p class="Normal"A/N- Ok, so I know I had a lot of ideas when I began this story, but I didn't realise how slow it'd turn out to be. It's also going in so many different directions, and there are some things I'm not yet sure how I'm going to incorporate, especially Silver- because he is meant to play a large part in this. I thought at max 20K words, but we've already closing in on 15K and the plot is only barely getting scratched. I've never in my life written anywhere near as much as this; never in my life have I even written as much as this chapter alone!/p
p class="Normal"Please send help/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"-/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"After the devastating series of events on the foreshore, we somehow managed to make our way to the pokemon centre. I'll forever be thankful to Lyra for guiding me there, for not blaming me for my actions, and letting me have a shoulder to cry on. She, unlike Lance, knew that Princess wasn't a battler in any regard, and that made her extremely fragile by comparison to the average pokemon. Not to mention that she was also a pre-evolution pokemon./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I hesitantly gave her to Nurse Joy and Lyra saved my arse once again by explaining the situation. My head was just in an absolute state of turmoil and I couldn't concentrate on anything going on around me. Thankfully, Princess had been unconscious sine the accident. It's a small grace that she didn't have to stay awake while she was suffering./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Being led over to the waiting room and finding a hot chocolate in my hand. I feel Lyra's hand on my shoulder and know she's finally finished with giving me the silence I needed. 'I know this is a hard time for you, but Nurse Joy told me that the original owner of a pokemon needs to be informed when one of their pokemon is treated. Unfortunately, even though she lives with you and is virtually a daughter to you, she is still registered under your dad, and he is going to find out eventually. You're going to need to ring him sometime shortly and tell him about this mess'. My heart skips two beats. Was she right? Did they really do such a thing? I look into her eyes with terror in my eyes, which only gets me a solemn nod./p
p class="Normal"'Lyra, I really don't think I can. This day has been too emotional for me to handle my dad'. And it was true, after surviving a nightmare riddled dream and the accident, I was running off fumes. To make things worse, it was only 4pm; this day was nowhere near being over./p
p class="Normal"'I know Ethan, maybe you should get a bit of sleep. When you wake up, I'll be here to help with your dad, and Princess will be closer to being recovered. A burn recovery should only take about an hour, and she'll be as good as new'. I know she was only trying to be positive and perky to lift my spirits, but it only got me as far as agreeing to sleep. I know a normal person would be too anxious to sleep, but I had my anxiety and worry on turbo since the accident happened, and now had run out of gas completely. I sigh and give her a jerky nod and place my mug on the table in front of us before laying my head onto her shoulder and finally finding the bliss of unconsciousness./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I wake up to Lyra's shaking. 'Ethan, Princess' procedure is over, we can go see her now'. That wakes me right up. Without a second though, my body stands and moves on autopilot towards the visiting rooms, until I realise I have no idea where I'm going. Sheepishly, I turn back to Lyra and say/p
p class="Normal"'Yeah, I don't actually know where I'm going; I got a bit ahead of myself here. Could you please lead the way for me?' With a smirk on her face as my mistake finally dawns on me, she passes me and leads me to the room she was told Princess was in. I would have found it eventually. As I walk into the room, I see that Princess is sleeping peacefully now on a mound of pillows. I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she's no longer in pain, but I can see where her fur is now uneven and still lightly charred. She won't like that, but at least it will be easy to fix with another trip to the salon. Shame that her fur was ruined the day it was cut. At least she has pictures to show how beautiful she spent the day, not that she's anything but even now./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I told you she'd be fine. You've never had to take her here after a battle, but you should know that the abilities of Nurse Joy and their partnered Chanseys are among the same level as miracle workers'. And it was true. These women pulled through time after time in some of the most disheartening situations any trainer finds themselves in./p
p class="Normal"'It's not that I doubted you or their abilities, but I've never been stuck in a situation where I had no control of her well-being, and it scared me like nothing else has. Even as a kid with the ariados situation, by the end, I knew that I wasn't getting out, and resigned myself to that fate. But this? I could only watch and wait as she suffered. I don't want to be here again'./p
p class="Normal"I hear her sigh and wait for the logic to inevitably come. 'You know, the only way she can avoid such a fate again is if you train her up'. I go to yell at the idea, but halts me with a raised hand. 'I know that you aren't formally allowed to, and I know that Princess doesn't like getting her fur dirty and matted, but you can still teach her how to use her powers and get some strength into her. No one will know if you never battle with her, and she can only wind up being more protected in the process./p
p class="Normal"You can't stop the world from hurting her Ethan, just like you can't stop it from hurting you. I'd also feel a lot better if she had the power to help protect you. If today has shown me anything, it's that people are constantly coming for you and sooner or later, you're going to find one that means to hurt you'. It's hard to hear, but I can see where she's coming from. There has been a couple instances where fans had gotten too hands-y and ripped away clothing, pulled out hair and left bruises. Fans could be lethal, and they aren't even the ones meaning to do damage./p
p class="Normal"'I know you're right Lyra, but I've also never done it before. I know all the theory, but without experience, I'm virtually in the dark of where to start'./p
p class="Normal"'That might be so, but you aren't your father's son for nothing, even if he doesn't know it.' Oh no. Here it comes. 'And speaking of which, it's time that we go and tell a grand story to your father and pray that he doesn't send his team on a manhunt for Lance'. Not that that idea didn't appeal to me right now. But in the end, I had two choices. Firstly, I could completely and utterly send Lance to the sharks, which he utterly deserved, but then papa bear throws the cover over that cage I'm locked in making sure no one can access it. Secondly, I down play it and act all bubbly to prevent any fuss coming back to me. Decisions, decisions. Pettiness or preservation?/p
p class="Normal"'Maybe you can help me on what angle I tell this story. Do I want him to get revenge for me, or play it safe for us all?' She gave me that look saying that I may as well have asked if she wanted another round at dessert/p
p class="Normal"'You know you should play it safe, revenge isn't as sweet if you don't enact it yourself'. Wow, okay. That really should have been obvious./p
p class="Normal"'When did you suddenly enforce the beat down of your stalk material?' I ask her genuinely curious how her tune could change so hard in just a couple hours./p
p class="Normal"'Don't you worry. I still think he's hot, and I'll kill anyone who gets in my way of him, but the way he treated that situation was with a level of arrogance that I haven't seen before. It seems that his personality isn't at the same level as his talent'./p
p class="Normal"'And you still want him?' She was talking in a bit of circle here/p
p class="Normal"'Just to sleep with now, someone else can deal with his personality long term'. Ah, that makes a lot more sense. 'But enough about that, if you don't call your dad now, I'll go ahead and do it'./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Grumbling, but knowing it was always inevitable, I pull out my pokegear and call my mother. Loop holes after all, she can tell dad about it. It rings thrice before a middle aged man shows up on my screen. That's certainly not my mum. In fact, I would say by the dark hair and the familiar bone structure to myself that it was actually my doom staring into the picture./p
p class="Normal"'I was wondering when you were going to ring, although I would have expected it an hour ago when I got the notification from the centre'. Shit, he was playing three steps ahead of me in this game. 'Imagine my first thought when I get told that the eevee I got you to keep you company, and who should never battle was admitted to the pokemon centre with burns over half her body. Imagine my thoughts when my son, who isn't qualified to own the pokemon, or battle the pokemon isn't the one to admit the pokemon, but rather his childhood friend. Put those together with the time frame of not hearing anything from you and I'll give you the result. You were either illegally battling another trainer with a pokemon that wasn't even yours, or once again, you found yourself in a dangerous position because you decided to let curiosity get the better of you, and then got hurt or died in the process! Now tell me dear son; which reason am I locking you in your apartment for eternity for?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Shit. This was not going well, I risk a look at Lyra in panic, and thankfully she steps in. 'Hi Norman, it's Lyra here. Ethan's kind of been through it today, so do you mind if I explain what happened?' A jerky nod urges her to get on with it. 'He and Princess were just in an unfortunate accident. We were watching a match between two trainers, one of which was a fire type, and their flamethrower hit the ground with too much force, sending a few flames towards where Ethan was standing. He managed to duck just in time to avoid the fire, but Princess, who was on his head, still bore the brunt of the flames. Princess, not being a trained pokemon couldn't withstand the backlash. It was a case of being in the wrong spot at the wrong time, but she's made a full recovery and everyone is fine now'. Super vague, but an excellent way of circumventing my dad./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"His sigh can be heard through the screen. 'If I hear that anything different happened, I'm coming and wrapping you in cottonee. You're sure you're all right?'/p
p class="Normal"Speaking for the first time in the conversation about me, I reply, 'Yes dad. I'm just a bit shaken and exhausted from the stress'. This time, not a lie or a misdirection. Except for my hand, I really should get someone to handle that./p
p class="Normal"'Good. I'll call you tomorrow to check up on the lot of you'. His features soften down just slightly, 'please look after yourself, I couldn't take it if you were harmed'. With that, we sent our final farewells and closed the call/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'That actually didn't go as bad as I thought it would', Lyra responded after a second./p
p class="Normal"'You actually did an amazing job with that. Really, you turned off his papa bear mode without much effort at all. I just hope nothing about this comes back to bite me in the arse'. Truly. Could the gods let up on me just a little? I'm not sure I could take much more./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"We decided that she should spend the rest of the day at mine, and let her grandparents know she wouldn't be home. With a sleepy Princess in my arms, and knowledge that there was a friend nearby, I actually managed to sleep that night./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"-The next day -/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"- Breaking Headline -/p
p class="Normal"In breaking news, a video recorded yesterday circulated featuring a match between Elite 4 member Lance, and a challenger in seaside Goldenrod. The match was officiated by Lyra Elm, daughter of Professor Elm of New Bark Town, who happened to be in the audience. The match ended as expected with Lance's charizard beating the challenger's electabuzz in a one on one match./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The real drama happened at the conclusion of the battle, where one of charizard's flames fanned out towards one of the audience members. This didn't happen to be a regular audience member, but who Lyra Elm had been accompanying. It turns out that she was with none other than Ethan Williams himself. Ethan managed to duck the flame, but had an eevee perched on his head and was faced with the flames. The video shows a distraught Ethan cradling his eevee before Lance is heard insulting the pokemon. After the altercation turned physical with Ethan actually throwing a punch at Lance's face, it was revealed that Ethan didn't have a license, and that his eevee had never seen battle before breaking down. With that, Lyra grabbed Ethan and his eevee and got them out of the fray./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Viewers, the questions remain:/p
p class="Normal"Should Ethan be charged with physical assault?/p
p class="Normal"Should Lance face repercussions for the damage that his attack caused to an audience member, or for his attitude?/p
p class="Normal"Is Ethan harboring an illegal pokemon if he doesn't have his licence?/p
p class="Normal"Why doesn't Ethan hold a license?/p
p class="Normal"Should there be a firm set of rules for Elite 4 challenges to protect the viewers from their monstrous power?/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"-/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Indigo Plateau/p
p class="Normal"Lance's POV/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I can't believe I'm already back here. My vacation cut from two weeks to four days hardly seems fair to me, but when the old hag calls, I come running. No way would I risk the wrath of her and those thrice damned ghosts; even facing them while they weren't pissed got my arse handed to me. Oh well, she could fall from a heart attack and die at any minute, and I'll be in charge after that./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I'm really not sure why her and Koga are still here. Agatha's been the champion for half a century, and Koga only signed up to start that infuriating law. I can't believe that he wanted to take away my license just because of my age. I understand that his daughter was incompetent, but some clans raised their heirs better. A live example right before their eyes, but apparently that means fuck all when daddies girl gets impaled a couple times by a pokemon she's meant to specialise in. I roll my eyes at the very thought. Surely she new not to head into a nest of a vicious pokemon in their main habitat. If I had of come across a nesting Salamence, I wouldn't have let myself come within a kilometer of it./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'tiiini!' Looked like dratini was awake. My baby boy was wrapped like a scarf around my neck since he liked the warmth. Unless I'm around large crowds, like in Goldenrod, he'll always stay out with me. As much as I wish I could always keep him with me, the little fella had no control over his powers, and sometimes became overzealous with practicing at any given time. I truly didn't trust him not to hurt a random passerby with a stray dragon rage./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"It was kind of like that kid from yesterday with his eevee, but in reverse. Clearly he didn't trust strangers around his eevee, but because he thought they'd hurt her, instead of my dratini hurting them. I noticed both he and his friend right from when they entered the circle. Honestly, by the way they both had their pokemon out, I was expecting one of them to be the challenger. Neither would have put up any challenge with their unevolved pokemon, but it still would have been more enjoyable than the arrogant dick that I got. Of particular note though, I could tell that the boy was angling and positioning himself in a way that allowed himself to be aware of as many people around him as possible. By the defensiveness I witnessed later, that's where the assumption of his over-protectiveness comes from./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"When the girl (Leer was it?) was introduced as someone capable of officiating, I was honestly quite shocked. For someone that came across as a ditsy stalker fan girl, she proved herself out of the ditsy title with the knowledge of how to call a battle, and the fact that her father was Johto's regional professor. I'm fairly sure when I started my journey all those years ago that I saw a little blue headed girl with a brown haired boy playing with the starter Chikorita. Now that I think about it, there's a chance that the brown haired boy might have been the one from yesterday too./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"After seeing his raw emotion and learning that his eevee had never battled, I do think that my comments may have been a bit harsh, but nothing shocked me more than when he hit me. Me? Get punched by a random for an accident with a somewhat inflammatory comment? Ok, maybe I might have deserved it, but it's not like it hurt anyway. For someone so in shape, it was obvious that the guy didn't have a violent bone in his body, so even when he snapped, he wasn't capable mentally of doing that much./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"But enough about them, let's see why I was called away from the beach so abruptly. As Agatha walks in with Koga, her piercing burgundy eyes look straight into mine. Fuck, what have I done? This wasn't the best way to start off the morning, or finish it, or really spend any part of the day./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Lance.' I feel the other three members now turn to me. Going for the jugular before even a greeting. Totally her style. 'What do you have to say for yourself?' Huh? I truly feel like I'm behind on something. What could I have missed that could have triggered an Elite 4 meeting?/p
p class="Normal"'I do believe that I have no clue what you're talking about'. While I may be calm in voice, I'm waiting for the trigger to be pulled./p
p class="Normal"As she raises her right brow she states, 'Oh? Then there are no more words to be spoken. I lined up this video just in case you were caught unaware'. As the video starts, I immediately catch on that this is a replay of what happened yesterday. As the video plays out, and I watch the scene from an outside perspective, I see how much close the flames were to hurting the boy. Worse than that, I see how scared and hurt the eevee became from before and after the flame hit respectively. Seeing the boy's whole world crumble, only to hear my own arrogant comment really nailed the coffin shut. Not only was I a dick, but I was screwed. There was no way Agatha would let me off from this one. As the video is coming to it's conclusion and I get hit, I can hear Karen cackle and I'm sure Lorelai is smirking over to the side. Hearing the last few comments again, something seems a bit off when he states that he's not a trainer, but that's the least of my worries./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Now, dear Lance, you know why we're here. Don't worry though, I have no intention of chewing you out, or man-handling you'. Something's off here, I'm missing something. Knowing that I've been put off balance, she continued on. 'Do you happen to know who you were dealing with in that video?'/p
p class="Normal"'The only person I know in that video is the blue haired girl. She introduced herself as you all saw as the daughter of Professor Elm. Other than that, I don't know who the challenger or the boy are'. I wasn't going to mention my theory about seeing him as a child, there was no reason to bring it up./p
p class="Normal"'Ok then, let me give you a hint. He's a famous model in the Johto region by the name of Ethan Williams'. That wasn't a hint, that was the full answer. This woman and her games. May as well call her out on that one./p
p class="Normal"'So I'm dealing with a known pretty boy then? I'm aware that Goldenrod is filled with the upper-class, but I'm not sure why it being him makes things any different. I know I handled the situation wrong, but that shouldn't matter who the recipient was. Or is there more? You said you gave me a hint. Was it the full answer, or was it truly just a hint?' This wasn't making any sense to me. Surely he was just another self entitled pretty boy with too much money./p
p class="Normal"It was Lorelai who spoke next. 'Lance, the hint is in the surname, not the fact that he is a model'./p
p class="Normal"'So the guy's family are politicians or something? I know it's not a clan name'./p
p class="Normal"It was Karen to took delight in throwing the final knife at me. 'No, you just hurt the son of Norman Williams, the prior gym leader of Goldenrod!' Her cackling really was quite manic, but it made sense. My blood froze at the mention. Norman Williams was considered one of the most brutal gym leaders of the last decade. The fact that he managed such a large town at the same skill level as Sabrina and her family managed Saffron? Virtually unheard of. The man was revered in the region even after he moved to Hoenn./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"While that would be enough to spook anyone, Agatha wasn't finished. 'Ah! I see we're finally starting to catch on, but know that that is only the first step in the issue here,' everyone looks to her with a level of confusion. 'You see, not only did you destroy his son mentally, but you in fact knocked out his pokemon, and proceeded to insult her as well. Yes, that eevee was Normans'. I. Was. Fucked. I may as well go find that Salamence, because that would be a much better way to die right about now. 'And it gets even better still! You see, Norman called me this morning to tell me that his son and Ms Elm played the situation astronomically down, and neglected to say who's fire pokemon caused the damage, and what happened afterwards. Imagine his surprise when just hours later, a video is forwarded to him containing one of the Elite 4 members giving his son a verbal beat down. And now, in 2 whole minutes, he'll be doing a conference call with us all, right in this building!'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"My face turns ashen white as the tale grew, and even the girls weren't laughing anymore. We will all have to deal with an aggressive ursaring who discovered we had just captured it's baby. Before the two minutes was even up, the main screen lit up with a call request from none other than Norman Williams himself. With not a hint of hesitation in her step, Agatha clicked the accept button on the monitor, and a very pissed father showed up on the screen. Agatha, not one to be cowed in the slightest, greeted the man pleasantly. 'Hello Norman, lovely day we're having, isn't it?'/p
p class="Normal"He didn't seem amused in the slightest, but retorted in fashion. 'Why yes, Agatha. The sun is shining, but I do hope the sun doesn't get out of control and hurt any pokemon or people. I know both that are somewhat susceptible to heat'. He turns his focus away from Agatha, and straight to me and snapped. 'Explain yourself Lance, at once!'/p
p class="Normal"I'm not really sure where this guy got off talking to what would have been his superiors if he had of remained in the region, but the quicker this was over, the better. Unfortunately, Koga had no qualms with calling Norman out on it. 'Norman, I appreciate that this is a sensitive matter for you, but you must watch your tone. We are still the Elites while you are but a gym leader, of a foreign region mind you. We truly wouldn't want any international disasters happening based off your actions here'. Ok, that was kind of helpful. And now Norman's wrath has shifted over to Koga. Score one for Lance./p
p class="Normal"'This incident has already become an international disaster when my son almost got hurt by a different region's Elite member! And you are in absolutely no place to talk. Who was it that had a daughter perish, and changed the way an entire nation ran in order to quell his fury?' That was a bit of a low blow really, but words can't be taken back now./p
p class="Normal"With steel in his eye, Koga replied, 'What I did was based on the best interest of an entire nation, and many parents are forever thankful that their children are no longer being found dead in the field. Furthermore, this is not an international incident as those affected are all based in Johto. I advise that you take a moment to think about any future words you might have to say before you speak in this chat'./p
p class="Normal"Finally seeing that he might have said something somewhat offensive and hit a bit too low, Norman took a breath and calmed himself slightly. When he regained control, he continued on, coming for a new angle. 'While my son might be from Johto soil and live there, the point that cannot be missed is that the eevee who was hurt was under my identification. Therefore, it is still a matter of attacking a foreign gym leader's pokemon'. Fairly sure that he had made his point without any room for refute this time, he leant back and decided to see now what replied would be spoken./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Sick of the direction that this chat had taken, Agatha decided to step back in. 'Norman, are you intentionally trying to make this a foreign issue?'/p
p class="Normal"'No, but if that's the only way to be heard and protect my son, then that's the route I will take', he replied, unsatisfied with the response./p
p class="Normal"Taking his words into consideration, Agatha continued on. 'So the issue at hand is that your pokemon was injured by a fraction of an attack? If you're looking to incite war with the kanto/johto region, I'd be happy to oblige. I assure you, defeating the Hoenn region will be distinctly easy if a gym leader's pokemon could be taken out by the common wild ratata. Care to explain just why your pokemon is so weak?' She was really going in and turning his words on him. This lady was as scary as they came, and there was a reason she's been the champion for such a large amount of time./p
p class="Normal"Realising what she had done with his words, he sighed and dropped his macho facade. 'Look, I don't want war. I realise that the incident was a complete accident, but I can't help but worry about my kid when this sort of thing happens to him. As for why the eevee was taken out so easily, it's simply because she is a house pokemon to keep him company. She was never trained by myself or Ethan, nor will she ever be. That's why he was devastated and deeply affected by Lance's comment'. He turns back to me, probably only now remembering I was still here. 'What you said was a cowardly way of dealing with the situation. It showed a clear lack of empathy towards pokemon and I'm astounded that someone of your capabilities thinks in such a toxic way of 'weak and strong'. Surely Karen's philosophy would have rubbed off on you by now?' It was true, Karen preached how both strong and weak pokemon were all important on this world and co-existed to make it a better place. I'd be getting the speech again today now. 'Further, you don't know if a pokemon might be a child. Take that dratini on your shoulder, how frail do you think it would be if my Slaking accidentally blasted it with a focus blast? How would you react to the situation?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"His words ring quite true. While dratini was a pokemon based off some very strong parents, it was still only a couple weeks old. If it got hit by a fully evolved pokemon, even just the off-cuts of the attack, it would be heavily damaged. 'I'm sure I would have destroyed the world if dratini got hurt. I already knew that I handled the situation wrong before our conversation, but I'm not sure I ever put myself in your son's shoes, or just why it was fragile. I saw a fully grown eevee with what I assumed was it's trainer underneath it and assumed it was fully trained. My observations were wrong, my reactions exacerbated the situation, and the whole thing was quite shameful. For that, I am truly sorry'. And I meant it. This wasn't just one clan appeasing another, I was truly in the wrong here./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'While a sorry doesn't mean anything to the past, I'm happy that you see the situation clearly now and hope you don't make such a mistake again. Next time, I won't be nearly so forgiving'. Words full of promise, rather than threat. He was coming for me next time./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Thinking that this mess was finally over, I hear Lorelai chip in. Lorelai, the most intelligent and analytical person in the Elite. Lorelai, who sees holes and theories that we all miss. Lorelai who won't let a topic out of her grasp until everything is known. There was a reason she was a phenomenal strategist and battler, she just didn't hold the gritty passion to be the champion. 'So that solves the issue of Lance's attitude and reaction to the situation, but we still need to get to the base of the situation'. All eyes turn to her with keen interest, while Norman looks in confusion. 'What is the reason that an adult, who is passed his majority, doing with a so-called 'family pokemon' who he obviously adores and cares the world for, but is not a registered trainer as he exclaims at the end of the video? Furthermore, why is it that a celebrity of your son's level has nothing but an untrained rare pokemon to protect him in a city full of thiefs and thugs?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Those were actually very good questions. I knew something was off about the statement, but I couldn't place my finger on it, but the fact that he had no protection with his status was even more of an eye-brow raiser. You would think that this was the stage where Norman would reply, but that's not how Lorelai's brain works. 'You made specific mention to Koga and her daughter, which meant you were looking for an ally in what you regarded was a similar instance. You used the Fuma law's power to ensure that your son couldn't become a trainer in the interest of preventing him from dying in the field, didn't you? I know for a fact that the law when first presented could allow a gym leader to prevent their children from becoming trainers until they reached their majority, but I believe that the wording may have been ambiguous enough for you to hold him away from his trainer license at your own discretion'. With that, she finally finished, happy with her own conclusion, and relaxed back into her chair./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"All the mouths dropped at her final theory, but how could they not? It was truly above any of us, even Agatha, to catch on to such minute points as she did, and then to sort out the reasons why in a matter of minutes. And wow, this situation was turning out to be a bit of a dodgy one. Koga, the one most affected by the revelation spoke next. 'Williams, you better not be telling me that you manipulated the death of my daughter to make sure that your son could never enter the field'./p
p class="Normal"The ice in Koga's voice making Norman unsure, but still replying. 'I did what I needed to do to ensure he never got hurt. He finds himself in dangerous situations too often even without his license, and I couldn't bear the pain if he were to die'./p
p class="Normal"Koga softened just a touch at this, but didn't thaw out completely. I understand your sentiments, but the law is only meant to be used until his majority, and not to cage a child in for life. He will be able to grow stronger and safer with a team of his own under him, and I'm sure that being your son makes him extra capable of such a thing. Have some measure of faith in your child Norman, he's the only one you have'./p
p class="Normal"Norman sighed from the other side, 'I'm not sure I can do that, I just worry too much.'/p
p class="Normal"Agatha chimed back in. 'It doesn't matter how you feel. Knowing that there has been an oversight in the laws, we will change it immediately. We shall also veto your power as a gym leader and change the status of your son ourselves. In two weeks, he'll be able to sit for his license and you will have no ability to stop him. Finally, while I can't fine you for acting in the ambiguity of a law, what I can do is pass ownership of that eevee to your son instead of you to make up for the time he as been unfairly registered. That is all. Do you have any final words before we end the call Norman?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"He looked agitated, but resigned, 'No, I see that this call only served to bite me in the arse, and not give me retribution. Thank you all for your time, have a good day'. With that, he hung up and we all pondered what had just happened. For myself, it was insane to imagine that Norman had used so much control over his son. Even when I was being raised as the heir for my clan, I was only expected to aim high, and use a dratini as my starter pokemon. Everything else was for me to decide, and looking back, I'm beyond thankful for that./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Lorelai, I trust that you and Koga can fix the law's wording within the hour?' With a nod from both respective Elite, she sent them on their way. 'Karen, you're free to return back to your task. Please make sure that the powerpoint is clear from any hazardous electric types so that plans for the magnet train can continue'. As Karen left, she paused and reminded me that she had not forgotten about the need to review the place of weak pokemon in this world. I had forgotten about that, and now I hoped that she would have too. 'Lance, I need to talk to you privately'. So I still wasn't out of the situation. She gets up and gestures for me to follow her. We walk in silence to her office before we sit back down and she finds a folder./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Despite what you think, I'm not here to dwell any longer on the topic, but instead, learning that you were spending time in Goldenrod opened up another opportunity. It has come to the league's attention that gang violence in Goldenrod has been increasing of late. Word is spreading that team rocket is in operation somewhere in the area. I want you to stay in Goldenrod for a while and trace these sources back to their roots. You may take up to four ace trainers with you to help scour the slums.'/p
p class="Normal"'I understand the assignment, but does that mean that my holiday has been prematurely cut?' I honestly needed some time off, I was happy to just sit back and do nothing for a while, and damn it, I wanted to return to it./p
p class="Normal"'Somewhat. You will be given an extended period in Goldenrod. You will only be expected to work there four days a week, while the ace trainers alternate with you. Other than that, your time is yours. You know the drill, if any operations are exposed, contact me immediately and we'll make a plan.'/p
p class="Normal"Everything seemed workable and reasonable to me, so I nodded and made my way to the door. As I was nearing the exit to the room, I paused and turned back to her. 'What are you going to do about the Williams situation?'/p
p class="Normal"She smirked, 'Once the two week transition is over, I'll tell him in person. I've been needing to go check on Morty anyway; can't have a slacking son.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Satisfied, I exit to go set everything up./p
p class="Normal"Please send help/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"-/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"After the devastating series of events on the foreshore, we somehow managed to make our way to the pokemon centre. I'll forever be thankful to Lyra for guiding me there, for not blaming me for my actions, and letting me have a shoulder to cry on. She, unlike Lance, knew that Princess wasn't a battler in any regard, and that made her extremely fragile by comparison to the average pokemon. Not to mention that she was also a pre-evolution pokemon./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I hesitantly gave her to Nurse Joy and Lyra saved my arse once again by explaining the situation. My head was just in an absolute state of turmoil and I couldn't concentrate on anything going on around me. Thankfully, Princess had been unconscious sine the accident. It's a small grace that she didn't have to stay awake while she was suffering./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Being led over to the waiting room and finding a hot chocolate in my hand. I feel Lyra's hand on my shoulder and know she's finally finished with giving me the silence I needed. 'I know this is a hard time for you, but Nurse Joy told me that the original owner of a pokemon needs to be informed when one of their pokemon is treated. Unfortunately, even though she lives with you and is virtually a daughter to you, she is still registered under your dad, and he is going to find out eventually. You're going to need to ring him sometime shortly and tell him about this mess'. My heart skips two beats. Was she right? Did they really do such a thing? I look into her eyes with terror in my eyes, which only gets me a solemn nod./p
p class="Normal"'Lyra, I really don't think I can. This day has been too emotional for me to handle my dad'. And it was true, after surviving a nightmare riddled dream and the accident, I was running off fumes. To make things worse, it was only 4pm; this day was nowhere near being over./p
p class="Normal"'I know Ethan, maybe you should get a bit of sleep. When you wake up, I'll be here to help with your dad, and Princess will be closer to being recovered. A burn recovery should only take about an hour, and she'll be as good as new'. I know she was only trying to be positive and perky to lift my spirits, but it only got me as far as agreeing to sleep. I know a normal person would be too anxious to sleep, but I had my anxiety and worry on turbo since the accident happened, and now had run out of gas completely. I sigh and give her a jerky nod and place my mug on the table in front of us before laying my head onto her shoulder and finally finding the bliss of unconsciousness./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I wake up to Lyra's shaking. 'Ethan, Princess' procedure is over, we can go see her now'. That wakes me right up. Without a second though, my body stands and moves on autopilot towards the visiting rooms, until I realise I have no idea where I'm going. Sheepishly, I turn back to Lyra and say/p
p class="Normal"'Yeah, I don't actually know where I'm going; I got a bit ahead of myself here. Could you please lead the way for me?' With a smirk on her face as my mistake finally dawns on me, she passes me and leads me to the room she was told Princess was in. I would have found it eventually. As I walk into the room, I see that Princess is sleeping peacefully now on a mound of pillows. I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she's no longer in pain, but I can see where her fur is now uneven and still lightly charred. She won't like that, but at least it will be easy to fix with another trip to the salon. Shame that her fur was ruined the day it was cut. At least she has pictures to show how beautiful she spent the day, not that she's anything but even now./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'I told you she'd be fine. You've never had to take her here after a battle, but you should know that the abilities of Nurse Joy and their partnered Chanseys are among the same level as miracle workers'. And it was true. These women pulled through time after time in some of the most disheartening situations any trainer finds themselves in./p
p class="Normal"'It's not that I doubted you or their abilities, but I've never been stuck in a situation where I had no control of her well-being, and it scared me like nothing else has. Even as a kid with the ariados situation, by the end, I knew that I wasn't getting out, and resigned myself to that fate. But this? I could only watch and wait as she suffered. I don't want to be here again'./p
p class="Normal"I hear her sigh and wait for the logic to inevitably come. 'You know, the only way she can avoid such a fate again is if you train her up'. I go to yell at the idea, but halts me with a raised hand. 'I know that you aren't formally allowed to, and I know that Princess doesn't like getting her fur dirty and matted, but you can still teach her how to use her powers and get some strength into her. No one will know if you never battle with her, and she can only wind up being more protected in the process./p
p class="Normal"You can't stop the world from hurting her Ethan, just like you can't stop it from hurting you. I'd also feel a lot better if she had the power to help protect you. If today has shown me anything, it's that people are constantly coming for you and sooner or later, you're going to find one that means to hurt you'. It's hard to hear, but I can see where she's coming from. There has been a couple instances where fans had gotten too hands-y and ripped away clothing, pulled out hair and left bruises. Fans could be lethal, and they aren't even the ones meaning to do damage./p
p class="Normal"'I know you're right Lyra, but I've also never done it before. I know all the theory, but without experience, I'm virtually in the dark of where to start'./p
p class="Normal"'That might be so, but you aren't your father's son for nothing, even if he doesn't know it.' Oh no. Here it comes. 'And speaking of which, it's time that we go and tell a grand story to your father and pray that he doesn't send his team on a manhunt for Lance'. Not that that idea didn't appeal to me right now. But in the end, I had two choices. Firstly, I could completely and utterly send Lance to the sharks, which he utterly deserved, but then papa bear throws the cover over that cage I'm locked in making sure no one can access it. Secondly, I down play it and act all bubbly to prevent any fuss coming back to me. Decisions, decisions. Pettiness or preservation?/p
p class="Normal"'Maybe you can help me on what angle I tell this story. Do I want him to get revenge for me, or play it safe for us all?' She gave me that look saying that I may as well have asked if she wanted another round at dessert/p
p class="Normal"'You know you should play it safe, revenge isn't as sweet if you don't enact it yourself'. Wow, okay. That really should have been obvious./p
p class="Normal"'When did you suddenly enforce the beat down of your stalk material?' I ask her genuinely curious how her tune could change so hard in just a couple hours./p
p class="Normal"'Don't you worry. I still think he's hot, and I'll kill anyone who gets in my way of him, but the way he treated that situation was with a level of arrogance that I haven't seen before. It seems that his personality isn't at the same level as his talent'./p
p class="Normal"'And you still want him?' She was talking in a bit of circle here/p
p class="Normal"'Just to sleep with now, someone else can deal with his personality long term'. Ah, that makes a lot more sense. 'But enough about that, if you don't call your dad now, I'll go ahead and do it'./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Grumbling, but knowing it was always inevitable, I pull out my pokegear and call my mother. Loop holes after all, she can tell dad about it. It rings thrice before a middle aged man shows up on my screen. That's certainly not my mum. In fact, I would say by the dark hair and the familiar bone structure to myself that it was actually my doom staring into the picture./p
p class="Normal"'I was wondering when you were going to ring, although I would have expected it an hour ago when I got the notification from the centre'. Shit, he was playing three steps ahead of me in this game. 'Imagine my first thought when I get told that the eevee I got you to keep you company, and who should never battle was admitted to the pokemon centre with burns over half her body. Imagine my thoughts when my son, who isn't qualified to own the pokemon, or battle the pokemon isn't the one to admit the pokemon, but rather his childhood friend. Put those together with the time frame of not hearing anything from you and I'll give you the result. You were either illegally battling another trainer with a pokemon that wasn't even yours, or once again, you found yourself in a dangerous position because you decided to let curiosity get the better of you, and then got hurt or died in the process! Now tell me dear son; which reason am I locking you in your apartment for eternity for?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Shit. This was not going well, I risk a look at Lyra in panic, and thankfully she steps in. 'Hi Norman, it's Lyra here. Ethan's kind of been through it today, so do you mind if I explain what happened?' A jerky nod urges her to get on with it. 'He and Princess were just in an unfortunate accident. We were watching a match between two trainers, one of which was a fire type, and their flamethrower hit the ground with too much force, sending a few flames towards where Ethan was standing. He managed to duck just in time to avoid the fire, but Princess, who was on his head, still bore the brunt of the flames. Princess, not being a trained pokemon couldn't withstand the backlash. It was a case of being in the wrong spot at the wrong time, but she's made a full recovery and everyone is fine now'. Super vague, but an excellent way of circumventing my dad./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"His sigh can be heard through the screen. 'If I hear that anything different happened, I'm coming and wrapping you in cottonee. You're sure you're all right?'/p
p class="Normal"Speaking for the first time in the conversation about me, I reply, 'Yes dad. I'm just a bit shaken and exhausted from the stress'. This time, not a lie or a misdirection. Except for my hand, I really should get someone to handle that./p
p class="Normal"'Good. I'll call you tomorrow to check up on the lot of you'. His features soften down just slightly, 'please look after yourself, I couldn't take it if you were harmed'. With that, we sent our final farewells and closed the call/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'That actually didn't go as bad as I thought it would', Lyra responded after a second./p
p class="Normal"'You actually did an amazing job with that. Really, you turned off his papa bear mode without much effort at all. I just hope nothing about this comes back to bite me in the arse'. Truly. Could the gods let up on me just a little? I'm not sure I could take much more./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"We decided that she should spend the rest of the day at mine, and let her grandparents know she wouldn't be home. With a sleepy Princess in my arms, and knowledge that there was a friend nearby, I actually managed to sleep that night./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"-The next day -/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"- Breaking Headline -/p
p class="Normal"In breaking news, a video recorded yesterday circulated featuring a match between Elite 4 member Lance, and a challenger in seaside Goldenrod. The match was officiated by Lyra Elm, daughter of Professor Elm of New Bark Town, who happened to be in the audience. The match ended as expected with Lance's charizard beating the challenger's electabuzz in a one on one match./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"The real drama happened at the conclusion of the battle, where one of charizard's flames fanned out towards one of the audience members. This didn't happen to be a regular audience member, but who Lyra Elm had been accompanying. It turns out that she was with none other than Ethan Williams himself. Ethan managed to duck the flame, but had an eevee perched on his head and was faced with the flames. The video shows a distraught Ethan cradling his eevee before Lance is heard insulting the pokemon. After the altercation turned physical with Ethan actually throwing a punch at Lance's face, it was revealed that Ethan didn't have a license, and that his eevee had never seen battle before breaking down. With that, Lyra grabbed Ethan and his eevee and got them out of the fray./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Viewers, the questions remain:/p
p class="Normal"Should Ethan be charged with physical assault?/p
p class="Normal"Should Lance face repercussions for the damage that his attack caused to an audience member, or for his attitude?/p
p class="Normal"Is Ethan harboring an illegal pokemon if he doesn't have his licence?/p
p class="Normal"Why doesn't Ethan hold a license?/p
p class="Normal"Should there be a firm set of rules for Elite 4 challenges to protect the viewers from their monstrous power?/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"-/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Indigo Plateau/p
p class="Normal"Lance's POV/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I can't believe I'm already back here. My vacation cut from two weeks to four days hardly seems fair to me, but when the old hag calls, I come running. No way would I risk the wrath of her and those thrice damned ghosts; even facing them while they weren't pissed got my arse handed to me. Oh well, she could fall from a heart attack and die at any minute, and I'll be in charge after that./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"I'm really not sure why her and Koga are still here. Agatha's been the champion for half a century, and Koga only signed up to start that infuriating law. I can't believe that he wanted to take away my license just because of my age. I understand that his daughter was incompetent, but some clans raised their heirs better. A live example right before their eyes, but apparently that means fuck all when daddies girl gets impaled a couple times by a pokemon she's meant to specialise in. I roll my eyes at the very thought. Surely she new not to head into a nest of a vicious pokemon in their main habitat. If I had of come across a nesting Salamence, I wouldn't have let myself come within a kilometer of it./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'tiiini!' Looked like dratini was awake. My baby boy was wrapped like a scarf around my neck since he liked the warmth. Unless I'm around large crowds, like in Goldenrod, he'll always stay out with me. As much as I wish I could always keep him with me, the little fella had no control over his powers, and sometimes became overzealous with practicing at any given time. I truly didn't trust him not to hurt a random passerby with a stray dragon rage./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"It was kind of like that kid from yesterday with his eevee, but in reverse. Clearly he didn't trust strangers around his eevee, but because he thought they'd hurt her, instead of my dratini hurting them. I noticed both he and his friend right from when they entered the circle. Honestly, by the way they both had their pokemon out, I was expecting one of them to be the challenger. Neither would have put up any challenge with their unevolved pokemon, but it still would have been more enjoyable than the arrogant dick that I got. Of particular note though, I could tell that the boy was angling and positioning himself in a way that allowed himself to be aware of as many people around him as possible. By the defensiveness I witnessed later, that's where the assumption of his over-protectiveness comes from./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"When the girl (Leer was it?) was introduced as someone capable of officiating, I was honestly quite shocked. For someone that came across as a ditsy stalker fan girl, she proved herself out of the ditsy title with the knowledge of how to call a battle, and the fact that her father was Johto's regional professor. I'm fairly sure when I started my journey all those years ago that I saw a little blue headed girl with a brown haired boy playing with the starter Chikorita. Now that I think about it, there's a chance that the brown haired boy might have been the one from yesterday too./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"After seeing his raw emotion and learning that his eevee had never battled, I do think that my comments may have been a bit harsh, but nothing shocked me more than when he hit me. Me? Get punched by a random for an accident with a somewhat inflammatory comment? Ok, maybe I might have deserved it, but it's not like it hurt anyway. For someone so in shape, it was obvious that the guy didn't have a violent bone in his body, so even when he snapped, he wasn't capable mentally of doing that much./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"But enough about them, let's see why I was called away from the beach so abruptly. As Agatha walks in with Koga, her piercing burgundy eyes look straight into mine. Fuck, what have I done? This wasn't the best way to start off the morning, or finish it, or really spend any part of the day./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Lance.' I feel the other three members now turn to me. Going for the jugular before even a greeting. Totally her style. 'What do you have to say for yourself?' Huh? I truly feel like I'm behind on something. What could I have missed that could have triggered an Elite 4 meeting?/p
p class="Normal"'I do believe that I have no clue what you're talking about'. While I may be calm in voice, I'm waiting for the trigger to be pulled./p
p class="Normal"As she raises her right brow she states, 'Oh? Then there are no more words to be spoken. I lined up this video just in case you were caught unaware'. As the video starts, I immediately catch on that this is a replay of what happened yesterday. As the video plays out, and I watch the scene from an outside perspective, I see how much close the flames were to hurting the boy. Worse than that, I see how scared and hurt the eevee became from before and after the flame hit respectively. Seeing the boy's whole world crumble, only to hear my own arrogant comment really nailed the coffin shut. Not only was I a dick, but I was screwed. There was no way Agatha would let me off from this one. As the video is coming to it's conclusion and I get hit, I can hear Karen cackle and I'm sure Lorelai is smirking over to the side. Hearing the last few comments again, something seems a bit off when he states that he's not a trainer, but that's the least of my worries./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Now, dear Lance, you know why we're here. Don't worry though, I have no intention of chewing you out, or man-handling you'. Something's off here, I'm missing something. Knowing that I've been put off balance, she continued on. 'Do you happen to know who you were dealing with in that video?'/p
p class="Normal"'The only person I know in that video is the blue haired girl. She introduced herself as you all saw as the daughter of Professor Elm. Other than that, I don't know who the challenger or the boy are'. I wasn't going to mention my theory about seeing him as a child, there was no reason to bring it up./p
p class="Normal"'Ok then, let me give you a hint. He's a famous model in the Johto region by the name of Ethan Williams'. That wasn't a hint, that was the full answer. This woman and her games. May as well call her out on that one./p
p class="Normal"'So I'm dealing with a known pretty boy then? I'm aware that Goldenrod is filled with the upper-class, but I'm not sure why it being him makes things any different. I know I handled the situation wrong, but that shouldn't matter who the recipient was. Or is there more? You said you gave me a hint. Was it the full answer, or was it truly just a hint?' This wasn't making any sense to me. Surely he was just another self entitled pretty boy with too much money./p
p class="Normal"It was Lorelai who spoke next. 'Lance, the hint is in the surname, not the fact that he is a model'./p
p class="Normal"'So the guy's family are politicians or something? I know it's not a clan name'./p
p class="Normal"It was Karen to took delight in throwing the final knife at me. 'No, you just hurt the son of Norman Williams, the prior gym leader of Goldenrod!' Her cackling really was quite manic, but it made sense. My blood froze at the mention. Norman Williams was considered one of the most brutal gym leaders of the last decade. The fact that he managed such a large town at the same skill level as Sabrina and her family managed Saffron? Virtually unheard of. The man was revered in the region even after he moved to Hoenn./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"While that would be enough to spook anyone, Agatha wasn't finished. 'Ah! I see we're finally starting to catch on, but know that that is only the first step in the issue here,' everyone looks to her with a level of confusion. 'You see, not only did you destroy his son mentally, but you in fact knocked out his pokemon, and proceeded to insult her as well. Yes, that eevee was Normans'. I. Was. Fucked. I may as well go find that Salamence, because that would be a much better way to die right about now. 'And it gets even better still! You see, Norman called me this morning to tell me that his son and Ms Elm played the situation astronomically down, and neglected to say who's fire pokemon caused the damage, and what happened afterwards. Imagine his surprise when just hours later, a video is forwarded to him containing one of the Elite 4 members giving his son a verbal beat down. And now, in 2 whole minutes, he'll be doing a conference call with us all, right in this building!'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"My face turns ashen white as the tale grew, and even the girls weren't laughing anymore. We will all have to deal with an aggressive ursaring who discovered we had just captured it's baby. Before the two minutes was even up, the main screen lit up with a call request from none other than Norman Williams himself. With not a hint of hesitation in her step, Agatha clicked the accept button on the monitor, and a very pissed father showed up on the screen. Agatha, not one to be cowed in the slightest, greeted the man pleasantly. 'Hello Norman, lovely day we're having, isn't it?'/p
p class="Normal"He didn't seem amused in the slightest, but retorted in fashion. 'Why yes, Agatha. The sun is shining, but I do hope the sun doesn't get out of control and hurt any pokemon or people. I know both that are somewhat susceptible to heat'. He turns his focus away from Agatha, and straight to me and snapped. 'Explain yourself Lance, at once!'/p
p class="Normal"I'm not really sure where this guy got off talking to what would have been his superiors if he had of remained in the region, but the quicker this was over, the better. Unfortunately, Koga had no qualms with calling Norman out on it. 'Norman, I appreciate that this is a sensitive matter for you, but you must watch your tone. We are still the Elites while you are but a gym leader, of a foreign region mind you. We truly wouldn't want any international disasters happening based off your actions here'. Ok, that was kind of helpful. And now Norman's wrath has shifted over to Koga. Score one for Lance./p
p class="Normal"'This incident has already become an international disaster when my son almost got hurt by a different region's Elite member! And you are in absolutely no place to talk. Who was it that had a daughter perish, and changed the way an entire nation ran in order to quell his fury?' That was a bit of a low blow really, but words can't be taken back now./p
p class="Normal"With steel in his eye, Koga replied, 'What I did was based on the best interest of an entire nation, and many parents are forever thankful that their children are no longer being found dead in the field. Furthermore, this is not an international incident as those affected are all based in Johto. I advise that you take a moment to think about any future words you might have to say before you speak in this chat'./p
p class="Normal"Finally seeing that he might have said something somewhat offensive and hit a bit too low, Norman took a breath and calmed himself slightly. When he regained control, he continued on, coming for a new angle. 'While my son might be from Johto soil and live there, the point that cannot be missed is that the eevee who was hurt was under my identification. Therefore, it is still a matter of attacking a foreign gym leader's pokemon'. Fairly sure that he had made his point without any room for refute this time, he leant back and decided to see now what replied would be spoken./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Sick of the direction that this chat had taken, Agatha decided to step back in. 'Norman, are you intentionally trying to make this a foreign issue?'/p
p class="Normal"'No, but if that's the only way to be heard and protect my son, then that's the route I will take', he replied, unsatisfied with the response./p
p class="Normal"Taking his words into consideration, Agatha continued on. 'So the issue at hand is that your pokemon was injured by a fraction of an attack? If you're looking to incite war with the kanto/johto region, I'd be happy to oblige. I assure you, defeating the Hoenn region will be distinctly easy if a gym leader's pokemon could be taken out by the common wild ratata. Care to explain just why your pokemon is so weak?' She was really going in and turning his words on him. This lady was as scary as they came, and there was a reason she's been the champion for such a large amount of time./p
p class="Normal"Realising what she had done with his words, he sighed and dropped his macho facade. 'Look, I don't want war. I realise that the incident was a complete accident, but I can't help but worry about my kid when this sort of thing happens to him. As for why the eevee was taken out so easily, it's simply because she is a house pokemon to keep him company. She was never trained by myself or Ethan, nor will she ever be. That's why he was devastated and deeply affected by Lance's comment'. He turns back to me, probably only now remembering I was still here. 'What you said was a cowardly way of dealing with the situation. It showed a clear lack of empathy towards pokemon and I'm astounded that someone of your capabilities thinks in such a toxic way of 'weak and strong'. Surely Karen's philosophy would have rubbed off on you by now?' It was true, Karen preached how both strong and weak pokemon were all important on this world and co-existed to make it a better place. I'd be getting the speech again today now. 'Further, you don't know if a pokemon might be a child. Take that dratini on your shoulder, how frail do you think it would be if my Slaking accidentally blasted it with a focus blast? How would you react to the situation?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"His words ring quite true. While dratini was a pokemon based off some very strong parents, it was still only a couple weeks old. If it got hit by a fully evolved pokemon, even just the off-cuts of the attack, it would be heavily damaged. 'I'm sure I would have destroyed the world if dratini got hurt. I already knew that I handled the situation wrong before our conversation, but I'm not sure I ever put myself in your son's shoes, or just why it was fragile. I saw a fully grown eevee with what I assumed was it's trainer underneath it and assumed it was fully trained. My observations were wrong, my reactions exacerbated the situation, and the whole thing was quite shameful. For that, I am truly sorry'. And I meant it. This wasn't just one clan appeasing another, I was truly in the wrong here./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'While a sorry doesn't mean anything to the past, I'm happy that you see the situation clearly now and hope you don't make such a mistake again. Next time, I won't be nearly so forgiving'. Words full of promise, rather than threat. He was coming for me next time./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Thinking that this mess was finally over, I hear Lorelai chip in. Lorelai, the most intelligent and analytical person in the Elite. Lorelai, who sees holes and theories that we all miss. Lorelai who won't let a topic out of her grasp until everything is known. There was a reason she was a phenomenal strategist and battler, she just didn't hold the gritty passion to be the champion. 'So that solves the issue of Lance's attitude and reaction to the situation, but we still need to get to the base of the situation'. All eyes turn to her with keen interest, while Norman looks in confusion. 'What is the reason that an adult, who is passed his majority, doing with a so-called 'family pokemon' who he obviously adores and cares the world for, but is not a registered trainer as he exclaims at the end of the video? Furthermore, why is it that a celebrity of your son's level has nothing but an untrained rare pokemon to protect him in a city full of thiefs and thugs?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Those were actually very good questions. I knew something was off about the statement, but I couldn't place my finger on it, but the fact that he had no protection with his status was even more of an eye-brow raiser. You would think that this was the stage where Norman would reply, but that's not how Lorelai's brain works. 'You made specific mention to Koga and her daughter, which meant you were looking for an ally in what you regarded was a similar instance. You used the Fuma law's power to ensure that your son couldn't become a trainer in the interest of preventing him from dying in the field, didn't you? I know for a fact that the law when first presented could allow a gym leader to prevent their children from becoming trainers until they reached their majority, but I believe that the wording may have been ambiguous enough for you to hold him away from his trainer license at your own discretion'. With that, she finally finished, happy with her own conclusion, and relaxed back into her chair./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"All the mouths dropped at her final theory, but how could they not? It was truly above any of us, even Agatha, to catch on to such minute points as she did, and then to sort out the reasons why in a matter of minutes. And wow, this situation was turning out to be a bit of a dodgy one. Koga, the one most affected by the revelation spoke next. 'Williams, you better not be telling me that you manipulated the death of my daughter to make sure that your son could never enter the field'./p
p class="Normal"The ice in Koga's voice making Norman unsure, but still replying. 'I did what I needed to do to ensure he never got hurt. He finds himself in dangerous situations too often even without his license, and I couldn't bear the pain if he were to die'./p
p class="Normal"Koga softened just a touch at this, but didn't thaw out completely. I understand your sentiments, but the law is only meant to be used until his majority, and not to cage a child in for life. He will be able to grow stronger and safer with a team of his own under him, and I'm sure that being your son makes him extra capable of such a thing. Have some measure of faith in your child Norman, he's the only one you have'./p
p class="Normal"Norman sighed from the other side, 'I'm not sure I can do that, I just worry too much.'/p
p class="Normal"Agatha chimed back in. 'It doesn't matter how you feel. Knowing that there has been an oversight in the laws, we will change it immediately. We shall also veto your power as a gym leader and change the status of your son ourselves. In two weeks, he'll be able to sit for his license and you will have no ability to stop him. Finally, while I can't fine you for acting in the ambiguity of a law, what I can do is pass ownership of that eevee to your son instead of you to make up for the time he as been unfairly registered. That is all. Do you have any final words before we end the call Norman?'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"He looked agitated, but resigned, 'No, I see that this call only served to bite me in the arse, and not give me retribution. Thank you all for your time, have a good day'. With that, he hung up and we all pondered what had just happened. For myself, it was insane to imagine that Norman had used so much control over his son. Even when I was being raised as the heir for my clan, I was only expected to aim high, and use a dratini as my starter pokemon. Everything else was for me to decide, and looking back, I'm beyond thankful for that./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Lorelai, I trust that you and Koga can fix the law's wording within the hour?' With a nod from both respective Elite, she sent them on their way. 'Karen, you're free to return back to your task. Please make sure that the powerpoint is clear from any hazardous electric types so that plans for the magnet train can continue'. As Karen left, she paused and reminded me that she had not forgotten about the need to review the place of weak pokemon in this world. I had forgotten about that, and now I hoped that she would have too. 'Lance, I need to talk to you privately'. So I still wasn't out of the situation. She gets up and gestures for me to follow her. We walk in silence to her office before we sit back down and she finds a folder./p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"'Despite what you think, I'm not here to dwell any longer on the topic, but instead, learning that you were spending time in Goldenrod opened up another opportunity. It has come to the league's attention that gang violence in Goldenrod has been increasing of late. Word is spreading that team rocket is in operation somewhere in the area. I want you to stay in Goldenrod for a while and trace these sources back to their roots. You may take up to four ace trainers with you to help scour the slums.'/p
p class="Normal"'I understand the assignment, but does that mean that my holiday has been prematurely cut?' I honestly needed some time off, I was happy to just sit back and do nothing for a while, and damn it, I wanted to return to it./p
p class="Normal"'Somewhat. You will be given an extended period in Goldenrod. You will only be expected to work there four days a week, while the ace trainers alternate with you. Other than that, your time is yours. You know the drill, if any operations are exposed, contact me immediately and we'll make a plan.'/p
p class="Normal"Everything seemed workable and reasonable to me, so I nodded and made my way to the door. As I was nearing the exit to the room, I paused and turned back to her. 'What are you going to do about the Williams situation?'/p
p class="Normal"She smirked, 'Once the two week transition is over, I'll tell him in person. I've been needing to go check on Morty anyway; can't have a slacking son.'/p
p class="Normal" /p
p class="Normal"Satisfied, I exit to go set everything up./p
