Chapter 24 Abducted by Doctor
After getting out of the battlefield, they find Victoria and Cal meditating.
Cal: (Opens his eyes and notices Ash) Done already?
Victoria: Don't just get immediately distracted! Meditation is about maintaining focus even when something happens in the environment around you!
Cal: Sure, sure...
Victoria: (Opens her eyes and sees Ash) Well, it doesn't matter now; we may as well talk. I take it you won, then? Congratulations!
Ash: Yeah, but what are you doing?
Victoria: I'd just been teaching Cal some basic techniques for maintaining composure. Seems like a lot of people get frustrated around here, haha...
Sigmund: (At the lobby) Excuse me? (Walks towards the second floor and finds Ash and the others) I believe I was called for? In service to the Gym Leader. Is she present?
Shelly: (Turns to the man and gulps) S-sorry, you're looking for me? You're the- the, um...
Sigmund: (Bows) Dr. Sigmund Connal, at your beckon. I specialize in children's services and mental health. Do you know why I'm here today?
Shelly: (Nods) Um, because... Because I wasn't feeling so g-great, earlier. There was, um...
Cal: She saw things a kid shouldn't have to see. And then to top it all off, some ignoramus jerk-off challenger came in here and all but spit in her face!
Sigmund: I see. I suppose you two are her parents...?
Victoria: (Looks at Cal) W-what, he and- As if!
Sigmund: Legal guardians, then?
Shelly: (Cuts him off) S-sir, if you will, I'm here with the signed consent of my parents. They live abroad, and my brother too- The expenses are taken care of via the League salary, and... And, um... so it's just... It's, um, just me...
Sigmund: (A little disappointed) But in good legal and financial standing. To be independent at such an age is truly impressive.
Shelly: T-thank you, sir! It was the same for my brother, so I wanted- I wanted to challenge myself to... be like him...
Sigmund: (Turns to Ash and the others) And then your relation is...?
Cal: Just a concerned friend. Look, just focus on her, will you?
Sigmund: It appears to be a peculiar friendship.
Shelly: Cal and I met through the League! We got along and talked a lot because- Well, because he's like me!
Sigmund: In what sense, exactly?
Shelly: It was the same with his brother! In both our cases, it was our reason for entering the League.
Cal: It was stupid. And I already stepped out of that a while ago...
Sigmund: (Nods) Ah, yes, Cal Whitaker, was it? Your successor is a client of mine. I recall hearing about the circumstances before your resignation... I admit, I was quite bemused to hear that a Fire Type Gym Leader would lose to a team full of Ice Types like that...
Cal: (Annoyed) Hey. Shut up.
Sigmund: For what purpose, I wonder? Do you live in denial yourself about the incident? Or are you simply embarrassed to admit failures in front of the present company?
Cal: How about you stop fucking running your mouth about shit you don't understand, chump?
Victoria: Cal...
Sigmund: It was merely a question of curiosity. After all, I find it prudent to consider the precipitating factors in a prospective client's immediate and social environment. For instance, extended exposure to individuals who are quick to anger could easily explain a timid disposition...
Cal: (Resists to punch the man in front of him) What the fuck are you trying to say!?
Sigmund: It is paradoxical, in fact- The girl claims to have bonded with you over your relationships with your respective brothers, and yet the very mention of him appears to serve as a trigger to aggression for you.
Cal: Stop trying to fuckin' psychoanalyze me, asshole! You're here for her!
Shelly: C-Cal, it's-
Cal: What the fuck do you know about adults anyway?! Aren't you a pediatrician?
Sigmund: I am a psychiatrist with a focus on developmental psychology.
Cal: But you only work with children, right?!
Sigmund: At the moment, I am not entirely convinced that you aren't one.
Cal: What'd you just fucking say?!
Shelly: (Backs to the seat with a frightened face) P-please...
Victoria: Cal, maybe this is a good time for us to try-
Cal: I don't wanna hear it! This chump thinks he can just bust in here and act as if he knows us all better than we know ourselves?!
Sigmund: I was requested to come.
Cal: Some fucking "doctor"-
Shelly: Cal, please, he was just trying to understand-
Cal: (Turns to Shelly with anger) Understand WHAT, exactly?
Shelly: That we both just want to be seen and loved by our brothers!
Cal: Like HELL I do! (Pushes her to the couch, and realizes what he has done) Wait- No, I'm- I'm sorry; I didn't mean to-
Sigmund: Step away from the girl, Mr. Whitaker.
Cal: "Mr. Whitaker?" Last time I heard that was...Was... (Lowers his head) I'm... going. (Runs away)
Ash: (Turns to Shelly) Shelly, are you hurt?
Shelly: U-um...Not- not really...It was just a s-shove... and the couch is soft... He didn't... mean to...
Sigmund: You do not have to minimize or make excuses for him.
Shelly: It- it was my fault for getting too close anyway.
Sigmund: (Turns to Ash and Victoria) Leave us. Extraneous company has done enough harm for one moment.
Victoria: S-sure thing... Let's go, Ash.
Ash is not 100% sure to let Sigmund alone with Shelly, but he knows that Shelly still has parents and he can't do anything to her. After getting outside, Cal is just looking at the ground with sadness.
Victoria: Uh, hey, that was-
Cal: Fucking awful of me, I know. I said I wouldn't be like him, and yet... I never wanted to hurt her...Why the FUCK did I-
Victoria tries to comfort him, but Cal just pushes her away.
Cal: Just leave me alone! Someone like me doesn't deserve to be treated with kindness.
Victoria: I don't think that's going to help.
Cal: There's nothing to help. I fucked up, and I can't take it back. That's that. The best thing I can do now is to just go away.
Victoria: (Thinks for a second and says) What if I told you there was a place you could go, far away from here, where you could learn to control your emotions?
Cal: (Getting a little interested) Where?
Victoria: Have you heard of Apophyll Academy? (Seeing Cal shaking his head) It's just across Azurine Lake. Actually, it's where I live. Our sensei, Kiki, would be able to help you, no doubt about it. I can take you there, if you'd like.
Cal: (Turns to her with a shocked face) You think you can even help someone like me?
Victoria: I think it would be a mistake not to try.
Cal: (Sighs) Fine. Lead the way.
After Victoria brings Cal to leave and bids farewell to Ash, Cain walks toward him with concern.
Cain: Uh, did something happen...? (Notices the Cacoon Badge) Oh, you got your gym badge! Congrats~ Is Shelly holding up?
Ash: Well, she is seeing the doctor right now, so I think you'll have to wait.
Cain: I was hoping to face her too, but I understand if she needs more time... Hey, would you be up for a match? I'd love to feel your strength for myself~
Ash: Are you serious?
Cain: Just to see how I measure up... Before I go challenging her, I mean! Besides, I saw that doctor go in there. It'll be a good way to pass the time until she's ready. Lemme heal your team, and then talk to me when you're up for it?
Ash would want to go to the Orphanage and save his two siblings, but he still can't leave Shelly alone with the doctor. So he sighs and agrees to battle. Cain goes for Brionne first, Ash decides to go with Pikachu. Brionne goes for Bubble Beam, which deals a lot of damage to Pikachu, but Pikachu goes for DOuble Team and then Thunderbolt, knocking the Pokemon out with ease.
The second Pokemon is Alolan Marowak, which has the ability Lightning Rod, so Ash switches to Drifblim to battle. Drifblim goes for Ominous Wind, hitting the opponent and gains all the stats, but it gets burnt by the Will-o-Wisp. In the end, Drifblim's Shadow Ball causes the Pokemon to faint.
The third Pokemon is Alolan Grimer, and it goes for Knock Off, knocking out Drifblim, so Ash goes for Donphan, having it use Earthquake to knock it out.
Cain: I am sooo getting bent-over here. (Sends out Nidoking)
Donphan goes for Rollout, dodging the Thrash attack from Nidoking, and it then goes for Magnitude 6, knocking the Nidoking out of the field with ease.
Cain: You sure know how to handle me~ (Recalls Pokemon) Well, I can see how you beat her! But man, how do you get so strong like that?
Ash: I have experience. (Notices Heather on the roof) Heather!
Heather: (Notices Ash and Cain and flies towards them from the roof) Oh, it's you two. I saw Shelly called me a while ago, but what are YOU doing here?
Cain: Uh, actually, I was looking for you! I... heard about your dad. I... heard you ran away. I know that isn't easy to deal with... Having to fend for yourself, all alone- especially in a big city like this. I know what it's like, too. So I wanted to make sure you're all right.
Heather: What? It's not like it's hard. Who needs parents anyway? All they do is tell you a bunch of stupid things you're not supposed to do. Like they know any better.
Sigmund: (Walks out of the gym) Excuse me, but if I heard correctly, you have separated from your legal guardian?
Heather: (Jumps) Who the heck are you?! It's none of your business, old man!
Sigmund: Actually, it is exactly my business. You see, I run a service for the children of Reborn. I give homes to those who have none. Food, shelter, and even many friends, just like yourself. Does that sound nice to you... Heather, was it?
Heather: For someone who was listening in, you sure don't listen very well. As I said, I don't NEED any of that! I'm fine all by myself!
Sigmund: There is no need to be so rude. I am offering you a home. Everything you could need to stay safe and get your life on track... Why do you resist?
Heather: Because you're a creep! No girl would ever want to be around you!
Sigmund: Indeed? Well, I would say that you leave me the little option... However, it is you who does not have a choice.
Cain: (Stands in front of Heather) Hey, geezer, how about you lay off the girl.
Sigmund: (Rolls his eyes) Excuse me. I am not a "geezer". I am a doctor. I've worked many hours for that title and I expect it to be addressed appropriately in turn.
Cain: What's he got up his butt? Fine then. Lay off the girl, Dr. Geezer.
Sigmund: This is the part of the job I do not like. Under Article 4, Section 9, Clause 3, I am responsible for the care and custody of all vagrant children in the city of Reborn. Under Article 7, Section 2, Clause 2, I am granted the authority to adopt into custody any discovered vagrant child within the city limits, provided he or she does not have a legal guardian willing or able to claim custody of them, or equivalent legitimized documentation of emancipation.
Ash: Hold on a second! My mom has already adopted Heather as a part of our family! The laws that you stated aren't going to work!
Sigmund: Then please show me the adoption papers.
Ash: (Gulps) They're not finished yet. They are still reviewing the documents...
Heather: Forget that! I'm out of here. Salamence, it's-
Sigmund: (Grabs her arm before she can throw a Pokeball) I think not, child.
Heather: Hey, ow, that hurts!
Ash: Hey, let her go!
Sigmund: Until I see the papers, I suggest you not interfere. Physical interruption to standard city procedures can and will qualify as personal assault, delinquency, and obstruction of justice, and will thusly result in a criminal record and lawsuit against your name. Do have a good day.
Ash grits his teeth as Sigmund just drags Heather away like that.
Heather: Let me- go! Hey, heyheyhey...
Cain: (Angry and cursing) Aaaaghsjdhbjhwfejdshbd.
Shelly: (Rushes out of the gym) U-um! That wasn't just Heather, just now- was it? Was it really?
Cain: Yeah, he's forcibly taking her into custody or something.
Shelly: W-what?! He can't do that! He can't do that, can he?!
Ash: Well, with what happened to her dad...and the procedures of adoption aren't finished...
Shelly: Oh- no... Oh my goodness...
Ash: ...But we're not just gonna let this happen.
Shelly: What- what do you mean?
Cain: Well, we can't just leave her in the clutches of Dr. Butt.
Shelly: But if we do anything, won't we get in trouble?
Ash: If only you two, yeah, you're right. You could maybe be arrested, maybe put in jail... Big trouble. But Heather's already in trouble. So I'm gonna take that chance. The law doesn't know what's best for her. I believe her when she says she's doing fine on her own.
Cain: Living day to day is hard, but it's not as hard as people make it out to be. Not when you've got good friends around. And she made it pretty clear she doesn't wanna be there. So she has to deal and suck it up, just because a few legal documents and some old guy said so? I don't think so. He dragged her in there all but kicking and screaming. We can pull her out.
Ash: And besides, I am also an honorary member of the police, what he is doing is also breaking the law. He has to be arrested for his crimes as well.
Shelly: Okay, let's do it.
Ash: (Confused) Huh, you're coming too?
Shelly: Yeah. U-um, if that's okay...
Cain: Well, none of this is okay, depending on who you ask. But I'm happy to have you; the more the merrier~
Shelly: She's my friend, and- I was the one who called her here, and- The doctor only came here for me- It's my fault that this even happened, so...So, um...We'll d-do our best to make it right, maybe!?
Ash: You got it. Let's not keep her waiting!
Shelly: R-right! (Rushes towards the Orphanage)
Oops, looks like Dr. Sigmund Connal has captured Heather, now Ash, Shelly, and Cain are going to save them. What I think about Sigmund, I can say that he got what he deserved in the end. I am not allowed to spoil the ending of the doctor, but I hope you like this chapter.
