A Pokemon Problem
(4) - Exercise in Exorcism
It may have looked like I was drifting lazily through the air towards my quarry, but I was straining as hard as I could to make myself fly faster. I still had a lot to learn in regards to the nuances of control, but for only being in my new body for a day, I was doing pretty damn good.
My head kept throbbing something awful, which was really starting to make me regret demolishing Second Sight's wall. Actually, now that I think about it, that much damage couldn't have been good for the structural integrity of the house...
*Crunch!*
I turned around, and saw that the plume of smoke and dust had only grown in size.
Shit.
Now I REALLY regretted using Take Down: the headache was bad enough, but if that shaman-pony found out what I did... I was probably going to be in a world of hurt and misery.
Focusing past the pain, I followed my internal compass to the north-west until I was floating directly above the jagged mouth of an ominous and awfully dark cave. I could see a couple sets of hoofprints in the soft soil at the mouth of the cavern, presumably Morning Dew and Second Sight's. I couldn't hear anything inside the cave, which I found strange and somewhat foreboding.
I hoped with every carbon fibre --hah!-- of my being that this restless spirit was either Cindy, Seth, Ryder, Caleb, or Miranda.
Hopefully Cindy.
What? A guy can dream.
And if it wasn't one of my fellow humans... boy, was I going to look foolish. And possibly end up dead or possessed.
B-e-a-utiful.
With a determined look in my solitary robotic eye, I began my descent.
The first thing I noticed was the temperature shift: it was significantly cooler inside the cave, which was to be expected, but I was not expecting the cold to be so... oppressive. It felt like I was having the energy sucked out of me.
The second thing I noticed was how freakin' dark it was. I couldn't see five feet in front of me, even though my eyesight had received a boost as well. My vision was so bad that I bonked my cranium on a stalagmite protruding from the ground. Or was it a stalactite?
I guess it doesn't really matter: I ended up flying into both types at one point or another.
The cave was quiet, with the exception of the reverberations I caused from running headlong into every goddamn deposit of calcium carbonate!
Seriously, I was ready to start using Take Down just to clear a path for myself. If it didn't give me a massive ache, I probably would've. I'd fly too high, and I'd hit the stalactites. I'd fly too low, and I'd smack into the stalagmites. Eventually, I decided to just stay put and listen for any signs of the ponies I was following.
Clip... clop. Clip... clop.
It was faint, but I could tell that they were cautious steps. Using every ounce of concentration that I could spare, I very carefully and cautiously waded my way through the maze of cave formations in the vague direction of the hoofstep echoes.
Even though I was concentrating on not bouncing off the rocks like some sort of oblong pinball, I couldn't help but notice a section of the cave that seemed... brighter than the others. Like there was more there. It seemed to be illuminated with a faint glow, and I found myself floating towards it.
When I got closer, I understood why that particular wall stood out to me.
There was a large vein of metal ore running through it. I drifted to both sides, contemplating why I was so drawn to the vein.
And then it hit me.
I was hungry. I --stuck in a robotic body made of metal-- was hungry. It wasn't so much a feeling in my stomach as it was a want, a need. I needed to eat. And that metal certainly looked delicious...
Yeah, I never thought I'd be the one to crave something metallic, either.
The only problem was that I didn't know how to eat. I didn't have a mouth, so how the hell was I supposed to consume... food, I guess? It's food if you eat it, right?
Thankfully, my conundrum was solved for me... when I backed up into the metal-laden cave wall and felt my ass clamp onto it.
Wow, that sounds absolutely disgusting. The sad part was that it was true.
You see, Beldum have three little claws attached to the flat backside of their body. These claws are used to burrow into the sides of mountains when the little robotic life forms go to sleep, draining the nutrients from the rock/soil/minerals that the Beldum is clamped on to while they rest.
I wish I knew that beforehand. I could feel my behind whirring like an old computer's disc drive, and I could hear crumbling noises coming from the damp cave wall behind me. I could tell --somehow-- that the metal ore was actually a vein of pure iron, something that I required to use my hovering powers. I could just imagine the low-battery icon flashing in front of me.
The weirdest part wasn't even that I could taste the iron (it tasted like a combination of medium-rare steak and milk chocolate; weird combo, I know).
No, the strangest --and most embarrassing-- thing was that I didn't know how to stop.
I didn't know how to stop my ass from eating. That has got to be the strangest thing ever.
Of all time.
I wiggled back and forth, but it was no use; my rear had grabbed hold of the wall, and it didn't seem to want to let go. Feeling defeated and dejected by my treacherous behind, I quit my struggling and slumped forward, waiting for my consuming cycle to finish.
Naturally, as soon as I relaxed, my claws abruptly let go, causing me to fall straight down onto the cold, hard, wet, and rocky cavern bottom. I bounced a good foot into the air before coming to a rest on the stone floor.
I blinked in surprise, seeing as how that was the only thing I could do to show astonishment. I felt... heavier than I did before, and more full to boot. I focused briefly, causing my metallic body to hover in the air once more. Even though I felt chunkier, I was able to control my flight better than before.
I guess eating for a Beldum recharges their flying capabilities. Awfully similar to an electronic device, iffen you ask me. Then again, Beldum and their evolutionary families were robotic, so I suppose it makes sense.
Glancing behind me, I saw that there was a neat little hole burrowed a couple inches into the most concentrated part of the vein of iron.
Moving my head side-to-side in a vague imitation of cricking my neck, I listened once more. Beyond the stereotypical drip-drip from the moisture pooling at the ends of the stalactites and falling to the cavern floor, I heard the tell-tale clip-clop of the two ponies.
They sounded a lot closer than before.
With a squint of determination, I flew towards the rhythmic hoofsteps, neatly dodging all the obstacles in my way.
When a short, sharp scream sounded nearby, I dropped all pretences of caution and barrelled through calcium deposits left and right in my haste. There was no way that I was going to let the pony that had practically saved my life face this angry spirit alone --shaman pony notwithstanding.
Crashing through the cave like a bullet, with white rock chips bouncing off of my shielded eye, I finally found the ponies that I was looking for, plus one pissed off looking ghost.
Morning Dew's normally straight mane was sticking straight up in some sort of weird cowlick, and she was currently paralyzed in what I could only assume was fear. Second Sight was doing his skull-necklace-glowing thingy, with all the little miniature skull's eye's glowing a deep, dark blue.
And --of course-- there was a big, black circle with two eyes and a mouth, with purple gases seemingly leaking from the inner circle, causing them to swirl around the outside.
A Gastly. It turned to look at me, and a flash of confusion scrolled across its features.
Before I was able to do anything, a burst of pure blue light emerged from Second Sight and flew straight at the Gastly. Turning in surprise, the big ball of gaseous material took the beam head-on, causing it to fly backwards through a wall, phasing through as if it wasn't even there.
The light around Second Sight died down, revealing several lacerations on the sides of the panting unicorn. Morning Dew still hadn't moved, aside from quivering in fear.
The voodoo pony limped over to Morning Dew, and murmured a few words under his breath. Whatever he said, it worked: Morning Dew unfroze explosively, falling to the ground in a heap of flailing limbs and a short yelp. She recovered with Second Sight's helping hoof.
"Are you alright, Miss Dew?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Y-yes," she stammered, swaying to the side until Second Sight braced her with a hoof once more. "I'm f-fine.
"What happened? Where did the spirit go?"
"For one, you are not fine," Second Sight chastised, demonstrating his point by removing his supporting hoof only for Morning Dew to tilt sideways. Stabilizing the poor mare once again, the shaman continued. "For two, you were... licked by the spirit, which is something I have never seen, nor was I aware that they could do that. It seemed to paralyze you."
"For three, I only stunned it: it will be back soon."
So focused was I on the ponies conversation that I failed to notice the cave wall that I was about to float into. I tried to avoid it, but all that managed to do was cause me to hit the wall harder, drawing a surprised gasp from both of the ponies present.
"Little guy!"
"You!"
I'll let you guess who said what.
If I had a mouth (backside notwithstanding), I would've given a cheesy grin, but since I didn't, I resorted to simply doing a little barrel roll at the recognition.
"Why are you... how did you escape, creature of metal and rock?" Second Sight questioned, glaring at me with his dark red eyes. When I didn't respond --not like I could, even if I wanted to (which I didn't)-- he took a step towards me, only to be stopped by Morning Dew.
"Leave him alone!"
Second Sight seemed surprised at the forcefulness of the forest-green unicorn's declaration. "Him?" was all he asked.
"I... I just know," Morning Dew said shyly, as if embarrassed. "I've always had a strong connection with animals, big or small, heavy or light."
Second Sight's frown softened to the neutral mask he seemed to normally wear. "You gained your father's natural ability, it seems," he stated in knowing tone, one that brooked no argument. "That's the only reason why you are able to live alone and not be attacked by every passing Timberwolf or Cockatrice."
Wait, what?
"Wait, what do you mean by that?!"
My thoughts exactly.
Second Sight laughed, which didn't sound creepy at all. Not even a little.
"Nopony else would be able to live on their own in the middle of the Hollow Forest, Morning Dew. The entire village of Hollow Shades relies on strength of numbers and my own... special talents to discourage unfriendly visitors."
When Second Sight said 'special talents' it reminded me that I hadn't even looked at their cutie marks yet! Hovering slightly to the right, I saw that the shaman pony's was of a rather creepy-looking, pitch black eye, while Morning Dew's was a pure white morning glory flower, covered in small dewdrops.
Oh yeah, that's why I didn't look: their freakin' names practically told me what their cutie marks were.
I was starting to wonder exactly what connection Second Sight and Morning Dew had. Before I could ponder it for any length of time however, I felt a cold feeling go down my body. I slowly turned around, and sure enough, the Gastly was right behind me.
Except this time, it spoke.
"Holy shit man! It IS you!" the Gastly said, his voice familiar, even though it echoed strangely.
I felt like crying with joy. Floating in front of me was my good friend Ryder, trapped just like I was in a strange body.
Wait, how did he know that it was me inside the Beldum?
I tried to ask the question, but that failed miserably. Thinking, I realized that I was part Psychic-type. That meant I should be telepathic, right?
I focused as hard as I could on simply transferring the thought of Hello.
"Jesus!" cried Ryder, his eyes closing in a wince. "You don't need to yell!"
Shit. Sorry, I thought back, concentrating less this time. Still getting used to my body.
"Ditto," replied Ryder in his new, warbling voice. "Uhh... do you know what the hell these... ponies are trying to do? I can't understand a goddamn word they say, and that blue one hurt me with whatever-the-fuck he hit me with."
Oh dear...
"Oh, and they're staring at us right now."
I whipped around to see the angry eyes of Second Sight glaring at me. Morning Dew was protected behind him, much like how I was protecting Ryder.
"You have a lot of questions to answer, 'little guy'."
Yes
Okay, so question: You and co. speak 'Pokemonese', right?
can't wait for them to go to the house
I kinda wanna see the others reaction to his particular way of eating.
This just gets better and better....
Great I cant stop my ass from eating......
Can't Beldum vocalize? You mentioned that hum earlier... whatever, telepathy is cooler.
Yes. The story isn't even finished, and I'm excited for a sequel.
2132041
Yes, the M.C. and the other humans-turned-Pokemon speak 'Pokemonese' or whatever the hell. The M.C. can translate Equestrian, since he's a psychic robot.
WOOT!
I hope one of the people is a Turtwig, because Torterra is just so awesome.
fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/069/1/8/torterra__s_earthquake_by_orangetavi-d4sd2vm.png
th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2012/108/3/a/torterra_quick_color_by_lcmattson-d4wl4p6.png
fc01.deviantart.net/fs43/f/2009/141/7/0/Pokemon___Torterra_by_TheStink411.jpg
fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/191/6/c/Become_A_Legend__Torterra_by_Delthero.jpg
fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/349/2/3/torterra_by_ruth_tay-d4j783f.jpg
wtfcontent.com/img/133271280480.jpg
I like turtles.
Also, been thinking of making a pokemon in Equestria story for Torterra, cause Torterra is best pokemon!
2132383
You might as well, considering the massive influx of Pokemon stories
~400 words > 399 words, so I'm happy.
Damn CaCo3. I'd have just rage-quit.
mlkshk.com/r/DA6
2132352 Alright, good. I wasn't liking all of the HiE as Pokemon fics that had them able to understand each other, so I made my own. XD Yours is a bit better, I think, but if you have time and want to be a critic, feel free to come over and heckle me! XD I'm just glad that somebody else is taking a more... true approach to how pokemon interact with, in this case, ponies. Very nice touch.
2132403 MOAR zoidbergz. On another note, how the hell will he answer questions? He doesn't have a damn mouth!
Being a strange creature protecting something that has so far only licked another pony has offended Second Sight.
Is he the dick of the story?
2132392
I know, right?
It's just like the changeling fandom I noticed a while ago, except now that it's pokemon!!!
Seriously, who starts this and how???
You write him as Beldum incredibly well. Not once do we feel like he isn't a Beldum (basically, it's really in-character)- I don't know, it's hard to explain. So, I'll just say this- IT'S GOOD. keep updating, and I'm looking forward to the sequel- as well as any other Pokemon/Pony stories you do- because you write it really well.
Paralysis? Check. Ghost/Spirit that hints it's a ghost type? Check. Only one thing can be concluded at that point. He used Lick. Everyone/pony/poké/thing would know that she got licked. Hoping for a Ralts or a Shinx. Adorability ftw.
keep going, keep going...
I thought he would follow this up with something like "...Hopefully Ryder or Cindy."
I spotted some errors, as I am prone to do:
Rampant speculation time! Two points for now:
First, Second Sight isn't evil. I say this based on your dismantling of the expectations of this sort of story, from which I extrapolate that you wouldn't fall for the "evil looking guy is evil" thing.
Second, Second Sight isn't going to save the day. The "evil looking guy is actually a hero" is almost as bad.
Third, Morning Dew is Fluttershy's future mother. Either I just blew your mind, or made myself look stupid.
2132392 Speaking of that, I've decided to call it the Burning Souls Cascade, in dubious honor to the one that started it all.
2132596This was started by my good friend Redwolf15. His fanfic Burning Souls was featured some time back and that started the whole slew of Pokemon fics.
2132802For all that is good and holy, I say YES! I really want to see one of his friends become a ralts, especially if said ralts friend is a female. Gardevoir FTW.
Okay, I couldn't find any god Gardevoir pics. All I could find were either crappily made, or too erotic... yeah. Still, FUCK YEAH, GARDEVOIR!
2133089
I KNEW it had something to do with that fic...
Just wasn't so sure if it was that specific one that started it.
Seriously though, a giant pokemon that is known as the "Continent" pokemon.
That's awesome.
2133272
Kinda/sorta/not really. I'm picking a relatively balanced team, and not ones that have been used in other fics on this site.
2133052
gifs.gifbin.com/1238157980_scanners_-_head_explosion.gif
Any chance of one of them being a Ditto or a small clump of Unown sharing the consciousness?
2133475
Yessiree.
2133423
PrinceDolph is not liable for any injuries incurred, whether they be physical, mental, emotional, financial, or situational, from the reading or otherwise becoming aware of the contents of PrinceDolph's comments.
2132454 You do? I guess there will be more reading to be done
2133475 A pony out of Place is one with a Ponyta/Rapidash in it.
One of the people should be one of the lesser legendary pokemon.... like mew...
2133172Not saying no to that. Just saying the female friend I am hoping is a ralts. That way kick ass gardevoir.
Beldum = Psychic/steel
Ghastly = poison/ghost
remaining types: Normal, Fire, Flying, Fighting, Water, Grass, Electric, Ground, Rock, Ice, Bug, Dark, and Dragon.
I realize everyone wants to see a Ralts/gardevoir Added to the team but considering beldum already has the psychic type down how about a Milotic to take the spot of the "beauty" pokemon?
As for the rest of the type, you could put in a Trapinch/Flygon for Ground/Dragon and I would love you till the end of days,
a Sneasel/Weavile for Ice/Dark.
Depending on how you look at it you could make the Beauty pokemon a Sewaddle/Leavanny and do a Grass/Bug type.
And possibly for hilariousness make one of them be a relicanth and whine about really old all the time
2134556
Yeah, completely understandable, especially if the one he likes is the Ralts because Gardevoir is a very beautiful pokemon.
I bet the other girl would be a Buneary, she's really bubbly and stuff so...
But probably not for the fact that the author seems to have a theme for pokemon with three forms, two evolving forms.
What say you author?
Am I right?
Will all six friends be able to evolve twice?
Or will you leave us in the dark?
2135948Wait, out of the list of friends, there were two girls? Huh. Still voting for ralts though. And if the author chooses to put turtwig as another, then that's just icing on the proverbial cake.
2135093Shhhhh, don't say that. You'll tempt the author to not put in ralts. Gardevoir is best psychic type. (besides espeon, but espeon is OP)
And please author, can you at least respond back to us on what your input on this is?
2136688
I'm not tempting, I'm giving him my opinion on how to continue keep his team BALANCED like he said. And since he already has a psychic type (which duals as a poison immune tank), having another Psychic type on the team wouldn't exactly help all that much. Especially considering the likeliness of Fighting or Poison types in Equestria isn't very likely.
And to be fair I never liked ralts/gardevoir. Not enough actual power to back up it's squishiness, where as you have Alakazam and that will kick butt!
2136772
So you ADMIT that he's setting it up like a pokemon team.
Hate to say it but you just gave away some hints.
Lol
2137101
hints would suggest this to be a puzzle with one sole answer, which it's not. Balance requires taking into account weaknesses and strengths, and in a game like pokemon this comes with many many possible combinations which one can only give ADVICE on, and most team combinations would suggest to keep you team as varied as possible in typing as to not have a team with a shared weakness in any area. Which is why having a Gardevoir (pure psychic) with only two resistances and three weakness vs Metagross (Psychic/Steel) Which has SEVEN resistances (+ 1 double resistance to psychic), an immunity to poison, and only two weaknesses far out weighs the usefulness of a gardevoir and take care of the psychic type position
2135948>>2136688
If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?
2136772>>2137101
*She
2137346
perfectly sorry, saying he/him has become sorta the non-gender call on the internet (hurr hurr no girls on the internet).
2137346
My apologies, I never knew.
2137345You sir- I mean madam, are b]evil. And I didn't know you were a girl. Sorry, it's just that I rarely ever see girls on the internet (besides the *cough cough*)that saying he/sir/guy has become a bit of a fall back term. Still, you've done an excellent job at writing this story thus far. Please keep up the stellar work.
My favorite characters not in this story?
NOOOOOOOO-
Wait,sequel?
Same characters in the sequel?
2143920
Well, you'll just have to wait and see ^_^
2144759 You cannot be a girl. Girls don't like ponies! Only older, fat unemployed guys who live in their parent's basements like ponies! Silly author!
2149674
Could those ponies understand both Gastly and Beldum...?
AMAZING FIC!!!!!!!!
2149674 Wrong.
2202143 Nope! 158% true! I've done the statistics (which he manipulated the same way the press does when it wants a certain result) It's all about wording the questions so you get the answer you're looking for!
*Alondro is well on his way to becoming the most evil President of all time... and then Emperor*
cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/29624887.jpg
2137422 Just go with "they" and you can't really be wrong.