Chapter 7

The Truth will Set you Free

"What were you thinking, Ella?" her father screamed. And he had a right to after what she'd done. "You could have been killed! There's no reason your mother and I shouldn't turn you in with everyone else."

Ella just sat in the bed, taking everything her father was giving. After she'd made it through the night, it was a fast road to recovery. But the doctors still wouldn't release her until tonight just to make sure there weren't any other complications.

Sarah sighed. "Luke, why don't you give me and her some time alone?"

Luke looked at his wife and then back to his silent daughter. "Fine." He pulled open the door and stepped out.

Sarah sat in silence for a moment, which made Ella even more tense. She hated when her mother would simply wait silently and allow her to hang herself. "Just get it over with."

"What are you talking about?" Sarah asked with a voice of indifference.

"Start pounding on me. I was stupid. I shouldn't have accepted that fight. I shouldn't have been using my powers outside of home. Just say it and get it over with."

Sarah simply looked at her daughter. "It seems there's nothing left to say."

Ella hit herself mentally. She knew the trap was there and she walked in anyway.

"Why did you do it, Ella?"

She laughed. "I'm sure you know very well."

"Yes. But I still want to hear you say it."

Ella turned her face away from her mother's. "I hated that you wouldn't let me do anything! All I've wanted to do was be a Pokemon trainer. But you just couldn't let me." Her eye released a small tear. "It was suffocating. I had to do something. When I first found that fight club…it was like a dream come true. I could fight battles. And I was good!"

Sarah took in her daughter's words. She had expected something along those lines, but it still hurt. Every choice she made had been for her daughter's safety. But now she could see how her choices had destroyed her daughter from the inside out. "I'm sorry, Ella."

That phrase was the last thing Ella had expected to hear, and her head shot back around.

"I've seen the type of people that are out in the world. I know what they can do to you just because you're different. I didn't want you to go through the same thing I did. But it looks like you're ready and willing to, regardless of what I say." Sarah stood up and walked over to the door, but stopped just in front of it. "If you want to be a trainer, I won't stop you."

That was it. She'd taken the plunge. She opened the door and stepped out.

Ella sat in silence as her mother walked out. Her mind reeled. Did that just happen? Even after what she did, her mother was going to let her be a trainer? This had to be some kind of sympathy trick. Her heart suddenly changed emotions, becoming saddened that she'd made her mother feel that way. But then she felt an incredible joy. She was going to be a trainer!

------------

The door closed lightly behind Sarah. Luke leaned against the wall just beside her. "Well?"

Sarah leaned back against the door. "I did it."

"Wha…" His eyes grew wide. "You didn't."

She gave a silent nod.

"Sarah, are you insane?! After what she just did, you're just going to let her out on her own?! God only knows what kind of even worse things she'll get into."

"Maybe if she does this, she won't get into other things." She looked over at her husband, trying her hardest to hide her lingering indecisiveness. "The only reason she joined that fight club was because we were constantly holding her back. If we let her go, maybe she'll learn better."

Luke just shook his head in silence. "I can't believe you would do that without talking to me about it."

"I'm sorry, hun. But…you'll just have to trust me on this."

Luke sighed heavily. "I hope you know what you're doing." He walked off down the hall, looking for a drink.

Sarah closed her eyes. "So do I."

----------------

A week later, after everything had been arranged with both Ella's school and the Pokemon League, she was ready to go. Her mother had helped provide all the essentials, including a map, a few pokeballs, and even a few trainer's tips.

Today was the day she set out. Because of her age, it was too late for her to get a starter Pokemon from Oak, but both of the women were sure she could get some Pokemon easily.

Sarah gave Ella one last hug. "You be good now."

"Of course, Mom. Thank you so much for letting me do this."

She pulled away. "Don't make me regret it. Make sure you call every couple of days so that I'll know how you're doing."

"I will."

Then Ella turned and gave her father a hug with similar goodbyes. And with a single wave over her back, she set off onto the long road, ready to begin her journey.

------------

At Veridian City, which she arrived at that night, she stopped into the Pokemon Center and went straight for a phone. She quickly entered a number that she'd memorized only days ago.

It rang several times until a thin Oriental wearing glasses answered it. "Bruce and Lloyd here."

"Bruce. Good to see you made it out."

"Ah, Ella. Nice to see you again. How's that Pokemon journey going?"

"Later. I'm calling about that favor you owe me."

"Really? And what favor do you have for me?"

"How far along is the TE?"

"The Telepathic Enhancer? It's scheduled for final tests next week. Why?"

A grin grew across Ella's face. "Move it up. I've got an idea, but I'll need your help."

A/N: And everyone's jaw hits the floor. You probably thought it was over. Nope. This is only the end of Part 1. So be sure to add this to your Alerts for when the story resumes. Thanks for reading so far! See you in a few weeks.