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"Miss? Are you sure you can stand?" The first man looked conflicted. He obviously wanted to help the young woman on the beach...but he also didn't want to get mauled by the Pokemon.

"Err...we'd like to help you, really. If he'll let us, that is..." the second man trailed off, shooting his partner a look. How were they supposed to deal with this? The boss hadn't told them anything about an angry Blastoise being on the beach. Knowing Dr. Hakan, he probably knew exactly what was out on the beach and sent the guards without any info anyway. In fact, he was probably watching through one of the many hidden security cameras throughout the island, finding his own private amusement in their predicament.

The guards might as well have been official military for the streams of explitives streaming from their mouths.

"This has gone too far," the first snapped, reaching for his belt. The familiar red glow of an emerging Pokemon preceeded the appearance of a bouncing, battle-ready Raichu.

"CHUUUU!" The Pokemon grinned, sparks crackling brightly over his body as he eyed his opponent.

"You're right. We have no choice." The second guard released his own Pokemon, a large, if slower-moving, Venusaur.

"Saaauur?" The grass-type eyed the Blastoise, wondering if he meant to make a serious fight of this.

"I'll take offense...you take support," the first guard muttered to the second. "Thunderbolt!"

"Right. Sleep Powder!"

Pokemon attacks flew towards the Water-type as the guard turned towards the young woman. "Hey! You've got a Pokeball for that guy, right? Be ready to call him back as soon as he's weakened. Otherwise, we're going to have a REAL problem here!"

"NO!"

"Dammit! We were too slow!"

The guards were crestfallen as the Blastoise released his attack, believing that the young woman would be completely destroyed in the torrent. They had failed...what would Dr. Hakan say?

Or worse yet...what would he do?

"Wait a second...he practically missed her!"

"You're kidding..."

The Raichu was darting around the young woman's Blastoise, sending out small Spark attacks to try to draw his attention and keep him distracted while the humans checked on the other of their kind.

"I'm pretty sure she's still alive; just unconscious."

"Thank Lugia... Hold it...is that?"

"I think it is! Grab it!"

Meanwhile, the guard's Venusaur launched another cloud of Sleep Powder, trying to bring the rampaging Blastoise down while the second guard activated the Pokeball and aimed the red beam for the Water-type.

Silence.

Then...

"Ho-ly..."

"I think we almost died."

"I think you're right."

Literally shaking with relief, the first guard collapsed into the sand on his knees. "I do not believe what just happened. What almost happened..."

"I hope Hakan got his jollies watching that, 'cause when I get back to the lab, I'm gonna'..."

"Watch it. He's probably listening to us right now, ya' know."

"I hope he is! That sadistic loony sent us out here without a word of warning...and you KNOW he knew what was out here! He knows everything on this stupid island! Twenty bucks says he was trying to get us killed! He almost succeeded too! That's why, when I get back, that son of a--"

"Shut it! Now!"

The guards shot dark glares at one another for a good minute of silence before the second spoke again.

"Fine. Let's just get the chick outta' here and worry about Hakan later. Best save our own butts first, right?" Sighing, he beckoned his Venusaur over. "How about a little help carrying her, eh?"

The Pokemon nodded with a soft grunt, moving so that the humans could place the female on his back. Before long, the group was off again, headed for the lab...

...and a certain Dr. Hakan.

"Shh...relax, my dear. You're safe now."

Perhaps the young woman could see him, perhaps not. But nonetheless, the doctor smiled reassuringly as he placed a warning hand gently on her shoulder.

"You've taken quite a beating, young lady. It's probably best that you don't try to sit up for a while. At the very least, it would be rather painful for you, I'd imagine, and I'd rather spare you that. Then again, what do I know? I'm just a doctor."

He chuckled softly, tucking a syringe into his coat pocket.

My advice? Try to relax if you can. When the pain lessens, you can try sitting up if you wish. Until then? Bedrest is the best medicine."

Chuckling softly, the doctor shook his head slightly.

"Just a moment, dear. Let me make myself a little more comfortable if we're going to have a conversation."

Pulling a small chair over from the other side of the room, the doctor seated himself next to the bed, leaning over and resting his arms casually on his knees.

"There. That's a little better. Now, you're currently under my medical care. I'm a doctor and this just happens to be a research facility called CRONUS. You washed up on our nearby beach with extensive injuries. I'm not sure how you ended up in such condition or why you were out in such a storm, but I've been treating your wounds since they brought you in. You're suffering from exposure to the elements as well, young lady, so recovery might be a bit slow until we can completely rehydrate and replenish your body's lost minerals. Not to worry though. You'll make a full recovery with time and lots of rest."

The doctor flashed her a warm smile. While he was obviously no longer considered a 'young man,' there were signs that he might have been quite handsome in his younger days. Perhaps he wasn't as old as he looked either. Tired lines crossed his face, as well as a slight dullness in what should have been still-bright eyes told the story of a man that had seen and done more in his life than any man his age should have.

"As for who I am?"

He smiled again, patting her hand where it rested on the cot-like bed.

"My name is Dr. Carl Hakan."

"Very well, Anya. Don't worry; you've only been here for a couple days. Of course, that's also why you're in such pain right now. Your injuries are still fresh and your body is still trying to cope with the extensive strain you've been through."

Dr. Hakan continued checking Anya as he talked, checking and appraising her various injuries with an expert eye.

"Your Pokemon are just fine, though I have some of my men taking a look at them. After the 'incident' with your Blastoise earlier, we thought it would be best to give all of your Pokemon a full exam as well as food and rest to prevent any further accidents."

Satisfied that he had taken care of all, or at least the most severe, of Anya's wounds, he nodded to himself and sat back in his chair.

"The guys? Ah, you mean the men I sent out to meet you. Yes, while thoroughly shaken, they're physically fine. I sent them to get a meal and some rest as soon as they brought you back here. Try not to worry about anything else. If anyone needs their sleep for recovery, it's you, my dear. You've been through a lot and I can only guess at the intensity of your exertion from your adventures."