Ch.2: The Day After
7:05 a.m, Tuesday. Jan 20th
POV: Lux
I couldn't clearly tell what was going on after that point. I did feel myself get carried and placed onto something, but I didn't know if that was inside of an ambulance or the back of a police car. I still thought I was in some kind of trouble, since I walked up to the cops looking like death itself. I didn't dwell on that, though. There were bigger problems at hand, biggest one being the pain in my neck. Hasn't went away ever since I first dropped to the floor. I don't know how long I was out, but the pain subsided after a long while. At that point, I was regaining consciousness and I tried opening my eyes.
God I wish I kept them closed.
First thing I noticed? Hospital Room. IV bag, medical tools to the table beside me, you name it. The whole shebang. I never thought I would be in this kind of condition with the wounds I had. Maybe I just lost a lot of blood? I also saw that remote on the hospital bed I was in, the one with the button to call a nurse as well as watch TV. Well, I'm up and no one's around. I'm still hurting, so lets try to get help. The pain in my neck is still there, but it's slowly going away. I thought it'd be great to get a nurse to get me some pain pills so I went for the remote with my left paw...
Wait, I thought. Left paw?
I stopped dead in my tracks. My hand, five fingers and a mild amount of hair, was replaced with a three digit paw covered in black fur. It also had a metal spike at the back of it. Huh? I then pulled out my other arm from the covers and, wouldn't you know, same shit. Black fur on what used to be my hand, and blue fur on my arm. What the FUCK?!
I then decide to push the rest of the covers off of me to examine the rest of my body. Pleaaaaaase don't be what I think I am... Unfortunately, the rest of my body wasn't spared from the transformation. There was a sort of cream colored fur on my torso, and another spike to go with it. There was blue fur on my thighs, with black fur covering the rest of my legs. My feet were also replaced with paws, or maybe they were just the pads of what used to be my feet. I felt something behind me and I turn my head to examine it. Oh dear lord, a tail. Yup, a tail that's about as long as my arm. Am...I a Lucario? A fucking Pokémon?! Oh god...Or should I say Oh Arceus? I mused myself with the thought, but I quickly started to panic.
Who wouldn't? You've got a new body, one that you remember to be what's supposed to be FICTIONAL. More so, I know that Lucario are practically fighting machines! Granted, all Pokémon are, but still! Relax Lux, Funny enough, I calmed myself down. I don't think this is a dream. I mean, I'm a fucking Lucario, but I can FEEL all of that. I couldn't remember the dreams I had, If I had any, so I'm basing my reasoning off of Movies other people's experiences and books about it. Also, I don't think any dream would start in a damn hospital bed... Oh shit! Yeah, I was in a school shooting! Now, how to work these new appendages.
I immediately had problems with my new body. These paws are almost fucking useless when gripping things! I mean I CAN hold things, but my fingers shrunk into three little digits. I had to use of of the digits as a substitute for a thumb. Anyways, I manage to work the remote into calling the nurse. Now, I just wait for my impending doom. Can't wait what kind of bullshit this transformation brings In. The media? definitely. Government? Probably. Criminal organization? I hope not, that'd way too much to handle.
My attention was brought to the door as three people came in: Mom, Jack, And who I'm assuming is a doctor. All of them had concerned looks on their faces. I would too, knowing someone I cared for had something as ludicrous as this happening to them. After a minute of silence, the doctor spoke up. "Mr. Rilvo, how do you feel?"
'Kind of a stupid question, doc. I've turned to a fictional creature. I feel fucking splendid right now!' I replied with sarcasm.
"...Uh, use real words, man. We're just hearing "Lu Rio Car" Or any sequence of those three bits" Jack said.
'Wait what?' I said, listening to what I'm actually saying. He was right, I wasn't even speaking English. Great! A language barrier! Another slap to the face, huh?
Thankfully, my backpack was on a table in the other side of the room. I pointed to it and gestured them to give it to me. I then pull out a notebook and a pencil. Sloppily, I started to write down my messages.
"I'm surprised I turned into a damn Lucario of all things. Do you think it had something to do with the blue crap the Rogue idiots injected into me?" I passed the book to the doctor.
He examined my note before replying "Hmm, probably...Wait, How do you know what you are? And Isn't that a Pokémon?" He handed back my notebook.
"Yup. I fit the description. Fur, spikes, the weird organs that look like hair. Everything. I bet my eyes are red."
"Kind of. Your left eye is brown while your right eye is red." Huh, sounds like the transformation business isn't 100%. I hope not... "Anyways, I'm assuming you believe that injection is what caused this?"
"Yeah. There's no other explanation for me turning into a fictional creature. It was glowing blue and It shot pain throughout my body starting from where he shot me"
"Alright. Now, I'm going to go get the police. They need you to tell them what happened back in the school" he turned and went for the door. "I'm sorry for you, this'll probably attract more attention than you want". And with that, he left the room. Leaving me with Jack and Mom.
We sort of just sat there, we didn't have much to say to each other. I couldn't say anything period. They didn't know what to say. Eventually, I just sigh and turn to Jack. "A damn language barrier. I can't even tell them I'm okay"
"Wait, what was that?" Jack suddenly said. Wait, he heard my thoughts. Oh boy, just like the Lucario in the movie. Now, maybe if I just focus on someone, they could hear me...
"Hello? Jack If you can hear me, start screaming racial slurs" I, uh, thought to my brother.
He looked around the room, piecing it all together"...Lux you can talk!" Jack went over to hug me
"Careful! Spikes and shit, man".
"Oh, right" He said, setting himself back on his chair.
"Jack, Lux can speak to you? How?" Mom ask after hearing the one ended conversation.
"Oh, right" I turn to my mom "Apparently I can speak to you guys if i focus on you while thinking" Maybe If I had practice I can think to myself while holding a conversation with a whole group.
She lets out an exasperated sigh. "That's a relief" She said.
Unfortunately, it was at that time that the cops arrived. They came in looking a bit tired, and for some reason I can feel that they're frustrated with something. Oh right, Lucario. I can read aura. I'll learn more about this later, now...
"Are you okay, Mr. Rilvo?" said the man to the left. He didn't have a hat on. He had brown hair and looked to be around his thirties.
I focus on the man and replied, "I'm fine as I'll be in my situation, just call me Lux though.". Noticing the surprise on his face I continue, "Just a few minutes ago, I learnt that I can use telepathy. Now I'm guessing you have questions you want answered, right?" He nods. "Naturally. I've got questions too, but I feel that yours are more important. Go ahead, I can wait until the end"
"...Alright then" He said, still shocked. The next twenty minutes, I was just telling the two cops about what happened at the school, what the so called "rogues" did, and what I did in retaliation. I needed to tell my story in full detail, so I had to explain it was me who killed the three Rogues. Everyone looked horrified when I explained how I killed the first man, and I could also feel how scared they were since I was a Lucario. Hell, even the police officer, who introduced himself as Jason, took me more seriously as I told the story.
After he was done with his questioning, I spoke up again. "Did you get any of the other rogues?"
"We've got two, but neither of them will talk." I sighed in relief, at least they were all either killed or put behind bars.
"Did you figure out what was in those vials?"
"No, we haven't got any response from the lab we sent one to"
"Damn, that sucks. At least we have the assholes who did this. Okay one last question... Did this happen to anyone else?" I asked with hesitation. It really isn't my business, but I need to know if anyone else is in this shit show with me.
"...Yes" Jason responded. "So far, we've got 7 other people that turned into what I'm assuming are Pokémon. They had two full vials left. Looks like they were looking for ten victims"
I was shocked. I didn't think that many would be turned as well. Granted, It wasn't a big group, but that still meant there were 8 real Pokémon in this world.
"We gave one to the lab mentioned before, and we've got one at the police station as evidence" He sighed before continuing. "We've got leads, but only time will tell whether we can get somewhere with em' or not. Anyways the doctor told me you're able to leave when you're ready"
"Oh yeah, One more thing" He said before leaving. "Leave the hospital through the back of the building. The media wants in on this disaster, and they're right at the front door. We've blocked them from getting behind the building and from getting in. Just try not to get on the news, kid".
The biggest thing I hate about being A Lucario now, my height. I used to be 6'01"! Now I've shrunk down to 4'00". I feel like a fucking child. Now everyone just towers over me. My ego dropped drastically as I passed human after human. They all stared in disbelief at me, but I was a little preoccupied to notice.
There was also a slight change in my skeletal structure. Now I felt like I was standing on tiptoes the whole time I was walking. If I tried anything else, I'd fall. There was also the matter of my tail, which sort of just stuck out the opposite direction I was going unless I gave a conscious effort to move it. I accidentally hit a couple of patients with my tail as I turned corners.
Anyways, as a way to avoid the media, I lied down on the back seats of the cars. That way, assholes can't catch a glimpse of me on their cameras. It was demeaning, but I understood that this was for the best right now. Now that we were on our way back home, my thoughts caught up with me and I flooded my head with questions. I wonder how the rogues made the injection. Did they even make it? What about those other kids that got turned? Are they all okay? Am I going to be okay? How will I make it through school like this? Should I ju-
I was suddenly launched from the seats to the roof of the car. Once I landed with a loud *thud*, I heard Jack tell mom "Relax! We won't make it back home if you drive like a maniac".
"I know I know, I just don't want Lux to worry about anyone staring at him" She replied shakily.
"Say that to him when you get through another speedbump, then" He said.
8:30 a.m
Fucking Finally. We made it home. The wonderful building i lived in for 3 years. It was just a small apartment complex, like 6 different apartments, but it was a home nonetheless. I opened the door and took in the slightly larger sight of the kitchen, dining table, and living room. "I'll be in my room If you need me" I told my family.
Walking down the small hallway, I went into my room. I mean, It wasn't just my room, but it was still my room. Besides, Jack just chills in the living room playing games on his laptop. I toss my backpack to the end of my bed and went to lie down.
I wasn't even thinking about anything in particular. I was just lying there, taking in everything that's happened. I was able to save half of my class from being victims of a necrophilliac. I killed maybe half of the killers. I was injected with some weird blue shit, and now I'm a Lucario. I sighed and closed my eyes. It definitely was a better sight than staring at the ceiling.
Actually, I shouldn't see anything when I close my eyes. What?
I could still see the ceiling, though it looked faintly blue and kind of like fire. Opening my eyes again, I just see the ceiling. I flipped through these until realization came in. That must be the aura junk that Lucario can see. I looked over to my laptop. I should figure out what a Lucario can do. If anything, a pokedex entry could act as some kind of guide... I go over and start it up. I decide to use Pokémon database.
At least I don't blow up for no reason. I thought Lucario were pretty neat. Apparently, they can read aura and use it as some kind of Sixth sense. Not only that, but they can manipulate their own aura and aura around it. They can sense feelings, pulverize boulders, and other things. It says Lucario can mega evolve, but I'm pretty sure there isn't a mega stone anywhere in California for that to happen for me. Now, it says that the Aura Pokémon is a fighting/steel type. So basically Lucario are martial art dog things. I'll look at moves later, once I've got time to learn how to defend myself. I pushed my chair away from the desk and closed my eyes. Might as well learn how to use this "Aura Sense".
After a good 2 hours, I've been training myself to use aura sense. At first, I was just taking in the new 360-view i had. I could also only focus on things 5 ft. away from me. To train my new senses, I've decided to use my dice. I took the dice I used for DND out of the bag and examined them. I was thinking of tossing them into the air and grabbing them all individually.
I was definitely able to move fast enough, but I didn't have enough precision. Every time I went for a die, I failed to actually grab them out of the air, and slapped them all into the wall. It eventually got to the point where I was more practicing using my paws than practicing my senses.
Eventually, I was able to pluck them from mid-air in rapid succession. Satisfied with my progress, I went to lie back down on my bed. At Least I'm able to see things extra clearly in that radius. Now how do I make the aura sense go further. I decided to spend the rest of my time figuring that out. For around thirty minutes, I had been using aura sense. I tried forcing my vision out of that 5 ft. radius I had. It worked, but things out of that range were blurrier the further I looked. If I kept it up for long enough, I could make the images clearer but I would get a small headache if I strained myself. I think that's a good place to stop. I was now able to see 10 ft. away. It still wasn't much, but it was double what I used to be able to sense.
After having Lunch, I decided to spend the rest of the day checking up on the world. All this business with real life Pokémon and the school shooting should be up there as popular news or something.
Obviously, The shooting was the first thing on the page. They called it the "Rogue Shooting", and claimed they killed hundreds of students and injected more with experimental drugs. Not entirely right, but not entirely wrong. Jason told me around 90 were killed, like 3-6 different classrooms and a few stragglers that didn't get to a classroom on time. I thought grimly. The media clearly didn't have all the facts, but they wanted the attention and money so they just started spreading false information online. Some articles claimed the injections turned the victims into mindless freaks. Others claimed that we were suffering with genetic deformities. One thing they had in common: The tiniest text at the end of the article that says they're not sure if that's all correct.
I always hated this crap. Now, I don't want to say "I hate the Liberal Media!", but I hate the Liberal Media. Someone could make an entire nation think a certain way if they used the Media correctly. Hell, some kids are being indoctrinated with the things that they see online, especially if parents neglect the importance of parenting. If a kid gets left alone while the parents are at work or maybe are just flat out ignoring the child, all that's left to raise them is either the streets or the internet. But enough about politics and domestic issues.
Having enough of looking through the mainstream media's bullshit, I opened up my social media page and checked how people were taking it. Unsurprisingly, the people overreacting were the ones with the most likes. One had a guy crying in a corner with text above him saying "I don't want to end up like them" and the tags include a #rogueshooting. What an ass hat, playing victim even though it has nothing to do with him. What's crouching away like a little bitch going to do against an asshole with a gun anyway? I thought.
I've decided to retire from any form of media right now and just decided to play some games. Once I turned to my switch, I immediately came to another problem. Great, now I've got to figure out how to use paws on a controller. It was actually surprisingly easy. I just had to really press them with my paw pads and just used the nubs from there. I only had a few games; Warframe, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and... Pokémon sword. Ironic when you think about it. I didn't feel like being the Pokémon playing Pokémon, so I decided to be the Pokémon playing Pokémon... except in Smash.
The rest of the day was uneventful, aside from me learning that school will pick up again next week. I decided to turn in a bit early to sleep away my thoughts.