Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 51: The Shaping of Things to Come
Okay, so this is supposed to be the part where I apologize for putting a new chapter on hold, rambling on about the story of my life and how it's been getting in the way of fanfiction. Well guess what, I'm NOT making any excuses. And I'm NOT apologizing. All I have to say is 'Please Read and Review' one of my longer chapters in Chapter 51.
Seth's POV
"People of Johto. People of Ecruteak City. People of the Dominion of Shadows...People of Team Neo Snagem. Is it with hatred, or envy, that you look at the Empire of Neo Snagem? Our goal is not to hurt. Our goal is not to kill. It is not to divide or destroy...Our goal is simply to increase our numbers, to unify all who live into a single mind and body, and create for ourselves identity. One day, we will have only a common purpose: to journey for love, power, and identity, as I just said. Which is why I ask you all to spread the name of Neo Snagem near and far beyond the Dominion of Shadows' gates. Once again, I say: For the Fourth Reich. For unity. For power, love, identity...Long live Neo Snagem! And may we all accept this new day as one body!"
And with that, the assembly had concluded once Zero, 24, 20, 10, and the Kimono Sisters all took their leave into the castle-like building. The Rapidash were released from the float, allowing them to freely roam the city that used to be Ecruteak (if they were wild pokemon).
"I cannot believe it...it was really HIM." Rose was just as out of words as me upon seeing HIM.
"It's been five years since I last saw HIM. My older brother, Zero..." The last time my brother and I were in the same presence...
"Brother..." Stark Mountain, when he left me for dead to join Atticus and Team Neo Snagem (Chapters 1 & 49). And it wasn't until now that I found out why he ever turned his back on me.
I've always been called Rosen's son. But what about ME?!" The memories of Missingno had explained to me everything about Zero. "I want an identity."
"It'll all end here. I'll be sure of it." I said to myself
Rose, Chikorita, and I were on top of a building that was distant from Main Square's crowd. We were still able to see AND hear anything that went on in Main Square, and from what I saw, I became more aware of this changing world and the shaping of things to come.
"We as Neo Snagem's enemies as a minority," I said.
"To charge in recklessly would be fool hearted, I must say." Rose added.
"I couldn't agree with you more. Not only does Neo Snagem have four commanders here, but they have the support of the many people they dictate over." I answered.
"How to we save a city and their people who do not wish to be saved?" Rose asked.
"Hmph, the city itself is none of my concern. And I couldn't care less about people who just sell out to Neo Snagem like that. Selling out to Neo Snagem, just like Zero... All that matters is Neo Snagem's destruction, and if it means destroying their new 'following' so be it. After all, with Seifer, my new alter ego, I have all the dark power I need just in case any foll stands in my way." Upon saying that, my eyes went from blue to purple, and I started producing a dark aura from my hand. I then turned back and started on my way, saying "Let's go" to my sister and Chikorita.
...
"So where exactly are we going, Brother?" Rose asked while walking beside me.
"To be honest, I'm not sure." I answered.
Chikorita, Rose and I were wandering aimlessly throughout the city that used to be Ecruteak. At the moment, we were passing through a run down neighborhood that looked like it's presentation had been neglected for years...Or maybe weeks, since that's how long I believe it has been since Neo Snagem took over. Passing by many houses that featured broken windows, hole on the roofs, and yellow grass despite the fact that Johto is in the middle of it's spring season...I've even seen an abandoned house inhabited only by pokemon such as Purrloin, Ghastly, Murkrow, and Glameow. We never actually came across any humans until...
"-Living in a crappy, ghetto neighborhood like this... People like you deserve to live the life of a filthy Rattata!" The man yelling was of average height with a slight muscular build. He had short brown hair, blue eyes, and was wearing the red vested Neo Snagem uniform. "Filthy Johtos who refuse to serve Neo Snagem like you really grind my gears."
Yes, Johto can be used as a noun.
"Those of Neo Snagem, like you, who continue their racism toward Johto's like me... You Neo Snagems are no better than us! At least we Johtos don't sell out to Neo Snagem's terrorism, unlike you!" This boy looked to be fifteen years old. He had a black gladiator mohawk fade hairstyle, tan skin, and brown eyes. He wore a slim fit white t-shirt under a bulletproof vest, along with dark blueish pants, and black high top shoes.
It was a heated argument between the Johtos and the Neo Snagems. Only one Neo Snagem member was there, while the gladiator mohawked fifteen year old was accompanied by a few fellow Johtos who also seemed to be living within the run down neighborhood.
"Oh please, we as Neo Snagems are just embracing the shapes of things to come. "The brown haired man said. "Pretty soon the name of Johto will be erased from existence, falling into the hands of Neo Snagem. Johto's like you will bow to Neo Snagems like me."
The gladiator Mohawked boy was without words...
"Oh, you're not getting mad, are you?" The brown haired man teased. "Do you hate me? Do you want to beat the Hell out of me and shut me up, you filthy Johto?"
The gladiator mohawked boy's fist was clenched and shaking, and he never took his eyes off of the brown haired man, who proceeded to approach him and start whispering in his ear.
"Don't worry kid, I already know you're too scared to do crap. Because the moment you DO lay just one finger on me, every Neo Snagem will want you dead, and you dirty Johto friends won't care enough to try and save you when it's all too late." The brown haired man whispered when suddenly, the gladiator mohawked boy was struck in his back by a Scrafty surrounded by a dark aura.
"Er...uh..." The moment stalled before the gladiator mohawked boy was shoved to the ground by the brown haired man. Slowly, the boy got to his knees in an attempt to get back on his own two feet, only to b e kicked back to the ground by a snickering shadow Scrafty.
"Scccrraft!"
"Filthy Johto..." The brown haired man whispered before facing the other Johtos that accompanied the gladiator mohawked boy. "Any of you other pieces of crap want some of me?!"
The people were all switching between looking at each other, the brown haired man, and the downed gladiator mohawked boy. Scrafty crossed it's arms and had an arrogant look on it's face as it stood next to the brown haired man.
"Come on! At least one of you Rattatas should try and shut me up!"
"-Well if a Neo Snagem like you wants his mouth to be shut so bad, please allow me to do the honors. But before I begin, I'd like for you to just let it all out, those petty words of your. I'll be sure that THOSE words will be your last..." Calmly addressing and approaching the brown haired man, I was ready to give this 'Neo Snagem' exactly what he asked for. Rose's eyes were closed as she held on to my back, wincing and cringing in the presence of these 'strangers'.
"Oooh, so we've gotta 'wanna be' tough guy here." The brown haired man teased. "Posers like you make me laugh. You act all tough, yet your holding a girly Chikorita in one arm, and who's that little girl hugging you from behind?" All Rose did was winced even harder and cover her ears. While Chikorita gave the man a nasty glare.
"Are you finished yet?" I asked calmly.
"What'll happen if I say yes? It's not like a filthy Johto like you can hurt m-" My left eyes started glowing a dark purple as I suddenly directed my dark aura to the brown haired man's neck, without warning.
"Scrafty?" Scrafty immediately backed away, and was intimidated by the power of mine.
"What's wrong? A high and mighty Neo Snagem like you should be walking all over who you THINK is a 'filthy Johto' in me." I started to use the dark power to lift the borwn haired man by his neck.
"Gh! Ugh! Hyuck! Hyuck! Hyuck! Ugh!" As my purple eye began to glow more, the dark aura's hold the the man's neck was starting to tighten as the man was choking heavily, eyes and mouth wide open.
"Chico..."
"You seem to by 'choking' on your own words. You left off at 'it's not like a filthy Johto like you can hurt-', am I correct?" My eyes narrowed. "Please answer me this: who would you rather be right now? A Neo Snagem like you, or a SINNOH native like me?"
"Ach- AAAH!"
"No more words,,, Well, if you're in a hurry to die-" I slowly clenched my aura surrounded hand into a fist, and as soon as my hand was fully closed-
"Gaah- uh..." The dark aura had crushed the man's neck at my command. It felt as though I was the only person witnessing the man's fall to the ground in slow motion as I released the dark aura's hold on him. This power...MY power...what I had just done to this man marked a major checkpoint in my journey to getting stronger.
"The power to kill a human being...It's mine..." I said to myself as we all(with the exception of a cowering Rose) just stared at the man's dead body. THIS is the power of Fear and I. THIS was the power of Seifer...
"Wh-who ARE you?" I turned to the gladiator mohawked boy who struggled to get to his feet. "Er..." The boy fell back down in pain.
"Chico!" Chikorita, as well as a few bystanders went to comfort the boy in any way they could. "Chico Chico?"
"I-I'll be fine." The boy then gave me another stare, as did the many bystanders. "Tell me who you are." The boy started. "You stood up to that Neo Snagem. Are you a Johto like us? I must know your name."
"Hmph." I said as I turned away while Rose buried her face in my stomach. "I've no reason to give you my name. And you mistake my actions for acts of kindness. I only fight against Neo Snagem because it satisfies ME. I could care less about what becomes of everyone else."
If this guy was attempting to be my 'friend', he was certainly setting himself up for failure. But then I thought to myself...
"As a matter of fact..." It seemed these Johtos and I had a common purpose: To destroy Team Neo Snagem. "The name's Seth. And although I am not a Johto like you people, I do seek the destrction of Neo Snagem's empire, for my own purposes."
It's all about self satisfaction, the destruction of Team Neo Snagem...
"Well, Seth, my name is Kasheus Kleigh, leader of the Johto Region Restoration Committee." The gladiator mohawked boy said.
"Chico?" Chikorita questioned.
"Oh." Kasheus Kleigh sounded as if he understood Chikorita. "The Johto Region's Restoration Committee: A recently founded organization with a goal of one day returning us all to the world of yesterday, before the coming of Neo Snagem."
So this teenage boy is an abolitionist...
"That power you displayed just now...That was a power that only Neo Snagem's top commanders possess. I initially thought that you were one of their commanders, that was until you killed that Neo Snagem just now. Seth, we both have a common purpose. Join us as an Honorary Johto, and together we'll put an end to Neo Snagem."
Kasheus held a hand out to me. Staring at the hand expectantly, I was ready to make a reply before we were approached by a woman.
"-I've never seen you around here before." The woman said.
The woman was introduced to us as Cassie Kleigh, mother of Kasheus Kleigh.
"I WAS only just passing through this neighborhood, but this Restoration Committee interests me..." I said.
"If that's the case, then why don't you stop by our house?" Kasheus proposed.
"It'd be the least I could do for you after saving my son." Cassie added.
"Being a traveler, you must be dying to sleep in an actual bed tonight." Kasheus started. "We'll tell you everything about Johto's Restoration Committee and what the plan of action is."
A simple nod was all Chikorita and I gave to the Restoration Committee's leader and his mother. Rose was still hugging as she, Chikorira, and I started to follow Cassie and Kasheus through the misty ghetto.
Chapel's POV
Hours removed from the Dominon of Shadows' daily assembly, Mawile and I were resting within the buildin that used to be Ecruteak City's Pokemon Center. The few lights that were turned on were dimmed, and I had just got done stocking up on berries and potions that were abandoned along with the building.
Also accompanying me were Chimecho and Missingno. It had been quite some time since they were out and about.
"To save the world. That is my goal," I said to myself as I returned to a near empty lobby, with only Mawil staring at the ceiling on a cushioned bench while using her closed maw (second jaw) as a pillow.
"So what do we do now?" Missingno asked.
I gave Missingno no reply, sighing as I honestly didn't know what to do. "Well, we could always just continue on to Mahogany Town, but that wouldn't solve anything. About how to stop Neo Snagem, or whoever our true enemy is...We need for everything to come together here in Ecruteak. If I want answers, I guess I should start looking. Mawile? Chime? Missingno?" They all knew what I was asking when I called their names and gave me a nod, agreeing to help me look for answers.
...
High and low, we searched the entire Pokemon Center for anything that might help us defeat Neo Snagem. There wasn't much luck at all, but we did find a few useful items along the way. Chime found a Dusk Stone, and Missingno found a Rare Candy, along with a lavender colored plastic card with the title 'Johto Region Restoration Committee' on it. I found only a box of Sweet Hearts that must have been expired. When the three of us had just about finished performing recon in the Pokemon Center-
"-Mawile! Maw Mawile!" Mawile was crying out for the three of us just as we were about to exit the abandoned Pokemon Center.
"Mawile?" I questioned.
"Chime?"
"What is it?" Missingno asked.
"Wile." Mawile cried as she grabbed my hand and started pulling toward the counter that would normally be attended to by Nurse Joy if she were here. Sigh, I wonder where she is...
Mawile jumped onto the counter and proceeded to jump off onto the other side before grabbing some sort of journal and handing it to me.
"A journal?" I questioned.
"Wile." Mawile nodded.
The journal's cover had but a single name written in capital letters: BILL
"Bill?" Missingno said confused.
"Bill..." I said to myself. "The creator of the Pokemon Storage System."
I proceeded to open the journal and if it had any info on Neo Snagem.
The journal read...
Bill's Report I:
A simple introduction is all this section includes. My name is Bill, creator of the Pokemon Storage System. Now what is this storage system? Well, it is a computer program that is used by pokemon trainers everywhere to store collected pokemon. Here in this journal, I record highlights of sorts that occur within this system that I have created...
The end of the first section felt so brief and incomplete, but I guess introductions are supposed to be like that. Otherwise essays wouldn't need four other paragraphs.
"...Huh?" I turned to the next page on to find that section wasn't there...Or 3, or 4, or 5. "No 6 or 7 either..." The tears on the journal's binding was a dead giveaway that the pages had been ripped out of the book.
"Bill's Report VIII..." I thought to myself as I quickly skimmed and scanned the page, only to be shocked by who's name I saw. "Oh, Missingno?"
"What?" Missingno asked.
"Missingno, this report is about you..." I said as I then started reading.
Bill's Report VIII:
It has been six months since I met this trainer back in near Cerulean City. Within those six months, this trainer has captured and evolved many pokemon on his journey, and was well on his way to obtaining all 150 pokemon. Him and his Pikachu...The duo has already obtained seven of the eight gym badges needed to challenge Kanto's Elite 4. It wouldn't surprise me if he were to become champion very soon. All those stored pokemon, yet only one has truly captured my attention, if I can even call 'it' a pokemon at all. I was told that this 'thing' was captured in the eastern sea the borders Cinnabar Island. And when I scanned it using my pokedex, nthing came up except for this huge, glitchy image. That image alone was what crashed my pokedex. Hmmm...a pokemon without a pokedex number...A missing number? Yes, the original name of this 'pokemon' was Missing Number, named by myself. However, the name Missing Number was too long, so for convenience I simply combined this pokemon's first and last name while abbreviating it's last name to create Missingno.
Bill's Report XI:
All 150 pokemon captured by the boy who is now champion of the Kanto Region...All that progress for nothing...The data of every pokemon in my storage system has been overwritten, and changed to Missingno. My attempts to contact Kanto's Champion about the bad news have all failed. In fact, nobody has even heard from the Champion since his victory of Trainer Blue. Because I was unable to contact the Champion, I had no choice but to derezz the 139 stored pokemon without seeking his permission first. My Pokemon Storage System...The Champion's Pokemon...Everything was deleted and gone forever. Have I rid the world of Missingno? I'm not sure...I guess the only thing I CAN do now is build a new, better storage system.
Bill's Report XII:
I have spent the months following my arrival in Johto collecting information on the one hundred newly discovered pokemon, and creating my new and improved Pokemon Storage System. This time around, I am visiting Ecruteak City from Goldenrod. Quite a historical and peaceful town, it is. But my rambling aside, here in Ecruteak's Pokemon Center, I had just come across a particular pokemon trainer. He reminded me alot of Kanto's Champion, except THIS trainer wasn't as much of a 'silent protagonist'. This Johto boy, just like Kanto's Chapion, was out to capture countless pokemon as well, so I gave him the priviledge of being the first to try my new Pokemon Storage System. A few of his Pokemon are stored right here in the PC of Ecruteak's Pokemon Center, AND there's no sign of Missingno to top that off.
There were three more missing pages after report 12...
"Still nothing on Celebi OR Neo Snagem." I then turned ti Missingno with a serious face. "Missingno, it makes sense now. When you were derezzed, you lost memories of when you were captured and everything else up until when you infected Rui. But those lost memories...Maybe, just maayybee we can some of them in the PC system in THIS Pokemon Center."
"I can already feel some of the memories coming back." Missingno. "Red, Bill, Cinnabar Island..."
"Maw!" Mawile then proceeded to the Pokemon Center's PC, as we all followed.
"Alright, so..." A 'PC has been powered on' message appeared on screen shorrtly before giving a list of users to log on as. "Gold, Bill, Professor Elm...Let's try Bill."
Now logged on as User Bill...
Bill's storage was completely empty, with the exception of a single pokeball shaped symbol that indicated a Pokemon was in the PC. But before I could proceed to withdraw this pokemon out of my curiosity-
"-Users..."
"Oh?" We all jumped at the sound of the PC. "You're talking?!"
"Yes. What of is, user?" The PC voice said.
"Well, a talking PC just took us off guard. Anyway, we're here to try and find the mysteries of Missingno in your program. Could you help us?" I asked.
"Hmph, no." The PC answered.
"N-No?" Missingno repeated/
"But why?" I asked.
"I was once under the control of another user like yourself. To this user, I was abnormal, and was eventually derezzed as an end result. Bill, Red...Those humans intended to kill me, and I was heart broken, even if I don't have a heart. Since being derezzed, I, along with 139 other pokemon were doomed to wander this virtual oblivion...all because of you humans."
"And so you blame me for something that someone else did way back when? That doesn't seem fair!" I said.
I heard no reply from the PC.
"Please, help us!"
Still no reply...
"Err..." Chime and Missingno were quite annoyed by the computer screen. Chime moaned while Missingno drooped.
"Wile! Mawile!"
"Mawile, don't!" Mawile proceeded to start mashing random buttons on the keyboard in attempt to 'convince' the PC to change it's mind. "Mawile, stop it!" I tried pulling Mawile away from the PC by her second mouth, but she resisted and started slamming the buttons even harder, before landing a single Power-Up Punch in fristration.
"Wile!"
"What's with yo-" I was interrupted by the PC.
"Not just humans, but Pokemon too!" The PC was angered. "Perhaps the four of you deserve to join us in this virtual oblivion.
"Huh?!" The PC then started radiating a pale blue aura that began to spread throughout the entire lobbyroom. "What the?!"
Without warning, I was beginning to fade. And I kept fading and fading, until I just whited out...
...
Location: ?
Where am I? Am I in Ecruteak City? I am I in the Dominion of Shadows?
When I came to, I quickly stood on my own two feet to scan my surroundings. I was in a forest with black trees, dark blue leaves, and dark blue grass. And the sky? Well, the sky was a black winding vortex with cloud that ranged from white, to pale blue, to a shade of blue that was so dark it was ALMOST black.
"Mawile?" As soon as I realized everyone was gone, I started calling out their names. "Chime? Missingno? Is anyone here?"
After repeatedly calling everyone's names, I sighed in slight worry. I attempted to lean on a black tree, but ,"Whoa!" I actually phased through, and the tree was slightly pixelated for a few seconds as a result. "I think I might know where I am."
"Perhaps the four of you deserve to join us in this virtual oblivion!" I remembered the last thing the PC said before I whited.
"This place is Virtual Oblivion..."
To Be Continued...
Just so you guys know, Virtual Oblivion ISN'T a filler. There will be an event that pushes Chapel's and Missingno's roles in the story within the next few chapters. So I hope you enjoyed one of my longer chapters, and stay tuned for the next!