Chapter 9: A Truth

POV – JAKE

Time was not on his side, Jake sighed as he viewed the rising moon, the soft glow beginning to dominate the twilight sky. The daylight was fading for sure now. Around him, the landscape was transforming, the dense, marshy forest gradually giving way to more open plains. The trees, once a thick canopy overhead, now sparser, allowing views of the vast expanse of sky turning a deep shade of twilight blue.

As he led his companions down the riverbank, the changes in the environment were unmistakable. The ground underfoot shifted from the squelching, muddy earth of the marshes to firmer, grass-covered soil. The air, once heavy with the scent of damp wood and moss, was now fresher, carrying a hint of the grassy plains ahead. Unfortunately, signs of human settlement were still elusive in the night.

Large herds of Bouffalant grazed in the distance, imposing figures silhouetted against the fading light. Their bulky forms moved with a slow, deliberate grace, heads bowed to the long, waving grass that rustled softly in the gentle evening breeze. The occasional snort or grunt from the herd broke the quiet, a reminder of the wild and diverse Pokémon life that Jake was only just beginning to encounter in reality.

Here and there, the smooth swirl of a Dunsparce's nest broke the otherwise unspoiled sea of grass—a subtle ripple in the green expanse. Skorupi darted about, emerging from little cubby holes in the mud, moving swiftly and almost ghost-like as they flickered in and out of the growing shadows. "Definitely wouldn’t want to sit on one of those by mistake," Jake muttered to himself. Occasionally, the soft rustling of leaves betrayed the presence of Fomantis, their green bodies blending seamlessly with the foliage.

As the moon climbed higher, casting a serene silver light over the landscape, Jake knew they wouldn't reach a town before nightfall. With a resolve, he began to scan the surroundings for a suitable place to camp.

With a more seasoned eye than he had just a few days ago, Jake scanned his surroundings, searching for a spot to set up camp. The plains, though vast and open, offered little in the way of natural cover. I’ll just have to make do as always, he thought.

Before long, he came across a small clearing, where the ground was covered in a soft layer of grass—a simple yet inviting place to rest. Jake let out a sigh, his voice carrying both exhaustion and resignation. "Well, Trixie, looks like we’re spending another night under the stars." He started gathering dry sticks scattered around the clearing, carefully arranging them into a small, neat pile. With a nod towards Trixie, she responded with a cheerful spark of electricity, igniting the kindling and casting a warm, comforting glow over their modest campsite.

Trixie's big eyes sparkled mischievously in the moonlight. "Emol!" she chirped, bright and playful, as if to say, That sounds like fun to me! She bounced with excitement, glancing down at Jake, brimming with far too much energy for this time of night.

Jake couldn’t help but smile, amused by her unflagging spirit. "Sure, it’s all fun and games for you, Trix—you’re a Pokémon. But I’ve gotta admit, a bit of home comfort wouldn’t go amiss right about now." He began to unpack his belongings, only to pause and shake his head with a rueful grin. There wasn’t much to unpack—his hoodie was threadbare, and his clothes were tattered, hardly the attire for a fashion show... or maybe, in some odd way, they were...

Trixie flew up in a playful spiral around Jake's head before landing lightly on his shoulder. "Emol, emol?" she chirped, poking his cheek with her tiny paw as if to say, I’ve already got the best spot—right here! What’s your excuse?

Jake smirked, feeling the gentle weight of Trixie on his shoulder. "Oh, so now you’re after the deluxe suite, huh? Not sure I should offer you that. I was really hoping for a nice warm bed and a hot meal. Instead, I get a patch of grass and the company of a cheeky emolga." He ruffled her fur gently, an exasperated look on his face.

"Emol, emol!" Trixie retorted playfully, nuzzling against his cheek as if to say, But you love me anyway, admit it!

As they played, Jekyll silently watched it's on Jake's other shoulder. Jake could feel a distinct heaviness emanating from Jekyll, not physical but emotional. He sensed the Mimikyu's unease, the lingering effects of its earlier outburst, a remnant of the Curse it had unleashed.

In the aftermath of their skirmish with the Scolipede, Jekyll had been noticeably quiet. It seemed acutely aware that Jake, and possibly even Trixie, had uncovered its true identity, but did not seem to know what to do about it. Jake's recollection of the Pokedex entries from the games loomed in his mind – there was no forgiveness for those who exposed a Mimikyu's pretence of being Pikachu, often leading to dire consequences, even at the cost of its own life. This didn’t bode well for the Scolipede, should Jekyll ever become powerful enough to track it down.

Yet, Jake was beginning to question whether his fears of Jekyll’s potential for murder was a hyper projection of his own world’s perception of ghosts onto the Pokémon universe, which was, by nature, supposed to be a more positive place. Maybe Jekyll was just a tsundere, and his negative expressions were just code for I love you really, hmph! The fact that both he and Trixie were alive and well was proof enough. Still it would be wise to remain cautious and there would be plenty of time to figure it out.

Despite Jekyll’s sombre mood, however, Jake thought he had made some considerable progress with Jekyll’s attitude. First breaking it out of its isolated existence, to even having a battle with it and commanding its true powers. That was no small feat, and it gave Jake a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, Jekyll would eventually learn to trust him fully.

He pondered, his gaze drifting to the stars above. How do other trainers handle Mimikyu in the real world, away from the game's rules and guidelines, of which there were none? he mused. From the games, Jake could infer that Mimikyu were rare Pokémon, so there were likely not many around in the wild, which meant even fewer trainers would have one either.

"It's tricky," Jake mused quietly to himself, reflecting on his experiences with Jekyll. Mimikyu are complex, always balancing that Pikachu act with their true capabilities. You can't just catch one and expect it to behave like any other Pokémon. Any who tried would likely need an extraordinary amount of patience and a deep understanding of Mimikyu psychology to truly connect with them—if they weren't killed in the process, he thought dryly.

If the lore was anything to go by, Pokedex were rare devices, with very few trainers having access to one. How many trainers out there would truly understand a Mimikyu? You would probably have to be some kind of exorcist or have a serious interest in psychology to figure that out? he pondered. Having encountered one Mimikyu so far – Jekyll – his experience suggested a sad reality for these lonely creatures.

As Jake cast a sidelong glance at Jekyll, he half-expected to see, at the very least, a look of silent disapproval regarding Trixie's presence. But, Jekyll remained quiet, showing no sign of discontent. Recalling Jekyll's volatile reaction in the forest and the intense animosity that flared when its disguise had been busted, Jake thought wryly, I'd bet anything that Jekyll's plotting some elaborate plan for Trixie's mysterious disappearance right now.

He sighed to himself. Next time I catch a Pokémon, I hope it's something less complicated... Like a Slowpoke. Yep, just a simple, easy-going Slowpoke.

Anyway, it was time to take the next step.

“Trixie, would you mind giving me and Jekyll a moment?” Jake asked, glancing between his two Pokémon companions.

“Emol?” Trixie responded playfully, as if to ask, You're kicking me out?

Jake couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. “Just for a little bit. Jekyll and I need to have a chat, you know? But hey, maybe you could scout around and see if you can find us some berries? We could all use a snack.”

Trixie tilted her head, considering his request. “Emol!” she chirped cheekily, agreeing with a hint of mischief. With a quick spin, she took off into the night, though Jake noticed her occasionally glancing back, clearly planning to eavesdrop. Cheeky little thing, he thought with a smile.

As Trixie disappeared among the trees, Jake turned to Jekyll, who had vacated his shoulder to sit quietly beside him. “Jekyll, about earlier…” he began.

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Jekyll shifted slightly, its body language betraying a hint of anxiety. The Mimikyu had known this was coming and dreaded it. ake could feel the tension emanating from it, the pain, Jekyll feared this moment. He would have to be careful.

In the distance, Trixie's playful rustling in the bushes reminded him of her presence. Jake smiled to himself, understanding her curious nature. She needs to hear this too, he thought, accepting her discreet participation in their conversation.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush, Jekyll. I know you’re a Mim...” Jake hesitated as waves of hostility once again emanated from the Mimikyu. The air around them seemed to grow colder, the atmosphere thickening with Jekyll's silent, desperate rage.

“Mimi, Kyu,” Jekyll uttered sharply, growing in menace. It moved with an unnervingly smooth fluidity, turning towards Jake like he was in a horror movie—a far cry from its usual, clumsy attempt at a Pikachu impersonation. As Jake confronted the truth, Jekyll seemed to unravel, its façade slipping away. It was a transformation that revealed a side of Jekyll he had rarely seen, one more unsettling than any mimicry.

In this moment of vulnerability, Jekyll was not pretending to be something it wasn't; it was manifesting the core of its being – a kind of deranged, but deeply insecure and lonely ghost. The air around them almost warped with the haunting tension, spirited by Jekyll's internal struggle. Jake could sense the Mimikyu's confusion, identity crisis laid bare under the moonlight.

For a moment, it appeared as though Jekyll might lash out, its instinctive response to fear and exposure. Yet, beneath the sinister display, Jake sensed something else – a deep-seated fear. It was not just the fear of being seen for what it was, but also the terror of being rejected, of losing the companionship it had always wanted, that it had hoped for perhaps its whole existence.

Jake gulped, feeling a twinge of fear himself, but he pressed on, he knew the importance of this confrontation. “There’s no use denying it, Jekyll. You heard me command you to use ghost moves no Pikachu could ever do,” he said firmly, watching as Jekyll's menacing demeanour began to shift, revealing the fear beneath the surface.

He looked directly into the cut-outs of Jekyll's costume, deliberately ignoring the malice, trying to connect with its true eyes. “I’ve known since the night we met,” he continued, his voice softening. “But I don’t care if you’re not a Pikachu. I’m just happy I met you, Jekyll.”

“K-kyu?” Jekyll's soft voice, unfamiliar and faint, emerged hesitantly from beneath its ragged costume. The Mimikyu recoiled as if Jake’s words were too bright, entire form quivering. The trembling wasn’t just from fear; it was a deep, resonant confusion—a confrontation with a reality it had never dared to acknowledge.

Jake could sense Jekyll's fear, palpable in the air. The Mimikyu's usual eerie calm had given way to a vulnerability so raw, it was heartrending. Its eye cut-outs, once just vacant holes in a costume, now seemed to convey an overwhelming sadness.

"You’ve been alone and scared," Jake spoke again, his voice a comforting whisper in the quiet of the night. He moved closer to Jekyll; deliberate and gentle. "But you don’t have to be anymore. We're here, together. We promised to explore the world, didn’t we?"

Carefully, Jake reached out to Jekyll’s costume, his fingers tenderly adjusting the ragged cloth. "I don’t want to journey with a Pikachu, Jekyll. I want to travel with you, just as you are." With each word, he straightened a fold here, patted down a crease there—a slow, methodical reassurance. What was once a solitary ritual for Mimikyu was now becoming a shared moment.

As he worked to fix the costume, Jake could feel Jekyll’s tension. The Mimikyu stood rigid, uncertain, as if holding its non-existent breath. Jake’s hands moved to clean a smudge, staining his fingers, his touch light and careful. "You’re not alone, Jekyll. You’re part of us now, part of a team, a family."

Finally, with the costume tidied and straightened as best as he could manage, Jake looked into Jekyll’s eye cut-outs. Then, with a tender sincerity, he wrapped Jekyll in a gentle, genuine hug.

Jekyll stiffened in shock, completely unaccustomed to such direct affection. Then, almost imperceptibly, it seemed to relax, its rigid posture softening, the disguise slackening. Jekyll overwhelmed by a flood of emotions so intense, it felt like a dam had burst.

For the first time in its life, Mimikyu did not need to cry alone.

POV - JEKYLL

Jekyll watched. Jekyll cried. Jekyll did not know what to do. Emotions, unfamiliar and overwhelming, swirled inside. The gentle touch of Jake, the fixing of the disguise. It was all too much, yet not enough.

Jekyll had been seen, truly seen. Not just as a shadow behind a disguise. The feeling was terrifying. Yet, there was a glimmer of something like... acceptance.

A hug. Something Jekyll never thought it would receive. A sense of belonging. A hint of safety. But these feelings were new, confusing. Jekyll had always been alone.

Hidden.

To be accepted as Jekyll, as Mimikyu, was a concept it was still grappling with.

The small, flying one. Trixie. The name, a source of unease. Too bright, too close to what it wanted to be.

Jekyll plotted. Jekyll schemed. The small, flying one would have to go, eventually. There would be a right moment. A perfect opportunity. For now, Jekyll would bide its time, hidden behind its repaired facade. A ghost waiting in the dark.

But even as these plans formed in its mind, Jekyll found its attention drifting back to the fire. To the warmth it felt from Jake’s presence.

“Kyu...” Jekyll whispered to itself. A soft sound, lost in the crackling of the flames. The idea of plotting against Trixie felt important, yet somehow, less urgent. Almost... petty? Jekyll shook its head, dismissing the thought. The small, flying one's time would come, Jekyll assured itself, not quite as convinced as it once might have been.

POV – TRIXIE

Trixie sniffed at a particularly yummy-looking apple, her ears perked up as she half-listened to the conversation between Jake and Jekyll. Settled comfortably on a branch, she munched on the apple, slightly amused and a bit puzzled by their serious tones. They’re so dramatic, she thought with a little giggle, feeling a bit bored.

She let out another soft giggle, savoring the sweet crunch of the apple. But then, hearing Jake’s call, she perked up with excitement. It’s my turn! she thought gleefully.

With a burst of energy, she leapt from the branch, doing a playful dive-bomb toward the ground. Her wings caught the air perfectly, letting her swoop low and then glide up for a perfect landing on her favorite perch—Jake’s shoulder.

“Perfect landing, Trixie,” Jake said, scratching her ears gently. “You’re getting so much better at that. I’m really proud of you.”

A wave of happiness washed over Trixie at the praise. She loved praise, especially from Jake.

Trixie caught a funny look from Jekyll, but she just shrugged it off with her usual cheer. Who wouldn’t look at me like that? I am pretty adorable, she thought, her confidence bubbling up. “It’s great to meet you, Jekyll!” she chirped, her words bursting with her usual energy. “I’ve always had loads of fun with your cousins!”

Jekyll did seem like a funny-looking Pikachu, but Trixie wasn’t about to let appearances get in the way. A Pikachu’s a Pikachu, she figured, her curiosity sparking.

“I know what you’re thinking. I had the same thought initially,” Jake said slowly, his tone gentle. “But Jekyll isn’t a Pikachu. Jekyll’s a Mimikyu.”

At Jake’s words, Jekyll shuffled a bit awkwardly. But Trixie just tilted her head, her eyes wide with curiosity. What’s a Mimikyu? The name sounded so funny to her. She looked at Jekyll with a big, curious grin. “Hey, Jekyll, what are you?”

Jekyll seemed to tense up at her question. “Did you not hear, foolish one?” came a voice, higher-pitched than Trixie expected. It was actually pretty cute, even if the words were a little grumpy.

“Hey, I’m really smart, you know!” Trixie huffed, puffing out her tiny chest. I can even count all the way to five! she thought proudly.

“Spare me your platitudes, listen to who is speaking,” Jekyll shot back sharply, still sounding cute, even with the snappy tone.

Right then, Jake cleared his throat with a little cough, trying to get their attention back. “Trixie, I want you to officially welcome Jekyll into our little family,” he said, pausing a bit, like he was trying to figure out how to say something important.

He leaned toward Trixie. “Trixie, I have a super-important mission for you,” he said quietly, but with a serious tone. “We need to uncover a top-secret fact about Jekyll. Can you find out if Jekyll’s a boy or a girl?”

Trixie nodded eagerly. “Yes, sir!” she saluted cutely. She then turned to Jekyll, her voice bubbling with curiosity. “So, Jekyll, are you a girl like me?” she asked, without a moment’s hesitation.

Jekyll’s posture stiffened. “Insolent creature, does Jekyll not clearly embody the male form?” Jekyll retorted, outraged at the question.

Trixie beamed back at Jake with satisfaction. “He’s a boy!”

Jake stepped in diplomatically. “Well then, Jekyll, that officially makes you Trixie’s brother in our little family here. It’s important you two look out for each other.”

Jekyll seemed a bit taken aback by this, as if the concept of being part of a family, let alone having a ‘sister,’ was a completely foreign idea.

Meanwhile, Trixie’s face lit up, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “As your big sister, Jekyll, you’ve got to listen to me!” she declared, her voice bubbling with joy.

“Cease your prattling or you shall face the wrath of Jekyll!” Jekyll retorted sharply, raw indignation shaking his very being.

But Trixie just giggled and flitted off Jake’s shoulder, buzzing around Jekyll in an energetic orbit. “Oh, we’re going to have so much fun together!”

POV – JAKE

"Well, looks like they’re getting on," Jake mused as he watched Jekyll feign pursuit of a gleeful Trixie. The sight was amusing, albeit slightly bizarre, with Trixie seemingly inexhaustible in her energy.

He, on the other hand, felt the complete opposite. "I'm absolutely beat," he admitted to himself. Mental exhaustion was setting in—keeping up with a world so vastly different from his own was proving to be a real workout. It had been a day marked by swift and surprising turns: a Scolipede ambush to start, followed by an emotional rollercoaster with Jekyll, and then yet another Scolipede skirmish to top it off. Here’s to hoping not every day is this eventful, he thought wearily.

Feeling the weight of the day, Jake announced, "Alright, team, I'm going to catch some sleep." As he settled down, Trixie zipped over with a cheer, snuggling close to him in a warm, furry bundle. Jekyll, in contrast, stood silently to the side.

Jake idly wondered if ghosts like Jekyll even needed sleep. He reached out, giving Jekyll a gentle pat. As his hand brushed the Mimikyu's costume, he reflected on the whirlwind of the past few days. Four days in a Pokémon world, two companions, but still alive and surviving, he thought, disbelieving but content, as weariness overtook him, drifting him off to sleep under the stars of his new world.