Chapter Five: It'll Be OK

Celeana gave the strange creature a hard stare, amber eyes bright with curiosity and confusion as she inspected the runt of a Pokemon studying her.

As much as she didn't want to trust the organism latching on to her clothes, she couldn't help but think that it was harmless. After all, it seemed docile enough, and every time its green bowl of hair tipped back to reveal a glimpse of the Pokemon's large eyes, and the childish innocence in her ruby irises was plain to see.

"Who are you?" the teenager questioned, removing the creature's stubby hands from the fragile piece of fabric swathing her leg. "Are you a Pokemon of sorts?"

Slowly, the Pokemon nodded, eyes continuing to scrutinise her. "My name is Ralts," it told the girl, and she startled at the voice in her head. "I'm sorry for frightening you."

"I—It's fine," she replied, remembering to switch on her Pokedex. The electronic voice plinked out a paragraph of information about Ralts, which she didn't pay much attention to, but one thing that did stand out to her was the small creature's ability to sense emotions with its two horns—after all, it was hard to believe that such a small Pokemon could have a supernatural ability.

Blinking, Celeana skipped through the rest of the information, not bothered to read through the long  list of details that the small machine had provided her with.

She shut the contraption with a flick of her wrist, her mind only able to retain two basic elements—the fact that the Pokemon in front of her was female, and that it was a Psychic and Fairy type—which explained the reason behind Ralts' telepathic abilities.

"If you don't mind me asking..." The Pokemon's voice was soft, and contained no traces of malicious intentions. "What were those emotions from you just now?"

The teenaged girl returned a strange look. "What do you mean?"

There was a split second of silence as the creature pondered on her words, trying to string words together in her mind to create a coherent explanation.

"Humans have labelled me as the "Feeling Pokemon" due to my ability of sensing one's emotions," the Ralts started. "I frequently get little nudges here and there—after all, this is a common route, and humans always pass by. I've gotten used to it, so most of the time, it's nothing much—just a little thump in the back of my mind that tells me what type of emotion a being is feeling. But with you, however..."

"What is it?" Intrigued, Celeana had sat down on a patch of aromatic grass, facing the small dual-type Pokemon at eye level.

The Ralts gave a delicate tilt of her head, attempting to answer the girl's queries.

"Well, let's see." It was a strange juxtaposition for such heaviness to be carried in the airy voice of what sounded like a young child, but the teenager shook the thought off, reminding herself to pay attention. "Let's just say that I've never felt emotions so strong that they've bordered on manipulating my feelings."

The silence between them had never felt so stifling, the tension thickening all of a sudden, and while the sparks in her brain was threatening to short-circuit from trying to understand just why this was so important, she was also astonished, blinking her eyes together in mild surprise.

"And that's supposed to mean...?" The trainer's voice trailed off, mystified.

"I don't think that I've ever met another human quite like you," Ralts hummed, her voice lilting. "If others had the abilities to sense one's feelings like me, then such strong emotions could almost be considered a danger." Raising her large head, she stared at Celeana with that intent gaze of hers, vermillion irises shockingly bright.

"I am sure that this was just a little lapse in your emotional state, but it was enough to spark a splitting migraine in my head."

At this, the teenage girl winced, about to apologise for causing the tiny creature pain, but the Pokemon carried on without any intention of stopping. "Your own emotions almost took over my mind. I don't know if it's even human to be able to contain such extreme emotions."

A thought dwelled in the trainer's head, but Celeana pressed her eyes together, smiling when the memory didn't cause her a major panic attack as it had the last time.

The event now seemed so distant and faraway—as if it had just occurred in a dream—but she knew from the terror that had paralysed her body that night—five years ago—that it was real.

A recollection of the words the Meowstic had said to her rushed back, the chilling, saccharine voice turning the back of her mind to icicles:.

Emotions are quite a dangerous weapon, the Psychic-type had commented.

Why haven't you succumbed? Why aren't you like the others?

Anyway, it's none of my business now, the Ralts sighed. Now that I've come into contact with you, I should be able to protect my mind sufficiently if another wave of your feelings hit.

Celeana bowed her head. "I—I'm sorry for causing you pain," the blue-haired teenager stated as the volume of her voice climbed down in shame. "I really didn't mean to."

"Well, you can't control it," the small creature answered. "It's fine. Oh, and by the way—what did you feel at that time? The way your emotions spoke to me... my mood had fluctuated constantly from angry to happy."

And leaving the trainer with that simple question, the Ralts turned away, horns lighting up in a blinding crimson glow as a white capsule of lambency swallowed her small form.

And then, when the light died down to a bearable sting in Celeana's eyes, the Pokemon was gone.

• • •

The Ralts couldn't have gotten that far, right?

Celeana stepped out of the clearing where she had first spotted the Feeling Pokemon. The flower-grazed fragrance of the untainted air had gone away in a matter of moments, and she was met with the harsh reality of the creeping woodlands.

The powerful redolence that encountered her nose was thick and heavy with the scent—it wasn't any type of aroma, yet, it wasn't foul enough to be considered an odour—and she tried not to cringe at the slushy, damp mud underneath her feet with every step she took.

However, she continued walking, reminding herself that she was still new to the outside world; that this was an everyday setting and that she would get used to it with time.

She didn't quite know why she was looking for the dual-type Pokemon—after all, it had just been less than a mere hour since she'd met her—but deep down, she did have a reason.

It was for a selfish cause, but even doing the most nonsensical things would help alleviate the loneliness pounding through her heart. She would gladly look for the creature once again—as long as it helped to provide a welcome distraction, she would do it.

Guilt washed over her for a moment—she was supposed to be looking for her lost Froakie, after all—but she told herself that there was still a chance of finding her Pokemon while looking for the elusive Ralts.

Though, she either didn't have any idea of whether what she was thinking was actually right, or she was just trying to comfort herself in an attempt to alleviate her guilt.

Just then, Celeana arrived at what seemed like a different part of the forest—the looming branches of colossal trees gone, the muddy ground replaced with a fresh, green carpet of grass.

In the place of the soaring trees stood shorter, verdant shrubs, apple-green leaves a pleasant contrast from the dark hunter of what she'd been seeing for the past few hours. The structures were leafy in nature, and colourful berries decorated the plant's exterior, almost resembling precious jewels embedded in their soft, minty bed.

And, standing below a shrub and using a well-placed Confusion attack to pluck Oran Berries from their thin branches was the Ralts, seemingly oblivious to Celeana's existence.

The teenaged girl watched in silence as the Pokemon revealed her sleepy red eyes once again, ruby optics scintillating in a bright cyan gleam. The same pale aqua hue shrouded a fat, blue fruit, lifting it into the air and taking care to lower the object onto the small pile that she cradled in her arms.

A voice then piped up in Celeana's head. "I know you're there," the Ralts called without needing to turn around. "As I said before, you have abnormally strong emotions. The change in the air here is enough to alert me to your prescence."

Flashing her a sheepish grin, the trainer stepped closer to the Pokemon, smiling. "I didn't mean to sneak up on you."

"That's fine," the Ralts assured. "I don't mind."

The creature spun around, large optics veiled once again. Undaunted by the teenager who towered over her, she plucked a peachy berry from her collection, offering the plump object to the blue-haired girl with a slight smile gracing her face. "Do you want one?"

Awkwardly, the teenager bent down to the Ralts' height, accepting the offering with a grateful word and landing it in her mouth, marvelling at the refreshing, juicy taste of the treat, the cold flesh of the Pecha Berry rejuvenating her weary body just a little.

"Thank you," Celeana vocalised. "It was delicious."

"I always collect more than I need, so it's no problem," the Feeling Pokemon replied. "Sadly, this forest doesn't seem to contain any Rawst Berries."

The girl blinked in confusion, staring at the creature in bewilderment. "What do you need Rawst Berries for?"

The silence between human and Pokemon caressed the trainer's skin like a cool icy breeze, sharp needles of chilly dread pricking at her tender skin as the Ralts fell silent. The dual-type Pokemon's backed arched and stiffened, as if the teenager had hit a sensitive nerve, and if it was even possible, the green cap perched atop her head slid down even further, shadowing and hiding her eyes even more.

"A—Ah..." Celeana raised her hands in a defensive gesture, fearing that she had angered the Pokemon in front of her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

The Ralts cut her off, voice low and sullen.

"Don't worry about it," the Pokemon replied slowly, although her articulations brought forth the exact opposite meaning. "Humans are always so curious, after all. I'll give you your desired answer."

She touched a stubby arm to her left limb, dragging Celeana's attention to the appendage that had been concealed in her long, dress-like coat.

Using a simple, brisk Confusion, the sheets and folds of smooth white being heaved back, revealing the leg hidden beneath the Pokemon's outer sheath of fur.

What the teenager saw stunned her—and not in a good way.

As she looked at the damaged tissue—visible due to the layers of old, charred skin and muscle peeling away— her face curled in revulsion. The the odour of burnt flesh—she was disgusted that she could still smell the hint of dark, toxic smoke—steel mixed with dried blood caused her stomach to reel in directions new to the trainer.

"Ugly, isn't it?" The Ralts' voice had lost all of her previous strength, and the little Pokemon seemed drained, tone shaky and relieved of all traces of conviction. "I hate it too. It made me a cripple."

"Y—You..." Celeana bowed her head, at a complete loss for words. Pity rose in her heart—the Pokemon standing in front of her looked so young, after all. "How did this h—happen to you...?"

Tilting her head back, the creature's eyes were sharp and angry, glowing with a overpowering sense of unjust and anger. "Do you want to know?"

Her horns glowed with the brightness expected of such a Pokemon, but instead of the soft aura the girl had seen before, the red radiance of the light was harsher; angrier.

And at that moment, she'd understood just what the Ralts had felt on that night.

• • •

Fear. It sat in quietness, eroding the creature she was born to be. What had started as a contortion of her stomach had become a feeling of being smothered by an invisible hand.

Her breathing became erratic, deep, then shallow. She fought it. She fought the feeling as her body writhed with all the violence she knew off—to be free or shut down entirely.

Pain. Searing fiery bursts pulsated around the wound, intensifying with each dragging step, jarring and brutal. With each step the pain amplified, the bloody muscle quivered; her consciousness ebbed.

Emotional agony. Her heart screamed and thumped against her chest akin to that of a wild beast, squeezing and clenching painfully, twisted screeches ripping from her mouth as she was held, pain seeping through every wall of protection she built like a never-ending stream of saltwater.

• • •

The Ralts looked up at her, eyes wide and breathing heavy. I was attacked by a Houndoom, she muttered, voice fluctuating and climbing in pitch. I couldn't find any Rawst Berries, and Teleport only works for short distances on a weak Pokemon like me. My fate was changed in that one night. One. Damn. Night.

"I..." Celeana wanted to speak, but the Ralts cut her off in her angry tirade.

I always loved dancing. The Pokemon rambled on, tone softening as it became to one of near deliriousness. But the Houndoom took that away from me. There's no hope for me to ever dance again now.

I have no idea why I even dream of hoping—The creature had more—much more—to say, but she was cut off by an awkward stumble on words as Celeana stepped forward, attempting to bring the creature into a hug and replicating the action that Miss Enya had done for her so many times over.

Both of them knew it was uncomfortable—after all, the girl was an amateur at this, but the Pokemon had to choke back a bitter laugh at the teenager's attempts to stammer out her thoughts.

"Shh." The trainer's voice was comforting. "I'll do something about it."

"How?" Ralts' voice was scornful as she replied.

"I don't know, exactly." The embrace tightened, and the Ralts startled as she met a pair of glazed eyes—tears welling up and dulling the bright amber of her mercury optics, silently falling down her cheeks like bits of silver.

"I don't know," she continued, "but I'll try my best."

• • •

Eh. Writing a chapter in three days? I'm so proud of myself :') So we get a little more insight into Ralts :D

And Froakie's still missing I cri

And and Ryou my bby ;-; (yes I'm fangirling over my own OC but he's worth fangirling over) Celeana gets a liiiitle bit of development...I think? Welp. Let's just say that she got development xD

Also, I wrote most of this in school so if you spot grammar mistakes, please point them out to me instantly so I can correct them ASAP.

Besides that, thank you SO MUCH for 764 reads and 126 votes! That's about a 160 increase in reads :o My next goal is 140! :)

Critiques are most certainly welcome, and don't forget to read, vote and give your thoughts in the comments! Please be 100% honest!

~ nyxia ☆