SURVIVAL PROJECT
chapter 10 ; [EZREM]
grounded
*
There once was a special team of pokémon with a special trainer. I daresay I was part of that team. She gave us all annoying names. There was Kephi the venipede, Virokoe the purrloin, Obieme the tepig, and Rennio the elekid. They loved her so, but I only tolerated her—just because she was the type of person that made you enjoy your name with the way she said it. We all respected her enough to never evolve, never attack out of fear or anger and so on. She was eccentric, though relaxed, nice, compromising... and therefore she was also easy to manipulate.
After earning six badges in Sinnoh and six badges in Unova, she wanted to go to Hoenn. She dreaded the day our journey would be over, so she refused to complete a gym circuit, and anyway, she wanted to see the waters and the unique cities there. I told her I had heard great things about Johto. She trusted me wholeheartedly and went along with what I said.
In reality, I had heard about a legendary pokémon that could travel through time. My plan was to go to the future and find a place I could permanently call home. Annie had taken me when I was young, and moving around did not satisfy me in the slightest.
Because I pretended to get along with her and because she truly loved us, she sacrificed her dream of going to Hoenn for me. We took a boat to get to Johto, as if we were really going to her dream region. She didn't talk about it, but we knew she was thinking of it.
When we arrived, she restarted the gym circuit. I agreed to let her do this. My destination was Azalea Town, which was only two badges in. I could at least give her that, but I soon wished I hadn't.
I didn't
intend to do it. Townspeople gossiped about Celebi, the forest's protector, and how it revealed itself in the face of danger. Well, I decided to create my own danger so that I could talk to the legendary! I asked Obieme to make a fire and then come help me find food. He complained about our trainer not being there to watch the fire. I told him it was fine! We needed to mark a meeting place, at any rate, and this was what our trainer instructed. (She did no such thing.) Of course the tepig listened to me. Of course the fire spread because no one returned for a while, and of course the winds were strong that day.
If the forest guardian ever came, I don't know. All I know is that my trainer must have gotten trapped somewhere. Rennio escaped because he got lost at the next city's gate, and though Obieme was with me, I haven't seen him since. The team died along with my trainer and it was all my fault. Celebi had spited me.
My name is Ezrem. I got that name from my old trainer. She told me it sounded like it could be a type of jewel, an item to be cherished because it seemed so delicate yet, beneath its pretty exterior, was unyielding and sharp. She was certainly right, but I never got the chance to tell her so. I could not change my ways and she died for it.
My name is Ezrem. I don't need anyone's pity. I feel guilty enough as it is. This is just the surface of my story, where details are not needed.
*
Johto provided new adventures and a chance to go home. After the incident, I watched over Rennio. He was shaken and at a complete loss as to what to do next. His situation was especially dire because I had convinced him there weren't that many elekid left in existence. They were going extinct! He was now always the one to take extra precautions, such as avoiding battles.
“Now that we're alone, I vow to protect you!” I said to him, trying to atone for what I had done. It was the least I could do. I hoped we wouldn't find an elekid in Johto, though the species originated there. If that ever happened, Rennio would leave me. I would have nothing left, then.
We met Sai three months later. I tended to stand near the entrance of Ilex Forest, on the lookout for potential trainers I could manipulate into taking me home. So when I saw Sai, who was copying Marty just to make himself look smart, I dove in. The sentret was thrown into the bushes and I introduced myself in the best way possible—with advice! That would surely make them think of me as a good pokémon that liked to help others!
Seeing the two of them fight verbally afterward confirmed my choice. Marty had been a contender but had failed. He was too angry, stuck in his own ways... He wasn't for me. On the other hand, Sai's pokémon were loyal, and in return, so was he. I needed loyalty, for Sai not to betray me. Not to mention his lack of knowledge appealed to me as well.
I kept Rennio in mind. He was getting food and knew exactly where to find me, just as I knew where exactly to find him. I could have gone to help, but this was too intriguing...
“You know my sister?” Marty cried. His feet spread apart and his fists clenched, as if he were going to lunge forward. I couldn't see his face, but I assumed he didn't look pleased.
“I met her and saw your house,” Sai said. How could he remain so calm? His pokémon seemed nervous beyond belief!
“Did she say anything about me?” Marty asked, his tone softer. His body spoke otherwise.
“She said you were a good trainer.”
“She did...?”
“Yeah, she did. I bet she'd want to be as strong as you if she were a trainer.”
“She'll be a trainer soon... She wants to leave Azalea Town too,” he said quietly. Then he flared up again and added, “Don't think that she'd want to travel with you or anything! Or that I would want to. I'm out of here now.”
Marty left the clearing, walking like a normal person you would pass by on the road. I expected him to stomp off, mumbling inane profanities. He was disappointing. Nevertheless, I made a mental note about him. If he ever showed up, his sister was his weakness (and so was the mere idea of being a trainer, apparently).
This was when I made my appearance. If I waited any longer, Rennio would come back to interrupt me! Or Sai would leave! Neither of these things could happen. Sai was the one and I knew it. With my stubby feet I made my way through the bushes, ignoring the prickling thorns. The rustling noise caught the team's attention.
“I know you!” the sentret cried, darting out in front of Sai.
“Yes! I helped you. And you won,” I said, grinning like an idiot.
The sentret let his guard down, confused. “Yeah, we won. You weren't talking that way before, though,” he said.
“No? I talk this way all the time. Believe me!” I said. I fluttered my wings ever so slightly. This was the beginning of my long flight home, wherever that was.
I turned to Sai, wondering why he hadn't taken to me like most other passers-by. Trainers didn't see rufflet in Johto very often. Their excitement and desperation showed as they tried to catch me. I can never be formally caught, however. My old pokéball is out there somewhere. If Sai was the one, he wouldn't mind.
But all he did was stare at me blankly. I went to his side and used my wing to point toward his backpack. He opened it for me, allowing me to retrieve whatever I wanted. In any other situation that would have been a bad idea! This time I took out a single pokéball. I dropped it on the ground, jumping up and down for emphasis. Sai did nothing.
I scowled against my better judgment. I turned to the sentret and said, “Tell your trainer I want to join his team.”
“He can understand you,” the sentret replied automatically, almost bored.
“He can?” My old trainer was able to communicate with pokémon too. Was it a coincidence?
“He's an interesting human, to say the least.”
I agreed. I looked Sai straight in the eye, showing him I wasn't afraid. I wasn't afraid of a trainer who could mysteriously talk to pokémon, even though it had worked against me in the past. This only meant that I could express myself in any way I pleased. I would simply have to be more careful.
“I want to join your team,” I said sternly. “I can't be caught in a pokéball, but I won't stray from your side if you take me with you. I have experience. I'm smart. Ask your—”
“No,” Sai interrupted. My beak hung up open. Had he really rejected me right off the bat?
I was about to try to change his mind when I heard cackling and a distinct humming noise. Sai and his team were alarmed, but I wasn't. What bad timing, though! I knew it was Rennio. That's what happens when you're stuck with him for so long, scrutinizing every move...
“Finally! Rennio has come back to the world!” he cried, emerging from the bushes. The elekid held an armful of berries, but he dropped them when he saw his audience. Once he spotted me, he saw how friendly I was being, so he steadily made his way over to us. It would be hard for him to go through another bout of disappointment, but such was life.
I couldn't have predicted what came next.
“Atis, get that pokémon!” Sai cried suddenly. The hitmontop looked absolutely dreadful, being asked to fight. He launched forward anyway, preparing to kick Rennio directly in the face.
I couldn't grasp the situation immediately. Once I figured it out, I knew I had to protect Rennio at all costs, even from our future trainer. I intervened rather aggressively, moving Rennio out the way, figuring it was safer than attacking the hitmontop head-on. The hitmontop slowed and came to a halt, not bothering to chase us.
“No attacking Rennio!” I said, unsure if I was demanding this of Atis or Sai. I addressed Sai alone as I added, “He's my friend. He would like to join your team with me.”
“What?” Rennio said dumbly, looking up at me. I was on top of him due to the crash, but I wasn't going to let him escape, even if he electrocuted me. I would have to fill him in after all was said and done. I motioned for him to follow along.
Sai frowned. How straightforward did I have to be? We both wanted to be his pokémon! The end! He needed a rare, foreign pokémon and an electric-type anyway, right?
Wrong.
My hopes were dashed when Sai pulled a black and white die out of his pocket. The object mocked me as it went from Sai's hand to Rennio's. The boy preferred my companion, but I didn't know why!
“Roll it,” Sai said.
I nodded to Rennio. Like the berries, he dropped the die on the ground, unaware of what his actions meant. When four black dots appeared, Sai reacted joyfully. I felt empty.
“You're my fourth pokémon!” he cried, diving onto his knees and leaning in to hug the electric-type. Rennio was embraced lovingly, but he was puzzled. His facial expression asked me whether or not he should make a run for it. I had no answer.
“Are you going to give him a name?” the croconaw said, chiming in now that the ordeal was over.
Sai paused before saying, “No. The elekid doesn't have a name.”
“My name is Rennio. My other trainer—”
“You don't have a name,” Sai said, gripping the pokémon's shoulders tightly.
“I don't?” Rennio's voice was barely audible above his new teammates' cheering.
“No. You don't.”
“I'm really your pokémon.” It was a statement, not a question, but Sai confirmed the fact regardless. “Are you sure? What about Ezrem?” he added, coming to my side.
“Ezrem is not my pokémon, but you are.”
Rennio wasn't the type to deny others. He also wasn't the type to doubt me, so he must have known I had something in mind. He requested to say goodbye to me if he were going to leave me.
“Go right ahead, but... Kuiora, go over there and make sure he doesn't run off on us, okay?” Sai said, pushing the croconaw toward us.
As she approached us, she said, “My trainer is very picky about our team. The elekid must be pretty cool."
“Really?” I mumbled under my breath. Sai was a good trainer, but what did that do for me if I couldn't be with him? Although I was jealous of Rennio, I tried to be happy for him.
“Really."
I couldn't help but smile at her. In a way, she reminded me of my former trainer...
“Well,” I said, clearing my throat, “I have a feeling he'll be the perfect trainer for you, Rennio.”
“Wait... You're really going?”
“What kind of question is that?” I sneered. “I want to go home. With you and Sai.”
“Home?” Kuiora chimed in.
“We'll be going to Unova. Or somewhere else.”
The croconaw seemed to overflow with joy. She tackled me in a fun, playful way. Thankfully I escaped her grasp before my wings broke.
“What was that for?” I cried.
“You're from a foreign land! ...Wait a minute." She looked me over and seemed to come to some sort of conclusion. "You're a legendary pokémon, aren't you? I've heard the stories, seen the pictures..."
“Stories?” I asked, curious.
“Stories about bravery and strength, rescuing and war... I can't believe I found a legendary so early!” She held her paws together and beamed at me.
I pretended I had heard such stories. Yes, braviary and I were marvelous! We were underrated, soon to be famous if she willed it! If Sai wouldn't accept me, having one of his pokémon worship me was the next best thing.
“This is great. Sai doesn't know what he's doing... You should definitely be on our team.”
“Agreed, my friend!”
“Yeah. Ezrem, I can't do this alone...” Rennio said, turning my attention toward him. I was engrossed in the legendary pokémon business and I had forgotten about him, the poor elekid.
“Don't worry,” I said. “I'll go on this journey with you. I've got it all planned out.”
“You do?”
“I do. I'll protect you."
“You promise?”
“I promise,” I said, grinning generously.
Rennio returned the gesture. Now I was stuck. I was grounded to a future I wasn't confident about. My wings were trapped—such was the curse of being a flying-type who couldn't actually fly. If I tried, I could drop and crash at any given moment. It was my fault were in this mess to begin with, though... Sai betrayed me from the start, but a promise was a promise...
Rennio and Sai just didn't know what they did to me, making me reconsider my morals and whatnot...
Well, I'd make it home, with or without them. That much was crystal clear.