AN: Where to start, where to start? My best friend and I decided that we were going to compete. Here are the rules: The fanfic must be a pure Pokémon story. Each chapter must be at least 1,000 words long. We must have one chapter done and ready to post by each Saturday. This should be interesting. :D Oh, and the competing author is jack d'alyea so go read his too!
Synopsis: A new Team aims to impose their vision upon the world, like so many before. This attempt sends the entire world into chaos. Will Arceus, the Legendaries and the Champions be able to save the world from total destruction?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own or have any claim to anything related to Pokemon other than the plot, my own theories and original characters. I am in no way attempting to profit off of the property of Nintendo. There WILL be exceedingly dark themes and scenes in this story. This story is not recommended for those with weak stomachs or those uncomfortable with character death, homosexuality, mental or physical abuse or other dark themes.
Chapter 1: Curse of Eden
The open door cast an eerie glow on the dimly lit computer screen. Tubes bubbling with multicolor liquid spiraled around the only metal desk, leading to a large machine consisting of hundreds of dials and levers. Sickly and emaciated, the aged professor weakly took notes from the screen as images and numbers flashed across. The distinctive clicking of jade heels sent the researcher into a dizzying frenzy. The woman smiled as she approached the frantic, withered man. Long, flowing, brown hair hid all facial features save one dark green eye barely visible in the darkness.
"Lund," she spoke, revealing a malefic smile beneath her sweet tone. "I hope you have a pleasant surprise for me." Moments passed as the professor prayed that his efforts would please the elegant power before him, lest he receive more punishment.
"The PVD3 is ready for field tests," his voice cracked at every word, unable to continue speaking he directed the woman to his notes.
"Show me," she demanded. Lund scrambled to his feet, knocking over stacks of research. He led her through the metal door the dual card and password lock. The pair entered a long hallway that glowed a faint orange from the overhead lights. The hall was lined on both sides with thick glass windows looking into large, white rooms. Each exhibit housed several Pokémon separated by species.
"These are our control groups," he pointed to six enclosures all containing four Pokémon. Playful Eevee frolicked with each other in the room to the left of the door. Opposite of the Eevees were Chansey. Coos could be heard as they nestled and cared for their eggs. The woman directed her attention to the growls in the cage adjacent to the Chansey. The territorial Ursaring were vying for dominance, agitated to be trapped with equally strong members of their species. She turned around and found four pink blobs staring at her. The wicked smirk that hid on her lips turned to fury.
"What are these pathetic, worthless excuses for Pokémon doing in my facility?" her voice's rapid ascent in volume and pitch attracted the attention of the nearby Pokémon. All activity stopped as the room watched and waited for the result of the elegant, brown-haired woman's wrath.
Lund bowed, falling face first from his intensity. "Eden," he stammered, taking moments almost too long for his captor's liking. "Ditto is invaluable to the project. By using it as a test subject, I can ensure that every species of Pokémon will be affected.
Eden slowly turned to Lund. The terrified man stiffened, ready to be struck, but fearful to be killed. She stroked his cheek with a deep passion and raised his eyes to meet hers, "What an absolutely brilliant idea, Professor Lund." Standing and continuing down the hall, with a speed that baffled the sun-deprived man, the woman began with her questions. "I am not a scientist, Lund," she watched the Eevee, face blank, almost uninterested. "What is a control croup?"
Lund stood, shaking, behind her, struggling to keep his clipboard of notes in his hands. Focusing on the experiment at hand, no matter the magnitude or morality, helped serve as his strength. "A control group is a group of subjects used in an experiment for neutral results. The group is held and treated the same way as the other subjects; however, they are not exposed to any of the variables."
Eden clicked her heel, drawing thoughts together and double checking her plan. "So in this case, the variable is the different strands of the virus." Lund nodded as she turned and studied the Chansey. "How did it do in your tests, Professor?"
"PVD3 has been the only strand to survive outside of a lab." Lund continued with care not to further enrage Eden, "Of the Pokémon infected with the virus, I have yet to have one survive." Eden's heels clicked with twisted glee as she inspected the room to the left of the Dittos, chuckling to herself as she watched the large Gyarados battle each other. She waited a moment before going across the hall to the next observation window. The four Tyranitar avoided each other with no intention of giving up their respective corners.
"Do you have any current subjects?" she turned to him, with a look that would satisfy the sweet-tooth of a child. "I must be sure that you aren't lying to me."
He used most of his strength to swallow the increasing fear away. "Of course I wouldn't, Eden. I have two groups. The first has reached seven days after gestation. The second," he paused, fighting tears and the urge to collapse. His silence warranted a glance from Eden. His words came out so jumbled that she almost could not understand, "The second group is at the seventeenth day after gestation completion."
Lund shuffled around Eden and led her further down the hall past the Tyranitar and Gyarados. The rotation began again; however, these twenty-four Pokémon had a distinctive difference from the previous six rooms. Eden walked closer to the glass to observe the Eevees. She watched as they growled and tackled each other. Their coats had become matted with blood, adding to the stained floors.
Eden eventually grew tired of watching; she turned, glancing to Lund, amused by his pale face, and peered at the Chanseys. As with the room before, blood littered the room. The Pokémon, known for its kind-hearted nature, sprinted to and fro alternating between attacking the others in the room and attempting to steal their eggs. Eden watched the least violent Chansey, somewhat intrigued. She shook her head in disappointment. "I thought I told you that the virus must make them all aggressive." Her sudden movement attracted the passive infected. Furious that an intruder dare be in eyesight, it sprinted, tackling the nearest Chansey, knocking it out and firing the victim's egg at Eden's head. The resounding crack against the glass threw Eden into a giggling fit as the Chansey continued to try to attack her.
Lund turned his papers to read through the notes as the rustling drew Eden to full alert. Stiff and unwavering, yet still with the eerie grace she exuded, she waited. "My studies have shown that the virus does not only cause this mindless violence, but amplifies it until the Pokémon expires." Each step further down the hallway echoed with increasing regret, self-loathing and damnation. He stood in front of the Gyarados and Tyranitar rooms, desperate to avoid the sight of the now malformed Ditto and Ursaring under the influence of the virus. The remaining count was two Gyarados and three Tyranitar.
"Well done," she commended, paying him no min. "How did these Pokémon die?"
With wild abandon, Lund tore through the notes. "Well," he wavered, losing strength faster by the minute. "The two Gyarados died from the virus, while the Tyranitar was killed fighting." As Eden approached the glass, she noticed a large portion of the dead Pokémon's tail, as well as its arm, was missing.
Eden stood in awe for a time. "Magnificent," passed her lips as the faintest of zephyrs on a mountain field. Lund stood as an immovable object until he received the just visible nod from the disturbingly beautiful woman to continue. "According to my data, sixty percent of Pokémon infected make it past the one week post-gestation mark. The numbers drastically drop, leaving thirty-five that survive past fourteen days. Only one percent of Pokémon that have been exposed survive past twenty-one days."
Eden glanced back, "I may be wrong," Lund forced his stomach down from his throat as Eden put both hands behind her back, "but that leaves four percent unaccounted for."
"That is because," Lund's stuttering escalated. Unable to talk caused him to start trembling. Before a minute of him babbling incoherently could pass, Eden spun around, driving her heel into Lund's cheek. "Because the remaining four percent do not pass the seven day post-gestation period," he screamed in a single, fast breath, unable to control himself. Coughing, he spat blood on the floor at Eden's feet. His gaze drawn upward, Lund met the hate of hell in Eden's eye.
"Clean up your filth," she demanded. Kicking him in the jaw, she continued, "I keep a pristine facility, save for you." Lund heard the clicking head further down the hall.
Eden strode past each room left. Every Pokémon lay in the rooms, unmoving. She went to the last window on the left. A giant beast attacked the dead bodies that, four weeks ago, had been the only other comfort left in life. It turned to Eden and roared. The beast charged toward Eden, throwing its tan-brown body against the glass. Seeing her unwavering stance, it flew into a frenzy. Mouth open, it fired a massive beam of energy, sending it bouncing off the glass. It opened its mouth again, a weak cry escaped as it fell to the ground. Eden looked over the body, eyes resting on the purple chest. A moment later, she spun toward the exit, walking at a brisk pace, swaying her hips seductively.
Lund flinched as Eden passed him. Eden paused at the door as it opened. "Enjoy your extra meal today, Lund. It may only make two, but great work deserves a great reward." The third kick to the face was delivered by the striking, sweet sincerity.