Time Lapse: Reluctant Hero

by AvionVadion

She remembered nothing. Where she came from, who she was, if she had any family; all the girl knew now was that something was wrong. There was no way she was meant to be raised like this- treated like a grunt and tormented along with the rest. Pokemon were worth more than what Team Rocket claimed. They weren't tools... and neither was she. OCs

11. A Blue Reunion

"There and then, I should've know. It was me- all alone.

Nevermore to leave her, nevermore to leave here; my love is the killing kind!"

This is bad.

We weren't even five minutes in and there were already so many goons surrounding us. They had been slacking off by the time we arrived, but the second the Team Rocket members saw us they had summoned their pōkemon and were looking for a battle. Umbreon seemed all too ready to fight, but it was still exhausted from however long it had been fighting those chains earlier.

Frick. Okay. Breathe. C-Calm down…

I'm so scared.

It was already nerve wracking enough knowing that Blue was in this base somewhere, probably beaten and barely clinging to life, but now I was separated from Brock. Adding to that, this was happening and I had no idea how to handle it. My hands were shaking badly and I sweating profusely, shirt clinging to my back as my anxiety spiked. Umbreon bared its fangs, letting out a deep growl in challenge when the goons let loose several Zubats and Weezings. The pōkemon floated around, staring uncertainly at the Umbreon, clearly not wishing to fight.

Yet… they didn't exactly have much of a choice. The goons were yelling threats, taunting them, scaring them into submission.

And Umbreon wasn't about to hesitate.

Index finger tapping rapidly against the pocket with the dawn stone, I inhaled sharply- pretending to ignore the heart that was pounding in my ears. I had an idea, but considering my track record with plans I was fearful that it would fail. I had no idea what this Umbreon was trying to show me, or if it would even lead me to where Blue was, but if we couldn't get past these guards then there was no hope of saving anyone.

Brock…

Don't let yourself get captured while I'm gone! Grinding my teeth together, I reached behind me and pulled out a pōkeball, hesitating slightly as all the worst case scenarios coursed through my mind. I-I have to do this; I can't… I can't let us get stopped. If we get stopped we're all dead. I'm not… going to go back to that awful life! I refuse. I want to live.

So move…!

My hand jerked and the ball went flying, and out came Belladonna in a flash of red light. "V-Vine whip the goons!"

"Weeeepiiin!" She wasted no time, startling the Umbreon who hurriedly ducked to avoid getting smacked with a vine, the greenery shooting forward and wrapping around the humans. "Weepin!"

"The fuck is this-!?"

"Golbat, cut us out of here!" The winged pōkemon started to move forward, and Umbreon readied itself to pounce- but then I was there, feet sliding across the ground, arms held out to my sides. "Hey!"

"Don't!" I cried out. Zubat and his companions stared at me, alarmed and confused, and I stared at them with an intense, yet mildly desperate expression. This was just another day; another battle to survive. Just like back in Hoenn during training; I have to convince them not to fight. "You… You don't have to listen to them! It's… okay..."

Frick, my throat still hurts a bit. Belladonna keeping the goons bound tight, she and Umbreon watched in curiosity as I tried to negotiate with our opponents. I took a nervous step forward, swallowing down a large lump that had formed, voice struggling to make itself known. It's just another day. I can do this. It's fine. They don't want to hurt us. I don't want to hurt them.

The Weezings floated backwards, huddling together and muttering to each other, appearing just as nervous as I was. Zubats' gazes turned to their unwanted trainers, then towards me. My hands were still held high in the air, crooked and bandaged and weaponless. I was showing them I had no defense, no ill intent. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure everyone, pōkemon and human, could hear it, and my lungs didn't quite seem like they wanted to work.

"E-Everything… is okay."

The goons could be heard shouting in the background, only shutting up when Ansem barked at them. Ansem? Child must have forced himself out of his pōkeball. The Eevee was standing next to Umbreon, the two pōkemon growling and nipping at the goons' ankles when they kept trying to threaten the Poison-type pōkemon.

A shaky smile spread across my face, trying to be as friendly as possible, and I stepped even closer to the frightened creatures. I could almost touch the Zubats now. I didn't, but that was just how close they were. I was waiting for them to make the first move. Dark eyes bored into mine, tearful and afraid, and I stood my ground- waiting, silent, anxious. My voice was as soft and quiet as I could make it.

"No one… is going to hurt you anymore."

"Zu… Zuuuu!"

Whoa!

I yelped and stumbled back when the pōkemon rammed itself into me, wings practically wrapping around my neck as it hugged me. The other Zubats decided it was time to follow suit and, before I knew it, I was covered in a swarm of pōkemon, the multiple Weezings sobbing loudly as they huddled close- their smoke almost suffocating me and causing me to break out into several coughs as it filled my senses. "Weeez! Weezing!"

"Weeez!"

"Zubat, zu!"

"Zuuu!"

"I-It's okay," I choked, knocked down to a knee as I inhaled a bit too much of the Weezing smoke, "It's okay…!"

Umbreon stared, red eyes speculating. "Bree…"

Frick, it hurts! Ack!

I patted the many Zubats and Weezings, coughing into my shoulder as I cradled them close. They've probably been trapped under Team Rocket's rule for so long they forgot what affection or comfort felt like. Like little kids taken from their home. Pōkemon and humanity weren't all that different really; we all had thoughts and emotions. We all had the same basic desires, I think.

This just proved it.

And, for once, after a situation like this… no one was going to be dunking my head into a sink full of ice-cold water for showing kindness to a pōkemon. No one was going to be pulling my hair and kneeing me hard in the stomach, forcing me to vomit up whatever was in my stomach. I wasn't going to have to just give in to whatever abuse adults decided to give. I had a new way to survive now.

Forcing my legs to stand, I wobbled over with several of the Zubats cradled in my arms, the Weezings following like lost puppies as I approached Belladonna, Ansem, and Umbreon. I glared up at the goons, who all appeared to be in shock at what they witnessed. "Bella…" My voice was cold, empty. "Knock 'em out."

"Weepin!"

She did as told. Dropping them all flat on the ground, the girl pōkemon retracted her vines and opened her mouth wide, blowing out a blue-colored smoke that washed over them. I blinked, having fully expected her to smack them with her vines to do so, not realizing she had already learned Sleep Powder. The goons all yawned and fell down in their process of getting back up, falling right to sleep thanks to her attack. Belladonna turned towards me, beaming happily, hopping over and looking as if she expected praise.

And the praise I gave her. Zubats shifting to line my arms and shoulders, I reached out and hoisted her up, holding her to my chest and pressing my right cheek to the top of her head. "Good girl…"

I can't believe I never knew she could do that. I need to look at the pōkedex more often, because frick I'm so happy she had a non-violent move such as that. That would have been so useful earlier! There would have been no need for Brock to fight at all! Why am I so bad at this? Jeez. Did she learn it while I was resting in the hospital? I know they were trained up by Brock some.

"Thank you." Though not much emotion was heard in my voice now, all the pōkemon could feel it. The genuine relief and gratitude radiating off of me, drifting from my heart and flowing into them through the air, their empathetic senses allowing them to catch it when most humans would miss it. "Thank you…"

Belladonna covered her face bashfully with her leaves, giggling in the way only a Weepinbell could. I looked down at Umbreon, then at the goons, and I set Belladonna down- marching over the Team Rocket members' unconscious bodies. Squatting, I hurriedly searched their forms until I found what I was looking for; the pōkeballs they had used to capture their pōkemon. Holding them tightly, the Poison-type pōkemon eying me nervously, their eyes widened when they saw me drop the balls on the ground and stomp on them.

"-gah!"

I gasped when I nearly fell back, the balls rolling out from my feet. Ansem took that as his queue, crouching down and wiggling his butt, and then lunging. His paws outstretched and tiny claws could be seen pointing out, and he used those very claws to swat at the things- smacking them hard into the wall. For the remaining ones he used his teeth, holding the pōkeballs in his mouth and crunching down on them with his fangs, biting them into pieces. "Vaaa!"

He spit out the debris, shaking his head and ruffling his fur.

"Veevaa! Vaa!"

How come it works when he does it, but not when I try to break them? Are the material they're made out of so strong only other pōkemon can break it? Ugh. Okay. I guess I'll leave it to Ansem then. "Good boy!" I looked at the Zubats clinging to me, grinning as best as my face would let me as I consciously tried to let the emotions show. It felt like so much effort; my cheeks hurt from the expressions I forced myself to make. "You guys are free now!"

"...Zu?"

"Zubat?"

The Weezings looked at each other. "Weez?"

Okay, this is gonna be a minute. I pointed down at the area where Umbreon and I came from. "If you go that way, you'll find a friend! Brock is helping out the other caged pōkemon! He'll keep you safe!"

If he's still alive, that is.

Frick- no! He's fine. Brock is fine. Blue is… fine. Everything is fine.

It's just another day. "Go that way! I have to find someone else here."

"Weezing…"

The pōkemon shared a look, hesitant and uncertain, before suddenly they all rushed me again and I choked, coughing up another storm as smoke filled my senses, Zubats almost cutting me with their wings. Then they were gone- flying off in the direction I pointed as if they actually understood what I told them. Feeling drained and exhausted from that encounter, my shoulders slumped and I let out a breath, Ansem and Belladonna brushing against my legs. Umbreon was still staring at me, red eyes unreadable.

I'm really… not cut out of this. I need a nap.

"Umbre!" The pōkemon barked at me to get my attention. I blinked and almost cried out in protest when it started running again, tail swishing behind it as it ran quickly. Hoisting Belladonna and Ansem into my arms, I rushed after. "Breon!"

"W… Wait up!"

Umbreon was way too fast. I could hardly keep up.

Turning another corner we encountered several more goons, all of which Belladonna put to sleep before they could do anything. Releasing their pōkemon and breaking the pōkeballs, I instructed the fearful pōkemon on where to go- informing them that everything was going to be okay now. More smoke filled my senses, more wings threatened to cut through my neck bandages, and more pōkemon tears stained my clothes. An Ekins even curled around me, nearly strangling me in its embrace. I could feel my energy getting drained little by little with each encounter.

Almost mimicking a Weezing by this point, huffing and puffing as we made our way to an electronic door, I hunched over and gasped, coughing and leaning over as Umbreon proceeded to headbutt the device. It kept doing so until it became clear the attacks were doing nothing, in which it merely growled at the door. Standing straight and wiping some sweat off my forehead with my sleeve, I wobbled over and placed a hand on a small slab that was attached to the door. "K… Keycard. We need… a key card. Frick."

Arceus, I can't breathe. Too much smoke in my lungs.

Coughing, I pulled off my backpack and took out a small bottled water (courtesy of Brock, of course) and downed some of it. It refreshed me some, but jeez those Weezings were intense. My lungs still hurt from their smoke. Urk.

"Wait…" I blinked. I turned back the way we came, wondering- "Those goons… one of them might have one..."

"Breee!"

"Veevaaa!"

Everyone seemed to agree with me on that, regardless if they actually knew what I was saying. There has to be someone with some kind of authority around here. If I find one high-up enough then… we might have a way in!

"Weepin!"

Oooh, I don't want to use the teleporters though. I hate them. But- freaking, urgh, I think we have to. "Over here!" I guided the pōkemon over to the device down the hall, standing on the blue tile. Within moments the world was spinning and I found myself stumbling over, nearly hitting a wall at the sudden whiplash. Those things always made me want to throw up; I hated them so much.

Stepping off, I waited for Umbreon and the others to appear.

"The hell-? Fuck, there's a kid here!"

I cringed at the voice and turned, looking over my shoulder to see a man approaching. Oooh- perfect! Silver uniform. Nice. "What are you doing here? How did you get this far into the hideout?"

Ansem and Umbreon appeared behind me, both pōkemon walking up on either side of me and crouching low, baring their fangs and growling. The man narrowed his eyes, reaching out to his belt. Belladonna then appeared. "S-Sorry," I stammered awkwardly, holding my hands up as if to placate him despite knowing it was pointless,"but, uh, question? Very important. Do… Do you have a key card on you?"

"What?" His green eyes narrowed. "Oh, I see… you're one of that brat's little friends, aren't you? Well, tough luck! You aren't getting anywhere without-"

The man didn't have enough time to pull out a pōkeball. Blue powder drifted over him and he was suddenly swaying, eyes drifting shut as he fell asleep and collapsed. Belladonna hopped over, jumping up-and-down in glee as she proved herself helpful once again. Her leafy hands clapped together, the girl bouncing around me as I made my way over to the sleeping man. I waited until I found what I was looking for, pulling the keycard and several other keys off of his belt, before getting to the pōkemon.

Pōkemon who… actually seemed to recognize Umbreon. There was an Arcanine, Machamp, and an Exeggutor. All high-level and evolved pōkemon. Umbreon dashed forward and bumped heads with Arcanine, who was so big it had to squat down to do so, and then Umbreon ran in a circle around Machamp and Exeggutor- barking in relief at the sight of them. They were… friends. All of them.

And this person… had taken them away from each other. From Umbreon. From whoever their trainer was.

Machamp wasted no time in stomping on the pōkeballs, breaking them into bits. Arcanine howled loudly, dashing over to a nearby desk and knocking it over with sheer force. The drawers were forced open and out came rolling several normal pōkeballs, all of which I could only assume belonged to them, and at Umbreon's insistence I picked them up. There were even two more extra ones- which I soon discovered belonged to a Pidgeot and Umbreon itself.

Pidgeot, Exeggutor, and Arcanine being a bit too large to travel quick with, I summoned them back into their safe, original pōkeballs and strapped them to my belt. That was five pōkemon- almost a full team. Who was the sixth?

Unless…

My eyes widened and I looked at Machamp and Umbreon, alarmed. "A-Are you… Are you guys Blue's pōkemon?"

Their reaction to the name told me everything I needed to know. I focused on Umbreon, kneeling down in front of the pokemon, nerves starting to freak out again.

"W-Were you trying to take me to Blue?"

"Breee!"

It was. It was taking me to Blue. Umbreon knew his scent well, so it could track him easily. Of course! It only made sense.

I wasn't sure how to describe the wave of emotions that hit me upon this realization, eyes starting to sting with the irritatingly familiar sensation of tears, and I bit down hard on my bottom lip. I nodded after a moment and stood, folding my arms over my chest. "Okay. W-We should… We should go get him back now. We have the key card needed for the door, so… yeah."

I should not be this panicked. This is why all my plans keep falling apart; I get too anxious and scared.

Umbreon and Machamp, as well as Ansem and Belladonna, seemed all too ready to take off upon hearing me say, "Let's go." Heading back through the teleporter, we made out way through the hallways back to the electronic doors. My hands were shaking so bad it was difficult trying to swipe the darn card, but after two attempts I managed to get the door open. It slid open with a swish and I jumped, almost crashing against Machamp's chest as a result.

We were… We were here. Now we just had to find him.

"B… Blue?"

Please, be in here. Please, be okay.

"Blue!" It was so dark. I wished I had Brock's flashlight. "Umbreon, can you- o-oh, um, that works, too."

The yellow part of its fur was glowing, not to mention its red eyes. A part of me found it unnerving, while another part of me thought it was eerily beautiful. Beautiful… yes. That was a new thought. Beautiful. Pōkemon really are something else. Umbreon sniffed the air and barked, carefully leading the way while the rest of the pōkemon and I followed behind. It looked like another lab of some sort, but… not quite. Was it a basement?

Something brushed my leg and I flinched, jolting away, only to relax once I saw that it was Ansem. He mewed quietly and I lifted him up in my arms, holding him close. His fur and body was warm, and I found the beating of his heart quite calming. He rested his chin on my shoulder, paws on my chest, the pōkemon giving my jaw a short lick to try and comfort me.

I hated saliva, but I had gotten used to it thanks to raising tiny infants and toddlers for so long. Bodies were disgusting. Now if I can watch another person brush their teeth without wanting to vomit that would be an accomplishment.

Wait, no, frick- brain! Stop getting distracted. Where did Umbreon go? I looked around trying to spot the familiar glow of yellow rings on a black furred body, and seeing it standing in a corner I rushed over, Machamp and Belladonna close by.

I barely got five feet to Umbreon when I came to a halt, breath catching in my throat as I took in the sight before me.

Blue…

Oh, gods.

My bottom lip quivered and I set Ansem down, slowly making my way over and kneeling down in front of him. My hands hovered over his form, not quite sure what to do as my mind plunged into darkness. He was covered in bruises, with a split lip and bloody nose, clothes dirtied and a bit torn. As strong as he was for having been a pōkemon trainer and an assistant researcher, not even he could withstand the overwhelming strength of battle-trained adults who were hell-bent on carnage. If Brock himself hadn't been training his muscles and skill for years, he might have been in a similar state.

"I-I'm sorry…" I bit out, heart twisting painfully at the sight he was in. "I-I'm so sorry…!"

The boy showed no sign that he was conscious. Machamp stormed over, using the light from Umbreon's body to see, and grabbed at the chains attached to Blue's wrists. With just the strength from his hands he managed to crush the metal in pieces, freeing the boy, and hoisted him up gingerly into his arms. Pulling off my backpack, fighting the sob that building up in the back of my throat, I pulled out a fresh bottle of water. Machamp lowered the boy just enough for me to reach, allowing me to open Blue's mouth and poor some of the liquid in.

It did what I was hoping; the boy started to cough, eyes groggily opening as he got his first taste of water in what I could only imagine was days. He looked dazed, vision not quite focusing as he stared right through me, not quite seeing who was actually there in front of him. "Wh… Wha…? Jerks… comin' back for more… huh?"

"Blue…" This hurts. I hate how much this hurts. "I-It's okay now."

This shouldn't be him. This shouldn't be something he has to be put through.

"...Who…?" Blue turned, blinking a few times as his eyes adjusted to the dark. The boy coughed, staring down at me for a long moment. "W-Wait… no way. Squirt? I-Is that you?"

I held the water bottle with both hands, eyes burning as the tears welled up. "I-I'm sorry. I-I'll get you out of here, okay? Brock is- he's in the lab a few halls down. We're going to go get him and the rest of the pōkemon, and get out of here."

He looked completely exhausted. "How did… you get here?"

"D-Doesn't matter. Let's just- Let's just go, okay?"

Blue didn't respond at first. But then, after a couple seconds, he nodded his head and slumped against Machamp. "Yeah, s-sure… okay. Let's not… tell Gramps or my sis about this."

My eyes widened at his words, brain not understanding what he was implying they would do should they find out. Professor Oak was a ridiculously kind person, just like Brock, and seeing how he acted around his grandson I can't imagine he would go out of his way to hurt him. If anything, based on the way the old man acted when he found me in the woods, I felt that… I felt that he would be more concerned over Blue's wellbeing. Angry towards Team Rocket for hurting him.

Is that why? Did he not… want to worry his grandfather?

Not wanting to worry someone…

What is that like?

I really can't believe this person's audacity. Freaking heck, like- what is with the people in this outside world?

My bottom lip started to quiver, shoulders shaking as my head lowered. A weird sound that wasn't quite a whimper or the result of me choking on air escaped my lips, bubbling up my throat as my chest overflowed with so many different emotions and feelings, heart aching yet somehow feeling so relieved at the same time. I cradled the water bottle with one hand, the back of my other hand pressing against my mouth as the noise escaped, face trying to desperately to mask the strange look I know was trying to form.

Was I crying? Is that what this was? I cried before, I know what that felt like; this somehow was… different. More painful than hiccups as the tears started to fall. I bit down on the soft part of my numb palm, sniffling and sobbing as the weak chuckles of laughter escaped. "I… I'm so glad… I'm so glad you're alive!"

These people are all so stupidly kind. I can't handle it. He was in this situation because of me, too, wasn't he? Professor Oak said Blue was trying to help me, which was how he got captured in the first place. It was all my fault.

Apologies spilled out shortly after this realization, startling the older teen even more, and now matter how much I tried to wipe away the tears they just wouldn't stop falling. "I-I was so scared… I was scared that Mewtwo… that he…" My teeth ground tight together and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to harden my expression as I tried to swallow and force these incredible emotions down. It took a solid minute to collect myself. I blinked furiously, clutching the water bottle so hard it crumpled slightly. "Don't ever do that again, okay? Team… Team Rocket could have killed you! Mewtwo could kill you!"

The boy looked away, resting his head against Machamp's shoulder. "...As if they could."

This little-!

"They can!" My throat ached as I raised my voice, causing my to break out into several more painful coughs, and Blue looked down at me again with surprise. I sniffled, wiping at my face with my sleeves again, feeling the waterworks still flowing. "You don't… Blue, th-this is only a little of what they're capable of. Please, don't… don't do this again."

He said nothing for a long moment. Blue suddenly broke out into a coughing fit and I panicked, hurriedly reaching up and handing him the water bottle, uncapping it. The boy took it with bloodied fingers, downing the rest of it in just a few gulps, only to cough some more. He slumped back, wheezing, arm tossed lazily over his stomach. "I won't… make no… promises, kiddo. I do what I want. I-It's… kinda funny, though."

Huh?

Though his lip was still very much split and I knew how much that must be hurting him, Blue flashed me a small grin. "I didn't think… you were capable of making that kind of face."

And what a face it must be- an amalgamation of so many emotions. And as painful as it was for me to keep wearing that expression, to even show that expression, if Blue could act even a little bit like his normal self at the sight of it then I would keep it. It meant he wasn't broken. Inhaling deeply, sniffling and sneezing, I did my best to calm down.

"Y-Yeah, well," I wasn't sure how to respond to his words, "don't get hurt. I-I don't like making this face." My hands shakily curled into fists as my sides, body still trembling some. "I-It hurts."

Ah. I admitted it aloud.

Brock is a bad influence. Agh- Brock!

"W-We need to get back to the lab!" I whirled around, looking back at Blue and the pōkemon, and at the way we came even though it was impossible to see in this dark basement without Umbreon's light. "B-Brock is, uh, the, um, gym leader from Pewter- he's travelling with me; he's, uh, he's down here too! He should still be in the lab f-freeing the… the other pōkemon, so…"

"...Okay." Blue winced and coughed a bit more, looking up at Machamp. "You follow her, you got it?"

The pōkemon stared and nodded his head, letting out something akin to an affirmative grunt. Good; that means we can get going. Brock is still in the lab, so we need to get back there before-

Stop.

I flinched at my thoughts and the dark turn they were trying to take. Brock was fine. He swore that we'd meet up again. Keeping hold of the empty bottle, intending to throw it at any goons that got in the way for a distraction, I turned towards Umbreon. "You remember the way-?"

Aaaand there the pōkemon goes- already darting off and leading the way with its brilliant yellow rings and glowing red eyes. I followed after, not quite running as I kept glancing over my shoulder to ensure that Blue was still with us. A part of me was scared that if I stopped looking he would just… disappear. Worse, he might fall asleep and not awaken again. These thoughts only made me more nervous, imagining all the terrible things that could have happened to Brock in my absence.

"Veeva?"

"I'm fine." The words came out before I could stop them, the group approaching the door. "We just… gotta get back to the lab. Bella, you good right now?"

"Weepin!" She flapped her leafy hands in the air, bouncing forward and spinning in a little dance, eyes bright. "Weepinbell!"

"...Alright." I waited until Machamp exited the room to swipe the keycard, closing the door shut. "A couple of tiles, some goons, and then we'll be on our way. It'll be fine."

This plan will work.

So why am I still shaking so bad?

"Mach?" The large, muscular pōkemon spoke and nearly had me jump out of my skin. His big eyes bore down at me, concerned. "Machamp?"

I was slowly starting to understand what "worried" looked like on other peoples' faces and I've come to the conclusion that I am not fond of it. Glancing up at him and then turning away, my expression emptied as I tried to shut the insecurities down. We were ina Team Rocket base for goodness' sake; the last thing I needed was to stay so emotional. I've got to calm down. I can't focus like this.

But my chest hurts so much- I hated this fear. I've felt it so much growing up and even now it was still there, only getting stronger the more I have contact with others. Biting at and chewing on my bottom lip, I watched as Umbreon came to a halt down a hallway.

Frick.

I barely opened my mouth before Belladonna was hopping over, inhaling deeply and waiting for whoever was about to turn the corner. It ended up being the same goons we had encountered before; the previous blast of powder having worn off and giving them the chance to wake up and recover. Unfortunately for them Belladonna spat out another blast of Sleeping Powder, and they face-planted hard onto the ground as they started snoring. Belladonna brought her leafy hands up to her face, smiling slightly as Ansem barked- cheering her on and running circles around her.

Umbreon stared and nodded, letting out a bark of its own, and started to lead the way again. When it got to the funky movement tiles I had to take over, expression becoming blank as I concentrated on the path, guiding the others through the maze. I stopped talking, growing silent as I mentally mapped the area for future reference, noting the similarities and differences to the Hoenn base, glancing back again to ensure Blue was still alive and there.

At one point I stopped, hearing him start coughing, and rummaged through my backpack for more water. He greedily drank and Machamp held him closer, murmuring worriedly as he observed his trainer's wounds. Standing on my toes, I brushed some of the hair out of Blue's face- almost in the same way I would do for the abducted toddlers whenever they got sick. "Almost," I said quietly, pulling away, "We're almost there."

His breathing was so heavy.

I hoped there was nothing wrong with his ribs. Once knocked down the Team Rocket goons liked to kick their victim a lot… and if they were bruised or even cracked that would explain why his breathing is shallow.

"I-I'm fine," He forced out, sweat beading down the side of his face, the teen running a small fever, "it's not… that bad."

We're gonna get you to a safe place. We have to. Just hang on a little longer.

"Umbre!"

More goons? Why can't they just stay down? Before any harm could be done, Belladonna let out another burst of Sleeping Powder.

"Good girl!" I praised once more, Ansem jumping up and climbing onto my shoulder, his bottom resting on the top of my backpack. "This way-follow Umbreon!"

Come on, come on; we're almost there. Brock, please, be okay…

"You still breathing, Blue?"

"Y-You can stop asking that. I'm… fine." He's still awake right now, which is another good sign; if he can stay awake then maybe his injuries aren't too serious. "O-Once I… get my other pōkemon back… I-I'm gonna teach those… jerks a lesson. They aren't… so tough on their own."

So they did gang up on him. Figures.

Ah- the lab doors! They're just up ahead! My feet pounded harder against the ground and Machamp, seeing this, picked up the pace. Be in there! Please, by whatever higher beings exist, let my friend and all the pōkemon be alive. Please, please! Umbreon stopped at the doors, waiting for us to catch up, and watched as my palms pressed against the metal, pushing them open.

Hearting racing loudly in my ears and thumping painfully within my chest, my breath caught and I stared; my brown eyes growing wide when I saw someone standing in the middle of the lab. The person's head turned this way, surrounded by dozens of pōkemon. "You're back!" Brock greeted, relaxing upon seeing us, the teen moving his gaze away from the several unconscious goon bodies on the floor. He had a bit of a red mark forming on the side of his face- like he had gotten punched- and he was holding his right arm. "I was starting to get worried."

He was actually here.

Goons were knocked out on the floor, but he was here. He was safe.

Brock was… here.

The brunet let out a surprised gasp when my small form suddenly ran across the room and tackled him, thin arms wrapping around his waist. "Wh-Whoa! Hey, what's wrong? Grunt?" His eyebrows shot up, feeling just how tightly I was hugging him. Brock hesitantly rested a hand on the top of my head. "I told you I'd wait for you, didn't I?"

You did. That didn't make me anymore at ease, though.

I hate this stupid feeling. I don't remember having friends making one so stressed- granted, I did only have a friend for like a day before everything went downhill, so it isn't like I have much experience in this field. Still, it was irritating. These stupidly kind people…

...trying to make me care so much for them. I held tighter to Brock, burying my face in his chest, eyes squeezing shut as I focused on the sound of his heart beating. I had been so terrified. I already hated myself for taking him along with me when I couldn't protect him properly, but being away from him made it even worse. Bad things happened when he was with me, but I feared even worse things would happen if he wasn't. It's illogical.

"I don't know if this will make you feel any better," He said, pulling away and squatting down so we were closer in height, the boy resting his hands lightly on my shoulder, watching with the smallest of relieved smiles as battled against the emotions trying to show on my face once more, "but I had Geodude keeping a look-out once we got the pōkemon freed. One of the Team Rocket members who showed up did land a hit on me, but it wasn't anything serious. Geodude and Zubat helped me take them down. Everything is okay."

...It's not, but sure. We'll go with that for now.

I nodded solemnly, not saying anything. Brock peered over my shoulder, noticing the others in the room with me, and surprise flashed on his features. "Is that-?"

"Blue." I answered quietly, feeling another cough trying to work its way up. My throat was seriously unhappy. "Umbreon was his friend."

"Oh!" Brock stood, not removing his left hand from my shoulder. He winced when he saw the state my other friend was in, Machamp walking over as it had deemed Brock an ally rather than foe. "This is… not good."

"Nope." I stated bluntly. "Also, I could be wrong, but I don't think Onix is big enough for everyone to ride him out of here."

There were just way too many pōkemon, granted most of them could fly.

"If we can have him make a tunnel out and follow, we… should be able to get out that way. If not, then… we need to find the main control room." My eyebrows furrowed, the tired cogs in my brain struggling to come up with a decent course of action. "If we overpower the person in charge, then… there should be another exit."

"Those are great ideas!" He said, nodding along. I almost stopped functioning for a second, not registering the compliment until the boy started talking again. Brock brought his free hand up to his chin. "I doubt anyone would be able to withstand an attack from this many pōkemon, but travelling will be a bit of a problem… I don't want to just leave them here either. It's too dangerous."

He just… said it so easily. It was so different from the praise Richard would give me- not sarcastic or filled with ill intent. Brock's words were so much warmer. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the Weezings and Zubats from before peering at me from a corner of the lab, gazes curious. Geodude was floating guard by the door, flexing his rocky arms in preparation for another battle. This was… weird.

"Hey, Machamp?" Brock called out. "You wanna set Blue down on the table over here? I want to take a look at his injuries, see if there's anything I can do to help him."

I stepped back and curled my hands close to my chest, pulling at my sleeves and watching as the teen tried to communicate with the Machamp. After about two minutes the pōkemon nodded and set Blue down carefully, looking quite upset when the boy let out a pained hiss. Unable to do anything and feeling utterly useless as Brock got to work, I stood there at attention- arms pressed to my sides and eyes locked firmly on the sight before, guilt eating away at me slowly.

As Brock removed Blue's shirt, all I could say was that it was not a pretty sight. A large array or purple and black contusions littered his form, with several dried cuts lining his shoulder blades and arms. They had beaten him up bad- not as bad as it could be, but bad enough that he was going to have trouble walking for a while. It was too similar.

Too similar to the injuries I would sustain from training.

I remembered that pain all too well, and knowing Blue was now experiencing that same pain…

It only fueled my hate for Team Rocket more.

"It's a good thing I packed so much," Brock commented as he pulled out a medicine kit from his endless void of a backpack, opening it and rummaging through to find what he needed, "otherwise we'd be in even more trouble. This is gonna sting, but… well-"

"Just get it over with." Blue forced out, wheezing as he was forced to sit up and lean over. "I-I'm not a freaking doll."

Brock stared for a moment. "...Right. Sorry. I'm gonna get started now."

I did not want to ever recall the cry that escaped Blue's lip when Brock made to clean the cut, the boy quickly cutting himself off and gritting his teeth, tears actually daring to sting his eyes. I wasn't sure how long it had been since I last seen Blue, maybe a week or two, but he had been so cheerful back then. Grinning and making snarky comments. He still tried to do it now, but it was clear that it was hard on him.

He wasn't used to this pain.

After several minutes passed I found myself unable to watch anymore, instead taking to pacing around the room and glancing at both doors on either side of the room. Ansem was on my backpack, paws on my shoulder, while Belladonna was cradled close in my arms. Machamp hovered next to the lab table with Umbreon, worrying over their trainer. I tried to think of other routes to take, any countermeasures for any goons aside from using Sleeping Powder every time. What we'd do if were able to get out of this place.

"Okay, I think I've got the worst of it patched up for now. You're gonna need to see a doctor once we get out, but…" Brock sighed, closing the medicine kit as Blue struggled to pull his long sleeve shirt back on. "I think the worst of it is your fever right now. Some of your wounds were infected."

"Tch." Blue scoffed, swinging his legs to dangle off the side of the table. "I'll be fine. Thanks for the help, though. What're you guys doing down here, anyway? You're a gym leader, aren't you? Are you friends with the kid?"

Brock looked momentarily confused. "You mean Grunt? Yeah, I… started travelling with her after I gave her the rock badge from my family's gym."

The auburn-haired teen made a face. "If you're here, then who's looking after the gym now? You can't just quit being a gym leader. Actually, did I take a badge from you a few years ago? You look familiar."

"Yeah." Brock ruffled his hair, clearly torn as to how he felt about Blue's personality. "My father came back, so he's looking after everything. From what I hear, you're friends with Grunt, too?"

Blue narrowed his eyes, observing Brock for a moment, before he slid off the table. His feet touched the ground and the boy stumbled, barely catching his balance as Umbreon and Machamp rushed over, but Blue held a hand up to stop them from helping him. I blinked and stopped pacing, no longer moving as I saw him make his way over here. Blue planted a hand on the top of my head, not catching sight of my flinch, forcibly moving me sideways back-and-forth like I was a bobble-head.

"You heard right." Blue stated, grinning. "Seeing as you're stuck here, do you know the story?"

"Story? You mean about Team Rocket?"

"Ah, so you do know. Good." He grinned, leaving my poor aching head alone and setting for draping an arm over my shoulders. "That makes this easier, then."

For once I didn't complain or even feel like complaining, mainly content in this person moving around and acting like his normal self. Both Brock and Blue were alive and functioning, and for some reason I have decided that their presence was a nice one. I didn't like how rough Blue could be sometimes, but it was still a million times better compared to how Rich would treat me. And though my neck hurt, I did my best to distance myself from the pain. Shutting down the anxiety was far from easy.

"Long story short- my gramps found her half-dead outside our town. He took her in, we patched her up, and I got her a pōkemon."

Brock looked vaguely startled by that. Blue poked my cheek, causing me to greatly resist the urge to lean away since he had trapped me with his arm. It didn't help that he was most likely half-using me as support so he could stand. Obedience and guilt kept me rooted in place, unable to cringe or pull away as his hand remained near my face. Brock sort of looked like he wanted to tell Blue off for some reason- probably for being so rough with my skull when my concussion was still healing. Instead he settled for a steady tone of voice, expression hardening as he stared down the boy that was about his age.

"She did say that you helped her catch Ansem."

"And I did! Isn't that right, buddy?" Blue glanced at the Eevee.

"Vaaa!" Ansem barked excitedly from atop my backpack, seeming to recall the memory vividly. "Vevaa! Vee!"

"Showed up outta nowhere and tackled her. But, anyway, that's not the point of the story. I'm here because of a little rumor I heard about; I'm sure you've heard of it too." Blue frowned. "A talking pōkemon."

Brock glanced at me, folding his arms over his chest as he took in all this information. "Professor Oak mentioned it, yeah."

Blue snapped the fingers on his free hand, pointing at Brock with a smirk. "That's my gramps! Yeah, I told him what I was doing and where I was heading. I don't know how much the kid here has told you, but she owes her escape to a talking pōkemon. I wanted to see if it was the same one. Talking pōkemon aren't exactly common, but it is a psychic so it makes sense."

"What would you do if it was the same one?" Brock questioned.

"It hates Team Rocket, doesn't it?" Blue asked, looking down at me as if for confirmation. "I was gonna see if it wanted to help out in bringing them down. There are still other kids being held captive, right? I want to save them."

That was… not what I was expecting.

"You said it chose to spare you, so it should be willing to help you."

...This person really was ridiculous. That was an insane amount of optimism in one sentence. Had I not been certain Blue would fall over if I did so, I would have pushed him away and stepped back. However, because he would fall over, I focused an incredulous look on him instead, feet rooted in place. "He wouldn't- no."

I don't want to think about it.

The boy blinked, eyebrows raising. "What?"

I shook my head. "M-Mewtwo won't… He hates humanity. He only spared me because I was honest with him. I told you before- he could kill you, Blue. Y-You're not… going near him."

"You can't stop me."

That…

Blue suddenly furrowed his brows, leaning down slightly and shifting his arm, getting a better view of the bandages wrapped around my neck. "Hold on- what happened with you? What's with all the band-aids and stuff?"

Footsteps reached my ears and I blinked, looking up to see Brock making his way over with a heavy sigh. "Same as you. Grunt wants to take down Team Rocket before she heads to Hoenn, and we ended up encountering some goons who had a bit of a grudge against her. What did you say their names were?" He looked at me, curious, before he paused. "Actually, you don't have to say if you don't want to."

Brock looked back at Blue.

"We found them trying to steal some fossils and, together, we put a stop to that plan- but they were merciless. Grunt spent the past few days in the Cerulean City hospital because of it."

Oh. I blinked when I felt Blue's hand tighten on my shoulder, and I looked down at it in befuddlement. It didn't hurt, but it was a weird thing for him to do. "...Even more reason why we should take this place by storm." I heard the auburn-haired boy say.

Wait, what?

Blue's eyes met Brock's, both boys seeming to share a silent understanding of some sort. "I'm not gonna let them get away with what they did- to me or my pōkemon. I'm especially not just gonna stand around and let them keep hurting others like this. So, let's say we find that control room and beat the Team Rocket members into next week?"

Brock let out an exasperated, mildly tired sigh as he brought a hand up and ruffled his hair. "I'm not one for violence, but… if it would derail any plans they have just a little bit…"

Hold on, hold on-! "What are you guys talking about?" I'm so lost.

The boys looked down at me, Blue grinning while Brock gave a sad smile. They were actually planning on doing it, weren't they? Holy frick. No. That was insanely dangerous. They were going to get themselves killed at this rate; we need to get Blue and the other pōkemon out of here! Granted, we still needed to get Aerodactyl back from that one goon outside, but…

Urgh, I hated this! Why are people so complicated?

"What about-"

"Don't worry." Blue said, cutting me off with a smirk. He used his free hand and pointed a thumb at himself, radiating confidence. "Even though I'm mostly just a researcher now, I was one of the greatest trainers in existence- and we have an ex-gym leader with us. With your pōkemon, too, no one will stand a chance. If it's us three, I'm sure we can beat the crap out of those Team Rocket jerks and get out of here."

...This is a mistake. This plan is going to fail.

Dear gods, what have I gotten myself into?

Gonna be real, this arc wasn't supposed to be this long. Haha. Oh well. Woop, woop, making a part 3 it is!

Read and review! :D