Infected

Chapter 21

(here we go guys)

The rescue team got back to camp as the sun had begun to rise, Lysander in custody and Ash returned. Darkrai and Mewtwo returned to the cove while Serena, Ash and Misty had gone to drop off Lysander. Thankfully, somebody was there to take him.

"Hey, uh, I'm just gonna go get some medicine for my headache," Ash said, stopping just by the medical facility, "You guys can go on back."

Serena gave him an iffy glare, her eyes narrowing, "Are you sure? We can wait if you want..."

"I...no. You guys go on, I'll see you later," he mumbled. Serena and Misty exchanged a worried stare, before reluctantly agreeing and continuing to the tent. Suicune and Pikachu didn't move an inch, a stern look on the blue dogs face.

"You too Suicune...please,"

"I know of your arm Ash."

Ash stared at the blue dog in slight shock, clutching his right arm in pain. Pikachu cocked his ears, it's eyes full of worry. Suicune sighed, pushing into the tent, "Come."

Ash followed as the blue dog led him to the back end of the tent. When they were far away, Suicune turned and sat.

"How did you...?" Ash asked, rubbing his shoulder.

"I knew it'd happen. I saw you get bitten, it's only been happening to certain blood types," Suicune explained, bowing his head, "Each one has died within days of infection."

Ash froze, his eyes wide as his head fell. He couldn't die, he was just given another chance! No, dammit, no!

"But."

Ash looked back up.

"The water in the cove has healing properties. It's why all the Pokemon there are healthy." Suicune said simply. Ash smiled, relived.

"Then we can just go there! I could be gone and back within a few hours!--"

"It's not so simple." Suicune butted in, his eyes narrowed. Ash stopped, fear crawling back into his chest.

"What do you mean?"

"Infected Pokemon that stumbled into the cove have had to have been healed almost three times an hour. People would notice and come looking for you, and we cannot reveal the cove under any circumstances." Suicune explained. Ash frowned.

"Then what can we do? I don't want to die...not yet," Ash mumbled, tracing small scars along his arms. He had been given too many chances to fail now.

"You either fake your death, or run away for good."

Ash stopped, thinking of his options. Nobody knew of his ''condition'' as of right there, so to reveal it and fake a death would take too long. And to run away wouldn't be easy with guards patrolling. That's when it finally hit Ash.

"Wait. You mean I'll never see my friends again?" Ash asked, his eyes wide. Suicune nodded silently, getting up and walking out of the door.

"I'll be waiting outside for your answer. Don't take long." And with that the dog wandered out of the tent. Ash held Pikachu in his arms, thinking hard. A small tug made him look down.

Pikachu was looking up at him, his eyes full of trust. The small Pokemon nodded, one small paw lightly pressed on his arm. Ash sucked in a breath.

"Are you sure about this Pikachu? We will never see our friends again, and we're not sure it'll even work on humans," Ash confirmed, stroking the small mouse head. Pikachu chirped a small amount of words, which made Ash smile.

"You'll go wherever I go, huh?" He asked. Pikachu nodded, hopping up onto Ash's head. Ash laughed quietly, standing back up. His happiness soon turned to sorrow as he sighed again.

"Let's leave a note, to the entire camp,"

After writing quite a lengthy letter, Ash left the tent. He found Suicune sitting just by the entrance, a stern look on his features. He stood once he spotted Ash.

"Well?" He asked. Ash nodded, Pikachu resting on his shoulder.

"Let's go," Ash said, hopping onto Suicune's back. Suicune smiled, hoping to cheer the boy up. The blue dog took into a rapid Sprint out of the camp, catching the guards attention.

They were chased for a few miles into the forest, until the two runaways came to a familiar bush and ran through it. They kept running until the calling sound of water came to their ears.

The two had entered the cove.

Pikachu looked around in awe as Suicune hurriedly brought Ash to the lake. Ash walked down until his neck was the only thing above the clear water, his clothes soaked through.

His arm did start to heal, and the pain did disappear, but the black roots only stopped at his shoulder. Suicune stood on the water, watching down in worry as he cleaned the water.

"Uh, Suicune?" Ash asked. Suicune looked in confusement.

"That part must've already corrupted you arm past healing. It looks like that's going to be staying awhile. Perhaps it's not so bad," Suicune said, getting up and leading Ash to the shore, where the legendary Pokemon stood.

"A reminder, and a memory," Ash said as he stepped onto the shore before the legendary Pokemon. Something told him that it wasn't over yet, and that many more obstacles were coming.

But he knew, with the help of his new family, he'd get through it. They'd help him.

They'd cure him.

------

And so, concludes Infected.

I can't thank you all enough for all the support on this story. The journey has really thought me some extraordinary things, and I have met some wonderful people because of it.

And guess what! The sequel will be coming shortly, but it will take some time before it comes out!

But back to Infected. This will be going through some edits, and I might be giving names to each chapter, so if you have suggestions shoot ahead.

Also this has been entered into the Pokemon Watty's! So, we'll see where else this goes.

Once again, Thank you all for supporting me and this book. I'm happy you all enjoyed it.

And I proudly say...

The End.