Chapter One – Awakened
Zayne's conscious mind was barely flowing to him. He was injured in his thoughts, as his physical being was uninjured. He opened his eyes. Zayne looked like he was in a forest somewhere, like he was in a different place than he used to. Why am I in a forest? He thought to himself. What was I doing here to get here? He tried to remember, but there was no recall in his mind that there is a reason why he was here. In fact he did not remember anything. "What the hell?" He asked himself quietly. "Why am I not remembering anything that happened last night?"
He was lying on the side of the tree, with his head on the side of his shoulders. More thoughts raced into his mind as seconds ran into minutes. Where am I? Why don't I remember…anything? Who am I? Then, one thought came into his head, "I…am…Zayne. Yes, that's my name. Zayne." He nodded at the familiar term.
He looked to his left and sees an item. It was a pendant of some sort. It had a black metallic rock as the gem placement with a strip of cloth attached to it. Another faint stream of memory came to his thought. He said out loud, "That's…mine?" He looked around. There was no one around him. The only living beings are the trees in the forest. The dirt road led down to the lake right of him. He looked to his left and the road led farther into the forest.
"Yeah…That's mine," Reassuring himself. "Might as well get it." He got up and walked groggily to the black pendant. As he reached down and grabbed it, he spotted something abnormal to him. He looked at his arm and he grew wide-eyed. "…No…" His arm was covering in yellow fur. He looked at his other arm, hoping for a different outcome. Again, it was the same yellow-tinted fur. "What the hell, am I?" He looked down to his body. It was also covered in yellow fur. Then, something touched his back. He turned around and saw a glimpse of a yellow and black fur then it was gone. Instead, he turned his head to see what's back there and saw a yellow and black figure that came out of his body, like if it was sort of tail. "A…tail?"
That did it.
Zane started to freak out. He looked around without seemingly finding anyone. He did not want to go into the forest. Instead, he went toward the lake, taking his pendant. If my arms and body are covered in yellow fur and I have a tail, then there's must be something wrong about my face. What does my appearance look like? He thought as he approached the lake. The water appears clear of any mosses or algae. The weather was sunny, so the rays of the Sun can reflect perfectly on water. He glimpsed at reflection of his face in the lake. In shock, he stepped back. Is this...me? He asked himself as he started to go back to his reflection and analyzed it more closely. He had yellow fur mostly around his whole face and a red patch of fur on his cheeks. He had yellow eyes and a black stub for a nose; and his ears are on the top of his head.
Once he got enough information, something clicked in his mind. Zayne looked at his hands and he started to shake. "I – I was human? Yes. I was human." Again, he said it louder. "I was human! I am not this...this...creature! How the hell am I this thing?" He retorted to himself. His mind was giving him way more questions than answers. In fact, there were no answers. "I need to find someone – anyone to give me any answers for this. Who was I?" He turned behind him, toward the path inside the deeper forest. "I have got to look for some sort of civilization. Then, I have to find answers."
He started to take his steps when all of a sudden he hears someone, or something, yelling, "Help! I need help!" It sounded female, coming from across the lake. "He's gonna-"then someone interrupted her.
"There's no one here in these parts, Naomi," spoke a harsh guy's voice, also across the lake. "You're not getting away from me this time!" He yelled. This caught Zayne's attention. Would he want to help out the damsel in distress? Would he want to just let this get behind him as he walked toward civilization? He did not even know where he is and there were people willing to help him, well one at least, if he saved her.
He made up his mind and ran toward the voices. As he got closer and closer to where the signal came from, he hears more screams coming from the woman. Finally, he was in sight as he sees two creatures with one another. There was a large red crocodile figure dragging a blue and black dog looking creature by its ears. The red crocodile had black stripes all around him. It had small pupils for eyes so Zayne couldn't really see his color. Large teeth were showing from his snout, it all looked very intimidating. The dragged dog however has blue as the base main color. Her ears are like black, slim balloons attached to the sides of her head, and the black fur stretching across and around her scarlet eyes and around her head; like a raccoon. She had black fur across her chest and black feet. The dog's 'paws' were tied up by some rope. To Zayne's guess, she was Naomi and she needs his help. But what could Zayne do? He doesn't even know what to do. He wasn't used to the body yet and he doesn't know how to save someone. But what else could happen? The worst thing that could happen was to be back on square one, but bruised up.
I have to play the cards I have been dealt with. He mentally told himself. No backing down now. He sees the red crocodile's small pupil turned toward his direction.
The red crocodile yelled at him, "Hey! Get outta here! You don't want to meddle in somebody else's business!" He was struggling taking control of the female dog-like creature's ears. Naomi squirmed as she feels the moderate pain.
Then tear-eyed Naomi also yelled at Zayne, "No don't! He's gonna-"A sharp pain struck Naomi's ears as the red crocodile pulled them back.
"Shut the fuck up!" He yelled at the creature. To Zayne's surprise, Naomi had a sincere voice. She was telling the truth no doubt about it. His head turned to Zane. "I'm just gonna have a little…fun, with this girl. Cool?"
Zayne mumbled, "Leave her alone." He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. He stood upright and the red crocodile was slumped over. He looked at Zayne
The crocodile yelled even louder, "What? I couldn't hear you! Do not interfere with us. This is a personal problem that I am going to have to deal with. So I suggest you leave us alone and you-"
Even louder, Zayne yelled, "I said, leave her alone now! You don't treat anyone like this!" He sees a changed in attitude in the crocodile's eyes. He went to the point of no return. "Or you will have to deal with me!" Zayne did not know what has gotten into him. Was he always this brash when it comes to anyone who was in trouble in his past life? Even though he did not know them, he has the upmost confidence to beat him. How was his life? What had moved him to do such a thing as to help this thing in his eyes? Is he even in a dream? The crocodile glanced at him then at the girl, he dropped the girl's ears and walked towards Zayne. As each step is aimed at Zayne's position, he sees the crocodile get taller and taller. And suddenly, he was about two feet taller than Zayne, in front of him.
The red crocodile then spoke to him, "You think you're a big tough guy, eh? Why won't you put me one," he slapped his cheek, "right here." He was mocking Zayne for his size of his body. Zayne did not move an inch, yet. He wants him to make the first move, however this was a chance of the moment right now. He was giving him a free shot. He looked at the cheek, mentally painting a target to strike the source. Mentally, he started to think how the fight was going to be. How he thinks is going to contact each source of his pinpoint targets.
Zayne quick attacked the enemy with his right hook. The red crocodile stumbled back. He didn't know that he was really going to actually hit him. He thought that the tiny creature was bluffing. He was wrong. Once he regained his stamina, he charged at Zayne. Zayne however was ready for any attack that was coming to him. This was the first fight that he can remember of being at. Zayne thought in his next move was going to be a left hook. So he braced for impact.
"You're gonna like this!" He snapped before he made his move. The crocodile lifted up his left fist.
Ah! I knew it!
Then, the crocodile yelled out, "TAIL WHIP!" The red crocodile swung his fist close to himself, and he turned around, jumping as he did so. Zayne was thrown off of the aphorism. He did not expect his tail to be used as a weapon. He tried to get his guard to where the target was painted on his own body, but it was too late. The red crocodile's tail emitted some sort of light – no – energy was emitting from the tail. Once the crocodile had reached its full turn, the tail impacted on the side of Zayne's stomach.
Zayne flew back, rolled, and ended up on his side. He ached in pain and he knows that it will need bandaging once it was all over. He groaned as the pain increased sharply as he breathed in and out. He thought to himself, These are not ordinary creatures. He looked up and saw that the crocodile was charging at him again. It rose his foot up and slammed it down. Luckily, the yellow-furred creature rolled away by instinct before the foot was brought down upon him. Zayne got up and took a few jabs at the crocodile. He then went back to his natural blocking position. The red crocodile retorted from his small attacks.
"Why aren't you using any moves, pikachu?" yelled Naomi as she tried to get the rope off. He took a glimpse at her, reassuring that the question was about him, and placed his eyes on the crocodile to figure out his next move.
"Do you not see what I am doing?" Zayne snapped at Naomi as he evaded yet another tail whip. "And what the hell is a pikachu?" He placed a right hook to the crocodile's face. "All of you should not be talking! Especially in English! I don't see –"His words were interrupted as his face was connected by a fist. Again, the 'pikachu' went back; however he did not fall over. Zayne gritted his teeth to try and ease his pain from earlier.
The crocodile paused so he could regain his stamina, "Haha! My name is Krook the Krookodile. And you better remember those words because it will be your last!" Again, he charged at Zayne; and again Zayne waited to retaliate now knowing the other weapon behind his back. He is still charging him, not lifting any limbs except from running. Zayne did not know what he was doing. He waited and waited for the attack that he was going to perform, but there were no hints that give him an idea of what attack it is. Krook kept running until he was close enough. He smirked and screamed, "TACKLE!" and lunged at Zayne. Zayne's eye went huge and he tried to move out of the way, but he was too caught up in the process. He grunted and waited for the second impact to come to him. His head and body slammed against the floor, making him moan in pain around his whole body, and more pain to his side.
"Pikachu!" yelled Naomi, now standing and free from the ropes.
Zayne laid there when Krook got off of him. His eyes were open as he experienced this new pain. He looked up and saw the image of Krook above him. "You shouldn't have messed with me." He pressed his foot against his neck as Zayne laid there accepting the death before him. "This is my territory. And I will make sure that your death will be as painful as possible." He pushed even harder as Zayne couldn't breathe. He was squirming around, slowly become more and more still until...
"BULLET PUNCH!" He heard a female voice. Was it Naomi's? Was she helping him? Then, he started to breathe again as the pressure lifted from his neck. He looked to his left and sees Krook flying. He looked up and saw Naomi with her fist up. She looked down and gave her hand to Zayne. Zayne looked at the hand while he is gasping for air, and then took it as she pulled him up off the ground. He looked toward Krook's direction as he got up from the unsuspected attack.
"Naomi?" He yelled, "Alright, then. I will kill both of you all." He charged again for another tackle at Naomi, but she evaded, barely. When his hands extended out, he scratched Naomi in the process, leaving a sharp pain towards Naomi. He fell to the ground, injuring himself in the charge. This was Zayne's chance. He ran toward him and got on his back. The crocodile-like figure had tried to get up, but Zayne was on him keeping his body of weight in the center of him. The pikachu rose its fists and starting slamming his fists to the back of Krook's head. Now, Krook felt strong pain. Naomi was kneeling, holding her wounds on her side. Again, Krook tried to lift himself up, but Zayne punched his arms. He fell back down in exhaustion. Again, Zayne started hammer-fisting Krook's head. Then, Krook grunted loud and pushed himself up as hard as he can. He threw Zayne off and got up. Zayne fell backwards and landed on his back. All three of them got up at the same time.
"You alright?" asked Zayne to Naomi, although he didn't look at her.
However, Naomi glanced at Zayne. He noticed that he was in no condition to fight, but he still kept going strong for her. She wasn't treated like this before. She said, "Yeah...I'm fine." Naomi did not want Zayne to make her worry about him so she did not ask the same question back.
Krook was also in no shape to be fighting anyone. He couldn't take any more hits as the cuts on his head started bleeding. He was injured enough as it is. He took this opportunity to escape. He turned around, "We will meet again. And next time it won't be so easy." With that said, he fled into the forest. Zayne took a step forward to start the chase, but Naomi put her hand on his shoulder.
"Let him go. I won't be seeing him for a while," she said as she walked to him.
"Are you sure?" He asked, calming down a bit more.
"Yes, it will be fine. Thanks for standing up for me." She smiled at him. "If it wasn't for you, then I would have been raped. I owe you big time." She held out a paw, indicating him to shake her hand. Zayne agreed to the gesture and smiled also.
"You're welcome. I was just walking along here trying to find any place, but then I heard you. I came running to the source, and then I saw two creat-"He cut himself off. His eyes gotten big and Zayne started freaking out. "You! You are not supposed to be talking! How the hell are you doing that?"
"What do you mean? I always talk," Retorted Naomi. "And why are you talking, pikachu?"
"What the hell is a pikachu? Why do you keep calling me that?" asked Zayne. Naomi looked at him with a weird look on her face.
"Because it is a Pokémon race," Answered Naomi, smart-alecky, "What is your problem with everything around here? And why didn't you use any moves on Krook? It would've injured him even more."
"My problem is that...I don't belong here. I was human before I came here. I don't know why, how, or when I became a – what do you call it – Pokémon. I don't even know what 'moves' I had. I don't think I have any moves..." He looked at Naomi. She kept a straight face, and then a few seconds later, she burst out laughing.
She thought it was a joke to her. She hasn't even heard of a human turning into a Pokémon. She looked up again to see Zayne's face as serious as ever. Then she stopped laughing, "You are serious, aren't you?"
"No shit." He snapped back at her.
"Sorry," she apologized. "it's just that I have never even heard of a human turning into a Pokémon."
"It's alr-" He grunted and bent over with sharp pain embodying his body. "Ah!" He squint his eyes to try and ease the pain as it kept increasing and increasing. What is this pain that I am experiencing? He thought. Sweat formed around his body. Oh no, I about to… Zayne started to fall over.
"Pikachu!" yelled Naomi as she attempted to catch the yellow furred creature. Zayne saw the floor coming up to him as he felt like he crash landed. Because of how much Zayne weighed, she could only let his body down instead of it crashing. Zayne's mind went blank after that moment.
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Zayne grabbed a hold of his conscious mind. He opened his eyes and found out that he was on some type of bed in some kind of shelter, a hut. He got his own hopes up; as he thought that he was in a dream. It was only a one room with the bed that he was lying on the only one. He looked at his arms and sighed in disbelief. I am still here in this body. But, more important, where am I, again?
"Ah, you're up!" shouted a female voice. Zayne sat up in frantically to see its source. But it was none other than Naomi as she was stirring something inside of a cooking pot. "Are you alright, Pikachu?" He sighed.
"Yeah, I am...fine." He wasn't sure of himself. He tried to get up, but the pain and soreness in his legs stopped him.
"Don't get up," Snapped Naomi. "You have to sit there while I prepare your remedy."
Then, Zayne barely remembered his encounter with Krook. "Hey wasn't I-"
"Injured? Yeah, and you still are." Finished Naomi, "But you healed up quite exponentially." She was done mixing with what was in the pot and poured it into a rock cup. She shook it and gave it to Zayne. "Drink this." She said as Zayne took the cup. He stared down the cup as he saw his reflection. Again, it was the same old yellow furred creature. He hesitated as he wondered what was in it. "If you were wondering, it contains Oran Berry juice, Sitrus Berry Extract, and a bit of revival herbs." Zayne did not even know what those were, but he trusted her. She was the only one to trust. He carefully put the cup to his mouth, and killed the drink. Once the drink touched the taste buds, it sends a chilling flavor to his mouth. His bitter portion of his tongue fired up as the sweet jumped as well. He was both disgusted and attracted to the drink.
Zayne grunted and said to Naomi, "Okay, well since I am here, I need to ask you questions."
Naomi retorted, "I could say the same for you." She winked at him and sat on the floor next to the bed. "Answer mine first, then I could answer yours. Deal?"
"Deal."
"Okay," she started, "Who are you?"
Zayne waited, "...Is that it? Or do you have others?"
"Oh, I have others, pikachu. But I need to know who you are."
"Alright, my name is Zayne." He paused, "Zayne...Zayne...Gah! I can't remember my last name!" He grabbed his head trying to remember, but no recall occurred to him. Naomi looked at him confused, but let him finished. "I am sorry. I can only remember my first name."
"Why do you have a last name?" asked the puzzled Naomi.
"Well it is used to indicate ourselves. It is what we called each other by. There are many of the same first names, but only a handful of identical first and last names."
"Oh," said the dog looking creature. "I kind of get it now." She paused. "Continue?"
"Okay." He continued. "I am Zayne. I woke up here suddenly on this area, or territory." He explained to Naomi from the tree that he woke up on, to the lake incident, and to the event that happened with Krook. "And that's how I am here." Zayne finished. Naomi now had a better understanding of Zayne.
"I am sorry that you cannot remember anything." She sincerely said. "I hope you can find out about your past."
"Thanks." He said staring off, and then he went back to Naomi's attention. "Oh! Anymore questions?"
"Hmmmm...No, I don't think so." He answered all of her questions in a story. "Okay, do you have anything for me?"
Zayne thought for a moment. What was he going to ask her? Why did she help him? Where was he in general? Enough thought questions He mentally told himself. "Where am I?"
Naomi was quick to respond, "Oh, we are in my house right now. Just outside of the town named Rosemere."
"No not that – well yes that – but I mean in general." Corrected Zayne.
Naomi gave him a dumbfounded look, "We are in the province of Aellyn of the Pokémon world."
"So, these creatures," He motioned his hands over himself, "are Pokémon?"
"Why yes." She answered back, "We are all Pokémon and there are many kinds of races and varieties."
"And you calling me a 'pikachu' is just saying that I am of the Pikachu race?"
She laughed, "Of course! If not, it would be considered racism."
"Oh." He paused gathering all of the information from that conversation, "Your name? Is it just Naomi?"
"Well, it is Naomi the riolu. The 'the riolu' means the Pokémon's race."
"So your race is Riolu?" questioned Zayne.
"Yes."
"And I must be Zayne the pikachu." He answered his own question.
"Man, you have a lot of questions. You must really be a human." She sighed. "Okay, anything else?"
"Yes, just a couple more things." He spoke, "How did you heal me?"
"Oh! Well, I want to be in a special team in an organization. I am training to be a great medic and be a great member. I use my alchemic skills to make my own recipes. I gave you a revival seed when you were passed out. And then the one you just drank was my mother's secret recipe."
"Your mother?" asked Zayne. Naomi's head went down. Her eyes looked at the floor. Zayne felt the air thicken as if some sort of pressure has fell upon him, a pressure of sadness.
"Yes…She and my dad died many years ago. My mother was an alchemist too, working for the hospital with the main nurse. She made her own recipes at healing people, using Oran and Sitrus Berries. She came up with the drinks that I still use today." She paused, "But it's alright! I hardly knew her."
"I am sorry for your loss," said the pikachu, who was now depressed. Why was he feeling more depressed than Naomi, he didn't know. I guess it is because Naomi at least has a faint memory of her parents. I don't have any recognition at all.
"No really. It's alright." She smiled, "Any more questions?"
"Sorry, just two more." He placed a hand over his bare chest. "My necklace. Do you know where it is at?"
"Yes, it's just over there." She pointed to its location. It was on top of the table across the room, next to the fireplace. "You can get it tomorrow, once you have fully recovered from your injuries. "
"Thanks. I think that that stone is an important clue to recover my past. I can't lose that." He paused to ask his final question, "You said that there is a town nearby." He looked towards the door. "What is in it?"
"Do you mean like shops, jails, banks – anything like that?"
"Yeah, I guess." He tried to in vision a human city in his mind, but there was no thought of an actual town to form inside his mental state.
"Well, yes. We have those and more." She yawned, "I'll show you around tomorrow, because I'm too tired. Is that alright?"
"Yeah…I guess so. I am pretty tired also."
"For sleeping 'till midnight?" Naomi laughed. "I never knew that you humans can be so lazy."
"Well, yeah." said Zayne sarcastically, "I mean it's tough when you thought that you were almost at the end of your life. It drains so much out of ya." He laughed and Naomi joined in.
After the good laugh, Naomi laid down. "Well, we have to get to bed. We have a big day for the both of us." She yawned and rests her head. "Goodnight, Zayne." She smiled and closed her eyes.
Zayne replied back, "Goodnight, Naomi." And shut his eyes again. Zayne's mind was wondering from place to place, imagining different figures as he went into a wonderful sleep.