Seven Years Later Chapter 7
Seven Years Later
CH. 7: Camp Out
Battered and bruised from their battle with the trio of Shiftry, the group knew that they wouldn't be able to return to the guild before night fall. Before becoming totally exhausted, they were able to reach the outskirts of Mystifying Forest. Deep within this specific forest is a place known as Luminous Springs. It is the home of two well known legends: the Spirit of Evolution and the Grandmaster of all things bad. The first of the two is a gentle yet commanding entity, who looks within a pokemon's heart to see if they are worthy to evolve. Little is known about the other legend. Some say it is only a rumor while others who are asked immediately deny its existence. However, one thing is certain about the Grandmaster. It is a being made of evil.
With the sun gently dipping below the treeline, the group split into two teams. Growlithe and Sandshrew took off to gather dinner while the rest stayed behind to set up camp. Unshi and Lucario were circling the perimeter of the camp, looking for firewood and bedding materials while Kutty used her fire abilities to set up a roaring campfire. Everything was going well until Lucario suddenly spoke up. "I sense that something has been troubling you for awhile now, Kutty." Eyes widening at the statement, the blushing charmander covered her face with her paws. "Is that true", asked Unshi as he and Lucario returned with materials in hand. "I...", began Kutty softly before becoming silent. "Kutty, if you don't want to talk about it now, I understand", Unshi whispered soothingly.
That being said, both Unshi and Lucario started to make beds while Kutty stared quietly at the crackling blaze. The gentle glow that radiated from the embers within was calming, but it wasn't enough. Soon her quietness evolved into whimpers, which led to an uncontrollable outburst of tears. "Woah Kutty", Unshi cried. Running towards his exploration partner in a panic, Unshi embraced the charmander in an attempt to calm her down. Lucario watched in interest, as Kutty hid her face in Unshi's shoulder. "It's okay buddy", cooed Unshi warmly. "I...", sniffled Kutty. "I...I just can't take it anymore!", the charmander cried.
Taken aback by the sudden statement, the totodile could only stare back in silence. "What do you mean?", Lucario asked from the sidelines. Kutty rubbed most of the tears away from her eyes. "These feelings. These emotions. This life. All of it doesn't belong to me." Lucario seemed disturbed by this sudden development. He looked at Unshi, who held the same expression when all of this had started. "You look like you know something Unshi. Tell me, what did she mean by her life not belonging to her." Unshi shook his head. "Well, on a dark and stormy day...".
He explained everything about the event. How he saved her that fateful day. How she acted and what she said when she woke up. "A male human's mind trapped within a female pokemon's body", Lucario muttered in astonishment. "I don't sense any trace of malice in your words, so I'll believe you two for now." The scene dissolved into an awkward silence. The exploration partners stared at one another from a distance. It stayed like this for awhile until Kutty made the first move. Moving up close until they were face to face, Kutty grabbed Unshi's paws into her own. Before she could say anything, the sound of rustling leaves from the side alerted the group. Emerging from the bushes came two familiar looking pokemon covered with new burns and scratches.
"Sorry, did we interrupt something?" asked the humongous flaming canine. "Growlithe? Sandshrew? What happened to you guys?", asked Unshi. "No idea how, but we evolved", chuckled Sandslash. "What about your wounds? Who did that to you?", cried Kutty. "Well, it's like this", growled Arcanine. "One moment we were gathering berries for you lot, then the next we were fighting each other. We soon realized that fact after knocking each other out. Don't go blabbing about this to the guild once this is all over, understand?" Suppressing the urge to laugh, the duo nodded and looked at each other once more. This time, they could sense each other hiding their laugh and realized that nothing had changed between their friendship. Relieved, Kutty lunged forward and hugged her best friend, who willingly returned that hug.
"I just realized that somebody around here is in heat", sniffed Arcanine. Face reddening, the only female in the camp began to back away. "Well, that certainly explains that sudden tantrum you had", chuckled Lucario. "Urf..." Kutty blushed as she tried to hide her face. "No need to be embarrassed, or...", Arcanine realized. "Is this, uh, your first time?" Hitting the nail on the head, Unshi butted into the conversation "Urm, let's just ignore that fact and eat dinner now", Unshi said, trying to change the subject. "Oh! Of course, you all must be starving", Sandslash said. Dumping out his armful of berries onto a leaf, the five pokemon gathered around and noisily enjoyed themselves. Finally full, the group decided that it was time for bed, not knowing of the danger that watches over them.
Deep into the night, all were able to fall into blissful slumber except for one. Back turned towards her comrades, her paws rubbed her stomach in an attempt to ease the burning there. Was it something she ate or was it an affect of her 'special condition'? Perhaps it was a mixture of both that made her unable to sleep. Standing up, she felt a sudden urge to go out exploring into the forest. Following these urges, she went in deep. Blindly following this feeling that turned into instinct, she found an area that seemed familiar. The sound of tiny waves washing onto the surface can be heard a couple steps away and it intrigued her. In front of her was a spring, with moonlight shining down into the middle of it. A voice spoke to her. "Those that seek awakening...this is Luminous Spring. Do you seek to evolve?" 'Evolve? Like Growlithe and Sandshrew? I don't...want to change again. I'm just...not ready.' Again the voice spoke. "...I understand. If you seek new evolution, then you shall return...hopefully on you own terms next time."
The ground began to shake as the light from the spring vanished. This time, a new voice spoke up. "How could you resist evolution so easily..." That voice...it seemed familiar. "...How can you resist the temptation of power..." Something in Kutty's mind began to resurface. "...HOW CAN YOU RESIST US SO EASILY?!", it screamed out into the night. 'I...remember', Kutty realized. Charging forward, a mass of pink slammed into the girl. Reeling back in shock and pain, Kutty was lifted up into the air by a familiar face. One look into it's eyes was all it took to make Kutty remember everything. "How dare you use Guildmaster Wigglytuff like this...Subject 774748662." Glowing purple eyes widening and mouth reshaping into a mischievous smile, the possessed guildmaster cackled. "A very old name that only confirms your identity. By the way, you make such a pretty girl Kieth...or is it Kutty now?"
"Shut it, you monster", the charmander spat in disgust. "Monster you say? Oh we'll show you what this monster can do." Before it could make its ideas a reality, an aura sphere smashed into the guildmaster's body. "Kutty, are you alright?", shouted Unshi. Brushing the dust off her tail, Kutty sighed in relief at the sight of her group approaching. "Guildmaster, what are you doing here?", cried Sandslash. "He's been possessed", growled Lucario. "Oh, you again?", Wigglytuff said with a smurk. "Spiritomb...", Lucario shouted. "I will stop you...even if it costs me my life!" With that, he charged with an aura sphere in both hands. "GUILDMASTER!!!"
It was too late to stop the attack. Both spheres managed to hit a target. That target came in the form of a old, yet colorful bird. "Oh man...Chatot, why?", gasped Arcanine. Struggling to stand on his own two feet, Chatot looked into the eyes of his attacker. Lucario could see the pain that burned within the bird's soul. "...Don't say a word. I know your pain", whispered Lucario as he grabbed the falling Chatot. As all of this was falling into place, a hacking sound could be heard coming from the guildmaster. "URRRrrrrr...", Wigglytuff grumbled. Clutching his head and falling onto his knees, the pink pokemon struggled to regain control on his body. "...give these...treasures", Chatot whispered, holding out a defend globe and a perfect apple. Taking the items from Chatot, Kutty and Unshi did as they were told and placed the items in front of Wigglytuff. "This...shouldn't...be possible...", the being gasped. With one final effort, Spiritomb was forced out of the Guildmaster's body. Arcanine unleashed a very powerful flamethrower attack, but Spiritomb got away just in the nick of time.
"Urrr...Chatot", Wigglytuff wept. "He'll be fine physically", Lucario said as he tended Chatot's wounds. "Mentally however, is a different story altogether. It seems that his psyche has been scarred by conflicting emotions." Kutty stepped up and spoke aloud. "We'll need the assistance of a psychic pokemon to fully heal wounds like that. Guildmaster, do you know anybody that can help?" Still crying, Wigglytuff nodded. "I know one who used to be an ex-criminal. After atoning for his sins, he became a wonderful psychologist who lives on the summit of Mt. Bristle. That's a little bit towards the east, so we'll all go by daybreak tomorrow." With the plan set for tomorrow, the group of seven traveled back to camp. Along the way, Lucario pulled Kutty aside for a little chat.
"It seems like you regained your memories...Doctor's Assistant Kieth Inra." Sighing, the charmander nodded. "Yea, I did remember, but I also retained all of the memories I made as Kutty." "I see. So tell me, which persona is strongest right now. Depending on your answer, I may have no other option then to destroy you." The charmander starred coldly at Lucario. "I...don't know. Ever since I remembered, I felt both of them conflicting with each other. The horrible deeds that Kieth did makes Kutty sad and emotional, while these emotions themselves makes Kieth bare his fangs. It's like my mind, heart, and soul are the ropes in an endless game of tug of war." "Is that why you suggested finding a psychic pokemon to heal that bird?" The charmander grabbed her head and chest. "Yes and no. Kieth wants to regain control of the body while Kutty wants to help out a friend." "Fine, I will decide your fate after we meet the psychologist. Consider yourself lucky."