Hospital Release

Thanks to modern medical marvels, it's only a few short days before I'm released again. Thankfully, Serena and the others decided to stay while I recovered. Though…I don't know how I feel about Clemont right now.

He's the one who built the machine with radioactive materials, but he was tricked into doing so by Team Rocket. He also made it in full knowledge that his inventions have the tendency to explode.

Honestly, if I see either group, I'm probably going to throttle them… It would be hard with only one hand though.

As Serena walks with me through the hospital doors with most of my belongings in tow, I can't help but look at where my hand used to be. It still feels surreal. Like I can still feel my hand clenching, but there's just no muscle there to move. No nerves either since those got singed.

It's hard to try and ignore it. Maybe it shouldn't be ignored. If I have the expertise to build giant Octillery Arms, I can build a hand… Though, there's more finesse in a hand, and more tactile needs. I'd need to figure out touch and implement another A.I. It'll take time, too, because I only have a hand to work with.

The walk to the Pokémon Center is morbidly short. It's right down the street actually. I guess if you're injured, your pokémon might be as well. We put a lot more medical advancements into healing pokémon than we did ourselves, but maybe it's because they're more resilient in the first place.

"Here you go! There were no problems with any except for a few burns on your Combee." She hands over a tray with my eight pokéballs on it. I guess no questions on why I have more than the allotted six. I should check doctor-patient confidentiality with regards to pokémon. Then, Wigglytuff sets the fairly large egg on the counter.

I thought I left this thing in the inn? I look to Serena for answers. She coughs, saying, "After your…incident, Officer Jenny helped us convince the innkeeper to let us grab your stuff from your room. We also took the liberty to bring the egg here."

Nurse Joy nods in agreement. "It was the best course of action at the time. We decided to do a checkup on the egg and found that it was in full health. Though, whichever pokémon may be hiding inside must be quite large."

I take the hefty egg onto my half of the counter, idly rubbing the top. "Yeah," I murmur. I might have lost some stuff that was important to me, but this little fella still has a whole life to live don't they.

Resting my head on it, I made a promise. A promise to never let this pokémon come to harm so foul that it inhibits them from living the way they want to for the rest of their life.

I think the egg just shook a little bit. Recollection proves it wasn't my imagination. Was it responding to my thoughts? If this pokémon was Psychic, then that limits what it could be.

Amorphous and Psychic pokémon include Wobbuffet, Chimecho, Solosis and that line, and Ralts and that line. Any would be welcome against a Fighting-type Gym Leader. Given the size of the egg, I would lean towards Wobbuffet.

Thanking Nurse Joy, I quickly took my pokéballs, lifting the egg with an Octillery Arm. Serena and I leave towards a nearby park because she thinks I should just take it easy and try to relax and not focus on my hand being missing. It's…yeah.

We find a nice wooden park bench, desperately in need of a paint job, and sit down. It's…surprisingly lively around here in this medium-sized town. I see a Sudowoodo playing hide and seek with a kid, a Spheal spinning happily in the pond, and a Joltik and Shinx playing tag.

Some Vivillon are pollinating the flowers, along with more Combee.

A Blastoise is watering the fields…and getting into a water fight with some children.

A helicopter is landing is a grassy plain. Wait, what?

Serena and I both stand, myself wincing slightly, at the sight of the red and black helicopter landing. Of course, everyone stopped what they were doing as the vehicle approached.

I recognize that symbol on it. Where have I seen it before? A blocky…M…

Then about a person disembarks from the helicopter wearing a hazmat suit. I can see about 19 others inside that look the same. They look around the park as the helicopter takes off again until they see me.

They walk straight towards me, taking off her helmet once she finally approaches. Right, M for Magma. "Hi, Courtney," I greet, then get right to the point. "What are you doing here?"

She gestures to the helicopter. "Part of our deal with the League was to help with environmental efforts. We had a trove of equipment, so we're deployed in special circumstances. Our leader, Maxie, though can't use most of it. In fact, he's taken to farming since he got fed up with submitting a request to the League every time he wanted groceries."

I narrow my eyes. "I get that part, but why are you here, exactly?" I look around, then point to the distant helicopter. "Shouldn't you be helping with them?"

She looks to the side… Is she blushing? "When we heard there was a victim of radiation, my interest was piqued. When I heard it was you, I volunteered immediately. Our short talk in Lumiose really showed me that you're not like other people. You have a bright mind but are understanding of other's circumstances. You didn't judge me for my actions."

She paused, grabbing her courage. "I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

I feel heat burning in my cheeks, and I look over to Serena who is somewhere between shocked and mischievous. "Looks like I might have competition," she whispers to me.

"It doesn't have to be one," I reply, not really thinking.

I turn back to Courtney, who is back in her neutral state of expression. She's looking between Serena and me with unveiled interest. "Ah, right," I say. "Courtney, this is Serena. She's my friend. Serena, this is Courtney. She's also my friend."

"Pleasure to meet you," Courtney greets.

"Same to you," Serena replies.

Okay. First two realistic crushes—because Cynthia doesn't count—that are currently here because of my weakened state. What could possibly go wrong?

…Everything.