Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 104: Mysteries Abound
Round 2, Match 2: Terra vs Twilight!
Terra and Twilight, two bitter rivals who have fought each other numerous times, whether it be for pure sport or for the fate of the world…
Homefield advantage: Terra!
Terra and Twilight were waist deep in their battle. They were at the very top of Prism Tower, located at the heart of a Lumiose City that is on the brink of ruin.
Everyone was watching from the city's titantrons as the remained in a seemingly everlasting state of panic. Only a handful of names remained 'ringside'.
Terra's talking Gastly smirked wordlessly. In a strong contrast to Gastly, Terra's childhood acquaintance in Astro was very vocal in his cheers. Another in Terra's crew, was a cold, strong, introverted, independent girl named Sue, who summed up the entire situation into just one or two words, as always, "Imminent victory."
Astro and Sue were accompanied by their respective starters, Chespin and Froakie.
Fennekin, Terra's starter, was also outside her Pokeball. She was in the arms of Twilight's main antagonist, Luna. Luna was the world's most powerful disciple of the Jewel of Life, Arceus, and SHE was the cause of Lumiose City being in such ruin. Luna had taken Terra under her wing as the new 'chosen one', and together, their goal was to demolish Lumiose in order to create a proper Holy ground for Arceus himself to descend to from the Heavens.
EVERYONE was cheering for Terra. The next in line to become Champion had a grudge to settle with Twilight.
"Hy…" Hydreigon stood tall over Twilight's pokemon, Bisharp.
"I told you, I'm the number one trainer in the world!" Terra was starting to brag about himself, which is a bad habit for his endlessly arrogant character. "As long as you stand in my way, I'll send the world into oblivion if it means beating a loser like you! After all, it's not like a care for those losers screaming on the ground below."
Twilight was not ready to back down. The only 'cheering section' she had was Espurr, looking at Bisharp with those unblinking eyes. She turned to the amethyst haired, twilight blue eyed trainer, "How many times have we been in this predicament? It's starting to become a nuisance to keep track.
"Hmph. I won't need my Heaven form to win this." Twilight responded to her feline. She then eyed Bisharp.
Twilight was a strong young lady. The fourteen year old was more than confident and capable of carrying her own, even against Terra.
"Bisharp!"
Twilight radiated that confidence.
The strong, silent manslayer gave his trainer a nod.
"Let's end this. Slay his dragon, now!"
Bisharp complied, launching himself at Hydreigon with his blades cloaked in a sharp, dark aura.
"In the end, you'll kneel to me, loser." Terra, with his arms crossed, then called upon his signature dragon, "Hydreigon, one last Dragon Rush!"
"AAARRR!" Hydreigon let out a huge roar, and under the dark and cloudy sky, he flew at a charging Bisharp while cloaked in a blue aura shaped like a dragon.
A cloud of smoke was created upon impact. The amethyst hair and black cape-like scarf of Twilight blew in the wind before the entire city froze, waiting for the end result of this clash.
The smoke cleared, and who else could it have been standing victorious?
"This battle is over, Terra. This dream of yours, you will now relinquish." Bisharp's voice was cold and steely. He stood over a defeated Hydreigon, and he was calm. "I have slain your dragon."
It took a second, but Terra dropped to one knee. "Damn!" He gritted his teeth as he punched the ground, and he said nothing to Twilight from that point on.
"So apparently, you are no longer the number one trainer in the world. You have given your championship title to Twilight." The talking Gastly floated next to Terra as did what he always did: make Terra, Astro, and Sue's predicament even worse with that infuriating smile on his ghostly face.
"Yo, how'd you lose to HER?!" Astro, who was slightly taller and more muscular than Terra, approached him. His Chespin was with him.
"Shock." And again, a Sue of few word summed up the entire situation in one word as she too approached Terra. Her Froakie was with her.
"The Jewel of Life simply has more improvement coming your way, Terra." Kalos' latest Main Antagonist, Luna, was the last to address Terra.
"Fen?" Terra's Fennekin licked her trainer's hand to see if Terra was alright.
OF COURSE Terra was alright. He'd be dead before EVER admitting defeat to anyone, ESPECIALLY Twilight. For everybody else though, there was no denying it-
Round 2, Match 2 Winner: Challenger Number 8, Twilight!
…..
Location:…
Twilight's POV
Mysteries abound…
Following the fight with Terra that was more for sport than for the future of the world this time around, I found myself floating in a deep space.
"Twilight." Calling my name, was the wide eyed Espurr floating right next to me.
"Yes?"
"Have you, at one point, stopped to question what point this tournament serves?" My partner asked, "Why us? Why now? Who is that mysterious boy who hosts this whole thing?"
Rather answer Espurr question, I asked her a question of my own, "Why do you wonder? This is only a dream, is it not?"
"No." Espurr answered, "I didn't show it, but I was hopelessly elated to see Mother Yumi again, and to bring closure to my previous life. Our battle with Mother Yumi felt nothing like a dream. It's like this 'dream'-this tournament-they have forcibly become our new reality, and I feel the mysterious hooded boy plays a role in it."
"We need to talk to the mysterious boy." My eyes narrowed as the idea was given to me by Espurr.
….
And so, Espurr and I floated to the nearest planet that stood in this deep, seemingly endless galaxy of a space. The planet was primarily light teal in color, and had a Saturn-like quality with a large ring of pure energy surrounding it.
It felt almost as mystical as Heaven itself, and I HAVE seen glimpses of Heaven before. Mystical, yet evolutionary and futuristic at the same time.
Mysteries abound…
The cities were not on the ground like in the real world. Rather, they were floating in the sky! Every building, every flying machine, and every trooper scouting city outskirts decorated the sky. All who stood on the planet's foundation was Espurr and I. This planet's foundation was nothing but an endless plain of teal grass.
"It's beautiful…" I whispered out loud.
A magnificent possibility by the Jewel of Life, Arceus.
"Yes, beautiful, isn't it?"
"Hm"
I was so enamored by the cities and endless life up above, I failed to notice 'him'-the mysterious hooded boy standing right in front of Espurr and I.
His eyes were STILL somehow covered by his hood as he gazed up at the city, "Listen to me as I describe this mystery of a planet."
"To protect our world from devastation.
To unite all people within every nation.
To denounce the evils of truth and love.
To extend our reach to the stars above."
"This is the motto that people and pokemon on this planet live by; the people of this dream world-MY dream world."
I had a somewhat calm personality for a girl, so my eyes didn't go wide as I repeated to the boy, "YOUR dream world?"
The hooded boy nodded.
"Allow me to get straight to my question." Espurr took a step closer to the boy, "What it the meaning of this tournament? Would you mind if we got a glimpse of your face?"
On the portion of the hooded boy's face that COULD be seen, the boy smiled. With a chuckle, he answered, "Pushy, aren't we? No need to worry so much. After all, we wouldn't want curiosity to kill another kitty, would we?"
I'm a very observant person when it comes to words coming out of people's mouths. The hooded boy was making it obvious that he was hiding something, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
…..
Espurr and I followed the hooded boy. Where? It's HIS dream world. He should know.
Still, every minute past, every step made, Espurr and I never strayed from our suspicion. We watched our guide closely.
'What happened to Terra after our battle?' I thought to myself.
Terra SHOULD be waking up, returning to reality now, right? My battle with that Yumi girl might say otherwise. The fear she and her Braixen expressed when almost being blasted off that citadel was too real.
"Here we are." The mysterious boy abruptly halted his footsteps, followed by me and Espurr.
We were on an all-black platform.
"Are we supposed to be impressed?" I asked rhetorically, "This planet is very bland once you get past the floating civilizations."
Another little nugget: I can be a very brutally honest character, often having a reason to back sass or get smart with other people. This characteristic is one of the main reasons why I don't get along with Terra and his personality.
"'HERE' is the place-the answer to your questions about me, and the location for this tournament's final battle."
I was intrigued by such an alienating creation (the black platform we were standing on) when it unceremoniously started glowing as it ascended toward the civilization in the sky.
In to the city we went.
"Wow…" This city was futuristic alright. On the streets, you could see Absol throughout; these Absol weren't wild, they seemed to be patrolling their assigned areas for anything out of the ordinary. They were all equipped with futuristic armor that was chrome in color, while outlined with a red that was the same color as their eyes.
One armored Absol could be seen in pursuit of a delinquent Riolu in the distance.
On top of the skyscrapers, armored Skarmory stood watch. And floating parallel to all the building were Magnemite and Magnezone.
This city was a direct contrast to the untouched teal grass that was the planet's foundation.
"This city is a lifelong project of mine," We were still on the moving platform as the hooded boy spoke, "Everything, from armor pokemon to buildings, I've visualized every detail as meticulous as I can."
We flew by the statue of an armored Tyranitar.
"Everythin." The hooded boy repeated to himself, "Even THIS…"
Espurr and I both took note of the glowing black platform stopping and descending onto the metallic ground of the city.
We stood in front of what I could only describe as a 'Grande' dominion.
"This building is an 'art' I prefer to call 'The Grande Opera House'. It's based off the real life Sydney Opera House; an architecture built decades ago, yet rivals more iconic relics such as the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, which have both been around since what we'd consider ancient times." The hooded boy explained.
"And this landmark is where the final battle will take place?" I asked.
This question was not going to distract me from my bigger question: What this boy's intentions are.
The boy nodded, and then started walking toward the inside of The Grande Opera House as he called to us, "Come."
…
Location: Grande Opera House
This Opera House knew exactly what it was. As soon as we entered the building, background music could be heard, and it was fitting.
"This music…" Espurr's ears perked up. It was like this music was massaging those sensitive ears of hers, "What is this wondrous tune?"
I closed my eyes and let this tune massage my mind. I smiled, for I knew what this obscure tune was, "Aria Di Mezzo Carattere, a musical piece that's apart of one of the most iconic scenes in ancient video game history."
"How do you know?" One thing about Espurr that sometimes annoyed me was constantly questioning me whenever I decide to stop being so down to earth.
How DO I know? Ask the writer, why don't you? This tournament isn't even canon in my universe.
"Madam Twilight?"
"What the?" I heard my name being called by a somewhat eccentric voice, and he sounded desperate.
"Incoming." Espurr uttered.
The incoming man slid in front of me. Hands on his knees, he took a moment to catch his breath before addressing me, "Madam Twilight! Holy Dancing Calcobrena! Where have you been?!"
"Huh?" I was vexed. I had no idea who this man was.
His brown hair was slicked back, and he wore a sharp duster tuxedo.
"You are very late, young lady!"
The man in tuxedo grabbed my hand. I instantly flinched and tried to pull away, but he held strong.
"What am I late for?"
Espurr followed closely.
"Why aren't you answering my questions?"
The mysterious hooded boy started following us next.
The man's grip on my hand tightened even more, leaving no choice.
"Hey!" I yelled.
"Agh! Ow ow ow ow!" The man yelped as I grabbed his wrist using my other hand. This man may know my name, but he hasn't a clue about the power I possess.
"Let go!" I said with authority. I'm sorry, but he gave me no option but to use excessive force.
The man let go of my hand and yanked his wrist away.
I grabbed his other wrist, and with impatience, I asked, "Tell me how you know my name. What's my purpose here?"
The man tried to pull away again, but no use. My grip was iron-like this time.
He then finally explained himself, "Why, who doesn't know your name? You're Twilight, the lead actress of the opera 'Farewell, My Dream', conducted by our creator himself." He pointed to the mysterious boy. "We need your haste, Madam Twilight! The show starts in five!"
I was a powerful force gifted with the power of the Heavens. I could've snapped this man's wrist off if I saw fit, but Arceus would not approve. I gently let go of him as I crossed my arms.
Me? The Lead Actress? Why not? If it's the only thing standing in between me and uncovering the mystery of the mysterious boy, I might as well get this over with.
…..
My arms no longer crossed, me, Espurr, and the mysterious boy were led into what the man in tuxedo called 'The Green Room', which is actually the backstage area for the actors and actresses.
"Holy Dancing Calcobrena! Still only five minutes left until Showtime!" The hasty man faced me as he asked, "Are you ready, Madam Twilight? Please tell me you have the opera memorized!"
"No." I answered sternly.
The man sighed as he descended into an even deeper state of panic. "Oh dear, oh dear! Well…" He hurriedly grabbed a lone piece of paper and pushed it into my hands, "Here's the script!" ONE page is what he considers a script? "It's not long, but musicals generally take up more screen time that manually reading out the words in plain! You won't fail. Trust me. But if you have trouble on stage, don't hesitate to use improve, oui oui?"
Espurr and I both nodded.
Just then, we all could hear the Aria Di Mezzo Carattere music shift to a different tune out on stage. Coin of Fate was the name of the new tune, and it was from the same game and orchestra as Aria Di Mezzo Carattere.
"Holy Dancing Calcobrena!" The man yelped to himself again, "Oh dear, oh dear! The opera's starting! Places everyone!"
And just like that, the man exited the Green Room on his way to the stage, in front of the orchestra. He was the orchestra's composer, based on the signals he was giving them. The orchestra was well rehearsed.
...
Espurr and I were alone with the mysterious boy again. Floating into the air, Espurr was face to face and level with the hooded boy as she questioned, "The final battle?"
"On the horizon." The boy answered. "So tell me, how do you like my Grande Opera House? How enlightened are you by my dream world?"
"It's intriguing." I answered calmly as I was looking over my script.
"…You know, I'm surprised you two have made it this far, though I shouldn't be. You and Espurr have the power of the Heaven on your side."
With Heaven on my side, I can't lose.
"Well…while this script isn't all too bad, I believe complete improve will do me better," I digressed, taking my off the script and placing it back where the man in tuxedo initially got it from. I then eyed a still-floating Espurr, "Espurr?"
…
Grande Opera House-Stage
This is the short story about a girl named Madam Twilight. Light Amethyst hair and night blue eyes, Twilight has been blessed with the power of Heaven to save her word from a greater cause.
It was my cue now. The Coin of Fate music, played by the orchestra sitting in 'The Pit' that led into the audience, was replaced by a third song: Forever Rachel.
On my knees, I opened my eyes to see the pitch blackness of a stage with no light. There was just nothing, and I waited.
Espurr, I held in my arms, and she too waited.
Waiting…
Waiting…
We waited, and finally, when Forever Rachel had ran its course, the tune faded.
During a brief moment of mute touching our ears, Espurr and I were hit with the ray of a spot light coming from 'The Catwalk' (near the ceiling). This light was a heavenly gold color.
'Madam Twilight's cue to rise from her kneeing stance'.
I rose to my feet, and as I did, many more rays of light coming from the catwalk illuminated the stage.
I could see it clearly, the painting in the background. It was a poor representation compared to the real thing, but impressive nonetheless: A painting of the giant sundial, standing tall in front of the twilight sky in Anistar City.
The man in tuxedo uttered, "Here, Twilight gives us the gift of song."
Espurr and I looked to each other. We gave each other assuming nods before looking straight forward.
Past the orchestra, the seats in the audience were all empty. It seemed kind of lifeless to me. The only audience member present was the mysterious hooded boy, sitting in the second row.
One person was better than no people at all.
Espurr and I closed our eyes, and together, we started our special song.
The Song of Twilight & Espurr
Dreams are like the wind…
Guiding me, to the light…
Overcoming the light and clouds…
Your voice echoes
The tender moment keeps
Happiness,
And the bad memories far away,
And the night, will go on, quietly…
Even the footprints
Remaining at this place,
Begin to disappear and distort,
Like Stars…
Inside of dreams,
The Heart that was born,
You're watching me,
Though the glass window
I shut it within the moment,
Cast off the clinging feelings
And collect all thoughts together.
Our Special Song…
Closing my eyes, I took a bow while wary that Espurr was still in my arms.
Waiting for the applause, as written in the script…
There was only one person present in the audience, so there was only one set of hands clapping. Simple. Once the applause stopped, I exited my bowing stance.
The single page script never went beyond the song I was originally supposed to sing. What was I suppsed to do?
"What's next? Espurr whispered loud.
…
Another ray of light made its way to the stage, this time to the far left, opposite where I entered.
"And now introducing!"
"A guy?" My eye grew wide. Someone else was here?
Yes, entering the spotlight was a guy with black hair and blond bangs. His eyes were as deep a shade of blue as an ocean abyss. He wore a black, unzipped jacket with the sharp collar pointed up. This was worn over a dark grey, v-neck t-shirt. He sported dark blue pants that were slightly on the baggy side, and a visible black belt. He wore black, high top shoes.
I sensed a sort of dingy atmosphere surrounding him. Dingy, and almost depressing. A smile was not on his face.
A Chikorita was walking beside him. She seemed like she was on the bubbly side, which was a stark contrast to her trainer.
He hails from the distant city of Sunnyshore. He treks the world with nothing but a single agenda: satisfying his thirst for vengeance! Walking on his path of hatred, he has accumulated 3 badges to his name, and houses an embodiment of darkness and negativity itself in Fear. He is: the serious, mysterious, never-smiling, unemotional avenger in the making, SETH!"
Seth's POV
It was my entrance onto the stage. I'd been waiting quite some time for the mysterious hooded boy to return to the Grande Opera House he led me to some time ago. That boy sat alone in the crowd.
"Now that the formalities are out of the way…" The mysterious boy stood up in his chair. Before finishing his sentence, he jumped high into the air from his seat.
The amethyst haired girl had to step out of the way, because the boy was headed toward the stage, where she was standing.
The boy landed on his feet, center stage. All I were on him now, and as he stood between that girl and I, he gave us a slow, amused applause.
A single set of hands clapping, echoing throughout the Opera House. The lights beaming down on the girl and I all faded, and as they did, all but one light remained; it engulfed the hooded boy.
"Twilight," He continued to applaud, giving the girl a look as he called her 'Twilight'. "And Seth!" He then gazed at me, calling my name. His attention was fully on the both of us, "I give you my congratulations. You two have passed just about every test, every trial, and every battle thrown at you thus far. And now, the time is almost upon us: this dream's main event between two of the finest."
"Now will you tell us who you are?"
Chikorita visibly gasped, and I was intrigued. That WAS the same Espurr I once hatched from an egg. But to be with this girl named Twilight…
Espurr's question sparked a chuckle from the mysterious boy. "Hmm. Of course. Please forgive me for holding off on your question, Espurr. You and Twilight take a seat with the rest of the audience." There WAS no audience.
The girl began to walk off stage. Espurr followed, but not before stopping to give Chikorita and I a second glance. "Father Seth, so I'll have to fight you too…"
All music went off. The stage was in a state of mute as the final act was about to begin.
"Seth?" The mysterious boy called.
"What is it?" Chikorita answered as I took my eyes off Espurr.
"It's terrible for an audience member to remain on stage. You and Chikorita should also join the audience now."
…..
Chikorita was in my arms as we waited for the final act on stage. We were sitting a distance away from Twilight and Espurr.
Yumi.
I saw Espurr's ears perk up as the boy said Yumi's name.
Dustin.
The hooded boy followed it with my childhood rival.
Commander 24.
The Neo Snagem Commander I eliminated in the first round of this tournament, next.
Chapel.
My newest rival, and a traveling companion I eliminated.
Seth.
"There's your name, Seth!" Chikorita looked at me with a smile.
My eyes narrowed.
Commander 10, Shadow
I'm aware that the convenience of plot was used to 'off' Commander 10 without killing his momentum. I'm sure he and I will cross paths again…
Terra.
Don't remember him.
And Twilight.
Last was my new opponent-the girl sitting in the audience.
Eight actors brought together like pokemon lured by a Sweet Scent. Six battles have taken place. Six dominoes have fallen, each lying defeated like wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
The lights that lit up the stage during Twilight and Espurr's Act, those lights returned.
For a moment, the mysterious hooded boy remained unaccompanied on stage. Even with the lights beaming down on him, his face remained hidden.
…The boy's moment of solitude passed.
"Huh?' Chikorita said confused.
"Look!" Twilight said out loud.
We all took note as…As small dolls were descending onto the stage?
I believe those dolls were voodoo, and they were surrounded by the light blue aura of psychic energy. Their designs though…
I saw a doll with black hair and blonde bangs. His eyes were deep blue. That doll was me…
"That's Yumi!" Chikorita was astounded. The long black haired, aqua blue banged doll in particular had a big smile on her face, and she was dancing. Probably reminiscent of her personality.
"Yumi…" Twilight said out loud.
So Twilight knew Yumi…But when? How?
Yumi's voodoo doll was floating next to Twilight's. My doll was floating next to 24's doll, Chapel's doll was floating next to Dustin's, and finally, Terra's doll was floating next to Commander 10's.
…
Unceremoiously…
"Yumi!" Chikorita yelled.
The first domino has fallen.
Yumi's doll was burning an intense, deathly purple flame, courtesy of Twilight's doll.
I looked back and forth between the doll of Yumi and the real Twilight.
Did she really? This entire night, I've been conflicted between whether this is a dream or reality. Did Yumi really perish?
I still owe Yumi my life. If she hasn't woken up yet…
"I didn't mean for that kind of result, Yumi…" That was all Twilight could whisper.
Espurr's wide eyes glinted.
Next to burn was Dustin's doll, 24's doll, and 10's doll.
Hmph. Good riddance to them. While I somewhat lack emotion, my disdain for them runs deep for one reason or another.
I paid extra attention to what was happening further in the air, over the burning battlefield of dolls.
My doll began glowing a black flame, while the blonde haired, maroon banged Chapel doll began to glow a white flame. It was a personification of pure light versus pure darkness-Chapel versus Seth, the kickstart in our inevitably deep rivalry.
Our dolls charged at each other and collided…softly…Chapel's fell to the ground. She was burning worse than any of the other dolls, and a small tear could be seen. She mourned out loud, but I still crushed her dream…
One by one, the dominoes have fallen. This is more than just a dream. This, is 'The Final'. The final battle is upon us. Seth! Twilight! The mysterious boy narrated this as Terra, the last of the defeated dolls, fell to the ground, defeated by Twilight.
The orchestra began playing 'Baragoku Otome-The Instrumental'.
The stage lights began to dim, and as they did, the still-burning Terra doll began to glow.
"What's the meaning of this?" Chikorita asked.
That light surrounding Terra began to put a distance between itself and the doll. The light took the shape of a tiny orb, and just like that, the doll of Terra fell to the stage ground. There, the doll lied lifeless. He was all but dead…
Soon to follow, were the dolls of Chapel, 24, Dustin, 10, and Yumi. The light being sucked out of them all took the form of tiny orbs of light. Each and every doll now fallen, they were as lifeless as the Terra doll that came before them.
Six fallen dominoes. Only Seth and Twilight remain. In the end, only one will be standing. While the other…
The six lights made their way to the mysterious, hooded boy, where they danced around him like Will-O-Wisp flames.
The boy gave a deceivingly warm smile, "The loser will end up sharing the fate of these six souls. In order to avoid this fate befalling you, you both must fight. Fight to win. Fight to live. Else you too will lose your life force to me."
My eyes went wide. All of a sudden, there was a great sense of urgency setting in.
…So this boy…He has the life forces of the defeated…
…He has Yumi's life force…
In just a matter of seconds, I watched Yumi's life force revolving around this mysterious boy as I thought to myself, 'This meaningless tournament means even more of nothing to me now…'
To put my life force on the line against Twilight was a final battle I was obviously against now.
I abruptly emerged from my seat in the audience, Chikorita on my shoulder.
The mysterious boy halted as he looked at me walk on stage.
"Seth, you've interrupted the final act!" The boy spoke with a little bit of a scold in his voice. The life forces all stopped, remaining immobile in midair as if time itself halted.
"I'll give you a 'Final Act'." I stopped to where I was standing across from the boy. For a moment, I stared down to the new graveyard of a stage ground decorated with the defeated dolls. I knelt down and picked up the Yumi doll before standing up and holding her out to the boy. "If you don't do what I say, I'll make sure this IS your 'Final Act'. Return their life forces at once, or I'll take your life away. Right here, right now." I narrowed my eyes, one of which turned into the dark purple color of Fear. I was prepared to use the power of darkness.
"What the matter? Do you not think you will be victorious with your life on the line?" He asked me.
"Shut up and do as I say." I replied.
A moment of silence befell the boy. Was he going to revive Yumi and Chapel, or not? Answer: He put the question on hold with another question of his own, "I see, so you wish to punish me." He shifted his sights toward Twilight and Espurr, who were still sitting in the audience, "Tell me, do you also intend to boycott the anticipated final battle?'
Twilight's POV
Who was Seth? It was bold of him to stand up to the mysterious boy after what he did in taking the life forces of the defeated.
I knew exactly what I was thinking. The big reveal that I was fighting for my life was so sudden. And while I found it particularly cringe worthy watching Yumi's and Terra's life forces get taken, I wasn't at all intimidated. In fact, I had confidence that I'd win the final battle once I summoned Heaven's Power.
Seth was strong, and I am strong…I think we could try fighting this mysterious boy. I just know we'd be able to save everyone.
I looked to Espurr, and she looked at me. We both knowingly nodded to each other.
So with Espurr in my arms, I stood up from my chair and addressed the mysterious boy, "The possibility that this could've been more than just a dream has alluded me, but not once have I questioned the possibility of death, not until now." I started walking on stage as I continued to explain, "It's said in the Jewel of Life sacred text that LIFE IS SACRED. As a disciple of Heaven, I disagree with the terms of your tournament. My life is something I refuse to gamble, and the same goes for everybody else." I stopped a few feet away from the boy. Espurr jumped from my arms, and we went into standby for a fight that was increasingly inevitable now. "I'll side with Seth! Give everyone their lives back now!"
What'll it be?" Espurr asked the boy as she readied her power, her eyes glowing light blue.
Wind started blowing…But we were in an Opera House. How can there be wind? Maybe it's cinematic effects that come with the stage. Or could it be the mysterious boy?
"Here will lie the last of the fallen: Seth and Twilight. And their liberator? It is I…" The mysterious boy reached for his hood, which intrigued me. He pulled his hood down, revealing his face as he introduced himself as, "…17. 'Commander' 17."
17?
…This boy…his eyes were black, and the sclera in his eyes were ALSO black. His white hair went down to his shoulders, and he wore that same warm smile on his face.
"17?" Chikorita's eyes widened.
"So you…" Seth started.
17 was able to finish, "Yes Seth, I'm apart of Team Neo Snagem, and guess what?"
We were all right to be on standby, especially after what 17 did next.
From below his robe, long black tentacles started to protrude. This had me taken aback. This was no boy. This, was a demon.
As the tentacles planted themselves on the ground, 17 ascended into the air. You could see under his robe, those tentacles seemed never ending.
17 slithered in front of Seth and Chikoita as he concluded his introduction with words that stuck with me, "I. AM GOING. TO KILL YOU…"
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Okay, so I know this chapter is really dragged out. If you haven't noticed, I've been attempting to keep my writing 'fresh'. You know, not 'recycling' plots. You guys should've noticed. Seth and Chikorita battled on a broken bridge. Meanwhile, Virus Version's favorite character Yumi(arguable) was unceremoniously eliminated by Twilight VERY decisively. And also, I've intentionally waited over 100 chapters just for a Seth & Chapel moment to happen, because that's what makes it such a novelty that it EVER HAPPENED AT ALL. Don't get the wrong idea, Seth & Chapel are completely platonic. I mean, THEY'RE RIVALS.
The reasoning for Commander 17's approach to this tournament: Seth and Chapel are 17's primary targets, and knowing them, he'd need a creative approach to capture them. A tournament with fellow Commanders 10 & 24 was a PERFECT DISGUISE. Yumi was picked because she just so happens to be sharing a room with Seth in the Mahogany Pokemon Center. 17 was debating between Yumi & Rose, who was sharing a room with Chapel. Yumi simply had more pokemon, so she won out. Dustin is a guy picked because he's lacked appearances since National Forest. It was a toss up between him and Noah. And lastly, Twilight and Terra were just my treat.
Other characters who were considered:
Zero-Wasn't used because meeting up with Seth so soon would ruin the entire plot.
Althaea-Same as Zero, but instead with Chapel, who is still in a search for Celebi, who accompanies Althaea(This chapter was WAAAYYY back when).
Wes-I KNOW I'd write him as an unbeatable badass if I put him in here.
Atticus-He caught Heatran ALL THE WAY BACK in Chapter 1. Automatic disqualification. Oh, and hasn't made his present day debut in Virus Version yet. I'll spoil you guys a little though-Atticus will meet Seth for the first time not too far after Mahogany Town. And it'll be a major arc that begins Atticus' build up.
Commander 06 Beatrice-It was either her or 10.
Commander 04 Yuna-She's intended to be the female Yugi Muto/Yami Yugi. She'd be the obvious winner, even over Wes.
Justice-I've already planned for him to meet up with Seth and Yumi again.
Ariel Angel-MY FAVORITE SUPPORTING CHARACTER FROM MY FAVORITE ARC IN THE FIC. Ariel is a novelty I feel I can't touch.
Alice-She'll be in the Mahogany Contest as soon as this arc is over.