AN: This chapter was updated/revised on December 15, 2019.
Stones and Storms
"When it's coming apart, you had it all.
It wasn't enough. No, it's not enough.
They tell you it's not worth the price, so just let it go.
But you know you can't. You know you won't."
Shane Harper
Day 45
The assertive yet reserve black-haired teen called Tomoko had been leading her team through the thick tropical forest for nearly an hour. Their group consisted of Soledad and her friends Anika, Gracie, Mariana, Tobie, Carol, Flare, Tomoko, and their Pokémon.
"Are you sure this is the way?" Anika queried.
"Positive. I have a Poké-nav, and it was working fine the other day," the leader replied.
"Pohaku should be right around here," said Mariana, referencing her own Poké-nav. "We should stumble upon it any minute now."
"Look!" Gracie cried.
She pointed in the direction of a rocklike shadow. Everyone followed her glance as the shape turned into a Donphan-sized Pokémon with a grey metamorphic shell, two blazing opaque eyes, six crusty orange limbs, round crimson teeth, and an obvious grimace on a rock-solid risorius.
"Poh a kkkkkau!" the stony Pokémon roared.
"It's ginormous!" Gracie exclaimed, apprehensive but excited.
"Sure is," Anika replied. She and several others scanned it with their Pokédexes.
"Pohaku, the Metamorphic Stone Pokémon," said Anika's Pokédex. "Pohaku are gentle Pokémon that do not enjoy battling. They like to rest near volcanoes."
"Pohaku is known as the Metamorphic Stone Pokémon. Pohaku usually live in very warm areas and feed off volcanic ash and soil," said Soledad's Pokedex.
"This Pohaku weighs 845 pounds, four by four feet wide, and eight feet tall," Flare read. "I wanna catch it."
"Ditto," said Anika.
"Double ditto," said Soledad.
"We're a team," Tomoko reminded the younger trainers. "We'll catch it together."
"How do we catch a Pokémon that doesn't like to battle?" Gracie asked.
"We challenge it—and whether it accepts the battle or not, whoever gets it first gets to keep it," Flare suggested.
"There are bound to be plenty around here and it's not even on our wanted list," Carol said when she noticed Tomoko's hesitation.
"Fine," said Tomoko. "Whoever gets it, keeps it."
As the trainers pursued the Pokémon, Pohaku grumbled and kicked dirt in their direction. Rocks and chunks of soil, charcoal, and ash pummeled the trainers' Vaporeon, Blastoise, Wartortle, Claydol, Julip, Tauros, Kangastan, Goldduck, and Corsola.
Tamaki and Soledad quickly took the lead, and eventually their Pokémon were the last ones standing. Pohaku surrendered.
"It's all yours," Tamaki told Soledad.
"It was your Pokémon that did most of the fighting. You take it," she replied.
"I don't plan on battling anytime soon. You said that you might want to. That's why it should be on your team, not mine."
"Ju Juuuulip," Soledad's Julip added, backing Tamaki's perspective.
"The Pohaku Lab is waiting for us. We should keep trying to find it," Tomoko told the pair. "Make a decision today."
"Fine," Soledad mumbled. She threw a Great Ball at Pohaku. The blue, red, and white orb clicked closed. "But just so you know, I can do this on my own. I don't need you to help me out unless I ask."
"Just trying to help," Tamaki brightly replied.
"I thought Pohaku was the name of the Pokémon, not the lab," said Gracie.
"Pohaku is also the name of the lab where Professor Rosedale is waiting to meet us. Every lab around here is named after a Pokémon," Anika explained.
"Neat."
The group walked until they discovered a small pink building with a yellow roof and a carving of Pohaku at the entrance.
"There it is," Tomoko breathed. "Finally."
"It's pretty," said Gracie. "Professor Rosedale has good taste in decorations."
When they reached the lab, Tomoko knocked until a voice called for them to enter.
"This place looks bigger on the inside than it does on the outside," Carol commented as they strolled down the single corridor.
Soledad nodded. "Yeah and—"
"There you are!" an enthusiastic voice interrupted.
A woman with copper skin, chestnut eyes, and flaxen hair met them in the hall.
"I am Professor Rosedale," the woman announced. "Welcome to Melemele Island. I was starting to get worried. I didn't think it would take more than an hour for you to get here."
"We took a water break and caught a few Pokémon along the way," Tomoko explained. "We figured since you said 'no rush' that—"
"Of course, I don't mind! Come on in. I will get you all some water, snacks, and formally give you your assignment."
"Thanks," they all replied in unison.
"It sure is hot out there," Soledad said after they finished introductions. "Humid and 90 degrees. Is it always like this in Alola?"
"This forest does get a bit cooler in the winter, but not by much," the professor replied. "And I am sure you are aware of our mountain ranges. It gets quite chilly up there."
"I like the heat and hate the cold. In my home region Johto, we get a bit of both, and summer is always my favorite. I can't wait to swim in the ocean and surf," said Tamaki.
"We are here to work," Soledad reminded him. "We'll only be surfing if we complete our assignment on time."
"I assure you that there will be plenty of time for surfing," Professor Rosedale replied. "Though the assignment I will give you is challenging, I am prepared to give you six weeks to get it done. I am sure you can do it in less. Feel free to take as many surf breaks as you desire."
"Sweet. Thanks, dudette," Tamaki replied. "I mean, Mrs. Professor Rosedale Dudette."
"I want to snorkel," said Gracie.
"Alola will provide many opportunities for that," said Professor Rosedale. "You look a bit young to be a Geo-catcher. How old are you?"
"Nine."
"My sister Gracie is just coming along for the adventure. She isn't involved in the actual assignment," Anika clarified.
"Same with me. I just wanted to travel," Tamaki said as he wrapped an arm around Soledad's shoulders.
"The more the merrier," the professor replied.
She handed the geo-catchers a folder containing their assignment.
"We are looking for the rare blue and green Morelull. We have reason to believe that they produce a very powerful medicine that can be used to heal people from almost any disease," she explained. "Several have been spotted around here. I haven't been able to find any myself. I figure you kids could help me out."
"That's our job," said Flare.
"You can count on us," said Tomoko.
"Is that all you want us to do?" Soledad asked, expecting a much more elaborate assignment.
"I would also like you to have fun while you do it," she replied.
"What else do you know about these special Morelull?" Tomoko asked after they scanned the documents Rosedale had given them.
"Professor Ivy, who is stationed in the Orange Archipelago, claims to have spotted one about a year ago in her home region. She did some research and discovered that hundreds of years ago this variety of Morelull was common, and people used them to treat all sorts of diseases and disorders. They were hunted to extinction though. We want to rehabilitate them and see if the records are correct about their healing abilities. Because Morelull are native to Alola, we figured this would be the best region in which to do that."
"You said they were hunted to extinction. Does this mean you have to kill the Morelull to get the medicine?" Soledad asked.
"No of course not! People spent so much time getting the medicine from these Pokémon that the Morelull didn't have the strength nor the time to reproduce more of their kind. Unlike most Pokémon, they have a very short life span. It would be shocking to find one older than thirty years."
"Thank goodness," Gracie breathed.
"Yeah, cuz I don't like the idea of killing Pokémon," Tamaki murmured.
"Me neither," said Professor Rosedale. "As a Pokémon researcher, I always advocate against the killing of Pokémon."
"Is this all you wanted us to do?" Tomoko inquired.
"Well…since you all seem so eager…there is something else. I didn't plan on putting you up to this…see, I am looking for a Mimikyu…"
"No problem," said Tobie. "How many do you want?"
"It's a specific Mimikyu. I know it sounds weird, but I ran into an interesting one a few years ago and I have yet to capture it. It was just an ordinary-looking one, though it was at a very high level. I keep in touch with every trainer to whom I give a starter Pokémon, and none of them have found it yet. Of course, it could have been captured by someone still…but anyway, just keep that in the back of your heads for now. I will pay you generous amounts if you find it for me."
"We will do our best!" Gracie saluted her.
"How will we know if we find it?" Soledad asked.
"It is at a very high level," Rosedale repeated.
"Level 100?" Tomoko guessed.
"Higher."
"That's impossible," said Soledad. "…Isn't it?"
Professor Rosedale shook her head.
"For the longest time we thought Pokémon didn't go beyond a certain number of experience points, but the existence of this Mimikyu challenges that belief," she told the children. "You will know that Mimikyu when—if—you see it. Don't worry about it now, though; I'd rather have you focus on the Morelull."
"Yes, Ma'am," the geo-catchers responded.
"Okay then…" Tamaki hummed. "I dunno about you all, but I totally need a break."
"I have veggies, malasadas, and everything in between," the professor replied. "Follow me to the kitchenette."
The kids and teens took an hour to recharge. They talked to Professor Rosedale about the details of their project, how to navigate the forests of Alola, and ways to capture the Morelull and potential Mimikyu. When they were finished, they returned to the woods several miles from the lab.
"According to the professor's report, we will be much better off using Pokémon native to Alola to capture the Morelull. They are natural enemies to Bewear, who would sometimes eat them if their normal food supply was low," said Anika.
"We don't want to have the Bewear eat them!" Gracie exclaimed.
"That won't happen. Only if it's super hungry. According to the journal that the professor gave me, a Bewear hasn't been caught eating a Morelull in a very, very long time. They are still attracted to them though, which means if we catch a Bewear, we can ask it to help us find what we need."
"Bewear aren't rare too, are they?" asked Mariana.
"Not particularly," Tobie answered. "We should be able to find one with our radar."
"Then let's move," said Flare.
"And if we are lucky, we will run into my old friends on the way," Soledad added.
XO
Day 46
On day ten of their travels, Nolan, Lexi, Lucas, Jake, Viviana, and Tyler had finally defeated Frontier Brain Alain in Viridian City. Their next task was to face the Frontier Brain know to all as plainly Samurai in Pewter City. It was late in the day, and they were starting to prepare dinner.
"I missed camping like this," Brodie said as he placed his heavy backpack on the ground. "It's been too long."
"I don't like camping at all," Viviana replied. "I wish Pokémon Centers were more common. We have too many campsites in Kanto and not enough Pokémon Centers."
"I don't mind at all. I suppose I feel neutral towards it," said Lexi. "It brings back happy memories from my younger days."
"Ditto," said Nolan.
"What do we have for food?" asked Jake.
"Rice, broccoli, turnips, and carrots," Brodie listed.
"And I have some tofu and coconut oil we can cook with," said Nolan.
"I just realized I haven't cooked since we were traveling with the kids," Lexi commented as she took a pot out of her backpack.
"I cooked a lot, only for Nadia though."
"Who's Nadia?" Viviana queried.
"My five-year-old little sister." Nolan showed off his phone's wallpaper, which was a photo of him and Nadia together. "Isn't she cute?"
"Awe! I love kids."
"She's the best. I miss her. Usually, when I'm away like this I video chat with her a few nights a week, but it's never the same as being there in person."
"I have a little sibling too," Lexi said as she showed off Will's picture. "He's a shy little bean. We're close too."
"Did you ever take them on one of your journeys?" Viviana asked.
Nolan and Lexi shook their heads.
"They're too young," said Nolan.
"Even though Will's almost Jocelyn and Benny's age, he's not like most kids developmentally. I offered to take him along but he wasn't ready."
"Last year was the first time we ever traveled with children. They gave me a new perspective on life."
"I agree completely. I think it was refreshing getting on their level."
"Listening to Amber and Jay argue over which TV show is better…"
"…Jay always says Steven Universe but Amb prefers She-ra…"
"…Only slightly, though. They agree that Toy Story Three was the best Disney-Pixar sequel ever made…"
"Soledad agrees with that too."
"Takeshi never saw any of those shows or movies until the kids made him participate…"
"But they all like SpongeBob," Lexi and Nolan said together. "Jynx!"
Their travel mates laughed.
"They didn't just talk about TV," Nolan continued.
"They talked about their crushes," said Lexi.
"Well, mostly Jay did."
"And June…being so vague even though we all knew she was talking about Takeshi…"
"They talked about their parents, especially Jocelyn."
"Parents really are kids' first friends…considering they're good parents."
"Hearing stories about Ash from Amb made me never look at that Frontier Brain/former Multi-League Champion in a whole new light."
"...Not that Ash was ever intimidating…"
"Who knew Brock was still such a dork?"
"Or that Gary Oak was slowly turning into his grandfather?"
"Or that Dawn dated more women than men?"
"They were a quirky bunch…"
"…with their lame jokes and hesitation to curse…"
"The way Soledad would spew Pokémon-related facts from dawn to dusk."
"How June always offered to help with everything."
"The way they gasped in awe at stuff like big buildings or what we consider 'common' Pokémon."
"Or cowered in fear at 'strange' nighttime noises."
"Sometimes they'd just need a hug and some slow sips of water."
"Or a backrub."
"Or to just be told that they are allowed to feel all those things."
"Plus, reminders. Oh, the reminders."
"I can still hear myself telling Jay to—"
"—'Leave the moisturizer alone and go to sleep!'" they said together.
"Reminding Amb to take the wet socks out of her backpack and hang them, and that letting them rot in her pack and stink up the campsite was not a valid option."
"Nor was flinging them into the night and then laughing like a Hyena," said Lexi.
"Jocelyn was hard to soothe whenever she got worked up, but A mostly took care of that. A was the best at working with them, hands down."
"It was hard when she left for many reasons, but her ability to just deal with those kiddos without having a breakdown was astonishing."
"Even though her own ADD meant we were often the ones giving her reminders. But despite her childlike nature and disability, A is the most responsible teenager I know."
"The more I think about that bunch, the more I miss them."
"Ditto."
"Working with kids sounds fun," said Jake. "I wouldn't know, never been there."
"I miss being a kid so much," Viviana sighed.
"Yeah. Then we wouldn't have to be desperately searching for a job," said Nolan. "I asked twelve different places if they were hiring, and everyone told me 'no'."
"What about Team Rocket?" Lucas asked. "Rita likes it and she gets paid well…sorta."
"That's not my speed."
"There is one person I know who might hire us," Lexi told Nolan. "A woman named Serene. She has lots of Pokémon and wants an experienced trainer to work with them. She wants to give some away to her sons, nephews, and nieces, but she wants to level them up first. It pays well, we can do it on the go, and I have a feeling we'd be good at it. She seemed nice. Discovered her on Craig's List."
Nolan looked at her in astonishment. "Do you have her phone number?"
"Yep, and as I matter of fact, called this morning. She didn't pick up, but I left a professional-sounding voicemail. I am hoping she didn't already give the position away to someone else."
"I'd call again if I were you," said Brodie. "Jobs like that go quicker than they come."
"Heck, I'd steal it away from you if it wasn't for the fact that I already sighed up for a pyramid scheme selling essential oils in addition to my part-time," said Viviana.
"Hmm…I'll call Serene now," Lexi elected.
After several rings, she hung up.
"Still not there," Lexi sighed.
"Maybe she'll get back to us tomorrow," said Nolan.
"Hopefully."
"Maybe you should consider Team Rocket," Jake suggested. "You need the money, and it can't be that dangerous. I mean you can just refuse to do the crazy missions."
"Like I said, Rita recommends it," said Lucas.
"If this woman doesn't call by the end of the week, I'll join TR," Nolan responded.
"…Ditto," said Lexi.
After dinner they sat around the fire, texting their family members and sharing travel stories of the past.
"I never realized you spent so much time together," Lucas said to Nolan after he finished telling them about the first time he went on a Pokémon journey. "Sometimes I wonder if going to PIKA was the best decision. I mean, I don't have a lot of close friends that live near me."
"I bet you got a great education and liked it while you were there," said Nolan.
"Not be rude, but isn't PIKA, like, extremely expensive?" Viviana inquired.
"Yes, but Mariana and I both got scholarships, so the tuition cost nothing for us," Lucas explained.
Viviana turned to Nolan. "How come Annastasia didn't go on all your Pokémon journeys with you?"
"Annastasia was determined to make Team Rocket a priority," Nolan replied. "Her parents would have let her go on a traditional journey the way her brother did and her other siblings probably will, but it didn't appeal to her. She is close with her parents and aunt and wanted to work with them. Annastasia would come by a lot to visit us whenever we were in Kanto or Johto, but her presence was never constant."
"Did you want it to be? It sounds like you were disappointed in her for leaving you."
"I suppose I was jealous when Rita became her partner. As I said before, my parents were against me joining Team Rocket, and although they might have let me go if I begged, I would have to deal with their constant intrusive questions and nagging. We had a lot of firsts together, so yeah, when she moved on it was a big deal."
"Firsts? Please tell."
Lexi noticed Viviana's highly intrigued expression.
"They are wholesome 'firsts'," Lexi added.
"What are you talking about?" asked Brodie.
"When Annastasia was little, she was a bit, um, ah…how would you describe it, Lex?" Nolan queried.
"She was weird, but in a good way. A lot of people, especially adults, gave her a lot of attention. They were always surprised to find her acting the way she did. Like you would be talking to her and suddenly, she would just run away. It was actually kinda funny." Lexi giggled at the memories. "And she didn't listen to teachers whenever they tried to make her do things like sit in her chair for class or to eat her food using utensils instead of her hands."
"I haven't spent any significant amount of time with her, but that doesn't sound like Annastasia," Tyler commented.
"Wait until you get to know her. She switches from serious to goofball in an instant. And she can be stubborn and overprotective, but in a caring, sometimes motherly way."
"You two helped to normalize her," said Viviana.
"She sometimes calls us her only normal friends, whatever that means, but I don't know if you can say we normalized her. We became friends because we didn't mind her crazy, and she didn't mind the weird things we did sometimes."
"Tell us about the firsts that you had. I'm curious."
"This isn't going to be disturbing, is it?" Lucas asked worriedly.
"No. I just mean little things. I was the first person she went on a bike ride with after she removed her training wheels, I helped her capture her first Pokémon, and I was the first person to ever battle her. I took her to her first dance and on her first date, I was the person who sat next to her while she first learned to drive. I also taught her a lot of things, like how to tie her shoes, how to whistle with braces on her teeth, and how to transfer a Pokémon back to the Oak Lab. I am a year older than her and she was an only child until she was seven, so I was like an older brother."
"And Annastasia and I had more secrets between us than I count," said Lexi. "I suppose I was like a sister to her."
"Now you and Nolan are also really close too," said Brodie.
"Yep."
"Won't this make us getting together awkward?" Tyler asked.
"I never confirmed that I was 'getting together' with you. You keep on telling yourself that."
"While we are on this subject. How about you and I?" Jake asked Viviana.
"You aren't my type," she replied.
Jake's face fell. "Well, what is your type?"
"I like tall blonds who grow their hair out long and like to wear cute little dresses."
"Huh?"
"I only date girls."
"Only? "
"Mmhmm."
Jake's face turned red with embarrassment, and Viviana and Lexi laughed at him for it.
"I actually wished Mariana stayed with us," Lucas said sadly.
"She hasn't been gone that long," said Tyler.
"We argue and tease each other a lot, but I do like her a little bit."
"I'll be your sister," Viviana offered.
"I can do that too," said Lexi.
Lucas smiled shyly. "Thanks."
"For the first sixteen years you were fused to your sister, and now that you are free, you want her to come back?" Tyler questioned. "That's weird."
"As nomads, our family is used to counting on one another to be each other's home."
"What about Rita?"
"Rita's home is Team Rocket. It is a huge part of her identity. Without Team Rocket she'd be lost. I just know it."
"I'm joining," Lexi said suddenly. "My parents will understand, so long as I tell them how I feel."
"Don't you want to wait to hear if that other woman calls you back?"
"Sorta. But if they don't, or I find out that Team Rocket is paying more, than Team Rocket is what I will choose."
"Well, then by default I suppose that means I am joining too," said Nolan.
"You don't have to join just because I am."
"I think I do, actually…if anything, for peace of mind."
"We'll talk to Serene, and if we don't like her offer, then we can call Giovanni and let him know we are interested."
"Does this mean you are giving up on the Battle Frontier?" asked Brodie.
"Nope. We can do both."
XO
Day 46
The tarp that Annastasia had put over their camp the night before didn't do a very good job of protecting them. Even though she and Michio had pounded the stakes holding it down as deep into the ground as they could possibly go, the heavy rain and wind still managed to blow the cover into the woods and up a tree.
Maya, Lily, Amber, and June's tent got the wettest, as they were only a few feet away from a small puddle that quadrupled in size overnight and flooded their quarters. The soaked Pokémon and children were up at 3:00 am trying to dry themselves off, but were mostly unsuccessful since almost everyone's belongings, including towels, were damp. Now it was morning and Annastasia was hanging over the fire, sleepily attending to a pot of water. She was alone until Jay became the second one to get up.
"Good mornin', A," he mumbled tiredly.
"Good morning," she yawned.
"What happened last night after that tent got flooded?"
"June and Amber went to Jocelyn, Benny, and Logan's tent, Lily and Maya came into mine and Michio's. How come you're up so early?"
"I just felt like it." Jay sat down next to her. "You look exhausted. Are you okay?"
"Yes and no. I'm feeling very sick, but I'm hoping that it'll pass quickly and not affect our plans to get to the lab today. I was up almost the entire night too, which must have weakened my immune system even more."
"Jezz got sick in the middle of the night too."
"Did he throw up?"
"I don't think so…he was coughing a lot, then he left to get water and tissues, and I asked if he wanted help and he said no and told me not to worry about him. He obviously came back at some point because he's asleep inside now."
"I should've been there for him."
"I think last night he just wanted to handle it on his own. Jezz told Amb that he doesn't like people coddling him."
"Oh…he told Amb that?"
"Yeah."
"Hm."
"Is that weird?"
"No, but it is interesting. Oh, well, if he's asleep now there's no sense in bothering him. I can check in with him later."
"Yep. So, how are Plusle and Minun?"
"Not too bad. They recover quickly. They are resting in my tent still…wait, Jezz must've gotten soaked out there."
"I didn't realize the rain was coming down that hard until later…but um, he did say that he didn't mind the rain…We all got drenched anyway..."
"There's no rush for us to go anywhere today; everyone can sleep in and I'll make more tea so it's ready for when the others eventually wake."
"I can make the tea. You should go to sleep."
Annastasia patted his head. "I appreciate it. And by the way, I think we can officially stop calling you Blue-Jay; that storm washed that last bit of blue out of your hair."
Jay twirled a few strands in his fingers. "Yeah. I should redo it soon. If I let it turn totally aubergine again, I wonder if the twins will recognize me."
"I'm sure they'll figure it out. So, if you're making the tea, then I am going back to sleep."
"Have a nice rest."
Inside her tent Plusle and Minun were hanging off Michio as all three of them slept. Blue, Lil-G, Peruva, Mienshao, and now Lily and Maya, were on the other side of the tent, keeping their distance from each other. The weather was so hot and sticky, and she wondered how Michio could possibly sleep so comfortably when two electric Pokémon were covering him. Annastasia had hardly touched him the last night, thinking it too uncomfortable to get close, but he apparently had no problem with it.
"That was why he was moping last night," she whispered to Lil-G, who had yipped quietly at her arrival. "He probably felt that I was ignoring he. Sleeping like this must be something only Alolans can do."
"Lili," the Pokémon agreed.
"Hmm?" Michio mumbled in his sleep. He opened his eyes and looked up at her. "What's that smell?"
"Good morning to you too," she replied. "You just did something I would do; you acted random."
He sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Not that random. Something smells bad."
"I'm guessing it's sweat mixed with more sweat and Bleu's dandruff shampoo."
Bleu opened his eyes at the sound of his name.
"Alt allll," he replied defensively.
"Mostly Plusle and Minun are making that smell," said Annastasia. "They have rotten Rowap-berry breath."
"Oh, well, it's obviously not her—their—fault," Michio replied, eyeing the electric rats. "Are you sure it's not Haku's nasty Mienshao?"
"Positive."
"Well…whatever. It's not so bad."
"Most of my Pokémon love Rowap berries, so I'm used to that smell, just as you are apparently used to this heat."
"It's not that hot."
Annastasia checked her phone. "It's ninety-one degrees Fahrenheit with eighty-percent humidity."
"It's been worse."
"Geeze."
Michio could tell by her strained tone, heavy eyelids, and weary smile that she was exhausted, sick, or both.
"You should go back to sleep," he said.
"That's my plan," she replied.
He moved over so that she could curl up next to him, but she opted for the other side of the tent instead, to where no people or Pokémon lied.
"Why are you upset?" he asked.
"I'm not upset," she yawned.
"Then why did you move over there?"
"I told you last night, it's too hot and disgusting."
"I didn't understand what you meant before…"
"Do you get it now?"
"Yeah."
Michio also went back to sleep.
Meanwhile, Jezz joined Jay by the fire. His eyes were red and puffy and had a damp towel in his hand that he was using to wipe the sweat off his face. He got embarrassed when he noticed Jay watching him.
"I didn't realize you were out here," he said sheepishly.
Jay stood. "You don't have to be embarrassed. Everyone gets sick, so, like, yeah…"
"Not as often as I do."
"A does."
"She does?"
"Oh, yeah, totally. She's even sick right now. Every time something goes around, she catches it. She catches sicknesses that aren't even going around too. I reckon she spends about as many days sick as she does being well…or well, it used to be like that more in the past, but it's still a lot."
"I wonder why that is."
"She has HIV."
Shocked by the way Jay just dispassionately announced it, Jezz flinched, then lowered his voice significantly.
"I don't think you were supposed to tell me that," he whispered.
"It's not a secret," Jay said with a shrug. "She doesn't care who knows."
"Oh, wow…"
"She was just born like that. It doesn't make sense for people to be embarrassed about how they were born."
Jezz let the words sink in. "I suppose it would be rather ridiculous to disagree with that statement."
"Yeah. Everyone has freckles. Even you."
"I haven't any freckles… my skin is plain." Jezz held up his arms for emphasis. "You don't have freckles either, nor do your siblings. Or June. Or any of the Pokémon. I do not understand what you mean."
"I didn't mean actual skin-freckles. I mean metaphorical freckles. Like birthmarks or scars or even those bruises that go away after a few days. Some people have more than others, some people have worse ones, but everyone has something and that is how we can all relate."
"That is wise."
"Yeah, it was, ha, yeah…, I agree. It was quite clever of me." Jay smiled smugly as he reached for the teakettle—he couldn't help but love every second of impressing Jezz. "Would you like any?"
"Yes, please. Tea would be wonderful."
"Yeah, I like tea too, though I prefer coffee."
Jezz simpered at Jay's mild inveracity; it was clear to those closest to him that Jay only drank coffee to help convince others that he was (at least a smidge) more mature than most made him out to be. It was an innocent lie that mellowed Jezz.
"I ground the beans ahead of time but the grounds got all wet because they were in my backpack near the edge of the tent," Jay continued.
"I am sorry about that. I also was victimized by the rain," Jezz revealed.
"I um, I-I noticed you get up last night. How come?"
"I became nauseous and fell ill."
"Like, how?"
"Vomit, blood, and excessive coughing/sneezing."
"Yuck! Uh, umm, oh, geeze! That's rude, I mean to say that you shoulda asked me to help you."
"You offered and I turned you down."
"Oh, yeah…"
"I wanted to take care of myself."
"Why?"
"It is easier."
"You think?"
"I know it well."
"You were also sorta like, you didn't want people to see, right?"
"Yes… I was embarrassed. It was a most improper sight."
"What made it improper? Like, other than the smell of that stomach acid…uh, yuck, I gotta not think about that stuff or else I'll also throw up."
"I feel I must…"
Jay's persistent questioning was leaving Jezz dry for answers.
"I feel I must present myself as clean, always, unless there is an unexpected event and I have no choice but to be soiled," he finally replied.
"My dad sometimes makes fun of the way some of the servants in his old house talked. They talked like you—I mean, like, not in a bad way. I'm trying to say that, that like, you can stop being embarrassed. We don't shame each other around here."
"It is just a precaution I have."
"Humph…Well, A throws up all the time. She throws up when she gets too worried, when she smells something super unpleasant, or when she gets the stomach flu—she gets that at least once per year, usually two or three times—and she throws up on people too. She threw up on me, on Bleu, on my parents, on Michio. It doesn't get grosser than that."
"I suppose you are probably right."
Jay focused on the way Jezz faltered with the tea in his grip, his eyes indicating that they'd rather be closed than open.
"Do you wanna rest now?" Jay inquired.
"Not at this precise moment," Jezz replied. "Perhaps in an hour."
"Want to go hang out somewhere, just you and me in the meantime?"
Jay held out his hand. Jezz took it and they stood together.
"I bet that tiny pond we found yesterday is now huge cuz of all the rain. Let's check," Jay suggested.
"I would very much appreciate that," Jezz replied.
Their Tauros, Togekiss, Chimecho, Furfrou, and Vileplume followed them into the forest. After a short stroll that was mostly silent, the discovered Annastasia's tarp. Fierce winds had forced into to a stand of trees.
"If Amb were here, she'd climb right up there and pull it down," Jay sighed as he gazed at the twisted tarp.
"I can climb trees," said Jezz.
"You can? Really?"
"Yes."
"Whoa. You don't seem like the tree-climbing type."
"I am an autodidact of many disciplines."
"Wow, uh, cool..."
"Thank you. I can get that down for you if you would like."
"That's like super impressive and A would totally be grateful but you're sick; you could faint or throw up again or both."
"I have never fallen before. If you want you can have Togekiss get ready to catch me in case I do fall."
Jay whistled for Togekiss. Togekiss ended his conversation with Jezz's Vileplume and flew over to the boys.
"Can you make sure Jezz doesn't fall out of that tree?" Jay asked Togekiss. "Of course, I'd ask you to get the tarp, if it weren't for the fact that you're handless. But I would really, really appreciate it if you could at least help Jezz."
"To, to," Togekiss agreed.
He used his wing to give Jezz a leg up, and Jezz grabbed onto the lowest branch. He climbed quickly and effortlessly to the top.
"You're like an Aipom!" Jay called after him.
"I have it!" Jezz said as he grabbed the canvas.
Togekiss flew Jezz to the ground after he retrieved the tarp. Jay observed it carefully.
"Look here," said Jay as he pointed to one of the edges. "This tarp was cut with scissors."
Jezz observed the area closely. "You are right, but why would someone use scissors to cut that part of the tarp?"
"Someone wanted it to fly away."
Jay marched back to camp. Jezz followed behind, a bit confused as to why Jay suddenly seemed so upset. Michio was now up, and he was getting ready to boil some rice for their breakfast. Jay presented the tarp to him.
"Look, the edges were cut," Jay ranted. "Someone cut these. We should've known. We hammered those stakes in so well that they are still in the ground. Someone obviously doesn't like us."
Michio observed the tarp, then looked over to where the stakes were still attacked to the ground.
"Fuck," he groaned. "This was Haku."
"That girl you were complaining about before? The same people who egged the bungalow?" Jay questioned.
"Yes," Michio and Jezz answered together.
"They came out in the rain just to do this to us…that's so sad."
"They probably hired someone to do it for them," Michio replied. "Although Haku is so determined to deliver personal torment that she could've done it herself."
"Why are these people sabotaging us?!"
"Shush—your sister's sleeping," Michio replied. 'We'll worry about this some other time."
"Fine… at least tell me why."
"They are typical Kapule Klan members and are pissed that I'm hanging out with you all and plan on moving to Kanto when this journey is over."
"You and Annie are going to live in Kanto together?" Jezz queried.
"That's the plan so far."
"Yesss," he whispered, thinking of his last night's dream. "That makes sense now."
"Yeah, sure, whatever. So…Jay…lament all you want but there's nothing I can do about it."
"You can talk to her and get her to stop," Jay reasoned. "If you don't then I will!"
"Oh, so you're assertive now?"
"Yeah!"
"Good for you, but she isn't going to listen to a little boy with purple hair and a voice that cracks at least once per conversation."
"It's aubergine, not purple, and if I'm not intimidating enough then you go."
"They aren't going to listen to me either."
Jay sat down, defeated. "This is all because that girl's obsessed with you, right?"
"Basically."
"Why do people even like you?"
"I don't know. Ask someone who cares."
Jezz took a seat next to Jay while Michio searched for the bowls Annastasia packed.
"Why don't you and Michio don't like each other?" Jezz whispered.
"We do," Jay replied. "He and I have an understanding."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning…well, like, I know there's a lot about me that confuses him and vice versa, but we just accept it…sometimes there are things I can like, learn from, like how I can mess up a lot and there's still someone out there who will not hate me for it. And A says that Michio never disliked me, we are just different."
"Oh."
"I bet there's someone like that in your life too; someone you trust and respect but you aren't quite bbfs with, nor family with, and they are different from you lots but that doesn't bother you. It could be someone older or someone you don't see every day but still think about a lot."
A blue-haired Rocket came to mind immediately.
"I understand," Jezz replied.
XO
Annastasia and most of the Pokémon stayed in bed until evening, so everyone gave up on their plans to do more traveling and just hung around the campsite and/or hunted for Pokémon.
It was 5:00 pm when Annastasia was jolted awake by another call from Rita.
"It's A," Annastasia muttered into the phone.
Rita paused, unsure if she should proceed.
"You sound ticked off," she told Annastasia. "Did I interrupt cuddle time or are you eating?"
"I'm sleeping," Annastasia replied. She glanced at her watch. "It's five at night!"
"You're just noticing this now?"
"Yes…I lied down for a catnap at about three...I must've…never mind…thanks for waking me, I suppose."
"Anytime."
"I should get food ready…why did you call?"
"In addition to wanting to hear your angelic voice, Jezz told me someone cut your tarp last night."
"Jezz called you? Directly?"
"He has my number and is capable of using a phone."
"It's perfectly fine—he can call whoever he wants—I just assumed he'd discuss that with me, not you."
"He told me you were sick and that none of the kiddos wanted to bother you. That's why I waited until the late afternoon to call. I didn't expect you to be sleeping this late."
"Neither did I. What do you know about the tarp?"
"Jezz told me someone sliced the edges of the tarps with fabric scissors so that it would come off the pikes. Jay and Jezz discovered it in a koa tree. Michio suspects Haku despite lack of evidence."
"Michio just wants to blame her for everything. How do they know the person used fabric cutters?"
"Jay," they said together.
"Yeah, he uses those frequently…" Annastasia mumbled. "It's no big deal—the canvas I used wasn't expensive and it's fixable anyway, but exposure to the bad weather did none of us good and destroying property is just plain mean."
"I sent some agents to investigate this," Rita replied. "For once Michio may be right."
"Will you be involved?"
"Nah. I'd rather work on our Jezz project."
"Whatever suits you…So, any updates about the Jezz project?"
"Yeah, but I'm not going to tell you about them quite yet."
"Why's that?"
"You'll understand later. It wouldn't make sense if I told you now. Don't take it personally."
"I won't. I trust you. If that's all, I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"You sure will. Goodnight."
XO
In the Next Chapter:
- Jay forgets how to chill.
- Jezz learns more about Jessiebelle.
- A period gift?
XO
Trivia:
- The word 'pohaku' means 'stone' in Hawaiian. Pohaku is not a real Pokémon.
- 'Samurai', the Frontier Brain of Pewter City, is the same Samurai from the first season of the Pokémon anime. As far as I know, he was simply a classic character-of-the-day and is not mentioned in any games or in future episodes of the anime.
- The lyrics at the beginning of this chapter are from the song 'Hold You Up' by Shane Harper.