Warning to all readers: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS ANIMAL INJURY.
The television was on, tuned to a news channel. President Santiago stood on the screen, giving a speech.
"Citizens of America," Santiago began. "It has been one month since the fictional franchise known as Pokemon has come to life and appeared in our world. Rest assured there is no reason to panic. As of now, we are continuing negotiations with the Pokemon known as Reshiram. All citizens are encouraged to keep their pets inside. If you see any suspicious activity regarding Pokemon, do not engage unless there is immediate danger to the safety of surrounding bystanders. Instead, please report the incident to your nearest police station or animal control officer." He paused. "Pets are to be kept indoors at all times. Any exercise for pets must be done in the limits of one's own backyard."
She continued watching the footage; it showed a few snippets of soldiers in haz-mat suits blasting Muk and Grimer with flamethrowers, before showing a clip of veterinarians taking medical readings from various Pokemon. It then cut to a recording of a diplomatic team of soldiers and American ambassadors and scientists negotiating with Reshiram and Zekrom.
After a while, she switched off the TV.
Her parents were out of town at the moment. That left just her and the dog.
"Hello, Fido," she replied, stroking his fur. "Want to go outside?"
The dog could not understand her, but he barked excitedly all the same.
Michelle sat in a lounge chair facing her small backyard. The wooden deck has some of its white paint chipping off, but that didn't matter. It reminded her of what she had, long ago.
Hell, Pokemon almost never came out military had done a good job showing them just why humanity was to be feared. Still, she sat on the porch, gripping her father's shotgun. Nothing was going to get past her, not on her watch.
Beside her, Fido basked in the sun. His nose twitched at alien scents of the Pokemon passing through. Not that he'd be any use against things with elemental powers – that would be all her.
Playful chattering drew her attention. A bipedal yellow rat, way larger than anything she'd seen before, trooted across her lawn playfully. She thought she recognized it as a Pikachu.
It didn't looked like how she remembered, though. With its much larger ears and stubbier tail, she reasoned it was probably a Pokemon she hadn't seen before.
While she debated on whether to shoot or not, Fido growled. "Easy, boy," she told him. The words had no effect; Fido lunged like a predator just as the Pokemon's cheeks began to spark. She raised her shotgun, just as-
The agonized yelp and brilliant flash made her clench her eyes shut. When she opened them again, she swept the backyard with her father's shotgun, firing at a randomly chosen spot. She smiled grimly at the terrified squeak – then screamed as a bolt of lightning came her way. Pain shot through her side as she jumped aside, the gun lying forgotten.
Before long, the Pokemon had vanished. Michelle choked back tears as she ran to Fid's body. The dog was glassy-eyed, foam spilling from its mouth as it convulsed.
Crying, she wrapped it up in a warm blanket and sped off to the nearest vet clinic in her car, locking the doors in her house as she left.
As she sped through half-ruined streets under an overcast afternoon sky, Michelle tried to convince herself that this was just another day in her life.
The rumbling of military vehicles, wandering patrols of National Guard soldiers and distant gunshots put a swift end to that notion.
A few times, when stopped at a light, she'd catch a brief glimpse of unnaturally-colored fur or some other feature that reminded her that it belonged to a creature of otherworldy origin. She shook her head and tried to think.
In the back, her dog continued drooling. Was it dead now? No, she thought, forcing back bile that threatened to spill out – Fido would be fine. How else would she explain what happened to her family?
While Pokemon were common knowledge worldwide by now, she didn't want to break their hearts. Hell, she'd failed to protect her family the moment she missed that Pichu. In fact, she'd forgotten to report it in her shock. Was it off hurting others now?
Soon, the vet clinic came into view. Michelle parked as quickly as she could, heart throwing itself against her rib cage. the automatic doors opened at her approach. With a mighty heave, she grabbed the drooling dog and slammed it shut with the same ferocity.
Stumbling through the automated doors, she could barely keep from sobbing. "My dog – by Pichu – electrocuted – help!" The receptionist stopped her from just about dumping Fido on the desk.
"Please, take a seat, madam," he replied, handing her a clipboard and pen. She looked around the waiting room to see a line of sparse chairs on a carpeted area.
The wait consisted only of cuddling and sobbing after the clipboard was scrawled on. A few visitors gave her looks of pity, thinking her dog had multiple serious medical conditions. The majority of the visitors saw a mousy woman crying her eyes out over a dying dog.
She numbly looked up when the vet called her name.
"Tell me what happened to your dog."
Michelle sniffled. "I... my dog and I were playing in the backyard when a Pichu showed up. So, my dog being the dumb ass he is, charges it and gets himself fried."
"I see.," the vet replied. he snapped on some latex gloves and checked the inside of the dog's mouth for burns. "Did your dog have any trouble walking?"
"Yes," Michelle replied. "He wasn't even able to walk. You gotta save him!" With a heavy sigh, she sank into a nearby chair.
"Well, considering it was a Pokemon that injured him..." The vet shook his head and shone a bright flashlight into Fido's mouth. "Depending on what he bit, he'd have burns all over his mouth and probably deeper. I'm sorry, but the only option is an extended stay here."
"What will it entail?"
"Depending on how badly he was shocked, we'll have to give him an IV drip and drugs to stabilize his breathing or heartbeat. Probably an operation to remove damaged mouth tissue," the vet said. "You said a Pichu. Did it-"
"I think it used an electric type attack. Thundershock, I think. it's a miracle he's still alive." Looking at Fido now reminded her very much of a stuffed specimen. She left out the part where she shot at the Pichu in an attempt to stop it. "I didn't give him ice or anything to eat before she got shocked."
"I see," the vet said. "Leave your pet with us; we'll take it from here. The call to pick him up will go out once the treatment is done."
She exited the room and paid the consultation fee.
The first thing she did once back in her car was call her parents.