Viridian Forest, June 10, 1874
For the past three days Leaf and Misty put their plan into action. They spoke to the Pokémon at night and an oddish finally came up to them but left quickly when one of the grunts started moving. When they were escorted to go to the bathroom they made a fuss and a half-hearted attempt to escape just so the grunts thought they needed more guards and more of them were in the clearing more often. It was risky but they had to bet that they had orders not to harm them. Well Misty, Leaf was fair play.
They were careful not to hurt Misty because she was a duchess and if they fail she can (and will) throw them in prison or behead them. Leaf wasn't important and it wasn't even clear on why she was there. She was hit but nothing else than a slap was done. If they thought that would cow her they were wrong. She's a tough girl and she can take anything that they lash out at her. At least that's what she told herself.
Misty was worried about her friend, she knew she was tough and they should be thankful that it wasn't anything worse than a few slaps, but that didn't meant that she couldn't worry. The leniency probably came from the fact that most of the people there were their age or near it. Leaf kept reassuring her but it was hard to take her seriously when a darkening bruise took over the right side of her face.
Misty also watched the maybe-Ash as he went around camp. He was an amiable guy and made friends quickly but every so often she caught him looking at her and flinching every time that Leaf was hit as if he was hit instead. She just can't figure the guy out. What was he even doing here and how did he have the gall to be sympathetic to them! He didn't even come near them since he showed up! If he was their ally wouldn't he have come over to let them know?
Misty grumbled to herself while Leaf was getting some much-needed shuteye. "I have to go to the bathroom you know!" She yelled at them. The lazy, incompetent magikarps took their time to actually register what she was saying. Finally someone broke from the group. The cap and the energetic skip in his step Misty instantly recognized. Oh, so he's finally coming by to say 'hi' now? When he couldn't be bothered before? Please.
Under the rim of his hat he shot her a nervous smile. She returned the gesture with a scowl. He skirted around the tree and untied the strand of rope connecting her hands. Coming back around he found her rubbing her wrists while she stood up. He set a hand on her shoulder but she shrugged him off, glowering at him. His gaze darted to the other grunts and, with a hand barely touching her back, guided her away from the camp to do her business.
She picked up her speed so he wouldn't touch her. She knew he was possibly dangerous and could harm her but at the same time, in her mind, he was Ash. The immature, childish, harmless Ash. So when they were far enough away she whirled around and didn't hesitate on hitting him over the head.
Ash clutched his head. "Ow! Misty, what the heck was that for!"
"You're just lucky that I didn't have that mallet Ash Maple! You are such a lying, traitorous…" Furious, she didn't know what to do with her hands and waved them around angrily before she exploded, "Ekans!" She pushed his chest and due to her anger came extra strength; he stumbled and fell against a tree.
Against the tree Ash put up his arms to protect himself from the she-devil's wrath. He didn't expect her to be so angry, especially with him! At the people who kidnapped her yes! But not with him! He's here to save her! You'd think that she would be grateful. He goes through all of this trouble and she's here using him as her personal beating dummy!
She pushed him again, the rough bark scraping against his back. Okay he's had enough.
When she made a move to harm him again he reacted quickly and grabbed her around her wrists with both of his hands. "Why are you so angry at me!" He shouted at her face, angry himself.
She made an attempt to kick his leg but he maneuvered out of her range. "Like you don't know." She hissed.
He glared at her and hissed back, "I don't." He pushed her to arms length and gave her a warning look to stay where she was and not attack him. She stared daggers at him but complied. Letting go of her wrists he cautiously retreated his hands waiting to see if she'll attack again. Keeping his hands out instead in his pockets like he wanted he continued. "Why are you angry with me? I'm the one rescuing you!"
It took her a moment to process what he said. She turned her head away but looked at him skeptically in the corner of her eye. She turned her face to him again. "If you're really rescuing me then why haven't you actually told me? You never told me, I thought that you were part of Team Rocket!" Her hands fisted.
"I didn't want them to suspect anything! If they thought-" He stopped. After blinking a few times he grinned. He extended his arm and pointed at her. "You already believe me that I'm on your side."
She wanted to wipe that stupid smile off his face but she settled for hitting his hand away. "What do you mean." She demanded.
Still grinning idiotically he said, "You said 'I thought' which means that you believe me."
"Hmph," she sniffed, "don't hold your breath." She pinned him with a glare. She placed her hands on her hips stubbornly. "Oh, please. That means nothing. If you want me to believe you, you can help Leaf and I escape."
His smile faded and was replaced with a frustrated scowl. "That's why—" He threw up his hands. "You know what? Just forget it. Forget it. What do you need me to do." He said with resignation.
Misty smiled, satisfied with this new development. Stepping closer she lowers her voice. "Okay, here's what we need you to do…"
Viridian City, June 10, 1874
"Who knew it takes so long waiting for two people to stop arguing." May commented to her green haired companion. They were waiting for the couple from Pallet to come out; in all honesty they just needed Yellow. She was the most adept in the forest and proved that she knew the forest better than anyone in the few short days that they were with her and her husband. After going back to Pallet and recruiting help and coming back to lodge in the Center they went searching but no luck. They stayed near the edges where it was safer and easier but then Yellow decided to go deeper in the woods and Red is not having it. "At least it's not us that's fighting this time."
"We can always start an argument to pass the time." Drew said dryly. He smirked and turned to look at her. "You know, that blouse kinda makes you look a little chubby."
She narrowed her eyes at him. Quick as a seviper she smacked him upside the head. "I am not going to argue with you but for the record I am not fat."
He poked her stomach. "I never said that you were fat, just a little chubby riiiiight...here." He poked her again in the stomach.
She swatted away his hand. "Stop that." She admonished but her lips twitched, giving away her amusement. "If I'm chubby then you are…" She trailed off and examined him. His grass green hair flopped unfashionably long over his forehead nearly covering his brighter green eyes. He obviously was not chubby, he was surprisingly fit, and she is not chubby or fat! He actually wasn't that tall, just a bit taller than her but 'If I'm chubby then you are tall' does not sound like an insult. Damn it there's nothing really wrong with him! He raised his eyebrows mockingly inviting her to continue. She pouted at his subtle smug expression. "...Stupid." Crossing her arms over her chest she turned away from him.
He chuckled. "You're not very good at insults are you." He smirked. She whirled around and smacked his knee with a closed fist. He absently rubbed the spot where she hit him. It didn't hurt much but he's feeling charitable. "What a temper. There's another thing about you."
"About me what?" She glared at him and crossed her arms, slouching back.
"A list of all of your undesirable traits."
She stared.
And stared some more. "You made a list of my least desirable traits?" She threw up her hands exasperatedly. "Who even does that!"
Slightly offended, Drew raised an offended eyebrow. "Smart, organized people." He picked up a lock of her hair and swatted her nose with it. She snapped at his fingers with her teeth.
She reclaimed her hair by tossing it over her shoulder without using her hands. "Well if that's what dull, boring people do all day then I am glad that I am not one." She sulked for a while before she realized something. Gasping she turned on him. "You did this!"
He tried to smother his smile but his lips twitched. "What did I do, May?"
"You made us have a fight!" Her hands curled into fists as she stared him down. She really wanted to strangle him at the moment. Just to feel the tendons of his neck straining between her hands as she strangles him to death! Yes she's feeling murderous. "I didn't want to have a fight today." She grumbled.
"It really wasn't a fight, it was more like a spat. Just a little one." He smirked while pinching the air, leaving about an inch of ozone between his fingers.
"Yet you still did it! On purpose!" Luckily a triumphant but still grumpy Yellow and a sulking Red came from their argument. She shot him one last look before she turned to the couple with a blinding smile. "So have you decided what we're going to do?"
"Yes, we are going deeper into the forest!" Yellow smiled brightly and clapped her hands twice.
Red narrowed his red eyes and directed his gaze to his wife. May was glad that he wasn't looking at her like that. "And?"
Yellow's face fell and she pouted and crossed her arms. Grudgingly she said, "And Red is coming with us even though we'll be perfectly safe without him." She sighed and smiled. "But," She grinned cheekily and pinched her husband's cheek, "isn't he cute for worrying?" His face exploded with red.
Gently he took her hand from his face and quietly held it between both of his larger ones. Aw they are just so cute.
"So when are we going?" She butted in.
"How 'bout now?"
Viridian Forest, June 10, 1874
"Hurry up." Paul called back from where he was waaaay ahead of her.
"I'm coming!" Dawn yelled as she bounded from one spot from another in effort to catch up to him. "Slow down! I have shorter legs than you!" She took a giant step onto a log and jumped down. She's sweaty and stinky and her legs are tired from chasing him for three days! Don't even let her get started on her hair! And he. Still. Won't. Slow. Down. "Slow down!"
"Hurry up!" He called. Up ahead he smirked where she couldn't see. Serves her right for butting in where she wasn't needed. She didn't need to come, all that she's been doing this whole time is complaining, dragging her feet, and trying to make him talk. Not even about what's important right now like Team Rocket but she has just been rambling about clothes and shoes and random junk that was floating in her head.
He sensed her catch up to him because of her huffing and puffing right behind him. She sucked in a breath before continuing talking.
"Anyway my mom designed this really cute dress a few months back and I wanted to do something like that so then I designed something myself. I didn't expect my mom to actually make it but she did. I guess her dresses all came together for inspiration for mine. And guess what?" She plowed ahead without waiting for an answer knowing that he won't actually answer. "The dress actually sold! And guess what! Your sister was wearing it!"
His steps faltered and he tripped. He recovered quickly and continued, albeit a little swifter. "How nice." He commented. He knew that this oh-so-casual comment didn't come out of nowhere. He suspects that she's going to lead this into something and it's best to get to the Cerulean Sisters as fast as possible so she can't say anything.
"But do you know what was so strange? My dress is a summer dress and the fact that she wore it with a long sleeved blouse, that was not flattering at all mind you, and with layers during summer which would make it very hot is strange." She blinked at him with deceptively innocent eyes. "Why would she take a perfectly good summer dress on a hot summer day and wear something unflattering and would just make her hotter? It has to make you wonder."
He glared at the bluenette. "That is none of your business. Not everyone is as clothes inclined as you or as shallow."
Dawn gasped. "I am not shallow! Liking clothes and designing does not equal to being shallow!" She marched up to him. He didn't even notice that they stopped walking. "Something is wrong here and I will find out. I will find out if it's the last thing I will do!" She shouted, eyes sparking. She hit his sternum with an open palm and muttered jerk as she flounced away.
Paul released a breath that he didn't realize he was holding. At least he deterred her for now. She's like an annoying and stubborn snubbull. Now it will be easier handling the Cerulean Sisters, they ought to be more mature.
Viridian Forest, June 10, 1874
Gary trekked by himself into the forest. To be honest he forgot why he was there in the first place, his mind was consumed by worry. He knows he was supposed to be looking for Team Rocket's hideout or something but he wasn't even sure if Leaf would be there and that's his main concern.
It's so quiet here. The forest is always a fairly peaceful place without the humdrum of people and the scampering of Pokémon in their natural habitat. It would be a good place to put down notes on how Pokémon react in their environment but it's not the best of times, maybe when Leaf is safe and life is less hectic.
She has made a point about him going off when he really just wanted to work in his grandfather's lab but she doesn't understand the reasons he had to leave. Sure he should have let her down more gently than how he did but he thought that she wouldn't take his words to heart or think that he was serious. She never has before. She was always so resilient, still is, and when he left they just made up. Apparently not.
He must have said something that she misunderstood or something because he doesn't know how in the world she got so callous against him. He just said that she should be happy for him instead of so against the idea, it's his life and he didn't-doesn't- need to answer to her. He might have said something teasing but it shouldn't have caused anything! He apologized for whatever he did but she still won't forgive him. Damn she's just so stubborn.
Gary rubbed his forehead against the headache coming onto him. Dear Arceus, save him from the female species.
Abruptly he stopped and cocked his head. Something sounds off. Waiting, he listened to the forest.
Nothing.
It was quiet. No sounds of Pokémon to be heard. No rustling of leaves other than the wind, no little cries or yips, it's like they just disappeared. Which means a large party must be close by. Being by himself shouldn't cause the complete disappearance of Pokémon around here; a few shy ones might leave but not the whole damn forest.
He adjusted the pack on his back and sprinted off.
Pallet Town, February 13, 1871
Leaf was arranging flowers in their little pots. It should be a very busy day because Valentine's Day is tomorrow and all the poor saps who forgot will be scrambling to get gifts for their girlfriends and wives either today or tomorrow. Adding a snip of baby's breath she stepped back to survey her work.
As if on cue a customer came in to the sound of a ringing bell. Leaf plastered a smile on her face and turned around. "Good morning! Are you here for Valentine's Day?"
The young adolescent blushed and looked away. He was tall and lanky and his blond hair stuck out like he didn't bother to brush it. "Uh, yes. So...do you have any suggestions?"
"Do you know what her favorite flower is or her favorite color? What you want it to mean?"
He sneezed. Okay, mildly gross. Wiping his nose he looked at her. "I guess I want it to say that I'll come back."
Leaf cocked her head, a little confused. "Uhm, okay. I'll see what I can do." She left briefly and came back with a small bouquet of red tea roses and a small light pink five-petal flower that he couldn't identify. "These are red tea roses which mean 'I'll remember always' and the pink flowers with the purple anthers or, well, the stuff in the middle is commonly known as the marshmallow flower. They don't have a real definite meaning but are perennials and is a very hardy plant which can mean that it always comes back and isn't easily destroyed." She handed him the small handful of flowers. "Would you like to check it out?"
He nodded, looking at the flowers in his hand. "Yes I would. Thank you." He followed her to the cash register where she rang him up.
"So where are you going? You said you wanted it to say that you'll come back and I'm just curious." She clarified, getting his change.
"I'm just going to be gone for a while and I wanted her to know that I'll come back to her." He blushed again. She didn't mock him like he thought but instead smiled.
"That's sweet," she handed his change back, "good luck!" She waved good-bye to him as he walked out the door, the bell chiming after.
Leaf took her watering can and started watering the plants in the shop, stepping in small puddles from the other day that had yet to dry up. Splashing her way to the back she got lost in thought. About what? Well, it was more of a who.
One of her best friends, Gary. To be honest she doesn't even know how or why they became such good friends as kids, all she remembers is that it started with a plant and her pushing him to the ground. Their relationship was rocky at best and they were so close as kids but when puberty entered the picture they just gradually yet at the same time abruptly stopped spending time with each other. After he got off of school he would come over and teach her what he learned that day but he stopped and she is stuck at a fifth grade level.
Then he discovered girls.
At first it hurt but only because one of her closest-he needs an ego check if he thinks that he was her only friend-friends decided to throw her aside like a rotten berry for a couple of dates, leaving her in the lurch. No, no she's not bitter, not that much anyway, anyone's ego would be bruised after that right? So she's completely justified. To be honest she kinda hated him after that and distanced herself away from him more than he did. She doesn't like being a second nanab and she wanted to prove that she didn't need him. She still doesn't. She's doing just fine working in her family's floral shop. Although in what it seems to be a long time he came around again. He wanted to reconcile and spend some time with his ex-best friend. Her first thought was: Now? After all this time? Why in the world would I want to spend any time more than necessary with you? Her second thought was: I really wish we could start where we left off. And was ready to welcome him in with open arms because, apparently, she's just that pathetic.
Leaf shook her head and sighed. Sometimes she's just disgusted with herself. Blah.
Sadly she really does love the idiot, after a few months catching up and taking off where they left off minus the teaching she realized that she does. Which just makes these things that much more complicated, but she makes it a habit to lay things on the table. She's put it on the back burner for a while and tomorrow is Valentine's Day so what better day to tell him? He is her best friend and if she can't tell him something this important or she's worried that her friendship with him can't hold up then were they all that close really? If they were real friends and he doesn't feel that way then they can continue being friends and get over that little bump and not feel weird. At least in theory.
She trusts him and if he doesn't feel the same way she trusts that they'll still be friends. She has insecurities and she knows it but she knows that Gary would let her down gently. Hopefully.
After they closed for the day she left to go to the park. Like she always does. Spending time with flowers all day wasn't too bad, the floral scents always seemed to seep into her clothes so she never smelled that bad, but it was nice to be outside once and a while.
She was really surprised that on her walk Gary showed up. He normally doesn't come to the park. He was wearing some fancy suit, which made her instantaneously suspicious. Lately he's been talking about joining the royal guard for whatever reason. She knows that she should be respectful of his choices and let him do what he wants but that's just it! He doesn't want that! Not really. Younger he has always talked about joining his grandfather in the Pokémon research. To be honest it's an eccentric work and people look down on his grandfather for looking into things that really don't need to be looked into and he's not taken seriously in the scientific community. But that shouldn't matter, he wanted to do it and Leaf has a feeling that Gary still wants to. Plus, if he goes there's a chance that he'll die. People say that he's going to be the pride of Pallet and do his town proud and it might be incredibly selfish of her but she doesn't want him to go. Going might make him into someone, become somebody, is she that selfish that she's going to keep him from that just so he can stay with her?
"Hi Leafy, thought I'd find you hear. I need to talk to you." He walked toward her in his shiny suit and failed-to-be-combed hair. She scowled and roamed her eyes over him with suspicion. She answered with a drawn out, "Yeees?"
He ran his hand through his brown spikes. "Yeah, I think that you should be the first, well second because Gramps found out, but the first to be told by me—"
"Gary, you're rambling." She interrupted.
He took a deep breath and smiled at her. "I know. It's just that I know you're going to be worried and this might not turn out well." He looked to the side and blew out a breath. He turned his head and looked her straight in the eye. "Leaf, I'm leaving for the Royal Guard tomorrow."
She knew that that what was coming but it didn't stop the blow from hurting any less. It felt like her heart just stopped and was a hard lump in her chest. She coughed and her heart started again a little faster than before. "What?" She croaked out.
"See? I knew you were going to react this way!" He stuffed his hands in his pant's pockets with a disgruntled look on his face."
Leaf could feel her temper starting to take control. "React what way, Gary? React in a way that I don't want my friend to go and die? React that we've just reconciled after how long? Because you are a jerk and completely abandoned me to just have a quick roll in the hay with some girl? React this way because the only reason that you're doing this is because you're ashamed to do what you really want because you're afraid you won't be taken seriously? I love you! That's why I'm 'reacting' this way!" At first her rant was delivered with a frozen tone that almost frosted over in the air then precedingly grew hotter and hotter until it melted the frost and continued to burn their way to his ears.
Instead of cowering he matched her flame with his own fire. "Hey, that's not fair! It's my choice and I can do what I want in life without asking permission from you. I'm not ashamed of what my grandfather does, I'm doing this to get more credibility for the work he does. And you're the one who completely cut me off, I was the one that had to go and practically drag you out of your stupid shop—"
"—Oh, now my shop's stupid!"
"Just be quiet! Leaf, get over it. I'm becoming a Royal Guard and there's nothing you can do about it! I'm sorry that upsets you but that's how it is and I'm not going to live my life just to please you."
She felt tears gather at the corner of her eyes. "Fine, Oak. Just fine. I'll see you if you don't die." She turned and started her way back home. Behind her Gary ran both of his hands through his hair, making it stick up more and chased after her.
"Leaf, let's talk about this—"
"Sorry Gary," she cut in, "but I'm not going to stick around just to hear one day that you died in a bout of stupidity. Seriously," she whirled on him. "We just started to become friends again and you're already leaving. I don't want to be around you just to find out one day you'll be coming home in tiny bite sized pieces." She angrily pinched her fingers together to show him how small the bite-sized pieces would be. Turning around again she muttered a, "see ya," and continued on her way. She didn't look back and he didn't chase after her.
Viridian Forest, June 10, 1874
Leaf stirred awake from her memory dream. She wasn't in Pallet with Gary; she was tied to a tree in the middle of Viridian Forest. She rolled her shoulders as much as she could to loosen up the knots that accumulated while in an awkward sleeping position. She shook her right foot because practically the whole right side of her was all tingly.
Reflecting back on the memory she knows that she acted immature and selfish and she didn't want that but she didn't want to just wait for years like an anxious wife only to realize that he was coming back in a box. Plus she wouldn't even be his girlfriend, just an old friend who waited for him to come back, and she didn't want that. She doesn't want to live the rest of her life hung up on some guy that doesn't even love her in the way she wanted. She knows he loves her, platonically; he didn't even acknowledged her confession. However she's sure that he just wants her friendship and forgiveness back.
"Maybe I should forgive him." She whispered to herself. Then she added in a more mumbled mutter. "Probably say I'm sorry too." She doesn't even need to stay around him but forgiving and being forgiven will release some tension that's been present over the years.
"Forgive who?" She looked over at Misty startled, forgetting that she was there. "Sorry, couldn't help but eavesdrop. But it's a boy isn't it." It wasn't a question.
Leaf shifted so she sat up more and gave her an excuse to stall. "It's no one that important."
"Important enough to be dreaming about him." She pointed out. "I can help decide if you should forgive him or not. I mean if it's something insignificant then you probably should, but if it's something terribly horrendous then you shouldn't."
"I said I loved him and he didn't acknowledge it."
"Dump his ass!" Leaf wasn't even done with the sentence when she yelled loud enough for some of the grunts to look over at them suspiciously.
Leaf burst out laughing at her friend's outburst. She quieted but still kept a small smile on her face. "You haven't even heard what I did. I did and said some stupid things and after three years I think that he's warranted for an apology."
Misty kept quiet. It was a delicate conversation and they're still new friends. She doesn't want to overstep the invisible line that is drawn. She might want to speak to her more about it if they were closer or even strangers that they would never see again but it's not the time to pry. "Wow. Three years. That's a long time to hold a grudge, remind me not to get on your bad side." It was a bad joke but enough to widen that smile on Leaf's face into something more genuine.
"Nope!" She chirped. "Its not a pretty side either. Come on let's not dwell on the past. Let's start trying to get that oddish over here."
"Oh, we should hold on that until tonight. You know that guy that I thought I knew? Well it was him and he's going to help round everybody up in like a powwow tonight so no one is left." Misty smirked at the thought of her plan.
Leaf smiled in kind. "Okay then, tonight."
Cerulean City, June 10, 174
The three Sensational Sisters were sitting in the parlor. Lily and Daisy were seated on the couch drinking cider and their sister Violet was curled up on the loveseat adjacent from them.
"Daisy, like, how long would it take for him to come back already. I mean. He should be back now, right?" Questioned the pink-haired Lily.
Daisy looked at her sister with an encouraging smile, even if it was a bit forced. "Don't worry! It's only been a few days and he'll bring Misty back. We just have to be, like, patient."
So far since Misty's been gone things have been fine. Daisy thought it was going to be a lot tougher with Misty gone. In total Misty's been gone for a little less than two weeks and she hasn't had a problem. She thought that running this place would take a lot more work but she hasn't even needed to do anything. At least with Cerulean, but she has been shopping, but she doesn't think that counts. Maybe when this is over and that Tracy's gone—her heart still pinged at the memory—she'll take over for Misty like she was supposed to in the first place. It can't be that hard if it's always like this.
A loud pounding echoed through the hallway to the parlor. Setting down her drink Daisy got up to answer, some reason the butler has disappeared, she figured he was taking a personal day or something. Leaving her sisters behind she padded to the furious pounding all the while calling, "I hear you, I hear you! Coming! Hold your horseas!"
Opening the door she was greeted with a glaring man. With a large hammer. Backing up quickly she shut the door but he stopped her with a meaty hand on the door. With the door half shut she nervously peeked out at him.
"M-may I h-he-help you sir?" She stuttered.
Quickly his face turned red and flushed. "Damn right you can help! I—and everybody working in Cerulean working for you—were supposed to be paid for two weeks three days ago."
"P-paid?"
The blacksmith's fist clenched on the handle of his hammer. "Yes. Paid. That thing where we get money for doing our jobs! We haven't been paid in two weeks and we demand money! We need that money!" He glared further, if possible. "Unlike you people in this big house, we actually make a living and deserve to be paid for our efforts to keep you in this stupid house. And we'll get it one way or another."
Behind her she heard a crash and familiar screams. "Violet! Lily!"
(〜￣△￣)〜 〜(￣△￣〜)
Dawn trotted after Paul smothering a yawn. She hasn't walked so much in three days. Besides at night where they slept for a few hours he didn't allow breaks. She didn't want to be looked at as weak but it wasn't the leisurely pace that she's used to and it's started to catch up to her now. She doesn't want to hinder him or anything but would it kill him to slow down?
Her eyes scrunched closed as she stretched her arms to the side, making a little mewling noise in the back of her throat. She dropped them just before she bumped into Paul's back.
Peering around him she was going to ask why he stopped suddenly when she saw the mansion of the Sensational Sisters. It was a half a mile away but you didn't need to be close to see the damage. Eggs and other food splattered the dwelling, different paints making certain four lettered words and crude drawings on the off-white walls, broken windows, and bashed in indents. Of course there was still a large grouping of people yelling, destroying, and stealing things.
Dawn's tiredness disappeared and she ran ahead of Paul toward the house. She was an unofficial part of the party to protect them and she takes her official duty seriously. Even if one of them might be stealing Paul. Her mind stuttered at the thought but didn't have time to examine it more as Paul grabbed her about the waist and whipped her back.
His eyes were furious black coals as he scolded her. He didn't yell but kept it at a controlled—if incensed—tight tone, but his fury grew and etched into yelling territory. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you insane? You can't just go barging in somewhere like that and not expect to come out hurt! People are completely ransacking that house and if you go in there blind someone will hurt you, you stupid troublesome girl!"
She was about to retort when her eyes drifted to the angry people destroying the Cerulean Sisters home. He was right, she wasn't thinking and if he didn't stop her in time then she would have recklessly went in and someone, whether on purpose or accidental, would have hurt her in their anger.
Contritely she looked at her shoes. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." If he didn't stop her she would get hurt and, whether he would admit it or not, he would save her and might've gotten hurt himself.
Paul took the knuckle of his hand and brought her chin up to look her in the eye. His eyes were calmer that the turbulent emotions passed and were just serious. "No you weren't." He dropped his hand, still glaring into her eyes. "Now stay behind me. Got that?"
She nodded crisply. "Yessir." He glared at her more for that.
Turning, he sprinted in a large arc around to the back of the house with Dawn following behind him. Avoiding the rioters, who were either inside or the front of the building with the occasional stray that they ducked around, they made it to the back. It was relatively unscathed unlike the front. The only damage done to it was the broken windows and it looked like they were broken from the inside, considering the items used were thrown out onto the lawn. Stepping around a lamp and a bowl Paul pulled his sleeve around his hand; pulling back he punched through the remaining window. The loud crash of breaking glass went unnoticed with the other revelers of destruction's demolishing. Using the same hand he cleared the way to make it easier to climb inside.
Revealing his hand it looked like the sleeve did its job and came out uncut, if a bit bruised. He gestured for her. Dawn cautiously made her way to him and a little warily stood by him. Looking at the height of the window the lowest part was at shoulder level for her. It was going to be a bit of a reach and doing it in a dress will be a feat in itself. Unexpectedly, two hands spanned her waist. Dawn blushed as Paul lifted her to the window but didn't complain. He was just being helpful. Even if it embarrassed her. Careful of the leftover glass she maneuvered her way to the other side with minimal cuts, right after her Paul launched himself over. He stuck the landing but started sucking on a large cut in the middle of his palm from when he swung his feet over. When she made a move to him he made a gesture that said, "Leave it."
Ignoring him she tore a long scrap of fabric from the hem of her dress and wrapped it around his hand. He scowled but didn't comment. Tying it off in a pretty little bow she raised her brows at him to signal something along, "are we going yet?" which made him scowl more.
Fisting his injured hand he made his way through the house with Dawn on his tail, hoping to find the Sisters hiding well, or better yet, gone from the house. Which is a good point, he doesn't even know if they're in the house or if they had enough time to flee, but he has to make sure they're safe.
A very angry man with a brown beard with an axe was swinging his way onto a locked door. He broke through but it only revealed a work closet full of mops and buckets. He shouted out and heaved his axe with enough force that it got stuck in what was left of the wooden door. Tugging on it he spotted them turning his brown eyes on the duo, assessing them.
For a brief moment Paul didn't know how to handle the situation. With all of the rage fueling these people he can't talk them down logically. The man had an axe but it didn't seem like there were any Pokémon, Paul would have an advantage but it would be like shooting someone who was defenseless. It would just make him a murderer not a Guard. If he has to kill someone he wants it to be a fair fight. Or as much of a chance as they can get against him.
When he hesitated Dawn picked up a piece of ceramic on the floor and shattered it against the wall. It broke into three pieces and more or less stayed in their vicinity, Dawn's throw didn't have enough oomph to hit someone. Keeping his cool, even as she shocked the hell out of him, he stomped on one of those pieces grinding into it further. He kept his eyes on the man but he just grumbled on how there was no real worth in the house and stalked away.
He looked over at his unwanted partner with some shock but admiration. "Quick thinking." Not bothering to wait for her reaction he continued. Behind him she smiled quietly at the compliment.
They navigated through the hallways and threw tantrums (courtesy of Dawn) whenever they seen someone. Acting like angry civilians blinded them to the fact that they were obviously outsiders and that he was wearing a Royal Guard uniform. When Paul stopped finally and opened a door into a barren room. It looked like the people of Cerulean stripped the room of all its valuables, but it didn't look like there was much in the first place. There were no faded or lighter parts of the floor that might indicate furniture. It was just a useless empty room for over-indulgent rich people with fancy striped wallpaper and a tiled floor.
"It doesn't look like there's anything here, Paul." Dawn commented as she looked around from his side. He was glad that she was taking the staying close to him comment seriously.
He walked to a wall of the room with Dawn briefly hesitating at the threshold before following and closing the door behind her. He ran his hand over the walls until on the other side of where he started; he stopped. In a dark blue stripe he wiggled the tips of his fingers into something before sliding a panel of the door to the side.
Several Water Guns greeted his face.
Dawn let out a brief yelp before running over to him, who was still standing but soaked to the bone. She didn't know what to do so she hovered around him momentarily before looking through the door seeing the three Cerulean sisters scared with water Pokémon in a secret indoor pool.
"There's a secret pool?" She asked, not really addressing anyone. She turned her attention to the soaking Paul. "How did you know this was here?"
He irately wrung out his hair and shucked off his jacket to squeeze out the water. "They're famous for their water shows and obviously they need to have a private place to practice their routines." He looked with disdain at his wet coat and draped it over his arm instead of putting it back on. As he turned to leave he called, "Coming?"
Dawn hurried to his side, confused. "Aren't we supposed to take them to safety?"
"I was talking to them. I knew that you would follow." He shot her a dark look to match the one she gave him.
"We can't just leave them and with all the people hating them right now do you think that they'll just go along with two strangers? They might think that we'll be leading them into an ambush."
No sooner than she said that the Sensational Sisters came running up after collecting all of the Pokémon in their Pokéballs. "So, like, where are we going?" The violet haired one asked.
Dawn looked at them in shock. "You have a mob attacking your home and you're just leaving with two strangers?"
Paul looked like he was about to reprimand her; the goal was to have the Sisters come with them! His mouth opened but Daisy butted in before he could say anything. "Of course. His uniform is the Royal Guard. Everyone knows it."
He rolled his eyes at the females. He decided to ignore their chatter. "We're getting you to a safe location."
"And where is that exactly?" The pink-haired sister asked.
He shot her a dirty look. Dawn noticed and stepped to his side. This is why she came along; his social manners are atrocious. Holding up her hands in a placating gesture she smiled sweetly. "We are just getting you three to a secure location."
"For interrogation."
Dawn spun around to glare at Paul, part in anger and part in shock. The three sisters all spoke up at once in their shrill voices, demanding why and shouting out that not fair's.
"Shut up." He didn't raise his voice but it projected over the high female voices making them quiet. When they all stopped flapping their jaws he continued. "I need to know who in Team Rocket you've been in contact with. And any interaction with them at all. We need to get your sister and interrogate her as well because she would have to have seen some Rockets and she can identify them in court."
It was quiet. Finally the blonde came up; only her eyes gave away the ire that she was holding back. "That is our sister that you're talking about. She might be some witness to you but she's our sister. We might not show it sometimes but we love her. You, you—how can you be so cold!"
"I already have a friend in the forest looking for your sister. He's very capable and your sister will be safe. If we stop Team Rocket and get as many of them in jail as possible then this won't happen again. Now, if you please," the words practically had to be pulled out through his gritted teeth. "Move. We're going to the Indigo Plateau."
Daisy backed down and Violet and Lily came up beside her in support. Looking almost sheepish and not looking him in the eye she had a question on her mind but was too nervous to voice it. Her sister Lily asked instead. "What about Cerulean? We can't leave it ungoverned."
He raised his brow at that. "It looks like you didn't do a good job of it before. I think they'll be better by themselves."
All three sisters blushed, guiltily. With no more complaint they left the room with Dawn and Paul behind them. Treading carefully they exited the old Cerulean home. Silently they walked to the Sisters' friend Bill's house, which was north of their residence.
Once there Paul and Dawn's charges took advantage of Bill's hospitality by washing and raiding his kitchen. Outside Paul released his honchkrow to get Reggie to send back two more staravias. He was waiting for them to arrive when Dawn's presence was announced behind him.
"That was really nice of you to call Gary a friend." She offered with a small smile. She doesn't know why but she has a feeling that it was a lot more than looking at the big picture for Paul. But if she mentions anything about him wanting to take down Team Rocket for personal reasons, she's sure that he will clamp up again. So the conversation is entered with a compliment and an opportunity for a dry joke.
"I lied through my teeth about Gary being capable. The girl's a goner." Dawn swatted his arm with the back of her hand. "Fine, he's going to bring her back as a conquering hero and have a bigger head than when he left."
She cracked a smile. "So what's happening to Cerulean?" She questioned.
"With the way those sisters are ruling their land the people there might revolt or demand that they be removed for better care. I think it would be for the best. I bet they can't find their way out of a paper bag."
"Hey, that's mean." He shrugged indicating that he doesn't care. Dawn huffed. "Well when you're interrogating them can you ask why the people started to demolish their house?"
"Mansion more like." Paul muttered. "Fine. It might add some clues. Or just make more questions, but can't do anything about it."
The sky was a pale pink and purple, with only a few small stars poking out. He spotted three specks coming in. Two staravia and his honchkrow. His brother is a breeder and the Pokémon that he cares for are in excellent condition. Fingers crossing that the annoying Sensational Sisters don't put up a fuss they might make it before mid-night.
Something soft fluttered on his cheek. He froze. Using only his eyes he saw Dawn lower from her toes, blushing brightly in the evening light. "Thanks. For asking. The riot. And… that." She scurried away and he heard the slam of a door.
Only when she was gone he allowed himself to blush.
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A/N: Relle like the author's line? ;P
Hey, hey, hey! I'm back with a chapter but am going to be gone for a long time yet again! I'll get back as fast as I can! So tell me:
What did you like?
What did you dislike?
Who do you feel more sympathy for Leaf or Gary?
What do you think is going to happen next?
P.S. I hate it when FF deletes my homemade author's line =_=