Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon and Harry Potter

BloodyKitsune1997: So a bit shorter than normal, I'm sorry, but things got a bit busy! I wanted to give you guys a chapter anyway. I hope you enjoy it though!

Reviews:

gabyvu87: Here's the next chapter!

Ktap4321: Glad you enjoyed it. I'm staying safe.

TheHarbringerofDeath: I'll add them to the list.

Gouravsilentreader: Here is the next chapter.

mallory .b .rosenstein: Thank you.

AyameKitsune: Thanks.

comodo50: Well that is something we'll have to find out, huh?

Past Shadow's Sin: Thanks for the names and good guess.

666Neko: Thank you and here's the next chapter!

frankieu: Here's the next chapter.

Ether02: Indeed.

Blank-name26: Now that would be funny, I might just do that.

Lucky Guard: Here ya go.

bebepantheon: We'll see.

Jostanos: *Grins teasingly* Does a certain someone want a character in my story?

KyuubiChild717: Can't help it.

thehelpinghand: Perhaps.

BioHazard82: Thank you.

ShadowWolf223: No they will not. No I meant Balto. Arcanine were able to learn Teleport via TM in generation 1. I'm pulling movepools from multiple generations.

bleach103: Will be interesting.

Sakihinata: Had to do it, I couldn't resist.

Acolyte of the Blood Moon: Hope you enjoy this one as well.

Lyryenn: Hope you enjoy this one.

ThunderClaw03: We will see.

The Viking Stranger: Thank you.

TREBOR .E: No

nikkali44: Sorry!

yachiru-chan92: Hope you enjoy this one as well.

LilSqueaks: It's mentioned during this chapter.

Yena: Glad you enjoyed it.

mr. bumpity: Mhmm.

Argonus: Added to the list.

Hopeful Puppy: Glad you enjoyed it and all names are added to the list.

Kisa tracer: Hope this chapter answered your question. Enjoy it.

HarunoWolf17: Hope you didn't wait too long! Names are on the list.

Silbernudelbohne: Glad you enjoy it and welcome to the fic.

Wicken25: I'm glad you enjoy the fic. Steven had two Metagross. I need to go back and change that she met the shiny one first.

Chapter 27

Surge clenched his hands into fists while Blaine finished up conversing with Goodshow. When the other gym leader put his pokenav away, he bit out, "Well?"

"We can't give them much information," Blaine replied making Surge's anger spike and he began to snarl at the other Gym Leader, "Not even Sirius, Surge, don't even try to snap at me. The brat is my damn apprentice and has been for a month and a week. I get that you have a bond with her that goes deep for reasons that I'm not clear on, but she's mine,"

Surge bit back the angry retort that wanted to leave his throat as he took in the other Gym Leader. Being on missions like this always wore them down, Blaine usually managed to avoid looking worn, but this time he looked every inch as worn as Surge felt. Blaine usually took the time to take a shower and clean himself up after their final missions especially if it involved an assault only this time that hadn't happened. The man was coated in ash and dried blood that would probably never come out now thanks to how long it'd been since the fighting had ended. Despite being the oldest gym leader, Blaine rarely showed his age, but right now he looked it. So Surge knew that Vali had gotten close to the old man, it would've made him laugh had the circumstances not made him want to kill all those Poachers again and go kill a specific one.

Surge's mind was filled with red at the blue haired bastard that had harmed the spunky emerald green eyed eleven year old severely enough to force them to put her into a medically induced coma. He seethed at the fact the Poacher was still alive even if the man had knowledge they needed. Growling softly under his breath, he leaned back against the white walls of the hospital and asked, "What can we tell them?"

"We were at a League Base for me to do business and she was there to shadow," Blaine answered while taking off his glasses and rubbing at the bridge of his nose, "You were there for the same reason on with a shadow. During a slow period, we decided to go do some training in the wilderness and things went wrong as they tend to off route. The brat encountered a bigger than normal pack of weevil and Sneasel while we were dealing with other threats,"

It was bullshit. Plain and simple bullshit that Surge wanted to call every single one of the fuckers in charge of Delco 2 on since it stunk of them. None of them wanted to let Vali take credit for what she'd done, Singerly especially wanted to keep the brat from claiming any credit. With all League missions being secretive especially when involving active cases like the battle rings, it meant Vali would be unable to claim the credit she rightly deserved even if they tried to fight for it. It made him want to go stomp on every single on of those bastards back on the base and grind them into the dust. But he wouldn't do that, it would be a disservice to Vali in the long run since she needed to show those bastards that she could stand on her own eventually.

"You going to call them?" Surge asked as he reigned in his urge to put another hole into the hospital wall.

"I'll call her home. Will you call her Godfather?" Blaine asked making Surge inwardly cringe before nodding as he moved towards the other end of the hall where Vali's room sat.

Surge dialed Sirius' number and the man answered almost immediately, "Surge, what can I do for you?"

"Not busy at the outpost today, Black?" Surge asked with a raised eyebrow as he glanced into Vali's room and took in her pale face.

Arceus, had the kid always been that fucking small? Surge winced at the memory of Vali passing out on him in the hospital entry hall and pushed it out of his mind as Sirius replied, "Pretty much, a couple trainers got turned around. What do you want? You normally don't call me."

"I'll be blunt. Blaine brought Vali to Delco 2 on Business," Surge replied earning a sharp intake of breath and the Gym Leader wondered how much Sirius knew of what had been happening, "I was there as well on Business. During a slow period, we decided to do some training in the wilderness and things went wrong. While Blaine and I were dealing with other threats, Vali had encountered a bigger than normal pack of Weevil and Sneasel," Sirius was completely silent, "The Kid managed to hold them off until we got there. She sustained a serious injury to her left side and one to her right arm. While we managed to get her to the hospital quickly, she had to be placed in a medically induced coma. She's going to make it, Sirius, but the kid's in a bad state,"

Sirius continued to stay silent making the hair rise on the back of Surge's neck. The Grim animagus being quiet was never a good thing especially when it came to his child being hurt or in danger. The last time Surge had ever found Sirius to be that quiet was after Vali had been grazed by the bullet. Sirius finally spoke and Surge could almost see the man's eyes turn feral making him internally shiver, "Is that so? And why were neither of you with her? How did you think it was a good idea to take her into that area and leave my pup alone? Advanced training or not, she's only been under Blaine's hand for a month and a week. Not even that long considering what time of year it is, so tell me, Surge, did that really happen or was it because of the Poacher bust? I know for a fact you both were up there and with Vali being in the hospital so soon afterward, she hadn't to have been involved."

Surge grimaced at the fact Sirius had easily picked it apart and closed his eyes, "You know I can't answer that question, Black."

"Politics, is it?" Sirius practically snarled into the phone, "Is the bastard that did it dead?"

"No," Surge leaned back against the wall as he listened to the other man stomping around, "Politics,"

"Fuck politics," Sirius cursed earning a bark of bitter laughter from Surge, "The pup's pack?"

"Resting. Only the Litleo and Seel weren't present," Surge replied as he lowered his hand to the pocket where Vali's youngest and newest pokemon were resting in their pokeballs, "Everyone of them save for those two were there and saw what happened. No doubt Elrond'll fill the two in when they're all released together. They got out pretty good with a few exceptions, but nothing the League won't cover. I'm making sure my Joy's are working on them and the moment they're clear, I'll bring them to her,"

"Good," Sirius' tone was curt and harsh, "I'll be there soon enough. Vermilion?"

"Yes," Surge replied earning a grunt, "Blaine's filling in Delia,"

"Fucking hell," Sirius swore softly, "She's going to be crushed and I don't want to think about how the boys will react. Dear Arceus, it's almost like every time we let Vali leave on a journey, she goes and gets hurt,"

"It's not your fault, Sirius. The blame lies with Brown and Singerly," Surge had no trouble throwing the two under the bus, "Mostly Singerly,"

Sirius snarled loudly, "Fuck that bitch up the ass."

Surge snorted at the wording, but was glad someone could verbal the string of curses that wanted to leave him when it came to Singerly. He would have to ask what Singerly had done to Sirius before, but right now would settle for not knowing. Surge rubbed at his eyes feeling tired. He cut off Sirius' tirade of curses, "Call me when you arrive, I'll make sure either Blaine or I come downstairs to lead you up here. Vali's in the private section on my orders and the League's dime."

"Nice," Sirius muttered glumly, "I will,"

With that, the call ended and Surge stuffed his Pokenav away as Raichu jumped onto his shoulder. Elrond appeared floating sedately behind carrying two pokeballs looking rather lackluster. Bandages curled around his form in various places, a rather thick one was placed around his right ear near the tip which was shorter than before. Surge pushed off the wall and easily grabbed the Alolan Raichu, "You're not supposed to be flying that often especially given your injury, Elrond."

Elrond's left ear twitched a bit and he peered at Surge slowly, "You weren't there to pick Smaug, Balto, and I up. I didn't wish for us to linger in the pokemon center much longer even if it meant staying with those still there. I...I need to be with her. WE need to be with her."

Tears were forming in the Alolan Raichu's eye's sending a pang of hurt through Surge's heart, Surge felt for Elrond and the rest of them. Being unable to do anything for their trainer as she was held and used a leverage against them, it had to of stung especially when she had to hurt herself in order to be free and allow them to do their job. He carefully opened the door to Vali's room and brought Elrond to her bed, "Just remember to be careful of her left side and right arm, you guys won't be allowed out of your pokeballs if her injuries are disturbed."

"We understand," Elrond moved carefully over to Vali's neck and snuggled into her, "Thank you, Surge. If it wasn't for you...We...I..."

Surge's eyes burned as Elrond began to cry and curl as tightly against Vali's shoulder as his wounded body would allow, "I understand. You made sure I got to her though, Elrond. You and Celina. It's thanks to you," He walked over and laid his hand on Elrond's back, "She'll be okay, Elrond. She'll recover and be our brightly burning flame again. Nothing will put her out, you know that."

Elrond stayed silent and Surge said nothing else as he rubbed Elrond's back for a few moments. Eventually, he set Smaug and Balto's pokeballs on the bedside table before reaching into his pockets. He added Litleo and Seel's pokeballs to the pile before doing the same with Litwick's. Aragorn's followed with Houndour's shortly after and he left the room after rubbing Elrond's back again. Blaine was looking into the room when he shut the door. The older gym leader spoke as they both looked into the room, "Delia figured out that the League was involved. She's angry, but more worried than anything else. She'll be arriving with the two boys in a couple of days once she can get things settled in Pallet Town."

They both watched as Litwick, Aragorn, Houndour, Litleo, Seel, and Balto were released. Of the group released, Aragorn, Houndour, and Balto all showed signs that they'd been hurt during the scrimmage with the Poachers pokemon. Aragorn's right ear was torn slightly. Houndour was bandaged on her back left paw, but it was rather light. Balto was missing fur on his chest and right side with the skin being a rather vivid reddish pink color. Even without showing any sign of being hurt, it was obvious there'd been a change in Litwick. She was huddling close to her pack members and looking around the room in suspicion. Seeing all this, Surge felt a pang go through him at the innocence lost to this group, "They're not going to be the same after this. With how close they came to losing the kid, it'll have jump-started certain instincts in some and inspired other ones in the rest."

"A time of realization has come for them. One that often comes too late for all of us. One that usually costs us something dear," Blaine added rather solemnly with a shake of his head, "Vali too will change some though how much will not be known until she awakens,"

"It'll be a couple days to a week before the docs are okay with her waking up even with how quick she can heal," Surge just wanted her awake and better.

Ash would admit to being a bit slow when it came to some things, but even he knew something was going on with his mom. It was almost like those days his mom had been hiding the fact his dad had sent that package home only worse. He knew it wasn't a package from his dad since Red had written a month ago and sent a small package meaning it had to be something else. It wasn't Sirius getting hurt because his mom had talk to the man last night and everything had seemed fine. He couldn't understand it and Gary didn't know either especially since the same thing seemed to be going on with Professor Oak. So he decided to ask his mom when he went home after Pokemon summer camp, he walked into the house and found his mother getting off of the phone.

"Mom," Ash called out as he put down his bag.

"Ash," Delia offered him a weird smile, "Sweetie, I'm glad that you came home right away from Summer Camp. I just got off the phone with Sirius and he'll be here soon. We'll be heading over to the Lab in a bit,"

"Why?" Ash didn't mind going over to Professor Oak's lab since it was a lot of fun but this was really unusual.

Delia's smile slipped into a frown and she let out a sigh, "Ash, honey, I'm going to be frank since you're getting to be old enough that I don't need to sugar coat things as much," She got onto her knees and looked him in the eyes as she laid her hands onto his shoulders, "Vali's been hurt, Ash."

Ash's heart stopped and his mind went almost completely blank, "W-what?!"

"She got into a training accident while out with Blaine and Surge on League Business," Delia told him as Pidgey let out a distraught squawk, "She's currently in Vermilion city hospital. She got seriously hurt. I'm not going to say how exactly is happened, but right now she's in a medically induced Coma. It means that the doctors put her into a deep sleep to ensure her body can heal some of the damage. But they're going to let her out of that sleep soon enough, we're heading to Vermilion to be there when she's awake and take care of her pokemon in the meantime,"

"V-vali?" Ash's eye's burned, "She's hurt? I-i didn't even tell her I was sorry for how I acted when she left,"

"I know, Sweetheart," Delia hugged him gently making sure not to disturb Pidgey, "You'll get the chance when she wakes up,"

Ash started sobbing softly and hugged his mother tightly as he realized how close he'd come to never having talked to his sister again. To the last thing he'd said to her being, "If you leave again, I'll hate you forever!"

Ash held his mother even tighter as he vowed to be more careful with his words especially when it came to his sister. If he almost lost her this time, the next time might be for real and that only made him sob harder.

Aragorn cuddled close to Vali keeping a careful eye on the Nurse as they changed out the IV bags. He didn't like his mother/sister being unconscious and hurt with another human in the room especially after the bedlam that had unfolded with that nasty blue haired human's pokemon. He didn't like knowing that she'd be in this state for awhile longer though with hope her injuries would heal quickly. Flicking his bandaged ear towards Elrond, he listened as the elder pokemon said, "She won't wake up sooner even if you grumble at the nurses, Aragorn."

"I know that, Elrond," Aragorn sighed softly and closed his eyes as he carefully nuzzled closer while feeling Houndour do the same to him, "I just feel useless sitting here. Now that I can finally battle and train alongside you all, I should be able to protect her. I should have been able to stop that man," He peeled back his lips and bared his fangs at the thought of the nasty blue haired human, "And yet, he managed to wound Vali TWICE! First with that damned Weavile then that knife when she was getting free of his clutches, I could do nothing to keep those things from happening," He flicked his left tail in irritation and easily ignored the slight twinge in his tailbone that was likely another tail beginning to form, "I was practically useless in the battle. All I've got to show for it is my torn right ear,"

"You still managed to keep them from killing Houndour and harming Litwick," Elrond pointed out with a slight sigh prompting Aragorn to open his eyes to peer at the elder pokemon, "Aragorn, you are young. Among our pack, you are the eldest of the youngest members and the most trained of them. For someone so young, you've progressed faster than most and it's a thing to feel pride about. The situation we were in was abnormal as hell and we all paid the price for it. All of us will need to train more to ensure we won't be caught off guard again especially if we want to ensure Vali won't end up in this state again. It isn't all on you, Aragorn,"

The bitter tone caused Aragorn to pull himself back from his self loathing and see just how ragged the Alolan Raichu really was. A glance towards Balto showed the same signs and he felt shame tear through him. Bowing his head, Aragorn murmured, "I realize that now. I just..."

"I know, Aragorn," Elrond sighed deeply and shook his head before freezing a bit as his paw reached up to touch that one bandaged ear that was shorter now, "Trust me, I know. All of us do," Elrond looked towards Balto and nodded, "As you wish, Balto,"

Aragorn looked towards Balto as well and suddenly heard his Alpha's mental voice, "Little King, the foe we just encountered was one of many that we will face in the future. Our Vali, our sister, will forever be in danger due to what she is and what path she treads. A war is coming in the future and we will be apart of it due to our bond with Vali," Aragorn looked towards their trainer in shock and concern, "Not even she knows exactly why this is or what the details are, they will become clear in time. All I know, Little King, is that she needs us to watch over her and be by her side. The battle we just had will only be the beginning. We must train harder, but with that, we cannot over do it."

"Do you understand what we're trying to say, Aragorn?" Elrond asked earning a nod.

"I think so," Aragorn looked back towards Balto, "I need to prepare myself for the future, but I can't overdo it. While I couldn't protect Vali, I can't beat myself up over it since I'm so young and inexperienced. With the future ahead of us, I'll get more chances to protect her when I'm stronger and for now, I need to focus on reaching that level, right?"

"Right," Balto nodded to him and settled down a bit more easily though his eyes immediately went to Vali's face, "We all need to reach a higher level,"

Aragorn nodded as he settled down a bit more easily. Houndour let out a soft whine and he turned his head to nuzzle her. He snorted a bit when she gave him a confused look. The younger pokemon was still a bit too young to understand everything that was going on around her save for the fact Vali was hurt and they all needed to rest. It reminded him of the days when he was that young though Vali hadn't been seriously injured while he was so young. With a slight mental sigh as he yawned softly, he slowly began to fall asleep hoping that Vali would awaken soon.

Delia looked at Surge struggling to cope with her feelings. She could see that the man was apologetic and hurting as well which stayed the angry shouting that wanted to leave her. Somehow she knew this wasn't his fault and that the story Blaine had said was a lie, she would get the answer eventually even if it took getting into touch with Red and asking for his help in the matter. So rather than give into her urge to scream, she walked over to Surge and hugged him making the man stiffen. She spoke softly, "Thank you for treating Vali's wounds and getting her here, I don't want to think about what would've happened otherwise."

Surge stiffly hugged her back, "It was our fault she was out there in the first place, Delia. We should've been more careful."

"Couldda, woulda, shoulda," Delia replied with a shake of her head as she pulled back, "I blame the League and only them. She shouldn't have been out there yet,"

Surge snorted with a wry look on his face, "Sirius and you both saw through the Taurus shit. We can't say anything."

"I know," Delia didn't hold it against the man, "I won't hold it against either of you," She looked around the hallway, "Where is he?"

"Checking in on the kid's pokemon and exorcising those allowed to train," Surge peered around the hallway, "Where's the brats?"

"Professor Oak is currently watching them for me though they're asleep right now in the hotel we'll be staying in," Delia turned slightly and Surge quickly directed her towards the room that Vali was resting within, "We decided to stay in Vermilion until Vali woke up and was awake on a frequent basis. Has there been a decision on what will happen once she's cleared?"

"Blaine wants her to return home for a few days. It'll let him set up any therapy needed for the kid back in Cinnabar then he'll come get her," Surge stopped outside of Vali's room, "Here she is,"

Delia took in her daughter and immediately felt herself age a bit at the sight. Vali had always been smaller than others her age even with the time they'd been together and proper nutrients being given to her. But laying on that hospital bed with her injured pokemon and surrounded by machines, she seemed so much smaller. The white and gray splattered black hair was longer than Delia remember it to be when Vali had left. Vali's skin was slowly losing it's tan though thankfully lacked the deathly pale look to it that came to blood loss. Seeing those injured pokemon curled up with her daughter twitching at every noise sent a pang through her, it was another shred of innocence lost making her wonder if Vali would be the same when she woke up.

"Has the doctor said anything yet? If Blaine thinks she'll need therapy?" Delia asked as she raised a hand to press against the glass.

"The wound on her side was deep and coated with ice-type energy. It was lucky the kid has magic or she'd have gotten frost-bite if not worse from the thing that managed to get her," Surge replied making Delia wince as she clenched her other hand into a fist by her side, "Once the doctors give the okay, she'll need to start regaining her flexibility. With her arm, it's deep and into the muscle. The kid's lucky that nothing managed to get at her wrist, but still. It'll heal, but she'll have to regain her strength in it. Since it's her dominant arm, she'll have to use her left arm while that one heals up," He let out a tired sigh, "Thankfully, the kid's young and has a good healing factor,"

"How long until she wakes up," Delia asked as she closed her eyes struggling against the tears that wanted to roll down her cheeks at the extent of Vali's injuries.

"The doc's pulling back the drugs," Surge replied as Delia felt a hand touch her shoulder almost hesitantly, "It'll be up to her once that's done. She'll wake up soon, Delia. The kid's strong,"

When Vali first woke up, it was brief and during one of Surge's visit's when he was dropping off the last of her pokemon. He was quick to get a doctor after making sure she was really awake. Barely a few minutes after the doctor arrived did she fall asleep again, the mostly black haired fire-type master-in-training slept deeply though the doctor quickly assured the worried Gym Leader and her adoptive mother it was normal and she'd wake up in stages.

When Vali woke up for real without immediately falling back asleep or feeling groggy to the point of wanting to, she wanted to groan at the fact she was in the hospital again as the white ceiling and way too clean smell made it clear that was where she'd ended up even if the how wasn't clear right now. The memories slowly came back to her as she blinked up at the ceiling for a bit. Mentally wincing as the last memory hit her, she silently promised to apologize to Surge for scaring him when she passed out though was thankful it was at a Hospital. Slowly looking around herself, she found the right side of her face immediately covered in warm fur with static running through it. She slowly poked the mental connection she shared with Elrond and felt him jolt. She spoke within her mind while sending it down the connection, "Elrond, I'm sorry for worrying you all so much. Could you tell me how long I've been out for?"

"Vali!" The sheer relief rolling off of Elrond and through his his words made Vali feel like shit even if she'd been unable to help it, "You're awake. You're really awake,"

"Yeah," Vali found him turning his face towards her, "I'm awake. So how long was I out for?"

"The doctors put you into a medically induced coma for five days and you stayed asleep until now for a further four," Elrond answered earning a surprised look, "I'll go get Delia so she can have a doctor remove those things from your face now. You're not in pain, right?"

Vali shook her head slowly after doing a mental inventory, "No, I feel fine if a bit airy."

Vali rubbed at her throat with the hand that was allowed to move and swallowed slightly. Delia looked relieved as the doctor and Nurse left with a majority of the machinery that had been in the room, "How do you feel, Vali?"

"A bit tired and airy though the second one is due to the pain meds," Vali gave her adopted mother an apologetic look, "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to deal with this so soon after I left for Cinnabar, but it happened,"

"You're right," Delia shook her head lightly, "Vali, like you once said. We cannot control things that happen. All we can do is roll with the punches and continue moving forward with the path we're given. I'm not happy, but it isn't your fault," Delia reached out and placed a hand on Vali's leg, "I'm just happy you're alive and able to come home to us. Ash and Gary are as well. When they're finally cleared to visit, they'll probably get on their knees while apologizing,"

Vali's eyes widened at that, "What?"

"The news of you being hurt really effected them badly. The boys were both in tears and have been sulking quite a bit even if they're in a new city to explore," Delia looked sad as she revealed that bit of information, "They both promised to apologize to you. It seems they've realized just how easily the words they said to you before leaving could have been their last,"

Shaking her head at the turn of events, Vali had to let out a low laugh, "Of all the things to happen after my latest bout of bad luck."

Delia squeezed her leg lightly, "I'm glad that they learned this lesson now even if it came too close to home."

"Me too," Vali shook her head as Eevee suddenly jolted from his place on her lap and began growling at the door, "Eevee?" The door opened to reveal Blaine, "Blaine,"

"Vali," Blaine looked at her with relief on his face, "Good to see you awake, brat. Delia, I hate to take away your time with the brat, but I need to speak with her,"

Delia nodded with a slight sigh, "I understand," she stood and carefully hugged Vali as Eevee settled down, "I'll be back soon enough. I need to find out where Sirius has gone anyway. If you fall back asleep, it's okay."

Vali hugged her back just as carefully even if she didn't exactly feeling pain, "See you."

With that, Delia left and Blaine closed the door behind her. Blaine spoke as he moved to sit down, "How are you feeling, Brat?"

"More tired than when I first woke up today and airy due to the meds," Vali answered as she ran her fingers across Eevee's ears, "Everything alright?"

"Things are a bit messy, Brat, but I can deal with it," Blaine placed familiar pokeballs onto the bedside table, "Surge will be by with anyone I don't have on me since we've been taking turns working with your pokemon or having our gym trainers do it if we get busy,"

Vali looked at him in surprise, "Why? I get that I was out for awhile, but you guys didn't need to do that."

"We feel responsible for what happened and the fact that you're not able to claim any credit for anything that happened despite what you did during our time on Delco 2," Blaine informed her earning a stunned look, "We should've stuck one of our true team with your or a pokemon close to it. It would've ensured this wouldn't have happened,"

"Maybe, but it might've made something worse happen," Vali shook her head, "Knowing my luck, it was about time for something bad to happen, so it's better that this happened even if I got hurt. I'd rather get hurt than one of my pokemon dying or one of yours,"

"Be that as it may, we still feel responsible," Blaine stated firmly.

"As for the credit thing, I assume some of the adult Rangers and Ace are responsible for it. I get it and honestly don't care," Vali offered him a slight grin, "The Poachers were caught or killed. The Poaching operation was disrupted meaning the goal was accomplished," She felt her grin turn into a smirk, "The ones claiming the credit and the League leaders know the truth. It'll always burn in the back of their minds that some 11 year old managed to do these things while an actual Ace operative didn't. Sometime in the future, the truth will come out as it always does though whether it will matter or not at that point, we won't know until then,"

Blaine snorted softly, "That's a slightly sadistic thought, Brat."

Vali shrugged her good shoulder, "I learned from Marcus."

Chuckling at her words, Blaine shook his head, "Brat, you can't say how you were really injured. The mission we took was classified due to things that have been found out and are still being discovered."

"So what's the story?" Vali asked as Eevee shifted a bit closer.

"We were there on League Business though you don't know what since I kept you out of it," Blaine answered earning a nod, "Surge was there as well and during a slow point, we decided due to the boredom between us we'd take the time to train off route. You ended up running into a pack of Weavile and Sneasel that was larger than normal while we were separated. Surge and I had sent you away while we dealt with other upper level threats,"

Vali took over telling the story as she got the gist of it, "My team and I managed to hold them off until you got there. Some other types of pokemon might've jumped in which accounts for any other styles of injuries my pokemon have that don't match up with those belonging to Weavile and Sneasel pack attacks. While defending ourselves, I was injured in the process which caused my current state. You arrived in time to drive all pokemon off and save us."

"Got it in one," Blaine nodded to her, "Your things were collected by me from Delco 2. I made damn sure no one touched them,"

"Thank you," Vali was relieved even if nothing truly important was inside her bag, "So what happens now?"

"You'll be in the hospital until they discharge you. After that, you'll go to Pallet for a couple days to a week," Blaine replied as he stood up, "I will come collect you and we'll head to Cinnabar. You'll be going through physically therapy due to your injuries,"

Vali grimaced at that, "Seriously?"

"According to the doctor, yes," Blaine looked at her with regret and Vali hated it deeply, "We'll need to see just how much once you're healed up more, but both your injuries were very serious, Brat. That arm of yours had damage down to the muscle and even a little bit of the bone," Vali winced at that and knew it would definitely fuck with how she threw pokeballs let alone lifted things with that arm, "Your side has damage to the muscle as well, but it's the ice-type energy that the Weavile was using we're truly concerned about. Even with the doctors getting to your wounds quickly and that magic of yours interfering, it still managed to wreak havoc,"

"So therapy will definitely be necessary if I want to regain my flexibility and even then I'll need to work at it afterward," Vali was grateful Blaine wasn't trying to sugar coat anything, "I can deal with it even if I'll probably be cursing everyone and want to give up at some points. I won't though," She scratched behind Eevee's ears, "I've got to stay strong for my pack," She gave Blaine a look, "It's not your fault. It's not Surge's. It's not anyone's fault that things ended up the way they did, Blaine. In the end, I got hurt because I didn't have my pokemon set up a perimeter around us and will ensure it won't happen again the next time they send us with you,"

"Brat..." Blaine stared at her with an unreadable expression.

"I'm alive and so are my pack," Vali grinned a bit at her teacher, "We've got to take this as a learning experience even if we're probably going to be changed forever from it and have some nightmares from it. So don't blame yourself, it doesn't fit you, Blaine,"

"Brat," Blaine snorted as he stood up and surprised Vali by ruffling her hair.

Eevee let out a growl once he got over his surprise and jumped up to bite at Blaine who easily dodged the attack. Blaine bopped Eevee on the head earning a yelp. Vali pulled Eevee away as she said, "Eevee, cool it."

"Brat, don't ever change," Blaine told her with a slight grin, "I'll come check on you in a day or so when I drop off your pokemon again. Try not to get too stir crazy,"

With that, Blaine left with a wave and Vali rubbed Eevee head gently. She spoke to him in a soft tone, "Eevee, you shouldn't attack Blaine even if he did something that surprising," Eevee let out a sullen grumbling growl, "Try not to do the same to Ash and Gary when they finally come to see me, okay? They're probably going to try and jump on me," Eevee grumbled again as he nodded and she pulled him up to her chest in order to kiss the top of his head, "Thank you, Eevee. For trying to protect me," Eevee stiffened a bit before relaxing into her hold and making it easier for her to hold him, "I think it's time for me to tell you a story about a Flareon I knew who protected me once, okay?"

Icy pain spread across her side as cold laughter echoed from the blue haired poacher. The knife held to her throat pressed closer and closer as she struggled to pull up her magic. The blue haired man taunted her, "I've got you by the throat, Little Ace. I'll kill you before they can do anything to save their precious trainer."

Vali woke up with a sharp gasp as it felt like the knife tip pierced her throat. Quickly touching her throat, she found it uninjured and closed her eyes again. Working to calm herself down, she opened them again and looked around the room to see all her pokemon allowed out of their pokeballs asleep. Eevee was asleep by her injured side though his head on her hip. Elrond was curled on her uninjured side. Seel was sleeping in a fish-tank-like structure set up against the wall. Litwick was the only one awake though seemed occupied with watching the stars by the window. A pang ran through her at the knowledge everyone else was either in their pokeballs or with Blaine. Taking a deep breath as she pushed down her guilt, she grabbed her pokenav which had been among the things Blaine had retrieved and saw that it was after midnight.

It took her a few moments before she decided to send two texts out and wait for replies. Almost immediately she got a reply from Lance, it made her perk up a bit and she sent another text. Rather than reply via text, he called her. With a soft chuckle, Vali answered it and Lance grinned at her, "Hey, Vali. What are you doing up?"

"I could say the same thing, Dragon," Vali teased in a soft tone, "Training?"

"I'm heading to face Morty and decided to get some training in against Ghost-types in which will be helpful for later against Agatha," Lance replied as he reached out of view, "You look tired and a bit pale. Are you alright?"

Vali hesitated for a moment before shaking her head, "Not really, Lance. I can't say much at all since it dealt with League business. The story I'm allowed to say was that Blaine took me with him to a base named Delco 2 for League Business and we met up with Surge. They decided during a lull to take me out for some extra training off route," She let the bitterness she'd been feeling come out in her tone, "While we separated so they could deal with some stronger than normal opponents without getting distracted by me, my pack and I ran into a larger than normal grouping of Weavile mixed with Sneasel. We managed to fight them off until the gym leaders could reach us, but ended up getting injured in the process."

Lance sucked in a huge breath, "Damn," He gave her a sharp look, "How bad is it?"

"Everyone save for a few will have some scars," Vali revealed with a sad look, "My side was scratched by a Weavile that coated its claws with ice-type energy and my arm," She scowled a bit, "by the story was scratched by a Sneasel. I'll be in therapy after getting released from the hospital and being allowed to recover in Pallet for a bit,"

"Fuck," Lance swore softly, "Are you..."

Vali heard the unspoken word and wanted to laugh, "Considering the fact I just had a nightmare and that's the reason why I ended up texting you so late? Not really, it'a easier during the day when all my pokemon are awake, but not everyone is here."

Lance frowned at that, "Why? Are they in the Pokemon center?"

Vali shook her head, "Blaine and Surge have been taking them away for training when they can. Or having the Gym trainers do it, it's to make up for the time I won't be able to do it myself. They feel bad for not being able to protect me and so angry for things that I can tell you about right now," She scowled a bit, "I'm angry, Lance. Sure this is getting everyone stronger, but I'm my pack's trainer! I should be the one training them for fucks sake not some stranger that I've never met or only met in passing. It isn't okay, but it's also the only way they're able to get any training done now with me in the hospital."

"Shit, Vali," Lance cursed softly, "Don't cry,"

Vali grimaced a bit knowing that she couldn't really check to see if he was telling the truth, but given how her eyes were becoming blurry he must be, "Sorry. I just..." She sniffed softly, "Lance, I hate this so much. I hate my luck and how it led to this."

"Vali, everything is going to be okay," Lance told her in a gentle tone, "You're going to get through this. Your pokemon might be training under other people right now, but that happens occasionally. Right now, you need to focus on healing and helping them heal. If what happened was traumatizing for you, it was probably just as bad for them,"

Vali sniffed again, "You're right. I feel selfish."

"You aren't," Lance shook his head, "You have every right to feel this way, Vali. I'd feel the same way if I was in your shoes," He gained a slight look of concentration on his face, "Are you allowed visitors?"

Vali shook her head, "Only family right now and the Gym Leaders, I probably won't be allowed them until I leave for Pallet town."

"Text me when you're heading for Pallet town, I think my pokemon could definitely use a break for a bit," Lance told her with a slight grin earning a look of surprise, "Vali, I want to make sure you're okay and if it helps your recovery then I'm definitely coming to see you. Besides, I was planning to visit soon anyway,"

Vali swallowed softly as the edges of her vision blurred again, "I'll be glad to see you in person, Lance."

Vali looked at the nervous pair of five year olds standing in the doorway. Delia, Sirius, and Professor Oak were in the hallway behind them though the adults seemed to be content to allow the three children to sort themselves out. She eyed Ash and Gary for a few moments waiting to see if either would speak before deciding it would be best if she'd start off. With a gentle smile, she spoke in a soft tone much like the one she'd used with Idril when the Sandslash felt skittish, "Hey, you two. It's been awhile. I'm sorry that I didn't have a chance to make it home before you had to see me like this. I-"

"Vali," Ash's brown eyes were beginning to tear up as he spoke with Gary's green following right behind, "I-we're sorry! We shouldn't have said those things to you. We didn't mean them. You're our sister no matter what and we can't imagine you ever not coming home,"

"Please forgive us," Gary added sounding choked up as his fingers clenched around the fabric of his shirt, "I need you to come back, Sis," Vali's heart ached sharply at his words knowing just how badly Daisy's absence hurt Gary, "Not when Daisy's not there almost all year, I know you can't be there every single day, but please don't leave us permanently,"

"Oh, boys," Vali's gentle smile deepened as she carefully extended her arm, "Come here, my little brothers," They quickly scrambled over and climbed onto the bed to cuddled up to her while making sure not to harm her injuries, "I'll always return to you guys. Pallet Town is my home and it has been since Siri and I arrived there. Granted, I might one day find some other place to call home, but you two will be welcome forever and always. You're my little brothers after all," She kissed both their foreheads and felt their tears dampen her shirt, "I promise that I'll always come home in the end,"

Ash sniffled as he pressed his nose into her uninjured side while Gary laid on her lap. Gary sniffed softly, "Gramps said you nearly died."

Vali's nose wrinkled a bit, "Might've, but didn't. I survived and know not to cross a Weavile now. By the way, one of you should definitely get one on your team at some point."

"Huh?" Ash jolted in surprise and alarm, "Why?! It hurt you,"

"And? It didn't know any better," Vali half-lied as she rubbed Gary's back soothingly, "If you get a Weavile, you'll be able to teach it better. Trainers are there to help teach their pokemon to be better,"

Ash's nose scrunched up while Gary gained a look of consideration on his face, "They are a good dual-type if a bit squishy for higher battles."

"Squishy? Sweetheart, Weavile are meant for speed and stealth," Vali grinned at him, "They can be the fastest pokemon alive if trained right just like your Bellsprout. Have you been keeping up with Erika's training?"

Gary nodded with a smug look as Ash groaned softly, "I managed to win our last training battle under Gramps' supervision. Ashy-boy and Pidgey tanked."

"Well while I'm in Pallet, I'll check both of your training routines out and see how I can help," Vali told them with a soft smile earning excited looks, "So mind telling me what I missed while you were adamant on not talking to me?"

Professor Oak took the boys away with Delia after talking to Vali for a few moments leaving Sirius behind in the room. Sirius' cheerful grin fell away the moment Ash and Gary were away from the glass observation window and she inwardly winced at the serious look that appeared. Sirius spoke as he walked over to one of the visitor chairs and took a seat in it, "Potter luck huh, Pup?"

"Yeah," Vali looked at Sirius feeling guilty despite not needing to be, "Siri, I..."

"I'm not going to scold or scream at you, Pup," Sirius told her his eyes stern, "Despite looking like a child, you've got the mind of an adult and I've got to treat you like one despite the urge to coddle you. I'm not going to lie when I say that every inch of me wants you to cancel this Apprenticeship with Blaine and go back to Pallet Town right this second while damning the consequences. If you'd been anyone else, you might've done it," A look of pride entered his gaze, "But it would go against everything you are as a person and what you've been taught to demand that of you, you're also too damn stubborn to do such a thing,"

"Damn right," Vali half-hardheartedly grinned at him, "This won't stop us from going forward, it'll just slow us for a bit,"

"Figures you'd say that, you're so much like Lily," Sirius muttered making Vali's heart half stop at the words since it'd always been James' that she'd been compared to never her mother, "Hard headed and always moving forward, you might have your father's looks save for the eyes, but you're almost all Lily," He frowned slightly before shaking his head, "No, you're yourself. Not just them, Pup,"

"Siri," Vali murmured softly.

"Pup," He gazed at her just a bit sad, "We almost lost you. I probably won't ever find out all the details of how and why. I hate knowing that my daughter was almost killed because the League deemed her ready before she truly was, but I realize that I can't stop things like this from happening now that you've started this path of yours," He reached out and gently took her hand in his, "I know what you told those boys, Pup. I need you to promise me the same thing. Not just for me, I mean for Delia as well. You're our daughter, Pup. We need you to come home especially if and when a younger sibling eventually comes along,"

Vali's eyes widen at his words before she nodded, "I promise, Siri. I'll come home no matter what."

"Good," Sirius smiled and squeezed her hand a bit, "So how was Delco 2 that you can tell me?"

Vali's pokenav was ringing not long after she had begun looking through her scattered notes and she gladly left them for the distraction. She found Steven on the other end and greeted him with a slight smile, "Hey, Steven."

"Vali," Steven looked at her with curiosity and a bit of tiredness, "How are you? I'm sorry for not responding sooner. I was exploring Granite Cave, a deeper portion than before, and only left it just now,"

Vali hesitated for a moment before deciding not to put it off, "I am a bit tired and airy, Steven. I'm currently in the hospital. Vermilion's," She saw his eyes widen at the words and gave the official explanation, "I'm not allowed any visitors while in the hospital, but once I leave, I'll be in Pallet for a couple days before heading back to Cinnabar where I'll be working on my physical therapy."

"Vali," Steven looked horrified at the thought of everything that had happened to her, "You-how-I..."

"Don't worry, Steven," She offered him a gentle smile, "I'll be fine. With the therapy and determination, I'll be able to get my flexibility nearly back to where it was,"

Steven shook his head slightly, "How in the world could this have happened to you?"

"My luck, Steven," Vali replied with a soft tone, "I did tell you went both ways,"

"I know, but for this to happen," Steven looked at her with disbelief, "And you're okay with it?"

"Not really, but I have to accept it since it'll be my reality now," Vali replied with an eye-roll, "Steven, I've survived worse or need I remind you of the basilisk?" He winced a bit, "Granted, I've never had to deal with a needing to regain flexibility, but it's something that has to be done. I've got to accept it,"

Steven sighed deeply, "I suppose that you're right," He let out a slight laugh which surprised her, "I suppose saying that I'd wished it'd never happened would be annoying since everyone else has no doubt done the same."

"You'd be correct," Vali smiled at him, "So how's Granite Cave been?"

Steven perked up and launched into an explanation of the things he'd found while within the cave. Settling back against her pillow, Vali felt content as she listened to her friend speak even if it wasn't in person.

Finally the day came when Vali and all her pokemon had been released from the hospital, they were glad to be allowed outside into the sun without needing to return back into the building. Surge let out a booming laugh as Vali took a deep breath of the fresh air, "C'mon, Kid. It's not like they didn't let you go outside during the last few days."

"Only for a couple of minutes and in a wheelchair," Vali gave into her urge to pout at him, "Let me enjoy the fresh air for a few more minutes,"

"Let's start walking, you shouldn't be standing for too long remember," Surge reminded her earning a grimace, "We're going to get some lunch and head to the gym for an hour then I'll take you to Pallet Town,"

"Okay," Vali said as Surge started walking and she made her way beside him.

Aragorn walked beside her with Elrond floating above him holding Eevee on his tail. It was a compromise that they'd come up with since the doctors had denied Eevee's usual position of being on her shoulder. Surge spoke as they walked past the pokemon center, "Blaine said it might take a week to get things into order. You okay with that, Vali?"

"It'll be nice to spend time with the boys," Vali said as she watched some kids run around in a nearby park, "They're not angry or avoiding me anymore. I've missed it. And I can work with my team even if it's only directing them from a safe distance, I'm itching to see where they're at. Having other people train my pokemon, it's unpleasant even if you guys meant well by it,"

"I get it," Surge offered her a look of acknowledgement, "But thanks to our training, you'll be better off now,"

"I know," Vali spotted the harbor in the distance.

Surge carefully patted her shoulder, "You'll feel better about it sooner or later, Kid. It might leave a bad taste in your mouth now, but eventually you'll figure out it was for the better."

Pallet Town hadn't changed since Vali had left and she easily slipped back into her old routine though with the added care of her injuries. Delia helped care for them in the beginning though Vali was quick to have Elrond take over. During the week that she was home, Ash and Gary did go to Summer camp leaving her with time alone. She often spent time doing various activities with her pokemon or working on the research paper. Lance arrived on her second day home in Pallet town when she was laying against Balto on the grass. When he spoke, she barely managed to keep from jumping out of her skin even with Elrond and Balto's warnings, "You look comfy, Vali. Won't it be hard to get up with your side?"

"Elrond and Balto will help me up," Vali answered as she opened her eyes to find Lance peering down at her, "Smaug's flying nearby and would be able to help as well. So would some of my other pack members too,"

Lance gained a look of curiosity and consideration on his face, "Huh, that's an interesting idea. So been out for two days now?"

"A day and a half," Vali corrected as she gestured to the area next to Balto, "You're a bit late,"

"Had to dodge around my cousin," Lance rolled his eyes, "She's adamant on meeting you. She'll probably figure out where I am at some point, but for now I'll happily ignore it. Delia is okay with me staying, right?"

"Mhmm," Vali hummed lightly earning a grin, "Honestly, you buys have black holes in your stomachs,"

"Hey, you do too when it comes to her pancakes," Lance pointed out earning a snort.

"Pancakes are amazing," Vali grinned at Lance, "But you should try her stew, it's to die for," She felt her grin falter at Lance's expression, "Poor choice of words, right. Sorry,"

Lance shook his head, "It's fine," He eyed her as Dragonite settled down behind him and curled up with a soft coo, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm not going to lie," Vali told him with a serious look, "It sucks when the pain meds wear off. It hurts like hell especially my side since there's like a creeping cold ache there,"

"That would definitely be the ice-typing," Lance gave her a sympathetic look.

Vali grimaced deeply at that, "And the worst part of it all, the pain meds seem to be weakening each time I use them. The effects wear off faster and sooner. I haven't told Delia, but I'm pretty sure she's starting to suspect."

"Damn," Lance gave her a sympathetic look.

"From what I can tell, my magic's probably the whole reason for it. That and the basilisk venom, they're the only reason the meds are starting to become non-effective," Vali closed her eyes as she laid her hand on Balto's side, "However, it seems that spending time in sunlight helps to negate some of the creeping cold ache in my side though not enough to completely rid me of it,"

Lance nodded with a slight frown, "That's good, I think you should tell Delia about the medication."

Vali shook her head, "I'd prefer not to. The pain meds won't do me any good in the long-run and its best not to use them for long anyway. I'd rather not get addicted."

Lance looked like he wanted to argue, but slowly shook his head as he seemingly decided against. He instead asked, "Do you want to hear about my time in Johto so far?"