Is There A Medic In The House?! (Catherine) [F]

[The REAL Joey]

CRRRRAAAAAAASSSSH!!!

Slamming to the floor with an almighty rattle, a number of steel dustbin containers were sent flying as their contents spilled out messily and their lids went rolling off into the distance. The cause of this raucous spillage was a surprisingly beaten and shabby looking character. Black, bruised and bloodied all over, the person was barely recognisable. Even the tell tale purple bandanna sporting a Koffing's skull 'n cross bones was little to identify the beaten up soul. His jacket, clothes and boots were all scuffered up and in a complete state. Shuffling along as he tried to keep the weight off of one of his legs, the male let out a frightfully long string of obscenities before passing down another alleyway. It was an easy thing for this person, the alleyways had a sense of protection and sanctuary about them. Knowing them like the back of his hand, he could easily lose both sides of the law if the need arose. However, in this circumstance, it was a means to escape a terribly strong group of Rocket grunts.

Too headstrong and far too cocky, the male had believed himself able to take them all out in a reckless ambush. From his perspective, it was a done deal. Many a time had he pre-empted a group of wretched Rocket villainy and came out grinning but this time was different. Obviously a specially trained type of Rocket grunt, they had a serious good bit of training in their fighting style. Spitting out the bloodied saliva from his mouth, the rough looking biker recalled every punch, kick and impact he had received. "Arceus Christ... Can't remember the last time I got pummelled so freakin' hard... Uurrrgggh... Must'a been on berserk genes... Or SOMETHING...!" Tripping up on his aching feet, he leaned up against the wall of the alleyway. Not particularly clean nor sanitary, he cared little. Feeling his vision double as he tried to get himself focused, he blurted out. "Least I gave... As good as I got... Blah..." Clutching his head to try and ease the throbbing, he was instead warned by his intense pains that the vicinity of his ribs was in much worse for wear. "AAAACK!" Gripping his sides, it wasn't too far fetched to believe they had kicked his ribs in. "Bloody... Damn... Rockets... Peh..." Spitting out some more blood, he pulled himself up to try and stand as straight as he possibly could.

His face grimacing, it was no easy feat. Moving forward again, his awareness of where he was had started to unravel. All he knew was, he was in Violet City's less than charming night life district and it appeared he was starting to run out of alleyway to manoeuvre around in. Blinking his bulbous, purple bruised eye he looked to the end of the alleyway and believed to see something. "A manhole cover...?! Score... Can rest down in the sewers. Least they won't... Get me... Ungh..." Staggering forward with a limp, he hurried up his pace so that he could try and rest his weary body. At this point, there was no doubt at all as to whom this bloodied wreck was. Joey had clearly bit off more than he could chew when he took on that gang of Rockets. Unfortunately for Joey, the night was about to get a whole lot more chaotic. Shuffling ever forward, he was now within distance to the open road with the sewer entry when a figure out of nowhere bumped into him and caught him by surprise. Entangled with them, he felt his less than balanced self tip over as he landed on his back against the cold, hard pavement. "Man... Just not my night... Urrrgh..." Wincing his eyes shut, he let out a pain gasped as he felt his ribs play up again.

[Morrigan]

The evening was humid, darkness starting to slowly spread across the quaint streets of Violet City. Lamp posts flickering with bursts of spotlight across the pavements to help aide those treading along through the darkness, the current time of day was much too late for a wandering young girl like Catherine. After her quick make over and announcement of leaving Violet City to grow, the aspiring nurse had found herself wandering back through the traditional streets a lot quicker than she thought she would. The fool. During her hasty escape, she had left her C-Gear on the front desk of the local Pokemon Centre, just how she managed to leave such an important item was beyond even her. Regardless, there was no way she would be able to travel back across the route leading to Union Cave now. Tired and hungry, she had instead made a small diversion to the local PokeMart, her Pansage partner Atlas drooping wearily over her shoulder as they walked through the night. "Oooh Atlas, I am soooo hungry! I know the nurse offered to make us something to eat but it's just so late and I would feel super guilty, you know?" A weak chirp leaving his lips, at the current time it didn't matter where the food was purchased from, he just needed it now.

The building in sight, Catherine made a hastened skip across the road, slipping past the automatic doors and picking up a basket at the entrance. Remaining on the spot, she couldn't help but pick up on how deadly silent night time was and she wasn't particularly fond of being all alone. "Okay, let's get lots of tasty nibbles and head on back." Mission in mind, the girl and her Pansage began their quest for food and for a supposedly healthy nurse, she picked up an incredible amount of naughty treats. Packets of chocolate layered sticks, little Teddiursa styled puffed biscuits with cream inside, bars of chocolate and even a small tub of miniature muffins. Eyes sparkling with the sweeties galore that surrounded her, the girl eventually gave in her nibbling hunting and finished off with numerous packets of Pokemon food and ice cold drinks for the warm night ahead. Leaving with a bag in either hand, her previous look of hunger had since washed away now that she had purchased a few things. Even Atlas had gained a bit of life, poking out from underneath her loops of hair and giving Catherine expectant looks. Smiling as the summer air hit her, she moved to the side of the building in order to shuffle through her bags, hand Atlas his carton of nibbles and then straighten herself back up, bottles of juice clanking together. "There you are my favourite lil' Pokemon, enjoy! Heehee, I know how they bring a smile to your little face."

Meandering her way back down the street, one Pokemon happier, Catherine was finally heading back to her temporary room to feed herself, the sound of Atlas teasingly munching down her ear making her pace pick up some. However, in this moment of haste, it landed the girl in a bit of a mess. Not seeing the alley way to the side of her, let alone the figure who staggered out of it, the two made a painful collision. "EE-EEEEEKKKK!" Squealing as his heavy figure nudged past her, Catherine released her grip of her food items, causing them to scatter all across the floor. Even Atlas struggled to keep his balance as Catherine almost tumbled forward herself, the grass monkey landing on the floor with a thud. Everything crashing to the floor around her, an incredibly shocked Catherine was left standing on the same spot for a few moments as her mind tried to comprehend what had just happened. Naturally, her first instinct was for her scooping up Atlas, "A-Atlas! Are you okay?! You're not hurt anywhere, right?!" The monkey's eyes swirling in their sockets, she sighed worriedly and held the Pokemon close to her, body turning to see what she had crashed into.

Emerald green eyes falling on the state of a fallen male, her instinct kicked in and she felt as if she just needed to help. For all she knew, this man could've been a murderer but it didn't matter, she was going to help any injured human or Pokemon. Rushing to his side and watching as he clutched at his ribs, it was only then that Catherine could see just how beaten up he was. Feeling incredibly guilty for perhaps damaging him further, the young girl dropped to her knees by his side, face filled with concern. "I-I'm incredibly sorry!" She called out to him after being silent, "Are you okay?! You look awful." Leaning forward, Catherine examined the male before her and all his obvious wounds. Picking up on his bulbous eye, bleeding nose and clear pain to the rib cage along with the various cut, she could already work out he had been in some sort of brawl. "It'll be okay, I'll help you, mister." Looking down to Atlas in her arms who had now recovered his senses and was also worried at the beaten man, he lifted his head to question Catherine, "Atlas, could you go and fetch some of those cold drinks? I think they rolled... Over there!"

Pointing a finger under the light of a lamp post, a pair of soda pop bottles could be seen laying on the ground and luckily still intact. Prancing off to fulfil her order, Catherine turned back to Joe, the tip of her fingers touching the tip of his chin, cautiously moving his face towards her so she could get a better look at him, "Eewwie, you look like you were hit kinda hard." Reaching for the pouch on the back of her belt, it was a small holding for her medical equipment. A bit of cotton wool, bandages and plasters being drawn out, she began to clean away the excess blood on his face before getting down to business, "A-Ahh, excuse me. Could you manage sitting up? We dont want the blood in your nose sloshing into you head." Noticing a cut on the back of his hand within the gap of his glove, the girl cleaned it before unwrapping a Munchlax styled plastered and cautiously sticking it on. "Ooh! My name is Catherine by the way. I reaaaally want to be a nurse or maybe a Pokemon Breeder, I haven't decided yet. But I really like helping people and Pokemon, so, yeah! I may be young but you are in safe hands, I pinkie promise!" Smiling down at him with her pinkie finger held out, she should've known by his outlandish appearance that just maybe, he wouldn't want to be a test subject for a game of Doctors and Nurses. It just proved how innocent, naive and oblivious this girl was. Or her heart was just that big.

[The REAL Joey]

Looking through his blurred vision, Joey wasn't quite able to make out who he had just unceremoniously bumped into. The sheer force of what had made contact had to be something large. Was it one of those Rockets looking for round two? Angrily gasping as he struggled to get up, his ears would instead provide him with the truth. He may have had his sorry rear end kicked seven ways to next week but he hadn't become deaf. That voice was unmistakeably that of a female persuasion. Not only that but she sounded far too young, innocent and naive to be prowling around a place like this at night. Not quite able to fathom Catherine's chaotic way of living, matters would only compound further the more he tried to unveil them. Realising she must have dropped a Pokemon of some sort, he grappled onto his sides as he tried to pull himself up. In the current state he was in, he was presumably more pathetic looking than even that of a Magikarp who had been landed. As the sweet voice called out to him, Joey chuckled once but was caught abrupt as a swill of blood spurted from his mouth. Obviously the laughing had agitated himself somewhat. "Hah... Ergh... I look awful? That's good. I feel awful too. Urgh..." Being Joey, the male wasn't quite used to depending on others and this wasn't going to magically disappear in a time like this. Scraping his boots against the floor as he still tried to force himself up, he let out a groan as the pain swelled all over.

"Help me...? Oh...!" As soon as she mentioned the word help, Joey's mind flashed back to why he had decided to make a swift retreat. The only reason why he had jumped those four brutish looking Rockets was because they had started causing some grief. Given how violent their first meeting was, he was sure they weren't the type to take things lying down. "Get outta here kid... It ain't safe. There's Rockets... Comin'... Gah! Stupid ribs... Guess fallin' down that Pine Gap softened me up." Wincing as she spoke to whatever else was present, he let out a sigh. It appeared this girl didn't take too well to being warned. As she waited for her required item to be retrieved, Joey looked around aimlessly before honing in on her direction vaguely as she poke. "Its nothin'... Those Rockets hit like a buncha babies. Baby elephants maybe... Ouch." His wounds stinging, he desperately tried to bluff away the fact he was hurting. As she started to dab at his face, he let out a series of short gasps. Too stubborn to express his discomfort vocally, he put up with being cleaned up. As she asked him to sit up, Joey nodded. "Thought you'd never ask... Let's just..." As she helped him prop up against a nearby wall, his spirits became crestfallen. He was hoping she'd at least get him up on his feet so he could shuffle off. Although given his broken state, that wasn't probably the best of ideas. Leaning his head forward to stop the flow of blood, he felt a sudden stick of something to his hand. "Huh? What's that? A plaster?"

As she continued on with her treating of him, Joey listened to what she had to say. Given she had just bumped into a total stranger and was in the middle of a rough neighbourhood late at night, she was awfully cheerful and carefree about this all. Almost as if bumping into bloody, bruised people was an everyday occurrence. Was she really the type of person who attracted people with fatal accidents wherever she went? Trying hard to hide his merriment over the idea of a pinkie promise, he strained his eyes to focus as he managed to find her pinkie. Gripping his much larger finger around hers, he laughed again. "Pinkie promise?" Amused, he didn't find it childish or anything of the sort. If anything, it was a nice way of taking his mind off his injured pride. Surprised at just how small and delicate her hand felt, he was beginning to wonder just how young she was. Either way, her niceness had really shone through and he at the very least, felt comfortable enough to introduce himself. The only annoying weight on his mind was the looming threat of whether or not those Rockets would catch up. He had been running for quite some time however... "Name's Joey! What can I say? I usually look a lot more handsome when i'm not trying to imitate a beetroot." About to explain further what exactly it was that he did, he fell onto his backup plan. Considering how vulnerable he was, Joe was clearly wanting to handle this tactfully. "I... Like bikes."

[Morrigan]

As the bruised and bloodied Joe was leant up against the wall, the glare from a nearby street light made it so much easier for Catherine to look over his wounds. Clothes just as wrecked as his body, to anyone else they would question just what had happened but for Catherine, it didn't matter. For all she knew, he could've murdered someone. He was hurt and even if she could only do simple things like wiping his blood away, she was going to help. Examining his face with no thought of the term 'personal space', she began wiping away all the cough up blood around his mouth before tending to his bleeding nose. Pinching it carefully, she used her spare hand to rather gently tilt his head backward, "Does it hurt? Tell me to stop if it hurts, okay?" Despite asking if her pinching hurt, her grip tightened as she forced the blood out from his nostrils. Pausing for a moment as he spoke, she looked directly into his eyes before giggling. "Rockets? Pine Gap? What are you talking about? You silly billy!"

Noticing his slight gasps, Catherine smiled to herself. He was doing very well at playing brave or maybe all of this didn't hurt him at all... No, he wasn't a god or anything like that, he must've been suffering somewhat. After all, these sort of wounds weren't from any normal scrap, whoever he was fighting intended to truly hurt him. "You said it again! Just who are these Rockets? Are they mean people in Violet or something? I've been in this city for aaaages and haven't heard of a Rocket. Heehee, you really are funny... Ooh, maybe you hit your head reaaally hard or something.." Smiling as he looked down to his hand, Catherine placed both her hands underneath his own, lifting it up slightly. "Munchlax plasters are my favourite, aren't they cute?!-- Ooh." Laughing nervously, she rubbed the back of her head, "I guess you dont like cute things, hm?" About to carry on slapping plasters all over his face, she was actually surprised when a large pinkie finger wrapped around her own.

Suddenly grinning excitedly, she felt so much more relaxed now that she knew this man was atleast friendly. Taking aboard his name, she giggled hysterically at his little beetroot joke and what he was interested in. "Heeheehee! You are so funny Joey!" Sticking the last plaster on whatever wound was visible, she rather gingerly looked down to his chest and paused. He had been gripping hold of his rib area for a while now but bandaging up someone as big as him wasn't quite in her comfort zone. "JOEY!" She rather abruptly blurted out, "Let's go to someone who can properly help you! You are really really hurt, I can't help you as much as I wanted to.. So let's go, okay?" Not wanting to think too much into it, she was a bit hurt that she couldn't fix him 100%. Standing back up and brushing down her knees, a rather suspicious Pansage scuttled up her back, staring down at Joe from a safe distance, not quite trusting him as much as his trainer did.

"Now how is this going to work, I can't really carry him and--" Turning as she began speaking out loud to herself, Catherine appeared to be deep in thought of how exactly she was going to move Joe safely. A hand resting on the tip of her chin, she perked up at the sound of footsteps. Looking down the alley way Joe had just stumbled up, the blonde could clearly see a couple of large figures walking towards her, black clad suits and all. Eyes widening, she clapped her hands with glee before looking down to Joe, "Joey, Joey! There are some people coming! Maybe they will help us prop you up until we get to a Pokemon Centre! Heehee, lemme go ask them."

Blindly walking into a dangerous situation, the innocent and naive female approached the males, several deep muffled noises bouncing off the alley way walls but the words were impossible for Joe to make out clearly. Merely seconds later Catherine came back but not by normal means. Viciously grabbed by the throat and tossed, she was speechless as she went soaring through the air, back cracking against the pavement as she tumbled back into the line of sight of Joe. Whilst most young girls would be screaming and running off in fear, Catherine found herself merely staring up at the cool night sky. As the heavier footsteps came to a halt, she used her arms to prop herself up slightly, gazing up at the men who stood by her feet, who had still not picked up on the presence of the battered Joe close by. The way the street lights shone from above meant that Catherine wasn't able to get a good look at any of their faces, only their snarky grins beaming down at her. "Heheh. Yeah. We'll help ya alright. Take all of the Pokemon on her!" The trio of Rockets grunted a laugh at the sight of Catherine making a quick scurrying backwards along the floor, a protective arm wrapping around Atlas who looked on in pure terror. As one reached a hand to grab at her bag, the monkey let out a high pitched squeak, a single vine lunging out and colliding with the grunts wrist, causing him to stagger back. "*****!!" He boomed, massaging the whip mark, "Stop pussy footing around and just get her, dammit!"

[The REAL Joey]

Reeling in a little from her invasion of his personal space, he winced as his injury was bought back to the fore of his mind thanks to his movements. A sharp gasp of pain was then followed by an uncomfortable burst of laughter. "Hahaha... It's fine. I'm just a little tender from things o' late is all." Raising an eyebrow, he was surprised this rather unique individual had not of heard of Team Rocket. Then there was the lack of familiarity with Pine Gap. Clearly not a local native. Letting the issue of Rockets slide for a moment, he addressed her lack of knowledge about Ilex, all the while speaking in a weird manner with his nose being pinched. "Say... Accent and dress sense aside 'n all but i'm gonna go out on a limb and assume you're not from around these parts? I thought most Johtonians would no of the Pine Gap woods in Ilex." Shrugging as he clutched his side, he smiled. "Watch yer step if you ever go walkabouts in them woods by the way." A sudden tightening of Catherine's pinch made Joey's eye cringe a little.

With the concerned aspiring nurse to be honing in on the subject of Rockets once more, Joey decided to fill in the gaps of her knowledge. Given she wasn't aware of the nefarious crime syndicate, she definitely had to be from some far off region. "Rockets. Team Rocket. The single most scumbag group of ne'erdowells this side of Johto. They were a huge threat all these years ago. got smashed by some ten year old kid but don't let that fool ya. These wannabe gangsters have been lickin' their wounds and their back screaming for vengeance." As she lifted up his hands and swept away his warning about Team Rocket he sighed amusingly. "Munchlax's cool. I just don't do plasters but... If you're applyin' 'em then why not." He grinned as she began piling them on. "I'm serious though. Watch out for these goons with a big red R sprawled across their chest. Bad news." With his pinkie promise seemingly getting on her wavelength, he grinned in a warm manner hoping that his forewarning had sunk in. "Eh, i'm a regular joker. Life's already too depressing for anymore doom 'n gloom."

Watching her as she ran low on steam in applying the plasters she had on hand, he shook his head as she bought up further help in regards to his ribs. "Catherine? Catherine right? It's cool. These Munchie plasters'll do for now. I'm feeling in tip top form again heheh." Standing up to try and pose and show off him feeling better he let out a groan as he overexerted himself. "G'Damn... Huh? Woah. Hold up. I don't think that's a... Great. Off she goes." Keeping a well trained eye on her, he watched as she moved off out of the alley. Shaking his head, his ears picked up on the undeniable sound of a group of heavy footed people approaching ever nearer. "Ahhh here goes..." Struggling to get himself up, he used the alleyway wall to bolster himself up as he hobbled along to catch up with the naive girl. Grimacing as he heard the surly voice yell out at her, Joey knew he couldn't let his injuries get in the way of seeing someone get caught up in an ordeal such as this. Almost within vicinity, he looked on as the girl's grass like ape struck out in defence and bought upon ire from the victim.

Staggering forth, Joey let out a defiant roar to get their attention. "OI YOU SCUMMY PRICKS! How about we go for that round two, eh?!" Putting on a cocky grin to mask his aches and pains, he realised that the goons in front of him were from the escapade he got involved in earlier. "You gave a fair good beating but i've had a chance to catch my breath. Don't think you're gonna get off this time." Realising as he spoke he was covered in what felt like head to two in cutesy plasters, he decided to ignore that and carry on with doing what he did best. Tilting his head to Catherine as he barged past her he chuckled. "Heheh. These were those grunts I told you about earlier. I'll hold 'em off. You make an exit for the Pokemon Centre." Reaching to a Pokeball from his belt, he lifted his clenched fist back up to his face and ran it past the dripping blood from his nose. "You got me by surprise last time but this time the shock's on you." Tossing the Pokeball forward, a behemoth looking wild yeti was summoned forth from beyond the flash of light. Smashing its brute like fists together, the Pokemon let out a flash of its own electricity and stomped a foot forward. "So what do we have here... A bunch of fish outta water." Zapped the guardian Voltek.

[Morrigan]

With Joe being puzzled about her lack of knowledge when it came to the local area, Catherine didn't appear to be bothered in the slightest. Humming a chaotic tune to herself in a cheerful manner as she began applying plasters onto the cuts of his face, all of his hints and warnings seemed to be going through one ear and out the other. Her beaming grin becoming even larger as her plaster collection came to a halt, she finally began to reply. "Nuh-uh! I am aaaaaall the way from UnoVAH!" Suddenly flinging her arms into the air energetically as if revealing something out of this world, she then brought her hands back down to her sides. "Heehee, it is really different here compared to back home! Even Faulkner told me to be careful out here. I don't get what he means though, everyone here is just so silly!" Smiling as she tilted her head to the side innocently, it was clear that she was perhaps a bit dense if she wouldn't even take a Gym Leader's words to heart.

Listening intently and wide eyed as Joe explained what Team Rocket were, her smile never really left her face. Instead, she blinked her large eyes slowly, as if expecting him to say more. Realising he had since finished his explanation, she scrambled her arms around and rested the tip of her finger against her chin, trying to look deep in thought. "Scumbag group of ne-erdowells." She repeated in her best yet poor attempt at Joe's Kanto accent. Outstretching her hands, she nodded repeatedly, yet her words and actions didn't seem to match, "AYE AYE SIR! I'll be careful of big red R's!" Laughing as she saluted him numerous times with a funny pout to her face, she soon stretched her legs by standing up.

Ignoring his words of warning as she went off to find help, only to end up on the floor anyway, the blonde was still uncharacteristically speechless as she found herself surrounded by the very Team Rocket that Joe had warned her of merely moments ago. It was only when Joe boomed his voice to get the grunt's attention when Catherine snapped back into reality. Looking up in surprise as the tall male, despite his injuries, staggered forward to protect her, she yet again didn't act like the typical trainer in a dangerous situation. "Heave-HO!" With an acrobatic jump, the frilly dressed nurse propped herself back onto her little pink shoes, dusting her hands over her dress to get rid of any dust or dirt. Checking over Atlas with a careful eye, she smiled warmly at how terrified her grass monkey looked, "You are really brave, Atlas. I love you more than anything!" Placing the Pansage back onto her shoulder, he chimped sadly as he hung from the back of her shoulder, trying to keep out of view from the Rockets before them. The central Rocket looked to Joe, cracking his fists in a threatening manner whilst his two stooges copied him. "Ooh look, it's this pissant again. I thought you would've been dead in a ditch by now with how bad we stomped your arse." Spitting to the floor, he curled his lip, "Looks like you aint gonna learn, so we'll just beat it into ya." Dusting her hands off with several loud claps to cut them off, Catherine looked curiously over to Joe as he suggested for her to leave, "Huuuuh? Pokemon Centre? But I'm not even hurt." She stated bluntly, enough to make anyone facepalm wearily. Grunting, one of the Rockets raised his voice, "And you, you little skank. Dont think we aint finished with you yet!"

Standing in the same spot as Joe sent out a Pokemon, Catherine clenched her hands into a pair of fists and held them close to her chest, eyes sparkling with pure glee as a huge Electivire appeared before her very eyes. "WOOOOOOAAAAAAHHH! AN ELECTIVIRE!" She exclaimed with pure glee, skipping forward without any fear. Holding out a hand, she ran her fingers through the electric type's fluffy body, her face gleaming once again, "So fluffy! So soft! You have really taken good care of this Pokemon, huh?!" Once again ignoring the situation, she skipped around Voltek, examining him from different angles, reaching to touch the two prongs on the top of his head, wriggling around the tentacles on his back and then finally managing to grip a hand around the Pokemon's large finger. Looking Voltek right in the eye, she appeared truly over joyed... Despite her hair almost standing on end from the amount of static due to her rubbing her face all over him, "You are a perfect example of the Elekid line!" Whilst Catherine continued to ladel out the compliments and fuss over the Electivire before her, one grunt wasn't taking this situation very well. Feeling a vein throbbing on his forehead, his teeth clenched angrily as well as his fist, "You stupid kid! Is this some kinda joke?! Are you SERIOUSLY ignoring us?! We're TEAM ROCKET! We'll blast you and that scrawny Electivire outta here!"

Eyes lighting up as she turned on the spot, she used her hands to calm her static hair back down, "Ooooooh, sorry mister man!" She said in a child like tone, before letting out another over the top gasp, "Waaaaaait a second!" Taking a hop and a skip backwards, she made a dramatic point toward the three jumpsuit clad men and began hopping on the spot whilst looking at Joe, "Lookie, LOOKIE! IT'S TEAM ROCKET! And they BLAST OFF! GET IT! Rocket! Blast! KABOOOM!" Giggling cheerfully, the opposing men all grumbled as if they were in absolute agony. The main one clawed at his face, whilst the other began hitting his forehead with his fist. But the final one leaned back, arms sketched out by his sides as he roared angrily into the night. Laughing at their reactions, she turned to Joe again, "Heehee, Team Rocket sure are funny! --WAIT!" As if another revelation hit her, the Rockets staggered back, "For the love of all things-- What is that crazy shit doing now?" Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a strange watch device, "Ta-da-da-DAAAAAH!" Presenting it cheerfully, she began prodding at the screen, an alternate screen popping out at the side. Positioning herself behind the safety of the tall Voltek, she peered her head around the side and snickered cheekily, "We should take a picture to commemorate this meeting!" Joe's ears were now filled with a mixture of Catherine's playful giggled as she moved around the back of Voltek, peering out from left and right whilst position her C-Gear to take several pictures of the mobsters.

She was literally the strangest kind of chaotic.

Team Rocket, however, had played around far enough. Each of their faces were set ablaze with a much deeper red than they wore on their clothing. "Enough. Enough-- ENOOOOOOOOUGH!!" As each of them tried to gain back a piece of their sanity, Catherine backed down from taking pictures and placed her C-Gear back in her bag, "YOU ARE BLOODY INSANE, I'LL KILL YOU RIGHT NOW FOR MAKING A MOCKERY OF US. PREPARE FOR TROUBLE YOU SNOTTY PIECE OF SHIT!" Blinking innocently, Catherine smiled and took a step back to Joe's side. Flinging a finger forward, she pushed out her chest proudly and spoke in a fake, deep tone, "I choose you, Joey!" Adding a giggle on the end, it was as if she didn't realise the trouble the young blonde had landing the pair in and only now that she had riled the trio up to the max, she was allowing Joe to take over and handle the situation. Joe couldn't really have time to think too hard at this point, as the Rockets were so furious that they had forgotten to use their Pokemon and instead, went charging towards both Voltek and Joe with fists blazing. Still, her smile hadn't faltered one bit.

[The REAL Joey]

His adrenaline was pumping. Knowing how much of a beating he had received, it was worrisome that these Rockets would do far worse now another was involved. Before all they could accomplish was pain of the physical realm but now with Catherine at stake, the toll was heavy on Joey's mind. However, as fast as his adrenaline coursed, he was taken off guard by the manner in which Catherine responded to the situation. From the short time he had spent with her, he could already judge she was a little out there. This? This was down right kooky. This Catherine was from another planet entirely! His jaw agape at the way in which she reacted to the threat of danger, Joey had no respond himself. Even Voltek's threatening presence was subdued as he lowered his battle stance, his arms falling by his side and curiously looking at the gleeful trainer. As she began snapping away at the grunts, Joey's gaze drifted off to them. Sharing a moment of disbelief with the gangsters, he snapped out of it as soon as she summoned him forth. "Whaaa... WAIT WHAT?! I'm not a Pokemon!" Trying to get back to the fight at hand, he clenched a fist and raised it forward in front of him.

Goaded long enough, the grunts had lost their cool and came at them full force. Realising that Catherine's bizarre yet clever use of strategy had pushed them beyond the safety of reason, Joey couldn't quite believe it when he noticed they had failed to summon their Pokemon. "This is gonna be good..." An equally devilish grin spreading over Joey's lips, he glanced over to Voltek who nodded at Joe's look. Voltek's trainer he may be, but when Joe flashes a look such as that it is paramount to being given full reign of the situation. Sparking up, Voltek smashed his fists together and let out a mighty cry. Stomping his feet forward, he began to meet them in kind with a wild charge. His body covered from head to toe in an electric surge, the beastly Pokemon zoomed towards the first Rocket grunt, slamming his tree trunk like forearms into the goon's belly. A sickening noise echoed down the alleyway. Noticing he had let a Rocket slip, the Electivire turned its attention away.

Enraged from Catherine's taunt like behaviour, the Rocket was sparing no expense at targeting her foremost. Gritting his teeth, Voltek stepped forward and disappeared. Harnessing the power of his quick attack, he hurtled at the grunt and grabbed him by his front, slamming him against the unforgiving wall. Dragging the villain up to Voltek's face, the Pokemon let out a primordial roar as he contemplated how best to incapitate the grunt. Having had such a disastrous turn of events, the obvious leader of the grunt force held back. Assessing the situation it was clear a front on assault was no good. Perhaps it was fortunate that he had no qualms with striking a foe down while they had their back turned. Grabbing a metal pipe from the nearby rubbish, he leapt forward, ready to crush Voltek's head in. As he soared through the air, Joey too took note of the situation. "Goddammit...!!" Knowing he could not let his Pokemon get harmed in such a way, the beaten biker forced himself forward. With every fibre in his body aching in pure agony, he threw it all away as he launched himself forward ungracefully.

With a heavy tackle, Joey knocking the grunt leader off course, causing them both to tumble onto the ground. As they both scuffled to try and gain the advantage over the other, Joey grunted as he kicked his foot forward and struck the grunt right in his privates. Reeling in a pain previously unbeknownst, the foe lowered his defences completely. Clutching on his groin, Joey took the opportunity to launch a tightened fist into the grunt's head, knocking him out cold. "Pay back!! How'd ya like them apples?! Let's see you get the drop on me next time when you're eating food through a straw!" He yelled as the Rocket fell onto the ground unconscious. Realising he had been protected by Joey, Voltek wasted not a second more on taking care of the remaining grunt. Lifting him with both hands high above his head, the Electivire roared before throwing him viciously into an open dumpster. Panting heavily, Joey tried getting up but groaned as he knew full well he spent what little he had left. "Volt... Grab us and go!" Nodding, the Electivire nursed Joe in his arm as he stepped forward and grabbed onto Catherine also.

Hearing the sounds of sirens, Voltek darted off in the opposite direction. "To a Pokemon Centre..." Muttered Joey as he gripped onto himself. Looking over to Catherine to see if she was ok, Joey let out a roguish grin before his eyes closed and he passed out to cope with the toll on his body,

[Morrigan]

With the imposing figures of both Voltek and Joe on her side, Catherine didn't feel terrified in the slightest. Not that she would've done even if he wasn't there. She had always been the type of girl who was oblivious to danger and just skipped in willy nilly without care of the outcome. This situation was certainly no different and if Joe was smart enough, it was probably clear that situations like this happened more to her than he would first think. Standing still whilst rubbing the tip of her nose, she smiled in a smug yet cute manner, "It's okay Joey! I STILL choose you! Go GO!" Peering out wearily from over her shoulder, an absolutely horrified Atlas made his gaze known. Shaking so much that he was probably going to faint from the mere tension in the air, he almost felt his spirit leave his body as Voltek began his mad dash forward to meet the charging grunts.

"HIT 'IM RIGHT IN THE GUT!" Catherine suddenly yelled, making a punching motions in the air in front of her as the Electivire pummeled the first Rocket right in the stomach. Again, something which would've sent a different child her age running for the hills didn't phase her in the slightest. Suddenly blinking as she noticed a grunt had slipped past Voltek and was heading straight for her and Joe, she grinned manically and took a couple of steps in front of Joe. Standing on the spot, she propped herself up onto the tips of her toes and leaned her torso forward, rapidly waving her arm forward in a taunting manner as the grunt grew closer. "C'MON, C'MON, TAG ME IN CHUM!" She laughed, only to see Voltek appear behind him and stop the grunt just before he was in the range of Catherine by slamming him into a nearby wall. Straightening herself back up with a flick of her frilly dress, she pouted her lips, "Phooie patooie, when do I get to show off MY moves?" she questioned jokingly.

All of a sudden turning her back to the fight, her eyes glanced along the floor, fist slamming into her open palm as she remembered why she was even outside in the first place. "THAT'S RIGHT!-- I'm hungry!" As a hellish fight grew behind her, Catherine was waltzing about the area, picking up the scattered food items and placing them back into the Poke Mart bag. Finishing off with a small bag of heart shaped chocolates, she popped open the bag, only to see Joe had joined in the fray. Mouth full of chocolate, she took a step forward and shouted, mouth full of food "HIT 'IM RIGHT IN THE GUT!" Repeating what she had just shouted to Voltek only moments early, her view was randomly obscured by Atlas' hands, who had hid her innocent view right as Joe lunged a kick for the man's privates. Removing his hands and sighing tiredly as each of the grunts seemed down for the count, he was atleast relieved that it was over.

About to call out to Joe once more, her face fell as the biker suddenly looked a lot more worse for ware. Stuffing her chocolates in the bag, she approached Voltek as he scooped his trainer up. "Hang in there buff stuff!" Catherine cheered, throwing her arms up and down in the air in time with her words. Feeling herself being lifted up into the grasp of the Electivire, her hair reacting to the static again as she rubbed her face against his furry body, "ONWARD!" Laughing as her body bounced along with the movements of Voltek's running, Catherine also turned her attention over to Joe. Despite his pain, he still managed to grin at her. But before he could see her returned warming and unusually calm smile, he had passed out.

Feeling her body bounce in time with Voltek's powerful strides, it wasn't long until the Pokemon Centre came into view. Straightening herself up slightly, she appeared to take this current situation a little more seriously, oddly enough. "Almost there Mr. 'Vire! Let's go straight in, full throttle!" Not going easy on his strides, it was a good thing that it was fairly late at night, as a huge Electivire dashing through the automatic doors whilst holding two human's must've been a terrifying sight. Wriggling herself out of the electric type's grasp, the nurse behind the desk had since left her position, rushing over to the group to see what the cause of the commotion was. "Just what has happened here?!" The nurse questioned, eyes falling on the fatally injured Joe.

"Nope! I dont have enough time to explain, ma'am!" Catherine suddenly chirped in, holding a hand forward as if requesting her to stop speaking, "We had a mix up with some people called Team Rocket and they got him pretty good! Please help him first!" Although more than curious, the nurse frowned, turning to a Chansey who had usefully brought in a stretcher. "Chansey Chaaaan!" It spoke out to Electivire, requesting him to place his trainer on the push bed. "I understand. We will look over his condition and return shortly with the results." Just as the nurse was about to turn away, Catherine piped in once again, "Oh! Wait!" Despite Voltek not getting hit at all, she was still a bit worried. Pointing her hands to the huge electric Pokemon, she bowed her head to the nurse, "This Electivire belongs to the trainer. Please give him a look over when you get a chance."

Giving the Electivire a hand signal as if to follow, Catherine remained on the spot with Atlas drooping on her shoulder, staying behind as both Joe and Electivire were taken into the emergency room. Clenching the edge of her dress, Atlas peered up at his trainer's face curiously, noticing her body had started to shake nervously. Once again, her face betrayed her feelings, her lips curling into a emotionless smile as she badgered her own mind, "He'll be fine, he'll be fine, he'll be fine..." Repeating eerily over and over to herself, she staggered back into a lone seat. When she was younger, her childish behaviour had landed her the ultimate punishment of the death of her entire family. She didn't want this to be the case with a complete stranger.

[The REAL Joey]

With an abrupt whisk, the electronic doors from the emergency room opened up to reveal a large figure. It was none other than Voltek. A couple of bandages over some of his damaged areas, the electric type walked forward, looking down at the ground. It was only after the doors shut behind him that he looked up and noticed the whimsical girl that they had bumped into from earlier was still there. Hesitant, the Pokemon eventually moved over and sat down next to her on the spare seat. His large frame juxtaposing the small seat beneath him would likely be an amusing sight to behold in any other circumstance but this was different. It had been a while before he had reappeared. Whatever Joey had sustained was considerable. His shoulder's drooping as he sighed, the Electivire let out a cry in his own unintelligible speech. "This happens far too often." It mused.

Reaching for the purple bandanna adorned to his arm, the Pokemon untied it and held it in his hands. Examining it intently, the Pokemon rubbed its thumb over the skull and crossbones logo on the purple accessory. It was clear that this was of some deep sentimental value purely from the way he clutched it. It looked up with its bulky head and examined Catherine. Voltek usually had trouble interacting with humans due in thanks to his harsh upbringing. The only human interaction he ever really received was from his slave driver of an owner. It was only when Joe showed up that he began to realise that he had been wrong in his first assumption. As he took in the girl's sweet and innocent demeanour, there appeared to be a speck of character that reminded the Pokemon of his trainer. Hoping to reassure her also, he passed the bandanna to her to examine. "Here, this is something I cherish from Joey." He growled. He knew she wouldn't be able to understand but the act of communication felt right.

As he sat there, his hulking arms resting on his diminutive little knees, he jumped up with a bolt as the very same doors he had come out of opened to reveal the nurse and her assistant Chansey. Nodding with a smile, the Electivire stood up and barged on through to meet Joey. Lying in a bed, wrapped up in an endless wrap of bandanges, the biker was still unconscious but he had at least received some medical help. Content his friend was safe, Voltek turned to the side and looked to the doorway to see if Catherine was there.

[Morrigan]

As time passed on, Catherine tried her best not to fall into a state of endless despair. Trying to take her mind off any negative thoughts, she began to get restless in the lounge of the Pokemon Centre. Sitting on her chair one minute, brushing her hair the next, flicking through her C-Gear, counting her Pokeballs, playing patter cake with Atlas... The list was just endless as she wormed about to fight off her unease of the situation. Eventually jumping to her feet with Atlas in tow, the young blonde walked to a wall which portrayed numerous posters and advertisements, ranging from the newest gadget to trainers offering trades. There was one which caught her attention the most, her eyes glazing over as she read the text, which warned trainers of the regional terror that was Team Rocket.

Reading over the dangers and what a trainer should do if encountered by such an individual, Catherine couldn't help but feel that the way she handled the situation had made them much madder, resulting in Joe's current condition. Well, even she had just the right amount of brain cells to piece that together. Sighing and suddenly feeling an overwhelming amount of guilt, she returned to her seat. Swinging her feet childishly back and forth as they couldn't quite reach the floor, she stopped abruptly as a rather large figure took a seat beside her. Catherine peered her head to the side, only to come in contact with a bandaged up Electivire. Bottoming lip wriggling as Voltek mumbled out a cry, Catherine stood to her feet, "Mr. Electivire! He'll... He'll be okay!" Although trying to comfort the Pokemon, it was clear that her carefree attitude had been knocked tremendously.

Taking a seat back down beside him and finding herself at a loss for words, Atlas clambered over her shoulder, taking a better look at Voltek himself. Atlas was a bit of a cry baby, a wuss. But even he could sense that Voltek wasn't dangerous despite his overbearing size. Having stayed quiet this whole time, the green ape finally spoke out, replying back to the Electivire for his trainer. "Erm, erm... Hey, er..." Stuttering nervously, his voice was very soft and child like, making his obvious nervous personality even more clear. "I-I'm sorry about y-your trainer... Catherine. Well. She isn't a-all bad, I-I hope you don't b-blame her." Suddenly cowering away as if fearful of Voltek's reply, it seemed the electric type just didn't have that much to stay. As he eyed the human, she merely looked back. Looking the Electivire dead in the eye, she was much calmer now and appeared almost serious. Holding her hands out to receive the purple bandanna, she spoke out, not entirely clueless. "Joey wears one of these too. Right?" Clutching at the material, she smiled a much warmer smile to Voltek, "You both have matching ones, you must really love each other."

Just as she was about to hand the bandanna back, she was somewhat startled as he bolted upright and began to charge off. Finally looking up herself, Catherine also rapidly stood to her feet, noticing the same nurse and her Chansey leaving the emergency room. Chasing after Voltek as fast as her legs could carry her, she suddenly hesitated when she caught a glimpse of him from the doorway. Eyes widening at the sight of him wrapped up in bandages, she felt her grip on his bandanna tighten. About to step through the doorway herself, she flinched as the nurse stood behind her and rather bluntly knocked the girl on the head with a folder of notes. Clutching at her head painful, Catherine turned with one eye closed, meeting the gaze of the angered nurse, "Next time you meet Team Rocket, get in contact with the police immediately. Judging from his severe injuries and you having none, I can only guess that the pair put their lives on the line to protect you." Placing a hand angrily on her hip, she continued, "He just needs rest now but once he wakes up, thank your brother!" Obviously getting the wrong end of the stick, maybe due to their similarity in blonde hair, Catherine merely whimpered and nodded, "Yes ma'am, thank you ma'am."

Still rubbing her head and looking rather upset, she stepped into the room with Voltek and Joe, closing the door behind her. Moving over to the side of his bed, Catherine blinked at Joe, his sleeping face looking ever so calm. Managing a smile, she handed Voltek his bandanna back before bringing a seat a little closer to Joe's side and sitting down. Leaning her torso forward, she wrapped her delicate fingers around his hand, "Joey would be... a pretty cool brother." Getting a bit of her old personality back now that she knew he was safe, she beamed a grin over to Voltek, "Right? Heehee!"

[The REAL Joey]

As Catherine and the nurse engaged with one another, Voltek looked up from Joey and picked up Atlas from the back of Catherine. Lifting up the ape to his eye level, Voltek responded to him. Given the fact Atlas was bit of a scaredy cat, Voltek didn't appear to aware of the fact and replied back without so much a worry the act of dangling him in front of him might scare the living daylights out of him. "She is not to blame. The ones to blame are those cretinous Rockets. They'd dare lay a finger on someone and they should realise there are consequences. This is just like any other day. If Joe had his wish, every hour of the day would be spent stamping out Team Rocket." Placing Atlas back with Catherine, the Electivire looked to Joey and became startled. It seemed the decrepit biker was stirring. Letting out a sharp gasp, he settled down with a an uncomfortable string of laughter. "Heh... This was all part of the plan. Get the seven bells of stuffing kicked so hard outta ya you get a free bed in the Pokemon Centre for the night." Looking over to Catherine he grinned cheekily. "Everyone's a winner, eh--OW." Realising that there had actually been some cost, he let out a sigh and shook his head.

"So i'm gonna live right? This isn't like some sorta deep, emotional twist in the story where I found out I got seven days to live and see to all my life goals and crap?" Keeping his happy go lucky grin going, he nestled back in the bed. "If there's one thing the nurses do good is fluff these pillows proper." Relaxing himself, he looked to Voltek. "Sure beats sleeping in trees." Realising that Catherine likely had very little understanding of who he was, he realised a lot of what he was saying likely meant very little sense. "Hey Cath... You said you were a proud Unovan right? Well, I know for a fact you Unovans live it big where you're from but don't think 'cause we're out in the boonies that we're a bunch of backwards simple folk who act all silly. There's threat here too." Realising he also didn't know all that much about her, he thought i'd take first dibs on finding out more. "So... What ARE you doing here? I'm pretty sure getting embroiled in crime wars isn't top of the list." Raising a curious eyebrow, he enquired a bit further with a teasing tone to his voice. "Hell, I doubt there's all that much in the way of things you can get here than in Unova."

It's not like Joey had been to Unova himself. All he really had was likely hyper exaggerations of customs and stereotypes from the many Unova festivals he had been too. At the end of it all, it certainly didn't sound like a bad place to end up.

[Morrigan]

Feeling a pair of enormous hands wrap around his tiny body, Atlas felt his entire being turn to stone as he was lifted away from the safety of Catherine. Completely motionless with mouth ajar, the fact that Catherine was being distracted by the nurse meant that she couldn't really jump to his rescue anytime soon, considering how much of a ditz she was it was unlikely regardless. Noticing he had began to turn, the monkey's line of sight met with that of Voltek's, the Pansage screaming on the inside in terror, body going completely limp as if he fainted from pure shock. Luckily for him, Voltek was a giant but a very gentle one. His voice was powerful but they didn't boom with hatred for Catherine. Instead, Atlas perked up as he listened, still looking a little nervous but that was just in his nature.

Becoming much calmer as he was placed back on Catherine, the monkey contemplated to himself before looking over to Voltek once more. "I-I understand. This... T-Team Rocket are d-dangerous then?" Obviously it wasn't just Catherine who held little knowledge on Team Rocket, proving even further that it was the girl's first encounter with the group. "N-No doubt we will b-bump into them again then... I-I'm sure Catherine w-will get involved if they h-hurt others." Managing a small yet nervous smile, the Pansage lifted his hand, "D-Don't worry about C-Catherine. She c-can handle h-herself. W-We have been in w-worse situations than j-just now." Suddenly shivering as he remembered several encounters they had been in, namely the massive Snubbull encounter, he cowered back on Catherine's shoulder as if to say he was giving up. This perked up the attention of Catherine, who turned her head and blinked at her monkey's sudden slump, "Don't go to sleep, Atlas! Joey needs us!" Wiping his face with his hand, the monkey shook his head from side to side slowly.

Soon enough, the biker began to stir which brought everyone to their feet. Staring wide eyed with a beaming grin as he fought through his pain and began to laugh, she was relieved to hear his voice. Even Atlas dangled his head off her shoulder and managed a second smile toward Joe. "Joey! You're alive! We almost lost ya out there!" Laughing off her own remark, her expression faltered as he seemed to trigger a bit of pain. "Woah woah woah there, cowboy. Don't move about too much now, you have to heal up first!" Suddenly remembering what the nurse said, she rather stifly straightened up, shooting her arm into the air as if trying to gather his attention. "Thank you, big brother!" She blurted out hurriedly, before stopping and thinking about what she had just said, "No, that doesn't sound right." Turning to Voltek, who also happened to be of a blonde hue, Catherine repeated herself, "Thank YOU! Big brother!" Shaking her head and looking mighty puzzled, she crossed her arms and shook her head, "Nope, still not there..."

Trailing off with a sigh, she sat herself down and gave Joe a rather serious look. Maybe it was because she was thanking him in such a silly way that it felt wrong. Reaching out for his bandaged hand, she gripped it gently, a voice which was much more normal and calm escaping her lips. "Thank you very much for protecting me from Team Rocket. I understand now, they are criminals in this region." Pausing momentarily to lean closer towards him, it was strange for even her, herself, to be this calm, "But can I just say, you were very cool and if you were a Pokemon, I would catch you." Taking a moment for her apparent thank you speech to sink in, Catherine had pulled a Pokeball from her belongings and had sneakily began to tap at Joe's hand, as if trying to capture him. Staring him right in the eye whilst retaining her serious expression, she tapped the ball once or twice more before sighing overdramatically and giving up the act, "D'aaawww, I guess I can't catch a Joey afterall."

Obviously trying to make this upsetting situation a bit funny, she hoped she hadn't offended him and quickly bowed her head, "But really, you are really strong, Joey! Really cool! Like a really strong, really cool big brother kinda guy!" Looking at him starry eyed, it seemed his rough biker appearance hadn't put this girl off. "You're like, a super cool super hero to defeat the super bad Team Rocket!" Suddenly standing to her feet, she frowned heavily and crossed her arms but wore an attempt of Joe's cocky grin, "I am Joey and I am gonna smite you all, BWHAHAHAHA!" Putting on a fake, deep male voice and a bit of a rigid laugh, she suddenly turned to the opposite way and made a cowering like pose, closing her eyes and acting melodramatic, "Ooh no, Mighty Joey is here to beat us all, AHHH, Team Rocket is blasting ooooooffffffff--" Suddenly snorting and slapping her knee as she burst into a fit of laughter, Atlas wobbled from side to side in tow, staring at Joe apologetically, "I-I am so sorry for my t-trainer and her b-behaviour!" Although he knew Joe wouldn't understand, he hoped that his expression said it for him.

Eventually calming down and once again taking a seat, she wiped her eyes whilst smiling childishly as Joe took his turn to speak out. As he spoke of his thoughts on Unova and then questioned her further, she appeared to sober right up. "No. I don't think that at all." Placing a hand on her chest, she shook her head from side to side. She was still bubbly but not anywhere near as in-your-face, "I'm sorry, I think I have made a bit of a bad first impression on myself. Haha, I do it aaall the time." Shaking it off as if it were unimportant, she began to answer his questions. "You see, Unova isn't all sparkles and glitter, there are plenty of problems there too!" Straightening out her back as she looked up to the ceiling, she began to sway her legs, "For most of my life, I lived in an Orphanage! But then this really nice lady took me in and it turned out she used to be a Pokemon nurse! Boy, if I could be like Mama, I would be SO happy!"

Clapping her hands midway, she beamed a grin, "So I decided WHY NOT! One day, I am going to be a great nurse! But I don't wanna stay in one little Pokemon Centre, I wanna travel the world and help those in the wild too! Like, we have a species called Zorua and they are ALWAYS getting poached!" Standing up proudly, she puffed her cheeks, "But I wanna protect Pokemon, I love Pokemon more than ANYTHING!" Suddenly lifting up Atlas, she held him forward in her arms and stared him dead in the eye, "I would absolutely give my life for you too, Atlas! I love you!" Giving the chimp the warmest of embraces, she realised she hadn't answered Joe's actual question yet. "I came to Johto to learn about the species that live here, since this place is quite far from Unova. I know, I know, I am young, naive, gullible and not ready to journey, you can't even cook beans by yourself let alone put up a tent!" Her list turning into a different tense as her tone became more of a nag, it was possible that she had been told this before leaving for her journey. More than once.

Laughing quietly as she remembered all what she had been taught by her adoptive mother, Odette, she turned once more to Joe and continued. "But I am here because I love Pokemon, I love life. And I wanna learn how to protect, heal and nurture it... Heehee, I know ALOT about Pokemon but not so much nursing yet." Pausing once again, her love talk began to die down into a more serious note, "But I wasn't aware that there were people here who exploited Pokemon in such ways. See, in Unova, there are people who believe that Pokemon shouldn't be captured at all, they say that they are slaved by us humans... But I don't see it that way. Without my Pokemon, life would be so sad... I'm sorry. I didn't take your warning about Team Rocket seriously enough earlier." Rubbing the back of her head and laughing, it seemed she had ran out of steam, "What about you, Joey? Are you from Johto?"

[The REAL Joey]

Confined to his bed as he was, Joey rummaged around slightly as she thanked him for his protection. If anything, what surprised him was being called big brother. Having never had any siblings of his own, it was a curious thought. Given how hyperactive and off the wall she was, there were definite parallels with himself when he was much younger. Given their similarities in appearance too, perhaps it wasn't too far off. Deciding it was likely an Unovan term of endearment, Joey shrugged off his uncertainty and beamed. "Heheheheh, no prob sis." Laughing even harder, he was caught off guard by her trying to attempt capturing him. "Hahaha...ow... Hahaha..." Clutching his waist with his spare hand, he realised how free spirited she was, it was a breath of fresh air with all the doom and gloom weighing life down. Passing the Pokeball back into her hands, he quipped with a joke. "Heh! You'd need a Masterball for me."

As she continued to lavish the praise upon him, he shrugged it off with a wistful smile. "Superhero? Hahaha... Not really. I'm just a rebel with a cause. Just your average Joe who got done wrong by Team Rocket all his life." Even back to his birth, his father's connections with the gang meant it impacted him right from his formative years. "Guess you could say its ingrained into me to see these suckers fall. I can't go back home until I see the end of them." Near enough exiled from Kanto, he knew the only option was to flee until he could clear his name. Going off even further, even impersonating, Joey chuckled to himself as he looked to the diminutive Pansage who could only be uttering a look of pure apology. Thankfully, it wasn't something that bothered Joey. Still with Catherine's following words, it allowed the biker a decent enough glimpse into what made her tick. Listening intently, he felt a twang of pity as she mentioned she was raised in an orphanage. Thankfully Joey had his strong, independent mother to bring him up. But really, the very same past could have happened to him.

"Sorry t'hear about the orphanage... Sounds like you at least met someone who loved you very much." Smiling, he delved further. "This mama of yours sounds like she raised you very well. Hell, your field skills as a medic meant I got through a-okay!" Raising a thump up, his attention was slightly stolen by the Munchlax plaster on his thumb. Laughing hard, he guessed the inclusion of the plaster proved his point. As she continued on about her aspirations, he smiled contently. "It's a good thing there are people like you in the world. After all the damage gangs like the Rockets do and the payback people like me set about, you gotta have somebody pick up the pieces." Pulling something of a face, Joey couldn't help but wonder about Calistra as she mentioned about Zorua poaching. "Poaching huh...? Sounds like the dodgy dealings Team Rocket get up. I actually received a Zorua from a facility..." Trailing off, he pondered about introducing Calistra but decided it off it for the time being. Given her distant, snobby like attitude, it may not be the best mix with the infantile and hyperactive Catherine.

Hearing about the group that hailed from Unova, Joey shook his head and chuckled lightly as he looked down at the bed covers. "Enslaving Pokemon? Pft... They're on the money about Team Rocket. Those lot must be polar opposites." Thinking about it, he remembered having a chance encounter with a deranged person in medieval get up back in an Unova Festival. Team... Something a rather. Noticing everything that had been warned about Team Rocket had sunk in, he decided to take one more opportunity to plant another seed about the nefarious group. "Catherine... You gotta promise me somethin' ok? You gotta trust me on this. If you meet ANYONE that says they're with Team Rocket or bares that big tell tale red R, you gotta distance yourself from them. They're bad news." Realising what he was saying wasn't entirely true, he bit his tongue. Sharada had become embroiled in the group to claw them from the inside out but in a case like this, Sharada was tough enough to play the role well and there was no point in exposing her so needlessly. Especially if Catherine were to accidentally slip up given her naivety. "Anyone who affiliates with them is not your friend." Nodding his head, he hoped what he said would sink in. "They're scum."

Laughing as she bought up his past and thinking about what he said about Team Rocket, he wondered if he should reveal his own dad was a scummy Rocket. Deciding he'd give her a very condensed version of it all, he span his own yarn. "Nah... Kanto born and raised. From a town called Fuschia is where I spent most of m'days. Growing up I only had my ma look after me. She was a tough woman. Working to provide for us both, taking care of a cheeky scamp like me... She had her hands full." Pulling something of a resentful face, he touched upon his dad. "My no good dad ran out on his family..." Hesitating, he flicked his eyes up and looked at Catherine seriously. "...To take his place in Team Rocket." Letting that fact settle, he moved on. "That isn't my only reason to begrudge the Rockets. I couldn't give a flying monkey... Err... Excuse the phrase..." He mumbled as he looked at Atlas and continued on. "About my old man. He wasn't there for me and I didn't need him. He's a nobody to me." Screwing up his face, he tightened his hand into a fist. "I used to be in this gang. We lived freely. Soared like the birds in the sky. Didn't let nobody tell us what to do... When that all changed. Team Rocket began operating in the area and the rather conveniently pinned all their nasty acts on us. We got chased outta town by the police. I ain't seen my ma and friends in... A long time."

Smiling, his mind fell into the remnants of his old gang and some other outlaw types he met along the way. "I got my own gang now. Our motto is to Live Free or Die. And that's what we do. Could say we all wanna do a little cruising for a bruising against Team Rocket." Looking at her, he decided to share his master plan. "I ain't smart. Hell, I flunked school just to be some crazy ass kid getting on the town's nerves but I got enough sense to know if I get to be the champ, I get diplomatic immunity." Finishing his sentence in bit of a robotic manner, it was clear those words were slightly foreign to him and had been rehearsed a few times. Nodding his head he grinned. "Heheh, pretty fancy huh?"

[Morrigan]

Placing both her hands on either of her cheeks as he returned the sibling speak, Catherine grinned with pure glee, looking completely thrilled. Although it had been many years, the one thing she had missed was the idea of having a sibling to rely on. Since starting her journey she had gathered many Pokemon to be by her side but she adored human interaction just as much. "Hehehehe!" She giggled back, only calming down as Joe did, clutching a hand around a painful area. Despite not meaning to make him laugh that much, she couldn't help but laugh for a few moments more, it just felt so nice talking to someone as if they were on her level. "I take that as a challenge!" She quickly boomed, laughing once more before turning to Atlas, "Finding a Masterball is now on the priority list! We'll get one and CHUCK it right at him when he least expects it!" Beginning to massage her slightly sore cheeks and she burst into laughter once more, waving a hand at him as if to signify she was only joking.

As Catherine spilled to him on where she was from as well as her thoughts and values on life, she didn't appear to be too upset by mentioning the fact that she was an orphan. Usually most people would question further but Joe was probably the first person to flat out praise her second mother. Nodding frantically in agreement, it was obvious the young nurse couldn't sing her praises enough, "Uh huh! Mama is amazing! She can heal both people and Pokemon AND she is just really friendly and loving." Suddenly sticking up her thumb, she made another thing clear, "I always talk to her everyday too, so that I know she isn't lonely." As he mentioned her 'skills' on the field, Catherine was surprisingly quick to laugh it off, "Nuh-uh. I'm not scared of blood or broken bones or anything but I can't actually... help yet." Feeling a little detect momentarily, she straightened up her back, "But it's okay! I still have a lot to learn. One day, I'll be able to help people properly. I can't wait to grow up and learn new things!" As the conversation turned to that of a familiar Pokemon to the both of them, the blonde gasped a little in surprise, "You have a Zorua? Woooah!" Leaning back, she touched her chin with the tip of her finger, "Zorua can be tricky to control. They ARE the Tricky Fox Pokemon, afterall. They like to disguise themselves as people to avoid confrontation but that only just makes them even more valuable to catch." Moving her finger, she pointed to Joe suddenly, "Take good care of it, okay? They can be really untrusting and weary but I'm sure they are great companions once you get past that barrier." However, considering the personality of Joe, she eased into a smile, "But you probably know that already. Heehee, someone like you could easily break open anyone's shell! You are so funny and nice!"

About to continue talking in regard to the odd group what had gained a bit of power back in Unova, the mention of a promise had way more meaning for her. Immediately becoming more alert, she flexed her tiny pinkie finger as if preparing herself, "Promise? Yes?" Listening to his words, this time she appeared to take them on board, smiling warmly as she took it as his way of perhaps looking out for her. Yet, she lowered her pinkie, almost as if saying she wasn't going to promise such a thing. "But that... might not be true." Surprisingly not agreeing with him, she continued her words, "I know. They are mean people who are mean to others and Pokemon but maybe they deserve a second chance, maybe?" Almost sounding uncertain herself, it was strange that such an innocent girl was defending the Rockets after witnessing their evil deeds first hand. "See, people turn a little crazy when it comes to money and power. They just need a good SLAP!" Playfully clapping her hands together loudly in time with her words, she turned back to Joe and laughed nervously, hoping she hadn't made him angry. "But but BUT! Don't worry! I wont pull any stunts like today! I will steer right clear of any Rockets. Stranger danger!" Holding her arms up, she formed a cross shape, repeating the words 'stranger danger' robotically a few times. "But... I wont hate them all. I wanna believe that people can be saved." Smiling almost angelically to Joe, it seemed that past her crazy antics, she truly had a heart of gold as well as a head of naivety. Suddenly being hit like a tonne of bricks upon mentioning the word 'friend' there was someone Catherine had completely forgotten to mention, "OH NO, CHUCK! What if Chuck meets the Rockets?!"

Becoming a bit more excited as it was Joe's turn to spill about his past, she looked about as excited as a child would upon hearing their favourite bed time story. Learning that he was infact from Kanto and also came from a single mother, Catherine was quick to chip in. "Heehee, Mama's really work hard for us, huh? I'm gonna thank mine later!" Her shoulders slouching as he then went on to explain that his own father had turned to the side of the Rockets, it became clear very quickly that this might've been a much deeper issue for Joe than she first realised. As Atlas managed a wave of his hand and amused chimp at Joe's phrase, he then went onto mention about gangs and how he planned to become the Champion in order to gain rights back into Kanto. Taking a moment for all this information to sink in, Catherine took a deep breath as if preparing for an onslaught in reply.

"No Joey! You can't hate Papa!" She suddenly bellowed, despite knowing full well that this was a sensitive issue for him. "Your Mama and Papa must've loved each other right? It is too sad to say that he is a nobody, even if he is in Team Rocket!" Not knowing even an inch of how far Joe's father would go to make others lives a living hell, the poor girl truly believe that the pair could actually work things out. "What if you find your Papa and tell him to go home? You can work something out, right? I mean, why, I just dont understand..." Her own feelings about her family starting to get mixed in with the conversation, she closed her eyes tightly as if to fight off a hidden emotion, rapidly shaking her head from side to side. "You should try to talk to him first, Joey! Maybe he was tricked or something. Hmm!" Finishing with a nod, it was up to Joe on how he took her words. Instead, she moved onto a different mention in terms of the two gangs.

"Oh. OOOH! YOU LIKE BIKES!" She suddenly blurted out upon remembering, clapping a clenched fist into her other open hand. "Heehee, free to run around all day and do things all your waaay!" Singing out the words in a childish beat, she giggled, unfazed by the idea of scary biker gangs. "Joey, Joey! You would love Unova! There is a town full of bikers and they are they friendliest people you have ever met!" Not actually meeting these said bikers, she had instead heard this from conversations from trainers who had passed through Lacunosa but to her, there was no doubt that it was true. "Once you fix everything, you should visit Unova! I promise, you will love it there! Make sure you bring aaaall your friends!" Almost sounding like a travel agent of some kind trying to sell him a holiday, she finally moved onto the final, most impressive matter. Not even finding it funny that some average Joe like him could become Champion, she instead grinned and made a victory punch motion into the air, "You can do it Joey, you can become the Champion with your super hero strength!" Suddenly turning to Voltek, she tried to psych him up too, "You have to help Joey, Mr. Electivire! Win all the battles so Joey can see his Mama and friends again!" Wriggling about with excitement and glee, she grinned, "I wanna see big bro on the TV being all, I am the new CHAMP!"

Slowly calming down, she felt her leg brush past something causing her to look down and gasp. Bending forward, Joe probably couldn't see but from the sounds she made, it was as if she was rustling through a bag. Reemerging her head, she looked around in a sly manner before handing Joe a packet of Teddiursa shaped chocolate biscuits, "Pst, are you hungry, hows about some nibbles?" Despite speaking in a hushed whisper, there wasn't really any need seeing as no one was around. Popping open a packet of her own, Catherine began to nibble gleefully on the puffed up biscuit shapes. Her chomps slowing down all of a sudden, it appeared that the talk of Joe's father was still on her mind. Looking back over to him seriously, it appeared that she had a little bit more to say.

"Joey! I want you to listen, okay?" Becoming silent again as she made sure to grab his full attention, she went back to talking about herself but this time, it went a bit deeper. "I am from a small village called Lacunosa. There is a myth, or legend, about a terrifying creature that is said to eat those who wander into the forest." Becoming silent and a lot more sombre, it was clear which direction this was going. "I had an older sister, Chr-Chr-Chr-Chr-ist-ii" Starting off okay, her words suddenly broke down, almost into that of a broken record. Eyes suddenly falling blank, it was only Atlas who acted immediately. Perking up on her shoulder, the Pansage spared little time to shake the girl's head, breaking her out of a trance like state. "h-huh..HUH? Oh OH, W-Where was I? O-OOH!" Rubbing her head wearily, she looked back up, her cheeks looking a bit more flushed than usual. "My older sister went to play in the forest when we were young. I-I wanted to follow but I was scared so I went back home. Mama and Papa went off to try and find them but... None of them came back." Smiling a much more pitiful smile, she quickly rounded up what she was trying to say, starting to become much redder in the face yet not being able to find the tears in order to cry for her loss at all. "What I'm trying to say is... I miss Mama and Papa and Ch-- my sister so much, dont take what you have for granted, okay? I know you can make things work with your family so promise me you will work really hard, okay?!" Placing a hand over her heart, she bowed her head from his view, "I cherish life so much. I dont want to doubt people and I dont want to lose anyone again."

[The REAL Joey]

Their conversations really taking off, Joey was caught off guard as she began rustling at something. Noticing she had some tasty looking snacks, his stomach sounded off without him realising. "Ohhh! Haha, guess I am kinda hungry." He joked whilst rubbing the back of his head. "Living off of the fat o' the land only fills you so much. Don't get me wrong, I love berries and stuff but, ah ta, thank you, these go down a treat." Scoffing his face as well with the handful Catherine gave him, he shoved his hand in front of his mouth and devoured them gluttonously. "Mmmff-mmffff--crnch---Pretmmf--goommmf." With a hefty swallow, he laughed and looked at her. "So you got a load of plasters and snackeroos, I reckon you're free to tag along with me on my adventure. You do first aid and meals!" Smiling some more, he bought up what they had been talking about in regards to her mother. "So you talk to her everyday huh? What, is she travelling with you?" Somewhat technologically impaired, the thought that they may be talking over digital means eluded him.

If there was one thing he knew about, it was the feisty trickster personality of a Zorua. Although, he had to stop her before she got too carried away. "I had a Zorua. She actually evolved into a Zoroark. We've started to understand each other but... She's kinda aloof." Laughing as he thought about Calistra's personality, "Although, everything else you said fits to a tee though. Hell, a lot of the time she journeys alongside me in an illusion form. Fools a lot of people." Raising his eyebrow quizzically he pondered to himself. "Amazed she isn't sulking around right now." Looking over to her, he made a cheeky shrug and laughed. "D'awww, you tryin' to flatter me, huh?" It was odd. For his rough and ready demeanour, it was weird to have someone lavish such sweet praise on him. Nobody had really gone as far as to say that before. "I'm used to heckling one another back with my gang so that's kind of ya to say."

Given how sweet she was, it should have come as no surprise how innocent she was in thinking Team Rocket had a good side in some of their kin. Shaking his head and then hanging into the support of his hand, Joey sighed. "You gotta understand Catherine, there's nothing redeeming about them." Or was he wrong? Was he so jaded that his perception was warped? Gritting his teeth, he cast off the doubts, he had faced this enemy. He knew the threat they were. No quarter for them. "The minute they took up the R on their chest, they forfeit any chances they had. I know life isn't just black and white. There's all this grey in between. But that ain't the case with these schmucks." Knowing that without getting a glimpse of what he had seen, it would be hard for her to comprehend but the main thing was he had warned her. Somewhat confused as she mentioned of this Chuck person, he shook his head and connected the dastardly deeds of Team Rocket to the kind of man his father is.

"What you're saying just isn't the case. As far as i'm concerned my old man is Team Rocket incarnate. He was a villainous ***** and it's only now that he's in Team Rocket that has found his true home." Laughing ironically, he looked at Catherine. "Y'know, they did love each other. Or my ma did. But he broke her heart. In the entire time he ran out on us, not one message, not one sign that he was thinking of us. To see how we were doing. My ma was just a means to an end for him. Guessin' the no good punk was afraid if he didn't lay low that boogieman kid would've wiped him clean." Letting out another exasperated laugh he sighed. "No offence kid but if you knew my dad like I do, you'd know he's the devil himself. There ain't no reasoning with a psychopath like that." Getting agitated, Voltek in the corner was clearly angered at the thought of Royce. Having not met personally, Voltek knew enough that Joey's dad was as bad as his original trainer. Clenching his fists, he crossed his arms and trailed off slightly as he thought about what would happen if they ever met. "I'd finish him..." All Joey really wanted was to get back home but that didn't mean some revenge wouldn't be in order if they ever crossed paths. "Won't happen though. He's too chicken. Just keeps sending wave after wave of paid goons to try and stop me."

Realising the atmosphere in the room had got a little tense, he darted on to pastures greener. Catherine was a truly sweet girl and he didn't want to poison her pure and wholesome heart. Joey fought for justice and what he thought was right but he had stooped to their level. If anything, Catherine was the type of person he hoped he could protect by doing the region a favour and putting Team Rocket six foot under. To ensure she'd keep that carefree attitude going, he'd just have to double his commitments. "Y'know what, i'm REALLY gonna kick the champ's butt and sit on the throne. Not only can I get my way back home but i'd be a superstar. I could travel all over the world." Punching a fist upwards in front of him, he laughed heartily. "First stop'd be Unova! You better be my tour guide. Hell, I been to the Unova Festival. If there's anything I know it sounds like a mighty big region. I'm just about coping going route to route here in Johto let alone a place like that." The more she said of the place, the more interesting it sounded.

Although, the last thing their conversation ended on was enough to unsettle even Joe. Listening with intent on his face, he let her recall her story. Clearly her tale was one that had been kept safeguarded from many. The raw and painful recounting was evident over her poor demeanour. Trying to shift forward without damaging himself some more, he lifted an arm up around her and pulled her in close with a consoling hug. "Shhh... Don't worry sis." Patting her head with the arm he had wrapped around her, he tried to act as a grounded influence to calm her down. "I'm sorry Cath... That sounds like a really bad nightmare." Hoping to cheer her up, he made her look up. "I bet they look down on you from where they are now and make sure you are always safe." Perhaps so enraptured by her terrible experience, none of them in the room had noticed the tall, sultry figure standing in the door way. Her heels clacking forward as she approached them, her voice gave Joey a small start. It was Voltek who first spoke out. "Calistra." He noted bluntly. Her eyes trailing off of the Electivire, she looked back over to Joey and the unknown girl. Walking closer into their light, it was none other than Calistra in her human guise. "I thought I could smell the stench of Unovan human." Her eyes glaring with a look that could pierce stone, Joey pulled a face as if to tell her to back the hell off in case she upset Catherine.

Looking down at Catherine, Calistra placed her hands on her hips and picked up on what she had said. "Your legend. Your myth. It is a story that is sung among my people. Of the frost drake. The boundless void." Narrowing her eyes, she concluded her sentence. "That is no mere fairytale. The frostwyrm is real." Staring at Calistra with his mouth wide open, Joey really had no idea what to make of what she had just said.