Markus POV

There have been many pieces of media throughout my life that portrayed beings of power that wrought terror and fear wherever they went. What they were never able to convey, however, was the primal emotion one would feel when facing something like that, and on that day, the meadow learned just that emotion when the Pokemon let its voice be heard.

Standing a ways away was a giant purple spider with glowing orange eyes. Their head was encased in a water bubble which rippled as his bellowed. My fear was quickly replaced with joy, seeing my all time favorite Pokemon looming in the distance.

Phobia the Araquanid. My Shining Araquanid.

Phobia’s cry was cut short by what sounded like a waterfall. As he rushed in, his two front limbs were covered with rushing water. The Zangoose had barely come to their senses, attempting to throw up a guard as Phobia’s Liquidation slammed into its defenses, completely shattering them and sending the Zangoose flying. With that, the fight was over with a single hit. The Zangoose lay in a heap with no signs of getting up, the two tiny Pokemon poking were their heads out from behind a tree, and a giant water spider was standing above my crumpled form.

Whatever adrenaline had been keeping me conscious was quickly leaving me, reminding me of my very broken body. I let out shaky, shallow breaths, trying desperately to keep myself from blacking out. As hard as I tried, the darkness was creeping ever closer in my vision. Realizing I was going unconscious whether I liked it or not, I chose to say the first thing that came to mind.

“Thank… you… Pho..Bia.. you… giant.. beautiful.. spider.”

“Raqua *confusion*?”

And darkness took me.

——————————————————————

I awoke to the feeling of an electric squirrel shoving yet another berry down my throat. Terrified, I braced myself for the onslaught against my tastebuds, only to be pleasantly surprised as a smooth citrus flavor filled my mouth. I tried to sit up, only to wince at the pain that shot up through my arm. The Pachirisu seated on my chest noticed my attempts and bopped me on the forehead. They chittered their concerns to me, indicating I needed to lie down and keep eating the yellow spotted berry they brought me.

“Thank you again, Pachirisu, you’ve been an absolute blessing,” I said wholeheartedly.

“Pachi, rish Pach *Thankful denial*,” the small squirrel chirped to me before pointing up and nodding.

I followed their indications, craning my neck up to see a set of orange eyes in the distance taking in my form. I shuddered before remembering that those eyes belonged to my other savior. Seeing that I was awake, Phobia made their way over to me.

“Ara, araquanid? *Demanding Question*,” Phobia asked while staring me down.

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“I'm sorry, I don’t quite understand. I know you’re wanting me to answer something, but I’m not sure what that something is,” I replied, growing slightly nervous about the interaction.

The tension grew worse and worse as seconds passed, neither of us saying anything. The silence was finally broken by an exasperated sigh from the Pachirisu on my chest. They jumped off my chest and darted a short distance away before returning with an object. They placed it in my good hand and encouraged me to look at it, and I obliged.

A Master Ball. Phobia’s Master Ball.

The Pachirisu started gesturing at the Master Ball, then pointed at both Phobia and me. It took me a second to realize what they were trying to convey, and I looked up to Phobia.

“Are you asking if I’m Markus, your trainer?” I questioned.

“Raq *confirmation*,” Phobia replied. He then started some charades of his own, moving his two front limbs around his water bubble. Thankfully, it took far less time to understand what he was wanting.

In the game, I had tried to design my character to look like they were part of Daft Punk, using the gold motorcycle helmet. Phobia was wondering if I was his trainer.

“Right, yea, it’s a very long story,” I started, “but to give you some reassurance, yes, I am Markus. I might not look like the Markus you know, but we are the same person.”

The Araquanid stared at me for a moment before nodding, letting out the tension in their limbs. A collective breath was let out from everyone in the meadow as we all relaxed.

The pain in my body was becoming slightly more bearable. I decided I should look over myself just in case anything else was out of place. I started with my arm, but quickly looked elsewhere. Arms aren’t supposed to bend at that angle. Hopefully health care was free here like it was in the games, because that was going to need a significant amount of work. My clothes weren’t much better. It seemed hopes, dreams, and common decency couldn’t save you from the claws of an angry Zangoose.

Speaking of Zangoose, I looked around for the Pokemon. I cringed, seeing multiple points where they had bounced across the ground, ending in an impact crater.

Phobia’s Choice Banded Liquidation is fucking scary.

Much to Pachirisu’s annoyance, I struggled to my feet, grabbing a piece of the discarded sitrus berry as I did so. I hobbled my way to the crater to check on the Zangoose, with Phobia close behind. They was alive, and that was probably the best that could be said. With the help of Phobia, I slowly inched towards the downed Pokemon. Once I was close enough, I crushed the remains of the berry into the Zangoose’s mouth, letting the restorative juices work their magic. Some time passed, and I could see the Zangoose’s eyes start fluttering open.

‘Pokemon healing magic bullshit,’ I chuckled to myself, wincing as I did so.

The Zangoose must have heard my voice, as their eyes shot open and they whipped their head towards me, letting out a yelp as they did. I made no sudden movements, keeping eye contact as I slowly backed into a sitting position. I waited, watching as Zangoose’s eyes went from frantic to calm. Seeing no better time, I spoke.

“It’s ok, the fighting’s over. I’m sorry I interrupted your hunt. You must be hungry. I’m going to ask Pachirisu or Lechonk if they’ve seen any humans or rangers around that can get us help. You’re welcome to come along to get healed up. I’m sure they’d even have some spare food for you!”

The Zangoose took my words in silently, letting them play out in their head before saying anything.

“Z..zang *Why?*”

‘That’s a full word. Why can I understand this Pokémon’s full words now? Later issue.’

“I don’t want to see you suffer. You shouldn’t have to lie there broken and starving just because you were doing what was natural for you.”

The Zangoose sat unmoving, not even bothering to try and struggle to stand. They locked eyes with me and slowly nodded, accepting our help. I smiled and nodded back, looking over to Phobia as I did so.

“Looks like things are wrapping up nicely. Is there any chance you could ask the two if they could help us out?”

Phobia brought his front limb up into a salute before making his way towards the Lechonk and Pachirisu. I snorted, wondering where and how he knew that gesture, before settling myself down.

‘And now, we wait in a pit with an angry murder cat who just tried to eat you by yourself.’

I’m sure it’ll be fine. After all, I’ve only ever made the smartest of choices.

Thank you for reading!