Story Notes:
This story is set on EARTH. our earth, you and me earth. you get the idea.Pokemon copyrighted to nintendo, blah blah blahdy blah blah
Chapter 11
When the first rays of light cracked upon the dawn's horizon, the Pokémon began to move, accompanying Melody and Michael back to the farmhouse. The entire group of leaders were accompanying them along with a small defensive party made up of Lucarios, Luxray and the lone Blaziken, who had put up quite an argument over leaving his child alone in the forest camp. The main group of leaders, along with Melody and Michael, were mounted on the back of various flying Pokémon. Melody and Michael flew on the same Charizard who had taken them to the encampment in the beginning, while the others flew on Pidgeys and Salamances. Melody again took in the vastness of the sky and height from which they flew, happily laughing as the Charizard dipped and rose with the thermal currents. Michael was still enjoying himself self less considerably. He could handle Airplanes and heights, but soaring above the clouds on a large, orange fire breathing dragon was something he would probably never get used to. But he did raise his head occasionally, knowing that he would probably never get a chance like this again. Melody looked down at the ground rushing far below them, enjoying the cool wind which whipped her face, watching as the scouts below them ran alongside the airborne creatures. Their speed was amazing to her as they leaped over forest and field, strong rear legs propelling them across the ground, looking as if their feet never touched the earth below them. They might as well have been flying themselves. She picked off the Pokémon who were chosen as the scouts; An Absol with its hair glowing a shade of orange in the dawn's light, a Mightyena, whose fur was the opposite, absorbing all light, making it nothing but a black smudge in the world. And lastly, a Grovyle, running with its head low to the ground, scaled legs pumping over any obstacle in its path. She gasped as the Charizard suddenly swooped downwards, leaning forward to grab onto its neck as not to fall. When she turned her head back to the ground, grip still tight around the dragons neck, she saw the familiar pieces of broken farming equipment sitting still in the large fields of corn and wheat. Looking Michael pointed over her shoulder ahead of them, towards the edge of the field where the farmhouse lay, looking darkened and grim in the still faded morning light.
"We shall set down a way away from the dwelling" The main leader said, echoing into their minds in contrast to the roaring noise of the wind as they descended. "That way, we shall not disturb these friends of yours"
Michael could only nod, holding on to the dragons neck as Melody did with the wind too loud for him to speak. Melody was more focused on the vertigo she was experiencing from the decent. The dizziness in her head made her giggle openly as the world felt as though it was falling away. They came in quick, seeming as if they were going to hit the ground full speed. At the last moment, the Charizard spread its wing wide, jerking Melody backwards into Michaels grip as the membrane of the wings strained against the wind, dispersing it like a parachute. Another, considerably smaller, bump came as they settled onto the ground. Michael slid off the dragons back, catching melody, who slid after him. He placed her on the ground, chuckling as she stumbled around for a second, trying to regain balance after flying for so long. Michael then fell over the first step he took, bringing an end to his fun. The scouting party of Pokémon remained close behind, positioning themselves low in the fields, able to catch the slightest movement and rush forth in an instant. Michael and Melody
moved to the leader as he motioned them over, eyeing the house with slight distain. He commanded them to approach the house and call his friends, so they could prove the validity of their claims.
As they approached, the house seemed eerily still. Not a thing moved, not a light shone, and no movement was visible through the windows. Michael listened to the gravel crunch beneath his feet, being deafening in the silence they wandered through. They were all alone. Michael cursed, knowing they must have already left the house, they had their own agendas after all, but the feeling still stayed. A bang sounded as the gravel between the two shot up, melody coughing from the sudden dust cloud she inhaled and stopping dead in their tracks. Michael's mind sharpened as he tried to find the shooter. His eyes found the top window of the house, a mop of orange hair lit from the sun's rays, on the head of a man holding a cocked rifle. His vision was aimed directly down the barrel, scrutinizing the two who approached. As he shifted slight, the front door of the house was flung open, Wills wispy white hair flashing as he ran out of the house, holding up his hand to the window.
"For God's sake, put that gun away, you moron!" He yelled, not breaking stride as he ran towards the two, stopping in front of them as he wheezed, out of breath "You...you two have a lot of gall...I'm not meant for this sort of thing..."
"The running or the shooting?" Melody mused; Will was still regaining his breath as he answered
"Both! You leave me here, trying to perform complex research and study..." He drew himself up as he pointed towards the window "With a homicidal, catholic gunman! He was on the lookout all night! Shooting at anything bigger than a bloody rabbit!"
Tom had made his way down from the top room now, barrelling out of the door, still holding his gun tight. He stalked angry towards the two, deep set rings under his eyes; he really was up all night.
"Where the sodding hell did you two run off to?" he yelled, eyes darting back and forth between them and the group of Pokémon not too far behind "And why have you brought them here! We're trying to lay low, aren't we? Wasn't that part of your plan, if you could call it that?"
His aim swivelled around franticly, switching from creature to creature as the gun was trained on the crowd. Melody sent a small psychic push into the gun, afraid he was going to fire it, making him lose his grip and the gun fall to the ground.
"Why are you so being paranoid, Thomas!" Will yelled, the red haired priest fumbling for the gun on the gravel, hands slipping as he grabbed hold. This was not the man they had left. "All night, trying to shoot the damn stars out of the sky, wasting time and sleep!"
"They could have come at any moment for us!" Tom retorted "Michael and Melody were first, who's to say we weren't going to be next?"
"Look man, they're back now and unharmed, lay down the bloody gun!" Will pushed the barrel of the gun down, pointing it at the ground. Tom's eyes searched the area haphazardly, his face contorting through a multitude of expressions as he glanced over the line of Pokémon a distance away from them. He finally gave an angered grunt; head hanging as he let the gun drop to his side, turning around and stalking back into the house without another word.
Will turned back to us and finally asked about the elephant in the room
"So...ah, what are they....ah, doing here?" He asked as he scanned the line, half in wonder of the new specimens he saw and half in uncertainness about the danger of said creatures. Melody was so far the only Pokémon he had interacted with, made easy considering there was no language barrier for them, but these one's were unknown to him. They varied so much that he marvelled at the fact that they could be considered one species in terms of breeding.
"Allies...so to speak" Michael said hesitantly, wondering how Tom would react when he learned that they were to stay.
"They allowed us to leave them if we are to aid them in return to their world" Melody explained "They are very cautious...they were unaware of this being a separate world, and lost trust of humans after they had attempted to kill them" She knew that if Michael had not found her, she would likely be the same, lost in the world.
"You did tell them we have no idea how to do that?" Will asked sceptically "We're not even close, it's just theory right now, I still have no idea how we can predict a portal, let alone-" He was cut off, jumping back with a small cry as the main leader of the group materialised beside him.
"We know this, however we were not told the extent of your knowledge on such matters" The leader said flatly "We are, however, willing to aid you in this venture"
Will was still shaken from the sudden teleportation, and that this Pokémon was yet another psychic capable of human interaction. He tried to regain his bearings as he spoke
"I understand, but we are trying to go unnoticed by others" He explained, attempting to see how this would work, having creatures with no knowledge of humanity working alongside him in research. "And if your group is always here, we run the risk of being discovered, and then we may all be killed or worse"
The old leader chuckled deeply in a way that unsettled Will, a way that a smugly sure man would chuckle and not a fox-like bipedal creature who could be mistaken for a common animal.
"You underestimate the strength Pokémon possess over your kind" He said, staring up at Will with wizened eyes "Pokémon hold power capable of destroying humanity entirely, but we have never needed too as humans have never posed a threat."
"But humans here pose a threat, and in your world Humans never created weapons capable of killing you because it was unneeded. But in this world we have weapons that can kill a man in less than a second from distances beyond your vision" Will said, smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he debated with the creature, it was a new feeling, intelligently talking to another species. "Your claws cannot stop a gun"
"We have seen the weapons possessed in this world, and while they are formidable, humans in this world have not seen the length of our abilities, giving us the element of surprise" He said, unwilling to back down from the agreement. Michael and Melody felt forgotten as the two continued discussing the plans in the fading morning light, allowing them to slip away and continue back to the house.
They both were relived to back in the hold shelter again, the air inside warming them from the morning's chilly air. While the forest was not a frozen tundra in terms of temperature, it was cold enough to make one shiver at night, had they not had each other to warm themselves. Wills papers still lay spread out around the coffee table from yesterday, strewn about his closed laptop. A rumpled sheet lay on the couch he had been sitting on. Proof that he had been working hard enough to fall asleep on the spot, calculating God knows what. They continued up the stairs, still weary from the whole ordeal of being swept away by a tribe of stray Pokémon and being forced into a mutual pact. Melody laid her head on his shoulder, sighing softly as they continued to their room. They creaked open the door to see a chair pulled up to the window, spent rifle shells scattered on the faded brown carpet, a small clip set on the floor below it. The scene made Melody feel uneasy, seeing the instruments of death so casually thrown about, it seemed so wrong that someone would treat them like small toys. She lifted the empty shells psychically, as if touching them would infect her with something, and cast them out the open window. As she lay down on the bed, letting the fatigue seep from her body, Michael excused himself. He made his way to the bathroom a door down the hall, eager to clean himself of the stench that clung to him from days on the road. In all the action and movement, he had dulled himself to it, and so had the others, deeming their goal more important. He twisted the shower knob, stripping his clothes as the water heated itself. As he was doing this, his eyes caught his reflection in the mirror. He was gazed at the rugged appearance that stared back at him. His hair now longer and matted with sweat and grease, while his chin was covered in rough stubble, giving him the appearance of one who had been stranded for a week. His eyes were painted with dark rings around them, every crease in his face becoming accentuated. This was him, this was the one Melody loved. His mind went back to that moment when he was told of the true meaning of a mental bond. A bond which sealed the fate of two people, making them truly understand one another and know that the other trusted them enough to allow this. It was given by those who wished to spend the rest of their life with someone they loved dearly, and accepted with great gravity. But he hadn't had that choice. Melody had done it out if desperation and misunderstanding, he didn't know how its meaning was so deep and profound, he didn't know of what it made the other feel. So what if this all wasn't because she loved him? What if it was all just their bond forcing them to feel these things. A false love, a shadow of the real thing. Steam fogged the mirror as the dull pattering of water on the floor ran behind him, and yet he wondered, maybe it was better this way. Maybe a shadow of love was all he would ever get, and maybe the shadow could be better than nothing if one welcomed the illusion. But he would always know it was a shadow, and that tore at his chest more than anything in the world.
Melody was also ruminating on these thoughts as she lay still on the bed, drinking in the silence that filled the room. The moment she bonded their minds, it was so hazy that she could hardly remember it clearly amongst the new memories she now shared of this world. Over the days she stayed with Michael, she grew attracted to him; she fostered feeling for him that she had never felt for others of her kind. Why she had never felt those feelings for her kind was one of a personal decision. She was one to take time in a relationship, to know the person well enough that bonding wasn't necessary to know the feelings of the other, to figure out the puzzle before she was given the answers. But went she came across Michael, the bond was so quickly formed and the relationship forced in their situation, she didn't know what caused her attraction. Was it that he was one she could relate to and know would care for her selflessly, or was it all because she felt as he felt and was forced to act out of consideration for her own feelings? She whimpered at the thought, feeling the gnawing of guilt coming from using someone for self-gratification. Even know she loved Michael, but the bond stopped her from knowing the roots of these feelings. Breaking the bond maybe, testing the feelings after their minds were separate...no. Such a thing would cause great hurt for the other, the feeling of losing half of her for a discovery that may very well cause more heartbreak than she could bear. She would forever be stuck, unsure of herself, the doubt eating at her mind until the day the bond finally unravelled from her distrust. And by then it would be too late to fix anything. Maybe this was the reason relations between humans and Pokémon were scarce, few could withstand the heartbreak it could bring and the self pity it could cause. She curled into a ball and lay there, silently weeping to herself as she contemplated their future.
Michael emerged from the shower, drying himself with the rough towel that had been left hanging on the racks, forgotten by their previous owners. He ran his hand over his chin, making a quick decision that shaving would be too troublesome at this time, and besides, he kind of liked the look of a homeless wanderer. He made his way through the house, peering back into the bedroom to see Melody curled up on the bed. He found the emotions of doubt running through her as well, adding to the weight of his own burdens on his heart. He was making to go in, but stopped himself, thinking that if he didn't know the answer to this, what good was there in talking about it. But even as he had stopped himself, the movement was not unnoticed by her. She raised her head tiredly and gave an empty smile. He smiled back, the gesture devoid of any true meaning.
"Now you look like the man I first met" She said, moving closer as she stood from the warm bed, examining his now washed form, the grime gone from his skin, giving his features a softer look "except for the hair on your face, of course"
"Don't you like it?"
She stroked the coarse hair, feeling the roughness on her hands. "It's something new, I'll get used to it" she mused "Maybe I'll grow to like it, but right now you look like a long haired Slaking" Michael took no offence, even though he did like the look.
"Maybe I'll grow full beard and complete the look" He said, trying to lighten the mood, he succeeded marginally as she giggled at the idea of Michael sporting a large lumberjack like beard.
"Maybe a shower would help you too" Michael said, gently wiping a spot of grime from her cheek "You've got dirt all over you" Indeed the dust and filth were easily spotted on her white skin, smudging the dress she wore and dirtying her hair. She laughed dully, finding herself to be in a rather sorry state.
"Yes, maybe it will help me relax" she said, but her voice gave n weight to the statement. They both knew that they were ignoring the issue, but neither was willing to bring it up and risk hurting the other with their doubt. So in the end, Melody moved out the door while Michael could only stand dumbly and watch the sun light fall onto the spot she once laid.
When evening faded over the house, bringing with it the chill of night, all the Pokémon stationed around the house lay down to rest, the days patrolling having reached its much waited end. The absol was the only one who ventured closer to the house out of the three, seeming not to mind the human dwelling as it made its way into the front living room and dropping before the fireplace. It frowned at the cold and blackened hearth in front of it. It dipped its head, a small, ghostly white hot ember forming at the tip of its horn and gliding towards the fireplace. Will did not notice it, only looking up when the ember sparked fire that flared over the half charred wood settled in amongst the ashes. The absol gave a contented smile as it lowered its head, resting in warmth of the flames. Will had spent the good part of an hour debating with the strange psychic creature over how they could help in the unthinkable task he was undertaking. He had relented to the creature's suggestions and accepted their help in the end, agreeing to teach them all they needed to know for what they would do. He admitted that he was thankful for the help, as the mission he carried out was heavy on his shoulders. Trying to find a way to reverse this whole disaster. He wondered idly if any of the other world's scientists had caught on to what was happening yet, or if they were still shaking their heads at the blue turtle that just popped in front of them. Finding a stable portal was something he did in hopes it would enlighten him on how this was even possible. If Pokémon were as powerful in that dimension as the story stated they were in this one, then something in their world had to help. The only thing that could help them in this world was God, and he was no here to be seen at the moment. The Pokémon world contained the powers of creation incarnate, but even he had his doubts that a God could stop a cosmic event such as this, if he had power over his world and none of the others. Time was their most powerful ally and most hateful enemy in this case. As the dimensions tore at themselves, the portals became more stable, allowing for easier access. He sparred a glance over to his 'partners', as they busied themselves with his laptop, being fed readings from the various machines he had set up all over the estate. They monitored tachyon levels in a small radius of the farm, looking for influxes or other signs that may point to a portal opening. He turned his head as he heard the shuffling of feet on the carpeted stairway, seeing Michael descend and move into the kitchen, returning in a short while with a glass of water. He observed the leaders working through the massive amount of data fed through the computer setup. Only four were monitoring the system, the others were sitting on the ground, apparently resting themselves.
"How's the research going?" He asked, wondering if the Pokémon would be suitable assistants when they knew little of what they were dealing with. Will made an exaggerated gesture as he pointed at them sternly
"They seemed to have learned what took me three years of study and exams in an afternoon" he said "Their mental capacity is amazing, within the first hour they understood the basics of physics, and by the end of the session, I had them reciting quantum string theory equations from memory"
"So they can now do pretty much anything you can?" Michael said, amazed that the Pokémon could gain the knowledge of a near geriatric professor in such a short time span.
"Yes..." Will said gruffly "And it would thrill me if they didn't make me feel like I had wasted twelve years of my life compiling a theory, mastered by greenhorns in hours."
"You're jealous, aren't you?" Michael chuckled. Will grew red in the face.
"Yes I'm jealous! It's an insult to the human intellect!" He threw up his arms "They can process the data the machines feed them, faster than the machines can give it!"
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Oh yes, and it only destroys decades of technological progress" Will muttered, looking over at the group of creatures. "They might as well be a supercomputer, using their complete mental strength, and then linking it all with their telepathy nonsense"
"But you needed a supercomputer" Michael sat down on the chair opposite "You've gotten one better"
"I didn't want a supercomputer that made me feel so imbecilic..." Will mumbled. The jealousy he could deal with in the long run, knowing the usefulness of the creatures' great minds.
"Maybe you should have listened more in class, then" Michael remarked. Will grunting at the light-hearted jab. Silence followed. The white furred absol still lay curled up by the fire, ears perking throughout their talk. It was a while before Michael shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Clearing his throat, his speech stuttered slightly as he spoke
"Will, could I ask you a...personal question" He said. Will raised an eyebrow to this, but remarked none the less
"Go on"
"What do you think of Melody and my...relationship?" he said hesitantly. Will considered the question for a moment. Melody and Michael had been involved ever since they had started their run from the chaos that was surely unfolding in the world right now. He didn't know what caused the attraction, and in all honesty couldn't morally judge the relationship either. Two sentient creatures of different species in love, unheard of since humans had always been the only sentient species on the planet.
"You both seem happy with one another...I can't seem to find any fault in it ethically, but I can't imagine what it's like, myself...You two are probably the only couple of this type on the planet..." He said, drawing out his thoughts on the subject. "I guess I'm indifferent to it"
"Do you think it would work?" Michael asked flatly, making will collect more thoughts on the matter
"Emotionally yes, physically probably....in terms of other factors, I can't be sure" he mused. "It's worked so far"
"Do you think?" Michael said curiously
"If the attraction is mutual, then yes...If it were primal urges then no" Will said as he tried to factor various things he knew about Pokémon into the problem, which was honestly, not much. "But her mind is evolved enough to suppress these urges, like we can"
"You think she's equal to a human then?"
"In mental facilities and emotional state" Will said, choosing his words with care "But her body is still very different, an unstable set of chromosomes, extremely adaptive DNA, increased sensory perception-"
"Were you ever married?" Michael asked abruptly "Did you ever face problems in it?" Will was surprised at how direct he was being. He didn't try to ease into the personal topic, he just asked straight out. He motioned to the tan line around his right hand ring finger
"Yes, I was married. My wife's name was Barbara" He said, thinking back to his salad days as a professor in his city university. "We had a few problems...long hours mostly, not being able to see each other as much as we'd have liked to. She also couldn't stand to hear me wail on about the quantum theories I was writing, it went right over her head. She didn't believe them anyways"
"Believe what of you?" Michael asked, wondering why she wouldn't trust his knowledge. Will removed a small golden cross from one of his shirt's cuffs, glittering in the fire light; it had been a necklace originally but now was fashioned into a cufflink.
"She never believed any of the quantum origin theories I had. She was raised Jewish by her parents in Britain; although she turned to Christianity near the end of her life"
"End? How did she die?" he asked, Will sighed as he replaced the cross cufflink
"Breast cancer took her, Chemo wasn't enough." He said "Even though she didn't believe me when I showed her my papers, she still didn't mind me doing what I did. Although, her parents were less than pleased when they found that she had married an atheistic quantum theorist. I still remember her arguing with her father, a large Russian fellow built like a train, all night from across the hall" He laughed at the memories that were now so far away.
"So, the problems came from your differences?" Michael probed
"Yes, but that was why we loved each other. The differences made us always surprise one another"
"Wouldn't the differences cause mistrust? Didn't you feel like she didn't really feel for you because you were different, the marriage forced her?" Michael asked. Wills face darkened slightly, brow creased in thought.
"That question is oddly specific" He said "Does this relate to Melody by any chance?"
Michaels silence was all the answer Will needed. He began to explain
"We knew we loved each other not because the differences caused conflict, but because we could put them aside. They interfered sometimes, but the result was always the same. We'd brush it off and laugh about it later" He said, removing his worn spectacles as he rubbed his tired eyes "Forcing someone to love you through money or bragging or fear will make them want to abandon you at the first chance they get, not because of what you gave, but because of what you didn't give. If you give acceptance and care, then they will give this back, because they know the well will never run dry"
"But how can you know?" Michael said solemnly, glass of water untouched in his hands "How can you know that they love you, and it's not a ruse they put up unknowingly?"
"That's one thing you have to trust her about. Trust that she loves you and it'll be known soon enough" Will said knowingly
"It's not...easy" Michael remarked "The doubt is..."
"I don't know what caused this change in you" Will said in a grandfatherly like tone, wise and tired "But I won't intrude on the problem with curiosity. You'll have to work it out yourself, but take some of what I've said to heart" They were silent after this, Michael still deep in his thoughts. Will couldn't fathom what had changed in the boy, something must have happened while he was away to cause this mistrust, he thought as he reclined on the couch, listening to the sound the crickets singing outside the window.
The house bathroom was equipped with a bathtub, something Michael had no use for, but something Melody enjoyed. She had let herself lie silently in the water for well over an hour, the steamy warmth bleeding away some of her worries, but not all. The doubt she felt was like a bug, crawling through her mind and eating away at her resolve. Even after the bath had been drained and she had dried, it still remained. The rest of the evening was spent in the bedroom, watching the Pokémon scouts from the window and remembering how easy life had been before this. It wasn't a life she liked to live, being alone and never pursuing a mate, but it was an easy one which brought her peace. In this world, everything seemed so much more complicated. Meaningless problems stemmed from pointless arguments with solutions that led nowhere. A bump from the roof drew her from these thoughts, someone was up there. Opening the window, she gently levitated herself out and upwards, she hoped it wasn't Michael, not ready for another meeting that would end with the same emptiness it started with. As she crested the roof's edge she spotted the red hair of the travelling priest, Tom. He was sitting on the room; rifle propped up over one knee as he surveyed the field unwaveringly. The rings under his eyes were deeper, becoming shadowed valleys in his pale face, and eyelids drooping slightly as he stared, utterly focused. Melody spoke gently, as not to alarm him.
"Thomas?" She said, the projection, although gentle, still caused him to jump in surprise. He looked over, his eyes unfocussed from the sudden adjustment.
"Aye, evenin' Melody" He said, shrugging off the greeting as he went back to his surveying. His Irish accent became rather pronounced in his sleep deprived state. Melody moved closer, trying to draw some response from the withdrawn man.
"You seem tired, Thomas" She said, caring tone soft enough for Tom to let out a sigh as his aim wavered slightly "How long has it seem since you rested?"
"Two days maybe?" he said, trying to refocus his vision, squinting into the scope.
"That is far too long to go without rest" She said, sitting down near the small box or ordinance he kept by his side. "What possessed you to do this?"
"We need t' keep watch, something could go wrong at any minute"
"But we have not seen the army for days, surely they have forgotten this place?" she said, attempting to reason with him
"It's not t' army I'm worrying 'bout" He said carefully. Melody followed his aim, seeing it tracking the Mightyena as it waded through the fields. She turned to him with concern in her eyes.
"You are worried...about the other Pokémon?" She asked, wondering why he would fear them when they offered peace.
"Aye..."
"But...do you trust me?" she said, hoping his fear of the Pokémon didn't extend to her
"I've been travelling with you an' Michael for a while now" He said, lowing the scope to massage his eyes "Yes, I trust ye"
"Then...why do you fear them" She asked again "Do you think they want to harm us?"
"No, I..." He couldn't finish his sentence
"Do you think they might run away and leave us helpless?" She asked, softer now as she saw the expressions quickly churn over his face.
"No, But they..." He stuttered, once again unable to speak
"They are friends, Thomas" she said, urging him to leave and relax, as the man desperately needed it "There's no reason to fear them"
"I can't leave..." He muttered "Too many risks..."
"Thomas, what is the problem?" She asked, forcefully this time. He was troubled but refused to budge from his spot, rejecting her words. His rifle lowered and his eyes stared into the horizon, as if looking upon a land a thousand miles away, entranced by the sight. He face contorted subtly, displaying emotions deep within his mind as whatever he was watching took place. His mouth opened and closed, losing the words in his vision. He answered slowly as he came back to reality.
"...It's...complicated" He took up his rifle again and sat silently in the cold evening breeze. Melody shivered at the winds cutting cold, moving off the roof, heading for the warmth of home. She cast one last look at Tom, seeing his head dipped in a disturbed silence, the life gone from his gaze. He seemed truly a man who had known the trials of hell and fought demons who now bound his tongue, silencing his ministry and weakening his faith.Chapter End Notes:"If love and commitment are never tested, perhaps they are an illusion.
"We shall set down a way away from the dwelling" The main leader said, echoing into their minds in contrast to the roaring noise of the wind as they descended. "That way, we shall not disturb these friends of yours"
Michael could only nod, holding on to the dragons neck as Melody did with the wind too loud for him to speak. Melody was more focused on the vertigo she was experiencing from the decent. The dizziness in her head made her giggle openly as the world felt as though it was falling away. They came in quick, seeming as if they were going to hit the ground full speed. At the last moment, the Charizard spread its wing wide, jerking Melody backwards into Michaels grip as the membrane of the wings strained against the wind, dispersing it like a parachute. Another, considerably smaller, bump came as they settled onto the ground. Michael slid off the dragons back, catching melody, who slid after him. He placed her on the ground, chuckling as she stumbled around for a second, trying to regain balance after flying for so long. Michael then fell over the first step he took, bringing an end to his fun. The scouting party of Pokémon remained close behind, positioning themselves low in the fields, able to catch the slightest movement and rush forth in an instant. Michael and Melody
moved to the leader as he motioned them over, eyeing the house with slight distain. He commanded them to approach the house and call his friends, so they could prove the validity of their claims.
As they approached, the house seemed eerily still. Not a thing moved, not a light shone, and no movement was visible through the windows. Michael listened to the gravel crunch beneath his feet, being deafening in the silence they wandered through. They were all alone. Michael cursed, knowing they must have already left the house, they had their own agendas after all, but the feeling still stayed. A bang sounded as the gravel between the two shot up, melody coughing from the sudden dust cloud she inhaled and stopping dead in their tracks. Michael's mind sharpened as he tried to find the shooter. His eyes found the top window of the house, a mop of orange hair lit from the sun's rays, on the head of a man holding a cocked rifle. His vision was aimed directly down the barrel, scrutinizing the two who approached. As he shifted slight, the front door of the house was flung open, Wills wispy white hair flashing as he ran out of the house, holding up his hand to the window.
"For God's sake, put that gun away, you moron!" He yelled, not breaking stride as he ran towards the two, stopping in front of them as he wheezed, out of breath "You...you two have a lot of gall...I'm not meant for this sort of thing..."
"The running or the shooting?" Melody mused; Will was still regaining his breath as he answered
"Both! You leave me here, trying to perform complex research and study..." He drew himself up as he pointed towards the window "With a homicidal, catholic gunman! He was on the lookout all night! Shooting at anything bigger than a bloody rabbit!"
Tom had made his way down from the top room now, barrelling out of the door, still holding his gun tight. He stalked angry towards the two, deep set rings under his eyes; he really was up all night.
"Where the sodding hell did you two run off to?" he yelled, eyes darting back and forth between them and the group of Pokémon not too far behind "And why have you brought them here! We're trying to lay low, aren't we? Wasn't that part of your plan, if you could call it that?"
His aim swivelled around franticly, switching from creature to creature as the gun was trained on the crowd. Melody sent a small psychic push into the gun, afraid he was going to fire it, making him lose his grip and the gun fall to the ground.
"Why are you so being paranoid, Thomas!" Will yelled, the red haired priest fumbling for the gun on the gravel, hands slipping as he grabbed hold. This was not the man they had left. "All night, trying to shoot the damn stars out of the sky, wasting time and sleep!"
"They could have come at any moment for us!" Tom retorted "Michael and Melody were first, who's to say we weren't going to be next?"
"Look man, they're back now and unharmed, lay down the bloody gun!" Will pushed the barrel of the gun down, pointing it at the ground. Tom's eyes searched the area haphazardly, his face contorting through a multitude of expressions as he glanced over the line of Pokémon a distance away from them. He finally gave an angered grunt; head hanging as he let the gun drop to his side, turning around and stalking back into the house without another word.
Will turned back to us and finally asked about the elephant in the room
"So...ah, what are they....ah, doing here?" He asked as he scanned the line, half in wonder of the new specimens he saw and half in uncertainness about the danger of said creatures. Melody was so far the only Pokémon he had interacted with, made easy considering there was no language barrier for them, but these one's were unknown to him. They varied so much that he marvelled at the fact that they could be considered one species in terms of breeding.
"Allies...so to speak" Michael said hesitantly, wondering how Tom would react when he learned that they were to stay.
"They allowed us to leave them if we are to aid them in return to their world" Melody explained "They are very cautious...they were unaware of this being a separate world, and lost trust of humans after they had attempted to kill them" She knew that if Michael had not found her, she would likely be the same, lost in the world.
"You did tell them we have no idea how to do that?" Will asked sceptically "We're not even close, it's just theory right now, I still have no idea how we can predict a portal, let alone-" He was cut off, jumping back with a small cry as the main leader of the group materialised beside him.
"We know this, however we were not told the extent of your knowledge on such matters" The leader said flatly "We are, however, willing to aid you in this venture"
Will was still shaken from the sudden teleportation, and that this Pokémon was yet another psychic capable of human interaction. He tried to regain his bearings as he spoke
"I understand, but we are trying to go unnoticed by others" He explained, attempting to see how this would work, having creatures with no knowledge of humanity working alongside him in research. "And if your group is always here, we run the risk of being discovered, and then we may all be killed or worse"
The old leader chuckled deeply in a way that unsettled Will, a way that a smugly sure man would chuckle and not a fox-like bipedal creature who could be mistaken for a common animal.
"You underestimate the strength Pokémon possess over your kind" He said, staring up at Will with wizened eyes "Pokémon hold power capable of destroying humanity entirely, but we have never needed too as humans have never posed a threat."
"But humans here pose a threat, and in your world Humans never created weapons capable of killing you because it was unneeded. But in this world we have weapons that can kill a man in less than a second from distances beyond your vision" Will said, smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he debated with the creature, it was a new feeling, intelligently talking to another species. "Your claws cannot stop a gun"
"We have seen the weapons possessed in this world, and while they are formidable, humans in this world have not seen the length of our abilities, giving us the element of surprise" He said, unwilling to back down from the agreement. Michael and Melody felt forgotten as the two continued discussing the plans in the fading morning light, allowing them to slip away and continue back to the house.
They both were relived to back in the hold shelter again, the air inside warming them from the morning's chilly air. While the forest was not a frozen tundra in terms of temperature, it was cold enough to make one shiver at night, had they not had each other to warm themselves. Wills papers still lay spread out around the coffee table from yesterday, strewn about his closed laptop. A rumpled sheet lay on the couch he had been sitting on. Proof that he had been working hard enough to fall asleep on the spot, calculating God knows what. They continued up the stairs, still weary from the whole ordeal of being swept away by a tribe of stray Pokémon and being forced into a mutual pact. Melody laid her head on his shoulder, sighing softly as they continued to their room. They creaked open the door to see a chair pulled up to the window, spent rifle shells scattered on the faded brown carpet, a small clip set on the floor below it. The scene made Melody feel uneasy, seeing the instruments of death so casually thrown about, it seemed so wrong that someone would treat them like small toys. She lifted the empty shells psychically, as if touching them would infect her with something, and cast them out the open window. As she lay down on the bed, letting the fatigue seep from her body, Michael excused himself. He made his way to the bathroom a door down the hall, eager to clean himself of the stench that clung to him from days on the road. In all the action and movement, he had dulled himself to it, and so had the others, deeming their goal more important. He twisted the shower knob, stripping his clothes as the water heated itself. As he was doing this, his eyes caught his reflection in the mirror. He was gazed at the rugged appearance that stared back at him. His hair now longer and matted with sweat and grease, while his chin was covered in rough stubble, giving him the appearance of one who had been stranded for a week. His eyes were painted with dark rings around them, every crease in his face becoming accentuated. This was him, this was the one Melody loved. His mind went back to that moment when he was told of the true meaning of a mental bond. A bond which sealed the fate of two people, making them truly understand one another and know that the other trusted them enough to allow this. It was given by those who wished to spend the rest of their life with someone they loved dearly, and accepted with great gravity. But he hadn't had that choice. Melody had done it out if desperation and misunderstanding, he didn't know how its meaning was so deep and profound, he didn't know of what it made the other feel. So what if this all wasn't because she loved him? What if it was all just their bond forcing them to feel these things. A false love, a shadow of the real thing. Steam fogged the mirror as the dull pattering of water on the floor ran behind him, and yet he wondered, maybe it was better this way. Maybe a shadow of love was all he would ever get, and maybe the shadow could be better than nothing if one welcomed the illusion. But he would always know it was a shadow, and that tore at his chest more than anything in the world.
Melody was also ruminating on these thoughts as she lay still on the bed, drinking in the silence that filled the room. The moment she bonded their minds, it was so hazy that she could hardly remember it clearly amongst the new memories she now shared of this world. Over the days she stayed with Michael, she grew attracted to him; she fostered feeling for him that she had never felt for others of her kind. Why she had never felt those feelings for her kind was one of a personal decision. She was one to take time in a relationship, to know the person well enough that bonding wasn't necessary to know the feelings of the other, to figure out the puzzle before she was given the answers. But went she came across Michael, the bond was so quickly formed and the relationship forced in their situation, she didn't know what caused her attraction. Was it that he was one she could relate to and know would care for her selflessly, or was it all because she felt as he felt and was forced to act out of consideration for her own feelings? She whimpered at the thought, feeling the gnawing of guilt coming from using someone for self-gratification. Even know she loved Michael, but the bond stopped her from knowing the roots of these feelings. Breaking the bond maybe, testing the feelings after their minds were separate...no. Such a thing would cause great hurt for the other, the feeling of losing half of her for a discovery that may very well cause more heartbreak than she could bear. She would forever be stuck, unsure of herself, the doubt eating at her mind until the day the bond finally unravelled from her distrust. And by then it would be too late to fix anything. Maybe this was the reason relations between humans and Pokémon were scarce, few could withstand the heartbreak it could bring and the self pity it could cause. She curled into a ball and lay there, silently weeping to herself as she contemplated their future.
Michael emerged from the shower, drying himself with the rough towel that had been left hanging on the racks, forgotten by their previous owners. He ran his hand over his chin, making a quick decision that shaving would be too troublesome at this time, and besides, he kind of liked the look of a homeless wanderer. He made his way through the house, peering back into the bedroom to see Melody curled up on the bed. He found the emotions of doubt running through her as well, adding to the weight of his own burdens on his heart. He was making to go in, but stopped himself, thinking that if he didn't know the answer to this, what good was there in talking about it. But even as he had stopped himself, the movement was not unnoticed by her. She raised her head tiredly and gave an empty smile. He smiled back, the gesture devoid of any true meaning.
"Now you look like the man I first met" She said, moving closer as she stood from the warm bed, examining his now washed form, the grime gone from his skin, giving his features a softer look "except for the hair on your face, of course"
"Don't you like it?"
She stroked the coarse hair, feeling the roughness on her hands. "It's something new, I'll get used to it" she mused "Maybe I'll grow to like it, but right now you look like a long haired Slaking" Michael took no offence, even though he did like the look.
"Maybe I'll grow full beard and complete the look" He said, trying to lighten the mood, he succeeded marginally as she giggled at the idea of Michael sporting a large lumberjack like beard.
"Maybe a shower would help you too" Michael said, gently wiping a spot of grime from her cheek "You've got dirt all over you" Indeed the dust and filth were easily spotted on her white skin, smudging the dress she wore and dirtying her hair. She laughed dully, finding herself to be in a rather sorry state.
"Yes, maybe it will help me relax" she said, but her voice gave n weight to the statement. They both knew that they were ignoring the issue, but neither was willing to bring it up and risk hurting the other with their doubt. So in the end, Melody moved out the door while Michael could only stand dumbly and watch the sun light fall onto the spot she once laid.
When evening faded over the house, bringing with it the chill of night, all the Pokémon stationed around the house lay down to rest, the days patrolling having reached its much waited end. The absol was the only one who ventured closer to the house out of the three, seeming not to mind the human dwelling as it made its way into the front living room and dropping before the fireplace. It frowned at the cold and blackened hearth in front of it. It dipped its head, a small, ghostly white hot ember forming at the tip of its horn and gliding towards the fireplace. Will did not notice it, only looking up when the ember sparked fire that flared over the half charred wood settled in amongst the ashes. The absol gave a contented smile as it lowered its head, resting in warmth of the flames. Will had spent the good part of an hour debating with the strange psychic creature over how they could help in the unthinkable task he was undertaking. He had relented to the creature's suggestions and accepted their help in the end, agreeing to teach them all they needed to know for what they would do. He admitted that he was thankful for the help, as the mission he carried out was heavy on his shoulders. Trying to find a way to reverse this whole disaster. He wondered idly if any of the other world's scientists had caught on to what was happening yet, or if they were still shaking their heads at the blue turtle that just popped in front of them. Finding a stable portal was something he did in hopes it would enlighten him on how this was even possible. If Pokémon were as powerful in that dimension as the story stated they were in this one, then something in their world had to help. The only thing that could help them in this world was God, and he was no here to be seen at the moment. The Pokémon world contained the powers of creation incarnate, but even he had his doubts that a God could stop a cosmic event such as this, if he had power over his world and none of the others. Time was their most powerful ally and most hateful enemy in this case. As the dimensions tore at themselves, the portals became more stable, allowing for easier access. He sparred a glance over to his 'partners', as they busied themselves with his laptop, being fed readings from the various machines he had set up all over the estate. They monitored tachyon levels in a small radius of the farm, looking for influxes or other signs that may point to a portal opening. He turned his head as he heard the shuffling of feet on the carpeted stairway, seeing Michael descend and move into the kitchen, returning in a short while with a glass of water. He observed the leaders working through the massive amount of data fed through the computer setup. Only four were monitoring the system, the others were sitting on the ground, apparently resting themselves.
"How's the research going?" He asked, wondering if the Pokémon would be suitable assistants when they knew little of what they were dealing with. Will made an exaggerated gesture as he pointed at them sternly
"They seemed to have learned what took me three years of study and exams in an afternoon" he said "Their mental capacity is amazing, within the first hour they understood the basics of physics, and by the end of the session, I had them reciting quantum string theory equations from memory"
"So they can now do pretty much anything you can?" Michael said, amazed that the Pokémon could gain the knowledge of a near geriatric professor in such a short time span.
"Yes..." Will said gruffly "And it would thrill me if they didn't make me feel like I had wasted twelve years of my life compiling a theory, mastered by greenhorns in hours."
"You're jealous, aren't you?" Michael chuckled. Will grew red in the face.
"Yes I'm jealous! It's an insult to the human intellect!" He threw up his arms "They can process the data the machines feed them, faster than the machines can give it!"
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"Oh yes, and it only destroys decades of technological progress" Will muttered, looking over at the group of creatures. "They might as well be a supercomputer, using their complete mental strength, and then linking it all with their telepathy nonsense"
"But you needed a supercomputer" Michael sat down on the chair opposite "You've gotten one better"
"I didn't want a supercomputer that made me feel so imbecilic..." Will mumbled. The jealousy he could deal with in the long run, knowing the usefulness of the creatures' great minds.
"Maybe you should have listened more in class, then" Michael remarked. Will grunting at the light-hearted jab. Silence followed. The white furred absol still lay curled up by the fire, ears perking throughout their talk. It was a while before Michael shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Clearing his throat, his speech stuttered slightly as he spoke
"Will, could I ask you a...personal question" He said. Will raised an eyebrow to this, but remarked none the less
"Go on"
"What do you think of Melody and my...relationship?" he said hesitantly. Will considered the question for a moment. Melody and Michael had been involved ever since they had started their run from the chaos that was surely unfolding in the world right now. He didn't know what caused the attraction, and in all honesty couldn't morally judge the relationship either. Two sentient creatures of different species in love, unheard of since humans had always been the only sentient species on the planet.
"You both seem happy with one another...I can't seem to find any fault in it ethically, but I can't imagine what it's like, myself...You two are probably the only couple of this type on the planet..." He said, drawing out his thoughts on the subject. "I guess I'm indifferent to it"
"Do you think it would work?" Michael asked flatly, making will collect more thoughts on the matter
"Emotionally yes, physically probably....in terms of other factors, I can't be sure" he mused. "It's worked so far"
"Do you think?" Michael said curiously
"If the attraction is mutual, then yes...If it were primal urges then no" Will said as he tried to factor various things he knew about Pokémon into the problem, which was honestly, not much. "But her mind is evolved enough to suppress these urges, like we can"
"You think she's equal to a human then?"
"In mental facilities and emotional state" Will said, choosing his words with care "But her body is still very different, an unstable set of chromosomes, extremely adaptive DNA, increased sensory perception-"
"Were you ever married?" Michael asked abruptly "Did you ever face problems in it?" Will was surprised at how direct he was being. He didn't try to ease into the personal topic, he just asked straight out. He motioned to the tan line around his right hand ring finger
"Yes, I was married. My wife's name was Barbara" He said, thinking back to his salad days as a professor in his city university. "We had a few problems...long hours mostly, not being able to see each other as much as we'd have liked to. She also couldn't stand to hear me wail on about the quantum theories I was writing, it went right over her head. She didn't believe them anyways"
"Believe what of you?" Michael asked, wondering why she wouldn't trust his knowledge. Will removed a small golden cross from one of his shirt's cuffs, glittering in the fire light; it had been a necklace originally but now was fashioned into a cufflink.
"She never believed any of the quantum origin theories I had. She was raised Jewish by her parents in Britain; although she turned to Christianity near the end of her life"
"End? How did she die?" he asked, Will sighed as he replaced the cross cufflink
"Breast cancer took her, Chemo wasn't enough." He said "Even though she didn't believe me when I showed her my papers, she still didn't mind me doing what I did. Although, her parents were less than pleased when they found that she had married an atheistic quantum theorist. I still remember her arguing with her father, a large Russian fellow built like a train, all night from across the hall" He laughed at the memories that were now so far away.
"So, the problems came from your differences?" Michael probed
"Yes, but that was why we loved each other. The differences made us always surprise one another"
"Wouldn't the differences cause mistrust? Didn't you feel like she didn't really feel for you because you were different, the marriage forced her?" Michael asked. Wills face darkened slightly, brow creased in thought.
"That question is oddly specific" He said "Does this relate to Melody by any chance?"
Michaels silence was all the answer Will needed. He began to explain
"We knew we loved each other not because the differences caused conflict, but because we could put them aside. They interfered sometimes, but the result was always the same. We'd brush it off and laugh about it later" He said, removing his worn spectacles as he rubbed his tired eyes "Forcing someone to love you through money or bragging or fear will make them want to abandon you at the first chance they get, not because of what you gave, but because of what you didn't give. If you give acceptance and care, then they will give this back, because they know the well will never run dry"
"But how can you know?" Michael said solemnly, glass of water untouched in his hands "How can you know that they love you, and it's not a ruse they put up unknowingly?"
"That's one thing you have to trust her about. Trust that she loves you and it'll be known soon enough" Will said knowingly
"It's not...easy" Michael remarked "The doubt is..."
"I don't know what caused this change in you" Will said in a grandfatherly like tone, wise and tired "But I won't intrude on the problem with curiosity. You'll have to work it out yourself, but take some of what I've said to heart" They were silent after this, Michael still deep in his thoughts. Will couldn't fathom what had changed in the boy, something must have happened while he was away to cause this mistrust, he thought as he reclined on the couch, listening to the sound the crickets singing outside the window.
The house bathroom was equipped with a bathtub, something Michael had no use for, but something Melody enjoyed. She had let herself lie silently in the water for well over an hour, the steamy warmth bleeding away some of her worries, but not all. The doubt she felt was like a bug, crawling through her mind and eating away at her resolve. Even after the bath had been drained and she had dried, it still remained. The rest of the evening was spent in the bedroom, watching the Pokémon scouts from the window and remembering how easy life had been before this. It wasn't a life she liked to live, being alone and never pursuing a mate, but it was an easy one which brought her peace. In this world, everything seemed so much more complicated. Meaningless problems stemmed from pointless arguments with solutions that led nowhere. A bump from the roof drew her from these thoughts, someone was up there. Opening the window, she gently levitated herself out and upwards, she hoped it wasn't Michael, not ready for another meeting that would end with the same emptiness it started with. As she crested the roof's edge she spotted the red hair of the travelling priest, Tom. He was sitting on the room; rifle propped up over one knee as he surveyed the field unwaveringly. The rings under his eyes were deeper, becoming shadowed valleys in his pale face, and eyelids drooping slightly as he stared, utterly focused. Melody spoke gently, as not to alarm him.
"Thomas?" She said, the projection, although gentle, still caused him to jump in surprise. He looked over, his eyes unfocussed from the sudden adjustment.
"Aye, evenin' Melody" He said, shrugging off the greeting as he went back to his surveying. His Irish accent became rather pronounced in his sleep deprived state. Melody moved closer, trying to draw some response from the withdrawn man.
"You seem tired, Thomas" She said, caring tone soft enough for Tom to let out a sigh as his aim wavered slightly "How long has it seem since you rested?"
"Two days maybe?" he said, trying to refocus his vision, squinting into the scope.
"That is far too long to go without rest" She said, sitting down near the small box or ordinance he kept by his side. "What possessed you to do this?"
"We need t' keep watch, something could go wrong at any minute"
"But we have not seen the army for days, surely they have forgotten this place?" she said, attempting to reason with him
"It's not t' army I'm worrying 'bout" He said carefully. Melody followed his aim, seeing it tracking the Mightyena as it waded through the fields. She turned to him with concern in her eyes.
"You are worried...about the other Pokémon?" She asked, wondering why he would fear them when they offered peace.
"Aye..."
"But...do you trust me?" she said, hoping his fear of the Pokémon didn't extend to her
"I've been travelling with you an' Michael for a while now" He said, lowing the scope to massage his eyes "Yes, I trust ye"
"Then...why do you fear them" She asked again "Do you think they want to harm us?"
"No, I..." He couldn't finish his sentence
"Do you think they might run away and leave us helpless?" She asked, softer now as she saw the expressions quickly churn over his face.
"No, But they..." He stuttered, once again unable to speak
"They are friends, Thomas" she said, urging him to leave and relax, as the man desperately needed it "There's no reason to fear them"
"I can't leave..." He muttered "Too many risks..."
"Thomas, what is the problem?" She asked, forcefully this time. He was troubled but refused to budge from his spot, rejecting her words. His rifle lowered and his eyes stared into the horizon, as if looking upon a land a thousand miles away, entranced by the sight. He face contorted subtly, displaying emotions deep within his mind as whatever he was watching took place. His mouth opened and closed, losing the words in his vision. He answered slowly as he came back to reality.
"...It's...complicated" He took up his rifle again and sat silently in the cold evening breeze. Melody shivered at the winds cutting cold, moving off the roof, heading for the warmth of home. She cast one last look at Tom, seeing his head dipped in a disturbed silence, the life gone from his gaze. He seemed truly a man who had known the trials of hell and fought demons who now bound his tongue, silencing his ministry and weakening his faith.Chapter End Notes:"If love and commitment are never tested, perhaps they are an illusion.