tO eXPLAIN iN dUE tIME
cHAPTER 2

[All I know]

A.N.: Looks like I have some new terms for you, boys and girls...

Tokiwa = Viridian
Shion = Lavander
Jiichan = Gramps
Ojii-chan = Grandfather
Kobane = Goldenrod
Jouto = Johto
Masara = Pallet

If I've written anything wrong, lemme know, k? I don't like making mistakes in my fics. Umm, enough of the Gary, er, Shigeru 'tude, on with the fic!

"Now remember Shigeru," Ojii-chan explained carefully, "A Pokemon poison antidote will work on humans, but it won't have the full effect on a human as it would on a Pokemon."

"Okay, Jii-chan," Shigeru said, standing on his tiptoes so he could see the array of antidotes and potions laying on the table. "So if a Pok'mon attic..att...If a Pok'mon hurt me with poisin, then this could help me?"

Ojii-chan smiled down kindly, "That's right, Shigeru! My my, how fast you learn!" He ruffled the six year olds hair. "Someday, you'll be a grand Pokemon trainer!"

"Nuh-uh, Jii-chan," The boy huffed. "I'm gonna be a Pok'mon Master!"

"You certainly will, my boy."

"Shigeru?" The voice was feminine and echoey. "Shigeru! Wake up!"

Shigeru groaned, but opened his eyes. It was such an effort! Each lid felt as if a ten-pound weight had been attached to it. His vision swam for a moment, then focused into superb Ookido sharpness. Nurse Joi looked down at him, her face full of concern.

"I gave you an antidote, but you'll have to reach a hospital in Tokiwa for a complete heal."

"What? Why can't you send for one?" Shigeru struggled to sit up, but a burning pain in his side had him lying back down.

"You have to take it easy," Nurse Joi chastised, "You were hit very hard along your ribs and I fear that a few have been strained. I don't think anything has been broken."

"You don't think anything was broken?! What does that mean?"

Nurse Joi blushed, "Well, our machinery had been stolen yesterday and we're waiting for replacements. I ran a physical exam while you were unconscious, but I didn't feel anything broken."

She felt me up? And I was unconscious? Damn, this is a bad day. Shigeru sighed, then sucked his breath in.

"Anything wrong?" Nurse Joi frowned prettily.

"No! Of course not!" Shigeru put on his most suggestive look. "Unless you want to...re-examine me..."

"NO!!!" Nurse Joi blushed a deeper shade of red. "I mean, I...I have other patients to attend to. I think you're doing fine." She turned to open the door. "Oh, by the way, your friends have set up camp in the waiting room. Do you want me to send them in, or just tell them how you are doing?"

Shigeru thought quickly, "Just tell them how I'm doing. When will I be released, anyway?"

"Tomorrow," Nurse Joi said, after consulting her chart. "In the morning. The doctor just wants to keep you here for an overnight observation."

Shigeru raised an eyebrow, "I can think of what I'd like to observe overnight." He made no attempt to hide the head to toe look he gave Nurse Joi.

"You are despicable, Shigeru Ookido." She said, a small smile on her face. She left then, closing the door gently behind her.

Shigeru let the smirk slip from his face as he closed his eyes. The pain in his side was greater than he had let on, and the poison was making him dizzy. Deep down, he was very concerned about the potency of the poison attack, despite how poorly trained the Arbok looked. He knew his Jii-chan would probably have a full heal for him, and thusly he wouldn't have to make a run to Tokiwa. Even though Melody lived there.

Ah, Melody, what would you think of me, if you saw me now? Shigeru thought, as sleep overtook him. I just need to sleep...for a little bit...

"Satoshi, I promise we'll get Pikachu back!" Kasumi said soothingly. Unfortunately, her words had the reverse effect.

"Pikachuuu!!" Satoshi wailed, sobbing into his League cap. The battered cap was clutched tightly in his gloved hands, and quickly becoming saturated with his sorrow.

"Uhm, Kasumi? Can I have a word with you?" Takeshi took her aside, gripping her elbow. As they left, Chikorita and Togepi stayed with Satoshi and tried consoling the distraught Trainer.

"What is it, Takeshi?" Kasumi asked, "You don't think I was being hard on him, do you?"

"No, but I think we should not speak about Pikachu." Takeshi grimaced as the words sank into Satoshi's hearing range, causing another bout of wailing. "And maybe we should plan a way of getting it back...and quickly."

Kasumi fell silent, then her face screwed up in anger, "It's all Shigeru's fault! If he hadn't gotten in the way, we would have had...you-know-who."

Takeshi shrugged, "I know, but there was no way for Shigeru to know that Satoshi wouldn't have been hit by the attack. He did what he thought was right."

Kasumi sighed, her face relaxed. "You're right, of course. He finally makes a mistake and it nearly cost him his life, and totally cost...you know what...to Satoshi."

"Excuse me," A voice broke into their conversation; it was Nurse Joi, "but are you Shigeru's friends?"

Kasumi snorted, but Takeshi nodded, "We are. How is he doing?"

"His ribs were bruised greatly, but nothing seems to be broken." She frowned, "The poison is what worries me the most."

"Yes?" Kasumi asked, her interest piqued.

"The Arbok that attacked had a bad grade of poison. The antidote I gave Shigeru counters it, but will not fully heal him. He needs a full heal from the Center in Tokiwa." Nurse Joi sighed. "If he doesn't get a full heal soon, by at least tomorrow night, or the next day...it could be fatal."

Kasumi fell totally silent, the words from Joi shocking her. True, Shigeru was an arrogant bastard, but even he didn't deserve to die this way. "And Tokiwa is the closest Center?"

Nurse Joi shook her head, "Other than Kobane in Jouto, Tokiwa has the only Center with a full heal for a human."

"Why not any of the other cities?" Takeshi asked.

"The need really isn't there. It's rare for a human to be hit by a poison sting attack." Nurse Joi sounded apologetic, "He will be released tomorrow morning. I suggest you use a swift Pokemon for the journey." She turned to walk away.

"Wait!" Takeshi called out.

Nurse Joi paused.

"Why can't it be delivered here?"

Kasumi held her breath.

"Because," Nurse Joi looked over her shoulder, "Rocketto Dan stole all of our expensive equipment...including the transportation devices."

"And your Pokemon, too?" It was no secret that the Pokemon Centers, even in such a remote location as Shion Town, had swift flying Pokemon.

Nurse Joi nodded, "Even them."

"Well," Kasumi said flatly, "Sucks to be Shigeru."

Yes, it does suck to be Shigeru. I am taking great liberties with this story. What with all the differences between what could happen if a Pokemon were to attack a human with poison and...oh heck, you just wanna know what's coming up next.
Will Shigeru and crew reach Masara in time? Will the full heal be sent to Masara, or will they have to go to Tokiwa? Will Satoshi ever get Pikachu back? All this and more in the next chapter of...tO eXPLAINE iN dUE tIME!