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The Devil is a Johtonian
Centra City, Pasio, 7:03pm
The Midnight Parade of Pasio was going strong that night. All the dynamic, festive, and lively costumes, the decorations, the music, the candy. This was quite a party!
This was the first time Bugsy ever participated in one of these celebrations. He did like these festive celebrations, but normally he liked the winter ones the most, especially after taking part in last year’s holiday season. Still, that doesn’t mean he couldn’t do the fall ones too. Besides, Bellelba needed a servant, and Bugsy was happy to oblige.
“So this is the Midnight Parade?” Bugsy asked as he looked around. He came dressed in his usual attire, so he kinda stood out like a sore thumb in the sea of jubilantly clothed people.
Bellelba gave a nod. “Correct. And just look at all of these youthful souls!” She said as she dragged her fan through the air to gesture at the sea of people. “So much energy to absorb. So many to be my subjects! Ahahahaha!”
“Wow, you seriously get into character on nights like this huh?” Bugsy felt a little tingle down his spine. He tried to laugh it off, but it wasn’t entirely effective. “You won’t really steal souls or anything, right?”
“Even if I could, I doubt I would.” Bellelba whispered, dropping her act for a moment. With a clearing of her throat, she got right back into her character. “Let us search for a good target.”
The bug catcher led the way, looking around to find someone that the magic queen could absorb the life force of. His search was cut off almost immediately by a vampire hanging upside down from a lightpost jumpscaring him! “Wah!” Bugsy jumped in shock.
“Mwahahaha! Fight or fright!” The pink haired vampire tossed a Pokéball. “Litten! We will suck their blood! Ahahahaha!” She definitely was on the over the top side of vampires. And her choice of Pokémon… Litten?
A floating Pokéball spawned from behind Bellelba’s fan. “You dare face me? Attempt to suck my blood, you say? Well, not if I absorb your life energy first! Swoobat!”
Bugsy acted fast and stepped in front of Bellelba before she could send out her Pokémon. “Allow me, my queen! I cannot risk this beast from draining your blood!” He said proudly. “Pinsir, let's do it!” He sent out the stag beetle Pokémon, who let out a fierce cry.
A surprising action from Bugsy, but one Bellelba appreciated. Less work for her means less energy she’d have to spend. “Very well then. Let us see what you can do.” She said before stepping back.
The battle between Pinsir and Litten wasn’t that big of a challenge, although Pinsir had to be careful not to get too burnt. Good thing Pinsir had been practicing its mobility! After being defeated, the vampire recalled her Pokémon. “Ugh… Waaaaaaah!” She’s crying? Why would she… oh. It’s her.
Bugsy quickly ran up to the vampire and wiped away her tears. “Whitney, calm down. Calm down. You fought good and hard.” He said as he used a handkerchief.
“Darn… And you blew past my costume too…” Whitney mumbled as she calmed down. “Well, guess I gotta fork over my candy now…”
“Ohohoho! So it was you, Whitney. You should know better than to challenge me.” Bellelba laughed behind her fan. “Although, you did make my servant put a considerable amount of effort. For that, I give you mercy and appoint you as one of my servants as well.”
Whitney’s tears dried up quickly, getting right back to her usual peppy self. “Okie dokie! Let’s get to spookin’!” She said while pumping her first excitedly.
The trio played along with the night, enjoying the festivities. However, one particular duo caught the interest of Bellelba. A jiangshi and yuki-onna? Don’t see that everyday. Still, she wanted their energy, and ordered her servants to ambush. However, upon approach, the jiangshi suddenly snapped around. “BEEEEEH! Ehahahaha!” The one that bore the jiangshi costume was Iono, who gave Whitney and Bugsy a jumpscare of sorts alongside her Flutter Mane.
Bugsy actually got startled really good from that. Fell to the floor even. “Gah! Whoa man!” He said as he put a hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat.
Whitney was also startled, but not nearly as much as Bugsy. “Waaah! Hahahaha! Good one!” She giggled.
Bellelba was similarly amused, but she still had plans to rule the party with fear. That, of course, meant putting the electric streamer under her heel. “Your talent for scaring others will prove useful under my command.” She commented.
Iono was a little awestruck actually. “Hold up hold up. Bellelba? The magic queen of the magical land?! Well we got a celebrity here!” She elbowed her yuki-onna partner. “Yo Shaun, maybe she can help us find what we want!”
The yuki-onna was actually Shauntal, accompanied by her Froslass. The book writer looked up from the pages. “Hm? Oh! So it seems everyone’s in costume! Well, almost everyone.” She corrected herself upon noticing Bugsy’s lack of special wear. “Not feeling festive today?” She asked.
Bugsy shook his head. “I just didn’t get my costume together in time, that’s all.” He said as he got up and dusted himself off.
“Well, I hear that there’s a sinister aura of hate brewing around these parts… An aura of dark and sinister energy. One that could bring about disease, agony, and evil if uncontrolled. An infestation, if you will.” Shauntal explained. “The Lord of the Bugs will rise.”
Whitney’s head went crooked in interest. “Lord of the bugs? Who’s that?” She asked.
Iono butted in. “That guy’s like one of the scariest of all of the lords of the underworld! And one of the most powerful! Maybe even THE most powerful aside from the big demon himself!” She explained. “Ooooh… I wonder if I can get him on camera!”
Bellelba snickered. “Lucifer… I am acquainted with him. Our paths have crossed before. I feel that this will be my opportunity to possibly overthrow him and take his place as ruler of the underworld…” She then bursted into full on laughter. “Yes! Yes! Overthrowing Lucifer himself and taking his throne as ruler of the underworld! Ohohoho! With his power, I could absorb the life force of all sinners! My power would be limitless!” Her desire for power displayed proudly.
Whitney hated to interrupt but she tapped Bellelba’s shoulder. “Eeeeh… Your majesty? We got company.” She pointed over to a horde of bug Pokémon arriving, led by a witch! Well, Roxanne dressed as a witch, but a witch nonetheless!
“Ehahahah! My spells and potions impress even me!” Roxanne laughed. “All thanks to you, Runerigus. Your memories must’ve given them strength, somehow!” She rubbed the shadowy neck of her partner as they watched the swarm of bugs scatter around the party.
Hilbert was surprisingly the first to stand up to the swarm. “Mightyena, Double Edge!” He commanded.
Mightyena charged ahead, emitting dark energy as it slammed into a Spidops square on. Despite the recoil, the hyena growled.
“We dunno what you’re up to, witch. We don’t know who you serve! But the fact you betrayed the specters and shadows in favor of… whatever else isn’t right!” Hilbert declared.
Roxanne laughed a bit. “Ha ha ha… It’s not just me…” She snapped her fingers.
“Aahahahahaha!” A devilish laugh came from the skies above. It’s Iris on the back of Naganadel, leading a crew of Yanmegas! “Fight or fright! Lucifer wants all of your candy tonight!” She said as she pointed downwards, commanding the Pokémon to attack from above.
“Your majesty, get back!” Bugsy took Belleba’s hand and swiftly led her out of the way of an Air Slash and behind some cover. Good thinking.
Bellelba was surprised by her servant’s quick thinking. She peeked out and witnessed everyone else fighting off the swarm of bugs. Whitney was teaming with Allister and Acerola, Iono teamed with Morty and Hilbert, and Shauntal worked with Caitlin and Phoebe. “When they are weakened, I can siphon their life energy. But where on earth is Lucifer himself?” She looked around.
“He’s comiiiiing!” Lacey came running in, holding her dress up to keep it from dragging. “Queen Bellelba! Your majesty! Lucifer is coming! Roxanne and Iris work for him! He put them under his command! They would’ve gotten me too for sure if it wasn’t for Whimsicott!” She said as she gestured to her Terastalized partner, who happily floated beside her.
“Ahahaha! There you are, Lacey!” A sinister cackle rang out, giving everyone pause. Iris and Roxanne knew exactly what that meant and organized a slim path for the newcomer, even kneeling to the ground. It’s Lear! Dressed in a sharp black and red attire, reminiscent of a dark Pokémon. “Mortals, sinners, fight or fright! I will be taking your candy off your hands, thank you very much!”
Bellelba shook her head and wagged her fan in denial. “Not quite, Lucifer. Your rule will come to an end soon enough.” She said before sending out her Swoobat. “Lacey, Bugsy, we have work to do, my servants.” She snapped her fingers.
Lacey nodded. “Yes, your majesty!”
“Understood!” Bugsy answered as he released his Pinsir.
Lear flashed a smirk. “Ah, Bellelba, we meet again. It’s been quite some time since our last encounter.”
Wait, Lear actually watched the films? Okay, Sabrina was actually kind of surprised by that. No matter, she had to play along. “Indeed. It seems your power has expanded considerably, but so have I. Powerful enough to have your throne!” Bellelba pointed ahead at the prince.
Lear sent out his partner Pokémon, a Houndoom. “Please, as if your increase in strength will make a difference. This time, you will not seal me away with the help of some hero. Oh no. You’ll know the real power of the Lord of the Bugs!”
Bugsy shook his head and pointed an accusatory finger. “You’re not even using a bug-type Pokémon! You’re no bug lord, Lucifer!” He announced.
“Oh you foolish boy!” Lear retorted. “You underestimate the ruler of the underworld’s power! Houndoom! Do it!” He snapped his fingers and his sync stone emitted a strong dark green light that seemed to react to the Dark Pokémon’s body.
Bugsy, Lacey, and Bellelba shielded their eyes from the flash. When their guard lowered to view the result, it was exactly what Lacey had feared. “No way! He can… he can do it too?!” The fairy specialist said.
Lear’s Houndoom had done it. It Sync-Terastalized into the bug-type! “Of course! As Lord of the Bugs, it would be foolish if I didn’t hold great insect power. And it would be even more foolish to think I wouldn’t! Houndoom, attack!”
Houndoom attacked with a powerful Tera Blast, throwing Swoobat, Whimsicott, and Pinsir for a loop. The cotton ball was out and the bat was knocked down to the floor.
“No way!” Lacey gasped.
“Impossible! His power… it’s much too strong even for me!” Bellelba admitted begrudgingly. “Swoobat, Air Slash!” She commanded.
Swoobat got up and unleashed a sharp wind blade projectile towards the hound. A direct hit, but it did little to deter it.
Seeing the bad state of things, Bugsy stepped up in front of the magic queen. “Stay back, your majesty! Let me handle it for you!” He requested.
Bellelba’s eyebrow rose. Him? Handle it? Quite the dedicated servant he was. “But your power is easily dwarfed by his own. What chance do you have?” She asked.
Lear laughed. “Foolish mortal! Your end will come by my hand!” He pointed ahead, commanding Houndoom to unleash a Flamethrower that slammed the stag beetle Pokémon. However, Pinsir still didn’t give in. It stomped the ground in stubbornness.
“A real Lord of the Bugs would wield a bug Pokémon! A true bug Pokémon!” Bugsy shouted. “Pinsir, attack!”
Pinsir attacked with a strong Quick Attack, but Houndoom hardly flinched. Instead, the mutt struck back with Bite, flinching the bug and knocking it back.
“Don’t you see now, you fool?” Lear questioned the bug catcher. “You’re outmatched! Now fall!”
Houndoom unleashed another Tera Blast, an attack that could likely end the battle. However, Pinsir tried to remain firm. And Bugsy similarly lacked the ability to give in. “Not yet… Not just yet…” He tapped his Sync Stone, causing it to glow and react to Pinsir’s body, as well as Bugsy’s. “I’ll show you power worthy of a real Lord of the Bugs!”
Suddenly, Pinsir’s body grew encased in a shell as a blindinging light flashed. Then the shell cracked, revealing new appearances of the stag beetle and its trainer. Mega Pinsir has arrived, along with a Bugsy that was dressed in a sharply dressed dark green suit with bug and web motifs. Even his bug net had become a honey covered pitchfork, although the ends were thankfully dulled. “Pinsir, Quick Attack!” Bugsy ordered.
Pinsir dashed ahead and slammed into Houndoom, really landing a devastating blow!
“Mega Evolution?” Bellelba questioned, surprised that her servant held this much power. And that outfit. Not too different from Lucifer himself. Could he be…?
Bugsy nodded. “Indeed! Like I said, your majesty, just stay back and let me handle it!” He said before pointing ahead. “Pinsir, show them some power that really suits a Lord of the Flyers!”
Lear was stunned by the sudden reversal, but it was only a brief moment of surprise. “Grrr… Houndoom! Flamethrower!” He commanded.
Houndoom unleashed a strong Flamethrower, but Pinsir cut right through it with a high speed X-Scissor, unafraid of any possible burns.
“One more!” Bugsy shouted.
The beetle obliged with another X-Scissor, slashing Houndoom again and causing the tera jewel on Houndoom’s head to shatter.
“Impossible! What’s with this power?!” Lear was in shock at the sudden defeat. “Who are you?! What are you?!”
“Beelzebub in human form!” Bugsy laughed as Pinsir returned to his side. “The real lord of the bugs! The insects you command are mine!” He snapped his fingers.
Lear turned his gaze around, seeing as Roxanne and Iris’s legion of bug Pokémon were also being bested. Seeing the odds being stacked against him, he grumbled before accepting defeat. “Hmph… You have not seen the last of me, insect overlord.” He said before snapping his fingers.
Houndoom unleashed a smog of smoke that concealed the prince. And once it cleared, he was gone, leaving behind a massive heap of candies and sweets. The cheers that followed roared throughout the city.
“You done got ‘em good, Bugsy!” Lacey complimented with a smile.
Bellelba clapped slowly. “To think my servant was Beelzebub all along, the fallen prince of the underworld that Lucifer had overpowered in the past…” She was very much impressed. “You have my honest compliments. And I suppose I am in your debt.”
Bugsy turned around and shook his head. “Queen Bellelba, there’s no need to repay me. In fact, I should be thanking you. Fighting at your side was an honor. Plus, I noticed you were siphoning energy from those we defeated and might have leeched a degree of that energy myself, revitalizing my own strength.” He explained.
Iris and Roxanne suddenly approached the bug lord and kneeled before him, having witnessed him defeat their previous master. “Lord Beelzebub, we apologize for our treason to you. Lucifer had-” Roxanne’s explanation was cut off by Bugsy raising his hand.
“Don’t apologize. Instead, let’s make it up to everyone. A way to say sorry for the mess.” Bugsy explained. “Yanmega! Spidops! Pinsir! Spread around this candy!”
The insects heeded Bugsy’s call. They all shared the candy to everyone around the party as Bugsy looked on with a proud smile. Even as a fallen prince of the underworld, he is not without mercy.
“Mortals! Behold!” Bugsy shouted as he stood proudly, a fist planted on his hip and his pitchfork hoisted over his shoulder. “Before you stand the true Lord of the Bugs! The Insect Overlord! The Prince of the Underworld has risen back to his throne! Beelzebub has returned!” He announced before cracking a smile. “And he says enjoy your treats!” Even a demon like himself has mercy.
The following day, Bugsy was seated on a bench and enjoying a sandwich he made for a snack. However, he was suddenly hugged from behind by someone. He was quick to pick up on who it was though. “Hey! Whitney!” He looked up to meet eyes with the Goldenrod Gym Leader.
“Hiya Bugsy! You were awesome last night!” Whitney asked.
“That he was.” Sabrina arrived after Whitney, boasting a small smile. “Color me impressed, Bugsy. You surprised even Lear with that performance.” She sat down next to him. “Never thought you could be so grand and proud..."
The bug catcher’s cheeks grew slightly red. “Eheheh… Thanks! It felt great to finally get that costume on!”
“Who made that costume anyway?” Sabrina asked.
Whitney smiled. “Valerie did! Bugsy and I visited her and asked her to make it. And woo wee! They didn’t disappoint in the slightest!”
“I wanted the reveal to be a big surprise, which is why I didn’t put it on immediately.” Bugsy explained.
“The Lord of the Bugs…” Sabrina thought for a moment before her smile grew. “That title suits you, Bugsy.”
“You think so?” Bugsy asked.
“I know so.” Sabrina replied.
Bugsy’s cheeks grew a bit more red as he rubbed the back of his head. “Eheheh… Halloween still ain’t my forte, but I think I could get the hang of it. Might do it again next year.”
“Looking forward to it.” Sabrina replied. “Perhaps Bellelba will attempt to take your throne… Beelzebub.”
“Beelze… Bugsy! Beelzebugsy!” Whitney interjected, coming up with a neat little pun. “Heh heh. How’s that?”
“I like how it sounds, Whit.” Bugsy smiled.
The Lord of the Bugs, Beelzebugsy… He could definitely get used to that name.