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 arm.

" 322 over 150...." He muttered. " Richie, buddy, that's a bit high."

Richie nodded uncertainly. " I... I know."

Gary gently took his young friend ( young by six months) and gently took two fingers and lightly pressed them into his neck.

" Feel that?" He whispered. " That's my heart. Let's try to match yours with mine, okay?"

Richie took a shaky breath, trying to focus on Gary’s steady pulse beneath his fingers. It was calm, unhurried, and completely unlike the erratic pounding in his own chest. He looked up at Gary’s face, which was calm and patient, a reassuring anchor in the midst of his nerves.

"Just close your eyes," Gary said softly, "and breathe with me. Let’s see if we can get our hearts to beat a little closer together. Slow and steady."

Richie hesitated but finally closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he focused on Gary’s calm rhythm. Gary’s voice, low and steady, guided him through each breath. “In… and out. Nice and easy, Richie. In… and out.”

Ash watched his cousin, eyes full of quiet encouragement, giving Richie’s hand a light squeeze to let him know he was right there. "You’re doing great, Richie. Just keep breathing."

With each breath, Richie felt his heart rate slowly starting to match Gary’s. It was still faster, but the steady beat beneath his fingertips was calming, like an anchor grounding him. After a few minutes, he could feel his own pulse settling into a more manageable rhythm. He opened his eyes, and Gary gave him an approving smile.

"Better?" Gary asked, his voice gentle.

Richie nodded, a little of the tension melting from his shoulders. "Yeah… a bit." His voice was still shaky, but there was a hint of relief there.

"Good," Gary replied, carefully removing Richie's fingers from his neck and straightening up. "See? You’re doing really well. Now, let’s get back to that numbing cream."

He gave Richie’s shoulder a reassuring pat and continued applying the cream with gentle, circular motions. The cooling sensation returned, and Richie focused on the way it felt, grounding himself in the calm that Gary had helped him find.

Ash leaned in close, smiling as he kept rubbing Richie’s back. "See? You’ve got this. You’re already doing better."

"Yeah," Richie whispered, a small, relieved smile finally breaking through.

Gary nodded approvingly. “Almost ready now. Once the cream’s done its job, you won’t feel much at all—just like I promised.”

Richie gave a small nod, taking one more deep breath. "Okay."

Gary gave Ash a quick nod, acknowledging the unspoken teamwork between the two cousins. Richie was calmer now, more confident, with Ash’s steady presence by his side. The moment felt lighter, the initial tension dissipating as Richie gathered his courage.

"Alright," Gary said, checking the area on Richie’s arm. "Looks like we’re ready." He reached for the syringe, his movements smooth and practiced. "Remember, you’re not alone here."

Ash squeezed Richie’s hand tightly. "You’re doing great. We’re almost there."

With one final steadying breath, Richie closed his eyes and nodded, trusting in both Gary’s calm guidance and Ash’s comforting hand. And with that, Gary completed the injection quickly and gently, barely a whisper of sensation passing over Richie’s numbed skin.

"There," Gary said with a smile, withdrawing the needle and placing a small bandage over the spot. "All done, Richie."

Richie’s eyes popped open in surprise. "That’s it?"

Gary chuckled, nodding. "That’s it. Didn’t feel much, did you?"

Richie grinned, relief and pride written all over his face. "Not at all!"

Ash clapped him on the shoulder, grinning from ear to ear. "Knew you could do it! You were so brave!"

Richie laughed, the last of his anxiety melting away. "Thanks, Ash. And thank you, Gary."

Gary returned Richie’s smile, his eyes full of warmth. "You’re welcome, Richie. You did an amazing job today."