Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, Puck or William Shakespeare. I do own Callie, Flory, Poppy, Poptart and any other unknown characters. Ashura belongs to Dragoness but the characterisation is all mine. Lucius is co-owned by Mia. The concept of Pokéspeare is all mine as well. The chapter title is the song I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.
A/N: The credit for some scenes, especially towards the end, go to Pikajenn. My best friend, sounding board and proof all rolled into one.
Chapter Thirteen: I Will Survive
'Mew?'
"Gaaaaah!" Ash was so startled by the Psychic Pokémon's sudden appearance that he fell off the chair.
Ashura's eyes widened before he burst into a fit of giggles, 'Did I scare you, Chosen One?'
The Grand Master got up from the floor and dusted himself off. "No you did not scare me. I just fell off the chair to amuse you, that's all."
'Oooh really?' the blue Mew clasped his paws together and batted his eyelashes. 'Just for lil meeeee?'
"Just for lil you," Ash gave a wry grin. "A Grand Master doesn't just fall off the chair for anyone you know…"
'I feel so special' and with that the Pokémon transformed into a badge with the words 'I'm Special'.
The dark-haired man shook his head as he sat back down in his plush leather chair. "Now why can't I ever meet a normal Pokémon who does normal Pokémon things?" he muttered.
'What was that?'
"Nothing," Ash gave the Pokémon one of his trademark grins. "And I apologise for my reaction earlier but you caught me off-guard."
'Thinking about something?' Mew mused as he transformed yet again into the famous 'Thinker' statue by Rodin. 'Or should I say, thinking about someone?' The last was said with a sly wink.
"That's none of your business!" the Grand Master retorted; deciding to end the current line of conversation before it went any further. "And just what is it that you've come to see me about?"
'Oooh that,' the Mew changed back. 'Lucius has been on the prowl…'
Ash sat up in his chair. "He has? How did you know?"
'Two nights ago, we Pokémon felt a great evil presence on the island.'
"By 'we' do you mean all Pokémon? So that would mean that Pik felt it too?"
'Yes. And one of your friends shall soon be in grave danger…' A small vision appeared in a pink bubble, and Ash saw it was of Trish.
The Grand Master sighed in frustration. "But what could I possibly do? This Lucius is a powerful evil Fae, I'm just a mere mortal!"
'I wouldn't say that,' Mew flew over and poked him gently on the nose. 'You are the Chosen One.'
"I know that,' he scowled slightly. "But what good does that do me here? I don't have any magical powers!"
"But you have courage and greatness of heart. You will always come on the side of goodness. It is your destiny to save others and to save the world.'
"And here I thought my destiny was to just become the World's Greatest Pokémon Master."
'You have fulfilled that part of your destiny; now you must fulfil the other part, that of being the Chosen One.' Ashura gazed at him steadily. 'All Pokémon know about the prophecy. He and he alone shall fight the demons, vampires and the forces of darkness…'
The Psychic Pokémon trailed off as he noticed that Ash was staring at him, one dark brow raised. 'Oh wait, maybe that was from Buffy.' He giggled. 'Woops, wrong prophecy. My human likes watching that show…'
The Grand Master sighed in defeat. "Guess I'll have to keep an eye on Trish somehow…" But at least it would make his task of keeping an eye on Jenn a whole lot easier.
After saying goodbye to James and Meowth the two girls returned to the villa, again via the back gate.
Mia glomped the two in greeting. "How did the patrol go?"
"Great!" Jenn beamed. "Trish took 'em all out like no-one's business and saved an Espeon and an Umbreon just in the nick of time. They were almost Egg food."
"I just imagined that each Egg was a journalist," Trish remarked with a sly grin. "Since spoilsport here wouldn't let me go after the real things…"
"Well normally I would," Jenn shrugged in protest. "But we gotta think of your public image here! You don't need anymore bad publicity."
"Not that it isn't ruined beyond all repair already," Trish muttered. "Though I never wanted a public image in the first place."
"But you got one anyway," the blonde nodded sympathetically. "Ah the pitfalls of dating a celebrity…" Which she knew well from her experiences with Gary.
"The pitfalls of being a celebrity," the Australian added. "I can't imagine what Ash has to put up with, being the number one trainer in the world, of the world's most popular sport."
"Imagine being the idol of millions of people of all ages, from little kids to the elderly…" Chris said then shuddered. "Kinda freaky when you think about it. Everyone knows almost everything about you and you know nothing about them!"
Mia was about to reply when there was a sudden pounding at the back door. Chris motioned for the girls to stay put while he went to investigate with a few Growlithes in tow. A few minutes he returned and the person trailing behind him was one of the last people they expected to see.
"Danny?" Trish's dark eyes widened. "What are you doing here??"
Jenn was just as surprised as her best friend to see the Navel Island Gym Leader in the same town, much less their living room. Being named as the 'Other Man' in this mess, she would have thought he would have hopped on the first plane out of the Archipelago. Why come here? It would just make every one of Drake's accusations to be true.
"I managed to sneak into the backyard without the paparazzi noticing," Danny gave a wan smile. "I know I shouldn't be here, but I just wanted to see how Trish was doing."
"How are you doing?" the dark-haired girl redirected the question at him. She walked over and gave him a tight hug. "I am soo very very sorry that you were involved in this mess. It had nothing to do with you!"
Danny hugged her back just as tight. "It's okay. It wasn't your fault…I just wish I knew what got into Drake. That was really out of character for him, I should know, we've been best friends since we were six."
Shannon watched the two interact with a slight frown. Was there any truth to the accusations?
"So what are you going to do Danny?" Mia asked.
"Going home to Navel and staying there until the crisis has died out," the chestnut-haired Gym Leader sighed. "It's the best thing to do…"
"More to the point," Jenn frowned. "What is our favourite Australian going to do to ride out the storm?"
"I can answer that now," Trish stated calmly. "I'm going home to Sydney on the first available flight and never coming back."
The blonde blinked. Trish had never said anything to her about leaving. Jenn had assumed that her best friend would stay and fight like any wrongfully accused Goddess. "But you can't go home…"
"Why not?"
The tall blonde's brow furrowed. Why did her friend have this totally bad habit of demanding explanations from her? "Uh…cuz I don't want you to?" she finished lamely.
"I need a better reason than that. I can't stay here, and I might have a better chance at curing this lingering illness back home."
"True, but what if Danny's right? What if there is something wrong with Drake? If Callie or Puck can cure him…" Mia tried to help Jenn out.
"I don't care," Trish stated in a clipped tone.
Jenn snorted and opened her mouth to retort, but then thought the better of it. After all she did like living and her friend seemed especially snappy lately. 'The day that you don't care about people is the day that Jigglypuff can sing without everyone falling asleep!'
"Oh pwease stay!" Mia latched onto the eldest girl's arm.
"Stay, please?" Shannon latched onto the other arm, giving the puppy dog look for added affect since she knew her friend was a sucker for that.
"Relax girls, she won't go home," Jenn smirked.
"And what makes you think I won't?" Trish demanded while trying to free herself from her human 'handcuffs'.
"Because I know you. And I know you won't go home without me for company," the blonde explained. "Why go home and be miserable on your own, when you can stay here with fellow females…"
Chris coughed.
"…and Chris, and still be miserable!"
"And that's supposed to make me want to stay?"
"Sure it is!" Jenn beamed. "We can be miserable together. There's two tubs of Forbidden Chocolate Ice-cream in the freezer just demanding to be eaten by the lot of us." She then noticed that Chris was looking at her, eyebrow raised slightly. "What?"
"Neither you, Shannon or Mia look miserable enough to warrant a whole tub of ice-cream," the Scot smirked. "Much less two tubs."
"Oh but we are!" she defended herself. "We're all so close that we're being just as miserable in sympathy."
"If you say so," Chris remained unconvinced.
"Oh but I do!"
Trish shook her head with a wry smile. "You're a nut."
"I know! But the Nut is correct about you staying, right?"
The dark-haired girl sighed in defeat. "Right."
"Yay!!"
Jaime sighed as she found her surroundings change yet again; and found herself standing before Lucius in his hideout cave on a remote island to the north of Pummelo. "What do you want this time??" she demanded. "I was busy!!!"
"SILENCE Mortal!!" the red-haired Fae thundered making the girl quake slightly. "I have summoned you for vital information. Now that wench Callie is onto me, time is of the very essence. I must strike swiftly at my targets before all is lost."
"So what do you want?"
Lu paced. "The girl, Trish. What is her weakness? What can I use against her to destroy her completely?"
Jaime blinked. "Well she's addicted to coffee but that wouldn't destroy her. The only other thing I can think of is that she is an asthmatic…"
"Her lungs are weak then," Lu stopped pacing, a wicked gleam coming into his eyes. "And can you tell me some scenario that she loves which I can turn into her worst nightmare using her weakness…"
"She loves reading the 'Hound of the Baskervilles.' It's about…" She paused, then recited as if from memory. "It's about some hound from hell who hunts down any person who dares cross the moors at night. Don't know where you'd find a moor at. Whatever a moor is."
"It's perfect," Lu purred out. "Perfect."
Back at the villa, Danny glanced at his watch and sighed. "I guess I'd better get going…" The Navel Island Gym Leader hugged all the girls quickly in turn before shaking hands with Chris. "Take care all of you…"
Trish walked out with him to the back gate in silence. The tall Gym Leader rested a hand on the latch before turning. "So, I guess this is it for a while…"
"Yeah, at least until this mess has all died down or blown over," the Australian girl sighed.
"You take care of yourself now, promise?"
"I will. You too, Danny Boy."
"I will," he gave one last hug. "Still friends?"
Trish laughed. "Of course! If Drake thinks that I'm going to stop being friends with you just because he's paranoid, he'll have to think again!"
Danny smiled then opened the gate. "I'll see you around sometime. And it's bye from me…"
"Bye," Trish waited until the gate closed behind him then turned to go back inside. The whole situation was such a mess! "Oh what a tangled web we weave," she quoted softly from Shakespeare.
Just then a familiar voice came out of the darkness. "Did you say web? You know I hate spiders with a passion!" Jenn walked up to her with anxiety and dread written all over her features. "I do hope you managed to clear the way for me like a good friend should!"
Trish shook her head. "I wasn't talking about spiders, Jenn."
"But you were talking about a web…"
"I was quoting from Shakespeare, you nut."
"You nut? I don't remember seeing that written in any of his plays," Jenn blinked. "Of course I've only managed to stay awake through one of them, and that was just barely."
Trish just rolled her eyes.
The next morning…
The two girls arrived at the Pokémon Centre as soon as its doors were open for business. Nurse Joy led them into the room where the rescued Pokémon were staying. "Espeon and Umbreon are back to full health and you can take them home," she smiled.
Trish and Jenn each brought out a spare Poke ball, maximised them and threw them at the respective Pokémon they had chosen. The two creatures were converted into red energy then sucked into the red and white spheres, which wobbled once before emitting a single ding.
Jenn scooped up her ball and struck an Ash Victory Pose. "Alright!!! I caught a…uh…," she turned to her best friend. "What did I catch again?"
"An Umbreon, Jenn."
"I caught an Umbreon!!!"
"Before you two girls go, just let me register them in your names," Nurse Joy instructed as she led them out of the room.
"Are you sure about this?" Rebecca Thayer directed the question at her sister as she paced the floor of her spacious bedroom.
"I'm sure," Liana stated firmly. "Jenn said that Trish would be happy to see us, and that I was to give her a call on her cell phone before we went there."
"I know I shouldn't be doubting you on this," Becca stopped pacing and threw herself on the bed beside her. "But what if Jenn's wrong?"
Her younger sister chuckled. "You know she'd be offended at that comment. The Goddess Jenn is never wrong, she'd say…"
"True," Becca laughed as well before sobering. "Wish I knew what was wrong with Drake…"
"Yeah," Liana echoed with a sigh. "It's almost like he's a different person…"
"Unless it's just because he's a guy and guys tend to mess things up. I mean he finally meets someone who loves him for who he is, not for what he is…"
"A girl that the family approves of."
"And Drake goes and stuffs it up, maybe for good," Becca finished gloomily. "Honestly men are such twits…"
"Who's a twit?" Ben poked his head around Becca's bedroom door.
"You are," Liana replied with a straight face.
"Oh hardy har," the young man retorted as he walked in and sat down in a chair. "So what are you two ladies planning to do this afternoon?"
"Getting together with Jenn and Trish to plot the destruction of men world wide. Right Bec?"
"Oh absolutely," Becca nodded. "It's the only thing that can be done about Drake."
"Yeah but what about the rest of us menfolk?" Ben asked, wide eyed. "I'm innocent, so I shouldn't have to suffer!"
Becca tilted her head to the side and regarded him quizzically. "Actually you're more guilty than any of the other guys put together."
"How so?!"
"Guilt by association dear Benji," Liana wagged her finger at him. "You are not only male but a brother!"
"Hey he's your brother too!" Ben protested, glaring at his youngest sister for using that nickname.
"But that's different!" both girls chorused gleefully.
"Oy, women," the young man groaned. "Seriously what are you two doing this afternoon?"
"We already told you. Jenn invited us over to see Trish," Becca raised herself up to a sitting position, brushing her fringe to one side.
The two girls were surprised to see a dark frown come over their brother's face. "You can't do that..."
"Why not?" Liana demanded.
"Because Trish cheated on our brother and broke his heart! What would Drake say if he knew you went over to see his enemy!"
"Helllllo??? Earth to Benji Boy?!" Liana waved her hands in front of his face. "What makes you think that Drake is the only one with a broken heart? There are two sides in this - and have you seen Trish going out and partying hard with Danny? I think not!"
"Maybe so, but you two need to remember that Drake is our brother and therefore our full support needs to go with him and not Trish. Family loyalty comes first," Ben said hotly.
"But what if he is wrong?!" Becca shot back. "Does family loyalty demand that we support someone blindly no matter what they've done? And in this case I KNOW he is completely and utterly wrong!"
"It doesn't matter, he's our brother and I believe him on this," Ben folded his arms across his chest. "This is Drake for heaven's sake! He wouldn't lie about this!"
"And neither would Trish," Liana stated firmly.
"Well I'm inclined to believe Drake more," Ben frowned. "And you should too..."
Becca smirked. "I'd like to see how you go with Shannon on this. She may be your girlfriend but she's also friends with Trish."
"Shannon's entitled to her own opinion, but I would hope she'll see I'm right."
"As if," his sister snorted, inwardly thinking on how all guys were idiots.
Trish and Jenn managed to sneak back into the house without being seen.
"Despite how much of a celebrity this is making me feel like," Jenn said, closing the back door behind her. "It's getting to be darned inconvenient."
"You don't say," Trish said dryly. "I wonder why you feel like that."
"Oh, I dunno," the American girl shrugged. "Could be the campgrounds on the front lawn that holds half the press in the regions."
"Hmm, could be."
"What you really need, Trish," Mia walked into the kitchen, "is a diversion."
I know that," the older girl sighed as she slumped in a chair. "Someone to lure the press in the opposite direction. But I don't have a doppelganger handy..."
"I always thought it was doublegengar..." Jenn mused.
"You would," Mia moaned.
"Anywayz," Jenn ignored the comment. "We need to find someone who could pass for T here…"
"No one we know," Trish said dejectedly. "The only other thing we can hope for is something bigger to break involving someone that's more important than Drake."
"You mean something like Ash being sprung naked in bed with Jenn?" Mia piped up.
"Hey!" the blonde in question huffed. "I've already been sprung with Ash in that situation!" She flushed beet red when Mia looked suddenly interested. "Of course we didn't do anything…much."
"Perhaps Cal or Puck might be able to help us out," the seventeen-year-old brunette brightened. "They could magick up a decoy for you…"
"True."
Mia then left the room to call Puck on her cell phone, leaving the two older girls alone. A few minutes silence passed. "So how are you feeling?" Jenn ventured softly.
Her answer came in the form of a deep sigh. "Like crap, just existing, not really living…"
"You still thinking about him?"
"As much as I try not to, I still do, especially at night," Trish slunk further into her chair.
"Block him out completely," the blonde snorted. "I mean why on earth you would think about a guy who is such a player, such a moron. Label him as a closed and vacuum sealed chapter of your life and move on. You can do better than him, Tah."
"Jenn, it's only been what two or three days…"
"So? The faster you get the toxins out of your system the better."
"If I remember rightly, it's taken you a good month and a bit to declare yourself completely over Gary," Trish stated, one eyebrow raised.
"Uh…yeah."
"So why should I have to get over Drake in two days?"
"He's not worthy?" Jenn held up her hands in defence. "Okay, okay…The answer is…I don't really know. Other than I hate to see you tear yourself up over him."
Trish didn't relent. "But why are you so insistent that I get over Drake so quickly?"
"You mean He-Who-Is-The-Year's-Biggest-Asshole," the blonde corrected.
"That's too long to say," her friend protested. "How about Mr. Asshole?"
Jenn rolled her eyes. "You, Sis, are just too polite. In fact waaaaaaaay too polite," the tall American wagged her finger. "I wouldn't be so polite. You gotta be more American..."
A ghost of a smile played over Trish's face. "Well technically that's impossible, since I am an Australian..."
Jenn rolled her eyes. "Stop making things so complicated." But at least her best friend was showing signs of getting her old spirit back. "You gotta show him no mercy and kick his butt thoroughly!"
"Why does it sound like that I might have to beat you to it?"
"He messed with me, and no one messes with tha Goddess!" Jenn growled. "He used me!!!"
"He used both of us," Trish said wryly.
"Yeah but I got used worse than you."
"How?"
"Well..." Jenn struggled for a quick answer. "I got a hangover and you didn't. And a hangover is no laughing matter. It's too close in relation to a migraine."
"But you weren't humiliated in front of hundreds of people, or his colleagues and accused of being with another guy's child," Trish retorted. "Nor do I see you splashed all over the papers being called a cheater amongst other nastier things."
"I think a whole nightclub counts for something," the blonde protested. "And I'm just channelling your rage if you must know. You're so not the vengeful type." She patted Trish on the back. "See the problem with you, Tah, is that you're too nice. When things like this happen, you gotta take action against those who wrong you. And since you won't do it, I'll just have to do it for you!"
"Just don't kill him okay?"
Jenn sighed and shoved a freshly brewed coffee in front of her best friend. "Stop being so nice. Hush now and drink. The Goddess knows better than you in these matters."
"You're not going to listen to me are you?"
"Nope! Gotta keep up my image of not listening.."
"Oy," Trish shook her head. "I wash my hands of this matter..."
Jenn blinked. "How did you do that? I didn't see you go to the bathroom."
"And again with the 'Oy'.
Just then there was a knock at the back door. Jenn quickly walked over and to her relief it was only Ash, Pikachu, Liana and Becca standing there. They had obviously followed her instructions to come through the back gate.
As soon as she opened the door, the yellow mouse launched herself at the blonde with a happy 'Chhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa!'
"Wow, Pik's really really happy to see you, Jenn" the Grand Master remarked with a smile before two small Pichus barrelled over and hugged his legs. Ash scooped up Pepita and Satochu and nursed them in his strong arms.
"But isn't your Pikachu one of those naturally happy types anyway?" Becca questioned.
Ash looked over to where his first Pokémon was snuggled in Jenn's arms. "She is, but Pik's become more fussier about who she likes."
'Pikapichu' the electric mouse looked up at the blonde with big brown eyes.
Jenn melted and hugged the small creature gently. "Awww you are such a widdle cutie!!"
Pikachu grinned. 'Pikapichu pikacha Pikapi?'
At this comment Ash blushed slightly. "Pikachu!! You shouldn't ask Jenn things like that!"
"Like what?" Jenn looked at the Grand Master who seemed to flush even more under her gaze.
"Um...she wanted to know if you thought I was a...um...hot...cutie."
Now it was Jenn's turn to writhe internally. "Uh…do I have to answer that now?"
"Aww, c'mon Jenn," Mia smirked as she returned from her phone call. "You're among close friends here. Besides, after what happened to Trish here, would we even want to tell anyone's secrets?"
"True," the blonde mused before taking a deep breath and glancing down at the small 'chu in her arms. She whispered into one long black-tipped ear. "I do think Ash is a hot cutie."
"Oooh!!" Mia squealed, as she'd bent closer to hear without Jenn noticing. "I knew it!!"
"Okay, moving right along," Jenn said hurriedly, ushering all before her into the kitchen. "Let's go see the hopefully caffeinated Trish…"
Ash went over and hugged his friend first before stepping back for Becca and Liana. An awkward silence hung in the air as the two girls held back, unsure of their welcome.
Trish made the first move. "Hey Bec, Hey Liana" she offered a small smile.
That broke the ice, the two sisters rushing over and enveloping the older girl in a group hug.
"We are sooo sorry for what happened," Liana repeated what she had told Jenn the previous day. "So are Mom and Dad, they would have been here if they could…"
"No need to apologise," Trish hugged them both. "You're not to blame for what happened; you can tell your parents that too. The full blame rests with Drake himself, no one else."
"Hey where's Ben?" Jenn piped up. "I thought he would be here…"
The two Thayer girls looked at each other before Becca spoke. "Uh…Ben is of the opinion that anyone who wrongs his brother wrongs him."
"You are kidding me aren't you?" Trish had one eyebrow raised.
"Um, afraid not. We had a rather loud argument"
"Oh this just keeps on getting better and better," the Australian girl moaned as she sunk down to almost under the table. "Now I'm the cause of a family feud."
Jenn hauled her back up. "Before you end up on the floor, how about we go into the lounge room? I'm sure it's more comfortable on the carpet than the kitchen tiles don't you think?"
Drake rolled over on the couch in his office and gazed with bleary eyes at the wall clock, 4.45 pm. Time to get up…
The Orange Crew Leader had lain down for an hour after being struck with a massive migraine. He felt rather light-headed and wondered if he should call off his 5pm meeting with Cissy, the Mikan Island Gym Leader and make a doctor's appointment instead. For these migraines had become almost a daily occurrence, leaving him feeling incredibly woozy. Compounding the problem was the fact he seemed to have selective memory, as if someone had ripped pages out of his life. He remembered everything fine except for the past five days. Try as he might, he just could not recall them.
Stumbling off the couch and into the ensuite bathroom, the Pummelo Island Gym Leader splashed some cold water on his face to freshen up before getting a cup of tea. Settling down in the leather chair behind his desk, his dark gaze fell on a framed photo of Trish. He wondered why she hadn't been around lately and why the daily papers were no longer placed on his desk to read each morning. Maybe he could ask his colleague when she came in…
Cissy entered the office promptly at five, attired in her usual outfit of a tank top and long skirt. "Hey Drake."
"Hey, Cissy. Take a seat." He waved her towards one of the chairs opposite. "Before we start, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Have you seen Trish around lately? She hasn't stopped by at all and I was wondering if you knew…"he trailed off at the incredulous look his friend was giving him. "What?"
"Drake, you two had a spectacular bust up at the League dance two days ago. Obviously Trish isn't going to stop by," Cissy said slowly. She was unprepared for what came next…
"What??" the Crew Leader's jaw dropped. "What do you mean we had a spectacular bust up?"
"Don't you remember?" Cissy frowned; she was starting to get worried. "You two had a huge argument in front of everyone. You accused Trish of cheating with Danny and being pregnant with his child. Naturally she took offence at that and fought back, then you yelled at your sister, and it ended with Trish declaring it was all over and storming off."
Drake was mortified. "I would never have done such a thing!!! I swear I wouldn't have…I didn't really did I?"
"You did," the Mikan Island Gym Leader confirmed then looked hard at him. "You really don't remember what happened do you?"
"No. I swear that I honestly have no recollection of the past five days," the man slunk down into his seat. "I remember everything else but that – I've tried as hard as I can to remember but all I ever do is bring on another migraine…I can't believe I would have done such a thing…"
"It did seem out of character," Cissy agreed.
Drake sat up straight. "Maybe I can ring Jenn to explain…"
"Er, I wouldn't do that if I were you…"
He paused with his hand near the phone and looked wary. "What did I do to her?"
"Oh just got her completely smashed with alcohol at the Chikorita Nightclub, then proceeded to dance extremely up close and personal…"
"Oh God, no…"
"Oh yes. You then told Chris to tell Trish that you were just treating her best friend the same way she was treating yours. You then tried to turn Trish against Jenn by saying you two slept with each other beforehand."
The Pummelo Island Gym Leader grimaced. "And when did this happen?"
"Five days ago."
"Figures it would be in the period I don't remember at all," he muttered then opened a drawer and grabbed out a catalogue.
"What are you doing?"
"Jenn is most likely going to kill me," Drake flipped through the pages. "Trish said once that only platinum and/or diamond jewellery works as a peace offering on Jenn. He picked up the phone and dialled, gesturing for silence as he was connected through to Tiffany's. The Pummelo Gym Leader placed an order for an exquisite gold bracelet encrusted with diamonds, one that he knew that Jenn had always wanted, but could never afford. When he hung up, Cissy was grinning at him. "What?"
"When you go to make amends, you really make amends," she giggled. "Maybe I should get mad at you!"
"I'd rather you didn't," Drake said with a wry grin. "I already have a few who are, and that's more than enough!"
"If that is what you are getting Jenn to say you're sorry, you must be getting the whole shop for Trish!"
"Jenn has always said she can be bought," the dark-haired man leaned back in his chair. "Unfortunately for me, Trish is the exact opposite. From the sounds of it, she'd probably be satisfied with nothing less than my head on a platter…"
"Probably."
"You are so encouraging..." Drake buried his head in his hands. "Whatever I did, I would never have done it if I had known…why would I do such terrible things to the most important person in my life?"
Back at the girls' villa, the only one of their visitors who remained was Ash and Pikachu. Liana and Becca had gone back home since they were expecting dinner guests.
"How about you show me your new Pokémon?" the Grand Master suggested. "Give them a chance to meet the others in your group."
"Yeah how about it?" Mia piped up.
The group went into the backyard where a sharp whistle or two brought the rest of the girls' Pokémon running. Hamlet ran up to Trish, followed by Ophelia who was giving Pepita a ride. Mac was carrying Ash's Pikachu whereas Beth was saddled with Satochu.
"Come on out Espeon!" Trish threw her poke ball which released the small lavender Psychic Pokémon. The Espeon shook her head a little before walking over and resting against the girl's legs.
The two Growlithe sniffed the newcomer inquisitively before barking happily and licking the fox-like Pokémon's face.
"Aww isn't that cute?" Jenn smirked before maximising her poke ball and throwing it. "My turn! I choose…er…whatever you are!"
The Umbreon formed from the red beam of energy and promptly gave the same raised eye look that everyone was giving the blonde. "What??" Jenn demanded.
"Aren't you going to say its name?" Mia questioned.
"I've forgotten what it is!"
Umbreon heard a slight giggle coming from her left and she glared at her sibling Espeon. 'Why did I have to be her Pokémon??'
'Never mind her Umbreon, she is not as bad as you think,' a male voice echoed in her head.
The Dark Pokémon turned her head towards the sound of the 'voice' and saw the Grand Master looking at her. He inclined his head slightly towards Jenn and Umbreon understood what he wanted her to do.
'You want me to watch over her?' Umbreon whined silently using the psychic link that enabled the Chosen One to communicate with all Pokémon.
'You got it.'
The Pokémon sighed. 'Okay, I'll do it. You are the Chosen One and the boss after all…'
Jenn scratched her head. "Okay let's try again. Undie-on. I choose you!!!"
The Dark Pokémon gritted her teeth. 'Umbre!' she hissed then swung on her sister Espeon who was almost killing herself with laughter. 'It's NOT funny!!! I know she's blonde but does she have to act like it?'
Jenn looked hopefully at her non responsive Pokémon then looked at her best friend who sat there just shaking her head. "I'm guessing that wasn't it, huh?"
"Jenn...if I was a Pokémon and you called me that - I wouldn't answer either!"
Meanwhile the Umbreon had bounded up to the Espeon and smiled sweetly at her. 'Hey...Sis...'
'Yes?'
'How about we swap humans? I'll take the dark-haired one, you take the blonde, okay?'
Espeon burst out laughing. 'No way!'
Umbreon pouted. 'Well I say yes way. Besides, I match up with Trish better than you. I have black fur and she has black hair. Pwetty pweeeeeeeeeease?'
'No!' Espeon gently batted her sister on the nose with her tail. 'Jenn is your human, and you must watch over her for the Chosen One like you agreed to.'
'Me and my big mouth…'
"I've got it now!" The two Pokémon were interrupted by a triumphant shout from Jenn. "Umbrella-on! I choose you!!!'
Espeon collapsed in a heap of laughter as Umbreon's ears drooped. 'Well she nearly got it right that time!'
The Dark Pokémon sent a withering glance towards Ash and he just chuckled and walked over to the puzzled blonde and put a hand on her shoulder. "You almost got it right Jenn. It's Umbreon."
The American girl blinked. "I knew that!" Everyone fell over. "I was just…ah…testing you that's all…"
"Sure you were." Ash rolled his eyes.
"Dare you doubt the Goddess?"
"I dare."
"Why I oughta…" Jenn glared at the Grand Master but as usual found herself unable to stay mad at him.
"Kiss him?" Mia called out with a cheeky grin, Pikachu cheering her on.
"Who asked you?!"
Espeon managed to raise herself to a sitting position and nosed her sibling. 'You okay there?' she asked, still giggling.
The heap of black and gold fur shuddered. 'Why me?'
It was 6.30pm when Cissy finally left the Orange League Headquarters building, and the Mikan Gym Leader stopped off at a nearby café to have dinner. As she ate, the tall brunette reflected back on the meeting she had just had with her friend and colleague.
Drake had no recollection whatsoever of the nightclub incident or the fight and break-up with his girlfriend. The Orange Crew Leader had insisted that she tell him everything that happened, sparing no detail. So she did just that and ended up having to comfort one extremely upset man. In fact he got so worked up over what he had done that he brought on a massive migraine; and so Cissy had Ben come and take his brother home.
It was all so very strange, and yet she suspected that he was telling the truth in this case. The Drake she had seen this evening was more like the man that everyone knew. Cissy took a sip of her soda and sighed. If only Drake was able to make things right again, but would Trish or Jenn even give him the time of day? There had to be a way to help him. The Gym Leader decided to speak to the American girl first thing in the morning.
Cissy arrived at the villa just as Jenn stepped out the back gate. "Hi Jenn, just the person I wanted to see," she greeted.
"Hey, Cissy," Jenn smiled as she locked the gate. "I can't talk now, I'm just on my way to get some groceries."
"Could we perhaps stop off at a café on the way? I really need to talk to you about something…" the brunette frowned slightly.
"Is it very important?"
"It is. It's about what happened with Drake…"
Half an hour later, the two girls were seated in a rather private booth in the Shakin' Spinda, the best place in the Archipelago for ice creams and milkshakes.
Jenn sipped on her chocolate milkshake as she pondered what the Mikan Island Gym Leader had just told her. "Let me get this straight. Drake doesn't remember a single thing about what happened up to and including the fight?"
"That's right."
"And you believe that lying sack of…"
"Jenn!" Cissy stared at the blonde with a shocked expression. "I believe what he says to be true. You weren't there…You didn't see him."
"I know," Jenn nodded and leaned close, speaking in a confidential tone. "That's why he's still alive."
Cissy sighed inwardly and watched the blonde sit back and sip at her milkshake, her attention following something outside. Even though she had been expecting this reaction from the blonde, she had hoped that there was some part of Jenn that would have an open mind, to believe even with what had occurred. "Well I do. I've never seen a man so devastated as Drake when I told him what had happened. He was so cut up by all this that he got hammered by a bad migraine..."
Blue-grey eyes fixed sharply on her. "So what do you want from me?" The tone was flat and unconcerned.
"I just hoped that you might be able to find out what's wrong with him, or persuade Trish to talk to him, though that seems highly unlikely."
"Well…"
"Please Jenn?" Cissy pleaded. "He really is sorry for everything, including what happened to you at the Chikorita Club. He even got something for you from Tiffany's to apologise."
"Sure," Jenn snorted. "I'll believe it when I see it."
"I guess I'll take that as a no," the Mikan Island Gym Leader sighed.
"Sorry Cis," the American girl was at least truly apologetic. "I just find it hard to believe that he could do such asinine things and not remember them."
"That's okay," Cissy waved it off. "At least I tried…"
Jenn arrived home an hour later laden with groceries and was grateful to dump them on the kitchen table. Trish came out to help and the two girls put away the food and supplies.
Mia came running in carrying a small gift bag. "Hey Jenn, this came for you!"
The blonde straightened up and rubbed her back as she peered at the bag. "You sure its for me? It says it's from Tiffany's…"
"Of course I'm sure," Mia huffed. "I can read. The tag says its from Drake to you and it says that he's really sorry for what happened."
Jenn blinked and inwardly cringed at the look she got from her best friend. "Oh-kay…" She took the bag from Mia and opened it to withdraw a large flat velvet box. Opening the lid revealed a beautiful gold bracelet inlaid with diamonds; in fact it was the very same bracelet she had been eyeing for some time.
"Wow," Mia breathed as she looked over Jenn's shoulders. "He sure knows how to make amends, doesn't he?"
"Yes, he sure does," Trish said, a slight edge to her voice.
Jenn knew what her friend was thinking and quickly turned to her. "Oh there's absolutely nothing going on between us! You know that, and you also know that I can be bought off with expensive bling blings. Drake does too and this is what this is and nothing more."
"True, but why haven't I got some expensive bling bling from him?" Trish grumbled. "I'm his…ex!"
The blonde blinked. "But I thought you couldn't be bought.."
"I can't! But that doesn't mean Drake couldn't have tried!" the dark-haired Australian muttered. "It's like he doesn't even care…"
Jenn almost pointed out that her best friend had just contradicted herself, but settled for giving her a tight hug instead. Trish was already emotionally overwrought, no sense in making her worse. Women were perfectly entitled to be fickle after all. She just wished there was something she could do to help…
Back in her room, Jenn sat on her bed and gazed at the glittering bracelet inside its velvet case; her thoughts drifting back to the earlier conversation with the Mikan Island Gym Leader. So Cissy had been right about the bracelet from Tiffany's…which meant that she could also be right about Drake being in some sort of trouble. Jenn had always found the brunette to be a honest and reliable person before, so why should she doubt her word?
'It's because of what he did to me and especially because of what he did to my closest friend,' her brows furrowed with renewed anger. 'As long as she hates his guts, I do too.'
But did her best friend really hate his guts? It was obvious to Jenn that Trish was completely torn over the whole thing. She had heard the hesitation before the word 'ex.' On the one hand she had vowed to be strong, to get on with her life and she was better off without him. Her public facade was that she was completely over him.
However the negative publicity that had been generated over the incident meant that she had to be very careful about what she did. She couldn't even go out for a girls' night out at the local nightclubs, just in case some nasty piece of work spotted her speaking with any guy, however innocent it may be.
Privately, Trish was rather an emotional mess. She just found it almost impossible to believe what Drake had done to her. The man she knew, or thought she knew, would never have aired their troubles in public. But the truth was, that he had.
Jenn sighed then came to a decision. She would take Puck with her to see Drake just like Cissy had asked.
Mia ran to the door to let Puck and Callie in when they arrived, the teenager giving the young Fae a quick hug and kiss, which caused him to blush beet red under the amused gaze of his sister.
"I'm so glad you two came," Mia led Puck by the hand into the living room. "I'm really worried about the effect this whole mess is having on Trish. She's looking more run down and frail every day, when she should have been getting better after Cal removed some of the spell. I hope you can do something for her…"
Chris entered the living room a few minutes later, his eyes widening as they fell upon the tall, beautiful brunette who was standing beside her brother. He subconsciously straightened his shirt and smoothed back his dark hair; it would not do at all to look scruffy in front of such a stunner.
Mia noticed her friend and stepped forward. "Oh, Chris, I'd like you to meet Puck's sister Calliope, but everyone calls her Callie. Callie, I'd like you to meet my friend Chris."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Chris gave a slight bow, noticing that the female Fae was smiling at him with an amused look on her face.
"You must be the Chris I've heard so much about from the girls," Callie said.
"Oh?" the Scot's ego puffed up a notch. So she had heard about him… "What have they been saying about me? All good things I hope."
Callie titled her head to the side. "Actually they were talking about what a wonderful girl you make as Christine."
Chris groaned as his ego deflated like a pricked balloon. "Why am I not surprised?"
Mia smirked. "Hey what else do you expect from being the token male in a group of girls? I know that I always think of you as being one of the girls."
"Gee, thanks so much Mia," the Scot said rather sourly. She would have to go and humiliate him even more in front of potential date material!
"Don't be so hard on her, Chris," Callie smiled. "I think it's wonderful how you managed to cope with the transformation and how you didn't let it get you down. That takes guts and I admire you for it."
"Really?"
"Really, and I'm sure you learnt a valuable lesson from it all."
"Oh I did!" the young man assured her. "I'm not likely to forget it either!"
"Great."
"So," Chris decided to make his move while the going was good. "Would you like a drink or something to eat Callie? If you come with me to the kitchen I can show you what's there."
"A drink would be nice," the female Fae replied as she followed him out of the room.
Mia grinned then noticed Puck watching the departing figure of his sister with a slight frown. "What?"
The Fae blinked. "Oh, nothing."
"Yeah right," Mia snorted. "I saw you looking at Chris."
Puck grumbled, "Yeah, well he's interested in my sister, which makes it my interest as well."
"Sounds like someone is doing the protective brother act," Mia teased.
"With Cal looking like every man's bootylicious dream, you would too!" the chestnut-haired Fae protested. "Not that she needs any protection, but that's beside the point. It's a...brother thing?"
"She must get heaps of suitors."
"Yeah, but Cal's never been interested in any of them."
"Until now..." Mia said slyly.
"Exactly," Puck nodded then snapped his head around to look at his girlfriend. "What do you mean 'until now'...Callie's interested in Chris?"
"Uh-huh."
"How can you tell?"
"Women's intuition."
Just then Jenn came into the room, dragging Trish behind her. "Hey, Puck!" she greeted cheerily. "Hope you and Cal can do something to help Ms. Sad Sack here."
Trish gave her a half-hearted scowl before sitting down on the couch, whereupon Hamlet leapt onto his mistress' lap.
"I hope so too," Puck agreed before noticing Jenn was beckoning him over. He rose and walked over to the blonde, curious as to what she wanted with him. Hopefully it had nothing to do with pinching his butt, for he had heard Jenn had a reputation for pinching the butt of any good-looking guy. Mia would never forgive him for it.
Jenn led him into the next room, and when she finally spoke, it was in a low voice. "You and I are going to go see Drake tomorrow."
Puck blinked. "We are? What do you want me there for? If it's anything illegal count me out, I don't kill people with magic y'know."
"What makes you think I would kill him?" the blonde huffed.
"No offence Jenn, but you are rather aggressive," the Fae held up his hands in defence.
"Well, I am American," she rolled her eyes. "It's perfectly normal for us. Though I have to admit that the thought has crossed my mind; but I'm not going there to kill him, promise."
"Promise?" Puck looked doubtful.
"Promise," Jenn raised one hand as if taking an oath. "Trish would kill me if I did that, and I so totally don't want to die at the moment."
"So what do you want me to go along for?"
"To find out if there's something wrong magic wise with Drake, and if there is, cure it," the blonde explained.
"Okay, count me in."
The next morning…
Jenn and Puck were ushered into the Orange Crew Leader's office by his personal assistant promptly at 11. Both were shocked by Drake's appearance, the dark-haired man looked pale and utterly drained. Jenn allowed herself a small inward smirk at this; it would be poetic justice if he was having as crappy sleeps as Trish was.
"Please, take a seat," Drake waved them into the two chairs across from his desk.
"Why Drake, you look like crap!" Jenn smiled sweetly as Puck shot her a disapproving look.
"Thank you so much," the Orange Crew Leader said dryly.
"I don't want your thanks," the blonde retorted with a glare.
"I was being sarcastic; I wasn't being nice."
"Neither am I."
Drake gritted his teeth silently. He had been expecting a hostile reception from Jenn, but did she have to make things so difficult? He desperately needed her to understand that he was under some spell, a spell which made him say and do things against his free will. There were only occasions like this one when he was his own self, but he had to fight hard to win it. He wondered if he would have had more luck going straight to Trish, at least she might have given him the benefit of doubt before slamming any verbal doors in his face.
Meanwhile Jenn was silently congratulating herself on such a sharp comeback. Nobody disses the Goddess and gets away with it. She mentally counted the verbal ammunition she had stored away when a tiny voice inside her brain whispered. 'Now now Jenn. Might we remind ourselves exactly what we're doing here?'
'Getting personal satisfaction?'
'Besides that.'
'We're gonna kick his sorry ass?'
'No!!!' the voice was exasperated. 'We're here to hopefully help Trish and Drake get back together!'
Jenn frowned. 'Who are you?'
'I am your conscience.'
'Really? How come I don't remember you?'
'You never listen to me that's why!'
From the corner of her eye, Jenn caught sight of Puck looking exasperated and something clicked. "HEY!"
Both Drake and Puck jumped. Drake looked confused and broody, while Puck looked slightly guilty.
"What?" the Fae ventured.
"Stay outta my head!" Jenn glared at the slender man. "Don't think I'm that stupid." She crossed her arms and sat back in her chair. "I know my mental voice, and it doesn't talk all British accented like you."
"Neither do I!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!"
Drake watched Jenn huff and turn away from Puck, while the Fae looked torn between anger and confusion. The Orange Island Gym Leader sighed softly.
"Well, fine," Jenn snapped.
"Fine!" Puck ground out.
"Children..." Drake drawled out, feeling like a counsellor. "No fighting."
"You need to keep quiet," Jenn fumed. "You're in enough hot water as it is."
"I might be," Drake said, "but I'm proposing that we strike a truce."
Jenn almost snorted, then thought of both the bracelet and Cissy's pleadings. The almost snort turned into a sigh that perked up Drake's interest.
"Jenn?" he asked. "Will you strike a truce?"
"Well, a truce isn't what I want to strike," the blonde ignored the swift wince that flashed on Drake's face, "but I'll agree to it."
Something deep down, really deep down, told Jenn to be patient and to listen to whatever it was Drake had to say. This time she was sure the inner voice was her own and not Puck, and her inner voice was never wrong. It was most smug about its track record of correctness and...
She noticed the two males staring at her. "Um...What's the plan?"
To be continued
Author's Note: As stated previously, many thanks go to Jenn on this chapter. Without her support and encouragement this story wouldn't have got very far.
Just one note to readers. Do not go making judgements on a writer by just one story. Go to his or her profile and read a couple of stories. If you don't agree with their reasoning do not flame them for it – there is freedom of speech and if it doesn't fit in with the Pokémon anime or magna so be it. The aim of Fanfiction writing is to unleash your imagination and free your soul. Besides if we all wrote AAMLs and trainer journey fics it would all get so very tired.