· Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon

Keep Buzzing, Busy, and Broken

"I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory
When's it gonna get me?
In my sleep, seven feet ahead of me?
If I see it comin', do I run or do I let it be?
Is it like a beat without a melody?
"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Amber spent her second day alone at another campsite. Instead of renting a tent and pitching it, she decided to hide herself in the forest. She figured that with all her Pokémon and those of Jay, she wouldn't have to worry about being attacked by a Bewear, and she could easily shelter and disguise herself under the enormous winds of her many flying types. By now her phone was out of battery and the only way to charge it would be to go to a Pokémon Center and ask to borrow one of the chargers. She was also stuck eating berries and the Pokémon were starting to get worried about her physical and mental health; they knew she couldn't go on like this much longer. She got up from her three-hour nap and started gathering her things. Next thing she knew she was staring into the eyes of a very creepy-looking Pokémon.

"Mimimkyuuu," it hissed creepily.

"Ahhh!" Amber yelled at it. "W-hat the hell?"

She didn't expect Mimikyu's voice to sound so demonic. When she was researching Alola Pokémon with her friends, not one website or Pokedex entry mentioned that one eerie trait.

The Pokémon fluttered around her, hissing its name and surrounding her with a dark mist. She sidestepped the creature and took out her Pokedex in order to scan it.

"Mimikyu: the imitation Pokémon. Mimikyu is a lonely Pokémon who has trouble making friends. When Mimikyu sees someone it likes, it tries to become their friend," the Pokedex told her.

"I don't want to be its friend, it's the creepiest thing I ever laid eyes on," Amber thought to herself.

Amber rescanned the Mimikyu so that the Pokedex would give her another fact about this odd Pokemon.

"Mimikyu's actual appearance is unknown. A scholar who saw what was under its rag was overwhelmed by terror and died from the shock," It announced.

"That is some scary shit," she remarked.

"Miiiiiii," it responded.

Amber used her Pokedex in order to check this particular Mimikyu's power level. It was 500. Amber's jaw dropped.

"Whoa. I thought the highest level a Pokemon could reach was 100," she gasped. "It looks like you are at a one rare find."

"Pikachu Pika?" Pip asked it.

"Miiiiiii," it groaned as it nodded its head.

"Does this mean that if I become your friend you join my team?" Amber asked hopefully.

Mimikyu nodded and used its odd black appendage to tap one of her Pokeballs. Amber held the red and white ball in her palm. Mimikyu poked the button with its nose and disappeared inside. The Pokeball shook, clicked, and then a few seconds later Amber let Mimikyu come back out.

"That was an easy catch," she told it. "Thanks, friend."

Mimikyu teared up from the compliment and squeezed Amber and Pip into a group hug. Togekiss, Pidgeot, and Talonflame were soon sucked in.

"You use that black thing as your arms and hands," Amber choked. "That's pretty cool."

Mimikyu let go of Amber and the Pokémon and danced around some more, delighted by the compliment.

"I wonder what else you can do," she mused.

Mimikyu pointed to her Pokedex. Amber got the hint. She picked it up and scrolled through all the information listed on Mimikyu. She sat down and leaned against her enormous bird-like Pokémon and absorbed the information.

"Your Pokedex entries are kinda weird," said Amber. "I mean, this says that you can use something called an aka lele. Sounds familiar…but every Hawaiian word sounds the same to me."

"Mimikyuuu," it said darkly.

"Ok…I don't know much about you personally. I've never seen a Mimikyu before and I don't know anyone who has one on their team, though I remember one time Meowth told me that the first time he saw a Mimikyu, it cursed him, scared him pretty badly. How come you didn't do that to me?"

"Miiiiiii," it replied.

"Oh well, I can't understand you," Amber sighed. "One thing I noticed, one of these entries claim that according to an ancient legend, if you reach a high enough level, you gain unfathomable abilities that no other Pokémon possesses. I suppose that means that Ditto can't copy it and Mew and Mewtwo don't have that ability. Is that true?"

"Mimi mi," it answered, nodding its head. Amber gasped aloud.

"Sweeeet! That's incredible! So, you gonna reveal this power or not?" she questioned.

"Mi mi miiiiiiiikyyyyyuu," it whispered creepily.

"Ummm ok," Amber muttered. "I don't get what I am supposed to do."

Mimikyu pointed to the Pokedex again. Amber sighed and opened it back up. She scrolled through different entries for about forty-five minutes, then she found her answer.

"You have to reveal your true form to me, and if I can handle seeing it without getting killed, you'll give me the ability to grant a wish," Amber summarized. "It says you need a brave heart to survive, but I don't know what that even means."

"Mi," it commented.

"That sounds like a pretty crappy deal," she remarked.

Amber thought about the position she was in. She definitely did not want to die, but she felt this was a once in a lifetime chance. If this Mimikyu could grant wishes, her life will be forever changed. She'd simply wish for endless wishes, and she would become the most fortunate person in the world. She could help everyone, including herself. But she would be risking her life. It was a hard bargain.

"Is there any other way to do this? I am going to get really pissed off if you murder me," Amber told the Pokémon.

Mimikyu shook its head 'no'. Amber gave another greatly frustrated sighed.

"If we are going to do this, can you at least give me some pointers? Like, is there some way to increase my chances of making it?" she questioned.

Mimikyu shook its head 'no' once again.

"I am tired, hungry, and miserable, but I don't want to go just yet. I have a lot of things to accomplish," she announced as she proudly brandished her bow and her neatly arranged and sharpened set of arrows. "I will do it though."

Amber was surprised by her own words. Her brain told her to say something else, but her passion over took it.

"Mimimii," it chanted happily, though it used the same eerie whisper of a voice to express itself.

Mimikyu floated a few steps back. Amber braced herself.

"It won't hurt, will it?" she asked.

Mimikyu didn't answer her question. It didn't say anything at all. Instead it looked through the small tears in its rag with its beady eyes and created more dark mist. Amber watched the rag float off the Pokémon, and before she could comment, her voice was gone.

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The group of Soledad, Tamaki, Anika, Tomoko, Carol, Flare, Tobie, Gracie, Mariana, and now Lucas returned to their original project of collecting the blue and green Morelull for Professor Rosedale. On 10am of a Sunday morning, they finally succeeded in finding one. They were eventually able to catch it using Stufful to fight.

"This is great. Now you can bring it to Professor Rosedale and move on," Tamaki said hopefully after Tomoko successfully captured it in her Pokeball.

"Not quite," she responded.

"We need to catch several more Morelull," Soledad reminded him. "Professor Rosedale wanted at least one male, one female, and a juvenile".

"What is this one?" Tamaki asked.

He poked at the Pokeball. Tomoko let it back out. The Morelull looked very annoyed, but it did not attempt to run away. Mariana observed it carefully.

"This one is young. And it's male," she told the group.

"Poor thing, he is probably lost," Anika sighed. "I feel bad now."

"Morelulllll Morelulllll," the Pokemon cried.

"If we catch his parents, then they can all be together while Professor Rosedale studies them. Then when they are ready to go back into the wild, they won't have to worry about finding one another again," Tamaki said hopefully. "Right dudes?"

"That is what I want to do," said Anika.

"That is my plan as well," Tomoko agreed.

"Hey little one, can you lead us to your family?" Tamaki asked the tiny Pokémon.

"Morrrr," he replied, nodding his head. He started hopping northward.

"This is great. Morelull is helping us," said Gracie happily. "He must not be sad that he got captured."

"Sometimes Pokémon like getting captured, sometimes they just don't know, very rarely do they hate it," Tobie explained.

The Morelull led them through the woods, over a stream, into an open field, and to a series of caves. There, tunneled deep in the earth, they found an entirely colony of Morelull, some blue, some green, but also black, red, purple, and pink varieties. Tomoko excitedly snapped a photo of them while Anika, Soledad, Carol, and Flare took some notes. The small Morelull they had already captured talked to the others. They nodded their head in agreement and went up to greet the kids.

"This is incredible. They are just agreeing to come along with us!" Anika squealed.

"Thanks so much you guys," Soledad told the Pokémon.

"You dudes are awesome," Tamaki added.

"Does this mean that you're done with this project?" Lucas questioned.

"That would appear to be the case," Tomoko replied. "Now onto Mimikyu."

"Argh. That Pokémon is so frustrating. We must have studied ever Pokedex entry and looked at every website and in every book, and no one seems to know where to find this legendary Mimikyu," Soledad complained.

"This isn't that bad. At least we got step one accomplished. This is what she really needed us to do. I think finding the Mimikyu she wants is more of a pipe dream," said Carol. "Sure, it'd be great if we can find it, but if we can't, at least we are still getting paid."

"I suppose I really wanted to win at this, and the more time we spend out here, the less likely I feel we are to find it," Soledad responded glumly.

"We are doing our best, and I think that counts for a lot," Anika told her.

Tomoko picked up her cellphone and dialed the professor. Back at her laboratory, Professor Rosedale was studying a wild Alonian Cloyster when she got the call. An hour later she and Professor Ivy, as well as Gary Oak, who was currently in the area, were patiently waiting for their arrival. They finally arrived around noon.

"Dad! What are you doing here?" Soledad asked excited as they entered the lab.

"I was in town these past few days, doing somewhat of an internship with Professor Rosedale," he told her. "She is conducting some interesting research, and I wanted to observe."

"And he has contributed as well," Professor Rosedale added. "Professor Oak has been working on a few super-potions as well, but I am sure you already knew that."

"I did, but I don't know the details," Soledad replied.

"Can you please tell us about it?" Gracie asked the professors.

"Certainly" Professor Rosedale responded. "Professor Oak has been working on a potion that is gentle enough for human use, yet strong enough to have a positive effect on Pokémon both big and small. Never before has such a potion existed. "The formula isn't quite perfected, but Professor Ivy and Professor Oak have studied these Morelull and they believe that they can be the key to solving all of these problems."

"What are the problems?" asked Carol.

"First off, the potion tastes really disgusting. One of the things that Professor Rosedale has been working on includes making the potion more desirable. Very few Pokemon can stomach it, and humans have even more sensitive taste buds. It is a formula that no one has been able to condense into pills, and Professor Rosedale has discovered a way to not only make the formula taste better, but also a way to condense them so that they can be taken in capsules, which is easier for some people and Pokemon to swallow and doesn't have as heavy of an aftertaste," Gary explained.

"Thanks for the flattery," said Professor Ivy. "You are too kind."

"Well, you ladies did most of the work. I joined this project later on. It was very nice to be a part of this because I don't typically focus much of my research on precisely human-Pokemon relations," Gay responded. "It was a beneficial change that was well worth the little bit of extra work."

"I'm happy for you, dad," Soledad told her father.

"I'm happy for you. You and your friends got the Morelull for us. We are hoping that this potion will help a lot of people and Pokemon, and in a few years, we might discover that it has had a large positive impact on the practice of medicine," he replied.

"Your daughter and her friends also did an excellent job of find these Morelull in a timely matter," Professor Rosedale praised. "And I am sure when we are done using the Morelull they will be happy to return them to their forested domain."

"Oh course. Give us a call and we will get here as soon as possible," Tomoko responded.

"It was nice seeing you, dad," Soledad told her father.

"Quick to say goodbye? Where are you going now?" he questioned.

"We were going to go to lunch and then discuss future jobs, like how to get that Mimikyu," Soledad answered.

Gary turned to Professor Rosedale. "You decided to tell the children about it after all."

"I figured they could help me. Rumors, myths, and legends claim that the Mimikyu that we want only shows itself off to brave, misfortunate, or pure hearts, and so I believe that children are out gateway," she explained. "And these children seem perfect for the job."

"You have some very high expectations for them," Professor Ivy commented.

"You are making me nervous," said Tobie.

"Me too," the rest of the group agreed.

"I aim high. Don't get upset if you don't find it. In fact, I suggested that you go to Professor Willowood in the meantime. She needs assistance and I already recommended you to her. You can take that job and make some extra cash, and as long as you keep an eye out for my Mimikyu I will be very appreciative," Professor Rosedale replied.

"That's perfect," said Tomoko. "Thank you."

"We always like the idea of a recommendation. Thank you so much," Carol added.

"Good luck. Let me know if you want me to take you and your friends out later for dinner," Gary told Soledad.

"We will," Soledad responded. "But bye for now."

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Day 58

Annastasia and Michio made their way to Rita's room early Monday morning. They brought their Pokémon and some homemade brownies from the Pallet House. Michio was hesitant to come along, still not entirely sure if he should. Right before Acorn and Aliyah teleported them to Pa'a Island, Annastasia noticed the anxious look on his face.

"You know we are going to see Rita, right? From what I understand she is recovering fine. It's not like she is on her deathbed and it's up to us to grant her last wish," she reminded him.

"Lilii"

"Plusssle!"

"Minnnun!"

"Eeeeveee!"

"Liiieep"

"Mieensh"

Plusle and Minun jumped off of Michio's back and onto those of Acorn and Aliyah. The two Eevee scolded them and shook them off.

"You two are supposed to be with Jocelyn," she told the two electric types. "She wanted to prepare you for the next contest."

"Plus"

"Mi"

"There is another contest soon?" Michio inquired.

"Yes, in Allamanda City, next Monday at 9am," she responded.

"I suppose it's good they want to get back out there, but I am a bit surprised that Jocelyn decided to," he commented.

"I told her that by next Monday we expect everything will be back to normal," Annastasia explained.

"You lied?" he asked incredulously. "Oh my, Annie".

"Sarcasm aside, I am serious. I am very determined to find them, and if it makes Jocelyn feel better and get back out there, then I think it will do more than harm," she answered. "They must be purposely avoiding us, there is no other way they have been able to coincidentally dodge the thousands of people out looking for them. I mean, even if they disguised themselves…my point is that by the time Monday rolls around, it is very likely the would have come to their senses."

"Ok," Michio responded. "What about them?"

"Plussss"

"Minnn"

Annastasia sighed. "I suppose they can come with us."

The Pokémon cheered and jumped onto each of their shoulders. Within a few seconds they were in front of the hospital. After finding Rita's hospital room, Annastasia decided to go in first, brownies in hand.

"Hey Rita," she said quietly, knocking on the glass door. Once Rita noticed her, Annastasia pushed it open. "I made you these."

"Tarrri!" Bleu sang when he saw Annastasia. He rubbed his head again.

"I see I was missed by at least one of you," she smiled as she put the brownies down on one of the small counters.

"Zoruuuuua!" the fire-fox Pokemon cheered. Zorua tried to position herself as close to the brownies as possible.

"Everything is the same with me. What's up with you?" Rita asked.

"Not much, the same I suppose," Annastasia replied.

She hated lying to Rita, but Rita was powerless at the moment. She would only get anxious if she knew about Jezz. She knew that her bond with Jezz was much deeper than she had previously thought. She knew Rita would easily put herself at risk for danger if she knew it would help the people she cared about.

"They said I should be able to leave sometime tomorrow", Rita told her.

"That is wonderful. Why do you look so sad about it?" Annastasia questioned.

"I am not sad," Rita responded defensively.

"Yes you are. I can tell you have been crying. I can feel it on you too," she retorted.

"It's no big deal. I'll tell you later," Rita decided. "Where are your Pokémon and grumpypants?"

"In the hall," she answered. "I said I wanted to go in first."

"I am not really in the mood for visitors," Rita told her.

"You want me to leave," Annastasia surmised.

"No, don't go yet," she sighed. "I…oh never mind."

"What happened to Ralph? Mariana and Lucas said the only reason they moved on was because he said he was going to stay," said Annastasia.

Rita was silent for a few moments. "He left me."

"Oh. Is that why you are upset?" Annastasia asked. It wasn't like Rita to get upset about a guy leaving her. "What exactly do you mean by 'he left'?"

"He decided I was too much of a bitch to be his partner anymore, so he left," she answered quietly. "Yesterday."

"I'm sorry. But you aren't a bitch, he is a jerk for saying that. I'd say he wasn't worth your time," Annastasia responded. "Why would he say such a thing, do you even know? He seemed to really like you; he treated you with a lot of respect."

"He found out about the other guys I have been sleeping with and got jealous I suppose," she responded.

"Were you dating him exclusively?" she questioned.

"Not really, but I suppose we were closer than all the other partners I had before. He was kind of different. But I never said I was going to change my ways for him, and I figured he knew what kind of girl I was," Rita answered.

"You should have been more clear on that", Annastasia replied. "You can be a bit hard to figure out sometimes. It is a good thing that you are like that, but it often makes situations like these more complicated."

"Yeah, I obviously should have been clearer," she responded bitterly.

"You liked him a lot more than every other person you've ever been with, right?" Annastasia inquired.

"Since when are you my therapist?" Rita retorted.

"Ever since you started to need one," Annastasia shot back.

Rita let out a small laugh. "Well you got me there. So doctor, what should I do?"

"Apologize obviously. And if you think he's worth it then you will have to make a few small changes. Namely, not cheating," she explained.

"I didn't cheat before; we weren't in a relationship. Not a real one, anyway," Rita responded.

"You know what I mean," said Annastasia. "Make it clear that you don't want to be exclusive."

"But…I don't know if that is what I want to do," Rita confessed. "I feel strange around him. I am not going to get cheesy, but I am uncomfortable now that there is a strong possibility that he won't come back. I never cared this much before. I almost feel like if he didn't want me anymore, I would at least still like to have him around. Like you and me, just because we didn't work out in an exclusive relationship it doesn't mean I want you to leave. I hate the idea of him moving on and forgetting about me, and seeing some other woman. It really is bothering me."

"Zoooo," her Pokemon cooed sympathetically.

"Ok, I see now. Rita, I feel like the best thing to do is to reach out to him. Call him and talk. Explain yourself," Annastasia advised. "I feel you would have an impact if you say what you just told me."

"You are a relationship expert too now?" Rita replied playfully.

"Maybe. Sometimes having the bird's eye view gives you an advantage," she responded.

"You no longer have a bird's eye view, you have you 'SO'," Rita pointed out.

"But our relationship is different from yours. We talk a lot, several hours a day at times. How much do you tell him?" Annastasia inquired.

"Not much. Not as much as I tell you," she admitted.

"Ralph might need that. He wants to know you, all the parts of you, not only what he can see," Annastasia told her. "It hurts to want to know someone's heart but are also doubtful that it will ever happen."

"I am not the one to beg," Rita said firmly.

"You aren't the one to fall in love either," Annastasia reasoned. "Not romantically."

"I am not romantically in love with him. I just want him for myself. I mean how would you feel if that Haku and her band of sluts took Michio away?" Rita questioned.

"I'd be more worried for him than for myself," she answered.

"That is what I mean. Ralph and I aren't romantic, and you and Michio aren't romantic…but you still care and…I don't know what to do. I don't even know what romance is or why it is important," Rita stumbled.

"Romance is a social construction. It exists, but it is not something that everyone feels or wants to feel. If he wants romance and you are certain that you do not, then your relationship isn't going to succeed unless you reach a compromise," Annastasia explained. "If you can't compromise, then you are not compatible. But you can still be close friends."

"He wants all or nothing. I am starting to believe that I want that too," she said softly.

Annastasia laid her hand on top of Rita's. "There is nothing wrong with that."

"I know that is true," said Rita. "But I don't think he wants me anymore. I'm a bitch, remember?"

"You aren't a bitch, Rita. You are just rough. There is an enormous difference. Don't let that keep you from trying," she responded.

"You know I am a bit of a bitch," Rita replied.

"Not really, not deep down inside," Annastasia assured her. "I bet Ralph knows that too, but he is too hurt at the moment to really process it."

"Or he already showed up at headquarters and picked up a new pretty face," she said sadly.

"Then I'll go to headquarters tomorrow and we'll find out," Annastasia suggested.

"You have bigger things on your plate. I hear you have been extra stressed out lately. Don't worry about me, I can help myself, I suppose I only needed to vent to a friend," Rita responded. "But I will be up and at it again hopefully within the next few days."

"Rita, you broke ten bones, you have a concussion, and you can hardly breathe," Annastasia listed. "If you want to return to work so quickly, you must know Delia won't let you do anything more strenuous then basic office work, if that."

"It turns out our good friends Professor Gary Oak, Professor Ivy, and Professor Rosedale created a potion that heals broken bones in a matter of days. I will get to leave early because I already took it and although I am not completely healed from the most serious breaks, the potion is helping me. And as for the concussion, they have been giving me plenty of stuff to help me sleep longer than usually. I have been getting nearly twenty hours of high-quality deep sleep for the past few days. Turns out that is all I needed to recover. As long as I get at least ten hours daily for the next few weeks, I'll be set for anything. And the potions will help with that a lot. I used to think sleeping after a concussion and getting up and moving after breaking bones were bad ideas, but now I know that isn't true," Rita explained. "I am the first human to take the potion, but they believe it is perfectly safe and many Pokemon have already proven to have done well on it. And I have Soledad, her band of Geo-catchers and the professors to thank."

There was still some sadness in her voice, and Annastasia acknowledged it silently as she stared into her friend's darkening eyes.

"That's great news, Rita," she told her. "It makes me feel better. I know injuries have never really stopped you in the past, and I am glad that someone found a way for you to return to work sooner without killing yourself."

"Um, speaking of needing a lot of sleep…" Rita started.

"Right, I'll get going," Annastasia replied as she got up to leave. "Bleu, can you stay here and continue to help Rita?"

"Alta," the Pokemon nodded.

"Thanks for the brownies," Rita said before she had gone out the door.

"No problem. Jocelyn and June made them together. They have been doing a lot of baking lately," she responded. "Have a good rest. I'll call you tomorrow. You too, Bleu."

"Tarrria"

"Zorrua!"

"Liliii"

"Yeah, talk to you later," said Rita one last time.

Out in the hall, Michio and the Pokémon were waiting patiently by the door.

"What, she didn't want me to come in?" Michio questioned. "I figured that."

"No, Michio. She likes you, but right now she is exhausted and upset that Ralph left her," Annastasia told him.

"Oh," he responded. It was obvious that he too was surprised at Rita.

"Yeah, and since she really needs to sleep, I figured we should return to the bungalow. I feel like today I should take the time to be with my siblings, especially Jocelyn," said Annastasia.

"I agree," said Michio.

"You've been a big help watching them. Rumor has it Rose starting calling you 'dadadada', and she calls Jocelyn 'mamama'," Annastasia smirked.

"I told Jocelyn to not tell you that," Michio responded, a bit red in the face.

"It's cute. I am glad that you are spending quality time together and bonding with them," she added. "And it is funny. Rose calls my mom 'dadadada' and my dad is the 'mamama'. I wonder if Silver will do the same thing. I kinda hope he does. It would be funny."

"It's pretty cute to listen to and watch them. Until they do something gross. I don't know why people have kids without servants. If I had to change all those diapers…it wouldn't happen," he replied.

"Infants are gross. All those fluids…" she started

"Uhh, stop!" Michio requested. "I hate when you say the 'f' word."

'Fluids' was Michio's least favorite word. She admitted to having said it on purpose, just to see if he reacted the same as he normally did. And he did. She laughed at this.

"Acorn, Aliyah, please take us back to the bungalow," Michio begged.

Annastasia also found this funny. Michio never begged. The Mew sisters listened to him, and they were immediately back at the bungalow. Everyone was gone from the house except for Jessie, James, the twins, and Sandshrew. Annastasia had to use the key to open the door, because no one was hearing the doorbell.

"Hey anyone here?" she called as she pushed open the door. She turned to Michio. "I wonder why no one answered the door."

Sandshrew came waddling out of the kitchen. It had brownies, cookies, some wine, cheese, and grapes all stacked up on a single plate.

"Where did everyone go?" Annastasia inquired.

"Your parents are with the smallest children in the last room on the left," it answered.

Michio took a brownie off the top of its plate. "You are gonna get fatter eating all this garbage all the time. You already are pretty fat. You better be careful."

"She gained weight too", Sandshrew pointed to Annastasia.

"Well yeah, a little bit, but not from eating crap," Michio retorted.

"I would also like to point out that when I returned from Toka, I was underweight, so I need to gain weight. And I like it because I am warmer now. It's going to come in handy when we go up to the mountains to look for those Alonian Vulpix and Sandshrew," she told the Pokémon.

"You mean Roko and Sando," Michio corrected.

"Well in Kanto we call them Alonian Vulpix and Alonian Sandshrew," Annastasia responded. "It makes it easier for the kids to remember."

"Perhaps the label is unnecessary. It is quite indecent of you to argue over a Pokémon's names without their consent," Sandshrew lectured.

Annastasia sighed. "We aren't arguing. We have too many other thing occupying our brains right now."

Sandshrew, Michio, Annastasia, and their Pokémon walked to the nursery. Jessie and Rose were asleep on the couch, and Silver was asleep in James' arms. He gentle waved to them as they entered the room.

"Hey Anna-chan," James whispered. "Back so soon?"

"Rita needed to rest," Annastasia answered.

"Ok," he replied. "I imagine that she is feeling better though."

"She is. They are going to give her a powerful new medicine that will help move her recovery along," she responded. "And Bleu's heal bell seems to have stopped her pain."

"It is just science. I don't find it amazing at all," Sandshrew commented as he continued to work on the stolen food. "You humans are very ignorant of this world."

The group decided to collectively ignore Sandshrew for the time being.

"Your mom and I decided to stay here today. We haven't even held the twins since Saturday morning, unless it was to hand them to someone else. This whole incident has been so unfortunate. I wonder why this is happening again," James sighed.

"Again? You mean this happened before?" Annastasia questioned.

"When you were gone, dear, do you think we just went about our daily business? We were terrified for you too. I just never thought Jay would…" his voice trailed off.

"You never thought Jay would leave without telling anyone," she finished for him.

"Yes that," he replied. "Or that he'd be gone for so long."

"It's the aka lele," Michio whispered in her ear. She frowned.

"What was that?" James asked.

"Michio is convinced that all our bad luck is the work of an aka lele," she answered, rolling her eyes.

"It wouldn't be the first time," Michio mumbled defensively.

"It's not real," she asserted.

"It sure would explain things, princess", James told her.

"If the aka lele is real, then where is the harbinger? You are the only one who saw it," Annastasia said to Michio. "It could have been something else you saw in the sky."

"I am not the only one who witnessed it," he replied defensively. "Ask the Illumise and Volbeat, or Plusle and Minun. They saw it," Michio told her.

"Ok, well what do you think that the harbinger was trying to warn us about anyway?" she inquired.

"I don't know. A great flood, raging fire, zombie apocalypse…" Michio listed. "Worldwide chaos, destruction, death. It could be anything at all I suppose."

"Your optimism is motivating," Annastasia responded.

Jessie woke up and rubbed her eyes. "Hey princess," she yawned. "What time is it?"

"Ten," she and Michio answered together.

Jessie got up and stretched. Rose was still curled up on the couch, snoring softly. She picked her up and stuck her in her bassinet. Then she took Silver from James.

"Today Jay is not my favorite son," she told the baby.

"Dadadada," Rose chanted from behind her. Silver opened his eyes to gaze at Annastasia.

"Has Silver started talking yet?" Michio inquired.

"No. Rose started early," James responded.

"I wouldn't call that talking. It's too early for that. They are just making noises," said Annastasia. "But she is intelligent, I can see it in her eyes."

"She is my daughter, so of course she is intelligent," Jessie remarked.

"Intelligence does have nothing to do with how quickly they hit the milestones. Anna-chan you didn't talk until you were two years old," James reminded her. "And you are very intelligent."

"Thanks papa. So where did everyone else go?" she questioned.

"Mewtwo, Lucario, Lily, Maya, and some of your other Pokémon, I think Star and Abnoba, took the kids to the ocean. They wanted to try and catch some Pokémon, get their minds off things and prepare for the contest in Allamanda City," Jessie explained.

"And Logan?" Annastasia asked.

"He and Squirt Gun are around here somewhere. I think they weren't up for the beach and decided to hang out here instead," James responded. "Meowth and Lucy said he wanted a break from all the chaos. Speaking of which, they are going to be back around noon for lunch. You two should join us."

"Wobbaffffetttt," Wobbufet chanted as he walked into the room. He handed Annastasia a brown bag.

"What's this?" she questioned.

"Coconut macaroons," James responded. "I know you aren't one for sweets, but these are really good and they are made with high quality ingredients."

"Thanks papa," Annastasia replied. "I'll put these to good use."

Annastasia wrote her name on the bag and stuck the dessert in the far back of the fridge. Both Michio and her parents noticed her delicate steps and the careful manner in which she moved.

"Did you get hurt recently?" her mother asked as she inspected her arms.

Annastasia took back her arm. "It's fine, mom, I only feel tired," she answered sleepily.

They glared at her doubtfully and she sighed.

"I had another seizure and fell. Please don't give me that look," she requested.

"Go rest," her parents told her in unison.

"I will," she answered. She headed to her bedroom. "I'll see you later."

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Nearly two months into the Battle Frontier, Tyler and Brodie decided to leave Lucas, Jake, Nolan, Lexi, and Viviana in favor of returning to work. With the Kanto economy experiencing a slight financial depression, it was becoming more and more difficult for young Pokémon trainers to afford the traveling and training costs that comes from doing Pokémon journeys. A few weeks after they left, Jake and Viviana decided to give up as well, leaving only Nolan, Lexi, and Rita's little brother Lucas to complete the Battle Frontier. The three of them were now breaking in a Viridian café.

"Am I being a third wheel?" Lucas asked as he watched Lexi and Nolan share a cup of tea.

"Everyone always asks us that," Lexi responded. "The thing is, we are dirt poor and a daily cup of tea is a whole lot cheaper when you only have to buy half of it."

"Team Rocket isn't paying you much," Lucas guessed.

"Not yet. We have to finish training, then we can start getting paid above the minimal wage. It's harder than I thought. Advanced TR agents have my respect," said Nolan.

"Sorry about that. Look at it this way, we only have two more locations to go before we reach our goal," Lucas responded. "We are pretty good at this stuff. I personally didn't think I would do this well".

"You did go to the best school in Kalos, Sinnoh, and Unova combined," Lexi replied. "You shouldn't be too surprised."

"I am wondering what I am going to do after this though. This might sound dumb, but I don't really know what the point of the Battle Frontier is. I mean at least in the leagues you get fame and money," said Lucas.

"You get placed in the trainers' Hall of Fame and get a fifty percent discount on all Pokémon related costs for a lifetime," Nolan explained. "It might not pay off now, but it will later."

"I know that, but Pokémon Centers are already free," Lucas replied. "So are potions, Pokeballs, Pokémon food, and storage."

"True, but special items cost money. Great Balls, Ultra Balls, stronger potions, Pokémon treats, grooming supplies. Those things get expensive," said Lexi.

"Maybe I should get a job. My old man has just always paid for everything. That isn't going to last much longer," Lucas responded.

"You can join Team Rocket," Nolan suggested.

"No. That kind of work is not for me. I want something with regular hours," he replied.

"Call your sister. She'll tell you about all the openings there are in Team Rocket. Not everyone is a field agent; a lot of people there have regular office hours," Lexi explained.

"I suppose I will then, if that is the case. To be honest the last few weeks I have been looking into getting a job as a Geo-catcher," Lucas told them. "Mariana really likes it."

"I don't think you'd be able to travel together anymore if you are looking for a stationary job," said Nolan.

"Me neither, but I think I am going to put the Battle Frontier on pause. I can save my symbols and then finish later this year or next year," Lucas responded. "Is that cool with you?"

"You do what you want, and don't worry about us," Lexi replied.

"Have you already started looking for a job? It might be a good idea to do that first," Nolan told him.

"Professor Oak Sr. said he could give me a little project; he is willing to pay me for my assistance. I will be working with two other people my age. He said they were family friends of his," Lucas explained. "Or I can join Tomoko, Carol, and Flare's group. I can learn on the go the same way Anika, Soledad, and Mariana did: on the go."

"I say go for it," said Lexi. "If you want to do something, don't hold back. What you propose doing sounds exciting. And you did go to prep school. You are perfectly suited for that type of work."

"I agree with her," said Nolan.

"I feel bad kind of leaving you two," Lucas told them.

"Don't feel bad. Things change, we're cool about it. Right Lexi?" Nolan responded.

"For sure", she answered.

"Thanks. I suppose I should start the application. I can pick it up the next time we head over to a Pokémon Center," he responded. "They put them all over the place now, hoping more graduates would consider going into the field of research and field study."

"Let us know if you need anything," Lexi replied.

"I'm good for now, but I'll keep that in mind", he replied. "Thanks for the support."

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*Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

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In The Next Chapter:

Amber has never been more confused in her entire life

A journal and a Jess

Some sad news