A Jewel in Water
Part 34
Paul walked to his window and opened it up. Panic attacks were the worst. Ever since Electivire got sick they had been happening more frequently. He needed air on his face. Felt like the walls of the room were closing into him, and he needed some air to feel free. He started muttering under his breath. Thunderpunch, Earthquake, Double team. The list went on. Reciting the moves of his Pokemon calmed him down; it cleared his head from the panic and fear. Trying to plan, like Reiji suggested, wasn't doing anything for Paul. He had a plan worked out, but that only slightly lessened the anxiety. Until he was in a place where he sort everything out as soon as possible, the anxiety wouldn't lessen. Despite himself, Paul smiled. He was cautious if anything. As soon as he received the mysterious phone, and they told him the consequences of him losing the phone, there was not really any other way to proceed. He embedded a tracking device onto it, and the phones whereabouts were one click away. But that click would need to be on a secure device. Namely, his home desktop. Now more than ever he needed to rush home to Reiji. His hands were only mildly trembling now. Calling out his Honchkrow Paul got on and got ready for the flight home. He was going to have to leave without personally letting Misty know. As he soared through the sky, back to his house, Paul smiled to himself once again. Got through another one alone, eh? Your brother is getting stronger by the day, Reiji.
Drew started walking a bit more briskly now. He had been searching for about 20 minutes and there was still no sign of May. The castle was big but he can't have missed her… could he? He arrived back at her door for a second time and knocked again. No answer. Again. May seemed pissed off when she left the dining room. Maybe she was ignoring him? Either that, or she had gone off the castle grounds. Drew decided that that would be his next move. Did that seem too stalkerish? I mean, what if she never left the castle in the first place or something? Maybe she was asleep in her bed? Opening the door just to check wouldn't be such a bad idea right? She would never know. Drew reached out for the handle but was interrupted by some very horrible screeching.
Misty was exasperated. Rudy changed? Yeah right. He was back to the needy, whining, annoying self in no time. She climbed the central stairs to make her way back to her room but he was on her tail the whole time. Crying about how Elliot seemed shady, complimenting her on her radiance that morning, smirking about what happened last night. What was a princess to do? She reached the top of the stairs and turned sharply on her heel, causing to Rudy to stagger backwards a bit, almost falling back down the stairs. Elliot was looking onto the commotion from Mays door but decided to move away since he looked so shady.
"Though I'm very flattered that you put me on such a high pedestal Rudy," Misty said sternly "I'm afraid I have some work to take over in my fathers absence. Now if you'll please excuse me." She turned sharply again before he could reply and almost scarpered up to her room. Rudy blinked a few times before registering what just happened. And when it dawned on him that Misty was back to treating him as usual. It was like he erased all the work that went into making Misty aware of him as a man. There were daggers in his eyes as he looked up to where Misty just was. So sharp, that it wiped Elliots smirk right of his face when he stood in Mistys spot instead. Rudys daggers turned into fully formed swords when he saw Elliot standing in front of him.
"What is it?" He asked bitterly.
"Nothing," said Elliot, overcoming the death stare. "Just wanted to see if you were okay. And better luck for next time." He smiled mockingly and put his hand on Rudys shoulder. Rudy looked at him in disdain and had no qualms about swiping Elliots hand straight off.
"Don't think I can't see past this stupid game you and Misty are playing with me. I know full well that the last thing that you and the King are going to discuss is your upcoming wedding to Misty. I don't know why you all love to aggravate me, but despite what you think, I can see very clearly through your childish acts." Rudy was seething. These young kids, stuck in their youth, longing to go back. They all needed to grow up. Misty included. If only Misty hadn't saved his sister from drowning all those years ago. This crush wouldn't have moulded into this horrible shape. He wouldn't be trying to woo a girl who clearly wanted nothing to do with him. Why was he even doing this after all, he asked himself for the umpteenth time this trip. For some reason Elliot felt a bit embarrassed. Rudy was an arsehole, yes, but he was being childish, he couldn't deny. Not even his sworn enemy Ash stooped this low.
"What do you say we make amends?" Elliot said finally. For a split second the anger on Rudys face turned to confusion. Elliot smiled apologetically. "Well, Mistys busy, you know I'm not a threat and Ashy boy isn't here. Why don't we go into the town? Lunch is on me."
Walking slowly through the streets of Cerulean, Brock and May were reminiscing about old times.
"So how's Max doing these days? Him and Ralts battling together yet?"
"Oh, those two? They've been battling for the last 10 years, shes already a Gardevoir. Gosh Brock, forever young I see."
"Oh wow, no way. That long! I don't feel that old yet though!" Brock sighed. May laughed.
"You're not old, Max is just Max. Trust me, it hits you harder when your little brother grows up all of a sudden. I can't believe that he's almost a gym leader now. Actually, I don't know how set in stone that is though. You can't really use a Gardevoir in a Normal type gym. I think its gonna be a massive compromise for them both."
"That's true. Ugh, May, way to bring my mood down. Little Max has already grown up and battling his own adulthood problems."
"I'm sorry! I feel like missing childhood is becoming a theme these days. Especially since I met up with you guys again after so long."
"Speaking of missing childhood, how long has it been since you were in Cerulean?" May was a bit disappointed that Brock didn't want to talk about meeting up with old friends and the mixed feelings she had about it. What was Brock avoiding so hard?
"Oh, its been an age. I haven't battled in Kanto since right after I left you guys to travel."
"That is long indeed! Have you ever seen Cerulean Cave? I hear we can enter it these days. Who knows, we might come across something rare!"
"Seems like your mind is already made up! Well we can head over as long as you promise we can see the Berry Powder man later."
"You drive a hard bargain May, but I'll indulge you!"
The duo walked through the streets excited for the mini adventures ahead, but their hopes were thoroughly crushed when they reached the entrance and faced a sign that read "DO NOT ENTER".