Pokemon Indigo League Stories Part 2

Wisty's leg

" Ash?" Someone called from the forest and Ash cradled Pikachu on the ground. " Are you there?"

" Yeah?"

" Is Gary there?"

Gary, who was walking away, turned with a raised brow. " Yeah?"

" Great."

Ash raised a brow. " Wisty?"

" Hm?"

" What's wrong?"

" Nothing. Nothing at all. Uh.... Do you think you could look away for ten seconds?"

Ash exchanged a confused glance with Gary before shrugging. "Alright, ten seconds. But what are you-"

Before he could finish, Wisty had vanished into the trees, leaving only a blur of movement behind. Ash started counting under his breath, Pikachu nestled weakly in his arms, while Gary leaned against a tree with a skeptical look.

"Ten seconds," Ash muttered once he was done. "Where'd she-"

Gary's sharp eyes caught something glinting in the grass where Wisty had been standing. "What's that?" he asked, stepping closer. The sunlight caught something red, staining the ground in streaks that were far too vibrant to be dirt. Gary knelt, his hand hovering over it. "Ash... this isn't ketchup."

Ash blinked and crouched beside him, his heart sinking as he inspected the crimson smear. It was thick, unmistakable. "You don't think it's... blood, do you?"

Gary stood abruptly, brushing his hands against his jeans. "I don't know, but it's fresh. And I think it's heading..." He trailed off, pointing toward the steps leading down to the Observatory. A faint trail of red drops led in that direction.

Ash's stomach churned. "That's... that's our house. Why would-?"

"Why don't you go find out?" Gary said, crossing his arms but unable to hide his concern. "I'll stay here in case she doubles back."

Nodding, Ash adjusted Pikachu in his arms and jogged toward the Observatory steps. His shoes echoed faintly as he descended, the trail of red growing fainter but more distinct with every step. His mind raced with possibilities-what had happened to Wisty? Why wouldn't she let them help? And how bad was it?

He pushed open the door to the house, the familiar warmth of their home doing little to calm his nerves. The smell of freshly baked pie drifted from the kitchen, but it was overpowered by the sharp, scolding voice of his mother.

"Wisty! What in the world were you thinking? You should have told someone about this instead of running off like that!"

"I didn't want to worry anyone," came Wisty's voice, tight and defensive but with an undeniable edge of pain.

Ash stepped into the living room, Pikachu stirring weakly as he took in the scene. Wisty sat on the couch, one leg propped up on a low stool. A makeshift bandage-once white, now soaked through with red-was wrapped around her thigh. Her face was pale, and she looked more annoyed than ashamed as Delia knelt beside her, carefully unwrapping the bandage to inspect the wound.

"You didn't want to worry anyone?" Delia snapped, her hands gentle despite the frustration in her tone. "You've worried everyone twice as much by sneaking off like that! What happened?"

"I tripped," Wisty mumbled, looking anywhere but at Delia. "It's not that bad-"

"Not that bad?" Delia shot back. "This is deep, Wisty. You're lucky you didn't cut an artery! Honestly, what were you thinking, running on an injury like this?"