Vanessa and Sabrina made their way to the Pokémon Center.


    It’s better to check things out, and maybe Sabrina can ask for Nurse Joy’s expertise regarding young Pokémon.


    And regarding Exeggcute, she really doesn’t know how that works.


    Exeggcute was supposed to be five of them, but she only caught one.


    Is that fine like that? When it evolves, will it have only one head? But it goes from five to three heads anyway.


    ”Hey, Sabby, did I mess up?”


    ”We aren’t looking for if you messed up but how badly.


    But considering everything, maybe you will do just fine?


    Should we go to the station now, or is it wearing down your nerves?”


    ”No, I want a bit more time.”


    Her usual energetic self vanished, replaced by a concerned look.


    She seems to understand the grave implication of what she has done better than most of her age.


    Or above her age, considering the politics of my last life. World? Did I die in between?


    Maybe the booklet mentioned it, but I don’t remember.


    ”Hello, what can I do for you?”


    ”Please take a look at our Pokémon, and could I have a diagnosis for mine at least?”


    At the last words, Sabrina looked at Vanessa, trying to ask through her gaze if she needs a diagnosis too.


    A sad smile spread on her face before she nodded.


    Nurse Joy seems to understand and smiles, not letting her bad mood spread, which would make Vanessa probably feel guilty.


    She seems to be a bit surprised as Sabrina gave her the whole six, as she is informed of her circumstances.


    But a joyful smile appears as she sees that Vanessa also caught a Pokémon as she gave over her three Pokéballs.


    Wait, three?!


    ”Nessa, you didn’t?”


    ”I thought it would be easier this way. And he should also get a check-up.”


    ”Well, at least you don’t have to walk into the station like a convict with that.”


    Sabrina and Vanessa go to the side, to a waiting room.


    There, they can see how Nurse Joy put Sabrina’s Pokémon first in the machine.


    Six pictures of Pokémon appear: her starter Bulbasaur, accidental catch Abra, backstabbed Vulpix, trying to play through Exeggcute, down-feeling baby Oddish, and in temporary care, Comfey.


    The thing with Comfey is that she goes along like she decided to be her Pokémon, to have a better picture of what she would get into when she really accepts or if she should decline.


    Seeing the lineup of Pokémon seems to be quite surprising, as Nurse Joy steals a glance, wide-eyed, at Sabrina.


    After giving the tablet with Pokéballs to Chansey, who then walks away, she puts in Vanessa’s Pokéballs.


    Both can feel how the world seems to slow down while they hold their breath. The moment of truth.


    As Nurse Joy inserted the last Pokéball and let the Healing Machine do its job, nothing happened.


    Only the nurse reacts at seeing a picture of Zapdos with great surprise and even a bit of joy.


    She quickly took the Pokéballs out again and made her way to the waiting room.


    Vanessa looks confused at Sabrina, but she just stares at the window, not understanding what’s going on.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.As she sits closer to the window, Vanessa doesn’t appear in her view before she turns to Arian at the sudden sound of a door slamming open.


    ”Vanessa, this is amazing! You are the one who managed to capture Zapdos?”


    ”Well, ehh, yes. Yeah, I did.”


    ”That’s great! I didn’t know you were such a talented trainer!”


    Sabrina and Vanessa exchange bamboozled gazes before looking in at Nurse Joy as if she is a Pikachu who said, ‘Boah, what a hard day. Does someone have a cold one?’.


    Sensing something amiss, she quickly explains.


    ”I was contacted by Interpol, the international police, regarding the vanishing of Zapdos.


    They wanted me to keep an eye open.


    You don’t need to worry. Even though they are legendary Pokémon, they are still Pokémon and beings with their own will.


    It didn’t end well last time when they were seen as anything else than that.


    Since it would have been plainly obvious by thunderstorms and Articuno and Moltres reaction if it was caught against its will, it’s treated as willingly captured, which is completely legal after the law.”


    ”What about the balance between the three Legendary Birds to ensure the Sea Current stays as it is?”


    “Zapdos just has to sometimes go back to the Island of Thunder and ensure no one is encroaching into his territory.


    Their presence isn’t needed all day, because if it were, then it implies that they would have to do something all day.


    They are more like managers who don’t actually do anything but have to check sometimes if everything runs smoothly.


    If theyhad to do something actively 24/7, then they would have ditched the job long ago. I would have, at least.


    And Lugia ensures that no battle will break out without good reason, so no one will encroach on his territory.”


    ”I see. I don’t really get why it’s fine, but at least there won’t be any climate catastrophe.”


    ”Does that mean I won’t have to go to jail?”


    ”No. It’s a common misconception, in a way.


    You may even be asked of Assistance by the Government to get crystals Balls from the Islands if a dire Situation arrives.”


    ”Ahh, I…”


    ”Is it really fine, just like that? Nothing to watch out for?”


    ”Well, other people will bother you about it, some even trying to strong-arm you to give you the Pokémon.


    But even if you submit to their demands, at worst Zapdos would be disappointed in you and fly away after beating the person up.


    What is illegal is to use Zapdos''s power for crimes or carelessly use it.


    You are responsible for him, so when he does something bad, it falls on you.”


    While Sabrina asked the question, Nurse Joy mainly talked to Vanessa, as she needs to know it more urgently.


    Having seemingly forgotten, or too absorbed in what she got told, she forgot the crystal balls.


    Sabrina is unsure if she should have interrupted her, but for now she wants to keep responsibilities away from her.


    Vanessa faced Zapdos before showing it the Crystal head-on, and he had the guts to throw a Pokéball!


    Until she matures a bit more, she shouldn’t try to handle too much.


    Mainly for Sabrina’s mental well-being.


    ”Sabby, thank you.”


    ”Ah, no. I unnecessarily scared you.”


    ”No, I was scared before! But I didn’t have any idea what I was supposed to do.


    I already knew it’s a Legendary Pokémon, as Jerome said it’s the legendary Zapdos, but I didn’t understand its further implication.


    If I hadn’t asked, or if you hadn’t explained it to me, I would have just continued hiding him and been scared of the moment it got found out.”


    ”Well, asking is always a good thing to do. Even though I also have some complex emotions right now about how I should think of it.


    But first, I should follow my own advice, since it seems I will have to take care of Pokémonat the age of little kids for now.”


    ”Ehh, really?”


    ”Yes, I believe Exeggcute is a bit young, while Oddish and Comfey still seem to have some growing to do.”


    ”Wow, I didn’t even notice.”


    ”Already perked up again? Good to see you smile again.”


    ”Mm, thanks, Sabby. Really.”


    ”No worry. I just want to lie down in bed since the whole day is going over my head.”


    ”?”


    ”Ah, Nurse Joy, I have some things to ask.”


    It ended up unexpectedly fine.


    I hope it will continue like that.


    Wait, no! I wouldn’t want to be faced with such a situation again!