Queen Sunstar: My first Pokémon fanfic! AAML is hinted at in this story. I wrote the first chapter on my iPad, and editing on the iPad is mission impossible. So I posted the chapter from there then switched to my office computer for the editing. This story introduces an all new region called Algid, which is a synonym for cold. Algid is a very cold place. it's league is in its center, inside the glacier. Most of the region is covered by a large glacier called Algid Glacier, and it gets three months of continuous sun a year. Algid is a very high tech place. Most of its cities and towns are found inside the glacier. It is lead by its champion and his Elite Four. lots of ice Pokémon call this world home. the reason why Algid is inside the glacier is due to the massive ice storms that rage around it, and because of a powerful legendary that lives above the glacier. Some Pokémon not of the ice type have adapted to living in this world. Ponyta and Rapidash have traded in their fire for ice. they are still white, but have ice manes and tails instead. Rock Pokémon are made of ice and take ice as their main type. Scientists are studying the Pokémon and how they adapted to their harsh environment. Algid is found north of Sinnoh. Now, on to Story!
"There are diseases that transmit between Pokémon as well as between Pokémon and their trainers. There are diseases that affect humans only." Professor Oak was bored out of his mind as the speaker, a scientist that specialized in diseases droned on and on. He glanced over to see his grandson, Gary Oak, listening with rapt fascination as the speaker showed a pair of slides showing the virus that caused the Poke Flu in Pokémon and the virus that caused the flu in humans. The speaker launched into a spiel about how the two were similar. Oak sighed quietly, wondering if it was actually possible to die of boredom. After what felt like a lifetime, the speaker finished. Everybody clapped. The director came onto stage. He looked worried.
"This convention is done. We have an epidemic in Johto. Johto's borders have been closed. It isn't good. This virus strikes in two stages which makes it difficult to treat. 500 trainers have sickened, and 350 have already died." The director explained everything.
"We should be out of Ilex Forest in an hour." Brock looked up from his guide book, "It won't be much further to Goldenrod City."
"That's where the radio tower is. We could stop by and surprise Professor Oak." Misty brightened, "Ash, mind keeping up?"
"Oak will be able to convince Ash he's not fine and get him to see a doctor." Brock glanced back at his ill friend.
Ash had fallen behind again. He wore his hat low over his eyes and what could be seen of his face was pale. Pikachu was walking beside him instead of being on his shoulder. Misty was worried. Ash had not eaten much at breakfast, which was very unusual. Ash usually mowed through multiple servings of everything.
"I'm coming." Ash caught back up. He was not feeling well. His head was pounding severely, and his stomach was having second thoughts about the few bites of breakfast Ash had managed to get down. He was exhausted. His mind wandered to his sleeping bag which he longed to burrow into. He forced his body to keep moving. It took effort to put one foot in front of the other. Everything swayed, causing him to stumble. Ash managed to grab onto a tree to keep himself from going down. He blinked. Everything seemed to have developed a ghost image. He coughed, closing his eyes as each cough burned its way out of his chest.
"Ash, are you okay?" Misty rushed to him.
"Got dizzy for a second, I'm fine." Ash focused on keeping his breathing even.
"Why don't we stop for a bit? We all could use a break." Brock quickly defused the situation before Misty and Ash could have one of their arguments. Misty shut her mouth and helped Ash sit. She looked over at Brock. They both were wishing for the same thing, that the rest would restore Ash back to his normal self. They both knew it would help, but it would not be enough to restore Ash. Misty pulled out a canteen and offered it to Ash, who refused.
"You need to drink something, Ash." Misty tried.
"Not thirsty." Ash responded, "and not in the mood to argue."
"Misty, don't. It is common to not want to eat or drink when you aren't feeling well." Brock put a stop to what he knew would blow into yet another argument.
"But what about dehydration?" Misty worried.
"Just let him rest." Brock pulled out his portable radio and switched it on.
"Breaking news! 500 dead out of 650 infected with what is being called Pneumonitis. If you or a loved one have a productive cough, high fever, chills, and noisy breathing, please report to the nearest medical facility. If your town has no medical facility, please report to your pokemon center immediately. The sooner treatment is started, the better chance you have of survival." Brock and Misty looked at each other, then at Ash, who had curled up on his side and was asleep. They looked at each other.
"Are we in danger?" Misty asked.
"When you became a gym leader, were you given vaccines? One of those vaccines is for Johto Flu, which also protects against Pneumonitis." Brock answered.
"I got that one too. Ash should have gotten that vaccine before entering Johto." Misty said.
"Vaccines don't always work." Brock went to Ash's side and shook him a bit, "Ash?"
"Yeah?" Ash opened his eyes.
"Did you receive any vaccines before entering Johto?" Brock asked.
"Yeah, two of them. I couldn't get the other one because of an allergy." Ash closed his eyes, "I can't remember which one." "Brock, what should we do?" Misty felt cold fear race down her spine.
"Pikapi?" Pikachu was worried too.
"Lets not panic." Brock thought.
Ash started coughing. When he finished, he pulled his hand away to reveal blood splatters on his glove. For Brock, that decided it. He put a hand on Ash's forehead.
"Well?" Misty asked worriedly.
"He has a fever. Misty, stay with him. I'm going for help." Brock released his Onix and climbed aboard. "Onix, lets move!"
Onix rumbled and rushed off. Misty decided to make Ash as comfortable as she possibly could. She took his sleeping bag out and covered him with it. She slid her own sleeping bag under his head and put a cold compress on his forehead. He was looking worse. There was no color to his skin. The only color was to his flushed red cheeks. Sweat rolled down his face. Misty dabbed the sweat away and took his icy cold hand into her own.
"Hold on, Ash." Misty begged softly.
It felt like hours had gone by when Brock returned, following an ambulance. Misty moved to let the paramedics take care of Ash. Pikachu stood on Ash's chest and hissed a warning.
"Pikachu, no!" Brock started.
He was too late. One of the paramedics took a thundershock to the hand. Pikachu snarled warningly, its cheeks sparking dangerously. "Not again! We've got another bonded pair!" A paramedic pulled out a tranquilizer gun.
"Wait, let me handle it." Brock walked up to Pikachu, "I know you are upset and scared, Pikachu. If you do not move and let them help Ash get better, Ash will die."
"Pikapi pika? Pikachu pika pika!" (Ash will die? They are strangers!) Pikachu protested. He let Brock pick him up. As he was carried past the paramedics, he sparked his cheeks and hissed, making sure they understood how important Ash was to him and what he would do to them if they hurt Ash.
"Before you enter Goldenrod City, all pokemon must be in their poke balls, no exceptions. You can ride your Onix up to the city, but it must be in its poke ball before you enter." A paramedic explained, "There's enough room for you both to ride with us."
"Alright. Togepi, into your poke ball." Misty opened the poke ball. Togepi went in without a fuss. Pikachu would be a very different story. Brock found Pikachu's poke ball. Pikachu dodged the beam, and sent Brock a look of utter disgust. Brock chased the electric mouse around, trying to catch him. He grabbed Pikachu who screeched and screamed loudly.
"Pikachu." Came a firm yet weak voice. Pikachu froze. "Get into your Poke ball, now." The voice belonged to Ash. Pikachu promptly complied. "Sorry about that. He is poke ball trained." Ash dissolved into a harsh coughing fit the left him gasping for breath. Fresh blood flecked his mouth. The paramedic became concerned and pulled a stethoscope. He listened to Ash's breathing, which was labored.
"He's got some fluid buildup going on in his lungs." Brock rode in front while Misty rode in the back with Ash and the paramedic. Ash began coughing violently. The paramedic quickly grabbed a container as Ash gagged. He rolled Ash to his side and held the container below Ash's mouth. Ash coughed, and brought up clumps of black clots. He gagged, and expelled the contents of his stomach which was mixed with bright red blood.
"Director, should I have Goldenrod City sealed off?" Whitney asked. Whitney was the gym leader of Goldenrod Gym. Gym Leaders were responsible for protecting their cities or towns.
"No. We have to remain open. Azalea Town and Cherrygrove City depend upon us. If we close off our city, that leaves Olivine City as the closest hospital, and it is too far from them. Eutacreak has a clinic, but its not equipped to deal with an epidemic. We must remain open." The Director of health shook her head.
"Director! We have a patient in route, and he's critical!" A nurse shouted, "he's having severe breathing difficulties and has already crashed twice in the ambulance!"
"Get a trauma bay open! I want an intubation tray ready and a crash cart on stand by!" The director ordered, "Get surgery on call and I need a medical team ready to go!"
"Need me to do anything?" Witney asked.
"Yes, handle any friends or family coming with him." The director rushed off. Witney wondered how many more would fall before the epidemic ended.
Misty and Brock followed the gurney as far as they were allowed to go. Witney met them and took them to a waiting room. The wait would be a long one. The Director herself came to speak with them.
"Ash Ketchum?" She called.
"That's us. I'm Brock and this is Misty. We are his best friends." Brock stood, "How is he?"
"Come with me. I'm Dr. Elasia Joyous, and I'm taking Ash's case. In here. I am Goldenrod City's Director of Health. Please, take a seat. Is there anything I can get you, coffee, tea, juice?" Elasia asked.
"We're fine, thank you." Misty and Brock sat down in two of the chairs in front of the table. They were in a conference room.
"Ash Ketchum is in surgery right now. He is stable, but he is very sick. Surgeons are inserting drainage tubes into his lungs. He has been intubated. Ash has Pneumonitis, which is a serious viral infection that attacks multiple organs. Right now it is attacking his lungs." Elasia explained.
"When can we see him?" Misty asked.
"Will he make it?" Brock asked.
"We'll move him into the ICU soon, so in about an hour. It is too soon to tell which direction he'll go. He has a fever. We will need to contact his parents." Elasia answered.
"I'll call his mom." Brock offered, "Delia Ketchum lives in Pallet Town, Kanto."
"She won't be able to come here. Johto's borders have been closed to halt the spread of the epidemic. We will see what can be done." Elasia let them return to the waiting room. Brock went to make the call. He knew it would not be easy. He listened to the phone ring.
"Hello?" Delia answered.
"Delia, it's Brock. Ash is really sick. We're in Goldenrod Providence Hospital, Goldenrod City, Johto. They think he has Pneumonitis, and they are still running tests."
"I'm coming there!"
"The border is closed. The Director said she'll see if she can get you here."
"Brock, keep me updated. I am going to try on my end to get into Johto." Delia listened as Brock promised to keep her updated. After they hung up, she dialed a second number. A mans voice answered on the third ring.
"Satoshi? It's Delia."
"Delia, I know I have not been home in a long time. I'm stuck in Johto due to a quarantine." Satoshi explained, "I'm trying to get home, my love."
Delia started to cry, "Our son!"
Cold fear griped Satoshi's heart, "What happened to Ash?"
"He's very sick and I can't get to him!" Delia told where Ash was at, "He needs you, Satoshi!"
"I'm in Olivine City. I'm going to fly on Charizard. I'll call you when I get there." Satoshi hung up. He gathered up his belongings and packed his bags. Giving a quick explanation to Nurse Joy as he was staying at the pokemon center, he rushed outside. "Charizard, we must fly!" Satoshi released Charizard from her poke ball and mounted. Within moments they streaked toward Goldenrod City.
"Don't be alarmed by the tubes and wires you'll see. Ash has a tube coming out of his mouth. He has two smaller tubes coming out of his chest. Those tubes are draining fluid out of his lungs. He is in poor shape right now. We are pumping high doses of medication into him, and right now, we are keeping him sedated. He won't be awake. You both have 15 minutes with him." Elasia led them to Ash's room, "It is still too soon say anything, but I am cautiously optimistic that he'll beat the odds."
"We understand." Brock nodded.
They entered the room. Ash had looked bad before, but he looked even worse. He looked so small and frail in the bed. He had not regained any color. His cheeks were red from fever. Pain flickered across his face. His rest was not an easy one. The only sound was the soft hiss of the ventilator keeping him alive. Each mechanical breath forced red fluid into the drainage tubes where it dripped into a bag.
"Oh Brock, he looks terrible! He's in pain!" Misty felt tears bead in the corners of her eyes.
The door opened as Satoshi entered. He went to his son's side where he brushed Ash's bangs off his forehead tenderly. Both Brock and Misty could tell that this man was related to Ash. They had the same hair and eyes. Satoshi looked like he could pass for Ash's older brother instead of his father.
"I'm here, Ash." Satoshi took his son's icy cold hand into his own, "Daddy is right here now." He turned, "You two are Misty and Brock, right? Ash has told me so much about you in his letters. I'm Satoshi Ketchum and I'm his father."
"Nice to meet you. Ash has talked about you from time to time. He says you are the regional champion of Kanto." Brock shook Satoshi's hand.
"I am. I was here visiting Lance and Cynthia. We did the gym badge challenge together. We all vowed to become regional Champions together. We achieved that dream." Satoshi watched his son.
"What does a regional champion do?" Misty asked.
"We are responsible for protecting our regions much like a gym leader does for their city. Each of us has four lieutenants called the Elite Four. Each member of the Elite Four is responsible for thier part of the region. I am the head of the military and am responsible for investigating wrongdoings. For this I use Officer Jennys and Nurse Joys. Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy are the titles given to women who earn them. It doesn't mean that a man can't become an officer or a nurse. They can, but they don't receive the titles. This was done long ago to encourage women and give them the same opportunities as men recieve." Satoshi explained, "I often have to travel a lot so I don't get to be home as much as I like."
"I know the feeling." Brock said, "I'm a gym leader with several small towns under my jurisdiction."
The ventilator trilled a warning. Elasia rushed in and grabbed the printout, "He can't breathe! His lungs are full of fluid!" She sent them back to the waiting area, "Mr. Ketchum, I need you to sign a few papers allowing us to do what we can for Ash!"
"I'll sign them! Do everything you can!" Satoshi gave permission. He went to the waiting area and froze. There was another man in the waiting area, one he knew well. He growled low, deep in the back of his throat.
"My dear brother."
"What are you doing here, Giovanni?"
"Can't an Uncle see his beloved nephew?"
"No, he cannot! Not after his creation took his nephews life! Leave, Giovanni!"
"You are upset, Satoshi." "You are not welcome here! You've done enough damage to my family!"
"I am not here to cause trouble, Satoshi. I am worried about Ash, and about you. I'm your twin. I know you are panicking on the inside. I can feel it. For Ash's sake, can we have a truce? I promise, I won't go see Ash unless he wants to see me."
"If you upset Ash or do something I don't like, you are gone." Satoshi hissed in warning. Giovanni agreed to the terms.
"As you wish, little brother. As you wish." Giovanni promised.
Elasia entered the waiting area. Everyone stood.
"He is a lot worse. His lungs are badly injured from the infection. He's not getting enough oxygen to his brain. We are going to put him on a cardiopulmonary bypass instead of the ventilator. The bypass will do what his lungs can't do, oxygenate his blood. We need to put him into a coma for this." Elasia explained.
"Do it." Satoshi said, handing over the papers he signed.
Queen Sunstar: Feel free to leave reviews, and suggestions are greatly appreciated. I may go full AAML on this but I'm not sure if that is the direction I want to go. Next chapter, the Champions gather together to discuss the epidemic. Giovanni will have a moment to shine as he reveals a little secret, and we will meet the Champion of Algid.