PokeMorphisis
Earth 1
"It is still unknown what caused an explosion to go off at the mystery facility, a facility thought to have been shut down many years ago. Locals reported to have seen a flash of purple that filled the sky around the area behind me, followed by a violent wind."
"Could this event be connected to the mysterious flashes in the sky in the past? More to come in the afternoon, I'm Jessie Connors, channel 5. Back to you Steve."
"Thank you, Malika. In other news, yet another person has gone missing since the first disappearance a year ago. Eddy Reyes-"
BZZZzztt…
The television sitting atop a worn cabinet faded into pitch black.
"News outlets will soon catch on if they dig enough through the rubble . We need to get our team out there before they do." With a flick, the device in his hands flipped open, displaying a small screen at the top.
"Not a fan of smartphones, Murphy?" The new voice chuckled.
"Not necessarily. This is my burner. Had one of our tech people disable any type of tracking ," he turned to look at him with a cold stare. "And you should too."
"You have nothing to worry about Murphy. Had it done this morning. It just isn't an old fossil like that brick you have…"
"…"
"Hmph…" Rolling his eyes, Murphy placed his phone back into the pocket in his trenchcoat.
A leak from the ceiling formed a puddle in the corner of the room. Gigantic powerful computers lined up against every wall with thick wires going in random locations, going in and out under doors . The green dirty tiles combined with the wires gave the appearance of a circuit board. It was a mystery how the warehouse hadn't caught on fire with the floor practically being a hazard for anyone trying to carry anything across the room.
The white noise caused by the soft buzzing of the machines was broken by the sound of a rhythmic chime. Murphy pulled his phone back out of his pocket, flipping it open and holding it near his ear. There was a conversation between him and the person behind the line, until he nodded and ended the call by folding the phone, placing it back in his pocket.
"Murphy?"
"Get the clean up crew out there. We're going back to find a computer."
Earth 1: Lab ruins
An extensive search was being done throughout what was left of the lab. Surprisingly, no radioactivity was found, so no protective suits had to be worn. None ever had to be worn really, there was never really found to have any negative effects caused by operating the machine or being near it.
Dozens of Magnemites elevated sheets and beams of metal with their magnets. The entire laboratory had been flattened out completely by the explosion of the machine.
As parts and scraps of metal were lifted and thrown into a garbage disposal, mutilated and burned corpses would be found one after another.
Men and women in suits carrying boxes scattered across the field once the magnet pokemon were finished removing the rubble.
Overseeing it all was Murphy. The one everyone had one-sided respect for. He was feared, even by his biggest s.
One of the suited men approached Murphy, a circular pin on his arm signalling authority over the other men and women. All the others had stopped, appearing to have finished their search. Everything that was collected was placed in one big box.
"Sir, it is my honor! This should be everything," He triumphantly tilted the box to an angle where Murphy could see the inside. Murphy eyeballed the inside of the box. He scuffed and shut his eyes, nodding and appearing satisfied.
"I congratulate you all for bringing me everything you could. Congrats…"
The man smiled proudly for himself, looking over his shoulder and giving his team of searchers a thumbs up.
"But unfortunately…this is not what I asked you to find," The box was smacked out of his hands and smashed on the ground, bunch of cables and electronics spilling out of it.
"B…b-but, wha-?"
"I told you before and I'll say it now. Do not play games with me," Murphy stepped up close to the man getting right in his face, paralysing him where he stood. Everyone behind them stood warily.
Tensions were brewing, and with the man no one wanted problems with.
"I gave you…six hours to find me one of my employee's computer; a laptop, and you all just wasted all those precious hours, picking up scraps?"
Murphy got so close to his face that it caused him to reel back, landing on his rump. "B-but sir! There is a laptop, look!" He pointed to the supposed laptop on the ground, right next to the pile of electronics. Murphy didn't even look at it for more than a second.
"No! It isn't just any laptop. It wasn't like any that you'd buy at the store. It was made from scratch here."
"If we couldn't find it, then it was most likely destroyed in the fire…"
There was a fire growing inside Murphy. The other crew members were continuing to nervously stare.
"Are you oka-"
"No, you imbecile! We crafted it to be indestructible! Not even the pressure at the bottom of the sea, or the most brutal blizzard could destroy it," Murphy's fist was balled up and shaking uncontrollably. Out of the blue Murphy reached into his pocket and pulled out a ball. It had a black ring around the middle, was purple at the top and had the letter M stamped onto it. The ball enlarged at the press of the button on the front, aggressively shaking.
Slowly, the ball levitated itself, reaching higher heights. It stayed suspended in the air. The atmosphere instantly turned nasty. In a flash, the ball snapped open.
The purple aura blanketing the figure dissipated, revealing a long, purple tail, flicking violently behind it. Its deep pink irises surveyed the area, before they settled on the staff.
Every single staff was levitated off the ground, their bodies surrounded with a purple glow. Shrieks and grunts resonated above the piles of destroyed infrastructure. The shrieks grew louder when the figure's three fingers came together, squeezing their bodies while they levitated in the air. Lots of wheezing, lots of bones snapping.
Vvvzzz-Vvvzzzt!
Of course he had to be interrupted at a time like this.
"Yes…"
"Murphy, we seem to have completely lost connection with that laptop you were looking for," the feminine voice behind the line said.
"Great, good timing. Of course this happens when all the fun stuff goes down. What's going on though?"
"We were able to track down the laptop using our own tracking software we had installed into it in case it would ever be stolen. It led right back to where the machine last was before it backfired. Near where you are at the moment."
"So…why couldn't they find it? It should be here…"
"Well… no. In fact, it's more like it was never here."
A long pause was held. The groans from the staff had stopped, though his summoned "pet" continued to float in the air with its arm extended.
"Then?"
"Well...if it were up to meeeee…I'd probably call it a day and say that it went through the gateway. "
"That's unreasonable..."
"Maybe you should start being reasonable, I can see the commotion from here..."
"Don't tell me what to do, Jenn."
"I'm sure those people are dead now. Before I go, I need to ask you…how."
"How what?"
"Why did you have to go so hard on that kid? Every other person who we sent through the gateway had just a small modification to their memory, why did you use all the energy on one kid?"
"That wasn't just a kid, Jenn. And, I couldn't tell you…"
…
"…I'll be seeing you. Goodbye."
The connection terminated. Sighing, he turned around. He was ready to give everyone another piece of his mind, but was greeted by the sight of floating corpses, drained of life.
"Hmph…"
Earth 2
"You can't just give hospitality to a pending criminal! What will the chief think of this?". Two stood facing each other. A quadrupled mutt with a blue coat over its back, the other, a green feline standing on its two feet.
"Chief Alpine can kiss my green ass! I told you I am one hundred percent positive that the Zorua is yet another human. "
"We don't know that yet! We've made the mistake of taking in people we think are in the same situation as y'all and letting them go scot-free, but then they go and cause more mayhem because they lied! We have tightened up since and are taking further actions when it happens."
A Pikachu rose from his seat, turning to give his full attention. "So we're talking about maybe, I don't know, perhaps as little as two cases that have happened in the past five months?"
The Floragato from before nodded in agreement, before turning her attention back to the herdier. "We're not letting him go! Who knows what you guys will do to him."
"Can you guys calm down? You're gonna wake him up." A Buneary stood warily over the sleeping zorua, his body twitching in response to the shouting match.
"Ugh,what even is it with y'all Shelby? You haven't even had a conversation with this Zorua, yet you're giving him hospitality like he's your long lost relative!" The Herdier was close to just going out the door.
"When I woke up in handcuffs, it was the most confusing day of my life. Couldn't even remember what got me there, let alone couldn't remember my own name. I was about to be thrown in jail for seemingly something I didn't recall doing. It wasn't until that Xatu…what was her name again?"
"Mystique…"
" Mystique, she intervened and offered her amazing telepathy ability and proved my innocence," Shelby paused to catch her breath. "So please, do me a big favor. Get Mystique and do the same but not just for him, but for anyone in the future…"
The glare on the Herdier's face softened. "Well…hmph."
Sighing, Pachoro shut his eyes and put his head down. "Oh well, it wouldn't hurt to talk about it to the chief." He made his way towards the exit, but not before abruptly stopping halfway through.
"Alright, uh. Just, make sure he doesn't go anywhere for now. Try to keep this low will you? You know how people have been on edge with all these people showing up out of thin air."
Both Pikachu and Floragato nodded. With that, Pachoro bowed his head and closed the door behind him.
Everyone's attention was now on the sleeping dog. A giggle escaped out of Shelby's mouth.
"You know, he's kind of smaller than the usual Zorua, no?. Kind of adorable!"
The Pikachu standing next to the Floragato raised an eyebrow. Not a single word has come out of the Zorua, and she was already scouting him out? "You think he's adorable? Pleugh! Shelby, don't tell me you're going for this guy this soon!"
"What?! No! This is what anyone would say about a cute puppy…"
"Am I wrong, Audi?" Andy looked at the Buneary, hoping that she would take his side. Given by the raised eyebrow he was receiving, it wasn't gonna happen.
"…"
"Thanks for input," Andy pointed his head up, turning away from the Buneary. A grin grew on his face as a thought came to mind. "Pfft, perhaps if you gave less time to using your face as a canvas and trained more, you'd actually have a chance to beat a feral!"
Audi quickly tufted her ear and threw it towards Andy like a spring. Andy did not react in time, and was launched onto the floor. Both mon tumbled over the carpet, Audi grappling Andy until they came to a stop.
Now that she was on top, she bounced high and slammed back down on his chest, bouncing on him several times like a trampoline.
"Take. That. Back!" With every word, she would come back down harder and harder.
"Ouuugghh! Getoffgetoffgetoff meeeeeeee, you weird looking rabbit!"
Shelby noticed the Zorua writhing in his sleep. She had to stop her friends from fighting. Again. Sighing, Shelby got on all fours, lifting her bum high in the air.
Alright, booty up in the air, check! Now I just need to check for accuracy.
With her butt raised up in the air, she wiggled it left and right. The death wiggle! Unfortunately, the two on the floor fighting moved so much she had to angle her rear end higher, charging up another death wiggle. "You guys asked for this!"
Grooaaaaannnn
"…What a day…huh?"
The zorua was welcomed by the sight of a green bum lifted right in his face.
Shelby was too embarrassed and flustered, too shocked to move. Audi continued her pounding on Andy.
Eventually they both stopped at the new voice in the room, turning to look at the awakened newcomer.
"Hey! That's very forward of you. Ask him out for dinner first, weir-" Audi placed a foot over his mouth to shut him up.
Shelby timidly lowered her rear, face tinted red like the inside of a watermelon.
Completely freaked out and flustered, the Zorua hurdled over the couch and dashed towards the door.
"Wait! Don't you go anywhere!" A dusty cloud of lime-green powder protruded from Shelby's body and flew towards the fleeing Zorua. As the powder sparkled down and dissolved down on the Zorua, his movements became slower and slower until he couldn't move a muscle. The Zorua tried everything to get out of his paralysis state, but he would remain stuck in place.
"Christ…now you're immobilising him? Haha! You're quite the freaky cat huh?"
"Shut up Andy!"
"My apologies…"
The Zorua tried again to move but it was useless. Nothing was gonna beat the spore. His eyes went wide and panic settled in.
"Please just let me go! I don't know how I got here!"
Shelby did not want to frighten the poor guy any more. Now, she will try her best to deescalate the situation .
"It's okay…you're not in trouble m'kay? Not with us at least.
"My name's Shelby!" Shelby stuck out her chest heroically, chin high in the air.
Shelby looked over to her friends who were just getting up from the ground and waved them over. "These quirky fellas are my friends who work with me!" Shelby pointed over to Andy, the Pikachu in the group.
"This fella right here is a pain in the ass, also kinda smells like one…"
The pikachu let out a quick burp and lowered a hand to his back to scratch an itch.
"At least I don't throw magical powder at others to paralyse them." He flashed a toothy, shit eating grin at the cat.
Shelby appeared to want to retaliate but just rolled her eyes. "Remind me to suffocate you in your sleep. Anyway, this is-"
"Audelia." Feeling no longer needed, Audi turned foot and jumped vertically, doing a quick somersault and landing on her back on the couch.
Unfortunately the Zorua still had that look of shock in his face. Out of options, Shelby started to knead her paws down on the floor, her claws poking and retracting with each motion. Green powder protruded from her paws, picking up into the air and slowly levitating towards him. Slowly, the powder settled down on him, easing up his body rather abruptly, causing him to face plant with a loud slap.
"Look, we're not gonna hurt you. In fact, if we hadn't gotten to you first, who knows what they would have done to you…"
"Where…am I…"
Shelby paused before speaking again. "One of our nurses over at the infirmary ran a scan on you and it's looking like you might have a hard time remembering things…it's bad, very bad. You might have hit too hard lil fella…"
"I don't think that's what he asked…" Andy always found a way to get on Shelby's nerves.
The zorua groaned, his legs giving up on every attempt to get up. He looked around the room, his eyes coming across the television and couch in the living room, the kitchen as they continued to move to the right until his eyes met with the talking cat.
"Look, if you can explain how you got into that situation last night, maybe we can get you out of the mud. Even a little det-"
"I don't know…" he muttered softly.
"I'm sorry what was tha-"
"I don't know!"
Shelby was startled by his outburst. "I know this is all very difficult to process, but if you can cooperate with me…perhaps I can save you from being thrown in jail."
"What?" The Zorua's appearance enlarged, his fur straightening out and appearing spiky.
Shelby waved her paws out defensively. "N-not yet! We're keeping you here for the time being. News about last night hasn't broken out publicly yet, so we're still trying to find a solution to this. But please, just for now you have to put your trust in me, us I mean…"
His labored heaving steadily calmed to a normal. He continued to take in his surroundings, gazing both at Andy and Shelby. He had no other option. Eventually his fur un-floofed. He turned his attention to Shelby and nodded.
"I'll trust you."
"Well well, put up a fight for nothing huh" Audi blankly stated.
Andy hid his snicker behind a paw covering his paw. Shelby just rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry about her, not the brightest person hehe." Shelby held a paw towards the Zorua, offering him help to get back on his feet. Although reluctantly, he took the offer. He struggled to stand up, a bit wobbly on his feet. Shelby stood on his side for support.
"So uh, what's your name? If you remember it, that is," The zorua looked up at Shelby at the last thing she said. "Sorry, it's just that when you got scanned it was really bad according to the doctor…"
He shuffled a paw around, surveying the area around him, and then turned his attention to Shelby.
"Oh! Uh yeah sorry, my name's Alex…" he continued to look around the room, eyes passing Audi laying on the couch watching something on their television that was seated on a cabinet and Andy pouring himself a cup of water from a refrigerator.
Shelby raised an eyebrow at the mention of the name, but shrugged it off. "So…Alex-"
"How did I get here? I mean, here specifically."
"That's something I can answer. Yesterday, at around 8 o'clock at night, we received a distress call from someone a few miles from here about a break in. Sounds familiar by any chance?"
The face Alex was making showed that he had no idea. It wasn't familiar with him at all, until it was.
"Just a little…can't really remember that much right now."
A closed green paw was brought up to the snickering feline's mouth, failing to conceal most of it. "Well there's your answer. You're lucky that it was us who decided to respond. If it were any other team, you'd probably be detained!"
Audi's voice was heard over from the couch. "Isn't that what we're pretty much doing…"
Shelby swatted a paw towards the direction her voice came from, shrugging her off. "Bah! That's different you silly goose. Anyway, the point is you're in our hands now. In our…custody."
"Yeah, we OWN you now."
"Andy, your input wasn't needed."
"Need me to hit him with a dizzy punch Shels?" Audelia joined in. Andy, with the most horrified look on his face, spat out the water he was drinking like a newborn squirtle that had just learned the move water gun.
"Hold on now, you wouldn't hurt a guy with glasses would you?" Andy held out the cup of glass he had been drinking out of. On the other, an empty cup of glass he picked up from the counter.
"…"
"…"
"I think a dizzy punch would be too kind. Stomp on him until he's a smudge on the ground, Audi. Just make sure to get the paramedics when you're done."
Now Andy's eyes were wide as plates. He knew what that demonic bunny was capable of, ESPECIALLY with Shelby's permission. He started backing up against the corner, his eyes remained on the psychotic buneary.
"Alex, let's get out of here so I can show you around campus."
"Are you sure? What if people see me?"
"You'll just be a regular ol' Zorua, got it boy?"
Alex nodded, though a bit weirded out by the name he was called. Not like he wanted to stay in there a second more. He didn't want to bear witness to Audi's wrath.
"Wait! You can't just leave me in here with her!" Andy's voice trembled.
"Nah, you've got this! Like you said, can't hurt a guy with glasses right?!"
Audi slowly stepped over to the quivering Pikachu, her footsteps thumping so loud, adorning a malicious grin.
"Ehehe…you're looking," GULP "wonderful today Audi! Has anybody told you that you look stunning today?"
That did not work. Audi was still stalking towards Andy, appearing twice her size. "Awww, thank you! You're missing quite a few bruises," she was now right in his face, eyes lasered right on his. "We should fix that~"
"Wait! No no no, Shelby don't go yet please NO-"
Thump
Alex huh?
Somehow through my shrouded mind I was able to remember a name. My name. It was so strange, no matter how hard I tried to go through my mind, that name was all I could find. And the events that occurred yesterday of course, but even then those memories were hard to point down one hundred percent.
We left before the pounding session had begun. I wasn't at the receiving end of that but I felt like I was in trouble just by being a spectator of that whole ordeal.
"…is she always like that?" I kept my voice low out of fear that Audi would hear me. After all, that girl had some pretty big ears.
Shelby snickered and continued walking. "She's got you shaking in your boots huh?"
"Well-"
"As long as your name isn't Andy and you aren't a Pikachu, you should be walking jolly." Shelby brought a paw to her chin, making one of those thinking faces. "She might have a dislike towards dark types now that I think of it…"
Those five seconds of slight relief I felt instantly evaporated away.
"I'm just messing with you, she isn't a typist, or whatever the people here call it. I promise she's nice. Andy is just the type of person to get on her nerves easily."
I half heartedly nodded and continued to follow Shelby.
We were walking down a spacious corridor lined with numbered doors on both walls, all the way to the end of the hallway which came to an end before it extended to the right to another hallway. This hallway only had a single room, concealed by two large doors. Unlike the other doors, these doors weren't numbered, instead a bright shiny gold star plate, matching the fancy knobs. Whoever owned that must be wealthy. Or perhaps it served another purpose. I'd have to ask Shelby later.
We continued down the hall until it came to an end. We stood in front of tall iron doors and some numbered buttons to each door's side. Shelby pressed the one at the very bottom, probably the one that will get us to the first floor. The elevator doors immediately opened, revealing a very cold and lonesome interior. The bright white light in the ceiling flickered aggressively. Nevertheless, I followed after Shelby and stepped inside.
The elevator buzzed as the doors at a snail's pace closed. It went on like this for a few more seconds, until they abruptly slammed shut, scaring the living daylights out of me.
"Yep. Got me too the first time."
"That's such a safety hazard, is it always like that?"
"You'd think they'd give attention to that by now, with the amount of noise it makes," Shelby shook her head, looking a bit irate.
Another buzzing sound was heard from a small bag I hadn't noticed before wrapped around Shelby's shoulder. She lifted the fold being held by velcro and withdrew a pocket sized rectangular device with her chubby three fingers. She stared at it briefly, placing it back quickly after.
"There's phones here too?"
"Of course! Everything here is exactly the same. Except, you know, the people and the fact that everyone here is a pokemon," Shelby shrugged.
"Noticed."
Another thought came to mind. How did I get into this world? Why couldn't I remember anything about my personal life? All I knew about myself was my name but no personal memories to accompany it.
Before I had the chance to ask Shelby if she had any idea, the elevator's door chimed open, opening to an empty lobby. Stepping right out of the elevator to the left near an entrance sat a Manetric behind a desk, idly typing away, eyes zeroed in on a monitor. The manetric's attention quickly turned towards me, a curious eyebrow raised but it went back down as their attention turned on Shelby.
"Ah. I was about to call up to your room to let you know that your team's A.R.C bracelets have arrived and are ready to be picked up at storage unit 4."
"Thanks Spark! Though I'd like to let you know that our room service phone hasn't been working for a while and it might need a replacement. See ya!"
Shelby was about to continue on but was stopped by the Manetric.
"Wait, is that Zorua with you? And sir, do you have any identification with you? We do not allow visitors to walk around without a badge or else you'll be marked as a trespasser," Spark's blank gaze was a bit off putting. It was as if his soul had been drained from him but still managed to live. It seemed like he was unable to blink as well.
"Uh-"
"He's with me, can you print him a visitor badge real quick?" Shelby kissed her teeth and pointed a thumb towards my direction . Spark nodded, and started typing away at his computer. After a few seconds, a spherical device with what appeared to be a lens turned towards our direction, a red dot blinking on its side.
Sparky chuckled, still looking at the monitor.
"Unfortunately, the camera can't capture him down there," he chuckled a little more as he turned his attention away from the monitor to me, and then to Shelby. "You're gonna have to hold him."
"No problem! Alright Alex, come to mama!"
This had to be a joke right? He has to be lying. I mean just look at him, a moment ago he was hardly showing emotion and now shits funny. Now I had to be treated like a pet.
"There has to be another way! Don't you have a chair or something? A stool?"
The manetric side eyed the chair he had been sitting on, quickly kicking it down with a foot.
Sigh
Two arms wrapped around me and pulled me up.
So this is what dogs feel like.
Spark held a paw over a red button, that grin on his face getting bigger and bigger.
"Say cheeeese!"
"Screw you."
I walked out of the building with a new badge, my dignity stripped from me. Needless to say, that mutt was definitely fucking with me, and I'm sure Shelby played along with it.
The badge wasn't worth it either. It had the humiliating picture we took in the lobby, along with the words 'visitor' printed over the picture. The picture was crudely printed onto the badge. The image quality was in black and white and was incredibly low resolution and in some parts completely black. It reminded me of the one's they'd give you at hospitals…? At least people would only be able to see a floating zorua, as Shelby was completely blackened out of the picture.
Why was I still following this woman? I don't even know if she was going to show me around like she said she was going to. Something about some bracelets? Needless to say she was my only way around here without getting lost, so I wasn't planning on going anywhere.
As we ventured through the side of the building, I noticed various pokemon walking around. There were what seemed to be the staff, who wore a uniform detailed with a pin shaped just like what a shield would look like, with what appeared to be a vine of grape in the middle of it.
Then there were the constant groups that would come in and out of buildings. They all had one thing in common; they all wore bracelets. Coloured hoop bracelets. My best guess was that the colour of the bracelets corresponded with the group they belonged to.
"Hey, those guys have matching bracelets," I nodded towards a Corsona and a Marill who were conversing with a Croagunk, all wearing a hoop on their wrists colored the same. "Are they in a group?" Looking around, I noticed other pokemon wearing bracelets as well, varying in different colours. My sights came across another group, being led by a Houndoom, being closely followed by a Watchog. Though very separate from the other two, a Fennekin trailed behind them. All three wore magenta colored hoop bracelets.
Unlike the other two, the fennekin wore theirs around its neck. It was also different from the others. Instead of being round and thick like the others, it was thin, fitting more like a choker.
I must have been staring hard, as the Fennekin was staring right back. The Fennekin batted their lashes at me and winked, prompting me to look elsewhere.
"Oh, yes!" Shelby exclaimed, but then stopped and thought about it . "Erm…actually I need to hurry, they're about to close…" She picked her pace back up towards a building up ahead. Not wanting to be left behind, I followed suit.
Not too shortly after we arrived at the doors. Right above them the words "Postal Services" in bright gold shun on the sun's reflection. The door automatically slid open, the aroma of ink and something similar to a library wafted my nostrils. It really smelled more like a bunch of damp books left outside after it rained. Old, damp books. The interior seemed to synchronise with the essence, the marbled floor all discoloured and smudged. Even some of the tiles on the ceiling had yellow stains. The paint on the wall could also use a new coat.
"Surprised this place hasn't completely rotten down…"
The sound of somebody kissing their teeth echoed from behind the front desk. From behind the desk stood up a noctowl. "If it ain't broke don't fix it. This postal office has been in service for a looooong, looooong time without any renovations," she took a small pause to jump over the desk, flapping her wings as she came down. The noctowl's smile was warm, unlike her piercing gaze. "In fact, this is the oldest building on campus; older than me!" Her voice, though shaky and aged, still had its caressing tone.
"Ms. Maple! Looking young as ever!" The noctowl chuckled, her wing swinging down in flattery. "I was actually here to pick my team's new A.R.C band bracelet thingies." Shelby gestured towards her arm, rotating two thumbs around her wrist.
"So, I was told," she flapped her wings and flew back to her desk. Ms. Maple pulled open a drawer, flipping rapidly through folders until she stopped. She pulled out a key, dangling them from her feathers as she presented it to Shelby.
"Who's this fellow with ya?" Ms. Maple's gaze was fixed on me as Shelby took the key from her. It was like she was trying to pierce a hole through my head.
Shelby snapped her fingers, nodding before speaking. "Right! This is…Steve. He's here to paint my apartment…"
"Ah…well you know where to find your PO box. I'll be here like always if you need help with anything else." Ms. Maple's attention turned back to the sliding doors as a Sandile came rushing in and starting a conversation with Ms. Maple:
I stared at the conversing pair, not noticing that Shelby had already left without me.
"Yoohoo! Over here!"
"EEEEEEEEE!"
My ears nearly gave up on me. What could have caused Shelby to make such a noise?
"What?"
"This is the exact colour I wanted these in! We're gonna work in style!"
Shelby pulled out a triad of pastel green hoops, each with a round orb at the top. They were similar to those I've seen those other groups wear, just different in color.
Shelby wasted no time and clipped it around her wrist, shimmying in place. The other two remaining hoops were noticeably smaller, possibly tailored for the other two back in the apartment.
Her celebratory dance came to an abrupt end when she remembered that she wasn't alone. It didn't stop her from fidgeting around with it, a glowing hologram emitting from the orb.
"I guess I owe you an explanation of what these things are," Shelby pressed a button on the side of the hoop, the hologram dissolving and fading away. She held it out for me to observe.
"FEAST your eyes…this is an A.R.C device. It goes around my wrist like a band, or bracelet. Bangle bracelet band whatever, people call it different names."
She placed the A.R.C device back in the box, closing it.
"These are for me and my team! We use them whenever we go out on duty. It serves as a beacon, a transportation device if we're being technical. There's more to it than that, but I think we should head back and check up on the other two." With that, Shelby picked up the box, running back to where we came from without even waiting for me.
"Wait!"
Shelby nearly tripped when she slid into a stop. She bent and peered through between her legs.
"Aye aye!"
Her sudden motion caught me so off guard, I felt myself shrink. I must have been jumpscared so hard that it even made everything around me look bigger for a second.
"Uhhhh, what was that you just did?"
I raised an eyebrow unsure what she meant.
"Did you not feel yourse-actually nevermind, what were you going to say?"
I assumed nothing of it and continued.
"I thought you were going to show me around?"
Her facial expression contorted into an apologetic wince, kissing her teeth. "Sorry budy-bud, maybe some other time? Besides, I think it's best someone who is still being processed through the system to not be out here at these hours, would get me in trouble ya know?"
"Right…"
…
"Can I take this stupid sticker off me now? It's pulling my hair, fur…whatever."
"Ay, mis piernas me andan matando…"
I had no clue what Shelby said but my legs were jelly. It didn't help having to walk on fours, double the pain. The elevator was under maintenance, forcing us to take the flight of stairs.
Alas, we made it back. The hallway was barely illuminated by the warm, dim lights overhead.
Shelby shuffled around the box, pulling out the band she was showing off earlier. She outstretched her hand, hovering the device close to a black pad on the door's lock until it beeped. The door made a popping sound, before it opened by itself. Shelby moved to the side, allowing me in first.
First thing I noticed walking in was Andy passed out on the couch, drool leaking out of his mouth agape, fur all messy and in random directions, a few bruises here and there. It wasn't hard to notice the black lipstick mark adorning his cheek, right above his red electric sac. Whatever Shelby's friend did to him must have been wild.
"Oh. Here, let me make some space for you." With surprising strength, Audelia carried him over her back with ease, disappearing into a room and kicking the door behind her.
"Ah, that girl can be so mean sometimes to Andy, but the moment those two are alone, she turns freaky!" Shelby placed the box she was carrying down on the island in the kitchen, dusting her hands with a cloth she picked off the counter.
I nearly jumped out of my fur when her head snapped in my direction, making an 'O' shape with her mouth.
"Before I go to sleep, let me get you a pillow and a blanket. The couch is pretty comfortable itself, but it would be even more cosy bundled with those two things! I'll be quick…"
…
Guess I would be staying here for the night. At least I wouldn't have to worry about it now. But, I'm sure I wouldn't be staying here for long. Hopefully these guys would be generous enough to give me hospitality for the time being.
A little later Shelby came back with what she promised, wishing me goodnight and leaving me alone in the living room.
Let's see what tomorrow brings…
…
…
…
…
I was awoken by chatter in the room. Bright morning rays struck my wincing eyes, my small paws pulling my blanket to shield my eyes.
"Wakey wakey eggs and bakey!"
My nostrils picked up a smoky scent, along with what was definitely eggs. I heard footsteps approaching me, the smell getting stronger. I felt the steps stop right next to me, followed by something round poking me from outside the blanket. Letting curiosity win me over, I came out of hiding and checked what was up.
"Tada! Come dig in at the table with us!" Shelby flashed a toothy grin and turned to go back to a table next to a window, placing down the plate next to hers. I couldn't lie, I was starving, and I don't recall having anything to eat.
The warmth of the blanket left my body as soon as I made a dash to the table.
"Woah! The food is not gonna come back to life and walk away!"
I didn't care how desperate I looked at the moment, my stomach was growling like crazy and my only goal was to chomp down on that plate like it was my last meal…
The chair to my plate was already pulled up so I just made a jump for it. I was savoring it in my mouth…the salty taste of the bacon, those perfectly cooked eg-
THUMP
"BWAHAHAHAHA!"
"Moron…"
Ouuuuuuff…my head was spinning, and my forehead was stinging. A couple tears escaped my eyes. "Ah fuck…" it was barely morning and I was already hurting myself.
"You two! C'mon don't be assholes now…at least help him up…" Shelby said as she got off her seat and made her way towards me. I was holding on to my forehead; I must have not timed my jump perfectly and hit my head against the edge of the table. Two arms slid under me and flipped me over. Shelby pulled my paw out of the way to inspect the damage.
"…How bad is it?" I asked.
Without saying a word, she opened up her other hand and formed a puffy ball.
"Here, eat this. It'll relieve you of pain really quick! It's just not too big of a bruise but I know that's gonna be stinging all day," before I even had the chance to thank Shelby, the ball was practically shoved in my mouth.
It was surprisingly crunchy. Its appearance was giving me the impression that it would have been like biting into cotton, but it was just the outer part that was soft, the core was the crunchy part. As soon as I swallowed it all, my body glowed for a second and it was as if the pain was never there.
"Alright, now try that again without hurting yourself…"
While we were eating, Shelby explained to me what occurred yesterday while I was asleep, and the circumstance I was in. Shelby recommended we go see this "Mystique" person. Supposedly her telepathic strength surpassed the average psychic type's ability.
That's where we were going now.
With the news I was told during breakfast, I felt a little bit on edge, more than I was yesterday, but as long as I blended in with these guys I should be a-okay. The only problem was that it was a whole lot more congested today, pokemon to and fro. Someone was bound to notice me sticking out like a sore thumb.
As we approached a set of doors to a standalone structure (which was really more of a tent), the more curious I grew to know more of this person.
….
"Hey who's that guy with the dorks?"
From afar watched Diablo, a Houndoom, from Team Havoc; the leader of the most rough team on campus. He is a self proclaimed "badass" that only goes by his rules, which also applies to his teammates.
Team Havoc was known to constantly break policy and go by their own rules. There were always complaints from clients about Team Havoc's methods of handling, often being rude with the clients or handling client's personal belongings too negligently. Why weren't they disbanded yet? Well, enough ass kissing and praise to the guild master always got you a spot…
"huffff. I don't know…bu-but, huh-phoo…He's walking way too close to my, huffff, Sh-Shelby…"
Buck, a Watchog. Buck is second in command behind Diablo. He appreciates not having the leader role, as he'd have to do all the talking and he was ALWAYS out of breath. His freakishly large eyes allow him to observe into the darkest of rooms, caves, attics, without the need of a flashlight. Not like he would ever need a flashlight, his eyes already illuminated when activated!
"I call dibs on him~!"
Edith, a Fennekin. Edith is the most recent addition to Team Diablo. She was kicked off her last team due to her dirty, cheap winning methods not agreeing with the team's values. She was also well known for being a flirt!
"Well it's not like he's my type anyway…I wouldn't let him anywhere near me. But of course…your standards are extremely low…" Diablo huffed out a puff of smoke, startling Buck as he immediately started to cough. Edith gasped and grumbled to herself.
Team Havoc watched on as the group of dorks made their way inside the tent. What could they possibly be doing with that lady…
Their sights on the group were blocked by a voluptuous Lopunny. Her proud, powerful strut caught the eyes of many as she made her way throughout campus. Her hips swayed with no shame while she looked straight on ahead, avoiding eye contact with every person she passed by.
"Goodness she's always so gorgeous!"
"Madam Christie!"
"What is making that clapping sound?"
"Oh my!"
"Justin, stop looking at her!" Smack
Those were among the many things people would mutter everytime that beaut would pass by.
"Ra! Re~, huff, R-Ramona~" Buck's eyes were all over the woman. Edith's grumbling became more aggressive, twisting her body to look at her rear in shame. Diablo without an ounce of shame and fear of being caught stared directly at the mass of brown cheeks, grinning like a mad man. Those cheeks parted like moses spreading the sea and slammed back together with everytime her steppers made contact with the ground. All the chatter slowly died down the moment she opened the door to the main building of the campus, though not before a subtle shake of her hips, and letting the door close behind her.
Diablo licked his lips and chuckled. "Gotta show that guild vet what's up someday~."
"She's way too old for you…not to mention she might crush you with her gluteus maximus."
"huff, She's right b-boss! heeee…hooo, That's why she'll p-p-pick me!" Buck said loudly. Rather too loudly. The quiet chatter that remained turned into silence, then a sudden eruption of laughter. Edith face pawed, Diablo was close to disintegrating his surroundings, and Buck remained still like a statue, completely stripped of his colors.
"You guys…you guys will be my downfall…"
We've been sitting here for nearly 30 minutes. 30 minutes of uncomfortable silence accompanied by the cold, detached, blank stare of a Xatu. Supposedly, this person according to Shelby is helping me…well if this is considered helping then I'd much rathe-
"Nothing."
Are you…serious?
"Ok let me get this straight…we've been sitting here for half an hour, chair cushion completely flat at this point…and all you got from this is nothing? How was this anything other than a waste of time? I've got some cops on my case and the best you can give me is nothing?"
"My most sincere apologies, but I've given all the energy I could muster to find what makes you-you but it's all just surrounded by a powerful mist. I've never seen anything like it! It's unlike every other person I've had come here for my gift. It's like it was done on purpose. Usually I can see into my client's past in fast glimpses like a reel, but yours is just a mystery. Trust me…I am the strongest telepathic you'll find on campus…I really did try my best." Mystique shook her head in disappointment. Her motionless expression suddenly shifted to a simper. "Though…as for your pending case, this is a good thing…"
I was defeated, crushed, overcome with despair, all until her sudden tone change. I waited for her to finish what she was going to say, but it ended up just being another staring contest.
…
…
…
"Ahem…so…gonna tell or…are we going to stare at each other for another hour…" I questionably looked at Shelby, Shelby simply shrugging her shoulders and matching my confusion. Andy was completely knocked out, nearly falling off the chair and his tongue lolling out dripping saliva on the floor. Audi was just typing away on her phone.
Mystique chuckled, pointing a wing towards the two doors we entered from.
"I think your answer is right here."
Those who were awake and attentive turned to look at the exit, where a bearded dog with a blue coat on its back stood.
"Ah! Pachoro, when did you get in here?"
Crap! This must be the cop Shelby was talking about! It must be…what other pokemon could be more cliche for a position as a cop than a Herdier? Shit…I had to think quickly or else…
"Hey, tense down man." A paw settled on my back. Shelby picked up quickly on my growing uncomfortableness. The Herdier made eye contact with me and nodded at me, no hint of malicious intentions.
"And to top off Mystique…"
giggle
Audi quickly shut Andy up with a quick punch to the gut.
"Nothing was found. Even if there's nothing to you other than your name, our system can't really put you in jail with this type of evidence. We talked with last night's clients, and they didn't mention you ever attacked them so there's nothing to hold you accountable in that department. Also, they did also mention some of the things you said, which led us to match it with other cases like your other peers here. Plus, the medical scan was also a dead giveaway for mass amnesia."
I didn't know what to say…last night was so vivid. I remember getting ran over by that speeding ball of lightning, but everything before that is just like Mystique mentioned.
"So…Alex isn't in anymore trouble?"
Pachoro shook his head. "Not quite. With us, the police department? Not at all, but the Eevee family were looking into pressing charges for the distress he caused last night…"
Why was this happening? Everytime something would go my way there'd always have to be something weighing me back down.
"But we won't allow it!" Here we go again, this is going to get my hopes up and then just drop an anvil on my nuts after isn't it?
"Oh, that's great Pachoro! But…I'm guessing there's a big 'but' to this right…"
He nodded once again, facing me again.
"Yes. It's all under one condition." Oh boy here it comes…
"We'll protect you alright, but in order for you to give your gratitude to us…"
Here it comes…
"You'll need to join a team. Here, on campus."
8k words! Wowie! Maybe that's a little bit to other goated writers but an accomplishment to lil ol' me :)
A lot of characters are introduced in this chapter! More to come in the next! Share if you're enjoying this so far, would appreciate it :).