“Oh, I am sure we still haven’t discovered everything this world has to offer! The ruins we discovered depict ancient civilizations that are unclear to this day. In the deep oceans and caverns, we only uncovered only ten to fifteen percent despite how advanced our sensors are. We find fascinating new pokémon to study and bond with, even now as we speak! In all my career, I couldn’t even fathom what we might discover next as our research and bonds continue to grow at an unprecedented pace. And we still continue to understand new evolutions, moves, and forms from our amazing little friends!”
“Pokémon are mysterious creatures, aren’t they? It makes me proud to be a researcher in this field as I strive to understand the world a little bit at a time with my compatriots, knowing they will keep me on track in the quiet times. I’m sure until every single discovery is documented and comprehended, I will never lose my passion anytime soon!”
(The Fletcher interview with Professor Oak, who answers the questi-)
*Ba-ding* goes the sound that finally got me out of my reading trance, as flat wide glass doors slide with an unsatisfying *Clunk!* that soon gave way to hiking boots on the tile. The door soon closed unceremoniously behind what I automatically pin down as trainers, with their fit, breathable attire and wide pockets for quick access to their gear.
The two trainers are standing close but not too close to each other with their complementary demeanors. One on the left is male, looks calm and collected, has a lackadaisical smile, and has a well-worn beanie on his head covering his jet black hair. The other trainer is a red-head female with a ponytail that is held up by a knot of stings and beads, giving a nervous smile with shoulders bunched up and fiery eyes. Both give off a confident vibe, but their eyes wander towards the wall map with the big red dot labeled ‘Whitetail’ showing the Pokécenter's position. They must be new then, due to not looking up the map on their phone or Pokédex. Usually, a trainer will commit a map to memory. Just give it a month or so.
I mentally prepared myself for a chance of a questioning session, smile already prepared when that monotonous alarm went off. I subtly put the newspaper away in the under drawer while not even giving a hint of a glance at its pages, staring at the duo as they approach the front desk. Kept smiling and showed a friendly face. “Hello! Welcome to the Pokémon center. How can I help you today?” I stated in an almost robotic fashion, as the trainers brought their full attention on me now. Keep smiling.
“Hello, Nurse Joy!” Said the female trainer, her shoulders releasing a bit of tension. “We would like to check up on our pokémon, please!” She politely asked while both trainers took out their pokéballs, two of them each. It seems they already went through a Pokécenter before, which is nice since I might not have to go through the obligatory questioning, with me being the one interrogated late at night. The last thing I want is time lost on pointless questions that they could quickly look up in a guide or ask another trainer on their way.
As if mechanically, I pull a pokéball tray from a cubby under the desk without taking my eyes off the trainers' positions, then softly place the tray on the desk with a small *clack*. “Okay, place your team here so they can be checked up if you don’t mind.” I asked with a sickeningly happy tone. “No problem. When do you think it will last?” The female trainer questioned worriedly as she checked behind her, looking out into the dead of night. ‘So close…’ My eyebrow twitched for a millisecond, but I kept up the smile, knowing how late it was. So I let my answer flow like water so we could go to bed sooner.
“It will only take about ten to fifteen minutes for a quick check-up. You can wait over in the lounge to pass the time. There are also magazines for you to peruse if you want to” I stated while cringing internally, knowing I forgot to change the magazines for this week’s subscription. The trainer turned to face me while frowning a bit and sighing with exhaustion. “That's fine, I guess…” She stated as I noted the dark circles under her eyes. I pushed a button on the desk, then out of the backroom carrying a clipboard in her paws is my ever gleeful Blissy, ready to help at a moment’s notice. “Hello Blissy, here is a batch ready for a check-up, if you please.”
“Blissy.” she called out as gently as she was when carrying the tray to the recovery station. Meanwhile, I ignore the trainers' expressions knowing that a Joy having a Blissy in this region is out of the norm. Hopefully, the injuries of the pokémon, if any, are minor. Soon I turned to face them and stated, “You will be notified as soon the check-up is done, and since it’s so dark out, how about I assign you a room for tonight?” I decided to go out of script tonight, knowing how tired they must be when walking out this late. Even I don’t like the idea of finding a motel in the middle of the night, especially if you're new to the town. However, it seems my assumption paid off with the look of surprise that led to relief.
“You can… Thank you, but I didn’t want to impose!” The trainer raised her hands like she didn’t want to offend. She is not, but it is adorable that she thinks so. “It’s no problem, we have rooms that can be booked for any licensed trainer, and we so happen to have rooms available.” I said while my smile turned a bit softer. It’s not like the rooms are fully booked, or booked if ever. “Come on, Lisa. I’ll book the rooms while you read your ‘Battle Maniacs Monthly.’” The male said teasingly while ‘Lisa’ pouted at him. “It’s called ‘League Rankings International.’” She simply whispers while walking into the back while the male trainer, booked as ‘Dominic’, freely chooses a room.
As I handed Dominic the key card, a familiar yet friendly form came around the corner. “Blissy!” called my grateful assistant, announcing even before the wireless notification arrived. “Here is your pokémon. They are fully cleared.” I said, going straight back to my practiced self, proving effective after going through these hundreds of times during my current carrier. “Thank you, Nurse Joy! Got our room, Dominic?” She turns to the beanie head, to which he nods. “Make sure to have plenty of rest, and have a good night.” Not even missing a beat, I bowed my head while they nodded, grabbed their pokémon then headed onto the second floor.
As soon as they both went up, I finally let out a tired sigh, almost mimicking the one given by Trainer Lisa. Then I checked the clock. It is way passed late. I might have to do early morning paperwork again because of my insistence on expecting late visitors. Well… I was right, but I wished I wasn’t. After walking past the front desk into the back room, I see Bell already sorting my paperwork. Although I have to call her Blissy due to protocol, Bell doesn't seem to mind it while working on the document tornado that my printer always ends up with during rest hours. I yawn. Even thinking about the word rest is making me sleepy. “You good to hold the fort Bell?” I practically mumbled through, but she gave an affirmative “Bless!” while shoving me upstairs. Sometimes I thought she had a type of insomnia to be still energetic even with a few hours of sleep.
After entering our room, I put on my cleanest bed shirt and did a few stretches before I *Pamf!* onto the bed. Even though it was a few visitors, it was still relatively quiet tonight. And the trainers were actually quite pleasant to talk to! They remind me of the long roads, not knowing anything while moving on to the next challenge that lies ahead… My eyes subconsciously drift to the placard on the wall, reflected by the moonlight. I turn my head to the dark skies, my thoughts unmoving like the stars in the vast expanse. Then I reached over to my bedside digital clock and set the alarm for the earliest I could tolerate, then after ten minutes, I started to drift. ‘Looks like it will be another normal day tomorrow’ I thought lifelessly while I finally went to sleep, dreamless.
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11:00 pm?
Whitetail Woods
*Thunk!* Why am I here, in a different world entirely? *Thunk!* How am I a pokémon, a legendary at that? *Thunk!* Am I dreaming, or is this a very realistic hallucination-induced coma? Well, I am currently using my head to find any evidence of the former, and by using my head, I mean by bashing my new cranium against the nearest tree I could find. Results are inconclusive due to the increasing numbing sensation over the course of my study. *Thunk!* This also brings up the fact that if I’m here, then what of Mother? Father? My friends… do they even know what’s happening? Can I even see them ag- *THUNK!*
‘Get yourself back together!’ I almost shouted to myself, my head laying against the trunk, looking down at my current body. Now is not the time for an existential crisis! Whatever or whomever this body is, it is tired of walking and falling during my trek, hungry to a point I might starve if I don’t find sustenance real soon, and has no shelter against the dangerous elements or other pokémon. Thankfully I do not feel cold. It must be because I’m a fire-type now, but I feel the cold breeze against my fur, so I might have to find or make a heat source anyway. Dream or not, I do not want to risk it if it really is reality, no matter how impossibly improbable it is.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
‘You could do it, think, plan, survive.’ The first thing I need to do is find food. I walked back into the tall grass, following the same path I trailed before. I spotted this sturdy oak that was closest to the pond, which now sported a small indent with some wood chipping. I finally pushed through the green ocean and into an already acquainted clearing with a body of water reflecting the lunar rock above. The crickets continued to serenade, even during my past freak-out and call/cursing towards the heavens.
I look down at my reflection, and my new form still mesmerizes me currently. I lift up my hand and stroke one of my giant ears from base to tip. I shivered at how weird this is. I felt claws stroking through the micro-hairs and bending it, as these ears are ridiculously over-proportioned when my arms are too short of reaching the tip normally. I also saw a bruise forming on my forehead, only a small one, even after knocking on wood for a few minutes. I still have to come to grips that I’m a pokémon now, so I shouldn't be surprised by how durable or disproportioned this body is. It’s not bad, just unfamiliar.
I lifted my head and scanned the clearing, as I didn’t just come here for only checking myself out. I began what I like to call ‘survival newbie foraging’ because I never studied what is considered edible despite having a higher education. How am I supposed to know that I will somehow get transported to another world and decide if the mushroom I just picked is poisonous or not? Either way, I rather not starve, so I will try to find what could be remotely edible. So I got to searching with the pond as a starting area.
It took a while. I would rather not think how long because I was desperate at that point. After looking next to some of the trees, I found what seems to be a bush, not just any bush. A bush that has a few blue orb-like fruits. Another thing to check off the list of ‘are you sure you're in a different world?’ Because frankly, when a bush has giant blueberries bigger than a softball, you know you just arrived at insanity central. My mind was hesitant, but my belly was demanding and loud. So I cave in and proceed to pick one of these monster berries. I remember somewhat of berries in the pokémon games and a bit in the anime, so let’s see if they are all cracked up to be.
I held the berry in my hands, which I had to fumble when trying to hold with three ‘fingers’, so I had to relegate towards grasping it like a child with a big apple. Hopefully, it will taste as good as it looks. ‘When in Rome.’ I awkwardly bit into it. Worst. Decision. Of my life. *Cough* *Tew!* *Hack!* It tasted... how can you even describe it? It was sweet yet bitter, with an astringent aftertaste. It’s like I just swallowed cough syrup with a tang of sour. It’s not that bad, but when that taste is that overpowering, coughing and spitting it out is the least of my problems. I was practically not trying to vomit at this point while dropping the damn berry onto the ground.
After opening my stinging eyes and wiping the drool off my mouth, I looked at my dirty morsel on the ground, almost swallowing my spit. I need to eat. I know this. My body knows this. I don’t feel poisoned, so there is only one thing to do. ‘It can't be worse than the first time, right?’ I naively thought to myself. I picked the next berry, breathed in heavily, then dived right in, back into my self-imposed torture. It did not get better. In fact, as it lingers in my mouth, the flavors just get stronger. Trying not to gag, I shove it like a rock down my gullet. May I never force anyone to go through this, not even my worst enemies. They should never go through that.
Despite my literal bellyaching, I feel rather good right now, like the aches and pains just warmed up and cooled off. I touch my forehead and felt not even a tingle. I move my limbs, and they no longer scream for someone to cut them off. ‘Holy crap, these are the heal berries. With these berries, I might just make it!’ I practically grinned like a huge idiot, but I didn’t care. I am going to live! But to continue living… I stared at the blue menaces that were about to take me to flavor hell. “Shit.”
3:00 am?
Whitetail Woods
“Damn it! This is impossible!” That, to anyone listing in, is the sound of frustration. Not just any frustration, pure livid irritation that makes you want to crash a child’s birthday party, eat the cake in front of them, then flip off the parents while the child cries because no one should feel joy specifically on this day. And what is the cause of said irritation? It all started right after I got some food/medicine/bane-of-my-existence for breakfast tomorrow. I headed passed the grass stalks into a more wooded area. I got the food, a water source nearby, and the oaks give plenty of cover. Now I just need to set up the fire.
Fire is the heart of society itself, humanity on Earth started to flourish ever since they gathered around its burning embrace, and I’m going to use it to warm up the chill air that continues to worry me. I started my setup by grabbing any sticks and leaves that looked dry enough for fuel. It took about an hour due to my tiny stature, and trying to master balance while having wings poses a challenge when carrying a load in my short arms. However, it wasn’t a complete waste of time. I found a Caterpie on the side of one of the trees, but he was not much into the conversation. Either that not all pokémon are as sapient as I thought, or that he is ignoring me and my dumb questions like “Where is the nearest settlement?” I decided to call him Buddy because he was a good listener and never interrupted once.
After talking to an oversized caterpillar, I finally got all the wood I needed to get started. To make a fire, you can use a multitude of tools and techniques to get some embers to light the kindling, and since I don’t have tools, I just have to do this the old-fashioned way. The good ol'-wooden drill. Making the shaft is quite simple. Find the narrowest, sturdiest, straightest branch. Carve off all the unnecessary ends and leaves, then sharpen a point to the tip of the stick, then boom! Okay, not exactly an explosion, but you get a good drill, and using my new claws are just the thing for the carving process. A bit unwieldy of the carving due to my lack of experience using said claws, but that is what flat rocks are used for!
I used the biggest split branch I could find as the surface for the drill friction. I don’t know the exact science behind this, but I saw the technique used in a viral video once, and it talks about it’s never about power, just the length and time of the rotation. So I get to work. Cut back into the present. I've been doing this for hours with nothing to show except a slight depression in the branch. I look back to my hands once again. Despite their awesome carving prowess, they are just too small. Then I look up at a specific tree at a certain Caterpie, chewing at a nondescript leaf. “So this is what I am to you? A sitcom during your late meals?” I snarked, but Buddy doesn’t seem even appreciative of the humor of it, just munching away while wide-eye staring at the crazy Legendary that went so low to start talking to bugs. It almost looks like he is mocking me.
“Well, what I’m supposed to do then? Bang rocks together?” All of a sudden, I stopped myself. I put a hand under my chin and thought about my rhetorical question. I sighed with exasperation. It might work, but know it has mixed results depending on the rock you find, as not every rock will spark. I go back to the most open area I know, well, more like the only area I know. The pond, yay… Starting near the shallows, I start scrounging rock by rock, even hitting some together to see what would happen, but still nothing! Then all of a sudden, I saw something glinting near the water. It looked like a rock with yellow and red splotches. I almost missed it, but thankfully it’s a full moon tonight, so the illumination can reflect its surface.
I inched my way toward it near the water, then carefully dug it out. What's left in my hands is a firestone, actual firestone with a familiar but fully detailed flame pattern on its exterior. This might actually help. Not only do I know of its supernatural fire capabilities tied to the franchise, but also the fact that it’s a crystal, and some crystals can spark! “Fire, here I come!” I cheered quietly, feeling lightheaded while finding a rock I could comfortably hold, hoping it would get easier from now on. Well… I’ll soon understand the saying my friend tells me on the challenge runs he does in his games, “easier said than done.”
*Clack!* Currently, I’m back at ‘camp’ trying with all my effort to get a spark off of the firestone. *Clack!* I tried multiple angles, hitting the firestone with a rock and vice versa, hitting it at different sides, not even a single spark. *Clack!* I look down at my tools and then the pile of leaves in front of me. I don’t know how long I’ve been doing this, probably half an hour, still no savior of my worries and sanity, the fire bringing spark. I’m upset, mollified, anxious, furious. Staring at my rudimentary rock and kindle set up, with those dumpster-fire-of-flavor berries off to the side and a pit that still has no flame. It drove me into introspection.
Ever since I came here, I’ve been avoiding my grievances so I can focus on survival. Still, the recent revelations, heartache, and problems fueled my ever-growing fury. ‘Yeah, sure. I’m a Legendary pokémon now’ My temper lowered a little toward that thought, but my helplessness and ignorance served as more fuel for the internal tirade about to go off. ‘But what did I get out of it? Tripping over myself, being lost at night, getting covered in mud, and tasting the worst food imaginable to quell my hunger if only to throw up. Let's also not forget that I’m in a different world, away from my friends and family. I don’t even know how I got here! What’s the use of incredible power if I don’t know how to use it!?’
I felt like I was almost burning up despite the outside air being cold, but I couldn’t even focus on it. My mind was swirling with grief and stress. Everything piled up, finally just crushing me under its weight. ‘I’m a fire-type! At least I know that! So why is making a fire so hard!? All I need. Is. That. Single. Spark!’ My chest feels like a raging inferno, but my attention is lifting my firestone as high as my arm allows it, and my grip is tightening. I focused on the rock in front of me, my throat constricting. “SPARK DAMNIT!” Then suddenly, my arm swung like the hammer of a revolver. The firestone makes contact with the rock with a loud *CRACK!*
I know this seemed inappropriate during a matter of survival, but I wanted the catharsis more so than ever. But what I did not notice while swinging the firestone, it glowed. It looked like a flame, charged up by the emotion rolling off me. When the firestone hit the rock, I saw sparks appearing around the firestone itself, like it was sputtering. ‘Okay, maybe that was too much-’ Next thing I knew, I was on my back, ears ringing, vision blurring for a second while looking at the starry expanse. I cough, no joke, actual smoke like it’s some sort of cartoon slapstick. I looked down, and not only I saw dirt and soot on my fur, but also the firestone that was currently on fire on top of burning leaves.
I didn’t waste a second grabbing what I could to put into the pit. Even though I was in shock, getting the fire onto the wood was a top priority. During the process, I thought of what just happened, then came to some conclusions. I chuckled. When I sat down looking at the crackling fire blackening the twigs, then looked at Buddy, who wound himself up into a ball on the ground looking at me with annoyance, I just laughed. “Vi-vihehahehahaheha!” I thought of the ridiculousness of this entire situation. I’ve been trying to do a human’s way of making fire, but it seems I didn’t need to do that since I can use fire moves! I don’t know how I did it, but now I have fire! So take that universe! I am relatively okay!
After calming myself down, I decided to not waste this opportunity and hold a berry over the open flame. During my panic, I discovered the burning embers didn’t even hurt me when picking up the kindle. I never even knew it was hot. To me, the fire and embers are lukewarm. So cooking a berry while holding it in my hands was definitely a good note before my rest. The small victories count at the end of the day, no matter how cheesy it sounds. ‘Here's to an exciting new day tomorrow!’ I bit into my well-earned cooked morsel and froze. *Tue!* *Spat!* "Why!?" Cooking it did not make it better.