2 2.Trying

It's beautiful day outside

Birds are singing, flowers are blooming.

On days like these, man like Thomas.

Shouldn't have Existential crisis.

Because that's exactly what's happening.

Standing in the middle of the thicket of the forest, his gaze was fixed upward, toward the vast expanse of blue sky stretching overhead. With each slow, measured breath he felt a sense of dread and uncertainty overwhelm him; all the things he had believed in all his life, the things he had hoped to see after his death were but fairy tales.

This wasn't the kind of death he wanted, this wasn't how he wanted to go to a better place. All his life building himself up, improving himself so that people would never think of him as a weak man, now to find out that the mighty Thomas Andre died of chest pain. He dreamed of dying of old age, next to his family. He dreamed of being a father, of being the coolest grandfather his grandchildren could dream of.

"Maybe. I'm really dead. or maybe it was just a dream. Or maybe there were something in that bottle of water? " he began to ponder, trying to get closer to the point somehow. His mind just didn't want to acknowledge the fact that he had passed away. Because this wasn't what he expected to see when he died, not this forest, not this Pikachu, not this thing he was wearing. He grew up, he did good deeds, always wanting to bring good cheer to people so that he could stand at the gates of Heaven and walk through them. To meet his mother there.

"Okay guys, the jokes are over, сome out with cameras." He begin, "You got me, you brought me an unbelievable real Pikachu, how did you get him in a first place..." With a bit of anger in his voice he continued, "You dressed me up in this Omnitrix , ha ha ha ha!" a fake laugh filled with bitterness flew out of his mouth, and emptiness was his response. Silence, and only a quiet "Pika-Pi?" accompanied Andre's self eating mind.

"You've made me think about too many things, I think this recordings would be enough, don't you think? " Andre said a little quieter, and when again there was no response.

His mood was getting worse, much worse. He was starting to get annoyed with it all, and let them know he was getting sick of it. "DO YOU HEAR ME, YOU FUCKERS?! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" he shouted at the top of his voice.

And the once vibrant forest, with chirps in the distance and the sounds of the river nearby, the little Pikachu becoming his temporary companion.... Gone.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

No one answered him.

Andre had reached his limit. " I SAID... " he clenched his jaw and his eyebrows dipped even lower. His eyes filled with rage and his hands clenched into fists.

As his frustration reached its boiling point, a surge of anger bubbled within him like a dormant volcano finally erupting. The silence that greeted his questions only fueled his fury, igniting a fiery resolve to defy the possibility of his demise in this strange and inexplicable place.

"... SHOW YOURSELF! "

With a primal roar, he raised his massive fist skyward, the muscles in his arm tensing with pent-up rage. Nobody answered him, and that infuriated him beyond measure. He refused to accept the notion of his own mortality, not like this, not without answers.

Swinging with all the force of his towering frame, Thomas unleashed rage upon the nearest tree.

With a thunderous impact, his fist connected with the trunk, and in a stunning display of strength, the tree succumbed to his onslaught, toppling to the ground with a resounding crash.

*BOOM*

*CRASH*

As the tree lay fallen at his feet, Thomas stood amidst the debris, his chest heaving with exertion and adrenaline coursing through his veins. The sheer magnitude of his strength left him momentarily awestruck, a testament to the primal power that surged within him.

" Sigh... Sigh... "

The echoes of his rage faded into the stillness of the forest, Andre's hands dropped limply to his sides, the adrenaline-fueled fervor that had consumed him dissipating like mist in the morning sun. Deafened by the tumult of his own emotions, he scarcely registered the incredible power he had unleashed, nor the sheer magnitude of his own strength.

In the quiet aftermath of his outburst, a profound sense of exhaustion washed over him, leaving him feeling drained and hollow.

With a heavy heart, Thomas sank to the ground amidst a pile of fallen leaves, the wreckage of the tree he had shattered serving as a makeshift bedding beneath him. In the hushed stillness of the forest, he whispered a plea into the green void, his voice barely more than a breath on the wind.

"Please, someone answer..."

But the forest remained silent, offering no solace or reassurance in the face of his desperate plea. Alone and adrift in this strange and unfathomable realm, Thomas could do nothing but surrender to the overwhelming tide of uncertainty that threatened to engulf him.

As he lay upon the forest floor, his mind awash with a jumble of conflicting emotions, Thomas closed his eyes and let the rhythmic rustle of leaves lull him into a fitful slumber. In the embrace of nature's gentle embrace, he sought refuge from the chaos of his own thoughts.

Just for a moment, he decided to relax. Hoping it would help him at least a little.

He lay down on his back.

Breathing in the fresh forest air through his nose, he allowed himself to savor the earthy scent of pine trees and wet leaves. The gentle caress of the wind ruffled his hair, bringing with it the mysteries of ancient trees and the quiet rustling of leaves.

And all of this, could mean one thing. One thing he didn't want to admit.

" I really am dead... Forgive me fam. , maybe someday I'll be able to see you... Maybe this is another challengel for me, maybe I'm not worthy of seeing you yet... "

And he closed his eyes.

***

Santalune Forest was a beautiful place. The slightly darker foliage and the small variety of pokémon didn't make this place unattractive, but instead only added to its charm.

And this forest was good at keeping a warm climate. Pokémon were friendly and the fruits that grew here were allowed to be consumed. There was also a river running through the forest, clean and not particularly cold.

All in all a pretty good place for camping.

And from this forest there was a group of teenagers.

" Welcome to the team, Fletchling! " shouted young voice.

Ash Ketchum, the spirited 16-year-old trainer, couldn't contain his excitement as he welcomed the newest addition to his team from the Kalos region. Clad in a striking red and black jacket with a crisp white collar and cuffs, complemented by a black shirt, he exuded confidence. His blue jeans and vibrant red sneakers with white accents completed his ensemble, topped off with a black and red hat proudly displaying the iconic Poké Ball symbol. This young adventurer had recently arrived in the region, his spirit ablaze with the anticipation of thrilling escapades. Despite the minor setback at the Lumiose City gym and the harrowing encounter with Garchomp, the past few days had been rather promising.

"Pika-Pikachu!" Pikachu, Ash's loyal companion, chimed in, nodding in agreement. Pikachu had been by Ash's side for a remarkable six years, weathering every storm and challenge together.

"Froakie," Froakie, the newest member of Ash's team, chimed in with a more reserved yet joyful tone.

"Hooray!" Bonnie and Clemont, Ash's newfound companions, joined in the chorus of excitement. Bonnie, a vivacious and enchanting younger sister, sported a ponytail of light hair gracefully swept to the right. Her ensemble consisted of a brown shirt adorned with a black ribbon, a white skirt revealing glimpses of black leggings, and a pair of pink shoes. Completing her look was a yellow bag slung casually over her shoulder.

And then there was Clemont, the wise and resourceful older brother. With his fair complexion, piercing blue eyes, and a shock of tousled bright yellow hair styled into a lightning bolt-shaped tuft, he exuded an air of intelligence. Clemont's attire, reminiscent of a devoted fan or a studious botanist, featured oversized round glasses, black shoes with a contrasting white sole, and a sleek blue jumpsuit with a vibrant yellow collar and matching stripes on the knees and cuffs. A peculiarly designed backpack adorned his back, serving both as a technological marvel and a handy tool for grasping and securing various items.

"Thanks, everyone! Now, if you're all ready, let's make our way to the gym. Thrilling battles await!" Ash exclaimed, his childlike enthusiasm contagious as he raised his hand high in the air, rallying his Pokémon team for the challenges ahead.

Bonnie leaped into the air, already brimming with inspiration for the impending adventure, while Clemont smiled approvingly. With a press of a button on his backpack, he retrieved a map. "Alright, Ash, judging by our current location, it seems that we should..." Clemont turned around dramatically, pointing towards the dense forest. "Head in that direction!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, everyone-"

Boom

CRASH

A dull thud reverberated through the forest, followed by a faint tremor that rippled through the earth beneath their feet. The familiar sound of a falling tree echoed through the canopy, signaling the abrupt disruption of the tranquil surroundings. Judging by the cacophony, it was evident that the fallen tree was of considerable size.

Young Ketchum was the first to react, his senses sharpening as he turned towards the source of the disturbance. "What was that?" he exclaimed, his gaze scanning the forest for any signs of trouble.

"I don't know," Clemont responded warily, his expression taut with concern. "Perhaps someone was hurt there. We need to go there urgently."

Pikachu and the other Pokémon clustered around, stood ready to assist their trainer in whatever lay ahead.

Bonnie nodded her agreement, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and apprehension.

With a decisive gesture, Clemont pointed in the direction where sound came from. "That way! " As a future guild leader, he needs to learn how to help people and Pokémon. It would be useful to become a volunteer and help people in emergency situations. His backpack had been switched to echolocation mode, which allowed him to locate the source of the sound.

"Lead the way, Clemont, Hurry up! " shouted Ash.

And they moved.

***

As Ash, Kleimen, Pikachu, and their Pokémon companions made their way through the thick undergrowth of the forest, their path illuminated by dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above, they encountered more and more Pokémon along the way. They emerge from the shadows of the trees, their curious eyes watching the group's progress with a mix of interest and intrigue.

To their surprise, the Pokémon they encountered were not fleeing from the disturbance caused by the fallen tree, but instead seemed to be moving in the same direction as the group, as if drawn by some unseen force. Pikachu's ears perked up as he caught sight of a small group of Pokémon gathering ahead, their movements purposeful and deliberate.

"What happened here? Why these trees are shattered? Is it wild Pokemon fought here or it's some builders? " asked Clemont.

" Wanna know that too, but whatever happened, these pokemons definitely not afraid. " he pointed at some of them.

As they drew closer, Ash and his companions were amazed to see that these Pokémon showed no signs of fear or agitation, despite the chaos unfolding nearby. Instead, they appeared calm and composed, their eyes fixed on some unseen horizon as they continued on their journey.

The sight was both mesmerizing and perplexing, leaving the group to wonder what could possibly be driving these Pokémon forward with such determination.

"Pika-Pi! " drawled Ash's Pikachu to him.

"What is it Buddy? " he instantly replied to his partner.

Pikachu with his little paw straight up. His eyes saw better than human eyes, so when he saw someone's shoe in the clearing, he let him know right away. He couldn't see anything else, since Ash's shoulder didn't give him a better view. The shoe, however, was quite large for a human, he thought.

" I think we should hurry up guys, I think he saw someone! " said Little Bonnie, already sprinting around and picking up speed. Instantly the rest of the group moved as well.

They moved forward. And the bright sunlight struck their eyes. They blinked, and such a scene was revealed to them:

An open clearing. The gathered pokémon watched from the bushes. The light fell upon them, revealing a giant human figure decomposed right in the middle of the clearing.

A sepulchral silence hung in the air. The Pokémon held their breath, not daring to move. The man was huge, his body stretching across the entire clearing. He lay motionless, like a stone sculpture.

Beneath him was a pile of leaves, and next to him what was left of a centuries old tree.

A small Pikachu with a tail whose tip ended in a heart shape came out of the group and was the first to dare to come out of hiding. His small paws treaded timidly on the grass as he approached the mysterious man.

Pikachu circled around the man, scrutinizing him from all angles. Then he jumped up and sat down on the man's huge palm. The man didn't move. Pikachu's ears perked up, listening to the giant's quiet breathing.

The group of humans watched the scene wide-eyed.

"He needs help! " shouted little Bonnie, oblivious to the scene before her, oblivious to the size and the incoming chaos around her. She saw a man lying in a clearing unmoving, and that meant bad things.

"Yes, yes!" encouraged Ash, "Clemont, do you have any medicine in your briefcase? "

"Of course! "

They tore out of their seats and ran towards the tall man.

The female Pikachu sitting on the man's open palm suddenly looked at them and small sparks came off of her, warning them. She squealed protectively, " Pika-Pikachu! "

"Whoa whoa whoa, easy girl. " Ash stopped, he lowered his arms slowly, reducing his speed as low as possible. He hoped the others repeated after him. " We want to help him. We have medicine. " he addressed her in a moderate tone, he looked at his partner for a second and he instantly realized what was being asked of him and so he nodded briefly.

"Pika, Pikachu Pika! " he translated Ash's words into their language.

But he didn't have to continue any further.

Suddenly, the big man's chest began to slowly heave. The Pokémon recoiled in fright. The man hissed and opened his eyes.

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[ I definitely make many mistakes here, and I'll appreciate if you show me where I'm wrong. And tell me what I should do more, and less. And check comments, there is pic of OC ]