Hey, it's been a while hasn't it?
First off, so sorry for the delay in uploading. I had a car wreck at the start of March that just totally threw everything out of whack. How ironic is that huh? Writer's block also didn't help. I might go back and rewrite this chapter at a later date so if any tips, advice, comments are much appreciated. That being said please enjoy!
Mallow sent me one final concerned look over her shoulder as Dr. Misaki herded my friends out of the room. They had only a few short minutes of concerned looks and questions before they were being escorted out. They weren't exactly quiet or happy about it either. Lana's scathing look nearly made Anabel jump and I could still hear Rapp raising hell on the other side of the door.
I was grateful and slightly embarrassed about how protective they were of me. Before I had died I could only really rely on myself or my family for something. Now having so many people fully ready to ride with me was humbling. However I had encouraged them to leave. There wasn't any sense in getting them caught up in my existential problems.
Dr. Masaki closed the door and moved to unhook some of the machines monitoring me. I thought they might stop her since, ya know, heart monitors and lying trope but she was able to peel the sensors off without problem. However when she stood off to the side to sit in on the conversation my luck ran out…again. I shouldn't buy any lottery tickets anytime soon.
"Sorry, Doctor. But the nature of this conversation necessitates discretion and security. If you would please step out?" Anabel requested.
"He may be a registered trainer but he's not registered as an emancipated or lab affiliate. He'll need a guardian for your interview. Due to a guardian not being present, hospital policy states I may act as his temporary guardian during an interview with police officials." Dr. Masaki stated firmly. Ooo, good legalese. Your move, coppers. I thought with a small smirk. …I should probably take this more seriously…
"League codex, amendment 22, section 1, b. 'Guardian rights to people under the age of majority during police interviews may be suspended if there is immediate threat or international security concerns.' Alola might not have an official League but they are affiliated." Looker said. Huh…guess that makes sense. I think there were places like in the Pokemon Ranger games that didn't even have Trainers.
Dr. Masaki pursed her lips like she had just tasted something sour. She gave me a final look, as if she was apologizing. "Fine. But only for a bit and if he presses his call, the interview is over." She said pointedly while looking at me. I might be dense but I could catch that much of a hint. I gave her a grateful smile to let her know. My stomach growling did make me blush a bit as her eyes widened.
"I don't suppose you could find a way to let Mallow in with a plate? I'm kinda starving for some breakfast." I asked with a bit of a pleading look. She giggled before nodding an affirmative. She left as the two officers drew in closer to my bed. I couldn't help but bite my lip as they came closer. A quick static jolt immediately drew my attention to Rotom.
"Master, I can start making a lot of noise! Maybe the doctors will throw them out. Or, or, or I can call one of your friends and-" Rotom whispered. I shook my head immediately.
"No, keep it really quiet. In fact, you're probably gonna hear a lot of sensitive stuff. Can I trust you to keep it to yourself?" I whispered back while side eyeing Looker. He was obviously trying to listen in but with Rotom being so close to me I could keep it down.
"Even from the team?" She asked sadly.
"You can explain it to them later but only if you do it where no one can hear you." She nodded, seemingly placated that it wouldn't be hidden from her best friends.
Anabel pulled a pokeball from her belt. A quick toss and light combo materialized the PokeGirl inside. She was a feline like PokeGirl, her body covered head to toe in a lilac silky fur. She was short at only 4'11 and had a petite and slender frame that complemented her sleek fur. Resting above her tight pear shaped rear was a long tail that seemed to split right down the middle. A red jewel grew from her forehead and her cat-like ears perked up as she opened her blue eyes.
"Esp?" The Espeon questioned her Trainer.
"We need this room private. Think you can give me a hand?" She asked. Espeon nodded and her jewel began to glow a pale blue. I could see a similar blue color cover the door and I realized I wasn't hearing Rapp raise hell anymore. On the one hand, that's super impressive and I need to consider a psychic type. On the other hand, that complicates a lot.
I glanced between the two officers and bit my lip in thought. Okay so let's consider the options. Option 1, I stay the course and continue the lie. They probably have no way to realistically call me out on my bluffs. Right?
I spared another glance to Anabel. Unless…was she full psychic like Sabrina or just an empath? …dammit why are there so many characters?
I breathed out a huff of air. Option 2, come clean about being an interdimensional immigrant. Would reincarnation be immigration? Stop. Esoteric thinking later, problem solving now.
I glanced at Looker. He's got a lot of fingers in a lot of pies at the International Police. What was it he did in Sun and Moon again? Dealt with Ultra Wormholes right? Another look at Anabel. And the people and Pokemon that fell through them. That's right…she was a Faller. Hell I'm pretty sure she was a Frontier Brain before she fell through a Wormhole. But why is she here? I literally saw Ash at his first League. The Anabel in front of me would suggest plot from the games but Ash suggests anime. So which is it? Or is it both just to play merry hell with my knowledge?
Okay, focus. How can I turn this to my advantage? I'm probably gonna have to go with option 2 because they can just call me out on my bullshit. So how can I throw 2 professionals off enough that maybe just maybe I don't end up in a cell or sent to some halfway house across the world? If they're a part of some task force for Fallers like in the game then maybe they only deal with people from the Pokemon (PokeGirl?) universes. I would be a total anomaly because I have… I grinned. I have 3rd person knowledge. Now let's flip them on their heads.
Looker and Anabel took both sides of my bed while Espeon stood behind her Trainer, half paying attention to the doorway. Looker cleared his throat. "I apologize for the abruptness and forceful nature of the interview. As I can imagine you've-" I cut him off by looking directly at Anabel.
"So are you the Faller version or does the Battle Maiden just moonlight with the international police?" I said with false confidence. She blinked in shock, likely not expecting someone to recognize her so easily. Looker was similarly stunned. "Or wait…the Battle Frontier exists right? Or exist where you're originally from?" I made a show of throwing my hands up in exasperation. "Multiverse theory, am I right? Things just kinda get tangled up." I said with a cheeky smile.
I did have the pleasure of the stunned silence enveloping the room. Even Espeon was blinking in shock alongside her Trainer. Anabel was definitely the most shocked as she leaned forward towards me. "You know I'm a Faller?" She said in a stunned voice.
"Sure I do! Anabel, the Battle Maiden. One of the leaders of the Battle Frontier and an exceptional psychic. You have an Alakazam and obviously an Espeon but I can't remember your other Pokemon off the top of my head." I said. "You eventually become a Faller and join the International Police after being found by this guy and his partner." I pointed at Looker.
"So you also know about Nanu…" Looker mumbled and Anabel's eyes boggled as she stared at me.
"You…you even know about Pokemon. How? Every Faller after me says PokeGirls are the only one's they've ever known!"
"I know an incredible amount due to my unique position but first let me introduce myself. My name is Michael Webb and obviously I'm not from this world. I arrived here in Alola under unknown means after a car accident that took my life."
Anabel gasped and Looker's expression…okay well it didn't really change. I'll give him credit, the man has one hell of a poker face. However, the most obvious reaction took center stage.
"WHAT WHAT WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU ME *zzzt zzzt* AN? CAR A-ACC-CIDENT!" Rotom flew directly in my face. Her voice was crackling and her plasma form was pulsing erratically. "Y-YOU MUST-T BE DELIRIOUS I'LL-L-L-L *ZZZT* CALL THE DOCTOR BACK IN!" I caught her as she flew past my head to head for the call button. She calmed down when I held her in my lap and petted her head. I ignored the static sensation buzzing through my hand.
"Hold on, I'll explain." She gave a small nod as I turned back to the officers. They seemed to have recomposed themselves, Anabel slightly less so. "Should we continue with the introduction or would you like to get to the brass tax?"
"You should start from the beginning." Looker said with a sigh. He pulled a notepad and pencil out of his coat pocket and shot a glance at his partner. Anabel nodded and focused in with practiced ease. Suddenly I felt a slight pressure in my head that caused me to immediately grab my head.
"Ugh. Well that answers if you're a full psychic." I groaned out. A static charge lanced up my arm quickly as Rotom bristled. Espeon's gem glowed brighter as her no longer disinterested eyes snapped to the Plasma PokeGirl. Anabel winced in embarrassment and I felt the pressure retreat. I gently pet Rotom, ignoring the static in my arm as I did so.
"I'm so sorry! I don't know why I didn't warn you. That was extremely rude of me." She said with a slight bow.
"It's fine, I did kinda drop a bombshell on the conversation. Only natural you would be thrown off." I waved her off. "Still a real human psychic. That's something unbelievable where I'm from."
"Really? That's surprising. Surely you know about Sabrina or at least Lucian." She said.
"Yeah I know of them. But psychics aren't real where I'm from. Only in comic books or well…I'll get into that."
"As fascinating as that is, I have to insist we keep going with the interview." Looker said. "As it stands you have classified information and I need to know how and why you know it."
"Sure, that's the whole point of you being here right?" I said. "But very quickly, and totally not stalling cause I'm worried, can I ask how you found me?"
"Well it wasn't exactly easy." Anabel grumbled. I must have looked confused at her statement and she clarified for me. "Fallers and Travelers, that is things and people that fall through Ultra Wormholes and Time Travelers respectively, emit specific energy signals. With the right equipment, they can be traced and tracked. There's only 2 scanners powerful enough to detect Ultra Wormhole energy world wide and one is even here in Alola."
"When detected it's our unit's duty to support and resolve any complications from these events." Looker expanded. "Whether that's offering support for the Fallers to adjust to a new world or keeping a Traveler safe until Celebi picks them back up."
"You actually slipped through the cracks. No Ultra Energy hotspots in recent months, no temporal distortions, nothing. " Anabel explained. "Honestly, we didn't even know you existed until the hospital tried pulling you up in international databases. When everything failed to establish your existence in our world, that's when we were alerted."
"And I doubt my reincarnation had anything to do with an Ultra Wormhole and definitely no Celebi." I mumbled.
"That's something I don't understand." Rotom said. She flew from my lap and hovered in-between the officers. "What do you mean by reincarnation?"
I raised an eyebrow at her. "They're talking about interdimensional travel and time traveling. You're a shape shifting ball of plasma possessing a phone. Is reincarnation really that far of a stretch?"
"I have to agree with the phone." Looker said. "Can you explain what makes you think you were reincarnated instead of just being a Faller? Memory loss is common but it typically resolves itself in a few days." He glanced at Anabel. "Well, most of the time."
"I can indeed but just so you know I'm not lying and I don't get in trouble for messing with my bandages." I turned to Anabel. "Can you do your psychic thing again?"
She nodded and I felt the pressure again. Since I expected it this time I wasn't as startled and could actually embrace the presence. Huh, kinda feels like a hug. It's pretty nice.
Thank you! I try to be comforting when I do this.
I jumped and stared at a now smirking Anabel.
Boo. Try not to think about how cute your friends were. Or do. I wouldn't mind.
"I assume by you staring into each other's eyes that Anabel's established her connection?" Looker said. Anabel and I nodded in sync which drew a little mental laugh from us.
"Alright, what proves you reincarnated instead of just falling through an Ultra Wormhole?"
"What? The lack of energy signal alone doesn't help?" I said with a smirk.
Who says you don't have a signal cutie? Anabel thought.
You guys confirmed it by telling me I slipped through the cracks. Somewhere a scientist is devastated that their multi billion dollar research tool can't do it all. I countered. She giggled and nodded.
"It lends credence certainly but confirmation is always preferable." Looker said.
"Rotom and my PokeGirls can also confirm this but on my left side over my heart is a vertical scar. When trying to recall events up till my ending up in this world I would experience sharp headaches and pains." Rotom nodded along with my explanation. "Before I threw myself in front of my friend I remembered what happened. A car accident that took my life."
Looker grimaced and shot a look at Anabel. Anabel's brows furrowed and I felt the pressure increase slightly. Suddenly memories were pulled to the front of my mind.
A deafening horn cascaded over my ears as my eyes widened in shock. My head was flung forward as I tried to brace. White hot pain lanced from my chest across my body like the shattering of spun glass. The screeching of shorn metal was almost instantly over and the cab was filled with the iron smell of blood. The dulcet tones of music are drowned out by the shouting and screaming. I numbly look down to see the rebar soaked in crimson-
Anabel reteched as the connection between us severed quickly.. She dry heaved in shock and horror as nearly fell to the floor. Espeon shouted and dropped to the floor to support her Trainer, concern filling her face. Looker also jumped up but didn't have enough time to get around the bed before Anabel was able to recompose herself.
"H-holy shit." She gagged a little before continuing, "You're telling the truth…you actually died!" Looker's normal stoic facade broke in the face of his partner's distress and my solemn face.
"Sorry, I could have braced you. I didn't know you could pull memories like that." I said sadly, the pain being at the front of my own mind. Huh, guess painkillers don't work on phantom pain from your previous death.
"How? How are you okay with this?! You…" She yelled out. Espeon's gem glowed brighter as she pulled her Trainer into her bust. Anabel gripped onto her PokeGirl like a lifeline. I sighed and leaned back into my bed.
"I only really remembered a few hours ago when I woke up. I know I'm not okay and I'll definitely have a breakdown later." I said and I knew it was true. I was a master of bottling and suppressing my own emotions but I knew it was only a matter of time before I broke down and started crying into something soft. The only question I had would be if I used Vulpix's boobs or Pancham's ass.
"Should I mention to the doctor's your need for a therapist?" Rotom asked. I waved my hand in an iffy motion before returning my attention to the officers. Anabel seemed to have gathered herself back. However I could tell she was definitely still shaken by my own memories. I wasn't reading her mind like she did mine but considering Espeon was sitting in her lap and she was hugging the PokeGirl like a stuffed animal someone a quarter of her age would I could make an educated guess.
Looker gave her a questioning look before the lilac psychic nodded. I felt the pressure return slightly however it was light. Almost like she expected to get burned.
Sorry, I didn't mean to-
No, no it's okay. I just….I've done a lot and seen a lot but never have I seen…
I didn't respond and just nodded. Looker returned to his seat after grabbing his notepad and pencil. He sighed and pinched the bride of his nose. "Obviously, you're telling the truth. Reincarnation…why oh why does it always have to be complicated…" I heard him mumble at the end.
"Hey, it could be worse. Team Rocket could have gotten their hands on me first." I smirked. I sobered up and looked at them seriously. "The information I have is extremely broad and also extremely lacking. I've already proved I've been reincarnated rather than an Ultra Wormhole so just know that everything I say is true, no matter how outlandish it might seem in comparison to your normal insanity."
Looker and Anabel nodded and I started the train of thought I had prepared for a while. "The universe I am from does not have PokeGirls nor Pokemon, at least not in the way you know them. Pokemon exists as a media franchise. From games to shows to card games and even stage plays, Pokemon has been a juggernaut of sales and popularity."
"Wait, a media franchise? Like NCIS?" Anabel asked.
"Rotom, remind me, find seasons of PokeGirl NCIS." I said very seriously. What? I liked NCIS, sue me. NCIS is great, Kanto sucks no matter what Looker says. "Anyways, yes. They outlined a series of possible events that can be useful or could be completely irrelevant. Since it was a story I got knowledge from a third person perspective that lets me know information someone normally couldn't."
"Like how you know about the Faller unit and Anabel's past." Looker surmised. "How much information do you have?"
"Well, over 20 years of production makes for a lot of content. I'm not an encyclopedia and some of the information might be interesting at best or useless at worst. However there's a couple things that I can pass along that will help either mitigate the damage or just generally help you guys."
"Only a couple?" Looker asked.
"Well, I could have more if I knew precisely what timeline of events I was working with. But recently something's come up that shook what I believed about what universe I was dealing in." I said before glancing at Anabel. "Or rather, someone."
"Me?" She asked. I nodded. "How?"
"Because in the forms of media I'm talking about, there are 2 versions of you. One where you're a prominent leader of the Battle Frontier…"
"And one where I'm a Faller that works with another universes' Faller task force." She finished.
"Exactly. Hell, even that's tweaked cause I was under the impression you didn't remember your previous universe but obviously you know enough. I now have 2 different timelines and events from two distinct pieces of media. The question now becomes, how intertwined are these events?" I said. "On that note, Rotom, can you do a bit of research for me really quick?"
"Sure Master, what are you looking for?" She gave me a cute little salute. Oh, she's adorable.
"I need you to gather everything on the Battle Frontier. Scrap their website, search for pictures of the Brains, that sort of stuff." I said.
"Are you searching for me?" Anabel asked and I nodded.
"I know you've probably already done an investigation to see if you have a counterpart here but I can see if someone else is your spot here."
"You're gonna find it to be a difficult search. The Battle Frontier is a very closed doors organization. While they service the public, they're completely privately owned by Scott." Looker sighed. "Honestly, you'd think you're conducting a murder investigation with how much they don't say."
"Done!" Rotom cheered, shocking the 2 officers. Rotom pulled up a number of pictures, seeming to be promotional material for the Battle Frontier. Seems she chose some social media post advertising the different leaders of the Battle Frontier. The post about the Battle Tower had a male trainer in a set of cargo pants and a vest that displayed his toned physique. The PokeGirl next to him was another Eeveelution only instead of the psychic type it was the Fairy type Sylveon. Funnily enough, The ribbons of the PokeGirl were wrapping themselves around the fox's body, creating almost a set of lingerie.
That's just a quirk of Sylveon's. Anabel said through her connection to me. I shot her a questioning glance and she expanded on her statement. Something to do with them not wanting anyone but their partner to see all their most intimate parts. It's kinda hot.
How did you cope with coming to a world of sexy PokeGirls instead of your normal Pokemon?
After I regained enough of my memories to realize that I wasn't always finger banging my PokeGirls? Not fucking well, I'll tell you that. I'm probably gonna have to have another long conversation with them soon.
Sorry, don't mean to literally rock your world view.
It's not your fault, don't worry. If I got through it once I can do it again.
"It seems that this Arnold is the equivalent position. He's not, like, psychic like she is but he apparently has confirmed empathic abilities. Honestly," Rotom bit her lip. "With arms like those, that Sylveon is a lucky girl…"
"Hmm, so the Battle Frontier exists and does have someone similar to where you were…" I put a hand to my chin. "So it's gotta be a mixture. Some games, some anime. Jesus I hope there's no manga…"
"Is it important for Anabel to be a Frontier Brain?" Looker asked.
"In the grand scheme? Not really. She's probably in a better position right now. It's just interesting that there's no Anabel already in this universe…"
"Fallers tend to not have a dopple on this side. Although we only have 30 confirmed human Fallers since the establishment of the unit and there's no telling how long Ultra Wormholes were occuring before we could detect them." Looker explained as Anabel nodded along.
We sat in silence for a while as we contemplated where to go. I knew I had a lot of information but now I didn't know where it was applicable. Shit, it's like having a Lego set and the instructions to 3 separate Lego sets.
At least you guys have LEGOs. Anabel's soft giggle made me smile. Finally I looked up at the officers.
"So… where do we go from here? I'm not about to be carted off to a black site in Unova right?"
Anabel and Looker looked almost horrified at the suggestion. "What? Black site? Why would we imprison Fallers?" Anabel asked.
"Not only would that violate…several international laws, that's not what our unit is designed for. We locate, rescue, and reintegrate Fallers. Where could you possibly get that idea?"
I blushed red and the wall suddenly held a significant portion of my interest. "Maybe I've been watching too many spy dramas…" That actually got a laugh out of Rotom and Anabel and Looker actually smiled. The little wins I guess…
"So if you're not gonna waterboard me, can I stay in Alola?" I asked.
Looker sighed and flipped his notepad closed. "There's gonna have to be a lot of phone calls made. Higher ups are gonna have to be told and with something of this magnitude we'll probably have to inform some of the Champions. Maybe all of them. We'll also have to get you some identification, set up your stipend, the usual for integration. " Ugh…different universe, same idiots… Anabel groaned mentally.
"I'm guessing Cynthia, Steven and Lance at least will be told…wait I get a stipend?" I said excitedly. Looker nodded. I was pumped at that. The PokeQuests were doing a good job of keeping me afloat but with a stipend, I could actually save some money for a proper journey!
Anabel smiled as she spoke, "But as for you staying in Alola, I don't see anyone being opposed. I doubt you'll spread anything on our unit's work. And it'll be easier to integrate you into a region you're already becoming familiar with."
"The only thing we'll need to create is a cover story for your sudden arrival and why the IP had an interest in you." Looker said. "Ideally, it would also explain any lack of paperwork and explain away any missing relations as well."
I began to rack my brain of possible explanations. Runaway? No, that won't work. Lana is already suspicious that I don't have parents to run away from. Emancipation is an option…only that would probably need a court order which means paperwork…
Maybe we should focus on the Region you're from first? Anabel's voice injected.
I suppose. But all the regions I know of would be organized enough to keep identification trails of whoever was born there.
Organized… She pondered.
"What about the Orre region?" She asked Looker, who got a considerate face.
"Orre?" I asked. It felt familiar but I couldn't immediately place it. It had to be a sideline game or maybe a movie location?
"Hmmm, from what I can find it seems like a really rough place." Rotom said, her screen rapidly scrolling through articles and websites. "War torn, criminal ridden, destroyed economy and ecology. Honestly, how do you humans take a horrible area to live and make it even worse?"
"As terrible as it is, we can use that to our advantage." Looker said. "The government of Orre all but collapsed and it would be a real struggle to confirm any identities coming out of there."
"I'm guessing the IP would take interest in any person showing up undocumented in a region."
"And once we found out you're from Orre and your lack of guardian we would be able to step in as legal guardians until you're able to be legally emancipated." He finished.
"Will that work though? I mean, won't any judge have some very pointed questions about things like my parents and?"
"Don't worry about that. We'll be able to handle that on the back end." Looker said as Anabel nodded along.
I signed as I relaxed a little into my bed. A tension I was unknowingly holding faded as I realized something. They've got my back. I'm not alone.
No, you're not. Anabel smiled and I matched it. I sat up and gave them a cheeky smile.
"So, can I get an apartment or do I need to give you guys something juicy to convince the higher ups I'm not your average Faller?" Anabel laughed and Looker sighed in exasperation.
"While we'll most likely convert a safe house into a living space for you, it would help if you could give us something actionable. Grease the wheel and catch the interest of our bosses."
"Oh that's easy. How about the identities of all the major criminal teams in various regions?" I asked with a smirk. Anabel and Looker's shock was priceless.
"Y-you know who their leaders are?" Anabel asked.
"Sure, they were the main antagonists in every iteration of the game. I know… 6 who y'all need to put under immediate observation, 1 you should keep an eye out for, 1 you should reconsider your business with and 2 you can just out right ignore." Thoughts of Sword and Shield's ending came to mind. Damn, I must be getting tired. Almost forgot about Chairman Rose. "2 you should keep an eye on."
"That's a lot to take in but we can save most of them for a later date. The most important one is Team Rocket's leader. Their operations are the biggest and most threatening." Anabel said. Looker looked like he wanted to protest but a quick side glance at him had his eyes widen briefly before nodding.
"Oh, that's easy. When was the last time you heard from Viridian City's gym leader?" I asked. I got a bit of satisfaction watching them connect the dots. Anabel clenched her fists and Looker was furious.
"That motherfucker." He spat out. He pulled his phone out and moved to the door. He briefly paused before putting his phone away and turning back to me. "Sorry. I'll have to report this immediately. Thank you for your cooperation and I hope this leads to a fruitful future for everyone."
Rotom and I waved goodbye as he exited the room. Anabel sighed before focusing on me. I felt the pressure recede from my head and I couldn't help but feel relieved and slightly disappointed. I was just getting used to it.
"Sorry about that. Rocket's a number one priority so he's going to jump on a lead like that." She explained. I waved her off.
"Nah, it's fine. I was getting tired anyways. Good catch by the way. I didn't think it was showing." She giggled and let Espeon up before they both stretched. I blush and looked away before I could be caught staring at either of them. Espeon is literally naked right there but for some reason that suit jack just fits in the right way…
"It helps that I was still connected. You did really well, I was surprised you were so willing to let your mind be open. Most people are pretty wary of physics, especially human ones." She said.
"Eh, I kinda weighed the cost benefit of the whole thing. Make sure you guys know I'm not crazy, maybe leverage myself a good deal with you guys." I shrugged. "Helps that I knew who you were beforehand. I doubt you'd be doing anything bad while poking around in there."
She smiled at the trust given before sticking a business card out. "Since my partner is calling in our report I'll give you my contact. It's always nice to help a fellow Faller but to get a new contact for the force is even better." I took the card and smiled back at her.
"Happy to help. I'll spend the next few days writing down what I remember. It's risky giving me your phone number though. Rotom's liable to send you memes and flirty texts."
"Hmmm, I think I'll manage." She said with a slight sultry tone. Rotom practically melted when she gave a small pat on her head. She pulled her pokeball and returned Espeon. The blue glow around the door dissipated shortly before the red glow finished sucking the psychic away. "Thank you for your cooperation." She said as she bowed in a very Japanese manner. I waved as she left and I sigh as I leaned back into my bed. Finally I was alone with my thoughts.
That could have been exponentially worse. God I can't believe I thought they would just lock me away in a cell… definitely watch too much TV. I opened my eyes and let my gaze wander across the Styrofoam ceiling tiles.
They understood. They understood and offered support. It's not just me and the girls against the world. Maybe…maybe I can make a difference. I had come to grips with the fact this was not the show or games or manga. I had first hand experience of the damage PokeGirls could do and that was just a Normal Type. I could only imagine the disaster that Dialga or Palkia could wreak.
What's more… I thought of Ash's tournament showing and of Anabel's involvement with the IP. I don't know the events about to unfold. I can make some guesses but now I have to hedge my bets. It's better safe than sorry when it comes to telling them about horrible things.
"Master?" Rotom's voice broke me from my thoughts. Fun fact about Rotom, she sometimes gets stuck inside her own thoughts. Typically when she gets overwhelmed by information she'll loop and loop pretty hard. I figure it must be an interaction of her biology with the phone but I can't say definitely. Note to self, talk to Kukui about it.
She was hovering slightly over me looking down. Her screen was actually going pretty wild, random searches and apps opening at a rapid pace. She looked up at me finally with a bit of a sad look. "Did you…really die before?"
"Yeah…" I said softly. I could see the tears welling up as she kept processing that. I opened my arms for her to float up closer to me. She actually expanded her body to make it easier to hold her.
"When you were…when you were attacked I couldn't…I was too useless. I couldn't even…" I just held her closer to me as she cried into my shoulder. I knew how she was feeling. She was feeling weak and useless. She felt that she could have done more and that I wouldn't have been hurt. Nevermind that she was experiencing some kind of psychic interference and that she pushed through hard enough to get our friends home. Now she knew that I had actually died and it was dredging up those horrible feelings. I knew she would eventually get over it. She was smart and despite what she may think or say she was definitely being influenced towards a more logical mindset. For now, all I could do was let her process and be a shoulder for her to cry on.
Eventually, she slowed until it was just soft hiccups. "Sorry, Master." She whispered.
"It's nice to know you care so much about me." I smiled.
Rotom looked offended, her screen flashing angry emoji. "Of course I do! We all love you!" I laughed and hugged her again, something she begrudgingly accepted. "Are you gonna tell the others?" She asked.
"Maybe not my friends, for now at least. Looker and Anabel already deal with people popping in from different universes. It's a whole different conversation with them." She nodded, agreeing with me. "As for the team, I'm probably gonna need your help."
"My help?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm gonna tell them, especially because it seems like we're gonna be able to move out of the jungle. They deserve to know." I explained. "I know they're pretty smart but I don't know exactly how much human speech PokeGirls understand so I was hoping you could help clear up any mistranslations."
Rotom waved a hand, "It depends on the PokeGirl. Good luck trying to explain human concepts to the average Skwovet but a Alakazam could probably teach physics to a high schooler." I nodded, fair enough. "But you're right, I should probably help. Pancham's probably gonna have one hell of a headache." She laughed for a minute before puffing herself up
"Alright, I guess, I, the greatest Rotom phone, will help such a poor helpless human such as yourself." I rolled my eyes but played along. I grabbed her hand and placed a light kiss on it, ignoring the slightly static feeling.
"Thank you for your mercy, Lady Rotom." I said before adopting a more sincere look. "I'm lucky to have a partner like you."
"I'm your partner?" She blushed. "B-but what about Cuti- I mean Ribombee? Or Vulpix? I'm not even an official capture, I don't-" I laughed and petted her head to calm her down.
"Relax, I just mean that I appreciate your support." I said. "Honestly, I see all of you girls as my partners. If I didn't have you, I wouldn't be nearly as well off as I am." She seemed to enjoy the attention and floated down to lay on my chest. I leaned back into the bed as we both sat in comfortable silence.
"Master…do you miss your old world? Your family was there and…" I could tell what she was getting at. I took a deep breath and contemplated.
I guess I do miss it a little. Yeah, this world is incredible comparatively but…My whole life was back there. My family, my pets, my friends…
Thoughts of the friends I had made here began to replace some of those memories. Mallow proudly showing off her fresh cookies, Lana running away snickering as a red faced Rapp chased her, Lillie's melodic giggle as Kiawe and Sophocles descend into a debate about the teams on screen.
"Yeah, I do miss them…but I think…I found a pretty great family to keep me going." I said as I put an arm around her and looked at the pokeballs on the side table next to me.
Yeah…I think I've got it pretty good.