Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 156: The Valley Part
Author's Note
It's been a while since I've done an Author's Note, mainly because I'm putting an effort to let each Chapter breathe a little. These next few arcs were written during my two years away from Fanfiction, before the The Uncle Bastion fight was completed.
~WeS RoYaL~
Seth, Chapel, Rose, and Yumi have arrived at the next destination on their journey…albeit, uncalled for.
"What is it?" Yumi asked.
"It's a railroad track," Chapel replied, "An abandoned railroad track."
Their current destination was a nameless rocky valley. They stood at the entrance of one of the rocky valley's caves, staring into the seemingly endless path in front of them. How long would it take to traverse this path? Hours? Days? What if they used the object in front of them?
"And what's this?" Yumi pointed to the platform with wheels. The wheels were unbelievably rusted.
"Have you never seen one of these?" Chapel asked, to which Yumi and Rose shook their heads. "This is a mine cart platform used to transport people and goods. In the past, people used these because they were the most efficient source of transportation they had.
Rose held her Pokemon Egg in her hand as she asked, "Do you suggest we use this?"
Chapel nodded.
"But isn't that dangerous?" Yumi asked.
"If it is, so sue me." Chapel responded to the girls' worries with her catchphrase.
Rather careless of Chapel to say that when the girls are worried about their safety. Yumi couldn't respond to Chapel's bold claim, while Rose seemingly worried more for the Egg she held.
"Oh…" Looking at Rose's Egg, Chapel was reminded that she ALSO had an unhatched Egg. Mind you, Chapel kept her Egg in her backpack, as opposed to what Rose does. However, Chapel should be worried about her unborn Pokemon as well. As the leader of the group, Chapel shouldn't have downplayed the group's safety like that. Chapel knelt down to Rose's level and pat her on the head as she said, "I'm sorry. That didn't come out right."
Chapel was apologizing to both Yumi and Rose.
"What I meant was, trust me." Chapel's eyes were absolute, her voice confident – confident enough to instill confidence in Rose and Yumi, "Everything will be alright. Besides-" She motioned the girls to look at Seth and Chikorita.
"Will you use Aromatherapy?" Seth asked politely.
"Chicori!" Chikorita couldn't say no to Seth whenever he acted like he cared. "Chi…" With a smile on her face, she hopped onto the mine cart and emitted a pink aroma. This aroma surrounded the platform and effectively eliminated the rust on the wheels.
"Even if we don't wanna ride the wheels, Seth doesn't look like he'll take no for an answer." Chapel finished.
Seth and Chikorita certainly helped on Chapel's case for riding the wheels. With this, Yumi and Rose boarded the platform. Yumi then took out a Pokeball.
"Braixen, let's go!" She called, throwing the Pokeball.
"Zen?" The inheritor of the 1,000 Kitsune looked confused as she took in the tunnel surrounding her. There were no enemy pokemon around, so why would Yumi called her?
"Braixen, we're going to need someone to power this platform, and we could really use your Flamethrower." Yumi explained. "Please?"
"This will really take a lot of time out of passing this valley." Chapel added.
Braixen nodded.
And so, Braixen used her flames to move the mine cart. This was a rather adventurous way of traveling, using the railroad tracks. The path was bumpy, and in some cases, parts of the railroad tracks were broken off.
"Chi?!" Chikorita flinched as the wooden platform took a big bump.
"Don't worry." Seth assured.
"Brother…" Seth didn't realize that Rose was watching with longing eyes, observing the care he seemed to show for Chikorita… "Woah!" This was before the platform take another bump, causing for Rose to embrace her Egg tighter than usual, protecting her child from any damage that may befall it.
The mine cart hit some unusual places. There were fast turns on steep hills which made Yumi uneasy, but Chapel welcomed this challenge, as well as any challenge that lie ahead. What lie ahead, was a path that went along a lake that was actually in the tunnel.
"Ngh…" The bumpy ride actually caused for Seth to fall off the wooden platform and into the tunnel.
As Braixen stopped the platform, she, Chapel, Yumi, and Chikorita looked at Seth in amusement.
When Seth came back up for air, Yumi couldn't contained her giggle. "I never thought you of all people would be the first to fall off this thing."
Rather than look indifferent, Seth looked indignant – as if he didn't know what to say. Was he embarrassed? If so, it might've been a first.
Even Chapel gave off a giggle as Seth got back on the platform. "Don't worry. If anything, falling off this thing makes you seem human."
"Yeah, everybody has embarrassing moments." Yumi added.
"It's kind of cute, really." Chapel noted, to which Seth could only respond with a slow blink in the eye while making no attempt to maintain eye contact with anyone.
Rose was too conflicted with Seth to be amused in any misfortune that came to him, even if it were comedic. She could only stare…However, she did notice Seth sniffle for a second.
Back on track now, the group continued through the railroad tracks along the lake. Following the lake, they had a slow ride up an upward slope before going down at a speed high enough to where Braixen momentarily stopped using her flame to power the platform.
"Aaahhh!" The gang all screamed haplessly. Braixen and Chikorita hugged each other, while Rose embraced her Egg.
"I told you this wasn't a good idea!" Yumi grabbed Seth by the collar, shaking him as she screamed comedically. All Seth could do was sniffle…again.
"Don't be afraid, guys!" Chapel told everyone, "THIS IS EXHILERATING!" She certainly was the bold young woman. Chapel threw her hands in the air and embraced all the fast paced air blowing in her face as the roller coaster-like ride on the wooden platform continued.
Even after the mine cart had gotten past the downward slope, it kept moving at breakneck speed. There would be cuts in the tunnel, and the gang could see the expanse of the rocky valley in full. The valley was larger than they thought. No matter how scary this ride was, it was better than being stuck walking for days on end!
The fast ride then came to an abrupt halt, as it slammed into a bump that sent the gang flying off the wooden platform.
"…" While the rest of the group had a rather awkward landing on the ground in front of them, Rose was able to react fast enough to summon her virus power and gently glide to the ground.
"Ow…" A hurt Yumi rubbed her backside.
"Chi?" Chikorita walked up to a Seth who laid on the ground. "Cori?" She was asking if he was okay.
"Urgh…" Chapel was groggy while rising from the ground. She grabbed onto Braixen's arm, using it to help herself up. "Thank you, Braixen."
"Hrm…" Or so she thought it was Braixen.
"Braixen?" Chapel was trying to get past her grogginess.
"Zen?" Braixen replied. She was standing next to Rose. Chapel realized this, then questioned what who it was she grabbed onto.
Yumi? Seth? No. It was a pokemon…A big pokemon.
"Hrmmmm…"
Chapel's eyes widened. Unnerved, she, Yumi, and Rose all took a step backward.
This was perhaps the tallest pokemon they'd seen, and it was unfamiliar to all of them.
Seth took out his navy blue Pokedex and scanned the foreign pokemon.
The Pokedex read:
Coalossal, the Coal Pokemon: Coalossal are usually peaceful, but the vandalism of its mines enrage them. Offenders will be incinerated with flames that reach 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
"Incinerated?" Yumi repeated in fear.
It was then that the group realized: This was a rocky valley that's never travelled anymore. The fact that they came into this Coalossal's home and used the railroad tracks without warning was a rare occasion. Perhaps with all the noise the group was making, Coalossal probably thinks of them as invaders.
"Hrmmm…" Coalossal looked like it was about to attack. The coal that was his body started glowing this red lava color, causing the group to standby for battle. "Hrmmm…" Coalossal's growling continued.
"What's it doing?" Chapel asked.
"Why isn't it attacking?" Yumi added.
"Hrmmmm…Hrrrrrrr….HrrrrrrrAAAAAHHHHHH!" Coalossal's growling turned into roaring. Seth and the gang ended up having to cover their ears, as the roar was so loud it echoed throughout the rocky valley.
…
…
…
The roaring stopped.
Coalossal was no longer glowing the color of red lava, which confused the group.
Rose was prepared to defend her child as she questioned the coal pokemon, "So you are not going to do battle with us?" She had a bit of a condescending undertone. Condescending, or maybe irritated.
Coalossal didn't bother to answer Rose's question. Rather, he allowed this confrontation to slip into further silence.
…
…
…
Footsteps. The group was starting to hear the sound of footsteps. They were faint, but audible enough for the group to realize they were coming in their direction.
"There's more Pokemon coming!" Chapel said to the group, "Be on your guard!"
"Hm?" From the back, Seth could hear the sound of more wild Pokemon approaching them from behind. He narrowed his eyes, as he realized that there was no running from the incoming fight now.
From behind Coalossal, a new pokemon emerged. Yumi took out her Pokedex to scan it.
Bouffalant, the Bash Buffalo Pokemon: Bouffalant charge wildly and headbutt everything. Their headbutts have enough destructive force to derail an entire train.
If that's the case, then imagine what this Boufflant could've done to the group's mine cart…
Next, Seth readied for a formidable foe to emerge from his end. What he got…
"Chi?"
He and Chikorita were confused.
The enemy they got, "…Zzz…zzz…" Was sleeping.
Komala, the Drowsing Pokemon. Since its ability is Comatose, Komala is always asleep. The log it clings to is a gift from its earliest days. It is said that Komala's behavior come from a dream that its having.
If this was some sort of gag, Seth was not amused. "Energy Ball." He immediately called for Chikorita to launch an attack.
"Chi!" Chikorita nodded and jumped from Seth's shoulder. But as she prepared the launch a ball of green energy. "Chi?!" Chikorita was captured.
"What?!" This was not the sleeping Komala's doing, but another new enemy.
It looked to be a raven Pokemon. Not like Murkrow or Honchkrow, but a different raven. Seth may have heard about it existing in other parts of the world once upon a time. As he recalled, the Pokemon's name might've been 'Corviknight'.
"Raawwwrrr!" Corviknight let out a roar that sounded as if it could pierce steel.
"Hrm…"
"Brrouu."
"…Zzz…zzz…"
Coalossal, Bouffalant, and Komala all gave Corviknight their undivided attention. It appeared Corviknight was the undisputed leader of the group.
"Rawr!" Chikorita still within its grasp, the Corviknight threw its wing out right, as if commanding the other pokemon to do something.
"Hrm!"
"Brrouu."
"…Zzz…zzz…"
At Corviknight's command, they all turned their attentions toward the rocky valley's intruders.
"That Pokemon's got Chikorita…" Seth noted.
Seth having his attention on Corviknight gave Komala the perfect opportunity to land the first strike.
"Zzz…Aaawwwwhhhh…" Weird, as Komala didn't actually strike Seth. Instead, the Drowsing Pokemon gave off a large yawn, creating a sleep bubble that went direct toward Seth.
"Hmph." The bubble popped, but Seth appeared to be unaffected, aside from the occasional sniffle. He then took out a Pokeball, "Gabite!"
With the Pokeball thrown in the air, Seth released Gabite, a Pokemon who should be at an advantage in rocky terrain like this. "Gaaarrr!" Gabite roared.
The appearance of a new enemy pokemon was enough to trigger Bouffalant and Coalossal.
"Brouu!" The Bouffalant went charging into one of the enemies – Yumi.
Even though Yumi had been on standby for an attack, she didn't think it would be so sudden. She thought for sure that Bouffalant and Coalossal would focus their attacks on Seth, who seems to be the primary offender right now. "Ngh…" Yumi flinched in fear.
"Yumi!" But tackling Yumi out the way right before Bouffalant could strike, was Chapel. Yumi was tackled to the ground, but it was certainly better than taking a head-on attack from a wild pokemon. "Are you okay?" Chapel asked.
Yumi nodded.
"Brouu…" Bouffalant stopped in his tracks and faced Yumi again. His intention to strike Yumi with one of his deadly headbutts was not going to be denied. "Brou!" He charged at both Yumi and Chapel this time.
"Zen!" Braixen, in the girls' defense, launched a stream of fire using her staff-like stick.
"Brou?!" Bouffalant had been intercepted by a Flamethrower. "Agh!" The Bash Buffalo pokemon had been driven into the wall. "Brou!" The Bouffalant was down but not out, as it immediately rose to its feet. "Grr…" It gritted its teeth.
"Rrr." From above, the leader of the Pokemon of Rocky Valley looked at the chaos.
"Hmm…" And Rose was staring directly at him. "Chikorita…" Rose knew that Chikorita was the pokemon that her Brother cared for most, and she was in the clutches of the enemy. Even after everything that has strained their relationship, Rose still wished that she could love her Brother and be loved in return. "Chikorita is precious to Brother, just like my child is precious to me…" Rose embraced the Egg in her arms. Perhaps saving the Pokemon that Seth cares about most will allow Rose to grow closer to him. "Ha!" And so, Rose charged at the leader of the valley Pokemon.
"Rrr?" Seth and Gabite were on the brink of a fight with Komala, while Chapel and Yumi were getting ready to defend their lives against Bouffalant and Coalossal. In the midst of the chaos about to ensue, Corviknight had lost focus. The raven certainly didn't expect the little girl of all people to come charging at him.
"Chikorita!" Rose screamed Chikorita's name as she pushed the grass type from Corviknight's talons.
"Chi!" Chikorita was free, but falling to the ground.
"Brother!" But Rose called out to Seth. She alerted to Seth that Chikorita was free, which was enough to divert his attention from Gabite and Komala.
Seth immediately ran to where Chikorita was about to land and caught her in his arms. "Chikorita…"
"Chicori." Chikorita looked to her trainer's face, and gave him a warm smile.
Rose remained floating in the air. Seeing Chikorita smile like that, and thinking about how herself and her Brother could form a connection over this turn of events brought a smile to Rose's face as well. "Brother." Rose started to slowly descend, her gaze never leaving Seth's eyes.
"Raaaawwwrrrrr!" But in Rose's desire to bond with her Brother, she was momentarily distracted from Corviknight and his subordinates' assault. "Raaaawwwrrrr!" The raven came roaring back with a retaliating strike.
"Woah!" While the attack missed, Rose lost focus of herself in the air. This caused for her to lose her grip on the Egg she carried. She desperately tried to react fast enough to catch her Egg…but the Egg was well on its way to landing in the middle of all the chaos ensuing right now. Just as it appeared Rose had a finger on it-
"Cor!" The Egg was snatched by Corviknight! "Cor." Corviknight got a feel for the Egg. The Egg was certainly more difficult to grip with its talons, but it served as a reminder that nobody will trespass onto the valley without facing consequence.
"No…" Rose's blue eyes became covered by her blonde bangs. Nobody could see the emotion ready to pour itself out from those eyes. "My child…" Rose closed her arms. She was so used to carrying her Egg around that not having it on her felt empty. "This is the second time…that somebody has tried to take my child away…" To care for her child the way her Brother cares for Chikorita, and for her Brother to love her…those are all Rose wanted. But it seems destiny is determined to prevent that from happening.
From leaving the organization and her family behind.
"My child…"
To being struck by her dearly beloved Brother.
"My child…"
To being unable to forge a connection with him.
"My child…"
To meeting Aunt Beatrice and Uncle Bastion. To being invited back to the organization and her family. To declining the offer in hopes that her child may lead a better life outside the organization. To being unable to protect her child anyway.
"My child…"
Rose was frustrated. She was an emotionally fragile little girl. And right now…
…
…
…
"AAAAAGGHHHHHH! MY CHILD!" The emotionally fragile little girl, was finally breaking down like glass.
Rose's screams were louder than any scream Corviknight or any Pokemon could amount.
Seth, Yumi, and Chapel halted their fighting with the valley Pokemon and looked to Rose. They were all acting surprised and shocked by Rose's screaming. But they should've known better. From the day they met her, Rose was always an emotional mess. It was a miracle that she'd been able to stay sane for as long as she did, considering the series of unfortunate events befalling her and the world around her. But now…
"GIVE ME BACK MY CHILD!" Her blonde hair and black maiden dress blew wildly, as if she were standing in the middle of a typhoon. Her bangs parted, revealing an intense glare cold enough to paralyze anybody looking at her eyes, ally or enemy.
Seth, Chapel, and Yumi were all paralyzed in shock.
Corviknight was just as shocked…But he was the leader of every Pokemon in the large expanse of the rocky valley. If he showed just the slightest bit of fear, the Pokemon would no doubt come for his throne at the top. "Corvin." As an enraged Rose charged after him, he started flying.
"…" The emotionally broken Rose didn't even stopped to ponder where Corviknight was flying. All that mattered to her was getting her child back.
And so, it became a high speed chase for Rose. She was determined to get her child back, no matter what. And she promised that this would be the last time anybody dared to take her child away from her.
To Be Continued…
…
…
…
"Rose…" Seth could only whisper her name. Was he the only one to never see this side of her? No…Rose has only shown signs of becoming emotionally unhinged once. Seth, Yumi, and Chapel weren't there to see Rose then…
"…ZZZZZ….!"
But as Seth was pondering this, he'd left Komala completely unaccounted for. He was starting the feel the effects of the Yawn Komala launched moments earlier as he involuntarily fell asleep.
"…" Gabite fell asleep as well.
"Chi…" As did Chikorita.
"Seth!" Yumi called.
Komala let out another Yawn, this time hitting Yumi and Chapel.
"No…No!" Chapel attempted to resist falling asleep.
"Brou!" But was speared by a charging Bouffalant.
"…" Chapel had been knocked out cold…
Seconds later, Yumi fell asleep as well…
The Gang Has Been Defeated.
To Be Continued…