The luxray looked over her trainer as he slept against her side, her concern for his condition growing with each passing second. His breathing was becoming harsher and was beginning to shake a little bit. She tried to curl herself around him as much as she could, yet to no avail. Daniel just kept shaking, his body temperature falling with each minute that passed by, not knowing what else to do, Luxray reached down with her tail and pressed the release button on one of his other pokeballs. There was the familiar flash of light as a Buizel appeared. The otter type shook himself and looked from his trainer to the Luxray. “What’s wrong with him?” Buizel asked as he walked over and and nuzzled his trainers chest, the boy murmuring out in his sleep. “He’s really unwell. We need to keep him warm. Buizel could you cuddle up to his chest and try to keep him warm as well as keep him company.” She asked as she gently pressed her nose against the humans forehead, taking his temperature. His skin felt freezing against her nose, this made Luxray worry as she watched the Buizel begin to snuggle up close. He nuzzled his way under the boys arms and pressed himself up against the his chest. There was an instant reaction. Daniel wrapped his arms around the Buizel and nuzzled into his floatation sac, mumbling softly in his sleep. The Buizel churred and smiled as he held his trainer as much as he possibly could, but even he could notice how bad he was.
“He really isn’t well” the Buizel commented as he turned his head a little and looked over at the Luxray. “No he isn’t. But you are helping, can’t you see, he’s smiling in his sleep.” She commented as indeed, Daniel had a big smile on his face as he slept. “I’m glad, where is Arcanine by the way?” “He’s gone to get help. He left about ten minutes ago and was heading for a pokemon center that is nearby. He’ll be back soon.” She said as her tail wrapped around her trainer protectively and in an attempt to keep him warmer. “I can’t believe he got this bad. Why is it he never rests or just takes it easy. Its’ like he’s trying to prove something by doing so.” Buizel asked, churring as he received another nuzzle from his trainer. “I don’t know. He’s always been like this ever since i was a Shinx. He’s a kind and caring trainer. But he never looks after himself. Always pushing himself too far until he can’t go on anymore. He scares all of us. We all worry about him.” Luxray commented as she sighed softly to herself. Not wanting to bring the otter pokemon down with all of the details about their trainer she stayed silent.
Buizel had only joined their team about three months ago and they all had kept most of Daniel’s history private. But they knew the meaning behind him being caught. When the boy had told them that he wanted a Buizel all of his pokemon were very glad to hear about it, but were worried he only wanted one so that he could evolve it into a Floatzel. Yet when Daniel gave Buizel an everstone to hold onto they were all overjoyed. It showed that at heart he was still a kid, that he didn’t want a powerful and strong pokemon. He just wanted one that he thought was cute and playful. That showed his other pokemon there was still a part of him that was still just a kid and wanted a cute pokemon to play with. In fact, there had been days when they would purposefully camp by a body of water so that the boy could play in the water with Buizel. It was days like those that made Luxray and the others hope that the carefree and playful trainer that they knew was there would come out more. “How long do you think Arcanine will be Luxray? Daniels temperature is still dropping. I dunno what else i can do to help, this can’t be normal for a human can it?” Buizel asked as he pressed himself even more against the human. Beginning to get a little upset that his efforts to keep his friend warm weren't working. “Just stay close to him, you are helping. As for Arcanine, I don’t know, it all depends on how close the pokemon center is. Not to mention how long it takes him to get the attention of a nurse Joy.” She stated as she saw the distressed and pained look on her trainers face. His breathing was getting slower and more shallow. “Please Arcanine. Hurry back soon.” Luxray whispered to herself.
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Nurse Joy was sat at her desk and working on a report when she heard something, a soft barking that was getting louder and louder. Standing up she looked around, trying to find the source of the barking as she recognized it to be that of an Arcanine. “Where is it?” She said out loud as she stood up. The front doors of the pokemon suddenly slid open and one of the largest arcanine she had ever seen skidded into the foyer. This sight alone made her jump in surprise. For a couple of seconds Joy simply stood there staring in shock, her mind going blank as she didn’t know what was going on. But soon the Arcanine began to whimper and whine. Immediately she got to work. She walked around her desk and cradled the Arcanines head. Shushing him in a soft tone.
“Shhhh.. it’s ok boy... now take it easy..... Are you hurt?” She asked giving the fire dog pokemon a brief glance over. The Arcanine shook his head and whined even louder, nodding his head towards the door. “Is there another pokemon that is injured out there?” Joy asked. Trying to figure out what exactly had gotten the Arcanine so worked up. Again her reply was answered by a shake of his head and a whine. “Where is your trainer?” She asked. The Arcanine clearly looked too well looked after to simply be a wild pokemon. This question got the loudest whine of all and the dog began to nod his head rapidly. “Is your trainer hurt?” She hoped that she would be wrong, but this time the arcanine nodded his head and stood up. Taking a few steps towards the front door before stopping, Looking back at her and whimpering. “I’ll be with you shortly. You need to wait though.” Nurse Joy said as she rushed behind her desk and quickly made a phone call. She stood there impatiently, her fingers tapping the desk as she heard nothing but the dial tone for a few seconds until at last she got an answer.
“Hello Nurse Joy, how can I help you today?” The familiar voice of officer Jenny said over the phone. “Jenny I have a trainers Arcanine here and I believe he is telling me that his trainer is injured. Can you get over to the pokemon center as fast as you can to help me go and collect him?” “Of course I can. I’ll be there asap” With that Officer Jenny hung up the phone. Quickly nurse Joy began to rummage around and began to collect a bag of supplies. Not knowing what she would find out there. The Arcanine meanwhile was sat by the door. His tail flat and his paws twitching, clearly he was anxious to get back to his trainer. So Nurse Joy did her best to not keep him waiting. But Officer Jenny was still going to take a good ten minutes to get here. While nurse Joy waited for officer Jenny to arrive, she got the Arcanine a bowl of water and began to make a few notes on her computer. Chansey had walked in a couple of minutes ago and was now talking to the Arcanine. From the look of Chansey’s face whatever was wrong with this trainer was serious as when Chansey was done talking with the fire type, she came round the desk and pointed to the number 4 on her severity pictograph. “So we have a seriously ill trainer?” She asked. “Chan... Chansey” The pokemon replied nodded her head rapidly. “All right. While I am gone I want you to go and get room three ready for a human patient. Make sure you get everything you feel that we will need.” Nurse Joy ordered as she grabbed her coat and her medical bag. “Chansey Chan” Was the reply she got, as well as a sort of mock salute which made her smile. Walking over to the door she nodded her head to the Arcanine who got up and gave a bark of thanks to the Chansey.
Outside they waited for Officer Jenny. The day was a little cold and overcast after last night's storm, the ground still damp and wet. Nurse Joy clutched her coat close as she watched her breath mist in front of her face. “God it’s cold, don’t you think Arcanine?” She commented, trying to help relax the dog a little. But all he did was whine and paw at the ground, the sight making her heart sink. Clearly all that he wanted to do was get back to his trainer. After that failed attempt to cheer the pokemon up Nurse Joy stayed silent. Kicking up some dirt with her foot as she held her arms across her chest, waiting for that unmistakable sound of Officer Jenny and her motorcycle.
With a screech of tyre the blue haired police woman pulled up right in front of the pair, a serious look on her face. She pulled back her goggles and looked from nurse Joy to the Arcanine before talking. “Reporting as requested Nurse Joy, is this the Arcanine you were telling me about?” Jenny asked as she turned to the large fire dog. “Yes that's him, he’ll be able to lead us towards his trainers current location, I’ve also got my medical bag with me and Chansey is preparing a bed for when we get back.” She explained as she walked around the vehicle and climbed into the sidecar. “Thats good to know,” Jenny said as she then turned towards the Arcanine and gave him her best smile. “Sweety, we are here to find and take care of your trainer. Can you now lead us to him or her and we will get them back and treated as fast as we can.” She explained. Arcanine barked and nodded his head, getting up he padded in front of the motorcycle. “Are you secure Nurse Joy?” Jenny asked as she fixed her goggles and revved the engine a couple of times. “Yeah i’m ready. Lets go.” She replied as with a nod of both of their heads the Arcanine in front of them sped off towards the wood. With a release of the pedal, the back wheel of Jenny’s motorcycle spun and launched the two forward.
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Luxray hummed softly to her trainer and the now sleeping Buizel. The female pokemon having spent most of her time reassuring the small otter that Arcanine was going to get help and that Daniel would make a full recovery. Doing her best to reassure him and help keep the otters despairing thoughts at bay. The two looked so cute together, Buizel was smiling softly in his sleep as he was held by his trainer. Daniel was no longer shivering as violently as he had once been. He would shake every now and then, but thankfully the combined body heat of them both was enough to keep his core temperature at a safe enough level. The only problems now were that he was still breathing rather shallow and not to mention the fact that he was still unconscious. Luxray sighed and leaned down, licking the boys brow slowly. Doing her best to comfort the boy even though he continued to sleep and showed no signs of waking up. Just mumbling softly in his sleep and holding onto to Buizel like he was his lifeline. Buizel joining their group was a good thing, she was eternally grateful to the otter for what he brought out in her trainer. Even if he didn’t know it.
With another sigh the Luxray looked out of the cave. The weather wasn’t improving, dark clouds rolled across the sky. It was silent, there were no calls of pokemon or any kind for that matter which worried her. Surely Arcanine had reached the pokemon center by now and had gotten some help, surely he was on his way back. Luxray leaned down and licked her trainers forehead again, but there was no reaction. He was deadly still and his breathing could barely be heard. She let out a soft whine and curled herself tighter around Daniel. Trying to keep him as warm as she could, but him laying in this cold cave wasn’t helping matters. He needed to be someplace warm, he needed blankets and soft bed. He needed rest and people looking after him.
That was when she heard it. Off in the distance she could hear a howl, a howl that she recognized as Arcanines. Buizel slowly stirred awake and looked around. “What was that Luxray?” He asked as he leaned up. Sliding out of the trainers arms and heading over to the mouth of the cave. “It was Arcanine. He’s nearly here and he’s gotten help” she said relieved. No sooner as she had said that did the roar of an engine slowly get louder and louder. Outside the cave a motorcycle pulled up and Arcanine bounded in. He walked over and sniffed the boy. “How is he Luxray?” He asked in a worried tone as Buizel came up and stood next to the larger pokemon. “I tried to keep him warm by laying with him.” He said before stepping to one side. Arcanine did the same thing as two female humans walked into the cave. Both of whom Luxray recognized immediately. Though she was pretty sure that they were none of the Jenny or Joys they had encountered already. “This isn’t good Jenny” nurse Joy said as she knelt down and placed a hand against their trainers forehead. “What’s wrong with him Joy?” Jenny asked as she looked at the three pokemon and then returned her attention to the boy. “As far as i can tell it’s hypothermia. We need to get him back to the pokemon center and warmed up as soon as possible.” Joy said urgently. Jenny nodded and then came over and helped nurse Joy pick the boy up. Luxray, Buizel and Arcanine followed them outside, watching them carry their trainer over to the motorcycle and gently lifting him into the passenger car. Nurse Joy soon climbed in behind him and Jenny got into the drivers seat. “Come on you three.” Jenny said as she kicked the vehicle into life. Buizel nodded his head and jumped into the passenger seat and curled up in Daniels lap. Luxray and Arcanine stood side by side, both of them giving a nod of their heads as Jenny sped off. Followed closely by the two large pokemon.
The weather was getting worse again. There was the distant roll of thunder and a flash of light that heralded the arrival of another thunderstorm. “Jenny we can’t let him get soaked. Go as fast as you can” Joy called out over the roar of the engine. “Understood” she called back as she floored it. Trees sped past them and the wheels skidded against the soft forest floor. Luxray and Arcanine tried to keep up with them but they were beginning to pull away. They didn’t mind though, they knew that they needed to get their trainer to the pokemon center and luckily Arcanine knew the way. “Do... do you think they are too late?” Luxray asked, her doubts and worries beginning to get the better of her. “Don’t think that way Luxray, they can help him. They will help him.” Arcanine said back as they followed as closely as they could. The two pokemon having never run so fast or as hard as they were doing right now.
Soon though the pokemon center came into view. The motorcycle parked outside with Buizel sitting in the passenger seat. “They took him inside. Nurse Joy told me to wait for you two to get here and then we could go and wait in the foyer.” He said as he hopped and led the way inside. Inside the pokemon center was deserted, apart from officer Jenny, was was loading Daniels details into the computer. Though she looked up when the pokemon entered. “Go wait over there in the corner. Nurse Joy is looking after your trainer and will come and get you the moment she has stabilized his condition.” She advised. The three of them all did as they were told. Though Arcanine began to pace around impatiently. Luxray watched as Arcanine paced. Her heart going out to him, she knew of their past and she knew that the boy was his whole world. If anything happened to him then he would never be able to forgive himself. “Please relax Arcanine, they are doing all they can for him. You know that so please just try and rest.” Buizel said as he went over to the large canine and gently nuzzled the side of his leg affectionately. Arcanine sighed and nuzzled the top of the otters head, walking over and laying down next to Luxray. “I know they will. I just wish that I could have done something. I should have made him rest sooner, I should have picked up on the fact he wasn’t well..... I.... I should have done something, anything.” “Arcanine stop berating yourself. You did everything you could. You know what he is like, you didn’t do anything wrong. Lets just hope that he learns from this. Learns that he can and should ask for help. He knows that we are all here for him, he just needs to open up more to us and accept that help.” Luxray said in an attempt to comfort her friend. Arcanine simply nodded his head and sighed. All three of them looked up and watched as time began to slowly tick by as they waited for Nurse Joy to come back.
Seconds turned into minutes, minutes turned into hours. Yet still there was no sign of nurse Joy with news on their trainer. Officer Jenny had stayed with them, getting them some food and drink while they waited. All three of them were huddled together, all of them staying close to each other, offering comfort in their dark time. “How long has it been?” Buizel asked as he stretched out. His nose twitching a little as he snuggled close between the two large pokemon. “About three hours Buizel.” Arcanine said as he glanced at the clock and then nuzzled the otter and luxray. “Don’t worry guys, nurse Joy is doing all she can to help out Daniel. She’ll be back soon, I know she will.” She said, trying to comfort them both. They went back into their silent waiting. Neither one of them wanting to voice their worries for the boy that was laying somewhere in the pokemon center. They all only hoped that when nurse Joy came back she would have some good news for them.
One by one they each began to fall asleep. All of them exhausted from worry. Officer Jenny saw this and took the opportunity to go and check on things and see how they were going. Walking through the doors at the back and down a corridor she gently knocked on the door of room three. “Come in Jenny” A voice called from inside. Opening the door the first thing that happened was that she was greeted by a blast of hot air. The room was warm beyond belief, nurse Joy was sitting in a chair by the bed that held the sleeping boy. “How is he?” She asked as she stood next to the bed. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve wrapped him up and turned the heating up as far as it will go to get his temperature up as best as I can. All now we can do is wait. How are his pokemon doing out there?” She asked. “They have all fallen asleep. They are all still worried from what I could tell. But I think they just want to see their trainer again. I hope he gets better.” “Did you find out anything on him while you were putting his information into the computer?” “Yeah i did. This guy hasn’t had an easy life, beaten by his father and been alone ever since he was eight. Though one of your sisters knows him quite well. The nurse Joy in Floaroma town took him in when he left his fathers house. He stayed there till he was eleven then began his pokemon journey with a Growlithe, which I assume is the Arcanine that now lays sleeping out there.” Jenny said as she grabbed a chair and took a seat. “The poor lad. No wonder that Arcanine was so concerned. Having been with him for so long I can’t blame the pokemon for being as worried as he has been.” Joy commented. “I guess all we can do now is hope and wait.”
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Four days passed by without any word from nurse Joy. The three pokemon were well looked after by officer Jenny. Daniels other pokemon were also taken care of and been told about what had happened by the others. All six of them were now worried and hoped that their trainer would recover soon. On the evening of the fourth night nurse Joy came out into the foyer. She looked exhausted and made herself a warm drink before heading over to Buizel, Luxray and Arcanine. “Your trainer is on the mend. He is still sleeping but I predict that he will make a full recovery.” She explained. All three of them cheered and pounced her. Nuzzling and giving her licks of thanks and gratitude. “Easy now... let me take you to go and see him.” She said as she got up and began to lead them down a corridor. All three of their tails were wagging, glad that the worst was over and when nurse Joy opened the door they all piled in and found Daniel laying peacefully on the bed, a content expression on his face.
Buizel hopped up onto the bed and took his place laying down next to the boy, closing his eyes and snuggling up close to Daniel’s side. Luxray walked over to one of the corners of the room where she could see everything and laid down. Arcanine on the other hand just sat down next to the head of the bed. His eyes focused on his boy. The dog whimpered softly, hating to see his boy so helpless. But he stayed there. Not moving, not looking away. His whole world was laying there. As he sat there Arcanine thought back to when he had saved his boy for the very first time.
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The moment that I crashed through the window, both my boy and his father turned to face me. I lowered my head and growled deeply at the larger male. “What the fuck is this?” He yelled out as he just stared at me. Not knowing what to say or do with me. Taking my opportunity I leapt forward and bit the man's ankle. My teeth sinking into him and making him yell out and fall onto the floor. I tugged and pulled at his ankle, growling harshly as the man began to hit my head. This just made me bite down harder. The boy was still sitting there, shocked as he just watched me attack his father. “G...growlithe?” He asked in disbelief. I nodded my head and let go of his fathers ankle. Taking up a spot between him and the boy. My head lowered and teeth bared. My boy’s father leaned up and held his ankle to stop the bleeding. “Looks like you got someone to fight your battles for you. You are such a pussy.” He yelled out as he tried to get up. But i wasn’t gonna let him near my boy. I lept forward and tackled him in the chest, winding him. He fell back down onto the floor and began wheezing.
My boys father began to get up and come towards us but I let out a breath of fire that made him back away. Though only for a couple of seconds. He came charging at me and he kicked me in the stomach. A loud whine escaped my lips as I fell to the floor. Seeing me get hurt made my boy cry out and in a spur of adrenalin and pent up rage he charged at his father. Slamming into his chest as he began to punch at hit at his chest. When I caught my breath I joined him. I bit his other ankle and held onto it tight, the man lost his balance again and fell onto his back. My boy landing on top of him as he punched at his face. His face red with anger and hatred that it almost scared me. But I kept my grip. Growling harshly until at last he laid still. My boy was breathing hard, he climbed off his father and took a few steps away. “You won’t hurt me any more!” He yelled at his father. His fists clenched and his teeth gritted. I stood in front of him, growling harshly at the male as he began to lean up. Just looking at the two of with shock.
My boy looked at me and knelt down, gently beginning to stroke my back. “Shhhh... .it’s ok.... i’m ok now boy” he said as he tried to calm me down. I just looked back at him and whimpered softly to him before barking loudly and repeatedly at the larger male who was beginning to back away. “Get out... get the fuck out of my house!” He cried as he crawled his way towards a room at the back. Slamming the door behind him and locking it tight. I kept on barking for a few more minutes before I turned to my boy. I padded over to him and gently began to lick his cheek slowly and affectionately. “Th....th... thank you” he said as he wrapped his arms around me and began to cry into my fur. We stayed like that for what seemed like ages. The boy softly crying and rubbing the back of my head as I licked his cheek and tried my best to cheer him up. “C...come on... we are leaving.” The boy said after a while, getting up he ran to his room with me at his ankles. He began to run around his room. Grabbing any clothes he could and a few personal items before cramming them into his bag. “Lets go boy” He called and I barked happily as we ran out of the front door together.
After that the adrenaline began to leave and we didn’t know what else to do. Night was falling and it was getting cold. My boy shivering and our bellies growling. “I.... I dunno what to do now.” He said eventually as he sat down on the grass and i instantly leapt into his lap. I nuzzled his chest, trying to tell him that it would be ok. “Will... will you stay with me... is that why you came back... to protect me?” He asked a little hopeful. I nodded my head and barked softly as I nuzzled and licked his neck playfully. My boy began to laugh and it was music to my ears. It was then that i knew that i wanted to do anything and everything to hear that laugh of his again and again. I wasn’t going to leave him. “Lets get moving Growlithe. I’ll take you to the pokemon center to get looked at. It’s the least I can do for my hero.” He said softly as he stood up. Hearing the boy call me his hero made my tail wag and I walked proudly by his side.
When we arrived nurse Joy was very surprised to see us. She looked at my boy and saw his wounds and then looked at me, seeing my fur mangey and unkempt. “What the hell happened to you two?” She asked as she came around from her desk and looked at us both in turn. “Well... you see...” that was when my boy bore his soul unto her. He told her about how for the past year his father beat and abused him. He told her how he had met me in the forest and how i had come to his rescue. Tears began to roll down his cheeks again and nurse Joy simply wrapped her arms around him and let him cry. “Come on... you can stay here with me. I’ll take care of you.” She said, and she kept her word. For the next three years we loved with nurse Joy at the pokemon center. She taught him how to look after pokemon as well as me specifically. She became like a surrogate mother which was what he needed. But as the days passed and people kept on treating him like a kid his stubborn and steely attitude slowly began to grow. He turned from a playful boy to a kid that tried to act older than he was.
I grew with him, never leaving his side for a second. As I watched him grow i watched him change and at times it broke my heart. Seeing that spark of life slowly begin to dull in him. The world becoming a cold and unfeeling place where he felt he needed t prove his strength and not let his past define who he was. When it came to my boys eleventh birthday we said our goodbyes to Nurse Joy, my boy making promises that he would visit when he could, not to mention to keep in contact. She gave him a pokeball for me and a new set of clothes and bag. He thanked her for all she had done and then we left. Making our way to Sandgem town where we met Professor Rowan. After that the rest is history. We traveled, we fought, we won, we lost. We cried, we laughed and we stayed close to each other. Even after I became an Arcanine i still stayed out of my pokeball when I could and of course when he would let me. Whenever he caught i new pokemon I would tell them of the journey that we had made together, they would always be shocked at first but over time they came to love him for who he was. For the first time in my boys life he had a family of his own. A family that would always be there for him and would always love him no matter what.
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So as i sat there watching my boy sleep, all the emotions i had for him overflowed and accumulated into one single thought. I loved him. I loved him with all my heart and soul and would stand by him until the day I died. I didn’t care that he was a human and i was a pokemon. I loved him and i only hoped that he loved me in return. My boy stirred in his sleep and i leaned in close, gently licking the side of his face. A small smile began to creep onto his face and my heart soared with joy. “A...Arc... Arcanine” He mumbled out softly as his eyes opened and looked dead at me. I smiled as best that I could and let out a soft hurr of content. Showing him that I was so glad to see him. He reached out and began to scratch behind my ear which made my tail sway and flick in that special way only he could make it do. “I.... I am so sorry... I... I....” I could feel that he was going to cry so I leaned in and began to lick his cheek repeatedly. He smiled warmly and just looked at me. “I love you boy” he said to me and my heart soared again. I leaned in further and licked his lips before nuzzling his neck. My boy laid there for a couple of seconds before he wrapped his arms around my neck and held me close to him.
We stayed like that for ages, neither of us moving and just enjoying each others company, I was just glad to have my boy back.
