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Chapter Twenty-one: Hauntings
A few days - thankfully free of fever dreams - later, Dawn and her team were in incredibly high spirits. Recently, they'd competed in the Daybreak Town contest, where Buneary and Piplup had done a double appeal so perfect that - in her enthusiasm - Buneary had hugged Pikachu a bit too tightly afterwards. It had been nice to see her so happy, but still. Oof…
The good cheer had only increased since then, as the team had beaten Dawn's rivals, Ursula and Jessilina, to earn their fifth ribbon. Their ticket to the Sinnoh Grand Festival!
They all looked so excited, talking and smiling amongst themselves. Even Piplup and Cyndaquil - who would normally fight over the smallest things - were being civil to one another. Friendly, even!
Not that Pikachu could blame them. They were in the big leagues now. They'd passed all the small tests and were moving on to the grand finale. The reason they'd been winning these ribbons in the first place.
Not to mention, it would be their first time doing it, too.
He could remember the first time he'd entered a Pokémon League, way back in Kanto. He'd been so nervous, yet so incredibly excited. Being able to pit his skills against the best of the best had been daunting, yet thrilling.
He'd gotten used to the feeling now, but it was no less exciting for him.
Heck, he could remember what it had been like watching all of his old teammates experiencing it for the first time. The 'finale thrills' as he liked to call it. Whether it had been a Pokémon League or a Grand Festival, it was always great to see them experience it.
He remembered May's skitty being more hyperactive than ever, practically bouncing off the trees in her excitement. He remembered Ash's torkoal crying more, in a strange mixture of happiness and fear. He remembered Ash's bayleef being restless, pacing constantly and determined to impress her trainer.
There were so many more memories, but those were the ones that had stuck out the most. Now, though, it was Dawn's team's turn to experience those feelings.
Somehow, Pikachu never got tired of seeing the excitement for himself.
"(Ooh!)" Pachirisu said excitedly. "(I wonder what Dawn will have us do in the Grand Festival!)"
From where he lay on the grass, Mamoswine smiled down at the squirrel. "(Beats me,)" he replied.
"(So many combos! So little time.)"
Mamoswine chuckled. "(Yeah.)
"(Should be fun seeing who she picks!)" Buneary said, beaming.
"(There's too much awesome in this one team alone!)" Piplup said, pounding a flipper on his chest. "(She'll have trouble deciding!)"
"(You got that right!)" Cyndaquil agreed with a grin.
Pikachu couldn't help but chuckle. "(Well, whoever she picks, I know you'll do great,)" he said.
"(Hee, thanks~!)" Buneary said, hugging him and nuzzling into his side. He blushed happily at the contact.
"(Hmph,)" Piplup said proudly, "(of course we will. Our team is top-notch!)"
"(Topper than top notch!)" Cyndaquil agreed.
"(The toppest of the... top notch?)" Mamoswine added, blinking in confusion. He shook his head. "(Yeah.)"
"(You know what we need, though?)" Pachirisu said.
"(What's that?)" Buneary asked curiously.
Pachirisu grinned. "(A sixth team member! Dawn's never had six pokémon on her team.)"
Buneary blinked. "(Yeah, I guess not.)"
Piplup pouted. "(Hmph,)" he said. "(If Ambipom had stuck around, she would...)"
"(Eh, we don't need another one!)" Cyndaquil said, puffing out his chest. "(We can take on the Grand Festival, no prob!)"
"(Yeah!)" Pikachu agreed, smiling. "(You guys have got this in the bag.)"
"(Thanks, hon~)" Buneary replied.
Pikachu blinked. Before he could question the odd nickname, however, she suddenly licked him on the nose.
He froze and his face exploded in heat.
The rest of Dawn's team burst into a fit of chuckles.
"(Oh, good legends...)" Piplup said.
"(Should we leave you two alone, then?)" Mamoswine asked.
"(N-No, it's cool!)" Pikachu replied hastily, his heart beating at crazy speeds. "(It's just, you know... a thing! A thing that's... you know... a thing! A good thing!)"
"(I'm sure it is...)" Pachirisu said.
Buneary's face reddened, too. "(S-Sorry, was that too much?)" she asked, turning to look at Pikachu.
"(N-No!)" Pikachu replied. "(It's, you know... like the other thing! Back at the start! Remember?)"
"(Huh? The start?)"
"(Yeah! When we first got together and then you... you know!)"
She blinked. Then blinked again. Then a look of realisation crossed her face. "(Oh! Right. The... the last time I licked you.)"
Dawn's team chuckled harder.
Pikachu smiled sheepishly, though his heart was still beating too fast. "(Y-Yeah. It's like that. It's good.)"
"(Oh, okay.)" Buneary ducked her head in embarrassment. "(Good.)"
The chuckles increased.
Also embarrassed - yet secretly pleased at the same time - Pikachu awkwardly rubbed the back of his head.
His face was still burning, long after their chuckles had died down.
That night, Pikachu lay on his back, staring up at the stars. Soon, he'd be competing in the Sinnoh League. He couldn't wait. First, though, they had to win their upcoming gym battle in Sunyshore City.
He was so excited at the thought, he wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep. He wasn't even sure if Ash would use him in the gym battle, but, if he didn't, that was okay. He was just as excited to cheer his friends on.
His girlfriend snuggled into his side as she muttered goodnight. With a smile, he returned the gesture.
It was a while before he drifted off, himself.
He walked along, a spring in his step and a smile on his face. The sun was shining, casting glowing golden beams of light onto the surrounding landscape. He stopped to sniff a pink daisy, enjoying its sweet fragrance.
Continuing onwards, he passed bushes and trees, eventually coming across a cave. He paused, uncertainly, at its entrance.
He called inside to see if anyone was there. There was no response. He tried again. Still, there was no response.
He took a few tentative steps forward.
His eye caught sight of something moving. He halted in his tracks. After a moment, the figure - an eevee - poked its head out from the cave.
Pikachu's eyes cracked open. He blinked a few times. Upon remembering the dream, his eyes opened wider. Oh no.
They'd come back.
He glanced sideways at Buneary in concern, then forced himself to look away again. No. He had to remember that it wasn't what it seemed. It really wasn't. It was just his mind messing with him. That was all it ever was.
He just had to remember that. He just had to.
The following day, the pokémon did some training. Because of the blazing sun, however, the humans decided to cut it short, leaving the pokémon to their own devices.
Buneary, sitting on the grass, fanned herself with her paw. "(Wow, it's really hot today...)" she said.
Pikachu, sitting next to her, slumped onto his stomach. "(Yeah... no kidding...)" he replied.
"(Ugh...)"
After a few moments, Pikachu's frazzled brain remembered something. Glancing up, he looked at his girlfriend.
The lower half of her body was covered in fluffy, cottony fur. He cringed. That stuff must have been murder in this heat.
What would a good boyfriend do...?
"(Last one in the water's a rotten pecha berry!)" Pachirisu called out from in the distance.
"(Hey, no fair!)" Piplup yelled. "(You got a head start!)"
"(You snooze, you lose!)" Buizel replied, laughing.
"(Oh, come on!)" Monferno called out. "(This is just unfair!)"
"(Yeah!)" Cyndaquil cried. "(Super unfair!)"
"(Our types are bad for water...)" Sudowoodo said, sounding slightly sad.
... Water, huh?
Pikachu turned to look at his girlfriend. She was wafting her fluff in a desperate attempt to cool herself down.
"(Hey, Buneary?)" he asked.
She turned to look at him. "(Yeah?)" she replied.
He smiled. "(Wanna go for a swim?)"
"(Ahhhhh...)" Buneary said, a contented smile on her face as her head bobbed above the water. "(Now this is more like it...)"
"(Ha, yeah...)" Pikachu replied, treading water near her. "(Much cooler...)"
Buneary hummed in agreement. After a moment, she gave him a sincere smile. "(Thanks, Pikachu.)"
He smiled back sheepishly. "(Oh, aheh. I didn't do anything, really. I just heard someone else mention the water and, well... you know.)"
"(Yeah, but still.)"
He felt something warm in his chest at her gratitude. "(Heh.)"
Suddenly, Piplup and Buizel - who appeared to be racing - barrelled past them. A wave of water crashed over Pikachu. He floated there, shocked and completely soaked.
"(Pfft!)" Buneary covered her mouth.
He gave her a mock frown. "(Hey...)"
"(S-Sorry... you just... Pfft!)"
Pouting, he flicked a bit of water at her. She stopped laughing and her eyes widened in shock. For a moment, he wondered if that had been too mean...
She pouted and flicked some water back at him. Okay, she didn't seem to be mad. That was good. Testing the waters - so to speak - he flicked a bit more water.
Her smile widened. Then she giggled. "(Oh, so you wanna play that game, huh?)"
He gave a determined smile back, challenging her. "(Yeah, sure.)"
"(Well, okay then!)"
She dipped her paw in the water, quickly making a scooping motion. A wave of water flew from her paw and crashed over him. He shrieked in mock horror.
"(My turn!)" he cried, copying the scooping motion.
A wave of water crashed over Buneary. She also shrieked in mock horror.
Laughing, they continued this for a while.
The night air was, thankfully, much cooler. Pikachu didn't think he'd have any trouble sleeping, even pressed up to Buneary's side. His chest area was warm and cosy on the inside. It was a lovely feeling.
He must have really been getting used to dating Buneary. He was pretty sure he hadn't felt this good over a month ago, when they'd first gotten together. Back when he'd been giving her a chance.
It felt really nice. So nice, in fact, that he wasn't sure he wanted it to go away.
Content, he closed his eyes.
A large figure loomed over him, completely blanketing him in shadow. Its eyes glowed a dangerous shade of red.
All bravado he'd felt before was gone. Drained away like leaves being washed down the river. He cowered, trembling in fear.
The figure spoke. Said things he didn't understand. Things that made no sense. He couldn't think straight. The fear was consuming.
He wanted to run.
There was a sudden whimper from behind him. His eyes widened in realisation.
Gritting his teeth, he took two steps to the left. Still trembling, he looked directly up at the figure and protectively held out his arms.
The figure snarled at him.
Then another figure appeared, this one much smaller. It said something. The larger figure grunted in response. After a few tense moments, the two figures turned around and left.
He let out the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding. After gathering his bearings, he turned to look behind him.
The eevee gave him a grateful smile.
Pikachu blinked awake. After a moment, his eyes widened. Oh no. Again?!
This was just a coincidence. Yeah. That was all it was. This meant nothing. Nothing at all.
He was just overthinking it.
Yeah. That was it.
The following day, the pokémon were playing hide-and-seek. This time, Pikachu had chosen to hide behind one of the trees. He hoped it was a good enough hiding place that Cyndaquil wouldn't find it, though one could never be sure.
A better place would have been in the branches of the tree, but one rule said they had to stay on the ground. That way, it was fairer to those who had difficulty climbing trees.
He waited.
After a short while, someone else ducked behind the same tree.
He blinked. "(Buneary?)" he whispered.
She looked at him in surprise. After a moment, she giggled quietly. "(Oops, sorry,)" she replied.
He smiled, shaking his head in slight exasperation. "(It's okay.)"
Giggling again, she gave him a hug. His insides exploded with warmth.
"(Are you staying here?)" he asked.
"(Nah, I'd better not,)" she replied.
He felt oddly disappointed by her answer.
She let go of him. "(I'm gonna go find somewhere else, so I don't get you caught.)" She gave him a quick wink. "(See you later.)"
"(Yeah, bye.)"
She hopped away. He watched as she eventually disappeared amongst the bushes and trees.
There were a few moments of silence, where a strange sense of loneliness hung in the air.
He tried to shake it off and focus on hiding.
That night, Pikachu snuggled into what had become his usual spot between Ash and Buneary. His best friend and his girlfriend. The two most important people in his life. At this point, it was difficult to imagine life without either of them. They were deeply ingrained in him and he was okay with that. Happy, even.
He placed a hand on Buneary's fluff, enjoying its warm, cottony feeling. Smiling, he snuggled closer.
He was nervous. Very nervous. He couldn't stop fidgeting. His heart rate was going a mile a minute. His brain, the same speed.
He approached, offering a gift.
His face was burning. He spoke slowly, carefully, weighing every word. Once he was finished, a pair of eyes widened. First in shock. Then in delight.
Smiling, he took her paw in his own. The eevee smiled back at him.
Slowly, gently, they tapped their noses together in a gesture of affection.
Pulling away, though, something was off. Her smile was gone, replaced by dejection. His own smile fell as he asked her what was wrong.
Buneary frowned sadly. She asked him how he could do this to her.
Pikachu jolted awake. After a few moments of getting his bearings, it suddenly hit him.
Oh no.
Again. It had happened again! Three times in three nights! Eevee dreams - so many eevee dreams - and this one had been the worst one yet!
He glanced sideways at Buneary, who was lightly smacking her lips as she slowly woke up.
Her face. He'd seen her face in the dream. Right where the eevee's had been. It had looked so sad. So disappointed in him.
His panic levels started rising.
He quickly shook his head. No. No! No matter how many eevee dreams he had, no matter how in-depth the dreams were, it wouldn't change anything, right? He was overthinking it!
Yeah. Yeah! He was definitely overthinking it!
... He just had to be.