The world of Pokémon is sometimes just so fucking random. Or maybe that's just the state of the world in general and I never really noticed.

  I was just washing the dishes on the shore of some random riverbed when out of nowhere, bubbles began to appear on the water's surface.

  As one would expect from someone who has gotten used to living in the world of Pokémon, I screamed and reached out for any of my long range weapons–realized none of them were in reach–picked up a kitchen knife, and scrambled away from the water.

  I waited in dreadful silence.

  From the water emerged a… weird hybrid of a blue seal and a cat; it was sporting a stupid-looking smile. It saw the knife and stared at it, quizzically confused.

  "Vaporeon?" It asked.

  I stared at the Vaporeon with what must have been the stupidest look ever. My heart was still banging against my ribcage and my fingers were starting to whiten from clenching the knife so tightly.

  Vaporeon tilted its head, opened its mouth and spurted out a small burst of water that landed in front of my feet; it had similar vibes to how a dog would piss against a lamppost.

  The creature let out a high chattering noise and dove under again.

  It left me there, looking at the water and not sure what to think.

  I might have overreacted.

  "Well, you sure showed him not to mess with us," came Midna's sarcastic remark from behind me.

  {Don't worry, I'll get him next time for you.}

  I turned around to see a Vaporeon and Kirlia standing behind me, looking expectantly.

  I kicked some sand towards the Vaporeon, causing her to sneeze and turn back into a Zorua.

  "Fuck off," I groaned while relaxing my grip on the knife. I sighed and turned back to face the dishes, they were now all dirty again.

  Great, now I had to redo all of them.

  "Hhhaaa!" Fay jumped out of the bushes, wielding a glowing blue spear. She skidded to a halt when she noticed there was no one to attack.

  "Uhm, I thought we were under attack," Fay said after making sure the leaves she sliced through stayed dead.

  "False alarm, our captain just got scared by his own shadow," Midna spoke.

  "Yeah false alarm, I freaked out," I admitted, feeling a little bit angry and embarrassed. "It won't happen again," I grumbled.

  Damnit, these are the moments you just wish everyone around you would die from embarrassment.

  "...Okay?" Fay hesitantly mumbled.

  I sat down and continued my work on the now dirty dishes. Hoping I could sweep my 'freak out' under the rug. Of course we can't have nice things in life.

  Luna sat down next to me and started helping me with the dishes, drying them as I cleaned.

  {Are you feeling alright?}

  "Yes." I simply said.

  Her eyes flared up red all of a sudden. {That's a lie.}

  I paused. "Okay, that's fucking creepy. Please don't do that again."

  "Uhm-" Fay interrupted. "I have trouble reading your aura but I am pretty certain you're not feeling alright."

  Gosh, you think?

  "You look like shit," Midna added sympathetically.

  "I just got jumpscared, can you all drop it please?"

  I was met with two glares that said 'no', Midna just looked disinterested.

  On one hand, it was kinda cute Fay and Luna wanted to talk, on the other hand I really didn't feel like talking about my feelings and shit.

  When the two glares didn't stop I let out a deep sigh. "Look, there's no need to worry about me. I'm just trying to figure some things out."

  {It's just like Hylla said.} Luna turned to Fay suddenly.

  Wait, what?

  "Yes, she does have a point." Fay agreed solemnly.

  Luna turned to look me straight in the eyes. {You never talk to anyone about your own problems or feelings, or you just lie about it.}

  Well, that's one way to start a conversation. Didn't expect to fall into it trap like this. Were they just waiting to spring the subject onto me.

  "You two were listening in on our conversation!" I subtly tried to change the subject.

  "She told us." Fay pointed at Midna.

  "Only because it's true," Midna defended herself.

  "Look, I am doing great." I retorted.

  "We did notice it before Midna told us," Fay said. "I mean you're obviously keeping secrets but recently it feels like you keep everything to yourself."

  {Point remains,} Luna interjected. {You need to talk more about your own feelings.}

  "And what if I don't want to?"

  Since when did I become the subject of this conversation?

  I was beginning to feel a bit annoyed. Yeah, sure they might mean it well and shiz but come on, I'm not going to dump my entire background story with these 3 Pokémon who hadn't even mentally matured yet. Besides, I never really understood the aspect of talking about your feelings like they did in movies. Feels kinda weird and dumb.

  Also it felt like I just got scolded.

  I tried to focus on scrubbing the plates clean but even that effort was ruined. Luna telekinetically moved the remaining dishes into the water and cleaned all of them in one go. Making me wonder why the fuck I was even washing the dishes if Luna could have done it in 5 seconds.

  {Talk.} Luna said.

  "You wouldn't like it." I don't even like it.

  {Talk.} Luna repeated.

  "Fine!" I threw up my hands, wondering how to get over this as quickly as possible. "Fine if you want to hear some issues, here we go!" My voice was definitely not dripping with sarcasm.

  Without sparing a single breath I pointed at Luna. "Your obsessiveness freaks me out and I am worried how far you are willing to go to get whatever you want!"

  I turned to Fay. "I constantly worry whether I am doing a terrible job of raising you and that I am majorly fucking that up,"

  "Do me!" Midna was already looking at me expectantly.

  I frowned. "And you, I don't even know what to think of you. Half of the time I still wonder if you would choke me in my sleep and the other half of the time I don't even care enough that you might."

  I finally stopped to take a breath. None of my Pokémon spoke up.

  Considering I was on a roll I might just finish it.

  "And I don't even know anything about myself, why am I here and what the hell am I supposed to be doing? I don't know shit and I just struggle my way forward blindly, hoping to find anything of meaning."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  After saying that I felt good for a short moment. A very brief moment of just pure adrenaline, and then, I felt horrible for what I just said and admitted.

  Of course, I didn't show that, nor did I take back my words. Instead, I picked up the plates in complete silence. Wondering how much my team would still trust me after that nice talk. At least I could say 'I told you so'.

  I turned my back to the lake and prepared to collect our stuff when Midna started cackling. That on its own is enough to draw anyone's attention.

  With a sigh, I turned around. "What?"

  "Oh well," Midna said cheerfully, her voice several pitches higher. "If you're not into choking you just should have said so."

  I'd like to think that I was ad rem enough to come up with a quick snary comment or reaction but Midna left me gaping like a Magikarp.

  "That's all you have to say?" I finally managed.

  Midna shrugged. "I don't know you that well either, but I like to think we can both learn to trust each other, the fact you don't immediately trust me means you at least have some common sense, glad to hear that." The Zorua ended her sentence with a wink.

  "Actually, I think you are doing a great job," Fay cut in. She avoided looking me in the eyes. "I mean, I am happy to be with you, even when things get a little bit weird." The last part was directed at Midna.

  I genuinely doubted I was actually doing a good job of raising Fay.

  Rowan's instructions were to keep her from further harm and offer stability. Like any good parent would, I dragged her into an assault on Galactic, through a confrontation with the killer of her mom and into an underground murder facility.

  Parenting 101.

  "It wasn't that bad." Fay quickly added, "I was in danger maybe a few times but I felt right doing it." she paused. "Like I was meant to be at your side and guarding you."

  What she said didn't make any sense. Still, I couldn't help but crack a smile. That just made my conscience feel a little better.

  "I am really happy Fate crossed our paths as well."

  A short silence fell as the awkwardness crept in again, courtesy of Luna fiddling with her non-existent fingers.

  When she noticed that I was waiting for her response she finally spoke.

  {I don't want you to be afraid of me.}

  "I'm not afraid." I approached Luna, "I am just worried for your own sake."

  She turned to face me. {I'll try to be more...less, obsessive. It's just…I care about you.}

  I reached forward to capture Luna in a tight hug. I didn't say anything but I'd like to think that she could have read my feelings and that alone would've been worth more than a thousand words.

  "Awkward..." Midna sang.

  I released Luna from my hug to flip her finger but Midna leaped into my embrace before I could.

  "My turn," she said with a sly smile.

  "No fair." Fay cried out as she joined in on the hug.

  I would be lying if I said it didn't feel good.

  "Wow, who would have guessed that talking would make you feel better." Midna rolled her eyes after untangling herself from the hug. "Better than to go all emo."

  {Absolutely.} Luna chimed in. {We won't think any less of you, or at least I won't.}

  "I don't know," I stretched out, "I really appreciate all the thoughts but my entire existence is kind of a problem. I doubt you can help me with that."

  "But we can at least try," Fay mumbled. 'If you can't talk to us, at least talk to any humans."

  "What about the number purple gave you?"

  "Yeah I called it, but I don't trust my therapist."

  I couldn't exactly talk about my existential inter-dimension hopper crisis without being put on everybody's watch list. I did call the therapist's number but immediately hung up after realizing that I didn't want people to know I was an alien from another dimension.

  By calling the number I fulfilled my promise to Hylla. She never said anything about actually having to speak and go into sessions.

  {So, talk to us then,} Luna urged, {if your problems are weighing you down you should share the burden.}

  I grimaced. "What if my problems involve the end of the world scenarios and horrible revelations?"

  {Yes!}

  I wonder if Luna had even listened to what I said, or what I was implying. I studied their expressions.

  They genuinely wanted to help me, that was clear but the stuff I knew was really fucking awful. However, I guess it would be a dick move to not give them a little trust.

  Of course, I won't share everything. Just a little bit. Just enough to make myself and my Pokémon feel a little bit better.

  "Fine, if you really want to know, let's go sit somewhere more comfortable."

  After putting away my stuff and double-checking with Fay and Luna that no one was listening in, I removed the batteries from my laptop and Pokédex just to be safe. No one was allowed to hear what I was about to say.

  I finally sat down in some cool-looking meadow, my Pokémon followed and waited in silence.

  The forest was quiet around us, as if it was holding its breath, I certainly was.

  A sudden wave of panic washed over me.

  What if they don't believe me? What if they lose faith or think I am some kind of crazy person? Wasn't there some guy burned for claiming the sun didn't rotate around the earth?

  And here I was, about to claim to be from a world without Pokémon, like a parasitic alien.

  No!

  I shouldn't think like that. My Pokémon had faith in me. They promised to listen, I shouldn't be doubting them.

  I opened my mouth. Then closed it before finally finding the words I needed.

  With a deep sigh I began.

  "Okay, imagine a world just like ours. It has cities, deserts, mountains and forests. It's a planet named Earth and looks almost identical to this world. Everything this world has is the same except for one thing."

  They were listening alright.

  "Pokémon."

  Confused reactions from all three of them.

  "There still are humans, over 7 billion of them to be precise, and there are creatures similar to Pokémon but without any trace of sentience or powers. Just dumb critters who don't even hold a candle to humanity's presence. Still following?"

  Three nods indulged me to go on.

  "In this world, Pokémon have never existed. Humans are the only ones to shape history without anyone as their partner. Humans are the absolute predators but also completely alone in their world; now imagine there's a random person. 18 years old, pretty average loner. Doesn't know what to do with himself, doesn't enjoy the mundane world and considers offing himself."

  For entertainment purposes, I made a gun gesture with my hand. Midna was eyeing me suspiciously. Probably guessing the ending beforehand.

  Too bad, I wanted to tell and finish this story.

  It felt good.

  "Now, this person goes to sleep one night, it's a night like every other, but when he wakes up in the morning he isn't in his own bed. He is not even in his own body."

  "Despite this, he gets up and sees a Pokémon hiding in a tree. From that point on he realizes he isn't in his own world. He is alone in a different world without family, friends, no money or identity and no idea how he got there or if he ever can get back."

  I left it on that ominous note and waited for their reaction.

  Fay was the first one to react. "Wait, what happened to him? Does he ever find out how he got there?"

  Midna whispered something in Fay's ear, causing her eyes to go wide. She looked at me again and turned red in embarrassment. "Oh."

  Luna seemed puzzled by the revelation. The Kirlia was looking at me with a gaze I couldn't read.

  Finally she spoke. {You are really from another world} She looked at the trees surrounding us with wary eyes, maybe expecting them to disappear at any moment.

  "Yes." I curtly answered. "And considering I have no control over it, the unnerving reality is that I might wake up in a completely different world again, or a different creature. For all I know I could be the flesh puppet of some sick child God."

  The look of pity Luna gave me was something that made me want to cry. Being alone in a whole new world was something not a whole lot of people could relate to or understand the implications it had.

  {I finally know for sure,} Luna smiled brightly as she edged closer to me. {You are like a fabled Knight, coming out of nowhere to save us!}

  "Uhm what?"

  {The first time we met you saved me, coming from another world! It is just like the tales of old!}

  I don't know what fairy tales she was referring to. As far as I knew the prince from Snow White didn't come from another dimension. It seemed that Luna was missing the point anyway. I'd like to think I knew myself well enough to know I was not a knight in shining armour.

  "Well, I can imagine that being true. It does make sense for a hero to get into as much trouble as you do." Fay joined in on the theory.

  "But I am not a hero!" I exclaimed, "that's the point I'm trying to make. I don't know why I am here and if I even have a purpose. Should I live out my life unnoticed or will that result in the world violently ending? Nobody told me anything and if I do the wrong thing I might fuck shit up horribly."

  I think I must have looked a little crazy to any onlookers.

  "Pfft," Midna laughed all of a sudden. It looked like she was about to cry from laughing to hard. "If you truly are the hero that has to save the world, we are definitely screwed. I mean, haha, look at your arms. You couldn't even strangle someone in their sleep."

  "You're gonna say something nice as a follow up right?"

  "Ahah, no." She abruptly stopped laughing.

  "So that's all you have to say? After hearing I came from another world?"

  "Meh," Midna looked at Luna and Fay. "Unlike these two I was created by some scientist meddling with DNA in the hopes of creating a monster. I am mildly surprised but it doesn't change anything for us."

  "It changes everything for me."

  Again Midna replied with a meh. "You might be a hero, you might not be one. Either way, you don't know what you do and just dick around with us."

  "Dick around?" Fay questioned but Midna quelled her.

  "If we feel like it, we tackle some Galactic plans along the way, or save some people. I'm up for adventure, but if not, we just continue to survive, simple as that."

  Luna nodded. {You are my hero regardless of Fate and you can always rely on us for answers, when you come up short.} Her eyes glowed pink. {I'll watch your back.}

  "Y-yes!" Fay stood on her feet. "You're not alone like the boy from your story. And if you can't find answers I'll do it for you. If you can't be a hero I'll be one!"

  A glowing blue aura transformed into the shape of a bone, held between her two paws. "This I swear upon my honor."

  I didn't get my eyes wet, I swear.

  I caught all three of them in a tight hug before they could react.

  "Damnit, you three know how to lift my spirit."

  "Thank you." I whispered.

  I still had no clue what to do, why I was here. For all I know Cyrus was building a Godzilla in his basement and was Fate planning to fuck me from over again.

  At that moment I just felt glad to have someone else know about the weight I was carrying. It made me feel a little bit less alone, a bit more in control. A bit less lonely.

  The world could end tomorrow for all I know, but I have three cute Pokémon, so who gives a shit?

  A/N Another day. Another chapter update.

  Actually, that makes it sound this happens a lot. Which it doesn't.

  LoL.

  -CaptainMoonShine-