The hardest thing someone could ever say is "I love you". Either they're afraid of not really meaning it, or afraid of not being loved back..Or maybe, they're just afraid of love, because they've never known it before..
*****
"Garth? Wake up..You're holding my hands.." Valerie said, blushing.
"Huh? Oh, sorry..I didn't notice..I was sleeping.." Oh, I noticed alright. I wasn't even sleeping. I was just laying with my eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Her hands felt so small and gentile compared to my big clumsy three fingered hands. My hands are more like paws than hands, actually. I savored the moment of holding her hands for a minute more, then let them go. Then, I just laid there, staring at her eyes. People say eyes are the windows to the soul. Maybe they're right. Maybe I can see her soul through those eyes..
She snapped me out of my thoughts by saying, "It's okay. I was sleeping untill a few minutes ago, anyway." She didn't mind me holding her hands as much as I thought she would. "I wish we could stay here forever..Almost nobody goes here..It's so peaceful.."
"Yeah..No one here to hurt me.." And I'm with you.. "It's so comforting here.." Only because you're here with me.. "Thanks for helping me.." I love you.
"You're welcome.." If only she knew what I was thinking. But, I can't tell her. She may not think it's right. I don't even think it's right. Pokémon just aren't supposed to love humans. But, I don't love her body. I love her soul. Most humans think love only has to do with how someone looks and how much sex they have. But, I know love can't be like that. I have never experienced love before, but I know it has nothing to do with how Valerie looks. I love how she's not like everyone else. I love how she cared about me even when she didn't know me. I love how she'll help me, no matter what. I love how she treats me like I'm more than just a Pokémon. Maybe she sees something in me that no one else, not even myself, does. Maybe she...No, I don't think so. That couldn't be possible..Could it?
"Garth?"
"What?"
"Oh, nothing..You just seemed awful quiet.."
"I'm just thinking." About you. "Sorry, I do that alot."
"It's okay.."
"Oh crap..I just realized something..Gau's probably worried sick about where I am..I told him I'd come back.."
"Gau? Who's that?"
"He's a friend of mine..He's a Meowth.."
"Oh.." I didn't want to have to leave Valerie, but I had to at least let Gau know I'm still alive.
I painfully managed to get off the table and stand up. "Well, I'd better go.."
"Wait..You can't just go walking around here by yourself. I'll have to put you in my Pokéball.." She held up her Pokéball and began to press the button, but then she hesitated. "But first.." Then she gave me a hug. My only reaction was to return the favor, and hug her back. Nothing else seemed to matter at the moment besides our embrace. For a moment, I forgot about everything. Everything besides us..It felt good..Very good. Then she let go, but I didn't. I wanted this moment to last forever. It just feels too good to let go.. "Um..Garth? I hate to have to do this, but I gotta put you in the Pokéball now.."
I let go. "Okay.." But, I don't want you to. I want to be with you forever. "Go ahead.." No..Please don't. I don't want to leave you. A quick red flash, and I was in the Pokéball. It didn't feel as comforting as it did before..
*****
"GARTH!! Where in the heck have you been?!?!!" Gau was half mad at me for being gone long, but half happy that I was back.
I explained to him what happened with Domino, and how I was saved by Valerie again.
He exploded with laughter. "You..You spent the NIGHT with her?! What in the heck were you THINKING?!" He said, between bursts of laughter.
"You have a sick, sick mind, Gau. It wasn't what you think it was. Besides, I slept most of the time. And when I wasn't sleeping, we just talked."
"Suuuure you did..."
"Shut up, or I'll have to hurt you.."
"Hey, I'm only kidding!"
"Oh. So, did anything happen to you?"
"Nope. I've just been in the same place all the time. They hardly fed me anything, so I'm starved.."
"Get used to it. I hardly ever eat.."
"How could you go without eating?! Food is my life! Okay, not really but I need to eat alot.."
"It's just something you have to get used to. I've hardly eaten all my life, so I've always been used to it..Hopefully, I can get us out of here soon, so you won't have to worry about being hungry.." I will get out of here soon..I have to..
"How exactly do you plan on getting us out of here? It's impossible!"
"Well, there is a way..It depends on Valerie.."
"How can SHE help?"
"Well, she's going to try to figure something out for me.."
"And what's that?"
"Okay, she's going to figure out exactly what this device that protects certain people in here from my attacks is, and how to disable it. Once it's disabled, I'll be able to escape, and hurt anyone who gets in my way.."
"Oh. You think that plan will really work?"
"I hope so..It should..The only think keeping me from escaping is that device, and with it disabled, no one can stop me.."
"What does it do, anyways?"
"It makes a really strong shield around the person I'm trying to attack..It's basically like this.." I made a barrier around myself. "..But it's stronger, I think..I just don't know how it's made.."
"Stronger than your powers? That's possible?"
"Not by any Pokémon..But, that's a good thing.."
"Why? Any Pokémon would do ANYTHING to be as powerful as you! I know I would!"
"It's just too much..It's useless having all this power..I'd give up my powers for anything.." I'd give it all up to be loved by Valerie.
"Okay, you don't know what in the world you're talking about..If you weren't here, then you could have a trainer, and you could beat the whole Pokémon league, and become famous!"
"But, I am here..And that's not what I want..You don't understand.."
"Oh..Okay, you're right..I don't understand completely..But, I think what you're trying to mean is that there's more to life than just normal Pokémon stuff.."
"Hey, you're exactly right. I don't want to just be a Pokémon..I want to be MORE than that..But, I can't.." If I weren't just a Pokémon, then maybe Valerie would love me.
"Being a Pokémon can really suck sometimes..Unless you have a trainer who treats you like royalty! Like..Um..My trainer did.." He seemed pretty nervous to tell that to me. Probably because he thinks I'd be jealous of him..But, I'm not..Sure, I'd like to know what it's like to have a good trainer, but I don't need to be jealous.
"Having a good trainer would be nice..What's it like, anyways?"
"Well, it's hard to explain..I'll just say, it's the opposite of being HERE..And, I got all the food and attention I wanted! But, battling kinda sucked, cuz I wasn't good at it.."
"Oh..I don't see why Pokémon always have to battle for people. Why do they use US for THEIR success? What do the Pokémon get out of it? Basically, NOTHING. It's just like being a slave..I'd rather just have a friend instead of a trainer."
"You do have a point there..In fact, when I leave here, I don't wanna go back to my trainer! I'm gonna stay with you!"
"Thanks Gau..We'll stick together.."
"Yeah! That's what friends do!"
Then, Domino barged in. "Hey! Mewtwo and Meowth in the corner! GET OVER HERE!"
"Garth? This isn't good, is it?"
"Hell no. Who knows what she's going to do with us.." I did know what was going to happen. I didn't want this to happen at all. She was going to make us battle each other.
******
We eventually got to the battle field. Domino forced me into that damn armor, and I knew this wouldn't have good results.
"Garth?! What in the hell is that thing?!!?" I knew Gau was scared half to death. Makes sense, though. This armor even scares me.
Domino started to laugh in her disgusting way. "This is gonna be GOOD! These Pokémon seem to be FRIENDS! All the more reason to enjoy their suffering!!" She pressed a button, and I felt a stabbing, numbing pain in the back of my head.
"SHIT! What in the hell was that for?!"
"Oh, it's a surprise.." She said, smugly.
Suddenly, I started making and tossing shadow balls at Gau uncontrollably.
"GARTH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!!?" Gau screamed, as he tried to dodge the shadow balls.
"This thing..This thing is controlling my mind!!" I shouted, as I tried to rip the armor off me. I just kept getting shocked while I attempted to get out of it.
"There is one thing I didn't tell you about this armor. With it, I can control your every move, so you won't disobey me this time! So, that worthless little cat will die!"
"NO!!!!!!! I WILL NOT KILL MY BEST FRIEND!!!!!" I screamed, over the crash of the shadow balls.
"Hmm...These shadow balls seem a little too inaccurate..I'll have to try something stronger..Maybe..PSYCHIC?!" She knew that I couldn't stand using that attack.
"No..Please no..Anything but that..GAU SAVE YOURSELF!!!!"
"Ha Ha. That cat isn't going ANYWHERE. There's no way out. You're so PATHETIC."
A blue glow started lighting up around me. Domino was making me charge up for Psychic.
"YOU HAVE TO FIGHT IT, GARTH!!! YOU'RE MORE POWERFUL THAN THAT TIN CAN SUIT!!"
The glow got stronger by the second. No. I have to fight this. I will not hurt Gau..Maybe, I can focus my power to destroy the armor..I'll risk my life, but that's a chance I'm willing to take. I WILL NOT HURT GAU.
Seconds passed that felt like minutes. I had no idea when I was going to release this evil blast of blue energy. Domino smiled. "This is it." She pressed a button, then I could feel my power exploding out of me, shattering the armor. An undescribe-able pain rushed through my whole entire body. Time seemed to stand still when it happened.
"GARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed, then collapsed. The whole battle field glowed a bright blue for a minute, then darkened to it's normal light.
"WHAT?!! How can this be?! He completely shattered the armor, and the attack didn't even touch the Meowth!!" I could hear Domino's reaction, though I was only half conscious. She ran over to me. "GOD DAMN IT! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!?!"
"I..I..I fought..it.." I managed to say.
"WHAT?!?! That's not possible!! I had this thing made so you couldn't destroy it!!!"
"You..underestimated..my powers..I'm..more..powerful than..you think..Bitch.."
She slapped me. "Shut up! DAMNIT! You have been wrecking my life since the day you were created!! Giovanni is an idiot for having you created!!"
"Giovanni..is an..idiot..for hiring..you.."
"I didn't ask you to speak!!" She started kicking me in the side. "I." (kick) "HATE." (kick) "YOU!!" (kick)
Gau ran over as fast as he could, and slashed Domino in the back. HARD. "LEAVE GARTH ALONE!!"
"You stupid cat!!! You will PAY for that!" Gau jumped up on the machine with the buttons controlling the now destroyed armor, and noticed Domino's tazer. He grabbed it and turned it on. "PUT THAT DOWN!! You don't know what the hell you're doing!"
"OH YES I DO!!" He jumped onto her back, and shoved the tazer into her neck. She let out a horrible scream, and passed out from the shock.
"Gau..You saved..me..Thank you.."
"No time for that, we have to get you out of here, and get some help!"
"Find..Valerie..She..can..help.."
"But, I don't know what she looks like!!"
"You'll know her..When..you see..her.." I started slipping into unconsciousness.
"GARTH! Don't start sleeping now! You have to at least describe her!!"
"Like..I..Said..You'll know her..When you..see her.." Then, I passed out.
*****
I spent the next few days, slipping in and out of consciousness, not really knowing where I was or who I was with. After about 5 days, I finally woke up. I was in that abandoned room, on the steel table again. But, some blankets were thrown over the table to make it softer and not so cold. Gau noticed that I was awake, and became excited, as usual. "Garth!! You're finally awake!!" He started jumping up and down on a chair and purring.
"You sure are happy to see me..How'd I get here?"
"I found Valerie!!"
"I knew you would..Thanks.." I must see her. "Where is she right now?"
"She's GETTING FOOD FOR US!!!!" Gau purred even louder as he said that.
"Will she be back soon?"
"Probably..She left awhile ago.."
Then, as if she knew I woke up, Valerie came in. "Garth! You're finally awake! I'm so glad you're awake! It's been 5 days.."
"5 days? I've been out for 5 days?"
"Yeah...Well, good thing you're awake, because I brought all of us something to eat!"
"GIMME FOOD!!!", demanded Gau.
"I brought alot of food yesterday. Let Garth have some today.."
"Wait..You know what Gau is saying?"
"Yeah! Any person could understand what a Pokémon is saying, if they just knew how to listen.."
She can even understand other Pokémon. She is much better than any other human. Maybe, just maybe she'd accept the fact that I love her. I have to tell her. SHE MUST KNOW. But, I just can't tell her in front of Gau. I can tell him later. I want Valerie to find out alone. "Um..Gau? Can you do me a favor? I'll give you my share of the food Valerie brought if you do it for me.."
"Food?! OKAY! What should I do?"
"Could you let me talk to Valerie alone for a few minutes?"
You wanna be ALON-"
I cut him off. "Any comments, and you won't get the food. Deal?"
"Okay, deal. I know when I'm not wanted!" He faked crying, then left the room.
"He's such a funny Meowth, but he's good company, when you're not awake. What is it that you want to tell me?"
This was it. No turning back now. I have no choice but to tell her. "Please, listen to me when I tell you this. It's really hard to say, but I have to say it now, or I never will.."
"I'll listen to you, I promise."
I looked into her eyes. "Valerie..I..I.." This is harder than I thought it'd be. "I love you."
I was expecting her to say the worst, but she didn't. "Garth..I..I love you, too.."
I didn't expect her to say this at all. "..You do? You mean, you don't think it's wrong, because I'm a Pokémon?"
"I don't see you as just a Pokémon..You're more than that..This may seem weird, but I've loved you ever since I've heard about you."
"But, how is that possible?"
"I heard all kinds of stuff about you. Everyone else said that stuff was bad, but really they were such good qualities for anyone to have..Like how you don't like to hurt another Pokémon..Everyone here thinks that's bad, but not even humans would care that much. You have so much care and compassion..I can't help but love you..But, how could you love me? I know you never liked people much.." I could hardly believe she felt this way about me.
"You are so much better than all the humans I've known. You actually see past the fact that I'm a Pokémon, and you're so willing to help me..You're not so twisted and evil, like everyone else is. You have a soul so pure and beautiful.."
"Thank you so much..That means so much to me.."
"You're welcome..You mean so much to me..Ever since I met you, I have loved you...I'm so glad I could finally tell you.."
"I'm glad I could tell you how I felt, too..It's so relieving.."
"Yes, it is.." I stood up and gave Valerie a hug. "I guess you won't mind if I hold on for a while this time, do you?"
"I don't mind it at all.."
"Good..Because, I don't wanna let go.." I wanted to stay in this embrace forever.
"Garth? I really believe we were meant for each other.."
"Is that possible, though?"
"It doesn't matter if you're a Pokémon, or how you were born..You still have a soul..And, that's what makes you who you are..And that's why I love you.."
"Do you think we could be..Soulmates?"
"I have no doubts about it.."
We were still hugging when Gau walked in the room. "Jeeze, Garth! I leave you alone for five minutes, and you two are practically making out! Can someone PLEASE tell me what's going on here!?!"
Ooops.
******