This will be a sad chapter, but all is well in the end. Read to find out what happens.

Something More?: A Pokemon Story

Episode 12- Absence and Evolution

Ash, Serena and Brock are on their way to Fuchsia City, and it seems our trio are about to take a well-deserved break.

"Ugh, that was a long walk, wasn't it?"

"Me and Brock have done this before. You'll get used to it, right, Brock?"

Brock, however, is staring off into space, looking at seemingly nothing.

"Hey, Brock."

"Oh, sorry, yeah, we've done it before. It's a matter of time before it becomes natural."

"Very true. Let's eat."

"What are you making, tonight?"

"Sandwiches and soup. Simple, but delicious."

"If I know Brock, it will be."

After a few minutes, Ash and Serena are waiting for the soup to be done.

"Hey, Brock, is the soup ready, yet?"

Brock, once again, is staring off into space, looking at nothing once again.

"Brock, are you okay?"

"Sorry, yeah, I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"That's the second time that's happened, are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay, just making sure. Just let us know when the soup is ready."

"I will."

Away from Brock.

"Hey, Serena. I think something is wrong with Brock."

"Same here. Freezing up twice in about an hour is really concerning."

"Best if we don't worry about it now."

"Agreed."

"Alright, the soup is ready!"

"Let's eat."

Ash, Serena and Brock all eat dinner, with no problems at all.

"Alright, Ash and Serena. Hand me your plates, I'll do dishes tonight, the best I can at least."

"Fair enough."

"Alright."

As soon as Brock gets up, he goes down in a heap, out cold.

"Hey, Brock!"

"Brock, can you hear me?"

"Serena, where is the nearest Pokemon Center?"

"Right down the road."

"Let's go!"

Ash and Serena hurriedly go to the Pokemon Center, where Brock gets immediate attention.

"Help us! It's one of our friends!"

"Chansey, get a stretcher!"

Nurse Joy and Chansey take Brock to the back, leaving Ash and Serena worried about their friend.

Author's Note: I know it's a change from previous chapters, but this popped in my mind one day, and went with it.

Song of the Day: When I'm Gone- 3 Doors Down (2002)

A couple of hours go by, and Ash and Serena are in the waiting room, wondering how Brock is doing.

"I hope Brock is okay."

"I hope so too, Serena. I knew something was wrong when he spaced out."

Ash sees Serena about to cry, and immediately hugs her to stop.

"Serena, it'll be alright. He'll be fine."

"I know, but it's a friend. Remember how worried I got when you collapsed during that battle with Alain?"

"I know very well. You told me afterwards. Oh hey, guys."

"Hospital gave us a call. Is he alright?"

"Don't know, Flint. We've been waiting here for a couple of hours. Lola, you doing alright?"

"Trying to. When I heard that Brock collapsed, I immediately freaked out."

"I understand."

"Are you guys the parents and friends of Brock?"

"Yes, we are. Can we see him?"

"Yeah, right this way."

Nurse Joy and Chansey lead Ash, Serena, Flint and Lola to a room, where Brock is laying there, awake and alert, to the relief of everybody there.

"Mom, Dad, thanks for coming."

'Are you okay, son?"

"Considering."

"Fair enough. Nurse Joy, do you know what happened?"

"He collapsed due to dehydration. That's about all we know. We'll run a couple more tests. In the meantime, do you have any Pokemon I can take care of?"

"Sure, wouldn't hurt. Pikachu, why don't you go to Nurse Joy."

"Pika!"

Pikachu, along with the other Pokemon Ash and Serena have on hand, go to Nurse Joy.

"Ash, what happened?"

"About what Nurse Joy said. You collapsed as soon as you got up. Don't worry, you didn't hit your head on anything, but you freaked all of us out. You even made Serena cry."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Nothing you could've done about it."

"We should probably let you get some rest, Brock."

"Alright, see you later."

"You too."

Outside of Brock's room.

"I'm so glad that Brock's okay."

"Me too. We should get some rest, ourselves. Start fresh, tomorrow."

"Alright, let's get some sleep. I just want this day to be over with."

"I second that, Serena."

The next morning, Ash and Serena return to Brock's room, which Flint and Lola are still in.

"Stayed in here the entire night?"

"Didn't want to leave our oldest son."

"Hey, Dad, how are the brothers?"

"They're shook, but they're confident that you'd pull through."

"That's good to hear."

"Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, you're not. Did you find out what happened?"

"We did. Turns out that Brock had a couple of non-presentinig seizures before he collapsed."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Did he space out or anything before he collapsed?"

"He did, twice."

"That would explain it. He had what we call absence seizures. They are usually short-lived, and can be caused by a variety of things."

"How did this happen?"

"We didn't find anything concerning at all in the tests, so its probably due to body stress or dehydration, something like that. I'd say a couple of days of rest, and he should be fine."

"Thank goodness."

"Thank you, Nurse Joy."

"Well, a little relaxation never hurt anybody right."

"Wait, Nurse Joy, when will he be free to go?"

"Probably tomorrow morning, but like I said, probably shouldn't do anything too strenuous for a couple of days."

"Hey, Brock, want to have a battle tomorrow morning?"

"Sure, why not."

The next morning, Brock is discharged, and is sitting down, ready for the battle with Ash.

"One on One?"

"Sounds good to me, Ash. Marshtomp, let's go!"

"MARSH!"

"Staraptor, I choose you!"

"STAR-RAPTOR!"

"Marshtomp, Hydro Pump!"

"Dodge it!"

Hydro Pump misses Staraptor.

"Aerial Ace!"

"Protect!"

Aerial Ace is unable to break through the Protect.

"Rock Slide!"

A series of rocks appear from the sky, hitting Staraptor and sending it to the ground.

"Use Bulldoze!"

Bulldoze, despite being a Ground-type move, hits Staraptor due to it being on the ground, unable to get up.

"Staraptor, are you okay?"

"Star!"

"MARSH!"

All of a sudden, Marshtomp is engulfed in a blue light, signaling its evolution.

"Alright! Marshtomp is evolving!"

"SWAMPERT!"

"Let's see what the Pokedex says about Swampert."

"Swampert, the Mud Fish Pokemon, and the final evolved form of Mudkip. Due to its physical strength, it can lift boulders that weigh around a ton."

"Looks like it could, congrats Brock."

"I was wondering when Marshtomp might evolve. Guess it just took time."

"Shall we continue the battle?"

"Let's do it!"

Ash and Brock continue their battle. Serena is enjoying time with her Pokemon, while Flint and Lola went back to Pewter City, knowing that Brock is okay. A couple of days later, Ash, Serena and Brock are on the road back to Fuchsia City.

With that said, I know the majority of this chapter was saddening, but it was a filler chapter that I came up with. Also, Marshtomp evolved into Swampert, unlocking new potential. Chapter 12 is done, and continue reading for more exciting adventures.