Explorers of the Life Force, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

Sprinting and Shining

I gasped leaning upright. "Whoa! Easy there!" I felt a gentle yet firm push on my shoulders to lay me back down. I turned to whoever was holding me down, and didn't understand what I saw. "E-Ellie?" She smiled a bit nervous, but gently. With that said, I was still trying to grasp what I was seeing. "Either... I'm going color blind, or you look different."

Her fur which naturally was brown and beige, was now different. It was a light grayish tan color where her fur used to be brown, and a white collar of fur around her neck, and end of her tail. Her eyes too had changed from a warm brown to sandy grey eyes.

She looked bashful wrapping her tail around herself. "I'm... different... yeah."

I blinked a couple of times trying to see if my eyes might be playing a trick on me, but it wasn't so. Ellie's fur color changed, and something about looking at it made a small glimmer.

"How?" I asked, "How did that happen?"

She looked away shrugging, "Maybe from when I helped you?"

I blinked, "Helped me? What do you mean?"

She had a funny look in her eyes, or maybe the new colors in them deceived me. "You don't remember?"

I frowned trying to think back, "Uh... no? Did something important happen? I mean, I'd imagine so if you look like that now."

Before she could respond, Butterfree flew in with Clawitzer. He stopped short gasping, "By Arceus, you weren't mistaken Butterfree. How on earth did she get the Shining?"

I sat up feeling slightly dizzy from doing so, but managed to recover. "What do you mean Shining? What happened?"

He composed himself before speaking, "Well, a Shining is a Pokémon with a unique change to their appearance. Their colors are different, and there is a shining effect when looking upon them."

I turned to Ellie confused, "So she's a shiny Pokémon?"

"Not the correct term, but yes. What is baffling is the fact she has the Shining at all. Pokémon have to be born with the Shining. They can't just get it one day."

Ellie has a thoughtful look before speaking. "What does this mean for me?"

"Well besides a new coat of fur, nothing medically. However, a Shining is a very rare kind of Pokémon indeed. You may come across Pokémon that gawk or admire you differently. Some might even consider trying to... well, get you."

Ellie grew angry and spoke with a small voice, "Come again?"

"Well, bounties have been put out in far away lands for the possession of Shining Pokémon. The chances are of course slim, but I fear it is note worthy."

Ellie kept her eyes close trying to keep her breathing even. "I need to go." She abruptly pushed past Clawitzer and Butterfree before leaving us alone.

I wanted to go after her and help, but when I got off the table I stumbled falling onto the ground. I growled in annoyance pushing myself upright. Clawitzer however was by my side helping me stand. "I know you wish to follow your friend, but she needs time. This isn't exactly a pleasant predicament she's found herself in. Besides, you stumbling after her would be unwise in your condition."

I wanted to protest, but instead I nodded defeatedly, trying to stand on my own. To my unfortunate dismay I was frustrated to find it difficult. "What's wrong with me?"

Butterfree flew over holding a tablet with notes on it as Clawitzer spoke. "That is another mystery. On top of finding a Shining, your situation is just as bizarre." He picked up a note examining it closer. "For whatever reason, your body had no brain waves, started burning up with a fever, and that's all after you mysteriously passed out. It was as if you had died."