Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 28: Anochecer
So, I apologize for any disappointment this chapter, but I did say certain characters will have their roles increased at some point. So Seth won't be in this chapter either, these next few chapters are supposed to give Chapel a lead on where to search for the purifier, Celebi. I have finished the whole Virus Version storyline, and Azalea Town originally wasn't supposed to even be in this fanfic for the purpose of plot twisting, but here it is. Enjoy and please be sure to write a review.
By the way, the title, Anochecer, is Latin for Twilight. I thought I'd do the whole Latin thing because Althaea's name is also in Latin for those of you who don't know.
Location: Azalea Town
Althaea's POV
With each step I take, I realize how closer I am to Goldenrod City. After arriving in Azalea Town, my pokemon and I elected to stay the night. It is now morning, and I was having a conversation with Seth using my Pokegear.
"-Well, if you want to establish a connection again, how about we set up a time and place so we can catch up?" I asked as I left the Pokemon Center.
"Sure thing..." Seth said flatly.
"Well, um..." I hesitated to speak, "Is Yumi still upset with me?"
"I'm not sure..." Seth replied.
Into the sky, I held the ribbon I had won in Marion City, defeating Pheobe and Yumi, of course. I am not even a coordinator though. I guess winning has brought me more trouble than it's worth. I mean, the only reason I entered the contest was to defend Yumi and I...
"So, I'm on my way to Ilex Forest, then to Goldenrod," I said as I put my ribbon away, "How bout you?"
Seth did not reply. Instead, a girl was put on the line.
"Um, you said you were on your way to Ilex Forest, right?" The girl asked.
"Um, right," I replied. "Who exactly are you?"
"Oh, please excuse my manners," The girl said. "My name is Chapel."
"I'm Althaea," I said. "So what is it about Ilex Forest that intrigues you?"
"I am in search of a legendary pokemon who resides in the Ilex Forest, or so they say." Chapel said. "The Purifier, Celebi has adopted many nicknames due to it's unique power and how they effect the forest. Nicknames such as 'The Time Travel Pokemon' or 'The Voice of the Forest'. Now may I asked you a favor?"
I had a feeling this favor would drag out, but my journey has been quite bland since splitting up with Seth and Yumi.
"If you happen to cross paths with Celebi, call and let me know immediately," Chapel said.
"Hmph, hardly anyone's ever seen Celebi," I said. "I doubt it even exists at all."
"Well that must mean I count as 'hardly anyone," Chapel said.
My eyes shot wide open. "What?! You mean you've actually seen a pokemon THAT rare?!"
"When you exit Ilex Forest, you'll pass by an abandoned house on the outskirts of Goldenrod City that I once lived in. Since my mother and I lived so close to the forest, I spent much time playing there. I have only seen CelebI one time as a little girl, but my journey for the Time Travel pokemon means everything if I wish to stop Neo Snagem." Chapel explained.
Neo Snagem? I remember them. In Cherrygrove City, Seth and I defeated 25 in order to regain control of Elekid.
"Oh my gosh, I've gotta see Celebi for myself," I said to myself.
"Oh, thanks a bunch!" Chapel said with much gratitude. "Be sure to call me whether you find it or not.
"Alright," I said as I hung up my Pokegear.
Well, I was only in Azalea Town to pass through, and I had arrived near the edge of town.
My eagerness calmed quite a bit as I put my head down. "I should be realistIc here...What is the chance a random girl like me would meet a pokemon most consider to be a myth?" I asked myself.
"You never know," A voice said as a man approached me." The world's possibilities are endless."
I've never seen this man in person, but I knew him all too well, The man was world famous Pokeball Expert, Kurt.
"Oh ,uh, Sir, it's an honor to meet you," I said as I bowed my head.
"Now, now," Kurt said. "No need for any formalities."
With that, I exited my bow and fixed my eyes on Kurt as my question came out. "So, have YOU seen Celebi before?"
Kurt crossed his arms. "Well, I myself have never encountered Celebi, but I do know a couple of young boys who have," Kurt then looked at the sky. "Ah yes. Now I remember: The boy whose dream of becoming Pokemon Master defied all odds, and another boy who's journey to Champion not only changed himself, but those around him, enemies included."
"Would those two boys happen to be Ethan and-" I asked as Kurt nodded in agreement.
"Ma'am, would you mind if I accompanied you on your search for Celebi?" Kurt asked. "I will bring provisions that will surely make our search much more delightful."
I stared at the Pokeball Expert for about two seconds before bowing my head, accepting his request.
"Then it's settled," Kurt said as he turned around and started walking. "Follow me to my house, and our needed items will be waiting."
"Yes, Sir," I replied as I followed Kurt.
The walk was far from quiet as we both carried our fair share of the conversation. We introduced ourselves n detail, although I already knew very well who Kurt was.
Kurt stopped in front of a residential building I believe to be his home. As we entered his home, we were apprOached by a girl who looked to be about ten years old. She had long, red hair, and she was accompanied by a Slowpoke and Teddiursa.
"Ugh, Grandpa, where were you?" The girl asked with a worried facial expression, "Don't you know not to be away for too long?"
"Now, Maisy dear, I told you no need to worry," Kurt said as he put a hand on the girl's shoulder.
"But Grandpa, you could get kidnapped again..." Maisy said.
Again?"
"Like I said before, THAT group is long gone," Kurt said.
"But there's another group of people who take pokemon and turn them into shadow pokemon. They even kidnap humans and force them to join their team.
"Well, THAT has nothing to do with Celebi," Kurt said as he walked into another room.
"Huh?" Maisy said as she scratched her head, "The Voice of the Forest?"
The two were basically conversing through the walls now, while maintaining moderate, indoor voices.
"The young lady at the front door is going exploring, in search of the Voice of the Forest," Kurt said as he returned, carrying a backpack.
"Huh?" Maisy said as she spun around and faced me. "Who are you?"
"That is a really cute Teddiursa you have there," I said as I approached Maisy's Teddiursa, indifferent to her question.
"Hello?!" Maisy said annoyed. "Your name?!"
"Oh," I picked up Teddiursa and held it close as I faced Maisy, "My name is Althaea."
I held Teddiusra level with my face. Examining the pokemon, I couldn't help but feel something was special about it.
"Champion Ethan gave Teddiursa to me," Maisy said as she approached me.
"Wow..." I said as I faced Kurt, "So you really did meet him."
"Yes, but my mind often wonders as to where to boy currently is," Kurt said as he started toward the frotn door. "After defeating Lance and conquering Kanto...he disappeared, and no one has seen him since..."
"Oh," Maisy realized her grandfather was heading back out, "You're leaving again?"
"The search for such a rare pokemon will be extensive," Kurt said. "Why not accompany us, sweetheart? You will at least not have to worry so much about me."
Maisy gratefully accepted her grandfather's request. She also brought a bag of her own, in case any items are needed. Slowpoke and Teddiursa were recalled by Maisy, and we started toward the forest.
Upon arriving at the checkpoint that served as Azalea Town's city limit, our search was abruptly halted by a man who blocked the forest's entrance.
"Um, excuse me, Sir," Maisy addressed the man as she approached him,"May we proceed into the forest?"
"Hmph," the man said. "I can't let anyone pass."
Now why would Ilex Forest be closed off? It is a PUBLIC route.
"But why?" Maisy asked.
"Has something happened here?" Kurt asked.
The man face Kurt as a look of concern surfaced. "Ilex Forest has been disturbed, and as we speak, it's punishment rages on. The darkness has swallowed what little light that touched the grassy floor. Until this problem is fixed, I am afraid I must not let anyone pass."
"When will this problem dissolve?" Kurt asked.
"Not sure," the man said.
I thought about this situation, and got upset. This man know that the forest AND it's pokemon are in danger, and yet he's just outside looking in. I then glared at the man.
"Well, have you even tried to save the forest," I asked annoyed as I appraoched the man, hands on my hips.
"I'm only trying to help," The man said, returning my tone of voice.
"Don't tell me, SHOW me," I said as I turned away.
Why am I upset? I guess I've adopted quite an easily annoyed attitude since Marion City... After thinking about it, I attempted to calm down.
"Look, can we at least help you help us," I said as I faced the man once more, "If you allow us to proceed, we will rid you of this problem."
It took ALOT more persuasion to convince the man to let up proceed, but he eventually gave in. But as we entered Ilex Forest, we realized why the man did not want us to enter.
Location: Ilex Forest
My vision of Ilex Forest featured a grassy path with a blanket of trees that created the illusion of eternal twilight. My vision was accurate, but it did not include the uncalled for decor which surrounded us. Webs of silk, Cascoon, Metapod...the list of Bug types that inhabited this murky forest went on.
"...What's with all the web," Maisy whispered, respecting the low volume that this forest would appreciate.
"Hmmm," Kurt grabbed a small portion of the web, observing with precision. "The web was recently made. Only an strong and experienced pokemon could've produced this much silk in such a short time, so it must've belonged to a trainer."
"But who would want to waste their time covering a whole forest?" Maisy asked.
"And why?" I added as I addressed Kurt and his granddaughter, "We'll get to the bottom of this 'sticky' situation, and then search for Celebi, alright?"
My partners nodded in agreement as we continued. This forest was so mellow, despite being surrounded in webs. Not a single pokemon attempted to battle us. We have gotten in a few predicaments though, such as -
"So, where specifically IS this 'problem'?" Maisy asked annoyed, legs getting tired from plenty of walking.
"Who knows?" I replied as our pace was gradually slowing due to the increasing amounts of spiderwebs, so more caution was put into each step we made. With more webs stood more powerful pokemon, such as Dustox, Volbeat, Illumise, and Vivillion, who could handle higher levels of caution.
"We're bound to find this 'problem' soon," Kurt said as he ducked his head, Beautifly casually passing by. "Especially if this abundance of web continues as we move further."
"Yeah, so-" I failed to watch my most recent step, and ended up tripping over a web as my foot was stuck. "I can't get out!"
Maisy and Kurt attempted to get me unstuck without getting stuck themselves, but to no avail. Minutes were spent trying to free me."
Panting, Kurt spoke about another one of his observations. "A web THIS strong has to be a trainer's pokemon, it just has to."
"How are we going to get Althaea free?" Maisy asked looking at me. "Huh? A green light?" Maisy looked behind me, and I soon followed.
A pokemon freed my foot using Refresh. "Refresh?" I said confused. "But there's nothing wrong with me."
"Think again," Kurt said. "Move your foot."
Whoa... My foot was freed form the web...
"But how?" I asked confused.
"You were deemed paralyzed since you were unable to move in that web," Kurt said as he approached me. "And as you know, Refresh's effect cures paralysis."
Hmmm, and uncalled for loophole, but I'll take it. I turned around to the pokemon who saved me. It's fur was pale cream colored with pinkish fur on it's feet, ears, and tail. It also had bows around it's left ear and neck.
"Who's this?" I asked.
"The Intertwining Pokemon: Sylveon," Kurt replied.
Turning to the Sylveon, I got up and bowed my head in gratitude. However, Sylveon had put on a worried expression on it's face for reasons unknown.
"What's the matter?" I asked as I knelt down before Sylveon.
"Wait a minute," Maisy said as she appraoched Sylveon as well, "Do you know who put all of this sticky web here?"
Sylveon nodded as it started walking ahead, fur glistening within this dark twilight.
"Should we follow it?" I asked as I stood up.
"Hey," Kurt called, addressing the walking Sylveon as it turned toward Kurt, "You know where this 'problem' is, right?"
"Syl," Sylveon nodded as it gestured us to follow it, continuing it's walk.
"Let's go," Maisy said as we followed.
"Hmmm," Kurt said. "Sylveon probably knew the whole situation and still did not try to save the forest," he put a hand on his chin.
Sylveon looked at Kurt.
"If Sylveon was by itself, it might of rescued Althaea from that web for a reason; Probably to eliminated the big 'problem' that lies here."
"So Sylveon knew it couldn't fix this problem on it's own." Maisy concluded.
"With the forest being closed off from Azalea, we are probably the first humans to pass through in quite a long time. Sylveon was specifically looking for human assistance -" I said.
"- For was could be a problem caused by another human." Kurt finished.
Sylveon nodded with a smile.
Only minutes after we started following Sylveon, was a lake within sight in the dark distance.
"A lake!" Maisy announced, pointing out the obvious.
"Shh!" Kurt pulled Maisy and I into a nearby bush, concealing us.
"But why?" Maisy asked.
"Look," Kurt pointed to the other side of the lake. "Someone else is here."
On the other side of the lake stood two women and a fairly large Ariados; An Ariados I believe is to blame for all of this sticky web.
One woman looked to be about my height with purple hair that went down to her lower back. Her eyes were hidden by what appeared to be night vision goggles. She wore a blue, unzipped jacket which revealed a shirt with the initials N.S on it. She had on white leggings and black boots.
"The whole forest is secure with spiderwebs, Commander 22," The woman said.
Neo Snagem...
"Not bad, Lucy," 22 said. "Keep this up and you'll be promoted to Commander in no time."
22 was a woman who appeared to be about 5'8 and in her late twenties in age. Short black hair matched the black leggings and boots she wore. She wore a grey, zipped vest that went down to just past her chest, and wore a skin tight, white t-shirt to match her bottle figure.
"So, with entry in the Ilex Forest blocked, we'll have plenty of time to snag some pokemon AND look for the Purifier, without intrusion," 22 said as she put her hands on her hips, inspecting the web covered forest.
"Since Neo Snagem's headquarters are located in a nearby Goldenrod City, we'll have a perfect path of retreat should this operation fall over," Lucy said.
"After we capture the most powerful pokemon we can find, Commander Atticus will have no choice but to promote us," 22 said as she looked as Lucy. "With Commanders 21, 20, and 19 already eliminated, our promotions are inevitable."
"So they're basically taking pokemon just to make a quick buck..." Maisy whispered to herself as she started to grow upset. "They're no better than the others!"
"Maisy..." That anger... this isn't the first time she's had to deal with these kinds of people.
"I won't let you get away with this!" Maisy yelled as she recklessly race to the edge of the lake and addressed 22 and Lucy from across.
"Maisy, no!" I yelled as I ran after Maisy.
"Althaea!" Kurt realized that I gave away our hiding spot as well.
I gasped.
"Huh?" Lucy said confused as she turned to Maisy.
"Intruders!" 22 yelled, "Ariados!"
To Be Continued...
Okay, so we FINALLY know who won the Pokemon Contest back in Chapter 13. There will be plenty of Seth Chapters after we get through this stretch I have planned out. It'll keep readers wondering what's next for Seth, and when he'll have to fight Fear again. So stay tuned for next chapter and be sure to write a review.