Pokemon: Blood Curse
Chapter 12: Something Shocking.
Under the warm sun, where Butterfree and all kinds of bug pokemon fluttered by across the sky, lay a bored Marceline on her stomach. Comically appearing as though death grabbed a hold of her and encouraged flies to swarm her; the very woman in training had collapsed after the time was up. Am I dying...? exhausted, in her mind, she questioned, and wasn't aware of the Legendary who wanted so badly to facepalm.
Stand, now. Within the span of ten minutes, you progressed and showed intense focus, so now... Here is your next task. Telepathically speaking, Mewtwo stepped away from the shadows of the tree and soon stood just a few inches from the bits of her hair that lay sprawled.
"My calves... And my feet, feel like they're burning already," Groaned the brunette when her head turned just slightly so she could look up at her Teacher. The soft grass beneath her fingertips, which also pressed against her cheek, made it difficult to truly see his expression.
No complaints- Now, stand up and face me. Stern, a firm and harsh voice, Mewtwo demanded with a fold of his arms. His purple eyes watched as her figure slowly rose to her full height and couldn't help but overhear the exhausted groan leave her lips.
Good. Every day, I want you to do this method to strengthen yourself. After every ten minutes of this, I want you to try and push me back with Psychic. It will be difficult for you at first, but in time eventually, you will. Five minutes of trying will do you some good. Practicing Psychic will not only harden your resolve but also assist in strengthening your mind and improve you overall. I have watched many trainers train Psychic pokemon, their battles were consistent and many Trainers' pokemon that used Psychic ranged from very young to old and evolved. The more you practice the easier it all becomes... Once you master Psychic, you may choose other pokemon that you wish to learn from. This will give you the basic experience of training. His long explanation seemed to have left the woman awestruck, it was hard to tell if she understood at all by how her mouth opened and closed as if to speak.
"Y- Yeah. They always say practice makes perfect," Her hazel hues finally connected to purple ones when she took a few breaths. Okay- I can do this! I was able to fly in short bursts before he gave me this miniature Mind Plate, and longer after he gave me it! her mind was full of determination when her eyes sharpened with focus.
However, once her eyes changed to black with purple rings, her fists clenched to her sides, and did her best to use the force. (:D get it?!) All she could hear in her mind was a Starwars theme playing and a speech about a young Padawan receiving wise words from Yoda about the force. Come on... I can do this! Use the force, use the force! In her head, she felt badass and epic, although on the outside it merely looked as though she was trying to poop for how hard her brows scrunched.
All Mewtwo could feel was a small tickle on his belly, which caused him to peek at a tiny force pushing in a small dent. Hm? With a couple of simple blinks, his hand brushed at his stomach.
"Oh- seriously?! You're a powerful Legendary, how am I supposed to push you back at all when I can barely poke your belly with Psychic?!" Frustrated, onto her back, Marceline exclaimed and fell backward into the grass.
Don't give up, Marceline! Encouraging, from the side cheered on Prince in his poke' language, who remained next to Torch and the others. It'll be hard, but I doubt Mewtwo will give you a task you can't handle. Blaziken and the other pokemon's heads nodded to his statement, agreeing.
"That's true... My five minutes aren't up yet so..." For a moment, she trailed, before she stood back up and slapped her own face lightly to get herself to focus again.
~~~Five minutes later~~~
"I'm doomed," Comical gloomy lines veiled over her crouched form as she sat in a dark shadow and moped over her lack of power.
You will improve over time, don't let this discourage you. Your power is still yet untapped. Through telepathy Mewtwo answered and stood near her feet, not once did his gaze move from her ridiculous position. A small hint of softness replaced his stern eyes, it was only for a fraction of a moment before they switched back.
"I... Have never- trained at all in my life. Save for Gym class in school, which was mandatory for almost every student... Arrg, why didn't I just learn Martial Arts or something before I was kic-..." Marceline's hazel hues lit up for a moment when she caught herself in time. Now now, Marce, don't talk about stuff that's been done and over with. A brief thought occurred before a sigh escaped her tender lips. "Before I started to live on my own," This time, with her eyes closed, she sat up and crossed her legs comfortably in the green grass.
"Hey! I can teach you a thing or two!" Over to the brunette, came Meigu and his pokemon, along with the others who watched her from the sidelines. His bright smile, beaming energy that radiated like the sun itself, and his excitedly lit brown eyes all sent positive waves in her direction. "After all, I have years of experience and I even Teach other trainers! You saw me at the one Gym in town right? I actually own that place, haha!" Confidence shone from him like a star when both of his fists were placed strongly on his hips. "My own Dojo is actually around the corner from there. OH! Um, not to mention- I completely forgot that I was going to buy you a phone. How about you tag along with me to my dojo and on our way there I can stop by a store to get you one?" Never did his energizing aura falter, he was adamant about keeping his promise and making sure that they could stay in touch.
"U- Uh... S- So... You really are a Gym Leader?" Dumbfounded, her eyes were as wide as dinner plates at what she heard. Did I hear right? Is he really a Gym Leader? I had an idea that he was, before, when he mentioned he had a Dojo but is he really? He can't be... Disbelief soon filled her thoughts, she didn't want to believe he was. To her side, his three pokemon all shifted awkwardly as though hoping for their Trainer not to answer and that alone was insinuating that she was possibly correct.
"Uh- I'm, one of the highest ranking, mostly because of my older brother Bruno. He's a member of the Elite four, haha! He gave everyone a good word for me and saw a lot of potential in me as a Leader. Even though I denied picking up the Gym Leader role, people still come to me and challenge me, but as in the highest ranking- I'm referring to being one of the strongest Trainers," Awkward would be an understatement, for he felt his cheeks burn and quickly turned his head to use his bangs for coverage. The back of his head was nervously scratched when his hand lifted behind it, deep down he hoped she wouldn't detest him or get angry.
All three of his Pokemon felt devastated upon the mention and acted as though flames would rise between the two. However, the long silence from her which lasted a good two minutes was soon replaced with relieved words and a sigh. "Oh, good. I thought you were actually a Gym Leader. That's cool though, you're helping people out right?" Questioned the brunette as she made her way toward his pokemon. Slowly, she took her time to walk, for she felt small tinges of pain in her head and dizziness from using her Psychic power moments ago.
"Um, I guess you can look at it that way! Personally, I wanted to be an open trainer to both Pokemon and Human. So I made my public gym, free, for anyone to use and work out unless they want to sign-up for membership. The membership gives perks like private sessions with me, to help train their pokemon or themselves and help them see what they could improve on," Explained the buff man while his feet gradually kept brushing through the grass and kept up with the woman's pace. There was a few seconds or so that let him catch a glimpse of her beauty. The breeze picked up her hair subtly and the softness of her pale complexion shone under the sun. Stirring emotion that kept her hazel eyes in deep thought, filled his mind with slight awe the longer he stared and soon enough he found himself almost going into a daze.
"Honestly, I think that's pretty cool too! Well... It's a little angering that you're making people pay for something like that but- I'm just relieved you're not using pokemon as battle machines like most trainers, just to earn some pocket change... Anyway, we all have to earn a living somehow right?" For once, Marce wanted to try and see the brighter side of it all. I suppose, how he's doing it isn't really using pokemon for his own gain... But, getting paid for work that his pokemon do for him? That's a little... Upsetting. Her thoughts, full of slight disappointment, echoed after the corner of her lips fell into a frown.
"O- Oh! Uh, about that. You don't have to worry, I actually give some money to my Pokemon as thanks for helping me out. Sometimes I send them out if they want to buy some poke' snacks, so I'm not really treating them as tools," His overwhelming nervousness knocked him out of his daze and caused him to awkwardly scratch his cheek.
His words absolutely stunned the brunette. Her feet stopped dead in their tracks when her head turned to meet his gaze, with her own dumbfounded ones. Just in front of the door, where his Pokemon stood and where her friends were, she was completely astonished by his words that she hadn't noticed her own hand nearly touching the orange piece on Prince's chest.
No one was aware of Gallade's face, devastated he was. His reddish-orange hues lit up with astonishment after pink dusted his cheeks and sweat rolled down his white face. Not once did he move his attention from how close her fingers were to the orange piece, which stiffened his posture and filled his mind with panic. Ninety miles an hour was about how fast his heart raced, for he couldn't calm himself enough to focus on anything else. Nervously, Prince pressed his back to the door and tried to inch away from her hand but before he could...
"Hm?" Hazel eyes blinked confusedly when she felt something thin and sharp in her grasp. When she looked and saw what it was, it almost didn't register that she might be invading Gallade's personal space. It feels so smooth and sharp, what even are these things on Gardevoir and Gallade? Innocently blinking, her thoughts full of genuine curiosity, echoed.
To say it wasn't awkward for everyone, would be a lie, for even Mewtwo faintly blushed and sweatdropped at her actions. Meigu, his pokemon, and the brunette's friends all kept their devastated gazes upon her naivety until the buff man himself cut in. "Aaaah! Uh, Marce? I wouldn't touch that!" His large hand gently grasped hers to pull it away so Prince could make his calm escape. A nervous smile towards his Gallade was enough to let his pokemon know how apologetic he was. "Sorry, Prince. I don't think she knows," Soon his awkward grin fell into a frown when his brows knitted. He didn't know how to really tell him, but he knew him enough, that Prince would understand.
"W- What?! I am so sorry! I- I didn't mean to offend you!" Taken by surprise, sheer panic rose in her mind at the thought of possibly disrespecting her friend and making things awkward. Embarrassment was visible when her cheeks turned red and when her hands curled against her chest shyly. However, upon seeing Prince hesitantly nod and avert his amber-like gaze, she too couldn't help but look away.
"A- Ah, yeah haha. I'll explain that part... Later. Unless Prince would prefer to do that. It's um- really awkward for whoever has to," The situation felt more embarrassing than seconds ago, his whole body anxiously shifted on one foot until Prince's poke' language met everyone's ears.
Yes. I would prefer to explain than let someone else do it... Marceline, follow me, please. Calm, he was, despite the quick beats from his heart that pounded against his torso. Prince spoke and gestured with one of his pointy hands for her to follow, before making his way around the corner of the house.
"Prince said... He'd explain- excuse me," More unpleasant than before, her hesitant steps made their way around the buff man and away from a glaring Blaziken.
The moment she left and disappeared around the corner to follow him, Mewtwo's voice reached everyone through his telepathy. She's going to need all of the aid she can get. I told her, that once she has mastered her Psychic power, she could begin training in different types. You, human, offered her physical training which will support her Fighting type training. After all, Trainers have raised Fighting type pokemon of all kinds, teaching them Martial Arts and different skills. You would benefit her greatly, so I appreciate you offering her your help. A little relieved, his stern voice became a little softer near the end.
"It's no big deal. She's a friend, why wouldn't I want to help? May she be a Pokemon or Human, she's still a friend. Besides, my older brother believes that strong bonds with Pokemon make for excellent fighters. What other explanation is there for a strong bond, then treating Pokemon with respect and civility? They're... Not that much different than us," A bright, reassuring smile and a thumbs up were what he gave the Legendary who stood bewildered by his explanation.
He... Reminds me so much of that boy and his Pokemon, Pikachu... For a moment Mewtwo's thoughts echoed, thankfully he didn't use his telepathy or otherwise saying that would have piqued the buff man's mystery addiction. Yes- you are correct. Human and Pokemon are not that much different, we all possess similar mindsets and intelligence. With that, he answered using his power. His tall feet patted across the grass and opened his front door with Psychic, entering his home.
The moment he left, was when Meigu sighed and leaned his back against the frame of the now-open door. "Hey- Torch? You're glaring again," Those brown eyes watched as his pokemon flinch awkwardly and averted his attention elsewhere. He couldn't help but chuckle at Blaziken's reaction, a grin grew after he reached over and patted the fiery pokemon.
~~~~Marce~~~~
"So- you wanted to explain privately?" Curious, hazel hues blinked when they met reddish-orange ones. Gently her back pressed against the exterior wall, to say she doesn't feel nervous would be an understatement and her fingers fiddled with the fabric on her jacket after her arms folded.
Yes... It's personal. The red pieces on my kind, even though mine is orange, are like our hearts. We can feel emotions strongly from others because of it and it enhances our Psychic ability. However- it's quite sensitive... Please refrain from touching it again. Through his poke' language, he answered, and gave her the stern and calm front that he usually shows.
"Oh- I'm so sorry! Really, I had no idea! I wasn't looking and I thought I was reaching for the doorknob! I didn't realize you were standing there," Uneasy, and afraid, the brunette didn't want anything negatively affecting their friendship. The woman's hands flailed after she stepped back and gave him an apologetic stare.
I already said that it was alright. Aside from that- I preferred to talk to you in private about this because... It's uncomfortable to speak about, out in the open. His blue arm reached over with a subtle pat to her shoulder and those reddish-orange eyes closed with a smile.
Suddenly, before Marceline could reply, a wet sensation wrapped around one of her ankles and caught her attention."Huh?" There around her foot, was a tentacle that seemed to have come straight from the surrounding water. "AAH!" A harsh yank from the wet limb caused her to fly high into the air and was reeled into the water with a harsh splash.
Marceline?! Gallade cried out, surprised, that a pokemon had the audacity to do such a thing. Quickly, he bolted for the water and gave a large leap before performing a professional dive.
Where Meigu and his other pokemon stood, even Mewtwo in his home, heard a faint, terrified scream. "Marce?!" The buff man didn't even think twice before rushing out of the open door and around the house.
Mewtwo flew across the floor and out of the front door as well, worried about his student whose voice had cried out. Right behind him, he could hear Torch's poke' language echo, calling out to the brunette, and leaping high into the air to stand on the roof of the house for a better look.
"Prince?!" From devastation, Matsuo exclaimed and looked around at the edge of the water. That was until he and everyone who stood behind him saw air bubbles at the surface.
I won't let this happen again... Strict, and angry, Mewtwo told everyone and sped into the water with haste.
I can't breathe! Marceline's thoughts echoed. She barely managed to open her eyes to see what had a hold of her and saw a glimpse of a Tentacruel pulling her down further to the lake's floor. The woman did her best to claw at the limb attached, with a yank and a smack. She was losing air pretty fast but when she leaned closer to her foot and tried to sit cross-legged, her teeth were inches away from biting it. It hurts! I... I need to at least try! Try! In her mind, she screamed out and caused bubbles to leave her mouth when her cry became vocal, muffled by the water.
From where Mewtwo swam, used his Psychic to push Gallade back to land then he saw the brunette being pulled by the pokemon and hurried.
Prince was angry but nonetheless understood how much quicker he'd be in the water and remained there gazing into the lake waiting for the two.
In the deep, when Mewtwo heard her cry underwater, his purple eyes widened with astonishment. A Bright light, for only a moment, surrounded her and lightning encased her body. Next, what he witnessed, were currents of electricity shocking the Tentacruel and leaving it afloat.
Now they both stayed still in the water, the grip from the Tentacruel had loosened but when it did she began to sink further and that was enough to say that she was weakened. Quickly, Mewtwo used his psychic powers to swim closer with great speed and held her, before she sank any further; without a second thought, he hurried. Swiftly he swam to the surface and out with a gush he soared, a few feet above the lake to observe.
His purple hues examined those tired hazel ones before his own glanced back at the unconscious Tentacruel, floating deep in the water. I see- That you used Thundershock. Are you alright? When he asked from telepathy, he returned his attention back to the weak woman in his arms and watched her head nod. He couldn't help but give her a relieved smile, before returning the same gesture.
Slowly he hovered back to land, where Marceline's worried friends all waited. Everyone. She must return home and rest. Her body is weak from a power she tapped into, Thunder Shock. Using that power drained her so she needs nurturing. A Tentacruel snagged her by the ankle and pulled her under... Using his psychic power, he informed everyone. When he saw Torch run to her and passed Meigu, his arms opened to offer to take her.
Tentacruel? Ah! Just wait- next time I see that giant squid, I'll make sure to give them a few jabs that they won't forget! Hornet, with his poke' outburst, began to rapidly stab the air to the side and thrust his bottom stinger furiously. Irk marks comically throbbed all over his head, proof of how enraged he was.
Hornet, she will be fine... If I had been there, the Tentacruel wouldn't have been able to be fast enough to grab her. Speed is my priority in a fight. A sigh escaped Mel's feline lips before she sat down and stared at the dazed brunette in the Legendary's arms.
Matsuo had no idea what Marce's friends were talking about, considering their pokemon language, so he simply shrugged and returned his gaze to his own. "Torch? You want to carry her back?" With a hand reaching out to his pokemon, he asked. Concern for her well-being set in his eyes and was about to take his place, when he saw Mewtwo carefully place the woman in Blaziken's hold.
The sound of Blaziken's confirming poke' cry and his blue hues peeking at him over his shoulder was enough of an answer. Despite the noticeable, embarrassed tints on his fuzzy cheeks, he turned around and headed towards the other side of the house where the Gyarados guided them before.
"That's pretty cool. Thunder Shock, huh?" A smile curled up the buff man's lips as his gaze followed Marce's weak form in his pokemon's arms. "We'll be back tomorrow then. I'll try and give her some Martial Arts tips and help work her out later today, if she's feeling any better," Meigu's backside soon faced the Legendary and ran to catch up to Blaziken. His Poliwrath, his drenched Gallade, jealous Blaziken, and Marce's two friends all followed.
Alone behind the group, Mewtwo kept his attention on their backsides as they grew further away. Someday... I will tell her. Someday, she will find out, who her creator is. His thoughts echoed, contemplating the future events that may unfold the longer she trains and gets to know herself. What will she do, what will her decision be when she collects all of the Type plates? For a moment his eyes closed to ponder more only for an exhausted grumble to resonate from his throat.