The Journal
Chapter 141: Kanto: Where Dreams and Adventures Live On?
"Throughout our lives, we long to love ourselves more deeply and to feel connected with others. Instead, we often contract, fear intimacy, and suffer a bewildering sense of separation. We crave love, yet we are lonely. Our delusion of being separate from one another, of being apart from all that is around us, gives rise to all of this pain.
But a dove struggling in a storm grows stronger than an eagle soaring in sunshine."
Sharon Salzberg and Matshona Dhliwayo
The lights were out as and my partner and our Pokémon slept in inestimable darkness. My sore body bore lingering wires. Multiple machines monitoring my brain and heart and I had an IV in each arm, yet I felt fine. Sore was normal and normal was comfortable.
I stared at the ceiling, waiting for someone else to wake up.
Xatu was the first.
"Xatuuuu," he hummed as he watched me.
"Here we are again," I muttered. "I'd really like to know what happened this time. May you tell me?"
Xatu looked away. I groaned and hit my head against the pillow.
Amber woke.
"Good morning, Badass," Amb yawned. She stretched, then twirled my hair with her feathery fingertips. "I can't even tell you how relieved I am to see ya. How long have you been awake?"
"Just a few minutes," I murmured.
"Can I kiss you?"
"Yes."
She pressed her lips to my forehead. We breathed together.
I tugged one of the wires attached to my chest. "What did I do this time?"
"You don't remember?" she replied, raising her eyebrows.
"Was it embarrassing?"
"No. What was your very last memory?"
It took me a while to answer that question.
"Harper said something about how we had to go inside the Tree of Beginning with him. I remember hearing a loud screech, then felt as though the wind was knocked out of me, and it was dark. Then there was pain in my chest. I heard people talking. One of them Annie, another was you, and Valé too…was that all a dream?"
"No, that's about right," Amber replied. She chuckled. "Well, Jezz, you sure know how to time your emergencies."
"Please explain."
"Well...you died."
I checked her face for seriousness. The truth was concealed in her benignant gaze and boundless grin.
"Great," I said. "What else?"
"You spent six minutes dead, Jezz," she continued. "I'm not making this up. Cross my heart, double pinky-swear promise it's true."
"That's a first for me. How did that happen?"
"Since I don't know exactly what parts you recall, I'll probably repeat some of the stuff that you remember…"
"It's okay. I prefer that."
"Good. Umm...sure you don't remember?"
"I don't recall: double pinky-swear promise I don't."
"K...it's just hard to talk about."
"Oh, Amb, it can wait."
"Well, it shouldn't. Enough drama...so, we were back at the Obsidia base. Rosie, Sil, Red, Star, and Star's family showed up, just like you seem to remember, and then we discussed how we going to use Lunala to get into the Tree of Beginning. During that time, A noticed you spacing out. She said you were having a staring spell. We thought the Meowsy was causing it, but she was in Harper's arms, and Annie said that you didn't seem hypnotized, you just seemed out of it. So, we made a plan that involved the kids and Michio keeping an eye on you while the rest of our compadres helped A and Sandshrew get into the Tree. But you started complaining about pain in your chest, and we made you sit down, and then you were gasping a little. The kids started freaking out, and Jay tried to distract them, but it didn't work."
Amber noticed me flinch.
"It gets better," she said softly. "Interesting, then better."
"I'd like to know," I responded.
"Star teleported you and me out of there. Keaka had most of her stuff with her. It lasted about twelve minutes from start to finish, six or so minutes of CPR and then six minutes of you being totally gone. Then the Meowsy came. She felt like…A…yeah, she felt a lot like A, and there's an explanation for that too…and slowly you started to come back. The doctors had been ignoring you because you were already officially de—they were too busy with something else...but Jay, Valé, Keaka, your Pokémon, Pip, and I saw it all."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Amber kissed my forehead again. Pip stroked my arm and my Pokémon cuddled as close as space could allow.
"It was definitely the most dramatic thing I've ever been through," Amb murmured. "And it was awesome—awesome cuz you're okay."
"What happened to Annie?" I asked.
"After she, Star, and the Sandshrew removed the Morimar from the Tree and lent the Tree their energy, Sandshrew weakened and weakened until supposedly, presumably, we think, it died. And you know what that means. It meant that A was in big trouble. Basically, the same thing that happened to you happened to her—"
"—Is she okay?"
"I'm getting to that—and yes, she's okay."
"Then please continue."
"A and Sandshrew got to the heart of the Tree together, but they were unable to provide it with enough life energy to kickstart its health, so Star, that Umbreon, and those Eevee stepped up. After that intervention, those legendary Pokémon, Ultra Beasts, and the fusions attacking us stopped. The formerly opposing Ultra Beasts went back through the wormholes, this time taking those Shadow Pokémon with them. With the help of TR's devices, Jamie's Silvally sealed the wormholes once and for all. Since then, you, A, Star, and the Tree returned to health. Jamie believes that Star's aura is now matched with Annie's; she replaced Sandshrew's after Sandshrew's replaced Scarlett's."
"I believe his theory to be correct."
"Ditto. Other than 'nerdy', how do you feel?"
"Pretty good. Still curious. Keep telling me about the others please."
"A regained all her strength, instantly, as if someone used a Max Potion on her. She says she can't even remember what it felt like to be in that weak state. And something else cool happened."
"What?"
"You know how when A touches a dead plant, it returns to life?"
"Yes. It's because of her aura. It gives her that supernatural ability."
"Well, that ability spreads."
"You are implying that she can bring life to creatures, too."
"I am."
"That can't be true."
"Okay, so I exaggerated…but when Jay hugged her, his broken arm was healed. It took us a little while to understand what happened since his arm was already numbed by a Heal Bell, but we noticed it glowing a little. Keaka did an x-ray on Jay and found that it was fully healed. And you, you are too. Your heart was bleeding, like literally. One touch and you were better. You still got your diseases and all, but at least we never have to worry about being hurt. It's like restoring some of the life within ourselves. Neat, huh?"
"I can't wait to witness more. I can write about this."
"You're an epic nerd."
"I sure feel like one. What happened to Harper?"
"The little shit has got mad aura ability. This kid literally can see through walls. There is no other way he can see what he sees. And he tracked his mother. A teleported to the Tree as planned, and then Michio left him with He-ran, and he left, and Harper tricked He-ran and followed Michio. He met up with Rose, Silver, and Red, and they used a Type: Null to open a micro-wormhole that teleported them into the Tree of Beginning. Then Harper led Star and her family to the heart as if he'd been there before."
"How did he know what to do?"
"I don't think anyone knows. He said that if A and Star we not in the heart of the Tree, then they wouldn't have been healed and then given the abilities they were given; Harper understood this and wanted to make sure it happened."
"He and I are going to discuss this later. What happened to Linette? I reckon she's safe."
"Yup. Jay and Valé are entertaining her, but last I saw, she looked ready for a nap."
"It seems I owe my life and happiness to a lot of people."
"You don't owe anyone anything. We just did our best and you defied a lot of odds."
"I think I'm the luckiest person alive."
Amb and I laughed together.
"So, where do we go from here?" I asked.
"Your 'siblings' would like to see you, so that's prob what we should do first. I know that Jamie and Benja are at The Grange, baking you a cake. They also mentioned that when you become conscious again, they need to discuss something important with you."
"They should probably come to me," I said as I glanced over the wires and IVs attached to me.
"Will I get in trouble if I just rip them off?"
"Not sure."
Amb and I tentatively removed the IVs together, then the wires. I was wobbly on my feet.
"No alarms sounded, so I say we blow this popsicle stand," Amb said when we were done.
"Isn't there a bill?" I replied, knowing that there had to be.
"Probably, but let's not worry about that now. Let's go home."
XO
"He's back!" I heard Logan cheer as Amb and I approached The Grange's veranda. "Oh, brother, brother. You look good for someone who died then came back to life. Did you see the light? How do ya feel?"
"I don't recall a light," I said as we embraced. "And I feel super."
Peruva yelped happily. She placed her paws on my shoulders and licked my face. I scratched the special place under her neck that only Michio, Logan, and I could ever seem to find. Amb summarized our conversation at the hospital for them.
Keaka joined us. She immediately handed me a glass of lemon-flavored seltzer and a bottle of medicine.
"That heart medication tends to make patients' stomachs queasy," she explained. "How are you?"
"Not queasy at all," I said after taking the medicine.
"Your health profile is astounding. You seem all but cured of your conditions… People from all around the world are going to want to hear your story."
"Don't put me on a pedestal, please, it's not like I controlled what happened to me. If anything, it's all because of Annie."
"It doesn't surprise me that Annastasia Morgan just saved the world."
"…With a little help from her friends," Amb coughed.
"Certainly. So, Jezz, I'm sure your other family members and friends would like to see you. Come inside; I'll get you tea and then call the hospital to let them know that your escape did not end in tragedy."
"I very much appreciate that," I replied.
XO
Jay came running down the stairs the moment my foot hit the welcome rug.
"Oh, Jezz! You're okay!" he shrieked.
Jay pulled me into a deathly hug.
"Careful," Keaka warned. "He's sensitive in the chest area."
"Right," Jay said as he let go of me.
His baby-blue eyes were gleaming. He went on about how worried he was, how happy he was when he received confirmation that I would be able to recover from this, how well Linette was behaving, and basically every feeling he felt since I announced that my chest was in pain back in Toka.
As Jay was finishing up his dramatic oration, Valentino came moseying down the stairs, undoubtedly having been motivated by his partner's frenzy.
"You are standing with minor assistance. Well done, my friend," he smiled.
I had both feet planted firmly on the ground as I leaned slightly against the kitchen counter. I stood still as he came up to me.
"She's napping, in case you are wondering about your daughter," Valé added.
"Oh. Thank you," I responded.
'Daughter'. I definitely did not see this coming a year ago.
"Not to blame you, but you did scare everyone. This place wouldn't be the same without you," said Valé.
"My life would've been ruined," Jay sniffled.
"Let's stop repeating the same crap over and over again," Amb suggested. "Jezz knows that we love him and nothing we say is going to make that less true."
"Fair."
I noticed A, Jamie, Benja, Michio, and Harper in the doorway. Jamie had oven mitts on and a hot pan in his hands. He put the cake down to hug me.
"Lookin good, Lil Bro," he said. "We did it. Us, the misfits, the unloved, forgotten, underestimated, undervalued—"
"—Say what you need to say without the flowery shit," Benja interrupted.
"We saved the world. We did it. You did it."
"With a little help from my friends," I replied.
My Pokémon surrounded me. Vileplume used Sweet Scent for us, Chimecho used Heal Bell, Porygon and Minun used Charge on my tired legs, Furfrou licked my face, Delcatty rubbed his face against my knee, and Xatu hovered nearby, perhaps ready to spot me should I fall.
"Your Pokémon were so worried about ya," said Jamie. "One thing that always gets me is when a trainer and his team are super tight. I'm so proud of my Jezz for making his own little fam within a fam."
"They are the most amazing creatures in the world, without a doubt," I responded.
The Pokémon all resounded their joy and acceptance.
"Where's everyone else? All those people who were in Toka?" I inquired.
"Most of our friends are still in Toka, cleaning up the mess that was left behind," said Amb. "But that 'mess' is really just equipment. Rita says that the grass is green again, and it is not as cold, the storms stopped, and the sun is out. I saw that too, but Rita says it's improving. Toka, Euon, Kanto…the whole world is becoming full of life."
"We must emphasize to you that the war has ended, and so has the life of Sandshrew," said Valé. "The last of the Morimars has been destroyed once and for all and that caused the perishing of Sandshrew."
"Thank you for making sure I knew," I responded.
"The civilians of Euon, Toka, and Northern Kanto still have compromises to form and promises to pledge, but the future is bright, and you are partially to thank," Amb said as she and Jay squeezed my hands.
"It's all over the news, what you did," said Jay.
"How did the word spread so fast?" I asked.
"It's been several days," Amb replied. "It couldn't be a secret forever."
"And the transformative light was so spontaneous and grand that everyone noticed it," said Valé. "The cameras and questioning started immediately."
"It's been 'days'? It can't be…you're joking," I replied.
"You've been slipping in and out of consciousness for…three…no…four days."
"I guess I forgot to mention that," Amb mumbled. "But all you missed was chaos. The light thing was pretty cool to see, but there are probably people out there who got parts of it on tape."
"No one we know has gotten seriously hurt. Other than the Sandshrew."
"A wants to throw a funeral for it," Jay whispered in my ear. "Someone said that it is going to be similar to the one they had for Scarlett. They are going to wait for everyone to settle down."
"I didn't attend Scarlett's funeral," I reminded him.
"Michio and A have been missing Scarlett a lot, these last few days especially. A confided that she, Michio, and even Harper have been having dreams about her. I think they want to memorialize her as well when they do something for Sandshrew. It's a hunch, I am not sure what their official plans are yet," said Amb. "I don't like the idea of celebrating Sandshrew, but according to A, that isn't going to be the point."
Annie looked over from the kitchen. I wasn't sure if she heard us. It didn't matter either way because if that was her desire, we were going to go through with it regardless.
"I can use some fresh air," I announced.
XO
My friends, Linette, and I sat by the bank of the rivulet that ambled through our backyard. Quillfish, Ducklett, Poliwag, and Magicarp reveled in the overflow. Valentino pulled oyster crackers out of his pocket and passed some to each of us. We tossed them into the water and watched the Pokémon gobble them.
Jamie and Benja approached us.
"Hey, can we talk now?" Jamie asked hesitantly. "Walk and talk?"
"Sure," I responded. I turned to my other friends. "I'll come back here when I'm through, okay?"
"Have fun on your date," Amb replied.
"I'm sure I will."
Jamie, Benja, Furfrou, Jamie's Zygarde pup, Pyxie, and I walked through the forest on the path Michio and I crafted several summers earlier.
"Jezz, I've done a lot of shitty things in my lifetime," Jamie began, his tone quiet and sad. "So far…since we reunited…I only showed you one side of me."
"Me too," said Benja.
"Is this about the people you work for?" I queried.
"Yes…sorta," said Jamie.
"Are you a murderer?"
"…No…not really…"
"We were hired by Team Firestar," Benja confided. "We were desperate for work; we had sunk so low to the bottom…it wasn't until we were arrested and spent some time in jail that we signed on as spies for the International Police. But we were spying on something—someone—else before we got into that work."
"Me."
"You, Jessie, James, Annastasia…they wanted us to kill you. We didn't even know you were you at the time we signed on for that job, and we were held to a contract. When we explained our dilemma to the police force that hired us, they agreed to help protect us, and you, but no one's safety could be guaranteed due to the information we were forced to provide TFS."
"That's why it took so long for us to approach you," said Jamie. "Because we knew we were being spied on too."
"What changed?" I asked.
"Two women: Janine Anzu and Maple Cuoco," said Benja.
"What the hell do they have to do with anything?"
"We needed to learn about all your allies, from Jessie and James to Liz, to Annastasia's companions, to the children of your close friends…but someone who you didn't see often and rarely spoke with. They were the perfect candidates. They were a portal for us and the reason we got to learn about you safely."
"I was also fascinated by Maple's research," Jamie added. "But I still hate her."
"Why's that?" I replied.
"Because I know about the ketamine she gave you, how she nearly ruined your already delicate life, how hurt you were by her actions and lack thereof…she helped us but I won't ever let what she did to you go."
I was instantly ashamed, though I had no reason to be.
"You didn't do anything wrong," Benja emphasized. "The entire situation was fucked up, and you handled it better than most. We're so proud of you for that. Own it."
"I tried to be her friend," I mumbled. "I wanted to forget about the past. I wanted Amber to like her and for us to hang out together. But despite my efforts, I couldn't forgive Maple, and that's why I made the choice to cut her from my life."
"And that was a good choice," said Jamie. "We think you did the right thing."
"Janine, on the other hand, is just annoying."
"We figured that much," Benja replied.
"To clarify, we don't work for TFS anymore," said Jamie. "We even aided in bring the partially-deteriorated organization down; that was an attempt to redeem ourselves."
"It worked. Look at the outcome: no more war, Star has returned, the Sandshrew died without it being in vain, Annie and I were given an everlasting wave of vitality, I have a book to publish, and my wedding is three days from now."
"So, you're going to do it?"
"It has been my plan to marry Amb for ages."
"…I know that; I mean the publishing."
"I've worked too hard to let it go now."
"Atta boy," said Benja. "I'm so proud of the young man you've become."
"We always knew you were special," said Jamie. "But you took it to a whole new level. Bravo."
"It was with a little help from my friends, including the siblings I never knew I had," I responded. "And love immensely."
Jamie hugged us all at once.
"How'd you like to trade Xatu for this Meowsy?" Benja inquired.
"That's an unfair trade," I responded, perplexed by her suggestion.
"I think it's fair."
"This Meowsy is so rare and powerful. Her potential is through the roof. Xatu, on the other hand, just tolerates me…"
"I think you care for far more than you realize. If you don't want to trade, at least take Pyxie with you."
She plopped the kitten into my arms. I was hit with a wave of pleasure.
"Would you like to join my team?" I asked Pyxie.
She licked my hand. Another warm sensation came over me.
"She really does feel like Annie," I remarked.
There was someone else she reminded me of: the Pikachu from my dream. The one who told me—in a quite roundabout manner—that with the help of my female guardians, I could essentially overcome every obstacle thrown my way.
"Meowsy's abilities are unclassified," said Benja. "Two days ago, some of the Pokémon professor with whom you're acquainted put her through some tests. They think she has far more power than one can measure…sorta like you and this big awesome family you became a part of while we were gone."
"You're truly flattering me way too much," I mumbled.
Jamie patted my back.
"Don't worry; you'll disappoint us all eventually," he remarked. "And you earned all this. You've got a huge sphere of influence…and…I got some poetry for you…wanna hear it?"
"Literal poetry?" I queried.
"Nah…more like a philosophy…nothing you don't already know but I'm gonna make sure you hear this at least once from me."
"Then, by all means, share."
"You and I and I think all creatures, to some extent, want connections more than anything else in the world. And sometimes the people who need to feel these connections the most are the ones who miss out."
"Because I run from that."
"You used to, but not anymore. You evolved. You were an Elekid, now you're an ElectaJezz."
"You just ruined this conversation."
"The tendency to create puns runs through our karmic circle."
"I've realized this."
When we returned to the others, we discovered that more had joined us: neighbors from The Grange, my old soccer mates, their parents and siblings, Gianetto, Denisia, Elsa, Corbin, He-ran, Liz, Kainoa, Lexi, Nolan, Quin…within minutes it was too many to name. It was my karmic circle, my sphere of influence, give or take some acquaintances.
"You scared me, Jezz Morgan-Kapule," Janine said as she playfully tugged on my shirt collar. "I bet you didn't expect to see me here again."
Maple was beside her. Janine let go of my shirt and they both gazed at me with weary smiles.
"Thank you," I said as I held out my hand. They took turns reluctantly shaking it. "That's all I gotta say."
"Jezz, Sir!" Linette called, she and Pidgey-Jezz dashing towards me.
I caught her and spun her around while she screeched gleefully.
"I love…" she said, hitting my chest with her index finger. "…you."
"And I…" I replied, tickling her stomach. "…love you too."
"Awe, that's so sweet," I heard Luna say from behind me.
Luna, her sisters Ines and Zandra, and their group of friends—which included Rose, Silver, and Harper—were beside and behind her. I noticed Jessie's Wobbuffet handing out drinks and Maya was helping Logan fill a plate with miniature hotdogs. Rock music played from speakers I couldn't see. Tamaki and Jamie were tuning guitars and Janine was flirting with Rumika.
"Pop-up party! Sick!" Alex cheered.
Linette clung to Luna and Alex. The toddler laughed and bounced while holding both their hands.
"I know you don't know us too well, but I'm hoping that'll change eventually," said Luna. "After all, we've become attached to Linette; almost every time someone other than you or Amber is in charge of her, we're playing together."
"I think it's important to have friends," I said as I held my hand out to her. "I am Jezz, in case you haven't heard."
"Silly," Linette laughed, slapping my hand high-five style.
"I think everyone in the world knows you now," said Rose. "If they didn't before."
"You did it," I told Rose.
"What do you mean?"
"Your query led us all to where we are today."
"I did this?"
"You started it."
"Sweet. Imma legend."
"Rose, I have a feeling we're going down in history."
"Ahem," Jocelyn coughed.
I noticed her for the first time and shifted to make room for her and Ampharos to stand beside me.
"A lot has changed since last I saw you," Jocelyn sighed. "Oniisan, when I ask for updates, I mean real updates. You and my sister and a whole bunch of you saving the world together counts as an update."
The last message I sent to Jocelyn was about a good deal I saw online for Poffin ingredients.
"Don't make this an 'us' and 'them'," I replied. "You were a part of this too. All of us were."
"Well, it was my Pokémon who restored power to the bases and those few and far between villages," she responded.
"Ampha," Ampharos said proudly.
"What I mean to say is, I'm nothing without my circle, and you are definitely a part of that," I clarified.
"Am I a part of it?" Sil asked.
"Of course."
"Sweet!"
Sil looked so proud, and rightfully so. Rose teased him about his 'dumb' question, and Red defended Sil, embarrassing Rose. Then I walked away because my awkward preteen drama years were over and no one alive wanted to revisit them.
I looked around some more. Amb was talking with her parents and Cayson. All three of them were laugh-crying over something I couldn't witness from my current position. Valé handed Jay a martini, and he responded by pecking his cheek, and perhaps deciding that the kiss wasn't enough, wrapped his arm around him and pulled him closer. Nearby, Benja, Annie, Acorn, Aliyah, Jessie, and James conversed with Star, Pangari, Crystal, and Snowflake. I went to them.
"I was wondering if this pair of Eevee was a Mew set too," James said.
Acorn and Aliyah shook their heads.
"If anyone would know, it'd be those two," Jessie remarked.
"Veeee!" Crystal and Snowflake complained.
"Eeee," Acorn and Aliyah added.
"Too bad," Jessie sighed.
"Don't say it like that," James told Jessie. "You'll hurt their feelings. And as Michio once said: sometimes the most common Pokémon are the most special…or something like that."
"Pttf. Michio…James, we agreed to not like him," Jessie asserted.
"I can't help it. I like Michio. Where is he?"
"Most likely somewhere away from the crowd," I replied.
"Right…he's like Anna-chan, preferring the quiet…
I didn't go into a discussion about how Michio's 'preference' was too weak a word to describe that, because I was no longer an arguing lawyer or politician. I was retired. Now I'm just Jezz, the occasional social justice warrior, but no longer the man who needed his voice to be heard by all means necessary.
"I'm sorry," I told Jessie and James. "And thankful. I know it's been a long time coming."
They raised their eyebrows then asked what I was talking about.
"You were always there for me, even when I couldn't see it, and I know this," I continued. "And you know it too."
Jessie exhaled and then looked at me in a way I don't think she ever looked at me before.
"I've always liked you," she said. "You're scrappy, you're cute, and you make my babies happy. I can't dislike someone like that."
"You are the exact opposite of Jessiebelle," I replied. "And I love that about you." I looked at James, who was gazing at me with what seemed to be contentment. "You're like Annie. So much so. And—"
"—I'm stopping you there," Jessie interrupted.
"Oh?"
"I don't want people calling her 'Annie'. Not you, not Michio, not anyone anymore. I gave her a name fit for a queen because I knew that one day, she'd become one."
"My apologies."
"You didn't know," James said in my defense. "And either did I. Is that truly the only reason?"
"Yes," Jessie replied.
"Btw, I know what you were going to say, and I appreciate it."
"Ditto."
"Thank you," I responded.
Amb joined us and handed me a package.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Just a pre-wedding gift from someone named Haku Kahale," she replied.
"Seriously?"
Furfrou sniffed the box, then confirmed Amb's words with a nod in my direction.
"That's…odd," I remarked.
"Yeah, so weird how she got you something but not me," Amb replied.
"Haku. Does everyone I think hates me actually like me?"
"Don't go that far; I think she probably…no idea. Wonder what it could be."
"Perhaps something to do with Harper…he's the only connection I have to her nowadays."
"Maybe."
"I'm bringing this inside. See you in a few."
"Catcha later."
XO
When I got to the foyer, I looked back over the front yard. There were dozens of people in the gardens, pool area, walking paths, field, and gondolas, humans and Pokémon in the grass, water, and air. Everyone was talking, laughing, dancing, running, singing, eating, lounging…It seemed that at last, we were all enjoying life without the worries of war, work, and inescapable demise.
I placed the package on my bed beside my antediluvian journal. Next to that was my Time Distortion book.
Rose followed me into my room, Pyxie in her arms, and the Deerling I once trained lingering behind her.
"I had a vision about us," Rose said as she placed the Meowsy on my bed.
"What else was in it?" I queried.
"It was about you getting hurt inside the Tree of Beginning…I knew it was going to happen, so I tried to stop you from going. What I mean is, it wasn't all Harper and Star's fault we were there. I begged Star to take us to you. I wanted to see if the vision was a true one."
She was upset. I put my arm around her and we sat together.
"I bet in a few years, you'll be a fine Aura Guardian," I said. "Perhaps the best in the world."
"You think so?" she asked. "But you have to be born into it…"
"It's not something that exists in our genes the way you are probably thinking. It's not like eye color or skin tone…it's about your connections and your capacity for empathy."
"That's why Harper's special: he's empathetic and really close to Onēsan."
"Yup. And that's true for you too. And Silver. All of us."
"I never thought I could be something so cool like that. I feel invisible and most of my visions are stupid. So, what if I can see ten seconds into the future at random times? It doesn't change anything."
"You'd be special no matter what. Know why?"
"Because I'm a gift from Arceus?"
"No, because I'm a gift from Arceus, and you happen to know me."
"Duh…shoulda known!"
She laughed, patted her Pokémon, then set her eyes on the unopened package.
"Where'd you get that?" she asked.
"Haku," I replied.
"The Haku I know? The one who is…you know…H—"
"—yes, that one. Furfrou sniffed it and claims it is safe, and since I trust that dog more than I trust myself, I'm going to keep it."
"Open it!"
"I'm not sure if I want to do that now."
"Now! Now!"
I handed Rose a mint. "Take a chill pill."
She popped it into her mouth and smiled devilishly.
"I'm worried it might be something private, something you shouldn't see," I murmured.
"Then I'll put my hands over my eyes," Rose suggested as she demonstrated. "Then you can tell me when it's safe to look!"
"Works for me…"
"Do it!"
"Okay, okay. Now cover your eyes."
"Got it. They're closed, now open! Do it!"
I laughed when I saw the contents.
"What's so funny?" Rose asked. "When can I look?!"
"You may not believe your eyes," I said.
"Can I look?!"
"Yes."
Rose's face fell. "Those are just pears."
"I love pears."
"Urgh, how lame! Why would she give you those?"
"I don't know, but there's a note attached…"
The message was simple:
'I heard you like pears,
Haku'.
"Of all the things…why?" said Rose.
"Perhaps she'd like to start a conversation," I mused.
"But you're a lawyer—maybe she's going to take Harper away!"
"I don't think this is anything like this. She let go of him and everyone involved is better off for it."
"…Maybe…I don't want him to move away. I always worry about that, you know?"
"I'm sure you're not the only one…I have an idea."
"What?"
"Let's shove these books back onto the shelf, then Jamie and I can show you a new soccer game."
"Are you for real or are you joking?"
"Only one way to find out…follow me."
+ The inspiration and aesthetic for this chapter (and story) is the quote: "Throughout our lives, we long to love ourselves more deeply and to feel connected with others. Instead, we often contract, fear intimacy, and suffer a bewildering sense of separation. We crave love, yet we are lonely. Our delusion of being separate from one another, of being apart from all that is around us, gives rise to all of this pain," by Sharon Salzberg combined with the quote: "A dove struggling in a storm grows stronger than an eagle soaring in sunshine," by Matshona Dhliwayo.
+ The Heroine, Stand by You, and Pokemon Karaoke: The Reboot edits are complete! I am working on the Alola Trials edits now! Today I got up to the chapter titled 'Sweet Serendipity'.
+ Next up...a closing poem? Could it be that this nearly decade-long project concludes?!