Hello! I'm so sorry I didn't update sooner, I was rushing to meet the deadline I set for myself for a friend's birthday in another fanfiction. Well, here goes! Chapter 13!
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. As simple as that.
….
Hurt
Sara woke up groggily, her entire body aching. Groaning softly to herself, she stretched herself and rubbed her eyes blearily. Her fingers touched something quite soft and slightly wet. Sara looked down to the floor in alarm, only to find….
A field of lush green grass under her. It was wet due to the dew that still clung to the tips of each blade, teetering precariously on the very tips of the grass, threatening to fall at any moment. Sara looked around. A flash of white and green caught her attention.
Good morning Sara, Kirlia said sleepily, massaging her sore thighs on which Sara had slept on all through the night. Slept well?
"Mm. You?" Sara replied nonchalantly, checking the contents of her bag for something edible. Finding none, she rose to buy some from the shops, wincing slightly as she did so. Her muscles were hurting from sleeping on the grass all night.
Oh, okay. Kirlia trilled. But it would be better if I had my legs freed.
Sara grinned sheepishly. "Sorry Kirlia. I…had rather a lot on my mind lately." Her pokemon shrugged and stood up, brushing off dirt and grass. Suddenly, Kirlia became alert, listening carefully.
"What is it?" Sara asked, instantly on her guard. She scanned the surroundings keenly. Seeing nothing, she stared at Kirlia, who had her eyes shut, concentrating on her ultra-sharp psychic senses. (Was I exaggerating?)
There is something in pain…Kirlia murmured, her eyes snapping open. She tried scouring the area for the injured thing, to no avail. Sighing in frustration, she shut her eyes once more, using both her senses of hearing and psychic sense to find it. Turning around slightly every few seconds or so, she listened intently, her senses pushed to its maximum capacity.
Here…. she murmured. Eyes still closed, she walked to the east. Sara followed dubiously behind her. Kirlia would stop occasionally to pinpoint the spot. Poochyena was sent out beside Kirlia to aid her in her search.
"Yena!" Poochyena sniffed the air and bounded forwards. Sara and Kirlia followed without delay. His yapping ahead allowed them to follow him, although he was no longer in sight.
Suddenly, the yapping lowered into a cautious growl, which became one of concern. The Emotion Pokemon continued onwards, using her psychic senses as a guide. Sara followed behind with nothing to guide her except for her pokemon.
She looked down in surprise as she felt an insistent tugging at her jeans. Poochyena was there, a bit of her jeans locked firmly in its jaw. He looked at her anxiously when he saw that he had succeeded in capturing his Trainer's attention.
I found it, he said in a husky voice. He tugged once more at her jeans. Over here. He ran off ahead, inviting Sara to follow.
"You're too fast, Poochyena! Wait!"
Follow me, Sara, Kirlia commanded as the pokemon took huge strides to keep up with the energetic dog. Soon she, too, was out of sight.
"Pokemon are way too fast," Sara grumbled as she lost sight of them. "Or maybe I should lose some weight," she added thoughtfully.
Somewhere ahead, Poochyena gave a frustrated growl. Will Sara ever catch up?
Perhaps if you slow down a little, Poochyena. You're fast, Kirlia panted. Growling even more ferociously, Poochyena ran back to find his Trainer.
They really should train humans more to be faster, Poochyena muttered as he retraced his steps. Spying Sara about a kilometer away, he barked and tugged once more at her jeans.
"Come on. Just slow down this time, okay?" Sara said. Still growling about humans needing more strenuous training, he ran in front of her, this time taking care to keep Sara in sight. Kirlia was waiting for them a little distance away.
Hurry! She urged. Poochyena disappeared into the clump of trees nearby, as did Kirlia. Sighing, Sara followed and found herself in a dell. It was well sheltered; big leafy boughs blocked most of the sunlight. The dim light appeared green to the girl since it had to go through the green leaves. Invisible insects and birds twittered and screeched, creating a harmonious sound.
Sara took a deep breath, enjoying the scenery. A small part at the back of her mind was buzzing her incessantly. What was she doing here? She had to ask herself. Her question was answered as soon as she thought of it. Poochyena nipped her leg impatiently.
"Ow! That hurts!" Sara yelled as she held onto her leg. "Why did you do that for?"
Poochyena cocked his head towards an unconscious pink form near some bushes. Her eyes widened when she saw it and she hurried to the pokemon's side without delay. It was bleeding profusely on the back of its head and back, and its leg was nearly severed off. Sara couldn't help the tears falling from her eyes, which had turned silver yet again without her realizing. It was such a sad sight to see.
"Ski…" the pokemon meowed weakly. Sara flinched then squinted to get a better look at the semi-conscious pokemon. It was revealed as a Skitty. There was also a nasty gash on its face, feeding the weakly protesting cat blood from its own wounds.
"Plusle!"
"Minun!"
The high-pitched squeaks came from two cute pokemon who had poked their heads out from the bush and now crowded around the Skitty in concern. The difference between the two yellow-furred pokemon was that one had a plus symbol at the tip of its tail whereas the other had a minus sign. The markings of their cheeks bore similar symbols as well. The pokemon with the plus symbol had red patches of fur where the plus sign was embedded. The same could be said for the one with the minus signs, albeit with blue fur.
What happened to the Skitty, Plusle? The one with the plus symbol asked in a voice barely louder than a squeak.
Yes, what happened, Minun? The latter asked.
"Um, you're Plusle and You're Minun, right?" Sara said, pointing a finger at the respective pokemon.
Yep, right you are, Plusle.
Uh-huh, Minun!
"Well, I think its hurt," said Sara, pointing out the obvious.
Plusle nodded. It looks bad, Kirlia muttered, concern written all over her face. We have to get it to a Pokemon Center right away.
"Poor Skitty," Sara mumbled. Her eyes flashed a bright silver as she reached out towards the ball of pink fur. Her hand glowed a comforting golden colour as it neared Skitty. Sara shut her eyes and walked towards the semi-conscious Skitty, as if in a trance by the way she was walking, so light was her touch of her feet on the ground.
Her fingers brushed against Skitty's fur, which was matted with crimson blood. The wounds healed at the slightest touch. Sara kept her eyes shut as she traced her hand over the cat's entire body. Several beads of sweat stood out on her brow. Still she persevered. Slowly, the wounds closed up and Skitty's fur returned to its former glory.
Gently, she ran a finger over its nearly severed leg. She could feel it flinch under her touch but it relaxed as soon as it had started. Closing the gash was a slow process. Sara grunted with the effort as she channeled more energy into healing. Kirlia and Poochyena simply stared, wide-eyed, at their Trainer.
I'm going to help her, Kirlia said with determination, snapping out of her trance. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on her psychic energy and gave it to the crouching girl before her. Sara felt the sudden surge of power she was infused with. With a feeling of gratefulness, she used the energy to heal Skitty. The aura around her hand pulsed strongly with a blinding light.
Finally, the wound showed progress towards healing. It sealed itself up and siphoned off the blood, leaving it as good as new. Sara sighed in relief and lay down on the grass, not caring about dirt clinging onto her clothes anymore. She was too tired to care.
What did you just do, Sara? Kirlia asked, rather awed by Sara's new talent. She was also exhausted due to the energy transfer a little while earlier.
Yeah, what did you do, Plusle? Plusle enquired, cocking his head to the side, making him look most comical. Beside him, Minun nodded fervently.
"I don't know," Sara panted, dazed. And a peach-coloured face with inquisitive eyes and a BIG grin looking down at her did not help. "Aaaah!" she screamed, getting up in an instant. Skitty leaped several feet backwards.
Don't you like me? She mewed sadly. Of course, Sara consoled her immediately.
"Of course I like you, Skitty!" The Kitten Pokemon cheered up immediately and scampered about, mewing joyfully.
Yay! She likes me, she likes me…oh I'm so adorable!
Everyone in the vicinity sweatdropped at that. What a vain Skitty, Poochyena commented dryly. The others couldn't help but agree.
"Um, Skitty?" Sara said. Still the kitten pranced round with its nose up in the air.
"Skitty?" No answer.
"SKITTY!" Finally, Skitty turned around dumbly.
Anything wrong? She asked with innocent eyes. Sara sighed.
"What are you going to do now?"
Um…. the kitten pondered. Her cheery grin returned as she faced the Trainer. Play! She squealed, earning more sweatdrops from human and pokemon alike.
"Grr…I give up!" Sara sighed exasperatedly, throwing her arms up into the air. Plusle and Minun stood up happily.
Come on, let's play tag, Plusle! Plusle yelled and began chasing Minun in frenzy. Minun, in turn, chased after Skitty, making a circle of pokemon chasing each other. Yellow, red, blue and pink melded together into the circle.
"O-kay," Sara muttered as she stared at the sight. Kirlia stood by her side, equally aghast.
I never really liked pokemon who frolic around anyway, she sniffed disapprovingly. Poochyena nodded.
"So what are you going to do after we leave?" Sara gave the situation another chance. There was no answer from the playing trio. Dusting her hands, she turned towards her pokemon.
"Shall we go?" Her pokemon nodded.
"Alright. Kirlia, Poochyena, return!"
Kirlia and Poochyena disappeared, becoming two identical beams of red light before retreating into their Pokeballs. Placing the Pokeballs onto her belt, specially designed to hold Pokeballs, she turned to go. Ducking to go underneath some low branches, she was knocked over by three playful pokemon.
Let us come with you! all three yelled simultaneously. Minun was the last one to run out and knocked into Plusle, who in turn bumped into Skitty, who fell onto Sara, who was already on the ground.
"Oof!" Sara grunted as she felt something fall onto her. Holding it up to eye level, she found a ball of pink fur with a cheesy grin on its peach-coloured face. "Aaah!" she screamed before dropping Skitty, who rolled on the ground, mewing in laughter. Plusle and Minun rolled on the ground as well, holding their middles and laughing in a very comical manner.
Oh no, I really don't want them to follow me, Sara groaned inwardly as she got up. She turned towards Slateport City again, only to be tagged by three enthusiastic pokemon.
Take us along with you, Plusle! Plusle pleaded. Minun and Skitty said the same thing.
I'm going to regret this…. Sara thought as she pulled out three Pokeballs and pressed them, one by one, against each pokemon. Plusle disappeared into a Pokeball, quickly followed by Minun. Skitty, however, was a different matter altogether. She tried to snatch the Pokeball from her hands for her to play.
Let's play ball! She said gleefully as she pushed the Pokeball about. Sara sighed and pulled out another Pokeball, her very last, and threw it towards Skitty. It hit her on the head and absorbed her into itself.
Finally, Sara thought, satisfied. The three Pokeballs were then swathed in white before disappearing. Grinning broadly, she walked back to Slateport City for a late breakfast.
….
"I'm sorry Sara, but please leave!" An exasperated Nurse Joy yelled over the havoc, namely Skitty, Plusle and Minun. They ran around, toppling everything in their way. Several Chansey shook their fists (do they have fists?) at them as either one of the trio bumped into them.
"But -" Sara protested weakly. Nurse Joy pointed a firm finger towards the door. With a sigh, Sara recalled the troublesome three and walked out dejectedly. She then sat outside the wreck of the former Pokemon Center. The interior was an utter mess. Potted plants lay on their side, the brown porcelain pots smashed to bits. Bits of dirt landed onto people's plates, making them protest loudly, which in turn called out Nurse Joy, who was having a short rest at the back of the Center. Irritated that her rest had been disturbed, she snapped at poor Sara and kicked her out of the Center.
Sadly, Sara walked towards the milling crowd, hoping to get some food at the Slateport market. She squirmed uncomfortably each time a body brushed against hers. She wasn't accustomed to being brushed against by humans. Hurriedly, she bought some sandwiches and several packets of biscuits then she was out of there, running for dear life.
Sara sat down on a turf far away from the bustling market and unwrapped the plastic around the sandwich. With a contented sigh, she started to sink her teeth into the soft bread, filled with ham and cheese as well as layered with a piece of cabbage on both pieces of bread. Suddenly….
A yellow blur ran swiftly in front of her eyes. Sara was shocked. She then realized with a jolt that the creature had stolen her breakfast when she felt only empty air between her fingers. Grumbling under her breath, she turned to face it. A yellow face with long ears that were black at the tip, red cheeks that served as sacs and a pair of very mischievous black eyes looked up at her, its mouth turned up in a cheeky grin. In its mouth was Sara's sandwich.
"Give that back!" Sara yelled angrily. First the wrecking of the Center, now the stealing of her breakfast. That was just too much. The yellow-furred pokemon, whom Sara recognized as a Pikachu, and an extremely cheeky one at that, shook its head.
No way! I haven't had lunch all day and you expect me to give it up? It demanded in a low alto voice. It was clearly a male.
"Well, for your information, I haven't eaten all day as well!" Sara retorted, placing her hands on her hips. Pikachu changed its tactic quicker than a blink of an eye.
Please? He whimpered, looking up at her with huge, adorable, irresistible eyes. Sara's heart melted at the sight of him.
"Okay," she said grudgingly. Pikachu cheered and gobbled the sandwich down. Meanwhile, Sara opened a packet of biscuits and bit into one, satisfaction spreading to the tips of her fingers as she tasted the first morsel of food since the previous evening. As she prepared to swallow her second biscuit, she saw Pikachu eyeing it longingly. Sighing, she handed it to Pikachu, who devoured it faster than a hungry carnivore.
Sara watched the rodent eat the biscuit. It reminded her of one of her friends back home on earth. Gina was a plump girl who had her hair made up in two pigtails and had dimples when she smiled. A few freckles dotted her face near the nose. She could shovel down a surprising amount of food down her throat if she was hungry, thus the reason for her plumpness. Sara smiled blissfully as she recalled the kind girl. She pretty really, if only she would lose some weight, Sara thought then she shook her head. She shouldn't be thinking of the past.
I don't even know where I am anymore, she reflected. Am I even in the real world? An image of her mother and father flitted into her mind. With a pang of longing, she realized that she missed her parents dreadfully. She stifled a sob as she remembered their smiling faces, their affectionate hugs every time it was her birthday….
I miss you, mom and dad….
….
I'm sorry, please ignore the hints of the next episode in the previous chapter. I decided to change it a little. So sorry people!
Oh, and I decided not to include tips for the next chapter starting from now. It makes the wait more worth it, I hope.
See you!