Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ The Journey Onward ❯ Chapter Twelve: A True Ghost Town ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter Twelve: A True Ghost Town

 

 

 

“What do you mean? I have to fight him myself?!”

 

Kathryn didn't answer and simply looked at Krissy with eyes that seemed strangely hollow. Why? What had happened? Krissy wanted answers but now was not the time… soon, she promised herself, she would hear what Kathryn had to say, whether or not the other girl wished to say it.

 

“Fine,” turning her attention back to the humanoid Pokémon, Krissy turned her flashlight off and tossed it back in her bag. “Let's do this then.”

 

The Machop tilted his head up and gave her a scathing look. He then quickly turned his head to the side, dismissing her as a challenge. That was all Krissy needed to hop off Ponyta and march over. She stood a couple feet away, calming herself when she saw Machop give a slow grin. Before she even had a chance to bow to her opponent, the Machop tried to assault her with what looked to be a Karate Chop. Dodging to the side, Krissy swung her leg in an arc, just brushing her opponent's shoulder.

 

Damn! He's much shorter than most of the people I've fought… Krissy backed off only to have the Machop send a flurry of punches her way, forcing her to evade them, weaving and dodging. The power the creature exhibited was amazing! She could feel his arms breeze past her; feel twinges of pain from impacts that never occurred.

 

If I get hit or try to block, I'll be in a world full of pain. Krissy took a deep breath before lunging forward, catching Machop off guard with a quick punch that landed on his chest. It didn't seem to hurt him but the action stunned him, as though he couldn't believe she had hit him. He took a moment to look down at his chest and rub the spot, giving Krissy the opportunity to try again with a kick. Swinging her right leg out and moving with the flow of it, she landed a forceful impact on his side, knocking the Machop off balance and into a wall.

 

Ha! You're mine now! Krissy thought with a smug smile.

 

Quickly deciding to go on the offensive, Krissy lunged forward using both fists to try and nail her opponent in the stomach. Her fists would have slammed into him but the Machop deftly stepped aside. Instead, her fists connected with the wall, the stone shattering around her fists. Quickly correcting her mistake, Krissy pulled back and tried for a kick, putting her weight on left foot. Machop easily blocked it and pushed her leg aside, causing her to have to move with the flow of energy, rather than fight it. This made her twirl once before landing, using her hands to keep her face from implanting in the ground. Her instincts told her to move and she obeyed, a fist slamming into the floor where her face had been moments ago.

 

So… you go all out, do you? Krissy hurried to rise, changing from her offensive stances to defensive, not looking for any bruising. Krissy was certain he hadn't put as much force into the blow as he could have but if it had hit her, well, Kathryn wouldn't have been the only one with an unconscious trip today. What's your weakness?

 

Rachel and Kathryn watched from a far, Rachel the only one of the two who could really keep up with the actions. Kathryn tried to watch but found the motions hurt her head and squinting to try and see what was going on was irritating. Shutting her eyes, Kathryn found relief in the darkness.

 

Rachel, unfortunately, wasn't nearly as at ease. Her Ponyta reflected her feelings, dancing skittishly and shaking its head from side to side. Normally, Rachel would have tried to soothe her Pokémon but at the moment she was too busy watching to ensure that Krissy didn't get severely injured.

 

Just had to fight it yourself, she grumbled to herself. Couldn't do it the traditional way, nooo. What were you thinking?! Is one Pokémon really all that important? Why not get another fighter type?

 

Rachel took in an agitated breath and used it to blow the wisps of hair away from her face. She almost rolled her eyes but stopped herself, instead turning her attention back on the so-called battle. It seemed that the two had backed off from each other, eyeing each other like two Houndours. In fact, Rachel could see them snapping at each other, snarling, bristling. In her mind, she could see them so clearly…

 

Her head jerked up at a sudden motion, later realizing that one or the other had finally gotten sick of the wait and leapt forward. Punches flew from both parties, some moving too fast for her to acknowledge. She could see the results, however. When Krissy's head flew back to avoid something that wasn't there, when the Machop dodged to the side for no apparent reason, and when they both jumped back, glaring at the other before rushing right back into the fray. It seemed to Rachel that Krissy had stopped executing the typical Tae Kwon Do styled moves and had digressed to basic, gritty moves.

 

As the battle wore on, Krissy grew more and more desperate to end it. At least, that is what Rachel assumed from her friend's frantic movements. If Krissy wasn't careful, she would make a mistake that would cost her.

 

“Hyyyyahhh!”

 

The loud sound echoed off the cave walls as Krissy grabbed the Machop's wrist when he attempted to land a forceful blow. Moving with the flow of energy, she fell backwards, pulling him with her. Kicking out with her feet, she nailed the startled Pokémon in the chest, helping him on his way over her head, slamming him into the stone floor with a solid “THUD!” sound. The Machop groaned and struggled to rise but Krissy released his wrist to flip backwards from her position, managing to land on top of the Machop and pin him between her legs. Not allowing him time to recover, she quickly used her forearm to press it against his windpipe, narrowing her eyes at him as she slowly pushed down.

 

He struggled valiantly, she'd admit that, but eventually his thrashing slowed to a halt. He looked up at her, breathing labored. There was a pause as they locked eyes, both stubborn and determined. Finally, after many minutes, Machop slowly lowered his eyes and gave a half nod. Easing the pressure and rising, Krissy offered him a hand up. The Machop haughtily raised his chin and struggled to rise on his own, ignoring the offered hand. Krissy merely cast him a look before giving a crazy grin at her two friends. It had been a good fight, totally different from the ones at the dojo. Kathryn's idea of having Krissy train with Pokémon actually seemed like a great idea. Her grin only slightly faltered when she saw Kathryn's eyes were closed. Suddenly, the victory over the Machop was… empty.

 

“Here,” she muttered, half heartedly chucking an empty Pokéball its way. Disgruntled, the Machop allowed itself to be sucked in but Krissy didn't notice. Retrieving the orb, she remounted her Ponyta and prepared to lead the way out of the cave.

 

 

 

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Lavender is worse than Pewter. What's up with all this mist? Rachel's mood darkened a notch but she simply calmed herself with another deep breath. She seemed to be taking a lot of them since leaving the cave and entering the town. Ever since the battle with Machop, Krissy had been in a venomous mood. Oh, not that she said or did anything to show such a thing… it was everything unsaid, undone that told everything. It was almost as though a darkness was leaking out from the girl's body and poisoning the air around her.

 

Normally, Kathryn would do something to cheer her out of this… Rachel acknowledged, wishing desperately that her friend would cheer the other. Krissy could be rather scary when she was like this. Unfortunately, Kathryn was of little help in the matter, the girl withdrawn from everything. Talking seemed to have little effect and Rachel didn't have any other ideas. Hopefully, the Nurse Joy at this center could take a look at Kathryn. The bump on the girl's head most likely had affected her more than they originally thought. This type of behavior simply wasn't Kathryn.

 

“I can't see a thing!” Krissy complained, her Ponyta stamping a foot irritably.

 

“It's just a little further.” Rachel forced a smile while chanting to herself, Calm, calm, stay calm…don't resort to killing anyone…

 

“How can you tell? Do you have X-ray vision or something?”

 

“It's called a map, Krissy.” Rachel couldn't help but be a little cranky. “Those of us who can read them tend to keep from getting lost.”

 

Turning her attention to the map, Rachel failed to notice that her last comment had set off a reaction in Krissy. When her Ponyta halted a little too quickly and skidded away from something, Rachel looked up and saw that Krissy had pulled her Ponyta in front of her own; obscuring the way Rachel had been attempting to go in. Exasperated, Rachel opened her mouth to give Krissy a piece of her mind when the redhead cut her off.

 

“You can take your map and shove it!” Krissy burst, her face stormy and her expression livid. “I bet you have no clue where we are and are choosing not to admit it!”

 

“I have more of an idea than you!” Rachel retaliated, her normally placid nature taking a backseat to irritation.

 

“Don't even start!” Wet tendrils curled and clung to Krissy's face, the light from the Ponyta's flames mingled with the shadows from the mist giving her a wild, possessed look. “It's like I'm babysitting two children!”

 

“Excuse me?! You're babysitting two children? Look who's throwing the temper tantrum!” Rachel gestured back towards Kathryn. “Not to mention who's sulking like a fucking five year old!”

 

“Ya know what?” Krissy gave a smile that was so sweet it was false. “Why don't you go do whatever the hell you want to and I'll find the center ON MY OWN!”

 

Quickly whirling her Ponyta around, Krissy raced into the thickest part of the fog, leaving Rachel to gap at her. Drawing herself up on her Ponyta, Rachel called after her, a little late.

 

“FINE! Kathryn and I will get there first!”

 

When Rachel turned to snap an order at Kathryn, her anger flared even higher.

 

“GODDAMN IT KATHRYN!”

 

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Don't like it here, don't like it here at all…

 

Why?

 

Don't know… something wrong, something very wrong…

 

What is?

 

Don't KNOW.

 

Only half aware of where she was heading, Kathryn continued probing the half of herself that was cowering in a corner.

 

Is it the voices?

 

No.

 

The Rockets? Absently, her fingers traced the scarred marks on her wrists and she felt the faintest stab of pity for herself.

 

No. Something here not good.

 

Was it possible to throttle a mental side of yourself? Kathryn was getting ready to try.

 

Was it… what Rachel and Krissy said?

 

Another momentary stab, this time of sorrow. The mental image shook its head instantly before pausing.

 

Maybe.

 

Maybe? Kathryn closed her eyes and moved a hand to rub her forehead, trying to soothe herself. Maybe!?

 

Something here wrong.

 

After that, the voice went back to mumbling how something was off and Kathryn opened her eyes once again. Blaze twisted her head to look back at her trainer, blowing out a breath of air, as though asking what was wrong.

 

“I'm going insane,” Kathryn muttered before quickly amending. “I am insane.”

 

“For what it's worth, you look fine to me.”

 

Trying to peer into the mist, Kathryn's eyes darted to and fro, Blaze shifting nervously under her. “Who's there?”

 

A blurry form made its way toward her but she didn't see it as it crept up from behind her, reaching to grab her…

 

 

 

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“She keeps sneaking off, getting hurt, or getting into trouble! And you know what's worse? She wasn't even watching my fight! She's my friend, she's suppose to include me in on things. The least she could do is cheer me on, not act indifferent!”

 

Her Ponyta patiently listened as Krissy rambled on and on about Kathryn and her faults. When Ponyta flicked her ears back, Krissy took it as an encouraging sign to continue on. “I don't know why she's acting so babyish. Yeah, she got kidnapped. So? We saved her, didn't we? You'd think she could tell her friends what's got her so scared. But nooo… she freaks out and keeps silent. Her attitude is starting to piss me off.” Rage made her body shake involuntarily and the urge to hit and/or smash something was becoming overwhelming. “I'm her friend! She's suppose to let me help her!”

 

You weren't always her friend… a nasty voice inside her hissed gleefully.

 

The voice was mentally crushed, smashed, and thrown out. It returned though, stronger than before.

 

Remember? it whispered softly, caressingly. Remember what you did to her?

 

SHUT UP!

 

Too late, the memories she had long since tried to bury and forget submerged with a strength that caught Krissy unaware. The memories engulfed her, leaving her staring blankly ahead as Ponyta paused, uncertain as to what was going on with its rider.

 

 

 

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“Creepy.” Rachel dismounted, casting a mistrustful look upon the Poke Center. Unlike the previous centers the girls had visited, this one didn't seem so friendly (or very well maintained). Paint was peeling off the outer walls, a couple of windows were either boarded up or broken, shards of glass gleamed from Ponyta's light. The `C' from the sign hung precociously above the doorway, looking as though it might fall at any moment.

 

Walking towards the entrance, she kept a close eye on the `C', stepping to walk around where it could fall. The door was chained shut, a large lock holding it together. Lifting it up, the thick chains chilled her hands as Rachel examined it.

 

“This can't be right,” she whispered in disbelief. “Kathryn said these places never close down. It's like a one in a million odd that the center would fail, even higher when it's in a town…” Rachel cast a glance around before muttering, “creepy as that town may be…”

 

Giving the chain an experimental tug, she listened as the metal chinked against itself and then tried harder. The metal obviously didn't give way but she felt she ought to at least try.

 

“I don't think I can get in this way.”

 

Rachel dropped the chains and worried about how exactly to get in the center, ignoring Ponyta when the mare gently nudged her shoulder, breathing out a deep breath of air by Rachel's ear.

 

“Not now, Ponyta…” Rachel gently pushed the mare's muzzle away.

 

Not one to be deterred easily, Ponyta nudged the back of Rachel's shoulder with a little more force.

 

“Ponyta,” Rachel turned to give her steed a stern gaze. It had little effect as Ponyta forcefully bumped Rachel to the side. “Hey!”

 

Ponyta lowered her head to examine the metal and her flames flickered after a moment. Shaking her head, Ponyta sent hot Embers cascading down upon the chain and lock, heating the metal so that it turned a scathing red. The door began to smoke a little but not much else happened.

 

“It was a nice try-“

 

Rearing, Ponyta lashed out with a well-aimed hoof. Weakened from the intense heat of her flames, the hard hoof easily smashed the chain. Proudly, Ponyta nickered and tossed her head up, dancing happily as she awaited praise.

 

Laughing, Rachel stroked Ponyta's muzzle. “Thanks.” Ponyta shoved its head eagerly against Rachel's chest, exhaling happily as the girl's fingers stroked along the mare's neck.

 

“You know, I think you earned yourself a name.” Ponyta nuzzled her all the more. “How about… Flicker?” Ponyta's ears twitched and she lifted her head to gaze at Rachel. “Flicker,” Rachel nodded, reinstating the name.

 

Ponyta, now called Flicker, accepted its name with little fuss. If anything, it was standing proudly as Rachel recalled it to its Pokéball. Releasing Briar, Rachel pulled off the now cooled chains and opened the door. The eerie creaking the door made as Rachel pushed it open had Briar cowering behind her.

 

“Oh, come on Briar, it'll be fine.”

 

Turning to comfort her shaking grass Pokémon, Rachel failed to see the shadow looming from within the Poke Center.

 

 

 

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Great, another new school, just what I've always wanted. I smiled at my own sarcastic wit and plopped down in an empty desk, watching as everyone slowly pooled in. Seems like everyone knows each other… that's to be expected, I guess. This is a private school after all. The scowl on my face caused two girls nearest to me to burst into hushed whispers. One boy looked over then quickly turned his head. I stared at the back of his head, wishing I had laser beams for eyes so I could bore a hole in him. Ah well.

 

The good news is, my new girl status should keep them away from me. I really don't want to have to talk to any of these people…

 

“Hi there!”

 

Or not.

 

“My name's Kathryn. What's yours?”

 

Maybe if I ignore her… she'll go away.

 

I tried to ignore her but she kept standing there. Finally, I gave her a once over, ignoring her expectant gaze. She could wait, as far as I was concerned. Let's see… she wore a denim blue skirt, a plain white t-shirt, and some kind of silver chained necklace with a pink charm. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, loose strands sticking out here and there. The glasses she wore only intensified her nerdiness, not to mention the huge backpack she had on and the books she carried. It was the first day! Did she really think she needed all those books?

 

Survey says: prissy little know it all.

 

Her expression didn't waver from eager anticipation, despite the delay Krissy took in her answer. Thankfully, the teacher walked in and everyone began to take their seats.

 

Just my luck, Prissy sat by me…

 

After the teacher took attendance, she had everyone pair off for their first assignment, an interview on a classmate. Something having to do with getting to know each other and testing our writing skills. I really didn't give a damn, honestly.

 

I tried to hook up with someone other than prissy pants but everyone was already off and talking. She looked at me with a small smile, her face radiating joy at this.

 

Probably taking pleasure in my misery, I thought irritably.

 

“So, my name's Kathryn… and yours is…?”

 

“Krissy.” I ground out.

 

She wrote it down in a notebook, nodding as she wrote it. “What do you like?”

 

“Death.”

 

I said it merely to see her reaction. I suppose I was hoping she'd be freaked out and leave me be. Instead, she reacted in a way I didn't expect.

 

“Ohhh… like the kind caused by a guillotine? Or a Desert Storm? Personally, they both seem too bloody for me, poisons are neater but a little too easy to trace.” She seemed to think about it, looking beyond the room and me. She shook her head slightly, apparently coming out of it, and gave me a smile. “Hey, you wanna meet up for lunch together? We can eat outside.”

 

“I don't eat lunch with weirdoes.”

 

Her grin grew even wider at that. “Great!”

 

“Oh?” I hoped my bored tone told her just how much I didn't care.

 

“I'm not weird, I'm weirdly unique and uniquely weird!”

 

“The answer is still no.”

 

“Oh…” A pause. “What about tomorrow?”

 

“NO!”

 

 

 

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“Where's a light switch?”

 

“Chi-chikor?”

 

Groping around the wall with one hand while holding Briar in the other, Rachel tried to find a light switch. Under any other circumstance, she would have let Flicker out to illuminate the dark. However, she wasn't sure how badly the Poke Center was damaged, there could be plenty of burnable things lying around. So, until she could figure out if it was safe, her only source of light remained in her Pokéball.

 

“I wish I had a flashlight or something… oh, wait a second. Hey, Briar, reach into my bag, will you? I should have a flashli-“

 

“That won't be necessary.”

 

There was a bright flash of light, then-

 

 

 

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Thankfully, my first class was the only one I had Kathryn in. The problem was, she was forever pestering me before, during, and after class! The meaner I acted towards her, the more annoying she got. She had to know it bugged the shit out of me but that girl wouldn't leave me be! When I finally started going at her in earnest, I found I had a severe problem on my hands.

 

She couldn't take a hint.

 

“That skirt looks like something my grandma would wear!”

 

“Really?” She tugged at it lightly with her hand and smiled up at me. “I think it use to be a lamp shade, personally.”

 

I felt me temper spark. “What'd you get on your math test today? A `D?'”

 

“Nope! I got a C! Isn't that great?!”

 

The insults either ran off her back, she didn't get it, or she made fun of herself! What's worse, what I really hated, was the way she smiled at me afterwards. It was a smile that lit up her face, that brightened her eyes and made me madder than I thought possible. After two weeks of constantly berating her, she smiled like I was her friend. I'd had it.

 

One day, after school when the hallways were empty, I waited. I wasn't sure exactly what would happen but I knew that this day would end her obsession with me.

 

I didn't have long to wait. Soon enough, she came skipping along, ready to pester me for all she was worth.

 

“Hey, Krissy!” Her gleeful voice rang down the hall. “Why don't you come over today?”

 

I didn't even turn to face her, I kept my eyes glued to the inside of my locker. Slowly, coldly, so there was no possible way she'd misunderstand, I replied in a voice that was soft but very dangerous.

 

“Why the hell do you keep pestering me?”

 

I turned my head leisurely, each move calculated. I looked at her face, tried to see what she was thinking. It was easy, everything about her was easy, simple. Her eyes told me everything. Confusion first, then uncertainty, followed by determination.

 

“You're my friend,” she stated clearly, defiantly. The way she said it, as though there was no doubt in her mind this was so.

 

I slammed my locker then, the bang making her jump.

 

“Friend?” I paused, watching her, making my loathing prominent. “I'm not your `friend.' I don't even like you. You follow me around like some kind of stray Pokémon, are you so stupid you can't recognize when someone HATES YOU!?”

 

My voice built up to the last part and she cowered under the power of my voice. Perhaps if I had cared more at the time, I would have realized her behavior was off… but I didn't care. I could see the faint hint of sorrow in her eyes and it encouraged me to keep going. “There's tons of other people here you can follow around! Why don't you go pester one of them?!”

 

I thought I had won, the way she lowered her head, contemplating my words. When she lifted it, full of pride and stubbornness, I immediately felt warning bells sound.

 

“Well, you don't have to like me. I like you.” She gave a firm nod, then, that stupid smile! God, I hated that smile! It made me want to claw her face up, just to see if she would still be smiling. “So,” she continued, that smile still on her face. “Would you like to come over?”

 

I think I saw red. This part is actually fuzzy to me. I remember losing it over her smile. Looking back now, I think it was the naiveté and innocence she had that infuriated me. It had to have been… had to be fake. Either way, my temper took control. I grabbed her by her shoulders, shoving her against the lockers. She might have given a small cry of pain, surprise… I wasn't really listening. I just wanted to humiliate her now… make her feel some of this… burning I felt.

 

I wanted to never see her again.

 

“You like me, huh? Well…fine!”

 

She was in a state of shock, I believe, which is why she didn't resist when I crushed my lips against hers. For some reason, this form of punishment seemed suitable. There would be no bruises from fists, no blood mess to clean up or explain… best yet, I doubt anyone would believe her if she told. Who would believe that someone like me had kissed someone like her? It was perfect! But I made a mistake, something I should have never done.

 

I looked into her eyes.

 

 

 

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Rachel clutched her chest with her freehand, Briar protesting wildly till her terrified death hold on the Pokémon loosened. When the lights had gone on, she'd almost crushed the poor thing.

 

“Oh, God, Nurse Joy, you scared me!”

 

The nurse smiled pleasantly. “Are you alright? Can I help you?”

 

“I was hoping to stay the night here, my friends…”

 

“I'm sure they'll be along,” Nurse Joy interrupted pleasantly. “Lavender Town doesn't have much open, as you might have seen.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“It's all because of that radio tower they built.”

 

“That doesn't make any sense.”

 

“It makes perfect sense…” The Nurse paused, a slim smile crossing her face. “Considering they built it on top of a graveyard…”

 

 

 

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Eyes that were normally so bright, the marble blue coloring that was always animated when she talked… The sweet naivety that I had been so sure was a front… Now, I knew for certain it wasn't.

 

Tears were in them, the first time I had ever seen tears in her eyes. She tried to turn her head away from me but I wouldn't let her. I moved a hand from her shoulder to catch her chin, the brute of a kiss long since ended. For an instant, I saw what she was experiencing…

 

Chaos.

 

That was the only word I could give for the overwhelming expression in her eyes. It was more than that… but I knew no other word to describe the many things I saw.

 

I let go of her chin, tried to lightly touch her cheek… but she flinched away from my touch, pushing herself against the lockers as though she hoped to go through them. It was like I had taken a Growlithe puppy and beaten it…

 

Then, nothing. The tears grew still in her eyes, slowly drying, her eyes strangely hollow and empty. My grip tightened on her shoulder and I wanted to shake her, try to get the lights back in her eyes. But… there was nothing. It was like looking into the eyes of a doll…

 

And I left her there.

 

 

 

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“Graveyard?” Rachel's voice caught in her throat.

 

“Lavender Town once had a building constructed for tombstones to be placed, where trainers could mourn their lost Pokémon. Unfortunately, it was deemed a waste of money to maintain so the entire building was redone into a radio station. A smaller memorial building was built, one hardly worth mentioning compared to the first one.”

 

“What does that have to do with why no one's here?”

 

“Oh, you know how superstitious people are! Some strange things happen and they blame it on restless spirits!” Nurse Joy laughed softly.

 

“Yeah… I suppose…” A whole town… afraid of ghosts?

 

“Well, why don't you give me your Pokémon?” Nurse brushed her skirt, straightening it with both hands. Smiling at Rachel, she went behind the counter and retrieved a tray. “Then, we can get you to a room so you can wait for your friends.”

 

“Okay… I guess.” For some reason, something didn't seem right to Rachel. She couldn't place her finger on it, but there was definitely something off here…

 

 

 

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She'd been avoiding me. The next day at class, she moved to the opposite side of the room. It was as though she couldn't stand to be close to me… which of course was what I wanted! I was glad, no more babbling or following me, no sir. I was free from her…

 

It was kind of odd that she was able to avoid me so well, though. The school was small, small enough that if you didn't see someone all day you'd assume they were out sick… But I always saw her at class. As soon as the bell rang, it seemed that she vanished. I couldn't spot her anywhere. For three days, it was like “Where's Waldo?” but on a much more bizarre scale... I mean, I never saw her other than that one class.

 

Before I went off to lunch for the day, four days after I had assaulted her, I stopped to use the bathroom. Two girls were conversing but paused to look up at me before huddling closer. When I entered the stall, they went back to talking in low whispers.

 

“She hasn't spoken a word! She's so quiet, I'm surprised the teacher's haven't noticed!”

 

“Like they'd care,” the other scoffed.

 

“I wonder what happened… normally, you can't get her to shut up.”

 

“Looks like someone shut her up,” the girl murmured smugly. “I think I like her better this way…”

 

There was a sharp, slapping sound. The other girl's voice raised an octave.

 

“How dare you say that! She is one of the sweetest people I've ever met! I don't even know why she bothered trying to be that girl's friend. All she ever did was criticize and verbally abuse her!”

 

“It was her own fault! No one told her to pester the other girl!”

 

“You're as bad as she is, no wonder Kathryn stopped talking!”

 

Stopped… talking? I thought on this. I only saw her for that one class and it was true, she remained silent through it. However, I had no idea it extended beyond the class we shared. I had assumed my presence unnerved her… was she the same in all her classes? So… lifeless?

 

“She doesn't smile any more either, not like before! She doesn't laugh and she avoids everyone!” the voice continued. “Something isn't right!”

 

“Psssh. Why should I care? You like her so much, why don't you ask her?” The other voice became strangely nasty. “She's probably just doing it for attention. No one really likes her anyway. It's no wonder she was tailing the new girl.”

 

There was no reply.

 

“Well, come on, let's go.”

 

“Yeah, okay.”

 

I didn't hear the door as they left, I could only stare at the wall of the stall. My hands were shaking as I finally realized the full impact of my actions.

 

I had destroyed her.

 

 

 

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“Alright, right this way!”

 

Rachel followed reluctantly after Nurse Joy. She had decided to keep Briar with her, the feeling that there was something obvious she was missing still pestering her. She felt much better keeping at least one of her Pokémon with her.

 

“Why were the doors chained, Nurse Joy?”

 

“Since everyone left, it was too hard to keep the building fully open. I closed down the main entrance because I didn't want to have to worry about someone wandering in and causing trouble. There was a sign on the door asking all trainers to come the back way, where there's a door bell.”

 

“I don't remember seeing a sign…”

 

“Oh, pooh! It must have fallen off again.” Nurse Joy impatiently tapped her index finger against her cheek. “Well, I'll just have to put up a new one.”

 

Nurse Joy opened a door on her right, gesturing to it. “You can stay here, I'll be back after I tend to your Pokémon.” A small pause. “Are you sure you don't want me to take care of that one as well?”

 

Rachel tried to peer into the room but it was so dark she couldn't see anything. She found it very peculiar since what she stared into was almost pure blackness. Not even a faint light… Wait, why wasn't the light from the hallway shining in?

 

Before Rachel could back away, a pair of strong hands shoved her into the room. She tried to turn in time to get out but the door had already slammed shut. There was an audible click on the other side. Still holding Briar, Rachel used her free hand to bang on the door.

 

“LET ME OUT!”

 

A soft little laugh drifted through the door. “Oh, I'm afraid not. Enjoy your stay.” For some reason, Nurse Joy's voice didn't sound so sweet.

 

 

 

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“What ever possessed me to do such a stupid thing?” Krissy whispered. “I could have just ignored her, hit her… anything.”

 

No, no, no, the nasty voice interjected. You wanted her humiliated, devastated. Fists wouldn't have done that.

 

Shut up!

 

Deny it? Deny there wasn't a hint of pleasure when you broke her?

 

There wasn't!

 

You can't lie to yourself, the voice purred, a sudden image of the kiss flashing in her mind. You liked it.

 

I'm sure it would have been the same with anyone else, she snapped at it.

 

No.

 

No?

 

No one else would have reacted that way. Smacked you, fought you, told you to go to hell… She let you.

 

No.

 

No? The nasty voice almost seemed to be confused by her answer.

 

She didn't invite me to and she didn't deserve a kiss like that. I was angry but that gave me no right to take it out on her. She humiliated herself for my benefit, laughed at herself so that I could have a friend like her. She never once has told me how much my words and actions hurt her. Most importantly, she never gave up on me.

 

And that, she concluded, almost got ruined because of a huge mistake I made. But you know what? She forgave me. So… I don't know who the hell you are but GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

 

It was hard to explain what happened next. It seemed to Krissy as though she was somehow propelled forward at an amazing speed, grinding to a halt in a place that was certainly not Lavender Town.

 

“Ponyta?” Her steed was nowhere to be found. Looking around, she watched as purple lightening danced across a black sky. There were no stars, no clouds, no moon or sun, only dark and lightening. Further away, when the lightening flashed, she could see huge mountains protruding from the ground.

 

“WHERE AM I!?”

 

Her shout was enveloped by silence, no trace of an echo to be found. The air was hot and dry; the ground around her cracked and easily broke when she took a step forward. The silence gave way to the sound of pounding feet, some kind of four-legged creature from the sound of it.

 

“Ponyta?”

 

“Not even close…”

 

Krissy whirled, taken completely by surprise by the figure that had so easily snuck up behind her. She'd never seen anything like him. The closest she could come to describing him was that he looked like a centaur. The lower portion of his body, instead of being Rapidash in nature, was more lizardish, like Charmander skin. The scales were a sickly green, paler than the color of Kathryn's Spinarak. The four feet he had were like that of a Rhydon's, but with sharper claws protruding. Instead of two arms, he had four, human like but with claws. One hand held a sword, the other an axe, and the last two clutched a spear tight in their grip. The tail he had was reptilian in nature, more like a Dragonair's than a Charmander, the end of it having some bizarre attachment. It was part of the tail but looked harder, firmer than the skin. Oddly enough, it looked like a spade with an elongated tip that curved back towards the tail.

 

As she examined him further, she noted that the green changed to a dark brown as the scales gave way to flesh. His upper torso, leading to his face, was the same brown color, not too unlike Rachel's own coloring. The last thing Krissy examined was his face.

 

Horn's like Nashley's protruded from his skull, his hair a blaze of gray flames that licked the air about his head. The rest of his face was obscured, covered with the skull of an unnamed being. She only caught sight of the eyes when the next bolt flashed in the sky.

 

His eyes are dark… all I see is anger, hate.

 

“How could she forgive you?” His voice stroked her, the gentleness contrasting the vicious words being spoken. “You are unworthy of her forgiveness, your act was unforgivable.” The sound of his feet lightly padding across the ground was the only noise besides the rumble of thunder and his bewitching voice. “Did you really think you could make up for it by being her friend?” He laughed, the sound more of a harsh bark. “Pathetic.”

 

Krissy clenched her fists at her side, eyeing him. He had weapons, she had none. She didn't know where they were, how to get back, or what he was but she'd be damned if she let him judge her.

 

“You know nothing!” Lightening punctuated her statement. “I don't know who you are but you don't know anything about me or Kathryn so leave!”

 

He was before her in an instant, a breath's space away. Before she could even react and back away, he released one hand on his spear and leaned forward to lightly stroke her face with a clawed finger, his eyes gleaming at her.

 

“Stupid child,” he whispered, a smile in his voice. “Don't you realize your friendship will mean nothing, in the end?”

 

“What are you talking about?” Krissy stepped away from his reach, smacking his hand away. “And why the hell should I listen to you?!”

 

He seemed to think on her words and walked a little, finally stopping to give her a long look, his words not much more than a hiss.

 

“Why listen to me? Because I can see what's going to happen, wretched child.” He through back his head, his deep laugh booming, louder than the thunder. “All will be as it should, finally…”

 

“You make no sense!”

 

“I make perfect sense,” he purred, raising his weapons high in the air, his hair flaring silver. “I just see no reason to elaborate to what will soon be a corpse.”

 

 

 

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Think! Banging on the door did no good. Obviously, there's no one here but Psycho Joy and I severely doubt she'll let us out anytime soon…

 

“Any ideas?”

 

“Chikor! Chick, rita!”

 

Rachel stared at where she thought the Pokémon was and Briar gave a sigh. He'd forgotten that Rachel didn't understand him the same way Kathryn did. It was so easy to get the other human to comprehend what he was asking but his own trainer had a long way to go.

 

Wandering to the door, he slid his vines out, barely squeezing them under the door. Reaching upward, his vines groped around for the door handle. He managed to grasp it but when tugging on it, he found he didn't have enough strength at the angle he was at to break it open. Exploring with his vines, he was disappointed to find that the door had been locked with a padlock, one that he wouldn't be able to break either. He tried pulling on it anyway, figuring to give it a shot but nothing happened. Retracting his vines, Briar tried to think of something else.

 

“Trapped in a room with no windows or doors…” Rachel's voice broke through the Grass Pokémon's thoughts. “We don't even have a mirror… how do we get out?”

 

Rachel crossed her arms and stared up at the ceiling. Her eyes were slowly adjusting but without a source of light, most of the room remained dark to her. That was it!

 

Hurriedly tugging her backpack off, Rachel dug around franticly for her flashlight that she had been about to grab before Nurse Joy turned on the center lights. Clicking it on, the sudden light momentarily blinded her but she quickly blinked the effects away. Shining the light around the room, she looked for some means of escape.

 

 

 

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There was no doubt in her mind that he was going to kill her, she had too great a disadvantage. The way he had managed to sneak up on her and get in her face before she could react, how much larger he was, his four arms made his moves that much more unpredictable. Not to mention he was…

 

Self-confident… way too cocky. Can I use that to my advantage? Best to keep him talking, if I can.

 

“What do you want with me?”

 

“Nothing.” The circling act was beginning to bug her. She already knew he could kill her at any moment; the circling bit was just something to make her irate. “You have nothing I want, or need. That makes you expendable. Useless.”

 

She wanted to point out that he hadn't killed her yet so she must be good for something but refrained, should that provoke an attack she knew she wouldn't be able to dodge.

 

“Oh? What about Kathryn?”

 

If it hadn't been for the slight twitch of his tail, she might have thought her comment had gone unheard. Quickly, she pressed on, hoping to get his mind on anything other than attacking.

 

“Is she expendable?”

 

The sting of pain came before she even realized that she'd been knocked flat over by his weight. Disoriented, she looked up at him, barely having the sense to get out of the way of his feet as he smashed them down and jammed his spear at her. The tip of the spear slashed her upper arm as she hurried to get to her feet, stumbling.

 

Apparently I hit some kind of nerve…

 

“What is she to you?”

 

The air was knocked out of her as his tail slammed into her gut, throwing her backwards a few feet where she crashed into the dirt with a thud. Vomit rose in the back of her throat and she couldn't prevent it from coming up. Luckily, she was able to turn her head to keep from hurling all over herself. Using the back of her hand to wipe her mouth, she glared up at him as he stood so proudly over her.

 

“Tsh… pathetic.” His laugh made her shake with rage. “Avi made my task far too easy…” Drawing back his spear, he drove it forward, aiming for her heart.

 

 

 

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Crawl through the air duct, Briar… It'll be easy… just go find where Nurse Joy put the other Pokémon then come and get me… Oh sure, I'd like to see her wiggle her way through this.

 

Briar gave a small `oof' as he squirmed his hips a little, trying to make his way through the cramped space. He understood it was his duty to do his best for his trainer and all, but this task was two inches too close to impossible.

 

They can't be too horribly far away, right? he thought with a grimace.

 

 

 

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Too close, that had been way too close.

 

“You're only delaying what will come to pass.”

 

Don't care… don't want to die.

 

“I have to admit, I never thought you would attempt to catch the spear in your hands… I even less expected you to succeed in stopping it. You do realize it will do you no good, though.” He pushed a little more, as if testing her strength. Krissy kept her hands tightly pressed against the spear's head, her arms shaking with the strain of keeping it from piercing her flesh.

 

“I'm not going to just to roll over and die!”

 

“Why not?” She could hear the smile in his voice as he hissed softly, almost gently to her. “After all you've done… don't you think it's the least you can do?”

 

The sky, for lack of a better word, rippled. As though his words were a stone being cast into a pond, the ripples raced across the sky and suddenly became the world's greatest movie screen. Anger surged when she saw herself and Kathryn, saw the kiss from an outsiders perspective. She had really been that cruel…?

 

She had to jerk her attention back to the problem at hand, her momentary distraction having allowed him to push even further with the spear, just an inch or so away from her skin.

 

“I don't suppose I can blame you really,” he went on. “She was asking for it…” Krissy let out a shuddery breath when he ceased forcing down on the spear and merely held it over her. She tried to push it away, but it wouldn't budge. Just how strong was he?

 

“I think I would have done the same, in your place.”

 

Her eyes snapped up to meet his.

 

“In fact… I have.”

 

 

 

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Oh, thank Celebi that's done with… Briar shook himself, glaring distastefully at the air vent he had emerged from. He was rather glad to find that he wasn't permanently stuck in the form of a rectangle, the squeeze having been rather tight at times.

 

Thought I'd never get out of there, he grumbled to himself. Lifting his head up, the leaf on his head swished slightly as he squinted in the dark. While his eyesight wasn't great, he did have slightly better eyesight than Rachel and could make out objects a bit more. From the looks of things, he'd stumbled into one of the many rooms Nurse Joy treated the Pokémon in.

 

Now, where to find Rachel. In his mind, it made more sense for Briar to find and release her Pokémon first but she had been very firm in ordering him to find her. He supposed it would make it easier for the two of them to find the others, but leaving his friends with Nurse Joy didn't sit well with him.

 

The sooner I can find Rachel,, the sooner I can return to the others, he decided with a firm nod, scurrying out of the room and down the hallway in search of his companion.

 

 

 

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“So beautiful, tempting… what's best is they don't even realize it. All that power going to waste. Makes your blood boil, doesn't it?”

 

The sky rippled again, Kathryn's smiling, laughing face “on screen,” so to speak. Krissy's breath caught in her throat, her eyes quickly glancing from the sky back to him. What was he playing at?

 

“And when you try and show them, reveal to them their own potential… they cower away from it, from you! They make it out to be your fault…” He practically cooed his next words. “You understand, don't you? It's not our fault… not at all. It's all their fault.”

 

Krissy had tried for so long to forget the event he was mocking her with, the stupid mistake she made had that clung to the friendship she held with Kathryn, threatening to break it should either of them even speak of it. It was unspoken, unmentionable… and all the more powerful because of it. What if she mentioned it to Kathryn now? How could the other girl even begin to understand what prompted that kiss? Kathryn was too… good to understand such a thing.

 

“It wasn't her fault.” Knowing that even as she spoke the words, they could mean her death, Krissy took hold of the weight that had been inside of her for so long and finally did something with it. “It was mine. She was innocent from everything that happened. I made a mistake, I didn't think things through, I didn't think about what could have happened to her because of what I did… but most of all, at that time, I didn't care.” She took a breath, struggling. “I didn't care what happened to her. She was just someone who annoyed me, someone I could easily crush with words or dominate over physically.”

 

“And now?” His voice was strangely passive.

 

“Now…” Krissy's eyes narrowed, a streak of flames darting across her iris. “I'd kill for her.”

 

He looked down at her, snorting fire out from the nostril holes in the skull. “How… romantic.” He twirled the axe in his hand, the tool lengthening and becoming larger. The sword he tossed to the side, letting it lie in the dust, using his sword hand to aid in wielding the newly formed battle-axe. Hefting it, he mockingly asked, “Last words? You humans are always so full of them.”

 

“Kathryn forgave me…”

 

He grunted as the axe swung down.

 

“But she never forgave you, did she?”

 

His aim was off, her words hitting him with the same effect of a physical blow. His arms jerked upward, the spear pulling out of her grip. The axe, while it still fell, was off. Instead of it's intended target (slicing Krissy's head in half), the axe sliced into her shoulder as she moved to the side. She was bleeding, and it hurt more than she could have ever believed possible… but she was alive. On her feet again, she quickly continued, driving each point home with a venomous force.

 

“You lecture me, about what I've done… What about you? Don't you feel some regret? I bet you do or my words wouldn't have done anything, isn't that right?” He lifted his axe out of the ground, his eyes no longer dark, but burning deep crimson. Snorting more flames, he once again rushed at her, no longer playing. Clutching her shoulder as the blood seeped past her fingers, her eyes fell on his discarded sword. Diving for it, she felt the spear wiz by her; her pant leg punctured by it but no other damage was sustained. Gripping the sword in both hands, she struggled with it. It took both hands to lift it and with her shoulder in the shape it was in, it made it even harder to lift.

 

A mixed sound of a scream and a whinny came to her ears and she didn't bother to look up as she heard the sound of him coming closer towards her. She could count out the beat of his gallop, feel the ground shaking. The only thing she could do now was hope to raise the sword and defend herself but… it was so heavy.

 

I'm not going to die here… Krissy strained her arm muscles, the sword rising only a few more inches. I refuse to die here… I'll take him out first!

 

She looked up just in time to see the axe swing down.

 

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Rachel paced back and forth, anxiously shifting her flashlight from hand to hand. Since she had seen Briar disappear through the air vent, she kept imagining him getting stuck and unable to move, falling down a long shaft, or getting caught in a fan.

 

God! Why couldn't I have come up with a better plan? He could be hurt and I wouldn't even know! How can I even find him I bet there are tons of tunnels of air duct! What am I going to d-

 

“Chickor?”

 

“Briar!” Rachel rushed to the door, banging on it. “Briar, quick, let me out!”

 

“Rita!”

 

There was a clang and the door swung open. Rachel turned, grabbing her bag off the floor while keeping her flashlight in the other hand. “Come on, Briar! Let's-“

 

“Going somewhere?”

 

Rachel's face paled as she slowly turned. Nurse Joy was smiling, a struggling Briar in her arms. He cried out desperately, reaching for Rachel with his little forelegs but Nurse Joy held him tightly in her arms.

 

“I told you to stay here.”

 

“Who are you?! Where's the real Nurse Joy?!”

 

The fake laughed, a sudden gust of wind bursting past her to slam into Rachel. Cuts appeared on her exposed face and arms and it took everything she had to remain up right. The fake Joy's hair loosened from the ringlets, growing longer and wilder, paler. One of her eyes sunk into her skull, the other spun around in its socket, a sinister smile covering her face as several teeth fell out. The flesh of her body became rotten, falling off in clumps with worms feasting on the chunks. Briar squealed, his thrashing more prominent as he tried to get free. Unable to stand it any longer, Rachel tried running towards him, to pull him from the corpses grip but the wind threw her back against the wall. Her flashlight and backpack fell from her hands, the flashlight spinning to a stop to shine at the door where the body floated off the ground, gesturing with one hand while holding Briar with the other. Another powerful force of wind slammed into her, tearing at her clothing, sharp particles in the air cutting at her flesh.

 

“You can never leave…” it hissed with a giggle before flinging Briar aside and going full force at Rachel with its arms out stretched, its nails surprisingly sharp and deadly looking.

 

Then… it stopped.

 

 

 

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Krissy nearly toppled as the sword flew up, all of a sudden growing light in her hands. She heard a sickening sound as the sword pierced his midsection, followed by a cry of pain, then, the next thing she knew, she was back on Ponyta. Hearing shrieking, she looked up in time to see a sphere of black mist spinning and wailing like a firework. It dove into the ground, vanishing from sight. Breathing hard, she suddenly realized that she was no longer hurting. Patting herself down, she was relieved to find she had no wounds. That only left one thing…

 

“What the hell happened?”

 

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The corpse tilted its head up toward the ceiling, its spinning orb pausing.

 

“It's done.”

 

Rachel lifted her head, her limbs shaking. It can't be… There, in the doorway, stood Kathryn. Kathryn… run… She tried to shout out but had no voice to do so. Why did Kathryn look so calm?

 

The corpse turned away from Rachel, facing the other girl. It's head tilted to far to the side, as though the neck had been severed.

 

“You're not needed here any longer…”

 

It floated toward Kathryn, raising its index finger. Kathryn remained still, her gaze unwavering as the corpse's cool finger traced her cheek. She went so far as to look it in the eye.

 

“Go.”

 

A soft sigh escaped its lips, the form of Nurse Joy's corpse fading away to reveal a smaller form. It had hardly a body to speak of, just a head, really. Waves of black and pink hair fluttered in an invisible wind, its yellow-pink eyes looking up at Kathryn. Pink orbs circled its “neck” exactly like a necklace. Floating, the end of its jelly like body waved as though the same invisible wind that touched its hair was stroking its body. It gave a faint smile and shimmered once, Rachel's Pokéballs dropping with a clatter to the floor before it vanished without a trace.

 

Without the wind to support her, Rachel pitched forward. She all but fell flat on her face but Kathryn's caught her, helping Rachel stand.

 

“Come on… It's been a long night for both of us.”

 

“What… was that?”

 

“A Ghost… speaking up for those with no voice.”