We all make choices in our lives. Some of them seem insignificant and some of them seem to drastically change our lives. However, it seems like all choices are connected. A Butterfree flapping its wings in Eterna Forest determines a storm in Jubilife City. Or, a trainer from Twinleaf Town making a choice to go into Sandgem Town means that others must suffer. A single choice can change the future...but what if that future...had been determined long ago?
I stood in front of Professor Twinneedle's lab now. It was one of the only buildings untouched in the town,which seemed like a good thing. However, it was eerily silent, which disturbed me greatly. I'm not sure what I had expected to find, but I did know that it would be nothing good.
I slowly opened the door, which opened with a silence that was strangely worse than if it had made a creaking noise. I looked inside and noticed that it was dark. The lights weren't on and none of the machines seemed to be running. The only light came from two windows on either side at the front of the lab, but they did little but punctuate the darkness.
I was too nervous to call out. I didn't want to go in...but I knew I had to. If I didn't, then my conscience would never let me forgive myself. So, I walked in slowly, the tile floor echoing under me. I had only taken a few steps when I heard the soft thud of the door closing behind me, ridding me of my main source of light. I was now effectively blind as a Zubat.
I had only been to the lab once and barely remebered the layout. I held my hands in front of me and walked slowly. I decided I should keep to the wall, so I went to the left. I felt the stations of computers and the knocked over chairs that assistants sat at. Then, I felt something that made me fall backwards. It was silky and make a rustling noise when I touched it. I let out a small yell as I fell on the floor, keeping still, staring at it until my eyes could adjust to the darkness.
...it was a plant. Its leaves were green and it was in a pot next to a desk. I let out a sigh of relief and had to keep myself from laughing. I slowly stood up and with my newly adjusted eyes looked around.
It was a mess. Papers were strewn around; a couple of computer screens cracked. A lone shoe was in a corner, as if someone had been backed into it. I didn't see anyone, not even Jerry or the Professor, but I felt a presence I couldn't quite explain. I decided to walk to the middle of the room, to get a better angle...and saw why.
Laying by an empty table, on the right side of the room, was Professor Twinneedle. She was laying in thr fetal position, head being held in her curled arms. Her long, light brown hair was splayed and her ice blue eyes were closed. The long lab coat she wore was tattered and she was missing a shoe, revealing a tan foot (it only later occurred to me that it was the same shoe from earlier).
I ran to her and knelt down, as I shook her with all my might, yelling. "Professor! Professor Twinneedle! Are you all right!?" I put my finger to her wrist and pressed down. There was a faint pulse and in the silence I could barely hear her breathing. I turned her over so that her arms were at either side of her and that she was facing upwards. I took her face in my hands and spoke to her, still yelling, although not as loud. "Ms. Twinneedle! If you can hear me, please wake up!"
I waited a few moments...and then her eyes slowly fluttered open as she let out a groan. "Guh..." I moved back, surprised. I part of me didn't think she would wake up. She glanced around and eventually set her eyes on me. They widened a bit as she started moving her hands, as if trying to grasp something.
I held my hands up, and spoke quickly, afraid at the fact that she was afraid. "Professor Twinneedle! My name is Jacob. Jacob Spinders. I'm from Twinleaf Town." She seemed to get a sense of recognition in her eyes as she sat up. She held her head with her left hand and spoke in a croaky voice. "Twinleaf...Town?"
I quickly stood up and walked hurriedly to the water cooler, grabbing a cup. "Here, Ms. Twinneedle, have some water. You sound awful." I turned to her and smiled a little as the cup filled. "You look kind of awful too. No offense." She smiled at the remark in spite of everything and accepted the cup as I sat and gave it to her. She downed it in three sips, a gasp followed by an 'Ah' escaping her lips. She set it next to her and looked at me as she spoke, her voice much better now. "Thank you."
I set a hand on her arm, a worried look on my face. "Professor, are you all right? Are you injured? What happened? Where is everyone?" She looked down to my hand as she answered. Her voice was soft and meek, unlike what you would expect from the leading expert in Pokémon. "I'm alright. It could have a lot worse..." She suddenly looked up at me. "What are you doing here?"
I explained to her that I was coming to Sandgem originally to get a Pokémon; how I saw the news report; my frend Jerry had ran off without me; that I saw the town was empty and on fire. She listened intently and shook her head. "You shouldn't have come here. You and your friend need to get out..." I looked at her, pleading in my eyes as I asked again "Professor. What happened here?" She sighed, closed her eyes, and told a horrid tale.
"It all happened so quickly. Me and my two assistants were working, awaiting any new trainers, early this morning. One of them asked me if they could go to the Pokemart. I had no reason to disagree with him." She turned to the wall as she continued. About five minutes later, I wondered what was taking so long, so I went outside. Everything was fine. People were out and about. Nurse Joy was cheerily running the Center. And I saw my assistant at the counter of the Pokemart." She closed her eyes. "That's when it happened."
"It was a Charizard, one of the biggest I've ever seen. I thought it was strange, at first, that it was flying around above the town. For one, they aren't even native to the region. And second, it didn't have a trainer with it. A couple of people looked up at it; a small child even pointed. It flew with majestic wings...and then it opened it's mouth, setting the Mart on fire."
"I just stood there, mouth wide open in shock. There wasn't anything I could do anyway. I saw the inside of the Mart, the people panicking, my assistant the first one to the exit... only to die in the rubble, arm outstretched, as if reaching for me." Twinneedle blinked back tears as she continued. "At that point, the Charizard flew out of sight. I thought it was over. I was so wrong."
"The reporter and her cameraman came from Jubilife ten minutes later. A crowd had gathered around the incident. No one knew what to think and about twenty people or so were huddled in the group, whispering to each other. After her report, the blond began asking questions, but no one could give her any answers, me included." She glanced down. "My other assistant was hysterical, crying her eyes out in the lab as I went back inside to comfort her. That's when I saw the second attack through the window."
"It was the same Charizard, I'm certain of that, if nothing else. It grabbed the reporter's cameraman with its claws as it set houses on fire." She closed her as and spoke as if in a trance. "It grabbed people by the twos, threes, fours. I'm not sure what happened to them exactly, but I saw a couple get flung around into trees and drop to the ground from hundreds of feet high. People tried to run, but it did no good. There were only five people left in town when the damned thing finally left and headed somewhere that way." She gestured to the west of town."
"It was me; standing by the window, my assistant; who was sniffling by the entrance of the lab, the blond reporter; who stood in shock by the exit to town, Nurse Joy; she had lost her hat and was right outside the Center; and the small child from earlier; she was about four or five, crying for her 'Mommy' in the very middle of town." At this point, Professor Twinneedle finally got up, pushing herself with her arms and stumbling slightly. She went the the window that faced the direction of the Pokemon Center and spoke with her hands clasped behind her back. It was as if she was imagining the exact circumstances and taking her place, to watch them again.
"Of all the creatures it could have possibly been, it was one of the most misunderstood that came first: a Magikarp. It flopped up to the child from the woods. I have no idea where it came from, but I suppose it doesn't matter. As soon as it came up to the child, it looked up and her...and slapped her in the face with its tail, making the girl fall and cry. Nurse Joy, the caring soul that she is, immediately ran up to her, picked her up, and sprinted into the Pokémon Center." Twinneedle was quiet for a moment before speaking again.
"They came like a flood. There must have been dozens of different Pokémon rushing out from the woods. They were from all different regions, all different types, shapes sizes, no two were alike, or even in the same evolutionary pattern. But that didn't matter, they still behaved like a cohesive unit."
"They attacked the Center first. I could hear Nurse Joy's screams, along with those of the child. I saw Joy run out of the Center, leaving the girl behind. A Swellow and Pidgey followed her as she ran in the direction of Jubilife. I have no idea if she made it. What I do know is that the screams from the Center soon stopped."
"The reporter ran off in the opposite direction, towards Twinleaf, at this point. I don't blame her. I would have too, but..." She trailed off and looked st the entrance, her eyes watery, like melting ice. "Me and my assistant, we were trapped. They came quickly and attacked...but we didn't give up so easily."
"My assistant was always a fiesty spirit. She grabbed a Pokeball from the counter, where we usually keep the Starters and threw it. A Turtwig popped out from that white and red ball. She called out 'Turtwig, use Tackle!'. That Turtwig turned around, looked at her...and jumped at her, making her fall to the ground." She looked at the floor, as if picturing the whole scene.
"I had never seen a Pokémon attack a person of its own volition, especially like that. At least, not a trained one. After that, the other Pokémon we had kept, a Chimchar and a Piplup, jumped out of those balls, with no direction at all. They attacked, along with the wild Pokemon. Eventually, my assistant was unmoving. A Roserade wrapped her in vines and carried her off. I have no idea what they did with her...and I don't want to know."
Twinneedle was silent for a long time before finishing her tale. "As for me, I was knocked unconscious by a Lickitung. It just whacked me in the head with it's tongue. The entire attack on the town, start to finish...took twenty minutes." After finally finishing, Professor Twinneedle, the leading expert in the study of pokemon throughout the entire region, fell to her knees, put her head in her hands and let out a wail as she cried like an infant.
I had stayed silent throughout Ms. Twinneedle's story and was still quiet as she cried her eyes out. I figured it was better to let her do so than interrupt it. After about five minutes of sobbing, she finally seemed to have shed her last tear and looked at me, her eyes red and blue at the same time. "So, now you know exactly what happened here..." She seemed to look at me in a rage that I had never seen in a person before, but I looked down at her with an unbelieving face. "I'm...sorry. I can't imagine what you must have gone through...but..." I didn't know what to say. I had no words to describe what I was feeling and I doubted words could describe it. So, I let my actions speak.
I walked over to the Professor, outstretched my arms, and huge her. She seemed shocked for a moment, but accepted it, letting my arms wrap around her waist. We stayed like that for some time, until we finally both let go. She stood back up and looked at me, actually smiling. "Again, Jacob, I thank you."
She seemed to change in that instant, from an emotional wreck to the scientist within. She walked over to a corner of room and flipped a switch on a piece of machinery. In that moment, the electricity came on, the lab coming to life as lights flickered on and computers began whirring. The Professor had a serious look on her face as she spoke to me.
"What's your full name, kid?" I blinked and answered. "Jacob Ryan Spinders, Professor. My parents call me Spider, though." She looked at me, an amusement in her eyes. "Okay, first of all Jacob, stop calling me Professor. That title means nothing anymore, now that the thing I have studied my whole life has turned against me. My name is Jane. Use it."
I nodded as Jane walked over to a computer, logging in and beginning to type rapidly. "Okay Jane, whatever you say..." She stared at the computer screen as she spoke, looking at maps, data, and other things I didn't even about a minute, she looked at me curiously. "So, are you just going to stand there or..." I thought for a moment, then suddenly my eyes widened. "Um, Jane, which way did you say that Charizard was heading?"
She pointed to the west, in the direction of Lake Acuity. And Twinleaf Town. And my parents house. I was suddenly short of breath and I stumbled backwards, the realization hitting me. "Oh no...oh no..." I began running to the entrance. When I was there, I turned around. "Ms. Jane. I'll be back, I promise. Right now, I need to warn my parents." Jane nodded in understanding and waved me away, focused on her work.
I ran out of the lab, and in out of the ruins of Sandgem Town. The smoke was even stronger now and even settled out Route 201, but that didn't stop me or even slow me down. It took me about five minutes to come to the entrance of my hometown, but I stopped short. The smoke was so thick and black I could barely see. But...what I did see horrified me.
It was a small town, but that didn't matter. All the houses were fire and some of the trees had caught on too. Jerry's house had collapsed and I felt sorry for his family, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I had other things on my mind.
My house, my childhood home, was burning to the ground. It was a wonder that the foundation was still up. I ran as close as I could, but it was so hot that I started to sweat. I tried to look for any signs of life...and then I heard a piercing scream.
I have no idea how my mother had enough energy, life, or motivation to run out of that fire. Perhaps she saw me or was just thinking of me. Or maybe she just had a will to live. Either way, she ran out of that fire, looked at me, and fell to the ground, exhausted.
I immediately yelled, although I have no idea what or if I said anything intelligible and sprinted right to her as I took her in my arms, laying next to her. She was burned all throughout her body, her hair in curls of flame with red patches on her scalp. Her clothes were barely there and scorch marks were visible. She had tears in those green eyes that matched mine so perfectly and she could barely speak. I tried to say something, but she shushed me and made me listen. She put a disfigured Hans to my cheek as she spoke.
"Jacob...Spider...my son...I love you. I have always loved you. For the last eleven years, ever since I knew you existed, I was...overjoyed. Your father was too and we both always did the best we could for you. I know we weren't perfect, but I hope you remember us that way. Even if you don't, I forgive you. I just wish...we could have spent more time together. And Jacob...no matter what you think...it was never your fault... Remember that son...I...love y-"
At that moment, the world shook, the leaves in my mother's eyes died, and I truly knew what it was like to lose the one you love most. I want to say that everything was better after that...but that would be a cruel joke and a disgusting lie. She the first of my loved ones, minus my father, to die, but she wasn't even close to the last, even if she was the most traumatic.
Even after she had passed, her spirit moving onward, the smoke and flames all around me, one singular detail remains in my mind that will never leave: The deathly smell of Lavender.
Hey guys! It's Drew, the author. So, for those of you that hate me, don't worry, all chapters aren't killing people violently. For those of you who love the death and drama, first WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU? HIS PARENTS JUST DIED IN FRONT OF HIM! And,second, it will get darker at times, so you're welcome. Also, yes, the opening, may or may not be inspired by one or two video games that I play religiously.
Okay, I hate to bore you with a long authors note, but THIS IS IMPORTANT! So, I have a poll on my profile which has to do with this story. I can't say what exactly, since that would ruin the surprise, but if you could take a moment after reading this to vote, I would greatly appreciate it. Otherwise, I go to the RNG...
I'm done annoying you now, hehe. Please F&F (Fav and Follow) and R&R (Read and Review). The next chapter will be out hopefully later this week. Now, that's all, so cya! *smirks, fades*
