Here's the next chapter. Hope you'll enjoy it.
pokemonking0924 - Thanks so much! I wish I could have extended the Pokemon battle a bit more to make it more interesting, but I'll work on it. Now that you mention it, they do act like Natsu and Grey. That was unintentional. I would have them all meet Kiyo when they get to Johto, I think he will be thrilled at the progress the tyrogue had made.
Thank you so much for the name suggestions and I hope you'll like the next chapter.
BigEater - Alice's anime level metabolism is definitely going to be a theme throughout this story. Maybe I can get her to enter a contest. Misty and Flo did have a rough time in the last chapter, but maybe this will inspire them to expand in the battling skills. Not only that, but they did promise to battle each other properly next time. Thanks for reading.
TurboDriver07 - I think Haunter will stay with Sabrina, but he was on Ash's team during his gym battle. I'm glad to hear you're okay with machoke and tyrogue. I like to think that machoke is a dumb, but friendly Pokemon, much to Apollo's annoyance. Charles and the gang will definitely go to the Orange Islands. Hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.
Djinn - Thanks so much, I'm glad that you liked it. Thank you also for the name suggestions, I'll be sure to keep them in mind.
Sonic07 - No problem. Machoke carrying Alice sounds hilarious, I'll make sure to keep a note of it. Thanks for also voting for what Pokemon tyrogue will evolve into and I hop you'll like the next chapter.
Kunoichi69 - Yeah, unfortunately there's a limit to how long your titles should be on this website and it kept on appearing as 'Float Like a Beautyfly, Sting Like a Bee-'. I had to settle with the first part and write it on full on the actual chapter.
I'm glad you liked how Misty got involved. I've been wanting to do a chapter with her for a while. I also think you are the first person to point out the lecture-wrestling match which was one my favourite jokes in that chapter. Hitmonchan seems like a popular vote, thank you for your input. Oh and Charles will definitely go to the Orange Islands. That season was underrated, I kind of enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.
Guest2 - No problem and I'll see what I can do about the reference. I reassure you that I will be writing about the Orange Islands, I thought it was a good season as well. Thanks for reading.
SkullGreymonX - Thank you so much. I picture the Machoke is a dumb, kind-hearted Pokemon (as you said) so it's going to be fun to see him interact with Alice's team. In regards to why Charles didn't stop the fight soon, you are spot on. He was evaluating on how they fight with their assigned trainers and whether they respect the temple's rules on fighting.
Thank you also for the name recommendations. I think you are the first person who voted for hitmontop which is quite interesting. Hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.
Guest - Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep them in mind.
Guest (2) - Thank you so much, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
Lovely - Thank you! I've been playing a lot of Arceus Legends and I'm really enjoying it. That's quite a good idea, I'll have to note that down for later.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter and thank you for voting, I'll keep it in mind. Hope you'll like the next chapter just as well.
Parsee Jelly - I see you've posted quite a few reviews, so I'll answer them all in one go. Yes, I think I brought up the summer camp very briefly in the last chapter where they all met Serina. I will expand on that later on. In regards to why he has so many shinys, well I guess he's just lucky. In the original draft Benny was actually going to have white fur and black cheeks, but TheWhiteTitan had already beaten me to it. I suppose Boa could have been a little longer than the usual, but for now it was a mistake. My writing skills weren't great (arguably they are still not great) but as long as I improve and take reviews as lessons, I can get better. Thanks for reading.
xavex - You've also posted quite a few reviews, so I will again answer them in one go.
You may have to excuse me for some of the battles at the start of the story. I never played the games before so I mainly based them off the anime. I do plan on rewriting some parts because...well they are not good so I totally get where you are coming from. However, I would like to thank you for continuing reading despite it. I am getting better and more confident, because of everyone's support.
I can see from, based on your reviews, that from chapter 8 up things have improved. I am so happy about the changes I've made when it comes to Damian or Alice and Flo. Thanks again and I hope you'll keep on reading.
Thank you all for reviewing. I will reveal the Pokemon that tyrogue will evolve into at the end of the chapter, but right now, I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter :)
Chapter 28: Old Nurse, New Tricks
Outside Mahoney Town
After leaving Saffron City, the team were having a small break by the road to Mahoney Town, where Flo's grandmother has her Pokecentre. Tyrogue had safely arrived at Oak's lab and seems to be settling well. Like the other Pokemon on Charles' team, he had chosen the name Ichigo. Charles was confused at first for why he wanted to be called 'strawberry', but the tyrogue explained that it could also mean 'one who protects'. Despite the mix up, Charles thought it sounded like a great name for someone who wants to become stronger.
Right now, the Pokemon were either relaxing, playing, eating...and trying to ignore Apollo and Alice's recently caught machoke, or Atlas, argument.
("Private Atlas,") Apollo barked up at the confused machoke, ("I am your superior and therefore you shall treat me with respect and call me sir.")
("Whoa sorry bro,") Atlas apologised honestly, ("Didn't mean no disrespect, bro.")
Apollo frowned crossly, ("You just did it again. Twice)
("Huh, no way. Sorry it just slips out, bro,") he said as he rubbed the back of his head, ("But if you want, you can call me bro as well. Then we can totally be bros, bro,") he turned to the water tank where Ruby was floating in, ("You can call me bro as well since we are all on the same team.")
Ruby gave him a eye smile, ("Thank...you...Atlas.")
("Private Ruby, do not pander to this oaf,") Apollo sighed.
Atlas blinked in confusion, ("Did you call me a tree? They're like super strong and sturdy, right? That's awesome!") he yelled happily, ("Thanks for the compliment, canine bro!")
("I said oaf! Not oak!") Apollo shouted.
Before he could berate him any longer, Alice had already picked him up and petted his head to calm him down.
"Alright, I think you need a time out," she told him before looking up at the machoke, "Atlas why don't you show Ruby your new poses?"
("Good idea, boss,") the machoke said before stretching in front of the tentacool, ("I call this one The Conqueror.")
("Very...impressive,") Ruby complimented.
Benny and Alette sat by the respective trainers and watched as Alice sat back down and placed a grumpy Apollo in her lap. The pikachu rolled his eyes while Alette gave a small giggle.
("You said he had improved from when we were on the island?") Benny questioned.
("No,") Alette denied, ("I said we know why he's so uptight. But I guess he has improved in some ways,") she said with a shrug.
Beside Benny, Charles was in the middle of feeding Marina, chuckling as he she ate hungrily from her bowl.
"Don't eat too fast, okay?" he kindly requested before turning to his pink haired friend, "Flo, do you mind passing me another sandwich?"
Flo grinned happily and held out the plate of sandwiches out to him."
"Not at all," she said followed by a small giggle.
Charles and Alice had noticed her good mood ever since they left Saffron City. In fact she was awake before anybody else, which was first considering how much she likes to sleep in. Her face was bright and her eyes seemed to sparkle. Her cheerful aura was starting to affect the rest of team, even Titania seemed to be more positive then she liked to admit.
Alice raised an curious eyebrow, "Your grandma must be pretty special to make you this happy," she commented.
Flo nodded, "Oh she's the best. Apart from mum, she has taught me the most about how to take care of Pokemon. She's so wise, but fun at the same time. I remember when she used to set up a scavenger hunt for me to find the right healing herbs and then we would prepare them together," she told her as an mental image of a young Flo and elderly Nurse Joy with greying hair laughed happily as they prepared medicine filled her mind, "I know you are going to like her."
"She's pretty cool," Charles added, "she always an unlimited supply of those sweets with the bit of chocolate in them. They are so good."
"She sounds better than my grandma. She still thinks I like olives for some reason," Alice said in disgust, "So she's still running a Centre at her age. Doesn't that make things hard for her?"
Flo took one last bite of her sandwich, "Nah, my aunt Joy helps her out, but even then she's been doing this for years. She's pretty much a pro on Pokemon care and age isn't slowing her down," she declared before standing up and grabbing her stuff, "alright break's over."
"What!? But we're still eating!"
Charles chuckled, "Alice, you're always e-," she sent him a warning look, that made him gulp, "... and I'm not going to finish that last sentence...your hair looks...really nice and blue today."
"Thanks," she muttered before she gave him a teasing smirk.
Flo sighed impatiently, "But I want to get there before lunch. I just know that she's going to make us freshly baked brioche."
"Then what we're waiting for," Alice excitedly cried as she got to her feet.
Charles and Benny sweat dropped at their antics.
"But we just ate," Charles commented.
("I guess that there are just some people who won't say no to a free food,") Benny observed.
Charles felt a weight appear on his shoulder, causing him to look down to see Mahad add teleported onto him.
("I heard that there was some freshly baked brioche going,") he said, causing the brothers to roll their eyes.
("I guess it's the same with Pokemon,") the pikachu added.
Mahoney Town
Half an hour later and they had made it to the town. Flo was almost skipping down the pavement in excitement while Charles, with Benny on his shoulder, and Alice trying to keep up with her.
"It's just around the corner and across the street," Flo chirped back at them.
"Flo, slow down. The Centre isn't going anywhere," Charles called out as Alice nodded in agreement.
The young Nurse Joy giggled, "Sorry, but I can't. I bet she'll be surprised to see me," she said as she turned the corner, "I can't wait to see the look on her-"
The words got caught in her throat as she stopped suddenly in shock. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell in a gape as if she was horrified by what she saw. Charles, Benny and Alice turned around the corner and saw what made her stop.
Mahoney's Pokecentre was a wreck.
The bright paint that coated the walls were dull and fading away, the flowers in the window boxes have turned brown and died long ago, and the wide windows were dirty. The lights, that should be on inside, were off, making it look completely soulless and barren. Even the 'Pokecentre' sign above the door was missing an 'E', making it now say 'Pok- centre'.
"Oh no," Flo gasped as she ran across the road to the front door, the others following closely behind.
They entered a completely deserted foyer that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages. The wallpaper was peeling, the furniture looked rotten and in every corner there were clumps of dust lopunny. Flo looked around in distress, not believing in what she was seeing at all.
"W-what happened to this Centre?" she gasped.
("Is she sure this is the place?) Benny asked, rubbing his nose adorably to remove all the dust building up, ("It looks like it's been abandoned.")
Charles hummed, "I don't think the doors would be unlocked if it was abandoned."
"And look," Alice said, pointing at the floor, "there are tracks in the dust. Somebody is clearly here."
"Hello?" a voice croaked out, making them all jump in fright, "Are you visitors?"
They turned towards the front desk where from out the back room an elderly Nurse Joy hobbled out. She looked like any Nurse Joy in Kanto, but her skin was wrinkled and her pink hair was now completely grey. She also supported herself heavily on a wooden cane and her pink gown was slightly faded with age. The nurse looked around over at them before a smile spread over face.
"Flo. Is that you?"
"Grandmother," Flo called out as she ran to her and gave her a hug before leaning back, "What happened to the Centre? It looks awful."
Nurse Joy cast a weary look around the place before sighing, "It looks like chansey has forgotten to clean again," she muttered before giving Flo a small smile, "It's honestly not as bad as it looks. It just needs a little bit of dusting, that's all."
Snap!
The Joys looked around to see Alice with the backrest of a wooden chair in her hands. It looked like she was in the middle of moving it when it snapped off. She gave them a sheepish smile as she tried and failed to attach the backrest on the chair again, before giving up and lying it down on the ground next to it.
"Stools are better for the posture anyway," she said with a nervous chuckle.
Flo shot her an unamused glare as Nurse Joy focused on the only boy and his pikachu.
"Oh, Charles and Bobby. It's so good to see you two as well. Are you already on you journey?"
Charles nodded, "Yes I am, ma'am."
("Bobby?") Benny questioned.
Nurse Joy reached into her apron and approached the two, "Here have a sweet."
"Oh thank you," Charles said as he took what was in her hand, "I've been looking forward to..."
He trailed off as he saw that the sweets she had given him were covered in thin layer of lint and dust. The sweet itself, which should have been soft, was rock hard as if they've been in her apron for years.
"Thanks," he said again, trying to disguise his disgust.
As she turned around, Benny whispered, ("Dare you to eat one of them.")
"Not a chance."
Flo focused on her grandmother in concern, "It looks like it's going to fall down at any moment. How did it get like this?"
Nurse Joy hummed as she let Flo lead her to a more stable seat, "I'm sorry, Flo. I've been finding it difficult to keep up with my duties for a while. This days I get so tired that after I have to take a rest after doing one job. I'm not the spring torchic I used to be. Since then less and less trainers have been turning up and now it looks like this," she told her.
"Haven't the council done anything?" Flo asked, "Surely the higher ups would help you out."
Nurse Joy nodded, "They did. They sent me a young, eager chansey who was fresh out of school to help me in my duties. However..."
The front door opened and a chansey holding two brown paper shopping bags under her arms walked in.
("I'm back,") she called out cheerily before she noticed everybody in the room, ("Wow! We have guests! That's amazing!")
Nurse Joy raised an eyebrow, "Chansey, have you forgotten something?"
The egg Pokemon hummed in slight confusion, looking around the room for answers.
Finally she gasped, ("Oh dear! I forgot to clean this morning! I get to it right away.")
She ran up to the front desk and placed the shopping bags on it before, rushing off to find a broom. Nurse Joy looked into one of the bags and frowned at the contents.
"Chansey," she called out when the Pokemon returned, "None of this is what I asked for. I even made you a list."
Chansey rubbed her head awkwardly, ("I forgot...the list. So I kind of guessed,") she admitted before she got on with the cleaning.
Charles translated for her, causing Nurse Joy to sigh, "She's a sweet Pokemon, but she's so forgetful. I'm honestly surprised that she made it through the exams. That's as much as the council can do, I'm afraid. They are much to busy organising the rest of the Pokecentres across the region. There's nothing I can do to clean up this mess, unless I make Chansey work overtime. Even then, she's doing most of the my duties."
The three children shared worried looks, before Alice stepped up.
"I know this isn't exactly what you want to hear, but why don't you retire?"
Nurse Joy gave her a cross look, making her step back "Young lady, if there's one thing I'm not going to do, it's to retire. This is my Pokecentre and I'm not going to give it to some young whippersnapper who doesn't know how to run it properly."
"Grandmother, she was only trying to help," Flo gently told her.
Nurse Joy snorted, "Trying to help? The Jenny family may think retirement is the norm, but I'm a proud Nurse Joy and I will not give up because things a little difficult."
"Hey!" Alice cried out in offense, earning an apologetic look from Flo.
"Besides," Nurse Joy continued distastefully, "I can't give up now. Not when he is breathing down my neck."
"Who's he?" Charles asked.
Suddenly the sound of car engine revved up from outside. Everybody, but Nurse Joy who just rolled her eyes, looked towards the front of the Centre as they saw a giant white limousine drive by.
"He should be here in a few minutes," Nurse Joy muttered.
The limo continued to drive on...
...and on...
...and on...
...and on...
...and on...
...and on...
...and on...
("This is getting ridiculous,") Benny commented as the stretch limo continued to drive by.
Eventually, the rear end of the limo came into view and stopped right outside the Centre. The limo's door opened a man who looked to be in his late fifties wearing sunglasses stepped out and entered the Centre. He was quite tall, had fair skin and was completely bald and he wore a expensive looking business suit. Everything about this man screamed 'smug, rich person' as he stuttered up to them and smirked at Nurse Joy.
"S'up Joy, the Centre's looking," he looked around mockingly, "horrible as ever."
"Rey Zobes," Nurse Joy growled at him, surprising the team.
("No way, the Rey Zobes") Benny uttered.
"CEO," Flo said.
"Entrepreneur," Alice added.
"Born in 1964," Charles said.
"In the flesh," Rey chuckled.
(A.N: Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.)
"Although, weird you knew what year I was born in," he pointed out.
Charles shrugged, "It just rhymed."
"Anyway, have you thought about my taking up on my offer, Joy?"
Nurse Joy shot him an annoyed glare, "It's Nurse Joy. And like I've told you everyday for the past three weeks, I'm not selling my centre to the likes of you. So take that stupid limo back to Saffron City and never come back."
Rey chuckled, "Hey, my limo is not stupid. Impractical, maybe, but not stupid."
"Must be a nightmare finding somewhere to park," Alice commented.
"It takes literally hours," the CEO agreed, "But I'm rich so I don't care."
"Wait, what!?" Flo cried, "What's this about buying the Centre? You can't do that."
"That's what I've been telling him," Nurse Joy chipped in.
Rey took off his sunglasses, revealing his small and looked down at the younger Nurse Joy, "Look around you, little girl. Do you see anybody here? No. Do you know why? It's because nobody wants to get their Pokemon cured at a run down Pokecentre or want to stay in a dirty room. So, I'm offering a way out. Sell me the Centre and I will put it to good use."
"And what does putting it to good use mean?" Charles asked with a raised eyebrow.
Rey reached into his suit pocket and pulled out piece of paper. He began to unfurl the paper until it revealed blueprints for some sort of construction.
"I'm going to turn this Centre into a company carpark, of course."
"A carpark?" Flo uttered, "You're company is set in Saffron City. We're nowhere near it."
Rey put away the blueprints, "I know. But my employees are always coming in late because of the traffic...caused by my limo...and so I'm going to encourage employees to drive here and for all of them to take a company shuttlebus into Saffron. Nobody will have to be late ever again."
"Do they have to pay to take the shuttlebus?" Alice inquired.
Rey shrugged, "Only a few pokedollars, but it's not going to be as bad once I introduced pay deductions if they don't take it."
"You're pure evil."
"Evil and rich."
(A.N: Again. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.)
"You won't be able to do anything unless my grandmother sells," Flo pointed out, "and there's no way the Pokemon nurse council will ever give in to your demands."
At that moment, the Centre's doors swung open and somebody stepped in, "Actually, I'm afraid, there's nothing we can do."
They turned and saw a mature looking Nurse Joy who looked to be in her late forties. She was dressed differently from the rest of her family, opting to wear a professional business suit instead of the nurse's garb.
"Ah Ms Joy" Rey called out to her, "Perfect timing as always."
Ms Joy gave him an annoyed look, "I would have got here sooner if somebody didn't take up the whole road to park their stupid limo." she muttered.
("Three Nurse Joys now,") Benny commented, ("This is going to cause some headaches.")
Flo's grandmother stood up from her seat in surprise, "Clara, what are you doing here?"
The middle aged Joy sighed sadly, "I'm sorry, but I have come to inform you that the council won't be supporting the continuation of the Pokemon Centre. It hard for me to say this, but you would have to close."
"Close!?" Nurse Joy and Flo cried.
"Indeed, your Pokecentre has fallen under medical, sanitation and construction standards. There is no way I can allow you to help injured Pokemon in its current state. Mr Zobes, here, has reached out to the council and we have come to unanimous decision to sell him the property."
"But this is the only Pokecentre in town. Where will the townspeople go to heal their Pokemon?" Nurse Joy asked desperately.
"The Centre in the next town over is more than suitable to care for everyone's Pokemon," Ms Joy informed.
Nurse Joy couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her face dropped in despair and lip began to quiver. Chansey, who overheard what was going on while she cleaned, was just as horrified at the thought.
"But I-"
"I'm sorry," Ms Joy interrupted, "I know it's hard for you to give up your Centre and personally, I don't like as much as you do. However, Pokemon's health are our family's priority and we can't allow you continue practising in these conditions. Mr Zobes has offered you a substantial sum. More then enough for you to retire on."
Nurse Joy hung her head and sighed, "What would happen to Chansey."
Ms Joy looked sympathetically at the Pokemon who was still holding the broom in shock, "Chansey will be eventually reassigned to another Centre, but for now she would have go back to Nurse school," earning a small gasp from her.
"I...see..." Nurse Joy uttered, "there's really nothing I can do."
Ms Joy shook her head while Rey smirked, "Aw come on, don't be like that," he told her mockingly, "we all knew this was going to happen some time. Why don't we sign the papers now?"
Nurse Joy took a deep breath and lifted her head proudly, "Fine. Let's get this over with," she murmured, not showing how distraught she was.
Flo watched in horror at what was going on, 'There's no way this can happen,' she thought, 'Pokecentres are too important to just close down and my grandmother is one of the best Nurse Joy's today. I'm not going to stand for this.'
Before the adults could do anything, Flo got in-between them, determination clear on her face, "This Centre needs to stay open," she demanded, "You say that it's below standards, then allow me to improve it."
"What!?" everybody cried in surprise.
Ms Joy frowned slightly, "Flo, I know you are upset but-"
"We just need to bring the medical, sanitation and construction up to standards, right?" she interrupted, "So, in theory, if we do that and prove that this Centre is worth something, will you keep it open? Please give me some time and I can show you it's worth saving."
Ms Joy hummed, "Well-"
"Alright," Rey said, much to everyone's bewilderment, "I allow it."
Ms Joy gave him a confused look, "You will?"
"Yeah, I didn't become the rich, handsome billionaire I am now by playing safe..."
("Arceus, you're unbearable,") Benny muttered.
"...allow the pink head time to save her precious Centre " he said, much to the Joy family's annoyance, "I hadn't had this much complaining since I banned my workers from blinking to increase productivity."
Ms Flo hummed, but sighed reluctantly, "Alright then, Flo I will give you twenty four hours to fix this Centre up."
Flo's eyes widened, "T-twenty four hours," she stammered.
"Yes, that's until I'll return tomorrow with Mr Zobes," she informed, "Are we in agreement?"
"Twenty fours," Rey mused, "how much is that in money?"
"...How do you mean?"
Rey smirked, "Time is money and therefore I measure time by how much money I will receive. You know, because I can."
"That doesn't make any sens-" Ms Joy sighed and pinched her nose, "Alright. Fine. How much money do you make in an hour?"
"About 989 billion pokedollars," he shrugged.
"Then about 237 trillion pokedollars," she answered, making him nod.
"That's some quick maths," Charles and Alice muttered.
Rey sniffed and turned to the door, "Alright. Catch you later then. I'm going to need time to hire those bulldozers," he called out before he left the Centre.
Ms Joy hummed in annoyance before giving her relatives a small smile, "I really don't want to shut down this Centre. So I wish you good luck," she told them before promptly leaving.
Flo sighed in relief before she turned back to her grandmother, "I know that it seems...impossible, but I think we can do it. Please don't give up just yet."
Nurse Joy and Chansey shared a look before they smiled and nodded, "We believe in you Flo."
She turned towards her friends, "I am really sorry-"
"Don't worry," Charles told her, "We'll help you in any way we can."
"Yeah, there's no way we going to let him get ahold of this Centre," Alice added as Benny nodded in agreement.
"Thanks guys," she said gratefully before she hummed in concentration, "We've got a lot of work to do. We need to check if all the equipment is up to date and safe to use, we need to clean...well everything and finally we need to get the word out that this Centre is open for business."
"Benny and I can go around and find trainers who would like to come here," Charles said.
"My Pokemon and I will be on cleaning duty. We can even start giving the outside a lick of paint," Alice said,
"Great," Flo chirped, before she turned to Nurse Joy, "that leaves you and I to check the medical equipment."
Nurse Joy clapped her hands joyfully, "Wonderful. It will be just like when you and I used to work together. But before you three leave, you all need to dress the part," she said, causing them share a confused look.
A few minutes later and the team had left to do their assigned jobs.
Flo admired the official nurse uniform her grandmother gave her in the mirror, smiling proudly to herself. Sure the uniform was a little dirty in places and it was a little too big for her, but she'll made do.
"This is the first time I've worn the uniform," she told her Pokemon who were standing beside her. She gave a small twirl, "How do I look?"
Alette and Manitari, who were given their own small white hats, cheered back, causing her to giggle in delight.
"Flo are you ready?" Nurse Joy called out from the back room.
"Coming!" Flo responded as she and her Pokemon rushed through the door behind the front desk.
They entered a large room that served as the medic bay with cots, an assortment of lab equipment and medicines and everything you would expect from a Centre. However, they grimaced when they saw that, like the rest of the building, it was also a mess. The tables were cluttered, they are dirty dishes in the sink and the equipment looks like it hasn't been used in years. They saw Nurse Joy sitting on her chair as Chansey frantically tried her best to clean as much as she can.
"I'm guessing you also forgot to clean the medic bay as well," Nurse Joy sighed, earning a guilty nod from the Pokemon.
Alette and Manitari gave Flo concerned looks.
"I know it looks bad," she told them, "but I'm a Nurse Joy. I'll will sort all of this out," she promised as she walked over to her grandmother.
"Right, let's get things started," she said in determination, "Why don't we start at the most important aspect, healing Pokemon. Let's review the medical equipment."
Nurse Joy nodded, "Good idea."
She then proceeded to reach under the table and place a pestle and mortar in front of her. Flo, Alette and Manitari stared at it for a few seconds before looking up at Nurse Joy.
"What's this?"
"It's a pestle and mortar," Nurse Joy answered matter-of-factly.
"I know that, but why did you give me one?"
"You said you wanted to review the medical equipment. So, less chatting and more grinding up berries."
Flo laughed unsurely, "Grandmother, I meant the electrical equipment. Where's the Healing Machine?"
Nurse Joy blinked.
"The machine that heals Pokemon," Flo clarified.
Nurse Joy frowned in confusion.
"You put the pokeballs on a tray and deposit it into the machine where it will completely restore a Pokemon's health," Flo clarified again.
"Oh, you mean that thing," Nurse Joy realised, pointing to a large mechanical device in the corner of the room, "They installed in a year ago, but it never worked so I never used it."
"Only a year ago," Flo uttered, "Healing Machines have been standard in all Pokecentres way before I was born."
Nurse Joy hmphed, "I don't see why I should use it. What's wrong with the way I do it?"
"What happens if you a lot of trainers come in with injured Pokemon? There's no way you can cure them one at a time."
"Well, that's they way I have always done it and I don't want to change it. I have a chansey and many years of experience, I know what I'm doing, Flo," Nurse Joy said rather arrogantly.
Flo sighed and made her way to a few switches on the wall, "Fine. I can barely see anything in here. I'm going to turn on the lights."
She flicked the switch. None of the lights lit up.
She tried again. Still no lights turned on.
She flicked the switch one last time. Still nothing.
"Huh? Do we need new lightbulbs?" Flo asked.
"No, they are fine. It's just we haven't had power in a few months," she told her much to her shock, "I think the mains are broken or something."
"What about the auxiliary power supply?"
Nurse Joy shook her head, "I've been running my Centre just as well without it."
Flo frowned and placed her hands on her hips, "Of course you need power. How can you think that you don't need proper lighting, hot water, or air conditioning? How do you even use the incubators without a power supply."
"Like this. Chansey!"
They looked over to see the Pokemon over at one of the incubators. She attached a foot pump into an outlet (that looked like it had been cut out) and began pumping air into the incubator with her foot. Flo, Alette and Manitari stared in disbelief in what they were seeing.
"This...is way worse then I was expecting," Flo uttered.
Outside The Pokecentre
Alice tugged at the collar of her nurse's uniform, feeling slightly uncomfortable wearing it. She wasn't quite sure what's wrong with wearing. Maybe it just didn't suit her at all since the pink uniform clashed with her blue hair. Or maybe, since she was from a completely different family, it was just because it felt wrong.
"Ugh, the skirts too flowy and the hat itches," she moaned to her Pokemon, "I really hope nobody in my family sees me in this."
She investigated the equipment that Nurse Joy had given her which consisted a few cans of paint, a roller paintbrush, and a rusty old ladder. They don't look like they were in the best of shape, but it will have to do for now. Apollo sniffed at one of the paint cans before giving Alice a look that said, 'Are you sure about this paint?'
"Well, I'm sure they're fine. Nurse Joy wouldn't have given it to us otherwise," she told him as placed the ladder against the wall, "Besides all of this looks safe enou-"
Snap!
She had only placed one foot on the first step of the ladder before it snapped underneath her weight. She stared at the broken step for a few seconds before deciding that it was probably not a good idea to use it anymore.
"Damn it," she muttered as she laid the ladder down, "How am I getting up there now."
Atlas scratched his chin in thought before he got an idea. He picked up the paint roller, dipped it into the paint and handed it over to a curious Alice.
"What are you planni-ahhh!" she squealed in fright as Atlas picked her up and threw her up the side of the building before catching her again and putting down on the ground.
Alice was shaken up by what happened and Atlas didn't hesitate to bark at the machoke for what he did while Ruby just looked on in concern. That's when she she looked and saw the layer of paint she accidental put on as she was thrown in the air. She realised what Atlas was doing.
"Wait," she ordered, "I think Atlas is onto something."
The machoke whooped in joy and flexed his muscles while Apollo gave him an annoyed glare.
This was the plan they came up with. Atlas would throw Alice in the air and she will paint a layer onto the wall. Apollo would order Atlas where he should throw her while Ruby would hold the paint tray up for Alice. After a few times of doing this, the wall was almost done being painted over and Alice, now on firm ground, hummed in satisfaction.
"Alright, guys. A few more times and then-"
Suddenly, much to her horror, an Officer Jenny rode past on her motorbike, but stopped when she caught sight of her.
"Alice, is that you?" the Officer called out in amusement.
She shot her hands out in front of her and waved at her frantically, "No, it isn't what it looks-"
A flash of a camera made her stop as she saw her relative put away her camera back into her pocket.
"I'm so going to show that at next year's reunion," Officer Jenny said with a smirk before she revved up her motorbike, "Gotta go, Nurse Jenny!"
"No stop!" Alice cried in embarrassment.
But it was too late, she had already rode off.
Mahoney Town Centre
Charles was dressed in the male version of Nurse Joy's uniform which consisted off pink and white shirt, white trousers and a white nurse hat. He didn't actually mind the uniform, just as long as he didn't have to wear a skirt. Benny was beside him with his own little hat, helping his brother get the attention of the passerbys.
"Hi," Charles called out to a trainer carrying a caterpie in his hands, "Would you like to visit the Mahoney Town Pokemon Centre. It's currently being refurbished."
"Err no thank you," the trainer told him, "we need to move on to the next town."
("Sorry,") the caterpie added as the trainer walked away.
Benny waved to a passing oddish, ("Feeling tired? Why don't you visit the Pokecentre.")
("Thanks I'm fine,") she told him as she walked on by.
"Excuse me-" Charles called out to another trainer, but he just completely ignored him.
They both sighed in exhaustion, ("This isn't working,") Benny said, ("Do you think we should go somewhere else.")
"Perhaps. But I don't think we'll find somewhere with more trainers. We need something to draw them in. What do trainers like."
("Battling,") Benny suggested.
"Pokemon," Charles added.
"Cute Pokemon," they said at the same time.
Their eyes widened in realisation before the smirked knowingly at each other.
A Few Minuets Later
A crowd of mainly female trainers of all ages flocked around Charles, trying to catch a glimpse and to pet the heads of Titania, Miko and Marina. The sylveon was grumpily perched on one his arms while the vulpix was on the other, quite enjoying the attention. Marina was happy as well, as she wrapped herself around his neck cooing in delight. Benny was out of the way on Charles' hat, although he would often get a scratch behind his ears.
"They're so cute!" one girl squealed.
"I never seen a Pokemon like that before," another trainer, a boy this time, cried.
A trainer felt Miko's tails, "They're so soft. I have to catch one for myself."
"What a little cutie pie," a business woman in her thirties leaned over the crowd and stoked Marina under the chin.
Charles smiled graciously, "Well, you can all have a turn petting them at the new Mahoney Town Pokecentre tomorrow," making the crowd chatter excitedly.
Titania gave Charles an irritated look, ("You owe me for this.")
"I'll groom your fur with the special shampoo that I got just for you," Charles promised.
She pouted in embarrassment and looked away, ("Yeah sure. I don't care.")
Pokemon Centre
Alice wiped her brow with the back of her hand and entered the medic bay. She spotted Flo looking through the medicine cupboard, picking up every bottle, inspected it, hummed in dissatisfaction before throwing into a bin bag. Curious, Alice approached her.
"Hey, what are you doing-"
"Look at this," Flo crossly interrupted, looking at one bottle in her hand, "Where on Earth did she get these things? 'Headache Tablets. Warning: side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, fever, constipation, coughing, cysts, rashes, insomnia, vomiting, MacGregor's Syndrome, sneezing, pneumonia, leprosy, paranoia, diarrhoea..."
"Wait. Constipation and diarrhoea?" Alice questioned.
"...seizures, paralysis, haemophilia, tumours, Mad Miltank Disease, heart problems, inflammation, scurvy, dry mouth, hair loss, dysentery, insanity and...headaches'" she read out loud before looking on the bottle cap, "Oh and it's out of date."
"Is that a Best Before date or a Use By date, because not a lot of people know that there's a difference," Alice pointed.
Flo gave her a dull look, "Considering that it went out of date eleven years ago, safe to say that it doesn't matter," she sighed, throwing the bottle into the bin bag, "Honestly, What is wrong with her. She's nothing like the person I remember."
Alice frowned in concern, "What do you mean?"
"She's like a control freak. I will do something like arrange the cots in a certain way and she will tell me off for doing it wrong. She does this for everything I do. The equipment, the food. According to her I was even polishing the tables incorrectly. There's only one way you can polish a table, Alice!" Flo shouted, making the other step back nervously, "And no matter how much I tell her that is it in the official guidelines that every Nurse Joy should be following she would say 'I know what I'm doing, Flo,' or 'I've been running this Centre for' blah blah blah. It just makes me so mad. On top of that, there's no electricity, the medicine is poisonous and Chansey is being overworked and...and..."
Alice could obviously see that she was getting upset and grabbed on her shoulders to calm her down.
"Hey, hey," Alice said reassuringly, "everything's going to be alright."
"No, it won't" Flo muttered as tears formed in her eyes, "nothing's going right."
"It will," she said, lifting her hands off her shoulders "We've just painted the outside and now my Pokemon and I are going to help Chansey clean the inside. Charles and Benny will return soon and they can help find a way to get power. You just need to calm down, okay?"
Flo sniffed and wiped the tears from eyes, "Okay. I'll try," she said with a small nod, "I really don't want this place to close down."
"Neither do we," Alice told her before she remembered something, "Didn't you say your aunt worked her? Where is she?"
Flo hummed and frowned, "I don't know. My grandmother hasn't mentioned her at all. Can you start cleaning the rooms while I ask her."
"You got it," Alice agreed before she walked out of the medic bay.
Flo closed the medicine cupboard and walked into the storage closet where Nurse Joy had her back to her rearranging supplies around. Supplies that, to her anger, she had already arranged. She took a deep breath to calm herself down before she called out to her.
"Grandmother, where's aunt Joy? I thought she was helping you run the Centre."
Nurse Joy paused as soon as she said that. She placed the bottle she was holding down on the shelf and, without looking back, she answered, "Your aunt left and set up her own Centre in the next town over."
She spoke in such a cold tone that Flo was taken back by it.
"And she left you all by yourself?"
Nurse Joy turned around and she now saw the scowl on her grandmother's aged face. She had never seen her like this in...well ever.
"Your aunt was disobedient and always challenging me on all my orders. She had become so unpleasant that I told her to leave and she stomped out like the little brat she was," she snorted, "I'm better off without her anyway."
Flo was flabbergasted, "How can you say that? She's your daughter."
Nurse Joy's frown lifted slightly as if what she said saddened her. However, she turned around before Flo could see anything.
"I told you, young lady. I'm perfectly fine and so is this..."
Creeeaaakkk!
A loud noise sounded from above their heads. They looked up in confusion, their eyes widening when they saw the ceiling above them start to bulge as if a heavy weight was on it. Nothing happened for a few seconds until...
CRACK! SMASH!
The ceiling gave way and something crashed its way though it. Wafting the dust away, the two Joys looked up again and gaped when they saw a pair of muscular legs above them.
"Atlas!" Alice's voice cried out in the room above, "Are you alright!?"
("I am okay!") the machoke declared, kicking his legs, ("Although my legs are missing!")
Suddenly, they heard the door to the medic bay open and soon Charles, with Benny on his shoulder, found Flo and Nurse Joy in the storage room. For some reason, they were both soaking wet.
"We have a situation," Charles told them in panic.
"Yeah, I know," Flo replied, "I have a machoke in the ceiling."
"Not not that," Charles said.
("Although that is quite bad,") Benny commented.
"Outside," Charles told them.
He led them through the medic bay and into the foyer just as Alice and Chansey were coming down the stairs. Charles led them outside where it was pouring with rain. Flo had been working in the medic bay for so long that she didn't even notice that it was raining or the fact the sun had set a while ago. He stopped, turned towards the centre and pointed up at the building.
"What sort of paint did you use?" he asked.
They all turned and gasped when they saw the state of it. The paint was running down the walls and leaving behind a grey lifeless brick building. It all formed at the bottom of the building and left an ugly residue that stained the ground around it. Clearly, this sort of paint was not suitable for rain and Alice couldn't help but whimper at how much time she had wasted.
If that wasn't enough, the 'P' from the 'Pok-centre' sign fell off as well unexpectedly making it look like it read '-ok-centre'.
Benny chuckled nervously, ("An OK Centre is better than a bad Centre, right?") he joked, earning a glare from Charles.
"Flo," Alice gently said, "I didn't know that-"
"It's fine," Flo interrupted through gritted teeth before she turned to her grandmother, "You told us that the paint is suitable for outside use."
Nurse Joy blinked before she turned her head away arrogantly, "It was. She must have painted it wrong."
Before Alice can cry out in offence, Flo stomped over to Nurse Joy with a snarl, "Don't you dare insult my friend! Just admit it! You were wrong!"
Nurse Joy glared back at her, "I have been running the Centre for-"
"I don't care if you've been running the Centre since the beginning of time!" Flo screamed, "Why are you like this!? You're saying that your Centre is perfect, but it's not. It's the worst thing I ever seen, but you don't realise this because you're way too stubborn."
Nurse Joy gasped, "How dare you insult you're own grandmother. When you're mother hears about this-"
"Go on! Tell her! She'll back me up!"
"Honestly, you're just like you're aunt. She's always up in arms about something when I know best."
"You're right! I am just like my aunt! The only difference between her and I is that I wouldn't have waited until you told me to leave! I would have gotten out of here as soon as I can!"
Nurse Joy looked startled for a moment before she scowled and stomped into the Pokemon Centre without looking back. Chansey looked back and forth from Nurse Joy to Flo, unsure what she should be doing.
Flo sighed, "Go after her, Chansey," she muttered.
The Pokemon gave her a concerned look before she followed Nurse Joy into the Centre. Charles, Benny and Alice shared a worried look before looking over at their distraught friend. Flo didn't seem to be bothered about the rain or anything, she had head bowed and her shoulders were slowly going up and down as she tried to control her breathing. Eventually she spoke.
"Charles, are there going to be trainers coming tomorrow?"
He nodded, "Yes, we managed to attract quite a few."
Flo nodded, "We'll pick up in the morning and repair...everything."
They went up to her. Charles wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into his chest. Benny jumped into her arms so she could have something to hug and Alice rubbed her back comfortingly as they walked back into the Centre.
The next morning, Flo had woke up early and slowly made her way to her grandmother's room. She hardly got any sleep last night, her mind was racked with guilt from yesterday.
'Was it guilt?' she thought to herself, 'Or maybe I was just too angry to sleep. She was way out of line, even if she was my grandmother. My sweet, lovely...grandmother,' she sighed drearily as she approached the door to her room, 'either way, I need to get to the bottom of this or else we lose the Centre.'
She knocked on the door. A few seconds later there was a soft voice on the other side telling her to come in. Flo carefully opened the door and stepped into the dark room with the only sauce of light was the sun coming through the window. She saw Nurse Joy sitting on the side of her bed and gazing down at the photo frame in her hands. On closer inspection, Flo saw that she was looking at photo of her and her daughters, one of which was her own mother, smiling happily for the camera. Her daughters must have been around her age when it was taken and she could tell on her grandmother's face that it was a moment she would forever cherish.
Flo sat on the bed beside her, neither of them speaking first. Eventually, Flo has built up the courage to speak.
"I'm-"
"Flo, I'm so sorry," Nurse Joy interrupted, "For keep telling you you're wrong, for being rude to your friend and...just being an awful person."
"I understand, but why have you been like this? You're not the same person that I once knew."
Nurse Joy sighed and set the photo frame back on the bedside table, "I've been a nurse for so many years-"
"Yes I know that."
"No," Nurse Joy sharply said, "You're not listening to me. I've been a nurse for so many years...that I don't know what else to do with myself," she said, causing Flo to frown in concern, "For the majority of my life, I have devoted myself to the care of Pokemon and trainers. And when your mother and aunts came along, I taught them everything I know about healing and caring. I love being a nurse, I love my job, but now that I'm getting old and it seems like everything around me is changing and I can't keep up. I just wanted to keep hold of everything that I know, because anything new scares me. Now that my life's work is going to be bought to some moron...I'm nothing. Without my Centre, my degrees, and everything that comes with being a nurse, I'm just a...little old lady that gets in people's way."
Flo suddenly understood. She wasn't trying to be stubborn and arrogant, she was just scared of change because she has been doing it for so long and she didn't want to be forgotten. The young Nurse Joy took a deep breath and laid a hand on her grandmother's hand.
"You're not an old lady," Flo told her, "You're my grandmother and you're my mother's and aunt's teacher. What made you a Nurse Joy wasn't because of the uniform, or the way you run your medic bay, or the Pokemon Centre. What made you a Nurse Joy is being part of family that cares for each other and for the wellbeing of people. Who get up early in the morning and greets trainers with a bright smile, cure Pokemon to the best of their abilities, scold the idiots who push their Pokemon too far. Most of all, Nurse Joy's are not afraid to ask for help, no matter how much experience they have. All because we're family and we will never leave you behind. Ever."
Nurse Joy looked at the smiling face of her granddaughter, a small tear came to her eye, "Thank you. I guess I have been so wrapped up with everything that I didn't realise what I already had. A wonderful granddaughter," she said, earning a small giggle from Flo.
"I haven't been exactly great myself. I still have a lot to learn about running a Centre. I really shouldn't have done this bet," she sighed.
She felt her grandmother squeeze her hand comfortingly, "I really appreciate it, Flo. Perhaps...you're right. Maybe we do need some help. But where from."
"What about aunt Joy? You said she was in the next town, right?"
Nurse Joy grew uncomfortable, "I don't know if she would want to talk to me, let alone help me."
"We won't know until we try," Flo proclaimed, jumping off the bed, "However, we don't have time to travel all the way there," she mused before getting an idea, "Chansey!"
The pink Pokemon appeared suddenly at the doorway, and chirped happily at being addressed.
"Can you get Charles and tell him to bring Mahad, we going to need his psychic abilities."
Chansey saluted and ran off as quickly as she appeared.
...
...
...
The egg Pokemon appeared in the doorway again and sheepishly rubbed her head.
"He's in room 124," Flo told her.
Chansey nodded and took off once again as Flo rolled her eyes in amusement and Nurse Joy giggled.
Barton Town Pokemon Centre
The Nurse Joy of the Barton Town Pokecentre hummed happily to herself as she prepared to open up for the day. She had given the chansey their orders, checked in on the injured Pokemon and was about to unlock the doors when a bright light shone behind. She turned in confusion as she saw two children and one Pokemon. One of the children she recognised was her niece while the other was Charles who she met at the reunion. They both carried a sleeping abra on their shoulders, but Flo unlatched herself from the Pokemon's grip and walked up to her.
"Flo, what a surprise. Is something wrong with the door?" Nurse Joy joked.
Flo, however, didn't laugh, "Aunt Joy. We really need your help."
Sensing the seriousness, Nurse Joy nodded with a confident smile, "Of course, I'll do anything in my power. What do you need me to do?"
"Well," Flo took a deep breath, "Your mother..."
"Absolutely not," Nurse Joy immediately denied, causing Flo's jaw drop.
'That's pretty much what I expected,' Charles thought, wisely keeping it to himself.
"W-wait you don't know what I was going to say?" Flo stammered.
Nurse Joy furrowed her eyebrows and hmphed, "I don't care. Whatever trouble she got herself in, I'm sure she could get herself out of it. I left and set up my own Pokecentre here just so I don't have to be condescended and antagonised by her and I'm not going back."
"You left?" Flo questioned in surprise.
Nurse Joy rolled her eyes, "Let me guess, she told you that she ordered me to leave. That typical of her, honestly she's a terrible-"
Charles stepped forwards, "They're are going to close down the Centre," he said, making the nurse pause in shock, "a CEO is going to buy it up and tear it all down if we don't do anything about it."
Nurse Joy's eyes widened, she turned to Flo for confirmation, only to give a small gasp when she nodded.
"Close it down?" she repeated, "But the council would never-"
"The council can't support it," Charles answered, "the Centre is too dangerous to keep serving patrons. Which is why we need your help."
Nurse Joy frowned slightly before she shook her head, "Sorry, but maybe this is for the best. My mother has been working for many years now so maybe it's for the best for her to retire."
"But the Centre means everything to her," Flo told her, "And do you know why?"
Nurse Joy snorted, "So she has somewhere to parade her pride."
"It's because that's when she raised you and mum," Flo corrected, making the nurse's scowl soften, "It's also where she taught her daughters and her grandchildren how amazing it is to treat Pokemon and what inspired you to open up you're own Centre. Aunt Joy, I know you two aren't on good terms, but surely you can see that she's suffering."
"But-"
"Aunty Joy," Flo interrupted, "She's your mother."
Nurse Joy looked at their faces, seeing how desperate they are. She sighed sadly and shook her head, "I'm sorry, but I can't. I already have a Centre to run and I'm needed here. I can't just suddenly leave my post. The townspeople depend on me to be here."
The two bowed their heads in disappointment, "We get it," Charles told her, "It was worth a shot, wasn't it Flo?"
"Yeah, I suppose," Flo sighed, "Let's go back to the-"
"WAIT!" a cry rang out through the Centre, making them all jump in fright.
The sound of rapid footsteps coming down the stairs drew their attention as another Nurse Joy rushed into the foyer. This Nurse Joy looked to be in her late teens and seemed to have just woken up, judging by how untidy her uniform was and the fact that she hadn't put her hair up in ringlets yet.
'Five Nurse Joys now!' Charles thought, 'It's the reunion all over again.'
"Mary," Nurse Joy sighed, "what are you doing?"
Mary gave her a sheepish smile, "Sorry mum. I sensed that there's Pokecentre in need of rescuing. Hey Florence," she greeted, running up and giving her cousin a hug, "it's been a while."
Flo pulled away, a little startled, "I thought you were still at nursing school."
"Just graduated a few days ago," she answered cheerily before noticing Charles and hugging him as well much to Flo's annoyance, "Oh Charles, I haven't seen you since the reunion."
"N-nice to see you too," Charles stammered with a slight blush. He was expecting the sudden hug.
Mary giggled and gave Flo a teasing smirk, "Still cute as ever."
"Let go of him and can we get back to the subject at hand," Flo angrily said, staring daggers at her older cousin, "What do you mean about the Pokecentre?"
As Mary pulled away, Nurse Joy stepped up, "Mary has only been home for a week and she already wants to start running her own Centre. Despite the fact that she has no experience."
"I've looked after this place when you were away," Mary argued, "I know what I'm doing," she turned back to Flo, "You said that a Centre is in trouble, right?"
"How did you know-"
"Let me help," Mary interrupted eagerly, "I pretty much know my way around a Centre."
"But what about the internship in Sinnoh?"
"That's a month away, mum. Me and Chansey want to run right now. Isn't that right?"
("You got it!") a chansey cried out from next to Charles, surprising him.
He didn't even see the Pokemon walk over.
"Well," Nurse Joy hummed, thinking over her daughter's offer, "I suppose if-"
"Yes!" Mary and Chansey cheered, jumping into the air.
Charles and Flo shared a look, not quite believing what was happening. They grinned, knowing that they can finally get some help.
"There's no time to waste," Charles said, "we have to get back now and save the Centre."
"Alright!" Mary cheered, hugging Charles again in joy.
"I said get off him!"
Mahoney Town Pokemon Centre
Mary and her chansey hummed as they looked around the Centre, the others waiting patiently for their verdict. When Charles, Flo and Mahad were at the other Centre, Alice and the rest of the Pokemon were doing the best they can to fix up the place. All of the rooms, the medic bay and foyer were finally clean, but they were still having trouble fixing the hole Atlas accidentally made, painting the exterior and, most importantly, the power.
Mary and Chansey eventually came back and stood before everybody.
"Well, What do you think?" Alice asked.
"Difficult, but not impossible," Mary told them much to their relief, "how long do we have?"
"Well, Rey and Ms Joy should be here by one o'clock," Charles answered, "so we have less than five hours."
Mary clapped her hands, "Then we have no time to waste. Charles I need you to pick up everything on this list from the general store," she ordered, giving him said list, "I can trust that you and all of your Pokemon can carry all of it."
"They can," Charles said, taking the list, "alright everyone let's go," he said to all the Pokemon at his feet, who cheered and yipped eagerly as they followed him out the Centre.
Mary turned to Alice, "Once he returns with proper paint, I need you to paint the Centre again."
"Got it. It was actually quite fun the way we did it last time," Alice said.
Mary finally turned to Flo and her grandmother, "Alright, you two. Let's fix that power and then we can discuss some changes we are going to make."
The elderly Nurse Joy opened her mouth to say something, but Flo shook her head. After a brief paused Nurse Joy closed her mouth and nodded at Mary.
"I...trust you."
"Great. Can you show me the fuse box?"
Nurse Joy led them to the fuse box in the back of the Centre and Mary instant got to work.
Flo hummed when she saw her cousin fiddle with the box, "Maybe we should call an electrician? It has been broken for quite a while."
"Maybe," Nurse Joy agreed, "However, I don't know if we can get one in short..."
Mary flicked one last switch and instantly it hummed to life, astonishing the other two. Suddenly the lights above the flickered on and the entire Centre was instantly illuminated.
"There we go," Mary said as she shut the fuse box door closed, "let's move onto the next problem."
She walked away, ignoring the stunned looks from her family members.
A few hours later and Rey Zobes limousine drove up to front of the Centre and few minutes later it was finally parked. Rey exited the car and snorted when he read the sign above the Centre's door.
"Ok Centre," he muttered in amusement before turning and offering a hand for Ms Joy, "And here we are. My latest property."
Ms Joy swatted his hand away and climbed out of the limo herself, "We could have walked faster," she grumbled, giving the limo a glare, "and it's not your Centre yet. There may be a chance that Flo has got it up and running again."
"Do you honestly believe a ten year old would be able to pull that off?" he questioned with a smirk.
Ms Joy looked him dead in the eyes, "She's a Nurse Joy. Of course she can," she said walking by him.
Rey chuckled, "Looks like the only thing this Nurse Joy can do is paint a simple building," he mocked before placing his fingertips together, "Excellent, I havn't had this much fun since I introduced the 'Snitch On Your Fellow Employees' hotline to stop unions from being formed.
(A.N: Any similarity to actual perso- Oh forget it. You all know who I'm referencing.)
They both walked into through the door and Rey's cruel smile fell from his face.
"Hello, welcome to the Mahoney Town Pokemon Centre," Flo greeted cheerily gesturing to the newly refurbished foyer.
It was very different from the run-down, dusty, abandoned Centre they were at yesterday. Everything was clean and bright, the furniture looked new and comfortable and the place was actually filled with trainers. Some were at the front desk getting their Pokemon healed by Flo's grandmother with help from Alice and Chansey. Some were sitting in the joining dining area where Charles and his Pokemon were serving the guests food. While some sat in the lounge area talking, planning their next routes or just waiting for their Pokemon. Overall, it looked like a fully functioning Pokemon Centre much to Ms Joy's relief and Rey's fury.
"What!" Rey shouted, "What's this!?"
Flo smirked a little, "It's Pokemon Centre. Surprised you never seen one before."
"But the sign!?"
"Oh right, well we we're prioritising more important issues like tending to visitors, making sure the Pokemon are cared for and so on. We will repair the sign as soon as possible."
Ms Joy stepped up to her, "Flo, did you really do all of this?"
Flo played with her hair ringlet, "Well, not really. Running a Centre is more challenging then I expected. So I had a lot of help from my friends," she said gesturing over to Alice and Charles, "And, of course, somebody who knows what they are doing."
It was at that moment that Mary and her chansey walked into the foyer each holding a trey full of pokeballs. She gave a small wave to Ms Joy and Flo, shot a glare at Rey before she entered the medic bay.
Ms Joy chuckled slightly, "I see what you mean."
Rey got in front of Ms Joy, angry clear on his face, "You still going to sell me this place. I mean, how long are they going to keep this up. It's still run by the old zubat so it's all going to go back to the way it was, right?"
Ms Joy stared daggers at him before she smiled gently, "I'm sorry, Mr Zobes. But I can see that this Centre is more then operational and hits all the requirements. I'm afraid we won't be selling this Centre to anybody. Especially you."
Rey's face turned red in fury. He glared down at a smirking Joy, "This isn't over. I always win. Always!"
He stormed out of the building and was about to get into his limo before he stopped, a malicious smile spreading over his face.
"Fine then," he muttered, taking a pokeball from his suit jacket pocket, "If I can't have it. Then neither can-"
"Excuse me, sir," the serious voice of Officer Jenny made him jump, "Are you Rey Zobes, the owner of this limousine?"
He turned to her standing by his car with an unamused look on her face.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"You do realise that you are charged with over 10,000 unpaid tickets across Saffron City."
Rey blinked, "Um..."
Back inside, Flo jumped in the air and pumped her fist in joy.
"Yes, we did it!" she shouted, causing Ms Joy to chuckle.
"Indeed you did," she agreed before she became serious once again, "But Mr Zobes is right about one thing," she turned to Flo's grandmother who hobbled over to them, "I don't think I can allow you to run this Centre for any longer."
Nurse Joy nodded, "I understand."
"Grandmother no," Flo uttered sadly.
"That's why I am going to retire from this day forward," she announced, surprising her family members.
Ms Joy frowned, "Are you sure? What changed your mind?"
Nurse Joy laid a hand on Flo's shoulder and smiled gently at her, "Somebody reminded me that having a Centre doesn't make me a Nurse Joy. What makes me a Nurse Joy is doing your best to helps others and making sure that everyone is cared for," she said, earning a pleased smile from Flo, "I must admit that change is scary, but change can also mean that others can have the opportunities they deserve."
She looked over her shoulder and waved at Mary to come over. Curious, she and her chansey made their way over to them as Nurse Joy turned back to Ms Joy.
"I would like my Pokemon Centre to go to Mary here," she told her, much to everyone's surprise, "I assure you that she is a worth successor. She is more then capable of making this Centre great for both trainers and Pokemon."
"No way!" Mary exclaimed, "my own Pokecentre! I would love to run. Can I?" she asked Ms Joy.
"Well," the middle aged woman hummed, "I guess you can. It will save me looking for a replacem-"
"Yes!" Mary and her chansey happily cried, "let's go and see what we can improve, Chansey. I was thinking of adding a spa!"
("You got it!") the chansey said, before the two ran of in excitement.
"Hey! We still have paper work to go through!" Ms Joy shouted before following them.
Flo and Nurse Joy giggled until they heard the door swing open.
"I guess I have to cancel her internship, then."
They turned around and were surprised to see the Nurse Joy from Barton looking at them with a small smile. Judging by the look on her face, she had overheard their conversation.
"Aunty Joy?" Flo said, "I thought you were busy."
"I made time," she told her before turning to her mother, "mum."
The elderly woman gulped, "Hello Dorothea," she greeted, "You've...returned."
"Yes...yes I did," she replied awkwardly, "Mum, why didn't you tell me? I would have helped."
"I don't know. I just reckoned that you wouldn't want to see me...especially after how I treated you," she admitted guilty, "I'm really sorry, sweetheart."
"So am I. I shouldn't have stormed off like that," Dorothea said, "what are you going to do now that you're retired."
She frowned slightly, "I honestly have no idea."
"Well," Dorothea said, "Why don't you work at my Centre," she offered, much to her surprise "Mary is going to be busy over here and I could use the extra help. Do you think we can start over?"
Her mother blinked in shock before a smile spread across her wrinkly face, "Of course. I would love to work with you again."
Dorothea gave her a sharp look, "But you have to promise not to be criticise everything I do. It's my Centre and what goes, goes."
"As long as I am working with you again, I'm happy," she said before sighing sadly as she looked over the foyer, "I will miss this place. So many memories."
"You can always come back to visit," Flo suggested.
"I would like that," her grandmother agreed before she remembered something, "Oh, one more thing," she turned towards the front desk, "Chansey can you come over here."
The Pokemon eagerly responded and waddled her way over, looking up at her expectantly.
"Chansey, I'm sorry to say, but I'm retiring from my position," she told her, earning a gasp from her, "this means that you won't be working here anymore."
Chansey physically deflated, her eyes welled up with tears and she waved her hand's frantically. In response, the elderly nurse rubbed her head comfortingly.
"Now, now, you didn't do anything wrong. I just thought you talents could be put to better use," she told her, "maybe you can spend time being a travelling nurse Pokemon," gesturing to Flo.
The young girl's and the Pokemon's eyes widened.
"Me? You want me to take Chansey?" Flo uttered.
Her grandmother nodded, "There are some things that just can't be taught staying in one place and Chansey will benefit from it. In return, Chansey will help you become a better nurse and will be by your side along with your other Pokemon. What do you think?"
"Well," Flo mused before she noticed that Chansey was standing right in front of her, looking up at with a pleadingly, "If you want to come with me then you're more than welcome."
Chansey chirped happily, jumping up and down and waving her stubby arms. Flo giggled and petted her head.
"It's kind of a tradition to give new members names," she told her, "How does Epione sound? It's quite soothing don't you think?"
The Chansey eagerly nodded, causing Flo to giggle. She took that as a yes. However, Flo did notice something about the now named Epione.
"Err...where's your nurse cap?" she asked.
The Pokemon stopped and blinked in confusion. She looked up at her head and squeaked in panic when she noticed that her cap was gone before she sped off in search of it.
The three Joy's sweat dropped as they watched her run away.
"We'll work on that," Flo said.
Road Out Of Mahoney Town
Having said their goodbyes, the team were on the road again and back in their normal clothes. Flo couldn't help, but smile to herself. It may not have been the visit she was expecting, but now everything was alright and she couldn't be more happy.
"So a Chansey," Charles said, "I'm sure mum would be pleased with that."
("We have to introduce them sometime,") Benny suggested from his shoulder.
"Yeah," Flo said, "my own chansey. I can't really believe it. So where are we going next?" she asked Alice.
She took out her map from her bag and inspected it, "We need to stay on this road for a while before we'll turn left towards Celadon," Alice informed, "and your next gym battle, Charles."
"We have to prepare," Charles mused, "I believe it's a Grass type gym, but I don't want to use any of the Fire types."
Benny rapped his shoulder, ("Don't forget mum asked us to get some perfumes.")
"Right, we'll have to do that before we have the battle."
Alice pulled at her sleeve, "No offence Flo, but I'm so glad I'm back in my normal clothes. That uniform really didn't suit me."
"I suppose it isn't for everybody," Flo said before casting a look at Charles with a small blush, "However, the uniform really suited you, Charles."
"Really?" Charles asked.
"Now hold on," Alice said, "I think he would look better in an officer uniform."
Flo gave her an irritated look, "I don't think so. Pink is more his colour."
"I think he looks better in blue," Alice counted.
"Pink!"
"Blue!"
"Girls!" Charles interrupted, "can I just stick with my normal clothes for now."
Flo and Alice pouted and turned away.
"Fine," they muttered reluctantly
And that's it. Thanks for reading.
Thank you so much for the name suggestions and for casting your votes.
I choose the name Atlas mainly because of Apollo. Both are named after deities (although technically Atlas was a titan) in the Greek pantheon and I thought they could clash quite a bit. However, it will be Apollo doing the clashing, Atlas thinks they're friends. And the reason why I choose Ichigo is because it does summarise the tyrogue's personality greatly. Plus, it did make me laugh that, after looking it up, it does also mean strawberry. Hmm I wonder if that could be a running gag.
Not only that, but I counted up your votes (both the polls and the comment sections) and I can happily declare that Ichigo will evolve into... (Drum roll)
...A Hitmonchan (6 votes)
Hitmontop came second (5 votes) while last was Hitmonlee (3 votes).
Thank you all for voting.
Also Flo had finally caught a chansey. Epione is a Greek goddess of soothing. I kind of wanted a name that wasn't part of the Greek pantheon, sine I already have Apollo and Atlas, but it just seemed to fit.
Anyway, I wanted to make an announcement.
*I am going to write a fifth story*
It will be another OC fic and I already laid down some hints in the latest chapter of my other story 'The Disappearing Hero'. I'm quite excited. This is first story I've written in almost a year and I can't wait to publish the first chapter after I update 'The Puzzling Adventures Of Edgar Cipher'. So please look out for it and tell me what you think.
Thanks for reading :)
Potential Pokemon List:
Charles
Nidoran (Female)
Gastley
Ponyta
Drowzee
Goldeen
Tauros
Aerodactyl
Flo
Psyduck
Nidoran (Male)
Kangaskhan
Cubone
Diglett
Alice
Venonat
Farfetch'd
Rattata
Poliwag
Tangela