Author's Notes: Alright, here's Chapter 3! Not much to say here, I hope you enjoy the next chapter! Have a read, give a review, I love you! PM me if you want to tell me anything!


Chapter 3

Finally Together

I awoke to the sound of chirping Starly. It was dawn; the sun was just coming up. I stretched and let out a yawn, then rubbed my eyes. Then suddenly my right eye started to burn. I looked at my right hand and it was covered in blood. I looked down at Eevee. I was glad she stayed there through the night; maybe she was starting to trust me. I knelt next to her body, which was still asleep, and searched it for the bleeding wound, I searched her whole body until I located where the blood was coming from; her mouth.

Oh no… This constant bleeding from the mouth probably means she has internal bleeding, in her lungs. A cold feeling rushed over me as I thought to myself. Maybe she's not sleeping… I put my hand over her bloody mouth and waited. five year-long seconds went by, then I finally felt it…her breath. I can't even explain how relieved I was, but if there was one thing I knew for certain, it was that I needed to get her to a Pokemon Center, now! But as soon as I started to pick her up, she jumped to her feet and quickly moved just a few feet away, stumbling over her broken leg.

"I'm awake!" She said quickly. "I'm awake, please don't hit me…" When she finished that sentence, she coughed, spitting some blood on the ground. Again a feeling of sadness rushed over me when she said that, making me think of all the abuse she's gone through… I threw my now blood-soaked clothes back in my bag, swung it around my shoulders, and then proceeded to walk toward Eevee to pick her up. And just like last night when I put my arm around her, she closed her eyes and braced herself for a hit. I just let out a sigh and picked her tensed body up and started to run, looking for the pathway. I needed to get to a town. Eevee then relaxed her muscles and looked up at me. I looked at her for a moment, gave her a quick smile, the continued to focus on where I was running. The last thing I wanted to do was trip on something and drop her; injuring her more. After about twenty minutes of running , I finally found a path and started following it.

Nothing interesting happened the whole time I ran. I saw some Staravia playing with a Roselia and a pack of Bidoof on my way. After about fifteen minutes of running, I finally saw the tips of buildings in the distance. Encouraged by finally seeing a city, I increased my running speed. I had no idea what city it was, I just knew I needed to get there and find the Pokemon Center. I finally arrived at the city, but still I couldn't slow down or rest. I frantically searched the city for the Pokemon Center.

There was a lot of stuff going on in the city. There were men doing construction on what looked like a new building, with a Machamp carrying four steel beams; one in each hand. I saw a Delibird flying around delivering mail. There was lots people rushing around and a lot of kids playing with other children and Pokemon in harmony. After searching around the huge city for fifteen or twenty minutes, I finally found the Pokemon Center.

I burst inside, causing the five or so people that were in there to give me a weird look. I rushed up to the front desk and placed Eevee on the counter. Nurse Joy was doing something on the computer. When I sat Eevee on the counter, she looked up with a smile.

"Hello! How may I…help…you…" At the same rate that she slowed her talking, her smile disappeared and her eyes sunk from mine to Eevee. "What happened to this Eevee?!" She said, looking sternly at me.

"It's a long story…" I said quickly and panted as I said it. "She has a broken leg and I think she may have internal bleeding, in her lungs."

She called Chansey over and she brought a stretcher. She carefully placed Eevee on it, and then started to move toward the double-doors in the back of the hallway to the left of the counter, leading to the operating rooms. I walked right with them. Chansey ran ahead and opened the doors and Nurse Joy kept pushing. But as soon as Eevee saw the medical equipment and all the machinery, she started to freak out and attempted to get out the stretcher. I stopped her attempt to leave.

"What's wrong?" I tried to ask in a calm voice.

"N-No! Don't put me back in the machines! I-I'll be your slave for free! Just please don't make me!" She frantically said.

I wanted to cry. The "machines?" What kind of horrible, terrible things have heartless people made this poor Eevee go through?

Nurse Joy was now looking at me with a death glare. I looked back at Eevee. "Don't worry, these people will help you." I said, trying to comfort her, but to no avail. She was breathing heavily and her eyes were darting around the room.

Nurse Joy then stopped me and said "You're not allowed any farther, you have to wait out in the lobby." Before I had any chance to react, she was already in the room and the doors closed behind her. I walked back out of the hallway and into the main room. I sat down in one of the chairs with everybody there looking at me. I heard the people muttering amongst themselves. I heard words like "terrible trainer" and "irresponsible" I knew they thought I was a horrible trainer, but they didn't know the whole story, and I wasn't going to bother to explain. I head a "ding" and I looked up. The red light with a syringe on it turned on; which indicated operation. All I had to do now is wait…

Considering how bad Eevee's condition was, I figured all of the medical procedures that needed to be done would take a while. So I decided I'd withdraw some money from my savings because all of the cash I had on me was stolen, and then stop at the Poke Mart to buy some essentials. I walked over to the machines that are in every Pokemon Center. And I should have expected this, but shortly after I logged on, I got a video call request from my mom. I smiled, knowing that she's probably been just sitting at our computer just waiting for me to get on so she can check up on me. I accepted it and the little window displaying what was seen by the camera on the machine; what my mom would see, came up. And at first glance I didn't even recognize myself. The right side of my face was a little swollen from where I was punched. I'd imagine it was worse before and by now gone down a little. And on my left cheek there was a small stream of now-dried blood. I couldn't let my mom see me like this, Even if I had just a small scratch on my face she'd suggest I go home. If she saw me like this, she'd probably literally have a heart attack. So I quickly hung up, and sent her this message: "Hi mom, everything is fine, no need to worry! :) But I'm in a hurry and need to go. Bye!" I hope that message convinced her that I was fine. I accessed the ATM function and withdrew $200 of the $600 I had in my savings, and finally headed back out into the city.

Just like before, the city was still swarming with people. I should probably figure out what city I was in. I saw a tall man in a suit with a briefcase. As he walked by, I looked up at him to ask him, but my eyes kept going past his head until I was almost looking straight up. I was looking at a very tall tower with many satellites on top of it. I recognized this distinct land mark. It was the television tower, for Jubilife TV. I was in Jubilife City. A wandered around for a while, trying to follow the signs and get to the Poke Mart. About fifteen minutes later, I finally located the distinct building with the blue roof. I walked in and looked at the rows and rows of shelves with goods all organized and neatly displayed. I started walking down the aisles, looking for what I needed. I got three Poke Balls, one of which I planned to use on Eevee. Some potions, new clothes; the outfit I had on was the only clothes I had. My other clothes were blood-stained from Eevee and ruined. This made me think of her. I hope she's doing alright… I kept looking for anything I needed, and then I came to the aisle that had nothing but different brands of Poke Block. I knew I would need food for Eevee, so I started browsing the selection. It all looked the same, just a bunch of processed packages of Poke Block. So I decided I'd make my own. I went to the little machines they had by the aisle that were there specifically to help customers find what kind of Poke Block they needed for their Pokemon. I searched "Eevee" and a list of ingredients came up, along with a printable paper that had directions on how to prepare the Poke Block, which was convenient. I walked around the store until I located the assortment of berries and seasons that I needed. Once I had everything, I headed to the counter to checkout. Everything I had ran me about $100. Once I purchased everything, I put the clothes and potions in my back pack, the Poke Balls on my belt, and the ingredients along with the instructional paper I left in the bag they gave me. As I walked out, my stomach started to hurt and grumbled loudly and I realized something: I hadn't eaten in the past day and a half, I was starving!

I walked on the sidewalk and stopped at the first fast-food place I could find, which didn't take me very long. When I got in I ordered a double cheeseburger with a large fry and a Root Beer. It was all gone very quickly, I really was starving. I left the fast-food place and was headed back to the Pokemon Center, when I remembered something about Jubilife City: The Poketch Company. Jubilife City is where they make and distribute Poketches. So I figured I'd get one. It took me about twenty minutes to get to the building. It had a large lobby. And for such a big room there weren't very many people there. They only had the choice between a blue one and a pink one. So I obviously picked the blue one, bought it and was adjusting it on my wrist as I walked out. I was now finally headed back to the Pokemon Center.

Once I got there, I eagerly looked at the red light, to see if she was still being worked on. I was saddened to see it still on, and took a seat. Was she okay? They've been working on her for a long time… I kept looking at the clock function on my Poketch. five minutes went by, then ten, twenty, thirty. What if she didn't make it? What if I was too late? No, I need to stop thinking like that… If she didn't make it…I… Light tears were forming in my eyes. Eevee had to make it, she just had to… "Ding." This sound snapped me out of my thoughts, I looked up and I saw it: the light was off.

I literally jumped out of my seat. I ran over to the double-doors and stared at it, waiting for them to come out. After what felt like forever, Nurse Joy finally walked out, but Chansey and Eevee were nowhere to be seen. The smile on my face dropped instantly.

"W-Where's Eevee?" I managed to spit out.

Nurse Joy looked at and said "I'm afraid you can't see your Eevee anymore…"

I think my heart stopped. I clenched my fist and tightly closed my eyes, causing the tears that had already started to form to run down my face. I was too late… I didn't try hard enough… I was too late! I couldn't save her…

Nurse Joy then said "The condition of your Eevee was atrocious! I have the medical analysis right here…" She held up a piece of paper, then looked at it and started reading from it. "Pokemon had cuts and bruises covering virtually its entire body. Pokemon's fur was in such a condition that would suggest it hadn't been washed in months. Pokemon had a broken arm and two broken ribs; one of which had punctured the lung, causing internal bleeding." Once Nurse Joy finished reading the medical analysis, she put the paper on the counter and looked back at me. "I can't allow Eevee to return with you, so for now she's going to stay here."

My eyes snapped open. "What? S-She's alive?!"

"Yes, right now she's in the recovery room."

You don't even know how relieved I was. Words can't even describe how I felt, knowing she was alive after I truly believed she was gone. Then I realized what she had just said.

"Wait a minute, she's in alive and recovering… Why did you say I couldn't have her back?"

"We have enough evidence to have a case filed for Pokemon abuse…" As soon as she said that I heard the chimes that are played when the door opens. I looked over to see two police officers walking in. I looked back at Nurse Joy.

"Did… did you call the police on me?"

"I'm afraid we're going to have to place you under arrest." The two police men walked behind me and grabbed my arms to put hand-cuffs on me. I mildly resisted and looked back at Nurse Joy.

"No, no! I didn't do anything!" The officers forced my arms back and then heard the click of the hand-cuffs.

"They have to take you to the station for questioning." Nurse Joy said. The officers took me to the exit and opened up the door, letting the bright mid-day sun shine on me, causing me to squint. At this point I just dropped my head back and let out an annoyed "Uuuuugh" over the fact that all this was happening. The police men led me outside to their police car; which was parked right outside and stuffed me in the back. The police men got in on either sides and proceeded to drive me through the city. I wasn't afraid of being arrested. I knew I didn't abuse that… my Eevee. And all I needed to do was explain myself; prove my innocence. But more so was I annoyed with it all. I could be in the Pokemon Center right now, sitting by Eevee's bedside, trying to comfort her. But no, here I was in the back of a cop car being driven to the police station under false accusation of Pokemon abuse.

When we arrived, the police men got out, opened the door and pulled me out. They lead me up to the large building. The lobby wasn't very large, but it wasn't small either. There was a rug on the tiled floor leading up to the front desk. There were some chairs lining the walls of the room. There was only one other person in there, he was sitting on one of the chairs. One of the police officers took my bag and walked down the hallway that branched off of the lobby and then walked in one of the rooms with it. The other police man kept his hand around my arm as he walked me to the front desk. Behind it there was a female officer who was writing something down. When we reached the desk, she stopped writing and looked at us for a moment, then spoke.

"Is this the kid we just got a call about? The one who abused his Eevee?" It was almost like someone punched me when she said that. It made me mad and I clenched my fists.

"Yeah, this is the kid. Where do you want him?" The officer said casually, still keeping his tight grip on my arm.

"Jenny said she wanted to speak with him directly…" She said, pointing down the hallway with the pen she was just using to write with.

"Thanks Judy…" He said as he yanked me down the hallway. There were multiple doors lining either side of the hallway. At the end of the hallway, there was a final door. On the door there was a gold plate with the text "CEO" and directly under it, it said "Officer Jenny." The officer opened the door and rather harshly threw me in and I stumbled to keep my balance. I heard the door shut behind me.

I looked up to see a rather standard-looking office. I looked around as she motioned me to sit down. She didn't look at me when she motioned me; she continuously looked down at whatever she was writing. I sat down, adjusting my hands in an attempt to sit comfortably, for my hands were still hand-cuffed. I observed the room. It was your stereotypical office. There was a file cabinet in the corner with an assortment of magnets on it. Her desk was cluttered with papers. There was a lamp on one side of her desk and on the other side of the desk there was a picture of her countless sisters and cousins. For a while I just sat in the chair, the only sound that could be heard was the constant ticking of the clock on the wall. And finally she stopped writing and, looked up at me and broke the communicational silence.

"Do you know why you're here, Jake?" I could tell by her tone that she already didn't like me because of what I was being accused of.

"Yes, and I'm going to say right now that I didn't do anything. I was trying to save that Eevee."

"Ah, of course! You were trying to save the Eevee! At all makes sense now!" She said sarcastically, which made me angry. Then her tone became more stern. She slapped her hands on the desk and looked right at me, "Listen kid, do you think I was born yesterday? That Eevee had a broken leg, broken ribs and internal bleeding. Now do you expect me to believe that this just happened from some wild Pokemon battle?"

"No, because it didn't. Her previous owner did it to her; made her fight and kill for money…" I clenched my fist. Just thinking about what those people did to her and other Pokemon makes my blood boil. "Her previous owner mugged me; you see these marks on my face? That's from them. I would never abuse my Pokemon. And for more proof, look in my bag that you confiscated from me for "evidence." I just bought food and a Poke Ball for her. I saved that Eevee from a site of Pokemon underground trafficking."

"Pokemon underground trafficking?" Her voice was now the opposite of stern. "There have been more and more occasions of this… and they always happen right under our nose. Where were you? Where is that location for the trafficking?"

"I'm… not exactly sure. Once I got out, I just walked for about half a mile until I found the path…" She let out a sigh.

Officer Jenny just looked at me for a moment, as if studying me. I think she believed my story. "How do I know you're telling me the truth?"

"I would never hurt my Pokemon. You have to believe me. All I want to do is spend time with my Eevee."

She looked down and let out another sigh. "Alright… I believe you." She gets out of her chair and at the same time pulls keys off from around her belt. She walks behind me and unlicks the hand-cuffs. I stand up and put my hands in front of me, rubbing where the hand-cuffs had been.

"Thank you so much, and nothing is going on my record, right? I'd hate to have "accused of Pokemon abuse" on my record."

"Correct, you still have a clean slate." Officer Jenny said, smiling. "Would you like a ride back to the Pokemon Center?"

"Yes, thank you."

And with that we walked out. When we were in the lobby, Jenny told me to wait and she walked down the other hallway and came back a few minutes later with my bag. We both then walked outside and got in her cruiser. She started the car up and pretty soon we were on our way back to the Pokemon Center.

As soon as we got there, I jumped out of the car and burst through the front doors of the Pokemon Center, eager to see Eevee again. Nurse Joy gave me a dirty look, obviously thinking I was the one that abused her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I told you, I'm innocent. I want to see my Eevee."

Officer Jenny then walked up to the front counter; next to me. "He's telling the truth. Eevee's previous owner is the abuser."

"Oh," Nurse Joy said. "well in that case… you can follow me." She walked out from behind the counter and proceeded down the hallway. I stayed close behind. Eventually she came to a door and she opened it and I went in. I saw her. I saw my Eevee lying on a hospital bed. Her eyes were closed and she was hooked up to medical machines. Nurse Joy then closed the door, leaving me alone with her. I walked up to her bedside and smiled, still grateful she was alive. After a moment, she started to stir. Her eyes opened slowly at first, and then they snapped open. She started looking around the room and tried to sit up. It was obviously the first time she had been awake since she'd been here.

"Hey… calm down. It's okay." I say in a soothing tone, petting her head.

"W-Where am I?" I was a little bit confused by this question.

"You're in the Pokemon Center."

"P-Pokemon Center?" I was shocked by this response. Had she never heard of or been to a Pokemon Center before? That couldn't have been true, could it? Did all of her previous owners never even once bring her here?

"Yes, the people want to make you feel better."

"But… But they hurt me with needles and liquids… like my old master did…"

Hurt her with needles and liquids like her old masters? She'd never been to a Pokemon Center before, so her old masters weren't giving her medicine, so what was she talking about? I thought for a moment, and then it hit me: steroids. Her owners had been pumping steroids in her blood stream to help her win the horrible fights. Again I felt angry. "This is different; it's going to make you feel better."

"W-What did they do to me? They d-didn't put me in the m-machines, d-did they?" Her voice was starting to tremble. I didn't know what her previous owners did. I didn't know what the "machines" were, and I didn't really want to know.

"No, they helped fix your wounds… see?" I uncover her arm from the blanket that Nurse Joy gave her. "See? Your arm's all better!" She held her arm up in front of her, inspecting it with a look of amazement on her face.

"How… How did they do that?" I smiled.

"With medicine and treatment… I told you they wouldn't hurt you. They also fixed your ribs and lung, so now you can breathe easier." She looked down; I could tell she was focusing on her breathing, to see if it still hurt to do so.

Nurse Joy walks in the room and looks at the monitors, then at me. "Your Eevee has recovered quite nicely. All I have to do is un-hook her from the medical devices and she'll be ready to leave!"

"That's great to hear, thank you, Nurse Joy."

She walked over to her and removed the IVs that were in her. Eevee then stands up slowly, and then sort of bounces on her once-broken leg to put pressure on it, looking down at it and realizing that it truly is fixed.

I walk over to her, while she's still looking down at her leg so she couldn't see me approaching her, and I pick her up. She flinches pretty badly, which makes me sad, for every time she does something like that, in this case flinch, it reminds me of all the abuse she's gone through…

I pick her up, holding her in my arms. "You're coming with me now, okay?" She didn't look at me and quietly replied.

"Yes, master…"

I didn't like that, her calling me "master." It sounded like I owned her. I didn't own her. Nobody could own a Pokemon. Pokemon aren't property, they're living, breathing creatures. Now in the lobby, I started to walk toward the front door when I heard Nurse Joy call out.

"Hey!" I turned around to look at her. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Calling the police on you and all… but take care, okay?"

I showed a small smile. "Heh, it's alright… at least I have her now." I turned back around, heading for the door. It was evening so everything had a red-ish tint to it from the sunset. I started walking along the sidewalk, looking for a hotel to stay in for the night.