Melia looked down, her expression tinged with sorrow. "What do you think my father's side is?"
Ava crossed her legs before leaning back into the cushioned chair, letting out a hefty sigh. "You said it was his idea for you to become a Gym Leader; he was hoping that you'd be protected under the care of the league. He forced you to come out today so you'd miss the abduction. He was probably going to use the time you were gone to talk to someone higher up in the league, like Amanda." Melia looked at Ava, as if wanting to say something. "Chances are his hands are tied. I mean, he's made some attempts to buy you time, even asked me to tag along… Melia, whatever we find out about his role in this, remember that your father loves you."
The blonde looked up at Ava, her gray eyes glistening with a heart-wrenching expression. "Why… Why didn't he tell me anything?" Melia buried her face in her hands. "WHY WOULD YOU KEEP ME IN THE DARK?!" Melia began to weep, her tears trickling from under her hands.
I get where you're coming from, but what the hell do you expect him to say? Ava thought. "Hey daughter of mine, when you turn 18, I'll hand you over to a terrorist organization." Like... Ava looked at Melia, her internal sigh evident. You need comfort... With a grunt, she sat next to Melia and rubbed her back. "You know, I have a very buff shoulder. I've been told it's nice to rest on."
Melia spoke through her tears, "Thank you," then leaned on Ava's shoulder. They stayed that way until the train stopped and Melia disembarked.
I want to protect her. I'm not sure why—maybe it's her cute demeanor, or maybe it's something else—but I just want to protect her. Ava looks on at everybody else on the train, all of them tired and battered, then at Melia.
Once the train doors opened at Gearen City Melia bolts out clenching her suitcase. "We need to go to the lab, we deserve answers."
I guess that's what we're doing. Ava follows lead her coral hair bouncing.
As Ava entered the lab, Melia yanked her behind a bookshelf. "I've never seen her before, but I've heard her voice. I want to see if she has something to do with this," Melia whispered into Ava's ear.
The red-haired woman standing in front of Professor Jenner's desk spoke in an annoyed yet seductive tone. "You know, I don't appreciate being hung up on like that. It was very rude, and I should report you for misconduct."
Jenner stared at her tiredly, then huffed. "People walked into the room, Madelis. What did you want me to do?"
"Lock the door? That would've prevented all of this from happening." Madelis glanced around. "Not that it particularly matters; Zetta should be picking Melia up very soon."
Jenner's eye twitched subtly. "Yes…"
"Why so glum? You knew this was going to happen."
Anger flashed across Melia's face, and Ava tugged on the collar of her sweater and whispered, "Not yet."
"From the moment we gave you the job of looking after Melia as she grew up, we made it very clear," Madelis continued, her tone shifting to something more belittling. "Melia was only going to be with you temporarily. Once she grew up, you'd only have to return her to us."
Jenner huffed harder, with a bit of strain in his throat. "I haven't forgotten. I've never forgotten."
"Hmm…" Madelis stared at the professor whimsically. "Well, for your sake, I hope that's the case." She sighed. "I told you that getting attached would ruin you, and it looks like it has." Madelis let out a small huff. "Just look at it as a sacrifice. We'll have our lives back after this. It'll all be over… in due time."
Melia slowly stepped out from behind the bookcase. "I knew it…" Her face twisted with anger and sorrow.
"M-Melia, you made it!" Jenner smiled. "Thank goodness!"
"Yo." Ava peered past the bookcase.
"And Ava too…" Jenner added, less enthusiastically. "I knew it was wise to leave you in—"
"Jenner, what the hell are you playing at?! Melia is supposed to be at Goldenwood Forest! What is she doing here?!" Madelis flung her arm wide with a small bow.
"Been there, it was awful. Big motherfuckin' Gyarados, so we came back. Also, Zetta needs stronger coffee; he looked dead tired."
"Who the hell is this?!" Madelis pointed toward Ava.
"I knew the moment I found the Snag Machine in the briefcase. You gave it to me today of all days, 'to punch in a code when things got sour…'" Jenner stayed silent, looking away from Melia with a pained expression.
"You gave it to me because you knew! You knew this would happen! Yet…" Melia's sorrow turned to confusion as her anger shifted to disbelief. "You sent me on my way anyway… And you got Ava involved too?" She huffed, snaping her head back while doing so. "After all these years… You weren't my real father. You never told me the truth!" Her panting filled the room.
Jenner stood up behind his desk, gesturing for calm with his hands. "Melia, please lis—"
"I AM DONE listening to you! Everything you've done was to set me up!"
Madelis turned to Melia so quickly she created a small breeze. "Enough of this! I don't understand what's going on, but I'm ending it." She tossed out a Houndoom. "Come to me, Houndoom!"
I-I shouldn't get involved, Ava leans back against the bookshelf.
"I'm not scared of you! Hapi, come out!"
"Houndoom, use Nasty Plot!" The Houndoom howled loudly.
"Hapi, use Metronome!" Togepi waved its small hand back and forth, beginning to glow white until… both it and Melia popped out of existence.
"You have got to be kidding me. Fantastic!" Madelis started jogging towards the entrance but stopped at the door and turned to Jenner. "I'm not letting this go unpunished! Neither will she." Madelis ran through the door, yelling into a hand held radio.
"Attention, Team Xen members! This is your beautiful and gorgeous Xen executive speaking~! Our target has been lost once more. However, all hope is not lost! Melia should be…" her voice finally faded out.
"This… This is a disaster." Jenner rested his face in the palm of his hand. "Everything that's happening… It wasn't supposed to go this way. If Madelis hadn't come now of all times… Ava, I—" Jenner was interrupted by a masculine voice from behind the door.
"Professor!" Ren burst through the door. "Professor, this is bad! There are Xen Grunts all over the city! Venam is fighting off as many as she can, but—"
"You two, listen to me very carefully. Team Xen is after Melia. If they find her, it'll be over for all of us. I need you two to leave and find her immediately! East Gearen and the forest are off-limits. She could've gone in the direction of Route 2. The railnet east of here will be able to take you to Route 2 without any problem—" Jenner was cut off by a stern feminine voice.
"That's enough," the voice commanded, then an oddly colored Gothitelle appeared between Ava and Jenner. "Do not be alarmed by the Gothitelle. They're just… a companion."
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Ren demanded, looking for the voice.
Ava shook her head. "I would prefer if you didn't, Crescent. She's not part of Team Xen," Ava reassured Ren.
"Hm." The hum expressed a minute twinge of displeasure before a Gothitelle cried something. "Professor Jenner… How irresponsible and horrible to try and send children to clean up a mess you made. It enrages me to even think about what Ava could've gone through if I hadn't… Where is she?" The door closed with Ava dashing through the exit.