This was the moment.
Not even 'a' moment or 'the' moment, this was the moment; something that I had known coming ever since I had met the grumpy purple-haired trainer three months ago, an event from the very narrative of the anime that was essential to the progression of the plot. Cathartic, I thought was the word used to describe it.
And it was happening right now.
I'd dreaded it for the longest time possible. Yet, I knew that one way or another, that it was only a matter of time. I couldn't prevent something as important as this from happening, only delay the inevitable and I hadn't even managed to do that.
There was a sunken feeling in my stomach, an awful churning that had me reeling as I tried to figure out where I'd gone wrong in my previous life to have to go through this ordeal.
"If you want to leave with him, go ahead. I don't care."
How was it that Paul still managed to catch me off guard when I had seen it coming a mile away?
Some part of me was offended. The sheer audacity of effin' Paul Valentino. I ought to shove a wing up his face and throttle the bastard by the neck for the unwarranted disrespect. I was pretty tempted to as well.
Then there was that part of me that cried out, 'What about Charry?', and then I would reiterate to myself the darn shopping list of reasons why Charry would be alright whether that be due to plot reasons or whatnot. And then I would think about how Charry would adjust to another team without me there and be all alone. And then I would think about what would happen if I did join Ash's team. Or maybe Brock's (but he's already has a Zubat) or maybe even Dawn's (but I probably wouldn't suit her coordination battle style). And then. And then, and then—my thoughts played out like a broken record, over and over again, until it became apparent that I could no longer block them out nor make sense of it all.
Another part of me felt a little hurt as well. Just a tad bit. I really thought the two of us had a mutual understanding of sorts. Despite all the petty one-sided arguments and bantering, I had been around the trainer for a solid couple of months. That was countless nights out in the wild, from peaceful cooking routines to tedious training regimes. I pranked him endlessly, scolded him just as much and on occasion, helped him out sometimes. Heck, I even saved his life a couple of days ago! The point was that through it all I had spent time with him. I never went in my Pokeball either, making that time all the more genuine.
It was these types of things that I really thought about over the last couple of days and even at this very moment. My indecisive self had probably psychoanalysed every individual conceivable pro and con, reason and doubt, potential futures and regrets. All these factors could have the slightest effect on my choice.
So hearing that he didn't care? Yeah, that hurt a lot more than I'd like to admit.
Then, I saw his clenched fists. I took notice of the choppy words that were said and the hesitant step that he took. There was an unusual tension in the back of the boy I had gotten to know so well. Paul Valentino, who refused to look at me in the face even now as a single choice threatened to end the relationship between the two of us as if he was...
Oh.
...in the end, though, reality was much simpler than what I thought it was. The world wasn't going to wait for me. I had a choice to make and I was going to make it.
"Paul." I took a steady, deep breath, "Paul Valentino, you're a FREAKING IMBECILE AND SO UTTERLY THICK-HEADED AND DISRESPECTFUL, A PRIDEFUL JACK-ASS THAT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW THE DEFINITION OF GIVING UP. YOU MAKE ME WANT TO FLY MYSELF INTO A WALL. YOU'RE SUCH A PRICK AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S SHOVED UP YOUR STUPID ASS HALF THE TIME—" I had to pause to catch my breath. "—AND I HAVE NEVER IN MY ENTIRE TWO SHORT LIVES MET SOMEONE AS ARROGANT AND RUDE AS YOU WHICH IS REALLY SAYING SOMETHING. NOT TO MENTION YOUR SHITTY-AS TREATMENT OF CHARRY WHICH I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN OVER YET AND PROBABLY WILL NEVER UNLESS YOU APOLOGIZE AND MAKE IT UP TO HIM YOURSELF. BUT DESPITE ALL OF THAT."
By now, he had turned around completely, staring at me bewildered. I only just remembered that he wasn't even able to understand a single word I said but welp, it was too late for that!
"But, despite all of that." I repeated, hoarsely, "You're sometimes half-decent. You've changed, even if it was ever just so slightly, and I think I have too. You'll continue to change and I want to be there to see it."
"So. Don't give up on me, and I won't give up on you, yeah?"
There was confusion written all over his face and I was desperate to get my point across damn it. How could I convey what I was trying to say without speaking the same language, without being the same species as him?
My eyes honed onto the capsule in his hand. That dreaded thing was my Pokeball. In an instant, I had devised a plan both genius and insane at the same time. I approached him steadily, gently tugged his right arm up and got him to hold up the device. I looked at Paul dead straight in the eye one last time before finally I bopped my head onto the button and was taken into darkness.
Ah. This place again. I loathed this place with every fibre of my tiny, fragile being. Then I went ahead and willingly sent myself here like an absolute moron. Good going, Marella Steins, good job.
I sighed. I could just feel all the energy being drawn out of my body. Not that there was much left in the first place. I tried to make myself comfortable within the artificial space as I began to replay the most chaotic and cringe-worthy moment of my entire life. I don't even remember half the stuff I said. It was all from the top of my head, said in the spur of the moment and oh my goodness, weren't Ash and Dawn and Brock also there? I just made a complete fool myself—
There was an abrupt change in lighting that crashed my line of thought. If all thoughts were trains then not only were all the trains were crashing, the whole train station was caving in on itself and exploding with a catastrophic scale of destruction. There was also the fact that in the most literal sense of the word, I was crashing. I was so caught off guard that even my superb reflexes couldn't save me from impending doom.
With the grace of an electrocuted Wingull, I slammed face-first right onto the ground and spazzed out painfully. I proceeded to get up with the elegance of a Snorlax, wings too sore to even take off, and make out my surroundings because what just happened.
Well, in all of his purple glory, there was one Paul Shinji Valentino. He looked larger than usual but then I realised that no, Paul hadn't grown an extra metre or so during the span of two minutes I had been gone, but rather I was on the ground and he was looking down at me. Charry was in Ash's, his rightful trainer's, arms. The most bewildering of all was Team freaking Rocket in all their glory, out in the open and not causing trouble to the heroes for once in a very long time. Jessie, James, Meowth and even Wobbuffet were streaming tears as if flipping waterfalls were coming out of their eyes which should just not be possible.
"Uhhhhh." I said aloud.
"That was so touching!" Cried Jessie, feebly attempting to wipe away an onslaught of tears with her sleeve.
"I didn't know Pokemon could be so loyal!" James added, doing decidedly the same thing.
"Zubat, my respect for you has increased tremendously!" Meowth wailed, "I'll never take my trainers for granted—even if they act dumb or make dumb decisions or just do dumb things in general—ever again!"
James stopped his insufferable sobbing for a moment, sniffling as he said, "Wait a second..."
"That's right!" Wobbuffet added and my completely derailed thought process decided that the fact I could understand Wobbuffet, unlike the t.v. show, was the only thing I got of that entire conversation.
"Uhhhhh." I said aloud. Again. This seemed to happen quite frequently. But hey, it wasn't my fault that I was at a loss for words from the sheer absurdity of the world I had been brought into! "Okay, so. Why the heck is Team Rocket here again? And why are you guys even crying instead of pulling off another terrible plan to steal Pikachu?"
"What did it say, Meowth?" Jessie asked.
"She's asking why we're here and why we're crying and... hey! I take offence to that!" Meowth yelled, pointing an accusing furred claw at me, "We don't make terrible plans to steal Pikachu! In fact, they're absolutely amazing! They just... fail. Occasionally. Every time. For the past four years."
Yikes.
"Four years?!" Oh yeah, Dawn. And everyone else like Ask, Charry and freaking Paul were all still here.
"Yep. And they haven't given up." Ash murmured in dismay. Pikachu sighed alongside him.
"Seriously?!"
Brock laughed, "Doesn't that bring back good memories? They've been following us ever since Kanto!"
"I can't tell whether that's impressive or just sad." Dawn brutally remarked.
"We were feeling sorry for you Zubat then you just had to go rub our failures in our faces! Why, I've had enough of this!" Jessie pointed an accusing finger and I could only laugh nervously. Whoops. She pulled out a Pokeball and slammed into the ground, all past tears dried and gone without a trace. "Ekans, let's go! Grab that slimy flying rodent!"
"Me too! Carnivine, use bullet seed!"
"This again? Pi—" Ash barely got a few words before I cut off Team Rocket with my super over-powered move that I shouldn't even be able to use, Air Cutter. The blades of wind effortlessly knocked Ekans and the seeds right off their tracks, attacking the opposing Pokemon directly. I went in for the kill and rushed ahead, slamming my wings into Team Rocket in an abstract version of Wing Attack. Then, they went flying.
Quite literally, might I add.
"Looks like we're blasting off again!" Ah. Seriously, that would never got old.
Despite all the jokes and laughter with team rocket that ended with them blasting off again to space though, a solemn expression brought me back down to earth. There was one person I had to talk to, someone who hadn't uttered a single thing the entire time. Hesitantly, I approached him.
"Charry?"
"You're staying. With Paul."
"Yeah."
I was most scared of Charry's reaction if I was being honest. Despite my short time here, Charry and I had become real close; heck, I'd even say I semi-adopted him as the younger brother I never had. I took care of him, made sure he didn't push himself too hard and cheered him up when he was down.
His voice was small, holding back a whimper. His confusion, distress all summed on one word; "Why?"
"Charry, I." How to even begin this? "Paul isn't a great trainer, I know. He's a jerk and a bully and. Scratch that, he's plain abusive. Ash will treat you much better and you'll achieve much greater things than you ever will with Paul. That's a fact."
He was silent, so I took that as a sign to continue.
"Your place is with Ash, it always has been! And as much as it upsets me to say, I don't think I have a place there. How to put this, I know that there's no place for me there. I'm much better of if I go off on my own." The words were vomited right out of my mouth, "And Paul can't hurt me. You should know, Charry, that I'm a pretty independent 'mon. I don't take orders and I do what I want. I can take of myself. So you don't have to worry about me."
"I know he's a terrible person. With all you've been through and what I failed to protect you from, of course, you know that as well. But I think he can actually change—"
"Failed to protect...?" The Chimchar murmured, "What? This entire time, I was... holding you back?"
"No! No no, Charry, goodness no. That's not it!" I was quick to tell him that wasn't the case, to take back my words and explain—
But it was too late.
The damage had been done. "I think. I think I need some time alone."
With that, he waddled over to Ash, a soul-crushing weight added to his every step and I could only watch. I had made my choice. As much as it broke my heart, there would be no turning back from this.
Zubat seemed to be in a daze. Paul carried Zubat on top of his head mindlessly during a silent walk to the Pokècentre, a dead weight that he didn't know when started to feel more familiar than offputting. Even if it was painful with the hair tugs and fluttering wings. This ride felt lifeless, though, with the Pokèmon sprawled as if fainted. There was no response, not even when he stepped over a twig or kicked a pebbled as he walked.
For once, Team Loser seemed also shared unsettling quietude.
There was no telling of what was said between the monkey and bat had together without that weird talking Meowth that belonged to Team Rocket. Paul or heck, even Ash and his spineless companions didn't have to be Pokemon to realise the devastation that it caused both of them.
Paul had gotten rid of that useless Chimchar and he was glad to have disposed of the waste of effort but the cost.
It shouldn't have bothered him that much. Pokèmon, no matter how smart and capable they could be, were just that—Pokèmon. That shouldn't have thoughts or friendships or feelings but.
If that wasn't a fight between two best friends going their separate ways, what was it?
The concept plagued his thoughts as he fell asleep, nagged at the back of his mind during breakfast in the morning. And when the dense idiot's Pikachu and the nameless bluenette's Piplup approached Zubat (who had stubbornly remained on his head in the exact same position the night prior) to offer berries and his Pokemon who had never once declined food rejected it, Paul wondered.
The semi-finals were starting. I didn't really pay any attention to Conway and Dawn's match against some nameless pair but I already knew their victory was secured. Ash and Paul would be versing against Holly and Brock next.
Charry was nowhere to be seen, remaining in his Pokeball. He would've been watching the match, just like in the anime, if I weren't around.
I felt. Horrible.
How could I mess up so badly? Perhaps I could change my mind, apologize to Charry and join Ash's team-but I already knew that it was too late. My previous words echoed at me and I could picture the utter devastation on Charry's face so vividly.
'Failed to protect', he had repeated. Charry thought that I saw him as a liability, a nuisance, a burden getting in my way. In that case, why would he ever want to see me? Not when he thought that I saw him in the same light as Paul did?
Even if I went along with Charry, those words could not be taken back. Our relationship would never be the same.
And so, as Ash and Paul fought each other in the same way Staravia and Torterra clashed with each other's fighting styles on the battlefield respectively, I asked whatever god, deity or legendary Pokemon that was up there;
Why did you bring me here?
Of course, I received no answer. I instead listened to the crowd roar like a wildfire as the referee declared a victory to Ash and Paul as well as the meaningless comments that the judges made that I could not for the life of me pay attention to.
There would be a thirty-minute break before the grand finales and regardless of the outcome, there would be no seeing Charry after that.
Maybe that would be for the better, I mused. Charry was definitely still upset and my presence definitely wouldn't help-and then giving me another life-threatening jump scare was the sudden weight on my person, caused by a certain yellow rodent literally jumping onto me.
"Ack!" I make some choking sound, and as I had been on Paul's head the entire time, Paul also yelped at the sudden additional weight.
("Oi, deadweight! Train your Pikachu better!" Paul growled, "Darn thing nearly knocked my head off."
"Hey, don't talk about Pikachu like that! And he does as he pleases!" Ash retorted back, once he had come over his own sudden shock.)
"Zuzu!" The culprit laughed, "Time for a fly!"
"A what now? And could have used a warning, geez."
"Sorry, sorry." Pikachu chucked once again, blatantly unapologetic, "But it's fly time! Flying time? Loopy-loop time? Come on, you speak common, don't you?"
"What the heck is common." I hoped to convey my annoyance and confusion in my tone. Still, I did as he asked, begrudgingly latching my tails around Pikachu. With a few heavy beats of my wings, we took off at an astounding rate into the sky and out of the large arena. If I exerted some extra force for speed and grandeur, well, that was no one's business but my own.
Pikachu seemed to enjoy the ride, cheering like a kid on a rollercoaster. I suppose it kinda was like a rollercoaster with the added loops and twirls anyhow.
"So. What's with all of this? Asking me to fly?" I asked, "You do realise that the finales are happening in like twenty minutes, right?"
"Of course I do!"
"So then?"
"You've been so withdrawn since yesterday night, all the way up to morning and even now." Pikachu admitted slowly, "I just. Wanted to cheer you up."
Oh. Oh.
My tiny heart pumped in my chest. I felt more alert in this very moment than I had been in the past several hours.
There was a sort of startling realisation that really shouldn't have been surprising. Pikachu cared. A lot of people, whether they were Pokemon or human, also cared about me.
I didn't say anything and I guess Pikachu took that as an initiative to continue, "Charry has also been like that this entire time. I get that you both have your reasons but this isn't good for either of you."
"I know that, obviously, but Charry doesn't want to-"
"Did you ask him that?"
"What?"
"Did Charry tell you that he didn't want to talk to you?"
I paused. Well, no, but. "He said he wanted to be alone."
"That was last night." Pikachu gently said, "What about today?"
I would've shrugged, or would've done the closest replication of shrugging that a Pokemon could do if I weren't twenty stories above ground. Instead, I could only dumbly let out a; "I dunno."
"You should probably talk to him."
"Yeah."
For Arceus' sake. Being told off by someone who was quite literally years younger than me was so unsettling. I barely even knew Pikachu as an individual-had yet to talk to him any more times than the number of fingers on a human hand-but it seemed like Pikachu had somehow become my friend. And a wise one at that (disregarding all the mini heart attacks, of course). Just who would've thought that would happen?
"Thanks, Pikachu."
"No worries! Anytime! Or whenever our trainers meet, because you know, journey's and all that."
"True." The same would go for Charry soon. "Actually, Pikachu, what's your name? I just realised I've never asked."
That seemed to really take Pikachu completely off-guard, "Oh. Well, I don't really tell anyone. Promise you won't laugh?"
Okay, now I'm curious. What type of name could Pikachu have? Something related to electricity or lightning? This was obviously never shown in the anime, manga, games or any sort of media for obvious reasons but now that I thought about it, I couldn't stop. I was dying of curiosity.
"What is it? What is it?" I implored, "And I make no promises. I'll try not to laugh though?"
Pikachu groaned, "Good enough I guess. It's uh. It's Twinkle."
Twinkle. Ash Ketchum's best friend/companion as well as the renowned mascot of the Pokemon franchise itself was named Twinkle.
"Bwahahahaha." Like the American snack. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
"You just said you wouldn't laugh!"
"Sorry, sorry!" I said amidst my cackling, as unapologetic as Pikachu had been only moments ago. This is just too good.
I was still laughing as we, or who am I kidding, I started to make our way back to the waiting area where our trainers awaited. After all, this entire trip had been all me and none Pikachu considering that I had been lugging his dead weight around whilst flying the whole time.
"Thanks for the awesome ride!" Twinkle cheerfully said as we parted.
"You're welcome." I kinda tossed Pikachu (or should I say Twinkle) to his trainer when we arrived but the Pokemon was quick to jump onto the protagonist's arm and climb up to his rightful place on Ash's shoulder.
"Pikachu, you're back! Did you have fun with Zubat?"
"Sure did, Partner!"
"That's great!"
Ah. As a long-time fangirl of the anime and having witnessed their relationship right before my very eyes, the bond between those two would forever hold a place in my heart. It was just so touching and wholesome the way they understood each other and were so in sync.
I also took to my usual spot on top of Paul's purple head. When Paul brought his hand up to assumingly drag me away, I closed my mouth on a handful of his hair just to ensure that threat of pain was there. To my surprise, however, he instead scratched that spot behind my ear a little and gave a light pat on my head. Weird.
"What's was that for?" I asked my blockhead of a trainer.
He did his weird 'hmph' noise and didn't say anything back. Rude. Then again, this Paul we're talking about. Rude was metaphorically and actually, quite literally, written into his character. He was designed by the developers to be as such. But before I could delve into the train wreck that was my line of thought, speaking came blaring to life.
It was starting. The final match of the Hearthome Tag-Team-Battle Competition.
We made our way to the hallway that lead into the arena. It was dark but hardly enough to make a difference to my eyes. What really caught my attention was the doorway of light at the end of it. Obviously, I had seen it before during the earlier matches. Somehow it felt different this time around though.
Through the walls, I heard Commentator Enta give a bit of a riveting speech to rial the audience up. before he announced the two teams that would be competing. Dawn and Conway were named first, stepping into the sunlight on cue. Then it was our two loveable (debatable) idiots.
"Alright, folks, this is it!"
The details of this specific battle were fuzzy. There was no way I could remember every single little detail from the anime I watched years ago.
"The stakes are high for the winning pair of trainers will each receive a magnificent Soothe Bell!"
From what little I did remember though, Charry would be battling and the match would be close because of the conflict between the two trainers. I had a feeling that Paul used Elekid as well. And Elekid evolved during the match?
"Now let's get into it, shall we? The final match you've all been waiting for-starts now!"
"Buizel, let's go!" Dawn said, right around the same time as Conway let out his own Pokemon.
"Heracross, go!"
"Show 'em what you're made of, buddy!" Ash threw out a Pokeball and true enough, Charry emerged. His back was faced towards me and it felt like there was a stabbing pain in my heart. This would be the last time I saw his back because from this battle onwards it would be the opposite of the battlefield.
Anyway. I had this whole battle to get my feelings into comprehensive words and figure out what I wanted to say to Charry.
With three Pokemon from three trainers respectively, that left Paul who surely enough also-huh?
Paul reached for a Pokeball, detached it from his belt and then proceeded to put it back exactly where it came from. I peered from my perch, wondering what the heck was going through his mind, when grubby hands approached my resting place.
Oh no.
"Zubat." He grunted, stubborn fingers attempting to pry me off his head. I latched onto his hair with all my might.
"Paul. No."
"Stand. By."
"Nooo."
"For."
"Don't wanna!"
"Battle!"
Paul tugged harder with each pause of his words until I was forcibly removed and harshly hurled little ol' me onto the field.
"Ouch. I'm getting serious deja vu right about now." I muttered profanities underneath my breath as I shook the sudden change in environment off and caught myself in the air, swooping into a ready pose, "I have so many things I want to say, you insane purple lunatic!"
First one being, 'why me?'.
"Zuzu...?"
Ah yes. The real problem.
"Charry." I uttered stoically, "Fancy seeing you here."
Ha. Ha. Nope! I can not do this right now.
I turned to the human that caused my demise and stared at his impartial resting [insert swear word here] with the hope of finding a single logical reason behind this madness or better yet, a semblance of mercy and to be recalled out of battle. I found neither.
Paul, just. What. Why. Like, how did you get to the conclusion that this would be a good idea? Because, newsflash, it isn't!
"Looks like you and I are on the same page for once, Paul!" Ash cheered and like, what. How?!
"Don't get the wrong idea." Paul scrunched up his face in disgust. "The only reason I'm here is to make my Pokemon stronger."
I tried to convey S.O.S. signals to Twinkle on Ash's shoulder but to my dismay, he simply saluted me with a smile. "You got this!"
I wanted to cry.
"Let the battle begin!" The match started, both Charry and I were on the field expected to work together and there was nothing I could do about it. (Well, technically, I could fly away from the match and any chance of a decent life let alone reconciliation with Charry. So that was not a variable option.)
Charry met my eyes once, for a single moment, and then turned his focus to our opponents. Right. The battle. Charry had the right idea and I found myself doing the same. It occurred to me that for the first time in my life, I was looking for guidance from Charry.
"Chimchar! Use Flame Thrower on Heracross!"
"Yes sir!"
Before Charry could release his Flame Thrower, Buizel came rushing in with an Aqua Jet, knocking the monkey off balance and preventing the move from occurring in one fluid motion.
That snapped my still-dazed self into a sharper mindset almost instantly.
"Zubat, use Air Cutter!"
"Yeah yeah, got it."
Paul hadn't specifically said who to target though so I directed my attack to Buizel who was closest for convenience sake. Big mistake on my part-Heracross uses Revenge, taking the hit for Buizel, and then hitting back at me twice as hard.
I squawked in pain as I was being flung across the battlefield.
"Dig underground, Chimcharr!"
Rapidly, I could tell when things were falling apart. It was easy to see that Paul and Ash didn't get along well but actually being having to fight during a tag battle with those two? There was no sense of coordination or teamwork whatsoever!
Chimchar was now digging a hole underground and safe from any incoming attacks but that left me up on the surface, all by myself, an open target to both opponents.
As such, the following moves were an outright on-slaught. Dawn ordered Buizel to use Water Jet and Conway had Heracross to use Pin Missle. I couldn't even make a taunt about how terrible of a move Pin Missle was because I was too busy dodging the bombard of attacks like my life depended.
"Dodge, Zubat!"
Yeah, 'cause telling me to dodge is reaaal useful, Paul.
I darted around the moves like a super-charged atom or something and when the bullets of water had ceased, I knew that Charry had done his job.
That being said, Dawn was quick to react and Buizel was counter-attacking with another Aqua Jet. I dashed to the Chimchar's side as quickly as I could and scooped him up before the move could land.
"What? Why?" Charry murmured whilst in my hold.
"What do you mean 'why'?" I shot back, "Of course I'd come and help you whenever I can!"
"Zuzu..."
"Nice one, Zubat!" Ash complimented. If only I received such praise from Mr Grouchy Face over there.
"Zubat! Drop Chimchar!" Compliments from Paul? Yeah, in another parallel world perhaps. But Paul's words got me thinking, even if it was unintentional on his part. Heracross and Buizel both remained on the ground, or close to it anyway, because it allowed both their weaknesses to be covered by each other. Their close proximately, however, could be taken to our advantage though.
"Hey, Charry?" But there was no way this was gonna work without working together. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes! I do!" The lack of hesitation and the assured tone caught me off guard. Ah, Charry. I'll miss you.
"Here's the master plan. I need you to curl up in a ball and when I say so, Flame Thrower. We're gonna knock them both out in one hit!"
"O-okay!"
There were comments made by Enta about the unusual turn of events. Or something like that, I was too busy putting my plan to action to worry about unimportant things.
I changed my course of movement from sporadic to an intentional twirl, spinning in a circle and gradually picking up speed. The world blurred as I grew faster but I couldn't let myself lose awareness of our surroundings. Especially the location of our opponents. I gradually got closer to the ground and tried to find the right timing. I needed to do this quickly before the opposition found out what I was planning.
One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four.
By some miracle, I heard Paul's voice throughout the chaos. "Now!"
It was a spur of the moment. Also fueled by my own rhythm, I let go of my grip on Charry and yelled out his name. We were close enough to the ground that the Chimchar went rolling across the field. Another miracle occurred when the Chimp Pokemon had heard my call and started using Flame Thrower. But as it was done while he was rolling, it wasn't Flame Thrower any longer; it became Fire Spin.
Add the countless spins I'd done that gave Charry an unreal amount of force and, well, Charry became a living ball of fire, aimed directly at Heracross and Buizel with enough momentum to rival a sledgehammer.
The results of our combined efforts of instantaneous. Buizel and Heracross were both caught in the crossfire and one-shot K. in a blast of fiery fury. Then, the on-fire and rolling Charry u-turned, jumped in the air and landed stylishly on his two feet in one fellow swoop.
I still can't believe that my stupid plan worked.
"There you have it, folks. We have a victor!" Enta hollered and all of sudden, the audience once again erupted into a discordance of excitement and applause.
"What the heck, that was awesome!" Ash cheered, "Chimchar, you did amazing!"
"You are so pathetic." Paul grouched, "If it weren't for Zubat having to look out for your Chimchar, this would've been over much faster. You and your Pokemon were absolute hindrances in every single match thus far."
Far too used to this already, I came over and gave Paul a smack with my wing. I didn't forgive Paul for tossing me into battle just yet, "Just shut it for once, will you?"
Ash wasn't deterred in the slightest either, "Whatever you say, Paul. Chimchar was incredible in that battle and I think Zubat agrees with me too."
"Really?" Charry asked, hopeful eyes glancing up at mine.
"I definitely do." I said and I was entirely sincere. The fact that Charry just carried out his part and managed to learn a new move under pressure without any practice or prior planning was darn impressive. Even most of the moves I had learnt came from hours of training and exercise.
But now was a time for the present.
Shortly afterwards, Enta presented us with the Soothe Bell each and all the participants in the competition came out for the curtain call. There was lots of fanfare over the congratulation ceremony with music coming out of seemingly nowhere. On closer inspection, there was actually a system of speakers (wait, duh, how else would Enta commentate?) but who knows how they were connected.
I even witnessed Ash do the famous pose that he does whenever he receives a badge or in this case, a bell. Ash took to the attention like a fish to water, waving energetically at the masses with his Pokemon at his side whereas Paul just sorta stood there.
Both Torterra and Elekid were also out, posed as equally as aloof as the purple-haired trainer. Naturally, I made it up for the three of them. I made smaller but intriguing and just overall extra bows, making sure to flaunt off my skills to the camera.
I don't usually like attention and having so many people applauding for me (and everyone else, yes, I know) was an ego boost that I certainly didn't need. But it was appreciated one, nonetheless.
"Terracotta, you're so boring!" I wined, "Can't you like crack a smile or something?"
"Smiles are deemed unnecessary."
Uhhhh.
"And you! Elekid!" The electric Pokemon had his arms cross just like Paul, eying me up with an identical look of disdain, "Geez, you're literally a miniature Paul. Paul Junior. PJ."
He didn't reply to me. Probably thought that he was too good for that. Still, he didn't deny it though...?
Honestly though! Absolute killjoys, the lot of them!
I only needed to spend a short while in the Pokecenter. A (magic) potion was sprayed and I felt a hella lot better within a matter of moments. The cooling agent worked wonders on my bruises, even if it was just a mild pain reliever. Plus, Nurse Glee was very nice and even gave me some treats for being well behaved.
"Your Zubat's healthy and good to go!" Nurse Glee said, handing back the empty Pokeball to Paul. The Pokemon in question, a.k.a. me, was delivered by my own accord to my very comfortable roost; Paul's head, "I have to say that your Zubat is very well behaved! You must have trained it very well."
There was a slight twitch on Paul's face. I didn't even need to see it to know that it happened. "Of course."
"And congratulations on winning the Hearthome Tag-Team-Battle Competition! It was a blast to watch on T.V.!"
"Thank you." Paul said. He turned away, eager to escape the conversation as soon as possible and I couldn't help but giggle. I found his social awkwardness highly amusing.
It must've been around dinner time considering that Paul bought food from the cafeteria. He had some rice dish with stir-fried vegetables and beef...? I wasn't sure what type of Pokemon beef came from (even if it was most likely Miltanks) but that was a mind-breaker to save for another day. The trainer had also gotten a bowl of the good stuff; an all-berry deluxe consisting entirely of berries.
The Pokecentre was busier as usual. I chalked that up to the Hearthom Tag-Battle Competition as all of a sudden, people were coming up to praise our performance or not-so-discreetly chattering about Paul when they saw him. I watched the odd passerbyer giving Paul their compliments even as we found a free spot to eat dinner. Even I got a few kids coming up to me and I'm a boring common Zubat! And ever the crowd-pleaser, I'd done a few tricks for the children and even allowed a couple of pets once I had eaten. I couldn't disappoint my fans, ya know?
Still, we got a lot more recognition than I thought we ever would from that one event despite it being a non-game event that had totally been made up for the anime.
"Zubat," Paul spoke, once another odd batch of children had left.
I came over and settled on the table. I chirped at him over a mouthful of my dinner, "What is it?"
Paul did the weirdest thing and don't get me wrong, I felt like there were a lot of weird things that happened during this three-day period. I watched as Paul's lip parted as if he meant to say something then brought them together, opened it again only to wordlessly close his mouth in some sort of grimace.
"Zubat." He said, once again.
"Yes?"
"Are you sure?" Paul asked and my confusion must have shown for he tacted on, "That you don't want to go with. The loser-Ash. And with Chimchar."
"Oh." I slowly swallowed the food in my mouth and looked at him.
It was times like this I kept forgetting Paul didn't actually understand me. That whole talk from before would've been a bunch of incomprehensive bat screams. He seemed to have a knack for answering my questions that were supposed to be rhetorical though. Maybe he was learning Zubat speech or something, who knows?
Still on the table, I hopped towards the trainer and smacked my wing on his arm. It was purposely lighter and I allowed it to linger there for a tad bit of reassurance.
"Yes, you dumbass. I'm staying until the day you really get sick of me and kick me out of your team."
I wasn't sure that Paul had got it. I fidgeted on the spot and tried to find another way to communicate my thoughts but then, there was a small laugh-it was a quiet, more of snort type of laugh but it was undoubtedly a laugh. Paul Valentino had laughed. I honestly couldn't recall the last time I heard him laugh. Had I even heard him laugh ever before in my life? In the anime? In these past couple of months?
But it was an infectious sort of thing because I found myself also giggling. Somehow, these events had lead to an even better mutual understanding between us than I thought were even possible.
Paul reached for his pocket and pulled out the Soothe Bell he'd won earlier in the day. He tugged at the Cleanse Tag on my right wing and I let him untie the knots that kept it in place. That Cleanse Tag was something I had on me ever since the day I left the Zubat Colony on Mt Coronet. It had been given to me by Gilbert, that worrywart of a friend, though I hadn't thought of him in a while now. I wondered how he was doing now? Surely living a peaceful mundane life that any common Zubat ought to live.
Once the Cleanse Tag had been removed, I fluttered my wing and got a feel of the empty space. A rolled-up sheet of paper didn't weigh much but it most certainly changed the way I had been flying when it had been attached to my wing.
Paul tied the Soothe Bell around my neck instead. The thin string wrapped around my neck like a collar. It had been tied tight enough as to not shake the bell when I moved, yet didn't feel suffocating or uncomfortable either. I wriggled my head and to my delight, the Soothe Bell let out a soft beautiful chime.
Sounds just like a lullaby.
That being said, I didn't think the Soothe Bell would serve its original purpose as it did in-game. Raising 'friendship' in the real world couldn't just be sped up by giving a Pokemon a bell. That infringement of logic would be one step too far, even for this world! Even if it did, I was certain it wouldn't work on me having a human mind and all.
I followed Paul as he went to put his food tray away. We were about three steps from the counter when I see a familiar trio plus one green-head and their entire ensemble of Pokemon also eating dinner across the room.
"Paul. Overthere!" I nudged him in that sort of direction before ditching him and making my own way there. I was so much faster than humans anyway.
"Hey, look! It's Paul's Zubat!" Dawn said. I fleetingly gawked at the instant recognition. How do they know I'm Paul's Zubat specifically? I looked like every other Zubat out there in existence!
I dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. I had a job to do, after all.
"Sorry, but I'm kidnapping Charry for a moment!" There was a yelp from the Chimchar as I lifted him off the ground and through the double glass doors that lead to the outside. I dropped us off at a nice spot on the roof.
The sky was dark already. It was hard to see all the stars when Hearthome was still thriving at this time of night, a cascade of lit lights with restaurants as busy as ever. The whole city seemed to be awake more so than in the daytime and I'd never seen anything quite like it even when I had been human in my original world.
Now wasn't the time to fawn over the pretty city view though.
"Charry, I-"
"Zuzu, I'm-" To my shock, Charry had also begun speaking at the same time.
"Sorry!"
"No, I'm sorry!"
We started at each other for a few good seconds before simultaneously bursting into laughter. We were both on the same wavelength despite our argument the night before. It was just another reminder of how close the two of us were.
"Did you want me to go first or did you...?"
"No, you can go first."
"Okay." I lamely replied. I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself to release all my words into the air. "Listen, Charry. I'm so so sorry that I made you feel like I thought that you were a burden or hindrance because you are not either of those things and you never were. You're my best friend, Charry, you always have been. That being said, the reason why I've decided to stay with Paul is entirely for selfish reasons. I know that with Ash you'll be able to grow and reach greater heights, become the best 'mon that the world has ever seen! And I also know that with Ash, I wouldn't be able to be as free as I am right now."
Charry was silent for a bit and then he spoke, quiet but certain. "I know. I know that you would never mean to hurt me and I know that you just wanted the best for me."
"Of course."
"But only now, I realise that you have always been looking out for me. You've been protecting me this entire time. And you also feel guilty when you can't." The Chimchar said knowingly, "That's why I think I was so upset. I was upset at myself for being so weak. I wanted to impress you but only managed to make you constantly worry."
"Charry-"
"I don't ever want you to feel that way ever again." Charry declared, "I'm going to get stronger and the next time we meet, I'll show you that you don't have to worry about me anymore."
"Oh."
"I'm selfish too. That's why... it's okay to for you want things for yourself as well, yeah?"
"Yeah." I whispered. The sudden weight that pressed down so heavily in my mind had vanished. In its place was a budding feeling, one that I didn't even know existed. "By Mew, Charry, when did you grow up so much?"
Charry laughed and somehow I found it so much more pleasant than the Soothe Bell around my neck, "I'm glad that you think so, Zuzu!"
We spent a long time up on that roof. We talked about all the unremarkable things that a Pokemon would talk about and then some more. I told stories that I hadn't managed to share like the one about the scar on my back or that one time I got sunburnt so bad I had literally turned pink. It was long enough that the Pokecenter was beginning to close and our trainers were collectively started looking for us.
I, for one, had totally forgotten about the fact that I left Paul to deal with Ash and Co all by himself. But as we made jokes and laugh whilst going to our separate rooms for the night, I didn't regret a single thing.
It was barely sunrise the next morning before Paul was ready to head off. Our stay in Hearthome City had lasted quite a while but there were many other cities the purple-haired trainer had to visit to collect all eight gym badges. And, well, leaving at the break of dawn was just such a Pual thing to do.
"Leaving so soon?" A familiar voice called out from behind just as we were about to leave the Pokecenter. Lo and behold, it was Mr Ash Ketchum himself. Twinkle was nowhere to be seen. He was most likely still asleep like how all sane living beings ought to be at this time. In the Pikachu's usual place though was Charry.
"So, I guess this is it," Charry said, hopping off Ash's shoulder.
I met him halfway into the room. "Yeah."
"We'll meet again, right?" He asked as if we hadn't already gone over all of this the day before. I knew that Charry was just biding time and confirming everything to reassure himself. I thought I also needed that reassurance as well.
"Of course as we will!" I said, "We'll meet many times over. Our trainers are rivals, after all!"
That got Charry to laugh a little. I considered that a point for me. For a brief moment, it was just Charry and I keeping each other company and having fun whilst travelling together.
I remembered the bizarre first-time encounter I had with Charry. It was also the first time I had met Paul. Charry has let out a misplaced Ember that risked burning down the forest. Only three months ago, Charry couldn't even control an Ember and now he was dishing out Flame Throwers whilst rolling around like Sonic. Perhaps all that time I spent with Charry I failed to notice that he'd been growing right alongside me. And now, he didn't need me anymore. He was gonna have so many new experiences and make so many new friends and for once, I wasn't going to be there. I was okay with that.
"Bye-bye, Zuzu." Charry waved at me.
"Idiot." I scowled, "This isn't a goodbye! This is a see-you-later, got that?"
"Oh okay. See you later then, Zuzu!"
"Yep. See you later, Charry."
And then we left.
And I didn't look back.
A long time ago, when I had first been brought into this world, I thought that Pokèmon couldn't understand the concept of love and care. I left the place I called home for months and someone I potentially liked for a chance of adventure and out of a fear of being bound to a mundane life. I thought that as a human at heart, my feelings could never be reciprocated the same way.
I know better now.
I felt wet streaks trickle down my cheeks. Strange. I thought that Zubat weren't capable of crying.
I had no idea if I had made the right choice—'right choice'? No, that was wrong. There couldn't be a 'right choice' and such a perfect solution would never exist. For I know, I could regret that choice for the entirety of my insignificant life.
But that didn't change the facts. I had been presented with a choice and I made one.
And despite it all, despite everything—right now, if I had to go through the same situation all over again, I would probably make the same choice.
Because I wasn't worried anymore.
There was one fact that would remain true until the end of time. Something I could confirm with the utmost confidence. Charry and I would always be friends.
A/N: Another update woooooooo!
This one took an excruciating amount of pain to write considering that I've changed the basic script like five times over... I really wanted to have that emotional rollercoaster, ya know? Especially because I ended the last chapter on a cliffhanger (sorry not sorry!).
There were a lot of reviews and a lot of theories across this platform and quotev as well so uhh I hope I lived up to your expectations?
And in case you were wondering (y'all probably don't care lol) but I read each and every review and I am constantly updated on followers/favourites via email so yeah. You guys always remind me to keep this fic alive and I'm grateful for all the support! :D
.
.
.
Thanks for Favouriting/Following:
18sprar1, 22wolfgirl, A Tin Can, AllViN, Anju Addams, ArchieCat, Autumn Meyers, Azurepheonix, BlackPachirisu, , BssMde, C M R L, Calph, Cardboard Joey, Castlewood, CdPilot, ChrisCage75, Chrome Fate, Cian Deepwater, Cr1mZon, Crankymcgranky, Culann4820, Cyan Sung-Sun, Cyberfox45, , Darkerby, E1ven, Energy-the-hedgehog, Eonreborn, Falling Pies, Faranon423, FavChanger, FeatherFishy, FilthyWeabooScum, Flying Helmet, Fuyita, Gageel Redfox1, Gladius52, Guardian Aerostroke, Hanvaler, Here comes nomad, Hong-Meirin, Isaiah Daniel1, IsekaiAddict, Jerax, KelpRope, Kenshi714, Kiri TheFrenchReader, Kitsune-Teme, Kono Dio Brando Da, Krebo78, Kronus18, Kusanagi Haruto, LABmaiL, Lenov0, Lexsequor, Liqt, LordTST, Lynkoln, M19n98b0e, Madeline T hatter, MaleficKing, Mart66, MatchaGreenTea567, Mega Latios 1988, Mei-kun, Mjr Sand, MoMoDESTE, Moholin, MrFog, NightmareKnight1, Nogitsune96, Noz123, Nullius, ObscureRefrence555, Osoo, P4everSY, Perith99, Phantom272, Pokemon Trainer Tom, Rayen9653, Rethn, RougeKing, RyusakiUchiha, Satoru Ryoma, Skylar-sama, Slayer76, SommerLara, SoulRiot, Starblazer240, Subsolar, Sukaleska, SuuItosukai, The Old Skald, The Yung Rat, TheSilverCore, Thedarktheme, Trickster23, TruthLiesAtTheBottomOfAWell, Umodin, UnknownRegion, VentiDragon, Xager-the-Chaos-King, Yisuslol23, Yuki-neko Hyuga, ZephyrRising, Zippher-B.R.I.C.K69, Zombie Cat Scientist, aksel1, ayienne, beohart100, berrysquid, chinaboy99, cjohnstone1995, cynderquil291, davisgal04, dkj224, electriuser, fearmonger0, fiqacomel, geekycutecupcake, godlancelot, hapemape, ibf, inveravinotas, jack6042, jesseshipman927, kittywheaty, kyoninoi, lactobacillus, lazy-nara, lion8228, lonelyboi69, manhunter97, mewfour123412, nami94, neznama, owlwig, pikachucoolandyournot, pmichalski2514, ravenwoof5, reiireimay, rommelemin38, ryoma e, softsoundjameson, thedey99, theseadar, vaultdwellerdead, verenriquexajapsuy
.
.
.
Responses to Reviews:
TheOrangeLord - Still not dead! :D
Agoodnameguy - Well, you were certainly right about biting Paul on the head haha. Thanks for reading!
Blaze2121 - Paul Arc huh, I do like the sound of that! I have gotta say I really do enjoy reading your reviews, you've always got lots to say.
Energy-the-hedgehog - Oh haha yeah, even when I read back on the last chapter, I'm constantly cringing. Tis the life of a growing writer I suppose. I'm glad you're enjoying it!
FeatherFishy - I'm honoured that you've decided to review then! :D
Faranon423 - The cliffhanger got you hard haha! Hope you enjoyed this update then!
Yisusolol23 - I have to admit I used google translate for this one only to realise you had already done it for me. I actually did check out the video you recommended it was obviously in Spanish so I didn't understand much but thank you anyway!
Hong-Meirin - Congrats on being the only person to comment on Ball Guy! And yeah, I've got lots installed for the rest of Paul's team so that's something to look forward to haha
Lizzie - Your wish is my command ;)
Slayer76 - This was an admittedly more negative take on the situation which I haven't gotten much of. I do really try to keep this fic about humour and comedy though so if that isn't your cup of tea, that's being said, I am very interested in what you think of this update!
.
.
.
ALSO ALSO ALSO
Check this out, the very first FANART on deviant art (magainita/art/Zuzu-885027590) I have ever received of the lovely Zuzu in her natural habitat made by the lovely magainita! Can I just say what an absolute honour this is! Never in my five years of amateur fanfiction writing years could have I ever expected this haha. That being said uhh this website seems to hate links so if anyone has any suggestions on how to share the image, that would be great!
.
.
.
Uhh yeah. That's it. I have nothing to say other than thank youuuuuuu for sticking around even with my infrequent updates!
Have a good day, lovely reader :D
.
.
.
P.S. Thought I forgot the pun? Hah, of course not! That would be ONYX-ceptable!
P.S.S Here's a bit of a bonus for you! ;)
.
.
"We'll be friends... forever, right?"
"Of course!"
"Forever friends?"
"No doubt about it. Heck, I'll even pinky promise it!"
"What's a 'pinky promise'?"
"Like a promise but you gotta intertwine your pinkies—holly macaroni, you don't have pinkies."
"No? I don't think so."
"I don't even have pinkies! Oh, who am I kidding, I don't even have hands... why is my life like this again...?"
"Zuzu—"
"Anyway! A promise is like a vow that two people make. Like, you promise something, and you have to keep your word under all circumstances! And if you don't, something really really bad will happen to you."
"Bad?! Like what?!"
"Not anything serious or anything! But 'bad' as in it's a if-you-break-it-I'll-be-very-disappointed-in-you-and-won't talk-to-you-for-a-week' type of thing."
"Ohhhhhh."
"Yep! So you can't break your promise, no matter what! ...and, uh, why are we talking about pinky promises again?"
"You said you were gonna promise being my forever friend."
"Ah ha! That's right! To make it official, uh, just grab on my tail with on your claws."
"Like this?"
"Perfect! Now, repeat after me; I, Charry the Chimchar."
"I, Charry the Chimchar?"
"—Solemnly swear—"
"—Solemnly swear—"
"—that I will always be friends—"
"—that I will always be friends—"
"—with Zuzu the Great—"
"—with Zuzu the Great, wait, what?"
"Bwhahahahaha! You fell for it! Anyway, with Zuzu the Zubat—"
"Whaaaaaat. That's not fair."
"Come on, Charry. Just roll with it!"
"Fineee—with Zuzu the Zubat—"
"Forever and always."
"Forever and always."
"That's it! It's done. And if you break it, well, you won't. It's illegal, you just can't. And don't ask me what that means, I can't explain it."
"...So. Are we forever friends now?"
"Mmhmm. Forever friends. And that's a promise."