The next chapter! Plz Review people.
- - - - -
Darkness.
Sweet, blissful, darkness.
Where am I? Who am I? What am I?
'Hello, sister.'
Great, another voice.
'We are very close.'
Who are you?
'I'm hurt, dear sister. Don't you remember your own brother?'
No.
'Pathetic.'
Whatever.
Jen was fairly certain that she had finally gone over the edge. It was bound to happen with what went on in her life.
'Do you remember playing I spy?'
'No memory.'
This time the voice was talking to itself.
Are we in my mind? Please tell me I'm dead.
'Weakling.'
…
'War is approaching.'
The other voice told me.
'The other…?'
Don't worry, so-called-brother, I'm insane.
'I have no doubt you are.'
Now leave.
'Victory is in my favor, dear sister.'
Leave.
'Are you not curious about the war?'
Leave.
'About our destiny?'
Leave.
'Why we were created and not born?'
Leave.
'Fool.'
LEAVE!
This time the voice complied and Jen was left in darkness, all alone.
Sweet, blissful darkness.
Jen felt herself smile and knew that if anyone saw her, she would have looked completely insane. Hey, she was, wasn't she?
Sweet, blissful darkness.
The voice. She screamed. She yelled. The battle. The war. Life. Death. Pain. Hurt. Suffering. Healing. Love. Care. Hatred.
…Emotions.
- - - - - - - - -
A door opened slowly and light entered the room. "She's in here," Nurse Joy whispered.
A young man, in what appeared to be his middle 20's, stepped into the room and took a good look at the child lying on the emergency bed. He nodded in thanks and Nurse Joy exited the room.
His eyes trailed her body, signs of disgust evident on his face. The girl was in some hospital shorts while several layers of bandages covered her chest. She was quite naked.
But that was what was bothering the man. No, it was the amount of scars. The girl was covered in scars. From her legs to her chest. The young man assumed the scars stopped there so no one could see them.
'That bastard,' the man cursed softly. He held the girls' hand in his and rubbed them soothingly as he noticed she started to regain conciseness.
Now, when Jen started to slowly gain conciseness, she noticed her surrounding immediately. Her vision was quite foggy but she could smell someone above her.
It was a man.
Her fear, her biggest fear was with her, all alone and touching her.
She did what came naturally.
She screamed.
The young man, quite startled, tried to calm her down. "Woah! Settle down. It's alright. No one is here to hurt you."
Jen continued to scream. She even went as far as to punch the guy. She was in some strange place and her biggest fear was all alone with her.
She bolted. All the screaming and fighting had caused a disturbance and had alerted several people. Jen just pushed her way through and made it out the door, much to the confusion of the others.
Escape, escape, escape.
That was the only thought that went through her mind.
Unfortunately, a giant orange blob appeared in front of her and held her still. The commotion caused a stir in the pokemon center she was in but fortunately, there were only one or two trainers there.
The man that had been with her earlier appeared at her side. "Charizard, not so hard."
Jen stopped struggling momentarily. Her eyes cleared and she took a good look at the man in front of her. He had wild black hair that looked like it would be unable to be tamed even with hair gel. He had slightly darker skin than she did and those eyes.
He had chocolate brown eyes with such intensity and kindness that Jen was paralyzed to the spot out of both fear and shock.
She nuzzled against the large, orange blob that she found was Charizard.
"My name is Ash," the young man said.
Ash.
Jen struggled some more but was still held tightly.
Ash sighed and beckoned over a red haired girl and a brown haired man, both around the same age Ash was in. Nurse Joy also appeared, carrying a blanket.
"Honestly," she scolded, "you'll catch your death out there if you go running off when you're both hurt and half naked."
Jen only let off a whimper.
Suddenly, a small orange blob came running at them and jumped at the giant orange blob. It was Blaze and he had just jumped up and punched Charizard in the face. Charizard lost his hold on Jen and she jumped away, Blaze in front of her in a guarded position.
Bachi was there as well and it still amused Jen to no end that Bachi could slither that fast.
"Stay away from her,' Blaze yelled.
Ash held up his hands in a defeated manner. "Relax, we only want to help. Look at your trainer, she is hurt and the three of you barely got out alive."
"He's right, hot head," Bachi said, causing the char to snarl. Bachi also gave Charizard a look of disgust which made the large fire type growl. Bachi smirked. She turned to Jen. "Jen, these people are here to help. We'll be with you the entire time."
Jen nodded shakily. Bachi's voice was so soothing but it was Blaze's action that helped most. He grabbed her hand and led her through s door.
When everyone had settled in, Jen sat with her knees to her chest on a chair with both her pokemon at her side.
Ash cleared his throat. "Well, you already know who I am." He gestured at the other two. "That's Misty, my girlfriend, and Brock, my best friend."
Jen just hugged herself more tightly but felt a bit stronger with Bachi and Blaze. "How did we escape?" It was asked in almost a whisper but it was heard.
"Misty smiled kindly. "Ash's Pidgeot caught your Drattini and Charmeleon while Charizard caught you."
Jen nodded. "Th…thankyou."
Ash grinned widely. "It's no problem. A whole bunch of new novice trainers were just sent out and Prof. Oak asked me to have a few pokemon patrolling the area in case an incident like that happened."
"But why did that happen?" Brock asked.
Jen looked away. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and noticed something black and furry poking out of her shorts. She blinked…twice. A TAIL?
"A tail!" She was now standing, staring in shock. It couldn't be real. It wasn't! But it was.
A black, fuzzy, tail that had a golden ring on it went down to her knees.
"Indeed," Ash said. "You haven't been cutting off Umbreon tails, have you?" He asked jokingly.
Misty hit him over the head. "This is no time to joke!
"Sorry," Ash grumbled.
Jen paced, her thoughts going wild. She paced back and forth in both anger and a way to calm her down.
"Jen, I don't care if you have a tail," Blaze said.
"Thank you," she said softly. That wasn't what was bothering her but it still lifted her spirits that the young char didn't care how she looked. "But I want to leave."
Ash stood up and put a comforting hand on her. She flinched but Ash kept his hand there. "We're here to help."
"Wanna leave."
"Who gave you all those scars?" Ash asked, ignoring her demand.
Jen didn't answer.
"Jen, please--" Ash started but Jen interrupted him.
"How do you know my name?"
Ash smiled kindly. "You're not the only one that can understand pokemon. Yours told me your name and what happened. Blaze told me…quite a bit."
Jen looked down, ashamed.
"There is no reason to be ashamed," Ash said, his voice hard.
Jen broke loose.
"What do you want, Jen?"
Jen looked at him quietly. She sat down, thinking about the question as she tightened a blanket around her shoulders. Her eyes had a far away look. "To be free."
- - - - - -
That night Jen, Bachi and Blaze sat wide awake on a large bed. They were still in the pokemon center and were being kept for questioning.
"I don't like him," Jen said.
"Who?" Blaze asked.
"Ash," Jen replied.
"Ah."
Jen changed the subject. "You evolved," she said. "I'm so proud of you. You battled real bravely."
Blaze beamed while Bachi rolled her eyes.
"How did it feel?" Jen asked, slightly curious.
Blaze thought for a moment. "Like I was falling but at the same time flying. I remember it all even though it only happened for a second. It was dark, and I could see the stars for miles and miles. I was falling really fast but I could see a Charmeleon flying at me. It was strange," Blaze concluded, "but it felt as if I were two separate things at once."
"Wow."
Bachi only rolled her eyes once more.
"I need a new name," Blaze said.
"Why?"
Blaze smiled. "It's a rule that chars, or at least real chars do. For the first two stages, we have 'nicknames.' When we are in our final evolution, we choose our real name. And its not something stupid. It's a real char name."
Jen nodded. Bachi snorted. "Waste of time."
Blaze glared at her. "And what about you, worm? Your kind isn't supposed to have a name until their final evolution."
"Well, I'm a Drattini that doesn't go by the rules!" Bachi snapped.
"Like I care anyways!" Blaze snarled.
Jen only sighed. "So how about that new name?"
They sat in silence for a few moments. Jen, and even Bachi, were thinking of names. It was a little hard with Blaze blowing fire out of his nose on purpose.
Jen sighed and looked pointedly at the char. "Your 'nickname' is Pyro."
- - - - - -
Ash sighed as he listened to Brock and Misty rant. They wanted to take her away from her pokemon and give her to a mental hospital! Ash couldn't help but scowl.
You don't just take a pokemon away from someone, especially from a girl that only trusts her pokemon. Ahs felt disgusted even though he knew they were only trying to help.
Sighing, Ash looked out the window and into the cold, dark night. "Poor girl," he whispered. Pikachu, who was on his shoulder, nuzzled his cheek in comfort. "Thanks buddy."
"Chaa." (No problem.)
Staring deeply into the night, Ash noticed some movement. Narrowing his eyes, Ash noticed it was a human and he or she had a charmeleon by his or her side. Ash's eyes widened.
Jen! But how did she get out of the center? Why was she out there in the middle of the night?
"Escaping, no doubt," Ash thought. Before he could tell Brock or Misty, Jen turned her head slowly and stared straight at him.
Ash felt his blood go cold at the look. It was pleading, begging him. Just as quickly as she looked, Jen ran off into the darkness, her loyal pokemon by her side. At the last moment, Ash saw the strange marking on her black shirt. It was the same one on her trench coat.
Ash smiled softly. Freedom. That was what that strange symbol meant. She had told him in secret when he asked her when the others left.
"Good luck," Ash whispered.
- - - - - - -
Jen shivered as the cold air pricked against her skin. That damn Fearow had destroyed her trench coat. Her trench coat! Jen made a low growl come out of her throat. Aside from the tail, Jen could see perfectly in the dark. Her smelling was always good but now it was at its peek. The only other changes was her hearing ability and the ability to growl softly.
Jen didn't care how or why she was like this. As long as it helped her get away, then it was fine.
Bachi, who was sitting on her shoulder, suddenly pointed with her tail. "Look at that!"
Jen looked. She blinked slowly as she looked at the strange creature in the alley. It was an Absol, and it was bleeding on its hind leg.
It ran.
"Stop," Jen called. She didn't yell.
The Absol paid no attention and Jen ran after it, the newly named Pyro at her feet. She took a left turn, exactly where the Absol had turned and was surprised to see it gone.
Gone?" she whispered.
Bachi slithered onto the ground. "Look there." Jen looked at where Bachi was indicating. A hole, more like a pipe, led underground. Jen followed.
"You actually want to go in there?" Pyro asked, incredulously.
"Of course, hot head."
Pyro growled but followed in after Bachi.
They made their way deeper underground. Ten minutes later they came across a strange sight. There were green lights everywhere, giving the sewer/cave a strange look. There were quite a few people down there as well.
Jen looked around. There was some old beat up furniture and the walls were covered in graffiti. All the people were dressed in either all black or black with red or dark green. Yep, Jen would fit imperfectly.
Jen walked down, not even receiving a glance from anyone. She noticed that there were several pokemon as well. They were all dark types and had the same look the humans had.
Sadness.
Hatred.
Different.
Loneliness.
Jen closed her eyes tightly. Those were the same emotions that she felt everyday.
She came to a stop as she saw some blood on the ground. Looking up, she saw the same Absol she had chased. He looked at her quietly. Jen wasn't sure how she immediately knew it was a 'he' but paid no mind to it.
The Absol jerked its head toward something and laid down next to something. Jen noticed it was a boy around 17. He was covered in dry blood and water, probably from his tears.
"He's always like that," a voice said from behind her making her and her pokemon jump. She turned around and saw a boy with black, spiky hair, dyed green at the tips. He was wearing all black but it was really old clothing, having rips and mud all over it. His face had a sunken look in it.
Jen looked back at the boy on the ground and could see all the emotions going through his eyes. She could see it in everyone's. She bowed her head. "You understand," the boy said.
"I do."
"My name is Mike." Jen thought of the Mike she met in the forest.
"Jen." She gestured at Bachi and Pyro. She pointed at each one. "That's Bachi and Pyro."
Mike let off a hollow laugh. "You on a pokemon journey?"
Jen shook her head. "A journey for freedom."
Mike smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. They were empty, no more emotion.
"This place," Jen said softly, "is it a haven for those who have been hurt?"
"In a way." He gestured at the boy on the ground. "He will die very soon." The Absol that was at his side blinked a few tears away. Jen noticed it was very small, perhaps still a pup.
"They let themselves go," Jen stated.
Mike nodded. Bachi and Pyro shared a glance but they understood. This was a place for those who were so different and tormented. A place where they were ready to die but still had the comfort of those like them around them.
They had both been hurt and were scared for life. The strange tattoos made them different, as did their minds and way of thinking. Pyro rubbed his scar softly.
Jen knew it too. She looked at the ground and could see bits of blood on the stone floors. Mike gave a signal for her to follow. She followed without hesitation. He showed her to a small area but still large enough for four people.
It had many blankets and a few old pillows. "For you," he said simply.
"I need to leave," Jen said quietly. She needed to leave where she could find freedom but this place…it had a strange comfort in it despite all that was happening to these tormented beings.
"It is safe here," Mike whispered. The door only opens to those who need it and understand.
Jen only nodded. She felt safe. For once in her life, Jen felt safe. Pyro and Bachi understood as well. They all fell asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillow.
- - - - - -
Jen had been there for a week. That whole time she felt as if her life was slowly passing by but at the same time growing. Everyday she brought food to the poor Absol and the boy it was with. The boy didn't have a name. He had either forgotten it or chose not to say it.
He had only ever spoken one word to Jen. "Death." Jen had shivered at the emptiness in his voice. The boy didn't eat or move. Jen had washed the boy with some water and a sponge, removing all the blood and came across many scars.
He had more than her but she didn't pity him. She would never feel pity for any of these people because they were just like her. And because they were just like her, they hated pity.
Bachi and Pyro had taken it upon themselves to help the young Absol. It was only 8 months old, the poor pup. He had improved greatly in the past week that Jen was surprised to see a spark of happiness it its eyes.
The three pokemon would train with each other, well away from the others but came back with sad, happy grins. Jen didn't question them and she certainly did not tell them to stop. If they were happy, then Jen was happy.
That one week became two weeks and for the first time, in the history of being in this sewer/cave, the boy spoke. "My name…is Erik." His voice was so raspy and empty.
Jen had been so surprised he spoke that she dropped the bandages she was holding. She was helping him heal some of the cuts and bruises on his body. It was impossible to heal them all. Jen knew he would die.
"Erik…that's a nice name," Jen said. She didn't force a smile like most people would. Her face showed no emotion.
Erik coughed. Mike, who had been there, closed his eyes and felt tears go down his cheeks. Jen thought he must've been thinking about something or was amazed that Erik talked.
They say Ho Oh let a pokemon create this place for those who were like us."
Jen felt a tear go down her cheek as well. She touched it, confusion written on her face. "Why?" she asked softly.
"To be together when we died, so we weren't alone, because we're always alone."
"Why are you telling us this?" Mike asked, his grey eyes staring down at Erik.
"I'm dying."
"Well, no shit," Mike grumbled. "With all those cuts from the bastard that gave you 'em and from yourself."
Jen stayed silent but looked at Erik without that pity she…they hated.
Erik blinked up at her. He knew she understood. "But you know…" He turned to Jen. "You understand but you want freedom."
"There are many freedoms," Jen whispered.
"And I'm about to receive one of them," Erik said, his voice sounding parched. Jen poured some water in his mouth. He swallowed it graciously. "Th…thank you."
Jen shrugged.
"You fear men, don't you?"
Jen jerked her head. "Y…yes."
"Why not us?"
"Everyone here gives me a…feeling. I finally belong. You all understand."
Mike gripped her shoulder the same way Ash did. Jen didn't pull back.
Erik closed his eyes and his breathing started to slow. Jen leaned down quickly and enveloped him in a hug. Both Jen and Erik, never once receiving any type of love in their life, soaked up the feeling. The feeling of being loved. Mike joined as well.
"Sing a song, Jen," Erik whispered.
"I can't sing."
"Try," Erik insisted. He opened one eye slowly. "I've always wanted to dare someone. I've always wanted a friend."
Jen and Mike leaned down. "I'm your friend," they both whispered. All three were crying. Crying for not only for their own loneliness and pain, but for the others that were like them as well."
"What's that dare?" Jen whispered.
"After you sing, paint a picture on the wall in front of me."
"Of what?" Jen asked.
"Anything." His voice was growing hoarser, if not already gone. "Please do it for me."
Jen smiled sadly, a small, sad smile. "This was my favorite song when I was younger," she whispered. More tears fell. "It still is."
Cultivate your hunger,
Before you idealize
Motivate your anger,
Make them all realize
Climbing a mountain,
Never coming down
Break into the contents,
Never breaking down
My knee is still shaking,
Like I was twelve,
Sneaking out of the classroom,
By the back door
A man railed at me twice though,
But I didn't care.
Waiting is wasting for people like me.
Don't try to live so wise.
Don't cry 'cause you're so right.
Don't dry with fakes or fears,
'cause you will hate yourself in the end
Don't try to live so wise
Don't cry 'cause you're so right.
Don't dry with fakes or fears,
'cause you will hate yourself in the end.
You say, 'Dreams are dreams.
I ain't gonna play the fool anymore.'
You say, ''Cause I still got my soul.'
Take your time, baby,
Your blood needs slowing down.
Breach your soul to reach yourself before you gloom.
Reflection of fear makes shadows of nothing,
Shadows of nothing
You still are blind,
If you see a winding road,
'cause there's always a straight way to the point you see
Don't try to live so wise.
Don't cry 'cause you're so right.
Don't dry with fakes or fears,
'cause you will hate yourself in the end.
Don't try to live so wise.
Don't cry 'cause you're so right.
Don't dry with fakes or fears,
'cause you will hate yourself in the end
The entire sewer/cave had gone silent. Pokemon and human alike had listened to her. Jen had cried the entire time, everyone did. They cried for themselves and each other, for their pain and their suffering. But also, and they all knew it deep down, because they were alive.
"Your voice is beautiful," Erik whispered.
Jen choked on a sob as she watched Erik close his eyes for one last time. He was dead.
- - - - - -
Three days passed since Erik's death. Jen had kept to her end of the bargain and painted a giant bird of gold on the wall where Erik's body used to lay.
With all the graffiti spray cans and paint; it was no problem getting the right colors. Mike had stayed by her side the entire time. A few others, both human and pokemon, watched her work. She hadn't slept once and Bachi and Pyro were forced to feed her.
The young Absol stayed by her side as well. He cried the first day and then grew silent. The third day he looked so dead that everyone was sure he was.
Jen and Mike still had no idea how Erik and the young Absol had come together and every time they asked, Absol would just turn his head away from them and sleep.
The fourth day, the day Jen finished with the painting, Absol looked up at her and said, "I'm free." He had been quiet the rest of the day.
Later that day, Mike handed her a bag full of food and water. When she looked at him questionably he just shook his head. "It's time for you to go."
Jen nodded sadly. She looked around the place that was as close to home as she was going to get. The people and pokemon were different. Still moping around living life in sorrow, they each held a new spark of life in their eyes.
They began to do things so they could occupy themselves even if they were still waiting for death.
"What will you do?" Jen asked Mike.
He shrugged. "Stay here. I got nothin' out there. Besides," and he looked around, "I can help new people who arrive."
Jen smiled grimly as she looked into his grey eyes. They were so beautiful and different looking, Jen mused.
"Do my eyes hold life?" Mike asked quietly.
Jen smiled softly. She leaned over and kissed him on each cheek and finally the forehead. "Its a small spark now," she told him. "But someday, in time, they will be full of life."
Mikesmiled patted her on the back and sat down on a very old, but comfy leather chair. He picked up an old guitar although everything was old or worn out down here it didn't matter. He played a few notes.
Jen took one last look at the painting she did. A large painting of Ho Oh that was so life like, so real, that seamed as if it would fly out of the wall. Flying beneath was a small creature, floating in an almost playful manner. It looked very cat like and was colored in shadow.
Jen did not know how she came up with this painting or this creature; but she liked it and so did the others.
It looked as if Ho Oh was giving the strange creature permission to do something. What it was, Jen did not know. She would let others come up with ideas. Next to the painting was a poem she came up with. For it was both life and death, it fit perfectly.
I cannot speak for all who stem
'Long roads less traveled as their way,
Nor question choices made by them
In days long past or nights long dim
by words they spoke and did not say.
Each road is long, though short it seems,
And credence gives each road a name
Of fantasies sun-drenched in beams
Or choices turned to darkened dreams,
To where each road wends just the same.
From North to South, then back again,
I followed birds like all the rest
Escaping nature's snowy den
On roads I've seen and places been,
Forsaking roads that traveled West.
This journey grows now to its end,
As road reflections lined in chrome
Give way to roads with greater bend
And empty signs that still pretend
They point the way to home sweet home.
But all roads lead to where we go
And where we go is where we've been,
So home is just a word we know,
That space in time most apropos
For where we want to be again.
For even home, it seems to me,
Is still a choice we all must face
From day to day and endlessly,
To choose if home is going to be
Another road - or just a place.
Another thing that Jen came up with that she could not understand; but she loved it, and so did the others.
Jen started walking down the sewer/cave. It would lead her right to Cerulean City, allowing her to get there without going through Mt. Moon. Jen was grateful, seeing as how she didn't want to deal with another one of her dads' pokemon in a cave.
Bachi and Pyro walked at her side, followed closely by the young Absol. He had decided to come with her and find freedom. He left his old life behind, but Jen knew, she knew it very clearly that the young pup was a type of shadow of his past, trying to find a new life with a new personality.
Jen named him Shadow.
They would never forget. Every single one of them. All the humans and pokemon in that heaven/hell haven. Because they had lived life the way they did, they learned something huge in just a small short coming.
Jen walked silently, the grim smile never slipping. When she heard some more notes she paused in mid step. Mike was playing that shabby old guitar and making the others, just like Jen had done, turn toward him.
What surprised her even more was when he started singing.
Stray! Stray!
In the cold breeze that I walk along
The memories of generations burn within me
Been forever since I cried the pain and sorrow
I live and die, proud of my people gaining
I'm here standing at the edge
Starin up at where the moon should be
Stray!
No regrets 'cause I got nothin to lose
Ever stray!
So I'm gonna live my life as I choose
Until I fall..
Stray! Stray!
Stray! Stray!
In the white freeze, I never spoke of tears
Or opened up to anyone including myself
I would like to find a way to open to you
Been awhile, don't know if I remember how to
I'm here waiting on the edge
Would I be alright showing myself to you?
It's always been so hard to do..
Stray!
No regrets 'cause I got nothin to lose
Ever stray!
So I'm gonna live my life as I choose
Until I fall...
Stray! Stray!
Stray! Stray!
Stray! Stray!
Is there a place left there for me
Somewhere that I belong
Or will I always live this way... ?
Always stray
No regrets 'cause I got nothin to lose
Ever stray!
So I'm gonna live my life as I choose
Cause all things fall
Stray! Stray!
Stray! Stray!
Stray! Stray!
Stray...
Jen smiled, a true smile. She continued walking, never once looking back. Never looking at the sobbing and tormented people who found a little bit of happiness. Jen was pretty sure she would never see them again.
After all, weren't they waiting for death?
Jen wasn't, not anymore. She was looking for freedom. Maybe, just maybe, one of those people will survive. If not, at least they died with a little happiness and the comfort of those like them. People just like her…them…all the same…tormented and cursed with having such a rough life…but still having that bit of happiness could almost take away the pain before their last moment.
Almost.
Sweet, blissful darkness.
- - - - - - - - - -
READ THIS!
In the past, Kings, Queens, princes and princesses, would change their name at a different age or because of a special accasion. That's where I got the idea for Blaze/Pyro.
The first song is called Wind and I'm not sure who sings it.
The second song is called stray and it is written by Steve Conte.
The poem is called Winter Roads and is by Ron Carnell.
This is like one of the saddest things I have ever written. Just take a moment and think about these people…so sad.
A WAR? Yes, a war will be comin up. This story will most likely NOT have over 18 or 20 chapters. I hope to make the chapters longer.
A brother? Its true...kinda. Find out. She has a tail for a reason and its not one of those dumb Marie Suepokemorph stories. Promise!
You finally found outabout Jens' strange symbol. Yes, it means freedom. Very fitting.
PLZ REVIEW! I SEE LIKE 4OO PEOPLE CHECKED OUT THIS STORY BUT ONLY 7 PEOPLE REVIEWED!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Did you notice how I didn't make Jen go gah gah over Ash? Finally a story where a trainer that doesn't like Ash! The only reason he is in this story is because this will be going into huge legendary pokemon battles and he kinda needs to be there for that.