It's been a while since an update, but here's a long chapter for you all! Please enjoy!
Chapter forty-seven: In Search of a dear Friend
The days blended into one another. A week had gone by since we came to the cottage, and results from the tests were not as positive as I had hoped they would be. It's started getting to me...
The previous night, Bill explained, Oak and his assistants are quite frustrated, for they can't be able to isolate the formula's components, and I too have had difficulty finding its makeup.
Bill also could not get into contact with the people holding Bartoli at the jail. And so, today...Bill and I decided it would be best to take a break today and resume work later tomorrow.
I didn't protest, it had been a tough week being hooked on machines and having been subjected to some light experiments…
And so, I decided to explore the interior of the cottage to start my day, and I soon find myself in its library. I picked books that seemed to mirror my misfortunes: The old man and the Sea by a certain author named "Hemingway." Another book is a certain grim poem by T.S. Elliot.
I hop on a brown sofa to start reading. As time passes by and I indulge myself in these works, Orion, who's alone, finds me in the library late in the morning and stops by the sofa. He looks up towards me with his ear flopping to the side, "hey Lucas, how are you doing?"
"Just reading" I turn to him, setting my book down against my lap. Orion looks around soon after, apparently looking for something. I then notice he is eyeing the shelve full of books across from us, "you mind if I try reading something."
"You don't have to ask," I point to the kids/teen section, "try those books down by the bottom, they're easier to follow for you." Orion makes his way there and scans the shelf for anything that catches his attention. He soon finds something he might like: a space adventure book. I knew they were the types of stories he is most interested in: they just seemed to be the ones that captivated him time and time again. Can you imagine if a Pokémon astronaut existed...that would be something...
So, he grabs the paperback and sits beside me, opening it in the process. Orion places his yellow finger against the printed words and tries to recite them as best as he can, "this…is the story…of Danny…Darret…and…h…his…g…group-" he begins by reading. I soon step in to guide him, "of…outcasts…from…" I read as he follows along.
"Laskeep" I finish as the sentence ends.
"What's that?" the Pikachu asked as I shrug and explained, "-just a fictional place in the book, it's not real."
"Oh I see…" Orion nods in understanding.
"Do you need help pronouncing it" I ask as he nods again, "definitely" he mutters.
I keep on helping him for some time, and it isn't long before he starts reading mostly by himself again, which makes me happy for him. Orion is really starting to read on his own now! It really does put a smile on my face…seeing how far he has come from when I first started teaching him in a cage at Viridian Forest. Around that time, he could barely read or write his own name, but now he can read books, albeit ones for younger readers, but still…great improvement! Maybe I should have been a teacher…hehe…
Anyways, we sit together on that sofa for some time, sharing the stories and adventures we each found in the books we read: it was a good two hours in at the library with nothing but our own voices and the ticking of a clock to fill our time.
Eventually, Rigel comes in and finds us reading our books. His first reaction is that of absolute joy when he catches eye of his best friend and Pokémon: Orion, reading on his own. The teen makes it to us and immediately stands behind the sofa, peering over his Pikachu with interest, "oh! I remember this story, wayyyy when I was younger!" Rigel exclaimed. He then turns to me and gives a light smile of gratitude, "it amazes me every time I see Orion read and write like us, but wow, he's actually reading on his own now!?"
I nodded to the boy in confirmation as he jumps with excitement, "that's so cool! Oh Lucas, I can never seem to thank you enough for being his tutor!"
The human then crosses his arms, placing a finger against his chin in though, and then turns to his partner, "hey bud, can you try and make a conversation with me in handwriting?"
Orion agrees, as if he were ever going to refuse such an opportunity? Rigel finds a blank paper and pen for his Pokémon to use for the upcoming demonstration. The trainer figures he should take it easy and just make the conversation simple and to the point as much as possible.
Hi, how are you?
Rigel wrote on the paper before handing it to his Pikachu, and I just watch silently, awaiting Orion's response. I lean over to see what the mouse is writing, and it looks like he is good so far!
Good, thanks for asking Rigel
The adolescent male is delighted to be having an actual conversation with Orion, and a Pokémon in general: I don't think he could have ever imagined he would be able to do this in his life. All he can do afterwards in return is to suddenly hug me, thanking me with happy tears rolling down his face. I smile back in return, accepting his thanks before they return to having their written conversation.
…
Later, towards the afternoon, the three of us head outside to the beach below the cliffs where the cottage is. Orion is drawing letters on the yellow sand while Rigel feeds Charmeleon and Mankey next to the Pikachu. The four soon start building a sandcastle, but Mankey soon demolishes it as soon as it's finished: prompting the red lizard Pokémon to start chasing the Pig-Monkey around the beach. The rest of us can't help but laugh at this, Mankey being able to dodge every attack Charmeleon throws at him.
Eventually, Orion returns to writing in the sand while I lay next to the shore. The water calmly strikes my small yellow feet paws as I rest my back against the hot ground behind me: closing my eyes as I do so. Not too long after I hear music, a familiar tune in fact, and it's a song I havn't heard since we were in the hospital: this song…it has to be the same one…it played when I saw Jen…when I held her on that beach…watching the sun slowly fall from the sky. Jen…if only I could talk to you…tell you where I am…what I am now…that…I'm trying to fix things…to make everything better…Jen…
I suddenly open my eyes to find George and Maybelline now accompanying us by the shoreline. I place a paw to my face, sighing softly.
"I spotted some water-type Pokémon not too far away, maybe you can try and catch one" May suggests to her son as George nods in added encouragement. It appears I woke up in the middle of their conversation…
"I guess, but Orion will just bully them" Rigel retorts quite smugly as Orion jumps up and down in response, "no I won't! Don't say that!" Of course, the humans can't understand him, and it's still quite amusing to see to be honest.
It isn't long before we see Bill approach us: wearing sunglasses and what appears to be a rather oversized sun hat, beige in color, to protect his face from the sun, "how are you all fairing this afternoon?" He asked before we all wave at him.
"The weather is quite nice today" George begins by saying before the adults sit down.
"Indeed, it's not often this place is like this during the winter" Bill explains. Not long after, the adults huddle together and talk among one another while Rigel decides to enter the water.
"Oh! It's still cold" Rigel exclaims, shivering from the water.
"Come out of there, Rigel, you'll catch cold" May says, commanding her son.
"Your body will adjust, don't worry" George tells his son before turning over to his wife, "he's alright."
As Rigel goes deeper in water, Orion decides to join him and enters the water; however, waves begin to pummel the yellow mouse one after another before Rigel comes to help him out, "come on buddy, up on my shoulder" the teen instructs as the Pikachu climbs up and rests on the boy's shoulder. They continue heading deeper until the human is waist deep.
"That's far enough, Rigel" George advises as the trainer nods back. As the boy is looking back, Orion's ears move backwards in surprise when he sees a big wave coming for them both!
Rigel can hear the fast-approaching wall of water but does not have enough time to turn around and both he and Orion are engulfed by the wave! The two disappear momentarily as everyone gasps. A few seconds after though, Rigel and Orion emerge from the water, winded but unharmed. Rigel seems energized by the wave, his Pikachu too, and they both laugh in unison at their predicament.
…
A few hours after our time on the beach, the family showers and redresses...with all of them having slight tan skin thanks to their time outside when the sun was highest in the sky. We all decide to retreat to the parlor room where we decide to entertain ourselves for the rest of the afternoon. Rigel and the parents watch T.V. while Orion sleeps beside Rigel. Bill and I, meanwhile, silently read books to pass the time by. Time does indeed pass by rather quickly, for when my attention turns to the television set once again it's been two hours since we came in here. My sensitive rabbit-like ears had picked up a commotion coming from the slightly static screen, and my curiosity gets the better of me. I set down my book and investigate…
Upon reaching the family by the couch, my eyes catch sight of what appears to be a reporter in front of a fiery, chaotic, scene.
I am here outside the Viridian City's corrections and rehabilitation center where just a few hours ago, an unknown group had broken into the facility and seized several prominent members of the infamous Team Rocket.
The woman describes as she walks across what remains of the building. Several officers and investigators walk around the area in search of clues and survivors among the rubble.
Wait a minute…didn't she say this was the…Viridian Jail…and Team Rocket members were taken away!? No way…no way she just said that!
My eyes widened at the sudden realization and my heart feels pain as I clutch it with a paw. Orion, who has woken up a while back, manages to catch me in my current state, realizing what all this might mean for me. Everyone else in the room is filled with the same dread upon knowing what exactly happened…their hearts sank and all we could do is wait to see if it's all, in fact, true…
Please...let Bartoli still be there...please...please!
Dr. Sarah Bartoli...
And there it is...the moment that made my face turn pale and my stomach turn...I didn't even need to know by that point...it doesn't matter...she's gone...
...is one of the few dozen people under custody that are now reported missing. Doctor Bartoli and her associates were on trial for illegal experimentations and were responsible for several cases of animal cruelty. It is known that she had close connections with the terrorist organization: Team Rocket. Sam, back to you...
The reporter finishes as the anchorman begins talking. Everyone in the room suddenly get lost in conversation among themselves as I stand there quietly.
"What does this mean..."
"now what?"
"I thought Team Rocket was over with?"
I don't pay any attention to anyone after hearing the news story. I just stand still with my hands trembling...
Bartoli is gone! She escaped from jail! Damn it, why didn't we just do the damn interview right away!? WHY DID WE HAVE TO WAIT!? WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN!? Why...why!?
Orion gives a look of extreme worry at me as he walks toward me, but I don't notice...I just keep staring at the screen as all sound around me becomes muted.
Suddenly, I feel somebody rest their hand/paw on my shoulder as I snap out of my deep trance. I turn to see that it's Orion...
"Lucas..." he mutters softly to me.
"What's going to happen now..." I asked.
"I'm sure Bill will figure something out" Orion reassures me, but it does little to calm me.
"We should...go look for her...make sure she's back in jail...she's the key" I retort in response before the Pikachu shakes me slightly.
"Lucas, listen! We'll think of something, but you gotta calm down! You're sending sparks everywhere!" Orion had told me as I realize that he was right...and so I take deep breaths: sitting down on the ground.
"So then..." Rigel looks to Bill, "what will we do?" Bill scratches his head in thought, "well...I'll have to get right back to work in my lab...hopefully the authorities will apprehend Bartoli. In the meantime, I'll do what I can" Bill says.
"Thank you for your help Bill, we greatly appreciate it" George thanks while I return to my trance
Why...why did this have to happen...
...
It didn't take long for Bill to resume his research on solving the issues with the formula in my bloodstream. Despite their failing attempts: Dr. Oak and his team continued their efforts in the same manner.
Two days after we received the news on Bartoli, Bill tried something quite extreme...even for him...Bill was to place my blood samples in the egg-shaped pods. The researcher told me that he is going to try and separate the components from each other.
And so, the vials are placed on one side as Bill attempts to program the machine to separate them. The rest of us watch silently as the pods hum and soon glow dimly from the inside. It isn't long after that the young adult stops his invention to inspect the results, but he shivers once he opens the door to the second pod to find out: nothing has changed!
I look away at this, feeling my heart hurt from this failure...Orion rubs my shoulder to comfort me, but I can't...I can't bear this any longer...
Bill continues his research; however, it's clear that it's getting him nowhere...he gets increasingly frustrated and so do I...
"Oak and his assistants are quite frustrated, they can't seem to isolate the formula and find its components...and I too am having difficulty" I heard Bill say at one point doing the day, which of course just sends me into further despair.
The coming hours bled into one another until finally, he came to me by the end of the day:
"Lucas" he opens by saying, looking away with his arms crossed, "I tried almost everything...I have an idea...I...I can try and place you in the tele pods...I've altered the machine, maybe it'll work on you...perhaps it will separate you from the Pikachu body you have. It is possible it will make you human again."
Everyone else in the room move closer to the researcher with surprised expressions as he explains his plan.
"Will it work?" May had asked as George walks up to her, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"What if something goes wrong?" George adds, inquiring about the risks involved.
"Is there really no other way?" Rigel also adds, quite unsure about the whole thing too.
Bill shakes his head to them all, "I'm sorry, but I am out of options for the moment. I know it sounds quite unorthodox, but these are extraordinary times and I believe my data supports this method!"
I step closer to the man in response, assertively saying, "do…it" and the room gets silent as a result. Everyone turns to me as Bill gives a slight nod of compliance.
Thus begins the last attempt to make me human…and this absolutely had to work or else…
It only takes a few minutes to get the pods ready again, but in the meantime, Bill instructs me to step into the one towards the left. I oblige as the family, Bill, and Orion prepare themselves for the outcome.
"Are you prepared" the researcher asks one last time before I sigh deeply, nodding to him to confirm. Soon after, the cold metallic doors shut, sealing me inside. Bill returns to his PC and begins the program shortly afterwards. Everyone braces themselves as the pod starts to hum ever more loudly, and soon begins to shake with increasing intensity. Inside the machine, I start to breath rapidly before I am unexpectedly blinded. Once my vision returns, I hear the door open and mist seeps out. Disoriented, I step out as everyone reacts by gasping, all giving stunned looks in response.
"L-Lucas…" Orion mutters softly. I look down to see my human hands, bringing them to my face…
They're…still…yellow…
I…still have…paws…I'm…STILL a Pikachu…
"Nothing's changed…" I mutter softly, my face becomes numb and I feel as though every muscle in my body is ready to fail…
"Lucas…I'm…I don't know why…why it did not work…I'm…sorry" Bill shakes his head in disbelief as every else emotes the same reaction.
Everything around me is getting muted…I can only hear my inner thoughts as everyone else is silent despite talking among themselves. I start shaking uncontrollably…
With Bartoli gone…Oak and Bill unable to fix this…unable to cure my disease…does that mean…I'm…stuck…like…this!?
What do you mean you are SORRY Bill!? I'm losing my human mind…I'M BASICALLY DYING AND YOU'RE SAYING SORRY!? YOU CAN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING ELSE AT LEAST!?
I hide my head in muted sorrow as tears flow down my cheeks, unable to stop them from falling. Bill then starts to approach me.
When he gets close enough, my ears pick up the scrape of his foot and I finally snap in retaliation!
"Get…away!" I exclaimed forcefully as the human takes a step back, away from my aggressive swipe.
"Lucas…" Rigel steps in closer as Orion does the same to try and diffuse the situation.
"Please, let me see what other options I might-" Bill is never able to finish, for I jump toward him with another swipe of my arm, "shut up!"
"Lucas!? Stop!" Orion runs up to me; however, I push him away before he gives a look of shock.
Despite sobbing uncontrollably, I decide to run…run away from here…
"W-wait!" Rigel yelled as George and the others tried to stop me, but I exited the lab and soon ended up outside where I make my way into the nearby forest. It is in this dark place that I finally collapse into the grass, unable to take this anymore…
I discard my clothes: getting rid of my red jacket and shirt. I take off the blue goggles off my head, slamming them toward the ground too. Finally, I grab the grey charm that rested around my neck, and I rip it off. I stare at it for a few seconds before grief takes over again and I throw it into the ground before running away further.
…
Where are you, Lucas…
I think to myself as I frantically search the grounds for my friend.
Why did this have to happen? Come on Orion…you got to find him, I think to myself before I finally enter the cold and dark forest in search for the human-turned-Pikachu.
I search everywhere: every bush, every shrub, and every branch above for any sign, but so far…nothing. My trainer Rigel, along with Charmeleon and Mankey have split up to look for Lucas in order to broaden the search for him.
I sprint as fast as I can to catch up, using my senses to try and track the former human down. Thankfully, it isn't long before I stumble upon some clues on the ground. Wait a minute…those are…his clothes. I sniff them and deduce that he's near…he's definitely nearby! I run further ahead and soon find something else…his goggles…
I decide to pick the item up, slinging it over my shoulder before moving on. Unfortunately, I don't get very far again for my nose picks up yet another article on the ground: it's…no…it's his good luck charm…
I suddenly hear some bushes rustle to my left as I turn to face them: Charmeleon jumps out of them as I immediately ask, "anything yet?"
The reptile shakes his head as I silently curse under my breath. Mankey appears soon after before I ask the same question, "you found him!?"
"No" is all the primate-pig mutters.
"Split up again guys, we gotta keep looking!" I direct them before they nod. Before Charmeleon can leave, I grab his attention with a whistle and he turns, "hold on to this please" I throw the grey charm at the lizard as he catches it and nods, "thanks."
Some time passes by, and I start to tire from the search…until I hear soft cries not too far from me! I quickly rushed over to find Lucas alone in the middle of a forest glade…drowning himself in tears. I walk up to him and all of a sudden, without any warning as if he heard me and knew it was me, he wraps his arms around me…crying into my fur…
I slowly and carefully rest my paws on his back to return the gesture. I can't help but begin crying softly too by this point as I returned the sorrowful embrace. To Lucas, he collapsed onto me rather pathetically, but to me I didn't mind…he needed somebody right now…
"It's…okay…we're here for you…I'm here for you" I mutter.
"Orion…" he coughs between his cries, "if…if I'm going to lose…my mind…I rather do so…knowing I…won't hurt you guys…"
I shake my head and try to reassure him, "you're not going to lose your human mind…and even…if you do…Lucas…I'll be there to remind you…help you remember…who you are."
"P-please…promise me…Orion…you won't let me…forget…"
"I won't…" I mutter softly to him.
Not long afterwards, Rigel and Charmeleon show up, followed by Mankey, "Lucas!" Rigel yelled with relief, "thank goodness you're okay!"
"Come on Lucas…let's go back to Bill's…" I tell him. The other Pikachu is silent now, however, tears still pouring from his eyes. We help him and guide him back, leaving the forest behind us as we make it to the sea cottage. Rigel and I help Lucas get relaxed in bed for the night as the family and Bill decide what to do. I am left to watch over him as thoughts overwhelm me…
I can't imagine how he feels right now…he hasn't stopped crying and now he's barely moving now…he's all quiet…so…devastated…
I can hear Bill discuss things with my human parents outside the room, "he's currently…catatonic…we're honestly trying the best we can…you must know that!"
"We understand" I can hear George say.
"Maybe we DO need to find this Bartoli person…for his sake" I can also hear Maybelline, my human mother, add.
"Perhaps…she IS the one who turned him to a Pokémon…it only makes sense…I will contact the Viridian agency regarding her" Bill explains.
"If that's what needs to be done, yes…I say do it" George finishes.
I really hope things get better for Lucas…for now I think he should rest. Tomorrow I gotta get Bill to try something else…or maybe…maybe they're right…it's time we went searching for Bartoli…no matter if it's dangerous…or if Team Rocket may find us again…we have to do this for him…for Lucas…my best friend…
Unknown to all of us, back in the library from where Lucas was reading his book…a quote can still be seen from the opened page, and the following sentence can still be read:
…the bright moon won't light up this dark night…
End of Vol. II
…
Oh man…this chapter took some time to write…and plus I started writing another story in addition to this one, but man…I'm really proud of this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed this recent addition. We have arrived at the final third of 50,000 Volts and the next chapter will be shifting back to Cy and Km, since it's been a while since we've seen them. Anyways, I hope you all have a great rest of your weekend and take care!
