7/7/20
6:54 pm
Nio Nacpulpa (Seaside Restaurant)

She said yes.

She said fucking yes...

I tried my best to loosen up the black tie Cord bought for me. Don't even know why he bought that in the first place, even though it feels normal despite the fur. "Where could she be...?" I mumbled to myself as I slumped on the small table. The few Pokemon pairs out of the many filled tables glanced at me, almost feeling bad for my loneliness. None of them could do anything about it, as they were too busy with their boyfriend or girlfriend, family, or are just too unfamiliar with me to talk for now.

That's the thing with Abby. I've been thinking about the entire afternoon, and I realized that the reason why Pokemon that we know back at Treasure Town was because of Abby. She put the work in to start the small talk with the townsfolk, make relationships. And if those dreams about me being with Abby as a Pikachu were real, then I've been so lazy that I shut myself from the rest of the world. Yet, everyone knows me there and gives their chirpy smile, like they've known me for my whole life.

That and Abby still loves me...

I'm gonna have to ask her about that.

"Manny!"

A clinking sound could be heard as a familiar Glaceon skipped along to my table, smiling brightly. If you looked slightly down, a necklace with a gemstone that looks similar to Aquamarine. Her fur also was recently combed, which I assumed was Phoenix's doing.

"You look stunning," I said with a chuckle. "You really prepared for this thing, huh?"

The Glaceon decided to find a spot across from me, sitting down on the carpeted floor since she could reach the table with her own size. I had to sit on something that looked like a booster seat for children, but at least it was more open-spaced.

I could tell that Abby wanted to speak out, but the crowd around us suddenly grew quiet.

"Testing one, two, three...?"

The two of us turned to notice Chris, literally standing on the center stage and tapping the mic. "Hello Nio Nacpulpa!" He cheered while raising his paws for a brief moment. "Welcome to the third qualifier of the World Pokemon Tournament! My name's Chris, and I'm going to be your co-host along with Castform!"

"What's Chris doing here?" I tilted my head confused. "I thought he would be busy with work?"

Abby giggled as she looked at me. "Chris' job is here as well. He's a bit of a comedian for extra bucks. He didn't tell you that?" She stared at my confused eyes before nodding. "Oh... Guess you haven't seen him since yesterday."

My ears perked up as her brother started talking again. "Alright, everyone. Before we get started with our first match, I might as well tell you all my latest skit." The Leafeon started pacing around the mini-stage before chuckling. "You may be surprised by this, but I went to school. For the whole time. Holy shit, right?" A few Pokemon around us softly chuckled, but decided to calm themselves to see where this was going. "I just got a letter from my school, which was fun, 'cause mail, you know? So I open up the letter, and they said, 'Hey Chris, it's school, you remember?'" Laughter spread around again but decided to calm almost momentarily. "I say yes of course. And then they said, how did they phrase it?

"Then they said, give us some money!

"As a gift!

"We want a gift! But only if it's money!" The audience around us started laughing loudly, some of the Pokemon around slamming the tables nearby. They decided to let Chris continue after a few momnets. "I found this peculiar. You see, what had happened, Nio Nacpulpa, was that when I was a student, I had already paid them tuition money. Every semester, two semesters a year, for four years. I don't remember exactly what it was, but rounding up, back in 2016 dollars, it was about ₽1,500 a semester, two semesters a year, for four years. So it was about ₽3,000 a year for four years. So it was about ₽12,000, okay?

"So roughly speaking, I gave my school about ₽12,000.

"Okay, so you might say that I already gave them ₽12,000 and now you have the AUDACITY to ask me for more money?"

Yeah, that was kidnap the point where I zoned out... I know what you would say about that. Manny, why would you zone out now? Chris just barely got into his "skit," and everyone around you might notice.

I'm counting on that.

"Manny, is something wrong?" Abby right next to me could see my head move down to under the table.

I shook my head as she lowered her head to under the table. "Not really. I just feel like when the qualifier matches are shown I'm going to pay more attention to that instead of you." Maybe it was because of this Pokemon mind I had priorities different. Abby being a new thing I have to focus about in life is really going to take a while to get used to.

"Hey, don't worry about that." The Glaceon gave a smile while going into the bottom of the table and petting my head. "As long as you stick to this table, have some food, and have a good time, it's going to be fine!"

"Really?"

"Really."

***
9:05 pm
Nio Nacpulpa (Seaside Restaurant)

I don't even know how it's possible, but they have seafood in this world. Seriously! Cod, shrimp, lobster—you name it, this world has it.

"Alright everyone!" Chris cheered as I was eating shrimp and pasta. "It's time for the final match of the day! Let's head to Castform from Union Park."

The crowd silenced as Chris' paws raised the volume of a very large television. I don't even know how a town that uses steam to heat up their food would be able to have enough power for that, just before I realize that a tiny sticker from the corner of it said "Provided by the Nio Nacpulpa Research Facility," sponsored by blah blah blah. Who cares! I got a battle to watch!

"Yes sirree!" A voice revealing to be Cass yelled when he came into view, "It all comes down to this, the fight for the third top four seeds. Let's introduce our competitors!" The lights dimmed down in the room as a spotlight formed in the middle of the stage.

"Our first competitor has won all nine of his qualifying matches with style, finesse, and a charming attitude! Introducing Macho the Hawulcha!"

"Tra-la-la!!" A large bird wearing something close to a wrestling mask glided along the dark battlefield and landed on the exact spot where he was directed to land. "It is I, Macho! No one can come in my way between glory!" The spotlight moved as the Hawulcha flexed some muscles.

"Here's our second competitor!" The Castform introduced while shaking his head from Macho's showboating. "This Riolu is certainly a mystery. It seems like he's come out of nowhere and swiftly defeated all of his opponents without even lifting himself to the air! So give a round of applause to Jordan the Riolu!"

A blue and black blur landed on the clay floor, skidding to a stop. It was almost like he was trying to keep his composure together. "Macho, I told you I was going to beat you if we met. Here's to that promise!" The Riolu stretched his arms out, hearing the hearty laughs of his opponent.

"I'd like to see you try!" The Hawlucha yelled in between laughs.

I could hear the countdown start coming in while finishing my plate. A loud burp came out by accident as the horn came blaring out, making the crowd in the restaurant cheer for  the last first contact of the qualifier.

"So how was the food?" I asked the Glaceon right in front of me.

"Mhm, so good..." Abby salivated while sniffing it. "Never thought tuna would go with mixed berry salad..."  Before I could mention this food being also human food to her, she already started munching away again. Guess I can tell her about this another time.

Turning back into the match, a Focus Blast was launched by Jordan, who was currently straining his muscles to a limit that I even can't control. Macho was quick to dodge, jumping in the air and starting to glow. It felt like his entire body started zooming towards Jordan, ready to use that Flying Press to its very last gasp.

With gritted teeth and all, Jordan jumped into a defensive position before suddenly forming a small Aura Sphere on his paw. But when he moved his paw in front of Macho and his speeding move, the Aura Sphere suddenly grew twice the regular size of an Aura Sphere.

Oh did I forget to mention that his eyes quickly burst into flames for an entire second?

My eyes widened as I saw that. Chris should've seen it since he was literally right next to the screen, and that was confirmed when his eyes widened and his mouth spit out all the water he had in his current drink.

Abby somehow paid no attention to it. She was too busy taking bite after bite from her food... Man, now I just feel bad that I can't tell her about this, otherwise our night's gonna be ruined.

"Don't try me!" Jordan yelled while blocking the Flying Press using his Aura Sphere. In the brief moment between his next move, he ended up using his paw to block up the now slowed attack, clenching his paw on the right wing of Hawlucha. This guy seems ruthless. No wonder the Darkness picked him up from who knows where.

Macho reeled his head back slightly before Jordan landed his Reversal, letting out a loud "Oof!" for show. Yeah you heard me right.

His opponent didn't realize it—probably because he was so stubborn to learn to be flexible—but Macho was playing with him. Macho played with every opponent he'd faced, and you would think that a skilled fighter like Jordan would at least pay attention to Pokémon that are even or better to him in strength. But no! Every time he finished a match, he just ends up going who knows where, doing who knows what!

If I actually knew him, I would slap his face for being that stupid!

"Manny, you notice something?" My girlfriend said next to me while taking her final bite of lettuce. As I turned to her, her eyes sparkled with determination. "It's the look in your eye."

I only crossed my arms to think for a moment. I'd already known his four moves: Flying Press, Close Combat, Double Team, and High Jump Kick. So what was he hiding? What type of trump card does Macho have?

I wouldn't wait long for that answer.

"P-Please...," Macho said dramatically, raising a wing like he was in any pain at all. News flash: he wasn't.

Jordan slowly approached, his eyes closed, but he was definitely using Power Gauging in case of some sort of ambush. It was also containing the fire in his eyes the Darkness gave him. "Look, I know you wanna be this superhero type of Pokémon, but let's get something straight." The Riolu stopped moving right in front in the "struggling" Hawlucha. "Heroes shouldn't be a thing. It's all flashy this, glamor that. They never focus on anyone but themselves!"

Jordan's eyes shot open, bringing out an Aura Sphere to block an illusion of Macho. "Really? Is they the best you—."

The Riolu paused as he realized that two wings was on his shoulders, brushing up some dust that was on him.

"Hey."

Macho's eyes glowed red for a brief second before moving his wings faster than you can say beef jerky. One point at the neck, two points at the shoulder, one at the core, and two just at the ankles of Jordan.

"Ahh!" Jordan dropped to his knees, loud pants suddenly coming on him. "W-What was that?!"

"That was a special move I made myself, scoundrel!" Macho pointed a finger rudely at the Riolu while laughing heartingly. "I'd like to call it upon 'special cases' just like you..."

Woah... Wait, Macho's enjoying him in pain? Man, Pokémon are a lot more weird than I thought.

A side step came from Macho to get a correct angle before charging at him with all his might. The Hawlucha's wings glowed orange as he swung both swiftly across Jordan's back, blow after blow creating a yell out of Jordan's mouth.

Every punch that Macho landed created made his mouth inch closer to a smirk I've never seen anyone make.

When he knew it was going too far—Jordan was spitting out blood—he decided to end it with a strong kick that sent Jordan flying.

The crowd inside this restaurant cheered loudly when the Riolu landed on the edge of the ring, his paw touching the outside of the battlefield. "That was an amazing match!" Abby told me with a soft laugh.

I admit I wasn't paying attention to her. I was more paying attention to the screen, where they were interviewing Macho for getting the third top-four seeds, but I wasn't focused on the interview. The background made me question a lot about who Macho was.

Jordan finally regained consciousness after fainting briefly after the match. "Let's get—...," I can see him mouth before grunting loudly. It seemed like he couldn't move anywhere, like he was paralyzed!

Macho approached the Riolu before patting his head with a chuckle. "Don't worry," he said to him, "you'll move again soon. They all do...

"Well, most of them anyway."

***
9:35 pm
Nio Nacpulpa (Streets)

Me and Abby were about halfway from our apartment when I decided to tell her everything. Jordan being in the Darkness, Macho being the slightest bit of sadistic, the whole nine. She just glanced at me with every statement I made since it took me about five blocks to explain everything.

"Wow...," she eventually said before looking straight ahead. "It's definitely going to be harder for the main tournament."

"Which reminds me," I said to her while trying my best to see her eye to eye, "if you're going to tryout for the final qualifiers, why haven't I seen you prepare for battling?"

The Glaceon chuckled while ruffling my head fur. "Manny, you of all Pokémon should know about my hidden and unorthodox methods."

"...No, I actually don't know."

"Hm? Oh right I haven't told you about it." Abby's face lowered down while shaking her head. "So you know that you keep on getting memories about me as an Eevee?"

"Yeah I..." Wait a second, I haven't told anyone about that! Those are my personal daydreams! "H-How do you know about that?"

She sighed while looking back ahead, stopping in the corner to look around if anyone was here. "Manny, this may sound weird, but that was you. Well, not really "you" you, but it's you. As a Pikachu. Harmony told us a while back that ever since Cord came to this world, you kept on having dreams or daydreams of joining him, but you two would be separated before the adventure even began. My parents found you, and the memories all the way until you first came as a Pokémon where appearing in your life."

"...What..." I was stunned, which is why I sat down on the concrete floor. "Why?"

"I don't know," she shook her head while letting out a small whimper. "Harmony told me it was because the game Cord gave you 'knew' what happened, and wanted to give you a better life. But I don't believe it." Abby started moving along once again. "It feels like she's trying to hide something..."

The Glaceon turned to me kicking some nearby stones before hopping right in front of me. "Hey, I still love you know," she admitted with a smile. "I don't care who you are... You're still Manny."

As I felt Abby hugging me tightly, I could only look down with a slight smile on my face. But a thought was still looming in my mind. Who... No.

What am I?

*Game File Saved*