The Pokémon Center doors slid open with a sharp hiss.
I stumbled inside, nearly colliding with the counter.
"Nurse Joy!" I shouted, my voice trembling.
Her smile vanished instantly when she saw the burned Frogadier's Poké Ball in my hand and the limp Riolu in my arms.
"Chansey, emergency care — now!"
Within seconds, Chansey rushed over with a stretcher. I carefully laid Riolu down as Nurse Joy took Frogadier's ball.
"What happened?" she asked quickly.
"Team Flare," I said between breaths. "They were… stealing Pokémon. Houndoom… nearly—" My voice caught.
Her expression tightened, but she nodded firmly. "We'll take it from here. Go sit down, please."
I did as she said, my legs still shaking. The sounds of hurried footsteps and medical equipment clinking filled the air.
Time blurred. I sat in the waiting area, head in my hands.
This isn't the anime. This isn't a game.
That Riolu could have died. Froakie — no, Frogadier now — could have died. And if I'd hesitated even a second longer…
I clenched my fists. I wasn't going to let something like that happen again.
"Andrew?"
I looked up. Nurse Joy stood in front of me, her smile gentle but tired.
"They'll both be fine," she said. "Your Frogadier's burns have been treated, and Riolu is stable. He's awake if you'd like to see him."
I exhaled slowly, relief flooding through me. "Yeah… I'd like that."
The recovery room was quiet except for the soft beeping of a monitor. Riolu sat on the bed, a few bandages around his arms, his aura sensors drooping slightly.
When he saw me, his ears twitched and he let out a small, surprised bark.
I walked over and knelt beside the bed.
"Hey, you did amazing out there. You stood up to four grunts by yourself… that takes guts."
Riolu tilted his head, eyes narrowing like he was sizing me up.
I chuckled. "I'm not your trainer. I know that. But… if you ever want to come with me, I'll make sure you never have to fight alone again."
There was a long pause. Riolu looked at the window, then at me again. Slowly, he reached out a paw.
I smiled and gently tapped it with my fist.
When I left the room, Nurse Joy was waiting with a Poké Ball in hand.
"He insisted," she said with a knowing smile.
I looked down at the ball. It felt heavier than it should — not in weight, but in meaning.
I clipped it to my belt next to Frogadier's. "Welcome to the team… partner."