Chapter Two / Meet Up

"Oh- okay," I stutter, and Heliolisk and Watchog let me out of the car. "Anxiety?" Asks Watchog, and I nod. "It's common with Pokemon who get the trial. It'll be over soon, don't worry," Watchog responds, and smiles. I nod again, hoping it will conceal the fact that I want to cry. I'm going to die.

The two men take me into a room full of empty chairs. Coat racks hang on the walls, and a few end tables hold magazines and books. It seems too fancy and welcoming for a death place. "Um… why is it so nice in here?" I dare to ask. "It's your last day being you, hon. We want it to be nice," Watchog answers. "Being me? What do you mean?" I ask. Neither Heliolisk or Watchog answer, leaving me confused.

Heliolisk gestures to a chair, and I sit in it. "So Astra, here's the plan. We're going to go into a different room and get everything set up, and you can sit here alone. Once the Umbreon gets here his drivers will join us and he'll join you. This is a very complicated process, so make sure you just go along with it, okay?" Heliolisk tells me. "What do you do in the other room?" I ask. "Nothing to worry your pretty little head about. Just do whatever and don't fret." "O-okay."

Heliolisk nods to me and Watchog smiles, and then they disappear through a door. Do not freak out, I think to myself. Shifting around my seat a few times, I look around the room and settle my eyes on one of the end tables with magazines. Shaking a little, I get up and walk over to it, looking straight ahead. After reaching the table, I reach a shaky paw over and sift through the issues. Finding one with the main article about the death trials, my eyes widen and I grab it quickly.

Not feeling the energy to walk over to my other seat, I sit in the chair directly next to me, almost falling into it. Eyes outstretched, I flip through a few pages until I reach the ones about the trials. I begin to read it.

"I feel like the Pokemon on trial are surprised by what awaits them in the building where the death trials take place," says Head Officer Gold, an Arcanine, at the subject of the death trials. After asking Gold what he means by 'surprised' he answered with, "I feel like it's better not to tell that to public." Citizens at many towns seem to think this is mysterious, but is it a good or bad thing? See the results on page 12.

I take a deep breath, looking down at the page I'm on, and find it's 11. On page 12 is more reading, but I don't think I could possibly handle more of this. By surprised the officer probably means they're shocked at the way they die, or something.

I lean my head back and close my eyes, trying to take it all in. I'm literally going to die. Today is the day I die. Suddenly I hear the sound of a door opening behind me, and I jolt my head up, opening my eyes. Turning around in my seat, I watch a Nidoking and Gallade leading an Umbreon into the room. The Umbreon catches my eye and I sense sadness. He's probably worried, like me. The police Pokemon with them also notice me.

I see the Gallade say something to Umbreon, and Umbreon nods, walking my way. Instead of watching him, I watch the Gallade and Nidoking head into the room where Watchog and Heliolisk went. I turn back to see Umbreon staring at me. "U-uh, sorry, miss. So, um, what's your name?" He asks me. I study him, his dark gray fur and gold rings. The most eye catching thing is probably his bright red eyes. "I'm Astra, you?" I respond, and he seems to have to process it. "I'm Atlas, you?" I stare at Atlas for a while until his fur seems to redden. "Shit, sorry. Um, why are you on trial?" I smile at Atlas. "Caught with a gun near some Pokemon, what about you?" "Spray painted near the President's house."

I look at him, trying to process the fact that this kid spray painted near President Tropius' house. "Really?" I ask. "Yep." We look at each other for a while and I decide to continue the conversation. "So what do you think will happen to us?" Atlas looks at me. "Die? Don't know how though. I was thinking gun." "Oh."

It seems as if the conversation has gone down a hole. We just stare at each other for a while. "So Astra, um, got any stories?" Atlas asks. "No, not really. My life was boring until now," I answer. "Hm. Me too. Well, um, what do you think about the weather today?" Atlas tries. "The weather? Really?" I scoff, and he looks embarrassed. "Ah… shit. Sorry, I'm a wreck. It's probably good that they're gonna kill me."

Surprised at his words, head shoots up. "What?!" I yelp. He looks up at me. "Oh, fuck. Sorry miss Astra. I really am. I'll go sit over there." With those words, Atlas gets up and starts padding away. "W-wait!" I yell. Atlas stops in his tracks, and turns to me. "Come on, man, just stay with me, okay? We're going to die together, there's no point avoiding each other for now! We're staying together or so help me, Atlas, I will leave this building and leave you here to die!" Atlas looks a little shaken by my words, and hurries back over to me. "Sorry," he says. "No more saying sorry, okay? That makes us feel sad. So make the most out of your last moments." After speaking I realize I should take my own advice and be happy, I was sad the whole ride over here.

"Okay. We'll be happy," Atlas agrees. I nod at him, a strong smile on my lavender fur, and we turn to the cops as they walk into our room.

(Word Count: 1024)