Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

Richie's shot

" Do I have to, Ash?"

Ash climbed onto his bed and crawled to his cousin and rubbed his back. " Afraid so. And believe me, I tried to make Gary not even think about giving you one. But, as luck would have it, he remembered."

Richie let out a shaky breath. " They hurt."

" I know, cuz. I know."

They sat in silence before Ash thought of something. " Ever heard of numbing cream?"

Richie looked up. " No?"

Ash grinned " it's really cool! Gary applies it on your skin and then you don't feel anything!"

Richie held his pinkie out. " Promise?"

Ash locked pinkies. " Promise."

" Richie?" Gary called. "come on over!"

Ash turned to his frozen cousin and held out an arm. " Just like we did for the checkup." He said. " Together."

Richie took it, and Ash held him close. " Come on, buddy. Let's get this over with."

" So.... Today we have an injection planned." Gary announced as he looked at his chart.

Richie eyed the tray. " That's what I'm afraid of...."

Gary pulled some gloves on with a snap, the stethoscope around his neck shifting slightly. " Don't worry." He assured the nervous kid. " You'll be fine."

Richie nodded uncertainly.

Gary reached into his pocket and pulled out a bottle of cream. " This might help." He said. " Numbing cream."

Richie gulped. Ash noticed.

" Don't worry. Gary's cream works like magic!"

Gary raised a brow but didn't argue with that. He tore a wipe out of its packaging and gently lifted Richie's sleeve, gently sanitizing it with the cool wipe. " Take a deep breath and let it out." He advised as he squirted some cream on his hand, rubbing it between his gloves fingers before applying it on Richie's arm.

Richie nodded and let out a shaky breath, his heart pounding.

Ash could see the fear. " You're gonna be okay." He said. " Promise."

Richie gave him a small smile, but his heart rate increased more

Gary must have felt it too because he took his stethoscope off his neck and put it on Richie's chest.

" 322 over 150...." He muttered.

Gary's brow furrowed with concern as he listened to Richie's heart. “That's a bit high,” he said gently, noting the anxiety clearly affecting his young patient. He took a calming breath himself before glancing up at Richie and Ash. “Hey, Richie, it’s alright. Everyone gets nervous, and it’s normal for your heart to race a bit when you’re worried. But let’s try to relax a little. I promise this will be as quick and easy as possible.”

Ash tightened his hold on Richie's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Just focus on me, Richie. Remember, we’re in this together. You’ve got me, and you’ve got the numbing cream. We’re invincible!”

Gary smiled at Ash's encouragement. He removed the stethoscope and set it aside, focusing on Richie. “Let’s take a few slow, deep breaths. It’ll help calm everything down,” he suggested, demonstrating a deep breath. “In through your nose, and out through your mouth. Just follow my lead.”

Richie mirrored Gary, taking a deep, shaky breath, then letting it out. Gradually, his heartbeat seemed to slow, and he looked back at Ash, feeling a little more grounded with his cousin by his side.

“Better?” Gary asked, noticing Richie’s color returning and his shoulders loosening.

Richie nodded. “A little bit…”

Gary chuckled. “Good. Now, remember, with this cream, the injection won’t hurt nearly as much as you think. It’ll be more of a little pressure, that’s all.”

Richie glanced at Ash, who nodded encouragingly. “See? Just like magic,” Ash said with a wink, helping Richie relax even further.

With the numbing cream fully applied, Gary picked up the syringe, keeping his movements calm and steady to avoid alarming Richie. “Alright, Richie,” he said softly, “all set. Look at Ash if you need to. This will be over in a second.”

Richie closed his eyes, clinging to Ash's hand as he felt only the faintest sensation of pressure on his arm. Before he knew it, Gary was pressing a cotton swab over the area, and the shot was done.

“All finished!” Gary announced, smiling warmly. “You did great, Richie.”

Richie opened his eyes, blinking in surprise. “That… didn’t hurt at all.”

Ash laughed, patting him on the back. “Told you! Numbing cream works wonders, and you were super brave.”

Gary finished up, placing a small bandage over the injection site. “You handled that like a pro, Richie. Next time, you’ll know just what to expect—and you’ll know you can handle it, no problem.”

Richie let out a relieved sigh, his face breaking into a small smile. “Thanks, Gary. And thanks, Ash,” he murmured, grateful for the support.

Ash grinned, giving Richie a playful nudge. “Anytime, cuz. We’re a team!”