Family Crisis

The boy was out cold, sleeping soundly in the medical bed where the gym staff had since placed him. His clothing all ragged and with huge bags under his eyes, he looked a mess.

"So can you please explain to me again how this happened?" the gym's doctor watched me over his clipboard. "You say Ash did this to him?"

I nodded. "I… I honestly can't explain it."

With the rise of a pointy eyebrow he blew air through his nose and chewed his lip. "Well his vitals are all normal. He is just… well... exhausted. A day of sleep and he should be fine. Is there a reason why we're not sending him off to the hospital?"

I couldn't believe I was gong to say this. "Because he is wanted by the police and is seeking refuge in Giovanni."

"So he knows who Giovanni really is then?"

I shrugged. "I guess so. According to his trainer card, he is a Dragon Trainer from Blackthorn City in Johto, so I don't see how he could make the Team Rocket connection unless he knows someone directly related to the organisation."

"Keep digging," said the medic. "I should probably perform some tests on Ash in the meantime. Just to make sure he hasn't been aversely affected by this… phenomena. You do realise that Giovanni will want to hear about it as soon as he gets back."

"I know," I said bleakly, suddenly worried. "What if something does come up and he wants to do experiments on my Ash?"

"I'm sure Giovanni would only allow it if it was in the best interests of Ash's health. He is his son after all."

"Thankfully."

The medic nodded knowingly. "Leave him here, I'll do some quick tests and then have my assistant bring him back up to you."

"Madame." A young rookie perhaps in his twenties burst through the medical bay door with a panicked look on his face. "There is someone on the phone for you. They claim to be from the Viridian Police Department. They're demanding your presence down at the police station right away. It's a matter of urgency."

I cast the rookie a startled glance. "Did they happen to say why?"

But he shook his head, not taking his wide-eyed gaze off of me. "Would you like me to track down one of the Executives so to get in touch with Giovanni's lawyer?"

"No, if I was in trouble, they would have sent someone to arrest me, not phone me to come in." I cast a glance over at the doctor. "Can you look after Ash for me? I'll be back soon."

The foyer of the Viridian City police station was empty at this time of the morning. Hard plastic chairs lined a blue and white tiled waiting area to be watched over by an empty receptionist desk. A single man in a lab coat sat hunched in a chair by the window. Resting his elbows on his knees, he watched the floor by his feet.

"Professor Oak?" What was he doing here? "Is everything ok?"

The Pokémon Prof. started when he heard my holler. He raised his head only to reveal the regrowth on his face and bloodshot eyes. He'd been crying.

I was at his side in an instant., my arms going around his shoulders that just seemed to sag into me. "Oh, Professor! What happened? Did... did you call me to the police station?"

The man looked as though he'd aged years in a matter of minutes. He nodded, finding himself in a losing battle against his tears. "Something... horrible has happened, Delia."

Panic suddenly clutched my heart, turning it to cold stone. If he was here and requesting my presence, then it had something to do with my family.

"Please tell me what happened. Is it May? Did something... happen to her?"

The professor swallowed... and nodded. "...there was an... accident."

"Oh, no." My hand was at my mouth, the breath in my lungs simply gone. "Please tell me she is ok though."

There was nothing... not a word. He just watched the ground again, unable to look at me, unable to even speak.

"Are you Delia?" Suddenly Officer Jenny was standing in front of me. There was a look of sympathy in her eyes that only made my heart lurch further toward my feet. Oh Legendries, could this really be happening? What had happened to my sister? "Could you come with me please?"

The world was suddenly like I was watching it on a TV. I pulled myself to my feet and she guided me into a hallway just off the reception but I could no longer feel the floor beneath my feet. The expression on her face was solemn as she took a moment to gather her words.

"I've never liked giving this sort of news." She paused. "But there has been an accident on Cinnabar Island involving your sister and your brother-in-law. I'm sorry to tell you but they... won't be coming home."

There was nothing that could have prepared me for what she said. It was like someone had smashed my entire world with an iron fist. My legs felt weak all of a sudden.

Gloved hands grabbed me by the shoulders. "Would you like to take a seat?" Jenny asked though I barely acknowledged her.

My sister... gone... This couldn't possibly...

"How?" my voice was a garbled whisper. "How did this happen?"

"Would you take a seat please?" Jenny said more forcefully this time. Taking me by the arm, she guided me onto a slab of hard plastic. Then gathering her wits, her expression took on a formal stance... a poker face... so as to distance herself. "From what we can piece together, they were on vacation on the island when an... incident happened."

"Involving that Legendary," I said suddenly. "And that teenager."

The officer fell silent and nodded. "Their car rolled. They were killed instantly."

A hand had come and ripped a giant hole in my chest and I couldn't stop the gut wrenching wail that bellowed forth from every part of my body. My sister was gone.

I felt weak... utterly gutted. I wanted to vomit. I wanted to scream at the officer 'how dare you tell me something like this!' Was this some sort of cruel joke?!

"And their children?"

"The children are safe in the care of your family in Pallet Town. They weren't in the car. Delia... I know this is hard to take right now, but believe me when I say this, you will get through it."

"Oh Legendaries, how can you say that? My sister... it will never be the same!" I didn't mean to shout at her, but there was just nothing else I could do.

Jenny simply nodded, sympathy in her gaze. "Take the Professor home. Go and find comfort in your family. Those children will need to be cared for."

I journeyed with Ash and the Professor back to Pallet town, spending the week there with my family as well as the Oaks. We came together for the funeral, spreading the ashes of my sister and my brother-in-law across the hillside where they would often go to watch the sunset. Arrangements were made for Daisy and Gary. Not allowing them to be taken into foster care, we would all take part in sharing the load of bringing them up. For the moment, they would reside with Oak on his estate.

I watched Gary and Ash playing in the gardens - both too young to realise what had happened. It pained me to think that Gary and his sister would both have to grow up without their parents. But at least they weren't alone. Not when they had aunts and uncles... and a grandfather who loved them dearly. But how that could be any replacement for their parents. May.

"Delia?" I snapped from my stare, turning to take in the face that watched me though the video phone. "Are you alright?" His gaze was gentle and full of concern.

"I'm alright, Giovanni." Wiping a stray tear from my eye, I hugged my arms into my chest and heaved a defeated sigh. "It's been a difficult week."

Giovanni nodded. "My condolences. It's not easy to lose someone so close to you. I know."

I swallowed down the lump that insisted on sitting in my throat. "How did you do it, Giovanni? How did you... move on?"

He heaved a sigh. "It's not easy. But it will pass."

"You have no idea how many times I've heard that this week."

"It's true. It leaves you with a hole which eventually you will find you must fill with other things. Life must go on."

Knowing what he'd been though to get to where he was... I could find a measure of comfort in his words. Giovanni had lost more than anyone I knew.

"When you are ready to come home, I'll send a car to fetch you."

I cast another glimpse outside the window, watching the dimming daylight as the sun gradually vanished behind the rolling hills of this sleepy town. "I would like to come home tonight if that's alright, Giovanni."

He nodded. "Of course."