Author's Note: Just a few things: First off, this fanfic is a REWRITE of a fanfic I did on another account called Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: The Relationship of Team Skye. I thought I could have done better, so I thought about rewriting it... Another thing, there is a third genre I wanted to put in, and that one is Romance. On the original fanfic, the genres were Adventure/Romance, but I changed it Adventure/Friendship in this one. While yes, there will still be romance (as you can see in the little pairing I have up there in the summary), I wanted this romance to be based purely on a developing friendship. Third, my original fanfic was a straight narrative of Explorers of Sky. This fanfic however, will be BASED off of Explorers of Sky. I wanted to see what I could do to make this story a little more unique, so I'll be basing the plot off of Explorers of Sky, but I'm going to see what I can do to change up some of the plot... Not sure what that's going to be yet, but I'll find out!
Lastly, I don't own Pokémon. And I'll be saying that every chapter, because I did that in my original story and why the heck not? Another thing I don't own: that picture up there I used for the cover image. The original photo was created by Luz_Lunar on Photobucket, I just lazily added the "To the Skye!" part. So credit goes to him for that image! Anyways, hope you enjoy!
"I've got you! Please, urgh-! D-Don't let go!"
"It's too much! That attack took too much out of me... I have to-"
"NO! Don't you dare let-"
"I'm sorry! P-Please... try to do the rest on your own without me! Ah- AAAHHH!"
Welcome young one, to the world of Pokémon.
You are a strange one indeed. To have sacrificed yourself in order to protect a friend dear to you, even if it meant death by the hands of my counterpart.
Who... Who are you?
I am a Pokémon of the mind and consciousness, representing the joy of light within the darkness. However, who I am is not of concern. What matters now is that you are dying.
I'm... dead?
No, young one. That attack you endured to save your friend took a lot out of you. I will bestow some of my power unto you to restore your energy. However, I cannot return you to your original state, so I must determine your nature.
My... nature?
Yes, the very essence that defines who you are, your character. It is different for everyone. One's nature could be an enthusiasm as bright as the burning sun, to a melancholy such as that of pouring rain. I will use your nature to determine the Pokémon that you will become. Don't stress; let the answers come to you.
First, regarding the way you protected your friend. Do you always feel the need to protect your loved ones like that?
I... don't have many people I love. Many of them are gone, and those who I still have... I feel like we get more separated every day.
Then what makes this one friend so special? So much that you decided to protect him even if it meant ending your life?
Him? I... don't know. When he came to me, he was weak, so I wanted to help him grow stronger. Before he was hit by that attack... something came over me, and I jumped in front of him before the attack could get him.
Do you feel that you would do the same for any other person?
… No.
I see... so you feel that you must be close to another person in order to trust them, then?
Y... Yes.
How would you go about forming a trust with another person? Do you become friends with just about anybody right away, or do you perhaps feel that you must know the person for a substantially long amount of time?
I don't care how long we've been together. It depends on the other person.
So if, say, you formed a partnership with another person for several years, yet this person showed a hateful spirit, would you eventually come to trust him?
… No, I don't think. We might eventually warm up to each other, but I don't think I'd ever come to trust him.
If a friend you trusted did something atrocious to you, would you get angry? Sad? Or perhaps not even pay heed to it?
I might get angry, but I wouldn't let my friend know. I'd probably keep it to myself.
Ah, then you value the trust and friendships you form with others, scarce as they may be?
Yes... I think so. I find it hard just getting to know another person, and when I do... I want to continue being their friend. Sometimes they leave though, and there's nothing I can do about it...
Interesting... Final question. If someone you loved was forcefully ripped from your life, what would you do?
What... do you mean?
What I am saying is if a close friend suddenly died, right before your eyes, what would you do?
Well... I'd feel horrible, obviously. After that... I don't know, but I think I might try to live on with a greater will... In memory of that person.
Thank you. Before I finish, I must delve into your spirit to ascertain what defines you. Relax, take a deep breath...
…
…
Exhale. I have now determined what defines you as you. You have the spirit... of a small, burning flame.
A flame?
Yes. You keep to yourself most of the time, lost in your little world of darkness. But once you find something to latch your heart onto, something to ignite your soul and keep you going, oh how your flame burns ever bright! And when you inevitably lose those around you, your flame may diminish, but you never let it extinguish. Instead, you move on and let your flame keep burning until you finally find something worth living for.
With a nature like this... I can only see it fitting that you become a Charmander.
But... why a Charmander? If I really am a flame, I could be any fire-type...
It is important that you learn to value the trusts you make from a clean slate, something you do not seem to understand with your small, secluded flame. Yet, once you learn to embrace these things, you will be able to grow into a glorious, intense fire, serving as a beacon of light and hope for those around you.
That is why I have chosen you as a Charmander. You will start off with a small flame, and if you set yourself on the right path, eventually grow and inspire others.
… Ah, my power grows weak. I'm afraid this is the most I could do for you, though I wish I could do more. When you land, you will be in a completely different area than what you are used to. Due to your transformation, you will forget everything; your past, this conversation, and perhaps even what defines you. However, there is one thing I would like for you to remember, a quote that a dear friend would always tell you: "You are the blazing human of the land, the flame who will light the darkness where no one else can."
