LAWRENCE
Lawrence was playing-and winning-a game of poker with the
Pyrite hotel owner. He had already won five nights free stay in the
rooms they were staying in. Julie, he knew, was sight-seeing with the
children in Phenac City, and he was passing the time till she returned.
He'd already battled-and totally creamed-the people in Duel Square,
and the rogue at the entrance. He and Julie planned to take on the
Pyrite Colosseum-separately, of course-tomorrow. He gave a happy
sigh as he won their sixth free night at the hotel.
Then there was a commotion in the foyer, and the hotel owner
seemed glad of a reason to stop playing. He went out to find what the
shouting and crying was about. Lawrence followed, because he knew
those youthful cries, which sounded very distressed. It was his
children!
They saw him, and threw themselves towards him. He knelt and put
his arms around the lot of them. Their distress was evident to him in
more ways than one, because to people's surprise, it was sleeting
outside. It was June, not the usual time for sleet at all. He tried to
soothe them, but they wouldn't be calmed. In the end, he told them
to each tell him, one at a time, what had happened.
They all told the same story. Three men had approached them, and
they had each tried to go for one of the children. But from what they
had said, Julie had guessed their intentions and interposed herself
between them and the children, and had shouted at the children to
run or fly for it, to get away. She had blizzarded them then while the
children made their escape. Alan had circled back, hoping to help,
and had seen the biggest attacker punch their mother unconscious.
Amber had wanted there and then to fly down and dig her long toes
with their nails in a painful place, but Alan had managed to stop her,
fearful that she'd be caught too. The three attackers had bundled
Julie into some sort of transport vehicle, and headed into the desert.
Lawrence was just listening to his youngest, Lawril's report, when he
overheard a news bulletin. In it, the reporter claimed that Cipher
were back at work. Lawrence opened his mouth to let forth a stream
of invective, then stopped himself, remembering the three sets of
little ears in the room. He was convinced it was Cipher who had taken
his wife, and he knew what for. Shadow Pokémon had been
mentioned in the news article.
Lawrence got out his P.D.A and contacted Eagun. Perhaps his
granddaughter and Seth could help, but he said they were out of Orré
doing other things, he knew not what. Lawrence could only think of
two other people he could call. Cyril wasn't answering his P.D.A, and
Lawrence frowned, dialling the last number he knew.
"Hello, Lawrence, are you enjoying your holiday?" Male Ash asked as
he answered.
"I have a problem, I'm afraid." he answered, and related what he
knew to Male Ash. He looked grave.
"Look, book us some rooms, I'll contact Cyril and get him to take us
there as soon as possible." He said.
"I can't get hold of Cyril." Lawrence said. "He may not be able to
help."
"Cyril's contacted me." Male Ash said. "It seems Lugia went missing a
couple of weeks ago, and now Rachel has vanished. With the
information you've given us, I can't help wondering if Cipher might be
involved in kidnapping them too. I think Orré is as good a place as
any to start looking for Rachel, and perhaps for Lugia as well. Carol
and Melody say they'll ask all the Orange Islands, Mum and Professor
Oak will use their contacts in Kanto, Professor Elm will head enquiries
in Johto, and Professor Birch says he'll put some feelers out in Hoenn.
We can put the Officer Jennies on alert too. Orré is the only place
where we KNOW there's trouble, and so we'll come and help you look
for Julie." He said. "We'll be with you by nightfall." Male Ash signed
off, and Lawrence turned back to his still-distressed children.
"Help will be here by nightfall." he said. "Till then, all we can do is
wait."
