The Other Side of Life
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. It is copyrighted to Nintendo.
A/N: This story is supposed to be set about one year after Pokemon have become what they are modernly used for. True knowledge of them is still young. And since I don't keep up with the series very much, this only contains first gen. Pokemon.
Warning!: Some chapters may contain scenes too graphic for younger readers. Viewer discretion is advised.
1: Introductions
The lab's white front doors burst open and a tall burly man in a red vest strode in. "Morning, Professor," he said in a voice that seemed too cheery for his appearance.
"Ah, Bruce. Right on time. Good batch?"
"Yep." Bruce handed the man four red and white pokeballs. "Two Rattata, a Pidgey, and surprisingly a Growlithe."
"Growlithe? Really? They aren't supposed to be anywhere near these parts."
"I know. Surprised me too. I better get going. Wife's making meatloaf for dinner."
"Of course." The big man walked out the door. "Christine!"
A young woman, seventeen of age, stepped into the main room. Her red hair was tied into a ponytail, showing off her face. Gentle brown eyes were fixed over a small nose. Most men would consider her fairly good-looking, though not necessarily drop-dead-gorgeous. She came up to the Professor. "Yes, Professor?"
"Take these out and put them in the field."
"Of course." She took the four orbs and went to the rear of the building, passing several labs on her way. She stopped for a second and peered through the glass. A small Caterpie was lying on the center table, several computers reading vital signs. It wasn't in any harm, she knew. But the sight always made her stop for a moment.
When she got to the field, she laid the pokeballs out and released the Pokemon. For a second, they all stopped and looked around for a second in confusion. "Welcome to your new home," she said with a cheery voice. "You'll like living here. Go ahead and explore a bit."
Most of them turned and started to slowly wander off, the Pidgey quickly flying off when it saw a flock of its kind. Yet the Growlithe didn't move. It looked up at her, a sort of longing in its eyes.
Chris knew that look. The little thing was scared. She crouched down and scratched it behind the ear. "Don't worry. I promise that nothing is going to happen to you."
The Growlithe stepped up and rubbed itself against her leg. Then after one more look, turned and padded off. She watched it go for a moment before returning inside.
"GET IN HERE!"
Chris burst through the door. A large Ratticate was being held tight to the room's table by three large scientists. Assistants stood around the edge in fear. Even though it was being subdued, the creature fought back, biting and clawing when it could.
Chris hated moments like this. If anyone were to walk in right then, they could easily call it animal cruelty. She even had doubts herself quite often…
"Chris, do something!"
She turned and grabbed a small syringe from the counter. Ducking under a weak slash, she came forward and closed her eyes as she pushed the needle cleanly into the Ratticate's shoulder. "It's for the greater good." With a push, she injected the sedative.
The creature instantly calmed down as the drug worked its way through the system. The men let off their strength as the creature went into a state of semi-consciousness. One of them wiped his brow and turned to her. "Good job, Chris."
She nodded and dropped the syringe back onto the table. Then she left as quickly as seemed appropriate, going into a jog as she turned to corner.
That night, Chris was charged with closing up. She did her rounds quickly. After dark, the complex was much creepier. A few maintenance men were still around, and she made sure to get their names.
The last place to check was the field gate. She walked up to the steel segment and gave it a hard jerk, rattling the lock but proving it was secure.
Just as she was about to turn, a figure caught her eye. She turned back. A lone figure was sitting on a hill, looking over in her direction. It was the Growlithe from earlier.
From the distant, it was hard to see, but she could feel a sense of loneliness and fear emanating from the little form. She paused to sit uncomfortably under the creature's gaze before turning and making her way home.
After Christine showered and climbed into her nightgown, she made her way around her dimly lit bed to the nightstand. Sitting under the lamp was a small stone carving she was found at an archeological dig during her later training. It was of an old Eon goddess. It was a combining of all Eevee forms: the tail of a Vaporeon, Umbreon ears, a Flareon tuft, and other features. The little statue had intrigued her right from the start and when the other scientists agreed there was nothing to be done with it, they allowed her to take it.
She now had a custom of running her hand over it every night. Almost a good luck tradition. This night, it felt oddly warm, bringing her hand over it a second time. "Oh well. It must have been sitting under the lamp too long."
She crawled under the covers and flipped off the lamp, quickly falling into slumber.
Chris was standing in an eerily empty space. It was even deeper than empty. There was nothing. She was standing on nothing; nothing was around her but a white glow. She twisted around, looking for some landmark. This was easily the strangest and most distinct dream she had ever had.
"It will soon be more than a dream."
The words were right in her head, but they weren't hers, like someone had put them there. She turned on the spot.
Right behind her, a marvelous creature sat, watching her. Its appearance took her breath away. It looked like one of Eevee's evolutions, but which she could say. It seemed to be EVERY evolution at once. And yet no one part remained as it did for more than a moment. The image flowed from one form to another like water, captivating Chris until it spoke again.
"This state of existence will now become as real as your former."
"What are you talking about?"
"Humans are a stain on the face of earth. You harm Pokemon for the sake of your science."
"That? I don't do that. My superiors do."
"And you aid your superiors, so you share the fault. You must repay for your errors."
Chris took a step back. "What? You aren't going to kill me, are you?"
The being shook her head. "No. We Spirits are not so crude. We teach. You will live the life of a Pokemon."
Chris perked up. "Well that doesn't sound so bad." She instantly started thinking of all the things she could learn.
"You will not be able to share this experience," the being said, reading her thoughts. "They will be yours and yours only."
Chris's spirits dimmed a bit, but still remained fairly high. "Wait, if I'm a Pokemon, what will I do about my job at the lab?"
"You will live both lives. When you slumber in one form, you shall awaken in the other." The being began to glow blue. "Thus shall you live until the lesson is learned."
There was a flash of light. Sarah suddenly had the sensation of flying a million-miles-an-hour before it stopped an instant later, leaving her in some new place.
It was dark. The ground under her belly was hard and damp. A weak light was beginning to show through the mouth of a cave a ways off.
She stood up and reflexively stretched. As her arms moved out, she got a glimpse of them. They were orange with black stripes.
Remembering what had just happened, she quickly ran to the edge of the cave and out into the light. Everything was bright and clear. Her new nose picked up every scent possible, even down to the sap in the nearby trees.
A small brook could be heard nearby. She quickly ran to it on all fours, yet feeling completely natural. When she arrived, she peered down into the clear water.
Looking back up at her was a young Growlithe.