Chapter 65: Epilogue...
Story by rocko wallaby on SoFurry
Many things about the entire situation remain confusing, even to this day.
As an example, after the initial fallout following their arrival had subsided, where did the creatures go? Given only speculation remains as to their eventual fate, was the government involved, or had they simply vanished as mysteriously as they arrived?
Or are they living among us still, hidden from the prying eyes of the general populace by those sworn to protect them?
Perhaps we'll never know, just as it's as unlikely we'll ever be told the real truth as to their mysterious presence in our world. The government has covered it up, the people involved remain mute, and the creatures themselves; these Pokémon; are the biggest enigma of the lot.
At least their presence here has answered one important question that's plagued humanity since the dawn of its creation.
We are not alone.
Perhaps we never have been.
Eddies 65
Chapter 64:Epilogue...
Eddies 65
“When will the police blackout over this event finally end?" one reporter demanded, as Cameron stood alone to face the masses of world media packing the Opera House auditorium to bursting point. With the place rated to hold a thousand, they'd had hopes it would be sufficient, but the makeshift video screens placed in the plaza surrounding the concrete shells were barely sufficient to cater for the overflow.
Shrugging, the police chief said into his podium microphone “It shouldn't be much longer. Bear with us."
“Cut the crap, Marshke!" one angry woman yelled out, starting a cascade of protests at the delays. “This thing has been one huge farce since it started. Monsters and aliens, my arse! You can't seriously expect anyone to believe…"
Glaring at her, she cut off abruptly as a police aide slipped from the side of the stage to whisper hurriedly to his boss. A silence descended, anticipation creeping through the media masses, as Cameron nodded to his staff member, coughing to bring them all to his attention.
The silence was palpable.
Grim smile set across his face, Cameron began. “I thank you all for being so patient with us. Let's just say, it's been an entertaining exercise putting this situation into a semblance of order."
Pausing a brief moment, he flicked on a power point presentation, the huge screen lighting up behind him with the title “The incident at Darken Ridge."
“The first we were aware that something extraordinary was occurring was approximately six months ago, however the initial events surrounding this event occurred a good six months before that."
Watching the rapt audience, and aware of the world coverage from so many cameras, Cameron smiled again, this time more warmly.
“So, I will start at the beginning. It occurred on the seventeenth of February, that a young farmers boy called Chris Masters from beyond Smithtown went on a day trip into the State forests behind the farm that has been in his family for several generations, now. Let's just say what, or who, he encountered next is history..."
Directing their attention to the power point screen with a laser pointer, he almost laughed inwardly as he changed the photo to the next, and all hell broke loose in the amphitheatre.
Looming over him was the photo taken of Chris and his friends swimming at the farm; one of those inadvertently released prematurely by Chris's brother, Jimmy.
Shouting to drown out the incredible ruckus as everyone began speaking at once, Cameron called out “Now, before we ask any questions, let me explain the series of events that led up to the action two weeks ago. Then, I open myself to your questions…"
*_______ *
Three hours later, Cameron wound down his presentation and petered into silence.
For a long moment, you could have heard a pin drop in the auditorium.
Then, in the front centre, Mike Young, one of the most respected and venerated reporters in the country, stood to clear his throat and said quietly “I have never heard such a load of horse shit in my life!"
The place erupted, jeers and exclamations abounded, as Cameron gave the man a long look, before shrugging.
“I can understand your doubts. I will say, I had an awful lot of trouble believing it myself. However, the facts remain; what I stated occurred exactly as I have outlined. But in the spirit of openness, I have asked a few friends to come today to give their side of events. James, if you would be so kind as to step out here…"
General silence descended again as a middle age, rugged looking police officer walked onto the stage holding the hand of a lithe, beautiful young woman. She approached the police chief with a smile, as he gave her a peck on the cheek warmly.
Turning back to the crowd, Cameron called for silence and said simply. “You wanted proof. Let me introduce James Brook, police area coordinator for the upper Fassifern district. As I explained, James was one of the first on the scene from our units…"
“You promised us proof!!" a reporter shouted, as another jeered “Curt the crap, Cameron! Where's the evidence?"
Rolling her eyes, the young woman turned to the crowd, holding both arms upwards as she gave J.B a quick look, receiving a smirking nod of reassurance in return.
Then, before everyone's eyes, she vanished, replaced by a six foot tall charcoal furred monster, with long red hair, six inch crimson claws and glowing red eyes.
“Is this proof enough, human?" she mind-spoke with a laugh, twirling to display her magnificence.
The chaos that ensued made the earlier ruckus look like a child's playground by comparison.
Later, Cameron brought Shadow and Bill to the stand, letting the luxray demonstrate her powers for the stunned, exuberant audience.
“But what will they do, now they're stuck here?" a reporter yelled through the clamour, and Cameron answered.
“These creatures are our friends. They have shown themselves to be honest, and loyal, and kindred to us in every way, fur and claws notwithstanding. I have spoken at length with the government, who have agreed to my proposals regarding their wellbeing, and they have since been admitted as full, active members of the police force. As such, they are under my protection, and will be respected in a manner no less than any of my officers."
“What about the reports of the huge blue one?" one young woman demanded, microphone thrust forward, and Cameron chuckled wryly.
“Oh, he has a few things he needs to do, so he couldn't be here with us today, but I'm sure he'll be back shortly."
It was many hours before the incredible forum concluded, and while exhausted, were exuberant in appearing to have achieved everything they could have hoped for.
**For better or for worse, the pokemon were out of the balls.
And they weren't returning there anytime soon!**
_______________________
Tony tripped again, falling hard as his crutches caught on the edge of the rug in the living room, sending him sprawling to gasp in pan on the carpet.
Cursing, he gripped the side of the coffee table with a shaking hand, swearing further as the weak limb struggled to keep hold as he laboriously got to back onto his unsteady feet, only to look down at the discarded crutches in frustration.
Every day they told him he was getting better; gaining motility and mobility he'd taken for granted before the injury.
Before he nearly died.
Braced on the back of the lounge chair, he used a toe to slip through the handgrips on the crutches, cautiously lifting first one, then the second, to where his free hand could take a grab at it. He faltered once, nearly falling again, but managing to hang on to the couch back in a crushing grip that left sweaty finger-marks on the microfiber fabric.
Shit, Steph was gonna be pissed when she saw that, he thought suddenly, the irony sending him into a fit of hysteric giggles that near caused another fall.
Since coming out of his induced coma, his recovery had been so fucking slow it drove him crazy. For someone as previously active as he'd been, it was a nightmare scenario; one look in the mirror at his wasted limbs and pale, corpselike flesh, the deep red scars blemishing what he'd always considered one of his best assets, was unbearable.
Thank God Steph had been such a trooper, he thought. She'd taken him in and bullied the army into giving her extended compassionate leave to look after him, becoming his in-house carer during his convalescence. Still, being so close to his only sibling was a love/hate relationship. Between his bouts of depression and anger at his incapacity, and her impatience with his negative attitude, they were as often at odds with each other than not, but he couldn't help but thank his lucky stars she'd been willing to nurse him to health. Pondering the alternative staying in the Army rehabilitation unit, it was almost impossible to consider his situation could have been worse, but they were the facts. At least here, with Steph, he had some pretence of independence, still limited though it was.
The psychological effects were a different matter. Diagnosis PTSD he'd been told, and classified as a difficult case. The shrink's he'd been forced to endure on a daily basis were little help in overcoming the real reason for his melancholic depression, and how could he explain it, anyway? He'd been told the entire situation was classified until further notice, and one mention of the pokemon's presence on the planet, and his arse was history. Even the reports of a media release a few days back didn't help his feeling of helplessness and despair.
**He hadn't watched it, even when Steph pushed him mercilessly to do so.
He just couldn't, was all.
Couldn't face it again.**
When that comment promoted yet another fight between them, he left Steph mid-argument; just gave up and hobbled to bed to lie spreadeagled on top of the mattress too exhausted and in pain to even undress himself.
That was his life now. Pain, depression and worthlessness.
With the second crutch finally secure, he stood there beside the couch ludicrously unsteadily, shaking and afraid of falling yet again. If it hadn't been so pathetic, he might have even laughed.
But he was afraid if he started, he wouldn't stop.
Then again, next time, he might not make it back up again, and the idea of Steph coming back to find him in such a pathetic position was beyond thought.
Of course, it was at that moment that the doorbell rang.
Frozen, he looked up from his feet, a sharp bark of laughter cutting through the room. It wasn't mirth that had him giggling, the slightly hysterical edge harsh as the bell rang again, and again, even as he prayed whoever it was just pissed the fuck off.
They were persistent though, and Tony sobered abruptly, straightening up and painfully made his way across the room towards the hallway.
Whomever the fuck it was, he wasn't in the mood for them. Hadn't been, in fact, since he arrived here. His friends, uncomfortable with the shade of his former self he'd become, were either gratingly jovial, or depressingly melancholy around him. Either way, he couldn't stand their abject pity. Soon enough, they found every excuse not to come back and see him further.
It took him long minutes to make the door, gasping at the exertion every pained step took. When he finally made it, he pressed his head against the solid timber in exhaustion. Bracing himself, he gripped the door handle with his right hand, the discarded crutch sliding sideways down the wall to hit the timber flooring with a thud as he struggled with the catch, twisting the knob to confront the fool who dared disturb him.
Only to freeze at the long, melancholy face looked up at him from reddened, watery eyes.
Speechless, he couldn't move, the long face lifting momentarily, shocked at his appearance before meeting his eyes a moment, then turning away. As Tony managed to gasp a breath, the eyes before him closed, breath stuttering as the visitor turned away to mutter.
“I… I just had to come and see…."
The words stopped with a grunt, a clatter resounding through the entrance as the remaining crutch hit the floor and the man lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the thick neck to press his face into the fur, sobbing uncontrollably.
Suicune struggled a moment under his weight, distraught at his friends pain until, sighing, he leaned back to embrace him in return, nuzzling his neck as he took the man with him, comforting him in his sorrow.
“Oh, Tony. I'm so sorry…."
It was a long time before the pair separated, and the man and pokemon returned together to the privacy of the house inside.
________________
A year later….
J.B leaned back from his plate, pulling the napkin from his shirt front before dropping it on the tablecloth. A satisfied sigh escaped him, as he looked across at his ward, where she'd been managing the silverware with her long claws carefully.
Destiny met his look with a slightly feral grin, shrugging as she waved a fork in his direction. Her illusion was by now nearly perfect, and few had any real idea she was anything but what she appeared; a little young woman in the prime of her life, escorting the pair of older police officers to dinner.
“Been an interesting few months, Cam." J.B said, lifting a hand to catch the eye of the waiter, who hurried over with the wine list, a smile fixed on his face. While paying lip service to the men, his eyes were flirting with the girl, who gave him a friendly smile as she accepted the folder with a kind look.
Her hand brushed his, the touch of fur soft on his skin confusing but intriguing, and he stepped away, near colliding with a dessert cart in his distraction.
Rolling his eyes, J.B snorted, shaking his head slightly at her curious look.
“Sweetie, if you keep breaking these young men's hearts, you're going to leave a trail of devastation behind you miles long" he joked, as Cameron, a little worse for wear, took another long pull of his white before leaning forward for a top up.
“I cannot help but be beautiful!" she said primly, before snorting loudly in amusement at her wit, receiving a disapproving glare from a nearby table that quickly minded its own business as she flashed long canines at them, the illusion breaking momentarily as she flicked them a glare.
Chuckling, J.B patted the hand resting on the table and said “Well, heaven help the male who win's your heart. He has an interesting life in front of him, for sure!"
Snorting his drink through his nostrils, Cameron coughed harshly, waving thanks as Destiny passed him her napkin.
Changing the subject, J.B missed the long, musing look she gave him, her head cocked to the side as she regarded him intently. Instead, he thumped his boss on the back, as the man regained his breath with a struggle.
“So, how are the kid's folks going? They coping alright?"
Nodding, Cameron gasped “Well enough, I imagine, although Gwen's still pretty cut up about it. Paul is much more stoic. He knows they're in good care, with Scott, Storm, Raikou and Skyy looking after them. I'm just glad you've stayed here, James. Your support, both of you, has been the thing that's gotten us through this. You have my thanks there. But the kids? I reckon they'll be fine."
J.B sighed, sipping his drink thoughtfully. “I hope you're right, Cam. It's hard for them not knowing, I'm sure."
Sighing, he stretched, forgoing dessert as his tired muscles argued a longer evening. “I'm beat, mate." He muttered, standing cautiously to sway on slightly tipsy legs, as Destiny rose to offer an arm in support.
The pair of men exchanged a hand grip, friendship well confirmed, as they paid for the evening, stepping into the chill night air ready to head their separate ways.
But before they parted, J.B turned, offering Cameron a frank look, and said “Think they'll be back?"
Eyebrows raised, Cameron Markshe shrugged. “I hope so. If not, so be it. Such is life, huh?"
Patting the disguised zoroark on the arm, J.B accepted her assistance to make the taxi cab rank, and called out “That it is, Cam. Can't say it hasn't been worth it. Goodnight!"
Watching the pair leave together, arms around each other, the police chief smiled wryly, and said quietly to himself “I think it has been, James. Definitely!"
___________________
The chill evening resounded with native birdsong as a fine mist drifted through the upper reaches of the distant mountain. A calm descended with it, light fading as the sun set behind the high peaks into twilight.
A sudden explosion rocked the serenity, as the local wildlife set in their nests for the evening sounded a cacophony of alarmed cries. A second detonation followed, as the small clearing was showered from debris erupting from the mouth of a lone cave set into the rock cliff.
Before the dust settled, two hulking shapes emerged to regard the area with wide eyes, one pair wry, the second satisfied.
“Got through then?" Entei muttered, as Raikou shook his head at the obviousness of the statement.
He turned his head as a young human pushed past, followed by a lucario as they scrabbled cautiously to the centre of the clearing to tilt their heads back, as a passing breeze dissolved the mist above. Hand in hand, they sighed, pressed close as the heavens opened up overhead, stars basking in their glory.
As his friends joined them, Chris turned to Skyy and Jimmy, and under the gaze of those most dear to him, said softly.
“Home! We're home….!"
_______________________________
Fin…
**_As Douglas Adams would say,
So long, and thanks for all the fish…._**
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