Stand by You part 2 of 4

Chapter 41: Testing Bonds

Ash and friends were about three quarters of the way to Saffron City when they decided to stop for a lunch break at the Champagne City Pokémon Center.

"How are you two feeling?" Clement asked as he sat down next to Lucy and Meowth. "Have you heard from Jessie or James?"

"Not since yesterday", they responded.

"Cacturne, cact", said Cacturne.

"Serviiippperrrr", Serviper hissed.

"Carn carna", said Carnavine.

"What are they saying?" asked Bonnie.

"Dey wanna know when dere trainers are comin' back", said Meowth.

"Sorry yous guys, it's gonna be awhile", Meowth said to Jessie and James' Pokémon.

"Vee vee veeee!" cried Acorn. "It's already been two weeks!"

"I knows dat yous miss yere mommas, but dey ain't coming back for a while", Meowth told the distraught Eevee. "Dey don't gots much of a choice".

Ash, Misty, Lucy, Meowth, Iris, Cilan, Drew, May, Max, Serena, Bonnie, and Clement spent the next few hours training and resting before heading back on the road.

"I had no idea that Jessie and James' Pokémon were so attached to them", said May as she returned her Pokémon.

"Yeah. I guess I kind of assumed that they didn't like Pokémon all that much, since they were always trying to steal them", said Max.

"Pokémon tend to be loyal to their trainers whether they treat them well or not. You should no that, May", said Drew.

"I know that", she replied.

"Dey spoil dere Pokémon", said Meowth. "James don't even let half of his Pokémon battle 'cuz he says dat dey are too delicate and he's afraid dat dere gonna get hurt. And Jessie is always buyin' costumes and nice food for her Pokémon, even dough weeze can barely afford it".

"Huh", said Iris. "There is a lot I didn't know about them".

"Dat's 'cuz at de end of de day, weeze are Pokémon trainers too. It's always been like dat", Meowth responded.

"I agree with you, Meowth", said Cilan. "A Pokémon trainer has a duty to stand by their Pokémon, no matter what their goals are".

"Danks. It's good to get some respect 'round here", Meowth replied.

"I want to trust them, but if they betray me....I have a lot to lose this time", Lucy thought to herself as she listened to Meowth talk. Suddenly Meowth grabbed her paw.

"And with Lucy and I here, yous twerps outta be scared 'cuz we're gonna win dis!" Meowth told the group.

"Um.....right", Lucy replied as he lifted her paw into the air. "You can count on me, Meowth".

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Back in the hospital, Jessie and James were on the phone talking to Delia about the emergency delivery.

"I can't believe it", she responded in astonishment. "Ash was a preemie too but he was only six weeks early. He only had to stay a few extra days in the hospital. How is she doing?"

"She is very small, less than a pound. We are not allowed to hold her yet, but the nurses told us we might be able to really soon", said James.

"You two must be very anxious. It must be very stressful to sit there for weeks without being able to hold her", said Delia. "Is there anything I can do?"