Eeveelution Squad AU: THE FLASH (Book 1)

CHAPTER 41 - GRODD LIVES

TIMESKIP

MEDLAB, S.T.A.R. LABS

The Team and Lazuli were in the Medlab and Pearl finished giving Speed's brain a quick scan: "You're experiencing a spike of activity in your primary motor cortex. It's the same thing we saw in Eiling. The images you saw were some kind of psychic attack by Grodd."

Lazuli had tears forming in her eyes: "First Spike gets taken by The Man in Yellow, and now my dad..."

Speed: "We're gonna save both of them, Lazuli. I promise you."

Trace: "Hold up. I put a tracker in the tranq dart you shot Grodd with. As soon as it activates-"

Speed shook his head: "No, Trace. I can't wait for that. I will search every inch of that sewer if I have to."

Pearl: "And what happens if you find them? What happens if Grodd takes over your mind the same way he did with Eiling?"

Speed sighed: "I don't...I mean...Can you guys build me something? Some kind of tech so he can't get into my head?"

Trace: "I don't know. Maybe if Dr. Wells were here."

Lazuli scoffed: "I don't understand. Everyday you guys figure out a way to help Pokémon. All of The Flash's powers and all of this equipment, and you can't save Spike and my dad?"

She then walked out of the Medlab into the hallway, Pearl looked at Speed: "We'll figure something out."

Speed nodded: "Fast."

He then followed Lazuli out into the hall

She was about to enter the elevator when Speed caught up to her: "Lazuli-"

Lazuli: "I can't get that sound out of my head. My dad screaming. Why did he insist on going down there with you? He's always preaching about being safe, but not once does he think about running into danger himself."

Speed: "Lazuli--"

She shook her head: "No, Speed. He's just a regular rescuer. He is not some meta-pokémon with superpowers. He's not you."

Speed nodded: "You're right, he's not me. And this isn't his fault. None of this is his fault. Look, yes, maybe Alfred told me not to tell you that I was The Flash, but I didn't have to listen. I could've told you a hundred times I could've told you, and I didn't."

He sighed: "Yes, I should've. So you're right to be mad. But don't be mad at your dad. Be mad at me."

Her voice sounded like it was about to break: "Okay, then explain to me how the Pokémon I thought I knew better than anymon has been keeping secrets from me? Big, life-changing secrets? You were supposed to be my best friend, Speed!"

Speed raised his voice: "I am your best friend!"

Lazuli: "How can you say that when the most important things in your life, the things that matter the most, the things that you're supposed to share, you kept all of them from me? You lied to me about everything!"

Speed: "I know, Lazuli. Look, I know. But you haven't been entirely honest with me either."

She was confused by this: "What--? What are you talking about?"

Speed: "At Christmas, when I told you how I felt, you said that you didn't feel the same way. But I just feel like...I don't know, maybe things aren't that simple. Am I wrong?"

She remained silent, Speed shook his head: "I'm gonna check on Trace and Pearl."

Lazuli was about to say something, but Speed had already turned around and began walking down the hall