Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 130: Hope
Location: Violet City
Amid Team Neo Snagem's bid to seize Violet City, and Violet City's resistance, the city itself is…'concealed by a mask'.
The streets chaotic…
"Uuuuuunooooowwwwn."
The sky littered with countless Unown who've been guided to the city from the Ruins…
"Uuuuuunooooowwwwn."
The city itself, falling under the spell of the singing Unown, an being rechristened by the crystallization of all.
"Uuuuuunooooowwwwn."
The streets, they're heavily decorated with fallen people and pokemon. With few exception, the resistance Team Neo Snagem has failed. Grunts and Shadow Pokemon have seized those who remain conscious, and imprisoned them-just as they themselves were imprisoned by society…
"Uuuuuunooooowwwwn."
This wasn't the Violet City of yesterday. No, it's 'mask' was in the form of all the chaos of today.
…And from the sky, a single young man riding his Charizard could see the whole thing.
"This can't be…" Zero was near speechless.
It was like Azalea Town all over again-People, defeated and dead, because Zero was unable to do a thing. Zero almost died that day as well, but he refused to use that as an excuse.
"Had I stayed here longer, this chaos could've been prevented." It was uncharacteristic of Zero to be solemn, but the matter couldn't be helped when he was in the sky, watching thousands of people suffer. "It's not too late. Perhaps by defeating the strongest source, the subordinates will follow; Violet City will be saved."
Zero knew 'the source'. Commander 12…she was the only Neo Snagem Commander in Violet City, to his knowledge, until…
"…" Zero narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of a fight waiting to happen.
This situation was almost unfair. It was Falkner. Alongside a Dragonite, he was staring down 19, 21, Emboar, Magnezone, and Zeno.
How long has it been since Zero realized that the scientist and THOSE Commanders existed. They'd been eliminated some time ago…This realization, soon blended in with the background-when Zero caught sight of Commander 12.
12 had yet to speak to Falkner. She hasn't spoken much all together…and Zero was the reason why.
12 was the only one not too gauged on Falkner, and she caught sight of Zero and Charizard.
"…" Zero said nothing, as he looked right back at her.
However brief the eye contact between to two, it seemed like an hour passed.
Zero had returned to the city streets, and was looking for a fight-a fight with 12.
It was as if they read each other's minds, as Zero could see 12 mouth to him, "It's time to settle the score."
Wherever Zero and Charizard landed, that's where 12 would follow. And where Zero and Charizard landed, was the peak of Violet City's largest skyscraper: The Pokemon Gym.
Once again-Zero and 12-they were to do battle. However one-sided their previous affair was was irrelevant. With the Spell of the Unown and the spreading shadows on her side, 12 was going to make her imminent victory, absolute.
…..
Location: Violet City Streets
One more question before the fight between Falkner and The New Alliance. "12?" Commander 21 questioned, "Where are you going?"
12 didn't answer. She didn't even look in 21's direction. 21 wanted to follow her, and this would've been the perfect opportunity to break off from Emboar and 19, preparing for battle.
"Nevermind her." Zeno answered, "M.C knows whatever it is she's doing. Violet City is hopeless now-to the point where even the presence of the lowest ranked Grunts can break down the spirit of a defeated man."
"…" In other words, 21 was told not to worry.
"Falkner is this city's last line of defense. Focus all your attention on him, and Violet City will officially be melded into Neo Snagem's dominion." Zeno encouraged his New Alliance acquaintances.
"Hmph." Commander 19's eyes narrowed. "Emboar, Flame Charge!"
Falkner and Dragonite focused. The battle begins now.
"Boar…" Emboar closed his eyes, and began glowing a red aura. This aura was distinct, in that it lit up the Shadow aura-clad, crystalized city.
"You stand no chance, Falkner…" This was 19's battle cry, whispered to Falkner. 19 smirked deviously.
"…"
"BOAR!" Emboar opened his eyes, and screamed a roar strong enough to rattle the ground. The red aura powered up, turning into a passion burst of flame surrounding the Fire Type.
"Go!" 19 shot his fingers forward, directing Emboar.
"BOAR!" Emboar charged at the opposition…But just to put a twist on things.
"?!" Falkner's eyes widened.
"Drrrgh?" Falkner and Dragonite were not prepared…for Emboar targeting the trainer, NOT the pokemon.
Falkner braced himself, crossing his arms to shield his face.
"Boar!" Emboar was incoming, like a powerful train.
Falkner could feel the approaching heat of the flames.
"Drrgh!" Despite being surprised by this twist, Dragonite was able to descend and intercept Emboar just in time.
Normally, a pokemon intercepting Emboar would've been pushed back a few inches, or even more due to the ground being crystalized. But not Dragonite. The Dragon Type was immediately engulfed by the flames surrounding Emboar. Dragonite stood its ground, and following a power struggle that lasted a few moments, Dragonite was able to successfully thwart Emboar, pushing the Fire Type back to his own side of the field.
"Boar." Emboar showed no signs of intimidation.
"…" Falkner…he was speechless. Should he have expected as much from Neo Snagem?
"Hmhm." 19's smirk remained as he chuckled, "That look of surprise on your face tells me: you underestimated us by believing we wouldn't think outside the box."
Zeno's sly smirked accompanied 19's devious one, "All is fair in war."
"Did you honestly lead yourself to believe we wouldn't exercise that privilege? The look on your face practically gives the answer away…" 19 finished.
"So you intend on attacking Falkner all the way through?" 21 crossed his arms as he asked this question.
21…the sound of his voice, and his mere existence...it irritated Commander 19 to the point where his devious smirk disappeared.
"Will you take issue if I answer yes?" 19 looked back to ask. His tone was cold, and his tongue was as sharp as a snake.
"Will harming Falkner accomplish anything aside from mindless violence?" 21 asked, "Focus too much on Falkner, and you lose sight of Dragonite."
19 sighed. He looked to the ground before facing Falkner once more. To 21, Commander 19 said, "19. Shut up."
"…" What did he have to gain by returning to the world as a person without Commander status? What did he have to lose by leaving Team Neo Snagem. Again, these two questions surfaced in the mind of 21.
A man's spirit could only be broken down so much, before the man elects to strike back…
"Emboar, close in on Dragonite!" 19 commanded.
"BOAR!" Again, Emboar exercised his mighty roar.
Emboar was not commanded to summon the flames of Flame Charge to surround him this time, so he was able to charge immediately. "Boar!"
"Dr?"
"What?!" Dragonite and Falkner were once again, surprised.
Emboar was a pokemon who was not on par with Dragonite when it came to speed-at least before he opened the fight with Flame Charge. But this time…Emboar was moving at a much swifter pace.
"Boar!" Just as he made it to Falkner's side of the battlefield, Emboar jumped into the air, the strength of his legs putting a slight crack into the crystalized ground.
"Dr!" Dragonite was astonished as Emboar was up to his altitude in the blink of an eye.
Emboar's right fist began emitting the Shadow Aura, and with it, he struck Dragonite in the abdomen. The impressive strength used by Dragonite to intercept Flame Charge earlier, had just been topped off by Emboar's power. Dragonite was sent flying, crashing onto the crystalized ground a ways behind Falkner.
"Flame Charge, a technique that improves one's speed in battle. Pedestrian, but effective nonetheless." Falkner was thinking to himself. Despite Dragonite being downed, he never took his eyes off Emboar.
"Once again, you underestimate us." 19 was starting to gain an air of confidence allowing him to talk down to Falkner, as early momentum was shifting his way. His devious smirk returned.
"Don't let you guard down, boy," Zeno had yet to command any offense, and for good reason. The scientist was also well versed in researching the expressions of people.
"Hm?" Confused, 19 looked to Zeno.
"Falkner hasn't called an attack," Zeno started to explain, "He is genuinely surprised by Emboar's skill, but surprises can only work for so long…"
"What are you saying?"
"Falkner is gauging Emboar's ability. He's a strong trainer to have accomplished commanding an entire Gym. Right now, he's taking notes of Emboar's moves, and concocting a decisive countermeasure."
"Emboar is impressive indeed. But what of Magnezone?" Falkner was still brainstorming.
"Hnhn…" It was as if Zeno read Falkner's mind, as his eyes glinted.
"Dragon Rush!"
Falkner called for an offensive move, and he was looking at Magnezone as he did.
Dragonite cloaked itself in an aura that shaped itself into a roaring dragon. This dragon roared in the sky, the echoes being heard by the empty ears of the fallen. Dragonite charged at Magnezone.
"Thunder Wave." Yes, Zeno was right! He KNEW Falkner was going to force Magnezone into launching an attack. His sly smile was static, his voice calm and confident.
"Zooooone."
"-Rr?!" Dragonite's eyes widened. Just as he was closing in on Magnezone, he halted. In the face of Mangezone launching a Thunder Wave, Dragonite carefully maneuvered in the air.
Thunder Wave was successfully avoided, but that wasn't all.
"Rr!" Dragonite's evasion was so fast, he was able to leave the roaring dragon aura made for Dragon Rush. This dragon aura rushed to Magnezone.
"What?!" Zeno predicted Dragonite's attack, and his hesitation. He did NOT predict that Dragonite was able to control its own Dragon Rush aura. His smile disappeared.
"Zone-zz-…" Dragon Rush's dragon aura exploded upon contact with Magnezone. The explosion was great enough to halt Magnezone's 'programming' for a short moment.
"Fire Punch!"
"Rr!" Dragonite cloaked his fist in fire, and flew at the Magnezone once more, this time with the swiftness to outspeed the launch of a second Thunder Wave.
Before the fight had a chance to truly begin, it was over. Falkner and Dragonite were powerful, and there was no way Magnezone could survive a Fire Punch that was sure to impact critically.
"-Boar!" Which is why Emboar jumped in to intercept Dragonite…again.
"Rr!"
"Boar!" Emboar cloaked his fist in fire, foreshadowing a head to head clash between two Fire Punches. Who would win? Dragonite was powerful, but despite his resistance to Emboar, Emboar was STILL the fire type whose Fire Punch was sure to be more powerful.
"Brr…" At first, it was Emboar who seemed to have the upper hand.
"Rr!" But Dragonite was able to regain momentum.
The clash of Fire Punches went on long enough to where both Dragonite and Emboar became engulfed in flames all together. The sunset sky, which was already bright in its own right, was further brightened by this clash…
"Boar." Only for darkness to rule. Commander 19 smirked, and even Zeno's smile returned, as Emboar's arm began emitting the dark aura.
Slowly, the flames surrounding Emboar and Dragonite turned dark purple. Purple flames…if any of Violet City's defeated were conscious right now, they'd be very much unnerved by the sight of the purple flames of darkness.
As the clash dragged out, an explosion was created. This explosion was quiet like a silent storm. Both Dragonite and Emboar were sent to the ground.
"…"
"…"
Dragonite was still.
Emboar was still.
The fight was over already? But how? Surely, these two behemoths were capable of taking more than a few hits.
"…rr."
"…rr."
Yes, they COULD. The two were just allowing the dust to settle.
"Hmhmhm." Zeno's smirk widened, because he wasn't going to wait for the dust to settle to make his next move. "Magnezone, eliminate Falkner. Make sure he's not breathing."
"Hah!" Upon hearing those words, Commander 19's eyes grew wide with excitement.
"Wha?" While Commander 21's eyes widened in sudden panic.
"Zoooooooone." Magnezone made sure to be swift, before Dragonite could rise to his feet.
Falkner's eyes widened, and for the first time, he was out of his calm state of mind. There it was-Magnezone-that GLADIATOR of a pokemon, to be his executioner. Even in the face of Magnezone's imminent assault, Falkner refused to believe this was nothing more than a simple attack he could survive. But then Magnezone started glowing the dark aura.
"Stop."
"Zooooo…" Magnezone's echo of a voice slowly faded into nothingness, as he halted his attack. Its eyes were on Falkner, but it was as if somebody imposed a 'thousand yard' stare on it.
Why did Magnezone stop? This was perhaps Neo Snagem's best opportunity to eliminate Falkner. He was a powerful person capable of great oppression to the Neo Snagem name, and if he were to walk out of this fight alive, the organization may soon regret it. So why? WHY? Magnezone was a pokemon, and his natural inclination was to obey the orders of humans, specifically Neo Snagem.
"…" It was Commander 21.
Behind his glasses, Zeno's eyes became cold and steely, 19's decorated with the fires of rage as the both turned to face 21.
Dragonite and Emboar had not yet risen to their feet, and Falkner was watching the scene before him play out.
"…" 19 wanted so much, to call 21 out and shout 'what the hell?!' But Commander 21 knew very well what he did.
"As I said before, there will be no more unnecessary bloodshed." 21 answered the question haunting the minds of 19 and Zeno before it could escape their mouths.
"Falkner still stands right now, because of your ignorance." Zeno's eyebrows furrowed.
Zeno was a scientist beyond verbally expressing vivid emotions and expletives. 19, on the other hand…
19…His first invasion of the city failed, because of 21. He was imprisoned, because of 21. He was left for dead by the organization, because of 21. And now, Falkner stands alive, because of 21. The chance of Violet City mounting a comeback against Neo Snagem was slim to none, but what if momentum were to shift to Falkner's favor due to 21's command? Neo Snagem could be defeated, and 19 would be imprisoned again, because of 21. Notice the theme here?
21's mere presence has bothered 19 for months. The tension was at an all time high, and now, it was going to let itself out.
19 approached 21, and struck him in the face. The impact left 21 facing the other way.
"I've had it with you," 19's eyes were livid, but his voice was calm, past the point of wasting energy on screams, "…You don't belong in Neo Snagem-Never have, never will. You've made you last mistake 21. Your hours as a Neo Snagem Commander are numbered…so are your hours living-"
21's teeth were gritted as he turned back around to face 19, "Ha!" throwing a retaliating strike his way.
"…" It was as if all of time itself halted, as Commander 19 found himself falling to the crystallized ground, eyes wide open.
Dragonite and Emboar had risen to their feet, but their attention was grabbed by a Commander 19 lying face down.
It was never said out loud, but Zeno was on 19's side, for the betterment of Neo Snagem accomplishing their mission. Zeno's facial expression was impossible to decipher.
Falkner could only speculate, watching how the scene would play out.
21's knuckles were white, and he was panting as his eyes were locked on 19.
"…" Still in a shock, 19 was rising, making it to his knees before a red bruise could be located on the right side of his face. Like 21, he was panting.
"…" 21 was against saying anything more to 19, but was compelled to explain his argument, "What I did just now, was retaliation-or self defense that gets you off my back. What YOU do…to Falkner and all these defeated people, is mindless violence that accomplishes nothing other than keeping Neo Snagem from bolstering their numbers."
"…" It was as if 21's words echoed through 19's head. 19 was not focused on the morals behind 21's words. He was not focused on 21's emotions. No…the only thing 19 was focused on now, was 21 striking him. "You're too soft for Neo Snagem. It's about damn time you grew the nerve to hit me, but too little too late."
"For all intents and purposes, you as a Commander were eliminate long before today." Zeno closed his eyes. Shame, that a dedicated scientist like him remembered that he was human enough to pity 21. "Magnezone, kill our traitor. Neo Snagem has had enough of him."
Magnezone's magnets began rotating rapidly as he gathered electrical energy. He then began to glow the dark aura of a Shadow Pokemon.
"Zoooooooone." He charged at 21, and it looked as if 21 had lived his last seconds on this world.
21 didn't dare to face Magnezone. He looked to the ground, and made his eyes invisible to 19 and Zeno. At this time, his life began flashing in his mind.
He remembered the day he joined Team Neo Snagem, and his journey through the ranks to achieve the title of Commander. He remembered the days following, in which he was familiarizing himself with the role of leader, as new Commanders were crowned after him. Every mission he's ever commanded, they led to him eventually being assigned with seizing Violet City. This would be Neo Snagem's very first move in seizing Johto. 21, with Commander 19, they were going to please their Leader, Atticus. But…
…..
The First Mission…
What does conflict resolve?
"…I-I won't fight you." 21 said. However, not all people shared the existential crisis 21 was having.
"I've never backed away from Neo Snagem, and I won't start now. Mawile, attack!" The guy with the black hair and blonde bangs, HE was the one who capitalized on 21's pacifism. It all culminated in 21 and Neo Snagem's defeat, on that day…
….
The Result, Today…
They say prison is supposed to harden a man. 21 however, he retained his existential crisis, which eventually developed into a new lease on life. Prison changed 21 in a different way, making him a more compassionate person. That is why…
That is why he stands today, in the face of imminent defeat.
"Zooooooone!" Electricity and darkness were in abundance.
"Ngh…" Though his back was turned, he could feel the incoming danger. He braced himself for Magnezone's final deletion.
"Rrgh!"
There, Magnezone came, only to be intercepted.
"Z-z-z?!"
Magnezone's darkness and electricity were penetrated by a fist of fire. It was Dragonite, and he had stricken Magnezone with a super effective strike that was also a critical hit.
The crystallized ground cracked as Magnezone crash-landed near where Falkner was standing.
"Bor?!" Emboar stood agape, watching the dust settled.
"…" Magnezone was motionless. Once again, it appeared as though its circuits were interrupted. Only this time, the effect wasn't temporary. Magnezone was steel incapable of breathing, making it appear as though it was an inanimate object. The electrical power was no more, and the dark aura was dissipated. "…" Magnezone was defeated.
"…?" With his life having flashed in his eyes, 21 was expecting to be stricken, and ultimately killed by Magnezone. But the strike didn't come. He was still standing on his feet. He felt no pain, and he could hear no incoming magnet. "Hm?" He turned around to see Dragonite, standing tall in his defense.
"If the man no longer serves Neo Snagem, then I suppose he is no longer on your side." Falkner, whose presence had become a bit overshadowed in these last few moments, spoke up. His voice was somewhat nonchalant.
"…" Upon realizing who'd saved him, 21 had trouble processing why.
…Falkner was one of the people who urged Seth to actually harm 21 during Neo Snagem's first attempt at seizing Violet City.
"Magnezone…" Zeno couldn't believe that his Magnezone was defeated. Falkner was an accomplished trainer, but Zeno had the number's game. Magnezone and Emboar were two powerful pokemon, and together, they were undefeated. All who opposed them stood no chance. The perfect combination of brain and brawn, Magnezone and Emboar were calculated by Zeno to effectively clench Neo Snagem's hold over Violet City. He was so sure of himself…Perhaps too sure-sure enough to let down his guard and allow Falkner to strike.
Without Magnezone, Zeno had no other pokemon, allowing Dragonite a fair fight with Emboar…Zeno didn't want a fair fight. Fighting fair was the reason why Neo Snagem used to be a nonfactor, and it wasn't until the organization started thinking outside the box that they began taking control of the region.
"Blasphemy!" Zeno was appalled by his failure. The Mastermind of the New Alliance dropped to his knees, for he knew he stood no chance against Falkner in a fair fight. And surely, Falkner had other elite pokemon on hand, did he?
One man. One man stood in between Neo Snagem and Violet City, and they couldn't get their part of the job done.
Maybe if Emboar can hold Dragonite long enough for 12 to defeat Zero and return to The New Alliance, they would have a chance. No…they can't imagine Zero losing a fight. He's too powerful.
Mission: Seize Violet City…is the entire thing a failure?
"…" Like Zeno, 19 must've considered the mission a failure, due to this one defeat. One Dragonite disposes of Emboar, Falkner will be free to aid suriving innocents…if there are any left.
"Uuuuuuunoooooowwwwwn." But the Unown still float, singing that single cry heard throughout the city. Maybe there's a different fight, where their powers are needed more.
"No matter." 19 didn't care…He didn't care that this fight was lost. But he DID care to use this fight as leverage against 21. "Once again, you've cost the organization a perfect opportunity to seize the city. You might as well be on the side of the rebels…"
Zeno rose to his feet, his eyebrows furrowed, "Yes, leave the hapless heap of a man." His voice was cold, "We and the grunts will fall back and regroup." Zeno started walking, in a direction toward the outskirts of the city.
Emboar began following.
Falkner looked perplexed, for this retreat seemed rather hasty.
Lastly, was Commander 19. His foot inched toward movement, but not before turning around to punch 21 to the ground one last time.
The sun was beginning to set.
"So in the end, you choose to oppose the organization and its ultimate cause. But how did it come to this? If you knew you'd regret joining the organization five years ago, would you still have joined?"
21, on his knees, on offered a small reply, "This cannot be helped. The past cannot be changed."
"Then WHY DID YOU JOIN IN THE FIRST PLACE?! Through our first failed mission, and throughout imprisonment, all you talked about was how the people deserved to live conflict-free during Neo Snagem's conquest. But YOU, a Neo Snagem COMMANDER, EMBODY everything we stand for and have struggled to attain! You're trying to be a saint to the people, but you're not. All you are is a lousy hypocrite!"
"…" 21 could only rise to his feet and offer 19 a smile.
This smile deepened 19's worsening mood, because it was 21's way of acknowledging and agreeing with everything said.
'You think I don't already know that?' 21 thought.
"We may never meet again, and if that's the case, it'll be too soon." 19 started walking in Zeno's direction, Emboar beginning to follow.
'Goodbye, 19…'
The result of Commander 12's upcoming fight with Zero was irrelevant to the outcome of the mission. The New Alliance, having lost two members, has dissolved before truly ever establishing themselves.
For a moment, 21 allowed the wind to brush up against him.
"…Why did you do it?" Without facing Falkner, 21 directly spoke to him for the first time, "Why did you defend me?"
As Falkner's hair blew, "I could ask you the same thing. I encouraged for you defeat to be a painful one during your first attempt to take over the city. Your life was in my hands, and I chose to end it and send you to Hell. Yet, you chose to spare my life today."
"…" 21, once again, said nothing.
"You spared the entire city."
"…I guess my mind had decided to leave Neo Snagem long before me." The mind of 21 was trapped in his shell of a body.
"What will you do with your life now, 21?" Falkner asked.
Funny, the thought crossed 21 not once. The thought of life after rarely crosses the minds of those who oppose Neo Snagem.
The Commander took a deep breath, and sighed in the wind. "I'd like to return to my old name-my TRUE name."
"What is your true name?" Falkner asked.
Weird, it's been so long since he abandoned the name. So long, that he couldn't answer Falkner in an instant. He had to search deep within his memory. He, like all Neo Snagem Commanders, was a human with an innocent childhood.
21 looked up to the Unown littered sky, and after finding his most bliss-filled memory, he slowly said his name for the first time.
"Hope."
To Be Continued…