CHAPTER 10: Promises

Three days have past since the 'bad news'.

I was too sad to eat or sleep ever since then, and no matter how much I was offered, I continued to stubbornly refuse.

There was some good to the three days, however.

Staraptor and the rest of my team had decided the best way prevent another of them getting kidnapped, was to stay in the Frosty Forest.

They each offered to do a job for Absol if they are to stay.

I couldn't look at my team the same anymore though.

Blaziken was my first Pokemon.

I grew up with him.

My team felt... Incomplete.

I spent most of the time in my room, just needing some alone time.

I hadn't even let Absol tell me his 'plan'.

I was lying quietly in my bed until suddenly, "Damian?" an unfamiliar, young, female voice asked.

I looked to see Treecko standing five feet from me.

"I just want you to know that... Even if you can't be a human again, that you're still my best friend. Thanks for catching me and being my friend," Treecko muttered.

She approached me for a hug.

I removed myself from the bed, not responding in any way.

Not even hugging her back.

But as she hugged tighter seconds later and, I decided to hug in response.

"Thanks Treecko. I'm glad to have you as my Pok-" I rephrased my sentence, "as my friend."

Pokemon aren't pets.

They have thoughts and feelings just like humans.

If anything, they don't deserve to be used for battle and fashion shows.

They shouldn't be trapped in a ball for half of their life.

Pokemon should be able to live like humans do.

And if I become human again, that will be my speech to the world.

But I still have a feeling I'll get a lot of excuses as to why we can't do that.

I can think of one good thing to becoming a Pokemon though. Bonding and learning more about my own Pokemon.

I released her and said, "What's it like being the smallest of the group?"

She shrugged.

"Eh... Its cool, I guess. No one will bully me knowing who I live with."

"Pokemon get bullied?" I asked.

"Yeah! Especially me! Well, I used to... Until Blaziken and Weavile talked to the big kids for me. Sure enough, those guys didn't mess with me anymore."

I sighed as she mentioned Blaziken.

"Its confusing hunh? Seeing your best friend like this?"

"Not a lot of humans turn into a Pokemon."

I laughed.

"I'm younger than the other guys, but... I'm smart for my age. They tell me that a lot. I like you guys a lot. Weavile's super funny and smart, Staraptor and I have a lot in common, other than because we're both girls. Ampharos is just cool to be around, Floatzel is really... He's kinda hard to talk to but... He does a lot of nice stuff. But Blaziken... He always looked out for me. Kinda like a daddy. I miss him, Damian. That stupid Team Plasma is just full of mean people! He's not coming back is he?"

I shook my head.

"No... He's coming back. He's alive... I know he is. They won't win, Treecko. I won't let them. I... promise."

She smiled at me and gave me another hug.

"Thanks."

I smiled back at her and left my shell to see Weavile playing chess with Gallade.

As soon as Gallade saw me, he stood up from his game.

"Damian! You're out of your room!" he exclaimed.

I raised my arms halfway up in a shrug.

"Yeah... I gotta talk to Absol."

"Sure, I can take ya up there right now."

"No... Its fine. I wanna climb it myself. One day you'll be out and I'll wanna talk to him. I've watched you climb a couple times, so I'm sure I'll get it."

Gallade nodded.

"I can teach ya-"

"No...its fine."

"Okay, [Dcoope131] just be careful. Its hard to do your first time," Gallade warned me.

"I'll watch em climb," Weavile offered.

"Please do," Gallade ordered.

I followed Weavile outside and began my ascend up the snowy mountain.

"If ya nerd help Damian, lemme know k?" he asked.

"Yep," I replied as I pulled myself from ledge to ledge.

With ease, I made it to Absol's Peak.

I tried to pull myself up to the very top, but it was extremely slippery on the surface I held onto.

I could see Absol.

I panicked as I lost my grip and began my fall down the mountain.

"Damian!" Weavile shrieked.

I knew I wouldn't die, I had too many Pokemon around me that wouldn't just let me drop to my death.

I suddenly landed softly onto an icy slope that wasn't there originally.

I went down the ice slide, and was caught in midair by none other than Absol.

I landed softly on Absol's back and I was shortly afterward dropped to the snow.

'Oh my God. He's quick.'

"You good?" Absol asked.

That had to be the first time I've ever heard Absol use any kind of slang or improper speech.

"I almost made it man... That sucks."

Absol laughed at my reply.

"Damian has officially returned to us!" Absol exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know. Anyways, I wanted to talk to you about your plan."

"Before I do, please explain why you did not leave your room for several days."

"I... I didn't wanna... I dunno really..."

"Was it because you felt a weakness take over?"

"I guess its cause I didn't want you guys seeing me... Like this. Y'know?"

"You were afraid of us viewing you as weak for almost surrendering?"

I looked down at my paws sunk into the white snow.

"Yeah," was the only word I could think of.

Absol simply smiled at me.

"Damian. I know you and your Pokemon-"

"Pokemon... Just Pokemon. They're not mine... They're my friends. I don't own my friends," I corrected.

He seemed pleased with my sudden interruption.

"I know you and your friends, well enough to state that they will not look down to you. Blaziken is your friend. I understand your insight as you chose flight over fight."

I looked at him with a quizzical expression.

"Do you know of fight or flight?"

I shook my head.

"It is a psychological defense technique that determines your choice in very troubling situations. Fight or flight only occurs in time of crisis for people and Pokemon. For example, I am alone in an unfamiliar forest. I have never been to this place before. I am searching for an exit from the forest, but I am suddenly stopped by... Rhyperior and Magmortar. Both are much stronger than I am. They decide to attack me. Now, I have two choices in the matter. I can strike back and stand my ground. Fight. Or, I can simply run away. Flight. Understand?"

"Umm... Kinda," I muttered.

"But you see, it doesn't all involve battle. In your scenario, giving yourself to Team Plasma is flight. While remaining here, and continuing to push your goals forward to return human again, to go back to your previous life... That... Is fight."

I looked at Absol like the motivational speaker like he is.

"You chose flight. But I refused to let you do so. I know how amazing of a person you are Damian. I'm satisfied to know you made the correct decision. I would be honored to say that," he gestured me to stop looking at the ground and at him, "I'm proud of you Damian. We haven't known each other long, but I have faith in you. I have never had a child of my own, and I would be proud to claim you as my own. I have the most respect and highest expectations for you over anyone else. I have told you that."

'Wow... He really thinks a lot of me. I mean I already knew he respected me a ton, but... More than anyone else?'

It was good to know Absol was there for me.

It was good to know that all of my friends were there for me.

I forced a smile.

"Thanks Absol."

He smiled in reply.

"It is my pleasure."

I thought about what to say next.

"Umm... About your plan?" I asked him.

"Ah, yes! The shock collar you gave to me... I have allowed my good friend to modify the device for me. She has a grand experience with human electronics and items, Emolga. Emolga informed me that she wishes to meet you. She is truly interested in your story. Not to my surprise, however. From what Emolga tells me, we can have some fun with this shock collar," Absol said with a devious grin.

"So, what did she do?" asked Weavile.

"Emolga told me about the device and what it is capable of. She removed the... Tracking... Hmm... I believe she said tracking system or-"

"Global Positioning System?" I added.

"Precisely! G.P.S. She removed it, and split the device into several signals. I'm not electronically inclined like Emolga."

"I'm pretty good with electronics too," Weavile pitched in.

"Interesting. Perhaps you should meet Emolga as well. I am certain you would befriend her. As I was saying, Emolga gave instruction to her many friends to plant signal... Umm... In other words, Team Plasma will be spotting signals from several places. If we can capture one of Team Plasma's Pokemon, we may retrieve information on Blaziken, and..."

Absol wore a devious grin.

"Find the headquarters to stop Team Plasma ourselves."

I didn't like that last part.

"I dunno about stopping them ourselves, I mean... It just doesn't seem possible. Besides, if we destroy the place, we'll just end up not being able to make me human again. Isn't there a Pokemon that speaks human?"

Absol looked at me as though nervous.

"I know one... But I do not believe it would be in our best interest to see him," Absol muttered.

"Well, why not?" I asked.

"I... I cannot lie to you Damian... It discomforts me to tell you this but... Lucario."

"What's so bad about that?" I asked.

"He is a criminal," was Absol's reply.

"How's he a criminal?" I asked.

"He... Is known to murder Pokemon."

I felt a sadness take over.

"D-do you know any other Pokemon then?"

"Sadly... No."

It didn't seem realistic that only one Pokemon spoke human using telepathy.

Then an idea sprung to my mind.

"What about a Chatot?"

Absol perked himself up.

"I'm unsure, but it is a possibility. Pidgeot would know, but he does not occur for another four days time. Hmm..."

I tried to think hard of any Psychic Pokemon with the ability to speak human.

"Legendries speak human, don't they?" Gallade appeared out of nowhere.

Absol looked at Gallade in delight.

"That is correct Gallade! The closest legendary is... I believe Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit. I would have to travel myself, a task I haven't performed in almost 15 years."

"You haven't left the Frosty Forest for 15 years!?" I exclaimed.

"Yes. It is a long journey to see them. Also, they refuse to respond to any unfamiliar Pokemon. No, on second thought... I may require assistance on my journey."

"I can go with you!" I offered.

"I am still debating taking you with me or not. Outside of the Frosty Forest will leave you completely vulnerable to Team Plasma, but yet again, if you join me, you can give a direct message to them. And possibly give you the ability to speak telepathically yourself."

I thought it over for a second.

"Have Emolga mess with the signals then. I don't have a lot of training yet, so we should bring a team with us. Gallade, and my team works out fine."

"Very well. Gather everyone together so we may leave."

I nodded and told Gallade to find Staraptor.

"Weavile, Ampharos. You guys wanna come with us?"

"Anything to help out, Damian," replied Ampharos.

"Yeah. Lets get Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit," added Weavile.

"Can I come too?" asked Treecko.

I looked her direction.

"I'm not saying this in a bad way Treecko. You're just too young to do this. I'm sorry. I would hate myself if I lost you on this mission."

She smiled and gave me a hug.

"Its okay Damian. I understand. Good luck," she said.

I hugged her back.

"I'll be back in no time. Floatzel can stay here with you. Keep ya company."

She nodded and released me.

"Be good, alright?" I ordered.

She snickered.

"I'm always good!"

"Then stay that way," I joked light heartedly.

"Yes sir!" she replied with a salute.

I focused on Gallade and Staraptor whom just appeared.

"When are we going?" Staraptor asked.

"We will eat first and then begin our journey," Absol replied.

"Good, I'm starving!" laughed Weavile.

We all went inside Frosty Forest for some fruits and berries, ate as much as possible, then made our exit from the forest.