Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 118: As Beautiful As A Rose, a pokémon fanfic

Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 118: As Beautiful As A Rose

Today was a bad day, in more ways than one.

Yumi's POV

Location: Icy Mountains

I was so close to trying to take 'Seth and I' to the next level. So close, yet so far…

"Am I pretty? Tell me, am I pretty?"

"No."

I sighed. It is never okay to say that to a girl. But common courtesy aside, I've never seen Seth so upset with me. It was the first time he's ever raised his voice at me. The only thing I could do was hang my head as I followed Seth to wherever he desired to go, Chikorita walking beside me in an effort to comfort me.

"Chico…" I could feel the sympathy she had for me.

Where were we? It turns out Seth knew what he was doing, despite never trekking the Icy Mountains before. We hiked out of the abyss we were sent in by Avalugg, and out of the icy caverns. I expected heavy snow to be pouring down on us, but it wasn't snowing at all. The simple overcast made the view beautiful from up here in the mountains.

I wondered where Chapel and Rose were. Could they be heading to the same location we were?

"Follow the young man. The icy coat on his blue eyes reveals to him the old Aomori Village which I inhabit in these Icy Mountains. There you will meet me, at long last. You will be afforded one last opportunity to profess your love, and you will finally find answers as to what happened to the late Pryce." I remembered the mysterious woman telling us.

Aomori Village…so that's where Seth is headed…

…Who would live in a village secluded in all these mountains? I've never even heard of this 'Aomori Village' before. There must be a reason why it doesn't exist on the Johto map. Could the mysterious woman be a contributing factor? She's already threatened our lives…

"Seth?" I called.

So what if there's friction between us right now? Our friendship could always be mended later, and I really worried for what Seth might be getting us into.

"Seth." I called again, but he didn't answer.

He still wasn't talking to me…Fine! I'll just have to grab his attention.

I ran up to him and grabbed his arm. He stopped.

The path we stood in was leading us into a forest filled with frozen trees with leaves all dead and gone. There was not a pokemon in sight for miles, leaving a lonely and desolate atmosphere surrounding us. The sun's heavenly light could be seen peeking through the small cracks located in between each and every cloud in the sky. Could Arceus be looking at us right now? If so, please allow Seth to open up to me…just this one time…

"You're not stopping me." Seth said as he looked at me. His eyes were still that hypnotized icy blue color.

"Chico?" Chikorita was asking why as she nudged Seth's leg.

"We've come too far to turn back…"

I blinked, "Why do you need to know what happened to Pryce?" I asked, "It's never like you to be so fixated on such a trivial goal. Why Seth?"

"…" Seth did not reply. He simply looked away from me and into the overcast sky.

"We don't know what the mysterious woman is capable of. Going to Aomori Village could very mean we're throwing our lives away, Seth. I don't want to die, nor do I want to see YOU die."

"Will you not turn back?" Seth asked as he started walking again.

I followed him, and it was only a few steps later that I could spot a stone bridge in the distance ahead. It was located over a frozen river that would probably be alive and running in the summer. We were nearing Aomori Village.

Seth asked me whether or not I would turn back, and I answered, "I stood by you when you nearly died in Ecruteak, didn't I? I don't agree with you risking your life like this, but I would never forgive myself if I allowed something terrible to happen to you."

At the mention of me saving his life in Ecruteak City, Seth looked to the ground. Chikorita looked into his eyes, but it was as if Seth was too deep in thought to notice the Grass type. I would love to know what words he was thinking about right now-the words gone unsaid, as we neared Aomori Village…

…

Morana's POV

My journey to and up the Icy Mountains was fairly uneventful thus far, as I rode on the back of my stead, Mamoswine.

While inside an icy cavern, I stumbled upon something most unusual: A gaping hole.

"Mamo?" Mamoswine asked.

I hopped off his back and looked deep into the gaping hole. Just how deep was it? Hmph. Only a moron wouldn't know how to answer this question with ease.

As I walked toward the icy wall, the sound of my heels clacking against the hardened snow echoed throughout the cave. I stopped, and found myself staring at the wall.

"Hya!" With great force, I struck the wall using my heel, causing a chuck of ice to break off. I picked up the ice, walking it to the gaping hole before eventually letting it go.

One.

Two.

Three.

"I swear, that piece of ice takes forever to land on the ground." I crossed my arms, waiting for the echo.

Seconds later, there it was.

I closed my eyes and walked back to Mamoswine as I remarked, "Should I feel sorry for whatever losers fell through this hole? Hehe, the thought of a person plunging to their death is so pathetic, it's funny…If I remember correctly, the dumbass said he and his crew were headed up this mountain, so I guess I know whose tombstone to visit later."

Yes, it was the dumbass with his Chikorita, the Pokemon Ranger with her Piplup, and their friends. It is said they came here to find out what happened to Pryce…A meaningless effort, it is. Knowing what happened to Pryce won't benefit them in any way.

Sure, I'm here to find out what happened to Pryce, but the reason behind that is much different. I was simply bored at the Gym today, and I was looking for some sort of challenge; The mysterious woman might suffice as a worthy opponent. And if there are any powerful pokemon, I won't hesitate to make them part of my collection.

"Come on, Mamoswine," I said as I hopped back on my stead, "Yip yip."

….

After passing the cavern, I found two trails of footprints in the hard snow.

'I'll see you soon, dumbass,' I thought to myself as a knowing smile made its way on my face.

…..

Location: Icy Mountains-Town of Toys

Rose's POV

"It is the end of the line for you."

"The end of the line for you, it is."

"Lugg!"

"Mite."

"Bergmite."

From the jaws of defeat, our opponents were snatching victory. Banette was in the grasp of Illumise, and although Piplup and Eevee were capable of battling, Illlumise and Volbeat were just going to downplay their abilities using that dreaded Prankster.

We were cornered, and although Chapel could send out more Pokemon, they could very well end up in the exact same predicament as Eevee, Piplup, and Banette.

What could we do?

"Lugg!" Avalugg was ready, while the Bergmite were slowly closing any silver linings we had to escape.

"We cannot take them all on…" I said.

"Well said," Volbeat replied, "The mysterious woman will be pleased with us when we bring your corpses to Aomori Village. Now…"

"Bergmite!" Illumise called.

"Avalugg!" Volbeat called.

In unison, the Innamorati fireflies commanded, "Finish them!"

"Mite!"

"Bergmite!" The Bergmite were first. Each Bergmite opened their mouth, and began producing a whitish-blue energy. I recognized that energy…Ice Beam, and they were ready.

"Ava!" Expected from us, was Avalugg preparing an Ice Beam of his own-an Ice Beam bigger and much more powerful than the ones produced by the Bermite. "Lugg…" However, what I had expected never occurred. Instead, Avalugg went a different route. He opened his mouth, but rather than producing an Ice Beam, he began producing a beam made of black and purple energy.

"Hyper Beam…" I acknowledged that the forces standing against us were formidable. The sight of countless pokemon surrounding you, ready to deliver the final execution would be enough to make any man tremble, lay down, and practically crawl into his grave. If a man were to die here, in the depths of the Icy Mountains, he would be set free like a bird, no longer caged in this snowy wilderness. That man would have enough common sense to take the easy way out, realizing there is no need to make his inevitable death more painful and drawn out than it needs to be…

…I am not a man though.

'I have to think of something fast!' I was desperately brainstorming for ideas hurriedly. I needed some idea, ANY idea-something that could ease the numbers advantage they have over us… 'Wait a minute…the numbers advantage…That is it, I have a most wondrous idea!'

I looked at Eevee, who was still hurt by the comment made by Volbeat. She took being called ugly very hard…Never we mind that, and never we mind the fact that Eevee is a pokemon under the ownership of Chapel, "Eevee, use Attract!"

"Attract?" Chapel questioned.

Attract was a technique that had no business being used in a life-threatening situation such as this…or was it? It was just the unorthodox move needed to take our potential liberators by surprise.

The lack of awareness from Volbeat and Illumise kept the fireflies from reacting according using their Prankster abilities, meaning Eevee was going to get Attract off uninterrupted. "Vui!" For the act, Eevee adopted a smile on her face, and winked as hearts started being produced. The hearts multiplied quicker than a Double Team, and flew at each and every pokemon at Extreme Speed pace.

Each and every Bergmite had no clue what the hearts were supposed to do, and in turning their attention toward said hearts, focus of producing each Ice Beam was lost, and ultimately cancelled.

"Luhhh…" Avalugg was the first to become infatuated, the Hyper Beam ultimately going unlaunched. The Avalugg was a male, and like him, his boys were to follow.

"Mite…"

Eevee was the center of attention, and infatuation kept the Bergmite and Avalugg from attacking.

"Mite."

Attract was not finished running its course, not yet. A final set of pink hearts made their way toward Volbeat, who looked intrigued. The hearts hovered around him, and within seconds, made contact with Volbeat.

"…" Illumise had not the slightest clue of what to expect from her accomplice. She was just as intrigued as he was.

"…" Volbeat partially closed his eyes, and a haughty smile was adopted on his face. He shrugged, "I know, this is the part where I fall madly in love, right? Ha, as if! Attract failed, flat out!" He looked at Eevee and chuckled merrily, "It's not like it matters. Even infatuated, I would still call you ugly. Haha, it was funny when I called you ugly last chapter!"

'Ugly for an Eevee', that is what Volbeat called Eevee. She was hurt by those words before, now the pain has come to haunt her once more as Volbeat laughed merrily, Illumise joining in, purposely toying with a Banette still in her grasp.

"Vui…" Eevee gritted her teeth. Volbeat was continuously touching a subject that Eevee was very sensitive about. Before, she was saddened to the point of standing down. Now, Eevee took it upon herself to display a reaction out of anger.

…

Eevee's POV

That Volbeat…he was making me angry! He's so annoying, with that smug look on his face, and that annoying laugh that sound like it comes from a squirrel, to his partner in crime, Illumise.

…What I hate most about him is that he continually calls me ugly. Even Attract couldn't change his attitude…

"HAHA! Please, put a bag over your face. Your face is too weird. A jokester like me hates to tell the truth, but please: turn around and walk away. You'll save yourself any further embarrassment."

"Shut up…SHUT UP!" Earlier, he made a comment that referenced the fact that I was stuck in that dreaded PC Storage Box for 5 years…My original trainer left me…how could he? Red…out of every pokemon you caught, why did it have to be me? You gave me to that Bill, and for what?! In the name of research?! Maybe you should've just told me out loud that I'm ugly! Why, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here, watching this Volbeat harass me! I HATE you, Red!

My mind was beginning to tell send me negative messages. I was a sensitive pokemon, and I couldn't help letting Volbeat's words get to me…I yelled at the Volbeat to shut his mouth, but he was obnoxious.

"Hah!"

I began to blink away tears that froze before hitting the checkered ground. "Shut your mouth!" Angered I opened my mouth and formed a ball of dark energy. Eager, I quickly launched the Shadow Ball at Volbeat, who stopped laughing. His eyes shot wide open as the attack approached him…

"LUG!"

"Hmph!" Volbeat smirked, while I became astonished.

It was Avalugg, who had launched a Hyper Beam to smother the Shadow Ball, resulting in a small explosion.

"Lu…"

"But how?" Rose questioned.

"Avalugg is supposed to be infatuated," Chapel said.

"Now now now!" Volbeat flew right in front of me.

"Now now now!" And Illumise followed. As she approached me, she merrily tossed Banette back to Rose…Why would Illumise do that? Perhaps she believes Banette won't matter because we're already outnumbered.

Volbeat casually put a hand on my shoulder as he said, "Do you realize that a pokemon has a chance to attack even when infatuated?"

Illumise chimed in, "A Pokemon has a chance to attack even when infatuated, do you realize that?"

Avalugg, fighting through the infatuation, stepped forth, as did the female Bergmite who were unaffected by Attract.

"They are ready to attack!" Rose called.

"Even with Attract, we're still outnumbered!" Chapel yelled. As Bergmite and Avalugg stepped closer to us, I could hear whispers coming from Chapel, "…We're gonna have to flee."

Rose wasted no time listening to Chapel as she took a single Pokeball and pointed it at the evil Banette doll. "Banette, I recall you." Banette was released from Illumise's grasp and sent into her Pokeball.

There was no expression to note coming from Illumise.

"We're really going to run?" Piplup asked me.

I turned to the penguin and nodded my head.

Rose and Chapel both took a step back, this was not something the fireflies would let go unnoticed, as they quietly took note with a glint in their eyes.

Volbeat then faced me, "You can run now. At least we won't have to look at your ugly face if you do."

"Yes, we won't have to look at your ugly face if you run now." Illumise chuckled.

…

The first step away from the scene was made, the second following a mere fraction of a second after. Chapel's boots hitting the checkered ground echoed.

Rose had a unique way of fleeing. She used the power of Missingno's virus to float in the air, flying at a decent speed. Her long blonde hair blew in the air.

Piplup and I looked at each other. It was as if eye contact was the only thing required for us to communicate efficiently. We nodded, knowing that we needed to follow Chapel and Rose.

….

And thus, the chase began. For a pokemon of his size, Avalugg was fast. We could only maintain this distance for so long, until we get tired or hit some sort of unforeseen bump along the road.

This town was different, with an abundance of decorations that could be put to practical use. For example, the ice ring that the Buneary was performing on earlier.

"Bun?" The Buneary was still there as we approached this ice ring.

Chapel stopped before the ice, Rose following suit. We all looked back to see Avalugg, who smirked.

"I believe, we have them cornered," Illumise said.

"We have them cornered, I believe," Volbeat parroted.

Chapel looked at the ice ring. We all knew what Chapel was thinking, and it was Rose who asked the question that was one all of our minds.

"You will, skate across?" Rose asked.

"No, that is against Ice Ring regulations."

"Hm?" It was not Chapel who answered Rose's question.

Not Illumise, it was. Not Volbeat either, it was.

Avalugg had not opened his mouth.

The Buneary in the Ice Ring stopped to observe the scene Chapel and Rose had gotten themselves into.

My trainer and the Avalugg stood feet apart from each other, and stepping in between them…was a toy?

"A Nutcracker…" Rose whispered.

Me, Piplup, and the humans all had such dumbfounded looks on our faces. In our battle with Avalugg and the fireflies, forgot that this location was a town of many anomalies. Oddities were in abundance. Checkered roads, holiday lighting, a civilized atmosphere despite the fact that humans are nowhere in sight. In fact, I doubt humans have ever inhabited this place…

But now…talking toys. Yes, Banette is technically a 'talking toy', and there are pokemon such as Klefki who could be classified accordingly, but those are exceptions that are actually noted in the Pokedex. Nutcrackers though…this place has residents unlike any other. What we thought was weird, was the Nutcracker doing its job.

Volbeat, Illumise, and Avalugg looked on as if this were normal.

"You mustn't disrupt Buneary during her performance," The nutcracker said.

"Yeah!" The fireflies both cheered. "There's nowhere for you to run!"

Chapel looked back at the ice, staring at it for a moment.

The Nutcracker caught on, then proceeded to tell Chapel, "Take one step onto the ice, and we will apprehend you. We nutcrackers are: The Law!"

Several duplicate Nutcracker toys gathered, surrounding Chapel, Rose, Avalugg, and the fireflies.

"Mite."

For a second, we all thought of going down without a fight. We had nothing to lose by obeying the law of the Nutcrackers. We would be safe from prosecution, and we'd have a nice day…If Avalugg and the fireflies weren't staring us down.

…Oh, and the Bergmite that remained unaffected by my Attract had caught up, making their way around Avalugg. Their numbers were at a mere fraction compared to before, but they still had the advantage.

The Bergmite prompted a smile from Chapel, and to everyone, she said, "So. Sue. Me." Without warning, Chapel hopped onto the field of ice, prompting gasps from the pokemon audience sitting in the stands.

"Humans!"

"Technically, I am not 'on' this Ice Ring, so I have honestly broken no law." Rose gave a quick smile as she floated over the field of Ice.

"The ice makes me feel right at home." Piplup got on the field and started skating at commendable speed.

"W-Wait!" I called out to Piplup, "I can't skate!"

Piplup stopped and eyed me, "Come on! If you don't take a chance, you're finished!"

I hesitated. I've never even tried ice skating. The only thing I've ever had going for me? Being trapped in a PC for most of my life, remember?

I looked at my reflection in the ice. It saw…a silver furred Eevee who looked unsure of herself…And then I saw Volbeat, who also looked at my reflection.

"Ugly and scared, you are." Volbeat chuckled.

I gritted my teeth.

"You are, ugly and scared?" Illumise asked. "Here, allow Avalugg and Bergmite to kill you!"

"Lugg!"

"Mite."

Volbeat retorted, "At least when we pick your eyes out with icicles, you won't have to see how ugly you are anymore! Hah-Ah!"

Volbeat began to laugh, but for once, that tendency came back to bite him. In his distraction, he was struck by a Beam of ice that came from behind me. "Huh?" It was Piplup. She came back to the 'starting line' and was offering me a hand.

"Don't listen to that jerk." She held a flipper out to me, "Grab my hand. We'll get through this together."

It was a struggle, and I even fell a few times, but Piplup was there to help me up. Being ice types, Avalugg and the Bergmite were able to slide across the ice with relative ease, but Piplup's ice skating ability was so great, we were able to keep a solid lead despite me slowing her down.

"Humans…" The Buneary whispered to herself. She didn't even acknowledge me, Piplup, and our pursuers crossing the ice field.

"Excuse us!"

"Woah!"

But the Buneary DID notice the Nutcrackers that were now in pursuit of us. They were crossing the ice as well.

…

The did not stop at the end of the Ice Ring. In fact, I would call it a stretch to label the chase 'halfway done'.

Chapel led our group back onto the checkered road, this time on a different route. We ran through neighborhoods made of gingerbread houses, as well as igloos. The many decorative lights made it difficult to lose our pursuers, so we had to make due with confusing them. Avalugg, Volbeat and Illumise remained consistent, however, the number of Bergmite following us began to dwindle as they were losing their way.

The Nutcrackers were enforcers of the law, so as predicted, they had a system to help maintain that balance. They knew the ins and outs of every corner; every intricate detail of every house's surroundings, as well as the residents. Their numbers were nowhere near close to dwindling.

Chapel looked back, and grunted in frustration, "We're no progress in separating from Avalugg and the rest."

"Then allow us to escape one Christmas toy by utilizing another!" Rose pointed at what was up ahead, beyond the end of the neighborhood.

"What?"

"You're kidding…" Piplup couldn't not believe the convenience. Ahead, there were tracks…and a train.

"The train…" Volbeat narrowed his eyes.

"We've never seen the train be used before…" Illumise noted.

The two Innamorati looked each other in the eyes, and then started clapping. In unison, they cheered, "Let's see how it works!"

"You humans will not escape us! Surrender now, with your hands up!" The lead Nutcracker called. He was desperate…EVERYONE on their side was desperate-desperate not to let the mysterious woman down.

"Let us ride!" Chapel's voice was strong as we boarded the first cabin.

"Come on…Come on…" I was anxious as the train turned on. I was praying for this train to start moving before our pursuers could board. I…I didn't want to hear Volbeat talk down to me anymore…

Ugly…

Am I really ugly? The fact the my Attract didn't work on Volbeat suggests so.

Yes, I wished for the fireflies to not board the train, but when you put logic into effect, those two could simply fly into the train, EVEN IF it leaves Avalugg and the several Bergmite and Nutcrackers behind…Upon this realization, the train began to move, and it was then that I knew what I had to do.

"Damn!" Chapel gritted her teeth.

"They have boarded the second cabin," Rose said.

"Not all of them, just the true threats."

I had to win this battle. If I could defeat Volbeat today, maybe my self-esteem would improve. He and Illumise were the first to board the second cabin, followed by Avalugg. Only two Bergmite, and two Nutcrackers were able to make it on at the last second.

"Eevee!" Chapel called me.

I faced Chapel, who had an excited smile on her face, "Their numbers are nearing zero…I'll get my other pokemon the handle Avalugg and the Nutcrackers, while you take Volbeat."

My eyes grew wide. Chapel…she knew Volbeat was speaking ill of me? I thought every word that came out of my mouth would come off as gibberish to a human like her. That is not the case…Chapel understands what I'm saying; she understands ME. She understands me better than my old trainer did.

…How do I know if Red didn't understand me? What if he DID understand me? While Chapel journeys, she has found several lost reports explaining the research behind the storage system. What those lost pages explain is the opposite of the words Volbeat tried to instill in my head. Maybe me being trapped in the storage WASN'T my old trainer's fault. Maybe there was some sort of circumstance that was beyond his control. We'll have to collect the rest of the lost pages to Bill's Report if we wish to know what exactly happened, and to do that, I'll have to beat Volbeat!

The first and second cabins on the train were connected, making it a simple task for our enemies to cross over.

We were ready, as Chapel readied her Pokeballs.

I eyed Volbeat, and he looked at me mockingly.

"Hey ugly."

I wasn't moved this time.

"I'm ready to fight you now," I said.

Volbeat placed his hands on his hips, "That so?"

Illumise was more than happy to interject, "You'll have to defeat Avalugg first!"

I questioned this, raising an eyebrow.

Avalugg stepped forward, eyeing me. If this weren't a battle to prove myself, I probably would have taken a step back in caution. Not this time, and Avalugg probably sensed this. He was the enemy, but I was grateful to him for not looking at me with any hint of underestimation in his eyes. Despite the massive size difference, Avalugg saw me as an equal.

"Hold it!" I was ready, but the Nutcrackers interfered before the first shots could be fired. We all looked at the two Nutcrackers as they stepped in between us. We were annoyed, Avalugg included. "There will be no such battle taking place here. Eevee and company, you are subject for arrest for failure to obey a lawful order or regulation, in addition to eluding arrest."

"You should let Avalugg destroy them first." Illumise replied.

"Let Avalugg destroy them first, you should." Volbeat added.

"Silence, before we arrest YOU two." So the Nutcracker wasn't taking sides…

"So Eevee versus Avalugg isn't going to happen?" Piplup questioned.

This made things difficult. What were we to do if the Nutcrackers weren't going to allow us to fight? I HAVE to defeat Avalugg and prove my worth to myself!

"You wish to arrest us, huh?" Chapel asked. From her, we heard footsteps. Chapel walked in front of me, confronting the Nutcracker who had a toy gun in hand. The Nutcracker could have fired a shot, but my trainer purposely had her hands over her head, meaning she was not a threat at that exact moment in time. Once she stopped, she put her hands on her hips. "You wish to interfere with Eevee's grudge against our enemies here, yet you disregard the fact that you have more than one enemy to capture. So sue me if I choose to resist, but I have pokemon in these Pokeballs here that are more than willing to do battle with you, while Eevee can fight Avalugg and the fireflies."

Chapel wordlessly released two of my friends from their Pokeballs: Chimecho and Skarmory.

"Skar!"

"Chime chime!"

…

"Piplup, Ice Beam."

Everyone was surprised by Chapel commanding an attack out of Piplup just after sending out Skarmory and Chime, even Piplup herself. However, Piplup was able to react fast enough to focus before the Nutcracker could take action. She launched her beam of ice that had an unusually high chance of freezing its target. This was one of the rare occasions where her Ice Beam DIDN'T freeze, but it was a critical hit, knocking the nutcracker over Avalugg and back into the second cabin of the train.

Chapel, Piplup, Chime, and Skarmory all rushed into the second cabin, the other Nutcracker following her close behind. From there, they waged battle-a three on two handicap, with the number's game finally in our favor.

"Now, the battle shall ensue," Rose said calmly.

"Look there, Commander 26 is cheering for the ugly Eevee!" Volbeat cheered.

"WE'LL cheer for Eevee too!" Illumise clapped.

"Go Eevee! Go Eevee!" They were both teasing me, "Show Avalugg who's boss!"

"Eevee," Rose called my name, "Disregard what those imbeciles say."

It took a minute, but I had started to ignore them a little bit ago. Being mocked doesn't hurt as much as being called ugly…It was time to make Volbeat and Illumise eat those words.

…Heh, ironic that 'ugly' is the word that pushes me to do greatness right now.

"Those fireflies have been bothersome to me as well, ever since I was a toddler," Rose said, "Like you, I would love nothing more than to quiet them for once. If I may, I would like to act as your trainer in this battle."

"Huh?!" My eyes went wide.

But Chapel is my trainer.

"Do not worry, Chapel and I have formed a dynamic that is reminiscent of close sisters. She trusts me, as I trust her. Allow me to receive that same trust from you."

Hm…Piplup hasn't been officially captured by Chapel, yet they share a close trainer-pokemon relationship. I guess I could do the same with Rose. Why not?

I nodded, and stepped forward. It was time for Avalugg and I to fight, Volbeat to follow right after.

The speed in which the train moved began to increase, making it slightly hard to balance on the floor. This was impossible for Rose, Volbeat, and Illumise to pick up, because they were floating in the air.

"Shadow Ball!" Rose commanded.

Yes, this train WAS cramped, but that would be something I would make work in our favor. Avalugg, as huge as he was, would have his mobility severely limited. He was not going to avoid Shadow Ball.

I produced a ball of dark energy and launched it at the large ice type. Staring into oncoming damage, he seemed relatively unfazed.

On contact, a cloud of smoke was created, temporarily preventing me from seeing Avalugg and the fireflies. It was early to be holding my breath, but I couldn't help it. This was the perfect opportunity to gauge my strength in comparison to Avalugg's defense.

We waited, and while we did, I could feel the train running over a few bumps. I almost lost my balance on one occasion.

"Lugg…" The smoke cleared, revealing to Rose and I, an Avalugg who didn't seem to mind the Shadow Ball it took. It was his turn to gauge me now, and he looked at me, somewhat in thought. It was as if he was asking me 'is that the best you can do?'. He was not getting cocky, his low toned groan suggested that he was simply curious.

"Shadow Ball did nothing," Volbeat said.

"Nothing, Shadow Ball did," Illumise chimed.

What did my Shadow Ball accomplish? Was it just to fill time?

"Allow us to perform Iron Tail." Rose had a soft voice. Even in the heat of battle, she was able to maintain her typical ladylike demeanor.

I followed the call of Rose, allowing my tail to be cloaked in an iron aura. I had no idea whether the steel would be able to crack the ice, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

My eyes were not on Volbeat or Illumise, nor were they on the battle ensuing between Chapel and the Nutcrackers in the second cabin. I was focused on delivering to Avalugg great damage, and I was not going to let my wander.

I jumped into the air, and dove in the direction of Avalugg. Upon seeing my tail, Avalugg braced himself. He was well aware of what steel could do to ice like him. If we weren't in the cramped train, Avalugg very well could have tried to dodge my attack, but that wasn't the case.

Right on the head, I slammed my tail onto Avalugg, causing a bit of a rumble. The huge ice type was sent to the ground, but I wasn't finished yet. I added to the damage already dealt by striking him with Iron Tail a second time.

Super effective!

I tried going for a third Iron Tail to shift the momentum entirely in my favor, but Avalugg's eyes glinted. As my tail closed in, even was able to fight through his pain and grab my tail with his mouth.

My eyes widened. Avalugg's facial expression now told me 'I do not underestimate you. You'd best return the favor!'

"Lug!" With much force, Avalugg tossed me back.

"Eevee!" Avalugg's strength was so great, I was well on my way to crashing into the wall. However, Rose called my name as she flew to my aid and caught me. She looked at me and asked, "You are, unharmed?"

I nodded, and Rose quickly released me. I ran up to stare down the big Avalugg.

"Lugg."

"Avalugg commends you," Illumise said.

"He did not expect you to know Iron Tail!" Volbeat then clapped. "Go Eevee!"

"Go Eevee!" Illumise cheered. Before she could cheer for long, Illumise halted, turning to her Innamorati partner and happily asking, "Um, what if Eevee loses?"

What if I lose?

...Hmph, it was time I stopped listening to those two, especially during this fight…I wasn't going to keep my mind stuck on this subject for too long, for I knew I had to defeat Avalugg in order to shut Volbeat and Illumise up, once and for all.

"Lugg." Yes, Avalugg was complimenting me for having learned such an effective attack, but now it was his turn. "Lugg!"

I braced myself. Avalugg was a huge pokemon capable of great power…However, that doesn't take away from the fact that he isn't too far off from evolving from Bergmite. Before we fell into this town of toys, Avalugg was just another one of the group. And just like the Bergmite that have long since been left behind, he knew a Mist with power that was magnified thanks to the ice-cold caverns. Avalugg launched Mist in my direction.

In the Icy Mountains, Mist had the power to freeze its target. With this in mind, I quickly moved out of the way, no command needed. And what reason was there for Avalugg to stop at me? His Mist kept going, and Rose had to get out of its path as well.

"How bothersome. It seems I must keep my guard up for seemingly inadvertent cheap shots such as Mist." Rose was now floating at a slightly greater height than before. Hovering, her hair blew, as did her elegant black maiden dress. "Eevee, perform an Attract. Avalugg will not be able to resist your smarminess in succession."

"Attract again?" I've never before attempted to Attract a pokemon after the attack has failed, which was why I questioned Rose. She…looked like she knew what she was doing, so I complied. I forced a smile on my face and looked at Avalugg with fluttering eyes.

"Lugg?" Avalugg was bewildered, rendering him speechless.

I produced heart, and at my command, the hearts rushed toward Avalugg, and a Volbeat who was still present.

Come on…please work…Attract has to be successful this time…If not…

"Lug?!" The hearts hovered around Avalugg and Volbeat before rushing into them successfully.

"What the?" Volbeat's eyes grew wide, and he froze for a moment.

"Volbeat?" Illumise was not smiling. She was concerned for her partner.

Did the Attract work? Avalugg and Volbeat freezing the way they did suggests that my attempt was successful. Fearing the possibility, Illumise waved a hand in Volbeat face.

"Are you okay?" Illumise swiftly turned to me and whined, "No fair! Volbeat is supposed to be MY partner! You're not allowed to steal him!"

I smiled, "Attract worked?!"

Illumise quickly closed her eyes and answered, "Nope! I was just kidding!"

Volbeat, frozen, could no longer contain himself as he broke out in laughter, "Hahahaha. HA HA HA. HA! HAH! I can't believe you fell for it! Wait, I totally can, because you're an ugly idiot!"

"You're acting is still top notch, Volbeat!" Illumise exclaimed, "Our audience actually thought our acting was real!"

Volbeat replied to Illumise, "Of course. Though, you might want to do some rehearsing! As an Innamorati, you're supposed to throw tantrums in addition to whining. It's in your stock character, remember?"

The move failed to affect Avalugg too…

Volbeat didn't have any fingers, but that didn't stop him from pretending to wave a finger as he remarked, "You can't get me! YOU CAN'T GET ME! I said that twice because your Attract failed twice-Whoops! I mean, Attract failed FOUR times! You're too ugly for Avalugg too! It's no wonder you're not living with your mother. She would be ashamed of you, Ugly Duckling!"

I drooped. "It failed…I'm, ugly?" I whispered.

It was one thing to be called ugly, and another thing to start thinking to yourself that you're ugly. But to start calling yourself that word out loud…I've reach a new low. I never had the chance to know my mother. Coincidence aside, Volbeat's jokes are shots being fired at my entire existence! These shots were bullets that have pierced through my heart, and broke my spirit. I dropped to the ground, not from physical pain, but from emotional stress.

"Our mother would be ashamed too!" Illumise laughed, "Right, 26?"

"Wrong! Commander 06 would be very angry with you." Rose replied. She then looked down and me and called, "Eevee, to your feet. We must fight on."

Why? Why should I fight if those words were only going to tear me down?

…

Everyone waited for me to respond. I was about at stagnant as the train we were on. It had just reached its destination, and it stopped, allowing for the pace to slow down a bit.

Rose descended to the ground and walked right next to me. "I am no stranger to being damaged by the words of people. Those words hurt, do they not…?"

"…" I gave Rose no reply.

"Fine, if you're willing to lay down and die like a good puppy, we'll be glad to accommodate!" Volbeat cheered.

"Avalugg, use Hyper Beam!" Illumise commanded.

"Lugg!" Avalugg began to charge a beam of black energy, slowly but surely.

At this moment, I knew the clock was ticking for me, but I did not move. I was as stuck as a broken clock.

"Eevee, stand up!" There was a hint of panic creeping into Rose's voice. She cheered for me to take evasive action, but encouraged, I wasn't. "Eevee!"

"Aagg!" Launched, was the Hyper Beam, and like Illumise said, I was laying down like a puppy. I was ready to faint; ready, to fall asleep. I wished to fall into the world of my dreams, where I could repel the word 'ugly', and the amount of damage it does to my self-image. Volbeat and Illumise wouldn't exist…it would just be me, Chapel, and Rose, savoring our imaginary world, where the evils of abandonment do not exist.

What I desired, Rose proved to be against. When the Hyper Beam was launched, she quickly picked me up and shielded me. I had not a clue of what damage Hyper Beam was capable of, so I assumed it was powerful enough for me to say Rose MIGHT'VE saved my life…But at what cost?

Avalugg's attack was so powerful, it sent Rose through the glass window, while I was in her arms. I expected a landing that would injure the five year old as she tumbled along the ice. I thought she would be forcefully put to sleep, where she would dream. It was the very thing I desired right now. However, Rose was able to react quickly. Using her virus power, she halted her body just before it slammed into the cold ground. The ground was shiny. From Rose's arms, I could see my reflection when slightly opened my eyes.

"You will be alright, Eevee."

"Huh?" I looked at Rose, who gave me a warm smile.

"Chapel and I care about you. We will not leave you behind the way your previous trainer did. You must be willing to do the same for us." Holding me close to her made me feel smothered…I loved the feeling. It felt like I was being embraced by the mother I never got to know, "My Brother, Zero, once gave me a piece of advice, a year ago. I have a very hard time following this advice, because like you, I also become very easily hurt by the words of those around me. 'Do not listen to other people's words,' He told me, 'Counter those words of negativity, with your own positive words'. You have to tell yourself that you're beautiful, even when the world thinks otherwise. You are beautiful, Eevee; as beautiful, as a rose." Rose loved flowers more than any other, so when she called me a beautiful rose-her favorite flower of them all-I began having an epiphany.

This epiphany came to mind when Rose gently place me on the ground. 'Arceus created me, and made me beautiful…as beautiful as a Rose.' I was as beautiful as a rose, and I was as sparkling pretty…as the magnificent icy location we were in. We were in the snow, at the top of a waterfall. Looking down below, I could see many pine trees covered in snow. And looking back here, giving more attention to detail, I saw many icy pebbles lined up along the water. The water and the pebbles all led to an icy rock located upstream. The rock looked beautiful in my eyes; once again, as beautiful as a Rose. This all seemed to be underneath the cavern we were all in before Avalugg shattered the ground with Earthquake-before we were separated from the others.

Staring into the rock, I said to myself, "I am beautiful, and I CAN defeat Avalugg, Illumise, and the fireflies! I, am a beautiful Eevee!"

I could feel the positivity flowing through me now. It felt like pure energy was pulsating within each and every one of my veins. This positivity…this energy…I could feel it making its way outside, and surrounding me. This feeling…it felt so good…

Rose's POV

Eevee was evolving…

Avalugg could not find words of speech to direct toward the situation before, and thus, watched and waited.

For the first time in a while, Volbeat and Illumise allowed their obnoxious characters to take a back seat.

Upon glowing light blue, Eevee began to grow and slightly change shape. When she stopped glowing, she was no longer the Eevee we were familiar with. Her silver fur had become a pristine, shiny, bluish white color. Her eyes were deep sapphire, as were rhombus-shaped markings on her back and the tips of her tail and feet. An ice blue crest was present on her forehead, with two dangles that could pass as elegant bangs. The crest reminds me of an ushanka…

"On…" More than ever, this new form of Eevee-Glaceon-she was beautiful; As beautiful as a Rose. She opened her eyes, and looked at her reflection in the shiny ground. "Gla?"

Smiling, I asked Glaceon, "Do you like what you see?"

Glaceon didn't answer. But now, I knew that now, nobody could resist an Attract from her. It was time to land the end this fight.

"You've achieved new beauty and power. Let us demonstrate that power by using Attract."

"Gla?" Glaceon questioned as she looked back at me, and I gave her an assuring nod.

To myself, I thought, 'I have instilled confidence into little Glaceon.'

Glaceon returned my gesture and turned to face Avalugg.

"Lu…" There was a reason Avalugg has not attacked us since the evolution-Hyper Beam…it renders a pokemon useless after being used. This left Avalugg an easy target.

"Ceon!" Glaceon winked at our opponents as hearts were produced. As a Glaceon, her hearts were slightly different, being a periwinkle color, rather than pink. These hearts were sent toward Avalugg and the fireflies. They hovered, before eventually rushing through.

Illumise remained unaffected, but Avalugg and Volbeat…were they infatuated this time?

"Uh…" Volbeat could not keep his eyes off Glaceon. His eyes were about as shiny as the glistening snow on the pine trees.

"I've gotta say, your acting skills are godly right now!" Illumise said to Volbeat, "We'll be able to convince ANYONE into casting us for any upcoming plays!"

"Uh…"

"Volbeat?" Volbeat was always one to quickly build on the words of Illumise, but not his time. His eyes remained glued…on Glaceon. "Volbeat!" Volbeat being out of character, Illumise took it upon herself to slap some sense into him, for the joke had overstayed its welcome this time. When Volbeat failed to respond again, Illumise grabbed him and started to shake him. "Volbeat! Volbeat! Wake up!"

The Innamorati character Illumise portrayed was starting to surface. In the dramas of Commedia Del' Arte, the Innamorati-or 'young lovers'- would often throw tantrums when something failed to go their way. Illumise continued to shake Volbeat. She whined and whined, but it was a futile effort; Volbeat was infatuated.

With a spicy attitude, Illumise swung her gaze to Glaceon, "Why don't you play fair?! Attract is a cheap tactic! That's it, I'm finished playing around! Avalugg, estroy her with Earthquake-oh Avalugg?!"

Avalugg was infatuated as well.

"Avalugg is not able to battle, therefor, Glaceon is the winner." I announced.

This battle may have been about Glaceon, but this was an important step taken in the right direction. Volbeat and Illumise have been a thorn in my side for my entire life, and for the first time, I have a victory over them.

To Ilumise, I asked, "What will you do now?"

Illumise gritted her teeth. She could hear it in my voice: I was teasing her for once. To me, Illumise answered, "This isn't over...26. In fact, I'd say you've fallen right into our trap. We'll tell Commander Beatrice and the rest of Team Neo Snagem where you and your friends are." I had not a clue what the female firefly was saying. After all, she was a pokemon, while I was human, "Prepare yourself, 26…Rose. Soon, we'll meet again. And with Commander Beatrice at our side, you will either fall, or return to Team Neo Snagem. We'll see you, in The Bridge That Leads Nowhere…" And with that, a frustrated Illumise took off, but not without coming back to drag Volbeat by the antenna.

…I wonder if Commander Beatrice is in a nearby town. Maybe she is just past the Icy Mountains.

"Rose." My name was called, and it came from the dormant train.

"Gla?" The ears of Glaceon perked up as she heard the voice of her trainer.

Chapel was accompanied by Piplup and Skarmory, and were relatively unharmed.

"You have defeated the Nutcrackers?" I asked.

Chapel nodded as she walked in our direction. When she made her way, she calmly looked at Glaceon with a smile, "Well well, it seems we have an unfamiliar face."

"On?"

Chapel happily petted Glaceon, who cooed in pleasure. "So sue me if I wasn't there to witness the evolution of my own pokemon…I'm proud of you, Eevee-I mean, Glaceon." Chapel picked Glaceon from the ground and looked at her closely, "You look gorgeous! I never thought you would evolve into a Glaceon."

Chapel rambled about how she expected Eevee to evolve into an Umbreon, like Yumi. She also half-heartily expected an evolution into Espeon, like Wes. She pulled the ice type in for a hug, and they nuzzled each other merrily.

Glaceon was returned to the ground as Chapel asked her, "With you evolving into a Glaceon, our trek through the Icy Mountains may have gotten much easier. How would you like to lead the way, Gorgeous?"

"Gla." Glaceon blushed, but nodded.

"Alright then. First, we find Yumi and Seth, then I guess it's on to the next city once we finish up here!" Chapel would be the one to lead the way, from the abyss, out of the icy caverns, and into the outside, where we would trek the Icy Mountains under dark cloud-clad sky.

Yes, we were going to meet Volbeat and Illumise again. They predict our crossing paths with Commander 06 at The Bridge That Leads Nowhere, but why not another city on the horizon? Blackthorn City is not too far away. We could meet somewhere in between as well. My mind wondered about the many possibilities our encounter could fall under, when I should really be waiting until we clear the Icy Mountains to do so.

For now, let us proceed to Aomori Village, and find Yumi and Brother.

To Be Continued…