"Crobat, go!"

The purple bat Pokémon dived at the rustling bush in an attempt to scare whatever Pokémon was inside out.

Brock jumped aside as a pair of Nidorans (who had been in the middle of mating) darted out.

Dejected, Misty sank down on a nearby rock. "Brock, I'm beginning to think that there aren't any Paras or Parasects on this island. We've been walking through the woods for what seems like forever and we've seen every other Pokémon but the one we need to help Ash."

Brock sat down next to her. "I'm beginning to think that you're right, Misty. Remember what Professor Oak said? He wasn't sure that there were any Paras or Parasects on Mangrove Island anyway."

"Brock, what do you think is going to happen to Ash? I've never seen him so sick before."

"I don't know, Misty."

The girl bit her lip in an attempt to fight back tears. "I love him, Brock. Even if he acts like a big-mouthed show-off most of the time, I love him. We've been together so long that I can't imagine how it would be without him. I don't think I can go on without…without Ash."

"I know it's hard, Misty." Brock put a comforting arm around Misty's shoulders. "But like I said before, Ash has been in tighter spots than this. And he's always come out on top. We can't lose hope just yet."

"Brock, if we can't find a Paras or Parasect, do you know of anything – any medicine or plant or something – that can help Ash?"

"All my Pokémon medicines are in my backpack back at camp. Besides, I'm not sure if they'll even work on Ash, or if it's even safe to give Pokémon remedies to humans. The only reason I knew that it was okay to use the Lickitung spray on Ash's leg was because I've used it on myself before."

"But you remember the time Old Man Shuckle gave Ash the medicine for his upset stomach? That was a Pokémon remedy, but it still made Ash better. And Professor Oak might know if it's okay to give Pokémon medicine to people."

"Yeah, you're right. I didn't think about that. Maybe there is something in my backpack that could help Ash." Brock stood up. "Besides, it's nearly dark. We probably should get back to camp anyway."

"I just hope Ash is still…that he's not…" A tear slid out of Misty's eye.

"Ash is too stubborn to die, Misty. You know that as well as I do. Come on…let's go find a way to help him."

---

At the sound of the rustling in the brush, Pikachu jumped up from his sleeping trainer's side.

Professor Oak, who had been in the middle of searching through his supplies for anything to help Ash, turned around at the sound of the Pokémon's growling. "What is it, Pikachu? Do you hear something?"

"Pika," the Pokemon nodded as its cheeks began sparking. As the noise grew louder, the Pokémon sniffed the air and its cheeks suddenly stopped flashing. "Pika-pi!" Pikachu ran up to Brock and Misty as they emerged from the darkness.

"Thank goodness you're back, kids," said Professor Oak, relieved. "I was getting worried about you. Did you have any luck finding a Paras or Parasect?"

Brock shook his head. "No. We searched everywhere."

"How's Ash doing, Professor?" Misty asked anxiously.

"He's sleeping, Misty. I gave him the ibuprofen I found in Brock's backpack and had Noctowl hypnotize him until they took effect."

"Is he doing any better?" Brock asked.

Professor Oak shook his head. "But at least he's not getting any worse. He's holding his own right now."

"I'm going to check to see if I have anything in my backpack that might help Ash," Brock said as he went over to where it sat.

"I already did, Brock. Except for the ibuprofen and the Lickitung spray, there's nothing in there that will help Ash. And unfortunately, I gave Ash the last of the ibuprofen and the Lickitung spray will be gone soon."

Misty went over to where Ash lay, gently laid her palm against his cheek, and was shocked at how cold and clammy he was. "Professor, what's going to happen to Ash?"

"I don't know, Misty. I was hoping that you kids would find a Parasect mushroom. But since you didn't have any luck, the thing to do now is get Ash off the island and to a hospital as fast as we can. I'm going to radio Captain Silas right now and have him come get us. The two of you keep an eye on Ash while I get in touch with him." Professor Oak disappeared into his tent.

"Look at him, Brock," Misty said softly as she caressed Ash's cheek. "He's so pale. It almost looks like he's…that he's…"

"He's not dead yet, Misty," said Brock as he watched Ash's chest slowly rise and fall. "And where there's life, there's hope."

"Oh, Ash…why do you always get yourself into such messes?" Misty said as she kissed the sleeping boy tenderly on the forehead.

---

Professor Oak flipped on the switch of the radio's microphone. "Captain Silas? Are you there, Captain?"

Through a haze of static came a gruff reply. "Yes, Professor Oak. What is it?"

"Captain, we have an emergency here. Ash was stung by a Tentacruel and is having an allergic reaction to it. We need for you to come get us right away."

"I'm sorry, Professor, but there's a storm heading your way. The sea will be too rough for me to navigate until it passes."

Damn.

"How long do you think it will be until you're able to sail?"

"Based on the latest weather report, probably not until early tomorrow morning."

Double damn.

"Captain Silas, there's a good chance that the boy may not make it until tomorrow morning."

"I'm sorry, Professor, but that's the best I can do. That storm looks like a pretty bad one, too. You guys had better find some shelter fast. It looks like it'll be over Mangrove Island within the half-hour."

Triple damn.

"Can you find someone that could possibly fly out here? A plane? A helicopter?"

"Sorry, Professor, but the storm is too dangerous for anyone to fly or sail in. It'll be tomorrow morning until you can get anybody out there. Is the boy that bad?"

Damn, damn, damn, damn.

"Yes, Captain. He is."

"Sorry to hear that. Wish there was something I could do. Anyway, just hunker down until the storm passes and I promise that I'll set sail for Mangrove Island as soon as I can."

Professor Oak sighed in defeat. "All right, Captain Silas. Thank you."

"Is Captain Silas coming?" Brock asked when Professor Oak stepped out of his tent.

"No, Brock. He's not," Professor Oak said quietly.

"He's not? Why?" asked Misty, astonished.

"Because there's a storm heading this way and no one will be able to get through to us until it passes," Professor Oak explained to the two teens. As if to emphasize his point, thunder rumbled in the distance.

"Come on. What we need to do now is seek shelter until the storm blows over. Brock, help me pick up Ash and get him inside the tent. We'll have to stay put there until the storm passes."

To be continued…