Chapter 3: That Prophecy...
(I want to let y'all know that I'm using USD for the currency. Using Poké is weird to me due to how high the prices are.)
I walk through all the shops happily as I grab the needed items. Milk, flour, icing. A few other things that aren't cake related. It really doesn't take long to complete the list, only about fifteen minutes. Which gives me plenty of time to browse for something I want! I've got fifty dollars to spend, so I want to make sure I use it wisely.
I walk through the jewelry section, admiring all the sparkling gems. I find a pair of earrings with blue crystals in them that are calling for me, but one look at the price tag and their voices are silenced. I check out the CDs, thinking I can get a few from my favorite artists since their about five dollars each. But then I remember that I have a phone that can play it all for free (you'd think after two years of having it I'd be used to it, but no). Lastly, I go to the clothing isle, thinking maybe I could get a cute outfit or something. It doesn't take long for me to find a hoodie of my favorite Pokémon, Infernape.
It's fifty exactly, but definitely worth it! I go to the register and make my purchase, now broke again. I pick up all my bags and head out.
As I exit, I look around at the big city, the same one I found myself in two years ago. Nothing much has changed, only a few new billboards here and there, but I still feel so in awe when here like I did for the first time. I begin down the side walk, which is surprisingly empty. That doesn't bother me any, though. I hate being around large groups of people.
As I walk, the heat of the sun slowly kicks in. My whole body burns and I'm sweating all over. To make things worse, my right arm is burning. Burning in a way that is a bit too familiar...
Suddenly, I'm filled with this sense of fear, one that does not belong to me. "It's happening," Arceus says in my head. "Your time has come."
I shake my head. "No," I mutter, trying to rid myself of the god's presence. "I won't!"
The sun, my arm, Arceus's fear, and my own dread become too much. Everything gets blurry and my legs go out. As I collapse, someone catches me.
"Whoa, now," they exclaim. "Be careful!"
My vision slowly clears and I'm able to make out the man that caught me. It's Mr. Kurt, the owner of a small cafe. He has black hair that's always combed back and light green eyes. He has a warm smile and soft voice. He's a friendly fellow and we talk often when I'm in the area.
He supports me as I stand up and helps me into a chair at his cafe. "Thanks," I mumble.
"No problem," he tells me gently. "I know it's pretty much your style, but wearing a jacket in this weather is not a good idea."
I chuckle. "You're not the first person to tell me that," I reply.
"Well, if your not going to take off the jacket, at least drink a cold water," he says, going into his building and coming back with a bottle. I shake my head.
"Thank you, but I don't have any money for it," I tell him.
"I'm not charging," he responds, handing me the beverage. I take it with a nod, quickly opening it and gulping it down.
I sigh with relief as I set it down. "I feel much better now, thanks," I exclaim with a wide smile, which he returns.
"Like I said, no problem," he says. "By the way, I love your gold contacts. They suit you!"
I raise an eyebrow. Then, I remember that I hadn't put any in yet today. "Oh, thanks," I reply, going along with that. "Trying something new."
He nods. "Alright, well I have to get back to customers. Stay as long as you need."
I smile at him and nod as he goes into the cafe. I sigh, slouching in the seat. I don't feel Arceus anymore, but my arm still burns. I know that it along with the rest of me would cool down if I take the jacket off, but I don't want to risk anyone seeing it.
But it's not like anyone would know what it is. I wouldn't be accused of being the Chosen One for it because someone just randomly knows that's what it means. They'd probably thinks it's a decal tattoo. Also, the area is practically empty. I'm probably worrying over nothing.
With a sigh I remove my jacket. It stings at first as the air hits the fiery mark, but it slowly starts to cool off as well as the rest of my body. I feel very self conscious with the mark being on full display. However, I know I'm safe.
I relax for a few minutes, letting my temperature go back down. Once I feel I'm ready to go, I tie my jacket around my waist and lift my bags. I go into the cafe to tell Mr. Kurt thanks for his assistance and that I was heading home.
The outside was empty, but the inside is packed! It makes me very uncomfortable. I go around the line and stand at the side. I'm not here to make an order, so when Mr. Kurt appears I'll just tell him quick and get out.
I look around the room, listening to all the different conversations (don't judge me, I've got nothing better to do).
"What are you going to order?"
"Did you hear what happened in Lumios?"
"Is it true that the time for the prophecy has come?"
My entire body tenses. The voice is a bit deeper but I recognize it anyways. Jessica. I look around for her, spotting the red head, her hair now short, at a table to my right. She's talking to an old woman with long silver hair and a wooden staff. Zephora. Their backs are away from me, much to my relief.
"Yes, Jess," the elder responds. "Arceus has given the signal. It's up to the Chosen One, now."
"But didn't the Chosen One disappear two years ago," Jessica asks. Zephora shakes her head.
"She didn't disappear," she responds. "She was a coward and ran away, attempting to escape her fate."
Anger rises within me. I wasn't being a coward! I ran away because I was being abused and didn't choose to be the Chosen One! The mark on my arm starts to glow and burn, but I don't notice.
"But with her gone she has no way of knowing it's her time," the red head states. "Maybe someone else should take her journey. Me, perhaps?"
It takes all I have not to laugh at that. Jessica going on a dangerous mission? Yeah, right! She's weak and frail! She wouldn't even make it one day out there!
"No," Zephora tells her. "She will know. Arceus will alert her. No matter what, she must do it. It's her purpose."
My purpose. Those words sting like needles. I have spent so long becoming my own person and that makes it sound like all I am is still the Chosen One. I notice the sting in my arm but ignore it.
"Hey, Sophia," Mr. Kurk exclaims, catching me by surprise.
"Sophia," Sephora questions, turning around. One look into my golden eyes is all it takes. Her eyes widen with a mix of recognition and surprise. Her gaze moves to my right fore arm, where the Symbol of Arceus is shining brightly.
"Everything okay," the cafe owner asks, unaware of what's going on. Sephora gets up and begins to approach me, but I bolt, shoving many people out of my way.
"Sorry and thanks," I shout as I exit, getting as far away from this place as possible.
...
The sun is setting on the field as I arrive at my home, breathless and tired. The burning in my arm has only gotten worse and I'm extremely light headed. Hopefully I can get in without being seen. I know I'm a mess and don't want to worry anyone.
As I approach the door, it swings open, Mama almost crashing into me as she exits. "Oh, honey, I was heading out to look for you," she exclaims, quickly embracing me.
My body tightens from the contact, but I quickly relax, hugging her back. "O-Oh, really," I ask.
Mama nods. "Yeah, you've been gone for hours." She leans back and cups my face gently, looking me up and down. "Everything okay?"
I nod. "Y-Yeah! Just… ran into somebody from the village," I tell her. "That's all."
I can see it in her eyes that she knows I'm not telling her everything. "Alright," she says slowly. Her eyes look me up and down again, seeing my mark. "You're glowing. Are you sure you're okay?"
I nod vigorously. "Mama, I'm fine," I lie. "It's just being weird and will stop soon."
She continues to watch me with concern, but she doesn't push. "Let's go inside. Ma will be happy to see you're alright."
I follow her in. As soon as I step inside, everyone rushes up to me. "It was only an hour and a half trip but you've been gone for over three. What happened," Ma demands aggressively. I know she's just worried.
"Back off," Mama tells her softly but firmly. "She had something come up and needs a second to herself."
Everybody takes a step away exept Zane. "What's going on," he asks, his eyes going from my mark to my face.
"Nothing," I reply, which he doesn't accept.
"I know you, Sof," he states. "Know you better than anyone else. You're lying. What happened?"
I shake my head, pushing past him and putting everything on the counter. "Nothing," I repeat, this time with more bass as I run upstairs. I enter my room and quickly shut the door, falling to my knees immediately.
Everything from today catches up with me. The walking, running, seeing Sephora, Arceus's presence, and, something that's still there, the burning in my arm. I put a hand over the mark tightly and squeeze my eyes shut.
Tears roll down my cheeks and my head is pounding. This is all too much! It hurts! It burns! I attempt to stand up, but my legs turn to jelly and I collapse, everything going dark.
…
I awaken, floating in a dark void that I remember way too well. "I don't have to be here," I grumble to myself, trying to force myself awake like I have many times in the past. It doesn't work, though.
"Yes you do," a voice booms from behind me. I turn around, Arceus there.
"Let me out of here," I demand. It simply shakes its head.
"No," I states. "Not until you hear and agree to your mission."
"And by mission you mean the reason I'm your Chosen One," I say, rolling my eyes when it nods. "I'm not doing it."
"But you are," the giant alpaca tells me. I laugh, giving it another eye roll. "It is your purpose."
"Shut up," I growl at it. "I ditched that a long time ago. I refuse to do it."
"But it is a threat to you and your family," Arceus says. I raise an eyebrow.
"How so," I inquire.
"There is an organization calling themselves "Society Fixers," it explains to me. "They plan to use Legendary and Mythical Pokémon to change the world."
"Society Fixers," I repeat with question. "That doesn't sound too bad."
"Don't let the name fool you," the god warns. "They plan to use the powerful Pokémon against their will with technology that can control them to take over and reshape society into whatever they want. And trust me, what they want is not good."
"I don't see how this affects my family," I tell it, losing interest. "Me and my fam live in the middle of nowhere. The closest city is around thirty minutes away. We don't live in a neighborhood, so there's not really a reason they would look at us. Honestly, we're pretty safe."
Arceus shakes its head. "The organization isn't looking at places or areas. Their attacks will hit the entire Earth, effecting all that is on it."
I sigh, tilting my head. "So, if I don't do it, my family will be harmed," I ask.
"That is correct," the diety confirms. "As well as the rest of the world."
"I don't really care about that last part," I say. "But I can't let my family be hurt because I didn't do this." I go silent for a bit, really not wanting to do what I know I have to do. With a sigh, I submit. "Fine. You'll have your way. But I'm not going to enjoy this!"
"Works for me," Arceus responds. Then, in a bright flash, it awakens me.
...
I sit up with a jolt as I wake up, looking around my dark room. The one that I have came to love but now have to leave for an unknown period of time. I'm now in my bed and Zane is sitting next to it in a chair from the kitchen. He's asleep, still sitting up.
I shake him lightly. "Hey. Bud," I whisper. His eyes slowly open. He smiles as he sees me.
"You're up," he mutters happily. I nod.
"Yeah, but we need to get going," I tell him, getting up and packing my stuff. Unlike back from my village, much stuff doesn't fit in a single bag, limiting me to essentials only.
Zane stands with a stretch. "Why," he questions. I sigh.
"The prophecy has come," I state. "And I can't avoid it."
My monkey nods in understanding. Once I finish packing, we creep out of my room silently. "Once we get downstairs we'll pack some food and leave a note for the family," I inform it. "Then we leave."
"Alright," Zane whispers back. As we enter the living room, we are greeted by the whole family.
Ma is pacing in circles, Mama is on the left side of the couch, he leg bouncing violently. The boys are on the right side of the couch, almost asleep but still awake. All heads turn to me as I walk in.
"Good, you're awake," Mama says with relief.
"What's with the bag," Zach inquires, Jeremy nodding in agreement. Everyone looks at me expectantly. I sigh.
"My time has come to save the world," I tell them sadly. Everyone immediately nods in understanding. "I was going to leave a note, but an in person good bye works, too."
Mama gets up and gives me a tight hug, Ma joining in. "We'll make it official as soon as you get back," Ma mutters. I nod.
"I can't wait," I reply quietly, returning their embrace.
"I'll miss you," Jeremy tells me. He doesn't join the hug, keeping a bit of distance. I smile at him, knowing how he struggles with good byes.
"I'll miss you, too," I tell him as my moms let me go.
"Can we have your cake even though you'll be gone," Zach asks. I laugh as the moms glare at him. "What? She already knows I'll miss and love her."
"I don't care," I say. He leaps off the couch towards the kitchen.
"Not right now though! It's one in the morning," Ma yells. He stops in his tracks, returning to the couch with a defeated sigh.
"Hold on one second," Ma tells me, walking into the kitchen. She returns with some bagged foods, stuffing them in my bag. "Make sure to eat daily."
"And don't do any unnecessary dangerous activities," Mama continues.
"And don't talk to strangers," Jeremy adds with a smile. I roll my eyes.
"I'll stay safe," I tell them. Me and Zane then head to the door. "I'll be back."
Everyone nods, waving as I exit. I shut the door behind me and sigh sadly.
"Well, Zane," I say to my partner. "Let's get this over with."
I'm back to my lack of motivation
This took hours to write
I'm also over criticizing myself, thinking all my ideas are dumb
I'll get over it soon
...
I hope
Anyways, sorry if this feels choppy
I'm trying
Also, a little warning, Zane will be overpowered
He won't be invincible, but definitely way too strong
Let me not forget my readers
@UnovanZorua @Voltareon2012 @PokeMom244 @Joeybear7 @Thur55555555555 @Hey_PIKMIN
Also, @fineasmatei you said you read everything I make, so I assume that includes this
Enjoy!
Comments
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I love it so far. I am excited to see how many of the things she was told not to do as she left she does lol.
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It be pronounounounced ‘Merican.
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And now you are calling them a boy. Have you heard of gender neutral words? I do not believe they have confirmed current gender.
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OK, I will take your word for it.
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