The Pokédex's voice rings out in crisp clarity.

// Ekans, the Snake Pokémon. This species of Pokémon can dislocate its jaw to eat prey that is many times bigger than itself. This has the downside of being unable to move if the prey is too heavy. It usually is a daytime hunter, due to its primary food source being the eggs of bird Pokémon such as Spearow and Pidgey. When it is born it has no venom, this however doesn't take away the fact it's bite is still very strong but harmless. As it matures not only does it gain venom that grows in potency, but it also grows longer over time. The longest Ekans recorded in the wild was 3.048 meters or exactly 10 feet long. How old it was at the time is unknown but at our best estimates it was at least a decade old. This Ekans is female, at a length of 6'4' and weighing 11lbs. It's moves are Wrap, Leer, Poison Sting, Poison Fang, Iron Tail, Bite, and Beat Up. //

Being woke up before dawn by Alistar wasn't exactly the top of the list of things that would make me happy but I'm glad he did. He did a number on the Ekans that wandered her way into our camp. She seems very docile when I'm near her. It is unusual due to the level of injury she has sustained but I have a feeling it's because Alistar is staring daggers into the poor danger noodle.

Doing my best to patch her up, I used a Pokéball to capture her. It is for the best that I bring her to Nurse Joy in Viridian City. There wasn't much my medical kit could do for her on its own. I can see the city in the distance, the light of the sunrise is making it easy to spot. Clipping the ball to my bag I reach down and pick up Alistar to check him over. His muzzle has a lot of this nasty gunk around it, and it doesn't suit him at all. I don't think he's noticed yet, but I can't have my brave knight not look his best.

After a few minutes of getting his face all clean he looks up at me and gives a small yip. "You're welcome." I look to the sleeping member of our group and shake my head. Zinnia must be really tired to have slept through all this. She's been working so hard to try and keep up with Alistar. I grab her ball and recall her as well. She might need a break. I'll give her a break and let her rest today.

Packing up camp took only a few minutes, and I set off. I arrived in town carrying Alistar about thirty minutes later. He was looking around. Just as curious as he was when I had brought him out of the forest into Pewter City. Viridian City is quite a bit bigger than Pewter and it's very obvious if the Pokémon Center is any indication. The building is huge and it makes sense considering this place is the home to the eighth gym badge, The Earth Badge.

The history around the badge is rather checkered. It was run at one point by a mob boss, Giovanni. The guy was a talented trainer and business man. I saw his battle tapes in school, and he was nothing short of intense. He had a Beedrill that took down Lance's Dragonite. It was odd, but when I watched that tape again with Alistar. He got really focused on the Beedrill for some reason.

I feel Alistar shift in my arms, and I look down at him. He is looking at the doors Ekans was carted through. He must be worried about her. Ekans was in really rough shape and according to the details brought up from the Pokédex she was starving and malnourished. Add that on top of the thrashing Alistar put her through.

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I sigh and take a seat pulling a brush from my bag and start to run in through Alistar's fur. It would be better to focus on something rather than worrying.

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Ekans POV:

I find myself in a particularly terrible set of circumstances. Not only did I lose control over myself, I almost attacked a cute little girl, then proceeded to get my tail whooped by a Vulpix. Now here I am, all healed up after being trounced, getting fed by the same little girl, who I almost made a meal of. Arceus, put me out of my misery. The guilt alone is tearing me up inside. Such a act towards a innocent child is shameful.

The Vulpix has yet to lift his gaze from me from the girl's lap. I can tell just by his gaze he is pinning me with he'd be willing to beat me down again if I acted up. It's hard to look at him, but it's actually a bit reassuring that he seems ready to stop me should I lose it again.

"Are you feeling better?" His voice seems so much softer than before. I don't answer, and he continues to speak. "I would do it again if necessary, but I still apologize for how harshly I treated you. I added to your suffering when you were in pain, but I had to protect my Lady."

I managed to look at fire-type Pokémon and shift uncomfortably. "I underssstand. Thank you, for ssstoping me. I was not in my right mind. I hope you and your missstressss can forgive me." The look on the Vulpix face shifted to what I could assume to be thoughtful, with a slight tilt to his head before nodding. His eyes however never left me.

"I had resolved to forgive your transgression... One can make, poor decisions, when left with little choice. I don't know how my Lady seeks to handle your debt to her, but what she decides is a choice I can live with." The thoughtful look shifted back to a imperious and hardened mask. It holds so much meaning, and yet so little can be said about it. Cold, calculated, precise, and vigilant. I could feel measures of kindness and malice bleeding from his eyes. I bring myself to wonder, just what has this Vulpix had to survive to be this way.

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Nora POV:

I had sat in a chair while Alistar and Ekans talked with one another. Their communication was rather drawn out with occasional soft yips and hisses. It happened after I had fed Ekans. She is fully recovered from her injuries. Still requires rest, plenty of food, and someone to look after her until she can be reintroduced to the wild. It will be a long road for her.

"Ekans," The snake Pokémon lifted it's head to look over Alistar to meet my gaze. I gave her a smile before reaching out a hand carefully in its range of vision. "I'm sorry Alistar hurt you. I found out from Miss Joy that you were really hungry. So hungry it was hurting you." The Poison-type's tongue flickered out near my fingers. I flipped my hand over and the Pokémon rested it's head in my hand.

"So I want to give you a choice. You can stay here with Nurse Joy until you're all better, and she will release you back to the wild." I feel Alistar shift in my lap and with a glance down I notice Alistar had got Ekans' ball off my bag with his mouth placing it on the bed. "Or you can join us, Alistar, Zinnia, and me. I can't promise much, but I can promise you won't go hungry ever again."

I looked down to Alistar to find him looking up at me with what I can only guess to be approval. "It is only fair that I give you this choice." I say looking back to the Ekans who hasn't moved her head from my hand. "I would be happy to have you with us, but I'll understand if you want to return to the wild."

I waited for a minute or so before the snake lowered her head off my hand and opening her mouth to pick up the ball left on the bed before setting it in my hand and hissing before bowing her head.

I smile, closing my hand around the ball clipping it back to my bag. "I'm glad you want to stay with us." I reach out with both hands to gently take hold of the serpent's head. I lifted her head, so I can look my new friend in the eyes. "Now, what should I call you..."