I'm Drowning…
Drowning in the water made of discoloured green.
Lies surrounding me.
No one knows where I am…
I'm lost.
Sinking and Sinking further, no one knows.
Why can't I just die?
I am no longer derisive with myself I'm just sorrowful
because no one knows the suffering of this Cubone.
Further and further into the abyss of my psyche that never
ends because to feel those memories of my life.
It hurts…
Remembering how I let everyone down.
Even my own family continues to make me feel such pain in my
chest.
From one side to another these memories are like heartburn.
Watched by a Pokemon, always being watched.
I have this dream every night and it's always her their but…
Why are you watching?
It's a Pokemon but what kind is it?
The Pokemon instead ignores me and continue to give a plain
smile.
What kind of smile though?
I was petrified, but I was somewhat happy?!
I didn't understand why I wanted to just…
Cry right there….
I couldn't though as it soon faded into the abyss of my
psyche.
Then that's when I was waking up to where everything was
fading.
In came the morning sun that shined on the river of tears.
Eclipsing over the skull I so sullenly wore. I looked around with my tears
shining anew. Almost as if there was meaning to that dream. While I pondered on
this thought for a while, I realised Charmander was awake. He confused me a
little though since he didn't have a map and he was almost re-enacting how to
get there as if remembering the first time he went to wherever he was taking
me. He acted like it was a live drama performance. Dancing around through the
grass and even going so far as to talk to himself.
This Charmander was strange but…
After what we had been through yesterday, I just stuck with
it. Charmander gave a cheerful grin and he boasted quite loudly,
"Hey, Nison What's up." I was frozen after is
snazzy but still sorry-looking performance.
"Sorry… I'm just really excited. When I remember things
from the past I… get excited if the places I remember held good memories."
As expected, he shrugged and laughed it off afterwards, almost making me
question the levels of his sanity. Him talking to me about how Pokemon is a
threat to each other just sounds insane, because he is just a goofball.
"Nison I was going to show you to your new house… but I
think it would be better to take your town square first. I want to show you the
retreat for most Pokemon who managed to retreat from the mystery dungeons.
Though if I am being completely honest, I just want to form a rescue team… like
now! Plus, the town square is cool!"
Many say the truth can hurt and that truth bellowed by
Charmander was nothing short of the truth. After nearly
considering this Pokemon a friend his chances of that became narrow. I tried to
not let it bother me too much and as hard as it is to admit. I was given
purpose by this Charmander that stood next to me, I at least wanted to see what
kind of road I was being led down by this Pokemon. I still found it ironic that
an idiot could give me such hope. Especially since I was considered to be
rather intelligent in school. All in all, it had no significance regardless
as I'm here now…
My life still inevitably hit a dead end. I was having this
deep monologue within not realising Charmander was already far ahead to which I
at least tried to run up to him, this being quite the task for a mere Cubone.
Managing to barely catch up I breathed heavily and rejected
the Cubone body I was stuck in. Being into exercise couldn't save me like they
say it would but being once physically active, and then not is jarring, to say
the least. Continuing onward with Charmander we walked again through the fields
of grass that stretched for an eternity.
Finding ourselves lost in the seas of grass I thought how
amazingly the grass glittered, in a spectacle complementing the sunlight. I say
this and I see it, all in front of me, but I still believed that the emotion
just wasn't completely there. I know something was missing, and it was the
number of Pokemon. The sea of grass was plentiful but at the same time empty.
These conflicting flavours and feelings began to creep in a steady sense of
loneliness. We walked through the field of conflicting flavours with the
depressing Charmander remaining silent. He wasn't ready to talk or serious
expression. He responded to the wide-area with a plain straight face. I
couldn't help but clutch my bone and just soldier on through the field of
confliction.
Further and further we walked with the road splitting in two.
There was a straight path ahead that was slight with little grass while on the
other side downwards there was another path. It swivelled back and forth; in
the distance, I could see a light path of trees leading to what I could only
assume to be a house.
"Btw just letting you know the place your staying is
over that way, the path on the far left. I did say I would show you later, but
these areas were mowed down. The grass being trimmed for a path so Pokemon can
easily find there way." The path was comforting as while the fields were
vast and bewitching in a sense. I felt a sense of being at home. The grass and
dirt were converted with such care. A path for the Pokemon to easily follow and
still, the paths manage to keep this sense of serenity. Still surrounded by
trees and the essence of nature carefully dotted in the skies above. The
difference is nature isn't sacrificed for the benefit of just one type of
civilisation, despite taking traits from the corrupt world I come from. These
Pokemon have evolved their civilisation into something quite ingenious. Nature
was their world with it given proper respect. Structures only build where
necessary.
After, admiring the differing path, we continued to make our
way to the town square. As we reached further in, the dirt pathway from before
was slowly becoming something different. The spread of tiles and a mini
civilisation were graced with the presence of a bridge. A welcoming tool for
all with a small stream below. The stream clear blue waters looked nice but
also confined.
These presentations and welcomes from before came full circle
as I was openly greeted with a town square. A whole new world was now revealed
with the tiles masterfully spread throughout the square.
We walked in and Charmander immediately burst with excitement
running in circles as we reached in eventually making himself dizzy. Glossing
over his stupidity, my attention was first brought to the shop that was nearer
to the entrance of Town Square. The shop was called Kecleon wares with two Pokemon
behind the counter.
I remember in the Pokemon games that Kecleon was always a
weak kind of Pokemon but also not that unique. A chameleon that stood upright
with nothing special in general, red pattern on its belly. Accompanied by
yellow on the tips of it's limping, continuing with yellow on the back of its
fins. I always remember thinking how stupid its eyes looked and I found it very
amusing. Behind the goofy Kecleon were the various stocks and goods that I
vaguely remember seeing when I had explored the mystery dungeon with Charmander.
Despite these rather amusing thoughts bumping around through my brain,
Charmander continued to pester me even trying to shake me.
"Um… this is… Kecleon and he sells goods such as apples
as well as berries. All of these things are used to help aid rescue teams in
mystery dungeons… you see." The nervous tone continued with Charmander who
was losing all sense of balance as he dotted around the counter. Being quite
jumpy. I decided what was the harm in speaking so abruptly?
"So, what effect do different berries have. Also, you
still haven't told me what those seeds and scarfs in the back are for either.
Kecleon you mind explaining?" The colour of Charmander's distinctive
orange skin couldn't help but show signs of blue seeping through. Even the other
Kecleon bewildered at what came from the skull. The two frightened creatures
looked at each other and then began to take deep breaths. They seemed to be
working together on what had seemed to be something serious.
"My friend here doesn't know much about this area and
lost his memories. Try not… to think too much of it?" The other Kecleon
stressed,
"Many don't see much places like Pokemon square as it's
mostly hidden from Pokemon outside our spectrum.
"Please try to be understanding brother oh and I will do
my best to inform him while also telling him about orbs." With the
combined efforts of Charmander and the shiny Kecleon, they were able to bounce
back from a near close tragedy. The Kecleon that was friendlier was just like
the one next to him in terms of physique. However, he was a completely
different colour with the same red pattern on his belly but instead of him
being mostly green, he was pink instead. The yellow tips that were on each limb
were also green. Following the pattern on his face being green instead of
yellow. From this Kecleon, I learnt about berries such as the Oran berry that
gives a boost in energy for Pokemon, or Pecha berry that cures poison. I was
also informed how scarfs had the power fragrance of these berries that would
help protect Pokemon in battles. Seeds would give enhancements that would help
in battle. The thing that was most shocking though was the orbs. Unlike the
seeds or berries similar to the scarfs they were artificially made with trying
to have the same effect as the seeds but stronger. The shiny Kecleon then
exclaimed still shook, " I didn't how they came about, but they have to be
sold at a high price as they are not only rare to find but the Pokemon in
mystery dungeons always have a hold of them. It's strange since they don't seem
to have any sort of source." The shiny Kecleon finished up his
explanations to which we then proceeded to explore further into the town
square. Charmander seemed shook once again to when he then bellowed, "Do
you have no idea who that is. That's Kecleon… of the mystery dungeons."
When Charmander said I now knew he had completely lost it and making a rescue
team with him would be even worse. I tried to storm off in the opposite
direction of the town square but instead, Charmander jumped and restrained me.
"Listen Nison I am being serious we kinda owe our
security because of that Kecleon. The reason is because…"
"You sure about him Charmander?" I was taken aback
by this revelation by Charmander, but I listened to what he had to say because
it might have been worth hearing.
"Kecleon and his brother come from the mystery dungeons
to put it simply. They came in one day and decided they would make peace with
the Pokemon in Town Square because Keckleon can bring in goods that he can sell
to everyone else. To be honest we didn't have much of a choice since Kecleon
might as well have had all the Pokemon at gunpoint. He is incredibly strong,
not to be taken lightly, he took down all the Pokemon in the town square when
he came. It's mainly the only reason we considered a deal with him, since then
he helped us survived by bringing goods for the rescue teams, and we can
occasionally get is help in dungeons. Make sure to pay though cause I'm not
ready to die just yet Nison."
All of this info dump just spread on me like nothing, kind of
irritating, to be honest, but it does explain the fear of Kecleon. Even though
this is the case though the aura and good faith of the Pokemon around him his
comforting. It is appreciated, which is a strange feeling to have about a town
I only just have stumbled upon.
Charmander didn't stop there though, with the kind of
happiness and joy only potentially being rivalled by a child he showed me all
over the town square. He greeted me with the adoring motherly figure of
Kangskhan who deeply cuddled her child in her pouch, as she stored him away. I
thought it was fitting, and I was left feeling the items I had stored away were
done with care. Then it was Persian, a conniving devil of cats, hugging the
money given to him by customers, with his claws for eyes gnawing at the joy for
just money.
"Welcome… too! Persian bank!
Introductions are over now so can I please have your money
and be on my way?! Thanks, then a friend."
Charmander retorted," Not today Persian, little too
early for that, but I promise next time I will give you the money so don't
worry."
Persian then gives a hesitant response," Fine then…
don't forget now ok!"
Next was a Wigglytuff and Gulpin. I didn't see anything out
of interest or out of the ordinary with Gulpin, with other than his strange
voice he didn't have anything that would put him in any kind of league with the
other Pokemon around. No personality, or even redeeming traits. And he was just
a big slab of green goo with a yellow talon feather on its head. While he had
no redeeming traits, he still was like a memory bank to where he was able to
teach us how to do different moves and techniques. A simple but quite effective
teacher.
When I was approaching Wigglytuff he came across as a
good enough Pokemon with good intentions. Happy go lucky and excited about
friends with massive posters of what had seemed to be various zones and areas.
They were made with a great deal of care; In-depth craftsmanship for sure.
“Wigglytuffs gives out various zones and lands he has
conquered far and wide. He used to be an explorer, across land and seas, he is
truly a dashing wonderer!”
Charmander enriched with envy of Wigglytuff he finally spoke
with the cleansed white fur that towered over us even behind the counter; he
finally spoke,
“Hiiiii friends… Welcome to Wigglytuff’s shop. I’m no dashing
wonderer and I’m not scaryyyy just a regular average Wigglytuff my friends!”
In addition to his mouth wide and bottomless is enthusiasm
was of a terrifying degree. He continued to ramble on and on to us about his
adventures and tales of the past. Even considering running a guild at some
point but he just decided to settle in Pokemon Square for the time being. It
was all too long and convoluted to understand but eventually, we made our
rounds to everyone. Pokemon square was by no means nothing short of incredible
and wonderous with the love and care from all the Pokemon around. That had me
suspicious though because the Pokemon just seemed a bit too outgoing, many of
them are dying left and right. Yet they still smile without hesitation and
don’t even try to keep themselves barbed from the truth that sits at their
front doors.
Though I knew that this unblemished aura that had been given
off by this town most definitely must have been a farce! My blood boiled at the
thought of it because: maybe I just didn’t possess the same kind of courage,
maybe I was just overreacting and maybe I just wanted to be heard in a world
where my opinion might have been worth hearing.
So, I did the only thing I could think of…
It was so simple, so easy yet so effective in its ways of
catching the attention of any crowd out there.
What was it you ask?
….
….
….
Screaming…
Breaking my lungs for the sake of others at least looking at
my sorry self. At these exact moment with no hesitation, my feet stood apart
and my skull ready to face the sky, a no-doubt clear view of all the Pokemon I
had met up to this point.
“YOU ALL ARE PATHETIC!
LOOK AT YOU TWINDLING YOUR THUMBS!
YOUR ABOUT TO DIE DAMMIT!
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT YOU ALL ARE USELESS!
These thoughts I felt were sure enough realized. I made
Charmander sweat bullets. It was the only thing I could do to make myself feel
better. What better could I do…
To be honest I know now that I am probably just a wondering
spirit made to live a life of grief. People in the world think it’s easy to just
deal with it and live life and get on with it.
I KNOW THOUGH!
No soul, no spirit and no one should or will lead the life I
am forced to live.
I know my emotions had taken the best of my spirit, but I
still stood up and faced them all with purposeful sorrow. Letting them see an
untrodden path they can never understand they most definitely would never
understand. I was prepared for the worst with my shield engarde hear came the
entourage. End of story except (again) not really. One by one they came in the
square. All glaring at me and yet still surprisingly glaring at him! They
seemed all too familiar with him as they looked down on him with shame
expressed through the tips of their fingers. While the shopkeepers turned their
heads and paid no head it was clear they also knew about Charmander, even the
two Kecleon that greeted him so nicely before. Two Pokemon stepped forward them
being a Lombre and a Snubell.
"Why you back here again kid, we told you the scram
right! You can't be members of the rescue teams… you're sure to be
killed." Lombre in a fit of rage came crashing down on Charmander with
these cries, Snubell then intervened,
"He is right you know you're going to get yourself
killed. Then you're always wandering around thinking your all big… dammit, you
might even bring Pokemon from the mystery dungeons here. You brought this freak
show here to have some mental breakdown in front of everyone in town, aren’t
you ashamed?" These two Pokemon went at it in a fit of rage with the ones
behind them following suit. A Blastoise, Octillery and Golem all grouped.
This all was happening just a little too fast. The internal
clocks in my brain had a hard time keeping up, but it was so weird to process
the situation. They were ignoring me! After all that I just said and did does
Charmander still have to bear the responsibility for my actions!
Still me in the middle of all this, I had to look up to see
the forces that lay before us with such immense power. There they were:
Blastoise, Golem and Octillery were already a rescue team who were well known.
Even beyond that there, was Pokemon such as a: Raichu, Golbat and such. The
only odd Pokemon out of the equation were those that weren't full evolved were
that of an: Aipom, Phanpy and Bellsprout. Even assuming these Pokemon looked
weaker than Charmander their body language and stature said otherwise. I looked
at the small Aipom who looked quite skilled and also good at what he did. He
stood on his tail that was mostly just a giant hand and he had such flexibility
within them.
Bounce, Bounce, Bounce, up and down with the flexibility
being unbelievable as he bent down on his tail and proceeded to lie on it with
his weight. Showing his tail strength was on a different level compared to
other Pokemon, with the training likely undergone for him being like hell! It
got worse because every other Pokemon that surrounded him didn't have to be
bigger, their presence and body language already gave them the unofficial
status' of the kings.
I started to think…
These are the rescue teams of the town square and the
so-called Pokemon resistance.
For the first time, Charmander became outraged.
"Get out of my way I am showing him the town because me
and him are going to make a rescue team!" He shouted with high levels of
desperation, which indicated to me the scene now unfolding isn't anything new
for Charmander, definitely something that has happened before. My feet grounded
I was puzzled what should be the next words to escape my mouth? Charmander for
the first time was suddenly in an impossible situation, it was a little
unusual. Keeping up the intensity for the Charmander ready to give way, in came
the ace of them all. Alakazam his presence screaming volumes.
From the silver spoons that had the auras and beauty of gold.
From his eyes closed, all he did was float. Feet comfortably folded quite
nicely might I add. His feet grounds for a lap; the two that followed behind
were nothing short of brilliant. He had a focused melody of meditation; even
all the while as he floated towards us, not once did a part of his meditation
broke. Charizard being nothing short of bringing the presence of a dragon. The
screaming of fires that burned brightly on the tip of his tail. Not in the
least fragile or sometime that could be so easily blown away. His wingspan
stretching further than anything in his body could, a sign of his unwavering
resolve and his core or even legs always showing signs of a professional
pugilist. A character trait that leaves no room for even his seemingly fragile
and fattened legs to slouch at any point. Justice at last, of the colossal
titan. With the works and screams of Godzilla being no god with the black thick
scales coating, it's body, being laughable to the armours of steel that made up
Tyranitar's blood and core. Lombre and Snubull kicking back into action with a
no less pathetic kiss up attitude as they welter and leech off their brave
achievements.
“Alakazam is incredible I tell you. He has an IQ of 5000 and
has memorized everything that has happened in the world up to this point it is
truly outstanding. No less Charizard who’s fires have said to melt away even
the greatest of mountains like parts of Mt Freeze. Oh! Not forgetting Tyranitar
who has armour of steel that even the most blazed and crazed fires wouldn’t dare
to attack.” Lombre went on and on about the greatness of the team that was Team
Alakazam with Snubull wanting to join in no less.
“Hey, come on let me get a word in to! I mean these guys are
gold rank rescue team members like I don’t know about you, but I am pretty sure
no team has ever made that rank since the rescue teams have begun!” It was
intriguing to see the influence these Pokemon have. I felt my self-worth
diminishing from there.
Alakazam then came forward not an equal footing but still
floating above Charmander actively mocking him; his meditation still not
interrupted,
“You seem to still be the same as ever. Please… take control
of your friend over there. This isn’t a joke and I appreciate the effort but
Charmander I’m afraid the tail that burns right there at the back will be put
out if you continue to follow this path. Give up on being a rescue team and
live, your weak enough as it is so we who are born capable will take over.”
Everyone in the square was calm and respectful, his logic and words felt so
truthful. Calculating and noble, with no emotions bearded within it or malice,
everyone there could feel it as the definitive truth.
It didn’t take long for him to notice me with no words or
proper speech but finally opening his eyes. Staring and still calculating,
never did I hear him speak after that. He quietly left his team out with the
other rescue teams obediently following suit.
Disturbingly I felt the cheer but undeniable joy again from
the Pokemon of before. Still jumping up and down as if nothing had transpired.
Then there was Charmander who not in shock or anger and even
sadness was to lite of a statement could describe his limping stature. His face
filled with obsidian despair. Not even bothering to look my way he ran away in
a frenzy, all the way down the outskirts of town. Swiftly and shamefully he
went all south of Kangshkhan store, with even her motherly caring attitude
seemingly fading without hesitation.
I stood there for a while and I thought why I was also
feeling Charmander’s despair.
I dreamed for the day that he would be gone, and the times of
him running away, I just wish I couldn't stand him anymore. I wished…
I realised as I clutched my bone in front of the dozens of Pokemon
ready to question my significance in the situation in any capacity the best thing
I could think of was following suit.
(To be continued)
