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Hard Enough - Chapter 304 - Family drama
🕑 Added 2025-02-25 19:00:08 +0000 UTCBrock:- the MC
Sabrina:- the best girl
Lola:- Brock’s absentee Mother and Flint’s wife.
Flint:- Brock’s father who returned earlier in the story. Has been trying to make amends. His wife is his weak spot sadly.
Yolanda:- Oldest girl in Brock’s family.
Salvadore:- fourth oldest child after Brock, Forrest, and Yolanda.
Cindy and Tommy:- first set of twins and fifth and sixth children of Flint and Lola. 7 years old going on 8 soon.
Suzie and Timmy:- second set of twins and seventh and eighth children almost 5 years old. Lola left very soon after they were born.
Tilly and Billy:- third set of twins and the ninth and tenth children of Lola and Flint. Only 4 years old. Lola left very soon after they were born.
Cynthia:- Champion of Sinnoh and Lola’s BFF, apparently.
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There were a lot of good things about flying into Indigo in a private jet.
You didn’t really have to go through customs when you were obviously rich enough to waive such concerns. Well, not really, but they were much more polite and welcoming than they were to those flying coach or even first class on a commercial airline.
If you could afford a private jet, you would be treated as the VIP of all VIPs.
Sadly, we didn’t own our private jet, so the flight, comfortable and luxurious as it had been, was not as idyllic as it could have been.
There were too many places we didn’t dare tread or cupboards we knew shouldn’t be opened.
When we exited the plane, we were met by an extremely polite security official who performed an extremely perfunctory check of our identities before waving us through.
A bevy of text messages began chirping out over my Xtransciver and I glanced at it to find it was ten messages from Rachel apologising for not recognising Lola.
Another mentioned punishing herself for being a useless lesbian. While another detailed how Cynthia of all people had been there when Lola tried to enter the house.
Surprisingly Flint had apparently initially barred her entrance only for Cynthia’s presence to force his hand for politeness’s sake. At least that’s what Rachel’s take was.
I sent her a quick message back thanking her and telling her to relax.
I shot Trixie a quick message stating that I was back in Indigo and Rachel’s job was secure.
I took a moment to pause and look back at the jet. There was a serious temptation to ask the pilot to step outside so Sabrina and I could ‘discover’ a fault that would result in the plane’s spontaneous destruction.
I considered it for a moment before turning away.
“We need to buy a jet,” I said instead to Sabrina who merely nodded.
“It will be done,” she said, lacing her arm through mine and walking through a set of doors where a limousine was waiting for us with a smiling chauffeur.
I waved a hand. “Not needed,” I said.
The man had barely a moment to give us a confused look before Sabrina hit the threshold of where the dark emitters worked and we vanished in a Teleport.
We reappeared in my room.
I looked around for some sign that things had changed and thankfully, there was nothing immediate. No signs that she’d been in my room or that anything had changed.
I relaxed slightly, only for laughter to ring through the house.
It was higher pitched and evoked memories I hadn’t touched in years.
Lola was in the house.
I clenched my fists and grit my teeth as I eyed the door.
“What is your plan going to be?” Sabrina asked.
“I have no idea,” I said honestly as Lola laughed again. I felt myself tense up further. It was weird how much hearing someone’s laugh of all things would cause this sort of reaction.
“I kind of want to just kick her out,” I stated firmly. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. “I think I need to confront her… as well as ask the others why my wishes about her not entering the house weren’t stuck to.” I waved a hand towards the door. “I think I have a good idea why, but…” I flapped my hand helplessly.
“You want them to confirm it instead of merely assuming the worst of your family?” Sabrina prompted.
I grunted an affirmative before squaring my shoulders and marching through my door and down the hallway to the kitchen and lounge area of the house.
When I entered, I stood in the doorway taking everything in.
Lola was sitting on the couch.
Looking like nothing at all was wrong with her being there. She had the youngest twins, Tilly and Billy in her lap. Both of them were staring at her, uncertain about this strange and yet familiar woman.
I’d never gone out of my way to set up pictures of Lola throughout the house. We had pictures of our family as it was for those who were present.
Flint himself had only just started to feature in a few with some notable moments being him watching Cindy’s pokeflute recital, and being part of the cheer squad for my Ace tournament victory.
There was another of him working alongside a bunch of miners in one of the Megarock INC dig sites that he’d taken Salvadore to. The picture showed him lifting up some evolutionary stones and smiling widely.
All of this was to say that Lola, as a concept, was known to them, but as a person they had no idea who she was. They continued to stare and sometimes smiled along with her but there was a hesitance to their actions that should have been a sign to Lola.
She didn’t even seem to notice, with how her attention bounced from child to child.
She smiled freely at all of the kids until the point that her gaze swivelled and landed upon me.
She fucking had the audacity to brighten up like her day had just been made.
She shifted Tilly and Billy off her lap and launched herself at me.
Instinct flashed through me as I started to close my fist, clenching through my core as I pivoted with my legs, allowing power to transfer into my swinging pun— I caught myself before I could strike her across the jaw.
No matter how much I desired to lay her out.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t or didn’t want to, it was that I shouldn’t.
My brothers and sisters were watching.
Laying out Lola as the first thing I did wasn’t going to heal old wounds and would instead terrify them.
I halted my momentum and opened my hand so my palm was extended.
I had a moment where I caught Lola’s confusion at my actions right before she slammed face-first into my palm with her full weight.
Heh, she’d slammed into my palm like a bug into a windscreen.
“Owwie!” she whined, flailing in my grip. “My little man is being mean to me Flint! Come here Brock! Let your mother give you a hug!” She tried scrambling out of my block, but I closed my fingers tightly and denied her.
“Ouch! Brock dearest, you’re hurting Mummy!” she said.
Part of me was pleased to hear it, but that part of me lamented the fact that our reunion was occurring in front of my siblings. Oh she was lucky.
Flint stood and coughed. “Uhm, Brock you should… let Lola down,” he said, eying me carefully.
Yolanda and Salvadore had stood in shock. The others were all also watching me with wide eyes. Like little sponges they were soaking up everything going on around them.
I exhaled and lightly pushed Lola back to give myself room.
“Don’t try that again. I’m not letting you hug me,” I stated clearly, locking eyes with her.
Lola blinked. Then she tilted her head and blinked again. “Brock dear, you’re being silly. I get that you’re all grown up now, but I’m your mother,” she said with a slightly scolding tone.
My lips twitched at her presumption, and behind her Yolanda winced.
Flint started flapping his hands about in front of Lola. “Dear, maybe you should just let this drop! Brock’s tired from—”
“No,” I stated. My voice resonated through the room, filling it with the intensity of the emotions I was repressing. It wasn’t loud, but it got the message across.
I locked eyes with Lola. “It’s not because I’m tired. It’s because I don’t want you to hug me.” I worked my jaw back and forth before continuing. “And so we’re clear from the start, I don’t see you as my mother.”
Lola blinked. “Brock, you’re not making any sense. You’re my baby boy. My first baby boy and I’m your mother.”
“No,” I repeated. “You lost that right when you left. Not once, but multiple times.”
Lola blinked.
Then she twitched in a manner that almost looked like she was glitching.
“Oh, you’re just sad that I haven’t given you enough hugs!”
I bared my teeth as she raised her hands again. This woman!
How was she being so dense? She was obviously hearing my words but she was still discarding them!
When she took a step towards me with her arms outstretched once more, I raised my hand, more than prepared to block her.
She frowned. “Brock this isn’t how you greet a family member that’s been away. You’re being very rude!”
“You don’t have any legs to stand on about what’s rude and what’s not!” I snapped.
Lola blinked. “What I did was for the family.”
“Like hell it was! It was for you to validate yourself!” I snapped only to regret it when I heard a few little gasps of shock.
“Brock said a bad word!” chimed Suzie and Timmy causing me to huff.
Lola nodded along. “He did, perhaps someone needs to go to their room and think—”
“No. This is my house, along with my Gym. If anyone needs to leave, it’s you,” I said, laying down my line in the sand. I was starting to get an idea of how this was going to go for me though.
Lola just blinked at me blankly. “Brock, families stay together,” she said like she was talking to an unruly child.
I inhaled hot air and felt about ready to growl at this woman. A burning feeling was building within my chest the longer this was going on.
She turned to Flint. “Hubby, our son is being rude!”
Flint shifted. “Ah… well you see Lola my love… you uhmmm… you shouldn’t have left, and it hurt the children.” Flint shuffled for a moment before straightening out slightly. “It hurt me as well that you left us.”
“That’s not true! I didn’t leave. I went on an expedition! Silly man, you knew I was coming back!” Lola said, waving her hand dismissively at Flint.
I felt an odd sense of comradery as I saw a flash of hurt spring into Flint’s eyes.
I found my estimation of him, which now that I stopped to consider him, had been slowly building up was solidifying. Flint was actually trying.
Lola stepped in and lent her body into Flint’s and he wrapped his arms around her. He shuddered slightly and lent on her as she put her head to his chest. “I’ve always been with you. You’re the only man in my life. My one true love. No distance gets in the way of our love.”
Lola looked up at him with shining eyes. “Flint, I left so that you could soar. The Gym would have gotten huge amounts of funding and prestige.”
Lola giggled to herself and a slightly hysterical sob escaped her. “Imagine my confusion when I returned. I came home and our house had moved, and now we have a big fancy house and gym.”
Then she turned to me and smiled playfully. “But then Brock comes home late and is acting all grumpy!”
She gave a fake-sounding sniff and quivered. My eyebrow began to twitch. I was starting to sense a pattern here that I really didn’t care for.
Flint shifted his hands so they were no longer wrapped around her waist but instead on her shoulders lightly. I noticed that despite the tender touch Lola still tensed up.
“Lola my love you’re right, and that I never doubted you for a second, I knew you would return one day, but the same can’t be said of the kids. They’re too young to understand or old enough to see it as nothing but you abandoning them.” He stared into her eyes. “I know it wasn’t though and I know that you’re hurting. I… I’ve started seeing a therapist and I think you could—”
Lola stepped back out of his grasp. “I don’t need some silly man in a lab coat prodding me asking me if I feel or don’t feel something! I feel perfectly fine, thank you!” she snapped.
Lola put her hands on Flint’s chest. “Now while I was looking for another region to secure us a payout you were supposed to stay at home and look after the children. I needed to fix things that had gotten all broken from the war. Remember we spoke of this?”
Flint blinked and shook his head. “No? I don’t believe we—”
“I distinctly remember it!” she shook her head. “Oh Flint sometimes you just don’t listen do you?”
Flint twitched and his jaw clenched only for Lola to perk up. “Well! None of that matters now! Now everything is all fixed thanks to me! Our family is back together and healthy and happy! We have a trade route with three more regions, which will be great for everyone! And there is going to be a big parade for me!” she said happily.
I sniffed. “We’d already found evidence that Team Rocket were scouting Sinnoh.” I said as I started refuting her words only for her to shake her head.
“No! That doesn’t matter!” she said childishly.
Lola shook her head. “That’s nothing against a proven route. I got to Sinnoh, and then was able to bring a much larger vessel back. Other ships will be arriving in a day or two,” she said casually.
I blinked, the implications of more ships arriving during potentially tense negotiations flashing across my mind. “Did you mention that to any of the League Officials when they detained you?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe? They asked so many questions and didn’t give me anywhere near enough answers!” Lola offered up a playful shrug. “I was home and I wasn't going to wait a moment longer, so I broke out of their evil hideout and came right here!” she said with a twirl while slashing her fingers in a sideways V across her eyes.
She grinned at my younger siblings. “Pretty smooth huh? When you’re older I’ll teach you how to break out of a police cell!”
I facepalmed, “Don’t teach them that.” I turned to the kids. “Also kids, don’t listen to her, that’s what villains do alright?”
The kids mostly stared back at me blankly, but I could see some thoughts bouncing around in Cindy and Tommy’s heads. Salvadore made a note of something in his research journal and I grimaced. Sabrina floated past me to check what he was writing and he was so absorbed he didn’t even notice.
With that addressed I returned to Lola and locked her in place with a glare as she tensed up in another attempt to hug me. “Lola! No means no,” I growled annoyed at her antics. What did I need to do? Get a spray bottle or Titan’s paper fan out to discipline her? “Go back a bit. You didn’t stick around and you didn’t tell the authorities about the other ships. But you also didn’t stay for long, meaning you escaped a quarantine area, am I right?”
Lola waved her hand. “I feel fine!”
I twitched. In my past life, I’d lived through multiple lockdowns from a global pandemic.
To have a woman wave it off so shamelessly was one thing, but for her to potentially endanger the rest of my family. There was probably less risks due to pokemon world healthcare but that wasn’t the point!
“Lola, that was extremely irresponsible of you. You might have just carried another region’s illnesses with you,” I said through clenched teeth. I’d circle back to the point about more ships following after the first vessel later. That or I’d send Lance a warning, and he could deal with it.
I rubbed at my temples as a headache built from the stress of dealing with Lola for all of… ten minutes, if that.
“I am now doubly happy that I didn’t let you hug me,” I said aloud. “You are going to the hospital and getting some blood work done.”
“Ieee! Needles! Anything but needles!” Lola said scampering behind Flint. “Needles are scary! Cause they always say they’re not going to hurt, but then they bring out gigantic ones with really sharp tips!” She glanced at the kids. “They hurt so bad!”
I felt another twitch work itself through me. I had spent years teaching the kids how to handle needles and to be tough. About the necessity of them and such and where Lola was, one day back and undermining that.
“Flint,” I growled. “Get her to the hospital.”
Flint nodded. “Lola, we need to do this. Come now, I’ll be with you the whole way. We can go to that cafe you love on the way back!”
“Oh thank goodness they’re still open! So much else has changed!” Lola sighed. She smiled and turned towards the younger kids. “Alright kiddies. Mummy is going to get her jabs! I won’t be long and when I come back I’ll have ice cream!”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to get into another argument with her over ice cream of all things and potentially delaying her departure. Thankfully with Lola’s back turned Flint was able to tap his transceiver and give me a firm nod.
I gave him a nod back before waving him off. Dealing with Lola was tiring me out emotionally. We’d have to talk privately later but for now I’d settle for an excuse to get her out of here.
Lola skipped off with Flint in tow. I watched them go in silence, my mind working over everything that had just happened.
Then a thought occurred to me. “Let’s lock the doors,” I said.
Yeah, that was a good plan. Just lock the doors and not let them back in.
Yolanda shot to her feet. “Brock! That’s uhmm…” her eyes flickered to the others present. “Not funny,” she said with a forced smile.
I seriously considered saying that I wasn’t joking to force the issue. Instead, I sniffed. “We need to decontaminate the places she’s been sitting on and watch for any coughs, rashes, or weird feelings,” I said instead.
Cindy tilted her head. “Did Mum do bad?”
I nodded for lack of a better response that wasn’t a full-blown rant about Lola's many faults.
Sabrina tapped her pokeball and Alakazam once more appeared. He glanced around before sighing and drawing out a spray bottle and a disposable cloth.
Nanny Grav rolled in from the kitchen and eyed the room before huffing in a pleased manner. She set about helping Alakazam and I frowned at her reaction.
“Did Lola do something to Nanny Grav?” I asked, noting her odd reaction.
“She mentioned that we shouldn’t keep our pokemon in the house like that,” Suzie said, clutching at Togepi. “But then she said it was fine if they were cute!” she said grinning innocently.
I grimaced and shot a look towards Eevee, Terra, Nanny Grav, and Munchlax. Then I blinked. “She kicked the Growlithe pack outside, didn’t she?”
“She said something about dog fur, but they don’t even shed!” Timmy whined.
I hummed and nodded. That decision I wasn’t as fussed about as they were supposed to be security pokemon, but then again, their primary duty was to defend the family more than the reserve, so being close at hand wasn’t too much of an issue.
I smirked as I shot Timmy and Salvadore a look. “So Sirius and Hephy are hiding in your rooms I take it?”
Both nodded happily before adopting false contrite expressions that drew a snort from me. I waved off their false contrition as I took a seat.
So… Lola was back.
I sat there for a moment and tried to process how weird that thought was. I’d literally gone years now without her in my life.
I suppose it wasn’t all that different from Flint coming back if I was being honest… except it sort of was.
I think the worst part was that she completely failed to see herself as having done anything wrong. This… was exactly what I’d worried she’d be like.
I was kind of… weirded out to be dead on the money with my expectations for her.
Lola was a shit Mother.
I knew that to be a gross oversimplification as she had lots of mental hang ups from the war and what she’d had to do but… well damn she needed to work through some of those cause I wasn’t going to just let her flounce around here like this.
I rubbed my chin in thought. I might have to dust off some old plans I’d considered enacting when I’d had the Gym built, starting with adding another house either for just her and Flint or for whoever wanted to live with her.
I flicked my eyes over my siblings and wondered how many of them would want to make that move.
I wasn’t sure I wanted that, but I also didn’t think it was in any way healthy to have her and me butting heads.
I sighed again, knowing that I’d done that a lot in the last few minutes. I felt a bit drained, having dealt with Lola for the moment.
I glanced towards Yolanda, deciding I needed to get a better picture of things. “So, Lola is back,” I said aloud.
Yolanda nodded. “We tried to stop her coming into the house like you wanted but…” Yolanda coughed and hung her head. “She brought her friend from the television. You know? Cynthia, the Champion from Sinnoh.”
I blinked at that. “Cynthia… is she still here?” I said, glancing around for the blonde only for Yolanda to shake her head. I’d honestly not thought about her till now.
“No! No, the government sent some people to collect her a few hours ago now. She uhmmm, kind of got dragged here by Mum and with her on our doorstep, it was…” Yolanda fidgetted. “We couldn’t really keep her out with that, you know?” Yolanda said.
I huffed. I mean I probably could and would have, but I could see how it would have been a lot to ask for Yolanda. Flint… Flint had surprised me. He’d actually made an attempt and backed me up occasionally. He was trying.
And it wasn’t just Yolanda saying this, Rachel had said much the same in her earlier messages.
I had honestly expected that he would have seen Lola and gone weak at the knees. But he hadn’t. That was a good sign.
Yolanda dropped her head further. “Sorry Brock.”
“No, don’t say that. ” I said.
Yolanda looked up from the floor in surprise.
“No,” I repeated. “You did good. Better than I honestly think you could have, considering the circumstances.”
I offered Yolanda a heartfelt smile. Thank you,” I said looking right into Yolanda’s worried eyes. “It means a lot that you were ready to stop her just flouncing in. It sounds like you at least tried before things got too crazy.”
Yolanda offered back a weak smile. “It’s been something else; she’s… not how I remember her to be,” Yolanda offered. “She just seems so… scatterbrained. She says some things and then shifts topics so quickly.”
I offered a shrug. “Can’t say I know what to make of that considering…” I offered a hand. Sabrina stepped up to me. One of the topics we covered was how limited I actually was in dealing with Lola in face to face interactions.
I’d had a short period upon coming into this life before she’d fled, delaying my originally planned Journey before racing off a year and a half later.
I glanced around, taking in everyone’s body language as much as what they were doing or saying to each other.
The youngest twins seemed pretty happy to have Lola back even if they were confused about what was going on.
Tilly and Billy were happily playing without a care in the world. I suspected that if Lola was to disappear once more they’d be the least affected out of all my family, they were probably the only ones that had less actual time spent with Lola than I did.
Suzie and Timmy were playing with Togepi, but watching the older kids for cues, I could tell.
Everyone else had a solid year with Lola at least.
I noted Cindy and Tommy were very quiet. I moved over to them and smiled. “Hey, are you both doing alright?”
They nodded hesitantly with Tommy shooting me furtive looks before asking, “Why are you so mad at Mum Brock?”
I’d expected this question… Well, actually, my therapist had postulated this as being a question I was highly likely to be asked.
It was kind of nice having an answer ready for them, though, one that I felt was right for me at least.
“Because she’s done some things that aren’t right.” I sat forward in my seat. “She’s also not acknowledging that she did the wrong things or apologising for doing them.”
Salvadore who was next to Tommy, shifted in his seat. “You’re talking about how she left, aren’t you?”
I nodded seriously.
Salvadore shifted again and his pen moved a little on his journal. “Is she going to stick around?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I’m not sure buddy. I think so?”
Cindy tilted her head. “You said leaving is bad right? But you and Forrest both left for your Journeys. How is that any different than what she did?” she asked childishly.
I hummed. This was yet another potential question we’d discussed in my therapy sessions. Man, they were really proving their worth. It certainly helped that a lot of potentially triggering questions like this had already been approached in a safe manner instead of being sprung on me.
“Our journeys are things that we planned for, and we left knowing that you all were well looked after. We didn’t simply dump and run,” I said, even though I knew I could have added the point that as children ourselves it shouldn’t be up to us to look after other kids. That wasn’t the reality of our situation so I didn’t say it out loud.
But I thought it, and judging by Yolanda’s frown, she caught the implication of my words.
Tommy frowned. “You mean like Susan’s dad did?”
I grimaced. “Susan is one of the kids in your class at school?” I asked, which earned me a nod. “How is she going?”
“She’s… sad?” Tommy replied slowly, and I nodded.
“Yeah, that makes sense. She’s probably hurting from it. Do you ask her to play much or ever sit with her?”
“No? We’re not friends,” Tommy said logically.
I hummed. “It might be nice if you did, alright? Just don’t push about it cause she might not know what she wants.”
“That doesn’t make much sense!” Tommy said with a slight scowl.
I shrugged. “Sometimes it’s like that, and trust me, as confusing as it is for you or I, it might be even more confusing for Susan, kay?” I said softly.
Tommy nodded and I nodded back with a smile before giving him a hug. When I turned to check on the others I noted that every set of eyes in the room was on me. Ah, that might have been a bit of a deeper lesson than I’d planned for it to be.
Damn, it was tough to remember that kids could soak up the darndest things.
“So if Mum had planned to leave, that would have been better?” Cindy asked, getting us back on topic.
I hummed. “A bit better,” I replied with a waggle of my hands.
I smiled at her as she scrunched her face up in confusion.
I chuckled. “Journeys are about going out and learning. You do it when you’re young and seeking new experiences. Being exposed helps you grow up in new ways. It also helps teach you responsibility.”
“Responsibility? How?” Cindy asked.
“Well, you have to take care of yourself and your pokemon right? That’s where it starts but it also extends to looking after the environment so you don’t damage it when you camp somewhere or move about.”
“Ooooooh,” Cindy said dramatically. She adopted a very serious expression of thinking, even going as far as squinting her eyes in determination to work through what we’d just discussed. “And Mum’s… departure was… not about that?”
“No, as far as I can tell her departure was… something else which I don’t know how to explain,” I stated.
“What was it?” Cindy asked, obviously put off by my admittance. “Come on, you should answer properly!”
I shrugged. “She says one thing but… well I’m not sure she’s telling the truth about why she ran away. She might be even lying to herself,” I said.
Confusion swept across most of my siblings’ faces while others gained thoughtful expressions.
“That doesn’t make any sense!” Suzie said. “How can you lie to yourself?”
I hummed, considering how to word this to my younger siblings. "Imagine you think you did your homework, but then you look in your bag and realise you forgot it. Lying to yourself would be saying, 'I definitely did it' even though you know you didn't,” I said.
Suzie hummed while giving Togepi a thoughtful scratch on the carapace-like shell that made up her body earning Suzie a happy trill. “I don’t get it!” Suzie declared. “I like doing my homework cause it’s all colouring and having fun!” she stated seriously.
I snorted. “Alright, bad example. Are you scared of the dark?”
“Noooo?” Suzie said while her eyes shifted about guiltily.
“So if I turn the lights out in here and block the windows, you’ll be fine?”
“No,” admitted Suzie.
I nodded. “So earlier, you were lying to yourself. That’s an example of it anyway,” I said.
Suzie hummed again, processing this.
I look around for any more questions before deciding to address something else that would be best to raise while Lola and Flint weren’t here.
“So, there’s a new rule for our family that I want to raise,” I said, clapping my hands to gather the kid’s attention on me.
They all zeroed in dutifully and I nodded. “So, there’s going to be a lot of talking and… potential problems coming up with… Lola coming back,” I couldn’t bring myself to say Mum and I knew that was an issue for some of the kids as Lola obviously hadn’t introduced herself with her name but rather as Mum to them.
I swallowed. “If Lola says anything or does anything that makes you feel sad or angry, I think it is important that you talk to me or Flint about it.”
Sabrina leaned over the couch and smiled at the kids. “You can also talk to me about it if you want,” she suggested, and I shot her a thankful smile as some of the girls perked up a little at this.
Suzie tilted her head and hummed louder. “So, if I felt worried when you were growling at Mum should I tell her?” she asked.
I put my hands together and sighed. “No, you can talk to me about it. I’ll… try not to growl at her too much,” I said.
“Even though it’s wrong?” Suzie asked, prodding at the sore spot.
I nodded tightly. “Maybe. It depends. Remember how I talked about respecting personal space?” I said alluding to a small lesson we’d had when she was younger. “So, if I do it too much it might be wrong but if Lola isn’t respecting my personal space I can tell her no which might mean I need to growl.”
“Me getting growly is how I react when I am…” I floundered for the right word.
Sabrina metaphorically stepped in for me by speaking up. “When Brock is feeling hurt or worried he gets more growly. He doesn’t like some of the things your mother is trying to do and that she’s not apologising.”
Suzie nodded along at that, and I squeezed Sabrina’s hand on my shoulder.
Salvadore coughed. “Are we going to make Mum sleep somewhere else for now? If she is potentially sick…” he said with a worried trail off.
I leapt at the hesitation he was showing. “It might be a good idea. We’ll say she needs to stay at a motel for a night or two!” I declared.
It certainly stacked up better than trying to explain the tangle of emotions I had regarding Lola to the kids.
I fired off some messages and arranged a temporary stay while wording it as a ‘romantic getaway for Flint and Lola’. I paused after sending it.
Lola was too old to have any more kids… right?
I sent off another message after the other batch of messages to Flint, reminding him to get some protection.
Ten was more than enough children, after all. There, that would get me some breathing room. I just needed to work out how to approach this properly without blowing my top and punching her.
I sighed and sent my therapist a quick message.
That seemed like a good place to start. Sabrina squeezed my shoulder, moving away to give me some privacy as she sat with Suzie.
Hmmm, I was forgetting something. I couldn’t be sure of what though so I just shook my head and focussed on other matters.
______________
Lola stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around her hair. She giggled when she caught sight of Flint.
He was laying where she’d left him, drained and exhausted after their lovemaking to the point that he’d passed out almost the instant she’d finished. She moved to tuck him in and pat him lovingly.
“I’ll be outside for a moment,” she said to him which drew a grumble but nothing else as he settled into a deeper slumber.
She moved out to the balcony that overlooked a large courtyard with small decorative art pieces strewn throughout it. Lola didn’t really think much of it but she supposed it must be nice to some people.
She sighed and drew out a cigarette.
It was nice of the kids to suggest her and Flint have some alone time like this! They were such good kids!
She drew the cigarette up to her lips, looking forward to the post-coital bliss that would come from being completely loosened up along with a cigarette. She’d held off in the field and around the kids, but when she was alone, she felt like she could indulge.
She drew in a breath, only for nothing to enter her lungs, causing her to frown. When had it gone out? Had her cigarettes gotten waterlogged? That didn’t make any sense.
Her eyes snapped to the side as Sabrina stepped towards her. “Cigarettes kill,” she said in a tone that Lola had heard all too many times before in her life.
It was the tone one used when they were considering murder.
Lola felt her heart stir as she began tracking her son’s girlfriend. She was wearing a sensible outfit that covered her whole body, and she had a strong body.
Her eyes glowed in the classic psychic threat display as a shovel rose behind Sabrina’s shoulder.
Lola glanced at it. The perfect weapon for an infantryman.
She’d seen them use it to deadly efficiency more than once before, and when it wasn't being wielded as a weapon, it was a dead useful tool.
Lola’s eyes continued to track everything as her pulse quickened.
Her eyes paused on a ring on Sabrina’s left hand. Oh?
Lola smiled. “I’m glad I have someone like you with my baby boy,” she said.
Sabrina blinked before frowning minutely.
Lola spoke before she could. “You get that as my first born’s daughter in law I’m going to have to test if you’re right for him before approving your marriage!” she declared as she drew out her daggers.
Sabrina had enough time for her eyes to widen in realisation before Lola was lunging at her with her daggers, punching towards Sabrina’s shoulder.
The shovel swung around and blocked the strike, but Lola had expected that. She flicked her wrist and hurled her other dagger while lowering herself into a tackle.
Sabrina swayed out of the way of the dagger, only for Lola to catch her around the legs and try to bring her to the ground.
Instead of being brought to the ground Sabrina teleported them both. They hit the ground and were thrown apart.
Lola scrambled to her feet, hands drawing another pair of daggers from her pouch as she activated her dark emitter.
A shimmer of energy washed over her, and Lola grinned at her boy’s girlfriend.
Lola and Sabrina locked eyes once more with both more than ready to throw down.
Lola couldn’t be happier!
______________
A.N. Thanks go to my Patreons.
Sorry not sorry for making this a bit of a cliffhanger…
Man.. first chapter of the week was painful, but this time it’s just mean. ^^ -Twmmy
Thanks also go to Twmmy for suffering through the Proofreading and the cliffhangers!
Comments
Mike
This is bang on - the mechanics on what is happening in her mind. Question is was it partly deliberate or did it build up overtime and slip notice. I think it is deliberate.
Mike
I believe it was more gradual. Her decision how *not to* deal with her trauma cemented her fall. Ballooned up and went out of her control.
Kerrus Magrus
Yeah I've long suspected that this is some side-effect of how she uses water energy. Just like Brock is sometimes susceptible to letting his dark energy get out of control, I think Lola's water energy got out of control and the result is that her mind is now like the characteristic of water conforming to the shape of whatever container it's in. Whenever she has a thought, her mind takes that shape and it's the ONLY thing she can think about. Whenever something gets in her way, she diverts around it or crashes through it- but she doesn't ever stop, she's constantly flowing. So when Flint brings up that she never talked about her departure, she instantly jumps to claiming she did, gaslightning him about his own experience rather than abutting and evaluating her own. A lot of that probably comes from a place of fear- it seems like she has some awareness that she is broken but they're just bare wisps and any time something tries to drag them into focus she gets violent.
Kerrus Magrus
yeah, her immediately jumping to gaslighting him is some big red flags for sure.
Donald Bagwell
Ooooooooh this and the comment bellow you are connected with Lola being a sociopath (i believe thats the one?) and did that to herself instead of feeling things? Could work
Donald Bagwell
Oooooooh, and against sabrina? That sounds amazing!
Donald Bagwell
I expect lola to get a cut on sabrina, nothing more
Donald Bagwell
Technically cynthia seems like a “this person would commit all the arson if not for me” kinda friend. As in “smile and nod while trying to redirect a river to not destroy anything important/ calm them down” kinda thing Also I kinda think Cynthia is minorly using Lola just to have access to the history of the indigo region. If pewter had the biggest museum and Lola was basically its princess, i figure she can rattle off a bunch of facts cynthia might not know about indigo.
Donald Bagwell
I think its a mix Lola is personal for Brock. She made him leave a once in a lifetime thing, possible debt from Flint and her running (after she gave up her entire families assets for chairty) as all the parental units left and a tween- teen where he basically put his life, dreams, ambitions and more on hold in 3 months of his second year in hoen. Most of which was the dessert. Basically this is what he focused his dark energy to since he unlocked it. Is there a reason to get this out of the way? Heck yeah. Should he ever let the kid gloves on? Heck no. Do I want Brock to adopt agatha as she granny storms the place, puts (probably) her direct subordinate from the war in her place before fixing shit as she becomes grandma agatha? That is my dream currently. But it needs to be done far faster than flints, and in my opinion the faster this is the more it will hurt someone. Most likely flint and forest. Everyone else was uncomfortable with her. For the league stuff I think Brock should be there with sabrina as a “5th and 6th elite” probably with pryce and clair. Put everyone on high alert, call out your land locked best to keep out aqua, i also kinda want someone like alder to ask “why am I getting the stink eye from the hiker kid and the psychic girl” with all of indigo walking on all the egg shells not wanting to answer Diantha… seems like a female stevin Alder seems fun! I think he can help out some people with earthly wisdom kinda things. Also expect him to see Oak as an equal or similar. Cynthia… will be interesting and I think might throw that researcher at her as a distraction Now with brock and the fam? Diantha sounds like she would be haughty and not care anymore, aldur will be apologetic and maybe try and talk to brock about it but focused, no clue about cynthia With the league? Way more focused Diantha is female stevin Aldur actually wants a deal and improvement Cynthia will be held back by her E4 team from all the random bs that brock did. The fossil machine alone will be a “shut up and take my money!” Meme let alone all the other things Brock did for history Diantha I expect to dangle her mega stones knowledge with stevin being pissed Cynthia showing why lola likes her with her ferver will just be funny Stevin will have a plastic smile till he gets that lileep/ Cradilly and take solice in that for a second
Donald Bagwell
Anywhere else and lola would have a black eye
Donald Bagwell
The funny thing is Sabrina looks like she is getting the approval she doesnt need
Donald Bagwell
Sabrina is a creature of logic, not only that but a person who has read the minds of all but few people like they were childrens picture books. How do you think someone with as many issues as lola feels to her? I dont think lola does more than mess with our girl with a cheap shot. I fully believe sabrina turns her into an impressionist painting
Ch W
Flint actually needs to protect his head space because Lola will suck him back into her alternate reality, then if she goes on another "expedition" he might follow and then he's back to survival basics with his only human conversation being Lola. After writing all this (and stuff I've deleted), I have more appreciation for Flint because it's been months being a single dad and none of the kids have a clue of what he's lived. Maybe that's the limited perspective since Brock's been ignoring Flint when he can and storytelling forgoing adding more details since it wouldn't add to the narrative, but that's how I'm looking at Flint at the moment.
Ch W
I hope Brock daps Flint for his attempt to block Lola. Flint knowing that Brock is seeing his efforts would probably mean the world for them both, and maybe the kids will sense the changed dynamics between the two.
Ch W
Agree. Kids have to learn how to set their boundaries too, especially with family. Sometimes the lesson has to be practical rather than textbook. Maybe 300 chapters ago (I can't believe there's been this many chapters updated so consistently) Brock was contemplating that kids shouldn't be raised to just be happy. I wonder if he remembers that?
Seanfrks
End of the day, I do appreciate the choices Brock made while interacting with Lola in front of his younger siblings, even if it would have been so satisfying as a reader to see him throw that punch, lol. There is a certain point though that he is going have to put her in her place regardless of whether his impressionable siblings are seeing it or not (let's be honest, Lola is never going to give Brock the opportunity to choose the time or place). So while I understand he wants to be a great example for his siblings and not hurt them at the same time, I do think it would be more damaging in the long run if they continue witnessing their mother test his boundaries and ignore his line in the sand without him truly putting his foot down.
Jean Marc Kunnen
We’ve barely seen anything about cynthia to have a accurate guess about her character and the only one to claim her and lola to be friends is lola herself which isn’t saying much. Diantha on the other hand has been hinted to be a diva that wants to create drama if alder’s words, the mention of land claims from the previous chapter, her antagonising lance and her exaggeration of lola’s kidnapping of cynthia are anything to go by.
Rinaldo
I think it was having to kill her treacherous family that finally broke her fully
Cory Gill
Damn, this is triggering. Brace yourselves boys and girls, this isn't going to be easily resolved. or quickly. or pleasantly. Lola's big problem isn't her personality, impulsiveness, childishness, trauma or self-awareness, it's her mentality. And that mentality is "I do what I want, you go #$&! yourself". Not, I should point out, if you have a problem with it, go #$&! yourself, and she has likely been this way her entire life and has probably gotten worse as she got older. Lola doesn't truly care about anyone else, including her family. She's telling them specifically, what to do, how to feel, how to act. The growlithe are out today but Terra and Nanny Grav will be tomorrow and munchlax the day after. Evee and Togepi are safe. Maybe. And not once while she does it will she care what her children think or feel about it. Foreign diseases? Doesn't care. As long Lola gets what Lola wants. The war didn't traumatize her. It sharpened her. She is now very difficult to physically stop, restrain or control. Sabrina had better be careful, because she didn't come for a fight and Lola isn't testing her. She's putting her in her place. Because people like Lola only approve of people they can bully or are too kind/nice/patient, not people who can and will call them on their bull.
Vikteren
I have suspect a lot of her issues were from trauma, but also from something that Kanto did to her to make her one of their agents. Remember to the Kanto League Flint is known as Lola's handler even in peacetime and what missions and training Lola got are unknown. Remember the fact Lola was such a valuable asset is still a state secret, and she is not the only one as per a earlier part of the story.
Vikteren
and the worst part is while Flint is willing to go to therapy for his kids Lola is convicted, she is fine and Lola is not ok. Both Flint and Lola need to be in Therapy, Flint looks like he got Shell Shock, Lola I think some part of her is still on a war footing, as much as she loves her kids and Flint part of her never left the war. And yes in her own way I do think Lola loves her kids and husband but is to damaged to be anything but toxic right now. and to be Fair so long as She is with Flint she can fake it (to a point) until she takes a 'enthusiastic' walk.
Mike
Let’s see if my prediction pans out: the cup de grace for Lola’s lack of sanity is self inflicted. She psychically (surgically) separated her trauma in a haphazard manner. It’s easily detectable as well. That’s why she’s so against outside intervention. She’s afraid of it being discovered.
Mike
That’s completely true. Her decision to lethally attack Sabrina (not a Pokémon battle) belies something even more traumatic than hinted upon.
Mike
Sabrina has been sparring regularly with Koga and Agatha. They are arguably more lethal and better than Lola. Sabrina in story has tangled with legendaries (Lola has not- Flints admission). She can also over power dark emitters (her own words). Sheer power is too much for Lola to bridge with skill.
Matt H
What are you talking about? She's a war hero, reconnected super-continents, and is the BFF of a Champion!? Anything she does is clearly for the "greater good" and should be allowed! /s
J H
Sabrina is very very strong. She's got a lot of experience too. But you have to be realistic, Lola is a war veteran that never left the field of battle. She's not just strong and way more experienced than Sabrina in pokemon battles as well as life and death battles with no rules, but her edge is still razor sharp and never had a chance to get rusty. If Sabrina wins it's going to be close.
Vikteren
Lola got warped by the war, badly. Flint is damaged but whatever Lola went through broke her. Sad thing is Lola is a very powerful trainer from what we have seen with Aqua being scared to even say her name.
TheDudeAbides
Only a terrible person would leave off there making us wait almost a week.
The GrandMage
Because it's fictional, and while people who really deserve a punch to the face won't get it in real life, they can in fiction. And I can use hyperbole to showcase how well the author is making a dislikable character disliked.
prodbyluvlace
I’m honestly curious why you want Brock to have a violent response? I don’t think that’s a mature way to handle problems, to respond to an abuser by abusing them? That won’t fix the problem, and definitely won’t fix them. It only gives temporary relief, and then the problems are right back where they started. Maybe even worse.
SailorOfHouseThunderBird
Please let Sabrina stomp Lola 🙏 I dont want to see her beat or draw the known heavyweight in Sabrina to showcase how badass the 'new character' Lola is. I really want to just see Lola get mollywhopped.
Matt H
If we're going to be semantic she levitated a shovel which has reasonably well known connotations about being faithful. Lola attacked before Sabrina made her intention with the shovel clear or committed any sort of attack. As a reminder, the last (and only) time we've seen Sabrina levitate a shovel before was to make Flint understand that he wouldn't be leaving and harming his family again after he returned. The precedent is that she would be doing the same thing with Lola and not trying to kill her; Sabrina has much more effective ways of killing someone if she actually wanted to.
Rinaldo
It's to be expected, Pokemon being famed for it's bleak, muderous setting and themes.
angie bell
I wonder what the new house will be like since it is Lola's place mainly with flint I imagine pretty rocks and water will be it main thing mixed with secrets Lola only knows. mother in laws Lola gonna push the best girl but I swear Lola will learn!
Rinaldo
It's been less than a day, he's probably still up at Indigo after losing his match. Somebody has to either go get him or wait till he makes his way over. Brock looks like he forgot him. Oops!
Rinaldo
To be fair, the Gym Leader was going to threaten to kill her.
White Neko Knight
You make a good point about the serialized nature of this story. Sometimes it's a good idea to set a story to the side so chapters can build up. I've done that for multiple stories when they've hit major story beats so I could read the whole ark in one go.
Matt H
For me, it's not that it's unexpected, per se, but that it's some combination of disappointing and frustrating for it to occur. People read stories for a variety of reasons and, for me, one of those reasons is a bit of escapism. There's a reason why stories like Worm, which, to be clear, is a great story, isn't my particular cup of tea. I'm under no impression that this is a purely happy-go-lucky story, but it has sat far closer on that side of the line than being a gritty, grimdark story. But an extended arc of what looks to be characters dealing with trauma, potential mental illness, etc.? That's not what I'm, personally, looking for in stories set in the Pokemon universe. A complicating factor to all of this is the serialized nature of the story. If I could read the next 10 to 20 chapters right now this whole situation would probably just serve as an opportunity for growth and development for many of the characters. Instead, I'm faced with slogging through the next couple months of chapters before things "improve". I'll see what happens in the next couple chapters, but this wouldn't be the first time (nor do I expect it to be the last) that I drop a story for a couple months or a year because of an unpleasant arc.
White Neko Knight
Also, I love how so many commenters wants Brock to punch his mother in front of his siblings. I know ya'll want some relief from the anger that Lola causes but geeze. You all should take a lesson from Brock on being a good role model.
Donald Bagwell
When you are willfully blind to the world, all you see is yourself
Pevar
Oh, I hate her. Please let Brock actually punch her lights out at some point, maybe that’ll knock some screws back in place.
Donald Bagwell
I think its because of his two types that he is having as much dissonance as he is. Rock is immovable by itself, steadfast and still Dark is always moving and trying for an advantage, cruel and tricky. I honestly think the best pokemon for brock to get next might be an absol from this. For three reasons. 1) absol isnt future, just has powers induced paranoia 2) he needs a chill pokemon like absol to calm down a smidge 3) he just needs a way to vent right now But i agree to disagree and lets say both aura’s in a mix are screwing with him
White Neko Knight
It's amusing how everyone seems to have a different take on this chapter. For me, this is about how I expected things to play out. It's surprisingly similar to how my step-dad acts. Give things a few more chapters everyone.
prodbyluvlace
I think the repression of emotions comes from overusing his rock aura, not his dark aura. If he was more in touch with his darker emotions, this scene would have turned out very differently.
Jordan Lopez
Is it wrong it's the flip side for me. To me lola is just a bunch of family melodrama. I'm waiting for all the stuff with the other regions. Brock has been written to put his family before himself. So while he will be able to put his foot down and stop lola for a while she will eventually get to be back with the family again it's just a matter of time and forced therapy.
Wolf Eiyn
I honestly think it may either be a mental illness of some sort or even the results of some human experimentation that was done during the war.
Seanfrks
Yeah, I am getting the same feeling. There should be no way Lola realistically wins, or even draws this fight, especially with Sabrina being THE most powerful human Psychic. Even if Lola has repeatedly terrified and beat Team Aqua, there is no way she should be at the same level as Sabrina, especially with her training with the Guardians. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that Viva01 is going let her draw this fight in order to drag things out yet again.
Tzeneth
I think I'm with others with how this whole thing is not moving in a satisfying direction or way. It feels more than a little disappointing.
Mike
Even speculated reasons (ptsd, aura) etc don’t cover her actions. This is close to zero self awareness. Like behavior patterns for various stimuli are playing out. Was she tortured ? That explains her brain shutting down.
Matt H
So that's attempted aggravated assault against a Gym Leader at minimum. And yet, why do I feel like nothing is going to come of this? And after seeing more of Lola in action Cynthia is now the second reigning Champion whose character is both surprising and disappointing considering she's somehow friends with Lola. At least there's still hope for Diantha.
G 21
._.
Connor Behan
For once I actually want to see Brock lose his cool composure. I want him to beat up Lola and have her locked up so tight she can't escape. Either that or lose his shit and leave for a while while things go bad at home until they realize he was their rock.
Caras Galadon
Holy shit, she’s completely batshit crazy.
Docnox
Ya, not so thrilled with how this big event we’ve waited so long for is playing out. Brock’s actions in front of the kids was appropriate but that whole scenario just went sideways. I suppose it could have been fixed by him immediately asking her to talk outside or something hopefully the next chap redeems the extremely anti climax going on here. Her fighting physically personally or with pokemon is completely… just no. Like this was the big moment been waiting for since the lance battle in the first arc. And shes just gonna walk back out the door and hit a motel? The confrontation with brock completely stalled with not even a shred of direction? I feel like I as a reader have an extreme disconnect right now. The Lola thing was IT, forget anything else in the narrative right now, just distractions. Don’t care about the other region stuff at all in comparison. This moment was supposed to be the first real story climax since the final rocket fight, and she just walks out for health risks?!
Glitched Knights
This woman needs to be put in a fucking chamber meant for SCP's. I'm not kidding
Sunniest Day
Some of you in the comments needs to chill LOL, y'all too murder-happy Thanks for the chapter !
Mike
Where is Forrest ? Surprised he hasn’t come home. Also, Lola is a quagmire as I expect Koga to have such skills. Surprising that the guardians don’t have detailed information on her.
Qweku_v
I think he will confront her but just not in front of about 6-7 very impressionable kids. He is currently the head of his family and therefore has to think about the consequences of his actions on a different level
MaliMi
On one hand I am disappointed that Lola has not been knocked out by Brock. On the other I am proud on Brock that he held back in front of the kids.
Homeless One
Also, her flightiness can be considered to be partially caused by Aura Overuse. Remember, Brock was warned that overusing Aura can lead to side effects, like Rock Passivity. Her bouncing from topic to topic feels very much a Water Aura symptom, which, added with all the PTSD she has going on, isn't a good combo.
Diego
Sabrina should teleport her into that volcano Blaine had as his Gym at. Problem solved
Chris
My sense of time is out of wack this week. Thought it was Wednesday and was day dreaming about the next chapter when I got the notification
Jean Marc Kunnen
What do you mean surprise chapter? Viva uploads every monday and Tuesday, so most everyone expected a chapter today
Homeless One
Ok, so Lola's Crazy crazy. And definitely in danger of setting Sabrina off with her "have to see if you're good enough before I let you do it" attitude
King hand axe
Im kinda disappointed tbh, this felt lacking as a chapter following the build up. Brock response is to put up a hand, growl a bit and take deep breaths, I also recognize that his siblings are there but he comes across as lacking in this imo. I already hate Lola, I'm not sure you need to keep making her more so, whilst trying to make her a girl boss in everything... Now I'd normally never do this, but I feel like I should all things considered, let me guess, that Lola either gets a draw or even the best of Sabrina becuase of girl boss, or that they end their fight with "Respect" towards each other, with some form of illuminating conversation happening. Overall, the palate of this chapter was enough to leave a bad taste in my mouth. I greatly enjoy the story, but honestly?, the Lola arc hasn't been up to your usual standards and feels like a slog of unenjoyable reading. The tiny part Cynthia has played has already interested me more than Lola and this arc.
Cameron Nelson
Brock has been trying to be diplomatic and have some self control when it comes to Lola, but when he hears she started pulled out knives on his fiancé, that may be the last straw
nugitoBambino
really well done from brocks perspective - super mature conversational piece and applied lessons. the struggle with his emotions but packaging it up in a way you could explain to kids was great. well done Viva tftc!
Michael Olson
My 2 cents, the most sensible path would have been to have Sabrina teleport her Brock and Lola elsewhere for a chat and remove her from the house. Maybe right in the middle of the preserve with all of Brock's pokemon. Brock was right that the kids didn't need to see that, but that doesn't mean tone it down. It means you either send the kids elsewhere or take it elsewhere yourself
Brisyngr
Probably gonna pause the story for a bit, this hole lola arc is gonna make me mighty uncomfortable and not in line with the light tone/vibe i want from this story.
Donald Bagwell
Brock 1) anger issues 2) repressing emotions 3) minor over feeding the dark aura
Donald Bagwell
Im gonna list the issues and ask Viva if im right. Specifically for lola 1) survivor guilt for outliving the whole family 2) regular guilt for snitching/ taking down the family 3) PTSD from the War as a hardline winner of it 4) aura overuse as a concept like karen talked about while teaching brock about meditation 5) long term dehydration and food lack of diversity. For those who dont know, what jack sparrows personality is based on and why he gets crazier every movie 6) inability to connect with reality, basically it isn’t rose tinted, its doing the fog glass minecraft trick from bedrock to build limit These are the most obvious ones, who knows what others add to this
The GrandMage
. . . Brock should have decked her right in the face.
Donald Bagwell
Guilt, both regular and survival, probably factor in as well. Considering she is the one who took down her own family
Donald Bagwell
Kick her but!
Donald Bagwell
Mewtwo can, i would not be surprised if sabrina got her ornary pet cat to help protect her husband
carebear90
Yeah... I somehow doubt that treating Lola with kid gloves will have the desired effect. I mean... I get that he didn't want to escalate this in front of the kids. But why the heck would he just send her away with Flint of all people for a while? If he wants to confront her properly, and he really needs to, he really needs to meet up with her somewhere outside the house. HIS house. As much as I admire Brock's restraint here, I'd have blown a gasket, I doubt temporarily delaying the blowup by letting Flint fuck her brains out for a night will do much.
QuazarKMax
I'm really hoping it happens. On the other hand if Brock finds Sabrina wounded after the fact he's going to go full on beast mode no restraint left. The only thought going through his mind if any at all will be BROCK SMASH! (Or Mewtwo to step in on Sabrina's behalf). Really want to see that even more, would give him and the league justification to lock her up in a padded cell in a straight jacket which everyone will agree she's more than earned.
HoldTightAndPretendItsAPlan
Personally, I would be okay with Lola... disappearing for good. But you're right. Wrong story for that *sigh*.
Crimson Grave
I also now need art of Sabrina wielding a shovel in close combat.
Crimson Grave
... I just find this entire chapter worrisome. Lola needs to be institutionalized. Straight jacket and all.
Rhett Sellers
We could then get lots of vaguely worded statements about what happened for a while before a full reveal at some point
Rhett Sellers
I would love to just find Lola gift wrapped outside league hq the next morning with sabrina's business card taped to her forehead
DanielPhantom79
Huh I kinda want Brock to just rock up see Sabrina and Lola fighting and him just rush Lola and smash her face in
Addicted2Games
And Lola continues to make a mess of things with her thoughtlessness. Go figure.
Rhett Sellers
Well, I knew when the family drama chap happened on a tuesday it would be another cliffhanger. Next time, on Pokemon Z!
Simon Kellis
Did Sabrina mention being able to push through dark emitters of a certain power, just that the chaos that would follow isn’t worth it? In the the TR aftermath. Or am I imagining things?
Jason Robbyns
Sabrina has the right idea, hell - I wanted to do that out of frustration at how Lola is being.
Jordan
Both I think she is mentally unstable from all the PTSD, but that her coping mechanism is doing that second part all the time.
Wildebranch
The only way I see for Lola to get better— and it's mostly because one has to recognise that she is indeed mentally ill by both PTSD and Aura overuse —is for her to receive psychological help, which should include ample use of Psychic therapy. The problem is that she's not going to go willing; and even if she goes, she's likely to just pay lip service the first minutes and then escape to do her thing. So, they most likely would need to properly restrain Lola, take her Pokémon, weapons and all and even then need some extra precautions because she has the training to even then make herself scarce.
ShinLupin
She is trying, but sadly Lola still has the skills that make a Navy call her a Witch
ShinLupin
Great shell-schocked veteran with hidden weapons and equipment on her, a classic combo for tears. AND her response to potential danger... well looks like she doesn't think Sabrina is a danger or she always in a "Fight"-response Could Agatha drop by? I believe this is her kind of crazy!
Chris
Surprise chapter! Just as surprising as Lola! Whelp, we’ve seen the Pokémon version of an accountant, a lawyer, a police officer and a nurse. I guess it’s time to see the Pokémon equivalent of a case worker.
Astralogical
Well thats one way for sabrina to express her displeasure
Mike
🙌🙌
Jason Sampson
Goooooooo Sabrina!
Bat
I keep going back and forth on how much is this mental instability and and how much is this her choosing to ignore everything but her view on things.
rezo42
Yea Lola is coocoo bananas. Do not trust her near kids without all of the therapy.
Rinaldo
Turns out doing a threat display to a person with mental illness might have consequences!
Qweku_v
Such a well written chapter
Petrox
Wow, Lola sure is delulu. I wonder if Sabrina will share with her friends the proposal and shovel talk.
Fred Steel
No way those dark emitters have anything on Karen. Sabrina has this in the bag.
no-thoughts-only-vibes
I want her to hurt. Wrong story for that. Makes this arc frustrating.
Dylan Sutton
Honestly would be a pretty awesome twist if Sabrina just disappears her.
HyruleChampion
We are eating good this month
David Green
Man, Lola not acknowledging anyone else's wants, needs or feelings is just so scummy
CB-Otaku
Wow Lola is actually worse than I expected. That's both surprising and very concerning
Obelisk_Gaming
I need Sabrina to brain lola
