In Search for Light
Chapter Three:
VS Chandelure
Chandelure- "It absorbs a spirit, which it then burns. By waving the flames on its arms, it puts its foes into a hypnotic trance." ~Pokédex entry for Pokémon Black
Why am I always running late? Can't I be on time for once?
"Come on, Garchomp!" I urge, roughly tugging on my pink boots. Why couldn't this be scheduled at a later time?
A low grunt comes from the back of my Villa, signaling that Garchomp is hurrying. At least I'm not the only one running late. That silly dragon can never seem to get himself ready. He's lucky he doesn't have to get as prepared as a human!
I can't imagine how long he would take if he had to do as much as a me. All he has to do is wakeup, and make sure he's groomed properly.
Speaking of which, my team could probably stand a good grooming when we're done with this. I probably should go find Kouki to see if he has any good tips for me.
Kouki…I haven't seen him in awhile. I probably should pay him a visit. I know Skuntank and Scarlet would like to see Camerupt again. I'll see if we can make plans for later. Right now this challenge is more important.
"Garchomp!" I yell, receiving a grumpy hiss as he walks into the front room.
I assure him that he looks handsome, and with that now being settled, we head out. I return Garchomp to his Poke Ball, and release my transportation Staraptor.
I do feel bad for using her just as transportation, but I do care for her just as much as the rest of my team. Actually, I think I baby her a little much, in an attempt at making up for not using her.
Taking notice of how pudgy she has gotten, I decide that it's probably time to lay off the Poffins.
Patting her head, I ask, "You ready to fly down to the mainland?" I ask, receiving a prompt chirp. "Eterna City sound good?" I ask.
Staraptor nods. If the winds are right, this should be an easy flight for her.
The flight is about an hour long, so it gives me plenty of time to think about things. What Pokémon should I use? Which strategy would be best? Why am I accepting this random challenge?
Out of the blue, I received a letter, asking if I had ever battled Isshu Region Pokémon.
I hadn't, so I continued to read. This person claimed to be a tough opponent, though willingly admitted that he probably couldn't win. They then said something about just wanting to give me the experience of battling the different Pokémon.
Who was I to say no to such a challenge? It sounded like fun.
The person said if I agreed, to meet him later in the month, at a certain camping ground in the Eterna Forest.
I looked into Isshu Pokémon, and learned that they have moves I've never even heard of, and some are even stronger than I could ever imagine.
No sweat, right? I did take down Team Galactic, and defeated Giratina myself, didn't I?
That makes me sound way too overconfident…
Oh well. No one can get me down unless I let them, right?
The winds ended up being very favorable, and in a little over an hour, we arrived at Eterna City. Staraptor seemed like she could probably fly some more, but I don't want to stress her.
I thanked her for her help, recalled her, and released Garchomp.
I love walking through cities with my Garchomp at my side. It just gives me a feeling of superiority. At first, I hated feeling like I was belittling everyone, but now, it doesn't bother me. I'm not belittling them. I mean, Cynthia walked around with her Garchomp, and it's not like I'm actually saying that I'm undefeatable.
I certainly can be beaten. I've had plenty of close calls, but I've always learned from them, and grew stronger.
When we enter the forest, we both notice that something feels different. It's hard to explain.
It's almost as if all the energy from the area has been drained, and like time is standing still.
Garchomp darts his restless yellow gaze around, and continues doing so as we move towards our destination.
"I'm so glad you decided to come." A voice void of emotion says.
Looking around, I don't see anyone. Confusing…
"R-Ryota?" I ask, struggling to remember my challenger's name. Garchomp begins to growl as a purple fog begins to fill the tiny glade.
The smell of the fog is horrendous, and it makes my eyes water. Garchomp isn't fazed in the least, so I can assume that this is Smog.
A small light appears away from us, and the outline of a human begins to walk towards us.
I take a step back. This can't be good…not one little bit.
"Hello, Champion Hikari." The person mumbles, now becoming more visible.
They're not very tall. Probably a few centimeters higher than I am, but most of his other features are still hidden by the Smog.
A strange creature seems to be floating next to him. It reminds me of a chandelier, but instead of lights, it has blue fire, and it seems to have yellow eyes. I think this is one of those Isshu Pokémon I looked up.
Chandelure if I'm not mistaken…I wish I knew more about them.
"Meet my friend, Chandelure. He's my strongest partner." He introduces. I guess this is Ryota.
The Pokémon's eyes give a menacing glow, and Ryota takes a step forward. "Let's begin. Chandelure, use Confuse Ray." He orders.
Geez…his tone sure is creeping me out. It's almost like he's completely drained of emotion…
I allow Garchomp to become confused, seeing as I have nothing to counter this with. We have a very close bond, so the likelihood that he'll actually attack himself is not very high.
"Use Swift!" I order.
Garchomp wobbles around, trying to get his bearings, and then finally waves his tail, releasing hundreds of tiny stars.
The attack collides with Chandelure, but seems to melt away into nothing.
Crap…he must be a ghost Pokémon. I guess I should have released that. I only assumed that it was a fire type. Great…
"You'll have to do better than that. Chandelure, show them your Shadow Ball." Ryota spoke.
"Use Crunch to destroy the Shadow Ball, then use Aqua Tail!" I counter.
Garchomp begins to run at Chandelure, and once the Pokémon has thrown his attack, Garchomp bites it. The Shadow Ball is no longer a threat, so Garchomp swings his tail around, hitting the strange Pokémon with his now water-coated tail.
I swear we worked forever on this move. I was lucky my friend had so much patience to teach him. It has been one of the most useful moves we've learned.
Chandelure takes the attack, and now looks considerably weak.
A smirk appears on Ryota's face.
Three words: creepy beyond belief.
"I think we're done playing around. Prepare for Curse." He says in a quiet tone, beginning to laugh.
Oh, Arceus, I didn't think it could get any creepier…
Chandelure begins to glow a dull purple, but he isn't looking at Garchomp…oh no. He's looking at me.
Before I can even beg for Garchomp to protect me, my whole body goes limp, and a horrible pain throbs in my chest. I want to scream, but words refuse to meet my lips.
It's strange to say this, but it feels like I can literally feel all of my emotions being drained from me.
Garchomp turns around, and then looks back at my tormentor. He growls at the fire creature, but for some reason, I hold my hand up.
"Stop." I command. Wait…that isn't me talking! I didn't want to say that!
I watch as Ryota's body drops to the ground, and now seems lifeless. I want to scream, but I feel nothing…nothing at all.
Standing up, I order for Garchomp to stay his ground as Chandelure floats over to me. The closer he gets, the more lifeless I feel.
Nothing matters…I don't feel like worrying about anything…I don't feel like I have to care about anyone…even myself.
"Get rid of your Pokémon." A whispery voice instructs. I think Chandelure is speaking to me…telepathy perhaps.
No. I refuse. They're my friends.
"I'm the only friend you will ever need." The voice reasons.
Lies. I need my Pokémon just as much as they need me.
"Make room for me."
This Chandelure is annoying…
My body begins to feel heavy, and a dull pain tugs at my chest. When it spikes, I can't even scream.
What does this thing want?
Chandelure floats closer to me. I can feel the heat of its flames, and it feels like he is draining me of my very being…
Unwillingly, I return Garchomp to his Poke Ball, and then begin to walk towards Ryota's limp body. Beside him is a minimized Poke Ball. The creature inside is strange.
I think I remember her being called Zoroark. They're supposed to be very powerful…and dangerous.
Chandelure has me pickup her Poke Ball, and we then begin to leave the woods…what's going on…?
It turns out these hellish creatures feed off of emotions. Ryota was their last victim, and I'm their next.
Zoroark, if anything, is just following Chandelure. She never seems like she really cares. It's just something she does.
Chandelure is my real problem…
I'm forever cursed until this demonic creature dies…is that even possible…?
Though, I have remembered something…Mesprit is the being of Emotion. Could she free me?
I offer Chandelure all the emotions he could ever desire, and he allows me to take him to Lake Verity.
Nobody has yet to notice that I am no longer myself. Kouki would notice…too bad I'm a horrible friend who never remembers to go see him.
The lake is calm. Not a breath of air stirs under the moon's rays as we approach the lake.
I probably should have thought of a way to actually summon Mesprit.
"Chand…" Chandelure moans.
Looks like he already has a plan.
He lets out a horrendous wail. I would cringe, but I don't have the strength to move. The longer he wails, the more energy I lose.
I see what he's doing.
He's releasing a small amount of all the emotion he has drained over the years. All of this negative energy should force Mesprit to reveal herself. She, the being of emotion, probably can't handle this.
A sharp cry fills the air, silencing Chandelure.
Moving my lifeless eye around, I spot a faint outline of Mesprit floating above the lake.
Chandelure chuckles. Just what he wanted. He probably can already feel the emotions pulsing off of her.
When her pink eyes make contact with mine, she seems shocked.
No surprise there. Not too long ago, she was helping me with Giratina. Now, it probably looks like I'm on the bad side…
She launches a Psychic attack at Chandelure, but I quickly release Zoroark to block the attack. Her dark typing absorbs the move like it's nothing.
I order for Zoroark to use Bark Out, and it hurts Mesprit considerably.
When she gets closer, Zoroark continues her barking. Mesprit already seems too weak to battle.
Such a pathetic Pokémon…
When she tries to attack, I allow Zoroark to battle on her own. Night Slash collides with Swift, creating a cloud of smoke.
Zoroark takes this moment to use Sucker Punch, making the Emotion Pokémon dazed.
Lifting her arms up, a bright orange energy begins to build on Zoroark's arms. When she puts her limbs down, the Night Burst sends Mesprit flying into a tree.
She appears to be knocked out, so we approach her.
"Free me from this monster and give him all the emotion he needs." I order.
She feebly sits up on her arms, and begins to communicate with me.
"You were destined for much greater things…but if it's emotion you want," at this, her eyes darken. "Emotion you get!" She gives a harsh cry, and so many different emotions begin to flood my being, it's…painful…no…blissful…wrong again…indifferent?
I don't even know what I feel!
Chandelure seems to be laughing. He's probably enjoying this surge of emotions.
Mesprit tells me that she is cursing me with the ability to now feel the emotions of those around me. Before I could stop her, she disappears.
Well damn…I'm…cursed. Not only by Chandelure, but by Mesprit.
I shout a few obscenities to the night sky, but it seems to do no good. My moods begin to shift.
I feel sorry for myself.
I hate myself.
I cry.
I yell for crying.
I feel nothing…
That's it…I have to save everyone from myself. Being the champion, people are around me quite a bit. I must spare them.
I brought this all upon myself. I can't let others suffer for my ignorance.
First things first: hand off my title to someone.
But who? Who can lead with a kind hand?
Kouki.
When I tell Chandelure that I am ready to get rid of some of my Pokémon, he seems delighted.
He tells me that I may keep a few, but I must be quick about releasing them.
First, I shall return Scarlet to Kouki. He'll be able to take care of her, and he'll make a better Champion than I ever could be…
When I ask him to battle me, I want to ask him to save me…but I can't. Chandelure may not be close by, but he can still manipulate my every move. I hate this.
I hate feeling Kouki's every emotion. Though, I guess up until now, I didn't realize something: just how much he likes me.
In the way some people claim that they can see someone's aura, I can basically do the same, but with emotions.
So much admiration and love is just pulsating off of him. It would be completely overwhelming if Chandelure weren't feasting on it.
How can he like me so much? How did I not notice? I guess I was too caught up in being Champion to notice.
…Do I feel the same?
I contemplate this throughout our battle. I don't know. He's always been an amazing friend, and sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself. He's always done his best to make me smile, and help me whenever possible.
I could see myself with him…but in my current state, it would be better for us to not be together.
When I 'lose' the battle, and tell him that he's the new champion, all of his emotions bring tears to my eyes. Frustration, anger, hidden joy, and everything in between…it's making me feel sick.
How one person manages so many emotions is beyond me…
"Kari," he says in a pleading tone.
This is killing me more than Chandelure is… "I'm sorry, Kouki." I apologize.
When I look at him, I see that there is no reasoning with him.
Taking advantage of his love for me is wrong, but it seems like the only way I'll be reasoning with him.
Without any hesitation, I kiss him. I almost regret this, seeing as it just makes him care even more, but knowing him, he'll at least do as I say now…
Three months later, I realize that he didn't do as I had said. He came looking for me, and he saved me.
Three months of being the energy source for my demon was beginning to be too much, but plain suicide wouldn't work. Chandelure would stop me.
I had devised a plan to drag him to Snowpoint City, so he could feed off of the energy from the people there.
He didn't question my motives, so I kept Infernape with me to instigate the wild Abomasnow.
Abomasnow tend to be very territorial, and won't hesitate to kill any intruders.
I had hoped that they would kill me. High hopes…well, as high as my hopes can be without Chandelure realizing what I was going to do.
Damn Kouki just had to save me.
Damn him for his emotions. When I slapped him, he was so hurt. I hated doing that to him, but I had to.
I don't want Chandelure to think about hurting him.
When we hugged, I felt so calm. No negativity, just calm.
Arceus, how I miss this feeling. Feeling everybody's emotions for so long can be quite a downer.
The world is a sad place…
My Pokémon are gone…all except Skuntank that is. I still have her, but otherwise, they're all gone.
Cosmo was left at Lake Valor.
Torterra somewhere near the Eterna Forest.
Infernape is at Sunyshore City.
Garchomp…I miss him…I left him in the cave I found him in as a Gible.
Staraptor was released to the sky, so I have no clue where she is at now.
Scarlet should still be with Kouki…
I miss them.
I miss them so much.
I want to grieve, but I can't.
All I have left is Skuntank, and that damn Chandelure and Zoroark.
Zoroark isn't too bad, she just has many quarrels with humans. Though, personally, I think Chandelure has been lying to her too much.
"Your body is of hardly any use to me. You've grown too weak, and you can no longer handle the onslaught of emotions. I need a new host."
After nearly a year…I no longer care about anything. He is right. My body is so frail; I can barely stand without him helping me. My body is ready to give up, and I want it to…so badly.
I'm done here. I have nothing left to offer this world.
On the outside, I appear fine. I think I even look about the same as I did when I last saw Kouki. Sure, I was getting a little thin, but I don't think I'm any worse.
I'm so mentally worn out, that it's killing me slowly.
"I already know of my new host. The male we would come across on occasion. He gives off a good deal of emotion, and if I transfer your curse from Mesprit over to him, he'll be perfect."
No…not Kouki. He doesn't deserve this…but…maybe if it will save me.
Though, once Chandelure releases me, I'll die for sure.
I want freedom…
"Zoroark. Track him down, and bring him here, to the mountains. If he has any Pokémon with him, make sure they know where we are at, in case he doesn't follow you." I order, barely able to breath. Skuntank gives a worried whimper. I'm lucky she doesn't mind me using her as a giant pillow.
Why are we in the mountains? I haven't a clue, but the view is nice. At least I'll die here.
The Illusion Fox Pokémon nods, and then begins to leap down the mountain. With her good sense of smell, she'll find him easily.
I lean back against Skuntank, her soft fur warming me. If I die here, with Skuntank by my side, I'll be just fine with that. At least Chandelure has granted me this.
I'm sorry, Kouki. I don't want to curse you, but I want my freedom more.
I love him, so maybe I can at least find some strength to tell him…maybe.
Howdy. It's been awhile.
Better late than never I suppose. Now we know why Hikari left. Whimsical, yes? I knew from the beginning I wanted her to be cursed, but it was figuring out who cursed her, and for what reasons. Well, now we know what my little mind decided.
This fic is possibly coming to a close. I don't know yet. I'm still writing This certainly won't be nearly as long as some of my fics, but hey, this was an experimental fic anyways.
I will say this! I am possibly going to post the prologue to my next Fortuneshipping fic. Again, it shall be different from my other fics, but I think it will be enjoyable. Just something you should keep an eye out for
Lots of whimsical stuff in this chapter, and a tun of rushed things. I apologize for that. This chapter was bascialy just supposed to be to catch you up with Hikari , help you understand why she left, and tell you what was up with Zoroark.
Normally I would include some dialogue, but I think after reading this chapter, it should be pretty obvious as to what is going to happen in the next chapter. Some things, anyways.
P.S ~ Let's play a drinking game! Whenever you see the word 'emotion' or its plural form, take a drink! You'll be so drunk sick of your drink, it'll be hilarious!
Preview of the next chapter:
Skuntank- "It sprays a stinky fluid from its tail. The fluid smells worse the longer it is allowed to fester." ~Pokedex entry from Pearl
