Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 140: Uncle Bastion-Part 2
Author's Note
Long time no see, readers. The lack of update is simple: I went on my first deployment in the Navy. I've been away on the ship since around May, and I couldn't wait to come and update Virus Version.
More great news. The Navy has also moved me. I no longer live in Bahrain, but now in Japan! The Kyushu Region, to be specific. I couldn't believe it when I got the orders! It's so different here. I'll be calling this place home for the next few years. Hopefully I'll get to go to Tokyo next. P.S. I did come back home to the USA earlier this year. Reverse Culture Shock is real people!
Anyways, back to the fic!
Location:…
Yumi's POV
What happened? Where was I?
The last thing I remember was being terrified of crossing a bridge. I was so scared, Rose offered to hold my hand as we crossed together. But then…
'AAAAAAHHHHH!' The wooden platform I was on snapped, and I began to fall under.
I was plummeting in the direction of the rocky plateau which lied hundreds of feet below. But…what happened after that?
Was I already dead? Maybe this was what happened when you die-you black out, and wait for the path to either Heaven or Hell to open.
"Mmm…"
'Hm?' I heard a voice. Was it Arceus speaking to me?
Just as I questioned this, suddenly appearing in the blackness was light.
'Heaven? I'm going to Heaven, right?'
I thought I was going to Heaven, until the blackness was completely overtaken by the light, and my eyes were able to focus on where I was at.
"Vol volbeat?"
"Illumise!"
I was alive!
POV: There is no POV
"She's awake?" Volbeat questioned.
"She's awake!" Illumise clarified.
Volbeat and Illumise stared into the eyes of Yumi, which stared back once she was awake.
"What happened?" Yumi sat up as her gaze shifted to the bridge above. "Wait, I survived?"
"Yes, you survived!"
"It's a miracle!"
Volbeat and Illumise cheered obnoxiously. Seconds later, the fireflies flew up close to 'inspect' Yumi.
"Hmmm…"
"Hmmm…"
"W-what?" Yumi was confused.
"You look like someone, I just can't remember who…" If Volbeat had a thumb, it would be on his chin right now.
"Valerie!" Illumise sounded of as if a lightbulb switched on in her head, "You look like that Valerie girl!"
"Valerie!" Volbeat didn't know who that was.
"You know, that Gym Leader from a far away land!" Illumise answered, "You totally look like a Valerie ripoff! With the long, black hair and the furisode and all that!"
Yumi had no idea what the fireflies were getting giddy about. It's not like she could understand them.
"You're talking about the same Valerie who pretends she's living in a doll house?" Volbeat asked.
"Yes, that Valerie!" Illumise answered. "Let's play doll house with this girl!"
"She can be the doll! We better be careful not to break her though!"
"But breaking dolls is the best part about them!" Illumise replied, "Let's make her scream-"
"Oh?"
"Oh?"
Just before they could go too far off on their tangent, Volbeat and Illumise were unceremoniously grabbed.
"You two are just the cutest!" Yumi was always very open with her affection. She'd pulled Volbeat and Illumise in to a hug. The fireflies received Yumi's greatest embrace.
"?"
"?"
Volbeat and Illumise were completely surprised. They had no idea how to respond to Yumi's affection.
"Did you two save my life?" An educated guess from Yumi, but she was far off the correct answer…unless Volbeat considers the fact that he caught Yumi before she could fall to her death. "I love you two so much!"
Yumi wasn't expecting an answer to her question. What could the fireflies do? They were so use to people growing irritated with them, and they would bask in their misery. The power to downplay one's abilities using sheer obnoxiousness was an invincible skill, or so they thought. If there was one person in the world who had the potential to be more obnoxious than the fireflies, it was Yumi.
"I know!" Yumi was infatuated by the cuteness of the fireflies so much, she reached for two Pokeballs. "You two have to join me on my journey!"
'Crap!' Volbeat thought.
'What have we gotten ourselves into?' Illumise gritted her teeth as she stared into the reflection of the Pokeball in Yumi's hand.
Volbeat and Illumise's scheme to cause mischief had backfired. Realizing this, the fireflies looked to each other.
"Let's bail!" These were said in unison, and Volbeat and Illumise hurriedly made their escape from the clutches of Yumi.
"Hey, wait!" Yumi began to run after the fireflies, "Where are you going? Don't you wanna be my pokemon?!"
….
Meanwhile…
Who would've thought Rose would cross paths with the many she once called 'Uncle' today?
"How long has it been since you left the organization?" Commander 15 asked, "About a year now?"
"Lair." Command Bastion's Lairon nodded.
Rose and 15 were very close. It was only natural that the two would catch up on what's gone on in each other's lives. Rose was elated when 15 released Lairon from his Pokeball. It was like the good ol' days when Rose sat on Lairon's back like he was her stead.
Banette was some feet away, tending to the child that was the Pokemon Egg.
"Is Mother Flora well?" Rose hasn't seen her Mother since leaving Neo Snagem.
Bastion gave a long-winded sigh, one which Rose could pick up on his exasperation. "Your Mother was devastated when you left. She became…distant. She was never one to express much emotion, but you could see depression written all over her face."
"…" Rose, for the first time, was learning of the ripple effect that her departure had on the dearly beloveds of her old life.
"Flora almost took her own life."
Rose froze. Those words were startling.
"But what if she were to go through with overdosing herself? What then?" Bastion continued, "What if her baby girl decided she wanted to come home? Flora left the pills alone and began waiting. Despite hoping against all hope, she began to pray for your return."
Rose's gaze shifted from Bastion to down on her dress, "Mother Flora is still waiting for me?"
The 15th Commander nodded, "Not just Flora, but Lady Beatrice as well." Bastion was told about when Commander Beatrice encountered Rose in Mahogany Town. "Come with me ,26."
The eyes of Rose widened.
"Hand in hand with Beatrice and I, you can return home to you Mother, at long last…"
Rose looked on, and her Uncle Bastion extended a hand out to her.
This…this was her chance to see her Mother again. Lady Beatrice, Roselia and Lilligant…they were all waiting for her.
Rose slowly extended her hand toward Uncle Bastion's. "!" But abruptly halted.
15 adopted a curious look on his face.
"I wish to return home. I truly do, but…" Causing Rose to hesitate, were flashes going about in her mind.
Chapel.
Yumi.
Banette.
Every person Rose has come in contact with over the course of her journey…Rose was thinking about these people.
"I have new dearly beloveds," Rose said, "I promised I would help them realize their goals."
"…" Lairon was quite saddened by Rose's hesitation.
Once again, the images of every person Rose has met flashed in her mind. Until eventually…
"Fool." She was met with the memory of when she confronted her Fear consumed Seth.
At this moment, Fear had used the darkness to knock Rose to the ground. Rose remembered the moment of silence that followed, as she looked at her scratched dress in stunning silence.
"You…" Rose turned to her Brother, "You struck me…"
…
"I hate you!"
That was the day the relationship between Rose and Seth changed, and it has yet to recover.
'He has never said that he loves me…' All Rose ever wanted was to love and be loved in return. When she first learned Seth was her Brother, she was elated to join him on his journey. Sure, he was rough around the edges, but he would soften up eventually, Rose hoped. That hope was futile, however. Seth has never truly treated Rose like a dearly beloved. Rose could've just blamed Seth's emotionless character, but how would that explain his relationship with Yumi? 'Why does he not care for me like he cares for Yumi?' Rose failed to understand, as Seth continued to misunderstand her.
"You're conflicted." Bastion took note of the troubled look on the face of Rose. "What's the matter?"
What could Rose do? Her family was waiting to reunite with her. But coming with Uncle Bastion would mean leaving behind everything and everyone she's met on her journey. To be, or not to be with her dearly beloveds?
"…" What was Rose going to choose?
"ROSE!" It couldn't have come at a better time for Rose, her name being called.
Yumi had approached Rose from behind, Volbeat and Illumise being held in a very tight embrace. So, Yumi managed to catch up with the fleeing fireflies?
"Rose, these two are just the cutest! Don't you think?"
Volbeat and Illumise had indignant looks on their faces. They were visibly embarrassed when Rose looked their way.
'If only you knew the struggle with those two…' Rose thought to herself.
"Is this girl a friend of yours?" Uncle Bastion asked.
Rose nodded in reply.
"Ngh!"
"Ngh!"
Volbeat and Illumise were struggling, having no success trying to pull away from Yumi. "So, who is this guy?" Yumi looked to Bastion as she asked Rose this question, "You seem to know him."
Rose was about to answer Yumi's question, but halted just as the words were about to escape her mouth. 'I must not tell Yumi that Uncle Bastion is a Commander. Yumi, Chapel, Brother. None of them can know…' With the correct words picked out, Rose explained to Yumi, "Yumi, this is Bastion. Let us just say that he is a long-lost Uncle of mine."
Upon hearing Rose tell her lie, Bastion closed his eyes.
"Your long-lost Uncle? Wow, that's amazing-"
Yumi was amazed that Rose was able to find someone she knew way out here. But before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted.
"Hmph!" Bastion stomped his foot on the ground with authority, startling Yumi into letting go of the fireflies. "Lying about myself will accomplish nothing. It is a short-sighted feat that will only add unnecessary conflict in the future, should my full identity be revealed. So, friend of 26, I will tell you my full name."
Bastion was never the most outspoken person in the world. However, he would always go out of his way to keep himself honest. Contrary to the Neo Snagem organization he serves today, Bastion always played fair. He was a man with commendable integrity.
"My name is Bastion…Lord Bastion, and I am the 15th Commander of the Neo Snagem organization."
Yumi froze. So standing in front of her, was a man aligned with the very organization she promised to help rid the world of.
Rose looked to Yumi, as did a Banette holding the Pokemon Egg. Concern was in both of their eyes. How was Yumi going to react?
"That look on your face…" Lord Bastion was perceptive of the abrupt change in Yumi's body motion,. He could tell Yumi wasn't 'in tune' with what Neo Snagem hoped to accomplish.
"Are you going to fight us?" Yumi asked. "You don't seem like the other members of Neo Snagem."
"That so?" Commander 15 smiled, "Maybe I just appear more human than the members you've encountered before. But…!"
A wave of darkness appeared around 15, and blew past Yumi and Rose.
"However human I may appear matters not. Whether or not we share a past in which we called each other dearly beloveds…it does not belong in the mind of a soldier follow orders." Commander 15 returned his gaze to Rose, "26, I am here to take you back to the organization whether you want to or not. That is why I stand before you not as 'Uncle Bastion', but as the 15th Commander of Neo Snagem."
Commander 15 took one step toward Rose.
"Hm?" In response, Yumi stepped forward, intending keep 15 away. "You stand no chance against me, girl." 15 said to Yumi.
"I promised I would do whatever it takes to protect my friends." Yumi had no clue whether or not she stood a chance against 15. However, it's been a long journey she's been on; one that has given her a resolve to protect those she cares for.
Wordlessly, 15 looked to Rose and extended his hand one last time, "The human in me does not wish to fight you. But as a Commander, I am dutybound to bring you back to the organization."
It was truly a tough spot for Rose and Bastion. Bastion knew these were words he wouldn't be able to take back until it's too late for Rose to have a choice.
Rose remained still as she looked at 15's hand. She made no motion toward the hand.
"Ron…" Lairon sighed. He didn't want to accept it, but a struggle with Rose was on the horizon.
"…" Banette was ready to rush to Rose's aid. But Rose would be against the idea, as opposing 15 would endanger the Pokemon Egg in Banette's arms. Banette had to hope Yumi and Rose could hold their own.
For Volbeat and Illumise, it was like watching a television drama. What was going to happen next? The two Innamorati wondered.
"I see then." The human in Bastion was defeated. If 26 wasn't willing to return to the organization on her own terms, Bastion had no choice but act as the Commander in him.
"!"
Yumi's eyes widened, as 15 began to glow that dark aura again. This aura was stronger than the one that preceded it. Commander 15 wasn't going to use the darkness to threaten the girls. This time, he was going to do battle.
When Commander 15 sent the dark aura to Yumi, she braced herself. Yumi was the only one in the group to not have any power granted by the Missingno virus. She had no clue how to defend herself against the dark energy. However, Yumi had to stand tall. She couldn't afford to waver when it came to defending her friends. "…" She would die for her friends.
"SKAR!"
A blustering wind picked up. The long of hair of Yumi and Rose blew in the strong wind, clouding their vision. The girls hadn't a clue what was going on. Why wasn't Yumi stricken?
"Yumi!"
The wind repelled the dark aura, keeping it from reaching Yumi and Rose. Meanwhile , the calling of Yumi's name came from above, as did the blustering wind. Both Yumi and Rose looked back, shifting the long hair away from their faces.
"Skawr!"
It was Chapel! The maroon eyed Pokemon Ranger held on to Skarmory's talon as she descended onto the ground.
"It is the Pokemon Ranger girl!" Illumise exclaimed.
"The Pokemon Ranger girl, it is!" Volbeat parroted.
"Yumi! Rose!" Chapel immediately ran the girls into a hug. The short blonde-haired, maroon-banged girl was relieved to see Yumi and Rose okay after their fall from the bridge above. "…" But then, as Chapel eyed Volbeat and Illumise, her demeanor shifted to that of the bold character everybody was familiar with. "I'm sick of looking at you two."
Chapel had fought the fireflies in Mahogany Town, and again from within the Aomori Mountains. She was understandably exasperated by the two.
Commander 15 hadn't anticipated the appearance of Chapel. 'So, 26 has made even more friends…' He could tell that Chapel was powerful.
Chapel returned 15's gaze. "Who is that man?" She asked.
"He's trying to take Rose away!" Yumi answered.
"Is that so?" Another voice had entered the scene. The familiar figure was approaching from behind 15.
Turning around, 15 saw the young man with black hair and blonde bangs. Those blue eyes though...15 was perplexed, as this young man's face seemed to favor Flora.
"Brother!" Rose called.
It was Seth, and Chikorita was right next to him. Before addressing 15, Seth expressed a bit of apprehension toward Rose, "So you've entertained the thought of returning to Neo Snagem after all."
Rose was emotionally petrified by the words to come from Seth. Was this the coldest Seth has been to his sister? Maybe not, but that's just a reflection of how hardened Seth has acted toward Rose in the past.
"…" Rose wanted to cry. Banette, Yumi, and Chapel could all sense the tears coming, and did the best to comfort the emotionally fragile girl.
Seth wasn't expecting Rose to reply, as he turned his attention to 15 before Rose could say anything. "…" Seth has never met this man. How could he have guessed that this he was trying to bring Rose back to the organization. "That dark aura could only belong to the organization."
"You…" 15 was still impressed by Seth's eyes, "You know of Flora?"
Seth nodded. He could've told Bastion that Flora was his Mother, but found that explaining details now would accomplish nothing. "Hmph!" Rather than waste time talking, Seth got straight to business as he began to glow the dark aura of Fear.
"Ron?" Lairon was surprised. Nonetheless, the Steel type rushed forward, ready to defend Bastion from Seth's assault.
"Chi!" In response, Chikorita stepped forward, ready to defend her trainer.
"You shouldn't go picking fights you can't win, boy." 15 wasn't fond of the way Seth was readying to fight. To 15, it was distasteful. The Commander had no qualms about using the darkness to send Seth to Hell's Gate.
"By any means, I vow to destroy the Neo Snagem organization." The dark aura around Seth started to grow stronger, the wind blowing through his hair. "Whatever past you have with Rose and Flora doesn't matter now. All that matters is that I kill you right now."
The eyes of Rose, Chapel, Yumi, and Banette widened.
'How can he…?' Rose was predictably upset. Even if Bastion is a part of Neo Snagem, Seth just threatened to kill the man Rose calls Uncle.
Chapel gritted her teeth. Like Rose, she has taken issue to Seth's callous nature over the course of this journey. The goal wasn't about destroying Neo Snagem or anything else; it was about saving the world. "Seth!" Chapel called, "You're going about this wrong! You-" Chapel was interrupted. "Oh?"
"I don't care about any of your goals." Bastion started addressing Seth, "The fact that you wield the same dark virus abilities controlled by Neo Snagem is amusing. But I'm a man of integrity. What say we settle this fair and square."
"Fair and square?" Volbeat questioned.
"Square and fair?" Illumise parroted.
"Name your terms." Seth cued.
"My Lairon and your Chikorita already oppose each other on the battlefield." Bastion was talking about the staredown Lairon and Chikorita were having, ready for the first opportunity to defense their respective trainer from the other's dark power. "Let's have a battle. Two-on-two will be the stipulation. If you win, I will walk away defeated, without putting up a fight. However, if you lose…"
Bastion paused, looking to Rose. The five year old became uneasy.
"If you fail to defeat me, I will take 26 and return her to her family and the organization."
"What?!" Chapel, Yumi, and Banette all stood agape.
"Would Seth actually agree to those terms?" Yumi asked.
"But what about Rose?" Banette wondered was Rose thought about this, "Shouldn't she be able to decide her own fate?!"
Seth kept his eyes square on 15. "Defeating you in a battle won't keep me from trying to kill you afterward." He replied to the Commander as his dark aura grew stronger, "When your Pokemon are defeated, you'll have no means of protection from my dark power."
"What's your point?" 15 asked.
"My point is that I accept your terms." Seth narrowed his eyes, "Let's fight!"
The battle had begun. Deep within the desert-like ravine which stretched for miles upon mile, Seth and Chikorita stood, opposed by 15 and Lairon.
"Chi…" Chikorita was brainstorming. She and Seth have never fought 15 before. What kind of moves did the Commander and his Lairon possess? And would the dark aura become a major factor?
Seth stepped up, calling out the first move to Chikorita, "Reflect."
"Reflect?" Yumi was curious as to why Seth would opt for a defensive tactic to begin the fight.
"Chi!" Chikorita was surrounded by a sphere of white energy that eventually transitioned into a translucent-like glass before fading into nothingness. Should Lairon try to hit Chikorita, the glass sphere would appear and act as her shield.
Answering Yumi's questioning expression, was Chapel. "Seth's no fool when it comes to battling. He seems well aware of the typical fighting capabilities of pokemon like Lairon."
"I see you're not taking any chances. But that should be no surprise, given what's at stake here." 15 remarked to Seth, "Neutralizing Lairon's main offensive weapon in Physical Attacks makes all the difference on paper. However…" The Commander looked to Chikorita.
"Chi?"
15 smirked. "Your Chikorita looks as frail as a flower."
Commander 15 made an educated guess that was very accurate. Chikorita, despite a recent string of impressive victories, couldn't hide her loss-riddled past to everybody. Even with Reflect, Chikorita has never been the most durable Pokemon.
"Even with Reflect, Chikorita will easily fall to Lairon."
"Chi…" Chikorita drooped. She couldn't help having such a weak constitution.
"Lairon?" The idea of testing Chikorita's constitution amused Bastion. Starting strong will test the Grass type's reaction to the pressure not to make any mistakes, "Let's see if Chikorita can't survive our opening drive. Use Head Smash!"
Lairon's body became engulfed in a blue aura that was reminiscent of fire.
"Chi?" Panic made its way onto Chikorita's face, as the aura looked overwhelmingly powerful from afar.
"On!" Swiftly, Lairon began his charge toward the Grass type.
"…" Unnerved, Chikorita was paralyzed with intimidation.
In a stark contrast to Chikorita, Seth remain cool and collected. "Jump."
Seth's calm character in the face of Lairon's attempted assault was enough for Chikorita to momentarily gain her nerve back. "Chi!" She jumped in the air, and Lairon's Head Smash was avoided.
However, Lairon proved to be sharp. He remained engulfed in the blue aura flame, and swiftly jumped into the air.
"Ack!" Chikorita, in the middle of the air, was struck by Lairon. The translucent glass that was Reflect was summoned, but even with Reflect, Chikorita felt the pain Lairon's strike.
Head Smash, upon hitting its target, made enough of an impact that an explosion was created. The explosion created a cloud of smoke that engulfed the two opponents.
"Chi!" Immediately, Chikorita was driven further into the air. Having been struck, she no longer had whatever aerial control she had when she jumped.
"Hmph." Lairon landed on the ground with authority, causing the ground to quake around him.
"…" Meanwhile, Chikorita winced in pain as she was falling toward the ground from a greater height. "
"Chikorita!" As if to cheer Chikorita on, Yumi called her name from the sideline.
"Chi?" Whether it was Yumi or anybody else on the sideline, their cheers would be enough for a wincing Chikorita to open her eyes and regain her focus. "Chi." Chikorita landed on the ground, but not with the authority which accompanied Lairon's landing. Chikorita's landing was soft and meek, and she could be seen breathing heavily.
Predictably, 15 was correct about Chikorita. "Only one strike, and you're already tired," he said, "You're not a battler, are you? Has your journey been a struggle up until now? Have you ever thought that maybe you were a pokemon who was better suited for the life of a household pet? How about the life of flower arranging?"
Chikorita gritted her teeth.
15 then turned to Seth, "Does Chikorita not remind you of anything, boy?"
"…" Seth remained silent. He found no use in trying to understand what Bastion was talking about.
Without a reply from Seth, 15 looked past the young man. His attention was square on Banette and the three girls, namely Rose. "Chikorita, a flower who is seemingly better suited for the peaceful life of gardening. Does it not remind you of your Mother?"
"Mother?" Rose questioned.
'Mother?' Seth's thoughts exactly, even though he wasn't going to voice his question out loud.
"Do you not remember Lilligant and Roselia?" Bastion's question was directed toward both Seth and Rose. Most Rose though. "Flora's Grass types couldn't win a battle to save their life. But unlike this Chikorita here, they embraced the life of the gardener. You should know, 26. They were your greatest childhood friends. Don't you miss your old life?"
"You should stop trying to fill Rose's head with your lies!" Chapel called out the Commander.
'Rose has never expressed any desire to return to her old life' Yumi was sure. 15 was just a man who happened to know Rose in the past. He's too blinded by nostalgia to realize one simple fact: Rose left Neo Snagem and her family on her own free will. She's never looked back.
"Well…"
The eyes of Chapel and Yumi widened. Rose was ACTUALLY beginning to have second thoughts? Damn, that naïve little girl! Now matter how physically and mentally superior she was to everybody, Rose was still just a five year old girl. Of course she'd want to see her Mother again. But WHY NOW?
"I miss Mother Flora." Rose, after being scolded by Seth about wanting to return to the organization, confirmed that she did in fact want to see her past dearly beloveds again. She needed for Seth to see the situation from her point of view. She did NOT want to return to Neo Snagem itself. "Brother, do you not want to see Mother too?" Rose asked.
"…" Seth's eyes remained closed and away from Rose. This entire journey has been about wanting to destroy Neo Snagem and see Mother Flora again, should he be fortunate enough to see her. But now was not the time. Seth did not want to hear anything about that, especially from a Rose who might could very well return to the organization as Commander 26 at anytime.
15 spoke as if he was making a proposition to Seth, "Why not accompany 26 and I as we return to the organization? You and your sister could reunite with Flora together."
How would Mother react seeing Seth? It's been five long years since they were last together. Lilligant and Roselia got along with him in the past. Imagine Chikorita joining the Grass types in the daily life.
"Hmph." Rose and 15 were offering Seth the opportunity to see Mother Flora again. Without facing Rose, Seth answered her, "You're a naïve girl to believe that Neo Snagem would actually give you what you want."
Rose avoided eye contact with her Brother.
"Whether Chikorita reminds you of Mother or not doesn't mean a thing. All that matters…" Seth return his attention to the opponents in front of him, "All that matters is that I eliminate the organization. Chikorita!"
Chikorita perked up from her drooped state, ready to obey any command given by Seth.
"Energy Ball!" Seth called.
"Chi!" Chikorita extended her leaf, in the direction of Lairon. From the tip of the leaf, a ball of electric green energy was created, and launched at the Steel-type.
Before the ball of energy hit Lairon, Seth took a mental note on Chikorita. While she was breathing somewhat heavily, she was not surrounded by the aura of Overgrow, meaning that this fight was far from over.
"Ron!" Lairon was hit. Energy Ball was effective-more effect than any physical move. "Rnn…" The move sent Lairon sliding back, before he halted his own momentum by planting his foot on the ground. A slight cloud of dust, along with small rock pellets could be seen from where the Steel type slid.
"So you think an insignificant move like that is going to make Lairon fall?" Commander 15 asked. "Lairon, use Sandstorm!"
"Hm?" Seth's interest was peaked before Lairon could even execute 15's command. Sandstorm was a move he couldn't have anticipated Lairon having.
As Lairon roared into the sky, a storm of sand made its way on to the battlefield. A Sandstorm was quite fitting for their location. The green-less plateau and ravine Seth and the group have been traversing looked so much like a desert.
"Chi…Chi…" It was a struggle for Chikorita as far as visibility was concerned. As soon as the Sandstorm settled in, Chikorita winced, hoping sand wouldn't blow into her eyes. "Chi!" But then she was knocked off the ground, buffeted by the sand.
"Chikorita!" Yumi called.
"That's a strong Sandstorm!" Chapel took note, as gusts of Sandstorm had lifted Chikorita off her feet.
"Chi!" Chikorita was being tossed by the wind like some lightweight ragdoll!
"Your Chikorita is a lightweight." 15 looked on as Chikorita had absolutely no control over her body. It wasn't as if 15 was underestimating the Grass-type. Everything he's said so far had been true, from being a lightweight to being a pokemon not suited for the battling lifestyle. All his words culminated into the site before him: Chikorita unable to even touch the ground due to the Sandstorm.
The indifferent facial expression of Seth began to falter. "…" He gritted his teeth. Shielding his eyes from the Sandstorm, he watched a helpless Chikorita trying something-anything-to gain control of her body.
"Chikorita's in a tough spot." Yumi noted.
"But what can Seth do?" Chapel asked, "15 and Lairon could simply watch Chikorita struggle with the Sandstorm before it eventually defeats her!"
"Hmm…" Yumi wondered if Seth was thinking of a way to fend off the Sandstorm. But in case he wasn't, Yumi began thinking for him.
"…" A conflicted Rose could only see what happens. She hasn't been particularly cheerful for Seth or 15. What was going through her mind right now? Banette gazed at her questioningly.
From 15's sideline, Volbeat and Illumise looked on.
"So the fate of 26…" Volbeat started.
"Is put in the hands of some lightweight Grass-type." Illumise finished.
The fireflies looked at each other, respectively giving a coy smile before breaking out into obnoxious laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"This must be some cruel sick joke!" Volbeat exclaimed.
"I bet you Lairon kills the Chikorita!" Tears of laughter coming from her eyes, Illumise offered Volbeat a 'side-bet'.
"No need to bet me!" Volbeat answered, "I think the Chikorita's gonna die too!"
Everybody was starting to believe that Chikorita stood no chance, like 15 said. 15 felt no urgency to call an attack. Sandstorm was more than enough suffering for Chikorita. Guess you could call it 15 being human, again. Whether or not Chikorita opposed 15 didn't matter, as he could not help seeing Chikorita as fragile as a flower.
Seth was still brainstorming of a way to free Chikorita from the Sandstorm. But before an idea was reached, Seth was called out by his opponent.
"You should never have sent Chikorita to battle." 15 started, "If you were serious about protecting your sister, you would've sent a capable fighter to battle me."
The eyes of both Seth and Rose narrowed.
"I shall win the battle and the war. You will be rendered a broken man once I defeat you. 26 will return to the organization, and you will watch as she helps Neo Snagem usher in the very world you seek to destroy."
There was so much riding on this fight, and Seth could not afford to be on the losing end. However, Commander 15 also had something he was fighting for: Long Live Neo Snagem!
To Be Continued…