Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 68: Rise Of A Hero Part 4
Flashback
Location: Azalea Town
Maisy's POV
Sigh...Here I am, once again alone, without Grandpa. Why am I always left alone like this? It makes me wanna-No...It's not his fault this time. It's THEIR fault. The bad guys. Team Rocket. Just who was Team Rocket? Why did they take Grandpa away? Will I ever see Grandpa again? I just have to hope that guy is able to save him and the Slowpoke...
"Grandpa..." I said to myself, my worry for him greater than ever. My eyes started to make tears...How long will I be alone?
Minutes later, I heard someone opening the front door. With tears still in my eyes, I looked to see that boy who always wears his hat backwards. And right behind him, was that old man. I blinked.
"Grandpa!" My eyes still had tears in them, but they were wide open. And there was a big smile as I got up and ran into his arms. My arms failed to wrap around his entire body because I was too little, but his arms wrapped around me just perfectly. My face was buried in his shirt, and when I got off, I saw that it was wet from my tears, "You're back, haha."
"There, there," Grandpa said as he patted my back, "It's all okay now."
I then turned to the trainer who was standing just feet away from us. I wiped away my tears and said, "Thank you."
It was a day that has been engraved into my memory. I will never forget Team Rocket, and I will never forget about what they did to Grandpa. I just hope it doesn't happen again...
End Flashback
There was a bad feeling I had - a feeling that history was going to repeat itself. It's been so long since I've seen Grandpa...
That Zero guy was walking ahead of us all. Everyone seems to think he's on our side now, but not me. I really didn't like him at all. No, I hated him. I had absolutely no sympathy for whatever happened to him. He was apart of the organization that tried to burn Althaea and I to death...
Zero looked back at Noah, who didn't take his eyes off the ground. He then looked at Althaea, who returned his gaze without a smile.
"He looks like..." Althaea whispered to herself.
Followed by Althaea, was Ariados, who gave Zero it's generic cry. True, Ariados was also with Neo Snagem at one time, but he was already defeated when the forest was set on fire.
And lastly, Zero looked at me...I looked right back at him with an angry expression and eyes narrowed. "I hate you..." I said to him. I guess he turned away from me to keep me from seeing the look on his face. Why can't he just go away?
Location: Azalea Town's Wester City Limit
Commander 10's POV
"And the rest of Azalea's been secured now?" I asked.
As of now, it was me, Commander 12, and a couple of grunt making our way back into the Ilex Forest. With Zero no longer commanding me, I was now able to do as I please on this mission. I believe a few deaths would be enough to satisfy my, so i had a plan that involved the use of Ilex Forest.
"Hell yeah!" Commander 12 answered with much energy, "C.C's Flamethrowers quickly eliminated the threat of fully restored pokemon and their trainers at the Pokemon Center. Now with the Pokemon Center in our hands, we'll have an unlimited supply of healing."
"Ah, I see," I said, "Now the pieces are all in place. All that's left now is a little trip to Ilex Forest."
But as we arrived at the forest entrance, I laid my eyes on a boy who just so happened to take out the two grunts stationed at Azalea's Western edge.
"I-Impossible..." said the first grunt who was down on his knees, staring down at the fallen Escavalier in front of him "...How could we lose to some mere child?"
The boy's Scizor stood tall, and didn't seem to take much of any damage at all.
"What's going on here?" I asked as I approached my fallen subordinate.
"M-Master..."
"Honestly, how can a noble of Team Neo Snagem lose to some riff raff little boy?" Commander MC asked as she flicked her periwinkle bang with a single finger. "This is hardly news at all. No, this won't due. Maybe I should destroy you now. Ah yes, that'll surely make the news next time I on the radio." 12 said as she walked to where she stood across from the purple haired boy and his Scizor. "C.C-" C.C, the nicknamed Chimchar readied to battle.
"Hold it..." I said as I intervened, "Who exactly ARE you?" I asked the boy.
"I'm Gym Leader Bugsy! And I'm here to put a stop to you Neo Snagems!" The boy said without a smile, eyes narrowed, "You won't claim Azalea like you've done other cities..."
I snickered, "Trying to act tough, aren't we little boy?"
"It's said, and funny!" Commander 12 chuckled, "Just look at her...or him. Haha!"
"Oh, why you?!" Bugsy yelled.
"Quite amusing that you chose to introduce yourself with the name of Gym Leader. Tell me, did you just try to use the words 'Gym Leader' to try and assert yourself? Your Scizor may be powerful, but Gym Leaders are just overpriviledged lowlives who's chances of losing have increased over the course of six generations. You're nothing but an insignificant insect, Bug Boy!" I said.
I then took a step in front of 12, and proceeded to grab a Pokeball from within my cloak.
"Now hold on!" 12 yelled, "I'm the one that gets to destroy the kid!"
"Hmph." I was well aware of the fame-hungry ego that MC always has," Would you really waste your time and energy fighting the little boy, only for me to crush your mind in the end for opposing me?"
"Oh?" 12 didn't reply, and although the word never came out of her mouth, I already knew her answer to my question.
"I thought so," I said, "Now stand behind me and keep watch for any 'unwanted guests'," Of course, I was referring to the body of Zero who just so happened to not be here after I nearly crushed his mind. I knew he'd be coming after me, and that he was bound to arrive at any moment now. But I decided not to say anything out loud.
Commander 12 complied.
And so, I threw my Pokeball, sending out a Gengar who was ready to cause some pain.
"Genngarr..." The ghost pokemon smirked as he and the Scizor stared each other down.
"Gengar, it is time! Clear us the path!"
Location: Outside Maisy's House
Maisy's POV
Two months...Two months I was said to have been away from my grandpa. But, it felt as though I only left yesterday. No matter how long it has been since I've been away, I believed I was ready to see Grandpa again. I just...I just didn't think that it would be under THESE circumstances.
There I stood, just outside the closed doors, uncertain of what to expect.
"Grandpa, please be here!" I cried as I opened the door and entered into the dark room. "Grandpa?"
"W-what are you doing?" A voice said.
"Huh?" It looked to be coming from the laptop that was set in the corner of the room.
Without providing the room with any light, Noah, Althaea, Ariados, and that 'Zero' man followed me to view the computer screen.
A video was being played, a video of a cloaked individual, and Grandpa...
"Answer me!" Grandpa yelled, "What do you think you're doing?! Why are you in my house?!"
"Why, the stress of today has certainly taken it's toll on me, so I though some comedy should brighten my mood." replied the sarcastic, cloaked man with a snicker.
"Comedy?" Grandpa said confused.
"Yes, comedy!" I would love nothing more than the sound of your desperate screaming right now. It'll serve as what I call an 'appetizer' until I get to the main course, something I have in store for many other people. Hehehaha. Mwahahahaha, HAHAHA!"
"Please, I don't want any trouble!" Grandpa yelled.
"Well you've got trouble." The cloaked man started, "But not to worry, my dear friend. Once you're dead, all your troubles will instantly disappear. If my Mind Crush fails to work, I've plenty of backup outside just waiting to see some action."
"Once I'm dead, eh?" Grandpa clenched his fist, ready to defend himself, "What kind of fool do you take me for?! I didn't wake up today expecting to fight for my life, but damn it, I will if I must!" He then took out a Pokeball and threw it, releasing Slowpoke.
Slowpoke..." I said to myself.
"Slllooowww!" Slowpoke cried as it slowly took a deep breath, then fired a Water Gun at the cloaked man.
"Pitiful..." The pitiful man said as he dodge the Water Gun by jumping. He then created a dark aura, and rushed it to the head of the Slowpoke. "Mind Cr-" He was interrupted.
"You!" Grandpa yelled as he charged toward the cloaked man with a clenched fist. "I'll- Huh?!"
"So that's how it's gonna be?" The cloaked man then proceeded to grab a hold of Kurt's wrist with his gloved hand.
Grandpa was intercepted, and it was a good long moment before he was pushed to the ground by the dark aura that was now away from Slowpoke.
"Now then," The cloaked man said as he slowly approached Grandpa once more, dark aura at hand.
Grandpa...He was unable to defend himself, and unable to escape from the cloaked man that had him cornered.
"Ng..." Grandpa struggled to get to his knees. He always told me that he wasn't as young as he used to be., "Please, don't..." Grandpa began to slowly plead.
"Hm?"
"Don't, I beg of you... I have too much to live for just to have my life taken away from me," And I could finally tell that my Grandpa was deeply saddened. His pleas were complimented by his eyes, which began to turn red and water. "M-M...Maisy...I've tried just about everything to try and find her. But...I don't even know if she's alive or dead right now! Why...Why did this all have to happen?! I-I promised her parent, I promised her parents that I'd give her the life they never had the chance to provide. Was that promise just a lie? Maisy..." And by the time he said my name, his voice had already toned down to a mere whisper...My name was the last thing Grandpa said in the entire video. As he was damaged, and possibly killed by what was said to be the cloaked man's 'Mind Crush'.
No..." I whispered as the video ended with the cloaked man laughing casually as the cries of Grandpa. "No...Grandpa! Grandpa please!" With my face covered in heavy tears, I suddenly took off toward Grandpa's room in a rush, leaving the others in the living room.
And entering his room, I found him. He was down and breathing heavily. The light was on, and very dim, so it was hard to see the exact expression he had on his face.
"G-Grandpa?" I said as I got on my knees," This can't be...No Grandpa! You can't be! You can't - You can't..." At this point, all of my emotions were letting themselves out. I cried passionately at what was the biggest heartbreak of my life. Slowly but surely, the volume of my voice had quelled, and I was trying with all of my soul to keep a calm voice, "It's been two months Grandpa, but I'm finally here for you...But, you're not here for me...Why is that? What's next for me? What am I supposed to do now?! My parents...you'll be able to see them now, where you're going...Will you Daddy that his little girl has grown? And what about Mother?...Please tell her not to worry. Grandpa Kurt, I love you..."
My final words to Grandpa as I laid him back on the floor...
"10..." It was the voice of that Zero guy, who was right behind me, "How could he?"
Zero...I couldn't help but resent the guy even more for what happened to Grandpa. Him and Neo Snagem...
Iclenched my fists and gritteD my teeth as I angrily turned toward Zero, tears covering my entire face. "Why should you care?" I yelled in a bitter rage, "You're the bad guy! It's because of people like you that Grandpa's dead! I-I HATE YOU?! GO AWAY! YOU RUINED MY LIFE! YOU-YOU-" I was stopped.
"Maisy, that's enough!" Althaea said as she approached me and covered my mouth.
In the moment, I couldn't say a thing. All I could do was stare at Zero, who had his face turned away from em. I couldn't help but drop to my knees and start crying once more, because sadness was what the sigh tof Zero put inside of me. Althaea dropped to her knees as well, and had me embrace her in a warm hug.
"Maisy, you can't resent a person for what someone else has done," Althaea started in a low tone, "Your grandfather wouldn't want for you to live with such hatred. He'd want for you To live your life with all the happiness in the world."
"But the world isn't really that happy anymore..." I said as I wiped away some of my tears and looked Althaea in the eye, "Neo Snagem took it all away."
"Then we must fight and take it back!" I turned to see the face of Noah. He didn't look like the person who would ever show any sort of compassion.
Noah's POV
Looking at the girl, I really couldn't help but pity her, and relate to her as well. I've come in contact with yet another who's life was ruined by Neo Snagem. Witnessing the death of her grandfather was a first for me. Never have I witnessed a person being killed as nothing more than a mere act of comedy. It only made me more passionate about defeating Neo Snagem and saving my mother from herself.
"I promise you," I said as I approached Maisy and put a hand on her shoulder while she was still hugging Althaea, "We will put a stop to Neo Snagem."
...I smiled.
"Noah..." Althaea said shocked.
Just how long has it been since I smiled? Too long for me to remember.
"Maisy," I said to the girl, "The guy you resent is just starting his own quest to right his wrongs, Trust Zero. Put your trust in him the way Althaea and I have."
And at that moment, for the very first time, Maisy and Zero gave each other a look in the eye without hatred coming from either one of them. A few seconds passed before Maisy gently pulled away from Althaea and I, and made her was past Zero and to the doorway.
Maisy looked back at Zero. Her eyes were still red, her face was still full of tears, and she wasn't smiling, "Let's take back what's ours."
To Be Continued...
Author's Note
Maisy was originally supposed to be a one-off character, but I found that she will (SPOILER ALERT) be a major factor into Noah's development as a character.
You guys think 10's bad now? Well, you haven't seen the worst of him, not quite yet. But we're almost there.
Zero...Think about this real quick: If Zero was able to narrowly survive 10's Mind Crush...Who else can?(Most people DON'T survive.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and not much else to say but, stay tuned for the next.