Walking Man's Road
Being that War is Hell, lots of people were harmed during the production of this motion picture (but since television is a dramatic medium of make believe, all casualties removed their prosthetic make-up and went home unscathed).
--Is there a Doctor in the House?
*****
"Cirrus, honey, where are you?"
I could see my mother, standing in the distance. There was fog all around her and her voice echoed around me. I stood, fully human, about ten feet from her.
"Mom, I'm here," I shouted at her. "Can't you hear me?"
My mom appeared puzzled and shielded her eyes with a hand. The fog got thicker and the smell of a deep forest rose slowly.
My feet were stuck in mud and I couldn't move to her. The fog was bad and I knew something would happen if it hid her from my sight.
"Mom!" I cried out, pulling desperately at my stuck feet. I fell to the ground and pulled at the coarse grass strands. I dug my fingers into the cold dirt and pulled hard.
The fog was nearly to my mother's waist. I had to do something.
Suddenly, the mud released its hold on me. I stumbled to my feet and ran towards her.
She seemed to get smaller and the fog swirled hungrily about her. I couldn't see below her waist anymore.
She frowned and dropped her hand to her side, peering in my direction.
She could see me!
My mother screamed suddenly and the fog wooshed around her, covering her completely. I felt the echo of her scream reverbrate around me and I screamed too.
Only, it came out as a shrill, high-pitched cry.
"PIKAAAAA!"
I was no longer my human self, I knew, as I looked down to my golden paws, slender lightning-bolt shaped tail and I saw my shadow. The sun came out suddenly, casting that shadow onto the ground.
I was a Pikachu once more and I had lost my mother.
~Gary~
I stumbled through the brush, avoiding sharp rocks and other natural debris, my amulet banging against my chest. I rested against a tree, Cirrus' backpack on my back and the blanket clutched around me.
Behind me was that wierd Pikachu, following me, keeping alert for any danger. Or possible total embarassments. My worst fear was Ash finding me like this; then who'd be the looser?
A sudden tugging at the blanket had me looking down into the eyes of the Pikachu.
"Pi, pika!" it said, motioning for me to get down.
I did and moments later I heard voices.
"We gotta foind that Pikachu!" An accented voice said harshly.
"But Meowth, we hardly know where to start looking," A woman's voice, "And besides, why should we? We're after the Twerps' Pikachu, not some random stray that busted up Xanady's lab!"
"I'm hungry!" A male voice whined.
They said more, but they had walked on and I heard no more. Xanady. That name was familiar.
"Pikacha," a whisper. I looked down, but the Pikachu had already started walking away from the direction the voices had gone.
"Wait up!" I called out, running after it.
*****
Ten minutes later I was in the lead again. We seemed to be getting closer to a town, we'd passed a small sign a few minutes ago, but I didn't stop to look at it. I was pretty sure I knew where we were headed to.
"CHU!!!"
I stopped, the short Pikaword so curt, it must've been an explitive in its language. I looked back and saw the Pikachu sitting on the ground, looking at its left hind foot.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
It's head snapped up and in a flash, it was on all fours, a pained smile on its face. "Pi!"
I frowned, I thought I saw a flash of blood. "You sure?"
"Pi! Pi pikachu?"
"Uh, okay, let's get going then. I think we're almost at the town." I turned and started walking.
Suddenly, there was a rustling in the bushes ahead of us and I froze, the Pikachu bumping into my leg.
"Who's there?" I called out tentatively.
The bushes parted and an Officer Jenny stepped out, a Growlithe by her side. It growled low in its throat and I heard the Pikachu squeak and hide behind me.
Some protection you are, I thought sullenly as I clutched the blanket tighter around me, trying not to flush at her stare.
"What the heck happened to you? Is that your Pikachu?" She patted the Growlithe's head and it settled down.
I cleared my throat, putting on my best tone of voice, "My name is Gary Oak and I have no idea what happened to me or where I'm at for that matter."
"Well, you're just outside of Viridian City and you're the second person that's been found....like this." She seemed flustered. "Without, um, apparel, that is."
I frowned, "Who else? It seems odd that something like this would happen."
"You don't have to tell me twice. The girl was found about thirty miles from here, by a traveling trainer. She knew who she was, but didn't know how she got in the middle of nowhere. She was pretty shaken up, but totally unharmed."
I looked around, it was getting dark. "Do you suppose we could get to a Pokémon Center or something? I'd like to get there before anyone sees me like this."
"Oh, of course, I have my bike just around the bend. Let's go."
~Cirrus~
I jumped into the pod thing that was attatched to the motorcycle and sat at Gary's feet. His feet. I sighed, thinking about Gary's regained humanity and my own lost humanity. That dream I had about my mom had shaken me up. Was I loosing my mind? Was this experiment of Xanady's affecting me in a way she hadn't expected?
I hadn't understand Officer Jenny when she was talking to Gary. It was a jumbled bit of language that I couldn't make out to be English. After a while, I did understand her, but only after the throbbing in my foot settled down.
Without seeing where we were going, I quickly got cycle-sick and I closed my eyes.
When we got to the Center, Gary climbed out and absently motioned for me to get out. I crawled out on all fours, my hurt foot seriously throbbing. With it being so dark, no one noticed my injury. I can't believe I stepped on a stupid pebble. I'd seen it and dismissed it as being unimportant. Now the sharp edged nusance was wedged in my foot.
The lights of the Center cast a welcome glow on the grass outside of it and I hobbled up the stairs, following Gary and Officer Jenny. The inside of the Center brought back a ton of memories. I saw the waiting area where I messed up with Brock, the desk where I'd left Flare. Flare, now Gary. So much had changed in three weeks.
Nurse Joy was at the front desk and she greeted Officer Jenny warmly. Jenny quickly told Joy of Gary's situation and left. I looked back, watching her leave from my place at Gary's feet and saw the small splotches of blood I'd left. I grimaced; that was gonna stain.
"...like me to take a look at your Pikachu?"
I looked up at Nurse Joy and she smiled at me, then gasped, "You poor thing!" She walked around the desk, picking me up.
"What's wrong with it?" Gary asked, looking concerned.
Nurse Joy placed me on the desk. "That is what's wrong!" She said, pointing at the pebble in my foot. "How could you let this Pikachu just walk around on a hurt foot?"
"Because it isn't mine!" Gary snapped at her. He sighed and rubbed his forehead with one hand. "I..I'm sorry, so much has happened today. Will you be able to help it?"
"Yes, of course." She looked down at my paw. "I'm going to have to get that rock out before I can let the machine heal it." She looked up at me with a smile, "You won't shock me, will you?"
Numbly, I shook my head. What was I supposed to do? I didn't even know any electric attacks. Did I?
"Chansey!" Nurse Joy called out. A moment later, the large pink Chansey walked into the room.
"Chansey?"
"What's wrong?"
"Can you wheel this Pikachu into room three?"
Chansey picked me up and placed me onto a rolling platform. As it wheeled me out, I heard Nurse Joy talking to Gary.
"I'll get you a room and the spare set of clothes you left here last month. You'll get washed up and then something to eat..."
The last thing I saw was Gary's deep blue eyes watching after me as Chansey took me away.
*****
Needless to say, getting the pebble out was painful and no, I didn't know any electric attacks.
"All right," Nurse Joy said as she picked me up. "This should heal your foot and it won't hurt." She placed me in a glass encased thing, clean sheets on the base. "Just stay here for a few minutes while I get it ready. I'll be right back." She closed the glass top and left the room, Chansey following closely.
I sighed and curled up, closing my eyes. A few moments later, I smelled a cinnamon/apple scent and I smiled, taking in deep breaths. My body tingled and I relaxed, breathing in the sweet air.
Suddenly, I heard the glass top sliding open and the cinnamon/apple scent drifted out, the cool air of the room replacing it. I felt warm hands pick me up and Nurse Joy held me tight to her. I looked around, but the Chansey wasn't there and neither was my injury. As she walked me out of the room and down the hall, I felt better and better.
"Thank you!" I said, but it came out, "Pi pika!"
She smiled down at me and said, "Well, you're welcome. I have a special place for you to spend the night." She opened a door and walked through. I saw two rows of "beds" with various Pokémon in each. The room had windows along the far wall, the rows of "beds" were on the opposite, windowless wall. She placed me on an empty bed and said, "You can spend the night here, then in the morning we'll have to decide what to do with you. Maybe Gary will take you in until we can find your trainer, Cirrus."
I looked up at her, confused.
I guess it really showed because Nurse Joy smiled at me, "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find her. I remember her, a nice girl with a Charmander and a Jigglypuff." She frowned, "Neither Pokéball was there and Gary said he didn't remember seeing either Pokémon there, or any signs that there had been any other Pokémon other than you there. Her pokédex didn't say anything about a Pikachu. Did she recently catch you?"
I didn't know how to answer that, so I just shook my head. What was I to say? No, I didn't recently catch myself.
She smiled at me, "Well, goodnight then, Pikachu." She turned and left, closing the door behind her.
I settled down and closed my eyes. There had to have been something in this room to affect me because suddenly, all of my energy was sapped and I wanted nothing more than to sleep. And sleep, I did.
*****
The next morning, I was woken up by the sound of Gary's voice.
"You want me to take care of a Pikachu? Electric types aren't my type!"
I frowned, How rude.
The door was open, Gary was in the doorway, dressed and talking to Nurse Joy. Chansey was busy wheeling a Flareon between them, a Pokéball next to it.
"You have to take it, I can't run a daycare, plus help all these sick Pokémon!" Nurse Joy was sounding a little frustrated with Gary.
Gary tilted his head to one side, closing his eyes, thinking.
Flare, I thought, a sudden constriction at my throat. I wanna be me again. I missed not only being me, but being home. Near Matt and my dad and even my mom. No matter that she slapped me, I'd rather be with family. I was totally alone here.
Home-dimension sickness was utterly way harsh.
I looked down, wanting to be out of here, when a shadow fell on me. I looked up at Gary's frowning face. I wanted to jump up and knock some sense into his head. Rememeber me!
He stopped frowning and said, "I guess you can stay with me for a while. If you want."
I shrugged and he smirked. "Of course you do." He picked me up, but I squirmed around and settled down on his right shoulder. He looked surprised, but just "Hrmph"-ed and walked after Nurse Joy, who was waiting for him in the doorway.
Joy led us to the main section, which was filled with trainers, and walked around the front desk. She reached under and pulled out something red and white.
I gulped as Gary took the Pokéball from her.
"Since this Pikachu didn't come with a Pokéball, I suppose you can have this one. I can register it in your Pokédex until its trainer is found."
Gary sighed, looked at the ball. He shrunk it to a reduced size and slipped the Pokéball in his pocket. "I'll take care of it for Cirrus. Notify me if you find her, I'll be at Gramps' place."
Suddenly there was a commotion at the door as a teenage girl burst through, a struggling Nidoran in her arms.
I'm not a Pokémon, I'm a person!! Let me go! It wailed out in Nidoranese.
We were ignored as Nurse Joy and Chansey ran for the trainer, taking care of the struggling Pokémon. We walked past them, out of the Center. The door closed automatically behind us, but I could still hear the cries of the Nidoran, haunting me and reminding me of what I had to do.
*****
We arrived in Pallet Town about five hours later, dusk falling as Gary stepped into Professor Oak's lab. I hopped off his shoulder and onto the floor as Professor Oak quickly hugged his grandson.
"What are you doing!" His Grandfather called out, grinning broadly.
I looked at Gary, confused.
"Whaaaaa!!!" His Grandfather cried out, sticking out his tongue.
Eew, My only thought.
Gary's face brightened, "No, Gramps, it's not 'What are you doing!' it's 'Whassup!'"
"Oh! Of course," 'Gramps' cleared his throat, "WHASSUP!"
"Nice to be back, Gramps." Gary said as he followed his Grandfather into a kitchen.
I blinked and followed the two, thinking, I can't believe the Whassup Guys have made it this far.
My stomach rumbled when Professor Oak took out a whole meal for Gary. With the meal heated and on the table, Gary sat down and enjoyed his dinner.
"And who do we have here?"
I turned around to see Professor Oak squatting down near me. I was about to say something when my stomach rumbled, loudly. Oak laughed and motioned for me to follow him. With a last look at a content Gary, I followed him.
He led me to a room filled with Pokéballs. Shelves full and nearly full of them lined the walls. I could see names on the shelves: Gary Oak, Ash Ketchum, Julie Deline, Josh Millerson...the names went on.
I wasn't paying attention and bumped into Oak. I looked up at him, I was getting to hate looking up at people, and saw him fixing a small plate of something...brown. Eew, what was that???
He picked me up, I was hating that too, and placed me on the table. "Go on, it's a specially formulated Pikachow that Brock created. You'll love it!"
And I hated it when people told me what I'd love and not love. I sniffed it, poking at the little brown pellets. They were as big as a Hershey Nugget and looked far less appetizing. I picked one up, it was hard and soft at the same time. I looked at Oak again.
"Go on!"
I guess he double dog dares me... I stared at the pellet. It could only make me sick and besides, Brock made it. Eyes closed, I nibbled it and opened my eyes. It wasn't all that bad. Kinda tasted like a...I don't know, but it was good.
Oak laughed and said, "I'll be back for you in a few minutes. Don't touch anything while I'm gone." He left, leaving the door half-closed.
There was only a small amount of food and I finished it quickly. It left me feeling full and refreshed at the same time. I looked around the dark room, track lighting along each shelf illuminated the rows of Pokéballs.
I hopped off the table and walked towards the door. I was a being with a short patience level and couldn't wait for Oak to come get me. If I did, I was sure to get into something I wasn't supposed to.
I padded down the hallway, using my oversized ears to find my way back to where Oak and Gary were at, still in the kitchen. I could hear them talking and the sounds of dishes being washed. I couldn't hear what they were saying at first, but the closer I got, the clearer it got.
"I don't know where that Pikachu came from, but I can't take care of it. Couldn't you?"
"Gary you need to realize that a great Pokémon Master needs to master all types of Pokémon. You can't avoid Electric types forever." A pause. "Is this because of Ash?"
"No." A curt word, "It's not. I could just evolve my Eevee into a Jolteon if I wanted an Electric type."
"Your Eevee is strong and at a high level, it may not be easy to control. You should start with a low level Electric type." Oak cleared his throat. "What about this Cirrus Blaine girl? Where does she fit into all of this?"
"I...I don't know. I've never heard of that name before. Shouldn't you check on that Pikachu now?"
"Oh, yes, I suppose it should be done eating by now. I'll be right back."
I heard a chair scrape against the wood floor and I pressed against the wall as Oak walked past me. I'd have little time before he found I wasn't there. I rounded the bend and saw Gary putting away the dishes.
Lightning flashed suddenly and the lights went out. I heard Gary groan and he yelled out, "You okay Gramps?!"
No answer.
I could see Gary (night vision rules!) pull open a drawer and take out a candle and some matches. He put the candle in a holder, struck the match and watched it as it flared to life. He lit the candle, dropped the match into the sink and then he stared at the candles flame. Suddenly, he seemed hypnotised and for a minute or two, just...stared at the flickering flame.
He probably would've stared longer if his Grandfather hadn't yelled out, running back into the kitchen, and stepping full on my tail.
I screamed and suddenly the room was full of light as I found my first electric attack and thundershocked Professor Oak.
We both fell to the floor in a faint and for me, the world went dark.
*****
When I came to, it was bright out. The sun was shining and a steady, warm breeze blew through an open window. White gauzy shears fluttered in the breeze and I heard Pidgey or whatever chirping in the trees outside.
I groaned and put a paw to my forehead, feeling the soft yellow fur beneath my sensitive paw. I looked around and saw I was in a medium sized room, not too big or small, with various Pokémon stuff spread around.
There was a Pokémon World Map on one white wall and an entertainment center on the other. I stared at the 52" TV with envy, stood up and stretched on the lush bed I'd been sleeping on.
Then it dawned on me. This had to be Gary's room. I saw a cordless phone and an answering machine on a nightstand next to the bed. The answering machine was blinking, indicating there were forty-seven new messages.
Ever the popular one.
I heard shouting from outside and I carefully dropped from the bed to the floor. I was a little dizzy, but walked on all fours to the low window-sill. I looked out and saw Gary training an Eevee against his Grandfather's Tauros, a smaller Eevee was watching, its back to me. It looked to be the end of the battle and I saw Eevee tackle the Tauros. It stumbled backwards and then fell over in a faint. Gary cheered and scooped up the Eevee, which gave him a small lick on the cheek.
Eevee.
I promise to release you wherever you want when you're better, okay?
But at least I had saved it from Xanady. I can't let it down. I dropped down from the sill and left the bedroom. I faced the stairs in apprehension, then carefully made my way down.
With Gary training in the back, he wouldn't see me leaving from the front. I was not going in a Pokéball and the only way to get Cirrus back, was for me to get to Xanady and hope she had made another batch of antidote.
I took one last look at Professor Oak's Lab and thought, Take care of Eevee for me, Gary. I'll be back...I hope.
~Gary~
I knew she was gone before I got into Gramp's house. Left when we were training. I had seen her little black tipped yellow ears after Eevee tackled Tauros into a faint.
Cirrus...
I remembered a little of what happened to me before Officer Jenny found us. The fire from the candle must've sent me into some sort of a hypnotic trance and I was remembering...things...until Gramps stepped on her tail. Even with me halfway across the room, her attack had struck me too. I remembered even more.
Gramps suggested that I let her sleep in my room and I had. I placed her carefully in a small blanket lined box next to my bed. The force of learning such an attack had caused her to faint and even though Gramps had given her a potion, she hadn't regained consciousness.
When I got up the next morning, I found her curled up on my stomach, her tail wrapped tightly around her. I had dreamed a ton that night, everything that happened to me had come back and vividly so. I wanted to keep Cirrus safe for what she had done for me.
She'd saved my life in the Viridian Gym, standing up to that Wartortle and taking the full blast of the Water Gun attack. I owed her that much in return.
"Where did that Pikachu go to?"
"Huh?" I looked over at Gramps, "Oh, I don't know."
For a moment we watched the two Eevees, mock fighting outside. One was Cirrus' Eevee and the other was mine. We were resting on the back porch in between training.
Gramps frowned. "If I know anything about Pokémon, it's that their love for their Trainer is a powerful thing."
I glanced down at the two tussling Eevees.
"That Pikachu went after its Trainer," Gramps said before sipping his tea.
"I guess so." I said, holding up Eevee's Pokéball. I recalled him, startling Cirrus' Eevee.
"Eui?" It asked, looking around.
"Over here, Eevee," I called out to it. It ran up to the porch.
Gramps' Mr. Mime appeared suddenly, taking the tea set from the table next to Gramps and disappearing into the house. He went to follow the strange Pokémon when I called out to him, "Can you get Kitsu for me?" I tossed Eevee's Pokéball to him. "I haven't trained my Vulpix in a while."
Gramps nodded and went inside, Cirrus' Eevee trailing behind him.
Once they were gone, I let the confident smirk fall from my face and I turned towards the forest.
Stay safe, Cirrus.
~Cirrus~
I looked around the forest and came to the stunning conclusion that I was hoplessly lost. My tummy grumbled as I stumbled through a thick briar patch. I knew Pallet was south of Viridian, but was I going North? For all I knew I could be going East or West. I was definately no nature girl.
I emerged from the briars a bit scratched, but otherwise unharmed and found myself on a well maintained dirt road. Somehow, that was just wrong. I walked along the well maintained dirt road wondering what I'd eat, when I crested a small hill and saw two bright red, shiny apples, sitting on a tree stump by the side of the road.
I froze, my mouth watering. Pikachus..Pikachi?, ate apples and stuff. I ran for them, not wondering if they were someone elses or why they were so conveniently laid out in plain sight.
I picked one up, preparing to bite when...
"...Leer attack! Freeze that Pikachu!"
From the shrubs behind the tree stump, a huge Arbok rose high up. The big snakes' eyes glowing a bright blue and I froze, unable to munch on the succulent perfection in my paw.
My first thought was of Jessie and James, but a tall blond man stepped out.
"Good job, Killah," he said, tossing it the other apple. The Arbok snagged it in mid-air, polishing it off in one bite.
"Now as for you, all I needed was one last Pikachu."
All my thoughts steered in to a Pokémon World Cruella DeVille who wanted a Pikachu-fur coat. My stomach churned when I saw the man take out a syringe and I was filled with sudden terror.
No, not again...How could I let myself be so easily caught! I've only been away from Gary for two hours tops!
I struggled to move, but couldn't and I felt the blood rushing from my face as the needle got closer and closer.
No.. I screamed inwardly as he plunged the syringe in the back of my neck.
The man stood up and moved from my line of vision, used syringe in hand. I braced myself, waiting for the change. But nothing happened.
The strange man recalled the Arbok and walked into my sights, a handheld scanner thing in his hands. He walked behind me and I could feel it hovering over the back of my neck. It chimed and the man got up.
"Okay, twenty-three Pikachu in the Route One area. I know it's not all of you guys, but it will do for now. Years from here, we'll still be able to track you, regardless if you are caught by a Trainer or not." He tossed a Pokéball, "Pidgeot, go!"
A flash of light behind me, then, "Pidgeo!"
Rustling.
"To the Viridian City Pokémon Center, Pidgeot!" More rustling, then I could see the Pidgeot, with the wierd man on its back, from the corner of my eye. I saw it jump a little as it unfurled its wings and then snapped them down at the height of its jump. It rocketed up and straight in the direction I'd been going.
Unfortunately, the backlash of its take off sent me flying into the base of a tree. Stars filled my vision and I wasn't able to breathe for a minute. I gasped for air and would've been mentally cursing out the man and his Pidgeot if it wasn't for one, little thing.
I was still holding on to that apple.
*****
Not long after the man left, it began to rain. A small drizzle, but one look at the dark clouds, heavy and low with moisture, told another story. I would need to find shelter. The apple wouldn't as it had suffered an unfortunate accident with my teeth.
It wasn't my fault she lost her balance and fell into my fist. Several times.
Mom...
Naturally, I didn't find any shelter until after I was thoroughly soaked. It was a tall tree that had a small hollowed area at its base. The tree was still alive and there were some mushrooms that littered the 'floor' of the hollow area. I picked a few that were in my way, tossing them in a back area of the hollow and settled in, facing the road beyond.
Luckily there weren't any spiders in the Pokémon world, and I spent the night there, sleeping soundly.
The next day found me walking the road, my stomach empty and growling. The road rose up to a small hill and I knew I could find my way if I could get up a bit higher.
I looked around and saw a big grey boulder sticking out from a thick stand of bushes that grew alongside the road. I jumped up onto it, it was warm from the sun, and paused there. I wanted to get to a Pokécenter and this would give me a better view of my surroundings. I could see forests and more ahead and to the left of the road. To my right, the forest broke off in a cresent shape about a couple miles or so. I couldn't judge distances too well, but it didn't look all that far. Maybe it was Viridian.
Suddenly the boulder moved beneath me and it growled.
Uh-oh, this can't be good. I thought.
The boulder shook me off and I rolled when I hit the ground and got my first good look at the 'boulder'. It was huge, massive, and grey. It growled again and looked pissed, its eyes glowing blue.
Dangerous or not? My mind was racing, trying to figure it out when suddenly, it attacked.
The huge Pokémon slammed into me and knocked me backwards. As usual, a tree stopped me and I stared at the angry Pokémon.
It was a Rhydon and it looked ready for another attack.
I wasn't about to wait around. I lept up and ran into the shrubs. I had to get away from this thing.
Suddenly, I found myself back on the road. I froze, my heartbeat racing and the blood rushing from my face. I ran down the road, back to where I thought Gary's place was. The Rhydon was hot on my heels and as I rounded a corner, the pounding of its hooves, paws, whatever, making the ground tremble beneath my own paws, I nearly ran into two huge blue creatures.
Not more! I thought in dismay.
A NidoKing and NidoQueen stood before me on their hindlegs, apparently I'd disturbed a romantic-ish moment between the two.
The 'Queen reached towards me and I bolted back the way I'd come, running under the charging Rhydon and then into more bushes.
I ran and ran, the Rhydon always one rumbling step behind me, tossing attack after attack. I managed to avoid most of them.
Viridian has to be around here somewhere, I thought as I ran through a bush. Suddenly I was running out onto nothingness. I fell sickeningly through the air, screaming until something hard broke my fall and I blacked out.
Oops, looks like Cirrus is in trouble! Will she be okay? Will Gary try to find and help her? Why did I put that Whassup thing in there? All this and more to be answered in Journey--Part Seven!!
P.S.
I totally hate this chaptering thing. Anyone else hate it? It's worse than when Regis has people second-guessing their answers, which he just did to someone...