Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 114: A Perfect Life

Seth's POV

In the real world, we have gotten out of the freezer, and into the frying pan that is on a lowest setting. But in this dream, I find myself in the freezer once again.

Location:…

"Am I…pretty?" That voice again, asking that same question…

The voice was ice cold, and it had a transparent echo.

"Am I…pretty?"

One similarity this dream shared with my last one was that Pryce was here. Like last time, I jumped to the conclusion that the voice was calling out to him, even though the voice could be talking to both of us. The voice was pulling Pryce in like a magnet, as he walked in its direction like a mindless puppet.

The similarities end there.

"Am I…pretty?"

We weren't in an endless white abyss this time. No…

I took note of our surroundings while not taking my eyes off Pryce. We were in a nameless community that would be small enough to pass as a village. Few people were out and about, passing by without acknowledging Pryce and I. It was as if we didn't exist to them…

This village seemed to sit in the middle of a valley that was at a high altitude, which coupled with the falling snow, could explain why it's cold.

"Where am I?" Was I curious? Just barely, because I aware that this was only a dream.

…

…But…I've had different variations of this dream for a while now. The voice always asks 'am I pretty', while Pryce always seems so hopeless. It was pathetic. I've never even heard Pryce speak.

"Am I pretty?"

…

What happened to Pryce? Might this dream be the clue?

I had to follow the late Gym Leader.

…..

I shadowed the man, passed the small village and into the snowy night. This valley was highly decorated with pine trees covered in snow. There were plenty of wooden bridges built over gaps where frozen ravines lay below.

It felt like a forever had gone by when I got the idea that the further this quest went, the more desolate the path in front of us became. But something exciting waited for us.

"Huh?!" My eyes widened. I NEVER get this surprised, but I could not help it.

Figuratively speaking, we were waist deep in the wilderness. I saw a frozen corpse. Being behind Pryce, I could not see his expression in reaction to such a sight. I stared right at the corpse as I walked past it.

We saw a second corpse, and a third corpse…All these men, losing their lives in such a long and drawn out manner. They were probably lost for days before the wills finally gave out in the end…Pryce had to realize that this would be his fate soon, and when he did, he stopped abruptly.

The wind blew, and the snow sticking to him was starting to add up. He looked to the ground as I heard him speak for the very first time, "I'm lost…"

What?

"Why did you leave the village in the first place?" I found it idiotic that the man would get himself into this magnitude of trouble.

"Am I pretty?" The voice was the key to unlocking the answer to my question.

Because I've have more than one dream about the voice. I finally came to the conclusion that it was just an illusion created by my imagination, and that it didn't belong to anyone. I left the issue at that…until now…

"Please tell me…Am I pretty?" A figure emerged from the icy shadows and appeared in front of Pryce.

It was a woman! She was very VERY…she looked 'different' for a girl in this day and age. She had long black hair that went down to the back of her knees, and she had the coldest whitish-blue eyes I've ever seen. She wore a very extravagant white kimono with a red obi.

…I felt this woman…hypnotizing. She was hypnotizing in a way that I could not explain. I have never experienced this feeling before…It was as if she was asking ME if she was pretty as well.

"Am I..pretty?"

It was as if my body was moving on its own as I started walking toward the woman.

Are you pretty?

My answer is…

This Dream Is A Cliffhanger…

Location: Mahogany Town

"Do you think I'm pretty, Seth?" Yumi asked me. "This outfit looks exactly like the one I started this journey with."

Yumi was excited to have found a short-skirted furisode that was aqua blue in color, with a black obi. She wore black pantyhose and white boots that went up to the center of her calf. That wasn't all, as she wore black gloves. Her most recently obtained accessory was a long, purple bow worn in between her long black hair and purple bangs. After standing in the mirror, she told me she wasn't going to leave me alone until I told her she was pretty.

I gave Yumi no response.

Rose gasped at my actions. She adopted a coy smile on her face as she teased Yumi. "Brother thinks you are ugly, Yumi."

"What?" Rose is always one to poke fun at Yumi, who always seemed triggered by her playful words.

Rose chuckled. She was only joking, but did I really think Yumi was pretty? 'Am I pretty' was a question I did not want to answer right now. That woman in my dream shrouds the question in so much mystery.

"Don't worry, Yumi," Chapel said with a smile on her face, "Seth's just being shy. Isn't that right, hun?"

"Hun?!" This was the first time Yumi heard Chapel speak in such a way. Rose told her not to get too worked up, because that type of dialect is just Chapel's character now.

Rose, Chapel, Yumi, and all the pokemon shared laughs, while I sighed.

We were all on Main Street, having gotten through the shopping spree that was actually an idea belonging to Chapel, of all people. It was surprising, because Chapel has usually come off as a bit of a tomboy, even before merging with Missingno. It was never like her to care about high end fashion as much as Yumi and Rose, as she remained in her Pokemon Ranger outfit.

…It was as if Chapel turned a complete 180 today. She and I have yet to reach a disagreement today.

"I'll break the fourth wall and respond to your dialogue, Seth."

"Huh?" Speaking of Chapel, she happily approached me, and seemed eager to interact with me right now.

"I am very happy today, Seth. Here's why…" She reached into her pocket, and flashed something in my face. It was…

…It was a gym badge?

I stared at the ice shaped badge with heavy bewilderment, Mawile and Chikorita jumping in to join me.

"Last night, I've proven to Morana that I am a more worthy opponent than you. So sue me if I come off as stuck up, but we ARE rivals."

"You must've had quite an adventure yesterday," Yumi said. It wasn't directly stated out loud, but Yumi commenting on Chapel's adventure also referenced the egg Chapel obtained.

Rose was holding her egg closely, Chapel's egg being held by Banette.

Chapel radiated positivity as she bragged about her victory over the woman who beat me. "Do you not envy me right now, Seth?"

I wasn't moved. "Hasn't been too long since I beat you."

Chapel quickly closed her mouth.

I was the only one who remained stoic following my response to Chapel. While everyone else enjoyed the laughter and merriment, I suddenly got off my seat and started walking.

"Where are you going?" Yumi was the first to follow me. Front right behind me, she asked, "You didn't answer my question. Am I pretty?"

Focus…focus…focus on the mystery at hand-the mystery of the dreams I've been having. Then focus on my rematch with Morana…

"Come on! Am I pretty?" Yumi was making it very hard for me to focus. "Am I pretty? Am I pretty? Huh?" I guess she was just being playful-as playful as everybody else this morning. But Yumi in particular had an abundance of energy.

I walked throughout Main Street having to put up with Yumi constantly asking that question. Rose teased her by saying she was ugly again, which made her glare at the five year old. Yumi said she'd chase the little girl if she wasn't carrying that Pokemon Egg, then she returned to asking me that increasingly annoying question.

"Am I pretty?" She was enjoying herself. "Am I pretty?"

"Don't you think you're being excessive, Yumi?" Chapel asked.

"Nonsense!" Yumi answered.

…..

"Ms. Jackson, how did Mr. Pryce get lost in the mountains?"

"Huh?" My ears perked up, and I stopped.

"Answer the question!" Yumi kept pestering me, but I ignored her.

The subject of how the late Pryce got lost intrigues me.

We were still on Main Street when I heard this question asked. A park located just a few feet to the right was where this question was asked, prompting me to enter.

"Children…" There was a class of what looked to be preschoolers all gathered in a circle, with their teacher, Ms. Jackson.

"Yes, we want to know what happened to Mr. Pryce!" The classmates all agreed with the child asking his teacher this question.

Ms. Jackson, was a woman on the elderly side, her silver hair wrapped in a bun, and a sun hat covering her head. She hesitated to speak on the subject, and Chapel said she could hardly blame her. Pryce had gotten lost in the mountains at the worst of times-when Team Neo Snagem had broken the mold and become a legitimate threat to Johto's way of life as we know it. Following the capture of Ecruteak City, Ms. Jackson must've feared that her little Mahogany Town would soon follow.

Ms. Jackson sighed as the children grew rowdy. "Alright kids, settle down." She directed, "In my extended time in this world, I have learned of an old tale that may relate to Mr. Pryce's fate-oh?"

The woman noticed that she had visitors.

"Why hello." She smiled at us.

"Good day to you." Rose greeted.

"What might bring you here today?"

"We were just following Seth here." Chapel gestured to me.

All I did was take a step closer as I said to the teacher, "Please, I would like to know this old tale."

The woman was welcoming, inviting us to have a seat in the grass with the little boys and girls. Chikorita and Mawile raced to the circle, while Rose seemed to blend in perfectly with the other kids, aside from her black maiden dress. Chapel sat right next to a Banette holding her egg while assuring the children that the evil doll meant no harm.

As soon as I took one step toward the circle though, I was tapped on the shoulder. "I'm determined to make you tell me I'm pretty today." Yumi whispered with a smile.

I groaned, as she was becoming a nuisance.

"If you don't mind, this old tale interests me too, ma'am!" Another voice from behind. It was quite a distance behind this time.

We all took a glance, and there she was, standing along the edge of the Main Street, leaning on the fence that separated the playground from the dirt path. "Morana?"

"In the flesh." She gave a coy, sarcastic smile, "Please don't mind me. I'm a spectator, just like the Pokemon Ranger and her crew."

"We have a lot of visitors today," Ms. Jackson stated, "I supposed that should be expected, since this is the first day of class since the winter break."

The elderly teacher digressed, beginning the old tale.

The Tragedy of Pryce, And The Woman of Snow

Morning time…the time of day Pryce always savored, with the two lives who fill his day with nothing but cheer: His wife, and his trusty Piloswine. Having been reunited with Piloswine after years apart, Pryce was a new man, with a new lease on life. His wife was the perfect complement, and the two were practically inseparable.

"Ah!" It was time for Pryce's morning stroll around Lake of Rage. For years, he performed these walks alone, but now Piloswine was able to accompany him. Pryce was so happy, he even found himself greeting the people passing by, whether they be fellow walkers, or aspiring trainers who've yet to know that he is the Mahogany Town Gym Leader.

At the lake itself, Pryce would spend plenty of time just staring into his reflection within the liquid blue.

"These are the happiest days of my life…" Pryce said to himself.

"Swine." Piloswine cried in agreement.

Every day, Pryce would wordlessly reflect on his life; achievements and failures, trials and tribulations, friendship, marriage…the boy who helped him to defeat the inner demons he had when Piloswine ran away…

The man was at a point where he had everything he'd wanted out of life. He had the perfect wife, the perfect pokemon, the perfect job…He truly believed that his life was complete. There'd be no qualms passing on to the next life. He knew that he would sprout white wings and be with Arceus for eternity, his wife and Piloswine joining him.

After reflecting, Pryce always returned to town, and he always had a challenger or two waiting for him.

"Ah! Quilava!" Pryce's challenger called out to her Quilava, who was defeated by Piloswine. She then fell to her knees.

"I can tell you've raised your pokemon with the utmost care." Pryce said with a smile, "You're a skilled trainer. However, in sending Quilava to battle because of an advantage over Ice types, you underestimated the traits that Piloswine has as a Ground type. I look forward to a rematch."

Pryce was always one to provide constructive criticism. Nowadays his critiques have a touch of sincerity, and he always liked when trainers come back stronger, having learned from their previous battle. It's a satisfaction a father would have coaching his son all the way to a championship.

…

After the day's challenges were done, all Pryce would do is spend quality time with his wife until evening arose.

"Is this fine?" Pryce asked. He thought it would be nice to help his wife with the garden today.

His wife stared at the sunflowers he planted.

"You used a bit too much water dear." She chuckled.

From tending to the garden, to aiding in the cooking of a nice homecooked meal, to volunteering at places such as local pantries and nurseries, Pryce loved helping his wife gift the world around them.

Their quality time would last until nightfall, where they quietly sat next to each other on the bed, reading to themselves. Piloswine was usually already asleep.

"Good night, sweetie."

"I'll see you tomorrow…"

It felt like Pryce and his wife knew each other for an eternity. Since the last century, they've been inseparable. Their sense of unity was something to be envied by the younger couples of today.

The perfect night to end the perfect day, featuring the perfect walk, the perfect battles, the perfect partner pokemon, and the perfect marriage. This, was the perfect life, and Pryce was able to live it every day…until father time decided to pay him a visit, reminding him of his mortality.

Things won't remain as they are forever…

One day, Pryce had fallen ill.

Nothing new, right? Pryce has lived long enough to get more than his fair share of colds, especially in the little town of Mahogany…Wrong.

There's a difference between having a cold and being ill: An illness was much more detrimental to a person's life.

"Swine…" Piloswine spent days sitting by the elderly man's bedside, wallowing in depression as he began to accept the inevitable fate that awaits his lifelong trainer…his best friend…his closest family…

The news spread around the small town fast. When not by his trainer's side, Piloswine would spend his mornings going on walks alone. He walked the path his trainer always used to traverse.

Every morning, outside and alone, Piloswine could hear the bleak outlook expressed by the very people Pryce considered close. Pryce showed them nothing but love.

"Mr Pryce has been sick for a long time now." A group of women were walking Main Street. They were so into their conversation that they failed to notice Piloswine was right there. Piloswine didn't mind, after all, nobody noticed him when he was left frozen in the Icy Path…for fifty years…

"He's up there in age now. Maybe it's time for him to go…"

Hearing everybody talk such things about his best friend sent Piloswine into a deeper depression than he already was. There was only so much negativity a spirit could take, but who was Piloswine to question everyone saying the end is near? Piloswine was not in a place to try and change the mindset of an established community. All Piloswine could do was 'turn the other cheek' walking past the people without putting up an argument.

When alone at the Lake of Rage, Piloswine would wordlessly stare into his reflection. The fur covering his eyes masked tears that would drop into the large body of water…every day.

Alone, Piloswine would sit in the middle of an empty battlefield, every afternoon, inside a Gym that eventually began to feel more abandoned and desolate than simply 'closed'.

Piloswine dreaded when evening arrived, because when that time came, he would have to go home and see Pryce in such a vulnerable state, again and again…and again.

The life that seemed like Piloswine's perfect dream had turned into the beginning of a nightmare. The happiness that this family was knew…it was behind them. Piloswine dreaded the point he would have to accept that the words coming from the mouths of everyone were true.

This was only the beginning of the end…

Months passed, and Pryce was eventually in a good enough condition to stand on two feet again. Emphasis on 'good enough'. Pryce was no longer able to go on the morning walks he enjoyed so very much.

Bittersweet, except in the eyes of his wife. She has shown time and time again that she will stick with her soulmate through thick and thin. Seeing her husband out of bed filled her with joy…even if Pryce wasn't able to do a few things the used to be routine.

Pryce reciprocated his wife's feelings as best he could. A couple of days passed, and it already seemed as though Pryce had found his 'new' normal. He was once again happy…until father time decided to remind him of mortality again…this time, through his wife.

Now it was Pryce's turn to take care of his ill soulmate. She had the same illness he had. That gave Pryce the exact answer as to how to cure her! Perfect! Pryce prepared all the herbs, soups and medicine, and Piloswine was there to lend a hand. She was going to be better, guaranteed!

…

Not enough…

All the home remedies and trips to the hospital were not enough…There, at home, Pryce's eyes were empty, yet they represented despair when realizing: He must pick and choose his words wisely, because they will be the last she will ever here.

Pryce said nothing. He wanted for HER to give her last thoughts; the thoughts she would have before she would be dead.

Piloswine cried.

"Piloswine, Pryce…I love you…" Just before her eyes went blank, "Heaven will be even more of a blessing once you two arrive…"

This was not goodbye forever, it was only goodbye for now.

'Without a doubt.' Pryce thought to himself. On the outside, Pryce remained stoic, but on the inside, it was as if a part of him died. He felt as if his soul was ripped right in half…He knew that with his wife gone, he would soon follow, without her taking care of him. Unlike like his wife, Pryce was fortunate enough to overcome the illness…

'Is my survival a blessing, of a curse?' It was sad, the moment Pryce realized that if he let the illness overtake him, he'd be reunited with his wife right now…

From this moment on, Pryce was left a shell of a man, both emotionally, and physically. His depression began to weigh so much on his heart, he became sick again. Piloswine no longer held back tears when the community talked ill about Pryce's wellbeing. Piloswine…it was as if he was already dead. Pryce certainly felt like it.

One night, when Pryce began reflecting on his life for the first time since the good old days, he did something he hadn't done in 40 years: He cried. He did cry like a baby, he just let all the bottled up tears flow to the covers on his bed. Reflecting on his life now…his perfect life was accompanied by the great depression after-the great depression that seems to have only one way out as each day passes.

'One way out…' Pryce pondered this way out…What was there to look forward to? His life had completely fallen apart. His road to the grave was far from graceful, it was long a painful, with each and every moment of sorrow seemingly savored by the devil himself.

One way out…The pills on the nightstand were as white as the light at the end of the tunnel. The pills, Pryce stared…

Before using the pills to find the light at the end of the tunnel once and for all, Pryce took one last look at the pictures decorating the room throughout.

There was a portrait of him when he married his wife.

And there was a picture of her trying to get him to smile, back when he was bitter and distant.

A portrait of him reuniting with Piloswine was present, as well as a picture of him and the boy who helped rescue Piloswine. Pryce wonders where the boy is now…

The remaining pictures feature himself, his wife, and Piloswine.

Piloswine…

Pryce held the pills for one long moment, before realizing that he'd be leaving Piloswine the way his wife left him. Piloswine has been with him through this entire depression…The pills were set aside.

And so we make it to the last stretch…

The time was near, Pryce's last stand. He and Piloswine were told some time back that Pryce wouldn't be able to survive the illness for a second time, and that tomorrow was the final day.

The elderly man was pale, and he couldn't walk. However, that didn't stop him from going out and enjoying his final chapter his way. He threw on some clothes and hopped into the wheelchair, and proceeded to go on his perfect morning routine one last time…

The townsfolk were all elated to see Pryce out and about for the first time since the days he once called 'perfect'. Everyone greeted Pryce and Piloswine, while all Pryce did was give them a warm smile. The community didn't know that this would be the last time they'd see Pryce alive…

To Lake of Rage…

All was silent as Pryce and Piloswine remained alone, staring into their reflections. No footsteps, no commotion coming from people, no 'background music' coming from the young folks who love to share it with the world. Just silence…silence, and the sound of water lapping the lake shore.

This was a moment Piloswine wanted to last forever. He wished he could pick up a camera, take a picture, and hop in the picture to live in forever. If only life were that illogical.

Pryce…since he was told the day of his last stand, he began to accept that his fate. This is not goodbye forever, this is only goodbye for now…' He remembered the words that ran through his head as his wife approached the white light, and smiled.

Pryce hasn't smiled in months, but for him, there was finally a light at the end of the tunnel. He was going to see his wife again.

…Clouds began to gather in the sky. Winter was here. Pryce was happy to feel the touch of ice cold snow just before his passing.

…With Pryce and his wife gone, what will be next for Piloswine? The ice Type pondered.

'Let's have one last Gym Battle.'

"Swine?" Piloswine was surprised to hear his lifelong friend speak. He looked at the man smiling at him.

'Our perfect day wouldn't be complete without one.'

Pryce's final challenge…

Pryce's final opponent was a boy hailing from Sinnoh's Sunnyshore City. Dustin was his name, and he was aspiring to enter the Silver Conference.

"Winning this battle means that I'll once again be ahead of Seth!" This Dustin fellow was eager, and he boasted about the black haired, blonde banged lad who joins us in this listening to this story.

"You show much motivation, lad. You remind me of the boy with the red cap." Pryce said.

This Dustin fellow took out a Pokeball, and threw it onto the battlefield. "Glalie!"

Glalie and Piloswine went at it with everything they had. Piloswine was determined to win Pryce's last stand…

Throughout the battle, the Glalie belonging to the up and coming trainer had an expression of utter bitterness seemingly glued to remain that way. It was enough for him to triumph over a Piloswine trying his best not to give in. But alas, it seemed Piloswine just wasn't as young as he used to be.

Glalie was the winner, but this was the first time that Pryce's wife wasn't able to announce the end result. For so long, she stood as the referee. Now…the sideline where she would stand was empty. It was a reminder to Pryce just how empty his life had become. However, as mentioned, Pryce had accepted the final judgement that was to come. He smiled as the young Dustin celebrated.

"Sonny?" This was Pryce's final challenger. It was only natural for him to savor all that remained. On his way to approaching the victor, he gave Piloswine a berry and gave him a smooth petting. "This was a great 'series finale', wouldn't you say…?"

The last battle…Hearing his lifelong friend speak such warm and positive words over a moral victory only seemed to make Piloswine sadder. He cried, slowly. Pryce would come back to him in a moment, after a word with his challenger.

To Dustin, Pryce was humble, and sad. "Sonny…I hope you take this badge and treasure it. Please listen what I have to say: A sacrifice is about to be made, to rescue the lost bliss of the prisoner I have become in this world. I hope…you can understand the power of these dying words as a melody of tears start to fall." Pryce couldnot hold back his tears, "It's time for this old man to fly in to his new home…I too was an up and coming trainer in my day. I failed to achieve ultimate victory. But you…it's not too late for you. Dustin, I want for you to win it all. Become the Pokemon League Champion, for me! You'll be my living legacy…"

Dustin did not understand what Pryce was referring to, not at that moment in time. But why instill dreams into the mind of a stranger?

…

Dustin would be the last person to see Pryce alive…

Judgement…

The night before judgement, Pryce could not sleep, however, his closed eyes said otherwise to Piloswine, who was deep in slumber. Careful not to wake his friend, Pryce hopped out of bed, and put on his normal winter clothes.

The room was dark and murky, while outside the clear window, was a reminder that the cold, depressing winter was here. There were no stars, and no moon, just clouds that come off as invisible in the night sky. The snow-covered street lights illuminated Pryce's eyes as he stared at Piloswine.

Now was the time to let go of his lifelong friend, for the second and presumably last time.

'Heaven will be that much more enjoyable when you two arrive…' Those were the words. They were engraved in Pryce's mind since he watched his wife pass away, right in front of him.

"The time has finally come for us to reunite, Sheila," Pryce whispered before addressing Piloswine, "…It would be too painful for you, to see my empty shell once my soul departs…It's best you do not see me in such a state Piloswine. I give you, goodbye…"

12:00 midnight…That's it…Pryce's perfect final day was done…It was time for him to go now…

He exited his now-former home, and started walking aimlessly. The town was empty…it almost seemed as if it was abandoned. Not even the sounds of birds chirping could be heard. Nope. The only thing accompanying Pryce was the sound of snowfall.

The night was at its climax…

Pryce wandered aimlessly, outside of Mahogany Town, and eventually heading east.

Until reaching Icy Path, which lied within the eastern icy mountains…

"Am I…pretty?"

And so the dream is lost…and has presumably ended.