Chapter 8: New body, New life
Despite Russ's efforts, Izalith manages to catch up and overtake Russ with ease. They reach the oxbow lake in no time. With hands on his knees and panting, Russ says with difficulty. " You are … quite fast … on your …. feet." Izalith basks in her glory while Russ recovers. After recovering, Russ takes off all his clothes except for his underwear. He take his amethyst necklace off too. "Hey, Izalith. Stop gloating and come swim." Russ jumps into the lake. As Russ swims around, Izalith gets a feeling of uncertainty. Before Izalith can do anything about the feeling, the next thing could not be seen coming by either Russ or Izalith.
-Russ's pov-
I am having a nice swim. I look over at Izalith but she looked hesitant. "Hey, what is the matter? Are you scared of the water?" I shout to her. Once I finish what I was saying, the brand starts to burn. I grab my right forearm in agony and sink below the surface. I could feel my spine pop and all my bone morphing. I feel the burning spreading and look at my forearm. I can see that the burning corresponds with the black and gold fur now growing on my body. The process is going faster too. The next moment, my right hand is now a paw, not too soon after my other arm and legs are paws and legs of a canine. I felt my underwear rip and something grow from the base of my spine. I look around and to my dismay, I have a bushy tail now. As my torso grows more slender and more like a canine, My face changes shape too. First, my ears shift further up my head and becomes more diamond-shaped. My face morphs into a canine face with my black nose at the end and my canine teeth enlarge and elongate. I black out before I could experience the final changes. -Izalith's pov-
Once Russ went under, I immediately want to jump in after him but a Zatu stops me. "You may not interfere yet." I glare at him and say "He is going to die if I don't save him." The Zatu responds back "He is in safe hands. You have to wait a moment." I cross my arms and wait like the Zatu requests. After a few minutes, I grow impatient. " I am going in after him whether you like it or not." The Zatu does not stop this time. I jump into the lake and swim to where he went under. I take a deep breath and dive under the water. I can see a soft glow and I went after it. Once I get closer, I do not see Russ but a large dog like figure. I look around and I can not see anything that could be Russ. I grab the figure and swim up to the surface. Once I broke the surface, I drag the large mass to the shore with difficulty. Once on shore, I place the figure on the ground and try to wake it up.
-Third person pov-
After a few agonizing moments, Russ comes to the land of the living. "Ugh. That was so painful." he says with little to no difference to his voice. He look to his right to see Izalith by his side and a Zatu behind her. Izalith has a look of worry and bewilderment on face. Izalith speaks before Russ can speak again. "Russ, is that you? Is that really you?" Russ at first is confused at the question but also is confused how he can understand pokespeak without a psychic. Then he realizes what just happen and he takes a good look at himself. Russ's eye are now wide open. He twists around til his newfound legs are underneath his body. He tries to stand up but his leg are shaking from the strain and collapse. Izalith comes over and says "Calm down there, big fella. You may be very weak and you are not use to these type of legs." Russ sighs and replies " Thanks Izalith and yes I am Russ. By the way, Who is that?" Izalith looks at the Zatu. "I do not know but I think that pokemon knows something that we don't."
As it senses that it is being spoken about, the Zatu flies over and speaks to Russ and Izalith. "Hello. I am Cass. I am here to guide you through what is going to transpire." Russ and Izalith look at each other while Cass continues. "A grand battle is in your future and I know because I envisioned it. You are chosen because your future opponent is like you. A human turned into a pokemon but she is driven by rage and despair while you are driven by love and hope. Although my master is not going to talk to me for awhile but he did say that he will talk again when the time is right." With his head cocked to the side, Russ interrupts "There is another like me and who is your master?" Cass glares at Russ. "Yes. She has been causing death and destruction from the shadows, using a wild pokemon army. Each day the more pokemon join her cause while many stay away and some even retaliate with little success. All I know about her is that master says that she is pawn for revenge and her name is Luna. As for my master, I am not sure of his intentions or even his name but he sounds old, wise and most of divine." They all stare in silence for awhile before Izalith speaks up. "Well, the first thing is to help Russ learn how to work with four legs." Cass says "Well, I forgot that my master says that I must refer to you as Sol." Russ says "what?"