Pokemon World Disaster

Hospital Stories

Much to Greninja's surprise, Ash was awake when they entered his room. He looked tired and a little weaker than usual, but otherwise seemed to be fine. A glass of water sat on the nightstand by his bed.
"Hey, guys," Ash said cheerfully. "Everyone all right?"
"We're just fine. You're the one in the hospital bed," Greninja pointed out. Ash rolled his eyes but smiled sheepishly as Pikachu jumped happily onto the bed.
"Feeling okay, Ash?" Lillie asked in concern.
"Yeah, I'm doing great. Couldn't be better," the raven-haired boy answered. Greninja exchanged a glance with Pikachu and rolled his eyes.
"So what happened, Ash? Was it the Shadow Beasts that attacked you?" he asked anxiously.
Ash paused for a moment and frowned. "I'm assuming it had to be, yes," he replied slowly. "Because whoever it was definitely wasn't human, but they didn't look like any Pokemon I've ever seen either. In fact, they didn't really seem to have a solid form at all."
"What did they look like?" Greninja asked.
"It was a dark mass that felt as though it was going to consume me alive," Ash said quietly. "Only strangely enough, it felt as though it was trying to destroy me from the inside even though I could still see it on the outside. And it didn't have to do much either. All it had to do was place a hand-or something that looked like a hand anyway-on my chest and it felt as though my insides were being twisted and burned. I couldn't move or breathe at all....and then it just disappeared as if it had gotten bored or something."
Greninja shuddered as he listened to his trainer's story. That explains why there weren't any marks on Ash, then! he thought to himself. At the same time, he realized that the Shadow Beasts were even more dangerous than previously thought. If they could hurt someone with just one touch....
"By the way, did any of you happen to find Brock?" Ash asked, interrupting Greninja's thoughts.
"Um, no," the frog-ninja Pokemon said apologetically. "Sorry."
"I didn't find anything either," Lillie answered.
Ash sighed. "It's all right. Hopefully that means he got away," he said, though he didn't sound confident. He yawned and stretched his arms above his head. "I'll be glad when I can get out of here."
"Hold your horses," Greninja said sternly. "You almost died. Get some rest for a while. We can leave tomorrow."
Ash looked as though he wanted to argue but obviously thought better of it. "Lillie, do you mind calling May and Max Maple from Hoenn?" he asked, turning to the blond-haired girl. "Tell them you're a friend of mine and that they should go to Lumiose City and ask for the city's gym leader."
Lillie nodded and went off to go make the call. Ash sighed and leaned back, looking bored. Pikachu had long since dozed off and was snoring quietly on Ash's shoulder.
"I've seen Serena perform a few times since we went our separate ways," Greninja remarked to Ash.
"Really?" Ash asked, sounding interested. "How's she been doing?"
"Well, at least from what I could tell," the froglike Pokemon replied. "She became Kalos queen a year ago."
Ash smiled. "So she finally did it," he murmured. "And what about Clemont and Bonnie?"
"Clemont's still running the gym, as far as I know. And I'm pretty sure Bonnie should have started her journey, although it might have been delayed because of all the attacks," Greninja answered. "I saw her battle once though not too long ago, and she's pretty good."
"That's good to know," Ash said, smiling. Greninja was happy that his spirits seemed to be improving. "How are their Pokemon doing?"
"Well, Chespin is Chestnaught now," Greninja told him. "Bunnelby evolved into Diggersby. Luxray met a female Luxray and started a family together. Dedenne is still Dedenne; I'm not sure if she evolves or not. Pancham actually decided not to evolve, and Sylveon is doing well too. Oh, and Braixen evolved into Delphox."
"Oh, wow," Ash said, blinking. "I wasn't expecting Chespin to evolve. Braixen, sure, but Chespin seemed like he would always stay in his first form forever."
"I know," Greninja chuckled in agreement. "I couldn't believe it either when I saw. Braixen actually evolved into Delphox in the middle of one of Serena's performances-her winning one, as a matter of fact."
"I'll bet that was something else," Ash remarked.
"It was. I wish I could have been there in person, though. It would be nice to talk to her again," Greninja said, unable to keep a slightly wistful note out of his voice. However, if Ash took any notice, he didn't say anything.
"Maybe when we get back to Kalos," was all he said.
"Maybe," Greninja agreed. Just then, Lillie came bursting back into the room.
"Got it, Ash. They said they'll be waiting for us with Misty and the others," she said. Ash smiled gratefully at her.
"Thanks, Lillie," he said appreciatively. He yawned and added, "I guess I'd better get some sleep now. Good night, you two."
"Good night, Ash," Lillie replied softly.
"Good night," Greninja echoed. Ash closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
An hour later, Lillie dozed off as well. Greninja, however, stayed awake so he could watch over his friends. Instinctively, he reached out to touch his trainer's forehead.
"Please watch out for yourself next time," he whispered. "You may have survived this time, but if it happens again you might not be so lucky. And I don't want you to die. We need you, and not just because you're good at coming up with battle strategies or because you're our leader."