(Anime/Game, rated PG-13 for situations and some cheeky humor)
I find it hard to believe it's already been two years.....two years ago, November 2004, "Pokémon XD: Enigma Shadow" was first conceived, and as we know, things haven't been the same since.
Now, two years later in November 2006, so many things have happened. Victoria was really Parfrida, but Parfrida was a fake Queen Shadow. Maria wasn't really dead, but was the true Queen Shadow. Rich and Anabel got married. Milotic evolved into Melodic. Olivia was born. Dr. Yung replaced Maria at the head of the evil organization.
To commemorate the second anniversary of the Enigma Shadow series (and to mark the Pokémon franchise's 10th Anniversary, if "Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon" didn't cut it for you) I present this special mini-fic following Rich and Anabel on an all-new adventure to discover the secret of a mysterious and frightening never-before-seen kind of Pokémon.
Without further ado, the curtain rises on "The Curse of the Terrifying Glitch Pokémon: A Special Anniversary Celebration"...........
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It was a typical yet busy day in Viridian City. The rookie trainers just starting their journeys from Pallet Town to the south passed through with the usual starting Pokémon, be they Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. More experienced trainers, meanwhile, came and went from the western gate to the Indigo Plateau and Mt. Silver. Viridian's shopping district was busy too, with patrons weaving in and out of the stores carrying bags of all sizes and shapes.
Indeed, it was a typical, busy Viridian day. But a great adventure was about to begin there.
In the center of the city stood its grand symbol---the Viridian City Pokémon Gym. The Gym's marble columns and arches gave it a foreboding air, and its grand double doors invited only those brave enough to take the challenge of the eighth and final Gym Leader for the Kanto Region. This Gym had gone through several leaders of late---the first, Giovanni, mysteriously vanished amid rumors of him being the head of crime syndicate Team Rocket. A trainer named Gary had taken the reins for awhile then left to become a researcher in the Sinnoh Region, leaving it to the temporary control of Agatha, trainer of Ghost Pokémon and a member of the Elite Four. Agatha had passed away recently, leaving the Gym once again without a leader. Rumor was that Gary would return and become the Gym Leader again, but at the time, it was vacant.
The two people walking up to the Gym's entrance didn't know that, however. One was a man in a sharp purple suit matched with black slacks and a purple hat covering his head of sky-blue hair. The other was his wife, a purple-haired woman dressed in shades of light blue and purple. In her arms was their baby daughter, who had her mother's hair and her father's eyes. They stepped up to the doors of the Gym, and he pulled on the handle. It didn't open.
"Awww.....it won't open!" he said, disappointed.
"I think the Gym is closed, Rich," she observed. "None of the lights are on."
"I guess you're right, Anabel......besides, a full-on Gym battle might have been a little too much for Olivia. I wish I had planned our itinerary for our vacation a little better...."
"Don't worry, I've got an idea. Near the north end of Viridian City, not too far from the entrance to Viridian Forest, is a place called the Trainer Dome. There, you can battle with trainers from around the world in practice matches."
"Sounds like a good idea to me. Let's head over and check it out."
It's been several months since their Orre vacation went wrong, so Rich and Anabel, along with baby Olivia, have come to Kanto to try and have a proper one. They're in a stop-over in Viridian City on their way to Cinnabar Island, but little do they know a new adventure and a creature possessing abilities never dreamed of before awaits them there........
Butler Empire Films presents
A Pokémon XD: Enigma Shadow Production
"The Curse of the Terrifying Glitch Pokémon: A Special Anniversary Celebration"
ACT ONE: The Old Man and the Roselia
Rich and Anabel had navigated their way out of the urban section of Viridian City and now were strolling through the town toward the Trainer Dome.
"Ah, such a lovely day!" Rich exclaimed. "I honestly didn't expect places outside of Larousse City to be this clean."
"People aren't slobs, Rich," Anabel scolded back.
"Hehehe......I guess....wha!!!!"
Rich tripped and fell to the ground. When he stood, he was horrified to see what he had fallen over---an old man lying down on his back in the road.
"Oh! Look what happened, Rich! I'm sorry, sir, it's my fault...."
"No, Anabel, it's mine. I tripped on him. Are you okay, sir?"
"Bah, kids these days!" the old man sputtered. "No respect for their elders! Dammit, where's my granddaughter with my Starmiebucks?"
Rich and Anabel looked at each other, but before either of them could say a word, a strange sound floated in from down the road.
"Huh? What's that?" Rich wondered, straining to hear more.
"You haven't been around Viridian long, have you, boy?" the old man said, standing up. "It's that damn Roselia causing trouble again."
As if by cue, a Roselia came running down the road towards the three on its tiny feet. It was chasing a Weedle, which stopped a yard or two in front of Anabel.
"Wee....weedle!!!" the Bug Pokémon cried out in fear.
"Roseliiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!" Roselia launched a Razor Leaf attack, hitting the Weedle and making it cry even harder.
"That Roselia is hurting the Weedle!" Anabel said, upset. "Someone should stop it!"
"It's not worth it," the old man cautioned. "I tried to capture it myself and it got the better of me."
Rich took a step forward and drew a red-and-white Poké Ball from his belt.
"I'm going to give it a try. I choose you, Riolu!"
Rich threw the ball, and out of it came a tiny creature with black feet, a purple and black body, black arms, and a black stripe running across its face and ending in a teardrop-shaped growth on each side outlining its big eyes.
"Riolu, are you ready for battle?"
"Rio! Rioooluuuuuu!!" Riolu lept up happily into Rich's arms with a huge smile, nearly knocking him down. Rich gently placed it back on the ground.
"Riolu, we can play later, but we have to battle now. See that Roselia? It's bullying the Weedle, and we're going to stop it!"
"Riooololo!!" Riolu said with a tough tone.
"There's the spirit I like to see! Riolu, use Drain Punch!"
Riolu jumped in between Weedle and Roselia, then hit the flower Pokémon with its glowing right arm. The green glow of Riolu's arm allowed it to absorb some of Roselia's energy.
"Rossse, roselia!!" Roselia became noticably angry before retaliating with a Magical Leaf attack, knocking Riolu back a bit.
"Yikes, that Roselia is pretty strong! Let's wrap this one up in a hurry, Riolu. Blaze Kick! Let's go!"
Riolu lept up into the air, and when its feet began to glow with the bright red of fire, it came down and delivered a harsh kick to Roselia. Roselia tottered foward, then collapsed.
"Rose...........rooosse....."
"That'll be enough, Riolu. Poké Ball, go!"
Rich threw the red-and-white sphere at the fallen Roselia. It tapped against its target and opened up, transforming Roselia into red energy and drawing it in. The ball then fell to the ground and shook for a few seconds..........
......then the button on it flashed red and it clicked, indicating a successful capture. Rich picked up the ball and stared at it in his hand.
"There......hopefully now that I've captured the Roselia, I can tame it and it won't cause trouble anymore."
The old man took a step forward, having recieved his coffee from his granddaughter during the battle.
"Son, you're top-rate at capturing Pokémon if you caught that Roselia! Ahahaha, now that I've got my Starmiebucks, I feel like a new man!"
"Weeee........" Weedle looked up at the old man with a sad look in its eyes.
"Sir, I think that Weedle's taken a bit of a shine to you," Anabel advised. "Maybe you should give a shot at capturing it?"
"That's a good idea. But......it's pretty bruised from Roselia attacking it. I'll just throw this one Poké Ball I have and take a chance. Poké Ball, go!"
The old man threw his own Poké Ball at Weedle. In a similar fashion, he quickly captured it.
"Ah, Weedle, we shall be partners after all! Ahahaha! Now, where were we.....oh yes. Is there a particular place you three are heading?"
"We're on vacation, Anabel, myself and our daughter," Rich explained. "Long story short, do you know where the Trainer Dome is?"
"Oh, that? Ahahaha! It's right down this road. Gonna compete there, son? Good luck! Ahahahahahahaha!!!"
"Thanks, sir....." Anabel did not say another word until she and Rich had walked a fair distance away. "What an odd character...."
"I agree, but helping out that Weedle felt good. I bet Riolu enjoyed the battle, too."
Soon enough, they had arrived at the Trainer Dome. It was a grand building with shiny steel sides and a big blue dome roof. Rich walked up to the sign at the automatic double-door entry and read it aloud.
"'Welcome, trainers from around the world, to the Trainer Dome! Originally erected as a single house with a battle arena in its basem*nt, the Trainer Dome has become the premier facility in Kanto for training battles! Step right through the automatic double doors and compete! Good luck, trainers!' ......It was a house with an arena in its basem*nt?"
"Yeah, it was. Before it became the Trainer Dome it was the Trainer House. It was founded as field-testing to see if there was enough interest for the Battle Frontier."
"You'd be the woman to ask, I guess. Let's go in and check it out."
The doors slid open, allowing Rich and Anabel inside. The Trainer Dome's interior was just as impressive as its outer shell---the black marble floor was polished to a brilliant luster, reflecting those walking on it perfectly. Off to the left was an area of large steel tables where trainers were trading Pokémon, and to the right, a bank of videophones and computers. Rich and Anabel walked up to the brown wood reception desk in the center.
"Hello and welcome to the Viridian City Trainer Dome," the receptionist greeted them. "Are you here to compete in a Pokémon battle?"
"That I am," Rich responded. "What do I need to do to register?"
"Just let me scan your Trainer Card into the system."
Rich handed the receptionist his Trainer Card. She scanned it with a handheld laser scanner, entered some data into her computer, and returned the card.
"Rich Mistbloom, resident of Larousse City, Hoenn. Okay, Mr. Mistbloom, you're all set. Feel free to use our PCs if you want to swap Pokémon for your challenge. When you're ready to battle, use the doors directly behind me to go to the arena. Good luck!"
Rich nodded, then walked in the direction of the PCs, followed by Anabel.
"What Pokémon are you going to switch?" she asked.
"I'm going to swap Ludicolo out for Roselia. I want to let it get some experience. So while I do this, go on and find a seat."
"Okay. Good luck!"
Anabel turned and walked off towards the spectator entrance. Rich entered his data in the PC to access his Storage System. Placing Ludicolo's Poké Ball on the transporter, he entered some more information before activating the transfer---causing Ludicolo's ball to vanish and a new one to appear on the opposite side of the computer. Rich picked it up and stared at it.
"Roselia......."
Rich clipped the ball to his belt and headed for the arena.
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The crowd inside the arena was huge, with the seating arranged to box the rectangular grass battlefield. Anabel had just gotten a seat fairly close to the floor when the referee, red hair clashing with his black-and-white uniform, appeared in a flying booth.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Viridian City Trainer Dome!!" The crowd responded with great enthusiasm. "You are about to witness the spectacle of a no-holds-barred Pokémon training battle at its finest! Before we can begin the battle, we need two trainers to compete, so let's meet our challengers! First we bring you a hot, up and coming trainer from New Bark Town in Johto! Please put your hands together for Cal!"
A young man entered from the gate on one side of the arena. He wore brown shoes and pants, a black shirt under a yellow jacket, and a blue-and-yellow hat. He waved as the crowd cheered him on.
"And our other challenger is a veteran trainer from Larousse City in Hoenn! Now entering the Trainer Dome.........Rich!!"
Out from the other gate came Rich, giving his trademark bow to the crowd.
"Go for it, Rich! You can do it!!" Anabel shouted, to which Rich responded with a wink.
"I hope you're ready, dude!" Cal taunted. "I pull no punches!"
"Neither do I. Cal, was it? Training battles are great because you can do just that, pull no punches. Let's get this done!"
"We will now determine how many Pokémon each trainer is allowed to use, and if it's a single or double battle!" the referee announced as a big wheel lowered down from the ceiling and began spinning. After going around for several moments, the wheel slowed and stopped on a space with two red dots and two black dots. "That's decided it! We shall have a two-on-two Double Battle, first trainer to lose both Pokémon loses the match! Now, commence battling!"
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Pkmn Trainer Rich ---vs.--- Pkmn Trainer Cal
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"Here we go! I choose you, Bayleef and Quilava!"
Cal threw two Poké Balls, sending out his Grass-type Bayleef and Fire-type Quilava.
"Ah, this should be a good one. Roselia and Riolu, go!"
Rich released Riolu and Roselia, but as soon as it spotted its partner, Roselia became angry and attacked it.
"Roooosssse!!!!" Roselia hit Riolu with a Bullet Seed attack, causing the Fighting type to back up.
"Roselia, no! Stop that this instant!" Rich grabbed Roselia's body and held it firmly. "You will behave yourself. Riolu is your partner in this battle, now, it isn't your enemy!"
"Rose. Roselia......"
Rich let go of Roselia, whom then returned to its position on the field.
"Very well. Rich's Riolu and Roselia versus Cal's Bayleef and Quilava! Begin!"
"Quickly, Riolu! Begin with Brick Break!"
Riolu took aim at Quilava and began jumping forward on its short legs, arm drawn back and ready to punch.
"Bayleef, cover Quilava with Vine Whip!"
"Bay, baybay!!!" Bayleef extended a vine from the leaves around its neck and whipped Riolu, sending the tiny Pokémon tumbling backwards.
"Excellent! Now, Quilava, use Ember on Roselia!"
Fiery blasts spouted up from Quilava's back as it lauched small bursts of flame at Roselia. The Grass and Poison type took a super-effective hit, weakening it considerably.
"Roselia, counter with Poison Sting! Go!"
"Rrrrrrrrose....." Roselia growled as it stood back up. It held its roses straight out and launched poison spikes from them, striking and damaging Bayleef forcefully.
"Riolu, follow that up with a Blaze Kick!"
"Rioolulu! Rioluuu!!!" Riolu lept up into the air, and with its feet flaming, it crashed down onto Bayleef. This critical hit combined with Roselia's Poison Sting was enough to bring down Bayleef.
"Bayleef has been knocked out!" the referee announced. "The score is one to nothing in Rich's favor!"
"Bayleef, return! Very impressive, I must say. Unfortunately for your Roselia, the game's over here. Flame Wheel!!!"
Quilava balled itself up, activated its fiery quills, and began rolling like a fireball straight at Roselia. Roselia braced for the blow, but suddenly Riolu lept in the way and took the full force of the attack. Quilava bounced back to its place while Riolu was knocked down in a cloud of dust.
"Ooooh! Rich's Riolu appears to have sacrificed itself to save its partner!....." Suddenly, a bright white glow began to emenate from the dust cloud. "Wait, what's this?"
As the dust cleared, the white glow took form and faded. Riolu was gone, replaced by a taller purple-and-black creature. Its black legs were longer and firmer, its paws tipped black with a spike on the back of each, and it had foxlike purple ears. Also, the black stripe on its face now ended in two teardrop-shaped growths per side and a yellow coat of fur covered its chest.
"Oh, my! What a turn of events! After taking a brutal blow, Rich's Riolu has evolved into Lucario!"
Roselia, stunned by Riolu's evolution, looked up at its new partner Lucario.
"Rossse....rosselia....." the rose Pokémon stared at Lucario, infatuated by it.
"Lucaaaaaa!!!!! Lucarrrrio!!!"
"Lucario....." Rich took out his P*DA and activated it, opening the Browser page for Lucario.
"Lucario, the pulse Pokémon. Type is Fighting/Steel. Evolved form of Riolu. Lucario possesses the power to see the pulses given off by all things. It can understand human speech well, and even can learn a second language. My reading the pulse waves of its opponent in battle, it can predict their movements and thoughts."
"Awesome. Ready for battle, Lucario?"
"Lucarrrrrr....." Lucario took a fighting stance, but then Roselia suddenly jumped on it.
"Rose! Roselia liaroseliarose!!!!" the amorous Roselia cried out, hugging Lucario with its tiny arms.
"No, Roselia! Stop!" Rich had to pull Roselia off of Lucario again. "Behave yourself during battles!"
"Rose." Roselia seemed angry at Rich's interference.
Unfortunately, this little distraction had allowed Cal the time to silently order another Flame Wheel attack, and his Quilava crashed into Lucario, causing more damage now that Lucario possessed the Steel type.
"Let's see....what moves does a Lucario know?" Rich mumbled, looking through his Browser. "Ah, this one will do. Lucario, Stone Edge! Let's go!"
Lucario dug its powerful arms into the ground, then dashed forward at Quilava. The wall of dirt and rock it pushed overwhelmed Quilava easily and caused the Fire type to faint.
"Quilava has fainted! The winner in this Trainer Dome battle is Rich with Lucario and Roselia! Congratulations!"
"Awwwww..dang it! I need more training...."
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The crowd went wild one last time for Rich, then he left the arena through the same gate he had used to enter.
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As Rich stepped back into the Trainer Dome's lobby, Anabel met him with Olivia.
"That was great!" she praised, giving him a kiss. "You sure showed him something!"
"Yeah, but I'm worried about Roselia...."
"Why?"
"The behavior it's showing isn't normal, I can tell. First it was attacking that Weedle earlier."
"Well, truthfully, we don't know if the Weedle provoked Roselia."
"That's true. But then it attacked Riolu for no reason, as if it were angry that Riolu fought it. Not only that, when Riolu evolved into Lucario, Roselia lept on it as if it......loved Lucario."
"Maybe it fell in love when Lucario, then Riolu, protected it from that Flame Wheel attack. Perhaps like how we fell for each other while protecting ourselves from Enigma Shadow~" Anabel laughed lightly, blushing a bit.
"I don't know, but hopefully she outgrows it......" Suddenly, a beeping noise sounded. Rich pulled out his P*DA and looked at it. "Oh dear! We've got to go, the blimp's about to leave!"
"We've still got to get our things from the Pokémon Center, too!"
Rich and Anabel rushed out of the Trainer Dome.
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The blimp, inflated and ready to take off, sat on its launch pad in the Viridian Airfield. A security guard in a blue uniform stood watch at the gate to the blimp as Rich and Anabel ran up, each carrying one suitcase.
"Hold it, you two," he commanded, holding his hand up. "You can't go in here if you don't have tickets."
"We've got the tickets right here." Anabel put down her suitcase and fumbled in her pocket, finally producing two tickets with the 'Wailord Blimp Flights' logo on them. She handed the tickets to the guard.
"You're cleared. Enjoy your trip."
The guard stepped aside, allowing Rich and Anabel inside. They rushed to the boarding area and made it on board as the very last passengers. A few minutes later, the blimp lifted off.....destination, Cinnabar Island.
Rich and Anabel's vacation hasn't even truly started and already it's become quite eventful. An encounter with a caffeine-addicted old man and Rich's capture of an unruly Roselia was capped by an intense training battle in which Riolu evolved into Lucario! Now Rich, Anabel and baby Olivia set off for their destination, tropical Cinnabar Island. But what awaits them there is completely different than an amorous, overemotional Roselia or a cranky old man........
END of ACT ONE
