Yo Guys! Phew, this one's a long one! Thank you for all the reviews, and great story suggestions, I will keep them in mind! I hope you enjoy this chapter's cuteness and funniness! (:
Don't forget to review!
May yawned loudly, stretching her arms and popping her back. It was gonna be another few days before they were able to get traveling again.
She looked around the pokemon center they currently sat in, absentmindedly stroking Skitty who was dozing in her lap. Max was sitting right next to her, drawing little doodles of pokemon in his notebook. Brock was standing up front, begging an uncomfortable Nurse Joy to go out on a date for the umpteenth time. She giggled, glancing down at her little brother again, who's eyes were now flashing dangerously at Brock.
The room had been absent of Ash and Pikachu for the past day, for reasons none of them liked.
Pikachu had come down with a nasty sickness while they were traveling to this city. None of them were really sure what caused it, but they had rushed him to the nearest pokemon center immediately. After Nurse Joy him into the emergency care and arguing with a distraught Ash, she had her diagnosis.
Pikachu had the Pokemon Flu.
Nurse Joy had explained to them all that it had similar symptoms to human flu. Achiness, lethargic, vomiting, fever, but with its own twist. Different types of pokemon had their own 'reaction' to it. For Pikachu, he was constantly releasing uncomfortable amounts of static electricity, making the room dangerously charged. No one was able to stand it in there except Ash, who hadn't left Pikachu's side ever since they got here. Nurse Joy told them that the best remedy for the Pokemon Flu was to give it medicine for its pain and just let the flu ride out on its own.
May clucked her tongue, again thinking about how Ash had been sitting in the same spot for almost 2 days. He probably reeked, and needed some fresh air. She sat up, awakening a surprised Skitty before turning to Max and Brock.
"Hey guys, I think we should take watch over Pikachu for a while and let Ash get some fresh air and a shower." she called.
"Sounds like a great idea!" Nurse Joy exclaimed.
Brock sighed, peeling his eyes away from Nurse Joy and throwing a glance towards the isolated recovery room, "I don't know May, it's gonna take a lot of convincing to get Ash out of there. You know how he gets."
"It's worth a try!" Max replied.
Brock nodded, a smile coming on his face, "All right then, let's go!"
Together the 3 walked down the hallway past the other recovery rooms, stopping at the specific isolation recovery room. Brock rapped his fist gently on the door, before opening it slowly and entering, "Hey, Ash?"
The static electricity of the room hit them like a brick wall. The tingling, crackling electricity set all their hair on end, sticking straight up in the air. Max and May had to shove their fists in their mouths to muffle their giggling at the sight of Ash's messy black hair, which was sticking all the way up. May sobered her giggling after a few moments, immediately feeling bad. Ash was slumped forward on the bed, passed out. Dark rings marked under his eyes, signaling the lack of sleep as his hair stayed straight on end. Various things were scattered around the bed and floor, including a bucket, bowl of water, wet rag, and a small red bottle of syrup May had assumed was Pikachu's medicine. Said Pikachu was lying close to Ash's head, his breath leaving him in quick, labored pants as he slept restlessly. Electricity crackled at his cheeks every now and then, snaking out into the air.
Brock was the first one to step forward, placing his hand on Ash shoulder as he shook him gently, "Ash...Ash! Ash wake up!"
Ash sat up with a jolt, revealing a sticky dried drop of Pikachu's medicine on his other cheek, "Who-wha?...Oh no, how long have I been asleep!?" he cried, glancing around before his gaze snapped back to his Pikachu, immediately putting his hand on its forehead. He snatched it back in shock, "His fever's spiked again!"
Before he could jump up and do anything else, Brock put his hand on his shoulder again, "Take it easy, Ash! You've been at this for the past few days!"
"Yeah I know, now can you please move so I can get a cool rag?" Ash huffed impatiently.
"What we're trying to say is that you need a break! How about you go out for a few hours, get some fresh air and a shower? You need it since you've been cooped up in here all day!" May exclaimed.
"What? No way!" Ash snapped, "Pikachu needs me!"
"We can watch over Pikachu for you, I promise we won't leave the room!" Max added quickly.
Ash hesitated, his gaze shifting uncertainly towards Pikachu, "I-..well..."
Brock smiled, "Pikachu's gonna be okay Ash, don't worry so much. He'll be right here the whole time."
There was a pause, before Ash nodded silently. He cast one last glance at Pikachu, stroking his feverish head softly, "I'll be back in a little bit, okay buddy?" before slipping out the room silently.
All three of them let out a long sigh of releif, before settling down and trying to make themselves comfortable in this uncomfortable room.
...
Around 15 minutes had passed before Pikachu's little round eyes cracked open, glazed with fever. The world before him was warbled with weird sights and sounds, the light blinding.
"P-..Pika-a P-Pi?" he mewled shakily.
Another voiced sounded, "He'll be back soon, Pikachu."
Several things danced before his cracked vision, an Aipom tap-dancing in the corner, several berries flying past his vision, and the people in the room looking all goofy and warbled. He suddenly noticed a large Primeape charging towards him from a distance. What was it doing here!?
With great difficulty Pikachu sprang to his feet, swaying a bit, electricity crackling dangerously from his cheeks, "Pikachu Pi-Pi!" he slurred.
He heard gasps followed by, "Pikachu stay still! You need to lay down!"
Pikachu ignored the warbled human figures, focused on the charging Primeape. It wouldn't stop charging, and feeling threatened, Pikachu released a nasty, sickly thunderbolt.
May, Max, and Brock screamed simultaneously, ducking down to dodge the thunderbolt. At the same time Pikachu sprang from the bed, tumbling to the floor and lying their panting from the effort.
"Pikachu, no!" Max cried, crawling quickly to the fallen Pikachu.
Pikachu sat up again, his head spinning dangerously. The Primeape was still chasing him. He snarled, releasing another thunderbolt and began charging rapidly around the room, electricity constantly shooting from his cheeks and crackling around the room.
"The fever's made him delirious! We've gotta go alert Nurse Joy!" Brock called. Max and May nodded, the three standing up and sprinting out of the room before slamming it shut.
Meanwhile in the room, Pikachu had finally shaken off that pesky Primeape, having tackled it and causing it to dissipate. (It was actually a small trash can he smashed into) Feeling triumphant and extremely dizzy, Pikachu turned around, watching as the tap-dancing Aipom snickered at him.
"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu snapped, pointing a paw at the actually blank wall. Something suddenly caught his attention in the corner of his eye, turning to face it. His eyes dilated, and his little mouth flew wide open.
A tangy, luscious, beautiful red bottle of Ketchup floated tauntingly outside his window, mocking him. Pikachu felt his mouth water, using all his weakened strength to scrabble back up onto the bed and the window-sill. The ketchup bottle was running away from him, floating on down the road.
"Pikaaa!" Pikachu howled, pounding his arms on the window rapidly. He HAD to get that ketchup bottle!
...
"Nurse Joy!" May panted, coming to a stop at the front desk. Nuse Joy looked at them, alarmed.
"Beautiful!" Brock howled, grabbing her hand, "I was being a good boy and watching oh-so protectively over poor fallen Pikachu for you when-"
Max had leapt on Brock's shoulders, grabbing his ears and pulling tight, "Cool it, Romeo!" he snapped.
Brock wailed in pain, falling back. May was able to continue again, "We were watching Pikachu, when he woke up! And he started hopping around the room trying to zap us! What's going on?!"
Nurse Joy's eyes widened, "I'd assume the fever is making him delirious, and he's seeing things! I think he's due for another dose of his medicine to help calm him to sleep again."
Just when she finished, a loud, shattering crash echoed from down the hall.
Pikachu's room.
All of them froze, and without hesitation, the three and Nurse Joy sprinted back down the hall, swinging the door wide open. May felt the color drain from her face at the sight before her, bringing her hands up to her lips in a gasp.
The window of the room was shattered, warm afternoon air flowing in and billowing in the curtains. Glass was strewn across the floor, and Pikachu was gone.
"Oh my.. Oh no." Nurse Joy breathed, smoothing her hair down as the remaining static electricity was causing her pink hair to stick up.
Brock took a few shaky steps before him, words failing him for the moment. "No...no no no no no!" he yelled, his arms flailing this way and that before he wheeled around, "Guys! We absolutely have to find Pikachu and bring him back before Ash comes back! He's going to go ballistic if he finds out!"
"Lets see...Ash left around thirty minutes ago, and he said he'd be out for a few hours, meaning we've got somewhere between an hour and thirty minutes to search for Pikachu!" Max added. "We should split up to save more time, and all of your pokemon can help look!"
"Then lets go! And let's regroup 10 minutes before in the center of the town!" May exclaimed, all three of them running out the door. She skidded to a stop just as they were about to leave, whirling around, "Nurse Joy! If Ash comes back before us, please just stall him! And don't let him go back into that room!"
"Oh O-Okay!" Nurse Joy called as May started to leave, "I'll try! I'll also call up Officer Jenny to help you guys out!"
...
Brock jogged down the sidewalk on main street, Mudkip bounding right next to him.
"Mudkip! Do you sense anything over here?"
"Mud!" Mudkip shook her head, the top flipper on its head turning this way and that as it tried to pick up anything.
"Then we'll just have to keep loo-GAAHH!" Brock howled, skidding to a screeching halt and causing Mudkip to crash into his legs.
There across the street Ash was walking out of the spa & shower, looking refreshed and relaxed.
Brock grabbed Mudkip and dived into the bushes next to him, watching intently as Ash turned and walked around the corner, disappearing down the street.
"Phew...that was close!"
"Mudkip!"
...
Max crept down the dark alleyway between two buildings, his eyes wide with fear and looking this way and that.
"P-Piikkkaachuu? Piiikkaachhuuu where are youuuu?" he called, "Are you down here Pikachu?"
A metal garbage can to his left fell to the ground, causing him to scream in fright.
"Welp-looks-like-Pikachu's-Not-Down-Here-Time-To-Go!" Max spoke hurriedly, turning and sprinting back out.
A Haunter peeked out from behind the trash can, laughing loudly.
...
May glanced anxiously at the large clock in the town's center, seeing that they only had 15 minutes left. And still no luck.
"Oooooohhhh! Where are you, Pikachu?!" she whined, hopping up and down a few times in frustration. She turned towards Beautifly who was hovering over head, looking around from the sky.
"Beau? Beauutiifllyy!" Beautifly exclaimed, zooming downward in a dive up head.
May's eyes lit up like it was Christmas day, taking off in a run after her pokemon, "You see him Beautifly?!"
As she sprinted down the road, the familiar motorcycle of Officer Jenny came into view, Beautifly circling overhead. There in Officer Jenny's arms was Pikachu, slumped over and looking like he was asleep.
"Officer Jenny!" May squealed, skidding to a stop near the parked motorcycle, "You found him! You found Pikachu!"
She smiled in return, slowly lowering the flu-ridden pokemon into May's arms, "I found him pretty fast! While I was looking, someone called with reports of a Pikachu running wild through the park, shocking people and then knawing on the swing-set poles." she looked puzzled, "He looks really sick too. Is he?"
"Yeah! He has the pokemon flu, and became delirious and escaped the pokemon center! Thank you so much Officer Jenny!"
She winked, "No problem, kiddo! Now you better get that Pikachu back to the center pronto! It's dangerous for him to be out here like this."
She nodded, spinning around with the slumped, sleeping Pikachu in her arms, Beautifly trailing behind her.
...
Nurse Joy let out a startled yelp as Ash walked into the pokemon center, looking happy and refreshed. He turned to look at her, puzzled.
"Something wrong, Nurse Joy?" he asked.
"No-no-no nothing's wrong!" she replied quickly, waving her hands, "You just startled me is all!"
Ash shrugged his shoulders, "Oh, sorry then!" He then turned to walk towards the hallway.
Nurse Joy quickly swung around the counter, blocking his way, "No, no! You can't go in right now!"
Ash's eyes suddenly grew wide, looking very alarmed, "What?! Did something happen to Pikachu!?"
"NO! Ohem-I mean no! Its just that uh...um..."
"What?!"
"Were...cleaning! Yes, cleaning right now in that room! The Chansey's like their space, you know!"
Ash frowned, his eyebrows raising in suspicion, "Cleaning?..But Brock, Max, and May are in there. Aren't they?"
"Ahehehehahahheeh..." Nurse Joy let out a nervous laugh, "Of course they are! But the Chansey don't mind." Please hurry up!
"But then why can't I go in there?!" Ash exclaimed, his panic rising, "Something did happen to Pikachu didn't it?! Let me through right now!"
"No! I can't let you go in right now!" Nurse Joy retorted, wrestling Ash away.
...
"Where is she?!" Max exclaimed impatiently, tapping his toe from where he sat.
Brock squinted through the crowd, his eyes lighting up with joy, "There she is...AND SHE HAS PIKACHU!"
"What?!" Max exclaimed, springing up to see for himself. Sure enough, there was a joyful looking May running down the street towards them, and all to familiar little yellow pokemon clutched to her chest.
She skidded to a halt, gasping for breath, "Lets-...Go, now. Not much time." she panted.
"Right!" Brock exclaimed, turning and breaking out into a run, followed by the others.
...
"GAHHH! Let me go! I wanna see Pikachu right now!" Ash howled, trying to wrestle through Nurse Joy and the 3 Chansey's she called for help.
"I...Told...You...I...Can't...!" Nurse Joy spoke through gritted teeth, pushing him backwards, "Oh this is so un-professional!"
Ash suddenly backed away, turning his head downwards, "Fine."
Nurse Joy and the Chansey's paused, before letting out a sigh of relief. She didn't catch that devilish small grin Ash released, "Good...I'm glad you-"
"RAAAHH!" Ash exclaimed, suddenly bursting forward and easily breaking past Nurse Joy and the other. He sprinted down the hallway, his heart racing. He could hear Nurse Joy yelling at him.
"NO Ash stop!"
"Chansey! Chansey!"
"PIKACHU!" He exclaimed as he kicked the recovery room door open.
He was greeted with the sight of Brock, May, and Max all resting against the wall. They jumped, looking surprised and...sweaty? His eyes immediately raked over to Pikachu, who was asleep and resting in the bed, looking quite feverish.
"Everything okay, Ash?" May asked innocently.
"Yeah, It's just that I thought-.." His eyes shifted to Nurse Joy, who was shrinking away, "Nevermind." He smiled softly, walking back over to his chair by the bed and sitting down, resting his hand on Pikachu's head and stroking him softly, "Hey, I'm back little buddy." he whispered.
Pikachu cracked open and eye, letting out labored breaths, "P-Pika-Pi."
Ash reached down into the cold bucket of water, wringing out a cool rag and placing it back on Pikachu's head, who cringed at the coldness on his feverish head. Ash frowned sympathetically, continuing to stroke Pikachu to comfort him.
"You guys can go back out if you want to." Ash called softly to them, before turning back to Pikachu.
Brock, May, and Max crept out of the room softly,
Never had they felt so relieved.