#104 Cubone

Cubone, the lonely Pokémon. Cubone pines for the mother it will never see again. Seeing a likeness of its mother in the full moon, it cries. The stains on the skull the Pokémon wears are made by the tears it sheds. It is said that the skull is its mother's and when it comes to terms with her death, Cubone will evolve – Nurse Evergreen.

At times, while under treatment in a Pokémon centre, Pokémon became lonely, being away from their trainers. Their first night alone, especially, could be hard to take for some. So, when Nurse Isabelle found Wendy Foxglove doing a shift in a centre she visited, Izzy immediately volunteered for the same night shift.

Together, they sat in the lobby with a cup of tea and a Pokémon in their lap. Isabelle cradled a Psyduck against her, who could not sleep unless she had physical contact. Her fingers gently brushed over the soft downy feathers, amazed how smooth it felt when it was dry and comfortable. As Isabelle held it gently, the duck was fast asleep, resting against her breast and trusting the young nurse with her life.

Wendy held a Cubone on her lap. The poor thing had been crying all evening, but Wendy's Pokémon magic seemed to work once again. Aside from the occasional sniffle, the ground type Pokémon was silent.

Her friend from nursing school looked good. She had this glow on her face one would only get from doing something you love. Additionally, she wore a crown of many daisies wrought together, keeping her afro in place. Where Izzy got freckles all over her face in summer, Wendy's face didn't have a single mole in sight. Sometimes Izzy envied her smooth skin.

"I love this most about the job," Wendy spoke quietly. "Not healing the Pokémon of the kids that battle them too hard but caring for the lonely and the weak. Caring for hatchlings, for example. Does that make sense?"

Isabelle nodded. "Yeah, I think about it, too, sometimes. It can get frustrating how careless some kids get with their Pokémon, but there's little we can do about it aside from lecture them. I've been helping Pokémon in need. I told you the Abra story, right? There are more Pokémon in trouble. I can feel it, and I'd like to help them."

"How noble!"

"Heh. Yeah… I met this guy. He's a Ranger and seems to feel the same as I do, only a bit more nature oriented than I am. I remain a city-girl at heart. But still, I think field medicine might be for me."

Wendy laughed. "I think I'd like to start a sanctuary. There was a tiny, hidden village that helped rehabilitate Pokémon, but it was abandoned when I sought it out. I'd like a proper sanctuary, about the size of the Safari Zone!" Wendy spread her arms wide to give an indication how large she thought the Safari zone to be and Cubone, giggling, copied her. "That's a good boy," Wendy told him, kissing his skull.

Isabelle thought for a moment. "You know…" she began. "I think I know a place that might suit your needs. You know Professor Oak, the Pokémon professor from this region? He used to give lectures back at school. He has this laboratory where he studies Pokémon and has outstretched lands as far as the eye can see. However, he's getting old, and his grandson is unable to help." Wendy's attention was fully on her blonde friend. "I spoke to Gary, his grandson, recently and suggested that Oak should get some help with the Pokémon, so he can dedicate his time to the research, instead of caring for the hundreds of Pokémon. So, I kind of suggested you could do it…?" Isabelle trailed off, a bit self-conscious about the fact she suggested something before asking permission.

Wendy remained silent for the longest of time and Izzy genuinely began to wonder if she had insulted Wendy or whether her friend had even heard her. Just as she was about to speak up, Wendy exclaimed: "That's an amazing idea!" She spoke so loudly she woke Izzy's Psyduck up, who began quacking in terror as if she were under attack. It took a while to hush the Pokémon because the quacking made Cubone cry again.

Isabelle shared Gary's phone number and email address for Wendy to contact him. She even shared a photo of Gary and the professor together.

"He's kind of cute, isn't he?" Izzy probed. Wendy merely shrugged.

"Meh."

"Oh?" She was surprised. "Not into men?"

"Not into anyone. Pokémon medicine is my passion. I don't care for romance, especially not for myself."

"Fair enough! Good for you!"

"Besides, I have this handsome boy right now. Isn't that right, Cubone?" With featherlight touches, Wendy tickled his little tummy, causing the Pokémon to giggle.