Yeah, it's been a while, I know. I sincerely apologize for the delay. Life kept getting in the way, and some days I just didn't have the motivation to write. Not to mention I had to overcome a significant writer's block that persisted for months. I do hope, however, if anyone is still around after all this time to read it that you enjoy the chapter.
Ki pulled the thermometer out of her mouth the moment it beeped an indication. Glancing at the small digital screen, the numbers displayed confirmed her suspicions. She gave a dismayed sigh, which quickly dissolved into a fit of coughing.
101.4 F.
She shouldn't have been too surprised, however. Yesterday, she had noticed her throat was a little scratchy, but this morning, it now hurt to swallow. Her chest also felt there was a Phanpy sitting on it. She gasped and wheezed in catching her breath once the cough had finally subsided.
Setting the thermometer aside on the table where she sat at, she rested her chin on top of her folded arms. Her head swam, and was accompanied by the sensation she was floating above her body. She debated whether to crawl back into bed and call in sick as she began to tremble with chills.
Yet, Mewtwo was in the middle of a critical point with his training. She feared a disruption, even one day, could set him back. He'd worked too hard for her, and she couldn't let him down. She would just have to suck it up and hope for the best.
Gathering what strength she had, she pushed herself up on her feet and shuffled to the closet. She dressed in her usual training attire, but swapped the leggings for black jogger pants in favor of the warmer garment. While technically already late into spring, here in the mountain valley, it was still brisk enough before the afternoon to justify an extra layer. She would escape arousing any suspicion the Pokemon might have in her clothes.
She then brushed her hair, styling it to tie into two loose pigtails. Moments later, she exited her room and walked the few steps over to his. She gave a gentle rap on the door before entering. It wasn't necessary, but it had sort of become their ritual. She was the only one who respected him and his privacy to knock first.
He was sprawled on the bed on his stomach, his thick long tail hanging over the end. His head rested on his arms where a book lay open in front of him. It was one of a handful of others she'd manage to acquire and sneak to him, accumulating a small library in the process.
The books remained in her room to minimize the risk of being confiscated. Every night, however, he would choose one to take back to his, and, much to her consternation, stayed up for hours to finish it. He would read any piece of literature she could get her hands on, developing a near insatiable appetite, but he was particularly interested in physiology, bio engineering, and architecture. His brain soaked up all the knowledge like a sponge.
Clicking the door softly shut behind her, she padded across the floor to the bed. She approached Mewtwo's side, and started to reach out to touch his shoulder to awaken him when piercing amethyst set upon her. Startled, she withdrew her hand, finding herself within inches of his face. Those jeweled eyes always gave the impression he could see past her defenses and straight into her soul.
For a minute, she panicked he would know she was sick. Then, she began to feel a strange fluttering in her stomach. She had the sensation she was being cast adrift on a sea of purple. All of a sudden it became harder to breathe. There was a constriction in her chest and throat which threatened to make her cough, but she subconsciously managed to suppress it.
She realized she had been staring at him mesmerized after he blinked and wondered if he noticed. His eye ridges knitted together as a perplexed expression began to spread across his features... He had. She was abashed by her bizarre reaction, speculating the fever was to blame.
Oh, ah, good morning, she gushed, at last, a little too much as she attempted to hide her embarrassment.
Good morning, he responded, guardedly.
He was uncertain of how to process what just happened. He had never seen her gaze at him in the way she did then. The look was not unpleasant, much the opposite, but it left him with a peculiar feeling he was unable to describe.
He was more disquieted of the fact she was suddenly acting ill at ease when she was always comfortable around him. He could not understand why she was exhibiting such aberrant behavior. Yet, he recalled she seemed not quite herself yesterday either.
Is there something wrong? he questioned.
Ki unwittingly began to fiddle with one of her pigtails. So much for being inconspicuous...
Mewtwo closed the book then, stowing it underneath his bed. He stretched his muscles and gave a huge yawn before rolling over to sit up. He indicated the empty space for her to do so as well.
Do you remember when I said there is to be no secrets between us? he reminded, pointedly.
She gave a silent nod as she sank down beside him. She folded her hands in her lap with her head slightly bowed. A wayward strand of hair fell across her face. Without thinking, he gently brushed it aside.
Her eyes shot up incredulously. The gesture, almost affectionate in nature, was unexpected and unusual for him. Physical contact between them would occur on occasion in passing, which he didn't seem to mind. Yet, he was never the one to initiate it on his own.
More than that, though. His fingertips grazing her forehead elicited another strange response in her body. Her skin inexplicably began to prickle all over, and chills ran up her spine.
He noticed her start to shiver, and his frown further deepened, expressing concern.
Your body temperature is well above its normal range, he inferred.
It's nothing to worry too much about, she tried to dismiss, quietly, Just a slight fever.
However, she erupted all a sudden into deep, heavy coughs she was too late in squelching. It felt like her lungs were being ripped apart, and her throat was on fire. When the spell eventually ceased, she was left gasping for air. The Psychic Pokemon tilted his head, an eye ridge raising with a mixture of alarm and skepticism as he assessed her.
That does not sound there is 'nothing to worry about', he rebuked, And I suppose you still intended to conduct training in your condition.
I thought I could, she finally answered, in a faint voice, I didn't feel I was sick enough to miss a day.
Hmmph, he grunted, reprovingly.
I only didn't want to let you down and lose your progress, she added.
His stance softened almost instantly. Sitting there, with her arms wrapped around herself in an attempt to keep warm, she appeared to him small, frail, and piteous. He had grown fonder of her over time, but in that moment, the desire to care for and protect her was on a scale unlike anything he ever felt before.
All of a sudden, he rose to his feet and grabbed the edge of the covers to pull them back.
Lie down, he directed, addressing her with a tenderness in his voice she had never heard come from him before.
Giving an astonished blink, she gazed at him in bewilderment. The fever must be wreaking havoc with her mind. It was deceiving her perception of reality. There was simply no other explanation for the almost uncharacteristic change in his demeanor.
But, I can't take... You'd have no place to sleep if I should stay through the night, she protested, anyhow, although weakly.
It is a sacrifice I will have to make, he replied, candidly, Now, lie down.
Lacking the energy to argue, she removed her shoes and crawled in under the sheets as he insisted. He drew the blankets up then over her and around her shoulders as if tucking her in. His scent permeated the pillow, and she found herself nearly burying her face in it. The smell, what little was able to filter through the stuffiness of her nose, was oddly pleasant and comforting.
She noticed him out of the corner of her eye then moving towards the door. His abrupt impending departure made her sit up partially in confusion.
Mewtwo..? Wait, where are you going? she called after him.
You need medicine, and appropriate liquids and food, he expounded, Rest. I will return shortly.
Before she could question him on how he planned to do that, he was already gone out of the room, letting the door slowly swing close behind him. She blew out a huffy sigh. Once he got an idea into his head, it was nigh impossible to dissuade him. Sometimes he was too stubborn for his own good.
She draped the blankets around her shoulders again as she finally settled back down in bed. Yet, in a position where her eyes could remain trained on the door. She couldn't help but worry, fearing there was a chance he would run into trouble. She intended to be vigilant until he was safely within the perimeter once more.
However, after a short time, her eyelids began to droop. She wasn't sure when she dozed off, but her eyes sprang upon hearing a sound at the door after what only felt like minutes. It was their signature knock.
Relief washed over her, and she propped herself up in anticipation, a groggy smile forming to greet him. Though it quickly turned to horror, and she almost jumped out of bed in disbelief of the individual entering the room instead. Her heart pounded frantically in her chest.
"Zack?!" she croaked, feeling her voice was being ripped from her larynx, "What are you doing here?!"
"I brought you food and medicine," the shaggy blonde haired Grunt replied, in a monotone.
He balanced a tray laden with food containers, cups, and a bottle of cough syrup. With stiff, robotic-like movements, he then carried it to the table and set it down. He stood there afterwards as if waiting for further instructions.
She was alarmed by his presence, but confused more so of his seemingly peculiar behavior. She noted his pupils were distant and dilated as if he were under a spell or trance.
"Where is Mewtwo?" she demanded, unable to explain the panic forming within her.
I am right here, Ki, the Pokemon answered, his low, calm baritone in her head soothing her agitation, It is all right.
Appearing in the doorway moments later, he glided across the threshold into the room. She found herself reaching out to him. He obliged without hesitation, taking her hand in his.
"What is going on?" she squeaked, her throat on fire.
She was starting to lose her physical voice, but she didn't dare speak in telepathy with Zack around.
Zack volunteered to assist me in gathering supplies, he informed.
That did not sound like the self-centered, brash young man. Though she actively avoided him since their unfortunate meeting, he had never struck her as the type to go out of his way to help anyone. Her gut instinct told her something was amiss.
"What do you mean by 'volunteered'?" she queried, suspiciously.
I have taken possession of his mind, Mewtwo elucidated, He is under my control.
Ki stared at him nearly slack-jawed. Just when she thought he had reached the peak of his powers, he would shatter that notion pulling a stunt such as this. He was full of surprises.
It doesn't hurt him, does it? she asked, forced reluctantly in making the switch back to telepathy.
Much as she despised the cretin, she didn't want him to suffer irreversible damage to his brain. At least, no more than it was already. She didn't feel even he deserved that.
I do not know for certain, he admitted, Nor if he will retain his memory.
So you assumed the risks without giving thought to the consequences, she reproached, crossing her arms.
His eyes narrowed slightly in vexation of her chiding tone.
You alone are my concern, he affirmed, Nothing else is paramount.
His vehement proclamation rattled her, unfolding her arms to fall to her lap. There was a fierce intensity in his amethyst eyes as he held her in his gaze. As their friendship had drawn them closer, he'd shown exponentially he cared about her, but it was most often in subtle ways. Could it be her illness was affecting him to react so exorbitantly now?
What happens now? she spoke up after a few moments of silence, softly.
He will be released once I instruct him to leave, but only when he is safely out of range, he disclosed, in a more mellowed tone.
And if he remembers? she ventured.
I will deal with the repercussions should any arise, he assuaged.
The finality in the Psychic Pokemon's voice made it unmistakable in his mind the matter was resolved. She didn't have the stamina to argue with him any longer, and thought it best to just concede. It wasn't worth fighting him over. Aside, she was beginning to develop a terrible headache.
In conjunction, Ki's body was seized by another round of violent coughing. She didn't know when Zack had left the room, but after it subsided, she noticed he was gone. She felt then Mewtwo gingerly place a hand upon her back, while in his other hand he held a paper cup filled with a steaming hot liquid in front of her.
Here, drink this, he proffered, gently, It is peppermint tea.
She accepted it gratefully, and brought the rim to her lips, taking a slow, cautious sip. The heat soothed her throat as it trickled down, coating her tongue in a cool, peppery spice. While simultaneously the tea's natural menthol began working to help to ease her congestion. In a matter of minutes, she found her breathing to be much better.
It's good, she remarked, giving a small smile.
He appeared pleased by her approval of the beverage.
There are many varieties to use as cold remedies, but I surmised the peppermint would be more appealing to your palate, he elaborated.
You chose well, she commended.
I am glad, he responded, his smile widening.
At this point, he was practically beaming. It always brought her joy to see him happy, but she was surprised by how profoundly he was expressing it. His eyes even emitted a warm glow from within their piercing purple depths.
She suddenly started to feel like she was floating on a cloud. Her fever must have spiked as it was accompanied by a burning sensation all over her face. The Pokemon was sent scrambling to retrieve the medicine bottle.
He gave a quick glance at the directions before pouring out a dose onto a spoon. Carefully, he raised the utensil to her mouth and awaited her consent. She gave a slight nod and he proceeded to insert it past her lips.
Unprepared for the bitter cherry flavor, the syrup nearly made her gag. She shuddered with disgust, her face twisting into an unidentifiable expression. She hastily guzzled more of the tea to flush away the taste. She heard then what sounded like a suppressed chuckle and glared at him. His eyes were full of mirth.
Oh, so you find that amusing, do you? she bristled, Just wait; someday it'll be your turn.
Unlikely, he dispelled.
She stuck her tongue out at him in retort. Ignoring her sulkiness, he measured out the final dose and presented it the same as before. This time, she braced for the liquid upon entering her mouth, but still reached for the tea again once he removed the spoon.
Mewtwo hovered uncertainly for a brief moment. Then, without another word, he stepped away and returned to the table. Setting the medicine aside, he began to separate the containers of food, and placed half in front of one of the chairs, while the other remained on tray.
She watched him assemble their breakfast, and noticed his joy had since evaporated. He was growing lugubrious now to where his features appeared to be etched in pain. There was a strange contraction in her heart, compelling her to speak. She couldn't let him beat himself up over the gaffe, not when she was partly to blame for her reaction.
Thank you, she murmured, softly, I'm sorry I got angry.
Shifting his eyes in her direction, he gave a solemn shake of his head.
No, it is my fault, he demurred, quietly, I should not have laughed. I am sorry.
The penitence in his voice combined with the dolefulness of his eyes was almost too much for her to bear. There had to be something she could say to cheer him up.
I must have looked silly making all those weird faces though, she insisted, giving a jocose smile.
Her tactic worked. Slowly, his lips spread into a wide, humorous smile, nearly cracking a grin. She felt a thrill run through her.
You did, he admitted.
Balancing the tray with psychic, he carried it to the bedside, and set it carefully across her lap. She popped open the box then to reveal a bowl of warm oatmeal topped with sprinkled cinnamon and drizzled honey nestled in the main compartment. It was accompanied by slices of a whole pink grapefruit, and several wedges of lightly buttered toast.
There was a pang of wistfulness as she reminisced of similar meals Sabrina would make when she was sick. Yet, she was impressed with his perceptiveness. Between the food and the tea, it became apparent he had been taking note of her dietary preferences.
If it is not to your liking... Mewtwo started, realizing she had been silent for far too long.
Oh, no, it looks amazing, she assured, It...
She stopped short suddenly. Rarely she spoke of her family to him, but these past couple of days the homesickness had been hitting her rather hard. He was going to start to think she didn't want to be here anymore.
Reminds you of home, he finished, quietly.
Somehow, Ki entirely missed the fact he had completed her sentence. Meeting his purple eyes, she saw a bit of the sadness creep back in their depths. She felt her heart wrench with guilt.
Do you wish to go? he queried, his voice lowering further, I would not want to keep you from your family any longer.
His features darkened as a shadow of pain passed over. Something inside him felt like it would break. He did not want her to leave, but her happiness was what mattered most to him.
She stared at him flabbergasted. While his kind proposition was selfless and deeply touching, it was inconceivable for her to leave now. The mere thought brought a rush of trepidation, and her chest tightened as her heart felt it was being squeezed in a vice.
No, I could never do that, she rejected, resoundingly.
On impulse, she reached for his hand to slip hers in. She wasn't sure if it was more for his assurance or hers, but her small palm nestled within his bigger one felt as natural as breathing.
I'm not going anywhere, she promised, emphatically, I'm here indefinitely.
Or, at least as long as you'll have me, she added, softly.
He was stunned by her fervent response, but his expression quickly changed to relief. He noticed then her hand tucked, albeit loosely, in his, inspecting it for a moment. Assuming he was uncomfortable, she became suddenly self conscious and chastised herself for acting foolishly. She fully expected him to pull away, but instead, he folded his fingers over hers to tighten them in his grip.
Meeting her eyes again, his lips curved into an elated smile.
You are still welcome to stay with me, he affirmed, I want that very much.
She mirrored his smile with her own, tingles invading all over her skin as once before, which she dismissed again as the effects of the fever. What she didn't know was his body was having the same reaction in that moment.
It was accompanied by an odd, fluttering sensation in his stomach, like it was full of Butterfree. His heart was beating rapidly, and he felt a surge of adrenaline course through his veins. Was it possible he could be getting sick too after all? He did not believe so, but he surmised her decision was affecting him more strongly than he realized.
Thank you, she accepted, graciously.
She gave a light press to his hand before extracting it. She picked up the spoon then resting on the tray on the side of the carton to sample the oatmeal. The palm of his hand radiated heat where hers had been, and he could not help feeling disappointed of its absence. However, it was immediately dashed by the reaction of delight on her face to the taste of the breakfast cereal. He was gratified yet again by her happiness with the results of his endeavor.
She continued to eagerly dig into the oatmeal, but when a quarter remained, she paused and appeared hesitant to resume. She couldn't finish it. Her eyes scanned over the fruit and toast regretfully knowing she wouldn't be able to eat any of them at all either. The cold had diminished her appetite.
I'm sorry, she apologized, in a quiet, rueful tone, setting the spoon down, And after all the trouble you went through...
You did your best, he assuaged, with a soft smile.
She gave a smile also, but her head started to feel swimmy now, and her eyelids were drooping. The effects of the tea and medicine were finally kicking in, and combined with the warm food in her stomach, she was getting very drowsy. The last thing she knew before losing consciousness was she felt her body being laid back gently on the bed, and the blankets drawn up to her chin.
Ki slept on and off throughout the rest of the day. Each time she woke, Mewtwo would have a fresh cup of peppermint tea awaiting her, and a meal if she was hungry. Which she didn't question, already knowing in the back of her mind how he had procured it. Lunch was chicken noodle soup, and for dinner, a simple mixed berry and banana smoothie.
It was at this time well past dark. A visit to the bathroom, and another round of cough syrup later, she was ready to settle in for the night. Yet, she hesitated climbing back into bed. Despite his earlier insistence, she was still uncomfortable with the fact he would have nowhere to sleep.
I'm sorry, but I think it's better now if I return to my room and sleep in my own bed, she told him, I just can't in good conscience stay and force you to give up your bed any longer. You need rest too.
His face fell with the request, but he gave a nod of his head.
If that is what you wish, he replied, You do not need to fear I will forbid you. You are free to come and go as you like.
She smiled warmly at him. He managed a smile, though much fainter, in return.
Thank you, for everything, she said, gratefully.
Good night, she added.
Good night, he bade, softly.
Remembering to grab her shoes, she tottered across the room. He watched her pause at the threshold where she started to cough uncontrollably, and had to resist the urge to swoop over and bring her back. It soon subsided, and then she slipped out of sight as the door shut behind her.
Arriving in her room, she stumbled and nearly fell, drained from the short jaunt. She made it to the bed, however, and sat down, dropping her shoes unceremoniously on the ground beside her. She didn't bother to change into her nightgown, and peeled the covers back to crawl in under them, snuggling down deep. Her head barely connected with the pillow before she was asleep.
Cold... so... cold...
Sometime in the wee hours, she was dragged to semi-consciousness as chills wracked her body. She shivered profusely beneath the blankets, and reflexively, she pulled them tighter around her. The fever had returned, and with a vengeance, skyrocketing her temperature to near dangerous levels.
She was freezing to the point her teeth chattered. She curled into a ball to conserve heat, but it wasn't enough. She still couldn't get warm.
Suddenly, something encased her in its warmth like a cocoon. She nestled against the heat source with a relieved whimper.
Shhh, came the soothing, barely audible whisper, Sleep.
And she did, falling into one of the deepest, most restful sleeps she had in a long while. When she awoke in the morning, she was alone, and it felt as if it was a fever dream, or perhaps a hallucination. Though he never uttered a word of it, she was all but certain Mewtwo had come into her room that night to keep her warm.
Neither had been aware of it at the time, but their relationship was already starting to evolve into more than friends. Now fate seemed to be doing its damnest to rip him away from her only after realizing their feelings for each other. It was cruel and unfair.
Her hands balled into fists, trembling with emotion. Tears stung her eyes, and she inhaled a deep, shaky breath trying to stave them. She jumped almost a foot off the ground when she felt a light touch fall on her shoulder suddenly.
She blinked the world into focus, and found the very concerned faces of Delia and Professor Oak staring back at her.
"Oh my, are you all right, Kikara?" the older woman queried.
Ki's eyes flitted nervously between her and Oak on the video phone screen.
"I..." she stammered.
"It's quite all right, my dear," Oak interjected, kindly, "I know the news must have come as a nasty shock to you."
The young woman could only nod her head numbly in confirmation.
"But no need to fret," he added, reassuringly, "I have just the answer to your problem."
Ki's spirits sank even further, however. She knew what he would say, but there wasn't time to travel to Johto. She was puzzled when instead the professor presented a slightly yellowed and wrinkled piece of paper on the monitor.
"This recipe contains all the information to make the formula yourself," he continued, "I will send a copy of it over to you posthaste."
A recipe... While it was more than she expected to hope for at this point, recipes often meant cooking. She was unable to access the kitchen at home without running into Sabrina and facing a barrage of questions she wasn't ready to answer. And even if she could obtain the proper equipment, the barn was no place to prepare medicine like this where it needed a sterile environment.
Yet, what choice did she have?
"Thank you, Professor," she accepted, amenably.
"Why don't I help you whip up a batch in the kitchen?" Delia offered.
Ki's heart skipped a beat. Once again, the older woman seemed to have eerily accurate insight to her predicament. Shaking off her discomfiture, the teenager flashed a smile.
"I'd appreciate that very much," she responded.
"Before you get too far ahead of yourselves, I must warn you, it won't be that easy," Oak cautioned, interrupting, "The process takes hours and the ingredient list is extensive, sometimes nearly impossible, to gather."
"Two of the key berries required for the potion to be effective, enigma and lum, are quite rare and hard to find," he informed.
"As you know, lum cures all status aliments," he continued, "Enigma, however, is a little more of a mystery as we researchers haven't figured out just yet how its properties work, but we know it's been proven in healing severely ill Pokemon."
Ki sucked in her bottom lip as she thought of the berries in her backpack. She didn't recall seeing those among the assortment of trees in the grove, but the forest Pokemon had mostly filled the bag for her. She decided to take a quick inventory of her stock.
"I'll be right back," she excused herself.
With both Delia and the professor looking on curiously, the young woman scurried then to the kitchen to retrieve her backpack. It still rested on the floor next to the chair where she had left it. She was reminded of how heavy the bag was as she lifted it, teetering slightly off balance under the weight of the load. Securing one arm around the middle, while the other supported the bottom, she carried it as if it was a precious bundle back to the living room.
Ki gently placed the backpack on top of the cabinet near the video phone, and then carefully proceed to unzip the main compartment. Freed from their containment, the berries brimming at the top nearly spilled out. Delia and Oak were stunned speechless for a few moments by the copious amount as they watched Ki quickly began to sort them.
There was wiki, cheri, oran, mago... The professor's eyes nearly bugged out of his head.
"Where did you get all those?" he demanded.
Barely lifting her eyes to glance towards the monitor screen in his direction, she didn't let the question distract her from her feverish activity.
"I stopped in a forest along the way between here and Saffron," she answered, "Some wild Pokemon came to my aid. They took to me a hidden orchard where they gifted them to me."
Somehow, they had known, as evident by the piles of fruit with restorative health properties littering the table's surface. The odds of finding the two indispensable ones among them were incredibly low, she knew, but she prayed there was a still chance they had made their way in her possession. So far, however, there was no sign of either, and she was nearing the bottom of the bag.
Despair started creeping in. Her chest felt tight, her breaths growing shallower, and her heart pounded. Her eyes burned from the saline of unshed tears as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Please, please be here... please...
Her searching became more desperate. Just as she was beginning to lose all hope, a sheen of bright green caught her eye suddenly. Peeking out from under a fold in the corner was four pumpkin shaped berries. Nestled nearby were two dark purple pear shaped berries with strange light markings on all sides. Resembling a question mark, they seemed to almost give off an ethereal glow.
Even before she held up one of each triumphantly in her hands to show them, Delia and Oak could see the relief and elation wash over her face, her lips spreading into an euphoric smile.
"That's wonderful," the older woman exclaimed.
"Indeed," the professor echoed, "I was a bit anxious myself wondering."
"I will be sending along the recipe now," he added, "Good luck, and please do call if you need me to assist you with anything further."
"Thank you, Professor," Delia responded, "We will."
"Mmmhmm," he hummed, approvingly, "Oh, and it was nice to meet you, Kikara. I wish you well, and hope your Pokemon friend makes a full recovery. Safe travels."
Still overcome with emotion, the young woman nodded before finding her voice.
"It was good to meet you too, Professor Oak," the young woman replied, quietly, "I can't thank you enough for all you've done."
"You're quite welcome," he said, with a warm smile, "Bye now."
He waved, and then the screen went dark a moment later as he hung up. Delia approached the terminal after, and with a few key strokes, gained access to her email account. In the inbox waiting was a message with an attachment from the professor, and she clicked to download it.
She opened the document once it had finished to reveal the complete list of ingredients. Ki glanced around her shoulder to skim over it, and was happy to see she could check off each one, including the enigma and lum. The accompanying directions, however, didn't look so easy. There were many time consuming meticulous steps involved, and she worried how much longer she could be away from Mewtwo.
Sliding out a drawer below the tabletop, Delia extracted a large notepad and a pencil, and began to jot down the recipe in an abbreviated form. She carefully separated the sheet she'd written on from the rest of the paper after she finished, handing the piece to Ki. She saved the email before exiting, and shut down computer mode.
She turned then to the young woman again with an optimistic smile.
"Well, shall we get started?" she proposed.
"Yes," Ki assented, eagerly.
Gathering the berries in a large bowl Delia fetched from the kitchen, the two women headed back there together to begin preparations. Over the course of the next few hours, they chopped, boiled, mashed, and strained the fruit per instructions. It was onerous labor, testing the limits of patience as the process could not be hurried to ensure quality and the correct potency.
Ki knew she was not pounding the rawst berries hard enough to turn into a paste, but at this point she was beyond mentally and physically exhausted. Not to mention unbearably warm from the combination of the late afternoon heat and the stove. The work was mostly done now, and the potion was cooling before she could pour it into a medicine vial, but she still needed to make the salve for the burns on Mewtwo's body. She felt a bead of sweat trickle down the side of her forehead.
She protested, however, when Delia gently wrenched the mortar out of her hands.
"You need to take a break," she insisted, "I'll bring out more lemonade and sandwiches from the fridge. Go. Sit."
The teen dropped the pestle into the bowl and pouted as she reluctantly obeyed the order, but at the same time she was grateful for the older woman's nurturing. She was reminded of when Mew would mother her in a similar fashion. Her thoughts turned to wonder how the Pokemon was holding up. She hoped she wasn't having any problems. So far, her usual indicator for trouble hadn't manifested itself, but how long until that luck eventually ran out?
Ki had to admit the refreshments and short rest ended up being just what she needed. She felt rejuvenated, grinding the berries with the correct amount of pressure as she resumed to create the ointment after. By the time she was spooning the thick cream into a small jar, the potion was ready to be transferred to the bottles. It was fortuitous there had been enough for a double batch. She prayed there would never be another occasion she would need it, but at least she would have an extra on hand just in case.
She noticed the shadows were beginning to stretch longer across the kitchen, and grew anxious. She estimated there was about an hour or so before the sun set. If she wanted to make it home before dark, she would have to leave immediately.
Carefully, she loaded the medicine into her backpack, ensuring to secure it where the glass could not get broken along the way. She eased the bag onto her shoulders, and tightened the straps to hug it closer to her body. Emptied of all the berries save but a handful, it was much lighter now, and she was glad for that. She simply didn't have the stamina left to support such weight anymore.
She then turned to Delia, giving her a bittersweet smile. It was more than likely they wouldn't cross paths again, but she would never forget this day, and all what the older woman had done for her. Ki had come to trust her wholeheartedly, and regarded her now as a friend.
"It's best I be on my way," she started, her voice low, "I have to get home as soon as possible. I've been away for much too long already, and I'm worried my friend's condition could deteriorate further if I delay any more in giving him the medicine."
"Of course," Delia assured, "And you're welcome to come back anytime. Maybe you could bring your friend along then too on your next visit so we can meet him."
The young woman's smile tightened at the suggestion, but she managed to maintain its amiability. That was out of the realm of possibility, but she pretended to agree.
"I... I really don't know how I will ever be able to repay you for your kindness and hospitality," she finished.
"Think nothing of it, dear," the older woman dismissed, "I was glad to help in any way I could."
She went slightly ahead of Ki as she began to walk towards the front of the house. Upon reaching the door, Delia suddenly stopped.
"Oh, I almost forgot I wanted to give you something," she said, turning around to face her, "It's upstairs. Please wait. It'll only take a minute."
Ki tried not to let her impatience show. She had no time to waste on such frivolities, but she found herself nodding a consent. With that, the older woman hurried up to the second floor.
Just as she promised, she returned shortly after holding a tissue wrapped bundle in her arms. She approached the teen and held it out for her to accept. Cautiously, Ki took the parcel in her own hands, curious of the contents. She could see a hint of silvery blue fabric poking out of one corner.
"When I was about your age, I was aspiring to become a model," Delia explained, "I would wear this to auditions at modeling agencies. It didn't work out, but I kept the dress for sentimental reasons. I don't know why, but I feel you should have it now."
Ki was speechless. No one had ever given her a gift as precious as this before. She almost refused it knowing how much it meant to the older woman. However, she could read in her voice and expression she was adamant on parting with it, and didn't want to offend her generosity.
"I... I don't know what to say," she faltered, finally finding her voice, "Thank you... Thank you so much. I will treasure it."
Delia gave a gleeful smile, clasping her hands together.
"I'm sure you will look just lovely in it," she remarked.
Ki smiled at the comment, but was less enthusiastic, bordering on uncertainty. She hadn't worn a dress since she was little. It was impractical for her daily regimen as a trainer. The more brooding thought was she didn't believe she had the figure for it.
"I hope so," she simply responded.
She eased off one strap of her bag to access the smaller front compartment, and unzipped it to slip the package inside. It would act as an additional barrier to cushion the bottles of medicine. Closing the pouch up, she returned the strap to her shoulder.
Reaching for the doorknob, she gave it a twist and swung open the door. She squinted as the evening sunlight hit her eyes, and stepped out onto the porch tentatively. She sensed Delia behind her accompanying her.
When her eyes adjusted, Ki scoured the road and front yard for Rapidash where she had last left it. She noticed Mr. Mime was still here, but had transitioned now to working in the garden. There was no sign of the fire horse, however.
"Mimey, do you know where Rapidash went?" Delia inquired the Pokemon.
Mr. Mime nodded its head, and pointed to the south.
"Mime, Mime, Mr. Mime," he answered.
Ki's shoulders slumped as she was faced with the reality of a longer trip home than she planned. Rapidash was never hers to begin with, and was free to go as it pleased, but its speed would have covered significantly more ground in a shorter period of time than flying under her own power at present. It would be well after dark when she arrived, and by then, she wasn't certain if it would be too late.
"Oh, dear," Delia fretted, "Mimey says it took off towards the mountains a little while ago. And Saffron is such a long way on foot."
"I will manage," Ki spoke up, her voice so low it was almost a whisper.
"I could ring Professor Oak again and ask to use his car so he can drive..." the older woman started to suggest.
"No," the teen quickly, but gently, cut her off, "No, that won't be necessary. Thank you."
"You both have done more than enough for me," she added, seeing the look of disappointment on her face, "It would feel as if I am taking advantage. I assure you, I will be all right."
There was a note of finality in her words Delia could clearly hear, and realized this time nothing she could say or do would dissuade her. She gave a sigh of defeat as she conceded. The girl was certainly tenacious, not unlike her own son, and she had to at least admire that.
"Have a safe journey," she wished her, instead, offering a warm smile.
Ki slightly nodded her head acknowledging the sentiment, but the solemn expression on her face remained.
"I will send word when I can," she promised.
She owed her that much at least. Stepping off the porch, she walked briskly down to the road where she turned to begin to head back towards Viridian. She would miss by mere moments Ash and his friends returning in the opposite direction from their mountain excursion.
"We're back, Mom!" Ash greeted, jogging ahead the rest of the way to the house, "Hey, who was that?"
He stared puzzled at the growingly faint silhouette in the distance. It soon crested over the hill and eventually disappeared.
"It was the young lady who rescued Pikachu," Delia replied, slightly melancholic.
The boy frowned pensively hearing the sadness in his mother's voice. The electric mouse perched on his shoulder mirrored his expression. Something bad must have happened.
"What's the matter?" he inquired, worriedly.
"She has a Pokemon best friend who is very sick, and needed a special medicine for him," she explained, "That's why she was here."
"So that must have been what the emergency was," he mused.
"But we saw her leaving your house," Brock pointed out, "Shouldn't she have been to Professor Oak's place to get the potion from him?"
"She had stopped to ask for directions," the woman informed, "The poor dear was a little out of sorts, so I brought her inside to recuperate."
"I phoned the professor for her instead," she continued, "It was fortunate we did because he didn't have it."
"Oh no, that's terrible," Misty bemoaned, "But couldn't she get it at the Pokemon Center? Why come all the way here?"
"If it is what I think it is, you can't just waltz into a local Pokemon Center for this stuff," Brock interjected, "It's used in circumstances where a Pokemon's condition is so severe it may die without the treatment. Only pharmacies and labs, like Professor Oak's, are permitted to make and carry it because it's extremely potent."
"Yes, the professor had a recipe for the formula," Delia confirmed, "Coincidentally, she happened to have all of the ingredients with her she picked up along the way, so I helped her make a batch in my kitchen."
"Wait, all of them?" he uttered, incredulously.
"All of them," she affirmed.
"Is there something wrong, Brock?" Misty asked, noticing the flabbergasted expression on his face.
He shook his head, momentarily speechless.
"No, it's incredible, really," he said, finally, "Some of the berries in that recipe are so rare they're almost impossible to find, and she had all of them."
"I don't get it," Ash puzzled, "If she has the potion to cure her friend, then why are you sad, mom?"
"Oh, honey, I suppose it's because I have pity for her" she sighed, "She's too young to be carrying such heavy burdens on her shoulders, but she balks at accepting anyone's help."
"She had a Rapidash with her I assume she rode in on," she said, "But hours later it had vanished when she was ready to leave. Yet, she flat out refused my offer of getting the professor to drive her back in his car."
"She wouldn't let us help her either," Brock reminded, "She doesn't seem to easily trust people."
"She is rather wary," the woman agreed, "She was warming up to me I thought, until I made that offer. Then she began rebuffing me again."
A thought appeared to strike her suddenly as a memory surfaced.
"Oh, I remember now," she exclaimed, "She mentioned that Team Rocket had stolen her Pokemon and that's how he got injured before she rescued him. She said they could be trying to track her down. Perhaps it was the reason she rejected my suggestion so soundly. Traveling in a car to Saffron would certainly attract too much attention."
"Team Rocket?!" all three children cried in unison, each sporting horrified expressions.
"Then Kikara's got to be in some serious trouble to draw Team Rocket's ire," Brock speculated, grimly, "He must be super rare for them to want him that badly."
"Man, I sure wish we could help," Ash huffed, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets, "I hope they'll be okay."
He cast his gaze somberly towards the empty hillside path again where the teen had passed over a little while ago. Pikachu nuzzled comfortingly under his chin, and the boy reached to pat his buddy on the head. The Pokemon was worried also.
"So do I, honey," Delia empathized, "So do I."