Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 99: Newfound Power
Location: Mahogany Town Cemetery
Seth's POV
Following the split up between me, Yumi, Mary, and Prince, I was desperately searching for Chikorita, but no luck at all.
It felt empty not having Chikorita with me. It was the first time she and I were not together since the start of our journey. When I first took her in, it was simply because I could relate to her in terms of being left behind.
…
Do you want to know something? It's about the day I went to the lab to pick my first pokemon. Chikorita WASN'T the pokemon I planned on choosing. I originally was going to pick Cyndaquil-someone who could match up to Zero and Charizard. Sometimes I still wonder what could've been, only for me to say to myself 'it can't be helped now'.
Chikorita has had more than her fair share of troubles. And if you want me to be honest, she's probably the weakest out of all my pokemon(who else can be argued anyway?). But still, I refuse to give up on her the way many others have. Way back when, I promised her we would become stronger together. It's taken a while, and we still might not be close to our goal, but Chikorita HAS at times shown that she is very capable. Victories over Dustin's Croconaw and the Shadow Klefki I now have were very convincing…
Our connection is why I was searching for Chikorita with such a sense of urgency. And my search led me to the Mahogany Town Cemetery, where Mr. Pryce was buried yesterday. I was leaving the cemetery, and I was unaware of the scene that was in store for me.
Walking in my direction, was a woman with long, periwinkle-silver hair, and eyes that were a shade of blue reminiscent of Yumi's. One of those eyes was sporting a white eye gazer. She wore a blue jacket that, strange enough, went down past her waist and served as her same colored short shorts. The skin of her arms were not visible, being covered in long, light blue gloves. Her boot heels that went above her knees were the same color. This woman's most notable feature though, was the wand-like stick she was sporting in her right hand.
This woman stepped right in front of me, "I'm here trying to pay my dues to the late Pryce, and standing in my way is some riff raff."
"You ARE aware that you're a waste of my time, right?" All she had to do was walk around me, and I wouldn't have had to say anything. Too late, for I walked around her as I let her know that her presence wasn't worth my time, my eyes closed and hands in my black jacket pockets.
Leaving the woman who gave me the impression that she had a foul mouth, I continued my search for Chikorita and all the mind controlled pokemon. Or…I SHOULD'VE continued my search,, if not for another event crossing my way, THIS time giving me a huge break.
"Pip piplup!" I don't know why, but there was a Piplup running in my direction. Was it under the mind control too? A little late to the party, if you ask me.
One more interesting note-
"Brother?!" This Pipup was being chased by my sister Rose, who was gliding at high speed. This made me curious. Might this Piplup belong to Rose? We haven't conversed at all since Ecruteak City, and she might have captured her first pokemon since then.
Feeling the need, I kneeled down and grabbed the Piplup, much to its annoyance. There, the penguin struggled in my arms.
"Brother…" My sister's chase had unexpectedy come to an end as she came to a screeching halt in the air. Her eyes were on the struggling Piplup and I. She gave me the exact troubled expression she gave me when I first arrived in Mahogany. "Brother, I…What has brought you here?"
I ignored her question with a question of my own, "This Piplup belongs to you?"
Rose nodded, "She was resting ever so peacefully in my lap before inexplicably going berserk for reasons that are beyond my knowledge. Um…" She was nervous. "Might you have any idea, Brother? Also, is Chikorita not with you?"
Rose asked two questions I preferred to answer through actions rather than words.
"This Piplup will lead us to the source of our problems." Under the mind control, Piplup was now the key to finding and rescuing Chikorita.
I returned Piplup to the ground, and she immediately returned to her run. Rose gasped, "What are you doing?!" She had risen her voice at me.
"Let us follow Piplup, I said as I looked into Rose in her set of eyes that were a more vivid shade of deep blue than mine. I gave a determined look, as I was determined to find Chikorita, "Trust me…"
…
Location: Underground Base
Snivy's POV
As soon as the duo named Cassidy and Butch made their aappearance, I hopped out of my trainer's arms and was on standby.
"Where's Chikorita?!" I yelled.
Chikorita was all I cared about now, and I wasn't going to let these humans, the Sableye, nor the Drowzee get in my way. I was ready to fight!
"Aw, it's that cutie snake again!" Cassidy gushed mockingly. "I'll admit, even after I walked out on you, I still thought you were sporty enough to keep. That was, until I found THIS hidden gem within all OUR new pokemon."
Talk about bragging. That woman was just trying to show off as she took out a single Pokeball.
"I choose you!" She released the Pokeball, which popped open. And in a flash of light, appearing on the field, was a very strange…well, this pokemon was surrounded by a dark aura. It was about my height, and was a shade of green that differed from mine. It was definitely sporty, but in my eyes it looked like anything but a threat, even with the dark aura of what Chikorita's trainer would call a 'Shadow Pokemon'.
"Prepare for defeat!" The green pokemon was showing off his battle cry to me.
"Unlike you, this cutie will soon become a Tyranitar that'll surely persuade more people and pokemon to join Team Rocket!" Cassidy rambled with a giggle.
As ready as any other Shadow Pokemon when it comes to fighting, Larvitar took a step closer. He wasn't the only one ready to fight though…
"Just to keep you from thinking we'll fight fair, I'll join you, Larvitar!" I don't know why, but that Sableye was already starting to annoy me as he stood next to Larvitar. Maybe it was just the way he looks.
"Snivy, it's going to be a two on one battle." My trainer kneeled down next to me.
"It'll be an uphill battle." Mary-Elizabeth added.
"Are you ready?"
Hmph. I cared not about what kind of handicap I would have. All that mattered was the end result I was looking for.
…I DID appreciate my trainer checking up on me…kind of.
I nodded to my trainer as I was ready to fight.
"Okay then, let's move Snivy!"
"Ready!"
So now it was on: me vs Larvitar and Sableye for someone I care very much for. The plan was for me to stand and wait for my opponents to make their moves I an effort to gauge what I can do next. Not everything goes according to plan though.
"Snivy, use your dancing leaf technique!" Only one person I knew was dumb enough to make the first reckless move in a battle like this: my idiot trainer.
Well, maybe she's just as anxious as I am to save everyone. So if that was the case, I did as my trainer said. I jumped into the air with my vines protruded as I started spinning in a tornado-like motion. And no, this isn't a Leaf Tornado. It's my Dancing Leaf, and there's a difference.
It was going to be a strong start for me if I managed to hit either of my opponents with my Dancing Leaf.
"Let's see…" So based on experience, a technique of the grass variety would be super effective against, the Shadow Larvitar!
From in the air, I eyed the Larvitar, making it very clear who my intended target was. "I'm coming after you!"
Larvitar's eyes narrowed, "Then hit me with your best shot!"
"I'll be more than happy to accommodate!" And as I descended toward Larvitar, I cried, "For Chikorita!"
Closer and closer, I was so close to presumably ending Larvitar before he would be able to do anything…
…Before I landed, there was a pile of darkness forming in front of Larvitar. It was strange, even to Larvitar, who stared at the darkness in bewilderment.
"PIKACHUUU-No wait…PIKABOO!"
I gritted my teeth. From the pile of darkness, emerged the damned Sableye!
"Shadow Ball!" Cassidy called.
"As you wish, master." Being produced by Sableye, was a ball filled with dark energy. Darn it! I was in the air already, so my momentum wouldn't allow me to dodge. I was going to take a big hit. "Ha!" And toward me, the Shadow Ball was coming.
"Agh!" Once Shadow Ball made its way, it blew up in my face. The momentum from the Dancing Leaf was cancelled out, as was the Dancing Leaf itself as I started freefalling.
"Quick, Larvitar, use Hyper Beam!"
My eyes grew wide. A Hyper Beam?! And I had yet to even hit the ground!"
"Die!" That Larvitar was just as sinister as the aura surrounding it. It was intent on putting an end to my life as it launched a Hyper Beam with authority.
Yet another attack in Hyper Beam blew up in my face. It hurt very much, taking two attacks in a row while in the air. And now, I was going to hit the hard ground…
"Snivy, I've got you!" I WAS going to hit the hard ground, until my trainer had other plans. She caught me in her arms. After wincing, I looked to her as she asked me, "Are you alright?"
Saving from potential defeat? It was very hard for me to accept the thought of it, but even my tension with my trainer boiled over, she's had this different 'aura' to her. Perhaps her unwavering support is starting to change my opinion of her, albeit very subtle.
I nodded, letting my trainer know I was okay.
She eyed the opposing Larvitar, "Because of Hyper Beam, Larvitar shouldn't be able to move for a while. In other words, that leaves Sableye wide open for a one on one fight. You like?" She was using her head for once.
Again, I nodded in response to my trainer.
"Alright then!" She yelled as she launched me back into the air, "Use Leech Seed!"
"Right!" Along with her plan, I had a tactic of my own. First, I eyed a Larvitar who wasn't moving, deliberately giving off the impression that I was going for the Dancing Leaf technique again.
"Again? You're a fool if you think that'll work this time," Butch said with a confident smirk.
"YAWN!" Cassidy teased, "Sableye, be a dear and fire another Shadow Ball, will you?"
A small, barely visible smile appeared on my face, and my eyes glinted in anticipation.
"Watch this and THEN tell me who the fool is!" I took initiative and launched Leech Seed ahead of schedule.
HERE'S where my anticipation came in.
"Pikachuuu!" I knew that Sableye would emerge from that pile of darkness in front of Larvitar again, which is why Leech Seed was launched early. "Pikaboo-AAAGGGHHH!" This tactic was something I like to call 'deception'. I tricked Sableye into thinking I was performing the same trick twice. He anticipated my next move…sort of. What he was met with as he appeared in front of Larvitar, was the Leech Seed that made contact with him. He cried in agony. "Aaahhh!"
"Yes!" Yumi cheered, but she wasn't done yet, for I was still in the air, "Vine Whip on Sableye!"
It didn't take too long, but it was time for me to deal the finishing blow on one of my two opponents. Descending, I extended my vines and once again went for the Dancing Leaf technique. "The deed is done for you!" Is what I cried as I struck the suffering Sableye.
"Looks like the Dancing Leaf was a success this time!" Mary exclaimed.
With the spinning, descending Vine Whip combined with Leech Seed, yes, it was Sableye's time to go down, and that's exactly what he did. "Uhh…" On the ground he went, and on the ground he stayed.
"We did it!" And of course, my trainer was upbeat about my-I mean, OUR victory. I closed my eyes, crossed my arms, and held my chin up high, only this time I was smiling.
"Hmm…" The girl named Mary appeared to be thinking. "That ghost type has fainted, yet I fail to see any difference in its facial expression, unlike all the mind controlled pokemon."
"Where are you getting at?" Prince asked as I charged at a still-immobilized Shadow Larvitar.
As I struck Larvitar with Vine Whip, Mary answered, "Have you noticed that out of all the pokemon under Team Rocket's control, none of them are ghost types?" She had a point. This Mary was very observant, perhaps even more than Chikorita's trainer. "That gives me an idea!"
As Larvitar got up, I could just hear the sound of a Pokeball being taken out by Mary, "We really need you right now. I choose you!"
Out of Mary's Pokeball, came a pokemon that looked familiar yet different at the same time. It reminded me of the Chandelure that belongs to Chikorita's trainer, only smaller.
"Something's not right…" Prince said to Mary.
"Yes. Lampent's face hasn't changed, see?" Mary Elizabeth replied, "The mind control didn't work on Sableye, and it's not working on Lampent. I think I'd be correct with the conclusion 'Drowzee's hypnotism does not work on ghost types!"
Yes, she's VERY intelligent. From being bothered by even the smallest detail of a mess to coming up with THAT sort of conclusion based on her own, obscure, mental notes, Mary-Elizabeth was VERY attentive to detail.
"Okay Lampent, let us eliminate that Drowzee!"
"Lam lam!"
It was the perfect opportunity to attack the hypnotizing Drowzee.
"Zee. Drowzee."
"La! Lavitar!" In addition to Sableye being defeated, Larvitar had been quietly wrapped by my vines. Larvitar couldn't escape my Wrap attack, and there was nothing stopping Lampent and its Hex from putting an end to Drowzee and his control over the pokemon…
…That is, except for the controlled pokemon themselves.
"Chaa!" Stopping Lampent in its track, was a certain rodent that led us here in the first place. Shocking Lampent with a blue Thunderbolt, it was clear Pachirisu was well aware of our presence now. Though still under Drowzee's mind control, Pachirisu didn't seem like much of a 'zombie' now. Probably due to the fact it's in the presence of its leader and is now able to follow specific orders.
"YOU?" Mary said out loud.
"So you've seen this rodent before." Cassidy reacted.
"We'll take down anyone who gets in our way!" Mary scowled.
"Oh really?" Butch had a mocking, sarcastic look on his face.
"Thunderbolt, my puppet." Hearing Drowzee's voice clearly for the first time had me quivering. He was hypnotizing Pachirisu into attempting to strike Lampent while it was downed by the first blue Thunderbolt.
"Pichaaa!" Drowzee's puppet did exactly as it was told, launching a second wave of electricity at a Lampent who was just beginning to return from the ground and into its floating position.
"Laaa…Lamp!" At first, Lampent's cry echoed and dragged out in a similar fashion to Seth's Chandelure, but it quickly regained its focus. "Lamp!" Lampent was so fast, it quickly spun out of Thundebolt's path, making Thunderbolt look slow by comparison. "Laa!" Lampent quickly retaliated by launching an attack of its own at Pachirisu: A stream of blue fire. Was that a different colored Flamethrower?
"Chaaa!" Despite its valiant effort to dodge Flamethrower by running around the room, Pachirisu was eventually struck by the blue flame. She was sent to the ground, and just like Sableye, Pachirisu didn't move.
"It seems we're beginning to have momentum shift in our favor." There was not a smile on the face of Mary-Elizabeth as she coldly an unintentionally taunted Cassidy and Butch.
"She's good…" Yumi said to herself, while staring at Mary in amazement.
"Hmp." Cassidy scoffed. "So that's it, huh? You defeat two of our pokemon and have a third one immobilized by a Wrap attack. Please answer me this: Were you really deluding yourselves into believing your 'victories' were major? Were you expecting Butch and I here to cringe in the presence of you gaining the upper hand?"
"It's a little late for you the start getting smart and talking tough." Yumi sassed, "Especially for a couple of criminals using other people's pokemon and cheating instead of fighting their own battles for once!"
I had to agree with my trainer, "It's kind of true," I said coldly. I paid not much mind to the Shadow Larvitar I was constricting, though it seemed he had given up and actually passed out during the struggle. So I tossed him away. He fell to the ground like a ragdoll, where he remained unconscious.
"Oh boy…" Butch sighed, a smile on his face, "You certainly have the wrong impression of us here."
"Watch this…" It was Cassidy raising her hand, and she took her sweet time with it.
"Drowzee. Drowzee…"
Cassidy snapped her fingers, and I wondered was that was supposed to mean.
"You haven't forgotten the fact that we have hundreds of pokemon at our disposal, have you?" I was well aware of the fact that Butch was correct. But if they had all these reserves, why would they have sent the pokemon one on one in the first place? It was pointless to have Sableye, Larvitar, and Pachirisu singled out.
"Drowzee…Drowzee…" Responding to Cassidy's fingers snapping, was the Drowzee whose hypnotic eyes began to glow pale blue. Subsequently, responding to Drowzee's response to Cassidy…
"Mar…" The Magmar that allowed for Cassidy's getaway earlier.
"Nape…" And an Infernape who was among the most notable pokemon inder Drowzee's spell.
"Nido!" Nidoking.
"Ver." Snover.
"Acc…"Accelgor…
Raticate, Meganium, a blue colored Kirlia…Swanna and Dragonair…The last four pokemon listed actually belong to a couple of rivals my trainer has encountered in the past.
But no one, and I MEAN NO ONE, was more painful for me to see than…
Aside from me, she was the shortest pokemon here. Despite many other mind controlled pokemoon gathering and surrounding, she was the only one I was attentive to. It was as if her presence wiped out the existence of everybody else in this room, with that light green fur and that nasty furrow in between the bright red eyes I have come to adore very much…That leaf on her head…
…I could still feel the sting that leaf left me, when Chikorita slapped me.
'S-Snivy…P-please, help me…' Even though my emotion overwhelmed me during that moment, as well as the moments of despair and depression that followed…
'I'm here for you, Chikorita…'
"Snivy, thank you…" I refused to give up on Chikorita-the real Chikorita. And if I wanted the real Chikorita back…
'I-I hate you.' I had to save her from this 'phone' Chikorita standing in front of me; the Chikoita who uttered those heartbreaking words to me. But could I save Chikorita without physically harming her? I could find it in myself to hurt the one I care so much for.
"My my, you seem to be troubled."
"Hm?" I had so much concern for Chikorita that I didn't even care to flinch when I heard Drowzee's creepy voice. I didn't take my eyes off Chikorita, "Shut up."
But Drowzee, with that smile on his face, didn't care, "You know what? No, I won't shut up! And if I don't shut up, then what are you going to do about it? You obviously care too much for this poor Chikorita to attack her. And attacking me would be foolish, because the moment you do, I'll mercilessly kill you with Chikorita and the rest of my mind slaves, and then laugh out loud with this smile on my face that probably irritates you very much. Hmhm."
"I-" Once again, I tried to retaliate verbally, but I was interrupted.
"-If that's the case, then defeating him will be that much easier!"
"Huh?!"
Chikorita was crying out the words of a fighter as she was charging toward me!
"Now what will you do?" Drowzee asked.
I…I wasn't sure. I had no problem admitting that Drowzee was right: I DID care too much for the charging Chikorita to do anything. Drowzee had every reason to ask me what I was going to do next.
My answer…
"Ha!"
"Agh!" I was still searching for my answer, and was paying the price for it. Chikorita had such bitterness on her face when she Tackled me to the ground. There I struggled, but I didn't remain there for long. "H-Hagh!"
"How nice of you to help our little guest up, mind slave." Drowzee was talking to the Infernape who had forcefully picked me up by my tail.
With my eyes facing nowhere but the ground by default, I could honestly say that hanging from my tail in Infernape's fist was one of the most unpleasant things I have ever withered.
"Snivy!" My trainer called out to me in concern.
"What's Snivy doing? He didn't even try to dodge!" Prince was visibly frustrated by me.
"Lampent, Snivy really need our help." It pained me to admit it, but Mary-Elizabeth was right.
"La!" The ghost type nodded to its trainer in understanding. Without need for any command from its trainer, Lampent rushed toward the Infernape, firing another one of those Hex attacks to aid me. "Laahh!"
"Gah!" The Infernape yelled, "Son of a-"
"Alright Lampent, keep it up!" Though I was freed from Infernape's grasp, Lampent's work was not yet finished.
Letting Lampent do what it did next would sting me.
"So!" Lampent turned its attention to Chikorita, "I'm sorry about this, but it's for your own good!" Launched at Chikorita as that blue Flamethrower attack.
Perhaps it's a good thing Lampent's able to fight Chikorita. I mean, if I'm not able to fight her, who else could?
"Chikorita, dodge it!" Cassidy commanded, and Chikorita complied. It was the first time I'd ever seen anyone other than Seth give Chikorita a command. "Now use Energy Ball!"
"Counter it with Shadow Ball!" Mary quickly reacted.
Launched at each other were the ball of green energy and the ball of darkness respectively. Whem the two attacks collided, a cloud of smoke was created. It was purple in color and had streams of green-white energy circulating throughout.
"You lowly lava lamp…" Drowzee was calling out to Lampent, and for a moment, that creepy, hypnotic smile disappeared from his face, "You interference in this most interesting fight irritates me. Nidoking!"
"Niii!" In response to Drowzee's call, stepping in front of the floating Lampent was the ground type font earlier. His roar could be heard from as far away as the underground hallway and beyond.
"Nidoking, Thunderbolt!" Butch commanded.
"Fine by me!" You see, Thunderbolt was a fairly swift traveling attack, so I guess Nidoking was just eager to make quick work of Lampent.
"Lamp!" Thunderbolt was fast but Lampent was faster, being able to quickly dodge Nidoking's attack. "Lamp!" Again. "Lampent!" And again.
Nidoking was being persistent, and by the time the fourth of fifth Thunderbolt was launched, his persistence had paid off.
"Laaammm!" Lampent was hit, and Nidoking didn't let up. For as long as it took to send Lampent into a state of unconsciousness, Nidoking held his Thunderbolt on Lampent until… "Laaa-aa-uuuhh…" Lampent was no longer able to fight.
"No, Lampent!" Both Mary and I called Lampent's name in worry. Mary rushed to Lampent's side, and I tried to soon follow, I truly did because Lampent was quite possibly my only hope for rescuing Chikorita, but…
"Ack!" While rushing to Lampent's aid, I was suddenly Tackled away and to the ground.
"This most interesting battle isn't over yet." Drowzee muttered in a dark tone.
From the ground, I stared at a Chikorita standing tall over me. Every time she hit me, it was a major blow to my pride. "Ngh…"
"Now what will you do?"
"Snivy, come on! You've got to stand up! You're the only one who can save everyone!" M-my trainer was calling out to me.
'But what am I to do?' The cause that had driven me to fight was now the reason why I refused to raise my fists…
"She's right, come on!" Chikorita was becoming aggressive.
"Agh!" Correction, Chikorita was already aggressive. Now, she was Tackling me while I was down on the ground.
"WHY DON'T YOU GET UP AND FIGHT?!" To think our day began so innocently. She Tackled me once again, and a few bruises were starting to become visible on me, "COME ON! SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT, YOU PATHETIC RIFF RAFF!"
"Haaaahahahahaha! This is REALLY funny!" I was being embarrassed in front of everybody looking on as Chikorita began stoming on me. Everyone opposing me began to laugh, mainly a Cassidy who was very vocal about her amusement. She wasn't pissing me off though.
"My mind slave is right. But to say that at this moment 'you're pathetic' would be the understatement of the year, hmhm?" One thing that got me angry was Drowzee. This whole time, he's been trying to get in my head. He would purposely have that smile on his face, keeping his voice calm whenever threatened. And he purposely singled out Chikorita and I to pit us against each other. Even so, Drowzee isn't what angered me the most.
"SNIVYYY!" What pissed me off was myself and how useless I was. It's also what pissed my trainer off the most, and she was giving me a passionate earful, "Get up Snivy! Get up and fight! Is this what you were getting us into when we promised to fight this battle together?! No way! What happened to the spoiled snob who bowed to nobody?! When did you become such a coward?!"
The voice of my trainer was loud even though I was getting stomped on. She got this loud quite often, but she was never as serious as she was now.
All those time I've brushed her off…she's STILL willing to help me and lift me up when I'm at my lowest…
"You can't give up on Chikorita, just like how I'm not giving up on you! You have to fight Chikorita! For her greater good!"
I can't give up…I can't give up…"I will not give up…"
My trainer has always had this certain aura of positivity that comes with her presence. It's rubbed off on Umbreon and Braixen, but now, after months of being a trainer-pokemon duo, I believe some of her positivity is finally starting to rub off on me.
I WON'T GIVE UP!
Those were the words that my trainer has infused into my head, and I instantly began to feel those words as I grabbed Chikorita's leg, abruptly ending her repeated stomps.
"Huh?!" The mid controlled Chikorita was taken by surprise. She and I made focused eye contact, her eyes wide open.
"For you own good, I'll fight. For Yumi, and for YOU!" I was strong enough to force Chikorita off me and quickly rise to my feet.
"Snivy?" My trainer called my name.
"Don't worry." I turned around and faced her. For the very first time, Yumi was the reason I had a genuine smile on my face. "We'll do this together!" Because she couldn't understand what I was saying, it was on me to summarize what I just said into a single nod that let her know that I was sure of myself.
Yumi's POV
The way Snivy smiled and nodded to me made my eyes glisten. His attitude toward me was such a vast improvement compared to his cold, snobbish nature in the past. It all but confirmed that Snivy finally acknowledged he and I were a team. All my persistence and hard work on trying to change Snivy impression of me were paying off, at last. I felt a tear of joy being held back in my eye…
"Snivy, let's finish this!" How much of a handicap we were up againt didn't matter to me. I had so much confidence right now, I felt like we could challenge the entire world. "Use your Dancing Leaf technique, full throttle!"
With enthusiasm I've never seen Snivy have before he turned his attention to the Chikorita he cared for very much.
"Snivy!" Like before, Snivy jumped in the air with his vines protruded, and in the air, he began spinning. Descending, his target was the mind controlled Chikorita.
Chi?"
"Damn it, it's that technique again!" Butch cursed.
Cassidy smiled, "Chikorita, use Reflect!"
"A defensive move?" Prince questioned out loud.
"Chikori!" It was unusual, and painful to see someone other than Seth giving Chikorita orders, no matter the circumstance. In an effort to defend against Sinvy's Dnacing Leaf, Chikorita set up a protective barrier.
"Vy!" Snivy was able to strike Chikorita for the very first time, but not without a glint of remorse in his eyes, even though the significance of his attack was reduced.
"Ch-chiii!" Snivy's Dnacing Leaf was only able to send Chikorita sliding back, but she stood strong. Perhaps she's not as weak as she used to be…
Snivy and I were still smiling, radiating with confidence.
"Chikorita, use Energy Ball!" Cassidy commanded.
"Chi!" Chikorita cried as she launched the ball of green energy.
Too easy, "Snivy, send it right back with Slam."
I've seen Seth and Chikorita use that attack enough times to at least have an idea on what to do when that attack is called. Using his tail, Snivy was able to use Slam to bounce Energy Ball right back to Chikorita, just as I said. One little nugget though…
"Chi? Chi? CHI?!" Chikorita didn't expect Energy Ball to be coming right back around. She CERTAINLY didn't expect Energy Ball to be going…in her mouth?! "Co-klgh!"
Chikorita actually ate the Energy Ball!
"Talk about weird?!" Cassidy exclaimed.
"Now what?" Butch wondered, and he had every right to ask.
"Drow?!" Even Drowzee almost lost his focus.
It was 'different'. Chikorita, after eating Energy Ball…Her leaf was glowing this type of green, electrical energy, and it was surrounded by this white aura.
"What the? Chikorita, get it off!" Cassidy cried. Was she not aware of Chikorita's ability to use Aromatherapy?
"No…An Energy Ball…An ENERGY BALL!" Butch was thinking out loud before it appeared that he reached some sort of conclusion. He quickly commanded, "Chikorita, use one more Energy Ball!"
Maybe this was another opportunity to use the word 'different'. By eating that Energy Ball, it appeared that Chikorita had somehow attained new power. THIS Energy Ball though…It was bigger, brighter, and more vivid than the previous one. It actually looked to be the most powerful Energy Ball I've ever seen.
"Chi!" The mind controlled Chikorita cried as she launched the extra large Energy Ball.
"Be careful, Yumi!" Mary-Elizabeth yelled, "That attack is dangerous!"
But there wasn't time for Snivy to dodge, "Vyyy!" In addition to being more powerful, Chikorita's Energy Ball was also very fast. In the blink of an eye, Snivy was sent to the ground.
"Now this new power in certainly uncalled for!" Cassidy, with a smile on her face, grew excited, "Talk about hitting the jackpot!"
"Yeah, and that Chikorita's leaf is still radiating that green energy and white aura." Butch added.
"Perhaps this Chikorita's not so worthless now. In fact, it's kind of sporty! I think I'll add the cutie to my team once this fight is over! Chikorita, a full power Tackle should finish Snivy!"
You're kidding me! So the reason why Snivy and II won't be able to save Chikorita and Mahogany Town is because of some NEW DISCOVERY?!
I dropped to my knees once Chikorita began charging at Snivy as the white aura now surrounded her entire body. That extra power Energy Ball really did a number on Snivy, as he was still down on the ground.
Arceus…was this really what you had in store for us from the beginning? All I could think about was the moment Snivy were to be defeated. It would be the moment that the long forgotten Team Rocket would begin their comeback for sure, and thanks in part to a Chikorita who had sworn to help rid the world of evil some time ago. That time is over now, I guess…Would this be my final farewell to a Chikorita who has now crossed over to the dark side?
…
…
"A hypnotic psychic type connected to an antenna?"
"Yes, that has to be the one…"
"Then allow me!"
…
…
"Chi?" The charging Chikorita stopped, which confused Chikorita and I.
"Hm?" Cassidy looked at Chikorita annoyed.
"Why'd you stop?" Butch asked, "Go on! Finish Snivy!"
Chikorita looked at Butch confused, and then at the green energy and white aura surrounding the leaf on her head. Total déjà vu…
"From here on out, if Chikorita's going to be taking orders, it'll be from me."
"Hm, you?!" Cassidy shouted.
"Who are you?!" Butch asked.
"If you're bewildered as to why Chikorita stopped attacking, take a look at all the pokemon around the room." It was Seth! He was answering with his focus squarely on Team Rocket as he walked past me and a downed Snivy up ahead. "Take a look and tell me what you see."
"What about em?" Butch asked.
"With an answer like that, I'll venture to guess that you two haven't taken as much notes on your own scheme as you should have." Seth replied.
"Aw!" But a very observant, very detail oriented Mary-Elizabeth seemed to have the answer, and I think I knew it myself once I realized all the pokemon no longer had furrowed eyebrows on their faces. "All the pokemon! Ae they no longer under mind control?"
"Correct." Seth's narrowed eyes were still on Cassidy and Butch.
Cassidy and Butch as each other for a moment, and then simultaneously chuckled. "Absurd!" Butch replied.
"You can stop looking around and give it up already." Cassidy wiped a tear from her laughter filled eyes.
Seth wasn't moved, "Look at your 'hypnotist' and then take your own advice."
Cassidy and Butch stopped chuckling upon falling victim to Seth's epic comeback. He was well aware that he was in the presence of that creepy Drowzee.
"Hmph!" We looked at the Drowzee to see that it was no longer performing that hypnotism. It was finally knocked unconscious! And by who? A certain five year old Rose who was physically and mentally superior to the average human being. "I believe the town has now been saved, thank you."
"A little girl?" Mary-Elizabeth and Prince said out loud. "And a Piplup?" A PIPLUP was with her?!
"WHAT!" Cassidy and Butch gaped.
"And now that you've taken your own advice, allow me to say 'this is the end for both of you'!" Seth was making this easy, and all he and Rose did was use the element of surprise. He took a few steps forward until he was standing next to a Chikorita who was still radiate her new power from Energy Ball.
"Chico…"
"Chikorita!" Seth called.
"Piplup!" Rose followed as Piplup stood in front of her in a battle stance.
"Everyone!" And following Rose was fellow 'lady' Mary-Elizabeth, who called the attention of every pokemon who had been under Team Rocket's control.
"Nido!"
"Infernape!"
"Magmar!"
"Accelgor!" Just a few of the hundreds.
"You guys!" Prince started.
What followed were passionate words from Mary. After all, this was for the future of Mahogany. "It's time we finish this battle for good! Let us rise from defeat in order to save this ourselves, this town, and this entire world and beyond!"
"AAAAHHHH!" Mary was a great motivational speaker, doing a great job letting the hundreds of freed pokemon in on the finishing blow as they roared.
And last, but not least…I ran up and kneeled to a downed Snivy. I held him on my lap and tapped him on the face a couple of times in an effort to get him to wake up. He slowly opened his eyes and looked up to me, "Snivy. Snivy?" I called.
He cried, "Sni…vy?", before looking around the room. His eyes shot wide open as he saw Chikorita standing next to her trainer.
"Snivy, you ready to join in?"
"Snivy!" It must have been relieving for Snivy to see Chikorita fighting on our side again. So relieving that despite his consecutive battles, Snivy was energized enough to run over and stand side by side with Chikorita. "Snivy!"
"Chico!" Chikorita gave Snivy a nod with a smile on her face.
Now THIS was the conclusion Arceus must've had in store for us. Me, Seth, and Rose, Mary-Elizabeth and Prince all standing against those who opposed us. Piplup, Snivy, Chikorita, and all the other pokemon eyed Cassidy and Butch menacingly.
"Haahhh!" And it was so satisfying to see the 'I know I screwed up' expression on the gaped faces of Cassidy and Butch.
"It's time! Now!" Seth gave the first command. "Go Chikorita! Solarbeam now!"
"Piplup, support her with Ice Beam!" Rose followed.
"Snivy, how about you aid your lover with Leech Seed!" I joked with a chuckle.
"EVERYONE!" And lastly, came Mary as she led all the other pokemon, "Give them your full power attack!"
"Oh no! Ohno-ohno-ohno!" Cassidy and Butch were panicking because they knew what was next: The conclusion!"
"Fernape!"
"Doo!"
"Ceell!"
"Pipluuup!"
Ah, the sight of everybody working together…At the same time, they all launched their attacks at the duo. Flamethrower, Thunder, Thunderbolt, Signal Beam, and Ice Beam…All who remained were…
"Chicooo!" A powerful Solarbeam combined with Chikorita's newfound power was amazing! It was so amazing that even Seth had SOME sort of almost nonexistent expression on his face as he was at a loss for words.
"Sni!" Aiding Solarbeam, was a Snivy who launched an Overgrow-powered Leech Seed.
"AAAHHH!"
Together, every attack hit the thieves! That was it! This was our decisive victory! The result of the attacks was so massive that it literally made a huge, gaping hole in the ceiling. This hole, Cassidy and Butch were sent flying through at high impact.
"Not fair! We weren't supposed to end up like those mice catchers and that insufferable Meowth!" Would you look at that? Cassidy was whining as she and he partner were daytime shooting stars!
"Brutal! This is too overkill to be called overkill!" Butch cried.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" Hopefully, this would be the last we hear from those two again…
…..
Location: Outside Team Rocket's Base
We had made our way outside the base. The explosion had caused for us to attract a lot of very unnecessary attention. People gathered to this part of town, including TV's Miss Rhonda, and the film crew here for the Lake of Rage Contest tomorrow.
Miss Rhonda reported, "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of Johto, my name is Rhonda and we of Johto Now News come to you live from Mahogany Town, where a massive explosion has just taken place. Now as you see, I'm standing in front of a very bizarre scene in which pokemon are exiting this here building, one by one. Not much is currently known about this building except for, according to eye witnesses, this building was a secret base for a Team Rocket organization that's been disbanded for over five years now. Apparently they were attempting a second revival using hypnotism on pokemon belonging to locals and travelers alike. These pokemon are reuniting with their trainers as we speak, and ladies, gentlemen, it's a truly heartwarming sight!"
"Hehe. It's great to have you back, Meganium!" In the background, was Vincent. He was one of the travelers reuniting with his pokemon, and Marina was accompanying him.
"Thank goodness," Marina said.
…
"Ooohh! You don't know how worried I was about you guys. But I'm glad you're okay." This was another trainer who was reuniting with her pokemon, and she was one I knew well. It was Alice, and she was quietly crying while hugging three of her pokemon in Dragonair, Swanna, and the blue haired Kirlia I once battle. Hmm…This was a more sensitive side of Alice on display. She sure has changed. She definitely isn't as superficial with her pokemon as she used to be. Could it have something to do with what happened back in Autumn Town? She DOES like Seth, and she DID have a saddened attitude when she left Autumn Town as quietly as she did…
All the reunions and the fact that the television crew was here was great, but I felt the need to avoid that kind of stuff for the rest of the day. I felt a conclusion to this chapter needed to be formal and a bit more private.
So Seth, Mary, Prince, Rose and I all went to the frozen Lake of Rage during the sunset.
Location: Lake of Rage
"We did it, guys! We did it!" I was ecstatic. It may have been a rough day, but we did it! And I was intent on sharing my excitement though high fives to everyone.
"That we did!" Prince ceetainly caught my drift.
"Yes." And Mary Elizabeth, to a lesser extent.
"…" Rose didn't say anything. She decided to speak more through her actions than he words, wordlessly smiling and softly touching my hand with hers, though I had to adjust down to Rose's short stature.
"And last but not least!" I tried to go for a high five with Seth, but of course-
"I don't get excited." And he said that with his eyes closed and arms crossed.
"Oh cut that crap!" I countered while smiling, "Chikorita's finally obtained some of that power you've been searching for! You and Rose went totally badass and saved the day! You're telling me that even after all that, you won't lose the grouchy face for once? Come on! You could at least pretend to get excited! Please? For me?"
Shouldn't I know what comes next? This always happens. I try to spread a little cheer, and Seth coldly declines. I start to hound Seth, only for him to turn away in an effort to ignore me. But that wasn't what happened this time…
Gently, Seth met me halfway in a similar fashion to how Rose did.
"You can close your mouth now."
"Oh?" There was something different about the way Seth did it, even though his attitude was still cold. Perhaps I was just thinking too much.
"See? I told you, Yumi loves Seth." Prince teased.
"I told you to shut it before, didn't I?" I shot back.
With a smile, Mary pointed at my face, "She is even blushing now." She AND Prince chuckled this time.
I just had to hide my face in embarrassment! I could've taken a crack at how Mary and Prince were together, but they're so romantic they probably would've taken it as a compliment. They ARE together.
…
"…Brother?" For the first time since we got here, Rose was speaking up.
"What do you need?" Seth answered.
"So how did we do back there?" Rose asked, "You know, 'us'."
We all waited for Seth to reply.
"The last time we spoke before today you said you hated me," Seth started, "And there was little or no need for you to be involved in this plot at all…"
Seth, how could you? She was more than likely just looking for some warms words from you, and you decide to give her the cold shoulder? When I last saw Rose, she wasn't overly fond of the idea of going back for your life. Something must've happened between you two in Ecruteak…
Rose drooped…
"…But at the end of the day, I couldn't have done it without you." And then Rose sprouted like a sunflower. She remained still for a moment as her eyes looked like they were about to water.
"Brother…" I don't know what happened between them. But I guess 'Rose and Seth' was just another conflict to be solved on another day…
…..
Snivy's POV
Alone at last, Chikorita and I were as we stood at the foot of the frozen lake where Piplup was enjoying herself to some ice skating.
Meanwhile, our trainers and the other humans were resting and conversing near the snowy trees.
Though it had been sunny all day, a blanket of snow still covered everything. After a long day, a rich sunset was upon us, and I believed it would be complimentary for when I finally make my move. The problem was though, I didn't know how to go about it. I had lost the nerve I had earlier.
"I'm sorry." Chikorita abruptly ended our silence as she continued staring at the frozen lake.
"Sorry?" I answered, "For what?"
She had a completely troubled look on her face, "I wasn't myself. I hurt you, and it's nobody's fault but my own."
"Well…" It was hard for me to think of something to say in response to Chikorita's troubled move. And here I was expecting her usual, cheery self to make it easier for me to make my move. I looked to my tail, which was now bandaged thanks to my battle with a mind controlled Chikorita, and couldn't deny the fact that she was partially right. "Chikorita, you're right. You weren't yourself, and you did hurt me. But it was anybody's fault but your own. Look at the circumstances. NONE of what happened is your fault."
"But my will wasn't strong enough. The entire city nearly fell into the hands of darkness, and it was because my will wasn't strong enough!"
"How can you say such things, Chikorita?"
"Hm?"
"…You'd be surprised how much the words coming out of your mouth can affect you as a person." I stood up on the snowy ground, now staring at our reflections through the frozen lake, "All those things you say about yourself, I don't see any of that when looking at you. Looking at you…"
And I was talking about the REAL Chikorita, not a mere image like her reflection in the lake, and most certainly some mind controlled slave who fought me.
Just to emphasize to Chikorita what I saw in her,, I looked her in the eyes. Now was the time to take 'us' to the next level.
"…What I see is someone who's loving and cheerful-the one who kept me going when I didn't want to journey in the first place. Chikorita?" I took a step closer to Chikorita, "I see someone I really care about. Someone I'd love to spend more adventures with. I know it's been a long time coming to say, but Chikorita, I like you. I really really like you."
There, I finally said it. It was strange, having someone else cheer up a typically cheery Chikorita. Telling Chikorita that I really liked her had her face light up like a candle. She was left speechless, and so was I as I was waiting for ANY kind of response. I wasn't focused on the Piplup glancing our way, and wasn't bothered by the humans focusing intently on us, namely Yumi, Mary, and Prince.
"…So you DON'T see me as a liability? Or someone who's weak willed?" It was as if a forever and then some went by in the amount of time it took for Chikorita to open her mouth.
I shook my head, "In my eyes, you're nothing short of perfection."
Chikorita was holding back a tear or two, "It's not often someone thinks positive of me…"
Chikorita just couldn't contain herself any longer as I closed the gap between her and I.
"I really like you too, Snivy." When Chikorita said those words the relationship between her and I was all but official. Words couldn't express the joy I was feeling inside at this moment as I wrapped my arms around Chikorita, hugging her deeply.
"Alright Snivy! You finally did it!" There was no doubt in my mind that Yumi would be vocal about this moment. I would probably have been irritated at her had it not been for the character development I had today. I looked at my trainer with a smile, still hugging Chikorita, and she gave me a thumbs up.
Mary and Prince were smiling while holding hands.
That girl named Rose said out loud, "It's a happy ending."
And then Chikorita's trainer…he has a very curious expression while staring at Chikorita in bewilderment. It was impossible to tell what in the world he could be thinking about Chikorita and I…
In conclusion, everybody was giving Chikorita and I a congradulations, in one way or another. It WAS a VERY happy ending for us all. And everyone seemed to have grown in one way or another.
Now what was in store for us? Well, Chikorita's trainer never got to challenge the gym like he originally planned, but there's always tomorrow…or the day after tomorrow, because tomorrow is the Lake of Rage Pokemon Contest, and how I look forward to working with Yumi…
To Be Continued…
…
…That night…
…The main group weren't the only ones whose stories were altered by Team Rocket's attempt to overtake Mahogany Town…
This night…down there…underneath the remains of the part of the ceiling that was blasted away, lied a shadowy presence that had been all but forgotten. The debris pile began glowing that dark aura-the aura of a Shadow Pokemon, before something had finally crawled its way out.
"Ngh…" They left me on the floor, and then they left me behind, Team Rocket…" The pokemon's defeat was nobody's fault but his own. His greatest strength was also his greatest weakness, against that Snivy. "Ae you guys truly gone?" The Larvitar looked up into the starry night sky that as quickly being overtaken by clouds. "If so, then what lies ahead for me?"
As the journey continues…
Author's Note:
The uncalled for, 2 month hiatus stemmed from the fact that my Office365 Word subscription had expired, and I couldn't type. It ultimately led to my procrastination on paying for a new subscription and typing, though I'm tens of thousands of words ahead in writing.
As you might see, I try to tackle more issues than I can handle in this chapter, and I may be overthinking, but I think it might've been too much for the readers like you. And also, I'll be the first to admit, THIS is the first time I've truly and intentionally rushed through a chapter, so the pacing is not the best it could be. Even so, this is STILL my new longest chapter. It took 27 pages(Front AND back) to write the whole thing, and I'm surprised at the next string of chapters and how they have around 20 pages too. I mean, the length of each chapter was bound to increase somewhat, but I didn't see THIS coming. You'll see, the last 3 chapters were 5,000+ words, and it's the same story for the next 5 chapters I have written out. These next chapters, btw, is something special for the 100th chapter, and I may be shooting myself in the foot here because I really want to carry on Snivy's momentum into the next contest. Oh well...
I want to try and get Mahogany Town done with before I my next two month, you know, the one where I go to boot camp? November to January, and coming from California, a winter in Chicago is something I kind of don't look forward to. Nevertheless, if you want to be successful in life, you must be prepared to make sacrifices. That's today's lesson, people!
Oh, and about Chikorita. That newfound power is something that will become a reliability as Chikorita begins to lose this 'losing culture' that has surrounded her throughout this entire story. Mary-Elizabeth needed build up because there hasn't been any other arc where she was heavily featured, which is why she was chosen to participate in this arc. And Rose? Well, I needed Piplup as a way to get Seth to the base. Still, it was great to see Team Rocket again.
All in all, I was intending for this chapter to be a conclusive a possible, if you couldn't already tell.