PTV: Early Chapter 125 (Patreon)

I stared at the Ninetales, as she tried to get her baby to eat some of the Oran, and the only thing I could think was that it was really fucking cold.

No wait, I shook that off. Focus. 

“Papa?”“Yeah I see it too.” He said, and then he moved, kneeling down, catching the eye of the Ninetales for a moment, but it didn’t stop urging its baby to eat.

“Your baby needs help.” He said, and those blue eyes flicked to Papa for a second, looking heated. “We can help it.”“Nine.” It seemed to whisper, definitely a denial before going back to urging its baby to eat.

The Vulpix was struggling, and soon even Ninetales could see that…

“Okay, you see it.” I said, scooting forward until I was nearly touching the Ninetales, she bared her fangs at me, but I wasn’t intimidated. “Your baby needs help. We can help her I promise. I held out my hand, not quite invading her space, but obviously closer than she wanted.

“Tales.” She growled, but I shook my head, my eyes never leaving the bright blues of the Ninetales.

And then, the whimper of her Vulpix struggling to eat had her shift focus.

“Ninetales.” She whispered, and I nodded, reaching into my bag and pulling out a pokeball. “Tales!”“It’s the safest way to help her. Listen, I promise I’ll bring her back here. Right here. She won’t be gone. Maybe a day depending on how long it takes for her to recover.” I talked, but I wasn’t sure how much Ninetales really understood. Pokemon had a way of understanding words, without really grasping everything. And then finally Ninetales leaned down and nudged her baby, but… It was weak.

Finally, I reached to capture her but stopped.

Right, the pokeball would teleport… That’s actually good! I just needed… I reached into my bag as Ninetales looked on confused as I suddenly stopped, and found it.

One of Blissey's markers, I’d got the marker board for her during training so she could fill out information easily, since her flippers didn’t work well with small pens and things.

And then right on the Pokeball I started writing.

“Emergency, take to Pokemon Center.” I finished capped the marker and tossed it back in my bag to disappear into the mess of things I didn’t properly organize, and then held out the pokeball.

Ninetales nodded, and I pushed it the rest of the way, letting it capture the Vulpix, and I winced as there wasn’t even a fight. It instantly locked.

Then I stared and not even a few moments later it teleported away.

Instantly Ninetales' ears perked up in concern, but I made a soothing motion. 

“It’s okay. She’s going directly for help. It’s okay.”“Alright Trouble, We’ll need to get to the Pokemon Center too, even if someone else moves her.”“Right. It’ll be okay.” I told Ninetales once again. “I’ll come back here. I promise.”She locked her frankly beautiful eyes on me, and then rose up. She was a big fox, and I was kneeling down in the snow, so she towered over me, but…

She turned and gathered up her other kits. 

I exhaled. “I was worried she’d refuse.”“It could have, it might have, but you got through. Good job. Come on, we should go before that thing defrosts.” Papa pointed at Tryanitar, and I’ll be honest, the thought struck me. Should I catch it? It was obviously wild, and causing trouble but… Pokemon were like that. They caused trouble for other pokemon, and this Tyranitar had the right to live here too.

“Yeah.” I decided standing up and turning away. “Think the Stoutland can get us into town?” I asked, and smiled as both dogs perked up and barked happily at the idea.

“Sounds like it.

—---

The Nearest Pokemon Center was in Malie City, which took a long way back around the island, but the Stoutland were eager to run, and the cold air from the mountain seemed to have rejuvenated them. 

Honestly I was just super relieved to get out of the snow and back to a more tropical temperature. 

Racing down the road, we found the Pokemon Center, and I nearly rushed inside.

“Nurse Joy!” I called out looking around and not seeing her at the counter, I rushed up but there wasn’t even a Chansey at the counter.

“Ah there you are.” The voice came from behind me, from the visitor area, and I turned and breathed out in relief.

“Kahuna.”“Victoria Ferrous.”“You got the Pokeball?”“The one with your message? I did. Nurse Joy is checking on the Vulpix now. Join me.” Nanu asked, waving at the couch across from him.

I took a moment to breathe. As Papa came in, and took everything in.

“Good news?”“Nothing yet.” Nanu offered, the man was practically sprawled across the couch, relaxed and looking indifferent, but his eyes were quick.

“Thank you. I was really worried about Vulpix.”“It wasn’t doing well. I’d like to hear the story.”“Of course.” I agreed as I took my seat. The Kahuna just waited, his uniform, half open and he continued to look lazy.

I could see Papa not really liking the look, but I just started talking from the start.

“We traveled to Mt. Lanakila to see if I could find an Ice Rock.” I began and went through the whole experience. When I mentioned the Avalanche, his eyebrow perked up. By the end he still hadn’t said anything.

“That’s what happened?” He asked calmly, but there was a note of suspicion in his voice.“Yes.” I confirmed, as I realized he was testing if I was lying?

“Hmm. Then you plan on taking the Vulpix back to its mother?”“Yes, of course! Ninetales was super worried!”“Hmm… Alright.” He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a Pokeball. Vulpix’s Pokeball, the marker still stark across the ball. “I’m giving you special dispensation to hold this seventh Pokeball. To handle this matter.”“That’s it?” Papa suddenly asked, as Nanu was rising up. “I’d expect more suspicion.”“Eh. Hala put in a good word for the kid. She carries a Z ring. If she’s the sort to lie to try and capture rare pokemon like this, or not taking responsibility for injuring a pokemon this bad, then she never would have gained that Z Ring to start with.” He sighed and rose up, stretching his back a bit as he moved. “I’ll trust you to take care of this problem.”“Absolutely.” 

“Then good job.” He said and waved behind his head as he walked out.

“That guy is the Kahuna, and a Cop?”“Yeah. Dark Type Trainer.” I said.

“Ah, that makes more sense then.”“I guess we just wait then… Not quite the adventure we were planning on huh?”“Eh, adventures tend to be like that, you go in expecting one thing and end up another. I ever tell you the full story of my trip through Mt. Moon?”“No?”“Well, picture this. Ten year old me, Growly, and a Bellsprout that I ended up catching. It really helped at the Pewter Gym.”“You never told me you had a Bellsprout.”“Oh, that’s because he hated me. It’s part of the story. So the three of us stop outside the main cave-”

—--

“Excuse me?”“Nurse Joy!” I shouted rising to my feet, Papa had been sharing lots of bits about his journey that he never had told me about before. He’d always been a bit quiet about it until now. 

It sounded like a lot of fun actually…

Turns out Papa was an absolute bad luck magnet. Every place he went something bad happened to him.

I think Papa was a protagonist. It was the only thing that made sense.

“Have you seen Kahuna Nanu?” She asked, looking around, and I brought out the Pokeball.

“If it’s about the Vulpix, I’m the one that captured her, Nanu said I can handle the rest.”“Oh! The injuries… How did they happen?” Nurse Joy asked, a bit firmly, and slumped. 

“It was a Tyranitar, it chased us around and when we entered a cave on the side of the Mt. Lanakila, it caused an avalanche. We dug out a bunch of pokemon, but Vulpix was the last, and she was in the snow for a while.”“I see. That does explain what I was seeing.” She said hands on her hips with a nod of her head. Then suddenly she moved in and swept me into a hug. “Good job.” She whispered and I blinked in surprise. 

“Oh, it was… Nothing.”“It wasn’t. If she had been suffocated much longer, she might have… It might have been too much.”“I had to use CPR… She wasn’t breathing when I pulled her out. It really scared me.”“You… Oh you sweet child! How did you even know how to do CPR on a Vulpix?”“Oh, Blissey taught me. She made sure I knew all-”“Eeee! Oh I heard about that! A Blissey!” Nurse Joy once more grabbed me and I was practically spun around. “You’re Victoria then!”

“Oh, yeah I am.”“I see, you definitely saved that pokemon's life. I’m very proud of you.” She said, and I couldn’t help but smile back brightly at her words.

That was really nice!

“Heh.” Papa chuckled a bit behind me, which reminded me.

“So Vulpix will be okay? She was really weak, her mother Ninetales was pretty upset.”“Yes. Vulpix is resting right now, and she’ll need to stay overnight. But we managed to restore her oxygen levels, and with some rest, she should make a full recovery.”

“That’s…. A big relief.” I sighed and walked over to the couch and flopped. I felt wrung out.

Papa just smiled at me, before looking at Nurse Joy. “Can you call our Hotel if there are any updates, or issues?”“I will.” Nurse Joy agreed, and I instinctively wanted to argue. I should stay here! What if… I let it go. 

There was nothing I could do, and I have my friends that needed to be taken care of, that would need food, and a good rest would be a relief honestly.

“Come on Trouble, let’s get back.”“Yeah… I’ll be back in the morning Nurse Joy.”“I’ll be waiting for you.” She offered back with a smile. 

—--“And that’s what happened.” I explained once again to Mama, as we all ate dinner around a restaurant table.

“And the little Vulpix will be okay?”“Yeah. Nurse Joy said she’ll just need to rest.”“Well that’s good then.” Mama said, and then she sent me a look. “So am I getting a cute Fox to play with sometimes?”“Mama!” I gasped, and Papa chuckled as well. I glared at both of them. “I’m not keeping Vulpix! It’s a baby, an injured baby that needs a mother taking care of it!”“Or a trainer.”“Mama!”“I’m just saying.” She denied any wrongdoing with a sip of her drink. “Vulpix are cute, and you’re always saying you like cute pokemon.”“Of course I do!”“Then when you bring it back, think about whether you want to capture it.”“I don’t.” I grumbled, and Mama just sent me a look.

Okay I did obviously, cause cute! But it was just a baby!

My response once more earned me a roll of Mama’s eyes and she reached out and poked me right in the forehead. 

“Nyeh!?”“My stubborn daughter… Just because it’s not your plan doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. Make friends with that Vulpix, and see what happens. Don’t just count it off from the start.”“Yeah. You might enjoy having a new friend.” Papa added and I scoffed. “I have a whole team I’m training up!”“Then train up one more. It’s not like you’ll have issues with an extra back home.” I sent him a confused look. Well yeah, but we weren't at home. “You do… You do know we’re going home soon right?” 

What… Day was it?

My clueless look had both of my parents laughing. 

“The flight home is in a few days Trouble”“Oh.” Then I just shrugged. I could always just come back.

“And you won’t be coming back with your Dragonite, cause that’s dangerous!” Mama denied me instantly, but I very pointedly didn’t agree. 

Dragonite was more than safe enough to make a flight to Alola!

But… Home huh? Alola had been… Fun. Not like a Journey adventure, but even better in a lot of ways. The warm beaches, and most importantly, a bed to come back to every night, and just… It gave my babies time to grow. To discover more about them. 

“I’ll be ready.”“Hmm. Well plane tickets aren’t too bad, maybe next year we’ll come out for a second vacation!” Mama said with a big grin and Papa just looked at her flatly.

I just chuckled at the response Papa gave.

Shaking it off I continued eating. If I didn’t finish soon my team were going to start getting squirrely, so it was best to hurry up.

Tomorrow… Tomorrow would be another day.

—--

“And that is the transfer complete!”“Thank you.” I grabbed the pokeball and clipped it on my belt, right next to the others.

It hadn’t been an easy choice to transfer someone out, but…

I was not going to deal with Mt. Lanakila again without something to lay down the law.

It was just kinda sad, that I had to send someone home, but at least Dratini would see his parents.

With that done, I headed off, but to my surprise, as I made it to the pokeride center, Papa was there.

“Papa?”“The adventure isn’t over, you know. Planning on leaving without me?”“I… Nope! Come on, we'll take some faster pokemon over to Ula’Ula. I’m thinking Sharpedo.”“Now that sounds good. You ready Rockruff?” He asked, looking at his Pup who barked in response…

Rockruff did not in fact like high speed water pokemon.

—--

“Two Stoutland?”“Not this time.” I said at Papa’s question, as I pulled out a Pokeball. “Come on out!” I called, and a moment later there was a big floomph right in my face.

“Arc arc arc!” She barked happily, licking at me, and nearly leaping onto me with how excited she was.

“Oh you brought Arcanine this time.” Papa said, and at Papa’s voice Arcanine shifted and leapt right at Papa. Knocking  him entirely off his feet and wiggling and licking at his face.

Seeing Papa flat on his butt, with Arcanine’s legs wiggling in the air as she wiggled against him had me giggling as Papa grunted and tried to fight off Arcanine's affection to give her an order.

“Arc-I said-Pftt! Ugh gross! Arcan-Eugh!” I just kept laughing as he was completely unable to give her an order.

“Arcanine! Sit. Down!” I demanded and she stilled in Papa’s arms, giving me a pleading look.

“Uh-uh. Don’t look at me like that. Papa’s gonna give you a big order if you don’t stop.” I told her, but even as she pouted and whimpered a little, her tail still blazing, I walked over and hugged her tight. “Missed you.”“Arc!”“Heh. Honestly, I did too. Too bad Arcany couldn’t come over.”“Sorry Papa.” I said, because honestly that was just the truth of it. I might be allowed with the whole Alolan Citizen thing, but Papa was still just a tourist, and Arcanine was still an Arcanine.

The only reason I was allowed to transfer my team was because I was an active trainer. Papa would probably just get a blanket denial if he tried.

“It’s fine. He’s at home probably spending all his time being lazy.”“Yeah that sounds like Arcany.” I said, still hugging Arcanine, face buried in her fur. I stayed that way for a bit. Arcanine was my dog, and even though I’d seen her just recently I missed her anyway.

“Alright Trouble, let’s go check the Pokemon Center. I’ll get a Stoutland.”“You can ride Arcanine with me! It’ll be faster!” I offered and Papa looked at Arcanine who just wagged her tail harder.

“Sorry girl. Rockruff here would be a bit too much. I’ll be able to catch up… It’ll give you an excuse to get some running around time ahead of me.” Papa said with a wink, and I grinned as Arcanine perked up.

“Alright, alright, before someone gets too excited. Let’s get to the Pokemon Center. Arcanine Return.”With that we walked over to the Pokemon Center, and the closer we got the more urgency I felt until I was running ahead, and bursting into the Center.

“Nurse Joy!” I called out, and flinched a bit as there were actually a few trainers inside. “Ah, sorry.” I whispered, a bit embarrassed at all the looks I was getting.

“I’ll be right with you Victoria.” Nurse Joy offered and I nodded, getting in line. 

The trainers ahead of me were all Alolan, but not anyone I recognized. Soon there pokeballs were returned, and I was at the front of the line.

“Here for the Vulpix?”“I am! Is she okay? Did she sleep okay?”“She rested quite well, but she’s very nervous being indoors. Chansey has been spending time with her to help. Why don’t you come back, and we’ll see if she’s ready to go home?”“Yes please!”

I followed Nurse Joy into the back of the Pokemon Center, and there in a medical room was Vulpix, and Chansey.

“Chanse Chansey.” I watched as Chansey sort of danced around with a spoon in her flipper and… Vulpix just twisted her head away from the spoon as Chansey brought it in.

“I don’t think that Pidgey is coming in to Roost.” I said, and then wanted to smack myself because I felt like I just got possessed by Kukui, and Principal Oak all at once.

“Pfft.” Nurse Joy gave off an almost silent giggle and Chansey slumped looking at me with big teary eyes.

“Sorry.” I said, but then I looked at Vulpix. She was looking at me, and when our eyes met she flinched and looked around.

She was on a sort of incubator bed that was currently open, probably to keep her internal temperature comfortable as she rested, but she stood up on slightly wobbly legs and ended up turning in circles as she tried to find someplace to hide.

In the end it was just her tails she tucked herself into, hiding her face in her own fur.

“She’s very shy.” I realized, and Nurse Joy made a quiet nod. “Right. Right. Hey Vulpix. Do you remember me?” I greeted gently as I moved closer, which the little white fluff ball didn’t even react too, too busy hiding.

Okay, calm Vicky.

I found a seat and sat down right in front of the Incubator and settled in. Looking over I saw on Chansey's spoon was a bit of mash berry. The jar was right next to the incubator and I quickly understood the assignment. 

“Your Mama asked me to help you, you know?” I whispered calmly, and Vulpix flinched a bit, its tail spreading lightly. “You were hurt real bad, and she was worried.”“Vul.” She gave a little foxy growl at me, and I blinked…

Had I done something wrong? But she did shift. A blue eye peeking through her fur locking onto me.

“Sorry, I don’t know what I did wrong… Are you hungry? If you eat this, I can take you home. Do you want to go home? See your siblings again? Your Mama.”“Vul.” It made the same noise… A denial? But her ears were perking up and she slowly uncurled. “Vulpix.” She called but when I moved my hand a bit she flinched back.

“Okay, Okay. Not gonna touch you. Chansey the spoon?” I asked, and was quickly handed the spoon of food. “Okay I’ll put this right here. Can you eat it?” I asked, laying the spoon down, but still holding the end.

Vulpix snuck a little forward, and I breathed quietly in relief, as she started licking at the mushed berries, and was soon clearing the spoon.

“Still Hungry?” I asked, and scooped up some more.

“Vulpix.” She denied, but that was a lie, I could tell. The moment the spoon was down, she snuck up to it, eyes never quite leaving me and licking it up.

“Tastes good huh? That’s good. You being able to eat is really good.” I said, every inch of me wanting to just scoop the baby up and hug it nice and tight. She’d been so weak.

“Pi! Pix!” She scoffed and even wacked at the spoon once it was clean as if she wasn’t enjoying it, but her little tongue proved her a liar as she licked her lips.

“Well I think even if it’s awful, you can probably take another spoonful right?” I prompted, and she pretended to ignore me as I placed the spoon, but only for a few moments.

What a little liar! Cute though.