Melia and I boarded the train to get back to Gearen City. By the time we arrived back to the city, nightfall had come over the city. As we walked back to the lab, I had a bad feeling at the bottom of my stomach that something was gonna go wrong. We made it to the entrance of the lab building and walked inside the actual lab.
Before we went up to the desk of the Professor however, we could hear him talking to someone else. Melia suggested that we hid for a bit and see if we could find anything out from this little conversation. I agreed and we hid as we listened in on the conversation.
???: You know I don’t appreciate being hung up like that. It was very rude and I should report you for misconduct.
Professor Jenner: People walked into the room Madelis. What did you want me to do?
Madelis: I don’t know. How about lock the door? That would’ve prevented all of this from happening. Not that it particularly matters. Zetta should be picking Melia up very soon.
Matthew: -thinking to myself- So I was right. Jenner was involved in this whole thing. But… why? Why do this to his own daughter?
Professor Jenner: Yes…
Madelis: Hmm? Why the glum look on your face? You knew this was going to happen. From the moment we gave you the job of looking after Melia as she grew up, we made it very clear. Melia was only going to be with you temporarily. And once she grew up, you’d have to return her to us.
Professor Jenner: I haven’t forgotten. I’ve never forgotten.
Madelis: Hmm… Well for your sake, I hope that is the case. I told you that getting attached would ruin you and it looks like it has. Look at it this way. It’s a sacrifice. We’ll have our lives back after this. It’ll all be over… in due time.
I don’t know why I didn’t see it coming but Melia slowly got up from her hiding spot, walked into the middle of the room and spoke up. This Madelis character and Professor Jenner looked in the direction of where the voice was coming from. Jenner looked very pleased to see that Melia was alright. Madelis however looked severely pissed off. I decided to reveal myself too, just in case Melia needed some kind of protection.
Professor Jenner: M-Melia! You made it! Thank goodness! And Matthew too… I knew it was wise to leave it in-
Matthew: No Jenner. Just stop.
Professor Jenner: Huh?
Madelis: Jenner! What the hell are you playing at?! Melia is supposed to be at Goldenwood Forest! What is she doing here?!
Professor Jenner: Uhh, erm… She-
Madelis: Just shut up and be quiet!
Melia: I knew the moment I found the Snag Machine in the briefcase.
Matthew: Jenner, I put the pieces together. I know you intentionally made me go there just so that I would protect her to be safe.
Melia: You did all of this because you knew! You knew this would happen! And yet… You sent me on my way… And you got Matthew involved in all of this too?! And now I learn that after all of these years… You aren’t even my real father! You never told me the truth!
Professor Jenner: Melia… Please just… Matthew, can’t you try to get her to listen to me?
Matthew: Are you kidding me? I don’t blame her for how she’s feeling right now. You deserve what’s coming to you right now. And you got me roped into all of this! You know I was on the S.S. Oceana! You know what happened to me just yesterday and you made me do this?! Fuck off!
Melia: Matthew, I’m so sorry my fa- No. Jenner did this to you. This was all a set up.
Madelis: Ugh! Enough of this useless talk! I don’t understand what’s going on but I’m ending it! Come to me Houndoom!
Out of Madelis’ PokeBall popped out a strong looking Houndoom. I went to reach for my own PokeBall but Melia stopped me. To her, this felt like her responsibility. She wanted to stop this person all on her own. I didn’t know how smart that was of her to do but I decided to let her do her thing. She called out her Togepi and the battle started.
Unfortunately for Melia, the Houndoom was way too powerful for her to handle and she eventually lost. Madelis stood there with a smug look on her face.
Madelis: That was pitiful. You were foolish to think that you could even begin to face me. Impudence will get you nowhere if you don’t have the strength and beauty to back it up.
Matthew: Urgh… You son of a-
Melia: Don’t you dare talk down to me…
Matthew: Melia?
Madelis: Your Pokemon are all weakened and I only used 1 of mine. Do you really think you can take on the rest of my onslaught.
Melia looked into Madelis’ eyes and I could see fear in hers. She started to tear up. Her Togepi was still standing but just barely. Out of desperation, she had Togepi use a Metronome attack. Everyone stood still for we didn’t know what move would be used. Suddenly, I could see Melia and her Togepi starting to fade. She went to reach out to me but she disappeared before she could grab onto me.
Matthew: Melia… Melia?!
Madelis: Of for the love of- You have gotta be kidding me… This is JUST fantastic. You Jenner! I’m not letting you get away!
Matthew: Shut up Madelis! You caused all of this!
Madelis: And as for you Matthew, I wouldn’t stick your nose into our business. If you do, you will feel the wrath of Team Xen.
Madelis pulled out what seemed to be a walkie talkie of sorts and spoke into it. From the sound of it, she was ordering the Team Xen grunts to search the whole city for Melia in order to capture her. In other words, Gearen City was being taken over by Team Xen. Madelis put away her walkie talkie. She turned towards the Professor and gave him a standing ovation for trying to save Melia but it was to no avail. She turned towards me, gave me a mean look and then walked out of the room. I couldn’t believe everything that had just happened. Jenner was working with Team Xen, Melia disappeared and now Team Xen had taken over the city.
Professor Jenner: This… This is a disaster.
Matthew: You don’t fucking say!
Professor Jenner: Everything that’s happened… It wasn’t supposed to go this way. If Madelis hadn’t come now at all times…
Matthew: Dude, why would you even consider working for Team Xen?! This is so ludicrous!
Professor Jenner: I-
Matthew: And now Melia is missing?! This is just all types of fucked up!
Professor Jenner: Matthew, I-
Ren: Professor! Professor, this is bad! There are Team Xen Grunts all over the city!
Matthew: A little late to the party Ren! We know that already!
Ren: Huh? How?
Professor Jenner: We’ll explain that later. This is all really bad.
Ren: Venam is fighting off as many as she can but-
Professor Jenner: You 2! Listen to me very carefully. Team Xen is after Melia and if they find her, it’ll be over for all of us. I need you 2 to leave and find her immediately!
Ren: Where would she even go?
Professor Jenner: Well, West Gearen and the forest are off limits. She could’ve only gone in the direction Route 2.
Matthew: Yea. As long as she still teleported somewhere in the city.
Professor Jenner: Now’s not the time Matthew! The Railnet east of here will be able to take you to Route 2 without any problem-
???: That’s enough.
Just then, a different colored Gothitelle popped into the room out of nowhere. I thought maybe the Gothitelle was speaking to us but it seemed like it was coming from somewhere else but where it came from, I had no idea. This whole situation just kept getting worse and worse. The voice was focused on Jenner. For some reason, it seemed like it was determined to not have me do anything dangerous while I was here. Just then, a black hole of sorts popped up in the back of the room. Jenner held onto the desk for dear life. Ren tried to get to the Professor to rescue him but the Gothitelle wouldn’t let him.
Ren: Grrr! Damn it! Get out of the way!
Professor Jenner: No! Matthew, Ren… I know it’s selfish of me but-
Matthew: Look, if you’re gonna tell us to rescue Melia, you don’t have to! But I’m doing this for her! Not for you!
Professor Jenner: That’s… Aaa- AUUUGGGGHHHHH!!! -gets sucked into the black hole-
Ren: No! Professor Jenner!
???: And as for the 2 of you, ESPECIALLY you Matthew, I implore you to stay out of this. If you really do decide to go after Melia, the only path before you is despair. I won’t stop you if you wish to do so but don’t come to me for help when things don’t go your way. You’ve been warned. Well Gothitelle, we’ve been here long enough. Let’s go!
Then, just as fast as the Gothitelle came here, it disappeared. That whole situation was messed up. I thought the Professor was a bad guy but I didn’t think he deserved that. Ren ran up to me, demanding an explanation. I couldn’t blame him for wanting to know. 1 of his closest friends was in danger. I told him everything with how Team Xen was trying to kidnap her and the stuff about Shadow Pokemon and Dimensional Rifts. When I was done, I could see the shocked look upon his face.
Matthew: Ren? Ren, are you ok?
Ren: That’s… a lot to take in. Did all of that really happen?
Matthew: It really did. It was really messed up.
Ren: Then it’s settled. We can’t sit around and do nothing.
Matthew: Right. We need to go and find Melia.
Ren: But 1st, we need to rid Gearen City of all of these Team Xen Grunts.
Matthew: Right. We could lower the risk of them finding her if we drive them out of here.
Ren: And then we’ll go look for Melia.
Matthew: Right! Let’s go Ren!
The 2 of us ran out of the main lab room and towards the exit of the building. As soon as we made it outside though, Venam was right there in front of us. She seemed out of breath and very tired.
Matthew: How you holding up?
Venam: I’m… doing ok. I need to heal up my Pokemon.
Ren: How many did you take down so far?
Venam: Only about 7 of them but there’s a lot of them. I saw some of the other trainers trying to take them on but they’re not strong enough.
Matthew: Damnit! Ok. Venam, go heal your Pokemon! Ren, you come with me. We’re gonna rid this city of Team Xen!
Ren: Right! We got this!
Venam: Ohh hell yea! Time for these Team Xen bitches to get the fuck out of our city! I’ll join you 2 as soon as I can!
Venam ran into the lab to heal her Pokemon as me and Ren went looking for Xen Grunts. It didn’t take long for us to find some. Battles ensued but luckily, me and Ren were able to keep getting the wins over them. Some time passed and Venam soon joined the fight. It was a little easier now but soon, we were all tired out. It was in the middle of the night now and we were exhausted. I knew there had to be more out there but for now, we rested in front of Venam’s Gym.
Matthew: -breathing heavily- Ohh man… How you 2 holding up?
Ren: I’m… I’m alright. You Venam?
Venam: Fuck… I’m so tired. I’m not too sure how much longer I can do this for…
Matthew: What’s your Pokemon count?
Venam: I just have my Mareanie with me now. The rest of my team are all fainted.
Ren: And only my Froakie still has some fight left inside it.
Matthew: Yea. I only have Blade as well. If there are anymore Xen Grunts here, it should be the last of them. We took out a lot of them tonight.
Venam: I have a plan in case things take a turn for the worst.
???: Oh ho ho. Well they’re about to take that turn girl.
Matthew: Ohh fuck!
Ren: Team Xen!
Me, Ren and Venam ran south of Venam’s Gym and could see 3 more Xen Grunts. They already had their Pokemon out so we sent ours out as well. Venam’s Mareanie wasn’t all that well rested for battle so it was just down to me and Ren’s Froakies to try to take on the 3 Pokemon in front of us.
Male Xen Grunt #1: Tell us where Melia is and we’ll leave your city!
Matthew: Hell no!
Ren: And even if we did, there’s no way we’d ever tell you!
Male Xen Grunt #2: Tell us where she is now or you all will suffer!
Venam: Are we supposed to be scared of you lot?! Get real! Leave our city now!
Female Xen Grunt: Urgh! Damnit, this isn’t getting us anywhere! Prepare to battle and prepare for a beating!
The 2 on 3 battle started. Our Froakies were able to hold them off but they were starting to tire out. The Team Xen Grunts look very pleased with themselves as they noticed the state of our Pokemon. Venam then enacted her plan. She told us to have our Froakies come back near her and her Mareanie. We told them what to do and they followed our orders. Venam had them stay really close together. We watched as she placed her Mareanie right on top of the Froakie’s heads. Ren and I had no idea what she was planning. She then instructed her Mareanie to use Recover. It did but because the Froakie were underneath the Pokemon, they were the ones healed up instead of Mareanie.
Soon afterwards, the Mareanie fainted from using the last of its strength to fully heal our Pokemon. Me and run smiled at each other and commanded our Froakies to use a double Water Pulse. They executed the move and wiped out all 3 Pokemon with that 1 attack. The Grunts were shocked at what they just witnessed.
Male Xen Grunt #1: What?! Damnit! I didn’t expect them to pull off a move like that!
Female Xen Grunt: We got no more Pokemon! We have to retreat!
Male Xen Grunt #2: Right! Let’s go! -retreats with his teammates-
Venam: Yes! It worked!
Ren: Wow Venam. I didn’t expect you to come up with a plan like that. It’s almost scary.
Venam: Well you know. -chuckles-
Matthew: You 2 were great.
Ren: Yea. If it weren’t for you 2, they would have done anything to find Melia. So thank you.
Ren Froakie: Froakie! -starts glowing-
Matt Froakie: Froooakie! -starts glowing
Matthew: What?! No way!
Ren: Are they-
Venam: They’re evolving at the same time!
Venam was right. Both Ren’s and my Froakie’s were starting to evolve. We watched in amazement but also exhaustion as they started to change their form. Eventually, the light started to fade and standing in front of us were now 2 Frogadiers.
The 2 Pokemon looked at themselves and then each other and gave each other a high 5. It was a sweet way to end this whole ordeal. We then returned them to their PokeBalls.
Matthew: Well… this turned out to be quite the night.
Ren: Yea but… Melia.
Venam: What the hell is going on around here?
Ren: It’s pretty crazy but to give you the short version of it, Team Xen is after Melia.
Matthew: And it turns out Professor Jenner was with Team Xen as well.
Venam: What the fuck?! Why are they after her?!
Matthew: I’m not sure but all I know is that she’s not here. We have to go find her.
Ren: I want to as well but… we need rest.
Venam: Wait! You wanna rest while Melia is Arceus knows where, running away from Team Xen?! We have to go out there and help her!
Matthew: Venam… Trust me. I get what you’re saying. But we’re exhausted. I know you are. And if we try to look for Melia the way we are now, we’ll end up causing problems than resolving them.
Venam: Urgh! Fuck. I hate to admit it but you’re right. Alright. You 2 will sleepover my house tonight. Matt, be ready for tomorrow.
Matthew: I will be. We’ll find Melia and-
Venam: No. That’s not what I mean.
Ren: Uhh… Then what do you mean?
Venam: In order for us to successfully save Melia, we need to get stronger. Matt, tomorrow morning, you’re gonna have a battle against me.
Matthew: You mean a Gym Battle?
Venam: Yes. So be prepared for that. Ren, you go to the Railnet and go to Route 2. You’ll search the area there for Melia.
Ren: Alright. Sounds like a good plan… which is weird coming from you.
Venam: Melia is my best friend. I will do anything in my power to help her.
Ren: Ohh. That reminds me. You’ll probably need Rock Smash for Route 2. So after your Gym Battle with Venam, go find the local gang leader Karrina. She’ll give you that TM.
Matthew: Alright. Sounds like a plan. Now let’s go to Venam’s house and get some sleep.
The 3 of us groggily went to Venam’s house to sleep. Venam went upstairs into her room to sleep as Ren took the floor downstairs and I laid down onto the couch. Soon, I drifted off to sleep as did everyone else. Tomorrow was gonna be 1 hectic day.
POKEMON TEAM!
CHARACTER RATES!
TIME SPENT IN AEVIUM!