This chapter was updated/revised on December 3, 2019.
Pathfinder
"They see the fear in your eyes, heart sinks like a stone.
'Cause when you're afraid, it weighs on your soul.
It's not easy, no.
Finding the words to say.
When you're feeling lost, you'll find your way."
Shane Harper
Back in Kanto, Lexi and Nolan were meeting up with their traveling companions at the Oak Laboratory. Lucas and Mariana, Rita's two younger siblings, decided to travel alongside them as they conquered the Battle Frontier. Viviana and Brodie planned to join them, as well as Nolan's old friends Jake and Tyler.
"Those little friends you have aren't joining us," Jake remarked as they headed into the lab.
"June and Takeshi need more experience before they take on a Battle Frontier," Nolan responded.
"I meant Rita, A, and that guy from Alola she hooked up with. Why aren't they coming?"
"Annastasia loves traveling with those kids and wanted to be their guide again."
"As for Rita, even Team Rocket doesn't have any jurisdiction in Alola, but that may soon change," said Lexi. "Rita might end up over there after all."
"What makes you say that?" Tyler asked.
Neither Lexi nor Nolan wanted to get the others involved with the Jezz situation.
"Giovanni knows Rita wants to be around Annastasia, so he will probably think of a way to get them together so that Rita can still work while they hang out together," Nolan improvised.
"He's a nicer boss than I realized," said Tyler. "So, Lex, what've you been up too?"
"As you know I have been with Nolan for a while," she replied, sidestepping Tyler as he tried to enter her personal space.
"Is this by any chance an open relationship?"
"I meant I have been traveling with Nolan for a while. Nolan and I are just friends."
"Nice. In that case, why don't you and I get together? I don't care if you see other guys, so long as I get some too."
Lexi smiled. "If you play nice."
"I will. Most of the time, anyway."
Jake separated them. "Why do you get dibs on Lexi?"
Tyler shrugged in response.
"Maybe one of us wants her," Viviana added. "I know I do."
"I said this could be an open thing. Did that just fly over your heads?" Tyler questioned.
"Chill," Nolan told the group. "We can talk about that later. Professor Oak is going to be here any minute."
"Here he comes," said Viviana. "With Lucas and Mariana too. Good."
"Sorry for running late," Gary said as he began shaking everyone's hands. "Sometimes those Pokémon can be little bastards. They fight all the time, and even our Pokémon ambassadors can't help sometimes."
Everyone exchanged greetings and chatted for a while. Gary gave them each Pokéballs, Pokémon food, block, Pokémon shampoo, and updated Pokédexes. Finally, at their request, he took a group photo.
Within fifteen minutes the eight of them plus their Pokémon were driving down the road in Mariana's new van.
"Where to first?" Brodie asked.
"Viridian City first, then to go in a circle and then end in Cerulean with Ash," Viviana reminded him.
The car ride was mostly silent as everyone spent the trip listening to the radio. When they arrived in Viridian, their first stop was a popular pizza parlor that had opened many years ago.
"This place hosts talent shows," Viviana said as they entered the building.
She lifted a flyer to show the other members of the group.
"If there something you want us to do about it?" said Jake.
"Is there anyone here who can do either really lame or really awesome performances?" she replied. "If so, I want to see."
"You couldn't pay me to do anything on stage," said Lexi.
"Or me," said Toby.
"I'm so not in the mood," said Mariana.
"I don't want to do it. I just wanted to watch you all," Viviana responded. "Anyone?"
Everyone said 'no' in response to her question.
"Maybe there will be some really lame performances we can all make fun of while we eat," she mused.
As they had hoped, there was plenty of entertainment. Someone did magic tricks that didn't suck, another person did a guitar solo, and two people did a tap-dancing routine so awful that it ended up damaging part of the stage. Every singer who went up was so bad that everyone in the restaurant, including the singers themselves, were laughing hysterically by the time each performance had ended.
Then the stage crew rolled out a piano and a face that half the group recognized got up to perform.
"It's Anika!" Lexi gasped, elbowing Nolan.
"Oh, wow, didn't expect to find her here," he responded.
"Who's that?" asked Jake.
"A friend of ours," Lexi answered. "She's close with Soledad Oak."
"I wonder if Soledad's here too…" Nolan mused.
The fledgling musician played a song that none of them recognized, but everyone in the audience was impressed nonetheless. When she was done with the two-minute routine, she gave a shy bow then returned to her friends.
"I see them, in the corner," said Lucas, pointing to the table of Soledad, Tamaki, Tobie, Gracie, Flare, Carol, and Tomoko.
Anika seemed to notice everyone too. She nudged Soledad and Tamaki and the three of them approached their table. They exchanged greetings for a few minutes then Mariana asked why they were still in Kanto.
"Geo-catching can bring you anywhere," Soledad responded. "We're in Viridian looking for some specific Rattata."
"Why them?" asked Jake. "Rattata are the most common Pokémon in the world."
"We learned that they are one species of Pokémon that is prone to breeding with the fusion Pokémon. While most of the fusion Pokémon are now contained, many of their offspring remain running lose, especially here in Kanto. As a result, we find Rattata that have some interesting characteristics. Several odd ones have been spotted around here and Professors Balsam and Zigba want us to gather as many as possible."
"That might explain why Team Rocket likes to collect Rattata. I bet Giovanni sensed something weird about them before the fusions crisis," Brodie mused.
"Possibly. I love it either way."
"I like it too," said Tamaki. "I was never much of a battler, and I think this is really cool, ya know? I already caught three of them. Not as much as the rest of the group, but I'm still in training."
"Any chance you will be sticking around for a bit?" Mariana queried. "We are going to Frontier Brain Emerson around here within the next day. Maybe we can hang out."
"We'll be around for at least a few more days, maybe longer, depending on how much work we can get done," Soledad replied. "We can definitely hang out before we move on."
"We might even go to Alola," nine-year-old Gracie announced.
"Possibly…I was looking to see if there were any professors up there that could use some Geo-catchers and one professor, a woman named Alana Rosedale, said she is considering a project. I kind of miss being with my other friends. I liked it when we were all together."
"I really hope it works out because Alola is amazing," said Tamaki.
"Well I have to work either way and seeing everyone would be a bonus," said Anika.
"You really have grown," Nolan told the kids. "Soledad, this time last year you were always asking our advice and double-checking, even when you were sure you were doing something right. Now you are all on your own and doing everything right."
"Thanks," Soledad replied. "It's because everyone in my group showed me the ropes. I couldn't have come this far without them—or without you."
"It was an honor."
"Let's all sit and eat together," Tyler suggested.
As they indulged in fried mozzarella sticks and deep-dish pizza, Tomoko, the official leader of the geo-catching group, received a message from Professor Rosedale.
"Good news, everyone," she announced. "We got that job in Alola."
"Yes! This is great," Soledad replied.
"Congrats," Lexi and Nolan responded together.
"I can't wait to go!" Gracie cheered.
"So…anyone who's not a geo-catcher wanna come with?" asked Anika.
"Well…maybe," said Mariana. "Since it is Alola…"
"It isn't too late to change your mind," said Nolan.
"I told everyone I was going to do this. Plus, I already stocked up at the Oak Lab."
"Do what feels right," Viviana insisted.
"You said in the car that you missed everyone and was sad that they weren't old enough to study at PIKA with you," said Brodie. "Now this is your opportunity to be with them all, Soledad, Tamaki, June, Annastasia…those other people…"
"I'm going to become a geo-catcher," Mariana decided.
"Yes! I can teach you about Geo-catching and you can tell me about what you learned at PIKA," said Soledad.
"Ditto!" said Gracie.
"Are you going to be okay without me?" Mariana asked her younger brother.
"I don't need you and Rita to always be telling me what to do, I can take care of myself," Lucas responded.
Mariana turned to Nolan, Lexi, Jake, Tyler, Brodie, and Viviana.
"You'll make sure Lucas takes care of himself, right?" she asked the teenagers.
"Don't worry," Nolan replied. "We have experience."
"Great. So, the Professor sent me another text. She would like us to get started as soon as possible," Tomoko announced. "I told her about the job we have here, and that she should give us about a week to get to Alola."
"That is great!" said Gracie. "Our friends are going to be shocked when we show up!"
XO
Day 44
Takeshi, June, Amber, Jay, Jezz, Lily. Logan, Maya, Annastasia, Jocelyn, Benny, Michio, and their Pokémon stood in front of the Morgan's new vacation home, getting ready to take a group photo. Mewtwo, Lucario, and Annastasia's new Volbeat and Illumise friends had decided to join them, as well as Sandshrew, who wouldn't go away no matter how hard they tried to convince it to leave them alone. Hauana and Perry were also present to say goodbye to Jezz.
"On the count of three, everyone make silly faces," James instructed.
"Plus!" Plus shouted.
She squirmed out of Rose's car seat and ran onto Michio's shoulder. Minun followed, jumping onto Bleu's back.
"You two aren't coming with us," Annastasia told the Pokémon. "You're staying here and bonding with Rose and Silver."
The Pokémon ranted, cried, and begged.
"Plusle and Minun think the twins are boring," Lily explained.
"They want to be with everyone else," said Logan. "They really, really want that."
"More than anything," Maya added.
Plusle and Minun stared deeply into Annastasia's eyes. Annastasia sighed and scratched underneath their chins.
"I didn't expect to say this, but I think they should come with us," she announced.
"They're the twins' Pokémon," Jessie argued. "They're just being stubborn about it."
"We need to pair the twins with Pokémon that click with them. Maybe you can find them someone special here in Alola. Trust me; this'll be better for everyone involved."
"You just want them for yourself," Amber remarked.
"I do love them, but this is about what's best for the twins."
"You'd know best," James murmured, and the others agreed. "Plusle and Minun will be happy and the twins can get Pokémon that will bond with them naturally. Alola is full of fantastic Pokémon; I bet we'll find them suitable partners in no time."
"This is great!" said Jocelyn.
She squeezed Plusle into a hug. The Pokémon gave her a brief electric shock then wriggled from her arms. Jocelyn huffed.
"I suppose you can't expect all Pokémon-human friendships to be a love-at-first-sight experience," said Jay.
He and his parents helped Jocelyn fix her now-messy clothes and hair.
"You'll find more Poké-friends," said Annastasia. "Promise."
"I sure hope so, Onēsan—I've had stinky luck so far," she bemoaned.
"There are many adorable Alolan Pokémon that we've never got to train," said Jessie. "I love those little Mudbray!"
"I have a special bias towards Marenie," said James.
"Stay clear of Bewear and you can't go wrong."
"What about Mimikyu?" Amber asked.
Jessie recoiled. "Well, some are better than others."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Takeshi.
"Nothing," said Jessie, James, and Meowth.
"Wob," Wobbuffet added, shuddering.
"Uh, that's weird," Takeshi replied.
"They're always weird," Amber pointed out.
"I'll catch whatever Pokémon you want," Jay told his parents.
"I suggest taking it one step at a time," Annastasia replied. "If each of you makes one good friend on this journey, I'll consider that a victory."
"C'mon, A—don't set the bar that low," Amber retorted.
"Then make two more friends."
"Um, so, I'm sure you've considered this already, but if Plusle and Minun come with us, who will Rose and Silver play with?" June queried.
"Rose and Silver may play with some of my Pokémon while we are away," Jezz offered. He gestured towards his Pokémon, who were all sitting together peacefully, waiting for the humans to make a move. "I want to bring them with me, but I would also appreciate developing a new team as I travel. I only have a few Pokémon from here in Alola. Most of mine are from the other regions in which I have lived."
"You're just gonna leave all your Pokémon here?" said Takeshi.
"Not quite; I would like to take most of my team, but not all eight of them."
"As Level D trainers, you may each carry up to ten Pokémon at a time," Annastasia reminded the children.
As they were speaking, Deerling had approached the twins, who were in their car seats on the ground beside their parents. Everyone watched Rose stroke Deerling's fur. Komala cuddled up next to Silver. Silver grabbed onto the Pokémon and contently closed his eyes.
"Deerling and Komala have spent quite some time with the twins since Jezz joined our circle," James remarked. "No pressure to leave them…"
"I would like to," Jezz filled in. "I care about them and this is what they want."
His Pokémon agreed. Jezz gave them each a good-bye treat from his freshly-stocked backpack.
"Koma ko?"
"This is not goodbye forever," said Jezz. "We will see each other again, even if you decide to officially become Rose and Silver's Pokémon permanently."
Jay's plan was to take his Tauros, Meganium, and as always, Togekiss. June wanted to just take Venasaur, Shaymin, and Uxie. Takeshi was just taking Typhlosion and Michio was taking Peruva. Amber was taking Pip and her top three birds: Pidgeot, Talonflame, and Fearrow. Jocelyn only had Flaafy and Benny only had his Eevee Jackson. Annastasia was bringing ten of her favorite Pokémon from Team Rocket headquarters, her goal being to get them back into the shape they were in the last time she was actively training with them. She also had Bleu and Lil-G, twenty-four Volbeat and Illumise, Mienshao, Sandshrew, Lucario, Mewtwo, and now Plusle and Minun to be responsible for.
It was providential for her that most of these monz could take care of themselves, as they were not technically her Pokémon, and she was counting on Lucario and Mewtwo to lighten her load.
"Is everyone good to go?" Annastasia asked the group.
The children responded with "Yes!" and "Definitely!"
"Are you sure you are going to be okay? You have a whole lot of Pokémon and kids to look after this time," James murmured as Annastasia fastened her pack.
"I'm not alone," she responded. "Do you believe in me?"
"Always, Anna-chan."
"I will protect her to the best of my abilities," Lucario vowed.
Jocelyn hobbled to Lucario just as he made his pledge.
"Lucario is my favorite," she announced, clutching the fighting/steel-type for stability.
"Fee?" Flaafy asked.
"You too, Silly!"
"Fee!"
Annastasia smiled at Lucario. "I have a feeling you're going to become a hit."
"A…hit?" the Pokémon asked. "I have no plans to hit any humans."
"A 'hit' means you'll be popular."
"Of course."
"Mewtwo will be a hit too," Benny said as he watched the clone Pokémon. "Will you help us on our journey, Mister?"
"I will be present always," Mewtwo responded, his eyes on Sandshrew. It spat in his direction, but they managed to avoid a battle for the sake of the humans surrounding them.
"We have Michio," Annastasia reminded the group. "He's a great resource…occasionally."
"Thanks for the accolade," he mumbled.
Michio pretended to ignore Jessie's judgmental heave. James at least had faith in his support, and he and Jessie were passed the days of arguing over the other's opinions; with some convincing, she'd too develop faith in him.
"Logan, Lily, and I will be glad to lend paws of guidance," said Maya.
"Well said," Lily praised.
"Thank you."
"Don't be so worried," said Amber. "We're even smarter this year than we were last year."
"I won't make the same mistakes twice," said June. "Or at least I hope not too."
"We'll impress you, you'll see," said Takeshi.
"Tyaphlose, tya phlo, sion," said Typhlosion.
"He's telling you that even though he can't physically evolve anymore, he can definitely reach level 100 this year, learn new moves, and evolve in that way," Logan explained. "And ya know—I bet we can all do that. Even me, as long as Michio trains me."
"Yeah, we'll see," said Michio.
"I'm beaming with pride," said Annastasia. "Now let's move."
As everyone gave their final farewells, Jezz had one final conversation with the Hales.
"Thank you for letting me go on this journey," he said.
"It's no problem, Jezz, truly-truly," said Perry.
"Just be safe," said Hauana.
"Don't cause any trouble."
"Jezz doesn't know how to cause trouble," Amber mumbled, though no one but Michio heard her.
"I promise I will be as safe, cordial, and as mindful of Annastasia's rules as possible," Jezz pledged.
Jezz gave the Hales one last hug. Annastasia picked up Silver and Rose and kissed them each one more time before bestriding her bicycle. Everyone else in their party mounted Jay and Ash's Tauros, except Jocelyn.
Though several Pokémon had tried to fix her broken ankle, the damage to it was too severe to be totally healed in just one day. They estimated that Jocelyn would be confined to crutches for at least a week. The solution was to have her ride Annastasia's Lelen. Lelen was a significantly smoother ride compared to the Tauros.
Jocelyn mounted the Pokémon with help from her parents. Lelen was more than capable of carrying the eight-year-old, her bag, her crutches, and Flaafy, and seemed very happy to do it. Her parents hesitated to let her go, but when they finally did, they discovered that Jocelyn was perfectly fine with riding by herself, broken ankle or otherwise; a sign that she had matured since her last journey. Annastasia and her parents were confident that this was going to be a big year for her. Jocelyn gave and Annastasia a thumbs up to let her know that she was ready to leave.
Then they took off on nine Tauros, a Lelen, and a fifteen-year-old bicycle.
XO
Less than an hour into their journey, as they approached the pier, the group united with Rita. Annastasia quickly dismounted to greet her, and the others copied.
"Are you sticking around?" Annastasia asked, her tone hopeful.
"Nope," she replied. "Giovanni wants me and Ralph to collect at least a hundred Morelull."
"What's a Maralull?" Benny asked.
"Morelull are mushroom Pokémon. They're little and white with some colored tops. They have loads of healing potential. They can't be found on every island and this island supposedly has the highest population of them."
"You're acting like a geo-catcher," June noted.
"For now."
"So, we've been traveling for about ninety minutes and the next ferry isn't due here for ten," said Annastasia. "I think it's the perfect time for a break."
The group drank water, used the restroom, talked, and groomed their Pokémon.
During this time, Rita approached Jezz. He jumped when she came behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. He nearly kicked her as part of an automatic defense response, but he swiveled sharply instead.
"You gave me a fright," Jezz admitted. "Good afternoon, Miss Rita."
"Enough with the niceties," Rita retorted. "I didn't mean to scare you. I want to know how you're doing."
"I am quite well."
"'Quite'?"
"Yes, 'quite'."
"Good to hear it. Remember that you can check in with me whenever. You have my phone number and I'll remember to pick up for you."
"You are kind. Thank you."
"Np."
Only Michio heard them, and as usual, he doesn't that he didn't care enough to pay better attention. He got in line behind Lily, who was in the process of purchasing her ticket for the ferry.
"What should I do if…" Jezz paused. He looked up at her, silently urging her to finish his sentence.
"If what?" Rita questioned.
"I think you know what I mean."
"Nothing has changed between us or the other participants in our group. I am reminding you that things are still relaxed and private. I am available as usual, and so are the others, though I hear I am your favorite mentor."
"You are. Thank you."
Rita patted him on the back. "Anytime."
"You have my utmost appreciation."
"I know."
Rita left Jezz and walked over to where Annastasia was changing the tire of her bike.
"The tires on this goldie must be older than I realized," she murmured as Rita watched her fiddle with the pump. "I have a question about Ralph."
"Shoot," Rita replied.
"Where is he?"
"When I saw your group coming this way, I made him go away."
"Why?"
"It's complicated."
"No, it's not. You must think we will embarrass you or he will embarrass you, is that it? I can tell when you feel embarrassed. Geeze, I sound like my parents. I'm right, right?"
"We can talk about him some other time—I gotta get going. Your boat is about to leave and I have to work on this dumb survey until five, then I have some records to look through. We can chat…I dunno, no not."
"Okie. Good luck."
After the exchange, the group boarded the boat, which brought them to their first Pokémon-hunting location.
XO
In the Next Chapter:
- Jezz bonds with June and Takeshi
- Rumika and Rita update Annastasia
- Jezz dreams
XO
Trivia:
- The lyrics at the beginning of this chapter are from the Shane Harper song 'Hold You Up'.
- The pizza place that the frontier-goers and geo-catchers meet up is the same location from my story Pokemon Karaoke.