Chapter 11

"It seems I 'ave," agreed Rex with a chuckle. "It's okay boy; you can breathe now."

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding with a choked wheeze.

Now that I was seeing him in the light, the man didn't look nearly as foreboding. True, he was taller than me, but he appeared thin instead of overly muscled as I'd initially thought. The dark, ragged cloak he was wearing appeared to be more of a cyan which had been grayed through years of use. A few whiskers showed through among the scruff on his face and his black hair was chopped short and messy in a fashion which suggested he'd cut it himself without the assistance of a mirror.

"Mary, I believe he'll be wantin' a bite to eat after being chased all over the city," replied the man while clapping a hand on my shoulder. "I think I migh' second that motion. Plasma can be stubborn and relentless when they want to be. Especially when that Admin is involved."

"The stew has been simmering on the stove all afternoon," replied the woman with a nod and a smile. "It should be ready by the time Theo gets back."

"Which happens to be now," said another male voice as a man entered through the front door. His brown hair also showed signs of gray and he wore a vibrant purple shirt which complimented the woman's bow. "As I said, I knew Rex would find him."

"Chris!" exclaimed Joleen as she rushed in through the door behind the man. "Thank goodness you're okay! I'm sorry I couldn't get to your grandpa. Team Plasma started patrolling the streets and I was shooed off by them."

"That's okay," I said while glancing down. "The Plasma Admin I battled earlier captured him and took him in to questioning in the forest. I don't think I can get to him."

"You certainly can't," said Rex in ill-concealed gruffness. "They will be keepin' him somewhere secure now. I doubt they'll hurt him, but now that he's been captured, you'll be on your own."

Both Joleen and I stared at the dark man as he accepted a cup from the woman and drank it down in one go.

"What do you mean?" I asked. I'm pretty sure my eyes would have fallen out with how wide they had gone.

A scrape from the table beside us made me jump as the woman began placing bowls on the table. Her husband moved over to help her bring a steaming pot over to join the bowls. The dark man hovered closer to the hearth of the fireplace.

"It's almost time," said Theo with a gesture towards Rex. The other man grumbled as he put the cup in his hands on the mantle of the fireplace. "I'm sorry you two, but food will have to wait just a bit while we do our evening music practice."

"You two feel free to eat," stated Mary as she settled herself behind the gray piano and lifted the lid to reveal the black and white keys. "If we don't do this now, it may attract unwanted attention."

I shook my head politely. "We'll wait for you to finish first. We can eat then."

"Alright," said Theo from behind the drum set. "Rex, if you would?"

The tall man sighed and removed a wooden pipe from a pocket within his cloak. He put it to his mouth and began to play a soft lilting melody. Mary joined him shortly with the bright tinkling of her piano. As the tune build up, Theo joined them effortlessly with his drums. The effect of each added instrument made the simple melody seem as though it had the support of them the entire time.

I glanced over at Joleen in the middle of the song to see her smiling with quiet contentment. She caught my gaze and grinned wider before rolling her eyes. We held true to my statement and waited for them to finish playing before touching any of the food.

"That was beautiful!" exclaimed the young girl as the adults joined them at the table after their grand finish.

I nodded enthusiastically in agreement as I picked up the spoon provided for me and began dishing the stew into a bowl.

"My husband and I have been playing that every evening since before Team Plasma officially took over Unova," explained the lady with a soft grin. "It's become something of a symbol of hope for those of us in Accumula Town. Hope for a time when we can once again live with the Pokémon which were taken from us so long ago. Plasma isn't aware of it since we've been doing it for so long. Rex joined us several years ago."

"I've heard your song before while I was travelling through," replied Joleen. "It's something most of Unova knows about; or at least that's what my mother says. It's one of the charms of this place."

"Indeed," said Rex before digging into the stew.

"Do you mind if I ask why Team Plasma is after you two?" asked Theo after swallowing a spoonful. "We've had our share of strays come through who still had treasured Pokémon companions with them. So you can trust us. We're not fond of Plasma's rule over Unova either, but there's not much we will be able to do against them."

I set aside my spoon and placed my hand to my chest. I breathed a sigh of relief when I felt the ball still inside the pocket of my jacket. Joleen noticed my action and scooped another mouthful of stew into her mouth to hide her grin. I pretended not to notice her reaction.

"They're after me," I started in a soft tone. "I … had to capture a Pokémon which had escaped from them so I could protect it. It was hurt and I couldn't let them hurt it more. They didn't know I had caught it at first, but they figured it out and have chased me from Nuvema Town to here. I was supposed to meet my grandpa here. That was before they captured him in the woods before we could meet."

"Cedric Juniper, correct?" asked Rex while levelling me with sharp gray eyes. "He told us o' your arrival in case he couldn't meet you himself. He said you were to head to the Dream Yard just beside Striaton City."

"Why?" I asked in concern. "What's there? How will I be able to help my grandpa from there?"

"That makes sense!" exclaimed Joleen. "It's one of the few places still safe from Plasma. A powerful Pokémon lives there which keeps those with dark intentions from finding those sheltered there. My mother has taken me there before."

"It'll help your grandpa not to get caught," replied Rex in stern instruction. "Plasma doesn't know for sure if he's involved with you yet. Let's keep it that way. You can avoid them by heading into the Dream Yard."

"You'll be able to stay here for the night," said Theo to my sullen silence. "It'll be safe enough until morning."

I hesitated. Several thoughts were flying through my head and uncertainty weighed heavily among them. I really wanted to do something to free my grandpa and get his help, but I didn't know the first place to start. It probably was for the best if I went to the Dream Yard. Raikou would definitely be safe there.

Rex must have noticed my decision on my face. "I take it you 'ave made up your mind. May I request one thing o' you before we all settle down for the nigh'?"

"Uh, what is it?" I asked softly.

"Show me the Pokémon you caught and saved from Plasma."

I felt my eyebrows rise as I shot a glance towards Joleen. She shrugged and then nodded slightly in encouragement.

"Um, okay." I reached inside my jacket pocket and pulled out the marble-sized Master Ball. It grew to the size of an orange just before I hefted it into the air. "Raikou, come out."

In a flash of white light, the Electric-type Pokémon appeared beside the hearth. Its weary red eyes travelled among the strangers in the room until they came to me and brightened. I went to its side and knelt down beside it so I could scratch at the ruff along either side of its cheeks.

"Rairr-rr-rr-rr," purred the small tiger.

"Well then," said Rex in a tone that barred all future protests. "I've overstayed my visit to this town. I'm joinin' you when you leave for the Dream Yard come mornin'. I suggest you get your rest. We 'ave a ways to travel tomorrow."

A/N: Yes, that is indeed the Accumula Town music from the original BW games that Mary, Theo and Rex would be playing (seeing as Mary and Theo are the couple in the house on top of the hill in Accumula Town it really shouldn't come as a surprise). I loved that feature so much when in town that I would often spend hours playing with adding the different part. I just HAD to add it into my story.

I will admit to over-abusing this song on repeat when writing this. YouTube works wonders!