Chapter 16 – The Good Doctor

A/N: This is a original Pokemon Fan Game, made by Amethyst. if you wish to check it out and play the game download it at Reborn Evolved. search for it on your web browser if you want to get to the website.

Time: 1:00

Location: Lapis Ward

It had been approximately five hours since Percival saw off Lucille and Victoria. He wondered what was keeping them, it shouldn't have taken this long for them to return from the stairs. Did something go wrong perhaps? Knowing that they revealed something important about the Stairway, was there a trap set perhaps? Percival did not know.

He wanted to go after them and check on them, he could easily just go since he was able to convince Shelly to get some rest. Though if he was gone when she woke up, Percival felt that it would cause some sort of distress. Percival knew the pain of losing someone close, so he really didn't want to abandon her. He talked to Shelly, while Lucille and Victoria were away, learning a bit about her life.

Shelly, she was a girl who was incredibly smart for her age. Though compared to her brother, who was also a Gym Leader, she wasn't good enough. Something Percival knew with interacting with his siblings. He also learned that her parents lived in the same region as her Brother, in Johto. Percival also learned that, even though she was friends with Heather. Corey (predeath) did have an impact on Shelly's life, though it was somewhat small. He somehow gave her courage in being a gym leader.

Knock.

Percival heard a knock on the door below, knowing that it was much too late for a gym battle, he figured it was Victoria and Lucille. He quietly moved down stairs and opened the door. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see Victoria helping Lucille stand. "What happened? Are you all right?!"

"We're not hurt." Victoria responded. "I think Lucille is getting sick or something… She doesn't have a scratch on her, but she's seemed to have fallen asleep."

"We'll move her on to the couch." Percival help with carrying Lucille. "before Shelly fell asleep, she said that I could use it, if need be."

"All right." Victoria agreed, with the both of them they had an easy time carrying Lucille a placing her onto the couch. Percival placed the pillows and blankets, that Shelly gave him, so that Lucille could be Comfortable.

"Could you tell me what happened?" Percival asked.

"Okay… it's a bit long." Victoria started to talk to Percival about what happened under the Grand Stairway. Of her own capture, speaking with the Boss of Team Meteor, and even about the Gate they found. And how Nero mentioned that Lucille had some sort of Mark. "And that's it… Do you think you understand any of it?"

"No…" Percival said trying to wrap his head around it. "Foremost the pressing matter, you said something about 'keys', right?"

"Yes, the man said something about them to open the gate." Victoria answered.

"So, it sounds like they don't have them." Percival declared, "Albeit that we don't know where they are either… but it does sound like they need those keys to do whatever they are planning."

"Right, I thought about that too." Victoria nodded in understanding.

"Secondly, regarding this so called 'mark' Lucille has…" Percival sighed, he barely understood the thought process of Nero, so it was fairly impossible that Percival could understand. "He mentioned… something about her meeting an Absol… I don't recall seeing Lucille ever encountering one, nor did she mention encountering one."

"So, you think this Nero guy was lying?" Victoria asked.

"I have no clue." Percival shook his head, "We can ask Lucille when she wakes. But all I do know about Absol's is that they are called Disaster Pokémon. I could never understand people who would want to be near those creatures…"

"Percival they aren't bad creatures, they're just like any other Pokémon." Victoria scolded him. "and by according to legends, they can predict disasters not cause them."

"…" Percival shook his head at that concept. "Well in any event. We can't do anything about anything you just spoke of for now. I'd like to learn a bit more about the situation they're causing. And rather, I'd like to get some help for Shelly."

"Right… how has she been?" Victoria started to ask.

"She seems fine… but I think we'd need a professional to make sure." Percival said

"You mean a psychiatrist?" Victoria asked.

"Yeah… Corey was somewhat close to shelly, from what I heard. I think it's be best for her to talk to someone about it… make sure she doesn't get scared, or something." Percival explained.

"You say that like it's from experience." Victoria questioned.

"…" Percival went silent for a second. Looking into Victoria's eyes, he sighed. "I had a Grandfather, Percival Jeramiah von Decibel Leonardo De Whitehall Sr. I was very close to him… He taught me the joy of Pokémon battles. A few tricks and strategies, a little something to have an edge over some opponents. He even gave me Steel and Phoebe, albeit they were eggs at the time. I was closer to my grandfather, more than anyone else in the family was."
"What happened to him?" Victoria asked.

"He passed on." Percival calmly said. "Around when I was 10. It was a huge shock to me… enough of a shock for my parents to hire a Psychologist to talk to me."

"did it help?" Victoria asked.

"It did…" Percival shook his head yes. "It's why I'm kind of caring a bit too much for Shelly right now. I know what it is like to lose someone close to you."

"Right…" Victoria nodded, "I saw a sign when entering Lapis, back when I came here to challenge Shelly. It was for a Psychiatrist, he has some notoriety, his name is Dr. Connal."
"Hm… I'd like to meet him." Percival saying, glancing toward the clock. "Though… I think it will be best to do so in the morning."

"Right." Victoria agreed.

Time: 10:00

Location: Lapis Ward

"I told you, I'm fine. I was just a little dizzy after wandering through some caves yesterday." Lucille said to her friend, Percival.

"Yes, you did say that. But you still passed out, causing Victoria to carry you back." Percival responded with worry for his friend. "I wish you stayed at the Gym and got more rest. I can handle this by myself."

"No." Lucille defied. "I'm not-"

Lucille was interrupted as someone pushed past her. She had Pink Hair and wore a green dress, almost as if she was a personified flower. She looked startled at Percival and Lucille. "Oh, um….. Excuse me."

"It's fine." Lucille responded. "I wasn't paying attention."

"Um, I have to get out of here, right now…." The woman started to walk away fast. "Finally,….."

"well, that wasn't strange at all." Percival commented. Staring at the building they were Infront. He hadn't heard much about this Orphanage, or the psychiatrist of it… but after that random encounter, he started to feel a bit off.

"Well, we're here. Let's enter." Lucille said with a smile. Grabbing onto the door.

"Sure." Percival said, agreeing. As they went inside, they saw the room one key feature, it was white. Had white couches, white book cases, white tables, white chares, even the orderly's clothes were white. This further made Percival regret coming here.

"Hi! Oh, you're not Laura! Did you see her? She just left." Percival and Lucille were greeted by a young girl with black hair, with two pony tails (Twin tails?). She was wearing a purple clothing, and held Jirachi doll. Though the girl did not give Percival or Lucille time to respond "Who are you? Why are both of you so glowy?

"Glowy?" Both questioned, with both checking if they had anything on them

"Nobody is glowing, Anna." A boy said. this boy looked a lot like, how the girl Anna looked. But with shorter hair, wearing a white shirt, black pants, and held a Cleffa doll.

"Huh?" The girl Anna looked back at the boy. "But they clearly are! The girl is glowing a lot brighter… Oh, never mind." Grabbing onto Lucille's hand she dragged her to the center of the room. "Come on! I'll introduce you to everybody!"

"Okay…" Lucille agreed. "I'm Lucille."

"Makes sense!" The girl responded. "Okay! So, I'm Anna—hi! –and this is my Jirachi, Nostra! She says 'it's nice to meet you.' Over there is my twin brother, Noel, and his Cleffa, Nomos!"

"Nice to meet you Nostra, Nomos" Lucille saw this as a game, and played along.

Though Noel just sighed, saying to Percival. "Nomos and Nostra are just dolls, but hi. Uh, Nomos says 'hi', too, I guess."

"Percival. Hello as well." Percival smiled.

"Don't lie," Anna yelled to Noel. "Noel, they're not just Dolls! Stop being ridiculous!"

"You're one to talk." Noel sighed, again.

"Anyway!" Anna moved subjects, pointing to a girl with pink hair, also in twin tails, with red clothing. "That's my friend, Charlotte! She's actually really, really, pretty. You just have to see through the burn scars."

"Burn scars?" Percival and Lucille asked in confusion. Neither of them saws a stitch or scar on the girl in question.

"Anna, for the last time, I don't have any scars." Charlotte said in a harsh tone.

"There are no burn scars, Anna." Noel agreed with charlotte.

"But—Oh, right!" Anna said as if remembering something. "I'm sorry, I'm so insensitive! I won't talk about them anymore, I promise. I was just saying that you're pretty!"

"There's nothing to talk about. Tch, never mind." Charlotte said then giving up on the matter. Turning to Percival and Lucille. "Hi. So, you saw Laura on the way out, yeah?"

"Um… You mean the girl with the flower dress?" Lucille asked to see if she was correct.

"That's my sister. She's also one of Reborn's Elite Four. Awesome kind of runs in our family. No big deal"

"Amazing…" Lucille said surprised.

"…" Percival was impressed, but looking at Laura, she seemed kind of scared for some reason.

"If you're going to say that, you might as well mention how Anna—" Noel tried to speak, but his sister interrupted him.

"Yeah! Laura's so cool!" Anna cheered. "And Charlotte and Noel are also Gym Leaders~"

"Is that so…" Percival nodded.

"Anna…" Noel once again sighed.

"I'm gonna miss Laura, but I'm glad she's finally getting out!" Anna cheered with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Lucille asked with curiosity.

"By that she means that she turned 18 today, so she doesn't have to stay here anymore." Noel explained.

"See this is an orphanage. We're all stuck here until we turn of age, or the good doctor decides to let us go. So, basically, forever." Charlotte added on, definitely sick of being here. Though she whispered to herself, almost inaudible. "If only someone, didn't escape… things wouldn't be so bad."
"The Doctor is scary…" Noel looked to the floor. Which to Percival, meant don't come here for help.

"Yeah! He has a really strong electric-type Pokémon, and he uses it in his 'therapy'. It really hurts." Anna said scratching her head. "Nostra says that she thinks his past patients have died. I think so too, because when you're around him, if you listen carefully, you can hear a voice."

Charlotte sighed once more, "Yeah, I actually still haven't heard anything like that, Anna, so I dunno."

"…" Percival didn't like the sound of this Doctor.

Anna tilled her head to Lucille, "So, Lucille, what are you here for?"

"Oh! Nothing, I just thought this was something we should-" Percival going with his gut instinct started to lie.

"No, didn't we come here to see if anyone can help Shelly?" Lucille who didn't seem to understand, explained.

"Someone you know needs help?" Anna had a worried look. "Oh, no! That's terrible but you mustn't bring her here! That'll only make her worse! Hold on… Nostra says the Doctor is coming! Eep!"

She then fled behind Lucille, causing Percival to go on guard. Percival then moved in front ready to greet this doctor. When the man in question entered, it was noted that the man was tall, and bulky. The man had blonde hair, and a white lab coat, also did not look friendly. "Ah, visitors. I was right to wonder at that noise. Greetings. I am Dr. Sigmund Connal, but you may refer to me simple as "Doctor"."

"I'm Lucille, Lucille Luxen." Lucille tried her best to stay calm.

"Percival Jeramiah von Decibel Leonardo De Whitehall III." Percival also introduced himself.

"So, Percival, Lucille, how can I help you?" Dr. Sigmund asked.

"Erm, well…" Anna was about to speak, though Percival stopped her.
"I heard there were some Gym Leaders in this Ward. Some people pointed me here." Percival Lied, he only learns about Noel and Charlotte now. Though having badges from two leaders already, Percival showed them. "I'm going on the Gym Challenge, wondering if I could challenge one."

"Is that all?" Dr. Sigmund asked, "Indeed, there are some particularly gifted individuals in our care. Several of them were able to inherit or earn high-ranking positions… though one fled from a position."

"One fled?" Percival's ears perked up, feeling that this was familiar.

"Never mind that." Dr. Sigmund waved his hand. "Though to have two badges, you must have some degree of confidence in your skill… Hrm… Orderly, please conduct a brief examination of this challenger."

One of the Orderlies that were near the wall came forward. "Yes, Doctor."

"Begin." The doctor commanded.

Though the battle didn't last long, with Percival being the winner of said battle. "Is that all you've got?"

"Woah!" Anna cheered seeing how fast Percival won.

"…" Noel was impressed, though didn't know what to say.

"Impressive… might have been enough to give that guy a run for his money." Charlotte looked on in astonishment.

"Nice going Percy!" Lucille also cheered.

"Most impressive, Percival." Sigmund admitted. "However, I am afraid I cannot permit a battle with them just now."

"Why's that?" Lucille questioned.

"We're currently renovating our Arena, and as you can see, the common areas are unsuited to battle." Sigmund pointed out all of the destruction created in Percival's battle.

"Then it should be fine if they use another arena or go outside." Lucille said.

"I'm afraid I also cannot allow them to leave." Sigmund stated, "It is regrettable, but it cannot be helped. You'll simple have to wait until a different time."
"I will…" Percival said, feeling that that time will never come.

"Well! That's too bad~ Guess these guys will just have to be leaving now!" Anna shouted, starting to pull Percival and Lucille to the exit. Then in a hushed voice. "*Quickly, while you still can! Trust me. this guy isn't the Doctor for your friend. *"

"*But then what should we do? *" Lucille asked Anna.

"*Nostra says she can feel your friends' sorrow on you, too…*" anna explained. "*something really bad must have happened, right? Tell her to look out for the one who's really hurt by this. If she does that, then she won't have time to be sad herself! *"

"Something the matter?" Sigmund looked at anna with curiosity. "Exactly what are you whispering about?"

"Um, just that Lucille looks a lot like that guy!" Anna shouted.

"Hrm…" Sigmund took a good look at Lucille, "That could be said…"

"Okay bye now!" Anna said pushing them out the door.

"For once, anna might be right… She definitely did look familiar." Charlotte added.