Log 12: Caught the bug
After that little Aqua escapade was over, I learned from the leader that the psychiatrist also runs the orphanage in the heart of the Lapis Ward. As I was about to enter the building, a meek pink-haired lady about a few years younger than me was exiting. She made herself scarce very quickly. No matter.
I went in seeking the doctor, but instead I was met by multiple children, some of whom seemed quite "out of it." The first to introduce herself was a girl tightly clutching a Jirachi plush doll. She introduced herself as Anna, her doll as Nostra, and said that I was glowing. Haven't been exposed to radiation, so I don't know what she was seeing. Her twin brother was also being kept at the orphanage, a young, aloof boy named Noel. He was holding a Clefairy doll he called Nomos. Anna kept trying to say that Nostra and Nomos weren't dolls, but they were so. There was one other girl in there who introduced herself, Charlotte. She had a similar look in her eyes that Lilith has, one always planning. Coincidentally enough, Noel and Charlotte are gym leaders.
They told me just what kind of person the Doctor was and what he did to them. It turns out that he uses multiple electric type Pokemon for a special "treatment" for the mental illnesses of the children called Electro-shock therapy. All three of them confirmed it, so there was definitely something going on (likely without the knowledge of the useless Police Force), and I intended to learn what was happening, and possibly challenge the leaders.
I tried explaining what had happened to Shelley and why I was looking for the doctor. As they were warning me to not bring her here, Doctor Sigmund Connal entered the room and began questioning why I was there. Because they didn't want the real reason to come to light, Anna said that I had come to challenge the gym leaders. For some reason he found that interesting and had one of his assistants battle me. He used a team of Electric types, like the children said of the Doctor himself, which we took care of quickly. He seemed impressed by how effortlessly we were able to win, but said that due to the childrens' mental health that I was unable to challenge them. Anna rushed me out of the building before I could ask anything else, saying that I needed to remind my friend of who was most affected by the incident.
I went back to the gym and told Victoria and Shelley what had happened, aside from the gang thing. Going to keep that a secret from everyone. Anyway, Shelly said that she was feeling well enough for a battle, although I did offer to give her as much time as she needed to compose herself. She insisted she was fine and said she would be waiting for me at her field. I felt kind of bad doing so, but I accepted her offer. Victoria challenged me to another battle to try and stop me, but again, she fell pretty quickly.
The gym puzzle here was designed as a forest inside a library. There were multiple computers around which raised and lowered the bookcases. Pretty convenient for short people who need to reach higher shelves. Anyway, Lilith and I figured out how to raise the path to her field quickly. Wasn't hard once we figured out what each switch did. Also found a Leaf Stone in the ground. Unfortunately, I didn't see it until after I tripped over it. Not sure what I can do with it, but keeping it anyway. Lilith saw me trip, hid a smirk, then helped me up quickly. With friends like these... oh well; wouldn't change her at all.
Shelly's gym was modeled after a forest, so it makes sense that her gym battle would take place on a forest field. This battle was actually a double battle, which gave me a decent strategy to beat her. She opened with her Masquedrain and Illmuse. I lead with Teemo and Aero. Teemo was primarily out to set up Light Screen to weaken her team, mostly comprised of special attackers. Aero used Calm Mind, which, due to her ability being Simple, gave enough power to set up and sweep. With her Air Cutter move, she was able to take out most of her team, although her Anorith was able to take down Teemo. He did his job admirably, and I sent out Lilith to help continue the fight. This was actually a very simple battle, but it didn't feel earned. Shelly still seemed emotionally distraught, which likely affected her ability to battle. Nevertheless, she gave me the badge and then asked me to report Corey's passing to Ame so the backup gym leader could be notified. I thanked her for the battle and am currently en route to the hall, but here is where I shall end for now.