Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 74: Like Trainer, Like Pokemon
Location: The Town Of Eggseter
Seth's POV
With tension between Justice and I high and personal, I just couldn't refuse to battle the guy. It was a misunderstanding, his accusation of me being a bully. But not everything he said was false. He was right about me starting the conflict between Neo Snagem and the Johto Region's Restoration Committee. All those people who have had their minds crushed, yes, it was all my fault that Ecruteak was in the state that it was now...
Fighting in the name of Yumi? I had no idea where THAT came from, or why it is. At first, I honestly couldn't care less about whatever Justice was going to do with Yumi. But then he talked about taking Yumi and going on a journey of their own if he were to win this battle. It was absurd, Yumi didn't even acknowledge Justice's proposal. But, I couldn't help but think about Yumi with a hint of care for the very first time...
...She saved me from Neo Snagem...AND she was willing to help me on my journey to defeat them. Sure, at first she was childish and annoying, but gradually, she's grown up. AND she's kind of grown on me...
Thinking about Yumi made me discover an emotion that I've been missing for the longest time: Envy.
Staring at a Bayleef who initially dropped the guards of Chikorita and I had me thinking.
There was a reason why I called for just a one on one battle. Commander 10 and the Mega Gengar of his...they took out every one of my Pokemon, and we haven't been able to come across and Pokemon Centers since... In order to defeat Neo Snagem, Chikorita and I have to get stronger right now. But against Chikorita's evolved form?
"Chikorita!" As I called her name, Chikorita looked back and nodded, "Let's go!"
"And so it's on!" Justice smirked as Chikorita rushed toward Bayleef with a Tackle attack.
"Bay..." Bayleef just stood there, waiting for Chikorita to close in.
"Chico! Chico!" Chikorita leaped, hoping to strike her evolved form on the head.
"Bab bay," Chikorita's strategy worked...just not the way we wanted it to. Making contact with Bayleef, it was Chikorita who was sent to the ground by her own collision.
Before the battle had a chance to truly get interesting, action halted as Chikorita remained on the ground. There were a few snickers throughout the surrounding crowd.
"You're kidding..." Yumi said to herself while looking at Chikorita with a concerned face.
"Wow, how embarrassing," A suddenly confident Justice said as he crossed his arms, "And I didn't even call an attack yet? How is it possible for a pokemon to be so weak that it defeats itself in battle?"
"Chi...co..." Chikorita had absolutely no problem getting right back up. Immediately, she glared at Justice for his insults, "Chi..."
"It's over," Justice called, "Bayleef, let's end this quickly. Use Body Slam!"
"Bayleef!"
And this was it! I knew that at this moment I could at least deal SOME damage to Chikorita's evolved form. It just required perfect timing...
"Bay bay!" Bayleef lunged itself in the air, with Chikorita being it's landing target. This was exactly what I wanted. With my anticipation, the moment slowed, and I was able to pinpoint the precise time to give Chikorita her next order.
"Now Chikorita, move out of the way!" I called as Bayleef inched closer to Chikorita.
"Chico! Chi co!" Chikorita cried as she dogded just in time.
"Bay?!" Bayleef's eyes grew wide as it suddenly saw the dirt ground it inched closer to, but it was too late to react. It was basically a suicide dive at this point as Bayleef crashed and burned. Now it was Chikorita standing over a downed Bayleef that was right in front of me.
"That's it!" Yumi cheered.
"Chico!" Chikorita smiled as she stood on Justice's side of the dirt we called a battlefield.
"Speaking of a pokemon defeating itself in battle..." it was very out of character for me to just straight up insult someone, but Justice was an exception...
There was no comment from Justice as he glared at me, and then at his Bayleef.
"...Bay..." The Bayleef got it's head off the ground, and was staring at me with narrowed eyes. It was right in front of me, on my side of the battlefield, and being up close, it's facial expression let me know that it was no longer going easy on me.
"Bayleef, are you okay?" Justice asked with concern.
Bayleef nodded.
"Okay then, use Return!" Immediately, Bayleef started charging toward Chikorita, using a move that reminded me alot of a Tackle of sorts.
"Quick, use Reflect!" I called to the Leaf Pokemon.
"Chi," Chikorita nodded, and at my command, she formed a sort of glass barrier around herself, raising it's durability by quite a bit. But even with the barrier out, Chikorita still braced herself defensively.
"Bay bay...Bay!"
"Co!"
"What?!" Even with Reflect protecting her, Chikorita was still knocked to the ground, major damage being dealt, "But how?" How was Bayleef able to do that much damage?
"I guess defenses don't mean crap when you get a critical hit," Justice smirked, "Bayleef, use Return once more!"
"Bay!" Bayleef ran toward Chikorita one more time, only this time, Chikorita was still on the ground, struggling to get to her feet.
Now, Reflect was able to Protect Chikorita from excessive damage, but it was too little too late, as it appeared Chikorita wasn't going to last much longer.
...
"...Ch-ch..." Slowly, with all of her strength, Chikorita struggled to her feet. Staring at justice and Bayleef for a split second that felt like minutes piling up, yes, I could tell, this battle was winding down. Sure, Chikorita started to emit the green aura that let me know Overgrow was taking effect, but it meant absolutely nothing.. "Chi..." Everybody watched as Chikorita fell the the ground. She moved no more. Bayleef also moved no more, because there was no need. They stood tall, while we lost...
I walked up to my first pokemon, and dropped to my knees.
So I wasn't strong enough to defeat 10, and I wasn't strong enough to defeat Justice...
I sighed.
"Haha, Bayleef!" It was a Justice, who greeted Bayleef with a big smile, "Thank you. You were great! That bully certainly got what he deserved."
Justice and Bayleef shared a somewhat deep hug before Bayleef was recalled into it's Pokeball, "You have a good night sleep..."
Not, it was time for Justice to finish a deal that was never agreed to. With that smile still on his face, he dramatically turned to Yumi, and started approaching her very slowly. Yumi was looking at me with a teary eye.
"I won..." Justice said to her. The two were standing right next to her, and EVERYONE was watching.
Meanwhile, I returned my attention to a downed Chikorita, and picked her up, holding her in my arms.
"Huh?" Justice was confused as he realized who Yumi was staring at, "Yumi...I try to win your heart, and all you're worried about is that loser?"
"What?!" Yumi raised her voice as she looked at Justice.
Yumi's POV
"Don't call him that!" I yelled to Justice, defending Seth.
I never agreed to do anything for Justice. i just hate how he continues to attack Seth the way he is right now. I mean, what gives him a right?
"But he's a bully!" Justice said, "He deserves it for treating you the way he did."
I sighed, trying my hardest to calm my usually upbeat voice while in front of all these people, "You've got the wrong impression of him..." I started, "I'll have you know that he's never laid a finger on me, not once. If anything, I'm the one always dragging him around. Haven't you noticed, Justice?"
"Well..."
"What exactly did Seth do when you kept insulting him?" I asked, "That's what I like about him; being able to take all the crap dish out at him. We've known each other for too long for me to just up and leave him again. Justice, I'm sorry..."
Now it was Justice's turned to sigh. He didn't say anything else where Seth was concerned. We both watched as Seth carried from the campfire, a Chikorita who just regained consciousness. She and Seth both looked at each other, neither of them smiling as he disappeared into the crowd...He was headed back to the noodle shop, probably taking in what just happened. Suddenly, Justice elected to drop the subject completely, "...Then how about a date?"
"Oh! Oh wha-what?" I began to blush, hard. Did Justice REALLY like me in THAT way? He took a few steps toward the campfire, and turned to me with a very warm smile.
"You might not approve of me putting Seth down, but I'm not a bad guy, not at all..." Justice held a hand out to me, "How about it? We can go on the Eggscelent Adventure together, and we'll call it a date."
He was right: he WASN'T a bad guy. He just had major problems with Seth.
Before I was able to give an answer to Justice's proposal, me, Justice, and every other trainer here were suddenly addressed by a very loud voice coming from what appeared to be some sort of alter, probably left over from this year's Extreme Pokemon Race.
"Ahem! Now may I have everybody's attention please?!" The person speaking just so happened to be the elderly man Seth and I ran into earlier tonight. You know, the one with all those eggs. Well now he was empty handed, and he was just about ready to speak again, "Now we, the residents of Eggseter, are all aware of the hard times you visitors have recently had to endure. It's been a burden, living in a world that is currently in a state of flux, a flux courtesy of the Neo Snagem organization...We all wish that we could somehow just take our minds off the whole thing...So how's a little competition to ease our troubles? It's unfortunate that this year's Extreme Pokemon Race has already gone by, so we wish to make it up to you all. It's called 'Eggseter's Eggscelent Adventure', a scavenger hunt for the many Pokemon eggs that have been hidden around town. And of course, you play for keeps."
"Oh wow!" There were many joyful voices coming from the many trainers that were here. Without a doubt, I knew I would be participating. It's been a while since I last got a new Pokemon...
"I'm sure you all are old enough to take care of yourselves, so you won't be needing me anymore. So I wish you all a wonderful evening. Now let Eggsete's Eggscelent Adventure begin!"
Commotion coming from the scattering crowd, the location of the campfire was now almost empty, with the exception of me, Justice, the elderly man, and a couple of trainers.
"Well then?" Justice waited before facing me.
He would have to wait a little longer for his answer. I immediately took my eyes off Justice and gazed at the noodle shop, where Seth and Chikorita sat. I slowly started toward them, Justice following close behind. There was a look of concern for Seth on my face. He didn't look like he took losing all too well...
"Yumi..." Justice whispered. I could tell he didn't want to confront Seth, he just couldn't say it.
"Um...Seth?"
I tried to get Seth's attention, but it was as if I didn't exist tom him, so it was up to me to make the first move.
"You're participating in the scavenger hunt, right?" I asked as I put a hand on his shoulder.
"...Why do I keep losing?" Seth whispered as he stared at Chikorita. He was so melancholy right now.
Seth's POV
This wasn't just 'another battle' for me. No, I don't battle for fun. I battle to become stronger. Am I strong? What this battle between Justice and I proved, was that I still have a long way to go.
My eyes narrowed as Chikorita looked me in the eye. It was time for Chikorita and I to take it to the next level. It's long overdue for it to even be mentioned at this point, but it was time for Chikorita to evolve...
"Look," I said to Yumi while keeping my eyes on Chikorita, "Chikorita was my last usable Pokemon, and with her down I can't get reckless. I'll pass on the scavenger hunt," I said as I picked up Chikorita and started back toward the campfire, which was now void of other people.
And besides, at this point I don't care for weak, baby Pokemon. They won't help me defeat Neo Snagem.
It was just me and Chikorita now, alone in the fire lit night...
Yumi's POV
I just watched as Seth passed the both of us, and not another word came from his mouth.
"Hey..." Justice started, "He probably just needs time to think."
"Hmm..." For a moment, I thought to myself as I stared at Seth, 'Apparently he's done for the night. Was I going to let his depression rub off on me?,
"No way!" All of a sudden, I was my normal, cheerful self. I was so ready to get a newborn Pokemon to raise as my own. And of course, I was going to need all the help I could get, so I took out three of my four Pokeballs, save for Shadow Gligar, and threw them each in the air.
"Umbreon!" I called as the first of my Pokemon was released.
"Eon..." Umbreon cried. He couldn't help but smile as he savored the evening around him.
"Braixen!"
"Zen!" Next, out came the first Pokemon I ever captured, looknig at me with a smile as warm as the campfire.
"Snivy!" I yelled, calling for my last Pokemon.
"Sni..." Calm and collected, the spoiled Grass type's eyes were closed. Arms crossed, and chin up high, yeah, Snivy still appeared to have that snobbish attitude of his, but I guess that's just what makes him stand out.
"So these are your Pokemon," Justice said.
"Okay!" I called for my Pokemon's attention, "So are you guys ready to have a little brother or sister?"
For a moment, there were looks of confusion, only to be followed with cries of excitement. They all looked eager, except for Snivy, who had his eyes on Chikorita as soon as they opened. I waited a few seconds for Snivy to reply, but it was no use.
"...How cute..." I replied.
I may have been the only one to pick up on this, but I noticed something about Snivy. This wasn't the first time his eyes were on Chikorita. Back in Bloomingvale, when Alice, Mary-Elizabeth, and I were still trying to capture him, he was trying to get closer to Chikorita. Well, Snivy got his wish when I captured him, but...but that was when Pheobe and I just up'd and left Seth and Chapel. Snivy never REALLY got a chance to introduce himself to the Leaf Pokemon.
"Well?" I questioned as I knelt down next to Snivy, "Aren't you gonna go get her?"
Snivy blushed, then looked away from me in denial.
"Aw, don't be stubborn," I said with a smile, "I already know you like her."
Snivy didn't budge, but he was still blushing. It was very funny, actually. Even Braixen and Umbreon were encouraging the grass type to make his move. After some convincing, we had finally given Snivy the courage to approach Chikorita.
"There he goes..." I whispered out loud.
With that ususal frown on his face, all Seth did was watch as Snivy sat right next to him and Chikorita. A few moments passed and it was still quiet. I guess Snivy was just intimidated. And it was funny, Seth, after a few seconds, finally realized that Snivy's attention was all on Chikorita, who's eyes were closed. I swear, how can a guy be so intelligent, and yet be so dense at the same time? I mean, we've seen on more than one occasion that Seth doesn't understand love, at all...
Not much happened until Snivy moved just a little bit closer to Chikorita, which caused her to slowly open her eyes.
"...Chi...Chico?" The first thing she saw, was Snivy looking right back at her.
"...Snivy?" They say 'it takes more muscles to frown than to smile, well that wasn't the case for Snivy. It looked as though it took all of his might to turn his frown upside down.
"Chi?" It was as if a question mark appeared on top of Chikorita's head, for she didn't seem to understand Snivy at all. Really?! Is she really as dense as Seth? Well, she can't be THAT oblivious. I mean, she HAS picked up on the signals people give to her trainer. That, and Snivy wasn't even saying anything.
...
...
I think it was time to leave those three alone...So without word, I grabbed the hand of a Justice who was still here, and started running aimlessly, unable to hold in my excitement any longer. With Braixen and Umbreon right behind us, we began our search for the Pokemon eggs.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note:
At last, Seth's very first hint toward a ship with Yumi, though it was very subtle. Too bad, he's in a major slump right now. And too bad this STILL isn't the shipping chapter I promised.
Anyway, next chapter will be something different. Something that hasn't been done in this fic yet. Yumi's Pokemon will be showcased , as well as the beginning of Snivy and Chikorita's relationship as the hunt for a Pokemon egg begins. Say tuned