Lumiose University - A Degree In Pokemon

Chapter 30: Hawlucha's Little Brother

Author's Note:

Hooray, Lumiose University is back! After...3 months? Again, I'm sorry about that. Crazy summer. Anyways, for those that didn't see, there's a oneshot out, that I published about 2 weeks ago. "Gotta Catch Some Sun" is the title. Set in the GCTO universe.

As for this, boy, it's been a long time. Anyways, last time was the end of the 2nd set of IPL matches where things went crazy as the presence of Pokemon hunters was discovered. Things were getting intense, so it definitely wasn't a good time for the gap in chapters. Think of it like a cliffhanger for the end of a season of a TV show.

Oh, and for those wondering. The rest of the OCs are coming in Coumarine. So, that's that. Let's get back to LU...finally.

Chapter 30: Hawlucha's Little Brother

Ash had a hard time sleeping on the night he and his friends returned to Lumiose City from their disappointing, and towards the end, very stressful, weekend. He lay in bed, remembering the scene of the clearing Trevor had shown him and the others. It had made him sick. The cages, the patches of blood, the scattered feathers, the clumps of fur. He clenched his fists underneath the covers, grabbing the sheets in his fingers and pulling them up unintentionally.

He was frustrated. He was frustrated that someone, even more than just someone, could do such terrible things to Pokemon. He was frustrated that he'd been unable to keep his word to Serena and had almost allowed Absol to get pulled back into that terrible world. And, he was frustrated that he could do nothing. He and his friends were completely left out of it now, despite being the ones to find the clearing.

When Officer Jenny had arrived on the scene, the Lumiose students had given their accounts of what had happened and what they'd seen, but once Jenny had gotten enough information, everyone had been sent back to the Pokemon Centre. Ash, of course, had argued that they needed to stay, in order to help find the hunters. However, Jenny wouldn't hear any of it, telling them the hunters would be long gone by now, having either left the area around the city entirely, or having found somewhere better to hide. And once back at the Pokemon Centre, Professor Sycamore, and the rest of the Lumiose staff present, appeared to agree with leaving the matter to the police.

After getting their Pokemon checked on by Nurse Joy, most importantly Absol, and after a bit more arguing from the Lumiose students, the group was led to the bus by Sycamore, where a few of the Shalour students were waiting to say their goodbyes. Korrina, who was also frustrated, as Gurkinn had urged his own students, particularly her, to stay out of the matter, was waiting for them as they left.

"Don't worry, guys," she'd told them, "I'll keep an eye out for anything strange going on. If those hunters are around here, I'll find out. I promise." She had then given a wink to Clemont, saying, "Clemont's got my number, so we'll keep in touch. Nobody hurts Pokemon in this city when I'm the Gym Leader, and I'll be grateful if you guys are able to help if we find anything."

"Of course we'll help," Serena had promised, Absol growling in agreement at her side. "Someone needs to do something."

And with that, they departed on their long and frustrating bus ride. Not only were they exiting their second IPL match with another zero on the board for both teams, but they were leaving new friends and many Pokemon behind, with no idea what kind of danger they were in. None of them had been able to relax on the bus, and Ash had noticed Sycamore and the coaches appeared frustrated as well, despite not allowing them to do anymore in the hunting matter.

When they'd finally arrived in Lumiose City, the tired group had quickly set off to their residences, Sycamore setting off with Bonnie to drop her off at home. Serena, realizing there was little point to taking Absol to the Pokemon Centre, brought him along with her and Shauna. They, along with Ash and Clemont, arrived with slumped shoulders at the Greninja building, before splitting off to their respective rooms on the third floor.