Chapter 147: Calm Before the Storm

Darkness.

He slowly opened his eyes, taking in the alien environment all around him.

Bubbles rising.

He opened his mouth, as his heart wrenched, deprived of oxygen as bubbles frothed his lips.

He closed it, closing his eyes as well.

Wasn't this… better? There was so much noise outside… so much hurt, so much pain, anger, rage, fire, destruction, loss…

Darkness.

He opened his eyes again.

I'll become the world's greatest Pokémon master, Mom. You'll see.

Pikachu, Fearow, Pidgeot, Raticate, Butterfree, Clefairy, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Krabby. Even the newly joined Nincada, though he hadn't even had a single word exchanged with it.

A small, spherical object floated up front, sinking into the depths of the indifferent sea,

A Pokeball.

He extended his hand, it pained to do so, but he did it anyway. The strange-looking Pokeball fit into his palm snugly.

His lips opened, as he remembered a name. A name that was perhaps his last chance. Their last chance.

An… sah… lohn...

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Austin opened his eyes. It hurt, as bright light seemed to inundate his very existence. He shut them again.

Austin opened his eyes, ignoring the stabbing pain he felt, as he sat up on the white bed. The entire room had large, whitewashed walls, the somewhat cool temperature reminding him that there was some air-conditioning going on from somewhere. He looked down at himself—his arms bandaged above the elbow, a larger one on his abdomen, and one tied around his temples. He was pretty sure that there were a couple on his legs as well.

Damn. It feels like getting electrocuted by Pikachu all over again.

Austin chuckled.

' Where… where am I? What is this place?' 

As if in answer to that question, the door to his right opened wide, as a Nurse Joy came walking in, a Chansey following her footsteps, carrying a plate of what seemed to be some kind of… soup, he mused. There was also a large box beside it.

"It's good to see you're awake." Nurse Joy spoke up, with a serene expression on his face.

"Nurse… Joy. Where am I?"

The nurse raised a finger. "Don't fret. You are completely safe and on Island. How are you feeling?"

Austin glanced back at his bandaged limbs. "I don't… know. Do you… think I can walk?"

"I wouldn't recommend it, right now, but if you insist," the Nurse frowned, "I could help you get a wheelchair."

Austin frowned, considering the prospect. Last he remembered, his leg had taken quite the injury. Worsening it would only complicate matters even more. He slowly nodded his head in agreement.

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"Great." The nurse chirped. "Chansey, please arrange for a wheelchair for Mr. Ketchum."

"Nurse Joy, not to sound… ungrateful, or anything, but… how did I get here?"

Joy smiled. "What is the last thing that you remember?"

Good question. Austin closed his eyes. It seemed like a half-forgotten dream. The meteors shine in the sky. King Dragonite comes to his summons. The ship broke, and him falling into the….

He opened his eyes. "The ship… the deck broke and I fell through the crack. I think I heard Pidgeot-"

Nurse Joy's eyes seemed to flash with something like recognition, though she didn't interrupt him.

"—I think I heard Pidgeot screeching in pain. Maybe… she got hurt or something from the battle, but... anyway, how did I get here?" Austin questioned again.

The nurse sighed. "The former Hoenn Champion brought you here and paid for your treatment. You were… comatose for three days. Now that you are back to health, it might solve some matters."

"Steven? Steven brought me here? Where's he now? And Cynthia? Where's-?"

Nurse Joy raised a finger, gesturing for him to stop. "Mr. Stone has dictated that I should inform him when you wake up. As soon as I leave this room, I shall do so. Meanwhile," she held up the bowl of soup that stood on the table, "eat up. You have been in a coma for three days, and need a lot of nourishment."

Austin suddenly felt something missing from his right hand and panicked. "Nurse Joy… was there any device on my right hand? Like… here on the wrist?"

The nurse frowned at the delirious individual. "I have them here with me, safe and secure." She pointed towards the box on the table. "Being an electronic gadget, those things can interfere with the treatment."

"Uh, thanks. Can I get it back?"

"Sure." The nurse drawled, as she lifted the top of the box, before taking out what he realized as his Xtransceiver and Pokenav. "Is this enough or should I deliver your entire luggage?"

Austin cringed at her tone, which was dripping with sarcasm. Without further comment, he calmly accepted the two gadgets, putting the Xtransceiver in his right hand. Then, realizing that he was in white hospital robes, he looked back at the nurse sheepishly. "I don't have any place to keep it for now."

"Really? I didn't know that."

Austin looked down, wondering if all Nurse Joys were so sarcastic.

"Nurse Joy-"

The pink-haired woman sighed.

"Just one last thing."

"Just the one?"

Austin flushed. "My pokémon—I had Pikachu and Pidgeot out when I fell—do you know where they are?"

The nurse arched an eyebrow. "Your pokémon are in perfectly good condition, Mr. Ketchum. I'd appreciate it if you would kindly shut up and feed yourself."

"But my pokémon-" Austin stopped midway, meeting the cold stare of the nurse. Not willing to take his chances, he instantly looked down.

"You sure are one inquisitive character, aren't you, Mr. Ketchum?"

Austin looked way too hopeful to even afford to be embarrassed.

Joy looked exasperated, as she turned around, just in time to see Chansey bring a wheelchair into the ward. She turned towards Austin. "I'll help you on the chair, then we'll get you to your pokémon."

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