Slow Recovery
Serena's POV
It's been two days since Serena earned her second Princess Key and Alec was injured, and they just got the news that Alec was awake. The group entered the hospital and told the lady at the front counter who they were here to see. When they arrived at Alec's room, he was sitting in his bed looking out the window with a blank expression.
"He just woke up and hasn't said a word. I'm hoping you can get him to talk," the doctor said.
The group went into the room and Alec turned to look at them. "Serena?" he asked.
"Yeah. It's me," she answered as she approached.
[Alec!] Ethan shouted as he jumped onto the bed and into Alec's arms.
"Hey, Ethan. I'm glad you're alright," Alec said.
[I'm more concerned about you. What happened?] he asked.
"I don't know," Alec answered.
"You don't remember what happened?" Cassidy asked.
"I remember finding Eevee outside the showcase, but after that, everything's a blur," he answered.
"You were attacked," Clemont told him.
"Attacked? By wha-" Alec started but suddenly stopped. His eyes went wide in fear, his breathing got heavy, and his arms started shaking.
"Alec? Alec?! What's wrong?" Serena called out, running to her brother's side.
"Alec, can you hear us?" Cassidy asked, going to Alec's other side.
Just then, Serena could hear the faint whisper coming from him. Just a single word that he repeated over and over. "Drapion," he said. Serena reacted quickly and let Arco out of his ball. The Aura Pokémon then touched Alec's side with a blue glow on his paws. Alec then stopped muttering and fell asleep again.
"What was that about?" Ash asked.
"It's his PTSD. And it's gotten worse. I feared as much which is why I brought Arco along. To calm him in case it had. I wish I was wrong," Serena answered as she felt herself tearing up. She then felt arms around her as Ash pulled her into an embrace. Serena couldn't take it anymore and let her tears out as she embraced him as well.
The door then opened and Serena looked to see her mom walk in. "Is he okay?" she asked the group as she went to his side.
"He just had a panic attack so Arco put him back to sleep," Cassidy answered.
Over the next few days, Alec managed to recover enough that he was allowed to leave the hospital, but he had to use a cane to walk due to the damage in his left leg. "Glad to have you up and about again Alec," Ash said with a bit more cheer than he had in the past few days.
"I guess," Alec answered plainly.
"At least you're moving again," Liz pointed out. She had arrived last night after hearing the news, which Serena planned on telling Liz herself, but somehow the press found out about Alec's injuries and the next thing Serena knew, a ton of reporters were trying to get information from him.
"Yeah," Alec replied with the same tone.
"Cheer up Alec. You're better now," Bonnie said.
Alec didn't say anything and he went to the phone booths. "I've gotta make a call. I'll be back soon," he said.
"Any idea on who's he calling?" Cassidy asked.
"Probably Gordan," Liz answered.
"Who's that?" Clemont asked.
"An old friend of mine and Alec, and his father's butler," Liz answered.
"His butler?!" everyone but Liz and mom shouted in surprise.
"So he's still around. Good to hear. Gordon was always a kind man," mom said.
"He did help Alec get out when I left for my journey," Liz added.
"Well, I'm glad you two were able to add some light in his life," mom thanked Liz.
"Thanks, ma'am," Liz replied.
"Please, call me Grace," mom told her.
The group then heard some clicking signaling Alec's return. In his right hand was a Poké Ball and Serena wondered what Pokémon was in it. Ash then walked up to him. "Hey, Alec. Let's have a battle," he suggested. Everyone was surprised.
"Ash, I don't think that's a good idea," Clemont told him.
"Well a battle helps cheer me up," Ash protested.
"I don't know Ash. I don't feel like I should battle after the stupid mistake I made," Alec told him.
"Anyone can make a mistake. Come on, you'll feel better after a battle. Why else would you be holding a Poké Ball?" Ash countered.
"It's Flame's ball. And I have it because he won't stop nagging me about wanting to be here," Alec answered bluntly. "That, and I could use his company," he added, looking at the ball.
"Makes sense. Arco responded when you got hurt initially and since your bond with Flame is extremely powerful, he'd sense what happened," Liz piped in as Alec slightly stumbled, but Cassidy helped him sit down.
"Come on Alec. If you just-" Ash started, but mom interrupted him.
"Ash stop," she told him. "I know you mean well, but none of us should push Alec into doing something he doesn't want to do."
"What the heck. You're going to keep bringing it up till we do so," Alec said as he stood up again and looked at Ash. "Let's battle." Everyone but Ash was surprised, who just smiled at Alec.
"Alec, you don't have to do this. At least wait until you're better," Cassidy told him.
"She's right Alec. Please reconsider," Clemont added.
"I've made up my mind," Alec stated.
Ash's POV
The group went to the battlefield outside the Pokémon Center. Ash took the side further away from the door so Alec wouldn't have to walk as much. This battle was for Alec and himself. He couldn't bear to see his friend this down, though that didn't mean he was going to hold back. He'd go all out to see Alec back to his old self. Hopefully, this battle helped with that.
Clemont then stood in the ref position. "Alright. The battle between Ash and Alec will now begin. Both trainers will use one Pokémon each and the battle will be over when one side is unable to continue. Are both trainers ready?" he asked.
"Yeah I am," Ash answered with as much confidence as he could muster. Alec merely gave a simple nod.
"Trainers, let out your Pokémon!" Clemont shouted.
"Pikachu, I choose you!" Ash shouted and Pikachu ran onto the battlefield, cheeks sparking.
"Ethan, you're up," Alec said, almost sadly. Ethan didn't say anything as he walked onto the field and took up a stance, with almost the same downtrodden expression on Alec's face.
"Battle begin!" Clemont declared.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded. Pikachu jumped into the air and let loss the lightning.
"Dark Pulse," Alec said plainly. Ethan fired his rings, but Thunderbolt quickly overpowered it.
"Pika. Pi Pikachu," Pikachu said to Ash.
"Yeah, it's like they're both holding back," Ash agreed. "But we won't. Electro Ball followed by Quick Attack!" Ash shouted. Pikachu ran towards Ethan with Electro Ball appearing on his tail. He sent it flying towards his target before using Quick Attack to speed past it and hit Ethan. Electro Ball then hit the Dark-type while he was knocked back.
"Night Shade," Alec told Ethan. The black lightning flew towards Pikachu, but Ash didn't tell him to dodge even though Pikachu was fast enough. He wanted to see if Alec and Ethan were really in this. When Night Shade hit, it's like it bounced off Pikachu, doing next to no damage.
Ash just couldn't take this pitiful nonsense anymore. "What's with you, Alec?!" Ash shouted at him. "It's like you're not even trying! If I'm going to beat you here, I want you at your best. At this rate, you're never going to get better!" Alec didn't even flinch at Ash's words. "If you won't listen to words then I'll do so with moves. Pikachu, finish this with Iron Tail!" Ash commanded. Pikachu ran towards Ethan and jumped into the air as his tail turned to steel.
A flash of fire then suddenly appeared in between Pikachu and Ethan and an arm came out and grabbed Pikachu's tail. When the fire cleared, Flame was standing there. Flame then pushed back Pikachu towards Ash.
Alec's POV
Alec was surprised that Flame had let himself out on his own. He didn't normally do that, so why now? [Stop Pikachu. This was never a battle. It's over,] Flame said.
[Flame, what are you doing?] Ethan asked.
[Stopping this sad thing,] Flame answered.
"This battle's over then," Serena said, coming up to stand next to Clemont, who nodded in agreement.
Flame then looked at Alec with a glare that he couldn't read. [We're going to talk,] he said before grabbing Alec and Ethan and flying off.
After a bit of flying, Flame set Alec down on a large stump but unceremoniously dropped Ethan to the ground. [You didn't have to drop me you know,] Ethan told Flame in annoyance.
Flame didn't answer, looking at Alec with a look he didn't understand. [You have to stop beating yourself up about this. I get it. It's painful and you feel like you could have stopped it. But none of us think any less of you because of it. You're just going to have to pick yourself up like you've told us to do so many times,] Flame told him. [But that doesn't mean you had to go and do a battle like that. It's an insult to yourself and Ethan for accepting a battle but not even try to win it. That goes for both of you,] he added, finally looking at Ethan.
"I don't know if I can pick myself up. Just thinking about battling makes me worried now. I see now what I have to put you all through every time I let you out while I watch from the sidelines. I don't know if I'll ever be able to battle again," Alec stated. "Maybe father was right. Maybe this is too much for me."
[Don't say things like that,] Ethan told him.
[I understand that this is hard for you, but if you don't stand back up, then that man will win. We all have to keep fighting,] Flame added.
"But is it worth it anymore? Ever since I became champion, I've found myself without a goal or purpose to strive for. No matter what I think I just can't find something else that I can do," Alec admitted.
[Do you remember when we found each other?] Flame asked. Alec looked up at the Charizard and could remember the day as clear as day. [I was without a goal or purpose to, but you gave me something to fight for. When I was born, I thought that all I'd end up being in life is just some lab experiment. You gave me the chance to grow and reach my potential, which is more than they ever did. Even if there isn't a clear destination, we can still strive to get stronger. No matter what that may be,] Flame advised. Alec let out a small chuckle.
"When did you get so wise? Don't tell me that Dr. Hoot has been getting philosophical," Alec said, referring to the elderly Noctowl he caught.
[Flame's being wise? Flame's more of the shoot-fire-first-ask-questions-later kind of Pokémon,] Ethan commented.
[If that didn't sound like your old self I'd hit you,] Flame growled at Ethan. Alec surprised himself by letting out a small laugh at the two's antics. [There's the Alec I remember. So what do you say we head on back?] Flame asked.
"We'll have to fly, considering you forgot I need a cane to walk now and I dropped it when you grabbed me," Alec pointed out.
[That was the plan. I didn't want you walking away,] Flame stated.
[Suuuure,] Ethan commented, not believing Flame. The Charizard lowered himself so Alec could climb on and Ethan hopped on as well. Flame then took to the sky and headed in the direction of the Pokémon Center.
When Flame landed, the three were immediately swarmed by their friends asking questions on what just happened. "Please calm down everyone. Me and Flame just talked," Alec answered.
"Well, looks like you're a bit better," Liz commented, noticing that Alec wasn't looking as downtrodden as before.
"Mentally at least. Still can't remember much about the attack though," he stated.
"So, are we finishing our battle?" Ash asked.
"Ash, not the time," Serena scolded him.
"While I appreciate what you're trying to do Ash, I'm just not up to a battle," Alec told him. A buzzing was then heard and Alec felt a vibration in his pocket. He pulled out his Holotransiver and saw that he had a message notification. He opened it up and saw that it was from his father.
'I've heard you recently got out of the hospital. I want you to call me, we need to talk,' the message read.
"What does that old buffoon want this time?" Alec wondered. "Excuse me, but I need to take this," he told his friends heading to his room, returning Flame before he went inside the Center.
When Alec sat down on the bed, he let himself relax for a bit as his left leg was killing him. [You shouldn't be walking so much you know,] Ethan pointed out.
"I know Ethan, don't scold me," Alec said back.
[So what does that asshole want now?] his partner asked.
"Only one way to find out," Alec answered with a sigh. He pulled out his transceiver and scrolled down his contacts till he found the one that read 'Father'.
After a bit of will power, Alec pressed the call button. A few moments later, his father's hologram appeared before him. "It took you long enough," he said.
"Well I'm happy to see you too," Alec snapped back sarcastically.
"Watch your tone son, I'm still your father," Alec's father responded.
"Master Kirkland, please control your temper," Gordon's voice said off-screen.
Father took a deep breath before continuing. "I understand you were badly injured by a Pokémon. So I do hope you see the dangers of them now," he said.
"Are you serious?!" Alec shouted. "You hear that I'm injured and don't even ask if I'm okay?!"
"Please don't yell. I'm not in the mood for it," father responded.
"I don't give a damn if you're in the mood for it or not! Either you get to the point of this call or I'm hanging up right now!" Alec shouted, his temper flaring just looking at his father.
"Very well. I want you to come back home to Snowbelle. It's time you seriously considered taking over Kirkland Industries and its assets. And reconsider your constant refusals of Annabell," father said.
"So it's just the same old same old?" Alec asked, knowing the answer already.
"Son, please come home. You can't just keep throwing your life away like this. It's high time you accepted your future as the next head of the company," father requested.
"I'm not coming home to Snowbelle. And when I do go to Snowbelle it sure won't be for you," Alec told him.
"Son, please hear me out," father asked. It almost sounded like he was pleading. Good. This would make it more satisfying for Alec. He hung up before his father could utter another word.
Alec and Ethan sat in silence for a bit as they both processed what happened. [That was super cold you know,] Ethan pointed out.
"Oh like you'd be any better," Alec snapped, causing Ethan to flinch.
Alec immediately regretted it. "Sorry. That was uncalled for," he apologized.
[It's fine. I should have expected your temper would be high after calling him,] Ethan replied. The two then heard a knock on the door. [I'll get it,] Ethan said, jumping off the bed and opening the door with Psychic.
Cassidy was seen on the other side with Eve and a concerned look on her face. "You alright? I heard yelling and wondered if something was wrong," she asked.
"If by 'something wrong' you mean my father then yes," Alec replied, signaling her in.
[We'll give you two some time alone,] Ethan said with a bit of a smirk as he and Eve went outside, closing the door behind them.
Alec felt a bit uncomfortable with being alone with Cassidy but did his best to not show it. "Those two sure get along quite well," Cassidy commented on Ethan and Eve.
"They sure do," Alec said, glad for the brief change in subject.
"So was your call with your father that bad?" Cassidy asked as she sat down on the bed next to Alec.
"That's one word for it," he commented.
"Dare I ask?"
"Asshole didn't even ask if I was alright. Just said that I had to come home and "consider my future as the next head of the company" and practically forcing me on Annabell."
"And then?"
"He tried to beg me to come home, but I hung up on him. I've heard it all before and I doubt he's got anything new to say," Alec answered. His hands then went to his face as he fell back onto the bed. "What was I thinking? Answering his call. He never has anything new to say so why did I think it'd be different this time?" he asked himself in annoyance.
Cassidy then wrapped her hand around his. "I think you two should a least make up, or at least come to an understanding," she suggested.
"Gee, never thought of that before. But the old fool is too set in his ways that every time I try to negotiate with him it just ends up turning into an argument," Alec stated.
Cassidy was silent for a bit before speaking. "I know what it's like to not have an understanding with one's parents. Me and my dad got into a lot of fights when I was a little girl. The worst was just after I started my journey and we didn't talk for months despite my mom's nagging. I never got the chance to make it up to him, as he died from illness before I left Hoenn," she told Alec. He sat back up, still holding each other's hands. "There's so much I want to say to him, but I'll never get the chance now. To tell him how sorry I am that we let our arguments get in the way. I wasn't even there on his deathbed. The point is, I don't want you to say something to your father that you'll regret and never have the chance to make it up to him."
Alec looked at her in understanding. "Alright then. I'll try. And that's a promise," he told her. Cassidy smiled before surprising Alec with a hug around his neck. He felt his cheeks heat up before hugging her back around her midsection.
Cassidy then suddenly pulled back with a massive blush and a panicked look on her face. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that, it just happened on instinct! I mean-" she yelled out in fright but Alec grabbed her hand in his.
"It's fine. You don't have to worry about it. I… kind of enjoyed it," he admitted, feeling his own blush. Cassidy calmed down a bit and before anything could happen, they heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get that," Cassidy said, letting go of Alec's hand and walking towards the door. The door opened to reveal Serena on the other side.
She saw Cassidy and her eyes widened. "Oh. I'm sorry. I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but Clemont said that dinner's ready," she told them.
"It's fine sis. I could use something to eat anyways," Alec replied, grabbing his cane and standing up somewhat. When he took a step he stumbled for a second, but Cassidy helped him out.
As the three walked towards the dining area, Serena whispered into Alec's ear. "Hope I didn't interrupt anything too serious," she apologized.
"Worry about your relationship with Ash, not mine with Cassidy," Alec told her sternly.
"Oh come on," Serena complained.