Again, I apologise for the guys who waited about over two months and I thank you guys for your patience. You guys are probably going to see the biggest shocker, at least for this series.

Chapter 4

"Nurse Joy! Nurse Joy! Anyone!" a girl screamed as she and her friends brought in a man who was in desperate of medical attention. He had gashes, bruises and dirt all over his body after a vicious fight he had with his nemesis. He was being carried by two of his young pupils, Jerry and Keith, two young boys that had a lot of respect for him. The girl that screamed was his beloved niece Alice. All of their friends ran towards them, looking at the injured man with shock and fear. The injured man was Black Jack, known to many as one of the most toughest and dangerous trainers.

"What is it?" Nurse Joy cried as she and Chansey ran out of the emergency room. Her face of concern also turned into shock when she saw how badly injured Black Jack was. "Oh my word," she said, her voice trembling with fear. Chansey let out a small fearful coo. "Chansey, go and get a stretcher for Black Jack," Nurse Joy ordered.

"Check on his pokemon too," Alice said in a desperate tone. "Please."

"We'll do the best we can for them," Nurse Joy said while the unconscious Black Jack was placed on the stretcher thanks to Jerry, Keith and Chansey.

As they took him away, Black Jack opened his eyes slightly, looking back at his niece who still had a look of total concern. She was one of a very few people he enjoyed being accompanied with. "Alice…" he whispered to himself before slowly becoming unconscious again.

Hours past. Alice stood in that same spot since she saw Black Jack entered the emergency room while everyone else either sat on their seats or walked around the room, either calmly or frantically. One thing for certain, they were all concerned about him and were totally silent.

"Darling!" a woman's voice said, catching everyone's attention. Eyes widened with surprise, Alice turned around, saw a woman dressed in rich clothing and two men in suits. She immediately recognised them as…

"Mum! Dad! Grandpa!" she cried. They ran to each other and gave each other a heart-warming hug until Alice realised something. "How did you guys know?"

"It was me," Detective Stevens said. "I couldn't let them not know about this because they're family."

Alice gave her friend a small forced smile, appreciating him for his concern. "Thanks," she said.

Her father John placed his hands on her shoulders. "Tell us everything, sweetheart," he said.

"I'll tell you instead," Ash said, stepping towards them.

While Ash explained the whole situation, the all continued to wait and pray in silence for Black Jack to recover for the next couple of hours. Soon, the neon sign above the emergency room doors was turned off signalling that the operation was over. Everyone noticed that and they all rushed to the door, with Alice and the rest of the Hummingburg family in front of them before Nurse Joy came out.

"Nurse Joy," Alice said in a desperate tone. "Are Black Jack and his pokemon going to make it?"

"Please just tell us the truth," John begged, also being desperate.

"The pokemon have suffered terrible injuries but they'll be fine in a few days," Nurse Joy replied reassuringly before turning on a worried face. "But Black Jack… like your friend Chan, he was poisoned as well. We used most of the juice of the Puritay Berry on Chan before Black Jack came in and we had to use what's left of it. We did all we can for him. Whether he makes it or not, it's up to him."

Silence came upon the group. They tried to take in the information the nurse gave them. "Can we see him?" Sandra, Alice's mother, asked.

"You can. Unfortunately, Black Jack is still unconscious and he now needs a room to rest in so he won't be able to talk for the time being. Same goes for his pokemon," she said. Upon saying that, each Chanseys pushed a stretcher. Each stretcher had Black Jack and his pokemon resting on them as they were being taken to their separate rooms. Everyone got out of their way, showing their sad and scared looks after seeing the scars, bruises, stitches and bandages on the badly injured. Alice and her family followed Black Jack's stretcher to his room.

Ash walked into the opposite direction, heading to the exit with Pikachu on his shoulders. Misty, Brock, Max and May looked into his direction and decided to follow them, just in case he needs comforting.

Once outside, Ash stood a small distance away from the building, looking around the village. There was still a lot of work to done for the buildings to be completely restored after Team Molten set fire to them. He remembered a number of events that happened throughout this whole adventure: the kidnapping of Misty, the burning village, not chosen to save Misty, and most recently not helping Black Jack out, which led him to be badly injured. He felt nothing but guilt and his best friend Pikachu felt it. He leapt off his shoulder and safely landed on the ground. "Pika," he squeaked, facing towards him.

Ash looked down towards his friend. Forcing a small smile before crouching down, still looking at him. "Pikachu," he said. "Am I doing something wrong here?"

"(What do you mean)?" Pikachu squeaked.

"We've been through a lot together, didn't we? We took out Jessie, James and Meowth a bunch of times, we saved the world a bunch of times… and without Black Jack's help either when he was with Team Rocket at the time. After seeing him like that, thinking about what's been happening recently and everything… am I losing it or something?"

"Don't be like that, Ash," he heard Misty's voice say behind him. He turned around and saw his friends a distance behind him.

"We all know how you feel about all this and that you wanted to help him but from the way I see it, he wanted to fight this guy along," Brock said.

"I know all that," Ash said. "I know Black Jack's going to be fine but… what about the time when Misty was captured? I wanted to save you, Misty, I really did but…"

He looked down to the ground in shame as he placed his hand on his mouth, trying to hold back his tears. Misty walked towards him and hugged him in an embrace before she slowly moved his hand away from his mouth, planting a soft kiss on his lips. "I understand, Ash," she said. "I'd go crazy too if you were caught."

Brock sobbed uncontrollably as he looked at this entire scene while Max and May smiled happily at the loving couple.

Elsewhere in the pokemon centre, Cassandra was walking aimlessly around the corridors. She apparently was the only person who had the least worry for Black Jack. Five years ago, she had a couple of pokemon battles with him and noticed firsthand how tough Black Jack and his pokemon really were. She also saw that Black Jack survived a collapsing building when he was stuck in it. In her opinion, Black Jack may be the toughest trainer around. And even if he does get himself on the verge of dying, or become totally dead, he always makes a comeback. Despite all that, she wasn't all that bothered.

"Cassandra," hissed a voice behind her, catching her attention. She turned around saw a man in a green ninja suit.

"Seed," she said, recognising the person. "Long time, no see."

"It's obvious that you don't show much concern for Black Jack."

"With good reason too," Cassandra said. "He can look after himself."

"Be aware that he is the key to a miracle," the ninja said. "I don't want him to do anything reckless. The fate of the world is in their hands after all."

"It always has been. He always makes a comeback no matter what happens."

"I hope you're sure about this for your sake and everybody else's. For now, I bid you farewell," he said before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

"That guy worries too much," she said noticeably.

"I feel like such a jerk," Isaac said cursing himself. "If I had known that Black Jack would turn out that way, I would've helped him out."

He and the rest of the Orre Pack group were in one of the spare rooms of the pokemon centre. Stevens and Isaac were talking about the situation with Black Jack while Wes and Rui sat on a couch. Mecha and Plusle were using a laptop doing some research, trying to get over the whole thing.

"We're all to blame for not helping him out," Stevens said. "But on the other hand, there is a very good chance that he wouldn't let us help anyway. He either has too much on him or that he has a grudge to settle with that guy or possibly both."

With concern, Rui turned to look at Wes who appeared to be in deep thought. Something in her mind told her that he wasn't being cool and calm like he usually was despite his exterior. Only this time he was in a trance. "Wes? Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

Wes just remained silent, not giving her any attention, still being in a trance. Starting to get worried, Rui gently shook him by the shoulders. "Wes? Wes?" she asked.

He was still not responding.

"Wes…" she said, still trying to comfort him. "About what happened out there… it was really scary about what happened to Black Jack but we all know how strong he is and that goes for his pokemon."

"That's not what I'm worried about. I know he's gonna be fine… it's something else," Wes said as he stood up from the furniture. "Can we talk outside?"

Rui gave a small nod. "Sure," she said as she followed him to the door. Their Orre Pack team-mates couldn't help but look.

Once outside, Wes had his back to Rui. She had hopeful feeling of what Wes might do. "[Is he going to announce his love to me?" she thought to herself. "[After all, we've been through a lot together."

That was true, ever since he saved her from Team Snagem, one of criminal organisations in the Orre, she saw him as her knight in shining armour. After Team Snagem was gone, she had stuck with him during all the adventures they had together.

"Rui," Wes said calmly, inadvertently making her wince. He still had his back to her. "We all know that Black Jack is a strong man and he will make it after those tough fights. But if I were in that situation, I'd probably wouldn't make it."

Rui grew saddened at the thought. "Don't… say that, Wes," she said.

"Sorry. But I just wanna tell you something in case something happens," he said before turning showing a calm smile.

"[My gosh! He's going say he loves me!" she thought. Her heart was beating with joy and excitement as she showed a red blush on her face.

Wes's eyes narrowed. "Rui…" he said dully, yet still showing a smile. "You're very annoying."

He slowly walked past the shocked and distraught Rui, back into the room. After that, she stood on that same spot for long minutes.

In Black Jack's room, his family were sitting or standing by the side of his bed, worried sick. A number of wires were attached to his chest and a heart monitor, which showed that his heart was beating as normal despite that he was still unconscious and that he had a number of scars and bruises all over his body.

His brother, John, gently grasped his hand. "Please, Jack," he pleaded quietly. "We lost our parents when we kids. Please don't make us lose you too."

The guilty Alice looked from her uncle to her father's saddened face. Then her mother's and then her grandfather's. She quickly turned away from them, tears forming in her eyes. She hated the sadness shown on their faces. "Mum! Dad! Grandpa!" she sobbed. "I'm sorry! It's all my fault!"

"Darling? What are you saying?" her mother Sandra asked.

"I'm sorry!" Alice cried before running out of the room. She couldn't look at her family at this minute.

"Darling!" Sandra cried as she ran after her.

John went to do the same but his adoptive father, Jason, stopped him. "No," he said. "Your brother needs you."

John looked back towards his unconscious brother, knowing that Jason was telling the truth. "Yes, father," he said.

In the pokemon centre canteen, Prof. Kesner was sitting at one of the tables with his elbows on the said furniture and his hands clasping his head. He looked to in be a state where he would throw a panic any minute. "Father?" he heard a girl say.

He yelped in fright when he heard a single sound. The girl happened to be sitting in a wheelchair thanks to the injury she suffered years ago. It was Christie, Prof. Kesner's daughter. Behind her was Shakespeare, the family's Gengar, who was pushing her wheelchair. They became shocked by her father's reaction. "Sorry if I scared you, father," she said, placing her hand on her chest, breathing in and out to calm herself down.

"Sorry, Christie," Prof. Kesner said. "But there's something we need to discuss."

He placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "It's about what happened to Mr. Black Jack," he said, trying to be as calm as he could but with a hint of sorry in his voice. "And I'm afraid that… it may happen to you."

Surprised showed on Christie's and Shakespeare's eyes for a small second before they looked down in sadness. "Christie," Kesner continued. "I want you to be happy, but I also want you to be safe and what's best for you and Shakepeare."

"I know, father," she said in a down tone. "After seeing Black Jack like that, it was… scary."

They remained in silence, not moving an inch for a few minutes until Christie placed her hand on her father's in an attempt to comfort him. Kesner looked up from his hands to her daughter's face, forcing a small but fitting smile while she did the same. "We got to be there for each other," she said. Shakespeare couldn't help but smile at their family bond.

Elsewhere, a tearful Alice was in one of corridors of the pokemon centre, sitting down on the floor with her knees up to her face. She was upset for more reasons than just seeing what state Black Jack was in. She felt she let him down, better yet she let the family down and she could never forgive herself.

Soon, she felt a hand placed on top of her shoulder. It made her flinch before she quickly looked up towards her spiky haired friend, Keith. "Alice…" he said.

She was afraid to see him looking at her like this. Still feeling ashamed of herself of not helping her beloved uncle out when he was being beaten down. "Keith…" she sobbed as she placed her forehead back onto her knees. "I should've been there when he was getting badly hurt."

Keith reflected on his days back when he was with Team Ocean, when his father was alive at the time. After thinking why his father sacrificed himself and why Black Jack did the same, neither one allowing their young ones to get harmed, he came up with the answer. "Alice…"

"It's like this one time," Alice said, still with tears coming out of her eyes, not realising that Keith wanted to say something. "I was in a forest picking some berries for our travelling and then a bunch of big Ursarings came out, trying to attack me for some reason. Then, uncle Jack would come out and protect me, getting his pokemon to take me away from them. He got really angry and I wanted to help him but his pokemon wouldn't let me. It was a few minutes later I went to get some water but I saw uncle Jack there. He had three huge scars on his back, bumps and bruises all over the place. He turned around and saw me coming his way. I couldn't look at him. I turned around and ran away. I felt like I failed him in some way. I never spoke to him until the next morning… now it's happening again."

Keith listened to her entire story before he gave a hug. "I know the feeling," he said. "I think the reason why he did that because he loves you. He cares about you."

"I love him too," Alice sobbed, crying on his chest. "I promised everyone that I would protect him but…"

"Hey… it's okay. Everyone understands," Keith whispered caringly giving her a hug.

Keith looked over her and saw Sandra, still with the sad look. Jerry wasn't far behind either, as he looked on from around the corner, also depressed after hearing and looking at the whole thing.

From that point on, the Hummingburgs were not able to sleep for a couple of days because of their concern for Black Jack until at one point at night they had no choice when sleep had gotten the best of them. Jason slept inside one of the borrowed rooms of the center while Alice, John and Sandra slept inside Black Jack's room. Everyone else also slept that night. Unbeknownst to them, an energetic light glow came from Black Jack and his pokemon for a brief moment.

The following morning…

A pair of eyes was slowly opening until they were fully opened, looking at a pair of mouse-like eyes looking down at his. "Pikachu!" the mouse-eyed creature squeaked quietly. The other pair of eyes belonged to Black Jack.

"Hey there, you little critter," he said as slowly sat up while Pikachu leapt off his chest to other end of the bed. Black Jack looked around, finding himself in a hospital. He saw Alice and the rest of family sleeping in their respective chairs covered with blankets. Alice was the closest to him with her chair next to his bed with her chest and face resting on it.

"(They haven't slept for a couple of days)," Pikachu cooed quietly. "(They had been so worried about you. Poor guys)."

"I've been unconscious for that long?" Black Jack asked himself. "Dang."

"(I guess that guy must've done a number on you)," Pikachu squeaked.

Black Jack angrily gripped his blankets, knowing what Pikachu meant. "(I… I didn't mean to make you angry. Sorry)," Pikachu squeaked nervously.

Black Jack loosened his grip and breathed in calmly. "It's okay, critter," Black Jack said. "Where are the other guys?"

"(Your pokemon are recovering. Everyone is asleep right now but more importantly, we're all worried about you guys)."

"A small help and now I'm being treated like some king," Black Jack said in annoyed tone, putting his hand on his forehead.

"(How are you feeling)?"

"I feel… fine actually," Black Jack said when he felt no pain at all, much to his surprise. He was expecting all of his body parts to be aching like it was yesterday as though he went through a huge stunt like getting hit and ran over by a gigantic truck. He ripped off some of his bandages to see if there was any gash on any part of his body. There wasn't any.

Alice began to stir and Black Jack and Pikachu noticed. She rubbed her eyes to get rid of the blurriness before stretching her arms out. The first person she was her uncle who was forcing a smile. "Morning, Alice," he said.

"Uncle," she said sleepily. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Yeah…" Black Jack replied, getting into some deep thought.

After saying that, Jason and Sandra began to stir, waking up from their sleep. After they fully woken up, the first person they saw was Black Jack with no scars, much to their relief and surprise. "Jack…" John said. "You have no…"

"Morning, John, Sandra," Black Jack said quietly. "Sorry to trouble you guys."

"We got here as soon as we heard the news," Sandra said. "We were so worried about you."

"Again, sorry about that," Black Jack replied. There was a moment of silence between them until he broke it up. "Can I have… a few minutes on my own please? I wanna think."

"Whatever you want, Jack," John said as he and the other family members and Pikachu went outside the door.

"And, hey, can someone bring Prof. Kesner in here?" Black Jack requested.

"Sure thing, uncle," Alice said.

"Who's Prof. Kesner?" John asked as they left the room.

A few moments later, someone knocked on Black Jack's door while he sat on his bed. "Come in," he said.

As he expected, Kesner entered the room. "You wanted to see me, Mr. Black Jack?" he asked.

"Yeah," Black Jack said, offering him a seat, which the professor accepted. "About last night. Scary, wasn't' it?"

Kesner felt a shiver down his spine as he let down a huge gulp in his throat. "Yes," he said fearfully.

"I just wanna let you know that I took care of him and he isn't going to hurt anybody. However, if he comes back then he'll be lookout for me so your daughter's safe and you don't have to worry."

Despite Black Jack's confidence in his nemesis's comeback and Christie's safety, Prof. Kesner still didn't like the idea of having to let his daughter go. "I… I still can't let her go," he said nervously.

"Why not?" Black Jack asked, sounded rather annoyed.

"There's just too many dangerous things out there. Ever since…"

"Hey. Hold on a second," Black Jack interrupted. "Enough of this protection bull. Don't you remember what she did to those Team Ocean thugs when she teamed up with Jerry?"

"I know. She helped beat…"

Black Jack held his hand out to stop him from talking. "She and Shakespeare zapped some serious ," he said, being absolutely serious. "I was there, watching the whole thing when she battled them. If Jerry and Jacky fought on their own, they would have no chance. She told us that she wanted to go on a pokemon journey and the way I heard it, she meant it."

Kesner became startled by Black Jack's reaction. "Look, fella," Black Jack said. "If you can't get rid of that fear of yours, how will Christie get on? There are guys like Ketchum who can help Christie out. I bet that she can inspire others to do their best no matter what's wrong with them."

Kesner looked down in shame. "I'm sorry, Mr. Black Jack. Ever since my wife died and my daughter becoming permanently paralysed in that car crash, I was so scared of what might happen to her," he said.

"She'll have Shakespeare with her. He's a strong pokemon and she's a caring trainer. They make a great team. Besides, they'll catch more pokemon along the way."

They were both silent for a brief until Kesner spoke again. "I'll… have a chat with everyone and see what happens," he said before he left the room. When he opened the door, he found a man with brown curly hair and a pair of glasses wearing a doctor's uniform.

They both said their hellos before they got out of each other's way. Prof. Kesner walked out of the room while the doctor entered it. "Mr. Black Jack," the doctor said, checking on his sheets on a clipboard. "I see that you've woken up after the last couple of days. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm fine, doc," Black Jack replied. "This may surprise you but I'm feeling no pain at all."

The doctor looked at the ripped off bandages and remembered where they were placed. "To be honest with you, I am," the doctor said. "I'm going to have to test you out to see if you are actually feeling fine."

After some time of testing him such as tapping his knee with a small hammer to a blood test, it turned out that Black Jack was more than healthy and was now allowed to leave the hospital. "Well, there are no symptoms or bleeding scars on your body, Mr. Black Jack so you're free to go," the doctor said calmly. "But next time, try to be a bit more careful when you get yourself involved in a fight."

"Careful's not in my vocabulary," Black Jack said. "Hey, doc, can you do me a favour and tell everyone not to disturb me?"

"Any reason why?"

Black Jack let out a small sigh as he looked down with a vacant expression. "I need to think."

"Understood. I'll inform everyone."

And with that, the doctor left the room, leaving Black Jack resting on his bed.

Outside, everyone gathered around the doctor asking of Black Jack's well being. "That man is one hundred percent healthy and free to go," he replied. "But he's staying in his room until further notice and would like to request everyone not to enter."

A look of hurt and worry showed on Alice's face. "Uncle Jack…" she whispered to herself. Jerry placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Don't worry about a thing, Alice," he said optimistically with a cheery smile. "The important thing is that the boss is a-okay. But if he needs a little cheering up, I know a thing or two."

With that, he walked away with confidence, leaving Alice still worried but with more reasons. "I hope his pokemon are okay," Ash said.

Sure enough, at a different part of the pokemon centre, Nurse Joy ran various tests on Black Jack's pokemon and to her and everyone's surprise they were completely healed. After that, they were all told that their trainer was completely healed as well but didn't want to leave yet and that he wanted some time alone. They were also told Bluesky's mother, Raincloud also became well and was released to be with her clan. They were leased from their rooms to the outdoor section of the centre where other pokemon and their trainers played various games or socialised with others. "(Yesh! Fresh air at last)!" Mike growled happily stretching his arms out.

"(So it was two days since we were in the ER, eh)?" Chan growled. "(I thought it would take longer than that considering how much damage we took from that battle)."

"(I don't think it has something to do with the medical stuff they got here)," Snake growled. "(I sense that someone have healed us up)."

"(Damien, maybe)?" Hardshell growled.

"(I doubt that. Maybe it's something to do with Jack and I hope that he'll tell us at some point)."

"(Speaking of Jack, what do you think he's thinking right now)?" Spike asked.

"(He's probably thinking something big or maybe somewhere else to go to)."

Bluesky was the only pokemon who remained quiet throughout this whole conversation. "(Hey! What's up, bud)?" Spike asked.

"(Um… nothing really)," the blue dragon growled.

"(Come on)," Mike growled, wrapping his arm around his friend's head. "(You got a girlfriend, don't ya)?"

"(Yeah! We heard you screech her name out when we were in that Team Molten building)."

"(We all heard it)," Snake growled with a small smile. "(And if you want to leave to be with her then I got your back)."

"(Same here)," Hardshell growled.

"(You have my blessing)," Chan growled as he clasped his paws and bowed to Bluesky in respect.

"(You can go ahead but I get sing that 'Sitting-in-a-tree' song any time I want)," Mike growled teasingly.

Bluesky was quite overwhelmed by almost everyone's acceptance towards Aurora, as he held back his tears. However, tears began to form in Spike's eyes, about to show his emotional disapproval. "(I can't believe you guys)!" Spike roared. "(Can't you guys see what's happening here!? We've been together before for a long time since we were just little snappers! If Bluesky goes away, then there will be no more Snappy Seven)!"

Everyone gave him an awkward look. "(Since when did we call ourselves the Snappy Seven)?" Hardshell asked.

"(I spoke to Jack about this and he allowed it)," Bluesky growled.

"(What!? Jack allowed it!? Idiot)!" Spike roared before he ran away, bawling like a baby. "(You're not going anywhere)!"

"(Meh. He'll get over it soon)," Snake growled, apathetic of Spike's reaction.

Suddenly, they heard a loud cry above them and saw an orange winged dragon flying over them. "(Aurora)," Bluesky growled loudly while she slowly and safely landed to the ground.

"(I'm so glad you're okay)!" Aurora cooed with delight as she ran and hugged in a loving embrace.

As they hugged, Blueksy looked back at his friends who stood by his side through thick and thin during their early days as travellers and fighters. Each and everyone one of them showing their forced but fitting smile. Mike on the other was on the verge of crying as tears of sadness was forming in his eyes. Now, he decided to make a life changing decision. "(Aurora)," he whispered into her ear. "(There's something important I want to ask you)…"

Back inside Black Jack's room, he was still in deep thought he heard his door shut. He quickly turned his head towards it but no one was there. Still, he can still sense some closer to him as slowly turned his head away. "I said I don't want anyone in here," he said, getting annoyed.

"Oh, come on!" Jerry's voice cried cheerfully. "Don't be like that, Mr. Black Jack. For I'm…"

A small yellow Pikachu puppet quickly rose from the side of the bed, with Jerry's hand in it. "Mr. Peekatyou!" he cried, much to Black Jack's aggravation, before he stood fully up. "Say hello to Mr. Peekatyou! Mr. Peekatyou knows you've been feeling really bad so he's going to give you a big kiss!"

"Kiss this!" Black Jack roared.

Some loud bashing could be heard outside the room before Jerry got thrown out, now with a lost tooth and black eye. Black Jack slammed the door behind him and then some tearing was heard from inside. He opened the door again and threw the ripped up puppet at dazed Jerry. "Next time, knock!" he yelled before slamming the door shut again.

He turned around and saw a filled up paper bag with grease on it. Curiously, he looked inside it and found a sandwich with greasy good in it along with an apple and a beer. Alongside them was a note. He took it out and started reading the following words 'Lunch time'. He immediately recognised the handwriting, which belonged to Alice. "[Thanks, Alice," he thought.

Down at the cafeteria, Alice and all of her friends were sitting down having their lunch. Everyone was quiet while they munched away on their food. The only person missing was Jerry. "Hi, everybody!" he said loudly, getting everyone's attention. They all looked up and, to their shock, saw that he was now covered in bandages and plasters all over his head, which showed signs of his outcome for disturbing Black Jack.

"I guess Black Jack really meant it when he said not to disturb him," Ash said.

"Did uncle Jack get his lunch?" Alice asked.

"Yep!" Jerry replied happily, holding his thumb up, signalling about his success.

"Thanks," Alice said. She looked back on her food, using her fork to poke at her food. She hardly ate anything since that day he was sent to the emergency room. At first she was deeply worried and saddened by Black Jack's bad injury but she was now worried about his mental well-being after he was beaten down by this unknown trainer. On more than one occasion, better yet several occasions, she saw her uncle getting into fights and got himself scarred or badly bruised in some of them but she never saw him this badly hurt before.

She looked around the table, seeing other people eating theirs. No one was uttering a word. No one wanted to say anything that might make the situation even more awkward than it already was after seeing someone they highly respected get beaten up by a dangerous man.

She placed her fork down. "I'm full," she said tonelessly. "May I be excused?"

Without waiting for an answer, she left the table, going somewhere where she could be alone. "I'll go talk to her," John said to his wife as he left the table, following Alice out of the canteen. "Alice, where are you going?" he asked with concern.

"I'm going for a walk, dad," she replied.

"Alice, sweetheart, you hardly ate, drank or slept for two days now. I'm worried about you and Jack," he replied.

Alice remained silent for a number of seconds until she started talking. "I... I... wanted to be there for him... to help him out... just like he always helped me..." Alice said sadly as she walked away. Her father followed and they began talking. Eventually, she was in tears.

Sometime later, back at Black Jack's room, someone knocked on his door. "Go away!" he barked. Still, someone entered the door. It was Jerry again but with a wooden guitar. "What part of 'go away' didn't you get?" he snarled.

"Come on, boss!" Jerry said optimistically. "I can tell getting beaten up like that for the first time is hard to swallow so I want to cheer you up a little bit."

"Jerry, I'm warning you, do not play the guitar," Black Jack snarled angrily.

"Let me try. Let me try singing er… something soothing."

Jerry gave his guitar a small strum to set himself up. No sooner than a minute, he started playing the singing. "Koombaya, my lord. Koombaya… Koombaya, my lord. Koombaya…"

Some people would like his playing and singing but Black Jack would have a more negative opinion and it showed when his eyes twitched from an annoyed look to death-threatening glare. Jerry noticed and immediately stopped out of fear. "I know! How about something that can really cheer you up!" he said quickly.

Jerry strummed his guitar before he quickly sang the following words. "Jimmy crack corn and I don't care, Jimmy crack corn and I don't care, Jimmy crack corn and I don't ca-a-a-a-are…! I got very blond hair! I got very blond hair…!"

Outside, Jerry's singing could be heard…

KABONG!

Until the sound of guitar smashing occurred. The door opened and Black Jack kicked Jerry out of his room, now with the broken instrument stuck around his head. "And stay out!" Black Jack shouted before slamming the door shut. But then, he quickly opened the door again. "Hey, Jerry, get me a food menu, a notepad and a pen, will ya?" he asked calmly.

"Sure thing, boss," Jerry replied, struggling to get the guitar off. "But can you get this thing off me?"

Sometime later, Black Jack got everything what he wanted. He was resting on his hospital bed, taking a few bites of his dinner and a few sips of his coffee while thinking long and hard what to write on his notepad.

The next morning, Black Jack walked out of his room, dressed in usual black leather attire. It was very early so there would be good chance that no one would be awake. Upon his exit, he found Alice sleeping on a chair with a blanket covering her lower body. Not wanting her to catch a cold, Black Jack picked up the blanket and placed over her, from her shoulders to her feet. With guilty eyes hiding behind his sunglasses, he lowered his head and planted a kiss on her forehead before walking away.

"Everyone, search for Black Jack and his pokemon now!" one of the nurses shouted outside his used room. It was a couple of hours after Black Jack left the room and he never came back since and the nurse found him missing moments ago, along with his pokemon. "That man hasn't filled in his release form!"

At first, some people thought he probably went to do some training but it was said that Black Jack left, which read out, 'Stay strong, Alice, like you always do. Don't worry about me.'

Most likely, it meant one thing. Convinced, many set out to look for him.

Inside the room, Alice was holding a piece of paper in her hand, reading out the following words. There was no doubt in her mind that this was his handwriting. She looked at the letter with emotionless eyes and stood on the same spot for long minutes now. Despite the look in her eyes, there were a couple of words that could describe her emotions. Shocked and saddened, both of them deep.

While she continued reading, everyone was looking for Black Jack in every location he could've gotten to. Jerry in particular was frantic about it; he didn't want to see his boss go away without reason. "Where could the boss get to?" he cried desperately. "He couldn't have gone far!"

He rushed outside the centre and looked around rapidly, seeing a number of people looking for him, calling him out while others minded their own business.

"Black Jack! Where are you!?"

"Black Jack! Come back!"

Jerry began rubbing his head, trying to figure out where Black Jack could've gone. "[The boss wouldn't go to a bar! They wouldn't open this early in the morning!" he thought desperately. After theorising a number of locations he remembered that Bluesky was thinking about either rejoining his clan or stay with Black Jack. Now, thanks to his closest friends, this made his decision a lot easier.

Unless…

Somewhere over at the mountains, the dragons were getting to fly away from their recently discovered hiding place. Amongst them were Bluesky, his mother Raincloud and his mate Aurora, who accepted his proposal. There were others who were not of the dragon species but everyone agreed to let them travel alongside them. "Yeah, can someone carry my bike and sledgehammer while we fly?" the bearded human asked. He was wearing a leather jacket, a pair of jeans, boots, a pair of sunglasses and a cloth wrapped around his head… all black. "Thanks. I pay you back somehow," he said appreciatively after one of the dragons did so. That human was Black Jack.

"(Nonsense)!" the tall green dragon Flygon replied gladly. "(This is the least I can do after you saved us)!"

"(Jacky)!" two monsters cried happily as they leapt towards Black Jack from behind, giving him a big hug.

"(This is great)" Spike growled. "(Us hanging out together)!"

"(Yeah! Just like old times! Well… more or less)!" Mike growled.

Black Jack was nowhere near happy, as he knew what he was about to do. "(If you say so)…" he said tonelessly as he lowered his head down.

"(Boys)," Snake growled, walking up towards them. "(I need a word with Jack… privately)."

The boisterous duo agreed to do so as they walked away, getting ready for take off while Black Jack turned towards him, listening to what his friend had to say. "(Are you sure that she is ready)?" the green Tyranitar growled. "(Ready to face the world without you)?"

Black Jack knew whom he was referring to. "I'm sure. She's old enough to look after herself," he said, with a slight guilt in his tone. "Sure it's gonna be weird but I don't her there if something happens."

Snake knew that his friend was incorrect in that statement. "(It's going to be more than weird, Jack)," he growled. "(It's gonna hurt when we go away, leaving her travelling with the other cubs)."

"Snake, you knew that after we dealt with that punk we had our bones broken and organs busted. But there's one thing that hurt me the most. Seeing Alice crying… now that… really… hurt."

Despite his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses, Snake could tell the emotion that his long time trainer was feeling. "Besides, she's not a cub anymore," Black Jack finished.

"BOSS!" yelled a tearful voice, catching everyone's attention. They, apart from Black Jack, turned towards the blond teen with tears forming in her eyes. It was Jerry, the underdog of a pokemon trainer and Black Jack's about-to-be former student. "Why!? Why are you leaving!?"

"Man!" Black Jack grunted in annoyance.

"Boss, I know I haven't been the best student here," Jerry cried with desperation in his voice. "But I always saw you as my teacher… no, a friend… no, one of my best friends, ever since you took me and helped me train my pokemon. I never cared about how much of that hard training you put me through and I never will! I just want to be as strong as you! I love you, boss!"

He cried the last few words the loudest. Black Jack shut his eyes a little tightly, still in annoyance while everyone was shocked of how Jerry felt for him. "What about, Alice, boss!?" Jerry cried. "You can't leave her like this, not after everything you guys been through! If it's about that guy who hurt you badly a couple of days ago, I can help you fight him! We'll help you fight him! If you walk away right now, I'll call for help!"

Black Jack turned around, looking back at the tearful Jerry, the young boy who highly appreciated and respected all his teachings since day one of his training alongside him. Black Jack slowly towards with a small smile on his face before his hand on his shoulder. "Jerry?" he said.

"Yeah?" Jerry replied in a curious and hopeful tone.

Black Jack turned his smile into a moody frown. "Shut up," he snarled before he squeezed his shoulder, stopping the nerve in his body.

"[Boss…" Jerry thought in shock before he fell asleep, collapsing to the floor.

After seeing his prone body lying the floor, Black Jack turned his attention back to the dragons. "Let's get outta here," he said before walking away.

"Jerry! Answer me!" a voice shouted.

"Hey, Jerry! Wake up!" shouted another.

"Pikachu! Pika!" squeaked a Pikachu's voice.

It was few minutes later after Black Jack knocked Jerry with a sleeper hold. His eyes slowly opened and saw Ash, Keith and Pikachu in his gaze. "Guys…?" he mumbled sleepily.

"Black Jack," Ash said. "Did he…?

"Boss!" Jerry cried as he quickly sat up, tears forming in his eyes. "He left us!"

"What!?" Keith said in shock, angry at Black Jack's audacity of abandoning his niece. "How could he do this? What will his family think?"

"Let him go, my friends," said a voice, catching everyone's attention. It was John, Black Jack's brother, who was walking towards them. "I think he wants to be along for a while after all of this."

"But what about Alice?" Keith asked worryingly.

"She will understand after I talk to her. After all that training from her uncle Jack, she'll be alright," John replied with a small smile. "But I'll be grateful if you two can travel with her… please?"

Keith and Jerry looked at John's face. He had small smile on his face but his eyes were rather saddened. They began to understand what Black Jack and his family were going through.

"You bet!" Jerry shouted enthusiastically, tears streaming down from his eyes. "It's the least I can do after everything Black Jack did for me!"

"Sure," Keith said, with a hint of guilt in his voice after he felt abandoned by the one who also took him in. "Black Jack took me after he saved me from Team Ocean and I get to meet Alice again… I'll do it."

"How's Alice, John?" Ash asked.

"She is still in the room where Black Jack was before he left."

"Well, I hope that she'll get into a training spirit… somehow."

Back at Alice's location, Alice still had the note in hand but this time, she looked out of the window, wondering if she could see her uncle riding on one of the dragons.

Indeed, he was riding on one of them as they flew past the hospital a distance away. One of the dragons had his motorcycle and sledgehammer in his paws. Apart from Bluesky, his pokemon were kept inside his pokeballs. He looked down at one of the windows and saw Alice, who also saw him. Both of them had showed their sad faces as they reflected back on the days they had together since the start of her pokemon journey. From getting Alice a small Cyndaquil to participating in pokemon battling championships. They had many great times yet they had their bad times but no matter what happened, they remained more than just relatives to this day.

Unfortunately today, Black Jack decided on his own accord to leave everyone he respected… and those he loved, for reasons he cannot say to them yet. Despite that they took a small glimpse at each other, it felt like an eternity before Black Jack turned his attention back on the dragons while Alice kept on looking. "Let's move it guys," he said in a toneless voice.

While still looking, a tear fell from her eye. "Uncle," she whispered sadly wondering why he left her.

He did look back once and it caused pain in his heart. He never dared to look back again that day. And so, he kept on flying to find an ideal hideaway for the dragon clan.
-----------------------------
Epilogue coming up!

That's right, the series is coming to end, people. I can't believe that myself. But the good news is... another series is coming up.