"Hey, are those Pidgeys?"
Hm, I think so. Gasp! Those aren't just ordinary Pidgey's! They're…
"AIR MAIL!"
Hey, this envelope has fire element Pokemon prints.
Casmailee-Oh ok. Thank you for telling me. Do names of attacks also need to be capitalized? I guess I'll have to keep on my toes from now on.
"And this one has dragon type Pokemon!"
aNiMeAzNgUrLLH-Hehe, thanks for the review(s)! :) By the way, cool site!
Wow! This one has baby pokemon?
Icy-chan-Naw, I'm not confused. It's just hard sometimes tell when things can go either way. That's why I apologized in case I did make you sad. Sorry, walking didn't kill him. Let's just say with age he passed away. Ah yes, if all else fails do eni mini or inky pinky ponkey, or bubble gum bubble bum, coconut coconut, or ippy dippy…I'll stop now. Thank you so much! My midterms turned out fine.
Hm, I guess that's all the airmail we have.
"Air mail, snail mail…they're almost extinct anyways."
Eh, what's the matter?
"The Pidgeys are flying south in the form of a v and the days are shorter…"
Hey, look! It's a Delibird!
(Hands Marichi and Eefi a present.)
"For me? I…I don't know what to say…"
Just say "Thank you" from the bottom of your heart.
"Thank you!"
(Delibird then waddles away as Marichi and Eefi wave good-bye…)
"Psst! Do you think it's safe to open?"
It's not Halloween, Eefi.
"But it's from a Delibird. It's either something good or a bomb."
You got a point there. Well just one way to find out.
"I wonder what I got!"
Disclaimer: Where's a stamp when you need on? Wait a minute! Is this even necessary? I mean fanfiction net this is right? A place for us fans to write fiction, right? So of course I don't own Pokemon. In addition I do not own Yuki Kajiura's A Thousand And One Nights. Source of English translation was found on anime com!
Chapter Ten: Azalea Of Fragile Passion
The hustle and bustling of the crowd was hectic at rush hour down in the subway station. Escaping the tension, Ricko had dragged his sister into one of the underground restaurants. With their winter jackets off, the two teens sat back with a tired look on their faces. Between the two was a plate of uguisu mochi that looked like gooey globs rolled in a green powder.
"Why do they call it sweet yellow bean paste if it's green?" Misa questioned while taking a bite.
"I don't know but it sure tastes good!" Ricko responded savoring the mochi. He waited to see his sister's entertaining reaction.
"Oishii!" (Delicious!) It melts in my tongue. Taste like ocha (Japanese green tea) but milky too! Oh, and it's so chewy that's its so filling!" Misa exclaimed while rubbing her cheeks with her hands.
"You're so weird…but it's cute," Ricko then took a sip from the cup of ocha. Misa sat quietly, letting the cup of hot tea in her hands to warm herself up.
"Mom's worried about you," Misa said blankly.
"Huh? Why?"
"She said you've…changed and that you're more distant."
"What? No, nothing has changed. Geez…I hate it when mom worries over nothing."
"Ricko… That's just her nature as our mom. I've noticed too and…we just care about you."
"Not you too!"
"I'm serious!"
"But it's embarrassing…."
"Well deal with it! We love you and we're just concern!" Misa snapped as her gentle facial expression changed to a frown but her eyes remained the same. The two then laughed at the awkwardness that had suddenly risen. She and Ricko then continued to finish eating the uguisu mochi.
"What time is it?"
"17: 15. We can catch the next train. There's still time," Misa replied pushing up her left sleeve and glancing at her wooden watch. The two then put on their coats, split the bill and went on their way through the station.
"Hey, it's Phoebe! Woah!"
"Don't make eye contact!" Ricko hissed as he turned Misa's back towards Phoebe.
"Dude, what is your problem?" Misa questioned, pulling away from Ricko's tight grip as they boarded the train.
"Look, she all ready erased your memories and her ghost Pokemon have tried to attack you. It's best that we stay away from her," Ricko explained when they both took a seat.
"But Oniichan---"
"No buts Misa."
The train began to move forward causing everyone to lean towards the back of the train.
"Suimansen! (Sorry/Pardon me/ excuse me)" the little girl sitting beside Misa voiced.
"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault," Misa smiled showing no harm done.
She could hear the rolling sound of the heavy wheels on the steel track. Across from Misa was an empty seat. Looking at her reflection from the glass, Misa noticed the faint t-shaped scar that was on her left cheek just below the eye. She brought her hand up to touch it but stopped when her reflection disappeared as the train left the dark passage of the station. Beyond the glass window, Misa could see the tall buildings of the city as its shadow passed before Misa's face. Knowing the ride home would take hours, and that Ricko wasn't in the mood to talk about Phoebe, Misa surrendered to her wandering thoughts.
I walk away from here, pondering which way to go.
The sun is setting early, painting the clouds with its glow as it disappears.
The children next to me are singing the same song for the third time.
Unable to remember the words to end it, they repeat the last verse over and over.
'Listen…if we had only listened, would things have turned out differently? We do not listen with our hearts anymore. Our minds are clouded with noise that we can no longer hear what desperately cries out its plea. At the same time we are blinded that we do not see what is dear to us until it is too late. If only we had never neglected the chance to spread the love that we all seek in every little way. Does the illusion deprive from a lack of love? Listen…when you isolate the murmurs, the chatters, and the noise of the train on the tracks, everything…all is calm. A mind in that state can overcome just about anything. This peaceful silence…'
"Misa…wake up. We're here," Ricko said gently nudging his sister awake. Misa let out a yawn as she followed close behind.
After leaving the train station, the two walked on the coble stone path. Puddles from the morning rain still remained before them. Glancing down at her reflection, the little girl that was sitting beside Misa quickly ran past the two. Bewildered at first, Misa and Ricko's expression softened afterwards when the little girl seated herself on one of the swings in the deserted park. The two then continued on their walk home.
Ricko came to a sudden stop, causing Misa to look up and see at a distant that Phoebe was sitting alone on one of the park bench. Her head was hung low as her posture held the weight of the world on her shoulders. At her fingertips she held a small azalea flower. Misa looked up to her brother who looked on with remorse.
"Just go to her, Ricko."
"But…she is not the girl I used to know."
"You're never going to let that go are you? Listen, Ricko, whatever reason she had I'm sure she had good intention and thought it was the only way. Just look at her Ricko. Really look at her."
"The ends don't justify the means, Misa."
"But clearly she is paying the consequences of her action. Maybe even more… Can't you just shoulder some of her burden? Please Ricko; don't let her cross crush her."
Ricko looked down at his sister's pleading eyes. He then turned away and scoffed.
"Ok, I'll go! Just stop looking at me like I'm some lost puppy! Sheesh…" Ricko exclaimed causing Misa to laugh lightly at his attitude in such a situation.
"Misha, wait for me by that park bench over there."
"Misha? You haven't called me that in the longest time. Are you trying to butter me up for something?" Misa asked giving Ricko the lazy eye.
"Uh… I'm going to go see Phoebe now. Bye!" Ricko quickly ran off before his sister could interrogate him any further.
"Brother's keeper… "Misa mumbled after giving an exasperated sigh.
She seated herself onto the park bench that Ricko pointed to earlier. Taking out one of her pokeballs, Misa let it roll off her fingertips. The pokeball bounced when it hit the ground but then open to release the Pokemon within. Golden orbs of light shimmered at the Espeon's entrance.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Eefi?" Misa greeted her beloved Pokemon with a smile.
Eefi let out a yawn showing that she was just as tired as her trainer. Stretching out her legs, Eefi's shiny coat gleamed in the orange sunlight. To escape the winter cold, Eefi leaped onto Misa's lap and curled up into a ball. This caused the corners of Misa's lips to crack a smile.
Weakly holding on to the purple sigay shell she pulled out of the river when she and Ricko were eating cream puffs, Misa mindlessly watched Eefi's pokeball continue to roll along the cobble stones. The pokeball came to a stop before a pair of tiny shoes. Misa suddenly felt Eefi's body on her lap get all tense. Two small hands picked up the pokeball. The petite stranger walked over to return the pokeball to Misa while humming a familiar tune to Misa's ears. With gratitude Misa voiced her thanks once the pokeball was in her hands. The small girl softly murmured the word remember that was followed by a blinding white flash to Misa's eyes.
---
Phoebe hesitantly looked up to meet Ricko's gaze. There weren't any words but the meaning of apology was there. Phoebe then scooted over for Ricko to sit next to her.
Your eyes whisper, "We don't need beginnings or endings."
What kind of memories do I have to search for that will reach deep into my heart?
"So what really happened?" Ricko asked, breaking the ice.
"Well, once upon a time, you, Misa, and I were blessed or perhaps cursed with these so called gifts…" Phoebe started. At the same time the memories of the times when the three of them were inseparable flooded her mind.
The days that you said were too long seemed to like a dream that lasted just one night.
I can't believe that it is coming to an end; it is too early to wake up.
---
Misa stood before a vast sea of water. In a distant there was a shadowy figure just above the water. Misa squinted her eyes to see who the silhouette belonged to.
There above the water stood a little girl. She was the same girl that sat beside Misa on the train and the girl that was on the swing set. It wasn't until now that Misa truly looked at the little girl. The reflection of the little girl did not lie beneath her feet on the water's surface but on the waters beneath Misa's feet.
"Who are you?" Misa asked.
The little girl looked up as her black hair brushed to the side of her face. Brown glassy eyes were evenly matched. The identical scar in the exact same place under the eye on the left cheek was more visible on the child's face. Misa could only stare back in disbelief.
"Remember," Misa's mirrored self softly said. Misa's mirrored self then looked down at her hand and dropped the sigay shell into the water.
Before her eyes, Misa could feel herself falling into the forgotten memories. Quickly passing her were the times she, Ricko, and Phoebe were happy, playing together in the Viridian forest. Games where Phoebe would chase after Misa and Ricko but then she would flop down on the grass exhausted and give up. Laughing together, Misa and Ricko would run back and would help Phoebe get back on her feet.
Another memory appeared before Misa's eyes. It was the time where Phoebe and Misa were walking along the beach. Occasionally, Misa would poke her tiny feet into the ocean waters while Phoebe watched the waves push back revealing the sparkling stones and shells underneath. Quickly, Phoebe grabbed hold of one of the tiny shells before the waves would come back and bury it in the sand. Both Misa and Phoebe awed the purple shell's beauty in simplicity.
"Here." Misa's eyes widen at Phoebe's gesture.
"I got it for you," Phoebe said with a warm smile as she handed it over to Misa.
Who would have thought those carefree innocent days would come to an end?
Don't make the 1,000 nights disappear.
I can't leave here just yet.
Immobilized by her returning memories, Misa could only watch the forgotten events relive itself before her. Even the unpleasant ones…
Slowly coming into focus, Misa was weakly lying on the floor with shattered glass all around her. Blood… It was her own blood that trickled down her left check. After the explosion that shattered the window a shard must have came in contact and broke open Misa's skin. Beside her was Eefi, who was just only an Eevee at the time. Further away she saw Ricko, Phoebe, and her parent unconscious on the floor. Through the haze, Misa could see two shadows.
"Sapporo, what have we done?"
"Shut up, Naoko and just do the job!"
"You said no one would be here. No one was supposed to be hurt. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I don't---"
"Hey! What did I just tell you? Don't you dare back out on me now!" Sapporo's threatening voice boomed as he towered over Naoko who defensively raised her hands to her face out of reflex. He then grinned in satisfaction of the feel of dominance. Sapporo then violently threw the wooden chairs around, rampaging through the house, clearly looking for something.
Regaining consciousness, Phoebe came to. Silently she stretched her arm forward to a Sapphire gem. At the touch the Sapphire glowed as it slowly disappeared.
"Where is it?" Sapporo bellowed as he crushed Misa's purple shell under his foot. Overwhelmed with fear, Misa began to whimper, unintentionally drawing Sapporo's attention.
"Well what do we have here? You will be my key. Tell me little girl, where is it?" Sapporo slowly yet angrily said casting down his yes on Misa who was paralyzed in trauma.
"I… I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know what it is and where it is." Dissatisfied with the answer he received he shifted his eyes.
"You lie and then you will…"
"Sapporo, no!" Naoko yelled holding back Sapporo's arm. He easily broke free from Naoko's grasp.
"Tell me where it is kid, and I'll spare your life."
"But I…" Misa then felt Eefi nudge her elbow showing she was awake and ready.
"Eefi, Take Down!"
Sapporo quickly swatted Misa's Eevee before it could even attack with ease. Sirens could be heard from a distance.
"You were lucky this time kid but I'll back for what I came for. Next time you won't be so lucky." Sapporo scoffed kicking Misa's back before leaving.
Naoko stopped before Misa, wanting to undo all the damage she and Sapporo had caused. She reached out and was about to summon a healing spell but flinched when Sapporo tightly grabbed her wrist. The two of them fled the scene before they could ever be caught.
---
Blinking away her tears, Misa found herself back in the present, sitting on the park bench with her Espeon. In front of them was no longer the little girl but a Misdreavious.
"Please…Phoebe is…" before Muumuu could finish the scarlet beads around its neck fell to the ground as the ghost pokemon suddenly vanished.
---
I'm merely a silent Sheherezade who can't move anyone's heart.
No matter how many nights pass, I can't talk about even one love.
I couldn't even get used to the warmth. Where did the bedtime story disappear to?
I wanted to at least remember your gentle words.
"After that you guys moved to Hoenn in hope to start a new life. So even if you had to forget the past at least you were out of harms way that was in Kanto. There's no reason to grow up in fear and be held in prison of the past," Phoebe said looking on the brighter side.
"But it isn't fair that you had to carry this alone," Ricko said turning towards Phoebe. She remained silent looking down at the ground.
'Crystals on the ground… My final role is approaching… "Phoebe sadly realized knowing that she was the only one that could see the crystals.
"Phoebe…" Ricko gently placed his hand on Phoebe's. Suddenly he saw the past, the present, and the future in that single moment. He withdrew his hand.
"You saw it, didn't you?" Phoebe asked not daring to look at Ricko's face.
Don't make the 1,000 nights disappear.
I stand up to walk a lonely path.
"It's not going to happen because I'll be here with you."
"But for how long?" Phoebe whispered as she watched the snowflakessoftly descend from the sky.
I wanted to at least remember your gentle words,
Remember the 1,000 nights that disappeared in a single night…
There were things she couldn't control and the dying azalea in her hand was one of them.
End of chapter ten
If you found this chapter confusing don't worry about it. It will all make sense later…hopefully. So Eefi, what did you get?
"I got… (Gasp) A R-A-R-E CANDY! Marichi? What's that ticking sound?"
I don't know I think it's coming from… (Looks down at the present in her hands...)
O.o O:O
Tick Tick Tick….BOOM!
X.x X:X
"Aah…I'm so dizzy like a remixin Utada Hikaru and M-flo's Final Distance…"
Welcome aboard on the Global Astral Liner
How did I end up on an airplane?"
I told you we're going to visit Johto soon.
"You did? Oh… I'm so dizzy! I can't tell which is future sight and which is insight.
I see Misa on the stage with her hand on the piano keys…a couple dance cheek to cheek on the ballroom floor. Why does it feel…so sad?
I see Bluenda juggling. Then there's Naoko on the rooftop with her back resting on the chimney. She seems to be thinking in deep thought...of someone.
There's green and then there's midori (green). What in the world is going on? Am I seeing two? So dizzy…"
You better rest before you hurt yourself. Yes, I am planning to use Final Distance in my story but if you strongly feel I shouldn't use this song tell me and I won't use it. I'm not sure if I'll be able to post another chapter before Christmas so in advance…
Joyeux Noel! Buonne Natale! Felize Navidad! Merry Christmas my friend!
