Outer Body
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By Angelbloodlover
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~ "She was disappearing a little more each day, so thin, so frail, a wisp of smoke. One day she would surely vanish altogether, and there was no way to stop her."
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Alice Hoffman, Green Heart
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Chapter 6: Meet Professor Oak
After reuniting with her friends, they had flown the rest of the distance back to Pallet Town. Aerodactyl had been displeased by her presence but one look from Red quieted down any form of protest. Throughout the rest of the flight, she had noticed Red's intense gaze burning a hole through her head. Their closeness wasn't helping any matters either.
Fortunately for her, the distance from Pewter to Pallet Town wasn't that far when you were riding a giant fossil dragon. As they descended back to the safe ground, Raine breathed out in relief. If it weren't for Red's firm grip, she would be fearing for her life. Aerodactyl already disliked her and with one slight topple, it could send her flying to her death. Red helped her get down and called his Pokémon back to the safety of its Pokéball. Once she felt the ground with her own feet, she smiled softly and observed Pallet Town. It was already past nightfall and most people were sleeping in their beds. Everything was quiet and serene, giving off a tranquil feeling.
Ash Ketchum came from this little ol' town as well. Though her dislike for the ever ten year old boy had always been there. She just found it annoying that he never seemed to grow up as time flew by.
The immortal Pokémon trainer.
Now that she was thinking of Ash, Red seemed to look like an exact replica of him, except older, much more handsome and ruby-red eyes instead of the pitch-black.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
She snapped back to reality when she noticed Red's uncomfortable look from her staring. "Sorry, was deep in my thoughts."
He scratched his cheek and looked away, murmuring some unintelligible words. Pikachu kept eyeing her strangely and Mew was poking everything on its path with enough curiousness to outlast a century.
Raine placed Chi on top of her head, enjoying its exuberant cry as it observed everything with careful eyes. His shy demeanour seemed to dissolve slowly on as it became much bolder in personality. That was a good thing as things didn't easily startle the little oddball like before. She started following Red as he informed them about his hometown, telling them little anecdotes about his youth with a person named Blue.
Before she knew it, they stopped in front of a large building, linked to a wide, vast land where many Pokémon were slumbering around.
To her annoyance, they all seemed to sense her, their eyes piercing her. Red raised an eyebrow at that, "...I've noticed that every Pokémon seemed to have such an reaction on you." His eyes became sharp and knowing, "Is that why you came to see the professor?"
Raine eyed him tiredly, "At first, they seemed friendly enough, but now it's like they want a piece of me. I don't understand it." That, and also to find a method to get back to my body.
"Let's get you inside before they start lynching you," he joked lamely, earning himself a firm slap against her head.
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Professor Oak had never thought in his entire life to meet not one, but two Legendary Pokémon. Even after a while, he still couldn't believe his eyes. His incredulous stare shifted back to Raine, the mysterious young woman whom Red had told him about. Her aura seemed different with otherworldly appearances, just like he had been told. He was sure that her looks caught lots of attention as well. Hopefully not the unwanted ones.
He had to act as professional as possible, but it was getting hard to quench his thirst for knowledge. The last sighting of Mew had been almost seven years ago when Red had fought against Mewtwo. Eyeing Mew with starry eyes, he clenched his fists and took a deep breath. Stay calm. Rational. No need to scare it off...
"...alright, let us get settled in. I'll bring some refreshments. Red, can you lead her to the back?"
"Sure, professor," Red answered with a bright grin. He looked much more comfortable around this place, having visited it plenty of times back when he was little.
Raine allowed Mew and Jirachi free reign, observing her little friends with amusement in her eyes as they played together with Pikachu. Her eyes flickered back to Red, noticing that he had been staring at her with intense eyes. "...Red?"
He blinked his eyes a few times and shook his head, "I was thinking," he started, "...about the reason as to why most Pokémon seemed to have a bad reaction to you. It feels like I'm missing a piece..." His intelligence never ceased to amaze her and she gulped uncomfortably as he led her to a set of expensive-looking couches. Sitting down, she tried changing the subject, but Red was persistent. "I think you're hiding something else, something that would explain everything."
Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance, "Red, remember the promise?"
"Yes, I do. But your safety is much more important!"
She jerked back against the couch, not expecting such a heated answer. It left her mind befuddled "...I...why do you care so much for a stranger?"
"Because I have seen that you were in need of a friend," came his calm voice, eyes softening at her confusion.
...well, there went her ability to speak. This person always left her speechless with his damned charisma. At times, she even wondered if he really was human. His personality seemed too good to be true.
"I know that you don't feel uncomfortable talking about it, but how would I be able to help you out if you don-" "Well, well, well, if it isn't Red- wait, it's you!" Red perked up at that familiar voice while Raine convulsed in rage, her icy blue eyes moving to the arrogant, uncouth man from yesterday. Without another word, she stood up and walked towards him, eyes blazing furiously.
Instead of slapping him, something that he expected, she turned towards another sneaky, cowardly move. She firmly kicked him between his legs. Satisfaction curled up in her heart and she looked down at the crumbling, hissing young man, enjoying the way he grovelled at her feet. "Fucking bastard. I hope you rot in hell."
Red could only gape in shock at the scene in front of him as his best friend and rival, Blue, got kicked in balls by Raine.
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Raine huffed in anger and looked at Red with betrayal in her eyes.
"C'me on, Raine. Don't be stubborn..."
"Stubborn, you say," narrowing her eyes, she poked him hard against his chest, "That bastard doesn't deserve an apology after the things he said! I'd rather eat my own shoes instead!"
Blue hissed at her, "I should've left you in that damned place!"
Her entire body shook with repressed anger, "...I am so through with you." She gritted through her teeth, fists clenched tightly against her sides.
Red held Raine back from being pummelled by Blue since he knew that his normally calm friend was on the verge of exploding. He had never seen his friend so worked up over a girl. Usually, he was charming them back to his bedroom but Raine seemed to despise his entire existence and he didn't know why. But it seemed that at one point they had met each other and had a rather unfortunate meeting.
"Guys, let's settle this calmly. Professor Oak won't like it if we destroy his precious laboratory."
He sweatdropped when Raine spat out some colourful words, words that would make the most foul-mouthed sailor blush. Cheeks aflame, he turned Raine to face him, "Enough, you're not a child." She quieted down, mouth agape as she stared at him. Satisfied, he focused on his grumbling friend, "Blue, you as well. Sit down and explain everything to me from the beginning."
Blue grinned viciously at the alarmed look of Raine, "There is nothing to explain. Your brainless friend here was walking in the more shady places of Pewter City. Of course, what happens to a lonesome girl walking after dark without a Pokémon to protect you?" He savoured her panicked look and decided to finish it with some bang. "If it weren't for me she would have been gang-raped by more than ten men." His voice became cruel, "And how did that bitch repay my kindness? By trying to slap me not once, but twice!"
Red gasped in shock, eyes shifting back to his trembling friend. No wonder she was wary of strangers and didn't trust anyone. "Raine, I-" Before he could finish his sentence, she shot forward like a rocket, tackling the surprised Blue to the ground and screaming out in madness and fury.
"You son of a bitch! I hate you!" She started clawing his face, hitting every inch of his goddamned pretty face and hoping that he would get scars. "How dare you word it differently and lie to my face?! You fucking basta-" Her words died down when Blue snapped from his stupor and changed their position. He grabbed her hands none too gently, pushing it above her head, using more force than necessary. He locked her legs with his and leaned towards her, his face dark as red trails ran down his face.
She glowered and stared at him with a fearless expression, "You're a sick sadistic son of a bi-" "Finish that sentence and my face will be the last thing you'll see."
"Fuck, you guys! Was this really necessary?!" Red exclaimed in shock as he pulled Blue away from Raine but he just didn't seem to budge. "Shit, Blue, get off her! What the hell has gotten into you?!"
"What will you do then? Finish what those fuckers started and failed at?"
Red screamed in frustration and tackled Blue to the side, toppling a vase over. It crashed down on the tiled floor, sending shards everywhere.
Raine stood up and dusted herself off, shooting daggers at the struggling Blue. "Every rabid dog needs a leash." She spat out in disgust at Blue, enjoying the way he glared darkly at her. "I pity all the poor souls who don't seem to see through your charming personality." Having enough of his revolting looks, she walked away, intent on finding Mew and Chi. Then, she needed to find the professor and get the hell out of here.
Pallet Town had never left her feeling so dreadful.
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"That fucking bitch! I ought to snap her arrogant neck!"
Red dropped his head on his hands, groaning as Blue started visualising different ways of hurting Raine. "Please, can you drop it?"
"No! I will not!" Blue fumed in barely suppressed anger, ego bruised, "I should have let those bastards fuck the shit out of her and watch the scene!"
Having enough, he stood up, "That's it, I'm going to look for professor Oak. I can't stand your vulgar complaints." He tugged at his black locks in annoyance, "Don't do anything stupid." Red warned with narrowed eyes, "She has a Mew and a Jirachi."
Blue choked on his spit, unable to believe that the brainless bimbo had two fucking Legendary Pokémon, "Are you fucking kidding me?!"
"No, so stay away from her."
He left the shocked Blue behind, hoping that nothing bad would happen in his absence.
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Raine cooed gently as she scratched Mew's ear, "Who is my cutie?"
"Mew!"
Chi giggled quietly, lazing on top of her head as it observed everything from above.
Pikachu had already left to find its trainer so they were alone in this giant lab. After she had found professor Oak, he had asked her to remain where she was with Mew and Chi, until he fetched her. And here she was, awaiting his arrival.
"...mew?" Her little friend piped up worriedly as a pink glow engulfed the three of them, a shimmering barrier erected.
Raine gasped in surprise, staring at Mew, "Mew, what are you doing?"
Mew started chirping out in a worried frenzy, pointing towards a hidden figure in the corner. Raising her eyebrows, she noticed that Blue was staring at her with dark, amused eyes. "So, Red was saying the truth. I didn't believe him when he told me that you had two Legendaries wrapped around your finger." He narrowed his eyes, "How you caught the attention of such strong and rare Pokémon is beyond me." He walked closer towards them and stopped in front of them, his eyes boring into hers.
She scooped her Pokémon closer to her, hiding them from Blue.
He noticed her movement and chuckled darkly, "How cute, thinking that I would attack you." Crouching down on eye-level, he smiled warmly, fake and no ounce of warmth evident in it. "Don't worry, I'm not into raging banshees." Interest piqued, he poked the barrier and cursed when lightning zapped him without remorse.
Mew and Chi growled angrily, their forms glowing with barely suppressed powers. Heavy tense pressure pressed onto them, leaving their breathing much more shallow. Raine didn't know what she was feeling, only that she was scared out of her mind. Blue just rubbed her in the wrong way.
"Tch. Stupid bitch." With that, he stood up and left.
The barrier dissolved and she allowed herself to breathe in relief, keeping her composure calm.
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After a while, professor Oak sought her out and led her to his private office where no one would disturb them. Raine had sat down, explaining her current situation. Until, she came to the real deal. Her unsure eyes flickered to her amulet and back to the kind professor. "I...it would seem unreal but it is anything but. No matter how hard I wish it to be a dream, it isn't."
"Everything you told me earlier already left me shocked to the core. What else can you add besides Legenday Pokémon and dimension-travelling?"
She shivered as her fingers curled around the necklace, slowly taking it off as a bright lift engulfed her. Gone was her human body, instead another Mew stared at the gaping professor.
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Professor Oak had heard quite some ridiculous stories but this one topped everything. And seeing it with his own eyes was not helping matters. He was rendered speechless by Raine's transformation into a Pokémon, and which one. None other than Mew. Now it made sense why the other Mew was travelling with her. It had felt the presence of another Mew and bonded with her.
But that still left the mystery of Jirachi, the wish Pokémon.
His eyes widened at the way Raine clutched her amulet, uncomfortable eyes locked with his. He was baffled that she still had the same, identical crystal-blue eyes. "...that amulet had been Jirachi's doing?"
She nodded sadly, shoulders hunched and expression grave, "...mew..."
The professor raised his eyebrows at that, wondering why Raine couldn't speak the human language. "Raine, I don't understand you. You sound the same like Mew."
Raine furrowed her brows, the expression weird on Mew's soft features, "Mew! Mew! Mew!" She stomped her feet in anger, tears leaking from her eyes as she motioned at her body with the necklace.
To his astonishment, Raine glowed brightly, pink covering every inch of her body as most objects in the room started floating in the air.
"...Raine, you need to calm down." He ducked when a pencil shot towards him. Gulping, he hid behind his desk. "Perhaps you should change back because I don't understand anything you say." Thankfully, Raine obeyed his command and donned the magical amulet around her neck, hiding it inside of her clothes. Without her transformation, her powers were removed and all his stuff clattered against the ground.
Sheepish and fearful of the outcome, she apologised, "I didn't know what overcame me..."
"It's quite a lot to take in." The professor started carefully, not wanting to give her hope too soon, "But first explain to me what you were saying back in your Mew transformation."
"Well, I've noticed that my powers are only available to me when I'm Mew. I can't use it when I'm in my human form. As for the amulet," Her voice trailed off, staring at the professor with saddened eyes, "...it's the only way to change into my human form. I received it after using my first wish from Jirachi."
Rubbing his chin, professor Oak stood up, "I had a feeling Jirachi would pop up soon." He dropped his hand back to his side and walked around his desk to come face-to-face with Raine, "Can I examine your necklace?"
Begrudgingly, she took out her necklace from under her clothes and allowed him to inspect it.
"Remarkable. This looks the same like an everstone, yet it isn't. An everstone doesn't allow a Pokémon to evolve or in your case, keeps the transformation at bay." He started speaking after an uncomfortable silence, "It shines with an ethereal glow unlike any everstone I have seen. The texture seems much more refined. This would need better equipment to examine it." Not wanting to disappoint her, he gently approached the subject, "Unfortunately, I don't have such equipment but I know someone who does."
He moved back to his desk and linked his hands together, eyeing the mysterious woman in front of him with awe, "I'll notify him of your special everstone but you will have to travel to Hoenn where you will meet up with Steven Stone. He is a famous stone collector and has recently graduated from the University of Rustboro as a geologist. He will be able to help you with the stone while I will contact my fellow colleagues to discuss your current situation." He raised his hand before he could interrupt her, "I won't reveal your name, don't worry about that. But there will come a time where you will have to expose your true identity."
She hugged her body tightly at that thought, hoping that it wouldn't be too soon. Because she sure as hell wasn't ready for that.
"...yes, professor."
"Good, now let me tell you how you will travel there..." She listened as the professor explained her new journey. Hope wasn't lost, she could still find it but a way to revert her transformation. And this Steven Stone seemed to be the first step in the right direction. The only thing she remembered him to be was the fact that he used to be Hoenn's Champion but stepped down from his position.
"Now with that out of the way, you told me that Pokémon become hostile towards you?" Professor continued.
Raine nodded, frustration clear in her voice, "At first, they were friendly towards me, even when they all flocked me. That changed after a while, it seems like each and every single Pokémon wants a piece of me."
The wise professor rubbed his chin and started formulating many hypothesises for Raine's unnatural situation. "Maybe the Pokémon sense that you are neither human nor Pokémon. It's even highly probable that they feel that you come from another dimension. Your appearance in this world is an unknown enigma, not on the level of being a paradox but more like you're disrupting the normal way of life. Transformation for a human had never been heard of. It doesn't even exist." He scratched his head when his thoughts swirled to the ever pokémaniac Bill, "...except for Bill but that had been more of a fluke than a real transformation."
Remembering that familiar name, she spoke up, "Isn't that the inventor of the storage system?"
"Hmm," He nodded, "The one and only." Shaking his thoughts about Bill away, he continued, "Since you're adamant about travelling alone, I'll give you something that will help you to keep the Pokémon calm." The professor walked away from her towards his storage room to get whatever object he needed. Raine heard a lot of noise coming from the room, things falling on the ground. "Aha! I found it!"
After some more grumbles and noises, the professor appeared dishevelled, lab coat in a disordered state and hair ruffled.
Squinting her eyes, she noticed that he was holding some kind of bell.
"This is called a soothe bell, the comforting chime of this bell calms the holder, making it friendly. But in this case, you'll wear it to calm down any Pokémon around you."
Raine smiled brightly, mentally crossing down her problem with the hostility of the Pokémon. "Thank you so much, professor Oak!"
He placed the bell on her hand, "Put this around your wrist or in your hair. As long as it's in a place where you can jiggle it, alright?"
She nodded hurriedly, putting the item away. "I don't know how I'll be able to repay you, professor..."
"Believe me, you already have." His eyes twinkled in amusement, "Having seen Mew and Jirachi is worth so much more than this simple bell. Besides, you even allowed me to take down some notes of your two companions, putting their info inside the Pokédex-Oh! Just a second, I'll be right back!" Again, the professor vanished, leaving her bewildered and confused at his sudden departure.
He came back with more stuff in his arms, an excited gleam in his eyes, "I'm sure you'll find these interesting to have." He placed the items on his desk and scratched his cheek, soft chuckles escaping his lips, "...well, that's what I hope..."
Lips twitching upwards, she smiled softly at the professor, "...is that a Pokédex for me?"
His eyes softened at her gentle expression, reminding him so much of his own daughter. "Yes, I thought that you might need it on your journey. Besides, you might fill my Pokédex with more Legendary Pokémon. You seem to be attracting them like bees to flowers."
Raine giggled quietly at his lame joke, "I hope the soothing bell will keep them calm then or I will hold you responsible!"
"Sure, sure. Now, that's not the only thing that you'll need on your journey." He picked up one of the six Pokéballs. "I know you quite dislike them but they might come in handy. If you want to, you can ask the Pokémon permission for catching it. It's certainly an unorthodox way of catching them, but some people do it." Continuing with his explanation, he ticked the Pokégear, "This is the Pokégear, with it you can contact me. I've already added Red, professor Birch from Hoenn and Steven Stone in your contact list. You can also check the maps of Kanto, Johto and Hoenn on it. If you want the maps for Sinnoh, Unova and others, you'll have to update your Pokégear in the region itself. Next, we have your trainer ID," He opened the Pokégear, which seemed to have a wallet inside of it. Her face greeted her on the card, a smile tugged on her lips. "I've taken the time to add Mew and Jirachi on your list of Pokémon so you might be able to heal them in the Pokémon Center in case you need it."
Nodding at him in gratitude, she opened her mouth but he beat her to it.
"I'm not finished, dear." He reprimanded grandfatherly, "A backpack and a Pokémon belt will be necessary as well." Professor Oak started stuffing her new belongings in her black backpack, except for the belt, which he handed to her instead. Finally, his hand stopped on a stack of Pokédollars, "I know it's not much, but by getting Mew and Jirachi's DNA I had been able to finish quite a lot of research. In the name of science, I would like to give you some of compensation for your deeds."
She felt so warm by receiving all these stuff. Her, a complete stranger. Though, when the professor took out another Pokéball from his pocket, she arched her eyebrow, "Professor?"
"One more thing..." He grabbed her hand and placed the warm Pokéball in her palm, "This is my gift to you. Don't release the Pokémon until you're far away from here." A mischievous twinkle in his eyes reappeared, "I'm sure you will like the little fellow inside of it. It's also added to your list of Pokémon."
Shocked, grateful and loved, Raine engulfed the professor in a hug. "...thank you... I don't know what to say..."
Returning the embrace, the professor stroked her luscious black hair, marvelling at the soft texture, "Shh... everything will be alright, I promise you that I will do my best to help you out."
Trails of tears followed thereafter.
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At first, Red had wanted to accompany her but she absolutely refused. Raine wanted to continue her journey with Mew and Jirachi alone. (Also, the mystery Pokémon in her Pokéball as well now.) This way she wouldn't have to rely on Red and become more independent. If this life would become hers then she damned well would do it without anyone's help.
Thus, here they were, both bidding each other goodbye and staring awkwardly.
They weren't friends yet, but neither were they strangers. Raine felt conflicted; hugging would be too intimate and weird while a handshake was too formal. Clearing her throat, she smiled warmly, deciding that this would be good as well, "Red, it was nice travelling with you. Thank you for everything. I hope we'll see each other again."
"Mew/Ji!" Her two Pokémon chorused together, waving to the duo wildly as they floated around them.
"Likewise Raine. I enjoyed our time together, even Pikachu did, right buddy?"
Pikachu eye-smiled, sending her the peace sign, "Pika-pika!"
With a satisfied nod, she turned around and walked away until another thought made her freeze in her tracks. "Right! Before I forget, Chi," She locked eyes with her wishing friend, "I want to use my last wish to get more money and pay Red back." Her eyes glinted slyly, "No, make it more. We need money to support our travels. Can you summon me one hundred thousand Pokédollars?"
Red stared at her with gaping jaws, eyes wide in sheer disbelief.
Chi tilted its head to the side and bopped its head wildly, chirping in happiness. The remaining tag floated above them and glowed brightly, leaving them temporary blind. When the light dispersed, lots of money appeared above Raine and dropped all on her, leaving her covered in bills.
She glared at her friends as they snickered at her unfortunate situation.
"Maybe you can swim out of it?" Red taunted with a crooked smirk, hand on his hip.