Subconsciously, you know when you're dreaming. I always do, and in this case, my sister getting chased by alligators. Typical nightmare. Had it many times before. What I didn't see before is a mass of shadow with a white mane chained to the ground.
Find me. Find me!
Ever woke up by rolling out bed? Not pleasant with a migrane rushing in. Not pleasant for Riolu or Piplup since they got squished under me. Apparently, the ship is tilting at major degrees, like those clips of the North Sea.
Pushing myself up, "Sorry guys. Piplup! No pecking!" Prideful little thing. Piplup tilted his head to do a little shake and trilled before trying to balance himself on my feet. Right, penguin chick. Riolu wobbled on his hind legs while reaching up. Such a little baby. Okay, guess I'm carrying two little babies.
The ship tilted again and sent me sliding through the door, right into Cynthia. Who is wearing her typical heels. How can she keep her balance?
"The Wailord are quite active today."
"Wailord?"
Tilting her head, (oh, is that a scar over the eye? Can she still see?) "That's right. We're near one of their known migration routes."
Wait! How long was her hand on my shoulder?
Riolu must've picked up my anxiety at that moment and bit her hand. The very next moment had a large, bipedal blue canine appearing out of nowhere and barking at Riolu. Due to having my hands full, I just went and nipped at Riolu's head, making him let go.
"No. Biting."
"Lucario, some space please."
Riolu whipped his face to me, pointed a paw to Cynthia and barked. "No arguing Riolu. We will be going over when and how to fight later."
Cynthia returned Lucario with a smile, "In any case, we are just about to reach Iron Island. And as much as I want you to simply rest with what you've been through," her face took a serious look, "We do need to question you on what happened."
With the rocking and rolling finally easing up, I got led topside to be greeted with the sunset. And an increasing migraine, I will definitely be getting sick soon.
Iron Island is, well, an island. One craggy mountain with blunted spires poking about. A small village lining a slope, looks to be there for the sake of mining rather than settling a land. On the port is several vehicles, a group of people in black and orange, an individual with pink hair and a wheelchair, an old man, a person with a motorcycle, and a man with a shovel.
As the ship docked, I could see the group better. Rangers, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, the shovel has got to be Gym Leader Byron and the old man is probably Professor Rowan. It has been a while since I properly watched pokemon anime, but I still play the games and read a ton on fanfiction. But my metaknowledge is not holding down the itching need to run. From the men. I don't know if I am afraid, or if I just want a reason to lash out.
Nurse Joy didn't look too happy that I was walking down the ramp off ship and quickly ushered me into the wheelchair. At least her skirt isn't as short as the anime. And the Pokemon Center is just across the street, with its purple roof. Ugh, I do not like being pushed in a wheelchair when I am more than capable of walking. Make me feel too self conscious.
I kept my attention on Piplup and Riolu. So far, they've been content to relax in my arms. One night of rest after a traumatic event is never enough to be at full strength. These things take time.
"I can see that they're quite fond of you." How long was I not paying attention, again? I got wheeled into an empty, windowless room, facing the doorway. No table, and where's my stuff? When did it get taken!?
Blue vest, white bushy brows and mustache, Professor Rowan. Who is thankfully more than arm's reach away. Cynthia has a hand on Shovel's shoulder, as to remind him to stay a distance as well.
"I," why is my throat dry? "I will, give all, I can for them."
"Good. Now I will ask you, how did you end up on New Moon Island?" Guess a Pokemon Professor of the Region has a very high ranking, seeing a gym leader, champion, and officer, who's scribbling in a notepad, just waiting silently behind.
I really need to get a notebook for myself, need to keep track of what I say from here on out. "I got dumped there." I don't want to continue. Not like this.
Shovel, Byron, looked a bit impatient. "We're going to need more than that." Anger flared behind my sternum. I don't get angry that easily. Gritting my teeth, I took a breath to keep my internal balance steady.
"I get dumped 'ere from a tank man after gettin' beat'n up with a crowbar to the point of blackout!" My voice pitched at the end of that sentence and I'm starting to mutter. "Wha-what else am I subosed to say?" My mouth is really starting fill up with saliva . . .
OK, nope nope. Quickly sliding off the chair to the floor, I pushed the pokemon away before my head instinctively bowed to the floor and proceeded to gag up what little food was still undigested. Seemingly unfazed, Piplup and Riolu pressed themselves into my sides.
"Oh dear. Everyone out! Jenny, could you get some water? Here, let's clean that up." Nurse Joy was quick to pull out some wipes from somewhere. The mess was swiftly wiped away, my face scrubbed like a toddler, bandages from the boat ride checked and seated back on the wheelchair.
I know things would have happened very differently on Earth. This is like for children being coddled. Or are they doing something from the outside of this room?
Pokemon are real. I'm holding two pokemon right now. That means their mythical and legendary pokemon have weight. If I mention the Darkrai appearing in my dreams wanting me to find it, would that mean I would be allowed freedom to search the Sinnoh region? Or will I be 'required' to travel with a group of so called experts? Crap, I need to make a choice.
"Does the name Darkrai mean anything? It keeps popping up in my dreams." Cynthia and Rowan just opened the door when that just popped out.
Cynthia's visible eye took on a glint and Rowan's brow dug down into a look of pure concentration. Stepping forward, the Professor stared down, as if to intimidate the correct answer out. Nice try old man, after that tank man, you don't much to go on me. "Claiming contact from a myth is quite a serious matter. Are you certain it was Darkrai?"
I'm not usually one to do eye contact. And here, I put my pain, anger and exhaustion up front. "Darkrai asked me to find them"
Rowan kept eye contact for a few seconds before reaching up to rub his face. "Darkrai wants you to find them?" Nodding, he just gives an exhausted look. "There's an old rule of when legends or myths want something done, it is to be done by the one who they have spoken to."
"Therefore," Cynthia stepped up, "I will sponsor you to the Lily of the Valley Championship this year. You will be taking the Gym Challenge to cover your true purpose of searching the Sinnoh Region finding Darkrai."
And there we have it, I got a sponsorship from the Sinnoh Champion. The one who gave so many players absolute grief.