Chapter Nineteen:
The Healing of Time
You built it up,
To watch it fall.
Like I meant nothing at all.
I gave and gave,
The best of me.
But couldn't give you what you need.
You walked away,
And stole my light;
Just to find what you were looking for.
But no matter how much I try…
I just can't hate you anymore.
Nick Lachey
I Can't Hate You Anymore
Sam's Point of View
Time drifted by endlessly within my mind. I could have been there for an hour, or for eternity, and I wouldn't know. That was one of the dangers of being able to withdraw into your mind; you could become addicted to being All-Powerful, and simply stay there.
I simply sat, and thought. Ideas and emotions chased each other through my head, but I couldn't make sense of them. My anger at Ashlee slowly flowed away, leaving a deep, aching feeling of betrayal and disappointment. Ashlee hadn't had the 'Rules of the Psyche' imposed on her as I had, growing up. That much I could tell from Keira and Wyatt.
After an eon, a gentle pull from my real body made a connection I could follow back to it. It felt like someone was drawing a circle on my hand repeatedly with their finger. Closing my eyes, I said a mental goodbye to my personal world and poured my mind back into my body. In my 'absence', my body had been fully rested. My eyes fluttered open, and I was greeted with the sight of Artemis, Diana and Hera.
Machinery behind me quietly whirred. My line of sight improved as my head was elevated by the bed rising. Rising back to a standing position, Brendan gave me a nod. He, Kat and Nick were lined up, between me and where Ashlee's bed. Lazily, I turned my attention back to the Pokemon, raising my hand and scratching Diana behind the ear.
"Hey." I said quietly, breaking the gentle silence that filled the room. Diana leaned into my hand; a purr of enjoyment came from her, her contentment obvious.
Looking up at the three humans, the corner of my mouth lifted slightly. In the spaces between them, I could see that Ashlee's curtain was drawn, but I knew my friends were stopping any attempts she might make to talk to me.
"Got you guys that worried, huh?"
Brendan smiled and shook his head. Katrina rolled her eyes and Nick winked at me. "Good to see you in one piece Sam. The last time we saw you awake, you looked like you mightn't make it." Nick said, lifting his hands into a shrug.
"Nah. Me? Get killed just by tearing a hole into another dimension? Sorry, it's not gonna happen." Looking down at my Pokemon, I blinked, slightly confused. "Where are Zeus and Helios?"
"They're back at the Centre. The equipment here isn't specially built to withstand the electricity given off by Electric Types." Brendan said, putting his hands behind his back. "You're allowed to leave now, if you want. We were just told by Keira to be here at this time, and all we had to do was touch you to wake you up. You were under Mental Stasis, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah, it gave me time to think. Give me a few minutes, I need to get changed and everything." As Brendan and Kat opened their mouths to protest, I cut them off. "I'm fine; it's a psychic problem, not a physical one." I said gently. Flinging the covers off, I shivered as the cold air hit my warm body. I was wearing the pyjamas given by the hospital, and the thin material wasn't much protection against the temperature.
Putting my feet on the floor, I slowly stood up, added insurance so I wouldn't fall. Once I was comfortably balanced on my feet, I looked at the three. "See? I'm fine."
Looking worried, but caving in first, Katrina wandered out to the door. Brendan soon followed, while Nick was a little more hesitant. Looking at him, I clicked my tongue, bounced on the balls of my feet, before saying, "I can't exactly get dressed with you watching. Be kinda uncomfortable, wouldn't it?"
He jumped at that point, walking towards the door. Looking at Artemis, Diana and Hera, I nodded towards the door as well. They followed in the footsteps of Nick, straggling out the door in a sort of demented conga line.
Looking at the door, I willed it to shut. After a minute of wondering why it wasn't working, I remembered. Walking over to it, I shut it quietly, and pull the curtains around my bed.
Getting changed as fast as I could, I placed a hand on the curtains once more, and then pushed my way through the opening. Walking the few, short steps over to Ashlee's curtains; I made my way through and stood quietly at the end of her bed. She was lying on her side, staring out the window. It was only a few seconds, before she let me know she knew I was standing there.
"Come to say how much you hate me, huh?" Her voice had a huge vein of sadness to it, one that just made the disappointment in my stomach bubble all the more.
"No." I said, looking down at her. "I don't hate you Ashlee. I heard a reason as to why you did it, and even if I can't understand why you did it, I'm going to forgive you. I'm not going to press charges either, under one condition."
Silence followed my remark. Taking that as a sign she wanted me to continue, I pressed on. "I just want you to stay away for a little, so I can clear my head. Give me a little more time to recover; I can't do it in one night."
Looking up at me, her face softened. This was hurting her, and I could tell. I didn't even need to be psychic to tell it was tearing up her heart. Then, with one movement, she nodded and turned back to the window, looking out of it.
A goodbye wasn't going to mean anything here, so I simply took my leave and exited the room, getting caught in a mob of Pokemon and humans alike.
Unknown to me though, was the tear that went down Ashlee's cheek as I left, the one she had tried so hard to hide.
"Sam, I'm so sorry."
Outside of the Hospital
Looking up, I was reunited with Zeus as he shrouded me in his body; a tickling sensation making goosebumps ripple across my skin, the rain being kept in Zeus also covered me in a thin layer of moisture. Smiling, I simply shook my head and patted Helios on the head. He was his usual, stoic, unmoved self, but I thought I saw his tail just slightly quiver when he saw me.
Virtually all of Kat's, Brendan's and Nick's Pokemon, minus Sparx, had been in the hospital, and we had already exchanged greetings. Smiling, I wondered how I had gotten such great friends, even though I hadn't been the best, or even a good, friend to them. Now was going to be the time to turn the tables, so, in a way, I had Ashlee to thank for it.
Giving them a smile, I looked up at the humans. "So, how about we go shopping, I'm in the mood for travel."
Brendan let out a small chuckle, and I got a thumb up from Nick. Giving them a humorous wink, I felt around on my belt for my Pokéballs, patting myself down when I realised that they weren't there. Giving a small cough, Katrina held out her closed hand. Putting my own beneath hers, she dropped my Pokéballs into my hand. Giving her a nod of thanks, I let most of my Pokemon return to their Pokéballs, except for Hera and Artemis. Jumping up, Artemis settled himself on my shoulder, bracing himself in my hood while Hera fluttered to my shoulder.
Now ready, I motioned for Brendan to lead the way. He looked around for a moment, regaining his bearings before settling on one, distinct direction. We fell into line, let him lead us to the place. After the time in my mind, quiet, serene, peaceful, the hustle and bustle of the normal city life seemed a lot more interesting than usual.
This interest continued into the shopping centre. Letting the others pick out what we needed, I simply looked around. However, I stopped dead once I found several people kept looking my way, then scuttling in the opposite direction.
"That's good." Brendan said cheerfully; when I pointed it out to him. "Usually a job and a half to get elbow room around here, not to mention, we can get rid of the crowds around the good stuff." Giving me a wink, he reached over, grabbing some food from the shelf. "They did a nice little report on the news, about you, by the way. Nothing while you were in hospital, just what had gone on in the events leading up to the explosion. Your mother tried to call you several times, but we got Nick to clear that up."
Turning, I gave Nick a grin, nodding my head in thanks. It hadn't occurred to me that the news would get a hold of the story.
But, as good as the space was, and we got bypassed a line at a checkout as well, it was a relief to be outside and away from the prying eyes of others. Looking glumly down, I played with the packet I had been allowed to carry; it seemed I was too frail to carry anything heavier, by Nick's assessment anyway. It was a new TWT, mine had vanished in the explosion, but I wasn't going to be allowed to wear it for ages, not until my powers were back to normal. Stepping outside, I blinked in the suddenly bright light of the sun. From where he had been snoozing near the wall, Artemis came dashing up, looking far too energetic for just having been asleep.
"So, we're good to go?"
Giving a smile, I nodded. "We're good to go Arti." Laughing as Artemis made a face, I leaned over so he could jump up on my shoulder. "Come on guys, the road is calling my name."
Snorting, Katrina rolled her eyes. "Doubt it, that rumbling is probably Nick's stomach."
"Hey, I'm a growing boy! I've got to eat."
Shaking my head again, in amusement, I raised an eyebrow and turned to Nick. "Tell you what, let's head to the nearest restaurant, my treat. That'll give us time to pack our bags again, and plan our next move."
"Awesome, I am so ordering the lobster."
"Thanks Nick."
Route 276, 3:53pm
"We're on the road again. I can't wait to be on the road again."
"Brendan, I know I've turned over a new leaf, kind, gentle, flowers bloom where my foot was,, whatever, but I can promise you; sing another verse of that song and you will flying to Topery City, first class on the tip of my shoe." It was kind of weird. At about this point in time, something around me would happen, a small wind would pick up, Artemis would levitate a few centimetres, I dunno, but something would happen. Something inside me wanted to lash out, but it was only left to come out in words.
Holding up his hands in surrender. Brendan slowed his walk, dropping back to talk with the more sympathetic Katrina. Giving a snort of laughter to my left, Nick shook his head. Looking over his shoulder, he called back, "You owe me Kat, you said after four, you've got six minutes left."
"Left on what? What does she owe you?" Raising an eyebrow, I looked at Nick, then turning to look at Kat, walking backwards as I did. "What do you owe him?"
Trying to hide a grin, Kat had the decency to look embarrassed. Giving a small laugh that quickly turned into a cough, Kat cleared her throat. "I had a bet with Nick that you'd threaten someone after four o'clock. He thought by four o'clock."
"Uh huh." Looking back and forth between the two guilty parts, I crossed my arms. "And what did you bet exactly?"
Next to Katrina, it was Brendan's turn to laugh. "Well, you see, Nick wouldn't accept twenty dollars, five Ultraballs or even Katrina's firstborn child. He upped the stakes, to Katrina's entire coffee stash for the trip."
Looking back at Nick, I frowned, confused. "But you don't like coffee."
Raising his hand, it was Brendan's turn to look sheepish. "That's where I come in. In exchange for annoying you until you blow, I get all the coffee, while Nick gets the satisfaction of Katrina not having coffee for one whole month."
"You know, if Koga hadn't forbidden me to use martial arts unless there was dire need, I would so give you two a roundhouse kick to the head."
"Quiet Chuck Norris, if you want to be caffeinated for the rest of the journey, you'll start being nice to me."
Rolling my eyes, I turned back around. Topery City was the next stop, which played the host for the Grass Gym that was the rival for the one in Celadon City. Ivy and Erika were both two contenders for the Grass Master of the world, a role currently held by Erika. Last year, Ivy had held it, and the year before that, with Erika holding it for four years before that.
Giving a sigh, I thought closer to where we were now. The Lake of Tears had covered Route 271, but Route 272 was the detour around the Lake. However, on Route 277, there was no detour. The Suicune Sea was one of the few pure-water inland seas in the world, but it was also the barrier stopping us from going on in our journey. Going around the stupid thing would add one week to our journey, but Artemis, Nymbis, Drake, Drogan, none of them could carry us all across.
And there was no ferry service either, something about the league wanting Trainers to overcome the physical barriers to overcome their mental ones.
Or, in other words, they didn't want to pay to keep the ferry running.
"So, I'm telling you, that cloud is a Nimbus, that one is-."
"Guys, how did you get from coffee to clouds?" Turning around, I looked at the three of them quizzically. Even for them, this was a bit random.
Giving a shrug, Nick looked back at me. "Dunno, can't remember. But hey, you know that over seventy percent of all people, in their final exam for Science or something, they spell the cloud type 'Nimbus', the same as the Pokemon, 'Nymbis'?"
Giving a groan, I buried my face in my hands. This was going to be one long trip. Lucky for me, Artemis was in his Pokéball, so I wouldn't have to put up with any more than I had to.
International Pokemon League Headquarters, Metone Region
Leaning against the wall, Wyatt listened to the briefing in progress. He and Keira had gotten an express-ticket, but that wasn't what was important right now. He and Keira, as well as two other Gym Leaders of Dictioy; Raiden, the Water Trainer of Hitroy City and the head of the monk, and incidentally, the Gym Leader of the final Gym in Dictioy, the serious Gym Leaders, had been called to an emergency session of the International League Governing Board, as well as several other Gym Leaders from around the world, to hear about the latest crisis.
Standing up, Ash Ketchum made an interesting sight. For a man who had taken a hold of the International Championship twenty years ago, he still looked remarkably young, as if defying the aging process. But, as he cleared his throat, the deeper voice of a man sounded out. "Quiet everyone." As silence reigned supreme in the hall, he nodded. "We've called an emergency session in order to combat a coming threat to the population of the world. Many people here would be familiar with the gaming line; AE Games. It has recently come through the intelligence line of the International Government that this brand is only a cover for Team Rocket. As you all know, Team Rocket has been disbanded around the world, other than the Dictioy Region, with rumours of a branch coming up in Johto. What we discovered is shocking, not only to myself, but Professors and Champions the world over. Professor Oak, if you would."
Standing up, the aged man carried himself with an air of superiority. "What Ash has just said is only a foreshadowing. The intelligence we gathered is about the newest online gaming sensation, which was produced by AE Games. Three weeks after the initial release of the game, which, as of now, was eighteen days ago, a remote signal would be sent out to all games, to hoodwink the gamer and place them under the thrall of Team Rocket."
Standing up at the back of the room, Keira looked directly at the Professor. "If I may, how do they intend to do this? As far as I know, games can only be played by using a medium that acts to change the game into a visual experience."
Nodding his head, Oak waited for Keira to finish. "This game has caused such a sensation because it creates an online, holographic world for the players to play in. It does this by using special helmets that emulate the sight, touch, even smell, of things. At the stroke of midnight, three days from now, children and adults playing this game will be brainwashed."
"So, how are we going to stop it?" Misty Ketchum, wife of Ash, was sitting amongst a small group separate from the Gym Leaders. The group, consisting of seventeen individuals, were the Type Masters, each person in it being the most knowledgeable and powerful person in a particular type.
"This game takes control by tapping into the human mind. As many of you know, a Telepathic Wave Translator acts to enhance an individual's psychic powers. This game uses a method similar, but, instead of improving a person's powers, the more people tapping into it, the more power it receives. A common fact about psychism is that every individual has psychic powers, even if the majority of people are too weak to use it effectively. Sabrina, our resident psychic, has confirmed that, should the current estimate of people playing the game, some 3 million people, be used to create a psychic collective, it would out power all but the higher members of the Wings of Council, the Creation Trinity of Pokenese myth, and Mewtwo. This weapon could potentially destroy the world, but it will most likely be used to create an army of mindless drones." Nodding her head, Sabrina of Saffron City, Psychic Master of the world, confirmed what Professor Oak was saying.
"Because we only have three days, we have no choice but to act immediately. We cannot make people stop playing the game, unfortunately, nor shut the service down without evidence. We plan to destroy the game from the inside out. Our plan was to send in people wearing a Psy-Neut so that they could resist the effects of the game, but the game shuts down at this. The Psy-Neut's waves mingle with the computer's, crashing the server, and we do not have the time to create a computer that could resist the waves. As Gym Leaders from around the world, we called you here to give you this one instruction; those of you that are psychic, we need you to find the impossible; one person in this world who does not have any psychic powers to speak of."
In the back of the crowd, Keira's and Wyatt's eyes widened. Turning to look at Wyatt, Keira received a nod. Standing up, her chin high, she called out, across the assembly, "We know one person who fits that criteria exactly, Professor. His powers were recently destroyed by an accident, out on the Twilight Plains. He is, to say the least, the weakest person on the planet when it comes to psychic defence."
Up on stage, Ash smiled. "Perfect."