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 17
Gentle warm wind breathed over Michael's cheek, the smell of old wood and ashes filling his nose as he woke. His mind steadily came back to him and he realised what had happened. He slowly turned his head, seeing the great white sphere of light still behind him, staring long and hard as if to convince himself it was real. The portal let out no hiss or dins of noise, but instead sat calmly, only a slight buzzing echoing through the area. Michael looked around him, noticing the smell of ash and old wood. The walls of the room he was in were solid wooden planks, dark and rich in colour, but the darkness seeped through the tops of the planks, soot covering them. Michael's eyes wandered across the wall, gasping slightly as they were drawn to the centre of the room where a huge hole had been roughly blasted through the hardwood, taking up most of the room. He slowly backed away, not caring how deep it was but fearful of falling in. He leaned against the wall, wood cool on his back, and let his mind gather. His heart raced at the prospect of being here, in this new world. This was another chance for him, and a chance he knew he would never get again if he went back on it all now. But where was 'here'? This huge building he sat in was burnt right through, and traces of whatever great blaze that engulfed it were still present. He was surprised that it had not yet collapsed under its own weight. Looking ahead, through the cracks of wood that surrounded him, he saw a dull light on the horizon of a great orange sky and forest which stretched as far as he could see. A faint glimmer caught his eye from afar, being a sea of golden lights in the middle of the darkened forest that surrounded this place. Michael slowly stood and moved towards the gaps in the wall, wood creaking underfoot as he moved, a warm morning's breeze caressing his face. Peering through the cracks, he gasped at how high above the forest he was. He could truly see for miles, from great forest to distant sea, blue waters only a glint on the horizon. It was beautiful, and the old blackened wood creaked as if to agree. Looking back around him, eyes taking in fully the room he was in. A floor of the great tower, walls now glowing in the light of the rising sun, small letters inscribed across the very wood of each plank. Some he could read, others he couldn't, being written in some arcane language. Shuffling around the hole in the middle of the room which threatened to fling him down many floors and into a dark abyss, he moved to one of the panels, reading aloud to himself what was inscribed.
"May the blessed walk free in steps of boundlessness
Human and Pokémon we stand
Together we walk
Unbound in the guidance of the dual guardians"
There was more, but a sound from behind him interrupted him from his recitation. Turning quickly, he saw the portal flaring, sending of bursts of light and small arcs of lightning. The noise rose from a quiet buzzing to a loud crashing, growing louder and filling the tower with its screams. Michael covered his ears, but the noise ceased abruptly only a second after he did so, the portal giving off a large flash and blinding him. Smudges of light swam in his vision as he looked on upon the now silent portal, contently buzzing. His vision cleared soon, the smudges of light slowly dissipating, allowing him to see the shapes that now lay in front of the portal. A man with short fiery hair, holding onto a pile of blue fur, as well as a thinner man with wispy white hair branching out of his balding head. Tom, Layla and Will. He quickly moved over to them, seeing Tom stir and regain his bearing.
"Tom, Tom, are you alright?" Michael asked, trying to help tom to his feet. Tom shrugged Michael off and shakily rose by himself, drawing Layla up with him, who was only now regaining conciseness.
"I'm fine, go check Will" he said after shaking his head a few times to dispel the feeling of light-headedness, dismissing Michael swiftly. Michael didn't object and moved over to Will, who groaned as he was softly shaken awake. His old limbs pushed against the floor, quivering as he pulled himself up, even with Michael's help.
"That was...worse than anything I've ever experienced" Will said, queasiness showing in his voice.
"Are you going to be okay?" Michael asked, Will's face being slightly off colour. He didn't get a chance to answer, falling back to the ground and nearly throwing up. His head swam, a dizzy pain slowing fading as he sat on the ground, trying not to be sick from the feeling in his stomach.
"Where...where are we?" He asked. Michael looked around again, still unsure of where they were. It was an old tower, a crippled survivor of an old and might blaze, but where they were exactly eluded him.
"I don't know" Michael finally answered, shoulders slumping slightly
"Well, that's our first priority then" Tom said, checking over Layla quickly, who repeatedly told him that she was okay. Even as she swayed slightly when she walked, she insisted that she would be fine. Tom turned his eyes back to Michael, stare hard and cold.
"You were stupid" He said "You had to go and run into that portal, and now look where we are' Tom gestured out the cracks of the building. "We're lost, again, with no supplies. We've got even less than before. Christ almighty boy, why couldn't you think for a moment?"
"I don't know" Michael said "But I don't care...This is my only chance now, I could find her again, I could get her back!"
"Michael, we don't know where the fuck we are!" Tom said, voice rising to a shout. Tom didn't usually swear, but he couldn't simply control it now. "We could be halfway across the world from her, and we don't know a damn thing what to do. We have no way of finding her, why didn't you think of that?"
"We have more of a chance! We're close...we could find her if her asked about that girl we both met" Michael said, pleading his chance to find Melody again. He would follow any lead he needed to make sure that he would see her again.
"One girl in an entire country? How many would look like her, eh?" Tom shot back "We're all in this together dammit! You can't drag us along just for your own needs."
"I made a promise!" Michael yelled, anger and regret in his voice, loss tearing at his heart."I told her that we'd fix things, I promised her we'd work everything out!". Michael yelled in anger, turning and walking towards the far side of the room where a small stairwell stood. "Leave if you want, I'm...going to find her, I don't care how". He started down the stairwell, footsteps echoing in the abandoned tower.
Tom stood fuming in place at Michael defiance, eyes unsure of what to do, his anger boiling with no place to go. Will spoke up
"Let him be, Tom" Will said "He's stubborn on this, I think it's justified"
"I lost an entire family, or people close enough, and I didn't go searching for anyone...why should we follow him?" Tom asked irritably. Will rose to his feet again, queasiness gone now, leaving behind only a slight headache.
"You said we're a team, shouldn't we do it anyway?" Will said
"He could need help" Layla said, cornering tom even more in his own statement. "He's lost here, it isn't his own world". He stuttered for a second before sighing in defeat, it was true that he would probably need help here, and the guilt would weight heavy on Tom's heart if something happened. He motioned for them both to follow.
"Fine, come on then, He won't be far anyway" Tom said, walking to the stairwell with Layla and Will in tow.
Michael was already outside by the time they caught up to him, standing on the stone steps of the tower that now loomed above them. He was reading a large bronze tablet set into a great boulder by the entrance, turning to acknowledge them with a slight smile as they approached.
"You're a real bloody nuisance" Tom said, shaking his head as he examined the tablet himself. Michael muttered thanks as he read out the tablet uninterestedly.
"May this Brass Tower stand forever as a testimony to our brothers and sisters, clothed in fur and scale, blessed by the guardians and who are forever by or side" Tom read, the rest of the tablet scribed in some unknown dialectic of symbols, vaguely resembling the Latin alphabet. "This must've been a temple of some sort"
"To who?" Michael asked
"Well judging by what this thing says, some guardians of the land probably" Tom said, knowing the practices well. "Also must've been a symbol of friendship to Pokémon or something, unless there are other creatures in 'fur and scale'"
"It was to the guardian of the seas, Lugia" A voice echoed from above them, telepathic ring resonating in their minds. They all looked up at the tower to see the younger leader perched on an outlying plank high above them. "And to the east is the tower of the guardian of the skies, Ho-oh. Together, they would watch over their brethren, and those humans who chose to become their extended brethren". Without warning, he leapt from the plank, falling fast towards the ground. Michael nearly called after him and readied himself to run and catch the falling elder, but he stopped as the leader slowed in mid air while a dull glow encompassed him, gently stepping onto the stone steps by the time he reached the ground. The aura of blue faded from around him as he straightened up to address them again, smirking slightly at his acrobatic display.
"A symbol of trust. That is why these temples where made"
"Well that's all well and good, but can we forget the temple for a minute and find where we are?" Will said, looking down the path of trees that stretched out, calm blue mist floating in the morning light.
"I do not know where by the human standards, but this area is known for being a few hours from a human city" He answered. Michael was already eager to leave and begin his search in the city, hoping he could find a map of wherever this place was.
"Where are the others?" Layla spoke, noting the absence of the older of the two leaders as well as the Mightyeena that had dutifully accompanied them. The leader's eyes flashed with brief sadness at the recollection.
"I was told to go on alone, after helping the elder to contact the others so that they may make use of this portal quickly" He glanced over to Michael, Tom and Will "He says that he is indebted to you for your help in this matter, and that you are now considered to be allies of our tribe". He turned back to Layla, the pain evident in his voice as he spoke
"Ynsidyr was killed by the blast which the murdering human unleashed, but his body will be brought through when his clan arrives so they may do as they wish. The elder does not blame anyone for his death and is proud that he served until his end" He said, glancing back at Michael, Tom and Will.
"Yin-sid-der..." Michael repeated the name, unaware Pokémon chose names in the wild. He had only caught Layla's name when Tom was asking her if she was okay, and then thought it was a name he had given her. The naming of that wolf, making him into an individual instead of a collective, made his loss much more saddening.
"What happens now?" he asked. The leader waved his hand over the path in front of them.
"Now you may do as you wish" he said "I and Layla shall return to our clans and attempt to resume life, warning others of the threat that lurks unseen". He made to move away but Layla stopped him, a small pleading look in her eyes.
"I wish to stay with them" she said. No one missed the quiet sigh Tom gave after hearing this.
"And why do you wish to forsake your clan position to do this?" the leader asked. Layla's eyes searched for a second, trying to word her answer.
"I feel...that I must help them" She said. "This isn't their world; I will serve them as a guide". The leader eyed her for a moment, analysing what she had said and searching for ulterior motives, but in the end, turned away.
"Very well, I now have no right to stop you now, I shall inform your clan when I locate them" He said, moving towards the forest by the side of the road. He gave a slight wave of his hand as he disappeared into the dark morning forest, giving one last blessing as he left.
"Your minds be clear and your path familiar" He echoed, and then he was gone into the darkness. Not a second after, Michael started down the road, beckoning the rest to follow. They all walked with him in silence, leaving the Brass Tower behind them, along with the gateway to their own world.
The path was silent, even the dirt beneath their feet crumpled quietly, an occasional rolling pebble breaking the silence. This was the time when all was calm. The day dwellers were still resting, and the night stalkers laying down to rest, it was the time in between times. The light changed from a placid blue to a gentle gold that warmed their bodies, and comforted them in this strange new place. Will and Tom had never experienced this place, the forest around them and the path ahead seeming at peace, utterly untouched by smog or noxious chemicals. It was as if the land itself was virgin and fresh. Tom thought that the ground may have well as been laid down by God yesterday, while Will mulled over how the people of this world seemed to keep it so perfectly in line with nature. For Michael it served as a painful reminder of what had happened last time he came to this place, but it filled his heart with renewed vigour that he had not felt in days, knowing that Melody walked somewhere in this land. Layla was content to watch the road and forest pass by. It was not the mountainous landscape she was used to, but it was her kinds own, and she would have explored more, had she had the energy. She felt tired, utterly exhausted and wounded. Her side ached and she felt the dry blood on her brow, flesh stinging under black fur. Every breath brought a burning to her lungs, and every step a stabbing pain to her legs. Her body begged for rest but her mind willed it to push on. It was only after half an hour of travel that she staggered and fell, hitting the ground hard. She struggled to get back up again, arms feeling weak and pain throbbing in her head. Tom gently grabbed her arm and pulled her back up, still holding her when she was on her own feet.
"You're injured" He said sternly
"It's fine" She answered "I can rest when we arrive in the town". She made to continue on but Tom kept her arm in his grip.
"No, look at yourself, you're barely standing" He said, some of his sternness giving way to concern. "We can stop and rest now, it won't cost us anything"
"The town would be better to rest at" She shot back "I can hold on until then"
"You ever heard of a tactical retreat?" He asked almost sarcastically
"What does that mean?" She said sharply, thinking he was mocking her
"Never mind" Tom replied with a sigh, furrowing his brows to relieve some of the tension. "Are you sure you want to keep going?". She was slightly surprised that he had given up on the argument so quickly, but nodded.
"Yes, I can walk"
"No you can't" Tom said wryly. She let out a small cry as Tom bent down and hoisted her onto his back, slinging his arms under her legs. Tom smirked slightly as he started walking, the rest of the group looking on oddly at the now bickering pair.
"I said I can walk" She yelled into his ear, having to link arms around his neck to keep balance. Her chest spike dug slightly into Tom's back, but it was little enough that he continued on without pain.
"You're too tired to walk but if you want to keep going then we'll do that" He said, earning a short growl of embarrassment from her.
"Then let's just stop" she said, trying to go back on the deal and avoid any more embarrassment
"Too late now, we're making time" Tom chuckled now "Just enjoy the view until we hit town"
Layla growled weakly in disagreement, but gave in after a few minutes of travel. To be honest, she enjoyed the break from walking a bit, giving her time to rest while still moving forward. The ache in her lungs and pain in her legs and side dulled now, leaving her with only the feel of exhaustion that dragged at her limbs. As they walked on through the forest, the sun rose higher and sent warmer light down upon them, her fur bristling in the slight breeze and warmed by the sun. Her eyes grew heavy and she laid her head down slightly, allowing a warm darkness to flood her mind, irritated only by the small sounds of the world around her. Tom asked one last question after a while of walking
"I noticed, you're speaking more now" he said "Why is that?"
Layla mumbled something about aura, Tom's voice having pierced through her comfortable haze of near sleep and too tired to give a real answer.
The group fell back into rank as they marched along the path. The town was only meant to be a little while further, and already they could see a few rooftops of the higher buildings above the forest. Tom marched slightly behind the rest, carrying Layla on his back. He certainly wasn't out of shape, but he chose to remain back behind Michael and Will. Michael in front, leading the whole expedition. He wasn't willing to stop for anything right now, even becoming slightly annoyed at the idea of a break by the roadside. His heart longed for the touch of Melody beside him again, but already he could feel a slight part of the space left in his heart had been filled, just by being in the same world that she was. He didn't know how they would find her; he didn't know what she would have done after he was torn from her. He desperately hoped that she had not suffered as much as he had, the guilt of even that being almost too much to bear. He had travelled with Will and Tom, but where would she have gone? Maybe she was still there, waiting by that same spot for the sudden breath of salvation that would bring them together again. Maybe she had waited for days, her heart breaking all the while. But there was that girl they had met, the one who had escaped from the warring factions who enslaved her town. Valerie, the young trainer who cared for the injured Pokémon and the one Melody had tried to protect. For Michael, Will and Tom where the only ones who had kept him going, forcing him along despite his desperate feeling of emptiness weighing him that made him want nothing but to sit until in that field until he turned to stone and eroded away. He prayed that Valerie had done the same, and that Melody would soon be beside him again.
Within a few more minutes, the trees gave way to concrete paths and small houses, spaced gently through the street with plenty of room around them. The houses were all generic duplicates, but the large gardens and grassy yards made them distinguishable. Not much activity was seen around there, the streets barren and deserted. But upon walking further into the town, they caught their first glimpse of people. The houses gave way to shops and larger houses with smaller gardens, a few lone buildings towering above the rest and reaching to the sky. The people of the town milled about their daily business, only eying the group for a second before continuing, but the way they were looked at was with a mixture of curiosity and fear. Most of them were helping with various repair jobs, a scattered mess of blackened patches painted the road and shattered glass was strewn around some parts of the street, but others carried boxes of supplies to and from buildings around the area. Pokémon walked free around the streets too, usually following someone and often helping with the task being carried out. Will asked where they were going, seeing that most of the town looked too busy to take notice of them. Michael wordlessly continued forward, down the grey streets where more Pokémon were helping with odd jobs, spurred on by the drive of their trainers. A small green toad like creature fired a torrent of water from its mouth, washing away a great crimson stain on the asphalt and footpath, which Michael hoped was not what he thought it was. Another Pokémon, a great muscled and four armed brute of a creature, carried huge iron girders in its arms, the trainer walking next to it and carrying a few planks of timber. Will was mesmerized by the creatures walking about, trying his best to hide the excitement he felt from likely being one of the first scientists who had ever travelled to another dimension. He nearly fell over at the sight of the Pokémon centre, a few large tents pitched around it with a multitude of small pink oval shaped Pokémon hurrying about the area, all calling to each other and co-ordinating their efforts. From their calls, he guessed they were called 'Chansey's'. Michael strode towards the centre. If there was anywhere to get some information, it would likely be there. They all worked their way through the bustling Chanseys and to the glass doors, a large crack running through one of them. When he entered, he found the floor to be strewn with mattresses and backpacks, serving as a makeshift sleeping area. Only two people were present, a man lying on a mattress with his arm in a sling and a long brown haired nurse looking through cabinets behind the counter. Michael approached the desk, the injured man glancing curiously at Tom, who still carried Layla.
"Excuse me" He said, the nurse turning to greet him with a flustered smile
"I'm sorry, we can't spare anymore room sir" She said, indicating the clustered lobby "Everyone's already three to a room and the rest are out here. But I can give you some blankets, it's not much" Michael was about to speak, but Tom interrupted him.
"Thank you ma'am. That would help" He said. She looked over him to Layla, concern on her face for the Pokémon.
"Is your Pokémon hurt?"
"Well, she says that she's not" Tom chuckled, concern echoing in his voice as well "But could you please help her somehow?"
Tom gently lowered Layla, who sat wearily on the counter as the nurse looked over her. She looked over Layla, occasionally poking a spot or parting her fur to search for hidden cuts. When she prodded Layla's leg, she let out a small whine, whimpering slightly as the nurse felt around the leg. Will was amusing himself a computer terminal set into a wall, looking over the screen and deftly tapping the keys, eyes wide with the newfound knowledge was accessed. Michael waited slightly impatiently, trying to remember the name of the town which Valerie had said was close by when they had met. He needed to know where it was and how to get there, but he also needed information to try and find Valerie in the first place. The nurse's voice jarred him from his thoughts just as the name snapped into his mind.
"She's very exhausted and she's got a cut on her face just above her eye" The nurse said, turning and gathering opening the glass cabinet behind the desk, filled with medical bottles. "She might have a fractured leg, but it's better to be safe and keep her from walking for a while. What's she been eating?"
"Mostly canned food, we haven't had a chance to get anything proper for ourselves yet" Tom explained, stomach panging slightly when he thought of the packaged meat they had left behind. It would've been a treat for all of them. The nursed grabbed a small packet from a lower cabinet and handed all of the things to Tom. She pointed to each bottle as she explained what it was for.
"That's a disinfectant, just put it on her cuts, and make sure to get to the skin through the fur. That's to help with sleep, it's a relaxant, and it'll also help with her leg." She then pointed to the small foil package she had given him. "She may not like that flavour, it's just standard Pokémon food, but it's all we have right now and it can be given to any Pokémon".
"Thanks" tom said gratefully, slightly dreaded the next question "What will it cost?"
"It's free, right now everything is" She shrugged "We're still helping injured people, so we can't really charge them". Tom sighed in relief, knowing that other things they need may cost currency they didn't have, or even understand. Michael pushed through and asked the nurse
"How far is it to Mauville city?". The nurse looked at him, confusion of her face and looking like he had asked an exceptionally stupid question. She slowly replied
"Mauville is in Hoenn" She said, Michael nodded slightly.
"Yes, I know" he said. The nurse took her time to answer.
"Well...if you take the ferry, it's about 16 hours, but the ferry goes from Olivine city. That's about three days walk from here...but if you've got a water type Pokémon that's big enough, it'll take a day or so to get there by sea" She said. Michael's head swam, where was he? Wasn't he in Hoenn? Knew he would sound even stupider for the next question.
"Which...ah, which region is this?"
"Johto" the nurse answered, looking at him oddly. "Are you feeling okay?". Michael steadied himself as he answered, shaking slightly as he realised how far he had to go.
"Yes...I'm just tired, we all are" He said "We came from some old tower outside the city; it's been a long walk"
"You were at the burned tower?" She asked "What were you doing there? It's not safe"
"Just looking for someone..." Michael said, moving away from the desk, leaving the nurse bewildered. Tom gave her a quick assuring answer as he followed.
"Really, the lad's just tired after all that's happened". The nurse smiled wearily.
"We all are, I guess."
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Tom followed Michael, who had sat down on one of the benches, blanket draped over it. Will was still tapping on the computer a short distance away. Layla was rested on one of the blanketed mattresses lining the floor, not caring who it belonged to. They both sat there in silence for a few minutes, Tom finally breaking the silence with a question.
"So we're in the wrong place?" he asked. Michael meekly nodded. "Just how wrong a place?"
"We're in a whole different region" Michael said, head in hands. "Hoenn is the region we went to before, but I don't even know what this Johto region is like". Will had been listening in and called to them.
"Well, where was it you wanted to go?" He asked
"Mauville, it's in the middle of Hoenn" He replied, muttering "far away from here..."
"She said something about a ferry, didn't she?" Tom inquired, trying to raise Michael's sudden lack of morale.
"It's meant to go from...ah, where was it?" Michael tried to remember the obscure name.
"Olivine?" Will called again, turning away from the screen for only a second.
"Yeah...that's it, Olivine" Michael answered
"Well, then shouldn't we head there?" Tom said "We might not have money, but there are other ways of getting on board". Michael gave a small smile at Tom's devious nature.
"I hope it doesn't involve explosives like your past escape plan did"
�
"You still sore about that?" Tom said, mock hurt in his voice
�
"No...But what would we do? Hide in some crates for sixteen hours and hope we aren't discovered?" Michael rubbed his tired face, the fatigue of being awake for an entire night setting in. Tom somehow dispelled it; his previous nights of sleeplessness having hardened him at this point. He gently put a hand on Michaels shoulder
"Lad, let's just worry about that when we get there" He said, Michael was unaccustomed to optimism from the man...or maybe it was hopelessness? "We can head out to the city and then find a way from there"
"We don't even know where it is. I know Hoenn roughly, but this..." Michael sighed "We might as well have been dropped in a maze". A small mechanical screeching made both of them look to Will, where the computer was humming, mechanisms turning roughly throughout the box. With a small buzz, Will snatched a sheet of paper from a small slot below and waltzed up to them, a smug grin on his face.
"South from Ecruteak city and along route 38 for roughly 120 kilometres, with a small public resting house half way apparently, then east down route 39 after we hit a small group of houses, one of which is another rest house, for about 60 kilometres and we'll be at Olivine." He looked up from the sheet to admire their looks of confusion and astonishment.
"How did you figure that out?" Michael asked. Will tapped his glasses, and gave a knowing smile.
"Just ran the names through a few searches on that computer and found the directions" He said "Simple enough". They moved to the terminal Will had been using to see he had pulled up various pages on information on the places he had mentioned. Pictures, directions and information on the towns were there in full. Behind that was a page of an encyclopaedia with information on Lucario, Gardevoir and other Pokémon they had seen around, displaying information of physiology and behaviour. Tom smiled back, clapping Will on the back.
"You bloody brilliant bastard, for once your damn curiosity worked for us" He said, Will slightly unamused at the disregard for his scientific nature. Michael was looking over the pages Will had open, staring soberly at one picture of a Gardevoir, photographed next to a trainer. Somehow, despite the identical appearance, he could tell it wasn't Melody. Subtle things were different, but it wasn't her, and that made him long to see her even more. He straightened by and turned back to Tom and Will, renewed purpose in his voice.
"Let's go then" He said "It'll be a day of walking to get halfway, so let's start now". Will quickly tried to print off some more from the encyclopaedia, only getting a few pages of information on the Lucario species before he was dragged from the terminal.
Tom wrapped the medication and food up in a blanket, making a makeshift rucksack then hefted Layla onto his back again, with her giving significantly less complaint this time and instead choosing to continue to doze silently. They made their way from the centre with the meagre supplies they had picked up, and wandered through the streets, still bustling with people too busy to notice them. It wasn't a large city, but they did manage to become lost once, being forced to ask directions from one of the locals. Within twenty minutes the roads gave way to a wide dirt path, trees lining the road adorned with small shrubs at their feet. There were a few scattered houses, and eventually a checkpoint building. But a man dressed in what Michael could only guess was police attire directed them around it, a large and smouldering hole present in the side of the concrete wall of the building. Will mused aloud that the cities must have very strict limits, as immediately after the checkpoint building the road became surrounded by untamed forests and fields. Ahead of them, gently sloping hills could be seen, grass green and waving the in wind, along with dense patches of trees to surround them. The sky was clear and bright, a great expanse of blue that stretched to the horizon with only a few long clouds hanging in the air. The view, Michael thought, was a masterpiece. They began on their long walk down the dirt road, the peaceful whistling and chirping of birds being a serenading them.
They had walked for only ten minutes before fatigue hit them all. They had entered this world late at night, but were greeted by the rising sun. Their bodies ached for rest after the events that had transpired only a few hours ago, and they were soon forced to stop. By the side of the road, they sat, and waited for their strength to return. But when it did not, they moved slightly into the trees, only a few feet from the road beneath the shadows of the rustling leaves above them. Tom spread one of the blankets on the ground and laid Layla on it, who was still somehow awake, but her eyes were half lidded and it took some effort for her to prop herself up on her elbows.
"Where are we now?" She asked sleepily
"We just stopped to rest, we're all tired as you" Tom said
"I'm not..." Layla stopped and yawned, rolling her eyes slightly "Fine...I'm tired". Tom chuckled gently.
"You finally admit it..." He said, fetching the some of the medicine he had stashed in a rolled up blanket. He popped the lid off, nose wrinkling at the strong alcoholic scent in the disinfectant. Layla would have protested when he parted her fur to dab at the wounds, but she was too tired to care, the stinging of the medicine hardly registering in her mind. She was slightly embarrassed when he treated the cuts on her waist and legs, but it passed soon enough as Tom worked quickly. She was about to lie down again when he handed her a small red pill, she took it giving him a look of confusion.
"It's to help you sleep, and it'll take the pain off your legs" He explained "Swallow it, just don't bite down on it". She looked at the pill apprehensively, but decided it was for the best and took it anyway. She gagged slightly as the hard lump nearly caught in her throat, Tom laughing it off.
"Perhaps with some water next time" He said, letting her lay down again. She muttered thanks a she finally drifted into sleep. Tom spread out another blanket beside Layla's and laid himself down, sleep coming easy in knowing that there was little to threaten them here, and knowing that Layla would be okay. His last thought was about how odd that sounded.
Michael had sat down in the cool shade, his back against a tree. He watched Tom tend to Layla, the scene being familiar to him. For a brief moment it was as if he was watching himself as Tom worked, but the warm scene he saw returned to the two in an instant and he was once again left with a feeling of disillusionment. He smiled softly at the scene, not knowing if Tom was feeling what he had felt before, but the care showed through the cracks in him. Soon, the spectacle ended as they both lay down and fell into sleep, Michael leaning his head back against the rough wood as he lost interest. The air was pleasantly warm, and it took all his strength to grab a blanket and throw it over himself before the heat nursed him into sleep. The world faded slowly as he closed his eyes, the droplets of light dancing in his vision from through the leaves before the black.
It didn't take long for him to arrive in that familiar place again, the place of darkness and smudged visions, where his mind was as heavy as lead and his body numb to all. But something was different this time. His mind quickly snapped forward, his lucidity returning in an instant. He shifted his body, finding the weight gone, but still floating in the void. Without warning, a flash of light blinded him, more intense than anything else he had seen. He covered his eyes as spots swam in from of them, waiting until the light had dimmed. He slowly removed his hands, staring into the now glowing panel of light that stood before him in the blackness. He reached out to touch it, but before he could, it glowed bright again and expanded. The light filled his vision and spread around him, soon caging him completely in a void of white. As quick as he realised what had happened, the light faded, not into black as he expected, but into a dreamy scene of green and browns. He soon realised what he was seeing, a field with a great blue sky above, reaching to the gentle hills on the horizon. His feet touched solid ground, giving him a small shock as he landed and wobbled on his feet. Michael looked around, feet shuffling in the dirt as he tried to figure out what was happening. He was on a narrow dirt path dug through a field of long swaying grass, the wind blowing over his body, cool and crisp. He snapped his head around as he heard a shuffling near him. He saw a small brown figure running through the grass, skipping past him in only a second, taking no notice of him. Badger like and coated in brown and tan striped fur, its name whispered from his mouth.
"Zigzagoon?" he said, only remembering the name from the silliness of it. He knew that Pokémon, it was the one that always appeared in fields when he had played the old game. It was from Hoenn. He laughed loudly when he realised where he was.
"Hoenn!" He yelled, laughing loudly into the sky with his hands raised. He was brought down from the high as he heard another sound, this time from in front of him. He looked down and along the path, seeing two figures walking slowly towards him. He soon heard their voices, one young and soft, the other musical. His eyes widened as he made out their forms, a young girl and a Gardevoir walking beside each other. He ran to them, feeling as if they would slip away at any moment. The grass whipped his legs as he ran, calling out to the two.
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"Melody!" He yelled "Valerie!". They didn't hear him, taking no notice as he approached. HE slowed down and grabbed Melody tightly, but his joy drained when his arms did nothing but phase through her. He turned back as he fell to the ground, feeling no pain as he hit the ground, his arm landing awkwardly. He pushed himself up and started after the two, trying to grab them but failing as his arms passed through their forms every time. He slowly gave up, his grabs becoming weak as his resolve left him. But his ears picked up on their voices again, talking as they walked, oblivious to him.
"-plently of money for the next few days, we'll get some proper food soon" Valerie said, short cut brown hair blowing in the wind. She no longer wore the ripped attire she had when he had met her, but now was dressed in a dull blue singlet covered by a coat three sizes too big and complimented by equally large cargo pants. Her feet were covered with old gray running shoes and mismatched socks. She carried a small duffel bag over her shoulder, filled with unknown items that clunked with every step.
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"That would be nice" Melody answered, Michael sighing deeply as he heard her voice once more. He had missed the soft melodic tune that her voice carried when she spoke, sounding sweeter than anything in the world now. She looked slightly worn out, her white dress smudged with dirt in some areas, the grass depositing small dew drops which ran down it and onto the dirt, leaving a grey ring around the edges. She hesitated slightly, her voice quivering as she spoke.
"...I dreamed again last night" She said. Valerie gave a concerned look, her expression telling that she know how serious this was to Melody.
"What was it of this time?" She asked, voice gentle, trying to calm Melody.
"I don't know..." Melody replied hopelessly "I never know, it's all just a blur when it happens, and until I wake up, I can't think straight..."
"Can you see...anything?" Valerie asked
"Nothing is clear...but maybe..." She began, Valerie stopped and gingerly put a hand on Melody's shoulder.
"I know" She said "I know you miss him but I told you, we might find him sometime..."
"I don't know..." Melody said sadly, voice breaking and tears brimming in her eyes "I really don't know...". Valerie drew her into a short hug, speaking softly.
"It'll be okay Melody, it's just us two for now, but we'll try to find him" She said, her voice showing the true sadness she felt for what had happened. "He'll be looking for you too; just hold on until you meet again..."
Michael slowly reached out again, so desperate to hold her and tell her they'd be fine and he'd never leave again. But the scene faded slowly, inching away from him as he called out brokenly.
"Please...just wait..." he sobbed gently, see a final smile creep onto Melody's face as she disappeared along with the field of green and blue. The next scene rushed by a, flash of light that left a memory imprinted on his mind. More scenes flashed by faster than he could count, but each staying with him in his mind. Melody sitting in the forest, head buried in her hands, crying out his name as two bodies lay dead behind her. She was screaming for him to come back, her sobs echoing through the forest. He saw Melody walking with Valerie, pure sorrow etched on her face as Valerie helped her along the road, her own legs unable to support her in her grief. He saw them in Mauvile, sitting with other refugees from the overthrown towns, wrapped in blankets and eating bowls of rationed stew. They travelled far, across a small ocean expanse and through tall reeds in muddy lands. The sun shone on muddy puddles across a sodden grassy ground as the two walked on. He saw Melody as she woke up sobbing, the dreams haunting her, holding a hand to her head as Valerie held her in the dark and assured her it was only a dream. And as quick as these visions came, they were gone. He was again in darkness, and again, alone.
He awoke with a start, something striking his head hard. He looked around, darkness obscuring his vision, beads of light dripping through the gaps in the leaves of the trees. The ground around him was cool and slightly wet, the air heavy with the smell of earth. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the darkness, revealing the campground scene to him. To his right, Will was lying on a blanket near a felled log, papers scattered around him. And in front of him, Tom and Layla slept quietly. Layla had managed to inch onto Tom's blanket during the night and now lay beside him, her blue fur almost white in the pale moonlight as she slept curled into a ball. Tom didn't seem to mind sharing the warmth, which made Michael feel all the colder as he pulled his blanket closer to him. The night wind whispered gently through the trees and brought with it a soft chill, as well as the scent of old wood. Michael's hand bumped something as he shifted and he looked down to see a large acorn held in his blanket. It was nearly the size of his fist, its shell clearly blue in the moonlight. Michael looked up into the tree, seeing a few more like it. It must've woken him when it fell. He placed it beside him, hoping it was in some way edible, and wrapped himself in the large blanket, trying to fall sleep again.
But he was awoken only an hour later, Tom shaking him gently. Michael looked at him tiredly, seeing he was already packed, rucksack fashioned from a blanket slung over his shoulder. Layla stood behind him, looking equally tired.
"We should be going now" he said. Michael grunted as he got up, seeing the moon still high in the sky.
"Isn't it a little late?" Michael asked
"We've been asleep for nearly twelve hours, Michael. We would've woken up early anyway" He said "In fact, Will was the first to wake up, woke me up too". Michael looked over to see Will standing with his own blanket rolled under his arm, yawning as he waited for them. Michael sluggishly gathered his own blanket, the damp from the ground clinging to his clothes. He spied the large acorn and pocketed it, reaching to take a few more from the tree while he was there. Layla was still injured and swaying on her feet, the medication doing its work and numbing the pain in her legs, which, unfortunately, made her nearly unable to walk. She clambered onto Tom's back, not caring any more now and thankful that she was able to sleep while the rest walked on, despite how useless it made her feel. They all started off, back onto the dirt road, illuminated by the bright moon shining down on it. Michael looked on as they walked, the light dancing over the serene landscape, forming pools of silver water upon glistening grass fields. It was beautiful, and if this was the perfect world he could inhabit, he wouldn't care if he was the last man on the planet. But Melody would be there too, and when he found her, they could share these graceful moonlit nights, all alone in the warmth of the midnight sun.Chapter End Notes:Well, I'm going on vacation next week, so the next chapter may be delayed. Maybe I'll bring a laptop to work on it while there
"May the blessed walk free in steps of boundlessness
Human and Pokémon we stand
Together we walk
Unbound in the guidance of the dual guardians"
There was more, but a sound from behind him interrupted him from his recitation. Turning quickly, he saw the portal flaring, sending of bursts of light and small arcs of lightning. The noise rose from a quiet buzzing to a loud crashing, growing louder and filling the tower with its screams. Michael covered his ears, but the noise ceased abruptly only a second after he did so, the portal giving off a large flash and blinding him. Smudges of light swam in his vision as he looked on upon the now silent portal, contently buzzing. His vision cleared soon, the smudges of light slowly dissipating, allowing him to see the shapes that now lay in front of the portal. A man with short fiery hair, holding onto a pile of blue fur, as well as a thinner man with wispy white hair branching out of his balding head. Tom, Layla and Will. He quickly moved over to them, seeing Tom stir and regain his bearing.
"Tom, Tom, are you alright?" Michael asked, trying to help tom to his feet. Tom shrugged Michael off and shakily rose by himself, drawing Layla up with him, who was only now regaining conciseness.
"I'm fine, go check Will" he said after shaking his head a few times to dispel the feeling of light-headedness, dismissing Michael swiftly. Michael didn't object and moved over to Will, who groaned as he was softly shaken awake. His old limbs pushed against the floor, quivering as he pulled himself up, even with Michael's help.
"That was...worse than anything I've ever experienced" Will said, queasiness showing in his voice.
"Are you going to be okay?" Michael asked, Will's face being slightly off colour. He didn't get a chance to answer, falling back to the ground and nearly throwing up. His head swam, a dizzy pain slowing fading as he sat on the ground, trying not to be sick from the feeling in his stomach.
"Where...where are we?" He asked. Michael looked around again, still unsure of where they were. It was an old tower, a crippled survivor of an old and might blaze, but where they were exactly eluded him.
"I don't know" Michael finally answered, shoulders slumping slightly
"Well, that's our first priority then" Tom said, checking over Layla quickly, who repeatedly told him that she was okay. Even as she swayed slightly when she walked, she insisted that she would be fine. Tom turned his eyes back to Michael, stare hard and cold.
"You were stupid" He said "You had to go and run into that portal, and now look where we are' Tom gestured out the cracks of the building. "We're lost, again, with no supplies. We've got even less than before. Christ almighty boy, why couldn't you think for a moment?"
"I don't know" Michael said "But I don't care...This is my only chance now, I could find her again, I could get her back!"
"Michael, we don't know where the fuck we are!" Tom said, voice rising to a shout. Tom didn't usually swear, but he couldn't simply control it now. "We could be halfway across the world from her, and we don't know a damn thing what to do. We have no way of finding her, why didn't you think of that?"
"We have more of a chance! We're close...we could find her if her asked about that girl we both met" Michael said, pleading his chance to find Melody again. He would follow any lead he needed to make sure that he would see her again.
"One girl in an entire country? How many would look like her, eh?" Tom shot back "We're all in this together dammit! You can't drag us along just for your own needs."
"I made a promise!" Michael yelled, anger and regret in his voice, loss tearing at his heart."I told her that we'd fix things, I promised her we'd work everything out!". Michael yelled in anger, turning and walking towards the far side of the room where a small stairwell stood. "Leave if you want, I'm...going to find her, I don't care how". He started down the stairwell, footsteps echoing in the abandoned tower.
Tom stood fuming in place at Michael defiance, eyes unsure of what to do, his anger boiling with no place to go. Will spoke up
"Let him be, Tom" Will said "He's stubborn on this, I think it's justified"
"I lost an entire family, or people close enough, and I didn't go searching for anyone...why should we follow him?" Tom asked irritably. Will rose to his feet again, queasiness gone now, leaving behind only a slight headache.
"You said we're a team, shouldn't we do it anyway?" Will said
"He could need help" Layla said, cornering tom even more in his own statement. "He's lost here, it isn't his own world". He stuttered for a second before sighing in defeat, it was true that he would probably need help here, and the guilt would weight heavy on Tom's heart if something happened. He motioned for them both to follow.
"Fine, come on then, He won't be far anyway" Tom said, walking to the stairwell with Layla and Will in tow.
Michael was already outside by the time they caught up to him, standing on the stone steps of the tower that now loomed above them. He was reading a large bronze tablet set into a great boulder by the entrance, turning to acknowledge them with a slight smile as they approached.
"You're a real bloody nuisance" Tom said, shaking his head as he examined the tablet himself. Michael muttered thanks as he read out the tablet uninterestedly.
"May this Brass Tower stand forever as a testimony to our brothers and sisters, clothed in fur and scale, blessed by the guardians and who are forever by or side" Tom read, the rest of the tablet scribed in some unknown dialectic of symbols, vaguely resembling the Latin alphabet. "This must've been a temple of some sort"
"To who?" Michael asked
"Well judging by what this thing says, some guardians of the land probably" Tom said, knowing the practices well. "Also must've been a symbol of friendship to Pokémon or something, unless there are other creatures in 'fur and scale'"
"It was to the guardian of the seas, Lugia" A voice echoed from above them, telepathic ring resonating in their minds. They all looked up at the tower to see the younger leader perched on an outlying plank high above them. "And to the east is the tower of the guardian of the skies, Ho-oh. Together, they would watch over their brethren, and those humans who chose to become their extended brethren". Without warning, he leapt from the plank, falling fast towards the ground. Michael nearly called after him and readied himself to run and catch the falling elder, but he stopped as the leader slowed in mid air while a dull glow encompassed him, gently stepping onto the stone steps by the time he reached the ground. The aura of blue faded from around him as he straightened up to address them again, smirking slightly at his acrobatic display.
"A symbol of trust. That is why these temples where made"
"Well that's all well and good, but can we forget the temple for a minute and find where we are?" Will said, looking down the path of trees that stretched out, calm blue mist floating in the morning light.
"I do not know where by the human standards, but this area is known for being a few hours from a human city" He answered. Michael was already eager to leave and begin his search in the city, hoping he could find a map of wherever this place was.
"Where are the others?" Layla spoke, noting the absence of the older of the two leaders as well as the Mightyeena that had dutifully accompanied them. The leader's eyes flashed with brief sadness at the recollection.
"I was told to go on alone, after helping the elder to contact the others so that they may make use of this portal quickly" He glanced over to Michael, Tom and Will "He says that he is indebted to you for your help in this matter, and that you are now considered to be allies of our tribe". He turned back to Layla, the pain evident in his voice as he spoke
"Ynsidyr was killed by the blast which the murdering human unleashed, but his body will be brought through when his clan arrives so they may do as they wish. The elder does not blame anyone for his death and is proud that he served until his end" He said, glancing back at Michael, Tom and Will.
"Yin-sid-der..." Michael repeated the name, unaware Pokémon chose names in the wild. He had only caught Layla's name when Tom was asking her if she was okay, and then thought it was a name he had given her. The naming of that wolf, making him into an individual instead of a collective, made his loss much more saddening.
"What happens now?" he asked. The leader waved his hand over the path in front of them.
"Now you may do as you wish" he said "I and Layla shall return to our clans and attempt to resume life, warning others of the threat that lurks unseen". He made to move away but Layla stopped him, a small pleading look in her eyes.
"I wish to stay with them" she said. No one missed the quiet sigh Tom gave after hearing this.
"And why do you wish to forsake your clan position to do this?" the leader asked. Layla's eyes searched for a second, trying to word her answer.
"I feel...that I must help them" She said. "This isn't their world; I will serve them as a guide". The leader eyed her for a moment, analysing what she had said and searching for ulterior motives, but in the end, turned away.
"Very well, I now have no right to stop you now, I shall inform your clan when I locate them" He said, moving towards the forest by the side of the road. He gave a slight wave of his hand as he disappeared into the dark morning forest, giving one last blessing as he left.
"Your minds be clear and your path familiar" He echoed, and then he was gone into the darkness. Not a second after, Michael started down the road, beckoning the rest to follow. They all walked with him in silence, leaving the Brass Tower behind them, along with the gateway to their own world.
The path was silent, even the dirt beneath their feet crumpled quietly, an occasional rolling pebble breaking the silence. This was the time when all was calm. The day dwellers were still resting, and the night stalkers laying down to rest, it was the time in between times. The light changed from a placid blue to a gentle gold that warmed their bodies, and comforted them in this strange new place. Will and Tom had never experienced this place, the forest around them and the path ahead seeming at peace, utterly untouched by smog or noxious chemicals. It was as if the land itself was virgin and fresh. Tom thought that the ground may have well as been laid down by God yesterday, while Will mulled over how the people of this world seemed to keep it so perfectly in line with nature. For Michael it served as a painful reminder of what had happened last time he came to this place, but it filled his heart with renewed vigour that he had not felt in days, knowing that Melody walked somewhere in this land. Layla was content to watch the road and forest pass by. It was not the mountainous landscape she was used to, but it was her kinds own, and she would have explored more, had she had the energy. She felt tired, utterly exhausted and wounded. Her side ached and she felt the dry blood on her brow, flesh stinging under black fur. Every breath brought a burning to her lungs, and every step a stabbing pain to her legs. Her body begged for rest but her mind willed it to push on. It was only after half an hour of travel that she staggered and fell, hitting the ground hard. She struggled to get back up again, arms feeling weak and pain throbbing in her head. Tom gently grabbed her arm and pulled her back up, still holding her when she was on her own feet.
"You're injured" He said sternly
"It's fine" She answered "I can rest when we arrive in the town". She made to continue on but Tom kept her arm in his grip.
"No, look at yourself, you're barely standing" He said, some of his sternness giving way to concern. "We can stop and rest now, it won't cost us anything"
"The town would be better to rest at" She shot back "I can hold on until then"
"You ever heard of a tactical retreat?" He asked almost sarcastically
"What does that mean?" She said sharply, thinking he was mocking her
"Never mind" Tom replied with a sigh, furrowing his brows to relieve some of the tension. "Are you sure you want to keep going?". She was slightly surprised that he had given up on the argument so quickly, but nodded.
"Yes, I can walk"
"No you can't" Tom said wryly. She let out a small cry as Tom bent down and hoisted her onto his back, slinging his arms under her legs. Tom smirked slightly as he started walking, the rest of the group looking on oddly at the now bickering pair.
"I said I can walk" She yelled into his ear, having to link arms around his neck to keep balance. Her chest spike dug slightly into Tom's back, but it was little enough that he continued on without pain.
"You're too tired to walk but if you want to keep going then we'll do that" He said, earning a short growl of embarrassment from her.
"Then let's just stop" she said, trying to go back on the deal and avoid any more embarrassment
"Too late now, we're making time" Tom chuckled now "Just enjoy the view until we hit town"
Layla growled weakly in disagreement, but gave in after a few minutes of travel. To be honest, she enjoyed the break from walking a bit, giving her time to rest while still moving forward. The ache in her lungs and pain in her legs and side dulled now, leaving her with only the feel of exhaustion that dragged at her limbs. As they walked on through the forest, the sun rose higher and sent warmer light down upon them, her fur bristling in the slight breeze and warmed by the sun. Her eyes grew heavy and she laid her head down slightly, allowing a warm darkness to flood her mind, irritated only by the small sounds of the world around her. Tom asked one last question after a while of walking
"I noticed, you're speaking more now" he said "Why is that?"
Layla mumbled something about aura, Tom's voice having pierced through her comfortable haze of near sleep and too tired to give a real answer.
The group fell back into rank as they marched along the path. The town was only meant to be a little while further, and already they could see a few rooftops of the higher buildings above the forest. Tom marched slightly behind the rest, carrying Layla on his back. He certainly wasn't out of shape, but he chose to remain back behind Michael and Will. Michael in front, leading the whole expedition. He wasn't willing to stop for anything right now, even becoming slightly annoyed at the idea of a break by the roadside. His heart longed for the touch of Melody beside him again, but already he could feel a slight part of the space left in his heart had been filled, just by being in the same world that she was. He didn't know how they would find her; he didn't know what she would have done after he was torn from her. He desperately hoped that she had not suffered as much as he had, the guilt of even that being almost too much to bear. He had travelled with Will and Tom, but where would she have gone? Maybe she was still there, waiting by that same spot for the sudden breath of salvation that would bring them together again. Maybe she had waited for days, her heart breaking all the while. But there was that girl they had met, the one who had escaped from the warring factions who enslaved her town. Valerie, the young trainer who cared for the injured Pokémon and the one Melody had tried to protect. For Michael, Will and Tom where the only ones who had kept him going, forcing him along despite his desperate feeling of emptiness weighing him that made him want nothing but to sit until in that field until he turned to stone and eroded away. He prayed that Valerie had done the same, and that Melody would soon be beside him again.
Within a few more minutes, the trees gave way to concrete paths and small houses, spaced gently through the street with plenty of room around them. The houses were all generic duplicates, but the large gardens and grassy yards made them distinguishable. Not much activity was seen around there, the streets barren and deserted. But upon walking further into the town, they caught their first glimpse of people. The houses gave way to shops and larger houses with smaller gardens, a few lone buildings towering above the rest and reaching to the sky. The people of the town milled about their daily business, only eying the group for a second before continuing, but the way they were looked at was with a mixture of curiosity and fear. Most of them were helping with various repair jobs, a scattered mess of blackened patches painted the road and shattered glass was strewn around some parts of the street, but others carried boxes of supplies to and from buildings around the area. Pokémon walked free around the streets too, usually following someone and often helping with the task being carried out. Will asked where they were going, seeing that most of the town looked too busy to take notice of them. Michael wordlessly continued forward, down the grey streets where more Pokémon were helping with odd jobs, spurred on by the drive of their trainers. A small green toad like creature fired a torrent of water from its mouth, washing away a great crimson stain on the asphalt and footpath, which Michael hoped was not what he thought it was. Another Pokémon, a great muscled and four armed brute of a creature, carried huge iron girders in its arms, the trainer walking next to it and carrying a few planks of timber. Will was mesmerized by the creatures walking about, trying his best to hide the excitement he felt from likely being one of the first scientists who had ever travelled to another dimension. He nearly fell over at the sight of the Pokémon centre, a few large tents pitched around it with a multitude of small pink oval shaped Pokémon hurrying about the area, all calling to each other and co-ordinating their efforts. From their calls, he guessed they were called 'Chansey's'. Michael strode towards the centre. If there was anywhere to get some information, it would likely be there. They all worked their way through the bustling Chanseys and to the glass doors, a large crack running through one of them. When he entered, he found the floor to be strewn with mattresses and backpacks, serving as a makeshift sleeping area. Only two people were present, a man lying on a mattress with his arm in a sling and a long brown haired nurse looking through cabinets behind the counter. Michael approached the desk, the injured man glancing curiously at Tom, who still carried Layla.
"Excuse me" He said, the nurse turning to greet him with a flustered smile
"I'm sorry, we can't spare anymore room sir" She said, indicating the clustered lobby "Everyone's already three to a room and the rest are out here. But I can give you some blankets, it's not much" Michael was about to speak, but Tom interrupted him.
"Thank you ma'am. That would help" He said. She looked over him to Layla, concern on her face for the Pokémon.
"Is your Pokémon hurt?"
"Well, she says that she's not" Tom chuckled, concern echoing in his voice as well "But could you please help her somehow?"
Tom gently lowered Layla, who sat wearily on the counter as the nurse looked over her. She looked over Layla, occasionally poking a spot or parting her fur to search for hidden cuts. When she prodded Layla's leg, she let out a small whine, whimpering slightly as the nurse felt around the leg. Will was amusing himself a computer terminal set into a wall, looking over the screen and deftly tapping the keys, eyes wide with the newfound knowledge was accessed. Michael waited slightly impatiently, trying to remember the name of the town which Valerie had said was close by when they had met. He needed to know where it was and how to get there, but he also needed information to try and find Valerie in the first place. The nurse's voice jarred him from his thoughts just as the name snapped into his mind.
"She's very exhausted and she's got a cut on her face just above her eye" The nurse said, turning and gathering opening the glass cabinet behind the desk, filled with medical bottles. "She might have a fractured leg, but it's better to be safe and keep her from walking for a while. What's she been eating?"
"Mostly canned food, we haven't had a chance to get anything proper for ourselves yet" Tom explained, stomach panging slightly when he thought of the packaged meat they had left behind. It would've been a treat for all of them. The nursed grabbed a small packet from a lower cabinet and handed all of the things to Tom. She pointed to each bottle as she explained what it was for.
"That's a disinfectant, just put it on her cuts, and make sure to get to the skin through the fur. That's to help with sleep, it's a relaxant, and it'll also help with her leg." She then pointed to the small foil package she had given him. "She may not like that flavour, it's just standard Pokémon food, but it's all we have right now and it can be given to any Pokémon".
"Thanks" tom said gratefully, slightly dreaded the next question "What will it cost?"
"It's free, right now everything is" She shrugged "We're still helping injured people, so we can't really charge them". Tom sighed in relief, knowing that other things they need may cost currency they didn't have, or even understand. Michael pushed through and asked the nurse
"How far is it to Mauville city?". The nurse looked at him, confusion of her face and looking like he had asked an exceptionally stupid question. She slowly replied
"Mauville is in Hoenn" She said, Michael nodded slightly.
"Yes, I know" he said. The nurse took her time to answer.
"Well...if you take the ferry, it's about 16 hours, but the ferry goes from Olivine city. That's about three days walk from here...but if you've got a water type Pokémon that's big enough, it'll take a day or so to get there by sea" She said. Michael's head swam, where was he? Wasn't he in Hoenn? Knew he would sound even stupider for the next question.
"Which...ah, which region is this?"
"Johto" the nurse answered, looking at him oddly. "Are you feeling okay?". Michael steadied himself as he answered, shaking slightly as he realised how far he had to go.
"Yes...I'm just tired, we all are" He said "We came from some old tower outside the city; it's been a long walk"
"You were at the burned tower?" She asked "What were you doing there? It's not safe"
"Just looking for someone..." Michael said, moving away from the desk, leaving the nurse bewildered. Tom gave her a quick assuring answer as he followed.
"Really, the lad's just tired after all that's happened". The nurse smiled wearily.
"We all are, I guess."
�
Tom followed Michael, who had sat down on one of the benches, blanket draped over it. Will was still tapping on the computer a short distance away. Layla was rested on one of the blanketed mattresses lining the floor, not caring who it belonged to. They both sat there in silence for a few minutes, Tom finally breaking the silence with a question.
"So we're in the wrong place?" he asked. Michael meekly nodded. "Just how wrong a place?"
"We're in a whole different region" Michael said, head in hands. "Hoenn is the region we went to before, but I don't even know what this Johto region is like". Will had been listening in and called to them.
"Well, where was it you wanted to go?" He asked
"Mauville, it's in the middle of Hoenn" He replied, muttering "far away from here..."
"She said something about a ferry, didn't she?" Tom inquired, trying to raise Michael's sudden lack of morale.
"It's meant to go from...ah, where was it?" Michael tried to remember the obscure name.
"Olivine?" Will called again, turning away from the screen for only a second.
"Yeah...that's it, Olivine" Michael answered
"Well, then shouldn't we head there?" Tom said "We might not have money, but there are other ways of getting on board". Michael gave a small smile at Tom's devious nature.
"I hope it doesn't involve explosives like your past escape plan did"
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"You still sore about that?" Tom said, mock hurt in his voice
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"No...But what would we do? Hide in some crates for sixteen hours and hope we aren't discovered?" Michael rubbed his tired face, the fatigue of being awake for an entire night setting in. Tom somehow dispelled it; his previous nights of sleeplessness having hardened him at this point. He gently put a hand on Michaels shoulder
"Lad, let's just worry about that when we get there" He said, Michael was unaccustomed to optimism from the man...or maybe it was hopelessness? "We can head out to the city and then find a way from there"
"We don't even know where it is. I know Hoenn roughly, but this..." Michael sighed "We might as well have been dropped in a maze". A small mechanical screeching made both of them look to Will, where the computer was humming, mechanisms turning roughly throughout the box. With a small buzz, Will snatched a sheet of paper from a small slot below and waltzed up to them, a smug grin on his face.
"South from Ecruteak city and along route 38 for roughly 120 kilometres, with a small public resting house half way apparently, then east down route 39 after we hit a small group of houses, one of which is another rest house, for about 60 kilometres and we'll be at Olivine." He looked up from the sheet to admire their looks of confusion and astonishment.
"How did you figure that out?" Michael asked. Will tapped his glasses, and gave a knowing smile.
"Just ran the names through a few searches on that computer and found the directions" He said "Simple enough". They moved to the terminal Will had been using to see he had pulled up various pages on information on the places he had mentioned. Pictures, directions and information on the towns were there in full. Behind that was a page of an encyclopaedia with information on Lucario, Gardevoir and other Pokémon they had seen around, displaying information of physiology and behaviour. Tom smiled back, clapping Will on the back.
"You bloody brilliant bastard, for once your damn curiosity worked for us" He said, Will slightly unamused at the disregard for his scientific nature. Michael was looking over the pages Will had open, staring soberly at one picture of a Gardevoir, photographed next to a trainer. Somehow, despite the identical appearance, he could tell it wasn't Melody. Subtle things were different, but it wasn't her, and that made him long to see her even more. He straightened by and turned back to Tom and Will, renewed purpose in his voice.
"Let's go then" He said "It'll be a day of walking to get halfway, so let's start now". Will quickly tried to print off some more from the encyclopaedia, only getting a few pages of information on the Lucario species before he was dragged from the terminal.
Tom wrapped the medication and food up in a blanket, making a makeshift rucksack then hefted Layla onto his back again, with her giving significantly less complaint this time and instead choosing to continue to doze silently. They made their way from the centre with the meagre supplies they had picked up, and wandered through the streets, still bustling with people too busy to notice them. It wasn't a large city, but they did manage to become lost once, being forced to ask directions from one of the locals. Within twenty minutes the roads gave way to a wide dirt path, trees lining the road adorned with small shrubs at their feet. There were a few scattered houses, and eventually a checkpoint building. But a man dressed in what Michael could only guess was police attire directed them around it, a large and smouldering hole present in the side of the concrete wall of the building. Will mused aloud that the cities must have very strict limits, as immediately after the checkpoint building the road became surrounded by untamed forests and fields. Ahead of them, gently sloping hills could be seen, grass green and waving the in wind, along with dense patches of trees to surround them. The sky was clear and bright, a great expanse of blue that stretched to the horizon with only a few long clouds hanging in the air. The view, Michael thought, was a masterpiece. They began on their long walk down the dirt road, the peaceful whistling and chirping of birds being a serenading them.
They had walked for only ten minutes before fatigue hit them all. They had entered this world late at night, but were greeted by the rising sun. Their bodies ached for rest after the events that had transpired only a few hours ago, and they were soon forced to stop. By the side of the road, they sat, and waited for their strength to return. But when it did not, they moved slightly into the trees, only a few feet from the road beneath the shadows of the rustling leaves above them. Tom spread one of the blankets on the ground and laid Layla on it, who was still somehow awake, but her eyes were half lidded and it took some effort for her to prop herself up on her elbows.
"Where are we now?" She asked sleepily
"We just stopped to rest, we're all tired as you" Tom said
"I'm not..." Layla stopped and yawned, rolling her eyes slightly "Fine...I'm tired". Tom chuckled gently.
"You finally admit it..." He said, fetching the some of the medicine he had stashed in a rolled up blanket. He popped the lid off, nose wrinkling at the strong alcoholic scent in the disinfectant. Layla would have protested when he parted her fur to dab at the wounds, but she was too tired to care, the stinging of the medicine hardly registering in her mind. She was slightly embarrassed when he treated the cuts on her waist and legs, but it passed soon enough as Tom worked quickly. She was about to lie down again when he handed her a small red pill, she took it giving him a look of confusion.
"It's to help you sleep, and it'll take the pain off your legs" He explained "Swallow it, just don't bite down on it". She looked at the pill apprehensively, but decided it was for the best and took it anyway. She gagged slightly as the hard lump nearly caught in her throat, Tom laughing it off.
"Perhaps with some water next time" He said, letting her lay down again. She muttered thanks a she finally drifted into sleep. Tom spread out another blanket beside Layla's and laid himself down, sleep coming easy in knowing that there was little to threaten them here, and knowing that Layla would be okay. His last thought was about how odd that sounded.
Michael had sat down in the cool shade, his back against a tree. He watched Tom tend to Layla, the scene being familiar to him. For a brief moment it was as if he was watching himself as Tom worked, but the warm scene he saw returned to the two in an instant and he was once again left with a feeling of disillusionment. He smiled softly at the scene, not knowing if Tom was feeling what he had felt before, but the care showed through the cracks in him. Soon, the spectacle ended as they both lay down and fell into sleep, Michael leaning his head back against the rough wood as he lost interest. The air was pleasantly warm, and it took all his strength to grab a blanket and throw it over himself before the heat nursed him into sleep. The world faded slowly as he closed his eyes, the droplets of light dancing in his vision from through the leaves before the black.
It didn't take long for him to arrive in that familiar place again, the place of darkness and smudged visions, where his mind was as heavy as lead and his body numb to all. But something was different this time. His mind quickly snapped forward, his lucidity returning in an instant. He shifted his body, finding the weight gone, but still floating in the void. Without warning, a flash of light blinded him, more intense than anything else he had seen. He covered his eyes as spots swam in from of them, waiting until the light had dimmed. He slowly removed his hands, staring into the now glowing panel of light that stood before him in the blackness. He reached out to touch it, but before he could, it glowed bright again and expanded. The light filled his vision and spread around him, soon caging him completely in a void of white. As quick as he realised what had happened, the light faded, not into black as he expected, but into a dreamy scene of green and browns. He soon realised what he was seeing, a field with a great blue sky above, reaching to the gentle hills on the horizon. His feet touched solid ground, giving him a small shock as he landed and wobbled on his feet. Michael looked around, feet shuffling in the dirt as he tried to figure out what was happening. He was on a narrow dirt path dug through a field of long swaying grass, the wind blowing over his body, cool and crisp. He snapped his head around as he heard a shuffling near him. He saw a small brown figure running through the grass, skipping past him in only a second, taking no notice of him. Badger like and coated in brown and tan striped fur, its name whispered from his mouth.
"Zigzagoon?" he said, only remembering the name from the silliness of it. He knew that Pokémon, it was the one that always appeared in fields when he had played the old game. It was from Hoenn. He laughed loudly when he realised where he was.
"Hoenn!" He yelled, laughing loudly into the sky with his hands raised. He was brought down from the high as he heard another sound, this time from in front of him. He looked down and along the path, seeing two figures walking slowly towards him. He soon heard their voices, one young and soft, the other musical. His eyes widened as he made out their forms, a young girl and a Gardevoir walking beside each other. He ran to them, feeling as if they would slip away at any moment. The grass whipped his legs as he ran, calling out to the two.
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"Melody!" He yelled "Valerie!". They didn't hear him, taking no notice as he approached. HE slowed down and grabbed Melody tightly, but his joy drained when his arms did nothing but phase through her. He turned back as he fell to the ground, feeling no pain as he hit the ground, his arm landing awkwardly. He pushed himself up and started after the two, trying to grab them but failing as his arms passed through their forms every time. He slowly gave up, his grabs becoming weak as his resolve left him. But his ears picked up on their voices again, talking as they walked, oblivious to him.
"-plently of money for the next few days, we'll get some proper food soon" Valerie said, short cut brown hair blowing in the wind. She no longer wore the ripped attire she had when he had met her, but now was dressed in a dull blue singlet covered by a coat three sizes too big and complimented by equally large cargo pants. Her feet were covered with old gray running shoes and mismatched socks. She carried a small duffel bag over her shoulder, filled with unknown items that clunked with every step.
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"That would be nice" Melody answered, Michael sighing deeply as he heard her voice once more. He had missed the soft melodic tune that her voice carried when she spoke, sounding sweeter than anything in the world now. She looked slightly worn out, her white dress smudged with dirt in some areas, the grass depositing small dew drops which ran down it and onto the dirt, leaving a grey ring around the edges. She hesitated slightly, her voice quivering as she spoke.
"...I dreamed again last night" She said. Valerie gave a concerned look, her expression telling that she know how serious this was to Melody.
"What was it of this time?" She asked, voice gentle, trying to calm Melody.
"I don't know..." Melody replied hopelessly "I never know, it's all just a blur when it happens, and until I wake up, I can't think straight..."
"Can you see...anything?" Valerie asked
"Nothing is clear...but maybe..." She began, Valerie stopped and gingerly put a hand on Melody's shoulder.
"I know" She said "I know you miss him but I told you, we might find him sometime..."
"I don't know..." Melody said sadly, voice breaking and tears brimming in her eyes "I really don't know...". Valerie drew her into a short hug, speaking softly.
"It'll be okay Melody, it's just us two for now, but we'll try to find him" She said, her voice showing the true sadness she felt for what had happened. "He'll be looking for you too; just hold on until you meet again..."
Michael slowly reached out again, so desperate to hold her and tell her they'd be fine and he'd never leave again. But the scene faded slowly, inching away from him as he called out brokenly.
"Please...just wait..." he sobbed gently, see a final smile creep onto Melody's face as she disappeared along with the field of green and blue. The next scene rushed by a, flash of light that left a memory imprinted on his mind. More scenes flashed by faster than he could count, but each staying with him in his mind. Melody sitting in the forest, head buried in her hands, crying out his name as two bodies lay dead behind her. She was screaming for him to come back, her sobs echoing through the forest. He saw Melody walking with Valerie, pure sorrow etched on her face as Valerie helped her along the road, her own legs unable to support her in her grief. He saw them in Mauvile, sitting with other refugees from the overthrown towns, wrapped in blankets and eating bowls of rationed stew. They travelled far, across a small ocean expanse and through tall reeds in muddy lands. The sun shone on muddy puddles across a sodden grassy ground as the two walked on. He saw Melody as she woke up sobbing, the dreams haunting her, holding a hand to her head as Valerie held her in the dark and assured her it was only a dream. And as quick as these visions came, they were gone. He was again in darkness, and again, alone.
He awoke with a start, something striking his head hard. He looked around, darkness obscuring his vision, beads of light dripping through the gaps in the leaves of the trees. The ground around him was cool and slightly wet, the air heavy with the smell of earth. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the darkness, revealing the campground scene to him. To his right, Will was lying on a blanket near a felled log, papers scattered around him. And in front of him, Tom and Layla slept quietly. Layla had managed to inch onto Tom's blanket during the night and now lay beside him, her blue fur almost white in the pale moonlight as she slept curled into a ball. Tom didn't seem to mind sharing the warmth, which made Michael feel all the colder as he pulled his blanket closer to him. The night wind whispered gently through the trees and brought with it a soft chill, as well as the scent of old wood. Michael's hand bumped something as he shifted and he looked down to see a large acorn held in his blanket. It was nearly the size of his fist, its shell clearly blue in the moonlight. Michael looked up into the tree, seeing a few more like it. It must've woken him when it fell. He placed it beside him, hoping it was in some way edible, and wrapped himself in the large blanket, trying to fall sleep again.
But he was awoken only an hour later, Tom shaking him gently. Michael looked at him tiredly, seeing he was already packed, rucksack fashioned from a blanket slung over his shoulder. Layla stood behind him, looking equally tired.
"We should be going now" he said. Michael grunted as he got up, seeing the moon still high in the sky.
"Isn't it a little late?" Michael asked
"We've been asleep for nearly twelve hours, Michael. We would've woken up early anyway" He said "In fact, Will was the first to wake up, woke me up too". Michael looked over to see Will standing with his own blanket rolled under his arm, yawning as he waited for them. Michael sluggishly gathered his own blanket, the damp from the ground clinging to his clothes. He spied the large acorn and pocketed it, reaching to take a few more from the tree while he was there. Layla was still injured and swaying on her feet, the medication doing its work and numbing the pain in her legs, which, unfortunately, made her nearly unable to walk. She clambered onto Tom's back, not caring any more now and thankful that she was able to sleep while the rest walked on, despite how useless it made her feel. They all started off, back onto the dirt road, illuminated by the bright moon shining down on it. Michael looked on as they walked, the light dancing over the serene landscape, forming pools of silver water upon glistening grass fields. It was beautiful, and if this was the perfect world he could inhabit, he wouldn't care if he was the last man on the planet. But Melody would be there too, and when he found her, they could share these graceful moonlit nights, all alone in the warmth of the midnight sun.Chapter End Notes:Well, I'm going on vacation next week, so the next chapter may be delayed. Maybe I'll bring a laptop to work on it while there