This chapter was updated/revised on November 12, 2019.

Festival, Part 2

"Let it go and

when you wake up

It will seem so yesterday."

Hilary Duff

Amber, Jay, Jezz, and the other kids left Annastasia and decided looked around the festival. Meanwhile, Annastasia offered to babysit the twins, seeing as her parents were still exhausted. Though the infants could often be pleasant during the day, while they were distracted, at night they—mostly Rose—were supposedly inconsolable. According to Jessie and James, they cried almost the entire night, and the only explanation they ever got from the pediatrician got was colic. Not even Liz could find a cure.

"Are you sure Anna-chan?" James yawned. "Meowth and Lucy can do it."

Annastasia took Rose from her dad. James rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"Meowth and Lucy are already gone. It's been a few days since I had them since I have been so busy getting ready for Alola. It's fine. I can show them my Pokémon that they never had a chance to meet," Annastasia responded.

"Thank you so much," Jessie replied.

She buckled Silver into the stroller and gave Annastasia the reins.

"Anytime," said Annastasia. "Not literally anytime, but most of the time."

"I can help you," Rumika offered. "Or just take them myself."

"You had them all last week. Really, it's our last time to really take care of them before I start traveling again. I insist."

"Well, you know what to do," Jessie said as she patted Annastasia on the back. "We'll be by the wine and cheese tent."

"And I'll be…wherever the wind takes us."

The others left the area where the Pokéringer had recently been held. Annastasia, Michio, and Annastasia's Pokémon stayed for a moment to adjust the babies on their strollers. Sandshrew approached them curiously.

"You all must have gotten a bit too used to those trainees going soft on you," Annastasia told her monz.

"Esspeee," Star replied sadly.

"Xe," Abnoba added, looking equally sorry.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," Annastasia responded. She embraced them in a group hug. "Would you all like to travel with me? I'd love to take you along. I can carry as many Pokémon as I want since I am considered an Ace Trainer."

Annastasia gave them some space and walked over to where Michio was standing with the Sandshrew and the babies. She watched them discuss for a few moments and then started giggling to herself.

"Why are you laughing?" asked Michio.

"I made a pun," she explained. "And I didn't even plan it."

"Good for you."

"If these other Pokémon come with us, what kind of training will they be doing?" Sandshrew questioned.

"Why do you care?"

"My only real goal in Alola is to relax while I supervise the kids, not to actually work," Annastasia told Michio. "I haven't taken time off since…since I started working, I suppose. I have been helping my parents out with missions since I was eight. Of course, back then I didn't do a lot, but I was always in mission mode. I have a lot of Pokémon friends in Alola too. Most of them never made it to Team Rocket Headquarters, and it's been a while since I got to see them. I would like to check up on them and see how they are doing."

"What kind of Pokémon?"

"I told you about the Lelen. A lot of people here call the same-species-but-different-ability Pokémon Alolan-something. For example, non-Alonans will call a Rokon an Alolan Vulpix. I have heard people call Lelen an Alolan Rapidash because they are basically Rapidash but are water and dragon variety instead of fire-types. I also befriend a whole stand of Nassy, which people here in Kanto usually typically refer to as Alolan Exeggutor. There is also Kyukon, or Alolan Ninetales, and of course many different Oricorio that I have come to know. I miss that Lelen the most though. I hope I can find her."

"Perhaps you can get a new version of Pikachu while you are there," Sandshrew told Michio.

"Perhaps you can stay here and never follow us again," Michio retorted.

"Sandshrew, how about you find something else to do while we leave?" Annastasia suggested. "I'd appreciate it with all my soul."

"I shall find humans who will respect my vast wisdom and knowledge," Sandshrew responded before walking away.

"At least it listens to you sometimes," Michio sighed once it was gone. "Let's move to the other side of the fair where we will be less likely to run into it again."

"Great idea," Annastasia replied as she gripped Silver's stroller. "Sil and Rosie: it's adventure time."

Annastasia, Michio, Rose, Silver, Bleu, Lil-G, Plusle, Minun, Peruva, Star, Abnoba, and the rest of Annastasia's Pokémon pushed through the crowd. Annastasia stopped when she saw a henna booth.

"Let's get them tattoos," she suggested, gesturing to the infants.

"Um…is that safe? What if they lick the ink off?" Michio asked, parking Rose. "Can't it poison them?"

"I don't think so. We can ask."

Annastasia approached the two women at the henna booth. Michio followed her with Rose's stroller. Michio sighed and Annastasia laughed when the recognized the woman calling out to them. The two Ninetales beside her barked in their direction, then promptly returned to their native Ditto forms.

"Look who it is! It's been almost a year since the first time I saw you together and here we all are," Helena announced.

"I didn't know you did henna. I didn't even know you were here," Annastasia responded.

"I come every year. I saw you win that Pokéringer. That battle with the Plusle was unlike one I've ever seen. She is a special Plusle, I am telling you."

"Plusle!" Plusle exclaimed, jumping from Michio's shoulder to space between Peruva and Helena's Ditto.

"I figured that out a while ago," Annastasia replied. Plusle chanted happily at the compliment.

"Would you like a tattoo?" Helena asked. "They only last about a month, granted you don't use a super-powerful soap every time you shower."

"I actually thought it would be fun to do the babies."

"Excellent idea."

"You don't use anything toxic, right? Is it safe for them?" Michio butted in. "Because that would kinda be really bad if they lick it off—"

"Of course, it's safe! Michio, I am a half-psychic, not a witch. It's organic vegetable dye."

"But is it clean?"

"I use purified distilled agua only."

"Neato," said Annastasia. "I randomly just remembered you never met the twins. So much has happened since we last spoke, but you know that. Somehow, I know you know."

"I do…But I have a feeling there is something I'm missing…"

Annastasia lifted Silver. "This blondie with the magenta and lavender highlights is the younger of the duo. Sil weighs eleven pounds and is twenty inches long. He likes smooth jazz and prefers avocados with his breastmilk—well, not his breastmilk, you know…"

"For fuck's sake, Annie…" Michio grumbled, covering his ears.

"…He is good at JSL, having mastered two signs thus far. Silver is hypersensitive to sound, sight, and textures. He doesn't cry nearly as much as Rose does, but he often makes bubbly noises and will shriek whenever Rose is bothering him, which is…frequent."

Annastasia buckled him back into the stroller and lifted Rose.

"Rosie is six minutes older than Silver, weighs thirteen pounds, and is twenty-three inches," she continued. "Upon birth, her hair was a light magenta, and as you can now see, it is fading into a pinkish lavender, due to her having a condition called 'Karāmōfu', which simply means that her hair and eye color changes every few months. Rose cries mostly at night and sleeps like a lion during the day. Rose is excellent at JSL, having already mastered four signs and is on her way to mastering several more. Rose enjoys trying new foods and has already tasted over thirty solids. She likes string instruments. Her favorite person other than my parents is Michio."

"Awe," Helena replied. "Are Plusle and Minun their Pokémon?"

"Sorta…they spend more time with me and Michio than they do with the twins. We're struggling to get them to bond. Minun interacts well with Silver, but Plusle rarely snuggles Rose, even though she has a naturally low resting electricity flow rate, meaning the chances of her shocking Rose accidentally are extremely low."

"Pluuu," Plusle moan regretfully, crouching behind Minun.

"Hmmm," Helena hummed, gazing at Michio as he entertained the twins with his—and Annastasia's—car keys.

"Don't look at me like that," Michio requested.

"Why not?" said Helena.

"It's fucking weird."

"Oh, Michio…So, my loves: shall we get this henna thing going?"

Bleu, Lil-G, Plusle, Minun, and Peruva looked through the various designs that were available. As she too browsed the catalog, Annastasia talked about how their next adventure would be through Alola and how it would be more laid-back than before.

When a decision was made on Rose's design, Helena gently arranged the baby in a chair and got to work on her forearm. Rose giggled as the henna tool tenderly brushed her skin.

"Are they always this pale?" Helena asked. "I thought they would have darker skin. Or at least darker hair and eyes."

"Everyone in my family is 'pale'," Annastasia responded. "We all have light skin, light eyes, and blue, red, or purple hair. Silver and I are the only living blonds."

"Lili pup Lili," Lil-G told Annastasia.

"Prrow," Peruva added.

"Oh, I get it," Annastasia giggled. "They are only related to me, not to him."

"So, to whom do they officially belong?" Helena queried.

"They're my younger siblings. I thought you knew everything, Helena."

"I don't. And I get mixed signals, you cannot blame me. Regardless, they are adorable."

"Who did you think their parents were?" Michio asked nervously.

Annastasia whispered an explanation to Michio.

"I didn't know that people assume that," Michio said defensively.

"Why care?" said Helena. "People will judge other people over anything."

"She's right," Annastasia agreed. "Hey, we should trick your parents: tell them we had babies together while you were away."

"I'll think about it," Michio sarcastically replied.

Helena spent another few minutes on Rose's design. Plusle squealed with joy when she saw that the image was of a Plusle surrounded by roses. The design snaked all the way up her arm and to her forehead.

"This looks great," Annastasia smiled as she took a photo. She sent it to Lily while Michio returned the baby to her stroller.

"Now for Silver. Do you have a design picked out?" Helena asked.

"Tari," Bleu said as Lil-G and Minun handed her a picture.

"Ooh, I like it too," said Annastasia.

"It's cute," said Michio. "Fitting."

"I can do that," Helena replied. "Pass me the babe."

Annastasia handed over Silver. As Helena began painting the design on his foot, Silver giggled and wiggled irrepressibly.

"He's ticklish, especially there," Annastasia said as she stroked his forehead, soothing Silver's shakes. "Like I was when I was a baby. And well, I still am ticklish there I suppose. Maybe just skip that part on his foot and just do his arms…"

"And it helps to give him something to play with," said Michio. He looked through the stroller bag for Silver's stuffy. When he found it, he gave it to him. "This Eevee beany has been through a lot; if that henna's non-toxic, it probably doesn't stain much either."

"Handyman," Helena remarked, making her Ditto, Bleu, and Lil-G laugh.

Helena flaunted her artistic charm. Fifteen minutes later, Silver had a design of a Minun riding on the back of an Altaria. They were surrounded by starry diamonds and clouds. The image covered both his arms.

"These are perfect. Thank you so much," Annastasia told Helena as she paid for the henna.

"No problem," Helena responded. "See you in Alola."

Annastasia snapped a photo of Silver and crooned motherese while Helena leaned in to whisper to Michio.

"I want you to promise to be careful when you go to Alola. Things are going to happen there that you might not expect. You are going to find yourself fighting for things that might not be worth it in the end," she told him quietly. "Look out for the harbinger, that will give you a better time scale."

"Harbinger? Time scale? What the hell are you talking about?" Michio asked. "What bad things?"

"I am not certain of the details. I am only telling you what I know, what I feel. Stay aware."

"What the hell?"

"Come on, no need to argue," Annastasia said as she stepped between Helena and Michio.

"I didn't mean to make you upset. I only want to help," Helena told Michio.

"Well, you just gave me more shit to worry about," he retorted.

"What are you talking about?" Annastasia inquired. She missed their discussion, having been engaged with the twins.

"I can…ah, explain later."

"Okie. Thanks, Helena, for the designs and your patience with my squirmy siblings. The babies are ridiculously cute and I can tell they enjoyed having it done. I guess we will see you in Alola then. Maybe we can meet up."

"I'm sure we will run into each other again regardless of planning," Helena replied.

"Ditto-o-o!" Helena's pair of Ditto added, waving goodbye as the teens and their party left the station.

"She isn't serious, is she?" Michio whispered to Annastasia. "Do you really think we are going to see her in Alola?"

"I don't know, Michio," Annastasia wearily replied. "I can read aura but I'm not a fortune teller, psychic, or even a half-psychic. Try not to worry about it, please. Why don't you like her?"

"She's okay, I guess. Something about her just makes me uncomfortable, even though…"

"…even though, what?"

"I suppose I do owe her a bit of a favor…"

"Ooh. For what?"

"…She gave me some good advice a while back."

"Then why were you arguing with her?"

"She was just saying weird things…said there was going to be something bad in our future."

He shot one more glance back at Helena, only to discover that she was no longer at the henna booth. Annastasia chuckled and put her arm around Michio as they walked.

"Obviously something bad is going to happen at some point," she assured him. "It's not like we can live our lives carefree just because no one's life is currently in danger."

"Just the way she said it…" he mumbled anxiously.

"I didn't realize you were superstitious."

"I'm not."

"Good. Whatcha wanna do now?"

Michio kept looking around for Helena. He stopped his search to consider Annastasia's question.

"I'm up for whatever."

"Really?" Amber questioned as she jumped up next to Michio.

"Where did you come from? Where are the boys?" asked Annastasia.

"Shopping…Jay wants to buy Jezz shoes or something like that…I was bored so I came to find you. And since you are up for anything, how about we get ice cream?"

"Sure."

Amber linked one arm with Annastasia and the other with Michio. Michio groaned but Amber laughed. "I adore being the substitute third wheel."

XO

Day 34

Amber and Jezz opted to stay at the Pallet House for a few extra nights with Jay before they got ready to move on to Alola.

When the trio did have the chance to escape from everyone else, they spent most of their time talking and telling stories. Now it was a busy night at the Pallet House and the three children were playing poker in the back of the Pallet House bar.

"I win again! Take that, losers!" Amber announced as she collected her money. "No offense, but you two suck. Especially you, Jezz."

Jay rolled his eyes but Jezz looked panicked.

"The worst part is that you didn't bring your potential," she continued. "You're good at this."

"What makes you think that?" Jezz asked, crossing his arms and turning away.

"You're good at loads of things, especially tactical stuff."

"Okay…perhaps I am better than I am showing…but I'm tired of winning the games that we play…"

Jay gasped. "Is it true?"

"Yep," said Amber. "Thought so. Jezz, I want you to bring the skills next round. Got it?"

"I will. I have a request for you as well."

"Go on."

"It is unkind to tell Jay he 'sucks'."

"I don't think Jay sucks as a person, I think he sucks at poker."

"That's just how we communicate," said Jay. "I trust Amb and know that she wouldn't say things to hurt me. Truthfully, I am bad at poker."

"Got it?"

They looked at Jezz intently. He reflected their smiles.

"Good," said Amber. "Now let's play. Bring your best this time."

"I will," Jezz vowed.

After the game's end, Jezz asked Amber the reason for her ceaseless sarcasm. After explaining what 'ceaseless' meant, she answered:

"It's not 'ceaseless', it's my default. I dunno, it's just how I am."

"Then how may I tell the difference between your honesty and your sarcasm?" Jezz questioned.

"Assume that when I say something nice to you, it is not sarcasm, but when I say something that is mean, it's sarcasm. That'll make things easier."

"And a head's up: Amber rarely admits when she's wrong," said Jay.

"That's because I'm never wrong."

"Okay," said Jay and Jezz together.

"Let's play something else," Jay suggested. "Something that Amb's bad at."

"I am good at everything," Amber asserted.

"You aren't good at…um…ah…chess…right?"

"Chess is a two-person game and there's three of us."

"Oh yeah. No offense Jezz, but we're still not used to having a third person to hang out with. We know a lot of two-person games but not three-person games."

"What about would you rather?"

"Would I rather what?" Jezz asked.

"It's a word game that Amb and I used to play," Jay clarified. "Since we could play it while we talked on the phone."

"How is it played?"

"You ask someone 'would you rather' and then you give them two bad options and they have to pick which one they'd rather do. You win when you are able to come up with something that no one can decide which is worse," Amber explained. "But usually we just stop if we get too bored or thing of something else to do."

"That sounds awful."

"You can give them two good options instead," Jay suggested.

"It's funner to do the bad options," said Amber. "For example, Jay, would you rather eat a live snail or never get to see Togekiss again?"

Jay's face paled. "Amb, can't you think of something different?"

"Nope."

"Ummm…I…" Jay looked over at Togekiss, who was asleep with several other Pokémon in the corner of the bar. "Eat a snail."

"But you're afraid of snails."

"I-I'd do it for him."

"I'm impressed."

"That is quite brave," said Jezz.

"Your turn," Amber told Jezz.

"Oh…I cannot think of anything."

"Try."

"I need preparation time."

"Fine. Jay, you go."

"Hmmm…okay, Jezz, would you rather be a fire-type Pokémon or a water-type Pokémon?" Jay asked.

"A water-type Pokémon," Jezz decided. "Because then I can help put out fires."

"Awe, that's so nice."

"Oh, thank you…"

Amb groaned; she was hoping Jay would give Jezz an embarrassing option since Jezz made funny faces whenever he was embarrassed.

"Amb, would you rather have three arms or a photographic memory?" Jay asked.

"Three arms, totally," she replied.

"You didn't even take a second to think about that."

"I could climb trees and eat at the same time; it's a no-brainer."

"K. What about you, Jezz? Three arms or a photographic memory?"

"I am not sure what I would do with three arms but I certainly would not want a photographic memory," Jez replied.

"Why not?"

"I would not want to be forced to remember everything. Some memories are better forgotten."

"What kinds of memories?"

"Just…the bad ones…"

Amber and Jay looked at one another guiltily. Jezz felt their discomfort.

"I did not intend to subjugate with harrowing emotions," said Jezz. "Having a third arm might be awful too because…"

"…it would be hard to find tops," he and Jay finished together.

"Jinx!" Jay laughed.

"Jynx?" Jezz replied. "As in the Pokémon?"

"No, it's what you say when two people say the same thing at the same time. I jinxed you, but it doesn't really mean anything important."

"Hai."

"Now, ask me something," Amber requested.

"Would you rather be a Pokémon Master or the Leader of Team Rocket?"

"Pokémon Master, no doubt."

"But think of all that power," said Jay.

"Jay, you know I like being the boss and all…but being the boss of an entire huge organization like that probably sucks. I bet it is the reason my grandpa is always so serious."

"I would dislike the idea of having to be so serious all the time as well," said Jezz.

"Now Jezz, ask Jay a question."

"Would you rather live in Pallet Town or Cerulean City?"

"I only like going to Cerulean City cuz Amb lives there," Jay responded. "Can Amb come live with me in Pallet?"

"I suppose."

"Then Pallet Town. Even though it is small and Soledad is the only neighbor around my age, I still love it."

"Jezz, would you rather be forced to eat nothing but sushi for ten years or have to get a permanent tattoo of my face?" asked Amber.

"I think I would get in big trouble if I got a tattoo," Jezz replied. "Adults do not appreciate tattoos."

"That's not true. My parents have tattoos."

"Annastasia and my parents have tattoos too," said Jay. "I don't think Hauana and Perry would get mad at you, but like, it's all pretend anyway."

"I would rather get a tattoo of Amber then," Jezz answered.

"Sweet," said Amber. "Maybe one day we can make it so."

"How about we play something else? The air outside is quite comfortable."

"Good idea. We can play Pokébase."

"Most of my Pokémon are sleeping…" said Jay. "We could if we had more people and monz."

"Then let's have target practice."

"That's boring. What did you have in mind, Jezz?"

"Perhaps we could play with that soccer ball that our Pokémon were using the other day," he suggested.

"I could go for that," Amber replied. "I vote soccer."

"Uh, are you sure that's whatcha wanna do?" Jay asked, hoping that Jezz would advocate for something other than sports.

"You don't have to play," said Amber. "You can just watch or something."

"No, no, Amb—I can try."

"We should look for our Pokémon and ask them if they would like to join," Jezz suggested.

"Good thinking!"

Out in Professor Oak's yard they found Jezz's team, Jay's Meganium, Togekiss, Chimchar, Aipom, Pip, and Amber's Pidgeot, Talonflame, Unfeasant, and Fearrow. Minus Xatu, who sat alone preening his feathers, the Pokémon were playing and laughing together.

"I like that our Pokémon are friends," said Jay.

"I like that as well," said Jezz.

"Ditto," said Amber. "Hm. I wonder where the rest of my team is…Pip, do ya know?"

"Piii," Pip replied, shaking his head.

"Oh, well. They could literally be anywhere. Idc."

"They could be literally anywhere. Like literally?" Jay teased.

"What're you getting at?"

"I believe that Jay is pointing out your incorrect use of the word 'literally'," said Jezz.

"He always does that. Words are made for us, we aren't made for words, Dummy."

"I am appreciative of that philosophy."

"Let's get our monz," said Jay. "Yoo, hoo! Togekiss! Meganium! Chimchar! Aipom! Wanna play soccer with us?!"

Jay's team fervidly ran to him. Seeing this, Amber and Jezz's Pokémon did the same to their trainers.

"I play soccer with my Pokémon quite often," said Jezz divulged. "It is my favorite sport."

"You any good at it?" Amber asked.

"Quite."

"Can you do tricks?" Jay asked.

"Yes. Would you like to see?"

"Totally!"

Vileplume tossed the soccer ball to Jezz. He caught it with one hand, and in one smooth movement, tossed it to the other hand and started spinning it on his fingertip. Amber and Jay were shocked at how easy he made it look.

"Whoa. You can enter a talent show doing that," said Jay.

"What else you got?" said Amber.

Jezz tossed the ball from one fingertip to the other, then threw the ball high, head-butting midair. Then he caught it on the middle finger of his left hand before passing it to the right.

"I am ambidextrous, which helps," said Jezz.

"Geeze. How far can you kick it?" asked Amber.

"I have never measured."

"Show us!" Jay demanded.

Jezz tossed the ball in front of him, and before it hit the ground, he delivered a powerful kick. It landed somewhere in Professor Oak's yard, nearly a football field away.

"How was that?" he asked.

"Oh. My. Arceus." Jay breathed.

"Whoa…" Amber whistled. "Pidgeot, would you mind getting that ball back for us?"

"Pidgeee," the Pokémon sang before soaring away.

"I wanna be on your team," said Amber and Jay together. "Jinx!"

"I am honored," Jezz said with a bow. "But I think it would be fairer if we compose the teams based on skill level. We should see what your Pokémon are good at first."

Amber ignored him and stared at the ground. She lifted a tiny stone and rolled it around in her hand.

"Catch this," she instructed as she tossed in high in the air.

Jezz stepped back and managed to catch the pebble in his left hand.

"Now throw it so it lands right on that lily pad," she commanded.

She pointed to the tiny pond several yards away. He threw the stone so that it landed on top of the one small lily pad it hosted.

"You should have used those skills at the festival!" Jay exclaimed. "They had all kinds of games. You coulda won money or prizes!"

"I did not know," he responded.

"Did you do sports when you were younger?"

"I did some activities…some soccer, for a period…most of the activities I tried I did not enjoy."

"Like what?"

"Because I attended etiquette school for much of my childhood, many 'rough' activities were not allowed. Dance, painting, pottery, cooking, sewing, playing musical instruments…that was encouraged. Soccer was not."

"I wonder why they made you do stuff you didn't like."

"When I was younger I…Well it doesn't matter anyway. I am not six anymore."

"Mmmhmm," Amber hummed, watching his hands tremble and body stiffen. "What other secrets do you got?"

"Pardon?"

"What else did they make you do?"

"Oh, nothing! Look, Pidgeot has returned. Let's play."

"Sure…whatever, Jezz."

Jay got the ball from Pidgeot and he and Jezz started to discuss teams while Amber stared at the boys, a dozen thoughts occupying her headspace.

Five minutes later, Jay waved a hand in front of her face. "Amb, whatcha doing just standing there like that? Are you scheming?"

"No…" she coughed. "We don't have all day. Let's play before the grown-ups come and make us do dumb chores."

XO

In the Next Chapter:

- Sprouts

- Pistachio

- More Pistachio

XO

Trivia:

- The lyrics at the beginning of this chapter are from the Hilary Duff song 'So Yesterday'.

AN: Please review if you can:)