Chapter 8: Love and Understanding
#8 of Love and Understanding
Chapter 8 of "Love & Understanding"
WARNING: This chapter is pretty graphic so do not read if the tags within offend you.
POKESPEECH/THOUGHTS:
"Normal Speech"
'Pokemon Telepathy/Pokemon Thoughts'
'Normal Telepathy/Normal Thoughts'
' Subconscious'
" POKESPEECH"/ Ability
DISCLAIMER: I CALLED MY AGENT AND HE TOLD ME I STILL DON'T OWN POKEMON.
WARNING: Read the tags before reading the story! This chapter has some pretty graphic scenes!
Jessica's POV
I quietly brushed my locks of blue hair in a vain attempt to reveal my right eye. Alas, it was not meant to be and I tossed the brush on the bathroom floor in frustration
'I can tell today is going to be a special day, I wonder what I should get at the Pokemart...' I pondered quietly to myself while our son continued to work on his Agility skill. In the twelve years that Blade has been part of the family I've watched him grow and mature into a healthy, confident and powerful Gallade. Tears fell from my eyes as images of the day me and Michael finally bonded in that special way, normally reserved for those of the same species, and the wonderful memories we created on that stormy night.
That was what made it so special for me, for us. He knew I was a pokemon and he, despite being a human, chose to take on the burden of fatherhood with someone not even of his own kind. Such care and concern was always going to be considered "immoral" by the masses due to the nature of our love, as well as what our eternal bond had created. I would never forget the sensation of carrying our first child, nor will I forget the amount of care and concern shown from my beloved while I was bringing our first child into this world.
I could only hope and pray that Arceus would allow Blade to inherit even a small portion of his fathers courage and strength.
My thoughts were interrupted when a sharp psychic jolt stirred from the depths of my mind. Closing my eyes I quickly searched for the source and saw Michaels mind flame (Read chapter 4) and it was quickly becoming larger and brighter. I nearly had to shield myself mentally it was so overwhelming! Normally we would communicate telepathically only from short distances, but he was at work and to attempt a mind link this far from me meant something serious was happening or was about to happen.
i prayed it was the latter.
'Michael? What's the matter? You've never used a mind link so far from...WHAT?!' My eyes shot open and I nearly lost the connection. I inhaled and exhaled as calmly as I could to take in everything I was being told.
'Listen, Jessi, I need you to pay attention to what I'm about to tell you. I need you to look outside and towards the Langstons house. Tell me what you see.' The urgency in Michaels voice gave me an ill sensation, a terrible foreboding of which I couldn't explain. I quickly pushed my thoughts aside for now, though, and focused on the world outside our house. I projected my consciousness to a nearby Pidgey roosting on a tree just outside the Langstons home and relayed what I saw to Michael.
'I see two cars in their driveway that I don't recognize, I'm also detecting several heartbeats...of Pokemon and humans...three...no, four...five...six...' My mind began racing as to what was going on; the Langstons were always together and never had more than one Pokemon out at a time. I was reading double the normal number of signals and none of them belonged to the Langstons. I relayed my concern to Michael who immediately cursed in his mind.
'Alright set up a mind link with Derrick and Patrick and tell them whats going on. I can't leave the meeting due to the company President set to arrive in the next thirty minutes so I need you to handle things until I can get out of here. Make sure Amber and Blade are kept in the house and do your best not to let Blade see you leave.'
'Michael...what is going on? Why are there so many people in the Langstons home?' I asked with worry and panic evident in my voice.
'I don't really have an exact answer but it has something to do with this man I met outside the office complex. He had cold blue eyes and was wearing a dark blue sports jacket with a black undershirt and black dress pants. His hair was a blazing crimson in color, but what concerned me the most is what he said about a potential "body" inside the home. Those signals you saw must have been the people he sent, whoever they may be. Whatever you do, do NOT, under any circumstance, attempt to engage them until help arrives. The man had a Mightyena and you are weak against Dark-types, not that you couldn't handle yourself but I would rather you not risk it- huh?'
I stood there in confusion for a moment, wondering why Michael cut himself off like that.
'Ok, change of plans, Steven had a family emergency involving his wife so I'm on my way there. Wait for me, Jessi.'
Before I could reciprocate I felt the mind link end and my heart began to sink, the knowledge of the past ten minutes starting to sink in. 'I've got to let Derrick and Patrick know...but that last mind link drained my power. I've told him the repricussions of using long-distance mind linking and he did it anyway. Then again...' I folded my hands over my chest spike and could feel my heart beat a mile a minute in my chest. '...this is a very serious situation so I better take it just as seriously.'
I first went to check on Blade and Amber to make sure they were taken care of. Thankfully Amber was still asleep in her bed but I could hear Blade slashing and hacking at a training dummy Michael had constructed using his newfound psychic powers. It amazed me just how quickly Michael was adjusting to his new life even though it had been ten years since we unofficially became a couple. Since pokemon/human relationships were not legal we ended up "tying the knot" so to speak through our own verbal vows before Derrick, Patrick and Michaels father, along with several friends and relatives of the Kramer family. They saw our relationship as love simply finding its way into our hearts like anyone else's; to know we had such a strong backing of friends and family meant the world to me and Michael.
Putting those thoughts aside I closed my eyes once again and held my arms out at the sides, my mind focusing on two different households in our neighborhood. I could see Patrick raking leaves out of his yard while his Magmortar carefully burned the piles he had made, making sure to keep his flame cannon away from the yard. Derrick was grooming his Delicatty with a hairbrush and occasionally filing the pokemons claws with a nail file. I waited for the opportune moment to address them so they wouldn't be startled but I remembered what was going on and threw caution to the wind.
'Derrick. Patrick.'
I could see Derrick swivel side to side in confusion while Patrick was made aware of my voice from his Magmortar. Patrick immediately called out his Espeon and I linked her mind with the other two.
'What is it, Mrs. Kramer?' I heard Derrick address me curtly, which always brought an amused giggle from me.'
' You rang, Gardy?' I heard Patricks Espeon reply.
'Listen to me very carefully, something is going down at the Langstons house right now and I need you to bring your strongest Pokemon with you. I'm not sure what is going on there but Michael apparently met the boss of whoever is intruding on the Langstons...based on what Michael told me it doesn't sound like its for a pleasant afternoon stroll. I counted at least six foreign body signatures within the house and there will probably be more since I can't track pure Dark-types. Michael is on his way home after his meeting got cancelled so we should wait for him before we proceed.'
I could sense Espeon and Derrick explaining what was going on to their trainer and pokemon respectively and, after a few minutes of silence they both responded.
' Patrick will bring me and Bruno' his Espeon replied gently.
'I'll be bringing Snuggles and Topaz' I cringed at how intentionally feminine Derricks voice was. I knew which side of the coin he was on but I just could never get used to that voice of his.
'Alright, let me check and see how far out Michael is and we can get this show on the road.' I broke off the double mind link and quickly searched for Michaels signature; he was less than five minutes away. I began to dread having to create another double mind link as my energy had already been taxed because of the earlier long-distance connection. If I was going to be ready I needed to do them one at a time.
Taking a deep breath I reached deep into my core for any excess reserves of psychic energy and drew upon that reserve so I could finish communicating with Derrick and Patrick.
'Okay, Michael is less than five minutes out so let's meet up at Patricks place.'
A knock was heard at the door as Patrick went to open it. A somewhat short muscular man with messy blonde hair and stunning emerald green eyes made his way inside and walked towards me.
"How are you feeling, Jessi? Four mind links within the span of forty-five minutes was bound to be taxing on you." I could only nod weakly at Michael as Patrick brought out his two pokeballs which contained Bruno, his Machoke, and Sasha, his Espeon. Derrick unclipped two pokeballs from his belt containing Snuggles, his Delicatty, and Topaz, his Staryu.
The air inside the house was tense and I had to swivel around to make sure time hadn't stood still Or some other crazy phenomenon.
"Aright, from what I know the people inside the Langstons home are part of a pokemon fanatic group known as "PAIR" the group is widely known as one of the first true fanatic organizations bent on ensuring humans and Pokemon remain entirely platonic in their daily lives. As you may also know Professor Langston was set to deliver a speech to the other regions on his recent studies involving interspecies development between Pokemon and their trainers. Apparently the Professor discovered some sort of gene specimen that had resulted from fluids being passed between a trainer and her Blaziken. A sample was extracted from this gene and, after over six months of study, Professor Langston believes he has discovered the cure to Pokerus."
i gasped audibly as did Patrick and Derrick. Pokerus was a common mutation that affected Pokemon with minimal side effects. However, was were somehow transferred to a human the results were disastrous. Many who contracted the deadly disease would die within twenty-four hours of being exposed to it. Up until not the only way to prevent Pokerus from spreading through humans was to outlaw relationships between Pokemon and their trainers, even though there was never any conclusive evidence that linked Pokerus and interspecies relations together.
'That is fascinating but...why would PAIR want to prevent the document from being published? Wouldn't it prove more beneficial to back the Professor rather than try and keep such a secret hidden?'
"There in lies the problem, Jessi...PAIR doesn't care for interspecies relationships between Humans and Pokemon, regardless of whether or not there is a link to Pokerus or if there is a benefit to such a union...these guys are simply out to keep people from mating with their Pokemon because they believe it is wrong." I saw his fist clinch and smash onto the table, his fierce emerald eyes burning with a rage I hadn't ever seen before. "They refuse to accept that love can occur between the two and instead write it off as immoral and taboo..."
'Michael~' I cooed into his left ear gently in an attempt to calm him down. We all needed to be at our best right now, especially Michael as he was he strongest fighter between us.
"Sorry everyone...just a little purturbed at the moment. What with a Pokemon fanatic organization trying to kill people and tear me and Jessi apart...it sickens me that there are people as dense as the ones were going to be facing that don't believe that love can cross over boundaries and limits...love always finds a way and as long as two beings have a beating heart...they can feel love for one another..."
I felt the tears begin to well up within me and pour freely from my eyes, even Derrick had engaged the waterworks while Patrick smirked with indifference. Finally Patrick was the one who broke the three of us from our moment.
"Hate to break up this emotional fun fest but we have a neighborhood to reclaim..."
Night had finally begun to settle over the neighborhood and three trainers and a Gardevoir were scouting the home of the Langstons carefully.
"What do you see inside, Jessi?"
'Something is keeping me from going into one room of the house, its a single-entry with no windows to speak of that I can tell but whatever is inside is keeping me from going further.'
"Damn it, that means they have either powerful Psychic-types blocking any signals from coming in or they have a ton of Dark-types pushing away your psychic waves. For our sake I pray its the latter because we don't have any Pokemon that can fend off an Alakazam or powerful Kadabra."
'So, what am I, Michael? Chopped liver?''
"I-I didn't mean that to come across the way it did, Jessi! C-come on, now! I know you're one of the most powerful psychic Pokemon around!"
'Hmph!'
Meanwhile Derrick and Patrick just watched with sweat dropping from the back of their heads at the sight of the lovers quarrel. It was amusing to say the least but they had a job to do and this was neither the time or place to lose focus.
"Hey, quiet down! I think I see someone coming out from the front door..."
Michael and Jessica immediately quit their squabbling and turned to the front door of the Langstons. What they saw walk out was a grisly sight...
Professor Langston was being carried over a mans shoulder with his body motionless, and blood was pouring from a horrible gash that covered his entire forehead. Another man walked out and had a woman draped over his shoulders and, just like the Professor, she wasn't moving either but her injuries were horrifying beyond words. Jessica started back and covered her mouth, a look of pure terror etched on her face as what she saw finally registered.
Mrs. Langstons arms had been completely stripped of flesh and, even worse, it appeared to have been done by a Pokemon. Her body was dumped unceremoniously in a nearby storm drain while the Professors was sprawled out along the ground, his head being smashed into the unforgiving concrete.
Just when it seemed as though it couldn't get worse, it did. The bodies of a Blaziken and a Persian were dumped in the opposite storm drain. They were the Pokemon that belonged to the Langston's, their only Pokemon.
Michael had seen more than he could handle and charged forth from their hiding spot in the nearby treeline. With a surge of adrenaline the terror known as Michael Kramer unleashed hell on Earth...
A burst of Agility was all the intruders managed to convey before a raging blur of murderous force slammed into the man that had been smashing the Professors head into the ground. The sheer force of the impact caused the mans spine to snap in two, bone sticking out from his back and he was tossed to the side. The enraged human then turned his gaze on the man who had the gall to point a sawed-off shotgun at him. In seconds Michael had crossed the distance with another quick burst of Agility and channeled a penetrating beam of psychic energy from a blade that rose from his arm, which began glowing a chaotic purple.
All of this took place in less than seven seconds, from the first mans death to the second finding his shotgun sliced in two and his left arm suddenly missing from his body. The man let out a horrible wail of pain until Michael used another Psycho Cut to destroy the mans vocal cords. It wasn't enough to kill him but the missing arm would. At the very least it shut him up so he wasn't screaming so pathetically. He then turned his attention to the surviving four men who could only stare at him as though he was devil spawn reincarnated.
"You should have never come here...now your lives are forfeit and none shall hear you scream as I send your bloated corpses into the fiery pits off hell!"
All hell broke loose as pokeballs were thrown at him in a vain attempt to buy time to escape.
Oh, if only those poor fools knew what they had just done...
"SO YOU CHOOSE TO THROW YOUR POKEMONS LIves AT MY FEET LIKE A LAMB BEFORE A RAVENOUS LION?!"
Michael stared at the four Houndoom that shot him a death glare, the dark and fire types not intimidated in the least by Michaels surge of rage. The other four pokeballs opened to reveal Mightyena who, like their fiery counterparts, refused to back down. All the while their "trainers" were running away with their tails tucked between their legs.
Jessica was watching from the relative safety of the tree line. She didn't know what to think at the moment; in the twenty years she had known Michael she had NEVER seen this much rage come from him. It wasn't just anger and disdain, this was primal...unfiltered...not meant for mere mortal minds to endure.
'MICHAEL, STOP! YOU'RE LOSING CONTROL OF YOUR EMOTIONS!'
MICHAELS POV
' Rage...'
"What in the name of Arceus is he?! He's a demon!"
' Death...'
"STOP STANDING AROUND AND SHOOT HIM ALREADY!"
' Hate...'
"N-N-NOOOOO!~ GUUUUH-"
'_ All of them will die by my hands...all of them...all...of...them...' _
Ba-dump...
'...chael!'
Ba-dump...
'Michael! Stop!'
Ba-dump...
'MICHAEL STOP! YOU'RE LOSING CONTROL OF YOUR EMOTIONS!'
Ba-dump...
' J-Jessi...?'
Ba-dump...
'COME BACK TO ME, MICHAEL! DONT LET THE RAGE CONSUME YOU!'
' I can...hear her...calling me...she sounds...so...scared...'
Ba-dump...
'N-NO! G-GET AWAY FROM ME! NGGH! MICHAEL! HELP ME!'
'h-huh? Jessi? W-whats going on? Why...can't I move...'
Ba-dump..ba-dump..
'MICHAEL SNAP OUT OF IT! PLEASE!...O-OOH ARCEUS! W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, BLADE?! WHY AREN'T YOU IN THE HOUSE?!'
' My son...'
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
'I'M DOING WHAT DAD WOULD WANT ME TO DO!'
'NO! GET BACK, BLADE! YOU CAN'T TAKE THEM ALL BY YOURSELF! THEY'RE DARK-TYPES!'
'JUST WATCH ME, MOM! IM GONNA BE A GREAT FIGHTER LIKE DAD, AND IM GONNA START BY SAVING YOU!'
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
' Blade~...don't~ ...'
BA-DUMP! BA-DUMP! BA-DUMPBADUMPBADUMPBADUMP~
' Is...this it for me?'
... BA-DUMP~...
' darkness...'
BA-dump~...
' its...cold...'
ba-dump...
' Jessi...Blade...Amber...'
... ba...dum...
' I'm...'
... ba...dum...
'... sorry...'
... ba...dum...
...
...
...
'...'it's...warm...this...light...'
'...Blinding light...'
'You can open your eyes now, my child...'
'Huh? That voice...wait, open my eyes? Oh...I can open them, and...I...I can move? Wait...where am I? Where is Jessi and Blade? Amber? Derrick? Patrick?'
...
...
...
'It is good to see you, Michael.'
I whirled around in this strange place, which looked more fit for royalty. When I saw the source of the voice I suddenly found it difficult to speak, much less form a rational thought.
"I-I-It...can't be...A-A-Arc...eus?"
'In the flesh, my child. You have no need to fear me, you are in my domain high above the world you call Earth. I have been watching all of my beloved children, human and pokemon alike, but you were always a special one. I saw the pain and anger in your heart and I intervened before the darkness could swallow you whole.'
I couldn't help but nod, as if my body was on autopilot and my senses refused to listen to anyone but the Alpha Pokemon standing before me in all its glory.
"Why? Why did you save me, Arceus? What is so special about me?"
'Your son...he goes by the human name Blade, am I correct?'
"Y-Yes...but, what does that have to do with me? I know he is my son but how-"
'A great evil looms on the horizon, one that will surely engulf the world if it is left unchecked. A sinister group of humans have been performing vile experiments on my beloved children, twisting their minds and bodies to suit the purposes of their master.'
I simply nodded and waited for Arceus to continue.
'These humans...their cruelty towards Pokemon knows no equal. One by one I can sense the spark of life leave my beloved children's hearts during this time, as though their hearts are being shut off from the outside world. These humans are turning Pokemon into mindless tools of war, yet I am unable to intervene.'
"How is that even possible, Arceus? You are the Alpha Pokemon! How is it you are unable to stop what sounds like another criminal organization bent on world domination?" I stared into the pristine crimson eyes of the god Pokemon and saw...uncertainty.
'It is not as simple as you make it out to be, my child. The tactics being used by this group of humans puts all wild Pokemon in danger, as they have not yet forged a bond with a trainer or, in most cases, another Pokemon or mate. Their hearts are vulnerable in this state and that is why I am unable to intervene. I share a bond with all of my children but...it is not the same bond as the one you share with your mate and family.'
I gave another gentle nod in affirmation.
'There are many types of bonds, just as there are many types of Pokemon. Each bond is unique and has strengths that other bonds do not. There are the "normal bonds" between humans and pokemon, this is the most common bond and, if the bond grows strong enough, becomes a "blood bond." A blood bond can be compared to the level of affection you would find between siblings and family. If the bond reaches a point of deep intimacy, and both parties are willing to share their lives in the process, the bond will evolve to become a "life bond." This type of bond is usually reserved for lovers of the same species and, as such, is one of the most treasured.'
When Arceus stopped talking I began to ponder what he had just said about the different bonds. Then it hit me.
"You said a life bond was ONE of the most treasured. Does that mean there is a bond that goes beyond lovers and soul-mates?" I saw Arceus nod and offer what I assumed was a warm smile, even though he had no mouth to speak of.
'You are correct in your assumption, my child. There is a bond so powerful that it is able to transcend the boundaries and laws set by the world. Such a bond will only happen every few generations but its effects are strong enough to last from now until the end of time. It is the only bond capable of resisting the corruption that threatens the world. What makes this bond so important is its ability to be passed down to the next generation.'
I stared at Arceus with mouth agape and eyes wide open. "You mean...like an Eternal Bond?" I didn't realize how right I was.
'Exactly, my child! An Eternal Bond is just as it sounds, one that will last forever. It is this most sacred of bonds that you share with the one you call Jessica. As I mentioned, such a bond is passed down to future generations so that means your son, Blade, and daughter, Amber, will form Eternal Bonds in time with other humans who share the same pure heart, mind and soul. In order for your son, Blade, to be in a position to continue the bond he must become stronger and you are going to be the one to ensure that it happens.'
_"_Great Arceus, not to question your words or judgement, how am I going to accomplish that when I have no power of my own?"
'Michael. The power...is already in you.'
I tilted my head in confusion.
'Take a look at yourself, my child. The power inside of you has already manifested itself...'
I suddenly saw a reflection of myself being projected in front of me and my jaw nearly hit the floor. I looked exactly like a Gallade, the Blade Pokemon. There were several noticeable differences about me that were not the norm for a Gallade but I was not overly concerned about those differences.
"Does this mean I'm...a Pokemon now?"
'Not entirely, my child, the power inside of you has awakened the other half of your soul...your Pokemon half. You still have your humanity intact but possess the body of a pokemon.
I looked at Arceus in complete shock.
'Surely you must have wondered why your efforts to gain human companionship was such a struggle? It is because you are not fully human, and you never were.'
_"_What are you saying, Arceus? Does this have to do with my birth defect? With my mind?"
'You could say that. In truth, however, your unusual brainwaves are a result of a hereditary condition passed down to you. It affects all who have the natural ability to sense emotions and, as a result, possess a much higher mental capacity and can absorb knowledge at considerably higher thresholds. At the same time you are able to use your vast knowledge in ways that are practically impossible for humans to execute. In other words, Michael, you are more like a Psychic-type pokemon than you are an actual human.'
_"_So...my family are all pokemon?"
'Your ancestors were part of an unusual bloodline, one that was centered on the choices a young human made in his pursuit of a certain pokemon. This man befriended a Ralts, much like you did years ago. However this Ralts had a father and a mother, A Gallade and Gardevoir respectively. The father, seeing the immediate bond form between his child and the human, left his lasting legacy in the form of a mark on the humans body and, through no coincidence, changed the genetic structure of the human he cut. The mark was to be a promise, a bond had been forged and that same Gallade's powers were absorbed into your ancestors DNA which, in turn, allowed the human to eventually create an Eternal Bond with the Ralts. These same genes have been passed down from generation to generation and now are in you as well. THAT is the power that has been awakened in you.'
_"_What about my father? What about Angel, my Pidgeot? What of my company? How am I going to be able to do anything in a pokemons body?"
'My child, that is not for you to be concerned with at this time...rest assured I have taken the necessary precautions to those you were involved with. They will be none the wiser that anything has even happened. Those who are meant to see your true form will see it, those who are not will merely see you in your human form. As far as protecting those you care for...' Arceus snickered afterwards.
I looked at Arceus incredulously.
'You possess the abilities and strengths of a Gallade. A Gallade is one of the strongest fighters in all of the pokemon world, as well as a clever Psyhic-type tactician. Your unusual appearance can be linked to the fact that you still possess your humanity, so long as you do not mega-evolve. Should you choose to pursue mega evolution you will lose what remains of your humanity and risk the same darkness that devoured you earlier returning. I was able to stem the flow of corruption long enough for you to speak with me and choose for yourself whether or not to return to the world you call home, as well as unlock the key to your destiny. The choice, ultimately, is in your hands.'
"Why all of this? Why do this for me?"
'Surely your beloved has informed you of the prophecy involving the man who would unite humans and Pokemon in every way? Well, lets just say you will play a more crucial role in fulfilling that prophecy than you give yourself credit for. The Eternal Bond you share with your mate has already manifested itself into a protege- your son, Blade. You must be the one to make the choice that will allow him to grow strong enough to end the conflict that looms ahead, as well as continue the sacred bond you have created with the one you call Jessica.'
I could only shake my head in disbelief at what was transpiring; I had been blessed by the god of all Pokemon and now I was some sort of "chosen one"
'Alas, my child, you are not the true "Chosen One" as that child has already begun his journey...your duty is to unify the nations in the belief that love truly has no preference in whom or what it manifests with. Humans and Pokemon already share a precious bond as partners in battle, you and Jessica will ensure that the bond can grow into one that sees humans and Pokemon as partners in life as well.'
Despite all I was just told I could only think of one thing to say...
"You...read my mind?"
'Hmmhmm...yes, I guess I did, my child. I do apologize for prying, but I wanted to wrap this up...your son is almost at his limit and your beloved is waiting for you...'
"Blade...Jessica..."
'I will send your soul back into your earthly body now, Michael. Please know that I will not be able to intervene in this manner ever again. The darkness that had overtaken your heart has been purified but you must learn to temper your emotions, lest they take control of you once again. Should you choose to mega-evolve you will become a full Pokemon and lose your human heart and, as mentioned earlier, exposé yourself to the corrupting influences that tainted you this day.'
"I understand...thank you for everything...Arceus..."
'Ahh...Michael, before you go, I have something I need to give you. I know I said not to pursue is path but I feel it would be better to play it safe. The battles ahead will test your mettle and your intestinal fortitude like none other But I have faith that you will see it through to the end.'
I saw Arceus conjure a portal from seemingly nothing and beckoned a strange object from within the vortex of void energy.
'This is a Mega-Evolution stone. It just so happens that this one is called "Galladite" '