Author's Note: I changed the rating of this story to M. This is mostly because there are going to be mentions of injuries and moments that are not child friendly. In this story, it's an adult going on a long trip, not a child. So violence will start coming up now and again.
TT
After stowing the Duskballs in my bag (I wasn't going to waste a chance to get free pokeballs), I went to figure out how to feed my little pokemon. It took a bit of work to get Riolu to swallow tiny bits of pre-chewed jerky. Thankfully drinking water wasn't as much of a problem. A bit of rocking back and forth and the little one fell asleep like a baby. I'm keeping it in my arms for now.
The moon is making its presence clear in the sky. The waves are kicking up. I am not getting wet tonight.
As beautiful as it is without light pollution, I am not staying up through the night again. I mean, I would be able to stay up again, but I don't want to. I've pulled through 36 hours plenty times before due to reasons and my job.
Am I still going to have a job? Would I be able to keep any of the stuff I collected? I've never been homeless nor have I been out on the streets before. I need whatever options I can get to survive. Now I really want a switch blade, for well, you know, if I get attacked again. Maybe there's one hidden in the bags.
And now, as much as I want to say that I simply walked to the lifeboat to sleep, nay. I got a face full of ice-cold water. Sputtering, I see a little shape burst into view and waddled up the shore before collapsing. A penguin?
Curse my kind heart. Instead of hiding away, I clutched Riolu a bit tighter and hobbled down. Oh, that does not look good. Ever seen pictures of penguins after being attacked by seals? It's a Piplup, a chunk of torso peeled off, hanging by threads of flesh.
And two big critters are duking it out with beams of light coming out of their mouths. Nope, not staying. Abandoning my walking stick, I scooped up Piplup and booked it. Not getting between a seal and walrus. That's what they looked like.
Shutting the latch, I dove for a Duskball. A pokeball is the choice for Piplup. I only know how to care for scratches. Not all out mauling. Do I just push the ball against Piplup?
Piplup's weight lifted out of my arm as they faded into the red light. The dusk ball didn't even wiggle. A click and it's done. All worries lifted and gone.
Yeah, all worries gone.
Nope, not sleeping tonight.
After chowing down my meal that was meant for back at my job, I decided to check out my phone. See if there any other upgrades besides the protective cover. Oh, and I found a switch blade.
TT
The answer is yes, I got upgrades, plenty of them. A complete pokedex and pokemon scanner. A thorough map of Sinnoh with options to show me friends, allies, pokemon, enemies, treasure, and items. An emergency beacon, override of any security, top internet connection. A massive archive of music, books, tv and movies from Earth. And a supposedly eternal battery.
Lastly, a list of things to be done. What's listed is a replica of the games and a bit of the anime. Worry about that later.
I can even scan the pokeballs with my phone. They're unregistered, not able to automatically be sent to a PC or stable. A stasis mode for the pokemon has been added, for if grievous injury occurs, they can be put on pause until medical attention is available. Nice.
Wow, I've been on my phone all night. No surprise, done that many times before. 36 hours awake. My eyes hurt.
Little Riolu and I jolted when something akin to a jet roard right to our ears. Who the hell would bring a jet so close to land!?
Hearing something thump outside, I shrunk Piplup's pokeball and, no, a pocket is too easy for someone to snag. Glancing down, my chest looks to be an ideal spot. A quick thought later and I have Riolu in a Duskball and both pokeballs tucked away.
Admittedly, during the short time between the radio call and now, my fear turned into something else. Not anger, rather a need to see blood spill. I will not be weak again. Flicking the switchblade open, I was ready to go for the throat until I saw what, or rather, who, was standing by my still standing vest. It's not that hard to figure out the identity. Female, tall, black clothing, black hair ornaments, extremely long, blonde hair. Next to her is behemoth of a dark blue lizard that locked its eyes on me as soon as I slid out of my shelter.
OK, I give up. Pokemon are real. Garchomp is a predator. And Cynthia is actually a bombshell.
"Oh my! Whatever happened?" Flicking the knife closed, I took an admittedly wobbly step back as she ran up closer, Garchomp following close. She did look rather worried. Then again, humans are sturdy in this world. Receiving any wound would be a cause for concern.
I couldn't stop from giving an annoyed look. "An unfortunate meetup with a crowbar. Is your dragon the only way off this island?"
Cynthia blinked before seemingly getting ahold of herself. "No, there's a boat on its way over now." Good enough for me. "Miss, what are you doing?"
Turning around, I crawled back into the lifeboat, "Packing! I'm not leaving my stuff behind! Are there healers for pokemon aboard that ship?"
TT
It was only an hour later when the boat came into view. Those wearing black and burnt orange are obviously the Rangers. Thankfully, the men didn't interact with me directly, focusing on the graves I pointed out. After handing my pokemon over, I got the typical check over. Deep bruising, abrasions, no fractures, no concussion, and I just avoided hyperthermia. It was feeling rather chilly with a lingering headache.
Piplup (who is a male) needed a hyper potion to fully repair the damage and all he had left was a scar that will likely last for life. Not even evolution will get rid of it. As for Riolu, he is badly malnourished. It will take a few months to get things back on track for the emanation pokemon.
I only learned this about the pokemon because they refused to leave me after receiving initial treatment. Well, in any case, I've been awake long enough. Cynthia was nice enough to point out an unused cot. With Riolu on my chest and Piplup at my waist, sleep overtook us.