Aries

Do Magnemite Dream Of Electric Mice?

Smoke clogged the air, moving slowly across the sky. The streets of this place were coated in a thin layer of soot, almost blanketing the streets. Pinwheel awkwardly wobbled on Ash's shoulder as he switched to hold the Pokemon. Sparks sizzled from the little Pokemon's cheeks. Brock glanced over, his eyes widening in concern. "Pikachu- I mean, Pinwheel, isn't looking that great. We should bring him to the Pokemon centre."

"Let's try a full restore first." Steven reached to grab one from his bag, when Brock grabbed his wrist and shook his head. "Save it- we're in the city now anyway."

Ash shrugged a little, darting his eyes to find the Pokemon Centre. He jogged over, skidding a little as he went up to the Nurse Joy. The pink-haired nurse seemed half asleep at the counter. She rolled her eyes, pulling herself off the resting position she had taken. Brock ran over, dropping to a single knee. "Nurse Joy! Please, marry me!"

Steven made an ugly noise of laughter under his breath and grabbed him by the back of his vest to pull him away. "Leave that for when Pinwheel isn't passing out."

Nurse Joy grabbed Pinwheel, holding the yellow mouse like a kid holding a baby for the first time. "It's just a cold. He just needs some sleep."

Ash's mouth dropped. He slammed in his hand on the table, frustrated. "How is that a cold! He clearly has a different issue, but- but, I just don't know what!"

"How would you know. Sparking is just a symptom. He'll be fine in the morning, just leave him here and grab a room."

Steven stood beside Ash, now that Brock wasn't no longer uncomfortably simping after the Nurse. He adjusted his white coat a little, fixing how the grey straps fitted on. "We don't stay at Pokemon Centres. When we can. I hope you can-"

The lights in the centre flickered out, and the Nurse showed the first instance of any kind of panic or emotion she had in the entire conversation. She turned back around towards the rooms where she helped the Pokemon of the centre ordinarily. "The ICU!"

Ash's eyes widened when he remembered, distantly, how he had to have Charmander healed there-how if he didn't, he could have died. What if somebody else's partner was there?

The thought alone-of somebody losing a beloved friend forever, made him seriously nauseous.

He stood up and turned back around to where Brock was already adjusting his bag. "Nurse, we'll go to the Power Plant! We need to make sure the Pokemon are safe."

" Don't go please. " Pinwheel murmured weakly on the counter. Ash faced his partner, and sighed. In a split-second decision, he scooped the Electric-type into his arms. Brock frowned. "Wouldn't it be better to keep him here?"

"It's. Pinwheel doesn't like being alone. I'd feel bad about it." Ash explained. Steven nodded, to try to add credibility. Once they had walked back outside, and had started to head for the power station, Brock snapped his fingers in realisation. "That's why you wanted to use a full restore! Most Nurses don't let you stay with your Pokemon during the healing process, ok, that made so much more sense now!"

Steven and Ash exchanged looks with one another and decided to let Brock believe the half-truth.

They entered the Power Plant. It was cold, damp, and had a nasty musky smell in the air. Wires and crackling noises distantly buzzed. The tiles were coated in a thin layer of water, and black mould stuck itself in the corners. A shadow passed around the group as they continued to walk through the horrible place. Their shoes quickly became damp from the water.

"Hey, a map. Let's go to the central room, first." Brock pointed at the wall where a map was nailed into the wall. It was a simple map-with different lines of colour representing each hallway and a key with microscopic text explaining what it all meant. Ash looked at the piece of paper for a long time. "How does anybody understand to-"