Chapter 15: But Not Forgotten by Beige

Chapter 15: But Not Forgotten

Story by Beige on SoFurrySeptember 2019~53 min read

Beige, Battle, Clean, Ethical, Hakamo-o, Human, Noivern, Pokemon, Violence (Not In Yiff), moral

Thomas has pushed Jeremy away, but will he stay gone?

[This story doesn't really contain explicit material, but the rest of the series does. So if you're under the age of 18, you can technically read it, but, well, you know the rest.]

The pokeball came to rest in Jeremy's hand, the force with which Thomas had shoved it into his chest still present as a dull ache. He watched his new trainer storm off back to camp, unimpressed with the pokemon's inability to talk through his problems. But how could he tell Thomas? How could he possibly explain away what he had done. An image of the mobsters head rolling into the bushes - face contorted in terror - flashed into his mind.

Jeremy shook it away. Parker Simons had a job to do, and he was killed because of it. Jeremy hadn't stepped up then, but last night proved he was capable of stepping up now. He could feel the wretched little cause of their problems probing his mind. He realised back at Blisseys the extreme power of this being and knew the best course of action was to get it to Unova as quickly as possible, or… <Only if necessary.> He growled, flexing his claws. He felt he was far enough away from the camp that perhaps in its weakened state the pokemon wouldn't be able to read his thoughts. It certainly didn't influence him last night like it had been for nearly a week.

Jeremy could hear Thomas getting the others ready to pack up and sighed. <I'll keep watch.> he grumbled, sulking up to the lookout. He stared off into the morning landscape, and was lost for a moment in its beauty. Parker had always taken the direct route, they were always either at dig sites or travelling between in some sort of vehicle. So for the first time in a long while, Jeremy was able to look out to the horizon and doing so he almost felt free. A tear rolled down his cheek and landed with a metallic thwip against the pokeball. Glancing down at the special orb Jeremy rolled it around in his hand. He was free. Thomas gifted it to him, gave him an out. He didn't have to stay, didn't have to continue caring for that privacy invading freak he'd felt required to do so.

<How much of me is a lie?> He questioned the wind, voice weak. <How much of Thomas?...> He growled unhappily at the thought that his feelings were somehow fictional, a byproduct of being around the little psychic pokemon for longer than he'd known Thomas. Was it that creatures twisted notion of fun to push those two together - trainer and pokemon - just to see what would happen? Jeremy grew more and more angry as he thought about it, a sign that the pokemon's hold had certainly waned. Realising that would mean only one thing, he turned around, staring off to the east, and sure enough, barely within the dragon-type's field of view was the magenta and green backpack bobbing along the Route 13 walking trail.

Jeremy sighed, leaping from the rock as he followed along behind. Jeremy growled to himself as he made his way through the undergrowth. Getting down to the path was easy enough, but as the day grew on, he was finding it harder and harder to follow the man. There were too many eyes. At first he tried to walk the path as normal, keeping his eyes out for any mobsters. But that very quickly proved to be a mistake.

“It's the Hakamo-o! The Shiny!" Shouted a bug catcher to his friend.

<He said 'The', not 'A'... Well, shit.> Jeremy had to duck the flurry of needle-like missiles launched from a pair of Beedrill as the trainers tried their best to capture him. He knew he could take those pokemon on, but they didn't know what they were doing. If he wanted to keep enough stamina to follow Thomas, he'd either need to end it in one blow - possibly killing them in the process - or ignore them entirely. Jeremy chose the latter and darted into the trees back the way he came. It was a particularly large circle he had to tread to get them lost in the forest chasing him, while still being close enough to the trail to find Thomas again. But eventually he lost the bugs, and made his way back to the trail a few miles ahead of where he left it.

It seems Thomas had been battling some of the trainers along the way. Jeremy nodded his approval as he kept a decent distance, not wanting to give the little green bastard knowledge of his presence lest he fall back under its spell. But the new trainer was going great. He was utilising what little he knew of the Bug, Ground and Dragon types at his disposal to pick and choose the right matching to the right trainer. He even learned the names of their moves. Jeremy smiled, his eyes welling with tears of pride. <Great job Thomas, keep it up.>

But the man's training technique didn't stop there. During the long stretches without trainers, Thomas had Mac practice on some of the smaller pokemon they encountered; mainly the Foongus and Weedles, with the occasional sandshrew to practice against ground-types. When the Skarmory appeared, Jeremy began to sweat as Thomas refused to withdraw Mac. <Surely he knows bugs are weak to flying?> He asked a nearby pidgey, who looked at him flatly. But lo and behold, using the cover to his advantage and getting Mac to strike with his ridiculous speed, he was able to bring the metallic bird down. <Unbelievable. Did you see that?> The pidgey looked at Thomas, then at Jeremy before rolling its eyes and flying off.

He continued to follow at a distance, keeping an eye on the group. Mac was now brandishing one of the Skarmory's metal feathers like a sword, play fighting with Deino. It was then he noticed Thomas look around. While the others paraded on ahead, the man looked back down the path then into the trees. Out of instinct, Jeremy hid, heart cursing his body for doing so every second he remained behind the tree. Once he felt Thomas had moved on, Jeremy peeked, but he didn't see the man wandering off into the distance, what he saw was pain and sorrow. Thomas was kneeling in front of the mudbray, weeping. Mac and the Deino had stopped their shenanigans and had come back to their trainer, nuzzling against his legs as he broke down.

It tore at Jeremy's heart to watch the display. He wanted so badly to run over there and tell him it would all be fine. But he needed to know if those thoughts were his. So with great pain he watched as the quartet hugged it out, cheering the man up enough for them to keep going. Jeremy let them wander off almost out of sight before he picked himself up. He rubbed a palm over one eye, then the other. <First I have to watch Parker die, now this…> He groaned. <I… I don't know if I can…> But Jeremy's body made the choice for him, pushing through the undergrowth to keep his friend - his possible lover - in sight.

Before long he found himself staring at a dried up creek bed. Looking back down to a similarly puzzled Thomas, he saw the man turn in his direction. <Shit.> He swore, dashing for the trees once more, trying to keep out of the green pokemon's 'range', however far it might have been. But finding a small copse of trees to climb, he was able to keep an eye on them for a reasonable amount of time. Thomas picked a spot near the old creeks bank but not on it to set up camp. Jeremy conceded as dark clouds roiled in the distance. It didn't take long for the tent to go up, the man choosing to do so behind a large rock so as not to be spotted from the road while the more active pokemon played in the mud.

But while they had their fun, Jeremy noticed Thomas take a moment to summon the Sliggoo from her ball. He spoke to her, and although the shiny pokemon was too far away to hear the conversation, he knew it's subject. The Sliggoo broke into tears as Thomas did his best to console her. <Do I really deserve all those tears?> Jeremy muttered, looking on as his two companions hugged each other tightly. While the other three played, those two remained locked in their embrace for several minutes, until the man decided he should be a responsible Trainer and get dinner organised.

Jeremy's stomach growled as he watched them gather round for food, the Deino and Venipede both for some reason laying on their backs. <Some game, probably.> He reasoned, keeping watch over the group from the treetops. There was little conversation throughout dinner, the group silently munching their food before turning in for the night. Thomas ducked into the tent with a couple berries and a bottle of water, but poked his head out a few seconds later, saying something to the group. <You have no idea, do you…> Jeremy growled, wishing he could just sweep the man away from the obvious danger he was in. But he kept his distance, watching over his friends to protect them from the dangers he could defend against.

He was about to get comfortable for a long night of waiting when movement at their campsite got his attention. Thomas peeked out of the tent, looking around hopefully. His lips moved but to Jeremy there was only the sound of bug pokemon rustling about. Then hanging his head low, Thomas placed a red tube of something on the stump nearest the tent. Jeremy's stomach growled again as he recognised the familiar packaging of fighting-style poketreats. If he got within range of the tent, that pokemon would no doubt sense him. But if he didn't, he'd go hungry.

Not knowing when his next meal would arrive, Jeremy made the decision to risk sneaking in for the treats. He waited until the moon was high above before leaping down from the trees. He landed well, barely making a sound as he crept towards the camp. The strange haze of having that little green pokemon constantly in his head had lifted over the course of the day, and he found himself thinking clearer and more… instinctual. He kept low, despite there being no guards to watch him as he approached the stump. Then once he was only a few feet from the stump, he felt the haze descend again. 'I know you're there.' He thought sharply, trying to keep the strange sensation at bay.

'I know.' came the whispered response. It was a single voice, and it sounded so very alone.

'What you're doing is wrong.' Jeremy all but shouted in his mind. 'Controlling us like that.'

'I force nothing. You are all free to do as you wish.' The reply was spoken as if by a scolded child.

'Tauroshit!' Jeremy had to concentrate, not to make the argument verbal. 'Forcing Thomas to fuck pokemon for your amusement, it's deplorable! It's, it's-'

'It's the best way to keep him safe.' The voice said plainly. 'And through him, me.'

'You selfish little-' Jeremy began to strode toward the tent.

'Stop.' He felt his feet rooted in place as the soft voice commanded him. With enough concentration Jeremy thought he'd be able to pull free, so set about honing his mind and lifting the fog as the psychic pokemon continued speaking. 'I am too weak to battle. If the group you refer to as Rocket capture me, I will be unable to stop them from… experimenting. I understood that from your last trainer.'

Jeremy barely restrained himself from slipping into a rage state at the mention of Parker. 'Why couldn't you save him? Why did he have to die if you're so powerful?'

'Because right now, I am not. I am not whole, and I am not well.' It admitted. 'I needed you to get me away from Rocket. Now I need him to take me to the rest of me.'

'And why should I let you?' Jeremy asked, venom in his words.

'The feelings you and the human share are the reason for my quest. Your two kinds have always been separate, but you do not realise how close you truly are.'

'How close… you're not making sense.' Jeremy could feel his foot slowly lift from the ground, it was working.

'End me here and the human is left alone. He will be forced to give you away, all of you. To him you are family, but to the rest of his kind you are property; a responsibility.' The threat did not fall on deaf ears, Jeremy tensing up as he listened. 'This world has lost its way, All I want to do is understand why, and how to make it better. Let him take me to this institute. Let me share my knowledge, and learn what knowledge I seek. That is all I ask.'

He countered the small pokemon's threat with his own. 'I'll be watching you.' Jeremy felt control return to his body, but a small patch of the haze remained. 'You had better keep him safe, or I will end you.' He pocketed the pack of treats and left the camp. he growled, disappearing back into the night.

It took little time to get back up the tree, and once there Jeremy grumbled as he tore open the treat bag, practically inhaling the first one. He was about to reach for the second when he paused, telling himself off for not conserving the food. He'd no doubt need the energy over the next few days. He couldn't be more right as the clouds rumbled threateningly in the distance. He spent the rest of the night picking errant pieces of poketreat from around his mouth before drifting off into an uneasy slumber

A crack of thunder woke Jeremy. He was awake in an instant as he realised the morning had come without birdsong. Looking around all he could see was grey sky, red mud and dirty green leaves. He looked down at the campsite to see it deserted. And it wasn't hard to see why. As he glanced around he spotted a surge of reddy-brown water tearing through the previously dried up creek bed. It broke the banks almost instantly, wiping away what little trace of Thomas there was as the wall of rain finally crashed into his tree. <THOMAS!> He called in the deafening roar, but his shout was lost to the sky's watery assault.

Scanning the trail Thomas had taken to get to the site he spotted the man, pack strapped tight but lagging significantly behind the other three. He looked at the foot bridge, then back to the surge. <He's not gonna make it!> Jeremy leapt from the tree, hitting the ground running as he broke into a sprint. His mind was clearer, his body toned and his goal set. A pink and yellow blur was all the other pokemon could make out as the Hakamo-o raced the wave. He was almost ahead of it, but when faced with a large boulder he had to navigate, Jeremy lost ground. And as he rounded the boulder's edge, he saw his nightmare made manifest.

Thomas was sucked under.

Time slowed as the pokemon watched his friend, his trainer, his lover get plucked from the safety of the Mudbray's grip and into the opaque swell. It was barely the length of a heartbeat, but it felt like an eternity. But when time crashed back into the pokemon, Jeremy set off again, faster than before. Each stride was a dozen paces as the rain felt like hail on his face, but nothing mattered. Only Thomas. He ignored his necessity to be incognito and ran full force for the car bridge, his clawed feet finding places to leap from as first a hand rail, then car roof and finally bridge support allowed him to close the gap between him and the other side. A flash of white in the water was all it took for Jeremy to locate thomas, a pink hand thrust into the air the man's last hope of rescue as he was rammed into a semi-submerged log jutting out in defiance of the current.

Jeremy leapt from the shore, his clawed toes sinking into the old wood as he wrenched Thomas free of the water, flinging the man onto the shore. But the sudden movement atop the log caused the whole thing to become dislodged, sending Jeremy into the muddy rapids. His shoulder struck stone, while his tail was smashed into the fork of a branch, the odd position tearing off one of his armour plates rather painfully. His head popped above the surface for a brief moment, allowing him some air before he was pulled back under by another log striking his tail.

As his mind became dizzy with oxygen deprivation, and the desire to take a nice deep breath rose to almost insufferable levels, Jeremy felt both feet contact the muddy creek bed. In the briefest of moments he felt enough clarity to act. Had he been closer to the bridge, the onlookers would have seen a golden streak erupt from the water to punch the sky, but so far downstream, barely a single pokemon was out to watch his display in the torrential rain. Creating a Hakamo-o sized crater upon landing, Jeremy collapsed from exhaustion, slipping into unconsciousness.

“Wakey, wakey." The voice was unfamiliar and shrill. Jeremy opened his eyes. He was in the back of a car, hands and feet bound as it bumped along the road. He tried to clear his head and figure out what happened, but fortunately the source of the voice was happy to give it to him. “After you left your great big claw print on the top of my car, I knew I was gonna be the one to find you." Jeremy shook his head, trying to stop the dizziness as he looked around the back of the car. Sure enough, the roof was caved in with a likeness of his foot. “Gonna pay for more than a new car, you are."

The car seemed to be of the four-wheel-drive type, though with the back seats pulled out to extend the boot space. Several toolboxes and other equipment were locked down, along with multiple Jerrycans lined along one side. Looks like this man was a traveller, or at least, this was a car built for going far inland, and given the suspension, offroad too. Jeremy had initially been fascinated with engines and mechanical devices when he was first brought into human culture. But it wasn't Parker's passion, so he never pursued that interest. But he knew the basics. And he knew given the amount of light in the sky that he'd been out for at least a couple hours. He cursed his luck at being separated from Thomas.

“You know how much you're worth?" Jeremy listened carefully. He knew a little bit about the value of human credits, having been around when Parker has had to buy equipment and food. “Fifty Thousand!"

Jeremy's eyes bulged at the figure. The little pokemon was right about one thing, Rocket Rising wanted him really bad. “Yeah, you understand that, don't ya?" It's then that a nervous looking Chespin peered around the car seat.

<Hi.> the pokemon said cautiously.

Jeremy stared back. He said slowly and purposefully.

<I- I can't.>

“Quiet down back there!" The man shouted, reaching around to tap a long barreled shotgun mounted behind his seat. “Your way or my way pal."

Jeremy glared at the tiny grass-type. It wasn't the little guy's fault, but he wondered if he did know what was truly at stake, whether he would still be too afraid to help. Jeremy took a deep breath and felt his bonds. 'Rope.' He groaned. 'What a fucking idiot.' He shifted his wrists around, the rope slowly fraying as the sharp plates cut through it. The Chespin saw what was going on and ducked back into his seat. The movement unfortunately clued in the driver who - after checking the rear-view mirror - slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt on the rain slickened roadway.

He grabbed his gun and turned to fire it at Jeremy, but with his hands recently freed, the pokemon grabbed one of the internal wheel wells for leverage and swung his still bound legs up, slamming the barrel sideways into the man's face. The driver recoiled from the blow, moaning as Jeremy tried to bash the rear doors open. “Mah face! Mah fuckin face!" Once outside Jeremy punched the ground, severing the lashings of rope around his ankles in one swift blow. Then in a crack to rival the storm itself, the gun fired.

Jeremy felt the impact of a dozen pellets glance off his arm, but a few others sink into his back. He knew he was living on borrowed time from the way his back felt both warm and cold all at once. He heard the click of the barrel hinge and made a mad dash for the bushes, but before he could get there another shot rang out, glancing his leg as a half dozen of the little ball bearings tore to the bone, causing his steps to falter. The man poked his head around the corner of the car's bonnet, aiming down sights at the pokemon.

The spiny nut pokemon tugged at his jeans <No master, don't- don't kill him!>

But the man only heard a whinging Chespin. He kicked it to the side, not enough to injure the pokemon, but enough to hurt it's pride. And, as jeremy realised, enough to get it away from the car. He flicked both arms in front of him and the human pulled the trigger, the shot ricocheting harmlessly off his wrist plates. Then focusing what will power he had left, Jeremy tore one of his plates off, his touch heating it to the point where the rain itself was evaporating before touching it, and hurled it into the back of the car.

As the superheated armour place sliced through the row of fuel-filled Jerrycans, the road fell silent. To the Chespin and his human trainer it went by in an instant, but as Jeremy looked on it lasted a glorious eternity; the slowly billowing orange flame puffing out from the vehicle, it's windows shattering from the initial shockwave before being sent outwards like a million sharp raindrops. The Chespin was lifted clear off the ground, and flung wailing into the forest while it's trainer was less fortunate. The human took the blast to the side of his head, glass shredding the man's already bloodied face before being engulfed in the whirling fireball. He did not fly as far as his pokemon had, but he had much further to fall; crumpling - rather than landing - onto the brightly lit roadside.

As the initial boom subsided, Jeremy picked himself up and limped to the trees. Up the route ahead he could make out a pokecenter, it's neon sign glowing through the downpour. As he dragged himself away he could hear the Chespin crying back at the wreck. <Another evil I have to live with.> He groaned, realising he'd just done to that poor pokemon exactly what had been done to him. He pushed on through the forest, limping parallel to the road as several cars shot past towards the scene behind him, their occupants not noticing the battered pokemon shuffling through the trees for the fiery blaze ahead of them.

With the last few shreds of hope in his life rapidly diminishing, he hauled himself broken and bloody past two black cars. Jeremy took another look down the road - hoping the car's owners were there, and not here - before making his way to one of the side exits. It would normally have been a staff door, but as Jeremy slumped against it, his impact alerted those inside. In practically no time he was hoisted onto a bed, where his lack of blood finally took its toll, and for the second time in as many hours, Jeremy slipped out of reality and into dreams.

The next thing he knew, Jeremy felt his nerves light up as energy poured through every inch of his body. An apologetic pikachu wielding large metal spoons was standing on his chest. He sat up, confused, and in pain as his shoulder throbbed. He felt for his vest but it was gone. Panicking he sat bolt upright, sending the pikachu flying before a Chancey. Got his attention. <Thomas is out there, and so are team Rocket!> His eyes went wide as he swung his legs off the bed. She put a stumpy arm to his chest as he folded in pain and dizziness. <Take it easy, we're aware of the situation.> she waved the police file in front of his face <But we need a distraction.> Jeremy spied his vest on the bedside table, and a smashed premier ball atop it. He left the shattered metal and plastic orb, but flung the vest on as he took several sharp breaths. Then grabbing a nearby bedpan he sprinted groggily for the front door.

With a masterfully executed leap given his condition, Jeremy introduced baldie to the bedpan while his feet barely missed the raticate-faced man as he sailed past. He rolled into a commando crouch, not showing off how much pain he was in as he concentrated on his next move.

“Jeremy…"

In the silence of the room following his dramatic entrance, the pokemon's heart all but melted as he heard Thomas' voice. He knew in that moment, his mind cleared by pain and desperation, that he wanted to be with Thomas. There was no mistaking his feelings. But as the half dozen black-suited men turned to face the shiny Hakamo-o, Jeremy realised what he had to do. With the subtlest of nods and heavy heart he leapt through the slowly opening doorway.

Making a sharp left he sprinted at what pace his body would allow into the forest, the sounds of shouting and projectile pokemon attacks crashing into trees behind him. 'Gotta stay just far enough ahead…' Jeremy told himself as he leapt over logs and slid under branches. But while he was keeping ahead of the pack, Jeremy wasn't the fastest pokemon present. A Noivern screamed through the air barely missing Jeremy's head. <He's Here!> It called back to pokemon and human alike, it's booming call echoing off the mountains.

Jeremy grabbed a rock as he slid beneath a large fallen trunk, then lobbed it at the fellow dragon type. <Fuck off!> He bellowed. The airborne pokemon was far too fast to be hit by a thrown stone, and made a show of it by only moving the bare amount necessary to be missed while flying. While out-smarting the other - non-flying - pokemon would be relatively easy, the Noivern would take time and energy, neither of which Jeremy had much of. He saw a large open area to the south, and thought it perfect for an idea. It was risky, but he was miles from the pokecenter by now, and it was just the Noivern left following him.

What Jeremy needed was for the dragon-bat to be stunned, but none of his attacks could reach it in the air, let alone it being so agile. So he needed to use something else. The moment he burst into the field, the Hakamo knew he chose correctly. There was a total lack of canopy to hide under or in and the sun was bearing down on him with such ferocity he could already feel the yellow parts of his scaly hide slowly turning pink. Making sure the flyer was close enough, he slid to a stop, crouching low before using his powerful legs to launch himself vertical. The Noivern tried to keep an eye on the pokemon as he ascended, but Jeremy's silhouette crossed in front of the sun, blinding it momentarily.

With the Noivern slowed and unable to see him, Jeremy allowed gravity to guide him earthbound, striking his enemy with his dragon claw, smashing them to the ground. The flyer didn't stand a chance. Jeremy stood over it's broken body, victorious. He turned to continue running before he heard his foe cough; the pokemon wheezing rather than breathing.

Jeremy knelt down to take a closer look. In its condition the Noivern would almost certainly be killed by scavengers or simply blood loss. In the tall grass its owner would be unlikely to find it, assuming they were even bothering to look. He considered killing it, putting the poor thing out of its misery. But as he closed his eyes to think, he saw Thomas' face. Confusion, wonder and joy all wrapped up in one as he stared at Jeremy in the Pokecenter.

Jeremy grunted as he lifted the weighty dragon with both arms. <You'll thank me later.> He growled to the unconscious pokemon <Maybe.> He rolled his shoulder back and forth. It still hurt, but the adrenaline had helped to numb the pain. Whatever Nurse Joy had done was miraculous to say the least. And that was just his shoulder. His previously shredded ankle must have taken some serious attention. Potions after all can regrow muscle and skin, can mend fractures and even restore certain cognitive functions if administered properly and quickly. But Jeremy's leg was like some prop out of a body horror film after the shotgun round it took. And as he stood on it, he could feel the aches and pains deep inside, ready to resurface. <Damn.> He sighed, looking off to the golden mountain range, the afternoon sun striking them with it's warm rays as the dark of dusk loomed beyond them.

At reduced speed but with a more powerful purpose the Hakamo-o pushed on to the east. Several times the Noivern stirred, but was too groggy to remain conscious for too long. Hakamo had used some tree sap and thin strips of paperbark as a form of bandaid, and it helped to at least clot the claw-shaped wound on its chest. But the coughs of blood were more concerning and indicated a more serious, internal injury.

When he reached the ridge, Jeremy looked down on the scar-like valley. A ways away shone the lights of a small town, with the familiar red dome of a pokecenter standing proudly at its center. He began towards it, but stopped when his nose picked up a familiar scent. He followed it to a small muddy clearing. A patch of grass under one of the trees absolutely reeked of a mixture of potions, as though someone had just dumped a bag-full against the trunk. He looked around, the canopy cover preventing him from getting a good look at the tracks. All he could tell was that they went off in the opposite direction to the Pokecenter.

Another bloody cough was all it took for the pokemon to make his choice. He turned towards the small town and ran.

Moving through the forest at night was not an easy task, but Jeremy kept up a speed that was slightly faster than he was comfortable with, but slow enough that he could anticipate any uneven ground or surprise nocturnal pokemon. It wasn't very long before he made it to the main - and only - street of the small country town. Slowing down so as not to set any guard pokemon off, he dashed between the shade of the trees, both hiding from the streetlamps and moon given the clear night.

After several close calls with cars and a couple going for an evening walk in the pleasant post-storm day, Jeremy finally made it to the pokecenter. Once more he spotted several black cars parked outside. Groaning, the pokemon circled around the back, and same as last time, tapped on the staff entrance. A curious Blissey opened the door a crack to see what was going on and almost fainted at the sight of the blood-covered Hakamo-o holding the near-dead Noivern. <What in Arceus name?!>

<Shhh!> Jeremy scowled, instinctively leaning up against the side of the building. <It needs help, Now!> The pink pokemon ushered him in as he was quick to place the Noivern on an operating table.

<Is he registered?> A Chancey asked, feeling for a pulse. Jeremy looked around the room in the vain hopes of finding an answer written somewhere. <Does he have a pokeball?> The nurse pokemon made clear.

<Yes, probably.> Jeremy responded. Both nurses looked at him with cocked eyebrows. <He's with Rocket Rising. Couldn't leave him to die.>

The Blissey went all white again as the Chancey rolled her eyes. <So this was your doing?>

<Yeah, right.> She replied sarcastically, but the Blissey shoved a familiar looking report in her face. <Oh, right.> She waved to a back room designed for loved ones to wait in during operations. <Take a seat in there, we need to talk.>

Jeremy did as he was told, and was thankful simply to be resting. But despite the exhaustion from all that running, he didn't feel tired enough to sleep. He was awake, and loathing it. The TV was on, showing some stupid house building show where pokemon and their trainer renovate homes, and the pair at the end of the season with the highest valued house get to keep the profits of sale. Jeremy's thoughts went to Thomas, and how he was living his life in a bus depot shed, yet these folks were renovating and selling houses for entertainment.

'This world has lost its way.'

The legendary pokemon's words floated through Jeremy's mind. <Maybe he's right.> he muttered.

<Who's right?> Asked the Blissey as she walked in.

<Can I see that report?> Jeremy asked, changing the subject. She nodded, letting him take the tablet and scroll through its contents. Thomas' info was on there, along with the Sliggoo, Deino, Mudbray and <Whirlipede? Mac evolved.> He said sadly. The Blissey placed her hand on his knee, which snapped him out of the depressive state for just long enough to keep scrolling. Screen grabs of cameras from both the Cannab and Route 13 centers show the two Rocket Rising goons. Underneath those were attached mugshots of 'suspects' Rizza and Val, the latter one having been taken before he had decided bald was a better look than 'receding hairline with a widows peak'.

He handed the tablet back to the Blissey, slumping down in the chair. No mention of the little green pokemon in there, just the allusion to an 'item of extreme intrinsic scientific value'. Jeremy was both thankful and frustrated that a record of the little bastard didn't exist. the pink pokemon tried to console Jeremy.

<You don't know the half of it.> His words were less spoken and more groaned.

<-But,> The Blissey continued trying to remain on-topic <The treatment you were going through at the Route 13 center wasn't completed.> She pulled out a stethoscope built for her size head and motioned for Jeremy to sit up straight. <We're happy to continue it here, but it will take overnight to complete.>

Jeremy grunted, allowing the nurse to do her job as he sat up to give her better access to his back. By Jeremy's reckoning he wasn't too far behind Thomas, but would only drop further back if he didn't catch up; taking your time to track someone isn't as easy as following just behind them. But as the meds and adrenaline were wearing off and his ankle throbbed with an ache that was slowly spreading, the pokemon conceded. <Okay.>

<I'll inform Nurse Joy. She's currently seeing to a batch that just came in but will be with you shortly.> The Blissey tapped a few times on the tablet before hopping off into the center.

Left alone again, Jeremy looked back up to the TV, grinning as the housing show ended and was replaced by a shaky cam view from Johto's Wildest Police Videos. A camera strapped to an Arcanine's collar gave a unique perspective of a chase underway, the supposed pokeball thief tearing around the streets of Goldenrod on the back of a Dodrio. His attempts to flee were aided by him flinging stolen balls - and the pokemon they summoned - at the police. The footage swapped to an aerial Noivern unit as a Wailord appeared in a multicoloured flash just behind the suspect, blocking the street and crushing a pursuing Rapidash. Jeremy grinned at the humour of it, despite the no doubt injured pokemon.

It was halfway into the show when Nurse Joy strode into the waiting room. “You've become a bit of a celebrity around here, haven't you?" She stood, arms crossed in front of the pokemon, staring down at him. He opened his mouth to offer an excuse but was cut off. “I don't want to hear it. I don't care how valuable that thing is that you're carrying. If it weren't for the fact that that Chespin admitted to his trainer kidnapping you, I'd be turning you straight over to Officer Jenny." She huffed, calming herself down. “But as it stands, you were defending yourself, so I can somewhat forgive you." She waved for Jeremy to follow, leading him through the large back area to a small recovery room, indicating for him to lie down on the bed.

“Chancey will be by in a minute to hook up the IV. Without a pokeball we can't do it the easy way, which is why your three-day old gunshot wound is still there."

<Three Days!?> He yelped, eyes wide.

“Yes, you were shot, don't you remember?" Joy said, wrongly assuming what part of her sentence was reacted to.

<That was Sunday morning, it's now Tuesday night.> The Chancey said softly, wrapping a thick strap around the pokemon's arm as he thought hard about the sequence of events. When he realised he wasn't too far behind Thomas because the Pokecenter breakout was only that morning, Jeremy was able to take a deep breath and lie back down. Which is when the pink pokemon jabbed him with a needle. He grimaced, trying not to growl at the nurse that was just doing her job, albeit perhaps a little sadistically.

“If you're okay getting him set up I have some paperwork to do." Nurse Joy grumbled as she walked to her office. “Oh," She spun around pointing a finger at Blissey who was ferrying tubing to the IV stand next to Jeremy “And when the Drake trio are done, give them back to that Talonflame."

<Drake Trio?> Jeremy asked, dizzy from the combination of sitting up too fast and the medical cocktail flowing into his body. His eyes felt like they were seeing quadruple, all out of synch with the rest of his vision.

The Chancey pushed Jeremy back down with one hand on his sternum. <Yes, that Thomas Drake. They came in just before you.> She said dryly. <Really worse for wear, though it doesn't surprise me with the Talonflame and all.>

<I'll… I'll->

<You'll do nothing. He's fine, supposedly resting at the Feraligatr Grotto to the south.> She raised her eyebrows at that.

<South?> He asked again, the dizziness turning to grogginess as everything blurred and wobbled of its own accord.

<Rest?> And then there was darkness.

It was the sound of a video-phone ringing that woke Jeremy. He blearily looked around, trying to remember the sequence of events that led him to the pokecenter. 'Flood, explosion, Chespin, Pikachu…' he growled, remembering the adorable little bastard that electrocuted him awake back at Route 13. 'Noivern…' <Noi-vern?> He asked, a little woozy still despite his meds running their course during the night.

A Blissey popped around the corner. <Noivern?> She repeated, wondering if the Hakamo-o was calling for someone or perhaps just repeating the last part of his dream.

<The Nnnoivern I brrrought in last night…> He said, his speech slurring as he tried to blink out of his drugged stupor. <Is it oookay?>

The Blissey pulled out a tablet and tapped away at it. It took a moment, but with a broad smile she nodded. <Full recovery.> Jeremy sighed, falling back onto the bed. <With psychological treatment to deal with the intense trauma and a daily medication regimen to prevent seizures, he should be fine.>

The brief moment of relief Jeremy felt was gone, smashed aside like a Magicarp in a shipping lane. <Intense trauma? Seizures?> Jeremy felt the darkness eating away at him inside. 'Even when I try to do the right thing… Killing him would have been a mercy.' His chest heaved as he began sobbing. <Everything. Everything has gotten worse. Everything I do…> he cried between breaths as he slowly lost his mind.

When the sobbing turned to pained wails, it prompted nurse Joy to respond. She strode in from out front. “What's got him like this?" She asked with real concern in her voice, his outburst upsetting some of the other patients and their trainers out front. The Blissey showed her the Noivern report and she sighed. Jeremy had curled around into the foetal position by then, so Nurse Joy pulled up a chair near the bed and placed a hand on his back; all healed thanks to the treatment.

The contact from another person was enough to slowly bring him back from the brink of despair, Nurse Joy slowly rubbing the pokemon's collarbone and upper back to soothe him over the course of several minutes. She wanted to offer some thought or saying to help put everything in perspective, but she could see the look in his eyes. She knew that look. Jeremy had the hollow stare of someone with severe trauma. And one look at his profile was enough to see why. But she could tell there was more to it. And it would be something she'd be unable to help with. But she knew who could.

Jeremy looked on confused as Nurse Joy got off the seat and power-walked to her office in that way medical professionals do; almost as fast as running but instead it looks like they are calmly swishing through the corridors like there was nothing wrong. He heard a series of folders rifled through and papers shifted until an affirmative 'Humph' signalled the discovery of whatever she'd been searching for. She returned to Jeremy brandishing a business card. Jeremy took it cautiously.

“Doctor Hazel. She specialises in Pokemon psychology. See her." Jeremy took the card and slapped it on top of the vest sitting on a small trolley next to the bed before laying back on his side to stare at the wall opposite. “No." Nurse Joy stormed to the other side of the bed and slid the card in one of the pockets on the vest before zipping it closed. “I'm serious. You may think you're invincible, but you're not. And neither is your trainer. If you want to help him," She sighed, grabbing his clawed hand and holding it tight “You've got to help yourself."

Jeremy looked to the other two nurse pokemon, both of them nodding. <Okay.> He slumped. To the world, he was just agreeing to see the doctor. But to himself, it was an admission of everything from guilt and remorse for those he'd killed to his own feelings of helplessness. Nurse joy looked to her workmates for a confirmation and they nodded. She squeezed the Hakamo-o's pink and yellow hand, smiling. She gave him one last pat on the shoulder before returning to her duties. <She reminds me of my older sister.> He said, exhaling his frustrations.

<Yep, lotta pokemon say that.> The Blissey admitted, watching Joy leave. Watching for quite some time actually, her eyes going all sparkly and glazed as she stared at Joy calmly and cheerfully greeting the people at the front desk.

Jeremy knew that look. And focusing on the Blissey's possible predicament helped him mentally recover from the news about his wounded foe. He nudged the pink pokemon. <Tell her.> The Blissey's cheeks went beet red as she began to stammer, unable to get any words out. <You'll regret it if you don't.>

<That's what I told her.> The Chancey admitted as she walked past, carrying various empty IV bags to the bins.

<I, I can't just…> Blissey was unable to form the words in her mind.

<Ask. The worst she can do is say no and it's a bit awkward here for a week or two. If you don't, you could be missing out on something spectacular.> Jeremy pat the pink pokemon on the back. <Take my word for it.> The two nurse pokemon turned to Jeremy with looks of amazement on their faces, though one was more amused than amazed.

<How long?> The Chancey asked, the conversation finally coming around to something interesting for her.

Jeremy grinned, his own cheeks flushed as he responded <About a week.>

<No I meant…> The Chancey held her hands about a foot apart and began moving them in and out.

<Nope! Nope! Too Much!> The Blissey squealed running after Nurse Joy.

<Way too easy.> The remaining nurse chuckled, rolling up the tubing to be sterilised. <Look, I know you don't want to talk about it, but I gotta ask.> Jeremy looked at her as he pulled his jacket back on, double checking the zipper was closed to keep the card safe. Raising his eyebrows he gave her a silent cue to continue. <The Noivern.> He sighed at the name, gripping the frame of the bed hard enough to hear the metal creak in protest. <Blissey didn't tell you about her trainer.>

<What's that scumbag got to do with anything, and why should I care?> Jeremy growled.

<He's abandoned him.> Jeremy's eyes glowed red with rage, the bed groaning under his strength. Before he could ask any rhetorical questions like 'How could he do such a thing' or 'Who the hell does he think he is' the Chancey managed to say just about the only thing that could have calmed him down. <Which means, he needs a new trainer.>

The bed's metallic protestations ceased as Jeremy ran that sentence back through his mind. <Are you suggesting…?>

The Chancey took a deep breath, exhaling calmly. <The costs and effort involved to nurse him back to health were too much for Team Rocket apparently.> Jeremy wanted to correct her, but let it be. <Which means he'll go to the trade market. And given his current state, that's where he'll probably stay. If he were rare or shiny like you, he'd be snapped up in a heartbeat but as it is…> She looked at him encouragingly.

<HA!> The Chancey laughed, clutching her chest in mock hysteria. <Arceus no! No, from the report we have your trainer's recently joined up with the Dragon Institute, right?> Jeremy nodded slowly. <Well, we called them first, to see if they had room to take him. They don't, but if Mr. Drake were to take him, they would be willing to pay for any medical expenses.>

Jeremy thought about it. The only reason he had a dislike for that Noivern was that it was one of Rocket Rising's thugs. If he changed owners, perhaps he'd be happy to turn over a new leaf. On the other hand, it would just be one more mind - a heavily medicated mind - for that little green bastard to control. Not to mention him maybe trying to get back with his old trainer by ratting the crew out somehow. He sighed, there was so much at stake either way. But for the same reason he couldn't just leave the Noivern on that field, Jeremy couldn't just leave him for the trade market either.

<Fine, I'll take it to Thomas, see what he says.> The words were no sooner out of his mouth than he realised what he'd said. <Shit!> His eyes darted around, looking for a clock. It was just past ten in the morning.

<What?> The Chancey said, alarmed at the change in pace and tone. <What's going on?>

<Thomas would have set off by now. I need to catch up with him.> He double checked all his effects were in order and turned to leave.

<Wait!> She ran around to the ball racks near the front desk and retrieved a very worn and mistreated great ball and a small bag filled with pill bottles. <We shouldn't do it this way, but with the way you two are in pokecenters lately, it's just easier.> She thrust the objects at Jeremy, who hesitated before taking them with a big sigh. <Instructions are in there, and remember pokemon doses are equivalent to time spent outside their balls. He's got enough in him for the next four hours, the rest you can figure out.> And with that she slapped Jeremy on the arse and pointed to the door. <If the Feraligatrs gave him advice about getting to the other side of the mountain, they would have said to follow the river.>

Jeremy barely heard the last few words as he sprinted through the small park behind the pokecenter and into the forest beyond. As he ran he stowed the ball and medication throughout his vest, rolling the bag up into another pocket just in case. With everything tucked away and his body feeling like he'd just downed a golden razz berry smoothie, Jeremy was in his element. He bounded over logs and dashed between the trees. He smiled, thinking he could give a Greninja a run for their money he felt so good.

The river was south of the pokecenter as the Nurse had mentioned the day before, and it took him until mid afternoon going full clip before he reached the cave entrance. He had to stop and marvel at it. It was a thing of beauty. Jangmo-o are trained from an early age to respect nature, and take lessons from it. One of the major lessons that Jeremy had taken to heart was how a drop of water against stone did practically nothing. But over time, that same drop, over and over again would break the stone. To him, this cave was not just a proof of that concept, stepping inside he felt it almost holy.

It was also very, very dark. He didn't have a single flashlight, match, torch or anything luminous on him. The Sliggoo and the Deino would be fine, and were probably far ahead in the cave. He could go over the top, but that would take far longer than he had time for given the almost cliff-like mountain face he was staring at, almost as if it had been a whole mountain range that was split down the middle by an earthquake.

<No.> He shook his head, immediately disliking the idea that formed. <No.> He tried willing himself as he unbuttoned one of the pockets. <Don't do it.> He sighed, feeling the pitted and scratched surface of the great ball in his hand. <He is going to kill you. Well, try to.> Jeremy said as he pushed the button.

In a flash, the Noivern appeared laying down on the stone just inside the cave entrance. He looked around, taking in the brightness outside and the figure before him. It took a moment before the realisation set in. <He's-> was as far as he got before Jeremy pressed the button again, recalling the pokemon.

Jeremy sighed again. He muttered, pressing the button again in a different spot in the cave.

<-Here!?...> The Noivern finished shouting, confused as to why he was facing the other way.

Jeremy said again, tossing the ball straight up and catching it with the same hand.

<You!> The Noivern growled <How did you->

<Quick answer.> Jeremy growled back. He pulled a bottle of pills from one of the pockets <-every day or your brain stops working.> He let that phrase sink in. <Your Master of masters decided he didn't want to foot the medical bill. But I know someone who will. And you're gonna take me to him.>

<And why would I?> The Noivern asked, his growl a little more concerned.

<Look.> Jeremy took a deep breath, calming himself a little. <What happened before, I'm sorry. You might not know this but those guys you were with killed my last trainer, in cold blood.> He yanked his collar for emphasis, showing the dark brown remnants of the day that started his whole mess. <Ever since then I've been chased, and now that I have a new trainer, I've done everything I had to to prevent the same from happening to him.> He huffed, looking at the position of the sun in the sky to the west. <I don't want to threaten you. I need your help. You get me through that cave, and I can get you to a trainer that will make your health a top priority. Not dump you with a pokecenter because you're too expensive.>

<Because he did for me.> Jeremy was quick to respond. <Judging by the muddy footprints he walked into this cave only a couple hours ago. Get us to him, we can sort something out. And if not, I promise you I'll give you all the meds and your ball, and you can figure it out from there. In fact…> He tossed the ball to the Noivern, who fumbled it, almost dropping it into the water. A brief moment of panic later and he had it in his claws, before tossing it weakly back to Jeremy.

<Maybe you better keep hold of that. You have pockets.> He sighed, relenting. <Fine. We get to your Trainer. We sort this out. Or we don't.> He began walking unsteadily into the darkness. <Grab on.> He said, offering a wing.

The two set off into the cave, after the first bend the light drastically dimmed, only the soft glow of the approaching sunset ricocheted off the wet surfaces. The babbling river beside them and their own feet were the only noises after a while, with the occasional grunt or heavy sigh to break things up. They travelled for hours, the strange scents of the cave as confusing as they were familiar. Jeremy didn't want to admit it, but he knew the smell of cum by now, and it was heavy in the air. He silently cursed the little green bastard for putting Thomas through all that.

But as time dragged on and Jeremy began wondering how close they were to the other side, he heard a screech up ahead, followed by a scream. A Human scream.

Thomas' scream.

He grabbed the noivern and tucked him under one arm as he sprinted full force into the darkness. <Guide me!> He growled.

<Uh, more right, little more left, rock to the right, uh straight…> The accoustically gifted pokemon hurriedly uttered, not particularly wanting to be flung into the fast moving river if Jeremy tripped. He spouted more directions until the soft glow of a torch lit the tunnel ahead <Is that him?> He asked quietly as they rounded the corner to see a Crobat hunched over a prone body. But before the Noivern could see for himself, Jeremy had hoisted him above his head.

<Sorry about this.> He said, lobbing the flying pokemon straight over the Crobat's head. Just before he was about to crash into the ground on the other side of the alerted Crobat, Jeremy had summoned the pokemon back into its ball. The flash of light and static hum of the great balls recall disoriented the Crobat keeping him stunned as Jeremy went hurtling into the bloodsucker fist first. The purple pokemon was flung off into the darkness as Jeremy took a moment to look down upon his trainer's broken and battered body, the last vestige of consciousness slipping from his eyes as the Hakamo-o stood there.

But a glimmer from further down the tunnel caught his eye, the Hakamo ducking backward to barely avoid the sharp leading edge of the Crobat's wing. It shrieked in annoyance as it pulled a 180 to launch into Jeremy again. The pokemon stood his ground and swung his fist as the purple pokemon shot past, but the supersonic terror jinked at the last second, gashing Jeremy's ribcage in the process. <AAAAAAaaaaaghhh!> He wailed, spinning to stay focused on his opponent's direction of attack as one hand shot quickly to the wound. He just hoped Thomas had a potion handy, or things were going to get interesting.

Another glint from the torchlight telegraphed the Crobat's attack. It was higher this time, too high. As the pokemon charged for Jeremy's head he took a gamble and leapt spinning into the air, his tail swinging to where his legs had been. The sharpened plates sliced through the Crobat's left wings with ease, though one of its right ones was angled such as to open a rather large portion of the Hakamo-s thigh to the cave's stale air.

Jeremy landed with a crash. <Oh Fuck!> He swore, brain unable to decide which wound needed to be grasped more. He glanced down the cave at the thrashing Crobat, and was happy to see it limp along the ground off into the darkness

The lantern was not making his wounds look any better, the yellow light making each cut look like a bright red streak of paint against a white canvas. He held back tears, fearing he'd come this far only to die alongside Thomas in some random cave. He thought to the other pokemon. They were healed the night before, they should be able to help. The Mudbray could carry them out, and the Sliggoo could see in the dark, so they could still walk their way out of the cave. He looked at the row of ball holders running down the pack's strap and his heart stopped.

Three of them glowed red around the ring, indicating the pokemon inside was in a critical condition. He grabbed the fourth and pressed the button. But instead of a flash and the appearance of one of his friends, what Thomas got was an empty ball. He held it in his hand, puzzled, then stared at the rest of the strap. All those balls had nicks and scratches. This was pristine. This was unused. Which meant... <Three.> A shiver ran down Jeremy's spine. In this light he couldn't tell who was missing. <Where, Where…> He gently shifted Thomas who subconsciously winced. Nothing. He looked around but there was no pokeball visible. There was only the babbling of the river.

Jeremy stared at the water, its depths black as ink in this lighting, and depending on how long Thomas had been laying there, it could already have been washed from the cave already. His heart sank. They were all gone. Not a single one of his friends able to help. But before he could fall back into the depression that wished so dearly to claim him, the hint of an idea struck. He pulled out the Noivern's ball but hesitated in pushing the button. He realised that that pokemon was in no fit state to help him carry Thomas, let alone haul a single human body through the cave if Jeremy were to drop.

But he could go get help.

In a flash the Noivern was back in the cave. He took in the scene as his eyes fell on Hakamo-o's bloodied torso and leg. Before he could speak, Jeremy gave him an order. <Get help.> He wheezed.

<I-, I don't know where-> The Noivern stammered, not sure what Jeremy wanted him to do, they were hours deep in a cave, and he wasn't sure how well he could fly which meant possibly six or more hours to get back to the pokecenter alone..

Jeremy growled, pointing what he hoped to be east. <Go that way and find anyone…>

<What if that medication stuff wears off?> He asked. Jeremy grimaced as he painfully removed the blood-stained vest, throwing it at the Noiverns feet.

<Figure it out.> He grumbled, wrapping an arm around his trainer. His lover. The Noivern quickly raced off out of the cave as the mortally wounded pair lay together on the cave floor. <I'm sorry.> Jeremy said, his voice breaking as he rested his head on Thomas' shoulder. Tears of joy mixed with tears of sadness, as their reunion slowly began to feel like a funeral.

Sobbing, Jeremy rolled to the side, intending to hug Thomas one last time. The empty pokeball had other ideas, and with a flash, a ping and a blinking red ring, Thomas was alone.

A green and black muzzle sniffed the ground, the disturbed dirt certainly smelled like the man. It inhaled the scent again, concentrating. There were others as well. Other humans.

The trail of blood led east. But there was something else. Something missed. The muzzle sniffed again, guiding its associated body to the small crevice along one wall. With unnaturally pointed teeth it grasped the object lodged within and withdrew it carfully.

It was the man's. There was no doubt the ball was one of his. It smelled like him. Tasted like him.

The blood. That was all that was left. So that was what it followed. Out of the cave, towards the road. Towards the ocean.

Towards destiny.

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