Chapter 3
"Why are you so nervous?" A new voice asked. Brandon whipped his head around, trying to find the source of the voice.
"I-I'm not nervous... really." Brandon said out loud.
"You're shaking..." The voice said. Brandon felt another warm, fuzzy damp thing press down on the back of his hand, gently flattening it out, trying to stop Brandon's trembling. "Relax. I won't hurt you." The voice said.
"...You can talk?" Brandon asked the Pokemon in front of him.
"Not exactly." The Professor cut in. "It's using telepathy to speak with you."
"Telepathy?" Brandon asked.
"I can send my thoughts to you." The Pokemon said. It sounded like a he. The voice was calming and kind, but at the same time sounded like that of a very brave and valiant person. He sounded like he was possibly 18 years old, but Brandon wasn't quite sure how Pokemon age.
"...What are you?" Brandon asked.
"Can't you see me?" The Pokemon asked, sounding confused. Brandon shook his head.
"I'm blind. I can't see anything." Brandon said. The Pokemon withdrew what Brandon assumed were his paws.
"...I suppose you humans call me a... Lucario?" The Pokemon looked at the Professor.
"Yes, you're right." The Professor agreed, nodding his head.
"Lucario..." Brandon repeated softly. He hadn't heard of that Pokemon before. "Would you mind if I just kinda feel you?"
"Feel me?" Lucario sounded confused and a bit nervous.
"Yeah, I just want to see what you look like." Brandon said. "I would have Tania describe you, but I don't know how long that will take." Brandon wasn't sure how complex the Pokemon was, and decided it would be simpler to "see" for himself.
"Uh, sure." Lucario said.
"Where are you?" Brandon asked.
"I'll come to you." Lucario said. "Hold out your hands." Brandon did as he was told. Brandon felt something furry on his left hand. "This is my face." Brandon started to move his hands over Lucario's face, soon working his way down. Lucario stood perfectly still.
"Sorry if this is awkward for you." Brandon said.
"It's fine." Lucario replied. "I understand, you want to see what I look like."
"Woah!" Brandon's hand met with the horn on Lucario's chest. "Are you okay? Did someone, like, stab you or something?" The Lucario laughed.
"No, it's part of my body. I have one on each of my hands too." Lucario put his paws on top of Brandon's hands. Brandon felt each one, being careful not to prick himself on the horn.
"Cool." Brandon said, laughing a bit too. Brandon carefully made his way up each of Lucario's arms. "It feels like you have a vest on..." Brandon moved down to Lucario's legs, "And shorts too."
"No, it's just part of my body again." Lucario said, looking down at himself.
"And you don't stand on your whole foot... just the toes." Brandon said.
"It helps me move quickly." Lucario explained. "If I stay on my toes, I don't need to push as much off the ground." Brandon stood up.
"I think I know what you look like..." Brandon said. "You remind me a bit of a jackal or something."
"That's exactly right." The Professor said. "Nice job!"
"I've been practicing." Brandon replied proudly. Lucario chuckled a bit.
"Alright, come with me you four." The Professor said. Brandon reached for Tania's hand. "Actually, Brandon, Tania won't be guiding you this time."
"I won't?" Tania asked.
"No. I think Lucario needs some practice, especially if He and Brandon are going to be together." The Professor said.
"W-what do I do?" Lucario asked, sounding somewhat nervous.
"Just grab my hand." Brandon said. He held his hand out. Lucario put his paw in Brandon's hand, and Brandon closed his hand around it. "Now just walk. Go where we need to go. Just warn me if I'm going to hit something or if there's something I need to look out for."
"Right this way." The Professor said, leading them through the doors he entered the room in. Lucario guided Brandon through the hallway.
"Careful, it's a bit wet here..."
"The corner's right next to you, watch your arm."
"What th- careful! Sorry, that Pikachu is going nuts right now, watch your step."
"Sorry!" Tania said. She picked up Pika. "You need to calm down!" She scolded gently. Pika nodded, then made her way up to Tania's head.
"Pika?" Pika looked down, hanging slightly in front of Tania's face.
"Yeah, you're fine." Tania said. Pika crawled back up Tania's head and settled down.
"You can understand her?" Lucario asked.
"I think so." Tania replied. "Not like I understand you of course, but I can figure her out well enough."
"Watch out, doors up ahead." Lucario warned Brandon. Brandon stuck his hand out, and pushed on the door when his hand came in contact.
"It's a pull." Tania said, opening the door for him.
"I could have figured it out!" Brandon said, sounding somewhat whiny.
"Sorry!" Tania apologized. "I can't help it sometimes." The group walked into the room. The sounds of machines, human chatter, and Pokemon calls filled the room.
"Okay, sit down over here." Lucario guided Brandon to a seat, then stood next to him.
"You aren't sitting?" Brandon asked.
"I thought you were blind." Lucario said back.
"Just 'cause I can't see, doesn't mean I can't hear." Brandon replied. "How many Pokemon are here?"
"Only five, including me and Pikachu." Lucario replied, scanning the room. "A Blaziken, a Meloetta, and a... Ditto." Lucario sounded somewhat disgusted.
"What's wrong with Dittos? Out of all of the Pokemon you just named, that's the only one I recognize!" Brandon said.
"They just give me the creeps." Lucario shuddered a bit.
"I can see why." Tania replied, looking at the strange blob.
"So, what belongs to who?" Brandon asked.
"Abraham has the Blaziken, Jennifer has the Meloetta, and the nerdy kid has the Ditto." Tania said.
"How do you know all those Pokemon names anyway?" Brandon asked Lucario.
"...I don't know. I just do." Lucario responded.
"You know about the world pretty well too, but you've only been here for five minutes..." Brandon mused. "I guess the scientists must have given you some information."
"I guess." Lucario said.
"Do you remember being created?" Tania asked. Pika stared at Tania as if she had no idea what she was talking about.
"No. I just opened my eyes, and there you were. I know that I was created, but, I don't remember how I was. I suppose it's like when you humans are just born, you don't really remember what happens before then." Lucario said, leaning against the wall.
"I don't even remember being six!" Tania replied, laughing a bit. "Must be pretty weird, just suddenly waking up for the first time."
"Yeah," Lucario chuckled, "It is a little."
"Can I have everyone's attention please?" The Professor called from the front. Lucario stood back up. "Now that you all have your Pokemon, I just want to speak to you about what I want you to do for us." The Chancey from before walked back out, this time carrying ten small pins. "We want you and your Pokemon to wear these pins every day. They are the first thing you put on in the morning, and the last thing you take off." The Chancey walked to each person. Tania grabbed two and began to fashion the pin into a barrette for Pika. Lucario grabbed two pins, and handed one to Brandon before clipping it onto himself. It was a simple pin, made to look like a tiny Pokeball.
"These pins," The Professor continued, "Will record what you and your Pokemon do each day, and how you generally feel towards each other. This will allow us to see whether this project will a commercial success, or if Pokemon don't exist here for a reason."
"Will we get to keep our Pokemon?" The nerdy kid asked, raising his hand.
"Yes Joseph, you will get to keep your Pokemon." The Professor answered.
"Can we battle them?" Joseph asked again.
"That's entirely up to you and Ditto." The Professor again responded. "Now, please, hold all questions 'til the end, I promise, I'm almost done." The Professor paused for a moment, gathering his train of thought. "...Ah, yes, taking care of your Pokemon. Each of your Pokemon has different needs. Some are able to take better care of themselves than others. They all have different diets, among other things, and all have different personalities. We will provide you with information on your Pokemon that will tell you all you need to know. We wish you the best of luck, and we hope that you will enjoy your time with your Pokemon. Now, questions?"
"Yeah," Jennifer raised her hand. "Do these guys require special food or something?"
"If they do, we will supply it for you." The Professor answered.
"What are we going to do when we go to school?" Abraham asked.
"You can choose whether to bring them along or not. It's up to you."
"What if they get hurt?" Tania asked, holding Pika in her arms. "I doubt the vet knows what to do with Pokemon."
"Bring them here, we have a Pokemon Treatment Center all ready for you."
"Do we get Pokeballs?" Joseph asked.
"Unfortunately, no, we don't know how to even make those. The only reason Pokemon in our world became a possibility was because we were doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time, not to mention we had an incredibly healthy dose of luck. It could be years before Pokeballs become a possibility." The Professor scanned the room. "Any more questions?"
"What if our parents won't let us keep them?" Brandon asked, suddenly thinking about his mom. She loved pets, but was incredibly allergic to pet fur.
"If that's the case," The Professor thought for a moment. "Come talk to me. We'll get things sorted out, possibly see if we can give the Pokemon to a new owner. However, I don't see that happening anytime soon. Now, if that's all, you are dismissed. Thank you again for participating." The Professor nodded, then walked off. The testers stood in the room, silently.
"Okay, well," Tania broke the silence. "I'm Tania, this is Pika." She pointed to Pika, who happily squeaked.
"Oh my gosh, it's so cute!" Jennifer said, looking at it. "Just as cute as my Meloetta ."
"Melo!" The Meloetta gave a cutesy wink.
"Aaaaw, she's so pretty! Just like you I might add!" Tania walked over and the two immediately started talking about... well, you know, whatever girls talk about.
"Hey Lucario, can you help me over to Abraham?" Brandon asked.
"Sure." Lucario replied. The two made their way over.
"...You're Brandon, right?" Abraham asked when the two made it over.
"Yeah. Abraham?" Brandon asked back. Abraham nodded.
"...Is your name Abraham?" Brandon asked again, thinking Abraham didn't hear him.
"I nodded." Abraham replied. "Didn't you see me?"
"I'm blind." Brandon shrugged. "I don't do much seeing anymore."
"Oh..." Abraham shifted awkwardly in his seat.
"Don't worry about it." Brandon replied. "You're not the first to not know, and you certainly won't be the last. I'm okay with it now."
"I'm sorry." Abraham said.
"Don't worry about it." Brandon replied. "So... Blaziken... what does he, or she, look like?"
"He." Abraham said. "Um... he kinda reminds me of a giant chicken..."
"Blaze?" The Blaziken sounded somewhat offended.
"Sorry, not a chicken!" Abraham apologized. "Um... I don't know man, he's hard to describe."
"Try. We'll see what happens." Brandon said.
"Well... he's taller than you and me... I dunno, six foot two, maybe three... He's got these cream feathers that look like he has hair. His face is red, almost reminds me of a hawk's face. He has red feathers that cover his body, except for his feet, they have yellow feathers, and his claws... which look a bit like the feet of a chicken actually, but bigger and sharper. He's pretty thin... and yeah, I think that's it."
"Nice job." Brandon had a picture in his mind. "Although, I think I like the image of a giant chicken better." Brandon said, chuckling a bit.
"Careful, Blaziken looks like he's getting mad at you..." Lucario warned.
"Er, no offense Blaziken, just a bit of a joke..." Brandon quickly said. "Sorry."
"Blaze." He sounded a bit stand-offish, but nonetheless accepting of the apology.
"So, what do you have?" Abraham asked.
"This is Lucario." Brandon said.
"Hello." Lucario nodded at Abraham.
"You talk?" Abraham asked, sounding amazed.
"Didn't you hear him before, when he warned me about Blaziken?" Brandon asked.
"Nope. Didn't hear a thing." Abraham said.
"I use telepathy. I use my thoughts to speak, and I can choose who receives my thoughts." Lucario said.
"Oh." Abraham said. "That's useful."
"Guys, come here, you gotta see this!" Tania said, rushing up to the group. She grabbed Brandon's arm and pulled him over to where she and Jennifer were. "Come on Abraham!" Abraham looked at Blaziken and Lucario.
"Girls..." Abraham shook his head, as he and the two Pokemon walked over.
"Okay, you have to watch this!" Jennifer said. "...Joseph, come on!" She waved over Joseph, who was sitting along with his Ditto in the corner. Joseph looked hesitant. Tania rolled her eyes, walked over, and pulled him over to the group. Joseph blushed a bit.
"Don't be so alone!" Tania said. "We're all in this together!" She said. "Okay, go!" She excitedly told Jennifer.
"Okay Meloetta, do what you did before!" Jennifer said. Meloetta started to clear her throat.
"Looks like she needs to get ready." Tania said. "Be patient guys!"
"Meloetta?" Brandon asked Lucario.
"She's a music Pokemon by the look of it. Her hair is green, looks like the musical staff."
"Staff?" Brandon asked.
"That thing with all the lines on it when you look at music. Where the notes go." Lucario explained. "It looks like she has a microphone on her head as well... She has a black dress looking thing, white legs and feet, black hands... that look a bit like musical notes, and a white face, with green eyes and a green jewel in the middle of her forehead. She's about up to your knee." Lucario finished.
"Shh!" Tania looked at Lucario. "She's starting!" The Meloetta took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She started to sing, in a hushed tone. Music started to fill the room.
"How did we not notice this before?" Brandon asked.
"SHH!"
The Meloetta started to sing louder, holding her hands out. She began to rise into the air.
"What's going on?" Brandon asked, hearing everyone gasp.
"She's floating!" Lucario said, amazed. "She's... changing!"
The microphone on the side of Meloetta's face began to travel up her hair, passing over small blue dots, which made a chiming sound as the mic passed over them. The Meloetta's color changed from green to orange, and the dress she wore separated into four pieces, which flared out, almost like a tutu. She slowly sank to the ground as she finished her song.
"What now?" Brandon asked.
"She's the same, but her hair and eyes are orange, and her hair's done up now." Lucario explained.
"That's Relic Song!" Joseph exclaimed.
"Relic Song?" Jennifer asked, looking at Joseph.
"Yeah!" Joseph excitedly moved towards the Meloetta. "It's the only move that can not only do damage, but have the chance to put a Pokemon to sleep! Plus, it makes Meloetta change from Aria Form to Pirouette Form!"
"Aria Form? What's that?" Tania asked, shaking Pika to try and wake her up.
"It's what she was when she was green." Joseph explained. "When in Aria Form, Meloetta are beautiful singers, but when they change to Pirouette Form, which is what she's in now, they become amazing dancers! Wanna show us?"
"Mele!" Meloetta cheered, before gracefully twirling in the air and dancing around the room.
"Now she's-" Lucario started.
"Don't bother." Brandon said, a hint of sadness tinging his voice. "Dancing isn't easy to describe. Just leave it be."
"Wow! That's amazing Meloetta!" Jennifer said, as the Pokemon finished.
"How'd you know about all of that Joseph?" Tania asked.
"I play a lot of Pokemon!" He said, shrugging. "Meloetta's in Black 2 and White 2."
"Ooh, what can you tell me about Pika?" Tania asked excitedly, holding the slightly groggy Pikachu up to Joseph's face.
"Umm... She stores electricity in her cheeks, which she needs to discharge once in a while, so keep some dirt handy." Joseph said. "Oh, and don't pull her tail. She won't like that."
"Pika?" The groggy Pikachu looked at her owner.
"No, it's okay, you can go back to bed if you want." Tania said. Pika nodded and closed her eyes, as she slumped over in Tania's outstretched hands. Tania giggled and cradled the Pikachu in her arms.
"You're just full of information, aren't you?" Abraham said.
"I've been playing since I was a kid, and I've beaten every game 100%." Joseph said proudly. "I know everything you need to know!"
"If that's the case, can I have your number?" Tania asked, whipping out her cell phone. "I might want to get ahold of you if I have questions."
"Oooh, me too!" Jennifer said, taking hers out. Soon, everyone was exchanging numbers.
"Here Brandon, let me put in mine."
"Woah, that's like one digit off from my mom's."
"Nice phone Joe!"
"Oooh, let me take a pic of you real quick."
"Lucario, who has my phone? This isn't mine."
After everyone got their phone's back, the group sat back down.
"Anything I should know about Blaziken, Joe?" Abraham asked.
"Probably going to be pretty active." Joseph said. "He's trained in martial arts, especially in punching and kicking. Flame comes out of his wrists when he's fighting, and his legs are strong enough to jump 30-story buildings!"
"Wow!" Abraham looked at Blaziken.
"In a city like New York, Blaziken should have plenty of places to exercise." Joseph said.
"What about Lucario?" Brandon asked.
"I can't tell you myself?" Lucario looked at Brandon, with an eyebrow raised.
"Lucario is the only Pokemon that can completely understand human speech. His species is known to use telepathy to talk to humans, like he's doing to you now." Joseph explained. "Plus, they have the ability to feel aura."
"What's aura?" Brandon asked.
"It's like a life force. Everything gives out one." Lucario explained, stepping in. "I have the ability to see them. So, even if I close my eyes, I can tell who or what is coming."
"Wow..." Brandon said, in awe. "I wish I could do that..."
"Well, now you have Lucario to do it for you!" Tania said, grabbing Brandon's hand and putting it on Lucario's shoulder. Brandon chuckled lightly. He took his hand off of Lucario. A cloud seemed to pass over his face, a look of slight sadness causing his forehead to crease.
"Hey guys, I'm gonna go sit down for a bit." Brandon said turning. "I'm feeling a bit light-headed..."
"Oh, let me help you!" Tania said, moving over towards Brandon.
"No, I'm fine, I know where they are." Brandon waved Tania off. He walked slowly over to the chairs, and took a seat.
"Did I say something?" Tania asked.
"Not intentionally." Jennifer said, staring at Brandon, who sat in a slump in his chair. "I don't think he likes needing help."
"Shouldn't he be used to it?" Joseph asked. "I mean, hasn't he been blind his whole life?"
"No..." Tania said, a moment of realization crossing over her. "He's only been blind for six months."
"Six months? How do you know?" Abraham asked.
"Because I was on the bus crash that made him go blind!" Tania said, rolling up her sleeve to reveal a large red scar on her shoulder. "I was lucky... but him." Tania looked at Brandon. "He was right next to the window the semi crashed into. He got the majority of the blow. I thought he looked familiar!"
"Pika?!" Pika looked shocked, and stared at Brandon sadly.
"It is." Lucario told Pika as he looked at Brandon.
"What'd she say?" Jennifer asked.
"Something along the lines of 'That's so sad.'" Lucario translated.
"Go talk to him!" Tania urged.
"...What?" Lucario looked at Tania a bit worriedly.
"Go talk to him! Cheer him up!" Tania urged again.
"What do I say? I'm part of the reason he's sad!" Lucario said. "You should be the one to go talk to him!"
"Guys, maybe we should all go?" Joseph suggested. "We are all in this together now, right? We need to support each other."
"Blaze..." Blaziken looked at Joseph for a moment, looking slightly hesitant.
"He's worried we'll offend him more." Lucario translated again.
"DITTO!" The pink blob suddenly jumped in the middle of the group. "Dit, Ditto, dit dit dit to dit!"
"...He's right." Lucario sighed. Meloetta looked at Ditto wide-eyed, and slowly nodded. Blaziken looked down at the Ditto, a look of surprise crossing its face, while Pika just looked stunned.
"What?" Abraham asked.
"Well, aside from some rude remarks towards Blaziken, it said we need to stop being such babies and be there for a friend." Lucario said, smiling a bit. "You've got quite a handful there." Lucario said to Joseph. The group looked at each other and nodded, before walking towards their friend.