poliwag fires a torrent of bubbles right into the eyes of the pursing Paras with a condescending smirk.


    Blinded, Paras keeps his momentum, then trips, coming to a stop, he begins rolling around on the ground wiping at his eyes.


    As if it was all planned, the Poliwag immediately begins charging towards the squirming Paras, and with a front flip to gain momentum, he hammers down his tail with a bone-breaking double slap. Even from far away, the sound of a cracking carapace is audible to all.


    "GET UP PARAS, BEFORE HE HITS YOU AGAIN, DON''T WORRY ABOUT YOUR EYE''S JUST RUN AWAY!!!"


    Shrieking in pain, Paras tries to obey his trainer, but the limbs on his right side were cracked, nearly limp, so it was slow going.


    "ONE MORE TIME POLIWAG, JUST ONE MORE!"


    Greedily gasping for air, the Poliwag pauses briefly.


    The exhaustion along with the recoil, as well as the partial paralyzation was visibly taking its toll.


    Noticing the cracked Paras almost back on his feet, Poliwag grits his teeth with a vicious squeak.


    Pulling the last bits of strength from within himself, Poliwag winds back then whips the flailing paras into the ground once more with yet another crushing blow.


    An even louder crunching sound is heard. Spiderlike cracks begin to cover an already frail carapace, and then something snaps. Paras'' already frail carapace was broken like lobster dinner!


    Paras begins spasming, but it soon becomes clear it was just an unconscious reaction, because a moment later he went completely still.


    Green blood was leaking from all his orifices and cracks.


    .


    "STOP STOP, I GIVE UP," With tears in his eyes, Paras'' trainer runs up and covers his unconscious pokemon, this was just incase Poliwag decides to strike yet another blow.


    Fortunately, the Poliwag was too exhausted to do much more than wobble on his feet. The recoil from his final strike had him reeling.


    Jared shakes his head in contemplation, (too interesting, it seems type advantage loses much of its benefit when you don''t know an effective move... Poliwag really was on its last legs though, if his trainer wasn''t so gung ho to have his Paras wildly charge in, then he probably could have still caught him before he reached the river, and finished him off.)


    The crowd cheers loudly when Poliwag and his trainer are declared victorious, many of them even getting to their feet with excited applause.


    Tilting his head away, Jared sighs, "These people are quite fickle, it was only a moment ago they were booing him... These people really do enjoy these bloody displays, don''t they..."


    Gastly mind snorts, "If a little blood bothers you now, It''s going to cost you later."


    "Heh, shush Gastly, I bleed myself every day, you know I''m not afraid of a little blood.", Jared said with a chuckle.


    "Keep telling yourself that, and maybe it''ll come true, stupid human"


    .


    Sometime later, a crew of cameramen could be seen gathering on different sides of the arena, Jared silently remarks while they set up, "It seems it was true, Akoni and his vaporeon are next."


    "Pathetic, all the battles were pathetic, and this one will be too, you humans make a big deal out of nothing."


    "So you were watching them after all?" A widely grinning Jared said.


    "No, I was just bored"


    "Suuuuuure..."


    "Shut up human, It''s starting," Spited Gastly.


    .


    With the Cameras set up on all sides of the square dome, you could feel a kind of frantic energy building, and everywhere you look people could be seen chattering excitedly.


    The number of people watching had now expanded by three-fold.


    Leilani was there as well, and two casters on either side could be heard whipping up the crowd into a frenzy.


    Jared taps his foot with a frown, "What''s the big deal? this is still the round of 480, won''t the random opponent Akoni faces just get flattened in half a second?"


    Some overfriendly teenagers overheard him from behind, and one of them decides to fill him in with a snarky voice, " Hey old man, he''s against Broly, so of course it''s a big deal."


    "Who''s Broly? Jared turned and said, completely ignoring the condescending tone.


    The kid just laughs in his face and goes back to talking to his friends excitedly.


    A well-dressed wisened man wearing a woven straw hat decides to cut in, speaking slowly, "If my aging mind recalls correctly, Broly should have finished in eighth place three months ago, along with his butterfree."


    Coughing painfully, he continues, "Broly''s Butterfree is not the average butterfree you see, it has Giga drain."


    (Ah! so that''s it!)


    "Thanks for letting me know sir," Jared said quite gratefully.


    With an embellishment not seen in his match, or the ones he had seen so far, a referee down below speaks in a deep tone through the speakers, "Ladies and gentlemen, as you are all aware, we have an exciting match here today!"


    He then pauses for dramatic effect, "Today we have our eight place finisher Broly with his butterfree!!! and he is versus the undefeated Akoni and his Vaporeon!!!"


    With those words, the crowd erupts with deafening cheers, the building energy, and frantic tension finally released at last.


    Jared could literally feel the soundwaves through his body.


    The referee waits for the cheering to wane, and then he bellows deeply,


    WITHOUT FURTHER ADU,


    BROLY AND BUTTERFREE!


    VS


    AKONI AND VAPOREON!


    "BEGIN!!!"

 Akoni Vs Broly

    The two trainers begin making their way towards each other.


    Akoni strolls forward with an undaunted swagger and confident steps.


    Broly approaches cautiously, knowing who he would be facing had stripped him of some hubris, cold sweat was dripping down his back.


    He knew his Butterfrees mega drain could win it outright, but that was only if Butterfree could hit, while he had not watched many matches, he had seen the speed of Akoni''s Vaporeon, so his teeth were clenched with well-deserved concern.


    Broly rubs his chin, as a plan slowly formulates in his mind, he calls his butterfree close and speaks too quietly for the mic to carry his voice.


    Butterfree senses his trainer''s worry, he had never seen Broly so concerned, so he listens as attentively as possible.


    Focusing his eyes on the Butterfree, Jared frowns, this is the second third stage pokemon I''ve seen, I don''t understand why they are so rare, what was I thinking about last time? Oh right, next time I speak to the tutor I need to ask him what factors cause pokemon to evolve, and whether it''s diet, or if it''s talent.


    Just then, it could have been the lights, but he could swear the butterfree was beginning to faintly glow with a dark brownish bronze color.


    Not averting his eye''s, Jared speaks up, "Hey gastly, does that butterfree look strange to you?"


    "No, but if you look in a mirror you can find something strange."


    Jared makes his tone more firm, "I''m serious Gastly, can you see a strange glow on the butterfree?"


    "There''s nothing like that stupid."


    Jared looks away and blinks, but when he turns back the glow was gone, so he decides to put that aside for the moment, and focus on the match.


    .


    Akoni and Vaporeon were now standing in the center of the arena oozing confidence, while Broly was still way back on his side.


    Seeing his unmoving adversary, Akoni addresses the crowd with a cocky shout, " It seems my opponent has stage fright, please cheer and give Broly some encouragement for me, will you!?


    The crowd laughs and jeers, giving Broly some additional hidden pressure, but now his plan was set. He and Butterfree were ready!


    As if responding to the crowd, he and Butterfree made their way closer. Butterfree soon separates from his trainer, then flew up high, and out of reach.


    In a few seconds, he was above the Vaporeon, then like a bullet from a gun, the Butterfree suddenly dives down like a hawk, and unleashes a wave of stun spores everywhere, trying to give as little opportunity for Vaporean to evade as possible.


    Akoni was already far behind his Vaporeon, but he moves back further with a frown. The prospect of being hit by a stun spore was not something he wanted to experience.


    The Vaporeon emotionlessly looks up towards the Butterfree, and simply sat there, seemingly without any intention of moving.


    The crowd gasps as the cloud of stun spore landed with the Vaporeon inside the epicenter, but some in the crowd knew what was going to happen next.


    Even if one of the announcers was in the know, they still hyped up the crowd, by announcing stun spore was a direct hit!


    The butterfree then fires a close range Giga Drain, but just as the shot goes off, the vaporeon starts turning into a mist, completely evading the powerful green flash!


    The stun spores embedded in Vaporeons skin had now fallen to the ground harmlessly.


    Confused, the butterfree stops in his tracks and looks around, and then heard Broly shout out, "DON''T STAY LOW, FLY BACK UP NOW!"Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    With some fast flaps of his wings, Butterfly begins his ascent, but a sudden sharp pain clipped his wing!


    Vaporeon had sneakily reformed himself behind a boulder, just out of Butterfree''s line of sight, and then using the boulder as leverage, he had propelled himself off it with one mighty leap!


    Not letting go, the emotionless Vaporeon drags a shrieking Butterflee down from the sky, Broly eyes open wide, then shouts, ''BUTTERFREE, GET HIM OFF YOU WITH SLEEP POWDER!"


    At the same time, a caster begins shouting in an excited voice, "Vaporeon locked on Butterfrees wing with a bite, is the match over before it began?!"


    Unknown to everyone present, besides Akoni, when Vaporeon had landed the bite, he had begun charging a move not yet seen in all his matches. Ice energy began congregating in Vaporeons mouth, and the affected area of the wing held in Vaporons mouth begins to freeze.


    The second the Sleep Powder flew, Vaporeon let loose a point-blank rainbow-colored aura-beam. This beam instantly froze Butterfrees right-wing with colorful ice!


    With a leap, Vaporeon gracefully hopped off the butterfree like a diving board to avoid the sleep powder!


    Thrown away, and with an agonizing shriek, Butterfree begins falling to the ground, a single wing being not nearly enough to keep him airborne, but it slowed his descent somewhat.


    Broly clenches his teeth with a curse, then accurately angles his pokeball, firing a red beam which intercepted his butterfree before it hits the ground.


    With a shake of his head he turns to leave, he was fuming with half part anger and half part helplessness.


    .


    Like a spell, a quiet lul comes over the arena, then like a dam breaking, the crowd erupts into cheers, the casters begin freaking out too, almost forgetting to speak,


    "Th-this is astonishing folks, Akoni''s Vaporeon came out of nowhere and clamped down on Broly''s Butterfree mid-air, but that wasn''t all, before Butterfree could shake him off with a sleep powder, Akoni showed a move he appears to have saved for this very moment, and won in dominating fashion! and if my eyes don''t deceive me, that was an Aura-Beam!!!"


    Akoni raises his hands up declaring his victory, which prompts the crowd to begin a second wave of cheering, the match had been short, but it was too eye-catching! The bright rainbow-colored aura-beam made even the lights above seem dim by comparison!


    Jared had watched closely, but he hadn''t even seen the Vaporeon strike until it already happened, Vaporeon was just too fast!


    Cough, "Er, so... Gastly, still feeling confident?"


    "Hrmph, it will be simple for me."


    "Seriously?" Jared slaps his head in disbelief, "You only know lick and hypnosis, even if you put his Vaporeon to sleep, and give him a few licks, what are you going to do when he turns into mist, fully negating your paralyzing... liquid"


    "Stupid human, I have sharp fangs."


    Still speechless, Jared replies, "Gastly, that''s not even a move, are you really just going to gnaw on the Vaporeon?"


    With a confident mind smirk, Gastly gloats, "Yes, it worked last time, it can work this time."


    "What are you going to do when your gnawing wakes it up, and it gives you an aura beam to the face?"


    "Hmph, that stupid catfish can try."


    .


    Getting a drink of water from the bathroom, Jared notes that everyone around seems to still be heatedly discussing the match. Many declaring that Akoni''s Vaporeon is unbeatable, while some even going so far as to dare anyone to tell them otherwise, it was as if Akoni''s victories were their own, and denying Akoni''s superiority was a personal attack against them.


    Jared heads back to take his seat while thinking of old memories, (these guys are definitely like the football fans of earth, it seems even here the people love an all-star, someone that comes out above all the rest!)


    .


    Even as new matches go on, people keep discussing the match, and Jared was starting to get bored hearing the same thing repeated over and over.


    Getting up, he then makes his way back to the lobby, there''s still an hour before the estimated time, but he was taking no chances.


    .


    Back on the first floor, Jared dials up Hale, he had promised to let him know when his match was, and even if Hale was only being polite about it, he still wanted to reciprocate the kindness.


    "Hey Hale It''s Jared, if you''re still around, my next match should be in less than an hour, but I don''t know which arena yet."


    "Yeah I''m in arena four, did you watch the match there? Oh man, that kid is lucky to get such a powerful Vaporeon huh?"


    "Er yeah, anyways, I''ll let you get back to watching your matches, I''ll call you when I know the arena?"


    "Yeah man, looking forward to it!"


    "Now then..." Jared whispered


    Fiddling with his phone, Jared types *Stream* into the search engine, but nothing relevant comes up, then he tries going to the tournament website in hopes of finding any live feeds.


    He had nothing to do at the moment, and some entertainment would be welcome.


    "Damn, I shoulda asked Hale, but I don''t wanna call back to bother him over this."


    "Number 35847 please come up"


    (Oh, shit, that''s my number... that was too fast, it''s a good thing I came back early!)


    As usual, a red ribboned security guard leads him to the tunnel where a referee takes him the rest of the way.


    On his way, he didn''t forget to give his friend a ring to let him know where his battle was taking place.


    The sight of the arena through the tunnel jogs a memory, but doesn''t give Jared pause to stop, (Just what was that strange brownish bronze glow? It was just like that time with the Feraligator... but what caused it? Is it because they are stage three pokemon? No, but they were different colors, I couldn''t be hallucinating right?)


    Stuffing that thought to the back of his mind, he steps through the open end of the tunnel, the next match, the round of 240 begins!

 Any Means Necessary

    Wilbert & Raticate


    VS


    Jared & Gastly


    "BEGIN"


    "Er, Gastly, I think we are in trouble."


    "No"


    "Yes"


    "No"


    Jared shakes his head, "He''s normal type, your lick will have no effect"


    "No"


    "Stop saying no! do you have a plan at least?"


    "I don''t need a plan stupid human"


    With exasperation, Jared facepalms.


    On the other side of the field, a young trainer wearing a cap is feeling the pressure, (uh oh, my Raticate only knows normal type moves, if his Gastly knows a single ranged move that isn''t ghost type I''m in for a bad day, my only hope is he doesn''t, then when he becomes corporeal to attack, then at least my Raticate can at least exchange blows and hurt him.)


    Whispering to his Raticate, the two formulate a plan.


    A short time later, the two trainers are within talking distance, but the Gastly is nowhere to be found.


    Spying his opponent, Wilbert commands, "Keep your eyes open, Raticate, prepare to dodge at any moment"


    Feeling a strange air pressure with his whiskers, the Raticate leaps out of the way, as a hypnosis strikes his shoulder harmlessly.


    "GOOD JOB RATICATE!!!"


    Gastly frowns from behind Wilbert''s head, then disappears once more.


    He tries a few more times, but the Raticate seems to have eyes on the back of its head, and always manages to prevent his head from being struck by hypnosis.


    Getting impatient, Gastly becomes more corporeal, and decides to face the Raticate head-on.


    Raticate turns to meet this challenge with squinted eyes. Gastly floats closer and closer, but Raticate doesn''t move.


    Suddenly turning fully corporeal, Gastly attempts to bite the raticate, but, with deft footing Raticate sidesteps the clumsy attempt and tackles Gastly, knocking him back!


    Gastly winces as he turns intangible once more.


    Jared looks worried, "Gastly, are you okay?"


    Gastly connects to Jared''s mind, and gives him a snort, before breaking the connection.


    Half a minute later, a purple beam of hypnosis shoots from under the river water, and accurately hits Raticates head.


    Jared smiles, I see, so the Raticate can''t feel you turn tangible from the water.


    Appearing next to Raticate, Gastly begins gnawing on Raticates leg, but unfortunately, it wasn''t asleep for long, with a yelp it lashes out at Gastly, who is once more knocked away.


    The damage Raticate sustained was no more than a few shallow teeth marks, while the Gastly felt his ghostly head spinning, as it turns intangible yet again.


    "Raticate, bury your head in the ground, I think he only knows hypnosis, I''ll let you know when he appears!"


    Raticate dug a small hole and then sticks his head inside. Meanwhile, Gastly frowns deeply from the shadows.


    Jared shouts, "Gastly! come to me for a second and recover, I think I have a plan."


    Feeling the chill of Gastly invade his body, Jared whispers under his breath, "Say, Gastly, would it be possible to make only your teeth tangible while the rest of you stays incorporeal?"You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    A less prideful Gastly replies, "I don''t know human."


    "Well, just give it a shot, we still have twelve minutes left."


    Gastly appears once more in front of Jared and begins making its way towards the Raticate.


    Wilbert spies the visible Gastly, and he lets his Raticate know.


    After a brief exchange, Gastly is knocked back once more, but manages to leave a fang mark on the Raticate''s shoulder.


    Calling Gastly over once more, Jared once again feels a cold chill, "It''s too hard human, I can''t keep only my teeth corporeal. I can keep trading blows, but I will lose my strength before him."


    "So, you''re saying if you had an infinite source of energy you could eventually win?"


    "Yes?"


    "Do you think you can extend a tendril of yourself towards me and collect my emotions while you fight?"


    "Of course."


    "Alright, then we have a game plan," With a cruel smile Jared begins acting erratic, punching the ground or scratching himself until he bleeds, it was as if he had lost his mind!


    The audience and referees watch the display in incomprehension.


    Gastly appears once more with a cruel smirk, as an influx of overflowing negative energy makes him feel drunk with power.


    Turning fully Corporeal, Gastly floats fast towards the Raticate, while Gastly''s newly created tail connects to his trainer''s chest.


    The battle commences once more!


    Raticate wins every exchange easily, but each time Gastly is knocked back, he comes back for more.


    Relentlessly, Gastly attacks with reckless abandon without caring for his safety!


    Soon small bite marks begin to accumulate on the raticate, as Jared continues wildly thrashing about accumulating injuries to fuel Gastlys power.


    With two minutes remaining in the match, a panting and bleeding Raticate knocks Gastly away with a yelp, then runs back with fearful eyes.


    His trainer had encouraged him over and over, and he knew from the feedback of his strikes, that he was dealing great damage, but the gastly seemed to never tire, never weaken, and even seemed to be growing stronger as time went on.


    It was going well at first, the gastly could barely nick him, but over time the exchanges between him, and the Gastly became more even until eventually, it started to even go in Gastlys favor.


    Watching the Gastly come towards him again, with its usual ghastly grin, the exhausted raticate suddenly lost his will to fight despite his trainer''s protests.


    Full of bite marks and blood-soaked, Raticate begins tripping over himself to flee, as a widely grinning Gastly pursues him all the way back towards the tunnel where he and his trainer had emerged from.


    "Hehe human, we won, the little rat is gone, running with its tail between its legs!"


    Blood dripping from his lips, a pale and bloodied Jared looks up, and gives a deep bone-chilling laugh, as he hears Gastlys declaration of victory.


    The sound of his laughter makes his opponent flinch back in fear, as he still stands there in disbelieving shock at his Raticates defeat.


    Some people in the audience feel a deep chill down their spines, as the reverberations of a man so sadistic and cruel to himself ring in their ears.


    With a strange tone, a referee announces, "Gastly and... Jared win..."


    Almost forgetting the rest of what he was supposed to say, he continues, "and... he will move on to the round of 60."


    Jared collapse in a bloody heap, prompting many in the crowd to gasp.


    A referee goes to check on him and shakes his head before calling for assistance. As Jared gets carted away on a stretcher, Gastly watches on with complicated eyes before vanishing.


    .


    Waking up in a clean bed, a nurse notices, and quickly calls for someone, while demanding her patient to wait there.


    Feeling bruised and exhausted, Jared complies and shuts his eyes to rest.


    "You didn''t need to go that far human."


    Jared only smiles.


    .


    The nurse is back with someone in tow, then whispers something before leaving the two alone.


    "Hello Jared, I am Letli, a doctor that gets called to work here during the tournaments, I understand that you put on quite a display at the arena... If you are feeling up to it could you tell me why you did what you did?"


    "Personal reasons."


    Letli lightly frowns.


    "Alright Jared, could I ask you just a few more questions?"


    "Go ahead"


    "Do you have a history of mental illness?"


    Jared sighs in his mind, (Oh... here we go...)


    "No"


    "Do you feel you are a threat to yourself or others?"


    "No, I have no intentions of harming myself or others, how long was I asleep?"


    "You were brought here thirty minutes ago Jared"


    Trying to get himself up, the doctor motions him to stop.


    "Please move, I need to find out when the next round of the tournament is."


    "You aren''t in any shape to continue the tournament, it would be best if you stay here."


    Jared calmly asks, "Are you going to keep me here against my will?"


    "No, I''m simply telling you what''s in the best interest of my patient''s health."


    Jared struggles off the bed, and falls down after walking a few feet, then tries and fails to get back up.


    He was wearing a patient gown, and even though his wounds were bandaged, they began opening up once more, staining his new clothing with fresh blood.


    The doctor can be heard calling for a nurse.


    "Mr Jared, I''m imploring you, for your own health, please rest."


    Shaking his head, Jared shrugs the nurse off and begins walking out the door.


    "Mr Jared, if you wait here, I can send someone down to give you the time of your next match."


    "Alright," With that, Jared walks back into the small white room and collapses back on the bed.


    Twenty minutes later a nurse comes in, and she sees a man looking like hell, "Mr Jared, your next match is in three hours."


    "Miss, would you be willing to do me a favor and wake me up after two hours?"


    She nods.


    "Gastly, I don''t trust them to wake me up, do you know how to tell time?"


    "Yes human..."


    "Heh, then thanks partner," With that reply, Jared was dead asleep.

 Knowledge Is Power!

    "Human get up quickly"


    With a start, Jared sits up, "Human, I went down and waited for your number to be called, you must go now!"


    With widened eyes, the sleep is shaken off, and Jared limps out the door, while still wearing a patient''s gown.


    Some nurses try to talk to him, but he ignores them, "Gastly, why didn''t you wake me up after two hours?"


    "Because you were... ... shut up human, this is fine too"


    With some time to spare, he arrives at the first floor.


    Ignoring all the strange looks, he heads up to the counter, "Jared here, can you please take me to my match?"


    Noticing the white patient''s gown crusted with bloodied bandages underneath, the female attendant quickly confirms his number and nods uncomfortably.


    A guard then leads him to the arena as usual, completely stone-faced. If the guard thought Jared''s outfit was strange, he didn''t show it.


    A referee looks him up and down in the arena tunnel, "Is that your blood? Are you okay?"


    "I''m fine, It''s not like I''ll be the one fighting anyways, and as you can see I can walk just fine, can we commence the match now?"


    "Yeah..."


    "120 competitors remaining!"


    Jared & Gastly!


    VS


    Milo & Pidgeotto!


    "Begin"


    With that, Jared limps into the arena.


    In the audience, many of them seemed interested in his hospital gown.


    A rumor had been circulating. The rumor stated that a guy with a rarely seen Gastly beat the crap out of himself. The rumor was gaining traction as there were even phone recordings of it.


    .


    Jared looks up through the glass, and into the stands, (hmm, despite it being the third round, nobody seems to be recording the matches, well, by my estimates there should still be six more rounds after this one, so... I guess it''s to be expected.)


    "Say, Gastly, you think you can win this time without me having to maim myself?"


    Gastly replies in an unusually subdued tone, "That was one time."


    Jared just smiles, "Heh, let''s get this over with then, my wounds are opening up."


    On the other end of the arena Milo mutters, "Gastly?... so he''s the fool who mutilated himself? I wonder how that freak got himself a gastly..."


    Shaking his head, he turns to his Pidgeotto, "The Gastly can appear out of nowhere, but from what I''ve heard he only knows hypnosis and lick, flying isn''t going to give us an advantage here, tuck your head in your wings, when Gastly shows himself give him a gust if he comes in close... then give him a wing attack, " Milo glares.


    .


    Twenty yards into the arena, a Pidgeotto can be seen with his head tucked in his wing, perched on a boulder.


    Gastly frowns from the shadows,


    "Human, they know about us..."


    "Yes, this is the same situation as our last opponent burying their head in the ground... at least your lick will work this time... But, Pidgetto should also have moves that will hit strongly, so this forces us into a direct confrontation..." Jared grimaces, "Pity, if you knew another ranged move, they wouldn''t be able to pull this trick on us... Think you can fire a hypnosis mid-combat?"The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Gastly mind shrugs, "No, it takes two seconds, and I have to concentrate, even moving will throw me off"


    "Can you can take him head-on with lick?"


    "..."


    "I can''t brutalize myself again," Jared said with a sigh, "What about fighting for a few minutes, then possessing me when you are tired?"


    "We can try human," replies an unsure Gastly.


    Jared''s eyes widen, "Gastly, wait, maybe we can put on a play for them, I don''t know how much Milo knows but if it''s just public knowledge then we can use his ignorance to your advantage, I don''t think they know you can separate your mass!"


    Gastly gives a mental shake, "No if it were normal type attacks I am untouchable, but elemental energy like wind element will still shred my body if it touches me."


    "I know that... so just listen, what about hollowing out your insides, like an empty eggshell, that way when he strikes you will take almost no damage? You won''t be able to actually do anything until you fully reform, but we don''t have to tell them that!"


    Gastly smirks widely, "You aren''t so stupid for a human after all!"


    .


    Gastly becomes corporeal then floats straight towards the bird with a fierce grin, as if intending to attack.


    "Pidgeotto, he''s approaching straight ahead, shred him with gust!"


    Uncovering his face, Pidgeotto holds his ground, and flaps his wings hard, ten blades of transparent wind get unleashed from his wings and strike the Gastly accurately!


    Gastly lets loose an audible ghostly shriek, before going invisible.


    Jared looks worried outwardly, but grins inwardly, (I never knew you were such a good actor Gastly!)


    .


    "Good! you got a good hit in!" Milo smiles brightly, "Protect your head again, and wait for my orders."


    Gastly begins appearing only three meters away this time, "Pidgeotto, above you! give em another gust!"


    Ten more blades of wind shoot out, and like before, Gastly gives a bone-chilling scream of pain before vanishing.


    The crowd can be heard cheering excitedly.


    Pidgeotto begins to feel a bit sweaty from unleashing the two powerful gusts in quick succession, but this was nothing, he is still good to go.


    Jared plays along too and makes sure Milo spots him visibly worrying, and for added effect, he shakily shouts, "GASTLY, HE JUST GOT LUCKY, GET IN CLOSE, IT''S NOT OVER YET!"


    Gastly gives a thumbs up from the shadows, then appears right before the Pidgeotto,


    Feeling confident, Milo shouts, "BEHIND YOU PIDGEOTTO, WING ATTACK GO!"


    A white sheen of sharp air appears on the bird''s wing, as it turns to slice and dice the Gastly several times, but it strangely feels no resistance, but the shrieks of pain give him confidence.


    Gastly wails in visible pain and flees, "QUICK PIDGEOTTO, SHOOT HIM WITH GUST BEFORE HE ESCAPES!"


    Rounds and rounds of sharp wind blades shred into Gastly, while he howls nonstop in agony, but somehow he doesn''t seem to ever faint.


    Seeing dozens and dozens of dazzling wind blades hit, the crowd thinks it was all but over, and they reupt into exhilarated cheers and claps.


    After at least a hundred wind blades, Milo notices something wrong and orders his heavily panting Pidgeotto to stop.


    Jared thinks the jig is up, and can''t help letting out side-splitting laughter, (it was just too funny, Gastly had them hooked, his moans of pain were just too realistic!)


    The crowd, hearing the laughter from the mic, slowly stop their cheering, as they can''t understand why he''s laughing about his pokemon''s defeat.


    Milo looks over to his opponent, who was laughing it up, and curses, "Damn maniac!"


    Pulling in his mass, Gastly fully reforms, and can''t help but chuckle inwardly along with his trainer''s laughter, before rushing towards the large exhausted bird!


    Milo orders Pidgeotto to engage with wing attack, This time Pidgeotto feels resistance, and Gastly feels real pain, but he doesn''t let it show, as payback for the attack Pidgeottos wings get a few paralyzing licks.


    The two keep trading blows, but despite Pidgeotto''s much slower movements due to utter exhaustion, the wing attacks were still too strong.


    Not able to take it anymore Gastly suddenly disperses.


    Jared feels a chill in his body, then whispers, "Are you alright Gastly?"


    "Yes human, just resting for a moment, both his wings are coated with saliva, in a few minutes he won''t be able to move them."


    "We only have six minutes left, you can''t rest for long."


    "Is it over? did the gastly faint and disperse?"


    Milo looks to his opponent. Upon seeing his unbothered look, a bad premonition begins to creep in. He then looks over to his pidgeotto.


    The paralyzing saliva had started to take effect, and the painful numbing feeling forces Pidgeotto to let out a shriek, his wings drooping low, "Oh no... there''s still five minutes left, if the gastly returns he''s a sitting duck."


    After three minutes, the numbing had spread from Pidgeottos wings, and a little bit into his body, he could still stand, but the painful numbness made him writhe on the floor in agony.


    With less than two minutes remaining, Gastly reforms over the writhing bird and looks into Milo''s eyes with a sinister grin, as if asking him to surrender.


    Milo just watches in shock, so with a shrug, the Gastly gets to work biting into the Pidgeotto without a fight.


    After thirty seconds the large bird was limp, teeth marks and blood everywhere, Milo hadn''t thrown in the towel, but a Referee called for the match to stop.


    The crowd was utterly flabbergasted and didn''t give much more than a few claps, watching a limp bird get bitten into by a ball of fanged gas was too large a contrast, at least to how they thought the match was going.


    Jared nods to his opponent and moves in for a handshake, but Milo flinches back, "Don''t get near me psycho"


    With a shrug, Jared makes his way out of the arena. Wearing his bloody hospital gown, he hummed happily as he left the arena, "That was the last match for today, shall we head home Gastly?"


    The referee keeps a far distance from Jared as he was escorted out.


    The mumbling, the hysterical laughter out of nowhere, and the bloody gown, all in all, it had made him feel he had this trainer accurately pegged as a raving lunatic.

 Lost

    Calling his friend Hale up, Jared quickly apologizes for forgetting to let him know about his next match.


    Ignoring that, Hale changes the topic with concern in his voice, "I saw your match before this one... and watched you get carted away on a stretcher, why did you flip out like that?"


    "I have my reasons..."


    "Alright, well, I''m sure you do."


    Hale seems like a good friend to have... I really don''t want him to distance himself from me if he thinks I did that for no good reason... but I just met him, I don''t know him well enough yet to readily risk giving up my advantage.


    Pausing to recall what Jared had said at the beginning of the call, Hale continues "About what you said earlier, don''t worry about it my man, I was already feeling a bit dun for the day, and headed home, I''m making dinner now! good to hear you''re still in it, can''t wait to see your next one!"


    .


    Asking the red ribboned guard that led him here for a small favor, he is then escorted to the small repurposed medical ward.


    People watch him stumble past, the bloody hospital gown was too eye-catching, but Jared felt too tired and painful to feel self-conscious.


    Gastly notices, however, and laughs.


    Not even knowing what Gastly was laughing about in his exhaustion, Jared just grunted in agreement.


    .


    Jared gathered his old clothes from the small medical ward, and put them on before heading home, they were kind enough to wash and dry them when he was first brought in, so he was quite thankful.


    Feeling like the dead, he reaches the door of the building and then told Gastly to possess him, however, Gastly had refused, stating that he''d return home after dark.


    Too tired to argue, he clumsily struggles to make his way home, only getting there after two hours because he kept having to stop and rest.


    .


    Turning the key he spies Kai sleeping, then whispers, "Well, I''m back later than I said, hope he didn''t feel worried" too exhausted to make food, he gets a little water, then pushes Kai over to make room on the mattress, before going straight to sleep.


    .


    Pain is the first emotion as he gets up, and the first smell is that of boiling rice.


    Kai handed over a bowl of rice, as Jared lays in bed.


    "You look more beaten up than me, what happened to you?"


    "Ah, Kai, I had a little accident at the tournament is all, I''ll be fine."


    Taking a seat on the corner of the mattress, with a bowl of rice, Kai asks with interest, "how? did the glass break?"


    "Ah, no, I was participating"


    Almost dropping the bowl in surprise, Kai excitedly shouts, "You got a pokemon?!"


    Jared remarks with a laugh, "Yeah I do, by the way... thanks for not kicking my doors hinges out and running away with my stuff."


    "I wouldn''t..." Kai''s eyes go wide then looks down.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Ah, I was just kidding,"


    Kai''s eyes shine, "Can I see your pokemon?"


    Phasing through the wall, Gastly flies straight through Kai, with a ghostly wail,


    "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Were the last words of a fainted Kai, the bowl of rice dropped as he fell.


    Well... luckily the bowls are wooden, I can''t afford to replace them.


    Jared glares at the ceiling, where Gastly usually haunts, "Ah... Gastly did you need to do that,"


    Gastly mentally scoffs, "Hrmph, tell me why you brought him here, and maybe I won''t do it again."


    Looking away Jared trails off in thought, "I..." , "just thought he looked pitiful."


    With a snort, Gastly disappears.


    Filling a cup of water, Jared splashes it on Kai''s face when his words fail to rouse him.


    Eyes wide, and dripping with a bit of water, Kai looks around fearfully, "Where? What? what was that thing?"


    "Sorry about that Kai, my partner pulled a little prank on you..."


    "It was your pokemon?, Kai was still shaken.


    "Yes" trailing his eyes to the ceiling, Jared then continues in a louder tone, "Say, Gastly, he''s going to live with us for a little while, can you give him a proper greeting?"


    "I''m hungry human, give me more negative energy"


    Jared shakes his head, "That''s not what I asked Gastly."


    "Shut up human, I''m not your pet to show off"


    Kai looks around with confusion, then tentatively asks, "Who are you talking to?"


    Looking at Kai, Jared replies, "Gastly" then turns back to the ceiling with narrowed eyes, "And he''s a bit moody right now."


    Bending down to unhook the phone off the charger, Jared winces from the pain and notes his match will be in two hours.


    "I gotta head out again Kai, same deal as before, I can lock you in, or you can go out."


    "I''ll go out..."


    Jared frowns, "Do you still have any friends around here to play with?"


    "Yes," Kai, looked away.


    "Alright, but be careful, you don''t have a phone so I can''t let you know when I''ll return, but I should be back before dark," Shaking his head Jared sighs, "I would bring you with me, but I have no money to buy a ticket."


    .


    "Ah, Kale, it''s Jared, how''s it going?"


    "Hey Jared how''s it going my man, I''d love to chat, but I''m at work, I was gonna come watch for another day, but I decided to return to work early."


    "Er yeah, sorry to bother ya, I''ll talk to you later?"


    "Yeah, yeah! let me know how the matches go!"


    With a slight smile, Jared hangs up.


    Gastly questions him, "Why keep calling him?"


    Still tired, Jared dodges the question, "How about first telling me why you are so grumpy, don''t tell me it''s because you couldn''t find your way back and had to search all night?"


    A flustered Gastly retorts in Jared''s mind, "NO I ... I WAS..."


    Scratching his head, Jared interrupts him, saving Gastly from trying to complete the sentence, "I''ve never had many friends Gastly, and I''m new to this world, every time I talk with him I learn something new"


    .


    Walking through the Tapu Research Lab doors, a few people seem to recognize Jared''s presence and begin recording him with their phones, while some others just whisper while sneaking glances.


    "That''s the guy with the Gastly right?"


    "Yeah, I''d recognize him anywhere, that''s the freak that wore the blood-soaked hospital gown, and beat himself up."


    "Record him, maybe he''ll go crazy again!"


    "You''re a famous human," Gloated Gastly.


    Ignoring the remark, Jared picks an empty spot to stand, as he fiddles with his phone.


    He searched through the news website Hale had directed him to, so he could watch a few videos, but keeps getting interrupted when a few people keep coming up to him to ask if he''s the *Gastly guy.*


    Shooing them away with some quick answers, Jared finds out his phone can''t even watch videos, so he just sighs, and puts it back in his pocket.


    Looking around, he finds even more people had shown up from upstairs and started recording him with the others.


    "Ok, the trainers I understand, but why do people keep coming down from the elevators to spy on me?" Jared knits his brows, "Am I really that interesting? Don''t they have anything better to do? They could be using their tickets to watch a match right now..."


    In Jared''s mind, Gastly roars with laughter, "They are my fans human, they were too impressed with my strength, you should be thankful to me, Human! hahah"


    Jared just shakes his head and occupies his time by looking around idly, he soon notices a group of people surrounding someone who doesn''t appear to appreciate the attention either, but he just glances past.


    As if noticing Jared''s gaze scroll over him, Kekoa looks over, but Jared had already looked away. As if it were planned, Kekoa narrows his eyes and begins walking over.


    The two crowds merge and watch excitedly.


    With the same hungry eyes, the shorter youth looks up to meet Jared''s gaze after stopping a few meters away, Jared had noticed the commotion in the crowd, and instinctively turned around with a blank look when he spotted the child.


    (Why is this little kid staring at me... oh maybe he''s lost and is too shy to ask for help?)


    Jared''s bad memory fails to remember, or perhaps the situation was too strange, and his previous injuries are at fault, so he defaults to assuming it''s a lost kid. He crouches down to meet the kid''s eye level to try to make him feel more comfortable, then kindly asks, "Er... are you lost, kid? do you need me to help you find your parents?"

 Irreplaceable

    "Hahaha, what did he just say ?"


    "I knew it was a good idea to stick around!"


    "Is he trying to provoke Kekoa? right here?"


    Ignoring the crowd, and Jared''s *nonsense,* Kekoa speaks, "Old man, I saw your matches, but despite what people are saying, you don''t look like much of a dark horse to me, better pray you don''t see me in the ring"


    "Er... so you aren''t lost?"


    With a shake of his head, Kekoa turns 180 degrees and walks back the way he came, "Why did I bother... so he really was a lunatic..."


    Jared watches the strange kid walk away, (I beat myself up one time, does that really label me as a lunatic? what''s this world coming to? and how does everyone know about it, I didn''t see any cameramen recording? Er... Oh right, phone recordings...)


    (Still... was that little kid trying to intimidate me or something? and why am I a dark horse...? The matches were actually somewhat close, but, thinking back... perhaps from the perspective of others it didn''t look that way, YES, perhaps people fell for our ruse, and now people think that my Gastly can take an absurd amount of punishment...!)


    A light goes off in his mind, then Jared chuckles wryly, (I thought the jig was up when the wind blades stopped coming, but perhaps I overestimated my opponent... no, even if only my opponent figured it out, that doesn''t mean others will! and if they attributed my laughter to insanity rather than tricking my opponent... HAHAHA YES!, maybe we can still use this strategy!)


    "Creepy... whys he laughing for no reason?"


    "See, I told you"


    A girl hugging her Weepinbell giggles, "Gross, he''s looking this way, hope he doesn''t come over here"


    "Number 35847 and 41286 please come up!"


    Breaking from his thoughts, Jared walks up to reception and looks around, he was hoping to see his next opponent, but even after five minutes, nobody shows up.


    Slapping his head, Jared chides himself, "Ah I''m so stupid, just because they are called up to this reception desk doesn''t mean they can''t go to another one..."


    "Hahah, he just slapped himself didn''t he?"


    "He''s muttering too, think he''s gonna go nuts again?"


    "Hope not..."


    "Let''s go closer, I want to see which arena he''s assigned to."


    "Your fans are watching you, human, hahaha"


    .


    In the tunnel, a referee explains the rules once more, and Jared now learns who he will be facing.


    (Weepinbell...? Isn''t that like a pitcher plant with no arms or legs? How does it even move? is it by flopping around?)


    "I''m ready"


    ROUND OF 30


    Jared & Gastly


    VS


    Mia & Weepinbell


    "START"


    Through the open doors, Jared takes a moment to look around.


    When he glances up from behind the tunnel entrance, he finds a few cameramen filming him from up above, just behind the glass.


    (Is this because I''m now the so-called dark horse?)  Jared mused,  (well, If they really knew how badly we struggled, they probably wouldn''t be wasting their time right now... or maybe..., Jared looks ahead with narrowed eyes, maybe my opponent is strong...?)


    A young girl no more than fifteen with straight blond hair can be seen pulling her hair out in frustration,


    (No... why... why... all I had to do was avoid the top seeds and hope they eliminate each other... and I did so well... and now the Gastly Freak joins out of nowhere... and I just had to be paired up with him... no...  If his Gastly can survive all those gusts, what can Weepinbell possibly do?)


    As the two trainers get within twenty yards of each other, Jared whispers, "Ah, Gastly, what do you think we should do, I don''t think Weepinbell can protect its head, do you think you can hit it with a hypnosis?"


    "I know that, don''t tell me what to do human!"


    "Still moody huh, so you really did get lost last night...


    "SHUT UP HUMAN I CAME BACK LATE BECAUSE I HAD SOME THINGS I WANTED TO DO"


    "Oh..." Faced with Gastlys bald-faced lie, Jared laughs, "What things?"


    "That''s... not your business, we are wasting time, I didn''t get lost."


    .


    Mia shudders at her opponent''s madness, he''s even creepier than in the lobby, why does he act normal one moment then burst out in laughter, I really really hate this...


    Smirking from the shadows, Gastly mentally chuckles "Human, your enemy fears you, I can feel it."


    Jared looks up to meet her eyes, while Mia quickly looks away, (Creeeeepy... I hope he doesn''t ignore the rules and attack me... just because I laughed at him earlier...)A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Voice shaking, she reminds her pokemon with little confidence, "Weepinbell, you know what to do, don''t let your guard down"


    From the water, hypnoses strikes Weepinbell right between the eyes, but nothing happens.


    Mia let''s out a sigh of relief, thank god, he doesn''t know Weepinbells brain is in the stem.


    After a few more attempts in different spots, Gastly gives up and begins materializing.


    "Weepinbell, hit him with a vine whip when he gets close!"


    Moving within range, two long green cords extend from Weepinbell.


    After a moment they become coated with a cool green sheen with a slight glow, then, with the speed of a cracking whip, they lash out at the Gastly.


    Gastly acts enraged, and begins trying to avoid the blows as he closes in, but retreats over and over before getting close.


    .


    Feeling a chill crawl into him, Jared sighs, "Back so soon Gastly? I thought you didn''t need me to give you advice?"


    "He''s not tiring, I hollowed my core, and I''m still somehow losing more energy than he is, hypnosis won''t work either."


    "So you''re saying you are too weak to fight him straight up?"


    "..."


    "Can you really not think of a way? Are you really going to make me mutilate myself again?"


    "..."


    Pondering for half a minute, Jared comes to a decision, (Well, I brought some rice this time for this very occasion, I couldn''t do it last time because I''d just bleed out if I dared to use sharp rocks, and could only rely on bruises and shallow cuts before.)


    (Just this isn''t going to be enough, though... because it takes a while before the pain becomes unbearable..., oh well, at least I probably won''t be put on a stretcher after this.)


    Under the watchful gaze of the crowd and the cameras, Jared rakes the skin below each knee with his fingernails, just enough for them to bleed a little, then pulls some rice out of his pocket, before tossing a handful near some rock hardened ground.


    Mia observes uncomprehendingly as Jared kneels down with a wince, and then in horror as he starts rubbing his knees back and forth, screaming in agony.


    Meanwhile, Gastly starts reforming!


    A tendril of invisible shadow connects to his trainer''s chest. He smiles widely as the familiar sensation of endless negative energy flows into him.


    With an ever-widening smile, he was now fully reformed, and full of energy!


    Gastly floats towards Weepinbell with confidence.


    Still watching in terror at the manic screams, Mia almost fails to notice the charging ball of gas, almost.


    "Weepinbell! focus! keep him away like before with a vine whip!"


    The vine whips appear and begin lashing, but the empowered Gastly would not be so easily deterred, normally such painful strikes give him pause to flinch, but the euphoric feeling of negative power was overpowering his pain, and he clearly felt that the damage he was being dealt was below his speed of recovery.


    Grinning madly, Gastly ignores the vine whips completely, and charges straight in.


    Panicking as the relentless ball of gas closes in, Mia screams, "Weepinbell! he''s too close for vine whip, PREPARE FOR THE PLAN!"


    Coming in close, Gastly goes for a lick but gets knocked back twenty feet, then gives a shrill scream.


    Feeling his body corroding, Gastly screams louder, then floats up to get away while dematerializing, but before he can, he feels another painful blow blast his body away.


    Finally invisible, Gastly floats limply, his consciousness flickering in and out, and if not for the influx of negative energy and his anger, the blackness would have taken him there and then.


    After three minutes, his strength finally returns.


    From the shadows, Gastly glares fiercely, then unleashes a current of curses over and over in his mind, he had never remembered taking two such painful blows in his life, and his fury at the sentient pitcher plant was not almost palpable! (HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU HOW DARE YOU!!!!!!)


    Just then, as if a barrier broke in his mind, new memories he had lost surface. Forgetting his rage at the unexpected situation, hundreds of years of lost memories, the pain, the helplessness, the anger crash into his mind at once along with a viciousness,


    "Huh..."


    .


    Reforming as nothing more than a shell, Gastly puts his memories aside for the moment and once again floats straight at the Weepinbell to probe him out, he needed to know what had caused him to suffer such an agonizing setback.


    "Weepinbell, he''s approaching you from behind that rock, turn back and finish him off, he must be weak!!"


    Weepinbell didn''t charge up a vine wipe, but instead, the two long green leaves acting like makeshift arms began to turn dimmer.


    After a brief exchange, Gastly gets knocked back again, then turns invisible before Weepinbell could attempt a follow-up.


    Gastly smirks from the shadows, (You thought that this could escape my eyes, didn''t you...? so this is how you did it, you hit me with dark energy, Hmph, but I know something too... the last laugh will be mine little sprout...)


    .


    Narrowing his eyes into vengeful crescents, Gastly reforms himself above the Weepinbell, just out of range of the dark attack.


    Following the directions in his memory, he fires off a cone of invisible energy straight down, and while it was imperceivable, the sound of wailing screams can be heard, but, the sound was only audible by those unfortunate enough to be struck.


    Gastly frowns as the Weepinbell shows no reaction, other than more vine whips to his face.


    "I refuse to believe it does nothing!"


    With gritted teeth, Gastly ignores the pale vines lashing him, and begins madly firing more cones of wailing screams.


    After twenty seconds, the Weepinbells vines slow their pace, and while Gastly can''t tell if the sentient plant is tired from its appearance alone, he can most certainly tell that whatever he is doing is working, so with extra determination, he continues firing more invisible screams.


    A short time later, Weepinbells vines finally go limp, and like a plant dried up in the desert, it visibly withers, its two large green leaves once vibrant begin to turn grey.


    "WEEPINBELL WHAT''S WRONG?"


    From Mia''s perspective, the only thing she saw was a motionless Gastly being beaten by vines, and then her Weepinbell ceasing its attacks.


    Gastly had indeed noticed Weepinbell go limp, but he was feeling wrathful, and he was out for blood, (DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!)


    .


    Mia and the referees finally react when the Weepinbell turns completely black, as if it were an aged piece of rotten wood.


    The referee had announced the match over, but Gastly fires one more attack out of spite, before floating towards his trainer.


    Going back to his human, he looks down, and as Jared suffers, he thinks to himself,  (I''m sorry human before I met you I was just a starving ghost on the run and didn''t remember who I was, but with these new memories... what I lost has come back.)


    Gastlys eyes shine like the night,


    (But I remember now, yes, It was held in my heart for all these countless years, locked away, fragmented, lost, stripped, along with my essence, I''m sorry human, but I may not be able to keep my promise.)


    .


    A stunned Mia takes tentative steps, then quickly runs to check on her Weepinbell.


    Grabbing one of its blackened leaves, it crumbles into dust.


    Pulling a potion from her bag, she begins madly spraying the withered mass of black, but Weepinbells body does not take, the water simply drips and drips, while the earth beneath greedily accepts it instead.


    With trembling hands, she reaches for a pokeball, dropping the emptied potion from her hands in the process.


    With wetness streaming down her cheeks, she shakily grips Weepinbells pokeball, and tries to recall him like so many times before.


    Eyes wide with disbelief she drops the ball and falls backward painfully, but she doesn''t flinch.


    Her pretty and youthful face twists with unbearable agony, She screams, and cries, she calls for help, and her agonizing cries can be heard by all, but when her voice finally becomes hoarse, she chokes. Realization sets in fully, and unable to bear her conclusions, she drops unconscious, finally free until the day she awakes.


    She hits her head on a rock on the way down, but neither the blood leaking from her head nor the pain from the fall wakes her up.


    In those last agonizing waking moments, she understood, yes, her precious companion that had been with her since before she could talk, since before she could crawl, her partner that shared her sorrow, and happiness for all these years, yes, Yes!, she realized it, the pokeballs red light had shot out, but her partner, no, her irreplaceable person would not return, and would never again return, for the world he was in now was not this one.

 Gastly Vs Wartortle

    A suspect can be seen being questioned in a certain room in Tapu Village Research Center. He was surrounded by police officers and their pokemon, this included a squawking Natu.


    "Did you order your pokemon to kill?"


    "No"


    Natu nods.


    "Did your pokemon intend to kill?"


    "Not to my knowledge"


    A natu nods.


    "Why do you think your pokemon killed?"


    "I don''t know, it may have been accidental"


    Natu Nods


    .


    After the interrogation, he was back in the first-floor lobby. The hall was more spacious with so many trainers eliminated. The sea of people was now more like a small pond.


    Some people can be heard talking a farther distance away, "I heard a rumor that a trainer laughed at him, and then when they had a match, his Gastly killed their pokemon."


    "I heard that the Gastly killed the trainer too"


    "Nah no way, I was there"


    .


    "Hehehehehe human, nobody is laughing at you now"


    Jared frowns, "Gastly, did you do that on purpose?"


    "I learned a new move"


    "That''s not what I asked"


    "Stupid human, in life or death battles it''s kill or be killed."


    "Gastly, they judged it as accidental this time, but if it happens again... they said they are going to bar me from all tournaments and confiscate you..."


    "Hmph they can try"


    "Why did you go so over the top this time?"


    "The dead plant had a dirty trick, he burned my body with darkness,"


    "Please just... hold back a little next time, and what move did you learn?"


    "Don''t know"


    "... Great"


    .


    Round of 15!


    Jared & Gastly!


    VS


    Ken & Wartortle!


    "Begin"


    Ken casually strolls into the arena with a light smile, he raises his fist in the air, prompting many in the crowd to cheer.


    .


    "Gastly, Ken is a top seed, while we do have thirty minutes now in the round of 15, we should still go all out from the start, anyways, do you want to tell me now what your new move does?"


    "It made the plant dry up"


    "...Anything more specific?"


    "It''s hard to dodge"


    "Ok, well, if my memory serves, then the Wartortle should have a darkness move as well, but it''s close range."


    .


    Outwardly, Ken walks forward with a confident Gait, but inwardly Ken is a bit troubled, (His Gastly knows hypnosis and can turn invisible, but I can''t just have my wartortle just stick his head in the ground, what would my fans think?)


    "Wartortle, charge up refresh, if he hits you with a hypnosis, use it as you lose consciousness."


    .


    Ken and Jared are now within Twenty yards of each other.


    "Gastly, I''m going to feed you negative energy now, I''m trusting you not to kill."


    "Shut up human, he''s coming"


    Bloodying his knees, Jared feels doubt, (When you talk to me like that, it feels like you don''t think of me as anything more than a source of negative energy, but I suppose that was the contract we made...) Letting out a long sigh, he then drops to his knees as if in prayer, and soon his thoughts are broken by cruel suffering.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    .


    Up in the stands, the place is packed with more than six hundred people.


    Down near the Mr. Mimes surrounding the glass are three casters, they were idly sitting in chairs they had brought, while a couple of cameras record them talking,


    "Hello viewers at home, we have an exciting match today, Ken and his wartortle are about to clash with the dark horse of this competition, Jared and his Gastly!"


    "That''s right Micheal, I was also given news that his last opponent''s pokemon was killed, and the trainer is still unconscious, but it was judged as accidental after a Natu confirmed it."


    "Back to the match, it looks like something is happening, Jared appears to be kneeling down as if praying for a victory."


    "And how can we blame him Jim?, since evolving, Kens wartortle has crushed everyone in his way, and in an interview, Ken had said that only Akoni and his vaporeon are a threat!"


    "That''s quite interesting Micheal, Kekoa had said the very same thing, if Ken wins this match and ends up battling Kekoa, it will be riveting to see who''s right!"


    .


    "Many in the crowd start to get upset when Jared starts screaming in pain, "Seriously, why does he keep screaming? Why did they give that maniac a mic? Now I can barely even hear the casters, I didn''t pay good money to listen to this!"


    Others just ignore it completely.


    A mature woman can be heard scowling, "What does he mean IF Ken wins? My Kens wartortle knows bite, that Gastly hasn''t got a chance."


    Her boyfriend sighs, "I don''t know, I saw the match with the pidgeotto, and his Gastly survived a hundred wind blades."


    "Don''t compare him with Kens wartortle, they are on a different level!"


    A younger man around twenty speaks loudly, "Eh, I don''t see what''s so good about Ken anyways"


    Those words got him a glare from more than a few female fans within earshot.


    His friend chuckles, "Heh, you just don''t like that he has so many female fans, and your girlfriend likes him"


    "Shut up, he''s nothing more than a pretty face"


    "Sure..."


    .


    Feeling the influx of negative energy, Gastly doesn''t bother with trying to put Wartortle to sleep, and he instead begins materializing six meters above Wartortle.


    Meanwhile, Wartortle can be seen crouching in waist-deep water with just his head peeking out.


    With a glare, Gastly scowls when the wartortle blasts him with a high-powered water gun using the river water.


    The mostly female crowd cheers as the powerful water blast deform Gastlys shape.


    Gastly ponders the situation, (If he keeps using river water he''s not going to run out of stamina... Hrmph just wait right there stupid turtle, once I fully reform your end will be the same as the plant.)


    .


    As if noticing something off, the Wartortle dives into the water just as Gastly fires off a Spite, then reappears further upriver, and continues accurately pelting the floating Gastly with more high-pressure water guns.


    Gastly Just grins cruelly, Ignorant turtle, you think I''m stupid enough to chase you down there? I have all the negative energy I need, lets see how long you can dodge!


    .


    For a full ten minutes, Gastly and Wartortle play the game of cat and mouse, and the pain from the water blasts and the annoyance of missing his attacks starts to get to him, but he doesn''t go lower.


    Ken starts to lose his cool, (That gastly really can take a beating, and it doesn''t appear like he''s getting any weaker, are gastlys really this unstoppable, is this why they are so rare?)


    Despite evading each time, the attack was too difficult to dodge, the water could only mitigate most of the ghostly Spites.


    Ten minutes later Wartortle is gasping for breath, as more and more attacks hit him through the water.


    Feeling the negative energy slow, and the water guns begin to deal damage that doesn''t heal, Gastly growls in Jared''s mind, "HUMAN, WHATS GOING ON?"


    Jared can be seen collapsed on the ground gasping for breath, and he doesn''t reply.


    Gastly begins actively trying to avoid the water guns with a scowl, (Damned human, what''s he doing...)


    Five more minutes pass, and now Gastly is wavering, but the wartortle feels it too, appearing to be too tired to even dodge, and his water guns are now a pale shadow of their former self.


    "Human, times running out and I can''t go on... I need energy."


    With blood dripping from his knees, Jared is lying down half-conscious from the mental and emotional exhaustion.


    Twenty minutes of blinding pain was not normally his limit, but, it was not even two hours ago that he was forced to do the same thing, and now blood loss was mudding his mind.


    Jared vaguely hears Gastlys voice, but he doesn''t understand what''s happening or where he is.


    "HUMAN GET UP"


    (Who''s saying that...)


    "YOU MADE A PACT WITH ME HUMAN, YOU AREN''T ALLOWED TO GIVE UP!"


    (Give up? Give up on what?...)


    Feeling a weakened water gun almost knock his wavering form unconscious, Gastly screams,


    "GET BACK TO YOUR KNEES JARED!!!"


    Shaking, Jared gets to his knees, not knowing why he''s doing it.


    Kneeling, he feels the blinding pain, then falls back down,


    (No, it hurts, why am I doing this? it''s too painful, I don''t want to.)


    Another water gun blasts Gastly, and his consciousness fades in and out again, but he sends another tendril of thoughts, "Coward... can you accomplish anything lying down... weren''t you going give up your flesh and blood...? "


    The words were now nothing more than a whisper, but they jolted Jared''s mind like a thunderbolt,


    (I have something I need to accomplish? Is that why I have to kneel? ... is this why the voice wants me to feel pain? But I don''t remember what it is... no maybe the voice is right, why does it feel like there''s something I can''t ever give up... even if I can''t remember?)


    .


    Feeling a sudden influx of negative energy Gastly smiles, as his consciousness becomes more clear.


    Narrowing his eyes at the Warturtle, he begins bombarding him with Spites.


    The wartortle had been charging another water gun in his mouth, but it dissipates as he falls back in the water.


    Opening his eyes wide, Ken shouts, "WARTORTLE, WHAT''S GOING ON?"


    Rushing through the water, he finds his Pokemon unconscious underwater and returns him to his pokeball, then he sighs in relief. He had seen the video of the Weepinbell''s death and was afraid it could happen again.


    Meanwhile, Gastly saw Ken wade through the water, and while he wanted to continue blasting more spites, he was concerned he''d get them disqualified.


    Up in the stands, a caster shouts, "It seems Ken has returned wartortle to his Pokeball... this is quite an upset!"


    Many in the crowd begin half-heartedly cheering. Jared had thoroughly annoyed them with the screaming all match, and now seeing him win, had some of them incensed.


    Floating over his trainer, Gastly sees him still stubbornly holding on, kneeling in a pool of his own blood, "That''s enough human you can stop"


    (Stop? why is the voice telling me to stop? If I stop now won''t I fail?)


    "Do you hear me, stupid human I said stop"


    Seeing no response, Gastly floats lower, and finds a glazed look in Jared''s eyes.


    Gastly knocks him over to prevent him from continuing, but Jared stubbornly returned to kneeling.


    Blood continues to flow.


    Squinting his eyes in concern, Gastly whispers "It''s over Jared... you already accomplished what you set out to do, so now it''s time to rest. "


    With that, Jared fell forward into unconsciousness.


    Gastly looks down with heavy eyes,  (Oh human, I see now, just as you put down your life, I need to a well.)


    As if gazing through the viscosities of time, Gastly sighs as his vision returns to Jared,  (continue to sleep, your pain has been short,  but I am different, I have suffered long, too long, my own wishes were carried for hundreds of years, far before you were born.)


    (Don''t hate me, for I won''t hate you.)

 A Farce

    "Get up human, your match is now!"


    With sunken eyes, and face pale, Jared slowly opens his blackened eyes, then looks around in confusion.


    Gastly continues in concern, "Yes, you have to get up, don''t forget."


    With barely a whisper, Jared replies, " I want to... Gastly... but I don''t think I can walk"


    "That''s fine human, I can carry you," Gastly condenses his form, now becoming completely corporeal.


    He helped Jared on top of him using tendrils of shadow to prevent him from falling off.


    .


    Watching the horrifying Gastly float past carrying someone, who was held firmly in place like the grasping maw of a demon, a few nurses freak out, but Jared wearily tells them it''s alright.


    Once down on the first floor, Jared is quickly led to his next match, while people point and gawk at his pale form atop the floating Gastly.


    A young woman speaks with concern, "What''s wrong with him, he looks like more of a ghost than the Gastly carrying him."


    Laughing, her escort replies, "I know what happened, he tortured himself in his last match and probably lost too much blood."


    Giving a disgusted look, a man butts in, "Is he an idiot? why would he do that?"


    "Heh, don''t bother trying to figure out the mind of a lunatic"


    "How lucky he is to have such a strong pokemon... I never knew how overpowering gastlys are!"


    A man clicks his tongue, "Hard to say if they are all like that, there isn''t many to compare his with"


    "Bit dangerous to have a lunatic with such a strong pokemon though, what if he hurts someone?"


    .


    Round of 8


    Kima & Sunflora


    vs


    Jared & Gastly


    In the stands sat more than two thousand people, many of them tourists traveling in to watch the show, and just behind the arena''s glass sat two familiar casters chatting,


    "Hello viewers at home, welcome to the Tapu Village Research Center tournament, it is the first match of day three, and we are now in the round of eight, and it''s coming down to the wire! With only two official trainer slots available in this competition, it means those remaining will still need to win two more matches, so it promises to be extra fierce!"


    "Today two lucky trainers will be crowned official trainers, but with Akoni and his agile vaporeon and Kekoa tentacruel still in it, it''s going to truly be an uphill battle for the other competitors unless they knock each other out, and we even have a dark horse in our competition, who against all odds made it past ken, one of the fan favorites!"


    "That''s right Micheal, I don''t think anyone predicted that, it looks like he''s living up to his reputation as the dark horse of this competition!"


    Jim laughs jibs, "If Jared reigns in his screaming this match, then perhaps he might even get a few fans out of it from his great performance!"


    Some people in the audience can be heard murmuring, "I really hope they force him to shut up, the last match he had, I couldn''t enjoy it over that psycho''s screams."


    .


    At the entrance of the arena, Gastly whispers in Jared''s mind, "Human, I''m dropping you here, but you need to try your best to get closer, if I carry you closer and they attack, then you will be in danger... but I can''t take your negative energy from so far away."This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    With a hoarse voice, a pale Jared whispers, "I can''t gastly, just get me as close as possible, they probably won''t attack while you are carrying me."


    "No human, I can''t risk it."


    Slightly short of breath from the short sentence, Jared whispers, "Then... use the boulders as cover, and leave me there, and... *huff* wait for them to approach."


    .


    Gastly drops him down halfway into the arena behind a boulder and disappears, while leaving cautionary words in Jared''s mind, "Human, don''t overdo it, but try to give me as much negative energy as possible."


    Jared doesn''t reply, and instead, just thinks to himself, (I know Gastly... that''s why you brought me these sewing needles, isn''t it...?)


    .


    The referee had *forgot* to give Jared his mic, so as Jared began to stick the first needle under his fingernail and shriek, the audience wasn''t too affected by his painful screams.


    Gastly grins inwardly, he was enjoying the large influx of negative energy.


    From the shadows, he grins as he waits for his opponent''s approach, (Jared, what a useful human you are, this will do just nicely!)


    .


    Watching Jared drop down and begin shrieking, Kima gives his pokemon a warning, "Sunflora, be careful, they eliminated Ken, and if things get bad you need to warn me okay, winning would be nice, but I don''t want you to go the same way as that Weepinbell."


    Ten meters above the sunflora, motes of shadow begin to pack themselves together as Gastly finally takes shape.


    Both trainer and pokemon had noticed, but Kima still shouts, "Sunflora above you! trade blows with Giga Drain!"


    Bubbles of nature power blast forth like a bubblebeam!


    The shining bubbles tear through Gastlys body like a knife shredding paper, but when there is no follow-up, Gastly frowns.


    .


    For a few moments, Sunflora just watches the Gastly above him intently, his ever-present smile slightly tense.


    With confusion, Kima questions his pokemon, but Sunflora just shakes its head, not tearing his eyes away.


    Gastly scowls in thought, (damnation! so he already figured out I''m hollow... is it because he gained no energy from hitting me? In that case... let''s see how you deal with this!)


    Fully reforming, Gastly fires off a spite, then he goes hollow again.


    Sunflora retaliates with a giga drain, but feels almost no feedback as next to nothing was absorbed back.


    Sunflora Shakes its head again,


    "Sunflora what''s wrong?"


    Sunflora observed as Gastly begins to charge up another spite, so he charges up a giga drain, but Gastly faked him out!


    The full power giga drain was a waste and struck with no feedback, while Gastlys spite was merely a harmless wisp of empty smoke.


    (Foolish plant, did you think I wouldn''t learn from my mistakes? As if I''d allow a fool like you to hit me. Did you really think your slow giga drains were on the level of the wartortles water gun?)


    .


    After a few setbacks and losses, Sunflora begins to feel hopeless, and the spites that struck had started to leave him drained.


    Shaking its head, Sunflora waddles over to his trainer


    Kima speaks up reluctantly, "Sunflora... you really want to go back in your ball?"


    Sunflora nods, his smile gone.


    Hoping for a miracle, Kima asks again, "Are you sure there isn''t anything you can do?"


    Sunflora shakes its head sadly.


    "Alright... we can try again in three months..."


    With that, the sunflora was back in its ball, and with that, the referee declared Jared & Gastly the victor.


    The crowd''s reaction was once again mixed, in their eyes the match was a farce. From their perspective the sunflora looked like it shot a few blows then gave up, for a round of eight, they expected far more.


    The casters appear regretful as well, "Well folks, it seems Kima got cold feet, and we will be moving onto the next match, but don''t worry folks, I have news that the next round will be between Akoni and Remilia, her powerful Bayleaf will no doubt give Akoni a run for his money!"


    Shrieking from the five needles stuck under his nails, Gastlys voice whispers into the suffering human''s mind, "Jared, that''s enough, let me take you back"


    Gastly begins carrying his trainer out while the vocal minority boo him,


    Jared worriedly asks in a weak voice, "Say, Gastly, that''s the first time you said my name."


    "Human, don''t worry about the next match, when I get you back in bed, I''ll wait for your number on the first floor while you rest."


    .


    Using his shadowy tendrils, Gastly lays Jared on the bed, but Jared gasps in shock, "Wait... I didn''t come home last night, Kai will be locked out..."


    Struggling to get up, Gastly gently pushes him down, then looks into Jared''s eyes using hypnosis, "You are no longer worried, Kai lives on the streets, and now you think he will be okay, you now think that spending one more day there will not harm him."


    Jared''s eyes begin to glaze over, "Huh... maybe I''m right... that''s a relief..." smiling happily, Jared drifts off to sleep.


    Watching him sleep, Gastly looks through him in contemplation,


    (I can''t risk you moving around with your injuries...)


    Gastly sunk into thought, (I wish I found you years ago, then I wouldn''t have lived as a mere mote of unconscious shadow for so long, while having all my mass and memories stripped from me by the greedy haunters over and over... and over.)


    Painful memories flash through Gastlys mind, many, many, memories,


    (I''ve lived hundreds of years as a cow ripe for slaughter, extracted over and over...)


    After a moment, a dark glow burns brightly in Gastlys eyes, the glow of unrelenting spite,


    (Yes.... and now I''ll be the one to take everything, as long as I grow strong enough before they find me...)

 News

    "It''s time, human"


    Still too weak to get up, Gastly latches him to his body and floats him down like before.


    .


    "We have an exciting match today folks, Jared the dark horse of the competition, and Akoni will be going head to head in our semi-final match!!!"


    The general sentiment in the audience favored Akoni, and such things as this could be heard, "I Really hope Akoni beats his ass, if that screaming lunatic becomes an official trainer it will make a mockery of the profession!"


    .


    Akoni & Vaporeon


    Vs


    Jared & Gastly


    .


    Two and a half hours ago, Jared had exited the arena, and now he was finally back.


    "Just my luck... it had to be Akoni..."


    Gastly just scoffs


    "Gastly, from what I can tell, Akoni''s Vaporeon is not normal, please... just be careful okay?"


    .


    Same as before, nearly halfway into the arena, Gastly sets Jared down behind cover, then he vanishes.


    .


    Vaporeon and Akoni were now close,


    Akoni commands, "Vaporeon veil yourself in an aqua ring to negate his spites and hypnosis"


    Vaporeon just glares at him.


    Akoni scratches his nose then looks away with a whisper, "Er... or just do whatever"


    .


    While dispersed, Gastly soon finds the vaporeon sitting in a slow-moving river nearby.


    (So there you are, how confident of you to just sit there... such a foolish catfish, how dare you underestimate me?)


    Gastly then turns himself visible, and fires off a hypnosis from twenty meters away, but, the sitting Vaporeon is suddenly nowhere to be seen.


    Confused, he looks around for half a second, then, feeling a bad premonition tries to go invisible.


    Before he can, he screams, as he feels his body burning.


    "DAMN YOU!!!" Gastly turns around to get a lick off, but there was nothing there, then from his other side he feels himself burn again, "AHHHHHHHHHHH"


    Giving up, he tries to disperse as fast as he can, but as if it was planned, a powerful cone of water engulfs his entire form.


    Gastlys screams stop, and he continues to fade until he''s gone.


    "Ohh, it''s the one-two combo of Akoni''s vaporeon, Gastly must be reeling now!"


    "Too soon to say, you''ve seen the beating that Gastly can take!"


    No longer feeling the cold tendril of Gastly in his chest, Jared begins panicking, so he shouts, "GASTLY, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"


    With wide-open eyes and deep unease, Jared looks around but he finds nothing, not even a wisp of smoke, he felt helpless. All he could think to do now was pray for Gastly to reemerge.


    .


    Twenty-eight minutes pass, and now the match is over.


    Vaporeon was declared the winner!


    A referee tries to bring Jared out, but he refuses, "GASTLY PLEASE TELL ME YOU ARE ALIVE, JUST SAY SOMETHING!"This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Well folks, stay tuned, in an hour and a half, it will be Akoni vs Kekoa, and that will be a grand finale to see!"


    .


    Shaking, Jared is forced out by a few guards, but he wasn''t much trouble, still too weak to walk more than a few yards.


    Once he was brought back to the repurposed medical ward, he had now slightly calmed down.


    (They said Gastlys are unkillable, I''m sure he''s just fainted, yes, he will come back, I refuse to believe he could die like that!)


    Staying overnight to recover, Jared slowly makes his way home.


    The whole building was mostly empty, Jared felt empty too. Exiting the building without his partner made him feel somewhat... hollow, but he keeps up hope,


    (I know you are alive... Gastly)


    With nine hundred dollars deposited in his bank account for tying third, he was now much richer, but it didn''t lift his mood.


    Jared struggled home, which took him four hours. It was now mid-day and the streets were busy. People recognized him, but didn''t stop to talk, and they only whispered among themselves.


    In the alley, he finds an angry Kai leaning against his door.


    Before Kai can open his mouth, Jared speaks up, "Kai, I''m so sorry, I was injured and couldn''t come back until now."


    Seeing his injuries, Kai swallows what he was going to say, and keeps quiet.


    Opening the door the two walk inside, "Kai, I need to rest for a while, please make yourself at home."


    With that, Jared dropped on the hard bed, and he was instantly asleep despite the bright sun lighting up the room like a torch.


    The next day, Jared called the school, and he let them know he''s recovering, and he will only be able to return tomorrow.


    Lying in bed and resting, Kai cooks him some food, "How did you get so injured?"


    Putting down his bowl, Jared sighs, "Sorry Kai, It''s a long story, I''ll tell you later okay?"


    .


    In the middle of the night, Jared startles himself awake, and he looks around. He whispers, "Gastly?" but the familiar voice does not appear in his mind.


    .


    Finding Kai still asleep in the morning, Jared gets ready and struggles out the door, not forgetting to leave a note. The note read, *I will return in three hours to unlock it*


    Slowly walking past the familiar pidgey, Jared''s mood drops further, the sight of pokemon used to bring him joy, but now only reminds him of Gastly.


    The bell rings.


    Jared''s tutor clears his throat, "I saw your match Jared, and if I didn''t know you any better, I would have thought you were an experienced trainer"


    "Er yeah..."


    "Now, this isn''t any of my business, but could you tell me why you were screaming in pain during your matches?"


    "I...have my reasons... Do you remember... You told me that Gastlys can''t die... do you think it''s really true?"


    "There''s no way to really know."


    .


    Returning home in low spirits, Jared continues the same routine for the rest of the week. He had decided to fully heal before resuming his painful memorization method.


    Using some of the money he gained from the tournament, he had purchased a better bed, along with a desk and a few pillows, so the living conditions improved somewhat.


    .


    During the sixth night, Jared was awoken by a voice in his head, "Human I''m back, however, we need to go!"


    Startled awake, but happy to hear Gastlys voice, Jared replies with confusion, "Go... why?"


    "To tell you the truth, before I became your partner, I was a minion under a haunter, all gastlys are. I fled from him all the way from Seafolk village, far over the ocean, but tonight, when I reformed and made my way home, I was found by a gastly by chance. I managed to kill him because he was weak, but they will come looking."


    Opening his eyes wide, the sleep is fully shaken off, "How can you be sure? and why did you run?"


    "Because the haunters steal the negative energy from all the Gastlys under them. I was originally only going to stay here for a day and would have moved farther away, but your negative energy brought me here. It''s not the same haunter, but most of them are more than a thousand years old... Don''t underestimate their cunning, the local haunter will definitely search for the missing Gastly, and will not leave a rock unturned."


    "Wait, this is too sudden, I need time to think!"


    "Jared, you need to understand, I need to leave now, with or without you."


    Jared replies with some small hope, "Wait wait, I have money, what if I hid you in a pokeball?"


    Gastly mentally shakes his head, "Yes, it would hide me, but not you, the haunter will send his gastlys out and gather information. If he learns a Gastly participated in the tournament, and searches for you... then, unless you can change your face then he WILL find you, he won''t leave the region, but it would be best we leave the entirely of Alola."


    "Wait, wait, wait, he has no evidence you did it, even if he finds you why would it be an issue?"


    "It is an issue human, there''s a reason why you almost never see a human with a Gastly, and that''s because the haunters won''t allow it. They will probably kill the trainer... as well as the gastly. This is to keep the others from attempting the same... Human, we gastlys live in a different world than you, and our society has rules."


    "Why didn''t you tell me about this before?!"


    Still exasperated, Jared shakes his head, "If Gastlys are going around the city collecting negative energy, then they would hear about our match if the humans talk about it wouldn''t they?!"


    "No, human, normal gastlys can''t understand human language, they are so drained of energy by the haunters that most of them are simple and stupid. Many of them lose their memories along with their mass during the extraction... even I was the same before I met you... but if the haunter leads the search that''s different."


    "Wait... then where do I go? you know I''m from a different world! I memorized the layout of Alola, but I''ve never even seen a map of the other regions..."


    "Get one of your slave devices and hide me, that will buy us time."


    Seeing Jared hesitate, Gastly snorts, "You are from a different world, what attachment do you have to this region? You tied for third place, do you not have enough money?"


    (Tsk, if Jared was in a weakened state, then I could make him obey with hypnosis... just like before.)


    During this one-way conversation, Kai was stirred by the noise but kept silent.

 Return

    "Gastly, calm down, I''ll go with you, but it''s one am, is it really a good idea to move around at night, not only that but nothing will be open for at least five hours, do haunters hibernate during the daytime?"


    Gastly hesitates, "...Maybe they do... "


    With an inquisitive look, Jared seriously asks, "You are my partner Gastly, so tell me now if you are keeping anything else from me, maybe something important... such as how you ran into that other gastly."


    Gastly glowers, "...It was just bad luck, and unless a gastly is intentionally scanning for another gastly, they won''t run into each other, and even if they do, they might think they are part of the group... however, my mass is too large, it isn''t like those hungry ghosts, he ran the moment he spotted me so I had no choice but to kill him."


    Pondering his words, Jared speaks after a moment, "This brings up another point, why do people think gastlys are immortal if you can easily kill one?"


    "We aren''t immortal, but even with a speck of shadow, and only our instincts remaining, we can eventually reform by searching out negative energy, but other Gastlys can absorb those specks and add it to their own mass until there is nothing left, and that includes haunters."


    Looking Gastly up and down, Jared nods," I guess that explains why you are looking bigger than ever... just hide here, for now, and in the morning we will figure something out."


    .


    Going back to sleep, Jared is abruptly woken up when Gastly possesses him.


    Feeling the deep chill, Jared whispers with confusion, "Gastly what are you doing?"


    Gastlys voice booms in his mind with a frantic tone, "They are scanning the city now human, they are looking for the dead gastly! I feel it, I am suppressing myself as much as I can, but it will be undone if I try to move too much! In less than five minutes they will pass by and find us, you need to take me away from them now!"


    Without a word more, Jared jumps off his bed then grabs some clothes he had laying around before quickly putting them on. Once his shoes were on too, he grabbed the key and was out the door, not even stopping to grab his phone.


    "Gastly, which way should I go?"


    "To the outskirts, get away from the center of the city!"


    Jared begins running further into the poor district, passing more homes in disrepair.


    Gastly would frantically yell every so often when he senses a group of Gastlsy scanning close, so Jared would run in the opposite direction frantically, despite his gasping breaths, and the deep chill of Gastly stiffening his body.


    .


    After two hours of running, the only lights were the moon and the stars, along with a few rural homes.


    Now in an open field of sand and rocks with no houses in sight, Jared trips in the dark then cries out, but Gastly shouts frantically, "Jared this place isn''t safe, two of them are coming here!!!"


    Getting back to his feet, and heaving for breath, Jared tries to limp away, but Gastly sighs in his mind while slowly removing himself from his host, "Rest Jared, I only sense the two, I think I can win"


    Gasping for breath, Jared barks, "Be careful"


    Unable to see what''s going on, Jared just lays prone trying his best to regain his breath and, massage his injured ankle to speed up recovery.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Covered in sweat, he sits in silence.


    The darkness, the sound of insects, and the hooting of a Hoothoot made Jared a bit jumpy, and Gastly being gone had removed a crutch of emotional support, a crutch that he didn''t realize he was using until it was no longer there.


    .


    Seeing Gastlys slightly glowing eyes in the darkness, Jared asks worriedly, "You were gone a while, what happened?"


    "They ran in opposite directions the moment I showed myself, I killed one, but the other got away, get on, we are running for it."


    Using the tendrils of shadow, Gastly straps Jared to his mass, and begins floating away as fast as he can.


    "Say, Gastly, you are looking even bigger again, are you going to evolve soon?"


    Gastly clenches him tighter, "I don''t know human, but evolving will not save us now, a new haunter will still stand no chance against those old ghosts."


    .


    Traveling in silence a few meters above the ground, Jared speaks up after a bit of deliberation, "Ah, Gastly, I have an idea, how about looping around and coming back towards the city, they won''t expect us to fly closer to it."


    "This is risky human..."


    Jared continues to convince him, "But, If we fly too far, I won''t be able to get back to the city with this ankle during daybreak, and you won''t be able to take me back while the sun is high..."


    Hearing Jareds reasoning, Gastly muses for a moment, then speaks reluctantly, "I''ll take us along the periphery, but I''m not going back in."


    Three hours pass, the two were now on the opposite side of the city, and as luck would have it, no Gastlys were scanning nearby, perhaps rallied by the haunter to the location they were last seen.


    Daybreak soon forces Gastly to the ground.


    Feeling Gastlys familiar chill, Jared chuckles from the ground, "I hope you can tell me the way back because I don''t have my phone''s GPS... but knowing you, hehe, maybe I''d just get more lost!"


    Gastly cracks a toothy grin, "It''s daybreak, we should be safe, at least from the gastlys. I dropped us near something you can use as a crutch, use it to get back."


    With the sun up, Jared was able to quickly figure out the way he came, and after three hours he found his way home, only getting lost twice. He would have gotten back sooner, but it was slow going with his hurt ankle.


    Opening the door of his decrepit home, a tired Jared finds Kai still sleeping on the old mattress. Jared said he would buy a new one for him, but Kai refused, stating it would be a waste of money. "You can really sleep... I envy you..."


    As if sensing Jared''s gaze, Kai starts to stir, and he finds a sweat-soaked Jared with bags under his eyes. He was sitting on the only chair with a pale smile.


    "Ah, Kai, you''re awake..."


    Kai rubs a bit of sand out of his eye, "What happened?"


    Turning his gaze left and right, Jared closes his eyes for a moment.


    He then opens them to speak as if reluctant, "I''ve run into a dangerous situation and I need to lea...-" -Kai cuts him off, "I''ll go with you"


    Jared shakes his head, "Kai, you can, but... this is a dangerous situation, I could have been killed last night"


    Kai regains some of his lost confidence, "I can be killed on the streets at any time, I''m not afraid"


    Handing Kai the house key, and patting his back, Jared replies seriously, "Alright, but stay here, I have to go out for a few errands, make yourself some breakfast, I''ll come back and get you soon"


    Shaking his head, Kai pushes the key back, "I''ll go with you!"


    In a chiding tone, Jared replies, "Really Kai, I won''t leave you behind, so trust me okay?"


    Seeing Kai not budging, Jared scratches his head again, "Alright, let''s eat first, and during that time I''ll make a call."


    After a half-hour, the two were out the door, their destination, the Pokebank.


    Jared had ordered a pokeball using his phone, and he intended to get it!


    While the freezing cold of gastlys possession was a temporary solution, it was also something he could do without.


    Hobbling down the street, they only arrive at the poke bank an hour later.


    As usual, the two machokes were keeping guard, but never taking any action.


    It was ten AM, so the traffic was light. The two were in and out after only twenty minutes.


    Holding the small metal ball in his hands under a shady tree, Jared feels an indescribable emotion that leads his thoughts, (I can''t believe I have a pokeball... a real one, I always fantasized about having one as a kid, but to actually hold one...)


    Interrupting Jareds thoughts is the feeling of a deep chill disappearing from his body.


    Watching Gastly materialize before him, Jared just stares for a moment, but Gastly screams in his mind, " HURRY UP AND DO IT HUMAN, THE SUN BURNS!"


    Jared taps the front of the ball, making it enlarge in his hand, then with a happy smile, he domes Gastly on the head with it.


    The engorged ball opens up, and it swallows Gastly with a deep red light!


    The ball lightly shook in his hands for a moment, but then stopped after only five seconds with an audible click.


    Grasping it tightly, Jared laughs out loud, "Today I feel like I''m finally a pokemon trainer!"

 Journey

    Gently, Jared tucks the ball into his pocket as if it were a delicate treasure.


    A few passers give him weird looks when he had shouted, but today he doesn''t care, his mood can''t be reduced by shame today!


    Dropping his improvised walking stick, Jared sits himself down under a shady palm tree.


    Pulling out his phone, Jared turns to Kai, who had followed his example, "Ah Kai, I don''t suppose you know where to get tickets off this island."


    With a nod, Kai motions for Jared to hand over the phone, which he does. Fiddling with the phone for a short time it''s soon handed back.


    A travel website called Alola Express can be seen on the phone''s screen.


    Scrolling through it, Jared begins to frown, (This is weird... it says that there are ferries that take you directly to the Orange Islands, Sevii Islands, Hoenn, Kanto, and even Johto... Could this mean that Alola is right in the middle?)


    Opening up a new internet tab, Jared then types *world map* into the search engine, but nothing shows up.


    Turning to Kai, Jared gesticulates towards the phone, "Hey Kai, think you can bring up a world map with this thing?"


    Kai accepts the phone but shakes his head after a few minutes with a frown, "I can''t find anything like that."


    Jared receives the phone before opening the Alola Express website again.


    After a few minutes of dicking around, Jared sighs inwardly at his discovery.


    A hundred and eighty credits per person... and that''s for the lowest class ticket! And the only ship leaving today is to Kanto... (Guess there''s not much choice here is there...)


    Tapping his knee for a moment, Jared noted that it would be setting sail in only four hours, " I suppose that''s fine... at least it''s all included..."


    Once the tickets were bought, a virtual receipt was immediately downloaded, and stored in the phone''s app.


    When opened it displayed the room number, purchase date, and a GPS coordinate.


    Pressing the coordinate brought up the GPS, and Jared found the boat marked on the map, but the location was further than he hoped.


    With this new information, he turned back to Kai, "We got four hours and it''ll take at least an hour and a half to walk there with my ankle like this, do you remember the way back to the house?"


    Seeing Kai nod, Jared continues, "Alright, take everything and put it in the bag, I need to make a few calls, think you can meet me back here in an hour?"


    .


    Jared spent some time calling the police station, but Brian was somewhat reluctant and unconvinced, "I understand that you somehow found a Gastly, and you even tied for third in the trainer competition, but you are rushing into this too fast! You''ve been here for just over a month, and you have amnesia, I''m strongly advising you to rethink traveling in your condition."


    Jared was unmoved, however, and declined to meet. Hanging up, Jared taps his chin in thought, (Sorry Brian, I really don''t have time, and I can''t risk you using the Natu on me, in an attempt to figure out why I''m leaving.)


    .


    Time passes, and with only forty-five minutes remaining, Kai and Jared found themselves standing before a large double-decker ship.


    This ship was by far the largest one Jared had seen thus far. The dock containing the ship was smaller than the one from the inlet, but it was much higher up.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    No other boats were around except for the one, so Jared assumed this dock was specially made for one purpose, namely large transport ships.


    Jared could see a long and wide metal plank with railings laid on the boat''s right side.


    It could be seen that this was to allow entry into the boat.


    A few men in matching blue and white outfits stood before the entryway in silence.


    After flashing his virtual receipt, Jared and Kai were given entry, and with clanking steps, they climbed up the moveable metal gangplank.


    From the boat''s exterior, Jared assumed the metallic monstrosity could hold five hundred passengers, but the inside was more cramped than he expected.


    Walking down the narrow walkways, many rooms could be seen on either side of the hall.


    Jared and Kai found their room number labeled on the ticket, and inside it was an uncomfortably compact tiny windowless room.


    The only furniture contained inside was two bunk beds and a fishy smell to boot.


    Shaking his head, Jared laments, (I suppose this is what the cheapest ticket gets me!)


    .


    After a half-hour, the captain''s voice came in over the intercom, and letting the passengers know the journey would be taking twenty days.


    They would be settings sail in twenty minutes!


    Hearing this, Jared felt surprised, (Interesting, either the world is larger than I thought or the boat is really slow.)


    Suddenly a loud guttural roar shook the cabin, making Jared and Kai flinch. A moment later the captain''s reassuring voice came back on telling the passengers not to panic, and that the sound was only the two Gyarados getting ready to pull the vessel.


    "Gyarados?", With intrigue, Jared decided to leave the room to investigate.


    A few other passengers had the same idea, and at least twenty men and women could be seen looking over the railing at the bow of the ship.


    Jared couldn''t help his curiosity, and he did the same, but when he looked down into the murky depths, the only thing to be found were some bubbles and foam floating up.


    (Are they under the ship?) Jared mused.


    The intercom chimed in just then, "Passengers please return to your rooms."


    As if in Q, some attendants dressed in blue and white came on deck and began urging the passengers to their quarters.


    .


    Ten minutes later the sound of chains and creaking wood could be heard, and sitting on the bottom bunk next to Kai, Jared begins to feel the very ground beneath his feet quake.


    Kai''s teeth chatter with nervousness, so Jared distracts him, "Ever been on a boat before Kai?"


    "Once, but not one like this..."


    With a reassuring smile, Jared pats Kai on the shoulder, "There''s nothing to worry about, the boat shaking is normal"


    (Probably...)


    After a few minutes, the shaking stops.


    The intercom then comes on, but it''s not the captain this time, "Feel free to move around now. Breakfast and dinner will be brought to your quarters, and for additional purchases, you can find a concession in the main area.


    Pulling out his only pokeball, Jared taps it thoughtfully, (I wonder how Gastlys doing in his ball...)


    Coming to a decision, Jared lightly presses the front of the pokeball, before gently tossing it onto the top bunk.


    With a flash of dark red light, a confused Gastly appears.


    Kai watches with wide eyes, and he instinctively recoils in fear from the fanged ghost.


    Orienting himself around, Gastly connects his thoughts to Jared, "Where am I? You just put me in your slave ball a moment ago, how am I in this small room?"


    Jared reacts with surprise, "Ah? It''s been more than four hours though... we are on a boat headed to Kanto"


    Jared pauses to think, "Ah, Gastly, could it be the ball puts you into a kind of stasis?"


    "You tell me human, your race made this slave device."


    "What''s it like in there?"


    "I don''t know human, but I hate it!"


    "Thought so..." Jared sighed.


    Mustering some courage, Kai then asks, " Um... I''ve hadn''t seen your pokemon talk, how does this work?"


    Jared thinks for a moment, "He speaks directly into my mind, don''t worry about it."


    Kai seems a bit convinced, "Ah... ok"


    .


    The oceans were calm, which made the journey smooth, albeit boring, and there was no signal, so Jared couldn''t call anyone.


    During the journey, Jared had told Kai that Gastly eats emotions, and gave him a little backstory on how they met, including his masochistic memorization method.


    The two chatted with a few passengers to pass the time, but his poorly dressed attire somewhat deterred them, so they mostly kept to themselves.


    Kai seemed to love the ocean, so during the day, he would just watch the endless ocean from the deck.


    As expected Gastly had refused to go back in the ball, and he demanded Jared to give him negative energy, so while Kai was out on the deck, Jared would often stay back and torture himself to feed Gastlys hunger and growth using the needles that Gastly stole.


    On the eighteenth day, a large Island with a massive volcano could be seen with the naked eye.


    The captain''s voice had announced they will be stopping briefly at Cinnabar Island, before moving onto Pallet town, then ending the journey at Fuchsia city.


    Much to Jared''s disappointment, he did not get a chance to see the gyarados that supposedly existed, not even up until now.


    However, Jared still heard their roars during feeding time. Unfortunately, the passengers were confined to their rooms during those instances, however.


    Jared pondered where he wished to stop, but in his mind, he knew. If he was coming to Kanto, then there was really only one place he wanted to begin his journey.

 Lunatic Of Alola

    Jared and Kai watched the long mountains that rose beyond the shores in the far distance.


    The captain had announced that the ship would be landing in pallet town in a few hours, so they came out to see.


    Leaning on the railing as they approach, Jared smiles,  (This ship moves a lot quicker than I thought. It''s hard to tell how fast you move when there is nothing but the calm ocean)


    .


    Time passes and soon a small harbor comes into clear view.


    Behind the harbor was a small unremarkable town. At least Jared can''t see anything special about it from what little is shown.


    Ten minutes before landing, the captain recalls the passengers to their cabins.


    Thirty minutes later, Kai and Jared disembark the ship at Pallet town, but before they could leave the tiny harbor, they were stopped.


    Two evolved houndoom''s growled by the side. Two uniformed men announced themselves as custom agents.


    Jared could see that the houndoom''s meant business, and they would not be refused!


    Jared and Kai were soon led into a small customs office in short order. Along with them were a couple of other passengers.


    .


    In a small room, Jared and Kai can be seen sitting. A customs agent began to ask the two some questions. The customs office also had its own Natu.


    After explaining a few rules, they were allowed to leave.


    .


    Stepping out of the office, Jared pats his pocket as he walked,  (I lost reception and the internet a few hours after we sailed off, so I can''t even bring up the GPS, I wonder if this phone is region-specific?)


    From behind, Kai speaks up worriedly, "What should we do now?"


    Pausing his steps, Jared turns around, "Ah... Kai, we have a small problem... We aren''t Kanto citizens, so we are supposedly not allowed to find work... or even live here for more than a month. We aren''t even allowed to apply to become citizens from within the region itself. Not only that but we aren''t even legally allowed to leave town, at least... unless we can provide proof we are visiting a relative... or for important business."


    (I guess this explains why Brian thought it would be a terrible idea for me to travel...)


    Kai complains, "Why did we ever leave? You never ever told me the real reason..."


    "Ah, Kai, you should know I trust you," Jared scratches his neck reluctantly, "I want to tell you but even knowing might put you in danger."


    (If I told him, he''d just get nightmares knowing there are invisible ghosts everywhere, and knowing there is a cunning thousand year old haunters would freak anyone out, so what good will it do him to know? He might technically be older than me, but he''s just a child, he shouldn''t have to deal with my problems...)


    "Kai, just be a kid, let the adults figure this stuff out."


    Kai shakes his head, but he doesn''t retort.


    .


    Jared and Kai begin to stroll the small town, in the hopes of finding a cheap place to stay.


    With proper directions from a few passers-by, they found a small chain of buildings, and they promptly rented a room inside it for two weeks.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Unknown to them, a man had been watching them since the moment they stepped on the Pallet Town shores.


    .


    Jared thought to himself while leaving Kai back in the motel,  (Money is going to be tight, I hope I can find work... despite the rules.)


    .


    Walking from place to place, Jared soon became frustrated, (Damn! DAMN! None will hire me, not even under the table, what am I going to do...? I don''t want to revert to theft to survive, but I''m not going to live on the streets... I can''t do that to Kai.)


    Someone taps Jared''s shoulder from behind, "I hear you''re looking for work, maybe I can help you out?"


    Turning around, Jared is a bit surprised to find a handsome man. He was wearing black trousers with a light black jacket.


    Jared inspected him, (A poofy black hat with... dyed purple hair? A hipster?)


    "You are?"


    The man went in for a friendly handshake, then spoke in a flamboyant voice, "They call me James"


    Jared blinks, (James? Those green eyes, that hair... Don''t tell me this is the team rocket James? In a town of at least three thousand people, there''s no way a coincidence this large can exist, can it?)


    Hiding his internal thoughts, Jared calmly asks, "I''m Jared, I am indeed looking for work, what can you offer me?"


    Looking Jared up and down, James speaks, "You got a pokemon?"


    "Yeah?"


    "What is it?"


    "Gastly"


    James thinks for a moment, then clicks his tongue, "Sorry, I think I got the wrong person."


    He then begins walking away, (Wasted my time... even if I steal his Gastly there''s no way I can contain it, let alone sell it.)


    Watching James walk away, Jared ponders for a moment,  (If, and I mean IF this is really James from the anime, then he should have a somewhat kind personality despite the organization he was apart of... so, he probably won''t mistreat me if I was his employee...)


    Jogging up, Jared walks beside James, "Ah, James, I think you do have the right person!"


    Shaking his head, James begins to walk faster, but Jared petitions, "I have almost no money, and you could say I''m on the run... I''m not a Kanto resident, and I can''t find work here, will you please help me? I have a kid I have to take care of!"


    With another shake of his head, James turns around to face Jared, "The work I do isn''t something you want to be part of."


    Jared splayed his fingers, "I think it is, I have no other options, I can''t go back to Alola,"


    Looking down in thought for a moment, James continues to walk away, "If you really want work... then come with me."


    .


    After some time passed the two stood before an unremarkable small-sized building.


    James rapped four times on the side of one of the doors.


    Someone on the other end asked, "Who is it?"


    "87652," James replied.


    The door opened with a click, and the stench of cigarettes immediately hit Jared in the face.


    Feeling a tinge of trepidation, Jared mechanically follows behind.


    The doorman wore a similar outfit to James, and he gave the newcomer a sidelong look, as they were led inside.


    Passing through two smoky rooms, Jared saw a few people lazing around.


    Soon, James knocks against a black wooden door.


    "Enter"


    James carefully opened the door to reveal a man in a fancy black suit, and on his chest was a silver striped badge.


    Puffing a cigar, he scowls, "Who have you brought me this time, James?"


    With a small bow, James replies, "Sir, this man wants to join us."


    Letting out a deep puff of smoke, the man growls, "James, get out, and you, sit!"


    Jared nervously took a seat, while trying to keep his composure.


    Snuffing out his cigar, the man reaches into his pocket,  "You want to join our company is that right?"


    "Yes"


    Removing his hand from his pocket, he reveals he was holding a pokeball.


    He presses it twice in quick succession, and a natu pops out from within.


    Leaning slightly in his seat, the man begins, "Do you know what kind of company we run?"


    Jared nodded, "I have an idea,"


    Seeing the Natu nod as well, the man returns his eyes back to Jared, "Are you working with the government or law enforcement in any way, are you a snitch?"


    "No"


    Leaning over, the black-haired man glares Jared dead in the eye, "Are you trouble? Will your troubles cause my company problems?"


    "I... No?"


    Squinting his eyes into a glare, the man then continues, "Can I trust you? Are you the type to keep your lips shut tight?"


    Jared nods, but the man seems unsatisfied, "Speak, fast, are you trustworthy? Are you able to keep your gab shut?"


    Slightly flustered, Jared replies, "Yyes!"


    A knock is heard from the door, which prompted Harper to bark, "Busy!"


    The noise made Jared flinch,  (I hate job interviews... and it doesn''t help that this guy gives me mob boss vibes.)


    "You will refer to me as Mr. Harper or sir,"


    Harper casually returned the Natu to his ball, then used a single finger to scratch the cheek of his shaven face, "What''s your name, and what can you offer our company?"


    "Jared, and I''m willing to do anything as long as it''s not murder or extorting the impoverished"


    In a louder tone, Harper snaps, "I said what you can offer me, not what you can not do, be useful now, or in the next ten seconds I''ll kick you out!"


    Holding up a pokeball, Jared replies, "I have a Gastly, he can go invisible, and knows simple commands"


    "Gastly?" Harper repeats the words while rapping the desk a few times, and it was as if he were savoring the sound.


    Settling his eyes on Jared''s face, he asks with a somewhat disbelieving tone, "Are you the Lunatic of Alola?"


    "Uh..."

 Rocket Trainee

    Harper points his finger accusingly, "Don''t deny it, It is you, I don''t believe in coincidences!"


    "I...I''m not denying it, but nones called me that before..."


    Massaging his temples, Harper growls, "What are you doing here lunatic?"


    "Looking for work..."


    Slamming his hand on the table Harper barks, "You think I''d believe that? Someone like you? You very nearly become an official trainer, and now suddenly wants to join the Rocket Gang? Someone with a bright future like you wants to join us? You take me for a fool?!"


    Someone knocks on the door, "Everything alright in there, boss?"


    A vein pulses on Harper''s forehead, "I told you to stop interrupting me!"


    Jared then replies when he felt the timing was right, "I don''t think you are a fool, but I do want to join."


    A moment later the Natu appears once more, and Harper commands him to say it again.


    "I want to join the rocket gang."


    The natu nods.


    Harper lowers his tone, "Tell me lunatic, why are you joining us?"


    "Because I''m at the end of my rope like you say."


    The natu nods.


    Harper shakes his head in disbelief, "Unbelievable... are you intending to join us to betray us?"


    "No, I have no intention of betraying your company."


    Natu nods.


    "Last question lunatic, those that join the Rocket Gang can''t leave so easily, are you willing to join now?"


    "Yes, as long as I can earn money"


    Harpers lower lip begins to twitch as he comes to a decision, "Come back in five days lunatic, and bring all your belongings, eight AM, don''t be late, now GET OUT."


    A few minutes after Jared left, Harper brought his phone up to his ear, "I need to speak to the regional leader."


    Walking back to the motel, Jared mumbles, "The boss seems a bit... tempermental, but why would he need me to bring all my belongings?... Could they be taking me somewhere? But... I can''t just leave Kai..."


    Jared stands before the motel with a sigh,  (I don''t really want to join a criminal organization, but I have very few options now. It''s either this, or I run out of money and risk being deported back to Alola. I really don''t want to face a thousand-year-old haunter...)


    Back at the musty motel, Jared plops on the bed, while the rusting wood creaks in protest. "Kai, I found work, but it''s... risky work."


    "Bad people?"


    "Yes, and if I join them I think I''ll be sent away... but don''t worry, I''ll see what I can find in the next five days... But, if nothing else comes up, then I might have to leave you here for a while. I''ll give you the money and food, and there''s enough to rent another two weeks... but I''ll try to get back before then."


    "I''ll go with you, "


    Jared shook his head, "Not this time Kai."


    .


    Five days later Jared was standing before the Rocket Gang building.


    "Kai, I told you to stay back, these people are dangerous."


    Kai just smiled, and stubbornly shook his head.


    Slightly exasperated, Jared knocked on the door.


    After a moment it was opened, and the doorman escorted the two back to the office. He stood watch until they entered the office.


    Jared noted the lack of cigarette smoke.


    The door to the room was already opened, and a few people could be seen sitting inside.


    Harper was in his usual seat.


    The temperamental man''s eyes darken as Jared enters, and they darken further when he spots Kai, "You brought your kid?"This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Jared affirms.


    "Get in here and take a seat then."


    Harper Scans the room, he then spoke bluntly, "You are now initiates of the Rocket Gang, and you will be blindfolded and teleported off for training."


    A moment later a man came in, and he held a bucket full of blindfolds.


    Harper threatens the six trainees, as the man begins applying them, "Don''t resist"


    .


    Fully blindfolded, Jared feels himself pulled along this way and that, and then after a few minutes, he feels the blindfold suddenly vanish off his face.


    Opening his eyes to adjust to the new lighting, he finds himself in a large dimly lit room.


    The floor was smooth, and the whole area reeked of sterilization.


    On his left, he barely makes out five others, but more seem to be popping into existence out of nowhere, Kai as well.


    An hour later Jared and Kai look around the room. They found the crowd had grown to twenty-five people.


    Some of them appear to know each other and separate into groups, while others kept to themselves.


    Jared observes them in the dim light,  (Most of them are pretty young, and judging by their scared expressions and dirty clothing, I imagine joining the Rocket Gang, and coming here wasn''t their first choice...)


    .


    A spotlight suddenly lights up on a raised podium. Up until now, it was hidden by the darkness.


    With a grandiose voice, a man cheers from atop it, "Welcome! I am instructor Micheal! Many of you are here because society has pushed you to the edge, and with nowhere else to turn you have come to us!" He grasped his chest for dramatic effect while tilting his head up.


    The room suddenly flashes blindingly bright before slowly dimming.


    Behind Micheal, an entire wall of glass comes into view. It was built in by design, and it consumed the entire back wall.


    With arms outstretched, like a god accepting the lost lambs, Micheal shouts enthusiastically, "But we at team rocket will accept you!"


    The responses he gets from the trainees were lukewarm, which seemed to disappoint him.


    A few people shield their eyes from the lights, while others just look around fearfully.


    Micheal appears to be waiting for applause, but he frowns when he gets none, "What we at the Rocket Gang care about is your ability to appraise a pokemon, as well as your ability to train them!"


    With splayed fingers, he motions behind himself, "Look behind me, there are one hundred cages! Each cage contains one of five species, weedles, koffing''s, zubat''s, ekans'', and spinaraks"


    The glass wall suddenly started rising with a whirr, and behind the glass, many pokemon can be seen screeching or crying out. The man doesn''t seem to notice, "You will choose one! Choose wisely, but be quick, you only get thirty minutes!"


    The group of haggard people tentatively began shuffling to the cages. They went from cage to cage looking at each one.


    Jared mused that they were most likely hoping to find a winner.


    After a moment, Jared joined them, while Kai followed closely behind.


    Scanning his eyes to the sad and lifeless pokemon in the cages, Jared clenches his fists, (They look pitiful... but I''m no saint either...)


    (Anyways, what does he mean by assess? They all look the same though? Is there a trick to it? Is there really a way to figure out a pokemon potential just by looking at it?)


    Just then, the ekans he was looking at began to glow a pale grey, which made him slightly gasp.


    Seeing this, Kai tugs at his shirt, but Jared doesn''t notice.


    With widened eyes, Jared utters a whisper, "The glow... it''s back. This is the third time, there is no way this is a coincidence..."


    With a strong hunch, Jared sets his eyes on another ekans, then he repeats the exact same thought.


    As if by magic, the new ekans began to glow a slightly brighter grey.


    Repeating this a few times, he quickly figures out the trigger.


    " Fifteen minutes remaining, choose quickly."


    Blinking, Jared looks around to find the twenty-odd people had already picked and they each stood behind a cage nervously.


    He and Kai were the only ones left.


    Feeling slightly rushed now, Jared frowns, but he doesn''t move to choose,  (What do the colors mean? From what I can tell the most common is pale grey, but I also see a few greyish copper colors of differing intensities... Is this what they meant by assessing our ability? Can others do what I do? Is grey worse than copper because it''s more common? I remember that Feraligator was pale gold, while that Butterfree was a deep bronze color... Am I maybe special?)


    Jared shakes his head to dispel that thought, (No... I doubt it, if I was special I wouldn''t be dropped in the middle of the ocean to die, perhaps it''s a talent only a few people have? Is it a strange quirk with this world?)


    Moving his eyes to the cages the other trainees had picked, he finds their choices were no better than random chance, although one had a deep reddish copper glow without any grey.


    Jared nods to himself, (If thinking the word *potential* is required to activate the glow, then the glows probably mean something important. Seems... I wasn''t screwed by god after all! Even if I don''t know how good or bad a glow is, it makes sense to assume that the less common a glow is the better.)


    .


    Scanning all the cages, Jared begins walking over to one of them, (Never seen that color before...)


    "Five minutes left"


    Kai tugs Jared''s shirt, seeming to be frantic, "We have to choose!"


    Standing before the cage, Jared raises a finger, "Five minutes is enough, just hold on a for a moment longer, Kai"


    (Pale emerald glow with a bit of brownish bronze... it can''t be bad right? The weedle is small, but who knows what he''s capable of.)


    "Two minutes left"


    Quickly looking around, Jared finds nothing better, "Hey Kai pick that one over there."


    With some doubt, Kai follows Jared''s finger and proceeds to stand next to a deep bronze glowing ekans.


    .


    "Times up!"


    From a side door, a confident well-built man in a uniform strutted in, and at his side was a houndoom.


    The houndoom immediately began snarling at the nearby trainees, as well as the caged pokemon.


    All those that met the hound''s eyes shrunk back in fear, none of them dared to meet its vicious gaze for long.


    The announcer just smiles at their reactions, "Don''t worry, this is just a precaution. The pokemon you will be taming are all wild, and the houndoom is here to prevent accidents... If they go berserk the houndoom will get himself a little snack!"


    In response to his words, the caged pokemon shudder.


    Suddenly the cages next to each trainer begin to open up, but the pokemon inside don''t dare to step out.


    Jared noted that he was the only trainee next to a weedle,  (...Looking at this tiny horned bug I don''t blame them, size matters, and even I wouldn''t have chosen it if not for the emerald glow. I hope the glow isn''t just a massive prank by whichever god sent me here...)


    .


    With a nod, Micheal spoke again, "You have three days to get it to cooperate with you, and you can use any means necessary! You will be given a pokeball after three days, and if the pokemon rejects the ball then you will fail. We aren''t a heartless organization, but if you fail you will not even be fit to be a trainee, and you''ll be sent... elsewhere..."

 Locked In

    At Micheal''s words, the trainees felt cold sweat drip down their back.


    Many now began to watch their pokemon as a thirsty man would to an oasis, but none of the pokemon left their cages.


    Micheal waves grandly, "Not to worry, not to worry! your pokemon just have cold feet! I''m sure our friend Houndoom can help you out!"


    Suddenly the houndoom barks, and in response, the uncaged pokemon begin to crawl out reluctantly.


    "That''s better! We at team rocket don''t care if you curse us in your hearts, but if you lash out against the trainees in our presence you... then will not live past today! but, behind closed doors is another story!"


    The houndoom barks again, seemingly to convey the words.


    The newly freed pokemon gain a strange glint in their eyes, as they eye the trainees.


    Looking down at the small horned weedle, Jared notices that it doesn''t seem to fear the houndoom as much as the others, wherever the houndoom walks, the weedle keeps its rear stinger pointed towards it.


    Jared rubs his chin thoughtfully, (I wonder what the point of its big nose is?)


    .


    With a wave of his hand, Micheal commanded the trainees out of the glass room and back the way they came. The Houndoom kept a close watch, not permitting any disobedience from the wild pokemon.


    The weedle moved slow, so Jared considered carrying the small thing, but knowing its poison typing, he decided to leave that for another time.


    .


    A short time later the trainees and their unwilling pokemon were back in the hall, but both trainees and pokemon eyed each other uneasily.


    Micheal clapped his hands, which appeared to trigger the glass wall, because now it was closing, "Good! good! Now line up into thirds quickly!"


    Jared got into a group with kai along with others, then waited.


    Just then, a door on each side of the room opened, and from each door was a uniformed man. The three black-robed men began lining up next to the podium, and they each faced a group of trainees.


    Nodding to himself as if all was as it should be, Micheal laughed, "Excellent!, our rocket grunts here will bring you to your rooms! The taming will be pointless while suppressed by the houndoom!"


    Micheal winked, "~But once you are assigned a room, there''s always the risk of it killing you, please be careful~"


    Jared sighed inwardly, (The way you keep bringing it up makes it seem like that''s what you want...)


    During this time, Jared assessed the grunt assigned to his group, and found him to be a man in his twenties.


    The man glared at any trainee that looked his way until they turned their eyes down. It was as if he were offended.


    The light on the podium then switched off, and the grunts each began bringing their assigned group through the door they came in.


    One group went north, the other west, the last south.


    Walking through the northern door, the pokemon following the trainees began communicating with each other, their talks seemed to stir with violent intent.


    As if having eyes on the back of his head, the rocket grunt stopped moving then glared at the offending pokemon until they went silent.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    .


    As the last member of the eight-person group passed through the door, a wall slid into place with a thump.


    This wall barred the exit.


    Many of the trainees jumped from the sound, and they looked back with wide eyes, but the grunt was unbothered and kept moving. he had been through this many times.


    The brightly lit hallway was painted black, but the length was short.


    after a few seconds, the grunt can be seen standing in a new room.


    As if getting tired of waiting, the grunt barks, "Get in awnd sit!"


    (awnd?)


    The seven trainees and their seven pokemon gathered their courage to walk in. Once inside they took a seat.


    "Alright, yew lot, I am Shane, and hwere in the Rocket Gang we uswe cwedits. On the table, yew will find a device. Take one, Yew lucky maggowts will get five hundwed cwedits."


    Kai chokes back a laugh, which earned him a glare from Shane.


    "Yew can uwese the cwedits to buy thiwngs that yew think yew need to tame youwr pokemon, yew will hawve your stuwff delivered to youwr woom once a day."


    Shane begins pointing to each trainee and assigning them a number.


    Jared was assigned number four, while Kai was assigned number five, as for what the numbers were for, Jared didn''t know.


    "Thewre are eight rooms, youw will be lowcked iwnside untwil you tame the pokemon. My woom is at the end, youw can cwall me ifw thewre is a pwoblem, but don''wt expewct any fwee advwice."


    .


    After every trainee grabbed a device, he led them to their rooms, Jared found that this entire closed-off space only consisted of that one room, as well as eight private rooms.


    Shane seemed to feel glee in his eyes, as every time a trainer and his pokemon were sent into a room, and get locked in, he smiled.


    Shaking his head, Jared sighs, (I hope things go smoothly for everyone here...)


    Soon it was Jared''s turn, but he stopped and looked at Kai worriedly, (If Kai is harmed, I don''t think I''ll be able to take it...)


    "Get in there!" Shane then pushed Jared inside, then kicked the weedle in too with his boot. He laughed as he slammed the door shut.


    Alone with the small weedle, Jared stares at the wall where Kai will be locked into, (...I have to do something)


    Meanwhile, the kicked weedle looks up angrily, and eyes Jareds turned back with bad thoughts.


    Scratching his head, Jared turns to the weedle to speak, " I don''t suppose you understand me?"


    The Weedle just glared, he was taunting Jared with the needle on his head, and a little worm war dance.


    "Thought so..."


    (I didn''t want to bring you out because if you refused to get back in your ball there would be issues, but I need you to protect Kai,)


    Jared then reached into his pocket, and he tossed Gastlys ball.


    The fanged ball of gas suddenly appeared, but the weedle didn''t seem frightened. He turned his stinger and faced the newest threat.


    Jared chuckles at Weedles display, "At least you got spunk, the first time I met Gastly I wasn''t nearly as composed as you."


    Gastlys angry voice suddenly booms in Jared''s mind, "WHERE HAVE YOU BROUGHT ME HUMAN... Wait"


    With wide eyes, Gastly suddenly vanishes into Jared''s body.


    "What gives, Gastly?"


    "I don''t know where you brought me, but there is a powerful ghost nearby! I can feel her aura everywhere!"


    (She?)


    "Is it a haunter? did she spot you?"


    "It''s... not, and I don''t know human, put me back in the ball, get me away from here!"


    "Wait Gastly, if it''s not a haunter then it should be okay shouldn''t it? I need your help, Kai''s life might be at stake"


    "I don''t care about him, put me back!"


    "Gastly, we are in one of the Rocket Gangs buildings. If it''s not a haunter, then the ghost you are feeling is probably just a pokemon belonging to the Rocket Gang."


    Gastlys voice growls in Jared''s mind, " Rocket Gang? How long have you kept me in your ball!?"


    "...It''s only been... five days."


    "Why didn''t you bring me out!?"


    "Because I didn''t want to... bother you."


    Gastly snorts disbelievingly in his mind, then he leaves Jareds body and began reforming.


    With a bloated and scary visage, Gastly towers over Jared, "You lie and keep things from me, and dare ask for my help?"


    Jared pleaded earnestly, "I''m sorry, partner, I was wrong, will you please check on him now?"


    Seeing Jared''s earnest look, Gastly softens somewhat, "The presence can''t seem to sense me, I will look, but if you lie to me and keep me trapped again, then you''ll regret it human!"


    Gastlys disappears into the wall, and he comes back after a minute with a weird look, "What am I supposed to be doing? I see a curled up snake and the human child staring at each other..."


    Jared ponders for a second, "For now just protect Kai. If the ekans attacks, then please save Kai."


    The war dancing weedle suddenly lashes at Gastly. Gastly was floating too close to him, and he didn''t like it!


    Gastly simply looks down in annoyance, "Fine... what about the little worm?"


    "Don''t worry about that, just protect Kai."


    Gastly leaves the room.


    The weedle loses the target of his rage, and he soon finds a new one in Jared.


    With his stinger poised, and his head bobbing, he seemed ready for the battle of his life.


    Locking eyes with the seven-pound worm, Jared asks with some exasperation, "I don''t suppose we can get along?"


    In response, the weedle lets out an angry hiss!


    "Uh... ok"

 With Allies Like Gastly, Who Needs Enemies?

    The weedle continued its weird war dance, so Jared just sat down with a sigh and turned on the tablet device that he was given.


    The screen lit up with a large red R as a loading screen.


    Interesting, it seems to have everything on it...


    Looking at the large catalog of different items, Jared found some different quality bug type foods listed, he noted that the value of a rocket credit was identical to dollars,


    Hmm, they even have pokeballs, but spending everything I have would only get one...


    "Oh... they have C grade food... SIX HUNDRED FOR TEN KILOGRAMS!?... someone is going to need to explain to me what in the hell the point of that is... I don''t even want to look at the price of B grade..."


    Just then the phone vibrated in his hands letting him know that the cutoff time for the first shipment will be in one hour.


    The weedle continued its war dance, meanwhile Jared decided to purchase five kilograms of C grade bug type food with three hundred out of his five hundred credits.


    Glancing at the weedle in thought, Jared lightly sighs, He''s small, and I''m supposed to be taming him, might as well go all out with the good stuff to make a good impression, not like he''ll be able to eat it all with how small he is... I hope.


    Moving his eyes to the rest of the room he shook his head when he found the toilet,


    They really couldn''t have added a single wall divider? Is the purpose to make it so you can''t run away from the pokemon you are caged in with?


    Like a prison cell, it was a single large room with nothing separating anything else, there was a toilet on one side with a small sink, and on the other was a small kitchen complete with another sink, a small stove, and a mini-fridge. On another corner of the room was a bed, with a few blankets placed neatly on top.


    Opening the few cupboards Jared found them to all be empty except one. It contained a few wooden cups, bowls, plates, and a few forks and spoons.


    Grabbing a cup he filled it with water and got his fill, then picking up a bowl he filled it halfway and slowly meandered his way near the weedle, all the while trying to keep his form low and less threatening.


    The efforts seemed to fail because the weedle began to furiously flail his stinger, and redoubled his efforts to deter the threat.


    Setting down the bowl a few meters away, Jared remarked as he leaned over, " You don''t understand me, but you know what water is right? "


    Walking back to the kitchen he continues, "I bought you some C grade food with more than half my credits, so if you wait a while I''ll give you some."


    I''m getting a bit hungry, but I should probably wait... I doubt the weedle would be happy to see me eat while he gets nothing, I also vaguely remember watching Cesar Milon videos where he said it was a good idea to eat with your dog to bond... or maybe I''m just remembering it wrong... either way it seems like a good idea.


    Time passes, Jared tries to make conversation with the weedle with a non threatening voice, but it doesn''t seem to produce results.


    Suddenly a few loud knocks are heard at the door. Opening it Jared finds Shane, and with him was a muscular grey machop, standing half the height of a man.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Seeing this sight, Jared scolds himself inwardly with a few words, ...they are so short, it''s a bit silly of me for mistaking them for men back at the harbor all those days ago.


    Shane glanced past the door into the room then spoke past Jared as if he was looking for something, "Youwr shit is heawr"


    In response, the machop dropped the bag of food in the room before leaving, and then the door was closed shut with an audible click.


    Opening the thick pouch made of plastic, Jared found a mix of various leaves, nuts, and dried berries, "So this is what C grade food looks like huh... three hundred credits for literally rabbit food, what''s this world coming to... well at least it smells nice, kinda like trail mix?"


    Grabbing a handful of the food he stuffed it in his pocket, he then stored the rest of the five-kilo pouch into his backpack.


    Walking past the weedle to get to the kitchen, it predictably began to hiss and act threateningly as Jared got too close on his way past.


    Once he was far enough away, the weedle settled down and lied it''s small body down, but kept its eyes and stinger pointed in Jared''s direction.


    Using the only pot, Jared prepared some brown rice. The smell of the food seemed to agitate the weedle, because it perked up, and began wiggling threateningly again.


    Jared rubbed his chin as he observed the puffed up angry caterpillar looking pokemon,


    I heard it was a bad idea to look an animal in the eye or make fast movements, I wonder if it applies to pokemon?


    Filling up a bowl with rice, and adding some bits of fish for flavor, he steadily made his way a few meters from the weedle then sat down slowly.


    The weedle was not pleased and eyed Jared with a glare, and a twitching stinger,


    Wonder if I''m going about this wrong? I''m no animal expert though...


    Pulling out the handful of C grade bug food from his pocket, he placed it down directly on the floor the smooth concrete floor to let the weedle get a good view of it.


    He then slowly backtracked a few meters then sat down again, before eating his bowl of rice.


    The weedle noticed the food and stopped its war dance for a moment. It almost seemed to be pondering something, but a moment later his eyes returned to Jared then resumed his threatening poses.


    In a soft voice, Jared soothes, "I spent a lot on that food, I hope you''ll at least try it, have you ever had C grade food before? I hear it''s every weedles dream..."


    Jared was nearly finished with his food when Gastly came back through the wall. he stopped eating to ask, "Ah, Gastly, how''s Kai doing?"


    Gastly annoyed voice appeared in Jared''s mind, "The snake curled up in a corner and fell asleep. The child bought some things and is eating now."


    In response, Jared lets out a long breath, relieving some worry.


    The weedle had at some point stopped it''s threatening poses and had been eyeing the food, but when Gastly burst in, those thoughts left his mind, and he started wiggling hatefully at the evil ball of gas instead.


    Gastly noticed this and scoffed, "This bug has no respect, should I teach it a lesson?"


    Shaking his head, Jared replies, "I don''t suppose you can speak to it, don''t you pokemon all know the same language?"


    With a grin, the Gastly suddenly enlarged, and changed himself into a horrifying visage, he then began speaking to the weedle in his real voice, "Pathetic insect, you dare to pose before me?"


    Weedle replied threateningly, "Come then, flying coward, my stinger will take you on!"


    All Jared hears is, "gas gastly gastly g gass" and " wee weeddle weeedl," but when Jared noticed Gastly preparing to attack, he intervened, " Wait, this isn''t what I meant by talk to it!"


    "Stupid human, the little worm insulted me, he needs to learn his place!"


    "Just wait, you think you can translate for me?"


    "Why should I?"


    "It''s just a small weedle, why do you have to go picking fights? Don''t you know I need to tame him or I can''t leave!? How am I going to accomplish that if you beat him up?"


    Gastly pulled his form in, then began talking to the weedle, "Stupid worm, the human has words for you, he says you are beneath his dignity to tame, and your sight disgusts him, he thinks you are so weak that he can crush you with a single foot, and he hopes you will submit quickly so he can trap you in a pokeball, and never have to see your ugly worm nose again!"


    In response, the weedle turned to Jared with a vicious glare before shooting him in the face with a bit of sticky string.


    Seeing the weedle more enraged than ever, Jared wiped the sticky goo off his face with exasperation, "Gastly I don''t know what you said, but you CLEARLY didn''t tell him what I asked you to say!"


    "Hmph, not my problem human," With that, Gastly returned to Kai''s room, leaving the enraged weedle to Jared.


    With the Gastly gone, the weedle begins to crawl in Jared''s direction with cruel purpose.


    Feeling a bit scared and wronged, Jared''s eyes open wide, "DON''T LISTEN TO GASTLY HE''S A LIAR!!!"

 Understanding

    Gastly watched from the wall with a snigger, That''s what you get for locking me up human, you did this to yourself so don''t blame me!


    Seeing the weedle begin to move in his direction with a vicious glare, Jareds eyes open wide. He fishes some more C grade food from his bag, then crouches down.


    Oh to hell with it, if I run away it''s just going to make things worse, even the smallest pokemon can destroy a human thanks to their elemental moves, so I might as well go all in...


    On that thought, Jared laid down on his stomach, and held the food out to the weedle with his head down, then spoke in a soothing tone trying to calm it, "Ah... hey little seven pound weedle, here''s some nice C grade food so don''t poison me to death please"


    ...Well if this doesn''t work I''ll have to hope Gastly intervenes, weedles are poison type, if I get poisoned I might be screwed. In hindsight, I should have bought an antidote, but a bit late now...


    Feeling the weedle nibble at the food in his hands, Jared feels some relief, but he doesn''t dare to move.


    A few minutes after the eating stopped, Jared gathered some courage and looked up, but the weedle was gone, he glanced around and found the weedle curled up on the only bed.


    Letting out a few shaky breaths, Jared gets himself off the ground,


    That was close... maybe this is another reason why they removed all the dividers and rooms, they wanted to make it so you have no choice but to entrust yourself to the pokemon. If I was able to run away and hide in another room, then there might not be much risk to me, but that won''t build any trust... ahh right, it must be about trust!


    He glanced off into the distance silently, "I wonder how the other trainees are doing..."


    Looking at the time, Jared found it to still be early. He cleaned up the C grade food he had left on the floor, even putting it back into the hefty packet to not waste any.


    Leaning against the wall, he began browsing through the tablet again to pass the time.


    Gastly appeared to be bored as well, his voice booms in Jared''s mind sarcastically, "Looks like you aren''t dead human?"


    Setting the tablet on his lap, Jared looked around but doesn''t find Gastly, so he just spoke into thin air, "I know you are angry about being left in the pokeball for five days, but you went a little too far you know that?"


    "I said you would regret it human!"


    The stupid conversation was beginning to give Jared a headache, so he changed the subject, "Gastly, can I see you for a moment? I want to check something."


    Gastly begins to form in acknowledgment, while in Jared''s mind, he focuses and thinks *potential*


    As soon as the thought was completed a brilliant white glow burst from Gastlys form, it was as bright as the sun,


    Noticing Jared shield his eyes, Gastly looked on with confusion, "What are you doing human?"


    Jared ignores the question and asks one of his own in a shaky voice, "How long does it usually take for you Gastlys to evolve?"


    "I don''t know human, but I know there are few haunters, and they are all very old"


    "Let me change the question then, are you special among Gastlys?"You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "Don''t know."


    Scratching his chin, Jared muses to himself, I''ve never seen another Gastly, but there''s no way a brilliant white glow like that is the norm, he told me the other Gastlys are mostly mindless, while he''s not, that''s already a bit unique...


    "I''m hungry human!"


    Putting his train of thought aside, he instead looks up towards the smirking ball of gas, and relents, "Alright, but keep an eye on Kai."


    Grabbing some rice, Jared began kneeling on it, he much preferred this to sticking needles under his fingernails. It''s not that the needles were any less painful, but there''s a barrier between intentionally sticking needles into your fingers and painfully kneeling, he felt one was less mentally draining than the other and required less courage.


    Gastly floated around Jared with a smile as he felt the negative energy flow into him, and as promised he kept a tendril of his form to observe Kai''s room.


    The weedle was woken up to a screaming human and a happy Gastly but didn''t take any action.


    The rest of the day passed painfully. The bed was occupied, so Jared tiredly lay his head on his backpack to sleep.


    High off the negative energy, and In higher spirits, the Gastly floated his way over to the weedle to taunt him, "Sad little bug, you are lucky the human is stopping me from teaching you a lesson, but the moment he gives the order you are finished"


    The weedle haughtily replied without a shred of fear, "Coward floating liar, why wait?"


    Enraged, Gastly fired a hypnosis accurately into the weedles head, which put him to sleep.


    Sneering, Gastly floated away, "Hmph, ugly big nosed bug, you don''t give me orders."


    Waking up, Jared rubbed his sore back,


    I really don''t like sleeping on the ground, I''m too old for this...


    Looking around he finds the weedle lying lazily on the bed observing him. He decided to get himself some breakfast, and, same as before, pulled out a handful of C grade bug food for the weedle along with a bowl of water.


    Jared tried to approach the weedle by crouching, but the pain from kneeling yesterday was making the once simple task a struggle.


    He was now a few meters from the weedle and noticed it wasn''t hissing or puffing up,


    ... Quite an improvement over last night, I wonder if the Gastly decided to be helpful for once and talked sense into him...


    Jared was about to lay the food on the ground, but the weedle hissed.


    Looking up, he finds the weedle seeming to shake body in disapproval.


    Getting the hint, Jared gets on his stomach with a wince. He puts his head down and holds his hands up to present the food like an offering to God.


    The weedle leisurely began to eat the offering, and afterward, he crawled back into the bed and arrogantly eyed the human that was walking away.


    Sitting down against the wall by the small kitchen, Jared ponders his next course of action, I still have tomorrow to tame him, no sense pushing the issue now, if it comes to it I''ll beg Gastly to help... and pray he doesn''t make things worse.


    Jared decided to play it safe and bought an antidote for a hundred. He thought it would come in useful at some point even if the weedle doesn''t end up stinging him. He passed the rest of the long day in pain, there was nothing else to really do except increase Gastlys strength, and feed the weedle occasionally.


    The incident with the haunter caused him to feel fear and a bit insecure. He wished Gastly would become stronger as soon as possible.


    It was the third day now, and the weedle still didn''t seem to care much for him.


    Feeling out of options, Jared tried to reason with the Gastly, "Hey Gastly... I''ve been working hard to give you negative energy so I hope you can do me a favor..."


    A foreign emotion of gloating could be felt in his mind, so Jared just sighed while watching the weedle glare at him from a few meters away.


    Jared turned away, then spoke, "Can you please help me Gastly? If you mess around like last time I don''t know what my fate is going to be, please just let the weedle know the situation. Tell him why I need to tame him, and... tell him that I''ll release him back to his home once I get out of here if he wants."


    The weedle becomes alert when he spied the Gastly forming above him, his stinger twitched threateningly.


    Gastly conveyed the words accurately while the weedle listens.


    The weedle turns to Jared, "Wee eelewel eweee wlewew weedle weeel"


    Turning to Gastly in incomprehension, Gastly translates the words into Jared''s head which came out to, "I go in your human ball or else you not leave, and will release me after?"


    After the words were translated, Jared nods, "Yes, I''ll set you free once we leave this place."


    "You aren''t tricky like lying ball?" Scoffing in Jared''s mind, Gastly still translates it accurately.


    "Yes, If you don''t, then I don''t know what will happen to you, but I can say for certain that the people that captured you won''t set you free, so what have you got to lose?"


    Weedle pauses, "Why you kneel, hurt self?"


    Gastly answered for Jared, " He feeds me negative energy!."


    Weedle hesitates before he reluctantly comes to a decision, "I enter ball, If you become tricky like lying big ball... I sting you!"

 Small Rocket Competition

    Jared asked Gastly to talk to the ekans in Kai''s room, but Gastly informed him that Kai already tamed it somehow.


    The next day a knock is heard from the locked door, before Jared can reach it, the door is unlocked and opened, it''s Shane and the machop.


    Shane asked if the weedle was tamed, and when Jared said yes, he was handed a pokeball.


    The weedle is successfully caught.


    Locking the door again, Shane said he would be back soon.


    An hour later Shane is back and allows him to leave the room.


    Sitting in the only outside room, Jared is soon joined by Kai.


    Kai seemed to have regained his old street demeanor in the past days, and he oozed confidence, he nodded to Jared as he took his seat.


    Only one other person passed, a brown haired kid around ten, while making idle chatter, Jared learns his name, Rikard.


    Soon Shane joined them, "Youw thwee passed the firwst phase and youw are now rocket gwunts, youw will now join the othwers and cowmpete, the winner wwill get pwomoted to agent, and personally twrained, while the rwest of youw will be sewnt out on assignments."


    While being led out, Rikard speaks up, "Is Marco okay?"


    "Downt know wwhich one Marco is, he''s eithewr dead, or he failed and wwas sent owff to be a supplier."


    "Marco is my older brother! he was sent to room two!"


    Shane stopped, and looked Marco dead in the eye with some amusement, "Woom two? He''s dead, twhe Koffing kwilled him."


    The group continued walking out. Jared shook his head while listening to Rikard uncontrollably sob despite his attempts to suppress it when Shane scolded him.


    Suddenly Gastly''s voice boomed in Jared''s mind with some worry, "The ghost is in that room, I''m going back in the ball, be careful," Jared nodded slightly without a reply.


    The obstructed hallway was now clear, and soon they were back in the large room with the podium. The room was not darkened, so Jared was able to see there were only eight trainees remaining of the twenty five that came in.


    Jareds face darkens in thought when he noticed he was the only person over fifteen among the eight, ...I had heard pokemon trusted adults far less than kids... After dealing with the weedle I honestly thought this task would be impossible to complete within three days, and If it wasn''t for Gastly convincing Weedle, then, while I might not be killed, I would have failed without a doubt. I see now this impossible task wasn''t truly so...


    At the podium was a tall desk, and next to it stood Micheal and the houndoom, he was smiling happily while observing the new trainees and smiling wider when he noticed a few of them choking back sobs. There was a bit of pleasant surprise on his face when he saw Jared alive, but he quickly went back to his eccentric smile.


    With the trainees all lined up, the grunt overseers left the room. Afterward, Micheal cleared his voice to speak, "Let me be the first to congratulate the eight of you for passing, I can see many of you are moved to tears, and seeing your passion moves me too, it does!"


    Micheal shivers with excitement, " It''s my first time seeing so many talented grunts! and one of you will become attain the rank of an agent! How glorious it is!"


    Micheal Beckons the trainees grandly, "Come! come! up to the podium! I wish to shake each one of your hands!"Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    The grunt instructors brought the eight into an orderly line, and Micheal began excitedly shaking the trainee''s hands and handing each of them a uniform from the high table, along with a fancy metal ring with the letter G imprinted in the center.


    After every new rocket grunt had been given their uniform, Micheal asked them to strip and wear the uniforms right then and there.


    Once the embarrassed grunts changed into uniform Micheal clapped happily, "Wearing our Rocket Gang colors you have now truly been reborn! Reborn before my very own eyes into our Rocket Gang family!"


    It was time for the little competition, the newly minted grunts were led through the building, and a few minutes later they were standing in the stands of a small brightly lit glass dome arena, but looking inside there was no obstacles or terrain, it was just a smooth floor.


    Kai was called up first, and Jared noticed his opponent was a kid who chose the Koffing with the deep copper color.


    Wren and Koffing


    Vs


    Kai and Ekans


    After being told where to stand, Micheal shouted enthusiastically, "BEGIN!"


    Wren seemed confident but didn''t seem to know what Koffing should do, "Koffing, attack the Ekins!"


    At the same time, Kai shouted, "Severus! bite the Koffing!"


    Jared rubbed his chin, Kai named the ekans? Should I name Gastly something? Heh, maybe I''ll call him *Hot Air* from now on.


    The Koffing released a stream of black smoke before Severus could close in for a bite, Kai clicked his tongue in disappointment, he was hoping he could end it quick.


    Ekans lost track of the target and flicked its tongue for a moment before choosing a direction to move in the thick smog. The gas was black at first, but soon a smaller amount of purple gas began to be released as well.


    The room was as large as a football field, and the smoke was somehow thick and heavy, so it didn''t travel too far.


    Suddenly a deep shriek was heard!


    The battle was obscured, but Micheal suddenly declared Kai the winner.


    "Severus, come back!"


    From the smog, an ekans can be seen dragging a koffing out of the smoke with its mouth. Severus was listening to Kai, but it also wasn''t willing to give up its prize.


    Kai pointed the pokeball, and after a few attempts, he managed to aim the beam to strike Severus.


    The unwilling snake returned, while the unconscious koffing was left behind.


    Wren seemed a bit scared and shaken, but managed to return the Koffing to his ball, it was alive.


    Next up it was Jared''s turn.


    Standing in the arena, Jared noticed the smog was gone, sucked into some vents.


    Shaking his head, Jared double tapped Weedles pokeball to release him.


    Confused, Weedle looked around for an explanation, but when Jared tried to release Gastly from his ball to give an explanation he wouldn''t leave.


    Jared tried to talk to the weedle but he didn''t understand a single thing he said.


    Jared & Weedle


    VS


    Jack & Ekans


    "BEGIN"


    From the other end, Jared watched the ekans and his young trainer get closer.


    Gesticulating behind himself, Weedle discovers the hostile ekans slithering towards him. Jared noticed the ekans potential was a faded grey, but the size difference filled him with worry.


    Seeing the size and weight disparity and the incomprehension of the situation from the weedle, he almost decided to forfeit until he noticed the weedle seemed willing to fight. Weedle was shaking his stinger and bobbing his head up and down in agitation as the ekans approached.


    His opponent named Jack was one of the children silently sobbing back in the large podium room, and Jared could still see his face was still slightly red from crying.


    As the snake got within ten meters, the weedle shot a thick stream of sticky string from his rear stinger accompanied with an angry hiss, while at the same time Jack bitterly shouted, "Ekans bite the weedle!"


    The threads were sticky, but there wasn''t much to latch onto, the slippery scales made Weedles attack glance off.


    With slithering grace the Ekans closed in to deliver a poison sting with his fangs, but Weedle was faster. In an instant, Weedles stinger was lodged between Ekins two front fangs piercing the ekins head cleanly through. The Ekans had impaled himself!


    The Ekans reeled back with a shriek and began writhing on the ground as if he were having a seizure, but soon he went still.


    Jared was worried the Ekans might be dead, if a human were impaled through the brain they would be finished, but he was relieved when Jack was safely able to return the ekans to its pokeball.


    The victorious Weedle slowly crawled back to Jared''s side, and when Jared attempted to return him to his pokeball, the Weedle gave an angry hiss, so he let him be.


    Leaving the arena with the weedle, two more trainers were called up, but their battles were not nearly as quick and decisive as Jareds Weedle or Kai''s Ekans.


    Sitting in the small stands outside the glass arena, a young rocket grunt walked up to Jared and handed him a nice looking square spray bottle made of glass, "Heal your pokemon if you need it"


    Looking down at the Weedle with the potion in hand, Jared contemplates, I don''t think Weedle got hurt, but it all happened so fast... hmm, so I just spray it and it heals?


    Jared bent over, while Weedle looked up with confusion, Jared squeezes the potion handle which releases a light spritz right into Weedles eyes. In response to being blinded by the potion liquid, Weedle shrieks, then begins to twist and writhe its body trying to rub its eyes.


    With a shriek of his own, Jared falls to the ground to hug his ankle. The Weedle had stuck him accidentally after being spritzed.


    As Jared and his pokemon writhe on the ground in pain, a few grunt overseers watch the nonsensical display with uncomprehending confusion, and chat idly among themselves, "Who is this lunatic?"

 Small Rocket Competition part 2

    Checking the wound on his ankle, Jared noticed it was blackened and was spreading visibly.


    Removing the backpack off his back, he grabbed the antidote, then spritzed the affected area, the blackening doesn''t appear to slow, so he twists off the top and chugs half of it.


    The taste was stale with an acidic aftertaste, but it did the trick. As if by magic the blackening was completely gone in a few moments.


    During this time the weedle seemed to have recovered and was now glaring at Jared with mistrust,


    ...Interesting, I''ve never heard of an antidote from earth working this fast! Is the antidote less of an antidote and more of a poison element negator?


    Jared attempted to make amends by feeding weedle some of the C grade bug type food, but whether it worked or not, he wasn''t a hundred percent sure one way or the other, the weedles face was somewhat difficult to read at times.


    Getting to his feet, Jared found he was alright, the prick from the weedles stinger was no longer too painful, and just oozed a little blood.


    Some time passes. By now everyone had fought once, and it was the semifinals. A zubat just defeated a koffing and now it was the match before the finale.


    Kai & Ekans


    Vs


    Jared and Weedle


    At the current time and place, Jared''s purpose was money and taking care of Kai. He didn''t know what a grunt was supposed to do let alone an agent, so if they could take care of Kai, then he thought that would solve one of his goals. If Kai could receive some training and care by the Rocket Gang, then staying as a grunt for a while wasn''t a big deal in his opinion.


    His next opponent after Kai would be a zubat. His weedle had almost no mobility and would be a sitting duck to the zubats ranged attack in leech life. With nothing to shoot up besides string shot, he felt his weedles chances of victory would be next to nothing, even though he would have a good shot at defeating the ekans.


    With that said, his forfeiture against Kai was refused by Micheal, saying that he needs to fight regardless.


    Intercepting Kai before he could enter the arena, Jared spoke to Kai about it with a whisper, " Ah, Kai, I think it would be best if you won. Weedles matchup against the zubat is too poor, and with Gastly I''m already plenty strong enough to rise through the ranks, so there''s no need for me to take your opportunity away. Just tussle with the weedle for a little bit and I''ll return him to his ball, but try not to let your ekans get impaled like the last one."


    Standing in the arena, both Kai and Jared didn''t move to pursue, they just stood there with complicated expressions.


    The weedle noticed the ekans from far away and glared, he seemed to have a hatred for snakes.


    As if on Q, both trainers and their pokemon began walking towards each other, however, the weedle stayed put, so Jared just waited for Kai and Severus to approach.


    Jared was the first to speak as Kai moved closer, "Be careful, the weedle doesn''t understand a thing I say."


    Nodding, Kai gives a command, "Severus, don''t attack the weedle head-on, just probe him out!"


    Jared scratched his chin in thought, Can that ekans really understand complicated orders like that? How come my weedle can''t? Maybe Kai lucked out and found one that has been around humans and learned a bit of the language?


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    Ekans began slithering around the weedle, but he kept a healthy distance.


    Weedle on the other hand used very little energy and just simply turned his head and stinger to face the ekans to intercept any sneak attacks.


    Severus began to close in and took a few probing swipes with his tail to test the weedle, and soon discovered the weedle had very little mobility, and could only passively counter attack his feints.


    Severus'' eyes glowed purple, and suddenly the weedle became more sluggish.


    Severus suddenly sped past and struck the slower weedle on his right side using his tail. Weedle was flipped over, but when Severus went in for a bite, the weedle had his stinger ready, so he gave up for the moment, and went back to circling the weedle to look for another opening.


    This continued a few more times, but the weedle never left himself open, at least not long enough for Severus to abuse.


    Feeling this was long enough, and intending to avoid unnecessary injury Jared returned the weedle to his ball with a flash of red light.


    Later on, and sitting in the spacious stands, Jared watched the final match between Kai and Rikard. Rikard seemed to have recovered somewhat from his brother''s death, or at the very least he wasn''t choking back sobs.


    With viciousness, Rikard glared at Kai and his Ekans from the other end of the arena as if Kai was the enemy that caused his misery.


    Kai & Ekans


    VS


    Rikard & Zubat


    "Zubat, fly high above the Ekans and shoot him with leech life!"


    In response to Rikard''s orders, the blue bat-like pokemon furiously flapped its wings and after a few breaths of time was directly above the Ekans.


    Kai shouted, " Severus dodge the leech life!"


    This proved pointless as the leech life dissipated half a meter before impacting Severus.


    Rikard curses inwardly, but soon corrected his mistake, "Zubat you are too far away, get closer for another leech life, but don''t get hit!"


    Zubat flew closer for another leech life, but the moment he stood still to fire, he felt his wings stiffen, nearly grounding him. Severus had hit him with a glare!


    Flying stiffly, Zubat finally retaliates with a leech life and it impacts Severus on his snake body. A few green bubbles escape Severus''s body and float towards the Zubat, but the stiffness from the glare still persists.


    "Zubat! fly high, and shake off the glare, the effect won''t last for long!"


    Holding a speakerphone, Micheal announced to Rikard that he''s only allowed to do this once, the next time he will forfeit.


    Fully recovered from the glare, the Zubat felt his body was no longer stiff, so he went down for another leech life, but this time he was more cautious of the Ekans.


    Paying close attention to the elemental fluctuations from the Ekans using echolocation, the zubat tried to find time to get off another leech life, but the ekans always seemed prepared.


    Changing his tactic to one of his own, he flew up high before emitting a screech. The longer range supersonic impacts Severus, and now he was seeing double.


    Not letting his enemy recover, the zubat flew down and fired off a leech life, while at the same time Ekans gave the zubat a glare, which accurately hit. Zubat hoped the double vision would make the Ekans miss, but he was unlucky.


    Severus flicked his tongue then gave zubat a glare. The invisible attack struck Zubat''s wing. Zubat stiffened and tried to fly away, but Rikard commanded him to turn and fight, he didn''t want to forfeit.


    Flying above, the zubat fired off a supersonic and went for another leech life, but, despite seeing double from the confusion, the Ekan''s still accurately hit the zubat with yet another glare.


    Losing altitude, the zubat flew around erratically before impacting the ground with a clap.


    Feeling victory was at hand, Severus went in for a bite, but Rikard hastily returned his pokemon, which forfeited the match.


    Clapping excitedly and a bit teary-eyed, Micheal declared Kai the winner.


    Rikard and the others were a bit gloomy, but there could only be one winner, and they lost fair and square.


    As Kai exited the arena, Jared gave him a bear hug, "Congratulations on your promotion Kai!"


    Not used to the intimate contact Kai doesn''t return the embrace and just smiles, "Thank you for everything, really..."


    On their way out a few grunts commended Kai, and even Shane was no exception.


    Jared laughed inwardly, ...You grunts are cozying up to someone of a higher rank already huh?


    Micheal led the new grunt recruits and the newly promoted agent back down the elevator, the three grunt overseers accompanied them as well.


    They were now back in the podium room.


    After being asked to line up, Micheal informed them that they were to be sent off for assignment, and Kai was to remain here for training.


    Clapping his hands, a Kadabra suddenly appeared next to Micheal, startling the newly promoted grunts.


    "No need to be scared, come, come up one by one, you''ll be swearing an oath then sent off!"


    Jared observed the Kadabras eyes glow blackish-purple, then after the first grunt in line recited the oath he vanished without a trace.


    With glowing eyes of his own, Jared comments inwardly, ...Teleportation seems too useful, I need to get me a pokemon with teleport when I can... wonder what the potential of this kadabra is.


    Thinking the word potential in his mind, the Kadabra began to glow a deep bronze,


    ...bronze huh...


    Jared was fourth in line, so now it was his turn. Waving to Kai, Jared spoke, "Good luck Kai, you have a bright future, keep your head up okay!" "I will"


    Turning back, Micheal speaks, repeat after me, " I will never betray the Rocket Gang or I will curse myself to die"


    After repeating the words, Jared felt a weird chill, but it soon dissipated.


    Giving one more look back to Kai, he looked the Kadabra in his glowing eyes. Jared felt the room twist and turn, and a moment later he vanished.

 Ambush

    "Hello lunatic"


    Uncomfortable from breathing in the unclean air, Jared finds himself in a familiar office.


    Smoking a cigar with his leg up, Harper continues, "Don''t be so surprised, I called for you personally."


    Lightly coughing, Jared adjusts his eyes to the new light then replies after a moment, " You called for me... sir? "


    "Yes, we got a job that suits your particular... skillset. You are very lucky newbie, even if you failed initiation I still asked for you to be sent here"


    Harper changed his posture then spoke seriously, "An F rank trainer with a rare pokemon just got his boulder badge from Flint, and he''s off to get his next... do you understand what I''m getting at?"


    Jared didn''t like where this was going, "I''m not sure, what''s an F rank trainer?"


    "An F rank trainer is one who has yet to gain all the badges from a region. It''s not a secret that Kanto is the weakest military power. Many new official trainers like to head to Kanto due to their weak gyms, and we have our eyes on a fat sheep."


    "And you need my help to steal his pokemon?"


    "Bingo," Harper narrows his eyes, "He''s someone you should know well, you came off the same boat after all, and you fought him and lost, does this ring any bells?"


    Jared blurted out, "Akoni..."


    "Don''t worry lunatic, all you have to do is use that Gastly of yours and let him take a little nap. We will take it from there, easy right?"


    "I don''t..." -- Harper cut him off with a scowl, " We have kindly taken you into the Rocket Gang because you were out of options, you''ve already received the curse, if you back out now maybe it will activate."


    Jared chuckles inwardly, A curse? Is he joking?-- Harper snaps, "Don''t give me that look, it''s real, didn''t you feel strange after reciting those words with the other recruits?" - Harper smiles, "Yes, that''s the look, now you understand. Mentally prepare yourself grunt, whether you like it or not, we set off for Mt. Moon."


    Excusing himself for a moment, Jared went to the bathroom, and once alone, he tapped Gastlys ball twice.


    Gastly looked surprised, "Human... that ghost''s aura is on your body!"


    Jared shook his head, "It seems I was cursed... think you can remove it?"


    Floating up, Gastly looked Jared up and down, "Maybe..."


    "Alright, well, let''s leave that aside for now. If removing it causes it to activate, or if it alerts the one who cast it, then it would be all kinds of bad... Anyways, we are being sent on a mission to capture Akoni''s and his Vaporeon, think you are up for it?"


    "That catfish that sneak attacked me? I think you know the answer to that... human," Gastly said with anger.


    A few hours later Jared, James, and four others stood in a room while being lectured by harper. An abra was sitting next to him with its eyes closed, "Alright Grunts, you will be under the temporary command of agent James, you''ve been briefed on what you need to do, don''t screw this up... If you let this fat sheep slip through your fingers one of you will pay for it with the curse."


    With glowing eyes, the Abra suddenly sent the seven of them off.


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    Suddenly Jared found himself in what appeared to be a large brightly lit cellar. While looking around, James began chatting with a stranger, a Lanky man with a rhombus nose.


    "Hello again agent Thomas, we are ready for the mission at any time."


    Thomas nods, "The Scout reports the target will enter Mt. Moon in three hours, I will guide you to the mission location"


    Walking up the stone steps, the group left the cellar, and Jared found the entrance was nothing more than a trap door embedded in the ground. When it slammed closed, it blended in with the rocks. Thomas turned the light off when he left, but no light would leak through even if it stayed lit.


    Looking around, Jared identified his location as a cave. It was dark, the only light source being the flashlights each grunt was given.


    Thomas began leading the group through the dark winding tunnel. The sound of dripping of water from stalactites and a musty smell gave the place an eerie feel. A few paras in the distance could be seen skittering away fearfully.


    Some time later the group was standing before a long rocky hallway which was much taller than it was wide. When a grunt moved his flashlight to the ceiling, a crevasse at the top swallowed it whole. A resting zubat within shrieked as the light disturbed its rest, but besides their footsteps, their breathing, and the odd drip of water, it was silent.


    After arriving at the end of the hallway, the group took shelter in an alcove right around the corner, then Thomas remarked matter o factly, "Since he is taking the Mt. Moon passage he will have to pass through here. He''s traveling with a girl, but she''s not an official trainer, get your pokemon prepped but keep your lights low down, this tunnel isn''t used by us alone."


    The men released their pokemon, and now Jared knew what they were working with. Besides Jared and James, every other member had a Zubat. A few grunts had more than one pokemon, such as a rattata, but they could have more, and maybe they were just unsuited for the darkness.


    Seeing the glowing eyes of a rattata and the silently flapping of many zubats, Jared imagined that they must operate a lot in these caves.


    The pokemon took up positions out of sight, while James walks with his koffing back down the tunnel, he had his part to play if things went south.


    Time passes and a phone vibrates. Thomas answered with a whisper, and after hanging up he addresses the group, "Grunts, he''s entered the tunnel, we got less than thirty minutes until contact."


    Looking Jared up and down, Thomas spoke, "Jared, get your Gastly to watch the hallways entrance, we need to know if his Vaporeon is out."


    Soon, a gleeful Gastly disappeared into the darkness.


    Sometime later Jared hears Gastlys voice in his mind, "I don''t see the catfish, but the two human children are led by two mushroom bugs, they will be here in a minute."


    Nodding, Jared speaks, "The two are coming down the hallway now, they have two paras leading them, and the catfis--- vaporeon is nowhere to be found."


    In response, Thomas commanded the men, "Turn the lights off,"


    In the pitch black, Thomas whispers, "If your Gastly misses the hypnosis we will be in for a tough fight, so don''t miss."


    Sitting in the pitch black, the men tense up, with fear and expectation. While hiding just out of sight with bated breath, a few minutes pass.


    Soon some voices can be heard, a girl, "It''s really getting creepy, I think we should leave?"


    Akoni chides, "Cmon baby, you wanted a Clefairy didn''t you?"


    "Still..."


    The voices and footsteps suddenly stop, then some kissing noises can be heard, "Cmon Anna, you''ve got nothing to worry about, and if we don''t encounter any then my dad will buy you one"


    The girl meekly replies, "Okay..."


    The flashlights of the two kid''s sources shine through, and with this new light source, the grunts could now barely see some of their surroundings.


    Jared holds his breath as the two kids walked right past.


    Suddenly the girl screams, Akoni had fainted all of a sudden and bloodied his head when he fell.


    As if a trigger was pressed, the five zubats swarmed, while two rattata backed them up.


    Caught off guard, the two paras find themselves locked in a bitter struggle. Scared to death, the girl shrieks and flees with her flashlight, leaving Akoni to his fate.


    Suddenly from a puddle of water, a creature forms!


    The creature fires off an icy wind blast towards all nine pokemon, including the two paras. The powerful attack caused disorientation and knocked them back. Three zubats were directly KO''d!


    With uncanny speed, Vaporeon grabs Akoni by his shirt with his teeth, then begins dragging him back the way they came, but gets stopped when a smokescreen of poison gas blocks the exit. James''s koffing had done its work!


    The girl had run straight through the gas, and her fate was unknown. Vaporeon knew he could make it through, but if Akoni inhales the Gas he would be done for.


    With his retreat blocked off, the Vaporeon dropped the still unconscious Akoni, then stood atop a jagged boulder to intercept the ambushers from both sides.


    Suddenly Gastly silently fired a spite, and it hit!


    Feeling some strength drain from him from the ghostly scream, the vaporeon looked around with a growl, but couldn''t discover where it came from. Vaporeon''s have some low light vision, but the cave was still too dark!


    Inside the chasm above, Gastly grins evilly as the vaporeon uselessly looks for him, You die here stupid Catfish!

 Ambush Part Two

    Suddenly the tunnel becomes bright, an electric lantern was turned on, throwing away the darkness.


    Some men are shouting, " The tunnel ahead is blocked, but we''ve entered the worst-case scenario, get the lights on, we need to throw everything we have at it"


    Rocket Grunts begin releasing all their pokemon, and besides the three fainted zubats, there are now two zubats two rattatas, two ekans, and two spinaraks.


    A young grunt glares at Jared, " Thought you said the Vaporeon wasn''t there!?" The rest of the grunts turn to Jared with hostile looks, but Thomas interjects, " Now is not the time, form up and complete the mission, we have them cornered. Jared, get your weedle out, - " The weedle doesn''t underst-"-


    "I don''t care!" Jared hesitates while holding weedle''s pokeball, but Thomas insisted...


    Weedle appears in the brightened tunnel looking confused, "Er, weedle, we got a situation here, think you can help?" Weedle just looks at Jared uncomprehendingly, so Jared shakes his head.


    The pokemon begin forming up at the command of the grunts and agent Thomas. The pokemon began talking in their language, and soon the weedle understood what was going on, but didn''t seem interested in joining in.


    When the weedle doesn''t form up with the rest, Thomas growls, "What are you doing grunt? are you disobeying orders?"


    "No, I tried to tell you, the Weedle doesn''t understand english!"


    Gesturing to his Zubat, Thomas gets him to speak to the weedle, but the zubat shakes its head and tries to convey the weedles noncompliance.


    Thomas growls, "Forget it, it can guard the rear for all I care!"


    With the pokemon and grunts in formation, Thomas''s voice echos down the tunnel, "Vaporeon, there''s no escape, just give up, we don''t want you dead, we will release you and your trainer after a ransom~"


    Hearing nothing, the men and their pokemon cautiously approach, making sure not to leave any gaps in their formation.


    The lights eventually illuminate a vaporeon standing atop a half shattered boulder, with his trainer tucked behind, it squints its eyes, and gives a low growl at the bright light.


    Gesturing around himself, Thomas spoke, "Look around Vaporeon, your trainer is hurt, and you are heavily outnumbered, why not just surrender? We will ransom you and Akoni off, and then we will go our separate ways. We aren''t here to kill unless you force our hand!"


    In response, Vaporeon hops off the rock and lies down submissively.


    This prompts Thomas to let out a relieved breath, "Good, you''ve made a wise decision-" Pointing at an unconscious Akoni, he commands a grunt and his ekans, "Go secure Akoni... we''ll block their escape."


    The group was twenty-five meters away, so the chosen man took his flashlight and cautiously approached with his ekans leading from the front.


    Thomas whispered to Jared during this time, "Get your Gastly to hold Akoni hostage, just incase the vaporeon makes a move."


    Hearing Jareds voice, Gastly appears reluctantly, "I was weakening the catfish, why did you call me back?"


    Jared then informs him of the plan, and after understanding it, the ball of gas disappears with a smirk.


    A short time later the ekans was now a few feet from Akoni, and was close to capturing him.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Suddenly the vaporeon moved, and before anyone could blink, Vaporeon completely crushed the ekans head with his powerful jaws, then using it''s front paw as leverage, he ripped the whole head off, The ekans was unconscious from the bite, but without it''s head, it can only die. Its body still flopped about like a salted squid as the nerves in its snake body continued to fire, but it was hopeless.


    Then, the vaporeon pounced on the grunt. Holding him down, Vaporeon gestured that he would rip his throat out if they don''t back off, by snapping his bloodied teeth a few times near the man''s neck.


    The captured man''s eyes go wide with fear, and his pants soon became wet from his own urine.


    With full volume, Thomas shouts, "HOSTAGES WON''T WORK ON US, LAST CHANCE VAPOREON, GIVE UP OR WE WILL SHOW NO MERCY!"


    In response, Vaporeon rips the throat out of the whimpering grunt, and blood pours like a fountain. The grunt gurgles a scream, but all that comes out is his life-sustaining fluid.


    Knowing his trainer was finished, the zubat under his command flew off sadly. The zubat was unwilling to stay and be forced to serve under another.


    With that action done, and with lightning-fast speed, Vaporeon charges!


    The men have little time to react, and can only brace themselves for a bitter struggle with this powerful pokemon, but suddenly the Vaporeon stops in its tracks and looks back!


    Akoni had finally awoken from the hypnosis and was panicking, "VAPOREON HELP!" Gastly had Akoni''s throat in his fangs and curled his eyes gloatingly,


    In the pokemon language, Gastly speaks, "Go ahead and kill them, but I''ll have Akonis life in exchange~"


    With a frustrated growl, the unwilling vaporeon lies down and doesn''t take any further action.


    The pokemon and their trainers watch the Vaporeon warily, they had been tricked before, and two lives had been lost already.


    The sole surviving ekans takes over Gastlys job and holds Akoni in a wrap. As an extra measure, the ekans also kept his fangs against Akonis neck. However, the ekans left one of Akoni''s hand''s free, and this was to allow Akoni to return his Vaporeon to his pokeball.


    Normal pokeballs do not need this, but great balls require a thumbprint to activate, and only Akonis thumbprint would do.


    After the vaporeon was returned, Thomas placed the great ball into a small square metal case. The case had just enough room for a single pokeball, and after it was locked he tucked the key into his chest pocket. The fainted paras were returned to their balls as well, but they weren''t locked away, only carried.


    Sitting down, a fearful Akoni asks, "I-I d-did what you w-wanted, b-but, w-why are you d-doing this? W-here is Annie?"


    Akoni gets no reply, while Thomas makes a call using his phone.


    From down the tunnel, James can be seen wearing a gas mask. He was carrying a small girl with long blond hair under one arm while walking towards the group.


    Meanwhile, his koffing had begun to pull in the toxic gas it had once released, and soon the air was cleared of poison and smoke.


    After being frisked a few times, Akoni was released from the ekans embrace and was free to move. Without a pokeball he was no longer a threat, and running away would be impossible.


    Rubbing his bleeding head, Akoni looks up to find his unconscious girlfriend being carried over, so he shouts, "ANNIE, ARE YOU OKAY?"


    One of the grunts snaps, and kicks him in the stomach, knocking the air from his lungs, "Shut up brat, your vaporeon caused us a lot of shit, Greg''s dead because of you!"


    Thomas chides him with warning, "Easy there, if you damage the merchandise his parents might not want him back."


    "R-right, I just lost my temper."


    James Looks over the groaning Akoni, when his eyes land on Greg''s corpse.


    Clicking his tongue, James whispers, "I''m so sorry Greg, I''ll make sure your little sister is taken care of." Bending over he carefully collects Greg''s things. Nobody else had moved to claim them.


    At the orders of agent Thomas, the men dimmed the lights and returned some of their pokemon to their pokeballs.


    However, they left the zubats and rattatas out. The zubats have echolocation so darkness is not an issue, and the rattatas have excellent low light vision. The extra bit of stealth gained from having fewer pokemon out would not make up for the loss in security, but there was no sense in keeping pokemon that would only trip them up in the dark and cause chaos if an issue cropped up.


    The men were getting themselves ready to leave, so, Jared excused himself for a moment, and then made his way over to where he had released the weedle.


    The weedle had not moved from his spot, and when Jared''s flashlight flashed over him, the weedle reared up and hissed, "It''s me weedle..."


    Fishing out weedles pokeball, Jared attempts to return the weedle, but a string shot catches his hand, and another his legs, which knocks him over.


    Suddenly the weedle rushes him and holds his stinger to Jared''s neck.


    With wide eyes, Jared panics, "Wait, wait, what are you doing!"


    In reply, the Weedle hisses, then looks about the tunnel, as if he were trying to find something unseen.


    From thin air, the Gastly materializes with glowing eyes just above the two, then addresses the weedle in the pokemon language, "What''s the meaning of this worm?"


    "I made deal, we go outside, you break ball, free me, and let go. Now, you break ball and bring me forest or I kill!"


    Jared interjects, "Gastly what''s he saying?"


    "Isn''t it obvious by now stupid human? He wants his promised freedom or he''s going to kill you."

 One Step Back

    After relaying what had happened thus far, Gastly translated the information to the weedle.


    When the weedle let him go, Jared returned him to the ball with a confused expression.


    "Gastly, what am I doing wrong? How come Weedle is so quick to violence, and yet he believes me so easily? How come he has no intention of joining me whatsoever?"


    "You know nothing, lies are a form of weakness, and all pokemon can tell lies from truth better than stupid humans."


    "I never lied to him, why would he be hostile to me?"


    Gastly laughs mockingly, "We value strength, but you grovel before him, he naturally takes you for an unworthy coward."


    Jared facepalmed, ...Damn it... I went about this all wrong, I should have listened to Gastly, and had him defeat the weedle, but now I''ve ruined my chances... "No, wait, didn''t you sabotage me earlier Gastly, you whipped that weedle up into a frenzy! If I didn''t *grovel* he would have attacked me!"


    Gastly thinks to himself, You don''t need others, foolish human. You are using me, but I am also using you... I think It''s better he doesn''t get distracted, and he just focuses on making me stronger and stronger... And then I can fulfill my long forgotten wish. I feel my strength grow by the day... oh! I can hardly wait...!


    "I need more negative energy human"


    With livid anger, Jared shouts, "Gast-" - Before he could continue, he was interrupted by a grunt, "We leavin now!"


    Swallowing down his grievances, Jared returned Gastly to his pokeball before he could refuse, and then he caught up with the group.


    As Jared approached he heard a girl''s scream, which signaled the little girl was now awake.


    On their way through the dark tunnel, one of the grunts asked, "These kids know our faces, is ransoming them a good idea?"


    Thomas responds, "Not to worry, the kids won''t remember the last week after getting a round of amnesia."


    "We''re gonna wack ''em until they forget?"


    "No, you imbecile, they will be sent to HQ and a Persian will apply the move."


    Jared pondered thoughtfully, ...Persian? Isn''t this a pokemon Giovanni always kept in the anime?


    The group returned to the cellar with the body of Greg and the two kids in tow. James made a call, and an abra soon appeared to teleport the group off, but Thomas stayed back.


    The world twisted, and soon Jared found himself back in the familiar smoky building. Another abra was waiting there for the group, but it was not here for him.


    Sometime later the grunts were being lectured by an angry Harper, "A fine mess this is, I''m surrounded by incompetents, how did you manage to take such losses while ambushing two brats?" He then glared at Jared, "Care to explain? I hear you screwed everything up!"


    "No, I-"


    "SHUT UP and get in my office, I''m not done with you lunatic."


    One of the grunts whispers to another, "Why is this boss calling him a lunatic?"


    "No idea."


    Sometime later Harper was back in his office chair. He casually asked Jared a question, "How do you feel things went on your first mission?"Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Er... bad?"


    "No, it was a success, the failure here is you, lunatic. You had one job, but you screwed it up didn''t you?"


    "No... I..." - Harper interrupts, "SHUT UP, DON''T TALK BACK TO ME LUNATIC!"


    Closing his eyes, Harper taps a finger on the table, "You know Jared, what I care for is results. Even if you have an excuse I don''t want to hear it, do you understand what I''m saying, you absolute tool?"


    "Yes..."


    Harper then grudgingly handed over five hundred credits in cash, "Take it and get out, make yourself invisible until such time as I need you."


    "Thank you!"


    As if he were shooing away a fly, Harper waved his hand and spoke, "The next time you screw up don''t expect anything, you''re lucky this was a big job, and I''m in a good mood."


    ...Five hundred credits, it seems I won''t have trouble with money for the next while.


    Harper slams the desk, prompting Jared to flinch from his thoughts, " I thought I told you to get out!"


    Leaving the house, He encountered someone sullenly leaning against the wall of the building, it was James.


    Jared just nodded and continued on his way, but James walked up beside him, "What happened back there was not your fault. Every mission is a risk, and we all knew the dangers... Don''t worry too much about "


    "Thank you, James, and sorry for your loss, I hear he was a good friend of yours."


    With a warm smile, James reminisces, "Greg was a good man, I knew him from the days we were in the same biker gang, he taught me a lot about the world."


    Jared hesitates, but speaks anyways, "Don''t take this the wrong way James, but you seem a lot different than the rest of the Rocket Gang."


    "Hah... I suppose so," James looks down in thought before replying, "I actually came from a rich family, but I left it behind long ago..."


    "Ah, forget I said anything, I shouldn''t have pried."


    "No, it''s quite alright... maybe if you get me drunk I''ll tell you sometime," James said with a laugh.


    With a nod, Jared asks, "Say, James, the boss seems angry with me, so I can''t really ask him right now... But do you happen to know when the next mission is going to be?"


    "Could be a few days or as long as a few months."


    Jared flinches with realization ...Months...


    "I''m not a citizen of Kanto, is there a way to forge a fake ID?"


    "Fakes can be made, but nobody does it. You''d get found out immediately. You can skip the process and directly purchase Kanto citizenship for five thousand dollars... However, I doubt you have that kind of money."


    ...Five thousand...


    Jared asks hopefully, "I can''t get work here without one, do you know of anything I can do that doesn''t require one? Like... in between the Rocket Gang missions?"


    "I know of some, but it''s all illegal."


    Sometime later Jared was back in the long-stay hotel.


    Laying on the bed, Jared sighs, "I need to get the Rocket Gang to relocate me after three months, or else I risk being deported... I feel as if I''ve just been swept by a current for this past while, how am I going to accomplish anything at this rate?"


    Turning over, he stares at weedles pokeball, and felt its hard metal texture, "I''ve never seen a glow like your''s Weedle... I don''t want to give you up, but that bridge has already been burned..."


    A few hours later, and a few miles outside town, Jared released Weedle from his pokeball amid the tall leafy trees.


    In a flash of light, Weedle appeared.


    Weedle looked around in confusion, then finds a steel-faced human staring at him. A pidgey chirped in the far distance, but nothing else was around.


    "You are free to go, we had a deal and I''m fulfilling it now."


    Seeing the weedle''s unmoving glare, Jared releases Gastlys under a shady spot.


    After a few words with Weedle, Gastlys voice appears in Jared''s head, "He wants you to break the ball."


    "Break it? Why?"


    "Your human slave device traps part of his soul. If he moves far away he will weaken, and his growth will still."


    Jared''s eyes widen in disbelief, "No way, that can''t be true..."


    "Oh foolish human, but it is, why do you think I despised the thought of being captured? Do you think it''s pleasant to offer up your soul?"


    "What do you mean by *offer up your soul?"*


    "The ball has a reservoir, that tugged at my soul, and when I  allowed it, it took a small piece."


    "But it can''t capture you against your will is that correct?"


    "Hmph"


    ...It''s not as bad as I thought, at least it''s voluntary.


    Turning to the Weedle, Jared comes to a decision, "Are you sure you don''t want to stay with me? I promise to help you get stronger, and I will not mistreat you."


    Gastly translated the words, but the weedle''s glare was firm.


    "So be it..." Grabbing the weedles ball, Jared held the top with one hand, and the bottom with the other. He then twisted it until the hinges snapped. Some red light escapes from the ball, and then he tossed the two broken pieces away like trash.


    "There you go, anything else?"


    Weedles glare was gone, and his little bug face was now softened.


    The weedle said some words in the pokemon language, but Jared didn''t need Gastly to translate this time.


    Jared pulled out some bug food from his backpack, then fed the weedle one last time, "Thank you Weedle, I hoped you''d come with me as I walk my path, but it was not meant to be."


    Jared watched the weedle crawl off into the distance.


    An ember within Jared''s eyes glowed a little brighter, You''ve been captured by some bad people and wronged, but I won''t be sorry. I kept my word to you, but this world has taught me that we live off the sacrifices of others. A lion greedily devours sheep to survive, while a pacifist gazelle who values the life of grass will only starve. The things I need to accomplish are no different, and to change the world... Yes... into the image I envision, I can''t be soft anymore.

 Pulling The Tigers Tail!

    Taking a different path from the weedle, Jared checked the GPS on his rocket phone and made his way further into the forests of route one.


    His bag was bigger and heavier than before, and he was prepared to stay the night in the wilderness if need be.


    ...Today I''m going to find another pokemon with good potential or at least something to sell. The trees will block the sunlight, so Gastly should be able to show some combat strength during the day.


    Crunching through the forest, Jared kept his eyes peeled, he was looking for dense undergrowth. However, the trees were somewhat sparse, and everywhere he looked he saw grass as tall as ripe wheat.


    Jared finally found a good spot, and he was now in a wooded area with plenty of shade.


    The sun was still bright, but he felt cold, "Gastly, get out and look around, we are hunting for pokemon to sell."


    "But the sun! I don''t want to human!"


    A human smiled slyly, "I''ll spend a whole day giving you negative energy when you find something good, interested now?"


    With reluctance, Gastly pulled himself from Jared''s body.


    Jared explained the types which wouldn''t sell well, and which ones he should immediately inform him about, (according to James.)


    Soon Gastly sluggishly thinned his body and spread tendrils of smoke out like an octopus in search of prey. Now, everything within two hundred feet of his core could be seen, he was almost like an omniscient god!


    "What do you see Gastly?"


    "Stinky Racoons, useless sleepy owls, pathetic small birds, and an ugly rat."


    "A Raticate?"


    "No human."


    "Say, Gastly, for the sake of better communication, it would help a lot if you used the pokemon''s names rather than insults."


    "Hmph, give me negative energy while I search, and maybe I will," Gastly only got a chuckle, " Ah, Gastly, I know you well enough by now. Guide me to each pokemon, I want to check them"


    "What for? They all look useless, you don''t need them!"


    "Gastly, I have a sneaking suspicion you''ve been actively trying to prevent me from gaining another pokemon, but I want to assure you of something." Jared Looked up towards the ball of gas, then spoke sincerely, "No matter how many pokemon join our team, you will always be special to me."


    Feeling himself losing this battle, Gastly takes a step back, "You will not reduce the negative energy you give to me, and... then... then..."


    With a playful tone, Jared replies, "I never thought you were this insecure Gastly, did you really think I was going to abandon you the moment I capture a new pokemon?"


    "S-Shut up Jared."


    "See, you said my name, you only say my name when you are stressed."


    "You are annoying, human, there is a small owl in this tree, you want to check don''t you?"


    "It''s called a hoothoot, Gastly, and I can''t get up there, drag it out with your tendrils and I''ll take a look."


    Inside the large oak, a small owl slept while standing on one foot.


    Suddenly, a thick tendril of shadow began flooding into its home, but it went unnoticed. Soon the small owl was wrapped in shadow.


    A minute later Jared hears a frantic screech from above him. Looking up he finds a small brown bird with large red eyes flailing about, it was trying his best to shake off the threat, but to no avail.


    Seeing the hoothoot, Jared muttered "Potential," to himself.


    He then told Gastly to release the owl after finding its potential was only a plain gray.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    The owl flew off, and Jared shook his head, " Alright, Gastly, on to the next, while you''re looking, try to ensure I don''t step on a weedle, I only have half an antidote left," Jared joked.


    "Hmph"


    Repeating this process for six hours, the sun was beginning to set.


    "Stupid human, how long must I do this? They all look the same, will nothing satisfy you?!"


    Jared sighed, he was feeling a bit annoyed as well. He had wasted a full hour meandering around a flock of pidgeys because he had no other route past them.


    ...I bought another pokeball, but I can''t waste it... I want to find something as good as the emerald glowing weedle before I use it, but the best thing I''ve found was a rattata with a deep bronze glow.


    "Alright Gastly, we can give up on finding an addition to the team, let''s go deeper in and try to find something rare to sell instead. According to James, these pidgeys and rattatas are never bought.


    (Generally, people who can afford a pokeball would also have enough money to buy a pokemon from a breeder. They wouldn''t spend the time and effort to tame a wild pokemon, especially when bred pidgeys and rattatas are already cheap, and mostly tame. The only exceptions are pokemon that are expensive to breed, or won''t lay eggs unless certain conditions are met, and these special conditions can''t always be replicated in a closed environment.)


    Walking through the underbrush, a Lovecraftian nightmare moves in synch with a human.


    With the waning sun, Gastly could now spread his tendrils over three hundred and fifty feet in all directions, but it was now almost too dark to see, "Gastly, pick me up and carry me, I can barely see where I''m going, and I''m told a flashlight would only attract trouble."


    "Human... I found something different, but It''s dangerous."


    "What is it?"


    "A herd of green things standing around in the open"


    "Green things? anything else?"


    "I see a big one, the big one has flowers on its back."


    "A flower...?"


    Jared''s eyes widen, "A VENOSAUR? show me!"


    Gastly carried Jared through the fading twilight, but Gastly restricted himself to stay well below the treeline. Jared had warned him that pidgeot''s fly high above, and will dive bomb moving prey.


    While It was dark, and that issue was solved, the darkness awoke a new threat, and now the silent noctowls fly high above.


    Jared had not seen a pidgeot or a noctowl, but James had assured him, so he was taking the warnings seriously. Maybe Gastly could win, maybe he couldn''t, but if he''s attacked from the sky, and dies, what good will it do him if Gastly wins after the fact?


    Floating just above some tall grass, taller than even two men, Jared finds something glowing in the distance.


    The white glow looked like a smoldering torch, and around this large torch were many little white embers.


    With a bit of darkness as cover, Jared urged the Gastly closer, and now he got a clearer picture.


    In the distance, there was a massive Venosaur at least ten feet tall! The so-called flower was more of a tree, and it stuck out the back of a four-legged monster!


    The glow was produced from within the large flower''s bulb, and it was growing fainter by the second.


    Checking the Venosaurs potential, the creature lit up with a deep gold color, but the glow didn''t light up the surroundings, not even by an inch.


    ...Venosaur huh... it''s way bigger than what I read, is it some sort of mutant, or just really old?


    Jared scratched his chin, ...It looks like it weighs at least ten tons! Even if Gastly could paralyze it... or I supplied him with enough energy to spam spites... I would be a fool to think I could capture or tame it. Gastly is hiding it, but I can tell he wants nothing to do with that creature, and I''m no exception.


    ...Even if I could somehow claim victory, I really doubt that mother would leave behind her children, or submit a piece of her soul to a pokeball. But... the little Bulbasaur''s surrounding her? If it''s them, I think I might have a shot...


    Turning his eyes to the fading embers in each bulbasaurs bulb, Jared scanned their potential before their lights went out.


    Out of the thirty little bulbasaurs, he finds two that sparked his interest. One glowed copper with a bit of bronze, while the other was bronze with traces of emerald.


    The bronze and emerald glowing bulbasaur was larger than his siblings by a good bit, but he was still tiny, no bigger than a dog.


    In his mind, Gastly asked, "What are you going to do human? If you want to fight the big plant, go ahead, I will wait here and watch!"


    Jared whispers, " Oh, the great Gastly is scared now?"


    "Shut up human, when I grow strong I won''t fear the fat plant!"


    "Sure... Sure..."


    Later on, a grumbling Gastly floats toward a Venosaur and her children. He was waiting for the darkness to be complete.


    Once blackness took the earth completely, Gastly crept in.


    Cautiously, he spread himself around the venosaur to probe it. He felt intense danger and was worried the big leafy beast could detect him somehow.


    Reforming halfway, Gastly waits for a reaction. He detects no movements from the venosaur besides some gentle breathing but the breaths were more like bellows.


    Gastly soon finds himself before the largest Bulbasaur, ...This is the one the human fussed about?


    He then looked back at the sleeping venosaur, his eery eyes were now the only light source in the darkness.


    Feeling a jolt of fear, Gastly gives up on casting a hypnosis on the Bulbasaur. He feared his elemental fluctuations would alert the parent.


    As if pondering a puzzle, Gastly comes to a decision after a few minutes.


    With caution, several tentacles sprouted from his core. He then began wrapping them around the bulbasaurs neck like a noose.


    He felt the bulbasaur was stirring awake, so he suddenly tightened the noose, and squelched its neck. He was hoping this would prevent it from calling for help.


    Lifting the Bulbasaur off the ground, he began floating away cautiously.


    Unbeknownst to Gastly, the struggling bulbasaur began emitting a scent from the tip of its large bulb!


    Gastly was only a hundred yards away when suddenly an earsplitting roar erupted. The roar was filled with primordial rage and shook the very earth! That which should not be provoked had awoken!

 Putting On A Ruse.

    With panic, Gastly flew through the darkness. He could hear trees snapping like twigs, and behind him was a brightly glowing flower that was akin to a second sun. The bright light was moving closer. The venosaur seemed to somehow know where he was!


    The bulbasaur finally passed out from oxygen deprivation, so Gastly loosened the tendrils covering the neck.


    Soon the Venosaur would be upon him, so Gastly flew up into the night sky. He would rather risk the nocturns than staying put and being forced to give up his quarry.


    In the darkness, Jared heard a roar. The vibrations sent a shiver down his spine, but he kept hidden in the tree.


    Looking towards the sound, he saw a white light, "Well... shit..."


    The venosaur had been gaining rapidly but its target had gone airborne.


    With an enraged cry, ten massive vines erupted from her back, then she began uprooting whole trees and throwing them up into the air like ragdolls.


    She continued chasing, but the shadow in the sky was out of reach and moving further away.


    Meanwhile, the venosaurs young were huddled together. They were emitting some light from their bulbs in an effort to see, but they didn''t follow their enraged parent.


    After venting her fury, some reason returned to her eyes. She realized that if she continued her chase, her young would be left alone and unprotected.


    With one more roar, the venosaur returned with a thud and laid itself down next to her young. Its bulb dimmed, but there was still enough light to see. It kept a vigilant watch for the rest of the night.


    Thirty minutes later, Jared hears a noise in the darkness. "Human... I need negative energy, " The exhaustion in the voice was apparent.


    It was too dark to see, so the only thing visible were two glowing eyes, "Are you alright? I saw a bright light, was that the venosaur?"


    "Big plant chased me, and... Big owls"


    "Big owls?"


    "Owl attacked... One day of negative energy not enough, I brought your stupid plant back I deserve more."


    Jared chuckles, "If you can make jokes like that, I suppose you are fine... If you were chased around, I''m curious about how you found your way back so fast, your sense of direction is awful."


    "Shut up human, I could find my way back even if I was blind. The slave ball pulls me."


    Back on the ground, Jared replies after some deliberation, "That''s... curious, say, Gastly, does the ball tug at your soul right now?"


    Gastly Looked down at the unconscious bulbasaur fearfully, "Only from far, human... we... should leave, the small plant will wake up and alert the big plant. The small plant made no sound, yet the big one found us!"


    Fiddling with the flashlight, Jared turns it low, then takes a look at the flopped over bulbasaur, ...Could it be because of scents? Damn, I really wish I had more time to study back then. I really need to get back to reading at some point... Yes, It''s imperative that I learn countermeasures for situations like this...


    Looking up, Jared used the dim light to find two ghostly hands with a single claw, and a more compact Gastly.


    "Gastly, you evolved?!"


    "No, human?"You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "But you have hands now, and... long pointy ears."


    Inspecting himself, Gastly replies, "...Maybe?"


    Jared repeatedly tapped his thumb on the flashlight in thought, ...He noticed Gastly looked quite a bit different than how he remembered a haunter should look. Two spikes stuck from Gastlys head, which made him look like he had ears, but a haunter should have six spikes. Not only that, but he only had one claw was on each hand, but it should be three.


    "Haunt hau au hau hauntt," Putting those thoughts aside, Jared smiles at a laughing haunter, "You definitely evolved Gastly, or should I say Haunter? Congratulations!"


    Haunter ignored Jared''s compliment, because right now he was preoccupied with joyful and sinister thoughts,


    ...I am finally Haunter! Soon I will take my revenge... but I am not strong enough, my existence is not distinct enough...soon... soon...


    With the bulbasaur and Jared in tow, Haunter carried the two and began floating towards the town.


    "BUL BULBA BULSARRUR" Jared had fallen asleep at some point, but he was woken up by the racket.


    An annoyed haunter was choking the source of the noise to shut him up, "Wait, haunter! stop choking him and take us down!" His words only appeared after the fact, because the bulbasaur had already lost consciousness.


    Back on the ground, Jared cautiously looks around, it was now too dark to see, "Where did you take us last night?"


    "Away from the big plant"


    Slapping his head, Jared sighed, while looking at the unfamiliar environment with his dimmed flashlight.


    The trees looked so dense, that he doubted the morning light couldn''t reach for a long time, ...Damn, I told him to head towards town... but it looks like he got lost. I should have shown Haunter how the GPS worked... but hindsight is 20/20...


    Shaking his head, Jared speaks, "Let''s see where you brought us..." He then unpockets his phone, "Three AM huh... alright, we aren''t as far as I thought, but you took us far into no man''s land."


    "Hrmph, give me negative energy now, I''m starving human!"


    ...Considering he flew us here, we should be much further away... He must''ve flown in circles a few times because we are only about eight hours by foot from where he were...


    Returning his phone to his pant pocket, Jared inspects the bulbasaur.


    Running his fingers down the large leafy bulb, which stuck out of the creature''s back, he noticed it felt hard and sticky, which was a bit unlike what he had expected.


    ...I really hope I can tame him, if not, then... it''s a bit cruel, but I''ll have to sell him. Bulbasaurs can only be found in the wild, so they should be worth quite a bit...


    Looking up, Jared finally replies to Haunter, "It''s a bit silly to call you something else, now that you''ve evolved, so how about I give you a nickname?"


    "Stupid human, call me whatever you want."


    "How about Boo?"


    "No!"


    "How about Ghosty?"


    "NO!!"


    "I thought you didn''t care what I called you?"


    "Shut up human, I''m hungry!"


    "You always seem to eat negative energy like tomorrow, so how about Void?"


    "No, that''s not a real name!"


    "Well... from where I used to live, there is a Latin god of the night called Nyx, what do you think about that?"


    "Call me whatever, human, I don''t care!"


    Seeing the human laugh, Gastly snorts.


    "Alright, Nyx, I promise I will give you negative energy soon, but first we have to deal with the bulbasaur."


    Nyx just gives the human an annoyed look, but Jared pays it no mind, "Say, Gastly, did that bulbasaur get a good look at you?"


    "I don''t know, No"


    "No, or you don''t know?"


    "No"


    ...Haunter, or rather... Nyx is getting quite grumpy, I''ll have to treat him to lots of negative energy after this...


    "Gastly, pokemon seem to mistrust adults, and an abducted pokemon like this bulbasaur is never going to trust anyone through normal means, so would you help me put on a little play when he wakes up? I''ll treat you to lots of negative energy after."


    "I want five days!"


    "Three days."


    "NO!"


    "It was originally supposed to be one entire day, when did it become five?"


    "Three days then!"


    "Alright, alright, here''s what you need to do...."


    In the thicket, a stray ray of light roused Bulbasaur from his slumber.


    He warily opened his eyes but didn''t move. He tried to recall the previous day''s events, but his memory felt hazy, and it was too dark to see at the time anyway.


    Bulbasaur looks around to find a human leaning against a tree with his eyes closed, he was holding a long stick. At the tip was a pocket knife wrapped around one end, which completed a makeshift spear.


    The human nodded towards him with a smile, and he spoke softly, but he had no idea what was said.


    The man opened up his bag, which prompted Bulbasaur to reflexively flinch. The man held his hands out, to reveal he was holding something edible.


    Bulbasaur was feeling quite hungry from his ordeal, and the food smelled quite good, but he didn''t know where he was and was wary of everything.


    He had seen humans before, and his mother had warned him about them, so he wasn''t taking any chances!


    Bulbasaur cautiously stepped back and began walking away from the human one step at a time. He intended to leave the area, and somehow find his way back to his mother.


    He looked back, but the human didn''t move to pursue, so he disappeared into the thick bushes, and made his way through the forest.


    Sometime later Bulbasaur hears some ghastly wails coming from the direction he had intended to head through.


    Wisely he chose to run away from the noise, but everywhere he went, the scary noises seemed to appear from somewhere new. From a tree, Bulbasaur finds two scary looking birds eyeing him, but the scary noises were his concern.


    Tired and exhausted after hours of running, Bulbasaurs eyes go wide when he finds a spear-wielding human. Somehow he was back where he started!

 Further In

    The human had created a fire at some point.


    Bulbasaur was about to leave and try his luck, but he stopped in his tracks and sniffed the air. He located the source of the good smell, and it was coming from the fire! When he found some berries to eat, a ghostly wail chased him away, so he had not eaten since yesterday, and he felt hungry and weak.


    While the spear-wielding human had his weapon set aside, he was still big, while he was small.


    Bulbasaur felt stuck, he was hungry, and felt attracted to the smell, but he didn''t want to go anywhere near the dangerous human.


    The human had his back turned, and suddenly spoke in a friendly tone, "There''s enough food to go around, and it''s still cold, why don''t you come warm by the fire and eat something?"


    Suddenly a ghastly wail sounded in the distance, the human seemed startled, and grabbed his spear, then looked towards the direction the noise had appeared.


    He then released his spear and sat back down.


    Bulbasaur stood frozen where he was, but when the human began eating, he started to calm down.


    He began to wonder if the human knew what monster caused the horrible noises, but his attention was soon drawn to something held in the human''s hand. The man was eating something!


    Hunger soon overcame fear, so Bulbasaur began moving closer, and closer. An untouched bowl of food was just sitting there.


    He didn''t know what it was, but he knew he wanted it.


    Hearing the bulbasaurs deliberate movements over the sound of the crackling of the fire, Jared picked up the bowl of rice and leans back, then placed the bowl behind himself. He resumed slowly eating his own food.


    Seeing an opportunity Bulbasaur extends two vines then tries to wrap them around the bowl of food, but he spilled the contents of it.


    A frustrated noise erupts from the green creature. Hearing the clunk of the wooden bowl just behind him, Jared pieces together what just transpired, but he doesn''t turn around.


    He just grabs another small wooden bowl, then fills it with more rice, then laid it behind himself.


    Standing up, he sits down on the other side of the fire.


    He watched Bulbasaur eye him uncomprehendingly, so he resumed eating his meal.


    With the bowl of food unprotected, Bulbasaur slowly moved in. Feeling the warmth of the fire, he hungrily consumes the brown rice, while periodically making sure the human was busily doing the same.


    With the last grain of rice eaten, Bulbasaur looks for more and begins eating the spilled rice from earlier.


    ...He''s small, but he sure can eat, Jared thought.


    Finishing the rice on the ground, Bulbasaur finds no more, so he curiously inspects the human, but doesn''t move closer.


    With some rice still in his bowl, Jared speaks softly, "This is the last of it, you can have it," He then reaches over from where he sat, and placed the bowl down."


    Seeing the bulbasaur was still not trusting him even after that, he sighs, then laid himself down for a nap, he didn''t get enough sleep last night, and Nyx it keeping the other wild pokemon away. The bulbasaur didn''t seem aggressive, so he felt safe enough to catch a few winks.


    Waking up after a few hours, Jared finds the bowl of food was eaten. The Bulbasaur was lying down a few meters away, some distance from the dwindling fire.Stolen story; please report.


    He stood up and began collecting his things. Bulbasaur took a few steps back and watched on.


    Snuffing out the dying fire with a few stomps of his shoes, Jared pulls out his phone to check his location, he then begins heading further into the forest. He had no intention of coming anywhere near the town, or other people for the time being.


    Bulbasaur wasn''t interested in following, but a few minutes after the human left, the ghostly noises returned.


    With fear, he ran towards the direction the human went. He didn''t know why, but for some reason the frightening sounds didn''t appear when he was near the human.


    Jared purposefully slowed his steps, and he made sure his steps were heavy and loud. If Nyx did his job, then Bulbasaur should be catching up to him soon.


    Sure enough, he heard a noise in the bushes, and soon the small four legged green pokemon showed his face.


    With a smile, Jared pays the pokemon no heed and continues hiking, but a few minutes later, Jared whispers, "Gastly, you there?"


    "I don''t like the sun."


    "Right, but please keep an eye out. I won''t leave the shade of the forest, so you should be fine for now. The forest is thick, and I don''t know what''s ahead of me. If you find something dangerous, could you warn me in advance? I want Bulbasaur to associate me with safety, so It''s important we avoid danger."


    Two hours into his hike, Jared nods, ...Bulbasaur must be getting thirsty by now... While there is a stream about an hour out, it''s best I avoid it. I have enough water after all, and it would help things alone if Bulbasaur would rely more on him.


    Sitting down, Jared pulls out a large plastic jug. Unscrewing the lid, he then pours some of the contents into a cup.


    Having his fill, he gives Bulbasaur a sidelong glance "Want some?"


    Bulbasaur takes a step back.


    Taking out a small wooden bowl, he fills it up then places it behind himself, as he had done with the food.


    ...He''s going to have to conquer his fears and come near me if he wants this water, because this time I''m not going to move away.


    Twenty minutes pass, and soon Jared hears some slurping noises from the bowl, he smiles to himself, but he doesn''t turn to look.


    ...This seems to be quite effective. Leaving my back to him, and appearing vulnerable seems to be winning his trust bit by bit. Until this moment, he wouldn''t'' come anywhere near me!


    Jared reclaimed the bowl after Bulbasaur moved away, then, without looking back, he continued hiking up.


    Some time passes, and a tired Jared leans against a tree to rest, and shuts his eyes.


    ...My asthma hasn''t once bothered me since I entered this world, I also feel much stronger, how strange. If this was before, I would be out of breath by now.


    He heard the bulbasaur moving closer, but he made no sudden movements.


    "Balb baa saurrur Baulsur?"


    Whispering under his breath, Jared asks Nyx, "What''s he saying"


    Nyx chuckles in Jared''s mind, "He''s asking if you''ve seen his mother"


    Jared feels a flash of guilt, but he quickly hardens his mind.


    ...I really wish I could communicate directly, but... this is the downside of wild pokemon, they don''t speak english unless taught... but maybe I can teach him?


    Pretending to not know what Bulbasaur wanted, he slowly stood up and began collecting the materials needed for a small campfire.


    WIth some busywork, Jared used some larger stones and created a ring for the fire, then piled the sticks to the center.


    ...Maybe the stones aren''t needed, but I heard it helps prevents fires from spreading.


    Digging two small holes, with the back of his spear, he embeds two long pieces of metal with a Y shape on top.


    The makeshift spit was now created!


    Finishing the preparations, he now had a pot hanging over the fire.


    Bulbasaur watched the whole thing with interest, fires meant warmth and food!


    With a bit of water, the rice was now sizzling.


    Jared pulled out some of the C grade Bug food from his bag, but the Bulbasaur seemed more interested in the rice.


    ...I guess bug-type food is not as appealing to him, go figure...


    With the rice cooked, and with outstretched arms, he handed the first bowl to Bulbasaur. This time Bulbasaur was a bit more courageous and walked up close, but he still held some reservations.


    Placing the bowl down, Jared served himself, and he added a bit of tuna for flavor. He wasn''t sure if bulbasaurs ate meat, but he felt he didn''t need to know that right now, or he might lose some of Bulbasaurs trust if served him something revolting.


    With the Bulbasaur eating the rice not even a meter away, Jared regrets, ...I really am such a cheapskate, I have money, yet I wanted to use this cheap rice up before buying more.


    Pulling out a banana looking fruit, Jared unpeels it and takes a bite. He pauses his actions. He heard the bulbasaurs chewing cease, so he glanced over with a smile.


    "You like these?"


    Bulbasaur just stares.


    "I only have a few, but I can give you one, but you''ll have to come and take it," He said, while splitting the fruit in half, and stretching his arm out with the offering.


    Seeing the warm smile, and the kind tone, Bulbasaur finally dropped his guard, and moved in to accept it, and eat from his hand.


    Jared felt like laughing with joy, but he didn''t want to ruin the moment, ...It has only been a day, but Bulbasaur already trusts me this much! This is going better than my wildest dreams! Pokemon really are special! If this was an animal from earth, then there would be no way I could gain a wild animal''s trust this fast!


    The sun was bright, but the forest was cold. The two would soon leave, but for now, they shared a happy moment warmed by the fire.

 Ashes

    A few days later.


    Sitting next to the crackling fire, Jared watched the light slowly fade from the resting bulbasaurs bulb, ...Pokemon truly are miraculous. I don''t know if all pokemon are natural hyperpolyglots, but this bulbasaur remembered every single word I taught him. In less than two weeks he should master the language!


    Glancing at his lightened backpack left to the side, Jared nodded, ...I wanted to get this rare bulbasaur far away from civilization, until such time as I could tame it, but my supplies won''t last much longer. This bulbasaur is eating me out of house and home! I found a few edible berries to supplement our food stores, but I have to begin heading back tomorrow...


    Unfurling his sleeping bag, he climbs in, and turns over, ...Nyx is getting more and more unruly by the day, but I can''t torture myself out here to feed him negative energy in front of Bulbasaur. I don''t know how much he knows of his kidnapper, but it would be better if he doesn''t know of Nyx''s existence. It could undo all my efforts.


    In high spirits, Bulbasaur was walking next to Jared''s side. Two rattata''s had raided the camp in the early morning, and tried to steal the backpack, but he had fended the threat off with the help of the human''s spear, which earned him high praise.


    Trekking through the woods, Jared sighs, as he hears a familiar complaint, "Human, I demand negative energy!!!"


    Mumbling under his breath Jared replies, "So, what happened this morning Gast-...Nyx?"


    "Hmph"


    "You already recovered your strength by possessing me, you don''t even need it... Just be patient, you''ll get your negative energy soon."


    Turning his attention away, Jared smiled at the eager green creature, but he felt inwardly insecure, ...We will near the town tomorrow, and that will be the time I spring the question. If Bulbasaur chooses to leave in search of his mother, I will have no choice but to destroy this friendship and capture him. Nyx has helped me avoid humans, but they infest these woods. If I let him go, he won''t go half a day before being captured by one of them.


    Time passed as Jared taught Bulbasaur more words, but the smoke from civilization was already before him.


    Stopping in his tracks, Jared turns to Bulbasaur and crouches down to better communicate.


    Jared spoke slowly, "Bulbasaur, we are near my home."


    "Bulba bulb?"


    "You need to make a decision, will you stay with me, or will you leave on your own?"


    Bulbasaurs eyes trail away, and soon his eyes rest on the forest, "bulba bulbb buls sar sa bulba"


    Nyx''s voice helps Jared out, "He''s saying he thanks you, but he needs to find his mother."


    Sternly, Jared replies, " I can see you miss your mother, but even if you find her, you''ll eventually part ways, she can''t protect you all your life."


    Bulbasaur pondered the words, he just barely understood them after thinking for a moment.


    "Sauur"


    "He said he''s sorry"


    Jared turns his eyes down, ...I know, you didn''t have to translate this time Nyx...


    Walking away, Bulbasaur turns back, he had some reluctance, but his decision would not be swayed.


    Jared sighs as he watches the creature move further away, ...Everything I touch seems to turn to ashes in my mouth huh...


    In Jared''s mind, Nyx howls with laughter at Jared''s sullen appearance, but Jared ignores him, "Nyx, change of plans, we are going to follow him."The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Nyx''s laughter suddenly chokes, "Stupid human, I''m a haunter now, so I can move in the light, but the sun is high in the sky, and it still weakens me. Capture him or give it up, I''m not playing this game anymore, human..."


    Gritting his teeth Jared bargains, "One week straight"


    "You better keep your promise... foolish one"


    An energetic young kid who was no more than nine years old was escorted through the forest by a Mr.Mime. His spiky black hair and red cap made him look rather rambunctious.


    He had his eyes trained on a pidgey who angrily eyed him from the trees.


    Turning to Mr. Mime he asks, " Mr. Mime..."


    Mr. Mime lightly shakes his head, but the kid was undeterred, "I know Mom said you weren''t supposed to... but please... help me capture it... I can''t wait for a whole year to become a pokemon trainer!"


    Mr mime just shook his head faster.


    Pouting for a moment, the kid quickly regains his cheer as if he was never sad at all.


    Suddenly from a bush, a green creature stumbled upon the two.


    With wide eyes, the creature tries to correct its mistake by slowly backpeddling the way it came, but the two had already seen it.


    The kid''s eyes light up, with a shout," A BULBASAUR!"


    Ignoring Mr. Mime, he begins a mad sprint towards the fleeing creature.


    Mr.Mime facepalms then followed after him.


    "A human child and a purple creature are chasing the stupid green thing"


    "Purple? A Mr.Mime?"


    Nyx condescendingly replies in his mind, "Yes, whatever, what are you going to do?"


    "Just keep watch for now, if he gets cornered let me know."


    From high in the sky a pidgeotto looks down and finds a Bulbasaur scrambling through the woods, he clenches his talons in the air, but when he finds a small human was pursuing, he pauses, and when he sees a Mr.Mime pursuing the child, he gives up completely. The Mr. Mime made him feel fearful, and with a squawk, he ignored the three in search of new prey.


    "Wait Bulbasaur!!! I just want to be friends!"


    Bulbasaur began sprinting faster, but soon he ran into another human, a kid, and his rattata, "Ahh! a bulbasaur! Rattata, you are the top 1%, let''s capture the bulbasaur!"


    Rattata blocked Bulbasaurs way with a snarl, and now he was sandwiched between two troubles.


    Breathing heavily, the kid eyes the newcomer and his rattata, "Hey, I saw him first!"


    "Who''re you?"


    "I''m Ash Ketchum, the future greatest pokemon trainer, and who are you?!"


    "Kid, you don''t look old enough to be out on your own, How about you get lost!"


    Soon Mr.Mime comes into view prompting the rattata trainer to frown.


    He muttered, "This is troublesome..."


    Giving a quick lie, the older boy tries to trick the younger Ash, "Ash, I''m Joey, I''ve fought this bulbasaur many times, and I''ve been trying to capture him for a week, is it truly right for you to take it from me?"


    Surprised, Ash lowers his head, "Sorry, if you were... then..." - A voice suddenly appears in ash''s head sowing discord, "The human known as Joey is lying"


    Ash looks around in confusion, but he can''t figure out where the voice came from.


    Speaking softly Ash says, "Where are you?"


    Ignore Ash, Nyx continues, "Look at the green pokemon, he doesn''t recognize Joey at all."


    "He doesn''t?"


    Bulbasaur was trying to escape, but everywhere he turned, the faster Rattata blocked his way.


    Angry, Bulbasaur ejects two vines from his back, and threatens the rat pokemon, "Bul bulbbb bulbaasuaur r bulb bulb bullbasaur"


    Rattata smirks condescendingly, he doesn''t even deign to give a reply.


    Bulbasaur had bragged that he defeated two creatures like him, and if he doesn''t get leave him he''ll be the third. He wasn''t taking him seriously at all!


    Seeing his threats were ineffective, he begins lashing his two vine whips towards Rattata.


    With practiced ease, Rattata evades each blow and continues to block Bulbasaurs way.


    Ash finally speaks, "Even if you fought him many times, only Bulbasaur can decide who he wants to be with!"


    Gritting his teeth, Joey looks past Ash, and his glare lands on Mr.Mime, "So what are you going to do?"


    Ash thinks for a moment, then goes to block the Rattata with open arms, "Bulbasaur doesn''t want to go with you. Battle Mr.Mime and win, or I won''t let you go after him!"


    Once again Mr.Mime facepalmed, his charge seemed to a magnet for trouble, and he was dragging him into it!


    Mr.Mime walked closer, intending to pull Ash away, but Joey saw it as a challenge, ...His Mr.Mime looks strong, but we won''t necessarily lose here, he has a dark type move!


    "Rattata, quick attack the Mr.Mime, and give him a bite!"


    Bulbasaur heard the words, but he was new to the language and they spoke too quickly. He saw the annoying Rattata suddenly sprint away, so he turned around with confusion.


    With a glint in his eye, Mr.Mime lifts the approaching Rattata into the air with a psychic, then tosses him into the distance like a cannonball.


    Joey gasps, "Ah... Rattata no!" he then begins running in the direction of his flying pokemon.


    Bulbasaur was too gobsmacked to take the opportunity to retreat, and now a smiling Ash had his full attention on him!


    Floating in the air thanks to Nyx, Jared sighed with appreciation, "...What a powerful Mr.Mime, send me down Nyx."


    Cowering, Bulbasaur took a few steps back every time Ash tried to near him. He was scared to run, lest he incur the ire of Mr.Mime, but he didn''t want anything to do with the human child either.


    Smiling ash gives up whatever he was doing, and kneels down. He then holds out his hand, "Please to meet you, I''m Ash, do you want to be my friend?"


    Bulbasaur could understand a few words, so he got the gist of it.


    Shaking his large head, Bulbasaur backs away slowly.


    Frowning lightly, Ash was about to say something, but a black-clothed man interrupted him. The older man spoke slowly, "Hello there, my name is Jared, I hope you can let Bulbasaur go. He is trying to return to his mother."

 Unpunished

    Exuberant, Bulbasaur turns to the familiar man and instinctively moves towards him.


    Seeing Bulbasaur hiding behind the man for protection, Ash scratches his head. He felt as if he missed an opportunity, "Your pokemon?"


    Jared glances behind himself before turning back, "No."


    Fiddling with his cap, Ash looks confused for a moment, "Oh... you said he was looking for his mother... maybe I can help!" - Mr.Mime furiously shakes his head.


    Smirking at the Mr.Mime, Jared turns Ash down, "I appreciate your kind intentions, but that is unnecessary, and I think your Mr.Mime agrees with me."


    Ash looks slightly bummed, "Mr.Mime is my mother''s pokemon, I don''t have one yet..."


    With shining eyes, he cheers up, "But, I''m already an official pokemon trainer, and when I turn ten I will get my first pokemon! I can''t wait!"


    ...I wonder


    "I''m not doubting you Ash, but how did you become an official trainer without a pokemon?"


    Ash points to Mr.Mime, "Me and Mr.Mime scored first place a year ago!"


    ...Hmm, this is similar to Akoni! His Vaporeon looked more like a bodyguard than his partner.


    "Anyways Ash, it was nice to meet you, but I think me and Bulbasaur should get going."


    "...Okay," Ash looks behind Jared with reluctance, "I hope you find your mother Bulbasaur!"


    With that, Ash gives a smile towards the Bulbasaur, and with one final wave, he heads back the way he came.


    Once out of sight, Bulbasaur gives a few appreciative noises to his savior, but Jared was currently lost in thought,


    ...That was THEE Ash Ketchum, wasn''t it? But... Why is there an *Ash Ketchum?* It doesn''t make sense, and going further, why would this world follow the plot of a fictional series from earth? Could it be...


    Feeling Bulbasaur nudge his leg, he puts the thought aside for the moment, "It seems you got yourself into some trouble"


    "Bulb bulbaa"


    "And it won''t be the last time this happens either"


    Bulbasaur tilts his head questioningly, so Jared slowly enlightens him, "In this world... Erm, how can I phrase this? " - " Basically, people... Er... people like the Rattata trainer and Ash are everywhere, and if they find you, they will try to capture you."


    "Bulba?"


    Nyx interjects in Jared''s mind, "He''s asking why."


    ...So he understood all that huh... It seems his comprehension of the English language is already better than I thought, "Bulbasaur, this world is a dangerous place, and we humans are especially weak... do you understand?"


    Bulbasaur looks up innocently, prompting Jared to scratch his chin,


    ...He''s still asking why? Do I really suck that bad at my explanations?


    Clearing his throat, Jared continues, "Erm... what I''m trying to say is, pokemon are strong while we humans are weak, so humans and pokemon team up together, and... that''s just the way the world is."


    Bulbasaur nods, "Bulb- b-bulb sur bulbb bulbba" (How come you can understand me while others can''t?)


    Nyx translates the words, and in response, Jared scolds himself inwardly, ...I can''t always have Nyx act as my personal translator, and It''s not a good idea to reveal Nyx''s identity to Bulbasaur... so it''s best he thinks I was just guessing.


    Jared tilts his head at Bulbasaurs question,  "Are you hungry?"Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Bulbasaur shakes his head, "Bulb buulbusb"(You can''t understand me?)


    "Not hungry?"


    Bulbasaur gloomily replies, "Saar"(No)


    "Alright, well, I don''t have enough provisions for another trip into the forest, so I need to return to town and get more. Do you want to hide here for now?"


    Nudging Jared with his front leg, Bulbasaur asks, "sabsar bu saar" (No, can I come with you?")


    "You want to come with?"


    Bulbasaur nods


    Jared bites his lip, then responds after a moment, " Alright, you can come with, but keep close."


    Back in town, a man and a Bulbasaur walk side by side, "Have you never seen a town before Bulbasaur?"


    "Saar"


    People stared enviously at Jared, as he followed the GPS.


    ...Judging by these looks i''m getting, It seems bulbasaurs aren''t classified as a rare species for nothing.


    Standing before a store called Pallet Town Grocery, he was stopped at the door by a burly man with a stern expression, "Pokemon stay outside unless you are an official trainer"


    Jared nods,


    ...Official trainers really have it all, don''t they? Well, we are in the middle of town, it should be fine to leave him unattended for a few minutes...


    With a full bag, Jared exits the store to find a few children attempting to pet Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur avoids them but doesn''t retaliate.


    Breaking up their fun, Jared smiles, "That''s enough kids, come, Bulbasaur"


    "Aww"


    .


    Some ten minutes later Jared was back in his rented room, making something to eat.


    "Bulbasaur, I bought some vegetables, do you want some?"


    "Saar"


    "At least try some, you can''t just eat rice."


    "Saar"


    Sighing, Jared bends down and places a bowl of rice to the side, along with a platter of a few different vegetables such as carrots.


    Bulbasaur ignored the platter and finished the bowl of rice in the blink of an eye, prompting Jared to chuckle, "You said you weren''t hungry earlier, but look how fast you polish off that food!"


    Nyx suddenly growls in Jared''s mind, "Jared, I''m hungry too!"


    "Patience Nyx"


    "Damn human, The green shit doesn''t want to join you, what game are you playing?"


    "Nyx, that remains to be seen, you never know how things will turn out until the end... I''ve learned this through my life."


    "Hrmph, I give you one day human, one more day and this charade ends."


    "Why are you so rushed, Nyx? You don''t need negative energy to live, and you can fully restore yourself from possessing me"


    "I NEED NEGATIVE ENERGY TO GET STRONGER"


    Jared sighs in response, ...Nyx is losing it, if I delay this matter it''s only going to get worse.


    Exiting the hotel with his supplies, Jared leaves town with Bulbasaur in tow.


    .


    After some hours of traveling, they were in a deep forest.


    Sitting down on a toppled log, Jared beckons Bulbasaur over to him, "Bulbasaur... the truth is, I have a partner, his name is Nyx."


    "Bulbba?"


    Gesturing to empty air, Jared commands, "Nyx show yourself"


    ...Let''s hope Bulbasaur doesn''t recognize his kidnapper...


    From above, a core of haze began to condense, and soon the visage of a young haunter was formed.


    Shocked by the sight, Bulbasaur inches closer to Jared for protection.


    Meanwhile, Jared secretly gauges his reaction.


    ...He''s scared, but he''s coming to me for protection. I told him Nyx is my partner, so if he knew Nyx was his kidnapper, he should logically run from both of us, but Bulbasaur isn''t connecting the dots... so this is a good sign.


    "Don''t worry, he won''t hurt you."


    With Bulbasaur cowering next to him, Jared began stroking Bulbasaurs head until he calmed down.


    Letting go, Jared spoke, "There''s a reason I''m introducing you now, and that is because he''s hungry, and I need to feed him. The way I do this is a bit strange, and I''ve been putting it off because I didn''t want to scare you."


    Bulbasaur looks at Nyx, then at Jared, then back at Nyx, "Nyx eats... painful energy, and I need to harm myself to produce it for him."


    "bu saru buarusu sarr r- bulsarrr"


    "This will only take an hour, stay here for a while, it''s better you don''t watch."


    Leaving Bulbasaur behind, Jared sits his back against a tree, as Nyx circles around in anticipation.


    Pulling some pins out of a small container, Jared jabbed the first one underneath his fingernail. He began sweating as the agonizing pain forced his teeth to clench.


    "Heheh, The stupid green flower is watching you, human"


    Hearing that Bulbasaur was watching on, Jared forced himself not to scream as he added another needle.


    Jared endured the torture for a full hour and a half before ending it. He didn''t make a sound except for some sharp breathing.


    Looking over, Jared finds a teary-eyed Bulbasaur.


    As usual, Bulbasaur spoke in the pokemon language, but Jared understood what he meant without Nyx, "Yes, it hurt" Jared chuckled weakly.


    "Basaur sbulbaa B bul sarr bubllar"


    "I do this to myself because Nyx is my partner, and we walk the same path. A little pain is nothing."


    Bulbasaur shook his head, " balbaa basaur bulbb" (You are hurt, it''s not nothing.)


    Gathering some spirit in his face, Jared replies, "Bulbasaur, you don''t need to cry for me, this is all for the dream I chose."


    "Bulbb buulb" (What is a dream?)


    "A dream is something all humans have, but few accomplish..."


    The two sat in silence for a short time, "Among humans, my dream is the most unrealistic... I know this well, but I''ll keep walking towards it until the end."


    "Basur bulb-ba"(What is it?)


    Jared''s eyes begin to burn with fire, as he remembers the past, "I once saw two children murdered right before my eyes, and the ones responsible were left unpunished. I want to create a world without these evils, but I can''t accomplish this alone."


    Deep within his eyes, his anger simmered down, "I''ve come to realize that the minimum requirement to create this kind of change is overwhelming strength. It''s silly, isn''t it? I am just a weak human, yet I need to become the strongest. Yes... and that''s why I need strong allies like... Nyx."

 A Titans Fall

    Bulbasaur fell silent.


    Getting back up after a snack, the three continued moving into the wooded interior.


    "Nyx, disperse your form and keep a lookout for Bulbasaurs mother."


    "Human... why are you doing this?"


    "Just do it..."


    Nyx scoffs, "Fool"


    With that, Nyx dispersed his form, and now he could see everything within three hundred meters, despite the sun.


    Seeing the orb of solid darkness floating above, with shadowy tendrils spread out like an octopus, Bulbasaur shuddered.


    Hours pass and soon Jared hears Nyx''s in his mind, "Move left human, the big flower was here."


    Watching Jared greatly altering his direction, Bulbasaur followed behind with a puzzled look.


    Sniffing the air, Bulbasaur runs past Jared, and there he finds a familiar clearing.


    Jared knew full well, but he said it anyway, "Bulbasaur, did you find something?"


    ...He probably picked up on his mother''s scent, Jared mused.


    Bulbasaur continued searching the area, and found a flowery scent trail leading northwards.


    "Bulbb bulbas bsaur b-bu bul"


    Trom Bulbasaur''s body language alone, Jared understood.


    "You found your mother''s scent?"


    Bulbasaur was exuberant, "Bulba!"


    "Alright, lead the way."


    .


    The bushes were flattened by the monster that had come through, so it was easy going.


    Time passed, and soon they were travelling along an animal trail. Opening up his GPS, Jared noted that they were moving towards Viridian City.


    The sun began to wane now, but there was still enough daylight enough to see, at least for some time.


    Feeling the scent get stronger, Bulbasaur broke out into a sprint.


    In response, Jared shouted, as he tried and failed to follow, "Bulbasaur, slow down!"


    "Nyx, don''t lose him"


    "Human..."


    "What?"


    "The big flower is ahead... but..."


    .


    The ground ahead was charred and cratered. Trees were toppled and boulders were smashed.


    Nudging his mother, Bulbasaur tries to rouse her, but he fails.


    Why is she sleeping, Bulbasaur wondered.


    From five meters away, Jared soothes, "I''m sorry for your loss."


    ...Loss?


    Bulbasaur didn''t understand what the human was saying, but hearing Jared''s words, he inspected his mother''s appearance.


    Shaking in disbelief, Bulbasaur stumbles back, as if pushed. It was getting a little dark, so he didn''t notice at first.


    Covered in burns and lacerations a once-powerful Venosaur lay in a shallow pool of congealed blood. Her back once held up Bulbasaurs world, but now that back was broken. Gentle words once filled with wisdom and love were now only a memory for those that were graced to hear them.


    .


    Jared winced as he listened to Bulbasaur roar with grief and indignation. Looking away, he closed his eyes. It hurt him to see the tears drip from the small creatures eyes.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Bulbasaur abrupted ceased his mournful wails when he suddenly remembering his brothers and sisters!


    Bulbasaur began frantically searching, but they were nowhere to be found.


    Lending a hand, Jared spoke, "Nyx, spread yourself out, and see what you can find."


    .


    "Over here, human"


    Nearby, Bulbasaur found a small half-broken cage.


    Sniffing it closely, his eyes constricted. He knew that scent... his second strongest brother was once inside it!


    ... It''s broken, but I know these cages, they are the same ones used in the Rocket Gang hideout.


    A few feet away Jared remarks sourly, "Some monsters in human skin did this..."


    Shaking his head, Jared sits down, to get on Bulbasaurs eye level.


    Picking up some charred soil, he lets it slip through his fingers, "This tragedy was committed by a human organization called the Rocket Gang, and I''m one of their members."


    With reddened eyes, Bulbasaur turns around with grief and fury. He almost lashed out upon hearing Jared''s words, but he held himself back... at least for now.


    "You are right to be angry with me. From what I can tell, your mother fought to the death to protect your siblings, but this cage is proof they were likely taken away in the end."


    Turning back, Bulbasaur engraves the cage''s image into his mind. He would find the ones responsible for his mother''s murder, and he will rescue his brothers and sister... but for now, he didn''t know where to even begin. The human known as Jared was his only lead.


    Spitting through his clenched teeth, Bulbasaur asked, "Sab- bulbarr- bulbbsar b sssar bsar?"


    Nyx translated for him, "He wants to know where ...-" Jared cut him off, "-I know nyx"


    Looking off into the distance, Jared remarks matter-o-factly, "I think I know where your siblings were taken, but the ones responsible were strong enough to defeat your mother... so I won''t tell you, I won''t allow you to seek your own death."


    "Busar sarbar bulbaa bulsar buurrsarrr!" Bulbasaur released two vine whips and lashed out, but before he could connect, a shadowy tendril pulled Jared back.


    Nyx roared audibly, "THIS HUMANS LIFE BELONGS TO ME!, YOU DARE TO TAKE WHAT IS MINE YOU INSUFFERABLE LITTLE SPROUT? I HAVE TOLERATED YOU LONG ENOUGH!"


    Pulling Jared away, Nyx became fully corporeal, "YOU DARE COVET WHAT IS MINE? COME!"


    Itching for a chance to vent his grievances, Bulbasaur whipped Nyx accurately, but the hated foe took the blow without flinching. The whips bounded off Nyxs form as if they were striking metal, not an intangible ghost.


    "Fool, your vines can''t even scratch my itch! Your strength is only this much, and yet you dare to seek revenge?!"


    With brute force, Nyx simply charged straight at Bulbasaur and tanked two more vine whips.


    Now that his foe was close, Bulbasaur went for a tackle, but Nyx swatted him away with his two claws, then scoffed, "Pathetic!"


    After being sent tumbling away, Bulbasaur was quick to his feet and charged back in. This time Nyx released several thick tendrils from his core, and wrapped the hapless creature up, and began choking him by the neck.


    Bulbasaur began to feel a familiar sensation from a few days prior, and then it clicked in his mind. He had found his kidnapper!


    Struggling with all his might, Bulbasaur uselessly tried to shake Nyx off.


    Soon his struggling became weaker as the oxygen remaining in his lungs failed to sustain him.


    Weakly, Jared spoke, "Nyx... let him go, he''s been through enough."


    "Hrmph, count yourself lucky."


    Dropping Bulbasaur to the ground, the creature gasped for breath, but he continued to give Nyx and Jared a deathly gaze.


    "Take your eyes off me weakling, how dare you continue to provoke me?"


    Nyx was about to finish the job, but Jared intervened in a loud tone, "I said enough, Nyx"


    Pulling a half-used potion from his bag, Jared began walking towards Bulbasaur.


    Bulbasaur once again released his two vines, but Nyx deterred him, "Put them away you ungrateful worm"


    Seeing Bulbasaur flinching, Jared sighed, "Just hold still, I''m applying some medicine to your neck."


    With that done, Jared sat down next to him, "I think you must have the same look as I did... back then when I watched those two children die before my eyes, I almost couldn''t control myself, I cursed this world and wanted to change it... I still do, even now, I think about it every waking moment."


    Glaring, Bulbasaur continues to listen in silence.


    "I''ll be honest with you, the person who kidnapped you was me and Nyx."


    Jared saw no reaction,


    ...So he already realized...


    "I won''t apologize. I kidnapped you to have you join my team... But, I''ve come to know you, so I''m unwilling to forcefully capture you."


    Looking up at the sky, Jared was lost in memories, " I''ve told you before, I have something to accomplish, and maybe the ends don''t justify the means... I know this well."


    Jared''s eyes begin to simmer and burn ever so slightly, "But you have to understand... every single day there are countless injustices... yes, crimes committed by my kind, and if I don''t dirty my hands... Bulbasaur, you are not the only one to lose their parents due to insatiable greed."


    Bulbasaur became a little heated by his words.


    "I didn''t play a hand in your mother''s death, but I am still part of the society that did. I want to right the wrongs of the world. Just like you, I am weak. But... even if the whole world curses me... Well, only a devil or a god can change the world, and I am no god, so I have no choice but to be a devil. I will turn this world on it''s head if I have to, so go ahead and hate me... I am strong enough to shoulder it."


    "Bsar bulbarr bslbab sarr" (You are already the devil)


    Hearing Nyx translate the words, Jared chuckled, "You think me a madman, don''t you? I can see you want to take my life... yes... even now, and not only that, you want to destroy the humans that created this hole... this bleeding hold in your heart..."


    ...


    Jared shook his head, "Unfortunately, I can''t give you my life... However, if you join hands with me, and help me tear down these injustices, and create a better world... then... I''ll allow you to tear me apart and offer my soul to appease your mother''s spirit... but only when that day comes."


    Contemplating the words, Bulbasaur comes to a decision.


    Nyx translates Bulbasaurs words with some amusement.


    His shadowy form roils with uncontainable laughter, "Get in line you pathetic weakling, if that day comes, the one who gets his *soul* will be me, "


    ...and me alone.

 Missions Call

    ---


    Jared held up a pokeball, "Do you know what this is Bulbasaur?"


    Bulbasaur shook his head, but he eyed the object with suspicion anyway.


    "This is a device that allows humans to reduce the food consumption of their pokemon partners, and will let you to find me if we get separated... Will you allow me to use it on you?"


    Seeing Bulbasaurs reluctance, Nyx expanded his form menacingly, "Pathetic weakling, even I bound myself to one of his evil slave devices, you dare think yourself better than me?"


    Jared shook his head, "It''s not a slave device, you aren''t helping Nyx!" Jared turned to a more reluctant Bulbasaur, "I don''t have the money to easily replace these... are you willing or not.


    ...Well, let''s not force it, he did agree to join me, so there''s no need to rush things...


    ...I''ve been taught that the fastest way for a pokemon to become stronger is through defeating new opponents. No matter how much negative energy I gave him, Nyx never evolved, and it was only until he defeated that Nocturn that he became a haunter... Still, those lessons with Koi are paying off... I wonder how he''s doing now...


    Away from the charred battlefield, Jared commanded, "Nyx, spread out your form, see if you can find something for Bulbasaur to fight, there isn''t much daylight left, but time waits for no man."


    Grumbling, Nyx did as asked, and it wasn''t long before Jared heard Nyx''s voice in his head, "A couple of rats are hiding underground."


    .


    Soon Jared and Bulbasaur stood near a small burrow. Jared looked to Nyx, who was floating impatiently, "Is this the only entrance?"


    "No"


    Jared scratched his head, ...I could have Nyx smoke them out, but I don''t know which direction they will go... Oh well, I''m still too ignorant, let''s try this...


    "Nyx, see if you can pull them out, but be careful to not hurt them, as they are not your opponent this time."


    .


    Two high-pitched squeaks were heard, and soon two plump rattatas were pulled from their underground home, and unceremoniously dropped in front of Jared and Bulbasaur.


    The moment the two small rat-like pokemon were released, they immediately tried to flee, but Nyx grabbed them again with annoyance, and he held them up in midair. The two creatures frantically tried to bite the strong tentacles, and wriggle out, but Nyx didn''t seem to feel it. The bites were not infused with elemental energy!


    Jared shook his head, ...This won''t do, they have no fighting spirit whatsoever... defeating them like this will serve no purpose.


    "Nyx... just let them go, this was a mistake."


    Finally free, the two creatures hurriedly scurried off.


    Jared watched them go, ...Live and learn I guess.


    A few minutes later,


    "Human, the two rats are following behind... and now there are ten."


    Jared scratched his chin, but didn''t turn around, ...Ten is a bit much, but Bulbasaur is still unwilling to be captured by me... maybe I can...


    With a sly look, Jared spoke, "I found some opponents for you... Bulbasaur."


    .


    Two rattatas emerged from the brush, Bulbasaur scoffed, he recognized them from earlier.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Jared saw Bulbasaur nonchalance and shook his head.


    In Bulbasaurs mind, he felt he was strong enough to travel these forests alone. He had seen the creatures that inhabit it, and he felt he could handle its dangers.


    Jared smiled as he watched Bulbasaur headlong charge into the two rattatas. He whispered too quiet for Bulbasaur to hear, "Nyx, get ready to intervene if Bulbasaur is knocked out."


    "Hmph," With that, Nyx faded into nothingness.


    .


    Seeing the charging Bulbasaur the two rattatas scurried back, but Bulbasaur continued his pursuit.


    Suddenly, Bulbasaur felt an impact on his right flank, which toppled him over.


    Six rattatas now had him surrounded, while four more were keeping a wary eye on Jared!


    Using his vine whip, Bulbasaur flipped himself on his feet before the six Rattatas could continue their assault.


    The surprise attack didn''t finish off the foe, so the six loosely surrounded Bulbasaur from all sides. They were like a pack of wolves, just waiting for their prey to make a mistake.


    Bulbasaur was young and easily flustered. Hearing the menacing squeaks and provocations, he used his vine whips to lash towards the closest rattata.


    In response, the rattata in question simply moved back. With his vines preoccupied, the other five charged in with quick attacks.


    With excellent coordination, the five rattatas impacted Bulbasaur all at once, and knocked him ten meters forward!


    Bloodied and bruised, Bulbasaur retracted his vines, to defend himself, and help himself to his feet.


    He was once again surrounded by the six snarling rattatas and fear was beginning to take over, he had lost his fighting spirit!


    Jared, who was watching the entire fight, finally gave a shout, and it was loud enough for Bulbasaur to hear, "Do you no longer care for your mother? Are a few weak foes already the limits of your hatred?"


    Furious at the mention of his mother, Bulbasaurs fear vanished.


    Keeping his vines close, Bulbasaur taunted the six rattatas in the pokemon language.


    Seeing their foe was heavily wounded, yet arrogant, the six rattatas charged in from all sides.


    Like an oak tree in the wind, Bulbasaur braced for the quick attacks, and using the vines whips he kept close, he wove them around two of the rattatas.


    Bound by the vines, and flailing in the air, the two rattata shrieked and squirmed.


    Bulbasaur was now bloodied, but his gaze was firm.


    The rattatas had to come in close to attack, and now that he got a hold of two of them, he would finally deliver sweet payback!


    Jared smirked, ...That''s a better look. Even if he can''t win, I can tell he wants to take them down with him. That''s the mindset an avenger should have...


    With the two rattatas in his grasp, Bulbasaur began slapping them against each other.


    The remaining rattatas were not idle during this, they continued to quick attack and tackle. Bulbasaurs vines soon retracted, while the two unlucky rattatas dropped to the hard forest floor like limp ragdolls. They would not get back up.


    "Nyx, NOW"


    Bulbasaur thought he heard something before losing consciousness, but it was indistinct.


    His ally had mocked him and left him to die. He was unwilling, but sleep was calling him.


    .


    Waking up to a crackling fire, Bulbasaur felt good as new, although hungry.


    Straining his eyes using the only light source to see, Bulbasaur found Jared sitting on a log, watching him.


    "Hey, you, you''re finally awake."


    Bulbasaur scowled


    "Did you really think I was going to let you die?"


    Bulbasaur looked away as he laid back down.


    Jared placed a bowl of food next to Bulbasaur, then turned away, pointing into the blackness, "The forest is more dangerous than you thought huh?"


    ...


    Sitting back down on the log, Jared remarked, "I used the last of my potion on you, if you still refuse the pokeball, then I won''t be able to save you if you get badly injured again. The pokeball won''t heal you, but it will prevent your state from worsening, it''s got many uses.


    Seeing a grudging nod, Jared meandered over to Bulbasaur, "I don''t have much money... so if you break it..." Jared laughed, "Then I''m gonna make you pay for it, so don''t resist!"


    Jared tapped Bulbasaur on the head with a pokeball before he could change his mind.


    Immediately the ball began shaking in Jared''s palm. Jared felt a flash of panic, if Bulbasaur breaks out, he would lose the pokeball!


    However, his fears were unfounded, the ball soon calmed down.


    Bulbasaur was caught!


    Releasing Bulbasaur from his ball, Jared nodded, "See, it''s not scary."


    Bulbasaur just squinted back.


    ...He''s been quiet since his mother''s death, but how can I blame him, nobody gets over death in a single day... especially when it''s a loved one... I need to keep his mind focused on something else because it''s easy to slip into... other memories, and lose yourself to despair. I know this well...


    In response to the unamused look, Jared said, "If you want to avenge your mother, then there is a price to pay, what''s a pokeball or two between achieving that?"


    Nyx''s voice echoed from the darkness, "Weaklings don''t deserve revenge."


    Talking past Nyx, Jared focused on Bulbasaur, "I can''t offer you much, and I''m ignorant on the methods to train you, but this really isn''t a bad deal for you. I can feed you and provide medicine when you are injured, so the only thing you need to do is focus on getting stronger. "


    Bulbasaur was unconvinced on the first half of the sentence, but, by the end, he gave a firm nod.


    "I received a message from my employer. We don''t have much time to train tomorrow, and I''m out of potions regardless, so eat up quickly... Nyx is going to float us to town now that you are finally awake!"

 Introductions

    Nyx and Jared were seen moving fast just below the treelines.


    (Nyx seems to move much faster since becoming a haunter, looks like I''ll be back in bed in less than an hour!)


    Jared checked his phones GPS before closing it to conserve power, "You''re getting a little off course, Nyx, go left more."


    "Hrmph"


    Looking off into the blackness, Jared ponders, (I wonder if I''ll ever get a chance to learn some training methods. It would be a shame if Bulbasaurs growth was stunted... but, knowledge isn''t given out for free, and it takes time to learn... As for Nyx, I doubt anyone knows a good way to train him...)


    -(Then again, he''s a ball of gas, can he even be trained in other ways? -Strength training isn''t going to give him muscle since he has no body to begin with... and even thinking about a muscular haunter gives me shivers...)


    -(I don''t want to risk trying some training methods for Bulbasaur, because an improper method might bring more harm than good...)


    .


    Jared could now see the dim lights of civilization from far away.


    "Set me down here, Nyx, it''s best we don''t alarm anyone by floating straight in."


    "I want negative energy after this!"


    "You just got some, you can wait until the morning!"


    Nyx scoffs


    .


    Jared was back in his room.


    Switching off the light, Jared climbs into bed for some shuteye, not forgetting to stick his phone in the charger.


    With his head on the pillow, Jared ponders, (Bulbasaur seems to have the will to get stronger, but it Nyx is even more so... -then again, training isn''t supposed to be enjoyable, and from what I''ve seen, negative energy is like an addictive drug to him... -How I wish I could just lie back and casually get stronger by absorbing negative energy...)


    zzzz


    .


    The next day Jared was sitting in Harper''s office.


    Harper glared, "You showed up, so you DO remember who your boss is!"


    "Yes sir..."


    Leaning back in his chair, Harper commands, "This assignment came in from HQ, and it will not be refused. While assignments like these are not meant for unproven grunts like you... -and frankly, you are too weak..."


    Rudely pointing into Jared''s face, Harper continues, "However, you''re lucky. In this mission, stealth is required, and I''m told ordinary methods won''t do."


    Leaning back in his chair, Harper lights up another cigar, while Jared asks, "What are the detail?"


    "This is top secret, and not even I know the details."


    Puffing out a stream of smoke into Jared''s face, Harper smirks, "Here''s a word of advice, lunatic, curiosity killed the meowth, -and In this line of work, the less you know, the longer you live. Come back here at nine am tomorrow," Harper''s eyes narrow, "And if you are late, then you will regret it, maggot."


    Before Jared could leave, Harper spoke again, "Wait a minute lunatic."


    "Yes?"


    With a sly smile, Harper asked, "I''ve heard you caught a Bulbasaur, what do you think of selling it to me? I''ll give you three thousand credits right now."


    "Sorry, he''s not for sale."


    A vein on Harper''s head begins to pulse, Jared knew from this, that he was about to erupt in anger, "Good...Good... you think you can do whatever you want? You think you can get more by selling it to someone else?"Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Seething with anger, Harper cuts Jared off before he could reply, "If I hear you going above my head, and selling it to someone else..." Harper just cackled menacingly.


    As if he were shooing away a fly, Harper spat, "Alright, lunatic, now get out of my office, I don''t want to see your ugly face anymore"


    Leaving Harper''s room, Jared''s expression darkens, (While I don''t mind how he speaks to me, it''s still not pleasant. I hope I can rise up the ranks soon... and speaking of ranks, I wonder how Kai is doing as an agent...)


    .


    Back In the forest, a few hours north of Pallet Town.


    "Bulbasaur, on your left!"


    Fighting another pack of rattatas, Bulbasaur was struggling.


    Hearing his trainer, Bulbasaur leaped out of the way.


    A large rattata gritted its teeth, and snarled at Jared.


    While the rat pokemon could not understand what the human said, it was a fact that every time the human opened his mouth, his sneak attacks would get foiled.


    He wanted to shut that human up, but if he went to deal with the human, then his three underlings would fall into a disadvantage. The Bulbasaur was a tough nut to crack.


    Using the same strategy he had used the previous day, Bulbasaur closed his eyes.


    The four rattatas looked at each other in confusion, but they wouldn''t let this mistake go unpunished.


    From the sides, and back, three of the four rattatas prepared to land a fatal blow!


    Bulbasaur was impacted from his back, and flew forward, towards the leading rattata.


    Filling himself with normal energy, the leader smirked when the human had said nothing to warn Bulbasaur. He had set up this strategy to defeat much tougher foes, and as for a mere Bulbasaur?


    With a cunning glint in his eyes, the leader prepared to impact Bulbasaur midair. He knew the forward momentum would greatly compound the damage.


    Bulbasaur suddenly opened his eyes!


    Unknown to the leader, Bulbasaur had the same idea as him!


    Bulbasaur had been charging his body with a tackle since before the impact, and now it was time to see which of them had the sturdier body, and more powerful elemental energy!


    .


    Bulbasaur and Rattata''s energies collided, and the sound was akin to a gong.


    As it was his inborn element, normal moves favored the larger rattata, but! the invisible sheen of normal element covering him and Bulbasaur simultaneously shattered, as they negated each other.


    The large rattatas eyes went wide!


    He was powerful for a rattata, but if he directly pitted his fragile body against a larger Bulbasaur, then he knew the outcome.


    There was no time to dodge, as the enormous forward momentum could not be shifted in midair!


    Much was said, but this all happened in less than a moment!


    As Bulbasaur and Rattata collided, the sheens of normal energy shattered, and the large rattata was knocked away!


    Seriously injured, the large rattata lay on the ground while coughing blood from his mouth. His strong vitality would let him recover in the long run, but he could no longer fight!


    Bulbasaur may have defeated the most dangerous foe, but in return, he had a bloody bruise on his forehead.


    Using his vines, Bulbasaur landed back on the ground, and then he turned around to face the three rattatas.


    With a vicious growl, Bulbasaur mocked the three in the pokemon language.


    Seeing their leaders defeat, the three cowardly rodents broke rank and ran.


    Once they were out of sight, Bulbasaur collapsed on the ground.


    He may have gotten the better end of the last exchange, but he had been accumulating small injuries since the beginning of the fight, and now, simply standing was difficult for him.


    Nodding in approval, Jared returned Bulbasaur to his pokeball.


    "This should be enough for today, have a good rest."


    Putting the pokeball on his belt, he Looked at where he thinks Nyx might be, "We are gonna head back to the pokemon center, please scout the way."


    From the shadows, Nyx scowled.


    .


    Pokemon centers were a large organization, and they could afford medicine in bulk. This means the price to heal a pokemon is half as much as just using potions! and they also had other methods of healing not available to the public.


    -For example, Potions just by themselves are good, but they deplete a pokemon''s stamina. For a grass-type pokemon, prolonged exposure to large amounts of special artificial light could speed up their recovery, and when paired with special food which is designed specifically for them, then they can swiftly recover, and this method would replenish their stamina!


    While it was less convenient to come to a pokemon center and wait for his pokemon to be healed, Jared felt the advantages of the pokemon center were still too good to ignore.


    .


    Waiting near the counter of the large pokemon center, Jared hears his name called.


    There was no nurse Joy at the counter, but Jared was impressed by their politeness and professionalism.


    Claiming Bulbasaurs Pokeball, Jared released him.


    "Bulbaa?"


    Looking down, Jared asks, "Feeling better, Bulbasaur?"


    Bulbasaur nods solemnly


    As they walked out, Jared''s mood slightly dipped, (He used to be such a happy little guy... I hope he regains his smile one day... It''s a bit saddening to see Bulbasaur looking so forlorn...)


    .


    Back in his room.


    "Bulbasaur, will you at least try it? You can''t just eat rice, it''s not good for you."


    Bulbasaur shook his head, so Jared fakes some anger, " I bought this expensive D grade grass type food just for you! You can''t have any more rice until you eat some of it!"


    Finally relenting, Bulbasaur takes a single nibble, then looks up at Jared, as if he were saying, *There I did it, now give me my rice!*


    Jared: "..."


    .


    Back in the Rocket Gang building.


    Opening the door, Jared was once again in Harper''s office.


    Jared found it strange that Harper was standing, while this unidentified guest was sitting.


    Inspecting the guest, Jared found him to be a man in his forties. He had sharp eyebrows, and he seemed to be brimming with vigor.


    In an unusually professional tone, Harper made some introductions, "Let me introduce you to Executive Neil."


    Harper then politely gestures to Neil, "Executive Neil this is Jared, he is the grunt that you were asking for."

 Specimen

    --


    Without turning to the newcomer, Neil spoke nonchalantly from Harper''s own seat, "That''ll be all, Harper."


    Bowing slightly, Harper exited his office, then gently closed the door behind himself.


    "Take a seat, Jared."


    Slightly nervous, Jared sat down.


    Finally turning to Jared, Neil spoke while reading off a piece of paper, "You were rescued, but lost your memories, and you have lived in Alola for more than a month. You have competed to become a sponsored trainer and narrowly lost, and this is most of the relevant information we have on you..."


    Neil narrowed his eyes and continued, "Do you find anything off about what I''ve told you?"


    Jared thought for a moment then replied, "No sir, your information is accurate."


    Shaking his head, Neil brought his eyes back to the piece of paper, "That is the problem, we have looked into your past, and there are no traces whatsoever. It''s like you appeared out of thin air..."-


    (Well... I kind of did.)


    -"Can you explain to me why this is the case?"


    "Sorry sir, I really don''t know anything more than you do..." Jared then added, "I could... I mean, you can confirm this with a natu."


    Standing up, Neil pulls a pokeball out of his pocket, "No need"


    Neil tapped the pokeball twice, and Jared is surprised when a five-foot-tall alakazam appears.


    Inspecting the pokemon, Jared couldn''t help but mutter the word, potential.


    Before his eyes, the alakazam lit up. Although the color favored emerald, there were traces of silver.


    Ignoring the awestruck Jared, Neil commanded, "Alakazam, send us off."


    .


    In a lavish room, three people were arguing around a large table. The room was massive, so the single table placed in the center seemed a bit out of place.


    A red face man argued, "The specimen is a lost cause, is losing a team of elite officers not enough?"


    A seductive woman replied passive-aggressively, "Maybe you should go and complain to the boss, I''m sure he will be happy to know his *ever* reliable executive is unwilling to obey him."


    With a reddened face, the man was about to retort but he ate his words when Jared, Neil, and Alakazam suddenly teleported in, so he just snorted, and turned his head.


    A different man with a long beard greeted in a mocking tone, "Welcome *team leader,* we were just discussing the mission."


    Neil took his seat at one side of the table before replying, "Rilo, do you want to make a mockery of us before a grunt?"


    Rilo chuckled while stroking his beard, "You personally went to pick up this grunt, what is a mockery of the executives if this isn''t?"


    "Mind your station, Rilo, Giovanni assigned me as head of this operation, so it will do you good to speak less, unless you would like me to speak with the boss about your insubordination."


    "..."


    The seductive woman smiled in response, she seemed to enjoy the drama.


    After a few moments of silence, Neil continued, "Your concerns have already been noted, but you all should know better than anyone. In regards to the value of that specimen... Giovanni will never let it go! However, our previous failure will not be repeated. We may have lost Yneva and her team, but with Giovanni''s blessing, we will be bringing to bear the full might of the Rocket Gang, to ensure the capture of the specimen!" Neil spoke those words as he purposefully looked at each of the executive''s now sullen faces. The mere mention of the *subject* was a sore spot for all of them.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    (Specimen?) Jared pondered as the executives began discussing role assignments, until finally, Jared was mentioned.


    Hearing his name, Jared perked up, so he paid close attention.


    "You are telling me this grunts Gastly can go invisible, but the specimen is psychic type, that damned monster doesn''t need Its eyes to see!"


    "That''s why I brought him here, to clear your doubts," Turning to Jared, Neil commanded, "Rocket Grunt Jared, release your Gastly.


    Reaching for his belt, Jared tapped Nyxs pokeball twice, and with a flash of red, Nyx''s ghostly visage was brought before the scrutinizing gazes of the four executives.


    After taking in the view for a second, Neil broke the silence, "So your Gastly evolved... Grunt, now, command your haunter to turn invisible!"


    Nodding, Jared did as asked, and Nyx cooperated without complaint. Although he was stronger and held the type advantage, Nyx still felt great danger from Alakazam.


    Once Nyx was fully dispersed, Neil commanded, "Alakazam, are you able to detect him?"


    Alakazam''s eyes began to glow purple, and then it nodded, -Rilo shouted, "See!"


    Before Rilo could continue, Neil spoke to Jared, " Have your haunter remain invisible, and then ask it move twenty yards from this position"


    Turning to Alakazam, the four executives waited.


    Seeing Alakazam nod its head, Neil asked Jared to have Nyx increase the distance.


    .


    Finally, Alakazam shook its head.


    "Rocket Grunt Jared, have your haunter remain where it is, but command it to show itself if you please."


    Seeing Nyx''s form appear, Neil nodded in approval, "About forty-five yards, go ahead and return your pokemon."


    Rilo scowled, then spoke after thinking up an argument, "Unlike your Alakazam, the specimen has unparalleled psychic power, so this proves nothing!"


    "You are wrong, Alakazam was actively searching, while the specimen should be unaware. Forty-five yards should be safe."


    Rilo retorted, "How can you be sure? If Me-"


    "RILO," Neil cut him off before he could complete the word.


    (Me-?)


    Inwardly, Jared felt shocked, (They''ve been talking about a specimen... don''t tell me they are talking about Mewtwo?! But... in the anime and the books, Mewtwo was never recaptured!)


    .


    "Rocket Grunt Jared, we have matters to discuss, so I will be sending you back now.- I will collect you tomorrow.- I would like you to remain in Pallet Town during that time."


    With that, Jared suddenly found himself outside the Rocket Gang building located in Pallet Town.


    .


    Feeling the sudden change in lighting, Jared shielded his eyes. Sometime later, Jared was once again sitting at home.


    Watching Bulbasaur eat his rice, Jared sank into thought, (Mewtwo huh... if I recall, Mewtwo was once *evil* and became *good...*)


    .


    On a deserted outskirt, a small ways from town, Nyx and Bulbasaur were facing off underneath the shade of a massive oak tree.


    "Human, this weakling is a waste of my time, I could finish him in an instant!"


    "I know that Nyx, so please go easy on him, and don''t use spite... actually, don''t use any moves."


    "Hrmph, you''re becoming more annoying, human."


    Nervously, Bulbasaur released his two vine whips in preparation.


    .


    "Ready... and begin!"


    Bulbasaur was the first to react!


    With his vines overcharged with a coat of grass-type element, he struck the floating Nyx!


    Not expecting the small creature to actually harm him, Nyx roared, "THAT HURT, YOU LITTLE GREEN SHIT!"


    Jared noted inwardly, (It seems the sun has made Nyx more fragile... I remember it was not long ago that Bulbasaurs vine whips couldn''t leave a single mark, but now Nyx''s whole body was deformed! Although Bulbasaur has done some training since then, it shouldn''t be that exaggerated...)


    Disappearing, Nyx waited for an opportunity.


    Bulbasaur looked around warily, he knew he couldn''t win, but he wasn''t going down without a fight.


    "Bulbasaur above you!"


    Dodging to the side, Bulbasaur narrowly avoided a hypnosis.


    Nyx bombarded Jared''s mind with complaints, "THIS IS UNFAIR, YOU CHEATED HUMAN!"


    Jared just smiled, "You cheated first Nyx, I thought I told you no moves."


    "Hrmph!" and with that, Nyx suddenly released a swarm of shadowy tentacles.


    Although his opponent was heavily weakened by the sun, Bulbasaur was taking no chances, and using his vines, he used them as a spring to narrowly avoid Nyx''s onslaught.


    "STAY STILL!"


    Unlike Nyx, Bulbasaur soon began to tire from the constant dodging, and eventually, Nyx held Bulbasaur up by one leg, using one of his many tentacles, as Bulbasaur tried to lash Nyxs main body.


    Now fully wrapped up, Nyx began gleefully choking the life out of Bulbasaur.


    "That''s enough, Nyx, don''t go too far!"


    (Potions aren''t free!)


    Unraveling Bulbasaur, Nyx let him go. Once freed, Bulbasaur lashed Nyx with his vine whips.


    Nyx screeched, "THAT DOES IT, I''M KILLING YOU!"


    Before Nyx could swarm Bulbasaur with tentacles, Jared returned Bulbasaur to his ball.


    With nowhere to vent his fury, Nyx turned to Jared, "CURSE YOU, HUMAN, YOU SEE WHAT HE DID TO ME!?"


    "Nyx, this was supposed to be a friendly duel, and NOT a fight to the death!"


    "Hrmph!"


    (Well... this should be enough for today. Although it probably won''t come to that... still... I should probably keep Bulbasaur in good shape for the mission tomorrow, just in case.)


    .


    Returning to his room, Jared tortured himself to feed Nyx negative energy, all the way up until the sunset.


    Lying in bed, Jared groaned, (I did that for a whole day just so Nyx could be in top shape for the mission... but he''s so greedy... the moment I stop giving him negative energy... *Sigh* that shameless ghost immediately asks for more!)

 Standing In Anothers Shoes

    ---


    Half asleep, Jared looked around, as he tried to make sense of the sound.


    "Rocket Grunt Jared, are you going to keep me waiting...?"


    Rubbing his eyes, Jared finds a well-dressed Rilo frowning by his bedside, along with Alakazam, "Uh!"


    "Did I not tell you to be ready at any time?"


    Finally shaken from dreamland, Jared responds properly, "Yes, just... can you please give me a few minutes sir?"


    (...I don''t remember him saying that... actually, we never really talked... and how''d he even get through the locked d... oh right, probably the Alakazam...)


    Rilo gestured to the front door, "Five minutes, grunt," and with that, Rilo and Alakazam suddenly vanished.


    (... I know that I am at the bottom of the totem pole of the Rocket Gang, but to barge into someone''s room while they are sleeping is a bit much... I nearly had a heart attack, what time is it anyway?)


    Dressing, and gathering his things as fast as he could, Jared was out the door and almost bumped into Rilo, Jared almost wanted to say, (hey, the door is right there, did you really need to have the Alakazam teleport you 10 feet...?!)


    The red-faced Rilo mocked, "Are you upset your precious Neil couldn''t make it?"


    Jared bowed, "No sir, I''m happy to be of service to one such as you."


    But, inwardly, Jared contemplated, (Why is he doing this schoolyard bully act? I don''t remember offending him... Is this how he treats those below him, or is there something more to this... he did seem unhappy about the mission...)


    .


    Suddenly, Jared found himself in an unfamiliar forest clearing.


    Jared''s eyes went wide, (That''s a lot of people...)


    Gesturing to a very large tent, Rilo scowled, "Stop dawdling grunt!"


    Before entering the tent, Jared could hear Rilo grumbling, but he couldn''t make out what he said.


    Inside the spacious tent, a map was sprawled on a table, with Neil and the other two executives discussing something.


    Rilo took a seat, while Jared waited to the side.


    Jared listened along, but they seemed to be speaking in a code that only they understood.


    .


    Holding a picture, Neil turned his head to face Jared, "This is the specimen your haunter will be looking for. The specimen is psychic type, and exceptionally dangerous. "


    Squinting his eyes, Jared confirms his earlier speculation, (...Mewtwo)


    "Where should I look?"


    "You won''t be. The creature kills all humans it encounters, and it can detect lifeforms within half a kilometer. So, we have decided that you will remain in base camp. Your haunter will locate the creature''s exact position, and then using a small camera device we will provide for him, he will snap a picture of the specimen, and then we will take care of the rest. Don''t worry, the camera is simple enough for even a pokemon to use."


    Nodding, Jared tapped Nyx''s pokeball, and Nyx appeared in a flash of red.


    In Jared''s mind, Nyx spoke, "Human, what is this?"


    Jared didn''t respond, in fear of Nyx''s telepathy being discovered, (...I wonder why they didn''t just ask to borrow Nyx... Or, maybe they were concerned that Nyx won''t cooperate with them without me... well, they are probably right, it''s hard to make Nyx do anything he doesn''t want to do...)This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Pointing to a map, Neil broke Jared from his musings, "The specimen was last spotted in a tunnel of caves twenty kilometers northeast of here, can you convey that to your haunter?"


    (Twenty KM is a long way in a forest... and Nyx is awful at directions... or, are they that worried that Mewtwo can detect them...?)


    Jared then replied, "I''m willing, but Nyx has a bad sense of direction..."


    The seductive woman chuckled, as she eyed the ball of gas. Nyx glared back.


    Neil spoke after a moment of consideration, "We will have a small pokemon escort your haunter to the cave."


    Rilo mumbled, "Typical grunt... all incompetent and unreliable..."


    "Alright Nyx, do you think you''re up for it?"


    In Jared''s mind, Nyx roared with sinister laughter, "It finally begins."


    .


    Standing in the clearing, Jared watched a troop of Mr. Mimes, Abras, Kadabra''s, along with many assortments of different fanged pokemon, such as houndooms and even an arcanine.


    Watching the formation, Jared pondered their goals, (Psychic types are not weak to psychic, are they planning to use the Mr. Mimes to prevent Mewtwo from escaping, by encasing him in barriers? and I suppose all these abras are... Hmm, probably for teleporting the formation directly ontop of Mewtwo? I suppose now I know why they want Mewtwos exact coordinates.)


    .


    Time passed, and Nyx was back.


    Standing in the large tent, Jared presented the small camera, and an explanation, "Nyx informs me that the specimen is meditating on a rock."


    The executive''s eyes all lit up.


    Neil nodded approvingly, "You''ve done w-"


    Neil froze, he suddenly couldn''t move a single muscle!


    He then saw himself above the ground, but he felt it was strange. He didn''t understand why there were five headless bodies below him. This was his last thought before everything went black.


    Shocked by the blood and gore, Jared retched.


    The assailant didn''t linger long, as the base was now in chaos.


    From inside the tent, Jared could hear endless screams.


    Looking to Nyx, he found his partner was smiling wider than he had ever seen.


    .


    (Where am I? Who am I?) Opening his eyes, Jared saw a towering human before him.


    Wearing a white coat, the giant stuck a needle in his arm to draw blood.


    Jared tried to struggle, but he was bound by restraints.


    Watching the giant converse with another giant, Jared tried to speak, but no words left his lips.


    The two giants left the room, and then the room became pitch black.


    Jared didn''t know how long he slept, but when he awoke, the giant was back, and he watched warily as the giant man began ripping flesh from his arm.


    Screaming in agony, Jared tried to plead for him to stop, but to no avail.


    Soon, the giant was finished. The giant removed a tube connected to Jareds body, and then fitted in a new one. Once more the light was turned off, and it was darkness.


    These days repeated endlessly.


    As the days passed, the giant began to grow smaller.


    One day, Jared felt as if he could feel the area around himself. He felt as if he could see, but not see.


    .


    The next day, the man was back.


    Preparing to draw a blood sample, Jared cried out, and focusing on the sharp tool with malice, the hated object somehow flew out of the man''s hand.


    This was the first time Jared saw this expression on the man''s face. The giant that haunted even his dreams suddenly didn''t seem so scary.


    .


    Running out of the room, the man closed the door without shutting off the lights.


    Soon he was back, and this time, Jared saw something he had never seen before, it was a strange creature holding two spoons.


    With glowing eyes, the creature watched Jared. In turn, Jared curiously observed the spoon-holding creature.


    The man said something Jared didn''t understand and then he brought out his sharp tools.


    Jared tried to fling the sharp object away from himself, but he was suddenly unable to. It was as if he were suppressed by something.


    .


    These days continued. The spoon-wielding creature and the man would return, but no matter how he tried, Jared was unable to stop his tormentor from harming him.


    A long time passed, and finally! Finally, he was able to fling that hated object away!


    The man and the spoon creature hurriedly left the room and shut the door.


    Jared suddenly started feeling very sleepy.


    .


    He didn''t know how long he slept, but when he awoke, he felt drozy, as if something was forcing him to sleep.


    Jared felt as if he slept too long, and fought the urge.


    He could see through the bubbling water. Some people were rushing about. ]


    Jared noticed that they were showing the same expressions as his tormentor. He then felt as if he could understand their emotions.


    (They want to hurt me, they want to keep me trapped here!)


    Suddenly the glass shattered, and Jared limply crawled out, and he pulled the tubes and other objects attached to his body using his mind.


    He didn''t know how he could do these things, but it felt natural. He felt as if his long sleep had honed him somehow.


    The men''s creatures tried to stop Jareds escape, but he was not going back, he wanted to fulfill his long-cherished wish, and finally become free!


    .


    Jared blinked, and suddenly, he was back in the familiar tent.


    "That''s... ...right... I''m... I''m... Jared..."


    He couldn''t stop tears from dripping from his eyes. He felt he had lived a lifetime of hell, and felt fragile at the moment.


    Ignoring the headless bodies, Jared got to his feet, and then he exited the large tent, because he could feel something calling to him.


    And there, standing in the midst of gore and blood, Jared found an intensely familiar creature. Not even a single drop of filth tarnished the creature''s pristine white body, as it looked back, while holding the detached head of an alakazam.

 An Old Fisherman

    ----


    "You killed them all? You didn''t even spare the pokemon still inside the pokeballs?"


    Jared''s head began to throb as an unfamiliar emotion was put directly into his head.


    Contempt, anger, and resentment.


    After the waves of injected emotions faded, Jared muttered under his breath, "It wasn''t supposed to go like this... they weren''t all bad people... Why didn''t you just run? This world is huge, they would never find you!"


    Suddenly Jared felt like his head was about to explode as powerful telepathic words drilled into his mind. The words were in his own voice, but they sounded strange, it was as if they were rearranged imperfectly,  "Being of earth, this is not for you to decide!"


    Clutching his head to try to dim the pain, Jared stumbled.


    Remembering Nyx, he turned back towards the large tent.


    Inside the large tent, the lights were shattered, and glass was everywhere. the only light source was the glowing eyes of Nyx.


    "Nyx... what have you done? I told you to tell Mewtwo to escape," Jared looked down at the headless corpse of the once seductive woman, "Not... this... never this..."


    Nyx gave a sigh, "Human, these people stood in the way of your *DrEaM,* I have given this last gift to you."


    "Nyx... what last gift? What are you talking about?"


    Silence


    "NYX! ANSWER ME!"


    .


    The world suddenly twisted, and Jared found himself standing at the sandy shores of an unfamiliar beach.


    Jared let out a heart-wrenching shout, "WHY NYX! WHAT DEAL HAVE YOU MADE THAT YOU WOULD ABANDON EVERYTHING WE WERE TRYING TO ACHIEVE!?"


    But only the sound of the crashing waves answered back.


    Kneeling on the sandy shores for a long while, Jared whispered emotionally, "Don''t leave me... my friend."


    With a sudden realization, Jared clawed around his waist with shaky breaths, and upon finding Bulbasaurs pokeball still there, he hugged it tightly, "Nyx''s pokeball is gone, Bulbasaur you are all I have left..."


    .


    Hearing the sound of a man clearing his throat, Jared freezes.


    Turning around, Jared finds a weatherbeaten old man with a wide brim hat minding a fishing rod.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Collecting himself, Jared wiped his eyes then asked tentatively, "Who are you, where is this?"


    "It''s polite to give your own name before asking for someone else''s."


    "My name is..." Jared paused mid-sentence, as he recalled that he had been partly responsible for the deaths of all the Rocket Gang''s executives, as well as a large number of their elite members, so he thought it prudent to use a different name, at least for now.


    However, He liked his old name, so he decided to just shave a few letters off.


    Clearing his throat, Jared finished his sentence, "Sorry, call me Red"


    Nodding, the older man replied in kind, "Alright young man, you can call me Madrik Juniper, and these days I''m just a retired old man enjoying my golden years." Madrik chuckled.


    Changing his tone, Madrik continued, "Although... It''s uncommon for me to have company on this small island, especially one that appears out of thin air, and yells so enthusiastically in the morning..."


    Red would normally feel embarrassed, but the mention of his shout had only brought a wince of stinging emotions, "Nyx..."


    .


    Sitting on a small rock, Red conversed with Madrik, while doing his best to try to figure out where he ended up.


    He found that he was in a land called the Unova continent, and this island, although remote, was still part of it.


    Red had never even heard of the Unova continent, so he was feeling a bit worried, as the old man never heard of Kanto or Alola.


    Feeling the cool breeze, Red put aside his thought to ask, "What were you doing all the way out here?"


    "Fishing! Me and Quig here love to fish on these quiet shores! I have no need for the hustle and bustle of city living!"


    Red had not seen the creature the man kept referring to, but he nodded anyway.


    While trying to decide on what to ask next, the old man suddenly stood up and shouted from atop his rocky seat, "QUIG, WE''RE HEADING BACK!"


    Suddenly, a creature poked its head from the water, and inside the creature''s mouth was something resembling a shelder, but it was cracked and broken, making it difficult to tell.


    Collecting his things, Madrik carefully climbed off the boulder, and he began walking along the shore, heading elsewhere.


    Red followed along while staying a few meters back.


    He had nowhere to go, and this man seemed to know the area. The old man moved slow, so Red took some time observing the tide pools.


    A lone spearow that was gnawing on something was surprised by the humans, and the quagsire, so it flew off hurriedly, while leaving behind a single disapproving squawk.


    Red watched as the creature disappearing into the tall leafy trees.


    Training his eyes on what the spearow had just been eating, Red finds a small half-eaten staryu.


    Looking to the nearby tidepool where it had presumably been pulled from, he found it was teeming with life! Many tiny staryus in varying stages of growth were present. Some were as small as a fingernail, while others were as large as a hand.


    Red found it was amazing that so many pokemon could be out in the open like this. Back in the forests of route one, he had to travel far to find a few pokemon here and there.


    Habitually, Red scanned them in an attempt to observe their potential, but he found nothing extraordinary. However, he thought it was natural, as he had only been looking for a short time.


    After a few minutes, the old man changed his course and headed inland, so Red reluctantly left the tide pools they had been traveling between, and he followed along.


    Through the spindly prickle bushes and messes of winding trees that darkened the ground below, there was a worn path, and this was the path in which the old man and Quig trod on.


    Looking into the winding darkness, from the entrance of the path, Red asked, "Where are we going?"


    Not pausing his steps, as he continued to trek his way up, the old man''s voice echoed down, "We? - I''m heading home, of course. I''m not sure about where you are going, however!"


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------


    I thought I would give you a taste of something different, so this chapter is slightly shorter than usual.


    I have found my preferred way of presenting the novel, so it may seem different than you are used to. If you have a moment, then please let me know if you like it or despise it.

 The Gleaming Passage

    ------------------------------------


    Under the darkened canopy, it reeked of soil and tall grassy shrubs.


    A short while into the hike, there came a sound.


    Red fell back a bit, as the strange sounds gave him pause.


    "Scritch scritch crack crack"


    Clutching the straps of his bag tighter, Red looks for what caused it, but as soon as his head turned to the noise, the sound appeared in another direction.


    A voice is heard from further up the trail, the old man had not paused his pace, "Don''t stay in one place too long, or a youngling might get a fright!"


    Catching up with the old man, Red noticed the path ahead was already brightening, but not by natural light.


    Red swats a mosquito on his neck, then asks, "What is that?"


    As if remembering something, the old man replies seriously after a few seconds, "It''s best not to stare too long, or you might anger them."


    "Anger who?"


    "They used to have a name... but this old man forgets, so I call them sap spiders. They spin those glowing webs to deter predators, or so I think..."


    Red ducked a tree branch while pondering what *sap spiders* could be referring to, then he asked, "Why do you think they eat sap?"


    The old man stopped for a moment, then gestured here and there, as if he were frustrated, "Those buggers are always taking over the styri trees. I don''t know when they moved in, but it used to be..." the old man lets out a hacking cough, "Bah, unless Quags up for a fight, then syrup is hard to come by these days, so I leave them buggers to it."


    Quag gave an annoyed "Quaggg!" while thumping his tail, as if agreeing.


    The sound of the thumping elicited a few loud hisses from somewhere deep in the glimmering webs. The old man stopped walking and listened for something, then gave Quag an annoyed stare, "What have I told you about doing that?"


    Quag looked down, forlorn.


    .


    The two continued trekking through, they went up and up, and the luminous webs were replaced by darkness again.


    Seeing the old man keep up a sturdy pace after at least two hours, Red had a sudden thought, (It''s strange now that I think about it. Ever since I entered this world, I feel like I''ve been getting stronger and stronger. If it was before, a long hike like this would have me sprawled on the ground, and out of breath, and I''d be lucky to not be having an asthma attack, but now... I''m not even breaking a sweat...)


    Red spys a few creatures hanging from a moss-covered tree.


    Straining his eyes, he tries to make out their unmoving shapes, but he soon gives up.


    .


    Like passing through a dark tunnel and suddenly entering the light, Red shielded his eyes from the sun.


    A short unpainted picket-fence was the first thing that came into view. Further still sat a small but long house. It too was basking in the sun. The roof was shaped like a half diamond, and accounted for half the house''s height. The wood it was made of was nearly completely consumed by moss and messy vines.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Red heard the old man open the picket fence with a creak, then heard him shout, "Damnations, an old man can''t leave for a moment, can he!"


    Jogging closer to see what the fuss was, Red soon finds the cause.


    The ground was dug up, and half of a once-thriving vegetable garden was eaten. Although Red didn''t know who the culprit was, he had a feeling the old man did.


    "Every single radish too... those rascals..." Shaking his head, the old man clicked his tongue while assessing the damage, and with one more grunt to vent his grievances, he decided to leave that for later, "...You better come in, young man."


    Ducking under the doorway, Red noticed the house didn''t have the rank smell that he expected from the moldy exterior, but it actually smelled slightly sweet, like freshly chopped timber.


    A dying candle flickered just inside. Using it, the old man lit a new candle, then he began unloading his things, while Quag went to lay down on a woven mat.


    The old man could be heard cursing, as he struggled to unlatch the wooden covering for a window. As if forgetting something, the man waves his arm back, as if he were swatting away a fly, "Take a seat, make yourself at home."


    Sitting down, Red replied, "Thanks for letting me stay here, if there''s anything I can do, please ask."


    With all three windows opened, the small house was brightened considerably, but still, some dark spots remained.


    Chuckling, as if he remembered a long forgotten joke, Madrik handed Red a wooden cup filled with water, then finally sat down in the only remaining chair, "It''s good to see straightforward youngsters, ysee," The old man nodded, "If you help me here fer a while, then I can think about helping you back to yer home... Quag is a lazybones and is never one fer chores... and these days I''m tired... so tired."


    Quag appeared too lazy to get up to argue, so he just thrummed his tail to disagree.


    The old man snapped, "That''s quite enough Quag!"


    The thrumming stopped.


    Back in his seat, the area around the old man darkened as he covered a candle, but the small area once more brightened along with the stench of smoke.


    Puffing out a long stream from his pipe, the old man spoke slowly, "Now, it ain''t none of my business, but you''ve been clutching onto that ball since back then... is there something init?"


    Nodding his head, Red looks down at it with complicated eyes, but he doesn''t speak, (Madriks right... why am I... what am I afraid of?)


    The old man continued puffing his pipe with contentment, while nodding to himself, as if he already knew the answer, or perhaps he was just not too bothered.


    .


    Quag gave a loud moan, spoiling the silence, "QUAAAAG"


    Putting the pipe aside, the old man slowly stood up with a creak, while saying, "Hold your ponytas Quag, if you''re so hungry, then go dredge up some more of those clams you love so much!"


    While he said that, he opened his cache. It was an old leather bag that''s seen better days.


    Inside the bag was an assortment of different fish, some small, some large.


    Muttering to himself, the old man moved further in, while carrying his chair. Supported by only one hand, it dragged across the old floorboards.


    An already prepared knife was sitting on a low table, but the old man didn''t reach for it yet.


    The only metal structure Red had seen so far was an old hearth. The old man opened up its two small metal doors to reveal the contents. The bottom was caked with soot and ash, while the top had some scavenged sticks, but no chopped wood.


    Soon the house was lit up with the sound of a small crackling fire.


    Humming a tune, the old man positioned his knife at the base of one of the fish''s tails, then he slit a line up to the neck. Pulling out the guts, he placed them in a large smelly bowl, then progressed to the next fish.


    Quag was stirred, and he finally rolled to his feet and sauntered over to investigate.


    Reaching for the smelly bowl with his stubby arms, he gets his hand swatted away by the old man, along with a scolding, "I''m not done yet!"


    Red chimed in from his seat, "Do you need help with that?"


    The old man grunted and said, "Next time... next time"


    Watching the old man work, Red thought of many things, (Madrik said we were on an uninhabited island, far away from civilization... but I need to get back as soon as possible... I need to somehow find Nyx..."


    .


    Red was feeling warm from his meal of fish and vegetables.


    Madrik had claimed that he needed to grab more firewood, and he had left about an hour ago while accompanied by Quag.


    Even with repeated offerings to help, Madrik kept insisting that Red stay back and have a rest, and so he did. Red laid down on a thick woven mat that the old man had prepared for him. It wasn''t comfy, but he was suddenly feeling very tired, as if he had just finished running a marathon.


    The body was willing, but his mind was overtaxed from the series of stressful situations.


    While listening to the sounds of the crackling fire, he was soon dead asleep.

 Suppressed Not Defeated

    ---


    Through the deep green, the shapeless visages encroach upon the small home. They numbered in the hundreds.


    Unable to move, and with his eyes closed shut, he can still see them from all directions, or rather feel them.


    They drifted in slowly from afar.


    Now that they were close, Red could see their faces. Nyx, mother, Mewtwo, and many others, and now he could hear their silent whispers, and mocking laughter.


    "You''ll never amount to anything" "You thought we wanted to be friends with a retard like you?" "Human, I never liked you, I only saw you as a source of negative energy." "Fool of earth, what can you accomplish that I cannot? Give up!"


    Unable to move, Red tried to argue with the countless whispers, but he was drowned out by the voices, "You''re wrong, Mewtwo sent me away, not Nyx, he would never say that!"


    "Nyx has left you, just like all the others"


    "Will leave..."


    "Leave leave leave leave leave, they all leave!"


    "You''re wrong! It''s a lie, it''s a lie!"


    "IT''S A LIE!!"


    The shadows were now overlapping, and floated a foot from his bed.


    The whispers stopped, and the voices were replaced by mocking laughter, a laugh from each tormentor, and when combined, it made for a painful chorus.


    .


    "NOO!" Red abruptly sat up and opened his eyes.


    ...


    "Had a nightmare young man?"


    With shallow breaths and chattering teeth, Red rubs his eyes. He unconsciously turns to the voice, and he finds Madrik shifting the coals of the fireplace using a metal poker. Quag''s chubby body was curled up next to him.


    "Still clutching onto that ball fer dear life are you?"


    Finally, Red noticed his right hand had been squeezing Bulbasaurs pokeball in a vice-like grip. The veins in his arms were visibly stressed.


    Madrik joked, "Careful, young man, If you squeeze it any tighter then you might break whatever is inside."


    Putting Bulbasaurs pokeball back on his belt, Red croaked out, "Sorry if I startled you, I don''t usually dream, let alone..." -Madrik cut him off, "No need fer that, no need fer that" The old man chuckled dryly, and patted the chair next to him, "It''s chilly in the early morning, why don''t you come closer and warm up?"


    Feeling cold, Red did as instructed and took a seat.


    The two gazed into the fire for what felt like a long time, and by now the chill had dissipated from red''s body.


    Gazing into the fire, Red thinks quietly to himself, (That dream... am I afraid Bulbasaur will leave me too? Is that why I feel a jolt of fear whenever I think about letting him out of his ball?)


    Feeling a bottle of emotions about to burst, a lump of crackling coal breaks the balance, and prompts Red to speak, "Before coming here I lost someone important to me. I thought he was my closest friend... We set off on a journey to change the world for the better, but now I wonder if it was a lie, and it was just my own wishful thinking."


    Madrik tries to dispel the gloom, "If this person is important to you, then I''m sure fate will reunite you, then you''ll meet again..." Madrik let out of a hacking cough, "You city folk are all uptight and troubled, but out here... Well, If you stay on this island long enough, then you''ll find all the bad things in this world can''t haunt you fer long, you''ll see, you''ll see."Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    .


    With a humble breakfast of berries and dried fish, the three were out the door.


    The sun began warming the land, but in the dark forest, it was cold.


    Getting off the trail, the two traveled for a half-hour, and eventually reached a spotty clearing.


    Red was gathering from a berry bush, while Madrik watched on. The berries had a similar texture and look to raspberries, but they were a little bigger.


    while holding his fishing rod with his other hand, and letting it lean against his shoulder, Madrik commented while popping one of the berries into his mouth, "Maberries need a little sun to grow. In this forest, you''ll often find them in clearings like this... They are a bit bitter, but when your teeth start to ache, then there''s nothing better!"


    Quag was stuffing them into his mouth from the other side while thumping his tail happily. A swarm of small pink hoppips floated around Quag. The small breeze created by the tail sent the small hoppips into the air, and back down again.


    Red couldn''t help but ask himself, (If I happened to end up on this island when I was transported, then would I feel this world was a paradise?)


    Red Shakes his head as he remembers the half eaten staryu from yesterday, (No, I wouldn''t.)


    Coming to a decision, Red was about to reach for Bulbasaurs pokeball, when he suddenly heard the buzzing of wings. It sounded like a small helicoptor, but before he could react, he felt something that weighed nearly twenty pounds latch onto his back, completely covering his backpack.


    Startled, he gets up and tries to shake the creature off. The weight lifted, and the buzzing sound resumed.


    It didn''t get far before landing on a thick tree.


    Looking like a large googly-eyed ladybug, the creature gave a high-pitched squeak, "LEEY"


    Madrik chuckled while looking up at the creature, "I think this little fellow wants his bush back. We have enough fer now, so let''s leave him to it."


    Red inspects the creature''s potential, and the ledyba lights up with a silver glow!


    Addressing the creature, Red politely nods, "It''s all yours, please help yourself."


    Madrik creased his face into a smile, as he begins walking, "Let''s get back to the trail, the fish won''t catch themselves!"


    "QUAGGSIRRE!"


    The curious and lightweight hoppips floated after them for a little while, but perhaps due to the chill of the forest, or their love of the sun, they soon returned to the small sunny clearing.


    While moving back into the dark forest, Red mused, (On this island, most of the pokemon I''ve come across don''t seem fearful of humans... That ledyba was even courageous enough to land on my back. Fear is the barrier to trust... If I could earn the goodwill of some of these pokemon, and find one or two willing to join me, then maybe... maybe coming here was a blessing in disguise!)


    Before they got far, the buzzing ledyba once more attached itself to Red''s backpack.


    This time Red didn''t shake him off, and Instead, he spoke softly, "Is there something in the bag that attracted you?"


    "LEYDYYY"


    Moving the backpack off his shoulder, the ledyba buzzed away, landing on another nearby tree, and looking down curiously.


    Opening his backpack up, Red held up the small half-empty bag of the C grade bug type food, "Is this what you are looking for?"


    Red caught the widening of the ledybas eyes, so he smiled, (This ledyba must have a good nose if he could smell the bug food through the backpack)


    Pulling out a handful, he presented it before the ledyba.


    Slowly crawling down the tree, the ledyba reaches Red''s hand, and begins nibbling from Red''s open palm. It tickled.


    Finished with his meal, the ledyba flies off somewhere, while red shouts, "If you would like some more, than come visit me next time!"


    Earlier, Madrik had paused his steps to watch the interaction between the two. He gave a knowing smile, but he said nothing.


    .


    Time passes, and as the three hiked down the trail, they found their path was blocked.


    Seeing what had blocked their way, Madrik cursed, "Damn those sap spiders! the styri trees weren''t enough for you, and now you web off the only good trail!?"


    With a defeated sigh, Madrik turns to go back, "The buggers webbed all the way to the cliff, let''s go back and find another way."


    Looking into the glowing webs, Red frowns,


    Madrik took a few dishearted steps back up the trail.


    Meanwhile, Red boiled with a familiar emotion. Mewtwo''s oppressive might, along with Nyx''s betrayal, had left their scars In Red''s mind. He felt powerless, and he had begun doubting himself.


    But... this glowing web wasn''t Mewtwo.


    (Madrik might seem fine with it... But lately, I feel like I''ve been pushed around by circumstances out of my control, and compared to being left to die in the ocean, what is a little web of spiders compared to that? If I keep avoiding anything troublesome without a fight... then, won''t the words of those laughing faces in my nightmares be proven true? And if these *sap spiders* web off the whole mountain, then we will have to face them eventually, and by then it will be far worse!)


    "Wait," Red growled.


    Stopping, Madrik turns around to find a young man glaring at the glowing webs as if it were his most hated foe. The strange change in Red had temporarily left him lost for words.


    Keeping his eyes on the glittering web''s, Red continues, "Madrik, can you tell me more about the *sap spiders?* "

 Direct Confrontation!

    It''s a new month, happy April everyone, here''s a new chapter, and sorry for being away for so long, I didn''t have time to sit down and write.


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------


    With Madriks explanations, Red soon learned the real name of *Sap spiders.* They are called spinarak, and their sizes ranged from housecats all the way up to large dogs.


    Tapping his pokeball twice, Bulbasaur appeared in a red flash.


    Madrik frowned at the creature''s appearance.


    Looking around in confusion at the glowing webs, Bulbasaur finds Red''s tense face.


    To avoid misunderstandings, Red spoke, "I know you are confused, and I will explain things properly to you later, but for now, are you up for a fight?"


    "BULBASAUR!"


    "Good"


    "Grass and poison type..." Madrik turned to address Red, "I know you mean well, but these spinaraks are going to give your bulbasaur a difficult time."


    Red nodded, "I know, Bulbasaurs elements are fully countered, but, you said it yourself, they move slow, so we can escape if things go south."


    "I have no antidotes."


    "Not a problem, I brought two with me, but it''s alright if you don''t want to be a part of this, Bulbasaur is stronger than you think."


    Madrik smiled at Red''s words, then playfully remarked after a moment, "I''m not senile enough that I need a youngster like you to solve my problems, what say you Quag, we aren''t afraid of these bugs are we?"


    Quag thumped his tail with a happy expression, "QUAGSIRE!"


    Not willing to have Bulbasaur fight on an empty stomach, Red fed Bulbasaur some of the remaining D-grade poison type pokemon food, while he discussed a strategy with Madrik.


    .


    Feeling they were ready, Red nodded to Madrik.


    Quag crushed large rock, and flung the pieces towards the webs. The shower of sharp shrapnel infused with rock element tore through the once strong webs like a knife through butter.


    As if short circuiting, the webs touched by the shrapnel ceased their glow and vanished as if it was made of smoke.


    Red''s eyes widened when he saw the claws made of rock element on each of Quags hands, (Amazing, so this is what allows a quagsires stubby hands to grasp an object!)


    While the super effective move made short work of the nearby webs, a cacophony of angry hisses announces their protests.


    Tensing up, Red focuses on the sound, and angry white eyes begin to crawl out from the deepest parts.


    Red and Madrik watched on from further up the trail, but they kept close enough to oversee their pokemon.


    Seeing the fighting spirit in Bulbasaur''s body language, Red echo''s a reminder, "Don''t fall for their taunts, keep them at bay with your vine whips so Quag can focus on charging more attacks"


    Nodding, Bulbasaur took a step back, then stood before Quag defensively, but Red frowned, whatever the spinaraks were saying in the pokemon language, it was still visibly irking his pokemon, and he hoped Bulbasaur wouldn''t do anything rash.


    Visibility was good thanks to the light from the webs, but now the webs were pulsing brighter and brighter.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Red was using this visibility to check the potential of the approaching spinaraks, but he felt something wrong.


    Worried, Red asks Madrik, "Any idea what''s happening?"


    Madrik had been too focused on Quag, and the spinaraks, so he didn''t immediately notice until Red said something, "EH..."


    Not hiding his surprise, at the pulsing webs, Madrik turns to red, "I don''t know! the last tussle me and Quag had with these spiders this never happened!"


    Now, the spinaraks, large and small, were getting closer, but they were taking wary steps with their six legs.


    Red could see eight of them already, but from the distant hisses, it could be surmised that more were coming.


    With steam rising from his body, it could be seen that Quag was finished charging his makeshift stone edge, and with a large fistful of sharp stones, he winded back and released.


    With a sonic boom, a hail of stones tore through what was left of the nearby webs, and when the dust settled, two of the spinaraks were not moving. Small and large holes from the two creatures carapaces were oozing green blood.


    Furious, the remaining spinaraks began to screech louder, and as if they lost their minds, they throw caution to the wind and charged.


    Red shouted, "Careful, don''t get stung!"


    With five spinaraks right before him, Bulbasaur steeled himself, and he whipped his two vines out with the intent to knock the creatures back.


    He succeeded!


    While his element did little damage due to the typing, the spinaraks could not get to Quag within a short time.


    With another throw from Quag, yet another spinarak became a pin cushion!


    Changing tactics, the four spinaraks, now joined by two more reinforcements, began to fire a sticky goo towards Bulbasaur.


    The projectiles were slow, so he was able to dodge, but the impacted areas left a glob of sticky substance.


    Seeing this, Red bit his lip when he observed the pathway becoming mucked up by the sticky string shots.


    Nodding grimly, Red spoke to Madrik, "It''s as you thought, soon Bulbasaur will have nowhere to run to."


    "Yes, we should move up."


    Aiming their pokeballs, Madrik and Red returned their pokemon to their pokeballs.


    Seeing their prey vanishing, the spinarks became confused, then turned their anger to the humans who had been watching the battle.


    Releasing their pokemon beside them, and Intending to create distance, Madrik and Red moved further up the path.


    Seeing their two hated foes appear once again, the spinaraks changed their targets.


    Foolishly, three spinaraks clustered together, and were all taken out with one improvised stone edge.


    With the defeat of three more comrades, the remaining spinaraks took pause, then fled back down the trail towards the safety of their webs.


    Bulbasaur was about to give chase, but Red asked him to stay.


    .


    It was not simple to kill a pokemon unless you intended to, so it could be seen that none of the spinaraks were dead despite their battered appearances.


    When a spinarak began to twitch and attempt to limp away, Bulbasaur was quick to respond, and intended to attack,


    "Wait, Bulbasaur, our goal isn''t to wipe them out, our goal is to get the trail back."


    Meanwhile, steam was rising from Quag, as the blue pokemon took heaving breaths.


    Red then addressed Madrik, "Quag is looking a bit worn out, how about we rest for a bit before we continue?"


    .


    Later


    Feeding the last of the snacks from his bag, Quag was looking a lot better, so they delved back down the trail.


    Using his vines, Bulbasaur dragged the unconscious creatures with him at Red''s command.


    Now back to where they were, Red got a better look at the pulsing webs, "Strange, It''s almost like these weren''t webs, but electric cables.


    Without the trees blocking his view, Red spotted at least ten spinaraks huddled around a much larger spinarak, which Red surmised was their leader. The creatures were dead silent as they tried to skin the intruders alive with their eyes.


    Strangely, the web the ariados sat on was glowing the brightest, as if he were the epicenter of the pulsing *cables*.


    "An ariados..."


    Red shouted into the glowing thicket, "So you''re the leader? We''ve come to negotiate."


    At Red''s behest, Bulbasaur approached the eleven pokemon confidently, then released the unconscious spinaraks into a bloody heap.


    The ten spinaraks began to hiss angrily, but one tap of the ariados'' foot shut them up. That one tap sent an electric pulse through the webs.


    Bulbasaur began conversing with the ariados, while Red observed the potential of the pokemon present. Surprisingly the ariados'' aura was only bronze, which was only less common than grey and copper. He felt a bit disappointed for some reason.


    Suddenly the ten pokemon dispersed, while only the ariados remained.


    Tensed, Red and Madrik were worried that the negotiations broke down, but relaxed when they noticed the pokemon were not attacking, but rather, they were eating their own webs and tearing it all down!


    Madrik and Quag turned to each other and smiled, then Madrik spoke to Red, while periodically moving his eyes to Bulbasaur, "Young man! well done, well done!"


    Red nodded happily, he was feeling newfound confidence from his victory, "Young man... huh, you should know I''ll be thirty before long."


    Madrik slapped his knee and laughed, "When you get as old as me, everyone is a youngster! And that Bulbasaur! He is really something! why, even back in my days, I''ve never seen one so outstanding, why did you keep him locked away in that ball fer so long!"


    Red hid the loss of his smile by turning to observe the spinaraks and their busy work, (Why indeed...)


    .


    Collecting their things which they had put aside to not slow them down, the four moved down the trail in high spirits.

 Overconfidence

    As they got closer to the bottom, the trees became thicker, and the smell of the sea was overpowering.


    Walking along the beach for some time, Madrik returns to the place that he and Red met previously.


    After some preparation, Madrik casts his long fishing line out, while he enjoys the cool ocean breeze.


    With his elbow on his knee, and his arm propping up his head, Red breaks the tranquility, "The view of the sea here is quite good, I can see why you chose this spot."


    Madrik nods happily, "Nothing quite like the sea, nothing quite like the sea!"


    With a splash, Quag dives into the cool water, while Bulbasaur watches him sink deeper and deeper until Quag is out of sight.


    Feeling bored after a while, Red begins to look around, and then he finds a familiar spearow digging into a staryu carcass, but it keeps a vigilant eye on the three.


    Locking eyes with the spearow, it crows loudly, as if in warning.


    Red scratches his head, and mutters, "Same bugger from before huh? A flying pokemon would be nice..."


    Inspecting the creatures potential again he finds it''s aura is still naut but a poor grey, "but it''s a pity, your potential is too low."


    The spearow''s eyes narrow in displeasure, as if he understood the words.


    "Well, there''s plenty of fish in the sea," Grinning, Red hops off the boulder.


    Approaching the large tidepool, the spearow holds its ground for a moment with a few aggressive caws.


    Seeing the undaunted human, and a Bulbasaur continue their approach, it grabs a piece of its victim and flies off indignantly.


    Standing before the small corpse, Red asks, "Gruesome isn''t it, Or... does that staryu look appetizing to you, Bulbasaur?"


    Seeing Bulbasaur''s disgusted reaction, Red chuckles dryly, "Yeah, I didn''t think so."


    Inspecting the tidepool''s interior, Red ponders, (I remember this tidepool from the other day, how come it''s so empty? I know there were a few hundred staryus here, but now there is not more than fifty, and now there are hardly any smaller ones left... I doubt the spearow was responsible for all of this.)


    "Well, I guess I should take a look now, just in case they are all gone tomorrow," Crouching to get a better look, he mutters the word "potential," and the staryu''s begin to light up,


    "Grey"


    "Grey"


    "Grey..."


    "All grey or bronze huh..."


    Having finished looking through each staryu, red stands up, and begins to walk towards the next largest tidepool further up the beach, while leaving some parting words, and a wave, "Hey Madrik, mind holding my bag for me? It''s heavy, and I''m just gonna look through the tidepools for a bit. "This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Madrik grunts in reply while keeping his eyes focused on the ocean, seemingly thinking about something.


    Remembering something, Madrik turns around to speak, but Red is already too far gone, "Bah, I''m sure they''ll be fine"


    .


    Time passes, and red is now far enough away that Madrik is out of sight on the other side of the small island.


    Red then comes upon the largest tidepool yet.


    To call it a tidepool would be a stretch since it was larger than a football field.


    Holding onto some coral for support, Red peers into the clear water, and then he feels his chest get blasted by a jet of water, knocking him a meter back. Painful


    From the water leaps out three fully grown staryu''s!


    Red had blacked out for a moment when he hit his head, but a wave of "Hyah" sounds shakes him awake before long, and now he finds Bulbasaur engaged in heated combat, but the threatening sounds the staryus continue to release give him a foreboding feeling.


    Seeing the three staryus increase to five, then seven, Red reacts quickly, and struggles to get to his feet, "Bulbasaur, There''s Too Many, RUN!"


    Still dizzy, he stumbles, and then he finds his right ankle swollen, "SHIT!"


    Blasts of waterguns fire from all directions, while Bulbasaur does his best to dodge and counterattack.


    Lashing one of the Staryus with a super effective vine whip, Bulbasaur manages to defeat one, but the remaining staryu''s only become enraged, and begin madly attacking.


    He loses his footing when he fails to completely evade a water gun, and now without being able to evade, he gets knocked down painfully.


    With more than ten staryu''s the water guns come like rain, Bulbasaur is pushed around without a way to attack despite his best efforts and no small amount of fury.


    With a burst of adrenaline, and fighting through the pain and groggyness, Red gets to his feet and begins limping away, he then turns back to shout, "Bulbasaur, I''m Fine, Get Out Of There NOW!"


    Luckily, Bulbasaur heeds Red''s call and moves towards the sound of his trainer''s voice.


    Some blasts of water make him stumble, but the type advantage helps him hold steady enough to escape.


    The staryu''s pursue the green four-legged intruder, but their movements on land left much to be desired. Even a limping red could outrun them with Bulbasaurs support.


    Seeing the pokemon give up after only a minute''s chase, Red heaves a sigh of relief, then tries to sit down without exacerbating his injury.


    Swallowing some blood, he lets a hiss of pain escape his lips.


    He then rubs his ankle, which had since grown more swollen, "Damnit, what was that about!"


    Red clicks his tongue with anger when he notices Bulbasaur''s bloodied state, "They really did a number on you huh?"


    When the ineffective water guns pushed Bulbasaur around, the coral and rocks did the rest during a few bad falls.


    Struggling to his feet, he discovers that without the adrenaline from earlier, he was finding it almost impossible to move. He didn''t notice it then, but his left foot was also beginning to swell, so he once again curses his luck.


    Turning his eyes to the distance, Red speaks, "Bulbasaur, head back and call Madrik, I can''t get back alone on this leg."


    With a stoic grunt, Bulbasaur gestures overhead.


    Looking up, Red finds the spearow from earlier circling them from above, while using Its wings to ride the currents.


    When the spearow discovers he was noticed, he begins to release some heckling caws.


    Red ponders his situation with frustration, (That damned bird is just waiting for us to separate, but what can I do? I left my bag thinking I was just going to look through a few tidepools and head back... how did things go so wrong so fast? If only I at least had the presence of mind to bring a potion, then Bulbasaur could carry me back with his vine whips, but he''s barely holding up... What can I do...)


    .


    After shooting down a few ideas, Red comes to a decision, "Bulbasaur, I''m going to return you to your ball for now, and I''ll wait here for Madrik.


    Bulbasaur''s eyes widen, "Bulbar busar sa blbar!"


    Red shakes his head, "I know, but you are really hurt, you''ll only get worse over time, and the pokeball can prevent that.


    "Bsar bulbb-sarr bul"


    Smiling, Red gives a dry laugh, "I''ll release you if I''m in trouble, just trust me, there''s no way I''m going to die here."


    Unhooking the pokeball from his belt, Bulbasaur is returned to his ball in a flash of red light.


    The spearow soon notices and lands on a large rock a few meters away, and quietly stares at Red gloatingly.


    Red leans against a rock to keep himself upright, then, while holding a piece of driftwood like a club in front of himself, he threatens, "So, Spearow, you think I''m now weak enough for the likes of you to take on? Why don''t you come try it?! Come see that I''m not one to be messed with!"

 Recurring Terror

    --


    The two stared at each other for a while, then the spearow shot back into the air and continued circling.


    Bleeding from his head, Red kept his guard up, while time passes.


    .


    "Red!"


    While red moved his head towards the sound, the spearow landed a few meters away and observed the intruder.


    A familiar old man and his quagsire arrived on the scene!


    Inspecting Red for a moment, he asks with concern, "You''re bleeding?"


    Letting out a sigh of relief, Red slumps down, "Yeah, thank god you got here, I''m not sure me and Bulbasaur could handle that spearow in our present state."


    Looking towards the spearow perched on a jutted rock Madrik laughs, "Do you know? I might not have found you at all if not fer that spearow forcing me to follow em."


    Seeing Red''s disbelieving look, Madrik sighs, "Ysee, he may be a cranky old bird, but he never harmed me, sometimes I give em a few scraps of food, n he repays the favor, not that I''d enjoy eating what he brings, mind you, raw staryu is not my cup of tea, ysee. "


    The spearow gives a disdainful chirp, and in response, Red asks, "You can understand us?"


    Getting no confirmation other than a tilt of the head, Madrik speaks for him, "Aye he can, been talking to him for years, it''s not strange if he picks up a word or two."


    Feeling guilty for his assumptions Red addresses the spearow, "Sorry for my words, and thank you for your help."


    Turning his head away, the spearow accepts the apology with a few caws.


    Looking around for a moment, Madrik asks, "Where''s your partner?"


    "He''s in my pokeball, he was close to fainting so I returned him, do you have my bag?"


    He asked that, but he could see Quag holding it,


    "Go on Quag."


    Red rifles through his bag and pulls out a potion, then releases Bulbasaur from his ball, which revealed the pokemon''s bloodied appearance.


    While Red begins healing Bulbasaur with a potion, Madrik spies the massive tidepool a good distance away, and his mind clicks in realization, "Aha, I see, so you met the local staryus, no wonder, no wonder, shoulda warned you about em after all," Madrik waves his arms for emphasis, then said, "Had a run-in once, nearly lost my life"


    With Bulbasaur patched up, Madrik gives Red a shoulder and they hobble their way back while taking frequent stops due to injury.


    During one stop Red asked, "I noticed the staryus were much fewer today, any idea why?"


    Sitting against a rock, Madrik ponders for a moment, "End of the staryus breeding season happened right before ya showed up. When the tide rolls in a few more times, Well, eventually they''ll be none left, Ah, except for that big pool ysee. Yer perhaps looking to add one of em to yer team?"


    (So they came in with the tide...)


    Red then says after a moment, "Ah, yeah, I was just looking for the right one, then I ran into trouble."


    .


    The group continued on.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    It was morning when they had left the house, but now it was already late afternoon when they returned to the foot of the path.


    Red had put most of his weight on Madrik, but he noticed the old man was plenty able to shoulder it, "You''re stronger than you look"


    Quag puffs his chest up with pride, while Madrik chuckles, "I think he meant me Quag!"


    Shouldering Red up the inclined path, the overhanging trees blacken the way, so Madrik squints to see.


    Some ways up the path, Madrik tries to make conversation to distract Red from the pain, "It''s really dark without them webs, But, It''s good ta see, good ta see, that Ariados as you call it kept his side of the bargain didn''t they?"


    Exhausted, Red croaks a reply, "Yeah, I wonder if they moved away, and sorry for cutting your day short like this."


    "Ah, No No, I was about done when that spearow came ta get me."


    Red cracks a smile, "Thanks"


    .


    Back in the cozy home, Red lays on the bed while Madrik applies some ointment to Red''s cuts after helping him get cleaned, "It''s gonna sting"


    After finishing, he''s surprised when his patient didn''t even wince throughout, "Got a higher pain tolerance than most do ye?"


    "I''m used to it."


    Getting up off the floor, Madrik dusts himself off, "Well, there we go, got nothing fer the swelling, and there ain''t no need for a splint, but now an infection ain''t yer worry anymore."


    "Thanks again."


    .


    During the night, Red has a dream. He was back in the lab strapped to the table.


    It''s dark, but he can make out a door.


    Footsteps are heard, and then the door begins to quake, and something was scratching and clawing, trying to get through to the other side.


    Red panics, " NO, DON''T COME IN, NO MORE!"


    He doesn''t know why, but whatever is behind the door somehow fills him with endless dread.


    After a few moments, the door goes still. It was as if it were responding to his words.


    Dimming dimming dimming, the room goes absolutely dark, then he hears Mewtwos monotone voice, which makes his heart tremble, but he doesn''t know what he''s saying.


    Sweaty, and with his eyes open he finds he doesn''t have the strength to move.


    Madrik walks nearby and inspects him, " Not looking too good there are ye, looks like you got yerself one nasty of a fever too, I''ll wet a cloth fer ya"


    Red croaks through chapped lips, "Thanks."


    When Madrik returns, he wipes Red down and feeds him some water.


    Drifting back to sleep, the same dream appears, the same room, the same voice.


    Trembling awake from Mewtwos immutable words for the second time, tears well up in Red''s eyes,


    (Look at me, I was brimming with confidence... and now that I''m feeling fragile, I can finally see my true self... Even in a dream, I''m too spineless to even stomach Mewtwos voice without shaking... My true self is this pathetic, isn''t it?)


    Feeling himself alone in the darkness, his belly heaves to say some words, "I forgive you, I miss you, please just come back to me. Please please please."


    Tears drip down as he falls to sleep.


    .


    This feverish state continues for a week, and soon Red is able to sit up, and there he finds Madrik sitting by the fireplace chiseling something with an old knife, lying next to him is Quag.


    "Hmm?" Madrik turns in his seat, to find Red staring.


    Madrik goes back to chiseling, while he hums, "Good, good, looks like yer partner here is through the worst of it, isn''t that right Bulbasaur?"


    "Sorry for making you take care of me like this."


    Sighing, Madrik continues to chisel away at something, "No bother, no bother, Bulbasaur was a good help to me in the past days ysee."


    From beside him, he feels Bulbasaurs presence.


    "I see," then Red turns towards Bulbasaurs face, which was lit up by the crackling fire, "You''ve done well, thank you for saving me back then, it couldn''t have been easy on you."


    Bulbasaur gives him a confused look.


    "Is it weird for me to say that?"


    Turning away, Bulbasaur lays his head back down on the mat.


    "I haven''t been treating you as I should, have I..."


    .


    The next day Red got up, he felt much of his strength return and felt as if his depressed state had melted away. Now that he was feeling better, he wouldn''t be spending the day inside.


    After having breakfast, the four entered the trail going down. Stopping at some point, Madrik led them through another path. Today they would be collecting some more wild berries.


    Somewhere along the way, a buzzing sound was heard, and latching to his backpack was a familiar ledyba.


    Still feeling a bit weak, the extra weight on his back nearly tripped him up, " LEY BAA"


    Steadying himself, Red gives a slight smile, and unfashioned his bag while looking up at the Ledyba who was waiting impatiently on the trunk of a tree, "Well, I did promise to give you some the next time to visit, but what will you give me?"


    The ledyba just looks down in incomprehension.


    "Ah, that''s right, you can''t understand me, well, here you go."


    Red held out his hand near the trunk, and the ledyba ate the food from his palm until it was all gone. Buzzing to show contentment, the pokemon buzzed away.


    Listening to the sound until it fades, Red thinks inwardly, (The next time, I should introduce Bulbasaur to you, and see if he can warm you to the idea of joining me... since I can''t speak pokemon.)


    Red then slaps his head, (Dammit what am I doing, I''m treating Bulbasaur as a tool again. He saved my life, and all I can do is make these dirty schemes like an ungrateful sewer rat.)


    The three look at red in confusion, and after a moment Red shakes his head, "Sorry, I was just thinking about something unnecessary again, shall we go?"