Just your average Pika
Chapter 11
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.
Having discovered Pichka, Pike is determined to help her recover her memories and return her to her family. However, Kevin who has become Pichka's mate is equally determined for Pichka to leave her past behind and accept her current existence.
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Pichka walked back toward her nest and shelter with Pike, his mate and the others. She was bewildered. Before today, she thought that she was always as she was now. However, nonsensical images from before her time at the colony were entering her mind. She remembered being with a human family – her family.
Pike wouldn't lie to her. He'd been human before he was a Pikachu. If it happened to him, Pichka knew it could have happened to her.
If what Pike is saying is true, why can't I remember?
Then there was that thing they showed her. They said she wrote it. It looked familiar. However, she couldn't write or read human words!
But why do they mean something to me?
It was as though she were trying to remember a dream.
"Pike?" Pichka asked.
"Yes?" Pike asked.
Pichka didn't understand why Pike spoke in the humans' language.
"Why is it so hard for me to remember?" she asked.
"I don't know. Can you remember what happened to you before you found your way to the colony?" Pike asked.
Pichka pictured that time in her mind. She remembered hearing that the spring could turn a human into a pokémon and had swum in it to test said theory. That was when she became a Pikachu.
No, that can't have happened, it's impossible. If I'm a Pikachu now, then I must have always been one. That spring just made me see the truth.
Pichka stopped and held her head. "I don't know. I … it's impossible…a human can't become a Pikachu!"
Pike touched her head. "Yes, it can. It happened to me."
"What can happen?" Remmie asked.
"Pichka isn't sure a human can become a Pokémon," Pike said.
"Maybe if she swims with me, we can show her that it can happen," Remmie said.
"Remmie, I can't do that to you," Pike said.
"I assure you, it can happen," Samuel said.
"We need to prove it to her!" Remmie said.
"If we could reverse it then I'd let you," Pike said.
"But it will help Pichka to remember and we could play and stuff. It's not fair that only you get to be a Pikachu," Remmie countered.
"Mark, we've been over this before, it's not that easy! Mom and Dad would never forgive me!" Pike said.
"If you need proof then I will volunteer," Tiffany said.
Why do they all want to help? Maybe if they're all so eager to prove it then it could be true.
"Pike, if becoming a Pikachu scared you, then it will scare them too!" Pichka said.
"It would scare them. They just want to prove to you that it's possible," Pike said.
"Why do you want to help me? I'm happy here. I have shelter, food, water and a mate! Why would I want to leave that?" Pichka asked.
"Like I said Pichka, I'm finding it harder to think of myself as a human in the body of a Pikachu. If I can help you then maybe I can help myself," Pike said.
"But, why do I need help? I'm happy here!" Pichka said.
"I thought you wanted to remember?" Pike asked.
"I do but I'm scared! What if something I remember makes me want to leave the nest? Kevin told me about the outside world, it sounded scary. How could anyone be happy there?" Pichka asked.
Amper hopped over to Pike's side.
"Pike taught me things I never knew. You'll be happy when you remember," she said.
"But it's so hard! When I sleep, I see myself doing things I'm not really doing. Those things are hard to remember. Right now, it's like trying to remember them!" Pichka cried.
"What are you guys saying?" Tiffany asked.
"Yeah, can I be a Pikachu?" Remmie asked.
"Rachel would say that if Remmie wishes it that we shouldn't deny it to him," Samuel said.
"I know it's hard, Pichka. We know who you were and what it's like to be human. We want you to remember so you can be happy again!" Pike said.
"But I am happy!" Pichka protested.
"I know, but if you knew what you're missing out on by staying here then I don't think you would be," Pike said.
"I … I don't know. Sometimes what I see at night is scary. Maybe I shouldn't remember," Pichka said.
Pike translated Pichka's response to his siblings
"If I were a Pikachu, you wouldn't have to do that. I would understand Pichka," Remmie said.
"I'm sorry Remmie but you know I can't," Pike said.
The human female that Pike called Tiffany walked over to Pichka and knelt down.
"I know it's hard for you to remember. We call the images you see when you sleep 'dreams'. Don't you ever dream about fun stuff?" Tiffany asked.
Pichka nodded. She remembered that word! She had a flash of memory. Words and images flew into her mind of humans discussing the meaning of those images. Pichka had dreamt about being a Pikachu when she was still Eva.
"Pike, I remembered something! Humans think those images mean something," Pichka said.
Remmie crossed his arms. "I still want to be a Pikachu! Why won't you guys let me? Come on Pike, let's swim together!"
"It won't work unless it's a full moon," Samuel said in English.
"Full moon," Pichka whispered.
The expression was familiar to her. Something about it connected to her form. She remembered being in the spring when that large light in the sky was full sized. That was when it was easier to see at night.
Wait, predators are out at night. Why was I in the water then? It doesn't make sense!
"Do you remember?" Pike asked.
"I don't know. What if your littermate is right? What if I have happy memories and not remembering hurts me and I don't know it?" Pichka asked.
"A psychic type can help you. I know an Espeon. We can find your family and they can help you," Pike said.
"But, the colony is my home. Kevin is my mate. I don't want to leave him!" Pichka said.
"He could come with us," Pike said.
"I don't know if he wants to come. I want to remember but if Kevin says it isn't safe then maybe I shouldn't!" Pichka said.
"Why don't we ask him?" Pike asked.
Pichka nodded, turned, and resumed walking toward the colony.
Pike, Pichka, and Amper had entered the colony while Samuel and the others stayed behind. After some hellos, Pike confronted Kevin about Pichka. Kevin had evolved into a powerful Raichu since they had last met. He was taller then Pike and had a commanding appearance. Pike swore that he felt the energy radiating from Kevin. That only made Pike's task harder.
"What are you talking about?" Kevin demanded.
"She used to be human. We know where her family is. I want to help her," Pike said.
"If that is true then why has she never said anything to me about it?" Kevin asked.
"She didn't remember. As soon as I showed her the diary she made, she started to remember. She has the right to know who she was," Pike said.
Kevin pushed against Pike and frowned. "Who she was is of no consequence. Pichka is my mate. I will not allow you to take her from her. This is her home and where she stays," Kevin said.
"Have you considered asking her?" Pike demanded.
"I know what's best for my mate," Kevin countered.
"Pike knows what he's talking about! He's shown me things! I've learned about human stuff and I like it!" Amper protested.
"I want to learn Kevin! I need to remember who I was!" Pichka said.
Kevin looked at Pichka. "No, you don't. You're happy here; we're happy!" He looked back at Pike. "Do you want to take that away from us? You just want to take Pichka for yourself! You have a mate! You should leave us alone and go back to your life!"
"I don't want to take Pichka away from you! I want to help her. You can come with us. Maybe if we can find a way to become human, you can be human too!" Pike said.
"Your words do not make sense. You wear the skins of a human and speak their language. You deny what you are. Do you suggest turning every Pokémon in the world into a human? If fate intended me to be human, I'd have been born as one," Kevin asked.
"That isn't what I meant! I want to give her the chance to regain what she lost. I also am giving you the opportunity to return to civilization," Pike said.
"Civilization? There's nothing civil about it! Taxes, scandals, bad Network TV, traffic jams the people who like their legs need to cough through! Sorry Pike, I don't regret the time I spent with my trainer. Yeah it's more simple here, more dangerous, and staying alive becomes a daily task sometimes, but the truth is, I like it," Kevin said calmly. "And you're not dragging Pichka back into it either... she's leaving over my dead body."
Kevin's cheeks began to glow and spark. Pike feared for his life and for Pichka's. If he ran now, Pichka might never get help. However, if he stayed, Kevin could kill him!
Pichka pushed Pike out of the way and stood before Kevin.
"I may not remember most of my life. However, I do remember enough to know that being human means growing beyond such behaviour. It's painful for me to leave this colony behind. I may not know Pike that well but I know that he only wishes to help me. If you … if acting like this is what being a Pikachu means then you might as well kill me now."
Kevin was startled, his electricity discharging. "Pichka, why are you doing this to me? I love you!"
"Do you, or am I property to you? I need to know the truth. I have family back home. Why not give civilization another chance?" Pichka asked.
"Why can't you be happy with what we have here?" Kevin asked.
"I don't know … I can't explain it," Pichka said.
"If you can't explain it then you're better off not knowing," Kevin said.
Pike picked himself up and looked at Kevin.
"Humans call it complacency. You guys are used to being this way. I'm getting used to being this way. You're comfortable with who you are to the point where you don't want to change for fear of losing what you have," Pike said.
"Why would I want to change? We have food, water and shelter. With Pichka, I have a mate. You have a mate, Pike. You could stay here and have everything you need. Why do you want to stay with humans?" Kevin asked.
"Pike showed me there's more to life then that. I didn't understand at first but now I'm glad he did," Amper said.
"It's like a Seel that's happy to sun himself and swim all day. Must be a comfortable life. However, there isn't much more to that life then that. We may be comfortable if we stay here. I would be lying if I told you that the offer isn't temping," Pike said.
"Why not give into that temptation? The world won't come to an end if you stay here," Kevin said.
"No, but my world would," Pike said.
"I want to get help. Since I met Pike, I've been seeing things when I sleep. Sometimes, I see myself as a human. I didn't understand those images. I need to know if they're real," Pichka said.
"Pichka, you may wish to learn human things but the rest of us do not. We are happy as we are. However, if you wish more…" Kevin turned around and appeared to think the situation over. "I need to speak with the others," he said before hopping off.
Pike turned to face Pichka. "Tell me more about these dreams," he asked.
"I don't understand them. I'm a human girl with fur only on my head and I'm wearing clothes. I see people that I know but it doesn't make sense. I want to find out what they mean," Pichka said.
"We can go to the police and tell them that we've found you. Their Espeon can help you," Pike said.
Maybe I should tell them what Rachel's been doing. They have a right to know. The families of those people need to know.
"I still think of myself as a Pikachu and this as my home. But, I want to know the truth about who I was before I became this way if I used to be human," Pichka said.
Pike petted Pichka on the shoulder. "I know."
Kevin returned soon after. "They said that Pichka has the right to know the truth. However, you are still my mate, Pichka. You are Pichka to me, not a lost human. It is my duty to protect you. If you wish to seek the truth despite my objections to humans' so-called civilisation; I will not stop you and will accompany you on your quest," Kevin said.
"I understand," Pichka said.
"I still consider this my home. If you indeed used to be human, right now you are not. Perhaps, even if that is the truth, you could consider returning here," Kevin said.
"I'll have to think about it, Kevin," Pichka said.
Pike and Amper spent the next while talking to the others before they said their goodbyes and left the colony. They reunited with Tiffany, Samuel and Remmie.
"Kevin, this is my brother Remmie and my sister Tiffany. This is Samuel, he too used to be human," Pike said.
Kevin cocked his head. "As with the humans and Pike, you wear skins that are not your own. Why do you do this?"
"I want to show the others that I used to be human," Samuel said.
"While I do not understand this, I will not oppose you," Kevin said.
"We should get Pichka to the police station so they can start to help her," Pike said.
"I'm glad we found you Pichka. However Pike, we also must confront Rachel," Samuel said.
Pike nodded and climbed onto Remmie's right shoulder. "We'd better get going then."
A few hours later, the group was in a police station.
Kevin appeared uncomfortable as he looked around. He was out of his element and seemed lost.
Pike was staying close to Pichka, wanting to make sure she didn't panic. Tiffany stood at the front desk, talking to the officer, who was a woman in her thirties.
"Just look up the name Eva Hargrove. The database should list her as a missing person. We have her here," Tiffany said.
Tiffany picked Pichka up and put her on the table, petting her head to keep her calm.
"Miss," the officer started. "I don't know what you're trying to pull."
"I know that. She used to be human, like my brother," Tiffany replied.
The officer looked at Tiffany as though she were insane. Pike didn't blame the officer. Such a claim was at best, difficult to believe.
"This isn't funny. If someone put you up to this then I suggest you inform them of the potential consequences of filing false claims," the officer said.
Oh for love of...Fine, if they don't want to believe her then I'll show them.
Pike hopped onto a chair beside the desk and then leapt from the chair to the desk.
"She's telling the truth," he said.
The officer looked at Tiffany. "So, you're a ventriloquist."
"No, I'm not, that Pikachu is my brother and he really can talk."
"It's the truth," Pike said.
"Wait a minute, I remember reading a story about a talking Pikachu who helped saved a family from a car," the officer said.
"I'm that Pikachu. I know who the others are and who this is. She needs help. Her family has the right to know where she is. My sister has a diary Eva wrote when she became a Pikachu. If you read it, you'll see what we mean," Pike said.
"That doesn't prove anything. How do I know that you're not a natural Pikachu that's learned to speak?"
"You have access to an Espeon named Miranda. Ask her to scan my mind to see if I'm telling the truth."
"Just because you know her name doesn't prove what you're saying," the officer said.
"No, but what if we are telling the truth?" Pike asked.
She sighed. "All right, I'll contact the officers in question. Please have a seat," the officer said.
"Thank you," Pike said graciously.
The group waited for twenty minutes before Jenny arrived with the Espeon Miranda. The group was for the most part silent. Amper read magazines while Pike talked to Kevin about the various advantages of living with humans and of living as a human. While Kevin seemed somewhat intrigued, he still insisted on wanting to go back to the wild. Pichka on the other hand seemed to remember some of what Pike talked about, although she still had trouble.
Good, they brought Miranda with them.
"Hi Miranda!" Pike said.
"Greetings Pike, I see you have learned to speak the human's language," Miranda said.
"Yes, much has also happened in these past weeks," Pike said.
"Hello Pike, I'm glad that you found your way home. I saw you on the news when you saved those people from that burning car. That was a brave thing you did," Jenny said.
"I had to do something. I was the only one that could help. We need to talk. Some of it has to do with that car crash. But it's also do with a missing person," Pike said.
"Who?" Jenny asked.
"A woman named Eva Hargrove. She went missing several months ago. I know where she is, but I ask that we discuss it in private," Pike said.
"Of course. By the way, why is that Furret wearing clothes?" Jenny asked.
"It's all part of what I need to tell you," Pike replied.
In the Pikachu language, Pike told the others that he was going to take Pichka with him to talk to the officer in her office. While Kevin didn't like that, Pike assured him that he wouldn't try to take Kevin's mate from him. Kevin agreed, although he didn't appear happy.
Jenny led Pike, Pichka and Miranda into her office. The room was comfortable with a large window looking outside, a desk with a computer and two leather chairs on one side and one office chair on the others. There were several potted plans along the perimeter of the office. Pike and Eva took one of the seats.
"All right Pike," Jenny started as she sat down. "You said you know where this missing person is. Let me look up her profile."
Jenny went to work on her computer. Within a minute, she'd brought up the profile.
"It says here, 'Eva Hargrove age 29. Brown hair, height: 168 centimetres.' She was a researcher that went missing six months ago. Where is she? Do you know if she is all right?" Jenny asked.
"Yes she is. This is going to be hard to believe," Pike said.
"If I had a dollar for every time someone told me that, I'd be rich by now. All right, let's hear it," Jenny said.
"The Pikachu with me is Eva," Pike said.
Jenny looked at Pike. The former human knew that people played jokes on the police all of the time. Without some evidence, Pike doubted she would believe him.
"It's a long story. However, it will explain the Furret I was with along with how I know this is Eva. I wanted to speak to you and Miranda because I knew that Miranda could tell if I was telling the truth. I'm hoping Miranda can also help Eva," Pike said.
Jenny looked at Pike and folded her hands before leaning back in her chair. "Go ahead."
Pike informed Jenny about the journal and Samuel's situation. It was difficult for Pike as he felt as though he were betraying Rachel's trust. However, Pike knew that Rachel had reached a point where someone had to help her.
"This is serious Pike. I need to see this journal and speak to this Furret," Jenny said.
Pressing a button on her telephone, Jenny called the front desk and asked the receptionist to send in Samuel with the journal. A few minutes later, Samuel walked in with an officer. The officer handed the journal over to Jenny as Samuel walked over and stood between the two chairs before the officer left the room.
"Hello Samuel. Pike has told me about the situation," Jenny said.
"I'm sorry Sam, I needed to tell someone. I don't want to betray Rachel but I'm worried about her," Pike said.
Samuel nodded. He spoke in Furret. "I understand your motivations Pike. I do not hold you at fault for what you've done. Someone needs to stop Rachel before she goes too far. Truth be told, I want someone to help her as well."
Jenny read over the Journal, her expression suggested she found the content disturbing. She looked at Pichka with worry in her face.
"Pichka … Eva, is that you?"
Pichka nodded. "I'm having trouble remembering. It's as though I'm on an island shrouded by fog. I see images in the fog but they always vanish. I never knew anything existed beyond the fog. Now, ever since I met Pike for the first time, I sometimes see those images when I sleep. I want to know the truth."
Miranda translated for Pichka.
"We'll do what we can to find your family Eva. In the meantime Pike, I think it would be best if you returned home. We need to work with Samuel to figure out how we are going to deal with this situation with Rachel. To be honest, we don't have laws regarding turning people into Pokémon. However, unless Rachel is harming them, there's little we can do. However, I assure you that we will work to help Rachel," Jenny said.
"Can I stay here until Eva's parents get here? I want to see them as well as find a way to stay in contact with her. I also want to assure Kevin (he's the Raichu you saw outside) that we're doing this for Eva and that as her mate, it's better for him to help her," Pike said.
Jenny nodded. "All right Pike. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a telephone call to make. I'm not sure how I will explain this one."
Pike nodded and he and Samuel left the room with Jenny opening the door for them. As they walked down the hall, Pike sighed.
"I just hope they can help her," Pike said.
"There's always hope, Pike. As long as we never give up, there will always be hope," Samuel said.
Pike nodded and smiled. "Come on, let's get something to eat."
Thirty minutes later, Pike and the others had eaten some food from the vending machines. Kevin wasn't too fond of it and had pointed out that the food in the woods was better. Amper had countered by saying that even for humans, this wasn't good but enough to hold them off until they could get something better.
Eva was outside and standing on the desk when her parents arrived. Her father was a man in his fifties with greying hair. Her mother was the same with black hair.
While Eva's siblings were not there, Pike assumed they would meet Eva at home.
"You said you found our daughter and she's a Pikachu?" Eva's mother said.
Pike knew that such news would be difficult for anyone to believe. Eva's parents were going to require some evidence to temper their scepticism. Pike watched the duo approached the desk. He hopped over and onto it.
"Um .. hello," Eva's father said.
Pike switched to pika-speak as not to alarm Eva's parents.
"Do you recognise them?" Pike asked.
Please, at least somehow know them. Come on Eva, I know you can do it. I know the woman you were is still inside of you somewhere.
Eva looked over the two humans. "I … think I … Daddy is that you?"
Pike translated for Eva. "Yes, I can speak. Like your daughter, I became a Pikachu. It's a long story."
"Eva, do you remember me?" Eva's father asked.
Miranda walked into the lobby and looked at Pike. "I sense that she wishes to remember. Try discussing events from her past, it may help. I can translate for her if you wish."
Pike nodded and hoped of the desk and walked over to Kevin.
"I still don't understand why you want her to remember," Kevin said.
"She wants to. Her life as a human is a part of her. Her family has the right to know about her and to see her again. This doesn't have to be a goodbye. You can stay with her. It won't be easy but wouldn't you rather she be happy?" Pike asked.
"She was happy!"
"I know, but … we're doing this as much for her family as we are for her. They aren't happy with her missing. Don't they deserve happiness?" Pike asked.
"I don't know. In the wild, Pokémon go missing. Trainers may capture them or a predator may attack them. It's part of life. You have to move on," Kevin said.
"They don't," Pike said.
"I think it's a step in the wrong direction for her. However, if Pichka wants this then I will allow it," Kevin said.
Pike hoped back over to the desk.
"Pike, I think I'm starting to remember," Eva said.
"Thank you for your help Pike. We were worried that we'd never see Eva again," Eva's mother said.
"If I find a way to make Eva human again, I will. I want to help her learn how to speak English in this form. Would it be okay if we stayed in contact?" Pike asked in English.
Both of Eva's parents gasped.
"Of course. You brought our daughter home to us," Eva's mother said.
"We owe you a lot, Pike. If there's any way we can repay you, just ask," Eva's father asked.
Pike wasn't expecting it when the woman picked him up and gave him a hug. When she put him back on the desk, she kissed him.
"Thank you," she said.
"You need to know that she found a mate in the wild. He's not sure he wants to stay with humans or for her to stay with them. They've bonded so I don't think he'd be willing to leave her. He's the Raichu over there. I think it's important that you speak with him as well," Pike said.
"I … suppose that could have happened," Eva's mother said.
"Why don't we go see him?" Eva's father asked.
When Eva's parents walked over to meet Kevin, Eva turned and looked at Pike.
"So, how are you doing?" Pike asked.
"I recall a little. I want to remember more," Eva said.
"What about Kevin?" Pike asked.
Pike looked to see Eva's parents petting Kevin as they talked to him. While Kevin didn't seem to enjoy it as much as Pike would, he was relieved that Kevin wasn't taking hostile action.
"I still love him, Pike. I want to have Pichus with him someday. I still think of myself as a Pikachu and not as a human. I like you too, Pike. If Kevin and I hadn't bonded, when you showed up, I'd have asked you to bond with me," Eva said.
Pike looked at Eva, then at Miranda before finally looking back at Kevin. Remmie was now petting the Raichu, who wasn't grimacing quite as much as before. Tiffany was talking to Eva's mother and Samuel to her father. Amper was letting Tiffany pet her.
"When we first met, you seemed interested in me," Pike said.
"I was," Eva said.
"We both used to be human. Yet, back then, even if I gave in, it would have been wrong now that I know who you really are," Pike said.
"Pike, right now I am Pichka. I want to remember who I was. This form is what I am now. Do you think of yourself as man or Chu?"
Looking at Miranda, Pike wondered if she could offer guidance.
"When I evolved I had to leave behind my form. A part of which I was is still within me. I couldn't have arrived at this form if it were not for who I was," Miranda said.
"I'm starting to feel that way. It's like, this is who I am now," Pike said.
"While I believe you should not forget who you were, you must consider your future. Do you desire returning to humanity or do you desire to exist as you are now?" Miranda asked.
"I don't know. I guess if I get the opportunity, I'll have to decide," Pike said.
"Me too," Eva said.
Eva's father walked back over to the trio. "I think we're ready to go home now. Kevin seems to accept what we're trying to do. Your Furret friend translated some of what he was saying for us. I had no idea that he used to be human as well." The man shook his head. "Turning humans into Pokémon. What's next?"
"It's a long story," Pike said.
"Eva, if you do remember and want to stay this way, we won't force you to do otherwise. We understand if this is who you are now that we should accept it," Eva's father said.
"We will need to make arrangements before you go. We can arrange help for Eva," the attendant at the desk said.
"We're not sure if we want the public to know about this," Eva's father said.
"I assure you that we will keep any counselling sessions confidential," the attendant said.
"Thank you," Eva's father said.
Eva hugged Pike. "Thank you Pike."
"You're welcome. But, what will you guys do about communication?" Pike asked.
"We'll manage. Anyway, if you want, you can help when you have the time," Eva said.
"I'd like that," Pike replied.
Tiffany approached the desk. "I guess we should be getting home."
Pike nodded.
Eva's parents exchanged contact information with Pike before Pike, Amper, Remmie and Tiffany left. While Pike was worried about Eva, he was confident that her family and doctors could find a way to retrieve her memories so she could make a more informed decision as to what to do with her life.
Samuel stayed at the police station as the police wanted to speak with him about what Rachel was doing.
An hour after Eva had gone home with her parents and Kevin, Samuel spoke with Jenny in her office. Miranda was with them in the case of Samuel being unable to use words in English. However, Samuel wanted to use the language as much as possible in order to learn to speak in his new form faster.
"I'm sure it must seem silly talking to a Furret, especially one that speaks English," Samuel said.
"Not at all. I consider Pokémon equal," Jenny said.
"I want … need you to understand that I bear no ill will toward Rachel. She is sincere. However, I disagree with her methods," Samuel said.
"Why is she doing this?" Jenny asked.
"She wishes to help these people. Her intent is not … bad," Samuel said.
"Who has she helped so far?" Jenny asked.
"Kids mostly. Nine people so far. Four of those people were homeless adults. She's even changed her own son," Samuel said.
"What species did he become?"
"A Meowth. A girl Rachel took in also became a Meowth. She's not doing it against their will. She only wishes to give them a better chance in life," Samuel said.
Samuel sighed. He felt terrible for doing this. He didn't want Rachel to get into trouble. However, he also worried that Rachel was providing those people an easy way out that in the end would cause them far more harm then good.
"I shouldn't be doing this. She just wants to help. Maybe I'm in the wrong and she knows something I don't."
"You're doing the right thing Samuel. So, tell me more about the people Rachel has changed. We could pay her a visit and discuss this with her," Jenny said.
"I fear that she'll accuse me of betraying her," Samuel said.
"We can give you protection if necessary."
"No, it's not that. I care about her. I don't want her to end up in jail, asylum, or worse, euthanized as a mad animal!" Samuel's stomach stung at that thought. He'd never be able to live with himself if Rachel died because of him. "She's still the person she was before this happened to her. She cares about her people as any leader should."
"You care about her," Jenny said. It was a statement rather than an accusation.
"I've worked for Rachel for years. When she became a Furret, I made sure to serve her needs. No that those sorts of needs," Samuel said.
Jenny smirked. "Is there a reason she turned you into the same species as she?" Jenny asked.
"Officer, I'm single and regardless of my species, I am still a male. While as a human I may have been old enough to be somewhat beyond such desires, since she changed me, I've felt younger. I … when I changed, I had renewed urges. Rachel and I are the same species. I am single and I hadn't thought of that in a long time," Samuel said.
He hung his head. Samuel remembered how Rachel had behaved shortly after he'd changed. Cal seemed to understand their actions as he did Rachel's behaviour with Pike. If anything, Cal had said that only increased his desire to be with his wife, so she wouldn't have to resort to that.
"It's okay if this is difficult to talk about. However, this does bring up a point. We need to speak with Rachel. If she is luring children and homeless adults, even to help them, she is still causing them potential harm. However, if becoming a Furret has left her mentally unbalanced, we will offer to get her help. Rest assured that we will not have her put to sleep," Jenny said.
"All right," Samuel said.
"We can also offer you help," Jenny said.
"I don't think there are too many programs for dealing with becoming a Furret," Samuel said.
"We'll work something out. Now, why don't we pay her a visit? Perhaps if I see these kids that she has helped, then maybe I can hear it from her point of view to get a better idea of what's going on."
"I … I guess," Samuel said.
"Please Samuel, at least this way I can see if anything criminal is going on. If not then we can work from there. Let's do this to help Rachel before things get out of hand and she ends up doing something that will get her in serious trouble," Jenny said.
Samuel nodded. "All right."
"Will it hurt?" Cal asked as he and Rachel walked through the woods.
"No. Think of this way, we'll finally be able to be together again. I feel sorry for those that do not understand. I tried to help Pike; I still wish to help him. However, in case he does try something, we need a way to defend against him. I won't let him take my children away from me," Rachel said.
Cal nodded. "I'm ready."
Samuel and Jenny approached Rachel's house. While he felt that he was doing the right thing, Samuel was nervous. A part of him saw Rachel's point of view. However, he also felt that those people she changed could have found other ways to improve their lives.
He and Jenny walked up to the front door and Jenny ringed the bell.
"Maybe she's out," Samuel said.
"We can always come back," Jenny said.
"I'll try the back yard."
Samuel ran around the house. The entire time, he feared that Rachel was going to jump out and accuse him of betraying her. A part of him would have preferred to accept being this way. However, he also knew Rachel's solution was only one of many.
In the backyard, Samuel saw Mark and Katrina sitting under a tree. Katrina's Meowth was sleeping beside her while she and Mark read comic books.
"Mark!" Samuel said.
"Hey Sam, where have you been?" Mark asked. The boy still was unable to speak English.
"I've been trying to help a woman that became a Pikachu. Do you know where your mother went?"
"She took Dad to the spring," Mark said.
No, not Cal as well!
"When?" Samuel asked.
"Not that long ago. Isn't it great, they're going to be able to do stuff again!" Mark said.
"I … have to go!" Samuel said.
Samuel ran back around to the front door where Jenny was waiting.
"She's taken Cal to the spring!" Samuel said.
Standing by the spring clad only in his underwear, Cal dipped a glass into the liquid. Once he'd filled it, he brought it to his mouth and drank down its contents. The water was sweet.
Looking at the Marowak beside her, Rachel smiled in the knowledge that Cal would soon join her family as a member of that species.
"Welcome to the family Cal."
When he'd finished drinking the water, Cal dropped the cup and turned around the face Rachel. He looked at the Marowak standing beside her, the form he'd soon re-join her with. He'd originally planned to take the form of a Furret. However, Pike being an apparent threat to Rachel required he chose something more suitable to defend against an Electric-type.
A tingle ran through Cal's body and for a frightening few seconds, he felt naked. He was still wearing his boxers, yet something seemed to be missing.
His boxers felt looser. In fact, everything around him appeared to be growing. Cal knew that, in fact, he was shrinking.
That will take time to get used to. It's worth it to protect Rachel.
His skin started getting tighter as his flesh turned into light brown scales. Tighter, lighter scales developed on his chest.
Oh man, what a rush!
In his field of view, he saw red, blues, yellows and greens. Everything blurred and the colours seemed off as his eyes changed shape and colour. While Cal couldn't tell, his eyes had become a deep red. The colours around him returned to normal, although Cal found his vision blurry.
Of course!
With a flick of his right hand, Cal removed his glasses, folded them and smiled. He now had 20/20 vision, something he hadn't had since he was fifteen years old.
His boxers fell down what were now hairless legs adorned with light brown scales rather than skin. He stepped out of them before placing his glasses on top of them. They were both things he'd never need again.
Cal was now only half his normal height and equal in height to the Marowak Rachel had used as Cal's so-called donor.
The sensation that something was wrong returned. Cal felt naked; however, it was not from the lack of human clothing. Rachel still wore a cap and vest on occasion, (although she'd been doing this far less often as of late). Cal knew that something was missing.
As his face ached with the formation of a snout, he realised.
Oh no, that's what's missing!
As Cal felt his tail begin to grow from his tailbone, he knew the one thing he was missing. He didn't have the skull and bone that all Marowack had. Without them, he'd be not only naked but no one would ever take him seriously!
Covering his face, Cal felt his snout growing with clawed hands. His strong tail was nearly grown.
"Cal, what's wrong?" Rachel asked.
"My face, I can't go around like this!" Cal yelled in English.
Cal felt slightly dizzy when his tail and snout were finished. When the sensation abated, he looked back at Rachel.
"I think it's done," he said speaking in Marowack rather then English.
"Thank you for your help," Rachel said to the other Marowack.
"Wait, I need to do one more thing. I'm not dressed yet," Cal said.
The other Marowack looked at Cal and nodded its head.
Cal looked at Rachel and smiled. "Two more things actually."
Cal walked over to Rachel, she leaned down and Cal moved ever so closer to her. He brought his lips close to her and embraced his wife in a passionate kiss unlike anything he'd been able to do since Rachel had become a Furret.
When Cal released the kiss, he knew what he had to do.
"I will be back soon, there is something I must do," Cal said.
Cal summoned Adam, who they'd used to get to the spring. Adam landed and Cal felt a slight pang of fear.
He now has a type advantage over me. Yet, I know he would never harm either of us.
"There's somewhere that I need to go," Cal said.
Adam looked at Rachel who nodded her head. Cal climbed aboard Adam and the Pidgeot took to the air. While Cal's new type perhaps gave him a slight fear of heights, he also trusted Adam not to let him fall.
"I'd never flown before this," Cal said.
"Nor have I. You guys not only freed me from that chair but gave me something I never thought I'd experience," Adam said.
Cal directed Adam to Cal's family mausoleum. When Adam landed, Cal climbed off Adam's back.
"Why did you want to come here?" Adam asked.
"There is something I need to get it. Without it I am incomplete," Cal replied.
Why am I doing this? Why does it feel right?
Cal entered the building. It felt different to him now. Before it had a solemn atmosphere to it. Now however he felt different. This was a shrine. Cal went directly for the one thing he'd come there for.
I won't be complete without it. It would be an insult not to wear it!
In the casket containing the remains of his great grandfather on his father's side, Cal pulled out the skull and a femur bone. Something that his human side considered remains that one would bury, his Marowack side thought just as much a part of him as his own body. To not wear some aspect of an ancestor would be an insult at best!
However, the bones would not fit Cal, not yet anyway. He closed the casket and carried both of the bones outside.
"What are those things?" Adam asked.
"Something I need to make me complete," Cal replied.
Cal had Adam fly him back to the spring where Rachel and Craig, (the other Marowack) were waiting.
"What did you get?" Rachel asked.
"Thank you for your help Adam," Cal said.
Cal approached the spring. Rachel stopped him when he was halfway to it.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Ask Craig, he will understand," Cal said with determination.
As Cal walked into the water and dipped the bones into it, he heard Craig explain that for a Marowack, to use the bones of an ancestor is to honour them. They would be naked without the helmets. Rachel understood. To become something was to understand it. It was natural that Cal would begin to think as a member of his new species.
Cal watched the spring work its magic with the bones. The skull changed into a form befitting Cal's new body. He picked it up and placed it on his head seconds later. The femur didn't change as much, although it did appear more like that of a Marowack rather than a human.
Stepping out of the water, Cal no longer felt naked. He was complete.
There was one act that Cal and Rachel had been unable to do for so long. One thing that Cal now desired more then anything. He needed the warmth of his wife's body next to his. Cal knew Rachel had done that act with Pike. He forgave her. Now however, their relationship could be complete again.
"Rachel … you are my mate. We have been separated for a long time. It's time for us to be rejoined," Cal said.
"If you're asking what I think you're asking, then the answer is yes," Rachel said.
Cal smiled; it was finally time to be with his wife again.
"Adam, could you fly Craig home for us? Cal and I need some privacy. I thank you for your help, both of you. This wouldn't have been possible without your assistance," Rachel said.
The Marowack that had proven to be a donor for Cal nodded its head, boarded Adam and both flew off, leaving Cal and Rachel alone. Cal removed Rachel's vest and hat and laid them on the ground beside his boxers. Again, he kissed her. Rachel put her short forepaws around Cal.
"Let's make up for lost time," Rachel said.
---
Alex Warlorn gave me the idea for how Cal gets the skull helmet. I admit that it was perhaps a bit macabre, but I think it fits perfectly with the Marowack desire to wear the bones of their ancestors.