Haunting Past (Part A) by Michael Keens/ Exodus Fireworks flew into the air and exploded in a dazzling array of colours, yet another celebration was being held in Maiden’s Peak, but not the one that coincided with the legend of the ghost maiden. The town had quite a few annual events that led to any excuse to throw a party, and one individual felt somewhat out of place here. With a small Meowth hung over her shoulder, extremely dark hair, and a violet suit and black skirt, Veronica continued her journey, trying to make a change in her life after promising an old friend to do so. She’d picked up most of her Gym Badges already, since she was a highly skilled Pokémon Trainer. Her skills had mostly come from training with the best of Team Rocket, her own home and family, but she no longer used them to beat and steal from trainers. Her current Pokémon were: Swipe, a Meowth kitten abandoned at birth, a significant Pokémon as Veronica once promised Meowth of Team Rocket, a talking Pokémon with a rough past, that she’d train a Meowth and raise it with care, sort of to give one of its kind a good upbringing to make up for his not having one. Flash: Formerly an Eevee, it teamed up with a turquoise haired trainer Veronica had beaten in battle, and evolved to save her. Veronica had preferred to remain anonymous to him as he was persistent in trying to get to know her, but she was thankful he’d listened to her when she said she wanted a Jolteon, and then gave up a Thunder Stone in order to save Veronica from a quiet but dangerous warrior from a rival evil organisation Veronica once thwarted the plans of. Veronica’s other current Pokémon were: Haze, a useful Venomoth, Radiant, a powerful Alakazam, Blade, a dangerous Scyther, and Spooks, a skilful Haunter. The other Pokémon Veronica owned, she had owned during her time as a Rocket, these Pokémon were mostly used to performed evil deeds, and had to adjust to the new path Veronica was walking on: Vixen, a touchy Ninetales, Toad, a young Poliwhirl, Mushroom, an adept Parasect, Vampire, a swift Golbat, Viper, a creative Arbok, and Skull, a gruff and deadly Marowak. Veronica had enough Pokémon and so hadn’t recently caught any new Pokémon, instead focused on training her newest Pokémon, the first group hadn’t received as much training due to Veronica’s concerns of how they’d act, and kept to her newest six Pokémon mostly. Veronica took a seat in a less crowded and noisy area, feeling out of touch with all the cheery people, and reminiscing why she remained on this hard lonely path rather than have a place in Team Rocket: Ricky Zane, her childhood friend and sweetheart had made an unexpected appearance in her life, after Veronica had accidentally but tragically took the life of his mother. He’d seen her once before when Veronica’s old gang, the Lunar Crew ambushed him, but because of her guilt, she let him keep his Pokémon, and offered him a place in Team Rocket. When he refused, she let him go, tired of hearing his ideas of her leaving too. They met again in Mount Lead, and that was where Rick recognised his mother’s crescent earrings on Veronica, and then pieced together who ended her life. Veronica explained herself, and then called a truce with Rick in order to escape, but because of Rick’s good nature, he set aside his anger and instead forced Veronica to promise to leave Team Rocket. She betrayed her old group and then walked alone to find her place in the world, and perhaps redemption with the only true friend in her life. She looked out at the many people, but then saw the ghost of Marisa Zane, the image she’d constantly seen in her nightmares, she turned away and looked again, this time looking clearly into the crowd, but it had gone, and Veronica must have imagined it. This wasn’t good, it was bad enough that Veronica had had many sleepless nights, but for her to be seeing these things during the day would leave her in fear and raise her guilt for what she’d inadvertently done... Meanwhile, Rick’ Zane was celebrating his having gotten all eight Gym Badges, a little late since it had happened some time ago, but Maiden’s Peak was a good place to celebrate. He didn’t have anyone to celebrate with but his Pokémon, since Rick travelled alone and his only candidate for a friend, and his new rival, was heading out to Cinnabar Island in hope of a final Gym Battle. Rick’s Pokémon had grown and evolved, and now he had a Jynx (although she was more family than a Pokémon), Electrode, Muk, Golem, Dodrio, Pinsir, Dragonite, Machamp, Mr Mime, and three stone-induced evolution Pokémon, a Victreebel, a Poliwrath, and a Growlithe puppy that was fully trained, only a bit young to be evolving. “Growl!” barked Blazer, hung over Rick’s head and enjoying the sights. “I shouldn’t have agreed to let you ride up there, my hair’s gonna be a mess.” smiled Rick. He’d checked out many stalls and picked up some cheap and useful items here and there, eaten enough junk food not to want any more, and watched some amazing shows with acrobatic people and Pokémon alike. “I wish I had a friend or a female to escort around this place though.” he sighed, “Or a rival that was on trainer’s leave.” “Be careful what you wish for.” said a female voice from behind him. Rick instinctively turned around and pointed a finger at the speaker, assuming it was a Rocket, Blazer did the same and leapt forward, paws outstretched. It fell into the arms of a tanned young lady with long blue hair and tight magenta and yellow clothing, but broke off its attack stance as it landed. “Aw, how cute. Aren’t you just the cutest?” she said to the Growlithe in the sort of voice people made when speaking to babies. “I’m So Sorry.” Rick apologised, “Its just that with a line like that, I thought you were a Rocket.” “Who me? There’s nothing bad about yours truly.” she grinned, releasing her hold on the Growlithe who immediately jumped back on Rick’s head. “Um, can I help you?” asked Rick. “Oh yeah, its my sister, she’s got something for you, but she’s shy.” “She does, does she? Well I’ll go easy on her if she wants to speak for herself.” “Sis, get over here, he’s okay with it.” called the girl loudly before leaving, but her position was soon filled by a slightly younger girl with long straight red hair wearing tight blue and magenta clothing. “Hi there, my name’s Rick, and you?” “Aimee... So, er, would you like to join me on the tunnel of love ride?” “Excuse me? That’s a little forward isn’t it? I don’t even know you, but, I’ll go anyway, after you give me something.” asked Rick a little shocked and confused. “Give you... something? You mean a kiss?” questioned the girl nervously. “No, I mean your sister said you had something for me.” She let out an angry groan, “A thing, not something, A Thing!... This is so embarrassing...” “You mean...” “Uh, yeah, I think you’re cute. I’m so sorry about the confusion, I should go.” “No don’t, I wanted someone to hang out with and you’ve signed up for it, so why don’t we just start over...” “Um, Sure...” “Way to conquer your shyness Sis!” called the blue haired girl. Aimee exhaled, “Aw man, Electra set me up, she said the wrong thing on purpose.” “Don’t worry about it.” comforted Rick, “We’ll look back on this one day and laugh...” Veronica sighed as she walked through the funfair attractions, kids played happily with their friends and family, while lovers embraced each other and looked so happy. Veronica had long lost her parents, and her only friend, she’d pushed those who wanted to be around her away, and the only person to show feelings of affection for her was a creep who had no boundaries. She turned to the tunnel of love, and felt a sadness inside her since she probably would never have the opportunity to try one out. It was then that she saw Rick, and another girl, chatting and laughing away, and bringing out the worse in her. At least when she had Team Rocket, she had a place in the world and a purpose in her life, and there were days that she wished she could give up her promise and rejoin them. She often thought about, and had nightmares about the life she’d inadvertently taken, the beautiful, sweet and caring woman called Marisa Zane, although had shown so much kindness and care towards a young Veronica, the look she gave to her before she died haunted her. Marisa had a look of disbelief, she had recognised Veronica and looked deep into her soul as if to say, “How could you?...” Her face, and her apparent words mutated in Veronica’s nightmares, the words were twisted and questions that Veronica had sometimes thought about but buried deep inside her had surfaced with Marisa’s face and voice to ask. It was sometimes too much for her, especially when Rick had reentered her life and discovered what she had done. Even though he seemed to forgive her (because his mother would have otherwise died from an illness), his face had also ended up in Veronica’s nightmares, taunting her, punishing her, and because of something she never intended to do. She hadn’t joined Rick in his travels just because it would be too awkward, but because the guilt had started those nightmares. When she was with Team Rocket, Veronica had managed to hide her feelings of guilt because she represented a cold and heartless team, and that was the person she had become, but now that she was on her own, trying to be good, it was so much harder to deal with her anxieties. She shed a tear as she caught a glimpse at Rick, so strong, so happy despite his loss, some part of her considered going after him, but that scenario took a nose dive as she saw the image of his mother again, this time right in front of her, she still wasn’t sure if she was imagining this or actually seeing it, but it stopped her from going after Rick, instead she darted away, nearly dropping her Meowth in the process. Meanwhile, several Rockets had Veronica in their sights, and the leader lowered his binoculars and glared at her. “Ya belong ta Team Rocket...” said another male, “Ya belong wit’ us Veronica...” “I think we should just do away with her...” said the male with the device. “Hmph. Only because she outranks you...” said a cold female as she stepped out of the shadows. “I agree with the leader, I think- No, wait, she belongs with us.” “The plan’s already in action, she’ll come around...” Rick and Aimee were giggling like schoolchildren, they hadn’t gone into a make-out session during the ride, but had simply talked, much to the dislike of many other couples there. A connection was made, the friendship sort anyway. “I’ve had a real great time Aimee, and here’s my number, its a shame you’ve got to go, cos I’ll be here for the rest of the night.” “Its okay, I only live in Celadon City so its not too far to your home, plus me and my sister are competing in the Pokémon League this year.” “Then I’ll look for you there.” “Goodbye Rick.” “Catch you soon Aimee.” As Rick waved goodbye to a new friend, he caught sight of some figures huddling around a group of trees in the shadows. “Aw no, not those clowns, but clowns they may seem, they’ll outnumber me unless I battle with the best of them, I’ve gotta find a Pokémon Centre...” Veronica stopped to rest behind a large carnival tent and breathed heavily, she was in the same town as Rick currently was, anyone else would be glad to see an old friend, but not her. What if Rick had changed his mind, started feeling alone without his mother and started to blame her again? She picked herself up the floor and was about to take the flee option, when something floated down from above just ahead, now confirming that the image she’d seen several times at the carnival... was real. It was partly transparent, part solid, it looked human, it wore a spooky white gown, of which the lower half was made up of long tattered strips that blew around in the wind as did its long brown hair, there were no legs, and the face was horribly accurate. “Why did you do it?...” it moaned. “No...” said a shocked Veronica. “How could you kill me?...” questioned the voice of Marisa Zane, of which the ghost’s face looked exactly like. “Marisa Zane...” uttered Veronica. “You miserable wretch! How could you end my life after everything I did for you?!” she accused. “I... I...” “You’re worthless!!!” “Please, I-” “You’re nothing but a killer, why did you leave your immoral friends at Team Rocket? Do you believe you can lead a life of good?...” questioned Marisa. “I promised... I promised Rick...” “He doesn’t forgive you either, he loves me and misses me, because you took me away from him...” “I didn’t mean to... It was an accident...” “You also wear my earrings, you’re virtually a graverobber.” “Please... I’ve had too many nightmares, what must I do to make you happy and have some peace?!...” pleaded Veronica. “Abandon this useless quest, rejoin your teammates, and live up to who you really are...” “Why?... Why would you want me to do that?” “Because you will be judged along the line, and you’ll receive the punishment you deserve.” “No... I can’t... Its too late for that.” “No, its too late to go to a good place at the end of your journey, you’re going to suffer after death, nothing you do can change that.” “No... Noooo!” screamed Veronica, turning around and fleeing. “You can’t escape what you are and the road you will take!” threatened the ghost as it continued to follow her. She ran into a crowd of people, sweat dripping down her face and panting for breath, many people were interrupted from their talks and games and turned to look at her. “You don’t belong...” “You’re evil...” “You deserve the worst...” The ghostly voice of Marisa echoed through Veronica’s head, seemingly being spoken from different areas, but all around her. “Stop it!” shouted Veronica, clutching her head. “Hey, are you okay?” asked a male stranger. “You’re a monster...” spoke the voice in front of Veronica. She swung her arm forward and hit the man hard in the arm. “Hey! What’s wrong with you?!” “Just leave me alone!!!” screamed Veronica. “Call an ambulance.” said a female, “She needs help.” “Return to your wretched group!” “Noooo!!!...” screamed Veronica, holding her head and falling to the floor, the stress causing her to lose her strength and consciousness... End of Part A Part B Back to the Side Stories Back to the Pokézone