AN: This chapter was updated/revised on December 29, 2019.
Beam Me Up
"Could you beam me up?
Give me a minute, I don't know what I'd say in it.
I'd probably just stare, happy just to be there
holding your face.
Beam me up,
Let me be lighter, I'm tired of being a fighter, I think,
a minute's enough.
Just beam me up."
Alecia Moore and Billy Mann
Flashback
It was a particularly warm day for an early Kanto spring, so I decided to make plans. I packed my bikini, sunglasses, towel, and cover-up in my Team Rocket backpack so that as soon as Giovanni excused me and Annastasia for the day, I could head over to the Beau Blue Lake. I didn't bother to invite A, since she knew she was trapped babysitting Jay while her parents and aunt handled the influx of costumers flocking to the 'birthplace of Pokémon Master Ash Ketchum'. That is one of the many things I hate about mid-March: The Pallet House is always packed, and that means no Annastasia, no free meals, and no free alcohol. The other thing that bothers me about March was the fact that we usually see Spectrum kids start dropping out. I hate seeing them leave, and though they sometimes kept in touch, it's never the same.
A and I rode our bikes to headquarters. We were greeted by Delia in the parking lot.
"Aunt Delia!" Annastasia shouted brightly, grabbing her attention.
"Anna-chan!" Delia shouted back.
I smirked at the nickname. 'Anna-chan' was for little girls. Annastasia was eleven, and visibly not a little girl.
Annastasia parked her bike then hugged Delia. She appeared to be carrying bags of groceries, and Annastasia didn't hesitate to take four bags in her arms.
"Can you carry all that?" she asked Annastasia.
"Totally," Annastasia replied.
I helped too, but that was after Annastasia took almost all the bags. I took one and let her handle the rest. They chatted for a bit, and then Delia addressed me.
"It's good to see you. How's your family?" Delia asked me.
"Same as usual," I answered.
Truthfully, I had no idea where any of them were now, but I assumed my dumb siblings were still learning it up at Viridian City's junior-tykes daycare, while mom and dad worked, whatever that is supposed to mean. Zorua barked to back up my statement.
"Are you girls going to see Gio?" Delia queried.
"Yep. We need to tell him that there are no conspiracy theorists plotting to hunt down his Persian in order to harvest its medicinal blood," Annastasia replied.
Delia laughed. "I heard that he sent you to take soil samples."
"We did that too."
"And we found no poison," I added. "I mean, no toxic poison, if you know what I mean."
"Yes, there were only some remnants of Koffing/Weezing smog and some Vileplume spores. That's what it looked like anyway. I suppose we won't know the truth until it actually gets tested at the labs here."
We handed Gio our homework, chatted for a bit, and then re-mounted our bikes.
"Do you want to help me babysit Jay?" Annastasia asked.
Yuck, as if I wanted to become a slave to that junior spit machine.
"I got things to do," I answered.
"Beau Blue Lake?" she guessed.
"Zo!" Zorua yapped.
"Yeah," I admitted.
"Have fun," A replied.
I really like A. Really, really, like A, but she needs to toughen up. I am one of her top five friends, and she lets people, including me, walk all over her sometimes. She should be forcing me to go with her. No eleven-year-old wants to be stuck in a hotel watching a toddler while making sure their four talking cat relatives don't screw up the little boy. The only reason she is doing it is because her Meowth and Purrloin family members can no longer be trusted with a baby after they lost the kid at an amusement park.
Annastasia always has her shit together. I do too, except I hate babies way more than she does.
"Are you are okay with me abandoning you?" I asked.
"You need a break. You did more work than I did today, especially since I had Bleu to rest on," said Annastasia. "And I have Nolan. Lexi has to go to the dentist, but I know he'll be around. He will totally help me if I ask him."
"Altarrria," her Pokémon agreed.
"I bet you are going down to Spectrum later."
"I will," I replied And I was serious too. Come to think of it, I should be spending more time down there. "I should spend more time down there...I'll call later to make sure you're still alive."
XO
Day 50
Rita tossed in her sleep before waking up, knocking the glass of water off her nightstand and onto Zorua. The fox Pokémon yapped angrily. Rita irritably turned on the lamp and assessed the damage. Zorua and the carpet were soaked. She took a shirt out of her temporary dresser to wipe the distressed Pokémon dry.
'I've been having loads of dreams about Spectrum lately,' she thought. "It's because of him I bet. He reminds me of the Jamie days.'
The barking and brightness woke up Ralph, who was occupying the bed across the room.
"Dammit, Rita. Teach your Zoa to stop yapping."
"You heard him, Zoa: shut your yap," Rita instructed with fake seriousness.
The Pokémon picked up on her light-heartedness and stopped crying.
"She is a Zorua," Rita told Ralph. "Not a 'Zoa' or whatever you just called her. And it's my fault she's flipping out; I got her drenched."
"At least shut the lights," Ralph mumbled, pulling a pillow over his head.
"So, now you want the lights off?"
"I'm not trying to be a douche, but I need to sleep."
"I know. You get tired so easily. It's one of your flaws. We'll work on that together."
"Rita, I swear I—wait, what time is it?"
"Five. We've been asleep for three hours almost. Still not recharged?"
"No, actually, and since you've become my partner, I've become suspicious. I feel like one day you are going to just say 'fuck it' and let us sleep until noon. You have a good reputation for being on time and getting all your work done, but I don't. I don't want to get fired because of you."
"I am the only reason you haven't gotten fired yet. Without me, you'd never be able to take the heat. Gio is a hardass and so is everyone who works for him."
"You aren't that hard."
"Neither are you, apparently."
"I set myself up for that one…"
"We have two hours before we have to get up. Soak it up so that you are useful tomorrow."
Rita shut her eyes. She felt Zorua curl up next to her under the blanket and reached down to pet her on the head. Zorua seemed to be the only person other than Annastasia who understood Rita's hatred of being touched in her sleep. The fox Pokémon always kept a few inches distance from her, and she didn't have to worry about being smothered, ever. Ralph didn't get it, and he proved it once more when she felt him take a seat on the edge of her bed. He touched her leg to indicate his presence.
"I thought you needed to sleep," Rita muttered as she opened her eyes to glare at him.
"Just wanted to let you know before you fall asleep that I am every bit as useful as you are when it comes to advanced field missions, and that you need me way more than I need you," he whispered.
"As if. You can fail at any time and I will be fine. You could leave anytime you want and I will be fine. I'll find someone else, or I'll take care of things on my own. You need me and you know it but you're afraid to admit it."
Ralph walked to his bed. He yawned, stretched got inside, and turned over. Rita continued to glare.
"You don't just let someone win an argument," she scolded. "You give up? I'm right and you're wrong? What the hell?"
"Whatever you say," he murmured.
Rita turned so that she was facing the wall. Within seconds, she was back asleep.
XO
Flashback
"A, can I call you back? Something came up," I told Annastasia before hanging up the phone.
The others were talking about some new kid, a seven or eight-year-old with their Gloom and Chingling. They were sneezing, coughing, and it seemed like the other volunteers were trying to figure out how to help them. I walked out of the volunteer lounge and headed to the back room where my friend Kira told me to meet her.
The kid had short, scruffy, black hair and bright blue eyes. Or maybe they are green eyes; they looked mixed, like A's but not as turquoise. I could tell they were hungry because the kid was gulping the protein shake the Kira had just given them. Their Pokémon were also hungry, and they were working on the Pokechow that Kira's brother had retrieved.
"I am sorry for being impolite," the kid told us. "I feel famished."
"It's okay," said Kira. "Eat as much as you want; we're here to help. I'm Kira."
"I'm Rita," I said.
"I am Jamie," they responded, bowing before us. "It is nice to meet you."
"Where are you from?" Kira inquired.
"Viridian City."
"You don't sound like you are from Viridian City. You sound like you're from Mansion-ville," I replied.
That accent and the tendency to hesitate made this little kid sound like a lost billionaire. I internally sighed. Not another one of these…
"I have never heard of Mansion-ville," they replied.
"It was sarcasm," said Kira. "You're welcome here no matter where you are from."
"I very much appreciate this. Thank you very much for the food for myself and my Pokémon."
"What happened to make you want to come find us?"
The kid bowed their head. I could hear the familiar story playing already. Most six, seven, eight, nine, and even late teenagers come here after they get kicked out of their homes. I was here not because I was one of those types, but because I needed to do something benevolent for society to help balance out my whorish life of drinking and sex.
Deep down I am a pretty softhearted fourteen-year-old, though I'd never say it out loud.
"Okay, okay," Kira said when they were finished telling their tale.
While I spaced out, she had taken notes. She handed me the notebook and I attempted to discreetly scan it, but I felt eyes on me.
"You don't have to tell us anything personally if you don't want to, but have no fear, everyone here is in a similar boat as you: trans, gay, lesbian, bi, lost, scared, skint…Most of them live here full time. Rita will show you where you can put your bag and tell you more about this place," Kira explained.
"Thank you so very much. I am very happy to be here," the child responded with a little bow.
I was having a hard time believing that this kid was from Viridian City; they were way to decorous.
"Follow me," I directed.
The walk to the kid's dorms took about ten minutes. I started a conversation about two minutes into the journey.
"I know a boy who looks just like you," I said. "He's one of my best friend's little brother. The only difference is the hair, and the eyes a bit, but you could pass as his double."
They didn't say anything. I face-palmed.
"I'm not saying that you look like a boy…" I recovered.
"It is okay. I am a boy," he responded.
"So, I suppose I didn't just fuck up. How old are you, Jamie?"
"Eight."
"Ha. So, you're a year older than Jay."
"Jay?"
"Jay's my friend's brother, the one I think you look like."
"Oh. Does he come here?"
"He's been here a few times. He likes to hang out with a lot of the kids that pop up, but he doesn't hang around too often."
"Why not?"
I was surprised by his curiosity. Most of the people who came to Spectrum didn't talk to the workers or volunteers this easily. It usually took kids several weeks before they started asking questions.
"Jay feels guilty," I explained. "His family has a lot of money, and even though he doesn't like to show off, he doesn't want to open up too much to these kids because he is not in their situation. He's gay though, so he has that going for him…that helps him relate to lots of us misfits."
"I am glad for him," Jamie replied.
"Ditto."
"Am I a burden if I live here?"
"Of course not. That's why this place exists."
That was my go-to response whenever this question came up. Every he, she, and they who showed up at the door asked it.
"Are you queer too?" he asked.
So many questions.
"I think so. Isn't everybody, somehow, sometimes?" I responded.
"I suppose that can be true," Jamie replied. "I feel guilty for running away though."
I remembered the notes that Kira took. Though I only had a few seconds to scan the document, I did pick up on the words 'foster kid' and 'abused'—were those his words or hers? I wasn't sure if that mattered.
"You didn't do anything wrong. We have people who can help sort that out—help to get you a permanent home—but not right away if you aren't ready," I explained. "We have a system in place. We want everyone to find a place that will accept them no matter what."
"That will be nice," he responded with a slight sadness.
This kid needed a hug. That is why A, Nolan, and Lexi had to start working here. They do intimacy better than I do. I squeezed his hand and reassured him that he made the right move, and I assumed that would be enough. I think it was because he smiled afterwards.
When we got to the gender-neutral dorms, I told him the basic housekeeping rules and handed him the standard list of resources that every kid received. I put him in with the ages six-to-nine crew, and by the time I walked away, I noticed he was already conversing with one of the girls I mentored.
I felt so damn good that day.
"Thank you, Rita!" he called after me.
I saluted him. "No problem, Jamie. See ya around."
Jamie became my next mentee. He was the best mentee I ever had. He was never late for our meetings and he told me everything. He was a bit too polite, and I told him to ease up on the manners, but he seemed to have difficulty doing that, so I let it go. I didn't want him to think that how he talked was a problem. Jamie and I talked so much that I became depressed when I showed up one day for our appointment and Kira told me he ran away. She was panicking but I had faith in Jamie. Just to be safe, I contacted Gio to see if he could get a spy team together to search for him.
But they never found him, dead or alive, and that changed me a lot.
XO
Day 51
Amber, Jay, and Jezz were hanging out near a stream right outside a town known as Roseville. They had spent almost two hours trying to catch water Pokémon, but all they managed to find were guppies.
Amber dropped her fishing pole onto the sandy bank and waded into the water, having given up her quest for water Pokémon.
"Throwing in the towel already?" Jay called to her.
Jay was several yards away from her, sitting on the dry land. Jezz was beside him, and they both had fishing poles in their hands and Pokémon by their side.
"Just for today," she replied. My mom might be a water expert, but I prefer flying types anyway. And it's hot. I could use a swim. Why don't you join me? You have your swim trunks on anyway."
"I think I will."
Jay reeled in his line, laid the fishing pole onto the ground, and removed his shirt. He waded until he was beside Amber.
"You gonna join us?" Amber called to Jezz. "You said the other day that you love swimming."
"No, I am okay…" he responded. "I…my sunblock will wash off if I get wet. I burn swiftly in the sun."
"I have a surf shirt and some extra sunblock you can borrow," Jay offered.
"I'll take it. Thank you so very much…"
Jay exited the water and walked over to his backpack, which was still sitting on the ground next to his abandoned fishing pole. He took the surf shirt out of the bag and held it up for Jezz to see.
"Just throw it on. It will fit 'cuz we're like the same size," Jay assured him. "And take this sunblock too. It's waterproof."
Jezz took the shirt and sunblock tentatively. "Where are the bathrooms again?"
"The bathrooms are a ten-minute walk that way." Jay pointed down a short dirt road. "I thought you just went before we got here."
"I did. I…um… I must go again…"
"You okay?"
"Yep. I shall take the shirt with me and change there. I will return…um…bye."
Jezz took off in an uncharacteristically fast walk down the dirt road.
"I wonder why he got so weird all of a sudden," Jay commented as he rejoined Amber in the water.
"Maybe he's got the runs," Amber mused. "Or maybe he's gonna puke. It wouldn't be the first time someone 'round here did that."
She poked Jay in the chest for emphasis, and he was reminded of a very embarrassing day at the beach on Limon Isle. He shook his head in annoyance.
"I hope that's not it," Jay replied. "Oh well. It's none of our business anyway. But then again, we are his friends…"
"I'll check on him. I have to go too anyway," Amber responded.
"Thanks. I'll just wait here…I guess."
Amber wrapped a towel around herself and put on her flip-flops. She trotted down the road. Eight minutes later she arrived at the restrooms, just in time to catch Jezz exiting.
"Amber! What are you doing here?" Jezz asked.
"I had to go too," she answered. "You sure were quick."
"Oh yes, I know."
"It's okay if you're sick again. I won't say anything unless you want me too."
"It is not that. I will meet you back up by the stream."
Jezz left before Amber could get another word out.
Jezz was unexpectedly distant for the rest of the day. He only spoke when spoken to, and seemed disinterested in everything, even the enormous Salandit that Takeshi and June captured. He didn't even try to catch any new Pokémon, and his smiles and laughs looked pained. Not everyone in the group observed this, but the few that did took note.
XO
Jezz turned in around 9:00 pm, which was an hour earlier than the time he and the other kids normally went to bed.
"I hope Oniisan isn't sick again," Jocelyn quietly commented after Jezz had said his 'goodnights'.
"I don't think it's that," Annastasia whispered. "I think he has something on his mind. We should give him some space. If he wants to tell us he will when he feels like it."
Amber wasn't convinced that this was the best method but it was certainly better than allowing Jocelyn to interrogate him.
"What if he needs someone to push him a little? Jezz might want someone to ask him what is wrong," Amber told Annastasia.
"Perhaps. I still think it is better to wait," she replied.
"That's what I would do," said Lily.
"Ditto," said Maya.
"Yeah, sure," Amber responded softly.
'Yeah right,' she added in her head.
Sandshrew perked up at this.
"Redhead, have you a thought to share?" it asked.
'Dammit, can it read my mind?' Amber wondered.
"Yes, I can."
"Don't read my mind!" Amber growled.
"I told you to stop doing that," Annastasia scolded as she stepped between Sandshrew and Amber. "Just because you can read minds doesn't mean that you should."
"Whatcha thinking about?" Jay asked Amber.
"Nothing," she snapped.
"Do you want to play cards with me, Takeshi, Jocelyn, Benny, and Jay?" June asked, redirecting everyone's attention.
"Nah…I'm going to go to bed early to. 'Night peeps."
"Goodnight," the others replied.
Amber ambled to the tent she was sharing with June and Jocelyn. When it appeared no one was paying attention, she slipped in Jezz's tent instead of her own.
"Amber?" Jezz asked. He quickly pulled a blanket over himself. "What are you doing here?"
She was grateful he didn't scream the way Jay would have if she snuck up on him like that.
"I wanted to talk," she said as she made herself comfortable on Takeshi's sleeping bag. "I didn't think you'd be getting dressed since you were already in your pajamas when you left the campfire. Sorry."
"Oh, it is quite fine," Jezz replied. "I just don't like to sleep with my top on, but I don't want people to see me either."
"You know around here it's fine to go shirtless…Unless you're a girl, then they make you wear shirts. But for guys, no one cares what you look like. You of all people should know that by now. I mean you have been living with us for a while."
"I just prefer to wear one, that's all."
Amber knew he was hiding something. She remembered that time Jay told her about how his father didn't like to go topless because of all his scars. She wondered if that was Jezz's problem.
"You know you can tell me anything. I won't judge you or tell anyone else. If something is one your mind and is bothering you, as my friend you would tell me, right?" she asked.
Jezz evaded her eyes. "Amber, I don't think you would get it. I trust you, but you wouldn't get it."
"That doesn't make any sense. I said I wouldn't tell anyone. It sounds to me like you think you can't really trust me yet."
She was doing her best to hide her worry and anger, but Jezz still sensed it. She waited for him to speak.
"I am not forcing you to divulge all your secrets," he retorted.
"So, there is a secret?" she asked excitedly.
"Umm…no…"
"Liar. You want to know my secrets? Fine. I'll tell you everything I got. What do you want to know first?"
"Amber, don't be angry, please. I…just…am sorry."
Amber felt a wrench of culpability; she didn't experience guilt often, but when she did, it stabbed her harder than almost any other feeling.
"I'm sorry," she sighed. "I'm not angry at you and probably never will be. I think I should go."
"You may stay if you want," Jezz replied. "I did not mean to cause conflict."
"Spending all night alone with my squish? Someone might get worried."
"Please? Jay will come eventually and you can swap spots with Takeshi. He likely would appreciate that."
"Kk. I just need to get my sleeping bag. I'll put it between yours and Jay's."
"Thank you."
"I'm getting more like A every day,' Amber thought as she exited the tent.
Jay saw her leave their tent and shuffled over to her.
"Are you going to stay in our tent?" Jay asked, hope in his tone.
"Yep. You sure sound happy about it," she sniggered.
"Well, yeah. I like having sleepovers with you! Jezz didn't go to sleep yet, did he?"
Amber lowered her voice. "Not yet. I have a feeling he'll be up for a while."
"Then so will we."
XO
Later that night, Annastasia, Michio, and their Illumise and Volbeat companions decided, as usual, to do a final headcount before they turned in for the night. As usual, Sandshrew watched them lazily and made comments while all the other Pokémon got ready to sleep.
"Jay, Jezz, Takeshi, are you present?" Annastasia asked through their tent.
"Illu?" asked one of the Illumise as she shined her light on the tent.
Jay popped his head out. "Yep. And Amber is with us, just so you know. She traded her spot with Takeshi."
"Don't stay up too late," she requested. "We plan to do a lot more walking tomorrow."
"We won't. We are only going to talk for a little bit, then sleep."
"Great. Goodnight."
"G'Night."
Annastasia's tent was stuffed with various Pokémon, most of whom neither she nor Michio formally trained.
"Vollll!" one of the Volbeat cried, guilty that there was any room for her and Michio to lie.
Several others shared his sentiment.
"Illui?" asked one of the females, wondering where Michio had gone off to.
"He's coming back," Annastasia assured them. "And…we kinda sleep in here. Maybe you can share with one of the kids. I have two smaller tents that I bought for Mewtwo and Lucario, but they never use them."
A few seconds later Michio joined them.
"Geeze," he commented after he evaluated the occupants.
"Yeah," Annastasia remarked.
Michio glared at Sandshrew. "Some of you gotta go."
Minun and Pusle were instantly worried.
"How about you two go sleep with Jocelyn?" Annastasia suggested. "She'd love that and so would you."
The electric-types sought Jocelyn.
"How about you go find Lucario and Mewtwo?" Annastasia told Sandshrew.
"Stop patronizing me," it responded.
"I'll buy you ice cream if you cooperate."
"Hmmm…hmm…yes, fine then. I shall be leaving."
Michio and Annastasia breathed sighs of relief as the Pokémon departed with his sleeping bag, expensive toiletries, and a stash of made-for-humans snacks.
"This is better," Annastasia said as she snuggled up to Michio, Lil-G, Bleu, Star, Peruva, and Mienshao. "Bleu, may I use you as a body pillow? Lil-G, you can rest on my belly or chest, whichever is comfier for you."
The Pokémon nodded and got into position.
"Ah, some, I got some…news. I don't want to freak you out, but I can't find Amber or Takeshi. Please tell me you know where they are."
Annastasia yawned. "Amber is staying with Jezz and Jay, Takeshi is with Benny and Logan, and Jocelyn is with June, Maya, and Lily."
"Why?"
"As long as they are all safe and happy, I don't care where they sleep. I want to respect their preferences."
Annastasia crawled on top of Bleu, who as usual, was happy to host her. A moment later Peruva and Lil-G were on top of her with Mienshao beside them. Michio slid into his own bag and stared at her closed eyes until she felt his gaze and opened them.
"What's up?" she asked Michio.
"You don't think that's a problem?" he queried.
"The Pokémon crowding us? I don't mind. Do you?"
"No not that; I mean about the kids changed tents."
Annastasia rolled her eyes. "It's fine."
"But they are preteens…"
"And?"
"They should be separated so that things aren't awkward."
"They have sleepovers all the time."
"As almost teenagers?"
"They are kids, Michio. And they all really care about each other. Don't be so conservative."
"But they are probably thinking about things that you and I don't because unlike you and me, they aren't—probably aren't—a—"
Michio was interrupted by Sandshrew as it barged into the tent unannounced.
"I am staying in here," it asserted.
"Must you?" Annastasia replied.
"Yes."
"Why?" Michio whined.
"Personal reasons."
"Fucksake."
"Just lay down and try to go to sleep," Annastasia told the two of them.
"Taria," Bleu chided before hitting them both with a soothing Heal Pulse.
"I will, but only because I enjoy the sleeping process, though as you know it is entirely unnecessary for me, being as powerful as I am," Sandshrew responded.
Sandshrew squeezed itself behind the pile of half-asleep Pokémon then curled into its sleeping. Annastasia used that as her cue to continue her conversation with Michio.
"Jay and Amber are best friends, and as far as I can tell, they adopted Jezz as their apprentice," said Annastasia. "If they want to stay up all night and talk and cuddle and share secrets, I don't think it is a problem at all. Why do you think that it would be?"
"Because I was a preteen once," he replied. "I remember what it was like. Are you really going to make me talk about this?"
"I get that you are concerned, but I know them better than you do, and I know they are okay. If it were awkward for them, they wouldn't do it."
"But unavoidable things can get in the way of that…their brains aren't fully developed yet…"
"And neither are ours."
"Clearly," Sandshrew interjected.
"Amber and Jay have slept together plenty of times," Annastasia continued. "The beginning of puberty didn't completely change their lives. Plus, I already talked to them about this."
"What 'this'?" Michio asked.
"We discussed boundaries mostly, but also that yucky stuff you hate."
"You did? When did…how did you learn about all that shit?"
She smiled because he was genuinely curious.
"I've had my experiences; the emotional, the physical, the mental. Plus, I have parents who are filter-less in a useful sorta way."
Michio paused. He was almost going to say something then stopped.
"I can tell," said Annastasia.
"Tell what?" he replied.
"Tell that your family never had those talks with you. It must've been hard to live in that confusing clouded path to adulthood."
"I don't think of myself as an adult."
"Most of the time I don't either."
"Stop," Sandshrew ordered. "I have heard enough of your human issues for today and I want to sleep!"
"Then go outside," Michio retorted, raising his voice from his cozy whisper to a gritted-teeth growl. "Maybe if you are lucky you can convince someone to capture you as their own Pokémon. Then they could do whatever they want with you and we would never have to see you again."
"I am here for a purpose."
"No."
"My purpose is to watch her."
Sandshrew pointed to Annastasia. She had her eyes closed and was contently ignoring their bickering.
"I must make sure that a human as powerful as her uses her abilities for the good of Pokémon," said Sandshrew. "And by the way, you haven't been doing much advocacy lately."
"She's trying to sleep," Michio grumbled.
Sandshrew continued as if he hadn't spoken. "It is your fault that my people suffer while yours thrive," it bemoaned.
"Tarrria tar ria tar," Bleu chirped at the Sandshrew.
"Pu," Lil-G added.
"I reject that," Sandshrew sneered. "You believe humans and Pokémon are united, that it isn't 'us' and 'them'. That is nonsense."
"Prrow," said Peruva.
"Mrrrr," Mienshao hissed.
"Equal, the same; it's all drivel. You can manipulate words all you want but in the end, it's all the same," Sandshrew responded.
"Altarrria alta," Bleu responded.
"I despise that Mewtwo and Lucario. Just because they've changed their stances doesn't mean that I will."
"I'll hand out more of your fucking posters and add some more money to the fund in the morning," Michio groused. "Go to sleep."
"I am holding you to that."
"Whatever. Just shut up."
Sandshrew took its bag in its hand and prepared to exit the tent. Before it left, it looked them in the eyes creepily.
"Don't forget that ice cream," it demanded.
"I won't," Annastasia mumbled, still half asleep.
After Sandshrew was gone, the Pokémon chatted among themselves for a bit. Then Mienshao and Peruva left the tent, so Annastasia no longer had to pile up with her Pokémon. Lil-G and Bleu left too, and the firefly Pokémon took their lead, leaving Annastasia and Michio alone except for the Pokémon that were resting contently inside their Pokeballs. Michio inched his way closer to Annastasia, and once he was close enough, he hugged her caringly.
"The heat is getting to me," Annastasia murmured. "I don't want to hurt your feelings, but the heat…"
"I get it," he responded, letting go of her. "Annie, you should have said something sooner. You were probably very uncomfortable before."
"I was…and I sorta did say something…but I wasn't clear…then you…well, I am saying something now. Don't take it the wrong way. Things would literally be different between us if we had a few fans in here."
"Yeah. I'm fine. My heart is not glass," he told her.
Annastasia smiled. "Yes, it is. Sometimes. Mine too."
Michio distanced himself far enough so that they wouldn't accidentally roll over one another in their sleep. Then he closed his eyes, and Annastasia did the same.
"Good night, Annie," said Michio.
"Good night, Pumpkin," she retorted with a smirk.
"Don't ever call me 'Pumpkin' again."
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
XO
In The Next Chapter:
- Groggy Geo-Catchers
- Ralph and Rita
- Jessie and Michio are at it again
XO
Trivia:
- The lyrics at the beginning of this chapter and the inspiration for the title of this chapter are from the song 'Beam Me Up', written by Alecia Moore and Billy Mann and made famous by Pink.
- Some of these scenes are recounted in The Journal from Jezz's perspective.