Author's Note: Okay a bit of a rushed kind of chapter. Definitly not my best but that's what you get for writing 3k word chapters everyday.
Chapter 11
Okay I'll take off were we left. I have to say after today I will never shop with Jack again...
XxXxX
It looked promising at first. The market was large and filled with stalls. Each stall had different things. Some had berries from other regions and other had special items. Customers and shop keepers talked about prices and other things. Jack and I stood outside of the southern gate. We stood there for some time watching the people run around. "Is there a better place to shop?" I asked.
"Probably not." Jack said. "All we need to find is a poke-nav and get out." He leaned over to get a better look inside. "I wish it wasn't tourist season. This place is so much better when there isn't a crap ton of people here."
"Obviously." I said. "Any place right now would be better." I sighed and walked under the gateway. "Well let s get this over with." Only after a few steps into the crowd did I regret coming here. Voices filled my head. At first they were quiet and easy to ignore put as we travelled through the groups of people and shouting salesmen, they grew and grew. "Ow." I said gripping my head.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" I looked over. Thankfully I had not lost Jack in the groups of people. "What s wrong?" He asked.
"Headache." I said. "Too many voices." Jack nodded, seemingly understanding what I had met.
"If I remember correctly the electronics stall is close by." He said gripping my shoulder. "I'll lead the way. Just try to block out all the noise." I nodded and allowed him to push me through the crowds. I started blocking out the different voices in my head. Some were annoyed customers and other were the salesmen and woman think about all the money they'll be making. A new voice appeared however. This one seemed just generally pissed.
[Get back here you little bastard!] It thought. The voice was definitely male. [I don't know how you escaped your pokeball but next time you re not coming out!] He was chasing a pokemon? Suddenly something rushed past my feet. I opened my eyes just enough to see a yellow and white furs figure bolt through the crowds. I heard the sound of someone s feet running behind me. I stuck my foot out...
"Gah!" I tripped the person running. The boy fell over face first into the gravel. He had on a blue shirt and shite dress pants. His blonde hair was stained with dirt. He slowly pushed himself up. He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. He looked over and I got a look at his green eyes. "What the hell!" He said moving closer. The customers had made a small circle, not really paying attention, and went back to their business.
"What?" Jack asked. I'm sorry my friend it was my fault.
"He tripped me!" The boy said pointing a finger at me.
"How could he?" Jack said. Thank you for defending me. "I was leading him through the crowds. He had his eyes closed."
"I know he tripped me!" The boy said again. "If you can beat me I'll go." He challenged. Actually...
"Listen." I said slowly. The boy locked eyes with me. Perfect. "I did not trip you, like my friend said." His expression softened. "You were running quite quickly and tripped yourself."
The boy nodded. "Ya you're right." He said. "What was I doing here?"
"I believe you were leaving." I told him. "The exit s that way." The boy thanked me and walked away.
"How did you do that?" Jack asked. Suddenly the voices disappeared and the only thing I heard was the people around me, not their thoughts.
"Easy." I started. "When someone gets head trauma they become confused and easily tricked. Thankfully it worked." What I said was true but that's not how I did it.
"Oh, whatever." Jack said with a shrug. "He's gone, and look." He pointed towards a stall a few meters away. "There's the stall we're looking for." Jack and I made our way through the crowd and approached the vender.
"Ahh, young trainers I see." He said, must see a lot of them. "How may I help you today?"
"We're looking for a poke-nav." I explained. "Do you have any in stock?" He rubbed his chin. After a moment he snapped his fingers.
"I think I have a few in the back give me one moment." The man stepped into his 'back room' which was only covered by a drape. After a few moments he came back out. "I'm out of the normal colored ones but I have these." He placed three navs down. One was a dark green with a small, lighter green, strip coming down it. The next one was yellow with a red stipe. The last one caught me attention, just solid purple.
I picked it up. "How much for this one?" I asked.
"Well for someone like yourself..." He paused to think. "I'll give it to you for... two thousand five hundred poke." Jack seemed taken aback by this. Starting trainer are given a nav for free but if lost they cost a lot to replace. Thankfully, after beating gyms they deposit quite a lot on poke into your account. I currently had about seven thousand saved up.
I nodded and pulled out my pokedex. The man pulled out the small device used to extract the money owed, it looked like a small laptop. After a few seconds the machine dinged and the transaction was complete. "Okay thank you." I said.
"No, thank you." The man said. We waved good bye and turned to leave... But everything had to go wrong. Apparently someone decided to have a sale and the people were all rushing around. We were shoved around almost knocked down. I'm glad I returned Kimmy to her pokeball. Sarah had decided to wait outside, smart move.
Jack and I pushed our way from the crowd and decided to wait in a small opening in between two stalls to wait for the people to calm down. "Well this is has been exciting right?" Jack said. Nice try at changing my mood but I don't think my emotionally messed up self wants to hear it. Great, now I'm talking about myself in the third person. What's next, am I going to start talking to myself as well?
"Remind me to NEVER go shopping in a place you again." I said leaning against one of the stalls. Jack did the same. "How long is this take?"
"Well the last time I was stuck in here it took about an hour or so." jack stated. Great stuck in a small alley-like place and nowhere to go. "We could just keep shopping."
"I could use some sunglasses." I said. "Fine, let s go." I pushed off the wall and headed back into the chaos, Jack followed...
We were stuck in there for about two hours. Jack had bought some odds and ends and even some imported berries. I on the other hand had bought some scratch and dirt proof sunglasses. I could now look up at the sky and not have my eyes burn. We met back up with Sarah outside. "What took you so long?" She asked.
"Listen I know you re annoyed but blame the tourists." I said in an 'I kind of understand you' way. "Let s go I don't want to spend too much time here. No gym, so not much to do."
"Unless you want to go shopping again." A trash can near us burst into flames. "Woah!" Jack screamed. I looked over at the fire, strangely calming. "Stupid people, pokemon take on a lot of the emotions of their trainers. I hate pranksters."
"Stupid people will be stupid." I stated. "Anyway we need to head north. The cycling road is there but I don't own a bike." Jack nodded.
"What about Crystal?" He asked.
"Well, she'll catch on." I stated. "She knows I don't like to be pestered by friends and family too often."
"What about me then?" Jack asked.
"I'm not bored of your company yet." I said bluntly. "And you're very well informed. You also provide descent conversation."
"I don't know to take that as an insult or compliment." Jack said.
"Take it how you feel, friend, I just like you company." I stated. This seemed to raise his spirits. Good, I hate seeing sad people. It's so... Dull.
We walked past the pokemon centre and headed towards the north gates. Several people entered the tent like structure to the left of the gate. "Huh." Jack said. "A battle tent, I didn't notice this before."
"Yes, well we'll have plenty of time to sight see later." I said and continued walking. Jack caught up quickly. We walked for some time quietly. The sounds of nature were calming and serene. I listened to the leaves as the moved in the wind and the small sounds of different pokemon as the talked and played. It was nice. I took a deep breath. Nice clean air.
We walked for a about a half an hour before we came across a house. "Strange." I said. "Who would live all the way out here?"
"I don't know." Jack said. "I think we should just keep going. There's something about this house that seems... Off."
"I agree." I said. "We can't waste time in un-needed explorations." We walked past the house and continue onward.
Bye the time night had fallen we had set up camp under the cycle road. It provided nice cover if it were to rain but obscured the night sky. I released all my pokemon and relaxed by the fire. On another note, one of the odds and ends Jack had bought was a flint and steel, much better for lighting fires. "Ah finally." Greger said stretching his arms out. "You should really invest in some more comfortable pokeballs." I just shook my head.
"Daddy?" Kimmy asked. I looked down at her. "When can I battle?" I looked over at Jack's tent. He had decided to head to bed early but his pokemon were still up.
[She asked if when she could battle.] Angela said.
"Oh well..." I said. "You're still young..."
"But I've watched a lot of you battles." She countered. "I know how to fight." That is true.
"Fine." I said. "We'll see what we can fight tomorrow." Kimmy somehow managed a small smile before rest on my lap. I looked over at Angela who had a look on her face I knew all too well. "What?"
[Are you alright?] She asked.
"Fine thanks for asking." I said. I placed a hand on Kimmy's head and pet her.
[Are you sure because your body temperature is fairly high.] She said.
"I feel fine." I repeated. "Maybe it's because of the market. I might have caught something." She shrugged and went into Jacks tent. Barry stayed next to Greger.
"Wow you evolved." Barry said.
"Yes and I suggest you move away before I soak you." Greger threatened. Barry got up and went into Jack's tent. Tommy and Ben were the only ones of his team still outside.
Tommy looked at Sarah. "Hello." He said.
"Hi." Sarah said back.
"It is nice to meet you." Tommy stated.
"I thought we already met?" Sarah asked.
"Oh yes we did." He replied. "Sorry, my memory is not that good."
"It's okay." Sarah said. She laid down and yawned. "I'm going to sleep."
"Me as well." Greger said. "Sleep well Dallas." He laid back against a small tree. I have never heard Ben talk before.
"Ah you're wondering about little Ben here." Tommy said. 'He's mute, doesn't talk." Ah that explains it.
"Well Tom I'm going to sleep." I told him. "Make sure I'm up early." Tommy nodded. I laid out my sleeping bag and laid down. Kimmy was breathing softly on my chest as I drifted to sleep...
"Hey get up." I felt a slight poking on my face. My opened slowly and Tommy stood above my head. "Ah finally!" He said. "Jack's already awake and ready to go." I rose slowly and noticed Kimmy wasn't on my chest. In fact she was walking around examining every little thing. I rolled up my sleeping bag and put it away.
"Daddy, finally!" She said waddling over. "Let s go I want to battle!"
[She's very eager.] Angela said.
"Ya I guess." I said. Kimmy was at my side the entire time as we got everything together. When we were ready to leave she didn't even want me to hold her. She's growing up so fast. I'm glad I'm not getting that 'I'm old' feeling. We walked for some time before anything happened. A small green pokemon jumped from the bushes.
It stared at us for a moment, growling slightly. It looked between Jack and I. Kimmy walked towards it. "Electrike." I said. "Very territorial, why would it make a nest near a main road?"
"I don't know but Kimmy seems very eager." Jack said. Kimmy and the electrike stared each other down. The electrike s growl grew.
"Okay perfect first fight for Kimmy." I stated. A ground versus an electric. I can't believe I haven't checked her moves before. I pulled out my pokedex and scanned Kimmy. All the regular data popped up but I wasn't interested. I found the move listings. Her first move was bite, which she demonstrated already. The next was faint attack, sand attack, and... Oh wow.
"Dallas would may want to have Kimmy attack soon." Jack stated. I looked over and the electrike was charging for a move. I closed the pokedex.
"Kimmy." I said. She looked over. "The move your about to use is VERY powerful. Keep it down okay?" She nodded and I took a deep breath. Whoever dropped her off at the day-care must have breed her to be a battler. "Okay then. Earth power!" Kimmy stomped a foot on the ground. The area around shook for a few seconds then stopped.
The electrike looked around for a few moments. "What was that-" It didn't get to finish it s statement. The ground below it exploded and sent the small pokemon back into the woods.
Jack's jaw almost popped off. Kimmy was doing a victory dance, pretty much just jumping slightly and spinning. "How the..." Jack said.
"I'm guessing breeding." I said. "Some pokemon are born with powerful moves because they had powerful pokemon." Jack popped his jaw back in place. I walked over to Kimmy. "Good job Kimmy."
"Thanks Dad." She said. No more daddy? "And can you call me Kim? Kimmy is a very childish name." Well at least she got something good from me. I nodded.
"Jack, are you going to stand there all day or get to Mauville?" He ran over to us. The walk consisted of Kim dancing around happily and Sarah dodging Kim whenever she got to close. It wasn't too exciting. A few pokemon flew through the air and others watched us from the trees and bushes. I could hear their thoughts quite easily now. It also wasn't overwhelming and I could tune out those I didn't want to here.
Some were thinking about us, are they going to catch us or why are they here? Others were wondering why that strange pokemon was bouncing around. It was fun but felt a bit... Intruding. It was like breaking into someone s house except well... It was their head. Suddenly another mind shot out from nowhere. [Damn it!] It said. [Why can't this little prick leave me alone?]
I looked over through the trees. The voice was strongest to my left. "Dallas what's up?" Jack asked. He seemed to be asking that a lot lately.
"I'll be right back." I said walking through the trees. Sarah and Kim followed me. I let the voice lead me through the trees.
[Ahh!] I bolted towards it. I came into a small clearing. The wind moved the grass around except in a single spot. Whatever it was must've been hurt. I walked over to the small indent. There was a pokemon lying down, it's breath shallow. It had yellow all around it's body and s white bunch of fur around the neck.
"Ah great." He said. "Now I have to deal with another one." The pokemon had a large gash on it's side.
"Hey!" I looked up and saw the boy from Slateport again. "Get away from him." next to him was a green pokemon with scythes for hands.
"Oh no." He said lying his head down. Kim and Sarah had made their way over. Kim was watching the boy approach while Sarah stared at the pokemon below. I probably could Identify it but I have to worry about this guy.
I slowly stood. "Back up." I said raising a hand. "This guy s hurt and I'm guessing you did it."
"Ya I did." he said. "He broke his pokeball." Broke his pokeball? Wow you're a bigger dick than I thought. "And I want him back."
"Well, he obviously doesn't want you!" I looked over to Sarah. She had left the pokemon's side and was now standing next to me. Why was she acting like this? "SO, back the hell off!" She released a shadow ball at the green pokemon. It made contact and sent it flying back. The pokemon slowly rose.
"That's it." He said. "Scyther, use aerial ace!" The Scyther's blades glowed as it charges at us. Kim was frightened I could hear her thoughts. Sarah thoughts were filled with rage. What was going on with her? She fired another shadow ball at the incoming opponent. It was too quick however and easily dodged the attack. I had to think of something. Those blades could easily take down Sarah.
The scyther appeared in front of Sarah for a split second before being shot back by a thunder bolt. Behind me the pokemon was standing on it's legs, blood dripping down it's leg. "I am not going back." He said. I met his eyes and nodded. Okay then, let s try something.
"Fine then." He returned his scyther. "Let s go-" But his pokeball froze in the air before being thrown back at him. The impact sent him to the ground. I kneeled down. Ow, that hurt...
"Dallas!" I looked over to see Jack entering the clearing. Angela was at his side as they walked over. "What happened?"
My vision was blurring in and out. Everything seemed in slow motion. I felt heavy and slumped to the ground. I heard a few shouts then blacked out...
My head hurt and everything was spinning. I was in a void, nothing around me but darkness. It felt like I was moving but couldn't see or so anything, just float. Everything got cold, it was like someone had stuck me into a freezer. I wish it was warmer. I wish I was somewhere warm. Like the beach in Slateport.
The memory brought on a heat wave. The cold melted away and was replaced by a nice blanket of warmth. I 'laid' down and relaxed. It was funny; who would have thought that being trapped an unable to do anything would be like this. It was like... Like... Who the hell is that?
"Is he going to be alright?"
"He's suffering some kind of mental break down."
"What's going to happen?"
"If he's lucky then nothing. But we've seen stuff like this happen. He may suffer memory loss or end up going crazy."
"Is there anything you can do?"
"Not much. We'll have to wait and see."
Memory loss? Going crazy? Bull, I feel fine... Well I'm stuck in my own head so it could just be trying to trick me. What, am I going lose my memory? What will happen to everyone? Jack, Crystal, my pokemon... Damn it. This place just turned from good to bad in under a minute. It's only been a minute right? I'm technically sleeping so it could have been longer.
How can I get back? I can't just wait there has to be a way for me to WAKE UP! I opened my eyes. Everything was blue. What the hell? I rose from my sleeping position. Sarah and Kim lay at my side. Jack sat in one of the chairs near the door, Barry and Angela sat next to him. The pokemon from before, which I now know is a jolteon, stood on the chair in the corner, watching everyone in the room.
[What is going on?] I said, my voice sounding distant. [What the hell's wrong with my voice!] It seemed to echo throughout the space around me. Angela jumped from her sleep and looked around.
[Dallas?] She asked. She couldn't see me.
[I'm here.] I said. I got off the bed, my legs passing through Sarah's sleeping form. I looked back at my body. I was breathing slowly. [What's going on?]
[Dallas where are you?] She asked.
[Right in front of you!] I shouted.
{Alright geez, you don't have to scream.] She said. [What happened?]
[How am I supposed to know?] I said. [I'm a ghost.]
Angela looked right at me; her eyes glowed for a second. [Not a ghost but a... projection.] She stated. [How are you-]
[I have no idea.] I said. Suddenly I felt distant. Like I was drifting away. [Woah, what s going on?]
[You need to get back to your body.] Angela said. [You can't stay like that for long.] I nodded, knowing that she couldn t see me. I sat back down on the bed and laid back...
The world hit me like a brick wall. I shot up from the bed, breathing deeply. Sarah and Kim both fell off the bed with a small scream. I rubbed my face making sure everything was in order. Memories check. Body functions seem in order. Oh and I'm not insane... Yet.
Sarah's and Kim's twin screams woke Barry and Jack from their sleep. The jolteon didn't even flinch. I took in a few more breaths. "Dallas. Are you alright man." Jack asked. I blinked a couple time and tried to speak but no works came out.
[What is happening?] I thought.
"I got you to Mauville as soon as that guy ran off." Jack explained. "The doctor said you'd be out for weeks."
[You heard that?] I asked.
"Ya why wouldn't I?" He asked.
[It s because he's speaking telepathically.] Angela said. She had hopped onto the foot of the bed.
"What?" Jack asked. "I thought only psychics... No way."
I wish I could just fall back asleep. I was hoping to keep this on the down low until maybe we weren't in a highly populated area. "That's awesome!" What? "Dude why didn't you tell me? We could have done some much. Your abilities could open new research and-"
"If you value our friendship you will not mention this to anyone." I said coldly.
"But..."
"Drop it." I said.
"Fine but you owe me." He stated. "I want to see them once we leave town."
"Fine." I said. What a wonderful reunion. I'm out for who knows how long and now my secrets out. [Thanks a lot Angela.]
[It's not my fault you use your powers.] She thought. That reminds me. I got a closer look at the jolteon. He had a bandage around his waist that covered the cut he had.
"Jack, go get a room." I said. "I'd like to just spend some time with my pokemon." He nodded and grabbed Angela and Barry.
"I dropped the others at the day-care." Jack said. "Greger knew you'd be fine that's why he's not here." Jack closed the door behind him, leaving me, Kim, Sarah, and the still unnamed jolteon.
"So..." I said. "What's your name?"
The jolteon raised an eye brow. "Why do you care?"
"Well I'd like to know the pokemon that I helped and ended up letting my secret out." I said.
He sighed. "Chris." He said. "Not the name the douche who was chasing me gave me. I chose it."
I nodded. "Okay Sarah what is it?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked.
Let me think. "You don't have the best record at keeping secrets." I stated. "And you speak your mind. It would be hard to tell you anything without it slipping."
"But-"
"Sarah, I'm sorry." I said. "I promise if anything pops up I'll tell you." She nodded then looked to Kim.
"You seem oddly calm." She said.
"I knew Dad was special." She stated. "He can t hide secrets from me." I couldn't help but smile.
"Okay yes." Chris interrupted. "Family bonding, making up yada, yada, yada. The only reason I stayed was so I could heal up. I would like to leave now."
"Who's stopping you?" I said. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came. "You could've left but you didn't. Why's that?"
"Because unlike most people." He stated. "I respect those who risk themselves for others. It wouldn't have felt right leaving until you were better."
"Well thank you." I said. "Means a lot."
"Ya well, I'll just take my leave." Chris hopped down from the chair and over to the window, which I just notice was open, and hopped up.
"Wait!" The sudden outburst caught everyone off guard. "You don't have to go. You could stay with us." Sarah had moved to the side of the bed nearest the window.
"Well if you haven't guess yet I haven t had the best time with trainers." Chris said.
"But you've seen Dallas." Sarah continued. "He's not like your old trainer." Chris just rolled his eyes. "Well He's better that some stupid ten year old. Would you rather be caught by one of them?" Chris thought about this for a moment.
"Good point." He said. "Fine I'll stay but on one condition."
"And?" I asked.
"If I decide I want to leave then you won't stop me." He said.
"Fine." I said. "I'll worry about that later though. I just want some sleep."
"But you've been sleeping for..." But before Sarah could continue I drifted off...
XxXxX
Ya a lot happened in... Well at the time I thought it was one day. I got a new team member who ends up being a very good friend, and not just to me. Jack definitely acted differently than I thought he would have.
Okay another chapter done. Dallas's secret is out and we gets a new team mate: Chris. I thinking about increasing the time inbetween chapter what do you guys think?
This is Raziel Beyon and I hope YOU have a good day because I'm not... Stupid cold...