Outer Body
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By Angelbloodlover
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~ "Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find."
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William Shakespeare, The Passionate Pilgrim
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Chapter 5: Misplaced Soul
Raine stared at the dark, spooky cave, "...looks creepy."
"All caves look scary, thankfully Pikachu can use Flash to lit up the dark cave. At least this way we won't walk around blindly."
She breathed out in relief, not wanting to walk around in the Diglett's Cave in the dark. All those horror night's had been too much for her frazzled, poor mind. It didn't help her out either as her imagination ran wild, coming up with different scenarios where she died in cruel, bloody ways. Gulping quietly, she shuffled closer to Red's Pikachu, shooting Red a glowering look and daring him to say anything.
The cave was filled with many holes and would drive every person crazy, trying to find the exit of this damned place. Luck had been on her side, because Red knew the way. Besides there were signs as well, for the less experienced travellers. Still, not many people ventured through these caves, not deeming it safe enough.
"Mew, stay close to me," came her trembling voice. She cursed herself for becoming such a wimp when she had survived the wilderness as a Mew on her own. What was a measly, dark cave in comparison? Nothing.
Red suppressed snickering at Raine's current situation, enjoying the good show, "Let's go, Raine. We don't want to attract unsavoury attention, right?"
She eyed him with distaste, "The only Pokémon around here are obviously Diglett and Dugtrio. You ain't scaring me with your shit."
He raised his hands in self-defence, "I wasn't implying anything." Moving his attention on Pikachu's glowing eyes, he urged his friend to move on, "Let's go, Pikachu. I want to get out of this cave before nightfall."
Raine furrowed her brows when she heard the distinct sound of a digging sound. "Are those the Diglett and Dugtrio?"
"They come really in handy when you want to escape caves. Unfortunately, I don't have Diglett with me. It's back with professor Oak."
The digging sound tripled and Raine was getting uncomfortable as she picked out the light tremors throughout the cave. This didn't seem to be normal at all. "Red, what's goi-Oof!" She fell on her behind when the light tremors turned into a full blown-out earthquake. Her eyes widened in saucers when she noticed the large cloud of sand coming their way. "Holy fuck!" She scooped Mew and Chi up and held them close to her while turning her back to the sandstorm. "Red, turn around and protect Pikac-" Her words died in her throat when she felt strong, masculine arms around her, followed by the sound of silence as darkness engulfed them.
Confused, she tried looking over her shoulders, only to stiffen when she felt Red's hot breath against her cheek. Deciding not to tempt Fate, she stayed in that position, uncomfortable but still grateful for his protection. Time ticked by until, finally, the darkness was lifted away thanks to Pikachu's use of Flash. The sudden sandstorm was gone, but the feeling of dread didn't.
"Red, I-" Her jaws dropped when she came eye-to-eye with an intimidating Aerodactyl, "...I..euhm, hi?"
Its answer was a loud, displeased screech and she took a few steps backwards, bumping against Red's chest.
"Aero, return," Red's strong, masculine voice was enough to make the giant beast of a Pokémon to obey immediately.
Awed at his exuding confidence, Raine stared at Red in a new light. "Your Pokémon obeyed you instantly."
He raised his eyebrow at that comment, "Why wouldn't they?"
"I...never mind. Let's get mo-" She groaned in irritation when the ground started quavering, "What now?!"
Her answer was met with the sight of hundreds of Diglett and Dugtrio, staring at them with such intense eyes that Raine feared for her life. She could hear the loud pounding of her heart as it threatened to burst her eardrums, sweat already matting her forehead and it certainly was not from the sudden increase of warmth. Fearful of this pleasant surprise, she whispered to an equal, shocked Red, "We should run..." Mew and Jirachi were by now struggling against her grip, their protesting voices echoing through the narrow cave.
"Let's take slow steps, no need to anger them more."
Inwardly, Raine screamed in frustration, wondering why she was doomed to attract frenzied Pokémon. Though this was the first time that they were on the verge of attacking her.
"Mew, please, be quiet," she tried hushing the Pokémon, but unfortunately, Mew slapped her with its tail and slipped out of her grasp. "Shit! Mew, get back here!" Her playful friend chose a bad time to play around. With quick agility, she grabbed the long, pink tail and pulled Mew towards her.
That was when the horde of digging Pokémon moved.
Startled and freaked out of her mind, Raine tightened her grip on her friends and started running for her dear life. Red sprinting ahead of them, Pikachu clutched tightly against his chest. "Mew, stop squirming and don't you dare teleporting away from me!" She shouted in hysteria, trying to keep her pace with Red but he was just too fast for her. Cursing her weak body, she hoped that they didn't die because of little brown poop-like Pokémon. That had been something she had always linked them to, ever since she had been a child.
Their mad dash had earned them many scuffles and injuries against the rocky edges of the cave as it got narrower.
She had never ran like this before, adrenaline pumping through her veins as her breathing became short and irregular. Tiredness and the aches in her muscles were starting to slow her down and she almost stumbled on the hard ground if it weren't for her smooth move, correcting herself before she kissed the dirt.
"Raine, hurry! They are getting close to you!"
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Red watched everything slow down as Raine got swallowed up by the crazy swarm of Diglett and Dugtrio. His eyes widened in fear, wanting nothing more but to turn back and rescue his newly-made friend, but he couldn't endanger the lives of his Pokémon. He shouted out her name, to no avail.
Bile threatened to rise and he pushed away the urge to throw up to the side, increasing his pace. His muscles strained because of the speed he was running in, but he ignored it. No Pokémon could help them out from this. He didn't have an Abra to teleport them outside. How could he know that something this mind-boggling would happen to them? This had never happened before in mankind's history.
Tears sprang in his eyes as his mind drifted back to Raine and he felt sick for abandoning her.
"...fuck!"
His attention shifted to the exit of the cave, light streaming inside of the cave. Pikachu stopped using Flash, its worried chirps frantic. Before he got engulfed in the madness, he leaped forward and exited the cave, stumbling and rolling on the hard ground. He heard Pikachu's loud cry of pain, followed by silence. His back hit a tree hard and he gasped in agony, pain shooting towards his body. Tired, covered in dust and having lost a friend, Red stood up on shaky legs. Coughing weakly, he limped towards his bloody Pikachu, worried eyes set on his motionless friend, "...Pikachu?"
He dropped on his knees, picking his little furball up with gentleness, "Buddy, wake up..." Soft sniffles left his lips as teardrops dripped on Pikachu. Blood was everywhere, the sight leaving him shocked and unable to think clearly. It was unlike anything he had seen before, not even Team Rocket's continuous attacks had rendered Pikachu a bloody pulp like now.
Red swallowed heavily, fear clawing at his heart as shaky fingers touched his sparky Pokémon, "C'me on, you p-romised that you would follow me until the end of my journey!" His voice became loud and desperate, "You promised!"
His desperate attempts to wake up Pikachu was interrupted by a loud cry, followed by the sudden appearance of Raine, along with her two Pokémon.
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Raine coughed weakly, groaning in pain, "Mew, Chi...? Red?" Looking around, she saw Mew floating towards Red. Chi was still in her arms, its black, worried eyes set on her face, "Did you teleport us away?"
"Chi!" Her little friend nodded, but moved its attention back to a crying Red.
She gasped in fright when her eyes locked with his hollow, lifeless eyes. "Red... where is Pikachu?"
He looked down, fresh tears rolling down his cheeks. The sight of Red crying like that made her feel guilty beyond words, knowing that it had been her fault that the Diglett and Dugtrio had been like that. Swallowing loudly, she stood up on trembling legs, adrenaline still pumping through her veins and walked towards the downed, bloody Pokémon.
The sight of Pikachu bleeding on the ground made her guilt increase even more, to the point where it became unbearable. Chi freed itself from her grasp and became pensive. Out of nowhere, Chi flew above Pikachu, its body glowing an ethereal white. It then let out a burst of light blue, sparkling lights, that rained down onto Pikachu's unmoving body.
Raine watched with mesmerising eyes as Pikachu's wounds started closing up before her eyes.
"Chi..." The voice sounded weak and tired, and when Raine snapped her attention back to her wishing Pokémon, her eyes widened when Chi fainted and almost dropped on the ground, if it weren't for Mew using his psychic powers to keep Chi afloat. Her eyes shone with worry as she cradled the unconscious Pokémon close to her heart, murmuring loving words. Mew looked equally worried as it placed a glowing paw on Jirachi's head, the soothing feeling engulfing the entire group as well.
Tiredness left her body, injuries healed and skin unmarred as Mew finished its work, smiling brightly at the tired group.
Red looked grateful, his eyes shining with undying gratitude, a weak smile etched on his face. "Thank you, Mew. Raine." He nodded at her, his worried red eyes moving from Jirachi to Pikachu. "We should probably fly to Pewter City to get them treated at the Pokémon Center." He took out one of his Pokéballs with shaky fingers, calling out to his friend Aero.
A red, streaming light took the form of Aerodactyl, a loud screeching echoing through the forest.
This place was deserted, not a soul to be found. Raine looked back to the cave, shivering when red, beady eyes stared at them.
"We should. Those Diglett and Dugtrio are still staring creepily, Red..."
Her companion stared at the cave with slight disdain, "Leave them. They aren't going to come out. But to be on the safe side, we should get out of here before one of them decides to be the first one to do so."
Cradling Chi and Pikachu close to her, she allowed Red to lift her up and set her on the back of Aerodactyl. He mounted the humongous beast as well, keeping firm hands on both of her sides as they ascended in the air, leaving the creepy cave behind them. While Mew enjoyed the flight with quiet contentment.
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Raine stared at the ceiling, trying to keep herself in check instead of biting her inner cheek from worry.
After they had flown to Pewter City, Red had ushered her towards the Pokémon Center where nurse Joy and Chansey had taken Chi and Pikachu to the surgery room. Ever since then, they were waiting for any updates, the red light still gleaming while suspense was on the point of choking them. Worry and guilt were eating away her sanity, or whatever there was left over.
She couldn't think nor feel, her mind numb as she kept staring at a certain spot in the ceiling. Mew sat next to her, frown marring its face as it shot her worried looks.
Everything moved in a blur and Raine kept in her spot, secluding herself from the world. If she remained with her friends, she would only endanger them. Her presence caused most of the Pokémon to go in a frenzy, crazy mode, attacking everything on their path.
Swallowing the bile away, she hid her face behind curtains of black, hiding her tears away. Here she was in a hospital because of her fault while she had said the same words to Red. In fact, her presence was much more dangerous than Team Rocket. Such an imbalance and uncertainty shouldn't walk around other humans since she wasn't. Not even faking it would change that fact. She would never be normal again, no matter how much she dreamed, hoped, wished.
...she didn't belong anywhere.
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Nurse Joy came out with a tired, relieved smile as Pikachu and Jirachi chirped happily, eyes shining with life. "Here are your friends. Please, take care of them."
"Thank you, nurse Joy!" Red shouted in relief, Mew settled on his shoulders. They had received many looks because of Mew's cloaked self but none had dared to question the true origins of the little mischievous Pokémon. Unfortunately for Jirachi, many trainers had snapped their Pokédex towards the wish Pokémon, the same information replaying loudly, sounding much more like a choir as voice mixed up.
Thankfully, nurse Joy and Chansey reprimanded all the trainers for scaring Jirachi after it had been injured.
Red glowered at everyone who dared to approach them thereafter, "It's alright, Chi. Let's get you back to Raine." He cradled the trembling Pokémon in his arms, shielding it away from the prying eyes. He was sure that Raine would go bat-shit crazy if she would see how much attention her little friend had received. He was only glad that Chi, Jirachi's dubbed nickname by Raine, didn't fear him anymore.
Blinking his eyes in worry, he started looking for Raine, checking everywhere and finding no black-haired, blue-eyed young female around the twenty.
"...Mew, have you seen Raine?" He whispered quietly, not wanting to alert anyone of another Legendary Pokémon.
"Ew?" It shook its head, the hood almost toppling off.
"Fuck." Turning back to nurse Joy, he started asking questions about his friend's whereabouts.
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Darkness had crept upon the sky, stars shining beautifully as a few clouds floated lazily. Pewter City was surrounded by a comfortable silence, all lights vanished from every house. Most inhabitants must be sleeping by now in their comfortable bed.
Raine clenched her fists until they turned a deathly pale colour, jealousy swirling inside of her. No one had any problem, all left alone in their peaceful homes, having nothing to worry about. Only she was stuck in a mutated body, her misplaced soul stuck in this strange world. Closing her eyes, she turned another corner, increasing the distance from the Pokémon Center with each step that she took.
She thought about Mew and Jirachi as they tried to look for her. About Red and his Pikachu.
Loneliness and sorrow made it hard to breathe, her heart aching at the thought that she would never see them. But why would a freak like her have friend... like normal people...
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks and she stopped walking, struggling with the decision to stick with her choice. Her presence would bring forth misery and pain to her companions. Hopefully, Red would take care of Mew and Jirachi, especially her wish Pokémon. It was easily startled and scared of new people and places. Chi would need more guidance than Mew.
With another heavy breath, she trudged forward, her inner thoughts in turmoil, eyes hardly focused.
Raine wiped her tears away and was about to take another step when she heard loud, masculine voices. Her attention moved to the drunk men, suspicion and wariness swirling in her blue eyes as she tried to remain inconspicuous. Thankfully, they were drunk, which meant slow movements and equally slow thoughts. Avoiding them was for the best. She turned around and walked in the opposite way, wanting to get away from the drunk men. Really, tempting Fate was not something she liked to do, even if it seemed like she was doing so. She stopped walking when she noticed a man staring her way.
Wide, blue eyes locked with another set of viridian-green. Cruelty shone clear in those orbs and the intention seemed everything but friendly.
Narrowing her eyes, she kept her fear in check, "Can I help you?"
Amused chuckles came from the giant of a man, muscles bulked and looking quite terrifying if she was to be honest. To her horror, more voices piped up behind her and she clenched her teeth, shifting her feet and getting ready to flee, if necessary. Which she was sure that it would be needed in a few seconds.
"While yes you can. How polite of you to ask!"
She shivered in disgust as his eyes leered over her body, feeling disgust creep up on her. "I'm not sure what you want but I have no time for you, nor your friends."
The man took a step towards her, his towering presence blocking the moon from her view. She decided that running would be the smartest choice. Shooting forward, she ducked the giant man as he tried to grab her. Freedom was almost close, she could even taste it.
...until grubby hands grabbed a tight hold of her black locks and pulled.
Her body collided with hard, rocky muscles, sweaty hands clamped down on her mouth as the giant man lifted her up without a care in the world. His other friends cheered the brute on, some even having the nerve to whistle and cat-call. Anger and shame swelled inside of her and she turned furious eyes on the man, struggling against his vice-tight grip, wanting to claw his face.
"You remind me of a fierce kitten. I'll certainly enjoy playing with you."
Dread pooled in her stomach and she started calling upon her mysterious powers, concentrating hard with closed eyes.
To her increasing horror, she found that she could not summon anything. Her eyes widened in shock as fear overtook her pretty features. Wild trembles shot through her body and she started struggling for life, fearing for the worst as the men walked to the more secluded areas in pewter City. With it her chances of being rescued became almost non-existent. Deciding to embrace her inner animal, she bit hard into his hand until she drawled out blood.
She was dropped on the ground and thinking quickly, she rolled to the side, dodging the man's kick and stumbled upwards.
"Fuck, grab the bitch before she gets away!"
Adrenaline pumping throughout her veins, Raine dodged another attempt of one of the men. Her insides were churning unpleasantly and she slapped another eager hand away. Burning, blue eyes glowered at the rest of the leering men as she tried to find an escape and keeping them on their toes. If she survived this encounter, she would purchase a sword or pistol, law be damned.
Mind on overdrive, she dashed towards the weakest-looking man, tackling him hard on the ground and slamming her fists on his face. Scrambling upwards, Raine ran towards the exit of the alley, ignoring the yells of outrage until she bumped against another masculine chest, muscles firmly locked in place. Horror seeped in her bones as she looked up to find stormy, icy blue eyes locked on her form. Her heart skipped a beat at that look, almost scaring the shit out of her. "Stay behind me," his oddly calm voice spoke up, the sound sending more shivers up her spine.
The mysterious man pushed her behind him, anger palpable in the air as he took one of his Pokéball from his belt, calling his Pokémon out with disturbing quietness. The tertiary evolution of Abra appeared, power rolling off it in waves as it pierced the drunken men with unimpressed eyes.
"Alakazam, use Hypnosis, followed by Dream Eater."
Raine clamped her mouth shut at his ruthlessness, her feet stuck in her place as she listened to the torturous screams and whimpers from her would-be rapists. Still, a part of her was chuckling in glee, satisfied with the outcome while another part of her was horrified.
"Good, now Teleport them to the Police Station with this letter."
"Kazam," its eyes glowed an eerie purple and the group of men vanished completely.
Smooth, baritone voice turned towards her, slight disdain evident in his eyes, "What kind of smart woman wanders alone at night?" He called back his Pokémon and stared at her with unimpressed eyes.
Raine furrowed her brows, "My reasons are none of your business, stranger. I'm grateful for your help but I must leave." Not wanting to hear any more insults, she walked away, shoulders hunched and hands still shaking. She really was a walking disaster. Her luck was toppling closer to dangerous rather than the good kind. One day, her heart wouldn't withstand all these traumatising events.
"Wait a moment. I'm not going to let you walk off in the dark, not after doing all the effort to save your sorry ass."
She whirled around in anger, eyeing the, begrudgingly admitted, handsome young man, "Listen here, I'm grateful for your help but insult me again and next time it'll be your sorry ass that would need help."
"Feisty," he commented casually, one hand in his pocket, "Now, you can say all you want, but I'm still stuck to you until your brain decides to work again."
Raine hissed in annoyance and raised her hand to slap him hard, only to have him stop her, fingers coiled around her wrist. She yelped at the sudden increase of pressure as the arrogant young man suddenly pushed her against a wall. His closeness made her squirm uncomfortable as his hot breath hit her cheeks, "You'd be stupid to disregard my help. Look around you and tell me that you would like to walk away from your only source of protection. It's your only fault for venturing without any Pokémon to protect you."
Avoiding his soul-piercing eyes, she looked around them, noticing that this place crawled with the unsavoury kind of people. They were all eyeing her like a slab of meat, leering eyes practically unclothing her. He was right, it would be downright suicidal to continue her recklessness.
Defeated, she looked to the side and nodded, "...fine."
He retreated backwards ad grabbed her elbow none too gently, "So you do have a few working brain cells."
She glowered at his remark, "Piss off, asshole."
"I wish I could. But it seems that I'm stuck with an ungrateful, reckless, brainless moron."
Trying to slap him again, she spat out insults when he grabbed both her arms, "Try to slap me again and I'll drop you with these men. See if you'd like that."
Raine froze at those ominous words and closed her eyes, hoping that the vicious man, unlike any white knight, wouldn't see her tears. It seemed the world got a kick out of her misery, dropping her in many dangerous situations. Was she to be treated like some dirt by every single person?
Broken and lifeless, she followed the man, not caring about the leering eyes.
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Raine was dropped at the front door of the Pokémon Center, she could the lights shining from the windows and remembered the cosy atmosphere in the waiting room. When she turned around to spit out some insults, she found him to be gone. If she saw him next time, she would tackle him to the ground. That slobbering, arrogant, uncouth man. What right did he have to insult her after being traumatised?!
"Raine!" She stiffened when she heard Red's relieved voice, followed by the shouts of her Pokémon.
Cursing herself out for being weak and not running away, she turned around and plastered a smile on her face. That didn't even need faking since she really was happy to see them, her loneliness pushed back to the darkest corner of her mind. Leaving them a second time would become hard, she didn't know if she even dared venturing alone. Especially after the encounter with her almost-rapists.
Before she could utter a single word, she got group-tackled by everyone and any form of worry and insecurity left her. Sobs wreaked her body as she clutched Chi and Mew close to her, enjoying the protective embrace from Red as Pikachu nuzzled against her neck.
"I'm so sorry..."
For not leaving you, for endangering you all, for being selfish, for being weak, for so many things that I'll never be able to say...