Chapter 13 Victory?
(Narrator)
Slowking and Tropius stared in shock at the dead pile of sludge that remained. No one could believe that Quagsire had just killed Muk in cold blood.
Mewtwo, however, was obviously desensitized to any more homicides.
"Well, seeing that all 3 of you are in the same place, let me not hinder your carnage by expanding the battleground. Just to let you Pokemon know, the murderer is still at large... But the question is: 'For how long?'"
The walls of the rooms collapsed. The area was replaced with a wide square arena, but with purple laser beams acting as a barrier, preventing any escape.
Slowking, still reeling from shock, stammered: "Quagsire…. So it was you! You heartless murderer!"
"Slowking, let me assist you in finishing off this evil fiend!" Tropius chimed in.
Quagsire shook his head frantically. He communicated with Mewtwo telepathically.
"Mewtwo, please translate my thoughts to the Pokemon."
"Very well. I have given you a temporary ability to speak." Mewtwo's voice echoed through the arena. "Quagsire has some words for you Pokemon. I have granted him a speech ability. Do listen to what he has to say."
"Thanks Mewtwo." Quagsire spoke. "Sigh... it feels so good to speak for the first time in my life!" Quagsire continued: "Slowking, you have to trust me. This is my plan to capture the murderer! You must first understand that originally, the murderer could only be Muk or Tropius."
Slowking was unconvinced: "How can you be sure that it is not me? Or YOU?" Slowking replied.
"Because I trust you!" Quagsire was visibly hurt. "How can you not trust me? By killing Muk, since Mewtwo has not declared our victory, it proves that Tropius is the murderer! You know it yourself! You aren't the murderer, and I ain't one either! So, if we accuse Tropius now, we win!"
Slowking pondered over Quagsire's words…
(Slowking's POV)
Logically, it wouldn't make any sense. Quagsire did not even answer the question on how he couldn't be the murderer. After all, he just killed Muk for no reason. Or rather his reason is totally absurd. There is no way anyone can prove who is the murderer.
On the other hand, Quagsire's action was based on pure belief that we are innocent. Can I believe his intentions? Or is he using our friendship to manipulate my thoughts. For one thing, if Tropius dies an innocent death, the only survivor would be me. Which under Mewtwo's rules, I lose, and lose my life.
It all boils down to whether I trust Quagsire or not. I realise there is no point trying to gather any evidence anymore. None of the evidence gathered over the murders make any sense. A case in point would be the death of Ambipom. The charred remains don't seem to have any link to the murderer involved. Well, of course there is a link because the murderer is standing before me I cannot see the connection. A Grass type and a Water type. Who can cause a fire?
Emotions tugged at me. After such a close and long friendship, I shouldn't be doubting Quagsire anymore. Accusing him is definitely not the way to repay his kindness. After all, even if Quagsire is the murderer, I as a friend should try to allow him to live. Tropius may die for no reason, but then, the odds are even. To let Quagsire live, even if I die due to a wrong decision, I know it isn't my fault.
Therefore, I cleared my throat, and spoke: "I believe you Quagsire. Tropius, I am sorry."
"Therefore, I accuse…" Before I could complete my sentence, an emerald Energy ball was sent directly into Quagsire's heart. Quagsire flinched, then staggered, then tumbled to the ground.
Tropius had revealed his true colours. So Quagsire was right! But, it was too late. I was left alone. Alone with the murderer. This basically means, Tropius has just won the game, and I would die.
Tropius grinned wickedly. I could no longer see any humanity in him. I shouldn't criticize too much. After all, if I were him, I would also be in a state of euphoria.
"Yes, it was me all along. I, Tropius, am the murderer." Tropius gloated.
Here I was, wondering why Mewtwo has not declared Tropius the winner. Isn't this situation real? I am the only survivor. Under Mewtwo's rules, I should have lost.
Apparently Tropius was having the same thoughts. "Why aren't I crowned the champion? Is Mewtwo sleeping or something? Never mind, I shall eliminate you too." Tropius opened his mouth and launched another Energy Ball, this time in my direction.
I barely dodged it. That was a surprise, considering the train of thoughts that were cruising through me.
I was thinking, Quagsire could have survived the Energy Ball. If I recall correctly, Tropius does not have a powerful Sp Attack. Furthermore, Quagsire invested fully in Special Defense. My mind temporarily warped to past memories…
(Some time ago…)
"No Quagsire, don't train on those Tentacools. They give you Special Defense Effort Values (EVs) which are not beneficial for you. You should work on Geodudes, which give you Defense EVs. A Quagsire is better off playing as a Physical Tank rather than a Special Tank."
Quagsire ignored me, hurling Mud Bombs at a group of Tentacools. More Tentacool slaughter continued. I groaned. My best efforts in giving Quagsire a set of good EVs were in vain. Quagsire had obediently followed my advice about investing in Hitpoints but was determined to maximize his Special Defense. I guess he was fed up with being knocked out hundreds of times by special grass moves.
(Now)
I guess the investment really reaped the rewards. Tropius sure didn't expect Quagsire to survive. Now it is my duty to finish Tropius off, so that Quagsire and I can live.
However, with the merciless stream of Energy Balls throttling at full speed towards me. I simply did not have the time to open my mouth to accuse Tropius. Neither was relying on evasion a viable technique. With my slow speed, it was near impossible. And BAM! I just got hit by one of those green orbs. I winced in pain.
The only option was to use Fire Blast to retaliate. I unleashed a fiery inferno. It overwhelmed the weak Energy Balls and was approaching Tropius. However, Tropius dodged it with ease.
"You won't catch me anytime soon. I'm too fast for you!" Tropius snarled as he flew around the circular arena, easily dodging my continuous Fire Blasts. He was right. In fact, he could easily launch a counter attack.
As the blazing beam missed Tropius and slammed into the concrete wall, smoke began to form. Tropius, however, was missing. Did he enter the smoke? The sudden release of 5 energy balls from the dust cloud was the reply. In horror, I fired another Fire Blast. The blast caused a deafening explosion upon contact with the green spheres. Again, smoke erupted. I retreated fearfully, knowing that Tropius had the upper hand. If this situation continued, I would be doomed in no time. Tropius may not be powerful, but he was speedy. In fact, he was very speedy. (at least to me)
As Tropius hovered in the air, awaiting my next move, I noticed a notification on the top left hand corner of my vision. Oh sweet Arceus! That was the notification of an extra move I was trying to learn. Actually, this was a move I had already tried to learn for a very long time. I was just too lazy to bother deleting an old move. This move… was Trick Room.
I quickly deleted Scald and immediately used Trick Room. The walls turned into a deep shade of violet. Trick Room makes the slow Pokemon move unusually fast and the fast Pokemon would start crawling like a snail. Tropius's speedy flight was rudely interrupted and he slowed down to a grinding halt. Tropius was astonished. In frenzy, he unleashed a legion of Energy Balls at me. But to me, the Energy Balls were moving so slowly. I zipped around with Raikou speed, dodging all those orbs. I blasted a firestorm at Tropius. Tropius, with his new-found lag, could only widen his eyes in horror as the firestorm engulfed him. Again, smoke was formed, except this time, I was not afraid.
The smoke dissipated and I saw the charred body of the bananasaur. (dinosaur and banana crossover) Tropius was gasping for air. Tears cascaded down his cheeks.
"I am so sorry…. I was evil…." Tropius sobbed.
I couldn't control my emotions. Tear drops formed in my eyes. After all, it wasn't Tropius's fault.
"I forgive you Tropius. Don't reproach yourself further." I replied with much difficulty. A torrent of tears was falling down my cheeks, like a waterfall.
Tropius's face contorted. After a few seconds, he finally harvested a Sitrus berry.
"Take this to Quagsire. It might help him survive." These were the last words of Tropius. He took his last breath, and died.
The twisted dimensions returned to normal. I was stuck with my slow speed. Just when I was about to deliver the berry, Quagsire's tiny eyes closed. I was too late. Mewtwo's voice rang out through the room, probably for the last time.
"Sorry Slowking. Quagsire died too. Well, the good news is, you are the winner of this game! As a result, you have won a one year's supply of luxury Pokemon food. Also, your immediate family would never be forced to join this game ever again, unless you choose to."
"I would be teleporting you back to your home town. But bear in mind, all memories of your victory would vanish. They would be safe in my Memory Chamber, which I assure you, would never be opened."
With that, a dazzling white beam struck me, and I saw myself being brought back to my home. Home never felt any sweeter. I desperately tried to hang on to my memories, thinking of exposing Mewtwo's terrible crimes when I return. But, with every step nearer my home, my memories were moving further from me. They were fading slowly but surely. I tried to remember the murder of my best friend Quagsire, but even that memory I failed to grasp…..
(Slowking's POV)
The blazing sun shone into every nook and cranny of my untidy room, revealing all the dust that I have yet to clean. The rays seeped into my bleary eyes, forcing me awake. I yawned. Another boring day. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am a Slowking, one of the laziest pokemon on this planet….. I just realised, someone is looking in my life. I usually entertain that fellow by living normally and giving vivid descriptions about what Slowkings do. However, today I am simply exhausted. So, to whoever is watching my life right now, go away, I want to sleep.
Author's Note : Please leave some reviews and suggestions! I am new to fanfiction so please do not flame. Thanks a bunch
Author's Note : Also, there is a small epilogue coming up, and since you readers do not know how Tropius murdered the Pokemon, there is a chapter on that with Tropius explaining his thoughts and actions. So don't stop here. Thanks