Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 65: (Interlude) Rise of a Hero
Zero's POV
That moment, when my brother fell to the ground...I thought it was over then...I was the first time in so long that I had seen him. But would the first time in a long time also be the last time?
"They say you don't know what you have until it's gone..." I thought to myself out loud.
I may have turned my back on him five years ago, and that may have created a possibly everlasting rift between us, but he was still my brother...That is what I lost. I lost someone very close to me. I lost, a brother...
What happened to me? Just a number of days ago, I was...different. I was a person who thought he was desensitized for life, and my brother was just a mere afterthought kept within the depths of my mind. But recently, I've been becoming more and more aware of what role I play in this world as long as I served Neo Snagem. I got my brother of all people killed...
Five years ago, in the beginning, I thought I knew what I wanted. I wanted a sense of power, and my own name; my own legacy. Being apart of Neo Snagem, those dreams became a reality. The reality was cold and hard, as every dream ends eventually. The reality was that many people were being seduced, punished, and even killed. My brother paid the ultimate price, but it wasn't his fault that his childhood was destroyed. He may not have realized it, but Seth was a martyr, dying because of a belief that one day he could live in a world where Neo Snagem didn't exist.
Though I've been here for five years, I had to ask myself, "What is Neo Snagem? What exactly have I sworn my loyalty to?"
...
After a long day, the sun was setting, and a fire made by Charizard was in place. Despite having contacts that could've delivered me to Goldenrod Headquarters by now, I elected to walk. You know, to think things through...
...It's been so long since I've been out in the wild, and away from Neo Snagem Territory. It felt like I was eleven years old and on my my first journey again. Charizard and all of my other pokemon were out of their pokeballs as we all enjoyed watching the descending sun after such a dingy, cloudy, unfortunate day.
Right next to me was my closest friend Charizard, whom I could tell was also letting the downfall of Seth sink into his mind.
On the other side of Charizard, was the most recent addition in Gothorita. Gothorita's attitude reminded me so much of Mother Flora and Sister Rose. So quiet, kind of naive, and tends to 'get smart' at times. I couldn't let the opportunity to catch Gothorita pass me.
In the lake side before us was a very playful Lapras, who was captured just before I made it to the Sinnoh League for the first time. She's kind of on the small side for her species, but that doesn't keep her from finding some sort of optimism in even the darkest of times.
Also in the lake w as a meditating Lucario. A pokemon who is calm, but ALWAYS overzealous in a battle. As a Riolu given to me by a very strong gym leader in Veilstone, we've gotten ourselves into trouble countless times. But since I've joined Neo Snagem, our auras have become quite distant...
And lastly, was my very first pokemon in Torterra, sitting on the other side of the campfire, across from me. Having to journey from Sunnyshore, all the way to Sandgem just to receive the Turtwig made me appreciate him that much more. Quiet and reserved, Torterra always seems to be overshadowed by Charizard in the eyes of everyone else. Not to be rude, but Torterra DOES have a better resume that the fire type.
Long ago, when I was just a boy, the world of Pokemon was much more simple. It was a time when trainers like me could go on a journey and earn every step taken. Trainers like my stepfather, Rosen.
These last few hours had me thinking; In a way, Seth died because of a decision I made way back when. What that decision a mistake?
"Perhaps..." I said to myself, letting a depressed sigh out of my mouth as I proceeded to stand up.
"Goth?" To this point, all of my pokemon had been silent. They weren't used to seeing me like this. I'm usually as upbeat as Lapras, always bringing out the energy in others. Gothorita looked at me as soon as I was on my two feet. Even at a time like this, I was able to give Gothorita a bit of a fake smile before I started walking past the campfire and toward the lake. On the way, I gave a resting Torterra a single pat on the head. And when I got there, I was greeted by a Lapras who swam right to me. She nuzzled me, and all I did was smile as she then went on with her business. Just past the lake, was the orange sunset I stared into.
"It's just not the same as the one in Sunnyshore..." That was what I said to myself every evening at dusk, though my words were only out of nostalgia. "My memories..." It may be too late for Seth, but it's not too late for me to protect the rest of my family. I wish for my family not to fight anymore...I don't want to lose anyone else. It's time to regain the life I hold dearest in my memories...
Location: ...
By midnight, I had arrived in a Goldenrod City that has been rechristened as Neo Snagem Territory. Like I said, it was midnight, so there wasn't really any people out and about. Just a few grunts wearing the generic red vest and black pants Neo Snagem uniform. People who were not apart of Neo Snagem were a rare sight here in mid western Johto. Shadow Pokemon are in abundance, and have become quite the norm here. Their numbers almost compare to the amount of pokemon NOT possessed by a dark aura.
"Uh, Zero- I mean, Commander Zero!" I looked ahead to see one of the nameless grunts formally march up to me, "Commander Zero, we welcome you back to Goldenrod!"
"Thanks..." I said to the grunt as I walked past, back on my way 'home'. The grunt followed suit, walking right next to me as he caught up.
"I wanted to thank you, Sir, on behalf of Team Neo Snagem," The grunt started, "Thanks to you, we've seized control of Goldenrod AND Ecruteak." Though, is was REALLY Wes who got it started(Chapter 27), "Taking over Ecruteak to use as a retreat in case something went wrong in Goldenrod was a great idea. I mean, we took over Goldenrod without any complications anyway, but still..."
"Well, Goldenrod IS Johto's biggest city. And sometimes, in order to get the big prize, you must collect the smaller prizes first..." It pained me to talk about how Neo Snagem was ruining more lives...
"I heard Commanders 24 and 20 were eliminated...What of 10? He was sent to Ecruteak too, wasn't he?" The grunt asked.
All day, I haven't been in the mood to talk about Neo Snagem, specifically 10, whom I no longer have any authority over, apparently. "Please leave me alone," I said bluntly to the grunt.
At first, the grunt seemed to be hurt by my words, but I had him look into my eyes. They had guilt and depression written all over them. And to top that off, I was quite tired...
"Yes Sir..." The grunt answered as he gave me my space.
And so, I began to close in on Neo Snagem's Main Headquarters. It was located right under the building that used to be Goldenrod's Pokemart. Thanks to 'renovations' courtesy of Neo Snagem, the building had a completely different look to it. It was now a skyscraper with a height that rivaled Goldenrod's Radio Tower.
And while we were on the subject of the Radio Tower, their radio broadcast could be heard inside AND outside the building.
As I entered the lobby, I could hear what was being said through the speaker.
"-So now that it's the top of the hour, it's time for I, the Master of Ceremonies to take over!"
Master of Ceremonies, also known as MC, she's a girl around my age, at seventeen years old. She's Neo Snagem's Commander 12...MC tends to be a bit of an attention hog. always wanting to be the center of attention, and always wanting to be the leader of every mission she goes on, even when a higher ranking commander is assigned the same mission. Diving too deep into her character was pointless at the moment...
"I'll go right into our news!," 12 started, "So apparently we've seized complete control of Ecruteak City early this morning! What an accomplishment! Neo Snagem was able to come roaring back after the eliminations of 24 and 20! And what's more, we've killed the day's biggest enemy! Now, I believe Seth was his name? Yes, it's a glorious day now that THAT prick is out of the way! Come on, Neo Snagem! Now is the time for us to celebrate, celebrate, and CELEBRATE!"
"Think of how many other people have died because of us...Because of me..." I whispered to myself.
But what could I do? In a way, I was bound to the organization that I was starting to question more and more with each passing moment.
Into the elevator, and entering the underground, where the headquarters was located, I was just heading into my room to sleep the guilt off. But my guilt wasn't gone by the time moring came...
The next morning...
The next morning, I was still tired. Without a full night of sleep for another consecutive night, there were bags under my eyes. I was being summoned by my father, Atticus. Well, I WAS only woken up by his summoning. I just didn't feel like I had it in me to show up.
"-so it appears you've made it back to Goldenrod before me..." said a familiar voice, approaching me from behind.
There was no need for me to turn around because I already knew full well who was talking to me.
10..." I said as I paused.
"What's wrong? Why not talk?" The cloaked commander asked as he walked right past me.
The last time I saw him, not only did he do away with my brother, but he also made it clear that he WOULD kill me if the time would ever come.
"You've been summoned by Atticus as well?" I asked as I started to walk again.
"Correct." 10 answered, "And wouldn't it be a coincidence if you and I were assigned on a mission together...again?"
10 was the last person I wanted to be paired with on a mission right now. The moment slipped into an awkward silence, with me thinking about how may people 10 would try to kill THIS time. It's arguable that 10 may be the most evil member in Neo Snagem...
...
"-And it's because of your successful take over of Ecruteak City that you two have been assigned another take over mission. Once we seize control of Azalea Town, we'll have complete control over all of mid western Johto," said my father as the visible dark aura surrounded him, as always.
It was the first time in a long time that a bad feeling of mine actually came true. 10 and I, forced to cooperate with each other once again...
"Hmhnhm," 10 snickered, "What a coincidence?" Subtly and indirectly, 10 was taunting me with the same question he just asked a few minutes ago.
Although his face was cloaked, 10 and I exchanged a momentary stare. This may be the mission where our growing tension boils over. Our staring had come to an end once 10 decided to start away from the room where we were summoned, leaving only Atticus and I. Atticus looked at me with a proud smirk, a smirk that only a father could give to his own son.
"Commander 12 told me everything about what happened in Ecruteak..." My father started, "Listen, I don't give a damn about that brother of yours. If you get in 10's way, he has my permission to do away with you..."Atticus whispered.
I sighed as I thought about Neo Snagem getting more and more out of control. I gave Atticus a single nod before starting after 10.
...
They were brief, the minutes 10 and I spent making our exit from Neo Snagem's Headquarters. And just as we were leaving, we were met by a girl whom seemed to be waiting at the exit.
"So, are we ready to go?" It was Neo Snagem's Commander 12, MC. At seventeen years old, she had the body of a young woman. She had neck length, lavender colored hair with a long, periwinkle colored bang that went down to her chest. Her eyes were a brownish black color, but they were rarely seen because she always wore a pair of sunglasses. She wore a black, sleeveless shirt under a grey-brown, unzipped vest. she had a pair of grey-brown capris that went down to just below her knees, where she wore a pair of black leather, high heeled boots.
"Why are you here?" 10 asked.
"You're not even assigned on this mission." I added.
"Please, I am NOT going to miss another big mission like the one in Ecruteak," MC started, "The two of you simply cannot do without me here. And besides, all my fans have been dying to see me in some action lately, isn't that right, C.C?" She asked the pokemon standing behind her leg, which was actually a nicknamed Chimchar.
"Chim char!" C.C cried in agreement.
And about 12, she also has a habit of being a narcissist. Why, if Atticus wasn't such an informal leader, he probably would've eliminated 12 himself by now, given how many times 12 backsasses Neo Snagem's leaders. Other commanders usually hate teaming up with her, but maybe she's exactly what I need right now. Maybe her presence could ease the tension between 10 and I.
"Fine then, let's go," I said to the girl and her Chimchar.
The countless grunt should be waiting for us at Goldenrod's southern city limit...
Location: Azalea Town Gym
Noah's POV
This was it. It was crunch time as the battle between Bugsy and I was entering the final stretch.
"Now, use Flame Wheel!" I commanded to Quilava.
"Quil..." Quilava was on his last legs, having been struck by multiple Fury Cutters, courtesy of Bugsy's Scizor. But Quilava, still with some fight left, charged toward Scizor while cloaked in a spinning flame one more time.
"Quilava looks like it'll fall pretty soon," Bugsy said to himself, "Scizor, I think one more Fury Cutter should do it."
So there it was, Quilava and Scizor charging toward each other in what was sure to be both pokemon's last stand. A cloud of smoke was created on impact. And when the smoke cleared, both pokemon were down and barely conscious. Bugsy and I were waiting to see which pokemon would rise first...
"S...sci...zor..." My eyes narrowed as Scizor was the first to start moving. I couldn't have come all this close to winning only to fail. All of that hard training just to find a way to overcome that devastating Fury Cutter attack...
I close my eyes in disappointment...But just as the last of my hope had run out-
"Sci?!" I opened my eyes to see that Scizor was stricken by a very sharp pain. "Zor..." Scizor cried as it silently fell back to the ground, now unconscious as Quilava slowly rose to his feet.
"La...va..." Quilava was breathing heavily, and barely standing. But no matter how you put it, he was STILL standing tall Scizor, narrowly inching by with the win.
"Scizor is unable to battle, and the winner is Quilava," the referee announced, "Which means that the victor is Noah!"
Looking back at the grassy battlefield, I could see how Quilava won the battle. Scizor's legs were inflicted with a burn. And I wasn't the only one surprised. Bugsy was shocked, and even the referee was astonished, having been ready to declare Scizor the victor before Scizor fell back down.
"Scizor..." Bugsy whispered as he recalled his downed signature pokemon, "Scizor, you were great." The smiling gym leader added as he put his pokeball away and approached me with a Ledyba-shaped badge at hand.
I also recalled my tired pokemon. "We won..." I said as I put my pokemon away.
"Well?" Bugsy said as he held out the badge to me...
...And that is the obvious reason why I am in Azalea Town. With the Bug Badge at hand, I believed it was time for me to journey to the next gym. That was what I believed. Little did I know, I would be spending A LOT more time in Azalea than I thought...
To Be Continued...
Sigh...Another long absence from posting chapters, and right after I promised to be more consistent. Well at least when I'm writing, I'm more consistent. And right now, I'm even MORE ahead as far as how many chapters I've written. Now, I've been writing A LOT of extra chapters. We were originally going to get straight to Mahogany Town right after Ecruteak City, but I've had a few ideas. Like right now, Zero and Noah weren't going to be featured anytime soon, but Noah, I felt was just a 'prototype' Seth in the early chapters. So now I've decided to develop his character to give him some individuality. I mean, he wasn't set to meet up with Seth anytime soon. The reason why: I've looked back at my story, and realize that I have A LOT of characters meeting up in Mahogany Town. Like, ALL of Yumi's rivals said they would be there for Mahogany's Pokemon Contest. Not only that, but Kashius needs to make his exit because he was just a one-off character. AND NOT ONLY THAT, but I also have the little arc I've been talking about writing since the very beginning. So before Mahogany Town, there will be chapters focusing on Zero, Noah, Rose, and a few other characters I won't name so that I don't spoil it.
So to close out, Seth has been defeated, and feelings of guilt and remorse are really taking Zero by surprise.
One last note, I will warn you guys: The next few chapters, I've sort of overdid myself with what occurs. I did it because I want you guys to just straight up despise the next antagonist. Inspiration: Kefka Palazzo, the greatest villain of all time. If only he wasn't always overshadowed by Sephiroth...