Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 35: Downtime

"So," I stared through the window at Diantha on a hospital bed, connected to a machines and an IV bag. "Any updates?"

Diantha's doctor nodded. "Diantha's in stable condition. Whatever the Cult managed to do to her, it isn't showing any signs of being damaging, aside from just weakening her. We're currently working on finding different ways to approach treating her, but none seem to be effective. We'll only be able to monitor her situation until she wakes up I'm afraid."

I nodded. "Alright, thanks."

As I made my way out of the hospital, I contacted Alex through our Holo Casters. "Just checked on Diantha. Nothing new since you came yesterday."

She nodded, the hologram of her flickering slightly. "Hopefully she'll get better. Oh, Sycamore requested you. He wants to see how Frogadier is doing."

"I'll be right there," I promised, shutting off the device and nearly ran into someone.

"Oh," I backed up. "Sor-"

The word got lost on its way out as I stared at the red-maned man towering over me. He still wore his suit, the red outlines on his black leather suit doing nothing but confirm my knowledge of him being the leader of Team Flare.

"Lysandre," I said, managing to control the tone of my voice. I had to hope he didn't know that we knew of his status. "Why are you here?"

"Ah," he looked at me. "Zeno, was it? I am only here to give my regards to Diantha."

He lifted his hand to show the white roses in his grasp. "These were always her favorite. It's appalling that the Cult decided to target her. Do not worry, child. I am providing enough funds and resources for her care as well as for helping the police find the Cult. This is what is important right now, don't you agree?"

He walked off towards Diantha's room, his purposeful stride almost mockingly in a way. 

"Yeah," I said. "Important."

...

"You wanted me, Professor?" I asked, knocking on his office door.

He looked up from his paperwork. "Ah, yes, thank you for coming."

He stood and shook my hand. "Let me thank you again for helping out. As well as every trainer there. Without even one of you, I don't know if we would have had this successful of an outcome. Things could've been worse."

He looked back at the paperwork on his desk. "I'm been doing a lot, as well as some stuff that Diantha was supposed to do."

"Don't overwork yourself too much," I smiled. "But I do see rebuilding is coming along nicely."

"Yes," Sycamore smiled, going over to the window to look out at the streets of Lumiose. "So many people are still chipping in. Simply magnifique."

"You've been working hard this whole week as well," Sycamore said, turning back to me. "You and your friends. I've sent them off for a break, so do go join them."

"If you insist," I nodded and turned to leave, then, "Didn't you want to see Frogadier?"

"Goodness me," he ruffled his hair, grinning sheepishly. "I guess I forgot. Yes, that would be great. You've had him for over a month now. I want to check his health and determine if anything has changed."

After handing him Frogadier's pokeball, I bid the professor farewell and headed out of the Pokemon Lab. Checking my Holo Caster, I headed over to Cafe Cyclone over in Vert Plaza. As I entered the circular plaza, I took note that they had put in another stone monument in the center. The nearby buildings were still being repaired, but it seemed like the workers and Pokemon were all on break, relaxing on the grass outlining the plaza and having lunch.