The Mystifying Illusionist (Issue #3) "Great Scott! The Great Grisly!"
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Published by Twinleaf Publishing. "The Mystifying Illusionist" Issue #3. Subscription fee: 1 follow and 1 fav per account. Shipping is free.
Writer, Letterer, and Editor: Collin M. Cole
Co-Writer and Assistant Editor: Nicholas J. Cole
Series created by Collin M. Cole and Nicholas J. Cole
Previously...
After surviving a strange explosion from a lab accident, Ryan Zorro, your average Zoroark, wakes up to find that he now possesses superhuman strength and speed. Most notably, his Illusion ability has become much more powerful than before. With his newfound abilities, he is determined to protect the citizens of Castelia City as a costumed vigilante: The Mystifying Illusionist!
While Castelia City has seen Ryan Zorro, aka the Mystifying Illusionist as a superhero, Harold H. Harrison, publisher of the Castelia Daily, sees him as a menace using the superhero gig as a cover-up. When our hero and Todd Snap are tasked to take pictures of the masked vigilante, they notice police cars heading for the Castelia National Bank, where the evil Galvan-Man has robbed thousands of dollars.
After he arrests the shocking supervillain and saves the day, Ryan changes out of his costume, only to be caught red-handed by Snap, who happily agrees to keep Ryan's superhero identity a secret. Later that night, Ryan returns to the sewers that gave him his powers, only to find that he isn't alone...
"Great Scott! The Great Grisly!"
Castelia Sewers, 9:08 p.m., Sunday
"COME ON, DON'T BE SHY!", the big, hairy, racoon-tailed, and seemingly friendly man stomped closer to Ryan Zorro, also known as the Mystifying Illusionist. "ALL I WANT IS A GREAT BIG HUG!"
I can't fight this guy! Ryan thought to himself, wondering what to do with the strange Bewear-like man. He hasn't done any harm to the city... well, as least not yet. Still, I can't let this guy run freely around the city. I've seen what Bewear are like when Ken Morris did a special show in Alola, and if I recall correctly, their hugs can cripple, even kill, those who aren't careful. And if I'm not careful, I'll be crippled!
Our hero looked at the shattered, empty vial of Bearium. That Bearium... could that liquid have turned him into what he is now? And if that's the case, are there other people like him who have transformed into human-Pokemon hybrids like Galvan-Man?
As the hairy hybrid stomped closer, Ryan made a run for the exit.
"HEY! COME BACK! I JUST WANT TO HUG YOU!" The human-Bewear chased after the Zoroark, gaining on him step by step. Ryan, knowing there was no other choice, turned to face this new foe and slammed the ground. The sewer water rose above our hero, splitting in half to form two walls of muddy water. Just as the Bewear hybrid was about to close in on him for a hug, Ryan leaned his palms on the muddy water, pushing it with great force.
Instantly, the water bundled into a decent-sized wave, enough to carry the Bewear-like man down the deeper parts of the sewer. With the hybrid out of sight, Ryan rushed out to check if anyone was watching him. When the coast was clear, he quickly changed back to his normal self and ran down the street to his apartment.
Castelia Street, 7:25 a.m., Monday
The next morning, Ryan decided to use the extra time he had before going to work for patrolling the streets as the Mystifying Illusionist, his costume cleaned up from last night's encounter. First, he found a man attempting to hijack a parked car.
The man was too busy with finding something to break the car's windows he didn't notice the Pokemon superhero standing behind him.
"Nice day for stealing cars, huh?", the Illusionist joked. The man turned around, surprised at being caught. He pulled out a gun and attempted to pull the trigger at our hero, but no bullets came out.
"Now, now, young man." The Illusionist waved a finger, "It's not polite to point. Now listen, if you want to save money, say a few grand, and possibly a job opportunity, I think you should walk away from the vehicle right now. We wouldn't want the cops on our tail now would we?"
The man, with no other option, simply nodded nervously and calmly walked away.
A male citizen walked out and got into his car, giving a thumb-up at our hero as thanks.
Next, the Illusionist noticed a group of teenagers bullying a young, blond-haired boy.
"Oh, what a dork!"
"Yeah! Hey, you should've seen the look on his face after we tore apart that stuffed decoy doll he had at school!"
"That was so hilarious!"
"What are you going to do, loser! Go cry to your mom?"
The teens laughed viciously at the now-devastated young boy, until they saw the Illusionist!
"Guys, it's that Illusionist freak from the paper!" The teens began to make a break for it. "Bail!"
Our hero walked up to the little boy, who by this point was burying his face in tears.
"Hey, buddy." The Illusionist knelt down at the boy's eye level. "What's wrong, are those kids putting you down?"
The kid looked up, staring at the Master of Illusions himself. "Hey, you're that Mystifying Illusionist from today's paper!"
Our hero smiled, "Heh... in the flesh!" The young kid laughed happily. "Now, why don't you tell me what's wrong."
"Well," the kid began, "these kids are picking on me because they said I look like a baby." Tears were beginning to well up again.
"Hey, kid, it's OK. Don't let those guys get the better of you." The Illusionist advised the young kid, "Let me, uh, let you in on a little secret: it's not how you look that defines what you are, but it's what you do that's really important. Take it from me! You see, some people don't think I'm a big fancy superhero, in fact they think I'm dangerous. But, I still do what I have to do. You got that?"
The kid smiled at our hero from these inspiring words. "Yeah! Thanks, Mr. Illusionist!"
Ryan smiled at himself, proud that he was able to cheer the little kid. A school bus arrived, and after the kid waved to him, the Illusionist was off to find the nearest alleyway to change back to his regular self.
Castelia Daily, 8:00 a.m., Monday
Ryan was not amused with the front page.
Exclusive: Mystifying Illusionist - Friend Or Foe? Inside Castelia City's Menace!
"It's brilliant!" Mr. Harold H. Harrison, publisher of the Castelia Daily proudly announced, "We've sold the most papers in just two hours than we would in a two weeks!"
Harrison turned to Ryan and patted him on the back. "And, it's all thanks to you, Ryan! This Illusionist fellow may not be such a bad guy after all, now that I think about it."
Ryan's eyes lit up. "Really, sir?"
"Yeah," Harrison admitted, "because he's making history for the Castelia Daily! Million of papers sold in the span of just two hours is unthinkable in printed media!"
"Sir, that's great and all, but the Illusionist you call a "menace" saved most of the city's police force! I mean, don't you think you should..."
"Think? Think?!" Harrison interrupted. "I don't think that menace would save a bunch of law enforcers for nothing. He's probably brainwashing the police to make them think he's on the side of justice so later he can stab them in the back as part of his plan! So, i think you should quit defending the little scoundrel and start taking pictures of him! Oh, and, uh, we've gotten word of yet another menace in the sewers, The Great Grisly! Came up with it myself, half-man, half-bear! Now, go on, get going with those pictures."
Mr. Harrison lightly pushed Ryan out of his office. Todd Snap, Ryan's co-worker, was waiting for him.
"You ready?" Todd asked Ryan, who nodded.
The two left the offices and took the elevator. As soon as the elevator door shut, Todd turned to Ryan.
"I'm guessing you saw the headline?"
Ryan sighed, "Yeah, I did... you didn't say anything about...", the Zoroark paused. "...the "thing", did you?"
"Nope. I haven't told anyone you're really the Illusionist."*
(*= Todd Snap is currently the only one who knows of Ryan's secret identity, as seen last issue! - C. M. C.)
"Good!" Ryan smiled, letting out a sigh of relief.
Eventually, the elevator doors opened, and the two exited the building.
Castelia Street, 6:32 p.m., Monday.
After taking a few pictures of locations around the city, Todd met back up with Ryan, still in his regular form.
"Aren't you going to change, yet?" Todd whispered.
"Not yet. Why, did you happen to spot any criminals around here?" Ryan quietly asked his trusted co-worker.
"Nothing out of the ordinary yet. Say, didn't Harrison say something about this "Great Grisly" guy?"
"Yeah."
"Let me guess, you've already seen him this morning starting another apartment fire."
"Actually, last night in the sewers. Apparently, there was some liquid called Bearium...with an "E" for some reason, not barium as in the periodic table. Anyway, I'm guessing that Bearium might have transformed a normal guy into a human-Bewear hybrid!"
"But, Bewear is only native in the Alola region. H-hold on, are you thinking that it might have some connection to the Illusionium in the lab two days ago?"
"Probably... this "Great Grisly" guy Harrison is calling wanted to give me a hug."
"Good thing you're alive."
"Yeah... I used sewer water."
"Man, that's gross. At least you turned out OK." Todd gave his co-worker and friend a thumbs-up, and then walked off. "Hey Ryan, I'm going to get some dinner. You just go and do whatever you have to do, OK?"
"Alright!"
Café Sonata, 7:13 p.m., Monday
Todd Snap walked into the café and noticed a big, hairy man at one of the tables.
"Oh, hello, sir." Todd waved to him, who stood up happily. "Uh, sorry, I-I was just starting up a conversation, t-that's all!" the photographer nervously laughed.
The big man just stared at Snap, grinning more and more, happier and happier.
"DO YOU WANT A HUG, TOO?" The man boomed loudly.
The Great Grisly?! Todd stared at the hulking giant, a bit intimidated. "Uh, no thanks, sir!" Todd backed up, tripping over the counter and seeing a waitress lying dead, bent in two. Todd gasped in horror, knowing full well he would most likely be the next one to be hugged and, quite possibly, killed.
Where's Ryan when you need him?! Todd thought to himself.
To defend himself, Todd grabbed a kitchen knife. A large hand, the Great Grisly's, reached over the counter. Todd immediately sliced into the giant hand, causing the hybrid to roar loudly in pain.
After a few seconds of silence, the counter was karate chopped in half. The Great Grisly brutally swung its other arm across the room, tables and chairs crashing into the wall. The Great Grisly used Hammer Arm on every table and chair until it set its eyes on Todd, defensively holding the ooze-filled kitchen knife.
Come on, Ryan, where are you?!
Narrow Street, 7:20 p.m., Monday
Ryan walked down the alley at Narrow Street, about ready to change out of his Mystifying Illusionist costume. But, suddenly he heard noise from inside the Café Sonata.
Very faintly, he could hear Todd yelling inside, but that wasn't what got his attention. There was another voice inside the room, and it sounded very familiar.
"I WANT MY HUG! GIVE ME A HUG RIGHT NOW!"
Todd! Ryan yanked open the door. Accidentally forgetting he had super strength, Ryan saw that the door peeled right off the wall.
But there was no time for that. Todd needed saving!
"I hate to break to you, Baloo, but I don't think The Revenant was set in a bar!" The Illusionist quipped.
"Thank Arceus, you're here!" Todd rejoiced, but then he noticed the Great Grisly about to swing a Drain Punch. "Ryan, look out!" he warned the Illusionist.
The Drain Punch landed a direct hit on our hero, who was knocked to a brick wall from the force of the blow.
Man, that hurt. What training regime did the Snuggle Bear go through? Ryan checked an HP bar on his power helm's visor. Less than half... better make my moves count. I guess I'll have to fight fire with fire.
Ryan ducked from the Great Grisly's grasp and used Low Sweep, and got up fired a Focus Blast. Within seconds, the Great Grisly was seemingly unable to battle.
Todd walked over to the Great Grisly, lightly nudged its face with his left shoe.
"Did we win?" Todd asked, only to be snatched by a large bear hand.
"TODD, NO!" Ryan shouted as his co-worker began to get crushed from the weight of the hug. Suddenly, a rush of adrenaline surged through Ryan's body, knowing he had to act quickly. Grabbing the kitchen knife, the Illusionist, knowing he had no other options, knowing the police would eventually find out, plunged it into the top of the Great Grisly's head.
A low groan emitted from the hybrid's mouth, its grip loosened, freeing Todd just in time for him to witness the Mystifying Illusionist standing atop the Great Grisly's back.
Ryan looked down at the hybrid's unconscious body in shock, knowing he just took an innocent civilian's life. He was determined to protect the citizens of Castelia City, a superhero, and now here he was, a murderer. All to protect a friend.
"Ryan? You alright?" Todd Snap asked his Zoroark co-worker.
Think? Think?! I don't think that menace would save a bunch of law enforcers for nothing.
The word "menace" kept echoing in Ryan's head. Maybe he was a menace. Maybe Mr. Harrison was right.
"Todd... what do we do with the body?"
"You're asking me?! Uh... I don't know. Throw it in that dumpster over there." Todd pointed at an old dumpster further down the alley. Ryan lifted the Great Grisly's massive body with ease and tossed him into a pile of trash bags.
"I'm going to go give the photos I took today to Mr. Harrison. I'll see you tomorrow." Ryan told Snap.
"Alright, then."
"Goodnight, Todd."
"Don't forget to change out of that outfit."
Castelia City Prison, 10:09 p.m., Monday.
There has to be a way out of this cell! Dr. Calem Young, the Galvan-Man, wondered how on earth he would be able to escape. He was still not used to being labeled as a freak by his jail-mates, and now with Professor Oak's deadline nearing its end, Young would try anything to bust out of jail.
"Excuse me, Mister...uh...Galvan-Man, there's someone here to see you.", the prison guard notified the doctor.
Suddenly, a sonic boom shattered the walls of Galvan-Man's cell. "And that someone is me! The Screecher!"
A few police officers attempted to stop the Screecher, but they were blown away by another loud sonic boom.
"What is the meaning of this?!", Galvan-Man asked this strange person, confused and cautious.
"Well, we've heard that you've been having some trouble with a certain individual. You wouldn't happen to know where the Mystifying Illusionist hides out, now would you?"
"You mean Ryan Zorro?" Young, the Galvan-Man, clutched a charred but still readable name tag from the Castelia Daily. "I think I have some ideas."
"Excellent! I, the Screecher, will make preparations for a little homecoming party at the Castelia Daily!" The Screecher declared, laughing loudly and maniacally.
"Wait!" Galvan-Man stopped his apparently new partner for a moment, "You've said "we've heard." Tell me, who else have you brought along?"
Thumping sounds echoes through the halls, then suddenly a large fist destroyed Galvan-Man's cell wall.
"I CAN'T WAIT TO GIVE THAT MYSTIFYING ILLUSIONIST A BIG HUG!"
Castelia Daily, 8:15 a.m., Tuesday.
Ryan decided not to change into the Illusionist this morning due to last night's little incident. He checked the newspaper, where surprisingly no mention of the Mystifying Illusionist was in any of the pages.
"I tell you, he's a menace! He knows I'm onto him and he'll do anything to prevent any bad publicity towards him! Gosh darn it, he's good." Mr. Harrison shouted proudly at Ryan
Ryan smugly grinned at the mention of the word "good." Well, Harold H. Harrison, thank you. I'm quite flattered.
"Good at covering up his no-good plan! I tell you when I find out what that glorified magician's devilish plan is, I'll make sure there will be witch hunters tracking him to the corners of the city! I want him put on trial, and prosecuted via the good ol' confessions trails they used back in the Middle Age Kalos!"
Suddenly, the fax machine rang.
"Hello? Oh, Ms. Reed, talk to me, who's bugging me now? Who? He's here to apply for a job at the Castelia Daily?"
Ryan peeked inside Mr. Harrison's office. "Excuse me, Mr. Harrison..."
"Oh! Ryan, excuse me for just a moment." Mr. Harrison insisted, and resumed speaking with someone on the fax. Ryan closed the door and started to walk towards his desk.
"What was his name? Oh, alright, I'll do just that. Send the guy up, I'll have Mister Zorro show him around the place." Harrison got up and called Ryan over. "Ryan! Come here, I need something from you."
"There's a young man at the receptionist's desk, he's our new journalist. Father's famous in this business, particularly in multimedia. Says here he even claims he can even see the future. Bold if you ask me. Anyway, I've arranged for an interview with him this afternoon, and I want you to show the guy around the place. Understand?"
"Yeah, I'll get right to it, sir." Ryan nodded, thankfully he became used to where things were in and around the offices.
As the Zoroark exited the elevator, he met with the receptionist.
"Oh, good afternoon, Ryan." Ms. Reed, the receptionist, greeted. The young man seemed to look familiar, but definitely he couldn't be. "You know, this guy's father used to be the best in the business. Well, that was until that little incident in Crown City a few years ago in Sinnoh."
The mere mention of Crown City grabbed Ryan's attention. "Did you say Crown City? I'm sorry, who's the new guy here I'm supposed to show around?" he asked, referring to the young man staring awkwardly at the Zoroark.
"Oh, him?" Ms. Reed replied, "This young man here is Grayson. Grayson Kodai. He's Grings' son."
"Hello, there." Grayson introduced himself to Ryan, who was too stunned to reply "You know, you look familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"
Yeah... Ryan angrily thought to himself. Your dad nearly killed Meema when I was just a Zorua...
What a shocking revelation this must be for our hero! Who is this new guy, Grayson Kodai?! Will our hero be able to adjust working with the son of Grings Kodai?! And now that Galvan-Man has escaped from prison, what does he have in store for Ryan?! And just who is the Screecher?!
Be sure to check back next time for more exciting action-packed adventures of the Masked Shadow! The Stupefying Super! The Masters of Illusions!
Next time:
The Mystifying Illusionist #4
"Showdown with the Screecher!"
Available Now!
Editor's Note: When I write these stories, even I get surprised by what I come up with! So, the first stand-alone story. I wrote this as a sort of "monster-of-the-week" type story. I hope you all were satisfied with this issue as well as the previous. And if there is anything you think needs some improvement or have any questions, we'll gladly read your reviews and suggestions. This is currently the longest issue in terms of word count. Again, I really hope you enjoyed reading and were just as surprised at the ending twist as I was. See you all next issue!
- Collin M. Cole