Daughter of Time, Chapter 10: The First Badge
Greninjaten99: This question won't be answered for a while in the story but I will say this. Humans can't get children with Pokemon in this universe and both of Paradox's bioligical parents were humans. As for why the machine didn't recognize her as one... Well you'll just have to see.
The Pocket Monsters Y Guy: Yeah I'm surprised how many foreshadowing I put in that last chapter I think I will cut back a little on the visions from now on unless I need them for a plot later on. And yeah while this story is mostly based on the games I like to put little references to the anime there and there and well the games really don't give much backstory to Celebi or any mythical Pokemon for that matter, so I might use the anime for their backstory. The major difference is that Ash will not be in their story since he doesn't exist in this world.
Marie glared at the Haunter and the Misdreavus. ''Both of you went too far this time, you're suppose to just scare them not traumatize them half to death.''
Both ghost Pokemon looked down with shameful looks. ''Haunter.'' The first ghost type said sadly.
''Misdreavus.'' The second Pokemon replied not looking up at her trainer.
Marie sighed. ''I'm not the one you should apologize to. When this Elliot boy get out of the hospital you both need to apologize to him.'' Marie was a young girl who had become a gym leader at the young age of fourteen. She had brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a white sundress that gently billowed around everytime she moved.
Her choice of dress rose a lot of eyebrow with people who were familiar with ghost type trainers. Most of them liked to wear darker colors and most of them had a dark view on the world. But not Marie she saw ghost Pokemon as her guardian angels and she always felt safe in their company despite their bad reputation.
Suddenly the sound of the door opening interupted them. Marie gawked as the same two trainers as yesterday came back. ''You're arleady out of the hospital? Shouldn't you be in bed right now?'' The gym leader asked in concern.
Elliot shook his head with a tired smile. ''I'm... Not allowed to battle until tomorrow but I didn't want to miss Paradox's match so I'll only watch today.''
The young gym leader sighed but then smiled. ''Alright then, Paradox is it? How many badges do you have?''
The blonde girl looked nervous at the question. ''Umm, this is my first gym actually.''
Marie smiled gently at that. ''Alright then this battle will be two against one, you are able to subsitute your Pokemon. Since I will only be using one Pokemon obviously I won't be able to switch.''
''Two against one that seem kind of unfair for you.'' Paradox said with a frown and Marie smiled.
''If you had more gym badges I would have used more Pokemon but since this is your first gym I give you the advantage. But just because you have an advantage shouldn't make you underestimate me. My Pokemon are more than able to beat two Pokemon on their own.'' She said with a bit of pride in her voice. She then turned toward the Misdreavus with a loving smile. ''Are you ready for this Anna?'' The ghost Pokemon nodded with a determine smile. ''Alright! Show them what you got sis!'' Marie yelled with glee and the ghost Pokemon floated into the battlefield.
Paradox looked at the Pokemon and shivered slightly as she remembered what had happened yesterday but with a determined glint in her eyes she turned toward her Marill. ''Splash I choose you!''
The blue and white mouse excitedly made her way into the battefield and bravely glared at the Misdreavus. ''Alright let's do this! Splash use Bubble Beam!'' Paradox yelled.
''Take this!'' The Marill shouted before blowing a stream of bubbles at high pressure toward the ghost Pokemon.
''Alright sis! dodge this and then use Shadow Ball!'' The Misdreavus almost got out of the way of the attack but some stray bubbles caught her on the side and she winced in pain but the ghost type still managed to create a shadow ball and threw it toward the water mouse.
''Splash get out of the way!'' Paradox yelled but it was too late and the Shadow Ball exploded right in front of the Marill. The shockwave was enough to send her flying in the air and crash on the ground with a painful thud. ''Splash! Are you okay?!'' The blonde girl asked in concern.
The Marill lifted herself from the ground with a determined glare. ''It will take more than this to knock me down!'' Splash proclaimed confidently.
''Alright then! Use Tail Whip on Misdreavus and then use Tackle!'' The water Pokemon cutely shook it's tail toward the Misdreavus who looked at her with a confused expression. The Marill took this chance to charge toward her.
But she did not do a Tackle attack instead her tail became enveloped by a blob of water. She then jumped in midair and hitted the ghost Pokemon with a powerful attack that sent the Misdreavus crash on the ground.
Elliot shouted enthusiastically toward the water type. ''Splash just learned Aqua Tail! Amazing!''
Paradox smiled proudly toward her Pokemon who was panting heavily after using the powerful attack. For an instant the blonde girl thought they had arleady won but that hope was dashed away when she saw Marie smile confidently at her.
''That was impressive! But now it's time for us to get serious! Anna use Confuse Ray!'' A orb of light came out of the dust the crash had caused and it rapidly spun around the small Marill. After the orb disappeared Splash became wobbly and looked around the gym and began to use Bubble Beam in random directions.
Paradox even had to duck on the ground as one of her attack nearly hit her. Marie smiled and pointed toward Splash and yelled. ''Alright sis! Finish this with Hex!'' Purples flames enveloped the small water mouse and she screamed in pain.
Once the purple fire diappeared the Marill was left panting and then she fell on the ground and laid there unmoving. ''Splash! Are you alright?!'' Paradox asked but there was no response.
Marie smiled victoriously but quickly hid it and took a professional expression. ''Marill is unable to battle! Please choose another Pokemon to replace her!'' The blonde girl was about to go in the field to retrieve Splash but Elliot stopped her and gave her Splash's Pokeball.
Paradox looked down on the spherical object with uncertainty. ''Why do you want me to use this? You know I'm not completely okay with them still.''
Elliot nodded. ''I know you don't normally like to put Pokemon in Pokeballs but you should do it when a Pokemon has fainted at least. Pokemon can't feel pain when they are inside a Pokeball letting them outside will only prolong their pain. You should let Splash rest until we can go to the Pokemon Center.''
Paradox stilll looked unsure but she slowly nodded. ''Alright if it really stop the pain I will do it.'' Taking the ball in her hand she clicked on the Pokeball's button and a red laser shot toward the Marill and safely pulled her inside her own Pokeball. The girl then turned toward her Vulpix with a loving smile. ''It's your turn Maple, are you ready?''
''Yes! I will avenge my fellow Pokemon you'll see!'' She replied confidently before jumping into the field of battle. Maple smiled confidently as she looked at the ghost who looked like she was ready to faint at any second after her battle with Splash.
But Marie had a secret smiled on her face. ''Alright sis! Let's even the odds shall we? Use Pain Split!'' The Vulpix winced as she felt an invisible force drain some of her life force away and the Misdreavus for her part looked a lot more healthy than a few seconds ago.
Paradox look at this in confusion. ''What happened?!'' She asked Elliot and the boy frowned thoughtfully.
''She used Pain Split this move take the life force of Pokemon and share it equally between both of them. Misdreavus was close to fainting but now she has more health than before because of this move. Maple on the other hand lost almost half of her life force.''
Paradox growled at that. ''That's not fair! We couldn't even see the attack how were we suppose to dodge this?!''
The boy shrugged sheepishly. ''Ghost Pokemon are feared for a reason you know.''
''Alright Maple use quick attack!'' Marie silently chuckled to herself at that but she said nothing. The Vulpix dissapeared in a blur and tried to tackle it's opponent but instead of dealing damaged she harmlessly passed throught the Misdreavus as if she wasn't even there.
Elliot facepalmed at this. ''Paradox, Ghost types are not affected by normal type moves.''
The girl blushed as she realised her mistake. ''Oops I forgot.'' She said with a nervous chuckle.
Marile had an amused smile on her face. ''I'm sorry but if you don't even know your type matchup you have no hope of defeating me. Anna use Shadow Ball!''
''Alright Maple! Like we practiced yesterday! Use Iron Tail!'' Maple's six tails turned into a metalic substance and she hit the oncoming Shadow Ball and sent it back to it's owner. Both the Misdreavus and Marie stood mouth agape before the Shadow Ball hit the ghost Pokemon and send her crashing on the ground with a loud thud.
''Sis! Are you alright?!'' Marie yelled in concern. Anna slowly lifted back into the air and nodded at her trainer but it was clear she was on her last rope as she panted heavily and she had scratches and bruises everywhere. ''Alright use Confuse Ray!''
''Maple use Protect!'' Paradox yelled the orb of light harmlessly bounced on the shield. The Misdreavus looked at the Vulpix in defeat knowing what was coming next.
''Alright! Finish this with Flamethrower!'' The blonde girl yelled.
''Anna dodge!'' Marie commanded but the Misdreavus was too tired to move and took the hit head on. She crashed on the ground once again and laid there unmoving. With a sigh the gym leader retrieved a Pokeball and recalled her Pokemon. ''You did amazing sis.'' She whispered to the ball before walking toward the girl and her Vulpix who were dancing around in joy at their victory.
''Congratulations miss Paradox you beated my gym and as a reward I give you the Fog Badge!'' Paradox took the badge and stared at it in wonder.
''I get why now so many humans are obsessed with battling Pokemon, this rush it feel amazing!'' Marie rose an eyebrow at the strange statement from the blonde girl but she didn't ask.
But then suddenly Marie felt an intense headache and she left really tired all of a sudden. 'Oh not again.' Once the headache had cleared she saw that the two teens and the Vulpix were looking at her with concern.
''Are you alright?'' Elliot asked with a worried frown.
''Yes don't worry about it. You on the other hand should focus on training for your battle tomorrow.'' She replied curtly before leaving both of them alone. Marie made a quck stop to the Pokemon Center to deposit Anna with Nurse Joy ans quickly made her way home. Once she entered her room she watched her reflection in the mirror she could see her face was flushed red. She placed a hand on her forehead and felt that she was burning up.
She sighed and let herself fall on her bed. ''The doctor said I had three months left but it doesn't feel like it. I hope the gym will be okay without me.'' Suddenly one of her pokeball moved and a Pokemon popped out with a worried frown.
''Haunter.'' The Pokemon said sadly.
''Don't worry Haunter. Death is just another adventure isn't it?'' But then her smiled disappeared and tears formed in her eyes. ''You promise you'll be there right? When...'' She let the words go unsaid but the Pokemon nodded it's head with a few tears escaping it's eyes too.
''Then I feel safe, with you and sis there I won't be alone. Do you think I will become a ghost Pokemon too? I wonder what I will be?''
''Haunt, Haunter.'' He cried burying his face in her chest and she gently rubbed the top of his head.
''Shh don't worry about me Haunter. I used to be afraid of death. But you and sis showed me it was nothing to be afraid of. We will stay together forever, right?'' The Haunter hesitated but then nodded and the young gym leader smiled. ''See? There nothing to worry about. Now let me rest I have to be ready for the next challenger tomorrow.''
The frail girl quickly fell asleep and the ghost Pokemon looked at her breathing afraid that at any moments the rhythmic rise of her stomach would stop. But fortunately it didn't and Marie was ready for the coming challenger the next day...
Elliot was stoked this was going to be his first real gym match. Technically he had arleady challenged a gym leader. But it was so late into the Pokemon League he hadn't even bothered taking a badge for his victory. Now he would fight for a real chance at getting into the league. With a smile he let out his two Pokemon out of their Pokeballs.
''Chikooo!'' Chikorita exclaimed happily at seing her trainer and rubbed herself against his leg. Mareep on the other hand looked at both of them with a jealous frown.
''Maree!'' The sheep exclaimed toward the grass type but the Chikorita simply showed him her tongue and lifted her nose in the air with disdain.
''Chika! Chika!'' She yelled while not looking at him.
''Mareep.'' The electric type replied with a sad expression. Elliot turned toward Paradox.
''What are they saying?'' The boy asked and Paradox blushed a bit.
''Your Mareep wanted Chikorita to rub herself against him like she does for you. And then Chikorita said she would rather go mate with a Magikarp.'' Elliot facepalmed and chuckled silently to himself.
''Alright you two! Today we're going to win our first official gym badge! Are you ready?!'' He asked with a excited grin.
''Yeah let's make it all the way to the top of the league!'' Chikorita yelled excitedly.
''I will prove to you that I am the strongest mate you could ever ask for my darling!'' Mareep exclaimed while trying to get closer to the grass type but the Chikorita pushed him away with her vines.
With a smile Elliot recalled both of his Pokemon in their Pokeballs and Paradox looked at him with a weird expression. ''Why are you returning them in your Pokeball?''
Elliot smiled at that. ''I know that you like to let your Pokemon out of their Pokeballs but when you know you're about to battle a strong trainer it's a good idea to hide what Pokemon you have. The element of surprise can decide the course of a battle sometimes.''
Paradox nodded with a thoughtful frown on her face. Now that they knew where the gym was making their way there was pretty quick. With a smile the dark haired teen opened the door and entered the gym.
But his expression turned worried when he saw the gym leader sitting on a chair her face was deathly pale and she was sweating heavily.
''Are you alright Marie?'' Elliot asked in concern.
The young gym leader let out a weak chuckle. ''I'll be alright don't worry about me. The rules are the same as yesterday, are you ready? Then I choose you Haunter!''
Elliot was a bit surprised at the new Pokemon but then shook his head. He should have guessed she would use a different Pokemon this time. ''Chikorita I choose you!'' He said while throwing the ball in the air.
The grass type appeared on the field with a determined smile. ''Let's do this!'' She exclaimed with confidence.
''Haunter use Nightshade *Cough* *Cough*.'' Marie stated in a small voice. The Haunter looked at her with a worried expression, but followed her orders. A dark wave of energy engulfed Chikorita and she felt it dig into her skin as it drain some of her life force.
''Chikorita use Razor Leaf!'' The grass type threw sharp leaves toward the ghost type. It hitted it's mark but it wasn't very effective against the Haunter. Elliot felt kind of bad he could tell both the trainer and the Pokemon didn't put their heart in this battle but he had to have that badge.
''Haunter use confuse ray.'' The gym leader said softly and the Haunter created a small ball of light.
''Chikorita dodge that attack!'' The small Pokemon ran quickly ro the side and evaded the orb just in time. ''Alright! now use Vine Whip!'' Both Elliot and Chikorita were surprised when Haunter suddenly turned his back to them he didn't even move when when the vines hit his back.
''Marie?'' The Haunter asked in a fearful voice. ''Marie! Are you asleep?!'' The Haunter left the battlefield without hesitation which made the dark haired boy gaped. A Pokemon leaving the battlefield was basically a fordeit. But the ghost type didn't seem to care at the moment. ''Marie wake up please! Marie!'' He screamed as he shook his trainer but she did not move.
Seeing that this was serious both Elliot and Paradox ran toward both of them. ''What happened?!'' Paradox asked with a worried tone and she felt dread in her stomach when the Haunter turned toward her with tears streaming down his eyes.
''She's dead.'' He said softly before breaking into sobs. A few second later one of Marie's pokeball began to shake and the Misdreavus appeared her eyes full of tears too.
''Sis! Please tell me this is a very bad joke! This wasn't suppose to happen right now!'' The female ghost cried while trying to shake her trainer awake but just like with Haunter there was no response.
Both Paradox and Elliot looked sadly as the two ghost Pokemon began to cry in each other arms as they mourned the passing of their trainer. Both humans felt remorse, all they had cared about was earning a badge none of them knew that the young girl was so close to death.
Both of them felt helpless as the body of Marie slowly turned cold...
Marie felt a vague sensation of awareness she could hear people yelling her name but she couldn't tell where it came from. But then her vision slowly came and she saw herself slumped into a chair and her two best friends were crying.
It took her a few minutes to realise what had happened and when it did she felt a sense of fear but then she relaxed and made her way toward the Haunter and the Misdreavus. ''Hello Haunter, hello sis.'' She said in a soft voice.
The two ghosts stopped crying and turned toward her their eyes red from all the crying they did. Marie looked around and noticed they were alone. ''Where are the two trainers from earlier?''
''They went to call an ambulance.'' Anna responded with a small voice.
''I can understand the both of you! That's amazing!... But I don't think they can save me, I'm arleady dead. '' Marie said with a frown.
''Don't say that! Maybe, maybe they can find a way!'' Anna yelled before she began to sob once again. Marie took the little Misdreavus in her arms.
''Why are you so sad sis? We're going to be together forever aren't we? The pain of my illness is gone and I won't have to suffer like that again.'' The two ghost Pokemon looked sad.
''T-there's something we gaven't told you Marie.'' The Haunter started to say with a sad frown. ''Only bad people and Pokemon can get turned into Ghost type it's a chance for people like us to get a redemption. Good humans like you... Will be guide straight to the afterlife without any issues.''
Marie looked confused by this. ''What do you mean Haunter? Anna is a ghost Pokemon and she was just as good of a person as me maybe even better!''
The Misdreavus began to cry harder at that. ''I'm so sorry Marie!''
''What are you sorry for sis?'' Marie asked with a tilted of her head.
''I'm not Anna! I'm sorry I lied to you! When I saw you about to jump that bridge I thought it would be better if I pretended to be your sister! Unlike me Anna was a good person she was probably sent in the afterlife as soon as she died. I'm so sorry Marie!'' The deceased gym leader was shocked at the revelation but when she saw how devastated the Misdreavus was she took her in her arms and hugged her.
''Shh, It's okay Misdreavus I forgive you. Maybe you're not Anna but after everything we went throught together you are still my sister.'' The female ghost buried her face into the human's chest and sniffled quietly.
The Haunter slowly made his way toward his dead trainer and he extended a hand. ''We aren't able to go to the afterlife, not yet anyway. But we know how to get there. We will help you find your rest Marie, there's no one that deserve it more than you.''
The young gym leader shakily took the Haunter's hand and the three of them vanished without a sound.
Elliot and Paradox were in a waiting room they had ran toward the nearest phone as fast as they could and now they could only wait as the doctors tried to save the gym leader's life. Both of them were sitting silently not daring to say anything.
Paradox wasn't a stranger to the concept of death she knew that predator killed prey to substain themself but this felt different there was no predator that benefited from the death of Marie the world had just cruelly took her away for no good reasons.
Finally a nurse came toward them but all hope they had were dashed when they saw her grim expression. ''We tried all we could but I'm sorry to say Marie is officially dead. Did you two know her?'' Both of them shook their head sadly.
''We were just here to challenge her gym.'' Elliot said in a hushed tone.
''That must have been shocking to see her die like that, I'm sorry you had to see that. Marie was a lonely girl her only friends were her Pokemon. She used to have a twin sister called Anna and they were happy children in the first few years of their life but then they learned that their father had HIV and had transmitted it not only to their mother but to them as well. Marie lost her sister three years ago. Her mother in her grief murdered her husbands and was sent to prison since then she had been alone waiting to die.''
Paradox sobbed at that. How could the world be so cruel? She used to respected Arceus for the amazing world he had created but this day had shaken her confidence in him.
''Don't cry miss, a good girl like her is sure to be in a better place now. For a long time Marie believed her Misdreavus was her dead sister. We didn't have the heart to tell her that humans can't turn into that Pokemon. Most humans turn into Yamask or Phantump if they even turn into a Pokemon when they die. But now I'm sure she has been reunited with her sister at last.''
The nurse left the two teen alone. Both of them stayed there for a while not saying anything then after almost half an hour they left not really knowing where they would go.
Marie felt at peace as both her ghost Pokemon guided her she had been right all along her Pokemon were her guardian angels. She didn't really knew where they were going but she trusted them completely.
Finally they stopped and they arrived in what seemed like a old but well maintained room it looked like the type of rooms you would see in a manor owned by an old wealthy family. The walls were lined up with sofas of all shape and size she could hear the sound of a grandfather clock ticking in the background. A fireplace illuminated the room and in the center of it all stood a large desk with the scariest Pokemon Marie had ever seen.
Both of her Pokemon bowed toward the tall being. ''Hello lord Giratina.''
The guardian of the distortion world looked up from his desk and looked toward the trembling human with a reassuring smile. ''Hello Marie I have been waiting for you.''
Had her Pokemon betrayed her? Why was she in front of this scary looking Pokemon? She wanted to run away from here as fast as she could. Seeing her fear Giratina sighed and lowered himself to seem less intimidating.
''Don't worry despite my appearacne I will not hurt you. As the strongest ghost type in the world I am the one that greet the souls of the departed and guide them toward afterlife. But contrary to popular belief you have a choice on where to go. You can go in what you humans call Heaven and rest in peace for as long as you wish, or you could decide to reincarnate and get another chance at life. Be warned that with the second choice I will have to remove all your memories.''
Maries was still scared to death, literally. But she took her courage and faced the giant ghost type. ''Where is my sister Anna? is she in the afterlife?'' She asked with what would seem like a courageous voice if it wasn't for the fact she was still shaking like a leaf.
Giratina closed his eyes and searched throught his memories then when he found the information he wanted he looked toward the young girl. ''Unfortunately she is not here. When Anna came here she was devastated to have never started her Pokemon journey so she decided to reincarnate instead.''
Marie looked sad at the revelation but then determination flowed through her. ''I-if I decide to reincarnate could you make sure I will be reunited with my sister?''
Giratina looked thoughtful at the request. ''I could do this rather easily but you wouldn't remember that it's your sister you're with.''
Marie shook her head. ''I don't care I want to be with Anna she's the most important person in my life.''
Giratina nodded. ''Very well, however there is no guarantee you will be human again are you okay with this?'' Marie seemed to think about that for a while but she decided to accept anyway. As long as she was with her sister she didn't care what body she had.
''Very well then Marie. You have lived a very unfair life I will try to put a few strings so that your next one will have a happier ending.'' Marie was engulfed into a bright light and she felt warmed all over and then she vanished. Leaving her two Pokemon alone with the legendary of antimatter.
Giratina turned toward the Haunter and Misdreavus. ''You two know that you haven't earned the right to go to the afterlife yet, right?''
The two Pokemon nodded sadly. ''Yes we know we only wanted to make sure our trainer wouldn't be alone.'' The Haunter replied nervously and the legendary Pokemon smiled at that.
''You might not be able to enter the afterlife yet... But you two have been very good ever since you met Marie. Continue this way and in a few years I might give you the location of Marie's reincarnation. Maybe you could become friends all over again.''
Both ghost type gaped at Giratina and Misdreavus shed a few tears of grattitude. ''T-thank you lord Giratina you are too kind.'' The female ghost said with a shaky voice. The former gym leader's Pokemon left and Giratina got back to his desk.
He sighed once again when another human appeared and the poor thing nearly fainted when he saw the legendary ghost type. ''Why do Arceus gave me this job? Everytime a human see me they think I'm going to send them to hell even thought that place doesn't even exist. It's much funnier to send bad humans back to earth as a Magikarp and let them figure out how to survive with the move Splash.'' The legendary Pokemon chuckled darkly he couldn't wait to see how a certain leader of Team Rocket would handle being a useless fish.
Marie felt warm and she could hear the faint sound of voices. ''A Pokemon egg! You gave me a Pokemon egg for my birthday!'' She could hear the muffled voice of a young girl say. She was currently trapped into a tight space but she didn't feel afraid, the space was very comfortable and wet.
''Yes but you have to be careful alright? Taking care of a Pokemon is a big responsibility.'' The voice of a man said.
''I'm three years old! I can take care of a Pokemon!'' Marie almost wanted to chuckle the voice reminded her a bit of her sister Anna... Wait who was Anna? Did she even have a sister? And who was Marie for that matter? Was that her name? She tried to remember where those names came from but her memories came to a blank and soon she also forgot the names themselves.
She felt like she should be afraid of forgetting so much but she felt at peace. But she still was curious about the owner of the voice and wanted to see what she looked like so she began to gently pushed against the wall of her comfortable prison. As soon as she did she heard a gasp from the other side.
''Daddy look! The egg moved!'' The voice of the girl cried excitedly. Encouraged by the voice she began to pushed harder until finally the wall caved in and she fell on a soft surface. Opening her eyes the light hurted her eyes for a little bit but after a while she could make out the shadow of a girl.
''Awww look at it, it's an adorable little fox!'' The voice of the girl cooed softly.
The male voice returned. ''It's a Fennekin they're the fire starter of the Kalos region. I know you're a little young to get a starter but I thought it would be good if you learned how to raise a Pokemon before you start your journey.''
She regretted breaking from her warm prison the world outside her egg was cold and cruel. She was shivering and crying softly as the cold tortured her fragile body. ''Aww poor Fennekin are you cold? Come here.''
She felt herself being taken into the girl's arm and sudenly she felt warm once again. She yawned softly and began to feel very sleepy. She had completely forgot what she tried to remember by that point the only thing that hadn't disappeared was her love for the girl who was comforting her. 'Anna, I'm back.' She heard a voice say in the recess of her mind before it was silenced forever...