Episode 22 - Nomadic Narcolepsy

By the time the group had reassembled in the lobby of the registration hall, it was ten past six. Activity had now slowed down to a trickle of people that were milling aimlessly in no particular direction, exchanging weary glances with passers-by and gazing up occasionally at the digital clock on the wall to see if the time had moved on since they last looked.

Caley stifled a yawn and shuffled his feet as his companions tried not to imitate him by expressing their fatigue also. Things certainly seemed unusual; as if some unknown force had begun to inhabit his brain and dampen his thoughts. It didn’t seem unique either. The others were having similar trouble staying awake.

“I’m pooped” Aden mumbled, shifting his shopping bags from hand to hand.

“Bet your credit card is too, eh?” Jasmyna remarked, nudging him playfully.

“I honestly can’t keep my eyes open” James remarked with intense sluggishness.

“Me neither,” Denise murmured, as Rose rubbed at her face in an attempt to keep herself alert. Errol and Adam exchanged quick looks of puzzlement. Neither of them seemed that weary.

“I suggest we get an early night” Jasmyna spoke up. “After all some of us do have a competition to participate in tomorrow”

Errol folded his arms and gave a snort of indifference.

“Meh. Youse guys do what you will but I t’ink I’m gonna stay up a bit longa and sort a few t’ings out in my head”

“Yeah. Same here,” Adam nodded. “I’m not tired; I don’t need to sleep early. I’m not even in that contest”

Denise glanced at him sternly.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re in the contest or not,” she exclaimed. “You need to catch up on some rest, mister!”

“Well what about him?” Adam snapped, pointing at Errol.

“He’s older than you,” Denise replied simply. “He can do what he likes.”

There was an obvious change of colour in Adam’s face at this point. Aden and Jasmyna raised their eyebrows in alarm as the adolescent figure’s eyes grew wide and his body seemed to heighten with his onset of fury.

“What makes you think you can boss me about like some kid?” he snarled acidically. The others looked noticeably unnerved, even Errol who held a remarkably calm temperament in times of trouble. But Denise didn’t even flinch. This caused Adam to become even more frustrated.

“WELL?” he barked. At this point Denise turned and stared at her shorter companion, and the cold expression upon her face caused him to gulp apprehensively.

“If you sincerely wish to still be in my good books tomorrow morning…” she began, softly and in monotone. “…then you shall reconsider your thoughts on the matter, hm?”

Adam shrank back and averted his gaze elsewhere.

“Uh…ok” he mumbled under his breath.

“So anyway…” James blurted before any further clashes of opinion occurred. “I never got round to asking you. Just how did you manage to get registered for that Behemoth competition anyway, Errol? I thought only official trainers were accepted. And to prove you’re an official trainer you’d need a…”

“Pokedex, I know” Errol nodded. “Da kid helped me out on dat one”

“Cory turned into a Pokedex?” James inquired.

“He sure did!”

Rose chuckled at this.

“It’s a good thing they didn’t test it then to make sure it was genuine” she said.

“Or ask to see your Pokémon,” Denise added with a giggle. Caley smiled. The suppressing feeling seemed to be lifting, leaving behind a light exhaustion that was to be expected after a long day in the sunshine.

“I hate to be spoiling the fun and all…” Jasmyna remarked. “But I think we’d better get to the hotel and book ourselves a few rooms, don’cha think?”

This caused a ripple of surprise to wash over the group.

“You mean you never reserved any rooms?” Denise exclaimed. Jasmyna scratched the back of her head embarrassedly.

“Well…you see…I kinda got absorbed with the registration that I sorta forgot…”

“There’d better be more than one room free in there” Adam muttered. "No way am I going to share a space with him again.”

This time he was pointing at James. The man stuck his tongue out in the relevant direction; he certainly didn’t want that situation to occur either.

“I’d be happy to sleep under the stars” he told Jasmyna. “After all it’s what we’re used to. Right Errol?”

“You got’cha, Jimmy” the man replied with a grin. Rose shook her head.

“It’s not a good idea. We’re being tracked so keeping together is the best thing we can do right now. That way two of us can guard while the rest sleep.”

“Let’s just hope that all the rooms aren’t taken then!” Aden piped up cheerily, before heading off in the direction of the hotel.

The others followed, enthusiastically but rather slowly.

A clock tower situated within Coalef’s buildings struck a quarter to ten. Outside the attractions had begun to shut down; competitors and spectators alike were eager to get to their rooms for a good rest. And this was justifiable.

Aside from the Behemoth, Coalef sported a lavishly adorned five-star hotel (with discounted rates for trainers) where one could be pampered, preened and generally treated as royalty during their stay. In fact Caley and his friends had been lucky to obtain rooms at such late notice. Now everyone was deep in slumber, having retired for the night within the rooms allocated to them. Errol, whose feline nocturnalisms prevented him from sleeping, had wandered onto the balcony to contemplate.

Cory, in his original form, sat on the rail and dangled his podgy pink legs over the side as he took in the view of the rolling hills backed by a velveteen starlit sky beyond the regimentally aligned buildings.

<It’s so…impressive, isn’t it?>

Errol nodded in silence. He seemed equally in awe, his wide slitted eyes focused upon the round white circle that was the luminescent moon, beaming down upon them with its familiar eerie glow. Cory sighed, rather discouragingly.

he murmured.

“Humans can be curious t’ings sometimes” Errol remarked, putting his hands in his pockets. “Curious, twisted an’ unfathomable.”

<So why did you become one?> Cory inquired with puzzlement.

“I guess I’ve always felt more comfortable actin’ human dan Pokemon” the man shrugged. “Seemed logical ta take da physical form dat I’d mentally become so many years before”

For a split second there was an almost longing expression within Cory’s emerald green eyes. But he quickly dismissed it.

<You do realise that competition tomorrow is going to be more than just battling…right?> he continued. <Jasmyna said there was a test of knowledge and a kart race too!>

“All da more ways ta prove my skill as a trainer, kid” Errol grinned.

“I’ve picked up more experience ova da past five years dan most people have learnt in a lifetime! It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Taking his hands from his jacket to rearrange the strands of hair from his eyes, Errol gasped as the small spherical item he had won from Caley’s unscrupulous cousin earlier rolled from his pocket and hit the ground below, opening in a brilliant flash of light. Once the blinding glow had faded, both the man and his Pokémon companion opened their eyes to see a small dumpy yellow bird sitting at their feet, looking puzzled and rather pained.

“Psy” it mumbled. Errol’s mouth dropped open in alarm.

“Well I neva…”

This exclamation caused the bird to turn its head to look at its surveyors.

<Um…do I know you?> it asked tentatively. <It’s just…you sorta sound familiar but…I can’t seem to place a name…to your face. This darn headache has…that effect on my memory>

Cory looked up at Errol for a reply. The man had not said anything for a good few minutes now; he seemed to have frozen in mid-air, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Ya can’t be da Psyduck who used ta hang around wit’ dat redhead goil, are ya?” he murmured finally. The bird furrowed its brow as it struggled to think.

<Redhead?>

“Went by da name of ‘Misty’” Errol persisted. “Skinny kid, had lotsa sistas, loved trainin’ wata Pokemon…”

At that moment it almost seemed like a light had been turned on inside Psyduck’s ponderous brain. A terrible despairing look overcame its face.

it muttered. Cory and Errol exchanged looks.

“So what happened exac’ly?” Errol inquired. Psyduck scratched at its head again.

<It’s pretty much a blur> it sighed emphatically. <One minute I remember being by her side, in the company of fellow water Pokemon…the next I find myself alone…and scared>

Cory pouted with disapproval as Errol shook his head sadly.

Psyduck continued miserably.

“Dat’s real terrible” Errol murmured.

“I can undastand what’cha feelin’, Psyduck. Da first memories of my life were of bein’ alone, afta all…”

<But how could that girl be so cruel?> Cory almost growled. <You seem such a nice guy! Why would she simply discard you like some…some object?>

Psyduck shook its head slowly.

it replied.

“If it had been a mistake she would’a tried ta find you again” Errol remarked in a matter-of-fact way, folding his arms. “Face it, kid. Da novelty wore off. In udda woids, she got bored wit’cha. Prob’ly ‘cause ya didn’t evolve. I hate ta be harsh an’ all but I can’t go suga coatin’ it jus’ ta make it not seem so bad. Reality is a bitta pill ta swallow.”

<Yeah…> Psyduck whispered.

“An’ dat’s great!” Errol smiled.

“It’s nice to see someone who’s happy wit’ demselves”

It was at this point that Psyduck reasserted its gaze upon the man’s face.

<You never told me who you were, did you?> it continued. <How is it that you seem to know so much about me and Misty…when I swear I’ve never seen your face before in my life?>

Errol gulped deeply as Cory looked round with an expression that conveyed he wanted to know the answer to Psyduck’s question also.

“Heh…well…” he stammered. “I guess you could say dat redhead traina of yours an’ myself have crossed paths many times in da past”

Psyduck pulled a face. It was clear he still didn’t understand, and it was equally obvious that he wasn’t going to let this matter drop. Errol heaved a large sigh and decided it would be best to get the matter of explaining over and done with, for the umpteenth time.

“Ok” he began. “I was da Meowth from Team Rocket. We spent five years chasin’ afta dat goil an’ her friends for reasons even I don’t undastand any more. Are ya satisfied now?”

<You don’t look much like that Meowth…> Psyduck murmured, the familiar blank look now occupying its face. Errol slapped his head in disbelief.

“What gave it away?” he muttered sarcastically. “Was it da innate lack o’ tail an’ whiskas or is it da fact I’m now six foot tall?”

The yellow bird continued to stare in utmost confusion.

“Listen boidbrain” Errol snapped. “I said I was da Meowth from Team Rocket. I got toined human not too long ago; dat’s why ya don’t recognise me, ok?”

<Um…ok> Psyduck echoed. Then its eyes widened in horror. <You’re from Team Rocket?>

“I used ta be” Errol looked down at the Pokémon that was now glaring coldly at him and rolled his eyes. “But I eventually saw sense an’ gave up dat lifestyle fer somet’ing more considerate ta uddas…not ta mention less painful ta me”

<What am I going to do?> Psyduck exclaimed, breaking into Errol’s statement and grasping desperately at his leg.

<Can’t he come with us?> Cory suggested in his companion’s direction. Errol shook his head furiously.

“No way! It’s far too dangerous! Dat guy could get kidnapped, or crushed, or drowned or somet’ing”

<Drowned? But he’s a water Pokémon>

“Exac’ly!” Errol replied persistently. “Dere’s no way we can add an aqua inept duck wit’ unpredictable psychic powas ta our ranks!”

Psyduck lowered its gaze in defeat.

it mumbled. <I’m useless. No wonder Misty didn’t want me. No one wants a Psyduck that can’t swim or battle properly.

I’ll just go now. I know when I’m not wanted>

<That was real thoughtless of you, Errol> Cory frowned as the yellow bird began to waddle toward the door.

“But I was jus’ tellin’ da truth!” the man insisted. The pink form continued to stare at him accusingly; he wasn’t convinced this was any excuse to upset someone.

<Caley’s powers are unpredictable too but we haven’t left him behind because of it!>

Errol folded his arms.

“Yeah, but he’s not a-“

<Pokémon?>

The air fell silent. Even Psyduck stopped in his tracks and turned to see that Errol had swallowed his next sentence. It was clear from the horrified expression on his face that he’d realised what he was about to say. And it just so happened to be exactly what Cory had expected. The pink creature sighed bitterly.

“No…” Errol stammered. He wasn’t disagreeing with Cory - he was in a state of disbelief at what he’d just uttered. How could he have simply set aside his Pokémon counterparts like they were lower than him? The very notion caused him to shudder inwardly. But Cory hadn’t noticed.

<Maybe your humanity is cutting you away from your true self> he sniffed.

“NO!” Errol collapsed onto the balcony, his shoulders shaking. “I’m still da guy I always was!” he spluttered. “I jus’ slipped up, dat’s all!”

He paused to catch his breath and quickly wipe the wetness from his eyes which had culminated as a result of his thoughts.

I don’t want Psyduck ta get inta unnecessary danger. It doesn’t need da stress we’re goin’ through. What it needs is anudda trainer who will accept it for who it is”

At the mention of the word ‘trainer’ Psyduck’s eyes sparkled with happiness.

<You’re going to find me a new trainer?> it exclaimed

“Well I…” Errol began. “Dat’s not exactly what I was implying I’d d-“ The man caught a glimpse of Cory’s stern expression and coughed slightly. “I mean, sure! But not until da mornin’, ok?”

<Oh thankyou so much!> Psyduck waddled straight back again, tripped over its own feet and fell onto Errol’s boot, hugging it gratefully.

I wouldn’t bet on it, Errol snickered in his mind. Wit’ dat headache he ends up forgettin’ everyt’ing

Cory grinned, but didn’t say a word.

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

Mummy?

Caley ran. He could feel his legs pelting the cold, hard floor as his mind flooded with anguish.

Mummmmy? Where are you?

His eyes brimmed with salty tears. The passing dull lit scenery felt alien to him but at the same time it also seemed bizarrely familiar. Somehow none of that mattered; there was just one motive that overrode everything else.

MUUUUUUM!

He choked back a sob. Every corridor, every staircase he encountered looked the same. There was a rising lump in the back of his throat that was making it hard to breathe. But he continued to run, until suddenly the scene changed. Caley could feel two pairs of hands held tight about his arms - still the darkness crowded him like a shadowy veil but somewhere amongst the indistinguishable black he picked out a face. A woman’s face. Her features were creased up in a mixture of fury and grief, her short cropped brown hair entangled in what looked like some kind of net over her head. Somehow Caley knew who this person was, even though he was certain he had never met her before in his life. And the sight of her trapped helplessly in the jaws of an intimidating metallic monstrosity caused an intense distress to grip his heart.

No…

Tears ran down the figure’s cheeks and Caley could feel the self same wetness upon his own. He looked up woefully at the place where he expected the faces of his oppressors to be. But he could see none; all that the glow from the outside managed to illuminate was a shock of sleek, combed cerulean blue hair upon one of the figures that held him with unbearable force.

Why are you doing this? he cried. But no answer came; the grasp upon his arms became ever-tighter as another faceless form approached the machine in which the woman was detained.

Coldness trickled into Caley’s body. He was certain this person was chuckling softly under their breath and the voice was clearly female. A point of light from somewhere above reflected from a large curl of golden hair at the back of the figure’s head that was tied with a violet bauble. As the person lifted her hand to grasp at a lever upon the machine she leant forward, and it was at that moment Caley almost fainted in fear.

The woman’s ice blue eyes were filled with utmost hatred, the corner of her mouth curled into a snarl of contempt as she stared across the room at him.

Let this be a lesson to you, young Rookie, she remarked softly. The volume sent a shudder down Caley’s spine. Team Rocket does not stand for dependence. No one relies upon another for emotional support. We may work in numbers but our motives are unquestionably singular. Living for profit and exploit. And anyone who decides to think otherwise…

Another sob shook Caley’s body. But the woman did not flinch.

Stop your foolish crying, boy, she snapped. Emotion only serves to make us weaker. You shall learn that, given time.

From this day forth, you shall not depend on anyone at all.

She thrust the lever downward and an immense electrical shaft thundered out of the device, lighting up the air with a crackle of energy. The figure underneath the translucent dome let out one final screech of agony as the aura about her grew blindingly bright. Caley struggled, his sight marred with tears and a bright red line that had streaked across his vision, but he could not move forward to save the one he loved so much. All that filled his ears was a volley of abhorrent maniacal cackling.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Caley flung himself into a sitting position with a harsh intake of breath. He knew it - it had been a dream. Something so horrific could only have been concocted from the darkest depths of his head. A nasty ache scrabbled at his lungs, causing him to pant irregularly - there was an incredible urge to burst into tears at such a human loss even though Caley was adamant it had been a fictional one.

So why had it seemed so real?

He turned his head to look over at where his younger companion had been sleeping and found him curled up in the corner of his bed, arms tightly about his Pokemon’s neck, sobbing into its fur.

“She’s gone …” was all Caley managed to make out. “…why?”

It was his dream, wasn’t it?

The trainer looked up. Kota was hovering just a little distance away, his huge eyes focused sadly on the semi-conscious shuddering mass under the quilt.

I sensed the exact same anguish in both yours and Adam’s minds. You experienced his nightmare.

Caley nodded slowly. He couldn’t seem to bring himself to speak, the emotion within was raw and cold; a mixture of terror, despair and a rapidly developing anger.

It hasn’t been the first time he’s had that nightmare either, Kota murmured psychically. He envisaged it before… back in Mayni City. He got so fractious I had to use my powers to calm him down.

Caley turned to Kota, a confused expression in his eyes.

“But I don’t understand it…what is he dreaming about, exactly? All I can remember is this one voice. It was cold and filled with spite”

What did it say? Kota asked, edging closer.

“From this day forth, you shall not depend on anyone at all” Caley relayed in monotone. “That is what keeps murmuring in my head.”

From what I managed to pick up, the Psybab remarked. It seems Adam lost someone a long time ago. Someone very dear to him. And not by any natural means either. His mind almost depicted this figure being practically ‘devoured’ by an unknown machine. But then again I cannot clarify either way. These readings are pretty distorted.

Another cold shudder ran through Caley’s body. His mind had salvaged another part of the dream, more painful and heart-wrenching than the first.

“I think…” he began softly.

“It was his mother…”

The door opened a fraction, and a worried looking face peered into the room.

“Is everything ok?” the figure asked tentatively. “I heard you two yelling.”

Caley recognised the voice immediately; it brought a slight notion of relief back to his angst ridden thought processes.

“Adam had another nightmare, Denise” he replied. “I just happened to experience it along with him.”

“Another nightmare?” the girl spluttered. Caley gave a sigh.

“Yeah. He’s longing to see his mum again.”

“Well I’m sure we’ll find her,” Denise replied with a smile that was unintentionally inappropriate for this situation. Then she noticed the sad expressions upon her companions’ faces. “Hey, I’d expect more a positive reaction from you Caley. After all you can’t achieve anything unless you try…you should know that.”

“Yeah but…” The trainer took a deep breath, wondering what was the best way to phrase this. “…she no longer exists.” he concluded heavily. Denise’s expression became even more sympathetic. She edged over to the far side of the room where Cyzel had carefully arranged his owner upon the pillow and sat down carefully upon the edge of Adam’s bed.

“Poor little guy” she murmured wistfully. “How on earth could such a sweet kid have such a terrible life? What happened? Did his mom get sick?”

“Worse,” Caley spoke. Denise shuddered, then a darkness descended on her face.

“Don’t tell me…” she muttered. “Team Rocket played a part in this”

Caley’s eyes shot open. Things were becoming clearer now; all those desolate dimly lit corridors, that towering machine…

…yes. It did resemble the fittings of the headquarters he had explored back in Coyna City.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that was correct” he replied finally. “After all Adam said he was born into Team Rocket.”

Without a word, Denise lifted her hand slightly and began to stroke the top of the sleeping figure’s head, causing a faraway smile to emerge on the boy’s face, then she retracted upon sight of Caley’s expression.

“Seems kinda unfair though,” she murmured with a frown, folding her arms. “He never even had a chance to take in life as it should be. He was thrown straight into the ridiculous twisted mess of that organisation and forced to believe that right was wrong and vice versa. And why was his mother in Team Rocket anyway? Had she no morals?”

Caley shook his head.

“I don’t think its anything like that” he told Denise. “The first time I encountered Adam he explained to me how his father was so determined to make him an Elite. I get the feeling that man was the one with the greatest desire to be involved in Team Rocket’s work. It’s more than likely his wife was only there because of her love for him.”

“Emotion…” Denise sighed. “There is no room for emotion in Team Rocket society. Those who show it are punished.”

“That’s what happened to Lee,” Caley nodded. “The guy we met in that roadside café…he once was Rose’s fiancée and her co-worker in Team Rocket. They wiped his memory because he destroyed a fossil haul while trying to rescue her.”

“Oh that’s terrible…” Denise bit her lip. “No wonder Rose was so upset when that waiter never recognised who she was. But why on earth did Team Rocket go to such extremes and…remove Adam’s mother completely?”

The trainer slumped his shoulders deflatedly.

“I don’t know” he murmured. “I really don’t know…”

“That man has a lot to answer for” Denise continued with narrowed eyes. “Letting his own wife be destroyed…mentally scarring his son…

…he’s no father. He’s a selfish, callous scumbag!”

She rapidly fell silent upon noticing her voice had reached an unsavoury level. But still Adam slept. The smile had remained upon his closed-eyed face as visions only the boy himself could see crossed his mind.

“Well they do say love overlooks any flaws” Denise sighed. “I guess Adam’s mom must have really loved her husband…poor little guy.”

Caley watched as Denise moved back toward the door and turn to give one last look at Adam’s slumbering form before she waved a silent farewell in his direction. He could tell the girl had certainly developed a soft spot for her younger companion over the past few months she had known him. And this affection certainly wasn’t one-sided - Caley had noticed Adam also held a lot of respect and fondness for Denise’s requests, even if he did happen to react in an explosive manner before thinking first an innumerable amount of times.

Then something else arose inside his mind. The blue-haired figure that had prevented him from reaching the woman in his dream - was this the reason why Adam held such a grudge against James? He had clearly seen the shade of blue had resembled nothing like the more lavender tones of the man he’d come to know so well. But, according to Kota, Adam had only been young at the time. Memories could easily distort and fade.

And some memories could burn themselves into the back of one’s mind. Caley deeply wished that such an event could be wiped clear from Adam’s head. But he knew that couldn’t be possible. One day he’d find a way to turn and accept what had happened. But until then the adolescent’s sleep would be blighted with notions of a mother he lost…

…and a father he never had.

As the sun began to edge further into the cloudless sky, Errol awoke to find himself slumped over the self-same balcony that he had been leaning upon the night before. There was a gouging feeling in his stomach that indicated just how long he had been draped in such an uncomfortable position. As he brought himself slowly upright the man noticed Cory, in his human form, was propped up against Psyduck in the corner. Both figures were deeply asleep and one of them was snoring unbearably loudly.

“Whoa!” Errol exclaimed, shielding his eyes upon contact with the daylight. “It’s dat time already? Guess I musta dropped off. Hey kid? Wake up!”

<Whu-wha?> Cory spluttered, sitting up and causing Psyduck to topple over in the process. <Did I miss anything?>

“Not at all” Errol grinned. “But we will miss somet’ing if we don’t get our skates on. Somet’ing very important. Somet’ing like-”

***~~***~~***~~***~~***

“BREAKFAST!” James squealed in delight as he leapt into the corridor causing some of the other hotel inhabitants to stare and chuckle amongst themselves. Jasmyna promptly appeared after him dressed in a white nightgown, her long, tangled hair following behind like some rather unkempt flag.

“Come back here!” she exclaimed. “You haven’t even washed yet.”

The man skidded to a halt and looked thoughtful.

“Oh yeah…” he murmured, then instantly swung round and dashed straight back into the door he’d just exited from with a cry of,

“BATHROOM!”

Jasmyna groaned as Aden peered into the corridor looking amused, but somewhat puzzled.

“What’s up with him?”

“Ah… the morning never fails to put a spring in James’ step,” the woman shrugged, as loud semi-tuneful whistling emanated from the room James had disappeared into. “Another day, another dessert. Not to mention everything else on the menu.”

“So he’s always been like this then?” Denise piped up. She’d emerged to see what all the disturbance was about, and was still clasping a toothbrush in one hand. Jasmyna nodded at the inquiry.

“Yep. Ever since I’ve known him, anyway.”

Denise giggled and retreated back into her room to finish brushing her teeth. Rose was the next figure to present herself; she was already back in her guise as Mandy and this time she’d even refrained from applying lipstick, which gave her a most unusual appearance.

“You’d better get a move on, guys” she murmured, looking up at the wall clock. “It’s 8:30…The Behemoth begins at 9…”

Jasmyna needed no further instruction. She vanished into her room, pulling her red-haired companion inside as she left. From behind the closed door, Rose managed to make out one muffled sentence before she snickered to herself and advanced downstairs to reserve a breakfast table.

“Aden! For goodness sake get some more clothes on!”

It didn’t take long for the group to assemble about the table and begin clearing the dishes of their contents. Caley, Aden, Jasmyna and Errol were equally fervent to complete breakfast and move on to the tournament, while James naturally ate at that speed anyway. Rose and Denise simply sat there and looked on with a mixture of astonishment and amusement as spoons passed between bowl and mouth with the alacrity of an Aipom on caffeine and milk and chunks of cereal sprayed in multiple directions.

“Well there’s a sight I thought I’d never see…” Denise remarked while trying to stifle a giggle. “James and Errol eating like starved Snorlax is nothing new, but Caley?”

“Well, when that guy wants to get somewhere, he wants to get somewhere” Rose nodded. “No obstacle is too large, no boundary too thick…no eating habit too messy…”

“Heh,” Adam smirked faintly. Ever since he had exited his room there had been an unusual lightened expression upon his face, greatly different to the everyday aura of crankiness he usually displayed. It wasn’t excessively pleasured, but still altered enough to be noticeable.

“With the speed they’re going…” Denise exclaimed, biting her lip. “Someone’s bound to cho-“

No sooner had she said this than James began to gasp and clutch at his throat as the colour proceeded to drain from his face. Without hesitation Jasmyna and Rose leapt to their feet in unison, determinedly grasping about the man’s waist before giving him a violent jerk under the ribs.

A small blue object shot from the man’s lips in a spray of saliva before bouncing across the table and landing in Adam’s cereal bowl. He gingerly fished it out before examining it with a furrowed brow and a more natural ill-tempered expression.

“You’ll pay for that, moron,” he muttered, before several members at the table flashed warning glares at him. Errol leaned across to see exactly what the object had been. Then his mouth dropped open.

“What is it?” Denise piped up curiously, as Rose and Jasmyna continued to attend to James’ pale, shuddering exterior.

“See for yourself” Adam replied with exceeding bluntness, holding out the spoon. Denise squinted her eyes.

“Um… maybe it would be better if you wiped off the drool?” she murmured after a moment of examination.

“Good idea,” Errol remarked as he removed a napkin from the centre of the table and attended to the object. Once the moisture had been removed the man held it high for all to see. There was a unanimous gasp, and a slight chuckle of embarrassment on James’ part.

“It’s a plastic toy” Adam instructed in monotone. “What sort of idiot tries to eat the freebie that comes in the cereal box?”

“Not jus’ any old plastic toy” Errol cut in, waving the item between finger and thumb. “Look, Jimmy!”

And James looked. Not long after he slapped his forehead in disbelief.

“That Wobbuffet always seems to pop up when you least want it to!”

“What’s he on about?” Adam inquired, curling up his lip in bemusement. But no one else had a clue either.

“Maybe that will teach you to slow down a little, James” Jasmyna remarked in motherly tones. “I thought you would have learnt the last time when you almost suffocated on that chunk of apple in the Pokémon Tech canteen!”

Errol gave James a knowing grin but he returned the expression in a much less favourable way, which made it more than obvious he didn’t want the others to know what the man was thinking.

“Well…” Caley began as he put down his spoon and looked at his watch. “We’ve got ten minutes to make our way to the Behemoth stadium. Are you ok now James?”

The figure nodded silently, watching as Errol pocketed the Wobbuffet figurine with a faraway sigh.

“Good good. Then we’d better get moving, eh guys?”

There was a unanimous murmur of acknowledgement and the figures arose from the table. Errol took one last wistful gaze out of the window as CoryDitto gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

“Uh huh,” Errol replied, moving to follow his companions out of the dining room. There was a hint of feebleness in his voice as he said this. “Every day dat passes by jus’ anudda day where I t’ink of da place she should be instead’a where she is now.”

<I’m sure if she’s missing you as much as you’re missing her then she’s bound to come back soon> Cory told him.

“But dat’s what I’m afraid of!” Errol exclaimed. “What if she’s not? What if dis guilt neva fades?”

<You have nothing to be guilty about, Errol> the gelatinous blob spoke softly. <You did nothing wrong. Remember what Gloria said…>

The man turned over the charm dangled about his neck and after a moment of scanning the engravings upon the other side a renewed expression of vigilance emerged upon his face.

“Dat’s right” he grinned. “I did nothin’ wrong. And I’m still doin’ nothin’ wrong! An’ I’m goin’ ta continue ta do nothin’ wrong! As fer Jessie? Well, I can’t do anyt’ing about her decisions. All I can do is make sure my path is a good one.

But I sure wish she’d come back…”

And with that Errol gave a little heave of his shoulders and disappeared out of the door.

Five rows of ten desks were the first things to greet the travellers as they stepped into the brightly lit clinical atmosphere. Behind a thick sheet of glass another set of more comfortable-looking chairs were placed, assigned to those visitors eager to spectate and cheer on their friends.

“Here’s the test hall” Jasmyna explained with a smile of joy. “The first part of the behemoth, where the novices are weeded from the competent ones”

“Well, I guess this is where we part, for now” Rose told the figures set to compete. “I wish you all the best of luck.” And to Caley and Errol she added, with a wink, “Do us proud, guys.”

Denise giggled as Errol promptly saluted in his typical joking manner, before retreating to allocate his body behind a desk. Caley followed close behind, turning to give the others one last wave.

“This is so exciting!” James chuckled as he threw himself into one of the seats. “And so nostalgic. Y’know, I took a knowledge test just like this back in Kanto”

“I bet you failed it too…” Adam remarked under his breath, James swung round on him.

“Actually, my bratty compadre, I did rather well!” he snapped.

“So do you think Errol has a chance in this then?” Denise asked tentatively.

“A chance?” James spluttered in disbelief. “He’ll breeze through it! No problem. He’s got expert experience, after all.”

“Yep. He’s an expert in messing things up” Adam uttered, before getting an unexpected blow to the head.

“I’ve had just about enough from you!” James growled.

“Yeesh, Adam” Rose cut in, before her younger associate could return fire. “Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning or what?”

“No but some goofball spat in my breakfast,” the boy retorted with an icy glance in James’ direction while rubbing at his temple.

“Oh how typically childish” James remarked, rolling his eyes.

“Shut up!” Adam bellowed, causing other spectators to look round and glare accusingly. “I’ve got an empty stomach because of you!”

“Listen! Listen…” Denise spluttered, placing a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “I’ll get you a donut, ok? Just stop yelling! People are starting to stare and it’s embarrassing…”

With that, the adolescent fell silent and looked at the space under the row of seats in front, rather guiltily. James looked up pleadingly as Denise made a move to leave.

“Uh…Neesee?”

Yes?” the figure replied between gritted teeth.

“Can I…?” The man then realised maybe asking for a donut as well wasn’t the best thing to do in this situation, and promptly cut short.

“Never mind” he sighed.

Caley looked about him. Every desk now accommodated a figure, each bearing its own purposeful expression. The air of tension was unmistakable; he could sense every single person’s desire to win and that in turn fuelled his own. He needed enthusiasm; after all he wasn’t out to win this badge for any normal means.

On the screen at the forefront of the hall a person flickered into view.

“Welcome trainers...” they began. “To the first stage of The Coalef Behemoth Competition. Your task shall be to work through the set of general knowledge questions about Pokémon on the screen in front of you. 80% of the questions must be answered correctly to continue onto the next level.”

“Whoa!” Adam gasped. “Those are pretty harsh odds” James agreed.

“I guess Jasmyna wasn’t kidding when she said this was where the novices were weeded out of the more experienced majority,” Rose remarked, a slight hint of angst in her voice. James looked at her.

“You’re not…having doubts about whether they can pull through, are you?”

“Not on Errol’s part, no” Rose shook her head. “I’m more concerned about Caley. With such an intense level of suppressed emotion around him he’s bound to flip. Think of all the people’s thought processes he’ll be picking up on at that moment in time!”

“Sssh” Adam hissed, leaning closer to the glass screen. “They’re about to start!”

“Good luck, Caley…” Rose murmured under her breath.

“You’re going to need it…”

Everyone focused their gazes upon the first question. Almost at once Caley felt a tingle of cumulative excitement rush into him and with that emotive push forward he began to read his allocated screen.

‘Which of these Pokémon attacks is the odd one out?’ the words clearly displayed.

‘Vine Whip, Hydro Pump, Focus Punch or Iron Tail?’

Feh, Errol muttered inside his own head. Dat’s a stupid question. Dere is no odd one out, dey all hoit just as much!

Then it hit him. He was analysing the question in completely the wrong manner. He’d have to stop looking at it from a Rocketeer’s point of view and start seeing it through a trainer’s eyes if he was going to get anywhere in this test. Caley seemed to be struggling also, but not for the same reasons. Words bumbled about in his head as he tried in vain to get a mental grasp.

Focus whip? No… Vine Tail- ack! No, maybe Hydro Punch- er, Pump…

…ugh, what is wrong with me? Why can’t I think of a straight answer?

James leant upon the chair in front of him with growing curiosity as his eyes flickered from Errol to Caley in quick succession, then over toward the spots where Jasmyna and her friend Aden were placed.

“I think Errol’s got an answer” he grinned after a short pause.

“What made you come up with that marvellous deduction?” Adam questioned sarcastically as he also took in the sight of Errol’s beaming expression.

“Oh, just a hunch” James replied brightly, not realising that the boy hadn’t considered his inquiry to be a compliment.

Dere! Errol nodded contently as he pressed a button on his screen. Hydro Pump has ta be da odd one out, it’s da only attack dat doesn’t use a part of da Pokemon’s body ta hit da target!

From out of the mist of burbling confusion that filtered in from the other participants Caley received Errol’s answer like a shining beacon.

Hydro Pump! Of course…

And with that he set about scanning the next question, a renewed hope ignited in his heart.

‘Where is the only known place in Kanto where ghost sightings occur at the same time every year?’

Errol chuckled to himself at this one. He needed no reminder, the memories came rushing back like it had only been yesterday.

Ah yes. Da ghostly imposta… He recalled how James had been so deeply besotted with the translucent apparition, having been placed under a rather potent hypnosis attack from the Gastly who had disguised itself as the lonely maiden Camisha of times past.

Hm… Maiden’s Peak, wasn’t it? Errol pondered. Yes, I t’ink dat was da name. Dey sure knew how ta celebrate at dat place. An’ we provided da music; Jess and Jim beatin’ out an unforgettable rhythm on dat big drum while I accompanied on da flute. Aaaah, dose were da times I enjoyed…

He leaned back on his chair a moment, his eyelids half-closed in reminiscence before snapping back into reality and realising just exactly where he was.

Eh?

Heh… musta drifted dere. Gotta concentrate.

And Errol gave a rather obvious yawn before typing in his answer. Caley blinked wearily. He could feel that claustrophobic aura of sleepiness arising again. This time it was approaching quicker that it had done the night before. He noticed the expressions on the faces around him were also becoming heavy with fatigue.

“Ugh…” Denise scratched her head as she handed the donut to Adam. “All of a sudden I don’t feel so perky”

“Sit down…” Rose slurred.

“Maybe it will wear off if…you take the weight off your feet…”

It was almost like a part of his mind had been erased. Caley sat there, trying to pinpoint exactly what had gone on. He was still sitting at his desk with the questions smartly displayed upon the screen in front of him, the other participants were avidly noting down their conclusions (if not a little slower than before) but still, there was something that seemed amiss. He certainly didn’t feel tired any more. The exhaustion had lifted almost as quickly as it had descended upon him, maybe moreso. So what had happened?

“Wow, you were right Rose” Denise smiled cheerily as she sipped on a beaker of lemonade. “Sitting down really did bring my energy back. I feel great!

…Rose?"

The woman wasn’t listening. She was staring out into space, her features overcome with the self-same puzzlement that Caley was displaying.

“What’s up?” James asked.

“Didn’t you feel it?” the woman murmured slowly.

“Feel what?” the others replied.

“It was… almost like a blackout,” Rose continued in the same tone. “Like a…”

“Like something in your memory went missing?” Denise piped up. “Yeah, I felt that too.”

“Me too…” James bit his lip in semi-alarm. Adam also looked slightly concerned.

“What’s going on?”

It was exactly the same question Caley was asking inside himself. Only he hadn’t taken into account that such a feeling could have possibly been experienced by those around him aswell. Instead he had once again put the experience down to the fact so many emotive presences had overwhelmed his mind, and had returned to the task of completing the questions upon the screen.

‘What mysterious guardians reside in forests and are thought to bear the power to travel through time?’

Errol studied the written inquiry for a moment or so. His head felt a little fuzzy all of a sudden but he swiftly ignored it. Little aches and general negative bodily nuances like these had become all too commonplace after his physical transition; another addition went almost unnoticed. Instead he was focused on the small darting greenish shape that occupied the mental image in the back of his head.

‘Biii!’ it had cried with such unnatural innocence. ‘Bii Biii!’

How ironic that such a pure and gentle spirit that was Celebi had been temporarily overthrown by one of the most twisted underlings of Team Rocket at that moment in time. It was just another subtle reminder of how much darkness Errol had been steeped in. He gave a tiny sigh and tried to shake the shards of guilt from his mind before continuing.

Caley could feel the suppression returning, but this time it was even faster than before. His eyelids began to close; the trainer desperately tried to hold himself upright but it was no use, it was as if gravity had taken a firm grip on his head and was pulling it toward the cold, hard desk below.

He expected a shockwave of pain to course through his body. But Caley felt nothing. In fact, as he opened his eyes and the garish light thrust itself into them the figure realised his face wasn’t even touching the desk at all.

Had the perception of his collapse simply been another experience brought up by his bewildered mind?

Or did this situation run deeper than he thought?

“Wow, that was some test!” Aden chirruped in awe as he leant upon the railing and gazed out at the unfamiliar inactivity that occupied the majority of Coalef as a result of the Behemoth competition. The group had taken a moment to slip away from the bustle of the overexcited crowd and onto a grassy slope where they stood and spectated with mixed expressions on their faces.

“How do you think you did, guys?”

“It couldn’t have been simp’la” Errol grinned in his usual knowing manner. “Dere weren’t nothin’ in dat quiz dat my vast level of expertise didn’t cova.”

Aden’s eyes widened as James began to chuckle to himself.

“Wow, really?” he gawped. “Even the part about those symbol Pokémon?”

“What, da Unown?” Errol remarked casually like it was nothing. “Sure! Jimmy an’ I encountered dem on my travels, ya see”

“You…did?”

Rose smiled as