Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 18: What Does Conflict Resolve?
Hello people. Sorry I didn't post last week, But I was working on a few more chapters to post this week. I finally on Spring Break and I plan on posting Monday through Thursday this week, and maybe Friday. So enjoy and please leave a review letting me know how I do.
Location: Sprout Tower
Seth's POV
What does conflict resolve?
"I-I won't fight you," 21 said.
"What?" Dustin said confused.
I guess there's a first for everything, including a Neo Snagem member who refuses to fight.
"What does conflict resolve? And what will resolve conflict?" 21 asked.
21's talk about conflict is making me feel conflicted. An enemy that won't attack? It doesn't add up.
"How do I know this isn't a trick?" I asked growing frustrated.
"Just believe me, I don't believe conflict will resolve conflict..." 21 said.
"Come on, Beth, are you going to attack him or not?" Dustin asked.
"I-I don't know..." I said.
I've always been conflicted with the rest of the world. And to this day I'm still labeled a loser, a failure, and just mad. People have never stopped verbally attacking me, so I decided not to stop attacking them.
"I've never backed down from Neo Snagem, and I won't start now!" I said. "Mawile, use Bi-" I was interrupted.
"So now you think beating a defenseless man will make all your problems go away?" Chapel said as she and Yumi returned to the first floor.
"If he won't defend himself, then his death will be more quicker and painless," I said.
"How can you say something like that? How do you think 21 will feel just allowing you to kill him?" Chapel asked.
"Seth, we've been on our journey for awhile now, and you've never even tried to understand how other people feel," Yumi said concerned. "I'm always trying to help you when something may be wrong, but you always leave me out. How do you think I feel?"
"Mawile," Mawile cried as she looked at me, awaiting my next command.
"What should I do?" I asked myself as I got on my knees and started questioning myself.
All these thoughts are overwhelming me. How do I understand what another person feels? My heart is conflicting with itself. Do I even know how myself feels?
"Get up and strike him down!" Noah said as he, Falkner, and Pidgeot approached us.
"Noah, what are you saying?! We don't even know if 21 did anything wrong!" Chapel yelled.
"21 is a memberr of Team Neo Snagem. Even if he hasn't done anything wrong, you can't take any chances. 21 must go down just like his friend," Noah said.
"Friend?" Chapel said confused.
A Gurdurr, accompanying Noah, waas carrying a man who appeared to be unconscious.
"19 was never my friend," 21 said. "He would always blame everyone else for his problems, which resulted in many conflicts that were never resolved. In fact, it pleases me to see him defeated right now."
"What?" Yumi and Dustin said at the same time.
"So you attacked him even after all his pokemon fainted?" Chapel asked in a frustrated tone.
"Now I'll digress," Falkner said. "Seth, attack 21."
"No, Seth, don't do it!" Chapel yelled.
"How do you think 21 will feel?" Yumi asked.
"Don't listen to them! You shouldn't take any chances with Neo Snagem!" Noah yelled.
A new, unfamiliar emotion had surrounded my heart. This, is anger. I didn't want to show my anger because the conflict is only making itself worst right now. I had to use conflict to resolve conflict.
After thinking for a moment, I noticed Yumi was holding an exhausted Chikorita.
"Yumi, who did that to Chikorita?" I asked.
Yumi was hesitant to say a Neo Snagem grunt hurt Chikrorita. That sight alone brought me to a conclusion: conflict resolves conflict. And Chikorita's condition prompted me to attack.
"Mawile, attack the worthless piece of Neo Snagem trash now," I said.
"Noo!" Chapel yelled.
But before Mawile made contact with 21, Officer Jenny had finally arrived with reinforcements, stopping any further action from the rest of us. Despite attempting to harm a defenseless 21, I claimed it was an act of self-defense, clearing my name. All of the wounded were taken for medical treatment, while the Neo Snagem grunts, 19,and 21 were arrested and defeated. As for all the pokemon that weren't snagged, they were taken to the Pokemon Center for treatment.
Location: Violet City Pokemon Center
I needed some time alone to distance myself and think. All my pokemon were with Yumi and Chapel, still getting to know each other, while I was sitting at a far table by myself.
Using my pokemon with intention to kill another human being...What's happened to me? Noah wanted me to attack without hesitation. Is THAT what 'stronger' mean to him? I remember when Noah told me 'I needed to become stronger if I wanted to beat Neo Snagem', and tried to comprehend the effect those words had on me. Before I started to lose it again, I was approached by Yumi, Mawile, and Chikorita. Yumi sat right next to me and looked me right in the eyes in what was a silent moment. Chikorita hooped on to the table right in front of me while Mawile sat on my lap.
"...You're hiding something from us..." Yumi said.
I said nothing as Yumi, Chikorita, and Mawile had looks of concern on their faces.
"How do you think Mawile would've felt knowing for the rest of her life that she killed someone?" Yumi asked.
I still said nothing as Mawile and I looked at each other.
"I've noticed that Chikorita is very close to you. You understand how she feels and you never give up on her. But you're so dense and heartless towards everyone else. You never let anyone in your circle. You never wanna tell what's on your mind either," Yumi said.
I looked down, thinking about Yum'i word's.
"I've traveled with you long enough to know we should've established a stronger connection by now. I care too much about you to just let you become a killer. And I want to be there when you need me most. I see people always trying to discourage you and Chikorita, but you never give up. I won't give up on you either, but I can't help if you don't tell me what's wrong," Yumi said.
"I don't need anyone to feel sorry for , I can't tell anyone what's wrong... At least not until the time is right." I said.
"Well, can I at least help you understand how other people feel? How WE feel?" Yumi asked referring Chikorita, Mawile, and herself.
"I looked at Yumi with an unsure look.
"I don't know how," I said.
"Well then, I'll show you!" Yumi said as she got me out of my chair and hugged me passionately.
Mawile, who was on my lap, fell to the ground as I was forced up.
"Now I feel like comforting you right now," Yumi said.
After a few seconds, I tried to get Yumi off me, but she resisted.
"When a girl hugs you, you're supposed to hug her back," Yumi said. "It's how she feels."
I could see Mawile and Chikorita giggling. I didn't understand why though.
"I bet you have no clue what those two are thinking," Yumi said.
"They're thinking that it's embarrassing that your girlfriend is in so much control right now," Dustin said as he approached us, still hugging.
"Girlfriend?" I said confused.
"Just ignore him," Yumi said calmly.
I then pushed Yumi off me and addressed Dustin.
"Who'll battle Falkner first tommorow?" Dustin asked.
"We'll just have to pick up where we left off. How about a three on three battle right now?" I said.
"The winner will challenge Falkner first," Dustin said.
I then approached Gible, Elekid, and Murkrow, who were still with Chapel and Chime, to let them know we were about to battle.
We had made our way to a battlefield located just outside the Pokemon Center. I approached Chikorita, who had just about zero confidence in herself.
"Don't worry, you'll get your win today," I said.
I then turned to Mawile and adressed her.
"Mawile, you're a fine leader, which is why I'm choosing you first," I said.
"Mawile," Mawile cried as she stepped up in her battle stance.
"Elekid, Gible, Murkrow, return," I said as I recalled the three.
To be honest, I'm running out of confidence as well. If I lose this battle, it'll prove that I haven't gotten stronger at all. I could just turn back a give up if this journey really is a waste of time. I though to myself.
"Do you really think you can win, Beth?" Dustin asked.
"Well-" Yumi said before I replied
"To be honest, I don't know if I can. Losing this battle will mean I'm still just as weak as when I left New Bark Town. And if I'm still THAT weak, I'll just turn back and save the time I haven't already wasted, that is if I lose," I said.
Everyone was shocked at my words. Especially Yumi and Chikorita, because my patience has finally run out.
"Seth...What's happening to you?" Yumi asked herself.
"Now, send your first pokemon," I said.
"Fine, if you want to get sent home crying like baby, I'll be glad to assist you. Go, Timburr!" Dustin said as he sent out a grey pokemon with a dark purple nose, carrying a wooden stick. "This boy is sure to crush that girly Mawile of yours."
"Timburr?" Yumi said confused as she got out her powder blue Pokedex.
The pokedex read:
Timburr, the Muscular Pokemon: Timburrs fights by swinging a piece of lumber around and it is close to evolving when it can handle the lumber without difficulty.
Let's see, so Timburr's fighting type moves should do normal damaged since Mawile is a Steel and Fairy type. And Mawile does know a fairy type move, so I've got the advantage. But I can't let Dustin know about that advantage early, so I'll hold back for now and then oneshot it with a Fairy Type move. I thought to myself.
"Mawile, use Power-Up Punch," I said, making the first move.
"Wile," Mawile cried as she started toward Timburr.
"Timburr, use Bulk Up and take the hit," Dustin said.
Timburr raised it's Attack and Defense and was able to take the hit, no problem.
"You're gonna have to do better than that, Beth," Dustin said.
"Perhaps you didn't know about Power-Up Punch effect that raise Mawile's attack power. So if you were to use Bulk Up again, the end result would be the same." I said. "Mawile, Power-Up Punch, one more time."
"Ugh! Counter with Brick Break!" Dustin said.
The two attacks collided, but Mawile clearly had the advantage since Power-Up Punch raised her attack power again.
"Burr," Timburr cried as he was knocked on the ground, still with plenty of energy for battle.
Now way...I actually have the upper hand for the first time.
"Yeah, Come on! You two better win or you'll never hear the end of it from me!" Yumi yelled, excited ass usual.
Well, in this battle, winning is everything since it's baiscally a 'win or go home' mindset for me right now. But the pressure is easing off a bit. I just have to keep the momentum.
"Power-Up Punch, again," I said.
"Timburr, use your lumber to guard," Dustin said.
As Mawile neared Timbuur, the lumer Timburr always carries was able to take Power-Up Punch's damage.
"What?" I said.
"Sent her flying, now," Dustin said.
"Timburrrrr!" Timburr cried as he used the lumber to launch Mawile in the air.
"Oh no! This is bad!" Yumi yelled.
Timburr's probalby taken enough damage for me to used that Fairy type move now. I thought to myself.
"Mawile, descend and retaliate with Play Rough," I said.
"Wile," Mawile cried as she regained her focus.
"Timburr, quick, use-," Mawile descended too quickly for Dustin to call an attack.
There was a one-sided scuffle in Play Rough, clearly dominated by Mawile. When the scuffle cleared, Mawile stood proudly with one foot over a downed Timburr.
"No way. Seth, you finally won a battle!" Yumi said as she ran up and hugged me in excitement.
"Yumi, this battle isn't over," I said calmly.
"Oh, well keep it up, Mawile," Yumi said as she let go of me. "Oh, and Seth, how many times do I have to tell you: When a girl hugs you, you're supposed to hug back?"
She's just teasing me...
"Mawile, returned," I said as I recalled Mawile.
This whole journey, I've approached the 'getting stronger'subject all wrong. Getting stronger meant getting smarter as well. And getting smarter meant battling strategically, so I taught my other pokemon moves based on the pokemon I've seen with Dustin before: Totadile, and Starly.
"Timburr, return," Dusting said as he recalled his fainted pokemon.
"Chikorita..." I said as I turned toward Chikorita.
Chikorita was uneasy and had just about zero confidence in herself. It's been a couple of weeks and she still has yet to win a battle. Yumi told me I understood Chikorita more than anyone else, and that I needed to understand other people's feelings. I still don't have much of a heart, and I still don't know how I feel. Earlier today at Sprout Tower showed me how unforgiving I can be when someone harms Chikrota. And Chikorita has defended me in the same manner once before (Chapter 5). Then it hit me: The source of our strength comes from each other. So if we can turn that connection into our greates strength, we can't lose.
"I may have won with Mawile, but is Chikrota loses, that win will be irrelevant," I said.
"So that's means Chikorita's battle is basically all or nothing..." Yumi said.
Chikorita was pressured, but then I spoke.
"We'll win for each other, I promise," I said calmly.
Chikorita, still uneasy, steped up, hoping Herself and I would prove the whole world wrong aboutus. Despite this critical moment, I was still going to stick with my strategy, which heavily involved pokemon substitution.
"Alright, Staravia, go," Dustin said as he sent out his evolved Starly.
I awaited Dustin's first move as the blanket of cloyds, still covering the sky, was starting to clear.
"Alright, Staravia, Quick Attack," Dustin said.
"Quick, use Reflect," I said.
"Chico," Chikorita cried as she formed a clear barrier.
Quick Attack still hit, but the damage was split thanks to Reflect.
"Chikorita, come back," I said as I recalled Chikorita.
"What?" Yumi said confused.
"Why would you use a pokemon and not even call an attack," Dustin asked in an arrogant tone.
"Elekid, battle stance!" I said as I sent out Elekid.
"An electric type? Staravia, return," Dustin said as he recalled Staravia.
"Totadile, let's go!" Dustin said as he called on Totadile.
"Light Screen, quick," I said.
"El," Elekid cried as he formed a golden barrier.
"Totadile, Water Gnu! Dustin said.
Totadile launched Water Gun, but the Light Screen barrier cut the damage in half.
"Elekid, return," I said as I recalled Elekid.
"Again?" Yumi said confused.
"Chikorita, are you ready?" I asked.
"Chico," Chikorita cried as she returned to the field.
"How pathetic, if Chikorita couldn't defeat Totadile once before, what maked today any different?" Dustin asked arrogantly.
"Chikorita, use Tackle," I said as Chikorita charged straight for Totadile.
"Use Rage," Dutsin said.
The twto attacks collided, but Chikorita made the stand due to Reflect.
"What?" Dustin said annoyed.
"Reflect's still in play too?" Yumi said confused.
"A combination of Light Screen and Reflect will create a perfect defense since both moth moves carry on to the next pokemon," I said.
"No way, he's got Dustin cornered..." Yumi said.
"Energy Ball," I said as Chikorita launched Energy Ball.
"Dodge, then use Bite!" Dustin said.
Like Dustin commnded, Totadile dodged Energy Ball and bit down on Chikorita's leaf using Bite.
"Get Totadile off you," I said.
It was no use. That jaw of Totadile's is so strong, Totadile held on with ease as Chikorita was struggling all of her energy away. After a few minutes of struggling, Chikorita became exhausted as she fell to the ground.
"No, Chikorita!" Yumi yelled.
"Ha, I told you Chikorita couldn't win," Dustin said.
And so, it appears I've lost a sudden death round with Chikorita... Is this really how my journey ends? No progress, no strength, and no hope of defeating Team Neo Snagem.
"Come on, Chikorita. You can't give up on me like this. We have to win this together, or therre won't be any point in this journey," I said.
I've never felt this emotional before...My heart being filled with emotions and experiences to replace the ones that have been lost. This emotion, is a mixture of pity and a will not to give up.
Totadile started back toward Dustin, assuming he had already won the battle, until Chikorita struggled to slowly get back on her feet.
"Chi..." Chikorita muttered as she started emitting a green aura.
"Overgrow..." I said.
"You've still got a chance, Seth," Yumi said.
"Chico!" Chikorita cried as she regained some of her energy, ready to continue the battle.
"Oh, so you're ready for more, eh?" Dustin said.
Totadile then turned back toward Chikorita to return to their battle.
"Totataa!" Totadile roared as he started glowing a white aura.
"What the? Why now?" Yumi said.
"Totadile's evolving..." I said.
To Be Contiued...
So how will this sudden evolution affect the outcome of the battle? Stay tuned for next chapter and be sure to write a review. Once again, I will be posting one chapter a day all week, so check back regularly.