Chapter 5

Matt's eyes peeled open, sunlight burning them. Attempting to chase the tail of whatever strange dream he had endured, it soon slipped his mind as he sat up in bed, sighing hot air and rubbing aching eyes. How much sleep did he even need? It didn't matter how much he slept the day before—he was still exhausted. He sat there, taking in the room. Correction: his room.

It wasn't large by any means, but there was enough floor space to not feel cramped. Aside from his bed, there was closet space, a desk with a computer, and even a love seat placed in front of a flat screen in the opposite corner of where his bed was. Everything looked brand new, but only now could he take in this information. It had been so dark the night before, and all he could think about was being with Sissy.

Speaking of which, she continued to snooze beside him. Her hand was around his wrist, the vice grip cutting off blood flow. But did he have it in him to pull her off? Instead, he settled for lying back down, pulling her close. She mumbled something in her sleep.

"Come again?" Matt chuckled.

"You remember?" she repeated herself.

"Sure do. How could I forget last night. I'm still sore."

"I wasn't that rough, you lair," she grumbled, eyes still shut tight. It seemed as though Matt wasn't the only one who couldn't get enough sleep. Matt kissed her nose, hearing her tail thump as it wagged beneath the covers.

"Rub my back…." she grumbled some more.

"Somebody's demanding this morning," Matt teased. He rolled her over to her other side, Sissy playfully remaining limp, making him do all the work. Back rubs commenced. Sissy sighed with relief and comfort, tail brushing into him as it continued to wag.

"I'm not demanding," she retorted, be it a bit delayed, mousy voice.

"I dunno. Sounds like something a bad girl would say."

Sissy bumped her butt into his crotch.

"I am not a bad girl."

"Oh? Really now?" Matt felt a surge of carnal desire hit him. He reached forward, cupping one of her breasts, giving it a squeeze. "Uh, pup?"

"Hmm?"

"I wanna say something, but I don't know if you'll bite me or not if I do."

"Do you really wanna risk it?" she mumbled, wiggling her butt into him as they spooned.

"Maybe. They feel bigger."

"Pssh."

"I mean it, honest."

"Glad to know you missed me so much."

"It was supposed to be a complement."

Matt's hand moved on it's own, his fingers motioning around the sensitive areas of her chest. Soft, squishy, and warm. He pinched a nipple. She pushed her butt further into him.

"Are they really bigger?" She asked, more so out of curiosity.

"I think so?"

"Wasn't like they were worth writing home about before," Sissy scoffed, again sighing. This time, it was heavy.

"Sounds like a weird thing to write to your family about."

"Okay, smart ass," Her hand reached around, grabbing his ass. She gave a tight grip, making Matt jerk from the unexpected gesture.

"And I thought I was being too forward."

"For all I care you could-" Sissy proceeded to say everything that Matt could have done to her at that moment, not holding back. Matt felt himself grow pale.

"Holy shit." Those were about the only words that felt like an appropriate response.

"Too much?" she laughed.

"I mean, we'd probably need to think of safe word, but I just wasn't expecting you to be so blunt about it."

"Well, I'm not the shy Growlithe I once was. Or the prude. Or absolute bitch."

"I mean, you're technically always going to be a bitch, but—hey!"

Teeth met his forearm. Sissy had grabbed his hand that was toying with her, nibbling on him. Not enough to break skin, but having enough pressure to ensure he didn't dare move it away from her in fear of causing some real damage. She eventually let go.

"I know I'm not supposed to talk bad about myself like that," Sissy acknowledged. "I just have a lot of guilt left over from…. everything."

She gasped, feeling his hand go south.

"How I see it, there's only two possibilities: Either you're a good girl, or a bad girl. So which is it?"

Sissy contemplated this, letting Matt's hand move between her legs, tail thumping into him.

"That depends," Sissy played, reaching back to pull on his hair. "What gets you inside me quicker?"

"You really have changed."

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Sissy grew "grumpy" once more, though was all an act, not attempting to make it anything else. "You're the one telling me my boobs got bigger."

"I mean, not that much bigger."

"You wanna get bit for real this time, I could—oh!" She was cut off by a surge of physical pleasure, feeling Matt's finger go inside her. "You can't say shit to me. Or does your hand have a mind of it's own?"

"Well, all things considered," Matt whispered into her ear, evading her question. "I'd love you even if you were a bad girl."

Sissy pulled her body around, the two of them soon making out beneath the sheets.

"What does being a good girl get me?" Sissy panted, finally getting air.

"Pets and head kisses."

"And what about if I'm a bad girl?" She begged.

"I'll have to improvise on that one. Unless you have any ideas?"

Sissy looked deep into his eyes, getting lost. Then something came to her.

"We could…. try something new?"

Matt grew silent.

"What'd you have in mind?"

Matt stared at the ceiling, wide eyes, questioning his life choices. And yet, he couldn't deny that he enjoyed it. Sissy, curled up beside him, being far larger in her alternate form, licked his face.

"If there really is a hell, I'm going to it." Matt muttered to himself.

"You'd be surprised how common it is," Sissy told him. They left it at that, getting ready for breakfast.

He had never been more thankful for the invention of the radio until that morning at breakfast. Matt's eyes drifted off into the void as he nibbled on scrambled eggs and toast, pretending not the catch the concerned looks Sissy was shooting his way. Telling himself to not think about their morning "experience" made breakfast easier to swallow. His ears were pinned to the radio broadcast.

"And that just about does it folks!" the radio announcer chimed. "To all of you faithful listeners, we have a wonderful announcement to make. The winner of our contest is announced. Lucky number 13 was picked first by Danny Williams. Danny, if you're listening out there, congratulations, you've won the grand prize. Come on down to-"

Mom switched the radio station, searching for something more easy on the ears.

"I can only stand so much of his voice," she mentioned, picking some classical channel.

Matt glanced to the couch, seeing Craig snoozing. The smell of breakfast or the radio hadn't woken him.

"I'm not used to listening to music on the radio," Matt commented, ignoring Sissy's stare. "I can't remember the last time I even turned on a radio."

Mom shrugged, moving through the kitchen back to the table.

"Call me old fashioned," Mom joked. Right as she was about to sit down, there was a knock at the door. Matt felt his body tense, but couldn't explain why. He didn't like surprises. Not after everything he had endured. Especially not at breakfast. Somewhat put off by the bad timing, Mom sighed once more, heading over to the front door.

"Package for you, ma'am," the delivery boy on the other side said. "All I need is for you is to sign-" the young kid stopped; Matt could see how pale he looked. "Wait, you're Lily! Lily Inferno!"

Mom couldn't help but laugh, patting the young boy on the head.

"I take it you're a fan?"

"Am I?!" The kid nearly burst into pieces. The wave of confusion that hit Matt left him squinting. Yes, he vaguely remembered Mom's name, but it wasn't used often. He quickly lost interest in his breakfast, watching Mom sign something for him.

"You're the best!" the kid boomed. "Are you still competing?"

"Oh, no," Mom waved her hand, "I gave that up years ago."

"Where's Dante?" the kid peaked inside the home, but Mom quickly cut him off.

"Would you like to meet him?" Mom asked. The distraction worked enough for the kid's wandering eyes to freeze."

"REALLY?!"

"Of course! Why don't you come by tomorrow. He's visiting for the week."

At this, the kid looked side-swiped.

"You mean you're still not a couple?"

Seeing only the side of her face from where he sat, Matt saw pain in Mom's eyes. She played it off with a forced smile despite tearing up a little. The kid didn't seem to notice.

"We're the best of friends," she told him. After a few more minutes of talking, Mom was finally able to close the door. When she did, she paused, leaning on it for support. The conversation had taken far more out of her than she was expecting so early in the morning.

It felt like there was a lump of ice where her heart should have been.

Why did things have to be so complicated? That was just how life was, she concluded to herself, doing her best to keep a brave face while joining the table. She let out a laugh, but both Sissy and Matt could tell it wasn't genuine.

"Fans," Mom laughed, avoiding eye contact. "What can you do?"

"I didn't realize you were that well known," Matt mentioned. "And you were a Pokemon Trainer?"

"Hadn't I mentioned that to you before?" Mom asked. "Well, it might have been when we first met. It's been so long I even sometimes forget. Yes, I was a Trainer—and a damn good one!" Again, she laughed. Matt wasn't used to hearing her swear. It seemed so forced. Mom was desperately trying to hold herself together as the unexpected emotional baggage came dropping over her shoulders.

"Dad's coming over?" Sissy asked, tail starting to wag.

"It was supposed to be a surprise," Mom sighed once again. "We've…. we'll, we're seeing where we stand on things."

"Wait a second…." Matt closed his eyes, really trying to think. "Sissy's real father? You and him were a thing?"

"Again, I thought we talked about this." Mom's voice sounded more sharp than intended. "I'm sorry, Matthew."

"You're okay!" Matt was quick on this note. "I really didn't want to stir up any painful emotions. I just…. wow, I really didn't see that coming."

"I was his Trainer after all," Mom smiled. This one felt solid. Real. Warmth came back to her.

"I'm sure there's a long story behind all of that," Matt commented.

"Oh, you have no idea," Mom laughed. "But enough about me—aren't you two supposed to be seeing Chip?"

"After we eat and get ready we'll be on our way," Sissy clarified to her.

"Are you planning on going anywhere else?"

"Mom, please, I'm not a child," Sissy's fur stood on end.

"I was only asking because I was curious," Mom told her. "Watch your tone, or I will be telling you what you can and can't do. You live under my roof, and I'm paying bills. Weren't you supposed to be looking into getting a job?"

"I have been! Or was…." Sissy looked to Matt. "Now that Matt's back, I thought I'd talk to him about his plans."

"You could have worked at the Pokemart in the meantime," Mom went on, stepping over boundaries as mothers are always prone to.

"They only hire humans!"

"Not true—the sign said they hire anyone who's qualified."

"And what I'm not qualified?" Sissy barked back. Matt shut up, pretending to be distracted by his toast. He felt it best to keep his head down during one of their arguments.

"Then that's pretty sad," Mom chuckled. "Be honest, honey, you didn't want the job because you didn't feel like working."

"I didn't apply for the stupid job because I hate people!" Sissy yelled. She was standing, fists balled against the table. Mom wasn't phased, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Young lady, I will get my training gear if you keep acting like this." Mom's eyes were as sharp as swords, her tone alone making Matt's spine feel like pudding. He had never seen this side to her before. "We've spoken not only about work, but your temper. I suggest you shape up."

Sissy didn't say anything, slouching back into her chair.

"Yes, Mom…." Sissy whimpered into her lap.

Finding every excuse to leave the house early, Sissy and Matt walked side by side down the street, Matt following Sissy to Chip's store as she complained. She had been erupting with rage ever since they left the front door. It had also been decided to let Craig sleep while Matt was away. He looked like he needed it. Besides, Matt didn't want him hearing some of the language Sissy was using.

"I'm old enough to have my own kids, and she still treats me like a fucking child!" Sissy raged. "I'm sick of living with her! I honestly can't stand her!"

"Sissy, don't you think you're overreacting?" Matt asked her. "I'm not saying she was right to get on your case like that, but is getting upset really going to help anything?"

"I guess some things haven't changed about you," Sissy scoffed, stomping off ahead. Matt felt his hand forced, reaching out for her wrist. He had intended on stopping her from storming away, heavily underestimating just how strong his Growlithe was. His feet lost footing, flopping forward as she dragged him along. She stopped, realizing what had happened. Her ears perked, startled.

"Are you okay?!" she panicked, watching Matt dust off his shins. His pants were mostly spared aside from a small rip. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I-"
"Sissy, please," Matt urged her.

His spine began to tingle.

Matt felt himself step forward and embrace her. He wrapped his arms around her body, feeling something wiggling in his ear. It itched, but he ignored it.

"I don't think Mom meant to upset you." Matt's words felt instinctual. "She didn't sound happy to begin with after that delivery kid showed up. Don't you think she was on edge? She didn't mean to hit sensitive topics with you, but you both fed into each others anger. Now you're both hurt. Let's let this go for now. I have your back, puppy, and I always will."

There were no tears or emotions bursting from the seams. Only calm. Sissy hugged her Trainer back, somewhat dazed.

"W-what were we talking about?"

"Hmm?" Confused, Matt saw the blank stare Sissy carried.

I know your pain, something inside him spoke. Again, his ear itched.

"Son of a bitch," Matt grit his teeth, pushing a finger in his ear. Whatever the hell was messing with him was getting old. For a second, he faintly remembered something about what he dreamed the night before. But it left him as soon as it had come.

I too have suffered….

"What's wrong?" Sissy asked.

"It's nothing," Matt lied. "Just something I'll want to talk to Otto about."

If I ever see him again, he added in silence. They continued onward to Chip's shop, only about a block away now. Sissy hadn't said another word, but didn't appear to be holding back. Just like that, her emotions had swung from chaos to calm in a matter of a few words.

Just as he began to tell himself his day couldn't get any weirder, he stepped into a shop with no sign out front. He stopped dead in his tracks as the door bell chimed, taking in the sights.

Laying on tables were rocks and stones of all types, some he had heard of, other's he believed to be made up. Beside a basket of fire stones were decks of cards, all in pretty, unique boxes. Leather bound books lined the walls. Pokeball belts hung on racks, each one having particular themes, with gemstones attached. A rack of oils lined the front desk beside a display of painted Pokeballs. Matt read them as he mindless wandered through the shop, both confused and amused.

It replicated the same old gimmick shops used back on Earth. The ones that sold crystals and cauldrons and wands—the type of shit people who never grew up fed into. It was the woo-woo type of stuff you read about online at three in the morning. Of magic, of monsters, of all types of bullshit people believed in order to feel better about a slow and meaningless death.

I wish I could buy into this crap, Matt thought to himself. And yet, he considered where he was standing. A universe where Pokemon existed. Perhaps anything was possible, but his mind had its limits on what lies it was willing to believe.

"I didn't realize your boyfriend was into this sort of stuff."

"Yeah, it can seem pretty silly," A stranger's voice called out. Matt spun on his heels, taken by surprise.

He was tan with a long, flowing ponytail that laid over his shoulder. Happy, bright brown eyes greeted them both. He extended his arms as Sissy rushed to him, both embracing. Though conflicted, Matt felt a warmth in his heart. It was cute. He didn't have to be thrilled about it, but it was honest and pure. Sissy kissed Chip on the lips. Then turned, looking flustered.

"I-"

Matt raised a hand.

"You're fine," Matt laughed. He saw Chip smile.

"You're as kind as Sissy said you were," Chip chuckled. "We'll try to keep the PDA to a limit, won't we Sissy? I'm not trying to upset your boyfriend—especially not after we just met."

"She's a big girl," Matt smiled. Any hint of jealousy that might have been there before, wasn't. "I take it you know about my history?"

Chip blinked.

"Uh…. I'm pretty sure everybody does," Chip mentioned. "If it wasn't for the shaved head and beard you've got going on there, I wouldn't have known who you were."

"He doesn't know yet," Sissy told Chip.

"Don't know what?" Matt asked.

"I thought you two would have talked about that," Chip commented, somewhat concerned.

"It was late, and I was selfish," Sissy sighed.

"Sissy? What are you not telling me?" Matt felt his body tense.

"You're a bigger icon around Kanto than you realize," Chip spoke, not holding back the truth. "Ever since the incident at Esco Towers, you've been immortalized in art, writing, and you've even got a statue. That's not to mention all your other exploits. Haven't you read your book?"

"My book?" Matt blurted.

"Yeah, that writer guy that was tagging along with you on your crazy adventures," Chip added.

"Chip, I need a favor," a voice came through the opening front door. "I don't know if you have any left, but I'm looking for-"

Kane stopped dead in his tracks, feeling a lump in his stomach.

"Well shit…." Kane muttered under his breath. So much for a low profile.

"Kane?" Matt muttered.

"Speak of the devil!" Chip laughed.

"I'll come back later," Kane awkwardly squawked, spinning around for the door.

"Hold on a second!" Matt shouted, chasing after him. He knew Kane had some involvement in his "fame", but he was tired of not getting the full truth.

Kane had already slipped out the front door, Matt throwing it back open.

He was gone.

Stepping out into the street, Matt looked in both directions. There was nowhere he could have possibly gone that would have made him disappear so fast. He didn't like it. Not one bit.

Let it go, something in him spoke. You'll get your answers. Give it time.

Again, Matt shoved a finger in his ear.

"Shut up!" he demanded. "Shut the hell up!"

"Matt?" Sissy was standing behind him. She held her hands together in front of her, distracting him long enough to calm down.

"I need some straight answers," Matt demanded, feeling his blood pressure rise. "I can't take much more of this, or I'm about to go ape shit."

"How about this," Chip said behind them. "You step in the back with me, and I'll tell you everything you need to know. Sound fair?"

Matt looked between Chip and Sissy, finally caving.

"Fine," he groaned. Sissy held Matt's hand as they made their way back into the shop, heading for a backroom. Above it was a purple sign that read "Quiet Please—people are reading!"

As they opened the door, both Sissy and Matt looked as though they were going to shrill in horror. Nothing in the room was particularly upsetting.

Except for the sight of Kane, sitting at a large table in the center of the room. There were no other doors. There were no windows. Kane looked just as surprised.

"Seriously?!" Kane jolted, knocking backwards in his chair. "fuck."

Chip was the only one who didn't seemed phased by this.

"Glad you could join us," Chip joked. "I didn't think you'd come back here."

"I thought they would have left." Kane groaned, pulling himself off the floor. He rubbed his head, looking for the door.

"Don't even fucking think about it," Matt barked. Kane pulled up his chair and sat back down. "We're all about to have a long talk."

"Sure, sure," Kane said. "But do I have to be here for it?"

"Yes." Matt wouldn't budge. Kane accepted defeat.

Chip took a seat near Kane, the two of them whispering to one another. Even Sissy strained to hear what it was. She couldn't make out any words. Matt and Sissy seated themselves at the oak table.

"So…." Chip began, "Where do you want to start?"

"How about that little magic act?" Matt said, looking to Kane. "How the fuck did you do that?"

"It's complicated."

"So you just go through doors and appear in different places?" Matt mocked.

"Depends on where I am," Kane mentioned. "If I'm back home, it has it's limitations. But I don't have the same limitations here that I do at home."

"Can you give me an answer that actually makes sense?"

"You're in a world with flying dragons and mice that shoot electricity, and you're hung up how I appear in random places?"

Well, Kane got him there. Matt shook his head, keeping himself on track.

"What's this about you publishing a book about me? I knew you were writing about me, but a full on book?"

"Well…." Kane thought carefully about his next few words. "Technically speaking, you have a published book about you here. In this reality. But back where you're from, it's all online—chock full of errors, grammatical issues, and melodrama. If I tried explaining it to you, your head might pop."

"Give me more credit than that," Matt snapped. "If you're really from Earth—the Earth that I know anyways—you're telling me you've got a story about me in both realities?"

Matt felt his head start to hurt, as if he was living through the shock all over again. When he had first come to the Pokemon universe, it was almost too hard to handle.

"And a few other realities," Kane added. "But that's still to be determined."

"You know what, screw it," Matt through his hands in the air. "If you're gonna give me nonsense, then what's the point of even trying to get a straight answer out of you?"

"Because if I told you the things that I knew, you wouldn't believe me in the first place," Kane added. "That, and I value my privacy. More people know about your day to day life than you realize, Matt. So do I."

"You don't know shit about me," Matt spat at Kane.

Kane closed his eyes, looking focused. His brow furrowed, his head pounding.

"I know your pain," He spoke. His tone sounded different. "I too have suffered."

Matt eye's widened. The dream he had was rushing back to him. Blood. Bodies. Something about a woman. It was dark. Why were there so many fragments of a dream that meant nothing to him?

"What?" Sissy asked. "What did he say?"

Chip looked to Kane, concerned.

"You know you don't have to do this, right?" Chip told him.

Kane looked somewhat defeated.

"Is it better to live a life in silence or to be judged for what you are?" Kane asked. "Either people believe me or they don't. I'm just so tired of being silent."

Sissy looked at Matt, to Chip, then to Kane.

"What are you talking about?" she asked him.

Again, Kane closed his eyes. There was a shuffling sound underneath the table. Kane opened his eyes, looking down at something he was holding out of sight. More shuffling. Then a smile.

"Don't worry too much about this morning," Kane told her. "She feels bad about it, more than you realize."

Sissy's eyes glowed.

"You read too?!" she burst. Kane quickly put a finger over his mouth. Sissy took the hint.

"Guess what," Matt mocked. "I know how to read too. In fact, I know all 27 letters of the alphabet. And yet you're still speaking gibberish."

"It's 26," Kane clarified.

"Fuck you."

There was a change, though subtle, behind Kane's eyes.

"Keep talking like that, and you'll never know who she is," he purred. His change in demeanor was unsettling.

"Who?"

"Pick a name—any you would like," Kane said. "But I prefer to let her speak for herself."

"Would you stop beating around the bush?" Matt demanded.

"Ask Lily," Kane finally spoke. "Ask her about the first draft of Genesis. Ask her about Adam's first wife. She'll know what it means. I think you'd be more comfortable hearing about it from her than me."

Matt couldn't speak. He felt his fingernails digging into his palms.

"Okay. Fine." Matt gave up. This was too much for him. "But how would she know anything about Genesis? Or the bible for that matter?"

Sissy looked very conflicted, though the word 'bible' struck a cord. She turned her attention to Chip.

"That's one of the Old World books, isn't it?"

"Very good, Sissy," Chip smiled.

"Wait, you're telling me that crap got it's way to here too?" Matt grunted.

"Along with many other works," Kane explained. "You'd be surprised how fragile reality is."

"And you'd be surprised how fragile your nose is once I-"

"Go ahead," Kane said, getting tired of the antics. "Punch me in the face. See what happens."

Matt stood from the table, but Sissy stopped him.

"If he's anything like Chip, that probably isn't a good idea," she whispered to him.

"I don't see any relation between the two," Matt added, sitting back down. "What does that have to do with anything? And how exactly do you two know each other?"

Chip and Kane looked to one another, then back to Matt.

"Give it time," Chip said.

"You'll know soon enough," Kane finished.

"I'm done." Matt stood up once again. He could only listen to so much woo-woo bullshit at once, and this conversation had far exceeded his limit. "Sissy, I'm sorry, but I'm going home. Chip, it was nice to meet you. You seem like a nice guy who's into some weird shit. And Kane?"

"Yes?"

"Go fuck yourself."

"It's been a pleasure," Kane added sarcastically.

"Matt, wait!" Sissy begged, watching as Matt stormed out of the room.

Keeping his temper in check, he was half tempted to knock shit over as he left. But Chip hadn't done anything to him. He honestly seemed nice. Though naive to feed into…. whatever it was he believed. Some things reminded him of home (the Old World, they called it) too much. He stomped out the front door, storming his way home.

Sissy hadn't followed him. He knew he was acting up, but he had ever right!

Mom was on the couch with Craig by the time he got back. She looked somewhat concerned by how red his face was, and the fact that Sissy wasn't with him. Craig looked happy to see his Trainer.

"Slash!" he chimed.

"Hi Craig," Matt dismissed. "Sorry, buddy, I'm not in a good mood."

Concerned for his Trainer's well being, he got up from the couch, rushing over to give Matt a hug. It was light; Craig was gentle.

"What's wrong, honey?" Mom asked. "Where's Sissy?"

"I don't know," Matt groaned. "We were at Chips store and-"

"What did you think of it?" Mom smiled. "Find anything you like?"

"Not in particular, no," Matt scoffed. "To each their own, but I don't buy into that mystical crap. On the topic of mythical crap, I'm supposed to ask you about something."

"Oh?" Mom was diplomatic. "What would that be?"

"The first draft of Genesis," Matt said. "Something about Adam's first wife."

Mom looked as though she had witnessed a kitten being run over by a semi truck.

"Who told you about that?"

"Kane did," Matt said. "And he's lucky I didn't snap his neck."

Somewhat surprising to him, Mom's face relaxed. A wave of relief hit her.

"Oh, good," she sighed. "Did he tell you to ask me?"

"He…. did…." Matt wasn't sure he understood the sudden calm that came over her.

"It sounds like she really wants to introduce herself to you," Mom commented.

"Who?" Matt practically begged. "Please, could you give me a straight answer?"

"Of course I can," She told him.

Mom spoke a name that Matt hadn't heard before. Except, for in the dream last night. It all came back to him in that moment, feeling as though his knees were about to give way.

"I…. I don't know what's going on," Matt panicked. His body felt twice it's normal weight. Craig had to hold him up in order for his Trainer not to fall on the floor. Mom got up from where she was seated, going upstairs. She returned, holding a black book. She asked him to sit with her; he did so, but felt light headed.

"Why do you want to know about her?" Mom asked, again being diplomatic.

"I had a dream about her," Matt said. "What is she?"

"That's a complicated question," Mom sighed. "I can only speak through my experience, but I promise you, you don't have to worry. Matt, I can't share everything with you. Everyone walks their own path in life, and you have to choose what you believe. I can't do that for you. But I'll share what I can. Is that fair?"

"I think so…." Matt felt as though he was going to be sick. "Am I going crazy?"

Mom smiled, patting his head.

"We're all crazy in some way," she joked. "Considering what you've been through, this should be easy for you."

"I'm not sure about that."

"Give it time," Mom urged. "Now, this woman you dreamed about. The name she gave you. How do you want to look at her? As an idea? A person? A deity? An archetype? What are you comfortable with?"

"Let's go with an idea," Matt said. "I don't think I can believe in anything other than that."

"That's fair, honey. Now, this idea you dreamed about. This figure of your imagination. I want you to think about something people like. Something popular that everyone knows about."

"Like baseball or something?"

"Sure, we could think about it like baseball," Mom smiled, holding her black book in hand. "Some people love baseball. Other people can't stand it."

"I think it's a waste of time," Matt confessed.

"And that's fair too," Mom nodded. "Some people base their entire lives around baseball. Some people like the outfits. Some people get a thrill playing while other people enjoy watching at a distance. Some people are indifferent. What would you call someone who was so involved with baseball that it had basically become their identity?"

"A zealot?" Matt joked.

"Sure, you could call them that," Mom continued, her thumb rubbing against the cover of her book. "What about people who really really enjoy baseball, but keep it to themselves?"

"I wouldn't really think anything about it," Matt considered. "I guess if they really cared about something, but didn't shove it in other people's faces, that's fine."

"And what about people who are really passionate about baseball?" Mom asked. "What if it changed their life for the better? It gave them value. It gave them a feeling of home?"

"We're still talking about baseball, right?" Matt joked once again, trying to break the tension.

"We could be talking about anything," Mom stated. "Let's say I liked baseball, but everyone around me hated it. What if people would kill me over liking baseball?"

"Well, those people sound like lunatics for caring so much about what you were into."

"I would agree," she nodded, her face growing heavy. "The point I'm trying to make is that people are going to have their own feelings and opinions. What would you do if you went back to your world? What would happen if you tried explaining to everyone what you've been through? The experiences you've had, both good and bad?"

"They'd throw me in a mental hospital," Matt concluded. "I don't understand what this had to do with this woman that's been popping up."

"You wanted to think of her as an idea, so think of her as one. I know you might want to know more, but believe me when I say this: don't stress over it. If you keep having dreams, come talk to me. I think I might have already said too much."

"I still don't understand," Matt sighed.

"Give it time," Mom told him. "Now, who wants hot chocolate?"

"Slash!" Craig blurted, raising his hand like a kid in school. "Sandslash! Sandslash!"

"Would you like some too?" Mom asked Matt.

He felt awful, and couldn't understand why. People kept repeating the same thing: give it time.

"I think I need to go to my room for a while," he said with a heavy heart.

He did so, locking the door. Matt stared at the ceiling.

There was a knock on his door.

"Matt?" It was Sissy. He got up, unlocking it for her. She looked ashamed of herself.

"I didn't mean to upset you," she said weakly.

"You didn't," Matt sighed. "Look, whatever you and Chip are into, that's your business. I think I need to stay away from stuff like that though."

"Well…." Sissy was holding something in her hand. "I probably should have known better, but Chip wanted to give you something. As a gift."

She handed it to him. One of the fancy boxes he had seen in the shop. Matt took it, confused. Old World Tarot it read. Curious, Matt opened the box, pulling out a deck of cards. He skimmed through them, seeing the pictures and words. None of it made any sense to him, finally sliding them back into the box.

"That was very nice of him," Matt said. He set the box of cards down on his computer desk. He felt arms wrap around his torso from behind.

"Wanna go to the park?" Sissy asked.

"I kinda wanna lay on the floor and die," Matt confessed. "I feel horrible; I think I'm stressed out about all of this."

"Cuddle?" Sissy suggested.

"Sure, puppy," Matt sighed. "Sure."

They laid in bed. Matt felt himself starting to drift off.

"Matt?"

"Yes, puppy?"

"What are you plans?" she asked him. "Are you thinking about getting back into training?"

"I don't have any of my old stuff," Matt told her. "Even if I wanted to, I-"

"Oh, that's all in your desk," Sissy kissed his forehead. "You didn't think it was just thrown away, did you?"

Matt felt a surge of energy, getting out of bed and hurrying over to his desk. He opened the drawers. Sure enough, it was there.

His wrist mounted computer of sorts—his holly-band. His Pokebelt, though the balls were missing except one in the belt, and the other in his jacket. Even his old phone.

And a handgun in a holster. This seemed different.

"It doesn't have any bullets," Sissy told him.

"I prefer it that way," Matt sighed. "So…. How much changed while I was gone when it comes to Pokemon battles?"

"Not too much," Sissy said. "There's a bit of a learning curve since you've been away, but I'm confident you could get the swing of it! Oh, please tell me you're getting back into training!"

"I never felt like a real one to begin with."

Sissy bit his shoulder.

"Hey now!"

"Stop talking bad about yourself, or I'll be a bad girl."

"Whatever," Matt sighed, putting on his belt. He attached Craig Pokeball to it, along with Sissy's already attached. "If I'm going to be fumbling my way around the world again, I better be ready for anything. You think there are any trainers in the park that want to battle?"

"Oh, plenty!" she said. "That's were all the streaming goes on!"

"Streaming?"

"Well, the old way of making money as a Trainer wasn't exactly easy," Sissy explained. "People started streaming their fights, with both trainers making money through advertisements and donations! It's a really neat concept!"

"So the winner gets all the money through the stream?" Matt asked.

"That depends on how the trainers want to go about it," Sissy explained. "Most of the time, if it's a friendly competition, it's split fifty-fifty."

"You'll have to walk me through it," Matt told her. "Look, I don't know what happened today, and I feel like I left Chip's place with more questions than answers. I don't want to think about it. I don't even care. I just want do something other than sleep and stress about this."

"I think that's a great idea!" Sissy told him.

"But that all depends." Matt turned around, flaring his jacket, showing off his Pokebelt. "You ready for a battle?"

Sissy jumped into his arms.