Hello! It is the 28th and I am back with a new chapter. I was a little stuck over what to write this month because I had planned far more of what I would be posting next month! But when it occurred to me that I only tackled Pikachu within these letter writing stories last year in "To You Both", I believe it was, I figured that he deserved his moment in the sun here too! And he deserved a bit of a shout out for how he presents himself in Pikachu Tales. I hope you enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I own the story and the OCs mentioned!

Dear Mommy,

Although you are of course in my mind when I write these thoughts down, there are other people that crop into my thoughts too. And especially, the one person who really inspired all these musings to occur. It's easy to believe that Dad is the nucleus – the beginning – of everything, really. Without him, there would be no you fishing him out of a lake and meeting. And no Jessie and James and Meowth causing mayhem for you both. And certainly none of the plethora of events that followed.

I think really that someone else might have been the beginning of it all. Whether he was sent there for us all, some of us created and some of us not even an idea. Or whether his presence was a happy accident. Pikachu set of a chain of events. And to this day, he is a reason for an ongoing evolution.

Pikachu, how amusing it is that someone who never wanted to evolve has encouraged and inspired so much transformation in us all! Then again, I'm not really that surprised. Life is full of funny and strange coincidences, isn't it? And you and I often natter about them all.

Change can be difficult, can't it? But I have to take the time to say that with you around, it's been made infinitely easier for everyone that you've graced your presence to, let alone offered words of perspective and wisdom. Change can be one of the most head-throbbing things to navigate. But I know that it's necessary. And I know that you've always known.

There have been some pretty devastating things that have happened to us all that beg the question, were those kinds of changes really necessary? Some would say yes without a moment of hesitation. Others would say no; and that nobody deserved moments of forceful upheaval. I don't know how I feel. And I know that that is okay. I'm not meant to have it all figured out right know and it all known. It's okay to go with the flow.

Some would argue that I was born into a moment of great change and if it's not too immodest of me, I think that I would agree. Moments after my introduction into the world, you and Dad both had to face some of your biggest demons, separately and apart. Uncle James had to learn both the lesson of sacrifice in giving me up after doting on me for so long, and courage – to have the courage to live and love authentically.

We all learnt a great deal from that time in our lives. And yes, you were there every step of the way. I understand that it's easy for me to think that you simply let a lot of us be, but I'm sure that it wasn't always easy when things were heart-breaking and confusing for you too.

I know you were so mad at Dad. I know you were so bewildered by Uncle James. There were other moments when you were baffled by Ben. And there were times when you were disappointed by Justin. And it's easy for me to say that you never intervened – you definitely did. But still, you always let us all be and for us to transform, even if we broke away from each other at times and even ourselves.

You allowed us to live. You live through everything we experience. And you live for you and your own growth too. What a thing to be able to say.

I've found change hard myself too. Losing hold of my powers and wondering where they went and stepping out into the world for the first time added a huge knot to my stomach. And it still does now when I look back! Having to let go of Katie enough and trust her that she knew what she was doing when her heart wanted Justin's heart beating right alongside next to hers. I look back and wonder why I was worried. But it's easy to say that in hindsight, and with wholehearted gratitude that things have turned out very well for all involved in that diversion.

I want you to know how grateful we are there for you to witness all of our growth alongside us and to perhaps give us a little nudge when we were feeling scared but to sit back and simply enjoy the ride. It can't have been easy all of the time. I certainly know that there were many occasions where it probably wasn't' easy, and insecurity or ego and fear longed for you to take the reins, and steer the outcome somewhere you felt safe. And we all did too.

But that wasn't the real you. Fear could've swayed you elsewhere. But a natural ability inside you made you pause and reflect. People deserved to be set free. Because it is when they are not stifled that they make the best decisions. And more often not, return close by your side, too.

Change isn't easy. I've had to watch as that particular thing ripped families apart. Yes, they might've wandered back together too. And some of the change wasn't exactly a harsh ripping – more like a patching up the broken bits and taking some time away from each other. Initially, that change is uncomfortable and it is exhausting. But it is worth it.

From Dad swapping from going region to region and travelling companion to travelling companion. From you giving up your journeying for the greater good of the Cerulean Gym and becoming the best leader there. From Jessie and James and Meowth hanging up their uniforms for good. Grandad Jordan learning how to love living. Uncle James extending his love to more than just the one person by his side. JJ going from a Ketchum to a Williams. Justin ridding himself of old fears associated with love and becoming the best version of himself. Gary accepting that he had no control over whether he would see his parents again. Eli showing the world who he has always been. Brock putting himself first for once instead of others. Sammy starting again with not a single clue about what waited out there for him. And Justin falling into the arms of someone old but creating something entirely new – and long-lasting.

And that's just listing the big changes! That's not even mentioning the little ones that put so many people including I and even people that I have not even met's paths on a whole different track.

Stopping eating that thing that you know is no good for you. Quitting that habit that only brings sadness now. Choosing to walk to work instead of driving. Sending that text. Smiling at that stranger. Holding open that door even though you're late.

It's funny how change is something we all fear. But in truth, it is the only thing that is certain in our lives.

So, Pikachu, on the behalf of everybody, I so sincerely want to thank you for being a part of all of our change. And for always letting us transform no matter what. You might not have been a Pokémon that has evolved but you have assisted in transforming each and every one of our lives. By showing up no matter what. By being there. By being a listening ear. By being a shoulder to cry on.

One thing that won't change is how we feel about you. You were the beginning. Thank you for being there for all of our starts, for all of our middles, and for foreseeing our happy endings.

With all my love,

Rey. And the countless lives that you have touched, too.

There you go! Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed :) Rey is a little older than I would usually write her in this chapter and it was fun to tackle her teenaged voice! I think she must be in a good place as she writes these thoughts down because I think somebody struggling with change perhaps wouldn't have so many positive things to say. I understand that. This chapter was refreshing to write because I think it's rare in our world that somebody can behave as Pikachu does, accepting change and taking others as he finds them. Of course, he certainly has his moments where he gets in the way! And maybe I will show more of that behaviour of his over in Pikachu Tales in the not so distant future :P Thanks again and I will be back next Wednesday so update Pikachu Tales so see you then!

Amy signing out :)