"Assimilated"

```
**NOTE:** *This page refers to the Volume One Chapter titled "Assimilated." If you are searching for the articles on Assimilation or Assimilated Pokemon, etc. please follow their respective links.*

```

"Assimilated" refers to the second chapter of Volume One of Arceus's Wish, and the second chapter overall.

## Release

"Assimilated" released on March 6, 2022 on the UMG's Youtube channel, around eight months after Chapter One.

### Link

You can watch the chapter on YouTube here.

### Synopsis

> "Kyle wakes to find himself in The Void, where he begins to uncover just what Arceus is having to battle against. Meanwhile, a mysterious cloaked stranger appears in Pleada Town, catching the local Rescue Team’s attention… until something far more concerning takes it back."
>
>

## Transcript

### Scene 1

```
*A FEW FLASHES OF KEY MOMENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS EPISODE, ALL GRAYSCALE. THE MUSIC AND SOUNDS BECOME MORE AND MORE INTENSE, AND  THE BUILDUP EVENTUALLY ENDS WITH MANY CHARACTERS SHOUTING FOR KYLE. KYLE WAKES IN THE DARK VOID AGAIN, BREATHING HEAVILY.*

```

*Kyle had woken in a cold, dark void. The surrounding nothingness was familiar enough that it seemed only a little off-putting.*

**KYLE:** H-hello…? Is anyone there? (Did I… die?)

*Kyle placed a paw to his chest. He sat in silence and listened: the only sound to be heard was that of his heartbeat, the emptiness around him making it seem even louder than usual.*

**KYLE:** (My heart’s still beating, but… where am I? What happened…?)

```
*FLASHBACKS TO HIS BEING ATTACKED BY GENGAR APPEAR.*

```

**KYLE:** I remember… pain… and then everything went black… Hhrgh… what happened to everyone else?! I--

```
*WOOSHING, HISSING AND SLITHERING SOUNDS IN THE DARKNESS.*

```

*Strange sounds began to surface from all around him. He turned in every direction, nervously trying to pinpoint where all of it was coming from. His heartbeat began to grow faster and louder, and he could feel cold sweat beginning to form on his face.*

**KYLE:** Who… who’s there?! What is this place?!

```
*THE NOISE CONTINUES.*

```

**ARCEUS:** Kyle...

```
*KYLE YELPS.*

```

*Hearing the familiar voice, Kyle jumped, turning to face behind him. Then, from the shadows, a pokemon appeared, so clearly to him, despite the lack of a light source… the looming form of Arceus, the legendary pokemon said to wield the power to shape worlds.*

**KYLE (baffled):** Wh-what…? You… you’re-

**ARCEUS:** I am Arceus, yes... Please, do not fear.

**KYLE (Shaky):** I know your voice. You spoke to me before, you’re the one who brought me here… aren’t you?

**ARCEUS:** ... Yes. I played a part in that.

**KYLE:** Well, can you... take me back home?! I was in a void like this before, right? Can’t you make another big light and just send me back to my-

**ARCEUS:** Kyle… as things are now, even if I wanted to, I cannot send you back yet.

**KYLE:** (N… no… am I going to be stuck here? Stuck as a Pokemon forever?!)

**ARCEUS:** There is a reason why you were summoned. Did you not think of questioning that at all?

**KYLE:** What… a reason? What reason could you possibly have? I-I’m just a nobody! I don’t--

**ARCEUS:** There isn’t much I can share with you at this moment, it isn't safe, but I brought you here because I am under siege.

**KYLE:** Siege?! I don’t understand! What could threaten *you*?!

**ARCEUS:** You must understand… this isn’t just about me. In fact, all living creatures are in danger, both in this world… and in yours. I have chosen you, and used my last moments of freedom to bring you here.

**KYLE:** Why me?! Couldn’t you have picked any human, what am I supposed to do?

**ARCEUS:** Kyle, you are… different. There is something within you, something incredibly special… but it is still far too early. Telling you everything now would be a risk: my remaining energy is slowly shrinking, and… we are not quite alone.

*Kyle's spine bristled and his hackles raised in anticipation. He half expected something to jump out and attack him that very moment, but instead, what felt like an eternity went by and nothing happened.*

**ARCEUS:** There will be others who will guide you and help you find your way. You must follow their guidance… and you must believe.

*Arceus closed his eyes. Slowly, his form faded back into the darkness, leaving nothing but his voice in the air…*

**ARCEUS:** Good luck, Kyle. Grant my wish.

*Barely before he finished speaking, Arceus was gone as suddenly and inexplicably as he had appeared. Kyle was once again left to sit in the darkness, the beating of his heart -- much faster now -- filled the silence once again. Slowly, the weight of the godly Pokemon's words began to settle in.*

**KYLE:** (Save the world? This has to be a joke, o-or some sort of nightmare! There’s nothing special about me, I should be home right now, asleep in bed! I can’t… I can’t do this…)

*Kyle didn’t know what to do, or how to process what he had been told. His only reaction was to shrink and cover his face with his paws, waiting so his breathing could slow down...*
*Then suddenly, all the air left his lungs at once.*

```
*Kyle gasps and chokes.*

```

*Looking down, Kyle realized a smoky, black tendril had extended from somewhere in the void beneath him and wrapped itself around his stomach and neck. His eyes widened as he realized he was having the life slowly choked out of him.*

**THE ENTITY:** Ah… so here you are. The little child Arceus decided to pit against me…

*Kyle could see a few brief flashes of red through the void, in the corners of his vision, almost like a passing creature of some sort.*

**KYLE (choking):** Wh-what’s happening-- glk-- who’s there--

**THE ENTITY (Chuckles):** So pitiful… so helpless. What was that pathetic being thinking, bringing you here? Does he really believe that all it takes to “bring me down”... is a sad little human?

*Flailing his legs, Kyle tried to kick the tendrils away, to no avail. More appeared and immobilized his hind feet, then his tail, his paws, his snout. Kyle could no longer move or breathe, and he had already begun to feel his lungs burn and his vision blur. He groaned and flailed, trying desperately to cry out into the darkness for help.*

```
*Kyle groans and flails.*

```

**THE ENTITY (Laughing):** Fighting is useless!

*The terrified umbreon felt everything start to slip from him once more: he had lost all feeling in his legs and torso.*

**KYLE:** (Am I really going to die here? In the void, where nobody can hear me…?)

*Ominous red eyes appeared before him as the world became heavier and fuzzier...*

**THE ENTITY:** What does he expect you to do? Come find me and face me yourself? (Laughter) Fine! Come to me, then! Try, there is nothing you can do: Arceus is merely wasting what little energy I’ve yet to steal from him… Soon, both worlds will belong to me! He says there’s something within you? I’ll find you, little Kyle, and tear it *RIGHT OUT OF YOU!*

*Then, the tendrils shook and twisted, releasing Kyle's body and flinging him into the air.*

```
*Kyle yells as he falls back down.*

```

*When he collapsed into the dark ground, everything around him snapped into color.*

### Scene 2

```
*WHISPERS OF “KYLE” SLOWLY ARISE, BUT ARE CUT OFF BEFORE THEY CAN BECOME TOO LOUD. KYLE WAKES ON THE GROUND WITH A START, GASPING LOUDLY.*

```

*Kyle opened his eyes so wide they hurt. He clawed at the ground and gasped for the air he’d been lacking in the void.*

**OLIVER:** Ah, I think he’s finally coming to.

**NILA:** Kyle…? Kyle! Are you alright?! Wake up!

*The umbreon looked around him and saw that Nila was standing there, her ears flat to her head and face full of worry. At either side, a decidueye and a wartortle stood, an air of authority about them.*

**NILA:** Oh, thank goodness… C-can you see me? How many tail-tips am I holding up?!

**TORKE:** Don’t worry, lass, he’s fine… Waaaaaaitaminute! He wasn’t fine a second ago. In fact, he had a huge wound right here… where’d it go?!

**OLIVER:** Maybe you just didn’t see it right, it could’ve been mud.

**TORKE:** Whaddayamean, “mud”? It was this huge bloody purple thing and now it’s gone!

**KYLE:** What… What's going on…?

**OLIVER:** Oh, welcome to the waking world, partner.

*The decidueye spoke.*

**OLIVER:** The name’s Oliver Privy, Chief of Pleada Town Rescue Team, and this one here is my deputy Don--

**TORKE:** -- You can just call me Torke. That’ll do just fine.

**KYLE:** Rescue… what…?

**OLIVER:** We’ll explain later… It looks like you got knocked out by something.

**NILA:** I-it was a gengar, sir. It was big… and glowing.

**TORKE:** We heard about the whole commotion in the market. Are you sayin’ that gengar was the one responsible for killin’ the pidgeot right in front of everyone?

**NILA:** I’m quite sure, but I think he had help...

**OLIVER:** Hmm yes, the tentacool, was it? We managed to arrest that one.

**TORKE:** I’d hardly call that an arrest, boss, he was unconscious the whole time. Probably still is.

**OLIVER:** Well, what matters is that it’s now in custody. (The gengar is still at large, however)… Well! Back to you, our brave hit-taker. I gather your name is Kyle?

**KYLE:** Y-yes, uh, sir…?

**OLIVER:** Are you new around here? I’ve never seen you before.

(**KYLE:** Well, I--)

**OLIVER:** Weeeeell, that hardly matters. You had a few injuries, some of them minor. (Very few minor, actually-) And some profuse eye bleeding. For a moment there we thought you were a goner for sure, but now all of those wounds seem to have disappeared… (Strange.) Well, I suppose if you’re good to get up, we’ll send you home and that will be that.

```
*NILA HELPS KYLE UP.*

```

**NILA (Whispering):** Are you sure you’re alright?

**KYLE (Whispering back):** Well I’m still exhausted but… I’ll manage. (You wouldn’t believe me if I told you about what happened with Arceus anyways…)

**TORKE:** Well, see you around, kid. Take care o’ yourself.

*Oliver and his wartortle deputy made to leave.*

**NILA:** Ch-chief Oliver, wait.

**OLIVER:** Hmm? Yes, Nila, what is it? If you’re going to ask me when the next entrance exam is, you can wait until I’m-

**NILA:** No, sir, listen… there was something wrong about those two pokemon that attacked the market today… I managed to push the tentacool away quite easily, but when I tried to attack the gengar, it… m-my moves just had no effect. I used Psychic, and I *know* that gengars are supposed to be--

**OLIVER:** Well, perhaps it was just a particularly powerful one? (You know, some of those Cantorian ghost-types are rather nasty when it comes to--)

**NILA:** *No*! I-I mean, *please*, listen to me, there’s something really wrong about them! Be careful… if you said the gengar is still at large, it could hurt even more people.

**OLIVER:** Don’t you worry, Nila. The Rescue Team already carried out a lockdown order while we investigate and try to find the fugitive. You can be sure we’ll be questioning that tentacool as soon as it wakes up, you don’t have to tell us to be more careful than we’ve already been... Alright?

**NILA:** I… (Sigh) alright, I suppose.

**OLIVER:** Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got investigation reports to attend to. Your friends are waiting for you, by the way.

*As Oliver and Torke walked away toward the market, Nila turned to Kyle and the rest of the town. The streets were empty, drowning in a morbid silence. Josh, Fiona and Dewey waited nearby, and waved at them.*

**JOSH:** Oh look, Kyle’s okay! Let’s hurry and get outta here!

**FIONA:** No kidding! I’m going to lose my mind if I ever have to see the color purple again.

**DEWEY:** Yeah, yeah, let’s move. Josh, we’re going home.

**JOSH:** Awh, are you kidding me? I wanted to stay at Nila’s place for a bit, that’s not fair!

**DEWEY:** It’s too dangerous! We have to be on our way, so get over here.

**JOSH:** Are you kidding me...?

**NILA:** Come on, Kyle… let’s go.

*Kyle and Nila walked away, toward the exit of town, to the safety of Nila’s home.*

### Scene 3

```
*LATER THAT NIGHT, OUTSIDE PLEADA TOWN, AT THE PLEADA RIVER BRIDGE. GLACIE APPEARS, PACING STEALTHILY.]*

```

*The night air hung heavy with moisture, making it clear that rain was coming. Sneaking carefully across the Pleada River bridge, a cloaked pokemon made its way to the sleeping, recovering town. A bag strapped across its back, the pokemon moved forth with purpose, knowing what might await beyond Pleada Town’s wooden borders.*

```
*EXT. THE MARKETPLACE*

```

**SETH:** Yeah, yeah… I don’t get why we gotta stand guard around here anyway. It’s just… it’s just a dead guy.

**ALITA:** Seth! Take it seriously, it’s our job as Rescue Team officers, y’know!

**SETH:** Well sure, I know! I just… I wish I could be doin’ something more useful, like interrogating that other guy or uh… helping catch the one that got away.

**ALITA:** You *know* we have to leave that to the ghost tracking group, they’re the ones with Odor Sleuth and Foresight.

**SETH:** I could go out there and catch it with my bare claws, I bet you-- right now! Right now, I know Night Slash! *We BOTH know I know Night Slash--*!

**GLACIE:** Excuse me.

*The cloaked pokemon had stepped up to a pair of Pleada Rescue Team officers, a Zangoose and a Bayleef, standing in the marketplace next to the scene of the killing.*

**SETH:** Oh, uh… hi.

*The zangoose eyed him suspiciously.*

**SETH:** This area’s off limits, y'know. What do you want...?

**GLACIE:** Pardon my intrusion, but… what exactly happened here?

**SETH (amused):** *Oh*, wouldn’t *you* like to know!

**ALITA (to Seth):** Come on, Seth! It’s only a civilian asking a question.

**SETH (to Alita):** Yeah, Alita, a creepy guy in a dark cloak. Nothin’ *about* ‘im says “civilian.”

**ALITA:** Sorry about him, mister…?

**GLACIE:** You can call me “Glacie.”

*The two officers glanced at each other, uncertain.*

**SETH:** I told ya he was suspicious.

**ALITA (cutting him off, to Glacie):** Th-this is a crime scene. We apprehended one of the suspects but the other - a gengar - is still at large. The market will be closed for the night and possibly all of tomorrow so that the Rescue Team may continue the investigation into the murder.

**GLACIE:** (So it was murder…) Ah, you said you were part of a Rescue Team? Where can I find your headquarters?

**SETH:** Sure, well, why do ya wanna know?

**ALITA:** Uh-- d-down that way and to the left, you should reach an area with tall coconut trees and a warehouse… we’re the building to the right. If you see any sign of the missing suspect, please alert the Rescue Team.

**GLACIE:** I see. Thank you ever so much for the clear directions, I’ll be sure to alert you of any trouble.

**SETH:** Yeah, yeah, we did what you asked, now do what I ask and get lost, will ya?

**GLACIE:** … of course. Again, forgive the intrusion.

*Glacie nodded respectfully and padded away, slinking into the shadows between two houses. The officers looked at each other again.*

**SETH:** … only trouble I wanna be alerted to is whatever kind *that one’s* causing.

**ALITA:** Yeah… now that I think about it, he seems *weird*.

**SETH:** You *just* noticed, Alita?

**ALITA:** I mean… “Glacie” sounds a bit cute for someone that looks like an *ice wizard*.

**SETH:** I’m going back to thinking about how I’m gonna catch that *stupid gengar*…

### Scene 4

```
*INT. PLEADA TOWN RESCUE TEAM HQ.*

```

**TORKE:** Y’know, I’m just not sure what to make of this. I mean, come on, murder? We haven’t had to deal with that in years. And then when it does happen, it’s like… some kind of tag team of crazy glowing dudes.

**OLIVER:** Honestly, I’ve seen worse.

**TORKE:** What... What on Earth kinda stuff have you seen?!

**OLIVER:** Look, we just have to let the ghost catching team do what they do best.

**TORKE:** I mean, yeah, but… it’s been *hours*. That tentacool hasn’t *budged*... *Is it even alive*?

**OLIVER:** --pfft Of course it’s alive, [he laughs and trails off with a sigh]... why wouldn’t it be?

*Just then, the door to the Rescue Team headquarters opened wide. Oliver felt a cold breeze ruffle his feathers and turned to see a cloaked stranger, stepping inside calmly.*

**OLIVER:** Oh, uh… hello? It’s rather late, I’m not sure what you could possibly need…

**GLACIE:** Are you the chief of this town’s Rescue Team?

**OLIVER:** W… why yes, I am!

**GLACIE:** … might I request to see the tentacool you have in custody?

**OLIVER:** W-well, I’m not-

**TORKE:** --Why, he a friend of yours? Visiting hours are over, you know.

**GLACIE:** I understand, gentlemen. There’s just… a matter I wish to clarify.

**TORKE:** I said… visiting hours. Are over.

**OLIVER [ASIDE, TO TORKE]:** What are you doing?

**TORKE:** Oliver, stand back.

*Glacie stepped forward.*

**GLACIE:** Gentlemen. You must understand: that tentacool should not be in that cell, and if my suspicions are correct, it should not be anywhere near this town.

**TORKE:** What, so it really is a friend of yours? I was kinda joking, you know.

**GLACIE:** No, it’s simply too dangerous for all of us… you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Please, let me through.

**TORKE:** I’m gonna have to go with a big fat no on that one, chief.

**GLACIE:** … that’s alright. It is imperative that I do this.

*A cloud of snow erupted from Glacie’s cloak, and icy spikes formed on the floor around him.*

**OLIVER:** What’s going on?!

**TORKE [chuckles]:** I’ve seen your type. That tentacool know somethin’ it shouldn’t, don’t it? You wanna erase him?

**GLACIE:** Not quite… but there are powers that exist beyond this world that make that tentacool more dangerous than you can imagine… you’re in over your heads, and I’ve no time to stand here and risk letting it awaken.

*Glacie leaped at Torke and Oliver, blowing a cloud of snow between them as a distraction. He landed and tried to slip by them, but Torke grabbed him by the tail.*

**TORKE:** Oh *you* are not gonna be murderin’ *anyone* tonight!

*Torke leaped into the air and rolled into his shell, launching Glacie back closer to the entrance.*

```
*He throws Glacie across the room, and he hits the entrance side wall with a grunt.*

```

*Oliver pulled a quill from his back and stretched one of his uniform straps into a bow with his wingtip, training the point of the quill at him like an arrow.*

**OLIVER:** That tentacool may have hurt someone, but we will not stand by and let you do the same.

**GLACIE:** That *tentacool* is endangering *every citizen in this town just by being here*! And the gengar that escaped could be doing damage already, I hardly have time to discuss!

*Glacie shot Ice Beam from his jaws, forcing Oliver and Torke to split apart. He raced through them toward the door at the end of the room and blasted the floor in front of them, creating a wall of icy spikes to keep them from approaching.*

**GLACIE:** I don’t want to hurt either of you... This conversation is *over*.

*Glacie pushed through the door at the back end of the room, running down the hall behind it. Oliver shot his quill, but it missed and stuck to the wood instead.*

**OLIVER:** He’s going to the detention area, we need to stop him!

*With a thumbs up, Torke retreated into his shell. Oliver promptly gave him a hard kick, sending him crashing through the wall of ice, creating an opening. Racing through the door, Oliver and Torke ran down the hall after Glacie to the detention area. When they arrived, they caught sight of him standing at the end of the room, watching the unconscious tentacool through the prison bars.*

**GLACIE:** So I was right… it seems my suspicions have been validated, this is--

**OLIVER:** Step away from the cell with your paws where we can see them!

*Oliver had another quill arrow trained on Glacie, who tensed and turned his head at the officers slightly.*

**TORKE:** Y’know, in your position I would’ve said “freeze,” sounds a lot cooler and ironic.

**OLIVER:** Stop telling me how to do my-- wha...?!

*Just then, Oliver dropped his quill. He saw the tentacool slowly rise in its cell as they spoke, a look of hatred in its scarlet eyes.*

**TORKE:** Oh dear.

**GLACIE:** What--

*As soon as Glacie turned back to look into the cell, the tentacool had swung out and hit the bars hard, slightly bending them.*

**TORKE:** Dear lord! How’d it do that?!

**GLACIE:** Get down!

*With another swing of its glowing tentacles, a few of the bars bent and shattered, and the tentacool was free. Glacie’s eyes widened, and he promptly shot Ice Beam at it, but it dodged and charged toward him.*

```
*Glacie gasps.*

```

*A shooting feather grazed the tentacool’s side, distracting it just long enough for Glacie to move away.*

**OLIVER:** That’s not a normal Pokemon, is it…? I see what you meant now.

*Without missing a beat, the tentacool was upon them again. This time, Glacie’s Ice Beam hit it square in the face, partially freezing it and causing it to collapse onto the ground. With a powerful jet of water, Torke sent it crashing back into its cell, and Oliver shot a quill, pinning one of its tentacles to the wall.*

**GLACIE:** Hrk-- Begone!

*Glacie formed Icicle Spear and hurled it as hard as he could at the enemy. Before it had had the chance to recover, it pierced through its head, finally ceasing the struggle. The three collapsed to the floor, catching their breath.*

**TORKE [Panting]:** Alright, pretty boy, I need answers. Now! What was that freaky thing?!

**GLACIE:** That tentacool… it was not itself anymore. That kind of creature is known as an Assimilated Pokemon, and it typically possesses unbelievable strength and resistance.

**OLIVER:** I could tell *that* much… but now it’s dead. You… we… *We* killed it.

**GLACIE:** It was… actually dead from the beginning.

**TORKE:** What are you talkin’ about?

**GLACIE:** I’ve seen it happen a few times: sometimes, pokemon are struck down and lose their minds, turning into this… but often, those who are killed rise up from the dead as violent, bloodthirsty assimilated beings. I noticed a wound on its body as it lay in the cell, it didn’t look like it could’ve lived through that, considering what must’ve caused it...

**OLIVER:** How can this be happening? Wh-when did these “Assimilated” start appearing, and why--

*The door slammed open, and officer Alita charged in.*

**ALITA:** Chief, we have an emergency at the plaza!

**OLIVER:** Alita? What happened?!

**ALITA:** The murder victim - he just stood up!

**GLACIE / OLIVER / TORKE:** What?!

**ALITA:** He’s still mortally wounded but somehow violently attacking everything in its vicinity!

**GLACIE:** Assimilated! I knew I shouldn’t have left it there… we have to go. Now!

**ALITA:** Wha… it’s you!

**TORKE:** Questions later, it’s time to leave!

*They all charged out of the detention area and headed for the marketplace.*

### Scene 5

```
*Seth and the Pidgeot - named QOWJDKD - are fighting in the marketplace as it rains heavily.*

```

**SETH:** Grr-- you’re pretty tough for a dead guy, aren’t you?

*Officer Seth was in the plaza, trying to fight off the newly awakened pidgeot. Its broken neck left its head swaying strangely, dead eyes staring on as it tried to peck and scratch.*

```
*QOWJDKD hisses and spits.*

```

**SETH [Trying to push away fear]:** I… Yeah, I can take you. Come on… bring it!

*The pidgeot lunged forward with a strangled cry. Seth dodged and brought his fist down hard on its broken neck, causing it to topple to the ground, still stirring.*

**SETH:** Ha! Not as tough as you look, huh?! Heh… hehehehahahaha…

**ALITA:** Seth!

*Seth turned to see Oliver, Alita, Torke and Glacie thundering down the street toward the market. He crossed his arms and huffed.*

**SETH:** Took ya long enough! I had to handle the situation all on my own!

**ALITA:** Seth, be careful! I heard those things are full of surprises, you can’t--

**GLACIE:** Look out!

*The pidgeot had risen again and tried to sneak up behind Seth. Glacie blasted it with Ice Beam.*

**GLACIE:** Never let your guard down near an assimilated pokemon!

**SETH (Shocked):** Assima-*what*?!

**GLACIE:** This one was dead from the start as well, it must be purged from this world for good.

*He manifested Icicle Spear to stake the pidgeot, but it was still alert and rolled away, barely dodging the jagged ice as it sank into the ground.*

```
*They all gasp.*

```

*The assimilated bird flapped its wings once, sending a gust of wind that knocked them all off their feet.*

```
*They all call out as they fall over.*

```

*It lunged for the nearest target: Seth. Its neck cracked as it turned to face him, nose-diving with all its weight.*

**ALITA:** Wh… No!

*Alita shot Razor Leaf into the Pidgeot’s side, sending it off course but doing little else. It tumbled on the ground but was quickly on its feet, leaping at her this time.*

```
*Alita screams.*

```

**SETH:** A-ALITA!

*Seth skidded on the dirt and leaped between her and the pidgeot. It crashed into him and they both tumbled away, hitting the wall of a nearby building and landing on the ground. He tried to maintain a grip on it to keep it from moving.*

**GLACIE:** Ugh… that was a powerful blast-- [noticing the fight] whoa!

*The assimilated pidgeot had wriggled free and pinned Seth down. It jerked its body up, cracking its neck close enough into place that it was able to stare into his eyes.*

```
*Seth whimpers helplessly. Qowjdkd gives out a deafening screech.*

```

*With a screech, it brought its beak down, sinking it deep into Seth’s shoulder.*

```
 *Seth screams at length, in pain.*

```

**ALITA:** SEEEEEETH!

*Glacie took it down with Ice Beam, leaving one of its wings frozen. He took the chance to finally stake it through the stomach with Icicle Spear, ceasing its struggle as well. Oliver and Torke had just managed to push away the dizziness from the blast of wind and hurried to the injured Zangoose’s side.*

**ALITA:** S-Seth! Are you okay? Get up!

**SETH [coughing, nearly sobbing]:** Argh… d-damn it… it hurts! Aaaugh- it hurts so much!

**OLIVER:** I should… I should call a healer, we’ll get you sorted, Seth!

**GLACIE:** You can try… I don’t think it’ll work. I’ve… I’ve seen this happen. Many times. He’s been deeply wounded by an assimilated pokemon, no healer in this town can help him now.

**ALITA:** What are you saying?! Of course we can help him, we have to!

```
*Seth screams out.*

```

**TORKE:** Get back!

*Seth had risen to his feet, trembling heavily. With difficulty, he raised a clawed paw above his head.*

**SETH:** What- what is this?! I can’t-

*He brought it down, swiping at Oliver, who stepped back in shock.*

**OLIVER:** Seth, what are you doing?

**GLACIE:** He’s already beginning to suffer the effects of his wound…stay away from him!

*Seth swung out again, taking struggling steps forward.*

**SETH:** It… hurts… I can’t control m… m-y body, I’m- [yell]

*His claws kept swiping aimlessly at the others, once nearly missing Alita’s face.*

**ALITA [yelp]:** What’s… what’s happening to him?!

**GLACIE:** He’s slowly losing control of his own actions… Soon enough, the assimilation process will be complete and overtake him altogether!

*Seth clasped his bleeding shoulder and fell to his knees. He shook and stared at his paw, the world going in and out of focus.*

**SETH:** Help… me...

*He looked at Alita, his eyes glazing over, tears forming. The bayleef could barely keep herself from reaching out.*

**SETH:** A… lita...

*Suddenly, his expression shifted from anguish to anger. He lunged with a growl and bared his fangs. Alita flinched and swatted him with Vine Whip, taking the chance to immobilize one of his arms.*

**ALITA:** Seth, snap out of it! This isn’t you!

**TORKE:** Somethin’s controllin’ your mind, man!

**OLIVER:** Somehow I don’t think shouting at him will help…

**TORKE:** ...master of deduction.

**GLACIE:** There’s no time to lose, get him in that building!

*Glacie pointed to one of the market’s storage buildings a few yards away. Alita promptly yanked Seth with her vines, sending him tumbling straight into it.*

**GLACIE:** This should keep him in…

*The air around Glacie burst into ice and snow. His cape billowed as icicles formed straight up from the ground, blocking the way out of the building. Seth tried to clamber over the ice, but could find no way out. As the others gathered around Glacie, Seth pounded at the ice, screeching angrily, but barely managed to crack it.*

**GLACIE:** As I suspected. He doesn’t seem to be as powerful as the other assimilated I’ve encountered.

*Seth fell to his knees and lay there, breathing heavily, eyes staring vacantly into space.*

**OLIVER:** What… do we do with him now?

**GLACIE:** I don’t know… but we certainly can’t leave him here…

**TORKE:** What’s on your mind, pretty boy? Spit it out already!

**GLACIE:** … We must evacuate this town by morning.

**OLIVER:** Wh...what?

**GLACIE:** The citizens will all be in danger now, especially with the gengar still on the loose. Perhaps the neighboring city will take these people? Just until the island is clear of danger.

**OLIVER (Incredulous):** This is a… a *huge* operation to organize by morning, I’d have to fly over to Pontea Village and try to find their authorities and…

**TORKE:** I think… I think he has a point, Ollie. You saw what happened to Seth: just one stab is enough to make someone go crazy, we can’t afford to let anyone else end up like that.

**ALITA:** Is… is there a way to cure assimilation? Where does it even come from, is it some sort of disease?

**GLACIE:** Not that I know of. It usually happens to pokemon who have already died… I don’t often see still-living pokemon suffer a transformation, but it’s struck a few towns to the far south so far. It is a fairly new phenomenon.

**TORKE:** How do you know all of this stuff?

**GLACIE:** I… You could say I work with people that are trying to contain this issue.

**OLIVER:** Well, if we want to have any chance of confirming an evacuation order across the river to Pontea Village, I’d better set off immediately. (Better make sure to get some Pontea Buns on my way back…) Torke, you’re in charge in the meantime, make sure that everything is ready on our end for the evacuation to go smoothly.

**TORKE:** Yes, sir. I expect some Pontea Buns to be left for me as well.

**OLIVER:** I’ll see what I can do. Alita?

**ALITA:** I’ll help, sir.

**GLACIE:** Me too. I’ve dealt with this sort of situation before.

**OLIVER:** Really, now…? I never did ask you for your name.

**GLACIE:** You can call me Glacie.

**OLIVER:** Right… Well, Glacie, you can stay here and help the evacuation process. I probably won’t be back until morning, so you make sure to follow Torke’s orders.

**GLACIE:** Understood.

```
*Torke chuckles to himself.*

```

*Oliver waved at them, turning his back and flapping his wings, taking off into the night sky. The journey to the neighboring village would be relatively short, but he had no time to lose. As he flew over Pleada, he looked down at the town, now silent once more, and bound to be empty the next day…*

**OLIVER:** (Seth… I know Alita will be beside herself with your condition, but I’ll make sure to get to the bottom of this… I’m going to save you.)

> **END**
>
>