Last time on Pokemon Virtual...
Kai and Uen show their true colours, deleting a character without offering a warning in a street with on lookers. Shane befriends an shy user called Danny, and the pair (meaning Shane and Maybe) suddenly become a trio. Balmung has a run in with Kai and Uen. Do they know the truth? Will the incident between Kai and Balmung ever come into the light? And, now, it's on to Viridian for our heros!
Disclaimer: Don't own Pokemon or .Hack
Me: Welcome to chapter four!
Uen: ... Kai! It talks!
Kai: What the hell do you think it does? It's human you know.
Uen: ... Since when?
Kai: Look. Can you just hurry up and make us vanquish this stupid virus? I just want to go home!
Me: Heh... lets ignore those two for now. Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Four: The Tournament
"Ah! There's Viridian!" Danny said, pointing up ahead at the giant sign that said; "VIRIDIAN CITY: HOME OF GIOVANNI"
Shane sweat dropped. They were proud that they were home to Giovanni? No doubt he did exist on the game, he was probably a holo character. Still, Shane grinned. This was a new town… with a new adventure!
"It looks like fun, doesn't it?"
"Yeah." Danny said, hardly listening. She was looking up information about the town on her Pokenav, and she grinned at what she found. "Get a load of this!"
"A load of what?"
"It's a Pokemon Battle Tournament!"
"Wow! Cool! Doesn't that sound cool, Maybe?"
Shane ignored Maybe when she shook her head.
"Are you going to join, Danny?"
"No duh!"
"Well then, lets get going!" Shane grinned, bounding down the road. He double tracked, and stopped back to where they were, both (Danny and Maybe) of which looked confused. "Uh… where's the registration desk?"
Danny and Maybe sweat dropped.
"This was a smart idea in coming here, Kai-kun." Uen said, bounding along beside Kai, even though Kai was walking slowly and taking his time. Kai grunted in reply. "God, are you still brooding over what happened with that newbie dork? I don't know what happened between you and him, but brooding isn't going to get the job done!"
"Drop it."
"Uh… but it was smart of you to think that the virus would be here! Remember, we need to look for that freaky bracelet mark."
"I have a bigger hint." Kai said, ignoring Uen as he raised his eyebrow. "We just need to look for a girl that resembled Aura."
"But I don't know what Aura looks like!" Uen whined, "I've never played 'The World', and I haven't ever hung around Balmung of the Azure Sky."
"That's why you have me then, isn't it?" Kai said huffily, "and considering it was made near Pallet, this would be the place it would turn up at. Plus, there's a tournament going on."
"Good thinking! So, do you see her?"
Kai's eyes scanned the crowd, searching out every body… until…
"Bingo."
"You found our little flower, Kai-kun?" Uen asked, stretching his neck, trying to see.
"I did. But lets play it in the shadows for a while," Kai muttered, watching three people – one of which had her hand attached to the boys shirt – "We can always confront them later."
"Who knew there was so much to fill out in an application form!" Shane said, scratching the back of his head. It was only himself and Danny entering from the trio – Maybe hadn't even glanced at the forms.
Ever since they'd entered the city, Maybe had been looking around like nobodies business, and she hadn't let go of the base of Shane's shirt. Shane assumed she was just looking for something to eat, so he'd brought her an ice-cream, but it hadn't quelled her fears. So, although concerned, Shane had let it drop.
"I agree." Danny said. They had all different kinds of questions. Danny was signing up for the intermediates, while Shane was signing up for: 'Probably couldn't land a hit on Brock's Onix' level.
Sighing, Danny held her hand out to Shane to get his paper, of which he greatly obliged, and headed over to put it into the entry box.
------
"Are you entering the contest?"
Danny jumped at the sound of the voice. It was deep, and not all together exciting or friendly. Nervously, she turned around to face the purple haired man.
"U-Uh, y-yes, yes I am."
"Which rank?"
"I-Intermediate."
"I see. Looks like you got your entry in just in time." The man, Kai, said, mentally taking note of her trainer number during their brief conversation.
"Kai-kun! Hurry up, over here! Our heats about to start!" Uen said, watching his hands over the crowd.
"Well then," Kai said, looking to his college, then back at the girl. "It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish you luck in your match."
With that, Kai walked away. Leaving Danny with one thought; who was he?
------
"Welcome!" The announcer said, moving his hand around to involve the entire audience, "To the annual Viridian Pokemon Battle Tournament! Please listen closely while I explain the line up…"
-----
"Don't you think he's over doing it?" Uen whispered to Kai. Both had their eyebrows raised at the announcer. He had overlapping black and red hair, a blue jacket (no shirt), and blue puffed out trousers. "And what he heck does he mean about annual? They hold this tournament every month!"
Kai replied with a; "Stupid part timer."
-----
"… And finally, the lowest levels. Get it? It goes from highest to lowest." The announcer said, counting them off on his fingers. "And finally, I'm Zero, and I'll be taking you through the tournament! Now, let's introduce our first battle! Sussex versus Kai! Would all other participants please make their way to the stands."
Kai sighed. He wasn't expecting to battle so early, still, that didn't mean he was going to lose.
"Good luck Kai!" Uen said, grinning, he pat his partner on the shoulder, before following everybody to the seats. He had a particular seat in mind.
"So, you're Kai, huh?" Sussex said, grinning maniacally at the purple haired man. Sussex was muscular – too muscular – so muscular that he didn't wear a shirt. "Prepare to get your ass kicked!"
"Right." Kai said, his voice as per usual, monotone. "Bring it on."
"You bastard… making fun of me!"
What the? Kai thought, for once utterly confused. Then it hit him. Must be the tone of my voice.
"BEGIN!" Zero shouted, blowing a whistle.
Sussex didn't hesitate. He threw out the first Pokeball, with a colossal shout of; "YUROX GO!"
Yurox, as it turned out, was not surprisingly, a Machamp.
Kai pondered for a moment before he released his Pokemon. Finally, without a word, he threw his ball and released an Arcanine.
-----
"Mind if I sit here?" Uen asked, grinning at the small blue haired girl that looked up at him.
Maybe, Shane and Danny had chosen a spot in the third row and were sitting in that exact order. Uen, it seemed, had decided to take advantage of that. Maybe pondered for a moment – actually using her brain – and observed him. The blue haired man had a – what looked to be – genuine smile on his face, and she nodded.
Uen grinned. Infiltration complete.
"Wow. An Arcanine versus Machamp, huh?" Uen said, watching the battle, trying to get as friendly as possible with Maybe, "Who do you think will win?"
Maybe shrugged. Uen sighed.
"These your friends?"
She nodded.
"Introduce me?"
Maybe tugged on Shane's sleeve. Blinking, he turned around, and surprisingly smiled in Uen's direction, who smiled back. "Did you make a new friend, Maybe?"
Maybe didn't reply.
"Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Shane. Who're you?"
"I'm Uen. Nice to meet you! And who're you?" This question was directed at Danny, who was too busy concentrating on the battle. (Kai's Arcanine had just sent an amazing flame thrower in Yurox's direction).
"And she's Danny." Shane said, introducing her. "Nice to meet you, Uen."
"Pleasure." Uen replied, not meaning it. Filthy virus protectors… filthy vile players. If Kai wasn't making me keep quiet…
"Hey… Shane…" Danny muttered, seemingly not noticing Uen yet. "That's the guy that I met before, you know, the one I was telling you about? The one at the entrée box."
"He's that creepy guy?" Shane asked, blinking.
Uen inwardly twitched. "He doesn't seem that creepy."
"But… I mean, look at his clothes! He looks like the villain in Duel Masters. You know, Kokujo?"
Mental note. Uen thought, make Kai change his style in clothes.
"No, I've never seen it."
"Who do you think is going to win, Uen?"
"The purple haired dude with the bad fashion sense."
"Really? I think Muscle guy will win."
You obviously have no experience.
"Right, I think you'll be surprised."
And, at that very moment, a head butt from Kai's Arcanine sent Flurox into the back wall. Zero, the announcer, managed to narrowly avoid it.
God damn you, Kai. I hope that wasn't directed at me…
"Care to join us for some food?" Shane asked. Looking at Uen, who blinked. Was the virus protector offering him food? How the hell could he refuse? Unfortunately, he didn't notice Kai approaching them.
"Sure. Why not?"
"Uen, what are you doing?"
"I'm accepting an offer to eat with… oh shit."
Uen slowly turned around to face Kai, who had his eyebrow arched. The Ninja laughed sheepishly.
"Come on, join us!"
"… Fine."
"That was a great match… uh… Kai right?" Shane said, grinning, slurping his milkshake.
"Yeah! You trashed them!"
"Good on ya, Kai! Knew you'd kick the shit out of him."
"… Thank you."
Everything looked fine and dandy. Other than the fact that Maybe was looking… disturbed. Kai had been throwing her weird glances all throughout the twenty minutes he'd sat with them. It was almost as if he knew something. She knew he was dangerous… but…
"I wonder who's up next?"
"They posted the order on the board. Apparently I face some other poor sucker." Kai said, this of course was in a monotone.
"Look guys, there it is!" Shane grinned, pointing to a large TV screen. All faces paled (except Kai's) when they read the next match up.
Kai versus Uen.
I'm trying to make it as interesting as possible. Seriously. If I'm failing, tell me oO;
Also, for now, Character submissions are on hold. I want to try and include all the characters I've been given so far. I'll notify you guys when to submit again. Thanks a bunch!