Midsummer Nights
By Trish.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or the character of Puck, based on a Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. Ashura the Mew was borrowed from Dragoness with permission. I own the rest of the characters and the storyline.
A/N: If you can't deal with alternative storylines that deviate from the show then don't read.
ooo
Chapter Twenty-Three: Far Across the Distance.
Ash frowned at the cordless in his hand. The conversation he'd just had with Jenn really bothered him. The answers she gave him, answers that he knew were lies, and even the way she cut him off before he could correct her. Couple that with the fact that he knew she had just received a phone call from Gary and it all spelt trouble.
The Grand Master sighed. He really hoped that the blonde had not gone to meet her ex. The former Viridian City Gym Leader would only have it in for her (as well as himself), especially since she beat him in the recent Pokémon battle and caused him to be stripped of his gym and Pokémon Trainer's licence. Defeat and public humiliation was not something that Gary Oak took lightly.
But all signs pointed to Jenn doing exactly that. The dark-haired man ran a hand through his hair. He wished that the blonde wouldn't be so rash, so hot-headed, so impulsive. Not that he was one to talk, but he had only been guilty of the same traits when he was in his teens. Brock had assured him that he had matured and mellowed somewhat since becoming Grand Master.
Ash had to do something. Though Jenn clearly didn't want him to interfere, he knew that he had to keep a close eye on the girl. It was far too dangerous for Jenn to go off alone with Lu on the war path – and Trish was told that the American blonde was to be his next victim.
Not only that, but he and the others would be in deep trouble with Trish when the Australian returned from her date. The dark-haired girl was very protective of her best friend and would be raising hell if she found out she had gone out alone at night. Though she has every reason to worry, more so than the rest of us, he thought. Trish knows exactly what that maniac is capable of doing.
A slight frown creased his features before he sat up decisively. "Gengar!" he called. A squat purple Ghost Pokémon with red eyes materialized before him. Sometime after he had become Grand Master, Ash had returned to the tower in Lavender Town and persuaded the friendly Gengar that he had met to come and be part of his team.
'Geng…' The Pokémon cocked its head to the side.
"No, I can't see your new comedy routine just yet," Ash smiled apologetically. "But I have a very important job for you."
'Geng Gengar?'
"I want you to go and keep a look out on Jenn for me. She's meeting her ex-boyfriend and I don't have a good feeling about this at all. But you can't let yourself be seen. Can you do that?"
The Pokémon grinned widely. 'Gengar.'
"No practical jokes, okay," the Grand Master warned.
Gengar pouted.
"Report back to me immediately if anything bad happens."
The Ghost Pokémon nodded before vanishing into thin air.
Ash settled back in the sofa. He felt a little bit guilty for doing this to Jenn, but after what happened the last time she went to confront Gary, he felt it was more than warranted.
ooo
Meanwhile Trish was enjoying watching the Phantom of the Opera, her hands entwined with Drake's, when she suddenly shivered.
"You okay?" the Orange Crew Leader whispered.
"Oh, just felt a little cold, that's all," Trish smiled at her fiancé.
"You need my jacket?"
"I'm fine now, honestly," she reassured him and turned back to watch the musical. What she wouldn't say was that it felt more like someone had walked over her grave. The Australian settled down in her seat and tried to ignore the feelings of foreboding sweeping over her.
ooo
Jenn's blue-grey eyes scanned the crowds of Club Mystique. It had been ten minutes since she had been in the club and the only thing she'd seen had been couples and groups of friends. The club was packed, with throbbing rap music combined with pulsating strobe lights, and the air was very warm despite an excellent air conditioning system.
She had gotten a soda, but hadn't enjoyed it at all. It had an undercurrent of taste to it that seemed very much like alcohol of some sort. She'd told the bartender she didn't want any alcohol in it, but she had a feeling the man hadn't heard her.
Settling at a spot against the rear wall near an outdoor patio area, Jenn once again scanned the crowds. Still she saw no spiky haired idiot who was very much going to get a verbal smackdown. Spotting a trash can, she dropped the soda inside and sighed when she heard the plastic cup slosh against some other trash. It had been a four dollar drink and that was all down the trash.
A group of giggling girls walked by and Jenn heard snatches of conversation. Mainly talk surrounding cute guys they'd seen on the beach earlier that day. However it was their clothes that made her uncomfortable, mostly because of how she was dressed. It was casual, but a little sloppy. She hadn't been counting on going to Club Mystique at the drop of the hat.
Jenn scowled briefly. Me and my short temper. One of these days it's gonna get the better of me. She thought a little on that. Well, more so than it usually does. Still I wish I'd dressed a little better this morning!
A morning of training her absol went right to a swim in the large outdoor pool at Drake's villa. She had let her hair dry in the hot sun, and had dressed in cut off shorts, a red tank top, and her sneakers. No socks, as the small blisters forming at her heels were currently reminding her. Her hair was in a messy ponytail, and she did mean messy.
A hand gripped her shoulder and Jenn spun around, ready to fight and defend her own honour.
"Oh, it's just you," she said blandly and relaxed. "I thought I had something to worry about."
Gary scowled, "Nice to see you too."
"What do you want?"
Gary looked her over and said, "Come with me."
Jenn rolled her eyes, but followed. She was a little surprised to see that he was leading her to the private patio balcony she'd seen earlier.
He paused by the door and a man walked over. Jenn saw that it was the bartender from earlier and a little quell of suspicion rolled through her. The doors opened and cool night air drifted into the warm dance hall. Gary beckoned for her to follow.
"I don't know," she said warily, "I think I'm just going to go back…"
"Oh come on," Gary sighed. "What are you? Chicken?"
"I am not!" Jenn retorted and stomped out onto the patio before he did. The night air was cooler here, with only a hint of warmth. She shivered and crossed her arms against her stomach. A table for two was set by the balcony railing and Gary walked over to it.
A candle in a glass tapered lantern was lit and flickering at the centre of the table, illuminating a place setting for two.
"Looks real romantic," Jenn said mockingly. "You never did romantic while we were dating."
"I didn't?" Gary said with mild surprise, "How pathetic of me."
"That's for sure," Jenn walked over to the balcony, looking over the edge. She gulped at the sight. The three storey height of the club had a great view of the parking lot, which was currently crammed, that served the building the club was in.
Beyond that was a cliff that overlooked the ocean, and this was the view that people who ate on the balcony saw. Nothing but sweeping views of the ocean. At this part of Pummelo, the waves crashed spectacularly against the rock-strewn surface where cliff met water, and while that wasn't seen from the balcony, patrons could hear it.
"Nice view, isn't it?"
Jenn frowned a little. Gary was never one for small talk. "Um, yeah I guess."
"And look out there," he pointed towards the horizon. Barely seen were twinkling white lights. "Looks like a ship."
"Yep, Pummelo is a great port for cruise lines."
"If you look close enough, you could almost imagine yourself on it." He looked at her, "Can't you?"
"No, I really can't," Jenn cast a suspicious gaze at him, "What did you really want? I know it's not to chit-chat." She looked around, "Is this some sort of revenge? Do you have hidden cameras? Or maybe you have some sort of prank set up."
"Revenge?" He looked thoughtful, "Maybe, but it's not mine."
"Come on, it's not like I pissed off anyone you know." She smirked, "It's not like you have a huge group of friends or anything."
Gary's dark brown gaze flicked from behind her to looking directly at her, "Now if I really was who you think I am, that comment would really have pissed me off."
"What are you talking about?" she frowned, "And since when did your eyes turn brown?"
"Brown? I guess the gig is up." He stepped to the side and Jenn saw someone standing on the balcony at the doors.
"The bartender?" Jenn looked puzzled, "Did he spike my drink? I knew I tasted alcohol in it."
"Yes and if you would have just consumed the whole thing, the actions that follow would have gone easier for you." Though the man was several feet away, his voice carried on the air.
"Huh?"
He looked up through the heavy fringe of ruby bangs and even from that distance, Jenn could see that his eyes were a piercing shade of emerald green. Her own eyes widened in shock, but before she could move, he did.
In a flicker of movement, he was suddenly standing in front of her with his hands on her shoulders, shoving her against the high stone balcony railing. His eyes reflected the candlelight, making them flicker red and yellow before settling back to green. "You have been a thorn in my side for the very last time, Mortal. And I do mean very last time"
"Lulu?"
The evil Fae's grip tightened, "Desist in your insults, Mortal, or I will take your voice from you."
Jenn gulped, but kept quiet.
"Is the barrier up?" Gary walked over to the two. "I would so hate for Gary to have any more dirt on his shoulders."
Jenn couldn't resist yelping out, "What!"
"Come now, Mortal, surely you do not believe that to be your ex-lover?" He laughed at the flush that spread over Jenn's face. "You are certainly simple! You did believe that was Gary Oak!" He didn't take his gaze from Jenn while he answered Gary's question, "Yes, Mortal, the barrier is up."
"What barrier?" Jenn struggled, "What are you blabbing about? What barrier?"
"It is quite straightforward, human," Lu said calmly, "I have set a barrier spell. Any human who looks out onto this balcony will only see what I want them to see. Currently they see a human couple eating dinner. They will then see a yelling match which will lead to a very upset human female doing something very unnatural."
"Like what?" Gone was all her bravery and Jenn felt a trickle of fear creeping along her spine.
Lu leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Suicide."
Jenn's eyes widened, "NO! I would never do that! Especially not over Gary!"
"I think you will," Lu cocked his head to the side, "You look especially hysterical right now, my dear. Particularly to those people looking at us."
He pulled Jenn up, allowing her to see beyond his shoulder. Sure enough, there was a small group of people looking and pointing, but not doing anything else. Jenn saw a flicker of movement above the door. Red eyes and a flash of purple.
"What are you looking at?" Lu looked back, "I see nothing." He looked at Jenn. "A pitiable endeavour at a diversion, mortal. Your distractions will not work on me."
"Can we just get on with it?" Gary whined from behind Lu, "I'm getting bored."
"You!" Jenn gasped, "Rudy! But how…"
Lu almost rolled his eyes, "How dense are you? I applied a basic glamour to alter Rudy's appearance, nothing more and nothing less."
"PUCK!" Jenn screamed out suddenly, startling both males.
Rudy, for the glamour faded completely then, looked around with fear on his face. Lu simply grinned maliciously at the blonde. "Save your breath, human. The barrier also prevents you from contacting that audacious Fae."
"I figured it couldn't hurt to try," Jenn said glumly.
"Oh trust me," Lu said with a glint of amusement, "It will hurt."
ooo
Ash was pacing back and forth on the large ground level terrace at Drake's villa. How on earth would he be able to explain to Trish if anything happened to her blonde best friend? He knew he wouldn't be able to, and so he hoped against hope that nothing horrible was going down between Jenn and Gary.
His black boots tread on the terracotta tiles as he paced and he paused to rest his hands on the waist high marble balustrade. It was still warm from the heat of the day, but it did nothing to chase away the chills of apprehension he felt. Not only was there no word from Jenn, but he hadn't heard from Gengar either.
Calm down, he told himself, and tried to look calmly at the dark ocean waters. It's only been a half hour since Gengar left. If he hasn't been back yet, then it's gotta be good news. Maybe Jenn and Gary have kissed and made up.
Yet deep down he figured that would be about as likely as Moltres hooking up with Articuno.
He was about to resume pacing, or try to call Jenn again though she hadn't answered the last ten times he'd called, when Gengar appeared suddenly directly in front of him. "Gengar…" The Grand Master broke off when he saw how upset the ghost looked. Gengar was never upset about anything.
"What's wrong?"
"Gen…Gen gar."
Ash paled, "Can you take me there?"
The ghost's answer was to touch the Grand Master's shoulders. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared.
ooo
Despite the flashy effects and the poignant music, Trish couldn't help not being able to shake off the nagging feeling that had been pestering her since they arrived. Drake sensed her anxiety and looked over, "Trouble enjoying the show?"
Trish sighed and nodded, "I've had a creepy feeling ever since the show started."
People in the balcony box next to them shushed them softly, and Trish leaned over to whisper to Drake. "I think there's something wrong at the villa."
"Can't you just put the creepy feeling to the authenticity of the set?" Drake whispered back, "I'm actually enjoying this."
"Well…I guess it could be the set," Trish said dubiously, "I'll just call the villa during interval."
"That's my gal," Drake leaned over and kissed her gently, "Just think about it. You can brag to all your female friends on how you got a man to enjoy a play."
Trish groaned at that, "You're insufferable!"
"But you love me for it!" Drake chuckled, then squeezed her hand reassuringly, "I'm sure everything is okay. I mean, come on, we left Ash in charge of that motley crew. He wouldn't let anything bad happen to a single one of them."
"Okay," Trish nodded, "After all, you're right. Ash is there. What could possibly go wrong?"
ooo
There was a huge crowd of police and people milling around the car park when Ash appeared with Gengar. "Gengar, make yourself invisible, we can talk telepathically." The Pokémon nodded before melting into the background.
Heart in his throat, the Grand Master pushed his way through the crowds until he reached the police tape that was sealing off the scene. He felt sick to the stomach when he saw a sheet covered body lying on the ground. Jenn…
He went to move forward when a police officer came forward to stop him. "I'm sorry, sir, but you can't go any further, this is a crime scene."
Ash looked at him. "Listen, I know the victim, okay? And I know her family. I'm going in there."
The policeman then recognised the Grand Master and stepped back. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't recognise you, Mr Ketchum. Please, step through."
"What happened?"
"According to eyewitnesses at Club Mystique, she was having an argument with her former boyfriend, Gary Oak. She became hysterical and then jumped over the edge," the policeman explained.
Ash thanked the man, then walked slowly towards the body. He knelt down and gently folded back the covering sheet from her head. Jenn was lying with her head at an awkward angle, her messy blonde locks trailing in the pool of blood underneath.
:Gengar, what really happened?: He telepathically questioned the Ghost Pokémon. The explanation of Jenn committing suicide just didn't ring true with the Grand Master. The blonde was stronger than that, and had said she would never consider such an option just in case she ended up in Hell rather than Paradise. Nor would she ever give her former boyfriend such satisfaction as to remove herself completely from the scene.
:That's not Jenn:
Ash blinked. It isn't:
The Ghost Pokémon put one paw on the Grand Master's head and images of what had happened played before his eyes. Jenn being led by Gary onto the balcony. Jenn's terror when Gary was revealed as Rudy and Lu made his presence known. Then the moment when Jenn was spirited away and her double appeared.
The double had no soul: Gengar explained. :Even if it was Jenn and her soul had gone on, there would have been a residual energy for at least a day.:
The dark-haired trainer nodded. He remembered the first time he had met the Pokémon in Lavender Town. He and Pikachu had been crushed under a falling chandelier and Haunter had withdrawn their souls so the three lonely Ghost Pokémon would have some playmates.
Ash re-covered the body, and stared into space for a few minutes. "Oh Jenn," he whispered. "If only you hadn't snuck out and lied to me. Now Lu has you and we have no idea where you are."
When Jenn came back, he was going to sit her down for a nice long talk about letting her quick temper get the better of her. That is, if Jenn ever came back. With no clue as to where she was sent, he could only hope that her temper had not caused this to be her final mistake.
How am I gonna explain this to Trish?
ooo
When interval came, Drake and Trish made their way to a relatively quiet corner of the theatre foyer where they could make a call. Fishing her cell phone out of her evening purse, Trish dialled the villa.
Shannon answered on the second ring. "Hello?"
"Hi Shan, it's me," Trish said.
"Trish!" There was an excited squeal. "Congratulations!"
"Thanks," the Australian smiled.
"You two must be over the moon!" the brunette sighed happily. Trish could almost imagine the stars in the girl's eyes.
"We're very happy and very excited," she confirmed. "Is Jenn or Ash there?"
"I think so," Shannon said. "Jenn had a call on her phone and went out in the gardens. She could still be on the phone. Ash went to check on the Pokémon. You want me to get either of them?"
"Oh no, I was just wondering if everything's okay there."
"Everything's fine, fret not," the younger girl assured her friend. "You go and enjoy the rest of the evening with your man."
"Okay. See you later then."
"Toodles!"
Trish clicked off her phone to see Drake looking at her.
"So, is everything okay?" the Orange Crew Leader asked.
"Shannon said that Jenn was probably on her phone and Ash was checking the Pokémon."
"See, everything is fine. There's nothing to worry about," he slung a muscular arm around her waist. "Let's enjoy the rest of this musical, then you can go home and do a headcount of your 'brood' if you insist."
"I guess you're right," Trish said slowly. But why did she still feel so bad?
ooo
When Jenn regained consciousness, she was lying on something soft and comfortable. Okay, so I'm not dead…which was a relief. The last thing she remembered was Lulu circling his hands around her throat.
The blonde cracked open one eye warily and, when she was satisfied that her would-be murderer was not there, opened the other one. Rich oak panels lined the walls and dark jacquard curtains covered the windows. A low throbbing noise seemed to pulsate through the room, but instead of being annoying, it was almost soothing. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling and by turning her head she could see she was lying on a large bed. This isn't so bad…
She sat up slowly, just in case that psychopath had broken any of her bones, but nothing hurt, so she took that as a good sign. It was then that she noticed her clothes. Jenn was surprised to see she was wearing a dress. It was a light navy coloured dress with a white silk empire waisted top dress, with white ankle high leather boots that had a slender heel to them. There was something about what she was wearing that nagged at her.
'Maybe Lulubelle totally messed up for once and I won't get killed.' Callie and Puck always said that Lu was not very good with magic. She hoped that this was true in her case!
Slipping off the bed, the blonde walked over to the full length mirror that stood in the corner of the room to examine her appearance. Her hair was swept up in an elegant style and held in place with a diamond encrusted band. Diamond drop earrings glittered in each earlobe and a beautiful large blue diamond heart shaped pendant graced her neck.
Jenn had to admit, she looked totally sophisticated. Trish had always said that she had the figure to carry off the fitted dresses from the nineteen hundreds. The Australian was right, as usual. When she got back, she'd have to tell her friend, and in response would be an inevitable 'I told you so!'
She fingered the necklace gently. It really was beautiful and the colour was like that of the ocean. Reminds me there was something like that in…The blonde forced herself to get back to the matter at hand. Nuh uh, first figure out where you are, then fawn over the sparkly diamonds.
Here she was in some place, Lugia only knows where, that the insane Fae had sent her. Find out where the hell I am first, she thought to herself. Then try to contact Puck or Callie if I can. I wish I had asked Trish what she did to get in touch with them when she had her big bad problem.
Stepping out of the room, Jenn found herself in a long white corridor. Doors were on either side of the elegant carved wooden hallway and a woven red carpet lined the floor. It had a slightly plush feeling to it. Was she in some sort of hotel? All was quiet around her with the exception that low throbbing noise which she had heard back in the room. Maybe it's the air conditioning.
Many corridors and staircases later, the blonde finally made it outside – only to find herself on the wooden deck of a ship under a moonless sky. The cold night air whipped around her and made her shiver. She had a really bad feeling about this.
"There you are!" Before the blonde could move, she found herself swept into strong arms, and being kissed passionately. Shocked, Jenn pushed away from her 'assailant' and got an even bigger shock when she saw his features.
"Danny!"
"I must be a good kisser," he smiled down at her, "if you've forgotten my name! I was afraid you'd forgotten we agreed to meet here for a secret tryst."
"Secret…tryst?" Jenn was really confused. Who was this guy and what was he playing at? She'd never had a secret tryst in her life!
The Danny doppelganger looked concerned. "Why… Rose, darling; don't you remember what happened between us the other night?"
Jenn's eyes widened. Rose? What the hell….
Then the cry from the crow's nest came, "ICEBERG, DEAD AHEAD!"
Waves of horror swept over Jenn as she saw a massive white shape, at least two stories high, looming out of the darkness ahead. Then it all came together; Old fashioned dress. Necklace. Ship. Iceberg.
She was on the RMS Titanic.
The liner collided with the iceberg and the vibrations from the impact were felt beneath her feet. The screeching sound of metal against ice reverberated loudly in the still air.
"You have been a thorn in my side for the very last time, Mortal. And I do mean very last time."
She could almost hear Lu's voice around her and she shuddered. I am in such trouble.
ooo
The musical now over, Trish and Drake were walking back to the car when a rustling in the bushes ahead stopped them.
The Australian froze when an Absol stepped out of the bushes and faced them. She hadn't had this nightmare since Kigali had arrived. But unlike Kigali, who was just like any other small puppy, this Absol had an air of great menace about it.
The Disaster Pokémon fixed its red eyes on the girl and growled low. 'Absoooooooooool.'
Drake reached for Dragonite's Poké Ball, which was attached to his belt; ready to call out his friend if needed. But the Absol just turned and disappeared the way it had come.
Trish slapped Drake's arm, "Next time, we use valet parking!"
Drake frowned after the Absol, "Well, that was random…"
Looking at the shrubs, Trish shuddered. "Maybe, or maybe it isn't." Legend had it that Absols only appeared before a great disaster was about to happen. Her feelings of unease only intensified. She couldn't wait to get back home.
ooo
Back at the villa, Ash had informed Shannon and Ben of Jenn's predicament; and all three were waiting in the living room for Trish and Drake to get back from the theatre. The Grand Master was pacing the floor, while a worried Pikachu looked on from the couch. Shannon was fretting.
"I knew I should have checked on Jenn when Trish asked," the brunette groaned. "She's gonna kill me!"
"No, she won't," Ben tried to reassure his girlfriend.
"What makes you so sure about that?" Shannon demanded.
He shrugged. "Trish just doesn't seem like the type to kill anybody, that's all."
"Yeah?" Shannon snorted. "I can think of at least one person she would. Rudy."
Ben looked thoughtful. "Oh yeah, forgot about him."
"I just hope that no one from the media managed to contact Trish on her cell phone to ask about Jenn's 'suicide," Ash ran a hand through his dark locks.
"That's for sure," Ben agreed, "Otherwise, we'll be hearing about Gary's sudden and messy death! Not like that would be a huge tragedy."
A key was heard turning in the front door, and Trish and Drake entered the living room a few minutes later. "Hey guys," Drake greeted. "What are you all still doing up?"
"First of all to say congratulations, of course," Ben rose and gave his older brother a clap on the back. "It's about time!"
"Yes, congratulations!" Shannon smiled.
Trish, meanwhile, looked around the room for a certain blonde friend. The uneasiness that had been plaguing her all evening changed into alarm when she saw Jenn wasn't there. "Where's Jenn?"
Ash, Shannon and Ben gulped nervously. They were not looking forward to this at all.
The Grand Master took a deep breath. If I'm gonna die, may as well be now. "Well, Trish, Jenn is missing. Lu snatched her." There, he had said it. Now for the fireworks.
"What!" The Australian exploded. "How the hell did this happen! Why didn't anyone tell me!"
Drake put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hold on there, sweetie. I know you're upset and angry, but that's not going to help Jenn at all, wherever she may be." His words seemed to calm Trish down a bit.
"Sorry, guys," she looked apologetic. "It's just that I'm so afraid for Jenn, because I know what that psychopath is capable of doing."
"No need to apologise, Trish," Ash smiled. "We understand."
Drake led Trish to a lounge and the two sat down. The Australian girl sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I saw an Absol when we were going back to the car. It was just like in those nightmares I'd been having. It freaked me out."
"So what happened?" the Orange Crew Leader asked.
"We were watching Jurassic Park 3 at Jenn's insistence," Ben explained. "Then her cell phone rang."
"From the ring tone, it appeared to be from Gary," Shannon continued. "But she went out of the room to answer it and never came back." The brunette sighed unhappily. "I really should have checked on her when you asked, but I didn't."
"At five to nine, I got a call from Jenn on her cell phone," the Grand Master continued. "She told me that she had to get some gifts from Ye Olde T-Shirte Shoppe."
Trish blinked then shook her head. "That girl never could lie well. She's never bought anything from there before. She always told me it was too low brow for the Goddess."
"When I tried to question her about the phone call she received earlier," Ash went on, "she said that her battery was running low. I knew that was also a lie because I had seen her phone recharging in the kitchen. Being the sneaky guy that I am, I had Gengar shadow her."
"So Jenn snuck out," Trish said flatly then gave a huge sigh. "That girl causes herself nothing but trouble. Honestly, she is gonna be the death of me one day!"
"Where did she go?" Drake questioned while giving Trish a reassuring squeeze.
"Club Mystique," Ash answered. "I guess that's where she used to hang with Gary when they were dating."
"That's right," Trish confirmed.
"Anyway, Lu used a glamour spell on Rudy to make him look and sound like Gary, then Rudy lured Jenn onto a private balcony away from the other patrons. Lu also put up a magical barrier to make anyone who saw the on the balcony think they were seeing something else."
Drake noticed Trish's eyes blaze at the Trovita Island Gym Leader's name; but to her credit, managed to keep her rage in check in order to hear Ash out.
"As soon as he sent Jenn away, he conjured up a body double," He shrugged helplessly, "So the police and anyone who saw it think that Jenn committed suicide after a huge fight with Gary."
The Orange Crew Leader let out a low whistle. "Incredibly sneaky and incredibly evil. I just…don't know what to say…"
"Yeah," Shannon agreed. "I guess he was hoping to throw us off track by making us believe the real Jenn was dead."
Trish grimaced. "Jenn is going to be dead unless we can work out where she's been sent and fast. Without any clues to work on, it looks like Lu might just win this time."
ooo
The panic between the passengers was spreading fast, as people fought and scrambled to reach the deck and get into the lifeboats. Jenn was being jostled from all sides and it was all she could do to try to keep her footing. One stumble would see her trampled to death under the horde.
Fighting off feelings of claustrophobia, the blonde allowed herself to be pulled by the Danny twin, who insisted his name was Jack. Tall, dark, and mysterious was leading her towards the back of the ship. She knew that it would be the best location on the ship to actually survive.
The only other option would be to get on a lifeboat and she had already refused to get into one without Jack. It wasn't just because she didn't want to steal someone's seat; she couldn't leave someone to die who was a dead ringer for someone she knew.
And so they were fighting against people running for the lifeboats in order to get to the back of the ship. Oh, she knew that there weren't enough lifeboats for the 2,227 on board, and she knew that in two hours and forty minutes (depending on what time it actually was now), the unsinkable liner would vanish beneath the waves. She also knew that most of the fifteen hundred plus deaths weren't going to be from being sucked down with the ship, it would come from hypothermia due to floundering in the icy water, waiting for lifeboats that would never come back for any of them until it was too late.
As she ran behind Jack, she could hear her consciousness berating her 'This is no time to be noble. You have to save yourself!'
'What good will that do if this is really 1912?' Jenn panicked inwardly. 'None of my family would have been born yet! And my friends…they won't exist for several decades! I can't wait that long!'
'You won't even have an hour if you don't do something!'
The great ship was beginning to list more and more. Jenn wanted to stop and hold onto a railing and try to shut out the panicked screams all around her. For the umpteenth time she wished that she had not let her temper get the better of her and that she had not lied to Ash. If anyone could have saved her, it would have been Ash, Callie, or Puck.
Knowing what they were in store for, Jenn didn't fight as Jack pulled her through the crowds. She found it funny that she wasn't cold. The adrenalin running through her, plus the number of people around her, made for unparalleled warmth. She almost felt like she was in a mall filled with last minute Christmas shoppers. Unfortunately, most of the people around her would never see another Christmas, much less shop for one.
The tilt was growing greater and Jenn knew they had to step on it. They were just beyond the middle of the ship, right where she was sure it would split in two. There was much to be said about fighting against hundreds of people, going in the direction opposite of the lifeboats, when you were on a ship longer than most football fields.
'Next time, Jenn,' she grumbled to herself. 'Just accept that you can't get along without the help of your friends. It really helps with the continuation of living.' The blonde hoped that she had enough strength to hang on until help came. Otherwise, she would certainly freeze to death in the icy waters that surrounded the ship.
As they ran, thoughts and memories flew thick and fast through her head. Would her friends notice she was missing? What would they do when they discovered she was gone? Had Lu done something to throw them off track? What would her family say when she never came back? What would happen to her beloved cats?
Jenn didn't want to die. She was not ready to die. She was too young and there was so much she still had to do. She wanted to see her family, her cats, and her home again. She wanted to see her friends get married and have kids, and to tease Drake and Ash. She wanted to pick on Chris. She wanted to give Gary a verbal smackdown. Hell, she wanted to kill Lu.
She especially did not want to die the way she feared she was going to now. The blonde could almost hear the evil Fae's voice mocking her.
Who's going to save you now, Mortal? Not Ash, not Puck, and certainly not Callie. No one will be able to save you. No one.
They finally reached a section familiar to her. It was a double set of stairs near the rear of the ship. One went down half a deck, which led to a short deck, and then another going back up towards the poop deck. She'd have laughed at the term poop deck if she wasn't already in a load of poop herself. To her horror, she saw the gate was blocked chock full of people trying to get from that area. Jenn looked around and over the railing that kept the classes separate.
Jack looked over the railing and then back at Jenn. "Do you trust me?"
"For what?" Jenn took a breath, which was growing cooler.
"I'll take that as a yes." He said with a smile, "All you have to do is get over this railing and I'll lower you down. Okay?"
Jenn looked over the railing with a little wince, "That's quite a drop."
"It's not so bad," Jack said, "Only six or eight feet. Trust me, you'll be better there than over here."
The ship gave a little shudder and panic flared through Jenn. She had no watch, so she didn't know for sure if it was time for the end to rise up out of the water. Without another thought, she gathered her dress hem and pulled herself over the railing. Letting go of the hem, she stood on the railing facing Jack.
"Give me your hands," he said, and took them when she did. "Good thing you don't have gloves on!"
Jenn wasn't sure about that, but enjoyed the heat from his hands as he lowered her down to the deck. With a nod, he let go and she dropped about three feet. Nothing bad, compared to what could happen. Jack lowered himself over and dropped next to her.
"Ready for more running?"
Jenn sighed and they ran again. To her relief, the stairs going up were not as crowded and they made it up those with relatively little hassle. She looked around at the confused, yet panicky people around them. Most of them had shocked looks in their eyes. An almost glassy look that seemed to accept the inevitable. As if they'd already given up.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of death…"
Wide-eyed, Jenn looked around and saw a preacher holding on to the railing near her. There were about fifteen or so people at his feet, crouched in prayer. She gulped and thought, That is not the valley I'm going through.
Jack tugged her hand and they ran along the poop deck. The crowds were easier to get through here and it was almost ridiculous how quickly they got to the back railing, the railing made famous in the Titanic movie for finding and losing love.
The two looked over the edge and Jenn could see some people who had already jumped off. Though they were paddling around, she knew they'd jumped off too soon. The ship would probably crush them after it rose into the air and then fell back down.
Beside her, Jack gave a little laugh and she turned to him. "What's so funny?"
He sighed and looked over at her, "I just think it's amazing that we should end up here. We'll end up jumping from the place you almost did."
Jenn's face flamed. Though she'd never consider jumping to her doom, she knew that the Rose character she was being mistaken for almost did do just that. "Well, let's not jump just yet."
"I agree," Jack nodded and looked back at the front of the ship, which was completely submerged, "I have a feeling this has just begun."
ooo
The two Faes had been called immediately, and both appeared instantly. While Puck and Callie tried to ascertain Jenn's location by magic, Trish was pacing the floor.
"Trish, if you could just sit for a little," Puck sighed out.
"Why."
"Because you're making him patio sick with all of your moving around," Callie explained gently. "Not to mention that the calmer you are physically, the easier it will be for us to dig through the residual energies left by Lu."
The five, for Drake and Ash were also there, were on the patio balcony at Club Mystique. It had been hard for Trish to step out onto that patio and look over the edge where the body double Jenn had apparently jumped.
Trish sat at one of the ten tables that were spread out around the patio. Callie and Puck had cleared the area where Lu had cornered Jenn, in order to sort through the remaining magic.
"So how long will that take?" Trish demanded. It was a beautiful early afternoon, with brilliant blue skies and a warm gentle breeze. But with Jenn missing, it may as well have been overcast and cold.
"Not long at all, if we wouldn't keep getting interrupted," Puck said it slowly.
"Puck, I'm worried!" Trish said, exasperated, "My best friend is missing and a deranged Fae is the one responsible for it!"
"You think I don't know that?" Puck leapt to his feet, "He's getting at you lot just to make me miserable! And you know what? It's working! I can't help but to be worried over all of you. Compared to us, you are frail and weak. You have no magic to aide you, and no link with nature to encourage you. And because of me trying to take Lu down, I can't help but to fear that one of you will die because of me."
There was a long pause, broken only by a momentary chiming noise near Callie, and Trish sighed out. A Pidgey darted from a nearby tree to land on the patio. It picked up a dropped crust of bread and flew away.
"I'm sorry, Puck," Trish said finally, "I know there's a lot of pressure on you and I shouldn't have exploded like that."
"Don't worry about it," Puck rubbed at his forehead and sat back down, "We'll find her."
Time passed slowly and Drake came out with drinks for everyone. He told his fiancée that Ash had to leave for some League business, but would return for dinner. Trish watched the sea beyond the railing, watched a pod of whale Pokémon breach the water and disappear. Sea birds soared over the waves, ducking now and then for a quick snack.
She sat with Drake in a chaise lounge that rested near the doors of the club, and the Australian was growing sleepy, resting against Drake, when she unexpectedly got chills up her spine. Suddenly, a cold breeze wound around Trish, snapping her from any sleepiness, and her eyes widened when it vanished as soon as it came.
Drake also revived quickly, "What was that!"
Puck's brow furrowed, "Ah…I think we found a path."
"A path?" Trish shivered, "What's that?"
"A path is what we were looking for," Callie stood up and dusted off her lilac coloured gown. The dress looked gossamer thin, but showed nothing of the body beneath. "Imagine if you will, the residue left by Lu's magic. Try to picture a ball of yarn that has been unwound and left in a huge heap. The path is the one string you're looking for in all of that."
"But…"
"The path leads directly to where Jenn was sent," Puck finished, "And that was the cold you felt."
"Jenn hates the cold," Trish said absently, and Drake hugged her reassuringly.
"We know that," Puck stood up and looked to his sister, who shrugged, "And apparently, Lu knows that too."
ooo
Jenn winced at the sound of people screaming all around her. She knew it would get worse. The ship shuddered again and to her horror, she felt it start to rise. In her panic, she lost track of what happened when. Climb over the edge now or not? She started to and felt Jack hold her back.
"Not yet," he said calmly, "I have a feeling it's not going to go down just yet."
His calm air made her feel calmer, and Jenn had to remind herself that this was just something Lu cooked up. There was no real Hound of the Baskervilles so he had to make something up there. There really was a Titanic, but she knew Danny hadn't been on it, so maybe Lu made this up. Only the cold air around her said it was real. The desperate people jumping off of the ship said it was real. But she didn't want it to be real.
The ship didn't care though. As the front sank deeper into the water, the rear began to rise. The rear didn't have water in it, while the front had tons of water flooding its lower compartments and the lower rooms. It started to feel like an amusement park ride, but there was nothing amusing about what was happening. People began to fall forward with the increasing tilt. From inside the ship came thundering noises.
"What is that?" she asked uncertainly.
"Sounds like anything that wasn't bolted down is going all over the place," Jack murmured, then he looped an arm around her and the other around the railing. Jenn grabbed onto the railing for dear life. She didn't want to put too much weight on Jack. She looked over and saw with some surprise the one person she knew would be back here.
The head chef.
The head chef was a portly man wearing his work uniform. He also had a silver flask in his hand, and took a drink before tucking it safely in his jacket, which was puffed from the lifejacket. He smiled at her, then looked forward at the water that was rushing up the deck, sweeping people off and breaking windows.
The end of the ship rose higher and higher until Jenn thought for sure she'd be pulled forward, when there was a huge cracking sound and Jenn saw the ship break in two. Then there were several thundering sounds and the end of the ship slammed back down into the water. While the front vanished under the waves, the back stayed afloat for a little while longer. Then even that began to fill and tilt forward once again.
"Before the tilt gets too great, we must climb over the edge," Jack said warningly. This part was the worst for Jenn. She waited and her stomach knotted with fear and she jumped a little when Jack prodded her in the back.
"Now," was all he said. He helped her over the railing and she held on while he did the same. Several other people saw what they had done, and did the same, including the head waiter. Jenn almost envied his alcohol warmed cheeks.
Her heart thudded loudly in her ears as the rear of the ship rose almost completely straight up in the air. People who were on the other side of the railing fell to their deaths when they could hang on no longer. Being at the top of the rear of the ship was like being at the top of a fifteen storey building. It bobbed there for a few moments and Jenn wondered if she'd be trapped up here until daylight. Unfortunately, there would be no such thing.
She heard a popping noise and her stomach dropped as the ship began to sink under the surface, following the severed front. To her, the movement felt like an elevator going down in a mall. Portholes began to burst and air rushed from them as water replaced it.
Ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod, was all she could think of, though she said nothing out loud. She was hypnotised by the water pulling the ship down into its dark icy depths.
"When I tell you to, I need you to take a deep breath, got it?" Jack said, while his eyes never wavered from the oncoming water. "The ship might suck us down with it, but you must not let go of my hand! Do you hear me!"
"Yeah, I hear you," Jenn whispered, feeling his powerful warm hand squeezing hers, but was thinking, Someone get me out of here!
ooo
It was some time in the early evening when Puck and Callie finally made a breakthrough. Ash was back, along with the others, in Drake's villa. They were on the back veranda, and Callie and Puck were standing in what they called a circle of power.
The circle didn't appear to the others, yet every now and then a flare of pearlescent blue or red would illuminate the circle as a sort of bubble around the two Faes. The two magical creatures had also put a larger circle around the villa and its grounds, in order to keep out Lu and anyone he might have working for him. That circle had briefly appeared as a neon green ring of power, before fading away. It would protect them invisibly.
Trish was sitting with the others in lawn chairs on the veranda. They were on hand just in case anything evil would follow Jenn back from her ordeal.
Only I don't think this will be like the ordeal I went through, Trish thought grimly. I doubt we'll get a whole ship following Jenn.
She winced, At least, I hope there isn't a whole ship coming through.
Ever since Puck had revealed that Lu had sent Jenn to a parallel dimension that merged the real events of 1912 with those of the movie, she'd been worried. She knew her friend wouldn't back down from a rampaging dog, even one the size of a pony, but face her with a little cold weather and the blonde was a wreck.
"How much longer?" Trish asked out loud, "I almost can't stand the suspense!"
"You're not the only one," Ash said from his place on the thick stone railing, "But I'm sort of torn between saving her and yelling at her."
"Trust me, Ash," Drake said with a calm smile, "You have to stand in line behind Trish for that."
Suddenly, Puck looked over at Ash, "We're ready."
Trish stood up and Drake with her, "What do you need to do? How long before she can be back here? Do you know if she's okay?"
Puck held up his hands at the rapid fire succession, "As for what we need to do, you'll just see it. She'll be back here as soon as we can start. All we know of how she is, is alive. Good enough?"
"Ouch," Ash winced, "That was harsh, bro."
"Can't be helped," Puck said, and turned back to his sister. The two stood six feet apart and raised their hands. Mirror images of each other's posture, they chanted something in their lilting, lyrical language, and power shimmered between them.
Trish shivered at both the cold air coming from the portal, and the magic that was visible in the glow from the eyes of the two Faes.
ooo
Lucius laughed from his cave. He'd been watching the blonde in her struggles through a viewing orb and he congratulated himself for this night of terror. After scanning through her fears and picking out the one with the most gruesome end, he wondered if it would work.
Though he had worried some that Puck would manage to find the blonde, he knew now that his enemy had failed. The dark night revealed that the blonde was on the end of the ship and it was very nearly fully under water. The icy waters were just about to reach the blonde and pull her to a watery doom.
"It is very much like watching the sun set," the evil Fae mused, "How something that big can sink below the horizon so fast is fascinating."
The red-haired Fae held his breath the very moment the ship sank under the surface, saw the terror on the blonde's face as she tried in vain to get a deep enough breath of air. He would make sure that no amount would be enough. He pulled the blonde deeper into the water with a quick chant, ensuring that she would be pulled deep enough under the surface that she would have no hope to reach the surface alive. He made a grabbing motion with his fist as the girl went under with the ship and then released.
He did not have the capability to send the viewing globe in that dimension under the water's surface, as the salt water would destroy the globe, but he could sense the blonde's fear and hopelessness due to the emotion sensing spell he had woven into the metal of the tiara she wore in her hair. The salt water would nullify that effect as well, but not before…Yes, there it was, the final burst of fear before blessed nothing, then the salt water neutralized the minor spell on the tiara.
"One down," Lu said calmly, "And not that many more to go."
ooo
Trish was filled with apprehensive anticipation as she watched the Faes chant. Then the portal's surface shimmered teal blue and a wall of water broke through the portal. There were exclamations of surprise, for when the water washed over them, it was icy cold.
The water was still rushing out until Puck and Callie quickly closed the portal.
"No sense bringing the whole ocean here when we have enough of our own," Puck wisecracked.
Callie slapped her brother's arm, "Stop that, Puck, and be serious! We have a human to resuscitate."
The water receded to reveal a stiff, crumpled and waterlogged figure in a navy coloured dress.
"Jenn!" Trish gasped and rushed over to her best friend, along with Drake and Ash. The two men exchanged glances before beginning cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Drake timed the compressions on her chest while Ash forced air into her lungs through her mouth.
Trish knelt down next to them, holding Jenn's limp icy cold hand and praying that the blonde would live. Come on, Jenn, she urged silently. You can do it. You've got so much to live for.
The rest of the group were watching anxiously. Jaime was hugging Kigali tightly to her chest, and Shannon was clutching Ben's hand like a lifeline.
To the younger girl, this scene brought back memories of when Trish was brought back from Lu's clutches. Just like before, there was no pulse. Just like before, Drake had to help perform CPR. Just like before, there was the unbearable suspense of not knowing whether they were going to live or die. Only difference this time, was that Jenn was the victim, and Trish was supporting her best friend.
Mia was holding tightly onto Puck for reassurance. The girl was close to tears; another one of her dear friends had been targeted. Yet another one could die. Oh this can't be happening, she thought to herself. First Trish, now Jenn. Is that demented Fae determined to kill all of us?
Just when Drake and Ash were losing hope, Jenn's slender frame shook violently with the sounds of coughing. Trish stepped back as the two men quickly but gently turned her over onto her side, with her head tilted slightly up. The blonde coughed, and heaved onto the grass beneath.
"She's alive!" Chris cheered and grabbed Callie in a surprise hug. The female Fae was so shocked that she hugged back without thinking.
"Ben," Drake called his brother over. "Call the doctors to come over here immediately and tell them we have a case of hypothermia."
"Sure," Ben pulled his cell phone from his pocket, then hesitated. "Shouldn't she be put into the hospital?"
"Not after our experiences with Trish in the hospital," Drake shook his head. "Lu tried to kill her three times. I don't want to take the risk."
"Jenn would be much safer here at Drake's villa with all the guard Pokémon and the wards that Callie and Puck have put around the entire area," Ash explained.
"Besides," Trish spoke up as she knelt at her prone friend's head. "Jenn hates hospitals worse than spiders."
"Whazzat…about…spiders?" came a hoarse whisper. Blue-grey eyes opened and blinked numbly up at the Australian. "I…so…totally…don't need spiders right now."
Trish grinned and smoothed back some of Jenn's messy locks from her forehead. "Glad to have you back in the land of the living, Sis."
"I'm ..so…cold," the blonde started shivering. Her face was paper white and her lips were tinged a bit blue.
Drake rapidly gave commands to his staff to get blankets to Jenn's room.
"I know," Trish squeezed her friend's hand., "You're going to get warm soon. The doctors are on their way and soon you'll be in a nice warm bed."
With a strength that surprised them both, Jenn gripped Trish's hand tightly. "I'm not gonna go to the hospital, am I!"
Trish patted her hand. "You're not gonna go into hospital. Drake's going to arrange it so you can recover here."
Jenn relaxed a bit and closed her eyes. "Aiiight. You know how I hate hospitals."
"We know."
"I've never been so terrified in my whole life," the blonde whispered. "I really thought that I was gonna die…The cold…it was like a million knives cutting into me at once…"
Her friend squeezed her hand. "While it wasn't the same thing, I have some idea of what you went through. But it's over now. You're safe, you're back home."
Jenn nodded half-heartedly. "Aiight. You're not gonna go anywhere are you?" The blonde really didn't want to be left alone, not after what she went through. She just wanted someone to be there, so if she woke up she could see she was safe. Who would understand better than her best friend?
"I won't budge from your side, promise."
Jenn was content with that. When Trish made a promise, you could usually count on her to keep it.
ooo
When Jenn woke up the next morning, she found herself in her own bed, nice and cosy under a comforter and hooked up to an IV line. Trish was curled up in a nearby armchair with a book, she glanced up and saw that the blonde was awake.
"Morning," the Australian greeted with a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Like crap," Jenn sighed before motioning to her left arm. "What's this for?"
"It's just to keep your fluids up," Trish informed her. "Depending on how you go, it will be out in a few days."
"And they managed that how?" the blonde was mystified. "I hate needles."
"You were so out of it, you didn't even flinch."
Jenn winced as she arranged the pillows so she was sitting upright. "So what did the doctors say? Do I have six months to live or somethin'?"
"What you have is a mild case of hypothermia, plus a few scratches and bruises," her friend told her. "But they think you'll live. So a week of bed rest for you, young missy, maybe two. Doctor's orders."
"Yeah, yeah," the blonde laid back against her pillow. "So, let's see your new rock."
Trish blinked. "Rock? What new rock…."
Jenn raised an eyebrow and pointed a finger towards the girl's left hand where a medium sized diamond solitaire glittered in a gold setting and band.
The Australian looked down and blushed. "Oh….that rock!"
"Yes, that rock," the blonde grinned. "Seeing as how the diamonds Lu had me wearing were apparently part of the whole elaborate illusion he made up. I mean come on, you say that I'm forgetful. You seem to have already forgotten that you're engaged! Just wait until I tell Drake on youuuu."
"Oh hush," Trish threw a nearby pillow at her friend. "I've been too busy worrying about you to think of anything else. The night I get engaged, I had to spend fretting about my best friend."
"That's the way it should be," Jenn joked. "The all important Goddess and best friend over boyfriend now fiancé."
Her friend just rolled her eyes. "Of course."
The blonde nodded, satisfied. "I knew you would agree with me." She picked at the corner of her comforter. "So, how did you guys know I was in trouble and that Lu had taken me?"
"Well, I felt uneasy all evening…" Trish began.
"Gee, I wonder why," Jenn teased. "Just look at the old guy you're hitched to."
"I can see that your ordeal hasn't affected your sense of humour," the Australian said dryly.
"I can't see why not."
"Anyway, before I was interrupted," Trish continued, shooting a mock glare at Jenn. "I kept on feeling that something was wrong all night and it wouldn't go away. Plus I saw an Absol when we were leaving."
"You saw an Absol, too?" Jenn baulked. "That's freaky. I had a dream before all that went down that you called me to tell me that you saw an Absol."
"Wow, that is freaky," the dark-haired girl agreed. "Also Ash sent Gengar to follow you to Club Mystique and he saw what happened and notified Ash."
Uh oh. The blonde cringed. "So you know everything?"
"Everything," Trish smiled benignly. "But I'm not gonna yell at you."
Phew, Jenn was relieved.
"That will come after you get better!"
Why am I not surprised she said that, the blonde groaned inwardly. "You're so thoughtful."
"I know," Trish grinned, then sobered. "You know you were very lucky that Ash decided to snoop on you. Otherwise we would never have found you."
"I know," Jenn winced. "Trust me, I've learned my lesson this time."
"I sure hope so! Unlike your cats, you do not have nine lives."
"With Lulu on the loose, that would definitely come in handy," the blonde muttered.
Drake walked in with a mug of coffee on a small tray which he handed to Trish. "I brought you a cup of coffee," he began before trailing off at the sight of Jenn sitting up. He smiled, "Good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been fished out of the icy Northern Atlantic," the blonde smiled up cheekily, "How about you?"
"Feel like any breakfast?" the Orange Crew Leader asked.
"Uh huh."
"I'll get Jean-Michel to cook up something for you, and sent up," Drake nodded as he sat down on the end of the bed. "So, has Trish blasted you yet?"
"Excuse you, I'm not leaving my stomach up to Jean-Michel's imagination. Need I bring up the great breakfast fiasco of the week we got here?"
"So-rry!" Drake sounded utterly unsympathetic. "Shall I have him prepare the fattened calf?"
"No! That's a dinner item, not breakfast," She glared over at Trish, who was chuckling at the exchange, "And you hush. You're supposed to keep your puppy, no matter how old he is, on a tight leash."
"Hey!"
"Hush, puppy," Jenn commanded, "The Goddess is unwell today and would like scrambled eggs, not runny and not dry but somewhere in-between. There shall be finely shredded cheddar cheese mixed in before the eggs go on the frying pan. Also, please make sure Jean-Michel uses real butter when he cooks the eggs, and not that disgusting imitation crap he calls margarine."
Drake gaped at the order, "…Anything else?"
Jenn frowned and looked thoughtful, "Can I have some bottled water? Cold, to be ironic."
"Any particular brand? Evian? Penta? Tap?"
"Har de har har. Tap water is not bottled," Jenn looked at him sourly, then looked away while quickly saying, "Penta, please." She looked back, "Aren't you going to write it down? I'm not saying I'd think you'd forget or anything but…well…you know…"
Drake glared at the blonde, "It's only because you're recovering from an attack from Lu that I won't yell at you. Once you get better…"
"Yeah, I know," Jenn pointed at Trish, "Just like Mizz Considerate here, I'm sure you'll wait until I'm all better and then you'll gang up on me to yell at me."
"We're not the only ones," Drake grinned. "Ash was torn between yelling at you or saving you. I haven't seen him so worked up about something for a long time."
Jenn gulped. How many of her friends had she unintentionally pissed off with this lil boo dee boo?
"Don't forget about Gary. He's probably pissed off at you for all the unwanted publicity he's been getting over his role in your 'suicide,'" Trish mused.
"What suicide!"
"The one that Lu…" Drake looked down at Trish, "You didn't tell her, did you?"
"I was about to," Trish said dryly, "Or would you like to?"
"Oh, no, I'll let you tell her," He gave his fiancée a quick kiss, then mock bowed to Jenn, "I'll take your order to the kitchen right away, miss."
Jenn didn't answer, beyond looking at him with a steely glare.
Once the door closed behind him, Jenn looked over at Trish with nearly the same glare. "What. Suicide."
"You remember the patio, right? And Rudy being revealed as being Gary?"
"Yeah."
"Well at the same time that he sent you to the parallel dimension, he had his barrier make it look as if you jumped from the patio."
Jenn looked shocked, "And that fooled people!"
"No, the body Lu had land in the car park below the patio did," Trish patted her friend's hand as the glare was replaced by a pale, blank look. "Splatters and everything. It was unbelievably messy."
"And the news got a hold of that?" The blank look was replaced by one of amazement. "Ash…Ash didn't do anything to stop them? No cover ups?"
"Not yet," Trish said soothingly, "But he'll be able to figure something up now that we have you back safe and sound. Of course, Gary's reputation is so going straight through the blender!"
"Ah, who cares about him," Jenn snorted. "It's because of that a-hole that I'm in this mess!"
"True, but you didn't have to go after him, y'know" Trish said casually with a raised eyebrow. "After what happened last time, I would have thought you would have been more wary."
"I was," Jenn said defensively, "I went someplace that had a lot of people in it."
Trish raised her eyebrow again.
"Well I did," The blonde looked thoughtful, "How far did this fake suicide get? Out of the archipelago?"
Trish's eyes widened with comprehension, "Your family…"
"You didn't warn them? Tell them?" Jenn sighed, "I'd better call home and let them know there were some fake stories being told."
"Ah, the life of a celebrity…"
"Celebrity by proxy, puh-lease," Jenn sank back against the pillow. "And don't count on me being laid up too long. I'm itching for some paybacks."
"I bet you are. Just don't go thinking you're Buffy with her super fast healing powers and try getting out of bed too soon."
"I won't."
"Good," Trish sighed.
"Cause I'm better than Buffy," Jenn grinned.
"Yeah right," her friend rolled her eyes as she handed over Jenn's cell phone. "Why don't you make your 'back from the dead' call now?"
"What do I say if they have heard anything?" The blonde winced. "How about this. Hey guys, people are trying to spread fake stories about me, so don't think any of them are true unless you hear from my friends."
"Just play it by ear," Trish advised. "They might not have heard about it yet. Just say that you're checking in to let them know how you're doing."
Jenn nodded and hit the speed dial on the keypad. "Hi Mom? It's Jenn. Just thought I'd check in with you people, slaving away at home."
The blonde turned to her friend and mouthed 'They haven't heard.' "How are things here? Oh they're great! I got myself a new Pokémon which you will absol-utely adore. And Trish got engaged. Yeah, it's all good. Is everything okay at home? Sweet. Love ya too. Aiight…Byeee."
The blonde clicked off her phone. "Okay, that was strange. I can't believe that they didn't hear about my supposed death."
Trish grinned. "I can. There's a saying that if you want to see your country disappear, read an American newspaper."
"Stop it!"
"It's true! Why would an incident in the Archipelago make the news over there?"
"I don't know. Usually things do get reported in the papers. If anything, most Americans love their entertainment news." Jenn shrugged. "I'm just glad my family was in the dark about all of that. It would have been impossible to explain."
"Makes me wonder how Ash and Drake are gonna handle the news over here?" Trish mused.
"What news?" the blonde looked confused. "Did I miss something?"
"Oh I meant if the news of your 'suicide' got in the newspapers over here," Trish explained. "I haven't seen any of today's papers yet."
"Beats me," the blonde sighed. "Hopefully it will get forgotten with the engagement announcement."
"Not sure if I'm looking forward to that," the Australian shifted uncomfortably.
"You should be!" Jenn exclaimed. "It's a totally good thing to announce. Not only do you get to publicly give Rudey the kiss off, but you get to flip the figurative bird to all those gold diggers that are always chasing Drake."
"That's true," Trish mused.
"You know it's true. The Goddess is always right."
"Uh huh."
A knock came at the door.
"Come in," Jenn called.
The Grand Master came into the room with Pikachu perched on his shoulder. The tiny electric mouse squeaked happily and leapt onto the blonde's lap.
"Heya, Lil Pik," Jenn greeted the Pokémon affectionately, scratching her behind the ears as she liked best. Pikachu purred contentedly.
"She was really worried about you," Ash grinned as he sat down on the end of the bed. "So was I."
"I was worried about me too," Jenn winced as she recalled her ordeal. "But if you want to yell at me, you'll have to get in line behind Trish and Drake."
"I have first dibs," Trish grinned. "But I told her I'd wait until she recovered."
Ash chuckled. "I guess I have to wait then, too."
"You're all so thoughtful," Jenn said, dryly. "I have so much to look forward to." The blonde then noticed that her best friend was giving her a pointed look. "What?"
Trish inclined her head towards the Grand Master.
Jenn frowned, "Trish, I'm not psychic."
"Let me try again, then," Trish said patiently, "Jenn, Ash sent Gengar after you and the dear Pokémon saw what was happening and went to get Ash which led to a chain of events that led to you being saved from certain death."
Ash covered a laugh behind a cough as Jenn suddenly understood what her best friend was trying to tell her.
"Thanks, Ash."
Trish was gobsmacked, "Jenn!"
"What!" Jenn sighed out, "That's the same thing my mom said when she asked me to say grace over last Christmas eve's dinner."
"What did you say for the prayer?" Ash asked, genuinely interested.
"I said 'Grace' and started to eat," Jenn shrugged, "She told me to say grace. I said it."
"Well he and Gengar saved your life," Trish nodded, "I think he deserves a little more than a simple 'thank you'."
"It's not a big deal," Ash grinned, "We were just glad to have helped."
Jenn was nodding in agreement when she saw the stern look on Trish's face. The blonde sighed again, and said, "Thank you for sending Gengar to spy on me the other night. I would've been dead if you hadn't."
She looked over at Trish, "Better?"
Trish's stern look softened, "Ah, you're probably still tired. You just need more time to think of a better apology. I know how you hate being put on the spot."
"You are so not wrong about that," Jenn said with a yawn. She gave the yellow mouse one last scratch before the little Pokémon leapt off and scampered after Ash and Trish. The door closed softly behind them, and Jenn laid back and fell asleep.
To be continued…
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Author's Note: I don't own the rights to Titanic, movie or the real thing. Coming up next is either Nemesis Chapter 4 or a Twelve Kingdoms fic or Chapter 24.