I raced through Tanzan Mountain and through the garden that led up through the house. I was happy that I was able to get my 6th badge and get the medicine for Anna but I was also exhausted. By the time I got back to the mansion, it was nighttime. It was also raining which didn’t help. I was looking forward to just giving Anna her medicine and having a good rest in a comfy bed with my girlfriend. I walked through the door but was a little surprised no 1 was downstairs. Then I remembered about Anna.
Matthew: -thinking to myself- They must be up in her room making sure she’s ok.
I walked over to the steps and climbed them and entered Anna’s room where everyone was. I walked over to Laura and hugged her.
Laura: Hunny! You’re back! How are you doing? Did you get what you needed?
Matthew: I’m good but also tired. And yea. I got both my 6th badge and the medicine for Anna. Although wow. When I have a good rest, I have a lot to tell you guys.
Charlotte: Well how about you give Anna her medicine 1st.
Matthew: Ohh yea. -walks to the front of the bed- Hey Anna. Here’s some medicine for you.
Anna slowly opened up her eyes and looked at Matthew across from her bed.
Anna: Huh? You got medicine?
Matthew: -hands the medicine to Anna- I sure did.
Noel: It’ll make you feel better. So drink it.
Anna: Oh my gosh… Did you go and get this Matt?
Matthew: I sure did.
Anna: Thank you so much! I’m sure Nostra will really appreciate this!
Everyone: What?!
Anna: Here you go Nostra. This will make you feel better.
Anna tipped the bottle of medicine over and the liquid went all over the doll. I stood there in disbelief as I watched the medicine fall onto the doll.
Matthew: Ohh no. I’m gonna have to go get another bottle of medicine aren’t I?
Laura: Anna, stop that! What are you doing?! You really shouldn’t be pouring that onto your doll…
Noel: Anna! You’re gonna waste the medicine of you do that!
Anna: What do you mean wasting it? If I don’t have Nostra drink this, how will she get better. She’ll be sick even longer!
Charlotte: Ohh Anna. We’re not worried about Nostra. We’re worried about you.
But it was all too late. Anna had “given” the medicine to her doll. Everyone had a disappointed look on their face. Anna seemed confused.
Anna: Why do you guys look like that? Look! She drank it all! See?
Noel: It’s soaked.
Matthew: Not to mention the blanket and sheets are also wet from that too.
Anna: But she feels oh so much better now!
To the surprise to all of us, Anna jumped down from the bed onto the floor. Laura almost fell down. She seemed way better than a couple of minutes ago despite not being the 1 to “drink” the medicine.
Anna: Thank you Matthew!
Matthew: Umm… You’re welcome I guess?
Anna: You saved Nostra’s life!
Noel: But she’s not-
Matthew: -whispering- Noel, remember what I said.
Noel: Ohh. Uh… Right. Umm… He sure did.
Charlotte: Well, she certainly seems to be feeling better. I’m not sure how but I feel better about it.
Laura: I guess that’s all that counts.
Matthew: It sure does hun.
Anna: Matthew, I’m sorry Nostra caused all this trouble! But I appreciate you going to get medicine for her!
Matthew: It’s no problem Anna. Like I said, I was happy to do it. Now it’s time for me to-
Anna: Now to make it up to you?
Matthew: Hmm? That’s ok Anna. I just rea-
Anna: Ohh I know! Noel! You and Nomos should have a Gym Battle with Matthew right now!
Matthew: Right no- It’s ok. I can wait til later.
Noel: Besides, it’s raining outside Anna and-
Anna: Come on Noel! I just know that it’s gonna be important that Awesome collects every badge really soon!
Matthew: I appreciate the gesture but I can really wait til tomo-
Anna: It only makes sense! We have 2 Gym Leaders right here!
Charlotte: Yea. Matt isn’t on my level yet but I wouldn’t mind seeing him have a Gym Battle now.
Matthew: But guys-
Anna: So you’ll do it right Noel?
Noel: Umm… -sigh- I guess so.
Anna: Yay!
Matthew: -whispering- What do you mean yes?!
Noel: -whispering- I’m just remembering what you said. Better to go along with her to make it better. Besides, you know her. She won’t stop til it happens.
Anna: Yay! Let’s go outside and watch Matt beat Noel for his Gym Badge!
Anna rushed out of the room and down the stairs. Everyone was left shocked at the events that just occurred.
Matthew: I will get you back for this Noel.
Noel: Ohh stop. It’s just a Gym Battle. Even if you lose, at least it’ll get her quiet for a few hours.
Matthew: Haha. If I lose? It doesn’t even sound like your sister has any faith in you at all. She literally told everyone to watch me beat you.
Noel: That’s not… You… Just come outside and we’ll do this already. -leaves the room and goes outside-
Laura: I… I have ceased to understand her… or any of this to be honest.
Charlotte: Me either. But that’s why she’s so interesting. Alright. Everyone, let’s get going.
Laura: Good luck Matt. You got this.
Matthew: Thanks babe.
Everyone walked down the stairs and out the doors where Anna and Noel were as well as the rain. I took my place on the opposite side of Noel. Something seemed different about Noel. He still seemed his normal self but he also seemed to have some kind of determination in his face. We each clutched a PokeBall into our hand.
Matthew: I wanted to get some rest and relaxation but I suppose beating you for your badge before a good rest will be even more satisfying.
Noel: Just because Anna said she wanted you to beat me for my badge doesn’t mean it’s going to happen Matthew.
Charlotte: Alrighty then. This battle will be a 6 on 6 Single Battle. Either trainer is allowed to make- Saphira!
Matthew: Who?
Everyone looked across the lake and saw something flying towards us at lightning speed. It flew passed us and then back down to us. It was a Dragonite with a girl on the back of it. She looked familiar to me though.
Saphira: Charlotte. You’re here.
Charlotte: I’m surprised to see ya sis.
Saphira: And Anna, Noel. You all escaped. How?
Charlotte: Matthew and Shelly over here helped us. We’ve gotten away from the Doctor twice already. Aaannnd guess what el-
Saphira: Save it. It’s about to be 3 times.
Matthew: Huh? What do you mean?
Saphira: The Doctor. He’s coming here. Along with Team Meteor. And they’re coming now.
Shelly: W-Well what do we do?
Saphira: Well a group is coming across the lake. Which means-
Laura: Our only option of escape is cut off. What should we do now?
Matthew: Easy. We fight.
Saphira: -looks at me- This guy has the right attitude. Alright. Listen up everyone. Charlotte, Anna, Noel and uh… Umm… you girl.
Shelly: I-It’s umm… It’s actually-
Saphira: Not important right now. Get inside now and find somewhere to hide.
Charlotte: Wait what? You want me to hide? Hell no. I’m not going to go run and hide. It’ll be more fun to melt their faces off.
Matthew: I mean I have to agree. Why would you have her hide?
Saphira: You don’t get to have a word in this. The Doctor still has potential legal authority over you since you’re not an adult yet. Maybe we cn resolve the escape charge but we don’t want you to have to deal with resisting arrest twice. This is how it’s gonna be.
Charlotte: But-
Matthew: Charlotte!… She’s right.
Spahira: Laura and Matthew was it? I’m charging you 2 with defending the house. If ANYONE gets in… destroy them. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is going to touch my family! Do you understand Matthew?
Matthew: Of course I do. I don’t want anything happening to you guys… Especially you Laura.
Spahira: Good. The Doctor is coming around the long way. Team Meteor, however, is on the water.
Matthew: Wow… Team Meteor is just getting more stupid everytime we have to deal with them.
Saphira: You’re right about that. I’m sure they think they’re being clever making sure we can’t escape but there’s 1 flaw in their plan with that.
Laura: What’s that?
Matthew: They’re vulnerable to attacks. Easy pickings for Saphira I’m guessing.
Saphira: Correct. I’m going ahead and take down as many of them as I can. You all know what to do right?
Everyone: Yes!
Saphira: Good. Alright Dragonite. Forward!
The Dragonite flew out towards the lake as we all made our way inside the house. I could already hear the sounds of moves being used and cries being let out. I didn’t dare look back though. We all gathered in the room to discuss a plan.
Matthew: Alright. What are we gonna do here?
Noel: I’m not sure. There’s not really a lot of good hiding spots here. If anyone gets in, they’ll easily be able to find us.
Charlotte: That means that Matthew and Laura are our primary line of defense. Which is good. Laura is-
Matthew: No offense Charlotte but we already know she’s part of the Elite 4. We need to hurry this up.
Shelly: Umm… I have an I-idea…
Charlotte: Shoot.
Shelly: Well umm… we shouldn’t hide in the same place so we should maybe umm… split up?
Laura: That’s probably a good idea.
Anna: Ok! How about myself and Noel hide upstairs?
Charlotte: Then Shelly and me will find somewhere in the kitchen to hide.
Matthew: Alright. Laura, where do you wanna be? Down here or upstairs? Whichever you don’t choose, I’ll guard that area.
Laura: Umm… I’ll take upstairs and you’ll stay down here. Is that ok hun?
Matthew: Sounds good to me babe.
Laura: Good. Although, PLEASE try to be gentle with the living room.
Matthew: I’ll uhh… try my best hun.
Charlotte: Sounds like a plan.
Anna and Noel ran upstairs to hide as Charlotte and Shelly ran into the kitchen to hide. Laura and I stood in the living room for a couple more seconds.
Matthew: Alright. You ready for this hun?
Laura: Yes. Thank you Matthew.
Matthew: Anything for you. Ok. Now get upstairs fast.
Laura: Right.
We both hugged each other and then kissed. Laura then ran upstairs to guard the twins. I stood in the middle of the living room waiting for someone, anyone to come in. It was a bit nerve wrecking. I didn’t know what was gonna happen or who was gonna come through those doors. But shortly, I got my answer. It was Dr. Sigmund.
Matthew: Great. It’s you.
Dr. Sigmund: Ahh. We meet again.
Matthew: I’m going to give you 1 chance. Just turn around and walk out the door and you won’t have to humiliate yourself.
Dr. Sigmund: Intriguing offer but I’m afraid I have to decline.
Just then, 2 orderlies that belonged to The Doctor came in and stood by his side. I grabbed a PokeBall from my belt.
Dr. Sigmund: See, I have no intention of extending the same mercy as when wet met last time.
Matthew: Well if I may be honest, I’m somewhat upset we didn’t have our little encounter.
Dr. Sigmund: -laughs- You are quite intriguing. But anyways, I am here to reclaim what you have stolen from me.
Matthew: Stolen? Wow. You talk as if they’re objects. Not humans. What happened that made you like this?
Dr. Sigmund: Silence! Those children! They belong at the orphanage! They are my property!
Matthew: Do you hear yourself talking? They’re your “property?” They are human beings.
Dr. Sigmund: It does not matter what they are. All that matters is that they come back. Orderlies? Go search the upper floor. I shall eliminate Matthew here.
Matthew: -watches as the orderlies walk up the stairs and shouts to Laura- Be on your guard Laura! Some orderlies are headed your way! -looks back to Dr. Sigmund- So… Ready to dance old man?
The battle was fierce but in the end, I came out the winner. However, the look on the Doctor’s expression on his face barely changed.
Dr. Sigmund: -laughs- Ahh. It doesn’t matter what you try to do. Any of you. Your petty resistance only delays the inevitable.
Matthew: What do you-
Before I could finish my sentence, the door swung open and a man came inside. I recognized who it was.
Matthew: Fuck. It’s you… Sirius.
Sirius: Yes. It is me. But blast that feral woman!
Dr. Sigmund: Sirius. Your men. Where are they?
Sirius: For all I know, they’re dead.
Matthew: Yea. It prob wasn’t the smartest idea to just try to cross the lake was it?
Sirius: You! Shut your mouth up! That accursed woman with the Dragonite… She just swooped down and shot at us as we were crossing the lake. Luckily for me though, I clipped her wings in return.
Matthew: No way…
Sirius: And then I drug myself out of the water. Now listen here Matthew. I am NOT leaving here empty-handed! Do you hear me?! I won’t allow it?! Where are the children?!
Matthew: Why the fuck would I tell you that? Unlike you, I’m not stupid.
Sirius: Hmm. Doctor, I can’t help but notice that there are 2 of us but only 1 of Matthew.
Matthew: But may I point out that 1 of you can’t use your team of Pokemon because they are knocked out.
Sirius: That hardly matters. So here’s what we’ll do. I’ll go over here and you Doctor go over there. Whoever Matthew decides to stop will be free to get the children.
As Sirius said, he went on 1 side of me as the Doctor went to the other side of me. I was in the middle. I had to think of what to do. I thought about the last time I had battled Sirius. I was victorious but I also had Cain at my side. And my team wasn’t anywhere near at full health to battle him again. So I decided to make sure the Doctor didn’t move.
Matthew: -thinking to myself- I hope Laura can take care of herself against Sirius.
Sirius: -laughs- So that’s how it is is it? Fine. I’ll just take a look upstairs.
As I held the Doctor in place, the door again flung open but this time, it was Saphira. And she looked severely pissed. In fact, she looked so pissed that it made me weaken my grip on The Doctor.
Saphira: Sigmund.
Dr. Sigmund: Saphira. -laughs- This is great. With your presence here, that all but confirms that your sisters must be here after all. Ohh Charlotte?~ Where are you?~
Matthew: Do you honestly think that she’ll just-
Saphira: Sorry Sigmund but there’s no 1 here. Only me.
Matthew: A-And me!
Dr. Sigmund: Hmph. That’s “Doctor” to you.
Saphira: You? A doctor? No. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. You know what you are? A criminal. Is that a scar I see? I heard that she left 1 on you. It brings me joy to see that on you. I wanna ask you something. How does that make you feel? It has been a while… hasn’t it? But trust me Sigmind, I remember VERY well how “nicely” you treated my sisters and I back at the orphanage. And now? Now is the time I returned the favor. Hold still.
Dr. Sigmund: What… What are you-
Saphira: Come on out Dragonite! Use Hyper Beam!
Matthew: HOLY SHIT! -jumps for cover-
I jumped behind a bookcase as the Dragonite launched its Hyper Beam right at Dr. Sigmund. I didn’t see the attack launch but when I looked back, I could see no trace of Dr. Sigmund. All I saw was smoke, rubble and a huge hole in the wall.
Matthew: Whoa… Holy fuck.
Saphira: Hm. Well “Doctor,” I do believe we’ve made a break-through this session.
Matthew: That was intense.
Sirius: Poison Jab!
Out of nowhere, a Seviper slithered fast over towards Saphira and used the move it was told to use. In a matter of seconds, she fainted. I was shocked and horrified.
Matthew: What the… You-
Sirius: This is a day of misery. You there Matthew! You should be glad that that woman softened us up! Otherwise, I’d have ripped that girl to pieces upstairs. Although… Let’s just say that it’ll be hard to not think of me while you 2 hold hands. -laughs-
Matthew: Wait. What? What did you do to her?!
Sirius: You’ll see soon enough. But as I told you earlier, I am not leaving empty-handed. -walks over to Spahira- This girl. This… banshee… She believes she can protect her family? But will her family do her the same honor?
Matthew: You motherfucker…
Sirius: Well, I look forward to seeing you soon, Matthew. But this time, on our territory.
I couldn’t do anything but watch him pick her limp body up into his arms and walk out the door with her. I started running towards the door that leads to the upstairs when I ran into Laura coming downstairs.
Laura: Hunny! You’re ok!
Matthew: I am but what did that dude do to you!?
Laura: I’m fine. I-
I grabbed her hand and examined it. There was nothing wrong with her hand from what I could see but then I looked up her arm. There were bruises there. As if someone grabbed her by the wrist and squeezed really hard. She took her hand back and somewhat blushed.
Matthew: Why did he do that to you?
Laura: I… I don’t know. But I’ll be fine.
Matthew: I’m gonna smash his face in next time I see him.
Laura: No! It’s not worth it.
Matthew: Hunny, he hurt you. He hurt my woman. I’m not gonna let him get away with that. And if Saphira were here, I’m sure she’d say the same thing.
Laura: Wait. Where is my sister?
Matthew: Shit. You don’t know. Well… She got-
Laura: Oh no! -runs closer to where the hole in the wall is-
Matthew: I know it’s hard to hear this babe but-
Laura: The wall!
Matthew: She… Wait. The wall?
Laura: Ohh hun. I asked you to not mess up the room…
Matthew: That… This… 1st off, Spahira made that mess. Not me. 2nd off, Saphira was kidnapped by Sirius.
Laura: They took her instead of the kids? Why?
Charlotte: WOW. Big mistake on their part. -walks out of the kitchen- Knowing her, she’ll just destroy them from the inside-out.
Matthew: I think I agree with you. After seeing what she did to the Doctor. Sweet Arceus.
Laura: Well we shouldn’t just let them take her though.
Charlotte: Well obviously it’s a trap. The safest thing to do would be to just her escape. Anyways, everyone ready to go?
Laura: Huh? But didn’t you just say-
Charlotte: All I said was the it would be safest. But that’s not us. We’re family. And that means we’re going to get her back. If the roles were reversed, you KNOW she’d do the same for us.
Laura stood there for a couple of seconds thinking about it. And then she spoke.
Laura: You’re right Charlotte. But I’ll be the 1 going. And Matthew, if he wants to come.
Matthew: Hell yea I wanna come. I need to dish out some punishment for what they did to my girl’s wrist.
Charlotte: What? Why?
Laura: Well they were after you in the 1st place. Not me or Matt. So we’ll take care of this.
Charlotte: Ugh. No 1 ever lets me have any fun. Fine. Just… Don’t let anything happen to either of them, ok Matt?
Matthew: I won’t. I promise Charlotte.
Laura: Hmm…
Matthew: Is something on your mind Laura?
Laura: It’s just that… I think that when I came back here, I remember those men were building those machines in the mountain.
Charlotte: Maybe they took Saphira in there somewhere then.
Matthew: Yea. That has to be it.
Laura: Alright. Then it’s settled. Before we leave though, I know your team needs some resting up. So go heal them up. I’ll be waiting outside hun.
Matthew: Alright. See you soon sweetie.
I watched as Laura walked outside and then proceeded to go upstairs to heal my Pokemon. As I came back down, I could see Anna and Noel near the entrance way.
Matthew: Hey. Are you 2 doing ok?
Anna: We’re good.
Noel: Yea. Laura really protected us against that guy.
Matthew: Uhh… What’s with the look on your face Anna?
Noel: She was eavesdropping.
Anna: What?! No we weren’t! I mean… Maybe? Ok. It was really Nostra that was eavesdropping but not me!
Matthew: Ok. Ok. I believe you.
Anna: Ok. Well Nostra says good luck to rescuing the dragon lady and well…
Matthew: Yes?
Anna: Ohh yea! I remember now! She says that you shouldn’t catch Laura when she falls! Whatever that means. Between the 3 of us, Nostra can be a bit weird sometimes. Anyways, good luck!
Noel and I just stared at Anna for a few seconds and then I left the stairway and made my way to the door. But as I was walking, I couldn’t help but have those words be repeated in my mind over and over again. What did she mean by that?
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