Chapter 10: Intriguing Conclusions
A/N: There really isn't anything much to say these days, is then? Other than to expect a revision of chapters 4-9 sometime soon, but not necessarily before chapter eleven. Take a look at the blog for more information. As you know, the blog can be accessed using the "homepage" link on my profile. That is all.
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-ays now, I think I've got everything worked our right, should the situation ever require it. Based on what I think I know, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to guess that. For Alvin's sake, I sure hope I'm right, but for mine... I'm not so sure. Nor am I sure about weather I would enjoy or detest being in his position.
I don't think he's realized what the benefits of his position could be... when I'm around, and presumably, when I'm not, Alvin seems to act as human as he can... does he realize that I'm not holding him to our standards like this? What about his own parents... perhaps he thinks his parents or some other individuals will think of less of him... despite being gifted as I have, his mind no longer reads anything like...
David paused in his writing, licking the tip of his pen, and using his free hand to flip on one of the lights, glancing only once out the porthole to his right, to the sun, casting amber shadows across the dancing sea.
...well, I was going to say... but then; books aren't exactly renoun for their thinking ability, are they? No... His mind doesn't feel human at all to me, which is most unusual given his behavior. Perhaps some Pokemon are more like "us" then I've previously thought-
Alvin could still communicate in English when they were connected telepathically, as no other pokemon could. Well, that was wrong... Alvin could communicate in English when they were connected, and there were no pokemon David had met with a similar capacity. This wasn't to say he couldn't read most of Alvin's desires and emotions when they weren't, but if he hadn't known better... he wouldn't have thought him anything more than a highly mature pichu. And in this, David did not know weather to be encouraged or deterred.
-I don't know... Given a bit of time, I'm sure Alvin could answer that question. He seems to be able to communicate perfectly with them. The big question in my mind is weather he would wish such a thing, and unfortunately, I already know the answer. Perhaps if we can find a definite cure, he might be willing to stay a few more days to help me learn more of pokemon mentality. If not, I'm sure I could do just as well from his position.
Still, such option will be held for the time that we discover a cure. Science is nice, but self-sacrifice is hardly the way to push it forward. Alvin wouldn't be able to write my results properly anyway... but then again, if my aforementioned calculations are correct, as I am sure they are, would being stuck really be so bad?
It's an interesting proposition, to be sure. On the one hand, we have this animal world: Completely free of restriction, ruling, or prejudice. The ultimate selfish aspiration: A complete and total connection of one's own needs with the desire to fulfill them. Aside from that, without humanity or its tools, food will only be as plentiful as one's own ability to obtain it, not to mention the lack of medicine should illness afflict.
And on the other side, humanity... Restriction, lack, hunger, reservation, fear (though I can't see animals having less of this than we humans do), not to mention the petty flaws and intolerances of imperfect individuals. But also... selflessness, industry, creativity...
He paused in his writing, silencing the movements of his pen just long enough to hear a few of the more resounding cords of Beethoven's "Quasi una fantasia", echoing in the confines of his small metal chamber. The piece was hundreds of years old, the legacy of a genius who's body had long turn to ashes and dust.
Of humanity, we have creative genius, technical promise, and immortality through great works. Music...
Music was one of David's favorite things, the more ancient classical pieces in particular. One of those goals he had never quite completed was the learning of the piano... it were pieces like this that had the power to move the hearts of men who's greatest descendents had yet to be conceived.
There is, though, the potential, and often the immoral practice of humans to abuse these gifts. Team Rocket in particular... just how much theft and murder can one group of people get away with? In this animal kingdom, and perhaps with Alvin, now, I can't imagine anything like that ever happening. True, they eat each other for food, and often attack each other for species, territory, or mates, but there are almost never more complex motives. The evil that is bureaucracy these creatures will never know, and money could never be a factor. Thus, they would be immune to greed.
Regardless, that option will be held in reserve indefinitely. At the moment, Alvin needs me on two legs far more than he could on four. Speaking of which...
David put down the paperback journal in which he had been writing, pulling from his belt that light ball that now held his dearest (former) human friend.
With the hand that still held the pen, David finished the paragraph: Alvin's been in there for four days now... I don't know just how much of an insulation for his mind that could've been, but I suppose now is as good a time as any for me to find out. I'm sure he'll appreciate the break, anyway...
Having pokemon out on this ship outside of designated areas was prohibited, but after being underway for two days, David doubted very much they would be angry at him, or be able to do anything about any objection they may've held. Besides; how could they even find out? This cabin, small as it was, was a private chamber. It was David's, and David's alone. No one would see.
The youth pushed the clutter of notes and other paper items from the bed beside him with one arm, set the pokeball down, and pressed the release key in the center.
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The last and most recent interval of time had passed a blur of events for Alvin. Had it been merely hours or weeks, he could not say. What he was sure about was what he had done with these interesting incarnations of his friends. Apart from perfecting his skiing ability, he had; gone swimming, seen a few very strange movies in the nearby theater, ridden the gondola up to the observation deck, taken a good, long hike in the snow, and learned to (with the addition of heavy cream) melt ice into ice cream. By all accounts, it had been a relaxing holiday... aside from it never happening.
The days had all smashed together in one large conglomeration of joy, fear, and surprise. For one; he was surprised at so naturally the images of his friends coped with such strange appearances, instincts, and emotion, with actions that suggested they had no knowledge of how things would've been different if their state of humanity was maintained. Tanner and Tyler, always recklessly plowing down the slopes before David or Alvin could step off the lifts (which seemed to mysteriously activate as the group approached, and deactivate when they left), leaving a trail of sparks in their wake.
Being the smallest had been an interesting change too. As a human being, even this many years ago, Alvin had always been the tallest and strongest of their little group (but like the others, he still had little visible muscle that wasn't involved in his own transportation), but now... now the opposite was true. Even the twins, who were at least six inches and several pounds shy of David, were at least a quarter of a foot taller, and a great deal lighter, each. At least these images never seemed to complain about Alvin's frequent naps. He couldn't help it. Even in here, he seemed to get tired. That didn't really make much sense, but who was there from him to complain to, anyway?
Though Alvin could scarcely remember every day, it had seemed at least two weeks, perhaps more. So much time, that they had run out of things to do. That wasn't to say Alvin could try to imagine more into reality, but doing so with places he had not actually visited when he had come the first time might destabilize this image... he wasn't about to risk that. These four individuals now sitting beside him on that single bench overlooking the very peak of the observation deck, licking thoughtfully at fruit flavored ice-creams it was obviously far too cold to eat, seemed just as much like true people, just as real to him as their human counterparts were in the ever-changing world beyond. He knew this state could not be maintained forever, knew that any moment, these beside him could fade away into the white mists and light of his own memory and never be seen again.
Unfortunately for him, any moment was far sooner then he had wished. For just as David raised the blue, sugar-based confection he was holding in one pawed hand, the world seemed to dissolve from before him. Alvin's friends seemed to wave one last time as they too vanished in the swirling mists.
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Alvin blinked up at the human David, his body still frozen numbly in that standing position he had occupied just as David forced him to retreat into the pokeball's seemingly dark depths.
Instantly, and without prior warning, Alvin released all of the electricity he could muster into David, producing a shock that caused more than moderate burns... or at least, it would've, had David not seen this coming. He was wearing one of those little static-protection armbands one wore when manipulating sensitive machinery, its single alligator clip firmly attached to the steel wall of the ship beside him. The thin cord had been nothing near the gauge necessary for dealing with the amount of electricity Alvin had fired his way, but the combination of it, and the large interference of such a colossal metal object's (namely, the ship) magnet field, David was spared from all but the mildest of jolts.
And amazingly, almost inexplicably, Alvin had been largely spared from the effects of his own lack of control as well. Possibly a few days in a pokeball had given him a larger mastery of this body. More than possibly, it seemed almost undeniable. Nevertheless, the electric discharge, large as it was, had done little to overwrite the anger and annoyance he felt at David for the direct violation of his wishes. Sure, being inside had been nice, and he no longer had any reservation about doing so, but these facts could not change those that David had written four days hence, which had prevented Alvin from any action other than participation in his own memory, as well as modified incarnations of his own memory. Alvin could only observe his friend, in that David hardly seemed perturbed by the large pocket of electrons that had careened into him. He would've shocked him again, but for using his entire store of energy on the first wave.
"David! I can't believe you did that!" Unlike before, when he had been desperately trying to convince David that he was completely stable and calm, Alvin had no threat of impending doom hanging over his head. "Do you realize what you could've done?" His outraged shout did quiet significantly on this second statement, but that was more to his realization that he was no longer standing on a stump than anything else.
From his perspective, the small metal chamber was a cavernous vaulted room, but with just enough floor space to run in a large circle on corrugated metal. The single bedside table that housed several of David's smaller belongings as well as the alarm clock was just below head level, and with a start that pushed him forward once more onto all fours, Alvin realized the entire room was moving. It hadn't been the shock of this that had pushed him forward, though, but rather, one of the larger and more elaborate rocking motions of their vessel. He was far too short to see anything but blank sky out the single, round window.
"I knew the risks... but I didn't see the likelihood of anything like that very high. I was right, it would seem. You look intact..." He smiled slightly despite having just been shocked, smoothing down his unruly hair with the back of one hand. The static band had helped, but it was still standing as it would had he been in contact with a Van De Graph generator. When he was done with his own hair, David began fingering that little tuft of fur on Alvin's head that marked the spot where a full head of human hair had been only a week before.
Alvin hardly reacted to this: Quite the contrary, he was so absorbed in their conversation that he scarcely at all noticed what David was doing. During his time in the pokeball, his friends messing with his hair in a brotherly sort of way had become almost routine... as such, with such a short stretch of time between then and now, he hardly noticed. "Yes, I am fine now... and I was fine there, too. I would've rather been our here though... I might've helped you!"
This quite obviously wasn't true. Unless David planned on entering one of those cutest pokemon contests, Alvin was far more harm than help. He needed food, water, attention, and lots of sleep... and when he thought about it, the Pokeball really did make the most sense. Now that he was sure it would not cause him harm, he would be much less objective to it in the future.
David chose to point none of this out, however. Alvin already felt inadequate and useless, this the gift told him. To point out further inadequacy and how he really had been of zero use could hardly serve to bolster the pichu's self-confidence. Instead, he chose to strengthen a topic Alvin had already (in part) began, in combination with genuine curiosity. "Just how fine were you? I've always wondered... we all know how the pokeball works, converting matter into energy and storing it with aid of an intense electromagnetic field... but we don't really have any idea what it actually feels like... thought now, I guess you do. What's it like?"
Alvin's anger seemed to dissipate hundreds of times faster than it had come, the potential to provide beneficial information, and to be of service to mankind in general, provided relief from this feeling of inadequacy. "It's so strange... at first, it's like... going down in one of those boxes that people ride up and down," No word for elevator. Blast it all. "And at the same time, being pulled smaller and smaller... when that goes away, the inside is completely white light, which thinking can change to match memory or imagination." He paused for a moment, thinking back to all the skiing and swimming, and tanning, and all those other things he had done with his little trope of friends made from modified memories. "How long was I in there? It felt like... days... or weeks... a really long time, either way."
David began to frown slightly when Alvin said this. Weeks? So a pokeball was far less of an insulator for the mind than he would've thought. Granted, he hardly showed the deterioration possible for the time he had enacted in his own mind, but if it seemed like more time... well, it would be a win-lose situation. Little better than being out and about.
"You've been in the pokeball for four days and three hours, but I'm sorry to say this trip is far from over. This isn't a ship for trainers... I will have to put you back... and it isn't a fast boat, either, so it may take several more days still. I didn't have much money on hand..." David flushed slightly at this comment, but Alvin was hardly upset. David was giving everything to help him now... going far above and beyond the call of duty. This was what best friends did, but still... he had no grounds to hold any anger or frustration against David, at least for this. "If you weren't so small, I wouldn't be able to let you out for a time even as short as this... but from what I hope I know about this ship..." He glanced to the flat panel of sensors on one of the walls with a somewhat worried expression. "You shouldn't generate enough heat or energy, even when attacking, to set off security. At least, not at first. That attack of yours, though... I don't know by how much, but I'm willing to bet that considerably limited the amount of time we'll be able to keep you out." He blushed slightly more. "I know you don't like pokeballs, and I'm sorry for what I did before... there is a daycare onboard! If you would like, you could stay there for the last few days with Des! The price was included for all patrons!"
Many pokemon, including Des? That idea seemed strangely appealing, if unwise. But aside from the risk of losing more humanity by association, there was the enormous potential that he might, perhaps, learn to do a bit more than crudely blast electricity David's way. He had never had one, but rumor had it that, with patience, it was even possible to teach pichu "Zap Cannon," one of the most powerful (albeit inaccurate) electrical attacks that exist. With a move like that in his capacity, Alvin would be able to participate much more wholly should self defense as a need arise.
"Sure! But not for a few days... I'm not ready for something like that, not yet... I would like to learn a bit more about wild Pokemon first."
David didn't look heartened or reassured by this remark. "I don't think there's any way to do that here... I brought a few books, but I don't think either of them would be of any use to you. And my Pokedex... that might help. Trouble is, human knowledge is only so much. With time you might be able to help fill that gap, but I doubt such would be of any use to you."
Alvin was unperturbed. "When we're done talking, just put me back in the pokeball. I'll be able to learn enough to make it with Des's help... at least I hope so." David had said this wasn't a ship for trainers. If that were true, it was unlikely there would be many Pokemon in this day care. Apart from making sense, this would make things much easier on Alvin. The fewer there were to deal with, the easier time he would have adapting... assuming the number of other species were reduced. His body was quite fond of the idea of other members of his species, as well as other electrical rodents, with which to play and otherwise associate with.
"If you're sure... unless you decide to go to the day-care right this very moment, I don't think we have much of a choice. Sure, these thermal-sensors are weak, but we can only expect to fool whichever guard is watching them for so long. I don't want to take too many chances, and every second puts us in more risk. If it's alright, I'll leave you In your Pokeball until I'm checking you in the daycare?"
This statement, if perhaps, not the question itself, was appalling to Alvin on more than one level. True, it made perfect sense, and was highly practical, but it multiplied that feeling of inadequacy by a good several times. Check you in. Your pokeball. David's manner of speech made him feel like... like... a child, perhaps even a baby. At the moment, the irony of it was not the least bit amusing. He felt so strongly so that, in a way most unlike anything he would've dreamt of doing in humanity, Alvin began to cry, burring his face in the perfect and compete concealment offered by the reflective side of the sleeping bag David had placed there. Though, like before, tears weren't such a prominent thing so much as the sound; a high, pitiful wailing perfectly suited for any infant who had not met his or her daily quota of milk.
Immediately David began stroking his fur lightly again, no longer feeling embarrassed in doing so. Alvin was soft, and he could feel that it was stress reliving for the both of them. While there were certainly considerable losses in Alvin's loss of humanity, there could be little doubt as to what David preferred. While it had been unfair of Alvin to assume David had attempted to keep him in the pokemon state because he preferred him in such a state, the observation itself had not been flawed. Pokemon thoughts were much more peaceful, relaxed, and regular. Having a friend one could communicate with on human level who's thoughts did not "Stink" of rotting fish and burning rubber was a pleasant change.
"Don't cry Alvin, please..." Had he not been aware of his thoughts, Alvin's lack of words would've prevented David from gathering any clue as to why the pichu was suddenly upset. Fortunately for the both of them, telepathy worked in one way as well as interactively. "I didn't mean to say it like that, alright? It was an accident... what I meant was: This pokeball would be a good place for you to stay for the next few days, until you are ready to go to the day care."
This apology was lame, and thought it was clearly not well thought out, there was a depth and sincerity to David's voice which soothed Alvin's tears as soon as they had started (clearly, his emotions were no longer lived than the average human teenager's, and as easy to heal in the short term as any young child's could be)
"O-ok... that s-sounds alright to me... Alvin paused, glancing around the room, and pausing in silence only momentarily to listen to the straining sounds of ancient classical echoing from the one of David's earpieces that was not currently attached to an ear. "I'm ready... or as ready as I ever can be for something like this... I don't care how many times I do this, it will never feel right... now I know why Des hates it so much." True, going inside would never appeal to him, but at least his activities once there would be pleasant, and this time, with luck, much easer to begin. Alvin did not think to mention his inability to access human memories from after puberty when inside, nor the ease at which he had gathered information on those things which had happened so long before. With that much extra information, David would've known far more about his current state, and what would happen to him should a way to return to humanity ever be devised.
David paused momentarily, lifting the empty pokeball to the light and inspecting it for a few moments more. He had held similar if not identical devices in his hands hundreds of times, but when one held your best friend, it meant a great deal more. Then, with one sharp movement involving the pressure of a single key, the beam of red light quickly found Alvin, returning him to that prison of imagination and memory.
David smiled to himself, watching the light completely fade from the sky above, miniaturizing the pokeball and returning it to his belt beside the other five. He sat in silence and stillness for a long time, eyes distant and unfocused. Then, with a slight flick of his right wrist David picked up his limp pen once more, and taking his journal on the bed before him, he began to write.