Magic & Transvolution

Chapter 33: Virtuous and the Virtuous Palace.

Larry stands in front of the entrance, stopping himself. He realizes how small the hole was, being the same height as any smaller Pokémon than him.

I can't fit through here, he thinks, eyeing up the castle. I'll try entering from up there, then. He swims up, passing by the castle's fences. "Ex-Excuse me, uh, King Virtuous!"

As Virtuous is about to enter, he looks down at his shadow getting bigger between him and his two guards, raising his head in bewilderment. "Hmm?" The three look behind them, eyeing the large dark blue fish. "Oh? A fellow Wishi wanting to see me, I see?"

"Y-Yes!" Ramon bows his head. "It's an ho-honor to meet you in person, King Virtuous." I hope I can get the right words across here.

Virtuous eyes the illusion School up and down. "Why aren't you in your Solo form, fellow Wishi?"

"I, erm, wanted to re-remain in this form, in case those Gyarados intervene at night."

"But they—"

"Sir, I wanted to ask you something!" Larry exclaims.

The Solo adjusts his King's Rock, his guards scooting close to him. He glances. "Mind not interrupting me next time you want to ask a question?"

"S-Sorry." Larry bows. "Not t-to be rude with this kind of question, but I must ask: Ar-Aren't you taking this war too far?"

Both Aquatus and Virtuous eye the School in curiosity, Virtuous squinting his eyes. "Elaborate."

"Well, I know you w-wanted to prove your kind is str-stronger than the Gyarados to Behemoth. But maybe you two could ag-agree to disagree, perhaps?" Gulps. "Even if you're right, he'll still think differently about his str-strength. And that's fine."

Virtuous' maw is sealed, the look of judgement spreading. "...What part of his numbskull thinking is okay?" His head shakes. "Behemoth boasting about his strength is what led to his foolish behavior. Always getting under my skin about his beliefs, thinking his kind is so strong that they can swing five trees at my Wishis while in the air."

...What? Aquatus thinks, crossing her fins.

"I absolutely loathe his brawns approach at everything, constantly trying to prove he's stronger than me, even going as far as to not receive my help when he desperately needed it the most. Ever since my trainer's pokedex stated my species is more powerful than his, he became more and more boastful." Virtuous grits his teeth, glancing off. "He caused the two of us so much trouble thanks to his incompetence, throwing us into situations that ultimately had our trainer blaming us." Sighs. "It's why my trainer abandoned us: He got sick of our incompetence after his last battle with another trainer." He closes his eyes. "All thanks to Behemoth."

"O-Oh..."

Virtuous nods. "I'll use this war to prove how wrong Behemoth is. Hopefully, he'll learn his lesson."

"...W-Would you two ever come to an agreement by then?" Larry asks.

Virtuous shakes his head. "Our relationship has pretty much become a burning bridge since we got to this lake. With his empty, numbskull brain, I doubt we'll ever reach an agreement." He turns around. "A reality I've come to accept about him."

"Ar-Are you sure there's no way you two can s-set your differences a—"

Virtuous snaps towards Larry, glaring. "I'm certain of it." His gaze remains, silence rising between everyone. Then he and his guards swim inside of the castle, Ramon staring on in somber.

Aquatus taps his side, tugging his large fin. "Come on. Let's head back to the main area," she recommends. Larry nods slowly as Aquatus swims away, the false School turning around following her.