Inspired by: I can't honestly remember.
Dedicated to: Everyone who's tired of me doing fanfics about Bill... because I'm about to spite you.
Warnings: Rated for light violence (if you can consider nearly killing off a character due to blood loss "light violence"). May go up later if I decide to add in colorful language. And, oh yes. Someone of questionable orientation will be included later. Don't flame me if you don't like bisexuals. Chances are not many people will like YOU if you do that.
You might as well also be warned about ironic/sarcastic humor later on as well as a few pretty bad jokes. But that's just because that's the way that I am.
Notes: Flames accepted. I use them to make s'mores.
Also, along with responses to reviews (if I think you're special enough), I'll give you a little tidbit, or a random useless fact that has to do with the story. There's none this chapter because, well, the story didn't get started, you impatient FFNet mouse. There will be two in the second chapter to make up for this, however.
------------
[Chapter One: Desires]
A blonde stood in the check-out line of the busy supermarket, just behind her red-headed boyfriend. It would have been an ordinary day had it not have been for the only news broadcast that the girl had ever really listened to. (It cut into her soap operas anyways.)
"I heard the Cygnid Shower's going to occur tonight," she blurted out as her blue eyes glanced at the tabloids.
The boyfriend made no response. He merely pulled a loaf of bread out of the basket he carried and plopped it on the counter. He could have cared less about whatever his girlfriend was talking about that time.
"It's this meteor shower that comes every four years," the blonde explained. "It's supposed to be really special."
"Really? Why's that?" the boyfriend muttered with faint interest.
She grinned. "Because they say that if you make a wish during the shower, and it stops right after that, then a legendary Pokémon is listening and will grant your wish."
The boyfriend merely held back a laugh. His only wish was to find a smarter girlfriend.
---
The afternoon came and went quickly. It seemed like such an insignificant conversation about a fairy tale, but Bill couldn't get it out of his mind, even hours after he overheard it. He couldn't put his finger on what made it special, either. It was just a silly story, probably told to children to entertain them. It was like stories of the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus. Something magical added to something ordinary. It was nothing more than a special thing children believed would happen in the middle of the night, though everyone knew that there was nothing there but a meteor shower or a mother replacing a tooth with a dollar or parents placing presents under a Christmas tree.
Bill pursed his lips and put his hands between the golden sands of the beach and his dark, curly hair. His brown eyes fixed themselves on a star directly above him. The waves of the sea crashed onto shore and crept inland, threatening to soak his bare feet if he didn't move.
If the tale about the meteor shower was just a child's story... then why was he out there?
All he knew was that he was compelled to lay out there and wait for the shower. He couldn't bring himself to go back inside. It was as if someone wanted him there, and he obeyed.
In any case, it was peaceful to him. He could feel every part of him relax as the sound of the ocean soothed him and the appearance of the night sky attempted to lull him to sleep. His eyelids began to droop. Weariness invaded his body. He couldn't tell what hour of the night it was, but it must have been late. With a deep sigh, he completely closed his eyes for what seemed like a mere moment.
He breathed in slowly and deeply, allowing the cold, maritime air to flow into his lungs. Gradually, he breathed out, calming his mind until one thing ran through it, the thought that life was good. Contentment filled him as he began to submit to the fathomless depths of sleep.
Suddenly, a jolt ran through his body. It was the sort of thing that one feels when they're dreaming about falling, only to wake up feeling as if they fell the last few inches into their body. Slowly, he opened his eyes again to a breathtaking sight.
The sky streaked with white. Gradually, he sat up and watched it in awe. It was indeed a beautiful sight, and there was no denying that. Each streak crossed the stars and tinted the sky a strange, purple-blue color (rather than the usual color of a void). Each meteor sparked in the atmosphere, gaining a faint, red aura. It seemed so striking, yet there was no doubt that one of those could be dangerous. The sky was alive with excitement.
In his mind, Bill went over what the girl said. Would it be silly to make a simple wish? With a sheepish grin, he gazed up at the heavens, waiting for the show to near its end.
There's only one thing I could possibly wish for, he thought. I like the way my life is right now. I don't need anything in particular. On the other hand... I wish I could understand Pokémon a bit better. I wish I could comprehend the way they think and feel. That's all, really.
A few moments passed before the meteor shower died down. Bill leaned back, resting himself on his elbows as he stared at the night sky. He wondered briefly if it had worked -- if a legendary Pokémon was listening to him just then. At last, he started chuckling and allowed himself to lay completely on the sands. Of course it didn't work. No wish ever came true just by wishing on a few falling stars.
A small meteor appeared in the sky, tailing its friends. Bill watched it with mild interest, seeing it as nothing that special...
...Until it came to a stop in the middle of the sky. Suddenly, it emitted a bright, white light, bright enough to light up the sky as if it was exactly noon. Bill sat up abruptly, mouth opened slightly in surprise. The object descended at an angle, growing nearer and nearer to him until it sat on a low point near the ocean. It was still much too far away for him to tell what it was, but he could feel its warmth and hear its breath as if it was close.
He tried to speak, but his voice was absent. The only movement he could make was to widen his eyes in wonder and unexplained terror. His thoughts were panicked and jumbled, but the one thought that he could grasp was that this had to have been the legendary Pokémon the girl spoke about.
All of a sudden, he felt a great pressure push down on his shoulders. It was as if a pair of unseen hands wanted to pin him to the sands. Caught off-guard, Bill had no time to resist before his back was slammed down onto the earth. He couldn't speak, and his body refused to respond to the commands he screamed in his head. Before, something told him that there was something wrong here. Now he knew.
A soft voice entered his head. His ears couldn't hear it, but his mind could. It was smack in the middle of the turbulent pool of thoughts sloshing around his brain. It wasn't his, but part of him welcomed it. The other parts of him, however, were trying to summon the energy to scream and force it out, but not even his voice responded to him. Another spectral hand clamped over his throat, keeping his voice from making any more than weak groans. Whatever it was demanded to have him listen to it, but he refused.
Suddenly, his vision turned completely white for a few precious seconds. White hot pain slammed into his head, as if something else altogether collided with it and entered him.
What do you want? he asked in his thoughts. What do you want from me? Why are you doing this?
There was a silence before the point of light in the distance brightened. The thing withdrew from Bill's mind and slammed into it again, as if trying to break something down. He wanted to cry out and to send a vocal message into the night. But the hand wouldn't let him go; it wouldn't let him speak. He was reduced to screaming the words in his head.
Stop! Please! he begged. What are you doing!? Why are you doing this!?
At last, the whispering stopped. The hands binding him to the ground and in silence loosened. Bill could do no more than gasp for breath as he continued to focus his blurred vision on the light. Finally, the voice -- the childlike voice in his head -- responded to his every question.
You wanted me to, it said.
Then, there was nothing. The thing waited for Bill to respond, but he couldn't find the strength to speak. He was exhausted from the lack of sleep, and the attacks on his mind weren't any help. Yet it dawned on him that whatever was doing this could hear his thoughts. Perhaps, then, that could serve as his form of communication. He closed his eyes and let his head drop back on the sand. For a long while, he remained there, chest heaving for breath.
Finally, he made his attempt to answer.
I don't, he responded. When did I ask you to attack me like this?
The voice giggled before replying, Who said this was an attack?
Bill winced as he thought flatly, It hurts.
The thing hesitated. In this break of sound, Bill tried to move. Not a single part of him complied.
What are you? Bill asked.
You're very much the bold one, the being observed. Not many beings I come across dare to ask me that. On the other hand, not many beings realize much past my blessings. In any case, to answer your question, I'm just a cosmic force, like all beings in the universe. You could call me a Pokémon if you wish. You earth creatures always seem to call beings more powerful than you Pokémon anyways.
Bill attempted to sit up. He could feel his muscles tense to get ready for that simple action, but nothing else moved. Frustration filled his mind.
What have you done? he demanded fiercely.
He felt something rest on his chest. It was soft and warm, but after what happened just moments before, he could barely trust it.
Calm yourself, human, the voice cooed. I'm merely preparing you.
For what!? Bill snapped. What could possibly require this!?
As if in response, the being brightened a bit more, applying all of its energies to launch an attack at full blast. All Bill could see was light as he felt something slam into his mind, consume it, and enter it. He felt as if he was being ripped apart from the inside out as the unseen hands pressed him into the sands and gripped his throat. He would have screamed bloody murder if he would have been allowed, but the hands prevented him from doing it. All he could do was emit strangled squeaks as his eyes nearly rolled back into his head. And not long later, the light stopped, and the being released him. He was left numb and barely conscious.
He was sorry he asked.
You're ready, the being murmured into him. Brace yourself, human. What you're about to go through isn't exactly painless.
Wait, Bill thought faintly. At least tell me... Why?
The thing sighed. I told you. You wished for this.
Bill was about to object when a sudden surge of pain rushed through him. The hands were too late. This allowed him a few precious seconds to let loose exactly what he felt. His voice pierced the nighttime silence, filling it with a shortened prayer to all things holy. At last, the hands restored the peace, covering his mouth and pinning him down. He was reduced to muffled sobs and weak squirms.
He had no idea what was happening to him, but he knew it wasn't right. He felt and heard his bones crack and rearrange under his skin, pulling his muscles and skin painfully with them. He felt the fragments of his skeleton shift and fuse together in places where they certainly weren't before. It almost felt like his limbs were being pushed towards his chest. A prickling sensation ran all over his skin, and within moments, he felt hotter than usual.
The changes spread to his abdomen, as he felt everything inside him morph into something smaller. He wanted to throw up, yet another of the being's hands passed into him, holding down the bile that tried to climb up his esophagus. All he knew was pain as everything moved up, imploding in on his heart. Everything about him became smaller. He knew this as the clothing that normally fit him perfectly covered him like a loose bed sheet on a child.
At last, the hands released him, though he knew the transformation was far from over. Squirming, he finally ripped open the top buttons of his shirt to allow his head to move out of the collar. He curled up on his side, partially covered in the white cloth as he studied his hands in horror. His fingers, stubby from the changes, were disappearing quickly into nothing but a slim, white arm.
Stop this! Please! he pleaded.
The being did nothing but float far from the scene. Bill was helpless. He couldn't stop it now if he wanted to. He refused to peek under the shirt, but he knew that something was happening there as well... And it wasn't just the fact that his legs became stubby (with what he could have sworn used to be flaps of skin trailing from where his feet used to be). He twisted and attempted to shriek in sheer agony, but the conversion had seized his throat and head. He felt his vocal cords stretch (though it was to fit a throat smaller than his former one) as he gritted his teeth. Loud popping noises resounded in his ears as the cartilage reshaped to form small lumps on the sides of his pale head. He closed his eyes as his nose pushed in, cartilage almost melting to the point where his nose was nothing but a lump and a pair of nostrils. Even his hair straightened and stiffened, forming a sort of helmet that shielded most of his head from the rest of the world. To finish things off, two thin, red horns forced their way through his new "helmet," rising into small crests on the back of his head and on the front.
Suddenly, a ringing was left in his ears, echoing inside his head. He was left panting and barely conscious. He attempted to mumble something, but all he could get across his thinned lips was a faint, "Ra."
Finished, the voice muttered. Allow me to help you one more time.
A warmth washed over Bill's new form. He felt almost as if he was being caressed by someone's gentle hands. Automatically, the ringing stopped, and his pain was relieved. Yet he was still tired, and most of his energy loss was due to the shape shifting process.
He couldn't quite see, but he knew that a light was fading. The being was leaving him on the beach.
Wait, he thought, reaching out to it. Don't go. Don't leave me here...
There was a pause. Bill was sure the creature had left, but then, it proved him wrong.
There's nothing more I can do for you, it replied. I granted your wish. I healed your body. Now the rest is up to you. What are you going to do with your blessing?
Bill closed his eyes, but it didn't make much of a difference.
But... What am I? he inquired.
This time, there was no response.
---
The warm sun cast its rays onto the sandy shore. Krabby scuttled about the sand, digging about for a new hiding place after their old ones disappeared under the waves. Tentacool washed onto the beach and began their slow, excruciating death by drying out under the cruel sun.
A single Krabby scurried from its group, closer and closer to a lump of white a few feet away. All she found was a small Pokémon, wrapped in a human's shirt. The Krabby leaned in to examine the thing in curiosity. Never, in all her years living on that Kantoian shore, had she seen something like this.
"Koh? Kokie?" she croaked.
The bundle twitched, but didn't move. At this, the Krabby used one of her red claws to prod the bundle. This time, it squirmed, but it did nothing more.
"Kokie," she muttered, prodding the bundle harder.
The creature tangled in the shirt groaned and curled up a bit more.
{Not now,} he mumbled. {Leave me alone.}
The crab Pokémon fixed her face up in what was the equivalent of a frown to her species. Rather put off by the rudeness of the bundle, the Krabby scuttled away to do the sort of thing a wild, female Krabby was expected to do.
Meanwhile, Bill opened his eyes at last, finding his world tinted green. He turned over, pulled the cloth of his shirt tighter around his body, and shut his eyes tightly. He figured all of this was a strange dream he just had to sleep through.
Moments passed before his stomach began to growl. He groaned and opened his eyes, trying to remember what he was doing there in the first place. When it finally dawned on him, he sat up like a bolt of lightning with eyes wide with fear. He looked down at himself and groaned, finding merely his new form.
{I'd like to wake up soon, if nobody minds,} he murmured to no one in particular.
He stopped. Something clicked in his brain. Yet another thing wasn't right.
{M-my voice!} he exclaimed, allowing his ears to register the real sounds. {What... what happened to it!?}
Indeed his voice had changed but so did his speech patterns. Desperately, he tried to shape his mouth to form different words, but each attempt failed. No matter how hard he tried, all he wound up saying was "Ra" and "Ralts." He drew in a shuddering gasp at the realization.
{I can't say anything else,} he growled to himself. {I have no hands. I'm stuck in a different body, and without a method of communication, my chances of getting help from a human is slim...!}
{News flash, buddy!} a voice snapped at him from behind.
Bill looked back to see only a Shellder, half sticking out of the sand. Apparently, he had been laying on it all night, and it was far from happy about that.
Its tongue rolled out of its shell as it continued. {No one cares. Get off or else!}
Startled, Bill scrambled to get away (but not before ripping his shirt a bit more). The Shellder shook off the sand on top of it and hopped over Bill's old clothing, heading for the ocean.
It finally dawned on Bill that there was something special to that exchange.
{I understood that,} he whispered. {I can understand what Pokémon are saying... That means... I'm a Pokémon! Oh, for god's sake! That thing took me literally!}
He pushed his small arms between his helmet and his temples. With this, he began to rub his head as he took in this information.
{I'm a Pokémon,} he repeated. {Judging by what I'm saying, a Ralts. Alright. That I know. But what do I know about Ralts? They're from Hoenn. Very rare... Barely allow themselves to be seen... Can feel others' emotions... Oh...!} He shook his head vigorously. {None of this is helping! Alright. Alright. Just calm down.}
He shut his eyes tightly and shook his head again. Slowly, he let his arms drop to his sides as he looked around. The world seemed impossibly larger... and oddly green. He let loose a sigh.
{I'm a Pokémon I know too little about,} he stated. {That's great. How do I change back?}
Suddenly, his stomach interrupted his train of thought again. It growled, demanding only one thing. Bill wrapped his arms around his midsection and bent over slightly, gazing around for something to help him.
{What do Ralts eat?} he asked no one in particular. {I wish I could have gotten a chance to study Hoenn Pokémon more extensively.}
He glanced up at his lighthouse's beacon. He had turned it on before leaving for the beach the night before, but now it was still and dark. His face lit up at this. His cook must have turned off the beacon, thinking he had slept in. Surely she could help him (in more ways than one).
With this thought in mind, Bill stood up and took the first step to run... only to trip over the flaps of skin on his feet. He looked behind him, studying his legs carefully.
{No wonder Ralts are rare,} he mumbled with a frown. {They're easy targets for predators...}
With a sigh, he stood up and tried again slowly. He put one leg in front of the other, being careful to avoid the flap of skin on the opposite leg as he moved forward. Once he gained enough confidence, he began to break out into an awkward jog, holding his arms out to his sides to balance himself.
It took him quite awhile to walk the length of the beach and ascend the cliff to his lighthouse. By that time, the sun was perched high in the sky, and his stomach bit the inside of him. He bent over, shoving an arm against his stomach as he rapped on the wooden door. Barely a sound came from this. Somewhat startled by this, he tried again, pounding as hard as he could against the door. Again, all it produced was a muffled knock, barely loud enough to hear.
Bill glanced up at the doorbell. When he installed it, it seemed a bit too low. Now it seemed impossibly high. There was no way he could physically ring it, even if he jumped.
Then, a thought crossed his mind. He remembered reading reports about Hoenn Pokémon, and from this, he had learned that Ralts were Psychic types. Could their mind powers include telekinesis?
He stepped back, aligning himself with the doorbell. He figured that it couldn't hurt to try, though he wasn't exactly sure how to use psychic powers in the first place. His gaze was fixed on the red button, and all his energies were focused on visualizing pushing it. He held out his stubby arms as if it would help. His face was fixed in an expression of determination.
Ten minutes passed, and nothing happened. Was he doing something wrong?
What do I do now? he thought. Maybe...
He turned around and looked back down the point, straight into the woods. A shiver ran down his spine at the thoughts that were coupled with this action.
Maybe I could ask a Pokémon, he suggested.
With a deep breath, he cautiously made his way back down.
---
As soon as Bill entered the forest, he knew that this wasn't a good idea. A bad feeling about it all crept into him, and a cold lump of fear settled in the bottom of his stomach. He wondered briefly if the Ralts' ability to sense others' emotions was finally kicking in. At last, he shook it off as paranoia and pressed on.
Again, his stomach alerted him to the fact that he hadn't eaten since the afternoon before. His eyes scanned the forest around him, trying to locate something edible.
That's when he saw it. Just to the left of the path he was walking along. It was a tree full of ripe, pink Pecha Berries, sweet and plump. Mouth watering, he crept closer to the short tree and gazed into its branches. He knew that if he jumped high enough, he would be able to reach one dangling from its lower branches. With a quick glance to see if anyone was around, he took a deep breath and prepared to jump.
Quickly, he sprang into the air, arms outstretched. He managed to place his hands on the berry he was targeting, but not for long. He swung in an attempt to rip the berry from its stem, but instead, he slipped and flew off on an angle. Luckily for him, he fell on his back on top of something soft and warm.
That is, something soft and warm that cried out in pain and wriggled out from beneath him. Bill quickly stood up to see what he had landed on, only to come face-to-face with a rather unhappy Rattata.
{I-I'm very sorry about that,} Bill stammered, backing away slowly.
The Rattata wasn't interested in this. She merely made its advances before lifting her head and letting out a piercing cry. Shivers went down Bill's spine. He recognized this call, and he didn't like it. It was a call for help.
In response, a Raticate burst through the bushes, baring his teeth fiercely as he prepared to strike. Bill stumbled backwards as his eyes widened in sheer horror.
{This... This is just a misunderstanding!} Bill insisted as he made his way back to the road. {It was an accident! I don't want to fight!}
The Raticate, however, proved how little this meant to him. He rushed forward, faster than Bill could react. In moments, the rat collided with the new Ralts in a Quick Attack, sending Bill flying backwards into a tree. He groaned as he slumped onto the forest floor.
'I'm too slow to run away,' he thought. 'I need to attack. But... I don't know how!'
While he was contemplating how to get out of that situation, the Raticate darted forward. He swung around at the last minute, slamming his scaly tail into Bill. The former human found himself skidding along the ground at the force of the Tail Whip. Fear overcame him, but he couldn't think of what to do.
As Raticate prepared for his next strike, Bill stood up, quivering with each inch he rose. Instinct took over, and he focused his mind on creating a dreadful sound. A Growl escaped his throat, resonating through the peace of the forest. The Raticate backed away in slight intimidation, then shook it off. He had heard sounds far more fearsome and so disregarded Bill's attempt to drive him off. As a reprimand, however, the Raticate raced forward with his teeth bared.
In seconds, Bill screamed as an incredible pain raced through his arm. The Raticate sunk his fangs into it, drawing blood as they made their way to the bone.
A lone Raichu with a tuft of orange fur in her eyes appeared a distance away. Her ears perked up, and she turned to watch the battle between two wild Pokémon. She clearly had no interest in participating and no concern that a small creature was being tortured. To her, this was a fact of life.
{Help... Help me!} Bill called out in a weak tone.
The Raichu studied the Psychic type. She never saw anything like it before, but she could tell that its species couldn't have been noted for its strength. She glanced at the half-hidden face of the Pokémon, noticing him grinding his teeth as tears began to stream down his cheeks. With this, she made up her mind.
Sparks flew from her cheeks as she dropped to all fours. Every muscle in her body tensed. Her fur stood on end. An aura of heat surrounded her, and the air around her became distorted.
The Raticate finally noticed her. In his distraction, the rat let go of Bill, allowing him to collapse on the ground. The Normal type bared his blood-drenched teeth, challenging the newcomer. In response, the Raichu merely smirked as she gathered the last bit of energy she needed.
Raichu let out a sharp cry as electricity pierced the air. The Thunder cracked the quiet, forest air like a whip and filled the area with a strange, metallic scent. Pale, yellow light filled the eyes of the Pokémon in the clearing, masking the strike. The Raticate had no time to dodge. The light filled his entire body. Electricity pulsed through his muscles and veins. He tried to scream, but electrocution robbed him of his voice. In moments, he slumped over on the ground as black smoke curled from his formerly tawny fur. The Rattata, completely scared by now, ran off at this sight.
{Are you alright?} the Raichu yelled as she darted to Bill.
Bill could make no response. He stared at the forest sideways. His breath came slowly and deeply. It was an odd feeling, but all of his senses were affected in some way. His vision was blurred, but the others... The others seemed maximized. He could taste the grit of dirt in his teeth. He could smell the metallic scent of electricity, the coppery aroma of the blood that covered him, and the damp, fungus-ridden stench of pure wilderness. Raichu's comforting voice and his own breathing seemed to boom in his ears. He felt the warmth and stickiness of a mix of bodily fluids (mainly his blood and Raticate's saliva) and the spongy solidity of the earth. Yet even with the warmth of blood, he still felt an odd coldness. It was then he knew that he was going into shock. He knew he was going to die.
{Everything's going to be alright,} the Raichu assured him.
Bill twitched as a response came to mind. Well, that's a blatant lie.
Vocally, he could only gurgle. And though he struggled not to, in a few moments, his eyelids grew heavy. He felt his body being lifted up and his soul trying to get away. He knew that this was the border between life and death. He was going to die a Pokémon. Yet he couldn't panic. He didn't have the energy to. Instead, he allowed himself to slip into the void of unconsciousness.
Dedicated to: Everyone who's tired of me doing fanfics about Bill... because I'm about to spite you.
Warnings: Rated for light violence (if you can consider nearly killing off a character due to blood loss "light violence"). May go up later if I decide to add in colorful language. And, oh yes. Someone of questionable orientation will be included later. Don't flame me if you don't like bisexuals. Chances are not many people will like YOU if you do that.
You might as well also be warned about ironic/sarcastic humor later on as well as a few pretty bad jokes. But that's just because that's the way that I am.
Notes: Flames accepted. I use them to make s'mores.
Also, along with responses to reviews (if I think you're special enough), I'll give you a little tidbit, or a random useless fact that has to do with the story. There's none this chapter because, well, the story didn't get started, you impatient FFNet mouse. There will be two in the second chapter to make up for this, however.
------------
[Chapter One: Desires]
A blonde stood in the check-out line of the busy supermarket, just behind her red-headed boyfriend. It would have been an ordinary day had it not have been for the only news broadcast that the girl had ever really listened to. (It cut into her soap operas anyways.)
"I heard the Cygnid Shower's going to occur tonight," she blurted out as her blue eyes glanced at the tabloids.
The boyfriend made no response. He merely pulled a loaf of bread out of the basket he carried and plopped it on the counter. He could have cared less about whatever his girlfriend was talking about that time.
"It's this meteor shower that comes every four years," the blonde explained. "It's supposed to be really special."
"Really? Why's that?" the boyfriend muttered with faint interest.
She grinned. "Because they say that if you make a wish during the shower, and it stops right after that, then a legendary Pokémon is listening and will grant your wish."
The boyfriend merely held back a laugh. His only wish was to find a smarter girlfriend.
---
The afternoon came and went quickly. It seemed like such an insignificant conversation about a fairy tale, but Bill couldn't get it out of his mind, even hours after he overheard it. He couldn't put his finger on what made it special, either. It was just a silly story, probably told to children to entertain them. It was like stories of the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus. Something magical added to something ordinary. It was nothing more than a special thing children believed would happen in the middle of the night, though everyone knew that there was nothing there but a meteor shower or a mother replacing a tooth with a dollar or parents placing presents under a Christmas tree.
Bill pursed his lips and put his hands between the golden sands of the beach and his dark, curly hair. His brown eyes fixed themselves on a star directly above him. The waves of the sea crashed onto shore and crept inland, threatening to soak his bare feet if he didn't move.
If the tale about the meteor shower was just a child's story... then why was he out there?
All he knew was that he was compelled to lay out there and wait for the shower. He couldn't bring himself to go back inside. It was as if someone wanted him there, and he obeyed.
In any case, it was peaceful to him. He could feel every part of him relax as the sound of the ocean soothed him and the appearance of the night sky attempted to lull him to sleep. His eyelids began to droop. Weariness invaded his body. He couldn't tell what hour of the night it was, but it must have been late. With a deep sigh, he completely closed his eyes for what seemed like a mere moment.
He breathed in slowly and deeply, allowing the cold, maritime air to flow into his lungs. Gradually, he breathed out, calming his mind until one thing ran through it, the thought that life was good. Contentment filled him as he began to submit to the fathomless depths of sleep.
Suddenly, a jolt ran through his body. It was the sort of thing that one feels when they're dreaming about falling, only to wake up feeling as if they fell the last few inches into their body. Slowly, he opened his eyes again to a breathtaking sight.
The sky streaked with white. Gradually, he sat up and watched it in awe. It was indeed a beautiful sight, and there was no denying that. Each streak crossed the stars and tinted the sky a strange, purple-blue color (rather than the usual color of a void). Each meteor sparked in the atmosphere, gaining a faint, red aura. It seemed so striking, yet there was no doubt that one of those could be dangerous. The sky was alive with excitement.
In his mind, Bill went over what the girl said. Would it be silly to make a simple wish? With a sheepish grin, he gazed up at the heavens, waiting for the show to near its end.
There's only one thing I could possibly wish for, he thought. I like the way my life is right now. I don't need anything in particular. On the other hand... I wish I could understand Pokémon a bit better. I wish I could comprehend the way they think and feel. That's all, really.
A few moments passed before the meteor shower died down. Bill leaned back, resting himself on his elbows as he stared at the night sky. He wondered briefly if it had worked -- if a legendary Pokémon was listening to him just then. At last, he started chuckling and allowed himself to lay completely on the sands. Of course it didn't work. No wish ever came true just by wishing on a few falling stars.
A small meteor appeared in the sky, tailing its friends. Bill watched it with mild interest, seeing it as nothing that special...
...Until it came to a stop in the middle of the sky. Suddenly, it emitted a bright, white light, bright enough to light up the sky as if it was exactly noon. Bill sat up abruptly, mouth opened slightly in surprise. The object descended at an angle, growing nearer and nearer to him until it sat on a low point near the ocean. It was still much too far away for him to tell what it was, but he could feel its warmth and hear its breath as if it was close.
He tried to speak, but his voice was absent. The only movement he could make was to widen his eyes in wonder and unexplained terror. His thoughts were panicked and jumbled, but the one thought that he could grasp was that this had to have been the legendary Pokémon the girl spoke about.
All of a sudden, he felt a great pressure push down on his shoulders. It was as if a pair of unseen hands wanted to pin him to the sands. Caught off-guard, Bill had no time to resist before his back was slammed down onto the earth. He couldn't speak, and his body refused to respond to the commands he screamed in his head. Before, something told him that there was something wrong here. Now he knew.
A soft voice entered his head. His ears couldn't hear it, but his mind could. It was smack in the middle of the turbulent pool of thoughts sloshing around his brain. It wasn't his, but part of him welcomed it. The other parts of him, however, were trying to summon the energy to scream and force it out, but not even his voice responded to him. Another spectral hand clamped over his throat, keeping his voice from making any more than weak groans. Whatever it was demanded to have him listen to it, but he refused.
Suddenly, his vision turned completely white for a few precious seconds. White hot pain slammed into his head, as if something else altogether collided with it and entered him.
What do you want? he asked in his thoughts. What do you want from me? Why are you doing this?
There was a silence before the point of light in the distance brightened. The thing withdrew from Bill's mind and slammed into it again, as if trying to break something down. He wanted to cry out and to send a vocal message into the night. But the hand wouldn't let him go; it wouldn't let him speak. He was reduced to screaming the words in his head.
Stop! Please! he begged. What are you doing!? Why are you doing this!?
At last, the whispering stopped. The hands binding him to the ground and in silence loosened. Bill could do no more than gasp for breath as he continued to focus his blurred vision on the light. Finally, the voice -- the childlike voice in his head -- responded to his every question.
You wanted me to, it said.
Then, there was nothing. The thing waited for Bill to respond, but he couldn't find the strength to speak. He was exhausted from the lack of sleep, and the attacks on his mind weren't any help. Yet it dawned on him that whatever was doing this could hear his thoughts. Perhaps, then, that could serve as his form of communication. He closed his eyes and let his head drop back on the sand. For a long while, he remained there, chest heaving for breath.
Finally, he made his attempt to answer.
I don't, he responded. When did I ask you to attack me like this?
The voice giggled before replying, Who said this was an attack?
Bill winced as he thought flatly, It hurts.
The thing hesitated. In this break of sound, Bill tried to move. Not a single part of him complied.
What are you? Bill asked.
You're very much the bold one, the being observed. Not many beings I come across dare to ask me that. On the other hand, not many beings realize much past my blessings. In any case, to answer your question, I'm just a cosmic force, like all beings in the universe. You could call me a Pokémon if you wish. You earth creatures always seem to call beings more powerful than you Pokémon anyways.
Bill attempted to sit up. He could feel his muscles tense to get ready for that simple action, but nothing else moved. Frustration filled his mind.
What have you done? he demanded fiercely.
He felt something rest on his chest. It was soft and warm, but after what happened just moments before, he could barely trust it.
Calm yourself, human, the voice cooed. I'm merely preparing you.
For what!? Bill snapped. What could possibly require this!?
As if in response, the being brightened a bit more, applying all of its energies to launch an attack at full blast. All Bill could see was light as he felt something slam into his mind, consume it, and enter it. He felt as if he was being ripped apart from the inside out as the unseen hands pressed him into the sands and gripped his throat. He would have screamed bloody murder if he would have been allowed, but the hands prevented him from doing it. All he could do was emit strangled squeaks as his eyes nearly rolled back into his head. And not long later, the light stopped, and the being released him. He was left numb and barely conscious.
He was sorry he asked.
You're ready, the being murmured into him. Brace yourself, human. What you're about to go through isn't exactly painless.
Wait, Bill thought faintly. At least tell me... Why?
The thing sighed. I told you. You wished for this.
Bill was about to object when a sudden surge of pain rushed through him. The hands were too late. This allowed him a few precious seconds to let loose exactly what he felt. His voice pierced the nighttime silence, filling it with a shortened prayer to all things holy. At last, the hands restored the peace, covering his mouth and pinning him down. He was reduced to muffled sobs and weak squirms.
He had no idea what was happening to him, but he knew it wasn't right. He felt and heard his bones crack and rearrange under his skin, pulling his muscles and skin painfully with them. He felt the fragments of his skeleton shift and fuse together in places where they certainly weren't before. It almost felt like his limbs were being pushed towards his chest. A prickling sensation ran all over his skin, and within moments, he felt hotter than usual.
The changes spread to his abdomen, as he felt everything inside him morph into something smaller. He wanted to throw up, yet another of the being's hands passed into him, holding down the bile that tried to climb up his esophagus. All he knew was pain as everything moved up, imploding in on his heart. Everything about him became smaller. He knew this as the clothing that normally fit him perfectly covered him like a loose bed sheet on a child.
At last, the hands released him, though he knew the transformation was far from over. Squirming, he finally ripped open the top buttons of his shirt to allow his head to move out of the collar. He curled up on his side, partially covered in the white cloth as he studied his hands in horror. His fingers, stubby from the changes, were disappearing quickly into nothing but a slim, white arm.
Stop this! Please! he pleaded.
The being did nothing but float far from the scene. Bill was helpless. He couldn't stop it now if he wanted to. He refused to peek under the shirt, but he knew that something was happening there as well... And it wasn't just the fact that his legs became stubby (with what he could have sworn used to be flaps of skin trailing from where his feet used to be). He twisted and attempted to shriek in sheer agony, but the conversion had seized his throat and head. He felt his vocal cords stretch (though it was to fit a throat smaller than his former one) as he gritted his teeth. Loud popping noises resounded in his ears as the cartilage reshaped to form small lumps on the sides of his pale head. He closed his eyes as his nose pushed in, cartilage almost melting to the point where his nose was nothing but a lump and a pair of nostrils. Even his hair straightened and stiffened, forming a sort of helmet that shielded most of his head from the rest of the world. To finish things off, two thin, red horns forced their way through his new "helmet," rising into small crests on the back of his head and on the front.
Suddenly, a ringing was left in his ears, echoing inside his head. He was left panting and barely conscious. He attempted to mumble something, but all he could get across his thinned lips was a faint, "Ra."
Finished, the voice muttered. Allow me to help you one more time.
A warmth washed over Bill's new form. He felt almost as if he was being caressed by someone's gentle hands. Automatically, the ringing stopped, and his pain was relieved. Yet he was still tired, and most of his energy loss was due to the shape shifting process.
He couldn't quite see, but he knew that a light was fading. The being was leaving him on the beach.
Wait, he thought, reaching out to it. Don't go. Don't leave me here...
There was a pause. Bill was sure the creature had left, but then, it proved him wrong.
There's nothing more I can do for you, it replied. I granted your wish. I healed your body. Now the rest is up to you. What are you going to do with your blessing?
Bill closed his eyes, but it didn't make much of a difference.
But... What am I? he inquired.
This time, there was no response.
---
The warm sun cast its rays onto the sandy shore. Krabby scuttled about the sand, digging about for a new hiding place after their old ones disappeared under the waves. Tentacool washed onto the beach and began their slow, excruciating death by drying out under the cruel sun.
A single Krabby scurried from its group, closer and closer to a lump of white a few feet away. All she found was a small Pokémon, wrapped in a human's shirt. The Krabby leaned in to examine the thing in curiosity. Never, in all her years living on that Kantoian shore, had she seen something like this.
"Koh? Kokie?" she croaked.
The bundle twitched, but didn't move. At this, the Krabby used one of her red claws to prod the bundle. This time, it squirmed, but it did nothing more.
"Kokie," she muttered, prodding the bundle harder.
The creature tangled in the shirt groaned and curled up a bit more.
{Not now,} he mumbled. {Leave me alone.}
The crab Pokémon fixed her face up in what was the equivalent of a frown to her species. Rather put off by the rudeness of the bundle, the Krabby scuttled away to do the sort of thing a wild, female Krabby was expected to do.
Meanwhile, Bill opened his eyes at last, finding his world tinted green. He turned over, pulled the cloth of his shirt tighter around his body, and shut his eyes tightly. He figured all of this was a strange dream he just had to sleep through.
Moments passed before his stomach began to growl. He groaned and opened his eyes, trying to remember what he was doing there in the first place. When it finally dawned on him, he sat up like a bolt of lightning with eyes wide with fear. He looked down at himself and groaned, finding merely his new form.
{I'd like to wake up soon, if nobody minds,} he murmured to no one in particular.
He stopped. Something clicked in his brain. Yet another thing wasn't right.
{M-my voice!} he exclaimed, allowing his ears to register the real sounds. {What... what happened to it!?}
Indeed his voice had changed but so did his speech patterns. Desperately, he tried to shape his mouth to form different words, but each attempt failed. No matter how hard he tried, all he wound up saying was "Ra" and "Ralts." He drew in a shuddering gasp at the realization.
{I can't say anything else,} he growled to himself. {I have no hands. I'm stuck in a different body, and without a method of communication, my chances of getting help from a human is slim...!}
{News flash, buddy!} a voice snapped at him from behind.
Bill looked back to see only a Shellder, half sticking out of the sand. Apparently, he had been laying on it all night, and it was far from happy about that.
Its tongue rolled out of its shell as it continued. {No one cares. Get off or else!}
Startled, Bill scrambled to get away (but not before ripping his shirt a bit more). The Shellder shook off the sand on top of it and hopped over Bill's old clothing, heading for the ocean.
It finally dawned on Bill that there was something special to that exchange.
{I understood that,} he whispered. {I can understand what Pokémon are saying... That means... I'm a Pokémon! Oh, for god's sake! That thing took me literally!}
He pushed his small arms between his helmet and his temples. With this, he began to rub his head as he took in this information.
{I'm a Pokémon,} he repeated. {Judging by what I'm saying, a Ralts. Alright. That I know. But what do I know about Ralts? They're from Hoenn. Very rare... Barely allow themselves to be seen... Can feel others' emotions... Oh...!} He shook his head vigorously. {None of this is helping! Alright. Alright. Just calm down.}
He shut his eyes tightly and shook his head again. Slowly, he let his arms drop to his sides as he looked around. The world seemed impossibly larger... and oddly green. He let loose a sigh.
{I'm a Pokémon I know too little about,} he stated. {That's great. How do I change back?}
Suddenly, his stomach interrupted his train of thought again. It growled, demanding only one thing. Bill wrapped his arms around his midsection and bent over slightly, gazing around for something to help him.
{What do Ralts eat?} he asked no one in particular. {I wish I could have gotten a chance to study Hoenn Pokémon more extensively.}
He glanced up at his lighthouse's beacon. He had turned it on before leaving for the beach the night before, but now it was still and dark. His face lit up at this. His cook must have turned off the beacon, thinking he had slept in. Surely she could help him (in more ways than one).
With this thought in mind, Bill stood up and took the first step to run... only to trip over the flaps of skin on his feet. He looked behind him, studying his legs carefully.
{No wonder Ralts are rare,} he mumbled with a frown. {They're easy targets for predators...}
With a sigh, he stood up and tried again slowly. He put one leg in front of the other, being careful to avoid the flap of skin on the opposite leg as he moved forward. Once he gained enough confidence, he began to break out into an awkward jog, holding his arms out to his sides to balance himself.
It took him quite awhile to walk the length of the beach and ascend the cliff to his lighthouse. By that time, the sun was perched high in the sky, and his stomach bit the inside of him. He bent over, shoving an arm against his stomach as he rapped on the wooden door. Barely a sound came from this. Somewhat startled by this, he tried again, pounding as hard as he could against the door. Again, all it produced was a muffled knock, barely loud enough to hear.
Bill glanced up at the doorbell. When he installed it, it seemed a bit too low. Now it seemed impossibly high. There was no way he could physically ring it, even if he jumped.
Then, a thought crossed his mind. He remembered reading reports about Hoenn Pokémon, and from this, he had learned that Ralts were Psychic types. Could their mind powers include telekinesis?
He stepped back, aligning himself with the doorbell. He figured that it couldn't hurt to try, though he wasn't exactly sure how to use psychic powers in the first place. His gaze was fixed on the red button, and all his energies were focused on visualizing pushing it. He held out his stubby arms as if it would help. His face was fixed in an expression of determination.
Ten minutes passed, and nothing happened. Was he doing something wrong?
What do I do now? he thought. Maybe...
He turned around and looked back down the point, straight into the woods. A shiver ran down his spine at the thoughts that were coupled with this action.
Maybe I could ask a Pokémon, he suggested.
With a deep breath, he cautiously made his way back down.
---
As soon as Bill entered the forest, he knew that this wasn't a good idea. A bad feeling about it all crept into him, and a cold lump of fear settled in the bottom of his stomach. He wondered briefly if the Ralts' ability to sense others' emotions was finally kicking in. At last, he shook it off as paranoia and pressed on.
Again, his stomach alerted him to the fact that he hadn't eaten since the afternoon before. His eyes scanned the forest around him, trying to locate something edible.
That's when he saw it. Just to the left of the path he was walking along. It was a tree full of ripe, pink Pecha Berries, sweet and plump. Mouth watering, he crept closer to the short tree and gazed into its branches. He knew that if he jumped high enough, he would be able to reach one dangling from its lower branches. With a quick glance to see if anyone was around, he took a deep breath and prepared to jump.
Quickly, he sprang into the air, arms outstretched. He managed to place his hands on the berry he was targeting, but not for long. He swung in an attempt to rip the berry from its stem, but instead, he slipped and flew off on an angle. Luckily for him, he fell on his back on top of something soft and warm.
That is, something soft and warm that cried out in pain and wriggled out from beneath him. Bill quickly stood up to see what he had landed on, only to come face-to-face with a rather unhappy Rattata.
{I-I'm very sorry about that,} Bill stammered, backing away slowly.
The Rattata wasn't interested in this. She merely made its advances before lifting her head and letting out a piercing cry. Shivers went down Bill's spine. He recognized this call, and he didn't like it. It was a call for help.
In response, a Raticate burst through the bushes, baring his teeth fiercely as he prepared to strike. Bill stumbled backwards as his eyes widened in sheer horror.
{This... This is just a misunderstanding!} Bill insisted as he made his way back to the road. {It was an accident! I don't want to fight!}
The Raticate, however, proved how little this meant to him. He rushed forward, faster than Bill could react. In moments, the rat collided with the new Ralts in a Quick Attack, sending Bill flying backwards into a tree. He groaned as he slumped onto the forest floor.
'I'm too slow to run away,' he thought. 'I need to attack. But... I don't know how!'
While he was contemplating how to get out of that situation, the Raticate darted forward. He swung around at the last minute, slamming his scaly tail into Bill. The former human found himself skidding along the ground at the force of the Tail Whip. Fear overcame him, but he couldn't think of what to do.
As Raticate prepared for his next strike, Bill stood up, quivering with each inch he rose. Instinct took over, and he focused his mind on creating a dreadful sound. A Growl escaped his throat, resonating through the peace of the forest. The Raticate backed away in slight intimidation, then shook it off. He had heard sounds far more fearsome and so disregarded Bill's attempt to drive him off. As a reprimand, however, the Raticate raced forward with his teeth bared.
In seconds, Bill screamed as an incredible pain raced through his arm. The Raticate sunk his fangs into it, drawing blood as they made their way to the bone.
A lone Raichu with a tuft of orange fur in her eyes appeared a distance away. Her ears perked up, and she turned to watch the battle between two wild Pokémon. She clearly had no interest in participating and no concern that a small creature was being tortured. To her, this was a fact of life.
{Help... Help me!} Bill called out in a weak tone.
The Raichu studied the Psychic type. She never saw anything like it before, but she could tell that its species couldn't have been noted for its strength. She glanced at the half-hidden face of the Pokémon, noticing him grinding his teeth as tears began to stream down his cheeks. With this, she made up her mind.
Sparks flew from her cheeks as she dropped to all fours. Every muscle in her body tensed. Her fur stood on end. An aura of heat surrounded her, and the air around her became distorted.
The Raticate finally noticed her. In his distraction, the rat let go of Bill, allowing him to collapse on the ground. The Normal type bared his blood-drenched teeth, challenging the newcomer. In response, the Raichu merely smirked as she gathered the last bit of energy she needed.
Raichu let out a sharp cry as electricity pierced the air. The Thunder cracked the quiet, forest air like a whip and filled the area with a strange, metallic scent. Pale, yellow light filled the eyes of the Pokémon in the clearing, masking the strike. The Raticate had no time to dodge. The light filled his entire body. Electricity pulsed through his muscles and veins. He tried to scream, but electrocution robbed him of his voice. In moments, he slumped over on the ground as black smoke curled from his formerly tawny fur. The Rattata, completely scared by now, ran off at this sight.
{Are you alright?} the Raichu yelled as she darted to Bill.
Bill could make no response. He stared at the forest sideways. His breath came slowly and deeply. It was an odd feeling, but all of his senses were affected in some way. His vision was blurred, but the others... The others seemed maximized. He could taste the grit of dirt in his teeth. He could smell the metallic scent of electricity, the coppery aroma of the blood that covered him, and the damp, fungus-ridden stench of pure wilderness. Raichu's comforting voice and his own breathing seemed to boom in his ears. He felt the warmth and stickiness of a mix of bodily fluids (mainly his blood and Raticate's saliva) and the spongy solidity of the earth. Yet even with the warmth of blood, he still felt an odd coldness. It was then he knew that he was going into shock. He knew he was going to die.
{Everything's going to be alright,} the Raichu assured him.
Bill twitched as a response came to mind. Well, that's a blatant lie.
Vocally, he could only gurgle. And though he struggled not to, in a few moments, his eyelids grew heavy. He felt his body being lifted up and his soul trying to get away. He knew that this was the border between life and death. He was going to die a Pokémon. Yet he couldn't panic. He didn't have the energy to. Instead, he allowed himself to slip into the void of unconsciousness.