Life.1 - Beyond Dead—
-? POV-
"Is everything done, son?"
"Yeah, mom." I casually replied to my mother.
Currently, I am in the middle of packing my stuff for a trip with a bunch of friends.
"Toothbrush? Soap? Towels?" I heard my mother ask me again.
"Yep," I replied to her again.
"How about your clothes, is it enough?"
I sighed when she asked me about my stuff, again.
"I packed enough clothes for more than a week, Mom."
"Do you have enough underwear?"
"Mom please, C'mon!" I groaned in embarrassment hearing what my mom said, while also starting to get annoyed at her nagging questions about the smallest things. Alas, I chose to not say it out loud.
My mother had always been a nagging person. Being a forgetful person herself had led to her always fretting over her children and trying to make sure that they wouldn't inherit her bad tendencies. And with my older sister and brother already being married and having their own houses, it left me to take care of our mom by myself.
Sometimes she could be overbearing about a lot of stuff. Be it about my job, or about if I had already found a girlfriend or even asking me about my friends and stuff.
Nevertheless, she was still my mother, and I loved her. And I knew she loved me and my siblings too.
As for my father, it's better if nobody ever asks about him, not me or my mother.
Anyway, I was at the moment packing my stuff because today I will be going
to the mountains for two days and two nights for a small vacation with my friends. Initially, my mom disagreed since she was a bit scared if I left her at home alone. But after I managed to persuade my older sis to stay at home for about two days, she finally gave in, earning me her approval.
My mom looked at me with a concerned look plastered on her face. "Please be careful. Stay away from dangerous sites and don't play on the cliff. And if you do, don't climb too high."
I nodded while replying to my mom. "It's ok Mom. I'll be careful, I promise."
It took me a while, but I managed to get everything done before my friend's car came to pick me up.
"There's my pick-up, mom. I gotta go now." I said while kissing my mom's forehand.
"Just be careful, son. And don't do anything rash on the mountain. There are lots of dangerous things on the mountain, and you never know what will happen next." My mom advised me with a concerned expression.
"I will. Bye, mom." I said while leaving with my luggage.
"Goodbye, son."
Ironically, that is the last thing I said to my mom before I left with my friends the other day. And it was also the last time I ever saw my mom again.
-?-
"Egh!?" I opened my eyes in shock, as sweat flowed profusely across my chin while I tried to calm my beating heart. "I… What the—?!"
Suddenly, my head was assaulted by a searing migraine, promptly causing me to clutch my head in a pained cry. Several sensations overtook me.
It was Cold.
It was Freezing.
It was Painful.
Then I felt… Numb.
Empty.
Lost.
Why?
Why did I feel this way…?
Mother…?
…
..
.
Then… Nothing.
There was nothing.
Nothing but the frigid darkness of the frozen abyss clutched my heart, forcing a silent scream out of my mouth.
'W-what just happened—! What is this?!' My vision swam.
A bunch of unfamiliar images surfaced under my eyelids–or was it all in my head? They forced their way in, causing me to almost lose consciousness as I felt like my brain was being overloaded, drowned in receiving so much information all at once.
I saw memories that weren't mine.
I saw a life that wasn't mine.
I saw myself—a child with a face not my own–staring at a mirror covered in bruises.
My vision flickered and it was replaced by a perspective looking down on a photo frame with the child and some woman.
Mother—?
… No. That's not my… my…
My mother's smile flickered, replaced by a cold expression as my vision transitioned to another one.
I saw her smile turn cold.
Then she began to turn into someone else.
This figure then began to speak something that I couldn't hear at all. But for some reason, every second her face got closer, and every second of every word she said that I couldn't hear at all, caused a great amount of pain.
Like razor blades cutting deep into my skin.
The scene shifted again, warping my perspective to one of the sky.
No, I was looking up while lying on the ground. I was being looked down on by people I didn't know.
But I felt like I knew them well.
They were my friends.
But why were they laughing? Why were they laughing… at me?
More feelings of being cut started to puncture my skin–no, my chest. The same feeling as earlier, reverberating and causing me to grit my teeth in pain.
It hurts.
Why?
Why?!
I knew these people, but at the same time, I didn't want to see them. The only thing I knew was this strange sensation of wanting to harm them, but my body couldn't even move to take a swing. Or was it because my body felt fear, unable to throw a single punch out of fear for what could follow?
The pain started to grow, coalescing into shards of glass skittering and scratching under my skin.
It felt cold—Icy. But also floaty…
Drifting…
—Like I was freezing.
—Like I was sinking.
At least, my vision cleared.
—Or rather, bubbles floated before my eyes as I felt my lips lazily part.
The last breath of air I'd felt my body release drifted up, floating away from me as it gently bumped against the glassy surface of… ice—?
No. Not ice. Ice wasn't reflective enough… to show me—?!
Why was my face blue?
Why were there tears falling down my cheeks?
Why was I screaming?
The glassy surface of my reflection suddenly cracked before shattering into a million pieces.
With it, my eardrums felt like they were being pierced as I howled in shock and fear.
My lungs—! They felt cold. Hoarse. Empty…! Like they had nothing more to expel!
My teeth! They were clattering. But at the same time, I felt myself gritting down, like I was trying not to scream, but failing miserably at it!
I was shaking. I was… being held down—Or so it felt. I wasn't sure…
This body… It was tired…
Exhausted.
Like it wanted to give—
Like it wanted to drift away into that good night—
"No!"
—Slowly, painfully slowly, my vision began to clear. Damp with tear stains, eyes fidgeting here and there, the sight of a white ceiling and white-clothed people rushing around my sides overwhelmed me. I couldn't focus on anything to look at.
"—you hear me?—don't worry—everything's gonna be—!"
"Go away from me!"
"—Shi—!"
"—he patient started—panic attack—!"
"—ring the injection now—!"
Memories not my own finally settled in, but it was second only to the life that snuffed itself away before my very eyes.
The last thing I remembered was the ceiling of lights with people in white scrambling around before my vision went dark.
The second I awoke, everything was blank.
Currently, I lay on my side as I stared out the window. Questions flooded my head as to the predicament I found myself in.
This place wasn't home, I was nowhere near it. The proof? Just ask the nurse who gave me lunch today. That adorable vibrant colour, the bubbly energy, and the otherworldly texture of its paws. I couldn't make this shit up if I tried—
"—Are you hungry? You haven't finished your soup."
'… Ah, shit.' I cursed inside my head as I mustered enough energy to speak. "N-no…"
Yeah, having a hoarse voice doesn't help at all. Why did it hurt so much to talk?
The old woman who was seated beside me the moment I awoke, nodded in a warm smile.
"Alright, I'll just leave it here. Just tell me when you want something, dear." The old woman spoke with a smile as the bedside table clattered and she took the tray near me and placed it there. "You can eat later when you feel better."
I nodded with uncertainty.
This old woman was a stranger to me, practically nobody whom I didn't recognize at all. Heck, what hospital was I confined in? What happened? And why did I feel such a strong sense of familiarity with her?
A migraine lanced through my temple.
'Fuck, my head still hurts…! I couldn't explain why, but it was just like that. And honestly, this whole ordeal was so confusing!' I inwardly thought while contemplating my predicament which made me miss a sad look from the said old woman.
"T-thank… you…" I nodded in gratitude for this kind grandma who was nothing but trying to help me, while also placing a lot of care about my condition—.
"—Ugh!" I started coughing. Even groaning from my lungs feeling parched.
"Al! Are you alright!" The grandma quickly stood while rubbing my back. "H-here! Please drink this!"
I immediately grabbed the glass of water faster than my brain could properly work and emptied the whole cup as I breathed in a sigh of relief.
'Damn this throat…' I mused with annoyance inside my head. I wish I could talk so I can ask something to her. This sense of happiness that wasn't mine didn't help the current predicament I had.
Alas, my brain was still trying to understand the situation when I heard the door of my room being opened.
"Good day, Ma'am. Altair, how are you doing today?"
My eyes widened.
A familiar pink-haired woman in a familiar outfit came in through the room's automatic sliding door. Curls and a cute dress as picturesque as the show's, a polite smile, and looking far more beautiful than the anime could ever depict her, Nurse Joy came over to inspect my condition.
"Chansey. Chansey!"
My attention then diverted to the bubbly little thing that dutifully followed her. A huge pink blob with a cute and dopey grin shuffled in the room. Stethoscope in hand and joyfully jiggling at every step, it tapped its cute little nurse hat on its head and gave me a darling greeting alongside her fellow nurse.
My head was spinning.
So much that I almost couldn't keep my eyes open, while trying to process everything that just happened. But the moment I did so, waves of headaches suddenly assaulted my head, almost making me scream if I didn't grit my teeth.
In front of me, there was a real, living Pokemon standing with a bubbly personality.
A Chansey.
It was the first Pokemon I had seen in my entire life at least, my firsthand ever meeting one as me.
I couldn't even think about this as I was too stunned to even properly comprehend it. It was like a dream come true.
When I was a child, I often imagined what it was like to have a Pokemon on my own. Heck, I was often screaming in my room, imagining myself having a badass Charizard on my own and blasting any imaginary enemies away.
But seeing a real Pokemon in front of me like this was something that shouldn't be possible at all.
Was I still inside a dream?'
So lost was I in staring at the mysteriously beautiful creature that I sort of flinched when it came close to my face and petted my face.
"Chansey?" it asked cutely as it squished both my cheeks.
"Mm—mgh?"
"Oh my," The old woman exclaimed with a tone of curiosity. "This Chansy is surely affectionate, isn't she?"
"Nothing to worry about," Nurse Joy was quick to reassure the woman behind me. "Chansey must've noticed something. Don't worry. This girl has been our best employee for 5 months straight! He's in good hands."
"Chansey!" The egg-shaped Pokemon seemed to cheer in agreement before it scooted closer to grasp my hand. Gently massaging circles on my palm, my eyes widened as I saw it let out some weird pink pulses that went right into my skin and gently permeated my being.
Rippling from my wrist down to my feet in waves, I instantly felt a lot better.
I recognized this move. It was a Heal Pulse, a move that allowed the user to heal anyone including themselves by releasing energy that flowed into the target's body.
'Holy shit! I cried inwardly in excitement, watching how Chansey just easily cured my headache. 'Even if this is a dream, it's still fucking amazing!'
"Chansey?" the Pokemon leaned in, rubbing her paw on my forehead like a caring nurse would while completely obvious with my current exhilaration.
Nurse Joy chimed in to translate. "She's asking if you feel better now, Altair. How was it? Still feeling sick?"
I was quick to shake my head as the little pink blob looked at me with concern. It was as if she was afraid to have failed me.
Jesus, it has emotions. If that's not proof that it's just as alive as I am, then what is it?
"N-no… I feel better." For the first time in a while, I could finally control my throat. Hoarse as it was, my voice delivered my soft gratitude. "Thanks… thanks a lot… Chansey."
"Chansey~!"
The adorable creature began nodding along and rubbing my forehead again. Oh god, I was feeling very sleepy. It was hypnotic, like how my mother used to rub my head and I'd fall asleep on her lap.
"I think he is feeling better now." Another hand, one that I couldn't help but feel nothing good for massaged my shoulder while pushing Chansey aside. "Perhaps a bit more bed rest is all Altair needs. Thank you, Nurse Joy, but could you please follow up with the doctor on my request for an early discharge? Considering what just happened earlier about the accident that befell upon him…"
I took a good look at the other person who had just announced her presence. She is a tall, daunting blond-haired woman wearing thick clothes meant for the winter season and glasses covering her emerald eyes.
My automatic response was to check her out.
While I was an older person before well, now, my bodily functions still responded as naturally as I could upon spying on a hot piece of ass. Even with her wearing such thick clothes which were meant for the winter, it barely did anything to cover that enormous mamma gland that moved on occasion in hypnotically alluring, making me unconsciously gulp at the sight.
But that all changed when my eyes locked on her smile.
Her lips went upward as she smiled the moment I laid my eyes on her. But despite the polite look on her face, it instilled an internal disgust within me. One I couldn't explain. Like I'd seen that same face be used not long after she looked at me with disdain. Like I was nothing but trash.
And my body shuddered at the thought.
But why?
'Why does she give off such animosity like that? Why… do I dislike her on sight?'
I didn't know or understand and the aching in my head wasn't helping. That is… until we locked eyes and I felt a phantom sting on my cheek.
That moment I tried to understand or even think about this woman, another spark of memories suddenly assaulted my head, which prevented me from going further. This time, however, I held myself from showing any sign of pain, all while biting my lips.
Chansey was innocent to the pushback as the cute smile remained in place. From the corner of my eye, I could see that Nurse Joy's smile was slightly strained as she shook her head. "I've forwarded your request as you wished Miss Elaine, but I'm afraid we cannot rush this. And yes, he needs to stay in the hospital for a few days Not before another full health check for him, ma'am. Don't worry. The doctor says he'll get right on it."
'So her name was Elaine…' I mused inside my head with a thoughtful expression.
My eyes caught the moment Elaine frowning for unexpected rejection, her eyes quickly turned cold the moment her gaze was briefly directed at mine.
"... I understand. Then please proceed with it. I'm worried about his condition." There was a pregnant pause that followed as I felt her gaze bore directly at mine, causing me to instinctively flinch for unknown reasons. "He's barely spoken throughout these past few days. I'm afraid the ice and cold must've hurt my poor baby. Staying here doesn't seem to be helping on that front."
Ice. Cold.
Nothing felt colder than remembering the feelings I felt earlier during my case. Also, the unpleasantness that I had with this woman, and I couldn't even understand why. Fuck, my head was starting to hurt again since I did it again. So much that I couldn't keep my eyes open.
My eyes caught the old woman nodding at Nurse Joy with gratitude. Her eyes softened the moment her gaze was briefly directed at mine.
"Then please proceed with it. I'm worried about his condition." There was a pregnant pause that followed and she kept her gaze lingering directly at mine. "He's barely spoken throughout these past few days. It makes me afraid that there's any possible trauma we haven't addressed yet."
Warm.
It was a much more pleasant feeling than remembering things I felt earlier during my previous case. And from what I understand, these feelings were not even supposed to be my feelings, but someone else's.
… It was unwholly different compared with how my caretaker had looked at me.
Another flash of pain erupted as I flinched while massaging my temple, and another headache flowed again into my head. It felt like my head had just been hammered by an inch-thick metal bat or something.
"Chansey?"
But it immediately all washed away when I felt a paw rub my temple slowly.
"... Thanks." I felt my headache wane once again as Chansey used another Heal Pulse. More circular massaging on my head. More calm, serene, and sleepy thoughts.
This felt nice.
I wonder if it was due to Heal Pulse's effect to calm my nerves, or did a Chansey have a passive healing aura on the soul? Because this felt like Nirvana.
"Chansey!"
The calming voice of a Pokemon was a new experience.
But it was far better than waking up and realizing I'd died and been brought back to life as someone else post-suicide.
"Such a caring nurse you are." spoke the Old Lady, her voice was soft, mesmerized by Chansey's handiwork.
"Chan, Chansey!"
Chansey replied with a joyful tone, happily accepting the old lady's compliment as she waved her fingerless hand with excitement.
"Indeed, my dear. You are such a wonderful nurse."
Both the old lady and Chansey were now absorbed in their conversation, leaving me alone with my thoughts as I opted to just watch them talk animatedly about various topics, while Elaine just opted to stay in her place while sending a glare toward me.
I decided to ignore her while fighting the uncomfortable sensation that was lingering in my body, causing her to narrow her eyes at my reaction.
A few minutes later, Nurse Joy returned to my room. Alongside her was a middle-aged man wearing a white coat. Also accompanying them was an even more peculiar visitor. Humanoid, primarily yellow with mammalian features, but with an odd stare in its eyes it briefly twirled a spoon in its right hand before humming in understanding.
Psychic Pokemon, Kadabra.
A. Real. Fucking. Kadabra. In the flesh.
"Excuse us. Doctor Andersen here." The doctor spoke with a professional tone. "Sorry for the delay, Miss Elaine. We've come to give your son the procedure."
I gave a subtle glance at the blond-haired woman who was being addressed as my 'caretaker'. The most glaring feature of hers at the moment was a seemingly calm, albeit with a degree of concern reflected in her eyes. "What procedure doctor?"
"For the medical checkup," My heart skipped a beat when I heard something—no, someone, talking inside my head. "From the disclosure regarding the patient's condition, there is a strong indication that he may be suffering from extreme mental shock due to his previous life-threatening condition. Therefore as per the Pokemon Center's protocol and the doctor's strong recommendation, I shall carry out a proper psychoanalysis and—"
"—Is that necessary?" Elaine cut off the Kadabra's telepathic explanation as she stood up with renewed concern. "I don't think he needs it. And I heard the process is quite dangerous for someone without any mental preparation."
I observed the stare she was giving the Doc—no, wait, she was staring at the Pokemon who stood beside him more than he was the old man with some degree of irritation.
'Did she have something against this man? Or his Pokemon?'
"Don't worry about that ma'am, Kadabra here is a professional from Wyndon Hospital Center. I assure you there will be no dangers involved." The doctor who used to do this as he let out a smile. Nurse Joy just frowned upon hearing Elaine's words. The same Chansey who treated me, hiding behind Nurse Joy's legs, was glancing between her boss and me. Kadabra remained unmoved.
That is, except for the glance he sent me and the whisper in my head. 'Has she been making things difficult for you, youngling?'
I widened my eyes slightly but tried not to give anything away. As the doctor stepped up to try and convince Elaine to stand down, they started having a heated discussion in the corner of the room. Meanwhile, I locked eyes with the Kadabra and thought, 'You can limit who hears your telepathy?'
'But of course.' No arrogance. Just a statement of fact as it is added. 'I have also been trained in subtle communication to directly assess the state of a patient. Many parents believe their opinions weigh more than professionals'. But that is why, as professionals, we are permitted to address the problem at hand with or without their cooperation in emergency cases. Is it the case with your guardian?'
Was it worth blowing the whistle on her?
I wasn't sure. For one, she was probably my mother or something. But rationally considering where I was, what I knew, and the current state of affairs, having the one considered my parent separated from me could just end up making things complicated even if I didn't want it to.
I wasn't about to just cut her off from me. Considering the pain in my head and chest held a sort of disdain for her I couldn't explain why. But I simultaneously had the feeling that I shouldn't just dismiss her.
Even if it's a dream, I wasn't even from around here. I wasn't even in my body. Acting impulsively would just lead to more issues.
With a sigh, I conveyed a solid 'I don't think so' to the Kadabra. It remained passive, likely studying my answer, judging if it was a lie or not.
'I shall trust your answer. However, I do believe you still require a session.' It quietly insisted. 'There seems to be an ominous air about your psyche. It is concerning.'
That doesn't bode well.
The jumbled emotions I get when looking at Elaine are one thing. But if there was anything that was troubling me right now, it'd be the memories. The cold, harsh memory of falling—jumping into the frozen waters—
I shuddered a bit. I didn't know if I could trust anyone to take a gander at this problem without leading to some issues down the line for myself. But if it's advice from a medical, and psychological, professional perhaps there was merit in having my head looked into.
This dream sucked.
'But how about my caretaker then?'
Fortunately for me, Kadabra already had his answer.
'Do not worry about your guardian, youngling.' Sensing my distress about Elaine allowing it, Kadabra chimed in once more, nodding to the side of the room before crossing its arms. 'Despite his passive nature, the doctor has not once allowed a patient to be left alone. Even if some would be far more worrying than reasonable.'
I follow its gaze to finally meet Elaine. She was looking at me with a troubled look and there was also a hint of distaste, but very much showing her inner thoughts through her cold gaze.
Unlike the previous warm expression that the old lady had given to me.
"Please don't worry about his well-being, ma'am. Rest assured that I will treat him with utmost care. After we ascertain that he is as stable, we will surely inform you about it. But given the trauma he must've endured being trapped under the ice for more than a few minutes, I cannot in good faith guarantee he'd be lucky to escape unscathed."
"I am sure you will, doctor," spoke the old lady with a deep sigh. "While many were worried regarding Altair's condition, I am not well-versed in the art of medicine, especially those who are accompanied by a Psychic such as you."
Elaine stayed quiet, all while gripping the fabric of her clothes, as the eyes were all into her. Eventually, she reluctantly agreed with the doctor. "... I understand, I will agree to cooperate with your treatment…"
"Thanks for understanding." The doctor smiled and spared me a reassuring nod. "Nurse Joy, please escort this lady outside and assist her in filling out our discharge forms. Chansey, Kadabra, prepare the patient for examination."
"Chansey, Chansey!"
"Understood."
"Yes, doctor," spoke Nurse Joy as she began to guide Elaine to walk away from the room. "Now both of you. Please follow me."
In the corner of my eyes, I saw Elaine visibly struggling. Conflicted about following after or staying, evident with her frustrated expression and how her eyes were constantly glancing at me, I gave her the cold shoulder as Chansey marched up to help with setting my bed up.
Alas, I couldn't help myself to care about her opinion. Much to her disappointment. After some moments of silence, she finally left while being escorted by the pink-haired nurse.
I subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. Even got Chansey to pet my cheeks again. The adorable thing was so touchy-touchy, which was far more reassuring than my parent.
It was a tad cruel to treat someone who was practically my parent so coldly, but the strong feelings I bore in my chest were reason enough for my forced indifference.
Even if I couldn't understand it, I wouldn't try to think about it, lest I get another incoming headache.
It was getting annoying at this point.
Going by the painful memories in my head, half of the reason why I—him ended up here was due to her. Not to mention, the remaining muscle memory also showed a vehement rejection of her touch. I wouldn't say no to the psychological gratification of pushing her away, even if it was my actual feelings or not.
'That was quite bold of you.' Kadabra's voice echoed inside my head as he again initiated the conversation, breaking the silence. 'Then again, I have nothing to say about personal matters, unless that was related to your therapy procedure, so I prefer the immediate start of your session.'
I merely gave Kadabra a thin smile as the doctor then approached me with a kind expression. "Hello, Mr. Altair. Or should I call you Altair if that is your preference?"
"Just call me by my name, Doc," I answered him with a calm tone. "Kadabra gave me the summary. Can we get this over with?"
"Hm. Seems like your caretaker had little to worry about. You're being chatty enough with Kadabra as it is." The Doctor nodded with a subtle chuckle. "Don't worry. I won't pry. It's not often I find you or her in the centre, so there may very well be a good reason you aren't feeling well even after being recovered from under the ice." His expression softened a bit. "Are you sure nothing is bothering you?"
"That's kinda what I was hoping this session would help me with."
"Excellent. Now Altair, for this procedure I would like your full cooperation and trust. Rest assured that this whole session wouldn't take long, probably around twenty minutes or so. What you have to do is to be relaxed and calm during the whole thing. Kadabra will take care of you the whole way. While some parts later might be stressful, rest assured that my partner here will help ease your pain. "
"I shall do my best." Kadabra offered a nod before raising its spoon before my face. 'Now, let us begin. I must ask you to open your mind.'
"Do I need to do something specific?"
'Be more relaxed, for one. Stress aggravates the mind, so much so that it could prolong your ordeal,' said Kadabra as I suddenly felt a tingling sensation begin to envelop my whole body. 'The session begins now.'
Immediately after he said that my body suddenly went limp, as I lost control over my entire body and would immediately hit the floor had Chansey not immediately held my limping self, while gently picking me up while once again using Heal Pulse cast onto myself.
If I could describe it, it was entirely an odd experience.
It felt like my body was floating around the vast, endless space of nothingness. Never once did I feel my mind was this peaceful. I couldn't entirely describe it, but the entire sensation brought an unusual calmness and tranquillity which I couldn't help but be mesmerized by.
'That's because I stimulate your brain using my psychic power to reproduce a vast amount of chemical substances that enhance your positive energy.' the voice of Kadabra echoed inside this entire space. 'Right now we're currently in the deepest area of your subconsciousness. You may as well call this your inner world, or anything fancy that you like to refer to as.'
'… Right, that pretty much explains why I was floating inside this place.' I mused inside my mind to reply to Kadabra.
I probably should start referring to him as Mr. Kadabra instead.
'For someone who recently just had an incident and other things based on the report, you're oddly calm enough in this session. And that is without including the aspect of how I practically enhance your state of mind.' Kadabra pointed out with a hint of curiosity in his tone. 'But aside from that, I will now briefly replay several memories from your brain.'
Immediately after that, I was faced with a myriad of scenes playing before my own eyes.
I then heard Kadabra's voice echoing in the distance.
"Let's begin the treatment. Please bear with me during the entire process, young Altair."
I shuddered but held myself as the treatment had begun.
It took me a while during my treatment.
A lot of my confusion cleared up as I took my time with these fragments of memories that fused into my mind, which all came from this body that wasn't mine, to begin with.
To put it bluntly, I was reincarnated.
Altair, no last name. That was me.
As random as it was, the whole segment does not seem to be a normal reincarnation. Mainly, I didn't find myself in the body of a baby. I was reincarnated into a fully grown one after I died due to falling off a cliff after trying to rescue my friend. Or so I assume that's the case. My memory of the whole fall was still foggy and migraines were a bitch…
That said, the memories of this body were almost as clear as day. Notably, their death was one of the things that stuck the most. Even if the former owner's memories had been retained in my head, it too came in bits and pieces. About my personality, it felt like I was myself from my previous life, my previous world. But the weird part was as if some additional information regarding my condition was being shoved into it as well.
The shaking. The anxiety. The nervous breakdown I get when I see that woman.
Those memories I saw before belonged to the previous owner of this body. The feelings I felt when meeting the people in his life, all of them were his feelings. The feelings of someone who saw it fit to take his own life.
He left an empty husk, which was now being inhabited by me.
'To think that things that I often read on the internet are now actually happening to me…' I considered my options for a bit while looking out the window. The snowy weather gave me a sense of forlornness. But at the same time, it was uplifting.
This was kinda explained by my excitement upon realizing where it was I had reincarnated.
I just got transported into the motherfucking world of Pokemon!
The world of fantasy where majestic, mysterious beings called Pokemon roamed across the entire planet, living anywhere they saw fit.
I now have a new life. One in the place where all of my childhood dreams came true, although at the cost of my previous one.
'The last time I remember, I was trying to help Dean at the cliff, when suddenly the cliff around my feet shifted, then the next thing that happened was…'
I shook my head and stopped the train of thought. I was too tired to even contemplate the finer details of what just happened to me. It was depressing. But alas, life must go on.
And why bother with death when I had a new life to live? It's frickin Pokemon! Real-life Pokemon!
'I wonder how mom would react when she heard the news about myself back then,' My mind wandered about my previous world while feeling a twinge of regret for going so soon before I could even get married. 'Sorry for not being able to get you a grandchild, mom. But I promise you that I will live this life as a fulfilled one…'
I did regret it, but I chose not to wallow in it. One life was already lost, taken by himself as I witnessed everything back then.
Thus, it marked how the life of the previous Altair ended, and the life of the new Altair began.
From what I heard, it took a few people to hold my body down while I was thrashing around. They had to use a Psychic Pokemon from the Pokemon Center. Which was how a Kadabra had a hand in putting me back to sleep. The same Kadabra was responsible for my mental health, while frequently checking my condition before he finally deemed me good enough to stop the therapy.
No wonder I woke up just confused but having slept like a babe. Psychic Pokemon was a real help in mental care. I was feeling better just thinking about it!
Although initially, I was afraid my identity as someone who entered a person's dead body would come out to light soon. But days after the revelation, nothing happened, which made me relax. Kadabra didn't seem to notice anything off about me apart from being strangely calm about having just committed suicide, but then again, that wasn't me.
I don't want to imagine what would happen if they found out about it, and took precautions to deal with it. The last I needed was to be stuck in a white room with soft walls.
'You gotta stop thinking about that, Al,' I inwardly sighed while trying to get used to my new name as well. After all, it would be weird if someone called me, but I didn't react with my current name. 'There are bigger things to worry about than being confined to an insane asylum…'
As if on cue, my room's door suddenly opened revealing a familiar blond-haired woman who entered the room while trying to smile warmly towards me. Keyword: tried to smile. My eyes could easily discern her plastic emotions.
"... You're awake."
Elaine Quinn.
Altair's caretaker, or technically my caretaker in the current situation.
The woman who had raised the previous me of this world since when he was a baby, and also the woman who was partly responsible for the original Altair's demise. Thanks to the Original Altair's memories, I naturally knew about her name, now that my whole head was much clearer than before.
Her 'treatment' throughout the years might have left some leftover scars on this body. However, I am not the same Altair that she knew. And I refused to bow down against her, not when she was just nothing but a foreign person to me.
'Can't believe that this sexy, bombshell woman was one of the reasons why this body's previous owner took his own life…'
I choose not to answer her. Given how much I remembered her treatment of the previous owner of this body and how much it affected his mentality to the point of hitting his self-esteem, even as far as taking a freaking suicide out of all things.
"It seems that you're much better now," she said with a sickeningly sweet voice that almost made me want to puke, especially with how her eyes were glazing at me with nothing but abhorrence. As if seeing something so repulsive that made my blood seethe in anger. "I was so worried that you might stay longer here, but I am glad that you recovered much faster than doctors anticipated."
I snorted while muttering while looking away from her gaze. "As if you cared in the first place…"
Unfortunately, she heard what I just said.
Before my eyes, her expression immediately changed as Elaine finally dropped any form of facade from her face. Any trace of the previously crafted self-made mask to faking her real self was now completely gone, leaving nothing but a haughtiness and vain woman who regarded me as nothing but a mere pest. Her lips sneered at me as she immediately closed the distance between us in a few steps, and our eyes met in close range. "... I suggest that you watch that stupid mouth of yours, considering that the orphanage was paying for your recovery in this stupid hospital! Why did you even do something as stupid as jumping from the bridge and putting more dent in our money!"
"Why do you even blame me," I interjected with a glare from my own, much to the surprise of Elaine who wasn't expecting such bravado. "It's your job to take care of everyone in the orphanage, including me."
"Not for long brat," in Elaine's credit, she recovered quickly and snorted at my reply. "Because you're about to be an adult soon anyway," she waved me off as she continued, a sneer growing across her lips, "... Not that I have any expectation of you, unlike Xander. You're nothing like him, and are never going to be."
"What? Your boytoy? That asshole who following you like an obedient puppy?" I scoffed back, equally as dismissive hearing her irrational claim. "That dumbass was nowhere as that good for being able to pass trainer test registration, bet you did something behind's curtain, didn't ya?"
However, for some reason, Elaine suddenly turned rigid and still, only her head moving as she looked toward me.
"...What did you just say?" She uttered, barely audibly enough for me to hear.
I raised an eyebrow, slightly confused, yet not the least bit deterred from her gaze, "I said, that I don't care what you think of me compared to your boytoy." I spat, a touch louder, "Do what you want! I'm gonna do my own thing so go suck his dick for all I care—"
In a flash that I bet could make Pokemon stutter, she was upon me.
My mouth hung open, words stopped as her face was all of sudden right in front of mine. She looked me, straight in the eyes with her own
…Was she shaking?
This is new. She's never done anything like this before, based on the memories I've inherited.
Any further annoyance or anger I had was snuffed out, replaced by sheer shock, and a twinge of fear. "What are you—!"
I was stopped once more with a hiss, as I felt her hand on the back of my head grasping my hair, causing it to sting.
She shook me slightly as she spoke, harshly, desperately, urgently, "Answer me this instant you little brat, how did you know about that...!"
What the hell is this? Some kind of panic attack?
"What the hell are you talking about—"
"Shut the fuck up and answer me!"
I was taken aback by the sheer terror in her voice. With every single word that leaves her mouth, I can see in real-time, how her eyes get redder, desperate, angrier, a borderline manic.
Based on the memories that I saw, she never, ever, did something like this.
Does that mean the joke I made was actually—
"—no one will believe a dumb kid like you anyway!" hissed Elaine as she let go of my hair.
While still shellshocked from Elaine's initial outburst, the pain lingering in my head from the way she pulled my hair, and the fact that I now held some suspicion on her based on her manic reaction.
While there were so many emotions evoked inside me right now, I squashed it, as I gave Elaine a stink eye, as both of us now staring at each other. I matched her murderous expression with defiant calmness.
Neither of us wanted to back down, while I did my best to calm my beating heart. But that doesn't stop me from glaring at this vicious woman who caused nothing but misery to the original Altair. Being an adult in the body of a teenager had also affected my judgment, considering what this woman did would send her to the court had this happened in my previous world.
Time passed as the clock ticked, along with occasional voices from a few nurses who passed by. Eventually, Elained backed down after realizing that I wouldn't budge like how the usual Altair would act. With a snide, she turned back before leaving the patient room while closing the door with a loud thud, thus leaving me alone with my thoughts.
'This is not gonna be the last time I've to deal with this bitch…' I thought to myself.
The door opened again as Nurse Joy entered with her peculiar smile along with a familiar sight of Chansey who gave me a huge smile upon seeing me.
Seeing their presence is a welcoming treat after what just happened.
'Alas, that can be dealt with later.'
For now, I need to focus on my recovery.
All while imagining the start of my new life on this unexpected journey ahead.
Beta Reader: ReavesTheReader (FF.N and QQ), Maple, RikuKage , JTWO
Author Note:
So, first thing first.
This is the rewritten version of Valiant Crown, where the tone is much darker than the original.
A few changes have been made, such as Elaine is no longer MC's mother and Ars Bastion's name changed to Altair.
Reason for a rewrite? I must say that I was unsatisfied and have been discussing what I am going to do with that. And the result is this rewrite. Some core plots will remain, while I am going to add more content in future.
Chapter 2 is already halfway through, and you might noticed the changed soon after.
Anyway, I'll see you in the next chapter and also please give me your thoughts and feedback for this rewritten version.
See you in next chapter, adios.