Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon
Pathfinder
"They see the fear in your eyes, heart sinks like a stone.
'Cause when you're afraid, it weighs on your soul.
It's not easy, no.
Finding the words to say.
When you're feeling lost, you'll find your way"
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Back in Kanto, Lexi and Nolan were meeting up with their traveling companions at the Oak Laboratory. Lucas and Mariana, Rita's two younger siblings, decided to travel alongside them as they conquered the Battle Frontier. Viviana and Brodie planned to join them, as well as Nolan's old friends Jake and Tyler. Tyler was the first to arrive.
"Hey how you doing?" he asked Nolan.
"Great. And you?" Nolan replied.
"Wonderful. I just got my Nidoking and Nidoqueen back from Professor Ivy. I sense I am going to need them for this", Tyler responded.
"Hey Tyler", said Lexi. "It's been a while".
He didn't seem to notice her standing there next to her Vibrava and Venasaur. She stepped forward so that he could see her clearly.
"Lex is that you? Holy shit you look so different!" Tyler exclaimed.
"Not really. Lexi hasn't changed that much," said Nolan.
"I have a little. I let my hair grow really long. I never used to let it grow passed my ears. I also stopped doing my makeup. It's too expensive of an aesthetic.", Lexi responded. "But it's only been two years since I last saw you, not a decade".
"I guess. So where is everyone?" asked Tyler.
"Mariana and Lucas had to fly all the way from Kalos. I think I forgot to mention that they attended PIKA, and their family is basically nomadic, so most of their stuff is at the apartment they share in Anistar. They arrived at the airport an hour ago and should be here soon", Nolan explained.
"PIKA?" Tyler questioned.
"Pokémon Institute of Kalos in Anistar", Lexi clarified.
Within the next few minutes Brodie and his cousin Viviana arrived. Viviana had recently moved in with Brodie, who was still living as one of Rumika's tenants. Brodie was going to travel with them for a few weeks, just to see what the battle frontier is like, then he planned to go back to his job as an electrician. Viviana had not been on a Pokémon journey in three years, but back when she was battling regularly, she often made the top ten lists in competitions. Tyler had traveled with Nolan and Lexi twice before, and was invited by Ash's friend Morrison, a Frontier Brain stationed near Vermillion City, to participate in the trials. Jake, who arrived shortly after the others, was from the city of Alizarin. He, Lexi, Nolan, and Annastasia met during one of Professor Oak Sr.'s summer camps. He had been through every region twice and was asked by multiple Frontier Brains to take the challenge.
"I am surprised your other friends aren't joining us", Jake commented as they headed into the lab.
"June and Takeshi are a bit too young for this. They need more experience", Nolan responded.
"I was actually referring to Rita and Annastasia and that guy from Alola she hooked up with", Jake replied. "Why aren't they coming? I heard they are all good trainers, plus I know Rita and I doubt her boss is going to give her a mission in Alola".
"You are right about Team Rocket not having any jurisdiction in Alola, but that will probably change", Lexi said vaguely. "Rita might end up over there after all".
"What makes you say that?" asked Tyler.
Neither Lexi nor Nolan wanted to get the others involved with the Jezz situation. Nolan made up an excuse.
"Giovanni knows Rita wants to be around Annastasia, so he will probably think of a way to get them together so that Rita can still work while they hang out together", Nolan told the group.
"Sure", said Tyler. "So Lex, what have you been up too?"
"As you know I have been with Nolan for a while", she replied.
"So you're no longer single? Dammit. Is this by any chance an open relationship?" he inquired.
"I meant I have been traveling with Nolan for a while. Nolan and I are friends, nothing more", she told Tyler.
"Nice. In that case, why don't you and I get together? I don't care if you see other guys, so long as I get some too", he told Lexi. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
Lexi smiled. "Yeah sure maybe, if you play nice".
"I will. Most of the time, anyway", Tyler responded.
Jake separated them. "Why do you get dibs on Lexi?" he asked Tyler, who shrugged in response.
"Yeah Tyler. Maybe one of us wants her", Viviana added.
"I said this could be an open thing. Did that just fly over your heads?" Tyler questioned.
"Everyone chill. We can worry about hookups later. Professor Oak is going to be here any minute", Lexi told the group.
"Here he comes", Nolan commented. "And Lucas and Mariana are with him. Good."
"Sorry I was running late", said Gary Oak. He shook everyone's hands. "Sometimes those Pokémon can be little bastards. They fight all the time, and even our Pokémon ambassadors can't help sometimes".
Everyone exchanged greetings and chatted for a while. Gary gave them all one hundred Pokeballs, a month's worth of Pokeblock, Pokechow, and Pokémon shampoo. He also gave them all updated Pokedexes, as it was traditional for a trainer to get a new one every one or two years while the old ones were recycled and improved with better technology. He then at their request he took a picture of all of them together with their Pokémon.
"Thanks for everything, Professor", said Lexi.
"Lexi, you know you can call me Gary. I have only known you since before you were born", he responded.
"I know", Lexi replied. "You say that every time I see you, I just always forget".
Within fifteen minutes the eight of them plus their Pokémon were driving down the road in Mariana's new van.
"So where to first?" Brodie questioned. "Alizarin is the closest to here".
"We told you our plan is to go to Viridian City first, then to go in a circle and then end in Cerulean with Ash", Viviana told Brodie.
"Sorry I forgot. I'm not participating, so I didn't pay too much attention to the schedule you all set up", Brodie responded.
"So why are you coming then?" Mariana asked. "Not that we mind".
"Viviana wanted me to come. I have been meaning to take a break to travel. From what I understand, it is going to take you about six months to complete the Battle Frontier. I figure every few weeks I can take of off work and travel with you for a while. After all, I run my own business, so I have that flexibility", he replied.
"I wish I had that kind of job security", Nolan sighed. "I desperately need a job".
"Me too. Nolan used to be a bellhop at the Pallet House and I was a waitress there. It paid well but it isn't a job you can take on the go", Lexi explained.
"You know quite a few people who work for Team Rocket. Why not do that?" asked Viviana.
"I'm considering it", said Lexi.
"Me too", said Nolan.
"I say go for it", Lucas contributed. "Rita gets a lot of money and she hardly does any work".
"It will take us a while to get to her level", Lexi replied. "And the thing with Team Rocket is that my mom is worried for me. It is a dangerous job. She knows because she was caught up in the drama surrounding the revolution of Team Rocket that started about nineteen years ago".
"What's that all about?" asked Brodie.
"It's a very long story. I don't want to get into it now", Lexi responded.
"Me neither. My mother was involved too. I wasn't really born yet. My parents don't mind me helping Team Rocket out, but they don't like the idea of me taking direct orders from Giovanni. It would worry my mother sick", said Nolan.
"I guess. So even though you are an adult, you still care about what your parents think?" asked Lucas.
"Of course. I sorta owe them a lot, don't you feel the same way about yours?", Nolan asked.
"Kinda, nor really though. Rita, Mariana, and I didn't grow up in the traditional sense. We didn't go to regular school or have a real home. Our parents are nomads and Mariana and I have spent more time in boarding school than anywhere else. I think it was a pretty cool way to grow up, and I can't really imagine my parents holding me back like that", Lucas responded.
"I just want a regular, non-threatening job", Lexi told the group. "I'll become a Rocket if they need me though. I heard Iris can use an assistant, and I know my dragon types. They are one of my favorites".
"I don't really see myself going anywhere without Lexi, so I suppose if I can't find anything else I'll sign up for Team Rocket too", Nolan added.
"You two together?" asked Mariana.
"Best friends. The third member of our trio left us to go be with her own kind, so now its just Lexi and I", Nolan responded.
"You are talking about Annastasia", Jake guessed.
"Yeah. I suppose you all never really realized it, but the three of us have been best buds since preschool", Nolan told the group.
"Yep. They were my first friends. Even though we didn't travel much together after Annastasia became more active in Team Rocket and was partnered with Rita, we never lost contact for long", Lexi added.
"I suppose I never had long lasting friends", said Mariana. "Just the people at my school. I am not very good at staying in touch".
"Well hopefully we all work out", said Tyler. He turned to Lexi. "I have a feeling it will".
"Oh yeah, the hookup situation", Lexi replied, rolling her eyes.
"Seriously? Guys, I am traveling with my sister", Lucas complained.
"Sorry", Tyler responded. "But we aren't all ten".
"I am not ten", Lucas asserted.
"Chill out", said Tyler. "We'll discuss this later".
The rest of the car ride was silent as everyone spent the trip listening to the radio. When they arrived in Viridian, their first stop was a popular pizza parlor that had opened may years ago.
"This place hosts talent shows", Viviana commented as they entered the building. She picked up a flyer to show the other members of the group. "And it's going on now. You don't even have to sign up; it's casual".
"So if there something you want us to do about it?" her cousin asked.
"Is there anyone here who can do either really lame or really awesome performances?" she questioned. "If so, I want to see".
"No way. You couldn't pay me to do anything on stage", Lexi replied.
"I could beg the differ", said Jake.
"Fuck off", she retorted.
"Relax, it was a joke", Jake responded defensively.
"I don't want to do it. I just wanted to watch you all", Viviana responded. "Anyone?"
Everyone said 'no' in response to her question.
"Let's still eat here though. It's the cheapest place around", Nolan suggested.
"Maybe there will be some really lame performances we can all make fun of while we eat", Lucas commented.
"Hopefully", said Mariana.
As they had hoped, there was plenty of entertainment. Someone did magic tricks that didn't suck, another person did a guitar solo, and two people did a tap dancing routine so awful that it ended up damaging part of the stage. Every singer who went up was so bad that everyone in the restaurant, including the singers themselves, were laughing hysterically by the time each performance had come to a close. Then the stage crew rolled out a piano and a face that half the group recognized got up to perform.
"It's Anika!" Lexi pointed out. She elbowed Nolan. He looked in her direction.
"Who is Anika?" asked Jake.
"She is a friend of ours", Lexi answered. "She is very close to our neighbor, Soledad Oak, Gary's daughter".
"I wonder If Soledad is here", Nolan mused. He looked around. "I mean, they did say they would be moving around a lot. The Geo-catching thing can bring them anywhere".
"I really wanted to go with her group, but I decided to do the Battle Frontier instead because I finally have a team of fully evolved Pokémon and a good variety too. I really like battling", said Mariana. "But it was a difficult choice. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will take advantage of it".
Anika sat down on the bench and started playing a song that none of them recognized, but everyone in the audience was impressed nonetheless. When she was done with the two-minute routine, she gave a shy bow then returned to her friends.
"I see them, in the corner", Lucas showed the group. "Soledad, Tamaki, Tobie, Gracie, Flare, Carol, Tomoko and some other guy I don't know".
Anika seemed to notice everyone too. She nudged Soledad and Tamaki and the three of them approached their table. They exchanged greetings for a few minutes then Mariana asked why they were still in Kanto.
"As you know Geo-catching can bring you anywhere", Soledad responded. "We are in Viridian looking for some specific Ratatta".
"Ratatta? Really? Why them?" asked Jake. "They are everywhere you go, in almost every region".
"Apparently they are one species of Pokémon that is prone to breeding with the fusion Pokémon. While most of the fusion Pokémon are now contained, many of their offspring remain running lose, especially here in Kanto. As a result, we find Ratatta that have some interesting characteristics", she answered. "Several odd ones have been spotted around here and Professors Maple and Zigba both want us to gather as many as possible".
"That sounds exciting", Lexi commented.
"It explains why Team Rocket likes to collect Ratatta. I bet Giovanni sense something weird about them before the fusions crisis", Brodie mused.
"Possibly. Anyway, it really is exciting. That is why I like it so much", Soledad beamed.
"I like it too", said Tamaki. "I was never much of a battler, and I think this is really cool, ya know? I already caught three of them. Not as much as the rest of the group, but I'm still in training".
"Any chance you will be sticking around for a bit? We are going to the Frontier Brain called Emerson around here within the next day. Maybe we can hang out or something", Mariana said to Soledad.
"We are going to be around for at least a few more days, maybe longer, depending on how much work we can get done", Soledad replied.
The other members of Soledad's group joined the conversation.
"We might even get to go to Alola", nine-year old Gracie announced.
"It's possible", Soledad commented. "I was looking to see if there were any professors up there that could use some Geo-catchers and one professor, a woman named Alana Rosedale, said she is considering a project. I kind of miss being with my other friends. I liked it when we were all together".
"I really hope it works out because Alola is amazing. I don't get to travel much, and Alola 'supposed to be the best place in the world to chill", said Tamaki.
"Well I have to work either way, and if I can see everyone that would be a bonus", said Anika.
"You really have changed, Soledad. In a good way though. You are very mature. This time last year you were always asking our advice and double-checking, even when you were sure you were doing something right. Now you are all on your own and doing everything right it seems", Nolan told her.
"Thanks", Soledad replied. "But really everyone in my group showed me the ropes. I couldn't have come this far without them. Or without you for that matter".
They took a few more moments to catch up, and then they all decided to sit together at a larger table together. Forty minutes into their dinner, Tomoko, the official leader of the group, got a text message from Professor Rosedale.
"Good news everyone. It looks like we got that job in Alola after all", she announced.
"Yes! This is great", Soledad replied.
"Congrats", Lexi and Nolan responded together.
"I can't wait to go. It will be super fun", said Gracie.
"Can we all go?" asked Anika.
"The text says she would like as many people as possible. She decided to collaborate on a research project with Gary Oak, so it is going to be bigger than she initially expected", Tomoko explained. "So yeah, we can all go if that's what you want to do".
"I bet your dad recommended us to Professor Rosedale", Tamaki said to Soledad.
"Yeah probably", she mused.
Everyone agreed on it. Mariana sighed.
"Now I wish that I had chosen to got to Alola or do Geo-catching instead of the Battle Frontier", she complained.
"It isn't too late to change your mind", Nolan reminded her.
"I told everyone I was going to do this. Plus I already stocked up at Professor Oak's Lab", she replied.
"It's no big deal, just do what feels right", Viviana insisted. "Although it will be sad to have you leave our group, we just barely got started".
"I would do it if I were you. You said in the car that you missed everyone and was sad that they weren't old enough to study at PIKA with you", said Brodie. "Now this is your opportunity to be with them all, Soledad, Tamaki, June, Annastasia…"
"You are right. I am going to come with you", Mariana decided.
"I…I want to stay here and do the Battle Frontier", Lucas told his sister.
"That's fine with me", she responded.
"Yes! Mariana this is great. We hardly spend anytime together. I can teach you about Geo-catching and you can tell me about what you learned at PIKA", said Soledad excitedly.
"Are you going to be okay without me, little brother?" Mariana asked Lucas.
"I don't need you and Rita to always be telling me what to do, I can take care of myself", he replied. "And stop calling me 'little brother'. I am only ten months younger than you, you aren't the boss of me".
Mariana turned to Nolan, Lexi, Jake, Tyler, Brodie, and Viviana.
"So you'll make sure he takes care of himself, right?" she asked the teenagers.
"Don't worry", Nolan replied. "We have experience".
"Great. So the Professor sent me another text. She would like us to get started as soon as possible. I told her about the job we have here, and that she should give us about a week to get to Alola", Tomoko said to the others.
"That is great. Our friends are going to be very surprised when we show up", Soledad finished.
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Day 44
Takeshi, June, Amber, Jay, Jezz, Lily. Logan, Maya, Annastasia, Jocelyn, Benny, Michio, and their Pokémon were standing in front of the Morgan's new vacation home, getting ready to take a group photo. Mewtwo, Lucario, and Annastasia's new Volbeat and Illumise friends had decided to join them, as well as Sandshrew, who wouldn't go away no matter how hard they tried to convince him to leave them alone. Hauana and Perry were also present to say goodbye to Jezz.
"Ok, on the count of three, everyone do silly faces", James told the group.
"Plus Plus!" Plus shouted. She squirmed out of Rose's car seat and ran to the group. Her partner in crime followed.
"You two aren't going on the journey, you are staying here with us and our babies", James told the two electric mice.
"Mi!"
"Plus plusssss!"
"They think the twins are boring", Lily translated.
"Minunnnnmi minun nun"
"And that they want to be with everyone else a lot more", Logan finished.
Annastasia knelt down in front of them. She pet them each on the head. They looked her in the eyes for a few moments. Then she stood up.
"I hate to say this, but I think they should come with us" Annastasia announced.
"What? But they are the twins' Pokémon", said Jessie. "They need to bond. They are just being stubborn about it".
"Mom, papa, I think you should get the twins Pokémon that can click with them. After all, electric types are known to be stubborn and a bit hard for young children to handle. Maybe you can find them someone special here in Alola, it may be better for everyone involved", Annastasia explained.
"Min nununun"
"Pluuuuusle Plusle"
"They like that idea", Logan explained.
"You just want them for yourself", Amber commented with a toothy grin.
"Miiiii!"
"Plussss!"
"They are sweet, and I have grown attached to them", Annastasia responded as she pulled Plusle off of her leg. "But I really do think this will benefit us all. Plusle and Minun will be happy, the twins can get Pokémon that will bond with them naturally, and I can take care of these guys. I really do like electric types".
"Me too! This is great Onesan", said Jocelyn. She picked up Plusle and squeezed her, and the Pokémon gave her a brief electric shock and then wiggled out of her arms. Jocelyn huffed.
"You do have a good point. I suppose you can't expect all Pokémon-human friendships to be a love-at-first-sight experience", James sighed as he helped Jocelyn fix her now frizzed up hair. "There are many adorable Alonian Pokémon that we do not own. There is Popplio and Komala, and Rowlet, Mudbray and Iwanko, I bet Silver and Rose would love any one of those".
"I can catch them all for you", Jay told his parents.
"We don't know how common they are", Annastasia pointed out. "Though I have been here before for work, I didn't spend much time looking for adorable Pokémon. Unfortunately my job was to go for the very high level Pokémon and the legendaries".
"Yeah, 'unfortunately'" Amber remarked.
"Rose and Silver may play with some of my Pokémon while we are gone", Jezz offered. He gestured towards his Pokémon, who were all sitting together peacefully, waiting for the humans to make a move. "I want to bring them with me, but I would also appreciate starting fresh and developing a new team as I travel. I only have a few Pokémon from here in Alola. Most of mine are from the other regions in which I have lived".
"Deeerling?"
"Koma ko?"
"Vileplume, Delcatty, Porygon, Furfrou, Chimecho, and even you, Xatu, I would rather have stay with me.", Jezz told his Pokémon. "Komala, Deerling, , why don't you two stay with the twins?"
Deerling walked up to Rose and sniffed her hand. The baby reached out and pet him on the head. He cooed pleasantly at her and she started to laugh.
"They like each other already", June commented. "I was going to offer some of my Pokémon, but it looks like Jezz has it covered".
Silver was gently petting Komala, who had crawled up next to him. Now it looked like she was about to fall asleep.
"I am not quite certain that I would want to leave them forever, but I certainly don't mind having them stay here for a while. They seem to want a break from battling and traveling anyway", Jezz told Jessie and James.
"Chime chiiime?" Chimecho asked Jezz.
"He wants to know if he should stay too", Maya said to Jezz.
Jezz smiled and pet Chimecho. "I would really like you to come with me. You and I haven't spent time apart since we first met ten years ago".
"Chi", the Pokemon agreed.
Most of the other members of the group had also left behind a majority of their Pokémon. Jay planned on only bringing Togekiss and Bayleef. June was only bringing her Venasaur, Shaymin, and Uxie, Takeshi was taking Typhlosion, and Michio was only bringing Peruva, and by default, Mienshao. Jocelyn only had Flaafy and Benny only had Jackson. The only exceptions were Annastasia and Amber. Amber wanted to keep her army of flying types handy. Annastasia was bringing ten of her favorite Pokémon from Team Rocket headquarters, her goal being to get them back into the shape they were in the last time she was actively training with them. She also had Bleu and Lil-G, Sandshrew, twenty-four Volbeat and Illumise, Lucario, Mewtwo, and now Plusle and Minun to be responsible fir. Luckily most of them could take care of themselves, as they were not technically her Pokémon, and she was counting on Lucario and Mewtwo to lighten her load.
"Ok, we all good to go?" Annastasia asked the group.
"Yes!" they all replied in unison.
"Are you sure you are going to be okay? You have a whole lot of Pokémon and kids to look after this time", James said to his daughter.
"I know, but I am not alone", she replied.
"I will be with her", Lucario vowed. "I will help her. I owe her".
Jocelyn hobbled over to Lucario, who helped to hold her us.
"Lucario is my favorite", she announced.
"Fla, fee"
Annastasia smiled at Lucario. "Thanks. I have a feeling you are going to become a hit once we start traveling".
"I think Mewtwo is also going to help", said Benny. He looked up at the clone Pokemon. "Right Mister?"
"I will be present in case I am needed for an emergency", he responded though his eyes lay on Sandshrew. The ground Pokemon spat in his direction, but they managed to avoid a battle for the sake of the humans surrounding them.
"I also have Michio to help", Annastasia reminded them.
"Yeah, ok, sure. Right", Jessie mumbled.
Michio pretended to ignore her. James at least had faith in his support, and he and Jessie were passed the days of arguing over the other's opinions.
"Logan, Lily, and Maya will also give me a paw if I need it, right guys?" Annastasia asked.
"Yep!" the three cats responded in unison.
"Also everyone is a bit more mature now than they were last year so things are bound to go smoother", Annastasia said proudly.
"I hope you are right", Jessie responded. She hugged Annastasia. "Bye princess".
"Bye mom, papa. Don't worry, we will all be fine", she told her parents.
"Bye mommy!" Jocelyn yelled.
"Flaaafeeee!"
"Goodbye Perry and Hauana. Thank you for letting me go on this journey", Jezz told his guardians.
"It's no problem, Jezz, just be careful. Don't cause any trouble or stress for your leaders", Perry instructed.
"Yes sir", Jezz responded.
Jezz gave the Hales one last hug. Annastasia picked up Silver and Rose and kissed them each one more time before the group mounted Jay and Ash's Tauros. The other kids followed her lead, except for Jocelyn. Though Acorn, Aliyah, Mewtwo, Bleu, and Chimecho had tried to heal her broken ankle, the damage to it was too severe to be fixed in just one day. They estimated that Jocelyn would be confined to crutches for at least a few more days and so she decided to ride Annastasia's Lelen instead of walking or riding a Tauros like the others. Lelen was smoother, safer, and stronger. Jocelyn mounted the Pokemon with the help of her parents. Lelen was more than capable of carrying the eight year old, her bag, her crutches, and Flaafy, and seemed very happy to do it. Her parents hesitated to let her go, but when they finally did, they discovered that Jocelyn was perfectly fine with riding by herself, broken ankle or otherwise. It was sign that she had really matured since her last journey. Annastasia and her parents were confident that this was going to be a big year for her. Jocelyn gave and Annastasia a thumbs up to let her know that she was ready to leave, and her sister rang the Jigglypuff bell in return. Then they took off on nine Tauros, a Lelen, and a fifteen-year-old bicycle.
"Bye everyone", the kids called one last time.
"See ya later twerps!" Meowth called after them.
"Onward water-dragon-horse!" the heard Jocelyn cheer.
"Flaaa!"
With several minutes they were completely out of site and off to their first destination. It took them only a few minutes to reach the pier. They noticed Rita waving them down, and dismounted to greet her.
"I only know one person who would lead a gang of Tauros-riders through Alola", Rita commented as the group approached the boat.
"Hey Rita", Annastasia responded with a wide smile. "Are you sticking around?"
"No actually. Giovanni wanted Ralph and I to ask the locals about this rare mushroom Pokemon. It's call Maralull or something like that", she answered. "We just checked out the island you are going to now. Sorry we couldn't time it right. The assignment was just given to us this afternoon".
The group was sad to hear that Rita wouldn't be traveling with them this time. She was responsible and sometimes strict, but she was also lots of fun. She took the time to talk to the kids before the ferry left. After talking to everyone openly, she walked over to Jezz, who was standing behind the rest of the group and brushing his borrowed Tauros. He jumped when Rita came up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. Jezz nearly stepped on her toes, and was embarrassed for over-reacting to such a simple gesture.
"I am sorry to jump and injure your toes, Rita. I fear you gave me a fright", Jezz explained.
"Don't worry, I have tough toes. I came over here to check in and to remind you that even though I am up here and I am going to be seeing you more with the group more, it doesn't mean we can't still talk privately. So call me if you need something, even if it is just to vent", she whispered to Jezz.
No one but Michio heard them, and as usual, he doesn't that he didn't care enough to pay better attention. He got in line behind Lily, who was in the process of purchasing her ticket for the ferry.
"What should I do if…" Jezz paused. He looked up at her, silently urging her to finish his sentence.
"If what?" Rita questioned. "Nothing has changed between us or the other participants in our group. I am reminding you that things are still relaxed, and private. I am available as usual, and so are the others, though I hear I am your favorite mentor".
"That is true. Thank you", Jezz responded.
Rita patted him on the back and walked away.
"So, about Ralph…" Annastasia started as Rita walked up to her.
"When I saw you approaching I made him go away", Rita explained.
"Why?" Annastasia inquired.
"It's complicated", she answered.
"No it's not. You think we will embarrass you, or he will embarrass you, is that it? I can tell when you feel embarrassed", Annastasia responded. "God I sound like my parents. But I bet I am right".
"We can talk about him some other time. I have to get going. Your boat is about to leave and I have to work on this dumb survey until five, then I have some records to look through", Rita replied.
"Ok. Good luck", she said one last time.
After the exchange the group boarded the boat, which brought them to their first Pokemon-hunting location.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Lyrics by Shane Harper
AN: I want to take another opportunity to thank everyone who has been reading and reviewing so far. I also have some special news, and it is that I have a personal Tumblr now. Ok, so by 'personal', I mean I made it for myself and others who are interested in my stories. I just made it two days ago so it is still a baby but I think there is some good stuff on there. It is called "chipotlepepperspokemonandother" – extremely original name, I know. I know before that I have mentioned my first Tumblr, "Pokemonshipsblogwithteamrocket", which is fairly popular now (It is less than a year old and I already have 513 followers—I expected it to only get like 50 at most, so this is good news). That blog is themed around Pokémon ships, and I don't really have anything on there that reflects me personally. This one will have be more about my personal interests, writing prompts, headcannons, and I will be answering questions about my story. If you want to make an account it is so easy and you don't need to include personal information if you don't want to, which is great, but you don't need an account in order to view mine.
So enjoy your lives, don't let me distract you too much:)