To those who are looking at me weirdly, I've decided to delete A change without regrets and completely start over with a better plot. Cause the old one sucks :P
Also, I think my writing skills have improved! Probably not, let's be honest. But I think that I can do a better job than the old A change without regrets :D
So please don't rage or anything, I still have the old documents, so no worries! If you already know the full story, don't bother to be a spoiler. This remastered edition of A change without regrets has nothing to do with the old story plot. Take that :3
Enjoy!
8 pm. He won't be at home.
I've scouted this place 109 times. Mapped out every nook, cranny and hallway. Every single room, I knew by heart. I've been doing this for years.
8.15. He's already getting in his car.
Silently, I emerged from the bushes, naught but a copper wire to my name. Which was good enough for me. I stood in front of the main door and carefully twisted the wire to fit the keyhole, then I inserted and turned. The door swung open silently, revealing a dimly lit living room, littered with reports and papers. I walked it, closing the door behind me.
I tip-toed to the room that was my top priority: The kitchen. The lights flickered on as I walked in, illuminating the room with a green glow. I opened the refrigerator and started filling up my bag with whatever that's in it. A packet of biscuits...jar of pickles...some meat, a bottle of water...cookies? And these are chocolate cookies! Those are my favorite! I eagerly stuffed them into my bag and hauled my loot over my shoulder.
The door suddenly clicked, and creaked loudly. My eyes widened; He can't be here! It's too early!
A man walked in, and flashed a torch at me. I shut my eyes and covered my face.
''Another raid, Rose?'' He sighed. ''You know I don't approve of this.''
''I know,'' I lowered my head. ''Sorry dad.''
He slumped his shoulders and threw the torch into the dustbin. It rolled around the rim before falling in. ''Rose, I know you want to help, but they need to survive on their own. If you keep feeding the wild Pokemon, they'll get used to it, and they're going to depend on you for food!''
''But the Pokemon here really look hungry!'' I protested, shedding a few tears. ''I just want to help them...''
''I know, baby. I know.'' He hugged me tightly. ''But they're wild! They're not domesticated! You have to stop feeding them!''
''But...but.'' I said. He gently closed my mouth. ''No buts, Rose. I don't like you around those dangerous things! They are not like Professor Oak's Pokemon. These wild animals will kill to eat, and I don't want to lose you.''
''You always do this! You never let me have any freedom!'' I yelled, shoving him away.
''Young woman, this is not the way to talk to your father!'' He stood straight up, waggling a finger at me. ''Where are your manners?''
''Mom used to teach me them.'' I said bitterly. Dad's eyes softened, and he hugged me.
''Honey, your mom has moved on. She's in a better place, watching us always!'' He smiled.
''She's still alive! I know it!'' I said.
He shook his head, like he was listening to a child talking about the tooth fairy. ''Your mom is gone, Rose. She disappeared for ten years! What are the chances of even finding her?''
''More than zero. And that's what counts.'' I said firmly. ''But at least I have you!''
''Rose...I'm leaving.'' Dad fiddled with his fingers. I suddenly felt very light headed and dizzy.
''But...why?'' I pleaded, shaking his arm. ''I don't want you to go!''
''I have to. I'm going off to the army. If I don't, they'll arrest us.'' He said.
The Pokewar. A war between the different regions as to who has the best Pokemon. It started off as an argument, then it quickly escalated into a full scale war. Now, people are fighting every day, for the useless title of 'Region with the best Pokemon'. And they even brought Pokemon along the fight with them.
''Can't they just call a truce? Just say they're equally good, and that's it?!'' I balled my fists. ''Why do they have to fight?''
''They say the reason behind this war isn't the title, but for something else.''
''What is it?''
''I don't know. I just hear rumors everywhere. They say the regions are fighting for control over something, or some place. I don't know, they seem like good theories, instead of that lame title excuse.''
''So...you really have to go?'' I asked, crying.
He nodded sadly. ''I'm not sure whether I'm going to survive, so Rose-''
''Don't say that!'' I plugged his mouth with a cookie. ''You will survive! And you will bring me an Eevee for my birthday!''
My tenth birthday, coming up this week. Pretty ironic, since we're in the middle of a war.
He smiled sadly, then kissed my forehead. ''I'm sorry I have to leave, Rose. Just remember, don't feed the Pokemon! And don't talk to strangers! And don't stay up late at night!'' He put on a fedora, and rushed out of my house, chewing on my cookie. He turned and waved a final goodbye before running off to the military base stationed nearby.
''Daddy!'' I cried. ''I'm just ten...how am I supposed to do everything...''
The doorbell rang, and a thin, scraggly girl entered. She was wearing a simple green shirt, and oversized black jeans. She snorted and spat on the ground.
''Okay, loser. Your dad sent me to take care of you.'' She wiped her sleeve over her nose. ''Now where are the PCs?''
''Uh...they're in the living room.'' I said, but she was already on the chair, going to some random sites. And some disturbing ones.
''You're still here?'' She turned to me, raising an eyebrow. ''All right, let's set the rules. You stay in your room, until your dad gets home. Food is supplied to you every three hours, and you're not supposed to talk.''
''No!''
''I wasn't asking for your approval.'' She pushed me up the stairs, into my room and locked me in.
''You can't do this to me!'' I yelled, banging on the door. I could hear her laugh menacingly, and saying goodbye to me. I climbed to my bed and clutched my legs.
''Daddy...I don't want to be in here! Your babysitter sucks!'' I punched my pillow. ''Why'd you have to leave...why.''
''By the way, your meals are vegetables only!'' The girl called from the first floor.
''That's it. I'll die before spending my days eating greens.'' I pushed open the windows and jumped down, landing on the soft grass. The satellite loomed over me, its sheer size casting a dark shadow on my backyard.
''I don't want to leave. But I have to. I'm sorry, dad.'' A tear slid down my cheeks. ''I have to go out and see new things. I don't want to be a hermit. I'll come back...eventually.'' I ran off into the woods, with nothing but my clothes and a packet of cookies in my pocket. Call it improvising.
''Maybe I should get some food before I go.'' I started walking to my house, then forced myself to stop. ''No! I need to learn how to survive!''
I'm going to die in two minutes. I don't even know how to cook an egg...
Suddenly, a Pokeball sailed through the air, narrowly missing a Pidgey, and bounced off my head. I yelped and rubbed my sore temple.
''What. The.'' I picked up the Pokeball. It looked like an ordinary red and white Pokeball, but I didn't see the official Pokemon corps logo on it anywhere.
''Tsk. Counterfeit balls.'' I tutted. ''I feel sorry for the poor sap that got conned into this.''
I turned over the ball, and noticed that the button was glowing red. I couldn't resist touching it, and pushed the button. The entire ball suddenly let out a loud pop, startling me. I let go of the ball, and it hovered in the air.
''Okay...not counterfeit!'' I said, backing away slowly. The ball turned to me, like it sensed my movement, and a bright beam of red light burst from the ball, engulfing me.
''Huh? Wow, defective, too!'' I folded my arms cockily. ''Pokeballs can't catch humans. Pfft.''
Suddenly, my chest ached, and I bent forward, wheezing. It felt like all the air was being sucked out of me. Then I screamed. I fell to the ground, moaning in pain. It was like my blood was on fire. I coughed, and tried to get up, but I couldn't. My vision tunneled, and I nearly blacked out. I felt my body compressing smaller and smaller, like some kind of deflating balloon, and fur suddenly started sprouting everywhere. I watched in horror as the fur replaced all my hair, growing all over my chest and arms. My spine was also bulging, and a tail emerged, growing bigger, and bushier. I writhed on the ground a bit more, before the pain suddenly stopped. Everything was a hundred times bigger, and I groaned, before passing out.
Well, I think it's better than my first chapter, so I'm happy :D
Reviews are appreciated, and stuff.