17. Recovery
The ride back to the farmhouse while smooth was far from uneventful. Dennis and Robert rode on Bouffalant with Robert unwilling for either Pokémon to leave his embrace and Dennis also didn't take issue with it.
Tauros was tasked with travelling ahead and making sure the path ahead was danger-free. unfortunately, Taurus was a little warlike and enjoyed picking fights.
Most of the pokemon were scared away by it but about halfway back they ran into a large group of Rattata lead by some Raticate. luckily, these Pokémon were typically cowardly and cautious by nature, and the large warlike Tauros in front of them made them nervous. luckily after Dennis scolded Taurus for trying to show off, they went on their way with the rat Pokémon leaving them to pass. Luckily they were leaving and not heading in deeper where the stronger pokemon live.
The rushed return trip took half an hour and when they finally ran to the farmhouse, they found a worried Mariah waiting at the door. When Mariah saw her son look so haggard with blood on him, she raced over to him swift like the wind. Before she could even look at him properly Robert pushed the two Pokémon into his mother's arms "please look at them mum. One is hurt badly and poisoned by Beedrill."
Mariah had a million questions, but she quickly put all those aside when she saw the condition of the Pokémon her son just passed her. one had no obvious injuries and appeared just exhausted and currently seeping it off. the other was a bit worrying. the Eevee was now breathing heavily and most of its wounds were noticeably purple. Mariah didn't say anything else and quickly walked inside. Robert quickly followed his mother inside with a nervous look.
Dennis watched his son in silence the whole time. He didn't even move to walk inside until Mariah and Robert disappeared from his sight. As he slowly walked inside heading to Mariah's office where they kept all the medicine.
Dennis thought back to the night's events and couldn't help an ambitious glow gather in his eyes. Originally he was going to bring the two Pokémon into town and sell them for a high price after they recovered. Especially that Eevee, it could be more trouble than the Miltank was. A Pokémon of at least silver grade talent that could evolve into one of many types to suit your need. Trouble indeed.
After seeing his son's performance tonight, he was having second thoughts. The quick-thinking, decisive decision making and boldness he showed tonight completely floored him. He always knew his son was talented, but this was just monstrous. He was not even six years old after all.
If he could put all these qualities into a Pokémon trainer along with a fierce enthusiasm for Pokémon and willingness to work hard, which Robert already had in surplus. Dennis got more and more excited as he thought. What's more, is Robert no longer had anything blocking his way. Robert might be too distracted from the night's events to realize it yet but Dennis did and he's sure Mariah has to.
Robert's fear of Pokémon had completely disappeared, without a trace to be seen. The whole trip he had ridden over on his big grumpy Bouffalant perfectly fine. Never once did he let either Pokémon in his embrace slip on the whole bumpy ride. Even when he handed them to Mariah, he looked reluctant to part with them.
It would appear that he would have to start making some plans for the future. As Dennis was getting lost in his plans he could hear a Pokémon cry out, "Vullll, vullll." He frowned and quickened his pace to Mariah's office.
Mariah's office was not especially large. she had a large bookcase full of books on Pokémon ranging from field guides, known habits, outdoor remedies and even anatomy. After the bookcase was a corner desk with a PC. Along the other side of the wall was a bench with cupboards underneath for tools and utensils. There were more cardboards above with glass panels to see into them and this is where all the medicine was kept.
When Mariah arrived at her office, she placed both Pokémon on the bench to examine them both properly. As soon as she did the little fuzzball seemed to be stirred awake.
It quickly realized its unfamiliar surroundings and started to cry out. Before Mariah could do anything to calm it Robert had already raced over and gently scooped it up and held it gently to his chest. Mariah was a little surprised that as soon as it was in Roberts embrace it calmed down and stopped crying. It was clearly unsettled still and didn't go back to sleep but looked around vigilantly.
When it spotted the Eevee wounded on the bench it started wriggling in Roberts embrace and was about to start crying out again when Robert started comforting it. "It's ok, my mum is a healer and she will make Eevee good as new". As he said this, he started softly stroking its head and back. with this, it settled back down but still stared at Eevee.
Mariah sighed in relief when she saw this. She knew what Pokémon this is, and she could tell at a glance that it was very young and possibly a baby. Now that she knew the baby was under control she could focus her full attention on the more serious patient.
First, she cleaned all Eevee's wounds and as she did she noticed that not all of these wounds were fresh. Some looked up to two weeks older. Mariah frowned but saved all her questions till after she was done. After done cleaning all the wounds she went and got an antidote and sprayed all the wounds, even the older wounds. Lastly, she went and got a super potion and sprayed all the wounds again.
after all this Eevee's breathing finely smoothed out and the purple on its wounds was receding, it seemed to be past the worst of it. Mariah still wasn't done though. Some of the wounds were too large and would need to be stitched together. Mariah went and got a gas bottle with a little mask attached to the end. The stitches would be painful, and she had to make sure Eevee wouldn't wake up halfway.
The process took a full hour. The whole time Robert sat there quietly stroking the little fuzzball, which eventually fell asleep on his lap. At some point, the twins had been woken up but were stopped outside the door by Dennis who had not entered the office but stopped at the doorway to let his wife work.
After the stitches were done Mariah sprayed a potion on them all just to be sure. Finally, she was finished. She went and got a little soft bed for Eevee and placed it inside. Mariah then gestured for Robert to do the same. Robert was a little reluctant but still put the little fuzzball next to Eevee in the bed.
Everyone then quietly left and went into the lounge. Before they could sit down Sasha couldn't hold herself back anymore and blurted out. "Roby how were you holding a Pokémon perfectly fine just now and why are you covered in blood". As soon as Robert heard the first half of what Sasha said he froze in place. He slowly looked at his hands and then back to Mariah's office then back to his hands.
He stood there for a couple of seconds staring at his hands dumbly. Then he went wild with joy, even his eyes went a bit moist. He did it, he was touching a Pokémon and even riding one before and he wasn't scared at all! He had finely got past his fears.