AN: This chapter was updated/revised on December 30, 2019.
Sweet Serendipity
"Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play
Every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues drawn
It's always darkest before the dawn."
Florence and the Machine
Day 54
Soledad, Tamaki, Anika, Gracie, Tobie, Mariana, Flare, Carol, and Tomoko were on the verge of collapsing. They had been walking all day, only stopping to take several short breaks. The heat index was 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity level was at seventy-five percent.
"I have never been this hot and sticky in my entire life. This was not what I was expecting when I heard our mission was going to be in Alola," Carol commented after she took another sip from her water bottle. She wiped her sweaty forehead with a towel. "Anyone need some? I packed extra."
"No thanks," the group replied groggily.
"Day…I lost count…but there is still no Morelull," Tomoko said sadly as she scanned the radar. She put that and her bag on the ground. "Let's set up camp here."
"I thought we would have captured at least one by now," Soledad sighed. "Professor Rosedale is going to be disappointed in us."
"I don't think so. She seems like a laid-back person. I doubt she will give you a hard time if you don't succeed," Tamaki responded.
"I take this job seriously, Tamaki. I want to do my best and failure isn't what I had in mind."
"For best friends, you sure do argue a lot," Flare commented.
"That's because Tamaki is always acting stupid."
"I'm just being optimistic. You take things too seriously all the time," Tamaki retorted.
"At least I get things done."
"I do just as many chores as you do. I just don't complain about it as much."
"Children, settle," said Anika.
"Yes. It's too hot to yell," Carol sighed.
"Nearly every conversation you two had the past week has been an argument. You need to stop. It's bringing us all down," said Tobie.
"I need some space," Soledad replied. "I'm really stressed out."
"Yeah, talk about being hot and bothered," Tamaki mumbled.
"I know this is your first time being this far from home and away from your closest friends, but you need to find a way to deal with it that doesn't involve getting irritated so easily," said Tomoko.
"Your parents aren't far and they have a teleporter at their disposal, and the Morgan's new bungalow isn't far from here. It's probably only about a two-hour walk from this spot, maybe less," said Tobie.
"I don't know what I want to do," Soledad groaned.
"How about we go to the bungalow?" Anika suggested. "You can spend some time with your parents, and you may run into your friends while you are there."
"And we get the benefit of a few good meals, air conditioning, and a well-earned break from all this work," said Flare.
"I want to go to the bungalow," said Gracie. "Please, Soledad?"
"That sounds good to me, but I don't know how Jessie and James would feel about it. I doubt they want eight kids staying at their house. Not to mention they hardly know you all and I'm not their favorite person," Soledad replied.
"But they're your neighbors—your mega-rich neighbors," said Mariana. "It can't hurt to ask."
"I suppose we might as well give them a call…"
"Yessss. I really want to go," said Tamaki.
"Then I'll ask. Jay gave me the bungalow's number."
Soledad dialed the number Jay had put in her contacts. Someone answered after ten rings.
"Hello?" a tired voice answered.
"Hello, this is Soledad. Is this James?" she asked.
"Soledad…yes, this is James."
"Is now a bad time?"
"No, it's just that I didn't expect you to call, especially this early in the morning. What's up?"
"My friends and I got a geo-catching project here in Alola. We were wondering if we could spend a day or two at your bungalow. We want to take a break and hopefully meet up with Annastasia's group. Will that be okay with you?"
"Um, that should be fine. You can always stay in the Pallet House if we run out of room."
"Thank you so much. Can we come by tomorrow around noon?"
"Yes. Noon is good."
"Thank you again. We'll see you soon."
"Awesome," Tamaki said as she hung up the phone. "We can meet up with the other dudes."
"If they come by."
"Annastasia said that for the first part of their journey they were going to go back to the bungalow every few days. She is really attached to her new siblings. Also, it is convenient, as they don't have to travel with a lot of supplies," Anika pointed out.
"Maybe all we need is a break to refresh," Mariana mused. "I'm sure things will get better as time moves on. We'll get those special Morelull someday."
XO
June and Takeshi were down by a nearby stream, hoping to catch the Lapras that June thought she had spotted. Lily, Logan, and Maya were Poké-watching the group, since Annastasia didn't like the idea of the kids going anywhere alone, especially in unfamiliar territory. They also brought along Squirt Gun, Typhlosion, Yungoose, Vileplume, Fomantis, Uxie, Shaymin, and Venasaur.
"I see a Magicarp," June sighed. They had been sitting there for over an hour and thus far found nothing but guppies. "Do you want it?"
"I'll catch it," said Takeshi.
He aimed a Pokéball at the water then threw it hard. It splashed against the water's surface then floated. The Magicarp swam out of view. June, Lily, and Logan burst into laughter.
"Wow, Takeshi. I thought you'd know better," June told him through giggles.
Takeshi frowned. "Hey! I didn't know empty Pokéballs floated. No one ever told me."
"Most people can figure it out on their own," Lily sniggered.
"Venasaur can use her vines to fish the Pokeball out of the water," June suggested.
Venasaur retrieved the ball and returned it to Takeshi.
"Thanks," he told the poison and grass-type. "You're always a big help."
"Veee," Venasaur replied in her low, rumbly voice.
"How about we go somewhere else?" June suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea to me," Takeshi replied.
"I'll go wherever as long as we don't gotta walk far," said Logan. "I'm bushed."
"Ditto," said Lily.
"Maybe there are Pokémon over by the ruins," said Maya.
"What ruins?" June asked.
"We don't know what they're the ruins of, but we do know that we are more likely to find Pokémon if we keep moving," said Lily. "And the more Pokémon you catch, the less likely A is to make us babysit you."
"The ruins are this way," said Maya. "Follow me."
Maya led them through the woods until they got to a clearing with basalt, peanut stone, and a'a debris. As she suspected, there were Alola-exclusive Grubbin, a Pikipek, and a Cutiefly.
"These kids are Pokémon trainers and our friends. You want to join our group?" Logan asked.
"Grubbb gru," Grubbin answered.
"The Grubbin want more details," Logan explained. "What kinds of details?"
"Gru."
"Kuuu," said Cutiefly.
"Pikipiki," Pikipek chirped.
"We can give you as much food as you want and you don't have to go into Pokéballs unless you want to," Maya assured them.
Grubbin, the supposed leader of the trio, nodded to its comrades.
"Grub, gru, grub," Grubbin decided.
"Grubbin says they will come along, since they like to battle but aren't very strong yet," Logan explained. "Sweet. Welcome to the team."
"So…whose Pokémon is whose?" Takeshi whispered to June.
June shrugged. "I suppose they are both of ours."
Cutiefly and Pikipek hovered over to June and rested on her each of her shoulders Grubbin came up to Takeshi.
"That's settled," said Takeshi. "Let's go find more."
June's Venasaur, Uxie, Shaymin, Fomantis, and new Cutiefly and Pikipek and Takeshi's Vileplume, Typhlosion, and new Grubbin conversed and shared some of the young duo's homespun Sitrus and Oran berry refections.
"Everyone sure seems happy about the new additions to our team," said Logan. "I call it a good day."
"Yep. I bet if we train hard, we can get them to evolve and pass some of the trial challenges," said Takeshi.
"Good for you for thinking ahead."
"I bet Pikipek and Cutiefly would be good at contests, what do you think?" June asked the Pokémon.
"Kuuu, kuu," Cutiefly sang.
"Piii," said Pikipek.
"Was that a 'yes' or a 'no'?" June queried.
"A resounding 'yes'," said Maya.
"Piki pi," Pikipek added.
"They'll try their best."
"I will too," said June.
Lily, Logan, and Maya walked ahead. Takeshi and June slid to the back to the group, doing their best to go unnoticed by the three talking Pokémon of their assemblage.
"I wonder if they're ever going to leave us alone," June whispered to Takeshi. "I like traveling with them, but lately we haven't had any time by ourselves. We aren't little kids anymore."
Takeshi held June's hand. "The last few nights it was just me and my Pokémon in my tent. Benny sleeps with either Jocelyn and their Pokémon or with Michio, Annastasia, and their Pokémon. Logan has been with Squirt Gun, Mewtwo, and Lucario. We can have a sleepover and spend the whole night talking. No one will bother us and I bet A wouldn't mind…or even notice."
June beamed. "That's perfect."
Takeshi looked around to see if anyone was watching them. The Pokémon all looked away while he kissed her on the cheek. June sighed contently and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked.
"I was worried you were getting bored of me," said June.
"Why do you think that?" Takeshi asked.
"Because I thought the reason you liked me was because you wanted to get to know me more and now that we are close, I thought you might have lost interest."
"No way! There are still a ton of things I don't know. Like…um…what is your ultimate favorite Pokémon of all time? Not counting the legendaries."
"Hmm. I suppose it would be Venasaur. One day I want us to be able to Mega-evolve the way A can do with some of her Pokémon. The Bulbasaur evolution line is awesome…cute, medicinal, humble, pretty, sturdy…sweet and powerful too."
"Like you."
"Awe, thanks. I think I know your fav: Typhlosion."
"Yeah…he's my best friend. I love him."
June liked how Takeshi always emphasized the importance of his friendships. He doesn't throw people to the wayside after a while as most kids did. She decided that was one of the reasons she liked him so much to begin with.
A few moments later they ran into Jocelyn and Benny, who under Mewtwo's supervision, had been looking for new Pokémon and doing practice battles and routines all morning. The younger two eagerly ran to June and Takeshi while Mewtwo sauntered behind them.
"Did you catch anything new?" Jocelyn queried.
"Yep: a Pikipek, a Cutiefly, and a Grubbin," June answered.
The Pokémon emerged at the sound of their names. They came up to Jocelyn and Benny and snuggled against their faces.
"That tickles," Jocelyn giggled. "Thanks."
"Flaafy!" Flaafy scolded the Pokémon.
"Bounswee!" her Bounsweet added.
"I think Flaafy and Pinky are jealous," said Benny.
"I love you all the same," Jocelyn assured them.
"Have you been together this whole time?" Logan asked Mewtwo.
"Yes," he answered.
"What about A?" Lily inquired.
"She was training Star all afternoon. She used to be able to do a powerful Moonblast, but her attacks weakened over time due to lack of discipline."
"Poor Star. It must be annoying to have to regain all your abilities," June replied.
"Onēsan is helping her and by the time her training is over Star is going to be the most super-powerfulest Espeon ever," said Jocelyn.
"Fee," Flaafy agreed.
"Be," said Bounsweet.
"Probably," said Mewtwo.
"So, did you come to help Lily, Logan, and Maya babysit us?" Takeshi mumbled.
"The day is almost through and your leader wants to return to her family's bungalow."
"Is A okay? She's not sick, right?"
"Onēsan said she isn't sick, she just wants to see my parents and the babies," said Jocelyn.
"Okay," the kids replied.
After they got their supplies together, Mewtwo teleported them back to their former camp where Annastasia, Jay, Amber, Jezz, Michio, and the other Pokémon waited.
"Good. We're all here," Annastasia said after a rapid headcountt.
Within twenty seconds they were in front of the bungalow.
"I love Mewtwo's teleport so much," June sighed admirably.
"It sure comes in handy," said Annastasia.
"Hey everyone, come on in!" Cilan called from an open window. "We have a surprise!"
"My parents are here," said June. "I wonder why."
"Probably because they missed you," Takeshi told her. "If I were your parents, I'd miss you."
"That's a weird thing to say to your girlfriend," Logan remarked.
"Well…how would you know? You never had anyone like-like you."
"I respect that burn," Lily said as she high-fived the preteen.
"It's sweet," June said shyly.
"I wanna find out what that surprise is all about," said Amber, marching ahead of the others.
"Ditto," said Jay.
"Amber! Jay!" Soledad exclaimed. She ran up to the duo and captured them in a group hug. Jezz came forward, and they sucked him into the embrace.
"We missed y'all," Anika said to June and Takeshi, who were the next ones through the door.
"It's been awhile my bro," Tamaki told Benny.
"Tamaki!" Benny cheered. "I didn't expect to see you for a lonnnnng time."
"Whatcha kids doing here?" Lily asked.
"You're supposed to be geo-catching," said Logan. "Uh, right?"
"Yes, but our latest assignment is here in Alola," Tomoko responded.
"We decided to take a break," said Tobie.
"The heat is horrible," said Carol.
"And what we do is nothing less than hard work," said Flare.
"It's good to see you all again," Annastasia said as she made herself visible, a tea tray in hand. "Anyone want some?"
After some welcomes, she handed out cups of local Alolan tea and macadamia biscuits.
"This is sooo good," Jay said as he and Jocelyn scooped some desserts.
"You haven't made this in forever," said Jocelyn.
"That's cuz I'm not a baker," she replied. She poked Michio affectionately and lowered her voice. "But he is."
Michio shrugged. "If you say so."
"You must've known they'd be here," said Jay.
"Mama let the surprise slip," Annastasia revealed. "Michio and I came here when our monz needed a rest."
"I'm glad you came to visit," June told Soledad as they too indulged in the treats. "You leaving the group made me feel like I lost a friend."
"I'm always a text away," Soledad pointed out. "But I know it's not the same. I missed you too."
"How'd ya know we'd be here?" Jay asked.
"James said we could stop by, then he called A."
"We needed to restock, recharge, and see our babies too," said Annastasia.
James, Jessie, Meowth, Lucy, Wobbuffet, Gourgiest, and Inkay entered through the doorway.
"You're back," her father said warmly. "Welcome home."
"Princess, you've returned!" Jessie said dramatically. "It's about time."
Jessie had both Rose and Silver in her arms. James took Silver so that she could give Annastasia a side hug. Annastasia took Rose.
"I missed you," Annastasia told the infant. "I am so happy that we can come see them so often. If you had them a year earlier, I wouldn't have gone on that journey through Kanto. I wouldn't have been able to stand it."
Rose looked fondly at Annastasia with her captivating turquoise eyes. Lily snapped a photo of them together.
"It is strange sometimes, looking at her face. She looks just like a tiny me," said Annastasia.
"Sure does," Lily concurred.
"Silver looks more like you than his other siblings too," said Anika. She and several others were staring at the baby in James' arms. "Silver has the same hair but Jocelyn's eyes."
"And Jay's dimples," said Amber. "All four dimples."
"Four?" said Takeshi, staring at Jay's face. "One, two…where are the other two?"
"Guess."
"Uh…"
"Gross," said Jay, shuddering. "Amb, you're…how do you know?"
"How do I not know?" she retorted.
"Know what?" Jezz asked.
"Forget about it," Soledad sighed.
"I have to say…Mom, Dad…I'm jealous," said Annastasia. "Ever since they got over their colic phase, they've been lovely."
"Lovely, charming…that's them," said Jessie. "You can always have your own kids."
"Don't count on it."
"There's someone here to see you," James told Annastasia. "And she's here to stay."
"Who?"
"Me!" Rita exclaimed. She came up from behind Annastasia and hugged her before she had time to ask more questions.
"I've missed you so much! Are you really staying this time?"
"Yep."
"Does this mean you have a mission in Alola?"
"Yep again. It's called 'Operation Jezz'." Rita smiled at Jezz as he listened in on their conversation. "I'm going to have a bigger role helping Rumika, Lucy, and some of the other top TR spies find Jezz's birth family. I convinced Giovanni to let me make it priority number one."
"Giovanni is paying you to help Jezz?"
"He sure is. He says he owes us a few favors and I suspect Delia had something to do with it."
"This is great! You can travel with us just like last year!" Jocelyn exclaimed.
"Bounsweeeeet!" Pinky sang.
"Fee, fee!" said Flaafy.
Rita laughed. "We'll see. I see you caught yourself a Pokémon."
"His name is Pinky," said Jocelyn. "He's a Bounsweet."
"He's as cute as you are."
"Thanks!"
"Fee," Flaafy said peevishly.
"But not as cute as Flaafy," Rita added, petting the electric-type.
"Jocelyn got Pinky all by herself," said Benny. "It was super cool."
"Good for you."
"Thanks!" Jocelyn chirped.
"Are you going to come with us?" Takeshi asked Rita.
"I'll hang out but I still gotta work. Giovanni wants to add another base here since the other one is teensy. He wants me to find a good place to build it."
"That sounds like a huge responsibility. Giovanni wants you to do all that?" Cilan asked.
"I won't be doing it alone. I have my partner Ralph and there are several other teams helping us out. And I've been promoted."
"You got another partner?" Michio snorted. "What happened to the last guy?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but he wasn't my type."
"Rita, you know if you keep trying to find a boyfriend through Team Rocket, you are probably never going to succeed," said Anika.
Rita looked at her in disbelief. "Who are you to tell me?"
Anika smiled. "That's my mother's wisdom, not mine."
"Seems solid," said Annastasia.
"I can handle myself," Rita asserted, still a bit irked that a child four years younger than herself was giving her advice. Wrong advice, in her opinion.
"I don't want a boyfriend," Rita asserted. "I just want someone to f—
"—Ahem," Annastasia interrupted. She discreetly gestured to Jocelyn and Benny, who were waiting for Rita to finish her sentence.
"You'll know what I mean, Anika, when you get older. And if you knew me, you'd understand that I don't want anything serious. That was the problem with the last guy. He got all snuggly and romantic, so had to push him aside before I destroyed him. That shi—stuff—doesn't fly with me."
Benny and Jocelyn giggled then left to talk to June, Amber and Soledad's parents, all of whom had come to visit their children.
"Ralph is better I presume?" Annastasia inquired.
"Yeah. Way better," Rita sighed contently. "Oh, and he's here too."
"Here? As in here in the bungalow?"
"Yep. He's in the shower; Inkay sprayed him by accident."
"Innnn," James' Inkay muttered apologetically.
"You never bring your partners to meet our friends," said Annastasia.
"I have a feeling he'll be around longer than most of my guys, so I think that you should at least get to know him a little," Rita said defensively. "I'll talk to you about it later."
Rita gave Annastasia and Michio one more glance over before leaving to find her sister.
"I don't get it," Michio mumbled.
"Get what?" Annastasia replied.
"Rita."
"Rita and I are like opposites. Think of us inversely."
"She still doesn't make sense."
"Rita doesn't like getting close to people. She doesn't like clingy people or people who want to make commitments."
"She doesn't trust anyone."
"On the contrary, she's a very trusting person. She just doesn't want to be tied down by anyone or made to feel like she owes someone something. She always wants to have a way out. I don't think it has anything to do with trust."
"It seems to me that Rita cannot bring herself to take certain risks…Not that I really care about her business."
"It seems to me like you do care about her business."
"Pttf."
"I care about her business too. I'm also quite comforted by the fact that I am a bigger SO to her than any guy she hooks up with. She has different relationship goals than me and we both understand that."
Michio was confused by her last comment. "What are your goals?"
"Oh, you'll figure it out." Annastasia giggled at his confused and somewhat distressed expression. "I think you already got it."
"What makes you think you can tell what I'm thinking?"
"Call it a hunch."
'I wonder if she can read minds. After all, she is connected to that god-damned Sandshrew-monster freak,' he thought.
"So rude," Sandshrew commented aloud. The creature stood in front of Michio and stared him in the eyes. "And no, this human cannot read minds…not without lots of practice..."
"Stop reading people's thoughts," Annastasia scolded. She redirected her attention to Michio. "But it's right; I can't read your mind. And even if I could, I wouldn't do it to you intentionally."
"So sweet you are. You so often do get on my nerves."
"You are the most annoying thing I have ever come across," said Michio.
"Hey Sandshrew, why don't you stay with me and my family?" Cilan suggested. He had Ines in his arms and put her down so that he could crouch down to talk to it. "My job is to improve human-Pokémon relations. Does that sound interesting to you?"
"Yes, but I must stay with her," Sandshrew replied, pointing to Annastasia.
"I think it is a good idea. Cilan will be better advocating for your positions on the treatment of Pokémon anyway since he works in a big city and has an excellent reputation," said Annastasia. "I am still building up my reputation, and while I am traveling my resources to help are limited. You will gain more working with Cilan that if you were to stay with me."
"I suppose I can give it a try…"
"It will make my life a lot more enjoyable," Michio mumbled.
"Your life is completely insignificant to me. Yet I do so hate this Alola place. I do prefer the cooler weather of Kanto. I shall do it."
Michio and Annastasia cheered internally. They had spent months with this creature, enduring its rude comments, lack of respect for privacy, uncomfortable questions, reprimanding, and nagging. Sandshrew glared and then walked.
"Thanks so much," Annastasia said to Cilan. "We owe the world to you."
"Is Sandshrew really that bad?" Cilan asked.
"Yes," they replied in unison.
"It nags us, berates us, sleeps with us…" Annastasia started.
"Steals our things, break them, hides them, and always sneaks up behind me and scares the shit out of me when I don't expect it," said Michio.
"Rose and Silver, and even Benny, are terrified off it. I recommend keeping it far away from Ines and Luna."
"Hopefully the work I plan on doing with it will distract it plenty and make it re-evaluate its behavior," Cilan responded.
"Now that is some positive thinking."
Cilan walked away. Annastasia left to go talk with Iris. Jessie came up to Michio.
"Jocelyn says that you have been helping her train her new Pokémon and Plusle and Minun," she remarked.
"Jocelyn is a decent trainer and those Plusle and Minun have more power than I expected from electric rodents," Michio responded.
Jocelyn joined the conversation. "Oniisan is incredible, Mama. He is just as good as Onēsan!"
"I suppose I'll just have to find out for myself," Jessie replied.
"Are you suggesting a Pokémon battle?" Michio questioned.
"Yes. You, me, six Pokémon each."
"Right now?"
"Yes, right now! Annastasia, come watch."
"Okay, but let's first move outside," she suggested.
Jessie led Michio and the others hustled to the backyard. The preteens whispered to one another as they moved to the yard and placed bets. Jessie and Michio both took some time to choose their teams.
"Hold on!" James called out. "There are more coming."
Annastasia and her mother stared at him blankly. They turned to one another.
"What is he…?"
Nolan, Jake, Tyler, Lucas, and Lexi emerged from the house.
"A!" Nolan called out.
Lexi was carrying Silver, Nolan had claimed Rose, and they handed them off to Jay and June in order to hug Annastasia.
"I've missed you. It is just not the same when you are not around," Annastasia told her friends.
They took a few minutes to catch up, then Jessie reminded everyone of the battle about to ensue.
"I need to get some Pokémon from our house," Michio told Jessie. "Most of my team is there."
"You mean Annastasia's house," Jessie retorted.
Michio and Annastasia ignored her comment. "Remy should be there now," Annastasia told Michio. "I had asked him to stop by a few days a week to check on the Pokémon. He can send some over."
"Good," Michio responded. He took out his phone and dialed the estate.
"Remy likes the new job it seems," James commented. "He came to the Pallet House yesterday and he brought it up."
"Remy is one flexible guy. He is a pilot, a driver, a butler, a host, and now he is a Pokémon caretaker," said Annastasia. "Now when Michio and I are away he is there to watch and help not only our Pokémon but the wild ones too. It makes up for the fact that we no longer need him to drive us around in cars and jets since we have the teleporters."
A few minutes later Michio had retrieved enough Pokémon for the battle. He and Jessie took positions on opposite side of the yard. Everyone gathered around to watch.
"I'll be the judge," Annastasia offered.
"No way!" Jessie protested. "You'll be bias be biased Michio."
"No, I won't!"
"Chill," said Rita. "I'll judge."
"That's even worse," Michio mumbled.
"Whatever. We don't have all day!" Jessie snapped. "Get ready, kid. Release your Pokémon first, unless you feel like you're the one who needs the advantage."
"Jessie is so hard on him. Why is that?" Jezz asked Soledad as the battle began.
"All parents are like that towards their kid's significant others," she explained. Then she added, in a lower voice: "Why do you think Jessie dislikes Amber?"
"What do you mean?"
"Look."
Soledad discreetly pointed a finger towards Amber and Jay.
They were holding their hands and swinging them back and forth together as they cheered for Michio. Jessie was apparently proving to be a bigger challenge than Michio expected.
"I did not know they were boyfriend and girlfriend," Jezz mumbled.
"Oh, they aren't. Well, not really," Soledad responded, still keeping her voice at a low whisper. "It's more like, they are together, but not really together, you know what I mean?"
"Squishes?"
"Yep. And you are the third leg of that trio. Why aren't you over there now? You're special. They really like you."
"There is a strong chance that Jay and I are blood-related, so he may feel as though he has to like me."
"Nah. Believe it or not, Jay doesn't like all his relatives. And there is the fact that the Morgans and Ketchums were once huge enemies. Well, not really enemies, but rivals. Perhaps they still are. The same can be said for my family, the Oaks, but rivalry doesn't equal hatred."
"I believe I understand. I suppose this means that Michio and Jessie like each other as well. They seem to me like rivals."
"I think you're onto something."
They returned their attention to the Pokémon battle. Michio's Lunala and Peruva had just beaten Jessie's Yanmega, Ninetales, Gourgiest, Frillish, Serviper, and Wobbuffet. Jessie was seething with anger and was now pummeling Michio with vocabulary beyond the children's years.
"Well sorta, maybe," Soledad told Jezz. "Give it more time; they both have hot heads."
"I believe you are right, Soledad. I very much appreciate you being so gracious towards me," Jezz replied with a little bow.
"Can I offer a piece of advice?"
"You may."
"I like you, kid, but I think you need to act and talk more like a twelve-year-old and less like an etiquette school teacher or a British lawyer writing a philosophy book."
"I wasn't allowed to use slang when I was at my other homes."
Jezz looked away from her. She noted how pathetic that looked.
"I'm sorry. I got to work on being nicer," said Soledad. "I have to talk to June more. She is super nice and she is the person I should channel whenever I have conversations like these. I didn't mean to offend you."
"I wasn't offended. I am still trying to figure everything out here. I am not used to this lifestyle. I find it pleases me," he replied.
"Good."
Soledad was not entirely sure of what was going on, but for Jezz's sake, that was okay.
They once again turned their heads to check on the Pokémon battle. It was over but Jessie and Michio were still arguing. James and Annastasia tried to stop them, but it was to no avail.
"I made some jelly-filled donuts for everyone," Brock announced. "I made them ahead of time and now they're heated up in your oven."
The kids cheered and ran into the house. Brock and the other parents followed, but Michio, Annastasia, Jessie and James stayed outside.
"Please let it go," Annastasia told her mother.
"I don't want your boyfriend—or whatever you call him—to be stronger than you are in Pokémon battles," Jessie pouted.
"I'm confident that I can beat his ass without any Pokémon at all if duty calls." Then she said, this time in a more serious tone: "Don't you have any faith in our relationship?"
Jessie glanced at Michio, scanning him from head to toe. "No, not really."
Annastasia sighed. Jessie walked into the house. James put an arm around Annastasia's shoulders and the three of them walked together.
"Sorry, Michio," said James. "Don't be offended by it. She is prepared to die for Anna-chan. She will beat anyone who causes her babies distress into a pulp because that is just what she does."
"She's so moody it's ridiculous," MIchio responded. "...I thought she liked me..."
"Moodiness is normal for her. She doesn't hand out love and kindness to everyone she meets. You have to earn it from her."
"You make her sound like a bitch," Annastasia said jokingly.
"Well..."
Annastasia and her father started giggling together, and Michio just watched them, bemused. He reasoned it was an inside joke or something genes-related that caused them to break out into laughter almost every time they saw one another.
"Come on in," said Meowth. He waddled out of the front door, a tray of donuts in his paws. "Jimmy, I can't believe you'd even consida skippin out on de squinty twerp's cookin, specially when it's donuts!"
"Coming!" James called back.
Everyone inside the house was either squished into the kitchen or sitting in the living room, devouring the some-three hundred donuts that Brock had made.
"When did you find the time to make all of these?" James asked as he shoved a donut in his mouth.
"Autumn and Cilan helped me out," he answered.
"You're the best," Nolan said as he filled his plate.
"If only I could eat like this every day," Lexi sighed.
"I had a feeling a lot of people would be showing up today," Brock responded.
"Was this reunion planned?" Jay asked his mother.
"As planned as everything else in our lives," she answered.
"So…serendipity?"
"Yep."
"This is perhaps the one piece of good luck we've had since we've been in Alola," said James.
"You've been having bad luck too?" Soledad asked.
"We've been having rotten luck," said Takeshi.
"Huh. What about you?" Mariana asked her brother.
"Not everything has been peachy," Lucas replied.
"Brodie and Viviana were attacked by a Nidoqueen this morning. That is why they aren't here right now," said Lexi. "It broke Viviana's arm and Brodie's hand. They had to go to the hospital. It just happened an hour ago. We almost didn't come, but they insisted that we move on without them."
"That's horrible," said Rita. "I liked Brodie and Viviana. A lot."
Ralph came down the stairs just as she finished her sentence. He looked at her suspiciously.
"Who are you talking about?" he inquired.
"No one," she replied offhandedly.
"Hi, Ralph," said Annastasia greeted him. "Nice to see ya. It's been a while."
"Hi, A," he responded.
"You know him?" Michio questioned.
"We've had several encounters."
"A partner who shows his face," Mariana sniggered. "That's a first, Rita."
"Shut up," Rita snapped. "Ralph, let's go somewhere else."
Ralph grabbed a donut just before Rita dragged him into the other room.
"That was odd," said Soledad.
"Actually, that was normal," said Annastasia.
"Well, it was close to Rita's normal, but still a bit weird, even for her," Mariana clarified.
The group continued to talk about their bad luck encounters.
Soledad and Tamaki were attacked by hornets, Tobie, Gracie, and Anika had their lunches stolen twice, Tomoko broke a toe, Flare contracted Lyme's disease, and Mariana got the stomach flu. Nolan talked about how he, Jake, Tyler, and Lexi had only beat two out of the four Frontier Brains they challenged. Also, their car broke down so they had to rent bikes.
Michio tapped Annastasia on the shoulder. When she turned to face him, he pointed to the back room. She followed him there.
"Are you going to start talking about the aka lele?" she moaned.
"No. It's that I didn't expect so many people to be here," he told her anxiously.
"Oh…I thought about that earlier, when we arrived, but I got distracted. How are you feeling?"
"Not well."
"Then let's go outside. We ought to take Jezz too. I think that he also gets social anxiety. Seems like the two of you have something in common."
"I guesso."
If you want to go outside, I'll be out there in a few minutes. I want to talk to Rita first."
"Yeah."
Annastasia followed him out of the room. Michio went to the backyard and Annastasia went to the kitchen. There she found Jezz talking to Rita.
"No need to be nervous. We are all on Team Jezz," she was telling him.
"Thank you," Jezz replied.
"Hey Rita, Jezz, can we three talk privately for a moment?" Annastasia inquired.
"Certainly."
"Sure," said Rita.
Rita and Jezz followed Annastasia to the front porch. They sat on the rocking chairs her father had built with Meowth and Lucy. Bleu, Lil-G, Zorua, and Jezz's Vileplume and Chimecho sat down next to them.
"Rita, since you are now helping Jezz, I was hoping that maybe you could give us an update. Did you or the others find anything interesting?" Annastasia queried.
"I was going to tell Jezz that we checked out another one of his foster homes," said Rita. "They said they couldn't keep you because of all the expenses. That's what all the homes we have interview told us so far. It's not that no one wants you, it's just that they can't have you."
Jezz looked down glumly. "I didn't intend to be an expensive kid."
"It's not your fault."
"I feel guilty."
"You shouldn't feel guilty about anything," Annastasia told him. "It's out of your control. Rita, doesn't Jezz get state benefits? Shouldn't all his medical bills, food, clothing, and Pokémon get taken care of by the government?"
"Ideally, yes, but there are limits. Some of the medicine he takes is so expensive that there is no cash left over for anything but food and clothes. Also, Jezz's parents, whoever they are, wanted Jezz to go to private schools, and that is also expensive. Refusing to honor the parents' wishes is fineable, the penalty can cost anywhere from $800 to $10,000 depending on how serious it is. None have his houses wanted to take the chance of getting screwed over, and it ended up costing even more money than they expected," Rita explained. She noticed Jezz's worried expression and added: "Fortunately, once you are adopted, you will legally have different parents, and they can't force you to that anymore."
"You mean if I get adopted," Jezz muttered. "I think Hauana and Perry are having second thoughts about taking me in permanently."
"What makes you say that?" Annastasia inquired.
"Xatu shows me future visions in my sleep. Sometimes he is right, sometimes he is wrong. I am worried that he may be right when he shows them talking about leaving me."
Annastasia rested her hand on his shoulder. "Hauana and Perry are nice people. They won't abandon you willingly. And if something happens with them, we will still be here for you."
Chimecho floated up next to him and used his scarf-like tail to comfort Jezz.
"And your Pokémon will always be there for you too," said Rita.
"Totally," said Annastasia. "Rita, is there any other news?"
"…Sorta."
"You can say it in front of me. I promise I won't cry anymore," said Jezz.
Rita gave him a weak smile. "It's not that exactly…"
"Then what?" Annastasia persisted.
"It's just that, well, the family that came before the one I just told you about, they are sorta…gone…"
"As in dead?"
"We don't know. Lucy, Rumika, Viper, they investigated this together. I was off doing something else. They gave me the full report though. All those files were destroyed. No digital copies, no paper copies, and no way to find out who exactly they were," Rita explained. "Jezz, do you remember them?"
"I…I was only six. I don't remember at all," he answered nervously.
"It's okay. Don't be so worried," said Annastasia.
Jezz nodded but still gulped nervously as Rita continued.
"There is a house location up for investigation," she confided. "We have reasons to believe that the house in which you lived with them was purposefully destroyed, and there is a criminal investigation going on. Jezz, I didn't expect you to remember. If you remember an address, a name, anything helpful, let me know. We are talking about the Sinnoh house, by the way."
"Yes, indeed. I will let you know if I remember anything," he replied shakily.
"I wish I had more to give you, but this isn't the end. We still have things we can do. This is a comma, not a period."
"So, I guess that is it for now," Annastasia sighed. "Would you like to go out in the backyard with me and Michio? We want a break from the crowd."
Jezz bowed his head. "Thank you so much, Rita and Annie. I would like to go to the backyard now if that is acceptable."
"It always is."
"I want to sit and think you a bit, then I will go with you."
"You can do whatever you want, but now you know where to find us."
Annastasia and Rita left the front porch.
Jezz sat outside for a few minutes, contemplating. He closed his eyes and only opened them once he noticed the chair he was resting in started to sway. He jumped when he saw Amber gently pushing it.
"Oh Amber, you gave me a fright!" Jezz remarked.
Amber sniggered. "I gave you a fright?"
"Yes. Why are you laughing?"
"You are just so…I don't know. Anyway, I kinda heard you, A, and Rita talking out here. I was curious to see why she wanted to talk to you privately."
"I believe the word for that is 'eavesdropping'."
"Whatever. Listen, man, I feelsorry for you. But you know what? You have us. And we are awesome. I'm not saying that you have no reason to be upset, but you sure have some things worth being happy about. Jay, me, Rita, A: we are always gonna be here for you. So will the others, but especially us. And…especially."
Jezz nodded slowly, lost for words. Amber held out her hand.
"So, you want a break from the crowds, huh? How about you, Jay, and I try to find a way onto the roof?" she whispered deviously.
Sandshrew watched as Amber led Jezz away.
"I planned my departure well," it commented.
"For real?" said Amber.
"I will be leaving to pursue business with Cilan Gaulle."
"Sweet."
"Good luck," said Jezz, bowing.
"I need no luck," Sandshrew retorted before it disappeared into the hot afternoon.
Inside, the lights were out, and everyone was trying to figure out what had happened. James, Meowth, and Lucy came up from the basement, led by the light of Volbeat and Illumise.
"Someone cut de circuits," Meowth explained irritably.
"Plusle, Minun, how about you come with me?" asked James.
"Plusss!"
"Minunnn!"
James and the two Pokémon returned to the basement. A few minutes later the lights came on and they returned to the main room of the house.
"Plusle and Minun have more than enough electricity to power the house," he announced.
"There is definitely a curse going on around here, and I cannot wait until someone finds a way to end it," said Jay.
Jay looked at Jezz, who nervously looked down.
"You okay?" Jay asked.
"Yes…Amber the roof?" Jezz whispered.
Amber nodded. "Yeah. Let's go you two."
XO
In the Next Chapter:
- Nolan and Lexi's new jobs
- Contest Number One (Sorta)
- The Daughter of an Enemy
XO
Trivia:
- The lyrics at the beginning of this chapter are from the song 'Shake it Out' by Florence and the Machine.
- Calling Rose and Silver 'lovely' and 'charming' is a reference to the Japanese version of the TR motto, in which Jessie and James refer to themselves as lovely and charming:)
- Some of these scenes are recounted in The Journal from Jezz's perspective.