Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

Blood test

He is the grandson of Professor Oak, and the childhood friend of Ash Ketchum.

Look at what I found on the internet

Notice how it said " Childhood friend"

So they are friends.

.... LOL I already knew that

Anyway

Gary cleared his throat. " Okay Richie today we're here for a few tests."

Richie gulped and nodded. " U.... Uh huh."

Gary looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile. " Don't worry." He assured. " You'll be fine."

Richie looked at his hands. " Barely."

" Pikachu!"

Richie looked at Sparky. " Remind me why you're not in your Poke ball?"

" Pikachu!" Ash's Pikachu said.

Ash nudged his cousin. " Your pikachu wanted to cheer you on! You know, with those fan things!"

Richie gave him a tight smile, and Gary stood up. " I have to get some stuff, Kay?"

Ash nodded, and Gary walked out the door.

Then he turned to his cousin, who was freaking out.

" Ash, what do I do?!"

Ash walked to Richie and Pat him. " Just think of something else."

" But Ash I need a blood test! A full blood test! He's gonna put a needle in and take all my blood out and make me a shriveled grape and... And...." Richie was breathing heavily, and Ash moved to his side. " Come on, Rich. Calm down! It's just a small poke!"

Richie gulped. " Maybe to you."

Then, Gary came back with the tray of supplies needed and a glass of orange juice.

Ash moaned to the juice. " What's that for?"

" It's in case Richie gets dizzy or he needs something to drink."

Richie had scooted all the way to the back of the table, his back pressed against the wall. " Do we have to?"

Gary nodded sympatheticly. " Sorry buddy."

Ash shot him a grin. " You'll be fine.... I hope."

Gary took a wipe out and gently took Richie's arm, sanitizing under his sleeve. " Take a deep breath and let it go." Gary instructed.

Richie did not do well.

Gary sighed and pulled Ash over. " Okay listen. He needs to calm down , and I think you can see that. So you have to hug him while I do the tests, got it?"

Ash nodded. " Got it."

" Pika pi!" Sparky said.

" Chu " Pikachu agreed.

Gary nodded curtly. ' let's do it.'

Ash walked to Richie and climbed into the table, wrapping his arms around Richie's body. " You'll be okay, you'll be okay....' he muttered. " Just think happy thoughts."

Richie still managed to peek over Ash's shoulder to see what was going on.

Gary saw this and withdrew the wipe, smiling. " Hey Richie?"

Richie looked at Gary, eyes wide.

" Take a deep breath, okay? With me. In.... And out. And in.... And out."

Richie tried to mirror Gary's breaths but his gaze kept going to his hand, and the thoughts came back.

Ash hugged him tighter. " Take it easy, Richie. It's just for a minute."

Richie shook his head. " I... I can't!"

" Why not?" Ash asked

" Because..... Because....." Richie hesitated.

Gary paused and put a hand on Richie's shoulder. " It's a safe place, Richie. Tell us."

" I... I don't want all my blood to be taken out and I can die!"

Ash hugged Richie tighter. " No you won't."

Gary seized the distraction and uncapped the needle, then gently put it in Richie's arm.

Problem was, as soon as Gary started to take the blood, Richie started to scream. Real loud.

" Easy Richie easy...." Ash muttered soothingly.

" Take it out take it out!" Richie screamed.

" Pika pi " Sparky yelled

" Pika Pika pi!" Pikachu agreed.

Richie's panicked screams filled the room, echoing off the walls as he squeezed his eyes shut, clinging to Ash like his life depended on it.

"Take it out! Take it out!" Richie wailed, his voice cracking. He squeezed Ash's arm so tightly that Ash winced, but he held on, gently rocking Richie to try and calm him.

"It's okay, Richie," Ash whispered, though his voice was barely heard over the commotion. "It's almost over. Just a little longer, I promise."

"Pikaaa!" Sparky cried, hopping around on the exam table, trying to cheer Richie up with little sparks, while Ash's Pikachu joined in with frantic "Pika Pika!" sounds, as if to encourage Richie.

Gary, doing his best to keep his composure, spoke in a steady, soothing tone. "Just one more second, Richie. Hang on, okay? I'm almost done." He kept his hand steady, keeping his movements gentle and as quick as he could manage.

Richie squeezed his eyes shut even tighter, clutching Ash's arm as if it were a lifeline. "It's gonna hurt forever, isn't it?!" he cried, his face scrunched up in a mix of terror and dread.

"No, no, it's not," Ash assured him, running a hand through Richie's hair. "It'll stop hurting in just a second, alright? You're stronger than this!"

Gary finally finished drawing the small vial of blood and quickly withdrew the needle, pressing a cotton swab over the tiny spot. "Alright, all done," he said with a relieved sigh. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Richie's eyes opened cautiously, his breathing still shaky as he looked down at his arm. The small spot where the needle had been was already being covered by a bandage. He blinked in surprise.

"That's... it?" he asked, his voice still wavering.

"That's it," Gary confirmed, offering him the glass of orange juice. "This'll help you feel better. And see? You didn't turn into a grape or anything."

Richie managed a small, shaky laugh, still clinging to Ash but slowly releasing his grip. He took the juice with trembling hands, glancing at Ash, who gave him an encouraging smile.

"See? I told you you'd be fine," Ash teased. "Just a little prick, and now you're good as new!"

Richie nodded, still dazed. " Yeah but let's never do that again."