Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 100: A Century Mark's Fervent Duel
Author's Note: So here we are at last, the 100th Chapter! Though I hate interrupting Snivy's momentum in build up for the Mahogany Town Pokemon Contest, I wanted the 100th chapter and its arc to separate itself from the rest. So here, we have a tournament where old characters will be introduced, NEW characters will be introduced. Rivalries will be addressed, including the rivalry between a couple of 'Cameo' characters to make this arc even more 'Out There'. So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, here's the 100th chapter-where PLENTY of fourth wall breaking takes place! Oh, and I've decided to age Seth, Chapel, and Yumi. Seth is 14 years old, but is still 2 months younger than Yumi. Chapel meanwhile, is 13 and a half.
Dreaming…
Dreaming…
Dreaming…
After a very long day, I was finally asleep, and I was dreaming. What could I be dreaming of? Could I have been dreaming this entire time? What if this entire journey has been just a mere illusion? Team Neo Snagem…Atticus and Zero…Mother Flora and Father Rosen…Dustin and Noah, Rose and Yumi…Chapel…Maybe I'll wake up to the day I finally become a Pokemon Trainer.
Seth's POV
"Seth? Seth?"
No voice featured the echo and transparency that the one calling my name did. Or perhaps the feeling was just natural, the feeling you get when you first awaken from hours of idle slumber.
"Seth?"
That voice was magnetizing, gravitating me closer to it and away from the brink of wanting to lose consciousness again.
Just who was calling my name?
The blackness behind my eyelids was just starting to recede as I caught a glimpse of where I was.
I had to ask myself again: Was I dreaming? The white sand I was laying on felt very much real and alive. I could hear the sounds of gentle brushing water waves. Those were just what I could feel and hear. The surreal, seemingly endless ceiling was actually a pink sky, and in the presence of this pink sky was a large moon with some sort of planetary ring reminiscent of the one on Planet Saturn.
"So you're confused by this place too?"
"Yes, I-" Cessation was unexpectedly brought upon my reply. Naturally, I would face whomever was asking me a question in order to answer. This time was no different. However, what was 'different' was who I was talking to.
"Chikorita…You're talking?" It was almost certain, this was a dream. But how could I be so certain, yet have doubts at the same time?
My attention was glued to Chikorita as I sat up. We both were at the foot of a tree with light blue leaves and a purple trunk.
"Of course I'm talking!" Chikorita didn't appear at all disconcerted talking to me. Her voice and character were positive and bubbly, just not on Yumi's level. Chikorita's mood changed as fast as bipolar disorder before I could compare her to Yumi out loud. With a serious expression, Chikorita asked me, "Is there something wrong with me talking?"
"Yes."
Chikorita puffed her cheeks, "Geez, you really can't take a joke, can you?"
"No."
Chikorita sighed. How was I was supposed to know she was joking around? As she sighed, she was giggling.
A brief moment of silence found its way to Chikorita and I, and I light breeze brushed against us, as well as a few blue leaves from the tree.
…
…
"Seth."
My ears tensed up. It was another transparent echo of a voice.
"Who was that?" Chikorita asked.
"You've been summoned."
Summoned? By who? To where? This WAS a dream, right? So anything could happen, like Chikorita talking to me, right?
I'm very torn between dreams and reality…
Speaking of being torn, it felt as if the world around me was being torn apart…It was!
"Hm?!"
"What's going on?!" Chikorita and I were both trying to hold our balance as the ground we werer standing on was shaking violently. Was it an earthquake? No. That was my answer once the ground started cracking like fragile glass. With the cracks very deep, I no longer called this an earthquake. This, was a fissure.
"HAAAHH!" The size and depth of the cracks were growing too fast. These fissures weren't just deep, they were what I'd like to call 'subterranean', so subterranean, that in only a matter of seconds, seemingly endless cliffs formed around Chikorita and I. More expressive than me, Chikorita gaped as she looked over the edge. The dream that was slowly turning into a nightmare, for some reason, was still quaking. "It's like we're standing on a floating piece of an island, in the middle of a seemingly endless void." Chikorita said in shock.
Once more, I had to ask myself: This is a dream, right? So the worry of something catastrophic happening should be minimal, right?
Those questions abruptly changed my state of mind for the better, though the same couldn't be said for a Chikorita who was still in a state of panic.
I had little to no worry that something unpleasant would befall Chikorita and I, as I wordlessly allowed for my body to fall through the last piece of the now-completely shattered floating island.
"I'm scared…" Chikorita was expressing herself both verbally and emotionally, her watery eyes allowing for a tear to become visible.
"Chikorita!" My first pokemon was one of the very few lives I cared about, so I couldn't stand to see her so vexed. I called her, and she looked at me. I was attempting to remove some worry from inside her, "Don't be scared. You won't die. I'm sure of it."
Yes, I was sure. How was I so sure? Why? Because despite my doubt, common sense says that you can't in a dream.
Still a little unsure, Chikorita hugged me. I didn't return the hug, but it was comforting to her to know that I had her back as we fell into the unknown…
…..
Location:…
It felt like a forever had gone by since we began falling. I waited for the moment Chikorita and I would finally land on ANY kind of surface, but waiting just turned into more waiting, and even more waiting after that.
After a while, I had gotten used to waiting, and actually closed my eyes, inexplicably slipping into a slumber within a slumber. I started to think that this dream was never ending, which led me to think that this dream was my new reality. 'My world'.
…
"Seth? Seth look!" Chikorita called, breaking my descent into deeper slumber.
Opening my eyes, I found a new world in sight. It was a dark, abandoned city…
"What is this place?" Chikorita asked out loud.
It was a question mark that was also hanging over my head, and I thought about it as I shifted my body to where I landed softly on my feet.
"Hmm…" Chikorita hopped on my shoulder as I stood right, and we both scanned our surroundings.
Yes, we were in a city, but it was unlike any other we've been to before. Like I said, it was dark and seemed to be devoid of any human life. As empty as the ruins of a town once known as Azalea…
This city was as black as the unzipped jacket I was wearing. It looked to be falling apart. Very depressing, it was. The only sign of life whatsoever was the Murkrow that were few and far in between. They were roaming the black sky, which was decorated with black clouds.
"So, you're here," said an unknown voice.
This voice was sudden enough to startle Chikorita. "What the?" She yelped.
I remained calm though, turning my back to see the mysterious person speaking to me.
Black feathers were falling from the sky, adding to the amount of feathers already on the ground. Any ounce of light was as scarce as a Mew(a myth) here in this city.
"Do you know what you've been summoned for?" The mysterious person was a little boy. He had to be no more than 8 years old. His face could not be made out at all, for he was wearing a big hood over it.
"No." Chikorita answered.
"What is this place? Where are we?" I asked.
The little boy chuckled, "Does this place not look familiar to you? This dark city…this is your dream world."
"My dream world?"
He nodded, "It is only limited by one's state of mind. Dark skies, murky atmosphere, a lack of any life whatsoever…Yes, you seem to be a naturally pessimistic person who is quiet, reserved, and a bit of a loner."
I remember back in Autumn Town when I entered Yumi's dream world. Her dream was an all-white, almost porcelain castle-like manor. It was a direct contrast to the dream world I apparently have. Maybe this city represents my heart, which has been slowly rebuilding itself, moving away from the picture of countless shattered glass that was once my dream world.
"As to why you're here, follow me." The little boy signaled for Chikorita and I to follow him.
Unsure of what lied ahead, Chikorita and I looked at each other.
Chikorita smiled, "Let's go then!"
…
And so we followed the mysterious, young hooded figure. The more time we spent out and about here in the city, the more I began to notice the Lebensbaum/Midgar-like feel to it. We passed through the run down slums, which featured a playground with trash loitered throughout. A single Murrkrow stood on top of a swing set.
"Murkrow."
We traversed the city through spacious alleyways, passed waterless fountains, and crossed a bridge that led us to the other side of the city. It was here, closing in on the city's tallest building, where we stopped.
'We're here." The boy announced.
Looking up, it occurred to me that this broken relic of a tower looked similar to Big Ben. The hand on the clock were broken though.
Standing in front of us, were large, double doors that led to the inside. Those doors opened, revealing to Chikorita and I a bright light. My eyes were well adjusted to the dark f the city, so I had to shield myself from the light, which was almost blinding.
"Let us proceed to the final destination." The boy entered the inside of the large skyscraper, and when he did, his body was engulfed by the light. That light seemed so strong, a silhouette of the hooded boy couldn't even be seen. It was as if the light smothered his body, taking it away from visibility.
"What's wrong? Afraid of the light?" I turned to Chikorita, who was trying to tease me.
"I suppose you're trying to be like Yumi. But no, I'm not afraid." I put my hands into my jacket pockets as I followed the boy into the light, Chikorita putting aside the joking faster than Yumi would have.
…
It was cold in here, this nameless black sanctuary…
"Hm?" Chikorita questioned.
"What is this?" This black sanctuary was not at all empty, unlike the dark world outside.
"We have left your dream, entering a plain that lies between dreams and reality," The boy started, "Here, the possibilities are not limited to the laws of reality or the inner sanctum of jut a single person's dream."
"I guess what he means is that this place is where all people and their dreams are connected." Chikorita concluded.
What I meant when I said that this sanctuary wasn't empty was that there were people here.
"Oh my gosh! Seth, you're here!" The first person to speak to me was a somebody I knew well. Yumi, the energetic 14 year old girl, was excited to see me. So excited, that she came running to me. "This dream seems so real!" Yumi ran me into a hug for whatever reason. If I had emotions, this would probably be embarrassing right now. "First, that mysterious hooded boy appeared in my dream world, you know, the dream castle where you fought Espurr. Anyways, the boy told me to follow him, and he led me all the way here!" She just wasn't going to calm down, was she?
"You know, I've watched you two since our journey started, and I haven't been able to say a word you humans could understand. But now…" A wry, teasing smile found its way onto the face of Chikorita, who eyed Yumi, "Yumi, why don't you confess your love for Seth already?"
Yumi quickly let go of me and swiftly eyed Chikorita, who had hopped on the floor. Yumi was so caught off guard by Chikorita talking, that she couldn't think of a comeback.
Chikorita laughed almost uncontrollably, "It's been 100 chapters already! Do it! Tell him before the year 3,000 comes! 1,000 years would be a new record for you!"
"Why you! I'll have you know that-" Yumi attempted to fire back, but she was interrupted by another person in the black sanctuary.
"-You can cut it with the fluff now." Walking toward us was 13and a half year old Chapel. She was bold, and a bit rude when it came to interrupting Yumi like that. Her attention was focused on me, "Like Yumi, I followed the mysterious boy from my dream world. In fact, I was the first person to arrive here…Seth, I've been filled in on what lies ahead for us next in this dream. And for your own good…" She had a determined expression on her face, "I care for you. And because I care for you, I'll prove that I'm stronger. Stronger than you-strong enough to change your engraved beliefs on how to save the real world."
The relationship between Chapel and I is very different now, compared to our journey before the events in Ecruteak City. She gave me a passionate chew out when we reunited in Mahogany Town.
Yumi and Chikorita both shifted their gazes from me to Chapel, then back to me.
"Wait a minute." Yumi changed the subject. She was genuinely curious. "Chapel, you know what's going on?"
"What's going to happen?" Chikorita asked, "And is Rose here?"
"Rose? Hmph. I haven't summoned any person by the name of Rose. BUT!" It was the mysterious hooded boy speaking up. He didn't say it out loud, but he wanted the attention of every person in the room, based on how he raised his voice. The conflict between Chapel and I was going to have to wait… "What will be happening is something special. Maybe this special something is for fun, or the amusement f others. Whether or not you wish to participate is up to you, for I govern everything in the plain between dreams and reality."
So what might've happened had I refused to follow this figure?
"What the eight of you will participate in is a tournament of all stars!"
The introductions as followed:
Challenger Number 1: Coming from Johto's Olivine City is the black haired, aqua blue banged beauty, Yumi!
Challenger Number 2: Coming from Sunnyshore City in Sinnoh, we have Dustin, a brute with an eye for strong, masculine, powerful pokemon1
Challenger Number 3: Representing Team Neo Snagem is Commander 24! Though he has already been eliminated, popular demand-or author's demand-has brought him back for this one time to cheat the competition using Powersaves!
Challenger Number 4: Accompanied by Piplup is the Missingno virus-infused girl herself, Chapel! Originally from Goldenrod City, this blonde haired, maroon banged girl is bold, brash, bossy, and has the power of the virus at her disposal!
Challenger Number 5: This saga's main protagonist. Another Sunnyshore native, and accompanied by Chikorita, Seth is quiet, reserved, emotionless, and has a bit of a cruel streak in him. He hosts his dark counterpart, Fear!
Challenger Number 6:Team Neo Snagem's most evil member! Commander 10, Shadow is so sadistic and psychotic, he destroyed an entire town and killed tens of thousands of innocent people just to laugh at everybody's screaming! He also has a decisive victory over protagonist Seth!
Challenger Number 7: Representing 'Anistar's Twilight' is the tall, 16 year old hotshot from Anistar City, Terra, a real jerk who's arrogant like no other and loves nothing more than to start fights with his attitude problem!
And last but not least, Challenger Number 8: Representing Anistar's Twilight is the mysterious 15 year old girl who goes by the name of Twilight! Anistar's Twilight's main protagonist, Twilight is blessed with Arceus' power of Heaven itself, giving her powers beyond humankind!
There is no POV at this time.
The introductions of all the participants in the All Star Tournament had all been made, leaving the competitors to do their formalities as the mysterious hooded boy watched on.
First off, there was Terra, who was tall a slightly muscular. He had short, dark brown hair that was spiked with gel in the front, and he had blue eyes. He wore this long, black, sleeveless, unzipped vest that reached down to just above his ankles. Under the vest was a navy blue, v-neck t-shirt. His brown pants were baggy, but they worked with his black, high top boots.
Terra and Twilight were staring at each other, Terra taller than a Twilight who was medium height.
Terra scoffed, "I though they didn't let the pussies in here." He has a VERY confrontational attitude that always comes off as arrogance. It's just in his character. Terra is well aware of this, and he can't simply change his ways, ESPECIALLY not for Twilight, who is arguably his greatest rival.
"I guess you thought wrong. I mean, you being allowed in here certainly throws the 'no pussies allowed' policy out the window." Twilight countered.
Twilight was a girl with hair that was a very vivid lilac color. Her hair was short on the back, while her bangs went down to her neck. The lilac of her hair really complimented her twilight-blue eye color. She wore a lilac colored, slim-fit, skirted t-shirt. What's bizarre, is that Twilight wore this black scarf that was so long, that it was being worn like a cape. The cape-like scarf's blackness matched the blackness of Twilight's long, black gloves, long black leggings, black short shorts, and black heeled booties.
"Oh, so you wanna fight?" Terra was already in the midst of starting a fight as he raised his fists, "Put 'em up!"
…
…
What followed Terra's threat was an attention grabber. A sigh. "So you're still not above hitting a girl?" The room went silent once THIS pokemon's voice was heard. The whole time, she had been outside her pokeball and with Twilight.
Who was it that spoke?
…A couple of tournament entrants could recognize this flat voice very well.
…"Is that?" For the first time since Seth arrived, Yumi had calmed down. She, Seth, and Chikorita were looking in Twilight's direction.
Terra eyed Yumi without a smile on his face, as did a Twilight who found Yumi walking her way.
Twilight was unsure of what to do. She had not a clue who Yumi was.
"Who the heck are you?" Terra stood down as he coldly asked Yumi, who stopped right in front of Twilight.
"Is there anything you need?" Twilight was curious. It's beyond her control, but she has this 'stuck up' tone that comes with her voice.
Yumi was so stunned by what she saw, she didn't realized Terra and Twilight were talking to her. It was as if she was being pulled in by some really strong magnet. Just what was Yumi looking at?
"It can't be…" Even Seth was pulled out of his typical state of indifference. He too recognized the pokemon with Twilight.
This pokemon had lilac colored fur that was similar to Twilight's lilac colord hair. This feline had big, wide eyes on her face.
"Espurr?" in her mind, Yumi was denying that her precious feline baby was here and in front of her.
"You…" Espurr stared at Yumi, almost adoringly behind the mask of her static face. "Mother…"
"Espurr, do you know this girl?" Twilight asked.
"Talk about an idiotic question!" Terra jabbed.
"It'll do you good to close that gash you call a mouth for once in your life." Twilight shot back before facing Yumi again, "Do you have history with my Espurr?'
Yumi's eyes glistened. Was this the Espurr thought to be long gone from the world Yumi knew? "I remember at the stroke of midnight, the lilac colored egg hatched. The first thing little baby Espurr saw was me and my friend Seth over there." Yumi answered, "On the surface, it doesn't seem like we were together long, but I savored the days where I took care of her, that was until…Espurr lost control of her powers to the point of threatening our very lives. I didn't want our conflict to lead to her death, but it couldn't be helped. The thing is, even though she lost control of her powers, everything she did was done because she just wanted to make me happy…"
That day when Yumi walked away from Espurr's grave, she promised Espurr that they would one day meet again in the next life…
Without a doubt, Yumi knew THIS was her Espurr. The little feline watched wide eyed as Yumi picked her up off the ground, giving her a soft hug.
"It is great to see you again, Mother." Espurr started. "However, there is something you must know. On the fateful day, when judgement was passed onto me…"
Yumi was no longer smiling.
"It was not your decision for me to move on to the next life, the decision was mine…After I blacked out, I thought I would descend into the depths of Hell. But I didn't…In my short venture inside the realm between Heaven and Hell, I was gifted by the Jewel of Life, Arceus, with a second chance. It was he who told me that I was needed on Earth once more, so I was reincarnated. I now journey with Heaven's Angel, Twilight, in an effort to save both Heaven and Earth."
This explanation won't get even a hint of a mention in Twilight's journey. Pokemon: Virus Version on the other hand…this explanation meant that Yumi's time with Espurr was limited. She was going to have to say her final goodbye to Espurr before this dream was over…
…
Meanwhile, on Chapel's end…
All of Chapel's attention was focused on the possibility of facing Seth. She was caught completely by surprise when she was addressed by someone else.
"Didn't think smeone like you could get startled so easily!" This 'someone else' was none other than Neo Snagem's Commander 24, "Ha! I can't wait to beat that stupid face of your into the ground, pretty girl!"
24 certainly likes to hold grudges.
"You're supposed to be dead?!" Chapel was astonished, "I eliminated you way back when!"
"Don't worry. This is a one time deal, and MAN am I looking forward to dragging you back down to Hell with me!"
Chapel smiled and countered 24 with, "What if we don't face each other?"
24 grunted. For once he wasn't rambling, and it was a shame. Just imagine if he and Yumi were to be put together. It would be 'rambling overload'.
…
"Long time no see, Seth." Dustin said as he approached his old rival.
Seth scowled.
"So how many gym badges have you won?" Dustin asked.
"Why do you care?" Seth countered.
Chikorita was on Seth's shoulder, and if this was anyone BUT Dustin talking to Seth, she would've asked why Seth was being so cold. However, Chikorita's bias made her cold to Dustin as well, and for the dumbest reason too.
First off, in his appearances, Dustin has shown off his arrogant, superiority complex. Chikorita, of course, is a female. Dustin originally chose Totodile over her to begin his journey, and Dustin has also mocked Chikorita on more than one occasion early in their journey. He mocked Chikorita AND Seth until he was defeated by the duo. Since then, he's been trying to be Seth friend…again.
Dustin was persistent after he received no reply from Seth. He pulled out his badge case and flashed to Seth, his collection.
The Zephyr Badge, and the Plain Badge…Initially, Seth had no interest, but taking a look at Dustin's next three badge caught his attention. They were badges Seth didn't recognize. The first badge was a triangle with a triforce on the inside, and it was periwinkle in color. This was known as the Triforce Badge. Hmm…It was kind of hard to guess what type this badge represented, but the word 'triforce' MIGHT hint at three different types.
The second badge was difficult to depict. It seemed to be a single raindrop with a black cloud in the background. This was known as the Monsoon Badge, and the raindrop gives it away: Water was this gym's specialty.
The third badge had the look of a hexagonal shaped snowflake. Obviously Ice types. This was known as the Glacier Badge…This meant that Dustin was one of the last challengers Pryce had before he passed away…
All details to the badges, Seth had no clue. He remained silent.
So Dustin was outpacing him…To this point, Seth has only acquired 3 badges…
"I really look forward to bothering you, so…" Stepping in front of Dustin, was the evil Commander 10, Shadow. He was wearing the dark cloak that concealed his face as he looked at Seth, "Long time no see, Brother of Zero. Tell me, do you look forward to me crushing your mind again?"
Commander 10…Last time he and Seth crossed paths, he used his Mind Crush and presumably killed Seth. As of now, 10 is aware that Seth is somehow alive.
"Oh boy, I can't wait! I think this time, I'll torture you! Making you scream would be music to my ears! I'd make a hit song playing in the background as I kill you one last time!" What 10 said next would affect Seth greatly, "I did a similar act to Zero! Thousands of dying people, screaming as I crushed his mind!"
Seth sprung up as if his name was being yelled, "What?! You killed Zero?!" It was the first time Seth had ever raised his voice to such a vociferous tone. It scared Chikorita.
'Cliffhangers, cliffhangers!" And rather than answer Seth's question directly, 10 teased him, while at the same time alluding to the fact that the mysterious hooded boy made his presence known again.
"Attention!" The boy was intending to make it swift and to the point in order to proceed to the action. "Now that the formalities have come and gone, allow us to proceed into the All Stars Tournament, Round 1!"
The dark sanctuary turned white, which surprised Yumi, Chikorita, Chapel, and Dustin.
"What's going on?" Dustin asked.
The white of the sanctuary became brighter and brighter, to the point where it was blinding and smothering everything, and everyone, just like when Seth followed the hooded boy inside.
Everybody whited out…
…..
Round 1, Match 1: Seth vs Commander 24!
Homefield advantage? Seth!
Seth's POV
For some reason, Chikorita and I were back in the dark, ruined city that was my dream world. Chikorita was on my shoulder, and I stood on top of a small, run down bridge that was black in color. It separated the dark city into two halves. Commander 24 was standing across from us, on the other side.
24 groaned. "Damn it! I was hoping to destroy that Chapel girl first!" He then calmed down and crossed his arms as he looked me in the eye. "But I supposed this is the next best thing, considering you foiled my efforts to enslave all the missing travelers in Dark Cave. Ugh, because of you, I failed to take over Blackthorn before the mission could really get started!"
Commander 24 was rambling, and what he was talking about has to have happened like 90 chapters ago.
"Attention!" The mysterius hooded boy stood on top of a nearby building. Me, Chikorita, and 24 all looked at him, "The format for this tournament will be…one on one! Each side is allowed the use of only one pokemon, and it will be a battle to the finish…The battle is not limited to the traditional finish seen in friendly competition or Pokemon League battles…On your mark! Get set! Begin the fit match now!"
"Hmph!" 24 wasted no time rummaging through his red jacket pocket. "26 and that Chapel girl destroyed my 3DS last time, so you wanna know what I did? I got a NEW Nintendo 3DS!" 24 was very excited, and had a grin on his face as he pulled out some sort of portable gaming device that was a little on the bulky side.
"What are you doing?" Chikorita asked 24.
"Did you not read 'Commander 24 vs Chapel'?! If not, then you'll have no chance…"24's grin turned into a smirk, "…against a hacker like me. But lucky for you, I still don't have another Powersave, so I'll have to opt for a real pokemon. Let's see…I should save my main eventers for the climax against Chapel. So!" 24 let the action of the New Nintendo 3DS do the rest of the talking.
Through the screen of the New Nintendo 3DS, a Pokeball was thrown, which baffles me because it completely nullifies any unwritten law in technology, and what stays inside of a screen of any kind. Anyway, what released from the Pokeball…
"L-La!" A Larvitar, and it was surrounded by the aura of a Shadow Pokemon
"What the? You?!" Chikorita shouted. I wasn't so sure why, but she was perplexed when she saw that Larvitar. "We already defeated you!"
"Oh boy, looks like I've got some explaining to do," 24 started, "See, I'm a big fan of Pokemon Virus Version. Even after I was eliminated, I read on. So when I found out I was going to be featured in the 100th chapter, I simply went back to Chapter 99 and got this gem of a forgotten pokemon left behind. A Larvitar of THIS variety can't be hacked using a Powersave, you know?"
"You really don't make since…" Chikorita eye the man as if he were crazy.
Me though…A Shadow Larvita had me asking myself: I'm aware of what a Larvitar evolves into, right? 24 was right. Larvitar WAS a rare pokemon, and since this was my dream world, I could create whatever I wanted including…(AN:Just something or you readers to look forward to)…24 and Larvitar will know where I getting at by the end of the battle. For now, I eye Chikorita on my shoulder.
"Get in your battle stance, Chikorita. You're battling in this round."
"It'll be my pleasure battling with you!" An excited Chikorita replied with a smile as she hopped on the bridge serving as our battleground.
With the battle already underway, 24 wasted no time going for the first move. "I really don't have time for you right now, not with revenge on Chapel on my agenda. So, Chikorita, why don't you roll over and die to Stone Edge!"
"Lar!" Larvitar responded by slamming its fist into the bridge ground. The first move would prove to be crucial in setting the pace of this battle.
"W-woaah!" Chikorita was not prepared to dodge the way she was dodging.
"The bridge!"
24 snickered. Piercing through the bridge were pillars of stone covered in a light blue aura. Chikorita was dodging and dodging, but she could only dodge for so long before cracks started to become apparent on the bridge.
Not long passed before the run down bridge began to collapse. 24 and I had to make a run back to our respective sideline in order to avoid falling through along with the broken parts of the bridge.
"Chikorita…" I said her name as I made my way to the 'new' edge of half my dream world. What's become of Chikorita?
It was a long way down. I wanted for the sound of broken bridge pieces landing on ome sort of surface, and I was hoping for an echo, but there was no sound. The WAS no ground for Chikorita to land on anymore.
"What rotten luck for you!" 24 started, "If you'd have surrendered from the get-go, you wouldn't be at the disadvantage you're at now! But then again, even if you WERE to give up, I'd be forcing you two down into your grave! Hahahaha!"
"Don't get too careless…" For a moment, I actually worried for Chikorita's life. That was, until I saw her and Larvitar staring at each other. "That was scary…" Even so, this was still a dream. Chikorita spoke out loud. She was breathing heavily from the dodging, and managed to keep herself from falling. However, Chikorita was still quivering, because all the grounding she now had to work with were the pillars from Stone Edge, one of which she was standing on.
"The little girl looks like he's about to cry! What's wrong? IS THE WITTLE BABY SCARED?! Hahaha!" Now 24 was just taunting Chikorita.
How would Chikorita react to 24? In the past, she's had a bit of an attitude problem toward those who would tease her. Chikorita would even attempt to strike them, only to be knocked back down twice as hard. And sometimes, Chikorita would become depress, wallowing in her own pity…This time though…
"You should stop giving so much credit to shock value." Chikorita was smiling. "I am better than who I was yesterday. But speaking of yesterday, I'd like to show you yesterday's newfound power I've obtained."
"I'll have to see it to believe it, 'Cuddles'." 24 scoffed at the idea of Chikorita being an actual challenge. He said he read Chapter 99, so why is he in denial? Perhaps he has the wrong impression right now because I've yet to call an attack in this battle.
"It'll be my pleasure!" Chikorita answered 24 with confidence before turning to me.
We both gave each other an assuring nod.
"Chikorita, let us use Energy Ball!" I called as I threw my hand to the side.
"Hehe!" At my command, Chikorita was careful to keep her grounding as she prepared a green ball of energy that provided the first light of any kind in this ruined city I call my dream world.
"Nothing a little dodge command can't solve! Lavitar, you-huh?!" Commander 24 was overconfident, and he was about to tell the Shadow Larvitar to hop onto another one of Stone Edge's pillars…that was until I intervened.
"At what point did I allude you targeting you with Energy Ball?" I asked as Chikorita launched Energy Ball straight up.
The Energy Ball lit up the murky sky.
"What?! If you're not even intending to hit us, then what are you trying to accomplish?!"
"The answer is simple: Chikorita's new power will lead us to victory." I answered.
What goes up, must come down. That was certainly the case for Energy Ball, which was descending toward a Chikorita waiting for it.
"Ahm!" Without issue, Chikorita swallowed the Energy Ball. Now was the time for me to see this newfound power for myself. If it's really what Yumi said it is, then Chikorita and I may have finally taken our first huge step toward becoming stronger together. "Now then!" Chikorita began to radiate a white aura, and the leaf on her head was glowing with some green, electrical energy.
"24, this is the end for you!" I exclaimed, "Chikorita, fire at Larvitar an Energy Ball!"
Though Chikorita was powerful now, she was still susceptible to falling down into the abyss. Attempting to go in up close for an attack would be a fool-hearted risk, so I opted for a long range attack to shift 24 and Larvitar into evasive defense mode.
"Ha!" Chikorita launched the ball of green energy. What power, what speed…To say 24 and I were impressed would be an understatement.
The Energy Ball was so fast, Commander 24 didn't even have time to tell the Shadow Larvitar to dodge.
"Lar!" It was up to Larvitar to think for himself, jumping out the way and barely avoiding Energy Ball.
That Energy Ball went on to shatter one of Stone Edge's pillars. 'Wow…" Chikorita's eyes glistened in amazement at herself. "I did that…ME!"
Larvitar was fast enough to land on a different stone pillar. His eyes were wide, shocked by Chikorita's power. This made the dark aura of Larvitar grow stronger and more apparent.
"This isn't over yet, but we need to defeat them before they can land one of those moves on us," A concerned 24 said to Larvitar, "Use Hyper Beam!"
"Larr…"
"I suppose I have underestimated you," 24 said to Seth. He then told Larvitar, "Now Larvitar, fire the Hyper Beam!"
"Tarr!"
Hyper Beam was headed straight for Chikorita. For us, the combination of limited dodging space and 24 attempting to finish us in one shot was not good. Nevertheless, Chikorita and I weren't troubled.
"Chikorita, fire Energy Ball on your stone pillar!"
"I hope you know what you're doing." Chikorita replied to Seth.
She fired Energy Ball, which shattered the stone pillar she was standing on, while at the same time launching her into the air to avoid Hyper Beam.
Launching herself in my direction, Chikorita's Energy Ball was strong enough for her land all the way on top of a small building in the ruined city, which stood right behind me.
"You're kidding! Damn it, isn't there a rule against using building that are out of bounds?!" 24 yelled. Now there was nothing he could do, for Larvitar had to recharge.
"Frustrated, aren't you!" The bubbly Chikorita giggled at 24. "There wasn't any rule against you destroying the bridge, now was there?"
"Chikorita, it's time!" I announced. "Use Solarbeam!"
"Yes!" Chikorita began charging, but the process was long and drawn out, and it seemed like the light being absorbed was microscopic.
"In this dark city, it'll take you forever to gather enough light, Cuddles!" 24 exclaimed, calling Chikorita 'Cuddles' again. He was right though. There was not an ounce of light in my dream world for Chikorita to absorb. Meaning…
"Lar!" Meaning Larvitar would be able to move by the time Chikorita was fully able to charge up using her own light energy.
"Let's finish this! Larvitar, Hyper Beam at full power!"
"Lar!"
"Chikorita, fire the Solarbeam!"
This was a fervent duel between Solarbeam and Hyper Beam; a fervent duel between Chikorita and Larvitar; a fervent duel between me and 24 in the opening match of the tournament.
Chikorita jumped from the building she was standing on, and high in midair, she launched a Solarbeam that passionately lit up the night as it aimed for Larvitar, who launched his darkish purple-black Hyper Beam in response.
Fervent was the correct word as the two powerful beams clashed, sending a powerful gust of wind in the directions of both 24 and I. The wind blew against my black hair and blonde bangs, as well as my black, unzipped jacket. The collision was epic yet quick at the same time, for the power of Solarbeam coupled with Chikorita's newfound power quickly overpowered Hyper Beam.
"Aw!" Both Larvitar and 24 gasped as Solarbeam broke through decisively.
"Agh!" Larvitar's eyes popped as wide open as a desert wasteland. He then flinched, bracing himself for Solarbeam.
"Is this really game over…?" 24 himself knew the game was over once Larvitar was completely overwhelmed by the light of Solarbeam. "No…It can't be game over for me! NOT AGAIN!"
The pillar Larvitar was standing on was completely shattered, and Larvitar was sent flying as Chikorita landed on the last of the pillars that remained.
The Shadow Larvitar was out cold while in midair. Now was the perfect time to do what I planned the minute I laid eyes on the Rock type.
"Hmph!" Being my dream world, I could dream up anything I desired…including a Snag Machine. This Snag Machine appeared on my right arm, and with it set up, I readied a Pokeball. "Pokeball, Snag it!" I threw the Pokeball at a descending Larvitar.
"Ngh…" The Pokeball opened, and it was as if Shadow Larvitar was forcefully dragged inside by a claw reaching out to grab him.
"Haha!" Standing on the last of the Stone Edge's pillars, Chikorita excitedly caught the flashing Pokeball using her leaf, which stopped glowing the green-electric energy that was her newfound power. Chikorita herself also stopped radiating that white aura. We knew the battle was over. "How do you like me now?" Chikorita teased 24.
Commander 24 grunted, remaining speechless as the flashing Pokeball clicked shut while still in Chikorita's leaf. It signified that Shadow Larvitar was mine.
24 sighed, "What's next for me…?"
"All that's left for you is to fade into the depths of obscurity now…" I answered.
Chikorita hopped to my side and from the stone pillar. She happily jumped into my arms and asked me, "So how was I?"
As I took the Pokeball from her leaf and stared at it, I answered, "We've come a long way since New Bark Town…"
Chikorita giggled.
Yes, we've come a long way. Our win against the Shadow Larvitar now in my hands was the most decisive victory we've had. Chikorita's s confident now. I believe she may be able to match her rival in Noah's Quilava now. And against Zero's Charizard? Hmph…I still believe Zero to be our biggest enemy, but is my belief starting to lessen? First, there was the story Yumi told me about how nice he was to her. And then earlier, when Commander 10 told me that he used his Mind Crush on Zero…Is Zero dead? Whether or not he is, the likes of Atticus and Commander 10 are still out there. This small victory is just a small stepping stone to my ultimate goal…
Winner: Challenger Number 5, Seth!
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Alright Squirtoise, you like? Seth capturing Larvitar HAD to be reserved for the 100th chapter EXACTLY...Thanks for the support.
SPOILER ALERT!
Anyways, I decided to sneak in 2 cameos. Twilight and Terra are two of the five main characters on my second journey fic, Anistar's Twilight. I decided to pull a 'Kingdom Hearts including Final Fantasy characters in their games'. Though I AM a little sad that Kingdom Hearts 3 won't have any Final Fantasy characters on it... So Terra is Anistar's Twilight's anti-hero, tritagonist, secondary ANtagonist and Twilight's main rival. And Twilight is basically this celestial goddess sent from Arceus and the Heavens to save the world from a greater cause...And if any of you remember, I DID say in an Author's Note that I killed off Espurr on Virus Version because she got a starring gig with Twilight in Anistar's Twilight. Right!
Meanwhile, for Pokemon Virus Version...Guess what? I go to Navy Boot Camp in just two weeks, and I have six more chapters that need to be typed before then...So, the obvious decision is to bomb these six chapters. I made it clear to myself that after I graduate Boot Camp I'd have the current arc complete so I can proceed to Yumi's Pokemon Contest and Seth's Gym Battle. By the way-an 'easter egg': Mahogany Town's new Gym Leader HAS made an appearance. It's just a small one that's easy to miss, something I did intentionally. This Gym Leader HAS interacted with Seth though...
Just you guys wait for the next chapter...
Seth's Pokemon
In Party:
Chikorita(Female)-Overgrow
Murkrow(Male)-Super Luck
Mawile(Female)-Hyper Cutter
Shadow Seviper(Female)-Shed Skin; Fear form only.
Shadow Klefki(Male)-Prankster; Fear form only.
Chandelure(Male)-Flame Body
I DO plan for Seth to make a switch, because while dreaming, the rules of the real world doesn't always apply. He can switch for a different Pokemon at will...when he needs to
At Sunnyshore Gym:
Elekid(Male)-Static
Gabite(Male)-Rough Skin
Shadow Larvitar(Male)-Guts; Fear form only
That's right. If you haven't realized it yet, the Shadow Pokemon have only been used when Seth let's Fear take over. It allows for a distinct difference between how Seth and Fear fight...