Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 69: Rise Of A Hero(Part 5)
Zero's POV
When a person dies, it is much more than just a single life that is lost. That lost soul takes along with him every bond and every connection that has ever been formed with those that have come in contact with him. Those that live on are left with an emptiness that causes their sadness and sorrow to take over. Is that how Maisy felt when her grandfather left this world?
Her Grandfather was yet another victim of an organization that I helped create. Another victim of the world of ruin - the world's virus version. Not only must I repay my debt to Maisy, but I must repay my debt to the entire world.
Location: Azalea Town
At first, me, Maisy, Noah, Althaea, and the Ariados were wandering aimlessly through Azalea, that was, until we were able to gather some information on where Commanders 10 and 12 were.
"This is...it's depressing..." Althaea said as she looked around the town.
All around, you could see citizens under 'arrest', being under heavy supervision by the countless grunts and their shadow pokemon that surrounded them. It was sad. Some looked at me with a worried shine to their red, watery eyes. Others cried silently silently, trying not to let the grunts see their emotion. Then, there were those who kept their eyes fixed to the ground, their depressing and indifferent faces looking as if they had already given up on their lives. Even the Nurse Joy at the Pokemon Center was too depressed to greet us on the way in when we were there earlier.
"It's as if Azalea's just waiting for the final nail in the coffin..." Noah said, "But this isn't over yet. We have to do something."
It's been quite some time since I've seen Noah, but I could tell: life after Neo Snagem has changed him. His development may have happened slowly but surely. He's not as cruel and pessimistic as he used to be. Also, he has a reason for living. I think his change as a person became more apparent when he tried to cheer Maisy up. Hmm...Maybe I'm just as capable of a change for the better.
"This may be our last chance to save Azalea Town," Maisy said. But Maisy wasn't finished yet. She looked at the ground as she asked herself, :But if we succeed, what'll be next for me?"
I looked a the girl intently.
"It's not like I have anyone waiting for me to come home anymore..."
There was nothing I could say. I couldn't fin an answer to Maisy's question...In a way, the question was really dragged out by me. Why, if it wasn't for me ,Maisy probably wouldn't have had to deal with Neo Snagem as directly as she has. I've got to make it up to her.
We were headed back to Ilex Forest, because that was where 10 was, or so we were told. But why? Why would he go there again?
Location: Azalea's Western City Limit
Commander 10's POV
Sci..." Scizor cried as it prepared yet another Fury Cutter.
"Now, Scizor!" Bugsy yelled as Scizor started toward Gengar.
"Gen?" It appeared as though Gengar was surprised this time as Scizor put extra speed into it's effort.
"Oh no! It's going too fast!" I said with much concern...I smirked, "Haha! Just kidding!"
Gengar smirked as well, letting out a sinister laugh in the process. Bugsy had a look of shock on his face. This was the end for him. It was very amusing, pretending that the boy was an actually challenge. But all good things must come to an end.
"Gengar, Hypnosis!" Even Scizor was abit startled by the 'games' we were playing.
"Sci?! Scizor's face had a mix of shock and bewilderment, obviously angry for allowing Hypnosis to make contact again before falling to the ground in a deep sleep.
"Scizor!" Bugsy yelled with much concern. His defeat was now imminent.
"Dream Eater, now!"
"Garrr!" Gengar rushed a dark and purple aura to the downed Scizor.
And that was it. A sleeping Scizor was silent as it was sent into full unconsciousness, leaving Bugsy looking at the downed pokemon wide eyed.
"And so Azalea Town's last hope has fallen..." I said with a chuckle. Weird, the boy's despair seemed to be kept in check, and as a result, I didn't really find his defeat as amusing as the other.
"See? We told you, little boy," Commander 12 started as Bugsy fell to his knees in defeat, "This isn't the random, crappy gym battle you're used to. A lot more was on the line: Azalea Town, and you've everyone here down."
"Chim char!" C.C smirked as she cried in agreement.
"What a pity. And to think that I didn't even come close to using my full power." Of course, I was talking about the fact that I didn't have to use Mega Evolution. "But heeeeyyy!" I said mockingly, :How about I kill you right now? That way you won't have to look at the depressed faces of the many people you've doomed! Is it a deal?" Before Bugsy could answer, I formed and readied a dark aura, and answered my own question for him, "Well, it's not like I'll give you a choice to begin with."
And without word, I WAS about to finish the sport of killing Bugsy, that was until I saw familiar AND UNfamiliar faces approach him from behind.
"Zero..." I said as I stared at the group's tallest member.
Zero's POV
Seeing Commander Shadow prepare to kill yet another innocent was just enough for me to start running toward Azalea's city limit.
Standing just feet away from the downed Scizor, were a couple of unranked grunts, Commander 12 and C.C, Gengar, and HIM. The one that nearly added me to the next victim on his 'kill list.
"You..." Maisy whispered as she stared at her grandfather's murderer with narrowed, angry eyes. And so, she didn't even waste time before throwing herself at him. With relative ease, 10 dodged. Completely caught off guard, Maisy fell to the ground, flat on her face.
"Haha, how embarrassing." Commander MC chuckled.
"Oh, so I'm willing to guess you saw the little 'comedy' your grandfather and I made," 10 started while chuckling, "It was hilarious. The best part? Him screaming while I crushed his mind. I just had to set it on repeat so you could enjoy it too."
While still on the ground, Maisy lifted her face up. We saw a face that was once again covered in tears...
"Ah, how long has it been?" 10 asked mockingly, "Two months since he last saw you? Such a shame that his life ended in such a cliffhanger. Oh wait, no it isn't! With that video on the web, his death can be watched by the entire world as entertainment! Trust me, he did the entire world a favor by getting killed!"
"...Why?" Maisy whispered.
"Why?" 10 said to himself, "Because I'm evil, and hearing other people scream is funny. I'm not like the rest of you. I don't have a pathetic sob story from my childhood that made me who I am today. I'm evil just because. It's called 'character'."
"...Oh my Arceus..." Althaea looked at 10 with wide eyes, "You're just insane."
"You DO have issues, 10," Commander 12 added, "I'm not on THEIR side. And it's not just me; everyone thinks you're a psycho."
"So I've been told," 10 said as he shifted his attention to Gengar, and recalled it. He then turned around and started toward Ilex Forest, along with a couple of Neo Snagem grunts.
"So that's it?" Noah asked 10," Azalea Town is now under Neo Snagem's control, and you're just gonna leave?"
Noah wasn't even given a reply. However, without facing us again, 10 did address me with an offer, "Zero, I've something to show you in Ilex. I request that you accompany us, not as Neo Snagem's third in command, but as a person who wishes to make amends to himself for the defeat of his own brother."
It would've been foolish to put any sort of trust in Commander Shadow. But if I were to go with him, I'd have the perfect opportunity to eliminate him, maybe even save Azalea Town in the process. The offer's positive possibilities far outweighed the negative, which prompted me to start following 10, without looking back.
Noah's POV
With Zero now following 10, it was our turn to follow Zero. Walking past Bugsy and his downed Scizor who was never recalled, Althaea and I approached a teary eyed Maisy and helped her to her feet. She wasn't injured in the slightest physically, but mentally...Well, this was a moment where she most needed to be comforted. We all attempted to start behind Shadow and Zero before-
"Chaarrr!" It was C.C, who used Flamethrower to block our way into the forest. Maisy was startled from the sudden attack, and hugged Althaea as a reaction.
"Just where do you think you're going?" Commander 12 asked as she stood across from us.
"What?" Althaea said confused, "You heard him: he said we could pass!"
"You apparently heard wrong, "12 started, "We only allowed for Zero to pass. Nothing was ever said about you three."
"You're not letting us leave, are you?" I whispered.
"BINGO!" Commander MC answered.
If she wasn't going to let us pass, then I guess it was our job to force our way through .So I readied a Pokeball from my belt, but not without a reaction from 12.
"So that's how it's gonna be...Well, I expected nothing less," 12 said, "Using the 'Gamble of Fate' to decide whether of not you'll escape this city with your lives." 12 chuckled," Well, you know what they say: Like Mother, like Son. Maybe Sakura will get to see you when you're buried six feet under."
"Oh?" I was suddenly halted, standing down for the moment.
"Isn't that why you're with Pinky over there?" 12 asked, pointing out Althaea's appearance.
Althaea and I looked at each other with bewildered expressions. That pink hair of her's DID remind me a lot of my mother...
"That's none of your business!" Althaea answered.
"Well!"
"Now then!" I said as I threw my Pokeball, releasing my recently caught Larvitar.
"Tar!" Larvitar cried as she and C.C stared each other down.
"Don't forget about me!" Althaea said as she got from her white jacket pocket, her own Pokeball, releasing a Pokemon I wasn't familiar with.
"Oon!" cried the cream colored, cat-like pokemon.
"Sylveon, are you ready?" Althaea asked.
The pokemon she called 'Sylveon' turned back and nodded.
"2 on 1..." 12 said to herself, "I guess it is what it is. Don't underestimate C.C because of her size. There's a reason why I'm a high ranked Commander."
"That, I was well aware of. C.C was at a much higher level than he looked. Commander MC only chose not to evolve the Chimchar to keep up the gimmick (Chim-Char).
"Now then," Commander 12 started as she readied her nicknamed Chimchar in a battle stance, "Who wants to be first?"
Location: Ilex Forest
Zero's POV
Just where was he taking me? Me, 10, and the guards that were escorting us from behind were nowhere near the forest's northern exit. It made me wonder where 10 was going and why.
"You wish to ease the pain of my brother's death..." I whispered out loud.
"Of course," 10 answered, "I see you don't fully trust me. Well, it's nobody's fault but your own if you choose to be cynical about it."
And I didn't even try to deny it.
"Hopefully, I can change your state of mind, right here and now," 10 said as he suddenly stopped..."Guards! Now!"
"Oh! What?" Not even two seconds later as 10 called for them, the grunts had grabbed my arms and stomped on the back of my knees, sending me to the ground, where they kept me from moving. Only me head was able to move, and I slowly looked up to 10 with narrowed eye, "Why you..."
"It's what happens when you put your trust in a guy like me. Did you not see the set up coming from a mile away?"
Of course I did. I followed 10 with large and certain hints of doubt.
"I knew that if you stayed behind, you'd make short work of Commander 12. If she were to have fallen so soon, my plan would be ruined as Noah and the others would probably be here to stop me as we speak. But that isn't the case, now isi t?" 10 chuckled as he then started walking toward the Venipede infested trees, "How frustrating is it? Lying there, helpless as the world around you will begin to crumble soon."
My eyes shot wide open, "Just what do you mean?"
"I will the pain of the loss of your brother, that is a promise that I'll most certainly deliver to you, Son of Atticus. I can't wait to see the look on your face." 10 chuckled sarcastically.
"Just what are you going to do?" I asked while struggling.
"Have you not heard me fantasize on our way to Azalea Town?" 10 asked, "The town is mine to conquer, and with you out of my way-"
"No! No!" On our way to Azalea, 10 couldn't resist talking about killing people. I struggled in vein to try and free myself. I, I couldn't let more people end up like Seth or Maisy's grandfather. "You! I'll-"
"-You'll what?" 10 interrupted, "You're in no position to make any petty threats. Just R-E-L-A-X. CAALLMM DOOWWNN, and watch as I deliver a concert for us all to enjoy!" 10 said as he rushed his dark aura toward a nearby Venipede.
"Ven? Ven?" The poison type pokemon was bewildered. It's eyes had gone from it's typical yellow and black to 10's familiar shade of purple. "Ven..." It looked like 10's mind control, something he's only seldom used(Chapters 23 & 24).
"Listen to me," 10 started explaining to the Venipede, "This forest-your home, it is in deep danger. The people of Azalea wish to rid of you all, and return the forest to it's burnt state of two months ago. You and the rest of the forest pokemon must fight for your right to live here. Lift up your sword! Eliminate all threats in Azalea, and leave no person alive!"
"Leave no person alive?" I said to myself.
10 was planning to use the forest pokemon to destroy the entire town! Tens of thousands of innocent live will have been lost...
"Oh, leave no person alive?!" The grunt yelled confused, "But 10, there are still an army of our grunt in Azalea!"
"And Commander 12 too!" The other grunt questioned.
"I'm well aware of that, and so what? Does it look like I care?! Oh wait, I DO care?! Commander 12 and the grunts will only help the rest of the town speak up when they're all screaming in unison! Oh, I can't wait to hear the entire choir sing their hearts out! HAHAHAHA!" 10 laughed psychotically.
"Oh my gosh...Everyone's right...You ARE insane!" the grunt said.
"Why, thank you," 10 said as he returned his attention to the possessed Venipede.
"Now then, you and all of the other forest pokemon, it's time to take action!"
It was a slow few seconds before the possessed Venipede began screeching very loudly. More Venipede, as well as Whirlipede, and even a Scolipede began to gather around the possessed Venipede.
Minutes later, the location we were at was flooded with various other pokemon such as Ekans, Arbok, Ursaring, Vileplume, Parasect, and Drapion.
"Ven! Veni ven ven venipede!" The Venipede cried, explaining the situation to the countless gathered pokemon.
"No! Don't believe a word he say!" The pokemon all turned to me as I continued to struggle my way out of the grunt's restriction, to no avail.
"Do you honestly think these pokemon would take the words of some stranger human over the words of one of their own neighbors in Venipede?" 10 asked.
"Ven! Ven ven!" The Venipede cried as it started in the direction of Azalea Town with a determined look in it's determined, narrowed eyes.
All of the other forest Pokemon began to follow. Their eyes were all narrowed, and their was an aggressive haste added to their movement. There were just so many of them, it was as if a profession sports stadium was being evacuated as the forest was slowly starting to empty. Minute after minute, it felt like a whole day had just went by by the time it was only me, 10, and the grunts in the forest. Only when it was too late did the two grunts allow me to get up. I glared at Commadner Shadow, who had his back facing me.
"...Any minute now, all the citizens of Azalea Town will scream out their last breath as their lives come to an end at the hands of the forest pokemon's poison," 10 said to himself, "And how I can't wait for it. I might as well get a front row seat right now. Don't wanna miss the comedy I've been looking forward to. Hehe!"
"You bastard!" i said as I grabbed Lucario's Pokeball, ready to throw it before 10 objected.
"And just what will you do if you defeat me?" 10 asked, "At this point, there's nothing you can do to save the lives that are about to be lost. But I DO have to ask you, Zero: Did you, at any moment within these past few minutes, forget about the defeat of your brother due to the imminent mass murder of Azalea Town?"
"Oh..." I stood down for a moment, and thought about 10's question.
Well, I was just caught up in the moment..."
"As I though..." 10 said as he looked into my eyes. He didn't need for my lips to move in order to get an answer. "For a moment, you had forgotten about the defeat of your brother. His defeat now pains you to a lesser extend...compared to all those who will die, thanks in part to you, Zero. THAT'S RIGHT! YOU HELPED KILL ALL THOSE PEOPLE!" 10 teased mockingly, "See how it all worked out? In my own way, I really did deliver my promise to you!"
"Burn in hell!" I yelled as I rushed toward 10 with a closed fist. DID I not learn my lesson from the first time I tried this?
10 wasn't able to avoid me this time. He tried to dodge, but I opened my fist a grabbed him by his cloak. Something uncalled for happened: 10's cloak came off, and for the very first time, I saw his face...
To Be Continued...
Author's Note:
A Sunday post, which is rare for me. And we're just getting to the climax of the current arc here. Also, writing this arc, I kind of felt like there wasn't an obviously MAIN character. I mean, everybody is getting their development, even Althaea, who will get hers soon.
Next two chapters will be the last before we finally get back to the usual gang in this fic. What's happened with Yumi and Seth. And have Chapel and Rose made it to Mahogany Town yet? Be sure to keep reading to find out.