Nurse Joy, caretaker of the Santalune Pokemon Center, was getting a lot of business lately. Trainers from all over were showing up for a break, meals, a place to sleep, or having their Pokemon rest. Rarely did Trainers come in with personal injuries.

That was proved false as a Dragonite, carrying a girl in its arms, barged through the door. Nurse Joy immediately took the girl from the Pokemon, and Dragonite flew off. Helped by her partner Blissey, Nurse Joy took the girl to the Immediate Care ward.

====

Nurse Joy immediately recognized the symptoms of a severe poisoning as soon as she got a good look at the girl. While Blissey used Heal Pulse and Refresh, Joy herself mixed together an Antidote.

"Hang on, miss." Joy said as she sprayed the girl's forehead. "You'll be quite alright."

As Blissey checked her temperature, Joy's antidote started to take effect, and the purple rash on the girl's head began to fade. Blissey used Refresh one last time before leaving to check on the other Pokemon. Joy herself made sure the girl was properly resting before heading back to the lobby.

====

Amuro and his friends were running towards the Route out of Santalune Forest when Dragonite appeared in front of them.

"Niite!" it chirped, signalling to his Trainer that he was successful.

"Great job, Dragonite." Amuro said. "Return."

As Amuro returned the Dragon Pokemon to his Ultra Ball, Courtney walked up with a thoughtful gesture.

"Amuro?"

"Yeah?" he replied as he put his Dragonite's Ultra Ball away.

"What do you think that Marcus guy was doing here?" she asked as they resumed their run. "I mean, what could he be after?"

"I haven't a clue." Amuro replied. "But making your Pokemon attack someone is just...twisted. Like on the level of "super evil"."

"Amen to that." Athena said, having a flashback to some of the deeds of the Team Galactic leader, Cyrus. "I mean, Pokemon aren't meant to be used as tools."

"I agree." Kate said. "Team Rocket didn't get that message for a while, though."

"Let's just stay focused." Mason said. "We're almost to Santalune City."

The trainers ran until they reached the Pokemon Center. Breathless, Amuro told Nurse Joy of their situation, and she took them to the Ward.

"How is she?" Amuro asked.

"She's a fighter, that's for sure." Nurse Joy replied. "The poison levels in her blood would've knocked out a full-grown Tauros with enough to spare. However, she held on long enough for the antidote to take effect. She should be waking up soon."

"Thanks." Amuro said.

"Do you know her?" Joy asked.

"No." he replied. "Some guy had his Pokemon attack her, and I haven't a clue why. Didn't get his name, but I remember what he was wearing."

"Then I'll call Officer Jenny as soon as possible." Joy replied as they stopped. "We can't have criminals running around before the Tournament."

"Right." Amuro sighed as he entered. The girl was awake, and she jumped when Amuro took a few steps towards her.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Where am I?" she demanded.

"Easy." Amuro replied. "You're in the Santalune City Pokemon Center."

"I presume that's a hospital? Then how did I get here?" she asked, a bit more calm.

"My Dragonite flew you here after that guy in the suit attacked you." Amuro said. "Nurse Joy says you were really lucky to make it out."

The girl sighed and looked down.

"Do you know who he was?" Amurro asked.

"He said his name was Marcus, leader of Team Eclipse." she said. "I don't even know what "Team Eclipse" is, or what they were doing."

"Neither do I." Amuro replied, sitting in a chair. "So, what's your name?"

"...Twilight." she said. "Wait...where's my bag?"

"Oh, this bag?" Amuro said, pulling her pack out of his own bag. "I picked it up after Dragonite flew off with you."

"Thanks." Twilight said. "You didn't read my journal, right?"

"No, I didn't read it." Amuro said. "Why?"

"Just because." Twilight replied, getting up and nearly falling over.

"Why can't I...why am I so dizzy?" she asked herself.

"Probably a side-effect of the poison." Amuro said, helping her up. "I'll see if Nurse Joy has any nausea meds."

Amuro left, and Twilight looked out the window at the bustling city below her. The buildings were made of wood or brown stone, and the sky was a vivid blue. A large river ran through the center, and an elegant bridge traversed the river itself.

"So…" she murmured. "I'm in a Pokemon Center, whatever that is, in "Santalune City"...I was nearly poisoned by some human I don't even know...and now I'm stuck here. Sweet Celestia, what else could go wrong today?"

Twilight stretched and decided to write a bit in her journal about her observations. She could see various humans, some accompanied by stranger creatures, were all going about their day. The creatures seemed so varied and diverse, Twilight couldn't keep track of them as she took notes.

"Large canid...dark gray and black fur...seems protective of accompanying human." Twilight murmured. "Next is….something like a rabbit, only I don't think rabbits are normally blue...large ovoid body...ball-shaped tail...seems rather cheerful."

Twilight put her journal away just as Amuro returned with a medicine case.

"Here." he said. "Nurse Joy said this should get rid of the nausea. She also says that you can come find us in the Lobby when you're ready."

"Thanks." Twilight said. She took the small pill, and relaxed. Amuro gave a wave as he headed out.

====

"She alright?" Mason asked as Amuro sat down at the table the seven trainers occupied, and were currently eating lunch.

"Yeah, she's fine. She seemed a little odd, though." Amuro replied as he served himself.

"Odd?" Jackson asked. "How?"

"Well, she didn't know what a Pokemon Center was, and she seemed really protective of her journal." Amuro said. "Either it's just me and my nerves, or she's hiding something."

"I'd bet she's hiding something." Courtney said. "I mean, obviously there's something in that journal she doesn't want anyone to see."

"Or it's private, like journals normally are." Athena replied. "If she's really hiding something, what could it be? It's not like she's a criminal or anything."

Amuro thought for a few moments.

"True." he said. "Let's just take it easy and if she decides to tell us what's going on, that's her decision."

"Right." the other trainers said. Then, they saw a group of trainers enter the Pokemon Center. One was around their age, wearing a blue jacket and black pants. A Pikachu rested on his shoulder. The other two, surprisingly, were Clemont and Bonnie from the Lumiose City Gym. The last one made Matthew's heart stop. It took him a second to recognize her, but the face was the same, and those blue eyes were found nowhere else.

"Serena?" he mouthed.

"You know that girl?" Amuro asked.

"Yeah, our families are neighbors in Vaniville Town." he said. "We lived right next to each other. I didn't know she became a trainer and started her Journey."

"Well, go say hi." Jackson said. "How long has it been since you last saw her?"

"It's been a while, but we're just friends." Matthew replied. "It's not like we were in a relationship or anything."

Unfortunately for Matthew, it seemed fate had other plans.

"Matthew?"

Matthew looked up to see Serena and the boy with the Pikachu standing next to him.

"Hey...Serena." Matthew said. "Who's your friend?"

"That's Ash." she said. "How've you been?"

"Alright." Matthew said. "So...wanna find some chairs and sit with us?"

"Sure." Ash said. "If you've got room."

There was, surprisingly, enough room for everyone to squeeze in. Ash, Serena, and Matthew kept looking at and then away from each other, giving everyone fits of giggles.

"Serena?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah?" she replied.

"How long have you known Ash?"

"Since we were little." Serena replied. "We met at Professor Oak's Summer Camp in Kanto."

Matthew gulped and quickly took a drink of water, causing everyone to laugh again.

"So, I guess everyone's competing in the Masters Cup?" Amuro asked.

"Yep." Ash replied. "I was in the Kalos League a few months ago."

As the banter continued, they didn't notice a small object on the windowsill. A tiny Fly Drone watched and recorded the trainers, sending footage back to an unknown location.

====

Twilight slipped out of bed, and deciding that it was better to get moving, headed into the hallway. She didn't get very far, though.

"Oh, you're awake!"

She turned to see a woman approach, wearing a nurse's attire. An egg-shaped creature with a pouch, wearing a cap, was next to her.

"So I am." Twilight said. "You're in charge here, right?"

"Yep. I'm Nurse Joy. That's Blissey." the woman replied. "Is there anything you need?"

"I am a little hungry…" she said.

"Alright, the atrium's down the hall to the right." Joy replied. "The trainers who brought you in should be around there."

"Thanks." Twilight replied. She set out to find them, unaware of the Fly Drone watching her from above.

Author's Note

Yep, game crew meets anime crew.

Next time-Marcus examines the portal further, and Twilight has a rather interesting lunch.