Chapter Ten: Doctor's Orders

"Your Eevee will be fine. As for your Ralts...she'll be ok, but she suffered a bad concussion. She needs rest...and lots of it. I'd prefer she not have any physical activity at all, if possible."

I nodded my head, expression grim as I listened to Nurse Joy explain the situation. I'd been waiting for a few hours to hear back about Ralts, and they'd held onto Eevee as well for convenience sake. The pink-haired nurse's face was stern and displeased. I felt a scolding coming on. I wouldn't bother trying to explain that Ralts wasn't my Pokémon, or that the fight wasn't my fault. It would probably just be a waste of time.

"I must say...this kind of treatment toward Pokémon is unacceptable. She was nearly on the brink of death...if her concussion got any worse..." Nurse Joy cleared her throat, glaring at me.

I felt prickles all over. More than a little uncomfortable. Kind of scary... "I understand ma'am." I bowed my head. "It absolutely will not happen again." Nurse Joy rubbed her temples, sighing softly.

"Normally I would report a boy with such blatant mistreatment of his Pokémon to the Jenny's but...I have a feeling there is more to the story." I waited, anxiety filling me. "You don't have a Pokéball for that Ralts. I assume you rescued her?"

I hesitated. "...In a way." Nurse Joy pursed her lips and waited for me to continue. For such a pretty lady she was scarier than any Officer Jenny I'd ever seen... "There was a boy who was trying to capture her. He was being cruel. I couldn't let him take her. It didn't sit well with me. I tried to battle him and as you saw with my Eevee...it didn't go well. But Ralts ended up saving me. So..."

Nurse Joy stared at me in shock. "To think I thought you some sort of despicable boy. I can see that you're being honest. Well...what would you like me to do with the Ralts? I can take care of her here for a while and then put her through a program, or...you can take her with you. Let her go once she's healthy if you'd like." She smiled pleasantly, tucking one of her ringlets behind her ear.

I thought about it. I'd been wondering what I'd do with Ralts while I was waiting for her to get out of the Emergency room. To be honest... a part of me wanted to take her home. But another part of me was worried about how Eevee would react when she didn't even like me. Another part of me worried about expenses. Pokémon food isn't cheap. Neither is getting toys and such for one. I sighed, brushing my hair from my forehead. "I'd love to take her but to be honest...I'm poor as dirt, Nurse Joy. I'm also a weak trainer. She'd be better off with someone else."

Nurse Joy smiled and nodded her head enthusiastically. "I'm ready to make your day, then, Mister Higgs! This Pokémon Center currently has a partnership with some Pokémon breeders, meant to help abused Pokémon get into new homes." That sounded familiar... "You can get all kinds of help there. I'll give you a note for them. A month's supply of Pokémon food, toys, anything a young or abused Pokémon could want." Before I could protest she was shoving a piece of paper into my hand. "As for being a bad trainer...I heard that the Pokémon Fanclub is recruiting. They do all kinds of things. Bonding with Pokémon, training Pokémon to fight in uncruel ways...and way more. I wrote that address on that paper as well. Maybe give it a visit?"

I was too busy staring at the top address on the paper to say anything. That was Mabel's place. I probably wasn't ready to see her, but if it meant I could take care of Ralts then I was willing to put myself in that awkward position. As for the Pokémon Fanclub...that bastard's words were ringing in my head. Was training really necessary? In order to protect me? Protect my Pokémon? I glanced back up at Nurse Joy, scratching my jaw. She was staring at me with curiosity in her warm blue eyes. I hesitated, then sighed.

"Hey...you made a lot of assumptions about me just cause I saved Ralts. I...am not sure that I can be a strong trainer, even with this Pokémon Fanclub's "uncruel" training methods. And I don't think I can ever put Eevee, or Ralts in a position like that again." I was haunted by the sight of Eevee's twitching, limp little body... Nurse Joy smiled a little.

"I think every good Trainer thinks that way. It's hard to swallow the concept of "making Pokémon fight" in order to protect them but Mister Higgs there is a difference between battling for sport and battling to protect what you love and I'm sorry but- in this political climate, with so many evil people and criminal gangs appearing all over the place... battling really is the only way to keep yourself safe."

That was...probably true. It was something I really didn't want to admit. Kids nowadays, for probably the past decade, were the ones who were saving the world from criminal masterminds like Team Galactic and Team Plasma after all. If the time came and I was attacked, and someone tried to steal my Pokémon, I had to be able to fight back. And if someone like Elton tried to hurt someone in front of me, Pokémon or human... I probably wouldn't be able to stop myself from interfering again.

So I had to become strong.

"It's strange that you love Pokémon so much but haven't named your Eevee. I assume she's your starter?"

I nodded. That was true, it was kind of weird. Even Jack had named his Pokémon already, the same with Mabel. But I haven't really had the chance to name Eevee. She was attacking me nonstop, so the only name I could come up with at the time was probably "crazy bitch." Maybe I would when I finally got to see her again.

"Yeah, she is. I honestly haven't done anything a new Trainer is supposed to do. I have my paper license but not a card, I haven't bought Pokéballs or any of that..."

Nurse Joy nodded. "Then it sounds to me like the Pokémon Fanclub is a great place to start. I'd love to talk more but I have other patients to tend to. I'll have Chansey bring out your Ralts and Eevee...also, I want you to have this Heal Ball." She turned away and began to dig around in a box on a shelf, and handed me a small pink Pokéball. "Heal Balls speed up the natural healing of a Pokémon while they're inside it.

Anyways, you can choose to capture Ralts or bring her back here. Or even leave her with the breeders. I have some paperwork for you to sign and instructions on how to take care of Ralts while she's injured. Do go to the Breeders before you head home, for Ralt's sake." Without another word, just a happy smile, Nurse Joy walked away. I was shocked by the amount of kindness she showed me. I sat down in the waiting room and a few minutes later a big, chubby pink Pokémon came waddling out pushing a cart. A single Pokéball and a familiar little Ralts sat on top of it.

Ralts beamed when she saw me. Now that she wasn't using her powers I couldn't see her eyes anymore. It was a shame because they had been kind of cute...not that she wasn't adorable without them showing. The tiny thing started standing up, but the Chansey behind the cart got evil eyes and started chastising her immediately. She sat back down and the Chansey rolled the cart over to me.

"Chan, Chansey!" The Pokémon nurse yelled, pointing at Ralts and then at her own head. I understood the message. 'Don't be so reckless with your Pokémon!' I nodded my head and Chansey huffed, shaking her head as if disappointed in me. Wow, that stung... like trainer like Pokémon I guess. The Chansey gave me the stink eye then pulled out a clipboard from her egg pouch, along with a pen. She pointed at the packet she handed to me and imitated scribbling.

"Gotcha, I'll fill this out." The paperwork was pretty basic stuff. Just acknowledgments that I was okay with bringing Ralts back for a second visit in a week or so, confirming that it was indeed Avery Higgs who came and dropped the Pokémon off, and some other stuff. I looked through it and signed and checked everything I needed to, then handed the clipboard back.

Chansey nodded when she accepted the clipboard back and waddled away to set the paperwork down on the counter.

Ralts was still staring at me, smiling brightly. The second Chansey was a good distance away she squealed "Ralts!" and much to my horror...leapt off the cart and toward me. I scrambled, desperately trying to catch her in my arms. I managed to hug her to my chest and she giggled with delight, hugging me tight and rubbing her warm body against me. Arceus, she was so small!

I gazed down at the little Ralts who stared back at me, beaming. She was so cute, the reckless little brat! Despite how dangerous it was for her to be jumping while injured I wasn't able to hold back a smile. That is...until I heard the stomping of feet. I looked over to see Chansey moving faster than I thought possible, the rage evident on her bright red face. She looked extremely pissed! She marched over to me, grabbed Ralts, sat her down in the chair I had been sitting in a few minutes ago and...stared at me.

A dead, cold stare. That deep, dark feeling of having a parent be disappointed in me seeped through my very bones...and then to my complete and utter shock...The Chansey bitch-slapped me right across the face. It didn't hurt that much, but fuck man this Chansey does not mess around!

"ChanSEY!" The Nurse grumbled, pointing at Ralts who was beaming and then back at me, then at Ralt's skull.

I sighed. "I know she's injured but she is the one who-" My explanation was cut short by another fast, vicious slap. By now the other people in the waiting room were looking over, wondering what was up. I reddened, extremely embarrassed.

"Chansey Chan!" The pink Pokémon emulated a conversation. Much to my distaste, I recognized the two people she was imitating. The grumpy one giving a stern talk was clearly me. The innocent, baby-like one was clearly Ralts. Said Pokémon and I watched in awe. I didn't have to speak Pokémon to understand. I needed to explain the situation to Ralts or she was going to hurt herself again.

"I understand. I'll speak to her." I nodded in affirmation. Chansey gave me a dirty look, then whapped me across the head with her clipboard and finally hobbled away for good. I sighed with relief and glanced at Ralts, trying to appear as stern and fatherly as possible. "You heard her! No jumping little lady."

Ralts ignored me completely and instead hugged me...how could I be mean and commanding towards such a sweet little baby...I felt a death glare burning into me. I gulped and hurriedly pushed Ralts away. "I know you want to hug and stuff but seriously...you almost died."

Ralts gazed back at me, her mouth twisting into a pout. I thought maybe she'd ignore me again but she nodded. I smiled and rubbed her shoulder.

"Good girl! Now, the first order of business..." I grabbed Eevee's Pokéball from the cart and pointed it at the spot next to Ralts, releasing her. A flash of light later and a cute little Eevee was sitting right next to Ralts. I had a plan to keep Eevee in check. Hopefully, it would work. She blinked and looked around, giving me a disinterested look. Her ears flicked when she saw Ralts but I could tell she was trying to act like she didn't care. Brat...but a cute one. And at least the trying to kill me stage was over.

"Hi, Eevee. I know you don't like me...but I have an important task for you. Something only you can do." Eevee tried to act disinterested again but I saw her chest puff out a bit. I nodded, looking back and forth between the two small Pokémon. "Ralts over here will be joining us." A random thought entered my head. Ralts has been resisting so much cause she didn't want to be caught. Maybe she wanted to be returned to the wild? For some reason, the thought depressed me. "Unless you want to return to the forest, Ralts."

My heart hammered when the tiny Psychic type shook her head. Even more so when she hugged me again. She was so loving...unlike someone who was starting to glare. Eevee was flicking her tail, clearly aggravated. I wondered why she was so mad. I cleared my throat, hurrying along...not liking the look in Eevee's eyes. "Uh anyways, Eev. Ralts is hurt. She needs someone to protect her."

Eevee perked up. A smug look crossed her face. She was unconscious... she didn't know it was Ralts who had saved us after we failed her. I wasn't going to tell her that. I chuckled. "So Eevee. Your duties are as follows. Go everywhere with her, make sure she is not moving around too much -doctor's orders- and be her friend. How's that sound?"

Eevee nodded vigorously. She approved. I grinned and gave her two thumbs up. Then, something unexpected happened... Eevee turned to Ralts and said hello and...Ralts gave her the cold shoulder and instead hugged me tighter. Uh oh, apparently Ralts saw Eevee as some sort of rival instead of a friend!? That wasn't good!

Eevee's expression was so sad but she tried to pass it off and shrug. I didn't want to be mean but...this was kind of karma. Eevee nudged Ralts and licked her head, and Ralts looked more than a little disgruntled. But when I pet her on the back she slowly, hesitantly bowed her head.

"R-Ralts," The little psychic type murmured, twiddling her nubs together.

"Eev!" Eevee pointed her head toward me, then puffed her chest out. "Eevee ev!" Ralts frowned.

I interfered. "It's true Ralts. You heard me. Eevee is in charge so you better be good." Ralts nodded slowly, frowning. But she didn't complain or disagree. I nodded.

"So, we're gonna head to my friend Mabel's house. She's going to give me some food, help me out a bit with you both. You're gonna behave while you're there you two. Understood?" Both nodded, Eevee very reluctant about it. "As for what we're gonna do before that, well..."

I stared at Ralts. "Do you want me to capture you?" The psychic type froze. I lifted the Heal Ball Nurse Joy gave me, showing it to her. she began to inspect it, hesitating quite a bit. "This Pokéball is special, Ralts. It will help heal you faster. That being said, there is no pressure. If you don't want to be captured then that is fine. But if you do then I would love to be your trainer Ralts. I will be good to you. And I'll never force you to stay with me, say the word and you can go."

Ralts stared up at me, her eyes showing. They were big and sparkling. I thought she might be reluctant but she started nodding enthusiastically, squealing her name excitedly. I grinned. I was going to open the Heal Ball and capture her but before I could Ralts slapped the button on the side of it and...captured herself? Jeez! I acted like she was a baby but she was powerful and so smart, confident too. As if reading my thoughts a blink of red appeared and then...there she was. Just sitting there. Eevee and I glanced at each other. We both realized what was off at the same time.

"Ralts...did you just let yourself out of your Pokéball?" Ralts nodded, giggling. "Well...okay then."

Interesting. I was probably bothering other people in the Pokémon Center so I cut our interaction short, finishing my speech off with one last thing I'd been thinking about. "By the way. Eevee, Ralts! You two need to decide whether or not you want nicknames. I can keep calling you Eevee and Ralts obviously but if you want something unique I want you to have that."

Ralts immediately started nodding and I cut her off. "Wait to heal up before you decide ok? Get to know me more. The only person who should name you is someone you really like and trust. Kind of like a parent, Ralts. You wouldn't want some person you don't know to name you...and you really don't know me yet. I promise." Before she could protest I turned to Eevee.

After what I just said I expected her to be against getting named. But Eevee stared at me and just nodded, once. She wanted me to name her. My heart raced and my face heated as she held my gaze. She seriously didn't hate me anymore... I nodded slowly and hesitantly reached out. She kind of bunched herself up and leaned away...but when I pressed my hand against her back, lightly petting, she didn't do anything. I felt her soft fur beneath my fingertips.

"I'll give you a good name." She nodded, yawning slightly. I smiled. "Alright, gang. Let's head out." I took my backpack off. "Ralts if you want you can climb in here while we travel, or you can go back into your Pokéball. Honestly, I think it's cute when you sit in there so..." I blushed.

Ralts and Eevee both scrambled. My eyes widened. They began to struggle, pushing against each other and hissing as they both tried to fit into my medium-sized backpack. That wasn't good... "Relax guys! Hello!? Uhh...ok, Eevee how about this? I hold you in my arms and Ralts goes into the bag."

Eevee hesitated but agreed, tail swishing. I gave her a thumbs up. "Awesome," I opened up my bag again and offered the opening to Ralts who...did not climb in. In fact, she glared at the hole and began to crawl up my arm. I understood the message clearly. Now, she didn't want to be in the backpack. She wanted to be in my arms. For safety sake maybe it was for the best if I kept her in my arms or in her Pokéball...

"Eev!" My starter snapped, and I watched with vague interest as she grabbed Ralts with her teeth and dragged her down my arm. She began trying to shove Ralts into the bag with her head and two paws, grumbling all the while. The psychic type Pokémon resisted, stiffening her body, but Eevee was physically stronger and managed to overpower her. Ralts slid into my bag, and I zipped it up slightly.

She was glaring at Eevee. I pet the little cutie on the head. "Don't be grumpy at Eve ok? She's looking out for you. She doesn't want you to fall out of my arms or get hurt. Right?" I glanced at Eevee for support but my now very grumpy starter just glared at Ralts, who began to squirm and try to work herself out of the bag. "Also...you look cute with your head sticking out like that." Ralts immediately stilled, beaming. I gently stroked her little dome head and glanced at Eevee, offering her my arm.

The little brown Pokémon puffed her chest out, lifted her head up, and trotted up my arm as if she owned it. I held her in the crook of my elbow and waved goodbye at Nurse Joy who, sadly, didn't notice me as I walked out of the waiting room and then out of the Center itself.

My nerves were so frayed. My thoughts roamed to Mabel. Her soft, sweet face. The way she looked when she cried. How I'd hurt her, let her down... and how I had sex with Absol and enjoyed it.

I could picture Mabel's expression of disgust so clearly... I tapped my Pokétch. I couldn't ambush her.

Avery:[Hey Mabel. Uh...I have an injured Pokémon. Nurse Joy said your family has a program for that? That I could come by and get help or...]

I walked in silence, waiting for her response. My heart raced with every second that passed. Would she be mad? What if she wasn't even there and had already started her journey? When I got the message, I was afraid to look at it. But I did.

Mabel:[Hey Avery! Yeah, we do. I hope Eevee is okay!] And then... [I can't wait to see you again Avery...I've really missed you.]

I couldn't breathe. My face felt flushed, my heart was pounding a mile a second. I typed back a response, my fingers trembling. [I've missed you too. Eevee is okay. It's complicated. See you soon]

Mabel missed me.

Mabel didn't hate me.

I gently stroked Eevee's head, rubbing her ears. She was snoring softly. Ralts was apparently asleep too. They were both so cute.

I hoped they liked Mabel and I hoped I wouldn't screw things up this time.