Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-36218142-20180716213957

As a kid growing up in the 90's, there were few game series I obsessed over more than Pokemon. Me and my friends would look up tips on how to find Mew under a truck, and even fell for a website that claimed you could find “Pikablu” in Viridian forest if you died to Weedle 250 times. I may have walked away with several hours worth of Weedle spikes in my ass and no Pikablu to show for it, but I did learn a valuable lesson: don't believe everything you hear. So when my friend Jameson said he got a new Pokemon game just before the release of Pokemon: Black and White released in the states, you could understand why I might be a little bit skeptical.

I still remember my reaction when instead of a cartridge, the dude pulls out a CD-ROM with just “POKe'MON” written in sharpie across it. I may have dropped an F-Bomb or two along the lines of “What the fuck is that and how the hell is it going to fit in my DS?” Jameson proceeded to explain that it wasn't really an official Pokemon game. It was a project he'd been working on for just over a year on a program called RPG Maker. Apparently, something from the Gold and Silver versions really stuck with him and inspired him to create the game. He said, “You know when they took down the Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town... what do you think happened to all those spirits? They all had to go somewhere, right?”

Before I go any further, let me warn you that I'm basing a lot of this on my own memory and the original script he wrote on Word that survived through Jameson's multiple PCs over the years. If I fill in the blanks or embellish in some places, it's me trying my best to describe the experience of playing the game as it was all those years ago. So apologies in advance if I project my own feelings onto the characters or describe how I thought they were feeling at the time. Honestly, there were times I felt like they were real people.

Anyway, after our conversation Jameson set up the game on my computer and said he was really eager to get my feedback. I smiled, but in the back of my mind I knew how much of a backseat gamer he could be. If I let him watch me, I knew he'd be “guiding me” and pestering me every step of the way. So, I told him I was flattered to be his guinea pig, but if he really wanted my honest feedback I'd have to play it alone without him watching me like a hawk. I could tell he was reluctant, but eventually he agreed and left. He actually said, “Smell ya later!” and he left on his bike like he's Gary Oak or something. Trust me, he isn't. He didn't lose his virginity until his 20's. Gary probably lost it at 9 or something.

Despite all my complaints, I was actually pretty excited to play this thing. I'd been waiting on a new Pokemon game for a while, and it sounded like he put a lot of effort into it. It wasn't a promising start, however. I looked at the title screen and it seemed pretty generic. It was a black-and-white color scheme that stated simply “Pokemon: Dark”. I started a New Game and I could barely believe what I saw next.

The game opened in the middle of a giant pokemon stadium with 3 trainers on one side about to face off against 3 trainers on the other side. I was amazed at how much work Jameson put into it because the sprites were all really well done and you could even see faces in the audience cheering on the two teams. A blue box with an anime-looking character pops up. His character name is “Pokemon Announcer” and he said, “It's time for the main event you've all been waiting for! The legendary Lavender Trio are about to face off against the rock-solid team from Viridian City!” Geez, I couldn't believe how quickly we were jumping right into it.

The Viridian City team members each had sunglasses and sleveless shirts in what I like to call the classic douchebag uniform. They also each had hair that made them look like they were Giovanni's bastard children. The Lavender Trio, on the other hand, all looked pretty distinct. There was a girl in the middle with silver-white hair and purple eyes. She spoke first, and seemed to be the leader of the team. “Alright, squad.” she said as her character portrait popped up. “ This is what we've all been training for. We can't let the people back home down.” The text box revealed her name to be Clara.

“Uh... alright... I'll try my best Clara. Good luck out there! Be safe!” That was Milo, he had glasses on with a lavender streak across his dark red hair. He looked somewhat younger than Clara and his character portrait already seemed to be blushing simply from talking to her.

“This'll be over quick as long as everyone does their job. Try not to choke again, Milo” said Blaine, who was the third member of the Lavender team. Milo could only respond with a couple of ellipses and a sour expression. Blaine was jerky for sure, but he looked kind of like a teenaged super hero complete with Yu-gi-oh level anime hair. Judging by their introductions I was hoping to play as that guy, or at least Clara, but I was pretty sure I was going to be stuck with Milo. The battle screen popped up with the classic Pokemon battle sound effects. I looked to see who I was playing as and....

Fuck, of course it's Milo. On the bright side, the music was excellent. It sounded like a remix of the track that plays when you fight the Elite Four. The game said “Viridian City Mack wants to fight!” Milo's character portrait popped up and said “Um... ok.. don't worry Milo, you got this!”

“No you don't, you little faggot. I'm going to bury you!” said the guy from Viridian City. That's what I love about unofficial games. No way would that fly in Diamond and Pearl.

I could tell from the pokeball icons that each of us had 2 pokemon to use. The announcer explained each trainer faced-off one-on-one with their opponent and then could help their teammates later if they won. I sent out a LV 50 Gengar, which made me feel pretty good until I saw Viridian City Mack sent out his Level 60 Tyranitar. Of course, Jameson would put me in a disadvantage against a Dark-Type. What an asshole.

Luckily, I outsped Tyranitar and did the only thing I could do to survive: I put him to sleep. I desperately tried move after move, but everything I did hardly phased it. Finally, after 2 turns it woke up in a rage. Before I could even try to switch it out, my poor Gengar was hit by a super effective Crunch that killed it in a single hit. My only other pokemon was a level 45 Dusknoir. I reluctantly sent it out and braced for impact. Just as the Tyranitar charged forward for a second terrifying Crunch attack another Pokemon jumped in the way of mine. It was Blaine's Level 70 Houndoom. He absorbed the hit with barely a scratch and returned fire literally with a wicked Fire Blast. Mack's character portrait burst onto the screen, “It'll take a lot more than that to beat me!” he shouted.

Blaine's cocky mug appeared soon after, “Oh don't worry, I brought a lot more. We've already taken care of your two friends.” A Hydropump from off-screen K.O'd Tyranitar. It was soon revealed to be Clara's Level 75 Greninja.

“You should probably give up now,” Clara said. “Unless you want us to humiliate you in front of all those people,” added Blaine. Milo stood in silence.

“Alright! Alright! I surrender. You win. God, my team sucks!” cried Mack. The announcer excitedly labeled us the winners, but it sure didn't feel that way.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Looks like we had to bail you out again, Milo,” said Blaine, “I'm not trying to be a jerk, but you really need to start pulling your weight.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Clara snapped at him,”That's enough Blaine. You're not helping.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Milo's blushing portrait came up again, “Th-thanks Clara.... you're the best...” Clara's portrait popped up again, but she didn't say anything. Instead she merely looked away disinterested, as if she was pretending not to hear that last part.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“So are we still on for our training session tonight?”Milo asked excitedly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Yea, for sure. Looks like it's still pretty needed...” Clara said.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">***

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">A black caption screen came up that read “Later, at Clara's House.” Milo walked through door and looked directly at Clara. “So, are you ready for practice?” he asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Actually, there's something else I wanted to talk to you about. Something... I can't share with anyone else,” Clara said. “You're the only person I can trust.” Milo's character portrait had a huge goofy grin on it. “Yea, Milo, I mean I just feel so safe with you. You're like a brother to me.” Milo's portrait immediately went to a blank expression.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Oh.. um.. ok... so what's the deal?” Milo asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Remember the old Pokemon Tower? It had all those spirits trapped in there. Some of them were very sad and confused. Others were quite old and vengeful.” said Clara with a solemn look on her face.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Yeah, I remember that Clara, but they renovated it a long time ago. They took out huge parts of the old building and turned it into a radio tower. I went there a while back and there aren't any spirits left there at all.” Milo replied, while looking a bit concerned.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Ghosts don't disappear just like that.They all had to go somewhere, Milo. And that somewhere... is me.” said Clara.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“I don't understand.” Milo stated with a perplexed look.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Maybe it'll be easier if I show you,” replied Clara. She took three steps back and stood in silence for a few seconds. Then her character portrait appeared with her eyes closed, but her mouth was still moving as if she was chanting. Suddenly she lifted up into the air and began to levitate. When her eyes opened they became completely white. Swirling spirits and a purple haze surrounded her. She began to radiate an enormous, trembling aura.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara, stop this.” Milo pleaded.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">A few seconds passed, and Clara didn't answer.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara, please stop this!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The trembling became more intense and the entire house began to shake.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara, for the love of GOD, STOP!” Milo screamed as he slapped her across the face. She suddenly dropped to the floor. Milo looked incredibly remorseful and knelt beside her. Her eyes opened and she looked up at him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“I'm sorry... I guess I got carried away,” Clara said, “I wanted to make sure you believed me.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Oh I believe you alright, but what are you doing messing with that kind of power? It's not safe!” said Milo, concerned.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“That's sweet of you to worry, but they are my friends. I've been able to channel spirits my whole life. After the Pokemon Tower's deconstruction, my powers took a pretty big jump. They lend me their strength and that's how I've progressed so quickly as a trainer. It's only a problem when I try to channel too many of them at once,” said Clara with confident smile on her face.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“It sounds way too risky, Clara. I don't want anything to happen to you. You have to stop this right now,” Milo said. I was impressed. It's the first time he showed anything resembling a backbone.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Milo... there is so much about the Pokemon world we don't understand. Haven't you ever wondered where these spirits come from? We have professors sending trainers out to explore the physical world, but what about exploring the spiritual world?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara... you're messing with forces you don't understand.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“The only way to understand is to explore. You're not seeing the big picture, Milo! I've already discovered an entirely new type of Pokemon.” Clara boasted excitedly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“You.... what?!” Milo was practically speechless.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“One of my spirit friends taught me a ritual to reach into the other side.” Clara said, as she pulled out a knife. “All that's required is some blood...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Oh shit, I thought. She's going to kill Milo.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara...dont...” Milo pleaded while taking a big step back.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“You're just going to have to trust me, Milo.” Clara lunged forward and grabbed Milo's hand. Milo's character portrait blushed since holding her hand is probably something he's dreamt about for as long as he can remember. Suddenly, a splurt of blood gushed out.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">I thought for sure he was dead, but nope. Milo was alive, but he had a brand new gash on his palm. Clara inflicted the same wound on herself. She then made a circle of blood on the floor with some strange writing inside it. Then she began to concentrate again.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara, what are you doing?” Milo asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Opening the gateway.” Clara replied sternly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“WHAT?!” Milo looked scared to death. A white blinding light shot out of the circle, then briefly turned red. The screen slowly began to fade back in. What emerged from the circle hardly looked like a pokemon at all. Its eyes were completely white, its lips were black, and it resembled a Rhyhorn if it had been skinned alive. Worst of all, it had teeth like a human and an unnatural expression you could almost call smile.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“What in the hell did you do, Clara?!” Milo asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“I just made history, Milo, and you helped me do it. The last creature I summoned didn't survive for very long. It refused all normal Pokemon food, but I'm hoping with the new refined ritual my friends taught me, this time will be a success.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara... you're nuts. What the hell is that thing and why would you even want it?” Milo

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Why don't you take out your Pokedex and find out?” Clara replied with a cocky expression on her face. Milo did exactly that. He took out his Pokedex and scanned the creature. There was no data on it, but the level reading the Pokedex gave seemed to confuse him.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Why is the Pokedex reading it as a Level negative 1?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“That's because it's a Demon-Type Pokemon. It can go beyond level 100, but the Pokedex errors out. That's why it reads at level -1 when it's actually level 101.” Clara replied.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Did you just call that thing a demon? You're messing around with demons and acting like it's somehow okay?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Why not? I mean we train ghosts, giant dragons, and rabid fire dogs. How is this any different?” Clara asked. Milo's portrait seemed angry for a second, but then surprisingly accepting.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“That's actually a pretty good point. So have you decided what to name it?” Milo asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Hmm.. well I have you to thank for it.” Clara said as she knelt down and pet the disgusting, skinless abomination. “What about calling it a Milo?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“What?! Absolutely not. I'm not a dog!” Milo exclaimed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“ I know you're not, silly. I'd still like some kind of tribute to you. What about a Miley? Ooo I know! Miley Cyrus. Yeah you love that name, don't you Miley?” Clara squeezed the dog-thing's cheeks together as if it were some kind of fluffly animal, and it gave an inhuman, demon dog bark of approval. “Wellp, guess that settles it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Gee... that's lovely. Listen, I'm pretty tired from all this... whatever this is. Just promise me you'll be safe okay?” Milo's expression looked incredibly solemn as he spoke those words.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Here” Clara said with a smile as her eyes went white. “A small gift from my spirit friends.” She healed both their bleeding hands in a flash of white light. “Don't worry about me, Milo. I'll be fine. I'm always fine.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Milo walked toward the door. He looked back for a second, but then he proceeded out the door and the screen went black.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">***

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">When the screen fades back in, I saw Milo in his bed with the lights out. The screen was tinted with a dark blue hue. There was very little sound except the rain outside. I was surprised Jameson had taken the time to do all this. There were even tiny rain drops you could see outside the window. Milo laid there with his eyes open. For a long time, I simply stared at Milo as he looked up at the ceiling. I was looking at him and it almost felt like he was looking at me. I couldn't help but identify with the guy a little bit. I mean we've all been where he's been at some point. Maybe not the skinless demon dog part, but more like the mayor of Friendzone part. This guy seemed like he'd been elected 5 times in a row uncontested.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Suddenly, there was a loud noise and the window shook. I moved Milo out of bed, but for some reason he would stop moving every other step. It's almost as if he was reluctant to move toward the window. He inched ever closer and closer. There was the sound of lightning and a bright white flash outside. When the light faded, I realized it was that demonic skinless dog face right outside his window. It was staring directly at him, but it was no longer smiling. It looked like the direct opposite in fact, like it was frowning.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The thing opened its mouth so far back it looked like a PEZ dispenser. A distorted pokemon cry rang out, but a text bubble popped up that read, “H..E...lP.... MeEee......”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Milo's portrait appeared soon after, “Wait, what did you say? How the hell are you able to talk?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The thing spoke again, “hElpp.... mEeEeeeE..... HELp..... cLa-RAH.....”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Before I could push another button, Milo ran out of the house at top speed. The camera panned over and in a matter of moments he was face to face with that nightmarish thing.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Just so you know.... there's no fucking way I'm calling you Miley Cyrus. The most I'll do is Cyrus. That's it. Now where is Clara?!” Milo's portrait seemed different. He had forgotten his glasses and his face was full of determination.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Fff..OLL...O.... P....LE...ASE...... N...OOO... T...I...I..ME... L..EFT.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Cyrus autopathed me to what I assume was Clara's house. There was a dark red outline glowing all around it and the windows were completely whited out – no way to peek in. Outside the door, I was quite surprised to find none other than Blaine standing there. He must be the Gary Oak of this game because he always seemed to be one step ahead of Milo.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Wait a minute, why are you here, Blaine? And how did you get here before me?!” Milo asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Clara called me, but when I picked up the phone the call cut out before she could get a word out. I tried calling her back, but I haven't been able to reach her since...” Blaine replied.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“P...Le..aSe..... HhUR-RRRY” Cyrus moaned.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Holy christ, what in God's name is that?!” Blaine yelled, while his character portrait seemed uncharacteristically shaken.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Don't worry about him. He's cool. It's only a Pokemon.” Milo replied.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“I have no idea what that is, but I'm sure as shit it isn't a Pokemon.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“N...O....T...I...I...>..>E …. L>..>>F..T” Cyrus cried.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“You're just going to have to deal with it, Blaine. Let's go!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">And with that, Milo and Blaine entered the house. It looked completely different than before. The strange symbols Clara had used before in the ritual were scrawled everywhere in the house now. There was an unmistakable red tint that seemed to glow ever so slightly as we proceeded through the house. When Milo and Blaine reached the dining room, the camera panned over to reveal a truly horrifying sight.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Clara was trembling in the fetal position with pieces of her clothes ripped and noticeable gashes strewn all around her back and legs. The kitchen behind her was completely blacked out in shadow and the open door to enter the kitchen was swaying slowly back and forth.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“C-C—L—ARA.” Clara said as her portrait no longer showed the bright, confident girl from before. Instead she looked despondent and abused. Like the light had been slowly beaten out of her eyes. I was confused as to why she said her own name.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Blaine ran over immediately to help her, but a pale white hand with long, taloned fingers slashed out from the shadows. Blaine jumped back, but there was still a large splurt of blood that shot out of his chest.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“CLARA!!!!,” Clara screamed as she reached out to Blaine. He was hurt, but he was also lucky he seemingly dodged the worst of it. Any deeper and the attack would've likely been fatal.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">In the shadowy kitchen door way, two bright white circles appeared. Then an extremely wide, toothy grin followed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“What did you do to her?!” Milo demanded.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">A distorted laugh rang out. “She took something that didn't belong to her. She took my pet. So I needed a replacement...” The demon's eyes glowed red for a moment. Immediately, Clara's character portrait popped up with a slick black dog collar wrapped around her neck. The sigil she had painted earlier was inscribed right in the middle of it. Clara began to cry. I could tell she wanted to say something so badly, but all she could manage to say was...

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“C..la...ra...” She sobbed more, but the demon did not care. It stepped out of the shadows and grabbed her by the chin with one of its four grotesque arms. It had the head of a large, black goat with three thick horns that pointed outward. Its large bat-like wings stretched out towards the walls. He pulled her up off the ground by the chin with the palm of his hand.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Isn't it funny how Pokemon can only seem to manage to say their own name?” the Demon asked amusedly.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Let her go now!” Milo said. He then threw out a pokeball and released Gengar.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The demon laughed again, “Most humans are so delightfully foolish. The smart ones run”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“We're not going anywhere” Milo said with confidence, “I'm sure with me and Blaine working together, we can defeat you.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Uh...Milo... I'm not so sure about this.” Blaine said nervously. His character portrait had one eye wincing in pain and blood running down the side of his mouth.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Your type of plan didn't work out so well when she tried it. Then again I could use a few more pets...”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">An altered version of the battle screen came up with different, unsettling music. The text “Yrogkoa wants to battle!” came on screen. Milo had his Gengar already out and ready to attack. Blaine sent out his Houndoom to back up Milo. As the demon Yrogkoa moved away from the battle screen, a burst of flame was left in his place. He had summoned a demon to fight in his stead. It looked like an emaciated corpse of a human with black, souless eyes and shark-like teeth. Its head was tilted to the side as if it were some kind of a demonic zombie. The information above its head revealed it was Level -5, and it was called “The Gorger”.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The Gorger outsped Gengar handily because of its level advantage and Yrogkoa ordered it to use a move called “Soulpiercer Gaze”. A sinister red glow appeared in The Gorger's eyes, but it didn't seem to do anything. The textbox read “Gengar's spirit was shaken” and the Pokemon trembled a bit, but there was no damage and no status inflicted. Gengar returned fire with a Shadowball, but it barely moved his health bar at all. It felt like I might as well be fighting a T-Rex with a toothpick. Blaine's Houndoom used Fire Blast, but it barely did any better than the Shadowball did. I heard that familiar, annoying laugh from Yragkoa again as he repeated his instruction for The Gorger to use Soulpiercer Gaze for a 2nd time. The resulting textbox was different and read “Gengar's spirit is about to break.” The sound effect that plays when your pokemon is at critical health started to play like a grating, repeating alarm sound. I tried to have Gengar put The Gorger to sleep and Blaine attempted to burn it with Will-O-Wisp, but that thing, that abomination, seemed to be completely immune to status effects.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“You're out of time, boy” Yrogkoa gloated as he commanded Gorger to use Soulpiercer Gaze a third time. This time Gengar shook violently, and then became completely monochrome. The text box read, “Gengar's spirit is broken.” Blaine threw out another Fire Blast in vain, while Gengar failed to move at all. He had completely lost his will to fight. Yragkoa then ordered his demon to use a terrifying attack I never thought I would see in a Pokemon game.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">“Gorger, use Feed .” Yrogkoa commanded. Immediately The Gorger rushed forward grabbed a hold of Gengar by its sides. It then opened its jaw incredibly long and wide. That monster began to eat the defenseless Gengar like an anaconda snake swallowing an antelope. When he was finished, the pokeball above my status bar was completely blank, indicating that this wasn't some kind of temporary effect. Gengar was gone. For good. We then exited the battle and we faded back in to the previous scene.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I told you we shouldn't have fought him, you Moron.” Blaine said. “However, we may still have a chance. Trust me on this, I know of something that might be able to stop something like him.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Yeah, what's that?” Milo asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">Blaine turned around and ran out of the house as fast as he could.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“He's smarter than he looks,” Yragkoa quipped. “So are we done now? I'm getting bored and I'm eager to play with my new toy.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“NO! It can't end this way. It just can't.” Milo said. “I'm going to save her. I have to. I... I... I love her.” With that Yrogkoa let out the loudest, most evil sounding laugh I ever heard him use. The house literally shook from how loud it was and it went on for like 10 seconds straight. Afterward, Clara's portrait appeared again, but no words came out. Instead she merely looked away and blushed, as if she was embarassed.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Now you truly are a fool, boy. You don't know the first thing about this girl or what else she's done to earn this fate. And yet, I find you amusing. So entertain me boy. What will you give me in exchange for this girl? Tempt me with what you have to offer.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“My soul,” Milo said. “I'll give you my soul. Eat it, tear it to pieces, or even put me in that collar in her place. All you have to do is let her go.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“You know before I thought you were a fool, human. I can see now how utterly wrong I was.” Yrogkoa said.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I... um... thanks? I guess.” Milo replied with a look of confusion on his face.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I see now you are no simple fool. You are the KING OF FOOLS. She will never love you no matter how heroic or selfless you attempt to be. Her heart already belongs to another.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Th-that... doesn't matter.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Oh but it does. Deep down you know it does, child. You cannot hide your true thoughts from me. You hope against hope she will feel as you feel, but that will never come to pass.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“....Ok..I won't lie. That really, REALLY sucks. But that doesn't change who I am and what I'm willing to do for her. All I know is that I love her. So do you want my soul or not?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“No.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Wait, what do you mean no?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I mean no. Your soul is useless to me in its present state. However, what you can give me is a proper challenge.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I don't understand. You know I'm no match for you.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">At that moment, Cyrus burst into the house and ran up to Milo. It gave its signature demonic growl.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Ahh.. perfect. Take my former pet. Train him until you're strong enough to defeat me. You may be a joke at the moment, but you seem to be willing to do whatever it takes to save this girl.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I am.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Good, goooood. I intend to put that to the test. I will warn you, however, The Gorger is by far my weakest monster. You will have to push yourself to your limits and beyond if you are to have any hope when you return to me.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“How can I possibly put up a challenge when you have multiple monsters that are all stronger than mine?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Oh child, I may be cruel, but I'm also generous with my cruelty. You will have exactly one year to prepare. Should be plenty of time for the necessary changes to occur. I'll also limit myself to just three monsters in order to make the fight more interesting to me.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“What will happen to Clara during this time?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Easy, she'll be where she belongs. At my side, as my play thing. If I sense you're slacking off in any way during your training, I'll be sure to take it out on her and send glimpses of my work directly into the eye of your mind.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“No! That's not part of the deal!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“NO?!” Yrogkoa became angry and charged at Milo. In an instant he closed the gap and held one of his razor sharp claws right under Milo's throat. “I know you're stupid, but I'm growing quite tired of your arrogance. You have zero grounds for negotiation. I can disappear with Clara in a hearbeat and you'd never see her again. Or then again maybe you would, in pieces that I'd leave at your door step. The deal is whatever I say it is. Understand?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Fuck you.” Milo said with his head tilted back, desperately trying to avoid a slice to the neck.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Strong spirit, but it's starting to grow tiresome.” Yrogkoa growled as he slashed Milo's shoulder with one finger. He then licked up the blood with a grotesque smile.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Clara!” Clara yelled out with a look of deep concern.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Fine,” said Milo wincing in pain. “I'll be here in one year to kick your ass.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Not so fast. My generosity isn't free. There is a price of failure.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Which is?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“In one year, if you should fail... both of you will belong to me. Forever.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“CLARA! CLARA!” Clara shouted out, trying to object.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I'll accept, but only if you grant me one small favor.” Milo said.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Oh? What's that?” Yrogkoa asked.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Let me talk to Clara one last time. Talk to her for real, without whatever it is you're doing to her abilty to speak.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Ha ha, sure. That's perfectly fine. But I want you know I only grant this request because I know it won't give you the relief you think you'll get. It'll only cause more pain.” Yrogkoa said while extending out his enormous claw of a hand. “I'll let you talk to her as soon as you place some of the blood from your shoulder onto your hand and then shake mine.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“By the time I'm through with you, I'll show you who the king of fools really is.” Milo shook Yragkoa's hand. The demon smiled as the screen flashed bright red for a brief moment. With the agreement set, Yragkoa made Clara levitate into the air. Then he stepped back into the shadows while making her float towards Milo. Finally, his eyes glowed, as he dropped her with thud onto the floor and apparently restored her ability to speak.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Are you okay, Clara? Speak to me.” Milo pleaded.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I...don't know what you want me to say.” Clara spoke with an ashamed and defeated look written all over her face.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I love you, Clara.” Milo said with tears in his eyes, “I'm sorry it took something as fucked up as this to happen for me to finally say it.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I know, Milo. I've... I've always known. Channeler means I'm practically psychic, though one hardly needed to be one to see that.” Clara eyes looked so remorseful, as if she wished she could tell Milo the words he desperately wanted to hear without them being a lie.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Oh...” Milo said. “I understand...but it doesn't change anything. Everything is going to be okay.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“No it won't!” Clara cried with heavy tears in her eyes “He is going to torture me, Milo. I'm so scared. I'm going to be slave for a year even in the best case scenario. Extend it by an eternity in the worst. I ruined everything! This is all my fault!”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">Milo put his hands on Clara's shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes. “I need you to be strong for me, Clara. No matter what he does to you or how he tries to break you, you have to know that I'm coming for you. I will be back here in one year and I will save you.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“You shouldn't have made that deal, Milo. My mistakes are my own and I have to pay for them. I never wanted to drag you down with me.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Fuck that. I mean that's what friends are for right? I wish to God you saw me as more than that, but even if you don't that's never going to change who I am. I will always try to do the right thing and be a good person.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“I'm afraid you may not have a choice in the matter, Milo. While I was being held by Yragkoa, I used my channeling powers to sense his thoughts. I found out what demons need to grow stronger. You won't be able to train Cyrus while staying a good person if what I sensed is true. This whole thing was a trap and he played us both perfectly.”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“What do you mean? What do demons need to grow stronger?”

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Remember when I told you about the last demon I captured? It refused all normal Pokemon food. That's because demons need --” Before Clara could finish the sentence, Yragkoa pulled her up telekinetically by her dog collar and yanked her back into the shadows.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“CLARA! NO!” Milo yelled out. Yragkoa proceeded to taunt Milo

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">“Your pain is so exquisitely delicious, human. What were you expecting? Gratitude? A kiss perhaps? Or maybe she'd finally realize that she loved you all this time. How ridiculous. I have seen into the future to view all of what may yet become the final reality. You should know that out of thousands of possible outcomes, there is no happy ending in store for you in any of them.” As soon as he finished speaking those ominous words, he was gone. Clara was too. Vanished in a heartbeat.

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<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal">To Be Continued...

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<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal"> <ac_metadata title="Pokemon Dark (Unreviewed)"> </ac_metadata>