"Gengar?"
So, were we going shopping now? For food!
"Now? Not yet. We're going to stay in Sandgem Town for a while. Did you forget we're visiting Professor Rowan tomorrow? I also want to stay and learn a few things from him. Let's buy food right before we leave." Chen Yan paused, then continued:
"We need to decide on our next destination over the next few days so we can buy the right supplies."
Gengar nodded.
"Gen-"
You don't need to tell me. I'll go along with whatever you say.
"No, that won't do. We're traveling together, so I have to discuss where we're going with you both. We'll only set off once you agree."
"Gen."
All right, then. Whatever you say.
"You, honestly..."
Amused, Chen Yan tugged at Gengar's chubby cheeks. "How are you so cute?"
"Weedle-"
I'll go along with whatever you say, too.
"You're adorable too, Weedle."
"Gen-" "Weedle-"
Hehe.
"The sun's really strong. Let's find somewhere to sit for a while and have something to drink. Then we can explore Sandgem Town once it's less sunny."
"Gen-" "Weedle-"
Okay.
With Gengar and Weedle's agreement, Chen Yan found a nicely decorated café and went inside.
The café had a courtyard. Chen Yan headed there, found a relatively quiet spot, and sat down.
"One cup of your signature coffee. Hmm... Gengar, would you like some juice?"
"Gen-"
Sure.
"What about you, Weedle?"
Weedle shook its head.
"All right, add a glass of chilled Berry Juice, please. Thank you."
"Just a moment, please."
The coffee and juice soon arrived. Gengar took out its little bowl, poured some juice into it, and set it in front of Weedle so Weedle could try some too.
"Gengar, play with Weedle for a while. I'll edit the video and upload it first."
Gengar nodded, downed the chilled Berry Juice in one gulp, then floated out of the courtyard with Weedle and started "flirting with the flowers" nearby.
Chen Yan glanced over, then lowered his head. He took out his tablet, connected it to his camera, and imported the footage of himself playing beanbag toss with wild Pokémon in the forest to edit on the tablet.
He didn't cut out the part where Suicune appeared, instead leaving it at the end of the video as a bonus.
After posting the video, Chen Yan began selecting suitable photos, sorting them into different folders to make them easier to store and find.
He also picked out some photos to have printed and made into an album somewhere tomorrow, planning to mail it home to Grandmother. He sent her some videos as well.
On the road not far from the café, a figure staggered out of an alley. Its yellow-and-blue eyes narrowed against the glaring sunlight, and the pain in its paw made it collapse beside a trash can.
Smelling the stench from the trash can, the Pokémon struggled to get up and move away, but its severe injuries made every attempt end in failure.
The bloody froth spilling from the corner of its mouth made it feel as though its entire body was burning.
Passersby saw it lying gravely injured beside the trash can and approached, hoping to take it to the Pokémon Center.
Every person who came near was driven away by its low growls.
It stood up, bared its sharp claws, and growled again and again at the crowd surrounding it.
Once the crowd dispersed, it staggered away from the trash can, limping with every step.
Something heavy struck its head. The pain shattered the last of its strength, and it lay on the scorching pavement, smelling the garbage beneath its nose as images flashed before its eyes.
If you didn't like me, why did you take me away from my mother...?
The mocking cries of Meowth came from behind it as they hurled heaps of garbage onto its body.
It loved cleanliness more than anything, yet now it could do nothing. Garbage covered its body, filling the air with a foul stench.
The Meowth's footsteps drew closer and closer. It had driven away the humans who could have helped it with its own paws.
Its consciousness began to fade, and behind it came the sounds of the Meowth fleeing in panic.
It opened its eyes and saw a thin bamboo staff planted on the ground before it. A purple Pokémon was looking at it with its head tilted, and a Weedle hung from the top of the staff.
"Meow..."
It gave a low growl, warning them not to approach.
After a while, the thin bamboo staff was pulled away, and the two Pokémon disappeared from its sight.
It slowly began closing its eyes.
Chen Yan had just finished organizing the folders on his tablet when he felt a tug at his clothes. Turning his head, he saw Gengar and Weedle.
"What's wrong?"
Gengar pointed toward the road.
Chen Yan turned and spotted a Pokémon lying there.
"Is that a Pokémon?"
Gengar nodded.
"Gen-"
Weedle and I wanted to help, but it chased us away.
"Come on. Let's take a look."
Chen Yan stood up and hurried over with Gengar and Weedle.
Chen Yan looked at the Pokémon lying on the ground, barely clinging to life. She had a gray body, white ear tips, white paws and a white muzzle, along with a springlike tail ending in a burst of white fur.
Her left forepaw was covered in blood and severely twisted.
"A Glameow? How did she get hurt this badly?"
"Gen-"
Dunno. When Weedle and I were playing Meteor Bug, we saw some Meowth bullying her, so I brought Weedle over and chased them away.
Meteor Bug? Meteor Hammer?
"You're making up names again!"
Chen Yan felt a little helpless. He was probably the only person who could understand what Gengar meant.
"But you and Weedle did a great job. A true hero steps in to help those in need. Now let's help her."
With that, Chen Yan stepped forward.
"Meow!"
Glameow's fur instantly bristled. Fighting through the pain in her paw, she stood up and glared fiercely at Chen Yan.
Startled, Chen Yan frowned as he watched Glameow sway on her feet, enduring the pain while continuing to growl at him.
She's so wary...
Does she hate humans?
Gengar stood in front of Chen Yan, gathering Dark Pulse in its hands and staring fixedly at Glameow, afraid she might hurt him.
"It's okay, Gengar. She isn't trying to hurt me. She might just hate humans."
Chen Yan reassured Gengar, then took two steps back and looked at Glameow. "Lie down first. Your paw's in bad shape. If you keep standing like that, you could do lasting damage."
Chen Yan raised both hands to show he meant no harm.
Glameow stared fixedly at Chen Yan without moving. Even as the piercing pain in her paw made her consciousness slip away, she suddenly stamped her injured paw against the ground just before she could black out, using the pain to drag herself back to awareness.
Seeing this, Chen Yan's frown deepened.
Is she afraid of Gengar, or me? Or is she afraid of humans?
Chen Yan opened Glameow's Pokédex entry.
[Glameow] [Sex: female] [...] [Mood: brokenhearted] [Status: hates humans, dying] [Description: the injury to her paw has persisted for a long time and has already caused serious lasting damage. She has pneumonia and a high fever, and her physical condition is extremely poor. Without prompt treatment, she will die.]
"Oh my god... It's that bad..."
Looking at Glameow as she continued forcing herself to stay upright, Chen Yan decided to stop hesitating.
"Gengar, help me restrain her. Use Hypnosis!"
"Gen!"
Gengar's eyes glowed purple. The moment Glameow met its gaze, she felt her consciousness rapidly slipping out of her body. Her body went limp, and she lost consciousness completely.
"Weedle."
Weedle spat out String Shot to catch Glameow, forming a cushion so she wouldn't hit the concrete road.
"Great job, Weedle."
Chen Yan praised the thoughtful Weedle, then stepped forward and picked Glameow up.
Feeling how light she was in his arms, nothing but skin and bones, Chen Yan's heart tightened. Ignoring the stench on her body, he held her close and ran toward the Pokémon Center.
Summer rain came without warning, catching everyone off guard.
Chen Yan pushed open the Pokémon Center's door and looked around for Nurse Joy.
Seeing Chen Yan run in soaking wet with Glameow in his arms, Nurse Joy hurried over with Chansey, pushing a gurney.
"Please put her here."
Chen Yan laid Glameow on it, and Nurse Joy and Chansey quickly wheeled her into the operating room.
Chen Yan gazed at the operating room door. Since he was soaked through, he returned to stand by the entrance, with Gengar floating beside him and Weedle resting near his feet.
The human and his two Pokémon kept their attention fixed on the operating room.
After a long wait, the operating room door opened, and Chansey wheeled Glameow out.
Noticing Chen Yan and the others standing by the entrance, Nurse Joy came over. "You brought her in just in time. She's out of danger now, but..."
Nurse Joy looked at Chen Yan, hesitating.
"It's okay, Nurse Joy. Go ahead. I'm not her trainer. I should be able to take it."
"You're not her trainer?"
Nurse Joy frowned, looking at Chen Yan with displeasure.
Her expression told Chen Yan she'd misunderstood, so he explained, "Gengar, Weedle, and I found her by the road. She was badly injured, so we brought her here. Don't worry. I'll make sure she's cared for until she's discharged before I leave."
Seeing that Chen Yan didn't seem to be lying, Nurse Joy's expression softened considerably. "If that's the case, then thank you so much."
"What I wanted to say was... Her life is no longer in danger, but her paw..."
"She'll be able to walk, but she'll have a limp, much like a human would. It seems she won't be able to run fast anymore."
"I see... Can I go see her?"
"Of course. This way. I'll take you to dry your hair first."
"Sorry for the trouble."
Before you continue