"Human thought is so primitive it's looked upon as an infectious disease in some of the better galaxies. That kind of makes you proud, doesn't it?"
— K, Men in Black
The world around me fades in and out of focus as I drift in and out of consciousness. My mind is a playground of dreams and nightmares that twirl and dance in a spiraling frenzy. But suddenly, something changes. I feel a sense of control, and before I know it, I'm lucid dreaming.
I take charge of the dream and find myself soaring through the sky like a Jumpluff caught in a gust of wind. The stars twinkle so brightly that they almost outshine the full moon I conjure above me. It's a surreal feeling, almost like I'm in my own little world.
I reach out to touch the surface of the distant moon, but I can never quite grasp it before the waking world pulls me back.
I hear familiar voices that gradually become louder until their words awake me. As I try to move, I realize that I am restrained to a metal bed frame using heavy-duty straps, making it difficult to move.
Upon opening my eyes, I am temporarily blinded by the bright fluorescent lights. As I lift my head, I see that there are nearly a dozen people in the room with me, all looking at me with cautious gazes.
I see unfamiliar faces looking at me with a mix of uncertainty and weariness. But amidst them, I spot Carter, the scientist who introduced me to music, and Richard, who has a new cast on his left arm. Despite the tension in the room, Richard seems surprisingly cheerful, and his smile eases the tension in my body.
As I look down, I notice that my arm is connected to an IV line that's attached to a stand carrying a medical bag. The bag has a chemical formula written in bold, and the only other words on it are a red warning label stating, "Not for human use."
As I sink into the soft pillows provided to me, I take a moment to look around the room. The medical staff nearby try not to stare at me, but I find their attempts to ignore my presence more than a little amusing. The room is surrounded by steel-plated walls, and emergency supplies occupy one side, making me feel like I'm in a disaster bunker.
Two guards stand by the only door, each with their own Pokémon by their sides. The sudden silence after my awakening is awkward until Carter walks over and starts urging people to get back to work. I give the cheerful man a smile, and he returns it with a thumbs-up as he helps divert attention away from me in my little corner of the room.
Without saying a word, Richard offers me a cold bottle of water using his one good arm. I nod my head gratefully towards the water, relieved that I don't have to speak with my dry throat. Richard takes a seat in a chair near the head of my hospital bed and pours a few sips of water into my mouth.
After setting the water bottle aside, he tentatively places his good hand on my head and begins stroking my head like a dog.
I want to be annoyed or mortified by Richard's actions, but I find myself leaning my head into his hand and closing my eyes unconsciously. For now, dignity is unimportant to me, after all, why should I care about human conventions anyway?
I just need to remind myself that I am not human and shouldn't be held to all of their standards of social norms. Besides, I didn't realize how much I needed physical touch until now, after months of confinement. I almost whined when he removed his hand from me.
"I'm surprised you managed to convince security to let me out of containment. How did you even get the permission for that?" I ask softly. I hear the soft shuffling of shoes on the ground from the other staff in the room as they unconsciously draw closer to eavesdrop on my words.
Richard stops petting my head altogether, and his tone becomes severe as he explains the situation. "Who said anything about permission?" Richard growls out.
"You were on the brink of death, and nobody was going to stop me from saving you. I had to all but shove the security footage of what happened in their faces, but they eventually brought you up here." Richard says angrily before getting ahold of his emotions and continuing. "You may not realize it, but you saved a lot of lives by putting an end to that Gengar's rampage."
I see most of the staff in the room turn away from my gaze, but a few are brave enough to hold eye contact with me. They nod in silent thanks and then turn back to their duties. Just as I am about to ask Richard another question about the attack, the large metal doors at the far side of the room open. I watch as the guards step aside to let a group of familiar professors through.
"- in other words, from your records, the species name Zorua originated from a combination of two dead languages that translate to 'Dark' and 'Fox', respectively. That seems fitting enough, I don't see any need to change the nomenclature if that's the case." Professor Juniper says, speaking to two older men, one silver-haired and the other white-haired with a prominent mustache and stern façade.
A pink Minccino rides on Juniper's shoulder, scanning the room with childlike curiosity. As the security door closes behind them, the troupe of famous scientists take notice of Richard and me and begin to walk in our direction each scientist carrying varying levels of curiosity and wonder in their gazes.
I am in shock as each of these people represents some of the greatest minds to have walked the face of the earth. And in the case of Professor Oak, he was one of the most powerful Pokémon champions of his era and the phrase "Beware of an old man in a profession where men usually die young" comes to mind. Yet, of the three professors, Oak's gaze was the softest as he took in my bedridden form.
"Gentlemen, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Echo. From your historical records Rowan, Echo would be a Zoroark, the second stage of the Zorua line." Juniper states before turning to me. "Echo, I hope these last few months of captivity haven't been too difficult on you. You have my deepest sympathies, but your situation has been a political nightmare to handle since the league classified your case. Hopefully, we can change your accommodations now that we have these gentlemen's help." Juniper says with a radiant smile
"Eh, I can't complain, and I understand, professor. It's a pleasure to meet you both, Id shake your hands, but I'm a bit tied up at the moment." I joke while motioning my head to my retrained limbs.
"Although, if you're taking suggestions, I could really use a treadmill or something in the next enclosure you set me up in. The old room was fine for throwing a rubber ball against the wall, but that's not really enough cardio for my liking, you know." I respond somewhat hopefully.
I really could use some workout equipment to help keep my mind occupied down here.
"I don't think that will be needed. You see, we have a proposal for you, Echo. The league would like to offer you special employment under my direct preview. If you agree, you will be afforded certain privileges, the least of which will be access to elite training facilities and your own dormitory room." Juniper says while petting the oddly colored chinchilla Pokémon on her Sholder.
I am too shocked to speak, but when I look at Richard, he just nods at the professor's words.
"That is only if we also sign off on the executive request." Rowan gruffly retorts, breaking through my shock. "Before either of us supports young Juniper's request, we must first ascertain the veracity of her claims about your true disposition," Rowan states without blinking.
The man's intense stare has me instinctively shying away from him as I almost feel like I'm about to be attacked. Oak seems to take note of my body language, though and replies quickly afterward.
"Don't get too discouraged, Echo; this is merely a formality. What my colleague means is that you should think of our presence here like an extended job interview. The lab reports and your most recent actions already speak volumes of your disposition, and I'm sure my colleague here will see the benefits of Juniper's propositions regarding your case." Oak replies while pulling over a swivel chair and sitting on it in reverse position with his arms resting nonchalantly on the backrest.
The casual action instantly evaporates any tension from Rowan's continued stare-down.
"I…don't know what to say. What exactly is this proposal? I haven't heard anything about this before. Also, was it really necessary for you two to come all this way to see me in person? You must have flown halfway across the world to get here Professor." I ask while looking at Oak
The man chuckles at my response, and even Rowan's icy gaze melts fractionally.
"Echo, we were invited to converse with a Sapient Pokémon. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we could not pass up." Oak says with a chuckle before continuing.
"Also, you have no idea the fire you lit under my staff when you sent that extensive care guide alongside your kit. Can you imagine our shock when an unknown species is handed to us with seemingly no strings attached from a Ranger on the other side of the world?" Oak says as if explaining the plot of his favorite movie series.
"And then, on top of that, when I tried to look up the ranger who sent it to us, I saw a confirmed death certificate dated before the transfer was initiated, and well, I am not one to leave a mystery like that unsolved," Oak says with a knowing smile.
"As for the proposal," Juniper interjects. "It's still in the works, but current circumstances have given us an opportunity to accelerate some things. Initially, we would like you to act as a security consultant for the Ghost research sector of this facility." Juniper says while pulling out a berry from her lab coat to give to her Pokémon, who nibbles at it excitedly.
"Will there be an actual contract involved in this?" Richard retorts with surprising venom in his voice. "Because I will remind you that Echo's legal status is still in Limbo, given your insistence on keeping his nature secret from the public."
"I know it seems unfair, but the league isn't ready to reveal his existence just yet. However, I've discussed the situation with the league's champions, and they have agreed to some of the proposals you've forwarded over to me." Juniper placatingly replies
"There are some stipulations, of course, but nothing too onerous. Echo has the potential to become one of the league's greatest assets if he wishes to be, and few people on the ethics board can doubt Echo's intentions after yesterday's events." Juniper continues more sedately
"Well, does anyone want to actually tell me what these proposals entail, or shall I just go back to sleep and let you all work this out between yourselves?" I ask exasperatedly at being so out of the loop
"Sorry, Echo, for context, the ethics committee has been in something of a civil war with itself trying to figure out how to handle your case. Your human aura prevents a conventional trainer bond, which frightens a lot of people on the board because it means we can't control your actions. They have been debating putting you in stasis since we've recently cracked the programming needed to have Pokeballs work on you." Juniper apologizes
"Okay… so what you are saying is that you've all gone over the board of ethics heads and struck a deal with the League's champions, but you still need other professors like Rowan and Oak here to sign off on the plan first? Am I understanding this right?" I ponder aloud
"Your case, in particular, is a delicate one because Unova can't be seen as acting unethically toward Pokémon," Juniper explains. "Continuing to hold you in captivity as we have isn't something we can justify lest we be compared to Orre and sanctioned accordingly."
"Your case can't remain hidden from the public forever; too many people know you exist at this point," Rowan says side eyeing the staff still in the room who are not so subtly eavesdropping.
Sighing, Juniper continues, "Indeed, your existence is going to leak one way or another. So, we need to start working on what happens with you going forward. That necessitates showing a history of you working with the league voluntarily in whatever capacity you feel comfortable with. Hopefully, your public reveal won't occur for a few more years yet, but it's better to hope for the best and plan for the worst."
"Okay, Okay, I get it. Just tell me what you want me to do because I'm definitely game, whatever it is." I say excitedly
"There are a few field missions we would like for you to perform in the future if you are up for it, but for now, what are your thoughts on becoming a security consultant for the ghost sector of our research institute?" Juniper asks
I take a few moments to contemplate what a position like this would entail for me. Would other security personnel be informed of my existence, or would I have to pretend to be human? I know that research departments are largely compartmentalized, so would I be expected to work under a guise?
I have serious doubts about the sustainability of that kind of proposal, especially given the large number of well-trained psychic humans employed here. Do I have any choice in the matter, or will I be forced into stasis for an unknown amount of time if I refuse whatever this entails?
The thought of just falling asleep in a Pokeball only to wake up in some far-flung future decades down the road haunts my mind. Technology was already propelling human civilization so fast, would I recognize the world a few decades from now?
After thinking for less than a minute, I ask, "When do I start?"
Juniper smiles and, with a snap of her fingers, her Minccino jumps onto my hospital bed. It chews straight through my restraints with four sharp snaps of its tiny teeth. Rowan scowls at Juniper for her hasty actions, but instead of berating her, he just sighs and walks a few steps away to use his transceiver to call someone.
"Your first order is to rest up and meet with the head of security in two days' time. Richard will be able to direct you where you need to go. And one last thing." She says while pulling out an odd-looking Pokeball.
It almost looks like a Dusk ball of some kind, but most of the protective panels have been removed, exposing the complex grid of obviously modified circuitry inside. "Catch!" She says, lobbing the ball in my direction
Out of instinct, I try rising out of the bed to catch the ball in my claws but wince in pain and instead find the ball slamming into my forehead. The ball ricochets off my head, and the red capture beam strikes me a moment later, encompassing my whole body. Unlike the other times this was tried on me, all sensations cut off immediately, leaving a perfect void in their place.
I had an instant realization that I was inside a Pokeball, surrounded by a blank void. I could feel the ephemeral chains of my aura being tied into knots, once, twice, and then a final time before settling. I could easily understand why wild Pokémon would panic at this feeling; this loss of all sensation was how I imagined feeling dead would be like.
This feeling of non-corporality is almost meditative though. As if I am at the center of some kind of perfect sensory deprivation chamber. As I relax and let the aura chains sink deeper into my being, binding me to the Pokeball, a feeling of zen overtakes my mind.
All the aches in my body seem to cease existing in this space. I feel like falling asleep would be the easiest thing to do. Once everything is in place and I'm sure the capture sequence is complete, something strange happens.
The best way I can describe it is like my eyes are opening for the first time. Somehow, I'm able to look past the void of the Pokeball and see into the real world.
The shape of the world is like nothing I've experienced before, almost like the world is covered in a bluish fiery smoke. I could discern sounds if I really focused, but the synesthesia mixing of my senses makes me almost sick.
Fearing that this is some sort of sensory deprivation hallucination, I push outward with my aura in the hopes of escaping the Pokeball and find myself swiftly returning to physical existence. A moment later, I land face-first on my hospital bed with my head at the foot of the bed. The springs in the mattress squeak a bit as I land, and I have to take another few seconds to reorient myself to my new position.
"-could have at least let us disconnect the IV. There is liquid ether all over the floor. Do you have any idea how toxic this stuff is?" One of the Pokémon veterinarians in the room berates a sheepish Juniper.
"I will admit that I may have gotten carried away in the moment. My apologies." Juniper says
The air turns a bit awkward as I slowly crawl under the covers of the bed and make my way back to the pillows at the top of the bed. Once settled in, I look Juniper in the eye and ask-
"So…does that mean I am registered to you or the lab or…" I trail off, leadingly
If I had a choice, I would have preferred Richard doing the honors, even if it was probably a symbolic thing of who 'caught' me.
"No. If that were the case, I would have asked your permission first." Juniper says seriously, "That modified dusk ball was and still is registered to Dustin Smith. Your legal status is still to be determined, but that's not for us to decide now. Let the league's lawyers figure that mess out later."
Juniper pulls out a small stack of papers from her lab coat and attaches it to a clipboard by my bedside.
"As a 'consultant,' you will have to go through some introductory classes before being allowed into the lab spaces proper; that being said, I will leave you in Professor Oak's care. I am told he wanted to talk with you about some personal matters, and I have some other duties regarding the ghost containment protocols that need revision." With a nod at Professor Oak, Juniper walks away, and as she leaves, Rowan finishes whatever call he was having and follows her out of the room without another word to us.
As soon as the others leave, I become aware that I am sitting unrestrained in a room full of people, which is both thrilling and terrifying. I am surprised that I have been granted so much trust so quickly. Professor Oak interrupts my thoughts as he stands up from his chair and starts replaceing the IV drip in my arm.
"Ya know, when I woke up today, having Professor Oak play nurse for me was not high on my list of expected things to happen. I'm surprised you don't just put me in a healing machine with this." I say while holding my modified Pokeball out to him in my claws, but instead of taking the pokeball, he gently takes my arm and applies a fresh needle into a vein in my arm.
How the man even found a vein beneath my fur is beyond me.
"Ah, but are you sure of what the healing machine would recognize as being in need of healing? What if your embedded human aura is treated like a disease you've contracted? Would you want to risk being cured? It's an unlikely scenario, I admit, but It's best we be mindful of these things and act cautiously; we aren't in any rush after all." The professor says with a smile while moving his grip to my wrist and checking his watch, likely checking my heart rate manually.
The man's overwhelming compassion and fearlessness have me speaking out before I even realize that I'm speaking.
"You were one of Dustin's Heros, you know." I blurt out. When he looks at me with a curiously raised eyebrow, I force myself to continue, "When you helped end the great war by founding the Pokémon League with the other Regions champions. You were like a superhero from the comics Dustin used to read as a kid, you know? You were larger than life, yet most children nowadays don't even know one-tenth of what you've done to shape the world they live in." I divert my eyes, feeling embarrassed at my star-struck seeming speech.
"I'm glad Dustin thought so highly of me, but I don't think I deserve half the praise that's been lain at my feet. Every achievement ascribed to me, like the founding of the league, isn't due to my own actions but because my friends and I dared to dream of a better world than the one we were given." The professor seems to lose himself in a memory, saying his next words almost in a whisper.
"It's amazing how the smallest of actions just...ripple outward until they become waves so large you can't even define their scope any longer. I let one man live when I had every reason to do the opposite, and then a few years down the road… the whole world just grew tired of war."
"Ah, but let's not get caught in ancient history, shall we? I have something for you if you are feeling well enough. I can come back tomorrow if you want to rest. I'll be auditing the facility for some time, so there really is no rush if you'd prefer to rest right now." Oak asks while finally letting go of my wrist
"I don't think I'll be sleeping for a while yet, but before we get to whatever that is, can I ask something? Was a root cause for the Gengar incursion determined?" I ask, looking from Richard to Oak inquisitively.
"Ah, we don't have the full details yet, but someone did try to access the restricted storage servers during the attack, so it could have been intentional." Richard starts before Oak responds
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"The Pokémon that was trying to be retrieved from the server has since been given over to Champion Cynthia for safekeeping. It is possible that one of the staff members merely panicked when the Gengar was released in the facility and attempted to withdraw a strong Pokémon for protection. They should have known better than to try accessing the restricted servers during an emergency. However, you need not worry about the incident any longer, as it is my responsibility to address this issue." Oak admonishes us gently
Something still seemed wrong about that scenario, like why the security teams were delayed so long, but I decided to let it go for now.
"Now I have someone here who's been waiting to see you for some time now," Oak says while pulling a familiar dusk ball out of his pocket.
I stare at the ball in shock, instantly knowing what is inside. Hesitantly, I raise a claw up to the button, stop a few inches away, and look at Oak again for permission. He nods his head, and a moment later, my kit appears on my hospital bed. She has grown nearly twice her original size and no longer shows any signs of malnutrition. It's clear that she has been well taken care of, and the thought brings happy tears to my eyes.
She shakes herself as if she's trying to displace water off her fur. Then, she turns abruptly to face me. Without a moment's pause, she runs up my chest and presses herself against my face. She tries to nuzzle under my chin and bury herself in my chest fur and I laugh.
Without realizing what I'm doing, I start grooming her with my tongue, only managing to stop long enough to blearily thank the professor through my tears as he looks at us with a beaming smile.
I don't know how I would repay the professor, but one day, I vowed to do just that.
____
The next few days of recovery pass in a blur. I reluctantly give Oak my kit back, and he assures me that she is being cared for by the best of the best at his ranch in Pallet Town. He also assures me that I can visit whenever I want once my legal situation is hammered out with the league. And it strikes me then that I really could visit whenever I wanted. PCs could transfer my Pokeball across the world in seconds, I could travel anywhere in the world in seconds.
One of the biggest obstacles faced by the league in responding to disasters is human transportation. Even the most powerful teleporting Pokémon have an upper range of about one hundred miles. Additionally, long-distance travel, such as via airplanes, requires heavily armed ranger escorts to protect against wild Pokémon attacks.
I wonder how useful I could be as a rapid response unit for the league. I could be available anywhere in the world with a PC and internet connection within seconds. However, I am getting a bit ahead of myself; I still need to get approval from the professors to work as a security contractor for the league first, and it may take some time before I am sent out to do fieldwork.
With myself fully recovered and given a clean bill of health by the veterinarians, Richard finally takes me through the facility with the intent of meeting with the head of security at the end of our little tour. After only a few seconds of walking through the long corridors, we are greeted by a somewhat familiar researcher and what appears to be a trainer and their Pokémon.
I recognize the researcher as one of Carter's interns who had previously helped bring the musical soundboards into my enclosure. The other person is an overly excited trainer with a rare Absol trailing close by his feet. Before anyone else can stop him, the trainer runs up to me excitedly, causing Rich and me to stop walking.
"Oh wow! I've never seen a species like this before! May I?" The trainer asks Richard, but before Rich can answer, the trainer takes advantage of our shock to reach out and trail his fingers through my mane near the base of my skull.
I almost flinch back at the sudden closeness of this unknown person. Still, when he starts digging fingernails in just the right spot, I find myself leaning into the enthusiastic scratches.
"Robert!" exclaimed the researcher, mortified by the actions of the trainer he was escorting. "You were warned about the Pokémon down here! Just because your Absol can detect danger doesn't mean you can just do whatever you want!" The researcher moans while looking at me somewhat nervously
"Hey, I don't mind, Kids got magic fingers," I reply with eyes half-lidded in ecstasy.
The trainer, Robbert apparently, freezes in place when he hears my rumbling response. When I looked down, I saw that Absol was brushing against Robert's and my legs, looking up at us with pleading eyes as if to ask, 'Why don't I get scritches?' I hunch down to give Absol some conciliatory scritches and flash Robert a toothy smile as I do so.
"Hey, I didn't say to stop." I jokingly reply while glancing sideways at his hand, still buried halfway in my mane.
"Oh, I uh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to- I just" The trainer starts to panic visibly, but Rich intervenes.
"It's all right. Echo may sound scary, but he's a big softy. But please do be more careful; I know you trust your Absol's uniquely potent danger clairvoyance, but that doesn't mean you can't find yourself in awkward situations like this one, understood?" Richard replies with a faint smile
"Y-yes sir, sorry." Robbert relies to Rich before removing his hand from my back and addressing me directly. "I apologize for being presumptuous, Echo. I'm a dark type specialist, and I, I just-"
"No need to explain anything to me, friend. If there is one thing you get used to down here, it is curiosity," I conspiratorially half-whisper to Robbert while my eyes turn toward the researchers.
"On that note, I think leaving these two to their business is best. Come on, Robbert; we have a few more tests we need to perform before the day is over." Carter's intern states before dragging the dark-type trainer away. Reluctantly, the Absol follows after them as its trainer is practically dragged away.
"Should I be worried about a random trainer knowing about my ability to talk?" I conversationally ask Richard
"Not this one, no. Robbert had to sign a literal stack of non-disclosure agreements before being allowed down here. The trainers who work in this area have also undergone thorough background checks and psychic examinations, so there shouldn't be any cause for concern. Why? Are you worried about your existence being leaked early?" Richard queries, walking briskly down the corridor while I struggle to keep up.
"No, no, it's not that…well, not just that. It's just that you all are going so fast with allowing me these freedoms. Hell, Rich, if someone told me last week that I'd be sitting in this hall receiving pets from random trainers, I'd have asked they be checked for a confusion status effects. I just don't think a monster like me should be allowed to walk around like this, at least not this soon." I reply worriedly
To my surprise, Rich suddenly turned around and hugged me. I am caught off guard by the sudden change of direction and almost trip over.
"Echo, this is not a decision that the league made lightly," Rich says, letting go of me and then placing his hands on my shoulders to emphasize his following words.
"A number of others and I have been vying for your release almost since day one. You don't deserve to be caged up, Echo. You've more than earned this modicum of freedom even before the Gengar incident. I hope you know that." Richard states imploringly
Looking at Richard's left arm, which still has a cast on it, I gently remove his hands from my shoulder and sigh.
"Thanks, Rich. I get what you mean, but it's going to be a while before I trust myself as much as you all apparently do." I say sincerely back
"Hey, don't worry about it. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you, Echo. Words can't really express the depth of my gratitude for what you did for me and the other researchers here. Incidents like that are extremely rare nowadays, and you put your life on the line just to save me. I don't know how I can ever repay that kind of debt." Richard replies sincerely.
"Friends don't owe each other anything. I'd gladly do it all again. And that battle high was to die for." I say with a malicious grin, "I might even have to take up recreational deathmatches as a hobby or something." I say entirely destroying the sentimental tone of our conversation
Rich expresses his displeasure with my joke by flicking my nose hard. I yelp in surprise and glare at his smug face.
"Ow, hey, that's Pokémon abuse! Don't think I won't call the league down on you, Rich. I have rights too!" I say with mock indignation
"Look, I won't be able to babysit you 24-7 after you start this position, so you will have to learn to behave yourself. Actually, now that I think about it, It might be a good idea to show you the showers so you can freshen up a bit before your meeting."
Without saying a word, I shrugged and trailed behind Richard as we made our way through a new set of corridors that actually had rooms in use. As I glance into the rooms, I notice small rectangular windows on the doors that allow me to peek inside.
While most rooms are empty, some have teams of scientists working, often accompanied by a trainer and a single Pokémon. It takes me a moment to figure out what feels off about these rooms, but eventually, I realize that, unlike my containment, these test subjects interact directly with their scientists and trainers, often being handled directly with no security walls between them.
It was fascinating to see the actual standard setup for test subjects. I had always assumed that my setup was standard, but for captured Pokémon, it is probably far less dangerous than it seems. After a short walk, we ended up in a locker room that led to a standard shower area. It mirrored many ranger station setups from my memories.
"Alright, go ahead and head in to get yourself cleaned up. It's been a while since we've had the chance to give you a good wash, so be sure to be extra thorough. Once you're done, I'll show you where you can find some spare clothes. And please, try your best not to clog the drains." Rich says as he hands me a plastic shower basket containing a large towel, Pokémon shampoo, and a big red hairbrush with a little Vulpix icon on it.
"Cute." I deadpan, eyeing the brush like a live snake. "I give no promises on the drains. Also, I would like to file a complaint about not getting clothes sooner. I've missed having pockets." I grouse, feeling a bit awkward at technically being naked most of the time Rich and I have known each other.
The thought of asking for clothes strangely never occurred to me until now.
"Well, with how your fur maintains your modesty, we didn't feel it necessary. Plus, you never brought it up before." Richard says with a shrug
Sighing, I trudge my way into the shower stalls while growling something about voyeuristic scientists under my breath. Setting the water to a steaming hot setting, I relax into the spray of soothing H2O and get to work.
It takes almost an hour to wash my mane to a degree I find acceptable, but I manage not to clog the drain in the end. After drying myself off, I feel and look like a giant puffball; Rich doesn't say a word but points to a set of folded clothes on the nearby bench.
As I unfold the clothes, I notice that they're Ranger uniforms with some changes made to fit my body shape. Since I'm quite humanoid, the small alterations probably didn't require much effort. After putting on the uniform, I glance at myself in the mirror and, almost automatically, create a human disguise that strongly resembles Dustin's appearance.
He'd been in his late thirties when I'd cut his life short, but when I put the illusion up, it was hard not to fall into a matching ranger persona. My species relied on this kind of mimicry to ambush prey in the wild, and putting up the illusion suppressed my nervous anticipation of the upcoming interview with the head of security.
Walking back over to Rich, I ask.
"What do you think, too much, or should I go 'natural' for the first meet and greet?"
Richard looks at my illusionary disguise for a few moments before replying.
"I would suggest that you go for a natural look. However, in case you choose to use this disguise later, you may want to add a scarf and cape. People might mistake you for an eccentric dragon-type trainer but It's for the best if you don't want your mane and collar fluff to give you away if someone brushes by you accidentally. Please note that this disguise should only really be needed if you end up in the less restricted upper-floor research areas, such as the ones at ground level."
As I nod in acceptance, I let go of my illusion and tie my hair into a knot near the base to prevent it from touching the ground. Rich takes me on a tour of the facility until he leads us to a secluded area that has an elevator with 'security' written on it. Richard uses his keycard to open the doors for me but doesn't enter with me.
"This is as for as I go, Echo," Richard says while offering me a handshake. Feeling uneasy, I hesitantly take his hand and suddenly find myself being pulled closer as Richard whispers in my ear.
"Whatever happens, just act naturally, and don't let Rowan or the security chief get in your head. I hear that both have a history of testing the 'moral fiber' of the people they work with, and I shudder to think of the mind games they are probably going to try to pull on you." Richard says quickly before stepping back and allowing the elevator door to close
I don't know why he had to tell me like that, but there were probably hidden cameras or microphones throughout the facility and he probably didn't want them to know he was warning me about these tests.
"I am not cut out for this spy drama bullshit." I sigh to myself as the elevator slowly moves to what is apparently level B13.
As the door opens, I come face to face with Professor Rowan's stern visage and his intimidating Infernape, towering at almost 9ft tall behind him. Thankfully, with Richards's warning, I hardly react, just slowly looking from one to the other before speaking up.
"Sir, if your intention was to intimidate me, I must admit that you are far more frightening than that monster behind you," I say calmly.
Surprisingly, Rowan cracks a small smile at my words, motioning for me to follow.
"You are not the first to say as such. However, I wasn't trying to intimidate you. Just testing your reaction to facing an Apex fighting type is all. I'm sure you understand that having an agent with a phobia of bugs or fighting types wouldn't do." Rowan states easily enough
"Understood completely, sir. However, may I ask what the plan for me would be should I fail any of your tests today?"
"That depends entirely on your own prerogatives, Echo. For instance, if you failed the current scenario, I would have recommended you take desensitization therapy to overcome your instinctual fears for your type weaknesses."
After Rowan opened the door to the chief of security's office, he led me inside. The room looked quite ordinary and had a standard office set up. At the far end of the room was a large desk where a woman was sitting, resting her cheek on her fist. She appeared to be sleep-deprived; however, as soon as she noticed me entering the room with Rowan and his Pokémon, she quickly straightened up and focused her attention on me.
"Ah, you must be Subject 571. Come, have a seat; we have a few things I'd like to discuss with you." She intones dramatically
I sat in front of the desk, trying my best to ignore the fact that the person I was meeting with had referred to me by my designation number instead of my preferred name. As I tried to keep a level head, something unexpected happened - a small yellow bug suddenly jumped from the ceiling and landed on my lap. I was about to panic and jump out of the chair, but then I realized that the bug was actually a Joltik, which the security chief likely owned. So, I froze and stayed put.
"Oh, don't mind fangs; he just likes to greet new people who come to my office." The chief says with a malicious grin
I decide to carefully pick up the spider and place it on the desk. To my horror, the spider jumps onto the face of the security chief and then crawls up to the top of her head. However, the security chief doesn't even flinch and instead affectionately pets the little creature.
"So, it is my understanding that you would be amenable to taking a position on my security force. Tell me, what makes you a good candidate for this position?" She asks, folding her hands together on top of her desk.
I find it hard not to stare at the Joltic still perched on her head, but I manage to glance at her name tag on her desk and form a coherent sentence anyway.
"Well, Emily, I have extensive knowledge of Pokémon species found in the Unova region, both in the wild and in urban environments. I also have a fundamental understanding of standard operational procedures utilized by the league's scout ranger core and their importance in life-critical scenarios." I begin finding my mental footing again and becoming surer of myself, only to be caught flat-footed at her response
"That's all well and good, but how are you with Pokémon capture, domestication, or training? There may come a time when you alone will not be sufficient to handle a given situation. Are you willing or even capable of forming the type of bond we humans utilize to control and live alongside Pokémon?"
"Um I-" I start to say before being talked over
"I'm sure you know that even the most novice rangers have at least one companion Pokémon to assist in their duties. This being the case, may I ask if you are comfortable conducting a quick experiment here and now under Rowan's supervision to help us determine your efficacy as an agent of the league?" She asks quickly enough for me to suspect that this response was rehearsed.
I stopped to think momentarily, trying not to get caught out or railroaded into something I wasn't comfortable with. Eventually, I asked the chief what exactly she wanted me to do.
"We have a Pokémon here whose Owner recently passed away. Release has been deemed an unfavorable option since it is a heavily domesticated species, and no close human relatives of the previous owner are available to take custody of said Pokémon." Emily pauses to get my reaction before continuing on once she sees me hesitantly nod
"Additionally, just so you are aware, the Pokémon is a psychic type, as we would like to both test your control over your hunting instincts and determine how well you can bond with a species diametrically opposed to your typing. Is that all right with you?" She finishes, awaiting my response
"I…don't see an issue with that. I'm ready if you are, I suppose," I say hesitantly. Something feels off about this, but it's not until I see the Pokéball being thrown right next to me that I realize what is going on.
Materializing next to me in a flash of white light is a very familiar Male Kirlia. Across its forehead, going down its right eye, is a faint scar the exact size and shape of my claw.
As his red eyes locked onto me, I braced myself for an attack, but he surprised me by tilting his head and slowly approaching me instead. We gazed at each other for an indeterminate amount of time until he cautiously took my left claw in his tiny hands and placed it on one of its two crimson horns. The foci of his empathic powers.
Upon contact, an overwhelming flood of emotions and sensations overshadow my mind. Memories of all the missions Dustin carried out with his trusted partner Ralts during his early ranger days come rushing back - the countless times they saved each other's lives, the lives they saved together, and the countless moments of contentment exploring the wilderness in a way that few others in the world could boast of.
I felt like I was watching a movie about Dustin's life again, but this time, it was like I was seeing everything from a different perspective. My rising regret and self-loathing mounted higher and higher with each vision until something snapped in Kirlia, and an energy that was not psychic type oozed from him, burning into my veins like some kind of poison.
I feel the bond Dustin had with this Kirlia forcefully reform in me as if it had never broken. Karlia's psychic empathy bypasses my dark nature like some kind of miracle and impossibly allows me to feel his relief and happiness at the reforged bond.
Tears stream down my face uncontrollably as I pull Kirlia tightly to my chest. I don't care that the professor and security chief are watching me. Kirlia cooes back as I whisper, "I'm so sorry." His two-fingered hands grip my new vest tightly as if he were a child reunited with a long-lost family member. Once again, I repeat, "I'm so sorry." before I dissolve entirely into messy sobs.
While I wasn't paying attention, the chief of security and Professor Rowan both looked at my emotional breakdown before signing their names onto a piece of paper that would change the rest of my life.