John's Oil

Author's Note: Inspired by the 1992 film, Lorenzo's Oil. Enjoy the story and R&R.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Pokémon franchise.

Summary:

Tommy ventures out on his own to procure a cure for his friend's terminal illness from a Shiny Smoliv.


Apparently, there was an established rule you couldn't own Pokémon if you were under ten, but Tommy ignored it. John may have been resigned to his illness, and Tommy may have even been resigned to his, but Tommy sure wasn't giving up on John.

If there was a cure or treatment for what ailed them, Tommy would let John have it first.

If there was only enough to cure or treat one of them, Tommy would give it to John.

It was barmy. A kind of friendship scheme that might pop up in the cartoons they watched together on the telly from John's hospital bed.

A daring escape!

Chairman Rose was visiting the hospital to take photos with sick kids, and Tommy took it as his chance to stow away on Rose's Flying Taxi. The Cabbie wasn't overly aware of what went on behind his back, which made it easy peasy for Tommy to sneak aboard. Making it past the Cabbie's keen-eyed Corviknight was the tricky bit, requiring a mix of bribery, begging, lying he was playing a game, and the truth to remain hidden. From there, it was a matter of staying quiet during the ride. He'd never flown such a distance before, and struggled to keep down the itch to chunder until the Flying Taxi landed again.

Before leaving, Tommy left John a note where he would find it, telling John not to worry and that he'd be back as soon as he could.

Tommy had heard two nurses discussing rumours of a therapy that held promise for their condition, but its effects and effectiveness were still being studied and required the contribution of a rare Pokémon Tommy hadn't ever encountered on the telly or in books the hospital provided.

An additional day. A week. Several years. As long as it worked, Tommy didn't care.

After he parted with Chairman Rose and his secretary, Tommy was alone in the world.

He was also on a schedule.

If he didn't act fast, either he or John wouldn't survive. Maybe both of them!

Tommy drifted in the direction the rumours pointed, eating and sleeping in the houses of kind strangers when possible, and with accommodating Pokémon in the rain when not. By car, by boat, and by Pokémon, he eventually voyaged to the new land the stories spoke about.

Without the help of the Pokémon he befriended along the way, he doubted his success. Shiny Pokémon weren't exactly marching out in droves! They were the rarest of the rare!

But the Pokémon, taking pity on his situation, guided him to who he sought. They were even so generous as to obtain him a Poké Ball.

If this worked, perhaps he'd live to own a Pokémon legally someday.

Smoliv were described as easily startled. A Shiny Smoliv was no different.

Smoliv oil, while not suitable for consumption, contained nutrients with regenerative properties, useful upon conversion into other forms. Salves or incense, for example. The oil stored up inside a Shiny Smoliv's head fruit, in particular, contained a mystery nutrient theorized to be the key to combatting diseases like John and Tommy's.

Tommy extended the Smoliv branch. Made his case in front of the timid Pokémon, and stressed to the Shiny Smoliv he'd come this far to heal John.

The Pokémon standing in waiting offered their judge of his noble character.

Smoliv shakingly agreed.

You have to believe when a missing child comes flapping into hospital airspace on the back of a Charizard like the Champion's, people will listen!

Medical professionals and Pokémon Professors from every region all gathered at a conference behind Professor Magnolia to devise remedies from Shiny Smoliv's oil.

Warm word spread of their leaps and bounds. Of the ravaging conditions now treatable due to human and Pokémon cooperation.

John lived.

Tommy lived.

So many kids like them got to live and grow up and become Pokémon Trainers.

"Go! Rookidee!" John punched the sky, finally without panting for breath.

"You're up, Smoliv!" Tommy threw his own Poké Ball.