Bending the Bars
"Hello." Humans
"Pika-chu." Pokémon addressing Human
"Hello." Pokémon addressing Pokémon
School began that Monday as usual. Throngs of students bustling about with their Pokémon to their classes. Several members of the faculty that were late rushed to get to their own class. Even the occasional Pokémon battle in the halls and recreational arenas. Lillie, however, was not at her usual level of punctuality and energy as she rummaged through her locker. The Oak Family reunion was still weighing heavily upon her. And the addition of her own family did not help that one bit.
"Vulpix?" Snowy chirped before snuggling into her trainer's legs.
"Hm?" Lillie said before looking down. "Oh. I'm fine, Snowy."
"Vulpix Vul." Snowy replied.
"Alright, fine. Yes, I'm still annoyed by the party. Arceus, why does my brother have to be so stupid and brash?" Lillie huffed. "At least that's over now. Now we can get back to class and our normal schedule."
As Lillie finished in her locker, Snowy noticed something down the hall.
"Hey," Jericho called out with a friendly smile.
Lillie turned to see Jericho and gave a small smile. "Morning, Jericho. How are you?" She asked kindly.
"I'm good, me and Seed are going to head out tonight and see if we can help any Pokémon in need." The aforementioned Seed stood at Jericho's leg with a look of determination on its face.
"Is that how Pokémon Rescuers usually do things?" Lillie asked.
"Some do, some don't, they usually try to avoid some of the more dangerous places if they can. Never a problem for us," Jericho said with a shrug.
"Dangerous places? Like what?" Lillie asked curiously.
"Pokémon fight rings." He said with a casual air, a look of disgust crossing his features.
"I'm sorry… what?" Lillie asked in dumbfounded shock.
"Y'know, fight rings, where people fight. But instead of people, they use Pokémon, and they're a lot more brutal than normal matches," Jericho said, glancing down at Seed, who nuzzled into his leg consolingly. "That's where I found Seed."
"That's… that's… oh Arceus, that's horrible." Lillie replied.
"Yeah…" he said, nodding solemnly.
Lillie looked away for a moment in contemplation before speaking up again. "Is… is there anything I can do to help?" She asked.
"Nah, I don't want to expose you to that kind of stuff. But if you're offering, I could always use the help."
"Snivy!" Seed cut in indignantly.
"We could always use the help!" Jericho said, rubbing his cheek with his finger in embarrassment, chucking nervously.
"If it means I can help stop such a horrid practice, I'll do my best to help." Lillie replied, with a hint of determination on her face.
"Is it just going to be you?" The Rescuer asked curiosity.
Lillie smiled at that. "Oh. I know some guys." She replied.
Later: In a study room
Lillie and Jericho opened the doors to the room to immediately find Ash and Gary arguing over something. Ranting, shouting, and bashing their foreheads against each other like Rhydon's. Isaac sat at a nearby table, trying his best to read a book and ignore the two.
"Isaac. What are they arguing about?" Lillie asked through a sigh.
"I don't even know anymore. I've lost track…" Isaac sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"This gallivanting Primeape ate my donuts!" Gary snapped, pointing to Ash.
"Apparently, Ash ate Gary's donuts…" Isaac explained, sounding frustrated as Blaze sighed.
"I did not! You liar!" Ash snapped at Gary.
"And, apparently, Ash is refusing any fault and claiming he did no such thing…" Isaac sighed, beginning to rub his temples.
"Pika-Pika." Came the voice of a certain yellow mouse.
"Squirtle Squirt." Chipped in after.
Lillie and Jericho looked across the room to see Pikachu and Squirtle with a small box of donuts. Happily munching on them. Lillie sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"Ash. Gary. Can you put this argument aside for a moment, please?" She asked frustratedly.
"What's so important that this has to wait?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. Because your bickering was so important." Isaac sarcastically replied.
"Oh? And what are you doing that's so important?" Gary asked snidely at Isaac.
"Not whatever you two are doing." Isaac answered.
"Well, we have something more important than that. Like taking a bite out of crime." Lillie said.
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "What kind of crime are we talking about? Poaching? Black market stolen Pokémon sales? Illegal Pokémon hunting clubs?" He asked.
"How do you…" Lillie started to ask.
"Gym Leader cousin and an uncle on the police force." Isaac explained.
"Jericho. Can you please explain?" Lillie asked with a tone of exasperation.
"Sure. There's a Pokémon fight club near 5th and Amber Street. I was going to go myself, but Lillie offered to help and said she knew some people who could help us. I'm telling you what I told her: I don't want to expose any of you guys to something like it, but if you want to come, I won't stop you." Jericho said, closing his eyes in resignation, then opening them and giving them all a serious look.
Isaac glared at that as Blaze flinched and looked down nervously. "Pokémon Fight Club? I hate those. Only scumbags would use poor, innocent Pokémon like that, so count me in." He replied, hand clenched into a fist.
"Pokémon Fight Club?" Ash asked.
"Illegal Pokémon battling rings where trainers push Pokémon to the point of death for cash and black-market prizes. People bet on the fights to see who'll win. Some Pokémon get crippled for life or even die in these matches." Gary explained, barely contained rage in his tone.
Ash's face contorted in fury at hearing that and soon clenched his fists. "When do we start, Jericho?" He asked determinedly.
"I hope it's right away! Blaze was sold to one of those things by her last trainer and barely escaped with her life before I found her on the streets!" Isaac growled out, punching a wall before Blaze gently hugged his leg.
"That's horrible!" Lillie said in shock.
"Alright. Meet at the warehouse on 5th and Amber Street on Friday. The club gets more crowded on the weekends, from what I've noticed. We're going to save them all." Jericho said with a look of determination, a confident smile on his face.
"Alright. Let's do this!" Ash yelled determinedly and pumped his fist. With everyone else, even Jericho, doing the same.