NOTE: After writing this chapter after uploading it to DA, I was really unsatisfied. Oh well, I already posted it there, so might as well here.
PMD One Wish Chapter 3: Training
Cass
Darkness. I was lonely in an empty void surrounded me. Heck, I couldn't even see myself. I gazed into the unknown, trying to make something, anything, out of this endless room of black, if you can call it a room. I couldn't feel my feet, nor any part of my body for that matter. It was beyond numb, as if I didn't exist at all.
Out from the void I swear I had just seen a hand reach out for a brief moment. Ahuman hand. It then withdrew back into the darkness. I suddenly felt lonely once more. Then, out of nowhere, the scene gradually faded to white.
My eyes shot open. "Is it time for school yet?"
Vince smacked me across the face. "This is YOUR mission, remember!? Next time, I won't save you!
I replied with "But I don't know how to fi-"
Vince cut in. "Hm. Then come with me." He dashed into the trees of Celestial Forest. I clumsily darted at him, forgetting about Skyler.
"Where are we going? Why do we have to leave this clearing?" I worried.
"Hm. Because I don't think Skyler would appreciate my training." Vince replied. I gulped. What kind of training is this? I tripped over my feet.
"This won't be easy..." Vince muttered. I was really starting to dislike him. Why does he always have to be this way?
Vince halted his running. He turned around and glared at me in my eyes. If looks could kill, I'd be killed three times.
"You... If you don't take things seriously from now on... You might... You might not be able to save someone. Come on, let's go." Uh... wow. Okay, now I know I will have to follow him.
While we jogged through the green of the forest, I tried to remember what had happened previously to going unconscious. I remember being alone in the clearing... Oh! A cloaked guy was the last thing I saw.
"Here." Vince stopped. We had stopped at a new clearing next to a cave entrance.
"We begin our training now."
"But wait!" I shouted. "I barely know how to walk, what makes you think I can fight!?"
"Because if you don't... No sleep or food." Great! Now that he brought it up, I remembered my hunger and exhaustion. My stomach then decided to tell the world.
"Hm. Let's begin. You are quadruped, meaning your defense tactics should rely more prominently on dodging, rather than blocking. I'm sure you can infer why."
Wow, it sounded like Vince knew his combat.
Vince suddenly sprinted towards me. I tried to dodge to the side, but it was fruitless. the blur of blue and black rammed me with a loud thud, and I helplessly slid across the ground, dirt flying into the air.
"Ow..." He was much faster than I could react to.
"You're not quick enough!" Vince exclaimed. "More precisely, you're reaction time isn't quick enough. Reaction speed is essential to pretty much any fighting style. We will focus on that first. When you manage to dodge one of my attacks, you can head back to eat, and then sleep. Got it?"
I nodded. However, I wasn't really sure if I could dodge an attack on an empty stomach. I would have to see.
***
I panted like a Snorlax who had just ran a marathon. The light of then sun had already begun to emerge from the horizon, signifying than it was the break of dawn. I sighed. How could I continue going on like this? I just keep getting more sleep deprived, hungrier, and more beaten up. I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but this is harder than I thought.
Vince slammed his palm into my face yet again. I began to wonder why I hadn't lost a tooth by now. I guess Pokemon like me were just more durable. No, I thought to myself.I'm not a Pokemon, I'm a human. Soon enough, I'll find a way back. Back to my old self, and back to my home."Come on! Get up! We're not done yet!" Vince demanded. I got up slowly due to my exhaustion. All of a sudden, I got an idea. What if I ducked, instead of dodging to the side? It would be quicker! Yes! This could work!
Vince ran towards me, palm ready. I ducked as his paw skimmed just over my head with a whoosh. He then stumbled over and fell behind me, probably not expecting to miss.
Vince quickly recovered. "Hm. You did it. Very well, you may go back to eat and sleep now. This cave could be a potential camp, but Skyler and than old guy are back at the clearing. We'll return here later." Old guy? Who's that? Whatever. I was glad it was over. Despite my hunger, I fell over and fell into unconsciousness.
I awakened to the sight of the team munching on some Oran Berries. Vince was silent. Skyler was trying to not look annoyed while some old Aerodactyl told stories about "back in my day." Wait, what!? Who was he?
"Who's the geezer?" I asked. Vince remained quiet. Skyler forced a fake smile. The old guy outraged.
"Respect your elders, sonny! I'll have you know, I saved your life last night!" Saved my life? How? Oh, well. I was too hungry to question. I walked over to the group by the cave. It was surprisingly easy to keep my balance. I guess the training really did pay off, after all.
Then something struck me. How would I eat? Would I have to just use my mouth? Do I have to eat off of the dirty ground?
Skyler passed some berries to me with a smile. "Eat up!"
Everyone stared at me as I attempted to grab a berry with my paws. I couldn't grab it in one paw because of the lack of opposable thumbs. Then I tried holding in between my paws. I fell over.
I heard Skyler chuckle. "You just eat it like this, silly!" She simply picked it up in her mouth and chewed. I sighed. I guess I would have to eat like that.
Vince got up and walked away again. I wonder what he's doing when he leaves...
