Chapter 2: Kadelast Region: Chapter 1

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

Reincarnation is a concept that I never really could grasp. If you die and are reborn with no memories of your last life, then you weren't truly reborn. What shapes a person are their memories and experiences, you can argue that taking those two things away effectively kills that person. So if a person is reborn without their past life memories then it isn't really someone being reborn, and more like someone new being born. So for someone to be truly reborn, and still be the same person, they have to at least maintain their memories of their past life.

'Hmm does that mean I can count myself as being reborn according to that logic?' I couldn't help myself from thinking as I swing my legs off the canal. 'I mean I remember some stuff, but most of it is just gone. I'm pretty sure I remember more experiences from this life than my last one. Does that make me a person reborn into this world or someone from this world with memories of someone else's past life?' I shake my head to get rid of that thought before mentally sighing. 'Either way, it doesn't change how weird it is to randomly remember something I don't remember learning.'

Starting from my 8th birthday, memories and information started to randomly pop into my head. At first, I started to remember small things like a weird word I never heard before, then what I started to remember got more detailed like remembering a place I never went to. Eventually, it got to the point where if I thought of my favourite colour, two different colours would pop into my head. However, after 6 months of this happening, just as suddenly as they started, the new memories stopped appearing. It's been a month since I stopped having new memories pop into my head, and since then I went over what I can remember.

Annoyingly more personal memories like my old name, family, or even how I died quickly slipped from my mind. And no matter how hard I try I can't seem to recall them. Memories which were just basic information are easy to remember, which makes relearning things like mather easier. It seems that the more complex and personal the memory is, the harder it is for me to remember them. However, there is one type of memory that I can recall with relative ease. Which is any memory that has anything to do with Pokemon, and I think the reason for that is obvious. 

Looking around I was greeted by the sight of people and pokemon going about their lives. Fletchings and Fletchinders can be seen flying around, looking for any place to perch that isn't already occupied by Wingulls. Various wild water pokemon like Goldeens and Magikarps swam in the canal, as trainers let their pokemon out to play in the water. The sounds of Growlithes and Houndours play fighting while their respective owners' chat can be heard. While the smell of ash and seawater mixed with the smell of foods sold by the nearby stores fill the air. 

Yup the reason that memories of Pokemon seem to stick with me is pretty obvious considering I'm currently living in the world of Pokemon. Though at first the sheer amount of information about Pokemon I had did have me worried. From what little I can recall, Pokemon was a series directed toward kids, and I'm pretty sure I was quite old when I died. I can't remember if it was normal for adults to be so invested in Pokemon as much as I must have been. However in the end I decided that it doesn't matter if it was normal or not, what does matter is that I now can make great use of these memories.

'Though I can't be sure how useful they actually are, I'm not sure anything from the games, manga or game translates to a more realistic setting. Hell! I have no memories of any Kadelast region, in fact when I searched the internet for all the regions none of the regions in the memories appeared! So currently it seems like only the information about the actual pokemon has any real use.' Looking up at the darkening sky, I sighed as I stood up. ' I should probably get going before it gets too late.'

As I ran down the sidewalk, I tried my best to avoid bumping into anyone. Eventually, I arrived at my destination, a large building with a big GYM sign. As soon as I opened the door I was blasted with a wave of heat, not phased at all by the extra heat I walked inside. 

"Heya Amber!" Turning to face the direction of the voice, I saw a tall tan teen holding a bag of feed in one hand while he waved at me with the other. Around him was a herd of Ponytas, many of which seemed annoyed that he stopped handing out food and started nudging him for more. And even though they were rubbing their flaming manes against him, the teen was left unharmed from the fire.

"Oh hi, Charles. Where are the Rapidashs?"

"They are being rented out by some local pokemon rangers."

"Really? What do the rangers want with our Rapidashs? Don't they typically use wild pokemon to help them with any trouble they encounter?"

"Hahaha, your mom's right, you do know a lot of random things." I tried to glare at him for that comment. However, from the growing grin he was giving me, I'm pretty sure it looked like I was pouting instead. 

"It's not random," I murmur.

"Whatever you say, kid. Well why don't you head to the back, you don't want to keep your mom waiting." After thanking him, I head towards the back of the GYM. As I got closer to the back room, I could hear the sounds of yelling and what sounded like explosions. Which got louder the closer I got to the room. Entering the room I was greeted by the sight of an arena in front of me, with stairs leading towards the viewing area on either side of me. Not wanting to interrupt the battle I walked up the stairs and noticed three people already watching. When I got closer, they noticed me and motioned for me to come over toward them. Noticing my hesitation, the green-haired guy laughed.

"No need to be afraid, we don't bite." Walking towards them, I stopped when I was close enough to the railing to watch the battle. Looking down at the arena I could see who was battling. On the left side was a woman with long fiery red hair, and on the right side was a teen wearing a black fedora and suit. Looking up at the monitor I can see the woman was winning with 2 out of her 4 pokemon still available. While the teen was on their last one. The current battle is the women's Arcanine against the teen's midday Lycanroc. 

"ROCKY USE ROCK SLIDE!" Gaint rocks around the Lycanroc started to float before being launched toward their foe.

You are reading story The Finite Path at novel35.com

"Extreme Speed, then smoke screen." Using their increased speed the Arcanine weaved between the rocks, some smaller rocks scratched them but that was the most of the damage. Once the Arcanine was past the attack, they kept their momentum and charged toward the Lycanroc. Once the Arcanine was close enough they let out a blast of black smock in the face of the Lycanroc. 

"End this with Reversal."

"AVOID IT ROCKY!" Before the Lycanroc can regain their sight, the Arcanine's body glowed before tackling the Lycanroc. Which resulted in the Lycanroc being launched into a giant rock. Sliding down the rock, they landed with one knee on the ground. 

"Come on! You got this Rocky!" The Lycanroc stood up before staggering and started to fall, fainting before they hit the ground.

"LYCANROC IS UNABLE TO BATTLE! THE WINNER IS THE GYM LEADER OF STEAMBAY CITY GYM, PHOENIX!" Yelled the announcer that I just noticed at the side of the arena. With the battle concluded I ran down towards the arena with the other spectators. However while they walked toward the dejected teen, I ran toward the women.

"MOM! YOU WON!" I yelled as I jumped towards her with my arms open,

"Hahaha of course I won my little ember." She answered as she caught me in her arms. While also using the extra momentum to spin around with me in her arms. Once we stopped spinning I couldn't help myself from giggling as I tried to stay on my feet. "Give me a second my little ember." Walking towards the teen, my mom gave them an encouraging smile.

"That was a great battle, you almost had me at the end." The teen who on closer inspection I noticed was a girl blushed as they scratched the back of their head.

"Thanks, the battle was a blast." They flashed my mom a challenging grin. "And next time I'll be taking the win."

"Hahaha, I like that confidence, I'm looking forward to facing you again." They shook hands before the referee escorted the group of teens out of the room. Once they left my mom brought me to a different room full of her pokemon, releasing the ones she used in battle to rest. Looking around I can see serval dozen of fire and water-type pokemon of various strengths and evolutions resting and playing around. 

"Where is dad? I can only see his pokemon."

"Your dad is out helping put out a fire near the power plant." Before I can say anything, a man with ashen white hair and a big build entered the room.

"Have a minute Phoenix?" My mom nodded before looking down to face me.

"Why don't you play with the pride of Pyroars over there while you wait for me." I couldn't help myself from widely smiling as I ran towards the group of Pyroars and Litleos. As I approached them, a Litleo ran towards me and started to rub themselves against my leg. Picking them up I giggled as they tried to wiggle out of my grasp, once they were at eye level they gave out a playful roar.

"Heya little guy." The Litleo let out a small burst of fire in front of my face, which despite not hurting did startle me allowing them to get out of my grasp. Landing on the ground, the little Litleo gave another playful roar before dashing away. "Hey! Get back here and apologies!" Despite my yelling, I couldn't help myself from smiling as I chased after the little cub. 

Once I caught the playful Litleo, I brought the cub toward the rest of the pride who were lazily watching the whole time. Feeling tired from all that running, the female Pyroars allowed me to rest of them as they groomed their kids. 

'Reborn or not, I'm going to live my life to the fullest.' That was my last thought before I fell asleep in the warmth of the giant cats around me.