Pokémon Crimson Gold
Chapter 62: What can't be recovered
Ethan had won his battle with his rival Silver and now sat by himself on the roof of the Pokémon Center as the rest of his Pokémon were needing some looking at after their intense battle. But more so on the boy's mind was his Bayleef.
She'll be okay, she has to be... right? He asked himself. He then began shivering in cold as he felt the rain from above pouring on him.
"Awe, of all times now it has to rain!" Ethan complained at the sky.
"Here, let me help you with that!" Said Professor Elm coming from the side of Ethan with an umbrella startling the kid.
"Oh, it's you Professor!" Ethan said turning around. "You almost scared me to death!"
"Sorry about that." Elm said rubbing the back of his neck. "You know I'm just really glad your okay kiddo."
"Yeah... I'm sure it was scary, for you guys." Ethan said not looking Elm in the eyes.
"I-it was, especially for that mom of yours, but that's all in the past now." Elm said. "And I'm sorry... about Bayleef, but I promise you she's going to be alright!"
"I know she will." Ethan said getting up from sitting. "She has to be, I have no doubt about it!"
"Well you know, maybe something's happen for a reason." Elm said getting Ethan annoyed.
"You saying my Bayleef getting brutalized by that Nidoking happened for a reason?" Ethan said with a bugged face.
"Poor choice of words on my part..." Elm apologized. "It wasn't so easy with me to come to terms with it either, as you know before I handed her to you as a Chikorita she was in my care."
"I know, it must have hurt for you to see her like that as well." Ethan said as he hugged his knees.
"Don't sweat it kid, really." Elm said putting his hand on Ethan's shoulder as he took a seat next to him. "I know it's tough, really I do but things will get better."
"I keep hearing that you know, and... I try to stay optimistic myself, but..." Ethan said turning his face away from the Professor. "What if she doesn't get better..."
"Ethan..." Elm said. "Sure I wasn't there so I can't assess the situation as well as Nurse Joy but I can promise you things like this doesn't just happen to you and Bayleef. I've seen worse happen to lesser Pokémon than Bayleef and they still recovered."
"I, I hope so." Ethan sighed. "It's just everyone keeps saying I'm sorry or we'll get through it but sometimes I have my doubts, and I know I shouldn't. But when I see her lying on that hospital bed I just..." Ethan said unable to finish.
"Look, I know you've heard it before, but I promise you Bayleef will be alright." Elm said making Ethan smile. "So, when Bayleef does recover what will you do then, continue your journey?"
"Y-you didn't hear did you, what dad said." Ethan asked.
"No, haven't heard a thing..." Elm replied.
"Welp, looks like I've got to return to New Bark Town for the time being and put my journey on hold." Ethan told Elm.
"I thought so..." Elm said scratching under his chin. "And with Team Rocket still around maybe it's for the best, you can always take on the eighth gym when they're gone for good."
"I know I know, but to be honest who cares or not about that eighth gym." Ethan admitted.
"What do you mean?" Elm asked. "I thought getting all eight badges and taking on the Pokémon league was your dream?"
"It is, but right now all that matters is Bayleef's recovery, and if it means she won't be able to battle for however long then that's fine with me." Ethan said.
"Hey, hold on a second, do you see that man down there?" Elm asked pointing far off to the ground to someone.
"Huh, which one?" Ethan responded.
"That one over there, red hair black cape!" Elm said. "That's the Champion of the league, Lance!"
Ethan focused his attention to where Elm was pointing and indeed saw Lance who was standing in front of a café building speaking with Ethan's father.
"I met Lance back during my stay at Mahogany, he did mention how he was friends with my father. They must be talking about something important, probably Team Rocket!" Ethan said.
"You met Lance!?" Elm said surprised.
"Sure did, and you must know him right?" Ethan asked.
"Agh well, kind of back during my days under Professor Oak's tutelage. But even still I get nervous around the guy, he is the Champion after all.
"Would you two stop eavesdropping on us and come and greet us." Lance finally said with a smile staring at Ethan and Elm as they sat atop the building. He and Allen were taking seats at the café.
"Over here Ethan, Elm!" Allen said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"Oh my, he saw us!" Elm whispered to Ethan.
"Let's go and talk to him then, come on!" Ethan said to the nervous Professor.
"T-talk, talk to Lance! No way!" Elm said but Ethan didn't care as he quickly went and slid down the latter.
"Wait hold on!" Elm said quickly following suit.
"Hey Lance, been a while." Ethan said waving his hand as he walked up to the Champion.
"And it's good to see you again young Ethan, your father told me you were hurt, I'm glad to see you're alright now." Lance said shaking Ethan's hand. "Why don't you take a seat right next to your father and speak with us."
"Yeah, got a seat with your name on it!" Allen said patting his hand over the chair next to him.
"I don't see why not." Ethan said sitting next to his dad.
"And Elm, why don't you come join us!?" Lance asked speaking to Elm who was fidgeting his fingers.
"R-really, I mean that's awfully nice of you, me an average Pokémon Professor sitting in the same table as a Pokémon Master like you." Elm said awkwardly.
"Oh come on Professor he won't bite." Ethan said.
"Please do, I assure you I'm no different than any other Trainer." Lance promised.
"O-okay well if you don't mind." Elm said taking a seat next to Lance. "
"I see you've gotten the Glacier badge, so you managed to defeat that Pryce." Lance commented.
"Yeah, I mean it took me two tries, but my Gyarados finally took a liking to me and helped me earn it." Ethan said.
"But still that's an impressive accomplishment Ethan!" Allen said. "Not everyone is able to get seven badges only after three months of starting their journey."
"You've got some natural talent, just like your father." Lance agreed.
"Yeah but dad didn't lose a single time against any Gym leaders during his journey." Ethan replied. "So I wouldn't quite say I'm on his level... I still lost to Falkner, Whitney, Jasmine and Pryce."
"Well, you're much stronger because of it I assure you." Lance said. "Every day you keep getting closer and closer to my level, one of these days you'll be taking on the League!"
"Maybe later than sooner." Allen said surprising Lance.
"What do you mean?" Lance asked. "He's quickly reaching the level required to travel Victory Road, why would it be later than sooner?"
"Well..." Ethan said rubbing his neck.
"I don't want him going anywhere other than back home while Team Rocket's out about." Allen said. "It's my responsibility to keep the boy safe."
"Right..." Ethan muttered under his breath which Elm took notice of.
"But the boy's helped me take care of Team Rocket before, he's capable of defending himself if needed." Lance reasoned.
"Doesn't matter, you know what happened to him back when Team Rocket was here?" Allen said taking off Ethan's hat revealing his stiches.
"Hey give that back!" Ethan said snatching his hat back and placing it back on his heads backwards.
"Oh my, I'm sorry I never realized Ethan." Lance apologized.
"It's fine, I was knocked out through all of it." Ethan admitted. "What really matters most is my Bayleef, she got damaged really bad by that Proton bastard."
"I was about to ask what happened to Bayleef, she's alright now she must be!" Lance said but Ethan and Allen shook their heads no.
"Unfortunately, not. That Nidoking not only beat her badly but also cut her belly open and she's just now recovering from the surgery, they say she might not be well for at least a week." Allen said. "So, after she recovers your mother is taking you back to New Bark Town and I don't want to hear any buts."
"I already agreed, jeez..." Ethan said crossing his arms.
"I'm sorry about that Ethan, I can't imagine what I'd do if something like that happened to my Dragonite." Lance said bowing his head.
"No need to apologize, it's not your fault." Ethan said.
No one's fault but mine... the boy thought.
"Well, if I may ask what are you doing here in Goldenrod Mr. Champion." Elm chimed in asking to Lance.
"Does it even need to be asked, after hearing what had happened with Team Rocket involving the poor civilians of this city and that radio tower I had to come." Lance said.
"And that's not all, me and Lance are going to be heading to Blackthorn immediately." Allen said shocking Ethan.
"Wait why, what about mom!?" Ethan asked.
"I'm sorry Ethan, but you know just how Team Rocket needs to be stopped, if we don't who will..." Allen asked.
"No I get it, it's whatever..." Ethan mumbled.
"So, what is going on in Blackthorne for you two being there, don't tell me Team Rocket is up to more trouble." Elm asked.
"As I'm sure you know my cousin is Clair and the Gym leader of Blackthorn, well allegedly Team Rocket has been sighted they're and a large mob of them, she may need our help to put an end to them once and for all." Lance spoke. "I thought maybe I'd ask you to come help us as well but uh-"
"Again, no way in hell that's happening." Allen said getting on his son's nerves.
"We get it already dad, I'm going home." Ethan said. "And don't think I'm doing it just cause you told me, I need to make sure Bayleef recovers steadily."
"Whatever you say..." Allen said as he drunk his coffee.
"Well, we must be off immediately." Lance said getting up and Allen followed suit. "It's nice to see you again Ethan, and that goes for you as well Elm."
"O-of course!" Elm said getting up and bowing his head. "T-the honor is all mine sir!"
"Honor, who said anything about honor." Lance smiled. "This is all just pleasure to me."
"Right." Ethan said walking by Elm's side.
"I'll be at the helicopter, don't take too long." Lance said to Allen as he left.
"Got it!" Allen hollered before turning back to his son.
"So... it wasn't much but this is goodbye, for now." Allen said.
"Yeah, this is goodbye..." Ethan said. There was an awkward silence between the two before Elm chimed in.
"Oh, it's Eliza!" He said looking off in the distance.
"There's mom!" Ethan said following where Elm was looking. Eliza came running and appeared to have tears in her eyes.
"Ethan, oh Ethan!" She screamed as she grabbed her son by both his shoulders. "It's a miracle, a miracle!" She screamed.
"What, what!" Ethan said sounding excited. "Don't tell, she's..."
"That's right, come on come on!" Mom said grabbing Ethan by his arm and running in the direction of the Center.
"What's going on!" Allen said following behind his wife and son.
"Hey me too!" Elm finally said realizing he was being left out.
Eliza, Ethan, Allen, and Elm barged into the Pokémon Center earning stares of everyone startled inside, but the lot didn't care other than Elm who was apologizing in their stead.
"She's okay she's actually okay!?" Ethan screamed as he ran over to the front desk with Nurse Joy. He was so excited he ran over the wrong foot and tripped falling and landing on his face.
"Ouch!" He said rubbing his chin as his mom helped him up.
"Ughhh... one leg over the other son..." Allen said slightly embarrassed as some watching were laughing.
"It's true, Bayleef's alright now and ready for checkout." Nurse Joy said with a nod. "It's truly a miracle for her to recover so soon after the surgery, she's very lucky."
"Thank you so much, I'm so relieved..." Ethan said wiping the tears out of his eyes with his sleeve.
"You're other Pokémon are alright too; they were just waiting for you as well..." Nurse Joy informed Ethan.
"That's great but first thing's first, I need to see Bayleef!" Ethan said unable to contain his smile.
"Right this way then." Nurse Joy said with a smile. Ethan followed and so did his parents and Elm but Nurse Joy asked them to stop.
"I'm so sorry, but only one person at a time can be with her, if that's okay." Nurse Joy apologized.
"That's alright! Go on Ethan." Elm said.
"I already saw her earlier so you go on next Ethan." Eliza said.
"Go on son." Allen said with a smile.
"Well... alright guys, see you in a bit!" Ethan said waving his hand as he walked along side Nurse Joy.
On the elevator to upstairs Ethan couldn't stop tapping his foot back in forth which Nurse Joy took notice of.
"No need to be so nervous kid, Bayleef's going to be very happy to see you." Joy assured Ethan.
"Oh me... I'm not nervous at all, I'm just excited. Not everyday miracles like this happen." Ethan exclaimed.
"Right, well I want you to know even though she's soon to be ready to be checked out, that doesn't mean you should just throw her into battles recklessly." Nurse Joy said.
"I get that, no way anything like that's going to happen I assure you." Ethan promised as the elevator reached its floor.
"Great, let's go then." Nurse Joy said as she led the way.
Ethan followed Nurse Joy anxious to see his starter and they finally approached the room which was closed.
"Are you ready?" Nurse Joy asked Ethan who nodded.
"Do you even need to ask?" Ethan chuckled.
Nurse Joy opened the door and Ethan followed behind her, upon entering the first thing he saw was Bayleef who was practicing walking with a practitioner lady. Ethan's eyes began to tear as he saw his healthy Bayleef who looked from the lady to Ethan.
"B-bay..." She gasped before running over to Ethan with a bit of a limp. "Bayleef Bay!"
"I'm here Bayleef I'm here!" Ethan said getting on his knees to hug her but to his surprise she hugged him so hard he fell to the ground.
"Haha, you're getting bigger every day!" Ethan laughed while she nuzzled her head against his.
Nurse Joy smiled and laughed at seeing the two reunite.
"I'm so sorry about what happened Bayleef, I just want you to know I promise you'll never get hurt like that again!" Ethan promised as Bayleef lifted her face from his cheek, he noticed a big scar on her underbelly, the visible kind of scar.
"Bay Bay!" Bayleef said laying Ethan back down on the floor as she rested her head into his.
"She's going to be alright kid; she'll be ready to be checked out of here by tomorrow we'd just like to run a few tests on her and make sure everything will be okay." The practitioner lady said.
"Oh of course, not a problem!" Ethan agreed still playing with Bayleef. He pet her on her scalp and she licked him a few times on the cheek. "I'm going to stay the night with you here Bayleef and keep you company, how does that sound?"
"Bay!" Bayleef said excitedly as she lifted herself from her Trainer.
"Oh, Ethan... you really don't have to!" Nurse Joy said worryingly.
"What do you mean, how could I not!?" Ethan said.
"No I mean, visitors aren't allowed after ten since Team Rocket's invasion just in case, so you can't... and it's already nine fourty five so you see." Nurse Joy tried to explain.
"Oh really." Ethan said before turning back to Bayleef. "Alright then girl, I'll be back first thing in the morning then how's that?"
"Bay!" Bayleef agreed.
"Now I should take you to your other Pokémon. They've been patiently waiting for you." Nurse Joy said opening the door.
"Well, see you tomorrow Bayleef, and make sure to get some rest alright?" Ethan asked.
"Bay Bay!" She promised nodding her head.
"Alright then it's a deal." Ethan said as he got up from the floor. "See you soon!" Ethan said as he left along with Joy.
Later Ethan accompanied Nurse Joy after being handed his Pokéballs and regrouped with both his mom and Professor Elm.
"Hold on where's dad?" Ethan asked.
"He wanted to stay and see Bayleef but he can't, he had to leave with Lance." Eliza said with a sad expression. "It's just that it was so sudden..."
"Sorry mom, but you still have me!" Ethan said cheering her up.
"So can we see Bayleef now?" Elm asked.
"Sorry but apparently not, it's a safety thing but the Center's not twenty-four hours at least for the time being after all that drama with Team Rocket, so you guys can come tomorrow I guess." Ethan responded earning a disappointed face from Professor Elm.
"That's unfortunate, because I have to get going then." Elm said.
"What leaving already?" Ethan said surprised.
"You know Elm is a very busy man Ethan, he only stayed to see you recover and now that you have, he has to get going back." Eliza explained to Ethan.
"Well, if everything goes smoothly tomorrow me and mom will be heading back to New Bark Town's ourselves, why don't you just come with us then?" Ethan asked.
"I'm not going to New Bark Town, not for another week at least..." Elm said. "Have to get going to Ecruteak, sorry Ethan."
"It's fine Elm, have a safe trip there!" Eliza said hugging the professor.
"Yeah, take care then!" Ethan smiled as the Professor took his leave.
"Wait a minute!" Ethan said suddenly alarmed. "If Elm's leaving then who's going to take us back, didn't he take you and dad here in his helicopter!?"
"You worry too much, we'll be going by the subway, they just reopened it." Eliza said.
"O-oh, I should have known that." Ethan said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well then, if we're ready then let's go!" Eliza said grabbing Ethan by his arm.
"Alright I'm coming, I'm coming!" Ethan yapped.
….
The next day at the hotel Ethan awoke early in the morning at about seven am in his bed and he looked over to see his mother who was still sleeping in the other bed.
"Today's the day I get Bayleef back!" Ethan exclaimed excitedly. He got out of his bed without making it and ran up to his sleeping mother.
"Mom Mom! Wake up!" Ethan exclaimed.
"...Five more minutes..." Eliza said still snoozing which made Ethan upset.
"Oh, come on mom!" Ethan now shaking her. "I promised we'd go for Bayleef early in the morning so we've got to go now!"
"Fine, alright!" Eliza said kicking the covers off of herself. "You couldn't even give me five minutes, so needy!"
"Sorry, get ready quick cause we're going now!" Ethan said as he skipped over to his bag so he could change out of his pajamas.
After about thirty minutes to an hour of getting ready it was finally time for Ethan and his mom to make their way to the Pokémon Center. Ethan ran as fast as he could through the streets getting the attention of multiple people thinking he was overly excited.
"Wait up Ethan!" Eliza cried following behind her son. "I'm not as good a runner as you!"
Ethan finally ran up to in front of the center and awaited his mom who came by his side and instantly began panting.
"Jeez Ethan but you have to calm down a little!" Eliza exclaimed as she put her hands on her knees and breathed heavily.
"Again, sorry." Ethan said a bit embarrassed now. "It's just I'm really excited that Bayleef will get to come home with us!"
"Maybe a little too excited, if I didn't know any better I'd think she was your girlfriend or something!" Eliza joked making Ethan chuckle.
"Of course not, but if one thing is for sure, she is my girl!" Ethan stated. "Now let's go!"
Ethan and Eliza took their steps into the Pokémon Center and were greeted by Nurse Joy who of course was at the front desk.
"Hello, welcome to the Pokémon Center, oh, it's you Ethan!" Joy said.
"Hi, I came to retrieve Bayleef!" Ethan said joyfully. "She's ready to come home, right?"
"Ohhh, well, yes but, maybe after just a little bit." Nurse Joy said with an uneasy smile. "We still need to run some testing on her like diagnostics and prognosis."
"Sorry Ethan." Eliza said putting her hand on Ethan's shoulder.
Ethan looked a bit disappointed at first but quickly got over it. "Well then not a problem at all, I can I at least stay with her until she's ready to leave?"
"I-I really wish hon but I don't think so." Nurse Joy explained. "Our nurses are going to need a Bayleef to be paying full attention us during our next few procedures, having her be occupied by her Trainer just isn't very appropriate."
"I see..." Ethan sighed. "I'll just wait by here until she's ready, think she'll be done soon?"
"I wish I could tell you; it may be a little too soon to say..." Nurse Joy said making Ethan want to hang his head down and cry.
"A-alright then, thank you." Ethan said quickly turning around and walking away, Eliza felt bad and walked over to him.
"Ethan, it's alright." She told him as he sat down in the chair.
Ethan didn't respond and just sat awaiting patiently.
"Hey, listen Ethan. You're still going to see Bayleef today it's just not going to be as soon as you would have liked." Eliza said as she took a seat right by her son's side.
"That's not why I'm sad, I know I'm going to see her sometime today, it'd just that I promised Bayleef I'd see her first thing in the morning." Ethan explained.
"I know sweetheart, I know." Eliza said grabbing Ethan's hand. "I'll wait with you, no matter how long it takes."
"R-really, I didn't ask you to." Ethan said as he was surprised.
"I know, but I want to." Eliza smiled.
"Thanks mom." Ethan said. "I have the best Pokémon in the world and also the best mother."
"You don't know how happy that makes me!" Eliza said putting her arm around her son.
….
Ethan and Eliza had waited for many hours for Bayleef, many people came and went to collect their Pokémon, but Bayleef was still being looked at it seemed. Eliza began to fall asleep on her son's shoulder but Ethan could get no sleep as he restlessly waited for his starter.
They sat in the same two seats they had taken and no one else was there to wait or pick up their Pokémon, they were the last ones. It was already nighttime.
"Oh, excuse me." Ethan said as he saw one of Nurse Joy's attendants who came from a back room. "Is my Bayleef almost finished up in their possibly?"
"M-my sincerest apologies to you and your mother." The lady said making Ethan's heart drop.
"But I think Bayleef may need more time, and since it's closing hours..."
Ethan sunk his head and felt like groaning or screaming but didn't want to give the assistant a hard time, so he instead put his head up and nodded before turning to his mom.
"Mom, wake up!" He said shaking her by the arm awake.
Eliza woke up and immediately could see the hurt in Ethan's eyes.
"W-what's wrong!?" She asked.
"Let's go, Bayleef's not coming back today..." Ethan said getting up from the chair.
"What, what happened?" Eliza gasped.
"I'm really sorry ma'am, please understand but it seems like Bayleef may need just a little bit more attention before we could check her out." The assistant apologized.
"E-Ethan..." Eliza said unsure of what to do.
"It's alright mom what else is there to do..." Ethan muttered as he opened the door to exit. He held the door open for her with his back and faced his mom. "We can just get Bayleef tomorrow!"
"I'm sorry Ethan. It wasn't supposed to be this way." Eliza sighed as she walked out the door to which Ethan followed. "I had planned on us heading back home today, I guess we can just go tomorrow."
"I'm the one who should be sorry mom, I made you wait the whole day and it got us nowhere." Ethan admitted. "Tomorrow it'll just be me waiting for Bayleef, you can stay home."
"No Ethan, you still don't get it, I waited with you for myself." Eliza said even though Ethan knew she was lying.
Ethan stopped walking as he realized something was wrong.
"What is it?" Eliza asked.
"Awe man, I left my backpack where my Pokémon are, one second I'm just going to go back." Ethan said making his way back.
"Be quick!" Eliza called out to him.
Ethan opened the doors to the center saying, "Just a second, I forgot my backpack!"
He looked around, the lights were still on, but the assistant was gone, he figured it wouldn't be a problem if he went and grabbed his bad from the chair.
Ethan turned and grabbed his bag placing it on his back. He turned around as he was about to leave but stopped as he heard a sound.
"Bay!" Ethan heard; his heart paused as he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"N-no way..." Ethan said slowly turning around, and sure enough, it was Bayleef, she stood over there just outside the backroom and her eyes glistened brightly as she faced her Trainer.
"Hold on Bayleef, you shouldn't exert yourself!" Nurse Joy said running behind her. She then turned to Ethan and lowered her head bowing.
"M-my apologies, it seems we took longer with Bayleef than we would have liked, but it seems she's finally ready to go back with you." Nurse Joy said raising her head with a smile.
Ethan hadn't heard a word she said, his Bayleef was standing before him with nothing but pure bliss. Ethan didn't even realize it but he was already running at her with open arms.
"Bayleef you're okay!" Ethan exclaimed, Bayleef began to charge towards him as well as Ethan wrapped his arms around her.
"Bayyyy!" She exclaimed happily as Ethan hugged her tightly. She began to lick Ethan cheek over and over tickling the boy making him laugh.
"Hahahah, stop that!" Ethan giggled as Bayleef continued.
"Ethan, what's taking so long!" Eliza said as she stormed inside the Center, to her surprise she saw Bayleef who looked to be okay.
"Mom, Bayleef's back!" Ethan said looking up to see his mother.
"This is so perfect!" Eliza screamed gleefully as she joined in on the hug.
"I'm so happy to see you okay Bayleef." Ethan said with a single tear in his eye as he and his mom let go of Bayleef. "I don't know what I'd do without you girl."
"Bayleef!" Bayleef barked sharply also with a tear in her eye. Ethan wasn't the only one who was waiting. She'd been waiting for her Trainer to come for her the whole time while she was out. Ethan didn't escape her even in her dreams.
Bayleef's eyes filled up with more tears before she began to glow a shiny light blue, despite the lights being off in the center she filled the room with a bright shine causing Ethan to look away for a second.
"Oh my!" Nurse Joy gasped covering her mouth.
"Ethan, I think..." Eliza began.
Ethan uncovered his eyes and looked into the light and could hardly believe what he was seeing, Bayleef was evolving.
Upon the light leaving her Bayleef now had a new look. She was now much larger easily standing about a foot above Ethan. She was now a pale-green color and instead of having her large leaf on her scalp now had two green antennae. Encircling Bayleef's neck as well were large, pink flower petals with a yellow central pattern.
The grass type opened her eyes and saw Ethan's face who was left speechless. She smiled and gave him a single lick on the cheek.
"Megayy!" The newly evolved Pokémon excitedly cried out.
Ethan's mouth was still wide-open making Eliza laugh.
"Here, I'll get that for you." She said opening Ethan's backpack grabbing his Pokédex before focusing it on Ethan's starter. "Now, let's see what you've evolved into Bayleef."
"Meganium, the Herb Pokémon. The aroma that rises from its petals contains a substance that calms aggressive feelings."
Eliza waved her hand over Ethan's face and he finally reacted. "B-Bayleef, you actually evolved!" Ethan shouted as he went in to hug his Pokémon once again.
Meganium happily accepted his hug and nuzzled her face into his,
"Meganium!" She happily squealed.
"She's alright now, but it's still unsafe for her to be involved in any battles any time soon, I assure you it's best if she gets her rest." Nurse Joy said interrupting the happy moment.
"Don't worry, I promise Bayleef will get a long break from battling!" Ethan exclaimed. "Is that alright Meganium?"
Meganium stopped as she hadn't truly considered it until she heard it from Ethan's mouth. She had no other words and stood speechless, Ethan stopped hugging her and looked her in the eyes.
"I know you probably want to come with me to Blackthorne, and I promise you we will, together, but right now it's best if we go to New Bark Town and finally get you some rest." Ethan spelled out putting his hand on her scalp.
Megayy gayy!" Meganium blurted out arguing with Ethan in why she could come.
"But Meganium." Ethan said not sure of how to tell her how it is.
"Ethan, why don't you head to Blackthrone." Eliza said surprising Ethan.
"Huh!?" He turned to his mother. "Y-you mean it, but what about what dad said?"
"I know what dad said, but I also know what I'm saying." Eliza smiled. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine by myself."
Ethan turned to Meganium who nodded ecstatically and uttered her name. "Meganium!" He then turned to Nurse Joy.
"Um... is it alright if she, comes with me." Ethan finally asked.
"I suppose so, making sure she gets her exercise other than battling or training is important in the recovery process." Nurse Joy explained. "And she will be able to battle again, I'm sure, but keep it light at first, keep her in the back seat for a while, alright?"
"Alright Bay- I mean Meganium!" Ethan exclaimed jumping up with one arm in the air. "We're going to Blackthorne!"
"Megayy!" Meganium shrieked happily.
Ethan turned to his mom as she gave him a hug to which he returned.
"I'm going to miss you Ethan, but it was nice seeing you again." Eliza said with trying to stop herself from crying.
"And... I'm going to miss you to mom." Ethan said as she let go of him.
"Make sure to stay safe, and make sure to always get healthy amounts of food, I put money in your backpack for when you need it since it looked like you were running a bit low." Eliza replied.
"Sure mom, well, Meganium." Ethan said turning to his gleeful starter.
Ethan grabbed her and put his arm around her as they walked off. Ethan just wanted to make sure she was okay, but she was clearly fine as they made their way out of the Center.
Before Eliza could leave herself, Nurse Joy reached and grabbed her arm.
"Wait Mom, can I speak with you for a second?" Nurse Joy asked.
"O-of course." Eliza said. "Is there an issue?"
"I didn't want to break it to your son, and it may be unprofessional of me to not have." Nurse Joy declared. "But even with Bayleef evolved I don't believe she has much time left as a battler, what happened to her will surely affect her performance in battle permanently. And if anything like that happens again to her again. Well, she may not have much time left."
"O-oh my!" Eliza choked. She turned to see her son who was skipping happily along with Meganium with no clue.
"B-Bayleef..." She stuttered.
What a chapter, and yeah, I finally decided to evolve Bayleef into a Meganium and although I was scared to since I was kind of missing Chikorita when I first evolved her but even though I love Bayleef I also love Meganium too so, plus it doesn't hurt their designs are virtually the same as well, so...