Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 159: Time Before Time
Author's Note: Good day. It's been a minute, right? The only thing I have to say is to please note that this Chapter was completed about 3 years ago. I didn't post it because I didn't want to leave the readers on a cliffhanger while I write the next 40-ish chapters. Enjoy.
Location:…
Once again, it has been a long time since Seth and the gang have been to a proper town or city. They were on a long abandoned dirt path, surrounded by grassy mountains.
As the journey continues…
The group was not expecting anything out of the ordinary…until something out of the ordinary came to them.
"Chi…" Chikorita was on Seth's should, resting peacefully without a care in the world. Her eyes were half closed. "Chi…"
This 'something out of the ordinary' came in the form of Chikorita opening her eyes and noticing something.
"Chi?" There, at the foot of one of the grassy mountains, Chikorita notice…a tunnel. "Chico."
"What is it?" Seth asked.
"Chi!" Chikorita could ask that question as well. As if to answer this question, Chikorita hopped off Seth's shoulder and started running in the direction of the tunnel.
"Chikorita?" Yumi called Chikorita's name as they all ran after her.
…..
The group stopped at the foot of the tunnel.
"A tunnel?" Yumi questioned.
"This isn't just any ordinary tunnel." Chapel walked to the wall, took off her black glove, and touched it.
The wall was made of brick.
"This tunnel is man-made."
The eyes of Yumi, Rose, and Banette all widened.
"Man-made?" Yumi questioned.
"Then there must be humans nearby." Seth answered as he walked forward. "And if there are humans, there must be a town or settlement, somewhere beyond the end of this tunnel."
"But…" Chapel agreed with Seth's reasoning. However, if there was a town nearby…it just didn't add up. Chapel took out her Pokegear and looked at the map, "The map doesn't show anything about a town nearby."
"Should we skip this tunnel and get back on track?" Yumi asked.
"No." Chapel started walking. She was a few feet behind Seth, "We have nothing to lose by seeing what's at the end of this tunnel."
Yumi shrugged before following Chapel.
"…" That left Rose, who remained at the foot of the tunnel as she held Banette.
"Is something wrong?" Banette asked.
"Something is about to happen." Rose answered.
"How do you know?"
"I just have a feeling…" Their conversation trailed into silence, as Rose started walking the tunnel.
….
Location: Circle N
Circle N was a large tower. At the top of this tower, one man stood. It was Commander 15, Lord Bastion. He appeared to be waiting on something, or someone.
"She on her way, 26."
Behind Bastion, was Commander 06, Lady Beatrice. "Are you sure?"
"26 will be happy to see us!" With Commander 06, were Volbeat and Illumise. "Very VERY happy!"
Illumise, with a smile on her face, flatly chimed, "26 hates us."
"Hates us, 26 does." From behind the Innamorati mask he wore, Volbeat's eyes narrowed. "We'll have a wonderful time."
Volbeat and Illumise were simply getting their hopes up. They weren't really going to face Rose, this time.
"Sike!"
This time, it was Lord Bastion's turn.
"Are you sure you don't need my help?" Commander 06 asked.
15 smiled, "You underestimate me." He was defeated by Seth in a fair Pokemon battle a few days ago – a Pokemon battle in which 15 would surrender without a fight has he lost. But this time, he is dropping the façade that anything having to do with the organization would be fought for on fair terms. "This power…will lead Rose back to our side." He began emitting the dark aura of the virus.
This time, 26 was coming home.
….
Once Seth and the group reached the end of the tunnel, his suspicion was confirmed – They had stumble upon NOT a town, but a city.
Chapel, who still had her Map out, caught up to Seth from behind, "So there was a city after all."
As Yumi caught up to Seth and Chapel, she took a look at the city before her. Casually, her glance stumbled upon a building with huge letters reading "Prypiat…" Yumi asked Chapel, "Is that the name of this city?"
"We have no way of knowing unless we explore it ourselves."
"Let's go." Rose passed into the lead as she continued walking.
…..
There had to have been a reason why this city wasn't on the Map.
As the group closed in on the city, Yumi's suspicions about its name came to fruition.
Location: Prypiat
Considering the relative amount of attractions that Prypiat had, it was absurd that such a city could be left off the Map. The city's most notable attraction was a giant tower that was a fair distance away. It was on the outskirts of town, but it was tall enough to be seen from miles away.
There was also a giant ferris wheel.
"Wow." The group had naturally gravitated in the direction of said Ferris wheel, as it would be easy to backtrack to, should they get lost.
Chapel took a step forward, "Look at this place…"
The ferris wheel turned out to be part of a carnival.
Rose was impressed, "I have never been on a ferris wheel before." How long has it been since she had the innocence of an actual five-year old girl? Rose turned to face Seth.
Seth didn't say a word. He didn't even return Rose's glance or smiled. "…" He wasn't trying to hurt Rose, but it couldn't be helped. Rose – the emotionally fragile little girl – drooped.
"Don't let that sourpuss ruin your mood!" Chapel grabbed Rose's hand. "Let's have fun!"
Rose's heart might've skipped a beat with how sudden Chapel was with grabbing her. She didn't say it out loud, but she enjoyed Chapel's energy.
Seth, Yumi, and Chikorita were left alone.
"That's something I'd expect you to do." Seth was curt.
"Really?"
Seth then started walking, in a direction different from wherever Chapel dragged Rose to.
"Wait." Yumi walked with him, "Where are you going?"
"…" Seth stopped, suddenly.
He didn't say a thing. Why?
"Um…"
"Chi?"
Seth does not attempt to explain his stationary stance which confused Yumi and Chikorita. He remained still.
…
…
…
Silence…
…
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Silence…
…
…
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Silence
…
…
…
"What are you doing?" Yumi asked.
"You haven't noticed it yet?"
"Noticed what?" What was Yumi missing here? Nothing?
"Chico?" Chikorita was lost too.
Seth looked Yumi in the eye. What he says next immediately raises a state of suspicion, "This city has no sound."
"No sound?" Yumi parroted, "What's so crazy about that?"
"This city…" He turned to Yumi, "Have you realized we haven't seen any people or pokemon since entering Prypiat?"
"Maybe they're all indoors?"
Seemingly out of character, Seth grabbed Yumi's hand.
"S-seth?" Yumi wasn't blushing. She was just as surprised as Rose when Chapel grabbed her hand.
"…" Seth said nothing as he pulled Yumi.
…
Seth had led Yumi to one of the carnival's attractions. It was a tent, and he was going to use the inside as an example.
"We're…" It was dark inside. Yumi didn't resist as Seth continued walking forward. Until… "Yelp!" Yumi was surprised. In the corner of her eye, somebody had appeared right beside her – two people, actually. The were two more people on the other side as well.
Seth stopped.
Yumi looked beside her. The person standing right next to her was…herself. "Huh?" Yumi looked to the other side. Standing opposite of her was…herself…again. It was dark, but Yumi's eyes were beginning to adjust. Slowly, she extended her hand to touch one of the other Yumis.
"Chi…"
"Don't be fooled by illusion. Focus on reality." Seth said.
The tips of Yumi's fingers met a wall. This… "A mirror?" It was a house of mirrors.
Seth once again started walking. "There's nobody in this house of mirrors. Except you, and me."
"How can you prove it's not a coincidence?" Yumi didn't distrust Seth. He was never one to tell a lie. However, a town with no sound? Yumi found that hard to believe.
Seth turned to Yumi, "What explanation do you have?"
…..
"Do you find it strange that there are no people here?" Banette asked.
Banette was next to Rose, who held hands with Chapel as they stood at the foot of the Ferris Wheel.
"…" That feeling Rose had earlier – the feeling something was going to happen – it was back and stronger than ever.
"Maybe Neo Snagem is behind this?" This was the only thing Chapel could think of.
Rose narrowed her eyes, "No."
"No?" Chapel questioned.
"Say what you will about the organization. However…" Rose pulled her hand from Chapel, "Have you known Team Neo Snagem to eliminate the population of an entire city?"
Chapel immediately responded, "Yes, actually. A while back, I read about how Neo Snagem manipulated the pokemon of Ilex Forest into poisoning all of Azalea Town. It was pure genocide…"
"But was that not an exception rather than a status quo?"
"…" Chapel didn't know what to say.
"I have more knowledge than you, Yumi, and Brother when it comes to the organization. I will say this…" Rose paused, "There is a Neo Snagem Commander in this city, as we speak."
This was Rose's strange feeling. She knew who this Commander was too…
…
…
…
But if the organization wasn't behind the disappearance of the people of Prypiat, what was?
….
Seth no longer had Yumi by the hand. Yumi followed him still. He was headed away from the carnival.
"What about Rose and Chapel?" Yumi asked.
"We'll come back for them."
Where Seth led Yumi next was bizarre. It was a school.
Prypiat Secondary School
"The doors are open." Seth started walking, "Let's look for students."
The gates were open, and the doors to the buildings were unlocked. Upon entering, Seth and Yumi could see the school's age from the wood floors to the walls. This school looked didn't look old. In fact, it seemed well off financially. However, this school felt neglected.
Seth, Chikorita, and Yumi walked through the hallways. Empty.
They entered a classroom and took a seat, as if waiting for the bell to ring and the teacher to come in. No bell rang. No teacher came in. There were no students aside from Seth and Yumi. Empty.
They proceeded up the stairwell and onto the second floor. Looking at the window, Seth and Yumi could see the sports and recreation areas. There was a baseball diamond and two dugouts. Empty. There was a soccer field without fielders or goalies. Empty. In the distance, the parking lot could be seen. There was but a single vehicle, but it was in the stopped in the middle of the lot. You couldn't say there was no effort in parking this car because it didn't appear that this car was being parked at all. It looked as though whomever was driving got out and ditched the vehicle in a hurry. Vehicle, empty. Parking lot, empty. Sports and recreation area, empty.
Seth and Yumi proceeded to the roof, where the edge was fenced off, keeping any unfortunate souls from accidentally falling off.
Seth's black hair and blonde bangs brushed in the wind, "Now do you believe that something is wrong with this city?"
"It doesn't matter whether or not I believe," Yumi answered, "There's a problem, and we don't know what it is."
Clutching on to the fence, Seth looked at the distance. "…" He was gazing at the giant tower. From atop the school building, Seth could see that the giant building wasn't just in the middle of nowhere. It was surrounded by strange buildings. It looked to be a facility of some sort. Maybe everyone was over there…or maybe not. "That Giant Tower…"
"Should we go over there?" Yumi asked.
"Not yet." Seth started away from the fence and the view from the giant tower, "There's somewhere else I need to go."
"Where to?"
…
As Rose, Chapel, and Banette continued their trek into the carnival…
"Shame, we can't help Lord Bastion on his mission to see 26." Volbeat flew aimlessly throughout the Prypiat sky.
"We can't help Lord Bastion on his mission to see 26. Shame." Illumise was with him.
If Volbeat and Illumise could've led 26 back to Neo Snagem, they would've done it by now. But they haven't, which is why Bastion told them to not fight 26 or her friends…
"Where should we go next?"
"Ooh?" Volbeat's antennas perked up.
"Ohh?" As did Illumise's.
In the direction of the Ferris Wheel, Volbeat and Illumise couldn't believe it.
"It is 26!" Illumise cheered.
"26, it is!" Volbeat parroted.
"And the Pokemon Ranger Girl!" The fireflies chirped in unison, referring to Chapel.
Volbeat excited told Illumise, "We should tell Lord Bastion!"
"Tell Lord Bastion, we should!"
The fireflies have successfully fended off their urge to annoy 26. Instead, they are going to bring the good news to a Lord Bastion waiting at the giant tower, also known as Circle N!
….
Yumi would've asked Seth where he was going, but it seemed pretty obvious he was trying to reach the red-roofed building.
Location: Prypiat Pokemon Center
As suspected, the Pokemon Center was empty. Despite this, it could still be useful to Seth. The front doors were creaky. It took a little elbow grease to get them open.
"Why are we here?" Yumi asked.
The lights were out. At first glance, it seemed the Pokemon Center was abandoned long enough for the lights to be out of energy. However, the fact that the Pokemon Center not being used was reason for it to still have power.
As Seth flicked the light switch, the electricity slowly came on. "People and pokemon haven't been here to use up electricity." He walked straight to the Computer Monitors once spotted.
At first, the computer monitor didn't respond. Seth pressed the button again. No use. Before giving up, he checked the back of the monitor. Sure enough, it was unplugged.
Yumi took a seat right next to Seth.
"Chi?" While Chikorita hopped on his shoulder.
Upon plugging in the computer monitor, it immediately powered up. The computer monitor read: Will you be Depositing or Withdrawing Pokemon.
"Oh." Yumi's question had been answered, "You're switching out your Pokemon."
As the transporter was set up, Seth readied the Pokeballs of Gabite, Elekid, Murkrow, and Mawile.
Transport Destination: Sunnyshore City Gym.
Transporting to Sunnyshore City Gym Pokemon Storage System.
And the Pokemon Seth withrew in return?
Withdraw Seviper?
Withdraw Klefki?
Withdraw Chandelure?
Withdraw Tyranitar?
So it was true after all – Seth had a Tyranitar.
Action Confirmed.
Transport Destination: Prypiat Pokemon Center
Transporting to Prypiat Pokemon Center…
Transport Complete
Seviper, Klefki, Chandelure, and Tyranitar…upon seeing their Pokeballs Yumi realized, "You're bringing all Shadow Pokemon…" She sounded disappointed, and did a poor job of hiding it.
The girls have always been wary of when Seth uses his Shadow Pokemon, or his shadow virus power. Namely Rose.
"Is there a problem with me using these Pokemon?" Seth already knew the answer when he asked this.
"You've hurt the people close to you with your shadow power." Yumi was mainly referencing when Seth struck Rose down, "How do you think Rose feels about you having all your Shadow Pokemon with you?"
Seth sighed as he put his Pokeballs away and got up, "Rose needs to grow up."
He headed outside the Pokemon Center, and Yumi followed.
It was a murky day, with a blanket of grey clouds covering this empty town…
"…" Seth took a deep breath before speaking again, "Rose is conspiring against me."
Yumi's heart dropped, "N-no, she's not. W-what makes you think that?"
"She defended 15 from me." Seth answered.
"She called 15 her 'Uncle', though." Yumi remarked.
Seth's battle with Commander 15 wasn't the first instance. "Do you remember when we were attacked by Corviknight, Bouffalant, and the other mountain pokemon?" He asked rhetorically, "Admittedly, we wouldn't have escaped the mountain without her, but Rose was hiding something…or someone. Is it a coincidence that 'Uncle' 15 confronted us the next day in the plateau?"
"Um…" Yumi was just as in the dark as Seth.
"15 has been following us, and Rose knows it."
Seth had every right to be paranoid. 15 could swoop in at any moment and attack them. But was suspecting Rose of conspiring against him a bit much?
"Rose has never been one to lie, especially to your face." Yumi replied, "But even before Corviknight and the mountain pokemon, you've always been 'distant' to Rose."
Seth has never said this to anyone, but he has always been wary of Rose. The day he met his sister, Seth was the only one against Rose joining their journey. All this time, and he still hasn't let go of the fact that Rose is a Neo Snagem Commander…
"She can't play the 'victim' forever.'
….
Location: Circle N
"Lord Bastion! Lord Bastion!"
"Lord Bastion! Lord Bastion!"
Volbeat and Illumise flew straight to the top of Circle N, where 15 gazed down at the city of Prypiat.
"We have found 26!"
"Found 26, we have!"
"She is at the Ferris Wheel, and we didn't lay a finger on her!" The fireflies cheered in unison.
"Perfect…" 15 kept his sights on the city, before addressing the fireflies, "You two can go back to your Trainer now. I'm certain Lady Beatrice has missed you as of late."
The fireflies drooped. You know, maybe they shouldn't have told 15 about 26. At least then, they'd be able to harass – I mean – play with her.
"Don't worry." 15 could see the fireflies' body language from the window's reflection. "26 will be home soon. I'll make sure of it…"
As if on cue, the chamber within Circle N that 15 was currently in began to radiate a dark aura. A huge concentration of darkness focused right behind 15, at the center of the room.
'Whispers…of the apocalypse…'
The ominous echo permeated throughout the chamber. Appearing from the concentration of darkness, was the Reaper.
'The whispers of the apocalypse…have not yet been answered…'
Like 15, Dusknoir has dropped the notion that a fight involving Neo Snagem would be won on fair terms.
"This 'missing' city hides a deep dark mystery – a mystery that will ultimately deliver 26 back home to us."
The goal of delivering Rose home meant too much to be decided by the outcome of a simple Pokemon battle. 15 and the Reaper both radiated dark energy, letting it be known that this time, they intend on using their virus power.
To Be Continued…
Seth's Pokemon
-In Party
1. Chikorita(Female) - Overgrow
2. Shadow Seviper (Male) - Shed Skin
3. Shadow Klefki (Male) - Prankster
4. Shadow Chandelure (Male) - Flame Body
5. Shadow Tyranitar (Male) - Sand Stream
6. Froslass (Female) - Snow Cloak
-At Sunnyshore Gym
1. Elekid (Male) - Static
2. Gabite (Male) - Sand Veil
3. Murkrow (Male) - Super Luck
4. Mawile (Female) - Intimidate