Disclaimer: Pokemon and co. doesn't belong to me . . . . blah blah blah . . . Authors Notes: Yeah, I know the previous chapter was pretty angsty . . . but that's all over now! Everyone will be back to normal and their usual antics! I've been wanting to try a New Trainer fic for awhile now. Two weeks ago I started this fic, not sure where it was going and just now I saw it as an opportunity! The rest of this fic will be in Satoshi's POV. Although I'll switch to Musashi's POV and Inferno's POV every now and then. Enjoy! (I hope) Ketchum: The Journey Continues Celadon City, Finally! Chapter 14 Both tired, Fearow and Pidgeot landed in front of the Pokemon Center in Celadon. The business with the Persian had really freaked me out. I wondered what Inferno had done to it . . .? I shivered, best not to think of what Inferno probably did, it'll just give me nightmares. Musashi was having a quiet conversation with Meowth. It seemed that she didn't like what he was saying, if I put my nose in she'll probably mallet me. I flopped down on the Pokemon Centre's couch, all our pokemon were with Nurse Joy, including Clefairy who had to get a booster shot. I shuddered, I absolutely hated needles! (Hey Satoshi, how're you feeling?) "I'm fine Inferno, don't start babying me." He shrugged. ~~~~~~Inferno's POV~~~~~~ I sighed, females simply could not be figured out, so why bother? Instincts nagged at the back of my head, trying to tell me what it was, I ignored them, for now. I sighed and lay there on the floor beside Satoshi, by my Oath I had promised to protect him. And yet I almost failed. Lifting my head I looked at him, some time during the night he had rolled off the couch and began using me as a pillow. Not that I minded of course. Ever since he began sleeping beside or curled by me the demons that haunt his dreams seem to have vanished. It's reassuring to think my presence is helping him. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, Satoshi was going to fight the Plant Gym Leader Erika and her daughter. I let out a silent yawn and did another quick check of the room. Meowth and Clefairy were sleeping soundly. Satoshi turned on his back and started to snore, limbs askew. I chuckled. Musashi was curled in a ball. I lowered my head onto Satoshi's stomach and dropped off to sleep. ~~~~~~Musashi's POV~~~~~~ He's so protective of him. Not that I really blame him, Satoshi tends to attract trouble like electricity attracts Electric Pokemon. I couldn't help but wonder how Satoshi could sleep like that with his arms and legs everywhere. One arm was on Inferno's head and a leg was draped over on Inferno's back. It was really early, about 6 am. I couldn't go back to sleep now so I stood up and tip-toed to the shower. Who was I going to use in the Gym? Hmm . . . maybe Raticate, Zubat and Ekans could do the job. I could bring Ivysaur and Clefairy for back up . . . Or maybe I should just catch a Vulpix or another fire type . . . No, my team could do it. I had faith in them. I stepped out of the shower and got dressed. As I was walking out I bumped into Inferno, I glared but he didn't notice. He was still half asleep, I wondered if he even knew what he was doing up here. My forehead creased, this wasn't like him at all. Inferno would usually be wide awake but this stupor he was in wasn't normal. I looked at his tail that was half dragging on the ground, a Charizard's tail flame is the best indicator of their current health. Inferno's was only the size of a Charmanders, not good. I took him by the wrist and led him down to Nurse Joy, wincing at how clammy his wrist was. "Oh no!" Nurse Joy gasped as she led Inferno away. Now for an even bigger problem, how was I going to tell Satoshi? I looked at him, he was beginning to thrash, Inferno wasn't around so I kneeled beside him and shook him awake. "Nnng?" He mumbled something even I couldn't understand before heading to the bathroom. Well, it was kinda early . . . A few minutes later he emerged from the bathroom, trying to tame his sopping wet and messy hair. I chuckled when he gave up and threw the brush in his bag. "Hey Inferno, where are you? It's time to go to the Gym!" Ummm . . . Maybe I should let Nurse Joy tell him . . . No, she's busy. But she could break it to him better than I could. I warred internally about this for a few seconds before I realized what I was doing, I slapped my palm against my forehead. Gah, mood swings. "Hey Musashi . . ." I jumped and whirled to go face to face with a worried Satoshi. "Do'ya know where Inferno is? I can't find him." I looked to Meowth and Clefairy for help but they were no where in sight. Traitors. "Ummm . . . Nurse Joy's with him, he's really sick." I swear I could almost see his heart drop to the floor, internally I winced. The worst part about this was that today was the last day to get a Rainbow Badge before the Gym Leader went on maternity leave and the Gym closed. Satoshi sighed and began rummaging through his pokemon with his pokedex as we began the walk to the gym. ~~~~~~Inferno's POV~~~~~~ How humiliating, a king of Fire Pokemon taken down by a mere cold. Nurse Joy had put me in a fire-proof room, with good reason. We Fire pokemon don't react well to colds. I sneezed again, a small ball of flame flying from my nose. When we have colds, we can't control our fire breathing ability. This makes it dangerous to be around me. Suddenly I was taken by a sneezing fit and Fire balls went every where. I silently wished Satoshi luck in Celadon Gym. "Time for your medicine!" Nurse Joy chirped merrily with a Chansey by her side pushing a tray with jars of medicine and needles. I was beginning to see why Satoshi didn't like them. I wondered which pokemon Satoshi would use in the Gym. Personally I would have recommended Butterfree, Jigglypuff, Weepinbell and probably Rattata. I hope that when he wins he'll tell me all about the fight. *Hello?* I looked up from my position on the bed at the Sandslash that just entered the room. *Yeah?* Slowly I sat up, whoa, headrush. *I didn't think anyone was in here.* *Heh, it's not often you see a Charizard with a cold.* I smiled at him before falling to another sneezing fit. *Sounds bad. Mind if I stick around? My trainer's gonna come pick me up later and I'm bored.* *No, I don't mind. I could use the company. I'm feeling miserable.* *'Cause you're sick?* *That too, but I really miss Satoshi. He's out getting his badge and I'm not there to help him do it.* *Ow, that's rough.* I nodded. *So what are you in for?* He got a cross expression. *My moronic trainer thought I could handle Erika alone. 'Nuff said.* I winced, that had to hurt! "INFERNOOOO! We did it!" *Satoshi!* I hauled my butt off the bed and made for the door. Satoshi met me with a flying tackle. *Oof! Glad to see you too!* I wheezed before I began sneezing. "Fire in da hole!" Meowth yelled as he, Clefairy and Musashi hid. *So, who did you use?* "Butterfree, Rattata and Jigglypuff!" *Good move.* I agreed and watched as he pinned the badge in his coat. *So who was the toughest you fought?* "The Gloom, definitely the Gloom. It took out Butterfree and Rattata by itself with enough strength left over to give me 'n Jigglypuff a run for our money." *What happened?* I asked eagerly. "Well, after I recalled poor Rattata I sent out Jigglypuff. About five minutes later Jigglypuff was *this* close to fainting. I got desperate and called for her one hit K.O. move that I taught her with a TM." *What move was that?* He sighed. "Metronome." Whoa, it must've been bad if he called for an unpredictable move like that. *What did it turn out to be?* He grinned. "Fire Spin. Gloom didn't stand a chance." I grinned and gave him a big hug. *I'm just sorry I wasn't there by your side.* "It's ok pal, it's not your fault you got sick. By tomorrow you'll be all better and we'll be on our way to Seafoam Islands for a three week vacation!" I sighed in contentment and rested my chin on the top of his head.