Chapter 3: Haunting memories
"Alright, and finally in order to restore this styler's memory please tell me your name." The operator demanded.
I froze. I can't tell her I'm Kate Hitomi! But if I say my name is Leaf … oh I don't even have a last name for myself. Alright, just suck it up and say: 'My name is Kate Hitomi.' I thought quickly before responding.
"I am Kate. Kate Hitomi." The operator's eyes widened.
"Everyone thinks you're dead! W-What are you doing here? Why aren't you in Almia restoring peace!?" The operator said in disbelief.
I grew impatient. "Look, just don't tell the news that I'm here, and please restore my styler. Without it Almia is toast." I lied, knowing it was already a goner.
"Oh um of course Ms. Hitomi." The operator stuttered, finishing my styler restoration.
"Please hurry, my sister and my niece live in Almia and I want to make sure they're ok." The operator said hastily, handing me my styler.
I nodded my thanks and left with Bulbasaur by my side.
I sighed. "See Bulbasaur? That right there is why I never tell anyone my identity." I muttered. Bulbasaur nodded in agreement.
"Bulbasaur?"
Bulbasaur looked at me expectantly.
"I know I'm a trainer now, but I keep forgetting. I keep thinking you're my partner Pokémon and it's driving me insane!" I rambled on and on about that stuff until we reached a road blocker: an old man sprawled across the side walk.
"Um sir, are you ok?" I asked, wondering if he broke a hip or something.
"I absolutely forbid you from going through here! This is private property!" He snapped.
I was taken aback by his tone. "Um… excuse me?" I asked, really confused.
A younger girl ran out of the house he was next to and approached me.
"Oh miss I'm so sorry! My grandpa just hasn't had his coffee yet! Can you come back in like an hour or two?" She apologized, looking at her grumpy grandpa.
I sweat dropped. "Sure. Come on Bulbasaur." I shrugged.
"We should go back and train for the forest anyway." I decided.
"Oh! But first things first, we need to buy some poke balls and potions right?" I smiled.
Bulbasaur nodded in agreement and pointed back where that same operator was.
I stamped my foot in frustration.
"Dang it! If I talk to her again then she might figure us out!" I shouted, frustrated.
"Bulba! Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur cried, running in someone's back yard and stealing their cape off the drying line.
I brightened. "Great idea! But we'll have to return this you know." I said, my ranger code of conduct still fresh in my brain.
Bulbasaur nodded. I put on the cape and covered my face and clothing best I could with it and made my purchase.
"Oh wait! Miss you said you came from Pallet town right?" The operator asked.
I nodded, not saying a word. "Would you mind delivering this package to Professor Oak?" She requested.
I shrugged and nodded, taking the parcel from her and leaving before any more questions could be asked.
I took off the black cape and hung it back on the appropriate drying line before going back down route one.
After squeezing in some training, we camped out on route one for the night.
I had a nice warm fire going, and some blankets for Bulbasaur and I.
I hesitated before asking. "Should I check my messages on the styler?" I asked, staring at my newly repaired styler.
Bulbasaur nodded, climbing onto my lap clearly eager to see my messages.
My eyes widened. "Five messages from Wendy, Seven from Barlow, and… fifteen from Keith…" I whispered.
I took a deep breath and began to play Wendy's.
"Message 1: "Kate where are you? Staraptor isn't going to hold Blue Eyes back for much longer!"
Message 2: "Kate! Kate! We're going down! I repeat, DOWN! Help please!"
Message 3: "Blue Eyes is gone… No thanks to you!"
Message 4: "Do you know where Purple Eyes and Red Eyes are? I can't find them anywhere-…"
My eyes widened. "Wendy? Wendy!" I shouted, as if she could hear me.
"Message 5: *coughs weakly* Kate… I hope you can hold down the fort because… I'm not going to last much longer… Staraptor's gone… and I'm next…"
Tears slid down my face.
"WENDY!" I screamed, balling my eyes out.
"Now I've failed Latias, Keith, Almia, and Wendy!" I screamed, holding my head in my hands.
Bulbasaur tried his best to console me.
Blurry eyed, I flipped to Barlow's. Message 1: Alright Kate, you remember the drill right? You and Keith take out Red eyes, Wendy and Crawford take out Blue Eyes, and I'm taking Purple Eyes."
Message 2: "Purple Eyes is nowhere to be seen… have you seen him? Is Red Eyes gone?"
Message 3: "I've been ambushed! I'm out numbered! Help please Kate I need Backup-…"
Message 4: "Hitomi! Answer me! I need help now! My leg's broken and Staraptor flew away! Hitomi come in!"
Guilt flooded me as I continued to listen to Barlow's messages that would never be answered.
Message 5: Alright… I think they're gone… It's all quiet around here… but my styler's running out of juice."
Message 6: "I've been played! Kate help! Crawford and Wendy are down, and Keith isn't responding! Kate-…"
Message 7: "Hi Kate… that's right Purple Eyes speaking… your precious commander is dead. One blast to the head with the plasma cannon and he was gone. We've won…" I dropped my styler, shaking.
"N-no. T-that can't be true..." My voice quavered as I shook violently.
I was too shocked to cry. My grief paused when I heard footsteps.
"I can't believe it! Someone stole Grandpa's package!" I relaxed a little when I recognized Gary's voice.
"A fire? What's a fire doing out here? Hey! Who's out here?" Gary shouted, picking his pace up.
"Leaf? What in the hell are you doing out here? Hey! You stole the package?" He asked in disbelief.
"T-the-"
Message 7:
I froze as the horrifying message played again. Around GARY. Of all people.
"Hi Kate… that's right Purple Eyes speaking… your precious commander is dead. One blast to the head with the plasma cannon and he was gone. We've won…"
I broke down again. "I'm sorry Barlow!" I yelled into the air, grief stricken once more.
Gary's eyes widened. "Leaf… how'd you get Kate Hitomi's styler?" He asked, shocked that I had such a styler.
"No way… you can't be… you aren't Leaf… are you?"