Pokemon: An Unexpected Odyssey

Austin sprinted with all his might, his arms flailing as he tried to outpace the relentless flock of Spearow.

'Regret! Major regret!' he chanted internally, his thoughts racing as fast as his legs.

A sharp pain exploded at the back of his head as a Spearow collided with him. The hit sent a shock of adrenaline surging through him, pushing him to run even faster. "Pikachu, get in your Pokéball," he panted, his voice strained with urgency.

"Pi?!" Pikachu looked up at him, confusion and defiance in its expression as it ran alongside him.

"Listen to me, I'm not going to let you get hurt," Austin pleaded, adjusting his backpack to shield his head from further attacks. As he did, a troubling thought crossed his mind. Could it be that this flock was lying in wait to ambush me? Did catching that lone Spearow just trigger them? Or was Ash being chased by the flock something that would happen regardless of my actions?

Pikachu suddenly vanished from his peripheral vision.

"Chu?!" he heard Pikachu's defiant cry as it stopped to confront the flock head-on.

"No, Pikachu!" Austin yelled. In a swift motion, he pulled out the electric type's Pokéball and pointed it at Pikachu, returning him before any harm could come to the little Pokémon. As Pikachu disappeared into the ball, several of the initial Spearow dropped to the ground, stunned, but more were quickly approaching.

This brief pause allowed Austin a moment to catch his breath and think.

Misty should be nearby. I need to find her and get her help, he thought desperately, his grip tightening on the shaking Pokéball.

Misty Waterflower did not consider herself a patient girl.

In fact, she was quite the opposite—a firecracker, which was a bit funny considering her dream of becoming a water-type Pokémon specialist.

Water should be cool and flowing, but Misty? She often felt more like the stormy sea than a gentle stream.

As she pedaled her bike through the grasslands, the sun warmed her face while a cool breeze teased her hair. Darting Pidgeys and unseen critters rustling in the tall grass caught her eye.

Pulling up beside a large river, Misty checked her Pokétch, a gadget with a dot-matrix screen that was all the rage among trainers.

She was sure she was in the right spot. Here in the expansive Kanto region, she was on a personal quest to prove herself worthy of taking over the family gym from her overbearing older sisters.

Yet, as a league-affiliated trainer, she often found herself sidetracked by official missions—necessary, though annoying, interruptions that helped pay the bills.

Today's task? Deal with a troublesome flock of Spearow.

Misty's lips puckered in mild annoyance.

"I'll deal with those pesky flying types later," she muttered to herself.

With a brighter expression, she reached for her fishing pole, eager to add a new water-type Pokémon to her team.

Her good mood, however, was abruptly interrupted by a distant, thunderous squawk.

Turning sharply, she spotted a boy sprinting towards her, his backpack haphazardly thrown over his head for protection, while his hands clutched a violently shaking Pokéball. When their eyes met, Misty noticed an unmistakable spark of happiness and recognition in his gaze. Happiness made sense—he was clearly in a bind—but recognition? Why did he look at her as if he knew her?

Her thoughts were shattered by his panicked shout, "I have an electric type, can you release your water type?!"

Misty blinked, puzzled for a moment, but her training kicked in. Without hesitation, her hand flew to her own Pokéball, and with a swift motion, she released her partner, Starmie. The dual starfish-like Pokémon appeared, its central red jewel core gleaming intensely, ready for battle.

The boy, gasping for breath and clearly exhausted from his ordeal, stumbled to Misty's side and managed to release a furious Pikachu from his trembling Pokéball.

"Wide Water Pulse!" Misty commanded. Starmie spun, sending out a massive spray of water. The intention was simple—soak the Spearow thoroughly, making their wings too heavy to keep them airborne. As the birds plummeted to the ground, wet and bewildered, they were perfectly set up for what came next.

"Now, Pikachu!"

As Pikachu unleashed a fierce Thundershock on the drenched Spearow, Misty couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline.

In just a few minutes, the entire flock of Spearow was incapacitated.

Misty watched as Pikachu turned to its trainer with a fierce growl.

"Hey! Don't give me that look. I returned you to your Pokéball for your safety," the boy said in a soothing tone.

Pikachu simply huffed and turned away, clearly still upset. The situation took an unpleasant turn when the boy muttered under his breath, "Fat rat."

Pikachu's cheeks sparked in warning, and Misty knew she had to intervene before things escalated.

"Excuse me, but can you tell me what happened?" Misty interjected, trying to divert the boy's attention.

Austin recounted his ordeal, Misty nodded along, her eyes glancing down to her Pokétch. She began dialing a number as Austin finished, noticing his curious gaze on her device.

"This is a Pokétch," she said, trying to inject some pride into her voice, eager to show off her gadget.

"Isn't that from Sinnoh?"

Misty felt a twinge of embarrassment for trying to impress someone who already knew what it was. "Yeah, that's why it's so expensive. It's imported from Sinnoh," she muttered, her voice slightly deflated as the call rang through.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling the league to send a relocation team here," Misty explained. Seeing Austin's blank look, she added, "They'll make sure these Spearow are released into habitats where they won't be a danger to Pokémon or people."

Austin nodded slowly, understanding settling in. An awkward silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the distant calls of other Pokémon.

"Is there something else I can help you with?"

"What's the direction to Viridian City?"

"Move straight down this path," Misty replied, pointing.

"Thanks for saving me and Pikachu."

Austin said feeling a little awkward. He looked at Pikachu and asked, "You ready to go?"

"Pika."

Austin grinned and walked by Misty's bike. He thought to himself, 'Well, I guess she won't be traveling with me after I barbecued her bike.'

Ho-Oh soared gracefully through the skies. Its feathers shimmered in a breathtaking array of colors; the predominant gold and red hues of its body gleamed under the sunlight, complemented by the vibrant yellow of its tail-feathers and the stark white of its underside. At the tips of its wings, green feathers added a touch of contrast, while a green stripe adorned its neck, enhancing its regal appearance.

The legendary Pokémon's eyes, encircled by black rings, were piercing red, reflecting a wise and ancient soul. Atop its head, a feathered, yellow crest waved like a flag as it flew.

As it flew, Ho-Oh glanced downward, its gaze falling on a human and a Pikachu watching in awe from the ground below. In that moment, a thought crossed its mind: Something has happened to your chosen, Arceus. Is this according to your will?

"Ho-Oh," Austin whispered, his voice barely louder than the rustle of leaves in the gentle forest breeze. Pikachu looked up at him, eyes wide with surprise.

How did this human know the name of the God of Rebirth?

"So, Pikachu," Austin began, shifting his gaze from the sky back to the little yellow Pokémon perched on his shoulder.

"A deal is a deal, do you want to continue with me or go your own way?" The words felt heavier than he intended.

Pikachu's expression shifted to one of disbelief, as if stunned that Austin would honor such a promise in the midst of their current adventures.

"Pika Pi?" it asked, tilting its head, the motion filled with a questioning innocence that tugged at Austin's heart.

"I'm not going to force you to stay if you don't want to," Austin replied, his voice soft. He felt the coolness of the forest around them, the shadows growing longer as the day began to wane. Despite the exhaustion that made his limbs heavy and his steps slow, there was a peace here, a quiet solace that seemed to seep into his bones.

"Pika," Pikachu responded, its voice firm and resolute, not moving from its spot.

"So you're going to stay?" Austin asked, a hopeful note in his tired voice. Pikachu gave a decisive nod, and a small smile crept across Austin's weary face.

"Well alright then."

As Austin walked through Viridian City, he found himself transported back to the 90s vibe depicted in the show.

The city had a nostalgic feel, with simple, low buildings painted in calm, pastel colors. Streets were quieter than he expected, with only a few people and Pokémon milling about, giving the city a laid-back atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the bustling cities of the present day.

'Unlike the anime, I wasn't stopped by Officer Jenny,' Austin mused to himself, a hint of relief in his thoughts.

The possibility of not encountering Team Rocket at the Pokémon Center crossed his mind.

'I would love to avoid Team Rocket, but why weren't they warned about by Officer Jenny? Is it some kind of Butterfree effect where me catching two Pokémon and arriving relatively safer did something?'

Austin stopped a passerby to ask for directions to the Pokémon Center.

After a brief conversation, with a thankful nod, he continued on his way. As he walked, he observed the details around him—the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves of well-placed trees, the soft hum of the city around him, and the distant laughter of children playing with their Pokémon.

Fifteen minutes later, the Pokémon Center came into view.

It stood out distinctly from the rest of the town's architecture, larger and more modern.

'To quote Ash, it's gigantic.'

The building loomed ahead, its large glass doors reflecting the evening light, beckoning to trainers from afar.

"Welcome to the Pokémon Center," Nurse Joy, a pink-haired woman, greeted Austin warmly as he entered. Her voice was gentle, a soothing presence for any weary trainer. "How can I help you?"

"Can you check if my Pokémon are healthy?" Austin asked, handing her the Pokéballs containing Spearow and Rattata, and then Pikachu, who looked visibly shocked.

"Relax, Pikachu, she's just going to see if you're injured."

"Chu," Pikachu muttered, still uneasy.

"Um, Pikachu doesn't like Pokéballs, and I haven't really let Spearow and Rattata out since I caught them earlier today," Austin warned her. "So please be careful."

Nurse Joy nodded understandingly as she placed the Pokéballs on a tray and motioned for Pikachu to hop on. The little electric mouse looked scared, his body tense with hesitation.

"Don't worry, buddy, she's just here to help."

Nurse Joy offered a comforting smile, which seemed to ease Pikachu's fears somewhat, prompting him to hesitantly jump onto the examination table.

"Ahem, Nurse Joy, is there like a bookstore or something around here where I can buy books like how to make Pokémon food?" Austin asked. He was unsure of how to phrase his question, but his intent was clear, and the unbridled joy on Nurse Joy's face was telling.

Austin felt a little embarrassed by her intense look, which seemed to linger a bit too long.

"Nurse Joy?"

"Sorry for staring," she apologized, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "It's just that normally, new trainers just try to, as they say, 'wing it.' Most trainers don't start learning about Pokémon food recipes or grooming until a year or two into their journey."

Austin chuckled softly, feeling slightly less awkward now. "Guess I'm getting a head start then."

"Indeed," Nurse Joy giggled, her laughter light and friendly as she gave him directions.

The ringing of the bell announced Austin's entry into the bookstore. Inside, the shop was a cozy with shelves towering to the ceiling, laden with books of all sorts.

Austin's attention was quickly drawn away from the shelves and towards the shopkeeper. The man was an eccentric figure: a long white beard cascaded down his chest, a green beanie sat atop his head, and he wore a black bathrobe over shorts. From a curved pipe clenched between his teeth, he blew rings of smoke with an artful twist of his lips, each ring wafting lazily towards the ceiling before dissipating.

"That's bad for you," Austin couldn't help but comment, his nose wrinkling slightly at the smell.

The old man chuckled, a raspy sound that seemed to shake his whole frame.

"Well, it's not like I expect to live a long life."

As Austin moved deeper into the shop, he gathered an armful of books:

- "Grooming the Kanto Way: 101 Tips for Pokemon Care" by Suzie Yuki.

- "Inside Kanto: A Political Analysis" by Martin Greene.

- "Culinary Companions: Over 100 Recipes for Your Pokemon" by Emily Turner and James Ford.

- "The Physics of Pokemon: Understanding Their Moves" by Professor Magnolia.

The shopkeeper, still puffing on his pipe, raised an eyebrow as he saw the selection of books laid out before him.

"2000 Pokédollars."

Reaching for his wallet, Austin's heart sank when he realized it wasn't there. Nor did he even know what Pokédollars were.

'Shit,' he thought, his skin beginning to prickle with sweat as panic set in.

Then, an idea struck him, and he hesitantly asked, "Is it possible to barter for this instead of paying with cash?"

The shopkeeper's brow furrowed as he considered the proposal.

"Depends on the item."

Austin took out a Pokéball and placed it on the counter.

The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed.

"Selling Pokémon is illegal," he stated firmly, taking a long draw from his pipe.

"No, no, no," Austin stuttered, opening the Pokéball to show it was empty.

The shopkeeper swiped the Pokéball, inspecting it closely to see if it worked.

The shopkeeper smoothly pulled out a few crisp notes, handing them to Austin. His eyes widened as he noticed the stylized mural of Mew on each bill—these were indeed Pokédollars, but unlike any currency he had ever seen before.

"Your change for the Pokéball," the shopkeeper explained.

As Austin quickly counted the money, his mind raced.

'3000 Pokédollars were given back, meaning a Pokéball costs 5000 Pokédollars? Holy shit!'

The reality of the cost set in deep.

"How much do trainers earn?"

"100 to 200 Pokédollars during a simple match, 500 to 2000 in an official gym battle, and 5000 for league participation. 10 to 20,000 if you make it to the top three," the shopkeeper recited, standing up from his chair.

Austin's mind went blank as he realized the financial challenges of being a Pokémon trainer. 'How much would Pokémon feed cost? Grooming them? Potions? Snacks? Lodging? Holy, Ash was lucky to have Brock beside him, or that kid would have wound up dead in a week.'

His spiraling thoughts were interrupted when the shopkeeper placed two more books on the counter:

- "Pokémon Training for Dummies" by Jane Peters.

- "Wealthy Trainer, Wise Trainer: Financial Strategies for Beginners" by David Clarkson.

Austin gulped, recognizing that these books were exactly what he needed.

"How much?" he asked, his voice tight with the anxiety of balancing his finances.

"Free," the shopkeeper declared, his tone gentle yet firm.

Austin looked at him, confusion evident on his face. The old man smiled warmly, adding, "The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance."

Austin blinked.

What?

"You're young," the shopkeeper tapped on the books, "yet you are willing to learn for your Pokémon. That's admirable enough for this old man to decide I am willing to help you."

"Thank you," Austin managed to say, grateful yet overwhelmed.

He took the books, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth.

As Austin made his way back to the Pokémon Center, the air crackled with the urgency of a repeating public announcement: Attention Citizens of Viridian City. Attention Citizens of Viridian City. There have been reports of possible Pokémon Thieves, keep on the lookout for suspicious-looking strangers.

The voice belonged to a blue-haired woman in a police uniform—Officer Jenny. Austin's heart skipped a beat as he pieced together the timeline.

'I arrived earlier than Ash Ketchum... that's why I didn't meet Officer Jenny earlier.'

A sinking feeling took hold.

'Oh no. That means Jessie and James will break into the Pokémon Center.'

With renewed urgency, Austin quickened his pace toward the center. Upon arrival, he was greeted by Nurse Joy, whose smile was a stark contrast to the anxiety thrumming through his veins.

"Nurse Joy, are my Pokémon done with their check-up?" he asked, trying to sound calm.

"About that," Nurse Joy replied, her expression turning serious.

Austin's heartbeat accelerated, anticipating bad news. "We found that your Rattata needs to be given antibiotics for her infectious wounds. She has suffered from severe dehydration and starvation, so we'll be administering Lactated Ringer's Solution and Dextrose Solution intravenously."

Austin stumbled over his words, "I-I didn't know..."

"Mr. Ketchum, I am not blaming you," Nurse Joy reassured him quickly. "From our evaluation, it was clear that this condition was something Rattata was in before you captured her. Thankfully, you did, or Rattata wouldn't have survived by morning."

Austin exhaled deeply.

'Sad deaths have always been a part of Pokémon, but this seems more natural, more brutal.'

"Don't worry, Rattata will be fine by next morning," Nurse Joy said with a comforting smile.

Knowing he couldn't just ignore the impending threat of Team Rocket, Austin steeled himself.

'I need a plan.'

"Is there a room I can stay in?"

"Of course, the Pokémon Center provides lodging and a cafeteria, with a fee of 500 per night."

Austin sighed.

Jessie leaned over the wicker basket of their hot air balloon, her mahogany hair fluttering wildly in the breeze.

"Go a little to the right," she directed.

She turned to her partners in crime, a smirk playing on her lips.

James, with his shoulder-length periwinkle hair and a white long-sleeve shirt emblazoned with a large red R, adjusted the controls next to Meowth. The small feline Pokémon, its cream-colored fur highlighted with brown at the tips of its hind paws and tail, looked up with its wide eyes shining in anticipation.

As their hot air balloon hovered directly over the Pokémon Center, Jessie checked their position and nodded.

"You two ready?"

Meowth grinned back, and James paused to smell his roses before pulling out a Pokéball.

"Make your entrance, Koffing!"

Koffing emerged in a burst of white light, quickly taking form as a spherical Pokémon filled with toxic gases. It hovered for a moment, its vacant eyes scanning the scene below and its wide mouth curling into a grin, revealing two pointed teeth.

Without a moment's hesitation, Koffing began its descent towards the Pokémon Center, breaking through the calm skyline. As it approached the roof, it expelled a thick, noxious gas, the cloud billowing around it like a cloak of smog.

With a shared look of triumph, Jessie, James, and Meowth prepared their own descent.

"Let's go," Jessie said, pulling goggles over her eyes. They each grabbed a rope and leaped from the balloon, descending rapidly towards the chaos they had unleashed.

An urgent alarm blared throughout the Pokémon Center, cutting through the chaos. "Attention please. Our Viridian City Radar System has detected a suspicious aircraft belonging to a gang of Pokémon Thieves. If you have a Pokémon in your possession, exercise extreme caution."

A young trainer, her voice hoarse from the gas, managed to choke out, "What's going on?" amidst the confusion.

Jessie's laughter, sharp and mocking, filled the air as the visibility in the room continued to drop.

"We'll answer your question, little girl," "Allow us to introduce ourselves," James announced, and together, they recited their creed:

"To protect the world from devastation."

"To unite all peoples within our nation."

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

"Meowth, that's right!" Meowth finished, striking a pose in front of them.

The trio grinned, reveling in the stunned expressions of the crowd gathered in the gas-filled room.

However, their triumph was short-lived.

Suddenly, the fire alarm cut through the smoky air, its loud, piercing sound startling everyone.

Immediately, sprinklers embedded in the ceiling activated, releasing a steady stream of water. The water cascaded down like rain, soaking everyone and everything below.

The effect on Koffing's gas was immediate. Water from the sprinklers began to combine with the toxic smoke, creating larger particles of soot that were too heavy to stay airborne.

As a result, the toxic cloud began to dissipate, clearing the air and reducing the immediate threat to the people and Pokémon in the room.

Jessie, with a menacing scowl, threatened as she released her Ekans. The purple serpentine Pokémon hissed, its yellow eyes and underbelly stark against the smoke-filled room. The thick stripe around its neck and the rattle at the end of its tail highlighted its readiness to strike. Nurse Joy, cornered and visibly trembling, could barely muster a response.

"I-I-I didn't do anything," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper, her hands clutching at her uniform as if trying to find something solid to hold onto.

"Why don't you leave the beautiful nurse alone?" came a deep, artificially lowered voice from the back of the room.

Everyone turned to see a ten-year-old boy, his identity obscured by a paper bag over his head with two eyes cut out. He was carrying two fire extinguishers, which he placed on the floor with a heavy thud that echoed slightly in the suddenly silent room.

"Who are ya supposed to be?" Meowth asked.

"Bag Boy."

"We are warning you, kid, you'll get hurt if you try to play hero," James said as he casually sniffed his rose.

"Oh, you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but BLINDING! The shadows betray you because they belong to me!" Bag Boy declared, his voice dramatic.

The room fell into an awkward silence, the Team Rocket members and the other bystanders sweatdropping at the boy's dramatic monologue. Nurse Joy, however, realized that the boy was just stalling for the sprinklers to finish their work.

As the final drops of water ceased, Bag Boy swung into action. He grabbed the fire extinguishers and, with a determined squint through the holes of his paper bag, unleashed a powerful blast of foam directly at Koffing.

"Ekans, get him!"

Ekans lunged towards Bag Boy with a swift, serpentine grace.

However, as Ekans made its move, it was met with a fierce thundershock.

The water that had soaked its skin amplified the intensity of the electric attack, causing the snake Pokémon to convulse dramatically in the shock.

Jessie watched, perplexed, as the electric attack didn't affect Bag Boy. Her eyes then caught the glint of rubber—gloves and boots worn by the boy.

'This boy planned this as if he knew we were coming, but how?!'

"Poison Sting!" Jessie commanded again, desperation edging her voice. But Ekans, still reeling and paralyzed from the electricity, couldn't respond. It lay there, quivering, unable to move.

"Again," Bag Boy stated calmly, and another thundershock was sent towards Ekans, knocking it completely to the ground.

"Now?!" James yelled, cueing Meowth who used this distraction to launch a quick attack. The small, feline Pokémon dashed sneakily from the side, its body a blur as it lunged towards Bag Boy.

"Thundershock on the Koffing?!" the boy yelled out in response. An alarmed "Pika?" came from behind him, but the loyal Pikachu listened to its trainer and unleashed another powerful thundershock.

"Smog attack!" James attempted to counter, but Pikachu was already on the move.

Using quick attack, Pikachu darted with such speed that a white trail of energy formed behind it.

The small electric Pokémon slammed into Koffing, sending the poison-type Pokémon crashing into James, who hadn't anticipated the force of the impact.

James stumbled backward, caught off guard by the sudden weight of his own Pokémon colliding with him. Koffing, disoriented and still sputtering from the thundershock, struggled to regain its composure.

As Bag Boy braced himself against the chaos, Meowth's claws came out, swiping viciously across his back. The sharp nails cut through the fabric and into his skin, leaving deep, stinging slashes that started to bleed. The warm trickle of blood soaked into his shirt, and the sharp pain made him wince, tears dampening the paper bag over his face.

Bag Boy had initially planned to use the fire extinguisher as a weapon against Meowth, but the searing pain overwhelmed him, causing his grip to falter.

"Crying isn't gonna save ya," Meowth taunted, leaping forward to attack again.

In a reflex the boy stretched out his hand and opened his Pokéball. With a burst of light, Spearow emerged, squawking angrily at Meowth. The bird's sudden appearance startled Meowth, forcing him to jump back, snarling, "Birds are Meowth's prey."

"You hear that?" Bag Boy said through his pain, catching Spearow's attention. "Let's show them the true strength of a Great Spearow."

Despite its inherent distrust and loathing for humans, Spearow was driven by a deep-seated pride and a strong instinct for survival.

Energy gathered within the tiny bird as it took flight, then dove sharply, its beak aimed directly at Meowth.

The strike was precise and powerful, causing Meowth to crash into the ground with a thud.

"Thundershock," Bag Boy commanded, his voice still laced with pain but firm.

Pikachu nodded as its cheeks sparked with building electricity.

Meowth, barely recovering and looking up nervously, stammered, "Now wait just a min-."

But he was cut off mid-sentence as a surge of electricity coursed through him, electrocuting him thoroughly.

Jessie and James, who had been watching the skirmish unfold, realized the battle was lost. They rushed to Meowth's side, scooping him up as his body twitched from the shock.

"You haven't seen the last of us, kid."

Nurse Joy couldn't help but press her face against the window, curiosity getting the better of her as she watched the unfolding debacle outside. There, James frantically jumped onto a bicycle, his movements clumsy and rushed. Jessie followed, leaping onto the back with less grace than a sack of potatoes hitting the ground.

"Pedal, James, pedal!" Jessie screamed.

Her words were punctuated by sharp pats on James's back, much like a jockey spurring on a racehorse.

James, spurred into action more by Jessie's urgency than the actual need for speed, began pedaling with a wild fervor. His legs moved in a blur, the bike wobbling dangerously under the mismatched weight and coordination of the two.

Meanwhile, a paralyzed Meowth, held carelessly by Jessie, dangled from her hand like a limp ragdoll.

Nurse Joy turned to thank the young man who had saved the center, only to find him gone. Nearby lay a busted extinguisher with foam gushing out, clearly meant as a distraction.

"Be a fucking hero, they said," Austin muttered under his breath, wincing as he washed his wounds in the simple room he occupied. He considered seeking Nurse Joy's help but immediately dismissed the idea. Revealing his identity as Bag Boy might draw unwanted attention from Team Rocket, just like in the anime.

"Fuck that."

Nearby, Pikachu gave a small, bewildered sweatdrop at his human's cursing, while Spearow was busily preening its feathers.

Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door. Austin froze, motioning for his Pokémon to stay quiet.

"Bag Boy," Nurse Joy's voice came through the door, causing Austin's stomach to churn with anxiety. He cringed and reluctantly opened the door a crack.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Of course," Nurse Joy said with a knowing smile, holding up a medical kit.

"Let me help you, for helping us."

"Just don't tell anyone. I don't want Team Rocket after me," Austin whispered, opening the door wider to let her in.

Nurse Joy nodded understandingly as she entered. She set her medical kit on a small table and began tending to Austin's wounds. The process was gentle and practiced; she cleaned each cut carefully, applied an antiseptic to prevent infection, and bandaged the wounds with expert precision.

"How did you know that attack was going to happen?" Nurse Joy asked as she worked.

Austin's mind raced for a plausible excuse. "While I was coming back from the bookstore, I overheard those two and their plans for the attack," he lied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Nurse Joy frowned slightly at his response, but she didn't press further. The boy hadn't proclaimed himself a hero, demanded anything, or sought recognition. He had simply helped, gotten hurt, and then tried to hide. Choosing to believe his words, Nurse Joy continued her work in silence.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Would you have believed me?"

Nurse Joy sighed, finishing up her work. "Why did you help us?"

"Do I need a reason to help?" Austin responded, meeting her gaze.

Nurse Joy smiled warmly at that and reached into her kit, pulling out a glass bottle with a spray cap filled with a shimmering blue potion.

"I know this isn't much, but this is a max potion as a thank you for being a hero."