Pokemon: Virus Version Chapter 8: Discovering a Chain of Events
Location: Cherrygrove City
Yumi's POV
Upon arriving at Cherrygrove City, we headed straight to the Pokemon Center and spent the night. Tomorrow was the Cherrygrove City Pokemon Contest, and registration closed at noon.
The next morning, I was alone at the Pokemon Center. A few hours ago, Seth got up and told me he and Chikorita were going outside to train. Seth was a morning person, while I wasn't. I stayed in bed for a few minutes before unintentionally dozing off. When I woke up, the clock was turned off. I figured it was time to get out of bed, so I put on my usual furisode and headed to the Pokemon Center lobby.
"They're supposed to be giving out free Poketches today." I walked down the hallway. "I hope the lobby is still in stock."
Upon passing the hallway, I'd made my way to the Pokemon Center Lobby. There were trainers in the Pokemon Center. With a smile on my face, I approached the front counter where Nurse Joy stood.
"Welcome to the Pokemon Center!" Nurse Joy put on her best Customer Service Smile. "How may I help you?"
"One Poketch, please!" I raised my hand in excitement.
"Lucky for you, we just received a new shipment yesterday!" Nurse happily proceeded into the back room as she told Yumi. "Wust wait here a minute, while I get you the device!"
I looked around the lobby. There were many trainers - beginners and veterans alike. "Weird. I would expect everyone to be sleeping this early in the morning."
"Well its not as early as you think!" Speaking to me, was a familiar female voice.
Upon turning around, I immediately recognized this person.
"Pheobe?"
Pheobe had short, dark lavender hair. She wore a black jacket with a pink undershirt. She also blue capris and tan boots. Pheobe always referred to her self as a sorceress. She always carried toy wand, and was always accompanied by a Mismagius. Like me, Pheobe was from Olivine City. We're...next door neighbors.
"In the flesh, sweetheart!" Pheobe posed with a seductive flare that only she was capable of.
"What time is it?" I wondered what Pheobe meant by saying it wasn't as early as I thought.
"Look behind you!" Pheobe pointed her finger.
Upon turning around...
"MAGI!"
"WOAH!" It was Mismagius, and she startled me. I was as startled as a Wimpod.
"Hehehe!" Mismagius was proud of her little prank.
"Hahaha!" Pheobe was proud as well. "You're dumber than I remember, sweetheart!"
What was I going to do in response to Pheobe and Mismagius' laughter? Was I going to verbally retaliate? Would I return fire with a prank of my own? Thoughts on inciting a prank war started creeping in my mind before Nurse Joy returned to the counter to pull me out of my thought.
"Alright!" Nurse still had that hospitable smile only she was capable of. "One Poketch, ready to go!"
"Oooh!" Pheobe's eyes widened upon seeing my Poketch. She was like a child having spotted a new toy. "Hehe." Pheobe chuckled before playfully asking, "Well? Aren't you going to check the time, sweetheart?"
"Shut it!" Pheobe's antics were beginning to aggrevate me.
"I've known you for years, Yumi. You probably overslept, like usual!" My exasperation only served to fuel Pheobe's fire " In case you didn't know, there was a blackout this morning. Look at your clock so I can say 'I told you so', sweetheart!"
"Hmph." I activated the Poketch thinking Pheobe was just playing another prank.
11:50 AM
My heart sank. Pheobe wasn't pranking me. "Oh no! Registration for the Pokemon Contest closes in ten minutes!" I entered a state of hysterical panic.
I'd never felt more stupid than I did just now. A blackout was what kept me, the self proclaimed 'Princess of Pokemon', from making her long awaited Pokemon Contest debut. There was still time to make the registration. All I had to do was run as fast as I can to the contest hall!
"I'll be sure to beat you in your first contest sweetheart! If you even make it at all!" These were Pheobe's parting words as I stormed out the Pokemon Center.
Location: Outside Contest Hall
"Hah! I'm not even tired yet!"
I looked at my new Poketch to check the time. The clock read 11:58, and Contest Hall was in my sight!
But I was so busy watching my Poketch, wasn't watching my step.
"WOAH!" I slipped on a stray twig, lying innocently on the ground. It was at this moment that I felt intense pain in my ankle. "Ugh...my ankle...!"
Looking at it, I realized my ankle was swollen. I tried getting up and fighting through the pain.
"Ack!" But the pain was too much. I crumbled back onto the ground and stared at the twig that tripped me. "..." It couldn't be helped now.
I shifted my gaze several times throughout my immediate surrounding area. There was no people in sight, so I couldn't scream for help. Left with no choice, I took out my Pokegear and dialed Seth's number.
"What?" Seth wasn't one for formalities.
"I need you to help me. I injured my ankle." Calling Seth was admittedly embarrasing on my part.
"..."
Seth remained silent for a moment before speaking up.
"Where are you?"
"Outside Contest Hall."
"I'll be there soon." Seth agreed to come help me.
"Thank you..." I whispered.
It was here that Seth hung up, leaving my Pokegear creating static noise. I put the Pokegear away and laid on my back, staring aimlessly at the sky. "..." I sighed. With nothing to do, I passively gazed at the clock on my Poketch.
12:01 PM.
I despaired. The Princess of Pokemon's Contest debut had to wait. I thought about what Pheobe told me: 'If you make it at all, sweetheart!'. Pheobe and I were like rivals back in elementary school. My mind drifted from from my ankle, to Seth, to my rivalry with Pheobe...I was lost in thought until the twig that had tripped me was pulled from under my ankle. "ACK!" I screeched in pain when my ankle hit the ground. I sat up to see who removed the twig, and was in awe.
"Fen."
It was a pokemon I'd never seen before! The pokemon appeared to be a yellow fox with red eyes and big ears. Red hair flowed outside of its ears. And its tail was reminded me of Eevee's tail. I got out my Pokedex and scanned the pokemon.
Fennekin, the Fox Pokemon: As it walks, it munches on a twig in place of a snack. It intimidates opponents by puffing hot air out of it's ears.
"I didn't think a Pokemon like you lived in Johto." I'd seen plenty of documentaries detailing which Pokemon were native to Johto, but I don't remember ever seeing an episode dedicated to this Fox Pokemon.
'Maybe what Dustin said was true.'
Flashback...
"The number of trainers traveling to different regions have increased over the years. So trainers' pokemon create offspring, which become wild pokemon," Dustin said
End Flashback...
"Stray pokemon aren't unusual in cities like this." Bringing me out of my thoughts was Seth, who entered the scene with Chikorita and pink haired stranger.
"Chi! Chicori?" Chikorita ran up to ask if I was okay.
"You're sweet, Chikorita." I smiled.
The pink haired stranger approached me with a splint and knelt down to my level. "Hold still while I wrap your ankle."
Who was this girl? She had long pink hair that went down to her back. She wore a slim, white jacket that matched her white shoes. The white really brought out the cool navy color that her jeans were.
"I'm Althaea" The girl continued to wrap my ankle.
I understood, and nodded. I then shifted my gaze to Fennekin, who was playing with the leaf on Chikorita's head. Fennekin probably thought the leaf is a twig.
"Chiko! Chicori!" Chikorita, aggravated by Fennekin, attacked the Fire type.
Chikorita slapped Fennekin using her leaf, causing the Fire type to fall into my arms. On a sidenote, I was amazed at the progress Chikorita had made regarding her attacking power.
"Looks like your training with Chikorita's really paying off!" Fennekin snuggled in my arms.
Both Seth and Chikorita gave a satisfied nod.
"All done. now we need to get you to the hospital fast!" Althaea rose to her feet as she finished wrapping my ankle.
Location: Cherrygrove City Hospital
"The injury doesn't appear to be too serious. however, you will be required to stay here in Cherrygrove City for two weeks in order for your ankle to heal." These weer the doctor's parting words as he left the room.
I was beyond frustrated. I've never had to settle down in one place for an extended period of time. I despised that Pheobe would likely going to get her first ribbon before me. I thought about how my injury affected everyone. Eevee would definitely stay by my side. Living in Cherrygrove City, Althaea wouldn't be too far away. But Seth...
I remember begging Seth to accompany me on my journey because I had never been left alone before. I didn't expect him to accept, but he did. By some miracle made by Arceus, he would be one of the many people I met on route to becoming Top Coordinator. But since then, Seth, Chikorita, and Eevee have really grown on me. But now what? Would Seth and Chikorita wait here with me? Maybe it was wrong of me to hope they would. It was my careless nature that got me in this predicament. It wasn't their fault. I had to ask him...
"Seth." I made eye contact with the black haired, blonde banged boy. "Will you continue on your journey without me?
"..." Seth didn't respond.
Seth's POV
Yumi was thinking too much. She believes she is inconveniencing me. But to tell the truth, I had no reason to rush myself. I was nowhere near the level I needed to be in order to complete my journey.
"..."
Yumi's gaze never shifted from me. How would she react if I declined to wait for her?
"My journey isn't exactly a race against time." I closed my eyes and put my hands in my pockets.
Yumi smiled. She appeared grateful for my response.
"Don't forget about me!" Althaea chirped.
I felt no emotion saying yes...
Yumi started to get excited. She started rambling in her typical loud voice. I allowed her to engage in small talk with me for a while. When I felt the need to leave the hospital and return to the Pokemon Center, Yumi grabbed a pair of crutches and began following me. Chikorita tried walking next to me, but was still being harassed by Fennekin. Althaea followed me too.
Exiting the hospital, I tuned out the small talk Yumi was spewing.
"Chi! Chicori!" Chikorita called out to me, pleading for me to get Fennekin to leave her alone.
"Fen! Fen! Fennekin!"
Fennekin wouldn't leave us alone. This gave me an idea - why not capture the Fire type?
"You've been following us all day. Why don't you come with me?" I took an empty Pokeball from by belt and held it in front of Fennekin."
Fennekin was perplexed. What was she supposed to say?
"Chi! Chicori!" Chikorita feigned excitement and gave Fennekin a superficial smile. The Grass-type probably just wanted to battle Fennekin so the Fire type would leave her alone.
"No way!" Yumi, still getting used to her crutches, interjected.
Yumi's POV
"You already have two Pokemon!" I protested.
I was grateful to Seth, but I'll be damned if he caught his second Pokemon before I caught my first!
"Actually, he has three pokemon." Althaea remarked.
I was dumbfounded. Seth had a third Pokemon? But when? Why? How?
"Do you recall the blackout this morning?" Seth ask me.
"You mean the blackout that caused me to oversleep and miss registration for the Pokemon Contest? How could I forget?"
"That blackout was no coincidence. It was during that blackout that I caught my third Pokemon. With that said..." Seth stepped aside. "I have no reason to oppose you capturing Fennekin.
"Alright Eevee! Action-" I paused I tried to grab Eevee's Pokeball, but these crutches were annoying. "Seth. Could you call out Eevee for me?"
"Hmph." Seth grabbed Eevee's Pokeball, as well as an empty Pokeball to be used for Fennekin's capture. "Eevee! Battle stance!"
Seth said tossed Eevee's Pokeball. When the Pokeball opened, Eevee appeared in front of me.
"Vui!"
"Battle stance?" I was perplexed.
"Seth, is 'battle stance' you catchphrase?" Althaea asked.
Seth declined to respond.
"Okay Eevee use Tackle!" I called.
Eevee went in for a Tackle, but Fennekin dodged and hit Eevee with Scratch.
"Use Tackle, back to back!" I had confidence in Eevee hitting Fennekin eventually.
Fennekin had dodged all of Eevee's attempted assaults.
"Fennekin's speed seems to be it's strong point." Seth was observant of Fennekin's abilities.
"Yumi keeps trying to get close, which isn't working." Althaea added." Yumi! Tell Eevee to use Shadow Ball!"
"Alright, Eevee, use Shadow Ball!" I followed Althaea's advice.
"Vui!" Eevee launched a sphere of dark energy.
"Fen!" Of course, Fennekin dodged.
"Now use Tackle!"
"Fen-ack!" This time Tackle hit. A weak spot was struck.
"It appears Eevee has landed a critical hit." Seth muttered.
"Eevee used Tackle just as Fennekin was dodging Shadow Ball. Fennekin simply didn't have time to react." Althaea explained.
"Seth! Now!" I called. .
"Pokeball, go!" Seth threw the pokeball at a downed Fennekin.
After several wiggles, the ball clicked shut, indicating Fennekin's capture. Seth approached the Pokeball, picked it up, and handed it to me.
"Oh come on!" I was amazed at Seth's lack of enthusiasm capturing Fennekin in my stead. "You could at least do a cool pose, proclaming to the world that you caught a Pokemon." I teased Seth, who was indifferent.
"Vui!" Eevee approached me and stared at the bandages wrapped around my ankle.
"I'll" I gave Eevee a reassuring smile as we all headed to the Pokemon Center.
I then remembered what Seth said before my battle.
"Wait a minute. What did you mean by 'that blackout this morning was no coincidence'?" I asked Seth.
To Be Continued...