If the early chapters look different, it's because I edited them for logical consistency. The next chapter will be up once it's finished.
Please tell me what you think with a review! It really is appreciated!
"Mom?" Michelle said, holding her breath.
"Honey? Michelle, is that you?" a woman's voice on the end replied. Where are you?"
"MOM! Oh, I'm so glad you're alive! I'm with some soldiers right now. They're taking care of me and some other people. You?"
"We're fine. The military is going through our neighborhood right now, making sure none of the Pokemon show up at our door. You're coming home to Los Angeles, right?"
"Mom, the soldiers insist I stay with them. I don;t even know if they're going to let me travel interstate. You can't even go a few states out without requiring a permit and a military escort – or a gun." Michelle paced around the room a few times, not caring about the odd looks everyone was giving her.
"Please call if they do let you leave."
"It's been half a month. The airdrops are still coming, though the next one got held up. Some problems with giant birds, I think. Look, Mom, just stay away from the Pokemon. You'll be fine! I love you. Bye!" As she hung up, she looked at the Pokemon containment area. These were the Pokemon that were found. What else could be lurking out there?
"Goodbye, Michelle."
The phone beeped as her parents hung up. She stared at the screen for a moment as the phone's interface returned to the home screen. Would this be the last time she heard from them? Her mother did say the military were running regular patrols like here.
No, she told herself. They'd be fine. Her father owned a shotgun that would be good against hostile Pokemon.
She gave a furtive glance at her watch. Her shift in the Pokemon containment area would start soon.
Michelle had a spring in her step as she entered the Pokemon containment area for the last time.
This was it. Her last day on the job, and she'd be able to go home along with all the camp residents at the end of the week. Well, not home, of course, since her and a load of people had their homes severely damaged or destroyed, but still, her car was likely working.
If not... she could always get a ride to Los Angeles.
She stepped through the gates as the guards watched.
"Hello, Michelle."
Oh no. That was the last thing she wanted. "Damn you, Victini." she muttered.
"Use your thoughts when we are communicating."
How about you- Everything devolved into static after that.
"Hey, relax. Clear your head before speaking."
Why speak to me?
"Because Jackson wanted me to keep an eye on you as he said." A pause occurred as she felt something rifle through her mind. "Huh, you killed a Pokemon?"
She blanched. That was meant to be a secret! Only she had the right to keep it!
Victini, take back what you said RIGHT NOW.
"I asked a question."
I- I-
"Answer me firmly."
Self-defense. It was either that Pokemon or me.
For her, that was one more reason to hate psychics in general; invading one's privacy. She decided that being direct was the right course of action. Pokeballs don't exist here, and even so, where could I get one?
"Ah. I see. That complicates things. Couldn't you have ran?"
No. That thing was fast. Hell, it went for a killing blow.
She took a deep breath.
Are there any Pokemon that... distrust humans? Not like... 'being captured', but actively hating them? Michelle helped bring out food for the other Pokemon. As they began to fight over the food, she didn't know whether to laugh or frown. They reminded her so much of ordinary animals. It was... uncanny.
"These sorts of Pokemon are almost unheard of. Most Legendaries and Mythicals don't bother with humanity, myself included."
So, the only reason you bother with humanity now is that you were captured?
"Yes. that, and all the other pokemon in a similar situation."
She'd reached Victini's pen now. Dispensing the food, she said, "Here you go. Enjoy!"
"Why say that out loud?"
The soldiers watching her gave her a thumbs-up.
For the benefit of the soldiers. Wouldn't want them to think I'm an indecent asshole.
If only they could know her true feelings on the subject of Pokemon.
That incident you just saw? Well, there might be dozens or hundreds more of that happening here right now. Look,... Pokemon here exist only as fiction - well, until a few months ago.
"But I'm real. These other Pokemon are real. If I'm fake, how can I be here?"
People are scared. Including me. Your kind have incredible powers beyond comprehension. It's the right action to keep you here, so you don't harm anyone.
"Do you treat the animals of your own world like this?"
Some people do awful things to animals. I work for Animal Control, and have heard stories. People might react with fear if you were allowed to roam the Earth, and we can't have that. Understood?
"I... understand..."
Damn, Victini was crying now. "Hey, it's OK. It's OK." She hugged it tightly and petted it.
"Please, leave me alone."
She obliged and left the pen after checking that all the Pokemon were properly fed.
"Man, these Pokemon are real sensitive," Tovar said. "Little guy was bawling his eyes out!"
"Like all these abused animals," Michelle replied. "Still, these creatures aren't ours. They aren't from Earth."
"I'm wondering who will take care of these guys when this is all said and done. Hopefully some of the zoos can take them."
"These things are crazy dangerous. Shouldn't they be shot?"
Tovar looked mortified. "I... well... no! I mean, that's for the brass to decide... but... nah."
She frowned and took her leave, leaving Victini sobbing in the containment area.
One note for my readers: This story is not a happy Pokemon fic, where the people of Earth just get on with their lives when the Pokemon come; but you might already have noticed that by now. I have some fairly concrete things planned for Michelle, and if you do not want to read about suffering, turn back.
Few stories about the arrival of Pokemon deal with the Pokemon Arrival from a First Responder perspective, and I plan to write just that with Unforeseen Consequence's sequel, "A Path to Coexistence". I feel it is an untapped well of ideas and stories. Even then, people not on the front lines - like teachers - might also be a good fit. Such a character's life being changed so fundamentally would make for an excellent and compelling story.