Chapter 11 - Renewed Vigour

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When I awakened from my deep slumber, I felt extremely sluggish, like I've been hit by a truck or something. As my brain continues to awaken, I notice that I'm in an unfamiliar location. The roof is different from the one I've grown accustomed to. Looking around the room I'm currently in, it seems to be a hospital patient's room. It's a decent size room, there is another bed to my left. It's currently empty, lucky me. The walls, instead of that white colour theme most hospitals have, the walls are instead a dark oak brown, while the floors are a slightly lighter shade of brown.

My bed is way larger than needed for my tiny body, so I'm guessing it's a 1 fit all sorta thing. The blanket is a leaf green, as are the pillows. Along the walls are a couple of small cupboards and larger wardrobe cupboards; the type where you could hang coats in. The wall to my left has a couple of large windows that are both currently wide open. A gentle breeze is flowing through the drapes and into the room. Looking at the window doesn't provide me with anything, since all I can see is a nice clear blue sky with not a single cloud.

Near the window, in the corner of the room lies a large round table with 2 chairs opposite each other; there are some flowers in a vase in the middle of the table. This room in short is rather welcoming. Even though I have no clue where I am, I kinda feel relaxed by the way the room feels.

Deciding that I've probably been in bed for long enough, I try to get up, only pure pain is shot through my body, forcing me to stop. I try to figure out why I'm injured when I remember what happened to me. Anger filled me from the thought of Machoke beating me up, once again. However that anger was instead swapped to joy as I recalled Machoke getting the smackdown of a lifetime by that Incineroar hero guy.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable with my positioning, I tried to adjust myself but I spotted a drip that was attached to my left front leg. I shivered at the thought of a needle-like object getting stuck into me. Nope, never like the thoughts of needles. I shut the thoughts of needles from my mind by replaying the memory of Machoke getting beat up like the prick that he is…Was? Did he die in that cave? Hope so.

My morbid, yet entertaining thoughts are interrupted by the door opening slightly. The door is located at the far back right wall, so I have a perfect view of a Pokémon casually walking in without paying me any mind. The Pokémon is a smaller tree. Its leaves are rounded, smooth looking nubs in sets of three. Sudowoodo was its name, he continued to walk into the room, completely oblivious to what was going on around him. What is strange however is that he is wearing a light blue outfit. If I recall from my old world, those were nurse outfits. So Sudowoodo is a nurse here? I continue to watch the funny looking Pokémon continue his work. I wonder how long it would take for him to notice that I'm watching him.

"Work work, work work, woooork, work," The small tree Pokémon sang to itself with its high pitch voice. Sudowoodo was sweeping the floor while singing to himself, each time he sang "Work" he tried to time it with his broom sweeping. He got to about halfway in the room before he finally noticed that I'm indeed not asleep, but awake and staring straight at him. His eyes locked onto mine and like a deer caught in headlights, just froze.

"Sup," I said, breaking the ice.

Snapped out of his trance, Sudowoodo finally spoke. He raised his arms straight into the air, dropping the broom onto the floor. "Awake! Awake!" He yelled while running out the door. I could hear him continuing to shout out "Awake" while he ran off to wherever.

Gotta say, I did not expect that to happen.

Amused with the scenario, I continued to stare at the door. I could hear someone approaching towards my room. After a second of waiting, another Pokémon greets me with their presence, however this one at least has the decency to knock on the already open door.

"Um…Come in?" I said confusingly. The knock I get but why wait for me to say come in? Hope that Pokémon ain't a vampire.

Another plant like Pokémon entered my room. Instead of a tree, this one I would describe as a person dressing up in leaves with an orange flower atop its head; Its pistils in the flower are yellow and shaped like a crown. The Pokémon's face was pure white, its eyes were like orange rain drops. It has 2 leaves that act as both Its hands and arms. It has a row of large fat leaves around its waist that go all the way down to its 4 small stumpy yellow feet. Lilligant, I believe it's called. It's also unnerving the way it bobs up and down while it moves.

Something that also caught my attention about this Pokémon was the pure white armband with a blue and pink Pokéball looking symbol on it. Kinda like the symbol Nurse Joy had in the games, only remove the button in the middle of the ball and bam that's it.

"Awake, he's awake." Sudowoodo said from the door frame, peering in.

"Yes indeed, he is…Pardon my nurse Sudowoodo here. He is a bit shy with new Pokémon, he means no harm." Lilligant said with a soft, breathy voice.

"Riiiight," I replied "Um, who are you?"

"Oh forgive me, my name is Lilligant, I am the guild's doctor. And you are?" She replied.

"My name is Ace. So if you are the doctor of the guild I keep hearing about, that means I'm at the guild?"

"Correct. You were rushed here after sustaining heavy injuries. It's a miracle you are awake so soon, let alone alive."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is: 3 broken ribs, heavy internal organ damage, a broken leg, cracked jaw, and many more other minor injuries. I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure how you survived. It defies all logic, which makes you quite interesting." She replied while peering closer to me. I felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Could you like, not stare at me like that? You are making me uncomfortable."

"Oh yes, how poorly of me. I tend to let my curiosity…get the better of me sometimes. I apologize for making you uncomfortable," she replied while backing up. She seemed to have returned to her 'normal' state from earlier. "Anyway, since you are awake now, I would like to ask some medical questions."

"Um, okay? But before that, can I get a drink? My throat is killing me." I coughed lightly from my scratchy throat.

"What an odd expression." She pulled herself back when I glared at her for slipping back into her inquisitive state. "Sorry, Sudowoodo, can you please fetch Ace a drink please?" She asked to the door where Sudowoodo was still hiding behind. He poked his head inside to nod before backing away to get the drink. He returned after a short awkward moment of silence later with a tray filled with a large cup of water and a jug, seemingly filled with more water. Lilligant took the cup from Sudowoodo who had taken only 2 steps inside before looking like he entered a horror room. Once Lilligant took the cup, Sudowoodo slipped back outside, peeking in every once and a while.

Lilligant assisted me even though I really didn't want her to but since I'm still heavily injured, I had to bear it as she put the large straw that was in the cup into my mouth while lifting me up ever so slightly so I'm able to drink normally since I'm on my stomach, lying down. I drank all the water, feeling both refreshed from its quenching powers and embarrassment from being helped like this.

Lilligant withdrew from me, back to a comfortable distance away with the cup. Sudowoodo grabbed it and filled it with water from his pitcher before, you guessed it, running back out to the hallway. I wonder what it looks like from someone outside of the room.

"Would you like some more water?" she asked. I wanted to say yes, but I didn't want to go through that again so I declined. "Good, now then-"

"Wait! Um, before all the questioning, what happened to Vulpix?" I asked.

"Ah yes, your travel companion." When she said this, I was reminded of Chriss' phone's view of Vulpix on the wagon next to my heavily injured body. "Besides for a small lashing to her flank, she is fine. If you are wondering where she is at the moment, then I would wager outside the hospital, waiting for visiting hours to commence. She has been doing this for a solid week now," she explained.

"What? How long have I been asleep for?"

"A week." I just stared flatly at her, feeling slightly annoyed for asking an obvious question. "So shall I commence with the check up?"

"Yeah, knock yourself out doc."

"Another weird choice of idiom, interesting. Anyway, let us commence. Do you feel any residual injuries…"

So I was asked a bunch of physical questions like am I sore, or can I touch my toes with my vines. She didn't make me move since I'm indeed still heavily injured but I can at least use my vine as long as I dont grab something heavy. She also asked some personal questions like: Origin, family's location. You know, things I got no clue how to answer. I just gave a somewhat truthful answer like, no clue. When she asked if they knew where I was I replied with "Tch, doubt they noticed." I think she got the memo to stop asking about my family and home after that.

So after she took some of my blood- yes, they do blood tests in this world it seems, a couple more questions and she was finally finished.

"Thank you for your cooperation. We shall leave you to rest now. Come Sudowoodo, let's leave our guest here, so he may rest." Lilligant said to Sudowoodo who at some point seemed to have gotten a little more comfortable with me. He entered after I gave the answer about parents knowing where I was.

Sudowoodo watched Lilligant walk past him and out the door. He looked back to me, then the door, then back to me. He looked like he didn't want to leave but chose to wave vigorously at me before he left.

Now that I'm alone, I take a deep breath in. Well, it seems that I have made it out of that mine. I'm just glad to be rid, hopefully, of Machoke. Feeling a bit sluggish, I make myself more comfortable with slight adjustments. Before I can begin to sleep, I can hear a soft murmuring outside of the door before it opens ever so slightly, revealing an orange snout. That snout belonged to Vulpix, who continued to peer inside my room before she locked eyes with me.

"Erm, Good morning, Vulpix. Nice weather we're having?" I stumbled over myself with my greeting.

"You…you really are awake…" she mumbled to herself. Tears began to fill her eyes as she sniffled. She darted over towards me. I had no time to brace myself before she jumped on my bed. Now, I don't blame her for being excited, but I really wish she held herself back as she jumped slightly on me, making me wince in pain.

"Ah!" she shouted, immediately backing away from me, "I'm so sorry, I just got so excited from seeing you awake," she continued with a shamed expression.

"It's fine," I said. Vulpix began to turn up the water works since she was basically two pins from crying. "Hey, it was an accident, there's no reason to cry over it. Uh…" I tried to reassure her.

"I'm sorry but, I thought I was going to lose you. The doctors told me that it-it was a very slim chance for you to survive. I-I thought I failed you." She said while sniffling.

"You silly little fox, It's because of you that I was freed from Machoke's clutches." I said while shaking my head slightly.

"But you were hurt again." Again? Oh yeah, with Nidoran. Man, I can't believe that was almost a month ago. Time flies when you are a prisoner… "I thought you were going to leave me." She was basically crying now. I guess she was really worried about me.

"Leave you? I wouldn't dream of it. Don't cry, Vulpix. Haven't you noticed it yet?"

"N-notice what?" She continued to sniffle.

"We are no longer in the mine. Sure I'm a bit…banged up, but I'll get better. Then once I'm all healed up, there is only one thing to do. And do you know what that is?"

She shook her head.

"Why, joining the guild of course. We did make that promise after all. Don't tell me you forgot?" I asked with a fake hurt expression.

"Of course not! And you are right. I've been so caught up with worrying for you that I haven't realized it, we are free…we are free!" She quickly swapped to a joyous state. "Thanks Ace, for cheering me up."

I smiled. "No problem, I much prefer seeing you happy then sad. You have a nice smile." I say. Vulpix suddenly looked away. Did I say something to upset her?

After a short while later, fatigue hit me hard. Vulpix understandingly left me alone so I could sleep. She said she was going to spend some time with her foster parents and would visit me again tomorrow. So the rest of the day was spent sleeping and eating lunch and dinner when they were ready.

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Vulpix visited again the next day. She began to tell me about what she did with her foster parents. I was listening but it started to become difficult to follow her. It felt like I had no energy at all. Well, less than usual for an injured patient.

"...then we…um, are you alright, Ace? You seem a bit…off?" Vulpix asked from across the bed. It was big enough to easily fit both of us on it without interfering with me.

I stumbled over my words as I tried to respond to her. What's going on with me? Why do I feel like I'm completely out of energy?

"Doctor! Doctor!" Vulpix shouted while darting out the room.

A short while later, doctor Lilligant entered the room quickly behind Vulpix. Vulpix explained the situation, that I'm not responsive and seem out of it. Lilligant did some observations before pointing out that my plant is losing its colour. Well that doesn't sound good. Why would that be…hmm maybe.

"...Sunlight, need sunlight…" I manage to mumble out. Have you ever stayed up all night, then gone to work for 8 hours to have your brain completely fried? That's what I feel like at the moment.

"Sunlight? What would that-" Lilligant was saying before being cut of by Vulpix

"Sunlight, of course. Doctor, has Ace been in direct sunlight since being in the hospital?" Vulpix asked.

"No, he hasn't, why?" Lilligant responded with a leaf hand to her chin area.

"Well Ace feeds off sunlight, so maybe he has run out of sunlight energy?" Vulpix correctly pointed out.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"My dear, while Bulbasaur's do absorb some sunlight through photosynthesis, I doubt that's the reason."

Vulpix went into a deep thought before responding, "Well Ace is…different from normal Bulbasaurs, I can't explain without his permission but he used to say that he could absorb sunlight through this synthesis thing and use it to fuel him."

"That sounds…improbable?" Lilligant went into a deep thought, looking over to me, studying my plant. "Actually, that could explain why he is healing rapidly. What if…Hmm this needs to be tested. Okay Vulpix, I shall indulge in your theory. I will go fetch the nurses now." And with that, Lilligant went out of the room.

A short while later, she re-entered, with another Pokémon who was draped in a nurse's uniform like Sudowoodo's. Only, one designed for a four legged Pokémon instead. This Pokémon was pink in colour, a crimson red gem embedded in its forehead and a long tail that split off at the end. It was an Espeon. The small pink Pokémon walked far enough in the room, allowing Sudowoodo, who was following behind with a wheelchair, enough room to enter also.

"Could you please use your Psychic to lift Ace the Bulbasaur here onto the wheel chair?" Lilligant asked.

"Why are we moving a heavily injured patient?" Espeon asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Why, so he can get some sunlight of course. Now, chop-chop." Lilligant responded.

"Okay I've gotten used to your weirdness doctor, but unless you give me an actual reason as to why I'm moving him, I will have to take this situation to the Guildmaster."

"Understandable. If you notice, his Bulbasaur bulb is a shade of brown, like a dying plant. From his friend Vulpix here, apparently he is able to perform an advanced form of photosynthesis, to the point where he can, well in theory, accelerate his healing. Alas, with no more energy and control over it, I hypothesize that he is consuming too much natural energy and thus is literally healing his injuries to death."

Espeon nodded after that long lecture from Lilligant. I understood literally none of what was said. Hope this isn't on the test. Heh, still got my jokes at least.

"Hmm, okay, I'll budge this time. Little is known about Bulbasaurs. Hey dumb-dumb," she asked towards where Sudowoodo was. He jolted awake from his half asleep state, trying his best to make it look like he was paying attention.

"Move the wheel chair closer to Bulbasaur, I want him moving as little as possible." She continued to bark orders. I'm starting to wonder who the boss is around here.

With a soft pink glow of Espeon's crystal on her forehead, I was enveloped by a similar aura. If I didn't feel so drained of energy, I might have really freaked out from the sudden movement. Gotta say, I don't like being moved with Psychic, you know that nauseating feeling when you go down a rollercoaster? Well, It's like that, but you can't brace yourself at all. With what seems practiced expertise, Espeon lifted me from my bed and over to the wheelchair with one swift motion. I'm impressed with how well she executed that, I barely felt any pain from being placed on the chair.

With her job now complete, Espeon dismissed herself saying to call her when she is needed again. With Lilligant at the front, Sudowoodo moving me, and Vulpix trailing us, we began to move. We exited my room and travelled down a corridor lined with more doors, some open, but most closed. They are also patient rooms.

The end of the corridor opened to a wide waiting room. There was a selection of seats in the middle and around the edge of the room. To the right there was another large doorway with a desk to the left of it. Espeon was atop it looking like she was about to head off to sleep. Straight ahead there was a set of flappy doors. I'm guessing by the sign above that it could be the operation room. Still can't read, which sucks. And to the left is a glass wall with a large double, automatic door. I question to myself what they use as fuel for electricity.

Lilligant leads us over to the automatic doors. They make way for us, like the simps that they are and we exit to the outside. This balcony area is huge. It's a large circle-like shape with a safety rail around the edges with some hedges and park chairs against it. There are a couple of injured looking Pokémon out here. I spy a Squirtle with a cast and a Wurmple with a bandage on its head near the entrance. What really captures my curiosity is the large red 'H' around the middle of the balcony. Maybe it's where flying Pokémon can land? But why would they need it at all? Oh well, I'll ask later when I no longer feel like a deflated balloon.

We moved over to the right, out of the main way. I begin to relish the feeling of drawing in sunlight again. I could hear some talking around me but I couldn't care less, this is magical. After 5 minutes or so, I feel energized enough to tune back into what's going on.

"...Marvellous, it looks like you really are drawing in energy from the sun at an alarming rate. Your Bulbasaur buld is already looking much better. I'm still not sure if it's encouraging your natural healing. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to perform experiments involving healing anymore, not after last time…" Lilligant faintly said.

Vulpix looked like she wanted to ask but didn't. Don't worry, I got you. "You didn't kill whatever you experimented on, did you?"

"Ace!" Vulpix chided me.

"Oh, heavens no. He is still walking about." Lilligant reassured. Before I could ask the juicy details, I was rudely interrupted by rather loud flapping noises from afar. Looking around, I spotted a large Pidgeot holding a large tarp with something at the bottom of it. Pidgeot carefully placed the tarp in the middle of the red 'H'. The tarp slipped away, revealing a rather heavily injured looking Sawk. The automatic door opened nearby and Espeon was running out of it with her gem glowing, a patient's stretcher followed her engulfed in the pink glow from her gem.

"Well, as much as I would like to continue this conversation, duty calls. Come, Sudowoodo." Lilligant bobbed towards the injured Sawk. Sudowoodo, who I hadn't realized was hiding poorly by one of the hedges, snapped into gear, following after her. So unless he is working, he is mega shy. Weird.

Now that they left back inside, I did a double take looking back up. Is…is the hospital…in a tree? This thing is massive. It's easily the size of a skyscraper, with its leaves expanding a huge distance around it. There aren't many branches though, well besides for the one around the leaf area at the top. I'm just completely breathless at the pure size of this hecking chonker of a tree.

"It's quite the view, isn't it Ace?" Vulpix asked who was looking where I was.

"You can say that."

"Did you not have trees like this in your world?"

"No, not to this size. The only thing that was as tall as this was some of our buildings. Skyscrapers, we called them."

"Humans made buildings as big as this tree?"

"Yep, humans sure do enjoy making big things."

"Well since you like the view of the tree so much, turn around and have a look at the view."

"Alright, let me move my body towards the balcony. Oh wait, I can't." Sarcasm is thick with every word I say.

"Oh yeah, sorry, hehe." Vulpix moved to the back of the wheel chair and gingerly moved me around and closer to the edge. Once I got close enough, I was purely captivated again for the second time this day.

What lies before me was a gorgeous view of a village from below. We aren't too high, so I can't really make out everything, but the sight of this colourful village is still breath-taking nonetheless. The houses are a mix of different shapes and colors. Not one looked like the other, some were even shaped like Pokémon. I spotted a couple of Pokémon head-themed buildings. I spotted a Mudkip with a monocle, a Beware and…a Kangaskhan head shaped. Mmm, hope it's not the same one from before or else I might have some…choice words to say to her.

"Welcome to OakTown, Ace." Vulpix said from my side. I just continued to stare at the colourful buildings while I soaked up that delicious sunlight.

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"So how do we actually join up with the guild? In the games from my world, you kinda just applied then boom-bam you're in the guild. It's not like that here, is it?" I asked Vulpix. We had moved over to a park bench located on the veranda so Vulpix could sit down while we chatted.

"It was like that at one point, but with the growing danger and more new Pokémon heavily injured and leaving, they have made it a little more challenging to sign up." Vulpix explained. I nodded while listening to her. "The guild requires at least two Pokémon per team, they both have to pass an obstacle course of some sorts and at least one should be able to read." I sighed at hearing that, since at least one of us can read.

"Phew, glad they only need one person to read."

"You know, I could always teach you to re-re-re…" Vulpix was saying before she was stuttering all of the sudden.

"You could teach me to re-re-re? What? Did you have a stroke or something?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"Ah hello there, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation about joining the guild." A new mature woman's voice came from behind me.

"What? Who goes there!? Quick, Vulpix initiate plan 'Turn me around!'" I looked over to Vulpix who was just stuttering to herself some more.

"I-I-I-It's th-e, the-" Vulpix carried on, she had raised a paw towards the mysterious person.

"Vulpix, this is no time for a broken record impersonation!" I began to turn my head further around but a sharp pain sprung up, forcing me to stop.

A soft chuckle came from the stranger. The wheelchair I'm on began to slowly turn towards the mysterious stranger. I instantly recognised the Pokémon before me, It was a Gardevoir. She stood taller than me with slender white legs and green arms. She had a long white white dress that extended from her body. A red pointed plate protruding from her chest area. Her slick back, green hair covered up a portion of her red eyes while it reached back and sat on her shoulders. She stood before me looking like the pure definition of elegant.

"Good afternoon, my name is Gardevoir. I am the founder and head master of this guild. It is a pleasure to meet you both," she introduced herself. Vulpix, who was now next to me since I've been turned, continues her stuttering.

"Sup, I'm Ace and this is Vulpix." I said. Man, Vulpix looked like she was two pins from running to the hills. She kept looking towards me, then back to Gardevoir. Guess being a guildmaster and founder can do this to others.

"Ah, a named individual. Tell me, where did you come from, that is you don't mind my asking."

"...Far away. That's all I'm saying about that for now," I staunchly replied.

"Ace!" Vulpix finally spoke, "P-please don't mind him, miss guildmaster ma'am! He doesn't mean to be disrespectful, he is new here and um…"

"It's quite alright, young Vulpix. Do you mind if I call you Ace?" Gardevoir asked me.

"Sure, knock yourself out." I replied. Vulpix gasped from how I talked. I almost laughed at just how over the top Vulpix is taking this.

"Thank you, Ace. I understand that not everyone is trusting to strangers. We all have secrets that we would rather keep to ourselves. I do hope that one day we could be friends though." Gardevoir tilted her head with a big smile. Vulpix calmed down instantly from this, but I continued to keep my guard up. She seemed nice, but I could tell that she isn't all she appears. As she said, we all have our secrets.

"Anyway, I couldn't help but overhear that you two are inspired to join the guild. Are there any questions I could answer for you two since I'm here?" Gardevoir asked.

"Well since you asked, I do have a couple of questions: What do we need to do to pass this exam of yours, what type of missions are we expected to carry out, and of course what's the pay?" I asked. Vulpix once again looked like she was going to explode at me, but one quick glance towards Gardevoir's calm expression seemed to have stopped her.

"Excellent questions. To pass the guild's exam, you will need to pass a simple obstacle course, some exercises that have been decided by the trainer, and a simple knowledge test. It will be verbal to those who can't write. The type of missions vary from simple odd jobs, escorting Pokémon to and from locations, rescuing Pokémon from Mystery Dungeons, and exploring new locations that pop up." I really started to focus now that she mentioned that we will be tasked with exploring new locations. I want to grab as many of those as possible. "And the pay for beginners starts off at 10 percent of the bounty assigned to the task. It will increase as you gain experience and any bonuses awarded are yours to keep. Also, food and housing will be provided, as well as medical check-ups. Anything else?" Gardevoir finished. I started to feel a bit excited from this.

A smile grew on my face. Anything else? Well, there is only one thing left to ask. I looked to Vulpix who looked back at me and nodded, sharing my smile. I looked back to Gardevoir.

"When can we join?" I asked the obvious question.

She smiled back at me, "Trials begin one week from tomorrow. I wonder if you will have recovered by then."

One week from tomorrow. If what the doctor said about my plant bulb thing is true, then as long as I keep feeding it sunlight, I should make a quick recovery. One week is nothing, I'll be ready for the trial and pass with flying colours. "Oh I'll recover in time, don't you worry." I said with confidence.

Gardevoir lightly chuckled, "Such confidence, reminds me of a certain someone. Well, I shall be taking my leave now. It has been a pleasure talking with the both of you. I hope to see you in the trials. I'm interested to see what you two can do." And with that, Gardevoir walked back inside of the hospital after giving us a nod.

"B-bye" Vulpix squeaked out long after she left.

I gave a small laugh from this. "So, that's the guildmaster, aye? Well at least we have some information about the guild now, 'ey Vulpix? Vulpix?" I looked over to where Vulpix was who looked like a fan girl seeing one of her favourite superstars in person. I just rolled my eyes.

One week. I'll be ready.

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Later that day, Sudowoodo gingerly approached and very timidly told Vulpix that visiting hours are over and that she can come visit again tomorrow morning. Vulpix at first didn't want to leave, but eventually did. I was then pushed back to my room and lifted back to my bed by Espeon. I was given a couple of books on my nightstand for entertainment. At first I thought they were mocking me, but I realized they didn't know I couldn't read their language.

A thought was lingering in my mind, however. Why haven't I been healed with Oran berries? Hell, I know first hand how powerful those things can be. Haunting thoughts be haunting evermore.

After a short while, Espeon returned back to my room with a dining cart with a couple of plates with metal lids atop them. Dinner time and one was for me. They say hospital food is terrible, but after eating from the mine for two months, this food is magical to me. My food was passed to the top of my bed as Espeon hopped up to make sure I was all set and comfortable to eat. Since I can use my vine, I don't need to be hand fed, thank god.

After making sure I was all set, Espeon was about to hop off then I asked her a question. "Hey Espeon, can I ask you a question that has been nagging at me?"

"Sure, I don't have other patients that are waiting for their food. So ask away." She said dripping with sarcasm.

Suppressing the ever-loving urge to return the sarcasm and some choice words, I asked, "I know how powerful Oran berries are at healing, so why haven't I been fully healed with them?"

She tilted her head as if I asked an incredible stupid question. After realising I'm dead serious, she finally began to speak again. "I'm surprised you don't know of Oran O.D. Basically every Pokémon does."

"Well sorry, but I'm not from here, so my knowledge is a bit different from yours. What is this Oran O.D?" I asked.

She sighed, like I'm asking the world from her. "Oran O.D, or Oran overdose, is the scenario when one uses Oran berries to heal heavy wounds too often and too quickly. You see, Oran berries promote healing down to the cellular level. A cut here or a broken arm can be healed easily using them but too many extreme injuries being healed too quickly, one after the other, can lead to permanent issues. Apparently from the check-ups, you have had this happen to you to the extreme level, very recently. It's not my business to ask what happened, so I won't ask, but that is why we have to rely on the old fashioned way of healing. Besides, it doesn't seem like you will be here long, what with your magical healing bulb. So is that everything, or can I get back to work?" She explained with sass ever present in her voice.

"Geez yes, don't let me keep you from your work anymore, miss grumpy-gus." I replied, finally getting sick of her sass.

She clicked her tongue, hopped down from my bed, grabbed her trolley with Psychic, and left the room.

Silence returned to the room as I looked over my food. It was an apple curry of sorts with a side of rice and apple juice. I dug into it, enjoying every bit of its weird but delicious taste. There was one thing that I started to realize, I didn't like being alone anymore. I began to miss my old roommates.

I should ask what happened to Pachirisu and Scorbunny. Oh well, I can do that tomorrow. I do wish I had my phone, I could use some music right about now. Well, I might as well get some sleep then.

I had a terrible nightmare that night.

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The next 7 days took forever to pass. Well besides for when Vulpix was around. When she wasn't around I felt…uneasy. It didn't help that the nightmares returned. I thought about telling her, but I hesitated. If it becomes an issue, I might. Anyway, I spent most of my time outside, absorbing the sunlight. It was confirmed that as long as I get enough sunlight, I will heal much quicker than normal. Kewl, I have unique powers.

I was able to find out that Pachirisu and Scorbunny both went back home to their villages a distance away. Hope I'll get to see them again someday.

So with everyday sunlight soaking, I was able to make a full recovery by day 6, I was kept an extra night just to be sure, however. So today Vulpix and I did some minor exercises and workouts on the balcony. It felt nice to limber up again. Being stuck in that room for 7 days sure wasn't a nice time.

So I was discharged from the hospital when it dawned on me, I have nowhere to sleep tonight.

"Why not come stay at my foster parent's house tonight? I already asked and they would be delighted to have you." Vulpix asked. We both were in the waiting area while Espeon was completing some paperwork.

"Eh, I don't know." I said. A hospital I can work with since it's a public operation; they reside in the guild but aren't owned by them, but I'm not sure about a stranger's house.

"Trust me Ace, they are good Pokémon. They took me in when I was really young, after all." I looked at Vulpix, I really wanted to deny her invitation but…if she said I can trust them…then I guess I'll give them a shot. I still don't like the idea of trusting others, especially strangers, but I did promise Vulpix that I would give others a chance.

So with a round of farewells to Lilligant, Espeon, who just grunted annoyingly, and a farewell to Sudowoodo, who almost cried from us leaving, a normal thing for him apparently, we made our way to the main door.

It leads to a small, wide corridor with 2 doors to the left, one is an emergency-only elevator, and the other is the guild's direct entrance to the hospital. Straight ahead revealed a large door, it is currently engulfed by the day's light, stopping me from peering outside.

"Ready to leave, Ace?" Vulpix asked, who was at my side.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

We both moved forward, exiting the hospital. One day until we can join the guild. Just got to survive my next big task: parantals.

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End Chapter 11