The nurses at St. Terejeza's hospital in Zlato had never seen anything like it. They were slammed with students from the Institute who were in horrific shape. The first two to enter were accompanied by Dr. Sabrina Thorne.Apparently the two had engaged in a tough practice battle that took a toll on both of them. The male was not in that bad of shape. He had two broken ribs and a bruised one, but other than that he was fine. The same female though had been in rough shape. She had completely shattered her right arm and her shoulder needed massive surgery. The doctors had worked on her for five hours. It was a a successful operation which meant that she would have function of her arm again. She had been required to do physical therapy. Of course the doctors had wanted to keep her at the facility to monitor her progress for at least a week.
Then Dexter Monet, who the nurses had recognized as he was a celebrity in Avantura, had brought in a young woman that had suffered what appeared to be the side effects of a poison attack. Her lungs were in extremely poor shape and she needed help breathing. Dexter would explain that they had been in a fight with the infamous terrorist organization The Righteous. She had been the victim of a poison gas attack. The doctors were very concerned with her lungs. If she did not get better then they would look into transplanting a lung into her. That would have been dangerous as the success rate was barely above fifty percent. Luckily, a few days after being brought in and treatment, her lungs had started to heal. She wasn't cleared to return to school or any activists, but she had appeared to have made the turn for the better. The poor girl had a better chance than the other female that had been brought into St. Terejeza's.
They had thought it was a corpse. That was what the girl the paramedics had brought in looked like. Her body had been ravaged and bruised. It was clear that she had internal bleeding. The doctors and nurses had thought that there was no hope for the female that the paramedics had brought in. Another apparent victim of The Righteous according to her friends. The doctors had spent about twelve hours working on the female. The medical team had kept her in a medically induced coma because they really didn't think that she would make it. Of course the doctors had warned her friends, who had refused to leave especially a pink haired female, that they didn't know if she would ever come out of the coma. They had done the best that they could to help her, but the damage was too severe. When the medical team found out that she was Dr. Davis Walkmen's niece this just added to the worry. They had done multiple surgery, everything just depended on if the girl was a fighter or not.
It had been a week and a half since the encounter with the Righteous. JJ had tried to save Nikki, JJ knew that she was being stupid. But she could not bare to watch another friend get hurt. Not again. So the seventeen year old had thrown herself in front of the debris in order to protect Nikki. JJ knew that she was stupid, she had just known the girl for a little bit, but this was just how JJ was. She was a fighter by nature, her uncle had instilled that in her, so she had thrown herself in front of Nikki to protect her. As soon as the rocks and debris had hit her, JJ knew that she was in trouble. She had never felt pain like that in her life. She had at first thought that she was going to die. That her last moment in life would have been protecting someone she considered a friend. And for JJ Walkmen that would have been ok. There were worse ways to go than protecting a friend. She just wanted to make sure that someone would take care of her Pokémon and that egg...
Her brown eyes snapped open. The seventeen year old looked around the room slowly. Jewels and Autumn, her Leafeon, , were laying on her bed, but it was not the bed she was expecting. Instead JJ found herself tied to numerous tubes and machines. She was in a hospital room, but not an ordinary hospital room. She had watched enough medical shows to know that she was in the intensive care unit. 'Well at least I am alive.', she thought to herself. JJ tried to sit up, but she couldn't, the pain was still so damn intense. Even moving her arms had sent pain throughout her body. Still, JJ wanted to show her Pokémon that she was ok. The brunette managed to move her right arm and placed it on Jewels head. It felt good to touch her Pokémon again. She had worried she would not have been able to touch them again when she had rescued Nikki. JJ really felt that she was going to die right there on the floor of the destroyed bar. "SKAR!", if it didn't hurt to laugh, JJ would have burst out laughing. Arthur, who JJ would later find out had not left her bedside, rubbed his cold steel beak on his trainers left hand.
"Don't move, Jessica. I will get the doctors.", JJ knew that voice. It had sent a shiver up her spine. Her uncle, Davis Walkmen, had been sitting in the corner of her room. He had used her actual first name which he only did when she was in trouble. Davis would rise form his chair, he was only 27, but commanded respect everywhere he had been. The instructor had not left his niece's side when he had gotten that dreaded phone call that she had been attacked. That the doctors didn't know if she would survive the night. So Davis had rushed down fully prepared to say his final good byes. There he had been greeted by a pink haired female whose face had been stained with tears. He would not forget everything that the pink haired girl had told him about how they had went into Zlato, encountered the a righteous, and how JJ had saved her life. Needless to say Davis Walkmen was not happy with everything he had been told, but he would save that conversation with JJ if she had pulled through. There was a sense of relief in Davis when his niece opened her eyes though they would have to have a conversation when she was cleared by doctors.
The doctors would poke and prod the soon to be eighteen year female. They removed the tube from her mouth so she could breath on her own and speak. Davis gave her water as the doctor explained all the damage that had occurred. The impact from the debris had damaged her stomach lining which needed to be repaired. She had a few cracked ribs, but worst of all her spleen needed to be removed. This would mean that she would be prone to sickness and disease. Her immune system would be working against her. This was terrible news to JJ, but she was a fighter and would deal with it. Arthur, Autumn, and Jewels had curled up on her bed. They pressed their bodies against JJ. The beautiful girl knew that with her Pokémon she could deal with anything even the long road to recovery she would have to go through.
Davis, though, kept a watchful eye on his niece. He felt a sense of guilt. It was his idea to bring her to The Institute. Her parents had been apprehensive about sending their daughter to the university. JJ's parents had a suspicion about the school despite Davis working there. JJ's mother especially had issues with the school. She had heard rumors from people in Galar that the university was corrupt. That it wasn't this haven that the marketing had made it out to be. Davis had convinced JJ's parents that it was safe. That he would protect her and he had failed. His niece, who he loved like his own daughter, had nearly died. He blamed himself, but would fix it. There was a plan in place. She wouldn't like it, but he would talk to her. He would get through to her. She needed to go back home to Galar.
The doctors left the girl and her uncle alone to process the information. Jj, as usual, was in good spirits. She would deal with this, but was confident that she could. Davis, meanwhile reached into his jacket pocket, he pulled out what appeared to be a plane ticket. He placed it on JJ's hospital bed, "you're going back to Galar, Jessica." His tone was firm. JJ had only heard that tone a few times before. Her uncle stared at her firmly, his usually soft features had gone hard. "This was my decision. You aren't ready to be here, Jessica. This was my mistake to invite you to the Institute. You weren't ready to be here. It was my fault you got hurt. So I made the choice to send you back home.", the sternness on his face told the story. There would be no discussion. Davis had already cleared it with her parents. JJ didn't have a choice,
This wasn't the uncle she knew. The old Uncle David would have disciplined her, but wouldn't have acted like this. She's been hurt on their travels before and he hadn't gone to these extremes. He knew JJ was getting herself into trouble before so what had changed? JJ winced as she managed to reach for the ticket. She was still in so much pain, but she needed to do this. She reached to the ticket and ripped it up in front of her uncle. Her brown eyes glistened as she looked at the man she used to admire. She no longer admired him not after what she had heard and now what he had just done. "No...", she squeaked out. That had been a shock to Davis. He had not expected his niece to react like this. Her brown eyes were firmly trained on her uncle. The respect she had for him had started to erode away. "I'm staying here. I need to.", she wanted to find out more about this place. About what exactly was being covered up.
Davis crossed his arms in front of his chest. The professor scowled and shook his head. She was stubborn, he knew this about his niece. She was willing to put herself in harm's way. Davis did not understand it nor did he think he ever would. There was a difference between being courages and being stupid. JJ was being stupid. His caramel colored face relaxed for a moment, "JJ, please, I can't have you hurt again. It's been two times under my watch that you got hurt. I can't survive a third." Before she had gone to the Institute, JJ had joined Davis on his research travels, but she had gotten hurt. Now this incident on top of the earlier incident killed him inside. He had no children of his own, Jessica was the closest thing he had to one, her getting hurt a third time would have killed him.
Yet JJ didn't believe it. Something had triggered her that night in the bar. What Dexter Monet had told them about the professors and the school had made JJ question everything. Now her uncle was here to try and kick her out? To send her away back to Galar? No, the Davis Walkmen she knew would never have done this. Never would have forced her to leave the Institute. She was going to put her foot down for once. She looked over at her uncle with tears in her eyes, she didn't know if it was the emotion of the conversation or the pain she was suffering, but tears had filled her eyes. "Sod Off.", she said firmly. Arthur, who had known JJ the best, stared at the girl. She never spoke to her uncle that way. Something was amiss. Tears started to roll down her face. She was a mess from her near death experience to now her uncle confirming her worst fears. JJ just wanted this all to stop.
Davis placed his hands over his face and sighed. She was truly like her father, stubborn and headstrong. Davis knew better to argue with her at this point" he just nodded and left. Tears would roll down JJ's cheeks. That conversation with her uncle had just broken her heart. But JJ knew that something was going on with her uncle and it was not ok. This place had corrupted him. JJ would have to bring him back. JJ laid down in her bed again, the drugs had started to wear off and the pain was coming back. A large, cold beak pressed gently on her face. Arthur knew that she needed him more than ever, he wouldn't leave her. JJ would just close her eyes and head back to sleep. Her time at the university had not started like she had hoped for.
Bunny's hospital room was a little more cheerful. In fact it was covered in stuffed plushies of Torterra, aromatisse, and Eevee. The plushies were of all different sizes. Her room was also filled with flowers and other treats. These were all treats from Alex. He had felt extreme guilt for harming Bunny. He had apologized over and over again. Bunny, however, had not blamed Alex. In fact she had thanked him multiple times. That was the best battle she ever had and it was with her best friend. She could not have asked for anything better. She had held her own against who many considered a top battler in the sophomore class. The fight had renewed her spirit. Of course Bunny had noticed that Alex had never mentioned the fact that she had Battle Bond. It was as if Alex was pretending that she did not have Battle Bond. She knew how he felt about it and it was clear he wasn't ready to discuss that Bunny had it. It was frustrating and now she knew how Ava felt when Alex had started those rumors about her. Alex could be an utter idiot.
But that was in the past. Bunny was having a special visitor not named Alex. In fact Alex was, much to Bunny's surprise, visiting Ava. Though when Bunny really thought about it she wasn't really surprised. Afterall Alex and Ava had hooked up a few times last year before their fight seemed to end any feelings either one had for one another. So Bunny suspected that Alex's distaste of Ava had more to do with the lingering sexual tension. Plus, Bunny and Alex had both heard about what had happened at Dexter's. Alex had a run in with one of those Righteous members before, sometime last year, so he had probably wanted to find some information. So Bunny understood why he had not visited her again. Plus there was someone far more important that Bunny wanted to meet with. Someone that could help Bunny understand what had gone on in that fight with Alex. Someone that had rescued them both after that fight.
"Hello Ms. Bunny", a cheery voice emerged from the doorway of Bunny's hospital room. A woman, in her thirties, stood in the doorway with a smile on her face. The woman had red hair with blue streaks in it. Their were also goggles on her head and she wore jeans with a t-shirt. If Bunny had not taken this woman's Battling Science class, Bunny would have thought this was a regular student. But Dr. Sabrina Thorne had not done things by the book, not even as a professor at the university. Her Battling Science class was always interesting. Dr. Thorne walked into the hospital room and took a seat. She had always been fascinated by the small student and now that Bunny had shown her Battle Bond, Dr. Thorne was more intrigued than ever. That was why she had scheduled some time to visit the student. The professor looked around the room, "my my I was going to bring you some chocolates, but you seem to have enough treats.
Bunny chuckled, though that was not smart with her arm in a sling, she winced a bit. "My friend Alex, who you also brought to the hospital, felt guilty. I think he feels guilty over the battle.", a small smirk crossed Dr. Thorne's lips as some devilish thoughts had entered her mind. Perhaps this was more than just friendship. Dr. Thorne did not really understand that as she had spent most of her time solely focused on Pokémon. That was how she had gotten to where she was now. But Dr. Thorne also understood that some people had preferred to concentrate on other activities besides raising Pokémon. Bunny turned pale and shook her head, "no...NO I DO NOT LIKE ALEX." The mere thought had made Bunny dry heave. Alex was like her brother in fact there were times where he was better to her than her actual family. There was no way that she had feelings for him. Plus, she had been seeing a girl back home, so Bunny was spoken for.
Dr. Thorne let out a chuckle, "oh sorry. I just assumed that when he was cradling you that there was something more there. My apologies." Well at least Dr. Thorne wouldn't have to worry about a boyfriend interfering with what Dr. Thorne had planned for Bunny. The professor sat back in her seat as she looked at the injured girl. To be truthful, Dr. Thorne was a bit surprised that the girl was in worse condition. The professor had been shocked at the scene when she found both of them on the field. Dr. Thorne had seen some intense battles in her times as a teacher, but that fight had looked brutal. So the fact that the girl only had a badly broken arm and shoulder had come as a surprise. "How are you feeling Ms. Bunny?", the professor asked. She tilted her head as she waited for the answer that she already knew was coming.
"I'm fine just want to get out of the hospital.", Alex had supposedly been leading a group of students in tending to Bunny's school garden. Ribes had communicated that Alex was doing a shit job so Bunny wanted to see the damage he had done. The the girl figured that was not exactly what the professor had meant. Afterall, it was Dr. Thorne that had taught them about battle bond in the first place. In fact some believed the former Alola champion had been the first to use and discover it. That was why Bunny had asked the professor to come visit. Bunny wanted to know more about the Battle Bond. She had discovered she had it late last year, but had refused to discuss it since she had seen Alex's reaction to Ava. But now Bunny had shown it to Alex still she wanted to understand it better. "Dr. Thorne, I was wondering if you could tell me how-"
"I knew where to find you and Alex?", the battle science professor finished for Bunny. The small girl nodded. Sabrina Thorne just smiled as she sat back. Oh yes, she had discovered the two students because she had gotten a strong hit of Battle Bond. Those with Battle Bond could sense whenever it was in use. Bunny's was a strong connection, but was naive in a sense. It was clear that the girl had not really used it before. And that could be dangerous. Those that overused it or couldn't control it risked extreme damage to their mind and body. So of course when Dr. Thorne had sensed the bond well she had rushed over in the nick of time. "I have an advanced form of battle bond. Some call it something different, but the principal idea remains the same. With this advanced form of battle bond, however, I am always connected to my Pokémon especially in stressful times. I can also sense whenever battle bond is being used. So when you used yours well...", Dr. Thorne pointed at her head and smiled.
Bunny's eyes widened. So there was a form of battle bond even higher than the regular Battle Bond. A deeper connection to Pokémon. This intrigued Bunny. She normally did not like battling, despite her family pushing her towards it, but after that fight with Alex she now understood why her family was so intent on battling. It now intrigued the small girl. Still she wanted to be able to control it and use it to help improve not only her skills, but connection to her Pokémon. She only had two on her team, Ribes and and Eevee, so if Bunny could enhance the connection with them then this would be helpful. Dr. Thorne would know exactly how to achieve all of this. To help Bunny reach this deep connection with her Pokémon. The second year shifted in her bed, "Dr. Thorne, do you think you can help me? I mean work on this connection with my Pokémon? I want it to get stronger and help them get stronger too.", Bunny hoped the professor would agree.
Dr. Thorne looked at the girl. She had only trained one other person on the art of mastering Battle Bond. That had been Avaline Bloodsworth. Ava had asked Dr. Thorne her first year to help her. Dr. Thorne did not usually train students, they had to have shown not only the ability, but the desire to learn. To have that proper mindset. She didn't want to train people that would use it in malicious ways. This was a gift and it could be a curse in many ways. Of someone had used it incorrectly well then she would blame herself. Still Bunny had shown all the characteristics that Dr. Thorne looked for. She nodded her head, but the smile and friendly disposition she normally had was gone. " I have only taken one other student on and that was Avaline Bloodsworth. So I normally do not help students reach the next level of Battle Bond. However, I believe you have shown the proper attitude and love of Pokémon just as she has. So yes I will take you on as a protégée.", Dr. Thorne raised a hand before Bunny could say anything else. "However, you must know that this will be grueling and will test everything about you. From your body to your mind. You will hate me after this, but it is all necessary to help you reach that level. Do you agree to these terms?", the professor stared at Bunny.
So Ava had in fact trained with the Battle Science professor. That was why the older girl was so damn good at battling. So now Bunny understood why Ava was the way she was. The little girl gulped at the mention of how intense the training would be, but her resolve would not be broken. She knew that if she really wanted to reach that elevated connection with her Pokémon that she would have to endure whatever training Professor Thorne had in store for her. Bunny nodded, "I will do whatever it takes Dr. Thorne. Just please can you help me?", Dr. Thorne nodded.
He watched Ava from the window in the hallway outside her room. She was hooked up to so many machines that helped her breathe. Yes, the doctors had said that she would recover, but it would be a process, a gas attack had nearly killed her. All because she refused to break her connection with Grace. This pissed Alex off. "I told you that stupid Battle Bond thing would put you in the hospital. Why didn't you friggan listen to me, Ava.", there was pain in his voice. Yes, as he hated to admit it, there was a part of him that cared for her deeply. They had been unofficially boyfriend-girlfriend last year or at least friends with benefits. But then the morning before their battle, Alex had pleaded with her not to use her connection. That he didn't want to hurt her. That he would hurt her in the fight if she had connected to her Pokémon. Ava had ignored him which is why Alex had lashed out. And now he had been proven right yet again. He hated Battle Bond and what it did to people.
He also had found out she had fought the Righteous. Alex had an encounter with a member of that organization when he had stupidly went exploring the woods in the northern part of Avantura during Spring Break. Alex had heard that a Avantura Lycanroc could be found there and he had wanted to catch one. He had instead run into a member of that organization and had barely escaped. Ava knew this, Alex had been sure to tell Bunny about it and he knew she would tell that to Ava. Yet apparently she had been so bold and had led the charge against The Righteous at Dexter. "You fucking idiot", Alex said as he continued to peer through the glass. He never wanted to see her like this.yet here she was and Alex couldn't do anything to help her as she was attached to the machines that were helping her breathe. Alex wouldn't go into the room, he just stood outside and watched.
A hand touched down on Alex's shoulder which caused him to jump. Alex turned around and saw the face of Dexter Monet. He had been the one that had told Alex about what had happened. Alex had met Dexter through Ava and they were cordial, but now Alex could see the former champion had a stern look on his face. "We need to talk now.", Dexter said as he led Alex away from the hospital room.
So there is some of the fallout. I told some people that these characters were like onions and I believe we are really starting to really see that come to fruition. Now there will be more fallout in the next chapter and more new characters so get excited.