Author's Note:

You know what, I might actually go through with very frequent posts this month, simply because there's an 'episode' that I would like to post in time for Christmas. If it happens, good for you readers, right?

Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 84: From Autumn To Winter

On the heels of Winter, Autumn is almost at an end. Symphonies of leaves making their way to the ground, perhaps the magic of Winter can spark 'something' between these two passing trainers.

Seth's POV

Where have we come?

With Chikorita beside me, and Yumi following close behind, we were on our way to Mahogany Town as we were passing through the final valley. Pidove were seen flying under the blanket of white clouds in the sky. Was a storm on the horizon?

Because the three of us have been completely silent, I was caught completely off guard when a question suddenly came from Yumi's mouth.

"Seth?"

I was never like her to be so silent.

"Chico?" Chikorita cried as both she and I turned to face Yumi.

She paused with hesitance as a gentle breeze picked up on her long black hair, but she picked up...Her question just had bad timing, for I saw some sort of 'ghost' floating toward her from behind.

"Seth, am I your best friend?" Yumi asked, "Do you like me?"

"What's that?" Apparently, Yumi seemed to misunderstand me when she repeated her 'different' question to me.

"No, not that. What's THAT?" I clarified as I pointed at the ghost the startled Yumi as she turned around to see it for herself.

Pausing, I realized that this ghost was staring into my eyes, but why?

Yumi, with a disappointed look on her face, looked at me as she asked, "Why NOW?! What does it want?!"

But before I could open my mouth, the words, "It's on the run!" were yelled from the direction of an incoming attack aimed at the ghost. Blue aura? Yes, that attack was recognized by me as a Psychic, as the floating pokemon was hit and sent to the ground.

"Huh?!" Both Yumi and I were surprised to see who or what launched that Psychic attack. Small, white body, two red horns? No doubt, it was a Ralts who was standing in the nearby, rose-filled meadow we were passing by. But THIS Ralts...it was a different color...

"Boo..." Yumi, Chikorita, and I watched as the pumpkin ghost stared at the blue headed Ralts...

...

...as well as what appeared to be it's trainer approaching the scene.

This was a girl I've met before, on more than one occasion. She had platinum blonde hair that went just past her shoulders, where the ends were curled. She had vivid pink eyes, and wore a choker around her neck. She wore a black, sleeveless dress that went to just below her thighs. On her arms she wore long white gloves, and on her legs, she wore white leggings. And lastly, she had on black high top shoes.

...She was the girl who shared her fruit basket with me in National Park. Her name was Alice, and although she and Yumi have only met once, the two have quickly established themselves as rivals.

"Alice?!" Yumi yelled.

But Yumi wasn't addressed immediately. Alice just watched and waited for the downed ghost to rise again.

"Boo...boo..." wary, the ghost tried as hard as it could to get up off the ground. The pumpkin was successful, staring at the blue Ralts and it's trainer in a pausing moment, "Boo..." Shaking, the pokemon was just barely hanging on to consciousness.

"Ra." Cried the blue headed Ralts who returned the wild Pokemon's stare with a calm expression. Alice gave Ralts no command, and to be honest, I could understand why-

"Boo..." the pumpkin was visibly struggling, and it wasn't too long before in fell to the ground once more, losing the 'staring contest'.

"It's time!" Alice called as she took out a pokeball, "Pokeball!" With that, she threw the pokeball. The pokeball hit it's target. It pulled the pumpkin in, and upon landing on the ground, it immediately clicked shut in what looked to be a 'Critical Capture'.

Not one word was said as Alice approached the rose surrounded pokemon with Ralts, her platinum blonde hair picking up with the breeze. Without a smile, Alice picked up her pokeball and put it away before staring at Yumi and I.

"You seemed pretty upset when I last saw you," Yumi said calmly.

And I remember when they last saw each other-what Alice said just as she made her exit...

Bloomingvale-After Snivy's capture

Alice, as she was walking away from me Yumi, Chapel, and Mary-Elizabeth, said this, "You've probably relied too much on you traveling partners. It's a cliche way to develop feeling for that certain someone." An upset tone started to surface from Alice, "A certain someone that you delude yourself into thinking that being more than 'friends' is so close, yet so far!"

"What are you talking about?" Yumi asked, "Seth and Chapel aren't the affectionate types, if you haven't noticed."

"Like I said: You're so close, yet so far. While I so far, yet so close as those eyes are already rubbing off on me."

End Flashback

It wasn't just Yumi, I also had a hard time understanding what Alice meant that day. Though whenever I saw Alice, she would always stare into my eyes, which always bewildered me. It was what a normal person would call, 'creepy'.

"I was upset?" Alice questioned. Without word, Alice proceeded to take out a white ribbon case, and pulled out a vivid green ribbon to flash to us. We paused, not knowing what Alice was doing.

"What?" Yumi asked.

"It's the ribbon I won in Bloomingvale. You know, the contest you ran away from...because you had 'issues'?" Alice answered.

"Wha? How...How did you know?" Caught off guard, Yumi's voice slipped to that of a mere whisper.

"There were 'things' you missed after leaving Bloomingvale. The morning before the contest, Seth came to me, telling me the whole story as asked me if I knew where you were..."

Yes, it was the morning after Yumi left the note that said she was headed back to Olivine. It was Chapel's idea to try and search for Yumi...

...Alice's eyes began to narrow, while the Ralts looked confused. Alice's eyes never left Yumi, who was about to speak before Alice opened her mouth again.

"He wnet to me, asking for YOU!" There, where Alice stood, she began to grow visibly upset, like in Bloomingvale, "I know what you're thinking right now, Yumi..."

Yumi's POV

This wasn't the first time Alice spoke to me in such a bitter tone. Sure, when we first met, she was typically snobbish, but ever since she first saw Seth...Could it be? No...I'm the one who's starting to have feelings for him. But was I going to say that out loud?

"You like him?" It was then, when Alice asked me that question, she took her eyes off me and fixed them on the ground. It was also as that moment, when her face turned the slightest shade of blush red, I realized that Alice wasn't a rival JUST for Pokemon Contests.

Alice has fallen for Seth. Was it love at first sight?

"I could ask you the same thing." I replied to Alice.

For a second, we both looked at Seth, who looked like he was well aware of what we were talking about at this point. He was just oblivious, and I think he knew it just as much as we did. Chikorita cried in confusion.

"... I won't deny it. He..." i didn't expect such a straightforward answer from the platinum blonde haired girl, "He and I...We had our 'moments' while you were away."

I froze...Seth and Alice? Bloomingvale was just when I was getting over the idea of a 'ship' between him and I. That was then, but now...No...whatever happened between the two of them is completely irrelevant now, because right now, I was going to make my move on Seth.

"Come on," I said to Seth in an assertive tone. I grabbed Seth not by the arm, but by the hand as I forcefully pulled him in the direction I was walking.

"Huh?" Confused, Alice and her Ralts began to follow us as she asked, "Where are you going?"

Alice's face was something my eyes just couldn't stand right now. I didn't bother to answer her question, but I DID know where I was going. Because of his lack of interest, Seth wanted to bypass an Autumn Town that lied just ahead of the rose filled forest who's trees were rapidly losing leaves. Apparently, I have a change to Seth's plans. I...I really need to say this to Seth...

Location: Autumn Town

There was a single Glameow that crossed our path as I pulled Seth passed what looked to be Autumn Town's cemetery. A single girl and her Murkrow could be seen praying in front of a tombstone.

"...She looked so much like you, it was as if she was your twin...You should thank her. She's the reason why I am able to live another day...another day to talk to you...She's in love with rose-"

By the time I could no longer hear the red skirted girl, Seth and I were already a distance away from the cemetery. With me pulling Seth, Chikorita was walking right beside me, while Alice was still following us.

"Why are we here?" Seth asked coldly. I could tell that he didn't want to make any stops before Mahogany Town, but it wasn't as if his voice was cold on purpose, it's just his normal voice tone.

I couldn't use the excuse of going to the Pokemon Center because Autumn Town didn't have one, and I could understand why. This town was so small, so unnecessary, it wasn't even listed as a major city on the Pokegear. It's just a town forgotten by trainers on their way to Mahogany, and formerly Ecruteak before it became the Dominion of Shadows. Because if Neo Snagem, we can expect a lot of trainers in Mahogany. But back to Seth's question.

"I have something I need to talk about. Something important." I replied.

Seth stopped abruptly, and proceeded to pull his hand away from me, "Then why not talk about it now? We're wasting our time in this town." He didn't seem at all upset. He was probably just curious.

"Um..." I didn't want to ask Seth outright, so I searched for a quick answer. This town, while small, DOES have a reputation for it's Pumpkaboo Patch Harvest, also known as Halloween. "Halloween?"

"Halloween?" Seth gave me a disbelieving look in the eye.

"Sad to say, the town's just a few days removed from Halloween." Alice sighed as she walked up. So she came to Autumn Town on purpose. The Pumpkaboo was probably just frightened, which would probably explain why it and Alice were outside town.

"Er!" I sighed in frustration as I once again grabbed Seth's hand, this time with a more firm grip. I wasn't going to let Halloween or a Pokemon Center get in my way, not while I had the nerve. "There might be an hotel here." Or at least a motel...

Location: Autumn Town Theatre

Okay, so maybe this town was too small and out of the way to have a hotel, but that wasn't the only thing that was getting on my nerves. For some reason, Alice wouldn't stop following us. Past a pumpkin patch where many Pidove came to Roost on their way down south, we eventually came across the town's most decorative building.

As her body fell, her wings lifted her soul. May the sound of porcelain colored feathers lead you to eternal happiness, Amy 'Alice' Angel.

"Amy Alice Angel...The name of this theatre..." Right under the engraving was...so sad. This little girl looked too innocent to be dead. She looked so much like-

"-Roses!" Alice exclaimed.

"Huh?!" I looked as Alice suddenly grabbed Seth's other hand. She yanked him slightly, and because I was still holding onto him, I was yanked as well. "Woah!" Caught off guard, the hands of Seth and I were separated as Alice began to walk Seth into the rose-decorated theatre.

Well, there goes my nerve...

Chikorita stood right beside me at that moment-the moment Alice began to make her move...the moment I began to feel like a third wheel.

I picked up Chikorita and held her in my arms as I followed Alice into the building.

"Wha?" I said as I entered the building, "Wooowww..." Rather than a show that I anticipated to be inside a theatre, I saw many people under a blue tinted room. It was cold in here, but holding Chikorita in my arms warmed me up.

Roses were EVERYWHERE. They looked to be painted as blue as the room's tint, and they were frozen in a smooth coat of ice, giving the impression that they were crystallized in some sort of fantasy.

"Chico..." Chikorita and I saw Alice and Seth near the front of the room.

"I wonder what this is all about?" I asked, prompting me to ask a passerby woman. "Excuse me?"

"Yes?" The woman had short, auburn hair as green eyes. She wore a long, black dress.

"Just what is going on here?"

"After the Halloween, Autumn Town as a whole gather here everyday, waiting until the arrival of the season's first snowfall.

"Snowfall?"

"We call it 'The Magic of Winter. It's more of a 'couple' thing though. As roses turn black, trees will lose leaves as they all die. While the lives of coupled leaves end, the lives of ourselves as couples will begin. As the warm weather is behind us, it's now time to settle down. Especially this year...Mahogany Town isn't too far away, and I hope it doesn't end up like Ecruteak or Azalea..."

"A couple thing?" No way...

I looked at an Alice holding hands with an annoyed Seth as they watched what appeared to be The Magic of Winter's Master of Ceremonies walk onto the theatre stage...Wait...Alice was STILL holding hands with Seth? No way...

"Hey! Hey!" This tradition was going to have to wait until I got finished to start. All eyes were on me as I put Chikorita on the ground and hastily approached the two.

Alice groaned as she whispered, "Great, here she comes." She looked upset, but it was not like I cared.

Forcefully, I grabbed their hands and separated them.

"Stay away!" I said as I stood in between them.

"What's wrong with you?!" Alice's voice had risen.

What WAS wrong with me? It was Alice, she was what's wrong. Or was it just me? Was I...

...Was I...jealous?

Everyone was staring at us. Seth looked uneasy, but it was too late now.

"I told you I needed to talk to Seth!" I replied, "It's important, and I intend to say it!"

"They're all watching..." Seth said to himself while looking at the surrounding people. I never knew that he was uncomfortable when in the spotlight.

"If you've got something to say, say it right here!" Alice's eyebrows furrowed, "You lowly peasant..."

"I..." I paused, "I can't say it here..." Last time I brought up the idea of Seth and I, I was embarrassed in front of a scoffing Rose. I cried that night.I didn't want that to happen again...

"Then can you just leave? It's not like you ever had him to begin with!"

My eyes widened, and I immediately tensed up. Alice, while not as innocent as Rose, was just as brutally honest. Ever since I met her, she's done nothing but crap on me! Alice...I hate her. She got me so excited and in the moment, I proceededto push her to the ground.

Everyone gasped, and Alice stared at me wide eyed from the ground.

"What? Are you jealous? Jealous that I've gotten closer to him in hours than you have in months? Or is it that next to me, the value of you entire life is next to worthless!"

"Ow!" On the ground, Alice caught me by surprise by kicking me in the knees. "Ngh." Her retaliation sent me to the ground, where I laid on my stomach as she rose to her feet.

"And the you have the nerve to put your hands on me?! And to add insult to injury-"

"Aahh!" She...she was striking me with her feet, saying one word with every kick.

"You! Have! The nerve! To try! And! Humiliate me! In! Front! Of everyone! That's right! Stay on the ground, you piece of crap! I..."

An ache in the head...and an ache in the body...everything ached. The surface of my skin was stinging...Under the blue tinted ceiling, the sparkle of a tear on my face was a clear blue color, but Alice couldn't see it. Being downed by Alice wasn't what hurt the most. What hurt the most was that everybody was watching. It was so embarrassing. Why didn't Seth or Chikorita do anything?

"...I only wish I could be traveling, hand in hand with him right now..." So...it was Alice who was jealous of me? "Now I have something I want to say to him..."

"N-no..." Though I was downed, I wasn't going to just LET things go Alice's way. I picked my aching head up off the theatre floor, my black hair and blue bangs a mess. Alice and Seth...No way... "S-Seth...huh?!" Both Alice and I looked where Seth WAS standing.

He and Chikorita were no longer in the theatre. They were gone...

To Be Continued...

Author's Note

An arc that I've been putting on hold for the longest time, though it'll be cliche as f**k.

So, if you guys haven't noticed, Seth has discovered the emotion called 'embarrassment'. He, sort of can't handle being in the center of everybody's attention, a direction contrast to Yumi, you know, with her wanting to become a Top Coordinator in order get famous.

And Alice...I've made a slight change in her design, though nobody can tell because, let's be honest, who can remember all these OC's? Before, her hair was regular blonde, but now, it's platinum blonde. I thought adding Alice to this arc would be critical for future chapters. Also, I really want to give her depth as a character, which is the ONLY reason why I'd potentially ship her with Seth. And speaking of Seth, this arc is supposed to give him some major development as well.

Alice's Party

Dragonair: Male, Shed Skin

Swanna: Female, Hydration

Ralts(Shiny): Female, Synchronize

Pumpkaboo: Female, Frisk