Chapter 21: Second Chance

"Is it…really the end? After all that has happened, this is the ending to my story? Could Lex forgive me? Could Pikachu forgive me? Could I forgive myself? No, I won't allow it! This can't be the end for me!"

"Doctor! I think she's starting to come to!"

"What's that voice? Could it be? Is there still a chance after all…?"

Emma slowly opened her eyes and although her vision was grainy, she could see she was in a white room. Once it improved she noticed she was in a medical room. She was at a Pokemon Center.

"Good, you're finally awake," the Chansey at her side said. "We were worried about you."

Emma then noticed she was hooked up to a heart monitor. "What happened?" she asked.

"I'll tell you," the doctor said, coming in. "Apparently you had a high concentration of poison in your bloodstream. Somehow though, you miraculously survived. Pokemon, or even humans, don't survive that."

"So I survived after all, despite the fact I shouldn't have," Emma thought. "I see…" she said. "So… where am I exactly?"

"You're at the Pokemon Center in Oreburgh City," the doctor replied. "Apparently one of the nurses who were in the area saw you unconscious and rushed you here as fast as they could."

"But it seems now the poison has been extracted out of your body," Chansey said. She then disconnected Emma from the machine. "So now you'll be good to go."

"But before you go, there's some final paperwork I have to finish," the doctor said. "But first, there's another patient that I must see."

"Just rest here while you're waiting," Chansey said as the two of them left.

It seemed Emma had indeed escaped death. Not that she was complaining. She then decided to leave on her own. Like anyone could stop her. However, she decided to take a look around the Pokemon Center. It was the first time she had ever been to one, and was surprised to see how many Pokemon and humans were involved.

(A/N: Okay, first song here is a song I think makes sense to use, even if it's from a different Nintendo franchise. XD The song is "Song of Healing" from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Hm… I think I might try beating that game…)

*Soon, she got up to another patient room and heard talking, causing her to stop.

"Is Pikachu going to be alright doctor?" a familiar voice. Emma's heart almost stopped. If she had heard right, then it meant Ash and the others were here as well! And Pikachu… he was still alive? She then peeked through the crack in the door and saw everyone including Pikachu, who was lying unconscious on the bed.

"It appears the wound did not hit any major arteries," the doctor said. "So, your Pikachu should recover in a matter of time."

"Oh thank goodness," May said.

"What a relief, right Ash?" Brock asked.

"Yeah…" Ash said. "But… if only I had known where Pikachu was at that point. I… I could've saved him beforehand." He then looked down sadly. "Not to mention we don't know what happened to Emma either…" Emma gasped slightly. They thought she had gone missing?

"Ash, it's not your fault," May said. "It's not like you would've known anyway, since it was in the middle of the night."

"Yeah, Pikachu knew the risks if he went off by himself," Drew added. "Besides, once he wakes up, maybe he can tell us what happened?"

"Um… if you don't mind me asking, who is Emma?" the doctor then asked.

"Emma is a Pichu we met not too long ago," Brock said. "We've been looking for her."

"Oh crap… Please don't say it…" Emma thought pleadingly.

"A Pichu?" the doctor replied. "Actually, we found a Pichu earlier today that was unconscious. I can bring her to you if you want."

"Aw crap…" Emma muttered. She knew she had nowhere else to go now. She tried hiding but the doctor came out of the room and instantly spotted her.

He smiled. "How about that, you being right outside of the room? I think you have some friends here who were looking for you." He then gave her a wink. "I'll leave you be so you all can talk." Emma gave a small sigh and went inside.

"Emma!" everyone almost yelled, coming up to her.

"You're okay?" Brock asked.

"Um… yeah," Emma replied. "This is awkward…" "Let's just say I… had a close encounter…"

"Well, it's good to see you're alright," Ash said.

Everyone seemed happy except Piplup, who gave her a death glare. He knew, and she couldn't blame him. She would have to tell the truth, about what really happened. There was no other way around it. "Um… listen, everyone, there's something I have to tell you."

All of a sudden, there was a slight groan that came from Pikachu's lips as he slowly opened his eyes. "This is just not my day…" he muttered.

"Pikachu!" Ash cried out, walking towards him. "You alright?"

"I've been better…" Pikachu said. The second he saw Emma, his emotions turned from calm to complete rage. "YOU!" he roared, trying to get up, but fatigue caused him to fall back into bed.

"Pikachu, what's wrong!" Ash said, concerned.

"Her!" Pikachu said, pointing at Emma. "She did this to me! She tried to kill me!"

There was complete shock in the room as everyone turned towards the Pichu. "Emma… is this true?" Brock asked.

Emma sighed. "Yes," she said. "It's true. I am, no, was one of Sirius' agents."

"So you lied about everything?" Ash said, starting to get angry.

"Yes, but I had no choice!" Emma said, looking at everyone. "You… none of you know my background, how I became what I am. I didn't have a choice… I had to do it, even if I didn't want to, or face death." Her eyes filled with tears as she looked down. "Unfortunately, Lex gave his life to protect me."

"Lex?" Pikachu said, surprised. "You mean he was your friend?"

"Yes," Emma replied, nodding. "We made the wrong choices, mostly because at the time we were desperate for survival. And… we regret doing that. Please Pikachu, I'm sorry for doing this to you, but what would you have done?"

Pikachu sighed. "Possibly the same thing," he replied. "So… are you truly on our side now?"

Emma turned around. "I don't know," she said. "I am… but are you willing to accept me after all of this?"

"Well, although you did almost kill Pikachu, I guess I can understand the pressure you were under," Ash said.

"But if you try pulling anything on us again, I personally will make sure you're taken care of," Pikachu said acidly.

Emma flinched slightly. "I understand. I, like all of you realize that Sirius must be stopped, and I am willing to help you to see that fulfilled." She then turned back to face him. "In fact, I know where Sirius' domain is. Of course for you, you will have to find another way there, but I can guide you once we do get there."

"Then it's agreed then," Drew said. "Emma will help us on our journey and guide us to where Sirius is."

The others nodded but once Emma looked again towards Piplup, his attitude of her had not changed in the slightest. She then sighed. "It wasn't easy, but it sure could've ended up worse than it had…"

Later on, the nurses came back to do more tests for Pikachu. Unfortunately, Pikachu wasn't the type who could just sit around and wait. Precious time was being wasted and Pikachu already wasn't in the best of moods. However Ash, who wanted his buddy back one hundred percent, finally convinced him to wait after much arguing.

Ash, Pikachu, and Emma were the only ones in the room at the moment. May, Drew, and Brock went out to get supplies with Piplup accompanying them. After some time, Ash got up from his seat and went over to where Emma was, who had been sitting in thought. "I want you to learn more about yourself," he then said to her.

(A/N: Okay, the next song here is "Ventus' Theme" from Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep.)

Emma smiled slightly. "I suppose that's fair enough," she said. "Although, there really isn't much to tell. *I grew up as an orphan, having to fend for myself. I never knew my parents." She then chuckled slightly. "It's funny though… perhaps if they hadn't left me I wouldn't have been in the mess I'm in now." Pikachu knew how she probably felt, since he had been in the same situation. "So I was in a dire situation, off on my own. Then, I was attacked by a small gang of Pokemon. But… then Sirius came and saved me."

"Sirius saved you?" Ash asked.

"That's right," Emma replied. "Even now, I do not know why he did, mostly out of pity perhaps. So, I had become an apprentice under him, soon to become an agent. And that was also how I met Lex." She then looked down and was silent for a couple moments before saying, "Tell me. This girl Dawn, is she important to you?"

"Very important," Ash replied. "She's our friend and Piplup's trainer…" He then blushed slightly, knowing better than to finish that sentence.

"I see…" Emma said. She then turned away slightly. "So… do you hate me for taking your friend away?"

"No," Ash replied. "I guess I'm just… sad."

Emma gasped slightly and frowned. "I'm sorry," she said. "…Lex had met her… and she was probably the only human that ever really cared about him, despite where his loyalties lied. So, I know for sure she's a good person." She then turned to Pikachu. "Pikachu, I hope you don't hate me and someday that you will be able to forgive me."

"I don't hate you," Pikachu replied calmly. "And… I hope I can forgive you someday as well. But right now, I can't."

Emma nodded. "I understand." She then looked back to Ash. "Well, for the most part, that's all there is about me."

"Thank you," Ash replied. "And Emma, we really are sorry about Lex."

"Thank you," Emma said softly. It was hard enough even saying his name without him popping into her mind. She then sighed. "I already miss him like crazy…"

(A/N: And that will end chapter 21. A bit shorter than the last two, but I guess that's okay. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed it and get ready for a big clash in the next chapter! Who will be involved? Find out next time and stay tuned!)

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