Unpredictable (Pokémon Fanfic)

3.3

It's been calm for the last few days. At least here in Johto. Kalos is another story. The situation hasn't escalated, but it certainly hasn't gotten any better. From what little Russet has been able to tell me, Sage is alright, though. That's good. That's really all that matters.

Speaking of Russet, it seems that my texts I sent him really spurred him into action. Now he's been reporting in to me every other day. It isn't typically amazing news, nor is it always relevant, but I give him points for being a little bit more forward.

Either way, there isn't much I can do now. Lance wants to have an official meeting with me. It's presumably about my self-defense. I don't understand what it is he could want to discuss. I thought our conversation in the hospital was pretty telling. He's going to look after me a lot more now. That's. . . fine. Not ideal, but I can work with it. Especially with Averie how she is now.

She's been calmer lately. No, that's not the word. I guess more accurate would be that she hasn't been as jittery lately. Maybe she knows that I know about her powers now. I would talk to her about it, but she's a Pokémon. I know they understand human speech to an extent, but I don't think it's enough to have full on conversations about precognition. Today, however, Averie is on edge. It wouldn't be a stretch to say she's angry. Lance told me that the meeting would be only between the two of us. I had to leave her behind. Averie wants to be there, I know. She wants to protect me.

Right now, I'm on my way to our appointment at the Ecruteak Dance Theater. About three days ago, we were all told to go home. They never did find Peridot. I don't think they've given up, but the gym leaders are exhausted. Lance doesn't want them to overexert themselves.

I know why Lance chose the theater to meet, but it still seems odd. I would've chosen somewhere a little more professional, but I guess there aren't too many other places in Ecruteak that fit that description. Either way, at least it won't be somewhere hidden away. There are going to be people within earshot, so Lance can't be trying to do too much.

I arrive and spot Lance sitting in a secluded table in the corner of the hall. He doesn't seem to notice me. Instead his attention is captured by the dancers on stage. I have to give them props. Not only are they talented, they're part of the reason Akia and I are here. Well, they at least made it a lot easier. I walk over to the table Lance is at and sit across from him silently. He looks a little startled, obviously not noticing me until I sat down.

"Good afternoon, Stephanie. I trust all has been well with you?"

I nod and offer no questions of my own. He seems to take notice.

"Guess I'll just cut to the chase then." He grabs a bottle of some sort of drink and pours a glass. He reaches for a second one before pausing. "How old are you, again?"

Uh. . . I think I'm like twenty or something. I could be eighteen. I decide to go with nineteen. The answer seems to satisfy him because he pours the drink into the glass and slides it to me. Oh. I guess it's alcohol of some kind. I'm not going to drink it. In fact, that's the last thing I need to do.

He takes a sip of his own drink before speaking. "Based on everything that is happening right now, I realize that I cannot afford any major distractions. My focus needs to be solely on keeping Johto and Kanto out of involvement with Kalos. In some respects, I have already failed to do this."

"I thought you said you'd cut to the chase," I interrupt. As rude as it may seem, I can tell you neither of us wants to be around the other right now.

"Yes, my apologies." He takes another sip and sighs. "Stephanie, until further notice, you are to be serving as my charge."

I stare at him. . . Then take a drink myself. It's a lot sweeter than I had anticipated. "I'm sorry. What?"

"I need to keep an eye on you myself. Stephanie, what you did. . . It can't be as simple as you needed to defend yourself. In fact, I highly doubt that it is. But right now, there are bigger issues to deal with. I don't need any more problems. From now until I see fit, I will be personally responsible for you."

"Isn't that counter-productive, though? I mean, looking after me would be one more thing you'd have to worry about."

"I would rather be directly in control of a situation than have to depend on someone else to do it for me. As much as I trust my colleagues, even Faerydae to an extent, I want you directly under my control. I don't trust you Stephanie—I never have. You know this. What happened last week only reinforces my previous worries."

"But—"

"No. There is no room for argument. We leave in two days."

I lean back in my chair and down the rest of my drink. "Did you tell Faerydae?"

"No. You may, if you wish, but there is no need to." He takes another shot of his drink. 'And don't try running away or anything. Please Stephanie. Don't make this harder than it needs to be. I want this about as much as you do."

I let out a deep sigh. "Is that all?"

"For the time being, yes. You are free to go, preferably back to the gym." I stand up and leave without another word.

I'm upset. Maybe not to levels of anger quite yet, but I'm very upset. He said it himself: he wants me directly under his control. I can't have that. No. I can't. But I don't have another choice. I think telling Akia would be a bad idea, but what am I supposed to do? I can't run. I wouldn't make it far. Especially not when Lance is probably following my every move right now. And what does this mean for my current plan? Just how closely does Lance plan on watching me? I can't take any risks right now.

I pull out my Pokégear and text Russet.

Do not contact me until I contact you. Unless there are serious issues, you are not to get in touch with me in any way.

I send it. Hopefully, he abides by this rule. I need to scope out my situation first. I need to know just what I'm in store for.

- - - - - - - - - -

Uhhh... What's that? 4 weeks in a row (I think). Yup. I'm back.

So yeah, thanks for reading and stuff. Leave any suggestions or comments or anything that you might have. See you next Saturday!

Bye!!!