Hellooooo! It's finally the return of the story! For those who haven't been following along, I had to take a break from writing my story because of my end-of-year tests, but now that they're over, I'll finally be able to repost!
Reminder, we were soon towards the upheaval of the world in which Arthur lives.
I hope for the new ones that you will enjoy my story!
Mathéo: "Okay guys, I'm afraid I'm going to screw you up today. I'm late for class and if I don't hurry up, I'm going to get yelled at by my parents like no other. Do you know how terrible they are when they're angry? »
Adèle: "Sorry to let you down like that, Arthur, but I have to rush to class. I would have less worry about being late for a friend in need, my parents are super understanding, but I'd rather not tempt the devil. We'll meet at the 10:30 a.m. break, so we can chat. If we don't make it, we'll catch up in the canteen, okay? »
It was really a struggle this year. We all found ourselves in different classes, whereas before there were always at least two of us together, especially Mathéo and me, since Élodie was not in our level. So, with our schedules which had nothing to do with each other, it was mission impossible to see each other outside of lunch and evening breaks... Fortunately there was the Wednesday break morning, at least we could talk to each other a little!
Lying in bed, I was about to watch YouTube before going to class when my phone suddenly rang, playing a shrill ringtone that woke me from my morning torpor. With an automatic gesture, I grabbed it and glanced at the screen. National alert? I had never received one before. Intrigued, I unlocked the device and read the message that appeared, my eyes wide with disbelief.
Since yesterday, strange cases have multiplied across the country. Individuals claimed to have developed extraordinary abilities, powers that defied the laws of physics and biology. Telepathy, telekinesis, superhuman strength... Testimonies poured in, sowing confusion and worry among the population.
The official message, while recognizing the veracity of these phenomena, was intended to be reassuring. The authorities claimed that the situation was under control and that a thorough investigation was underway to understand the origin of these powers and their potential dangers.
I was convinced that governments around the world knew more than they let on. They were hiding something. The choice to issue a national alert was strange. Wasn't there a risk of triggering a wave of panic and collective hysteria?
I turned around, then sighed. I decided to take advantage of the calm that still remained before things got out of hand. I spent the rest of my time watching YouTube until it was time for me to go to class.
I went down the stairs, then joined my parents who were seated in the chair to tell them that I was leaving to go to class.
I left my house and closed the door behind me. The cool morning air hit my face and I took a deep breath. It was time to go to class. I entered the street, passing gray buildings and crowded sidewalks. I crossed an intersection, then another, and soon I found myself in front of Élodie's house. As usual, she had already left when I passed her house.
I quickly arrived in front of my high school, without having noticed the time passing. I saw in the distance, at the gate, the students who were in my class, but I avoided them, because most of them were not very social.
I returned to English class. It was a subject that I particularly enjoyed, even if the level was not very high in our class. The teachers did not seem very motivated, and the lessons sometimes lacked rigor. But I loved practicing the language and the opportunity to express myself orally.
Today, Ms. Dubois offered us an oral comprehension exercise. It broadcast a short extract from a report on British culture and then asked us to answer a series of questions in English. The exercise was quite simple, but it allowed me to review my vocabulary and grammar.
The morning passed at breakneck speed, punctuated by classes that followed one another without respite. Four hours passed like this, without me feeling the slightest fatigue or the slightest desire to quit.
The bell gong sounds, signaling the end of the morning. I joined Mathéo and Adèle in the canteen, impatient to continue our discussion started earlier.
Adèle, visibly in a hurry, immediately announced to us: "I thought about what Mathéo mentioned this morning, and it's all starting to make sense. New information was released today, and... I think it's coming very soon."
Intrigued, I asked him: "What do you mean, 'very soon'?"
Adele, breathing deeply, explained, "There was an urgent scientific study conducted recently, and its results have been published, but not yet released to the general public. Let's say I have some contacts placed, but that is not the most important thing. What matters is that this study confirms our fears and announces an imminent event."
Mathéo, intrigued by Adèle's revelation, couldn't help but ask the question: "Tell me, Adèle, since when have you had these contacts? Are you considering becoming a journalist? "
Adèle, with a determined look on her face, replied: "It all started when I realized that the truth was not always shared with the public in a transparent way. This pushed me to take initiative. I have established a network of contacts in various fields, people who have access to information before it is released to the general public. "
"Matheo, let's let Adèle finish her explanation," I intervened calmly to calm the situation and silence him.
Adèle caught her breath and continued: "According to the study, the symptoem are not simple illnesses, but rather the expression of a developing power. Our DNA has intertwined with a new entity, creating a three-stranded structure, which is, in theory, impossible. But that's not the most surprising thing. Scientists analyzed this new DNA and found that it is completely unknown, never before observed on Earth. This greatly reinforces the truth of your theory, Arthur. And that's not all: it has been observed that this DNA can modify itself aggressively, taking over human DNA and replacing it almost entirely. Only a few percentages of our original DNA remain. "
"It's a bomb that you just dropped," exclaimed Mathéo, attracting the attention of all the students present in the canteen. A murmur ran through the room, and curious eyes fixed on the group.
"Matheo, calm down! " I whispered, but my firm tone left little room for doubt: I was not at all amused.
He looked down, his face glowing slightly. "Sorry," he whispered, aware of his outburst.
A heavy silence settled in, punctuated only by the sound of cutlery and whispered conversations. Then, Mathéo looked at me fixedly, his eyes seeming to probe the depths of my soul.
"A purple flash...in your eyes," he said in an almost inaudible voice. "I saw it, just for a split second. But perhaps that was just an illusion. "
I stared back at him, perplexed. " What are you talking about ? " I asked, trying to hide my confusion.
Mathéo shook his head. "Nothing," he replied, his gaze avoiding mine. " Lets forget that. "
"The tests continued," Adèle explained, her voice filled with suppressed excitement. "And although we haven't been able to fully explain it yet, a connection has been made to a planet at the edge of the universe. For now, the identity of this planet, the reasons for this link and the mechanisms at play remain a mystery. However, I think that not everything has been included in this report, there are obvious lacks of information. "
A heavy silence fell over the group, everyone absorbing the gravity of this revelation. Adèle spoke again, her gaze scanning my perplexed faces but also that of Mathéo.
"This is confidential information which will not be disclosed to the general public at this time. But there is something else, something extraordinary. As I mentioned previously, DNA can transform and almost completely replace host DNA. But it can also return to its original state. Does this mean that DNA can reconstitute and renew itself? I admit, I have not yet grasped all the implications. "
Adèle interrupted herself, leaving room for reflection. Arthur and Mathéo exchanged a questioning look, their expressions reflecting their incomprehension.
"I think the newly appeared DNA is related to Pokémon DNA," Adele continued, her voice thick with a new theory. "If so, this would suggest a perfect symbiosis between the two DNAs. "
She looked up, carefully observing Arthur and Mathéo's reactions. A mischievous smile appeared on his lips. "I see in your looks that you are far from having understood everything," she remarked, amused by their grimaces of confusion.
Adèle took a deep breath, "To simplify, and based on logic, I believe that people with this DNA can transform into Pokémon matching their DNA and revert to their human form at will. However, I don't know the limits of this ability. "
A shiver ran through my body. All this touched me deeply, because I had experienced a symptom myself. Did this mean I would soon turn into a Pokémon? How would this happen?
My mind was overwhelmed with a flood of questions, and tears formed at the edges of my eyes, threatening to fall. I didn't even notice them,consumed by my questions.
Would it hurt? Was I going to lose my mind? Would I be able to control my body? What if I accidentally used my powers and destroyed something or someone? No, I didn't want to think about it.
Fear invaded my being. It was too much for me to bear.
Absorbed in my tormented thoughts, I didn't even realize that I was actually crying. Disconnected from the outside world, I also did not notice my friends guiding me towards an isolated room to avoid attracting attention.
We arrived in a quiet, empty room, usually used by students to work outside of class hours. No one was there at the end of the afternoon.
As soon as my friends closed the door, I let myself be overcome by a torrent of tears. I could no longer contain the pressure that was crushing me.
Sobs interspersed with hiccups escaped my throat, as I managed to articulate: "I-I'm... afraid of what could happen to me." "
Élodie placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and said in a soft voice: "Arthur, whatever happens, we will always be here to support you. "
Mathéo sat next to me, his gaze full of empathy. "This whole story upsets me," he confided. "I can only imagine the shock and fear you all felt upon manifesting your powers. But know that even if I don't understand everything you're going through, I'm here to help you, Arthur. Whatever happens to you, whatever becomes of you, I will always be here. It is the duty of a friend, to be there and support your friends, unconditionally. "
"I k-know y-you support me," I replied, my voice shaking, "b-but…"
Élodie looked me in the eyes, her determination evident. "But what, Arthur? » she asked. "If you think we will turn our backs on you, you are sorely mistaken. We will always be by your side, no matter who you are or what you become. "
"I-I-I'm afraid I'm going to lose my mind," I said, sobbing, "l-d-going crazy...and attacking you."
Despite my tears, I noticed a smile appearing on the lips of Arthur and Élodie. Their support warmed my heart, but the uncertainty of what awaited me after the transformation gnawed at me.
I was convinced that the metamorphosis would only take place in a few days. But I was terribly wrong.
I tried to put some emotion towards the end of the chapter, and I hope I succeeded in mixing feelings, emotion, and the story, but I'm quite satisfied.
So. Now that I have put the people in place (Mathéo, the joker of the group who can be serious when he want to be, Élodie, who is the scientific head of the group. She is the one who has the latest information, and Arthur, the main character, who will experience great but also less good adventures) I can finally move on to the MOST important part of this story.
We are already at 10k words!
Try to guess what it will turn into, and with the indications and clues that I have given, you have more reduced and easier choices, well, that is if you have read carefully.