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

30. Her Name Is El

"Do you hear me? Don't you hear me?

Do you hear me now…?"

It was cold.

My body felt heavy, and I realized soon enough it wasn't just because of blankets- but because of all the pokēmon that were laying on top of me while I slept. Needles were stuck in my arms, and I knew right away from the IV bags that they were giving my body nutrients. I still felt really lightheaded, but I was awake and that was what mattered.

Fingers twitching, I realized my hands were also being weighed down.

Blinking groggily, I turned my head and looked on with surprise at the sight of the two boys I had abandoned sitting on either side of the bed I was on, fast asleep and holding my hands in theirs. Blue was hunched over with his face half-resting on his arm, half-resting on the mattress, and Umbreon was curled up on the edge of the bed against my side next to her trainer. Brock was snoozing away with a face full of Vulpix, Susie and Ruby keeping him company, while Sapphire was atop my chest, Ansem spread out on my stomach, and Basil and Belladonna wrapped around my legs.

It was warm.

And I was tired. I felt oddly content to not move and to just lean my head back into the pillows, to doze off until who-knows-when. But then the confusion hit me and I opened my eyes again, squinting at the ceiling as I tried to make sense of where I was and how I got here, and why Brock and Blue were on either side of me instead of at the pokēcenter where I had left them. I mean, I did run away from the pokēcenter, right?

Why are Brock and Blue here? Why am I hooked up to a bunch of needles? This isn't the hospital; I've grown to recognize their boring walls and the scent of sanitizer and rubber gloves. This place, though having a similar smell, was totally different because of the wall and floor designs. In fact, I'm pretty certain it is the pokēcenter.

But… which one…?

Oh.

Feeling an intense, very uncomfortable pain along the curve of my right shoulder near my neck, I flinched- the memories flooding back to me. I did run away. I ran away and was attacked, and ended up having to be saved by the two strangers I had been previously convinced were working for Team Rocket. Obviously they weren't, given that them attacking the goons would have been considered a betrayal and just asking for the wrath of the boss, Giovanni, and the one silvery-blue haired guy even gave me an antidote.

Then, right when we were about to enter the pokēcenter… Brock and Blue appeared.

They had found me.

I remember… crying, but everything after that was a bit of a blur. I guess I passed out. I passed out and… they stayed with me. Even after everything that happened, after what I did; they refused to abandon me. Why? Lips curling back as a wave of emotion, smaller and much less intense, but still very much painful, washed over me, I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to steady my breathing.

Brock grimaced when I tried to pull my hand away, and Blue surprisingly just held tighter. I couldn't exactly move without knocking over half the pokēmon that were on top of me, and my limbs felt a bit like noodles, so pulling my hands away was the best I could do. Unfortunately, it only served to awaken the duo- and when they both realized I had woken up it became utter chaos.

Blue was practically shouting, his voice raised as he scolded me for running off on my own and nearly getting myself killed. Brock was checking my face for fevers, asking me if I was okay, how I was feeling, if I was still dizzy or if I needed something to eat and drink. The pokēmon were all jostled awake from the loud noises, and then proceeded to bombard me themselves with lectures of their own- barking and roaring at me, and then nuzzling my arms and licking my face.

When I could finally sit up, I could hardly speak, and the pain in my shoulder only throbbed more. Ruby and Sapphire where fighting the much larger Ansem for a spot on my lap, and I ended up having to cradle all three of them with my arms so the littler Vulpix duo didn't fall off me. I couldn't bring myself to look at either Blue or Brock, even as they sat there staring, as if unsure of what to say now that the initial shock had worn off and were just waiting for me to break the silence.

"El…" Brock began, hesitant. I ducked my head lower, hair falling into my face, and I could feel Sapphire's cold little nose bump against my jaw. "I…"

"Why don't you hate me?" Was what I managed to choke out. I was shaking, and Ansem pressed his head against my chest, letting out a small whimper. "Why? I… I left you. E-Even after… what happened. You should hate me."

"Well, that's the problem." Blue huffed, leaning forward in his seat and draping his arms over his legs. "We can't hate you, squirt."

I snapped my head up at that, looking at him incredulously through teary eyes. "You can! I-It's not that hard! I left you! I-I abandoned you. You should feel a-angry or… or betrayed, or… something! I hurt you!"

"You did." The boy agreed, and I went silent, stunned by his words. "And you're right. We were angry. But we know why you did it."

"S-So why?" Even if they knew, it doesn't make sense. "I-I don't-"

"Because." Brock said softly, hands laced tightly together in his lap. "You're our friend."

Lips curling back at that, a fresh new wave of tears began to form and I ducked my head, strangling a sob that was trying to worm its way up my throat. I was starting to grow dizzy again, a headache pounding lightly in my skull, and I hugged my furry pokēmon just a bit closer to me as my shoulders began to shake. I felt the mattress shift and heard it creak as Brock carefully moved to sit next to me, his hand warm as it rubbed circles against my upper back.

"You said we'd take down Team Rocket together." He told me, and I found myself leaning my head against his chest, desperate for the affection and no longer capable of holding myself back. "You're stuck with us, El. For better or worse, we're in this mess together. Just… please, for the last time; don't run off like that again."

I could only nod, voice weak. "I-I won't. I won't- I'm so sorry. I won't."

Besides, even if I tried… you would just go chasing after me again, wouldn't you?

"Oi, squirt." The other side of the mattress creaked, and then Blue was beside me- his hand resting atop my head. "You better not be getting any other stupid ideas in your head, okay? No more trying to do stuff on your own. Let us help. And stop holding yourself back from… feeling things. You're younger than us, so start acting like it."

"I-I don't-" I choked. "I don't know how. I don't-"

"That's okay." Brock told me. "You'll figure it out. I promise. You were doing so well before. Don't let Team Rocket control you anymore, El. Blue and I are here to help."

Pulling away slightly, I looked up to see Brock pointing at himself with his thumb, grinning widely.

"I'm your emotional support Brock, remember?"

Eyes wide, I just stared for a moment- before an entirely different wave of emotion washed over me. It bubbled up from my chest to my throat, and then I was hiccuping, rubbing at my face and attempting to wipe away the tears, a smile shakily crossing my lips as I looked up at him. "A-A little bit."

Was this truly alright? Am I really allowed to be selfish?

Is it okay to be selfish?

I lowered my head again, falling deep into thought. I observed my pokēmon, watching the five of them as they stared at me. I wondered why they stayed with me so long, why they bothered helping me or actually cared about me, when I know I must cause them so much trouble. Constantly repressing my emotions, often being overwhelmed by them. Poor Ruby and Sapphire certainly had it the worst, being newborn Vulpix. I was such a mess.

And yet… now, I feel like that as long as I have Brock and Blue beside me… everything will be okay. I'm still worried, though. "What if…"

"Hm?"

"What's up, kid?"

I looked up at them, furrowing my brows and ignoring the anxious pacing of my heart. "What if… I do something stupid again? Wh-What if we get trapped again, because… because I lost the stone and tried going after it?"

The two boys looked at each other for a moment, thinking, and then Blue gave my hair a small ruffle. I blinked, startled by the grin he was wearing. "Then I guess I'll just have to follow and keep you outta trouble. Like last time."

"...You're… You're sure? I-I don't want to-"

"El." He frowned at me, tone becoming a bit more stern. "You're not getting rid of either of us, so stop trying. It's our decision to travel with you and to be friends with you. So stop fighting it and just accept it."

I opened my mouth to protest, only to pause- and I tried to ignore the slight pang of guilt when I saw the blood stains on his blue shirt. Worrying my bottom lip, I tried to think of what to say, before letting out a small sigh and giving in. "Okay… fine. You… win."

Blue smirked. "As I always do."

Brock snorted at that and I made a face, giving the shorter boy a slight nudge with my good shoulder, and Blue just laughed. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and we all tensed- turning to watch as it opened. To my surprise, it was Nurse Joy and a Chansey. Following closely behind her were a pair of familiar redheaded and silvery-blue haired strangers.

My memories were still a bit fuzzy in certain parts featuring the battle, and I didn't know how long it's been since I've been asleep, but I remembered all the important bits. Tilting my head, I watched as the trio and the helper pokēmon entered the room. They all looked quite surprised and rather relieved to see me awake, which is… odd, but I guess it makes sense for Nurse Joy and Chansey.

"I see you're feeling better." The nurse mused with a small smile, seeing me cuddled up with all my pokēmon, Brock and Blue sitting on either side of me. "How cute. You know, these two boys just would not stop asking after you and wondering when you would wake up. You've got yourself some very good friends, El."

At that, I felt my face warm considerably and I awkwardly ducked my head- pretending not to hear her giggle.

Nurse Joy had Brock and Blue move back to their chairs so she could tend to my wound. The sailor top I was wearing earlier had been replaced with an old green tanktop- presumably from the lost-and-found. It made it easy to access my shoulder wound, but unfortunately put most of my scars out on display. I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to hiss as the nurse undid the bandage to reclean the wound. I glanced over to see the multiple stitches holding it shut.

That Arbok really did bite me good.

"There. With less of a chance for an infection, the better my sweet coworker Chansey can do her job."

The pokēmon in question waddled over, careful not to bump their egg into the bed, and held out their arms. Chansey flashed me a small smile, before letting out a gentle glow. "Chansey!" Slowly, the warmth washed over my body and I found myself relaxing, the Healing Pulse doing wonders to heal my flesh. As the wound closed, Nurse Joy cut out the stitches- and all that was left was a faint scar vaguely resembling that of teeth marks.

"Lovely!" Nurse Joy beamed. She reached over and gave her Chansey a small pat on the cheek, who giggled at the praise. "You did very good. All that's left is to make sure El gets plenty of rest and eats a full meal!"

Ah. Right. "H-How long have I been asleep?"

"About six hours." It was Steven that spoke up. His voice was low and quiet. "You lost a lot of blood."

"Thankfully," Lorelei cut in, moving into the room while the man remained by the doorway closer to the hall, "it wasn't so much blood that you needed a transfusion."

A what-!?

No wonder I felt so dizzy. Jeez.

Brock frowned, and once Nurse Joy and Chansey moved back he reached over and rested a hand atop my head. "You had us worried sick, you know. One second you were gone, then when we found you… you were bleeding all over. We were scared you weren't going to wake up."

"I… I'm sorry." Guilt twisted in my stomach and I lowered my head, holding my Eevee and two Vulpix close. Sapphire and Ruby mewed and nuzzled my face, while Ansem purred against my chest to try and keep me calm. Brock's expression softened. He gave my hair a slight ruffle.

"Stop apologizing. You're awake now. That's what's important."

I opened my mouth say sorry again, only to cut myself off and grimace. Brock laughed seeing this, and Blue just shook his head with an exasperated grin. "You're like a magnet for trouble, y'know that, squirt? You leave for a few hours and then what happens? Team Rocket sneaks up on you."

"...I think…" Furrowing my brows, I tried to recall exactly what happened. "I think… they followed me, actually. That or… they were waiting for me to show up."

"What?" That caught Steven's attention. He stepped partway into the room. "What do you mean?"

"I was… fine until I reached the pokēcenter. There weren't any trainers a-and none of the wild pokēmon attacked me. But then a goon grabbed me from behind. I-I bit his hand and called out for Ansem, but… the next thing I knew, more Team Rocket members appeared. Th-They mentioned the S.S Anne and… that they recognized me from it."

"The S.S Anne?" Now he was looking confused. "You were on the S.S Anne?"

"But… that boat sunk about three days ago." Lorelei said, expression becoming disturbed. "It was attacked. You're saying you had tickets? Is that why it took you so long to come to the rock tunnels? You weren't listed among the rescued, though…"

"Technically, we were stated as missing." Blue commented, holding a finger up with a cheeky smirk. "But no one knew who we were except Misty, since we didn't talk to anyone save for like… one or two sailors. "

Steven, Lorelei, Nurse Joy, and Chansey all just stared at us.

"Ah, yeah, about that." Brock began, looking sheepish. "We… may or may not have been stuck in the ship after it sank."

A silence filled the room.

I cringed and awkwardly shifted in place, moving so all three of my furry pokēmon could remain on my lap while I held a hand up, guilt written all over my features. "I-I'm… sorry. That was… I mean, it was… mostly my fault. Team Rocket attacked a-and they grabbed me, and… I dropped something and-"

"It is not your fault, kid!" Blue bopped the top of my head with his fist. "You didn't sink the stupid ship!"

I sputtered, holding a hand up to my head and looking up at him. He had moved back to his earlier seat on the bed next to me. "I didn't sink it, but I did get us stuck in it!"

"Because you dropped something important to you!"

"Yeah, and I went after it instead of trying to evacuate with everyone else!"

"El-"

"Blue-"

"Guys, come on." Brock said, trying to cease the arguing. "Not right now, please. We got out alive and that's what matters. Also Nurse Joy looks like she's going to start yelling real soon if we don't keep it down."

"And you would be right." Nurse Joy said, flashing us a stern blue-eyed glare as she placed her hands on her hips, clipboard still in her grasp. "El is a patient that needs her rest! Don't even think about leaving the pokēcenter before tomorrow comes. I let you in the room because you all were so worried about her, but arguing is not good for her health right now. Any talk of Team Rocket is hereby banned from this room!"

Lorelei and Steven looked at each other, and Brock sighed while Blue and I scrunched up our noses and scowled. Ansem just let out a tiny bark.

"That is going to pose a bit of a problem." Lorelei told Nurse Joy. She paused, looking at the redhead in confusion. "The Elite Four have been looking for El for quite some time, as she holds valuable information on Team Rocket's whereabouts."

Oh. Oh.

That's why they were looking for me.

Lorelei looked back at me. "Your name is El, correct? I've heard some rather concerning things from those miscreants we met outside…"

"Uh… y-yeah. Her name's El." Brock'sface turned a dark red, the teen finally getting a good look at the redhead. If I were any less dizzy, I would have thought there were hearts floating around him. He sat up straighter, lacing his hands together and pressing his knuckles against his right cheek. "Her name's El, and you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen! Even your name sends shivers down my spine! Your hair like the sunset, and eyes as red as passion itself! I- yow!"

Blue wasted no time in yanking on our friend's ear. I cringed, having to duck down when Blue stretched his arm out, and sat back up when he released him. Poor Brock was left rubbing his aching ear, tears in his eyes.

"I just wanted you to know I'm a big fan…" Brock sniffled.

"And you tell me to watch my language." Blue scoffed.

Shaking my head, I tried to ignore what just happened and focused on the two strangers in the room, forcing a bit of coldness into my stare. I narrowed my eyes, hardening my gaze. I doubted they were actually with Team Rocket seeing as they helped fight the goons off this morning, but I wasn't going to just willingly talk about all that I knew.

Not yet, at least. "What exactly did the goons say?"

"Well…" Lorelei glanced at Steven, before turning back towards me. Folding her arms over her chest, she closed her eyes. "When we asked why they were here, they… referred to you by a… rather concerning title."

Crimson eyes opening, they bore into mine and I tensed, feeling chills down my spine. Her red eyes were brighter in color, but her gaze was just as intense as Mistress Augusta's. I did not like it one bit.

"They called you… Grunt."

Nurse Joy cringed upon hearing that and turned her head away, bringing a hand up to her lips. "I heard from the other Nurse Joys that there had been a new trainer going by that name, but I didn't realize that was her. Why would they call you such a thing?"

A heavy silence fell and Ansem barked, pawing at my chest and standing on his hindlegs. Licking my chin, he let out a sad noise and whimpered, and Sapphire and Ruby mewed. Basil and Belladonna shifted, turning to stare disapprovingly at Nurse Joy and Lorelei. Brock and Blue shared a look.

I felt my jaw tighten habitually at the sound of my old title. Expression darkening, I turned my attention to Ansem, Ruby, and Sapphire- running my fingers along their fur to calm them down and to also distract myself from the slowly rising bitterness and anger I normally kept locked away.

I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't want to have any sort of conversation with these people. But it seemed like the world was doing its best to drag the past out of me.

"Because…" I said slowly, voice growing cold. My brown eyes flickered up to gaze at the nurse and two strangers, and I ignored the shifting of the mattress at Brock and Blue simultaneously moved to sit on either side of me again. "That's what they called me when I was still in Team Rocket."

"What!?" Nurse Joy looked horrified.

Lorelei and Steven, on the other hand, weren't so surprised as they were more angry by this information. I gave them a look, unimpressed and growing more-and-more irritable. "Yeah. I didn't exactly have memories of who I was when I was taken, so I didn't have a name. They wanted to raise me into being a Team Rocket Grunt, so that was what they called me. Other kids were just given a different name to replace the ones they already had."

"No memories?" Steven echoed. His voice was quiet. Suddenly, his gaze hardened and he stepped forward. "What do you mean by that? You had amnesia?"

"...Obviously?" What else did he think I meant? Weirdo. "I had no name, so they called me Grunt. Simple. But stuff happened and I escaped, and I met these two-" I leaned side-to-side since I was still holding my pokēmon, casually bumping shoulders with Brock and Blue who just let it happen, the boys using their presence to keep me from losing my temper. "-and I remembered something."

"Your name." Steven said, furrowing his brows. He raised a hand to his chin, expression softening however slightly as his eyes lit up. "El."

"Part of her name." Blue decided to speak up, holding an index finger in the air. "Not the whole thing. She just remembers that it started with "El"."

"Also!" I added, leaning my head back and scrunching up my nose. "I think the nightmares I'm always having are about how I lost my memories? I dunno. It's weird. I think pokēmon were involved. Really big… deadly… scary pokēmon. And water. Lots of water. Lots and lots of… water…"

I shuddered and frantically shook my head, regretting that decision as almost immediately I become dizzy. Basil let out a small roar and hugged my legs, practically laying on them, and Belladonna let out a whimper. Ansem, Sapphire, and Ruby all mewed again, and Umbreon casually rested a paw over my thigh.

"Whatever! That's a thing. But my name is El. I go by El." Recollecting my composure, I lifted my head up with a glare, staring at them all fiercely. "I am not a Grunt. I said it to Rich, and I'll say it to you- my name is El. Call me Grunt again and I will have Ansem chew off your arm."

"Eva!" Ansem barked, flashing them all a matching glare. He was more than willing to get violent. "Veeva vee! Eva!"

"Rich…" Steven took another step forward then, voice raising and become more confident. Demanding. He narrowed his eyes. "By Rich, are you talking about Richard Fleck?"

"Oh, you know the jerk! Yeah."

"Then… have you also been in contact with Velga Penholder?"

"Yeah. She really wants me dead." I made a face. "So do most of Team Rocket. Probably the boss, too. Mostly her and the Mistress, though. Richard is pissed-"

"El, language!" Brock looked at me with raised brows and I flinched, realizing my mistake. He looked flabbergasted. Leaning forward, he glared at Blue. "This is because you kept swearing so much around her! You're a bad influence!"

"What- like I'm the one who taught her how to curse?" Blue scoffed. "She grew up with Team Rocket. I'm pretty sure that bastard Rich has sworn enough to fill up, like, five hundred swear jars. You should've seen him on the S.S Anne! The freak is obsessed with El. It's like he can't decide between killing her or bringing her back to Team Rocket and beating "criminal spirit" into her."

Brock opened his mouth to argue, only to pause and grimace. "Y-Yeah, that's… probably true. Still…"

"Why are we even talking about this?" I asked no one. "I don't trust ya'll- no offense, Steven Strange. But, um-"

"Strange?" The young man looked confused by my wording, yet not even I entirely understood the reference I was making.

"-I don't plan on telling you anything else. Unless, y'know, you can actually prove you aren't going to use the information I give youagainst us and aren't going to get in the way of us taking down Team Rocket."

"I already told you." Lorelei looked stunned by my lack of trust. "We're here to help you. I'm with the Elite Four, and Steven is-"

"Yeah, I heard. I don't care." Expression falling into one of emptiness, I tilted my head at them- bangs falling into my face and covering my left eye. Positions of authority meant nothing to me. "I don't know you, I don't trust you. You say you're here to help, but no one has been able to do anything to Team Rocket until Iescaped. And who are the people doing damage to them? Me and my friends. What have you done?"

Lorelei couldn't respond.

The room was heavy with tension, suffocating everyone within it, but the uncomfortable silence did not last.

"I've spent nine years tracking down Team Rocket." Steven spoke up, his voice low and quiet. "During that time, I've put countless of their members away in prison. I've rescued many pokēmon and the occasional child. In Hoenn, in Johto- I went from region to region, searching for Team Rocket's base of operations."

With each word, he stepped forward. Steven moved closer and closer, only to stop when he was halfway across the room. Steel blue eyes met light brown, and he raised a slender hand up to grip at his chest, silver ring-decorated fingers digging into his clothes.

"I was looking for someone… anyone… who could give me the information needed to put an end to their cruelty." Taking a deep breath, the young man then reached into his pocket- pulling something out- and began walking towards us again. Blue and Brock were quick to hold their arms out protectively in front of me, but the man just stopped before the bed and knelt down, extending his hand out and uncurling his fingers, showing what it was he had taken out. His gaze was sad, expression twisted by guilt. "I… couldn't save you, and for that… I am so sorry. Nothing I say could ever make up for that failure. But I… can give you these- in a show of good faith that we only want to help you."

In his hand were two small stones. One orange with a little flame, and the other one an ice blue.

For nine years… I had been living trapped in the hellhole that was the underground base. Nine years. I never saw so much as a speck of daylight during all that time. It was empty halls and metal walls. The sky didn't exist. Children were brainwashed and abused, and pokēmon tortured and sometimes killed when they didn't agree to do Team Rocket's bidding. I was beaten black-and-blue and bloody red, and was forced to put up with Mistress Augusta's cruel punishments simply for the reason that she did not like me.

That she didn't trust me.

Yet despite all that, despite being starved and abused, stripped of all personality, I fought. I tried to come up with a plan. I figured out where we were being kept, where the other bases were hidden, what the Team Rocket routines and schedules were. I memorized how to get through each and every puzzle and how their mechanics worked. I made myself a perfect puppet for Richard, leaving him none the wiser, despite Mistress Augusta and Velga's constant warnings to him that I was rotten. I had him completely fooled.

So fooled, he bragged about me to his boss.

His boss who then took an interest in my apparent ability to communicate with pokēmon, and had me transferred from Hoenn to Kanto where he then foolishly decided to show me the legendary pokēmon he had ordered to be created, and had tricked into working for him, simply because I was a child. He viewed me as a tool. A mindless being that lived only to serve Team Rocket. I had him fooled, too.

And then the headquarters exploded.

I worked so hard to stay alive all that time, because… no one was coming to save me.

So I was planning to save myself.

Once I was saved, I could save the others. That first half of the plan worked out incredibly well, though not in the way I had been initially intending. Now I had a path, people I could trust to help me through it, and powerful pokēmon who were willing to fight to help me finish things. And this person- he's telling me he's sorry because he couldn't save me? That he's sad that he was too late?

It made something inside me flare up with rage.

But, sensing the negative emotions before they could explode outwards, I shut it down and inhaled sharply, focusing my burning stare towards the stones in his hand instead.

I told myself that it was fine; it wasn't his fault Team Rocket was good at keeping their mouths shut and their hideouts hidden. He even acknowledged nothing he said could make up for those years of literal torture I was put through. That the other children and pokēmon were put through.

It's not his fault.

It's Team Rocket that's to blame.

So it's fine. He's… fine. Besides, he… said he helped rescue some children and pokēmon that were about to be abducted, so… he can't be all bad. It's fine. He's done more than the police have, at least.

When I said nothing after a while, merely battling back-and-forth with my thoughts and my chaotic emotions, the man began to speak again. "You… do know what these are, don't you? They're evolution stones. Those are Vulpix with you, are they not?"

At that, I made my gaze flick upwards- and then I looked at him. Like, really and truly looked at him.

Pale skin and light steel-colored hair, with sharp yet delicate features; he really was quite pretty. My original observation of him when we first met in the Cerulean City pokēcenter remained true. He might even be prettier than Blue, which is impressive because I thought Blue was already rather pretty- prettier than Misty even- and Steven's blue eyes really made him stand out. They were such a unique shade, nearly matching his hair in color, yet almost seemed… more reminiscent of a dawn stone by their shade.

Hm. Well, no wonder I think he's pretty.

But… something about him- the more I stared at his face, the more familiar he looked, only I could not, for the life of me, figure out where I recognized him from.

Listening to him talk more only made my stomach and heart twist with a painful ache. "As Vulpix, should you ever wish to evolve them- and they are willing to do so- you will need these to turn them into Ninetales."

Something inside of me was screaming.

My breathing was a little uneven as I reached out, and my hand was shaking as I took the stones from him. "I-I know what they do. I… I know what they are."

He looked pleasantly surprised at that. "Do you?"

I nodded. The situation was causing my head to ring. It felt like I've had a similar conversation before. "Y-Yeah. They're… fire and ice stones. They can be used to evolve specific pokēmon."

The man named Steven lit up at that and he pulled away, clapping his hands together with a genuinely happy smile on his face. "That's correct! Well done. You've remembered well."

"...Huh?" I made a face at that, confused by his wording.

Steven, realizing what he said, coughed into his fist and stood up, stepping back and turning around, lacing his hands together behind his back. Lorelei was staring at him with a raised brow, while poor Nurse Joy just looked concerned by all this. She seems to have completely forgotten about the "Team Rocket" conversation ban she had placed several minutes ago. "With those, I… hope you can understand that we truly do only wish to help you. We will not force you to talk, of course, but… just know that… the information you have would save hundreds of lives if you would only cooperate with us."

I squinted at him. There was something really strange about this guy.

Not, like… evil strange, but just… weird.

Brock, however, didn't seem to think so. He was captivated by the stones, leaning over to get a better look at them. He picked the fire stone up with a look of awe. "Where did you even get these? Evolution stones like these are incredibly hard to find!"

Steven glanced over his shoulder at the boy and chuckled, turning back around and bringing a hand to his chin. "You could say I'm a bit of collector. I have more stones than I can count, quite honestly. My home is filled with them- in a rather impressive display, if I must say. Would you like one?"

"What?" Brock was stunned. "Seriously? You'd give me a fire stone?"

"You are Pewter City's… former gym leader, yes?"

"Yeah. I left to travel with El. My dad's the gym leader now."

"Hmm." A thoughtful look crossed the young man's face. "If it would prove helpful to you on your journey- then of course. You have a pokēmon the fire stone would work on? I'm always interested in the paths other trainers take."

Brock beamed, reaching over to his belt and pulling off a pokēball. Lorelei, Steven, and Nurse joy looked on with surprise when his Vulpix appeared in his arms. "This is Susie! She, Ruby, and Sapphire are all sisters! We got them from the Daycare Lady and her husband the other day back in Cerulean!"

"Oh my." Nurse Joy said, before giggling when Susie mewed and began licking Brock's face. The boy laughed. "She really likes you, Brock!"

Chuckling at the display, Steven pulled out another fire stone from one of his pockets and walked around the bed- handing it to Brock who gratefully pocketed it. Brock handed me back my fire stone and booped his nose against Susie's. "I like Susie very much, too. Isn't she just precious?"

"Six tails, too." Lorelei commented, walking over to get a better look. "That's impressive, especially since you've only had her for a short time. El's on the other hand…"

I stiffened, hugging Sapphire and Ruby a little defensively.

Lorelei blinked. "They each have four?"

"S-So what?" I demanded.

"I am just impressed, is all." Seeing my confusion, she smiled softly at me. "You must truly care about your pokēmon. I can only imagine how difficult it is, being in your position, but with someone as loving as Brock at your side- who has already made his Vulpix sprout six tails- I can tell you have a kind heart. You must have come a long way from the "Grunt" Team Rocket tried to make you be. Raising so many pokēmon at once isn't an easy feat, either. Be proud of yourself, El."

When she said that, I felt my bitterness waver. Her words caught me off guard, and filled me with a sensation I didn't even realize I had been longing for.

Blinking a few times and swallowing down the lump that had caught in my throat, I looked down at Ruby and Sapphire- and Ansem, who was starting to get jealous at all the attention. I was about to say something when a fist lightly bonked the top of my head.

Blue was smirking at me, brown eyes flickering warmly despite their mischief. "She's doin' her best. Still sort of bratty, though."

I just made a face and stuck my tongue out at him. Ruby mewed, then mimicked me, and Sapphire let out the cutest kitten sneeze ever. I instantly snapped out of it, unable to hold myself back from cooing at her. "Aww, bless'a baby~! You feel better?"

"Vul!" Sapphire sniffled, then mewed and nuzzled my good shoulder.

"I still can't believe you managed to get your hands on so many evolution stones." Brock commented, talking to Steven as he watched the scene take place. He looked up at the man. "I keep the occasional cool rock I find, but I've hardly been able to find stones as rare as these."

Wait.

Suddenly, a thought hit me. Steven was a rock collector. He had blue eyes.

No. That wouldn't make sense. It would be too obvious.

Still, I couldn't stop myself from furrowing my brows and looking up at the stranger, my heart thudding in my chest. I stared at Steven- so intensely it felt almost as though I was trying to see through him, to the boy I had long since forgotten. "H… How…"

"Hmm?" Steven hummed, turning from Brock to look at me, curious. "Yes, what is it?"

My voice felt like it was stuck. "How… How old are you?"

If he was surprised at the question, he didn't show it. Brock and Blue looked like the obvious had just hit them and glanced at each other before turning back to us.

"If you must know…" Steven began carefully, "...I turned nineteen just last year."

Last year. Nineteen.

He was six years older than me.

Just like him.

But… no.

Turning my gaze back to the stones, I closed my eyes and leaned to the side- dropping my head against Blue's shoulder, my heart falling heavily into my stomach in defeat. Steven is way too pretty and well-dressed to be the dirt covered boy I remember. It's not him.

As such, I could only apologize for the awkward question. "R-Right. Sorry. Thanks. F… Forget I asked."

He stared at me then, something flashing in those steel blue eyes of his, but he said nothing.

Lorelei tilted her head, curious. "How old are you, actually? You look like you can't be any older than ten…"

Blue snorted at that and Brock hung his head, groaning. The woman blinked, seeing the sour expression on my face. I sent her a dirty look. "I'll be fourteen this year, thanks. I'm getting taller! I-I just… I haven't eaten enough food yet, okay?"

"Snrk… pfwahahahaha!" Blue burst out into laughter and I glared, sitting up and elbowing his side, but he just kept on snickering. "You're gonna be short forever! So much for getting taller than me, huh?"

"Shut up!"

"What was that?" Blue teased, holding a hand up to his ear, leaning towards me with his free hand on his hip. "I can't hear you from all the way down there! …Shortie."

"I will have Ansem tackle you."

"Ha! Try it."

Shifting in my seat, I looked down at my pokēmon. "Hey, Ansem-"

Ansem has never shot up out of his seat so fast. I couldn't even finish my request.

Blue's yelp could be heard as the pokēmon jumped at the boy, wrapping his limbs around his face and causing Blue to get a facefull of belly fur. The back of his head hit the wall, and Brock laughed as the boy groaned loudly. Ansem just barked, tail wagging happily. When Blue was finally able to pull the Eevee off of his face, he sent me a look similar to the one I sent Lorelei, but instead of glaring back or trying to repress the emotions… I allowed the most painful, cheek-splitting grin to spread across my lips.

"Good boy!" I praised Ansem.

Ruby and Sapphire just mewed loudly, and Umbreon shook her head in disappointment at her trainer- as though she couldn't believe Blue really let himself walk right into that one. Basil roared in amusement, and Belladonna hopped up-and-down on the bed, clapping her leafy hands together.

Blue scowled, yet despite the frown didn't really look all that upset. "They like you way too much."

"Meh." I shrugged. I was grinning so widely it hurt, facial muscles unused to such stretching. Reaching over to grab Ansem, I held the large Eevee up to his face. Blue just sighed when Ansem licked his cheek, the pokémon showing he was just being playful with his earlier Tackle. "They like you, too, Blue!"

"I know Brock and I raised you better than this." He lamented dramatically, shaking his head.

"Excuse me?" Brock raised a brow at that. "I'm the one doing all the work! I don't remember agreeing to share custody with you."

"Oh, is that how we're playing it?" Blue said, a large smirk forming on his lips. "Okay. Fine. I want a divorce, then. And I'm taking the kid and the pokēmon with me!"

"Okay, children!" Nurse Joy exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "El still needs to finish recovering! She needs to do less talking and more eating, so unless you all are planning to take her and her pokēmon to the cafeteria for some healthy meals full of iron and nutrition… I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Wait." Lorelei blinked, and Steven gestured to himself and the redhead beside him. The woman was baffled. "Are you referring to us as well?"

Nurse Joy smiled brightly, but there was… something rather sinister about it. "Yes. I said children, did I not? For all intents and purposes, you're all children."

"We're not-"

The woman just pointed at the door, smile unfaltering. "Out. I'll send El to the lobby to join you in just a few minutes. Now shoo!" She started pushing them out of the room, and when she turned towards Blue and Brock the boys hurriedly stood- and Blue had to physically drag Brock by the arm, because the boy looked all too willing to be manhandled by Nurse Joy. Letting out an exasperated sigh, the woman turned towards me, her hands on her hips. She beamed. "Well, now that they're out of the way- let's get started, shall we?"

"Uh…" I blinked, a bit dumbfounded. "Okay. Sure. I guess?"

She basically just checked my vitals one more time to be safe, wrote some stuff on a clipboard, typed into a computer, unhooked me from the IV bags- which were already empty- and handed me my sailor top. It was covered in dried blood, totally stained, despite a volunteer's best efforts in trying to get the blood out while I was unconscious. Nurse Joy told me I could keep the tanktop I was wearing, but I was quick to refuse.

I'd rather wear a bloody top than one that showed off even more of my scars.

I wish I could just… find an outfit that would cover everything. Arms, legs, all the way from my head to my toes. I despised the Team Rocket uniform I wore for so long, but I did like that it hid everything. No one stared then, except to curse at me. People didn't give me sad looks or curious looks, or pitied me. They didn't ask unnecessary questions. All I wanted was to stop Team Rocket.

Shaking my head to clear my mind of those thoughts, I changed back into my bloodied sailor top and stretched my arms- wincing at the slight throb in my right shoulder. Chansey did a remarkable job at healing it, but it was still sore. I'm just glad I remember the burning of the poison more than I do the actual sharpness of Arbok's fangs.

Sliding my backpack over my shoulders and putting my shoes on, I patted a hand against my thigh and called out to my pokēmon- letting them knew I was heading out now. They were quick to chirp and roar and mew, following after me, and Nurse Joy guided me through the halls to the lobby where everyone was waiting. Seeing Brock and Blue standing there talking with Steven and Lorelei, I found myself hesitating one last time.

All of this… it was really okay, right?

I can stay with them, right?

I mean, they'll follow me even if I try to run away again… so even if it's not okay it's not like I have much of a choice. They were stubborn and cared way too much. Besides, we… clearly are stronger together than when separated. There can be strength found in numbers. I can…

No, we can keep each other safe.

I just… really hope I don't put them at risk again, like how I did back on the cruise ship. I want them to be safe, I want them to be healthy, I want them to be happy. I don't want to hurt them. I've already hurt them, but they're willing to forgive me anyway. Brock wouldn't even forgive his own parents, but… he's willing to forgive me. He and Blue are determined to stick by me.

And I…

Lips curling back, eyes stinging with tears, an emotion I was all too unfamiliar with began to well up. It took over me, leaving me to choke, and then suddenly I was running. The boys had been talking with Steven and Lorelei, completely distracted, and had just barely noticed my presence before I collided with Blue's back- wrapping my arms tightly around his waist. "El!?"

When I had caught my balance and Blue managed to not fall over, the boy turned around and I tightened my grip, reaching out to the side and grabbing hold of the front of Brock's jacket with my left hand. "What's wrong?"

I just shook my head. I didn't even know myself. Feeling Brock move to stand closer, resting a hand atop my head, my shoulders began to shake. So much emotion was flowing through me- so much warmth and affection for these two overwhelming my being. I didn't deserve them. I don't know what I did to end up having them care so much about me. I cared too much about them. I adored them.

I…

I loved them.

They were the best friends I've never had. The brothers I wish I had.

"I-I'm… I'm never gonna run away again." I promised, choking on the tears as I buried my face in Blue's chest. My voice was partially muffled. "I mean it! S… So don't get hurt! E-Even if it's because of me, don't… don't do it. I won't run away, so…"

I can't lose you, too.

"Please, just… keep being my friends…"

"Of course, El." Brock's voice was soft. He had leaned down, the height difference making things a bit difficult, and he rested his head gently atop mine, hands falling to rest on my shoulders. Blue's arms were wrapped around my back, and I felt him tighten his grip. "Just trust in us. You're not alone anymore."

I'm not… alone.

"We've got you, pipsqueak." Blue murmured.

"Chansey!" Uh… what?

The hug was cut short, the abrupt pokémon cry startling us, and we all turned to see Nurse Joy's Chansey waddling her way over to us. Stopping, she held a hand to my forehead- nodded firmly- then reached into her pouch and pulled out the large egg she always kept with her.

"Chansey, Chanse!" She exclaimed, smiling at me. The pokémon held the giant egg out towards me. "Chansey!"

Yeah, there was… something very familiar about this.

Sniffling and unraveling my arms from around Blue's waist, Brock stepped back and I reached out, awkwardly taking the egg. "Y… You sure?"

"Chansey!" She waddled closer, stood on her tiptoes, and patted me on the head. "Chansey! Chansey, Chanse!"

With that, she proceeded to walk away- probably to tend to more patients- and everyone, myself included, looked down at the giant, highly nutritious egg in my hands.

After a moment of silence, Blue started laughing.

Brock just grinned. "Guess we know what you're eating, huh?"

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you all think in the comments, and have a wonderful day/night wherever you are! Stay safe! 💕