32. Ash's Reborn Story

Chapter 24 Abducted by Doctor

After getting out of the battlefield, they find Victoria and Cal meditating.

Cal: (Opens his eyes and notices Ash) Done already?

Victoria: Don't just get immediately distracted! Meditation is about maintaining focus even when something happens in the environment around you!

Cal: Sure, sure...

Victoria: (Opens her eyes and sees Ash) Well, it doesn't matter now; we may as well talk. I take it you won, then? Congratulations!

Ash: Yeah, but what are you doing?

Victoria: I'd just been teaching Cal some basic techniques for maintaining composure. Seems like a lot of people get frustrated around here, haha...

Sigmund: (At the lobby) Excuse me? (Walks towards the second floor and finds Ash and the others) I believe I was called for? In service to the Gym Leader. Is she present?

Shelly: (Turns to the man and gulps) S-sorry, you're looking for me? You're the- the, um...

Sigmund: (Bows) Dr. Sigmund Connal, at your beckon. I specialize in children's services and mental health. Do you know why I'm here today?

Shelly: (Nods) Um, because... Because I wasn't feeling so g-great, earlier. There was, um...

Cal: She saw things a kid shouldn't have to see. And then to top it all off, some ignoramus jerk-off challenger came in here and all but spit in her face!

Sigmund: I see. I suppose you two are her parents...?

Victoria: (Looks at Cal) W-what, he and- As if!

Sigmund: Legal guardians, then?

Shelly: (Cuts him off) S-sir, if you will, I'm here with the signed consent of my parents. They live abroad, and my brother too- The expenses are taken care of via the League salary, and... And, um... so it's just... It's, um, just me...

Sigmund: (A little disappointed) But in good legal and financial standing. To be independent at such an age is truly impressive.

Shelly: T-thank you, sir! It was the same for my brother, so I wanted- I wanted to challenge myself to... be like him...

Sigmund: (Turns to Ash and the others) And then your relation is...?

Cal: Just a concerned friend. Look, just focus on her, will you?

Sigmund: It appears to be a peculiar friendship.

Shelly: Cal and I met through the League! We got along and talked a lot because- Well, because he's like me!

Sigmund: In what sense, exactly?

Shelly: It was the same with his brother! In both our cases, it was our reason for entering the League.

Cal: It was stupid. And I already stepped out of that a while ago...

Sigmund: (Nods) Ah, yes, Cal Whitaker, was it? Your successor is a client of mine. I recall hearing about the circumstances before your resignation... I admit, I was quite bemused to hear that a Fire Type Gym Leader would lose to a team full of Ice Types like that...

Cal: (Annoyed) Hey. Shut up.

Sigmund: For what purpose, I wonder? Do you live in denial yourself about the incident? Or are you simply embarrassed to admit failures in front of the present company?