Sparks Fly (reupload)

Recovery

"Serena... doo... dighd..." Ash groaned.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu cried out, hoping it would get Serena to stop.

She gasped and immediately let go of Ash. "Oh! I'm sorry, Ash!" Serena looked at Clemont. "I'd hug you too, but I don't think I'd be able to."

"It's no big deal," Clemont replied. "We can do that later, if I'm able to."

"Yeah..." she replied, looking around the room. "So, what else happened while I was gone?"

Bonnie shrugged. "Well, Ash showed up, but that's kinda obvious. We played in the snow, watched a movie, and overall had a good time. Even when Ash got sick, it was fun."

"Right. My burning chest was fun," Clemont rolled his eyes.

"Ad leasd you're bedder now, Clemond," Ash replied. "I think I'm gedding bedder doo. My "m"s sound like how dhey're supposed do."

Serena gasped. "Oh, Ash! I didn't know you were sick!"

"Didn't I just-" Bonnie began. She was interrupted by a cough in the doorway.

"I hate to interrupt," Nurse Joy said, "but Clemont is all set to go."

Clemont smiled at her. "Thanks, Nurse Joy."

"Be mindful of your bandages, though, all right?" she warned. Then she turned to Ash. "I heard about the cold. Take this." She handed him a plastic vial full of a purple liquid. "Drink this, douse it with a cup of water, and your cold should be gone in no time."

Ash took it and grinned. "Wow, really? Dhank you!" Nurse Joy smiled warmly and left the room.

Clemont and Bonnie widened their eyes in disbelief. "We... we could have just gone here in the first place..." the blonde boy stated in disbelief.

"You three seriously didn't know about that?" Serena asked.

"Hey, id's dhe dhoughd dad counds," Ash told her.

Serena tilted her head in confusion. "Dad counds?"

"You should really take that medicine," Bonnie advised.

Ash nodded. "Yeah."

Serena reached into her handbag and grabbed a water bottle. "Here," she told him. "I was given a lot of these before the showcase."

"Wow, dhanks Serena!" Ash said, taking the bottle from her. He looked around the room until he found a sink, and filled the bottle with water.

"Is everyone set to go?" Meyer asked, entering the room.

Bonnie pointed at Ash. "He's gotta take some medicine first, and then we're set."

Meyer nodded and looked at Clemont. "You think you'll be okay? Y'know, with the bandages and all."

Clemont looked down at his concealed chest. It was almost scary seeing it covered like that.

"H-How long am I supposed to have these on for?" Clemont asked.

"Nurse Joy said to visit the Center again in about two weeks to check up on it," Meyer explained. "And I will be coming with you when you do."

Clemont didn't bother protesting. Meyer almost lost his kids on several occasions, including this one. It wouldn't be fair to keep him worrying.

"So, where are we going?" Ash asked, returning from the sink.

"It's not too far from here. A family restaurant with foods from every region," Meyer told them. "I'm sure you'll all find something there you'll like."

Bonnie gasped. "No way! Le Creuset?"

"Yep," Meyer replied.

"We haven't gone there in forever!" she squealed, then turned to Ash and Pikachu. "You'll love it! They cater to both people and Pokémon!"

Dedenne jumped off of Bonnie's shoulders and made his way to Clemont's bed. "De nenne!" the Pokémon chirped.

"That's right, you've never eaten there before," Clemont murmured. It was hard for him to believe that he had caught the Dedenne while they were traveling, rather than him being a member of the household beforehand. "I just hope nothing's changed too much since the last time we went."

"I would hope not, besides adding new dishes," Meyer said. "But if we don't hurry, we'll likely have to wait in line to experience it."

Serena was the first out of the room, followed by Ash, Pikachu, and Bonnie.

Clemont carefully got out of bed. He was feeling ready, albeit anxious, to face the outside world.

That is, until he realized that he was wearing a hospital gown.

"Don't worry," Meyer assured him. "I brought you some clothes to change into." He gestured towards the table next to Clemont's bed, where a white t-shirt, a jean jacket, and a pair of black pants lay. "Thought I'd change it up a bit."

"I... thanks, Dad," Clemont replied.

Meyer nodded. "I'll wait outside with the others so you can change."

After his father left the room, Clemont began changing his clothing. He found that the white t-shirt had a faded print of the Lumiose City gym, which he liked. Clemont smoothed his jean jacket, and looked at himself in the mirror.

"Huh. Not bad," he told himself.

"De denne!" a small voice responded. Clemont turned to see Dedenne still sitting on his bed.

Clemont smiled. "What do you think?" he asked. "Do you think Ash will like it?"

Dedenne nodded.

"Thanks." He picked up the small Pokémon. "Now, let's go eat."