*Updated December 2021*
This chapter was originally going to be longer, but that seemed like a natural point to end the chapter.
Contains some suggestive content, but it's more implied than explicitly said.
Enjoy!
Chapter 9
Secrets
Golden…
Golden Feathers…
Rainbow Feathers…
Healer…
Peace Maker…
Gold.
Cleric…
Gold.
Gold.
Awaken!
Meet your destiny!
Awaken!
And they awoke.
"C'mon, Chris!"
It was new day. They were long out of that dreary cave, and frankly, Melanie didn't want to dawdle. Chris' journey meant going through Greenburg. Going through Greenburg meant seeing the only person in this world she truly detested.
Her Father.
The man who nearly stripped her of everything she possessed. She almost never became a trainer because of him. She had nearly lost so much because of him. Her dignity. Her freedom.
Her innocence.
Yes, the very man that robbed her of a childhood; she would have to face him. Journeying with Chris meant that; she knew that. The truth would come out. Everything would come out. Chris would know everything. Her past would become her present, her future. Everything was coming full circle. Everything.
"C'mon, Chris!"
He heard her call, but he really paid her no mind. She had gotten pretty far ahead of him, and he really wasn't feeling like sprinting to catch up. The distance from her gave him time to think, and time to observe the flowing green fields around him.
Their next destination was Greenburg, Melanie's hometown. He knew that she had a rough departure, and wasn't really sure how returning would affect her. For now, he just wanted to take it slow, and let the gentle, cool breeze caress his cheeks.
I wonder, would her father freak out at the fact she has been traveling alone with a guy? I mean, we aren't dating or anything, but that would be his first response.
"Generally, yes. You human's have strange rituals."
"Oh, hello. Didn't think you'd be back so soon," Chris replied, appearing a tad bit irritated at the sudden interruption. Chris begrudgingly reached into his bag and pulled out a glowing silver crystal.
"What, not happy to see me?"
"I, can't see you," Chris pointed out.
"Tsk tsk, you're such a spoil sport."
"Oh bugger off. I'm not in the mood."
"Don't I know it; I'm reading your mind right now. Are you still dwelling on things? The details of which I gave you while you were still lying in that hospital bed?"
Flashback…
"Well hello there, Chris."
Chris stared for a moment, before taking a peak around. The room was empty. He didn't even hear a sound of footsteps. There was nothing in the room.
"Except for the little Crystal you hold in your hands."
This voice. It sounds familiar. Chris pondered it for a moment, before peering down at the glowing Crystal. Glowing a sterling silver, the crystal glistened, shining like the lights of a Christmas tree.
"I better damn well have a familiar voice! How many other voices besides this one and your own have spoken in your head before?"
"Um… let's see. There was Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres. Oh, and that voice from my first dream. I think I've heard the voice of the old Pizza Guy back in Silver Town too…"
"Okay Okay! I get it; you have borderline schizophrenia, that's nothing to brag about. Do you recognize my voice?"
"Um… the pizza guy?"
"NO! It's Lugia, damn it!" It boomed. "You know, your guardian?"
"Oh Lugia! I totally knew that, I was just pulling your, err… wing!" Chris mentally chuckled, scratching the back of his head in an awkward motion.
"Yeah, okay. Look, this is all beside the point. As you've noticed, your bag has received a few enhancements; it is now essentially bottomless, thanks to our mysterious rogue agent that snuck into your room. It is also now full of little crystals, or as I like to call them, Heart Crystals." Lugia declared.
"Hold the phone here! My bag is bottomless? It's filled with Heart Crystals? You had someone sneak into my room?" Chris demanded incredulously.
"Yes multiplied by three."
"The part about being snuck in on… Is a wee bit disturbing." Chris muttered.
"Meh, only if you're self-conscious. The unlimited space in your bag will certainly come in handy on your journey, not to mention you can put things like bicycles in it without even noticing the weight or the odd shape a bike takes up in a bag. And while you're still being ungrateful, I'd like to point out that if it weren't for your enhanced abilities, I doubt you'd be conscious this soon after taking an iron tail to the chest. That was reckless move, if ever there was one. Typical, I get stuck with some overly reckless human. For a mostly defensive Pokémon such as myself, it doesn't seem to be a seamless fit, but I guess this will have to do," Lugia chuckled, and although Chris couldn't see his face, he could hazard a guess his dragon-like body would be twitching with bemusement.
"So you're saying that if it wasn't for my enhanced "abilities," I wouldn't be here now?"
"You wouldn't be conscious this soon. I never said you'd die. You're lucky it was a Charmander, and not a Steelix." Lugia reminded.
"Well that's common sense…" Chris muttered.
"Which frankly, I truly wonder if you even possess. Seriously? Why would you tell your own freaking Pokémon to attack you? That probably borders more on stupid than it does on reckless."
"Whatever. What's done is done. I've never claimed to be a genius."
"Well, I had hoped you'd be a bit smarter than that. Seriously, an iron-"
"Will you get to the point?" Chris demanded, thoroughly fed up at getting ridiculed by a giant bird, through a glowing stone of all things.
"Okay, okay! Keep your pants on! The crystals in your bag each belong to a different Valiant Heart. Yours is obviously the one you are holding. It glows Silver, hence why I call it the Silver Crystal. Not a very creative name I know, but it appears you have gotten a strong enough hold on your abilities that we can communicate through it."
"You mean, you didn't think I would be?" Chris pondered.
"Hell no! Chris, we rushed your awakening. When the others should awaken, their powers should be mostly intact, or at the very least awaken faster. Yours, however, were not fully developed when we had you awaken. For those reasons, you have a hard time occasionally reading minds, and you may or may not be able to hold your breath for a long time underwater, or swim long distances. I do not know which of my abilities have gone to you, but I do know the ones you do have are not at the developed stage of the other awakened Valiant Heart."
"The other one? You mean there is one more?"
"Why do you think we rushed your development? There was a Heart that awoke before you. The one we feared would awaken first. The Yellow Heart."
"What's so bad about Yellow?" Chris asked, now thoroughly lost.
"The Yellow Heart, is also known, and perhaps better in certain circles, as the Darkness Heart. The DNA that flows through the Yellow Heart was the only one we never retained. We carefully selected the other Valiant Hearts, the other eight. The Darkness Heart, was selected by the enemy; by the Chaos."
"Well couldn't I just fight them? My abilities may not be up to snuff, but as the only other awakened Valiant Heart, shouldn't I try to fight her?"
"Chris, you frankly don't stand a chance. Your abilities are not fully developed, and they aren't suited in the area of combat. You may have powers, that make you stronger than a regular human, but that doesn't make you a better fighter. Especially not better than the Darkness Heart. They're arguably the most combat oriented of the Hearts. You don't stand a ghost of a chance."
"Well why can I not try?"
"Chris, my powers will enhance your defensive capabilities more so than your offensive. You are going to be the guy taking a punch to the ace for a teammate, before you are the one who doles one out. My psychic capabilities, which unfortunately you will probably never harness without proper training, are no match for the powers of Darkness."
"Well than train me! Make me stronger! Before the Darkness Heart becomes any stronger."
"Chris, I can not come out of hiding. Any Pokémon that has connections to a Valiant Heart must remain hidden. The Chaos is still after us. We are at risk every minute. That is why I have sent my servants to watch over you. I am one of the few legends with that luxury. I command a trio to do my bidding while I am away."
"Well, why don't they train me?" Chris demanded.
"Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres are all wonderful servants, partners and friends, but none of them are suited to train you in the areas in which you have potential to excel. They lack the capabilities to strengthen any of your powers." Lugia responded, although a trace of sadness had now tainted his voice.
"Is there anyone who can train me? Anyone at all?"
"…Perhaps."
"Perhaps?" Chris asked, sounding just a wee bit more stupid than he had meant to.
"It means maybe, dumb ass." Lugia quipped, a bemused sarcasm echoing from his mouth.
"That's not what I meant…"
"Yeah whatever. Look, I think I know someone who can help. I'll send a messenger to give word to them. Be on your guard, though. Not exactly the most friendly chap."
"I'm not really at a point where I can be picky, now am I?"
"True enough. Although I'm sure you were plenty picky when deciding those pizza toppings." Lugia chuckled.
"I was joking…"
End Flashback…
"Not particularly. I'm dwelling on more human matters. I'm sure your "guy" will do a good job training me." Chris responded, a great deal of nonchalance in his tone.
"Well do remember, that's not definite. Not always easy to reach a guy when you're hiding."
"Touché."
"What is that gem?"
Chris jumped. It was Melanie.
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Chris hurriedly replied. Deep within the recesses of his mind, he swore he heard Lugia mutter something along the lines of "smooth," but he chose to ignore it. He knew there was no way Melanie would believe him. A glowing silver gem is not just nothing. It is, after all, a glowing silver gem.
"Chris, you're holding a beautiful, shining, sterling silver crystal. Do you think I'm stupid enough to believe it's just nothing?" She demanded, her emerald green eyes glittering with curiosity and anger, a combination Chris hadn't seen since he was a young child at home.
"If I say yes, will you hit me?"
He didn't need to wait for a response.
"…So that's the situation. I need you to track him down for me."
"I understand, but do you think he will do it? Agent #381 has tried to avoid the troubles of the legendary strife as much as he possibly can. Why do you think he would agree to this?"
"Agent #381 is proud, but he knows his duty. There is no one better for this job. I'm sure he'll be flattered I even sought him out for the job. I know him well enough to know that. I'm sure if he says no, that a certain someone might just twist his arm."
"That much is true. Alright, I will go."
"Thank you, and good luck, Steven."
(Those stupid kids can't be much further ahead, Boss,) a shrill voice chimed.
(I know that, Moron. We've been trailing them for weeks. Should have attacked when they were holed up in that hospital in that stupid town, but there were too many onlookers. I'm just glad we got out of that cave. Beating on Zubat is just absolutely no fun anymore,) replied a more commanding, authoritative voice.
(Hey, Boss, do you think we can beat that puny wimp and their friends. Our record against them isn't exactly sparkling,) added a third voice, this one tinged with the taste of doubt.
(Of course! We are strong, and they are weak. All we have to do is surprise them.)
(Boss, I think I can smell something. Something distinctly human…) the shrill voice muttered.
(I think you're right. Let's hide for now.)
"…hide for now."
There was a sound. A voice.
"Hello?" No response. Just where was this person she was supposed to meet?
Flashback…
"…find a trainer named Christopher Davis. He left about a week ago. You can keep each other company, and watch each other's backs."
"Why, professor?" She was perplexed. Why would the professor be telling her to track down another trainer, let alone a guy, to journey together? Surely her Pokémon would be enough to protect her, wouldn't it?
"There is safety in numbers. Danger could be lurking at every curve. Such is the nature of the world. Chris is a good kid, and I know you two can be good friends. You aren't after gym badges, so you won't be holding him back, and I know he won't hold you back either."
"But what if he tries to do something to me? You know, like make a move?"
"I don't think you have much to worry about. There are ways to whip men into shape."
"That's true. Thanks, Professor." She chuckled; gripping her new Pokéball tightly in her grasp.
"It's my pleasure. Take care. The journeys ahead will be dangerous, but I know you will do well."
End Flashback…
"He must be around here somewhere." But where exactly is he?
Chris lightly ran his hand down the side of his cheek. The sensation stung, but he couldn't help it; she really knew how to hit. Deep down, he didn't really know if he deserved it; he was pretty sure she slapped him jokingly, just with a little bit of emphasis on the painful part of his joke.
"…the things he did to me. The control he had over me."
That was definitely Melanie. I really wish I could just control these powers. Maybe it's selfish of me for wanting to be able to know everything someone is thinking, but I might be able to help whatever problem she is contemplating. Maybe I should just apologize, and see if I can't help her.
"Hey… um, Melly, I'm sor-" He paused. Melanie had stopped in front of him.
"Don't. You. Dare. Ever. Call. Me. That. Again." She snapped, rearing on Chris, with her eyes full of pure malice, as if he had just murdered her only son.
"I'm s-s-sorry," Chris stuttered, stunned into near complete silence. Melanie turned away from him, and stalked off quickly. Chris, regaining his composure, decided it might be in his best interest to follow, at the very least to see if she was okay.
I wonder what exactly why that name pisses her off so much. It was just an innocent little nickname. Maybe she was still angry from before, but that comment was a joke too. Is it that time of the month? At the very least, we've been travelling for over a month now, so she must have had it at some point before. So that's probably not it, I'd like to think I'd have noticed the difference the first time. Well maybe, I just didn't notice the first time since we just met. Maybe it is that time. It'd certainly explain her irritability. Man women are just so confusing. So glad I'm not one.
Paces ahead of him, Melanie came to a complete stop. It was only then that Chris realized simply how much time must have passed. The terrain was completely different than where they were before. Replacing the vast plains, was a vast, verdant forest; dim light was all that separated them from the darkness they became accustomed to in the damp cave.
As Melanie turned to look at him, he noticed the somber look on her face; a look that just screamed what she had to say wasn't the most pleasant thing she ever told someone. Welled up tears pooled in the corner of her eyes.
"My father used to call me that."
I think I hit him a little too hard. He was making a joke. He definitely didn't deserve that.
She trudged onward towards their destination, slightly ahead of Chris. She couldn't help feeling bad. She had just slapped her friend; her first real friend. That's not to say she didn't have friends before, but up until now she had no control over who her friends were. It was all up to him. That slimy bastard she had as a father.
How will I ever face him again? The things he did to me. The control he had over me.
"Hey… um, Melly, I'm sor-"
What did he call me? She stopped moving, and just like that, the memories returned.
Flashback…
"Come here, Melly."
"Melly, get over here!"
"Melly, I'm home."
"Who's my little girl? Is it you, Melly?"
"I love you, Melly."
End Flashback…
Whirling around quickly, she glared at Chris, a glare she perfected from fifteen years of torture.
"Don't. You. Dare. Ever. Call. Me. That. Again."
"I'm s-s-sorry."
Not wanting to acknowledge his apology, she spun around, and trudged off as nimble as she could.
How dare he call me that? He should have known better. That's when it sunk in. He didn't. In fact, he barely knew anything about her.
I told him I ran away from home, and that I hate meat. Have I told him anything else? I basically just forced myself on him. I wanted a travelling mate; a real friend, and I found a guy. Another new trainer; someone I felt I could relate too. I never gave him a say. He's treated me so well. He trusted me with his biggest secret, so why can't I tell him mine? I shouldn't have snapped. He didn't do anything wrong. He called me by what should have just been an innocent pet name.
Looking around her, she noticed the scenery change. A magnificent forest, a forest of great familiarity, had replaced the lush plains, much to a combination of chagrin and nostalgia. Her mother had always taken her to these woods when she was younger, albeit much closer to Greenburg than the part they had just entered.
Thinking of her mother made her frown. Did she know? Did she know what her father had done? She could feel the tears welling up. Her father…
She knew Chris was behind her. He was that kind of person. He really was a true friend. She knew it was time to open up.
She turned around, giving Chris a teary, somber look.
"My Father used to call me that."
(That Dweeb can't be far ahead. We've been following his scent for hours. He and his girly-friend sure can move quickly.)
(We'll catch up to him, and teach him a lesson. Don't worry about how soon. We need ample time to prepare. They are tougher than we ever gave them credit for, and they always seem to have the Gods on their side.)
Just where is he?
"Vessel of Rainbows, allow me to assist you."
Startled, she spun around. Just who was it that said that? The forest she had just entered had seemed deserted. Just where was the voice coming from?
"Down here."
She peered towards the dirt-covered floor of the forest. Standing there, not even a foot off the ground, was a small green head. Attached to this small green head, was a small yellow beak, and a small red feather on it's head. It had small little wings, which consisted of a yellow, red and black colour scheme, as well as small red tail feathers and a pair of tiny feet.
"Cool! It's a Natu! I bet that was telepathy it was using. This is so cool! I can't believe it can use telepathy to talk to me! It would be so cool to be able to talk to Pokémon full time!"
"It appears the Vessel of Rainbows has the maturity that the Vessel of Whirlpools is supposed to have," the small bird chuckled.
"What was that? I'm immature? Let's get it, Bulbasaur!"
"Your father called you that?"
"Yes, my father liked to call me that. He felt it was 'affectionate.' As I got older, the more that pet name made me sick. My father is a horrible person," Melanie replied stiffly.
"Is it because he wouldn't let you leave?" Chris asked.
"No, that's the farthest thing from it. My father is a controlling bastard. From the age of seven, he liked to take me for 'father daughter time.'"
"Well that doesn't sound so bad…" Chris muttered, not completely grasping what Melanie was all of a sudden telling him.
"Chris, I'm sorry. You've been so honest with me, so nice to me. I haven't been the same to you. I've realized that I really haven't told you much about me. I know your biggest secret, but you don't know mine. You are the first real friend I've ever had; it's time for me to tell you the truth. I've been getting antsy about returning home. I don't know if I can face my father again, without completely throttling him. I ran out on him, and to him that is probably a justifiable reason to throttle me too."
"So why are you returning with me? You don't have to," Chris pointed out, although he really didn't like that option himself. All of this talk about honesty actually made him feel a little guilty. Sure, she knew what was probably his biggest secret, but there were still other secrets he still kept.
"I want to travel. I want to have friends. Staying with you on this journey give's me both options. You are the first friend I ever made by myself, and to do that, I basically had to attach myself to your hip and force you to take me with you."
"Well that's not true…" Chris muttered.
"Don't lie, it is true. I forced myself onto your journey, and for that I apologize. I knew somewhere deep down, that I was going to return here one day. I didn't want to do that alone. I think, deep down, I sub-consciously used you. I'm sorry Chris…" she murmured, looking down as a waterfall of shame and realization ran down her back.
Chris put a hand on her shoulder, and gave her a little smile.
"I like having you around. I didn't have any friends in Silver Town. I kind of closed myself in, getting angry at the world for trying to thwart every chance I ever got to be a trainer, and really thwarting every chance I had to get a Cyndaquil. Having you around is nice," he smiled.
"Can you keep a secret, Chris?"
"Um… who would I tell?" Chris pointed out.
Melanie laughed. Despite the seriousness of what she had to tell him, he had a point. Even if he did tell his Pokémon, just whom exactly could they tell?
"Fair enough. Chris, do you remember when I said my father and I had 'father daughter time?'"
"Yes, what about it?"
God damn it, Chris. Why can men be so dense?
"We're not d- sorry, continue." Melanie stared at him confused for a while, but chose to ignore it.
"Well, you see, that's a very vague way of putting it…" she muttered, trailing off a bit. She could feel the tears welling up in the corners of her eyes again.
"Melanie, what are you trying to say?" Chris murmured softly, meeting her soft green eyes with his chocolate brown.
"Chris, when I was eleven my father…" she tailed off, her voice beginning to crack as the weight of her long time secret was about to be revealed.
"Your father?.."
"He took my innocence, Chris. My father…"