Is this- Squirtle shouted, dodging whipping vines from a bellsprout -the best you've got? Another member of the Squirtle Squad withdrew into their shell and jetted over at the grass type.
A machop jumped in the way of the attack, backhanding the squirtle. She was sent spiraling back the way she came and the bellsprout withdrew into the forest. Two more squirtles jumped forward, blasting at the fighting type with Water Gun attacks.
The machop leaned to the side and twisted its body, letting the two jets of blue-white frothing water pass it by on either side. Squirtle took the opportunity to aid his squad mates with his own Water Gun attack, blasting at the machop with a pressured stream of water while it couldn't dodge!
But a blue pokémon with a wide tail and a black and white spiral on its front, a poliwag, jumped in front of the machop. It took the Water Gun attack head on. Instead of splattering off the water type, Squirtle's attack was sucked up by the poliwag's Water Absorb ability.
That's just not playing fair, Squirtle muttered. He flipped over, withdrawing into his shell as he did so, and propelled upwards on a pillar of water. Arcs of blue-white light passed through the space he had been, a Psywave attack from the poliwag.
Everybody hit them! Squirtle ordered as he emerged from his shell in midair. His cheeks puffed out and then he blasted at the machop with another pressurized fountain of water. The machop ducked behind the poliwag.
Two more members of the Squirtle Squad withdrew into their shells and blasted forwards using jets of water. They came speeding in on either side of the group of enemies.
Two sets of vines snapped out of the forest, whipping the squirtles away from the poliwag and machop. Both the machop and poliwag smirked as they watched the attacks fail.
You forgot about me! The squirtle that machop had backhanded earlier came blasting back into the battle, smashing into the poliwag. The poliwag let out a screech of pain as it folded around the point of impact. It was sent flying backwards, eventually skidding to a halt in a pile of dead leaves.
Machop moved to assist, but a Water Gun attack caught it in the chest. The fighting type was blasted off of its feet.
Everyone on that poliwag! Squirtle ordered as he landed. He withdrew into his shell and jetted at the enemy water type. He was joined by the squirtle who had hit the machop with the Water Gun. They were two blue blurs trailed by jets of water as they sped over the forest floor at the poliwag.
They smacked into the poliwag as it picked itself up, hard shells thudding into soft flesh. The poliwag's eyes bulged and it let out a soundless gasp of pain.
And then the two squirtles increased the intensity of their water jets, carrying the poliwag with them on their flight. Caught on the two shells, the poliwag was carried into the air. Trees whizzed past on either side as the three flew forward.
With a resounding slam that shook the forest, the two squirltes smashed the poliwag into an old oak. Leaves were shaken off the nearby branches, surrounding everyone in a shower of red, orange, and brown. The two squirltes came out of their shells and jumped back from the prone poliwag.
Get away from her! Machop shouted, landing behind them.
Two hands, two lightning fast chops. Squirtle felt a horrible, paralyzing sensation in his neck, pain radiating out from the point of impact.
Crap, Squirtle managed to grunt as he and his comrade fell forward.
Hey! You can't do that to Squirtle! One of the other three members of the Squirtle Squad who were guarding the rear of the group from the village shouted. Only we get to beat up on the boss!
Three Water Gun attacks lanced through the forest. Two sets of vines lashed out. The Water Gun attacks were dispersed by the whipping vines, water splattering everywhere.
Our turn! Machop shouted, charging forward. Squirtle tried to pick himself up, but he was still suffering from the chop to the neck. He could only manage to turn himself around to watch the fight.
One of the Squirtle Squad let loose a Bubble attack, forcing Machop to abandon his charge to avoid the stream of watery spheres. But another Vine Whip attack from the trees above destroyed the bubbles, the green tentacle spearing a curving path through the stream of bubbles. And yet another set of vines lashed out at the Squirtle Squad.
No don't scatter! Squirtle shouted, but it was too late. The three members of the Squirtle Squad let the vines drive them apart. And then the machop was charging forward again.
Three lightning fast punches to the face that sounded like the world's fastest meat tenderizer and one squirtle was down.
Not even watching his opponent fall, Machop wasted no time in moving onto the next squirtle. Its limbs were a grey blur, smashing through the water type's defenses. A chop to the head, a kick to the knee, and then a punishing grip to the forepaw before the squirtle could withdraw into her shell.
A sickening crack rang out as the machop brought his other hand down on the squirtle's limb, breaking the extremity. Squritle felt sick as the other squirtle shrieked in horrible pain. He tried to move, but his body still wouldn't respond.
The last squirtle managed to catch Machop with a Water Gun attack, blasting it away into the forest. His victory was short lived though, as two sets of vines snapped out of the trees, laying open his skin on the face and limbs with a double Vine Whip attack. Chemical secretions from the vines were driven into his skin. While, at the same time, the lashing vines absorbed vital moisture from the pokémon.
Squirtle forced himself to stand despite the pain just as he fell from the attacks. He spat out a short Bubblebeam attack, the stream of high velocity ovaloid bubbles blasting through the branches and leaves where he guessed that the vines had originated from.
Squirtle staggered onward, his breathes coming in hisses as he forced himself forward, trying to get closer to the three recently downed squirtles. The machop would certainly be returning soon and he had to protect them!
Squirtle heard dead leaves crunch and blasted at the sound with a Water Gun. His instincts proved true and his attack caught the machop. Once again, the fighting type was knocked off of its feet by a pressurized jet of water to the face.
And then Squirtle heard a cry of pain come from behind him. He turned around to see that the squirtle behind him, the one who had helped take out the poliwag, getting lashed by vines. The squirtle fell to the ground, limp and unmoving, while the vines withdrew.
Squirtle quickly turned his head and fired off a Bubble attack in the direction that he had last seen the machop, just to try and keep it away for as long as he could, and then returned his gaze to where the vines had come from.
He was tired. He was hurting. His head was still fuzzy from the machop's attack. Squirtle's legs trembled. His tail was limp. And he was breathing hard. He could barely stand.
But he was the only protection that his comrades had!
Leaves rustled and Squirtle fired off another Bubblebeam attack. Bubbles blasted leaves, branches, and one set of vines, deflecting the Vine Whip attack.
More leaves rustled, this time above Squirtle. He looked up to see yet more vines snake out of the trees; at the same time there was a commotion behind him, but he couldn't look, he tried to move, but the vines were too quick, and all Squirtle could do was stumble back, and the vines were coming-
No!
Squirtle's vision went dark as something threw itself on top of him, human arms wrapping around the water type.
Vines cracked.
A young human screamed in sudden, horrible, pain.
But the human didn't move and Squirtle wasn't hurt.
Squirtle heard a snarl of rage, too intense for words, and the sound of furiously flapping wings. He managed to peak out from beneath the human to see Pidgeotto clamp her beak on the end of one of the vines, her claws around the main length. With a grunt and a mighty yank, shore tore a piece off.
A pokémon shrieked in pain from the trees and then Pikachu was in front of Squirtle and the human, buzzing and glowing with electric power.
You'll pay for that, Pikachu said in a flat tone, even as his body tensed and trembled, even as his forepaws clenched. A powerful Thunderbolt attack lanced out from him, blindingly bright. It speared into the forest, aiming for the source of the shriek, briefly staining the world yellow and filling it ominous buzzing.
Shit shit shit shit shit, a pokémon was swearing from the tree branches as plant life was incinerated by Pikachu's attack. The vines withdrew back into the leaves.
I'm getting a message from Zubat! Another voice shouted, hidden in the trees. Everyone retreat!
Squirtle looked around, catching sight of the machop. He shouted a warning, but the machop just ran past the group, towards where the poliwag lay. Pikachu let loose another Thunderbolt, but the machop was able to dodge, the scintillating electric attack scorching the earth just behind the fighting type. It ducked low, grabbed the poliwag, and then sprinted away.
The human leaned back and Squirtle saw that it was Ash. His face was stained with tears and it kept twisting in pain. The boy grit his teeth and looked down at Squirtle.
Are you okay? Ash asked the blue pokémon, obviously struggling to keep his voice steady. They didn't hurt you did they? What about the rest of the squad?
Ash you- Pikachu turned around to face his trainer, voice quivering, tail stiff and sticking straight out, and forepaws curled into fists. You- you- stupid-fool -idiot- your back! Someone wake up Melanie! We need to get this treated right away!
What were you thinking!? Pidgeotto shrieked.
What happened? Butterfree asked, fluttering up to join them and getting a look at his trainer. Oh, Ash, Butterfree exclaimed in a horrified tone.
I'll recover, but- Squirtle leaned around Ash to see the human boy's back. The boy's jacket had been split open, as had the black shirt underneath, and the skin under that. An ugly stripe of dirty red covered the length of the boy's back, drops of blood occasionally dripping down. Ash, you- you-
Squirtle was at a loss for words.
The boy started to stand up and then gasped in pain. Tears began to fall in earnest, but the boy grit his teeth and forced himself to his feet.
The boy opened his mouth to speak, but ended up panting from the pain for several seconds. He closed his eyes, grit his teeth, and forced himself to swallow before opening his mouth to speak.
We need to get everybody to Melanie, he announced finally. Pidgeotto, Butterfree, you'll each need to carry one. I should be able to carry two-
No! Absolutely not! Pikachu all but screamed. Butterfree, Pidgeotto, stay here and guard the squirtles. Ash! You are going back to Melanie and she will take care of your back, even if I have to shock her awake!
But the Squirtle Squad- Ash tried to protest, but Pikachu wouldn't listen.
Bulbasaur can come back for them! Pikachu continued, still almost screaming. Pidgeotto and Butterfree can help move them! But you are in no shape to help! I wouldn't let you walk if there was anyone big enough to carry you! But since none of us can do that you'll have to suffer the results of your absolute idiocy until we can get Melanie to fix you! And maybe she can give you a functioning brain while she's at it!
Pikachu was out of breath when he finished his tirade, glaring up at his trainer. The electric type was flushed, trembling, and covered in sweat, so much so that Squritle almost didn't notice the liquid leaking out of the corners of his eyes.
Okay, Ash said in a meek voice, eyes looking to the side. I- I'm- I'm sorry…..
Just start going back to Melanie, now! Pikachu said loudly, but his tone was almost pleading. I'll guard you, so don't worry, please just go!
I'll help, Squirtle croaked out to Pikachu. If they come back, I'll help guard him.
Alright, Ash said in the quietest voice Squirtle had heard him use.
"Yeeeeeeeeeouch!" Melanie screeched. Aoba winced. Ash winced. Ash's wince irritated his wounded back and the sudden flare of pain caused tears to start leaking out of his eyes again.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah," Melanie waved her hands in front of her for a minute. "I hate, hate, hate, hate having to set my own nose." She reached into her pocket, withdrew a bloodstained handkerchief, and then began to wipe at her nose again.
Out of all the humans, Melanie's injuries had been the least severe. When the Sleep Powder had forced her into slumber she had fallen on her face and broken her nose. She had woken up with a bloody face, that had scared several years off of Bulbasaur's lifespan but without any major injuries.
"Okay, now for you two," Melanie said, reaching into one of her packs for some medical supplies. "Shirt off Aoba. Aaron carefully lay down on your front. Bulbasaur, can you see if you can that shirt and jacket off of him? I'll do it if you can't."
On it, Bulbasaur growled from behind Ash. Ash wanted to twist around to see what he was doing, but knew that he would probably faint from the pain if he tried to do so. Instead he complied with Melanie's orders. Spurts of pain came from his back as he did so but he managed to lie down on his front.
Ash turned his head as far as he was able to, in order to watch Melanie tend to Aoba. The biochemist was sitting cross legged on the ground. His shirt was off and Ash could see that the bandages wrapped around the biochemist's torso were stained red.
"You've re-opened this," Melanie said examining the wound through the bandage. "I'm going to need to redo the stiches."
"Can it wait until you're done with Aaron?", Aoba asked, wincing as the blue haired woman pokéd and prodded him.
"No, I don't want your infection to get worse," Melanie told him, getting out more supplies. "We're nearly out of antibiotics, but we have plenty of disinfectants."
"Do you have any painkillers?" Aoba asked, grimacing.
"No," Melanie told him before turning to her bag of medical supplies. "Now lay down on your back. Bulbasaur, are you having any problems?"
While Melanie had been tending to Aoba Bulbasaur had been busy using his Razor Leaf to cut off Ash's ruined shirt and jacket. Tremors of pain had shot through Ash when the cloth fibers embedded in his wound were tugged on, but the pokéraised child grit his teeth, ignored his tears and did his best to endure the pain.
The pokémon from the village had gathered in a circle around the wounded humans, with the healthy members of the Squirtle Squad standing guard. The wounded members of the Squirtle Squad stood, sat and lay close to the center, along with Charmander who was nursing the back of his head.
Butterfree and Pidgeotto flew short patrols overhead, keeping an eye out for any enemies who decided to return. Pikachu alternated between glaring and scanning the forest for threats and glaring at the wound on Ash's back while trembling.
Aoba lay on the ground while Melanie undid his bandages. She gathered the supplies she would need and then turned to Bulbasaur who had finished cutting off Ash's shirt and jacket.
"If you're done with the cutting, you can clean the blood around the wound with this and some warm water," the blue haired woman told the grass type, offering him a clean rag. "See if one of the squirtles can mix in a pinch of salt as well."
On it, Bulbasaur said, taking the rag with a vine. Any of you lot capable of producing very mildly salty water on demand?
I can do it, Squirtle said.
Good, Bulbasaur replied. Make it as warm as you can, the grass type said, extending his vine to offer Squirtle the rag. The water type soaked it in a trickle of warm water and then Bulbasaur took it back.
Ash flinched when he felt the rag touch his blood soaked back, sending another wave of pain through him as the motion aggravated the wound. And then Bulbasaur began to methodically clean the area around the wound, mopping away blood and cloth fiber. Ash clenched his fists and squeezed his eyes closed so that he wouldn't react to the pain when Bulbasaur got to close to the bloody trench the Vine Whip attack had carved into his back.
"Shit!" Ash heard Aoba hiss. The pokéraised child figured that Melanie had either applied disinfectant or begun replacing stiches. He tried not to think about how that would feel when it was his turn.
Ash lay still, eyes closed as Bulbasaur cleaned his back, and listened to Aoba as he tried not to swear or scream. The boy shivered; his back felt cold even though it had been a mildly warm autumn day; the blood and the water both made the air feel so much colder than it was.
"Alright, you're done," Ash heard Melanie announce. "Take it easy and try not to tear these will you?"
"I didn't exactly mean to tear the first ones," Aoba complained in response. "And don't worry about me, you should have treated Aaron first."
"You've been in critical condition for the last several days," Melanie replied. "You couldn't afford any delay."
Ash heard human footsteps and the rustle of cloth.
"Oh, Aaron," he heard Melanie sigh. "You poor thing. You poor brave boy." She gently stroked his hair.
More like absolutely stupid thing, Ash heard Pikachu mutter in a voice that sounded like it would break at the slightest touch.
I'm forced to agree, Bulbasaur chimed in.
"Aaron, I'm so sorry, but this is going to really hurt and I need you to stay still for me," the woman told him. "Can you do that?"
"Yes," Ash said, not opening his eyes.
"I need to clean this first, okay Aaron?" Melanie asked, gently rubbing his neck. "Can you tell me if it starts hurting real bad?"
"Yes," Ash whispered again; eyes still closed.
"Okay, I'm starting now." Ash hissed and nearly flinched when he felt the disinfectant on his back. It stung and burned and he was cold and the ground was uncomfortable and he didn't want to be there and he just wanted it all to quit hurting already…..
Ash didn't know how long it took her to disinfect the wound left by the Vine Whip attack. He was trying very hard not to focus on the pain. Once again, he remembered the mental defense training that Pocket Watch had given him so long ago. He tried to use the techniques to avoid focusing on the pain.
"Aaron, I'm done cleaning okay," Melanie told him, gently stroking the back of his head. "You did a good job. I'm going to put the disinfectant away and I need you keep staying still."
"Okay," Ash said. He had managed to quit crying by that time. His face was covered in salt, left behind after the tears dried, and his arms were trembling. His neck was starting to hurt as well, an effect of holding his current position.
"I'm back Aaron," Melanie told him. "You did a good job. I'm going to need you to keep doing a good job, okay? You're going to need some stiches. This is going to hurt a lot. Do you need something to bite down on?"
"No," Ash responded, his voice weak and shaking.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Ash replied. He could handle this.
When the needle pierced his flesh, the child couldn't stop a hiss of pain. Fresh tears welled up in his eyes. Ash desperately reached for the mental defense training again and for the memory of happier times. Of playing catch with his caretakers in the mountains by Lavender Town. Half-forgotten memories of Jack and Shelly. Of his 'competitions' with Gary. Teasing Pikachu.
It was so much harder not to move. Not to scream. Ash thought that he felt liquid on his hand; his nails were digging into his palms so hard that they had drawn blood.
Pain and tightness ruled Ash's back, like his skin had been replaced by an ill-fitting rough suit that through some bizarre circumstances, was made out of an acidic material. His breathing was ragged and his throat was parched.
Shh, shh, it'll be alright, Ash heard Pikachu, sounding like the pokémon was crying as well. And then Ash felt his starter nuzzle his face.
You're doing good kid, keep it up, Bulbasaur grunted, wrapping a vine around Ash's arm.
"Come on Aaron," Ash heard Aoba say and then a human hand grasped his other hand.
Once more, Ash lost track of time through the haze of pain. He could vaguely feel Pikachu trying to comfort him and Bulbasaur's vine wrapped around his arm. He could hear Melanie muttering soothing things. He tried to focus on happier memories. But it was so hard!
Each poké of the needle and pull of the thread yanked Ash back to the pain. Reminded him of the cold. Of the feelings of wrongness. Of Pikachu's angry words.
And then Melanie said. "It's done."
Ash sighed while Melanie continued. "You did a good job Aaron, you brave boy. You can relax now. Just lay there a bit. Would you like some water?"
Yes, Ash answered, eyes still closed.
"What? I didn't understand you," Melanie said.
Ash swallowed before answering again. "Yes," he managed to croak out.
"I'll go get some," Melanie said and then Ash heard her getting up.
"You did good kid," Aoba said by his side. "I know some adults who would've fainted getting stiches like that."
Ash tried to get out a response, but talking was too much effort. The boy heard Melanie return and the rustle of cloth as she knelt beside him.
"Open your mouth," she ordered gently. Ash complied and felt the open of a canteen on his lips, followed by a trickle of water. While a good portion leaked out of the corner of his mouth, Ash managed to get most of it down.
"Can I get up?" Ash managed to say after the drink.
"Let us help you," Melanie said. "You'll want to be very careful or you'll end up tearing your stiches."
"It's not fun Aaron," Aoba said from Ash's other side, "trust me on that."
The two of them grabbed his arms and shoulders gently. "Are you ready?" Melanie asked.
"Yes." Ash replied and then gritted his teeth as they lifted him up and slung his arms over their shoulders. Pain returned, but it wasn't as bad as before. He opened his eyes as he was brought back to his feet and the world was a shade too bright.
"Okay, try not to move around too much," Melanie said as the three started to move. "We'll need to find you a place to sit for tonight-"
"No," Ash told her. "We need to keep moving. We can't stay here with those Rockets nearby."
Melanie sighed. "Aaron, are you sure you're up to it?" She asked him. "You should at least take a night to recover-"
Ash shook his head and then regretted it. Wincing he told her "We don't have a night. We need to get you and Aoba to that pokémon center."
"Aaron-"Aoba began, voice between anger and grief. "Aaron, don't worry about me. If I had known what would-"
"Did you happen to plan stumbling into my village?" Melanie asked, cutting him off. "Or Aaron and his friends stumbling over Oddish?"
"No," Aoba replied, taken aback.
"Then what were you about to regret?" Melanie's eyes narrowed as she looked at the biochemist over Ash's shoulder. "If you're about to regret finding some sliver of safety with us, I must warn you my intent was to provide care, comfort, and safety to every resident of the village, no matter how brief their stay. I will not stand for anyone denigrating that purpose, not even a resident of the village such as yourself Mr. Aoba."
"You really would have been better off Team Rocket had killed me before I reached your village," Aoba stated, not meeting her eyes and instead staring at the ground. The two adults helped Ash walk over to a large rock where he sat down.
"I would have been better off personally if I had gone into pokémon breeding. Or botany. Or if I had married rich." Melanie told the biochemist after they had set Ash down. She then quickly retrieved a roll of bandages and began wrapping them around the wounded child's torso. "I'm not out here in the wilderness because I was interested in doing good for myself."
"What about the pokémon then?" Aoba asked, still not meeting her eyes. "They would've been better off if Team Rocket had killed me before I found you."
He's got a point, Bulbasaur muttered.
"And each pokémon might be better off individually if there were less of them at the village," Melanie replied, rolling her eyes, finishing up wrapping Ash's torso and moving on to the bandages for the upper back. "But that's not the point."
"Can we argue on the way?" Ash asked from his seat. "I really don't want to give Team Rocket time to attack us again."
"You need to wait at least an hour before you think of moving!" Melanie said sharply, making sure to look the boy in the eye. "And I honestly don't think you or Aoba should do any more travelling today!"
"But if we don't then Team Rocket will attack us again," Ash pointed out, squashing the urge to stand. "We need to get somewhere where we can hide or defend so they don't attack us again!"
He's right you know, Bulbasaur spoke up, pointing at Ash with a vine.
"It's not safe to move either of them," Melanie told the grass type, eyes narrowing again.
"It's not safe to stay here," Aoba said, finally meeting the blue haired woman's eyes.
"Fine!" Melanie threw up her hands in surrender. "But if you two tear your stiches don't blame me!"
Their pace was much slower from then on, with Ash taking care not to aggravate the wound running up and down his back, and Tauros taking care not to jostle Aoba. Ash had gotten a replacement jacket out of his pack and then given said pack to Tauros to carry.
Ash pushed both himself and the rest of the group to continue until well after sunset, trying to make up for the time lost when Team Rocket attacked.
The child walked near the back of the group this time, with the remaining members of the Squirtle Squad. Bulbasaur, Pidgeotto, and Butterfree guarded the front of their little caravan. The wounded pokémon limped or were carried in the center. The whole group stuck was bunched closer together despite the danger and discomfort such an arrangement posed; they no longer had enough able-bodied fighters to move as they had done earlier in the day.
Ash was at first glad of the privacy that his location provided, until he tried talking to Pikachu who was walking beside him. Pikachu didn't respond to his trainer beyond mono-syllablic answers to basic questions. Pikachu even refused to look at his trainer if the electric-type could avoid it.
None of the Squirtle Squad with them were up to much conversation either, so Ash walked along in glum, sullen silence. Night fell and Melanie finally put her foot down and made everyone stop.
Melanie took care of setting up camp, forbidding Ash from doing anything more than fishing a new shirt out of his pack, something to wear under his jacket to help ward off the chill of the autumn night. When Ash had insisted on trying to feed the pokémon she had glared at him and put her hands on her hips.
"Young man, if you don't stop this right now then you stand the risk of tearing out some stiches," Melanie told him, looking down at the boy. "Do you want to go through the ordeal of replacing them?"
"But-"Ash tried to protest, but the blue haired woman wouldn't let him speak.
"But nothing mister. You need to go sit down and eat! Have one of those protein bars and I'll get you some dried apple slices and jerky to go with it." Melanie made a shooing gesture with one hand. "Shoo! You need to rest so you can convalesce."
"Fine," Ash muttered, slinking off to go eat.
It took Melanie about an hour to get camp set up and all the pokémon fed. While that was happening, Ash and Aoba ate their 'dinners' in silence.
Pikachu kept some distance between him and Ash, never letting his trainer out of his sight, but never getting too close to him either. The electric type eventually began to occupy itself by attacking a tree, punching and tackling it.
Ash sat on a fallen tree and looked up at the clear autumn sky, as the stars began to reveal themselves, splashing a swath of silvery white light against the black backdrop of the night sky. A cool breeze made him draw his replacement jacket tighter, taking care not to aggravate his back, which had begun to throb. Nocturnal flying-types and bug-types began to awaken and sing their songs; their day was just starting, even as the boy's was ending.
Ash heard the sounds of a human approaching and turned to see Melanie heading towards him. She took a seat on the log next to him.
"How are you holding up Aaron?" She asked Ash.
"I'm- I'm fine," Ash told her, looking back at the sky.
"Are you sure? Where's Pikachu?"
"He's over there," Ash waved in Pikachu's general direction.
"What's he doing?"
"I don't know," Ash muttered in a sullen tone as he kept staring skywards. "He's fighting a tree or something."
"Any idea why?" Melanie asked.
"No," Ash said shortly. "He's been acting stupid since I got hurt."
"Hmmm," Melanie said. Ash saw her look up out of the corner of his eye, joining him in looking up at the night sky. "He was your first pokémon, right?"
"Yes," Ash muttered.
"He seemed really worried about you earlier today," Melanie pointed out. "Have you gotten hurt like this before?"
"No," Ash said, still looking at the sky.
"I see," Melanie said softly. "He's probably very miserable right now."
"Why?" Ask asked, sniffing. He was surprised to feel tears leaking out of the corners of his eyes again. Hadn't he cried enough already today?
"His favorite human got hurt and he wasn't able to protect them," Melanie told the black-haired boy. "He probably feels like he failed you."
"Then why is acting like he's so mad at me?" Ash quietly huffed, looking at the ground between his feet.
"He probably doesn't know how to face you after you got hurt like that," Melanie told the younger boy. "And he probably is angry with your decisions as well. That makes it all more complicated."
"Melanie," Ash began in a quiet voice and then hesitated. "Do you- Do you-"
Ash closed his eyes hard, trying to squash his tears. He had already cried too much. "Do you think I did something wrong? Are my pokémon supposed to be mad at me?"
"That's a good question," Melanie replied. "Aaron, would you mind it if I gave you a hug?"
"No," Ash shook his head. He felt an arm curl around his shoulders, and he leaned on Melanie, sniffling.
"Aaron, I didn't see what happened," Melanie told him as he began to silently cry into her shoulder. "So, I don't know if you made any mistakes. But I do know that your decision hurt something that your pokémon obviously find very precious."
"My back?" Ash sniffed, staring at a boring pebble by his right foot.
"No silly," Ash looked up to see Melanie giving him a gentle smile. "You."
"I just didn't want Squirtle to get hurt," Ash told her quietly. "He was already hurt. I didn't want anything else to happen to him."
"So, you threw yourself between him and the attack?" Melanie asked. Ash nodded.
"That was brave you Aaron," Melanie said. "Though I imagine if I was one of your parents or guardians, I would be using the term 'reckless' or 'thoughtless'."
"So, everyone's right to be mad at me?" Ash rubbed at his nose, looking back at the ground.
"I never said that," Melanie told him. "I live out in the middle of the wilderness, with only a very small generator for power, no running water, using my biology and botany degrees to care for abandoned pokémon in sheds that I had to learn how to build myself."
"I slept in a cottage that leaked for years until I finally learned how to build a proper roof," Melanie went on. "The first human contact I've had in years was a bleeding man stumbling into my little village and then getting attack by Team Rocket. I'm not exactly in a position to criticize anyone for being self-sacrificing, especially when it comes to pokémon," she concluded dryly.
"Why'd you come out here?" Ash asked, looking up at her again.
"I don't like seeing pokémon suffer," Melanie said with a wan smile and then she giggled. "I admit, if I had known how horrible the first few years would be, I might have hesitated. It was not fun learning how to live in the wilderness."
"Why not?" Ash, who had grown up in said wilderness, asked. "I don't think it's so bad."
"Well I never realized just how hard it could be to forage food," Melanie replied, "especially where there isn't a convenient source of protein around, like fish. And I didn't know just how hard growing all my food in a garden would be. Or how hard it is to go months without talking to another person."
"Oh," Ash replied and then rubbed at his eyes. The tears had stopped, but his face felt all salty again.
"And you should've seen my first attempting at building a cabin!" Melanie laughed and began to rub Ash's shoulder. "Even I realized that it was a safety hazard. The first thing I had Bulbasaur do after he joined me was tear that thing down. I made sure to use the pieces for firewood so that there would be no trace of it left."
"How did you and Bulbasaur meet?" Ash asked.
"He wandered into the village on some business of his own one day," Melanie answered, smiling at the memory. "I was busy tending to a fussy tangela at the time. Bulbasaur seemed to think I was hurting it. He almost attacked me before he noticed the medical supplies."
Ash noted that Bulbasaur had never mentioned that part to him.
"And then he decided to hang around." Melanie said and then she sighed. She looked up at the stars shining in the night sky. "It's times like that which make me wish I could understand pokémon. Really understand what they're saying."
Ash didn't say anything.
"I know I should be thankful for what I have," Melanie continued. "Today I get the gist of what Bulbasaur means when he's talking to me, but that's not the same thing. There's so much that goes on when two people talk to each other, so many layers of meaning woven into the simplest exchanges. It's something we don't appreciate enough. It's something that I wish I could have that with Bulbasaur and all of the pokémon in my care."
"But," Melanie gave Ash another wan smile, "like I said, I should just be grateful for what I do have."
Once more Ash didn't have anything to say.
"I wouldn't worry too much about your pokémon being mad at you," Melanie went, rubbing Ash's shoulder some more. "I know Bulbasaur's always mad at me for some reason or another. He can be overprotective sometimes. You'd think I was made of glass the way he hovers over me."
"I think he's mad at me too," Ash said, thinking back on Bulbasaur's recent attitude and the remarks he had made.
"Oh, don't worry about him, his bark's worse than his bite," Melanie giggled again. "That pun was intentional by the way."
"Pun?... Oh!" Ash smiled at the bad joke.
"I have learned to compromise with him," Melanie told the black-haired boy. "I let him scout things out when he thinks there's danger and I let him do the heavy lifting when he insists. I also try to do things in the least dangerous way I can because I don't want him to worry. This is something you might need to learn to do with your pokémon."
"What do you mean?"
"Next time Squirtle's in danger and you want to save him, try tackling him out of the way instead of being a human shield?" Melanie suggested with a small shrug. "Or maybe, order your pokémon to help him? I'll repeat, you were brave to do what you did Aaron. And it shows you have a good heart. Just try to be a wee bit smarter about things in the future."
Ash couldn't help but laugh at that.
Ash lay on his stomach in his tent, trying to get comfortable, trying to reassure himself with the fact that he didn't have to stand watch that night. Pikachu was curled up in a corner, near the entrance. Ash couldn't see him, but he knew that the electric type wasn't asleep.
You don't have to sleep there, Ash told his starter.
There was no reply.
Pikachu, I would be more comfortable if you slept somewhere I could see you, Ash tried next.
Still no response.
If you don't answer I'll have to get up and come over there, Ash said.
You stay where you are, Pikachu responded, voice low and sullen. Fine. I'll come over. Pikachu slowly walked over to by Ash's head, crossing his forepaws and looking to the side. There. Happy now?
Happier, Ash responded. Pikachu, I'm sorry I worried you today.
Pikachu didn't respond.
I'm sorry I got hurt, Ash apologized. He reached out and began to pet the top of Pikachu's head. They were silent for a time before Pikachu spoke.
It's my fault, Pikachu said in a quiet voice, looking down. I should've taken the attack myself.
What? No, Ash remembered not to shake his head in his current state. You're mad at me for doing just that!
Well, I can take the hit better then you, Pikachu grumbled. Plus, with me, most of the time, you just have to spray a potion on the wound.
Okay, Ash conceded the point. But I'm never going to ask you to take the hit for someone. Block it sure, but never take it.
Then why didn't you have Pidgeotto or me block that Vine Whip? Pikachu asked, not looking up.
I- I just didn't have time to think about it, Ash replied, pausing in his petting of Pikachu. I just saw that Squirtle was in trouble and I wanted to stop it.
And you wonder why I call you an idiot, Pikachu grumbled, though his tone was lighter.
Yeah, Ash let out a small laugh. I guess I can be pretty stupid at times. But I'm a big boy Pikachu. I make mistakes, but I can take care of myself.
I doubt that, Pikachu replied and then sighed. I hesitated instead of acting. It wasn't a situation where I should have waited for your orders. I'm getting too reliant on you-
Wow, you're getting this all from one incident? Ash asked, sarcasm infusing his voice. You're brilliant! You should have rushed in instead! I mean it's not like you're currently mad at me for not thinking throughs and properly assessing the situation.
Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Pikachu replied, rolling his eyes.
Well moping doesn't suit you either, Ash shot back, but that hasn't stopped you tonight, has it now?
Fine, Pikachu smiled a little and then his expression grew serious again. But I'm still not happy with you right now.
I didn't know you were ever happy with me.
I'm happy when you're safe and helping me become stronger, Pikachu pointed out. Or when you're feeing me. Or when you get Brock to brush me. Or when you call me adorable.
But I never call you adorable, Ash said after a moment.
Well, that's another way you can make me happy with you, Pikachu responded. Just notice my obvious adorableness.
Whatever you say, Ash rolled his eyes. So, will you start acting normal soon?
Will you be able to move normal soon? Pikachu asked with a pointed look at Ash's back.
I'll be able to do it sooner if you actually help me instead of sulking, Ash said, narrowing his eyes at Pikachu. Besides, with the way this thing hurts, I'll get angry at myself before long.
Well, good, Pikachu said, walking over to Ash's side and wiggling under one of Ash arms to nuzzle into the boy's side. After all, you got my favorite person hurt today.
AN: I'd like to thank blackcatspecialist for beta reading this chapter.
Once again I'd like to thank everyone for the reviews/comments. And on that note, don't forget to review!:AN