AN: This chapter was updated/revised on January 11, 2020.
Battling
"We used to play pretend, give each other different names,
We would build a rocket ship and then we'd fly it far away,
Used to dream of outer space but now they're laughing at our face,
Saying, "Wake up, you need to make money."
Tyler Joseph
Day 58
The contest continued. The group noted how most of those competing were Alolan natives, according to the contestants' mini-bios. This worried some of them, concerned that judges may show favoritism. Mostly it just bored them to see one unfamiliar face after another.
As boredom ensued from watching the strangers compete, their eyes wandered.
"Yous know, dis place is actually quite fancy," Meowth remarked. "Look, dese seats are made from Mareep wool. De food dere servin is pretty good too, not like dat junk dey normally serve at dese tings."
"Yes, I noticed the seats," James said as he caressed the wool. "Just like my old clothes."
"You got to wear Mareep clothing?" Anika asked.
"But you don't anymore," Soledad noted.
'Though you and all the other Morgans can more than afford to,' she added in her head.
"I was spoiled as a child," James responded.
"If you know how great Mareep wool clothing is, then why doesn't Annastasia, Lily, Logan, Jay, Jocelyn, Rose, and Silver have any?" Anika continued. "You can more than afford them."
"Oh, well, you see…as much as I enjoyed my clothes, I didn't appreciate getting pounded by the other kids for wearing it. Rich kids in Kanto are usually either bullies or the bullied, so we got our kids regular clothes so that class wasn't so obvious."
"Half Jay's accessories are Mouawad."
"They're um…uh, rip-offs," Jay replied, whispering the last bit. "Uh, ya know…"
"Fake," said Amber. "Thrift store-in-downtown-Cerulean-the-week-after-Black Friday-clearance-sale cheap."
"Then why hell they beat you up?" Anika asked Jay.
"Uh, well, ya know…the bling slips…ha…uh, and my um, tone I suppose," he answered, rubbing his neck in embarrassment.
Anika back off, figurately and literally.
"Nonetheless, it was a good decision to not show off," said Annastasia. "I got bullied too, but passive-aggressiveness, isolation, and psychological manipulation was more their style."
"Let's not talk about that now," said Jay.
"Np."
"I bet they charge admission because they wanna keep this place looking fancy," Amber resentfully remarked.
"Alola now is very different from how I remember it," said James. "We've been here on vacation recently, so we didn't interact much with the natives, but all those years ago, when we came here on business, the people weren't this…this…"
"Hostile and snobby," said Jessie.
"Yes, that."
"It's because of the Kapule Klan. They changed Alola, nurtured this uncomfortable cultural climate," Rumika explained. "No offense, Michio."
"I hate them too so it's fine," he replied.
"It looks like after this person here, Jocelyn and June will be up," said Logan. He pointed paw to the battle schedule, which was presented on a large screen to the left side of the area.
The group sat in almost perfect silence as they watched the next two opponents battle. Michio was ready to fall asleep when he someone eagerly tapped his shoulder. Michio turned around, confused, but once he saw who it was, his expression turned into dread.
"Wow, Michio, I never thought I'd see you here," she said mockingly.
"Go away," Michio grumbled. "I don't have the mental energy to deal with your shit."
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"
"No."
"Hi, I'm Annastasia. You know Michio?" Annastasia replied.
She offered her free hand for the girl to shake, as the other one was still supporting Rose. Rose was staring at the Alola girl and likely trying determine the best angle at which to grab her hair. The baby looked away after she sensed the stranger's hostility towards Annastasia and Michio.
"Obviously, I know him," the girl responded, ignoring Annastasia's hand. "We are like, really close."
"You mean there are people in this world other than us who can tolerate Michio?" Jessie asked.
Though she was getting annoying vibes from this girl, she never missed out on a chance to mock Michio.
"Oh yeah. It's a struggle though," she responded.
"Get lost," said Michio. "Seriously, Alina."
Alina stood her ground. She adjusted the red orchid in her long, curly brown hair and stabbed Annastasia with angry, jealous eyes.
"Of all the places to run into you, I didn't think I'd see you at a Pokémon contest," Alina continued. "But it does make sense, you always were into cute little girly things."
"Who are you?" Lily asked irritably.
"I am one of Michio's wahines. I am sure you know all about me."
"We don't know what you are talking about, or what a wahine is, but I do know that you're messing up my chill vibes."
"You're Michio's cousin?" Annastasia guessed, though she knew the moment she said it aloud that she was wrong.
Alina laughed shrilly, making most of the group cringe.
"This is great, Michio. I am going to go tell my friends about you. You know, the other wahines," Alina said before skipping away.
Everyone waited for Michio to explain, but he just kept his mouth shut and pretended to focus on the two strangers battling in the arena before them.
"I'm no expert on dese human affairs, but if yous ask me, I'd say dat yous owe us all an explanation," said Meowth, breaking the silence.
"An old acquaintance of yours?" Annastasia guessed again. "I can tell she's not a friend."
"Um…sorta. Acquaintance… 'enemy' would be a much better word to describe her than 'wahine'," Michio responded.
"Then I guess that wahine doesn't mean 'friend' in Hawaiian," said Lucy.
"It doesn't."
"I'd like to meet her," said Annastasia. "I want to know some of the people with whom you grew up."
"A's jealous," Lily taunted.
"I'm just curious. You are always asking Maya about her past."
"That is correct," Maya confirmed.
The announcer introduced June and Jocelyn as the next pair of battling contestants. They stopped in order to observe the contest battlefield. Jocelyn was chosen to release her Pokémon first.
"Go, Flaafy!" Jocelyn announced brightly.
"Go, Venasaur!" June responded.
"I hope the June doesn't let Jocelyn win," Jay whispered to Jezz, careful to keep his eyes on the battlers. "If anyone would purposely lose a battle in order to boost the confidence of a younger trainer, June would definitely be that person."
"Start with Toxic," June told Venasaur.
"Flaafy, use Electro Ball!" Jocelyn commanded.
Venasaur's Toxic penetrated Flaafy the moment his Electro Ball collided with Venasaur's face. Flaafy was in a daze, and Venasaur was blinking, unsure of what had just hit him. Flaafy was able to shake of the poison. Next, Venasaur used Leech Seed, but Flaafy's high HP made the status move insignificant.
"June wants to do what is right," Jezz told Jay. "She would not pretend or lie."
"Ha, yeah, you're right," Jay replied. "And it looks like Jocelyn's winning even with June pulling out some awesome moves."
"I knew she'd be great!" Jessie exclaimed as June's Venasaur continued to take hits.
"Venasaur is so big compared to Flaafy and I bet that's one of the reasons that Flaafy has a great Speed Stat and Venasaur doesn't," said Jay. "Speed is June's Venasaur's lowest stat but Flaafy's highest."
"Is that why he can't dodge Flaafy's attack?" Benny asked his brother.
"That's it," Tamaki responded. "Plus, I don't think that Venasaur knows any status moves that boost evasiveness or speed."
Unsure of who to cheer for, most of their group took turns cheering for each side. Meanwhile, Alina returned, this time with no intention of leaving Michio alone.
"Go away," Michio responded when she tapped on his shoulder a second time. "I don't want to talk to you."
"You are just as stubborn as always," a different voice responded.
Michio turned around. This time Alina was with her two best friends, both of who looked almost identical to her. Michio sighed and turned back towards the arena, trying to focus on Jocelyn and Flaafy as they went after June's Uxie.
"You remember Haku and Lona," said Alina.
"Unfortunately," Michio responded.
"Don't be like that," Lona chided. "Have you forgotten all about us?"
"Sadly, I haven't."
"How do you know Michio?" Annastasia asked the girls.
"We go way back. Our makuahine used to put us in the same cradle when we were infants, and we spent most of our childhood together," Lona answered.
"We thought that Michio was gone forever, never to return to Alola. Not after he got sent away," Alina continued.
"Then Haku said he was around, and now we've finally found you!"
"I don't plan on staying here," Michio asserted. "I'm not even visiting."
"It sure seems like you are here to visit. Why else would you have come? And we already know that you were at the house," said Haku.
"A while ago, to take care of business," he retorted. "Probably never going back. Ever."
"So immature."
"You'll change your mind about going back home; you have nowhere else to go."
Haku adding a condescending laugh at the end of her sentence.
"I'm going to Kanto," Michio retorted. "I already have an amazing place to stay."
"You purchased a place to stay?" Alina gasped. "You're supposed to be cut off."
"That's no fair. We're supposed to be sharing that money," Lona pouted.
"You mean I was supposed to be sharing it," said Haku.
"Or me," Alina argued.
"I have other means," Michio responded, trying to focus his attention on Jocelyn and Flaafy as they battled June's Uxie.
"Get lost," Jessie ordered. "We're trying to watch our daughter and you are disturbing us!"
"Who are you to tell us what to do?" Lona responded.
Michio stood up before Jessie went ballistic. "Fine, I'll talk to you, but not here, not now."
"Dude, I can't see!" Tamaki complained. He shifted so that he could look around Michio, only to get in Benny and Gracie's way. "Take it outside."
"We aren't leaving you alone until we chat; we don't know if you are going to disappear again," Haku told him.
"Fine then," Michio replied. "Let's go somewhere else."
"Excellent."
"But what about Jocelyn's battle?" asked Benny.
"I'll explain why I left later," he responded, heading towards the door.
Haku, Alina, Lona, and Annastasia—still—holding Rose, Peruva, and Lil-G followed him.
"Who are those girls?" Jessie asked James and Rumika after they were out of sight.
"I think…I think they are those girls I found out about," Rumika responded. She leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I'll explain later."
"Tell me now," Jessie demanded. "Lucy?"
"I think they are those fiancées we found out about," Lucy replied, her voice not at all a whisper.
"What?!" said the kids, many of whom asked further questions.
"Lucy!" Rumika scolded. "That was classified!"
"Well you never told me it was a secret!" she retorted.
"What's going on?" Gracie asked.
"Just forget about it kid and watch de battle," Meowth sighed.
Outside, Michio continued to lead the girls to a less populated area.
"Go away," Haku told Annastasia when she noticed her following them.
"Michio, do you want me to go away?" Annastasia asked.
"No, I don't but…Haku why are you doing this?" Michio asked in frustration. "Sorry Annie, I don't want you to leave…but maybe you should go watch Jocelyn. She'd want you there."
"She'll understand."
"If you insist."
"I do."
The group entered the pageant hall, which was empty except for a few custodial workers.
"Why are you following us around? Who are you?" Lona demanded.
"I am Michio's SO," she answered. "And this is Rose, my—"
"We don't care about your baby. Michio's SO, you say? How interesting…"
"We are his wahines," Alina added. "Of the highest status."
"You don't belong here,' Haku told Annastasia. "Go back to minding your own business."
"You are way out of line," Michio told the girls, particularly Haku, who was making herself uncomfortably close to him. "You have no right to come after me."
"What's a wahine?" Annastasia asked.
"There's something we have to clear up," Michio muttered. "Now."
"I would appreciate that." Annastasia looked at the trio. "You go first. Please tell me what is going on."
"Seriously?" said Lona, raising her eyebrows. "You seriously don't get it?"
"No, but I'm starting to get some ideas."
"Cut the crap," said Haku. "Michio was supposed to get engaged to one of us once he turned eighteen, but it has been several months and still nothing from him."
"No letters," Alina sighed.
"No expensive gifts," said Lona.
"And no rights to his property," Haku added. "It's pathetic, really."
"Stop making shit up," Michio responded.
Annastasia nodded in understanding. "I figured we'd meet eventually."
"Why are you still here?" Alina hissed.
"Why'd you figured you'd 'meet eventually'?" Michio asked Annastasia.
"Rumika warned me about the possibility of them coming after you," Annastasia admitted. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to get worried or freak out. I'm truly sorry for not bringing it up."
"Ha, so this Princess Girl likes to hide from you," said Haku, entering Michio's personal space bubble. "Lots of secrets. But Michio knew this would happen."
"He didn't think you'd come chasing him down."
"Don't tell him what to think," Lona chided. "It's so rude."
"So is everything about you," Michio argued.
"Michio's parents never told him," Annastasia explained.
"Are you so thick that you seriously didn't know?" Alina queried.
"They obviously veiled important information from him and me. Michio's not thick for not knowing."
"The point is, Michio can't just get away with taking his inheritance and leaving Alola. It's against the law and no one is going to let him get away with it."
"The law according to whom?"
"The head of the Kapule Klan, obviously," said Lona.
"But Michio never got his inheritance. It's being withheld from him by his parents because they don't approve of him disassociating with the Kapules and living in Kanto instead of Alola."
"Puanani told me recently the Kapule's volt was overloaded. All that money is still there, waiting for us to go use it. Michio will never get anything from them without us. We are doing him a favor," said Haku.
"If that old witch Puanani is still alive, she's probably lying," Michio replied. "None of this matters because I don't need that inheritance anyway. I don't want their handouts; I'd rather live in dirt than continue to have them manipulate my life."
"That explains why you are with this lowly Kantonian."
"We can figure something out. My family isn't new to these sorts of situations. There's hope," Annastasia promised, ignoring Haku's remark.
The Alola triad laughed at them.
"She is so stupid! Really, wow…" said Haku. "You are both hopeless."
"You don't even need us to bring you down, you are clearly already on your way!" Lona laughed.
"Dumber than you look." Alina snorted.
Haku pointed to Annastasia. "Feel free to forget about her. The sooner the better."
Haku led her comrades out of the deserted contest hall.
"That was fun," Annastasia remarked after the girls were gone. Rose squirmed in her arms and started to cry. "Sh, sh, sh, love. Rest your body."
As the infant closed her eyes and eased into a slumber, Michio stared dismally in the direction of his harassers and gently rubbed Rose's back.
"I want to see how Jocelyn did," Michio sighed.
"Don't you first want to talk about what just happened?" Annastasia asked.
"There isn't much more to say except that I'm sorry you had to experience them."
"But..."
Before Michio could slump back to the audience, Annastasia grabbed his wrist and ordered him to freeze.
"I'm sorry I haven't been clear with everything that I'm feeling," she quavered. "There's so much going on in my head right now, with Jezz, Rita, Sandshrew, the twins and now with the contests starting. I know I'm getting a lot of help but my brain is still overloaded. I know it's not all my responsibility but it still feels like it is. I'm upset that everything is going wrong and I want more than anything to get out of this place but I can't. That's the truth, and now I'm worried about those Alola girls. I am scared they're going to hurt you."
"You care too much," he replied. "Don't waste your time worrying about them. It's too much stress for you, Annie. Put a bit of that stress on other people. That's one of the reasons I'm here."
"I'll try to relax more, but I am not letting those freaks mess with us. I'm going to do something about them."
"Let me know what you need to accomplish that and I'll attempt to help."
They curled arms re-entered the audience just as Jocelyn was being declared the winner. Annastasia and Michio groaned, pissed that they missed her final moments in the area.
"You seem tense," James said as they took their seats. "What happened to those Alolan girls?"
"We are fine," Annastasia replied. "But I don't want to talk about it."
Everyone turned to Michio.
"Neither do I," he said.
Jessie reclaimed Rose. "You must have done something bad. Annastasia isn't easily angered."
"I'm not angry," Annastasia asserted. "Just frustrated—and not with Michio."
"Well then…did you see Jocelyn win?" Logan asked.
"We missed it. What did she do?"
"She used Plusle to paralyze June's Uxie after Flaafy was defeated, then after that Plusle finished off her Wigglytuff," Benny explained. "It was amazing."
"We're hoping June doesn't get too upset about the loss," said Anika.
"June will be happy for Jocelyn," said Soledad. "I doubt she'll be a sore loser."
"It will just motivate her to train even harder for the next contest," Takeshi added.
Several battles later, it was time to announce the winner of the contest. The winner was to be determined by the number of overall points, including but not limited to those obtained in the battle round.
"And after adding up all the points, we are pleased to announce that…Jezz Tonaka is our winner!" the announcer declared.
"Me?" Jezz asked in disbelief.
"Yes, you!" Jay exclaimed, pushing him forward. "Congrats, now go up there and claim your ribbon!"
"Yes, Sir."
Jezz was accustomed to receiving rewards on behalf of his Pokémon, but after watching all the other contestants in the battle round, he didn't suspect that he would end up with the most points overall. The audience clapped, yelled, and called out his name as he took the ribbon from the presenter.
"Your performances here were outstanding. The judges were impressed by your sophisticated and inimitable style," the presenter whispered to him. "They are not effortless to please."
"I very much appreciate your kind words," Jezz responded, bowing deeply. "This recognition is an honor."
Jezz looked into the audience. Almost everyone he loved was there, even Rita, who was in the back with Ralph. He assumed that they had arrived just in time to see the final battle since he did not notice her before. He was grateful that she showed up. Rita gave him a thumbs up then continued clapping. Jay was in the front, clapping as perhaps the most enthusiastic of all.
"Jezz is shocked," Amber commented. "I don't know why I thought he was the best one up there."
"Don't let Jay hear that," Lily snickered. "It'll crush him."
"No, it won't. He knows how I feel about Jezz."
Several members of the group turned to her, surprised by her response.
"Oh really? And how is that?" Soledad pried.
"I like him just as much as I like Jay," Amber answered, unabashed.
Most of the female members of the group groaned; they expected a revelation, not a rain-check.
"That doesn't tell us anything," Soledad moaned.
"Last time I checked it was none of your business," Amber retorted.
"Oh, so you check often then?"
"Relax dudes. This is a celebration," said Tamaki.
Jezz, Jay, June, and Jocelyn returned moments later, breaking up the awkward silence and tension. They all got up and started to leave the area, heading to a place that was less crowded so they could talk about the contest.
XO
Day 59
Nolan and Lexi entered the enormous building, neither of them quite sure about what they were getting into. The walked into the foyer and up to a grumpy looking green-haired secretary.
"Hello. We are Alexa Fuji and Nolan Williams, here to see Mr. Archer," Lexi started.
"The potential new recruits. I will let him know you are here," the woman drably responded.
Nolan and Lexi examined the headquarters. There were staff members and grunts all around them, all minding their own business while looking like they all had important business of their own.
The secretary hung up the phone. "Archer is ready to see you."
Nolan and Lexi walked past the secretary's desk and into the back room that the woman opened for them. Archer was sitting at a large wooden desk, hands folded, waiting for them to take their seats in the sofa he had situated opposite of him. Nolan and Lexi delicately sat down and looked forward.
"Word is you two Pokémon trainers want jobs here," said Archer.
"Yes, Sir," Nolan and Lexi replied.
"Your resumes were impressive. You both have a decent amount of experience working with Pokémon and an education in Pokémon training and care, but as you know, being a member of Team Rocket is about more than just being able to handle Pokémon."
"Yes, Sir."
"You can be casual here. I am not as uptight as everyone says I am. I'm no Giovanni. Call me Archer. Before I recommend you to Gio I would like to know why you feel as though your employment here would be an asset to Team Rocket."
"I—we—have held jobs before, and we are both former Pokémon League Finalists. We are willing to work hard and do whatever you ask of us," Lexi replied.
"We like to hear that. As I said, I was impressed by your resumes, but unfortunately, I do not make the final decisions around here. That's up the Boss. He doesn't hire every qualified Pokémon trainer who shows up with a resume and asks for employment."
"We have recommendation letters too," said Nolan. He stood up and placed them in front of Archer. "We know a lot of people who work for Team Rocket."
Archer opened the first letter and skimmed it while Nolan and Lexi continued to sit there anxiously.
"Yeah you do know quite a few people. I thought you looked familiar, I must have seen you around before," Archer said after a few painstaking moments. "I'll put a good word in for the Boss."
"Thank you," Nolan and Lexi replied.
"Before you go…Gio's here now. I already sent him your resumes yesterday when you emailed 'em. I'll give him the letters to read and maybe if ya lucky he will be in a good mood and give you an answer today. Hang out a while, I'll letcha know when you can leave."
"That would be great. Thanks Sir," Nolan replied, stammering unintentionally.
"I don't use 'sir' anymore. Ease up on those nerves; they aren't gonna get you nowhere 'round here."
"Thank you, Archer," said Lexi. "We will be waiting in the lobby area."
Nolan and Lexi stepped outside Archer's office and took refuge in the couches in the lobby while he went to bring their letters to Giovanni.
"You look so nervous," Lexi commented. "Isn't this what you wanted?"
"Yes, but it is a big commitment, and as you know, my parents are disappointed in me for this," Nolan responded.
"You are an adult, Nolan! You can make your own decisions. And they shouldn't have beef with Team Rocket. We are still Pokémon trainers, and we are still doing the Battle Frontier. The only difference is that now our progress will be slowed down a bit because we will be going to the Team Rocket training sessions. That's if they hire us—and I'm sure they will. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"You've been gloomy lately. How come?"
"It's nothing."
"I bet it's because of what I said the other day, Isn't it?"
"…That's part of it."
"I was clear on what I wanted. I—"
"—I've just been feeling low about a lot of different things, and I thought that if I could reignite that part of our relationship, then it would make things better for both of us."
"Okay, okay I'm sorry; I didn't mean to snap at you. Why else are you so upset? I feel like there's more to it than just that."
"I don't want to spend the better part of my life just traveling and doing Pokémon battles."
"'Just' traveling? 'Just' doing Pokémon battles? You love doing this! You are the one who convinced me to do the Battle Frontier."
"I should rephrase that. I don't want to spend my life only doing Pokémon battles and traveling. I want a real job…and…well…a few other things. I'm already nineteen and I wanna get my life started—I feel like I'm running outta time."
"Your mom didn't start her career until she was thirty. Your dad didn't start his career until he was thirty-two. And we are here in the Team Rocket headquarters so that we can get jobs. I have a feeling this is going to work out. Your life started almost two decades ago. You oughta know that."
"I can't stop thinking about how disappointing I would be to my parents if I never got started on a career or did any of the other things an adult is supposed to do. Most people our age, even our closest friends, have careers, their own house, spouses, children, or they are on their way there Meanwhile we're still nomadic Pokémon trainers. That is okay for kids and younger teens, but not for adults. It's gotta end soon."
"It's like I said though. Our parents didn't start their careers until they were in their thirties, they didn't get married until they were in their late twenties, and we know I lot of people who are older than us and are still not completely independent."
"Who?"
Lexi thought about it for a few moments. "I can't think of anyone off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are plenty."
Nolan groaned. "My parents are putting a lot of pressure on me. They want me to get shit done."
"Relax. Everything will turn out okay."
They closed their eyes and rested, and after a while the heard Archer's voice telling them to wake up.
"You lucked out," he announced. "Giovanni did have time to look at your resumes and recommendation letters. He wants you in. He especially likes how you both have backgrounds in martial arts and many fully evolved Pokémon. You are hired. Training starts Monday morning, and we will meet on the main field at 5:30 am. There will be four other grunts in training joining us. Don't be late because…you don't wanna know."
"Thank you so much Si— Archer," said Lexi.
"We really needed this," Nolan added.
"Come prepared. Training isn't easy. About half of new recruits drop out the first week, and another third drop out within the first month. Only about one out of ten people make it to the end," Archer replied. "Eat something, get hydrated, and show up with all your Pokémon, not just your main team. It's going to be a long morning."
"We will. Thanks again."
""Here are the directions to the camp."
Archer handed them the directions to the main field and then returned to his office. Nolan and Lexi got up to leave.
"Concerned?" Nolan asked Lexi as they left headquarters.
"About the training?" she queried. Nolan nodded. "It sounds hard, but it probably isn't going to be much harder than any of our past challenges."
"Which reminds me. We have to meet the others at the Battle Pyramid. We have just enough time to get food. You hungry?"
"Always hungry"
"Then let's go before it rains on us."
XO
Day 58
After their first contest, all those who attended went out to dinner. Jezz was given the opportunity to talk to his guardians in person and tell them about all his new friends and adventures. Everyone was in a good mood, even though it was storming outside and their food came late. When the power went out Plusle and Minun once again came to the rescue and when the roof began to leak, Mewtwo and Lucario erected a shield to protect the eatery from water damage.
The most dramatic thing that happened that night was Benny's allergic reaction to the chicken. He recovered fine, as the manager had epinephrine, but no one wanted to finish their meal after that, fearing the unfamiliar Alola cuisine was cursed. In the end, everything turned out somewhat fine when the owner of the restaurant brought them free desserts, which changed their minds about the food.
Then, when everyone was distracted, Rumika requested that Annastasia and Rita speak to her privately. They escaped to the abandoned backlot.
"Is this about Jezz?" Annastasia inquired.
"Yes," Rita affirmed.
"I'm listening."
"The warden of the prison at which Jessiebelle is serving agreed to set us up with an interview," said Rumika.
"By 'us' you mean…"
"Just you and I."
"I would go too, but I have plans with Ralph," said Rita. "Gio's keeping us busy."
"The only potential roadblock is that there's another contest next Tuesday and I need to be there to support the kids," said Annastasia.
"That's why I set this meeting up for tomorrow. I know it's unexpected, and I originally had the appointment set up for next Friday, but Warden Michaels said that wouldn't work out anymore. The only other time he had available is three Saturdays from now. We wanted to get this done asap," said Rumika.
"Besides, you have Michio, Lily, Logan, Maya, Mewtwo, and Lucario to watch the kids and other Pokémon," said Rita.
"Tomorrow should be fine," said Annastasia. "I'll make it a priority. Just give me the time and place to meet."
"I knew I could count on you," Rumika brightly replied. "I'll text you the information. For now, I'll let Rita have you."
"What do you mean?"
Rita put her arm around Annastasia. "I wanna chat."
"Sure. Rumika, if anyone asks, can you tell them that I'll be back in a few?"
"No problem," Rumika said before leaving the girls in private.
"What's up?"
"I have some things I want you to know about before you go down to interview Jessiebelle," Rita murmured.
"Such as…?"
"The Kapule Klan has something to do with Jezz," Rita blurted.
"Why do you say that?"
"Those Alolan girls tipped me off. They said we're dumber than we look if we can't make the connection between them and Jezz."
"When was this?"
"A few days ago. I meant to say something sooner, but you were so busy, I wasn't sure how to phrase it, and Jezz is so happy; I wish there was a morally acceptable way to do this without having him involved…call it procrastination…"
"A few days ago…that was before they announced his name on stage. I wonder how they knew his name."
"They didn't actually use his name," Rita clarified. "They called him…I don't want to say it, A. You understand, right?"
"You don't have to explain if you don't want to. That being said, is there something you want me to ask Jessiebelle tomorrow during the interview?"
"I want to find out what she knows about the Kapule Klan."
"I'll do my best to get that information for you. Promise."
XO
In The Next Chapter:
- The interrogation
- Rita goes out
- Jezz gets something off his chest