At Arceus' Behest Ch. 02 - Finding Sanctuary
The group watched in worry. Tundra was not recovering as they hoped she would. Taiga was by his sister the whole time. He couldn't sleep and wouldn't eat, his fear for Tundra's life was making it impossible. Zero spent most of his watching over their human captives. He was determined to make them face justice. He knew he could kill them where they sat, but he knew that in his world humans preferred to enact their own justice. He didn't know the laws of this world, but felt he should at least follow what he knew. The time he wasn't standing guard he spent by Tundra's side, talking with everyone and answering questions as best he could. They all ignored the protests of their captives. Zero backhanded the youngest, a red headed boy, after he worked his gag loose and started screaming at the group. He was knocked out instantly.
While he stood watch he looked over his new friends. Taiga was just like his sister, but with inverted colors. He had blue fur with a cream tuft around his neck. His mask was different from Tundra's. His was more angular, and covered more of his face than hers. The fur on his legs was different too. He had black fur that ran from his toes to his knees, whereas Tundra didn't. Zero also noticed that it seemed both him and Tundra had a 2nd set of ears, but no visible 'inside' to them, which he thought was odd, and bright red eyes. The same silver nubs on the back of Tundra's hands were on his as well.
Rathien was over twice as tall as Tundra and Taiga, and matched Zero in height. He was built for agile close quarters combat. He had a pristine white fur on the lower half of his body, while the upper half of him was a bright forest green hide that ended in a V on his torso. His face was white and had large spikes that fanned toward the back of his head. His eyes were also bright red. Zero recognized the design of his 'helmet' from ancient cultures from his home world. It looked like a green tinted crested helmet of the ancient Greek heavy infantry, complete with a teal plume which also ran down the middle of his face. His forearms were proportionally large compared to the rest of his body, containing the muscles needed to extend the extremely sharp blades that come from them, and he had what looked like a red chest-piece on both his front and back.
Catziah was the tallest of them all, even taller than Zero and Rathien. She stood almost a foot taller than him. She had orange downy feathers covering most of her body, a white mane that extended around her chest and underarms, and yellow plumage at her feet and just below the white mane on her chest. Her gray wrapped claws were arranged in a way that they had opposable thumbs, and her feet had a backwards facing talon on each of them. Her face would look like a predator's if Zero never saw her eyes. They were a deep blue that seemed to calm the aggressive nature of the rest of her face. Coming from the tip of her beak were two large horns that extended well beyond the top of her mane in a V shape, like his own helmet, but the horns were much larger and extended off her head, whereas his wrapped around the rest of his helmet.
Taiga had offered to join him on his journeys, which he accepted. He felt he had to repay a debt to Zero, which Zero denied, and he also wanted to never leave Tundra again since she was traveling with Zero. Rathien also offered to join him, wanting to free others who had been enslaved as they were. His personality reminded Zero of his best friend, X. Zero also accepted Rathien's offer. What surprised him the most was when Catziah said she wanted to join as well.
"Catziah, you were adamant on leaving before that .. Steelix, was it? .. attacked us. Tundra had to talk you into staying with us for the rest of the night. Why do you want to join me now?" Zero asked.
Catziah looked at him intently, "I want to train under you, if you'll allow it. My reasons are my own, but I will say that you've proven that you can hold your end of a fight, and you've shown more care and concern for someone who you just met than any trainer I've ever been around." There was a sneer as she said the word trainer. "Besides Professor Rowan, I've yet to meet a human I felt I could trust. It also looks like you could use someone who knows a little medicine."
"Good point, but if that's the case, why do you not stay with this Professor Rowan?" asked Zero.
Catziah shook her head, "...He doesn't train or battle any more. He only fought to get me away from my trainer." She had a mix of disgust and hatred on her face as she said the word trainer again. "I want to become stronger, so I can defend myself."
"Then welcome to the team," Zero replied.
Catziah smiled.
A few hours passed and Tundra's situation seemed to get worse, and Taiga was getting worse just watching her while being unable to help. Zero seemed especially concerned; he did not fully understand biological disease and how it progressed. He came to a decision, he would ask Catziah where this Professor Rowan is located and ask him for help. He hoped this professor was a kindhearted person like Dr. Cain was, and Catziah trusting him put Zero somewhat at ease.
"Catziah, where is Professor Rowan located and is there anything he can do to help?" Zero asked. "Tundra's getting worse, and I don't know if she'll last the night."
"Yes, he's in Sandgem Town, but that's almost 3 weeks away from here.." The disappointment and sadness in Catziah's voice clearly noticable.
Damn! What can we do to help her?
Zero was just about to ask something else when Rathien stood up and came over. "I might be able to help. I have never been to Sandgem Town myself, but if you picture the place in your mind, Catziah, and tell me which direction it lies, I might be able to teleport us. I can't guarantee a pleasant trip though."
Teleport? Is that like the transfer system we used back on my world?
"It's to the West, but what about these thugs that abducted us?" Catziah asked.
"I have enough strength to take them with us," Rathien replied. "I also know that what they did to us was a crime. I'm sure Zero can help us explain what happened. Are you up for it Zero?"
"I was wondering what to do about them myself. This will work out well. Taiga are you in?" Zero asked.
"Yes, just help her.. that's all I care about right now," Taiga's voice had such a depressed and pleading tone to it.. Zero kneeled down to look him in the eye.
"It's all right. Catziah says that Professor Rowan can help, and if she trusts him, so will I," Zero said in a calming voice.
Rathien was standing next to the thugs when he spoke up, "Okay, everyone gather 'round. Let's try to keep Tundra as safe as possible, because this could get bumpy."
Zero nodded to Taiga and picked up Tundra, cradling her in his arms, then followed Catziah to Rathien. He also pocketed the lone pitch black ball that the red headed thug had thrown at him, wondering if this Professor could tell him anything about it. On Rathien's nod, Catziah pictured the small village that was Sandgem Town in her mind. Rathien then began to glow white. As the light engulfed everyone around him, Zero could see the strain the teleport was taking on him. He was wincing in pain as he tried to gather enough energy to make the long trip with all his passengers. Suddenly Zero felt himself fly upwards. He looked down, and viewed the world upon which he had been taken to. He saw the mountainous region they just came from get larger and larger as he felt himself descending. As he made a mental map of the area for future reference, a small village appeared below the group. As they approached, he could make out more detail. There were only 5 buildings, and they approached the one on the northwestern side. He felt himself pass through the roof and then suddenly jarred to a stop.
Just like the transport system back home.. but Rathien did this without any sort of machine, technology, or power source to aid him! How did these thugs here manage to contain and control such powerful beings?!
There was a loud crash, like something inside the lab falling over, along with a bright white flash. A man with unkempt grey hair in a blue shirt threw off the trenchcoat he was using as a blanket and snapped awake. Then he heard a soft thud, coughing and choking, and voices.
"GAL! Al .. gal..lade .. ade..-" Professor Rowan couldn't believe his ears. Is that a Gallade? Why is it speaking instead of using psychic communication?
"Rathien, we're inside. Your aim couldn't have been better. Take it easy, ok? You almost passed out there.." another voice said, distinctly male. That's why..
"Riolu? Ri ol ri?" A Riolu?
"Bla ken ze blazi...." He heard some light clicking noises approach. He tensed, looking around for the pokeball that held his Staraptor but couldn't find it. He panicked, looking around frantically trying to remember where he left it. "Blaziblaze?"
Blaziblaze? I recognize that...
"...Cat?" He asked tentatively.
"Blaziblaze!" He was suddenly picked up off the couch he was sleeping on and pulled into a great bear hug by the Blaziken he rescued so long ago. He returned it best he could, then Catziah pulled him towards the rest of the group. He saw a Gallade on the floor, wheezing and trying to catch it's breath, a little Riolu next to it with a concerned look on its face, a man with long blond hair in an outlandish suit of red armor, which he thought was bizarre, and in his hands was a rare sight indeed. A shiny Riolu, but it was in really bad shape. It had been bandaged, but the wraps were soaked with fresh blood. Behind them there were 5 Galaxy Gangsters tied up and gagged, "Blaziblaze, bla zi bla ken?" Catziah was pointing at the shiny Riolu with a look of worry on her face.
"DAMN! I .. did..n't .. make..-"
"Rathien, we're inside. Your aim couldn't have been better. Take it easy, ok? You almost passed out there.." Zero interrupted Rathien before he could finish.
"Catziah? Where is he?" Taiga asked.
"He might be asleep...." She walked over to his study room. She saw him on the couch he usually slept on after working late, which was usually every night. "Professor?"
"...Cat?" A male voice asked.
"Professor!" Catziah picked up Professor Rowan off the couch and bear hugged him. He returned it best he could, then Catziah pulled him towards her new friends. She saw him look over the group, and then saw his eyes open as he noticed Tundra. "Professor, can you help her?" She asked as she pointed at Tundra with a look of worry in her face.
Zero spoke up then, "Professor Rowan? Can you help Tundra?" looking at her as he spoke.
Professor Rowan didn't take any time to respond, "Not me, next door! Let's get her over to the Pokemon center, quickly. I'll ask questions later. Someone needs to watch these criminals though.."
Zero looked at Catziah and Rathien, "Can you two keep an eye on these guys? I'll go with the Professor."
Rathien and Catziah both nodded, and then Zero and Taiga ran after the professor with Tundra in Zero's arms as he left the lab. They followed the professor into the building next door. The building they entered was like a hospital reception room, with pink-tinted walls and red counters with staircases going to upper and lower floors. There was only one other person there besides the nurse, a boy about the age of 16. He was short, with blond hair that had a wild flow to it. He wore an orange and white shirt, with a green scarf around his neck, bluejeans, and some brown leather shoes. The boy fished something long and red from out of his backpack and pointed it at them as they came in, looking at it intently. Must be another kind of those photon-capturing devices like that Frank West guy carried. Zero paid it no mind.
The nurse was at the other side of the room. "Prof-"
The professor interrupted her, "Nurse Joy, there's no time, this pokemon needs your help immediately!"
The shock on her face after seeing the Shiny Riolu in such a state was indescribable, "What happe.. nevermind, follow me! We'll sort this out later!"
She motioned for everyone to follow her, hit a button below the counter she was behind, and walked down a hallway to her left. From a door just as she entered the hall, 2 Chansies walked out with a stretcher between them. "Place her on the stretcher, we don't want to injure her any further," The nurse began. Zero set Tundra down gently on the stretcher. Taiga had his paws up on the railing of it trying to climb up to be with her, tears in his eyes. He just now realized how bad his sister was injured. "Sarah, put a neck brace on her." "Chans, Chan Sey!" ("Yes, Nurse Joy!") The Chansey near Tundra's head pulled something from below the stretcher and placed it around her neck to keep it from moving. "Susan, I need you to set up the vitals monitor." "Chans, Sey!" ("Yes, Ma'am!") The Chansey on the other end of the stretcher reached for some equipment in the hallway as they passed it, and began to shave patches of hair off of Tundra. Zero moved to stop them, but realized what was going on when he saw the wires and sticky leads being placed on the exposed flesh. He had seen these placed on Ciel once after she was severely injured on a mission. He silently scolded himself for not knowing much of Human medicine.
As they neared a set of double-doors, the nurse turned towards the three of them, "Professor, I need you and your friends to stay in the waiting room."
Zero and Taiga shook their heads and were about to follow them when the professor stopped them. "I can tell that she means a lot to both of you, but we'll only get in their way. You trusted Catziah. Trust me, and let them do what they do best." There was an honesty in his voice that reminded Zero of Dr. Cain. He looked at Taiga and slowly nodded his head. Taiga bowed his head and nodded as well, tears welling up in his eyes again.
Professor Rowan spoke up, "Nurse Joy, we're going to head back to my lab. I have some things that need to be addressed. Call us so we can be here when she wakes up?" The nurse nodded and she and the Chansies continued onwards.
As they walked back to the waiting room, they heard the nurse say, "Sarah get an IV and push some sedative, we don't want this one waking up during the ope.." Her voice trailed off as they passed through the double-doors. As the trio passed through the waiting room they noticed that it was empty of its only occupant earlier, and another Chansey was at the counter Nurse Joy originally manned.
Professor Rowan broke the silence as they were walking, "I hope your Riolu friend is okay.. All that blood couldn't be good." Zero could see the worry in his face. "I'm sorry, but I never caught your name.."
"My name is Zero," was the reploid's reply.
"That's an odd na-" Professor Rowan was interrupted.
"Go, Pokeball!" The boy that was inside the building yelled, and then threw a round red and white ball at them. Taiga had a look of dread in his eyes. Zero snapped to attention at the shout, and saw the boy throw it at Taiga. Pokeball? He immediately thought about the black ball he picked up before they teleported. Anger welled up in him as he realized what was about to happen. All of a sudden green and yellow motes of energy began forming around him, focusing into his arm. His hand faded, revealing the barrel of his Z-Buster. He aimed it at the incoming sphere and fired. A green and yellow ball of plasma utterly obliterated it and slammed into the side of the Pokemon center, tearing off chunks of concrete and leaving a huge scorch mark in its place. The looks on both the boy's and Professor Rowan's faces was indescribable. Within a microsecond of the Z-Buster firing, Zero drew his Z-Saber and dashed towards the boy. He grabbed him and pinned him against the wall next to the smoldering crater his previous attack left, the green glow illuminating the boy's neck. The boy didn't even have room to swallow.
The rage in Zero's voice was apparent, "You're lucky you're only a child in my eyes. If you EVER try to do that to one of my friends again, I will cut you down without a second thought!" And with that he threw the kid to the ground. The kid backed away from him frantically, scampering to his feet and running away and screaming in abject terror towards the other side of the small hamlet. Taiga made a sigh of relief and started laughing.
Professor Rowan finally collected his senses, but was still in shock from what he just witnessed. "What the .." Professor Rowan stopped in mid sentence, a hunch forming in his mind. "Okay, let's just head back to my lab. We'll talk there. I'll make sure nobody comes in today." And with that they made their way back to the lab.
Just as they got to the lab, Catziah came running out to see what the noise was. Looking around she saw Zero, Taiga, and the professor walking towards the building, and she saw a chunk of the Pokemon center had been blasted. Zero saw what she was looking at. "Someone threw another one of those balls at Taiga. He shouldn't cause us any more problems though."
Catziah raised her eye, "Bla blazi .. iken? ("You didn't .. did you?")
Zero shook his head, "No, I only destroyed that ball and scared him. I may have overdid it though."
Professor Rowan's expression was as if a light bulb had appeared over him, "Don't worry about that, I'll cover the damages. We need to get inside quickly and discuss what's going on, and I would especially like to talk with you." He looked at Zero intently.
Once inside, Professor Rowan spoke up, "First I need to call the police. You've managed to capture 5 members of the most notorious criminal gang in the area. They're called the Galaxy Gang. Then I need to call the Pokemon Center and let them know that there was a fight outside of their building and let them know I'll pay for the repairs. Don't worry, I won't tell them what happened." And with that he picked up the phone and began his calls. After he was done speaking, he then addressed them.
"Okay, the Riolu.. what was her name again?" the professor asked.
"Tundra," Zero answered.
"Tundra, okay. Tundra was badly injured. Catziah, did you apply those bandages?"
Catziah nodded, "Blaze.." ("Yes..")
"Then you may have saved her life. I'm glad I taught you first aid."
Catziah smiled.
"When the nurse calls us back we'll all head over there to see how she's doing." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Before we talk, I think proper introductions are in order."
Rathien had finally collected himself enough to communicate psychically, "Greetings, my name is Rathien." He then bowed before him. Professor Rowan bowed in return.
Taiga looked at Zero, "Ri lu Riolu ri? ("Can you introduce me?)
Zero smiled and then nodded, "This is Taiga, he's Tundra's brother."
"A pleasure to meet you all," the professor replied. "I am the Pokemon researcher Professor Rowan. Please, tell me what brought you all here."
Zero looked around as he asked, "Can I trust you to keep this quiet?"
Professor Rowan nodded, "I had guessed you would ask as much. You have my word. If you need assurances, I'm sure Catziah will vouch for me." To which Catziah nodded again.
"Very well, I'll start from the beginning." Zero then told him of everything that had happened since the Ragnarok incident, how he was brought here from his world by Arceus and asked to save pokemon from enslavement. He recounted how he had rescued Tundra from a rock snake Tundra called Steelix on Mt. Coronet, and then how they tracked down her brother and rescued him, as well as Rathien and Catziah. Zero then told him about the attack by the same Steelix that turned to metal that was out for revenge, and how it almost killed Tundra, and then how they ended up here.
"I'm amazed that Rathien was able to teleport you all from such a distance, especially at having never been here before, as well as your fighting skills, Zero," Professor Rowan exclaimed. "But tell me, how are you able to understand Poke-speech? You're not human, are you?"
"No, I'm not. I'm a reploid," was Zero's reply.
A look of bewilderment crossed the professor's face, "What's a reploid?"
Zero grinned to himself, "They all asked the same thing. I'm like a human, but made of metal and circuits instead of bone and flesh."
The professor's interest was piqued, "So you're a machine then?" Zero nodded. "Incredible.. and here I thought you might be a new type of Pokemon. Who made you, if you don't mind my asking."
"I was made by a man named Dr. Wily on my home planet." His brow furrowed. "I would rather not discuss him though, other than to say he was an evil man. Dr. Cain was the one who brought me into contact with the rest of the world. He is one of the kindest men I've ever met. You remind me of him, to be honest. Catziah chooses her friends well." Both Catziah and Professor Rowan smiled. "Professor Rowan, that child threw something at Taiga. What was it?"
Professor Rowan frowned, "Yes I remember that. Some people have no respect these days. The item he threw is called a Pokeball. What it does is it encapsules a Pokemon and registers them to someone's Pokemon team. I don't understand exactly how the technology works myself, other than it is able to store Pokemon as data. I do not agree with how people use them these days, that kid being a good example. He must have seen that Taiga was unregistered and tried to take him from you."
Zero then opened a compartment on his armor and pulled out the black pokeball and set it on a table next to him, "I assume this is one of those then?" There was a slight hint of anger in his voice.
The professor picked it up examining it, ".... I have never seen one like this before.. there's not even a registering chip in it.. and what's this?" He pulls out a small black jewel where the registering chip should have been. It sparkles a dark purple.
Taiga spoke up, with a bit of fear in his voice, "Riol, ri lu olu ri o?" ("Zero, can you translate for me?")
Zero nodded and began to translating Taiga's words, "That jewel emanates a pitch black aura. When I was inside that ball I had nightmares and when I was outside of it I couldn't control my body. Tundra told us that the Fearow one of the thugs over there had captured had a pitch black aura that connected to the ball with purple wisps of energy encircling another blue aura coming from it, but when the ball it was connected to was destroyed, the black aura faded away and the Fearow flew off."
Professor Rowan looked like he had seen a ghost, "Dear Arceus no.. they've found out a way to suppress the wills of Pokemon.. that must be why Arceus brought you here, Zero. These pokeballs aren't supposed to work that way. They are supposed to help in healing Pokemon, and make it so that they can't be easily kidnapped from their teams. Most people go about collecting pokemon in different ways like exhausting a pokemon in battle, which I disagree with, but some people try to befriend their teammates before registering them with the pokeball. But both of these methods do NOT suppress the will of the pokemon inside. That is akin to slavery. I'll be sure to let Officer Jenny know about this. You will need all the help you can get with this I'm sure. I won't tell them about your origins though. I'll only say that you've taken it upon yourself to combat this criminal activity."
"Thank you Professor," Zero replied. His voice had lost the hint of anger it held before. "I'm glad to know that not all humans on this world are like those over there.." He pointed to the Galaxy Gang grunts.
While waiting, Professor Rowan prepared a quick meal for the group. Taiga took his first bite of anything since he had been rescued. An hour passes before the group hears cars approach and a knock at the door. Professor Rowan sees that it's the police, and opens the door, "Come in, Officer Jenny." A woman with green tinted hair in a military-esque uniform comes inside, along with some of her squad.
"Hello, Professor. I hear you have some of the Galaxy Gang in custody?" She asks.
"Yes, they're in the other room. Follow me." Professor Rowan leads them through the lab to the spare room that doubles as his office, where the 5 men are tied up.
"Impressive work Professor, how did you manage it?" Officer Jenny asks.
Professor Rowan shakes his head, "It wasn't me, it was this man and his team."
Zero steps forward and bows his head, "Just call me Zero."
The lady officer raises an eyebrow at the heavily armored man before her, "Hell-oo.. I think I can see why these fools didn't stand a chance against you. Do you always wear that armor?"
Zero grins, "It's like a part of me."
Officer Jenny smirks, "Well at least you have a sense of humor. Where did you catch them at?"
"Mt. Coronet," Zero replied.
Officer Jenny raises her eyebrow again, "A little off the beaten path there, isn't it?"
Rathien speaks up telepathically, "I brought us all here after one of us was injured."
"Impressive, considering how many you brought with you," replied the officer.
"Thank you."
"Before you take these fine gentlemen in for questioning, there's something you need to see, Officer. Follow me," Professor Rowan then takes her to a table with the black pokeball and jewel. "They were using these to subdue the minds of the pokemon they had captured. When I opened the ball, there was a black jewel instead of a registering chip at the top of the pokeball. According to Taiga, the Riolu over there, this jewel gives off a black aura that takes over the bodies of the pokemon the ball is used on. They literally become slaves. Taiga was captured by one, and said he had unending nightmares while inside of it, and could not control his body while outside of it. You know the implication this makes..."
The lady officer's anger was easy to read, "This can't be good.. it's one thing to capture a pokemon, but another entirely to enslave it. Yes, this is abuse at its worst, turning a living creature into nothing but a tool. These gangsters will rot for this. I need to take these as evidence against them, as well as to figure out exactly how these jewels work. I'll keep in touch with you, Professor Rowan. Oh and Zero, if your team runs into any more of these grunts, be sure to relieve them of these black pokeballs and bring them to the nearest police station. We'll be more than happy to take them off your hands. I'll make sure there's a reward in it too, these guys are wanted men all over the Sinnoh region. Speaking of which.." She reaches into her pocket and grabs a slip of plastic and hands it to him. "Here's some payment for your hard work."
Zero nods and takes the plastic card, "I'll make sure of it."
"Alright boys, let's pack 'em up!" And with that the squad behind her gathered the Galaxy Gang members and marched them out of the building. "Watch your head." One of them says to the red headed boy, and then slams his head into the roof of the squad car. The kid gives the officer a death stare, but can do little else. After they are all loaded into different squad cars, they are then taken out of town, towards the north.
The wait for word on Tundra's condition was taking much longer than expected. Professor Rowan began talking to the group during it. "Zero, I know you probably don't want to consider this, but you and your team should discuss using Pokeballs, especially after what happened this morning with Taiga. If it were someone more experienced than that kid, you could have easily lost a friend there."
Zero looked at him funny, "How so?" I can always just destroy those pokeballs, can't I?"
"You could," the professor began, "but if a trainer actually managed to register one of your friends to their team, under the laws in this region, taking him back would be considered theft.."
"You've got to be joking." Zero said in a monotone.
"Unfortunately no," the professor replied, "I'm sad to say that right now, our government doesn't consider pokemon as equal beings to humans. I only suggest this to you so you don't run into any trouble with the law. Officer Jenny is a great person, but she follows the law to the letter."
"Well, if I'm going to protect my friends, I should go about it the right way," Zero stated as he looked towards his friends. "Would you guys at least consider it?"
Rathien and Catziah looked at each other, and nodded to Zero. Taiga, however, had a look of fear in his eyes again. Both Catziah and Rathien saw this, and told him that a normal pokeball is much different. It brings a state of peace, and restful sleep. After much thought, Taiga finally agreed as well.
Professor Rowan then brought over 6 red and white pokeballs, and a red tablet PC. "Okay, this is called a Pokedex. I'll register it to you so your team officially exists. It also has lots of information about pokemon that can be accessed at any time. Also, since you're now officially considered a pokemon trainer, you can stay in the hotel rooms at pokemon centers free of charge." He hands the Pokedex to Zero. "Now Taiga, I need you to touch this pokeball with your paw right on this button. When you do, a light will surround and shrink you and bring you into the ball itself. I'll then let you back out, ok?"
Taiga looked at Professor Rowan and then back at the pokeball, still a little hesitant. He then sighs and nods his head at the professor, then touches the button on the pokeball. A red light turns on and emits a beam towards him, then surrounds him, and then he turns red and disappears into the ball. The pokeball makes a beep and lights up. Professor Rowan then presses the same button on the pokeball, and out pops Taiga. He breathes a sigh of relief. "Ri lu ri olu o ri olu lu." ("That is much better than that other one.")
Catziah and Rathien smile then do the same, and Zero releases them.
"Well, now we're officially a team. We shouldn't have to worry about those surprise pokeball assaults now, guys," Zero says as Taiga cheers.
It was well into the evening before they received a phone call from Nurse Joy. Her voice didn't sound very cheerful, "We've just brought your Riolu out of surgery, she should be awake some time soon."
Everyone went over to the pokemon center as soon as the professor hung up. When they entered the doors, they saw a lot more people than they did that morning, but Nurse Joy saw them enter and waved them over, "Follow me." She led them to a room down the same hallway but just before the double doors. She closed the door behind them as everyone filed in. On the bed lay Tundra. She was still asleep because of the medicine, but the bandages and blood were gone. They could see a deep scar running across her chest and neck though.
The nurse spoke up, "Your Riolu..?" she asked expectantly.
"Tundra," Zero replied.
"Tundra, that's a nice name. Tundra will make a full recovery, but there will be permanent scarring. Also, there may be physical deformities after she evolves. The scar across her chest goes right over where the spike would appear. You should consider staying here for a few days and let her rest before you head out again." she finished.
"What do you mean when you say Evolve?" Zero asked.
"What? You have two fully evolved pokemon and you don't know what the word means?" She almost began to laugh.
Professor Rowan to the rescue, "You could say the pokemon trainer position found him, he's trained in defending himself rather than using pokemon for it. Where he's from there aren't very many around."
"I see," the nurse replied. "Okay, in short, Pokemon begin life as an egg. When most hatch, it is their adolescent form. Riolu as they mature will grow, or evolve, into a second form called Lucario. Some pokemon even have a third form, which is their adult form, like your Blaziken and Gallade, while some only have one form; the one they are born with. These pokemon usually grow like a human would. Oh yes, I forgot about the blanket you wrapped Tundra in. Let me go get it for you."
Zero nodded.
There was a soft groan over from the bed Tundra was laying on. Zero and Taiga walked over to her, and Taiga jumped on it near her feet. She opened her eyes, "Ri Riolu?" ("What happened?")
Zero frowned, "You were almost eaten again.. you're safe now. We're in Sandgem Town, west of Mt. Coronet. Let's get a room here and we'll let you know what happened while you were out."
"Rio.." ("Okay..")
Zero then picked her up and then everyone headed out the door.