Chapter 3- My Other Self
"Hey mom, I'm home!" I said as I enter the house. I walked over to the kitchen where she was cooking. Her face was serious meaning that I am in trouble again. I just stood there waiting her to chew me out as usual. She just looked at me with those burning eyes that made me wish for the ground to just swallow me up just then and there. Even though she was almost a feet smaller than me I could never stand up against her when she was mad. She was one of those lucky Mexicans that were gifted with their light skin complexion making her appear part white which to me is scarier.
Mom- "I thought I told you to clean the place before you went out to hang with your friends. I had to clean it all myself and I have people coming over in an hour, and I still need to finish cooking and get clean."
Normally I just stay quiet till she finishes, but every now and then I didn't think. I let some of my stress out. "I did clean before I left, they are the ones always making a mess", pointing towards my younger brother and sisters running around the place. But as usual she just ignored what I said.
"They are still kids. That is why you're suppose to stay and watch over them instead of going out all the time."
Those words always made my blood boil without exception. The anger showing in my tone. "Kids? I was six years old when one of them was born and ever since I have been babysitting them. They are older than I was back then. They should be old enough to take care of themselves and clean up their own mess." She stop cooking and looked at me just as angry as I was.
Mom- "If you don't like it here then you're welcome to pack up your things and go live with your father. I'm not gonna keep up with a 'good for nothing', see if he even wants you!"
All my anger was replaced by sadness and depression. I just walk over to my room, and laid down on my bed crying myself to sleep.
I felt someone shaking me softly. I open my eyes but it was all a blur. There was a figure standing over me, couldn't tell who though. "Mom?" I rubbed the tears from my eyes, focusing my view. I hated when people I didn't trust saw me crying, which is to say I hated when anyone saw me crying. I open my eyes to see Chansey standing next to me with a sly smile on her face.
Chansey- "Sure. I can be your mother if you want."
"What?! No. I just… I just had a weird dream that's all. I forgot that I was here." 'In the Pokemon world.' I climb down from the bed. I wasn't sure what to feel. Happy that my family is gone. Sad that I'm no longer with them. Chansey clear her throat to get my attention.
Chansey- "Well, shall we go? Nurse Joy and Jimmy are waiting for us outside."
I nodded my agreement as we left my room. And for the first time since I got here I felt utterly lost and confuse. I know nothing of this world. Where will I go? What is my purpose?
We walk through the same corridors as yesterday towards the patio. This time though I could walk on my own two feet. She stop me in front of the doors. Concern in her face.
Chansey- "Get ready for a fight. I will try to get Nurse Joy to help you out. Till then, do try to hold on."
I had forgotten about the fight. The Irony, escape a life of enslavement to get drag into another one. "Do hurry. I don't think I will last long." And with that, we walk through the doors into the patio. Nurse Joy standing at the side of the building while Jimmy was in the middle. No one else seemed to be here. I sighed internally, 'so much for getting lost in the crowd'. Chansey quickly made her way to Nurse Joy as Jimmy walk up to. For the first time I realize how small I am. He was about three feet taller than me. I forgotten how small Riolus are. Jimmy squatted down to meet face to face. He seems so happy...it pisses me off.
Jimmy- "Glad to see your finally well. I have been waiting this whole time for you to recover. I have decided to make you a part of my team. So what do you say? Ready for a fight Riolu?"
I put my fist in front of his face as I scream his ear off. "I say fuck you! Now leave me alone before I punch you in the face!" He just smile even more like an idiot as he took a few steps back.
Jimmy- "That's the spirit. Come on out Kai!"
He threw the Pokeball between us releasing an orange lizard with a flame in his tail. Ready for battle, his tail began to burn brighter, as was my anger.
Jimmy- "Kai, use ember."
I raise my hand in a desperate attempt to get the lizard's attention. "Hey! Wait a-", but it was too late he had already spit a small ball of fire towards me. I tried jumping to the left causing the attack to hit me in my side, sending me a few feet back. I manage to get up again cover in dirt and a burn mark in right rib. "I said wait you stupid lizard! Can't you see I don't want to battle?!"
Kai- "Sorry, but I'm just following my trainer's commands."
I had notice that I was growling at them out of pure anger. I glanced over towards Chansey for help, but she was distracted with Nurse Joy. I doubt they have been paying attention at all. 'Just a little bit longer'. I got drawn back to the fight as soon as I heard Jimmy giving his new command.
Jimmy- "Kai, use ember to get close and then use scratch attack."
I began to jump back as the lizard began its barrage of ember. Most pass by my sides to keep me from moving around, but a few manage to scratch my sides. I kept doing the only thing I could do, keep jumping back till I hit something rough. I press my paw against the surface of the...wall. I was pit against the wall with no way out. I stare at the small reptile as it slowly made his way over to me without stopping his barrage of fire balls. Every step my heart skipped a beat to my inevitable defeat. My eyes began to get blurry as I felt a few tears being absorb by my fur. My blood boiling of rage. I felt something cold and dreadful consume my heart. I embraced it, all the hatred I had in me towards my family and everyone else. 'I will make all of you pay'. I felt my body give in before I saw something dark rise up from the corner of my eyes.
POV- Chansey
I was trying my best to convince Nurse Joy to stop the fight, but she said it was against our policy not to interfere with trainers. I glanced towards the fight seeing Blake jumping back towards the wall as small fire balls were spat at him. 'Hang on just a bit longer'. I turn my attention back to Nurse Joy who seem in thought. "Well can't you do anything? He isn't that all. There must be a few strings you can pull. At least till he can defend himself."
Nurse Joy just stood there for a moment deep in thought before responding.
Nurse Joy- "I don't think we can do anything. We can try talking to Jimmy. To give that Riolu more time to rest, but if he doesn't accept then there is nothing we can do."
'Great'. All he needs is time for him to learn how to defend himself. "Thanks Nurse Joy. Surely he will listen to you. Just look at that poor thing. He can barely dodge those attacks." At that moment I realize everything went quiet. I turn to the battle fearing for the worst. Instead I was shock at what I saw. The Charmander had stop his attack and just stood there with his jaw open and wide eyes in disbelief, his trainer in the same gesture as him. They both were staring at the Riolu who was releasing something black out of his body. 'Is that aura?' Even Nurse Joy was speechless as we all saw his blue fur turn black and the black fur got a hint of dark red before our eyes. His expression became cold and hard, one of pure hatred. I just took off running towards the battle without thinking.
POV- Jimmy
I couldn't believe what I saw. A black Riolu standing before me. 'This is so amazing. Must be one of a kind, and soon I will be his trainer.' I felt so pumped about this match. I manage to regain my posture. "Kai, snap out of it." I waited as my orange lizard shook itself out of his daze, "Char!". I noticed the now black Riolu still standing there. 'Time to finish this'. "Kai, use scratch." I watched attentively as Kai ran up to the Riolu, leaping in the air to strike, when the Riolu quickly punch him in the stomach sending him back a few feet. Kai dragged itself up ready to fight, but his flame had weaken. I couldn't stand to see him get hurt anymore, but another chance like this may not present itself again. "Kai, do you think you can keep fighting?" The reptile got ready to attack once more. "That's the spirit." I glance at the black Riolu who was running straight at Kai. "Kai, prepare to counter." The reptile buried his feet partially in the ground, waiting. The black Riolu was getting closer, but jump over my charmander, ignoring him completely. His crimson eyes were focus on me. I tried running away, but my body just fell to the ground shaking in fear. A dark ball of energy build on his right palm. I felt my blood drain out of my body. I turn around, scrambling to my feet. Chansey was also coming my way with an egg in hand. I duck bending backwards till I felt my head connect with the hard ground. My head began throbbing from the pain as a clench my eyes shut. I open my eyes slightly to see something blurry fly over me follow by a loud crack noise. I roll over on my stomach to see the black Riolu laying on the ground unconscious cover in small white pieces of the egg's shell. 'How did things go so wrong?'. I drag myself to sit down on the ground when an orange lizard jump into my chest, rubbing his face into my shirt, "char..char...". I rubbed the back of his hand trying to calm him down, "It's okay Kai. I'm alright. Nothing is going to happen." I regretted my poor choice of words as he burst out in tears, getting my shirt wet from his tears. I got up as Nurse Joy join our group, holding Kai in my arms.
Nurse Joy- "oh boy. Wasn't that a surprise?"
'Surprise? Did she knew this?' "Nurse Joy, you knew this was going to happen?" A hint of anger in my voice. She just wave her hand in front me gesturing a no.
Nurse Joy- "Jimmy, you know that putting my patients in danger is out of the question. Of course not. I knew he was different, so I though a little battle might reveal what makes him different from the rest of his kind. I wasn't expecting him to change color much less use shadow ball."
I took a quick glance at the fainted Riolu, and was startle. The black smoke was coming out of his body again. I hadn't notice my body tense up till Nurse Joy wave her hand in my face. I just pointed towards the Riolu's body. His fur was returning back to normal at a slow steady pace.
Nurse Joy- "Interesting. Chansey, go heal our little friend over there, and do take a sample of his black fur before is completely gone. As for you, Jimmy, I think we shall call it a day. You're welcome to come tomorrow and visit."
Nurse Joy began leading me away. I couldn't help but stare at the Riolu as he was taken away. 'Tomorrow, we will win.'
POV- Blake
I awoke to a throbbing headache. I began rubbing my temples till I felt my fur cover in a sticky substance. I open my eyes to see my hand cover in blood. I burst out in panic, "What the fuck?! Blood!..." I groan in pain from the headache getting worse. I heard a voice, "you shouldn't scream, we are in a hospital after all." I turn to see Chansey in a chair next to the door. I probably woke her up with my scream seeing as she was cover in drool. "Well pardon me, but I'm more worry about the blood coming out of my head." She got up, wiping the drool off her mouth. She began checking my head, sliding her head around my fur.
Chansey- She let out a sigh before speaking. "Well you open up your wounds. And after it took Nurse Joy an hour putting them up with the state I left you in. I guess you will just have to let it be like that, is almost heal anyways."
I just stare at her in confusion. "The state you left me in? What are you talking about?" She appear a bit worried now, it showing in her cracking voice. "Please tell me I did not give you amnesia. Nurse Joy will kill me for hurting our patients. I probably should have thrown the egg bomb somewhere else than your head." I sigh internally, 'you need to explain yourself better.' I sat up on the bed, scooting back for my back to be against the pillows a bit. "Look. I have no idea what you're saying. The last thing I remember is that charmander having me pin against the wall. After that, everything is a blank. So what exactly happen after that?" Chansey went to get the chair and set it next to the bed, taking a seat. She just sat there thinking for a moment, 'this is gonna take a while.' She clear her throat to begin talking, "well I was trying to convince Nurse Joy to step in when we heard everything get quiet. I fear you had been captured, but when we look Jimmy and Kai were in a state of shock. Before all our eyes you were realising this black aura smoke thing, and it turn your blue fur black as night. I immediately took of running on instinct towards you. Even your original black fur got a hint of dark red, and your expression grew cold. I tried to order Jimmy to run away, but I was too far away to be heard. Instead he sent Kai to attack which you easily push back with a punch to his stomach. It was like you had lost your soul, no instincts would make a Pokemon act like you did. You were focus on Jimmy for some reason, and began chasing him, completely ignoring Kai. By the time I got there you were about to strike Jimmy with a shadow ball, so I threw an egg bomb at you. That's how you wound up here in this state." I took a deep breath trying to take everything in. Some things made no sense. I look at Chansey waiting for more, but that was it. I stared at my body for a minute, it was still the same blue as always. "Chansey, you're messing with me right? Look if I got capture than there is nothing I can do, but that doesn't mean you have to lie to me. We both know that I don't know any moves. Plus my fur is still the way I remember it. What you say about my fur changing color sounds impossible..." 'Then again, I was human once.' Chansey put a small bag containing black fur in it. I stared at its context for a while, questioning its meaning. She patted me in my arm regaining my attention.
Chansey- "That's your black fur. Nurse Joy had me take some to run some tests on it. The tests should be done by tomorrow. As for you being able to use shadow ball is...well unheard of. No Riolu should be able to do that move. We believe it has something to do with that change you went through. We check and recheck your other tests and there is no sign of you knowing any moves at all."
I wasn't sure if it was the pain or all this information, but my headache was getting worse. Still I had to know. "Chansey, what off Jimmy? Will he finally leave me alone?" She got startle by the question as her eyes widen a bit before returning to normal. "Well, I doubt Jimmy would give up that easily. However Nurse Joy wants all of us to meet to discuss about that. I guess I will translate for you since you can't communicate with humans yet." Now I was startle. "You can speak English?" She began giggling to herself. "I have been since the first day we met. I have to in case of emergencies where Nurse Joy isn't available. Or in this case to translate." I felt a bit of irritation at her statement. I spoke as calm as I could, "then why didn't you talk to Jimmy himself about letting me go?"
Chansey- "Right. Sorry about that. I guess I forgot. I rarely talk to humans other than Nurse Joy, so it totally slipped my mind."
I'm starting to worry being around her. First she forgets things, and then she knocks me out. "Well thanks for the information, but I need some time to process all this if you don't mind."
She got up returning the chair back to where it was before heading out, saying her farewells. I just lay there in bed thinking about what happened, and what is to come tomorrow. 'I hope he doesn't try capturing me again." As soon as I thought that I heard another voice rang, one cold and without heart say, "don't worry. Next time he is dead." I shot up out of bed looking around, a chill running up my body, but there was no one there and the door was close. I was alone in the room. That voice sounded like... Mine.
