Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 139: Uncle Bastion-Part 1, a pokémon fanfic

Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 139: Uncle Bastion-Part 1

Previously…

The Innamorati smiled at the duo of Rose and Banette. Banette stood on edge, and rightfully so. Though the two fireflies didn't look like much, they had the uncanny ability to downplay the abilities of their opponents through sheer obnoxiousness.

Banette stepped forward, in defense of Rose and the egg she was holding. "Why are you two here?" The evil doll began glowing a dark, nightmarish aura.

"We bring you greetings from Lady Beatrice." Illumise answered.

"From Lady Beatrice, we bring you greetings." Volbeat echoed.

"Lady Beatrice is not present." Rose shifted her gaze to the Innamorati, "There must be a bigger purpose for you being here than to simply deliver a message."

Illumise giggled, a hand over her mouth, "We're here to gauge the strength of our opponent!"

"To gauge the strength of our opponent. That is why we're here!"

"Or at least-"

"-That was our reason, before feasting our eyes-"

"-On this!"

Volbeat and Illumise were taking turns saying that sentence. And to end the sentence with an exclamation point-

"Oh?!" Volbeat swiftly flew at Rose, snatching the Egg while her guard was down.

"Hahahaha! The Egg is ours!"

"Hahahaha! Ours, the Egg is!"

Rose was enraged, like a Mother having lost her child. Her ladylike demeanor took a back seat, and she gritted her teeth. "You will return my child AT ONCE!"

….

Banette's Night Shade-Rose's Manor

To Volbeat and Illumise, this room seemed endless, like the walls stretched for miles. It was empty; no décor to add any homeliness. The marble floor seemed to alternate between large tiles that were black and white in color, like a chessboard. The chessboard-like floor was as pristine as the rest of the manor. On the endless walls, were endless windows. All that lied outside was the pitch-black night. It was dark and nightmarish, like the Night Shaded world of Banette.

"My child. You will…" Rose lifted her arm, extending it toward the Egg Volbeat was holding. "You will…hand over my child."

Volbeat and Illumise were perplexed as to why Rose wasn't as emotional as she usually was.

It wasn't as if Rose was bottling her emotions in favor of an anger that was cold and calculating. No…her anger was being channeled elsewhere…

"!"

You could feel the eyes of Volbeat and Illumise widening from behind the Innamorati masks they wore. Their eyes widened because of where Rose was channeling her anger.

The white wing.

The black wing.

Rose's anger was being channeled into her new wings.

"Wrah…!" The white wing changed shaped, to that a feathered, pristine dragon head.

"Wrah…!" The black wing changed as well, into that of a feathered, ferocious dragon head.

The white wing. The black wing. The ability to use these wings as weapons in the form of dragon heads…how did Rose get this?

"Inside this Egg, is the life of a child who will be looking for me to protect him or her." As long as she had her child in her arms, these were going to be the words Rose lived by. Volbeat and Illumise learned the hard way, as they were no match for the black and white dragon wings Rose possessed. They were rendered to the point of fleeing, as Rose successfully recovered her Egg.

But still, what was that power?

~End Flashback~

Rose's POV

Location:…

It seemed that once again, my mind was up in the clouds, as we continued this seemingly endless stretch between towns. How long has it been since we were last in an actual town?

"Rose?" Banette called.

"Hm?" Hearing Banette call my name was enough to pull me out of my contemplative state of mind.

"Look." Banette pointed to what stood in front of us.

We were no longer in the Endless Verdant Plains. From the abandoned Aomori Village in the Icy Mountains, through the Endless Plains, past the 1,000 Kitsune Temple and into the sunset, we were no longer surrounded by green grass.

How far off from civilization were we? The run-down bridge that stood in front of Banette and I told me that we were getting closer to the next town. But… "This bridge is filthy. Honestly, how long has it been since anybody has used this?"

We were in the middle of a long plateau. As far as the eye could see, there were no more grass or trees. This plateau featured nothing but dirt, rocks, and high cliffs. Right now we were on high ground. Below the bridge in question, was a ravine.

Banette gave Rose a passing glance, "Let's go!" Before proceeding onto the bridge.

I watched as Banette trekked ahead.

"You guys!" This call came from the other side of the bridge. It was Chapel, and she was waving at us. Of course, she was usually at or near the front during our travels, "Come on!" Chapel was not particularly bossy saying this. She had a smile on her face that said everything: Do not worry! You will be fine!

"Hm?" Who was she directing her attention to?

I had no reason to feel uneasy, as I had the power of flight.

"…" Meanwhile, Brother had already crossed the bridge. Unlike Chapel, he did not turn around to see how we were doing. Why? Does he not care?

"But…" With Seth on the other side and Banette already crossing, that left one person Chapel could possibly be talking to: Yumi.

Yumi, standing right behind me, peered over the edge. What she saw was a seemingly endless abyss waiting to claim her life should the logged bridge cave in under her.

Holding my Egg with both arms, I proceeded onto the bridge. By the time I had made it a few steps in, Banette was already halfway there.

Why were there no footsteps behind me? I looked back to see Yumi still had yet to set foot on the bridge. "…" She was afraid.

I turned around to face the black-haired, blue banged girl, "Yumi?" I called her name out of genuine concern. This bridge actually connected to two closest points of the ravine. If we did not cross the bridge here, we would stray from the path to Troia Town.

"Um…" Without taking her eyes off the ground hundreds of feet below, Yumi instinctively grabbed the rope-made hand rail. "…" Carefully, Yumi went in for her first step on the bridge. Mission accomplished. "Oh no!" But what she did not expect, was for her first step to cause the wood to make a faint creaking noise. Startled, Yumi stepped back.

'She needs somebody to help her.' As I thought this, I began to make my way back to Yumi. I took my hand off my Egg and offered it to Yumi. "Do not worry."

"Huh?" Yumi was bewildered. Ironic, that a five year old like me was telling her everything will be okay.

I have been told about the 'motherly' side I have to me. Whether it be family or friends, I wear my concern for everybody on my sleeve. These friends and family were all my dearly beloveds and I would do anything I could to help them in worrisome predicaments.

For a moment, Yumi kept her gaze on my offered hand. Would she be too prideful to accept the assistance of a girl who was half her age? No. I expected Yumi to have a cheerful smile on her face as she grabbed my hand, but she looked more relieved than anything. Having that dearly beloved to comfort you when you are scared is a warm feeling. I felt that Yumi could overcome her fear and cross the bridge now.

Taking my first two steps back on the bridge, I waited for Yumi to do the same. Once again, she took a single step on the bridge, "Um…" Only for the bridge to make the same creaking sound as before.

Yumi hesitated.

I looked back to Yumi and urged her to move on, "Come now, Yumi."

She was worried, but having me by her side gave Yumi a slight resolve to see this crossing through to the end. She took a second step on the bridge.

"Alright…" She whispered to herself as she took a third step. "So far, so good." Then her fourth step was made.

"You're doing great, Yumi!" Chapel did her best to cheer Yumi on.

"Chicori!" As did a Chikorita who was standing next to Chapel.

Another step.

Step after step, we were almost at the center of the bridge, where Banette waited.

Yes, Yumi was beginning to gain some confidence.

Another step.

Just when as we neared the center of the bridge-

*Creak!*

"!"

Yumi paused, as this creaking sound was sharper than the ones that proceeded it.

'Oh no…!' I quickly turned around to Yumi, about to tell her to keep calm and proceed. But just as the words were about to leave my mouth…

*Crack!*

"AAAAAAHHHHH!" The wooden platform Yumi was on snapped, causing for Yumi to fall under.

"Yumi!" Chapel called.

Not only was Chapel worried, but Brother was as well. The moment he heard the wooden platform crack, he halted and turned around. Yumi was the only person he would concern himself enough to give her his undivided attention.

How could I have been so careless? I was so invested in calming Yumi, I became oblivious toward the state of the bridge. I did not think it would give in.

"Yumi…!" I reacted fast, desperately reaching out and attempting to grab the hand of Yumi. "OH?!" Once again, my concern for Yumi caused for me to become careless. By reaching out with both my hands, I unintentionally let go of the Egg I was holding. "NO!" The Egg was now falling, just like Yumi. They were both on a collision course to the deserted ravine which lied hundreds of feet below. 'If I do not act now, they will both die!"

Yumi and the Egg; they were both dearly beloveds. Concerned, I dropped my calmness, panicking as I recklessly jumped in after them.

"Rose!" Chapel and Banette both called my name.

They need not worry about me, as I could save myself, Yumi, and my Egg with my flight ability. But… "Oh?" I realized something. The falling Egg was drifting to the point where it was a fair distance away. They were both falling at an alarming rate. 'There is too much distance for me to save them both!"

What do I do?

WHAT DO I DO?!

I gritted my teeth, as my emotions were starting to get the best of me.

WHAT DO I DO?!

"Rose!" A voice from above was calling my name.

"Huh?" Tears were starting to fill my eyes, so as I looked up, it took a moment for my eyes to adjust.

Banette? The evil doll had jumped off the bridge? "Don't worry, I'll get the Egg! You get Yumi!"

My mouth hung slightly open. 'Thank you, Banette.' I then nodded and proceeded to rush to the aid of Yumi.

My rush to save Yumi was accompanied by my audible heartbeat. As I closed in on Yumi, I extended my arm, hoping to reach her.

"…" Shocked by her fear of falling being realized, Yumi had fainted. She was unconscious, and unable to extend her arm to me. This prompted me fly a bit closer to Yumi.

Closer…

Just a fingertip away…

"Yoink!"

My eyes widened as I clenched my fists. Just as I was about to retrieve Yumi, she was 'intercepted'.

"Yoink!" This sound off was different from the one that intercepted Yumi. Rather, this cry came from above. Looking up, I was greeted with the sight of my Egg being intercepted as well.

"…" Banette would have gritted teeth right now if her mouth was not a zipper. She glared at the interceptor, seething with rage.

Who were these interceptors, you ask?

POV: There is no POV

"Jinkies!"

"The Egg!"

"The girl!"

"Clues?"

"Clues!"

"THE MYSTERY IS ALMOST SOLVED!"

Rose and Banette both descended to the ground, the bridge above seeming miles away compared to who landed just a few feet in front of them.

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

…

"Volbeat!"

"Illumise!"

Ugh! Volbeat and Illumise? AGAIN?!

"Team Innamorati blasts of at the speed of light!" Volbeat recited.

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight fight fight!" Illumise finished.

What the heck was that just now? Kind of ironic, really. One would think Volbeat and Illumise would be the ones surrendering, considering the damage done by Rose and Banette last time.

"Hmm." Volbeat held the unconscious Yumi, who was hanging by the hand.

"Hah!" While Illumise held the Egg close to her.

"Do you two never learn your lesson?" The fact that Volbeat and Illumise were even here right now annoyed Banette.

"Fear not!" Illumise chirped, "We came with backup this time!"

"But geez!" Volbeat feigned a struggle to keep his grip on Yumi, "Humans sure are heavy. Who is this girl?" Volbeat and Illumise have met Chapel once before. Considering the fireflies' multiple encounters with Rose, it was strange realizing they've never met Yumi until now. Heck, they don't even know that Rose has a Brother!

"Unhand Yumi and my child at once!" Rose stepped up to Volbeat and Illumise, eyes ripe with the intent to inflict harm in defense of Yumi and the Egg.

Volbeat huffed, "Or what?" Really? Were he and Illumise really that oblivious to what happened last time? Annoying? Obnoxious? Just about every infuriating word in the dictionary, you could label Volbeat and Illumise.

With fighting words on the table, Rose, Banette, and the fireflies all prepared to do battle. But just as Banette was about to unleash her Night Shade…

"Stop."

Approaching Volbeat and Illumise from behind was…

"Huh?!" Rose had to keep herself from standing agape as her eyes widened. 'Could that be…?'

It was certainly a familiar face to Rose, but it was not Lady Beatrice. This was somebody else, but Rose considered him a dearly beloved nonetheless. Just seeing him was enough for tears to start escaping Rose's eyes again.

Memories of bliss became abundant in the mind of Rose-happy memories that make her nostalgic for the days of yesterday gone by…

~Flashback~

One memory was more prevalent than the others to Rose. It was the day she first met 'Uncle Bastion'.

"Ow!"

It was another day for Rose spent in the manor that was Neo Snagem's Base. Rose was in the classroom, in the middle of her studies. The education she studied toward required much dedication-moreso than the average human, but Rose did not realize this fact. All her life, she has been completely isolated from the outside world. The isolated life of a 'princess' was all Rose has ever known, so Rose was unable to become depressed, no matter how emotionally fragile she was.

"Ow!"

Some days, Rose would be left alone in order to study uninterrupted. Other days…

"Ha ha!"

"Ow! Let go!" Other days…*sigh* Rose would be endlessly harassed by the always-obnoxious masked Inamorati.

"Hahahaha!" Volbeat held Rose by the black bow donned on her long, blonde hair.

"Hahahaha!" While Illumise clapped continuously, entertained by the tears in Rose's eyes.

Just why do Volbeat and Illumise endlessly harass Rose like this? Could it be because Rose was the only person in Neo Snagem who was younger and smaller than they are? Maybe. Or maybe they don't need a reason. Maybe they tease Rose just because.

"Please leave me alone!"

Well, to tell the truth, Rose does kind of make it all too easy for herself to be picked on. Rose couldn't help wearing her emotions on her sleeve-with the tears, the desperate shouting and helpless flailing, how can Volbeat and Illumise resist amusing themselves!

"Roseli!"

"Lilli!"

Even on days when Roselia and Lilligant would leave the cathedral to keep Rose company, Volbeat and Illumise wouldn't stop. Why do Roselia and Lilligant not fight?

"…"

Oh, they've tried. The obnoxiousness of Volbeat and Illumise is just too much. You know what they say: Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

"Aw! Look at the little baby!" Illumise showed her 'awe' with much satire and sarcasm.

Volbeat, excited to see Rose's tears, commented, "I think she's cranky!"

Illumise flew to where she was face level with a Rose being held by Volbeat, "Does the little baby need a nap?! Yes you do! YES YOU DO!"

"Hahahahahah!"

"HAHAHAHAH!"

Volbeat and Illumise continued to egg Rose on.

"Hrm…"

"…"

If Roselia and Lilligant had teeth, they would be gritting in frustration right now.

'Leave her alone!' The Grass pokemon knew by now that fighting Volbeat and Illumise would just be a lost cause. Even knowing this, they could not stand to do nothing. "Hmph!" Roselia launched herself at Volbeat.

"Whoops-" All too excited, Volbeat quickly rolled to the left. "-A daisy!" Roselia's charge amounted to nothing.

Roselia and Lilligant weren't 'fighting' pokemon. They were more suited to the domesticated life. They were able to act in self defense if need be, with the ability to induce sleep, paralysis, or confusion. But of course, out of all the pokemon in the world, Volbeat and Illumise were the only ones able to render the Grass types' self defense useless, with their Prankster-like obnoxiousness.

"Ow…" But at least Roselia's charge caused for Volbeat to let go of Rose.

Rose sighed as she swiped the dust from her black dress. Without word, she started walking away from the scene and toward the exit of her study chamber. Roselia and Lilligant followed her.

"Hm? 26, where are you going?"

"Hm? Where are you going, 26?"

The masked Volbeat and Illumise excitedly followed 26 and the Grass types.

'They refuse to leave us alone…!' Rose was exasperated. She wondered why the fireflies were electing to follow her rather than continue their bullying. They were probably going to resume soon enough.

"Vol volbeat!"

"Illumise!"

Of course, whatever words came from the creative mouths of Volbeat and Illumise could only be heard as their normal pokemon cries to Rose. What were they saying? Rose knew they were making fun of her.

What could Rose do? She has already told Mother Flora and Lady Beatrice what Volbeat and Illumise have been doing. Of course, Volbeat and Illumise were punished, they just never learn their lesson. Eventually, Rose found the punishments to Volbeat and Illumise to be remedial.

From the confines of her study, and outside the Neo Snagem Headquarters. The sun was bright, making for a perfect day to be outside-if you weren't being followed by those annoying fireflies.

Rose made her way to the dilapidated cathedral where Mother Flora always spent her time. She stopped in front of the cathedral, the duos of Roselia & Lilligant and Volbeat & Illumise halting behind her.

'Mother Flora is sick today. I do not wish to disturb her while she is resting'.

That's right. Mother Flora seemed to be coming down with some sort of flu yesterday. Chances are, the illness has gotten worse today. If Rose were to bring Volbeat and Illumise in the cathedral now, Mother Flora's recovery wouldn't be as swift. Rose would want Mother Flora to get better soon-like tomorrow.

Without stepping foot in the cathedral, Rose turned back and began wandering. Not too far from the organization's headquarters, she was sure no punishment too great would befall her should Father Atticus discover she'd wandered away from her studies.

There was a fine line between the main city, and the outskirts. From this line, Rose stared into the many tall skyscrapers Of Goldenrod.

"…" The world seems so much more closed-more small-when traversing between the skyscrapers. Between the buildings, the sky doesn't seem as wide and expansive as it does in the rural world. Rose much preferred the quiet life, with no strangers around. In the rural world, she would be able to tend to her roses and savor the endless sky. "…" The world she was in right now, wasn't the world she wanted.

…

As she continued on her walk, Rose could hear Volbeat and Illumise getting a little excited. It was only a matter of time before they would start picking on her again…

But for now, Rose had returned to the organization's headquarters. She didn't go into the building per say. She just continued her walk, through the garden and into the training compound.

"The training compound?"

Volbeat and Illumise both questioned Rose's 'itinerary', as Rose was not a Pokemon Trainer.

The fireflies looked at each other, seemingly dumbfounded. Then, as if a lightbulb went off in their heads, the two fireflies hatched an idea.

"Hey!"

"Selia?!"

Volbeat pulled Roselia.

"Hey!"

"Lilli?!"

While Illumise grabbed Lilligant.

Volbeat and Illumise looked to Rose, and in unison, they sang, "Let's have a battle!"

"What?" Rose clenched her fists, "No!"

"Yes!"

"YES!"

Volbeat and Illumise were obnoxiously chanting.

"YES!"

Illumise stopped cheering, and asked Volbeat with a smile, "Uh, why do we keep chanting yes?"

"If we keep chanting yes obnoxiously, I'm sure we'll win the battle and be rewarded the World Championship on the grandest stage of all!" Volbeat clapped, "I saw some guy do it on TV a while back, YES I did! YES! YES! YES!"

"But he was supposed to be an obnoxious bad guy." Illumise replied. "Oh well, beggars can't be choosers."

"Let's fight right now!"

Volbeat and Illumise dragged Roselia and Lilligant to the Training Compound's battlefield. They flew to the other side of the field, and readied their attacks.

"Lill?!"

"Roselia?!"

"HAH!"

Rose, Roselia, and Lilligant all flinched as Volbeat and Illumise launched white beams of energy.

'Why do they never leave us alone?!' As Rose thought this, a tear became visible, making its way down her face. She was tired and frustrated, but she also knew that 'playing dead' would not get the fireflies to leave her alone. She, Roselia, and Lilligant were hapless and helpless, as they were everyday.

As the Signal Beams made contact, a cloud of smoke was created.

"…"

Rose, Roselia, and Lilligant said not a thing.

"We did it?" Volbeat began getting his hopes up.

"We did it!" Illumise answered.

"We did it!" Her answer was parroted by Volbeat as they both cheered, "YAYYY!"

"!Lo hicimo!"

"WE DID IT!"

"Hm?" The Signal Beams made contact, just not with Rose, and the smoke kept the fireflies from seeing that for themselves. When Rose realized this, she opened her eyes.

"Lill?"

"Roselia?"

Roselia and Lilligant were confused.

"Yes!"

When the smoke cleared-

"Huh?"

Volbeat and Illumise looked, to see something else standing in between them and Rose.

"Rn…" It was a sizeable pokemon with an imposing presence.

"You will leave the girl alone."

"Hn?!" Rose was startled, and her eyes widened as that voice came from behind. 'No! A stranger is here!'

"Wha?"

Just looking at the man, Volbeat and Illumise were no longer playing around. "Ron." Him and the Lairon that stood in front of Rose were calm and collected, but their size alone was enough to remind people that they could let loose and cause major destruction.

"Should Leader Atticus discover what you are doing to his daughter, there will be Hell to pay." The man started, "Prankster abilities won't help you escape imprisonment…or death, will it?"

That was a threat, and a cold one at that. It was enough for the fireflies to freeze in place. Fear was present in their eyes. This wasn't just an artificial fear acted for the sake of adding drama. No, this fear was for real.

"Hmph." All the man had to do was raise a single Pokeball.

"Ngh!" Volbeat and Illumise gritted their teeth. It was as if they knew what was in that Pokeball. Yes…that had to be it. They knew this man too. For them to be instilled with fear before this man and his Lairon even launched an attack, they must've had some sort of past.

Volbeat and Illumise were in a tough spot. The only thing they could do, was 'exit offstage', making their escape as they flew from the Training Compound.

"Lilli!"

"Roselia!"

FINALLY, the fireflies were put in their place! Lilligant and Roselia couldn't contain their excitement, as they hugged each other and danced in a small circle.

Inside, Rose was conflicted. She was happy to finally be rid of Volbeat and Illumise, but now she was in the presence of a new stranger. Who was he?

"Lairon!"

"Woah!" Rose was about to ask who this man was without turning to face him. But before Rose was afforded the opportunity, she was abruptly pulled out of her thoughts as an excited Lairon picked her up and landed her on his back. Rose was now sitting on Lairon like a trainer getting ready to ride his Rapidash stead into the wilderness.

"Lair?" Lairon was excited, waiting for Rose to answer back with her own excitement.

"Um…" But Rose was uneasy. Lairon was a stranger too. She was about to scream, before…

"Roselia!" Excited, Roselia and Lilligant both approached Lairon.

"Lilli? Lilli lilligant!"

"Seli Roselia?"

"Lair!" Lairon, Lilligant, and Roselia shared a collective nod in agreement.

They were all smiling, and Rose took note of this. 'Maybe they are nice?' This allowed for Rose to calm down. She even formed a subtle smile on her face.

"Lairon!" With Rose still riding him, Lairon turned around, allowing Rose to face the man who saved her.

Under the sun, the man appeared as a silhouette to Rose. He was a tall man on the burley side, and his long, black hair was in a ponytail.

"Who are you?" Rose asked.

"…" Before the man answered, as if on cue, the sun positioned itself to where he was no longer a silhouette to Rose. Revealed, were his cold black eyes that had a hint of warmness in them.

His name…

~End Flashback~

Rose's POV

"Your name…" Rose was still smiling, "Uncle Bastion!"

His name: Bastion, Commander 15 of Team Neo Snagem.

To Be Continued…