The next few seconds passed in slow motion. The snake sprang forward, snapping its body taut and flying forward at a frightening velocity. It struck straight toward Kabrakan…but sailed over it! My Golem swiped at it with its short, yet fiercely clawed limbs to no avail. Arbok’s coal-black eyes gleamed maliciously, our proud flag reflected in their glassy surface. The creature’s path began curving back to the ground as its wide-scaled jaw dropped open, revealing rows of needle-like teeth and a pair of hideous, six-inch fangs. Its upper jaw hyperextended, reaching for its victim. I stared in helpless horror as the monster flew forward, teeth glistening.

I could do nothing but watch as Arbok slammed its fangs deep into Heather’s chest.

She whimpered pathetically and went pale, her face drained of its beautiful color. Arbok released her as soon as it had struck and coiled back on itself. Heather dropped to the cold, wet ground as Jack ran over to her.

My world fell apart. Apollyon being defeated was hard enough, but watching my love collapse, her life fading, destroyed every last sane thought running through my mind. It was no accident—Arbok had intentionally leapt over Kabrakan to attack her. Was this some sick, twisted plan for retaliation against me?! I squeezed my eyes shut and felt a horrible sensation coursing through my body. I released the last Pokeball from the console and clenched it in my fist until the two crests on top cut into my skin. No coherent thoughts ran through my head, but I knew what I was about to do. Inhaling sharp breaths, I fired Gengar’s Great Ball into the field. The demon manifested itself in the center of the arena, far away from Arbok. Rainclouds overhead matched my black emotions and the shade of my Pokemon. Matariel stood still, unchallenged by Arbok. Its enormous, glowing eyes shone onto its sharp teeth.

I once said that I became afraid when I sent Gengar into battle. That’s only partially true. I’m not necessarily scared of my own warrior. I fear that it could kill, yes. Yet, I’m mostly afraid of what it embodies. It is the ultimate manifestation of the dark truths about Pokemon denied by the world. More Pokemon than we’d care to admit despise us. Trainers have been killed by their own. We find these wonderful creatures, capture them, and enslave them for violent combat. Matariel doesn’t hate me because I give it serious challenges and let it go overboard. I’ve succumbed to its sanguinous desires, and it loves me for it. I’ll never forget the insidious smile it gave me at the Seafoam Island cave when I commanded it to use Thunder against Articuno.

Matariel looked into my mind and knew what I wanted. I didn’t know who was responsible, but I wanted vengeance. I saw that same curved grin, that one that has haunted my dreams for two weeks. An inky fire flashed in its eyes, then it did something I never expected. The demon threw its head back, opened its foul mouth impossibly wide and stood still. It was the same thing I had seen before, the silent scream. This time, it changed. A sickening, searing, tearing sound shot through the stadium, followed by a mind-shattering, screeching wail, like someone taking a buzz saw to a chalkboard. Everyone in the stands froze, except one man. John Morton turned and ran back up the aisle, his rain poncho slipping off his shoulders and revealing the large, white ‘PRI’ stenciled on the back. Matariel stared at him, turned to me, and smiled. He disappeared in a flash of dark flame.

Page Eighteen
Page Eighteen

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