Chapter 48: You Made Loving Fun
The grumpig quietly cursed as he sifted through the leftover containers that had yet to be moved to their final destination. From behind, a drowzee did the same, often looking from side-to-side to find anything of use to bring along.
Nearby was an overturned pickup truck that had once carried several wooden containers for Team Rocket, all of which had been opened and raided, the contents strung out all over the area. The vehicle had been completely flipped on its side and whoever had finished pilfering its contents set the entire thing ablaze.
"(This sucks...)" Grumpig muttered as he picked up the remains of what looked to be a bag full of potions, all of which were broken and the liquid contents seeping through the cloth. He grimaced and tossed it away.
"(Tell me about it.)" Drowzee replied as he took notice of some cargo of various sizes, all bearing their team's logo of a single red "R" on the side of the wooden panels. He mumbled something to himself as he proceeded to walk towards the crates. "(I mean...why do we have to get stuck with picking through the garbage?)"
"(It's not garbage, it's the stuff from the nearby camp.)" Grumpig mumbled as he kicked away the broken pieces of some evolution stone.
"(Tsk...)" Drowzee muttered, looking away and folding his arms over his chest. "(First the PLA attacks, then they start raiding our camps, then they start raiding the trucks coming from the camps...they never stop do they?)"
"(No, they don't...)" Grumpig quietly said as he looked elsewhere. "(They're really not messing around this time.)"
Drowzee merely scoffed as he looked at the remains of a completely smashed container. "(They went through it all. Everything's either stolen or broken. And we're supposed to carry this crap to the tower?)"
"(Yeah, I dunno what the deal was with evacuating the camps, but it's what the bosses want.)" Grumpig said as he crouched down to see what, at one point, appeared to be edible food.
"(Sheesh, it's discrimination against us Psychic-types is what I say.)" Drowzee huffed.
Still crouching down, Grumpig gave his teammate a side-glance with a rather stern gaze. "(And you're sure there weren't any survivors?)" He asked, pointing at the overturned truck.
Drowzee stared back at him with a grim look. "(No. None.)"
Grumpig sighed and stood straight back up. "(Hey look on the bright side, at least we weren't on that cargo ship. I mean, did you see it go up in flames?)"
Drowzee clicked his tongue and walked past him. "(Forget the cargo ship, did you see what happened in the air? Nothing but shooting and explosions! And then, both ships go down?!)"
"(Yeah, I haven't got a clue what happened, but I think we're gonna be leaving real soon...)" Grumpig said.
"(Heh...good. I'm tired of this stinkin' island.)" Drowzee muttered to himself before pointing his index finger up. "(All this to capture island Pokémon and I haven't seen one of them! Nothing! Nada!)"
Grumpig sighed and looked elsewhere. He spotted something on the ground and shuffled over to it.
Meanwhile, Drowzee started walking over to one of the wooden boxes that was large enough to step into. As he did, Grumpig stopped in place and looked straight down at the ground. He tilted his head a little at what he was seeing before he started to slowly bend down to pick up what had caught his eye.
As Grumpig started to wrap his paw around the object, Drowzee finished going through the first container which only possessed some Pokéballs, something that wasn't exactly needed at the moment. He stepped out and saw Grumpig reaching down to grab something. The tapir looked off to the side and saw the second large wooden cargo box.
"(Heh, found something?)" Drowzee muttered as he stepped towards the other container.
"(Sort of. I think we can use this.)" Grumpig replied as he grabbed the item.
As the pig spoke, Drowzee peeked into the box and immediately noticed the loose packing material along the bottom. Wanting to get a better look, he stepped inside, the hay-like material crunching under his feet and filling the immediate area with noise. Outside, he thought he could hear some sort of grunting sound but it was over just as quickly as it had started.
Peering around, Drowzee didn't see anything of use aside from some toolkits for an automobile that they didn't have. He stood straight up in the darkened area that was the container.
"(Tsk, nothing here. Hey, what'd ya find out there?)" Drowzee loudly shouted. He waited for a response...then he waited a little more...
...Not hearing anything, he looked out of the container into the open world. He was met with silence.
"(Hey! I said, what did you find on the ground?!)" He shouted only to be met with the same deafening quietness. Curious and slightly annoyed, the tapir quickly stepped out and looked to where Grumpig was...only to see nobody around. A tad surprised, Drowzee surveyed the area. "(Yo! Where'd ya go...?!)" He yelled.
It was jarring to say the least. Did he just walk off? He was there one moment and then...
Drowzee stepped around the container and only saw more wilderness. He looked back to where his partner once stood and merely saw empty space...well that and something shiny that lied upon the ground.
Completely perplexed by all of this, Drowzee walked over to what Grumpig was looking at but before he could register what the item on the ground was, he heard a rustling from the bushes nearby. Turning to see movement near the trees, he furrowed his brow.
"(Hey man c'mon already, I wanna move on from here...)" He grumbled only to see the bushes go completely still and the light scurrying of something moving away. Blinking at that, he looked around to see any more movement. Before he could spend more time on his task...he heard groaning from nearby.
He looked off to the side and followed the noise. It seemed to be coming from behind a certain tree. As he peeked his head around it, he recoiled in surprise to see his partner laying there, groaning and completely unconscious!
"(What the...!)" Drowzee shouted, backing away from the fallen pig. When he heard another sound coming from nearby, his entire body tensed up. Completely terrified, he shakily looked to the source of the new noise. As soon as he did, something burst out from a nearby bush and propelled itself towards him!
He didn't have any time to scream as the flash of yellow smashed into him and enveloped him in electricity.
Pikachu put the missing panel of the wooden container in place and with that, the box looked like it was never even opened to begin with. It had only been a few minutes, but he had managed to drag both Team Rocket Pokémon into each container before closing them. When the deed was done, the mouse stretched his increasingly sore back. At least now there was less of a chance for possible reinforcements to notice that something had happened to them.
Satisfied, Pikachu looked around and saw where Grumpig had been standing before he was quickly knocked out by a well-placed Iron Tail. Quickly walking over, he looked down and saw what the pig-like creature had been staring at. The Electric-type tilted his head a little at the item.
Huh...interesting.
The raticate continued to back away. He had nowhere in particular to hide out in this clearing in the forest.
"(Stop resisting and just make this easy for all of us. Did you really think you could run away? We already took care of your trainer back there!)" The dusclops said as he took a step forward. As he did, a noctowl standing next to him smirked at the rat.
"(Yeah, just open up the ship's door and we won't have to smash your face in. Simple as that!)" The owl laughed.
"(I-I...)" Raticate stuttered, looking between them only to see a kadabra approach him from the side.
"(Listen, we can be nice and let you open the door or we can seriously hurt you and then open the door anyway. Your choice.)" The Psychic-type said. Holding his spoon high in the air, his arm proudly displayed the same PLA cloth band that the other two had on.
Shuddering, the rat took a few steps away from him only to turn around and see the Psychic-type's teammates.
"(C'mon already...)" Noctowl said, glaring right into the rodent's eyes. "(It's best for everyone if you just open the door. Someone's gotta stop you Rocket fools right?)"
The three of them started laughing as they got a little closer to Raticate...
...That is until they heard someone else speak up from behind them.
"(Yeah...)" The voice calmly said, causing everyone to look over and see a somber-looking Pikachu. "(...But you don't look like the ones to do it.)"
Taken aback, the three PLA Pokémon stared at him before backing up a little. Raticate, utterly perplexed by what was going on, did the same and stepped to the side.
They stared each other down for what felt like several minutes and all the while, the rat looked between them.
Suddenly, the three aggressors got into attack positions but the mouse was too quick and he immediately shot out a quick yet incredibly powerful Thunderbolt which engulfed them. Yelping in both surprise and pain, the three PLA Pokémon were propelled across the clearing and into the forest with one of them hitting a tree so hard that it snapped it in half.
It happened in the blink of an eye yet Raticate covered his eyes, his reaction a second behind the action. He uncovered his face only when the commotion died down and he looked over to see his attackers sprawled along the ground, twitching and completely unconscious. Unable to take his eyes off the scene, he didn't even notice Pikachu walk up to him.
Somewhat startled, Raticate turned to the yellow mouse.
"(Er...thank you.)" The rat said as he saw the Electric-type eye him up and down.
"(You're with Team Rocket?)" Pikachu calmly asked.
"(Uh...y-yeah.)" Raticate said, easing up a little with a smirk.
Pikachu looked off to the side, his expression remaining neutral yet he took notice of the rat's face. The guy eased up even more. Given that he had just saved his hide, perhaps he thought that the mouse was a fellow teammate from another crew? "(You have a ship somewhere near here?)"
Raticate looked at him for a moment. "(A ship?)" He asked before awkwardly chuckling. "(Yeah, we got a ship! Heh, it crashed just north of here...!)"
Pikachu looked back at the rat and he started laughing along with him. The two continued to stand there, chuckling to themselves...
...Until Pikachu backed away towards a nearby bush, leaned forward and pulled up what appeared to be sleek zip-ties.
Raticate's chuckling began to die down as he saw that.
"(YOU SON OF A BITCH! WHO GAVE BIRTH TO YOU?!)" Raticate furiously shouted as he slid on his back along the ground as Pikachu dragged him by his tail without saying a word. The rat's arms and legs were bound by the zip-tie. For the first few minutes, Raticate had angrily tried to gnaw his way through his binding using his enormous teeth but to no avail. Clearly, whatever material the zip-tie was composed of was designed for this very purpose.
The mouse merely scowled and looked forward, Raticate's tail draped over his shoulder with his rump high in the air. Although they were somewhat far off, he could see a downed aircraft beyond the trees, its metal surface appearing particularly shiny from his view.
"(You'll pay for this!)" Raticate continued to angrily rant, all the while he thrashed his body along the ground. "(I hope you end up in a graveyard! With the Pokérus and the rabies and the plague! Cut me loose! Cut me loose you stupid bastard! PUT ME DOWN!)"
The rat continued to hurl insult after insult at the mouse, wishing death and every form of torture and misery upon him and for all good things in his life to end, not realizing that Pikachu had already lost it all.
Finally, after five more minutes of unhinged ranting and cursing, the two made it to Team Rocket's aircraft. Stopping in place, Pikachu eyed the vessel up and down. Off to the side, he could see some strange metal apparatus that appeared to have been used to deploy missiles. Then he turned back to the downed aircraft.
Yup, that looked to be the one he'd been following all this time. It's definitely seen better days that's for sure. Guess that little air battle with the PLA's aircraft did more damage than he had thought. The mouse looked back and forth before he saw what looked to be a doorway with some sort of contraption next to it. Dragging the still screaming Raticate with him, Pikachu looked a little closer at it. He leaned forward and squinted his eyes at what appeared to be an elongated, horizontal rectangle.
Suddenly, a computerized voice rang out from the vessel, causing Pikachu to nearly jump out of his skin!
WELCOME. PLEASE PUT YOUR EYE UP TO THE SCANNER.
Pikachu tilted his head in confusion and he saw the elongated rectangle next to the door make a sound before the metal covering it slid down to reveal a circular glass-like object with a little red light.
The mouse merely looked at it. Scanner? Did that mean someone was supposed to-?
"(Look, you can still save yourself...)" Raticate muttered. Pikachu looked over at him. Still with this? "(Let me go and I'll pardon you...)"
Staring at the rat, the mouse got an idea. Slowly leaning over to get a good grip on the Team Rocket minion, Pikachu grabbed Raticate's shoulder and he pulled him up to his feet, his tied paws hanging below in apparent defeat. Pikachu pushed the rat at least a foot away, lest he try to lean forward to bite him.
"(I feel sick...the blood is rushing to...)" Raticate muttered, shaking his head in despair. "(I need...water...)" He quietly muttered.
Pikachu furrowed his brow at the display, not really buying it. His suspicions were confirmed when Raticate suddenly jolted forward to spit in his face. Keeping his cool, Pikachu merely wiped the saliva off his cheek as the rat started snickering.
That immediately stopped when Pikachu used his tail to smack the rat over the head, making him yelp in surprise. Right after doing so, Pikachu grabbed Raticate by the shoulder and pushed him towards the ship.
"(Gah! You bastard! You son of a bitch! Let me-!)" Raticate yelled before his face was shoved into the strange contraption next to the door. The contraption's red dot turned into a thin red bar that scanned from the top to the bottom of the rat's eye.
When the scanner finished its job, a high-pitched beep rang out and the voice came on again.
SCAN APPROVED. WELCOME ROCKET MEMBER.
Pulling Raticate away, Pikachu smirked at his ingenuity. Good thing Team Rocket scans their own Pokémon too.
The door to the ship made a hissing sound before it slid open. With that, Pikachu pushed Raticate inside the vessel for a few feet before shoving him to the floor with a thud.
Landing on his back, Raticate thrashed his body around as Pikachu walked past him.
"(Yeah, you're being brave with a guy who's tied up!)" Raticate shouted as Pikachu made his way towards a large computer. "(Come back! Come back here and fight you...bastard...!)"
Eyeing the computer screen, Pikachu looked around the room, hoping to find a map or something of use. He saw how the big desk to the computer appeared a tad odd, in that it looked like it was part of some other strange contraption. The mouse frowned upon seeing nothing of importance right away. Guess he'll have to painstakingly look through every nook and cran-
HELLO ROCKET MEMBER: RATICATE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESUME YOUR DUTIES PRIOR TO LOGGING OUT?
Pikachu whipped his head back at the computer screen which now displayed the words "Yes" and "No". Not wanting to waste the opportunity, he hopped atop the big desk. Then he moved the computer mouse using both of his paws and clicked "Yes."
Upon doing so, the screen changed to reveal several opened files. Curious, Pikachu began to scroll through them, hoping to get a glimpse of something he could use. After a few minutes, he found a file labeled "Leonid Isle Map".
Relieved at having made progress, Pikachu clicked on it and the screen once again changed, this time to show a 3-D rendering of the island. The computerized voice came on again.
WELCOME BACK TO ROCKET GEOGRAPHY FOR: LEONID ISLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE POINTS OF INTEREST, CLICK THE RED CIRCLES.
Pikachu steadied his nerves as he saw that there were indeed pulsating red circles at various points on the island. Somewhat hesitant, he clicked on one to reveal a photograph of a large clearing in the forest. Guess that's where the aircraft was supposed to land instead of crashing here.
He clicked on another red circle located on the far side of the island to reveal several photographs of campsites. Looks like that's where Team Rocket has been hiding out on the island. So that's what the main cannon was going to shoot at...
Pikachu's eyes drifted over the map and he saw a red circle in the middle of the island. With a silent gulp, he clicked it and the blueprints of a large radio tower appeared.
Bingo. That must be it! That's where he has to go!
Now the only question was if he could print this out...
Pikachu looked over the screen and saw the word "Options" on a tab and he clicked it only for the voice to come on again.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO DOWNLOAD THIS MAP ONTO AN INSTALLED POKÉTCH? CLICK "YES" TO BEGIN THE PROCESS.
Somewhat puzzled, Pikachu did just that and an hourglass appeared on the screen that occasionally tilted over and over again. About a minute went by before the words "Complete" appeared on the screen. Before he could even react to that, Pikachu heard a sound to his right. He looked over to see a panel on the large desk open up and a Pokétch come into view on a raised platform.
DATA TRANSFER COMPLETE. PLEASE TAKE YOUR POKÉTCH FOR SAFE TRAVELING.
His ears twitching, Pikachu walked over and held up the device that he had seen Dawn use so many times in the past. Feeling quite proud of himself, the mouse smiled and saw that a plastic cover was put over the glass to protect it.
Pikachu jumped down from the computer and started to walk in Raticate's direction who immediately began to loudly rant again. As he did, Pikachu started fiddling with the plastic cover of the device in an attempt to remove it.
"(You won't get away with this! Team Rocket always gets what we want!)" Raticate shouted as Pikachu finally removed the plastic cover and stared back at the rat with no expression on his face. "(You know what you are? Huh? Whose son you are? You don't I do, everybody does! You're the son of a thousand fathers, all bastards like you! And you're mother, heh, your mother is-!)"
Pikachu flicked the plastic cover at the rat's face, causing him to furiously thrash about on the floor.
"(Y-YOU BASTARD!)" Raticate screamed at the top of his lungs as Pikachu turned away and started walking out the door. "(Your mother is better off not talking about!)"
Pikachu didn't even look back to respond as he continued to hear the rat screaming, half-insane.
CONTINUE WALKING FORWARD, YOU ARE STILL ON THE FASTEST ROUTE.
Pikachu glanced at the Pokétch that he had wrapped around his arm before proceeding through the trees.
Okay, so far so good...he just needed to remain inconspicuous and get to the tower and disable it...somehow.
Well...one thing at a time!
He pushed on, his destination not too far now. As he trekked through the forest, he noticed how the lush green gave way to something rather bizarre.
Slowly but surely, he saw vibrant colors of all sorts begin to stand out against the foliage. A flower here and there at first but eventually, the forest became a swirling mixture of neon purples, reds and yellows, the shades of which were far beyond what was considered natural.
Pikachu briefly looked around and took in the scenery. He was getting close; he just knew it. What everyone has been talking about, the thing that lives on this island. The primary target. The mysterious force that invades your mind and frightens the locals off...
...He was getting near it.
Instinctively, the mouse stopped and he looked to his right and nearly gasped as he saw several tall trees, all of which had rainbow-colored bark. Indeed, it almost appeared as if a child had slapped paint onto a canvas and called it a masterpiece.
Pikachu blinked at that and continued walking forward.
Only a little more to go.
About ten minutes went by and Pikachu stopped his trek and gazed ahead. Immediately, he felt a cool sea breeze go through his fur and he took in a deep breath. He saw how the trees began to give way and up ahead he could see the iridescent marble structures of some strange civilization from long ago. He saw the remains of what appeared to be buildings and pillars, vestiges of what was once a sprawling town. Pikachu proceeded to walk through the ruins, admiring the incredible sculpting abilities of a people that time had forgotten.
He saw the remains of what looked to be some sort of temple. On either side of the pillars that jutted from the ground were the bases of some statues that were in reverence of something. All around him he witnessed the marble creations that ranged from standing high above him down to his eye level. When he briefly stopped and let his mind wander, he swore that he could hear the ghostly voices of the once-present inhabitants.
All around the vicinity, the mouse could hear the distant sounds of fighting and shouting, a thundering war that he had been caught in the middle of.
As Pikachu walked, he saw chiseled writings and phrases of all sorts, often in languages that he did not understand. Some declarations of worship to some strange force, others incomprehensible upon the first read. Regardless, nearly every statement was presented on the surface of a dilapidated structure and the mouse made no effort to read them more than twice without stopping.
It was only when Pikachu glanced over to his right did he nearly stop in his tracks as he saw what looked to be the chiseled outline of a small creature that adorned the side of a now empty, building that had collapsed long ago. Like everything else, it was difficult to tell what exactly it was due to age but judging by the prominent ears and mammalian appearance...it almost looked like...
Panicking, Pikachu took in a quick inhale and walked away from it, hoping to push away thoughts of her.
When he finally left the vicinity of the once colonized area, he noticed how the ground began to angle up a little. Clearly, wherever he was going, it was at a higher elevation. He looked up and saw that the ground eventually plateaued and he proceeded to climb the hill until he got to the top. There, he saw how the land began to narrow somewhat. Trees became more sparse yet all the more colorful as he continued.
Pikachu stopped when he nearly passed by a marble structure, its once marvelous details faded by weather and time. He looked over and squinted his eyes as he saw something chiseled near its base.
Quicquid est sine sua scientia, sine suo consensu est
Barely even able to read the words let alone translate and decipher what it means, Pikachu backed away although somewhere inside he felt cold.
Walking under a canopy of trees, Pikachu realized that he was trudging through a small field of flowers, their unnaturally bright coloring almost hurting his eyes for a moment. He stopped in place and looked around. It was all he could see, enveloping him in the endless blurriness of colorful life.
She would have loved to have seen such beautiful flowers...
Pikachu slowly began to tighten a fist yet he felt strangely tired in that moment. He pushed back what was present in the crevasses of his mind since he had come to his little revelation.
Swallowing hard, he wandered through the flower field, each step feeling like he was wading through molasses. When he was finally past the accursed flowers, he made an exasperated noise and he tried his best to think of something else.
The task at hand. Yeah...think of that.
Inhaling, Pikachu puffed his chest out and confidently walked forward.
He just needed to keep his mind focused on what was important right then and there. He would go forward and take out the tower and then wait things out until he could...somehow get back to the mainland.
Yeah...
When the task at hand was done, he just needed to lay low for a while...
...Alone.
Pikachu stopped in place and looked at the ground, no visible expression on his face. He briefly shook his head and walked forward again.
Stop Team Rocket.
Just keep repeating it.
Stop Team Rocket. Stop Team Rocket. Stop Team Rocket alone. Stop Team Rocket. Stop-
Scrunching up his nose a little, Pikachu pushed forward with his mindset.
Just keep thinking about the task at hand!
StopTeamRocketStopTeamRocketStopTeamRocketAloneStopTeamRocketalonestopaloneshewasgonestoprocket-
The chiseled outline he saw on the side of that building...it looked so much like her...
Feeling tears well up in his eyes, Pikachu inwardly fought against the cracks that were beginning to form in his psyche and for a brief moment, he thought of what they would be doing right now if they hadn't accidentally stumbled into the very the worst situation imaginable.
She would...she would probably continue to get to know everyone in his group a little bit better. She would make the youngest members of their party laugh just like she had on the beach. Of course, Oshawott would probably take him aside and demand to know his "secrets", not to mention that the little otter and Piplup would continue to vie over Meloetta's affection, much to the snickering and chagrin of everyone around them.
She would eventually continue on her journey, competing in contests, all the while progressing in the modeling world. Sooner than later, she would realize Dawn's dream of becoming a top-level Pokémon Coordinator. And it wouldn't stop there...she would only be getting started. She would not only win in the most anticipated and spectacular of contests, but she would go on to become the world-famous model that she was born to be.
And who knows? Maybe they would reunite and...and then...
Pikachu stopped walking, a strange feeling arising in his chest.
...And then nothing.
Contemplating what would happen was pointless. She was gone and things can't go back to the way they were.
His face became determined as he thought that.
Just accept it. She was gone. Repeat it for good measure.
She was gone. Dead. It was over.
And he can go on without her...he...h-he can-
In that moment he looked down and saw a flower in the grass, its neon pink color juxtaposing the monotony of lush green that surrounded it.
He continued staring at the flower and realized what it was.
A violet.
The same kind that she was wearing on Solare Island when they first started going out...
Suddenly, Pikachu's once-confident expression faltered and he felt his legs wobble beneath him. Whatever mettle he had managed to scrounge up immediately crumbled upon seeing the flower. Upon looking at it, he remembered her face and figure disappearing from his view high above those clouds.
Feeling himself becoming unsteady on his feet, Pikachu slowly sat down in front of the little flower. He stared at it and grimaced.
She was really...gone. Someone that he called a friend...someone he once called his girlfriend...someone that...he loves...
And to think, the day started off so normal...well as normal as it can get with them. He never thought that something like this could happen.
Pikachu squeezed his eyes shut and now given the opportunity; his mind relayed a few memories.
Her flirting with him after defeating Team Rocket and May commenting on it.
Hugging and nuzzling after a tough contest.
Massaging the other's bloated stomach after eating too much.
Heck, one time they were all staying in a cabin and were washing off from a long hard day. Then while playing, Piplup and Turtwig accidentally caused Pikachu to bump his head on a brush that Dawn was using. How Buneary went on such a freezing spree!
The mouse grimaced a little and he squeezed his eyes shut.
Legends above...he would give anything for just another day of that. For things to go back to how they were...
What fun they had together.
No...actually...it was more than simple fun...
She really did...give him some of the best moments of his life.
Holding back tears, Pikachu shook his head and he tried to bury the emotions that were so desperately coming up to the surface. Not wanting to make too much noise, he covered his face with his paws and quietly cried into them. He just wanted this day to be over. He wanted to go back in time. He just wanted...uggh...a tissue or something.
As he continued to sob on the ground that was now decorated by the occasional brightly colored foliage, he felt something gently move up to his face.
He opened his eyes; his vision being compromised by the tears constantly welling up and going down his cheeks.
"(Wha...?)" Pikachu muttered as he saw a green leaf being held out for him to take. "(Oh...thanks Meloetta.)" He sniffed as he took the leaf out of the sprite's hands and wiped his tears. It was really thoughtful of her to get him something given the fact that they were in the middle of nowhe-
...
...
...!
Wait...MELOETTA?!
His eyes quickly opening, he stared up at the floating sprite's kind face. He blinked at her, the tears stinging a little. Was this...another strange apparition? Like the one in the cave?
"(Pikachu?)" She gently said, her gentle smile not faltering. "(...Are you okay?)"
Pikachu merely stared at her. His mouth was hung agape and in that moment, his throat felt as dry as a desert. "(H-How...?)"
She quickly eyed him up and down before breathing a sigh of relief. Suddenly, she moved forward and hugged him tightly. "(You look okay! Oh thank goodness! You really had me worried!)"
Blinking and not moving at all, Pikachu merely stared outward into the distance. It certainly...felt like Meloetta...
Without really thinking, the mouse slowly reached up and prodded her arm which caused her to slowly back away and look at him rather perplexed.
"(Are...you real?)" He muttered, mostly to himself as he gave her a faraway look.
Meloetta tilted her head at that. "(Er...yeah, last time I checked. The important thing is that you're okay! I can't believe you made it all the way out here by yourself!)"
Still sitting down, Pikachu looked from side-to-side, wondering if this was some sort of setup. "(...Are...are you gonna disappear?)" He finally asked, locking gazes with her.
Even more bewildered, the sprite merely looked back at him. "(Disappear? Like turn invisible?)"
"(N-No I...)" Pikachu stammered before his mind went blank. Then he simply sighed and sagged his shoulders. "(Just...if you're another weird ghost thing, please just leave me alone. I can't take anymore.)"
Slightly frowning, Meloetta floated a little closer to him, her "hands" pressed together against her chest. "(You poor thing...you've been through so much...!)"
Pikachu closed his eyes and hung his head. "(I mean, I guess you would know...you've read my mind before...)"
Meloetta tilted her head at him. "(Umm...I'm not sure what you're getting at. I've been catching up to you since you landed on the beach.)"
His ears pricking up, Pikachu looked up at her in bewilderment. A moment passed and he noticed how she appeared a bit scuffed up. Some scratch marks here and there and she looked a little tired. If this was another apparition...it was a pretty convincing one. Not to mention that it had made physical contact with him...
Pikachu momentarily looked away and quietly exhaled through his nose. He really didn't have the time nor the energy to chase another ghost...
Resigned to his situation, he looked back at her and saw her increasingly concerned face though her eyes were just as wide and innocent as they always had been.
"(I...I don't know...I mean...how did you get here...?)" He whispered, looking back down at the ground and twiddled his fingers. "(...Assuming that you're real of course.)"
Suddenly, he felt her "hand" tap the top of his head and he nearly shuddered.
"(Well...it's kind of a funny story...would you prefer if I sang it?)" She gently said, clearly holding back a snicker.
Pikachu apprehensively made a dry gulp. Again...if this was another apparition...
He looked at her and tilted his head upon hearing her begin to sing.
"(I was once lost but now I've found...you, you brave mouse~! Will you stay by my side so that I can keep an eye on yoouuuu~?)" She sang, her improvisation not terribly shabby.
And her voice...it sounded...about right.
Much to his own surprise, Pikachu felt something he was sorely missing today...laughter. Holding back a snicker, he gave her a little grin.
"(There's a smile!)" Meloetta said brightly upon seeing his reaction.
Now chuckling a little, Pikachu shook his head and waved his paws in front of himself.
"(Okay, okay. Apparition or no apparition, you sing very nice...!)" He laughed.
"(Yay!)" Meloetta cheered, waving her arms in the air before looking down at him. "(So how about we get you off the ground huh?)"
Pikachu's smile suddenly faded as he came upon another thought. His heart began to thump hard in his chest and his body felt the urge to start shaking.
Likewise, Meloetta's grin began to disappear upon seeing his face. She saw as he sadly closed his eyes and started to get to his feet.
"(Say Mel...I don't know how you got here but...but I mean...)" He muttered, causing her to float closer to him.
"(What's wrong Pikachu?)" She asked, studying his face.
"(Meloetta...there's something I need to tell you.)" He shakily said. She merely looked at him and didn't say a word. The mouse felt his body began to shake even more and he gazed elsewhere, unable to look at her for the next part. "(I-It's Buneary...)"
"(Hmm?)"
"(Buneary...she...I mean I-I...oh legends, how do I say this?)" He muttered to himself, closing his eyes with a paw up to his face.
"(Hmm?)" Meloetta asked, floating closer only for Pikachu to nervously turn around.
"(W-We were on this airship a-and...she...she s-sacrificed...)" He squeaked, his voice breaking before failing entirely.
Meloetta's "hands" went up to her mouth as she saw him lightly shake his head. "(Pikachu...?)"
"(She's gone Meloetta! Okay?! She...was on an airship and it went up in flames!)" He shouted in-between his crying. Then he got quiet. "(She saved everyone on this island and...and...)"
"(Oh Pikachu...)" Meloetta sadly whispered, watching as he muttered something to himself.
"(Sorry, I just...need a minute...)" He whimpered as he tried to compose himself, his paw still covering his face.
Then, he felt someone lift something near his line of sight. Glancing over, he saw the neon pink violet being held up for him to take.
"(Oh...thanks Meloetta.)" He sniffed as he took the flower.
"(Um...I'm over here Pikachu.)" Meloetta said from the opposite side.
Blinking through tears, Pikachu looked at her before his ears pricked up in response to a bright voice.
"(You're welcome...Pika.)" The feminine gently replied.
His entire body going tense, Pikachu slowly looked back...
...And saw an all-too familiar smile.
...Her smile.
His heart practically stopping, he couldn't even give a reaction to seeing her in front of him. She looked pretty roughed up and her fur was a bit singed yet her infectious enthusiasm was unwavering.
"(...Hi.)" She quietly said, her eyes filled to the brim with tears of her own. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that she was doing her best not to shake in place as she held her arm.
He tilted his head at her. This was a dream...or another apparition...right?
Pikachu carefully eyed her face. She...seemed to be putting on a nonchalant attitude.
Buneary paused to look at him. Upon seeing his lack of a reaction, she shuffled her feet on the ground, her paws behind her back.
"(So umm...wild stuff back there huh?)" She muttered, looking down and away from him, her face turning pink.
For a moment, Pikachu saw the façade drop before she put on a smile and awkwardly laugh. From behind, Meloetta floated nearby.
"(Is...everything okay now?)" She gently asked, eyeing the two of them.
Still laughing, Buneary rubbed the back of her head and closed her eyes. "(Y-Yeah! It was just...y'know...a little hiccup. Oh, by the way...)" She muttered before holding her arm out high into the air to show off something. Pikachu's eyes widened and they nearly popped out of his head as he saw that she was wearing his letter bracelet! "(I think you left this behind!)" She laughed.
"(B-Buh...)" Pikachu stuttered, his eyes never once leaving her face as she walked up to him. In that moment, his chest felt immensely heavy, as if he couldn't breathe hard enough.
"(My vest was a little too er...ruined...to take with us.)" She awkwardly chuckled.
"(Th-That's my...)" Pikachu quietly said to himself as he reached out to caress the gift she had given to him. He felt the familiar touch of the material that it was made out of and he went as still as a statue. Completely floored, he looked back up at her smiling face. When he did, he thought he was going to pass out.
Buneary eased up a bit and gave a little shrug, her eyes still closed. "(I saw it on the shore and took it. Then we followed you after we came across that crashed ship. You took a Pokétch right? Tsk, tsk!)" She said, again trying to laugh it off. "(Figures, I'm gone for a little bit and you go completely rogue! I mean, somebody has to watch out for-eep!)"
Her façade of acting like it was no big deal was cut short when Pikachu promptly rushed forward and hugged her, causing both her and Meloetta to gasp in surprise.
"(Ohh...~!)" Meloetta squealed as her "hands" covered her face and she leaned forward, floating in midair with the biggest sparkling eyes.
"(Bun...)" Pikachu whispered as he held her tight.
A tad caught-off guard, Buneary looked forward and she could feel Pikachu's chest press up against hers before his breathing became somewhat erratic. Then, she heard him starting to sob a little.
Unable to hold it back herself, she began to shake in his arms yet she gathered up the strength to say something back.
"(Hey...)" She shakily whispered before she smiled and gently hugged him back.
For a moment, they stood like that, embracing each other before they felt their legs give out and they started to crumple to the ground, all the while holding each other tight. From behind, Meloetta's "hands" continued to stay held up to her mouth as she tried to stifle a little gasp of adoration.
"(Thank...thank the legends above...)" He managed to say as he cried into her shoulder, repeating the same words over and over again. "(Bun...I-I just...I can't believe that you're...I-I...)"
"(Pikachu...I'm just glad you're okay too.)" She quietly said, as her own tears began to pelt Pikachu's fur.
He gently nuzzled his face into her shoulder as his sobs began to quiet down.
This was really happening. The girl that he loved...
...She was really here with him. Alive and well.
He had no idea how it was possible but perhaps somewhere out in the great cosmos, some legendary was benevolent enough to give him a second chance.
As their crying began to soften ever-so slightly, Pikachu briefly opened his eyes as his face was pressed up against her shoulder. She didn't see it, but he smiled and closed his eyes again and nuzzled her neck. Completely content, Buneary happily sighed and did the same.
Pikachu held her a little tighter.
If this was a dream...he really didn't want it to end.
Author's Notes:
Well look who's back! I'm shocked, SHOCKED to my very core! ;)
I want to give a shoutout to AnimeJewel246, specifically her fic "The Time Has Come" for not only influencing the dialogue for this chapter but practically every chapter of this story! She manages to have the characters speak in a very natural way that allows for smooth reading, which is what I always try to do! Plus, it's a very cute Pikabun story so go and give her some support! So here's to you Jewel!
Alrighty, looks like Buneary is back but just a couple of questions like...how? And how did Meloetta get involved in this? And could any of this possibly make sense when explained?
You all know the answer to this by now...on to the next chapter!
-Carson55