Chapter 37: Finding a Way
It was time. With or without Damian, it was time. The three sisters were more determined than confident as they made the decision to fight. Absol was against their plea at first and even hesitant after being informed of Lewis' death. He didn't want to see many others lose their lives and he knew there was no choice in the matter.
The ultimate question remained…
What about Damian?
Then again, what about him? Sure, he wanted to fight Team Plasma beside his new friends but this war wasn't about Damian playing with his new abilities. It was about saving lives and Damian wasn't going to return soon enough to save anyone. The Pokémon needed to take action immediately.
The news was troubling to many, for Azelf was forced to tell everyone whom deserved to know of Lewis' death. Many cried, many huffed in anger. Swellow, on the other hand, didn't know how to handle the news. He wanted to cry, but he wanted to laugh at the same time. Does that make him a terrible person?
He loved Lewis. Lewis was his trainer after all. But why does he feel so little sympathy for his passing? Is it because of Lewis' past mistakes? Swellow couldn't put his talon on the most rational answer, but he felt dreadful inside merely knowing of his expression towards his trainer's death.
The last to hear of the news was Mason, Lewis' father. He deserved to know before anyone else, but Azelf and her sisters knew it would be best to prepare ahead of time before telling him in case he made a drastic mistake.
As Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit were doing some finishing touches on the plan to raid Team Plasma's base, they were interrupted by Damian's sister, Angel.
"Uxie?" she asked in a voice soft as silk.
Uxie whirled around, as did her sisters. The three grinned at her in camaraderie.
"What is it, Angel?" Uxie asked in concern.
"This fight… Is anyone gonna get hurt in it?" Angel asked.
Uxie sighed and hovered beside the human girl before her.
"No one is going to get hurt on our watch. We have lots of friends who want to help us beat Team Plasma."
"But I've seen Team Plasma. They're mean and they don't look like they'll be easy to fight," Angel replied precociously.
Uxie nodded in confirmation and discomfort. She smiled reassuringly at the worried human girl.
"Angel, we will beat Team Plasma. You and your brother will be back together again, safe in sound. I promise."
Angel pursed her lips, unsure what to think of the promise. Although she was young, she knew what these mean people were capable of. After all, they kidnapped her brother and put her family in this life of fear and despair.
"Angel! We've been looking all over for you!" her mother exclaimed.
Angel cowered in fear of a scolding.
"She's fine Mary. She's just curious about Damian," Uxie stared into her eyes.
"And you still can't hear him?" she asked with woe.
Uxie shook her head, "Sorry. He's just too far. I'm sure he's safe wherever he is, though."
Mary sighed, "I just wanna see my son again. I hate not being with him. I just… sometimes I feel like I'm somewhat responsible for this. I-I…" Mary's eyes began to well up, "I want you to burn that place to the ground. Do whatever it takes to destroy Team Plasma. I'm tired of watching my son run all the time."
"I understand, Mary. He's a good kid and he doesn't deserve what he's going through. In about 9 months, he'll be back home."
Mary stared at the ground, "You never did tell me. Will he ever be a human again? Will I ever have my son back?"
Uxie pouted, instantly dreading what she was going to be forced to say.
"I didn't wanna tell you this. I kinda thought it would be up to Damian to tell you or not. But… I think the sooner you know the more accepting you'll be of it. I think his father should be here too, to hear this," Uxie sighed.
Mary bit her lip, her cheeks dampened by the tears. Shortly, John joined his family in the conversation.
Uxie's sisters stared at her, just as uneasy as she was.
"What's wrong?" asked John.
"Nothing is wrong. Well… depending on how you take this," Uxie huffed, "There's something you should know. I guess I'll start with this. Team Plasma can't turn him back into a human. As far as we're concerned, no one can…"
That was the easy part, now for the part Uxie didn't want to say.
"This is gonna be a shocker. Damian is your son, and… you'll accept him for who he is, correct?"
Mary scoffed, "Yes! He's our son!"
"Just calm down, okay? I'm not doubting you or anything. Sorry… Anyways, Damian has gone through a journey with all of this mess. But despite all of it… his transformation," Uxie paused, "Well… I guess you can say he wants to be a Pokemon."
The family's eyes widened at her statement.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked John.
"It means he enjoys being a Pokemon," Azelf replied bluntly.
"He… He likes being a Pokemon?" asked Mary quizzically.
"Look… Despite his situation, Damian likes being a Riolu. I dunno if it's the power that makes him feel this way or what but… I'm foreshadowing here and—"
"Did Damian tell you this?" John interrupted Azelf.
Each of the sisters nodded. The family sighed simultaneously, unsure how to process this.
"I think he's happy like he is. He even told us if he had the chance to become a human again, he wouldn't take it. His biggest concern was you, his family. He never wanted to tell you until the time actually came. He's afraid of what you might think of him for his decision," Uxie explained.
Mary took a deep breath, then grinned at John. She suddenly released an unexpected chuckle.
"What? What's so funny?" asked Uxie.
"Ohh… It's just a funny thought. All his life I've watched him grow up. Now I get to do it all over again."
"I guess they don't grow up so fast, after all. He's gonna evolve and still be shorter than his sister," John added.
The group chuckled together. The negative atmosphere quickly becoming uplifting.
"That's amazing. It is apparent that you really care for your son. I am positive he will be appreciative of your acceptance," Mesprit said with a smile.
"Damian can do whatever he wants. I just hope he's not thinking that with the Greninja," John alleged.
As I made my return to where Greninja and Buniot were residing, I couldn't help but wonder who that person was.
Apparently he was mind-controlling that Zoroark. Why did he do it in the first place? He could've just told me what he wanted. He said he was training me, though. Maybe it was training after all? I guess I did kinda overcome all those things he threw at me.
Nevertheless it was very confusing.
As I walked through the vast and dark forest, I cringed at the feeling of a sticky substance covering large portions of my fur. It was pretty uncomfortable, not to mention I'm very kinesthetic. I hate annoying touches.
"Ugh… This feels so gross," I winced.
I wasn't sure what the stuff was. All I knew was that I've had it in my fur since yesterday.
"Whoa! A Riolu!" exclaimed a voice behind me.
I was quite surprised by the voice. I whirled around and gasped as a young boy stood ten feet from me. He still towered over me in height, however.
In a flash, the boy released a Dewott from a Pokeball. I instantly knew what he was planning.
Now the question was… should I fight or run away?
I chuckled at the question. Time to put my training to the test.
"Dewott, use fury cutter!" exclaimed the boy.
I got into stance and awaited my opponents attack. The Dewott charged me with one stretched out. As he came within inches from me, the Dewott swung his arm in attempt to scratch me across the face. I swiftly swayed my body to the right, successfully dodging his attack. Dewott followed his maneuver by frantically swinging his arms in my direction.
I managed to evade every attack he threw at me, and as he tired from his attempts I pressed my paw against his chest and released a powerful energy from it. Relinquishing my force palm.
The attack knocked him to the ground, but he was quick to stand.
"If you're gonna hit me… don't flail your arms around like an idiot," I taunted.
The Dewott leered at me, obviously bothered by my comment.
"I'm not an idiot! I'll show you!" he exclaimed.
"Aqua jet!" ordered the trainer.
Dewott enveloped himself in an aura of water, then lunged towards me like a bullet.
I threw my arms outward and formed a square of pink energy. Dewott only managed to smack head first into the protective barrier, his attack failing completely.
Dewott wasn't prepared to give up so easily, though.
He wobbled to his feet and sneered at me.
"You're pretty good for a wild Pokemon."
I grinned as well, "I'm not as wild as you think. But thanks."
"Come on! You've got this Dewott! Tail whip!"
Dewott spun swiftly and attempted to strike me with his tail. I crossed my arms in attempt to block his attack, then swept my foot against his, knocking him to the ground. As I stood over him, he looked at me with great fear. As though I was going to finish him off.
"Get up, Dewott! I know you can do it!" his trainer exclaimed.
I grinned in assurance, and offered my paw outward to him.
"Get up and fight like you mean it," I chuckled.
"Nah… You win. Ya mind letting my trainer catch ya?"
"Sorry. I already have a family," I replied.
I smirked, then relaxed his body on the ground.
"Thanks for the fight…"
I ran from the scene. Fleeing the dumbfounded child and his Dewott.
Now I just gotta find Buniot and Greninja. Or better yet… a lake. Man, this stuff feels weird.
Authors Notes:
Sorry this took so long, once again. College is killing me as always. Not too much excitement this chapter, just a bunch of dialogue and a fight scene. Yadayadayada. I've been uninspired to write lately, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the cold weather, who knows?!
Okay, onto the advertisements! Today I will share with you guys a couple of authors and their requested stories. Remember, if you me to showcase your story JUST ASK! I will advertise just about any story someone sends my way. I cannot guarantee I will read and review the item, as I am not an avid reader. However, if I'm in a good mood which I usually am, I'll check out your story!
As requested by PsychicVaporeon I give you... well... the author gives you four Pokemon fanfictions! You guys have pushed me with your love and support, so why not help another friend in need? She's also looking for some OC's for her stories, so if you want to be your favorite Pokemon in a fanfiction, PM her immediately! I absolutely loved the Pokemon Wrestling fic! XD It is the support of our readers that pushes us authors to work our butts off. :^3
And my other lucky contestant is TigerGirl45! She's got a pretty lengthy Pokemon fanfic goin' on running at 20 chapters with 52,000 words!? Wow... I'm at 81,000 words here. Man, I'm really slowing down. Give her story a read or two... or three... or a hundred... as I'm sure you will enjoy as much as I did! I would compare it to Deceitful in many ways, but also Lucario's Gift as well.
Guys, if you read their stories and review them, they will more than likely end up being better than all of my writings combined. Do me a favor, and do these artists a favor. Read their stories!
And now for some random news about me. It you guys wanna follow me on Twitter StukPikzel feel free to do so. It'll probably be easier to find out whether or not I'll be writing or posting a chapter that day. Follow me on Twitch (FreudianDuck) to watch me play video games and bore you with my commentary for four hours. And if you like EDM, look me up on Soundcloud (Stuk Pikzel). If you hate EDM, look me up anyways. Okay guys, I will leave you here. Have a wonderful day/night! :^3