After another therapy session with Blissey and the doctor in charge of his case, Red was finally discharged from the clinic in the afternoon after three days, yet he had to be careful, as that once fractured rib was still sensitive and fragile to the touch. Free to do as he wished, such as returning on traveling across the region and photographing the different Pokemon, relaxing on the beaches and enjoying the sun, or maybe to meet with Cynthia and Caitlin as he once wanted to, he was focused on something else.
He didn't think anything at all except his encounter with the officer and the proposal she made, deeply ingrained in his mind and becoming frustrated with himself. Red acknowledged the importance of knowing what those Ultra Beasts were doing, but this was the second time he encountered an extra terrestrial being and it went terribly wrong once again. It was fear, he couldn't deny it, the image of Pheromosa attacking him and the terror he felt when those cold eyes, devoid of any emotion, looked at him, and realized that, if Pikachu wasn't with him there, the situation could have been far worse.
Red shakes his head, forcing himself to not think of fake scenarios and was grateful that it was only a few scars, concussions and a single broken rib, and remembering Pikachu, his long lasting friend, the champion thought he deserved a reward.
Taking a seat on a giant brick pot, he places the bag on his legs, moving away medical papers and medicaments to find the Pokeballs at the bottom, and muttering the names of his friends as he taps them.
"Sharpy, Lax, oh there you are Pika!" He said with joy and withdrew the Pokeball, pressing the button to let his friend out. However, Red didn't expect Pika to be sleeping, as he appeared flat on the ground. "Man, I feel bad for this." He giggles.
The trainer stood up and walked slowly to wake up his friend, but it wasn't needed, as Pika woke up from the environmental noise, looking around confused until he saw Red, quickly jumping onto his arms in excitement.
"Aw, c'mon, it was just three days only!" Yet Pika didn't relent, rubbing his cheek against his and by accident causing static. "And you will mess up my hair too. Do you know how long it took me to style it?" He chuckled as his Pokemon seemed to intensify his affection, becoming quite aggressive. "I know how much you hate being inside the Pokeball, but back there, they don't allow Pokemon to roam free, and for that, I will reward you with a cup of ice cream."
His ears perked at the idea, quickly climbing onto his shoulder and smiling at his trainer. "I assumed that was a yes, but first, I need to put on my sunglasses, I don't want my eyes hurt today."
He leans to his bag and lets a whimper out, the right side of his body still sensible even after therapy. The doctor told him the fracture was patched but still fragile, and had to be careful on whatever he planned to do. Pika looked at Red with worry, which he noticed and pats his head.
"I'll get better, nothing to worry about, Pika." He closes the bag and places it on his back. "If it wasn't for you, maybe things could have gone much worse for me, that's for sure." A soft sigh, just thinking about a worse outcome was terrifying. "Whatever, let's pick up that ice cream."
Pika replied with excitement and rested over his shoulder, his mind focused on already eating the sweet delicacy and looking at other people walking on the streets as his trainer walked. In the meantime, Red was fully focused on the meeting he had with Anabel and arguing with himself. But as he thought, Red knew that he would join regardless.
They walked through the streets, with him humming a melody while the Pokemon just looked around in curiosity. They didn't have to walk that much, just two blocks away from the clinic, to find an ice cream shop.
Red looked over the different flavors and special promotions, until the voice of a woman greeted him with a radiant smile.
"Good afternoon, sir! What would you like to eat?"
"Well…" His hand holds his chin. "I would like a strawberry popsicle and a chocolate ice cream, please."
"Great, I will have them ready in a second."
As the woman prepares his order, Red looks down to the left, towards Pika who had moved down from his shoulder and looked upwards, waiting for his treat. He sighs softly and talks to his friend.
"Hey, Pika." As he speaks, Pikachu looks up and wonders what his trainer wanted. "I was wondering about something. Let's say an acquaintance of mine asked me for help and it can be important. On the other hand, if I accept, our vacations get ruined of course."
"Here is your order, sir." The clerk said as she delivered his order.
Red takes them both, but places his ice cream over the counter and gives Pika the popsicle, which quickly begins to taste and lets out delighted sounds.
"He is quite happy."
"Yeah, but he can be quite the drain of my wallet sometimes." She giggles and Red pays his order, taking his ice cream and walks to an empty table. "Come and sit with me, Pika."
So focused he was on the popsicle that Red had to call Pika for a second time and this time the rodent heard him, walking and jumping over a seat to once again focus on the sweet popsicle.
"I suppose I will ask you later." A defeated sigh escapes his lips. With a spoon he takes some ice cream and eats it, thoughts focused on this new adventure, an adventure that he agreed on.
He believed that it wouldn't be that serious and could be resolved quickly if he helped.
Sorry if this chapter is short, but next one I promise it will be longer. Most of my brain power went towards the +18 fic and I was drained.
Next chapter, two new characters appear. I assume you know who they are already :]