FicWad

When I was a child, I used to live with a constant, severe headache. Test after test and visits to doctors on all four corners of the planet never allowed my family and me an answer. After a few years of searching, my mother gave up and left the family when I was only three, never returning and stealing away my newborn sister with her. Doctors would give up too, saying it's just a pain I'd have to deal with, or sending me to another specialist, or even telling me it was simply because of my blindness.

Things weren't much better for me when I started to attend school, where the kids would bully me. They would call me a liar and a freak. Even with my sightless eyes, I could "see". Not the same way as someone with vision, but in my own unique way, and the children quickly noticed this.

Sashi would describe things to me. Shapes, colors, sizes, and depths, everything had a visual description for her. To me, I could see, as Sashi started to describe it, orbs and clouds. Every living thing, plant, human, and Pokémon, all had its own orb-like mass. There's no better way to describe it. Non-living matter didn't, of course, so I was still effectively blind, just not in the natural sense that most would view the word.

I could face directly towards people or locate the head of a Pokémon to give it a pet with solid accuracy, despite my "supposed" disability, and this made all the children nervous, so they teased me. They also didn't like the sight of my eyes, as they were badly deformed more back then, before the cosmetic surgeries. Sashi would take me by my hand and pull me away from them whenever she was near.

She'd tell them off for being mean, and if they didn't back down, she'd start crying. That would quiet them. No one wanted to be the kid that made Sashi cry. Of course, these weren't real tears, but the other kids never knew that. Still, she would only use this tactic as a last effort.

Sashi was always popular. Easy to get along with, kind, and adventurous. Many of the children looked up to her and wanted her to be on their team in gym or their partner for a group project. She stood by my side, though. Even when the teachers wanted to put me in accommodations classes, she fought for me to stay in the class she was in instead. Finally, they agreed, so long as I didn't fall behind, and with her help and brilliant mind, I never did.

Her twin, Anya, was a book-Weedle. She always had a book or magazine in her hand and, after years of teasing for her hate of Pokémon and most others, she gained a bad attitude that could push even the meanest bullies away. Of course, it helped that she could pull words from thin air that could confuse, scare, or encourage whomever she directed them at. She was also the most athletic in our classes, contended mainly by Sashi, but still always winning, easily getting the best scores in gym. Even so, she was teased as well, just not as openly.

When we were five, the teachers brought in a group of Pokémon for us to interact with. All kinds of creatures; Butterfree, Rattata, Hoppip, Skitty, and a Ralts. Sashi couldn't decide who she wanted to play with more, and with her popularity, she had the pick of the crop. She and the other children bounced about from one Pokémon to the next, their voices raised in shouts of excitement and awe.

Anya sat in a corner and mumbled irritably whenever one would get too close, snapping at any teacher who tried to convince her to interact with them. She's always had a strong dislike for Pokémon, but her hate had grown worse after a serious incident a few months prior.

I, on the other hand, wanted to play but found it hard to interact with any of the creatures. All the children swarmed the ones brought in, and with Sashi preoccupied, I found myself sitting in the corner with Anya. I "watched" the children playing games and grooming the fur of the creatures, even though I had my head down and face covered by my knees.

After some time, I felt a scared draw brush against my mind, then a cry from the Ralts in the group. Finally, having dealt with enough children, it drew away, then walked to the opposite corner of the room.

Poor Ralts, the thought came to me. I wouldn't want to be swarmed like that, either.

I felt something soft touch my head, or rather, my mind. That was nothing new. I always felt the odd prod, usually a stronger emotion like a rush of anger or sadness, that wasn't my own. I never talked about it to anyone but Sashi, though. I was afraid I would be sent back to the hospital. By then, I had been to more doctors than I would ever care to see again, and I had begun working very hard to convince my father not to make me go to any more.

Still, the brush on my mind didn't leave. Instead, it stayed, pressed into my thoughts, pushing harder, growing stronger, and making my head pound all the more.

Can you hear me? The thought crossed my mind. It was the Ralts. I knew the shape of this Pokémon's orb after watching it play. Can you hear me? It pushed again. I felt a sharp stab of pain in my head that sent tears through my eyes.

"Yes," I softly said out loud, sniffling in hurt.

Are you scared? It questioned.

"No," I mumbled.

Are you sad? The push came again. This time I didn't answer. Why do you cry? It asked in concern.

The pounding in my head grew and grew, spinning and swirling. Its thoughts were becoming fuzzy, more difficult to hear, as if the stronger it pushed, the further away it drew. My eyes were streaming by now from the pain, and I found it harder to focus on even forming a sentence out loud.

"Please stop. It hurts," I moaned in agony.

"What hurts? Hey, Kabir, are you alright? Who are you talking to?" The voice of Anya sounded painfully loud, like standing by a train horn or a clap of thunder that rattled through your rib cage.

I put my hands over my ears, crying out in agony, trying to keep the noise out, but my head kept pounding, feeling like it would explode. The normal small orbs of the others that constantly swarmed around in my head grew larger and closer. People had noticed and started to approach me.

Don't be scared. The thought forced its way painfully into my head once more, trying to soothe me. It's okay, you're safe. No one is trying to hurt you.

The searing pain swelled to new heights, and I suddenly noticed the world around me shift. I felt my hands slip from my ears and my body fall limply to the ground. The sounds around me and the pushing on my mind slowly faded away.

I woke up later in the hospital. My father was snoring quietly in a chair near my bed, his head resting on the sheets. He never seemed to get enough sleep in those days, his constant worry for me, making even a quick rest a difficulty for him, especially as a single father. My sister Athini, was across the ocean in another region, studying to be a Professor, so I figured I wouldn't find her nearby, and when I tried to locate her familiar orb, I found it absent.

I knew this was another hospital. It smelled like all the others, of antiseptics and strong cleaners. The nurses all said the same things outside my doors, and people talked in hushed whispers as they wandered through the halls. Beeping monitors and other noisy machines pounded away at my aching head.

When the doctors came in, they checked my vitals, informing me I had been unconscious for eight days. They tried to get me to explain precisely what happened, but I was still too scared to tell them the truth. I told them my head had been hurting more than usual, and that was it. They pushed more, trying to have me describe what it felt like or what events led up to my collapse, but I decided to say nothing after that, clamping my mouth shut and bringing the scratchy bed sheets close to my face.

That is until I felt a new brush on my mind, soft and warm. I recoiled in fear, thinking only of the pain that had come the last time I had felt this sensation. I sat with my head covered by the sheets now, my father working his hand underneath, trying to find mine. He spoke to me in the same gentle whisper he always used, afraid to cause me more pain.

The creaking sound of an old wheelchair moved slowly into the room. I'd thought maybe they were coming to drag me away in it, but it didn't have the hollow ring in the joints. Instead, it sounded heavy, like someone was already using the device.

"Kabir, it's alright. There's a nice doctor here with her Pokémon who's come to see you. The doctor wants to try something new, but it's a fun test instead of the ones with scary machines or needles. Would you like to meet this new Pokémon?" He encouraged softly.

I shook my head and tried to pull my hand from him, but he had found it and was holding on tight. There were two new orbs standing before us, a human, sitting in a wheelchair and a Pokémon. Unlike other times, there wasn't a slew of other doctors and attendants with them, but I still felt my body stiffen at the knowledge of their being there.

"Hey bud, it's alright, you're safe. I'm here. I'm not going to leave. I'll stay with you the whole time." His whisper was drenched in fear and concern and I realized how frightened he must have been when I didn't wake up for so long.

Grabbing my hand with his right and pulling me closer, he placed his left arm comfortingly over my shoulder, sitting with me on the bed. He stroked my hair soothingly and kept whispering his encouragement, warm spots of water falling onto my shoulder as tears slipped out of his eyes.

I knew there was no way for me to get out of the tests the doctors ran. I'd tried screaming, crying, running away, and hiding. They always found me and did the tests anyway.

I pulled the covers off of my head dejectedly and held out an arm with dejected obedience, ready for a needle to be stuck into my soft skin or a hand to pull me to my feet, not prepared to believe a test without those existed. Instead, I felt the soft brush on my mind once more.

Can you feel this? It pushed, somehow forming the thing in my mind into the comprehensible shape of a question, like the Ralts had before. I waited for the pain to return again, the swirl of the world to pull me back into the prolonged unconsciousness once more. It never came.

Do you hear me? The gentle sensation came again. It sounded soft and comforting, like the voice of Sashi when I don't feel well.

"Yes," I said, my voice still small and fearful.

I hear a gasp from my father and swing my thoughts towards his presence, trying to find what surprised him with my other senses.

Over here! The pressure felt eager now. Pay attention to me, please.

Hesitantly, I pull my mind towards the new presence, the one pushing against mine.

What's wrong little Combee? The question comes in so gently, I find it impossible to not answer.

"It hurts," I mumble, my tone quavering.

What does?

"My head."

When?

"All the time."

There's a pause and I feel a second mind conversing with the first one, though I don't know what's being said. They stop, and the first of the two returns to me. I feel a push against my mind, the pain in my head increases.

Does that hurt more? It queries.

"Yes." I manage, ducking my head into my knees and leaning in closer to my father. He holds my shoulder with one hand and gives me a reassuring squeeze, once again whispering his gentle, encouraging words. He reminds me over and over that I'll be alright and informs me of how much he loves me.

I feel the pressure release.

Now? The question presents itself.

My head felt the same as when I had awoken, constantly painful, but not as bad as prior. "It's just normal."

There is another pause and conversation between the two vocally silent ones.

And how about now? I feel the constant pressure in my head, the one I had spent countless hours fighting and crying over, trip after trip to hospitals, test after test, ease, just slightly.

I nod my head mutely, too taken aback for words now. The pressure lifts more until there is nothing left. For the first time in my life, I am without pain. I feel a tear fall down my cheek, hot on my skin, but I'm not sad, nor is the tear caused by any pain.

"It's gone," I barely choke the words out in shock.

The room sits in silence for a moment as we all take in the miracle.

"Who are you?" I question, curiosity finally winning over the fear.

"My name is Doctor Melanie Gomez, but you, brave boy, can call me Mel. And this is my partner Gallade." Her voice is soft and slow, nearly as gentle as my father's. I realize its the same voice that had been speaking in my head, but it wasn't the presence I had been feeling.

A second voice, that of a Pokémon gives a small grunt and I recognize its orb as the mysterious pressure.

The woman takes a deep breath and slowly releases it through her nose before she speaks again. "Your son is a Psychic, but it would seem his powers are doing him more harm than good. His body is simply too weak to handle them. It's not unheard of, but it's incredibly rare. So rare, in fact, that doctors never even think to check for it when cases like these are presented. The mind doesn't normally work against itself in such a manner." Mel says carefully, sounding apologetic.

"Can you do anything to stop this?" My father asks, a tremble in his voice.

"Unfortunately, no. There is no treatment or cure. I can only teach him how to shut the world out. With training, most persons with psychic abilities can learn to communicate through their mind with Pokémon and even people, if they are strong enough, but if they shut their mind off, they cut out that communication. That's what I would be teaching him. As well, Kabir," The kind Doctor says, addressing me now. I hear the wheelchair creak as she moves closer and places a soothing, warm hand on my shoulder, "I bet you can "see" things too, can't you."

"Yes," I say in a small voice, now fearful of my secrets getting me in trouble but unable to lie to the woman before me. I felt as though she would be able to easily tell. "but Sashi says it's not the same way everyone else does."

I hear another gasp from my father, and shame pulses through me. I'd never told him about that, too worried that he would send me to more doctors. Sashi had been my only confidant in this matter. I knew I couldn't even trust Anya to not tell an adult. She would mean well, but I didn't want anyone else to know, so I made my best friend promise not to even utter a word to her own twin.

Mel's voice is full of understanding at my words. "Well, your friend Sashi is correct. It's not the same. Your special sight comes from your powers. If you learn to shut off your mind, you will be shutting off this "sight" as well. As a result, you would be fully blind."

"Will my head still hurt?"

"I can't make that promise. It depends on how careful you are at controlling your powers. If you're diligent, the pain will be lessened, maybe even removed for short periods of time, but I don't believe you'll ever be fully rid of it. We can provide you with special medications to help when its at its worse though." She says truthfully.

I find myself trusting this new woman easily. She isn't like the other doctors who try to sugar coat their words or dance around difficult subjects. And when she speaks to me, she doesn't do so like I'm unintelligent or incapable of understanding even simple concepts. She answers me as if I'm an adult and not simply a sickly child.

"What about your Gallade? It's helping him right now. He's finally pain-free. Can't I find him a Psychic Pokémon and have it help?" my dad asks, the desperation in his voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

"A Pokémon needs to be very powerful in order to hold this kind of thing back. Your son, being as young as he is, the work is lessened, but as he gets older, the strain will become more difficult as the strength of his powers grow. That is not something that can be stopped, as all Psychics grow stronger with age. There is no Pokémon alive with the kind of strength it would take to remove this pain on a constant basis. Even a whole team of them couldn't help," the kind Doctor adds at the intake of breath from my dad, guessing his next question, either psychically or by simply knowing from the look that must have been on his face. "Either way, this is not a permanent solution."

"It's alright. I can learn," I say, ready to finally have some relief.

"Oh, Kabir," My dad chokes out behind me, "You're so brave," He pulls me in closer, and I feel his tears fall to my shoulder once more and soak into my hospital gown.

~~~

Since learning to control them, I've used my psychic abilities on and off now, usually to talk to psychic Pokémon, but not very often, as it still causes me a fair amount of pain. Within just this last week I have noticed my powers have grown strong enough to where I can ask simple questions to Pokémon that aren't psychic, but the pain that it causes is often severe. I still find myself to be more susceptible to headaches and illness than the average person, even when I'm careful to shut it off. Furthermore, it's been so long since I've used my special sight, without the help of Rebel, my Psychic Type Rapidash, that I'm not sure if I can even control it now.

The battle between Horse and Bull Pokémon rages before me, and I find myself, for the first time in a very long time, pulling my mind together to "see".

A stab of pain shoots through my head, and I catch myself on the fence behind me as the world begins to spin. I try to shake off the dizziness and ignore the pain, pulling up the orbs and clouds. The Pokémon before me are a danger to my family and friends, and I can't just stand by and let someone get hurt. I find Sashi first with my mind, then locate Anya, checking on a stunned Sam, still lying on the ground.

Kukui, Burnet, and Berns keep their distance from the ongoing battle, trying to judge a good time to jump in and pull the reins on the Pokémon, but they are continuously thwarted by a powered attack, flailing hoof, or stabbing horn.

The Pokémon behind me call out to the battlers , trying to stop the fight as well, but unwilling to leave the two children, Lei and Himiko, without their protection. Hop and Garbee, the only ones out with true battle experience, have come forward, standing guard in front of the watching group, ready to attack should they draw too near the young kids. I tell Tinsel to join the other Pokémon as well. She obeys with just the slightest hesitation.

I know there are psychics that can control the minds and bodies of others, and I find myself hoping to send out that kind of influence on the ones before me. I push against the feuding Pokémon's mind but am met with walls of anger, fury pulsing through my own exposed thoughts. I pull back and gather my mind again. Shoving about once more, I poke and prod the corners of their minds, trying to find any way in.

I notice Berns grabbing my arm with a sudden touch that drags my mind out of focus, yanking me away just as the back legs of the Tauros kick, coming so close to connecting with my head that I feel the rush of air from it. A grunt of pain sounds as Kukui is hit by the attack instead, trying to sneak behind to jump on its back. The hand on my arm lifts as Berns rushes over to the stricken man to drag him over to Anya.

I hear shouts coming from the people around me as I move towards the dual once more, but I ignore them. I stand near the fight, my mind battered by the rushes of uncontrolled fury and rage.

If I can't stop them with precision, then I'll have to try using brute force, I decide, recalling one instance where the Doctor who had helped me as a child used her own Psychic powers to end a dangerous fight.

I pull my mind together once more, trying to copy the way she had done so. I build the power inside of me, forcing it to swell. My head pounds with a pain fiercer than I've ever felt. The world spins and begins to sway, but I push it all aside and focus only on the power.

A sudden, malicious touch on my psyche nearly knocks me out of focus. I don't know this mind. I've never felt a push as strong as this one, not even from Mel, her Gallade, or any of her other psychic Pokémon. The presence feels cold and furious as a strange buzzing seems to fill every empty space within me. I feel it pushing against me with so much strength it almost feels like a physical wall. A long, serpentine-shaped mass wraps around my mind, trying to squeeze my strength out. It takes all of my will to hold it back as I redouble my efforts and focus on the task I have set.

I shove out my own force, indiscriminately pushing into all the orbs around me. I knock away any emotions; anger, fear, concern, all of it. Nothing remains, as I push one word, one absolute command, into the minds around me;

STOP!