*Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon
Arrival
"Dry lightning cracks across the skies
Those storm clouds gather in her eyes
Her daddy was a mean old mister
Mama was an angel in the ground
The weather man called for a twister
She prayed blow it down"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Day 41
Jessie, James, Rumika, Lucy, Meowth, and their children and Pokémon arrived in Alola about a week after the Cherryblossom festival had officially ended. As usual, Amber, Maya, Squirt Gun, Sandshrew and Jezz were with them. They planned to spend their first morning and afternoon moving some things in, as the house was practically empty when they bought it.
"So where is your house, Jezz?" Jay asked after the plane had landed.
"My house is on the next island over. Alola is composed of dozens of islands. There is one big one, sometimes called the mainland, then there are a few slightly smaller ones, and then there are a bunch of really tiny ones. Right now we are on the third largest island, and my house is on the fourth largest. It is about a ten-minute boat ride north. I know because I have been here a few times. There are a lot of stores that Hauana likes to shop at on this island".
"That is why I chose this location", said Jessie as they disembarked the private jet. "All the shops, little boutiques, cafes. What more do you need from a vacation home? This is perfect. Obviously, I only buy the best".
"Obviously Meowth and I helped her find this place", Lucy added.
"How many vacation houses do you have now?" Amber asked Jay.
"Um well there is one in the Northern woods of Sinnoh, one in the capitol of Hoenn, One on Limon Island in the Orange Archipelago, one near Courmarine City in Kalos, one on One Treasure Beach in the Seville Islands, and now there is one here", he explained.
"Wow that's a lot", Jezz sighed in awe.
"Ah yeah. I suppose", Jay responded with a nervous laughter.
"Does anyone live there while you are all gone?" Jezz asked.
"We have people there who help to take care of the local Pokémon at each location. Not real nurses and doctors, just people who like Pokémon and like that kind of work. It's what my great-grandparents used to do, so when we got each house, my father decided to uphold that kind of tradition", Annastasia told him.
Sandshrew looked at Annastasia pointedly. She noticed this and stared back.
"I'm not making this up for your satisfaction", she told Sandshrew after a few moments of silence passed between her and the Pokémon.
"I think that's cool", Jezz replied. "I believe you Miss Annastasia".
"Thank you Jezz. Remember you can call me A or Annie if you'd like. Michio's been calling me that all the time lately. But there is no need for a 'miss'", Annastasia responded. "Unless you really want to add it".
"I understand", Jezz bowed. "I'll remember to stick with Annie".
"So Anna-chan, Michio, when do you plan on leaving for your meeting?" James asked.
"What meeting?" asked Jocelyn. "Are you two going away? But we so much work to do getting the new house set up!" Jocelyn complained. "You are going to make us do all the work!?"
"Flaafy!" her Pokémon scolded.
"We were going to go over to Michio's house so that I could officially meet his family, but that can wait until tomorrow. We didn't specify when we'd be coming, and there is a lot to do. I will help you make up all the beds, stock the kitchen, carry over some of our clothes, all of that stuff", Annastasia assured them. "Jocelyn, all you will have to do is move your stuff into your bedroom. Sound fair?"
"Yes Onesan", Jocelyn mumbled.
She was still irritated that Annastasia was spending less time with her than she had last year. She looked forward to that changing once they started going to different contests and trials. After they put their suitcases on a trolley, Rose started to cry loudly. Jay picked her and started patting her on the back. Squirt Gun decided to offer his assistance with a mini water show, which cheered her right up. Jezz's Deerling made himself available for petting, and Rose took advantage.
"So let's come up with a plan then. Jay, you can babysit the twins with Amber, Jezz, Maya, and your Pokemon. Lily, Logan, Annastasia and Jocelyn, you take care of your own personal items and the make up the beds", Jessie started.
"I'll get the new washer and dryer over here", James suggested.
"Michio can help with that", Jessie told them.
"So can I", Rumika offered.
"It's a good thing we upgraded to a bigger teleporter", Logan commented. "Well I'm relieved I don't have to do any physically demanding work".
Amber looked around. She placed her bow and collection of arrows on the ground and awkwardly picked up Silver.
"I'll try to help with this babysitting thing, at least until your parents or A gets back", she told the others before everyone divided to go do their designated tasks.
Other than a few brief exchanges from time to time, they didn't see much of each other from 10am until 8pm. By then they were all starving and desperate for pizza. Luckily Jezz's guardians provided that, after ten hours of almost endless work.
"Sorry again for not being around to help out with all the heavy lifting and organizing", said Hauana as they all sat down to eat. "We both work from 7:am to 7:30pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends".
"It's no big deal", James responded. "We appreciate the pizza though. That was a big help. We were all starving".
"They have a guestroom, so can I stay?" Jezz asked his guardians.
"You have moved between our house and the Morgan's home about a dozen times since the Indigo Plateau. Are you sure the Morgan's want to host you again?" Perry asked Jezz.
"May I please stay here so that I can be with Jay and Amber longer?" Jezz asked Jessie and James.
"Sure", they responded in unison.
"You're one of the only mini-twerps I like", Jessie told Jezz.
"Thank you", Jezz responded.
"We have enough room for our family and several guests", James informed them. "Jezz could stay here if he'd like to".
"I will come home and stay for a whole day before I start my next journey", Jezz assured the Hales. "I promise".
"Jezz we want you to do what makes you happy, but at the same time we miss you. We hardly ever see you now, and we would really like to do something special for you before begin traveling", said Perry.
"You want to do something for me?" Jezz asked incredulously. Perry and Hauana nodded. "That is very kind. I am so sorry for being a burden. Your kindness is very much appreciated".
Jezz and several of his Pokemon hugged the couple and thanked them a few more times.
"Geeze, you'd think they just saved his life", Amber whispered to Jay.
"He is just like that, Amb. He has been with the Hales for a while now, and they are the only family he ever lived with that actually cares about him. Of course he's grateful for it", Jay whispered back.
Michio pretended not to listen in on their conversation. Everyone seemed to always forget about his impeccable hearing, and he had gotten to the point where he almost never reminds people of it. Unlike most of the kids and adults, he didn't want to pity Jezz. He wanted to be like Annastasia, who never showed pity for Jezz even though she felt very sorry for him. Annastasia had told Michio, Amber, and Jay that Jezz's energy changed whenever someone pitied him, and it made him feel very distressed. Jezz clearly didn't want people to see him only as the quirky homeless kid who look's way too much like the Morgans.
"Where should I sleep?" Jezz asked Jay.
"There are two beds in my room. You can have one of them, if you want to", Jay suggested shyly.
"Thank you", Jezz beamed.
"I thought I was going to sleep with you", Amber said to Jay as they walked down the hall, away from the others.
"Well we could…", Jay stopped, not sure about what to say.
Amber would get angry if he suggested that she sleep on the floor. Jezz would probably feel hurt but not say anything about it, and he personally was looking forward to sleeping on the brand new mattress that his parents had purchased.
"We could share", Jezz suggested. "You and me, or you and Amber, or me and Amber".
Amber snickered. "Jay, you could share with Jezz. I know you'd be very comfortable with that".
Jay knew right away that Amber was scheming. Now that they were super close, her favorite game seemed to be making him feel extremely awkward. She always managed to win. He rubbed his temples anxiously.
"Are you experiencing a headache?" Jezz inquired. He put one hand on Jay's shoulder and used the other to carefully lift his chin. "Your eyes look a bit frazzled".
Jay blinked a few times while Amber tried to hold in her laughter. It didn't work. Jezz let go of Jay and looked between him and Amber, completely confused. He didn't have any clue as to why a few words would make one of his friends embarrassed but give the other a laughing fit.
"I am fine, Jezz", Jay recovered. "So how about you and Amb. We spend too much time together anyway. You two can bond more".
Amber stopped giggling. She loved teasing lightly, but hated it when Jay used his defeated voice.
"Whatever you think is better", Jezz responded.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Later that night Jezz, Amber, and Jay went outside to play with the two dozen firefly Pokémon who decided to tag along on their trip to Alola. Jocelyn was on the front porch grooming Flaafy with the special brush she received for her last Child's Day. The Sandshrew had stolen Michio's nail filer and Lily's nail polish and was experimenting with his claws. Lily, along with Maya, Logan, and Squirt Gun, were too busy chasing bugs to noticed this. Michio, Lucy, and Meowth fell asleep inside the three hammocks they had placed in the backyard. Inside the home, Hauana and Perry requested a meeting with Jessie, James, Annastasia, and Rumika.
"Is there something wrong?" James asked as they all sat down in the kitchen.
"Not exactly", Hauana started. "I just think that we need to discuss Jezz. It's been a while since we talked about him".
"It's a bit hard with everyone always around", said Annastasia.
"We know. Which is why now seems like a good time, while they are all distracted", Perry replied.
"So what did you want to talk about?" asked Rumika. "I told you that I still haven't found anything out about Jezz's original family, minus the fact that they really want to cover themselves up".
"We know, but I think that it is pretty clear that he is somehow related to you, even if we are unsure of how", said Hauana. "I don't think we even need a DNA test to prove it. Besides, that won't tell us who he is, or where he came from".
"Sorry we can't be more of a help", Rumika responded. "Though I lived under her roof for most of my childhood, my mom wasn't very close to me. If she did have a sister other than Jessie's mom, I never met her or even heard about her. I lost touch with my own sister for a while, and it's like we discussed earlier, I am really hesitant to bring her into this".
"What about you?" Perry asked Jessie.
"Me? I don't remember my mother much at all. Except for a few little things. I don't remember her having any siblings or cousins. I was so young", Jessie responded.
"Do you think you could have another sister or first cousin?" Hauana asked Rumika.
"I guess anything is possible. I didn't think Jessie existed for a while", she mused.
"I don't want to be insensitive, but why does this matter so much to you? I suppose everyone wants to know their origins, but I think that this is something Jezz might not want to think about right now. He's a little kid and while might care a lot about this stuff, this is something he might be better off waiting to tackle when he is older. Right now I think he just wants a safe place to crash. You might never be able to find out everything you want to know about his original family, but that might not be such a bad thing. Not when he has you two to rely on", Annastasia told them.
"We are trying to adopt Jezz. And now he has you all, and we think he might be happier living with one of you instead", Hauana told the group.
"I don't think that is true", Rumika told her. "You two know Jezz. We just met him not that long ago. He seems to love you a lot".
"It may be easier for him to settle down with a distant cousin or aunt who has easier access to a group of friends he knows accepts him than to stay on this island with us", Perry explained.
"Are you saying that you no longer want to adopt him?" James asked incredulously.
"No, it's not that. We want to adopt him, but only if we can be sure that it is what is best for him. We don't want to make everything official only to discover that he would be happier living somewhere else", Hauana replied.
"That is crazy", said Annastasia. "Jezz looks up to you. He really believes that you want him. Of course he wants to spend a lot of time at our house. It isn't because we might be related, it's because he has Amber and Jay and everyone else to hang out with. That is how kids are. They would rather be with their friends than with their parents. It isn't personal".
"And it's not that we don't like Jezz, but right now we are not willing to adopt him. Not unless it was an emergency", said James. "We have our hands full".
"And I live a good distance away from them", said Rumika. "Even though I visit often, if he were with me, he would be very bored while I did things for Team Rocket. Even with my tenants there, that big house can get very lonely for a child".
"I will be watching Jezz these next few months. From what I understand, the kids want to spend about fourth months here doing contests. Some of them are thinking about trying the Alola trials, but after seeing what it takes, I think they have all backed off from that decision, minus Takeshi of course", Annastasia responded. "That is a long time to think about this. I think you should wait before you mention this to Jezz, if you decide to mention this at all. Jezz will be really upset if he thinks you don't want him anymore and are trying to get rid of him".
"Then perhaps we are wrong. It's just that if you try to see this from our perspective, things look different. I just don't want to separate him from the people he may have been looking for since he was a baby", Hauana replied.
"I really think you should take Jezz in, officially. It would make him very happy. And we won't lose touch with you or him. And we will be close like family, if that is what he wants", Annastasia told them. "In the meantime, we know a lot of spies who can keep searching, if that is what he wants".
"Thank you. And it is what he wants. Jezz really does want to know his origins. He told us that. Even though he might seem nonchalant about it", said Perry.
"So I suppose this is settled, at least for tonight", said Jessie as she stood up out of her chair. "I'm going to find my babies".
"Me too", said James as he followed after her.
Rumika, Annastasia, Hauana and Perry stayed in the yard while Jessie and James went inside. In just a few minutes Perry and Hauana were going to return to their home, but first Rumika had things to discuss with the three of them.
"I think I am going to retrace Jezz's steps", Rumika started. "Go to his last foster home, see what they know, find out as much about them as possible, and then go to the one before it. I truly believe that if I try hard enough, I can find anything. I found Jessie. I found the monster fusion. I found you, A. And those were cake compared to some of the other things I have dealt with since becoming a professional spy. But I am not getting anywhere by searching through electronic databases. As far as the system goes, Jezz doesn't exist".
"I trust that you really mean that, and we are very grateful to you for doing this", Hauana responded.
"Jezz will be grateful about it too, if you decide to tell him about it", said Perry.
"I will definitely keep him updated on everything", Rumika vowed.
Annastasia watched the couple. They seemed very nervous, and she could tell by their auras that they were deeply distressed.
"He wants people to just be there for him. If you do that then you are already doing a lot", Annastasia assured them.
"Thank you. For a young girl, you sure are wise. The reason we dragged you into this is because you seem to be very good at reading people. You understand Jezz and us", Perry told her.
"Annastasia is not a your typical young adult. And you are right about the reading people. She is good at that", Rumika responded.
"Thanks for taking the time to talk with us about this", said Hauana.
"It is not trouble at all. Good luck with settling the adoption. And please don't worry about Jezz. Everything will be fine, I will not let anything happen to him. He is in good hands now", Annastasia promised. "I swear I will take very good care of him".
"Thank you so much. You have no idea how great this will be for him. I can't even imagine how he must feel on a regular basis, not sure about who he is or where he belongs", the Hales told Rumika and Annastasia.
"He is Jezz, and we will make sure he knows without a doubt where he belongs. I know we will figure this out. It is only a matter of time", Rumika replied.
Hauana and Perry left to go say goodbye to Jezz for the night. Rumika and Annastasia walked together for a while.
"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" Rumika asked Annastasia. "I plan on snorkeling with some friends after work. Even I need a break from time to time".
"Tomorrow I go to Michio's house, this time with Michio", she told her aunt.
"I bet he is happy about that", Rumika mused.
"No. Not at all. The only reason I am going is because I insisted on it and his parents bribed him with that car. He keeps saying they won't like me because I am not one of them", she explained.
"That is bullshit. He is probably just afraid of going back. Embarrassed because he took his parents' advice and was better off for it", Rumika responded.
"Some of his claims seem somewhat legitimate. He says that they will like the concept of me, but not actually take me seriously and later resent the fact that I exist. I get that", Annastasia replied.
"I don't", said Rumika. "Explain".
"They would say that the concept of him going out and meeting someone is great. But because I am not Alonian, they are hesitant to accept us getting close to one another. Once they realize that our relationship is serious and not a joke or a phase, they are going to become resentful. They will see me as an intruder. They are the kind of people who actually care about that sort of thing, so he says. I don't know, it sounds old-fashioned. I am not going to let those assumptions stop me, regardless of how much they might dislike me".
"I know these people. You would be surprised at some of the things these people say and do. I was actually thinking that you could be the one to maybe bridge the gap a little, add a window to that closed up Kapule corner. It makes sense that he would be anxious if that is on his mind, with no hope that things could end up in your favor".
"Why do you think they are like that?" Annastasia asked.
"I don't know. People like what is familiar and comfortable. When you are super wealthy, powerful, and isolated from the rest of the world on some island, you start to realize that the best way to keep your status the same is to be very cautious of who you let in and out of your inner circle. Hence, the reason arranged marriages are still a thing among the Alola upper-class", she replied.
"They are? I didn't know that", Annastasia commented.
"They definitely still are. It's actually considered trendy around here. Parents don't arrange the marriages alone though. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older cousins who are already married all help. Yeah it's weird alright", Rumika responded. "If he didn't tell you then it is because it's irrelevant to your situation".
"I feel bad for those people. I wonder if they run away", Annastasia mused.
"I am sure some of them do. Most of them like it though. It's how they were raised. I remember with my sister it was seen as such a positive thing. She liked it, her friends who had arranged marriages liked it, and everyone seemed to think it was the perfect solution. Meanwhile preteen me was not having anything of it. And as you know I wasn't the only one", Rumika told her.
"I am not going over there to start a revolution, I am just hoping for Michio to feel accepted. He never felt all that comfortable around his family. I personally don't care if they decide not to accept me, I can deal with that, but at the same time I am quite sure I will liked by at least a few of the people there who I have met before. I think he is paranoid that they will scare me away. But I don't get scared very easily", Annastasia replied.
"If you and Michio screw up the parent-to-SO relationship, it won't be that big of a deal, I am sure. If all goes to hell, keep that in mind. You got us, and we aren't so bad", Rumika assured her. "But I can still look into things for you, see if I find any juicy secrets that his family might have that can help you out".
"Thanks Rumika, but I would prefer you to use your energy and resources to help Jezz", Annastasia responded.
"I can do both. I already have files on the Kapule Klan. Getting some helpful information on his family won't be too hard", Rumika replied. "And I am going to try to get Rita in on this. She has an affinity for Jezz. More importantly she is a hard worker and a good person to put your trust in".
"I can't say I disagree with that", said Annastasia. "Of course, she'll want to continue working on the assignments given to her by Giovanni, but something tells me she is going to do both".
She and Rumika ended their walk in the backyard. Jocelyn, Jay, Amber, Jezz, and the Pokémon were now playing with sparklers. Michio was awake but still resting in the hammock. He got up and walked over to where they were standing when he saw them arrive. Peruva, Mienshao, Bleu, and Lil-G followed him as usual. He yawned and cracked his back.
"I want to go to bed. How about you?" he asked tiredly.
"Yeah I'll go too", she answered.
Rumika sat down on the edge of the back porch while they headed inside. Jocelyn and Flaafy followed them.
"Why do you look so sleepy Oniisan?" Jocelyn questioned Michio.
"Flaaafy?"
"I have just been thinking a lot and my brain is tired", he mumbled.
"Really? But you were just asleep", she pointed out.
"Flaaafy".
"It just all caught up to me. I will see you in the morning", he told Jocelyn before he entered the room.
"Goodnight Jocelyn. If anyone asks, tell them we decided to turn in early", Annastasia told her sister.
"Okay. Goodnight Onesan, Oniisan", she replied.
Annastasia smiled and then turned and shut the bedroom door. Then she turned around just in time to watch Michio flop headfirst onto the bed.
"Lieparrrd?" Peruva asked as she hit him with her paw.
"Pup pup!" Lil-G barked in his ear.
"Aren't you going to get washed up or something? What's the matter?" Annastasia asked as she took the hair tie out of her long blond hair.
He momentarily lifted his head up off of his pillow. "I will".
He dragged his feet to the bathroom and shut the door. A few second later she heard the shower starting to run.
"That is dread. He is dreading something", Annastasia whispered to the Pokémon.
"I can hear you", he called from the other side of the door.
"Well I know I am right", she called back.
Annastasia heard something moving on the other side of the room. She got up to investigate, and discovered that Plusle and Minun had once again snuck into their quarters. They both jumped onto her side of the bed and started chanting their names.
"You two don't belong here", she told the electric rodents.
"Minnnnun"
"Plussssss"
"Lil-G, Bleu, can you bring them back to the nursery?" Annastasia asked her partners.
"Alta"
"Lillipup"
Bleu and Lil-G carried the two small Pokemon out of the room while Annastasia unpacked one her bags. A few minute later Michio came back out.
"The bathroom is all yours", he told her.
"Thanks. But before you fall asleep, tell me what you are dreading", Annastasia responded.
Michio sighed and sat down next to her. Peruva shifted so that her head was resting in his lap, and he looked down at the Liepard as he gently stroked her head. Mienshao sat in the corner and eyed them jealously.
"I may be over reacting a bit, but I am just really kinda pissed that we are going over there", he replied.
"It's not because I embarrass you, right?" Annastasia asked, though she knew that wasn't the answer.
"No it's nothing like that at all. Just before we go in there and talk to them, I have to warn you", he started.
"Michio, you've told me dozens of times. I told you that I met them already, and that I am prepared for the worst", she responded.
Annastasia put a hand on his shoulder to help reassure him that she was serious. He put his hand over hers. They intertwined their fingers then slid their hands down their sides. Peruva rubbed up against both of them.
"I can take whatever they give me", Annastasia assured him. "I am tougher than I look".
"I know you are, but I am not", Michio told her.
"Woe is you", she said sarcastically.
"Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you", he told her as he lay down on the bed.
"I won't", Annastasia responded.
Lil-G and Bleu returned to the room. Annastasia got up and shut the light before heading into the bathroom.
"Goodnight", she told him.
"Tarrrria"
"Liieeeepard"
"Pup Lilli"
"Michio?" Annastasia questioned. She was confused by his lack of response.
"Pup pup Lillipup", Lil-G explained.
"You are right. He's already asleep", Annastasia sighed.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jezz was sitting on the edge of the porch, contently watching Amber chase Jay with a sparkler. He heard someone behind him, and jumped when the person revealed herself.
"Rita, you've come to visit", said Jezz. "I thought you were very busy with work".
"Not that busy", she shrugged. "So what's up? Why aren't you out there running around?"
"I don't feel very well", he confessed.
Rita felt his forehead. "You do feel a bit hot".
"I am worn out I believe. We did a lot of work today", Jezz told her.
"I can tell; this place looks great. I was just coming to visit A, only to discover that her and grumpypants have already gone to bed", she replied. "But…Rumika told me about her little project".
"You mean about finding my parents?" he questioned.
"Yep", she answered.
"You are going to help me? But why?" Jezz asked.
"Well why not? Jezz, you shouldn't be so shocked to find out that people want to help you. That's what friends do for each other", Rita explained.
"I didn't realize that you considered me to be one of your friends", he confessed.
"I sure do, kid. I am proud to say it", she replied.
"I am very grateful to you", Jezz told her, bowing his head.
Rita giggled and ruffled his hair. "We are all here, just like we've been saying all along. Me, the Hales, Morgans, Ketchums, Gaulles, Harrisons, the other kids, Annastasia, the Pokemon, even grumpypants. So even if we don't get you the answers you are looking for, you can still turn to us for help. Maybe one day you'll find out your roots all by yourself, who knows. Just relax for now, you are on good company".
"I will. Thank you very much. Are you going to stay?" he inquired.
"I can't. I have to return to my job, and to my partner. But you'll see me again", she responded.
"I think I am going to go sit on my bed for a while and read", said Jezz.
Rita stood up. She offered her hand to help him up and he accepted. They walked to his room together.
"One last thing", she told Jezz before he waved her goodbye.
"What is it?" he asked.
"People around her are rough sometimes. I don't know if you will run into any trouble, but I just want you to know that you can do whatever you want. This is your chance to be who you want. Discover who you are and be that person. Me, I found out what kind of person I was several times over. You still have plenty of time here on Earth. Think about all the people who care about you, and do what you think is best for you sometimes without think about whether or not it is polite", she answered.
"I will. Thank you very much. Goodnight", murmured as Rita walked away.
Jezz clutched the door handle. He got ready to open the large door, but before he could do so, someone placed their freckled hand on top of his. He turned around and discovered that the hand belonged to Amber. Jocelyn, Flaafy, and Pip were standing in the hall behind her.
"I thought I heard you", said Jezz. "Is something the matter?"
"No, we just wanted to say goodnight", Jocelyn answered.
"Fla"
"Pikaaachu"
"Thank you. Goodnight to you all as well", Jezz told the group.
"'Night. Let us know if you need anything", Jocelyn sang before her and Flaafy danced back down the hall.
"You going to sleep now?" Amber asked. .
"I am going to read", he answered.
"Oh. So you probably don't want to hang out", she assumed.
"Hanging out is also good", Jezz responded.
"Great", she responded happily.
Pip contently jumped onto Jay's bed, assuming that to be Amber's destination. She sat down on the bed across the room instead, the one with Jezz's suitcase situated atop the comforter.
"Where is Jay?" Jezz asked as he sat down next to her.
"Getting punished", she responded.
Jezz gasped. "Oh my, what did he do?"
"Chill, Jezz. He lost a bet with his mom so now he has to give her a foot massage", Amber explained.
"Oh", Jay sighed. He didn't realize that getting punished by Jay's parents was a lot different from getting punished by his passed foster parents.
"I have a present for you", Amber started. "Because you like soccer…"
Amber handed Jezz an envelope out of her pocket. Jezz stared at the envelope in astonishment. He cautiously took it in his hands.
"I have never received a gift from a friend before", Jezz whispered.
"Really not even for Christmas? Or your birthday?" she questioned.
"Sometimes the adults do, but never any children that I have met", he clarified.
"Oh, well this is for your birthday. It's late because, well frankly, because you didn't tell us that you celebrated your birthday on January first", Amber replied. "Hauana and Perry told us about it later that night, but we didn't have any gifts ready".
"I very much appreciate this", Jezz told her.
"You didn't open it yet", Amber responded.
"It is the thought that counts anyway", Jezz replied.
He delicately opened the envelope, careful not to rip any part of it. inside was a gift card.
"Twenty five dollars to buy whatever I want at the World Wide Soccer Shop?" Jezz asked in disbelief.
"Yep. I would have gotten you more, but my mom said I could only spend up to twenty-five. Money is kind of tight right now. Normally my budget is ten dollars, but she made an exception this time", Amber explained.
"This is very amazing. Thank you", he told her. "May I hug you?"
"Sure", said Amber. "You don't have to ask permission to hug someone, FYI".
"Sometimes people do not like hugs", he reasoned.
Jezz leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her torso. The Pokemon laughed and chanted at them. The two of them quickly pulled away, a bit surprised by the sudden feelings.
"Jay probably got you something more expensive, but this is all I had", she said pitifully. "It should be enough to get a really cool soccer ball though".
"I imagine it will be. I am so very grateful", he repeated.
"I get it Jezz. One thank you is good enough", Amber replied. "I'm glad you like it".
"And you don't mind me taking up half this bed?" Jezz inquired.
"Do you kick?" she questioned.
"I am not sure", he answered uneasily.
"I don't mind, but if you kick, I will kick back", Amber responded. "I'll let you read now. Goodnight, we'll try to be super quiet when we come in later".
"Okay. Thank you", said Jezz.
Jezz climbed under the covers as soon Amber left. As usual, all his Pokemon were surrounding him within a few moments. Xatu landed on the edge of his bed.
"Please, Xatu. I know you hate taking orders, but please, please, please, do not give me anymore nightmares", Jezz begged.
"Xaaatuu", it responded sternly.
"Chimecho?" Chimecho asked Xatu.
"Xa", it answered.
"Anyway, goodnight my lovelies. See you when the sun rises", he told his Pokemon as he settled down to sleep. "Have sweet dreams".
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jay and Amber returned to the bedroom close to midnight. The adults assumed they went to bed around nine, forgetting that the bungalow had a small attic perfect for hiding out.
"Be super quiet, Jezz is probably asleep", Jay told Amber.
"I know", she responded.
Jay carefully turned the handle and pushed open the door. Jezz was asleep, but he was tossing around and groaning.
"Xatu, are you giving Jezz a nightmare?" Jay asked the Pokemon.
Xatu was sitting on the far end of the bed and staring directly at Jezz. Jay snapped his fingers in front of the bird but he did not move.
"Hey!" Amber yelled. "Stop it now!"
Xatu ignored her. Jay and Amber went up to Jezz and shook him awake. He woke up panicked and confused. Before speaking, he ran to the window and pulled the shade aside in order to get a good look at the backyard.
"It was just a nightmare, Jezz", Jay told him. He took Jezz's hand and led him away from the window. Amber climbed onto his bed and they all sat down together.
"That one was very realistic", Jezz whispered in disbelief.
"Xatu, you should leave. Jezz takes care of you and all you do in return is scare him to death!" Amber scolded.
"Pikaaa!" Pip added.
"Xatu, if you go stay with Professor Oak, he will take very good care of you", Jay told the Pokemon. "You will get unlimited food and you wouldn't have to do any work".
"Xatttttuuuuuuu", he hummed.
"I am very sorry. I hope I didn't wake you", Jezz apologized.
"We were already awake. We just walked in, that is when we noticed", Amber explained.
"I was dreaming that we were lost, in the woods. We were very hopeless, and then we were attacked", Jezz recalled.
"I doubt that will happen. We may not know our way around Alola, but if worse comes to worst, then my parents will send Acorn and Aliyah out and they will both find us and teleport us home", said Jay.
"That must have been a false vision", Jezz reasoned. "Occasionally Xatu sends me fake visions".
"That explains why they sometimes mess up the weather predictions", Amber muttered. "Stupid birdbrains".
"Xu", he retorted as he turned away.
Jezz lay back down on the bed and pulled the covers up to his neck.
"Aren't you afraid that Xatu is going to continue to give you nightmares?" Jay questioned.
"Yes, but I don't have any other choice. You see, Xatu is a very strong Pokemon, and he can break out of his Pokeball whenever he chooses. He also knows teleport, which is strong enough to teleport me and a few others across short distances. I know because Xatu would sometimes teleport me places when I didn't want to go, and sometimes he would take some of my temporary siblings too", Jezz explained. "He listens to me sometimes, but not always".
"I am sorry", said Jay.
Jezz nodded. Jay climbed into his bed across the room while Amber sat down next to Jezz. She pointed to Xatu.
"Is he going to give me nightmares too?" she queried.
"Hopefully not. I don't know if he can still affect your dreams if you are in a different room. I don't think he can. I am so sorry Amber, Jay, I am a horrible friend. I should go to sleep in a different part of the house while you and Jay stay here because that might help", Jezz offered.
Jezz started to get out of bed, but Amber barred him with her arm.
"You aren't going to go anywhere", she told him.
"Are you sure that is a good idea?" Jezz questioned.
"No", Amber replied. "Just go to sleep Jezz".
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Lyrics by Carrie Underwood (and they could possibly eventually become relevant to the story sorta)
