Greetings, friends and fellow writers/readers! Welcome to the sequel! This story details life after the events of my first story: Bonds and Understanding. While it is not mandatory that you read the first story it will probably help explain the first few chapters of this story better.
The choice is yours, however. ;3
I hope to further improve my writing but can only do so with the help of readers and writers alike, so don't be afraid to throw some advice my way. I'm not the kind of person to shrug aside what others say, within reason of course. If you have legitimate advice that can help me improve...fire away.
Language Legend (IE: What to watch for)
"Test/Test" - "Human talk" / "Pokemon talk"
'Test' - 'Human AND Pokemon thoughts/telepathy'
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokemon.
Normal POV
Hope...
Hope is a word that brings people together. It is a word that renews the strength of those that are weary. Hope installs a fighting spirit, it fills one with courage and unrelenting faith even in the most dire of circumstances. It restores vigorto those who are on the verge of collapse.
Hope...
When the world is in its darkest hour and there seems to be no reprieve, hope is what we cling to in order to keep standing and defy powers that would see us fall to our knees. It is then that hope is most needed, when our spirits are on the verge of being crushed. At that moment we, as human beings, hope that salvation will save us in our darkest hour.
Hope...
There are times when the hope we cling to does not provide the escape from reality that we seek. There are times when it feels like there is no reason to hope for change, that the world is too far gone and the powers that seek our undoing have triumphed. It is during these times that hope is more important than ever, and must be held onto dearly, lest we all succumb to the despair that follows.
Hope...
"We have all bared witness to events that, even now, feel like nothing but a bad dream; surely something this sinister could not exist in the world. I must tell you, however, what you have seen did happen."
...For a better future...
"Before I open the floor to questions and inqueries I want to set the record straight on a number of issues that have already come up, as well as remind everyone here the scale and magnitude of what has happened over the past two weeks."
...For a better tomorrow...
"First and foremost, I am not a member of the Kanto Pokemon Police Force, I am simply doing my part as Champion of the Kanto Region. The entire Kanto region is my priority and, as such, I will take part in whatever tasks need to be done as Champion of this region. This includes taking part in pokemon battles with trainers who have proven their merit against Kantos' elite, assist with the many local fundraisers in an effort to make Kanto a better place, provide aid to the Kanto Pokemon Rangers Association and, finally, ensuring that Kanto is kept up-to-date on its policies and regulations regarding acceptable and unacceptable methods of training and associating with pokemon."
...For these things we hope...
"Over the course of a single month an organization, led by Sir Preston "Blaze" Walcott, instigated an attempted extermination of countless people and pokemon. His sole reasoning for this was overheard by those in and around the Virdian City area: destruction of the Pokerus virus and anyone researching or experimenting with it. His targets were originally thought to have been calculated and, as such, most of the early efforts to thwart him were spent trying to determine his next victim. Only after confronting Walcott face-to-face did I realize that he had seemingly lost any regard to human and pokemon lives; taking them freely if they so much as stepped in his path."
...For these things we believe and pray...
"While the loss of life, both human and pokemon, is regrettable there are some lives lost that, for one reason or another, have created a much larger and more pronounced void in the fabric of society with their departure. The person I am referring to is Professor Langston. The circumstances surrounding the Professors untimely demise only makes his absence more painful; he was muderered in cold blood, as was his wife and all of their pokemon. His home was burned to the ground and all of his research, research which he spent his entire life collecting, was destroyed as well."
...That the sun will light our way...
"It was also discovered that Walcott was capturing pokemon for his own research and injecting a rare substance called Crimson Agate into their bloodstream. The toxic minerals inside of the Agate would destroy any and all immune system defenses and put the pokemon into a state of induced paranoia. Once in this state the Agate would continue eating away at the Pokemons body until it had completely taken over the Pokemons mental and physical state of mind. While it is still unknown as to why pokemon injected with the Crimson Agate became more powerful, it is my belief that the amount of pain being experienced only amplified the paranoid state induced by the substance."
...That our wishes come true...
"The ultimate goal was to use these so-called "Hell Pokemon" as a tool of war to overthrow any exceptional resistance to Walcotts cause."
...That our hearts and souls will be strong...
"...In spite of the combined efforts of pokemon and trainers alike, as well as yours truly, Viridian City suffered catastrophic damage from the fanatic group known as P.A.I.R., or People Against Immoral Relations. This organization was led by the aforementioned Walcott and the title P.A.I.R was a deliberate homage to a previous life experience of Walcott."
...That we will all see the light of a new dawn...
"I will take your questions."
"Is it true that the person responsible for this damage is now under police custody?"
"The person responsible for these atrocities is under the surveillance of the Pokemon League and being held inside a maximum security facility. For the sake of the persons privacy I cannot disclose where this facility is located."
"What are your plans and the plans of the Pokemon League regarding the rebuilding of Viridian City and the outlying forest?"
"All efforts regarding this are being monitored by the Kanto Pokemon League. Personally, as Champion of this region, it is my sworn duty to assist the Kanto Region with whatever it may need. This includes reaching out to various charities and businesses that see fit to assist the rebuilding process. Make no mistake; the city will not be rebuilt overnight. I anticipate that it will be at least a year or two before Viridian City even comes close to resembling its former self."
"How many fatalities have been documented by the Pokemon League and law enforcement regarding-"
"The human death toll is at fifty-six right now, over half of these fatalities were those who were part of the group responsible for the destruction I mentioned."
"We know that Viridian Forest was one of the most populated forests for pokemon in the entire Kanto region. Has there been a tally on how many pokemon have-"
"If you're going to ask me how many pokemon died I will tell you what I told the last group of reporters: I don't know. I have not personally inspected the remains of Viridian Forest but, if I were to throw out a number off the top of my head, I would say somewhere in the range of two to three thousand pokemon."
"Local news outlets have reported that you were assisted by a pokemon resembling a Gallade. Is there any merit to this claim?"
"There were numerous pokemon helping fend off this threat, chances are a Gallade was here."
"So you're saying there WAS a Gallade assisting you fend off the threat?"
"In a matter of speaking, yes. I don't see what the issue is."
"Is there any truth to the claims that this Gallade is infected with the Pokerus virus?"
"How would I know the answer to that?"
"It has been documented that the Pokerus virus amplifies a pokemons battle efficiency. If that is the case than wouldn't you agree that this Gallade would show signs of being infected with the virus?"
"If he is, he is. If he isn't, he isn't. Next question please..."
"Is it true that this Gallade has a name?"
"If you're asking me for the identities of those who helped resolve this crisis I regret to inform you that I have sworn to keep secrecy the identities of any and all pokemon that fought against the organization known as P.A.I.R. This is for their own safety as well as keeping the local media, that's you guys, from stalking them. Next question that isn't about the Gallade, please..."
"You mentioned that the sole reasoning behind the mass killing and pokemon experiments was to eradicate the Pokerus virus, and that the person involved in this is a survivor of the first and only documented case of humans being injected with the virus. Are you concerned about the possibility of another threat like Walcott emerging or that there may be other survivors who share his mindset?"
FLASHBACK (Two Hours After Walcott was taken into Custody)
"Chosen One..."
Ash looked over at Jessica who was busy tending to Michaels' wounds after his brutal fight with the S03.
"What's the matter, Jessica? Are his wounds more severe than we thought?"
The shiny Gardevoir shook her head gently before continuing.
"My beloveds' body is healing well enough...I am just concerned about what is going to happen once the media gets word of the identities of those who helped stop that madman...right now I just want to forget all of the pain this ordeal has created for me, my beloved and our children but if the cameras are following us..."
Ash took in Jessicas' words with a slow but affirmative nod.
"I promise to do everything in my power to keep the cameras and tabloids away from you and your family, Jessica..." Ash turned his attention to the motionless half-breed known as Michael, noticing a large gash over his left eye. It would undoubtedly forever serve as a reminder of what he and Jessica went through. "...Are you able to use Teleport right now or do you want me to have Mewtwo do the honors?"
Jessica looked at the Kanto Champion with curiosity in her amber-colored eyes.
"Why would we need to-"
"I sense a very large group of people nearby...less than a mile from here and moving towards us...I would prefer it if I could get you, Blade, Amber and Michael out of sight before the reporters arrive."
Jessica, though slightly perturbed that she was interrupted, gave a gentle nod of her head before closing her eyes and lacing her left hand with Blades' while the other held onto Michaels' unconscious form. Amber wrapped her small hands around Blades' other arm blade as Jessica used Teleport to leave the scene.
(End Flashback)
"Mr. Ketchum?"
Ash was broken out of his reverie by a reporter who, for whatever reason, seemed annoyed that the Champion of the Kanto region spaced out on his question.
"As far as future threats go..." Ash looked dead-center at the camera and narrowed his gold-tinted eyes in a threatening manner. "...You have seen what becomes of those who try and overthrow the bond between a trainer and their pokemon. You will soon see what kind of man Walcott was, how many pokemon he tortured and killed, then you will understand when I say to you..."
Ashs' eyes began to glow dimly with aura, though not enough for the cameras to pick up.
"...You rush headlong to your own graves should you dare try and upset the balance like he did..."
The aura that had gathered around Ash weakened somewhat, his eyes scanning the numerous reporters infront of him for any suspicious movements after his heart-felt warning. Sensing no wrong-doing about to take place the Kanto Champion clapped his hands together and gave a courteous bow.
"I will answer all of your other questions in due time...if you don't mind I would like to check on my mother, get some food for Pikachu and other things that don't involve you guys. Thank you..."
"Mr. Ketchum!"
"Mr. Ketchum!"
"What about your battle with the up-and-coming-"
"Well, Tom, as you can see the Kanto Champion has a lot on his plate right now. How do you think he will manage?"
The wall-mounted television was turned off and the remote set back on the nearby coffee table. Jessica let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding as her hands gravitated towards her stomach.
"Thank Arceus that this nightmare is over..."
Jessica went across the room, past the foyer and gently nudged her sons' bedroom door so she could peek inside.
Blade was passed out on his bed, both arm blades hanging off the sides.
'To think that this will be our third child...yet we haven't thought of a name for you yet...'
Jessica closed her eyes and pushed her minds eye into her memory bank, reliving all of the moments leading up to this point. From the day she was captured as a Ralts by the mother of the one she would fall in love with, to when her trainer was on her deathbed and she made the promise to take care of Michael.
Jessicas' thoughts drifted to the moment Blade was born; the look of pure joy on her beloveds face as he became a father and her a mother. That was one of the happiest moments of her life and it was one she would cherish forever. It was only eight years later that Amber was born and the joy her and Michael felt had not diminished in the slightest.
Her thoughts began to linger on the moment when Michael told her about a suspicious person outside of his workplace and the chaos that soon followed. Images of the past two months replayed in her mind...
'Take Blade and make sure he doesn't get involved-'
"This man is targeting Professor Langston."
"What in Arceus' name happened here?!"
"Pokemon who fornicate with humans are better off dead!"
"DON'T LET YOUR RAGE CONTROL YOU, MICHAEL!"
"MICHAEL! DONT LEAVE ME!"
'Your beloved is not yet ready for the afterlife, my child.'
"Y-You're a...Gallade now..."
"Jessi..."
'How unfortunate that you come across me, far away from your protector.'
"FIGHT IT, JESSI! FIGHT THIS CORRUPTION!"
"NOW! COME BACK TO ME, JESSI!"
"I am Ash Ketchum, Champion of the Kanto region."
'C-Chosen One...'
"The man who captured and experimented on you has been on our radar for awhile now..."
"Michael sacrificed his humanity to save your life..."
"Don't even think about moving or your precious mate will-"
"Be thankful that your blade didn't harm a hair on her head..."
"Let's see how you like it when I pump your guts full of holes!"
"He's fading! We need Celebi here on the double!"
"-Heart has ceased beating!"
"-Chest spike is about to rupture!"
'I want us to enjoy the life Arceus promised...'
'When you awaken...I want us to expand our family...'
"J-Jessi~! I...love you..."
"I love...you too...my beloved..."
"It seems P.A.I.R. has captured Moltres..."
"JESSI! Look out!"
"It's soul is completely devoid of emotion! I don't think we can save Moltres!"
"My name is Sir Preston Walcott but you shall refer to me as Master Blaze."
"Pokemon are nothing but tools to be used for the betterment of mankind! "
"Your precious bonds mean nothing to me..."
"Jessi...it's time..."
"ASH, NOW!"
"Your genetic rejects are nothing compared to the power of the bond Jessica and I share!"
"It's finally over..."
As Jessicas' psychic dive was ending she felt a hand pull on her dress. The shiny Gardevoir didn't even need to turn around to know that it was Amber. With a gentle psychic pulse Jessica brought her daughter up until she was eye-level with ones the same shade as her own. Jessica pulled the young Ralts into her arms, being mindful of her chest spike, and began rocking her back and forth tenderly.
"Mommy, did daddy have a...mean sleep?"
The question, which would have stumped many had they heard it for the first time, brought a smile to Jessica as she shook her head and made her way upstairs to the main bedroom.
"Your daddy had a nice sleep last night. In fact, I think that the mean sleep will be leaving him alone for good now."
This brought a big smile to Ambers' partially covered face, her teeth shimmering in the moonlight that came in through the moon roof.
"I don't like it when the mean sleep messes with daddy! He always scrunches his face like this-" Amber proceeded to force her eyes shut and grit her teeth, making it look like her thoughts were troubled.
Jessica couldn't help but giggle at her daughters antics. Truth be told, however, up until last night there were far too many occasions where her beloved would wake up in a cold sweat and cling to her protectively. It broke her heart to see the one she loved more than anything suffer in his sleep the way he did for years.
"Mommy doesn't like it either, she was so glad to see your daddy get a nice sleep..."
Jessica opened the bedroom door and sighed dreamily at the sight.
Michael was breathing normally and his eyes, unlike many restless nights, were closed peacefully. There was no abnormal jerking nor was there despair clouding her beloveds dream state. The sight was so moving for Jessica that tears slid down her face, wiping them away with her left hand while keeping Amber held close with the other.
Jessica closed her eyes and took a closer look into her beloveds' mind, being careful not to alert him to her presence.
Michaels' POV
I watched as a pair of emerald green eyes opened for the very first time. The tears were streaming down my cheeks and I couldn't help but chew on my lower lip as our third child was welcomed into the world. While Blade and Amber were both special in their own ways, and not to take away their importance in our growing family, our third reminded me a lot of myself after I became what I am today.
My efforts to preserve my dignity were half-hearted at best; This was our third child together. The fact that now I could finally begin to enjoy these precious moments with the ones who made my life worth living.
I could see my beloveds face; her features having never blemished, untouched by both time and the stress she had endured alongside myself these past two months. She took our new daughter into her arms and leaned her forehead forward until she was rubbing our baby girls forehead affectionately.
My vision shifted to that of our first child, Blade, holding the hand of a fairly attractive Gardevoir with his left arm while the other was delicately wrapped around her waist. Their faces were mere centimeters apart as they danced together, Blades emerald green eyes full of youth and pride while his partners gaze was filled with longing and adoration.
When they had finished dancing I felt as if my visions were being monitored by someone or something, deciding to brush it off as inconsequential. As I watched Blade lift the Gardevoir up off the dance floor it brought me back to the first time Jessica and I danced. While our first dance was not as poetic or clean as Blades' I couldn't have been happier when it happened. After a brief twirl Blade set his partner down gently and alooked her to do a little twirl of her own.
That wasn't what caught my attention.
It was what Blade did next that made me nearly shake my arm blade with joy.
Before his partner finished her twirl he was down on one knee with what had to be the most expensive-looking diamond I had ever seen held between his fingers.
The look on the Gardevoirs face reminded me of the moment I told Jessi that I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life.
As the news finally began to sink in Blade was lifted up off of his knee by his partner, whose eyes were ready to spill over with their liquid joy. She guided Blades body closer to her own until their chest spikes were touching and their lips mere centimeters apart.
Right before their lips connected my vision shifted once again, this time to the sight of Amber, now a Kirlia, sitting at a desk and surrounded by other students. Most of the other students were human but there were several bi-pedal pokemon like Amber. They were all listening to the teacher giving his lecture on some sort of subject matter. I could see Amber diligently listening and taking notes when needed.
The look on Ambers face was one of intrigue and the unmistakable drive to learn all that she could. Right after the teacher finished his lecture there was the unmistakable ringing of a bell, signaling the end of that class period. As Amber got up from her seat she was greeted by two humans, one with long black hair that fell to her shoulders and the other with a mix of dark brown and pale yellow. For some reason this unique coloration reminded me of a pokemon but I was unable to pin my finger on which one it might be.
Amber began chatting with them and, oddly enough, it appeared as though both girls could understand her perfectly. Perhaps they were more related to pokemon than I initially thought; it would certainly explain the one girls unique hair pigmentation. My thoughts were interrupted when a new arrival entered the scene.
From the nervous looks of everyone around the boy I figured he must have been trouble. My fears were confirmed when the boy, who easily towered over Amber and the others, extended his right hand and pushed the brown-haired girl against the wall. The girl made a sickening thud against the polished walls and my anger began to rise with what he said next to the stunned girl.
"Your dad fuck any pokemon today?"
Ambers eyes suddenly began to glow, much like mine would when my emotions got the better of me. Rather than use her psychic powers to do the boy bodily harm however, I saw Amber wave her left arm at the closest window and opening it with her psychic power. With the other arm she lifted the larger boy up off the floor and forced him outside of the open window. As he hovered in the air I couldn't help but wonder what Amber was planning to do with the boy.
What she did next made me laugh harder than I had in a long time.
She dropped the boy from his perch in the air and caused him to land in the middle of a large pond outside the school building.
Those outside the building turned to look at the now drenched boy, who was now shivering from being dunked in cold water. As I finished laughing inwardly I turned my attention back to Amber, who was helping the poor human girl to her feet.
With another wave of her left arm Amber closed a wound that the impact with the wall had created on the back of the girls head. The girl looked at Amber with tears in her eyes and embraced our daughter, those around the pair applauding Ambers courage to stand up for a friend.
Jessicas' POV
I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw our third child. She resembled my beloved in so many ways but none moreso than the fact that she possessed characteristics of both human and pokemon.
She was a half-breed like Michael, except she was born one.
When I saw our son dancing with what was obviously his girlfriend I wanted to reach out and hug him. Doing so would have alerted my beloved to my presence inside of his mind however. Much like Michael did when it happened, I began to cry tears of joy when I saw Blade pull out the ultimate token of devotion to his partner.
While I was upset that my beloveds dreamstate shifted before their lips met I found solice in watching our daughter growing up to be such a smart, kind and friendly Kirlia. I couldn't help but notice how one of the human friends Amber was associating with had dark brown hair with an upper layer that was colored a pale yellow.
The unique coloring resembled that of a Lopunny, of that I was certain.
When the tall male pushed the brown-haired girl and said what he did I began to surmise that this girl must have had a father who, like Michael and myself, became intimately involved with his pokemon. This boy was nothing but a bully picking on the girl because she was, in his eyes, a half breed.
What I saw Amber do next made me giggle happily and, had this been reality, I would have hugged her with pride. I saw her heal her friends wounds and felt my heart swell with joy when I saw those around her applaud her efforts at standing up to that bully.
I felt my psychic link growing weaker due to using it for longer than needed so I carefully ended the link, primarily so I wouldn't wake my beloved up, but also to make sure I didn't cause any silly damage to my brain.
When I saw myself back in our bedroom I looked back down at my beloved, his breathing light and unrushed...
Everything I saw brought joy and good feelings...
...It was a perfect picture of a future filled with hope.
My eyes went wide upon thinking this, lowering my gaze down to my slightly swollen stomach I suddenly had an epiphany:
I knew the perfect name for our third child.
"Hope..."
Chapter 2 is up!