Chapter 21: The Truth

Lucian sighed to himself as he stared at his daughter lying unconscious on a hospital bed. The father stood alongside Marie, who was now fully healed and standing among the others. Beatrice crossed her arms and sighed. Anastasia brought her hands together and brought them close to her heart. Marie's Pichu, who stood on his trainer's shoulder, sighed before saying his own name in anxious worry. Marie gently caressed her Pokémon's head.

Suddenly, Lucia opened her eyes, and the group gasped in shock.

"Dad..?" Lucia said.

"Y-Yes?!" Lucian said, rushing to her side first.

"I'm…" Lucia groaned.

"What- What's wrong? What is it?! What do you need?!" Lucian cried.

"I'm… so... gonna kick you… in the face…" She groaned. She then slowly closed her eyes again. Lucian's eyebrows raised. He chuckled before letting out a sigh of relief.

"She's going to be fine," Lucian said. "Thank goodness."

Beatrice furrowed her brow.

"What?...She just said she was going to kick you in the face," Beatrice said. "I don't see how-"

"She takes after her parents." Marie said. "Lucian likes dealing with emotions with his fists, while Rebecca, Lucia's mother, is well, a Tsundere. Mesh them both together, and you've got Lucia."

"So she's the type that expresses her emotions of love with agression…?" Anastasia said. Her eyes bounced with sudden excitement once she gasped. "Does that mean earlier when I tried kissing her and she hit me, it was really her reciprocating my feelings?!"

Marie chuckled lightly as Pichu face palmed.

"Wait-" Beatrice said suddenly, turning to Anastasia. "You tried kissing Lucia?"

"I had to try! I mean, look at her!" Anastasia pointed at Lucia. "Do you not SEE how cute she is?! LOOK AT HER!"

Beatrice sighed and crossed her arms.

"Oh! Don't worry, though, Beatrice! I will always have love for y-"

"I will give you until the count of three to stop before I put you in a hospital bed."

"With how drop-dead gorgeous you are-" Anastasia grinned. "I'm surprised I'm not already in a hospital."

Beatrice raised her eyebrows as though she were surprised. She then closed her eyes, and breathed a sigh through her nose.

"You know what? Not bad." Beatrice said, nodding slowly in approval. "I'll give that retort a rating of 8 out of 10. I could only imagine Lucia's reaction if she were the one to hear it."

"You think she'd be redder than your hair?" Anastasia asked.

"Definitely. In fact," Beatrice's eyes flashed with the same mischief that Anastasia's did."Let me give you pointers." Beatrice said, uncrossing her arms. "I know her weak points."

"Ooooh! Do tell!" Anastasia said .The girls approached one another and shared a smile before whispering to each other. Anastasia's grin became wider and wider by the second.

"It's nice to see those two interact like that," Marie said, grinning and watching the two girls talking beside Lucian.

"OHHH-HOHO! THAT IS GENIUS!" Anastasia cried out suddenly.

"Agreed, Lucian said, smiling and nodding at the blonde in agreement. Marie's smile faded immediately as she motioned with her head to go out the room. Lucian nodded, and the two adults left the children behind in the hospital room. Marie closed the door to Lucia's room behind her once she and Lucian left.

"This Quinton problem is getting out of hand," Lucian said. Marie put both of her hands on her hips and sighed before nodding.

"Agreed," She said. "We hadn't dealt with a problem like this in ages."

"I think we should relocate Quinton." Lucian said.

"That's a good idea, but.. I think we should let them find Quinton." Marie replied.

"What?"

"Hear me out. Quinton should be a changed man. After all that's happened… I doubt he'll accept the offer. In fact, I think he'd join us in fighting against the Crimson foundation." Marie said. "I saw him change with my own two eyes. There's no reason for me to doubt him… I still feel a little scared, but I trust him."

"It's nice that you believe in him," Lucian said. "but remember, he changed because he lost. Remember that time, when he was trying desperately to get his powers back after he was defeated? How desperate he looked? This is kind of like offering alcohol to an ex-alcoholic. Of course he could say no… but what if he doesn't? What are the chances of that?"

Marie pointed behind her back with her thumb. Pichu mirrored his trainer's serious facial expression. "That same man has to think about the child he'd leave behind if he went down that path. She may not know it, but Quinton cares about Beatr-"

Lucian's eyes became wide as he pointed over Marie's shoulder. Marie's brow furrowed in confusion before she turned around.

Beatrice was standing right behind the blonde. She stared at the two adults with widened eyes and an open jaw.

Because the door to Lucia's room wasn't closed, Anastasia was watching in sheer shock as well. Slowly, Beatrice closed the door behind her, leaving Anastasia and Lucia in the hospital room.

The three were dead silent.

Marie felt an unbelievable sense of embarrassment and guilt as she stared at the floor, and Lucian felt extremely uneasy. Beatrice, meanwhile, looked completely shocked. She drew in a quick breath finally, closing her eyes before opening them with fierce resolve.

"You were both talking about me, weren't you?" Beatrice asked.

The two grown-ups said nothing. Beatrice frowned. "You were talking about me, right?"

"No," Marie said, suddenly raising her head. "No, we weren't. We were talking about another kid... She- She just has a name that's similar t-"

"Forgive my rudeness- but lying isn't going to undo your slip up, I heard you. You were about to say my name, and your thumb was pointed over your shoulder. At me."

Both Lucian and Marie looked away and said nothing. Beatrice sighed and placed a hand on her forehead.

"All this time, and I didn't realize? The man I looked up to my entire life, the countless I watched of him beating his opponents…He was my biological father all along?" Beatrice chuckled a bit. "It sounds like one big joke."

"Had your father told you that you were adopted?" Marie asked.

Beatrice said nothing. She slowly moved her hand away from her face, and after a brief silence, she nodded.

"Yes," Beatrice said finally. "Ever since I was young, I sort of guessed that I was adopted. He and I look nothing alike, after all. That being said, I love my foster father more than anything."

"...Do you want to see him?" Marie asked.

"...Yes." Beatrice said, nodding. "Yes, I do. I want to confirm it with him. I want to hear it from his own mouth. Where is he?"

"He's in jail." Lucian said.

"..Jail..?!" Beatrice's eyes widened in sheer shock. "That's... there's no way..!"

Marie turned to Lucian, who was still silent. The two shared a nod before they looked.

"All right," Lucian said. "I'll explain everything that happened- the events of when we had to deal with your father, as we go to Sinnoh.

"This... this is all so much to take..." Beatrice said.

"I'm sorry," Marie said. "I'm so sorry that I- that we... didn't tell you sooner."

"...Before we go," Beatrice said, "I want to say my goodbyes to Lucia."

"I don't think you need to," Marie said. "She's stuck to you like glue now," I'm pretty sure she'd come with us if-"

"No. I don't want her to come with me. Not because I dislike her, I-...it's because… this is personal. I don't want it slowing her down as she works toward her dream."

"... I see." Lucian said. Beatrice turned to Lucian.

Beatrice turned around to the door and put her hand on the handle. She took in a deep breath.

"Go outside, have some fresh air," Beatrice said to the two adults. "I'll be with you two in a moment. I need time to mentally prepare."

Marie frowned. "You sound sad…" Marie said.

"I…" Beatrice sighed. "I am sad."

"To think before you didn't want anything to do with her…" Marie said. "and now you're sad at the thought of being separated from her."

"Yes. I-... Just- go outside, okay? I'll be right with you."

The two grown-ups stared at Beatrice who still had her back turned to them. They both shared a glance with each other, nodded and left the adolescent alone.

Anastasia stared at the still-unconscious Lucia with a sigh. She was sitting on a chair right next to her friend's hospital bed.

It was like watching Marie all over again. Ditto, who had been let out of its Pokéball when Beatrice left the room, was on Anastasia's lap. It started moving its body upwards. It looked as though it was raising its 'arms' to do a little dance. Anastasia giggled lightly.

"Thanks for trying to cheer me up," She said. "I'm going to be just fine. Okay?" Anastasia grabbed Ditto with both hands and raised him into the air. Ditto looked like it couldn't have been happier.

"An-...Ana-.." Lucia's voice alerted the white-haired girl. She spun her head to Lucia, who was groaning and sitting up. As this was happening, Ditto slithered its way over to Anastasia's shoulder. "Ugh… Where am I?" Lucia groaned.

"You're in a Pokécenter." Anastasia said. "How are you feeling?"

Lucia groaned as she pulled herself over to sit on the hospital bed.

"I've been through worse," She said.

"That's exactly what Beatrice said earlier," Anastasia said, placing her hand on Lucia's knee. "When your Dad was bringing you here."

"..Well thank goodness he came, that guy was super tough."

"Right…" Anastasia said. Anastasia looked away. Even though she could have done nothing, the girl couldn't help but feel like somehow this was also her fault.

"Are you okay?" Lucia asked suddenly. Anastasia's eyes flashed as though she was knocked out of a trance.

"Huh- oh- uh.. I'm fine," Anastasia said. "I promise." The white haired girl winked and faked a smile.

"Are you sure..?" Lucia asked. "Usually, you're more chipper than this.. And.." The purple-haired girl looked away a bit. "Y'know- more.. F-F-..Flir...ty..?"

"Flirty?" Anastasia asked. She gasped as she raised her eyebrows. "Ohh! I get it!" Anastasia pointed a finger at the girl. "You want me to flirt with you now, do you?!" She grinned.

"Wha-" Lucia's entire face became even more red. "N-No! I'm just- I never- I didn't say that! It- It's not like I like it or anything! Don't- don't get the wrong idea!" Lucia started waving her hands in a surrender motion. "It's- It's nothing like that! I- It's- No! No, no, no, no!"

Anastasia started chuckling. "You are so precious- I didn't even say anything this time, and you're a blushing mess. Keep being this cute, and I'll seriously marry you someday."

Lucia's entire face became redder than it ever was before as her mouth opened. "I-I-I..!" Lucia cupped her hands and brought them to her face. "UGHHH..!" She moaned.

Anastasia chuckled even louder. She patted Lucia's shoulder. "You okay?" Anastasia asked.

Lucia let out a muffled cry of embarrassment. Anastasia grinned. "There, there! It's okay! We can change the subject. How... do you feel about your dad?"

"My Dad..?" Lucia asked, raising her head. Anastasia couldn't help but giggle, it was like she was trying to help a scared and shy Squirtle come out of its shell.

"Yeah, your dad!" Anastasia said with a smile.

"W-Well.. I love him.. With all of my heart."

"That's good. What do you usually do when you greet him?"

"By kicking him in the face."

"Okay, noted. So if we get married, I'll have to be sure to be prepared to get kicked in the face too."

"AAAAAAAHHH!" Lucia cried out before Lucia's face turned bright red as she hid her face with her hands all over again. Anastasia laughed louder.

"I had to! You were just so adorable- I just had to do it! Beatrice told me to say that one, too!"

"STOOOOPPPPPPPPPP!" Lucia cried, kicking her feet wildly.

"Nope, can't do that!" Anastasia said. "I-"

Beatrice opened the front door to the hospital room. In an instant, the entire room went quiet.

The girls just stared at Beatrice, whose eyes were squarely on Lucia's. Lucia, upon seeing Beatrice, immediately glared at her.

"Oh, look who it is...!" Lucia said. "The rich jerk who told Anastasia how to get to me! What do you have to say for yourself!? Huh!?"

Beatrice said nothing.

The redhead just stared at Lucia, who slowly began to raise her eyebrows in worry.

"Wh-What's wrong?" Lucia asked. Beatrice lowered her head as she closed the door behind her.

"Where should I start…" Beatrice asked. "Well... I found out, just now, that my biological father could be Quinton himself."

"Wh-What?!" Lucia cried. "Wh-Who told you that!? Oh- It was was that old guy we fought against, wasn't it? You know he's just making stuff up, right!? You can't just trust what he says!"

"Your father and Marie confirmed it. Truth be told. I'm not sure if I even believe them… but- I'll be certain once I hear it from that man's lips."

"Oh my goodness..." Lucia said. After a brief moment, she stood up. "It'll be really annoying to go… but let's go, I guess."

"No," Beatrice said, shaking her head. "I'm going to go with them alone. You go on to get your gym badges."

"Wh-What?!" Lucia cried. "Wh- You can't- You can't just leave me! We're a team! That means we do stuff together!" The shorter tomboyish girl ran over to the redhead and poked her on the forehead. "Is your brain not working!? Where's the On button!?"

Beatrice just watched Lucia poke her again and again, and said nothing. Beatrice finally grabbed Lucia's finger and brought it down before hugging her friend. Lucia didn't hug her back, because emotion had hit her like a lightning bolt. Lucia's entire body shook.

"No- You're- You're not-..." Lucia felt tears beginning to form in her eyes. "You can't be serious."

"This isn't farewell," Beatrice replied.

"It isn't, but why does it feel like it? I've already gotten used to you, and-"

"This isn't farewell," Beatrice's voice had started to break down. "This isn't farewell..." Lucia quickly hugged her best friend back, and the two girls began crying silently together.

Anastasia watched on and smiled lightly, placing a hand on her heart and tearing up a little bit herself.

The door behind the three girls opened, and Anastasia noticed Lucian walk into the room.

"It's time to go," Lucian said.

"Right.." Beatrice said, pulling away from Lucia. "Right," She repeated, nodding quietly. Lucia sniffled as she stared at the ground.

"Oh!" Anastasia cried. "Let's trade phone numbers! That way we can always talk to each other!"

Lucia turned to Anastasia and nodded, and then turned to Beatrice.

"Never thought I'd be exchanging phone numbers with you." Lucia said. Beatrice chuckled lightly.

"Likewise," Beatrice said. The trio shared their contact information with each other. The girls stood close to one another after this was done and shared nods.

"Anastasia, where will you go next?" Beatrice asked.

"I'm not sure…" Anastasia said. "Maybe I'll-"

"Could you please watch over Lucia while I'm gone?" Beatrice asked.

"Oh-" Anastasia said. "R-Really?"

"Please?"

"...Okay. Sure!" Anastasia said quickly, nodding. "I'll do it."

"Wh-What? Watch over me...?" Lucia asked.

Beatrice put her hands on her hips. "You'd be completely lost without someone keeping tabs on you."

"Not true!" Lucia cried. "I was fine by myself before I met either of you!"

"Yes, and who won the first fight between us?" Beatrice said.

"Go on, keep talking, I'll kick your butt!"

The two rivals glared at each other, then smiled, and shared a laugh.

"B-but seriously.." Lucia said, frowning. "D-Don't ever talk like you're never going to see me again, okay! Never again!"

"Like I said before, this isn't farewell."

"Yeah, it better not be... you'd better get your badges. Fighting you in the tournament to decide the next Champion of Hoenn is going to be a good semi-final match. I'll kick your butt then."

Beatrice chuckled.

"Keep dreaming," She said. The two girls laughed again. They stared at each other for a while.

"I'm going to miss you," The both of them said at the same time.

Lucian came up from behind Beatrice and placed a hand on the rich girl's shoulder.

"Time to go," Lucian said. Lucia looked her father in the eye and walked over to him. She lightly tapped his leg with her foot.

"Take care of her, okay?" Lucia said. "Or else I'm going to kick you in the face."

Lucian chuckled before patting the young girl's head. "I can't imagine a world without you kicking me at least once."

"The only reason why I'm not drop-kicking you in the face right now is because I'm sad…!" Lucia grumbled. Lucian laughed lightly again before turning and patting Beatrice's shoulder. The two turned and walked toward the hospital room exit. Lucian turned his head as he left, staring directly at Anastasia and smiling.

Anastasia remembered what Lucian had said to her earlier.

'You are already golden.'

Anastasia sighed deeply.

"Hey, Lucia?" Anastasia said. Lucia turned to Anastasia.

"Yes?" She said,

"I know I'm not as close to you as Beatrice was, but uh… I'll be your new partner from here on out."

"Hey- don't compare yourself to Beatrice! You aren't some replacement. No one can replace Beatrice, just like how no one can replace you."

Anastasia raised her eyebrows. Her face became a bit red. "O-Oh.." She said.

"I am sad that Beatrice is gone. But don't think for a moment that I'll wish she was here instead of you. We can get super close too! It's only a matter of time!"

Anastasia chuckled lightly. Her laughter soon faded as her chest tightened.

A sudden feeling of fear washed over her entire body.

"Y-Yeah, only a matter of time.." Anastasia said.

"Are you okay?" Lucia asked, turning to Anastasia. "You seem.. Tense."

"I'm- I'm fine! I promise! L-Let's go to-.. Where are we going next?"

"To the Mauvile city gym."

"Y-Yeah! There. Let's go there!" Anastasia said. She walked to the hospital room door and motioned Lucia to come with her hands. "C'mon, let's go!"

Lucia tilted her head, wondering why Anastasia seemed to be acting weird. She shrugged and nodded.

"I'm coming!" Lucia said.

Author's note:

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Here's a bonus deleted scene I had planned to put in, but it would have killed the tension.

(Context: This was supposed to happen as Anastasia and Lucia were alone in the hospital room, and Beatrice would be behind the closed door of the room.)

"So, what do you think about Beatrice?" Anastasia asked.

"Beatrice..? Well… She's a jerk. Definitely a jerk. The biggest jerk I've ever met in my life. She brings out a side of me I never knew existed- I'm usually never mean to anyone but my Dad. Speaking of Dad, I still have to drop-kick him in the face..."

"...Are there any positives you can think of when it comes to Beatrice?"
"Nope!"

Anastasia blinked. "Wow- Really?" She said.

"I'm kidding. There ARE positives.." Lucia said. "Obviously she's-"

Anastasia smiled a bit. "A friend? Maybe even best fri-"

"I wouldn't say FRIEND..." Lucia said.

"EXCUSE ME?!" Beatrice cried over the door.

"WHA- BEATRICE?!" Lucia roared.

"DON'T MAKE ME OPEN THIS DOOR AND ADD ANOTHER REASON FOR YOU TO STAY IN THIS HOSPITAL." Beatrice roared.

"WHY ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO OUR CONVERSATION!? HAVEN'T YOU HEARD OF PRIVACY?"

"HAVEN'T YOU HEARD OF DECENCY?!"

"FINE! FINE! OKAY! YOU'RE MY FRIEND!"

"NO, NO, I SAID IT EARLIER, NOW YOU HAVE TO SAY IT!"

"WH- WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY!?"

"YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT YOU TO SAY. NOW SAY IT."

Lucia's face became red as she glared furiously. She struggled to move her mouth as she began to pout.

"SAY IT." Beatrice cried. "SAY IT."

Anastasia laughed as the silence from Lucia went on.

"I'M WAITING!" Beatrice roared.

"FINE, OKAY, FINE." Lucia cried. "YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND. OKAY? YOU HEARD ME, RIGHT? I SAID IT. YOU"RE MY BEST FRIEND, MY BESTIE- I SAID IT- NOW GO AWAY!"

"FINE!" Beatrice said. Anastasia and Lucia could hear footsteps- but they weren't growing quieter.

"You'd... You'd BETTER NOT BE JUST STOMPING THE FLOOR TO PRETEND THAT YOU'RE LEAVING!"

No response.

"I swear, I'll kill her." Lucia said.

Beatrice bust open the door.

"I HEARD THAT." Beatrice cried.

"SO YOU DIDN'T LEAVE! YOU PIECE OF-"

That's the end of the deleted scene! It would have REALLLY been awkward to go from that to seriousness. So I had to delete it. Hope to see you guys soon for the next chapter- coming next week!