Transit

It's kinda cold.

Or at least that's what I think. Being an Arcanine, it takes a lot for me to feel it. But here... I can never really tell here. Maybe I'm just remembering the air outside. That might be it.

I manage the strength to stretch, but without the reward of muscular relief. Even so, it took a lot of effort, and I’m not sure I even did it. While here, it’s like you’re disconnected from your body, but not at the same time. I almost hate these things. I don’t get hungry, so almost.

It's usually the same scenery, too. Blurred plains. Blue sky. Sometimes it mimics the scratchier, rugged terrain of the canyons I grew up in. Our ice rat tells me Ultra Balls are comfier. With more realistic scenery. Still fake.

Thinking about Weavile, that reminds me… Did we win?

It's a lot hazier here than usual.

...

I can't remember what happened. But I don’t think much time has passed. Maybe we’re still battling?

...I manage to recall that four armed, speedo wearing douche was tough. And normally when I’m back here without being able to remember a match, I can count on an embarrassing story on how I lost from Aipom.

So shit, I probably lost.

"...almost there... hear me?"

That's weird. Tyler's voice is hazier too.

Fuck it, I feel like a nap.

Drifting off slowly when, "... just... farther..." and I hear a cry and the world shakes a little. Little more awake again. Did Tyler fall?

She sounds strained, I can gather that much. Can confirm we lost again.

I wish the Tyler-ghost was here this time. I could practice consoling her and not trip over my own four paws in the attempt of affection. I think these balls play on our memories, but right now I guess it’s not working right, since everything looks crappier than usual.

Sleepy again...

...

More voices. Looks like were at the Pokemon Center. Now.... instant refresh treatment? Or physical treatment?

I manage to focus just long enough to feel the soothing wave of the center's rejuvenation machine being....

...

But... still tired.

...

Then the all too familiar flash of reentering the real world occurs.

Instead of Tyler, I'm first greeted by an intense wave of pain so great, it’s followed immediately by numbness. Like everything coming back and restarting at once. I try to cry out, but quickly find I can't breathe.

Something is DEFINITELY wrong with my chest.

My vision's coming back, and I see I'm on a center patient beds. It’s bloody. I see Tyler. Crying, eyes locked onto me.

"Hang on, okay?!" She almost yells, and she starts forward, but stops, as if restraining herself from flying into one of our usual support hugs. "I-it will be okay. You HAVE to be okay..."

I finally notice the Chansey and human nurse desperately holding a cloths against my chest, bandaging me up. I also realize I’m on my side.

There's actually a LOT of blood.

The pains starting to fade away again. Like inside the pokeball… but this numbness is different. I realize I couldn’t get up if I wanted, and things are getting hazy again. Joy is barking a lot of orders I’m having trouble making out, and I realize my leg has a... something attached to it? I think it's pouring something into me.

One nurse yells we can’t stop the bleeding. That annoying beeping I’ve been hearing is slowing down too. Can barely hear that either, though. There’s a whole lot of disoriented movement going on, but I can’t keep track of it.

But I see Tyler a little out of the way, beyond the rush of activity.

There’s so much pain and fear in her eyes.

I think I get why I'm so tired.

Tyler's made her way over to me, still sobbing, and I can make out a bit of what she's saying "All my fault... I should have switched you... I didn't expect a rock move... and the mud..."

I get foggy images of the battle, and suddenly, I remember the call for Stone Edge. I tried too break past Machamp, but the ground was still soggy from rain that the Politoad from earlier called up. Bastard just appeared and it started raining. Fucking wizards.

So I slipped. Ate mud just as the Machamp slammed the earth and sharp... jagged stones…

Oh.

Oooooh.

I understand completely now.

I didn't just lose.

"Audino---double time! We're losing him!"

The flashing waves from the crying Audino aren't doing anything; I'm still really, really tired.

But I understand enough now.

Tyler's shaking as she squeezes me tighter. I realize just how warm she feels. It’s nice. Or am I just that cold?  It takes everything I have, but I manage to nudge her buried face out of my neck fur. I look into those devastated deep blue eyes and try to convey as much love as I can. Shakily, I move my head up slightly, and succeed in licking her cheek.

That's when my vision began darkening and I couldn't keep my head up. I hear a loud beep start, and I think someone pulled Tyler away.

Lastly I can distantly hear Tyler's screams, but I try not to think about that. Instead I choose to recall a day we were out playing after I had evolved; just after training… we were laughing at how much I could suddenly eat… how Tyler had to settle for hugging half of me instead of crushing me in her embraces like before…

Back during a warm, sunny day.