Just your average Pika
Chapter 5
Pokémon is copyright Nintendo and Gamefreak. I intend no copyright infringement with this work.
A/N: Been a long time since I worked on this. Unfortunately, I've been suffering from considerable writer's block during that time. However, I am determined to finish this story as I'd hate to leave it after writing this much of it.
This chapter's a bit shorter then the rest but hopefully I can clear my writer's block enough for it to be a springboard for me getting this story back on the road.
I've downgraded the rating back to Teen because I don't think there's anything major enough to warrant this as Mature. However, if anyone disagrees then feel free to let me know.
---
It had been six weeks since Pike had become a pikachu.
He had changed during those weeks. His outlook on life was in a state of flux. He struggled daily with animal instinct and context. He tried to see things from a human point of view but every day that grew increasingly more difficult.
Being unable to cook had Pike feeling more dependent. Pike as a human was a do it yourself sort of person. Now, while he had more freedom from work and responsibility, there was less he could do independently.
Over the previous weeks, Pike had tried to teach Amper about human life in order to anchor his mind. He feared that without said anchor, he'd lose himself in his current form.
However, there was something inside of him that wanted him to give in. Logically, he was a pikachu. He was home and in a safe environment. He even had companionship with a member of his new species. Technically, he could be happy in existing in his current form. Pike had to admit that it was difficult to argue against that side of him.
Amper had recently gone to sleep. Pike stood over her, watching her. She looked so peaceful that he dared not interrupt her. There was no shame in his being naked around her. In fact, Pike didn't feel exposed. He'd stopped feeling amused by how he could get away with not wearing clothes. Now, he felt normal like this. If anything, he wondered how he'd been able to feel comfortable wearing clothes when he was human.
Beside Amper was an open book that children used to learn the basics of reading. For Pike, this was elementary. However, For Amper it was difficult. She did seem to be coming along and could at least read a few basic words.
Pike decided to take a nap beside Amper. Without worry over work, Pike had adjusted to doing things when he wanted to. While that freedom had the cost of being unable to engage in some human activities, Pike found that he just didn't feel the need to go to the movies or eat out any more. Besides, as long as he had Amper, Pike was happy.
Amper was not a pet to Pike. She was his companion. He always felt stronger and more confident around her. She understood the feelings and desires of a pikachu that Pike's human friends and family didn't. Together, Pike and Amper were more then the sum of their two qualities. Amper had helped Pike to understand what it meant to be a pikachu. Amper was constantly expressing curiosity at human things. Pike had tried to show her some of them.
Lay down beside Amper, Pike beamed at the sensation of the warmth radiating from her body and her scent. Starting recently, Pike couldn't sleep without Amper beside him. Pike knew that if he ever found a way to restore himself that wouldn't work for Amper that, he wouldn't do it.
The tension between Pike and Remmie had all but evaporated. Pike now enjoyed listening to his brother talk about his desires to become a trainer. Pike even considered going with Remmie should he even go ahead with said desire. Pike had gained a confidence and now saw adversity as challenges to overcome rather then hindrances.
Pike was starting to see Remmie in a different light. No longer was the lad innocent if perhaps ignorant. Remmie was now a guide to Pike's exploration of his new form. Pike knew this was a problem. Without stimuli to anchor the human side of his mind, he was in greater danger of losing himself.
Just as he closed his eyes, Pike heard someone at the door.
"Hi Henry, is Pike there? This is my friend Mark. He wants to see Pike!" It was the voice of Remmie.
"He's in his room. I think he's sleeping. I don't want to wake him but if you're willing to wait," Henry started.
Pike was happy enough to see Remmie. If Mark knew of another former human then Pike wanted to meet both of them. He edged off the bed so he wouldn't wake Amper.
Running out of his room, Pike ran towards the front door. He took Henry a little by surprise when he jumped onto his cousin's right shoulder. It was a position that Pike was comfortable with. He could protect Henry and Henry could protect him.
"Hi!" Pike said.
Henry jumped. "Whoa Pike, I thought you were sleeping!"
"Na. Anyway, I'm always happy to see Remmie."
Remmie and Mark walked into the house, closing the door behind them.
Pike cocked his head as he regarded Mark. This was a new human and Pike wasn't sure if that human was trustworthy.
Did I speak in Pikachu there? I guess I did.
He stayed on Henry's shoulder, still unsure if it was safe to leave it.
"I thought you said that he could talk?" Mark said.
"He can," Remmie said.
"But he didn't speak there," Mark said.
"He can speak just fine," Pike said, this time in English.
Mark didn't seem surprised at all. The boy's acceptance worried Pike. Kids Mark's age tended to be open-minded. Mark's lack of surprise to a talking pikachu however, troubled Pike.
After Mark and Remmie removed their shoes and coats, the group walked into the living room and sat down on the couches. Pike jumped off Henry's shoulder and onto his lap. Mark sat down beside Pike and smiled at him. Pike found the boy's attention a little disturbing. Mark could have any motive. Although Remmie did say that Mark was his friend, Pike still felt cautious.
"So um … how come you didn't think my talking was unusual?" Pike asked.
He'd grown accustomed to getting right to the point since changing. This was one question Pike knew was on everyone's mind; Pike saw no reason in delaying asking it.
"Because you're not the only talking pokémon I know," Mark responded.
Another like me. Is it possible?
"What do you mean?" Henry asked.
"I know someone that got turned into a pokémon," Mark said.
"How come you never told me? Is this why you believed me so easily?" Remmie asked.
Mark nodded. "Yes, because I knew it was possible."
Pike was overjoyed. Up until this point, he was (as far as he knew) the only human to experience this. No longer would he have to be alone. He had to meet this person.
He felt a stronger trust for Mark. Jumping onto Mark's legs, Pike sniffed the boy. He was able to detect the scent of someone else on Mark's clothes. It didn't seem to be human. Pike couldn't yet identify the species.
"So, who you know like me? Can I meet her?" Pike asked.
"She wants to meet you," Mark said.
"Was it really a good idea for you to tell someone about Pike?" Henry asked.
"I know but I don't want Mom to be lonely."
"Your mother?" Henry asked.
Mark nodded. "She got turned into a furret a year ago. Don't tell anyone okay?"
"Don't worry, we won't," Henry said,
Pike was glad he'd be reading up on pokémon. It was a subject he didn't study much during his schooling. Now however, he'd felt it imperative to learn as much as he could about them. While Pike was interested in seeing other electric types, meeting any human that the spring (or any other force) had turned into a pokémon interested him.
Henry suddenly snapped his fingers, startling Pike and nearly causing him shock himself. "Rachel Johnstone!"
That name is familiar. Where have I heard it before?
"Yeah, that's my Mom, she's cool," Mark said. "She was the mayor of MapleBrook up until last year. She was taking my cousin's furret for a walk in the woods. He got away from her and ran into a spring. She pursued him and started changing. They said she was ill or something and handed over the mayoral duties to one of her counsel members," Henry said.
So, Bobby wasn't joking.
"I want to meet her! Is she able to speak?" Pike asked.
Mark nodded, "it's pretty cool having a talking furret for a parent. She wants to meet you too Pike."
"I don't know if that's safe Pike. Someone might see you," Henry said.
Henry did have a point. Pike wasn't sure he wanted to risk a human capturing him, not again. However, he wanted to see Rachel; having a kindred spirit outweighed any potential risks of going outside. Besides, he couldn't stay inside forever.
"I could always put you into a pokeball. That way, no one would bother you," Mark said.
Being in a pokeball as pure energy was a unique experience.
"Yeah, that would work. If I didn't, they'd just think I'm a pikachu. Although, if they want to battle, then I think I'm ready if they won't take no for an answer!"
"You've battled before?" Mark asked.
Pike nodded and told Mark about the battle with Hothead, including his intentions to rematch the Vulpix.
"Let's not get too ahead of yourself Pike. Re-matching is one thing. I still disagree with you're wanting to do that. Getting into other fights is only going to cause more trouble," Henry said.
"It would be so cool though," Remmie said.
"Has your Mom ever fought?" Henry said.
"I don't think so, she prefers peace and quiet," Mark answered.
"After being a mayor and having so much responsibility, it must be hard for her to have to stay home most of the time," Henry said.
"She says she's used to it. However, I think she's lonely. It's probably why she wants to meet Pike," Mark answered.
"I've never met a mayor before. It would probably be cool," Pike said.
"Well Pike, if that's why you want to do then I'm all right with it. Just be careful, if someone were to see two talking pokémon together, they might try something," Henry said.
"Like what?" Pike asked.
"I don't know, they might try capturing you!"
"Then I'll shock them!"
"Don't worry, my Mom knows some furret moves. She's with tackle. She also has security guys that know about her. They won't let anyone hurt her or Pike," Mark said.
"Come on Henry, I want to meet her!"
"I guess so. Let's just take this slow … okay Pike? I don't want anything to happen to you," Henry said.
"Cool, just wait until I tell Mom! Man Pike, there's so much I want to ask you!"
"I have time," Pike said.
Pike and Mark retreated to the basement where they talked for an hour.
Mark told Pike how his mother becoming a furret had changed his relationship with her. If anything, It had improved it. Mark enjoyed the situation. His mother being that way made it easier for him to talk to her.
Pike told Mark how he'd changed mentally since becoming a pikachu. He pointed out how he took time to trust humans but once he did, he felt safe around them.
Perhaps Pike's interest in meeting another like him dampened any fears he might have had for Mark. Pike also realised that he loved Mark's attention. Pike wished he'd been this comfortable around others as a human. Just being with Mark made Pike realise the friendships he'd missed. As a human, Pike found that people had (whether real or imagined) preconceptions of how he should behave. Now, however, they didn't seem to exist.
Eventually Mark had to go. He promised to keep Pike's secret. Just before Mark left, Pike decided to introduce Mark to Amper as he heard her getting up. He ran into his room and leapt into the bed as Amper stood up.
"Hi!" Amper said.
Pike loved the sound of her voice. Even in his most foul moods, Amper's voice would cheer him up.
"There's someone I want you to meet."
Cocking her head to the right, Amper looked into Pike's eyes, "Whom?"
"A new friend; he knows about me. His mother is like me except she became a furret. She could be a new friend for us too."
"Okay," Amper said.
Pike led the way to the front door where Mark was standing.
"This is Amper," Pike said.
Mark knelt down and petted Amper up with a smile on his face.
"She's your girlfriend?" Mark asked, a grin on his face.
"Well, I … yes … she is," Pike said.
There was no need for him to deny it. He had nothing to gain by hiding his feelings for Amper so there was no reason to. Pike actually felt a little jealous when Mark started petting Amper. He pushed those feelings aside as they wouldn't gain anyone anything. After a few minutes, Mark stopped petting Amper.
"Was great meeting you Pike. I can't wait until you and Mom can see each other!" Mark said.
Remmie left the house with Mark, saying that Mark's ride would drop him off at home. Everyone said their goodbyes and the two boys departed.
After Henry closed the door, he looked at Pike.
"Girlfriend eh? Well Pike, I don't blame you. Amper certainly enjoys your company and you two make a cute couple. Although, despite it having been a while, we can't just give up on you being human again."
"I know but I love being around Amper. I can be myself around her. I've never felt anything like this before. It's a wonderful feeling. I don't think I can give it up," Pike said.
He looked at Amper, seeing her beaming at him. There was no way in his eyes that he could ever leave her behind. He could never admit it to Henry, but he'd been wondering what a baby would look like if he had one with Amper.
"I'm not sure I agree. But, if you're happy then I don't think I should stop you. You're an adult and old enough to know what you're doing. Just make sure to think things through before you try anything too serious okay?"
"Thanks Henry," Pike said with a smile. He knew what Henry meant but wasn't about to discuss it.
With that, Pike and Amper ran into Pike's room.
---
"It's true, Remmie's brother is a pikachu and he can talk. He even has a girlfriend!"
"A human girlfriend?" Rachel asked.
A human and a changed human having a relationship? Is it possible?
"No, she's a pikachu, a natural one too. She's cute. Get this, he does like you and wears a hat to show he used to be human. Isn't that neat?"
A natural Pikachu as a mate, Good for him! I'm glad he's not in denial about the whole thing as I was for such a long time.
"Yes, I suppose it is neat. Tell me something, how does he behave?"
Rachel had been old enough as a human to have a sense of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour. Being a public figure only heightened that. Feral behaviour was something she kept locked in. She saw reading a good book for the evening more appropriate then (for example) going for a swim with her husband.
She'd been fighting a difficult battle for the past year. Being a furret had her wanting to engage in a more liberal ways of thinking. Even not wearing clothes was something she'd fought at the beginning. Initially, Rachel wore a shirt and even had her tailor create pants suited to her new body.
Staying strong for Mark and her husband Cal was the excuse she'd used for a long time to hold her new emotions and thoughts in. She'd even tried convincing herself that she was old enough to be past free spirit behaviour. It had only worked for a short time. However, everyday, an urge within her grew stronger to the point where Rachel feared she'd lose control and herself in the process.
Then, one day everything had changed. She'd finally experienced something that had allowed her to let go and accept her new form.
She only wore a hat and vest now. She still slept with Cal under his own insistence. He had told her that she was still his wife no matter what she looked like. Even if they couldn't be intimate, there was no way he would abandon her. Before her experience, that bothered Rachel. Now however, she knew she wasn't human and just couldn't bring herself to take an interest in a physical relationship with one. She still however, loved Cal and had a bond with him.
"Mark, is this person happy with the way he is?"
"He says it sucks that he can't go out much anymore. But, he also said it's cool that he's able to think certain ways and do stuff that he couldn't as a human."
That is true. It will be easier for him to let himself go, especially with a mate.
"So Mom, can we go for a swim in that spring and be furrets now? Then we could all have fun!" Mark asked.
"Oh Mark, I want to say yes." Then Cal and I could be intimate; it's been so long. But, I could never tell Mark that. "I know that would mean you wouldn't have to go to school anymore. What happened to me however was an accident, a wonderful accident. But I can't force this on you two."
"I want it, you won't be forcing us."
"Let's just wait a bit longer okay?"
Mark smiled at that. For a long time, Rachel had denied allowing Cal and Mark to end up like her. Now, the concept appealed to her. She however needed to learn how that spring worked before they used it again. For all she knew, using it would turn her back into a human!
"Could we do battle?"
"It's not that easy Mark. Battling is hard."
"I know but it's a fun thought."
"Yes, it is. But let's take it one step at a time. Now, I'd like to meet this Pike. He can bring his girlfriend if he wants."
"Okay Mom, I'll tell Remmie."
---
Pike and Amper sat in Pike's bedroom. Amper watched Pike walk around the soft nest, presumably in thought. At times like this, she wished she had physic type abilities so she'd understand what her mate was thinking.
Lying in front of Amper was that human thing Pike was showing her. It had images and strange patterns below them. Pike said they were words, like the human language but in designs on things.
Amper didn't truly understand why Pike spoke in the human language and wanted her to do the same. Their species' language was good enough. The humans did however, have words for all the strange stuff they had, that the pikachu did not. Amper was only just starting to gain an interest in those things.
"Pike," Amper started.
Pike stopped and looked Amper in the eyes.
"Do you want to mate with me?" Amper asked.
She didn't see any point in delaying asking him. Amper couldn't quite understand why humans played all sorts of games when it came to mating. It seemed so much easier to just declare ones intention that they wished to have a baby before letting the males compete.
Pike didn't even have that problem. He seemed to be a strong and young male. He was obviously intelligent and could give her healthy pichus. Recently, his body language indicated his interest in her. Amper didn't understand why he wasn't initiating anything.
"I … maybe…. I," Pike started.
Amper was ready for him. There seemed no reason in her mind why he couldn't go through with it. She wondered what was wrong with him.
"I can provide you with healthy pichus," Amper said.
"It's not that easy. It's hard for me to explain. Something in me tells me to accept your offer. It's tempting."
"If you want to when why refuse?"
"I can't let go like that. I have to hold onto my humanity somehow. If it just give into any physical urge then I'll just be a pikachu inside," Pike replied.
Amper could see that Pike seemed to be fighting as he spoke those words. She wondered if he believed what he was saying.
"But you are a pikachu!" Amper said.
"I know. It's so hard to resist this form's urges. I want to show you what it's like to resist them and be more then just an animal."
"You mean like showing me these symbols in the human language and what they mean?"
"Yes! It's … fun to learn stuff and to not only have a word for all of these things but to know how they work."
It was still difficult for Amper to understand. Her instincts always seemed to be right. The idea of going against them seemed wrong somehow. If Pike was fighting them however; maybe he was onto something.
Amper looked at one of the symbols on the thing Pike had on the bed. The picture was something she recognised. It was the red food that came from trees.
"What does that say?" Amper asked as she pointed to the symbols on the sheet.
Pike smiled and hoped over to her. "I'll show you how to sound it out."
---
A few hours later, Pike had shown Amper several different words. She seemed to enjoy being able to read if even she didn't understand why.
Pike on the other hand was still having issues. Amper had almost offered herself to him. Was he crazy for not accepting? If as a human, he'd been naked in the same room with a beautiful woman and she'd made the same offer, he'd have accepted.
But Amper is an animal; she doesn't know any better. It wouldn't be right.
The former human wondered if he was attracted to Amper. All of the sensations were there. Something inside of him nagged at him, saying that it would be wrong to forge a relationship with her.
Even if I'm currently the same species as her, I can't do this; it's not right!
However, there still wasn't word on a cure for Pike. It was looking as though he was going to be like this for the rest of his life. Pike couldn't help but wonder if thinking of himself as a human in the body of a pikachu was wrong.
Am I being fair to myself?
More then ever now, Pike wanted to meet Rachel. If she'd been a furret for much longer, then she would have experience in dealing with these emotions.
"So what do you think?" Pike asked of Amper.
"It's interesting. I want to learn more about human things," Amper replied.
Pike nodded. "I want to show you."
"Can we play first?" Amper asked.
Despite her having potential intelligence, Pike knew that Amper was still an animal. In her heart, she had the spirit of a human child. She however, still had all the urges of an adult, which made things a lot more complicated. Pike knew that in her mind, things were simple. Delaying gratification didn't make much sense. She was curious, but would much rather just have fun.
Pike knew he was starting to get the same way. His attention span was decreasing. His pikachu side was screaming at him to take Amper as his mate. His human and Pikachu side had grown attached to her. He knew that the species forged bonds with each other as humans did. Pike also realised that he was beginning to wonder why he was teaching Amper to think like a human.
Take her offer, you've both earned it.
"Sure!" Pike said.
With that, Amper jumped off the bed and ran out of the room. Pike pursued her. This game was growing more enjoyable for Pike with each passing day. He hadn't of felt this alive since he was a kid.
---
Mark arrived early the next morning. It was a cool cloudy morning and the lad was dressed in a hooded jacket. He had a pair of Luxury Balls with him; something his mother had managed to acquire. He'd heard they provided a better experience while in the ball, so thought Pike and Amper would like him more if they spent time in one of those.
He had to admit, he felt nervous. He was also a little jealous of Pike.
Pike is so lucky.
Mark wanted to go to that lake and swim in it. He wanted to experience what it was like to be in one of those balls and to battle. His mother was doing well as a furret so Mark saw no reason he wouldn't be equally fine.
Knocking on the door, he waited for a response.
---
Pike was watching TV with Amper when he heard the knock. He'd been trying to explain to Amper about what the images were. He had watched TV with Amper before but now he was trying to explain to her just what it was.
Unfortunately, Pike kept feeling his attention wander. He hadn't of watched TV much recently because of this issue. The sounds of the people's voices and the fact that he couldn't smell or touch them were becoming more fascinating to Pike then what was happening on screen.
He tried holding on for Amper's sake. Pike wanted Amper to discover humanity. She couldn't do that if Pike let go of his.
Pike heard Henry walk to the front door and open it.
"So, those humans aren't really there?" Amper asked.
"No, that thing just projects an image of them," Pike answered.
"Why?" Amper asked.
"So we can see other people doing stuff," Pike answered.
"Why? Isn't what we do enough?"
"Yes but sometimes it's fun to imagine doing other things. We can watch these people doing other things or even pretend we're one of them."
"I don't understand. If it's not real, and it's not giving us food or making us stronger then what does it serve?" Amper asked.
"Sometimes, it's fun to use your imagination," Pike answered.
"I use it all of the time," Mark said as he walked into the room with Henry behind him. Mark walked over to the couch where Pike and Amper were sitting and petted Amper. "Sometime I try to imagine what its like for Pike."
"It's like reading may not make you a better hunter or fighter. It however, can let you understand things in life better. Imagining things is fun," Pike said.
"My Mom is ready to see you guys," Mark said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the two luxury balls. "I brought these so you guys don't have to worry about someone attacking you."
"Isn't it scary in those things?" Amper asked.
"No, it's actually interesting. You can imagine a whole world for yourself," Pike answered.
"Just for … fun?"
Pike and Mark nodded. "That's the idea."
"I don't know if I'm comfortable with you going inside one of those things Pike. It's one thing to be this way. Actually going inside one of those balls seems to be going too far," Henry said.
"I'll be fine," Pike said.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of them," Mark said.
Petting Amper's head, Mark smiled. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of both of you."
"I'm ready then," Pike said.
"If Pike is okay, then I'm okay," Amper added. Pike translated for Mark.
Mark smiled and placed the first ball before Pike, before opening it. As Pike saw it open, he felt dizzy for a short few seconds. Everything went white as his body felt like it had vanished. He felt a rushing and then found himself inside of the ball.
Initially, there was only a white field. Pike imagined being in a hotel lobby in his human form. Before him, the lobby formed. Pike however, was having trouble getting his form to take hold. It was hard for him to imagine being human. He could get the humanoid form down however; he couldn't seem to remember what it was like without the fur and tail.
Therefore, he ended up imagining himself in an anthropomorphic pikachu form. He wasn't wearing any clothes (with the exception of his baseball cap) but no one reacted. Pike surmised that this was because this was indeed all in his mind. He was so accustomed to being naked that it wasn't indecent to him. Others had become so used to it that he didn't expect anyone to question him.
Pike approached the front desk.
"Greetings, which way is your pool?" he asked.
---
Amper floated in a sea of white. She had never experienced anything like this before. Pike had told her to use her imagination. She still wasn't sure exactly why. Imagining things wouldn't make her a better fighter and it wouldn't give her more food.
Despite that, she tried to push aside those doubts. Perhaps Pike did have something. She trusted him enough to know that he wouldn't tell her to do something if it would harm her somehow. She knew he was different. He said he used to be human. Even if she didn't think that was possible, she knew Pike wouldn't lie.
Amper did her best to picture their shelter. Slowly, the white around her began to form into recognisable shapes. She felt solid ground underneath her feet and found herself on Pike's nest, or bed as Pike called it.
She imagined Pike being there and a second later; Pike hopped onto the bed in front of her. For a second he stood there, as though unsure of what to do.
"Hi Pike," she said.
"Hi," Pike said.
Amper was not used to holding back and got right to the point. "Let's play!"
"Okay," Pike said.
This time, Pike was the one to jump off the bed with Amper in pursuit.
---
Pike relaxed in the hotel pool. He was alone, something that didn't feel comfortable. He was still in his pikachu/human hybrid form. He kept looking at his right arm and trying to focus enough for it to become a human appendage. Unfortunately, he couldn't succeed.
"Okay, this is weird, what's wrong with me?"
A shadow suddenly loomed over Pike. Looking behind him, Pike saw his human self standing there.
"What are you doing Pike?" his human self asked.
"What are you talking about?" Pike asked.
"You don't belong here! You're not human anymore. Why are you trying to live in the human world?"
As Pike's human image said this. The world started to fade. The pool remained, but it became a small spring. The hotel around it faded, a forest replacing it.
"What's happening?" Pike asked.
Pike's human image grew until Pike, while still in humanoid form was no bigger then his animal self. His human image reached down and lifted Pike out of the water.
"This is your world Pike. Stop denying what you are!"
"No! I may look like an animal on the outside but inside I'm still me!" Pike said.
"Are you sure about that?" His human image said.
Pike did his best to concentrate. He pictured himself being in his living room, which was a safe location in his mind. The forest faded, his living room replacing it. His human image was gone. Pike was human sized and shaped but he still had his fur and tail.
"Why do you fight it Pike?" the voice was his mothers.
She walked out from the kitchen and approached Pike. The young man realised he still wasn't wearing any clothes. That however, didn't bother him.
"Does it even bother you that you're not wearing anything?" his mother asked.
"I am wearing something, my fur!" Pike said.
His mother crossed her arms and shook her head. "A human wouldn't say that."
She's right. I can't believe I said that.
Remmie appeared behind Pike. Pike turned to see his brother smiling. "Let's go on an adventure!"
"Remmie, I can't just do that."
"It would be fun. You'd be the smartest pikachu out there. We'd kick butt!" Remmie said.
Pike turned back to his mother. "Say something. Tell him he's crazy!"
"Is he? I think you want to play with your brother Pike."
Pike felt Remmie take his right hand. The image of Pike's living room vanished, this time a stadium replacing it. Pike was right in the middle in his pikachu form with Remmie at his side. Cheering fans packed the stands. Across from Pike and Remmie was another boy.
"Ready?" Remmie asked.
"No, I … I can't do this. I can't give into this!" Pike protested.
"We're here!" Remmie said.
Before Pike could process what Remmie had said, everything went white. Pike felt himself soaring out of the ball and onto the floor. Shaking the cobwebs from his mind, Pike saw Amper standing beside him. Mark was behind them. They appeared to be standing at the front door to Mark's house.
"We're here!" Mark said.