- Neojourney -
.:.16.:.
That's What She Said
"Tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way
to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated."
--Drops of Jupiter-- by Train
_____________________________________________________________________________
Staring down at the innocent looking Fire-Pokemon, it was hard to belive she was the same being that tortured the Pokemon dimension. That this Cyndaquil was the same woman who nearly destroyed a world. Her brown eyes stared unblinkingly up into mine and I found myself sitting on the cloud-floor, staring wonderingly at her.The flames on her back subsided and vanished, and she yawned. I yawned back, unable to resist the Yawn Epidemic. From the corner of my eye, I saw Cell turning away to discreetly lift a hand to his own yawning mouth.
"Are you happy?"
Xanady's question surprised me. I shook my head, "No, I'm not."
"Why not?"
"Duh, I have to be stuck in another Pokemon body, for Ho-oh knows how long this time." I shrugged, "Would you be happy with it? Being a Pokemon again?"
She looked down, then back up, "I think I would...I am now, at least. I'm happy to be a Pokemon. I made a good choice."
Unsure if she meant being a Cyndaquil, or perhaps having chosen me over that other girl, I merely sighed.
Moonsong came up behind Xanady, "I have some bad news for you."
It was strange, hearing her talk "human." I frowned, "What could be worse than finding out your ex-nemesis is one of your Pokemon? Or that you have the huge responsibility of knowing the fate of the future world depends on your actions...again."
"Okay, so maybe it's not bad bad news, but it's news." She paused to nip at an itch on her foreleg, then looked up at me. "I'm leaving you."
"WHAT!!"
She shrugged, "I have a family back on our Earth, Cirrus. I thought I was answering the call of the Great Wolf and if I'd have known it was just a flying cat, I would have finished chasing that deer."
A...family? Moonsong had...has...a family? I felt tears well up, knowing full well that I had no choice in her decision. "I'm gonna miss you so much!"
She strode over, letting me hug her close, and we both cried. It would be a hard choice for both of us.
"It's time, wolf," Cell interrupted us. "The portal is open for you."
Moonsong stepped away from me, her form changing as she did. Her dark fur started to pepper in greys and whites, and became shaggier. Her tail grew longer and fur sprouted dense and long. She looked away, and then back, her eyes shining with happiness.
She bounded towards the portal, a full grown female timber-wolf, and I could see a forest in the portal. A forest that was lush and green and peaceful looking. It was definately not the woods around the city that I'd first met her in. I could see a large wolf with three half-grown cubs by his side, several other wolves were around the small group.
Moonsong's pack.
Troolar.. The name, so wistfully thought-spoken, popped into my mind and I realized I still had a small link with Moonsong. I stood up and did my best to look happy for her, should she look back at me.
And she did.
She paused as she reached the portal, turned back, and yapped once in my direction. I waved at her, my heart breaking, tears flowing, and said goodbye to my first real friend.
Moonsong bounded through and the last I ever saw of her was of the half-grown cubs pouncing over her, of the large wolf nuzzling her, and the pack welcoming her back. She looked back at me, threw her head back, and began to howl. The song was haunting, primal, and one by one, the others took up the call and sang with her.
Cell glanced at me, looking at the portal, and snapped his fingers. The portal vanished in a thunderclap of noise and I was left with a huge void in my heart and a ringing in my ears. With the echo of Moonsong's melody in my ears, I realized could no longer sense her presence.
Goodbye, dear friend...
_____________________________________________________________________________
Gone, she was just...gone. What would I do without her?A cloud was stuffed under my head as stared up at the sky, lying on my back. Until Moonsong had left, I never really realized that I had a link with her. I'd thought telepathic linking was just a Psychic Pokemon/Trainer thing.
I couldn't think of Moonsong right now, I had to clear my mind and think. It was hard. Deciding which of Brock's Pokemon to choose from, I mean. Even though he was a Gym Leader, or maybe because he was, Brock didn't have much to choose from in the Pokemon department. Most of his Pokemon were Rock Types and there was no way I wanted to be floating about, muttering, "Dude, Geo dude." Ugh, sorry, but no way.
Vulpix was my obvious choice and I'd asked Cell if he knew what, um, the sex of Brock's Pokemon were. Only Vulpix, the new Rapidash, and Zubat were female. No way was I gonna switch bodies with a male Pokemon. That would be beyond wierdness.
Fortunate that the Rock Pokemon were male, the decision was easier to make. Rapidash was out of the question. She was too big to be in, say, a house or Pokemon Center. Also, she was new to Brock. Sure it meant he might use her more, to acclimate her, but too new to be "familiar" with Brock.
Down to Zubat and Vulpix. I admit, I'm a bit snobby and leaning towards Vulpix 'cause she's so darned cute. Zubat is a...well, a bat. A big bat that is one of Brock's oldest Pokemon, granted that, but she's...well, a bat! True, Zubat is agile and quick and she can fly. Flying is always a plus, but Brock rarely uses her. A shame, really, but it would look odd for Zubat to be wanting out of the Pokeball all the time, all of a sudden.
Vulpix. I sighed, and turned over on my side. She was a good size to sneak around in houses, Pokemon Centers, secret underground lairs, etc. She was also a cute Pokemon, with the ability to make people act strangely at times. The cuteness is probably near to Pikachu's, but no where near Pichu or Igglybuff.
Moot point. My choice would have to be Vulpix.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Gary paused outside of Cirrus' hospital room and listened to the voices inside. Her parents were talking with the doctor and it didn't sound good."It would be your decision, to take her from life support." The doctor said. "I would advise against it, naturally, because she has a good chance of waking up."
"But will she be okay up here?" Her mother paused and Gary could imagine her pointing to her head. "If she isn't..."
"It wasn't as if she was all there to begin with, Mom," Matt, her brother, said snidely.
"Matthew Blaine, you had better take that back!" Her mother's shocked tone echoed Gary's thoughts. "That is your sister lying there! How dare you..."
"I'm sorry, Mom...I was just kidding..."
"Leave, just...go..."
"...But Mom..."
"Matt," Cirrus' dad this time, "Listen to your mother. We'll discuss this at home."
Gary heard grumbling and the sound of a chair scraping the tiled floor. He spun around and started walking for the waiting room, which wasn't very far from Cirrus' room, hoping to avoid her touchy brother.
Not to happen.
He heard the door closing, clicking behind Matt, and Gary had just reached the waiting room when he heard a very annoyed voice.
"You! What are you doing here!"
Gary stopped walking and turned around, wearing his best nonchalant expression. "Yeah?"
"Why are you here?" Matt was fuming. "I told you to stay away from my sister. Now look at her!"
"So you think it's my fault that she's here?" Gary kept his tone light, neutral. He didn't want to piss Matt off any more than he already was. Geeze, the guy was ready to explode at any second. "I couldn't have stopped her anymore than you could've."
People passed by, not paying attention. Gary wondered if it was good or bad that the Center was busy. Probably good. Ash and Misty walked by, saw him, and stopped.
"Hey Gary." Ash nodded at him.
"Ash," Gary frowned, "Did you get your cast off, Misty?"
"Yeah, all the better to keep Ash in line." She ignored Ash's muttered outburst. "Why are you here? Is it Cirrus?"
Gary heard Matt muttering under his breath, and he motioned to Matt. "That's right, and that's why Matt is here, too. He's Cirrus' older brother..."
"I'm her only brother, you little moron." Matt was glaring daggers at Gary. "And I know it's all your fault Cirrus got hurt...again."
"Right, and if your answering machine message was any indication, then you're really concerned about your little sister." Gary snapped.
"You ignorant little troglodyte!" Matt grabbed Gary by the shoulders, jerking him roughly.
Ash moved to separate them, but Misty held him back. Gary just shook his head at Ash, "Don't bother, Ash. He's proved my point."
"Hey, you can't hurt him!" A sudden piping voice broke in. "You better leave him alone, Mister!"
The four looked down to see a very angry looking boy. He looked to be around eight, with golden brown hair and bright blue eyes. "He's a Pokemon Master and he could kick your butt with one hand tied behind his back!"
"Really?" Matt sneered at the boy, "Wow, I'd better let him go then." And he did, rudely shoving Gary back. "Gosh, I'd better not get you mad at me."
"That's right," The little boy said stubbernly, crossing his arms across his chest, and glaring at Matt. "You'd better go home and stay in your room. Your mommy would be mad at you for getting the Pokemon Master mad atcha."
Matt just rolled his eyes, shook his head, and stalked out of the Center.
As soon as the doors slid shut, the boy's attitude turned from protective, to fanboy. He turned to Gary and looked up at him with shining eyes, "Can I have an autogr...autofra...Can you sign this for me?"
Busily signing the autograph, then several more as a small crowd formed, Gary Oak smiled.
Beyond the small crowd, Ash sweatdropped. "What am I? Chopped liver?"
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Teaser
- Bye, bye, bye, Moonsong. I know Cirrus will miss you. What's up with the next chapter? It looks like it could be very questionable. More like filling between chapters. It's all about the Pentiums. Okay, not really, but I think you'll all like it!
_____________________________________________________________________________________