This story is based on a story that Ryu the Weredragon and tazkol the master of emeralds are writing for Charem. It will have extremely adult content. Reader discretion is advised.
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It was an unremarkable early July evening. The Carlson's station wagon pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant alongside the highway that led to their annual vacation spot.
The family piled out of the car and stretched.
"Are we almost there?" John their ten-year-old son asked. "We've been driving forever."
"We'll be there when we're there," Nancy, John's thirty-eight year old mother said.
Susan watched other cars pass by on the highway before turning and looking at the title of the restaurant. It proclaimed itself the TF family restaurant.
"What's that name supposed to mean?"
"I don't know honey," Nancy said
"Honey? Mom, I'm too old for you to call me that! I'm old enough to drive now! Speaking of which, Dad..."
"Maybe after supper," Susan's father Larry responded. "Let's go before it gets too late. We still have a long trip ahead of us."
The family walked toward the restaurant. John lagged behind the others. The restaurant had the atmosphere of a diner. The lack of an Internet connection and televisions surprised Susan. She'd grown used to such things. John had grown up with them couldn't remember a world where such things weren't normal.
They sat at a booth. John ordered a root beer and the others ordered coffee (much to Larry's disapproval of his daughter drinking it). The waitress recommended spicy food before walking away to give them time to decide on what to order.
"Spicy food? I've never liked that sort of thing," Susan said.
"It's not so bad once you get used to it," Larry said.
"Still, we don't want to end up making ourselves sick," Nancy said.
The menu choices for the spicy food had a strange appeal to John. His parents had never let him try spicy food.
"Can I try some?" John asked. "The steak looks good. How do say that word?" John said, pointing out the name of the seasoning they used.
Nancy, who was sitting beside John, looked at the menu. "That's called jalapeno sauce, it's hot. It'll burn your tongue!"
"Sounds cool!" John said.
"Don't you mean, sounds hot?" Larry said.
"Don't you start," Nancy said.
"The chicken wings look good," Susan said. "I think I'll get the extra hot sauce."
Larry frowned. "Hot sauce? I thought you never liked that sort of thing."
Susan shrugged her shoulders and put her menu down. "Well, maybe I should try it. I know this sounds weird but it's like it's calling to me."
"There is the pasta with the jalapeno sauce," Nancy said.
"Aren't you worried it'll make you sick?" John asked.
Nancy shrugged her shoulders. "Yes but I'm feeling daring all of the sudden."
Larry nodded. "Well, if you guys are going to be daring ... when in Rome. Looks like they have some Cajun stuff. I think that's worth a try."
"Now I'm glad I didn't get the kids menu," John said. "No way they'd have all this cool stuff on it!"
The waiter came and took their orders. John found the waiting the hardest part. He passed the time by doing the puzzle on the back of the place mat.
Susan retrieved a book to read from her purse.
John and Nancy discussed the trip before discussing how far they'd get that day before needing to stop at a motel.
When the food arrived, it was like a Godsend to John. He felt a hunger he hadn't of felt in as long as he could remember. John remembered his mother telling him that growing boys needed to eat stuff that was good for them so they could grow up to be strong. Steak was meat. That seemed to qualify. John wondered if the hot cause would help make him even stronger.
The steak was spicy but it appealed to him, he savoured the taste as he devoured the steak. He saw that his parents and sister were enjoying their food as well. Everyone finished every bit of their meals, which was unusual as they usually brought home at least something.
Upon paying (Larry leaving a generous tip), the family left the restaurant.
Susan walked toward the driver's seat. "So, can I drive?"
"Well, I – okay this sounds strange," Larry said "But I really want to drive! I don't know if it's the food or the coffee but it made me feel alive!"
"Awe come on Dad," Susan said.
"Don't worry, you'll get your chance," Larry said. "I just need to get this out of my system."
Susan didn't argue. Larry climbed into the driver's seat after everyone else was inside and buckled in. He drove out of the parking lot, onto the highway and sped down it. Long dormant confidence and daring flowed though him.
"Larry, slow down!" Nancy said. "You're going to get a ticket. No forget that, you're going to get us killed!"
"Yeah! Go dad!" John said.
John had never seen his Dad drive like this. It was like something out of a movie or game.
"Is this the example you want to set for the kids?" Nancy asked.
Larry sighed and slowed back down to the speed limit. "All right, I'm sorry. I just feel so confident. I don't know why."
"Well, it was pretty cool," Nancy said. "Maybe if the kids weren't here and we wouldn't hurt anyone it might be fun."
"Hey, we're not kids," Susan said. "Well, I'm not."
John saw Susan look in his direction. "Hey, I'm not a kid anymore! I'm ten and three quarters! I'm almost a teenager!"
"Did that sign say rest area just ahead?" Nancy asked.
"Yes, it did. What's wrong?" Larry asked.
"I'm not sure, my stomach feels funny," Nancy said.
"I'll pull over," Larry said. "I guess we shouldn't have had that spicy food after all. Though come to think of it, I feel a little odd myself."
When they reached the ramp, Larry drove into the rest area and parked the car. John watched his mother get out of the car holding her head as she walked closer to a wooded area. John thought she was going to vomit. Shock and surprise hit John when fire spewed out of his mother's mouth and ignited a nearby picnic table!
Larry ran out of the car and over to his wife's side.
"Nancy, what happened?"
"What do you mean what happened?" Nancy cried. "I just – I breathed fire! What kind of sick joke is this?"
Susan left the car next. "You set fire to that picnic table! Call the fire department!"
"That's your only reaction? I just shot fire out of my mouth like a…"
Nancy spewed more fire from her mouth, scorching the grass in front of her. The others watched with emotions that ran from horror to fascination. John saw something pushing at the back of Nancy's shirt. John thought it was a mouse and alerted her to it.
Nancy turned around. "A mouse; Where? Small fry perhaps but I wouldn't mind a snack!"
"A snack?" Larry asked. "What are you – we need to call a doctor, something's wrong with you."
"I'm sorry," Nancy said. "It came out of nowhere. Now it feels natural to say. I see such prey asprey."
Nancy licked her lips. A grimace interrupted her next words. A large pair of wings with orange scales tore through Nancy's shirt and unfolded behind her.
Stretching, Nancy saw her shadow and screamed. "Oh my God! I'm turning into a monster! Help me!"
"Mom, you have wings! This is so freaking awesome!" John said.
"Awesome? I'm turning into a monster and you say it's awesome?" Nancy cried.
"Oh my God," Larry said. "John, this is not awesome. Kids, vacation's over, we need to get your mother to a hospital!"
Nancy ran over to Larry and grabbed at his shirt. John saw his mother was now taller then his father.
"Do something!" Nancy said.
Larry gasped as he looked at Nancy's hands. "Have you been working out?"
"I think I'm getting stronger! Oh my God, something's wrong with me!" Nancy cried as she let go of Larry and cradled her head. "I feel these urges. It's getting into my mind! Get out! Get out!"
John saw that his mother's skin was turning a distinct orange colour. Fine scales like those on a lizard were replacing skin. John touched the scales on his mother's arm. They felt warm, strong – commanding.
"Mom, you're changing more!" Susan said. "Oh God, we ate the food too. What if it's going to happen to us?"
Nancy took a few steps back and looked at what were now orange-scaled arms. She was gasping for air and her hands were shaking. From John's point of view, it looked like his mother was going to scream. However, instead of a scream, a stream of fire spewed from her mouth, scoring a cropping of rocks precariously close to the family car.
A pair of wings akin to Nancy's tore through Larry's shirt, eliciting gasps of wonderment and terror from all around.
"Oh my God it's happening to me too," Larry said.
Susan took several steps back and ended up falling onto her back. John watched his parents change. His mother's clothing was straining at the seams and her face was elongating. His father was looking at his hands; his fingers were merging as large white claws developed from what would soon be three fingered hands.
"At least you won't be alone with this Nancy," Larry said. "Why do I feel weird? It's like there's a voice inside of me trying to calm me down?"
"Dad, are you – we going insane?" Susan asked.
"I don't know," Larry said.
John turned to see something pushing at the seat of Susan's shorts. The smell of burning fibre preceded a large fire tipped tail burning its way out of Susan's pants. John didn't want to see his sister naked, yet he darned not look away lest he miss some of what was happening.
"Oh God, I have a t… a – I have a tail! I'm a freak!"
John understood what was happening when he saw Susan's tail. A child would dream of it, an adult would suppress such desires for fear of judgement to the point where they'd consider such desires unacceptable.
"Susan! You're – oh my God this is so cool," John said. "You are guys turning into Pokèmon! Mom, Dad, you're gonna be Charizard!"
"No, they're not real! Oh my…" Nancy cried, shooting out another stream of fire. This time, it hit the family car, engulfing it in flames.
John heard screams coming from the other people that were using the rest stop. Parents grabbed children who were saying they wanted to watch the show. Cars speed off, only by a miracle not colliding with one another. What at first was something cool was gaining the potential to turn into a nightmare.
"What have I done?" Nancy cried.
"Mom Dad, I, feel funny inside," Susan said. "I don't know where these thoughts are coming from. They feel like mine. It's like, I'm going to be okay if I just stay calm."
"Nancy?" Larry asked.
By now, Nancy had lost her hair and had a long orange-scaled face with pointy ears and a snout. The transformation had ripped her shirt, exposing a lighter orange belly. Larry swished his wings to put out the picnic table and car before turning to watch Susan.
"I feel like I need to do something," Susan said. A small tear ran down her left cheek. "Daddy, I'm sorry, I need to do this. It's too hard to resist."
Larry ran over to Susan, almost tripping in the process. "You can resist it honey. Whatever it's trying to tell you, you can fight it."
Susan shook her head. "We're changing whether we like it or not. I'm sorry…"
Spreading her legs and arms, Susan looked up into the sky as her eyes glowed. Her tail fire spread all over her body, engulfing her. The others screamed in terror. No scream of pain, or horror came from Susan. As the fire warmed him, John knew that this was not an act of suicide but one of cleansing.
When the fire cleared less then a minute later, Susan stood surrounded by scorched ground. Susan was no longer human. The fire had changed her into a ravishing female Charmeleon clad only in her necklace.
Susan gasped for air as she held out clawed hands in front of her.
"I'm a…"
John ran over to her, discovering he now towered over her where she used to be a fair bit taller. He gazed at his sister with awe and a bit of jealousy.
"You're a Charmeleon!" John proclaimed. "This is so cool! You look awesome! But, you're naked!"
John knew that a female Charmeleon was indeed a rare find, perhaps in the real world, the only one of her kind.
Susan gasped and attempted to cover herself but stopped. "I don't feel naked. Mom, Dad, I think I'm okay. I want to panic but something is calming me. Probably better as I'd probably be setting everything on fire if I panicked."
John reached forward but withdrew his hand before he could touch Susan.
"It's okay John," Susan said. "I won't bite you. I'm still Susan. I may look like a Charmeleon but I don't feel like one."
A grin crossed Susan's face. "Then again, I do feel a lot more powerful. If I wanted to set fire to a bunch of stuff, I could. It's weird, I know that's arrogant but it seems almost acceptable in this form."
"But," John said. "You don't even like Pokèmon!"
Susan grinned. "I don't. Then again, this form is rather interesting. But, if I'm stuck this way, what's going to happen to me?"
What appeared to be panic was starting to creep onto Susan's face.
"Oh my God, we can't go back to our lives like this!" Susan said. "I feel good but I don't think I want the life of a Pokèmon!"
Despite Susan and his parents panicked state, John was growing worried that he would be the only one notto change. He looked at his parents. His father was a bit shorter with orange scales having overtaken his exposed skin. His mother's figure had little resemblance to that of a human woman.
"I have a job! I can't go there as a um, what did you call it honey?" Nancy asked.
"A Charizard! It's cool Mom! You and Dad are becoming red dragons!"
Susan folded her arms and grinned.
"Guess you guys won't be going back to those jobs. Looks like I won't be going back to school in the fall," Susan said.
Susan laughed at that comment.
"No more school? I can live with that!" Susan said.
"When is it going to be my turn! If Susan gets to stay home, I get to stay home!" John said.
"Now wait just a second John," Nancy said.
Strong fire tipped tails that burnt away the seats of his parent's pants interrupted Nancy. John couldn't help but run over to his mother to grab her tail. He avoided the flame like the proverbial plague. Nancy's tail was heavy but also warm and it felt strong.
"You guys are Charizard, this is so freaking awesome!" John said, clasping his mouth. "Sorry Mom."
Nancy laughed in a deeper voice. "Perhaps I can forgive this one slip. You didn't technically swear! But this isn't awesome! This is terrible!"
"Listen to your mother John!" Larry said. "Think what this will do to our lives! We'll never be able to go back to work like this and…"
"Yes?" Nancy said.
"You know honey, this might not be so bad," Larry said.
John cocked his head as he touched his mother's tail. "You guys are so lucky! How come I'm not changing?"
"Okay, my job isn't great but what are we supposed to do? We can't just go home looking like this," Nancy said.
John's parents were almost complete Charizard by this point with the exception of their clothes.
A cinder of fire flew from Nancy's tail and hit John's left forearm, sending a shock through his body. The cinder absorbed into John's skin yet caused him no pain. With the impact site of the cinder as the epicentre, a wave of change spread out and over John's skin, turning it into orange scales.
"John, I think you're getting your wish," Nancy said, pointing to John's right arm.
John looked and leapt into the air with a gasp of joy. His shoes fell off while he was in mid jump. When he landed, his pant legs were longer. John almost fell but Nancy was there to catch him.
"I'm shrinking!" John said.
"Yes you are. I hope you really want this John because I don't think any of us have a choice," Nancy replied.
John looked up to see his parents, now Charizard with torn human clothes. He wondered if he'd be a Charmander or Charmeleon. John knew that his parents would see this as a gift once they calmed down. John may not have considered how this would effect his future but he felt that things would work out.
The world seemed to grow a lot to John. Nancy pulled John's socks and then his jeans off, which by now were already several sizes too large for him. John would have complained to his mother for her doing something she hadn't of done since his diaper wearing days but John knew he soon wouldn't need the clothes.
Any sense of modesty in John faded. Clothes were a cumbrance. His soon to emerge tail fire would incinerate any clothing anyway. John wanted to go as nature intended.
The entire surface of his skin itched. Nancy looked powerful to John, a protector, something to aim for. Fire had fascinated John but he knew that it wasn't a toy. It now felt like an ally. John however, still knew it was dangerous if he wasn't careful.
John's shirt was now big enough to cover his entire body. He wanted it off.
"My shirt's too big. I don't want to wear clothes any more!" John said.
John stood up beside Nancy; he'd shrunk down to Susan's height and was getting smaller. The world felt a bit more dangerous to him but he felt safe in the company of his family. They were even better then a trainer.
"Well John, it looks like we won't have a choice soon anyway. I guess you might as well take it off," Nancy said.
"I doubt these things we've become wear clothes," Larry said.
John grinned as he felt his jaw begin to change. He pulled his shirt off and cast it aside before stepping out of his underwear. The itching on his skin had faded. Smooth scales had replaced his skin. They were orange on most of his body that he could see and beige on his belly. Down there, John had scales in place of skin. Any need for modesty was outdated.
The world continued to grow for John as his hair receded. His fingers merged, leaving him with three fingers and a thumb on both hands. His skull was now rounder. A tingling around John's rear end signalled what to him was the most exciting part of this change, his tail!
"I'm going to have a tail! This is so cool!" John said.
"Maybe he's right Mom. I guess we could see it like John sees it," Susan said. "It is kinda cool I guess. I wonder if you guys can fly?"
John watched as the skin around his rear end expanded and swelled as a long tail complete with fire tip emerged and developed before his eyes. The tail was a part of John.
New emotions and thoughts flooded John's mind. Not a new consciousness but the thoughts of the creature he was becoming. His human thoughts remained intact. Now however, the thoughts of what was a Charmander version of him accompanied and in some cases augmented his human thoughts. John still remembered being human. However, he was able to see events, people, places and things in his memories not just from the point of view he'd grown up with but now also with the point of view of a Charmander.
With these new sensations, he felt more then complete. He was special and this was a gift. John wondered how he'd ever been happy without it. His tail fire was far more then just a mere fire. It was a part of his life. Without it, he would die. That made him nervous. Seeing the flame strong and warm however, was an assurance that John was healthy.
After some adjustment to his hips and legs, John saw that his feet were now three toed and clawed. The world stopped shrinking, leaving John a bit smaller then his sister and a bit more then a third as tall as his parents.
"I'm a Charmander!" John said.
It felt natural. Yesterday, the idea of growing up into a powerful Charizard would have been a fantasy. Now, it was reality. John knew he couldn't grow up to be an adult human in this form. However, he was finding that a Charizard was a preferred adult form.
"Yes, you are. It seems we're all done," Nancy said. "Larry, do you feel it? John, Susan do you guys feel it?"
"Like where I know how a Charmander thinks and stuff?" John asked.
"I, yes, I know how a Charizard thinks but I still remember and feel like myself," Larry said. He looked at his clawed hands. "Though if we can't reverse this it's going to take time to get used to being and thinking of myself as a dragon."
"I had no idea these were so cool!" Susan said. "John, why didn't you tell us? Oh, whom am I kidding? I remember how I saw it. If only I knew. Now, I wish I'd been into Pokèmon when I was younger! I guess I won't need to play games or watch a TV show when I can experience it first hand."
"I assume we can both fly. These instincts are telling my I can fly," Nancy said. "It's weird, I don't feel as afraid of heights any more. But, I can't just give into this even if it feels good! John, we need to find a cure or something!"
"Aren't you at least curious as to how it feels to fly?" Larry asked. "I mean, why are superheroes like Superman so popular? Flight is a human dream. Maybe we shouldn't betray our humanity and enjoy this too much but I want to at least give it a try."
Nancy nodded. "I'd have suggested we get back in the car but…"
Susan looked at the burnt out car. "It's okay Mom. At least we're okay."
Larry looked into the sky. "I just want to try it."
Nancy nodded. "All right dear, it it'll make you feel better."
Larry took the air with a gust of wind. John watched his father with awe and some jealousy. Charmander was a species John liked so he could accept being one. He didn't want a trainer catching him if that ended up a possibility. However, he did like the idea of playing games with other Charmander and showing them human games.
When Larry landed several minutes later, he was beaming.
"That was fantastic. Now, that I can fly, I feel like I understand it and am in control. It's not so scary. Nancy, you have to try it! But first, I doubt we need these clothes anymore."
Nancy looked at Susan and John. "Are you sure dear? In front of the kids?"
Susan nodded. "I don't feel naked for some reason, at least not unless you guys draw attention to it."
Nancy sighed. "All right but it doesn't feel right."
Larry and Nancy removed each other's clothing, discarding it on the ground.
Nancy looked Larry over and then down at her body.
"I don't feel naked but let's just say I'm going to need time to get used to this," Nancy said. "I guess to use your phrase Susan, if people don't draw attention to it."
Larry took his wife's hand. "At least we have each other to figure this out together with. Well guys, care to go for a flight?"
"Yeah!" John said, running toward and jumping into his mother's back as she positioned herself.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Nancy said.
John wasn't afraid of falling or crashing. His mother and father would never let that happen to Susan or he!
"A part of me says we should ask why this happened," Susan said. "I feel strong. I'm still beautiful! I guess I can get used to this. Okay, maybe I'll have to date male Charmeleon now. That's kinda freaky but they seem attractive to me now. Maybe I can find one that also used to be human?"
"So, we gonna fly?" John asked.
"We should at leastgive it a try," Susan said. "I guess some day I'll be able to fly using my own wings. Not exactly what I thought I'd say I wanted to be when I grew up."
"One question? Where are we going to go?" Larry asked. "Do we go back to the restaurant and demand an explanation?"
Nancy folded her arms. "More like a lawsuit."
"How would we fit in a court room?" Susan asked.
"What if they call the cops and the cops shoot at us?" John asked.
Nancy sighed. "All right, I guess that might not be such a good idea."
"Well, we need to go somewhere!" Larry said.
"For a fly!" John said.
"John, I think what he means is, what do we do now?" Nancy asked. "Your father and I can't go back to work as Charizard."
"I won't have to go to school any more!" John said.
In truth, the only thing John liked about school was being able to be with his friends. He couldn't wait to show his new form to them.
"Remember that boy I dated a year ago?" Susan asked.
Larry huffed. "He dumped you. Perhaps we should pay him a visit."
Susan climbed onto Larry's back after he knelt down. "I don't want to hurt him. Maybe just freak him out."
"Then where do we go?" Nancy asked.
"Oh I don't know," Susan asked. "We go to Nintendo HQ and demand an explanation – or a cut of the profits."
"Nintendo HQ? Awesome!" John said. "I know, we can fly to Japan and find the guy that invented us!"
"Those are fictitious versions of us John," Nancy said. "We're the real deal."
Larry spread his wings. "When he sees that fiction has become fact…"
"That'll be awesome," John said. "We'll be on the news. They'll pay us money and we can go on adventures and – too bad you guys didn't get to do this when you were younger."
"John," Nancy said. "They're more then likely to call the cops or army. I'd rather not become a real life Godzilla. My God, we'll have to go into hiding or live in the wild."
Larry put a comforting hand on Nancy's back. "We'll figure out something."
Susan fiddled with her necklace. "Tomdid give this to me. How ironic that it's in the shape of a dragon. I guess he wasn't all bad."
"Why'd you keep it if he dumped you?" John asked.
"We had some good times," Susan said. "It reminds me of those rather then what happened."
"John," Nancy started. "We might not have become like this when we were your age but if we're stuck this –, you guys won't get to experience growing up as humans."
"Yeah that's true," John said.
"Normally," Susan said, "I'd say that sucks. Now I feel stronger and much more confident. If letting go of my humanity feels this good, maybe I can live with it."
"Yeah if I don't have to go to school any more, it's okay," John said.
"I feel strong and you guys feel strong," Larry said. "Once we work out where and how were going to live, I think we'll be all right."
Larry took to the air with Nancy following. John felt a thrill as he saw the ground getting further away and everything getting smaller. Below him, he saw other people arriving at the rest area. Some gasped in awe while others appeared terrified. John wondered if any that had seen them change were still there.
"Why don't we go and pay your former boyfriend a visit Susan?" Larry said.
Susan grinned. "All right."
With Susan providing direction, Nancy and Larry flew off in the direction of Tom's house. Susan wondered how Tom would feel when he saw them. She wondered what he was doing now.
&&&
Tom was walking down his driveway with a bag of trash from the kitchen for garbage pickup the following morning. It was a warm evening and Tom was bored. As he put the bag into the garbage can and replaced the lid, a whooshing from the sky startled him.
Two human sized dragons landed on the driveway before Tom. Tom's heart skipped a beat when he saw a smaller bipedal lizard like creature climb off of the back of one and an even smaller bipedal creature climb off the back of the other.
He recognised the species as Charizard, Charmelon and Charmander. Tom knew he was dreaming. The Charmeleon had a necklace that looked familiar.
"Where did you guys come from," Tom said. "What the hell am I asking? This is a dream, you're all figments of my imagination."
One of the Charizard huffed.
"You're not dreaming Tom," the Charmeleon said.
It walked up to him. Tom was a lot taller then it with it only reaching his waist.
"Hello Tom," it said.
"That necklace, your voice, that's – no you can't be Susan!" Tom said. "Okay, this is a dream, so you can. Why a Pokèmon, I haven't watched that show in years. Okay, so I still play the games a bit, it's not a crime is it?"
"It's not a crime Tom. You dumping me on the other hand…" Susan said.
"Wait a second. You're still upset about that? Why keep the necklace if you're still upset?"
Tom looked Susan over; she made a beautiful Charmeleon. Other then her necklace, she wasn't wearing anything. Licking his lips, Tom grinned like a fool. He didn't care if Susan was a fictitious creature; she was still beautiful.
"Come on baby, light my fire," Tom said with a grin.
"Much different words from last year when you said you weren't ready for a long term commitment," Susan said.
"But I wasn't ready. So, since this is a dream, all I need to do is imagine you as your human self."
"It's not a dream," Susan said, closing in on Tom.
Tom felt a chill go up his spine. "But people don't turn into Pokèmon! How is this possible? You're not here to fry me are you? Cut me some slack, You're not wearing any clothes and you're still beautiful and…"
"Please Tom, I wouldn't hurt you. But yes, I am beautiful. Thank you for noticing."
"Can I tell him how this happened to us?" John asked.
Susan smiled. "Go ahead bro."
John reiterated the tale of their visit to the restaurant and transformation into the species they'd become.
"That's incredible! So um, did you come back to ask me out or something?"
Susan laughed. "We're not compatible any more. Too bad, you'd make a cute Charmeleon. If you thought I was hot before, well, honey you don't know hot."
"I still say this is a dream."
"Fly him somewhere Dad. Then he'll know it's real," John said.
Tom pinched his arm and realised that he felt pain and wasn't waking up. He imagined Susan as her human self but she remained a Charmeleon.
"But you guys speak English," Tom said. "People don't become Pokèmon, it's not possible. Susie, I'm sorry for hurting you. I just wasn't ready. But this isn't possible!"
"We thought the same earlier this evening," Nancy said.
"Boy were we wrong!" Larry said.
"It's cool! Maybe it can happen to you some day," John said.
"I don't know why we can still speak English. I guess we need to communicate with people," Susan said.
Tom held out his arms. "Look guys, I don't think I'm ready for this sort of thing. You guys are okay with this happening to you?"
"If feels good being this way," Larry said. "I don't know why this happened but if it feels this good to be a real life Charizard and we have each other, I think I can handle losing my humanity."
Nancy nodded.
"We weren't expecting this as part of our vacation deal. But, I think – know we're going to be all right," Nancy said.
"This is too cool to say no to," John said.
Susan folded her arms. "I can tell you still find me attractive Tom. It's been a long time, heck; I've never felt this confident or strong. I like feeling this way."
Tom wanted to believe he was still dreaming. This however, felt too real. The ramifications of this were enormous. Yet, the novelty and fantastic nature of this has its charms.
"If you guys are happy then that's great. But Susie, if you are going to be going away. Can I at least have one last kiss for old time sake?"
"Well, okay," Susan said.
Susan unfolded her arms and stood ready.
"Wait a minute," Larry said.
"Honey, let them. It's for old times sake," Nancy said.
Tom knelt down and put his hands around Susan's body. Her scales were smooth and warm. As he drew closer to her, he could feel the fire within her. He used caution as to not to burn himself on Susan's tail fire. At that point, Tomknew that this was real. He wasn't sure how it was possible. Putting his lips to Susan's mouth, he closed his eyes and kissed her.
When he was done, Tom pulled back, released Susan and stood up.
"That wasn't that bad at all. But, I guess if you guys have to go then – where are you going to go anyway?" Tom asked.
"On adventures?" John asked.
Susan looked around the neighbourhood. "Um…"
"I feel like we need to be somewhere. We're not the only ones," Nancy said.
"Where is – wait, I feel it too," Larry said.
Susan looked toward the sky and nodded. "Um Tom, I'd like to visit longer. Maybe if we found a way to make you like us and you were ready for something more long term…"
"Um, you guys know where you're going now?" Tom asked.
"Wow, it's like we just know!" John said.
"Susan," Tom said. "If you have to go and I get the idea you're not coming back, I mean it when I said I'm sorry for hurting you."
"I understand Tom and I forgive you," Susan said, holding the necklace. "Is it okay if I keep this as a reminder of those good times and of this part of my life?"
Tom nodded. "It's yours."
"Thank you and I hope we can see each other again," Susan said.
Tom did his best to hold back his emotions. Despite hating goodbyes, Tom didn't want to start crying.
"I'd like that. Hey, maybe I'll find some scales of my own…"
Susan grinned. "You just might."
Tom watched Susan and what he assumed to be her brother climb on board the two Charizard Tom figured were their parents. They took off into the evening. The prospect of never seeing Susan again saddened Tom. He however, also felt a wave of relief. If it was possible for humans to become such creatures, magic was real. There was no other explanation for it in Tom's mind.
Susan and her family had seemed calm and confident. For an adult to be like that after something so amazing assured Tom that he could let go more often. Tom knew he couldn't tell his parents or friends about this. They would think him insane.
He would see Susan again at some point, he was sure of it.
Walking back up his driveway, Tom felt more at peace with the world then he had an hour ago. He couldn't help but wonder how this felt for Susan and her family.
&&&
Flying was an incredible experience. They flew among the clouds. The sensation of the air around Larry coupled with the independence and freedom overrode his difficulty in accepting this body as his own. Larry remembered how he'd felt when he'd first acquired his driver's licence. The elation he felt now was akin to the elation he'd felt on that day.
Larry knew that there were risks, especially with passengers. He expected someone would intercept them at any moment. He wasn't sure what he would do if someone tried to shoot them down. Attacking someone that was only defending their country was not something Larry wanted to do.
The reason for the family being here at this time eluded Larry. He knew they had to be there to continue their journey but that was it. While he'd never tell his wife or children, he'd be terrified if it weren't for the ego boost this form had bestowed upon him.
"What's here? Why do we need to be here?" Susan asked.
"We can't remain on this world," Larry said.
"What do you mean? Are we moving?" John asked.
"John, honey, we can't stay here like this," Nancy said. "I don't think we're going to be changing back. We don't belong here."
"I know but won't people think it's cool to see a real live Pokèmon?" John asked.
Larry had to appreciate, perhaps envy the innocence youth brought. The novelty of this situation was not lost on him. It would overwhelm John. Larry flew closer to Nancy.
"I don't want to see you two end up in a zoo or lab somewhere," Larry said.
Susan huffed. "They'd never take any of us alive!"
"That's what I fear," Larry said. "I know we could defend ourselves. I don't want to end up hurting people that are just doing their jobs."
"Maybe it would be easier if this hadn't of happened," Nancy said.
"No, this is too cool!" John said.
"Yeah Mom, I feel strong now. I don't want to give that up," Susan said.
"You didn't let me finish," Nancy said.
Susan and John apologised before Nancy continued.
"I feel strong and free, It's a remarkable feeling," Nancy said. "However, we must remember that to become this way, we've had to stop being human. We have accept that."
"But Mom," John said. "I'm still me. Just because I'm a Charmander doesn't mean I'm a different person!"
"But what makes you – you?" Susan asked. "In fact, what makes me – me?"
Larry wondered about that question. He'd pondered it before. He still felt like the person that he knew himself to be. However, he couldn't deny that he'd changed. He felt more arrogant but also had the power to back up that arrogance. Larry desired Nancy in a way that reminded him of their early adulthood. Only Susan and John's presence kept Larry from acting on his desires.
"First of all John," Nancy said. "Yes, you're still John and my son. However, you're not human. People will see us as the creatures we've become and not as humans," Nancy said.
"We aren't bound by human restrictions," Larry said. "However, we are bound by restrictions of our new forms. I feel alive. This form is magnificent. But, we no longer belong in the world down there."
"So, um there's still the stuff about me," John said. "But it's like a Charmander that's just like me but I am that Charmander?"
"Something like that," Nancy said.
"Does that mean I can go on an adventure when we get to where we're going?" John asked. "When I play the games, it isn't real. Now it can be real. I can be with a guy on his adventure!"
The excitement in John's voice pleased Larry. He knew his son would grow up to be powerful some day. John's tail fire was growing brighter.
"Maybe even some girl," Susan said.
John's eyes went wide. "Is that allowed?"
"Before we go on adventures, I think we need to work out where we're going," Nancy said.
Larry felt something in the air ahead of them. He flew closer to Nancy.
"Nancy could you take Susan for a minute, I think I've found an answer."
Nancy and Susan complied. Larry's tone was serious. It was his duty to protect his family. Larry flew ahead of the group and through a small group of clouds. What he saw on the other side shocked him.
What looked like a large window in the sky stood before him. It projected a translucent aerial view of a valley. A Charizard flew by it as Larry hovered watching. He'd felt the wind and heard the creature pass.
Looks like that's going to be home from now on. I have to tell the others.
Flying back to the others, Larry told them of what he'd seen.
"If there are others like us, we can go there! We can hang out with them and stuff," John said.
"Will they accept us?" Susan asked. "If another Charmeleon wants to date me, will his father allow it he knows I used to be human?"
"She makes a good point Larry," Nancy said.
Larry's wondered if they were truly one of the Charizard's kind. A potential lack of choice made Larry nervous. Larry and his family weren't human any more. Larry wondered if he could learn to accept the ways of thinking that went along with his new form. The feelings of the Charizard were a part of him. They felt as natural as his human feelings.
The issue of how much of their current mindset they'd retain living as a wild member of their new species made Larry feel uneasy. To gain new feelings and explore a new way of living was something Larry knew an explorer or scientist might jump at. However, if it also meant losing one's established mindset then many would resist.
Larry told the others of his concerns.
"Your father makes a point," Nancy said. "They may not see us as real members of our species."
"That would be foolish of them," Susan said. "I'm just as strong and good looking as the next Charmeleon."
"I don't think we have a choice in the matter," Larry said. "We can't stay here. They are our people now, not humanity. I want to tell my parents and friends about what's happened. But, the longer we stay here, the more we put ourselves and others around us at risk."
"I can't show this to my friends? That sucks!" John said.
"I know, believe me, I know," Nancy said.
"I can't get a date like this," Susan said. "Maybe there's someone else there that used to be human."
"I want the adventures that a Charmander goes on!" John said. "If we stay, they'll put us in a zoo or something."
"Seems we know their answer," Nancy said.
Larry nodded. "All right then, we go. They'd better accept us or…"
"Even if they don't, we can find someone that will. There's a whole world out there," Nancy said.
Larry nodded. Indeed, it was an entire world. If those Charizard didn't accept them, there were no doubt ones out there that would. Larry led the way to the portal. This time, instead of observing, he flew through it. A tingle ran through his body as he did. Larry felt different somehow.
Warm temperatures greeted him as he cleared the portal and turned around to await the others. Larry noticed that the portal appeared to be one way, as there was no sign of it from the other side.
When the others appeared before him, Larry felt something fly up behind him. He turned around as Nancy flew up to his right. Before Larry, the same Charizard from before hovered before him.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?" It said.
"I can explain," Larry said.
"I suggest you land and explain," the Charizard said.
It had spoken in the Charizard language. Larry could understand it! The change in language wasn't at the forefront of Larry's mind. He needed to come up with an explanation, fast.
&&&
Tom trudged back into his house and up the stairs to his room. With a sigh, he closed the door and opened his sock drawer where he kept the necklace that was his counterpart to the one he'd given Susan. After they'd broken up, he'd stopped wearing it. He ran it through his fingers.
"Susan is gone," Tom said. "Turned into a Pokèmon of all things. She was so beautiful. Almost makes me wish I could be a Charmeleon. I don't care if I'm too old for that sort of thing, it'd be worth it to be with her."
Tom put the necklace back around his neck.
"At least this way, I'll still remember her."
The ring of the doorbell roused Tom from his soliloquy. It was almost 7:30 and Tom wondered who it could be. He left his room and walked downstairs to see his mother Francine answering the door. What appeared to be a delivery person was there.
"I'm sorry," Francine said. "I don't remember ordering anything. I've never even heard of a place called the TF family restaurant."
Tom's demeanour went from dejected too elated! If what he was hearing was true then all he had to do was eat some of that food and he could be with Susan! He didn't care if he had to become a Pokèmon.
"It's okay Mom!" Tom said.
"Tom, did you order this?"
"No, but the food is supposed to…"
"It's compliments of the chef Ma'am," the delivery person said. "Please enjoy."
"Well, since we haven't eaten yet, I guess it's all right," Francine said.
The delivery person handed the food to Francine before walking off. Francine took the food into the kitchen.
"What was it you were going to say about the food?"
Tom considered telling her but couldn't bring himself to. He believed it would make things better for everyone. Although his parents were only in their early forties, they were already showing signs of ageing that to Tom should have been years off. His father Vincent had worn glasses for as long as Tom could remember. Vincent walked with a limp because of an accident at work two years before. Francine had lost the ability to conceive several years before. It was why Tom was an only child.
"Tom, are you okay?" Francine asked.
Tom nodded. "It's supposed to be really good."
Francine called Vincent up from the basement and the trio sat down to eat. The packages from the restaurant contained an extra large pepperoni and onion pizza and a box with what looked like at least 40 Buffalo wings in it. There was a third box filled with a chicken dish Tom couldn't identify. When Vincent walked into the kitchen, he saw the boxes.
"Is that Kung Pao chicken?"
"I'm not sure," Tom said.
Vincent picked out a fork and used it to taste some of the chicken. "Yes it is! Vince loves spicy chicken!"
"Yes dear, I saw that episode of Seinfeld too."
Tom had only watched a handful of episodes of the show in his life. Most shows like that seemed similar enough that he had trouble telling them apart.
"So, Francine, where'd the food come from, it smells great!"
"Someone from something called the TF family restaurant delivered it us, apparently compliments of the chef," Francine said.
Tom had looked at the Pizza and the wings for long enough. He picked out a piece of it before he noticed the hot peppers sprinkled on top.
"I'm starving all of the sudden," Tom said.
He added three slices and six wings before heading to the dinner table. Tom wanted the same effects that Susan had so he made a mental note to eat as much as possible. He'd never had a craving for spicy food but he was willing to endure it if it meant getting back together with Susan or at least being able to be around her.
"I've never been much for spicy food," Francine said. "However, it was free and I don't want to insult their chef.
Tom was the first to take a bite out of the pizza. He expected to feel it burn his mouth. Instead however, it tasted great. Tom felt as though he'd been eating spicy food for his entire life and anything without the spice just wasn't the same.
If only they knew what it's going to do to us. Dad will be able to walk properly again and maybe he can even drop his glasses! Mom will be able to have kids again if she wants. Susan might even take me back. Please Susan, take me back. I can make it up to you.
Tom saw that Vincent was devouring the Kung Pao chicken with a passion that Tom hadn't seen since he was a child. Francine was eating pizza and much to Tom's surprise, not reaching for her glass of milk. The ethics of his actions seemed irrelevant at this point. They were already eating. The food's effect was no doubt working on them as he contemplated.
It's working! This is awesome!
A pang of fear went through Tom. Indeed, it was working. He and his family were about to become what he thought were fictitious creatures.
By the time Tom was finished, he'd eaten ten wings and four pieces of pizza. He felt stuffed but in his mind, it was worth the discomfort. After excusing himself from the table and putting his dishes in the dishwasher, Tom went downstairs to wait what he saw as the inevitable. Perhaps, he thought, eating so much would accelerate it or make him more powerful.
The initial changes become apparent after only ten minutes of watching TV.
Tom felt a rumble go through his body starting from his stomach. It begins. Tom didn't care if someone saw him naked; won't matter in a few minutes anyway. He stripped but kept the necklace.
The first indication of his departure from humanity was the skin on his belly turning into beige scales. Tom touched the scales. They were smooth and warm.
This is real. What have I done?
The reality that he changing species turned bravado into fear. Tom's heart rate accelerated as beads of sweat formed all over his body. The beige on his belly expanded in all directions. By the time it had enveloped his nipples and spread down his arms as red scales, Tom was calming down. A confidence formed from within him. He was becoming powerful andgood-looking. Eating so much of the food was working! Tom's ego underwent a boost as he felt muscle develop under what were now red scaled arms.
The advancement of his scales spread onto his head and down his legs. Tom gasped as he felt the scales spread to his crotch. What Tom saw made him gulp and almost sent him running for help. He felt something down there but saw nothing.
Wait, Charmeleon never seem to have much down there. Oh no, don't tell me that…
The thought that the food was turning him into a female terrified Tom. The fear accelerated his changes.
Red scales covered both of his legs. Something seemed to push at the base of Tom's spine.
Tom's insides felt as though they were on fire. Given the species he was becoming, he wondered if perhaps they were.
A large tail ballooned from his rear end as his face tingled. Tom touched the top of his head. When he brought his hand down, he discovered that a clump of brown hair had come with it.
Shit, I'm losing my hair!
Tom felt something behind him. He turned to see a large fire tipped tail was now a part of his body. It looked as though it belonged there.
It's fire tipped and everything! This is messed up but so cool at the same time!
Tom felt a simultaneous stinging sensation in his face and a falling sensation. He closed his eyes and grimaced.
No pain, no gain. It's worth it to be with Susan.
Both sensations faded and Tom opened his eyes. The room appeared larger. Everything however was blurry. Tom remembered his contact lenses. With great care, he removed them from his eyes and placed them on a nearby counter. He realised that he wouldn't need them anymore.
Tom felt complete; he was a Charmeleon wearing a necklace. Any concern that he'd become a female vanished. Tom knew that Charmeleon looked different down there, which would explain his appearance.
I need to see a mirror; I wonder if Mom and Dad are done yet.
A renewed confidence hit Tom when he looked back and saw his tail fire. It was a part of him. Hours ago, he had never imaged having a tail. Now, he couldn't imagine living without one. Tom imaged touching his tail fire to Susan's. He wanted to apologise even more for letting her down.
Just before Tom could run upstairs, he felt dizzy.
Could I be evolving already?
The entire world around Tom went white and his body seemed to cease to exist. The necklace fell to the ground. However instead, when he felt his body reform, it was not into the Charizard form. When everything came back into focus, Tom was shorter and less powerful. He'd become a Charmander!
With a terrible sense of disappointment, he picked up the necklace and put it around his neck.
I'll never be able to be with Susan now!
Tom wanted to cry! He was still powerful but Susan would see him as a kid and not as a mate! This had gone beyond what Tom could handle. He ran upstairs, almost tripping up the stairs and having to be careful not to set the house on fire with his tail.
"Mom, Dad, help!" Tom cried.
A sense that his parents could make things right ran though Tom. He hadn't of felt like this in years! This wasn't what he wanted. When he got upstairs, he saw bits of clothing in the living room. Tom heard something in the backyard. He ran outside to see a pair of Charizard spreading their wings.
"Help!" Tom yelled.
The larger Charizard turned to face Tom.
"Tom, is that you?"
Tom nodded as tears formed in his eyes.
"It turned me into a kid! I don't want to be a kid! How can I be friends with Susan like this?"
"You knew this was going to happen?" Vincent asked.
Tom nodded, now feeling the same fear a kid whose parents had caught him with his hand in the cookie jar felt.
"It happened to Susan's family too," Tom said. "They came here and Susan talked to me! She was a Charmeleon!"
Tom thought of Susan. Horror hit him when he realised that he couldn't think of her in the same way any more. He remembered finding her attractive but his current form couldn't quite seem to manage it. What he felt was more akin to a child having a crush on a teacher or older student.
"Explain yourself young man," Francine said. She stood with her arms folded. Her Charizard form was imposing. Tom knew he'd be unable to lie to her.
"We gotta get out of here, someone's gonna catch us!" Tom said.
"We're not going anywhere," Vincent said.
Tom looked around; fearing someone was going to report them. He did his best to explain everything to his parents.
Vincent humphed. "You should have asked."
"But, don't you feel better?"
Vince nodded. "I can see perfectly and walk without a limp. Not to mention…"
Tom watched as Vince launched himself into the air, creating a breeze at ground level. Turning toward his mother, Tom ran at her and hugged her as best as he could.
"Mom, I'm a baby! What did I do to myself? I don't want to be baby!" Tom said.
"I feel more alive then I have in years," Francine said. "I can give you a brother or sister now. You should have asked. Then again, I'd probably have thought you needed to see a psychiatrist."
"How can I be friends with Susan now?" Tom asked.
Tom found his desire regress to a simple desire to be arround Susan. If Susan kissed him, he'd be on cloud 9. For her to touch tailfires with him was too much. That was what Charmeleon and Charizard did.
"I don't know Tom," Francine said. "Maybe you should have thought of this before…"
Vincent landing on the roof of their house interrupted Francine.
"That was cool," he said. He flew down to the duo's side, landing in such a way that he kicked up dust. "I can see and walk properly and fly. I may feel better but none of us is human any more. This is going to change everything for us. You should have told us."
"I'm sorry, I should have – I'm a baby!" Tom cried.
"Okay, calm down everyone," Francine said. "I feel great. Vincent, If you ever wanted another child, I think – please tell me you want another child."
Francine held her tail next to Vincent's. He replied by touching his tailfire to hers. Both smiled and embraced the other with a kiss for several seconds.
Tom let go of his mother. He'd never felt more frightened in his life. Not only had the food trapped him in a strange body and made him a baby, he was also thinking like one!
"Mom, I'm a baby!" Tom cried. He stamped the ground as his tailfire blazed. "It's not fair! I wanted to play with Susie! We were going to have fun and everything!"
"Now you know how we feel," Vincent said.
Tom looked up at his father. "Huh?"
"You didn't ask to become a baby and we didn't ask to become Charizard," Vincent said.
Tom understood. If he played a trick on someone, they would get to play one on him.
"I guess so," Tom said.
"Don't worry Tom, you'll grow up again in time," Francine said.
"In time? I don't wana grow up in time! I wana grow up now!" Tom said, stamping the ground.
An idea hit Tom. Perhaps, if he hate even more of the food, he'd grow back into a Charmeleon! He told his parents of the idea.
"Tom wait," Francine said. "If you eat more, you might get even younger. It could turn you into an egg! Is that what you want?"
"Tom, listen to me," Vincent said. "When you get older – and I mean a lot older then you were, you'll appreciate having a second chance at childhood. I don't think you're going to have to go back to school, assuming Charmander even go to school."
"I can remember stuff but it seems even more useless now," Tom said.
"Okay, can you understand those things?" Vincent asked. "If someone were to give you a math problem you learned doing the school last year, could you solve it?"
Tom thought about it. He'd studied algebra among other things. While he still seemed able to work it out, it seemed even more boring then before. He nodded his head.
"Well Tom, it seems that you're probably one of the smarter Charmander out there," Vincent said.
Tom nodded. "I guess, but what about Susan?"
"What if she wouldn't take you back? You did end the relationship," Francine said. "Youcan still be friends. Maybe there's someone else that fate intends you to be with."
"Even if it's hard for me to imagine being with someone else?" Tom asked.
Francine nodded. "People often end up with someone other then who they thought they would. Fate can be strange that way."
Vincent looked into the sky. "Speaking of fate, I think it's time we left."
Francine looked back and forth. "Weird, I feel like we need to be somewhere. Do you feel that way too?"
"Yes," Vincent said. "There is that. But there is also the two police officers that just walked into our backyard."
Tom looked at the men. "Hi guys," Tom said with wave.
Francine hugged Tom. "We need to leave. Hold on tight."
In a move that surprised Tom, Francine put him on her back in a single motion before she and Vincent took off into the air, kicking up dust and fallen leaves in their wake. Tom held onto his mother's neck, enjoying the ride.
"Mom, this is amazing, you're awesome!" Tom said. "Those guys almost caught us. That was kinda scary but cool as well. I haven't felt this cool since…"
"Since you were a kid hmmm?" Francine said.
Tom shrugged his shoulders. "I guess so. Maybe I'll get used to this if it's not that bad."
On the ground, two police officers watched two Charizard and a Charmander take off into the sky.
"Hey Frank, did you see what I just…"
"No, and neither did you."