Author's Note: Hehe…I've got my edge back!

oooooo

NAME: Bugsy

AGE: 19

HOME: Azalea

HAIR: Purple

EYES: Green

CLOTHES: Green and White Polo Shirt, Khaki Shorts

FUN FACT: He discovered new Pokemon techniques by rigorous training and observation of his Bug Pokemon.

ooooo

Krysta sat down on a chair impatiently. The Pokemart was absolutely crammed with people. She sighed and fidgeted, waiting for the line to go down. Zell was still at the Pokecenter, waiting for word on Eryth. Apparently, the Arbok had been in poor health to begin with and when Zell had pulled it off of his Pokemon, a fang had been left inside her shoulder.

He had bravely told Krysta that there was no problem and basically shoved her out the door with a shopping list. Krysta didn't mind spending her money for things that he asked her to buy since he often paid for and cooked the food.

Still….The line at the shopping center was huge. She double-checked everything that Zell wanted: 6 Super Potions, 8 Antidotes, 2 Repels, and a piece of Flower Mail. Krysta was a bit suspicious about the mail, but got it anyway.

Eventually, the line moved forward and Krysta was able to pay for all the items. She sighed as she carried the merchandise outside. Zell was waiting for her, looking worried. He took the bags from her and explained the situation.

"The surgery went okay…they were able to get the fang out, but…" His face fell. Krysta pressed him for news.

"But what?"

"Eryth is lucky to be alive...The tooth was pretty rotten to begin with….you know how Rockets don't take care of their Pokemon…"

"Zell…what's wrong?"

"Infection." He said bleakly.

Krysta felt herself pale. It was a harsh hand for Fate to deal. Eryth was like family to Zell, who's tough-guy exterior was shattered by her incapacitation. Krysta didn't know what it was like to lose a partner like that, but just seeing what it did to her friend, well…

They went back to the Pokecenter in silence.

When they got there, there was an old woman talking to Nurse Joy loudly about a fat Persian she was carrying.

"PRECIOUS HERE KEEPS COUGHING UP HAIRBALLS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO ABOUT THE STAINS IN MY CARPET! PERHAPS THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU YOUNG LADIES CAN DO TO HELP MY LITTLE PRECIOUS!"

Nurse Joy kept a calm face as Precious the fat Persian hacked up a wad of beige and pink hair. Her eyebrow went up.

"Excuse me ma'am, but…do you happen to have a Slowpoke?"

"WHAT! MY LATHE IS BROKE? HOW DOES THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY KITTY COUGHING UP HAIRBALLS?"

And so it continued until the fact was established that the lady did, in fact have a Slowpoke. Nurse Joy was able to prescribe pills that would cure the cat Pokemon's hairballs.

The lady was about to leave when Nurse Joy told Zell that there was no change in Eryth's condition.

"EH? YOUR POKEMON SICK, BOY!" she asked. Krysta felt that it was a redundant question, considering that this was a Pokemon Hospital.

Zell nodded. "Yes…My Kadabra is sick." This was, of course, said loudly enough for the old woman to hear.

The old woman made a tsking sound. "Psychic types are always hard to heal," she said, shaking her head. Everyone was startled at her lack of yelling.

"You need a Twisted Spoon and some of my Revival herb!"

Zell looked at her oddly. "Where can I get the Twisted Spoon?"

The old lady tapped her nose. "I wouldn't normally sell it to people…but I've got just what you need!" She held up and untwisted, antique silver spoon.

Zell practically fell on the ground in exasperation. "That's not twisted, ma'am…" He finally said. She looked at him like he was daft.

"Of course it isn't! How else do you expect your Pokemon's power to get into it? They have to twist it…now go, get it to twist the spoon."

Zell took the spoon and went into the Emergency Care room. Eryth didn't look very well at all. Her pupils were dilated and her breathing was shallow and raspy. Zell went over to the pallet where she was lying.

"Eryth…can you hear me?"

The Kadabra turned her head weakly towards her Trainer's voice. "Ka…?"

Zell gulped, nearly crying. "I-I need you to twist this spoon around for me, okay? Can you do that?"

The Kadabra's eyes closed slowly. A very, very faint glow formed around the spoon. Slowly, it started to turn and twist.

Eryth was clearly weakened by the exertion of power, but Zell was still proud of her. He gave her a hug and then went to get the old woman's Revival Herb. He found Krysta and Nurse Joy in the lobby, but no old woman.

"WHERE IS SHE?" he yelled frantically.

Krysta said "She left already Zell…But she left her Revival Herb with instructions on how to give it to Eryth. She said she trusted you enough that she felt confidant that you'd come by later with her payment.

Zell nodded as he took the bag full of ground herbs from Krysta, not really hearing the rest of what she said. He went and got Eryth to take two spoon-fulls of the apparently bitter herbs. Eryth squinched her eyes shut and shook her head at the bitterness, but she managed to get it down.

She sighed and fell into a deep sleep. Zell stayed by her side, even when Krysta came in to tell him that she was going to challenge Bugsy.

"Well…Good luck, Krysta…don't take it the wrong way, but I'd rather stay here with Eryth."

Krysta smiled. "Of course I understand. I'll bet that she'll be better before I'm done trouncing Bugsy."

He smiled weakly at her somewhat egotistical remark.

As Krysta headed for the large, greenhouse looking gym, she sent a small prayer out for Eryth. Fingering her team's pokeballs confidently, she entered the gym and looked around, extremely surprised.

ooooooo

Author's Note: Whee! I'm working on it!