Rigorous Relationships

Captures and Conflicts

"Cal," Ash said, "Hey Cal, get up."

Cal groaned and rolled on his side, covering his head with his sheets. "Shhh. Five more minutes."

Ash threw a pillow at Cal, hitting him square in his head. "Get up. The Lieutenant wants to see us."

Cal poked his head out from under his covers. "All of us, or just us two?"

"All of us."

Cal groaned again, "Fine." He pulled down his covers and rolled out of bed. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he asked what time it was.

Ash was quite for a second as he looked at the digital clock on his nightstand. "It's 5:15 in the morning," he said with mild indifference at the time.

Cal on the other hand, was rather peeved with being woke up so early. "The heck man, what's with the early wake up!"

"The lieutenant said he wanted to speak with us," Ash repeated.

"Yeah yeah, I know." He stood up and grabbed some clothes from his bag. "Lemme put some clothes on, I'll be down in a minute."

Ash nodded and left Cal to get dressed. As he slipped into his day clothes, Cals mind wandered to the Pokémon from last night. He couldn't get them out of his head, there was so much mystery wrapped around them. Where'd they come from? Did they have trainers? How did they fall into the hands of the poachers? But the biggest and most important question to Cal, was what would happen to them.

He knew they would be well taken care of now, but where would they live? Who would watch over them? Would they be together or would they be separated? All these questions pestered Cal's thoughts, burrowing themselves into his subconscious, as he descended to the lodge's main lobby. Upon reaching the room he found his friends, along with the three trainers they'd met yesterday, seated around a slightly husky man dressed in ranger apparel; which consisted of a red beret, a red denim jacket with matching pants, black gloves, and black hiking shoes. Everyone, save Ash and the Lieutenant, looked as if they'd just rolled out of bed, which given the time was very likely.

Cal sat down between Dena and Ash, and asked what everyone else was wondering. "Lieutenant, what's so important that we had to wake before the sun?"

The Lieutenant raised an eyebrow at the boldness of Cal's question, but made nothing of it. Instead he explained to them why he had summoned them. "As I'm sure you're all aware, last night we took two known poachers into custody... Or perhaps not," he said in response to the active head turning among the group. "Regardless, these poachers were a part of a much larger organization that doesn't take kindly to interference in their practice. This station has already interfered substantially in their business, and was likely a target of their retribution. But with the capture of two of their members, retaliation is a certainty.

"That is why we're evacuating the area of all civilians/non essential personnel, and bringing in special operatives to handle the situation. You, along with a number of staff members, will be required to leave the premises by 0'800 hours. We recommend that you head to either Petalburg city or catch the ferry to Dewford town. The gym leaders there have been informed of the situation and are willing to provide protection, if you feel like you might be targeted by this group." Cal noticed the Lieutenant glanced towards him and Dena when he said the part about the gym leaders.

"If you have any questions," he continued, "please speak with Nancy as I-" Nancy suddenly barged into the room- "will be preoccupied. Yes Nancy, is there something I can help you with?"

Nancy frantically began explaining her predicament to the Lieutenant, but she was speaking too fast for him to understand, and instead handed him some paperwork as an explanation. He briefly read the paper before frowning and looking at the group.