Hey everyone, how's it going? I know it's been like forever since I updated and I am sorry about that. Been having trouble thinking on how to write this chapter but I think I have overcome my writer's block.
So, enough delay let's skip right on in to the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon but all OCs belong to me.
(Mary's POV)
"Mary, could you help me set up my tent please?" Michael said as he called to me. Unfortunately, because of our run-in with Victor we had not been able to reach Rustboro City before nightfall.
As I went over to help Michael though I couldn't complain too much. I mean it would be my first night away from home and spending said first night in a city had not sounded appealing. Especially not after what happened with Mama and Papa.
I know Papa wanted me and Sheela to get to safety but I still don't feel good about leaving them to deal with Victor's herd. But it was too late for us to turn back now, I would just have to hope they were all okay. Whether Michael could tell this ordeal was stressing me out or not, I wasn't sure. I doubt it because he wasn't telling me everything would be okay or anything.
As I helped Michael pitch his tent though my mind kept wandering, trying to think of a way I could get stronger faster. Strong enough to scare Victor away from my family. So far I had no ideas on how to do that, I know that normal trainers challenge Gym Leaders and earn gym badges to try and get stronger. Was that what I had to do? I had never really thought about this plan that thoroughly before. Was I really ready for this? Or were Mama and Papa right all along.
"Mary!" Michael then practically shouted gripping my shoulders, this caused me to come out of my thoughts. Looking into his eyes I watched as worry began to fade.
"Y-yes?" I then stuttered out and seen him sigh with relief.
"Welcome back to earth." I then heard him joke halfheartedly, but his joke confused me greatly which is when Dorothy spoke up.
"You were spacing out there wolf girl." Dorothy then explained. "Michael called to you but you didn't answer, you just kept untying and re-tying that rope in your hands."
"You made us all worry sis." Sheela then told me and I looked down in embarrassment. I was normally much better at hiding when things are bothering me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." I then tell them all quietly.
"Is there something wrong Mary?" Michael then asked. "You know you can tell me if there is."
Fiddling with the rope again, I considered telling him what was wrong. But what would be the point, there was nothing he could do to help.
"No, it's nothing really, I was just thinking about what I would do now." I then told Michael. "I've never really considered it before because…well until you came I thought I would never leave the forest and become a trainer."
"Oh, well there are many paths one can take as a trainer. You can take on the gyms and go for the Pokemon League and possibly become the champion of the region. Or you could take the path I'm on and become a coordinator. There are other paths as well such as Pokemon Breeder, Pokemon Researcher, as well others. It's really all up to you to decide what you want to do while on your journey." Michael then explained. "But the most common one is to collect eight gym badges and then challenge the Pokemon League even if you don't win doing so proves you're a strong trainer and can open even more doors for you. But if that's all that was bothering you. Relax you don't need to decide on something right away, though if you want to defeat that Vigoroth Victor, I suggest you take the path of conquering the gyms."
"I figured that might be the best choice, but I was still unsure of what I might do afterwards." I told him now feeling slightly relieved that I didn't have to choose a path so soon. But then I realized I wasn't sure what a coordinator was. "Thank you, Michael."
"No problem now mind helping me finish setting this tent up for real?" Michael asked me this time with a small amused smirk.
"Sure, but one question. What's a coordinator?" I asked as I tied his tent down.
"Wow you really have been living in that forest for too long." I then heard Dorothy comment. I then heard Sheela growling at her.
"…I'm not sure what Doroth just said but given that Sheela is glaring and growling I take it, that it wasn't nice." Michael then turned to Dorothy. "Doroth you know Mary's knowledge of human society is limited you can't blame her for not knowing about Pokemon Contests and stuff."
"Oh I've heard of Pokemon Contests." I then answered. "I saw one on a television before. So, coordinators are the ones that compete in those?"
"Yes they are, coordinators focus more on style and skill. We have our Pokemon use their moves in a way that shows off their power, beauty, cuteness, coolness or smartness. Even in battle we try show off our Pokemon's best skills." Michael explained again as we finished setting up his tent. "Coordinators must also collect five ribbons in order to qualify to compete in the Grand Festival where they will test their skills once more against other coordinators whom have accomplished this. The winner gets a trophy and a chance to become a top coordinator."
"So, Coordinators have a similar path as trainers who conquer the gyms. You're going to have to show me how good you are sometime." I then said rather intrigued. Who knew I had been missing out on so much.
"So, what does Banshee here have to dress up for these things?" Sheela then giggled teasingly.
"I do not!" Dorothy then shrieked.
"Yeah right, I bet you're a pretty little princess on stage." Sheela then laughs and I groan knowing this will break out into a fight.
"Well I'd rather be a princess then a brute and a mutt!" Banshee then glared at my sister which caused Sheela to glare right back.
"What'd you call me?!" Sheela barked.
"You heard me!" Dorothy shrieked.
"Not again." I sighed then getting in between them. "That's enough both of you. We are traveling together now. You're going to have to learn to get along."
Both grumbled and then walked away from one another. I sighed and wondered if they would ever get along or if they would rip each other to pieces before this journey ends.
Later that night I was having trouble sleeping. I was next to Sheela and we were close to where the fire had been, but I was freezing. Not only that but the ground was hard and unfamiliar. I tossed and I turned but I could not get comfortable or warm enough to fall asleep. Sometimes having no fur sucked. Sheela didn't seem to mind any of the unfamiliar conditions since I could hear her snoring. I tried to snuggle closer to her so I could absorb some of her warmth but it wasn't working. I was still cold.
I groaned and shivered as I sat up and looked at the night sky. As I looked at the sky I wondered how I was going to get any sleep tonight. And that is when I looked towards Michael's tent.
Well he had offered to let me share his tent the previous night…maybe he's still awake and will let me sleep with him just for one night. I thought to myself even though I knew it was considered inappropriate, right now I don't care. I'm cold and tired and need a goodnight's sleep.
I then walked over to his tent as quietly as I could and unzipped it enough so I could crawl in. Only problem was he looked fast asleep.
Biting my lip, I whispered loud enough hoping that he would hear me. "Michael." When I got no response, I tried again. "Michael."
I frowned as I still got no response after about a minute of trying. Not even Banshee heard me. I would just have to hope he'd be okay with this arrangement in the morning. I quietly zipped the tent back up and curled up into a ball on the floor of the tent. The material of the tent made the ground feel somewhat softer. Almost like moss and it was definitely warmer inside the tent. Soon enough I fell fast asleep.
I'm not sure how long I had been sleeping when I heard and felt Michael shifting inside in the tent, I slept near his feet since I didn't want him to think I had any ill intentions. I wasn't sure what time it was, but it must have been morning so groggily I sat up as well and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I was expecting a freak out any minute but instead all I heard was Michael's voice still rich with sleep.
"Dorothy, my eyes please." I heard him whisper. Curiously I opened my eyes and noticed that neither were looking in my direction. Dorothy's eyes were in fact still closed as she handed something to Michael. I was even more curious and slightly disgusted as I saw Michael put whatever she handed him in his eyes. "Thanks Dorothy, not sure what I'd do without you."
"It's not a problem Mike." She then heard Dorothy answer him quietly as she nuzzled Michael. As much as I didn't want a freak out I couldn't quell my curiosity as to what Dorothy had given to Michael.
"What's going on?" I then asked them out loud, at the sound of my voice their heads snapped in my direction and their eyes opened wide. "What did Dorothy just hand you?"
(Michael's POV)
"What did Dorothy just hand you?" I heard Mary ask as I was still processing what had just happened. When I heard, Dorothy trying to cover our tracks here. While I couldn't understand all that she was saying it was obvious she was trying to given the circumstances.
"Mis, mis." I heard Dorothy say. I think she told Mary that I had been handed nothing. My suspicions are confirmed by Mary's reply.
"Don't lie to me I saw you give him something. And I saw him put it in his eyes." When Mary said that I knew we were screwed. Which made me wonder…just how long had she been there.
"W-WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY TENT?!" I then shout in delayed surprise. Yeah, I just realized she was in my tent, give me a break people I just woke up.
"…Oh…um…I'm sorry it's just I was having trouble falling asleep." Mary then explained to me giving me that puppy dog look. It was hard to be mad at her when she gave me that. "And…you said I could sleep in here the other night…so…I didn't think you would mind. Are you mad at me?"
Taking a moment to digest what she had explained it sounds like she had nightmare or something. Not that I think she had any inappropriate or bad intentions, just seeing that it looked like she had slept in my tent without my knowing had given me quite the fright. Taking a breath I calm myself down, thinking this could work in my favour and get her off topic and forget she had seen anything.
"…Well no I'm not…more surprised. You really should have asked me if it was okay first." I then explain to her in a gentle tone. I really wasn't mad and didn't want her to think otherwise. "You gave me quite a scare just finding you in here like that."
"I tried to ask if it was okay…you wouldn't wake up…and I was freezing…and…HEY! Stop changing the topic!" Mary then shouts as she tries to explain why she was in here. Guess she caught on that I was trying to steer her off course there. "We were talking about what Dorothy handed you and what you put in your eyes."
"Misdreavus, Mis, mis, dreavus." Dorothy then tries to tell her otherwise again but I just sigh knowing the jig was up.
"Doroth, stop it's over. We lost." I then tell her as I pat her head.
"Dreavus, Dreavus…" Dorothy then sighs before glaring at Mary. "Dreavus, dreavus misdreavus!"
"Tease him about what? Just what is going on?" Mary then answers her in response as I pet Dorothy to calm her down.
"Easy Dorothy, no need for that…yet." I tell her before looking toward Mary. "Do you know what contacts are?"
Judging by Mary's now confused look I had feeling she didn't. "No, I don't."
"Okay then, um did anyone in your human school wear glasses?" I then asked her, hoping she would get the connection.
"Yeah the teacher wore some…are contacts the same thing?" As Mary answered I nodded.
"Yeah I need them to help me see." I tell her as I bow my head getting ready for the worst.
"That's not so bad. Why were you being so silly and hiding it? I mean so you need help to see so what?" Out of all the responses she could have given this was not one I had been expecting. Was she really not bothered by this? Is it possible that I finally met someone who won't make fun of or bully me?
"Dreavus, Misdreavus?" Dorothy then asks her. I think sounded like a question in my mind.
"Why would I tease or be mean to Michael over that?" Mary then asks before I think realization dawned on her. "Wait…is that why you hid it? Because you were bullied for needing help with your eyesight? And you thought that I would…"
As a way of answering her I just nodded my head and remained silent. I was afraid that if I spoke my voice would crack with emotion at all the memories, that were rushing back to me.
"Michael, compared to me your minor disability is nothing to tease over. Kids are mean I get it, believe me I do. I was called Charity Case, Wild girl, Freak, you name it. But know this just because you're different doesn't mean you're all those awful things people called you." As she spoke I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes so I removed my contacts.
"…Kids are mean? Mary…you are the first person to accept me at all." I tell her as I feel the tears start to flow down my face.
"Wh-what? B-but what about your parents?" Mary then asked sounding shocked that she was the first one to accept me.
Wiping my eyes I let out a shaky sigh. She already knew one secret why not tell her another. "…Mary when my parents found out I was having visionary trouble they verbally and physically abused me because of this one imperfection…it happened when I was young, just one day I wasn't able to see that well…my vision was clouded…it was like trying to see through thick fog."
As I went to put my contacts back in I felt Mary grab my wrist, stopping me. If I had been attracted to her I would have blushed at how close she was to me. Her hand was on my wrist and she was looking straight into my eyes.
"Michael…why are your eyes so different from mine?" I Then hear her ask. "They're brown just like mine but your pupils appear white…why is that?"
"…I'm honestly not sure about the specifics…but the doctor said I had a rare form of Cataracts." I then try to explain to her. "You see Cataracts normally forms in the eyes after aging for quite a while, like when people are in their 80's. People my age are not supposed to develop something like this. And people who are 4-5 years old surely are not supposed to be able to have cataracts. But I did, the doctors were very baffled by this. And that I had developed it in both my eyes not just one. It's a mystery they had never solved. And well because of this my parents beat me up… I can see you just fine but…any farther then the tent…it's blurry and like fog."
"…They really hurt you over something you had no control over?" Mary then asked me, as she let go of my wrist allowing me to put my contacts back in.
"…Yeah they did" I tell her before sighing. "In all honesty Mary, I wish I had been abandoned…it couldn't have been worse."
"Do you really think I had it easier?" Mary then says quietly. "Sure, I got a loving family in the end but I am constantly wondering why my parents dumped me. And whether they had any children before or after me. If they did and kept them…why had they not kept me? Not to mention the other pups teased me for having no fur, fangs or claws when I was younger. I didn't know how to talk like a human, I knew nothing about human culture…how can you say my life was any better?"
"Not knowing much about human culture isn't the worst thing in the world…inconvenient but not the worst, and Mary not to sound mean but I hope you didn't have any siblings because they wouldn't have been treated any better. Not with parents like that. Trust me I know…" I then told her sounding slightly depressed and bitter. I then feel Dorothy nuzzling my neck and start to calm down. "Can we change the topic please?"
"I…um yes sorry." She then answers. "But um to what?"
"Well are you still interested in seeing me perform?" I then ask her and watch as her eyes light up.
"Really? You sure?" I merely nod as I take one of my Pokeballs as well as a Ball Capsule and stick a purple bubble seal on there.
"Yeah, I'm sure I mean I need to practice anyway and there is one member of my team that you haven't met yet." I then tell her as I move to open the tent. Mary then follows after me and well to my surprise I see Sheela sitting outside my tent with…was that a smirk on her face?
When Mary walked out as well it looked as if her smirk grew. That is when she barked something to her sister. That is when I saw Mary turn quite a few shades of red. While I could only guess what Sheela had said, I had a pretty good guess that she was teasing her sister.
"W-we…we…we…WE WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT SHEELA!" I then heard Sheela let out what sounded like a laugh before Mary began chasing her. I sighed with amusement at this and knew I didn't want to know what Sheela said. I then started to make breakfast.
Having them meet Pestilence and see a preview of a routine could wait until after that. I just hoped they were ready for the craziness that was my Venomoth.
(Mary's POV)
I was still slightly miffed that Sheela had accused me of choosing Michael as my mate. But I chose to let it go for now because I did want to see this routine he had been working on. Michael told me the reason he had been headed to Rustboro in the first place was because there was supposed to be a Pokemon Contest there. I had wanted to ask why he hadn't mentioned it before but then I remembered that he probably hadn't had time.
I mean between meeting me, then almost getting mauled by my family, then being forced into a dangerous test, not to mention Victor's ambush. It had been a very busy two days.
"Alright now we haven't practiced this one much and I'm not likely to use it in the first round for the Rustboro Contest." Michael told me and Sheela as he took pokeball that had a weird case over it "But without further ado, Pestilence! It's Showtime!"
As Michael threw the pokeball bubbles that looked like poison bubbled around a purple moth with white butterfly-like wings and big eyes. The purple almost poison-like bubbles definitely warned you this moth was poisonous.
"Huzzah! The chosen hero Pestilence the Virulent has arrived! Witness as I show to you my true power!" The poison moth then said as he beat his wings rapidly and popped the bubbles around him. As the bubbles popped it was easy to see the poisonous dust that Venomoth shed form their scales. Though why had he called himself a chosen hero? Maybe it was a stage thing? Still why give himself such a weird name? What did Virulent even mean?
"Okay Pestilence, use Poison Powder and Silver Wind!" Michael shouted and as one wing made a purple power the other wing made well a silver wind. "Now use Quiver Dance!"
As Pestilence did his dance I watched as the Silver wind combined with the Poison powder.
"My scales twitch with exuberance! Behold my heroic symbol!" I then heard Dorothy groan as we watched Pestilence make a moth silhouette that had taken some sort of pose that I knew a moth should not be able to take in real life. Pestilence then went and landed on Michael's shoulder.
As Michael looked at what Pestilence had created I noticed he didn't look thrilled, that and he facepalmed himself.
"Pestilence you were supposed to create a giant Venomoth not…this." Michael then said gesturing to the symbol in the sky.
"That is Pestilence the Virulent's symbol! A hero must have a heroic symbol! Zubatman has a weirdly shaped bat, and I have a moth in a heroic pose!" Pestilence then explained but I knew Michael got none of that. So, I of course had to translate for him. Though once I did the moth flipped out. "Gad zooks! Thy fair maiden is a witch!"
"She's not a witch, you idiotic moth. She's just a girl who grew up with Pokemon." Dorothy then said before shaking her head and turning to me. "I'm sorry about this, Pestilence is a bit…unusual to say the least. Been like this ever since Michael caught him. Even as a Venonat."
Michael ignoring the exchange just sighed at the moth. "Okay fine but no one is going to understand that because not everyone can understand Pokespeak like Mary. Who before you say anything is not my girlfriend."
"No one understands my artistic and heroic genius." I then heard Pestilence sigh and sort of felt bad for him.
"Well Mike why don't you explain to the audience then?" I then suggest. "You could introduce him as Pestilence the Virulent and make a real show out of it."
"Oooh! I do like how this girl thinks!" Pestilence then said.
"M-Mary! Don't encourage him!" Dorothy then said in a begging tone.
"Yeah should you be getting involved sis? I mean Contests are his thing." Sheela then chided. I then noticed Michael was pondering over the idea.
"I just feel bad for him is all." Then tell Sheela and await Michael's answer.
"…Your idea could work I guess, though that means I have to work on my showmanship a bit, but if it'll make Pestilence happy. I guess I can do it. I still think a self-portrait would be cooler though." Michael then said.
"Well if you want a self-portrait, I could so do it so that it looks like me in that pose! That would probably be even better! See what happens when we compromise oh Shining Phantom?" Pestilence then said and I once again translated and he then gave Pestilence a weird look.
"Shining Phantom? Just how long have you been calling me that?!" Michael then asked.
"He's been calling you that since he evolved." Dorothy then announced. "You just didn't know about it before because before we had no one with us to translate."
"Dorothy said he's been doing it since he evolved." I then translate for him.
I then heard Michael groan. "Have I mentioned how much I wish I could understand Pokespeak?"
"Once or twice." Dorothy then said causing the rest of us to giggle and/or chuckle. I doubted I needed to translate that for him.
"Alright one more practice run then we're on the road. Ready to go again Pestilence?" Michael asked and Pestilence nodded right before Michael returned him to the Pokeball and started the routine all over again.
Watching as Michael performed again it was easy to tell that this is what he wanted to do with his life. I sort of envy him this way, he knew what he wanted to do with his life while me…well I was only on this journey to help my family but once that was over…what would I do? I know Michael said I had time to think about it but, once I scared Victor away would Mama and Papa even let me continue my journey? Would I want to continue it? There were just so many questions I had that would be left unanswered for who knows how long. Before I could ponder it any longer though Michael and Pestilence finished their performance and it was time to go.
It took another hour or two but we had finally made it. Rustboro City. As we walked down the gravel path that soon changed into pathed road, I could feel my breath being taken away as I looked upon the big city.
This place is huge compared to Petalburg I thought to myself as I looked at some buildings that looked as if they could touch the sky. There were buildings upon buildings. Not only that but there were people, lots of people. Way more than I was used to in all honesty.
As Sheela came up beside me I could see that she was in awe just like me at the sight of all this.
"Wolf girl could you stop staring and gawking at everything?" I then heard Dorothy say as she floated beside me. "You're acting like you've never seen a city before."
"I-I-I um…well not one this big…Petalburg is small compared to this place." I then tell her before awkwardly looking down at my feet.
"Yeah seems this place has gotten bigger since I moved." I then heard Michael comment and I looked at him curiously.
"What do you mean?" I then asked him.
"Well…I didn't always used to live in Johto. We moved to Ercuteak City when I was five going on six, but I was born here in Rustboro City." Michael then sighed. "I don't remember much about living here but I do remember that it wasn't always this big."
"Why did you move anyway?" I then asked even though it probably wasn't any of my business. But I was curious. As Michael's face scrunched up though I thought he was mad at me for asking that until I realized he was thinking.
"You know, I don't really know the answer myself." Michael said before looking to me. "But it hardly matters now, come on let's head to the Pokemon Center. You have a gym battle to get ready for and I have a Contest. Just stay close to me okay?"
As Michael leads the way and we head farther into the city I am excited, scared and anxious. Excited because well I've never really explored a city before or been to a Pokemon Center. Scared because I don't know my way around this place and I can't read so if I got separated from Michael I would be completely lost in a huge city. I was also scared Michael might find out I'm illiterate. Anxious because the further we went into the city the farther away we were from the wild and open spaces. I may be a little afraid of closed spaces. I know there is a word for it…what was it, claustrophobic? I think that was it.
Once we made it to the Pokemon Center Michael handed the lady behind the counter his Pokeballs. All but Dorothy went with the woman that had pink hair and blue eyes. Once she had his Pokemon on a tray, the woman looked to me.
"Would like me to treat your Mightyena and other Pokemon as well miss?" She then asked.
"No thank you." I answered. I have healing powers why waste their time when I could heal my Pokemon myself. "Sheela doesn't take that kindly to strangers."
"I understand, well then you wait here while treat your friend's then." The lady I believe Michael had called her Nurse Joy, then took out some kind of card and handed it to Michael. "And here is the key card for your room."
"Thanks, Nurse Joy." Michael told her before coming back my way. "Well while we wait why don't we head the battlefield so you can train. I know Sheela is strong but she and Shigure are not ready to face the strength of a gym leader."
"I resent that statement." Sheela then said.
"Uh Mutt, Mary has never been in a Pokemon battle she needs the training and to be honest so do you. A battle is much different than scrapping with Vigoroth." Dorothy then said and I knew she was right unfortunately for her Sheela is too proud to admit it.
"Sis, they're right so stop being stubborn." I tell her before turning my attention back to Michael. "Okay lead the way."
"Right this way then Mary." Michael then led the way to an indoor battlefield where I then saw faces I had never wanted to see again.
Currently on the battlefield were two boys my age, one had black hair and was wearing a leather jacket. That was Chad the one that had always picked on me and Wally. The one he was battle was his friend Tom, he had brown hair and wore a black vest, white shirt and black pants. As soon as we walked in their eyes went straight to me.
"Well, well, well, look who's here Tom." Chad then said with a sneer.
"Mary? Do you know these two?" Michael then asked me in a low tone but my voice didn't want to work.
"My, my who knew the freak would turn into a beauty." Tom commented
"The freak is still a freak, Tom." Chad then chuckled. "So, Mary who's this guy? Your new boyfriend? He doesn't look half as weak as your other one. Or is he your personal guide. You know because of your problem?"
"Okay just who are you two? And what are you talking about?" Michael then asked as Sheela glared at them.
"You hear that Tom? Sounds like he doesn't know about the Charity Case also being a hopeless case." Chad then laughs.
"Michael let's just leave. These two are jerks." I then said wanting to get out of here before they revealed my secret.
"If you wanna leave go ahead Mary no one's stopping you." Tom then smirks. "Or is Miss Illiterate afraid she's going to get lost."
TO BE CONTINUED…
Yes, I like cliffhangers. Hate them when they happen to me but love to make them. Mwhahahaha. Mostly because it keeps you all coming back for more.
So, Mary learned about Michael's past now so they're even and we met the last member of Michael's team for now.
Also for those of you wondering Virulent means Poisonous to an extent. I just learned that as I was writing this chapter. And yes, I did read up on cataracts before putting it in to the story. I do, do my research when I write these things people.
So, next time we shall see how Mike reacts to Mary being illiterate. And possibly a gym battle maybe? I know for sure there will be battles involved. So please stay tuned.