Just your average Pika
Chapter 10
Pokémon is copyright Nintendo and Gamefreak. I intend no copyright infringement with this work.
I'd like to extend a thank you to Jeremy Band for proof reading this chapter for me.
Pike now knows about what Rachel is doing. He's also determined to find Pichka and help her if possible.
In this chapter, we also see some of what Rachel is doing through her eyes. I'm hoping that she doesn't seem quite as evil once we know why she's doing what she's doing.
---
Pike stared at the shirt in disbelief. He had been afraid Mark was going to go through with this.
Rachel must have convinced him. But, he's her son! Maybe she just hated being alone. That's why she came on so strong with me.
Despite his attempts to rationalise Rachel's actions, Pike couldn't help but worry about Mark. Had the boy thought his decision through or had Rachel manipulated him somehow?
"If Mark gets to be a pokémon, so should I," Remmie declared.
"No!" Pike cried.
"But, you're cool like this! We can do stuff that we couldn't before," Remmie pointed out.
Pike shook his head. "It's not that simple Remmie!"
"Why not? You're so cool now. I still want my other friends to see you. If I were like you, I'd be popular and cool!"
Pike looked at his brother sadly. The world was a simpler place to him. Things tended to be black and white instead of gray. Pike was all right from Remmie's point of view, Pike knew that Remmie figured he would be all right.
He looks up to me. If I tell him how hard it's been for me, I might scare him. On the other hand, it might motivate him to help Mark.
"This is serious. It's not like Mark just bought a new shirt or something. Why would Rachel change all of these people?" Pike wondered.
"Why not just ask her?" Tiffany asked.
"I still have to help Pichka. If she used to be human, I need to do everything to help her remember who she was," Pike said.
"What if she's happy the way she is or you can't help her?" Tiffany asked.
"Her family has the right to know what happened to her. Besides, if that happened to me, I'd want you guys to help me," Pike said.
"I know. I'm just saying that if she's happy then maybe we should leave her be," Tiffany replied.
Maybe that's true. Then again, if I leave her like that, we'll never know what she could accomplish.
"Then she wouldn't get smarter," Amper said.
"What did she say?" Tiffany asked.
Pike offered to translate.
"We can teach them how to be smarter," Amper said.
"What if Amper and I stayed with them for a while. We might be able to help Pichka and make the others smarter," Pike said.
"What if you end up like Pichka?" Tiffany asked.
She has a point. I'm already having enough trouble as it is. Anyway, if Rachel is changing others, I should do something.
"Okay, staying with them is a bad idea. But, you need to understand that they helped me. I could have ended up as a wild animal or died if it weren't for them," Pike said.
"I know Pike, but I'm worried that you'll become obsessed with trying to help Pichka because you want to help yourself. Just make sure you're doing this for the right reason," Tiffany said.
Pike nodded. "I'll make sure that I know where to draw the line. Anyway, even if I don't, I have you guys to help me."
"After Pike helps this Eva person, maybe I can go to Mark's house and ask if he's home?" Remmie asked.
"It's too risky. For all we know, Rachel might convince you to become a pokémon as a friend for Mark!" Tiffany said.
"So, I can be cool like Pike and Mark," Remmie said.
"Why don't we sleep on this? It's getting late," Tiffany said.
"You guys go ahead. I … need some alone," Pike said.
Pike looked back towards the spring as he listened to Tiffany and Remmie enter their tents. Amper hopped over to his right side soon after. The situation had gone from his accepting his form to something more insidious in a matter of minutes. Pike in a sense was looking forward to seeing Pichka now that he knew she used to be a human. However, he also worried that anything he could say might make her situation worse.
Then there was the matter with Mark and Rachel. Pike wanted to know what Rachel was doing. She had a way of getting people to side with her.
Last time I went into that water, my entire life changed. If the spring never existed, Eva, Rachel, the others and I would be going about our lives as normal. Yet, I'd have never met Amper, at least not as I know her now. She's done so much for me and I apparently for her. I can't image life without her.
"My becoming a Pikachu was an accident. Yet, looking back, I'm glad it happened. We could never have been together as we are now if it weren't for that spring. Rachel wanted me to accept my form. If she's changing other people, I'm not sure what to do."
"Did Mark want to be this way?" Amper asked.
"He seemed to. I told him that he shouldn't be so hasty with such a decision. Yet, if Rachel wanted to be with Mark as mother and son, maybe she did the right thing. We can play with him now. When Remmie is old enough, he could take all of us on an adventure. Yet, Mark's given up his humanity. I don't know what to think."
"Maybe we can help him to stay smart?" Amper asked.
"It might work. Although, I'm not sure he wants to stay smart," Pike said.
"Even if he doesn't want to stay smart, we can help him," Amper said.
"I hope he wants us to help him."
Although, do we have the right? I'm not Mark's father. Rachel is his mother; she has the right to raise her son as she sees fit, even if I disagree with what she's doing. If I try to make Mark think like I want him to then I'm no better then Rachel was when she seduced me. I need to relax for a while.
"Do you want to take a bath together? It might be relaxing," Pike asked.
"Is it safe?" Amper asked.
Pike took Amper's paws into his own. "I'll make sure nothing hurts you."
Together, Pike and Amper approached the spring. Pike's heart skipped a beat. The instinct to flee was growing within him. However, with Amper with him, he felt stronger. The water was warm against his feet. He and Amper strolled in until they were shoulder deep. They both turned and faced each other.
Pike leaned forward to kiss Amper. When their lips met, Pike felt a tingle. A vision entered his mind of him and Amper as humans doing the same thing. As a human, Amper was about Pike's age, but a little shorter. She had yellow hair down to her shoulders and green eyes. Water from the spring, now at level with her navel, glistened off her body.
"Amper, is that you?" Pike asked.
"Pike, is that you?" Amper asked.
Pike was his human self with the exception of golden blonde hair on his arms.
"Yes. I … I don't understand," Pike said.
Then, as soon as it began, it was over. Pike was his Pikachu self kissing Amper. They stopped and Pike looked Amper and then himself over to confirm their forms.
"What was that?" Amper asked.
"I … I don't know," Pike said.
---
After Rachel had returned with Samuel and revealed that he'd become a Furret like her, Mark hadn't understood Samuel's motivations. Both Rachel and Pike's transformations were accidental. The eight-year-old remembered his mother's words. I've opened a new world of discovery for Samuel. I can use that spring to help others. There are many people in the world who have no hope and/or nowhere to go. I want to offer them a chance to start over in a new form. They can make a new life for themselves.
The first of these people had been a girl Mark's age named Katrina. She'd run away from home because her parents were always fighting. She had a pet Meowth that she'd taken with her. Mark had become friends with her. Two days after she'd arrived, Rachel had taken Katrina to the spring. She'd become a Meowth. Unfortunately, because she couldn't yet speak English, Mark hadn't been able to understand her.
Others had joined what Rachel dubbed their family in the interim.
Two days prior, Mark had gone to the spring with Katrina and joined her as a Meowth. Now that Mark could understand Katrina and the others, he found it easier getting along with Katrina after her change. Mark wondered if perhaps it was because he was used to relating to Rachel.
Mark awoke on the third day of what Rachel appointed as Mark's liberation.
Jumping off his bed, Mark looked at his reflection in the mirror. The sight of a Meowth looking back at him still shocked and surprised him. Mark was still adjusting to his lack of clothing. However, he was starting to enjoy being able to run around like this and get away with it.
Rachel let Mark keep his own room, although he now shared it with Katrina. However, Rachel insisted that they use separate beds, both of which were now smaller.
The others, eight so far, slept in smaller rooms. Some even slept outside when they wanted to.
While Samuel stayed close to Rachel, he didn't usurp Cal. Despite not having changed yet, Cal was still Rachel's husband.
Mark wanted to show his new form to Pike. Now, he felt that they could play together without any problems. From Mark's point of view, Katrina wasn't his girlfriend. However, she and Amper could be friends, which from Mark's point of view, would make Pike like him even more.
"M…Mark, you in here?" A voice from the hallway asked.
It was the voice of Lenny, who having changed only ten days ago was still learning how to speak English in his new form. He'd been a homeless man of thirty-two years old who'd lost his house after the company he'd worked for went bankrupt. Rachel often saw him in the park when she'd gone for walks with Mark. After changing Samuel, Rachel had finally come forward to Lenny.
Mark motioned Lenny to walk into the room. A Charmander dressed in a black shirt and hat did so. Lenny had told Mark that wearing clothes in his new form made him look cool, so Mark didn't question it. It hadn't been easy for Rachel to find fireproof clothing. She however, had told Lenny that he was worth it. Undergoing what was also an age regression had been strange for Lenny. However, Lenny had told Mark that he loved the chance to start over with the knowledge he'd gained.
"Yeah," Mark said.
"Sorry, I don't know a word for your name. It's hard for me to say it," Lenny said.
"That's okay, we'll get it eventually," Mark said.
"I'm just glad I have somewhere to stay now. I never did well in life as a human. It's nice to have a fresh start," Lenny said.
"Yeah, it is interesting being this way. Just wait until Pike sees us. He and my Mom don't have to be the only ones like this anymore," Mark said.
"Who's Pike?" Lenny asked.
"It's a long story," Mark said.
Lenny grinned. "We have time."
-
Rachel stood in her yard watching over what she considered to be her family. She'd had to convince Samuel to join her. Indeed, she felt bad for using that move on him. However, his assistance in finding the others had made it worth it.
She had taken responsibility for him and had made sure to inform him of that after changing him. The others had been easier to convince with Samuel there. Including Mark, There were ten in total.
Four of those people were homeless adults. Rachel hated the idea of people having to beg for money. As a mayor, she'd never had to worry about money. It pleased her that she was finally able to use her money to help people.
The other five were either orphans or children whose situations were difficult enough at home that they had little other choice.
I'm not sure why Sam wants to find that Pikachu. If she's happy with who she is, I think he should leave her alone.
Samuel however was insistent in searching for Pichka. As such, he'd left a few days prior. Without Samuel's help, Rachel felt hindered in her quest. However, she also believed that she had enough people to keep her busy for some time.
Rachel wasn't sure why Mark had chosen a Meowth as his form. He'd only known Katrina for a short time. While it disappointed Rachel that Mark didn't choose her form, she understood that kids have a need to differentiate themselves from their parents.
I know that Cal wants to join me. Finally, we'll be able to be together as nature intended. Pike was enjoyable. However, he's young, inexperienced and isn't my husband. We're not even the same species! With Pike, it was just a release. I hope that I showed him it that it's okay to let go in this form.
Rachel watched Ollie and Penelope wrestle in front of her. Both had chosen an Eevee as their form. They were both orphans Mark's age that Rachel had in a sense, adopted. Rachel saw them as a brother and sister for Mark.
They don't have to worry about school anymore. They're free from having no one. Now, they can enjoy life. The human world may have been cruel to them but this world will not.
Rachel approached the duo when they stopped wrestling.
"Don't we have to study now?" Ollie asked.
"Yeah, the teachers always said we needed to!" Penelope said.
Rachel shook her head. "No, you don't have to if you don't want to. Enjoy life in ways that you couldn't before. If you want to play then play. If you want to explore the woods then feel free. If you want to take a nap, go ahead."
The two former humans both stood up and ran further into the yard. Rachel knew they were happy, which delighted her. She approached a bench where Steve, a 12-year-old that had run away from home was lying while reading a book. He'd chosen to become a Pichu. Rachel didn't tell him how cute she thought he was. A part of her still cared for Pike and wanted Steve to be a baby brother for the young man and his mate to care for.
Steve almost reminded Rachel of a younger Pike. However, her relationship with the boy was different. Pike was a man while Steve wasn't even a teenager yet. Steve was a smart boy and Rachel saw a lot of potential in him. However, she wasn't sure he should be trying to emulate human behaviour.
"You don't need to do that any more," Rachel said.
"I want to. I've never had the chance to read this many books. With so much time, there's so much I can read," Steve said.
"If you want to, then that's okay. Maybe I can get some comic books for you?" Rachel asked.
"You can? I like them too. However, I don't want you to work that hard. You've already done so much for me," Steve said.
"We're family now so it's not a problem."
"Thanks, Mrs. Johnstone!" Steve said.
Rachel put a hand on Steve's right shoulder. "Please, call me Rachel."
Steve looked at Rachel and smiled. "Rachel."
Rachel petted him on the back and left Steve to his reading.
-
"So, that's who Pike is," Mark said, completing his tale about Pike.
"He sounds like an interesting person. How come he's not here?" Lenny asked.
"Pike has his own place and a female Pikachu as a friend," Mark said.
"Oh … I get it," Lenny said.
"Get what?" Mark said.
"You said Pike has a female friend. He must want privacy," Lenny said with a wink.
Mark cocked his head. "What do you mean?"
"You'll find out when you're older. Besides, you and Katrina seem to like each other," Lenny said.
"We're just friends! Anyway, we just met," Mark said.
Lenny grinned. "She is cute though."
"Well yeah but … hey!"
"Gotcha!" Lenny said.
Mark blushed. "Wanna go for a walk for something?"
"Sure, maybe I could roast some berries for us," Lenny said. He looked at his tail and grinned. "Now that I have that ability, might as well use it."
---
Pike awoke to the sound of birds chirping. Remmie was sleeping beside him. Amper was with Tiffany. After the incident in the spring and learning the truth about Pichka, Pike had difficulty sleeping.
All night, when he could sleep, he'd dreamed about him and Amper being human. It made him realise the things he was missing by being this way. While his life was simpler with fewer worries and responsibility, he had far less opportunities. Pike knew that while people still respected him, his current form limited not only how far he could go but also how seriously people would take him.
I've accepted being this way. Yet, if Amper and I could be human, there's a lot more we can do. Then again, we'd have to get jobs and would miss some of the more fun stuff in life.
Opening the tent, Pike hoped outside and took in the morning air. It was cool out, however the air was clean and fresh. He walked over to Tiffany's tent and whispered Amper's name. Pike managed to open the tent and saw Amper sleeping beside Tiffany.
Pike leapt into the tent and touched Amper's side while calling her name. She opened her eyes and looked at Pike.
"I had strange um, what do you call them?" Amper asked.
"Let's go outside and talk about it," Pike said.
Amper nodded and stood up before she and Pike walked outside and over to the spring. Pike was thirsty and wondered if it was safe for him to drink from it.
"Did you have strange dreams?" Pike asked.
"I think so. When I sleep, I sometimes think I'm somewhere else doing stuff," Amper said.
"Tell me about them," Pike said.
Pike risked a drink from the spring. The water was delicious and invigorating. He drank until he was full. Amper hopped over to Pike, looked at him and began to drink the water herself. When she was done, Pike smiled at her.
"Good isn't it?" he asked.
"You shouldn't drink that water," a voice from behind the bushes said.
Pike leapt in front of Amper, his cheeks sparking. "Whoever you are, I can hear you!"
The bushed rustled. Pike readied himself for battle. Seconds later, Pike watched a Furret that was dressed in a black polo shirt and black fingerless gloves walk out from the bushes. His clothes were dirty and he looked as though he'd taken several days to get here.
Who the hell is that?
"Who are you?" Pike asked, not bothering to switch to Pikachu speak.
"You might not recognise me … Pike," the Furret said.
Pike's cheeks sparked. "How did you know my name?"
"I know who you are. There aren't too many English speaking Pikachu out there. Not yet anyway," the Furret said.
"Then who are you?" Pike asked.
"My name is Samuel. I was Rachel's driver. She convinced me to swim with her in that spring. It did this to me. Convinced probably isn't the best word. She used a move on me to lower my defences. I don't remember what it's called. I saw the diary of that young woman that ended up like us. I wanted to find her so I could help her. I'm glad that I ran into you."
"I don't understand. Why is Rachel is doing this intentionally?" Pike asked.
"She wants to help people. Mark, the boy you seemed to enjoy the company of isn't human anymore," Samuel said.
Pike looked in the direction of Mark's clothes. "I know, I saw his clothes."
"It's not too late Pike. We can help these people. That is, the ones that want our help. I can tell by the look on your face that you're wondering what I mean. You see, Rachel has been taking in people that have nowhere to go. She's helped homeless people and children who were orphans or ran away. I wasn't sure I agreed with her position. She's provided them with a happy life, yet she's limited how far they can go."
"Tell me about it," Pike said. He looked at Amper and then back at Samuel. "I've accepted what I am. Yet, I've found that I'm wondering what life will be like now. My opportunities are somewhat limited by my form. I find that simpler things keep me occupied. However, I want Amper to be able to learn and grow even if I'm not sure why she feels the need to. It's frustrating."
Samuel nodded. "I understand what you're going through Pike. These past few days have been enjoyable for me as well. A part of me wants to explore this form and the world. I've never thought of battling before. Now, the idea seems intriguing. However, I know that there are things I cannot do as I am now that I could as a human," Samuel said.
Pike nodded.
Samuel smiled as he looked at Amper. "Having a friend must make things easier for you. Being young I suspect does the same."
Pike had a feeling of what Samuel was getting at.
"I want to learn more about being human. Pike is fun; he's shown me a world beyond what I knew. Yet, he seems to want to stay this way and stop learning," Amper said.
"It is difficult not to lose oneself. As humans, we had responsibilities. When faced with losing those responsibilities and being able to focus more on ones instinct and desire, it is easy to wish to forget those duties. However Pike, we need to hang on and find this Eva. I worry that it's too late for her. If we do not convince Rachel of her mistakes, it may soon be too late for us all," Samuel said.
"What if she really does want to help people?" Pike asked.
"That's the problem. Her intentions are noble but her methods are … not. We need not only to help ourselves but her as well."
Pike nodded. "Then we'd better get started."
Samuel nodded. "I don't know if we can change back. However, I am certain that we can still maintain who we are. However, this doesn't mean we cannot explore our new forms. We just need to know where to draw the line."
Nodding, Pike ran over to the tents to wake Remmie and Tiffany. Samuel had not only confirmed his fears but also something a part of him wanted; others like him. Pike wanted to help Eva. A part of him knew that his desire to help her was also a desire to help himself. He could only hope that he wasn't too late.
---
Pike and the others made their way towards the Pikachu colony. Tiffany and Remmie were behind the trio as they walked with Pike leading. Tiffany was carrying the journal so the group could show it to Pichka. Samuel was starting to be able to speak English as a Furret. However, his grammar was still simple.
"Don't you find it hot in those clothes?" Pike asked.
"Yes but it would be wrong for me to walk around naked," Samuel asked.
"You have your fur now. For me, a hat is enough," Pike said.
"Don't you feel naked?" Samuel asked.
"At first I did. But now, I just don't feel the need to cover myself anymore. I still wear my hat because I want people to know I used to be human."
"I understand feeling that way Pike. However, the lack of clothing seems one more step towards losing ones humanity. I would love to let go as some would say," Samuel said.
"Rachel encouraged me to let go. She wanted me to enjoy being this way," Pike said.
"She tried the same thing on me. She said I should accept his body as my own," Samuel said.
"I know she wants us to be happy and her arguments make a lot of sense. Yet, she's too willing to give up what's left of her humanity," Pike said.
Looking back at Remmie, Pike switched to pikaspeak so as to have some privacy. He still wasn't keen on doing this. He never liked it when people spoke languages he didn't know in public as it always felt like they were telling secrets. However, he rationalised that he needed to do it.
"My brother wants to join me. I keep saying no because it would be wrong. More than anything, I'd love to have a Pichu companion for Amper and I to play with. Yet, if I gave into his requests, it would be wrong. I'd be no better then Rachel. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
Samuel switched to Furret speak.
"No Pike, you needed to say it because it's true. I don't believe Rachel is doing what she's doing out of malevolence. She's an ambitious woman that, like anyone else, wants the best for her son. As a mayor, she also wishes the best for the citizens of her city. Unfortunately, while her human ambition is intact, it seems her conscience is not. From her point of view, being this way is better for us all. While we know it would be wrong to force it upon others, she seems unaware of this," Samuel said.
"The question is, what do we do?" Pike asked.
"Hey Pike?" Amper asked.
"Yes?" Pike asked.
"Can I get a hat like yours?" Amper asked.
Samuel smiled. "I think she'd look cute in a hat."
"I don't see why not," Pike said. Switching back to English, Pike looked back at Tiffany. "Do you think Amper would look good in a baseball cap like mine?"
Tiffany smiled. "I think she'd look cute."
"Me too, she'd be cool!" Remmie said.
"I'd say it's unanimous," Samuel said.
"So Pike, are we getting close to that colony yet?" Remmie asked.
Pike looked around and sniffed the air. The area seemed familiar. He heard something in the distance. A shiver ran down Pike's spine when a familiar scent made its way into his nostrils. It was Pichka. As soon as he knew it was her, he felt a sense of familiarity.
"I can smell her," Pike said.
"Smell who?" Tiffany asked.
"Pichka … Eva, she's close by," Pike said.
Turning around, Pike looked at the others. "You guys stay here. She knows me, so she probably won't run away. She's thinking like a natural Pikachu, so she'll listen to her instincts now."
The others nodded and Pike started walking in the direction of Pichka's scent. Knowing who she was had him of two minds. Before, she was a wild animal willing to play or even mate with him at the drop of a hat. There was a real temptation to stay with her. Now however, she was a human that had lost herself to her form. Somewhere inside of that body was someone that needed Pike's help.
"Pichka, are you there?" Pike said. He stuck to pikaspeak so as not to alarm her.
Pike walked further toward the sound and scent. Then before his eyes, a bush parted and Pichka walked out from it. She approached and sniffed Pike.
"Pike, is that you?" she asked.
Looking at the female Pikachu before him, Pike was of two minds. Pikchka was wild now; she was the perfect example of allowing ones instinct and desires to control her actions. Looking her over, Pike saw that she had some dust on her. Her scent was stronger than Amper's. This was a wild animal before him; there was no doubt about that. A part of Pike wanted to pounce on Pichka. Pike, however, kept himself in control for her sake.
"Yes, it's me. How are you doing?" Pike asked.
"I was going to take a bath in that water that made you a Pikachu like me," Pichka said.
Pike felt nervous, he was unsure what to say next. A part of him, the feral aspect that he seemed to have awakened, desired Pichka. However, his conscience held him back.
Damn it, I love Amper yet I find myself wanting Pichka as well. What the heck is wrong with me?
Pike realised that his conscience was what in many ways was keeping him sane. He wanted to play with Remmie as a pikachu but he knew it would be wrong to change the boy. In Pike's mind, Remmie was too young to understand the long-term ramifications of becoming this way.
I have to say something to her.
"Pichka … are you okay?" Pike asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. You okay Pike?" Pichka asked.
"Yes, I … I brought my family with me … human family and a friend. I came looking for you," Pike said.
Pichka cocked her head. "Do you want to come back and stay with us?"
Come on, say it, you can do it.
"No, I … I know who you are," Pike said.
"Of course you know me," Pichka said.
"I mean … I know who you were before," Pike said.
Just then, Pike heard the others walking up behind him. Pichka's ears perked and she turned to run.
"It's okay, they're my friends and family," Pike said.
"You got back to your nest?" Pichka asked.
"Yes," Pike said.
Amper was the first to arrive, she walked over to Pike.
"Hi," Amper said.
"Who's this?" Pichka asked.
"She's my … mate," Pike said.
"Who're they?" Pichka asked.
"That's my brother and sister. The Furret is a friend," Pike said.
Pichka looked at Samuel, she seemed nervous as though she didn't quite believe Pike's story.
"A Furret and a Pikachu friends? I've never heard of that before," Pichka said.
"I used to be human like Pike … and you," Samuel said.
Pichka looked at the group. "Human? I wasn't human!"
"What are you guys saying?" Remmie asked.
"I was just introducing everyone to Pichka," Pike said, this time in English.
Pike decided to stick with English.
Pichka jumped and appeared frightened. "You speak the human's language?"
"You can too Pichka, you used to be human. Don't you remember?" Samuel asked.
"Why would I speak the human's language?" Pichka asked.
"Pichka, we found your diary, we know your name is or at least used to be Eva," Pike said.
Pichka looked at the group and shook her head. For a few seconds, Pike was sure she was starting to remember. He looked into her eyes certain he could see some level of recognition from her. Unfortunately, she didn't react how Pike felt she would. Shaking her head, Pichka turned and started running.
"Shit!" Pike swore.
"Well, go after her!" Samuel said.
"I don't know, what if it's better to accept that she's a Pikachu now and to leave her alone?" Tiffany asked.
"Isn't that mean? What if her family wants to know where she is?" Remmie asked.
"Come on, let's go after her!" Pike said.
Pike ran in the direction Pichka had. He was amazed at the rate Pichka was able to navigate the bushes and forest floor. Doing his best to keep up, Pike used the knowledge that Eva was still herself at least somewhere inside to motivate him. However, Pike also knew that given the problems he was having, getting Eva to remember who she used to be would be difficult. He'd been having problems with thinking of himself as a human in the body of a pikachu already. For Pichka, by now, this could be her identity!
Do I have the right to do this to her?
"Pichka, I just want to help you!" Pike yelled out.
Pike saw Pichka sitting under a tree nearby. He stopped and approached her.
"Please, let me … us help you."
"Leave me alone!" Pichka said.
You're coming on too strong, back up a bit.
Pike took a few steps backwards. He waited for Amper to catch up to him. This was not going to be easy. Doing his best to put himself into Pichka's position, Pike wondered how he would feel if someone told him what they'd told Pichka. She'd long since accepted that she was going to be this way, possibly for the rest of her life. Pike wagered that Eva had begun repressing her memories of being human and became Pichka, possibly to keep herself sane.
"Pichka … I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you," Pike said.
"Why are you telling me these lies?" Pichka asked.
"They're not lies," Pike said.
"Pike has shown me all sorts of neat stuff about being human. How come you guys want to stay in the wild?" Amper asked.
"We're free out here!" Pichka said.
"But then predators can get you or humans can capture you! You don't have any books out here either," Amper said.
"Books?" Pichka asked.
Her tone suggested she was starting to remember. Pike didn't want to upset her, yet he wanted her to remember.
"Do you remember?" Pike asked.
"I … I don't know," Pichka said.
"We can learn a lot about our world from books. Pike taught me how to read. Now I see the world differently. I want Pike to stay smart too," Amper said.
"Learning … I remember wanting to learn something," Pichka said.
Yes, she wanted to learn about the spring. Come on Pichka … Eva, you can do it!
"Yes, you did," Samuel said. Pike turned to see Samuel walking up behind them holding the Journal. "You wanted to learn about the spring, to see what it could do. You were right about it. That spring changed me as well."
Samuel put the journal in front of Pichka. She looked at it and shook her head.
"I looked up your family after Rachel did this to me. They're worried about you. I want to reunite you with them. I don't want to rush you Pichka. We just want to help you," Samuel said.
"My family is at my nest. Kevin is my mate. We want to have Pichus together. I'm fine as I am. Why do you want to help me?" Pichka asked.
Pike looked at Amper when he realised he had the same desire with Amper.
"Don't rush her," Pike said.
Samuel nodded. "Don't worry, I'll take it nice and slow."
"Your parents Pichka. Your older sister Nora and two younger brothers Jason and Ian," Samuel said.
"My … littermates? But I left the nest a long time ago. I … but. Aren't they Pikachu?" Pichka asked.
"Slow down a bit," Pike said.
"They're human," Samuel said.
Pichka looked at the journal. Pike saw some level of recognition in her eyes. They seemed to be getting through to her. However, Pike had a feeling that she was still in denial. Pike understood this. Pichka's entire world was coming apart. The fog in her mind was perhaps starting to clear. However, what she saw frightened her.
"I wrote this," Pichka said. She ran her paws over the pages and smelled the paper. "I don't know how. I … can't write. I don't understand these words. No, I couldn't have written it!"
Pichka's cheeks began to spark.
"Don't fight it Pichka," Samuel said.
Pike looked at Samuel. "It seems to be working."
Shaking her head, Pichka appeared upset.
"Eva … I'm Eva. I wanted to know if that spring could turn a human into a pokémon. It can … it turned Pike … me too. No, that was a dream. I … this is impossible!" Pichka said.
"It's not impossible Pichka … Eva. It wasn't a dream," Samuel said. His tone was calm and soothing.
"It's real … I … where is Kevin?" Eva asked.
"I don't know," Pike said.
Eva scratched her head and shook her head. "This is crazy. I don't understand!"
"We can help you," Samuel said.
"I can't leave Kevin! He's my mate! The others are my friends," Eva said.
"Maybe he can come with us," Pike said.
"I can teach you guys stuff," Amper said.
"We're happy like we are. Why would we want to learn?" Eva asked.
"Learning is fun! I never knew what I was missing out on!" Amper said.
"We're fine as we are. We know what we need to know. You want me to learn where I came from. You're confusing me. I don't want you to confuse the others!" Eva said.
"We just want to help you Eva," Samuel said.
"I'm fine as I am as Pichka! Why do you tell me these things! I remember some things but they don't make sense! These markings somehow make sense but I don't know how to read. I remember writing them but I can't write! Pike, you and Samuel wear the pretend fur humans wear. I remember wearing it but don't remember why!" Eva asked.
Pike realised that they weren't helping her right now. If anything, they were hurting her. However, he also knew that sometimes, the more one helped someone, the more they hurt them. Pichka seemed to remember being Eva, even if she didn't understand her memories or knowledge. Pike was of two minds. If Pichka were happy as a Pikachu, Pike wondered if it were best to leave her be. However, she could do much as a human that she couldn't as a Pikachu. Winter was coming and Pike knew that Pichka could end up not making it. While she was free in the wild, anything could happen to her.
"I'm worried about myself. I'm finding that it's easier for me to just be a Pikachu rather then a human in the body of one. If I can't help you, I worry that I won't be able to stop myself from losing who I am," Pike said.
Pichka looked at Pike. Again, Pike swore he saw recognition in her eyes. He wished he had psychic abilities so he could help her.
"I know you're happy as you are. However, I also know that if you can remember who you were … if you knew what you'd lost and are missing out on, you wouldn't be as happy," Pike said.
"I never knew what I was missing out on before Pike showed me how to read. I've learned so much. I don't want to go back to being a normal Pikachu," Amper said.
"Pike … I … it's like I remember something. It's so hard to recall," Eva said.
Eva stood up and approached Pike. She looked into his eyes. "I think I want to remember. Help me!"
Pike hugged Eva. "I'll do what I can," he said.
---
Rachel stood before the lake bordering her property. The lake led to a river, which led, (if one swam for a couple of hours) to an ice cave where a group of Seel and some ice types lived. She watched Ian, an adult who'd become a Seel. As he surfaced, she knelt and petted him on the back.
"Hello handsome. It's been a few days since I've seen you," she said.
"I've been exploring. Not only didn't I have a job or anywhere to go but I used to be afraid of the water. Now, you saved me from those and gave me the time to explore the world as I've always wanted to do," Ian said.
"I'm glad to have helped you," Rachel said.
"I met a female," Ian said.
Rachel smiled, "that's wonderful. Can I meet her at some point?"
Ian nodded. "Can I do one of those show things? Like where I do tricks for humans? It would be so cool to be the Seel in one of those!"
"Ian, you can do whatever you want now," Rachel said.
Hearing the chirp of a Pidgeot, Rachel stood up. "Pardon me."
She looked in the sky and walked a short distance to see Adam, a Pidgeot she'd asked to keep an eye on Samuel fly down. Adam, someone Rachel recruited a week prior, had been 18 years old and confined to a wheelchair for his entire life. Becoming a Pidgeot had not only given him full mobility, it had also allowed him to realise his lifelong dream of flying.
Adam had been so grateful that he was willing to do this for Rachel as a favour so long as she didn't hurt Pike or Samuel. Rachel had explained to him that she had no intention of hurting anyone. Her concern for Pike and Samuel was that they misunderstood her and needed her help.
"How is Samuel doing?" Rachel asked.
"He and Pike have found that female Pikachu they were after," Adam said.
"I see. I don't understand why Pike and Samuel won't leave her alone. Her human life is a part of her past. It's her current life that matters. She is free from that existence. Why do they persist in trying to hold onto their humanity?" Rachel asked.
Adam offered no explanation as he honestly couldn't come up with one.
"I can't let Pike do this. He could ruin the whole thing. Yet, I can't bring myself to harm him. There must be a solution."
"Maybe you need someone to protect you. Pike is an electric type, use a ground or rock type," Adam suggested.
"Good idea Adam. Perhaps there is a species for Cal to become. Pike doesn't understand what I'm trying to do. The way he and perhaps even Samuel are thinking, one would think I want to turn every human on the planet into Pokemon. That isn't what I want."
"I understand," Adam said.
"Thank you for your help. I'll take it from here."
Adam flew off and Rachel looked into the distance at her house. She saw the two Eevees playing and Mark and Katrina walking together. She hated the idea of losing this because people didn't understand what she was trying to do. With a sigh, she contemplated her next move.