Here's hoping for a job to come by real soon.
EDIT: And it did!!
Disclaimer: Pokémon belong to Nintendo and their respective owners. Katekyo Hitman Reborn belongs to Akira Amano.
Pokémon Adventures: Diamond and Pearl
Chapter 7 – The long awaited moment; Hikari's Pokédex
"How is he professor?" Hikari worriedly asked the Pokémon professor.
"There's no need to be concerned," Professor Rowan said casually. "Lucas's injuries weren't too severed, he's just unconscious." Hikari was relieved, after seeing how violent Jupiter is, she was afraid that Lucas would break a rib or something similar. "He might have to walk in crutches for a few days though."
"Yeah, yeah, Lucas is alive! Hooray!" Jun faked the enthusiasm. "What about my Hikozaru?" the young trainer asked fully concern of his partner.
"No need to be rash young man," Professor Rowan requesting the boy to relax. "My assistants are healing the Pokémon in our healing device (same ones used in Pokémon Center) as we speak. They're going to be just fine." Now it is Jun's turn to feel relieved, though Hikari felt even better knowing that her trusted partner is also going to be fine.
"Oh Thank God!" Hikari relaxed herself on the provided chair. "Isn't that great Gokudera-kun?"
"Why does it smell like crap in here?" Gokudera swore opening the laboratory window for fresh air. "Do you ever clean this place?"
"Watch your mouth jackass!" Jun scolded looking for a thick book to throw at him.
"My apologies about this terrible smell," one of Professor Rowan's assistant spoke up. "We still couldn't get rid of that wretched Skuntank's stench."
"A Skuntank came in here?" Hikari mumbled covering her nose and mouth with her beanie.
"There shouldn't be any wild Skuntank around Sandgem area," Jun also mumbled with a covered nose and mouth. It seems that the smell is beginning to hit on the other people inside the lab.
"Must be Jupiter's then," Gokudera came into the conclusion.
"Jupiter?" that name struck as a surprise to Professor Rowan. "Commander Jupiter from Team Galactic?" he asked deep serious on his voice pitch.
"Who else?" Gokudera sarcastically answered. Hikari shot him a glare telling the boy to behave to the elderly.
"Do you know her Professor?" Jun asked curiously. Professor Rowan looked over to the teenagers; they all looked at him ready for his answer. Judging from their curious face, they're pretty antic knowing who the mysterious woman was.
"Well, not quite," Professor Rowan answered honestly. "I think Ms. Johanna can answer your question better than I do." The mention of Hikari's mother caught her by surprise, she almost forgot about her mother's situation.
"Oh yeah my mom," Hikari stood up from her chair. "She's fighting Jupiter right now, she could be in trouble." Professor Rowan held out his hand telling her to stop, she paid attention to the Pokémon professor.
"Your mother is going to be just fine," he said. "She is strong, she will never lose." That's the exact same words that Gokudera told her before they ran to the professor's laboratory. Hikari wondered why people have such high faith in her though they hardly met, through her knowledge that is.
"What makes you so sure about this?" Hikari asked losing her manners feeling worried. Jun noticed the change on her attitude, he need to calm her down.
"Are you kidding me, Hikari?" Jun replied. "Did you see that Milotic? Aunt Johanna will be fine." Hikari looked over to Jun, he seems to have high faith in her. She's reluctant to believe him, but knowing that he spent a lot of time in the Berlitz residence made her to trust his words.
"I guess," Hikari sat back down scratching her head. "I hope she'll be okay."
"Oh she's fine alright," Gokudera interrupted.
"Will you shut up already!!" Jun raised his voice to the foreigner. "We don't have time for you to be sarcastic right now."
"Do I sound like being sarcastic to you dilhole!" Gokudera asked losing his fumes. Sensing danger and anger flying around the lab, Hikari stood up ready to stop the boys when fists are flying. But instead, Johanna enter through the door preventing the upcoming brawl.
"I'm back everybody," she cheerfully smiled. Hikari was the first to react, she ran and hugged her mother tight relieved that she returned unscratched.
"Mommy," she said childishly. "I'm so glad you're okay." Johanna giggled and hugged her daughter back, Jun approached to the Berlitz family.
"Thank goodness you're okay Auntie," Jun nodded his head kindly. "I was beginning to worry for your safety."
"Liar," Gokudera rolled his eyes. Johanna released her daughter and looked around the laboratory, her eyes looked forward to Professor Rowan.
"Professor Rowan," she said approaching the elderly man. "Welcome back to Sinnoh, it's good to have you back."
"Indeed it is," he replied shaking her hand. "My apologies that I have to drag you back into the battlefield."
"Aunt Johanna," Jun asked Hikari's mother. "Do you know Professor Rowan?"
"Of course, dear," she smiled. "Professor Rowan and I are old acquaintances." Hikari never know about that, in fact she never know much about her mother's personal life. She looked to her daughter staring at those curious eyes of hers demanding for answers. "I guess I better start explaining things shouldn't I?" she sighed reading her daughter's quivering face.
"Well, if you're not too busy or…" Jun stuttered trying to sound polite though he's as agitated as Hikari is.
"Yes, we want some answer," Gokudera being blunt as usual. Hikari and Jun shot him an irritating and quite angry glare. Johanna giggled at the young man's enthusiasm, and begin her story.
"Well, it all started when I suddenly received a phone call from Professor Rowan," she started. "He informed me that he need my help from a little incident down at Sandgem lab." She sat down on a nearby stool letting herself to be comfortable around the familiar laboratory. "Thinking that it's nothing to big I was about to decline the offer until I saw Jun through the house window carrying a familiar Pokémon."
"Wait!" Jun interrupted. "You know my Chimchar, Hikozaru?" She shook her hand as a sign of response.
"No dear," she said. "But I do know that only someone like Professor Rowan owned a starter Pokémon like Chimchar." Jun nodded taking in all the new info in, Hikari nodded too learning the new story of Professor Rowan. "Anyway," she continued. "Thinking that you're acquainted with Professor Rowan already, I sent you on my steed instead."
"Well that answers why Auntie sent me to Professor Rowan all of the sudden," Jun pointed out to Hikari.
"Indeed," she nodded. She looked down and sends an unusual aura of sad or regret. "If only I listened just a little longer we would've avoid the danger you kids run into."
"Danger?" Hikari asked feeling the change of tension. Johanna looked up, with a fierce look, one that Hikari knew well.
"That woman who attacked you," she said. "She's from Team Galactic correct?" Hikari and Jun nodded, Gokudera too from afar.
"Do you know her mom?" Hikari asked feeling curious.
Johanna looked over to Professor Rowan, his eyes are as sharp as always. She closed them for a brief second and answered her daughter's question. "No I don't," she said. "But I do know about Team Galactic. They've been harassing Sinnoh back during my days as a coordinator." Professor Rowan stood up and walked towards his assistant discussing intently of a certain subject. Johanna saw from afar of the Professor's reaction and faced the teens.
"Any questions?" she asked in a more serious tone.
"Can I have your Milotic?" Jun jokingly asked. Hikari snorted giggling a little on his humorous attitude, Johanna also snorted shaking her head smiling.
"I'm so glad you kids are okay," Johanna hugged the two teens. She looked up from the teens' shoulders and noticed the unfamiliar lonely young teen by the window, with a cigarette on his mouth. The boy noticed her stare and quickly butted the cigarette out of common courtesy. "Who's that other boy?" she asked the other teens.
"Oh he's nobody important," Jun smirked. Hikari punched him on the arm, as a sign of his rudeness. Jun quickly held onto his arm holding in to scream out loud. "Well you're feminine," he rubbed his sore arm in pain.
"That's Gokudera, he's our new friend we just met," Hikari filled her mother in on the short details. "Long story short, he's from Asia, one of the regions where no Pokémon reside in."
"Oh that's right," her mother nodded remembering the morning news. "A boat came in today bringing in tourists down from other regions. I'm going to introduce myself," she said hovering to the young boy.
"You forgot to mention that he's a bit of a tightass," Jun whispered to Hikari. She lift her arm up ready to socked her best friend again, Jun flinched at the raised up fist. "Man, I don't know why you're defending this guy."
"He's a good guy Jun," Hikari said bluntly. "I know that you know that much."
Thinking back to the previous events that have happened today made Jun to understand Hikari's words. Back then when they faced Jupiter, even Gokudera was acting a valuable ally to the Twinleaf youngsters. "I guess you're right," he said eating back his words. Johanna have finally approached to Gokudera and offer her hand out.
"Hello, my name is Johanna Berlitz, I am Hikari's mother," Johanna introduced herself to the foreigner. "It's nice to meet you Gokudera-kun."
"It's nice to meet you too ma'am," he replied shaking her hands politely. "Thank you for saving us earlier."
"The pleasure's all mine dear," she beamed. "Thank you for protecting my daughter."
"I think her penguin did a better job than I did ma'am," he answered honestly. Johanna stared at Gokudera feeling clueless for once.
"Penguin?" she asked naively.
"Her Pokémon," he replied to be more precise. Feeling excited, Johanna turned around and dashed straight to her daughter igniting a bright beam on her eyes.
"You have a Piplup dear?" she asked very quickly. Hikari feeling lost on her mother's words and enthusiasm looked over to Gokudera, he shrugged as a response.
"Uhhh… yeah I do actually," she said nodding.
"Let me see!!" she rushed with her words.
"Professor Rowan is healing the little guy right now so…" even Hikari's mother's enthusiasm scares her.
"Let's go see him right now!!" she quickly grabbed Jun and Hikari's hands and both dashed off to the other side of the laboratory towards where the professor and the healing devices are. Feeling alone and left out, Gokudera light up another cigarette and stood by the window continuing his previous actions.
Professor Rowan stood by the healing machine talking intently with the assistant of his, he saw the three guests approaching him and send his assistant away. The three guests approached the professor with Johanna leading all laughing and excited like a little girl. "Professor, I would like to see these kids' Pokémon please!!" she said enthusiastically.
"Just a moment, they're almost fully healed," he replied. "Johanna, I need to talk to you for a moment please. You kids stay here." Professor Rowan grabbed her arm and dragged the excited woman away from the kids and the healing machine. After the two adults are a bit away from the kids, he looked at Johanna sternly. "Why did you lie to those children?" he asked.
"I knew you're going to bring this up," she sighed. "I just don't want to scare my daughter."
"You have to tell her the truth someday," he looked at her. "About Martha, Julie and her father." Johanna sadly looked away from the tearing professor's eyes, he's right about what he said though.
"I know, I know that she deserve to know the truth," she said still looking away from the professor. "But I think now's not the time yet. She's about to take the next big step in her life, I don't want her to take another big step and learn the truth."
"It is your affair," he said. "And I have no right to cast myself into your business. So I will let this off for now."
"Still as strict as ever Professor," Johanna giggled. "I guess the Kanto region didn't change you much." Professor Rowan smiled acknowledging her comment.
"Oh my God, he's smiling," Jun said pointing at the adults. "I've never seen him smile before."
"Well they are old friends," Hikari pointed out. "Maybe they're just reminiscing the old days or something." Without notice, a familiar and soothing rhythmical beeping noise emit the laboratory. Hikari and Jun turned around and face the healing machine, the beeps are coming from the device itself.
"Looks like your Pokémon are fully healed kids," Johanna said approaching the kids. "Now hurry I want to see the Piplup!" Johanna egged her daughter childishly to pick up the Pokéball with Hikari's Piplup in it.
"Relax mom, relax," Hikari sweat dropped picking up her Pokéball. "Pochama," she said to the tiny Pokémon inside the ball. "Meet my mom." She threw the Pokéball up, the ball opened up instantly letting the penguin Pokémon out.
"Pochama!" the little guy cried feeling energetic and fully healed. The penguin Pokémon landed on his trainer's arm, Hikari hugged him tight relieved of his condition.
"Good to see you okay Pochama!" she said relieved. Pochama jumped off her arm and stick his head up proudly not wanting to lose his pride as a proud Piplup.
"Pocha!" he nodded giving her a smug look.
"Oh my God! He is adorable!!" Johanna swiped Pochama off his feet and squeezed the living daylight out of him. "You made the right choice honey, he is so cute!" As much as how Pokémon like to be hugged, this one is gasping for air. The tiny penguin slapped Johanna's arms continuously indicating to let go.
"Mom, you have to let him breath," Hikari pointed out to her ecstatic mother. Johanna let go apologizing to the survivor who managed to escape from the grim reaper.
"Sorry dear, but just look a him," Johanna pointed to Pochama. "He is so cute," she added while pinching his cheeks. "He's all pudgy and chubby."
"Pocha!!" Pochama is shocked to the core. Never ever in his life, someone ever mention and make fun of his appearance. He can see from the distant that his just released rival is laughing his butt off with his idiotic blonde trainer. Even his own trainer can't help herself but snicker at her own partner.
"Okay, okay that's enough!" Hikari changed her voice tone into something more serious. "Stop teasing my Pochama." She picked Pochama off her mother, but the penguin Pokémon slapped her arms away with his fin dropping him down on the ground. He turned away refusing to look at those who laughed at him, he walked away standing side-by-side to Gokudera but still refuse to meet anyone's eyes.
"Oh no, he's pissed," Hikari sighed.
"Piplup is a very prideful type of Pokémon," Professor Rowan explained. "Warming up to him might be a challenge."
"It's okay," Hikari shrugged. "I like him, that's all that counts." Johanna smiled at Hikari's optimism, knowing her daughter and her love for Pokémon, Piplup will be closer to Hikari sooner than expected.
"Onii-chan!!"
The laboratory door bursts open randomly and unannounced, coming in from the outside world is a small girl appeared by the age of between 8 – 10 years old. Hikari don't know who the girl is, and guessing by the reaction from anybody else inside the room neither one knows her too.
"Dia!" Professor Rowan's assistant cried out. "Over here." Except the assistant guy who is a few distance away from Hikari and friends.
The cute little girl in a yellow dress and big red bow on her head ran past Hikari and friends, approaching the assistant and hugged him passionately. "Daddy!!" she cried. "How's onii-chan? Is he okay?"
"He'll be fine sweetie, don't worry," Professor Rowan's assistant re-assured her. "He's just taking a nap. Where's your mother?"
"Mommy is in Jubilife City, remember?" she looked at her father questioningly.
"Yeah, of course," he said trying to sound he does. "She didn't know about your brother right?"
"I didn't tell her," she replied.
"Then let's keep it that way."
"Who's that girl?" Hikari asked to Professor Rowan.
"That is Lucas's little sister, Dia," Professor Rowan explained. "She sometimes comes around for a visit." Hikari looked to the sniffling girl, she seems rather sad just for having her brother knocked out cold. Hikari can't imagined how will she react if she, Jun and Gokudera didn't rescue him just in time from Jupiter.
"I'm going to talk to her," Johanna left Hikari's side to the little girl. Being a single mother who singlehandedly raised a daughter all by herself, she seems to be the best person to re-assure a crying sad girl.
"Oh by the way Professor, before I forget," Jun pull out the black pouch from his pants pocket. "Here are the Pokédex!" The mention of the device's name brought Hikari's attention, she watched the old man took the black pouch and opened it. And there it is, in his hands right now, the invaluable tool to a trainer in Pokémon world.
"You have my thanks," Professor Rowan acknowledge. With that he left the two young trainers and went off to his assistant leaving Hikari speechless and a bit agitated.
"That's it?" Hikari asked. "You have my thanks? That's it!?"
"Whoa!" Jun calmed her down. "No need to get all pissy! What did you expect anyway?"
"Didn't he say that he's going to give us a Pokédex?" she said pointing to Professor Rowan by the distance.
"Oh yeah, that's right," Jun agreed remembering the words of the old man before they leave to chase Jupiter. "Let's go ask him now."
"Wait! Wait!" Hikari grabbed Jun's hands before he can move away. "As much as I want a Pokédex, we can't just demand it on his face. That would be rude."
"You're right, let's just casually talk to him and hint it on so that he'll remember his promise," Jun suggested. Hikari nodded agreeing with the plan. The two youngsters approached to the Professor who is just talking to his assistant. The assistant left just as the kids approached the adults.
"Professor Rowan," Hikari called for his attention. He turned and faced them. "The uhh… Pokédex, they're not…"
"When are you giving it to us?" Jun bluntly asked.
"Jun!!" she punched his arm harder than last time. Jun flinched when her fist made contact at the same spot where she previously punched him, the blow gives in an extra pain to the previous sore she last give it him.
"I'm sorry I got too excited," he apologized to her face. Hikari shield her face in shame from Professor Rowan.
"I'm sorry professor, my friend here is pretty hasty about receiving one so…" Hikari apologized trying to keep up a straight face.
"Hey, screw of!" Jun objected. "You're the who's pissed because he said 'you have my thanks'!!"
"Will you just shut up already?!" Hikari slapped his head with her beanie. Hikari covered her head with her beanie, feeling embarrassed for her demand. Jun, as embarrassed as Hikari is, tilt his head around feeling awkward of the situation. Much to their surprise, Professor Rowan lightly laughed instead of the situation. This, of course, got their attention as a shock.
"Must be nice to be young," he exclaimed. "Of course I haven't forgotten my promise. You both will receive a Pokédex. My assistant just need to register your ID and you will be getting it soon."
It struck to Hikari as a big shock hearing those words again. She had never thought that she will receive a Pokédex, the one of a kind tool that no ordinary trainer usually gets. Only those with potentials, skills and acknowledgements from a professional are rewarded with one. She has heard stories that regions such as Kanto, Johto and Hoenn have only given limited trainers with a Pokédex. And she knows that those people will turn out to be exceptional trainers.
"Jun, pinch my cheek!" Hikari ordered her best friend. Jun quickly comply to do so thinking of it as a revenge for her punching him twice. "Ow! Ow! Ow! Okay! Okay! Let go! Let go!" Hikari screamed in pain. Jun released feeling a bit satisfied with himself, Hikari rubbed her red sore cheek. "That hurt, you jerk."
"At least you know it's not a dream," Jun smiled knowing the reason of her action. Hikari smiled, he knows her too well and understands every action behind her questioning demand.
"Sweetie," Johanna appeared randomly behind the kids. "Can I talk to you alone for a sec?" she asked pointing to the exit door.
"Sure," Hikari nodded finding this action to be rather in question. Johanna lead the way and Hikari followed along feeling uncertain. The two left the laboratory, and sat down on the porch. Hikari knows that the only time when her mother wants to talk to her alone is because of a serious conversation as a family. "What do you want to talk about mom?"
"Do you remember the conversation we had 5 years ago?" she asked. Hikari looked down feeling depressed as she replays the scenes she had with her mother 5 years ago. There were plenty of scenes where they were together, but she knows which one her mother was talking about.
"Yeah," she replied weakly.
"Do you also remember why I told you that you're not ready for the Pokémon world 5 years ago?"
"Yeah," she said again feeling teary.
"Well, I think you're ready this time to go on the Pokémon journey," Johanna declared. She looked towards her daughter, her eyes are still looking down refusing to show Johanna her tears.
"Really? You think so?" she asked sniffling.
"Of course dear," she replied putting her arms around her daughter. "That time, I hold you back because I was worried for your safety and I don't want you to get hurt. But throughout the years, seeing the way you treat Pokémon and how you love Pokémon makes me realize of this dream you're dying of." Johanna started to feel teary as well, she wiped her eyes before continuing.
"Professor Rowan even said you have potential and he's going to reward you with a Pokédex. And well, that does it for me. I cannot keep you and confine your dream any longer. Hikari!" She looked up to her mother with those teary eyes, her mother too posses the same teary eyes to her daughter. "I hereby give you my permission to go to your Pokémon journey."
"Really?" Hikari asked. "You think I'm ready?"
"Yes dear," she nodded. "I think you're more than ready."
"Oh mommy!" she cried on her mother's shirt. "Thank you." The two Berlitz family hugged and cried their heart out giving in to their emotions. To Hikari who is finally to go and fulfill her dream, and to Johanna who is finally ready to let her daughter go. The two could hug and cry for a little longer if only Jun didn't come out and ruin the family moment.
"Hikari!" he cried out. Hikari and Johanna turned to Jun who can still see the tears on each woman's eyes. "Never mind. I'll come back later," he concluded taking in the message.
"No! No! Jun! It's okay! It's okay," she said calling him back and wiping her tears. "What's up?"
"You sure you're okay?" he asked first making sure it's a good time.
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied with an annoyed tone. "What is it?"
"Professor Rowan is ready to give out our Pokédex," he said looking excited like a giddy schoolgirl. "Come on!" he signaled her to get back in the lab.
"Come on mom!" Hikari said feeling excited too. Johanna lightly giggled and walked back in the lab with her daughter ready to watch her daughter to take the next step of her life. What awaits her by the door is Professor Rowan and his assistant with two Pokédex on their side of the table. On the other side is Jun with his Hikozaru on his head and Gokudera with Pochama standing by his legs. Hikari and Johanna stood by the two boys while Pochama, who finally found himself to forgive the two women who made fun of his appearance, climbed his way to Hikari's arms.
"You wanted to see me Professor?" Hikari asked barely holding in her excitement.
"Hikari, Jun," he started with a slow start. "I don't usually give Pokédex to trainers I barely know. Or in this case started. But when I first see how much Chimchar and Piplup warmed up to two strangers, I begin to see them in a new light. After seeing how you risked yourselves in getting back the Pokédex from Team Galactic and saving Lucas makes me realize that I've made the right choice on choosing the Pokédex wielder."
"Thank you again for saving my son," the assistant thanked the youngsters. Hikari and Jun nodded their head feeling quite fond of themselves as being a hero.
"Don't sweat it," Gokudera nudged as a response.
"Before I hand these over for you, I have one question for each of you," he continued. "Do you love Pokémon?"
"Of course I do," Jun smiled holding close to his Chimchar.
"Hiko!" Chimchar growled in embarrassment.
"Same here," Hikari answered clinging closer to her Piplup.
"Pochama!" Pochama sensing the danger of the death squeeze squirm away out of her hands and onto her shoulder instead. Professor Rowan appeared to be pleased with their answer, he smiled looking at Johanna who agreed with his decision.
"I see," he said. "Well then I have no further objection." He lift up both Pokédex reaching one of each to the trainers' hands. "Hikari Berlitz, Jun Pearl! I hereby give you the Pokédex."
Hikari was the first one to react, Jun who is naturally the faster of the two was left at the dust, she grabbed it instantly Professor Rowan finished his sentence. Hikari hold the device on her hand tracing her fingers over it admiring every touch of it. She's left in awe to be left with a device that is so valuable. She opened up the top screen, the machine automatically turned on showing off her registration ID and two entries on the Pokémon encyclopedia.
"Hey look Hikozaru, you're in it," Jun exclaimed showing his partner the entry for Chimchar. The Pokémon laughed along while he's shaking his trainer's shoulder gently. "Well anyway," said Jun closing his Pokédex and pocketed it his pants. "I gotta go! Thanks for everything! I'll see you guys whenever!" With that he just departed leaving off Hikari and co. without saying anymore words.
"Jun! Wait!" Hikari called out. But it's too late, he's out of sight already. "And there he goes, without a proper goodbye as usual."
"He's just excited that he finally gets to go on his Pokémon journey," Johanna giggled. "Come on dear," she indicates her daughter to follow her out of the lab. "We should be get going too. You have to get ready for your journey right?" Hikari know that glowing look on her mother's face, she smiled too nodding her approval.
"Right!" she beamed. "Thanks for everything professor!" she bowed one last time to Professor Rowan and Lucas's father. "And you're coming with me!" she grabbed Gokudera's hand out of surprise following her mother to the lab exit. "I still have to pay you back a favor for saving me and Jun."
"Wait! What!" Gokudera exclaimed in shock. "I told you not to worry about it!"
"Well too bad mister!" she said. "Cause I am not leaving you here all alone and helpless in Sinnoh. I promised that I'm going to find someone who can help you around here. And I'm sticking to it!"
"Are you this nice only when you're in a good mood?" Gokudera asked giving up the will to reject her offer.
IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE I UPDATE ANY OF MY FIC AND I FINALLY DID STARTING WITH THIS ONE. I AM NOW EMPLOYED DESPITE FOR HAVING ALMOST A YEAR OF UNEMPLOYMENT. WELL LOOKS LIKE IT'S TRUE WHAT THEY SAY WHEN YOU MUST NOT GIVE UP. WELL ANYWAY, HANG ON TIGHT FELLOW READERS CAUSE MORE OF MY OTHER FIC WILL BE UPDATING SOON. FOR NOW JUST ENJOY THIS ONE.
