Pokémon: Road to Indigo Glory

Wounds of Body and Heart

"Hello." Humans 

"Pika-chu." Pokémon addressing humans

"Hello." Pokémon addressing Pokémon

The ambulance roared down the road, sirens blazing as it made the trip to Viridian. Ash was swiftly loaded into the back of it, with several Machoke assisting in the process for the sake of speed and efficiency in such a desperate time. This, however, caused the rest of them at the Oak lab to scramble into the jeep. Gary barely arrived just as they were about to leave.

"Hey, what's going on you guys!?" Gary asked, supremely confused at what was going on in such a hurry.

"Ash is hurt!" Lillie replied worriedly.

"What!? What happened!?" Gary cried as he flung himself into the vehicle, sitting next to Lillie in the back.

"He, Pikachu, and Caterpie got attacked by a flock of Spearow!" Delia told him from the front seat, trying to hold back tears of concern.

"... Oh, that's bad… Gramps! Drive this jalopy like Arceus means it!" Gary yelled at his grandpa.

"Was already intending on it. Buckle up and hold on tight people!" Professor Oak said, as he put the hammer down on the gas pedal.

Soon the Jeep screamed off down the driveway and onto the road. As Oak drove as fast as a Dodrio on X Speed, Delia turned to the back of the flying vehicle to get more answers. A look of panic and concern across her face. Issac held onto Caterpie and Pikachu as they went.

"What actually happened, kids?" Delia asked, her face beginning to get red with worry.

"Pikachu and Ash were arguing about Pikachu's weight problem. They got really heated about it and Ash threw a rock, which hit a Spearow in the forest…" Lillie began explaining.

"Already a dumb move right there. No surprises so far." Gary said, crossing his arms and shaking his head at his friend's antics, getting an elbow from Lillie. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Then a lot of Spearow's showed up and chased us. Ash and I split up so I could go get help. That was when I ran into Isaac here and his Charmander." Lillie continued explaining.

"Isaac, huh? Nice to meet you. I'm Gary Oak. Shame it wasn't under better circumstances." Gary said, offering his hand to Issac, reaching over Lillie.

Isaac shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you. I can take over the explanation from here, Miss Lillie." he replied.

"Please do." Lillie answered in a frustrated tone.

"Blaze here and I were out and about looking for Pokémon to catch when Miss Lillie ran into us. She told us the situation and, seeing someone in trouble, we rushed to help. When we arrived, we found your friend Ash protecting a stump with his Pokémon in it from the Spearow while they pecked and clawed at his back." Isaac continued to explain, motioning to his Charmander on the floor when he mentioned her.

"Char, Char." Blaze answered kindly, giving a quick nod.

"That was when Ash's Pikachu burst out from within the log and hit the entire flock with a Thunder Shock the likes of which I have never seen before from a Pikachu. And, having come all the way from Sinnoh, I have seen many a Thunder Shock in my travels." Isaac told the others present.

"Sinnoh. Sinnoh. Did you happen to get a starter from Professor Rowan over there, by chance?" Professor Oak asked from the driver seat.

Isaac nodded. "Yes, I did. My partner Macaque. He's currently back home in Sinnoh with the rest of my Pokémon, so I caught Blaze here when I got into Kanto with some help from my Munchlax Yokozuna." he explained further.

"It's quite rare to catch a Charmander here. Usually,, I give them to new trainers before the start of the school year." Professor Oak said, though impressed by the boy's luck and skill.

"She was abandoned in an alley in Viridian City by her trainer some time ago. I found her, nursed her back to health, and she agreed to come along with me if Yokozuna and I defeated her in a battle." Isaac told them before realizing something. "Wait… are you… Professor Samuel Oak, by any chance…?"

"Indeed I am. Gary is my grandson and assistant. Delia over here is Ash's mother and my former student. And Lillie next to you is our current junior assistant. Ash is also an assistant of mine as well." Oak explained, impressively so as he kept up the speed freak driving.

"Normally this would be a joyous occasion for me, since I'm a big fan of both your research into Pokémon and your poetry but now is not the time." Isaac noted sadly, looking at the ambulance in front of them in concern.

"Was there anything more with what happened to Ash?" Delia asked, and Isaac could see she was barely stopping herself from breaking down.

"The lead Spearow in the flock got up and attempted to continue fighting, but Pikachu was too exhausted from using up most of his electricity in that Thunder Shock to be able to potentially put up much of a fight. That was when Blaze and I intervened, battling, defeating, befriending, and catching the Spearow that now resides in this Pokéball." Isaac replied, pulling out Ruffian's Pokéball to show to them.

In that moment Delia grabbed his hand and held it, barely containing her shaking. "Thank you, both of you for saving my son. Thank you so much." Delia said before she finally started to cry.

Isaac placed his other hand gently on top of hers. "It was our pleasure, ma'am. I was raised on the ancient warrior values of the Sinnoh Region dating back to when it was called Hisui. And such values dictate that you help those who are in need." he told her firmly, trying to help calm her down.

"Alright, everyone. We have arrived. I'll park and you all go check in." Oak said, pulling up to the guest stop, allowing everyone else to get out. "They arrived in the ambulance bay, so they should be getting him up to a room by now."

"Let's move it, people!" Gary yelled, hopping out of the jeep like he was in an action movie.

Isaac hopped out of the jeep as well. "I'll take Ruffian to the nearby Pokémon Center for treatment and meet you all inside. After taking a rock to the head, that Thunder Shock from Pikachu, and battling Blaze and I, he could use some treatment as well." he told them.

"Alright, Caterpie. Time to get moving post haste!" Pikachu yelled as he hoisted the bug above his head.

"Onward, Pikachu!" Caterpie told his teammate and friend, pointing forward with his tail.

Pikachu soon hopped out of the Jeep with Lillie following behind the fat waddling lightning mouse while Isaac and Blaze headed to the Pokémon Center. As they rushed into the lobby, Gary Oak stood next to Delia as they checked in, to try and get the process to go as fast as possible for her sake. Right when they were finished, they were then led up towards the room they were working on Ash. As they followed behind the nurse aide, all of them had a pit of dread in their stomachs. The worry was eating away at them as they all worried and wondered just how much pain Ash was in. 

Soon taking their seats, Lillie sat next to Delia, while Caterpie climbed up into the woman's lap to comfort her. Gary and Oak stood, talking amongst themselves as they tried their best to pass the time. Pikachu, however, sat away from them, looking away. He looked down at the floor, remembering earlier that day. It made him feel so… alone…

The clock ticked on and on, feeling like they were waiting for the death of the sun to happen. Everyone could practically hear their hearts beat as the hours dragged on. They all heard two sets of feet coming down the hall, soon seeing Isaac and Blaze walking down the hall.

"Hey, Isaac. What took ya?" Gary asked.

Isaac smiled. "Ruffian wouldn't sit still to get bandaged up, so I had to hold him in place for Nurse Joy. He's a hardheaded, tough little thing, that Spearow." he told them before his smile faded. "Any word on Ash yet…?"

Pikachu turned his head around, teeth grit and sparks flying from his cheeks as he looked with a black gaze at the mere mention of the bird. That look surprised Isaac at the sudden hostility. He knew that Ash and Pikachu had a complicated relationship, but he didn't think it was quite like that. Blaze walked over to try and comfort Pikachu, but her initial attempts were rebuffed. Lillie finally spoke up to answer him.

"Not a word." Lillie said glumly.

"It's been almost three hours…" Delia sobbed.

"They're doing their best, Delia. Please be strong, for Ash's sake." Professor Oak said, walking over to put a hand on her shoulder to help stead her nerves.

"Any human who can take that much punishment from a flock of Spearow and still be breathing is strong. He'll pull through, ma'am." Isaac reassured her.

"I've seen Ash take a Rollout from a Geodude. No way those Spearow ever stood a chance." Gary said confidently, shocking Isaac with the surety in his friend's endurance.

"A Rollout from a Geodude?" Isaac asked in disbelief.

"Oh yeah. Took it square on. And then he tackled it right back. And it backed off after that. The rock and ground types are getting into turf wars around the lab. Not enough wasteland and desert. We are working on it but still. Give Ashy Boy a few years and he'll be putting Gravelers in their place." Gary said with all the surety in the world in his voice.

Isaac smiled a bit as he took his seat. "You two seem close," he noted.

"His mother and I are friends, and we live very close. Once the two started working for Professor Oak, the two practically became inseparable." Delia said, fighting through her tears to try and compose herself.

"When Ash is fully recovered, it would be an honor and a privilege to be the first fellow trainer to battle him. If he battles as well as he can take pain, I'm sure it would be quite the match." Isaac assured the others, the surety in his voice that Ash would recover perfectly bringing a smile to the others' faces.

As soon as he said that the door opened to reveal a doctor stepping out in his middle age. From thick bottle glasses he looked at them all as he cleared his throat.

"You're all here to see young Ash Ketchum, I take it?" The doctor asked.

"Yes. How is he doing?" Delia asked, grabbing hold of Caterpie and jumping up out of her seat.

"His wounds were extensive, and some were worse than others, but overall, we have all of his wounds cleaned and stitched up." The doctor explained, causing everyone to let out a small sigh of relief. The first the whole day.

Isaac smiled a bit. "How soon is he expected to make a full recovery after his encounter with that flock of Spearow?" he asked.

"It will likely be a few weeks. He can perform activities, though he will have to be eased into it and perform light work during that time. I'm honestly amazed he was in as good of condition as he was when he was brought in." The doctor explained, catching everyone off guard at the last part of the explanation.

Before the doctor could say any more, Pikachu rushed through the open door to see him. Lillie, Gary, and Isaac rushed after him to go get him… until they laid eyes on Ash. Laying there before them, his tattered clothes lay on the nearby table, forced to be cut off of him. He was laying there on his stomach with his back, of what little was showing from the blanket over him, was riddled in cut and peck marks that were stitched over. It sickened and horrified them all, while Pikachu stood there, enraged at what he saw. Then, with a single bound, Pikachu leapt up onto the bed and gently nuzzled up against his trainer. However, none of them were prepared for what Ash said and did as soon as he noticed them.

"Hey, guys… crazy encounter with those Spearow, huh? Good thing Pikachu here was there…" the young Ketchum boy asked, his eyes half open.

"Um… hey, big guy. How you feel?" Gary asked, confused at the odd reaction from his friend.

"I'm feelin' great, Gar. The docs said I'm gonna be on some good stuff for a while so I can't feel the pain." Ash loopily told his friend, hugging Pikachu close.

"Good stuff? Ash, are you okay?" Lillie asked with concern, putting her hand on his forehead to make sure he wasn't getting a fever.

"I'm fine, Lil' Bear. Just great. My arm feels kinda funny though…" Ash told Lillie, looking down at his arm.

Lillie blushed at such a nickname and looked away. Gary and Isaac slowly looked at each other. This… this wasn't normal. Pikachu even didn't know how to handle this. While he was happy Ash wasn't reeling in pain… something was off here.

"I apologize for his behavior. We had to put him on some strong anesthetic to keep him under long enough to stitch up his injuries. Right now, he's on painkillers to keep him comfortable." the doctor explained, following behind him into the room came Delia and Oak.

"So, what you're saying is Ash didn't need to go to Unova to get Blitzled?" Gary asked, trying to take some tension out of the situation.

"Gary!" Lillie snapped, aghast at his timing with the pun.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Bliztled! Good one, Gar!" Ash laughed loopily.

"See? He found it funny, Lillie." Gary said, pointing to him as if it proved some kind of point.

"He is on drugs!" Lillie snapped at the young Oak boy again.

"It's actually called Pain Medication. I would know, I had some in a hospital." Ash replied to Lillie.

"Ash. Please don't help him." Lillie told her friend in exasperation.

"You're just jealous he's not helping you." Gary playfully responded.

"Hey, Gar? Have I ever told you you're my best bud and that you make me a better student and trainer…?" Ash loopily told his longtime friend and rival.

"Mrs. Ketchum? Can we keep this Ash?" Gary asked, a bit shocked from the complement.

"We most certainly cannot!" Delia snapped.

"C'mon, ma'. I'm great. I'm awesome. I can't feel pain and I can taste my own tongue." Ash told his mother.

"Doctor. How long does he have to be on these painkillers exactly?" Professor Oak asked the doctor the question everyone wanted to ask.

"Only until he's recovered enough to be a week off from taking the stitches out." the doctor told the Pokémon Professor in response.

"He isn't getting the loopy kind for all of that, is he?" Delia asked nervously.

"Hey, doc. The roof of my mouth feels weird against my tongue. Is that normal…?" Ash asked the doctor.

"For the fifth time, sir. Yes." The doctor sighed. "And to answer your question, Mrs. Ketchum, no he will not be on this level. Once we release him from the hospital, he will be on strong, but more normal painkillers."

"Gar. Gar. Gar. Hey, Gar." Ash lightly called to his friend.

"Yeah?" Gary asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Love you, man." Ash told him with a big smile.

"Lillie, you're taking first watch." Gary said bluntly.

"No no no. You have seniority, remember?" Lillie answered with a coy smile.

"Woman, I will laugh myself to death if I have to be the first one." Gary told her, trying not to smile.

"I believe you Kantonians say, 'That sounds like a you problem'." Lillie answered, keeping the coy smile.

"It's scary how fast you learn…" Gary sighed.

"Hey, Lil' Bear. I ever tell you that you look cute in white…?" Ash loopily asked.

Blushing redder than the beets in Delia's garden, she buried her face in Gary's shoulder to hide her face. This got a raised eyebrow from Isaac, while Gary could not help but snicker. Delia, however, soon walked over to her son as the Doctor began filling out a doctor's note for both Professor Oak and Ichigo Academy.

"I'm so glad you're at least okay, sweetie." Delia said as she gently hugged him, with Pikachu snuggling into it as well.

"'Course I'm okay, ma'. I was raised by the best, toughest, greatest-cooking mom in the whole world…" Ash loopily told his mother as he hugged her back.

In that moment, Mrs. Ketchum could not contain herself and pulled him into a much deeper hug and started to fully cry. Caterpie and Pikachu snuggled into the hug as best they could with their stubby arms. The rest of them watched as the Ketchum family embraced, the worst of the tragedy finally over. Now they all could begin the road to recovery, and to keep the journey going.

However, as they hugged, Pikachu sat there, wondering. Wondering what exactly he was going to do with himself after such a close call. And Arceus knows if something like this were to happen again.