Chapter 24

Well, I took a look at the last chapter, and I noticed that I hadn't posted any end of chapter notes at the end of the last chapter, and there were some mistakes I didn't notice. I just wanted to say that updates will be slow for the next few months. I will be very busy for a good while. But I will continue to try to get Chapters out as soon as possible.

Last thing to say is this, if you read any of my other stories. AIJT chapter 8 will be out within a few days to maybe a week. SSP might be out in a few weeks, and ROAC will be out in a few weeks as well. If you don't read those stories, ignore this. If you don't know the abbreviations, you can check out my profile, all the post dates are usually posted on there anyway. I'd like some OC's for this story, I have two, so the submitter knows I haven't forgotten. It can be a team or just one, I don't care. I also need a Villain idea for The Deadline, if you have anything you wish to ask or say to me, PM me.

I'm going to stop talking and give you the next chapter of this story now.

(Matthew's POV)

The next morning, I woke up feeling groggy, my back still hurting. I just felt like laying around and doing nothing, but William wasn't going to allow that. I could feel him nudging me, trying to get me up. I ignored it for as long as possible, but eventually, I could hear him talking.

"Come on Matt, get up, we are going on a mission today, and I need you up and moving." William ordered me.

I mumbled and sighed, before forcing myself out of bed. I complained the entire way down the steps and to the kitchen. Nicholas was sitting at the table eating a random sort of berries. He laughed when he saw my bad attitude, I assume that this must have been common with William.

"William won't let you sleep in huh, it is kind of early isn't it?" Nicholas joked.

"I guess he does this all the time, doesn't he? How did you get used to it?" I asked him

"You just do, it's part of being a member of an exploration team. You have to be willing to go out of your way for the rest of your time on the Team Matt." He spoke, laughing slightly.

I moaned in response and put my head on the table. This was going to become a regular thing, well it certainly was going to be difficult. William walked into the kitchen and sat in between the two of us.

"All right, so today, we are doing something a little different, we are going to after an outlaw!" William shouted.

I was surprised, I guess I was the last outlaw they went after, now I'm going to get to see it from the other side.

"Before we do that, Nicholas, how are you feeling today, do you need more time off?" William asked the Dewott.

"I think I'd be ok to come along, but I don't think I'd be much help in battle or anything like that." Nicholas answered.

"Then maybe it would be best if you stayed behind." William suggested before turning to me, "How is your back doing Matthew?" He asked me.

"It's fine, I think it'll be ok, what time are we leaving?" I answered, shifting in my seat, my back flaring in pain for a moment.

"Ok, so You two are not really in any condition for battle. Maybe it would be best if we took a few days off so you can recover." William recommended, before getting up and starting to walk away.

"No, my back is just sore, I'm sure I'll be ok for battle." I jolted up, which made my back hurt even more.

"It's fine Matt, we can do this when your back at a hundred percent. Sorry about waking you up, why don't you go back upstairs and rest."

"I'm already awake now; I might as well stay up now. But laying down doesn't sound like a bad idea." I said.

"You can lay down on the couch if you want, I'm trying to sit up as much as possible today." Nicholas told me.

He only needed to say it once, I went into the living room and laid down on the couch. I started to feel sleepy almost immediately. At least until my father came down, he didn't look very happy to be awake, but I don't see how anyone can be at this time of day.

"Matthew, what do you think you're doing, William told you to get up." He asked me.

I wasn't really sure how to tell my father the truth, would he believe me if I did? Only one way to find out.

"William told me and Nicholas not to worry about and just to relax." I answered him.

"And why did he do that, I thought you were going on a mission today?" He questioned me more.

"To be honest, I woke up this morning and my back was still hurting. I told William I was fine, but he didn't care, he said to just get some rest." I answered, hoping he'd believe me for once.

"What happened to your back, why does it hurt?" He asked, sounding concerned.

"When we were coming down the cliff, Chris started to fall, when he fell he reached out to grab something, that thing just happened to be me. I was forced down fast, and I threw out my back, please believe me!" I begged.

"It's fine Matt…." He started, patting me on the shoulder, "I believe you, just get some rest ok." He said, before heading to the kitchen, greeting Nicholas as he entered.

I smiled before closing my eyes, my father believed me for the first time. Maybe finally, things will change for the better.

(William POV)

Without Matthew and Nicholas, there isn't any point of exploring. Me and Chris are good, but we probably aren't good enough to tackle a new exploration alone. We might be able to do a quick mission or two, but that dungeon is going to have to wait.

I was headed towards Kecleon's shop to buy supplies for today. When I arrived, another team was in front of me. They were visited very frequently, so they knew everything that was going on. The team, consisting of a Wartortle, Swellow, and Kadabra, smiled when they saw me and said hello.

"I heard you recently acquired a new teammate William, is this true?" The Wartortle asked me.

"Yes, we did just accept a new member to the team, but I don't really have time to talk, I'll talk to you guy's later ok?" I said, walking up to the counter.

"I heard that teammate was not a very nice guy, a criminal to be exact." He continued to speak.

"Nope, whoever told you that was lying, he's no criminal." I responded, telling Kecleon to get me the items on the list I handed him.

"No, I don't think so, it's all over town, you accepted a criminal into your team, I Believe his name is Matthew." He said in a mocking tone.

I just ignored him and waited for Kecleon, he was taunting me, and I wouldn't stoop to his level. I just wanted to get what I need and get out of here as soon as possible.

"I think you should leave him alone and go away." I heard from behind, when I turned around, it was Chris.

"Chris, what are you doing out here, I thought we were meeting at the café?" I asked him.

"We were, but you were taking too long and I got bored. And as for you, I think you should get out of here." He said, turning to face the group.

"Yeah ok, come on guys, let's get out of here before he sick's the convict on us." He laughs, before walking away with his team.

I looked down at the ground, I felt so sad, but not for myself. This is the kind of abuse Matthew is going to have to put up with possibly forever. I'm just glad he'll have us there to support him the whole time. I felt Chris tap me on the shoulder, he looked worried about me.

"Thanks for defending me Chris, I really appreciate it." I thanked him.

"You're my friend William, that's what friends do. And as far as Matt is concerned, we have our differences, but he's my teammate, and I won't let anyone hurt him." He smiled as he spoke.

Kecleon had gotten everything I asked for and placed it on the counter. We paid him, and put everything in the bag I had with me. I couldn't stop thinking about everything that jerk had said to me, Matthew was not a criminal, he's just a poor misunderstood Pokémon, and I won't let anyone say otherwise.

"William, are you ok, you look like your worried about something?" I looked to see Chris speaking at me, worried.

"I'm fine Chris, let's just get this over with and get home." I answered him.

"Look, if this is about them, just get over it, their jerks and your better than them ok." He reassured me.

"Your right, I am better than them. Thanks Chris, I really appreciate it." I thanked him.

"What are friends for, now where are we heading to today?" Chris asked me.

I nodded and showed him the mission for today. We were going to help a Skitty find her favorite toy or something. I didn't really bother to read the entire thing myself, I just thought it would be quick and easy to do. We both made sure we were ready before heading off on our mission.

(Matthew's POV)

I woke up several hours later to see William walk in the front door, he was a little battered looking and I could only assume things didn't work out so well. I worked myself out of the sofa and ran over to check him out.

"William, what happened to you, did something bad happen, are you ok?" I asked as many questions as possible.

"I'm fine, but yeah, things didn't work out at all. Turns out it wasn't a Skitty at all, but an outlaw trying to lure others into an ambush." He spoke quietly.

"How did you and Chris make it out, Chris did make it out didn't he?" I continued to question.

"He's fine, but he went straight home afterwards. Look Matthew, I really don't feel like talking right now so just let me go upstairs and rest." He told me before walking past me and heading up the stairs.

I went back over to the couch and sat down. I couldn't understand why, but the entire time we talked to each other, William wouldn't look at me once. I couldn't help but think it was something I had done, but I couldn't figure out what.

I sighed and leaned back on the sofa and heard someone slowly coming down the steps. I looked behind me and saw Nicholas at the bottom, he smiled when he saw me and headed over to the couch.

"Hey, did you see William, he looked terrible? Did he tell you what happened, is Chris ok?" He asked me.

"They got ambushed, but they both made it out all right so don't worry about it." I responded to him.

Nicholas shifted around and stared at the ground for a while until he looked back up at me.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go get something to drink with me?" He asked me.

"I don't know; would we have to go into town. I mean, everyone hates me so I don't think I should hang around in public." I answered him worryingly.

"Don't worry, it's later in the afternoon now, there won't be that many people around. And besides, we aren't going very far in." He stated.

Reluctantly, I agreed to go with him. He smiled once more and told me to go ask William if he wanted to go, I agreed and went up the stairs to ask him. When I got up the stairs, he was sitting on the bed cleaning himself up.

"William, Nicholas and I were wondering if you wanted to come with us and get something to eat and drink." I asked him politely.

"You're going into town! I don't think that's a very good idea Matthew, what I somebody starts something with you!" William shouted shockingly.

"My back is feeling a lot better, if someone gives me any trouble, I'll deal with it myself." I promised him.

"Fine, I guess I'll tag along with you guys, but promise me you'll be careful." He ordered me.

I promised him I wouldn't get into trouble and he smiled for the first time that day. He told me he would be down in a second so I headed towards the door.

"Wait Matthew, what about Nicholas, is he going to be able to make it there by himself?" He called out to me.

"He said he would be, trust me, I wouldn't put anything past that crazy Dewott, I don't think anything can." I joked around, heading back downstairs.

I walked down and saw my Mother talking to Nicholas, she looked up at me and I could instantly tell she wasn't happy.

"Are you seriously going into town Matthew! Do you know what could happen to you there? I won't let you go and get yourself hurt again!" She shouted at me.

"Mom, I'm going with William and Nicholas, I'll be fine. And we aren't going that far into town, just to a café right on the edge. I swear I'll be ok, please let me go!" I begged her.

William came downstairs and touched my shoulder, I looked back to see him signaling me that he would take over.

"I promise you I won't let anything happen to Matthew, you can count on me." He promised her.

She looked as if she was going to say no, but started smiling all of a sudden.

"Your just like your father, hard headed and never listen to authority. Fine you can go, but you better be careful." She laughed as she walked away into the kitchen.

We all shared a laugh and headed out the door, Nicholas was joking around and William was laughing, but I couldn't really help but worry. I can't imagine I'll be very popular in there.

We arrived at the café shortly after, it wasn't a very big place, but it looked like quite a nice place. There were a couple of Pokémon standing outside that actually smiled when they saw me. I guessed they weren't from around here, considering they weren't trying to kill me.

We all came inside and sat down at the closest table, once we had all ordered something, I took the time to look around the place. Everyone was smiling and talking to each other like family.

"It's a nice place isn't it, that's Treasure Town for you, everyone knows you and loves you just the same." Nicholas said to me.

"It is a nice place isn't it, but not for you buddy." A mysterious voice said behind me.

I turned around and saw a Wartortle and a Swellow smirking at me. William started to get up, but I told him not to worry about it.

"What are you two doing here, and where's the other one?" William asked without emotion.

"That's none of your business, but why would you bring this jerk bag in here, this is a nice family establishment." The Wartortle mocked.

"You're the only one being a problem here, so why don't you get lost." I mocked in return.

Apparently he didn't like this, because his smirk disappeared and he had gotten up in my face.

"What did you just say to me punk!" He shouted, pushing me up against the table.

"I told you to get lost and leave us alone, so why don't you do it!" I yelled and pushed him back, causing him to almost fall backwards.

"Why you little punk, I'm going to tear your face off you piece of garbage!" He screamed and advanced towards me.

Nicholas and William had gotten up and stood next to me to back me up, but I didn't need it. He came towards me and threw a punch which I easily dodge and threw one myself. He fell back and into his teammate before getting up and trying it again. This time, I went even further and launched a water gun at his face which sent him back against a table. William stepped in front of me and prevented him from trying to attack me again.

"Look, I don't know you that well, but I know you're not stupid. You aren't going to win this so get lost!" William shouted at him.

He got up and was about to attack William when Someone hit him with an electric type attack. I turned and saw Magnezone sitting at the entrance, glaring at the scene before him.

"What in the world happened in here, I want to know immediately." He shouted.

Wartortle immediately got up and ran behind Magnezone, he smirked at me and started to play victim.

"Oh, thank goodness you're here, that Buizel started going crazy and attacked me. And then William and Nicholas joined in." He cried.

"William, is what he's saying true? Did Matthew attack him?" he asked us.

"Absolutely not, we were sitting here minding our own business, when this jerk started harassing us. He wouldn't stop pushing Matt, so he knocked him down!" William Shouted angrily.

"You lying sack of trash, you hit me for no reason, I want you in jail right now!" He yelled back.

"Enough! Quite frankly, I don't care what happened, but here's what I want right now. Matthew and Isaac, I want you both to leave right now and go home. And depending what the owner says, you might be banned!" He yelled at us.

"What, but I didn't do anything wrong, you can't kick me out, please!" I begged.

"No, you can't ban me. I'm the one who didn't do anything!" The Wartortle, who apparently is named Isaac shouted and shoved me.

"No, you both need to go right now, Isaac, your leaving first, get out and go home." He ordered him, gesturing to the door.

"Fine! This is totally unfair, I didn't do anything wrong and now I'm being kicked out." He pouted as he stormed out, with his partner right behind him.

Magnezone watched him leave before sighing and going to the door, and then back towards our table.

"Magnezone, please believe us, Matthew didn't do anything wrong, please don't make him leave!" Nicholas begged and pleaded.

"Relax Nicholas, Matthew doesn't have to leave. I knew Isaac was lying from the moment he started. I know how he can be, just go ahead and enjoy yourself." He laughed and walked, I mean floated out the door.

We all stood there dumbfounded, Magnezone, after everything he said, told me I could stay. He actually believed me, I just couldn't believe it. Nicholas and William walked back over and sat down at the table, but I didn't feel like enjoying myself anymore. Everything that jerk had said to me really hurt, am I really just a worthless ex-convict that no one could ever love. I looked around and saw some Pokémon giving me dirty looks, while others were just staring.

"Matthew, are you coming over or not buddy?" Nicholas asked me.

"You know what, I think I'm just going to head to the house, my back is starting to hurt again. I'll see your guy's back at home." I declined, heading towards the exit.

"Matthew, you sure this doesn't have anything to do with Isaac?" William asked me.

"No, I'm serious. I just don't feel like being out anymore, I'll see you at the house all right." I raised my voice, getting irritated.

William sighed in defeat and took a sip from his drink. I looked at the two of them one more time and headed outside.

I made it home with no problems at all, but I can't say I wasn't careful. Every time I heard a noise I turned around to check or hid. I walked inside and saw both of my parents on the couch. My father looked at me and frowned, but my mother looked worried.

"Well, looks like someone wasn't okay to go exploring but was perfectly healthy to go party." He spat at me, angering me even more.

"I wasn't partying dad, Nicholas and William asked me to go to a café with them, so I did." I responded blankly.

"Speaking of them, where are they, there not with you?" My mom asked me.

"Their staying out later, I'm going to bed all right, I'll see you in the morning." I answered, heading up the stairs, not caring if my parents wanted to keep talking.

I went up the stairs and into my room, I went over and flopped onto my bed. I can't seem to get these ideas out of my head. Why can't everyone understand I didn't have a choice. I never hurt anybody and I hate every minute of it. Within seconds I started crying, it was like all the emotions I had bottled up just came out all at once.

"Why can't everybody understand, I'm not a bad Pokémon, I didn't mean to do what I did, but I didn't have a choice." I shouted at no one.

I couldn't stop crying and banging on my pillow, everyone hated me and no one trusted me. I felt like the entire world wanted to destroy me. I just wanted to fall asleep and forget everything, but I just couldn't. Tonight was going to be a long night.

(Third Person POV)

Once Matthew had gone upstairs, the front door opened once more to reveal William and Nicholas, they smiled when they saw Matthew's parents on the couch.

"Hey, where is Matthew, we want to talk to him?" William asked.

"He went upstairs; I think something is bothering him but he won't talk about it." His mother responded.

William and Nicholas nodded and headed upstairs, but stopped outside the door when they heard crying.

"Dude, is he crying again, what's wrong this time?" Nicholas Whispered.

"Quiet, I don't know what happened, let's listen and find out." William scolded him.

The two stood in silence and rested their heads against the door, the could barely hear, but could hear some mumbled speech.

"No one…..cares about me,…..I'm a good Pokémon,… I just wish they'd understand." They heard Matthew Shouting at himself.

The two got up and headed into the guest room Nicholas sleeps in.

"He thinks everyone hates him." Nicholas said, staring to sound like he was going to cry himself.

"I knew it; he thinks everyone hates him because that dirt bag said so." William answered, starting to get depressed himself.

"Well he isn't wrong, I mean, did you see the way others were looking at him." Nicholas complained.

"We need to make him feel like he matters, and I think I have just the idea, come with me" William cheered up, and started out the door.

"Whatever he's got in mind, I hope it's not too hard to do." Nicholas complained, rubbing his back and heading out the door.

End of chapter 24

I feel like this was a really bad place to end this chapter, but I was running into over 4,000 words and I didn't want to make it boring. I will try to get the next chapter up as soon as possible.

What possible plan could William have in mind to cheer up Poor Matt is going to have to remain up to your imagination for now. I can't promise it will be in the next, as I can imagine it will take William and Nicholas some time to plan, we'll just have to see what I want to do. And FYI, if I misspelled any Pokémon names, I don't care.

*VERY IMPORTANT BELOW*

Just like all of my stories, I want to know if you wish for me to continue this story. I am debating whether people actually like my stories and whether to keep going, Review your answer or PM me. Until next time, goodbye all

Shiv740