Yo, it's definitely been a while. Well, I'm back. For good? Maybe, maybe not. I am planning on working on the "A Tale of Two Hoenns" fanfiction periodically. Probably not once a month, that's too much for me since I am lazy.

I ain't gonna lie, I wrote this for my AP Environmental Science Final project. I have a teacher who also likes pokemon so I decided to have some fun and write a fanfic under a guise of a final project short story. Nothing was changed from what I turned in and what is here. I decided to post it for the hell of it... I will say, I wrote a lot of science information regarding health and rivers. It was a final project after all. Well, here it is. Hope its good.

-Prappies

The doctor's room was grimy and dark. In one corner there was a broken bed, and a ratty desk was right next to it. The empty and dirty room had little to no electric light and was covered completely with soot and ash. And yet, it was still in use.

A young woman sat on a stool right by the bed, in her hands was a clipboard which she was currently studying. No sound could be heard inside the room, the only sound being the occasional chatter of people and children outside the only window.

The door opened quickly to reveal a man even filthier than the room. He coughed rigorously into his elbow. His entire body, much like the room, was dirty and black. Except his figure had much more ash than the room had in it combined. He wore a miner's uniform

The sudden entrance took the doctor by surprise who looked up quickly. Her eyes quickly scanned the man in front of her. She pushed herself off the stool and jogged towards the coughing and dirty man.

"Wally," she said as she stood to his side and put her hand on his chest and her other on his back. She gently guided him to the bed. The man sat down, his back bent over as his coughing became more and more extreme.

"May, how are you, love?" the miner smiled at the woman standing before him.

"What happened," asked May.

"I don't know, it seems like my lungs just failed on me. I just finished work so I decided to come give you a visit," said Wally.

"Good choice," said May. She went over to her desk and grabbed out her stethoscope and pressed it to his chest. "Breathe in for me."

Wally sucked in his breath and exhaled. He continued this for the next minute. May's face was in deep focus as she listened to his heart. Wally, as he was in the middle of taking a breath, started coughing again. May gave him a pointed look.

"I'm gonna guess your asthma is acting up again. It's definitely worsening." She stated. She got up and pushed him to his feet gently. "Come on, let's get some more tests done on you. I want to see how bad your asthma is getting."

She gently led him into a separate room in the small town clinic. The room had many old-looking machines in it. They were much cleaner than the other room, having been used so many times in the coal mining town.

The doctor took some tests. Wally looked at her with a smile as she speed-walked around the room, looking at the data she collected on his health. After a while she looked up at him, and came before him.

"Ok, so I finally got your data," she said towards the man.

"What is it?" said Wally.

"I was correct, your asthma is worsening. It seems you've inhaled a lot of ash and particulate matter. The particulate matter from your job in the mines and… you also work in the coal power plant some days as well right?" Asked May.

"Whenever help is needed."

"Ok, so from both of these activities, the particulate matter in your lungs has increased by… a lot."

The man shrugged. "I'll be ok. It's gonna take more than a bit of dust to kill me."

"Um no. Thinking like that is gonna make your death by dust a lot faster. Do you not know how this works?" Asked May.

"I know enough."

"Clearly not. Ok look. The particulate matter gets into your lungs from the coal power plant as it combusts the coal. The particulate matter from mining the coal has also played a big role in your health deterioration. The coal dust has also caused particulate matter release, but it also releases fine particle-bounded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This also causes many respiratory illnesses."

Wally sighed. "I can deal with respiratory problems, I've dealt with it all my life and I don't see why I can't deal with it now."

"You're not supposed to deal with it all your life Wally."

"The world doesn't work like that."

"Coal mines have also been known to cause increased risk of kidney, cardiovascular, colon, lung, and breast cancers."

"I know all this. I just came to see you, and see if there is a way to stop the coughing. It's gotten very annoying and I'm worried I might accidentally pickaxe someone because I'm not focusing on my job."

"Quitting the job would work," argued May.

"You work as the sole doctor for a low-class town. The money you earn is hardly sufficient to keep the clinic running, much less feed us. We need this." Said Wally.

"I'm sure we can make it work… besides you can work another job other than the coal mine and powerplant."

Wally laughed, "In a town like this, there are no jobs except coal mining. You know this very well."

The couple stared at each other, May looking mad and Wally looking resigned but smiling. May gave in.

"Alright, fine. Here," May went over to the side and picked out a medicine box from an overhanging cabinet. She poured out 2 pills into her palm, and put the box back inside the cabinet. She walked over to the man and grabbed his right hand. She turned the palm upwards and dropped the pills into his palm.

"Thanks," Wally said as he popped them into his mouth, he accepted the glass of water offered to him by May.

He drank the water quickly, some droplets falling down his neck. He wipes his mouth and neck after he is done.

"I should take leave now," he gets up with a grunt, clutching his shoulder. May takes notice.

"What happened?"

"Always throwing a pickaxe over your shoulder. Behind your back, in front of your chest with the force of a truck is bound to weaken some bones. As a doctor you should know that," laughed Wally.

"Don't get cocky… is this the norm for all miners and plant workers?" Asked May.

"The injuries? Oh yes of course, mining and power plants aren't the most safe jobs you know."

May leaned against the back of her seat, she put her pencil against the side of her mouth as she got lost in thought.

"What's on your mind?" asked Wally curiously.

"Well the thing that's on my mind…. Can I come with you to the mine tomorrow, shortly before your work?"

May and Wally walked together through the dusty air through a mob of dirty mine workers. The dust and soot-covered everyone's clothing from the soot stains. Their faces were disheveled and unhappy, no one had taken a bath due to them knowing they'd get dirty real quick as soon as their shift began.

"Over here," said Wally, pulling May along with him.

He led her to a group of miners who were drinking and laughing. There were around 3 miners in the little group, all of whom turned around when they saw Wally and May approach.

"Wally!" Yelled out one of them. Wally waved and smiled.

"Brendan, how are you doing?" replied Wally.

"Well enough, I guess. We have around an hour until our shift begins so I'm just lounging around until then. While watching Steven here playing pokemon alpha on his Gameboy Advance. Nothing much else we can do."

The man named Steven gave Wally a quick wave before returning to his game. The Gameboy looked very old and worn, having been played by many miners on their breaks. May frowned at the group, Brendan quickly took notice of the new person.

"Hey, who's this girl Wally?"

"Oh this is my wife, May," answered Wally.

"Oh then, good to meet you, madam." Brendan took off his miner's helmet and gave a small bow. May smiled.

"It's nice to meet you, Brendan, Wally has told me so much about you." She brought her hand forward, and Brendan grabbed it with his own, shaking her hand firmly.

"I'm glad to hear that." Said Brendan. "The man playing Pokemon Alpha on the Gameboy here is Steven. The other is Alder. Say hello to the lady, boys."

The men looked up and greeted May, to which she greeted back.

"Aren't you the town doctor Ms. May," Asked Alder.

"I am," answered May, smiling.

"What brings you all the way here?" Steven looked up from his game and questioned her curiously. He then suddenly peered back down and groaned. "My metagross just fainted!"

"Tough luck." sneered Alder.

"Oh, I actually wanted to ask you a few questions," May looked at Steven as she answered.

"What for?" Steven looked confused.

"A quick questionnaire about your health, saying as all of you are miners and powerplant workers."

"Well, we do have time. And it would be rude to ignore the request of our town's only doctor. Go ahead and ask, we will answer to the best of our abilities," Alder said, looking towards the other men with a cold face. "Right boys?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah Alder. We will do it. You don't have to bully us into doing the questionnaire. Ask away madam," answered Steven.

"Ok," May took a seat on the ground. Wally took a seat right next to her. "Have you seen or felt a difference in your health since you took up the coal mining or powerplant jobs?"

"I wouldn't say so. Not really." Answered Brendan.

"No breathing problems at all?" Asked May.

"Well we definitely cough a lot more than we did before. If that counts for anything?" Asked Alder.

"Most definitely," answered May, as she scribbled down notes in a notepad she had balanced on her left leg. She looked up at them.

"Any sleep problems, any heart problems, or anything like that?" Asked May.

"To be honest madam, I really don't know." Said Steven, Brendan nodded in agreement.

"Would you be willing to come into my clinic for a few tests? I want to see what kind of diseases our miners have received, and if it could be linked to coal burning. It won't take long I promise, I won't charge a dime either. This is merely for my curiosity's sake," May politely asked them. The men looked at each other in surprise. Even Wally looked taken aback by his wife.

"Um, sure I guess. I mean, you are Wally's wife, it would be wrong to turn you down." Said Brendan mildly amused.

"And I suppose it would be good to know if anything is wrong." Shrugged Alder. Alder looked down at his watch and whistled.

"We should get going now, our shift begins soon. Wally, come on,"said Steven. He quickly saved his progress and pocketed the Gameboy. The men got up, all with a grunt. Wally and May soon followed suit.

"It was nice meeting you Ms. May," said Alder reaching over to shake May's hand, May accepted.

"It was my pleasure meeting you gentlemen as well." Answered May. She smiled and watched as they and Wally walked away.

"See you," said Wally as he patted her shoulder before he turned away. "Get some rest before they come in for the physical, ok?"

May nodded, and then she too turned away.

Later that night, May sat in the clinic looking through spreadsheets, when the door opened. She looked up to see the five men enter.

"Hey Doctor, good to see you again," said Steven warmly.

"Good to see you too gentlemen, let's take you one at a time then. I don't really have seats for you all so if it isn't your turn I'd recommend you sit on the ground."

The men listened and sat down next to each other.

"Who wants to go first?" Asked May.

The men looked between themselves, and Brendan raised his hand.

"I'll go first then."

May nodded and motioned for him to follow her. She led him into the test room, where one by one she grabbed each of the men's health data. After all 4 had gone through, they chattered amongst themselves as she waited for the results.

When she received the results, she tapped the side of her mouth with her pen and looked at the men.

"So what it come out as Doctor, are we dying?" Joked Steven. The other men laughed.

"In a practical sense. Yes, you all are dying." Blatantly stated May.

The laughing quickly stopped. Horror appeared on the five previously laughing faces.

"What?!" said Steven.

"Well, you are all dying of different yet equally deadly things. Brendan you for example, you've got some immune system problems."

"Immune system problems?" Gagged Brendan in horror.

"To put it lightly, The constant inhalation of coal is ruining your immune system. I think you may have damage to your epithelium's cellular structure."

"I'm so confused. Is it very bad? It sounds very bad." Said Brendan, who looked like he might throw up.

May looked sad as he turned up to look him in the eyes. "Your cells are damaged. Does that make the severity of the situation better to comprehend?"

"So it's very bad?"

"Yes."

Brendan looked towards his friends, who looked as lost and shocked as him.

"Coal mining did this to me?"

"Yes. The particulate matter is known to cause many, many diseases."

Brendan fell silent, and leaned back against the wall. A solemn expression on his face.

"Alder?"

Alder looked up when he heard his name.

"Yes Dr. May?" Gulped the man.

"Your results aren't very good either."

Alder fell silent. "How bad Dr?"

"It seems you have got heart problems. The risk of heart attacks and strokes are very high for you. Uncharacteristically so for a man your age. Your constant exposure to PM 2.5 has increased your heart problems. You also have changes in heart structure. PM10 and 2.5 along with NO2 has increased the size of ventricles, which is basically rooms for blood to be pumped around the body. These increased sizes have led to high blood pressure."

"Ok, that doesn't sound good," said Alder.

"Damn, how'd you figure that out?" Asked May casually. "Steven."

"Ma'am?" Asked Steven, his hands were shaking.

"You've got a higher chance of developing Alzheimer's Disease. Mercury levels in your body are believed to increase chances of Alzheimer's. The lead in coal burning also increases cellular damage which can lead to other neurological diseases. Alzheimer's again, along with Huntington's disease and Parkinson's."

"I see…" said Steven. His hands were white from gripping his legs so tight.

"I guess we aren't doing too well," said Alder. The three men looked at each other.

The room was silent from the shock of the men, none of them knowing what to do. Suddenly, the door slammed open. The four in the room quickly jumped to their feet in response to the surprise visit. Wally stood at the doorway, and quickly ran in. A bloody injured man was on his back. The man's breathing was labored, his eyes were almost completely shut, and his cheek rested on Wally's shoulder. He was groaning and making odd noises, but other than that, the man made no movement.

Wally himself was breathing heavily, and his forehead was slightly bloody.

The three miners already in the room quickly moved out of the way as Wally gave a booming "MOVE" to them and he gently, but quickly placed the man on the clinic bed. May ran forward and examined the injured man.

"What happened, Wally," she asked. She lifted her man up to look to see if he had any injury on his back. "There is cloth in the cupboard. It's clean, go grab some."

Wally ran over and nearly broke the cupboard's hinges, getting the cloth bandages. He pressed it in her outreached palm.

"Mining accident. The cave partially collapsed. Poor man was in the way of the falling rocks' way. I only realized what happened when I heard him scream," said Wally.

"Ok," May wrapped the bandage around his bleeding arm tightly. She then looked at her hand which she had just put under his neck. Her eyes bulged when blood began to seep through her fingertips.

"I need to put more pressure on his man's neck," she looked over into the face of Steven, who was closest to her. "Steven, over here now. I want to gently but firmly press against the man's neck. Stop the bleeding, but don't break his neck."

She grabbed the stunned Steven's arm and pressed his hand to the man, not kindly. Steven, originally taken aback, nods quickly and quickly adds more pressure. May then turned to her other visitors.

"Brendan, Alder, I need more bandages. If there isn't any more in the cupboard, then please take off your clothes and give them to me."

The two immediately began unbuttoning and discarding their shirts, they threw it to the doctor who caught them with ease. She quickly tore them up to create more bandages. She wrapped it around the rest of the man's wounds and knotted it tightly.

"I'm going to the other room to get stitches, take care until I get back ok?" She gently put the man's now bandaged arm down.

The man was currently saying incoherent words, his skin sweating and breathing very loud.

May gave his hand a little squeeze before running off.

She sped into the test room, and towards a sterilization cabinet. She opened the cabinet door and began rummaging in the draws. She pulled out a clear stitching kit and ran back to the other room.

She was greeted with silence.

She looked up to see the grim expressions on the faces of all around her. The three miners looked at the man, while her husband looked straight at her.

He shook his head.

May walked over and put her ear to the injured man's heart. Not one thump could be heard. She rose and looked into the man's unseeing eyes. She brought her hand to his face, and gently shut his eyelids.

She sighed. She then looked at the three miners, who stood spellbound. She gazed solemnly into their eyes.

"I'm sorry you had to see this. Can you please go and get the mine overseer? Tell him one of his boys is dead."