Wayward Loser
Chapter XII
"A Hero of Prophecy..."
"HOLD," the 'Pink Lump' bellowed telepathically.
I almost flew ten feet in the air out of how badly he caught me off-guard. Should come with a nametag that says 'DO NOT TOUCH'.
Augur seemed to snap awake from its sleep, floating upwards into a sitting position and staring at me with wide-open eyes. His stare wasn't exactly the most comfortable thing I've experienced...
We just stared into each other's eyes for about a minute. I didn't bother saying anything, I figured he already knew. If he could predict the future, he would've known I was coming.
"You've come, at last. Just as my visions foretold..." Augur spoke.
"As surely as the sun rises," I returned, rolling my eyes.
"I see you do not want to make idle banter. Very well... Stare into the mists above, and behold your future," Augur concluded.
I did as instructed. I looked up to the enshrouded ceiling... as it all started rushing into my head.
I saw a lanky figure in a white garb, with golden accents. It's voice was haunting, commanding respect- almost as if it were...
"You have served your purpose. I'll be rid of you now, the one-time use toy that you are!"
Then it flashed to an image of some Gallade, battling against a Mismagius, before- if I recall its name from that directory correctly- a Bisharp interrupted the fight.
"MUUAAAHAHAHAAAA! I've FOUND YOU AGAIN, MY CHOSEN RIVAL!", he shouts, before swatting the Mismagius with a dark-type attack and beginning to battle the Gallade.
The scene turned to complete darkness, until it lit up again- there were several individuals in what seemed like an archaic temple. I couldn't make out their bodies, they were too far from my sight. They seemed to split up not too long after, however.
Then I- oh for the love of Arceus, don't tell me that they're-!
"YOU need OUR help!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, What a load of trash! If there was some sort of legendary vault we would've found it and opened it by now! We're TEAM JUSTICE, we NEVER fail to find ANYTHING!", the one, the only Pure Soul's voice monologued in an all-too-painfully-familiar fashion.
At last, I was thrust back into control of my vision, and all I saw was the pink mist. I took off my spectacles and rubbed my eyes, they felt like they were open for too long.
I looked over to Augur, who... surprise surprise, was still staring at me in a very creepy fashion.
"Your future is clouded. I cannot see everything clearly... some of those visions are not events you are even present for, but are relevant to you. Your fate seems very fickle... but you are ultimately in control of whether or not you succeed in what the cosmos has planned for you," Augur concluded.
I stared at him once again for a short span of time.
"So you're telling me I'm involved in some kind of prophecy..."
"That is correct."
"... and said 'prophecy' doesn't even contain a definitive ending?"
"Also correct."
"Are you playing me for some kind of fool?"
"Incorrect."
"This is a bunch of Tauros refuse."
"Incorrect."
I shot him an unamused expression. Given, he didn't seem to notice- from my understanding, actual prophets don't understand just about any social cues whatsoever. Or even think modernly.
Considering how long ago these Pokémon must've come from... I wouldn't be surprised if the word 'modern' wasn't in their vocabulary.
"Then why exactly can you not tell me how this is supposed to end?"
"What good would that do? Knowing the outcome would dim your curiosity to see this through, and potentially change the course of events as we see it. Telling you how it would end could very much doom our world- and... Would you truly want to know the end of any story, let alone your very own, before you even partake in it?"
I stared back at him.
I stared back at him for a while.
... Did the very thing I insult in my own mind just make me look like a fool?
"That, and the powers that be do not allow me to do so. Your quest shall be one of mystery- but you will require companionship. Your wayward, lonesome manner will be the end of you, and our world."
"H... How did you even know that I'm-"
"My prophetic visions told me you would be a miserable heap of a Pokémon. Your antisociality and insistence on personal superi-"
I stood up tall. I wasn't taking this any more.
"Enough!", I shouted. "I'm not going to hear any more of your... your... No, no more of this mockery! The world can be doomed for all I care, if it sees fit to commit every resource to painting myself as some waste of space! There's just no point in me saving the world, because you know why?"
Augur, as well as Gaiacles, whom had been watching and listening to our exchange, continued to stare at me.
"I! AM NOT! A HEROOOOOO!", I screamed, before turning and bolting out of the cavern.
I heard my voice echo as I flew down from the opening I had once walked up to before. I simply went where my instincts told me to; I simply wasn't thinking. Weaving my way through corridors and tunnels until I ultimately came to a dead end. There were far less of those crystals embedded in the nearby walls, giving off less light. It reminded me of home.
Home...
I curled up into a fetal position and leaned against the cave wall, crying like a child. The combination of having my ego bruised, being made a fool, and informed of just how pathetic I am just did me in. It doesn't help that... when a Gardevoir feels, they feel it like a pile of Golems. My thoughts were ultimately scattered. The only thing I could have even the slightest tangible focus on was my own sadness, regrets, and failures.
"Hey, Gelaard!"
"Mm-huh? What is it? I'm kinda busy stud- BWAH!"
Flitter, flutter...
"N-now why'd you have to do that?! That's at least four different papers I hav-"
"Come on, nerd! Don't you have something else to do? All the other guys are out showing the girls how cool we are!"
"I thought we've been over th-"
"C'mon, Gelly! You ever actually wanted to STOP being a lonely loser and BE somebody?"
"E-er, um... Hello, Violet..."
"What do you want?"
"You seem kinda reclusive and-"
"Go away, Gelaard. The last thing I need is a nerd hitting on me."
"B-but Violet, that's not-"
"I've got plans, okay?! I'm gonna become a famous phantom thief, and you're not a par of those plans!"
"Listen, kiddo, you and I have to have a little talk..."
"Huh? What is it, dad?"
"The other kids at school have been sending letters to you ever since you started going to school. They're awfully mean, and go against what you tell me..."
"What do they say?"
"You actually study your work? Gelaard, you know that's not how you get friends."
"Dad, I... I...!"
"Listen, Gelaard. There's not much point in studying when everyone and their grandmother is an explorer. There's just no room for someone who simply 'studies' things. That's not how Arceus designed everything."
"That's not true! I... I'll..."
"... I'll let you think on that, kiddo. Once you get the silly idea of dooming yourself out of your head, you'll start walking down the right path."
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Sob...
Nothing... it's all just a bunch of nothing! Maybe everyone else was right... there's just no point in what I do! Nobody'll pay attention to the findings of anything that doesn't relate to treasure! It's all about the glory of being strong, being rich, being beautiful... Dad was right. I can't... There's no way that I had a shot at a good life with what I do. But what can I do? I just... I'm not one for just aimlessly exploring things, trying to uncover some treasure that some other team already found! I-
"Hey, mister? White Stranger?", a child's voice called from down the cave.
I ignored it, trying to quiet myself so I wouldn't be found, but it was to no avail. I couldn't stop myself. Whats broken is broken...
"Mister? Hey, mister?"
The voice was close to me, now. I glanced out of one tear-ridden eye to see one of those little Roggenrola.
"What do you want?", I asked, blubbering.
"Why are you crying, White Stranger? Are you sad?", the Roggenrola inquired.
Well, now that's great. A child is taking pity on me. I might as well accept my role in the world here and now, because it's not going to get much better.
"Yes, I'm sad. Now leave me alone! I don't want to talk to anyone...", I answered.
"But mister White Stranger, why are you sad?", the child continued.
"Because I'm not what people expected me to be!", I sobbed.
"Mister White Stranger, what are you supposed to be?"
I had a moment of thought. Allegedly, the entire terrace had the idea that I was some hero. How could this kid not know? My state of mind didn't last any longer, however, as I continued my pitiful lapse.
"I was told I should be cool! To have the strongest psychic powers! I was told to get a cute girlfriend and... and... I was told I was supposed to be a hero! Some stupid hero!", I blubbered.
"But mister, what are you?"
I took a hold of myself right there, whimpering once, looking sharply at the innocent little rock creature with a bitter stare, as my lips quivered. I leaned back against the wall.
"I'm nothing! I'm nobody! I'm a LOSER!", I yelled at the top of my lungs, crying once again.
I didn't hear the child for a spell after that. Most likely left me to my own misery. My extremely dramatic misery, at that... I wouldn't be surprised if I had chased away children with how much of a loser I was when I was a kid. It was sickening, really. As if my only purpose was to be the butt of some kind of joke...
Ha. Ha ha ha. See, I'm laughing! Are you happy now!? I'm LAUGHING! I'm laughing at the bad joke that I am! I-
Then I felt something nudge against me. I peeked, and it was the kid. It looked up at me, having gotten my attention.
"Mister White Stranger? I don't think you're a loser."
HA! HA HA HA! See!? I'm laughing harder now! Do you think I'm funny enough now!? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!? Let me laugh some more! HAR-DEE-HAR-HAR! OH, HAW HAW!
"Please... leave me alone. I don't want to be patronized by some kid...", I said, looking at the Roggenrola.
The kid stared at me for a short while, before turning and waddling away briskly.
About time I drove it off...
I leaned against the wall, sniffling. I suppose I was biologically done bawling my eyes out. All that was left from the emotional bonfire was the ashes... All I felt like doing was moping in my little corner of the world, semi-contented with the fact that I could simply fade away in a place nobody knows, taking a seat in the backs of everyone else's minds. It didn't matter if I returned to the surface, I'm effectively an escaped con.
I was so wrapped up in history, learning, and studying the world around me that I got wrapped up in some pipe dream that was impossible to accomplish. Spending all of that time, convinced that I could be different. I was already different enough from the other boys, wasn't I? As a little kid I wasn't interested in training... In my secondary education I wasn't interested in girls... I'm an outcast from the very society I come from. I don't really believe in their values, yet... I'm going to die out eventually, without a mark in the world.
Ha, ha ha... I suppose that's what people get, trying to be something different besides that. Who'd actually be successful, being one out of the ordinary? Team Justice may be 'successful' for being out of the ordinary in terms of being a nuisance to the public, and having a fair bit of money and other resources, but I wouldn't count them as truly successful until they decide to grow up and out of their silly little shells, and become truly outstanding individuals.
Ha... ha, ha...
I'm such a bad joke, aren't I? Hardly even worth a pity laugh...
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I heard the pitter-patter of small footsteps. Was it really...?
I peered out to see the silhouette of- what I assumed to be- that one kid again. It had something with it though, on its head. Carrying something...
The kid came closer, and into a better view. Upon his head was a journal- which actually astounded me. How did they get paper down here?
Despite, the kid came over to me and slid the journal off his head, next to himself, before looking at me.
"Mister White Stranger, may I ask you something?", the Roggenrola asked.
I shruged my shoulders, heaving a sigh, and looking away from it.
"Sure, why not," I returned.
"I was always curious about the surface world, mister White Stranger. Everyone says it's torn with fire, wicked storms and big tidal waves! But that can't be true, can it?"
I made an inquisitive face, before looking back at the kid.
"Of course it's not. If the world above you was destroyed, the underground probably wouldn't have been an exception! But to really answer your question, no. It really isn't true," I said.
"I went to Augur for a bit and asked about you, Mister White Stranger... um, if you don't mind...!"
I raised a brow.
"He told me that you weren't like the others of your own generation and species. You wanted to learn about the world and its secrets, he said. Is that really true, mister White Stranger?"
I blinked. Was this kid actually interested in me and what I did? Why?
"Erm... Yes, but... why? It's a forsaken thing on the surface world. I'm one of the very, very few who would even think about it, let alone try to do it. I'm honestly not that special, let alone important. I get pushed around plenty by certain explorers. Exploring and finding treasure is the go-to profession where I'm from," I explained.
Kid is actually kinda bright. Speaks in a manner that...
"But mister White Stranger... I want to go and learn about the world above, and its secrets! Like you, mister White Stranger!"
I was awestruck. The comparison is uncanny...! He's just like me, when I was a little boy!
Maybe... there is a little hope in what I believe in, after all...
I stared into the kid's little hexagonal hole-eye.
"... What's your name, kid?", I asked.
"Pebble, mister White Stranger," Pebble answered.
I scooped up Pebble, and gave him a hug. A tight hug.
"Wh-what are you doing, Mister-"
"Thanking you for what you've done. I honestly thought that what I was doing, genuinely nobody else woudl have interest in it. You've given me some spark, and I needed that."
"U-um, you're welcome, mister White Stranger... I think...?"
"Sorry, I just... you remind me of me when I was your age. I was alone, with nobody really liking me..."
"But I have plenty of friends, mister White Stranger! They all are interested in this stuff!"
... Well. There goes THAT similarity...
"... And my name's Gelaard. Tell you what, Pebble. I got a little idea I think you'd love," I said.
After setting him down, he looked up at me.
"How'd you like to come with me when I go back to the surface world? See the sights, and take notes to bring back here?"
I saw his eye-hole grow with excitement. I almost thought I had started some kind of singularity due to how big it was getting...
"Mister Gelaard, you'd really do that...!? B-but, Elder Gaiacles won't let anybody-"
"Shhhh. I'll get you out with me. Do your parents know where you are?", I asked.
"... Mister Gelaard... my parents crumbled."
Ow. Right in the enthusiasm.
I took a second to recollect myself, before continuing on.
"Then I'll just be something like a big brother to you then. I'll take you with me, and you can get to see the world! I'll sneak you out if I have to, but only if you want to go," I surmised.
Pebble paced around. I could only imagine he was thinking the idea over, but I had a feeling he'd succumb to the prospect...
"... I-I guess I got nothing else to lose, Mister Gelaard... I just gotta tell my friends first...!", Pebble said.
I nodded.
"Alright. You go and do that, I'll go see Doctor Turiyon about preparing us for going back up."
"Okay, Mister Gelaard!"
And off went Pebble. I swear, he runs fast for a little rock with foot nubs. I got to my feet, stretching. I suppose it's time I went to see my physician about supplies to take with me...
Who knows. Maybe having an extra eye will help with discovering new things about the world. He's certainly evidence that things exist beneath our world, I'll tell you...
... And here I am, talking about discovery and going places. I swear, it sounds like I'm trying to be an explorer!
Ha, ha. I'm no explorer. That's an even worse joke than I am!
Ha.
Ha ha.
... Ha.