Turbulent Magma

Chapter 11: A Fork in the Road

(Maxie's POV)

I was pacing my office. I didn't know what to do, and I had two options to pick from. The first was that I stay behind and help Courtney, and the other is that I try to do something to get Sarah back. I started to think about the pros about helping Sarah. If I helped her, I'd bring glory to Team Magma, as I would be showing that I was willing to help my Admins. But, there is there is also a big downside if I were to do that. Courtney would probably hate me for not sticking with her. But if I did the exact opposite, the pros and downsides are also exact opposites.

I sighed, and went to the break room to get myself a cup of coffee. I sat down, and started to contemplate my options. I then saw something hanging up that caught my attention.

POKEMON CONTEST SPECTACULAR!

This Friday, Wallace, the Sootopolis City Gym Leader is holding
a special event for all Coordinators! This special event is called
the Wallace Cup! All Coordinators, pros or beginners, are welcome
to enter this event! There will also be an exciting exhibition battle to start
 things up!It will be held at the Stadium in Sootopolis, and
will begin at 7:00PM. Please go to your nearest Pokemon Center to
register today!

That's it. I had to go to Wallace and Winona. I don't care if I'm going to end up regretting this. I am going to go and help Sarah.

I then went outside, and sent out my Charizard, mounted, and went to Sootopolis.

Once we got there, Charizard landed in front of the Sootopolis Gym, and I returned him. I then casually walked into the Gym, and an alarm started to go off. "What the heck?!"

An automated voice then started to speak. "Team Magma detected! Team Magma detected!" However, it stopped almost as soon as it had started. Wallace and Winona then came running out.

"Maxie! What are you doing here?!" Winona said to me.

I sighed, putting my hands in my pockets. "It's about Sarah."

Wallace looked right at me. "Were you able to get her back?"

I then looked at him, a bit intrigued. "Wait. How do you already know that she was taken captive by Team Aqua?"

Wallace sighed. "To be honest, I actually saw them loading her into the truck, and I followed, hoping I would be able to save her. But, as you can see, I was unsuccessful."

I then had an idea pop into mind. "Wait. I actually have a decent idea," I said as I took my hands out of my pockets.

Winona then walked over to me, and took my hands in hers, and looked in my eyes. "Maxie, Wallace and I will do whatever it takes. We just want our little girl back."

I smiled. "Of course, Winona."

Winona and I actually have a bit of history between the two of us, and even though Wallace knows, he doesn't seem to mind. Back in high school, we were sweethearts, but we then had a huge fight, and we ended up breaking up.

Winona smiled and lightly kissed my cheek, and I blushed. "Thank you, Maxie."

I nodded, and gently pushed her away, and walked over to Wallace. "So, this plan is a bit of a complicated one."

Wallace sighed. "I don't care what it takes. Like Winona said, we will do whatever it takes. We just want Sarah to be alright."

I sighed, and nodded. "Alright. So, here's what I was thinking. We would all go there as a group. Then, Wallace would go in, by himself, and try to negotiate something with Archie, and I am well aware of the fact that he will not agree to anything you say. The reason is so we can stall him. While you are doing that Wallace, Winona and I will actually go and get Sarah. So, do you guys think that this is a good idea?"

Wallace nodded. "Yes. This sounds like a wonderful plan. You agree, don't you, Winona?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I like this plan."

I sighed. "Alright. We head out tomorrow morning. After all, it is getting pretty late out.," I said as I looked outside. "Oh, and Wallace, would you mind if I just spent the night here? I have a feeling that I won't be easily accepted into a hotel."

Wallace nodded. "Of course, Maxie. You wouldn't mind if you slept on the living room sofa, would you?"

I shook my head. "No. I wouldn't mind at all." The cool thing about the Sootopolis City Gym was that it was one of the few Gyms that actually had a house built onto the back of it, so the Gym Leader can have the comfort of home, and not have to worry about going far between their job and their home.