A Sick Sister

You and your group have been walking down the path for a couple hours. The sun was about to set when you see that a pair of huts are at each side of the path. Due to the cold weather, you're all wearing fur coats to battle the cool fall air. You were getting anxious as you were approaching. 'Even if Felix said they'll head back to camp, he would've said he seen them back here... What if something happened to them?..'

You shake your head, not wanting to think that as you all arrived at the assigned spot. Feeling like they may attack the others out of paranoia, you decided to check the huts yourself. You approached one slowly, feeling your heart beating right on your chest. "Rachael... are you three there?" you spoke out in a low voice, inching closer.

You saw the door opened suddenly. You instinctively leapt back and had your guard up. "Rai!" A familiar voice spoke out as you see a Buneary in the hut going towards you. "I'm so glad you're here and safe!"

You smiled at seeing that your friend is okay, but you noticed the worry in her tone. "Rachael what's the matter?"

"It's Kate. She's fallen ill." She said to you, making your face show concern. Rachael notices Felix and Vargus behind you. "Felix, why you here? And who's the Croconaw?"

"I wanted to do more than just wait for him to show up. He told me what you all plan on doing. I think he's personally crazy, but he does make some valid points." he stated.

"I'm Vargus, I've encounter Rai struggling against an infected Linoone and helped him." The water type introduced himself.

"We'll talk about this later, I need to see my sister." You stated as Rachael lead them towards one of the huts.

The four of you entered one of the larger huts and looked to see the Zoroark poised to attack, but relaxed when he saw that you and Rachael were present. "You're okay." Neku stated looking at yo. "I supposed you had some help." he said looking at the two Pokémon, looking at the Grovyle with a more sterner look.

"Well talk about things later. How's Kate?" You asked, clearly showing that you heard about her situation.

"She's alright, but she's running a fever." Neku said as she opened the door to a room in the hut and you go and see a Pachirisu on a bed. "We've been giving her plenty of water to help cool her off. And we made sure that the small river we found didn't had a strange taste or smell to it either."

You nodded as you went and sat near the bed. "Hey Kate. Guess who's here?" You spoke out with a smile.

The small Pokémon shifted and turned her head to you. Her face was flushed with a bit of pink around her face and cheeks. She puts up a smile when she sees you. "R-Rai... You're here. I knew you would."

You gently held her paw with your own as you checked her forehead. You feel heat on your paw. 'Yeah, it's definitely a fever..' you thought to herself. "We'll take care of you. Just rest up until then." you said to her and she smiles, laying there to continue resting.

You left her alone in the room as you faced your group. "I'm sure you're already aware of this, but it's dangerous to be carrying a sick girl during these times. I know you wanted to reached this Soothsayer but..." Neku spoke to you about the situat

You grumbled while looking upward. 'I want to try to stop this as soon as I can, but I can't push my sister to where her health will become an issue...' You thought to yourself as you sigh.. "Yeah, in the morning we should re-"

"There's a small village not too far from here. I found some medicinal herbs a few days ago that might be able to help her." Felix answered.

The group looks at the Grovyle when he mentioned that. "Is there any Pokémon inhabiting there?"

"Well I have noticed the herbs being tended too, so there are non-infected Pokemon tending it." The Grovyle explained.

"It's not far from here right?" You asked and the Grovyle nods his head. "About 8 hours there and back total."

'I hope he's right. Plus this is his chance to prove himself...' You thought as he looked among the group. "Rachael, go with Felix to this village and see if you can get your paws on some medicinal herbs. The rest of us will stay here and look after Kate until you both return. If those herbs don't help, we'll head back to camp." You stated, looking back to the room your sister's in. "No issues?"

"You sure you want to have the Grovyle do this alongside your friend?" Neku asked, looking at the Grovyle. "He was the one who attacked us out of nowhere."

"Well he stopped when my sister pleaded. I would say he sounds genuine. Plus he was in trouble, I couldn't let the sight go." You stated.

"I hope you're right, for all our sakes." Neku stated as everyone else was quiet.

"Right, also there are some things I have to say." You stated as you explained what happened on your way here.

"No way, you actually saw an infected actually eat another?" Rachael asked surprised.

"I hate to say it, but it's true. The Samurott and the Seismitoad had purple eyes, and yet the former ate the latter." You stated.

She had a worried look on her face as you both thought the same thing.

"That's troubling, but not unexpected as the infected do get hungry..." Neku stated. "What bothers me as well is your nightmare attack. There is someone who caused this. And if we continue this, we'll be on the target..."

"We can't stop now though. If we do, we don't know when or if this will be stopped." You stated. "We just need to become stronger and be smart about this."

"I figure you would say that." Neku nods as you all decide to prepare for tomorrow and rest up, with your usual watch procedures so that you don't get caught in your sleep.