Chapter 10: For A Friend
Hey people, Wes Royal here and we have yet another chapter that is not posted on a Friday. I'm starting to develop a habit of writing more, so I don't know when I'll go back to just posting on Fridays again. Now back to the story. So we will return to what caused the blackout in Chapter 8. Team Neo Snagem is starting to surface themselves, slowly but surely. So once again, who caused the blackout? How did Seth meet Althaea? And why did Yumi oversleep and roll her ankle. Be sure to write a review and give feedback on how I did.
Seth's POV
FlashBack-
Location: Cherrygrove City
Time: Two weeks after the events of Chapter 8
" Hmph, what a drag," I said as Chikorita and I were both in search of a battle partner.
It was fairly early dawn and I had decided to have another training session with my pokemon. We had been training until about ten o'clock this morning, and I felt ready to have a pokemon battle to see how much my pokemon's battle skills have increased.
"If I had a heart, I'd die of frustration," I said. "I just can't seem to find a battle today."
"Well, I'll battle you," a female voice said.
I turned to the female. She had pink hair with a white bow for a hair accessory. She wore a zipped, slim fit, snow white jacket and dark blue jeans with some snow white shoes.
"Althaea's the name," the girl said.
"Alright," I replied.
We then headed toward a larger fountain located within the center of Cherrygrove City. We were going to use this spot as a battlefield so we got settled on opposite sides of the fountain.
"Alright, I'll choose first," Althaea said.
"Fine by me," I replied.
"Roselia, I choose you," Althaea said as she sent out a fairly elegant looking green pokemon.
"I've never seen that pokemon before," I said as I grabbed my navy blue pokedex.
The pokedex read:
Roselia, the Thorn Pokemon:
Roselia uses the different poisons in each hand separately when it attacks. The stronger it's aroma, the healthier it is.
"Grass type eh?" I said as I grabbed my pokeball.
"Murkrow, battle stance," I said as Murkrow readied for battle.
Murkrow attempted to peck at Chikorita's head. Ever since Chikorita beat up Murkrow, they've been having quite a rivalry.
"Murkrow, prepare for battle now," I said as Murkrow returned to the battlefield.
"Chico," Chikorita cried as it turned it's head away.
I've discovered that Chikorita likes to turn her head away whenever something or someone diagrees with her.
"Guess I'll strike first. Roselia use Stun Spore," Althaea said.
Roselia started twirling gracefully as it released a brownish, gold like spore from it's red and blue flowers.
"Hmph," I said with a smirk." Murkrow blow the spore away."
Murkrow flapped it's wings effortlessly as the spore was blown away with relative ease.
"Now Roselia, Energy Ball," Althaea said as Roselia formed a greenish ball filled with energy.
"Quick. Counter with Shadow Ball," I said as Murkrow fired a ball filled with shadow energy.
Energy Ball and Shadow Ball collided with each other, creating a massive cloud of blinding smoke.
"I can't see," Althaea said.
"Now, Night Slash," I said to Murkrow while Roselia was blinded by the smoke cloud.
Murkrow caught Roselia by surprise and landed a direct hit on Roselia.
The smoke then cleared...
"Night Slash, once more," I said.
Althaea said nothing. Roselia made no movement as Murkow was headed straight for Roselia. But as Murkrow neared Roselia, Althaea waited for the perfect moment to use Stun Spore.
"No!" I said.
Murkrow was too close, so it didn't have enough reaction time to blow away Stun Spore again.
"Krow," Murkrow cried as it started to lose it's mobility.
"Well, paralysis is what's coming whenever hit by Stun Spore," Althaea said. " Energy Ball one more time."
"Dodge it," I said.
Despite my order, Murkrow was unable to dodge due to paralysis.
"Ugh, we'll have to finish this battle with one shot if we want to win," I said as I realized Roselia was twirling gracefully again. This time it looked like a victory pose.
"Sky Attack, quick," I said as Murkrow was temporarily able to battle through the paralysis.
"You know we can just attack Murkrow while it's charging," Althaea said. "Finish this with Energy Ball."
"Use Haze while charging," I said before Roselia launched it's attack.
Murkrow had launched Haze in order to temporarily blind Roselia. A confused Roselia called off Energy Ball as a result.
"Err, where is it," Althaea asked to herself. Roselia attempted to locate Murkrow as well.
Murkrow then showed itself charging straight for Roselia cloaked in Sky Attack.
"Rose," Roselia cried as it was hit and fell into the fountain.
Roselia came to, and had fainted.
"One hit?" Althaea said.
"You see, Murkorw has an ability called Super Luck. And when you combine Super Luck with an attack with a high critical hit ratio like Sky Attack, one hitters will become more common than usual," I explained as I, Murkrow, and Chikorita approached Althaea.
"The name's Seth, by the way," I said calmly.
Before Althaea had a chance to reply, we overheard three teenagers talking to each other.
"Like, what a drag," the first boy said.
"So we all have to put up with a blackout simply because an idiot and his Elekid 'purposely' made a mistake.
"Elekid?" I said confused.
"Who in the right mind would name a guy 25 anyway," a girl said.
"Hey," I said as I, Murkrow, and Chikorita all approached the teenagers.
"Whada you want?" the first teenage boy said.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Do you mid telling me the location of 25?" I asked.
They told me 25 had an Elekid and caused a blackout at the Cherrygrove City Power Plant on the outskirts of town. We said our goodbyes and started toward the Power Plant. But before I began.
"Wait! Don't you know to never just leave a girl alone!" Althaea said as I stopped.
"If I say no, then can I leave?" I said calmly.
"Ugh. I thought boys were supposed to give their hearts to girls," Althaea said.
I don't have a heart, so that could possibly be the reason I don't get why Althaea is upset. Was it something I said? Yumi did tell me once that I am unaware of other peoples felling unless their close to me. Of course, Yumi didn't know of the void in my heart either.
"Well, I didn't think rescuing an old friend would be so heartless," I said calmly.
"Oh, wha?" Althaea said as her frown was replace with a look of curiosity.
"A friend? Here, you'll need to heal your Murkrow before you go. Aromatisse, come on out," Althaea said as she sent out a pink pokemon that smelt alot like perfume.
I got out my pokedex to scan Aromatisse.
The pokedex read:
Aromatisse, the Fragrance Pokemon; It devises various scents, pleasant and unpleasant, and emits scents that it's enemies dislike in order to gain an edge in battle
"Aromatisse, use Heal Pulse on Murkrow and Roselia," Althaea said as Aromatisse healed both of our pokemon.
"But Murkrow is still paralyzed," I said.
"Ok, Roselia, use Aromatherapy," Althaea said as Murkrow was cured of it's paralysis.
"Thanks. So, I'll see you," I said." Uh-"
"-You don't know where the power plant is, do you," Althaea said with a smiled as she knew what I was thinking.
"I'll show you the way," Althaea said.
Location: On the way to the Cherrygroce City Power Plant
I had been following Althaea for about an hour. I also had to put up with many annoying fragrances from Aromatisse, Roselia, and Chikorita's usual scent coming from it's pedals. All three pokemon were outside of their pokeballs. Common sense is one of the few emotions I have left, so I decided not to complain. Only to have a very familiar description of me.
"Man, are you the quiet one," Althaea said to me.
"You're obviously not the first person to tell that to me," I said.
"So how do I smell?" Althaea asked me.
"You and you're pokemon smell like perfume," I said.
"Well, that's because I want to be a world class pokemon connoissuer," Althaea said.
"Well that explains alot," I said.
"So what's your goal?" Althaea asked me.
I hesitated. I haven't told anyone about my true intentions of disbanding an entire organization - my thirst for vengeance. To my knowledge, Yumi doesn't even know my intentions either. So in order to keep my intention covert, I came up with a generic pokemon trainer answer.
"To bacome a pokemon master," I replied.
"Hey, I think we should register each other on our Pokegears, if you have one," Althaea proposed.
I simply nodded yes.
"We can share both of our journeys together," Althaea said.
"You're going on a journey?" I asked.
"Yeah, I plan on setting out for Goldenrod City two weeks from now," Althaea replied.
We continued talking, and Althaea carried most of the conversation. We then arrived at the Power Plant.
Location: Cherrygrove City Power Plant
"Nothing..." I said.
"Where's 25," Althaea asked.
"I know, Roselia, use Sweet Scent," Althaea said.
"More perfume?" I said as Sweet Scent crossed my nose.
"Yes, more perfume. But the teenagers said that an Elekid were accompanying 25. So if the teenagers were right, Sweet Scent should attract any pokemon, like Elekid." Althaea explained.
I simply nodded in agreement. I also wondered what happiness felt like - or if I would feel happiness at all when reunited with my old friend.
We waited for Elekid to show, but nothing. Storm Clouds started forming very quickly. They all seemed to gravitate toward the peak of a nearby signal tower in our sight.
"What do you suppose is going on up there?" Althaea asked.
"An elevation peak - and obvious favorite plave for lightning to strike," I said.
"Where an electric type pokemon like Elekid can absorb electricity to power up," Althaea finished.
"Let's hurry," I said as we rushed toward the signal tower.
Location: Signal Tower Within the Power Plant
We had made it to the tower. And my prediction was correct- Elekid was at the top of the signal tower absorbing electricity made from the thunder.
"How do we get to the top?" Althaea asked.
"You don't," A man answered as he emerged from behind one of the signal poles.
"25..." I said.
"We should just skip the formalities kid," 25 said. That Elekid no longer knows who you are."
"What?" I said confused.
"When Elekid was snagged, it became a Shadow Pokemon," 25 said.
"Shadow Pokemon," Althaea said confused.
"Once a pokemon has been snagged, memories become scattered, and theirs hearts will eventually replenish themselves with only memories of Team Snagem," 25 said.
"So how do you know the older memories are lost if you don't know what a pokemon is saying?" I asked.
"We don't. The pokemon just never acknowledge their past," 25 said.
"Well never know until we try," Althaea said.
"And I'll help Team Neo Snagem today. They'll know when I replenish Elekid's heart and take it back from Team Neo Snagem," I said.
"Is that so. Elekid, come down here and prepare for battle," 25 said as Elekid came down readying for battle with me.
"Hmph. Chikorita, Murkrow, battle stance," I said.
"Roselia and Aromatisse, are you ready?" Althaea said as they prepared for battle.
"Elekid's too strong, use Thunder," 25 said.
Elekid launched a Thunder that headed straight for me. I dodged it though...
"Hey, why me?" I said.
"Because you were the first one to antagonize me," 25 said.
I then turned to Chikorita and Murkrow.
"Chikorita, Murkrow, can you handle yourself without me," I asked both Cikorita and Murkrow.
They both cried in confusion.
"What are you talking about," Althaea asked in confusion.
"You guy stay here, I've gotta get through to an old friend," I said as I started toward Elekid.
I don't have a heart, but I remember all too well what it was like to have one. I remember bonds - bonds with living beings that will never break. Elekid is probably thinking the exact same thoughts I am. We all share a bond with anyone or anything that never goes away, which is why I know there's at least one memory Elekid still has of me.
"How stupid of you to leave yourself wide open. Elekid Thunder," 25 said.
Before Elekid fully charged up to launched Thunder, I spoke.
"What's with you?" I said calmly.
"El," Elekid said confused.
"So you do remember me..." I said attempting reestablish my connection with Elekid.
"So you think," 25 said."Elekid's heart has been smothered by empty shadows."
Of cousrse my heart was smothered by empty shadows as well, which is why I wasn't going to give up on Elekid. So I had an idea.
Missingno can help...I thought to myself.
Location: Seth's Heart
Deep inside me, I share Chapel's connection with Missingno. So I came in contact with Missingno.
"Can you give some of what's left of my heart to Elekid?" I asked. "I-" I continued.
"No need to explain. Chapel told me everything," Missingno said.
I simply nodded as I felt my heart and memories be drained out of me, just like Chapel did to me.
"You may lack a heart, but you retain your willingness to help your friends," Missingno.
"Yeah," I said as I whited out.
For a friend...I said to myself.
Location: Signal Tower at the Power Plant
Elekid came to and recognized me. All I could feel was emptiness, and a willingness to help my friends. I just stood there as Roselia, Aromatisse, Chikorita, and Murkrow had taken care of 25 already. Roselia had used Stun Sport to keep 25 from moving until the police would arrive to arrest him.
"We did it. Oh, uh, are you okay Seth?" Althaea asked as she looked at my emotionless face.
I had recaptured Elekid, who's heart was purified using the memories I gave it.
Althaea told me I had a blank expression in both my eyes and tone of voice. Which is why she asked if I was alright.
Location: Back in the Main Parts of Cherrygrove City
The electricity was fixed by the time we arrived back in town. I checked my Pokegear to see the time.
"12:00," I said calmly.
And that was just about when Yumi called me saying she had rolled her ankle. So Althaea and I recalled our pokemon, except for Chikorita, to come to Yumi's aid.
-End Flashback
Location: Cherrygrove City Pokemon Center, two weeks later
"So you came to my rescue like a knight in shining armor. And I caught Fennekin," Yumi said while she, Althaea, and I were all in the Pokemon Center room we had stayed at for the past two weeks waiting for Yumi's ankle to heal.
"That story never gets old," Althaea said.
By the way, Yumi was so bored these last two weeks, she made me keep her company the entire time. But I didn't mind because Yumi and Chikorita make me fell like I have the closest thing to a heart. I also learned to put up with Althaea, Roselia, Aromatisse, and their weird obsession with perfume. Althaea told me it was a feminine thing, so I respect that. And as for Elekid, he and I have spent these last two weeks training just like old times. 25 is in jail, and I'm one step closer to destroying the entire Neo Snagem orangization.
The next day...
"Alright, so my cast is finally off, and the 'Princess of Pokemon' can accompany her sidekick to the Violet City Gymto test how far his pokemon have progress," Yumi announced ever so loudly trying to run off the energy she has been keeping bottled up these past two weeks.
We were now ready to set off, but before we started.
"Wait, I'll come with you," Althaea said as she packed her bags, ready to start her journey.
"Why are you coming?" Yumi asked in a curious tone.
"She wants to become a perfume connoisseur," I replied.
"Yeah, so I'll be traveling with you guys until I reach Goldenrod City," Althaea said.
"Why Goldenrod?" Yumi asked.
"Big city. Big market. Big opportunity," I replied.
"Oh. Well, let's hurry up," Yumi said as she grabbed me by my arm and started dragging like always.
By the way, I don't share my thoughts to Yumi and Althaea on that flashback, okay people. So I wonder when I'll break the fourth wall again?
To Be Contiued.
So Seth has a new - or should I say - old partner. Seth and Yumi have a new traveling partner for the time being, and we know what is next for Seth and company as they start on their way to Violet City. Be sure to write a review and give feedback on how I do, so later...