Chapter 03 (Save Us)
[A/N]:
Special thanks to Hakajin for leaving me a heart-felt review. I appreciate your input and am glad you're enjoying the story
As for the rest of you, I also thank you for reading the story. It feels good to see the number of views increase every day. I hope each one of you can write me a review of your own. I develop as a writer when I connect with my fellow readers.
"She can sleep in this room," Ian opened the door.
The small room they were entering consisted of a bed and a bedside drawer. On top of the drawer was a small orange lamp. The walls were forest green, and the carpet was light brown. The bed, which consisted of white sheets and a purple blanket, looked cozy at that time of night. Lucario set the girl upon it, relieved for her.
Lucy walked around the room and frowned disapprovingly. Ian noticed this and shrugged. "It's a guest room," he told her. "I didn't plan on having guests."
"Have you done
any furnishing since you moved?" Lucy questioned.
"No," Ian replied. "I've been managing the equipment."
"I'll help you decorate sometime," Lucy offered. "At least you have a couch in the lobby."
"It gets tiring moving things around," Ian leaned on the door frame.
Lucy shook her head and giggled. The two looked at each other for a moment; then turned away, focusing on Lucario tucking the girl in.
"I'm guessing you want to stay and watch her?" Ian guessed.
"Yes," Lucario replied.
"Want me to bring you a chair? Ian offered. "Some food?"
"No thank you."
"I'll bring you a chair anyway," Ian pushed himself off the doorframe. "I'll be right back."
When he exited the room, only Lucy, Lucario, and the girl remained. Alakazam disappeared to the kitchen a while ago, hungry after their ordeal. Lucy gazed at Lucario from the foot of the bed. The look in Lucario's eyes was stunning. She never saw such...emotion before.
"She must mean a lot to you," Lucy commented.
"She does," Lucario answered, not turning away from the girl.
"Where did you meet her?"
Lucario stiffened.
"It isn't my business to speak of such matters," he stated.
"Please don't ask again."
Lucy shifted uncomfortably. "Okay..."
When Ian came back, he returned with a chair and a blanket. Close behind him was Alakazam, a steaming bowl of soup ready in her hands.
"Here's the chair," Ian set the items against the wall, "and it gets cold at night, so here's a blanket."
"Alaka," Alakazam handed Lucario the bowl.
"No, no thank you," Lucario shook his head. But Alakazam continued to insist, so he sighed and took it.
"Thank you."
"Alakazam does that to me all the time," Ian leaned back on the doorframe. "Every time I forget to eat, she shoves food in my face until I eat it. I would've worked myself to starvation if it wasn't for her."
"Alaka," Alakazam beamed proudly.
"Well the soup smells delicious, Alakazam!" Lucy patted her stomach. "Do you mind if I get some too? I'm starving!"
"Alaka!" the psychic led the way out.
Lucy smiled and followed, but stopped at the doorway.
"The medicine I gave her is only a temporary substitute for the nutrients she needs," she turned to Lucario. "She needs to eat real food tomorrow and go to my office for proper treatment. She may be feeling better now, but her body might suffer again if she doesn't go to the hospital."
Lucario placed the bowl of soup on the ground.
"Is there any way she can be treated without the knowledge of others?"
"That's kind of hard to do," Lucy told him. "Can I at least know why you're keeping her so secluded? I promise she'll be safe at all times."
"You can't promise that," Lucario stated.
"Like I have said before, I cannot disclose such information."
"C'mon, Lucario," Ian sighed. "If you want us to help her, you can't keep hiding secrets from us. We're the only help you can get right now, and the help we can offer is limited by how little we know."
"Having her here endangers her enough as it is," Lucario insisted.
"No one is supposed to know she's alive. If anybody finds out that she exists…"
Lucario clenched his fists and turned away, unable to finish his sentence.
"But doesn't she have parents that are worrying about her right now?" Lucy asked. "Was she raised in that temple?" She turned to Ian. "Maybe she caught something there that made her sick."
Lucario whipped back around and glared at her.
"What did you say?"
"N-nothing!" Lucy stepped back. "I was only concerned for her well-being, just like you are! I didn't mean to offend y—"
"How dare you!" Lucario spat.
"Are you saying I'm not doing my job? I protect her with my LIFE! If you test me, I swear I will kill you!"
"Enough!"
Ian stood in front of Lucy.
"If you're going to be like this, I want you and the girl out of this lab right now!" he pointed to the door. "We don't need to help you! If that girl dies tonight, it'll be your fault!"
"Ian!" Lucy punched him on the shoulder. Ian grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the room.
"No, Lucy!" Ian barked. "You help him, and he threatens your life? If he's so set on making us his enemy, then he better leave before I hurt him like one!"
"No, Ian, stop this!" Lucy pleaded.
"No! Please, stop!"
Lucario ran to them, but was stopped by Alakazam. Her eyes and spoons flashed white light.
"Alakazam, you stop this too!" Lucy scolded. "Alakazam, Ian, both of you, stop it!"
"I've had enough of this," Ian growled. "Alakazam, use Psychic!"
"Alaka..."
Lucario froze as he was cloaked in white energy. He started screaming when the attack forced him on his knees.
"No!" Lucy cried. "Stop it, you're hurting him!"
She tried to pass Ian, but his arms kept her in place. "Stop it! Ian,
please!"
"Lucario!"
Everyone froze. The girl was finally awake and running out of the room. Alakazam immediately released Lucario, allowing Lucario to fall weakly on the ground.
The girl gasped and ran to his side. "Lucario!"
"M-milady," Lucario muttered weakly.
The girl pulled him into her arms and shook him. She was going to say something, but Lucario passed out before she could say it. The girl started shaking, her bangs hiding her face.
"Umm..."
The girl looked up.
"Little girl?" Ian called out.
He, Lucy, and Alakazam jumped when the girl glared at them. Her eyes were violet, sharp, and angry.
"
You did this!" she barked. "
You hurt Lucario!"
The girl raised a hand, her eyes glowing purple. In a flash, Ian, Alakazam, and Lucy were thrown to the walls. They cried out in pain, groaning when they landed on the ground.
Ian clutched his head and looked at the girl. She was laying beside Lucario now, unconscious again.
"I-Ian."
Lucy moaned as she sat up. "Did that...did that girl just hit us with a...a Psywave?"
---
"Here," Lucy handed Ian a cup of tea. "We're going to need it."
"Thanks," Ian accepted.
They drank their teas in silence. Alakazam sat on a chair close to them, her eyes on the doorway.
The kitchen had light green walls and white marble floors. It contained basic kitchen appliances and a set of wares on the counter.
Lucy stared at the steaming liquid.
"So what are we going to do about this?"
Ian set his cup on the counter. "I don't know."
"At least we can understand now why Lucario wanted to keep her a secret so badly," Lucy commented.
Ian froze. He stood up straight and made his way to the hallway.
"I need to speak to them."
"Wh-wha..." Lucy stammered. She set her cup down and followed him. "Now?"
"I need answers," Ian stated. He was walking so fast, Lucy and Alakazam struggled to keep up with him. "I'm not settling for 'it's a secret' anymore."
"Can't it wait until morning?" Lucy suggested. "The girl is still in an unstable condition, and Lucario is still injured from
your attack."
Ian grunted.
"He started it," he stated. "He
threatened you."
"Yes, but you attacked him first!" Lucy reminded. "We already know he's overprotective of the girl and reluctant to trust us. If you really want to help them, you have to understand!"
"Well maybe I don't want to help them anymore," Ian decided.
He stopped in front of an electric door and typed a code on the keyboard. When a "beep" confirmed the code, they entered a room. Inside the room was a large glass chamber. Lucario was sitting inside, no longer unconscious.
"Then what are you
doing?" Lucy hissed.
"Lucario!" Ian called out. "You have some explaining to do!"
Lucario noticed their entrance and stood up warily.
"I've thought about my actions and apologize," he told them. His voice was muffled, like he was speaking through a mic.
"My actions were rash and foolish; I shouldn't have done what I've done. Punish me if you wish, but please don't hurt the girl."
"Don't worry about her," Ian jerked his head to the door. "She's in another room, sleeping. Her Psywave attack tired her out."
Lucario stiffened.
"W-what…"
"She attacked us after you fainted," Ian informed. "Tell me, Lucario, why can she do that?"
"P-please," Lucario trembled.
"As I've told you before, I cannot tell—"
"If we don't get information out of you," Ian warned, "other scientists will."
Lucy gasped. "Ian!"
"No, please!"
"Then tell us, Lucario!" Ian demanded, "how can that girl use a pokémon move?"
Lucario clenched his fists.
"If..If I tell you," he said,
"will you continue to help her?"
Lucy and Alakazam turned to Ian with the same pleading look im their eyes. Ian stepped closer, looking Lucario in the eye.
"I don't like what you did to Lucy," he told him. "If there was any peace before you threatened to kill her, it's gone."
Lucario gasped.
"B-but I apolo—"
"Let's get something straight here," Ian declared. "You don't make the shots here, I do. You threatened to kill someone precious to me, and that girl actually attacked us! Speak up right now and tell me why I shouldn't let you and the girl
rot!"
Lucario stepped back. Even Lucy and Alakazam took a few steps backwards.
Lucario cursed himself. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to be the girl's guardian, yet he led her to the very thing he was supposed to protect her from! Expose the girl's existence for her safety?
How? Exposing her would only endanger her
more!
Lucario hated himself that moment. He failed his duties. He failed the girl.
He trembled as he opened his mouth.
"Ian..."
Lucario froze.
"It's late," Lucy continued. "We all had a long day and we're all tired. Let's do this tomorrow."
Lucario widened his eyes. The red-headed woman, Lucy. She...she was helping him!
Lucy walked closer to Ian. She took him by the shoulders and turned him to face her.
"Ian," Lucy whispered, "please, for once, just
listen to me. Lucario and the girl aren't going anywhere, you need to give yourself a break. Please continue this tomorrow.
Please."
Ian stared into her pleading eyes. Before Lucy could add anything, he straightened up.
"Fine," he turned back to Lucario. "Thank her," he ordered. "Even after you threatened her life, she still wanted to help you."
Lucario turned to Lucy. When he saw that her intentions were pure, he gave her a small smile.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome," Lucy smiled back.
Ian looked at Lucy and stared at her for a few moments. When Lucy caught this, he walked away before she could ask.
"Let's go," Ian said.
Alakazam also gave her a look before following him out the door. Lucy was about to follow them, but looked at Lucario one last time. He was leaning against the glass, his head between his arms.
Ian called out to her, and she exited the room. "Should we check on the girl?" she asked.
"No," Ian walked ahead of them. "I'm sick of her and that stupid Lucario. I'll deal with them tomorrow."
Lucy nodded as they stopped in front of the elevator. Lucy was checking the time on her phone when her phone started ringing. The caller ID stated "Matthew Burns". Lucy smiled and answered it, unaware of Ian's darkening mood.
"Hello?" Lucy called out.
"Babe, where are you?" a masculine voice responded.
"It's almost midnight and you're still not home."
"I know, I know, I'm sorry," Lucy apologized. She entered the elevator when the doors opened. "I was just helping…Alakazam. She caught a cold."
"Give her the potion you usually give to other sick pokémon." Matthew told her.
"And which alakazam are you talking about? The one that works with Ian?"
"Yes," Lucy whispered so Ian couldn't hear. "I'm sorry for taking so long, dear. I'll be home soon."
"Okay," Matthew hummed disapprovingly.
"Be careful okay? It's raining hard outside."
"I will."
"I love you."
"I love you too," Lucy returned. She put her phone away, painfully aware of the tension in the elevator.
When the doors opened, the trio stepped outside. Ian was scowling, Lucy was frowning, and Alakazam was fidgeting. The tension intensified when they stopped at the front door.
"I-I'll be back tomorrow morning," Lucy told them. "My shift isn't until four, so I'll be here when you guys deal with…you know."
"Fine," Ian stated, opening the door.
Lucy frowned, but faked a smile when she turned to Alakazam. "Goodnight, Alakazam."
"Alaka," Alakazam nodded stiffly.
Lucy sighed and exited the building. She unlocked her car and quickly ran to it.
Ian closed the door and leaned against it. He stared into space, his eyes half-closed.
"Alaka."
Ian looked at Alakazam, then to the elevators. "Let's just go to bed."
Alakazam only watched as Ian walked to the doors. She stood there for a few moments, then ran to follow him.