WARNING: Smoking is bad, 'mkay...don't do it 'mkay?

Chapter Six: Action in EverWood (Part Two)

The projectiles tore into every part of the bridge they could reach. The wooden parts splintered apart and the rope supports were torn apart strand by strand at terrifying speed as the Pin Missile attack ripped through them. Soon the twosome, with nothing left to support them in the middle of the gorge, was falling down, down, down. Amongst the splinters and fragments of rope, their flailing bodies fell as though in slow motion watching the sheer rock faces flash by them. Their screams lost amidst the roaring of the winds as they plummeted towards what looked like the end of their prematurely-ended journeys, of their unfulfilled dreams, of their young lives…

…until they hit the river. (Yes, there was a river all along, sorry.)

They hit the swirling waters like a Mack truck doing eighty would to a wall. Tumbling all over each other in the broiling current, they were able to push themselves to the surface where Haley choked a large amount of water back into the river and reached out and grabbed Sapph to pull him back up again as he went under again from the shock that had traveled form his brain and finally caught up with his body.

Sapph choked and looked up to see the last of the Beedrill turn tail and return to the cover of the trees above.

"Looks like we lost them," Sapph said to Haley weakly, a faint smile outlining his tired-looking face.

"Please don't tell me you actually enjoyed that," Haley groaned, shaking her head in exasperation with a tone of voice to match.

Both trainers began to strike out for the bank but their progress was impeded by…

"Hey, what gives?" Sapph gasped as the river waters got choppier.

"Uh, Sapph we got a problem," Haley gasped, struggling to stay above the broiling turbulence.

"You mean other than the fact that we may very well drown in a second?" Sapph retorted. "'Cos if that's it, then I know…"

"We've hit the rapids!" Haley screamed, the waves breaking her grip on Sapph's collar.

"Oh. Is that…we WHAT!" Sapph choked, catching onto what Haley had said before the rapids threw them about violently and even further apart.

The duo was washed downstream rapidly as they were thrown against large rocks which jutted out of the waters' surface. Both struggled to grab hold of each other, until Sapph was thrown a full five feet out of the water and slammed into a particularly hard rock with a nasty dull thwacking sound.

"SAPPH!" Haley screamed as another powerful current swept her onto the riverbank. Pushing her sopping wet hair out of her eyes, she stared helplessly as Sapph's limp body slipped back into the foamy river crest and was swept towards what looked like a waterfall.

Before the redheaded trainer could utter a sound, Sapph was whipped down and out of sight. Haley dropped to her knees, total disbelief etched into her face, horror clawing at her insides. She wanted to scream out, to yell, to let the silent air reflect what she was feeling inside, but the sound just wouldn't come. Just as she was about to finally get her emotions out in the open a voice behind her said" What happened to you? What's wrong?"

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Mongle was seriously starting to hate the forest…

After colliding into Haley and Bubbles, rolling downhill till he was sick and falling eighty feet down a cliff, Mongle had found himself pinned to a small tree which grew out of a smooth rock face with Bubbles and (to his increasing annoyance) Ledyba pinned on top of his back and refusing to budge.

Hawey? Where's Hawey? Bubbles whimpered.

Ledyba, get…off…me! Mongle gasped.

I can't! I'll fall! Ledyba whined in a terrified voice.

Mongie, I'm scared! Bubbles said tremulously, looking down at the river about fifty feet below the branch on which the trio were clinging to.

Me too… Ledyba whimpered in turn.

Just get off me, alright? And keep it down! What if Papa Bear comes back? Mongle gasped, his green face turning blue as Bubbles and Ledyba's combined weight steadily crushed his lungs in.

HAWEY! SAP! HAWEY, HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Bubbles wailed in a high pitched voice.

Keep…it…down…Bubbles! Mongle gasped.

I want Hawey!!!! Bubbles bawled, throwing an unhealthy tantrum all over Mongle's back.

Bubbles…quit…it…That…hurts…ouch… Mongle winced as Bubbles beat her tiny paws on his back. A shower of pebbles fell from the roots of the tree and into the river below, though Mongle couldn't see them hit water.

Me too…I mean, I want Sapph! Ledyba sobbed.

Guys, CALM DOWN! Mongle yelled so loudly that several Pidgey took off in alarm from the cover of the trees above. Ledyba and Bubbles calmed down long enough for Mongle to take charge of the situation.

Bubbles? Could you please…SHUT…UP! Ledyba? You moron! You can FLY! Mongle yelled.

Silence filled the air for about three minutes as the impact of these words hit them.

I forgot that, Ledyba said quietly, blushing crimson (not that the others could tell…)

Great! That's terrific! Mongle said sarcastically, one arm dangling limply over the sapling trunk and his face on the other one. Now, if you could be so kind as to… GET OFF ME BEFORE I SUFFOCATE!

Um…okay, Ledyba said softly, firing up his wings and lifting off the tree, accidentally breaking off some more soil off the roots and causing the tree to swing dangerously towards the cliff face

Bubbles noticed. In a tremulous voice, she called up to Ledyba saying, Mr. Ladybug, sir? I'm scared, help me!

The bough shifted again. It looked ready to give way any second…

Uh, Ledyba? Any time you wanna get us outta here? Mongle chirped, a trace of his panic now reflecting in his usually cocky voice. Grass types may be resistant to water attacks, but that didn't mean that they could swim.

The roots left the cliff suddenly and the Leaf Squirrel and Water Hare Pokémon found themselves starting to fall.

LEDYBAAAA!! Mongle screamed as he felt gravity begin to do its work as though in slow motion just before he felt a huge amount of pain at his rear end.

OwowowowowowowowOWWW! Watch what you grabbin' up there! Mongle yelled as Ledyba had reached out and grabbed the nearest part of Mongle he could reach, which happened to be his tail.

OW! My earsie, my earsie, my earsie! Bubbles whimpered as another of the Bug type's six hands found her ear.

Sorry, guys! Sorry! Don't twist so much, please…sorry buddy! So… Ledyba began to apologize profusely

Ledyba, it's OK… just get us up to the top before my tail leaf breaks off my butt! Mongle yelled.

A few painful seconds later, the trio was standing safely at the top of the ledge, nursing their injuries and apologizing profusely once again.

We need to find the others, Mongle said, testing to see if he could still twitch his tail leaf as he turned to address the other two. And fast. Ledyba, see if you can see where Sapph or Haley went from the air…

Leave it to me, Ledyba said, firing up his wings again and lifting off to the treetops to take a look around.

A minute later, Ledyba landed and informed the grass Pokémon: There seems to be a wrecked bridge about a hundred yards from here. The debris is floating downhill,

OK, so now we know where they went, we'd better follow. Mongle said softly.

Yeah, Ledyba nodded.

Uh, Mongie, Mr. Ladybug? Bubbles said in a quivery voice.

What? They said in unison.

Are Hawey and Mr. Sap OK?

Mongle and Ledyba exchanged looks and Mongle said gently, We're not sure yet, Bubbles. We're going to look for them now. Ledyba? He added, turning to his team mate. I know you're tired but we need you to scout ahead for danger from the trees as we move. I just don't want to meet the big bad Grizzlar any time soon…

Ledyba nodded fervently and took to the sky once more…

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Haley was to be found ten minutes later in the ranger's hut being made a hot cup of tea by the forest warden. She had recounted her adventures in the woods that had resulted in her eventual separation from her precious Bubbles and Sapph, the boy who would die at her hands if Bubbles was hurt in any way.

"Hmm, not the luckiest fellow in the world, is he?" the warden said, getting up to tend to the pot, which had begun to whistle.

"And then he… he," Haley hiccoughed.

"Ah, don't worry, the fall won't kill him," the warden said kindly, setting the tea before Haley.

"R-really?" Haley said, looking up at him, her face glazed with tears.

"Nope, and I'm sure you're Aquari is fine. In fact, if she's really as smart as you say she is, I wouldn't be surprised if she's on her way to EverWood Town right now," The ranger went on sipping his tea.

"Really?!" Haley squealed with joy.

"Yeah, I mean, I've fallen off those falls once a month, and I'm still in one piece! Though that was just to get nursed back to health by that cute nurse at the Pokémon Centre," the warden chortled.

Haley sweat dropped.

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The last thing Sapph thought about before the rock was why the heck he was never serious in gym class about swimming. Now all Sapph felt was warm, comfortable and dry.

Dry? Sapph thought slowly, his brain gaining momentum and pain at the same time. I thought water was meant to be wet…

"Uh?" Sapph moaned groggily as his eyes fluttered open to see whiteness all around him. "Is this heaven?"

Suddenly a familiar, pink-haired lady's face appeared above him and said, "Not quite,"

Sapph stared blankly at her for a few seconds and mumbled "How'd I get… where ever I am?"

"You're in EverWood Town Pokémon Centre," Nurse Joy replied.

"EverWood?"

"That's right, and you arrived in a rather- er- unique fashion," Nurse Joy went on, shooting a quelling look at her Chansey who looked ready to drop Sapph's down on the bed and burst out laughing.

"But I thought I saw you in Olville," Sapph said, his mind grinding a little faster.

Gee, he's a quick one, isn't he? Chansey said dryly, not that Sapph could understand her. His trying to only made his head hurt worse.

"Well, who you saw in Olville was my mother's sister's second cousin thrice removed," Nurse Joy explained clearly (Again, Sapph forgot about trying to grasp what she said…his head was killing him from just hearing that explanation).

"My little sister brought you in," Nurse Joy explained. "She said something about you moving downstream as she was in the forest…"

Sapph was suddenly remembering everything in fast forward… the Grizzlar… crashing into Haley…the Beedrill… the bridge…

Sitting bolt upright, Sapph spun around so fast his neck cricked and asked frantically "Nurse Joy, were my Pokémon found?"

"…I mean, everyone keeps going on about how alike we all… sorry?" Nurse Joy said, lost in her ramble about her family.

Desperate to master his panic, Sapph said slowly, "My Pokémon… a Mongle and a Ledyba… did she find them? Your sister, I mean…"

Exchanging a bewildered look with Chansey, Nurse Joy said, "I don't really recall a Mongle or Ledyba being brought in toda… where are you going?" she suddenly gasped, for Sapph had thrown off the covers off his hospital bed and started to pull on his jeans.

"If they're not here, I gotta go find them," Sapph muttered distractedly, now lacing his sneakers and standing up.

"Right now?" Nurse Joy asked in surprise.

"Right now," Sapph said grimly, pulling his damp T-shirt on.

Right now?! The Chansey echoed in disbelief as Sapph stared around looking for his bag.

"With all those wild Pokémon out there?" Nurse Joy went on. "You can't! Without your Pokémon and no knowledge of the terrain, you'll never get far!"

"Neither will they," Sapph said seriously, finally spotting his bag over by the wall and proceeding to pick it up.

"You injured, it's getting late and you still want to go out there?" Nurse Joy went on.

"Exactly," Sapph said with a tone of finality before slinging his bag over his head and dashing out through the door.

The two orderlies looked at the doorway and then at each other.

Better get your beauty sleep, Nurse Joy, Chansey sad bemusedly, looking back at the doorway through which Sapph had run out into the corridor. We'll have a lot of pieces to look for in the morning…

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Mongie, my tootsies hurt, Bubbles moaned.

Again?! Mongle asked incredulously, turning to run back up the path to where the Aquari slumped against the beech tree's roots, rubbing her sore paws for what must have been the thirtieth time since they'd started moving.

At this rate, we'll never find Sapph, Ledyba moaned, landing between the twosome.

What aba Hawey? Bubbles said tremulously.

C'mon, we gotta move here! Mongle said in a take-charge sort of voice.

I want Hawey!! Bubbles bawled.

Bubbles, zip it and move! Mongle said roughly.

But my tootsies huuuuurrrt!. Bubbles shrieked as Moongle tried to pull her up to her feet.

Mongle, she's just a baby. There's no need to get… Ledyba said softly.

All babies grow up, Ledyba! Mongle said angrily.

I'm no baby! Bubbles said squeakily.

Oh yeah, you are! Mongle retorted.

Mongle, lighten up! Ledyba said concernedly moving to pry Bubbles free of Mongle's grip.

Keep outta this, Bug Head! Mongle yelled.

Who do you think you're calling Bug Head, you… you…Leaf Butt! Ledyba yelled back.

I WANNA HAWEY! Bubbles screamed.

SHUT UP, BUBBLES! Mongle yelled at her.

Mongle, that's enough! Ledyba said angrily.

Whoa, man…what's with the angry tones here? A slow, deliberate voice piped up suddenly.

Didn't I tell you to can it…huh, who are you? Mongle said in surprise, noticing that he and his friends weren't alone anymore.

A small, spiny creature had emerged from behind a tree. It was barely a foot tall and had strangely bloodshot eyes as though sleep wasn't its main forte.

Hey, that's a Spinocle, Ledyba said quietly, turning to face the new arrival. Bubbles stopped crying and scurried behind Mongle as the creature meandered tipsily up to the trio.

Yo, dudes. What's hangin'? the Spinocle went on, stopping before them and gazing blearily around the threesome.

Well, we're looking for… Ledyba began, but Mongle stepped in and muttered Let me handle this hippie hedgehog. Ledyba shrugged and stood aside to give room for Mongle make a total fool of himself.

Errm…yo. We're like, err, scopin' the…the- erm…area for our lost human dudes, Mongle slurred.

Is Hawey a dude, Mr. Ladybug? Bubbles asked Ledyba, who'd slapped his face with one of his small palms.

Human dudes? You mean the pair who went for some gnarly diving practice? the Spinocle queried in his mellow voice.

Yeah, those human dudes! You seen them? Mongle said excitedly.

Think Seemore saw one fall over the 'fall a piece down the road… hmm should be in Everwood by now… The Spinocle demurred.

A tic was going ff in Mongle's cheek now. Hey, junkie. In case you've never heard, we're in Everwood!

Junkie? the Spinocle repeated slowly.

Mongle, he means EverWood Town, Ledyba said exasperatedly.

Really? Oh, sorry, man Mongle said calmly.

We could ask Seemore, man, the Spinocle went on. He hangs with us at the Mushroom Spot. Comin' to hang, dude?

Sure! Mongle said calmly. C'mon guys!

Are you sure, Mongle? Ledyba said uncomfortably.

Yeah, I'm sure! Have I ever steered you wrong? Mongle said, leading the way after the retreating Spinocle's tail.

No, but I'd rather you don't start now, Ledyba muttered furtively, turning to keep Bubbles in sight.

Fifteen minutes later, the trio had been led to an overgrown patch of weird purple mushrooms and jam-packed with about fifty other Spinocle, engaged in sniffing the mushrooms and other relaxation activities.

Hey, Seemore, man,the Spinocle said to another one comparatively larger than himself though otherwise perfectly identical to him, form the drooping eyelids and spines to the sagging eye bags. See any human dudes around the forest today?

Human dudes? Seemore's voice was deeper that the other Spinocle's, though just as slow. That's a deep one, man…

Yah,man…deep… the first Spinocle said.

Wanna reflect on it in a mush? Seemore asked the first Spinocle, regarding the clump of mushrooms balefully.

Sure, man, the Spinocle who'd guided them there said as it shuffled towards a clump of mushrooms and started inhaling their pungent scent.

Wanna drag, man? Seemore asked the trio of outsiders to the community. Helps the brain get pumping, loosens circulation, all that deep stuff, man…

Erm, no thanks, Ledyba said hurriedly.

Mongle shrugged. Hey, when in Rome… he told the others before joining Seemore and their porcupine guide.

I wan' Hawey Bubbles moaned.

We'll find her, Bubbles, don't worry, Ledyba assured her.

Fluttering over to Mongle, he asked, So? Any clues?

Clues? Mongle said slowly, his eyes red. That's deep, man….real deep…

Moron! Ledyba said, turning back to where he'd left Bubbles, only to find she was gone.

Arrgh! Mongle, we've lost Bubbles! Ledyba said desperately.

Hey, man…wanna whiff? Mongle said sedately, draping himself heavily against Ledyba's back and wafting one of the narcotic mushrooms under Ledyba's face.

Okay, that's it! Move it! Ledyba said firmly, yanking Mongle away from the clearing.

Come back soon, man! the Spinocle called after them.

Yeah, come and share the stuff soon! Seemore added.

Not on your life! Ledyba thought furtively.

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"MONGLE, LEDYBAA! Where are you guys?" Sapph yelled, hobbling up the path, one hand clutching his side, the other cupped around his mouth.

This isn't working, and it's getting dark, Sapph thought helplessly, looking helplessly around himself. I've gotta find those two, fast!

He winced as he placed his hands to his waist region, to massage his bruised ribs. He winced again and removed them.

"Damn, that hurts," he groaned. He stumbled a little way along the path and leaned heavily against a tree trunk, breathing heavily.

"Darn it all," Sapph murmured, his eyes itching with fatigue.

Suddenly a scream rent the air followed by a familiar roar. Sapph eyes snapped wide open.

"Uh, oh," Sapph thought helplessly, scrambling to his feet and looking wildly around. "Somebody's in trouble!"

After a moment's indecision, Sapph set off at a slow sprint off the path towards the source of the noise. Trees seemed to flash by as he rushed onwards, the pain in his ribs seemingly non-existent as he ran on, not knowing what he was going to do when he found who'd screamed, not knowing what he could do in his condition, but knowing he had to do something. Fast.

At the top of a small hillock, Sapph saw it. The hulking mass of black and gold fur had her cornered against a cliff face with nowhere to go. In her hand he saw something red and white clutched in her had and recognized it.

My cap! Sapph thought frantically. Grizzlar must think she's me because my scent's on the cap!

It was official. Sapph had to act and quickly. Noticing the shrub on the girl's left could be used as an escape path, Sapph ran as fast as his body could let him towards her right side, watching the Grizzlar's left paw rise high above her petrified form, ripping claws extending, ready to deal the final blow…

Seven feet away, Sapph stumbled, losing control of his gait and barreling rather unceremoniously into the terrified girl, knocking her off her feet and into the bush just as the terrifying Nocturnal Bear Pokémon's claws flashed in a slashing motion. Inch deep gouge marks appeared in the rock surface. She had missed. Roaring in fury, the Grizzlar decided to give up the chase and go find some real food for her cubs.

Sapph, for the second time that day, found himself tumbling downhill, slamming on his butt back on the path he'd left mere minutes ago. He howled in pain as his ribs stung painfully. Quickly stifling the noise he was making, he strained his ears for any trace of the pursuing Grizzlar. After a few minutes of silence, he exhaled with relief and looked down at the scratched and shaking girl. Her green eyes were wide with fear and slowly filling with tears.

"I –I j-j-just picked it up by the river…then it ch-chased me….I thought…I thought," She stammered, looking at his face wildly as though it had just sprouted black hair and fangs.

Sapph didn't know what to say or do. He'd never been this close to a girl since Haley, and that was before she started destroying buildings. He stretched out an uncertain hand, brushed a lock of pink hair out of her fear-filled eyes and smiled a small smile.

"Don't worry," he said soothingly, "I've got you…it's OK…"

The girl stared at him for a minute, her face turning red, and passed out.

Weird, Sapph thought helplessly, looking down at her unconscious form. Girls are just plain weird…

He got to his feet and hoisted the girl with him wondering which way it was back to the town when a Noctowl flew overhead, saw them and turned

Hey, kid! You OK? the Noctowl called out.

"Yeah…d'you think you can get us back to EverWood Town?" Sapph replied, surprising himself that he'd understood the Noctowl.

Sure thing, follow me! the Noctowl said, turning around and flying back along the path from whence it came. Lifting the girl's body a little higher Sapph, followed…

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"This is hopeless," the warden told Haley, turning his flash light towards the distraught researcher.

"Please, one more run over the path?" Haley pleaded.

"Sorry honey, but we've been out on the path for the last seven hours and we haven't seen so much of a shred of blue fur," the warden said firmly. "We'll head for the town and ask if they've seen it there. I'm sorry, but there's little else we can do," the warden added, walking back to the jeep and climbing in. Haley slowly followed.

Just as the vehicle's headlights flickered on and the jeep began to move forward, Bubbles wandered onto the path in front of the oncoming vehicle.

"STOP! It's Bubbles!" Haley squealed, unbuckling her seat belt as the warden stomped on the brakes.

Haley jumped out as the jeep screeched to a halt and ran up the path where Bubbles had fallen.

"Bubbles hang on! It's me! You're safe now!" Haley squealed, lifting her Water Hare Pokémon and hugging her close.

Hawey… Bubbles said happily before slumping into an exhausted faint in her trainer's arms.

"We'd better get her to the Pokémon Centre, it's nearer than my cabin," the warden said, who'd hurried over to the redhead. Haley looked up and nodded fervently.

As they raced to the Pokémon Centre, what sounded faintly like a loud roar and a terrified scream wafted through the gloom of the trees around them.

Uh oh, the warden thought worriedly. Something's wrong out there and it's too dark to see anything beyond the path…I'd better get these two to the centre and get out there…in the meantime…

"Go, Noctowl!" the warden yelled throwing a pokéball into the air, producing a flash of light which dimmed to form a large brown owl-like Pokémon with rows of darker triangles covering it's chest and seriously bushy eyebrows atop its beady eyes.

"Noctowl, use your Foresight to scan the forest for Ol' Flo," he said quickly. "When you see her, use Flash to indicate her position…I'm going to the Pokémon Centre, I'll catch up a.s.a.p.!"

OK, Noctowl nodded, taking off.

"Who's Ol' Flo?" Haley asked as they ran back to the jeep and the warden started the engine.

"Local Grizzlar," the ranger said tersely, speeding along the path towards EverWood Town. "I'll say this, she makes taking the warning 'Do Not Feed The Animals' a matter of life and death."

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What the hell's your problem?! What's with the attempted drowning attempt?! Mongle yelled.

They were at a small brook at the foot of the falls where Sapph had fallen hours ago. Mongle face was sopping wet and Ledyba took his time shaking his paws free of dust. Apparently, Ledyba had dragged Mongle to the river bank and shoved him in, tail and all.

While you were getting high on crack fungi, Bubbles wandered off! We've got to find her! Ledyba shot back, after straightening up and shaking the water off his hands.

After about three minutes of staring at each other, Mongle's eyes snapped open in horror.

Bubbles is gone?! Why didn't you say so?! Don't just stand there, we've gotta find her! Come on!

Ledyba shook his head as he fluttered off after Mongle back onto the path to EverWood Town. They'd barely made it when a bush before them shook violently.

It's the Grizzlar! they screamed, hugging each other for dear life.

But for once, they were lucky to be wrong. It wasn't the Grizzlar, but Sapph, carrying a young girl his age in his arms, his cap on her lap together with a Noctowl.

SAPPH! Both Pokémon yelled joyously.

"Hey guys, where have you been? Never mind," he added hastily, noticing that a long-winded explanation was coming up. "Let's beat it before Mama Bear gets here."

The Pokémon duo nodded fervently and set off at a trot towards EverWood Town…

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"C'mon…Where's the flash, Noctowl?" The ranger said worriedly, scanning the sky with his binoculars from outside the Pokémon Centre as twilight descended on the treetops of the Forest.

Forty minutes had passed since the forest warden had driven into EverWood Forest. Haley and Bubbles had left the Pokémon Centre half an hour later for the guest lodge across town. The warden and the senior nurse on duty had kept a vigil since she'd departed, concern growing into worry, worry growing into panic.

Joy, the senior Nurse Joy said worriedly, her hands clasped in front of her in prayer, her worried eyes looking desperately into the gloom of the trees.

The Chansey came out with a mug of hot cocoa and a thick blanket for her trainer.

"Thank you, Chansey," Nurse Joy said gratefully, accepting the items from the Egg Pokémon.

No problem, it's a relief that I only have to worry about one nurse here, Chansey said, as she turned back into the building to check on the patients.

"No good, if your sister's still in there, I've gotta go in without – Noctowl!" the warden said suddenly staring as a pair of red eyes gleamed from in between the trees. A moment later, the Owl Pokémon flew out of the woods towards its trainer, followed by Sapph, the junior Nurse Joy, Mongle and Ledyba.

"What kept you?" The ranger asked his Noctowl in a tone of worry.

"Joy!" Nurse Joy screamed running to meet Sapph. The ranger quickly returned his Pokémon and followed suit.

"Is she OK? Is she hurt? Oh, thank you, thank you!" Nurse Joy said frantically, lifting her sister from Sapph's arms.

"She's fine…she's just tired" Sapph began before passing out himself. The ranger caught him and said to Nurse Joy, "We'd better get these two in,"

Nodding, Nurse Joy and the ranger carried the youngsters in, Mongle and Ledyba bringing up the rear.

Great, Mongle said exhaustedly, We spend all day looking for him and he gets prior attention.

Tell me about it, Ledyba replied wearily.

I can remedy that A female Pokémon voice said.

Mongle and Ledyba looked up to see Chansey looking at them with a playful kind of malice on her face. Like a Nurse that called a Body Slam attack the Heimlich maneuver.

Oh, dear… Ledyba said in a tiny voice, his antenna drooping.

Mongle stared at the nurse and said timidly:

Could you give me a moment to draw up my will?

-End Flashback-

CHANSEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

"Hunh? Oh, thank you, Nurse Chansey." Sapph said cheerfully, coming out of his reverie and taking back his fully healed Pokémon. "Dinner time, guys! Come on out!" He then called out to his Pokémon releasing them for some food and fresh air.

Both Pokémon appeared in flashes of red light. Mongle greeted Sapph cheerfully and dug in enthusiastically. Ledyba quietly glanced at him before tucking in with much less zest.

"Hmm, what wrong, Ledyba?" Sapph questioned worriedly, looking down at his shy companion.

I'm sorry… Ledyba began.

What for? Mongle asked, his mouth filled to bursting with food. Chansey chose this moment to come out of the operating theatre, her arms laden with bandages. She gave Mongle a severely disgusted look before turning around and starting to half stalk-half waddle away from the waiting room.

Yesterday. I should have done as much as Mongle, Sapph. I'm sorry. Ledyba mumbled.

"What d'you mean by that? Ledyba, you did do as much as Mongle. You were both excellent then in my eyes and I know that you'll get even better." Sapph said, smiling proudly.

Yeah! I mean, who backed me up when we tackled Spinarak? Who caught me when I was falling? Who provided air cover when Bubbles and I needed it? You did, Ledyba. You watched my back for me, then. I know you'll do it again and again. You're my friend and team mate, and both do that for one another. You were better than me at times in that battle, and may be better than me many more times in future, both of us know that! So relax! Mongle said, suddenly starting to choke on a larger chunk of pokéchow.

Thank you, guys. Ledyba said quietly, smiling and eating much faster now.

URGH! Sapph, how'd you cook this junk? Mongle choked, tears suddenly streaming out of his eyes. OI! OWW! Not so flippin' hard, Ledyba! Oww! Oww!! OWW!!! he added, as Ledyba whacked him on the back with one of his tiny palms, causing food to go flying right into Chansey's face, who'd just reappeared.

The normally motherly Pokémon had had enough of this gross behaviour for one evening and decided to let Mongle know this by Double Slapping the Leaf Squirrel Pokémon across the room.

Oops, sorry Mongle… SORRY! Ledyba cringed, watching Mongle fly out from in front of him clean into a wall.

Sapph could only smile at them.

They've come so far already… the league had better watch out for these two in the future, 'cause they'll be more than a force to be reckoned with, alone and together!

"Awww, if it isn't widdle Sapphire," cooed a mocking baby voice.

Sapph became rigid as he turned around. He knew who was there, but the knowledge of this didn't make Sapph relieved in the slightest to see Kamren standing there with Chaz, Carla and Dex.

"Hi, widdle Kammy," Sapph retorted, "Who're the widdle losers, who're the widdle losers?" he added, looking around the group.

Carla opened her mouth and Chaz started towards Sapph, but Kamren stopped them both.

"Never you two mind, I'll take him on, unless he's chicken!" Kamren taunted, rolling Burner's shrunken pokéball between his fingers.

"I'm no chicken…" Sapph began.

"Besides," a younger Nurse Joy said, joining them at the table and keeping Chansey from further injuring Mongle (who had just picked himself off the wall and let off a rude comment about Chansey's girth), "Ledyba and Mongle have just eaten, they can't fight you now, no matter how much…"

"…I'd love to whup you and Burner's…" Sapph protested.

"Yeah, right, chicken boy! That rat can't even fight off a wussy Chansey!" Kamren taunted.

Chansey couldn't take the night's rudeness anymore, and stalked off once more to look for the senior Nurse-on-Duty to hand in a request for transferral to another Pokémon Centre away from spitting Mongles and egotistical redheaded blonds in the cause of protecting her over wounded feelings.

"Why, you…"

"Leave it, Sapph!" Nurse Joy Jr. pleaded.

Yeah! We'll settle them later! Mongle growled, rearranging his face and glaring at the foursome.

Who're 'they', Mongle? Ledyba queried.

Dirt. Mongle answered, his eyes still fixed on the source of his trainer's anger.

"Like I said, 'Yeah, right!'" Kamren laughed, turning to leave.

"Why'd you stop me?" Sapph asked furiously, turning to face Nurse Joy Jr.., who didn't meet Sapph's glaring eyes

"Because he's nasty! He'd just hurt you're Pokémon real bad!" she said, trying (and failing, as Sapph suddenly noticed) to stem the flow of tears in her eyes.

"We've already had three of his victims' teams in here already for serious burns and scars," Nurse Joy Sr. said, coming out of the ward with a seemingly much calmer Chansey.

Sapph's head jerked up suddenly at this. "Victims?!"

Nurse Joy Sr. nodded as Chansey walked back into the theatre, her arms filled with fresh bandages and plasters and pointedly ignoring Mongle, who tried to stay out of the Egg Pokémon's path in case she went anal all over him. "We don't want to raise the injury toll either, Sapph." She added, looking pointedly at Sapph.

Sapph blushed. "I'm sorry," he said to the Nurse Joys. "I'm glad you stopped me. I don't want Mongle or Ledyba hurt again too soon either."

SO WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN THAT CRAZY CHANSEY ATTACKED ME, HUNH?!! Mongle yelled.

"Um…that's OK," Nurse Joy Jr. said, hugging Sapph tight and running off to the ward, blushing crimson.

"Errrrr… what was that all about?" Sapph asked bewildered looking at Nurse Joy Sr, who just smiled and followed her little sister to the recovery room.

Mongle whispered something to Ledyba, who looked at Sapph and giggled.

"What?" Sapph asked.

At this, both Pokémon burst out laughing, rolling all over the floor.

"WHAT?" Sapph asked again.

Mongle and Ledyba completely flipped in hysterics.

"GUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUYYSSS!" Sapph half-moaned, half-yelled.

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How was Chapter Six? I know, I know, there was a rivalry clash just begging to happen and it didn't. Tough! There'll be one soon so relax! The ending is for comic relief, not romance! ;-) Don't forget, your comments count! Okay, later!

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