AN: Thanks to Sora532 and Bindi Loo for reviewing.


CHAPTER 2: WHO ARE YOU

« Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years. »

- Richard Bach, from Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

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At sunset, the beach was always a very active place. The main reason was always the same, anyway: the Krabby.

The little crustacean Pokémon abounded on the beach, the place they were living. Some Treasure Town inhabitants even called it Krabby Beach, but this toponymic habit was not fairly popular. The majority of Pokémon simply called it « the beach ».

On days when weather was good, the Krabby were bringing themselves together at sunset and were participating in a rather peculiar ritual. The little crabs took place on the sand or on flattened rocks and faced the sea. Then, as the Sun was slowly fading away in the horizon, the Krabby sent bubbles floating into the sky. Countless bubbles. Tens, even hundreds of them. Some were small and some were big… Nobody was really sure why the Krabby devoted themselves to that kind of activity, but many suspected that it was quite important for them, as they were doing it everyday, as long as the meteorological conditions allowed them to stay outdoors safely.

The Krabby were very active on that evening. Undoubtedly because they didn't have the opportunity to send bubbles on the previous day, since there was that intense storm happening. So, they were going to give it all they got. And it was during their little daily ritual that Vulpix reached the beach. At that moment, there were bubbles flying all over the beach. There was so many of them. Some were flying above the sand, while the majority of them were sent over the sea and flew toward the setting sun. Vulpix took a look and was instantly filled with wonder at the sight of the bubbles in front of her:

"Oh, wow! It's wonderful!"

Vulpix took a few steps toward the ocean to get a good sight at that fairy-tale spectacle. The bubbles were shining and sparkling. As they were floating in front of the Sun, the light gave to the bubbles a bright, multicoloured aspect. That vision was just enchanting for Vulpix, for whom the beach was a place to meditate. She had often seen the Krabby sending bubbles into the dusk sky, but she had rarely been as delighted as she was on that specific evening.

It was that kind of vision that could bring Vulpix up when she felt down or sad. She had always been impressed by the glint of the solar light on the waves or throughout the Krabby bubbles. A wonderful and inspiring vision. Vulpix knew that after her attempt to get in Wigglytuff's Guild failed once again, she could count on the spectacle of the sea at sundown to cheer herself up. It was so rare to run into Pokémon at the beach at this hour of the day, so it was a nice opportunity for Vulpix to benefit from some time alone. The Krabby weren't interested in those who came to the beach to witness their activities, anyway. They were focusing on what they were doing, not on whoever was watching them.

"Urf…"

Vulpix sighed quietly. It was a sigh meant to evacuate the resentment she was still feeling within herself. As she was watching the bubbles in the sky, recent souvenirs from only a few minutes before tried to rise within her mind. She saw herself panicking on the grate in front of the Guild and fleeing before she had reached her goal. Vulpix tried vigorously to chase those bad thoughts from her mind, but she knew they would come back to haunt her at one moment or another... Unless she could finally get in someday.

Vulpix turned her head to inspect the beach. She was sure that she was alone, but she quickly discovered that she wasn't. She saw something farther on the beach. Something green and yellow…

"Oh? What is it?"

Vulpix was intrigued by the unfamiliar silhouette in front of her. She slowly got closer to it to see what it was. She took a few quiet steps, before discovering that it was the shape of a Pokémon. A Pokémon which Vulpix could recognize.

"Oh, my goodness! It's a Turtwig!"

Vulpix had already heard of this kind of Pokémon and had seen some pictures of it, but it was the first time she saw a real one. Vulpix could distinguish the four little yellow legs of the Turtwig, as well as the outline of its head. Vulpix found weird the presence of such a Pokémon on the beach, but she found even stranger the fact that it didn't seem to move at all. It seemed to be far too motionless to be asleep or something. Vulpix got closer to the small turtle laying on the sand, but she also kept her distance. She was unsure and a bit shy about it. But the presence of this Pokémon really intrigued her. She got closer to find herself right next to the Turtwig. Its eyes were closed and his breathe was kinda slow. So slow that Vulpix could hardly hear it, especially with the noise of the waves nearby. Vulpix leaned her head toward the Turtwig.

"Uh… Excuse me?"

No answer came from the Pokémon. No reaction either.

"Turtwig?"

Vulpix's weak voice had no effect on the small green turtle. It was still laying on its side and remained unaffected by Vulpix's calls. In despair, Vulpix put her paw on the Turtwig's face and moved it gently.

"Are you alright? Please, wake up…"

This time, a weak sound came from the Turtwig. Its eyelids moved slightly, and finally opened slowly, disclosing its yellow and black eyes. Its breathe gradually became more audible. Vulpix felt instantly relieved.

"Ah, you've woken up! Am I glad!"

The Turtwig closed its eyes once again and tried to put itself on its feet. But it was so weak that it could hardly move its body whatsoever. At the same time, it tried to understand what was going on around it.

"…… W-what?... Who… Who talked?... Where am I?"

The Turtwig's low voice indicated that it was a male. His voice was weak and jerky. His voice reflected his physical status pretty well, as well as his psychological status. The voice he had just heard was decidedly unfamiliar.

Vulpix looked at the Turtwig and quickly realized that he didn't seem to be full of energy.

"Are you OK? You seem to be… in pretty bad shape."

The Turtwig hardly put himself on its four legs. Vulpix could read the effort on his face. His eyelids were closed and a grimace was visible on his mouth. He finally opened his eyes and looked quickly all around him. He instantly found out that the place he was in meant absolutely nothing to him. He also saw Vulpix, who was still standing next to him.

"Where… Where am I?," he said to himself, as he was still looking all around him.

"You… You're on the beach…"

Vulpix answered with some confusion in her voice. Why is he asking that question, she wondered. If he had fallen asleep at this place, he should remember that he came here by himself, wouldn't he? If he wonders where he is, then it would mean that there's something strange happening…

As Vulpix was trying to understand the Turtwig's reasoning, he slowly turned his head in her direction. His eyes were both wide open and so was his mouth. The look on his face gave Vulpix a few chills.

"Have you… Have you just talked?," the Turtwig asked to Vulpix.

The young fox became very confused.

"Well… Well yes… There's nobody else here…"

The Turtwig jumped. He made a move backward, totally astounded.

"Wah! My God, you're really talking! You're a talking Vulpix!"

Vulpix was totally lost by now. She wanted to say something as an answer to this mysterious Pokémon, but how could she give an adequate answer to such an unexpected exclamation?

"You… Are you sure you're OK?" It was the only thing that came to Vulpix's mind. "You seem to be kinda weird for a Turtwig…"

"A… A what???"

Really, peculiar answers seemed to chain up. For Vulpix, the more she talked to this stranger, the more he seemed strange to her. She couldn't help, but to answer to this Pokémon's questions, even if he looked totally disoriented.

"Well, a Turtwig… That's what you are, aren't you?"

"Are you nuts! I'm not a… a…"

The Turtwig abruptly stopped in the middle of his sentence. Even though the situation seemed to take a turn to the absurd, he couldn't deny the fact that he felt kinda weird. Even if he was on his feet now, he didn't have the feeling that he was standing up, like he was used to. Instead, he felt like he was standing… on all fours. And that Vulpix seemed to be unusually tall…

Not only was he confused, he was also scared by now. Everything seemed so unnatural. He shook his head on one side, then the other, and saw the sea nearby. The turtle Pokémon quickly rushed to the water. Once he was close enough, he leaned his head forward to get a good look at his reflection. The image sent back by the clear water was indeed one of a Turtwig's head: a pale green face, with a yellow jaw and yellow and black eyes, as well as a small leafy twig rising from the top of his skull.

Vulpix didn't know what the Turtwig was doing, which wouldn't help to dissipate that incredulous feeling she had toward this odd Pokémon.

"Aaah!"

As he saw his reflection in the sea, the Turtwig unleashed a sudden scream. His reaction made Vulpix jumped somewhat. She didn't expect such a reaction from the turtle Pokémon. But that scream was definitely not a good sign. Vulpix became slightly anxious.

"What's wrong?," she asked the Turtwig, who was still gazing at his reflection.

The Turtwig turned around and quickly rushed to Vulpix. He stopped right next to her, so close that Vulpix could almost see her own reflection in the Turtwig's eyes. But the expression on the face of the Grass Pokémon was not quite re-assuring.

"I'm… I'm a Turtwig!," he said, his voice still filled with shock.

Vulpix took one step backward. Being that close to such a strange Pokémon made her feel not so well.

"Of… Of course…," she answered, "You're a Turtwig…"

"No, you don't understand! I'm not a Turtwig! I'm a human!"

Vulpix jumped once again. Frankly, this Pokémon sent one weird reply after another, but the last one had reached the limits of non-sense.

"A… A human?"

"Yes, I swear! I'm a human!"

Vulpix was so disoriented that she wanted to run away. But something deep within herself kept her from moving. She was somehow obsessed by that peculiar Pokémon.

"But… You look like a totally normal Turtwig to me…"

A moment of silence followed. The Turtwig didn't know what to answer. Quite possibly because he had nothing to answer. He couldn't deny the logic behind Vulpix's words. He really looked like a totally normal Turtwig. He had seen his reflection in the ocean. He could confirm this by himself.

Vulpix spoke again:

"Just where do you come from? I've never seen a Turtwig in my whole life. How did you end up here?"

"I… I… I really don't know… Just where am I?"

"Well… You're at Treasure Town. And this is the beach."

"Treasure Town? I've never heard of this place…"

"R-really?"

The more Vulpix talked to this Turtwig, the more she was convinced that he wasn't an ordinary Pokémon.

"You… You're really quite a strange Pokémon, Turtwig…"

"I've already told you, I'm a human!," he answered, as frustration became tangible in his voice, "And don't call me Turtwig, please. I have a name: I'm Chris…"

"Chris? That's… That's a funny name…"

Chris glanced seriously at Vulpix. He had the unpleasant sensation that she seemed to make fun of him. Vulpix also saw the change of expression in Chris' face. It made her uncomfortable.

"Sorry… Chris… It's just that I haven't met anybody like you before… Well, I mean… A Pokémon who says that he is actually a human… And who doesn't know Treasure Town…"

Chris kept staring at Vulpix. She quickly realized that Chris would be very insistent about what he was saying and she'd better have to believe him. Even if things were taking a turn for the incredible…

"So, you're a human…"

Chris nodded. Vulpix acquiesced.

"But… How is that possible? If you really are a human, how did you become a Pokémon?"

"I… I don't know, Vulpix… Oh, sorry. Do you have a name as well? I've told you my name, but I haven't asked yours…"

"Oh? But I… I don't have any other name than Vulpix, Chris… I've always been called Vulpix and that's fine by me."

"So, I can call you Vulpix?"

Vulpix smiled.

"Of course, you can."

Chris couldn't help himself. He smiled as well.

"So," Vulpix said, "you don't remember where you come from and you have no idea why and how you became a Pokémon…"

Chris shrugged. Vulpix took a pensive look for a moment, before she smiled again.

"Well, you seem to be honest... OK, I'm going to believe you, Chris... Besides, you look kind."

Chris felt flattered and relieved by Vulpix's words. He wasn't understanding anything about what was happening to him, but he felt relieved that this Pokémon seemed to be ready to believe him about his situation. As he was still looking at Vulpix, Chris saw a purple shape coming by at full speed from behind her. The shape charged right into the fox.

"Ahhh!"

The impact sent Vulpix crashing right into Chris, who stepped back, all shook up. Vulpix found herself on her belly and had trouble getting back up. The effort forced Vulpix to close her eyes and as she did, she felt something pulling her by the neck. She finally opened her eyes and saw Koffing and Zubat floating by near Chris and herself. Vulpix was furious.

"Hey! What's the matter with you?!"

"Whoa-ho-ho!," Koffing answered, "Sorry for the smashing entrance, but…"

"But we just wanted to mess with you…," Zubat said.

Vulpix looked at the bat Pokémon as he was talking and saw there was something hanging up from his wing. To her great horror, Vulpix realized that it was her pendant. Suddenly panicked, Vulpix reached for her neck and discovered that her pendant wasn't where it was supposed to be.

"Aaaah! My Relic Fragment!"

Zubat took a look at the object he had just taken from Vulpix.

"Oh? So, that's how you call this thing? Interesting…"

"Give it back to me!," Vulpix implored.

"If you want it," Zubat replied, "just come and take it..."

Vulpix was paralyzed by fear. She didn't dare to move.

"Whoa-ho-ho!," Koffing laughed at Vulpix, "What's the matter? Don't you want it back?"

"Or perhaps you're too scared to take it back?," Zubat added.

Vulpix was shaking. She did what she could in order to hide it, but it was useless. Koffing and Zubat quickly saw that Vulpix was scared indeed. As for Chris, he felt powerless as he was watching the whole scene. He didn't know what to do… Or perhaps he was scared as well, since those two Pokémon seemed to be really perfidious.

"Whoa-ho-ho! You two are really pitiful, you know that? Zubat and I have seen a lot of sorry-looking Pokémon, but both of you are in a league apart…"

Zubat turned to his comrade:

"Come on, Koffing. Let's get out of here."

Koffing also turned to his colleague:

"OK."

Then, both Pokémon turned to Vulpix and Chris:

"See ya, chickens!," they exclaimed together.

Quickly, Koffing and Zubat got away and flew past Vulpix and Chris. Vulpix kept her eyes on Zubat, who still had her pendant in his possession. She felt totally dejected.

"Oh no… They have fled with my most precious good…"

Chris turned to Vulpix.

"What am I gonna do? What can I do?"

Vulpix felt tears flowing up to her eyes and Chris could also sense it in the tone of her voice.

"It's… It's my personal treasure… I… I can't afford to lose it…"

Vulpix lowered her head and leaned forward. She had trouble containing her sorrow. She felt that she was very likely to break down. But Vulpix tried to hold herself together. She wanted to avoid breaking down at all costs. She didn't want to cry in front of Chris. With a huge effort, Vulpix swallowed her sorrow and firmly put herself back on her four legs.

"No! That's enough! I cannot allow those two hooligans to get away with this. I have to get my treasure back!"

"I'm gonna help you, Vulpix."

Vulpix turned to Chris.

"Really? You really want to help me?"

The look in Chris' face became quite serious.

"Yes. Those Pokémon have to be stopped. They have stolen your treasure and they have insulted us… They can't get away with this!"

A great sense of relief got a hold of Vulpix.

"Waah, awesome! Thank you, Chris!"

Vulpix was very happy to see that Chris was willing to help her. With a newfound sense of vigour and determination, Vulpix got ready to launch the chase against Koffing and Zubat. She hit the road and headed for the western part of the beach, where both thieves had just run away. Chris followed right behind Vulpix. He was decided to help Vulpix getting her object back, but as soon as they were on their way, a line of thoughts flowed through Chris' mind:

"OK, so we are on the trail of those two Pokémon, but what's gonna happen when we find them? There's no doubt we're gonna have to face them off, but what am I gonna do? I don't know how to fight as a Pokémon, do I?"