Precious Doll in This Ugly World [Pokemon Fanfic, 2015 PKMNWatties]

Desperate Roads

Warning: Disturbing images ahead, mostly surrounding Lysandre's scene and I guess around Xerosic.

If Ash said anything, she knew she'd start crying. So she said nothing as she looked back at Tobias, who was watching her quietly.

"You've caused quite a bit of trouble for me, haven't you?" he said finally.

She flinched.

"Well, I'm certainly not too bothered by it," he admitted, causing her to look at him in shock. "You could still turn a profit for me, and make up for all of that easily. And just within days."

"No!" Ash screeched. She lurched back, only to tumble to the ground. When she looked down, she saw that her ankles were suddenly bound together with rope, as were her wrists.

"Now, now," he stood up from his chair and stalked closer to her. "You shouldn't act like that. You have to remember -the client gets what he wants, whatever he wants."

Ash shot up in bed, sweating as she awoke from the nightmare. Her breathing was heavy and she felt tears at the corner of her eyes, threatening to spill.

"Are you okay?" N asked her in worry, and she looked over to see him watching her anxiously from his bed.

She gave him a trembling smile and nodded. "Yeah...it was just a nightmare."

He got up from his bed and came over, sitting on hers tentatively and pulling his legs up.

"...Was it bad?" he asked quietly.

Ash hesitated, before nodding. "It was. I saw someone I'm terrified of, and I was back with him and in that situation. I don't want to get caught again."

"You won't," N said confidently, reaching over to give her shoulder a squeeze. "I have a good feeling. And you're almost home anyway. It'll be fine, I'm sure."

Ash hoped so too, so she gave him as sincere a grin as she could. She then leaned over to him and hugged him close, hoping that one day she'd be able to see him again and they could be friends with no worries. She was going to miss him and the others, like she was already missing Colress. She figured, once she got home, she'd find a way to get in contact with all of them. Even everyone she met in Kalos -she'd have to find a way to contact them and let them know she was okay and back home, and then be able to keep in contact.

There was a knock at their door and N went to answer it, finding Brad and Aldith on the other side. Finding out the ship had stopped and that they were on the shores of Sunyshore City, they all exited off of the ship, where Brad frowned at Ash.

"Are you sure you don't want us coming with you?"

Ash wasn't sure. Actually, she really wanted them to stay with her the entire way. But...

"As much as I want you guys with me, I really want the others to go home too," she gave him a small smile. "I had a decent guy last time, who helped me out a little, but I think the others were stuck with people who really hurt them to make sure they obeyed. So please go back and help them go back home too."

She could see the three of them were reluctant still, but nonetheless exchanged goodbyes with her. And then they were back on the ship and Ash was moving away and watching the ship sail back into the waters. From there, she hefted the bag she'd been given more onto her shoulder, and began to walk around the city. She had enough money to buy some food, which she went off to do. She was hungry and hadn't eaten in a while, so it should be fine. She just had to make sure not to splurge, and to keep track of the money she'd been given so she didn't run out right away.