Chapter 9: The Disaster

Ash’s surprise had sent everyone into excited hysterics, mine put them into a catatonic coma. Nobody was making a noise. Instead, they stared at the two malignant crystals, glowing in their bizarre way, almost hypnotized…

Actually hypnotized, I realized as I glanced upon all the slack jawed faces. Their eyes were empty and devoid of emotion. It was truly disturbing.

“Remove your hand, Laiton,” Oak commanded. I wasn’t surprised he’d been unaffected.

I flinched at the cold look in the professor's eyes, and quickly complied. It was a relief to remove my palm from the normal crystal; the drain on my aura was uncomfortable. A significant portion of my reserves had been used fueling the ritual. Though, I think a disproportionate amount had been taken in the summoning of that eye.

That relief was short lived, however, because with the dimming of the spires, the trance was lifted, and all hell broke loose.

People screamed. Some released their Pokemon. I even saw a few individuals pass out. They legitimately fainted from fright! I thought that only happened in movies!

“Silence… SILENCE!” Oak didn’t let the panic grow too far, though it must have been bordering on a riot for him to have to actually repeat himself.

“I will have order!” he bellowed, “If you can not comply with this command, remove yourself before I am forced to remove you!”

There were a few quiet grumbles, but most of the released Pokemon were returned, with the noticeable exception of Henric Corder.

The ancient Miltank rancher was one of the oldest residents in town. A normal type master who had retired in Pallet. Originally, he’d served in the rangers, and ACE before that. Grizzled veteran fit him to the tee.

“You can’t be planning on letting this malignant anomaly bond,” the man marched his way down the seating, a Tauros, Persian, and massive Ursaluna—that earned him the name Corder—followed behind, gently pushing their way through.

“That is exactly what I'm planning,” The professor replied calmly.

“It’s unnatural Sam. Best to deal with it now rather than let it fester.”

“I will not let you,” the old professor replied simply. A pit opened in my stomach as I came to a realization. The grumpy rancher wasn’t just trying to prevent my bonding. He wanted to kill me!

“Bah! You are too soft, old friend,” my would-be executioner smiled jovially, “I’ll take care of it quickly,” I couldn’t understate how disturbing it was to be referred to as an ‘it’.

“Go home Corder,” Oak shifted a few paces to the side, blocking the old war veterans path to me, “You are not yourself. Think clearly about what you are saying and where you are saying it.”

The ancient war vet looked around and saw the mass of people observing. I looked too, and was disturbed by what I found. Many of the watchers seemed to actually be in agreement with Henric. Every second person was looking at me with disgust or terror. I wasn’t sure which was worse. Most of the rest were confused or in shock. Only a scant few seemed concerned for my wellbeing; my friends and family, mostly.

I felt physically ill as I realized that without the professor’s support, I'd likely be lynched by the mob. My loved ones would be so outnumbered, they’d be overrun or maybe even killed trying to protect me.

My panicked gaze found Dot and Joy sitting in the front row! Thankfully, my sister was too young to understand the situation, but she could tell something was wrong from how tightly Joy was holding her.

For a moment, I thought the Professor’s logic would get through to the angry old man. Corder studied the crowd for a long moment. He must have done the mental math and come to the same conclusion as me, because a determined scowl creased his brow when he turned back around.

“Listen here, Oak. We can do this the easy way or-”

“Ok.” the professor snapped his fingers and Henric flashed out of existence along with his Pokemon.

For a moment, I thought they had somehow been vaporized by the enigmatic master, but I needn't have worried. The man was a pacifist after all.

“Does anyone else want an express ticket to jail,” he asked with a hard smile. The area behind him shimmered and an Alakazam warped into existence. Teleportation, of course.

I was shocked when several people seemed to actually consider their odds. How desperate were they to get to me!? Oak’s psychic fox had just proven it could forcefully teleport a master trainer and his entire team! How did it even manage that?! Oak wasn’t even a psychic prime!

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“I will not allow my town to be ruled by fear,” my savior warned, and the last dissenters finally retook their seats, but the dark looks they sent me seemed to actually deepen. How many enemies had I made this night?

“Laiton. Present yourself.” The professor reminded me after a moment.

I hesitantly complied with his directions, spinning around to face the Pokemon portion of the crowd. I could almost feel the murderous gazes boring through the back of my skull, but I persevered.

At least the more animalistic half of the audience weren't looking at me the same way. There was distrust and suspicion in most of their eyes, but that was fairly standard for wild Pokemon. They didn’t seem to hold the same prejudices as humans, thank Mew.

I stood for an agonizing eternity as I was judged by the assembled super beasts. Fear gripped me when none stepped forward at first. Dark and Ghost Pokemon were among the most rare species. There was only the Carvanha, from earlier, a baby Houndour sitting between the paws of an intimidating Houndoom, and a young Poochyena laying in the back. A glance showed I didn't have any affinity for water, the pooch didn’t seem interested, and the hound’s mother wouldn’t let her pup leave her side, so they were all out.

What would happen if a Pokemon didn't choose me? I'd never heard of that happening before. The terrible stories of life as an unbound started to rush through my head.

My knees almost gave out in relief as a tiny Seedot began to waddle its way down the hill. Not a perfect match, but I had a high affinity for grass, and it’d be better once they evolved into a Nuzleaf. Before the little acorn finished its descent, a gray cloud seeped from the ground, and condensed into a hazy cloak hunched around a bone mask. A Duskull.

The humans began to grumble again at the ghost’s arrival. Understandably so, since legend said ghost Pokemon were the spirits of the dead. Research was a little less conclusive on the matter, but they were most commonly found in places of historic tragedy.

Agatha, probably the most knowledgeable ghost master alive, called her Gengar “brother”. She’d never confirmed it, but people believed it was the reincarnated spirit of her deceased sibling. He had died when she was only a child. The more dark mutterings were that she’d been the one to kill him.

I was about to begin my selection, when a commotion broke out among the Pokemon. After a moment of growls and screeches back and forth, the herd split down the middle, creating a path from the ritual stage up to the surrounding woods. There was a quiet moment, and then—from between the trees—stepped disaster. An Absol.

Shouts and screams came from the humans as the white feline strode down the hill. It was confident and graceful, despite the growing discontent, and almost seemed to glow.

Stunned was too gentle of a word to describe me. Nobody had ever captured or bonded to one of these harbingers of doom. They were so rare, that there were barely any photos of them, yet here was one, offering itself up as my starter. This was so cool, but also a nightmare! They were known as the disaster Pokemon for a reason.

They settled on their haunches, beside the Duskull and Seedot, and gazed at me calmly as the masses began to riot.

“Silence… SILENCE!” the professor tried to regain control, but it seemed this was one shock too many.

Moltres shrieked from overhead, and a wave of fire swept through the arena. The flames carried the soothing calm again, and managed to hush the masses.

“Everyone SIT!” Oak commanded, and my knees nearly gave out from under me. The word seemed to echo in my head, “Any other outbursts shall be punished by a night behind bars.” he warned, giving a hard stare into the audience, focusing on those who had been particularly vocal in their dissent.

I didn’t need Oak’s instruction this time, hurrying to finish my selection. I needed to get out of here, now!

I stepped up to Seedot first, their head felt surprisingly fuzzy as I placed my hand upon the shell. The pokemon pushed its aura up into me, and the communion was formed. Through it, I got the sense that we were surprisingly compatible. She, for this little seed was definitely female, was young and mischievous, but filled with determination and a caring spirit. There was more, but she seemed to shield me from her deeper emotions. It would probably be too complicated for this basic aura connection anyway.

I stepped on, placing my hand upon the Duskull’s mask. It was ice cold under my fingers, and seemed to suck the heat from me. Its mind was far less logical than Seedot’s, filled with emotions and feelings that would be impossible for a mortal mind to comprehend… A normal mortal mind.

Now I knew why I was a ghost prime. Who could ever relate to these creatures—born from death—other than someone who had experienced it. Someone like me. It was obvious really, now that I thought about it.

This Duskull seemed like a decent fellow on the surface, hard working and driven, but deep down I could feel the hunger and envy. The desire for that which it could never have. It was relatable.

I could see it. Together, we’d manage to reach the pinnacle of power, and find a way to gain back all that I’d lost. The vision was so clear, us conquering the void. Nothing could stop it, and anyone who tried would be-

With a gasp, I pulled my hand away. I could see where the madness came from. Somebody who hadn’t had personal experience with the beyond would never be able to understand. They’d be consumed by the unquenchable desire.

I’d made peace with my situation long ago, yet I was drawn back in with only a touch. In the future, I’d be better prepared.

Finally, it was Absol’s turn. It gazed at me with eyes of deep obsidian, its white fur fluttering in a non existent breeze. I raised my hand, but hesitated to touch their head. However, before I was ready, it leaned forward to complete the connection.

I was forced to my knees, as the weight of this Pokemon’s soul fell upon me. I was a pebble, while this feline was a mountain. My mind swam in confusion. This was no red level beginner presenting itself as my potential starter. This… it had to be at the indigo level, at least. The feeling it gave was even stronger than Oak’s Moltres! Why was it here?

‘A warning’ the words echoed through my soul. I was drawn into the abyss that made up Absol’s eyes.

Images bombarded me, flashing through my head faster than I could contemplate: A massive tree, a city burning, the moon on fire, a giant golden eye. It was too much. I couldn’t understand.

‘Find me when you do,’ Absol said, and I fell forward as it faded from beneath my hand, like a shadow in the growing light of dawn.