Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 116: Heartbroken, a pokémon fanfic

Pokemon Virsu Version Chapter 116: Heartbroken

Author's Note:

Alright, I actually try 'experimenting' with Third Person POV for the first...10th of this Chapter. I was inspired by Sin Oan, a writer for the Rozen Maiden fandom that I've gushed over before in Virus Version's Author Notes. Sin Oan is still my favorite writer, even though she no longer makes fics. And as much as I like Sin Oan, I have to say: Third Person POV is something I should NOT do too often. Why? Because at 100+ chapters, abandoning a formula that has worked for years just seems unfair for you readers who have read this far. That's also why I'm hellbent on finishing this fic. ONE HUNDRED CHAPTERS IN! It would be foolsih to let all those hours of writing go to waste, and I've seen it here SO many times. Can you readers relate?

Anyway, my rant aside, here's 116. I won't spoil anything via the Author's Note, but know this: We are in another one of my 'famous arcs', where I feature character development, decent combat, and exaggerate Pokedex Entries and Mythology, winding them together to call them a self-proclaimed 'work of art'. I don't write to be noticed anymore. I just write for my own satisfaction, not worrying about criticism over "This is the Pokemon Universe, you can't do that!" Why? Because I don't want to lose my inspiration the way I did during Ecruteak City. Yeah...remember having to tolerate that arc because 'Chapel was too vanilla'?

Location: Icy Mountains

There is no POV at this time…

She rode her stead from the comfort of her gym, to the ice cold of the mountains that lay up ahead.

Morana was not at all turned off by the mountains being covered by dark clouds. In fact, this filled her with excitement. Maybe this adventure will be able to challenge her. Oh, how she looked forward to fighting for her life.

"Fighting for my life doesn't seem absurd. After all, this is the place where many people have gone missing, never to be seen again, or so the legend of the old woman says."

Mamoswine gave a small cry, indicating that he was taking in every word Morana was saying. Who knows? Maybe the mammoth will have to protect his trainer, just for the right to return home…Mamoswine wasn't as excited as Morana, but he was tough. He knew he would be able to manage.

Morana's periwinkle-silver hair blew in the snowy wind as she looked at the ground. 'Footprints…' She thought to herself.

Morana was perceptive enough to realize that one set of footprints looked familiar, like the boots belonging to a certain Pokemon Ranger.

"The Pokemon Ranger is here…I suppose boy and his Chikorita is with her, along with the others. Probably looking for old man Pryce…Oh well, if they get in my way, I'll make them regret it." Speaking of the Pokemon Ranger, Morana looked forward to crossing paths with her again. She tapped on Mamoswine as she called out, "Mamoswine, yip yip!"

…..

In The Mountains…

There they were, traversing the inner caverns of the Icy Mountains. These caverns were vibrant compared to the snow under the murky clouds outside. The sound of cold air filled the cavern with a unique ambience.

Chikorita and Piplup were intrigued, seeing their reflections in the seamless icy walls. It would make one forget that they were staring into ice and not a mirror.

"Vui!" Eevee was very happy to be outside of her Pokeball and in Chapel's arms.

Being in the icy mountains obviously meant that it would be cold. Chapel, in an effort to warm herself up, sent out Eevee, and she hasn't let go of her pokemon since.

"My little Eevee-doll, you're a lifesaver sweetie…" Her attitude may not reflect it all the time, but Chapel had a girly side to her. She nuzzled Eevee, and continued to do so very affectionately.

Rose walked right next to her, "I have read a lot of literature in my time, Chapel," she said, "Back in my days with Neo Snagem, I once read about the geographic features here in the Ice Path, and the spectacles it can bring given the right circumstance. It is said that Eevee has the power to evolve into Glaceon here."

Being a Pokemon Ranger, Chapel has her fair share of knowledge as far as Johto geography is concerned. She too has read of this phenomenon involving Eevee and Ice Path before. This didn't stop her from becoming excited when Rose beat her to that realization.

"Really?" Yumi was just as intrigued as Chapel. "Glaceon is so cute!" Her energy was contagious. Yumi squealed like a fangirl, followed by Rose, then Chapel.

Glaceon was a pokemon that has been on just about every girl's wish list, and now, Chapel has a chance to make that wish come true. If she hasn't already passed Seth in their rivalry, then obtaining Glaceon would be a major stepping stone toward achieving that goal. By saving Seth from his thirst for vengeance, Chapel will have saved the lives of innocent people falling victim to Seth's carelessness on route to defeating Neo Snagem.

Yumi took it upon herself to take her Pokedex out and flash a picture of a Glaceon at Eevee.

"Vui?" Eevee questioned, her smile being retained despite her curiosity.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" Yumi asked.

Eevee cried in agreement.

From Red, to Bill, to the PC, and finally to Chapel. After spending years stored in a forgotten storage system, an extraordinary fate was in store for the grey furred Eevee. Chapel told Eevee, "By the time we leave this mountain, you'll be stronger and more beautiful than you already are, sweetie!"

Chapel and Eevee nuzzled each other one more time, almost making Rose and Yumi jealous at such a display of affection coming from both sides.

Yumi turned her attention toward Seth, who was walking ahead as the unofficial leader of this quest, "You hear that Seth? We're going to evolve Eevee!"

Seth bothered not to turn around and acknowledge the three girls giving themselves something to look forward to while on this quest. He wordlessly passed by more reflective ice, not even looking at his reflection with the corner of his eye.

Yumi has put Seth in not the greatest of moods today. Before, Yumi was just playing with him, but now, she gritted her teeth, "Seth!" Her voice echoed, bouncing refracting of the icy walls. It was not enough to get Seth to stop.

"Chico!" Even Chikorita tried to pitch in. At least Chikorita was able to get Seth to acknowledge her, albeit the attention was minimal. All Seth did was look at her for a split second before returning his attention to the path ahead of him.

Chapel's eyes intensified, "I'm getting fed up with Seth always distancing himself from us." Chapel took it in herself to start walking at a faster pace in order to catch up with Seth. "If you're not gonna give us your attention, we're just gonna have to take it!"

Chapel raised her hand, and readied to slap some sense into Seth. She had observed how he's treated Yumi since leaving Mahogany Town. Even if Yumi was the one to blame, Chapel has tried to instill in Seth a hint of compassion. One method to keep Seth in line, was a slap across the cheek. Last time Chapel slapped Seth, she had his undivided attention.

Just as she was about to motion her arm-

"No!" Yumi yelled.

Chapel stopped, looking back at Yumi, while Seth halted.

To Chapel, Yumi said, "Chapel, let me handle this, please?"

Chapel and Yumi maintained eye contact for a moment, before Chapel eventually backed down.

Yumi's POV

Forcing Seth to comply wasn't going to solve anything in the long run, I believed. I had Chapel stand down, because today was my turn to try and change Seth for the better.

Walking toward Seth, I said to him, "What's gotten into you? Up until today, you were really warming up to me…" I held a hand to my chest, "You saved me from eternal slumber, battled in my honor, and you came to my Contest even after I'd given up on the notion. I…didn't know I was getting on your nerves today, and even when you let me know, I didn't care."

What makes me feel even worse is that we're actually painting Seth as the bad guy in this problem. He was the one telling me to stop, repeatedly. I guess he was acting on a natural human instinct, making him a bit less heartless than he was yesterday. I guess progress is being made…

I stood right behind Seth as I told him, "Seth, I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?" I tried to reach for his hand, hoping he would turn around.

As soon as I made contact though, he pulled away. He was reacting as if I was some sort of monster…

Alright, I take back the apology!

I gritted my teeth again as Seth started walking again.

"Seth? What's wrong! H-hey! Stop walking, please!" In an effort to get Seth to look at me, I had to run in front of him and block his path. I wasn't being forceful, but it was his choice whether or not he'd stop again. He did stop.

For the first time since venturing to the Icy Mountains, I was able to look at Seth's face…What I saw bewildered me.

"S-Seth?" What I saw, was something different, something creepy…His eyes…They weren't the deep shade of midnight blue I had grown so used to seeing. "Your eyes…" They were now an icy blue, as icy blue as the walls in this cavern.

"I must go to her…" It sounded as if he was hypnotized. His pattern of speech was monotone, and slight slower than usual.

"Go to her?" Was he hallucinating? Who was Seth talking about? "Who is 'her'? I don't think there's anyone besides us in the Icy Mountains-oh?"

"…Khtch khtcha…" A cry that literally came out of nowhere.

It came from behind me, while I was standing in front of Seth. I turned around, but Chapel Rose the first to spot it.

"A pokemon…" Rose whispered.

"Never seen it before." Chapel remarked.

I turned around to see a small Ice Type who seemed to be innocently wandering around the cavern, and I immediately took out my powder blue Pokedex:

"Bergmite; The Ice Chunk Pokemon. Using air of -150 degrees Fahrenheit, Bergmite freezes their opponents solid. They live in herds above the snow line in mountains."

"Based on that information, we may encounter more Bergmite while in the Icy Mountains," Rose said as I put my Pokedex away.

I did not mean to be rude, but I really did not want to be sidetracked from the issue at hand. What was up with Seth? I would have to tell the Bergmite to find somewhere else to play until we passed by.

I kneeled down to Bergmite's level, and swatted the air with my hand as I said to the Bergmite, "Alright, shoo! Go on, if you find us later on, then we'll be able to play."

Bergmite did not move. He simply stared at me with those eyes, never blinking. Wasn't as creepy as the eyes of my late Espurr, but it was still unnerving in its own right, given the mysterious ambience the ice cavern gives off.

"Are you going to move or not?" I was not going to have this interaction drag out. I had to get back to addressing Seth before some unforeseen series of unfortunate events prevents me from trying to get closer to him…again.

Speaking of Seth, in the middle of my interaction with Bergmite, he tried wordlessly walking passed us, Chikorita right beside him. I was having none of that, as I grabbed his arm. "You're not going anywhere!"

"Ktch! Ktcha ktch!" Just as I grabbed Seth, Bergmite rushed into my leg.

"Ah!" It was as if Bergmite was acting in Seth's defense, and it hurt me. "Hey you!"

"Ktch!" I tried to shake the Ice type, but no use.

After moments of struggling, I took out a Pokeball and hurriedly threw it. ANY of my pokemon would suffice at this moment.

If it was a struggle Bergmite wanted, a struggle was what Bergmite was going to get.

"Brai!" Braixen was perfect! When she landed on the icy ground, she took note of an aggressive Bergmite, and took out her wand-like stick, lighting the tip on fire and pointing it at the Bergmite. "Brai Braixen!" Braixen cried out to the Bergmite, warning in that she'll strike if he doesn't stand down.

Until Bergmite got away from me, Brainxen's fire attacks were off limits. Psychic on the other hand…

Hearing Braixen call out to him, Bergmite turned around, and stared at Braixen's flame intensely.

"I don't understand, why is Bergmite acting like that to a random stranger like Yumi?" Chapel asked.

"Never mind the Bergmite." Seth said.

Hm…His eyes being that ice blue color told me that he was being hypnotized somehow, but him speaking as logically as he did said otherwise.

"There's no reason to fight it," Seth said as he pulled away from me again, "We need to find out what happened to Pryce."

"Ktch…" Bergmite didn't look like her was backing down. He kept his eye on Seth, allowing him to pass before returning his attention to Braixen and I. Those were battling eyes he had, fixated on me and Braixen, and even Rose and Chapel.

"This Bergmite intends to fight us, Yumi," Rose said.

"I'll make it quick!" I was in a hurry to catch up with Seth, who didn't say it, but was probably going to leave us behind if it meant finding out what happened to Pryce. Braixen was strong enough to finish the ice type with one hit. "Psychic!"

Braixen was determined not to allow Bergmite to harm me. Her eyes began to glow light blue, as did the wand-like stick she held.

"Ktch?" Bergmite was bewildered as he began glowing an aura of the same shade of blue. Against his will, he ascended from the ground and into the air.

"Zen." Braixen smirked. She now had the power to do anything to Bergmite. She held the ice type in the air and launched a stream of fire at him.

"Ktch ktch!" Bergmite's eyes widened. In the face of such dangerous fire, he had to think fast in order to survive. "Ktcaahh!" He quickly launched a stream of Mist at the flame.

"Zen?" In a cavern as cold as this one, it was easy for the Mist to spread and become thick. The stream of fire was completely smothered, and one could no longer see their own reflection off the near-flawless icy walls. What Braixen and I thought to be our advantage was actually an advantage that belonged to Bergmite. Bergmite had the chill of the cavern to back him up, while Braixen and I were reacting. "Zen? Zen?!" Braixen couldn't see past the Mist, which prevented her from concentrating on another Flamethrower.

"That Bergmite is smarter than it looks…" Rose said.

Once the Mist dissipated, the scene before Braixen left us confused.

"Ktch."

Bergmite…there were three of them now.

"It begins…the Bergmite will kill you girls. And then, the young man will be all mine."

Seth stopped in his tracks.

"A voice?" I questioned.

"But where did it come from?" Chapel asked.

The voice seemed so transparent, and it had this ghastly echo to it. I thought I was just hearing things. But hearing Chapel question it, and watching basically drop everything he was doing once he heard the voice…While it seemed far from it, there was no denying…the mysterious voice was real. Threatening our lives like that, it was the one commanding the Bergmite.

Standing up to the appearance of the extra two Bergmite, Chapel called for Eevee to hop out of her arms and ready for battle. "Vui…" Eevee stood right next to Braixen, prepared to lend a helping hand.

"It's time to battle!" Chapel wasn't going to stop at just Eevee though. She took out a Pokeball, and was about to throw it in the air. "Ursaring, I choose you-"

"Stop." Hearing him call out to us was reason enough for Chapel to halt herself. Seth turned around, and started walking toward us.

"S-Seth? What is it?" I asked.

"Fighting the Bergmite will accomplish nothing." He answered. He shifted the subject back to the transparent voice before we could go deep into the fight with Bergmite, "You heard the voice, right?"

"Yeah…" I nodded.

"Brother, might this be the voice from the dream you spoke of?" Rose asked.

Seth nodded, "My speculation turns out to be true. I wasn't just seeing things. The voice is real, meaning that somewhere in these mountains, she awaits."

Seth was determined to see whoever speaks the mysterious voice. Was he borderline obsessive? No. If he was, he'd lose his sense for everything that happens around him.

"Hold on!" Chapel called Seth, "Did you NOT just here the voice? She just threatened to kill us, yet you still want us to proceed?"

"Do you have a problem with that?" Seth quickly counteracted Chapel's argument. Their motives have caused them to clash in the recent past, and it seemed right now was a friendly reminder that at times, they're not at all on the same page.

"Yes, I do!" Chapel took a step toward Seth, "I elect that we go back to Mahogany Town. We don't know what we're getting ourselves into."

"I agree with Chapel." Rose added. "We must not become hasty."

"Piplup!" Piplup cried in agreement.

"So sue me if I don't agree with you-no…YOU'RE the one who doesn't agree with ME! You're inconveniencing us by putting our lives in danger, and I'm certainly not going through with your order!" Chapel explained.

Seth's eyes narrowed. "So be it. I never asked for you to come anyway." He started walking again, and as he did, he called for Chikorita, "Chikorita, let's go."

"Chico…"

Seth go a few footsteps in, but no Chikorita right next to him…

"Chikorita." He called Chikorita again, this time, facing her.

"Chi…" Chikorita was so delicate, it severely unnerved her to see Seth stare at her the way he did. Despite this, Chikorita didn't move from her spot.

"Chikorita…" This was the first time I've ever seen Chikorita go against her trainer's orders. She stood in place, right next to me.

"Even you would oppose me…" If there was anyone Seth actually cared about, it was Chikorita. His ice blue eyes went soft, and his voice slipped to that of a whisper…Did seeing Chikorita go against him actually hurt? Maybe…Seth once told me that he was able to relate to Chikorita because they had both experienced the feeling of failure. The two have been inseparable since they've met.

Chikorita moved closer to my leg.

Seth sighed before looking at me.

"If you continue through the Icy Mountains, Chikorita will stay close with Yumi, Brother." Rose explained.

"So what'll it be." Seth didn't want to leave Chikorita behind, so I guess it was his way of inviting me to accompany him further. "If you turn back, the Bergmite will block your path, and you'll be forced to fight."

Chapel and Rose looked at me intently. "It's your decision, Yumi."

Everyone knew the relationship I had with Seth. We've risked our lives for each other…But Seth heard it with his own ears, the threat of the voice taking our lives, yet he still wishes to go on…Will he care if I was killed on this quest?

On the other hand, it looked to me as if Seth was hypnotized by someone of something…That's no excuse for not calling me pretty today. I asked him if I was pretty so many times. On the outside, I gave the impression that I was playing around, but on the inside, I really wanted for him to call me beautiful, just once…

I took half a step back. Seth wouldn't allow me to slip from his grasp, right? The same goes for Chikorita as well.

I took a second step back, the sound of my footstep echoing in the icy cavern.

"Braixen, Flamethrower!" I called out to Braixen, hoping that my sudden outburst would take the Bergmite by surprise.

"Eevee, Shadow Ball!" Chapel was able to react fast enough to react accordingly, at least.

"Vui!"

"Zen!"

The plan was for Shadow Ball to aid Flamethrower, the attack that would deal a majority of the damage.

Seth closed his eyes and sighed at my decision.

"Ktch!"

The three Bergmite acted as the original Bergmite did before, launching Mist right at Flamethrower. Once again, the cold air helped for the Mist to spread quickly.

"Ktch!" However, unlike last time, Shadow Ball flew through the Mist, and we could all hear the ball of dark energy crash into the Bergmite. Cries could be heard.

"Eevee, ready another attack!" Chapel called.

Eevee stood in her battle stance, remaining on standby. The Mist, having three times the firepower, took much longer to dissipate this time.

I could only imagine the glare Seth would be giving me for not siding with him. No…It was CHIKORITA not siding with Seth that upset him.

"Ktch…"

"…Ktch…"

When the smoke cleared, there were more Bergmite…MUCH more…

"Oh my…" Those were the only words Rose could muster. Meanwhile, Chapel and I were speechless.

Bergmite…there were an amount of Bergmite that couldn't be counted by finger. My guestimate would be around the hundreds. They surrounded us, occupying nearly every inch of the cavern. A few of them could be seen sticking to the ceiling.

Could we fight this army?

"It matters not whether you choose to proceed or turn back. You will not live to see tomorrow." The mysterious voice said. "Young man, you must not waste any time here. Venture further into the mountains, then you'll find me. I hold the answers you seek."

"Not without Chikorita." Even when hypnotized, Seth refuses to leave Chikorita behind…As Seth looked at Chikorita and I he said, "Even if you leave, you're still in danger of losing your lives. Chikorita, Yumi...fighting the Bergmite is pointless, will you change your mind?"

"Don't listen to him, Yumi!" Chapel argued, "All we have to do is escape this cave, and we're home free!"

Chapel was right. Who knows how many more Bergmite lived on this mountain? We were outnumbered, but if we strengthened our numbers, we could break through…

"Chikorita!" I called her name, bringing a look of surprise on her face. Rose and Chapel were also surprised. Seth was Chikorita's trainer, yet I was the one ready to give her orders, "You ready to fight?"

"Chi…" Chikorita couldn't help looking back at her trainer for a moment before turning back to me. She gave me a hesitant not, and then stepped up right beside Braixen and Eevee.

"You want to fight?" I asked.

Chikorita nodded as she stared down the Bergmite.

"Alright!" I cheered, while Seth watched wordlessly. It was impossible to decipher what he thought about Chikorita taking my orders. "Chikorita, use Energy Ball! Braixen, Flamethrower!"

"Eevee, Shadow Ball!" Chapel commanded.

"Chi!"

"Brai!"

"Vui!"

Chikorita, Braixen, and Eevee all launched their respective attacks. The three of them against near-hundreds of Bergmite, this was going to be an uphill battle. But if need be, there's plenty of reinforcements in our other pokemon waiting in the wings.

"Ktch!" The ball of green energy, the ball of dark energy, and the stream of fire all landed…on but a single Bergmite. "Ktch…" When the attacks made contact, they didn't let up. They just kept driving the Bergmite, further and further toward the icy wall.

"I hope the mysterious voice can see this…" I said aloud.

"You hear that, voice?!" Chapel was calling out in all directions. Her bold attitude was allowing her voice to be heard, "We're too busy trying to save the world to risk our lives here. You can send all the Bergmite you want, in the end, we'll be victorious!" It was never like her to back down from a threat. She is a person who doesn't really like inflicting pain on a person or pokemon, unless it is for the greater good of the world. That's just how altruistic she is, I guess.

"You're in no position to antagonize the Bergmite forces. They serve me, and they will not fail." The voice countered. "…Underestimate them, and you will pay…"

"Ktch!" The Bergmite suffering from Shadow Ball, Energy Ball, and Flamethrower could hear the mysterious voice. He quivered, refusing to give in. Despite the cold air, you could see sweat beginning to show on him. "Ktch…" He quivered.

"Today, you shall die!"

The mysterious voice made a battle cry known, and Bergmite answered perfectly.

"Ktchkaaa!" The Bergmite roared, and he started glowing. The blue light refracted off the mirror-like ice, making the sight nearly blinding.

"What's happening?" I asked, covering my eyes.

I had a precise idea what was going on. For the sake of our lives, I was hoping I'd be wrong.

"Please don't be…"

"It is…" Rose clarified.

Our lives were going to be in more danger than ever, because the suffering Bergmite successfully fended off the attacks, and started to change shape and size.

I panicked, as did Chapel and Rose. On the contrary, the many surrounding Bergmite grew excited, restless, and cheered what could be described as a miracle on their part. Was it a miracle? We'll never know, because we were never deep enough into the battle to make an accurate assessment.

"That Bergmite is evolving," Seth said to himself.

The Bergmite grew into the shape of a huge glacier. It reminded me so much of the geographic features located in the world's northern hemisphere. If there was a sun in the cavern, this huge pokemon would certainly be blocking it right now.

"Lug!"

'Avalugg, the Iceberg Pokemon, and the evolved form of Bergmite; Avalugg's body is as hard as steel. It uses its body to demolish anything standing in its way'.

An impressive Pokedex entry, admiration from all the other Bergmite, and an intimidating atmosphere accompanying his presence, This Avalugg had all the makings of a formidable foe. He heard the mysterious voice's call, and answered by attaining new power!

"Lug…" The Avalugg calmly looked at Braixen, Chikorita, and Eevee, who all took a slow step back.

"Chi…"

"Bra…"

"Vui?" Our pokemon were speechless, and out of intimidation, they could not take their eyes off their opponent.

The many other Bergmite cheered restlessly, as if this bout was for some sort of world championship. Their joy was our doom.

"Avalugg…" The voice called, "Finish them."

The Avalugg did not nod in agreement, he just went straight into action.

"Lug…"

We were ready for whatever the giant iceberg was about to send our way…He DIDN'T send anything our way. Instead, he had risen to his hind legs. His movement was slow, and we found it hard to comprehend what he could possibly do in this position.

The excitement the Bergmite were expressing had their eyes glinting. To them, it seemed victory was near.

Seth, who was quiet and somewhat secluded today, had eyed Chikorita with worry, as if he also knew what Avalugg was attempting to do. His eyes narrowed, and he ran in our direction as he called, "Chikorita!" Compared to Avalugg's movement, Seth was moving swiftly…but, timing was completely irrelevant.

"Chi?!" Yes, Seth knew what was going to happen. Having him enter a state of urgency was the icing on the cake…Maybe he was just concerned about Chikorita. I've been told that since the disaster with Mawile at Seth's last gym battle, he's made a massive effort toward caring for his pokemon. That explanation was on full display now, as Seth grabbed Chikorita. His eyes were still icy-blue though. Perhaps Seth is simply resistant to those kind of mind games…

"Aaavv!"

Avalugg slammed his front legs on the ground. Being a body made of ice, I thought Avalugg would crack, of shatter even, given the seemingly colossal impact made.

"Z-Zen?!" Braixen and everyone else found it hard to balance. The impact Avalugg made, it wouldn't be an overstatement to call it a tremor, because we were all struggling to stay on our feet.

"Vui!" Eevee cried.

Chapel softly grabbed Eevee and hugged her, telling her not to worry. Chapel didn't seem so sure herself.

"This is an Earthquake…" Seth said.

"An Earthquake?!" I questioned it, but Earthquake was the correct term. As I parroted Seth's words, the sound of a cracking ice could be heard echoing through the icy cavern.

We all froze.

That sound of cracking ice…was coming from right under me. Looking at the ground I stood on made me uneasy, but that's what I did nevertheless. I saw the path of the crack, it was making its own path. Around Braixen and Seth, passing right through the ground Rose and Chapel stood, and finally, back to Avalugg.

I knew all too well what was going to happen: everything on the within the radius of the circle crack was going to cave in. Who knows how deep this mountain was?

"Braixen, come on!" I called Braixen as I grabbed Seth by the arm and attempted to get us to safety. "Oh?" I took a single step, but paused once I caused another crack to appear.

I thought fast, but not fast enough. The Bergmite all cheered as the cracked ice gave out, caving in.

"My servants have served their purpose. Now you three girls are going to fall to your death…" The mysterious voice said.

This woman's goal was for us to fall to our death, JUST Rose, Chapel and I. But…I was holding on to Seth…

There was no more time to this, the ice began to fall in large clumps, and falling with the ice, us…

"No!" Rose held on to Chapel, and I never let go of Seth.

We fell in to the dark unknown called an abyss, fearing for our lives. I screamed, and Chikorita screamed. I could hear Rose, Braixen, and Eevee screamed as well. Our panic echoed.

"You are called Yumi, correct?" Suddenly, I could hear the voice, talking not to Seth, but to me. There was such an arrogant undertone coming from her seemingly curious question, which would turn out to be rhetorical. The mysterious voice knew my mind was in a state of disarray, fearing I would not wake up tomorrow. She took it upon herself to further the one-sided conversation, "This young man is very dear to you. I've delved within his mind, and discovered many things about you…Seth is well aware that you have feelings for him, but he chooses to remain oblivious for the sake of gaining power. Such a shame that your passionate feelings have been nothing but vain attempts to get him to express the same passion…Because you are going to die."

'Who are you, mysterious voice?'

While screaming on the outside, I was asking that question on the inside.

The voice replied, "Your descent makes that question pointless to answer; Your body's descent into the icy abyss, and your soul's descent into Hell."

I…I wasn't going to listen to this woman. Maybe my feelings aren't getting to him now, but he could always change for the better. Just look at how he treats his pokemon now…I wanted to hold on to him, tight. If we were going to die now, maybe I could add an exclamation point to 'us'. A kiss?

…We were falling, and I tried moving closer to Seth. I moved thinking that a passionate kiss would be a perfect send off. And maybe, just maybe…he would enjoy it with me.

"Seth…" I touched his shoulder softly, Chikorita not noticing from his other arm because she was still wincing. "Seth, I love-Huh?!"

I halted when Seth opened his eyes and looked at me. His left eye was the hypnotized icy blue color, but his right eye was lavender. He started to emit a dark aura…followed by Chikorita, Braixen, and me…

"No way…" I smiled, the dark aura slowed our descent. We were no longer falling; we were floating.

We floated and floated, until we eventually ended up in what appeared to be an icy ravine located deep below ground level. I landed in a heel-sitting position, and checked our new surroundings. This underground ravine felt like a surreal video game level. There was completely frozen waterfall, the top being the closest point the ground level that was now our ceiling. The ceiling was on the thin side, but that allowed for light shine all over. This was a snowy wonderland…

Chapel, Rose and Eevee were not with us. I assumed that they landed elsewhere, or Rose used her virus power to glide herself and Chapel somewhere safe. They were out of reach as long as we were in the icy mountains, but we could always, retrace our steps to the entrance of the mountain, or at least, THEY could. Where was Avalugg and the Bergmite? I wonder if Seth and I could find a way out of this icy ravine?

"Zen!" Braixen rushed to my side to comfort me. She asked if I was alright, and helped me to my feet.

"Seth?" I called.

Braixen and I had to look around to find where he landed. While this place had the making of a winter wonderland, it also seemed so 'black and white'; so empty and lifeless. The voice wanted for me to die cold and lonely, and the thought was really depressing. What if Seth wasn't here with me?

If Seth wasn't with me, I wouldn't have thought about kissing him one last time.

"Zen." Braixen cried. With her wand-like stick, she pointed in between a pair of ice trees shrouded in Mist. There he was, walking with Chikorita.

"Seth!" I called with a smile.

Braixen and I came running after him. What I thought was an empty ravine was actually a misleading first impression. I actually saw a few pokemon. Seel and Dewgong could be seen playing with Bubbles, their white complexion seemed to blend right in with the snow. There were two Elygem, and a Snorunt playing with each other as well. They were playing tag in the trees. There was a Lapras sliding onto the frozen lake where the ice waterfall stood.

We caught up with Seth, and when we did, I pulled him into a hug. "I thought we were going to die…" I pulled out of the hug and made eye contact with him. He was no longer using the shadow virus power, meaning that his left right eye was once again a hypnotized ice blue color. I pulled his hand, for I had an idea, "I might know how to get out of here. I don't know if Braixen is a high enough level, but she might be able to float us back up using her Psychic powers. Don't you agree?"

Seth glared at me, without a word…

"Wha-what's wrong?"

"Please stop talking." Seth replied, "I you're not going to listen to me, then I won't listen to you."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You offer advice on how to get out of hero like you're some sort of hero, when you're the one who got us into this mess in the first place!" Seth…it was so out of character for him to raise his voice like that. I looked into his eye, and I could tell he was very frustrated with me. Did I feel bad though? A little, but it's not like I'm the only one to blame.

"Seth, that voice THREATENED OUR LIVES. You should've stayed and helped us fight."

"I did stay. I stayed, and I lifted not one finger to fight the Bergmite because I told you and everyone that fighting wouldn't solve anything." Seth explained, "Shame, when I finally concern enough to help you all, I'm ignored."

"We were trying to break through and retreat back to Mahogany!"

"And a lot of good that worked." Seth remarked sarcastically.

Seth was never this lively in an argument. Normally, when the issue didn't concern Neo Snagem, he would admit his fault and go down without much of a fight. But now, he's defending his cause, while I was mine.

Who was right? Who was wrong? I hated fighting with Seth of all people. I calmed down, giving a drawn out sigh as I explained myself further, "I feared for my life, Seth. I feared that if I died, I'd never be able to see you again. I worried that I'd never be able to tell you how I feel…that was, until I found out that you're aware of my feelings. Death was on my doorstep, and if I'd left this life, I'd despise the fact that I never got you to return my feelings. I want you to embrace me when I hug you. I want you to embrace me when I try and kiss you. I want to get you to blush one day…I want you to call me pretty, Seth. Am I pretty?"

Am I pretty, here we were, back at this question, only this time, no more games. I had annoyed Seth with the question all day, but now I longed for an answer.

"That question…" Seth said to himself before looking at me, "That question has annoyed me all day. I've no reason to answer it."

"That's the point!" I argued as I grabbed his hand, "I've wanted an answer from you since day one! Alice told me that you once called her pretty, why can't you call ME pretty? Am I pretty?! Am I pretty?" I was beginning to hold back tears of passion. "Am I pretty?"

Chikorita and Braixen were trying to calm us down, but it was no use.

"Let go!" Seth yelled.

"Not until you tell me I'm pretty! Am I pretty? Am I pretty?"

Seth winced in frustration as he yelled, "No! You're not!"

I paused when those words left his lips. His answer was so unnerving, I felt all strength in my arms minimize, allowing for Seth to pull away.

Braixen and Chikorita went to my side as I dropped to my knees.

"You wanted an answer, and now you've got it…" Seth remarked as he began to walk away.

His footsteps in the ice could be heard, and he was not stopping for me. It was my choice whether to follow him. Did I want to follow him?

…

I began to cry, but my tears froze before even leaving my face.

"That question is reserved for me." The mysterious voice said. "He went through the trouble of saving your life, just to tell you you're not pretty. That's right, YOU'RE UGLY."

"Chico. Chicori." Chikorita tried her best to cheer me up, even going as far as resting on my lap and smiling at me from up close.

"Zen." Braixen hugged me from behind.

The entire world wouldn't be enough to cheer me up. Seth doesn't think I'm pretty, and he told me with such bitterness coming from his mouth…It was as if my heart was as fragile as the icy waterfall in the ravine. My icy heart was in Seth's hands, and he shattered it into a million pieces. Without my heart, I felt like I wanted to…

"You wish to die, am I right?" The mysterious voice asked.

The question wasn't absurd, because those thoughts just come with heartbreak…

To Be Continued…