Chapter Six
Mairin pressed the release button on Bébé's Pokeball, closing her eyes as she felt the Pokeball expand and open. She wasn't sure what she should expect. Would Bébé be a Florges now? Was their bond the same as it had always been, or had they grown distant? Closer?
Mairin's eyes opened when she realized there was no flash of light.
An empty Pokeball sat in her hands, the sphere open, but with no Pokemon within. Mairin's eyes widened in surprise, her heart starting to race. She turned the Pokeball over in a panic, as if the Floette would be hiding on the other side.
She then paused, before letting out a small laugh as she realized she was overreacting. Had Chespie and Ruby been in their Pokeballs when she had first seen them? No. Mairin knew Bébé, and she would not be content to be in a Pokeball all day. She was probably down in the greenhouse of the lab, which was her favorite place to be, with all of the other lab Pokemon. Mairin closed the Pokeball, before attaching it back to the belt.
"Ches!" A happy voice called as Mairin reached for another Pokeball, and she looked up in time to see Chespie and Ruby walking into her room, Chespie carrying a large glass of water. Mairin smiled up at him as he handed her the glass. "Naught."
Ruby hopped up onto the bed to join Mairin, and she tensed when she noticed the Pokeballs laid out on the blanket. Ruby quickly sat up, looking over the five spheres, panic in her eyes. However after a moment she visibly relaxed, and stretched out on the bed.
Chespie glanced towards the Pokebelt where Bébé's Pokeball was. He blinked, looked at Mairin with unreadable eyes, and let out a small rumble.
Mairin gave him a gentle smile in return, and he sat down on the ground. He was so tall however, that his head was level with hers as she sat on the bed. Mairin turned her focus back to the Pokeballs in front of her.
"These are Chespie's and Kiara's," Mairin said, pointing to the two Pokeballs she recognized. She looked at Ruby. "Would you mind telling me which one is yours?"
The Absol extended a front leg, gently nudging one of the other three spheres with a glossy black claw. Mairin picked it up, examining the sphere, before setting it near Chespie's. She then picked up Kiara's Pokeball, expanding it in her hand.
"Ab?" Ruby tilted her head.
"I want to see Kiara first, since she's a Pokemon I actually remember," Mairin said softly, taking a long sip of water from the glass Chespie had brought her. She set the water on the bedside table. "You guys will help me explain everything, right?"
The two Pokemon gave out cries of agreement.
Mairin smiled, then pressed the release button. The Pokeball burst open, a flash of white light filling the room as Kiara was released. Mairin squinted her eyes until the light died down, and focused her gaze on the Pokemon forming next to Chespie. She knew that Kiara was evolved, but still she couldn't help but pull back at the beautiful Pyroar in front of her.
"Py?" The Pyroar tilted her head, blinking her blue eyes as she looked around the room.
"Hi Kiara..." Mairin said, her voice soft. Seeing Chespie evolved had caught her off guard, but that had been in a moment of so much confusion when she had needed someone by her side that she had embraced it. But seeing the once playful Litleo as a Pyroar, even though she had been expecting it, was something else.
The Pyroar tossed her head, her flowing mane running down her back. Mairin reached out, gently patting her head, careful to avoid the fiery hairs of her mane. Kiara didn't seem to realize that anything was off about Mairin, and frowned when Chespie let out a small rumble. Kiara pulled back, looking at the grass type with a questioning look.
Mairin stayed silent, deciding that it would be best for her Pokemon to explain the whole situation.
By the time Ruby and Chespie were done explaining Kiara turned her attention back towards Mairin, blue eyes lit with concern.
"Don't worry," Mairin said gently. "I remember you... just as Litleo though."
This didn't seem to comfort Kiara, the Pyroar laying her head on the bed, letting out a high pitched whine. Mairin poked her nose, trying to lift the mood of the room. Kiara went cross-eyed as she focused on the finger, then shifted her gaze up towards Mairin. She didn't make a sound, but Mairin understood what she wanted to know.
"...No. I'm afraid I don't remember, um..." Mairin glanced down at the last two Pokeballs, scrambling for the names Alain had given her last night. "Luke and... Poppy," Mairin then glanced at Ruby. "But... But with Ruby I could see how much she cares... and I trust her. I'm sure it will be no different for these two," Mairin smiled. "You're all my Pokemon no matter what, and I do care so much about you."
Ruby smiled at this, though her gaze remained distant. She watched as Mairin picked up the last two Pokeballs, deciding to let them both out at once. That way they could find out at the same time the fact that their trainer had no idea who they were.
Mairin's heart twisted guiltily at this thought.
"Okay... here goes nothing..." she muttered.
Mairin expanded the Pokeballs, then pressed her thumbs down on the release buttons. The two Pokeballs burst open, the flashes of light even brighter than when she released Kiara. Mairin closed her eyes, waiting until the beams of the light died down, and then she looked out at her last two Pokemon.
Both of them were blue, but the similarities of the Pokemon ended there. The first one was tall and stoic, its short blue fur gleaming as he crossed his arms. He glared in Mairin's direction, and Mairin quickly picked out the gleaming gem embedded into a metallic band on his wrist– a mega stone.
Mairin examined the Lucario, deciding that this was Luke.
She then turned her attention to the second Pokemon, who was completely different from the Lucario. First of all she was tiny, the little Pokemon wouldn't even come up to her knees. The water type looked up at Mairin, beaming, and raced forward on its flippers. Mairin's eyes widened as it jumped nose-first towards the carpet, a huge bubble forming from its nose. It used the balloon it just formed to bounce up, the momentum from the bubble popping springing the little Pokemon up onto the bed.
The Popplio landed on her tail, front flippers held out as if she were saying 'ta da'.
She looked at Mairin expectantly, eyes lit up with excitement. Mairin smiled sweetly at the little Pokemon. "You must be Poppy."
Poppy's flippers fell slightly, a look of confusion coming over the young Pokemon's face. "Pop?"
"Oh!" Mairin said, pulling back slightly. "Um, yeah, I guess I should explain first..." she looked towards Luke, who was watching her with narrowed eyes. "This, er, is kind of hard to explain, but–"
"Absol sol, ab absol sol," Ruby interrupted, her claws digging into the blanket as she explained their situation. The two Pokemon stiffened up as the Absol continued speaking, Chespie adding in a few things as Ruby went on.
As soon as the Pokemon finished their explanation Luke wheeled around to face Mairin, his crimson eyes gleaming. He strolled across the room right towards the bed, causing Mairin to pull back as the Lucario snatched her wrist up with his paw. He then extended his other paw, pressing it to her chest, closing his eyes. The aura sensors on the side of his head spread out, and his paw started to glow with aura.
Mairin's heart was thumping, not even sure of where to begin with the cold bluntness Luke was presenting to her. After a moment he opened his eyes, releasing her and stepping back. His gaze didn't seem quite as hard, and his eyes looked a bit distant.
"Lio?" Poppy asked, the little Popplio pressing her front flippers against Mairin's leg. She looked up at Mairin, dark eyes watering.
Mairin bit her lip. "...I'm afraid I don't remember you," she said softly, knowing what Poppy was asking. Even though she didn't want to break the heart of this adorable little Pokemon, she couldn't bring herself to lie. "I'm sorry."
The tears in the Popplio's eyes spilled over, and she lowered her head. Her heart twisted as the Pokemon inched back from her, and Mairin couldn't help but open out her arms. The Popplio stared at her, before leaping up. She wrapped her hands around the sleek water type, cradling her close to her chest.
"Pop!" Poppy cried, burying her head against Mairin's chin, trying to seek some comfort.
"I'm sorry," Mairin whispered again.
"...Sol," Ruby said after a moment, and Mairin glanced at the Absol. Ruby nodded towards the ground, and she shifted her gaze so she could see Luke leaning down. The Lucario picked up a small amulet with a rainbow gem, holding it up– her key stone.
He glanced down at the mega stone on his wrist, then at Mairin. His expression didn't change, but he held out the key stone. Mairin shifted the little Popplio in her arms, then accepted the outstretched gem. Her heart was thumping as she grabbed the key stone– which was freezing to the touch.
Mairin gulped, but wrapped her whole hand around it.
Ruby looked down at the Absolite around her neck, and Luke at the Lucarionite on his wrist. There was several moments of silence, all six of them holding their breath, watching the stones. There was no reaction of any kind– not even a glimmer of light.
No bond connecting them.
Mairin dropped the key stone, looking away so she wouldn't see the disappointment in their eyes. Losing her memories was one thing, but now her Pokemon had physical proof that there was nothing left of whatever bond they had. She hated this, she hated the fact how so many people were being affected by her amnesia, how people were being hurt because she couldn't even remember a face.
Chespie let out a low rumble, trying to comfort Mairin. She glanced back in time to see Ruby and Kiara pressing their heads against her knee, and Poppy began to nuzzle Mairin. Luke kept his distance, but gave her a slight nod in what seemed to be a comforting gesture. Mairin blinked slowly, realizing that there were several tears on her face, and she wiped them away.
"Th-thank you..." Mairin whispered. "I'm sorry... thank you..."
Her Pokemon had changed over the years, and some she didn't know– but Mairin couldn't deny that she loved them. Her heart ached, bursting with emotion as she was surrounded by these Pokemon, all trying to quiet her tears, supporting her even when the person they knew was gone.
Knock knock.
Mairin jerked her head up towards the door, startled at the sudden knocking. The sound came again, followed by a gentle and unfamiliar voice. "Mairin? Is it alright if I come in? I have something for you to eat."
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Mairin said uncertainly. Even though her stomach seemed to have calmed down, she had a feeling that as soon as she smelled something it would act up again.
"It's just a bowl of broth," the voice said. "The professor thought it would be gentle on your stomach."
"...Alright then," Mairin said uncertainly, and the door creaked open. A blue haired boy stuck his head in, and it took her a moment to recall his name. "...Max, right?"
"Correct," Max smiled. "I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable at all– I am well aware that you don't recognize me. Please just know that we've been friends for about four years now, but I won't intrude at all until you feel more familiar with me again."
"Thank you," Mairin said, unsure of what to make of him. She glanced about at her Pokemon, but none of them gave any sign that Max wasn't someone to trust. Chespie smiled at him, and Poppy gave an enthusiastic wave of her flippers. Even Luke nodded respectfully.
Max held a tray with a bowl and another glass of water on it, and he offered it to her as he stepped into the room. She gingerly took the tray, bracing herself as the smell of broth washed over her. Her stomach shifted, but no nausea overtook her– perhaps she would have a chance to stomach something today.
She relaxed, carefully taking a spoon and dipping it into the broth. It was quite warm, barely not burning her as it slid down her throat. She let out a small sigh, glad to finally have something she could eat.
"Do you think it's the stress or a bug that's making you sick?" Max asked.
Mairin shrugged as she took another small bite. "Honesty, probably the stress, because there's some moments I feel just fine..." she trailed off, not sure of what else to say. "Um, so... you say we're friends. How did we meet?"
Max frowned at the question. "...We met in Hoenn, my home region," he spoke carefully, and by the way he shifted Mairin couldn't help but wonder if he didn't like Hoenn. "Bonnie, Alain, and you... went on a trip there a few years back."
Mairin perked up slightly at the sound of a familiar name. "Bonnie went too?"
Max smiled. "Bonnie's my girlfriend."
So matchmaker Bonnie had finally found someone. Mairin smiled at this, wondering just how much Bonnie had changed since she had still been a teenager last time she had seen her– but she was probably an adult now. Mairin studied Max for a few more moments, before a frown came over her face, and she swallowed another spoonful of broth.
"...When I first saw you I thought you were older than me, but now that I think about it, I'm the older one, aren't I?" Mairin asked.
Max laughed. "Yeah, by a few years, I'm Bonnie's age," Max watched her as she took a last few sips of her broth– since it was just liquid it hadn't taken her too long to eat it all. "I can take your dishes down– do you want anything else?"
Mairin's stomach churned slightly, and she glanced out at her Pokemon, who had been silent as she had eaten. "...Better not risk it."
He nodded, and he reached for her tray. "Okay, you just take it easy," he said, and Mairin noticed he had a ring on his finger– one with a rainbow gem. "We're all downstairs if you need anything or if you want to join us."
"I'll stay here with my Pokemon," Mairin replied– she was more calm around them. When she was downstairs her mood would just flip about, going from exhausted and overwhelmed to angry and panicked.
"Alright then," Max said, heading towards the door. He ran a hand along Chespie's shell in a friendly manner, before stepping out into the hall. The door was shut behind him, leaving Mairin alone with her Pokemon once more.
She looked out over her Pokemon– Poppy had settled down on Mairin's lap, the Popplio watching her with big eyes. Ruby was at the end of the bed, her whole form tense. Kiara looked like she wished to join her and the others on the bed, but instead she lingered at the edge, her head resting on the bedspread. Luke stood off in the corner, leaning against the wall and seemed to have no intentions of coming closer.
Chespie had stood up to approach the Lucario, making it so his large shell was facing Mairin. She watched her starter for a moment, a frown appearing over her face. She hadn't seen many Chesnaughts in her life, but it didn't take a professional to realize that the two blackened stumps on his shell weren't natural.
Chesnaughts were supposed to have four large spikes on the back of their shell, but yet Chespie only had two, the ones on his left side. On his right, instead of the two spikes Mairin knew should have been there, were two small bumps of where the spikes must have been once. But instead of a dark cream, the remains of the spikes looked as if they had been charred, now an ashy black.
Mairin stared at her starter, wondering how she hadn't noticed this before. She racked her brains, before realizing that every time she had seen Chespie he had either been holding her, or facing in her direction, and being such a bulky Pokemon he didn't have much opportunity to turn around in these small rooms.
"Chespie...?" Mairin asked in a hushed voice, and the grass type peered over his shoulder. "What happened to your back...?"
Chespie blinked once, one large arm reaching back to touch where one of his larger spikes should have been, as if just remembering that it wasn't there. Out of the corner of her eye Mairin noticed that Ruby tensed, and Chespie hesitated.
"Ches..." Chespie let out a low rumble, giving Mairin a small smile as if to say he was okay. Mairin just started though, and really began to look over her Pokemon– was anyone else hurt?
Poppy looked up at Mairin just as she looked down at her– the water type's nose bumping against her chin. The Popplio let out a small giggle at this, rolling over and waving her flippers around. Mairin rubbed the Pokemon's tummy after a moment, who let out a happy bark at this action.
The Popplio was clearly young, and didn't have a mark on her.
Luke was still sulking in the corner and refused to even look in Mairin's direction, so she couldn't see if he had any scars. Chespie had returned to Mairin's bedside, his back away from her so she couldn't see his missing spikes. Ruby had a rugged look to her, but nothing of concern, just the worn-out look many Pokemon had if they came from rougher parts of the wild.
Kiara too looked unharmed, much to Mairin's relief– but she was still left to wonder what had happened to Chespie.
Mairin dreamed of flying.
It was yet another dream that she had no control over, even though she was well aware of the fact that she was dreaming. She didn't care though, because the sensation of flying through the sky was amazing. She could feel the wind against her skin, the sense of weightlessness was strong. She swooped through the empty night sky, feeling pure happiness, this was where she was meant to be!
A deep growl erupted her flight.
Mairin paused mid-flight, hovering in the air as she slowly turned to face the growler. Chills raced through Mairin as she found herself looking into a burning golden gaze. The green, serpentine shape raced through the air, the huge being rushing right at her. A scream threatened to escape her throat, but her dream-self remained silent as the dragon rushed towards them. The Pokemon opened its mouth, a dark Hyper Beam forming. A deafening screech filled the sky– the deadly attack being released straight at her.
Mairin jerked awake moments before the Hyper Beam hit her, covered in a cold sweat.
A small gasp escaped her as she sat straight up, her heart racing as if she had just been running. It took her a moment to realize that she was in her room, and the feeling of weightlessness vanished from around her.
Slowly her eyes started to adjust to the darkness around her, and she was able to make out the stirring shape of Ruby at the end of her bed. Mairin went still, not wanting to disturb the Pokemon, and after a moment the Absol relaxed as she drifted off into a deeper sleep. Mairin let out a small sigh, sweat clinging to her skin as she looked around.
Chespie was sleeping in the corner of the room, the fighting type somehow content without even a blanket. He had been insistent on the matter, and Mairin supposed it would be hard to have a proper bed with that shell of his.
Finally there was Poppy, the little Popplio curled up on the spare pillow. The water type hadn't wanted to go back into her Pokeball when she had been returning her other Pokemon, and Poppy had been more than happy to sleep next to her. Mairin smiled at the small shape, stroking the Popplio's smooth skin. Alain had said she had raised this Pokemon from an egg... did it look to her as a parental figure?
Was this little Pokemon facing the fact that the one that had raised her couldn't even remember her? Mairin's heart tightened– but before she could consider the issue further a sharp pain ran through her.
She was hungry.
Mairin pulled back in surprise at the sensation– ever since she had woken up without her memories she hadn't felt hungry at all. At times her stomach had felt empty, but at the same time she had felt too sick to eat more than a few bites.
But now her stomach was back online, and it was demanding food– now. She sat there for a moment, a strange sensation running through her. Yes she wanted food, but not just a snack from the kitchen. She clutched her stomach, blinking at the fact that what her body wanted at the moment was Tamato berries and milk.
...She didn't even like Tamato berries.
But still, just the thought made her stomach leap in excitement. She drew back slightly as her stomach rumbled, hoping that her Pokemon wouldn't wake up. Mairin knew that she hadn't been eating much the last few days, and she shouldn't waste the moment of her body actually craving something, even if it was the middle of the night. She carefully crawled out of bed, looking back to make sure Poppy and Ruby were still fast asleep on the bed. Content that they were going to stay asleep, she crept to the door.
She glanced briefly back at Chespie in the corner as she grabbed the knob, but the grass type was fast asleep. At last she slipped into the hallway, determined to raid the kitchen. She didn't turn on any lights, simply running a hand across the wall as she headed towards the stairs. She nearly tripped once she actually reached the steps, but managed to keep herself from falling as she made her way towards the kitchen.
She didn't stay there long– she luckily managed to find several Tamato berries buried in the back of the berry drawer of the fridge. She had swiftly eaten the spicy fruit, and though normally opposed to the flavor her body had welcomed the food with open arms. She finally washed down the strange snack with a glass of milk, which had gotten rid of the spiciness lingering in her mouth.
She was mulling through her thoughts as she headed back to her room, barely paying attention to where she was going as she went up the stairs. Instinct seemed to take over as she prepared herself for hopefully a dreamless sleep from here on out– she did not want to wake herself up again.
Mairin paused outside a door, reaching for the knob without much thought. It wasn't until she opened the door and stepped in that she realized that this wasn't her room– it was Alain's.
She froze up, eyes widening as she took in the dim room, the queen size bed she had woken up in two days ago right in front of her. Mairin's heart started hammering, stumbling back a step as she noticed Alain curled up fast asleep on one side of the bed. He had fallen asleep without getting under the covers, simply spread out across the blanket. There was another shape on the other side of the bed, a small red form curled up, a flickering flame at the end of its tail.
The Charmeleon opened his eyes as he heard Mairin take in a sharp startled breath, and the unfamiliar lizard raised his head, smacking his lips. The fire type let out a toothy yawn, stretching as he was pulled from his sleep, silver eyes flickering across the room.
The Charmeleon then glanced at Mairin, stiffening up as they made eye contact. The lizard stared at her for a few moments, eyes wide in surprise. Mairin stared right back, heart thumping as the Charmeleon narrowed his eyes, claws curling into the blanket. Alain let out a soft snore, and the lizard briefly glanced back at him.
Then all the muscles in the Pokemon tensed, the flames on his tail flaring up. A sputtering snarl escaped the Charmeleon's throat, and then with pure rage in his eyes he sprang right at Mairin.