Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 87: Not A Happy Ending
Same Routine, same excuse for why I haven't posted in a while: I hate typing, but as always, I'm well ahead of this chapter with everything written out...
Enjoy...
...
Here we are. I, Espurr have made the dreams of Mother Yumi into a reality. And into the real world, Mother Yumi has dreamt up a giant citadel of sorts. It sits here, in the middle of a field of endless snow. Teddiursa, Gothitelle, and Gardevoir...Gothita, Lampent, and most importantly, a very romantic Father Seth...They were all apart of Yumi's dream.
How was I able to creat something as extravagant as this? I wasn't sure. This...this result wasn't even my intention. Do I really not have control over what is said to be 'major dormant power' inside of me? Hmm, it didn't matter to me at this point. What DID matter was that Mother Yumi was happy, and if she's happy, I'm happy.
But this dream, it'll only remain here in the real world as long as Mother Yumi remains in a deep sleep. She dreamt of her and a very romantic Seth being practically inseperable. While sleeping in her all white bed, she had Father Seth in her arms, and she was smiling the whole time...
Yumi's dream...
Yumi's POV
In this dream, time flies by so fast. We were finally here: the end of our Pokemon journey, or should I say, 'the end of the end'.
I had just become Top Coordinator by winning the Grand Festival. Ah...the trophy, the fame, the celebration upon returning to Olivine City...it was all topped by the kiss shared between the two of us: me and Seth. This was all just weeks removed from the fall of Neo Snagem. Since their defeat, Seth has changed for the better, if not the best.
With Chapel saying her final goodbyes to us, and Rose boarding the ferry that was supposed to take her and Seth to Sunnyshore City right now, it was only Seth and I, standing in front of the Olivine sunset as we prepared for our final farewell...
"Does it all have to end here?" I whispered. The smile on my face turned into a frown. After all we've been through...
The cool ocean breeze slightly brushed against my white dress.
"Not if you don't want it to." Seth replied.
Elated, a smile plastered itself back onto my face. Looking at Seth, with the sky in transition from dusk to evening, his deep blue eyes were warm, and they were glowing.
"Not if I don't want it to..." I repeated to myself.
I didn't want for my happiness to end. All I wanted, was to be with him...
I camr closer to him, and wrapped my arms around him in an even tighter hug than usual.
This moment in my dream world paused as I started to wonder: This is STILL only a dream. Was I REALLY this clingy? I chuckled. No...I was just letting out all of my built up emotions. Could Seth ever be like the Seth in my dreams? I'm not sure. Oblivious and at times callous, Seth HAS shown to have a bit of a changeable character, albeit very slow and subtle.
I wonder where he is right now...?
...
Location: Autumn Town- Outside the Amy Theatre
Seth's POV
Here in this snowy wonderland, me, Chikorita, Alice, and the outside residents of Autumn Town were bewildered by what lied just outside town.
"It's so big..." Alice said to herself in awe, "It reminds me so much of Shabboneau Castle..."
Sure, the giant citadel was an attention grabber, but as far as I was concerend, it would probably just be another inconveniece today.
A cold Chikorita cuddled herself into the warm hood of my black jacket, while I was still grabbing Alice's hand. I wanted her to lead me to Neo Snagem...
"Let's go," And without question, I led and Alice followed me as we started on our way. But before we wer eable to get too far, we were approached by a girl.
There, the three of us stood in the snow, and it was then I recalled seeing the girl before. just entering town, and on our way to the theatre, I saw this long black haired, red eyed girl praying at the cemetery we passed by.
"...She doesn't look like the kind of girl who would know what she's doing in the snow," The black haired girl said as she gave me a frown out of concern.
Behind the girl, the snow was starting to stick to the many tombstones in the cemetery.
"Huh?"
"Chi?" Alice, Chikorita and I were all confused by wha tthe girl said.
"She is the girl with the sky colored eyes." The girl clarified, "Autumn Town doesn't get many visitors, but when we do, they stick out like a sore thumb, like you. You have the eyes of a visitor who looks so much like my younger sister...but that's beside the point. The point is, I saw that girl running out of town. She ran in the direction where the citadel appeared, and she was crying..."
"Yumi..."
"It wasn't too long ago that I tried to kill myself." The black haired girl continued, "I was almost successful on more than one occasion. The girl who's eyes looked so much like yours...she showed me how to appreciate those close to me. Seeing this 'Yumi' holding your hand as you passed by gave me the impression that you two were just as close. You can't let her continue out there in the snow by herself..."
So it was assumed that Yumi was in danger, the same Yumi who saved my life and has been there for me even when times were bleak and hopeless.
Alice scoffed at the red haired girl, "Um, you DO realized he's with me now, right? Besides, if she wanted wanted to get closer to him, she would've won our battle, and she would NOT have run off like that. Seth, I truly think she's given up on you. Do you really still care for her?"
Have I even cared much for her in the first place? She's loud and somethmes obnoxious...she's caring and...and I'm not as indifferent to her as I used to be. I...I DO care for her...
Letting go of Alice's hand and taking a couple of steps through the sticking snow before stopping, I calmly opened my mouth without facing the two girls, "Alice, would you really just leave a friend to die like that?" Now I faced Alice, "Whether you like it or not, I'm going after Yumi, but there are no guarantees of my safety. I ask for your help. I've never been in the snow before, and I would appreciate it if you would accompany, letting me know what to do in such weather."
On more than one occassion, Yumi has told me to think about the feelings of other people, and I NEVER understood those words, not until at this very moment. I really couldn't afford to upset Alice right now. I held my hand out to her.
Alice's POV
He...He still cares for Yumi...But at the same time, he cares for me...The role of navigating through the snow aside, this is the first time I've him visibly care for anything...
"Come with me." The frown on his face was still as cold as usual, but those eyes, the same deep blue eyes I have fallen for, they were warm.
"Go to her," The black haired girl said.
My eyes never left Seth as he kind of grew impatient for my decision, and began out of town. I thought to myself: Why should I waste my time and effort trying to save HER of all people?...Well, I would finally get the opportunity to get Seth to open up to me on the way. I call it bonding. But Yumi...by the time we get to her, our bonding will have been completely irrelevant to Seth. However, imagine the negative impression I would give Seth if I were to brush her off. This prompted me to follow Seth. On the way out of town, I gave one last look at the black haired girl, who nodded in what would be our farewell.
Later...
He went from distant to suddenly opening up to me. He even offered to follow me on my journey at one point. His voice was passionate when he proposed that we find Neo Snagem, which had me thinking as we passed by the snowy, rose filled meadow where I had captured the Pumpkaboo who tried to flee from me before.
"Um, Seth?"
"Hm?"
"Chi?" Chikorita cried.
"Why did you become a Pokemon Trainer? And why do you want to find Neo Snagem so bad?" I asked.
Seth sighed. I was well aware of Neo Snagem's ascent to becoming a superpower, and that hope that they'll one day be stopped in quickly fading. But how was simply mentioning them enough to get Seth so out of character?
"I've always hesitated about talking about myself to other people. My reason for becoming a trainer? Me wanting to defeat Neo Snagem? All you have to do is put those two questions together." He answered, "Along the way, I've met a few allies who promised me they'd help me destroy Neo Snagem."
"Including Yumi?"
Seth nodded, "To be honest, she's the first person that comes to mind. She was the first person I met here in Johto. She was completely hopeless back then, but when all is said and done, she's probably my closest friend. She and I, and a few others I've met...we know the battle against Neo Snagem is on the brink of hopelessness now, but that doesn't stop us from fighting on."
Seth told me some pretty shocking things. I decided to just stay quiet so he could 'let it all out'. I learned that his stepfather is Neo Snagem's leader, and is older brother is Zero himself. His whole reason for journeying to Johto is to 'satisfy histhirst for vengeance', or so he says. And like me, he doesn't come from Johto.
"That is my story, so far." After Seth stopped talking, it took me a few moments to take in everything he said.
...If those close to him were the ones helping him defeat Neo Snagem, could I join his 'circle of friends?'
"...You said that Zero is your brother?" I asked.
Seth nodded.
"You've heard, right?" I asked.
Alook of confusion found it's way on the faces of both Seth and Chikorita. How has he not heard? It's been all over Pokegear Radio.
"Zero's no longer in Neo Snagem." I answered.
...Seth suddenly stopped walking. The pause in his footsteps allowed for the sound of falling snow to cover up any sort of silence.
"Chi..." Chikorita quietly called for Seth in worry.
I loked at Chikorita as I asked her and Seth, "What's wrong?"
Seth's POV
Alice's news about Zero immediately caused for me to tense up, as well as Chikorita. It was like we were juggling the subjects of finding Yumi and defeating Neo Snagem, as Neo Snagem came up on top again.
"What happened to him?" I turned to Alice as the already grim mood got even darker.
Now it was my turn to listen to Alice talk. She talked about how a conflict with Commadner 10 drove my brother away, and how 10 went too far...when he destroyed Azalea Town and killed everyone.
...Was I one of the few people to live after crossing paths with 10? Well, only because of Yumi...
Slowly but surely, I found myself beginning to open up to Alice. I started walking once more as I spoke, "You know, all this time I've spent chasing after Neo Snagem, I've always pictured Zero as my main antagonist. And if what you just told me is true...I'm not sure how to put it, but I guess there's some sort of void in my journey with Zero out of the picture...That's not enough though. I need to destroy ALL of Neo Sngem."
There was a moment of silence before Alice spoke again, "If that's the case, then i wanna help you, Seth."
"Huh?" I was caught off guard by Alice.
"Let's eliminate Neo Snagem together! I know we can do it. You and me, the Pokemon, everyone! I mean, it's true that Neo Snagem's stronger than ever right now, but it's also true that they've lost one of their most powerful members in Zero. And it's not just Zero, Neo Snagem has slowly been losing other Commanders as well! And who knows..." With those pink eyes, Alice stared at me as she started blushing, "Maybe the two f us will eliminate a few Commander together. JUST the two of us!"
"Thank you..." This Alice...she was really starting to grow on me. Would it be too soon for me to consider her a friend? I'm always so heavily guarded when it comes to strangers. I guess that stems from when Zero turned his back on me. Him and I were not only brothers, but best friends as well. Could I allow myself to open up to Alice in the same manner? Not only is she helping me find a Yumi she really doesn't like, but she even offered to help me in my ultimate quest, and how I can't wait for the day she and I eliminated a Commander. Between the two of us, it's a promise...
...
Location: Yumi's Citadel
Espurr's POV
I stood at the foot of the citadel with the intention of guarding Mother Yumi. With me, were two ice bears in Beartic. The three of us watched a couple of humans making their way toward the citadel. At first, behind the snowfall, they appeared to be mere silhouettes, but closing in on us, I was quite curious. It was Father Seth, Chikorita...And a girl Yumi wasn't too fond of, Alice. Curious, but not surprised, I was.
"Bear..." The two Beartic growled at our visitors. Alice and Chikorita's eyes grew wide, but Seth wasn't intimidated.
He and I stood there, looking at each other. His eyes were cold, they were unable to be read by me.
"So she let you out of you Pokeball..." Seth said to me.
"But what about the Beartic?" asked Alice.
"It is to protect Mama." I answered.
Now, Seth was caught off guard. They were all surprised when I opened my mouth.
"You..." Seth paused. It was the first time I've seen him at a loss for words, "You're talking..."
"That is correct."
Now, with even Seth trying to find his words, and with the sound of cold snow falling, the atmosphere began to slip to an ominous tone. Creepy, if you will. I knew what I needed to do.
"Lead us to Yumi," Seth said, "If you'r ehere, then she must be close by."
...
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Father Seth."
"Chi?!"
"What?!" Both Chikorita and Alice exclaimed.
"Why not?" Seth asked calmly, his eyes narrowed.
"I'm aware of why Yumi came here in the first place. You and that girl both hurt Mother Yumi. Since then, I have assigned myself the duty of keeping her happy. I'm sure she'd rather be here than see the two of you together right now." I explained.
"And just where are you getting at?" Seth asked.
"Seeing you two would only hurt Mother Yumi. And as a part of my duty-my promise-I can't let you two enter." These words prompted the two Beartic to enter their battle stances.
Seth and Alice were now on standby, Pokeballs swiftly readied.
"I WILL protect her!"
"So be it..." Seth said in a low tone.
"Beartic, attack!" And so I put my paw of a hand forward, commanding the first of my many guardians in the Beartic to eliminate the enemy.
"Aaarrr!"
"Seth, you ready?" asked Alice.
"Hmph!" Seth nodded, never taking his eyes pff me, "If it's a fight you're looking for, prepare to lose!" With that, Seth proceeded to throw his Pokeball. Despite standing on opposite sides, I couldn't help but wonder what could possibly happen to Father after this point...
To Be Continued...
So, the point of this chapter WAS to give Alice more depth. It was also to kind of recap what has happened so far, and the timing was perfect, considering this is my first post in 2016. Oh, and aboutthe beginning of the chapter, Yumi's dream was a tease for everyone who has followed Virus Version from the beginning. Virus Version turned two years old on January 16th, AND it won't be too long before I eclipse 100 chapters.
Alice's Pokemon
Dragonair, Female-Shed Skin
Swanna, Female-Hydration
Kirlia(Shiny), Female- Synchronize
Pumpkaboo, Female-Frisk
One last thing, I would appreciate it if someone points out my spelling errors, for this was typed using JUST Wordpad.