[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]As Ralph vanished into the underbrush, something stumbled through the bushes behind her. She felt the hair on her neck stand on end as she froze in place. It’s probably nothing. Maybe just a curious Sentret. Something metallic clacked behind her. A deep rumble followed as its shadow eclipsed hers. The angry Drapion approached on its legs, indenting the path beneath it. That’s definitely not a Sentret, Aubre. At least it’s not barking, right?

That joke didn’t make her laugh.

The now-empty crate was dropped to the ground.

Knowing that running away would only trigger the mysterious attacker’s instincts, Aubre turned to slowly face it. A Drapion. Poison and Dark type, lovely. Maybe it’s guarding nest? It is breeding season. Then again, he could just hate redheads Her two hands drifted in different directions. One toward a bag of dried berries in her hoody’s pocket. The other toward a Pokeball. With a bellow, the Drapion knocked the offered treat from her hand. The spring-like arm stung her arm. “I’m not trying to do you any harm. I’m a doctor.” The composure shattered as the beast aimed a Fell Stinger at her head.

Its large arms followed suit.

With a yelp, Aubre hit the deck. “Maggie!” Above, the Jumpluff’s drifting turned purposeful. Its fluffy arms whirled like helicopter blades. With a high-pitched noise, she smashed into the Drapion with a high-powered combination of Acrobatics and Fairy Wind. Knocked back by the little fluffball, the creature retreated.

It’d find easier prey.

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]

[attr="class","samjertop"][attr="class","samjer"]

[attr="class","samjermain"]With its enemy vanquished, the Jumpluff took a moment to celebrate. It bobbed around its trainer’s head—trilling and clapping its cottony blooms like pom poms. It even went so far as to blow a raspberry at the shaking foliage trail the Drapion left behind. Trying to hide her smile—and gratitude—Aubre tried to remind her friend of her manners. “Maggie, it’s not polite to gloat.” And, if karma had its way, it’d soon throw something far worse their way.

Maybe a fire-spitting Charizard or a creature with venom capable of melting her face off? A dragon-type? Though a logical person—or hoping to be one—Aubre could not resist the occasional bout of superstition. Most of these revolved around karmic and statistical balancing. Above her, the Jumpluff let out an unhappy little sigh. Its flipper feet kicked her off higher into the air above. The sad expression wrung her heart like a dirty dish rag.

You didn’t even say thank you first. What an ungrateful ass!. Her teeth chewed at her bottom lip. “Maggie—” The grass-type stubbornly tilted her chin back. But Aubre could tell she was listening. “I appreciate you jumping in like that.” After all, the bug could have easily disemboweled the ball of fluff. It wasn’t like she was in danger way up in the sky. She’d only jumped in to keep Aubre safe.

A gasp tore from her throat as something stumbled into the path in front of her. The Parasect—seemingly newly evolved—staggered like a drunk. It rattled its pinchers at her. But in those white eyes, she could see pain. Right now, the erupted parasite was likely trying to bust into its brain. “Seeeeeect!” It hissed, lashing out. It shook its head from left to right. Ignoring its fear, she tiptoed forward.

Shushing sounds emerged from the doctor’s mouth as she gently reached a hand out toward the bug type. A berry—mushed—stained her fingers a deep violet. She winced as it clamped down on her hand, a paralyzing powder making her limps tingle. “I can help you with that.” She smiled softly. “Want to come with us and feel better?” There was no curing the parasite, but it could be curtailed.

It was better than leaving it out here to die. And, hey, she did have a treatment area just open back up.

Above, glowing with an attack, the Jumpluff readied itself to unleash hell on the fungi Pokemon.

[attr="class","samjerpoke"]