Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 103: Seth and Chapel! Fear's Dark vs Purity's Light!
Author's Note: Okay, so some of you may have a different opinion, but I really believe that THIS chapter is the overall best Chapter I've written for Virus Version so far. It has a good balance of dialogue, battling, cameos, references to anime and video games, and major character development for two main characters, whom you can probably guess by the chapter's straightforward title. It's only long because EVERYTHING HAD TO BE FIT IN ONE CHAPTER. But typing this from my written draft, I think that was the best part about it, because it actually allowed my to just let the characters play themselves out without worrying about the chapter dragging on. So without further ado...
Location: Dream City
Chapel's POV
So, Dream City was the best name I could come up for this place. Lazy, right? Well if you have a problem with that, so sue me.
"This is a much better meeting place than that dingy sanctuary we were in before!" Piplup said out loud.
She was right.
Piplup was in my arms as I walked throughout my dream world. This small city was light and lively, with people wandering throughout.
Ever since I've merged with Missingno, THIS has become my dream world. I remember when my dreams were nothing more than white rooms screening memories of myself, as well as what lied in Seth's heart. All this dream was missing, was…
…I saw her, my mother. A smile was on Mother Chiyo's face, and she was walking with a younger version of me. I was six years old, to be exact, and my mother and I were holding hands.
While Mother's image grabbed my attention, I decided not to get emotional like Yumi or Rose. I didn't want to be borderline paranoid and obsessed like Seth either. I just eyed my mother and my younger self as they passed by, saying not one word to me as I kept my thoughts to myself. This was also what I did when I walked by a green haired boy and a brown haired girl. They once caused a scene in front of Missingno and I on the shore of Goldenrod, a scene in which girl accidentally told the boy she liked him. That was years ago, but I'll venture to guess that those two are still 'shipping' to this day. If you're going to hate me for breaking the fourth wall, so sue me, but: I'll jump on the bandwagon and call this 'Contestshipping'.
Anyway, I digress. This city had a sort of Dollet/Rome feel to it. I knew every corner of this city like the back of my hand. There was an open market that looked just like the ones seen on television, r in other countries. Merchants and patrons were everywhere, and haggling was in abundance.
What made this city REALLY stand out was this huge Ferris wheel. Why a Ferris wheel? Well it's MY dream world. This ferris wheel, though nobody seemed to be on board, remained moving, without stopping even once.
After taking note of just some of the city's many small features, I found myself stopping at a fountain which lied exactly in the center of town. Piplup dove into the water for a quick swim, and I could sworn I saw some kid cosplaying as Vivi Ornitier in the background…And Zidane, and Garnet…Yuffie, Rikku, Seifer-
"Hey, chicken wuss!"…That WASN'T Seifer. This was some other person, and he seemed loud and confrontational when calling out to me.
On the tall side and slightly muscular, he was. Blue eyes, and short brown hair that was spiked in the front, he had. Though I've seen this guy shortly before the tournament began, I didn't know him at all. Well, I at least knew that this person's name was Terra, but that was it.
"Look at yourself in the mirror. You'll see who the REAL chicken wuss is, hun." I shot back to Terra.
'You lookin' for a fight?" Oh boy. Terra the chicken wuss was already balling his fists.
I sighed. I think him opting for his fists was his way of showing that he clearly lost the brief war of words, "You wouldn't fight a girl, now would you?"
"Watch me!"
"Terra, haven't we been through this enough already?"
"Huh?" Piplup came up from underwater, while I looked confused.
"Lup?" Piplup was confused as well.
Piplup, Terra and I all looked up to see who was standing at the top of the fountain. It was the mysterious, hooded little boy from earlier, and his attention was on Terra.
"Terra, we can't have you beating up on the other competitors before the battles begin."
"But if everyone else can't battle, I'll win regardless, right?" Terra smirked as he was getting smart with the hooded boy.
"Wrong, you'll lose just like everybody else. Who knows what'll happen if you don't win? Maybe your dream world will disappear into nothingness, with you in it. Or perhaps you'll become trapped in you dream world, unable to return to reality ever again. Even though you'd still be breathing in the real world, you'll be pronounced in a coma, or dead. Are you ready for premature burial, Terra?"
This kid was good. He shut down Terra like it was a simple task.
"Okay, now what was I to say to you?" The boy asked himself, "Oh yes. Terra! Chapel! I give you congratulations. You have completed the first round of this All Stars Tournament. Round 2 will begin shortly, once the other winners of the first round have arrived." The boy then suddenly spotted something or someone, before I was given a chance to breath following is explanation, might I add. "Speaking of which, one of the winners is here now."
"Well if it isn't MR. Nobody?!" Terra was at it again with talking trash, but this time he wasn't dignified with a reply. Well, at least not by 'him'.
"That guy is such a jerk! And he isn't even comic relief!" Chikorita was on the shoulder of Seth, and she was speaking out against Terra. Seth kept and indifferent face.
"Coming from you, that may be the understatement of the year, Chikorita," Seth said calmly to his partner, "We've encountered plenty of antagonistic personalities on our journey, but Terra is different…However, he doesn't interest me in the slightest."
Terra heard what Seth was saying as he and Chikorita casually stopped right next to him. The impression of Seth made Terra not a big fan of him. Terra was blurting out profanities all directed at Seth. And while Seth replied no further, Chikorita cowered slightly.
"So how'd you like the first round, Seth?" The mysterious boy asked.
Seth shrugged.
I looked at Seth, and in my mind, I compared him to Terra. Unlike Terra, Seth doesn't mean to entice conflict with people. Well, I'M the one initiating a rivalry with him, but it's for a good cause. I fight so that one day, Seth's obsession with Neo Snagem doesn't bring punishment to thousands of people, like in Ecruteak City. Compared to Terra, Seth doesn't seem all too bad. Maybe I've been trying too hard to force my beliefs of him…That's the way it should be though. Seth isn't just another teen who is quick to follow someone else in order to gain acceptance. That was the perfect motivation for me to try harder, because I just knew the first battle between him and I was on the horizon.
"…The last of the first round winners… I'm surprised she's the last to arrive, given her special powers," The boy said.
Terra groaned. "SHE?! Damn it! Don't tell me, Twilight made it too?!"
"But I have!" A voice answered to Terra.
Terra gritted his teeth, while Chikorita, Piplup, and I were confused as to where the voice came from where it did.
The voice didn't come from here on the ground with the rest of us, nor did it come from far away.
I needed for the people of this town to disappear so that I could get a better hint as to who was addressing Terra. The direction I wanted my dream world to go in immediately took shape, and all that remained were me, Seth, Terra, the mysterious boy, and the pokemon.
"The battle fought between my opponent and I was commendable, but in the end, Heaven decided to choose Espurr and I for our causes…"
Now I knew, this voice was coming from above us! Terra and I were the first to look up into the sunny sky.
'So Yumi didn't make it past the first round…'
The amethyst haired girl named Twilight was accompanied by her Espurr, and together they were floating inside a purple sphere of energy.
"No way, Yumi lost?" Chikorita asked out loud.
To Chikorita's question, the mysterious boy answered, "Twilight is a very special being unlike any other. Yumi was defeated by the gravitational power blessed to Espurr by Heaven."
Following the mysterious boy's explanation, was silence. Was this silence awkward? Probably not. We were more than likely just waiting to proceed.
"Ahem." The mysterious boy was left to speak again, "Seth and Twilight, I congratulate you two on making past Round 1. I said the same thing to Chapel and Terra just moments ago."
'…Just what is the point of this tournament? Is there going to be some sort of prize or something?'
"Now without further ado, I'd like for us to proceed directly to Round 2. For the two of you lucky enough to make the finals, a surprise will be showcase just before the final battle. And let me tell you: It's quite the novelty."
…
Round 2, Begin!
And so the time comes…
Round 2, Match 1: Seth vs Chapel!
Homefield advantage: Chapel!
Still Chapel's POV
In the matter of only a fraction of a second, the mysterious hooded boy was gone. Terra was gone, Twilight was gone, Espurr was gone…All who remained were me, Piplup, Chikorita, and Seth.
NOW an awkward silence fell upon us. Seth? He was always silent. Me? It was simple: Seth was on my mind.
I remember chewing Seth out the day he'd arrived in Mahogany Town. It was a day I was supposed to look forward to: The day we all reunited after being apart for so long. But no. That day, it became clear that Seth and I were words apart when it came to our own ideals.
Things haven't been the same between us ever since.
I've sworn to become strong through light, and the drive for a world where everyone can live happily ever after…even at the cost of my own life, which is still so distant, yet inevitable now. To be stronger than Seth would mean to have him envy me and my principals for defeating Team Neo Snagem.
I had been so deep in my thoughts that the unusual happened: Seth initiated the conversation, "Care to get started?"
I looked at Seth. He looked so calm, so typical, so indifferent.
I didn't reply to Seth. Instead, I began to stare blankly at my dream world's sky, all while thinking about Seth and HIS principals.
His first and only goal is to defeat Team Neo Snagem. He has openly stated that what becomes of the people that come and go along the way is none of his concern…Seth has a history of being honest to a fault, and at time, callous. But, he's had his moments where he's show to care about a certain few as well.
Before going to sleep last night, Rose was visibly vivid as she went on about Seth showing a hint of generosity toward her for knocking out Team Rocket's Drowzee.
A greater example of Seth's sweet side is how he treats Yumi. I'm sure that by now, Seth has accepted that he cares for Yumi, albeit very subtly because he has trouble expressing himself.
Yumi told me about how Seth has treated since she saved his life in Ecruteak, and I'll be the first to admit, I was kind of jealous.
I'm not hostile toward Seth, but I'm also no longer the Chapel who believes Seth is a hero. He's my friend, but he's also my biggest rival as of now. There's a strained relationship between us, but that shouldn't keep me from trying to change him for the better, perhaps with a special moment.
…Yes, a special moment. Before our battle begins, I would like for there to be a special moment between Seth and I, because why NOT begin positive character development for Seth right here: In my own dream world!
"Seth!" With Piplup in one arm, I grabbed Seth's wrist. I became excited as I suggested to him, "Before we battle, let's do something!"
"Really?" Piplup asked.
"Like what?" Seth added. He had that annoyed look on his face. It was a look that only Yumi could bring out.
Once again, I stared throughout the city. The sun was beginning to set, and it was only because I thought a twilight could add some special atmosphere.
Where was planning to take Seth? Easy: Somewhere fun. Somewhere lighthearted; the highest point in my dream city.
"If you don't mind, I'd like for us to go on the Ferris wheel." The Ferris wheel was the perfect location. Was I going to give Seth a say in the matter? Not really. I was already pulling him in that direction.
"But, the battle?" Seth grunted.
I quickly replied, "I'm just putting it on hold. If something happens before the match, sue me, why don't you?"
…..
Location: Chapel's Dream World-Amusement Park
The amusement park was sleepless as the sun made its way down under, leaving behind a pretty sky that was now purple in color. By the amusement park being 'sleepless', I meant that people and pokemon alike were populating activity stands, participating in common carnival contests for prizes.
Chikorita, Piplup, and I stared in awe as a Lampent won a talking Litwick plush toy for himself, Audino, Excadrill, and Scrafty to share. I looked to Seth with a smile on my face, hopelessly expecting any sort of positivity for any sort of reason. No luck.
"Seth, aren't you having fun? This amusement park has happiness written all over it." I asked.
"I don't have fun."
I sighed in annoyance. This special night was off to a rocky start, and all because Seth was being difficult…Or maybe I was being kind of impatient…Hmph. So what if I am. We were only on our way to the Ferris wheel anyway.
….
With a smile on her face, Chikorita hopped off Seth's shoulder and ran with Piplup up the ramp and into the first cable car of the Ferris wheel to stop in front of us.
"Come on, you guys!" Chikorita, with excitement, called to Seth and I, while Piplup waved at me. It was never clear whether or not Piplup was waving at Seth too.
Chikorita was so cute. She was able to make me smile as I started up the ramp. A couple of steps in, I turned around to see Seth with his hands in his black jacket pockets and he simply stood and watched. NOW I'm starting to see why Yumi drags him by the arm all the time. I put my hands on my hips as I said to Seth, "Come on, don't be such a party pooper! Do you even know how to have fun?"
Seth broke eyes contact with me, looking at the ground as he replied, "No."
And so, I went 'Yumi-style' on Seth, walking back to him and grabbing his arm. I walked both him and myself to the cable car. Hmm…should I call it Yumi-style at all? While not as energetic as Yumi, I'm certainly more aggressive.
"If you don't know how to have fun, then tonight's a perfect night to learn how!" I exclaimed as we entered the cable car.
The windows in the cable care made sure there was nothing Seth and could possibly miss in this dream world of mine. The inside of the cable car was s spacious, that seats were even included. These seats, Chikorita and Piplup excitedly jumped on top of as the Ferris wheel began to move.
The sunset was over, and the late twilight was upon us. While the day had died, the city was just as lively as ever. A single light remained in the distance. It was the light of a place in which a resident of my dream world stayed. In the matter of seconds, one light became two…the three, four, and so on, until the city was completely decorated with colorful lights in the night.
And then the Ferris wheel…
"Aha!" Piplup was amazed as she, Chikorita, and I gazed at every inch and every other cable car on the Ferris wheel.
It truly was a sight. Decorating the Ferris wheel were lights that were purple in color. And then lights of blue appeared, then red, green, and yellow. Put together with the moving Ferris wheel and its many moving cable cars, it was as if the rainbow of lights were dancing, beautiful Will-O-Wisp flames in uniform. This was more extravagant than any contest performance, and this was so much more than just a light show once we were high enough over the city…
My jaw dropped, a smile still on my face. "Wooowww…"
"It's lovely," Chikorita said.
This city wasn't huge, which made the view from the top of the Ferris wheel that much better.
Water. This city was surrounded by water, and it seemed almost endless. While we were on the heels of night, the water was a clear as day, and reflecting off it were the thousands of bright lights I personified to be dancing flames that were as full of life as a human.
"Millions of dancing flames in the water…" It was as if someone poured cherry-maroon colored glitter into my same colored eyes, because that's how much my eyes were sparkling. This was amazing! I turned to Seth. I still had him grabbed by the arms, but the calm atmosphere of this view actually got me to soften my grip. "This view, this city…this night, this moment…they're all very special, aren't they?"
"Um…" It was impossible to get Seth to express himself. That was okay though. It's always tough to get Seth to even look out of his shell, "Why the Ferris wheel?"
"Why not?" I let go of Seth's arms and took a few steps closer to the window. Like a little girl, my hands held each other while above they were on my chest. "Ever since I was a little girl, I was always enamored by the Ferris wheel…When I was 4, Mother Chiyo and I always saw carnivals and Ferris wheels on television. Day in and day out, I asked my mother if we could go to the Ferris wheel. Haha, Mother always replied with a 'maybe' while ruffling my hair, and though we would never go, I still kept asking, thinking each day that 'today may finally be the day', like the naïve girl I was," I sighed, "Spending the day at the carnival is something I consider special because, me going with Mother Chiyo never happened…"
I touched the window with one hand while staring into the water. I was getting very nostalgic right now.
"After Mother Chiyo passed away, I didn't know what to do with myself. Every day, I would stand at the foot of the Ferris wheel. It just wasn't the same without Mother Chiyo though. So instead, I always just continued to the beach on Goldenrod's edge. I don't know why, but the sound of water always lifted my mood when I'd get depressed. Even then, I always wondered: When will I finally ride the Ferris wheel?"
I faced Chikorita and Piplup, and then turned to Seth.
"Right now, I'm riding the Ferris wheel for the very first time! It's a special moment, and I'm spending it with you!"
"Your Mother must've been very precious to you," Seth said, stating the obvious, "But you're calling THIS a special moment? It's just a dream."
"Yes, but we're living the dream as if it were real!" I think it was time for me to get Seth to express something personal, "Tell me Seth, have you ever had a dream that doesn't involve defeating Neo Snagem?"
…I don't recall Seth EVER hinting at any of his personal dreams and memories. Probably because I've never asked. I'm not the only one guilty though. Rose and Yumi have never popped the question either.
I didn't expect Seth to answer, but he actually did as he stared blankly out the window. "My dream before Neo Snagem? I never had one… I've always thought that we as humans are just passing by in life. We're born, we live, and we die. The world moves on without us and forgets our names as our entire existence fades into the depths of eternal obscurity. We're like this dream we're in: We don't last forever. In a way, I guess it's like each and every person to ever be born lives their own extended dream called 'Life', where touch, sight, smell, and hearing are all possible. Yes, each and every person's 'Life' dream must be connected to the dream of each and every other person, simultaneously. Perhaps you're not real, Chapel; maybe you're just a focal point in my 'Life'.
"Or it could be the other way around." I added.
"…But if I had to dig up the most obscure hint of a dram I MIGHT have, it would be to leave a lasting, historical impression somewhere-ANYwhere. At age 6, I wanted to journey through Sinnoh and defeat Zero to become Champion." Seth clarified, "Merely a dream, I had no intention of ever executing it, for like I said, I really wanted to just pass by in this life. The world as it is is falling into greater chaos, day after day. Defeating Neo Snagem and all who standing in my way will leave a lasting impression of this 'Life'."
There he goes again, talking about defeating Neo Snagem, but not one word about 'saving the people of this world'. His views on life are so bleak and brutally honest. It kind of depressed me. Where did he get this outlook from?
…Defeating Neo Snagem and all who stand in his way…so…
My eyes narrowed at Seth, "Would you hesitate to defeat me if I stand in your way?" I just had to ask the question as I crossed my arms.
"…" Seth didn't reply as he stared past me.
"N-No…" Chikorita answered for Seth. She had a vexed look, "Why such a heavy question?"
I think the special moment was just about done here.
…Him hesitating to answer my question was actually the first step in the right direction, but still…
"Chikorita, thanks, but I'd rather here Seth say that himself." Chikorita's bias would never turn her against Seth, which is why I basically told her to close her mouth, in a way. "Seth, while we have similar goals, my philosophy is: Protect the people and pokemon first, AND THEN defeat the enemy."
"Why do you tell me this?" Seth asked.
"I'll show you that becoming stronger means protecting the people first-that my way of defeating Neo Snagem is the right way." I took a step closer to Seth. I wanted to see even the smallest change of expression on his face for what I had to say next. I took a Pokeball from my Pokemon Ranger belt, and held it out to Seth, "From here on out, I declare a rivalry between me and you. This rivalry won't be friendly, but at the same time, we won't be enemies. This moment is where it starts. Seth! I challenge you…"
Chikorita was speechless, and I didn't blame her either. Someday, it'll be her standing as my opponent.
Meanwhile, Seth…The change in his facial expression was borderline subatomic. He gazed at the Pokeball I held, and then into my eyes. There were no words coming from his mouth. My challenge would inevitably happen, but verbally, it was left unanswered, for suddenly, the Ferris wheel stopped.
This ride-this special moment was over. I just knew that at this moment, our rivalry was officially born. My eyes never left Seth, and his eyes never left mine. It was only for a few seconds that we broke eyes contact while exiting the cable car and made it back to the amusement park ground.
We stood on a bricked ground. The body of water, the one that I said surrounds my dream world, was just a few feet away. The many lights throughout the city and amusement park made this the perfect fighting location.
"So this is how it's going to be?" Seth's eyes were narrowed. He and Chikorita were standing across from Piplup and I. "You realize that once this fight begins, there's no going back. I won't hesitate to consider you an adversary should you come in between me and Neo Snagem."
"Because it's for your own good, that's a risk I'm willing to take."
I then called Piplup. She faced me, and I said, "Piplup, this is the battle we've been waiting for. Are you ready?"
The water type gave me a determined nod, and then ran up to what would be the unofficial battlefield. Piplup and I were on standby for whatever Seth had in store for us.
It was now time for Seth to put some flash into this night as he took out a single Pokeball, opting not to use Chikorita, surprisingly. Seth then adopted a furrow on his face. It was almost intimidating. "Chapel, I must give you a good first impression for what will happen should you get in my way. You said you will work to become stronger than me, and for that reason, I don't plan on holding back on this night…"
I gulped, as I had an idea of what Seth was alluding to at this moment. The intimidation coming from his face grew when…when his right went from dark blue to a familiar dark purple color.
"For you, I'll fight at my full strength: As Fear."
Fear…The dark spirit that resides in Seth. His essence as he took over for Seth was strong, almost overwhelming. Piplup was bewildered as Fear smirked, and began emitting that dark aura.
The presence of blackness and pure evil called out as he threw his Pokeball into the air with authority, "Blood awaits you now!"
"Sssaaa!" Out of all the pokemon, he HAD to choose that one: That Seviper whose only goal is to see blood on the floor. The blood thirsty snake's red eyes were glowing in the night.
"Do you have any intent on killing tonight?" I asked this question to both Fear and Seviper, because they both have a notable history of fighting to kill.
Fear didn't reply right away, neither did a Seviper who smirked fiendishly.
Piplup's eyes grew wide. She turned to me a questioned, "K-kill? I'm fighting for my life?!"
"No." I replied, "This is only a dream."
"Sss…Don't underestimate the power a dream can have on your mind." Seviper spoke, and Piplup and I looked at her. There was a fiendish atmosphere she had, with that dark aura and that stinging whisper of a voice. Her tongue was long and sharp, and it was vexing.
"If I kill you, you've nobody to blame but yourself," Seviper said, "Dying here will force your mind to believe you really are dead. Your mind will become blank, and you'll become nothing more than a lifeless 'zombie' in the real world."
"If you're strong, you live. I you're weak, you die-Makoto Shishio, & Seta Sojiro of the Juppongatana." Fear crossed his arms, and then proceeded to go on the attack as he threw his hand to the side and said, "If you're strong, you'll have no problem trying to stop Seviper from piercing your body!" This was Fear's battle cry-his way of sending Seviper at Piplup with the actual intent to pierce her.
"Sssaaa!" Their definition of piercing us? Seviper charging at us with her sword-like tail glowing the aura of Iron Tail. A steel sword of a tail…it had the cold hard sound of a real sword.
"Piplup!" Seviper was quick, so I had to quickly call Piplup's name. It was Pipup's cue to hurry up and avoid that piercing sword.
"Lup!" Piplup moved fast and then some, using those impressive figure skating skills that she has shown on more than one occasion. Piplup quickly spun out of the way.
Once Seviper was behind Piplup, it was time for Piplup and I to take swift action, "Piplup, use Ice Beam!"
Let's hope the unusually high freeze rate of Piplup's Ice Beam kicks in…
"Ha!" Launched by Piplup, was the Ice Beam.
I could just imagine the frozen ice glistening, thanks to the many colorful lights illuminating our battlefield.
"Hmph!" But my fantasy came crumbling down when the Seviper wordlessly used her still-going Iron Tail to deflect the beam of ice.
"Huh?!" Pipup gaped as Seviper eyed her with those blood eyes that narrowed into slits.
"Iron Tail, again!" Fear's predator spirit was unwavering, as was Seviper's. They were really persistent to see Piplup's blood.
Seviper charged at Piplup again. I gritted my teeth because using Ice Beam wasn't going to do any good, not when Seviper will just deflect it again…
"Come on!" I had to think of something!
…Looking at Piplup and the battlefield, I suddenly got the idea I was looking for. Call it 'the sharp intuition of a Pokemon Ranger.'
"Piplup, dive into the water!" I was thankful for the location Seth and I chose for this fight: The edge of the amusement park-the edge of the illuminated city, where nothing but endless water waited in my dream world.
Piplup was desperately running toward the water, with a bit of panic as she looked back.
"Sss!" The blood thirsty Seviper was gaining on Piplup fast!
I almost didn't think Piplup would make it into the water. ALMOST, but not quite. I simply refused to think that steel sword of a tail was going to critically injury Piplup.
"Lup! Lup! Lup!" Piplup was beginning to panic even more, and a drop of sweat went down her face, "Come on, almost there!"
Fear was very observant of Seviper's pace and Piplup's distance from the water. His eyes narrowed as he thought to himself out loud, "Narrowly…"
The steel sword of Iron Tail was extended as Seviper had just about closed in. Piplup, very close to the water, had probably elected to keep herself from twirling back to look at the snake. Did she fear Seviper? Or maybe, she's focusing on the water…
I crossed my fingers. Piplup was so close to the water, and Iron Tail was so close to Piplup's head. All Piplup had to do was jump.
Seviper grew excited. She cried with much joy, and the dark aura surrounding her grew strong. She was going in with everything she's got.
I winced slightly just from watching. Piplup jumped, and Seviper swung.
"Pip!"
"Sss!"
…I heard a splash.
I heard the cod sound of steel hitting something hard…
I opened my eyes. "S-seviper?" I said confused.
Fear seemed slightly irritated, "Still no blood…"
"Sss…" That Iron Tail was strong. VERY strong. Seviper looked at what she did with a calm smile. She actually caused for a small portion of my dream world's bricked edge to break off. "Sss…"
Seviper then slowly gazed into the water.
"Piplup made it," I said to myself, relieved.
There was no other reason for Seviper to be staring into the water like that. "Sss…Hiding, I sssee…Yesss…It'sss clear now. You fear me!"
Initially, I of course thought of speaking out against the snake. Piplup and I did NOT fear the snake, or so I thought.
"You looked very relieved when Piplup dove in." It was these words coming from Fear that caused me to hold on to my words before they came out.
Fear was much more perceptive of people's unsaid feelings than Seth ever was. There was no way I was going to say out loud that Fear might've been right. So what IF 'shock value' instilled fear into me for just a few seconds? Sue me, why don't you?
"That's what you think, dear." I scowled at Fear, who made no attempt to dignify my response with a reply of his own. "Your instinct to kill will get you nowhere!"
"Do you think so?"
My eyes narrowed, "It doesn't matter to me whether you're Seth or Fear! Your instinct to kill will never be something I'll just stand by and allow to keep going…" I clenched my hand into a soft fist and closed my eyes.
It was going to take a lot of persistence to get Seth, Fear, or whomever to develop a compassionate human heart. I wanted them to see what I was going to do next. I clenched my other hand softly, and then placed both hands over my heart. "My instinct to protect this world…" I whispered to myself. I then raised my voice as I said to Fear/Seth, "My instinct to protect this world will win out over your instinct to kill it, or Neo Snagem's instinct to rule it. This is: My instinct of the heart!"
This was also my way of standing up to Fear and Seviper. I was not afraid, and even if I were, I refuse to stand down and watch the world crumble.
WE were not going to give up, Piplup and I. With no need for any command, Pipup jumped out of the water with the grace and quickness of a Milotic. "Lup!"
"Sssaaa!" Seviper was so close to the water, she flinched at Piplup, who gave Seviper some shock value of her own. Seviper winced as she was struck by an extra power Drill Peck.
Piplup, dripping water, was now standing on the battlefield's edge. The lights of the city brought out her eyes.
Seviper had slithered a couple of feet back, and once she regained her composure, she eyed Piplup.
"The instinct of the heart?" Chikorita questioned out loud. She had been quiet since the Ferris wheel ride, and was more than likely that way because she was conflicted on whether or not she should cheer for me or her trainer. I've never seen her truly side with Fear before.
"Yes, the instinct of the heart." Fear answered as she looked at me, "Your instinct of the heart-your instinct to protect is 'the shield' to 'the sword' in my instinct to kill all who oppose me. Am I right?"
I gave a slow, single nod.
"Well, so long as you oppose my instinct to kill…it will be my sword that pierces your shield!"
"Sss!" Seviper went for another steel sword of an Iron Tail, this time without a smirk of her face, though the thirst for blood was still there.
Piplup was still on the edge of the land, and it was perfect opportunity for me to call out, "Piplup, duck!"
"Yes!" Piplup knew what I was talking about, and like me, she knew Seviper was becoming a bit too excited in her seriousness, charging too hastily to have put any rational thought into her surroundings. "Lup!" Piplup swiftly dropped to her stomach, which caused Seviper's eyes to widen.
"No!" The blood thirsty snake realized that with Pipup having dodged Iron Tail, all that lied ahead was endless water. "Ssaaa!" Seviper unintentionally landed in the water, and she started to sink.
"Piplup, charge in with Drill Peck!"
Piplup immediately dove back into the water. She began spinning as she struck Seviper like a torpedo: fast and powerful.
"Lup…" Piplup didn't stop there. Like a torpedo again, she charged in with a spinning Drill Peck.
"Ss…" A few bubbles escaped Seviper's mouth. She eyes Piplup sharply, obviously catching on to the reaction time that seems to be decreasing as momentum continues to shift in our favor.
In an act of defense, Seviper cloaked her tail in the Iron Tail aura.
"Sssaaa!" A few more bubbles escaped her mouth as she tried to strike an incoming Piplup.
"Lup!" Piplup was able to avoid Seviper's sword with a spin to the right. "Piplup!" Piplup then charged at Seviper again, only this time, with more speed. She was as fast as a Sharpedo using Aqua Jet.
"Sssaa!"
"This it it!" I cheered as the blood thirsty snake was knocked out of the water.
"Lup!" While Seviper was still in the air, Piplup was seen jumping from the water. She had bigger air than a Spoink. "Piplup!"
"Okay Piplup, drill 'em in!"
Piplup dove at Seviper.
"Sss…agh!" The snake was driven into the ground with authority, causing for a cloud of dust to be created. The dust cloud prevented Fear and I from seeing the end result, but I was confident.
"I won…" I was VERY confident.
"We'll see about that." Fear responded.
Chikorita whispered to herself, "Please just let this fight be over with…"
I crossed my fingers.
The smoke cleared, and Seviper was down, driven into the ground.
Piplup was breathing slightly havy as she stood tall over the downed snake.
"We did it?" Piplup asked out loud.
"We did it, sweetie!" I gave Piplup a thumbs up, and a smile was on my face.
…A few seconds passed by, but nothing was happening. I was waiting for my victory to be made official, but nothing…
Why?
"Sss…" THAT was why. You could hear he tongue start to rattle again.
Piplup froze in astonishment as she watched Seviper rise from just above the pits of defeat.
"This fight is far from over," Fear said, "We haven't even gotten to the main event yet: The part where your blood covers my sword."
Fear purple colored right eye began to glow, and the dark aura surrounding him began to grow stronger.
"But how?" I asked myself.
Seviper was the one stricken down, yet PIPLUP was the only one breathing heavily. How?
The strength of the darkness surrounding Seviper and Fear was increasing at an alarming rate!
"Poison Fang!" Fear commanded.
"Allow me to drink your blood!" That snake was on the brink of psychotic, cooing in pleasure as Fear called for Poison Fang. She opened her mouth, and in addition to those long fangs turning a dark lavender color, they were surrounded by the dark aura.
Seviper charged at Piplup, and my eyes grew wide. That Seviper was hungry, and now, she was even more aggravated than before. That dark aura caught me off guard when it allowed for Seviper to move with so much haste, no reaction time was given.
Piplup tried to move out the way, but Seviper quickly spread her body, quickly surrounding and coiling the penguin.
"No…"
Piplup was trapped in Seviper's coil. Hesitantly, she looked up at Seviper, "L-lup?"
"Hehehe!" The snake was Glaring at her with those blood colored eyes, Poison Fang still readying.
Piplup winced, paralyzed in fear by Seviper's uncalled for Glare.
"Sss!" Seviper went in for the kill, planting her Poison Fang deep. I could see tiny bits of blood starting to inch its way out.
Terrible. Fear's instinct to kill was beginning to overwhelm us. "Piplup, you've got to break free!"
"It's no use. The both of you have lost." Fear responded.
Piplup struggled and struggled, but to no avail. "Lup! Lup! Lup!"
"Sss. Hehehehehe…" It was as if Seviper was slowly draining the life out of Piplup.
"Lup…Lup…Lup…" Was Seviper going to have the last laugh? Piplup was fading, fast.
She was fading as fast as the last inch of daylight making its way to the other side, in this dream world. The twilight was over, and all that remained here was the darkness of night.
"Lup…"
One by one, the many city lights decorating my dream world were going out. With every light disappearing, our fight against Seviper grew dimmer and dimmer.
No matter what our surrounding signified, I was intending on Piplup and I emerging victorious.
I closed my eyes and said out loud, "I guess I have no choice…"
This sparked some curiosity on Fear's part.
It was only now I realized: What I'm about to do next, Fear and Seth have never seen before. They were about to witness something magnificent…
I began to glow a pale blue aura that I've only used twice before.
"Sss…hm?" This aura lit up our dimming battle, and Seviper momentarily took her fangs out of a deflated Piplup to gauge what was going on.
"What is that?" Chikorita asked out loud, "That light is beautiful…"
I call it, 'Purity'. This is the power that was given to me when Missingno and I became one being; the power of the virus in its lightest and purest form, a direct contrast to the dark aura and Fear form Seth has.
This pale blue aura remained, and my left eye turned the same color. I let the power surge through me!
"Don't you recognize Missingno and I?" If I've said nothing to Seth about my new power, so sue me.
I gave Fear a smile once I answered Chikrotia's question. Fear was totally different than Seth, and BOY how I wanted to see an expression of utter bewilderment and surprise on his face.
This fight ISN'T lost. Piplup and I will win!
I reached my hand out to the seemingly defeated penguin. Though sheer curiosity caused for Seviper to recall her Poison Fang, she still had Piplup firmly wrapped in a coil.
"Lup…" Had the power of a pure Missingno not been on my side, this battle WOULD'VE been over. But as soon as I extended my light aura-surrounded arm in her direction, Piplup began to glow the same color.
Fear's eyes widened. He made the exact vexed expression I was hoping for! He then narrowed his eyes. "This is the power of the virus. The power of Missingno…Team Neo Snagem has been on a search for Missingno, but who would've thought…Chapel of all people…it took this long for me to find out: Chapel is the prize Neo Snagem seeks…"
Once Piplup became aware of what was going on, she opened her eyes wide, "Huh?!" Her voice was tired and raspy, but only for a few seconds, as she then began to experience the power of the light aura's purity, "What's this?'
"What?!' Seviper felt somewhat irritated upon seeing that Piplup was starting to regain her energy.
"Piplup!" I called.
Piplup was on cue to fire Ice Beam.
"Aaagh!" Seviper was hit at point blank range.
That Ice Beam was surrounded by purity, and it stung the black snake to the touch. It was enough to cause the black snake to uncoil, freeing Piplup.
"Ah…uh…" Piplup was visibly relieved to be free from Seviper's grasp. She took this time to drop to a seated position and take a deep breath, "This feels much better…"
"That power…" An intrigued Fear eyed Piplup, and then looked at Seviper, "Seviper, it's time we finish this! Draw your sword, and stain it with Piplup's blood!"
"This will end it!" Seviper readied one more Iron Tail, hoping to land a strike on Piplup with the attack for the first time.
The blood of Piplup was starting to dissipate thanks to the light aura. It was then I called to Piplup, "Piplup, get up!"
"R-right!"
"This is the conclusion! Let's put everything into this final move! Use Drill Peck!" I threw my fist into the air, because I was THAT passionate.
"HAAAHHH!" Piplup, spinning, charged at Seviper while cloaked in the light of Purity.
"Ssss!" And Seviper, with her steel sword, charged at Piplup while cloaked in the dark aura.
It was my shield versus Seth's sword. My light versus Seth's darkness. My Purity versus Seth's Fear. My instinct to protect versus his instinct to kill those who stand in his way. At this moment, I am one of those people standing in his way…
Piplup and Seviper continued to rush at each other, and with every step taken, every inch travelled, and every fraction of a second that passed by, each of the lights keeping my dream world bright went out.
By the time Piplup and Seviper collided, only one light remained, and it was all that kept my entire world from falling it darkness-into SETH'S darkness. It even remained when a cloud of light and dark energy was created by Iron Tail and Drill Peck's collision.
…Were these city lights symbolic of the end result of this fight? If so…
No…I came here determined to defeat Seth. He is my newest and greatest rival, after all.
I won. I just know I did.
…If not, then what will lie next for Seth and I?
…No…No! I'm NOT thinking this! Momentum is all on our side!
"I won. I won. I won." I repeated those two words to myself as the smoke continued to clear.
I won?
The first thing I saw when the smoke cleared, was that Fear had reverted back to Seth.
Seth had his head down, and his eyes closed. He looked almost as indifferent as always. "This battle is a warning to you, Chapel. Don't stand between me and my quest for vengeance."
"No…I won, didn't I?" I repeated.
The smoke cleared, and what I saw, was Seviper and Piplup.
"I won…" My stomach became heavy as Seviper said this.
"…" Piplup was face down on the ground. On her neck, there was a gash where blood was coming out.
Seviper's sword of a tail was stained with Piplup's blood.
I was frozen, and in my mind, I was having a breakdown.
"I lost." I remained frozen for a moment, and then rushed to Piplup.
I kneeled down, picked her up, and turned her over. The bloody gash was deep.
"I guess this is the end of the line for us, in this dream…" I know Piplup had not been officially captured yet, but that didn't keep me from feeling a hint of sorrow. I held Piplup closer, "This gash is because of me. I'll be sure to cover it in the morning, after Purity heals it. How about a scarf? You can wear it around your neck. It'll be my gift to you. It'll be cute. Do you like?
Piplup had promised to fight by my side. Maybe this dream could be the start of a LIFELONG promise…
With Piplup still in my arms, I rose from my knees to my feet.
Seviper's blood colored eyes grew bright in the night, and I looked at her as I walked right by. She had a satisfied smirk before being recalled by Seth.
'If you don't mind, I'd like for us to go on the Ferris wheel." I remember just earlier tonight, where a special moment was needed between me, and a Seth I was slowly approaching right now.
'Wooowww…' The view of the illuminated city and water from the top of the Ferris wheel still puts me in a state of awe.
'It's lovely' Chikorita added.
'Millions of dancing flames in the water…This night, this moment…they're all very special, aren't they Seth?' Though Seth didn't express it, he probably DID believe the time on the Ferris wheel to be special. I know he did.
Seth and I stood just a foot apart.
His sword has pierced my shield, but even so, I can at least say that this was a memorable night, for better AND for worse.
"We have a common enemy, but our goals are deceivingly different," I said to him, "This won't be the last time we fight like this."
Seth opened his eyes, "You're strong, Chapel," he said flatly.
"It still wasn't enough…"
I still lost the fight.
"It doesn't change the fact that we have a common enemy." Seth replied.
"And until they're defeated, I'll look forward to the day I finally beat you. You'll see, in the end, my instinct to protect-my will of the heart-they're the true key to victory."
My exit from this dream world was inevitable now. Tomorrow and beyond, I'll train to become stronger.
I'd like to share more special moments with Seth, to bring out the good in him. Who knows? Maybe I'll steal him away from Yumi.
This fight was over. My light, and the lights of the city were almost completely gone. All that remained was a lone light in the distance, and as my dream drew to a close, that light-and my light, they were replaced by the darkness of night.
The last candle has been blown…
Round 2, Match 1 Winner: Challenger Number 5, Seth!
I'll see you in the morning, Seth…
To Be Continued…
Author's Note:
1. Pokemon Virus Version
2. Pokemon Virus Version: The Mystery of Missingno
3. Pokemon Virus Version: The World Is Our Enemy
4. Pokemon Virus Version: The Promise
If you've stuck with my story since January 2014, or at least since early on in this story's life, you might recognize these name changes made to the fic's title along the way. These changes have been intentional. The original Virus Version title was just me starting out. The Mystery of Missingno was mostly centered around a convoluted network of interrelated forces that ALL had ties to Missingno in any shape, form or fashion, and I commend you guys for sticking with me when the plot was overly complicated during this story's first 50 or so chapters.
The World Is Our Enemy focused on major characters such as Seth, Chapel, and Zero as they were coming to accept this 'It's us against the world mentality' through the course of Ecruteak City and the destruction of Azelea Town. While Chapel has become altruistic, Seth is not at all bothered that it's STILL him against the world.
Pokemon Virus Version: The Promise focuses on the first major development with Seth, Yumi, and their friendship. Yumi, promised Zero that she would take care of Seth. And so, Yumi is basically Seth's FOIL, and all to better Seth as a character. The events in Autumn Town are highlighted too.
AND NOW!
5. Pokemon Virus Version: Fear's Darkness vs Purity's Light: This will focus on the rivalry between Seth and Chapel and their ideals. Chapel has gone from the 'Brock' of the group to someone who could very well pass for Virus Version's secondary protagonist(Along the ranks of Yumi and Zero). It'll quite some time before I change the name from this. At least a year. Why? Chapel also has a near complete makeover on the horizon with her Pokemon Team, as well as a major arch enemy(Like how Commander 10 is to Seth, or how 06 is to Rose). The process has been slowly but steady for a while. She has Purity, a Shiny Eevee, and Piplup is here to stay(Yes, I'm well aware of this spoiler)
LOL I'd like to thank Justy1993, who let me know that Chapel was on the 'bland' side back in 2015. THAT'S the constructive criticism I like to hear!
Trust me guys, THERE IS NO 'CELLAR DWELLER' IN THE MAIN GROUP ANYMORE. Rose is the clear most powerful member. While Seth, Yumi, and Chapel all have unique qualities AND flaws that leaves them tied for second place.