Pokémon - The Final Journey in Fenyuu
Chapter 43: Resignation
Lizzie stood in complete disbelief of what she just heard. Black Rocket, that evil organization in which she was involved for a long time, had finally done what they have been threatening to do for a long time.
Matt continued to stare into her, waiting for some kind of response. He didn't care what kind he would get. This experience has been frustrating for the both of them; perhaps a little bit more for Matt.
"I don't believe this. They're after you because of what I did."
"No, it was like this all along," Lizzie replied. "I remember that they always said to me that they would get me...I guess they're doing that now." She wiped away a tear.
Matt quickly picked up the phone and began dialing a number.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling home; we're not going to stay here any longer." Matt put the receiver up to his ear.
"What?"
"We can't stay here, Lizzie! Once they confirm the rumours they're going to come after us. If the Elite Four already has this figured out, who knows how much longer the Fenyuu League will take?"
"But Matt, you studied really hard to get into this league--"
"No, Lizzie, WE did. Your reputation and life is at stake, and the last thing I want to worry about now is my status as a Pokémon trainer." He then rested silent for a moment. "Come on, pick up..."
There was a click on Matt's receiver. "Hello?"
"Jessie? Oh, Thank God you're home. Is mom there?"
"Hey, how come you never want to speak to me? When you were home for the Pokémon League championships you hardly ever spoke to me!"
"Jess, there's no time for this; this is an emergency. I need to speak to mom right away."
"Well, sorry, she left with dad about fifteen minutes ago to do groceries."
"Great, just my luck," Matt responded.
"Is this about that Black Rocket thing you were involved with? You know, the one where you killed everyone?"
"WHAT?!" Matt exclaimed in shock. How does she know about this?! he asked.
Jess giggled on the line. "I'm only kidding! Geez, you don't need to get so worked up! But you were there, right? The news said that some Pallet trainer had observed some ex-Team Rocket member kill the Black Rocket guy."
"Y-yeah..." Matt responded hesitantly.
"Geez, I can't believe it. You were right there, too. You're so strong. If I saw somebody die in front of me, you wouldn't be able to get a clear answer out of me for a long time. How was it? Weren't you a little bit afraid watching someone die...?"
Matt quickly thought about the split second after Lizzie was shot, followed by his swift, angry command for his Onix to obliterate the life of a man.
"Matt?"
"Oh, sorry. Yeah, it was scary. But...I guess he had it coming."
"What were you doing there, anyway?"
"I really wouldn't like to discuss it. Well, since mom's not home, I guess I'll have to call her later then."
"Might as well. Well, I have some homework to do, then maybe I'll try to go out later and catch a movie or two. I'm sure you're busy, too, becoming a Pokémon master and what-not."
Matt chuckled. "I doubt I'll ever be THAT good."
"You finished number two in the Indigo League, did you not? Never doubt your abilities, and never doubt yourself. Tell that to Lizzie, too, all right? A lot of the other trainers from Pallet have already quit. Only three of you are left."
"What about the other trainers who recently left?"
"Who knows? Professor Oak didn't seem to like their attitude very much."
Matt smiled. "It's nice to know that I'm appreciated there."
"We're rootin' for ya! Well, I really need to go now."
"Goodbye."
"Tell me all about your adventures soon, okay? Bye!" The receiver clicked, as Matt put down the phone.
"So, what's going on?" Lizzie asked.
Matt sighed. "They weren't home. But regardless, we need to pack our things and get out of this league. There's a map downstairs; we'll use that for directions to the closest exit."
Lizzie nodded. "Okay."
The next hour was used packing up necessary items: clothing, snacks, and Pokémon tools. Matt was aware of how much time and effort it took in order to get into this league, but currently, he felt that Lizzie's reputation was far more important than any badge offered by this league. He zipped up his backpack and threw it on his shoulders. He rearranged the Pokéballs on his belt to the order which met his preferences. Soon Lizzie was ready, and they left their room, locking it behind them.
In the main entrance, the rioting outdoors was still loud, but not as deafening as the day before. Matt looked at the map on the wall in the main floor of the Pokémon Center.
"If we go this way after going out the back door, we should be able to make it there by this evening."
"Hey, you two, I was wondering where you were."
Lizzie turned around. "Hello, Ace." Matt refused to turn around and continued looking at the map.
"From the looks of things, you make it seem like you're going out. I don't think it's a good idea with all of these protestors around."
Matt turned and looked at Lizzie. "Ready to go?"
"Yup."
"Hey, man. You're not really going to go out there, are you?"
"I'm going to ask Nurse Joy if we can go out the back," Matt said. Lizzie nodded in response. Matt then quickly walked over to the front desk to speak with Nurse Joy.
"Why is he ignoring me? What's going on?"
"He and I are leaving."
"Well, I can see that," Ace responded, "but he hasn't even looked at me."
"I can't tell you why. I'm sorry." Lizzie then approached Matt as Nurse Joy was looking through a set of keys.
Ace stood still and thought for a second. No, it couldn't be, he thought to himself.
Nurse Joy lead Matt and Lizzie to the back door. She looked out a nearby window, and noticed that there was not a single person out there. She then proceeded to unlock the door, opening it.
"Thank you," Matt responded.
"Bye now," Lizzie added.
Matt and Lizzie quickly exited the Pokémon Center, and began walking at a rapid pace towards the direction where Matt was leading them. Not even a minute later, a voice could be heard.
"Hey, wait!"
"Oh, God..." Matt mumbled. "What does he want now?"
Lizzie stopped and turn around. "Um...you okay?"
"You're Miss X, aren't you?" Ace asked.
Matt shot around and looked into the eyes of Ace. "Now before you jump to any damn conclusions--"
"Wow, NOW you decide to look at me?"
"Hey pal, you're not in any position to get defensive here. What's going on?"
"Well, it was kind of a hunch, but since you take such great offense to it, it seems that my sources were right."
"What sources?!" Matt exclaimed.
"Matt, calm down," Lizzie responded.
"I managed to hack into the Indigo League's systems. Apparently they thought that somebody staying in that Pokémon Center is behind this entire thing. I knew for sure that they would be trying to leave sooner or later, but I didn't know you were going to go at once."
"Well, now that you know everything, you can do your best to keep your mouth shut so that we can make our escape."
"Why are you being so bitter and mouthy to me? What have I ever done to you?" Ace asked.
"Only consistently being bitter and mouthy towards me! Or do you not hold that accountable to the way I'm feeling?"
"I can't tell you what to and what not to think, but I can clearly say that I don't remember being bitter and mouth towards you."
"Well, it's unfortunate that you feel that way. But before you make any judgments on either myself or Lizzie, I'll let you know that you probably don't know a single damn thing that happened with us and Black Rocket."
"You mean despite the fact that she was shot? Or is there something else that happened that you'd like to tell me?" Ace asked.
Matt stood completely still. "I don't have to say a single damn thing to you, do you understand?"
"You've already told me more than you probably wanted to."
"Well regardless, you've already learned too much. Now please, we really need to get going." Matt looked at Lizzie. "We can't waste anymore time." He started walking, while Lizzie took one last look at Ace, then ran to catch up.
"Wait!" he yelled again.
Matt stopped and turned around. "Enough! I don't want to hear anymore of you, all right?!"
"Please, let me come with you!"
Matt was shocked at what Ace just said. "What?!"
Ace quickly ran to catch up. "Please, you don't understand. Lizzie is the only person who has ever been nice enough to open up to me, even though she never even knew me. I need to repay her by protecting her."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Matt responded sharply. "First you start blabbering on how you hacked into a league's system, and now you feel you owe a debt to my friend here just because she was nice enough to actually talk to you? I feel we can manage just fine on our own, thank you very much."
"Really, and why is that?"
"Because I'm here. I'm not going to let a damn thing happen to her, and the last thing either of us need is a trouble-maker."
"A trouble-maker. Great, you accuse me of making quick judgments of both you and her, yet you still continue to think that I'm some stuck-up trainer who's so full of himself."
"Enough of your complaining. Look, we're already being held back by your constant bickering! In case you haven't noticed, Lizzie's life and reputation are on the line here!"
"You're going to need all the help you can get."
"Well, sorry, I don't remember asking for help. Particularily yours. Let's go." Matt turned around again and started walking.
Lizzie approached Ace. "Please don't be upset with him; he really does care for me."
"Like he shows it," Ace scoffed.
"Giving up Pokémon training isn't enough? He's not comfortable around you, and no offense, but I don't really blame him."
"Great, so now YOU'RE turning on me."
"I'll be fine." Lizzie quickly ran to catch up with Matt as Ace stared at both of them, not moving at all until they were both out of his sight completely.
He sighed. "My big brother, Arrmun, is now in jail because of you, Matt. You're damn lucky enough that he was nice enough to take the blow for you after you stupidly commanded your God-damned Onix to take out the Black Rocket leader. You've done more bad than good. However, Lizzie doesn't see you that way, and I refuse to understand why.
"Arrmun told me great things about you, Matt. He really did. Now he'll be lucky if he ever gets to see the light of day again. Though, in a way, I shouldn't be complaining to you. You turned him away from Team Rocket. You changed his life. Even through all that's happened, I suppose I still respect you in a way. God speed to the both of you."
TO BE CONTINUED.
Chapter 43: Resignation
Lizzie stood in complete disbelief of what she just heard. Black Rocket, that evil organization in which she was involved for a long time, had finally done what they have been threatening to do for a long time.
Matt continued to stare into her, waiting for some kind of response. He didn't care what kind he would get. This experience has been frustrating for the both of them; perhaps a little bit more for Matt.
"I don't believe this. They're after you because of what I did."
"No, it was like this all along," Lizzie replied. "I remember that they always said to me that they would get me...I guess they're doing that now." She wiped away a tear.
Matt quickly picked up the phone and began dialing a number.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling home; we're not going to stay here any longer." Matt put the receiver up to his ear.
"What?"
"We can't stay here, Lizzie! Once they confirm the rumours they're going to come after us. If the Elite Four already has this figured out, who knows how much longer the Fenyuu League will take?"
"But Matt, you studied really hard to get into this league--"
"No, Lizzie, WE did. Your reputation and life is at stake, and the last thing I want to worry about now is my status as a Pokémon trainer." He then rested silent for a moment. "Come on, pick up..."
There was a click on Matt's receiver. "Hello?"
"Jessie? Oh, Thank God you're home. Is mom there?"
"Hey, how come you never want to speak to me? When you were home for the Pokémon League championships you hardly ever spoke to me!"
"Jess, there's no time for this; this is an emergency. I need to speak to mom right away."
"Well, sorry, she left with dad about fifteen minutes ago to do groceries."
"Great, just my luck," Matt responded.
"Is this about that Black Rocket thing you were involved with? You know, the one where you killed everyone?"
"WHAT?!" Matt exclaimed in shock. How does she know about this?! he asked.
Jess giggled on the line. "I'm only kidding! Geez, you don't need to get so worked up! But you were there, right? The news said that some Pallet trainer had observed some ex-Team Rocket member kill the Black Rocket guy."
"Y-yeah..." Matt responded hesitantly.
"Geez, I can't believe it. You were right there, too. You're so strong. If I saw somebody die in front of me, you wouldn't be able to get a clear answer out of me for a long time. How was it? Weren't you a little bit afraid watching someone die...?"
Matt quickly thought about the split second after Lizzie was shot, followed by his swift, angry command for his Onix to obliterate the life of a man.
"Matt?"
"Oh, sorry. Yeah, it was scary. But...I guess he had it coming."
"What were you doing there, anyway?"
"I really wouldn't like to discuss it. Well, since mom's not home, I guess I'll have to call her later then."
"Might as well. Well, I have some homework to do, then maybe I'll try to go out later and catch a movie or two. I'm sure you're busy, too, becoming a Pokémon master and what-not."
Matt chuckled. "I doubt I'll ever be THAT good."
"You finished number two in the Indigo League, did you not? Never doubt your abilities, and never doubt yourself. Tell that to Lizzie, too, all right? A lot of the other trainers from Pallet have already quit. Only three of you are left."
"What about the other trainers who recently left?"
"Who knows? Professor Oak didn't seem to like their attitude very much."
Matt smiled. "It's nice to know that I'm appreciated there."
"We're rootin' for ya! Well, I really need to go now."
"Goodbye."
"Tell me all about your adventures soon, okay? Bye!" The receiver clicked, as Matt put down the phone.
"So, what's going on?" Lizzie asked.
Matt sighed. "They weren't home. But regardless, we need to pack our things and get out of this league. There's a map downstairs; we'll use that for directions to the closest exit."
Lizzie nodded. "Okay."
The next hour was used packing up necessary items: clothing, snacks, and Pokémon tools. Matt was aware of how much time and effort it took in order to get into this league, but currently, he felt that Lizzie's reputation was far more important than any badge offered by this league. He zipped up his backpack and threw it on his shoulders. He rearranged the Pokéballs on his belt to the order which met his preferences. Soon Lizzie was ready, and they left their room, locking it behind them.
In the main entrance, the rioting outdoors was still loud, but not as deafening as the day before. Matt looked at the map on the wall in the main floor of the Pokémon Center.
"If we go this way after going out the back door, we should be able to make it there by this evening."
"Hey, you two, I was wondering where you were."
Lizzie turned around. "Hello, Ace." Matt refused to turn around and continued looking at the map.
"From the looks of things, you make it seem like you're going out. I don't think it's a good idea with all of these protestors around."
Matt turned and looked at Lizzie. "Ready to go?"
"Yup."
"Hey, man. You're not really going to go out there, are you?"
"I'm going to ask Nurse Joy if we can go out the back," Matt said. Lizzie nodded in response. Matt then quickly walked over to the front desk to speak with Nurse Joy.
"Why is he ignoring me? What's going on?"
"He and I are leaving."
"Well, I can see that," Ace responded, "but he hasn't even looked at me."
"I can't tell you why. I'm sorry." Lizzie then approached Matt as Nurse Joy was looking through a set of keys.
Ace stood still and thought for a second. No, it couldn't be, he thought to himself.
Nurse Joy lead Matt and Lizzie to the back door. She looked out a nearby window, and noticed that there was not a single person out there. She then proceeded to unlock the door, opening it.
"Thank you," Matt responded.
"Bye now," Lizzie added.
Matt and Lizzie quickly exited the Pokémon Center, and began walking at a rapid pace towards the direction where Matt was leading them. Not even a minute later, a voice could be heard.
"Hey, wait!"
"Oh, God..." Matt mumbled. "What does he want now?"
Lizzie stopped and turn around. "Um...you okay?"
"You're Miss X, aren't you?" Ace asked.
Matt shot around and looked into the eyes of Ace. "Now before you jump to any damn conclusions--"
"Wow, NOW you decide to look at me?"
"Hey pal, you're not in any position to get defensive here. What's going on?"
"Well, it was kind of a hunch, but since you take such great offense to it, it seems that my sources were right."
"What sources?!" Matt exclaimed.
"Matt, calm down," Lizzie responded.
"I managed to hack into the Indigo League's systems. Apparently they thought that somebody staying in that Pokémon Center is behind this entire thing. I knew for sure that they would be trying to leave sooner or later, but I didn't know you were going to go at once."
"Well, now that you know everything, you can do your best to keep your mouth shut so that we can make our escape."
"Why are you being so bitter and mouthy to me? What have I ever done to you?" Ace asked.
"Only consistently being bitter and mouthy towards me! Or do you not hold that accountable to the way I'm feeling?"
"I can't tell you what to and what not to think, but I can clearly say that I don't remember being bitter and mouth towards you."
"Well, it's unfortunate that you feel that way. But before you make any judgments on either myself or Lizzie, I'll let you know that you probably don't know a single damn thing that happened with us and Black Rocket."
"You mean despite the fact that she was shot? Or is there something else that happened that you'd like to tell me?" Ace asked.
Matt stood completely still. "I don't have to say a single damn thing to you, do you understand?"
"You've already told me more than you probably wanted to."
"Well regardless, you've already learned too much. Now please, we really need to get going." Matt looked at Lizzie. "We can't waste anymore time." He started walking, while Lizzie took one last look at Ace, then ran to catch up.
"Wait!" he yelled again.
Matt stopped and turned around. "Enough! I don't want to hear anymore of you, all right?!"
"Please, let me come with you!"
Matt was shocked at what Ace just said. "What?!"
Ace quickly ran to catch up. "Please, you don't understand. Lizzie is the only person who has ever been nice enough to open up to me, even though she never even knew me. I need to repay her by protecting her."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Matt responded sharply. "First you start blabbering on how you hacked into a league's system, and now you feel you owe a debt to my friend here just because she was nice enough to actually talk to you? I feel we can manage just fine on our own, thank you very much."
"Really, and why is that?"
"Because I'm here. I'm not going to let a damn thing happen to her, and the last thing either of us need is a trouble-maker."
"A trouble-maker. Great, you accuse me of making quick judgments of both you and her, yet you still continue to think that I'm some stuck-up trainer who's so full of himself."
"Enough of your complaining. Look, we're already being held back by your constant bickering! In case you haven't noticed, Lizzie's life and reputation are on the line here!"
"You're going to need all the help you can get."
"Well, sorry, I don't remember asking for help. Particularily yours. Let's go." Matt turned around again and started walking.
Lizzie approached Ace. "Please don't be upset with him; he really does care for me."
"Like he shows it," Ace scoffed.
"Giving up Pokémon training isn't enough? He's not comfortable around you, and no offense, but I don't really blame him."
"Great, so now YOU'RE turning on me."
"I'll be fine." Lizzie quickly ran to catch up with Matt as Ace stared at both of them, not moving at all until they were both out of his sight completely.
He sighed. "My big brother, Arrmun, is now in jail because of you, Matt. You're damn lucky enough that he was nice enough to take the blow for you after you stupidly commanded your God-damned Onix to take out the Black Rocket leader. You've done more bad than good. However, Lizzie doesn't see you that way, and I refuse to understand why.
"Arrmun told me great things about you, Matt. He really did. Now he'll be lucky if he ever gets to see the light of day again. Though, in a way, I shouldn't be complaining to you. You turned him away from Team Rocket. You changed his life. Even through all that's happened, I suppose I still respect you in a way. God speed to the both of you."
TO BE CONTINUED.
