The Story of Daniel - Chapter 6
#6 of The Story of Daniel
The Story of Daniel - ...
The Story of Daniel - Chapter 6
It was during the small hours of early morning when Daniel decided to rest atop a nearby knoll. He climbed up and flopped down on the grass, perspiration trickling down his skin in rivulets. The muted sounds of the forest still lingered in the air, a sweet, melodic hum produced by the many woodland Pokémon. It made Daniel grin a little. Crickets had nothing on this.
At his feet, Jubilife City laid spread across the horizon, the colossal silhouette of Global Trade Tower made barren against the moonlight. He could sense the restless abundance of life from below - the city aglow with dazzling neon lights that would have rivaled any major city. The sight was so familiar, it felt like coming home after a very, very long day.
He leaned back on his hands, casually observing the night sky. Like black velvet, it hung overhead in soft beauty, its lining adorned with thousands of bright, incandescent jewels. They shone with breathtaking clarity, as miniature spotlights would into a dark void.
The stars here are almost too bright, he mused, still staring up at the heavens in a daze. Perhaps it was the air. He couldn't get over just how clean it was here. Fresh and pure, without a trace of the usual pollutants and contamination he had grown used to. The stars, however, were only one testament to its cleanliness.
Daniel knew he could smell farther and walk longer. Berries a football field away smelt as if they were inches from his nose, and Daniel, who once thought walking over three miles was a crime punishable by death, now found himself easily trekking six to seven. He took in another lungful. Compared to the smoggy, gasoline-lined air back home, it was immaculate.
The stars twinkled with promise and Daniel began to wonder if he could still find all the constellations, but then he laughed at the notion. The last time he counted them out, he was around twelve years old - maybe even eleven. For some reason, thinking about his old life was difficult, as if its memory was deteriorating with the slow passing of time. Had he been here five days already? Yes, that sounded about right.
I wonder...how long is that in my world?_It was hard to guess, it could have been weeks, months...years.Daniel shook himself. It probably wasn't good to dwell on something as uncertain, _especially something as consequential, as this. He didn't want to think of what would happen if the time gap turned out to be that long.
He looked up, opting to give into the childish desire and take his mind off the time paradox, hoping that it wouldn't come back to haunt him in the future, and for a while, this worked. Daniel was able to absorb himself in the skyline, putting all of his concerns aside. It almost felt like a trip down memory lane, but the stars weren't quite right. He tried to think of what it was. Alarm bells seemed to be ringing in his head but the cause was lost, like that nagging feeling you get when you've forgotten something important. Then, he gasped, finally realizing what was wrong. It was too obvious, and suddenly, the anomaly was all he could see, or rather, what he couldn't see.
"Where are the constellations?" he whispered aghast. They were just gone. Vanished. Poof. Not even a trace of a pattern or ghost of an outline. Pisces, the Ursa Major, Pegasus, Leo, Orion, Aquarius: all wiped from the heavens, a mismatched group of stars left in their place.
I must be hallucinating, he thought, the unexpectedness of the situation leaving him speechless, like waking up to find you came to school without any pants. Then his brain started working.
Of course they're different, idiot. What did you expect?_Daniel clapped a palm to his forehead. He should have realized. They're not there because _he wasn't there, not on Earth, but rather in some weird dimension or parallel universe. Daniel gave a low, humorless chuckle. He could almost hear that serious narrator's voice from the TV. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to...the Twilight Zone." Oh, yes. This was the Twilight Zone all right.
Daniel found himself gazing back to the oddity. It was faintly depressing to look at. The stars were something he had always taken for granted; unchanging and immovable - an exhilarating reminder of how much mystery and vastness the universe still held. Things were so different here. Feeling frustrated, and maybe a little homesick, he punched the soft grass.
He knew that he should feel happier, ecstatic even. Finding himself in the Pokémon world was something he only believed could happen in his wildest dreams, but it was as if a part of him rejected this place. It confused him, but was at the same time, enlightening. He had left too much behind, too many loose ends. Whispers of his old life still clung to him like ghostly cobwebs and try as he might, he could not rid himself of his aching conscience. This world was nice, maybe even perfect; but it wasn't home.
Daniel wished he could see what his parents were doing. Were they still looking for him? Did they believe him to be dead? Would he ever be able to get back? Questions buzzed in his head like angry wasps, but the answers didn't come easy. On the way here, Daniel had resolved to find a way back, no matter what. He knew that Jubilife City would be the perfect place to start looking. After all, it was one of the biggest cities in Sinnoh; there had to be something.
He looked back at the sparkling town below and absentmindedly brushed his fingers over the small Poké Ball attached to his belt. Out of habit, he unclipped it and rolled it around in his palm, enjoying the feel of the smooth texture against his hand.
It was Mira's ball.
Earlier that day, Daniel offered to let her sleep inside it when she got tired of walking, promising to release her once they reached Jubilife. She was still resting inside, and Daniel wondered if he should let her out now. He still hadn't shared his plan with her.
His finger trailed to the release switch on the ball, but just as he was about to press it, Daniel paused, hesitant. His thoughts dredged up the memory of Mira asking where he was from, the painful, sinking feeling of having to lie to her. He forgot all about the stars.
How can I possibly explain that I'm from another world?
Daniel felt like a coward for not being able to tell her. She was the only friend Daniel knew here, yet he couldn't even be completely honest. He needed to explain, and he had to do it now. He knew enough to realize that drawing it out would only make things worse when she finally learned the truth.
He had mixed feelings, however, about this plan of action. Would she be upset? Angry? What if Mira didn't believe him and think he was just crazy? He wondered how to phrase it properly.
I should just casually slip it in. "Oh, by the way Mira, I may have forgotten to mention but, I'm from another world, also, wanna grab a pizza later?"
Even inside his head the words sounded stupid. He walked the perimeter of the hill slowly, thinking to himself.
After a few minutes of quiet, yet exhausting deliberation, Daniel fell back against the grass. He would just have to wing it. Closing his eyes to pray, Daniel hoped he wasn't making a huge mistake. His arm pulled back, and then swung forward, lobbing the Poké Ball. It sailed in a perfect arc towards the ground.
Here goes nothing, Daniel thought as a shower of white lit up the hilltop and Mira's form appeared in the glow, her body stretching as she woke from her brief respite.
Letting out a tired yawn, Mira flexed her muscles in an attempt to rid the stiffness in her joints. Her rest in the Poké Ball had been nice, but she much rather preferred sleeping outside. It had been far too quiet. She missed the many sounds nature had to offer and took a moment to listen to the distant cries of the nighttime Pokémon.
She closed her eyes, perked up her ears, but her efforts were in vain. Mira's focus was lost due to some bright light invading her eyelids. She re-opened them to see what was making the glow, and perhaps give it a piece of her mind, but the insults died in her throat.
The illuminated city below took her breath away. Mira could see it all from up on the cliff: towering buildings, bustling streets, lights upon lights; it was all so close, so...incredible. The amazing creations that the humans built never failed to astound her. She almost envied them.
The mere fact that they lived in places like this was enough to send shivers down her spine. It was all so big, so new to her, such a startling contrast to the forests where she grew up. Weak lightning bolts of anticipation made her muscles jump in eagerness.
"Wow Daniel," she said, turning to him with a beaming, fanged smile. "Can we go in? Is this it? Are we here? Oh, please let's go inside!" Mira couldn't contain herself; she was too wound up.
Daniel started, surprised by her exuberant reaction. "Wha...oh," he glanced at the city, "Sure, I suppose, but Mira there's..."
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" She then tried to race by Daniel, but his arm cut her off and she had to skid to a stop. "Daniel c'mon! Move your big arm so we can go!"
"Wait Mira!" He sounded desperate. "There's something I have to talk to you about."
Mira scowled with impatience. "Well can't it wait? I mean, the city is right there!" and she pointed to the glowing lights with urgent meaning.
"I know, I know," he responded. "...but this is kind of important." Daniel seemed anxious. He didn't look directly at her, but rather wrung his hands guiltily and shifted his weight from foot to foot in awkwardness.
With a huff, Mira stopped pushing against him and sat down to listen. "Alright, but this had better be good." She said.
Daniel squirmed. "Right...well, do you remember asking me where I was from? You know, before that Ninetails attacked me..."
"Yes Daniel," she interrupted. "...and you told me that you came from Sandgem town, but had been in the hospital for a while, correct?" Mira didn't really see where this was going, but she wished that he would hurry up and get to the point.
"Well, yeah..." Daniel said, flustered from Mira's harried demands. "But, there's the thing. I, umm...may not have been entirely truthful about that." There was an obvious air of hesitancy in his tone, and Mira was suddenly finding herself very interested in the conversation.
"How untruthful?"
"Completely." Daniel mumbled.
Mira wasn't sure what was going on, but it was certainly strange that he would lie about something so unimportant.
"So...where are you from?" she asked. It was at that moment, however, when she realized his behavior seemed a little...off.
Daniel's demeanor now reminded her of someone caught with his hand in the cookie jar. His hands were fidgeting with each other and he seemed to have a hard time standing in one spot, moving around as if trying to find a comfortable place to position himself. If this was the case, then he was having awfully bad luck at finding it, for he only managed to remain still for a moment before sidling off again. Mira was beginning to think that something was seriously wrong with her trainer.
"Umm...Daniel?" she asked with a worried look on her face.
"Look...Mira," he began. "Where I come from, well, it's complicated. You see, I'm not really from around here,"
"Oh! You mean like a different region?" asked Mira brightly.
"No, no...I mean not from around here," he gestured vaguely with his arms. "I don't really know how I got here, but, I remember this cave and...and then, lights and this great, um big..." Daniel positioned his arms so it looked like he was holding a giant beach ball. "...thing, and it swallowed me up...I think. It's hard to remember because everything was rather fuzzy. Um...," he glanced at Mira and saw her confused expression. "I'm not doing a good job of explaining, aren't I?"
Mira shook her head. Daniel was talking crazy. Asylum level crazy. She was starting to really worry for her trainer. Did he bump his head when I was sleeping?
Quite possible, a lot of time had passed since they last saw each other. But, wanting to make sure, she motioned for Daniel to crouch to her level. He seemed nervous, but he did so without question, that is, until she started to rub her paws all over the top of his head.
"Umm...Mira, what are you doing?" Daniel asked her furred underbelly, which was obscuring his vision completely.
"Trying to find out where the fracture in your skull is," she replied half-joking, half-professional. "Arceus, you have a lot of hair. How do you manage to take care of it so well?" She thought the last comment would make him laugh, but he didn't.
Instead, he placed his hands around her middle and, with a look suggesting a close friend was dying; Daniel lowered Mira from his head to face him.
"This is serious," said Daniel. He seemed frustrated, but she just couldn't see what the big deal was.
"Jeez, calm down Daniel," she replied with a smirk. "I mean, who cares where you're from. It's not like it matters, right?"
His face was stony, and Mira wondered if she had touched a nerve. Then he spoke, and his voice was weary; an exhausted breath filled with only three temperature-dropping words.
"Actually, it does."
Silence permeated the thick night air, and a foreboding chill caused Mira's fur to stand on end. Even the nocturnal cries of the forest Pokémon seemed hushed, as if the woods themselves were holding its breath.
"Where I come from," said Daniel. "...there are no Pokémon."
Mira blinked. Then, with an almighty bellow, she laughed. One gut busting, hysterical scream that rang out raucously through the quiet forest. Her eyes threatened to burst with watery tears of mirth, but she didn't care. The joke was just too funny.
"Daniel, you should be an actor," wheezed Mira, out of breath. "Honestly, that was the best performance I have ever seen. I mean, the way you kept your face so...so, serious!" she snorted loudly. "Just fantastic...very impressive,"
She continued to laugh for quite some time, ignoring Daniel's feeble protests.
"Mira please, stop! This isn't a joke," said Daniel for what felt like the tenth time, but Mira was still giggling madly. At first, he was completely bewildered at her reaction. Laughter was the last thing he expected.
Now he just felt frustrated. "Mira, listen to me!" She didn't and Daniel's temper rose. "Would you just...can't you...," It was hopeless. "STOP LAUGHING!"
And this time, she did, her face frozen in mid-chuckle.
"Mira, where I come from...there's nothing but guns and violence and...and pollution. Where I come from, the sky is different, and the air is dirtier, and there are no Pokémon. There never was, and there never will be. Mira, don't you get it? I'm...I'm from another world!" blurted out Daniel. He felt tactless and stupid for saying it so lamely, but what choice did he have?
Mira's intent stare transfixed him, immobilized him into a state of apprehension he never thought possible. The world seemed to stand on the balls of its feet.
"You're not joking?" asked Mira dreamily. Her shoulders slumped, as if disappointed.
His mouth was too dry to talk. The question was obviously rhetorical, but Daniel felt like he should still respond. Slowly, she turned her back to him. Daniel could feel a cold stone passing through his stomach; probably his heart, it was sinking down to his knees. He had to say something...anything.
"Mira, I...," but the words never came, lost in that dreadful vacuum between his mind and throat.
"Daniel," said Mira. "This...this isn't right. You can't be from another world, it's impossible!"
"Listen, I know it's hard to believe, but I'm telling the truth," Daniel frantically riffled through his brain for proof. "Look! My clothes...have you ever seen anybody wear stuff like this?" He grabbed a fistful of his American Eagle shirt and held it out for Mira to see. She didn't turn around.
"That doesn't mean anything," she said.
"Fine, look at these then!" and Daniel reached behind him and ripped the tags from his shirt. "This says so right here, made in USA. Mira, this was made from my home, my world!"
It seemed Mira didn't have an answer for this. Her paws clicked nervously in the dark.
"Th...This is silly," she said shakily, "I mean, even if you were from...somewhere else, why is it so important to you right now?" she turned around, a plea in her eyes. "You're here now, isn't that what matters?
He didn't meet here gaze. "Mira...It means that one day...I'll have to go."
Mira let out a mirthless, bewildered laugh. "Go? Go were?"
"Home," said Daniel, still staring at his sneakers. He heard a gasp.
Daniel looked up just in time to see Mira's shocked face. "But...but why?" she said.
"Because...," he hesitated. His mom and dad's faces swam in and out of focus. "Because, there are people there who need me back and I...I can't let them down." Daniel swept his arm towards the city. "It's the reason I decided to travel to Jubilife...I thought that, maybe, I could find some way home. I'm sorry Mira, but...I can't stay forever."
To this, Mira had nothing to say. All was quiet, and Daniel could only hear the sound of his own breathing. It felt like an eternity of silence.
"This whole time... and you knew?" she sounded hurt.
His heart panged with guilt, and he turned his head shamefully. The way she spoke to him, as if he had betrayed her in the worst way possible.
"Mira..."
"If you knew, then why did you capture me in the first place?" she suddenly demanded, her tone ice cold. Daniel looked back and saw dark stains on Mira's fur. Was she crying?
"Was I just some toy to you?" said Mira quietly, "Just something you'd pick up along the way then throw out later?" Her tail burners lit, and Daniel took a step back.
"What was with the whole "family" thing you were talking about?" She clenched her paws. "Did that mean nothing? Was it all just a game to you?" Her tail fire burned brighter and hotter, baking the supple night air.
He took another step and heard falling rocks. Daniel glanced quickly behind him and noticed he was standing on the edge. It was a long way down. It was almost shocking how fast things had turned around.
"No, Mira it was never like that, I promise!" Daniel said, returning his attention to the angry Pokémon. He wanted her to understand, but somehow knew she wouldn't listen.
"I don't believe you!" she bellowed, her chest heaving. "I knew that I couldn't trust humans! Valeria was right," said Mira quietly, more to herself than to Daniel. "I should have listened to her instead of protecting something as worthless as you!"
Daniel was at a loss for words. Mira never looked more fearsome. Her head and tail burners flared with such intensity that her whole body appeared to be a raging inferno. And her eyes, he never noticed how beautiful and red they were, leered at him through the haze of fire. A braver man than Daniel would have fled in sheer terror from the animosity that lurked behind them. But something held him back.
Her eyes shone with tears. They were big, wet, and glistening.
Then, before Daniel could say anything, before he even had the chance to prepare himself, Mira launched a flamethrower at his chest. The force of the blast knocked him back, and Daniel could feel his flesh burn as he dropped from the hill. There was no pain, only a vague sensation of falling and the smell of roasting tar. Was that my skin? Darkness crept into the corners of his vision.
He only had time to wonder if this was it, the end. And today had started out so well. Then his body crashed to the bottom of the hill and the darkness overwhelmed him.
A half hour later, drops of rain began to fall. Some managed to land on Daniel's cheek but they went unnoticed. He could not feel them. His smoking body still rested at the bottom of the hilltop undisturbed. Thunder rumbled in the distance. A storm was coming.
After using her flamethrower, Mira panted harshly on the cool, grassy hilltop. She was still staring at the spot where Daniel fell, expecting him to climb back up. She wanted to blast him again. How dare he use her! All his stupid quirks and false smiles, they were all just a ploy to get her confused and let her guard down!
She thought back to when she first saw him, just sleeping with his head lazily thrown back. Why didn't she just rip his neck out right then and there?
"DANIEL! GET BACK UP HERE, NOW!" shouted Mira, thinking that maybe she could make up for lost time. He didn't answer.
She called for him again, the coward was probably too scared, but still there was no answer. She could almost see him, sniveling at the base of the hill. The image gave her a fierce pleasure, but she was getting impatient; Mira decided to press the attack.
Slowly, she crawled toward the edge, keeping her steps as silent as possible. About a yard from the place where he fell, Mira stopped. Eww...what is that smell? It was foul and stagnant, like a combination between burning rubber and rotten eggs.
She covered her nose and continued advancing. Maybe he shit his pants, she wondered without pity. When she arrived at her destination, Mira cautiously peered over the edge.
The first thing she noted was that it was a very long drop, in fact much farther than she had originally thought. The first shadows of worry flitted through her head, but she dismissed them. She looked around for Daniel, believing him to be hiding among the nearby trees, but Mira didn't spy him anywhere. Then the repulsive smell hit her again and she instinctively looked down at the source.
What she saw made her blood run cold. Daniel lay sprawled on the ground, arms bent in awkward directions. She could see a faint trail of smoke rising from his form, and when she glanced at his abdomen, Mira fought hard to keep from throwing up her breakfast.
The wound her attack caused had formed an almost perfect circle, his clothes around it completely burned away. Hot, fiery blisters bubbled to the forefront of his skin, and the area around it had a glossy shine of red, but that wasn't the worst of it. In the epicenter, the skin was jet black. Still smoldering. The last of the dying embers remaining visible on top. Dark patches appeared to flake off in the wind, like the scales of a charred, over-cooked fish. Underneath, the skin was a sickly yellow.
This time, she couldn't hold back, the stench was unbearable. Mira staggered backwards and chucked everything she had that day onto the grass. Bits of half-eaten berry and Pokémon food swam around her bile, and she turned her head in disgust.
After gathering her breath, she tottered to her feet, her mind in a daze. This can't be happening, she kept repeating to herself. This can't be happening! Daniel couldn't be...
Maybe this was just some sick dream. Perhaps she was still sleeping in her Poké Ball, and when she woke up, Daniel would be there waiting for her. Still smiling, still happy, still...alive.
"Daniel!" she called out desperately, her ears straining in the silence, starving for a sound. There was nothing. He's still alive! There's j-just no way..., Mira thought wildly. I...I need to go down and check on him!
She tried to walk forward, but her legs wouldn't take her, not to where he lay. As if guided by a phantom hand, Mira's legs began to back away. Her frame shook as she fought the impulse to run. No! I have to get to Daniel! He's hurt! He's...
Dead...,_something said inside of her, a voice she had never heard speak before. _He's dead and you know it, the voice continued, harsh and pitiless.
"No! No, that's not true!" Mira whispered, tears in her eyes. She blinked them back, vainly trying to ignore the voice inside of her.
And you killed him
"I...I, didn't..." said Mira weakly.
_You killed him, and he was your friend,_said the voice, growing in strength.
"No! I...I didn't mean to!" shouted Mira into the darkness, trying to block out the terrible truth of its words.
You heard him, all he wanted was to go home...but you killed him,_said the voice dispassionately. _He gave you a name...and you killed him. He saved your life...and you killed him!
Mira trembled on the ground. She covered her ears, wanting the voice to stop. The grief was eating her alive, the awful, awful reality crashing down on her broken spirit.
He loved_you,_ the voice began tauntingly, and you...
"NO!" cried Mira. She could see Daniel in her mind's eye; broken and lifeless, a thousand-yard stare frozen on his face. Arceus. What had she done?
Her legs took off from under her, carrying her down the hill towards the city. Tears stung her eyes and she ran as fast as her paws could carry her. The voice was gone, but she kept running, the ground underneath her rapidly changing from dirt to concrete.
She ran without direction, blindly maneuvering around the feet of other men and women who jumped out of her way. Electric lights accusingly illuminated her footsteps and she ran faster. Thunder roared overhead, rain began to pour onto the streets, and the sidewalk turned slippery and wet, but she continued to run without stopping. Suddenly, as if knowing it was there, Mira turned into an alleyway. It was dark, smelly, and blessedly quiet. An old, dilapidated cardboard box lay open in a corner, and Mira flew inside.
She lay there panting, and for a moment, she rested in the box, blankly staring out at the grey, rainy backdrop of the city. Mira then put her head in her paws and cried herself to sleep.
A flash of lightning raked the sky and a deafening wave of thunder followed suit, loud enough to wake the dead. Mira startled awake in her cardboard shelter.
"Daniel?" said Mira. She was disoriented, unsure of where she was. Mira was about to call out again when reality came back to her. Daniel was dead. She slumped against the wall, yet, the cardboard hardly budged.
It was impossible to know how long she'd been out, but intuition told her it hadn't been more than a few hours. The streets were vacant, folks desperate to get out of the rain had vanished into their homes leaving behind half-eaten foods, old wrappers, and empty bottles in their wake. Torrents of rain continued to cascade down the gutters and windows of the buildings. She could faintly hear the sewers underneath her, churning with the girth of the immense downpour.
Nobody was around to see her cry, so she did. The world felt empty, and damp, and cold. Her throat was starting to hurt. All the energy she had, Mira spent on running and sleeping. There was none left to stop her tears.
A soft, wet noise reached her ears. It padded across the alley towards her, but she didn't look up. She could smell who it was, even in the rain.
"I told you this would happen," said Valeria, her luxurious white fur streaked with the water and grime of the city. Mira sniffled and rubbed her puffy eyes.
"Go away Val," said Mira. She wasn't angry, just tired and sad. It wasn't her fault Daniel was gone.
The padding sounded closer, until Mira's lowered eyes saw a pair of white paws. Valeria was sitting in front of her. "May I come in?" she asked.
Mira waited for her to come in anyway, but was surprised when she did not. The question wasn't rhetorical after all. She nodded her to enter, and saw her white, slender frame move. For a moment, she blocked the dim light from outside, casting Mira into darkness, but then Valeria was beside her and light returned.
The Ninetales wrapped a tail around Mira. It was soggy, but also warm and comforting, so Mira accepted the small embrace without fuss.
"I saw what happened on the hill," said Valeria quietly, her words broken by a slight pause. "It was an argument, wasn't it?"
Mira didn't ask how she knew, but there was no accusation in her tone. Perhaps it was this note that helped her to talk freely. Mira could hear her voice as if through a long tunnel. It sounded cracked and unused.
"Yes," said Mira.
"What about?" asked Valeria gently.
"Something stupid,"
They both sat in silence for a while, listening to the rain. Mira wiped her eyes on her paw, all the while feeling Valeria's gaze on her. There was an air of expectancy in her stare, and Mira could guess what she wanted. It didn't bother her; Mira almost felt that Valeria deserved to know. She let them go after all. When Mira was ready, she began to recount, slowly and with many pauses, what transpired on the hilltop.
Somehow, Mira found that talking to Valeria was much easier than she thought. The Ninetales listened with compassion she never would have guessed from their first encounter. She told Valeria about how she woke up to find Daniel watching over her, about how he saved her from starving to death in the rain. She told her about Veck and his menacing partners, about how Daniel saved her for a second time, and about how he gave her a name and a home.
When Mira reached the moment of Daniel's finishing kick to the gut, the impressive move that put Veck out of commission, she could hear Valeria let out rumbling murr of approval. Mira couldn't hide a shy grin after hearing that.
Mira retold how friendly he was to everyone he met on that route, and how he rejected a battle to protect her from getting injured, even though he technically owned her at that moment.
She told Valeria about the night in the Pokémon center, and skimmed over a quick recap of their meeting in the woods. She talked about Daniel's smile, and how he held her in his arms, how he shook her hand that one time. There were many pauses during this portion.
Then Mira reached the moment on the hill, and she faltered. The voice seemed to be calling back to her through the memory. You killed him it said to her, but then she felt a paw on her shoulder and looked up. Valeria was smiling down on her. There was no joy nor sadness or pity in it, but there was caring. It made her feel warmer inside. "Go on, it's okay," Val said encouragingly.
And so, Mira told her about how Daniel let her out and started talking about where he really came from. When she revealed what Daniel said, Valeria's eyes bugged in shock and awe, and once or twice, she showed several signs of interrupting. She did not however, and for that, Mira was grateful. It was easier to keep going now that she had started.
Her voice shook when she told Valeria about her angry reaction and the flamethrower she created in her rage, the one that sent Daniel over the edge, the one that...he never deserved. Mira could feel her eyes well up again; knowing that she would break down any second, but this time Val was there to help her through it.
In that soggy, dilapidated cardboard box, in some god-forsaken alley, they embraced like sisters. Mira cried into her chest without restraint, and Valeria, even though she couldn't see, allowed a few silent tears to fall as well.
"I suppose I was wrong about that kid," sniffed Valeria after they had broken apart. "I wouldn't 'ave believed it myself, but, after hearing it from you," she gave Mira a light squeeze. "I kind of wished he'd been my master."
Mira nodded in polite agreement, her mind still trapped in that awful moment in time. Daniel had looked so scared. Val patted her back as if sensing her distress and continued. "Honey, it wasn't you're fault. Anybody would have lost their temper after what you've gone through." Mira glanced up at the Ninetales doubtfully.
"I don't know if you realized it but, I had followed you guys after our meeting together." She saw Valeria look down as if ashamed. "You see, I was confused about you two and, well...as I watched, it looked like you both were just happy. I...I didn't get it."
Mira could see the sadness in her eyes. She understood how the Ninetales felt and stroked the fur on her leg. "I knew he was a strange kid," she resumed. "I saw him and you talk enough to figure out that he could actually understand you," she gave Mira a weary smile. "It looked like you couldn't take your eyes off him."
At this Mira blushed, until she realized that there was nothing to blush about. It chilled her, how reality could just swoop down and crush a spirit in a moment's notice. She heard Val's next question ring in her ears. "You liked him a lot, didn't you?"
She hesitated, unsure of how to respond. After a minute, she nodded politely again, and Valeria looked at her sadly.
"Aww...how touching," said a thick, gravelly voice.
Startled, Valeria looked up. The monstrous form of a Mightyena blocked the alleyway, its bulk casting a menacing shadow over the duo. Two blood-red eyes glared into the cardboard shelter, aflame with malice and animalistic fury, making Valeria's fur stood on end. This guy had 'Danger' written all over him.
Beside her, Mira started to shake violently, the poor Quilava's expression that of ultimate terror. Valeria ignored it for the most part, chalking it up to nerves. There were other things to worry about.
"You'd better leave if you know what's good for you," said Valeria in a steely voice.
"Oh?" said the newcomer in a mock tone of confusion. "But this is looking like such a great party, and I like parties." He began to pad steadily forward.
As if on a spring, Valeria shot up from the box and planted herself in front of the canine. She snarled and gnashed her teeth, not very lady-like in her opinion, but very effective for scaring. Her demonstration, however, only appeared to amuse the Mightyena.
"My, my, my," he began, his mouth twisted into a crazed smile. "You have some backbone after all, don't you my little pup?"
Valeria's eyes narrowed. Little pup? Her hackles raised, she allowed the flaming pressure inside of her to build. She would make this sucker burn for that one. The Mightyena didn't make a move to avoid her attack. Instead, his smug grin widened. The sight was sickeningly intolerable for Valeria, and with a roar, she let loose. She opened her maw for the attack, only to find an unsatisfactory pillar of smoke issue forth.
Bewildered, Valeria tried again. But nothing she did could produce anything better than thick black smoke. By this time, the Mightyena was laughing his head off.
What's going on?_thought Valeria. _Why can't I use my flamethrower? The Mightyena, laughed harder at her apparent confusion.
"Aww, what's the matter?" he said in a babying voice. "The little pup forgot about the rain?"
Valeria growled in frustration, knowing he was right. She couldn't use any fire-type moves in the rain, but she had been too stupid to remember. Valeria had other moves that weren't fire based, but now, she was at a serious disadvantage.
"Ha, ha. Okay, you've had your fun," said Valeria heartily, thinking if she played along he would go away. "You've made me a fool. Now, since you don't have any business here, I suggest you..."
"Oh, but I do have business here," interrupted Veck. "In fact, if you would just step aside, you can see my business right there." He gestured behind Valeria. "Right there, cowering in that little box like the vermin she is."
Mira buried herself deeper into the recesses of the cardboard when she was mentioned, attempting to make her body as small as possible. "What does this have to do with her?" demanded Valeria.
The Mightyena's eyes flickered. "Why, she has everything to do with it. You see, for quite some time now, me and my partners have been starving for a taste," he licked his chops. "Quilava is quite the delicacy you know. The meat is nice and tender, much warmer and softer than most Pokémon," he looked at Mira hungrily. "It literally falls off the bone_._"
Valeria gasped in recognition. "You...you're Veck!"
"Ah, apparently my reputation precedes me," said Veck jovially. He gave Mira a knowing look. "I expect the weasel is behind that tidbit of information?"
"Maybe," replied Valeria. "But, why are you back? I was under the impression that Daniel had gotten rid of you for good."
Veck laughed. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear, my pup. Although it is true, that runt did get the better of me when my back was turned, but it was a dirty trick, a fancy light show with nothing more than a few lucky punches and ..."
"That's a lie!" said a voice from behind Valeria.
She turned to find Mira with her burners lit, starring daggers at Veck. "That's a lie and you know it! It was three-against-one, and Daniel still beat you!" Valeria was amazed. Mira's sudden change from docile to assertive was alarming. She was still grinning victoriously at the Mightyena's expression, and Valeria thought that, for a brief moment, she saw some spark return to Mira's gaze.
Veck's face darkened in black fury. "You should still your tongue, before I come over and tear it from your throat. Besides, if he was as tough as you describe, how can it be that he let himself get knocked off a cliff by a runt like you?"
At this, Mira's shoulders slumped and the light left her eyes. "I...I didn't mean...," she whispered, but Veck heard her. His muzzle split into a wild grin, his good humor returning.
"Oh? So it was an accident?" He began to laugh uncontrollably. "Well, that just makes it even better doesn't it? Now when I kill you...," said Veck in between breaths. "I can at least take pride in knowing I'm ending the life of a murderer." He said the last word with relish, as if savoring the taste as it left his lips.
Mira faded into the background, seeming to shrink before the Ninetale's eyes. "How do you know all this?" said Valeria, hoping to shift Veck's attention.
"How?" said Veck, as if pleased someone finally asked. "I followed her that's how. After my useless partners took to their heels, good riddance, I appeared to be the only one wanting some payback. In fact," he said, eyes glinting maliciously. "If pipsqueak over there hadn't done the deed for me, I would have killed him before sunup."
"I see...," said Valeria, not really paying attention. She glanced back at Mira, hoping the plan she had been forming would work. "Well, if that's the case...I think I'll just go." As expected, Mira's head shot up in alarm. "What?!"
Valeria didn't turn around, still staring at Veck whom sported an equally surprised look, but his reaction was only momentary. "Ah, so you're beautiful and smart," said Veck as if grasping the obvious. "How very gratifying. It's for the best, probably." Veck stopped, looking thoughtful. "I suppose I'll forgive you for your mistake earlier, but I warn you. Don't cross me again, or I'll tear that pretty little head off."
Valeria shook her head nervously. "R-right, so...can I?"
"Ah, but of course!" said Veck. He stepped aside, and gestured cordially to the exit. "I advise you don't hang around too long. It might get a little ugly if you stay." Nerves jangling, Valeria began to walk forward, but before she had taken more than a few steps, Mira spoke.
"Valeria...don't do this!" Unable to help it, the Ninetales turned. Their eyes met, and Valeria could see the fear in hers, the wide-eyed terror. She almost lost her resolve right then, but checked herself. If this didn't work, all would be lost.
"Sorry," said Valeria. "...but, I don't want to waste my life on someone about to die." Mira's reaction was heartbreaking.
"Very sensible words, milady," said Veck. She noted that he didn't say 'little pup' this time. "Now, if you would be so kind, I do have some unfinished business to wrap up."
She took one more fleeting glance at the Quilava, and slyly gave her a quick wink. Valeria knew that Mira wouldn't understand, but she would soon. Tails swishing exotically, she strode towards Veck, waiting until they were at kissing distance. Then she spoke to him in a low, breathy whisper.
"You know, I really enjoyed the compliment you gave me. About my 'beauty' and 'smarts', I think? You were so forceful, I love that in a man," She detached a tail to caress his cheek as she passed. Veck took the hint and rumbled seductively into the touch.
"Well, give me time and, maybe_,_ I can give you some more,' he said, casually rubbing his foreleg on her rump. "Perhaps, in a more, intimate way?" Valeria grimaced. Men were only too predictable.
"_Mmmm..._how tempting, but you see...," This was it, now or never. "I just wish I could say the same thing for you."
Veck's expression went blank, then his eyes widened. He tried to get out of the way, but by then, it was too late. Earlier, Valeria had carefully concealed one of her numerous tails and formed it into an Iron Tail. Now, like a hidden blade, she released it, flinging it with all her weight into the disgusting face.
The blow connected, and Valeria heard a muffled crunching sound. Blood sprayed the walls of the alley, and Veck howled in pain. He lumbered back, his muzzle a crimson mess. Valeria charged forward with another attack.
She twisted her body, the Iron Tail careening into Veck's chest like a missile. An audible oomph escaped his lips as the air left his lungs. His body crumpled under the blow, but she wouldn't allow him to get up. With another mighty turn, she struck him across the face, leaving a jagged gash under his right eye. Blood dripped into the rainwater, turning the liquid a murky shade of rust.
Valeria was out of breath, and maintaining her Iron Tail was starting to get difficult. She had only the strength for one more blow, so this had to be it. She leaped at him with all she had, moving her tail out in front of her like a metallic sword. Valeria would impale him and put an end to this battle. He was right there! She lunged.
With uncanny nimbleness, Veck ducked the deadly strike. Valeria's eyes widened in horror. I missed! Then he was upon her. With an angry roar, one befitting the monster inside him, Veck tackled her to the ground, her Iron Tail dissipating with the impact. Her energy was completely spent.
Veck was in total control. Jaws clamping on her neck, Veck threw her into the wall like a ragdoll. Her head collided with solid brick, and white spots burst into her vision. She slid down the wall and onto the rain-drenched floor, the dirty water coating her once brilliant fur. She tried to call out for help, but her lungs weren't cooperating. Veck was coming closer. His eyes spelled murder, and Valeria whimpered piteously under their gaze. She closed her eyes.
An angry scream filled the air, the moment Valeria's eyes shut, making her re-open them in alarm. She barely saw it. The lightning blue fur ball crashed into Veck with the force of a cannon. His eyes bugged out in shock as Mira toppled him, who was now biting and scratching every part of the Mightyena she could get her paws into.
Valeria could only watch, unable to move, but also transfixed by the little Pokémon's display of wild rage. Veck seemed at a complete disadvantage. Apparently, he had never fought anything as small as Mira in a fair match. The Quilava was simply too fast, she was all over him: kicking, punching, biting, scratching. Veck took the blows, not able to defend himself against Mira's onslaught.
But the more blows he took, the madder he got, and with a crazed, adrenaline-induced determination, Veck charged blindly through Mira's attacks, until he connected a Headbutt with her tiny frame. The blow sent Mira sprawling into the wall behind, her limbs comically flaying around in the air. Valeria watched as Mira staggered to her feet, then collapse back to the ground.
Only Veck remained standing, his breath coming out in ragged, labored jolts. He, however, didn't make any move to finish them off; it seemed that he was exhausted as well.
Valeria looked up at the Mightyena, only to find herself admiring his new visage. Both she and Mira's attacks caused quite a bit of damage judging by the amount of wounds he now bore, but most of them, unfortunately, looked shallow at best. His face, however, showed the best altercations. Aside from being covered in dried blood, his muzzle now bore three fine gashes, which ran under and around his eyes.
It clearly stung, as his face grimaced with the pain, but it only showed for a moment. He was moving again. Veck was taking slow, deliberate steps towards Mira's fallen body. It looked like she was unconscious, but Valeria saw that her eyes were open, watching her predator creep forward inch by life-halting inch.
She saw the cold defiance in her eyes. No fear, no sadness, just a look that said 'Fuck you, and your mother too'. Veck didn't notice. In fact, the only thing he appeared focused on was Mira. The hungry, demented look in his eyes following her every twitch.
Valeria's heart felt like it was missing a few beats. Time was slowing down, as Veck got closer to Mira. Ten feet. Eight feet. Five feet. She could hear every individual drop around her as it struck the ground, every gasping breath Mira took, every thunderous step of Veck's paw.
Every fiber of her being screamed at her muscles. Move! they said, but her body wouldn't comply. Then Veck was above the little Quilava...his scarred, muzzle forming a wide, crazed grin.
Suddenly, in possibly the most inopportune moment, something sloshed drunkenly behind Valeria and out of pure instinct, she turned her head to look. A tall figure stood alone in the alleyway, his face shrouded in shadow. His attire, however, was completely visible. It looked strangely familiar...then the figure was striding towards her, no...towards Veck and Mira!
She tried to warn him. Veck still had not noticed the new arrival, and there was still time for this stranger to get away. There was no sense in him dying too. Then lightning flashed overhead and, for a split second, the stranger's face was illuminated.
Her mouth hung open in shock when she saw it.
Veck was in his element. His prey lay before him, defenseless and weak, and he was the victor, the alpha, the predator. The blood in his veins boiled with excitement. He grinned; unaware of how the act made his face twist grotesquely...monstrously, but it probably wouldn't have concerned him anyway. Veck was already in the process of selection.
It was so hard to start sometimes, but where should he begin? Mmm...those plump legs looked tasty, full of promising flavor...and chewy too. Oh! What about that firm underbelly? Nice and tough, and stretching with enough meat to satisfy his growing desires.
He licked his bloody chops. So many choices, so much time...well, for me that is.
He saw that his little meal was staring at him now, intently too. It disturbed Veck that his dinner should look at him in such a spiteful way. Maybe he would start by tearing out those puny, narrowed eyes of hers. Yes...that sounded perfect.
Extending a scythe-shaped claw, he brought his paw to her jugular. Her blood pounded uselessly against it, just a flick of his wrist and her heart would pump the life from her veins. This way, she wouldn't be screaming while he ate. He hated noisy food; it ruined an appetite.
"I thought I told you," said a voice from behind. "That if I ever saw you again...I'd kill you."
Veck's claw twitched to a halt. He knew that voice, cold as ice, but containing an unmistakable tremor of anger. Below him, Mira trembled. The old wound in Veck's gut, the one that boy made not so long ago, was starting to throb in recognition. But, it couldn't be...
Slowly, he turned his back to the Quilava, only to find a pair of startling blue orbs gazing into his scarlet red.
There was a moment of stillness as the color drained from Veck's face. There was no explanation for the apparition before him. It was a ghost...had to be! It couldn't be alive...couldn't! Because...
"You, I...I s-saw you die damnit!" said Veck fearfully. "I SAW YOU DIE!" and that was when Daniel punched him in the gut, hammering into the old wound with unerring accuracy.
Daniel's lungs were on fire as he delivered the punch. He felt weak, like he could pass out any minute. The pain in his abdomen...it was just so, unbearable! His blow, surprisingly enough, had knocked Veck over, and Daniel watched as the Mightyena gasped for air on the wet cement. Perhaps he got lucky and hit a weak spot?
Another bolt of fire rippled across his stomach, and his legs almost gave out from under him. Daniel knew he should be dead, all his muscles were screaming for him to stop, but Veck was here, and that changed a few things.
It had been a surprise to find him with Mira once again, and the Ninetales was here too. Small world. Of course, Daniel knew he was in no condition to fight, but there was a trick or two he could still play.
He straightened up his spine and threw back his shoulders, eyes watering at the pain, and scrutinized his features into those of rage and enmity. Daniel could only hope the Mightyena wouldn't look too closely at his chest, lest the allusion break.
Veck was now getting up, or rather, stumbling up. He looked a mess, Daniel observed, with multiple contusions and bloody marks covering his body. The fur on his head was matted with blood, and a few deep scars lined the bags of his eyes.
Daniel smiled inwardly. 'Well, he's certainly paying for his meal tonight.' The canine was now looking at him apprehensively, as if awaiting judgment, and Daniel braced himself. It was going to take a lot of good acting to get out of this one.
Taking care not to break his angry demeanor, he made slow determine strides towards Veck. Phantom knives dug into his gut as he walked, but he couldn't make a sound. He needed to appear cold, ruthless, strong. Crying and whimpering in pain wasn't going to do much for that image.
Instead, he balled his fists up tight enough that blood began to drip from the cuts his fingernails made in his palms. It hurt, but hopefully, it made him seem angrier? Daniel could see Veck cringing against the wall. Apparently, he had not forgotten their last encounter.
Step by step, he moved closer, Veck shaking all the harder. When he was near enough, Daniel reached out with both hands and grabbed him by the fur on his back; the Mightyena flinched but made no advance to halt him. Then, in one fluid motion, Daniel threw him to into the wall on the other side of the alley. He yipped in fear, before colliding with the concrete, rebounding onto the ground with a muffled thump. The move caused Daniel considerable pain, but he bore through it.
He saw Mira out of the corner of his eye, watching him with an uncomfortable intensity. There was both relief and worry in her expression, but that was expected. She had probably thought him dead.
Daniel turned his head back to Veck, who was now staggering to his paws once more. It really didn't matter, he had already decided on what to do about Mira afterwards. If there was an afterwards.
Taking a few steps, he began another slow, excruciatingly painful walk to the cowering mess in front of him. Veck was watching him with paralyzing terror. Daniel almost had him, just a little more pressure and he would...
Then his right leg jerked back sharply, as if pulled by an invisible wire, and he fell forward. His arms splayed out instinctively to try to catch him, but it was too late. The ground was coming at him too fast. Daniel hit the hard concrete with a tortured scream, his abdomen throbbing in indefinable pain.
Blinding suns imploded in front of him. Daniel was going to faint, the dark corners in his vision were creeping up on him. He struggled to fight it; he couldn't pass out, not yet. Eyes watering, he glanced down at his betrayer, a jagged piece of trash that caught the hem of his jeans. Of all the goddamn luck.
A shadow passed over his body, and Daniel struggled to look up. Veck was smirking above him, his canine teeth bloody and sharp, and black eyes dancing in the rain. Then, with slow deliberateness, the Mightyena pressed a claw into his stomach, and the world lurched around Daniel.
Someone was screaming. Daniel wished it would stop. The pain was bad enough without the noise. Veck extended his claws, causing blood to seep from his wound, re-opening it with every inch he sank into it. The screaming intensified, and Daniel's vision began to darken once again. Realization crept into the back of his mind; he was the one who was screaming.
As if through a haze, Veck's voice rang out in his head, cackling and mirthful. "So, you aren't a big, bad ghost after all! That's good, because I'm going to wish you were. I want to hear you beg for your life! I want to hear you suffer!" and his claw pushed deeper.
Then Daniel's vision went dark, and he lost consciousness again, with the Mightyena's wild, crazed laughter ringing in his ears.
Mira's heart was thundering in her chest. Daniel was alive! Alive! She watched him walk to Veck and put his hands on the Pokémon's back. Her focus drifted, however, to the dark, bloodstained wound on his midsection. It might have been a trick of the light, but it didn't look nearly as bad as it did when she first glimpsed it. Burnt flesh still glared at her from the attack, but the yellow pustules were gone, and some of the skin appeared to have knit back together.
Then Veck was flying across the alley. She saw him flop to the ground cringing, fear surrounded his eyes as Daniel began a second approach. Deep inside her, Mira felt a dim hope. Perhaps they would get out alive after all. Maybe Daniel can chase Veck away like he did last time. The Mightyena cowered against the wall; they were going to be okay. Everything was going to be...
Suddenly, Daniel's jeans caught on a metal object, and she saw him stumble. As if in slow motion, he crashed to the ground, clapping his hands to his stomach with a bloodcurdling scream. Mira went cold. She turned to Veck, hoping against hope that he was still cowed.
The Mightyena had stopped shivering and was looking at Daniel in confusion. Then, his ugly mug twisted into a smile. He let out a low chuckle, and said something Mira took as 'of course'. Slowly, he padded toward Daniel's wounded body.
Mira's muscles were screaming at her to get up. She couldn't let this happen, not after seeing him alive again. But they wouldn't move, tears were spilling from her eyes. A terrible sound filled the air, and Mira raised her head a few inches. Veck had his paw in Daniel's wound! Arceus, why was it like this? Veck was yelling something at Daniel over his cries of pain. She could see her trainer's face, distorted and broken, crying out with unimaginable agony. He was dying right in front of her!
Why was she so weak? Why couldn't she help anyone she cared for? Damnit! Why did she always have to be so fucking helpless?! The screaming worsened, and Mira cried in earnest.
If only...I was stronger, she thought with regret.
But no sooner had she thought this when her bones went rigid and her muscles seized up, as if an electric shock had passed through her body without her knowing. Her fur stood on end, and then, unbelievingly, it started to glow.
Bewildered, Mira tried to shout for help, but her throat wasn't working. The glow on her body was increasing in intensity at a rapid pace, and after a few seconds, a blinding white light surrounded her body. She wasn't aware of the others watching her now, completely wrapped up in the strange sensation.
Her entire body seemed to be growing! The cells in her muscles multiplied and expanded, her bones felt hot as they melted away, immediately reforming into different shapes and sizes. The light completely obscured her vision, but it felt like her eyes were changing as well. She could feel her wounds knitting together, broken skin and missing fur automatically restoring on the spot. Her muscles were experiencing the equivalent of a hot bath, the strange light replenishing her, flooding her every nerve with power and energy.
It was the most wonderful feeling. Mira felt warm and contented, as every thought and worry in her head was wiped gently away, leaving nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness. She was only dimly aware of the changes happening to her body.
Mira's teeth enlarged and became harder, shaper, better. The burners on her tail had vanished, but new ones were developing on her back, she could sense them. The fur around them darkened and became hotter, as if burning under an invisible welding torch. Her paws expanded, and her spine lengthened, new vertebrae magically popping into place, which her nervous system immediately compensated with fresh nodes and microscopic channels.
Blood rushed through her newly formed veins, giving life to her fresh muscles, strengthening her, filling her up with boundless raw power. It was like being born again.
Then the glow began to recede, and as it died, Mira's mental faculties returned. She felt groggy, but the first thing to solidify in her mind was the fact that everything seemed smaller. The mangy cardboard box where she slept now looked too tiny to crawl in anymore, and she wondered how she could have fit inside. Mira caught a glimpse of Valeria and Veck's startled faces, and with a jolt, realized that she was staring down at them!
_I'm taller,_she thought. There was a puddle of water next to her, and Mira turned to peer at her reflection, she wondered what else had changed about her. The surface was glassy smooth, since the rain had stopped, but Mira couldn't remember when it did. She looked into the depths, and was startled to find the face of a Typhlosion staring back.
"Is that...me?" said Mira, thinking aloud. She touched the side of her head, letting her paws discover the new curves and features, memorizing every strangely unique detail. Her attention, however, snapped back to reality with the sound of a rasping cough.
Mira turned and saw Daniel, still under Veck's paw, coughing up a fit. Molten rage bubbled inside her, as everything that had happened came rushing back to her mind. Veck! It was all his fault, all her pain, all her sadness, all her suffering!
She felt strong now...no, not just strong, Powerful! It was as if there were Volcanoes inside her, as if her fire could match that of the legendary Entei, as if she could crush mountains to dust!
The Mightyena just stood there, watching. With a cool silence, he removed his claws from Daniel, whose coughs died at once, and glared at Mira with his malicious blood-red eyes. "So, my little appetizer has grown into a full course meal," he said quietly. "Good. Now I can finally be full!"
He charged forward, unaware of the fire building inside Mira. She watched him come, not bothering to get out of his way, instead planting her feet into the ground. Her burners lit, igniting her mane in a fiery explosion of heat. Veck was only feet away when she opened her maw. The Mightyena's eyes widened in shock. Now he understood, and he would pay for his mistake.
It had stopped raining, and Mira was free to burn him to a crisp.
With an almighty roar, the oxygen in her mouth met the intense, compact fire in her system. It burned instantly, rushing out of her gullet with lightning speed. Her naturally produced fuels, which supplied the fire, insured the vast amount of power behind her attack. The result, a monstrous column of flame and heat exploded from her maw; instant Backdraft Effect.
Veck yelled as the column engulfed him, its incredible force blasting him into the air. She saw him, twisting and writhing, his fur burning before her eyes, finally crash to the ground. He lay there silently, not moving, not breathing. Just like that, Veck, her tormenter, her haunting enemy, was dead.
Daniel came to slowly, colors blurring in his vision as his eyes struggled to open. From lying on his back, he could see the sky was much lighter than before. The sun will be up soon, he thought. He turned his head and saw a Typhlosion eying him timidly. When it saw he was awake, the Pokémon rushed forward, and Daniel put up his arms expecting it to attack him. It came as a great surprise, however, when he found himself hugged instead, its furred arms wrapping around him fervently.
"Oh, Daniel! You're alive! You're alive! Arceus, I thought I lost you. Oh, Daniel I-I was so worried, so...so sorry it was just...I-I..."
"Mira?" asked Daniel completely nonplussed. The pain in his stomach flared up again and Daniel let out a sharp moan. Immediately, Mira released him looking horrified.
"Sorry, Daniel, sorry!" she said fearfully. "I completely forgot, oh, we need to get you some help. A-a hospital or something," and Mira looked around as if expecting one to pop up in the alley.
"Mira, what happened? Where's Veck? I thought he was about to finish me off, but I don't see him anywhere," said Daniel.
Mira turned her head pointedly, and Daniel stretched his neck to follow her gaze. What was left of Veck appeared to be smoldering in a corner of the alley. "Ah, I see," sighed Daniel. "Remind me not to ever get on your bad side again, okay?"
Mira turned her eyes away shamefully. "Daniel, I'm so sorry about what happened. It's just...I lost control and..."
"It's okay, I'm fine," interrupted Daniel, petting her arm gently, the only part he could reach without much difficulty. This turned out to be a mistake, as Mira hugged him harder than ever.
"No, no it's not okay. It's my fault your all hurt and burnt up," Daniel gasped out a pained reply, but Mira didn't hear. "I felt terrible afterwards, like...like I was sinking in something awful. Daniel, I...I don't care that you're from another world, just...please don't scare me like that again. I thought you were dead!"
"It's...not too late...for that...to happen," rasped Daniel, his eyes watering.
Cursing under her breath, Mira released him again, and the pain in Daniel's stomach lessened significantly. He wasn't angry with her, really. In fact, Daniel felt quite flattered that she cared about him so much.
He looked up into Mira's startlingly pretty red eyes. Her face was so close. Every hair of her delicate fur stood out in the gentle morning glow, seeming to radiate with its own special light. Her hot, sweet-smelling breath was mixing with his. There was an indefinable stillness in his heart as Mira's face drew nearer.
"Daniel, I'm so sorry. It seems that I've done nothing but hurt you since we met," her eyes welled up with tears and she put a tender paw on his arm. "You've been so kind to me yet, you never even knew who I was."
"Sure, I was just supposed to turn away the gorgeous Quilava that showed up then, wasn't I?" said Daniel breaking into a grin. Mira laughed and his heart beat a little faster.
"Gorgeous, huh?" she said, the fur of her cheeks reddening. "Well, maybe as a Quilava, but I must look completely different now. I dunno, how do you think I look?"
"Stunning,"
And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that it might have been wrong or stupid, Daniel kissed her.
Mira started, thrown by the sudden act, but then quickly eased into it. His tongue, growing adventurous, began to explore outside and greet Mira's soft appendage. They danced, slowly, tiredly, uncertainly. It was a soft moment, and Daniel could taste the saliva in her mouth, sweet, like the tang of summer berries; it overindulged his senses. She had closed her eyes, moaning passively into his lips.
Daniel wished it would last forever, but exhaustion was claiming his body, every muscle crying out for respite. He closed his eyes, feeling himself drift away as their lips came apart. Soon, the darkness of sleep enveloped him, and Daniel could hear Mira in some distant chamber of his empty brain.
"I love you, Daniel,"
"I love you too, Mira," he murmured back. Then, laying his head down gently, Daniel slept and thought no more.