Chapter 12
How about that weather Castform!
I was having another nightmare. It was so real like the last one. I saw graves. The cemetery was located in… Littleroot Town. The order of the graves was Matthew, Mika, Azrael, then Mady. All of them were dead. The last grave was mine, but compared to the other graves the description was… frightening. Here lies Matthew, a man who showed the most powerful spirit. Here lies Mika, a woman who always won passing on her smile. Here lies Azrael, a man who forged a path for his friends to follow. Here lies Mady, a woman who lived every day to the fullest with her friends by her side. In my hand writing on my grave was here walks Kevin, a man who cares deeply for his friends. Forced to watch those he cared for and loved die. He who saw people run out of time.
. . .
"Kevin you fucking bastard wake up." Matthew attempted.
"Bark." Asahi said.
"Mika try something." She said.
"Wow after that he's still asleep." I said in surprise.
"Only if you slept this well Azy." Leaf chuckled.
"Leaf… keep your dirty intentions to yourself." I whispered.
"Hey guys... what is going on?" Mady asked.
"It seems like Kevin is having some insane nightmare." I replied.
"Why is he shaking and moving violently?" She questioned.
"It depends on the intensity of the nightmare." I answered.
"Mika can't Cascade help." She hinted.
"Cascade use Water gun and aim for Kevin's face." Mika guided.
"No!" Kevin exclaimed after he finally woke up.
"Hurry up Kevin it's already ten." Matthew said.
. . .
"Wait I think I've seen that car somewhere before." I stated.
"Kevin your mind could be playing tricks on you." Azrael replied.
"No. That's Professor Birch's field vehicle." I blurted.
"That's right!" Professor Birch exclaimed.
"Professor what are you doing in Slateport City?" Azrael asked.
"Well you see Matthew didn't take his Pokédex. So I figured I would come see you to give it to him." He answered.
"What brings you to this area?" I asked.
"Well my second question was if you guys wanted to come to the Weather Institute." The Professor replied.
"Well no one seems to be against your proposal." Azrael answered.
. . .
"Azrael can I start sleeping with you again?" Leaf asked.
"No." I whispered.
"Asahi sleeps with Kevin." She retorted.
"Well she's a dog and you're human like. That would make it look weird." I argued.
"Azrael just let her do as she wants. Saying no will make her more likely to do it against your will." Kevin whispered.
"Wait you…?" I muttered.
"No time for this." Kevin interrupted. "We're just about there." He added.
As we came closer and closer to the Weather Institute I felt tension rising. Mika was the only other person besides me who was seemingly normal. Matthew was calm only because he was trying to work his new Pokédex. Kevin looked as if he were frozen in fear. Finally Mady seemed worried constantly scanning our surroundings as if looking for something.
"We have arrived." The Professor said.
"Great god Arceus!" Matthew blurted.
"Matthew press the power button." Kevin guided.
"Follow me to the top floor. That's where they're keeping Castform." Birch said.
"Does that thing have boobs?" Leaf asked.
"No it just looks like it does." Kevin whispered.
"Look. Giant floating breasts." Matthew said pointing at the Castform.
"Shut up." I whispered.
"So professor how long will the test take." A scientist asked.
"Not long at all." He replied.
"I hope nothing goes wrong." I whispered to Kevin.
"Oh no." He replied as he walked away.
"What's wrong with him?" Leaf asked.
"You act as if I know everything." I replied.
. . .
I heard that the professor was studying the effects of weather conditions on Pokémon. Specifically rapid change into unusual weather. Azrael's words still echo in my mind. Doing something like this could end in extreme disaster.
"What's going on?" I yelled.
"Hurry we must take control of Castform." A grunt reminded.
I heard commotion follow after the grunts made it to the top floor. Soon after one came rushing past me with the Castform. It looked as if he was putting something on the Castform.
"Kevin come on!" Matthew exclaimed running down the stairs.
"Kevin tell us where the criminal went." Mika commanded.
"I don't know, but they have a control device on the Castform." I replied.
Once we made it to the entrance of the Weather Institute we lost Matthew's tracks.
"Crap. Matthew was the only one who was able to chase the grunt." Azrael blurted.
"This way!" I called to the others.
"Why is it suddenly freezing?" Mady asked.
"This is caused by the move Hail." I answered.
"To hell with this weather. Stop running so I can kill you already!" Matthew exclaimed.
"Castform use Weather Ball." The grunt commanded.
"Asahi use Takedown." I said.
"Leaf use Razor Leaf." Azrael guided.
"Hope use Magical Leaf." Mady said hastily.
"Cascade use Rain Dance." Mika said pointing at the sky.
"Damn. He got away." Matthew said furiously.
"Matthew no lagging behind." I teased.
When the group caught up with the grunt he was standing at a cliff edge. I was suddenly paralyzed in fear. She's going to die… she's going to die. Those words kept repeating in my mind. No! I can't let one of my friends die. I'll stop it from happening no matter the cost. At that moment I put my backpack next to a tree, and got ready to jump.
"Castform use Weather Ball on one of these brats." The grunt commanded as he pushed us out of the way.
"Mady!" Mika yelled.
That was the last thing I heard besides rushing water. I grabbed Mady and got us over the river. All I knew now was that we would wash up somewhere, but I was overjoyed at this moment. The reason was that when we were to wash ashore we would both be alive.
. . .
"Kevin you dumbass!" Matthew exclaimed.
"Don't worry about them. Kevin did the right thing." I assured.
"Mika don't get it." Mika replied.
"If Kevin didn't do that… Mady would've hit the ground and most likely died." I said.
"Cascade use Water Gun on that device." Mika said hastily.
"Go Moegami. We need to beat the shit out of this grunt." Matthew yelled.
"Come on Leaf let's go to the Weather Institute. People there need help." I said.
. . .
I have seen this boy before. He was at a pond one night just to think when this girl came looking for him. I ended up following this vehicle because I saw this boy as being different from most people. It sparked my interest when I saw how friendly he was. But I still do wonder as to why they were floating down the river. The two seemed to be carrying very little. They were also unconscious. I was surprised that I was able to push the two of them ashore.
"Thank… you." The boy said as he began to regain consciousness.
"You're awake." I replied.
"Yes and thanks to you we're back on solid ground." He replied.
"No need for accolades… wait you can understand me?" I said in shock.
"I'll explain later. Right now I need to go collect firewood and berries." He replied. "We're all going to need food and a fire for obvious reasons." He added.
It's kinda weird. I mean this boy just regained consciousness and he acts as if nothing has happened. I can tell that he truly feels happy, but this situation shouldn't reflect that feeling on people. Why him?
. . .
That Eevee was very nice. It saved us from the river. I just feel bad that I left so abruptly, but the things I spoke of are needed. It's currently eight o'clock in the afternoon and I need to get camp set up. Mady is unconscious, but she is still alive that's what matters. That Eevee is likely confused about the situation, but for now I need to return the favor and help it out for the night. "Asahi don't worry about me. I need to get Mady back on her feet. Please nobody worry." I thought aloud.
. . .
"Guys let's wait until tomorrow and continue our search. They'll be fine for one night." I said.
"No we need to find them!" The two exclaimed in unison.
"We won't get anywhere in the dark. By that I mean I'll drag you two back with me if you don't cooperate." I stated. After that we went back.
. . .
"So how long have you been with your mate?" I asked.
"Mate… what's a mate?" He replied.
"Innocence." I answered in a disappointed tone.
"Well anyway what's your name?" The teen asked.
"I don't have one, and I haven't had one for thirteen years." I replied.
"Soul. How about it? Is it to your liking?" He asked with a smile.
"Soul?" I said in a curious tone.
"I mean it as in one's very being. Who they are and how they truly express this." He explained. "You seem very pure." He added.
"How about you?" I asked.
"My name is Kevin and the girl's name is Mady." He answered.
"Well Kevin… I want to ask if I could travel with you." I said hesitantly.
"Here. It's a type of pokéball. If you really want to join me then you make it your choice not mine." He replied.
"Yay! I have a friend." I exclaimed after releasing myself from the pokéball.
"Well let me answer some of your questions like I know that you were at the lake on that night." Kevin stated.
"Huh!?" I replied.
"Besides that I can't answer your other question because I don't know the answer." He continued.
"I'm honestly surprised that you knew about that." I replied. "What about your other friends?" I asked.
"There's Matthew, Azrael, Mika, Asahi, and the other Pokémon." He answered.
"I'm guessing that Mady, Matthew, Mika, and Azrael are the humans of the group." I said.
"Yes, but don't forget that I'm human too." He said in a playful tone.
"Sorry about that. It's just that you seem more like a Pokémon. You can understand us, and you act like a fire type with a little more self-control." I replied with a smile.
"Well I don't exactly use Pokémon attacks, and I'm pretty sure I don't breathe fire or use it in any way." He reminded.
"Well the subject deserves to be changed. Why were you two floating down the river?" I asked.
"Mady got knocked off a cliff by a Pokémon, so I jumped in order to save her. I made sure to land in the river to ensure survival." He explained.
"That's how we ended up being all here." I stated.
"What do you mean by a fire type?" He asked.
"You burn down all obstacles that block your one true goal. Your goal is to travel with your friends, but top priority for you is to keep them safe. This situation you're in shows my point." I replied.
"It's about time you went to bed." He said.
"But I'm not even tired." I argued.
. . .
"There is no point in denying it." I retorted.
"Awww." Soul replied.
"Good night sleep tight sweetheart sleep tight wherever you are I will always be there in your heart." I sang.
After singing the lullaby I layed Soul next to Mady. Finally I stared at the moon and thought about what Soul said. Maybe it is possible that I've become more like a Pokémon, but I need to find out what's causing it.
. . .
I just woke up and I have no idea where I am. The last thing I remember is getting hit by Castform's Weather Ball and going over the edge. Hey I think that's Kevin. Maybe I should ask him.
"Kevin wake up." I said.
"You're awake again!" He exclaimed.
"I wasn't asleep for that long." I replied.
"That's correct. You were unconscious ever since we landed in the river." He sighed.
"Oh." I said slowly.
"Sorry if this is a little abrupt, but let me go grab my hat and jackets so we can get on the road." He replied as he scratched his head.
So I ended up getting saved by Kevin. After that we washed up here, but I was unconscious until now. It is possible that someone or something got us ashore. I'll have to ask Kevin, but getting answers from him is difficult.
. . .
"You actually brought me along." Soul said in surprise.
"Well you said you wanted to travel with us. You weren't just visiting." I chuckled.
"You're visiting the professor right?" A little boy asked.
"Indeed I am, but I'm here to share research. You see I'm the professor of a different region." The man replied.
"Oh is that a pokéball?!" The child asked in excitement.
"Yes it is." The man answered.
"Can I play with the Pokémon please please please?" The child asked.
"Of course. A little playing would be good for both parties." The man replied.
"Thank you mister professor!" The child exclaimed.
"Have fun. I will be back in a little while." The man said as he left towards the lab.
"What's your name I'm…"
"Kevin what's wrong?" Soul asked.
"Nothing, or at least I think it was nothing important." I replied.
"Hey Kevin why do you have that Eevee?" Mady asked.
"We became friends while you were unconscious. Soul actually pushed us ashore." I answered.
"Well thank you for that." She said looking at Soul.
"Kevin back up a bit." Soul said. "I don't want to attract attention to our conversation. You know because you're human." She added.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked.
"You didn't leave me behind." She replied.
"Well when you put it like that. I never would have even thought of leaving you behind. You made your decision and I'll make sure you won't regret it." I said. "Oh and do you seriously think I lied? You're my friend, and on this journey friends are family." I added.
"I finally have a real friend." Soul said with tears running down her face.
"Correction. You have real friends." I replied.
. . .
"Guys it's almost twelve o'clock. If you want to find the others then make the effort to." Azrael said.
"Hope what's wrong?" I asked.
"Oh hi Leaf. I'm just sad that Mady is gone." She replied.
"I still do wonder as to why she chose that name." Asahi said.
"Asahi don't be so mean." Leaf scolded.
"Well look. In the time where everyone has lost hope you seem to be all but spreading it." Asahi retorted.
"You're right. It's time to get everyone back on track!" She exclaimed.
"Good you seemed to have resolved the conflict." A voice echoed.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"You guys go get breakfast before it gets cold." Kevin said as he walked around the corner.
"Kevin!" We all exclaimed at the same time.
"You be off now." He replied. "Oh and Hope Mady is waiting for you." He added when he thought we were gone.
. . .
"Wow! Not even the god Arceus would expect this." I said walking into the room.
"Shut up." Matthew and Mika replied.
"Azrael you go ahead and join the others. I'll talk some sense into them." I proposed.
"Good luck with that." He replied as he walked out.
"Matthew you have no reason to act like this. Mika I can't believe you are somehow in sync with Matt… it's creepy." I scolded.
"Ugh." They both replied.
"I didn't know that you two were a thing." I said in an exaggerated tone.
"Whoever you are we're going to kill you!" The two exclaimed.
"Good I got you up. Mika, Mady probably wants to talk to you we are tired of talking with each other. Matthew I'm surprised you're not already out there I made pancakes." I replied.
"PANCAKE!" Matthew yelled as he ran out of the room.
"Come on Mika let's go." I said.
. . .
"Those two were being complete assholes. Speak of the devil or in this case devils." I said.
"I can't believe Mika would be that stubborn that's weird." Mady replied.
"By the way do you why Kevin can… mmmm?" I tried to say.
"No need to continue with that conversation." Kevin stated after covering my mouth to prevent me from asking about that.
"Mika didn't know Kevin could cook." She said in shock.
"Nor did I." I replied.
"Who cares! Pancake!" Matthew exclaimed.
"Ouch… that hurts my self-esteem." Kevin replied.
"Oops… I forgot you were there. Out of sight out of mind." I said trying to comfort him.
"Anybody else gonna stab me with the same knife?" He asked in a depressing tone.
"I think they taste good." Mady replied.
"Mika too." Mika stated.
"Kevin…" I said slowly. "Matthew got anything to cure this?" I asked.
"Pancake!" He exclaimed.
"Useless." Mady and I replied at the same time.
. . .
"So you wanted to talk?" Kevin asked.
"Yes. What was Azrael talking about?" I asked.
"Why would you want to know Mady?" He asked
"It was our conversation and you ended it rudely." I scolded.
"Okay Mom!" He replied sarcastically.
"Stop being a little bitch and tell me!" I snapped.
"I can understand Pokémon normally now." He replied.
"How?" I questioned.
"I woke up yesterday and I could just understand what they were saying." He answered.
"He has to be lying." Hope stated.
"I'm not." He replied.
"I didn't know that you were a thing." Matthew said in a mocking tone.
"Bye." Kevin said before getting up and leaving.
"So is it true?" I asked in an exaggerated tone.
"What the fuck." Matthew said as he walked away.
. . .
"That was an unusual thing for you to do. Matter of fact you have been acting strange since we arrived in Mauville." Azrael stated.
"Sorry I just have a lot to think about." I replied.
"Well Soul evolved. I am just saying that you have no reason to be like this." He said.
"Sorry I'll try to be a bit more upbeat tomorrow." I replied.
"What happened?" Azrael asked.
"I just got reminded of a past experience. Not a particularly good one." I answered.
"How far back?" He asked.
"Possibly nine years." I replied.
"Well you best think later because you likely have things you have to do." Azrael said before walking back to the Pokémon Center.
Az was right I needed to do something. I went and got Asahi as well as Soul and headed south.
. . .
Something is going on Kevin just randomly left with both his Pokémon. I think Soul saw me because she gave the signal not to follow. I need to tell someone. "*Mady something suspicious is going on." I relayed through telepathy.
"*It doesn't involve us." She replied.
"*Just follow me." I demanded.
. . .
"What the hell happened!" Mady asked.
"Espeon esp." Soul growled in pain.
"Eliminate the witness!" A man yelled.
"Espeon!" Soul shrieked before using Psychic to push us away.
"Hurry Azrael. Kevin was attacked!" I yelled once getting back to the group.
Author's Note
Sorry for the long wait it's just between summer school and other house work I've been busy. But you get an exciting chapter.