Chapter 106:

You Have Unread Messages

Pokémon List:

Luna (Kirlia)

Fay (Riolu)

Midna (Zorua)

You have 94 unread emails. The robotic voice came through the speakers of my laptop.

My finger hit the mute key immediately. I warily glanced around, hoping no one had heard it.

The quiet stillness of the night continued on as if it never had been broken.

The still symphony of distant cars, odd Pokémon noises and the wind resumed unbothered.

After making sure I hadn't woken up anyone I returned my attention to the screen.

The pale light of the screen looked extremely alien to this world at that moment. Eterna City hadn't gone completely dark but was instead lit by soft orange lights that shone through some of the windows. More akin to candle light than to anything remotely modern.

The harsh light from my laptop felt like it was somehow intruding on the peaceful atmosphere.

Despite this, I forced myself to concentrate.

I clicked on auto-delete spam.

You have 64 unread emails. Do you still wish to continue? Black bold text on the screen said. It was accompanied by a smiling Rotom icon.

I stared blankly at the screen. Wondering why my damn email service was becoming snarky. It wasn't as if I had any motivation to begin with but having that existential question asked by the software that deleted junk mail made me want to quit this even more.

The only good thing about this was the view I had from atop the Pokémon Center.

It wasn't a high building but almost the entirety of the surrounding area was completely flat. It gave me a great view of the entire town, the surrounding woods and the shadow of Mount Coronet in the far distance.

The entire scenery was accompanied by the moon and stars that hung overhead. Casting the entire sleeping world underneath a blanket of light.

Only a few tiny specks of light were visible from where I was. Most of them were either people who hadn't gone to sleep yet, the soft street lamps or the distant shining gem known as Jubilife City.

A warm wind swept over the rooftop.

As a result, several sheets of paper were picked up by the wind and flung away.

My eyes widened as a panic set in.

I got to my knees, trying to reach out to them without making too much movement or noise. As I did, more pages from my notebook were spirited away by the wind.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath.

Welp, goodbye to all the concept art I worked so hard on.

I stared as all my hard work was carried away by the wind and over the edge, wondering whether I should curse fate or myself for not putting any weight on the notebook.

Before I could come to a decision, however, Fate intervened.

All of a sudden, the flying sheets of paper began to light up. One by one they were consumed by a radiant blue glow. Like an ethereal Christmas tree, they lit up the night sky.

Then, they all vanished. Just like that they were gone.

I heard some noises coming from behind me. I turned around and saw a white hand clasp around the edge of the roof.

It was followed by a second hand, and then by an entire Kirlia.

The small Pokémon gracefully lifted herself up the roof. She pulled herself up and landed on top of it with both her feet, not too dissimilar from a ballerina.

{You lost something?} Luna smiled. She clapped her hands together. All my stuff that had been picked up by the wind appeared in her hand with a spectacular glow.

It slowly floated over towards me. Carried again by an invisible force. Just not the wind this time around.

"You're a lifesaver." I breathed a sigh of relief.

I immediately stuck the papers back in the notebook and put the glass bottle I had brought along on top of it to prevent another accident.

With a happy sigh, I sat down again. Leaning against the chimney, allowing my heart to calm down.

Finally, I took the laptop back and let out a yawn.

Luna wordlessly sat down next to me.

I put the laptop back on my lap,trying to remember what I had been doing before the wind disrupted everything. This resulted in me staring blankly at the screen for a few seconds. Trying to find my previous train of thought.

{You are still awake.} Luna eventually said . There was no certain connotation to her voice. It was merely a statement.

"I know."

{You are sitting on the rooftop.} Luna added, this time a vague sense of judgment was present in her inflection

"Indeed I am." I stretched my arms out. "I thought you fell asleep hours ago. You're supposed to be sleeping now."

Luna frowned. {I had trouble falling asleep. I noticed you were gone and wanted to make sure you were safe. You don't mind me being here, right?}

"I don't mind." I petted Luna. A wholesome smile appeared on her face. "Actually, it was getting really lonely and cold up here. So I appreciate your company."

Luna stayed silent. It was as if she was struggling with her words. She looked like it.

{So why were you up here?} Luna ultimately asked. {Your other work?}

I showed her the screen. "I have 64 messages to answer. The internet around this place is really trippy because of the museum but…well, up here it's relatively stable."

Luna tilted her head.

"Besides, the rooftop has a lovely view. And I am sure that if I don't make a mess, the people here won't mind." I hadn't asked permission per se, but as far I was aware there aren't any laws against sitting on rooftops.

Despite my sound reasoning, Luna gave me a deadpan look. {Okay, but why at 3 AM?}

I checked the clock. 2:46 in the morning. Not quite 3.

"Why not?" I tried. "Why sleep if you can… answer emails till you fall asleep?"

Luna didn't even bother with a reply.

"Fine, I couldn't sleep as well," I admitted. "And I despise staying inside my bedroom when I can't sleep. So I thought I might as well take in some fresh air and do something productive."

Luna stared at the flat skyline. {So we both couldn't fall asleep.}

"So it seems." I said.

Luna nodded.

A short silence followed. The sound of my keyboard's keys being pressed and Luna's soft exhaling filled the air for a short while.

Eventually, she broke the silence again. {So, why couldn't you fall asleep?}

I paused. I tried to think up a lie but then realized, I didn't even really know myself what exactly kept me awake. Insomnia is a bitch I guess.

"My thoughts kept drifting away, at nights like these I can't help but wonder about the future, this world and mine." I admitted. Luna gave me a puzzled look. "I keep worrying about where this is all going, you know? With Galactic and Team Rocket, the new threats. My own meddling. And why I am here in the first place.}

Luna tilted her head, confusion written all over her face. {But you have us, right? Aren't you happy? You are not alone. I thought we agreed there's nothing to worry about.}

"It's not. It has nothing to do with all of you." I immediately reassured her. "It's just that, well. Sometimes I feel really alone, even with all of you around." I shook my head.

"It's hard to explain."

{Try it.}

I frowned. "Now? You want to get philosophical?"

{Neither of us can fall asleep right now.} Luna smiled smugly. {Might as well do it now.}

I sighed and looked at Luna. A fierce determination was burning in her eyes. "You can read emotions, you should understand me better than I understand myself."

{I want to hear it from you.}

"Fine," I said.

Luna smiled.

I relaxed my muscles and closed my eyes. I might as well get the best out of this improv therapy session.

"I spent a lot of time thinking about my predicament. About how I got here in this world. I am practically an alien you know? This world, my knowledge of everything. It's completely abstract and alien to me. I am adjusting and I have you to help me." I sighed. "It's just so fucking bizare. I am the only human in this world."

Luna considered my words. {But you are happy, right? You should be.}

I sighed. "We went over this before, and you are right. I am not alone, I get it."

I leaned back to look at the moon. "But knowing doesn't change exactly how I feel. You know, back before I met any of you. I would have given anything to be in another world." I grimaced. "I thought it would be epic adventures and friendship, all of that shit."

{And it's not that? You have 'adventures' and 'friends'}

"Besides almost dying a couple times, having the responsibility over 3 sentient life forms and having to fear the end of the world it's actually not that bad," I admitted. "I mean, it's definitely shitty at times but having you and the other two around is kind of worth it."

{But you still feel lonely?}

"I guess, when it's late at night. Everyone is asleep. I keep thinking. About what I left behind and what is to come."

I laughed softly. "My past world was a dumpster fire, but at least it made sense. There were lots of other people who I could theoretically relate to, We were all in the same sinking ship."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I must sound like a crazy idiot."

{For what it's worth, I feel somewhat the same.}

I opened my eyes. Luna was gazing at the moon.

{I was living in the forest before I met you. Now, I am following an idiot who wants to see two Legendary Gods.}

Her red eyes fixated on mine. {Same for Fay and Midna. We were thrusted into a new life, completely strange to what it was before. But we have each other to relate to.}

Luna's red eyes started to sparkle. {I can tell you that Midna is feeling very similar to you. She doesn't show it.}

"You're saying-"

She nodded.

{All four of us are strangers right?}

I mulled over the thought.

"You know, if you see it like that. There's no way Fate didn't have a hand in bringing us together."

{I agree.} Luna smiled softly. {I don't regret it.}

"Fate might be an ass, but she has some good taste." I laughed.

My voice was getting a little bit dry. I took a little sip from the bottle and was about to offer Luna some before deciding it wasn't the best idea.

I opened my backpack and found a small plastic bottle filled with something close to Orange juice. The label read that it had extra vitamins.

"You want some?" I offered Luna.

Her eyes lit up.

I uncapped it and gave it to her. She began to drink with a happy smile.

Absent-mindedly, I continued to dig through my backpack until I found just the thing I needed.

"Voila," I turned around to Luna and pulled open a bag of off-brand Pokémon Doritos.

"Now, we got everything we need to have a sleepless night."

I placed the chips between Luna and me.

Quickly after, the chorus of the night was accompanied by soft crunching noises. The display on my laptop had gone into standby mode and instead displayed a clock that was just ticking away.

"So," I tried. "Why couldn't you sleep?"

She averted her eyes.

"Come on, I emptied out my heart, now it's your turn." I teased a little.

{I'm sorry!} She turned around, refusing to meet my eyes.

"Eh what?"

{I am sorry for leaving you on your own at the museum.} She quickly spoke. {I-we, well.}

She struggled with her words. {I just wanted to make it clear to you. Try to stop you from picking fights you don't have to.}

She turned to me. {But instead, you became more determined, and now you also learned that I am not merely as necessary as you thought I was.}

I couldn't help but to keep my expression flat as tears started to form in her eyes.

I pulled Luna closer and wrapped my arms around her. "You are an idiot. You know that?"

She nodded softly, quietly rubbing the tears out of her eyes.

{I just don't know what is going on.} She softly whispered.

{I used to sleep alone. Now I don't.} Luna said. {After that it used to be the two, and now that has changed as well. I don't know what to expect, or how to react.} She stifled a cry. {And I don't want to sleep alone ever again.}

I hugged Luna tightly.

"You are a fucking idiot. So am I. but we'll stick together, right? You won't leave me alone, will you?"

Luna nodded.

We stayed in that position for several more minutes. I patiently waited for Luna to calm down.

{It's been a long time since we had a moment like this.} Luna said.

I closed my eyes, trying to think back to the last time it was just the two of us, completely alone without having someone or something out for blood.

I couldn't even recall.

"Yeah," I said, realizing how little that added to the conversation.

{I guess I am just not as cute as Fay.} Luna said. {Or not as well versed as Midna.}

"That's not it." I tried. "Honestly, it's just, life's such a mess."

"Besides," I patted Luna on her head. I suddenly pulled her closer. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing.

Luna let out a surprised gasp.

"You know you will always be special right?" I didn't look at her when I spoke. "Midna and Fay are both lovely but you know what, neither of them are you."

{I am the most powerful,} Luna admitted, she turned away to hide the smugness but failed. {But besides that, what do I have to offer?}

"You are incredibly smart. You accepted to be my partner, despite the fact that you could read my emotions and see all the baggage. Despite this, you're still around and saved me countless times. I've never seen someone as considerate and direct as you in my entire life. I don't think I could've found a better teammate in this world."

{You really think so?}

"Duh," I gave her a pat on the head. "You are stubborn and an idiot. You might be weird at times, and even worse at other times. But you are my Pokémon. Fate made us cross paths. And no matter what,"

I laughed despite myself. "I choose you!"

{You are definitely rambling!} Luna's pale skin had turned a shade of red.

"No I m not." I smiled. "But nothing does in this world. You and I have a connection. It's that simple."

{Truthfully?}

"100%" I said.

Luna began to let out a satisfied sigh.

The screen of the laptop suddenly lit up again, awakening itself from its own self-imposed slumber.

I had drifted off into a half slumber-half hallucinating state after a little while. With neither Luna or I speaking, my thoughts floated away in any direction my mind decided.

However, to my annoyance, a bright flashy message that was displayed on the laptop screen broke the serenity and atmosphere.

I sighed as I suddenly returned to reality and received a grim reminder that falling asleep on the roof might not be the best course of action.
I had actual work to do.

My shifting position caused Luna to move as well. She let out a barely audible sigh and started blinking her sleep away.

The bag of chips next to her was completely empty, even though the label on it said it was family sized.

I pulled the laptop closer to see what had caused it, and by extension us, to rise from our slumber.

A new mail was displayed on the screen. It came with vibrant colors from the eye bleach palette.

The text was minimal, with most of the screen being taken up with a still image of a happy Rotom. It was cartoonishly drawn with crude and thick lines. With the exception of the almost radiant blue eyes, which were a little bit too intense for a mascot.

A speech bubble came from its mouth that read: You Won the Jackpot. A fully inclusive Vacation TRIP to UNOVA. Click here to CLAIM your Prize!

No additional info was given with the email. The sender's mail address itself was just a string of letters and symbols. And the link's destination was obscured.

I raised my eyebrow, slightly more awake than before thanks to this weirdly constructed email.

{What's it?} Luna moved closer. {Someone important mailed you?}

"No, it's just spam." I murmured. "Though it must have been aimed at toddlers or something. I can't imagine anyone clicking on a sketchy link like that."

Luna nodded as if she understood what I was talking about.

It was annoying that it managed to slip past my spam filter. Guess I should really update that. Well, it was a thing to add to my "To-do-list".

Talking about To-Do lists.

"Luna, it's getting rather late."

Luna stared at me as if I just declared the sky was blue.

"We do need to catch some sleep tonight. Ash or Gardenia might arrive tomorrow. And I'll need you fresh for anything that might come up."

{You're coming down as well?} Luna asked, slowly getting up. {I can teleport you.}

"Go without me," I said, stifling a yawn. "I'll join you in half an hour. I'll answer a few emails and then I'll be done as well."

{Okay.} She sat down plumply yet again.

I gave her a questioning look.

{I'll keep you company,} she exclaimed. {I can stay up a little longer.}

I wondered if it was worth the time to argue with Luna. Probably not.

Instead I decided to do what I set out to do at the start of this night. Clear my inbox.

Luna was content to just watch me as I did my thing. Only after 10 minutes did she speak.

{What are you working on?} Luna suddenly asked, her face closer to the screen. Attempting to grasp the meaning behind the words.

"More video games," I answered. "And well, other stuff. I am working on recreating some version of Facebook. but mainly just trying to port more video games."

{Why though? Midna says you are already rich.} Luna said..

I opened an email. It was a rather dumb question about the game being too difficult. I quickly began typing a response.

"Because the video games in this universe are just primitive compared to my old one. It would be a disgrace not to do anything with all the information I have stored up here." I pointed at my head. "Besides, I do miss some stuff from my old world. I might never see it, so why not try to bring some things over?"

{I see.} Luna nodded.

I managed to get in some 5 minutes of work before Luna asked another question. {So, the thing you are working on right now, is it another Tetris?}

She pointed at the cubes displayed on the screen.

I was puzzled over why she would think that. Then it hit me.

"Oh no, no of course not. No, although both games do have cubes this one is completely different."

{It does look extremely similar.} Luna argued.

"One of them is a puzzle game based on falling blocks, the other is an open world sandbox."

Luna gave me a skeptical look. Probably because she had no idea what I meant.

"Okay, how do I explain this…"

I opened the files and began to navigate through all the projects. I had a lot of them running at the same time. Luckily I could outsource most of the work. Otherwise I would struggle to find even the time to work on one of them. Most of what I did was writing out the concept and game design surrounding them.

I opened the folder that had all the demos. I scrolled through the list.

Berry Crush Saga

Flappy Pidgey

Poké Souls

The right game was selected and I clicked on the icon to run it.

"Watch, listen and learn, Luna," I softly spoke. "This shouldn't take too long."

Two and a half hours later I had a Kirlia raging as a Creeper had blown up her house.

I didn't get a lot of work done that night.

A/N Ohaiyo, it's been quite some time. Getting into writing was really hard. I mean, in writing this fic. I did spent quite some time writing about how Among us replicate. But that's a story for another day. On the flip note, I am proud to declare that I beat Dark Souls. And I am even prouder to declare that I beat the first level without using my hands.

I might be addicted. Don't worry, I lessened my time playing Dark Souls. Now I am in Skyrim, that should be less time consuming.

Also I want to thank the discord users for the help on this chapter. It was again edited by Arxalier or something, but the others really helped me out as well. If you want to join the discord, the link should be on my profile page.

It's not necessarily for discussing this fanfic but also just a place to hang out. We have an open podium where anyone can stream. Sometimes I stream dying to Undyne.

This chapter is over. Go pack your stuff. We need to get going.

-CaptainMoonShine-

(Reviews
-PsylentFox (Actually, I thought the ability of Midna to hold items was foreshadowed. In her experiment files it was explicitly stated. That together with Midna's "swallow" joke was meant to be a subtle clue.

-TheHiddenLettuce (Thanks. Yeah, all three of them are pretty cool and wacky.)

-Xion14 (I also really relate to myself insert)

-Barrow Wick (aaw, thanks for the praise!)