Unregistered File: A Pokemon Fanfic by T4AM
Page 2
With the trip to Oak's Lab nearly complete and the sleepy gunk crusted out of his eyes, Basil stretched his body in a little attempt to limber up. Last time Muk was loose Basil needed new clothes, at least a dozen showers, and several if not every tube of toothpaste from the PokeMart... The sunlight burned Basil's arms and face, and the air was so thick with the aroma of food he could almost bite it. Basil hardly knew how to cook and hiding away into the darkness of his rarely illuminated home didn't do too much for his skin. The long walk from the little lab on the hill to Oak's lab in town was nice. Of the few things Basil took joy from the scenery of the natural beauty around him was among his favorite things. He truly enjoyed nature to the fullest. There were times when the little lab he called home got too hot at night, so he climbed up to the roof where he would set up a small hammock and sleep under the stars. He could never know if it was the same thing since he'd never felt it between himself and other people, but the stars, as brightly as they shone, gave him the closest thing to friendship he'd ever felt. Whenever he felt it, he felt like crying. Crying because he felt different even though nothing about him should have been. Crying because he had a hard time enjoying a normal life. Crying because he wanted friendship but couldn't bring himself to get into it. He felt like crying, but he never did unless he got physically hurt.
Basil remembered the day he moved into the small lab 2 years ago. He was 10 then. Basil's earliest memory was when he was 4 years old. Professor Oak took him out into the sunlit Pokemon Habitat where he kept the Pokemon of most young trainers. This was the first time Oak had let Basil interact with Pokemon hoping for a positive reaction, even back then Basil had his negativity about him. Oak had never seen baby Basil very happy even from when he found him in a basket on the outskirts of Pallet Town. He couldn't have been more than 10 to 12 months old. Several Pokemon appeared and approached Basil, wanting to play with him. Unfortunately, Basil didn't take very well with his new playmates. He backed away, but didn't get very far. A Primeape picked up Basil by the hem of his pants. Oak was about to intervene since Primeapes were known for a nasty disposition but the Primeape flopped Basil onto his head, holding his legs to steady the toddler as he danced cheerfully about with the other Pokemon. Oak was happy to see the Pokemon got along very well with him, but Basil looked at Professor Oak as if asking him why he was being punished like this. It wasn't fear, it was just dislike. Oak's heart broke, he thought that if Basil was anti-social with people then at least he'd take kindly to Pokemon. Basil played in his room alone most of his life, and if a Pokemon or other kid approached him he'd try his best to get away.
Oak offered many times to show Basil how to cook despite not knowing very much but was always refused. He refused most things really. He hated kindness. He hated being given things. Oak would oftentimes have to sneak into the small lab to clean it up and leave clothes and sheets for Basil to use, but basil would never acknowledge the kind gestures with anything other than a forced and very obligated thank you. Oak loved this child but he was so ashamed. Ashamed that he couldn't break through to Basil. Ashamed that Basil simply refused to be normal. If Basil continued on like this something had to be done. When Basil reached 10 years of age Oak had one last hope before he would have to do something drastic. He offered Basil a chance to go on a Pokemon Journey. He'd even give Basil his choice of any Pokemon in the Preserve, going to such lengths as to ask the permission of over 40 different Pokemon trainers to allow him to choose from almost 250 different kinds of Pokemon. But Oak's last ditch effort ended up in the ditch. Basil refused even when Oak demanded that he stop his negativity. As punishment for defying his surrogate father by refusing to accept every attempt to show the young boy love and kindness Oak sent him to live alone in his old laboratory for a week. A week turned into a few weeks, a month, a year, and another year and a half.
The door of Oak's lab swung open as Basil entered. Oak was nowhere to be seen. "Professor? Where did you go? I'm here to help you with your Muk problem." A whimper sounded through the air but Basil couldn't tell where it came from. Muk's smell was starting to get into the walls. Basil ran to the desk to find Muk's pokeball immediately. Something hit his shoulder. Something warm. Wet. And it smelled bad. Basil thrust his body as hard as he could backwards just as Muk plopped down from the ceiling. "MMMUUUUUK!" Muk really liked Basil, almost as much as Oak who at the moment was inside Muk. An arm, 2 loose shoes and Oak's head were all that could be seen by this point. "Help me Basil! Muk's Pokeball is on the rack!" Muk launched it's gelatinous body towards Basil who jumped up and gripped himself onto a set of plumbing pipes. He hung on for dear life as Muk did it's best to reach up and swipe at Basil into a terrible hug. "Professor you gotta learn to control your pets! Oh jeez the smell is horrible!" "Hurry up, I think Muk is getting ecstatic!" Ecstatic meant the walls would have to be washed and repainted. Muk got tired of reaching out to Basil and began sliding it's way up a wall, where it's mass began swallowing important research notes and machine parts. Basil took a chance and swung in the direction of the shelf where several trainer's pokeballs were stored. He knew which one was Muk's since it was the only one that was left open at all times for emergencies like this.
Basil almost reached the shelf when he lost his balance and tripped, banging his chin on the hardwood floor. He looked back to see his left leg caught in Muk's slimy appendage, a big goofy grin on it's face. Muk was faster than he thought. He gripped the sides of the shelf as hard as he could and pulled himself up to the open pokeball. Muk gave a strong tug and finally managed to pull Basil into it's slimy hug. "AAUGH MY NOSTRILS ARE FILLED WITH NIGHTMARES!" As Basil's nostrils were assaulted in full force he fiddled with the small pokeball he'd managed to grab at the last second, trying his hardest not to lose his grip within Muk's body. "HurrraUGHRM!" Before Oak could say anything else both his and Basil's heads were consumed into Muk's mouth. Basil felt like throwing up at this point. With one big burst of strength Basil ripped his arm free of Muk's affectionate grip and activated the pokeball, enlarging it and using the return feature. All of Muk's slime and body mass turned to red light and disappeared into the device. With a sigh of relief Oak got up, helping Basil to his feet. "Whew, thank you for the rescue my boy." Basil scoffed then shivered. "Augh, I swear it's still touching me..." Oak simply laughed. There were rare moments like these when Basil could make Oak actually enjoy his negative lifestyle. Humor could always find it's way to anyone, even this boy. Nostrils filled with nightmares, and the way Basil scrubbed his mouth until his teeth were snow white and his tongue almost as reflective as porcelain after the last Muk attack, priceless...
"Oh Basil, well thank you for your help. Muk got excited because his trainer is coming tomorrow. On a related note I have a job for you today and you'll enjoy it whether you like it or not." When Oak spoke sternly he was really practically begging Basil to try and have fun on whatever errand he was sent on. "What's the damage today Professor, or do you need me to push a fridge up a steep hill? "Nothing of the sort, I need you to go to Delia Ketchum's home and give her a hand preparing a welcome home party." Basil thought for a moment. Delia Ketchum, Ketchum, didn't she have a Mr. Mime? "Where's her Mr. Mime?" As if on cue a big white padded hand landed on Basil's shoulder from behind startling him. "Miiiiime..." This was the aforementioned Pokemon, or rather, what was left of the poor thing. It's big round cheeks were a pale pink instead of the usual reddish orange. A big towel was draped around it for warmth. And to top it all off an ice bag and thermometer completed the image like a top hat and a cane. This poor thing was sick. "Need I say more?" "No, no not at all. Eh, when do I start?" "Delia will tell you what you need to do as you go along, and you'll get your meals from her today as well. I hope you're hungry today, her food is the best anywhere." I'll pass on the meals- Oak slammed the palm of his hand on a table to interrupt Basil. "I don't think so young man. You will eat the meals she offers you and you will like it whether you really do like it or not. You will NOT disrespect her or the kindness she shows you because so help me I'll have you feeding the Pokemon every hour of every day until they can't move from obesity! Is that understood?"
Oak hated being stern and demanding at times. If possible he'd never take a harsh tone with Basil. But when Basil began showing his infamous hard headed nature there was no going around it. Defeated, Basil resigned himself to the task. "Fine. Anything else?" "Go pick up a few cleaning supplies at the market and charge it to Mrs. Ketchum. The store will give you a bag full of decorations she asked for as well. That will be all for today and Basil, I'm going to phone ahead and tell her to watch you. Behave yourself, do you understand?" Yeah fine fine whatever, I'm out of here." And with that Basil left the lab, still feeling rather unclean and now mad he was obligated to talk to someone and receive free meals. Well since there wasn't much he could do about it (other than suddenly turn up with a broken arm) he braced himself for the task at hand. When he reached the market he looked inside through the window. There weren't many people inside at the moment but that could change fast. He entered and picked up window cleaner, floor cleaner, air freshener, paper towels and a few other things. He charged the items to Delia Ketchum just as Oak had told him to and picked up the heavy bag of party supplies. He had to be careful not to drop anything as he walked down several roads towards the Ketchum Residence. It was nice, a very beautiful house with a garden that really complimented it. Many hours have been invested into this garden, that much was made obvious to even the untrained eye. With a huff and a sigh Basil knocked on the door.
A cheery redheaded woman in what had to be her late 20s appeared at the door. "Hello Basil, how are you?" "Fine Mrs. Ketchum." Oak had called ahead and had told Delia to be strict with him if need be. Given that many people in Pallet Town knew Basil and his disposition the call was hardly necessary. "Come now you can be a bit cheerier can't you?" She stepped behind Basil and used her index fingers to force his mouth into a smile. "Come on now, smile, smile!" Basil forced himself away from Delia dusting himself off. Whenever he felt nervous about something or lied he dusted himself off. "Look where do you want me to set this stuff up?" Delia pointed towards the Kitchen bar window. "Basil I got a call from Professor Oak, now I know you'll be on your best behavior right?" "Yes Mr's Ketchum." "Just Delia will do." During the course of the next 12 hours the house was cleaned to perfection, the decorations were prepared, and a meal of roast beef as soft as fresh baked bread was had. The last step was to bake a cake and it was getting dark soon. "Have you ever cooked before? I'll need your help for this." "Well no but I won't mess up anything if I can help it." Delia walked Basil through the process of baking. He didn't like being made to do this but he had no way out of it. It wasn't so bad but he didn't like how she lingered around him every moment. Basil never liked being so close to people, not even Oak.
Aside from a small mishap or two the process of mixing the ingredients into the baking dish went well. Delia set the required heat and Basil took a seat at the kitchen counter. "So Basil, I think we've just about finished. Would you like dinner now?" Basil sighed in disdain. "No thank you." "Oh don't tell me my cooking is bad, is it?" "No no eh, far from it, I just don't wanna eat." Delia set down a plate of sweets and poured lemonade for both. "Well too bad since I insist." Basil sighed once again and looked at the clock mounted on the chest of a plastic pidgey-themed wall decoration.. He wanted to leave already but he had a half hour left. "Every time I see you walk around town you wear the same look you have on now, like someone told you some bad news. What's wrong Basil?" "Nothing is wrong, I just don't like being around people. Is that really so hard?" Aaaaannd just as Oak had told her, Basil's downpour of negativity reared it's ugly head. "Well that seems ridiculous. Everyone should like being around others. Did something happen that you d- "Look I'm sorry for the interruption but I gotta stop you right there. It's enough. I've heard these questions millions of times before and not just from the old man. I don't like being around people or Pokemon. End of story." Well, that was a terrible thing to say. It left Delia pretty shocked. "Wait one second there! What are you doing saying things like this? Do you even know what it is you said?" "I know perfectly well what I said and I'm not gonna change my mind. Ever. I don't like being around anyone."
Delia had never encountered someone so hardheaded, at least not someone who had such a hardheaded view of life and had no chance to change his ways. It was impossible, like forcing a watermelon into a thimble without spilling so much as a drop. Why was he like this? "Now you listen to me. I know for a fact that no one in this town has ever shown you the slightest amount of rejection or bad manners or or or or, meanness at all! Why then would you act like this? Everyone is nice to you, Professor Oak loves you like his son, and I have no complaints about your manners." Delia stood up and pointed her finger at Basil's face. "And yet you simply push away everyone's kindness? Why would you do that? And as for Pokemon why would you hate them? Did you have some sort of a bad experience with them? Do you not like certain types?" This young man was the polar opposite of her son Ash. It irked her to no end that such a mirror reflection of her son existed. Basil slammed his hands on the counter and pushed his chair out from under him, a scowl on his face. Someone was challenging his nature again, and he was getting very tired of it. "Lady, lay off, I mean it. Just drop it."
Wouldn't he listen to any reasoning at all? "Basil Oak! You will- "Don't call me that! I don't like taking his name!" She felt her nerves tighten, making her very tense. "Why in the world wouldn't you? He's your father!" "He's no father of mine! I work so I can pay off what I owe him for raising me, after that I'm out of this place." Her nerves were on the verge of exploding in anger. She'd never been so infuriated by anyone in her entire life. Her entire frame was shaking from the sheer fury coursing through her. "Basil what is wrong with you? You're being absolutely irrational! What would your real parents say if they saw you this way?" The last comment must have pushed a button, Basil's face got red and his hands balled into fists. "For all I care they're dead in a ditch. It doesn't matter who my parents were! I just want to live alone in peace as far away from those disgusting creatures Oak obsesses over and away from people like you who can't stop sticking their noses into other people's business!" Delia felt like she was standing in a steel oil drum, soaked in oil and set ablaze. She'd never been this angry in her life. She'd never known anyone who had been! Her heart was beating so hard, as if it wanted to slam itself into Basil's face. "So lay off, I'm done here and that better count towards how much I owe the old man. The sooner I can live alone the bet- Basil stopped speaking, the room was suddenly quiet.
Delia stared at Basil, wondering why he paused. Then she felt pain in her right hand. She looked at it and saw the palm of her hand red as a handful of cherries. The final puzzle piece fell into place when she saw the red hand print on Basil's face. She'd slapped him. She slapped someone? How could she have slapped someone? She was the most non-violent person she knew next to Professor Oak! She felt her anger ebbing away as though it were melting. She really did slap him. She slapped him for saying such awful things, for being so disrespectful. "You're a hypocrite. Do you know that?" Basil's words snapped her out of her thoughts. "A, hypocrite? What do you mean?" "You know very well what I mean." Now she was confused. "You are a hypocrite for discriminating against the way I live, when with the exception for how you interact with people willingly and enjoyably, you live a lot like me. Alone with no one in the house save for a wild Pokemon you haven't even officially captured and registered to yourself." There was no way she could predict what else he was going to say but something in her told her to not listen. She couldn't stop him though, the shock from having slapped him still lingered. "I've passed by your house plenty of times over the years, and the only person I've seen other than yourself was your son. Ash was it? He's been gone for a long time now hasn't he? Tell me, other than him coming home every now and then have you ever had anyone else in the house?
"N-no, I haven't..." She had to answer honestly. She was compelled to. She hated every moment of this, of being talked down to like this, and by someone not even half her age. "Well then, I'll tell you what. Go and call Professor Oak so he can preach to me about my decision to live apart from society as much as possible since he actually gets around and talks to people, and has people visit him in his lab. Because until you can prove you aren't some lonely old woman without a husband at home, a lonely old woman whose highlight in her life is the once-in-a-blue-moon visit from her son, a lonely old woman who never leaves the house unless it's to go to the market, or a lonely old woman who has never done anything worthwhile in her life other than raise her kid by herself, then I don't wanna hear what you got to say. Don't ever talk to me again if you see me. Good night, and get your cake before it burns." With that Basil switched off the oven as he stormed out of the house, slamming the front door. Delia stood there looking through the kitchen bar window and was about to go after him for a stern talking when she tasted salt. She touched her lips and felt her face was wet. She'd been crying the whole time. Her hand hurt, her crying began taking a toll on her body, and she collapsed on the floor, sobbing pitifully.
This was a night of many first experiences for her, all bad ones. Shock. Anger. A deep sadness. And finally, the realization that he was right. What has she been doing with her life? She'd wasted it completely by doing nothing but stay at home. She'd never had an adventure, she'd never done anything even remotely exciting, and she had nothing to be proud of that she could say she did on her own. Ash didn't count, raising her son was most certainly not a wasted effort, but at the age of 31 she'd never even owned a Pokemon. It was true, she really didn't catch Mr. Mime, he was there because he chose to be. She never invited others into her home save for Ash's father, and that was so long ago, she'd been so lonely since then, but she stifled her loneliness by being a busy stay-at-home mother. She tended her garden, greeted people when they passed her home, and she was known as a very nice lady. And, that was it. Delia Ketchum was, as Basil had said, a lonely old woman. Even Ash's friend Dawn's mother had been a Pokemon Coordinator. How could she, the mother of someone who came so close to winning the Sinnoh League, have let this happen? Why was she so lonely? Why did she let this happen? WHY? Her hand flinched back after she'd slammed it against something. She'd slammed it into the hot oven door, the viewing glass cracked and came very close to cutting her, but she still burned her hand halfway to a real first degree burn. She hated Basil for making her feel this way, but she hated herself even more for letting him be right.
As she washed her hand of a couple really small fragments of glass that dug into her skin but not deep enough to draw blood, she began thinking. She didn't want to feel so much remorse like this anymore. After she dried her hand on a cleaning towel and hung it on the handle of the oven door to cover the glass, she made a call which began at about 8:00 PM and didn't end until 3:00 in the morning with the exception of an interruption on the other end for a moment.
Hey there, this is my first work of fiction. I hope all you readers like it. Dunno how to rate it because I dunno how I wanna write it but for now it'll stay tame, despite the "M" rating. I need to know if this is too short for a page, and if so, how much more should I write? Is my writing any good? Did I miss any details or write too many, or even possibly repeat myself anywhere? If anyone thinks they can help me write this then please do speak up. Thanks for reading and I hope to provide a fun reading experience.
(Please read and review. Looking for constructive criticism. If you think you can improve/clean up/help this story then please speak up. First work of fanfiction, flames will be used to kill Kenny. YOU BASTARDS!.)
