"Attention, citizens of Viridian city. Attention, citizens of Viridian City," my acute hearing picked up a woman's voice coming out from a speaker. "We have reports of hostile Pokémon thieves in our area. Be on the lookout for suspicious-looking strangers. Repeat: be on the lookout for suspicious-looking—" She paused. "Speak of the devil!"
Ash was running quickly with me, and my breathing was labored. Ash was panting, and my eyes were tightly closed as he held me against his chest.
My life was depending on him.
I was only subconsciously aware of what was going on around me.
"Hold it!" the officer yanked Ash by the collar. Ash continued to try to run as she held him in place, "And just where do you think you're going with that Pokémon, young man?"
She let him go.
Careful! That hurts...I gave an inward moan as I was slightly jerked when Ash straightened.
"It's my Pokémon, and it's hurt. And I've gotta get it to the hospital right away!" Ash told her off.
Way to go, Ash! I cheered him silently on.
Oh...too much thinking hurt...
"Oh, I'm sorry," the woman somehow developed a sudden hick accent, then it faded away and her voice softened even more, "—I thought you might be stealing it. Just show me your I.D. and you can go."
I could practically feel Ash's confusion, "I.D.? Uh...I don't have any. You see, we just came here from Pallet and we—"
The blue-haired police officer cut in, "You know, you're the fourth person I've seen today from Pallet Town."
"The fourth?" Ash was disappointed, "Oh...That means Gary Oak's here already."
Gary Oak? I wondered.
"It's very unusual for someone to carry a Pokémon around in his arms and not in a Pokéball. How do I know you didn't steal that Pokémon? Especially since you don't have any identification," she sounded like she was ready to pounce.
"Please, let me through. I wouldn't steal a Pokémon, and I've gotta get Pikachu to the hospital. Please, miss," Ash begged.
Yes. Please, miss...
"Hey!" she exclaimed. "What's that in your pocket?"
Forget the pocket! Hospital, now!
"What? Oh, this?"
"THIS!" I heard her happily cheer. "This is perfect!" There was a small unit of time during which I was sure she was doing something fancy, and then she spoke, "A Pokédex! This will solve our problem!"
"Huh?" I heard Ash mutter.
What is she doing...?
"Let's see..." she mumbled. "If you're the real deal..."
"I'm Dexter, a Pokédex programmed by Professor Oak for Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum of the town of Pallet. My function is to provide Ash with information and advice regarding Pokémon and their training. If lost or stolen, I cannot be replaced."
Good for you, I thought sullenly.
"Oh, my Pokédex," I distantly heard Ash moan. "I didn't realize it was also my I.D." His tone changed, "Can I take Pikachu to the Pokémon Center now?"
"I'll get you there in no time at all," she told him in a valley-girl type voice.
Wonderful. My life is in the hands of a cop with multiple personalities.
I felt a bunch of bumping and shuffling as Ash got on something. A quick peek told me it was some type of vehicle.
I slowly felt light come upon my body, and the woman spoke. "Sit back, hold on, and don't yell."
Great.
The vehicle took off with a loud roar. I thought I heard a slight coughing behind us, but I put it off as my being delirious.
"There it is," the officer told us after a healthy amount of riding on her bumpy form of transportation.
"Pokémon Center...It's gigantic!" Ash was surprised.
I didn't have enough energy to open my eyes and see what he was talking about. I had to use all my strength to keep myself from falling off.
"This is tricky! Just hold on. Here we go!"
"Whoooaaa!" Ash yelled as the vehicle jumped over something and rattled us all.
I made a mental note to myself: Never have a police officer drive you to a Pokémon Center, because they are just as likely to drive you to your death...
The doors hummed and opened by themselves, and the tires screeched as we entered.
With a click, the woman sat down her foot. A different woman's voice spoke, annoyed, "We have a driveway, you know!"
"It's a Pokémon emergency!" the police officer informed her.
"Please, help it!" Ash begged.
"Looks like a Pikachu. We'll do what we can." A small amount of time passed, and I heard her clicking on a computer. "I need a stretcher for a small electric Pokémon, STAT!"
"Chansey," I heard some Chansey wheeling a stretcher towards me.
I was lightly placed on the soft stretcher, my arms resting on my belly, my eyes still closed in pain.
"It'll be okay," she comforted Ash.
Hmph. I think she should be comforting me!
"Rush this Pokémon to the critical care unit." she instructed the two Chansey.
"Chansey," they affirmed.
I was taken away.
The nurse eventually entered with another Chansey.
I couldn't see what they were doing, but I felt a prick, then a drowsy sleep fell upon me...
