The final chapter of Jellic's quest unfolds... the title says it all
(but far more succinctly - this is the longest chapter I've ever
written!). Enjoy, and please let me know what you think!
Jellic�s Hateful Quest
Chapter 26: Jellic vs. Elvor, Round Two: No Victory Comes Without a
Sacrifice
Atop a pile of bricks that was all that remained of the Obsidian
City Bakery stood the defiant hero, staring across the desolation at the
foe he had faced so many times before and would face so many times
again. The wind sweeping across the decimated city blew his tunic around
his legs and swept his hair back from his neck. He clenched his only
hand into a fist, the other arm terminating in a long razor-sharp blade
just past the elbow. It was this blade that he leveled at his opponent,
while with his hand he removed one of the six red and white orbs from
his belt.
�This is the end, Elvor,� said Jellic, his voice not wavering in the
least. �No matter who wins this battle, it ends here.�
�The only thing that will end here is your life,� replied Elvor,
sneering as he taunted his longtime adversary.
�I thought you said we couldn�t kill each other,� returned Jellic.
�We can�t,� answered Elvor. �But we can certainly be defeated.� He
grabbed a Pokeball of his own. �This is a true contest of skill. The
loser will leave this world in disgrace.�
�Agreed.� Jellic smiled. �After all the times we�ve fought, all the
magic and weaponry in the world don�t mean a thing anymore. We can
finally fight as equals.�
Elvor sighed. �Truly a miraculous world, indeed. I could grow to
enjoy this place.� He turned his piercing gaze back on Jellic. �That is,
once I finish with you.�
�You really have a one-track mind, don�t you?�
�Don�t let him intimidate you, Jellic,� advised Katana.
�Jellic�s not scared of anything!� enthused Lobia.
�It�s your fight, Jellic,� put in Arthur. �We won�t interfere.�
�Unless he tries something dirty,� added Vesper, drawing a Pokeball
of her own.
Ashley gave Jellic a hug from behind. �Good luck.� She reached up to
kiss him lightly on the cheek, then rejoined the rest of the group.
�Touching,� said Elvor sarcastically. �I�ll have to put an end to
this display at once.� He threw the Pokeball. �Smasher, prepare for
total destruction!�
�That�s a new catchphrase,� said Jellic. He replaced the Pokeball in
his belt. �Mewthree won�t do me much good against a Cyborg Pokemon. But
Gyarados, Machop, and Butterfree all fainted fighting the Crusher! Which
doesn�t leave much...� He selected his Pokeball and threw it. �Bruiser,
it�s all up to you!�
Elvor could barely contain his mirth. �You�re depending on a Bruiser
to defeat a Smasher? You don�t have a hope, you know...�
Jellic snarled. �Bruiser, shut him up! Data Stream!�
�Smasher, Hyper Conversion to Electric Mode!� shouted Elvor over the
high-pitched attack. �Take it out with a Thunderbolt!� Large cannons
emerged from panels in Smasher�s metallic body and began to spray a
green liquid at Bruiser. �No, not Sludge!�
�Bruiser, Arm Swing!� ordered Jellic. Bruiser charged through the
useless Poison type attack and bashed Smasher with its arm.
�Smasher, use Laser Beam!� commanded Elvor. A beam lanced from
Smasher�s eyes, melting a small hole in Bruiser�s front. Bruiser
staggered backwards from the burning attack... and began to glow.
�Looks like it�s evolving,� said Jellic. �Now we�ll see who gets the
last laugh.� He aimed his Pokedex at his newly evolved Pokemon. �What
attacks does Smasher have?�
�Smasher retains its knowledge of Arm Swing, Boolean Boost, and Data
Stream,� replied the Pokedex. �It also learns Hyper Conversion shortly
after evolution, followed by Auto Repair and Laser Beam.�
�All right!� cheered Jellic. �Now it�s time to do some damage!�
Arthur shook his head. �The power goes straight to his head... It�s
sad, really.�
�I�m sure he�ll be fine,� Vesper assured him. �Jellic�s a bit
impulsive, but he�s not stupid!�
�He�ll be sure to test his new asset first before rushing in,�
agreed Katana.
�Hyper Convert to Fire Mode!� said Jellic. Panels all over his
Smasher�s body opened, revealing several flame-throwers. �Excellent! Let
him have it with whatever Fire moves you�ve got!�
�Or maybe he�ll just attack first, without even stopping to think,�
said Ashley, disappointed.
�No, he doesn�t really have much choice,� Katana pointed out. �He is
in the middle of a battle, after all. He doesn�t have the luxury of
time.�
�Smasher�s first Fire type attack is Ember,� noted the Pokedex.
�This can be changed using a TM with a Fire type attack.�
�Right,� said Jellic with a nod. �Ember!�
�Don�t let it beat you, Smasher!� shouted Elvor. �Auto-Repair!�
Jellic�s Smasher launched a barrage of fireballs at Elvor�s Smasher, but
the latter Smasher managed to repair most of the damage. �Now, Arm
Swing!�
�Arm Swing back!� commanded Jellic. The two Smashers moved into
close range and started trading blows.
�This doesn�t look good for Jellic,� said Vesper. �His Smasher hasn�
t yet learned Auto Repair. So while Elvor�s Smasher can recover from the
damage it sustains, Jellic�s can�t.�
�I�ve fought worse,� replied Jellic. �It�s a matter of mental power
over physical.�
�Then the joke�s on you, Jellic!� taunted Elvor. �Cyborg Pokemon
have no mental power!� He pointed at Jellic�s Smasher. �Smasher, Hyper
Convert to Electric Mode and finish it off!�
�While it�s distracted,� shouted Jellic, �Ember attack!� The
fireballs hit their mark once again, heating Elvor�s Smasher�s metal
body until it glowed red. Elvor�s Smasher began to emit sparks.
�Hurry! Thunderbolt!� Elvor�s Smasher�s body arced with electricity,
and it fell to the ground. �The only problem with Cyborg Pokemon...
weakness confusion.�
�You�d better watch it, Jellic,� warned Vesper. �The same thing�s
going to happen to your Smasher if you keep using it.�
�I don�t have a choice,� said Jellic. �I�ve only got two other
Pokemon left, and Elvor has five.�
�I have no compunctions about working with a deciding advantage!�
returned Elvor. �Pikachu, attack!� Elvor threw a Pokeball, releasing his
Pikachu. �I knew you�d try to use my own Cyborg Pokemon against me, so I
brought a little insurance.�
�Ground�s strong against Electricity!� shouted Ashley. �Use a Ground
type attack!�
�Right. Hyper Conversion to Ground Mode!�
�In Ground Mode, Smasher�s special attack is Tremor,� piped the
Pokedex as large hammers emerged from the sides of Smasher�s legs.
�Tremor?� asked Vesper. �I�ve never heard of that attack.�
�It�s probably a weak Ground type attack,� replied Ashley. �But it�s
the best chance he�s got.�
�Smasher, Tremor!� commanded Jellic.
�Pikachu, Thunder!� shouted Elvor. Pikachu�s Thunder attack leapt
across the battlefield as Smasher started to pound the ground with its
hammers. As the electricity entered Smasher�s body, the Tremor attack
struck, sending both Pokemon reeling.
�Is that attack supposed to hurt Smasher as well as Pikachu?� asked
Jellic.
�It�s confused because it�s so weak,� replied Ashley.
�Was confused,� corrected Vesper. �It�s fainted.�
�Smasher, return!� shouted Jellic. �Good job!�
�The Pikachu�s hurt pretty badly,� said Lobia. �You can beat it,
Jellic!�
�Right,� agreed Jellic. �Persian, go!�
�Pikachu, make this quick!� commanded Elvor as the Persian emerged
from its Pokeball. �Livewire!� Pikachu�s tail snaked out toward the
Persian.
�Scratch!� shouted Jellic. Persian lashed out with its claws,
severing the lightning-bolt tip from the Pikachu�s tail. The Pikachu
fainted instantly.
�That wasn�t a Scratch!� Ashley realized. �It was a Slash, Persian�s
most powerful attack!�
�Lucky shot,� said Elvor, recalling the Pikachu. �Doduo, you�re
next!�
�Get it before it can get off the ground!� commanded Jellic. �Fury
Swipes!�
�Fly!� shouted Elvor. The Doduo took to the air, escaping the
Persian�s claws by inches. While Persian watched helplessly from the
ground, Doduo swooped around and dove fiercely at it, hitting Persian
solidly in the side with its head and knocking the feline several feet
from the force of the impact.
�Don�t just sit there, Persian!� shouted Jellic. �Screech!�
�It can�t hurt you!� said Elvor. �Ignore it and fight back with
Vacuum Vortex!�
�A Secret Machine technique!� shouted Ashley. �Jellic, do
something!�
�What?� Jellic shouted back as the Doduo mightily flapped its
diminutive wings. The air around it began to spin in a tornado which
grew until it had completely engulfed both Pokemon. Jellic felt himself
being dragged into the spinning column of air, and quickly stabbed his
blade into the ground to prevent the attack from drawing him in. Behind
him, Katana had raised a magical shield to prevent the wind from taking
the others into its clutches.
The air finally settled down to reveal the unconscious Doduo and
Persian, as well as Elvor, whose magical shield had similarly protected
him from the raging wind. Jellic and Elvor recalled their Pokemon.
�You�ve only got one Pokemon left,� taunted Elvor. �This victory is
as good as mine!�
�Not yet!� returned Jellic. �I�ve saved the best for last! Mewthree,
go!�
�Mewthree?� asked Elvor. �Then this fight is over. You might as well
surrender right now and get it over with!�
�Not a chance!� retorted Jellic. �We�re fighting this battle until
the last Pokemon is gone!�
�If you insist,� said Elvor. �Bruiser, go!�
Jellic growled quietly as Elvor�s Bruiser emerged from its Pokeball.
�A Cyborg type... Mewthree has no attacks that can damage it!�
�You see what I mean?� asked Elvor. �Cyborg types are so useful, it�
s always a good idea to have a second one along. Give up now and save
yourself the humiliation!�
Jellic sighed. �Fine. You win, Elvor.�
�Jellic, I forbid you to surrender!� said Katana.
�Why do you keep giving up at the worst possible times?� asked
Ashley.
It may seem like a difficult battle, agreed Mewthree, but I believe
that we have a chance. I can attack with Swift and Recover as needed,
wearing it down slowly.
�I know!� shouted Jellic. �That all makes sense, but... I just don�t
want to see Mewthree get hurt!�
�You�re just scared,� said Vesper. �You�re scared you�ll lose, and
that we�ll all be ashamed of you. But you�ve been a great hero, and you�
ve done more for this world than anyone else who�s ever lived! We all
believe in you!�
�I�m proud of your work in this world,� added Arthur. �You�ve
reminded me of all that I loved about being a hero. Don�t throw it all
away because the odds are against you.�
�I know! I know! I just... I just...� Jellic clutched the sides of
his head in pain. �Why does my head hurt so much?�
Mewthree squinted at Jellic. Of course... I would never have seen it
if I didn�t know exactly what I was looking for.
�What�s wrong with me?� asked Jellic.
�You�re giving up, that�s what�s wrong with you,� said Vesper, who
couldn�t hear what Mewthree was saying.
�You can do it, Jellic! I know you can!� cheered Lobia.
There is a block in your mind, Jellic. Somehow, you are being
compelled to follow any direct order that Elvor gives you, despite any
circumstances that would try to prevent you. That is why you surrender
whenever Elvor commands you to.
�That can�t be right,� protested Jellic. �I didn�t follow his orders
when we first met.�
�He�s talking to Mewthree,� Ashley explained to the others. �We can�
t hear it, but Mewthree can talk directly to Jellic.�
�What are they talking about?� asked Katana.
�I don�t know,� replied Ashley. �But it sounds like Mewthree�s
figured out what�s wrong with Jellic!�
Perhaps this geas was laid on you recently, without your knowledge,
continued Mewthree. However it occurred, it must be removed before Elvor
discovers the truth, or he will use this power over you to turn you into
his helpless slave.
�I have no time to waste!� shouted Elvor angrily. �Bruiser, Arm
Swing!� Bruiser advanced on Mewthree threateningly, only to be stopped
by thick vines that encircled it from head to toe. Arthur stepped in
front of his Venusaur and leveled his gaze at Elvor.
�You�ll stay away from them if you know what�s good for you,� he
warned the Dark Lord.
�Mewthree, what can you do about it?� asked Jellic. �Can you fix my
mind?�
I can, replied Mewthree. I believe that my Amnesia power may be able
to remove the geas. But it will be painful. I will have to erase some of
your memory. I have no way to know or control which memories are erased.
�Do it!� shouted Jellic. �Even if I forget everything... I can�t let
Elvor control my mind!�
�Forget everything?� asked Ashley. �Jellic, what are you going to
do?�
Brace yourself, hero, warned Mewthree, placing its arms on the sides
of Jellic�s head. The pain will be unlike anything you could possibly
imagine.
Jellic nodded... and then the pain shot through him, causing his
body to twist into unbelievable positions. Pictures flashed before his
eyes... A castle with a spiked portcullis... A dragon, bleeding to death
before him... A tiny island in a sea of blood, on which he stood,
shaking a pathetic fist at the beast that had destroyed an entire world�
s population in a heartbeat... A girl who meant the world to him; who
had saved his life many times and walked beside him through many
dangers; whom he would gladly give up his hero status � or even his
life � for. Were these the memories that were being erased? Or were they
the memories that would remain when the rest of his mind vanished into
oblivion? Jellic fervently prayed for the latter � as well as his
battered brain could, anyway... There was something in those memories
that he couldn�t bear to lose... something that meant more to him
than... what? What was it? What memory was he trying to hold on to? He�d
lost it. It had passed him by... never to return.
�No! It�s gone!� he screamed, as the pain finally ended.
�What is it? What happened?� asked a young dark-haired girl who
knelt beside him.
Jellic looked up at her. �I don�t know... but who are you?�
�Don�t you remember me? It�s Ashley! Your friend!�
Jellic�s brain twisted once again. �That name... I�ve never heard it
before.�
The girl turned furiously to Mewthree. �What did you do to him? You
freak! Fix it now!�
�Three.� Mewthree bowed its head sadly.
�He�s forgotten everything,� said Katana. �Whatever was wrong with
him...�
�I haven�t forgotten everything,� Jellic told her. �I still remember
you... and this world, and that Elvor is trying to beat me... I just don
�t remember this girl.�
�Jellic...� Ashley fell to her knees. �How could you? How could you
forget me?�
�I had to,� explained Jellic. �Elvor was controlling my mind. I didn
�t know what I would forget by removing that... but I couldn�t afford to
let him gain total control. Were we very close?�
�We were in love,� sobbed Ashley. �Can you really have forgotten
those feelings?�
�I can�t afford to fall in love,� replied Jellic. �I�m a hero. I
must sooner give up my life than let love cloud my judgment.�
�No!� insisted Ashley. �You fell in love with me once! We just need
to spend some time together...�
�What time?� asked Katana. �In case you hadn�t noticed, this is the
final battle. After this one, Jellic goes bye-bye, win or lose.�
�Perhaps it�s best that he doesn�t remember you,� added Arthur. �If
he does, it will add to the hundreds of memories of lives past that
plague every hero. I gave up that life when those memories became too
much to bear. This way, you can keep your memories of Jellic, but you�ll
know that he won�t miss you, so you won�t have to worry about how he�s
doing.�
�Why? Why does everything I care about have to be taken away from
me? First he couldn�t stay with me, now he doesn�t even remember me! It�
s like my whole life doesn�t mean a thing!�
�Don�t say that!� urged Lobia. �It�ll be okay. You�ll find someone
else.�
�That was the wrong thing to say,� whispered Katana.
�I don�t want someone else!� shouted Ashley. �I love Jellic!�
�I hate to break up such a tender moment,� began Elvor, �but...�
�Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!� shouted Ashley. �It�s all YOUR fault!�
She threw a Pokeball. �Mankey, go! Hurt him! Hurt him until he begs for
mercy!�
Elvor raised his hand, and the Mankey floated up into the air
without laying a paw on Elvor. �Foolish girl. Not only do I have no idea
what you�re talking about, I have no time to deal with a brat who has
nothing better to do than to interfere with a battle that�s none of her
business!�
�How many negatives was that?� wondered Katana.
�If Mankey can�t do it...� said Ashley. She threw the rest of her
Pokeballs. �Everyone, get Elvor! Make him suffer!�
�You�d best curb your temper,� warned Elvor. With a flick of his
wrist, he sent Mankey flying toward the rest of Ashley�s Pokemon,
bowling them all over. �I don�t want to have to hurt anyone, except
Jellic.�
�Never!� shouted Ashley, standing in front of Jellic defensively.
�Even if he doesn�t love me, I won�t let you hurt him!�
�Don�t be an idiot, Ashley!� shouted Vesper. �He�s a hero! He can
handle himself!�
Jellic slowly stood up and pushed Ashley gently aside. �I appreciate
your concern for my safety. But I assure you that I can take care of my
own battles.�
�We�ve always fought side by side, Jellic! Think! You have to
remember!�
�I...� Jellic winced at the pain. �I can�t. Every time I try to
remember you, my head hurts.�
�How did you get through the Forest of Mist?� demanded Ashley. �How
did you meet Vesper? Why did you go to the hospital in Heliotrope?�
�Stop!� shouted Jellic, the fingers clutching the sides of his head
nearly gouging furrows in his skull as they involuntarily tensed up.
�Don�t make me think of it! The pain!�
�Remember, Jellic! Remember!�
Katana grabbed Ashley from behind. �Stop it! Can�t you see that you�
re only torturing him? He�s not going to remember!�
Ashley fought her way out of the older woman�s grasp. �Let me go! I
don�t care what it takes; I won�t let Jellic forget me!�
�He gave up his memory of you to save this world,� said Katana. �All
you can do is cause him pain, especially if he does remember you when
the time comes for him to leave this world.�
�I don�t want him to forget me! I want to know that he�ll always
remember me! I want to be able to tell him when he leaves that I�ll
always be with him, in his heart! All the beautiful things couples say
when they have to separate forever... None of them are true anymore!�
She finally broke down, her anger unable to keep her tears in anymore.
Ashley threw her arms around Jellic�s waist and cried for the man she
had lost in the most complete way possible... and was soon to lose
again, when the infinite dimensions swallowed him forever, never to
return him to her.
Jellic rubbed her head and glared at Elvor. �I don�t know what it
was I forgot that meant so much to this girl,� he growled, �but I swear,
I�m going to make you regret ever having done it!�
�I don�t know why you�re blaming me for your girlfriend�s problem,�
returned Elvor, �but I can�t turn down a challenge like that!�
�Jellic, watch out!� shouted Arthur. �He�s got a tail! A big one!�
�How?� asked Vesper, as Elvor swung his tail at Jellic. Jellic
reflexively ducked, pulling out of Ashley�s grip as he did so and
leaving the girl open to the attack. Elvor�s tail smacked the air out of
Ashley�s lungs and flung her a good distance away as Elvor�s body
continued to grow and transform.
Jellic snarled and raised his blade. �How dare you, you monster!�
�Jellic, you can�t fight him in Scyther form,� Katana reminded him.
�Your wing�s still broken!�
�Oh my god...� said Vesper. �He�s turning into a Dragonite!�
�CORRECT,� replied Elvor. �FULL MARKS FOR OBSERVATION. BUT I�M
AFRAID THAT YOUR GRASP OF THE DRAMATIC LEAVES SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED.�
�It can TALK?� Vesper swallowed hard and grabbed a Pokeball.
�Machamp, you can beat this thing!� Elvor opened his mouth and blasted
Machamp with a Thunder Wave, paralyzing it.
�My Pokemon won�t be able to hurt it,� announced Arthur. �Fire and
Grass types can�t do much to a Dragon type.�
�What about the quicksand one?� asked Vesper.
�Mire�s Consume is a Ground type attack,� replied Arthur. �It won�t
affect a Flying type.�
�NONE OF YOU HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO DEFEAT ME,� said Elvor. �EVEN YOUR
MEWTHREE CAN�T STAND UP TO THE POWER OF DRAGONITE!�
�No!� shouted Lobia. �Jellic will beat you! He always wins!�
Another mental spear pierced Jellic�s brain. �That can�t be true...
everyone fails sometimes. I must have failed once... have I forgotten
that too?�
Ashley stood up, clutching her stomach in pain. �You can do it,
Jellic! You can beat him!�
Elvor stared down at Ashley through narrowed eyes. �I GROW WEARY OF
THIS GAME. PERHAPS IT IS TIME TO KILL SOMEONE.� He wrapped his tail
around Ashley and lifted her into the air, holding her next to his head.
�HOW MUCH FORCE WOULD IT TAKE TO CRUSH HER?�
�Put her down!� ordered Jellic. �And I don�t mean drop her!�
�IT DOESN�T MATTER,� continued Elvor. �I�LL JUST USE MY FULL
STRENGTH AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS. IT SHOULD BE FUN.�
�Jellic...� moaned Ashley as the tail pressed on her from all sides.
�Help me...�
�YES, THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY TRYING TO SAVE HER, AS YOU HAVE SO MANY
TIMES BEFORE.�
�Argh!� Jellic pressed his blades to the sides of his head. Blades?
�What�s wrong with scee?�
�Jellic, pay attention!� warned Katana. �You�re turning into a
Scyther again!�
�Sci�m... sci�m...� The images before him were all colliding in his
mind. The powerful sorcerer, the dragon, imminent failure, the strange
girl...
- �Die, pitiful hero!� shouted Elvor as he launched a powerful
attack at Jellic. Jellic swung the magic orb around, carefully aiming
the reflected shot at Kelve. As the elder mage fell, Elvor rushed to
defend him. While their attention was diverted, Jellic quickly dashed
the orb to the ground, releasing �
- �My children are not... dragons... of honor,� groaned Miresbane.
�They are... sick and twisted perversions... of nature. They lust for
blood... I could not bring myself to kill them, nor could I betray them
by revealing them... to humans. That was... my mistake. I demanded
humans only to sate their... vile appetites. If I did not... feed
them... they would have escaped from the cave and...� Miresbane closed
her eyes. �When I am gone... they are... free...� The great dragon fell
silent, and its belabored breathing grew still. As if on cue, tiny
growls began to emanate from the mouth of the nearby cave. In the light
of the flames from deep within the cave, Jellic could see the shadows on
the walls. And they weren�t the shadows of dragons... �
- The shadow of Rolgoth the destroyer passed overhead once again.
�THIS WORLD SHALL SWIM IN BLOOD AT THE FULL MOON.� The words of the
destroyer still rang in Jellic�s head as he fought to reach the altar at
the peak of Shak�at Mountain before the moon could reach its zenith. He
had the idol in hand, but the moon was already directly overhead, and
the altar was still several jagged feet above him. It was a race against
time that could go either way... and then the rocks gave way under his
feet, and Jellic grabbed frantically at the cliff face to prevent
himself from plummeting to his death. The idol fell from his hands,
smashing into pieces as it hit the rocks below. Jellic clutched his
handholds and watched helplessly as the moon rose to its highest point
and the rocks around him exploded in a shower of blood. The viscous
liquid continued to flow from its mysterious source, running down the
sides of the mountain and every other mountain in the world until the
myriad screams that rose from the planet�s surface faded, and finally
ceased altogether. Jellic climbed higher still until he stood beside the
useless altar, waving a fist at the shadow that covered the moon now,
then moved on. The blood rose until Shak�at Mountain had become Shak�at
Island before Jellic felt the Destiny Spell take hold and mercifully
drag him from the blood-filled dimension and into the next world, where
his luck would hopefully fare better. The blood washing over his boots
was his last memory of his first and only failure as a hero... �
- Jellic�s feet slid, causing him to hit his head against the wall.
Looking down, he saw that the floor under his feet was covered with the
blood that oozed out from the tiny crack underneath the crushing
ceiling. His stomach heaved, and he barely managed to keep its contents
in place. �
The returning memories felt like a weight on Jellic�s chest,
pressing on his insides until he felt nauseous. Reliving the memories
had been painful, but he finally felt whole once again. He spread his
wings, ignoring the pain from the left one, and leapt into the air.
Mewthree added its own power to the flight, raising Jellic until he was
right in front of Elvor.
�FOOL! NOW I HAVE YOU RIGHT WHERE I WANT YOU!� Elvor opened his
mouth and lunged at Jellic before either he or Mewthree could react...
and froze in place.
�Just in time, as always!� shouted Katana from below. �Psyduck�s got
you covered with a Disable attack! Hurry up and save the girl!�
Jellic returned to human form, keeping one blade at the ready to
slice through Elvor�s tail and free Ashley. He quickly caught her in his
free arm and held her close, kissing her full on the lips before she
could say anything. Ashley responded immediately, and they held the kiss
until Mewthree had lowered them safely to the ground.
Ashley broke the kiss when her weakened lungs gave in to their
overwhelming craving for air. �Jellic... you remembered!� she gasped.
He nodded. �I remembered how much it hurt when I lost you... I
couldn�t lose you again.�
�You lost me?� asked Ashley. �When did that happen?�
�It didn�t,� replied Jellic. �I made a bargain with Elvor for your
life, making myself a willing slave to his every command... because I
loved you too much to let you go, even for the sake of my mission.�
�Oh, Jellic...� Ashley squeezed Jellic for all she was worth. �That�
s the first time you ever said you loved me.�
�I wish we had time to appreciate the moment,� said Jellic. �But I
have a problem to deal with first.� He looked up at the figure of the
massive Dragonite above him. �It�s clear to me what I have to do now. I
can�t just defeat you... you�ll come back again and again. There�s only
one way to destroy you completely.�
�WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, HUMAN?� asked Elvor. �YOU CANNOT KILL ME!�
�Maybe not,� said Jellic. �But I can destroy the source of your
magic! It must exist somewhere in this dimension, if you can use your
magic here.�
�You sound like you know what it is,� said Ashley.
�I think I do.� Jellic glanced meaningfully at Mewthree.
�Mewthree? How could that be...�
�Elvor put the source of his magic right into my hands,� said
Jellic. �And I used it to evolve a Mewtwo into Mewthree. That�s why my
Mewtwo evolved into Mewthree instead of Mewtant... the magic power in
the Cyber Stone enhanced its evolution.�
�SO... THAT IS THE SECRET. BUT NOW THE STONE IS GONE. YOU CAN�T
DESTROY IT ONCE IT�S BEEN USED.�
�Of course I can,� replied Jellic, forming a blade. �The power is in
Mewthree.�
�No, Jellic!� screamed Ashley. �You can�t kill Mewthree!�
�I have to,� replied Jellic. �I don�t want to do it... but it�s the
only way to save this world, and countless others, from Elvor.�
�But Mewthree is your Pokemon! It�s helped us so much! You can�t...�
�Three!� interrupted Mewthree. Do it, Jellic. Do what you must to
save this world.
Jellic turned to Mewthree with a tear in his eye. �You knew all
along, didn�t you, Mewthree?�
Mewthree bowed its head. Yes, I knew from the moment of my evolution
that the power within me was evil in nature, and that it would have to
be destroyed. And I knew that destroying that power would necessitate my
own demise.
�But you stayed with me anyway, when you could have escaped and
saved yourself.�
I would gain nothing by attempting to escape my destiny. And you, in
turn, must accept yours.
Jellic nodded. �Everybody... look away. This isn�t going to be
pretty.�
�NO! I FORBID IT!� shouted Elvor.
�Pikachu, Thunder Wave! Drowzee, Disable!� shouted Lobia. Her
Pokemon attacked Elvor with their paralyzing attacks, freezing him to
the spot. �Jellic, you can do it!� Lobia grabbed Arthur in a bear hug as
the tears started to well up. �Just make it quick. Don�t make poor
Mewthree suffer.�
�Everything will be okay,� Arthur assured Lobia as he held her.
Ashley reached for Jellic, but Katana held her back. �Let him do
what he has to do, Ashley.�
�But... Mewthree is the bond that holds Jellic in this world! If it
dies... even if we find a way to remove his bond to you, he still can�t
stay in this dimension! As long as Mewthree�s alive, there�s still a
chance!�
�I�m sorry, Ashley,� said Jellic. �But I can�t let love get in the
way of my job.� He raised his blade. �Goodbye, Mewthree. We were a great
team. I wish I didn�t have to do this, but...�
Don�t talk, Jellic. You will only make the task more difficult.
Mewthree lifted its head and turned away. Just get it over with, before
Elvor recovers.
�No victory comes without a sacrifice,� finished Jellic. He swung
his blade forward, slicing easily through Mewthree�s exposed neck.
�NOOOOOOOO!� shouted Elvor, as his body began to disintegrate.
Scales fell off, exposing to the elements his blackening flesh, which
then flaked off in tiny pieces. His internal organs, unsupported, fell
to the ground and shattered, spilling an orange liquid which evaporated
as soon as it touched the earth, leaving only the same black ash that
was all that remained of Elvor�s Dragonite form. A chill wind blew
through the ruined city, taking the ash with it.
Mewthree�s severed head hit the ground and rolled facedown. The
headless body stood upright for several seconds before collapsing, belly
down, to the turf. Jellic hung his head in shame.
�No matter how long I�ve been a hero... there are some parts of the
job I�ll never get used to.� He felt Ashley�s arms encircle his waist,
and returned her embrace affectionately.
�I�m sure someday we�ll all look back on this and feel good about
it,� said Vesper.
�Maybe,� agreed Jellic. �But somehow, this sort of victory has
always felt empty.� With that, the group collected around the two
soon-to-be-separated lovers to comfort them and receive their comfort in
return. The time for rejoicing would come, eventually... but the period
of grieving that came before would seem to last as long as the one that
would follow it.
------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to "Whose Line is it Anyway?" where we make things up as we go
along, whether they make sense or badger.
JOHNNY BRAVO: *sigh* The only woman I ever really loved... and she's
gone. I wonder if I'll ever get over - Hey! Nuggets!
JACKIE CHAN: Oh, sorry. I broke your spy camera! (pause) SPY CAMERA?!
My webpage: http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~katinamp