AN: This chapter was updated/revised on March 12, 2020.
Requite
"Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble—it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found."
Phil Philips
Lily and Maya had offered to take Jocelyn, Benny, June, and Takeshi down to Polū Island for the day. After catching a few new Pokémon, they collected seashells and played with wild Shellder and Slowpoke in the warm, clear tide pools.
"These Pokémon sure are friendly," Jocelyn giggled as she patted the one Shellder who decided to join her team. "I am glad you're part of my squad now."
"Shay!" it responded enthusiastically.
"What did she say?" Benny asked Lily.
"Thank you," Lily responded lazily.
She and Maya were lying belly-up on a beach towel, relaxing in the sun.
"The sun completely faded your coat," Jocelyn pointed out.
Lily lowered her sunglasses. "The dye that Jay and I used was only supposed to last a few months."
"Are you going to get it redone?" June asked.
"Maybe, if there is a place around here that is willing to do it. I don't know if you all have noticed, but the people here treat Pokémon as third-class citizens. I hardly get any respect. I doubt I can just walk into a solon and get treated, no matter how much cash I bring with me."
"That's terrible!" Jocelyn gasped.
"Have you talked to A?" June asked, trying to be helpful. "She is the Pokémon advocate."
"Annastasia knows," said Lily. "Sandshrew let her know right away. She is trying, but she says it is hard for people to change their ways sometimes. The Alolan government made Pokéball locks illegal and is promoting this new agenda where Pokémon will be treated as equal to humans when it comes to jobs and stuff, so that is good but there's resistance when it comes to doing more, and that includes all the little things."
"Why?" said Takeshi.
"Because if people have to treat Pokémon equally, it means that they will have to make some sacrifices," Maya answered. "It means they will have to hire some Pokémon instead of just human beings, which results in job loss, and they will have to pay the Pokémon minimum wage when Pokémon usually do the work for free or in exchange for food, shelter, and/or training. And there is also this idea that Pokémon will become brazen and stubborn if they receive this new power."
"That isn't right!" Jocelyn complained.
Jocelyn's Pokémon partners echoed her fury.
"They might be afraid that there is going to be another Pokémon revolution," said Maya.
"Are you saying there was a Pokémon revolution in the past?" Takeshi asked.
"Didn't you learn about it in school?" Lily replied. The kids all shook their heads. "Damn, then what do they teach you in school?"
"We really only learn about human history. We don't talk about Pokémon much."
"Can you tell us about it?" June requested.
"I want to hear," Jocelyn begged.
"Jackson and I do too," said Benny.
"Eeeveee!" Jackson asserted, pushing Maya.
"Hey!" Lily snapped. "Watch it."
'Stupid Eevee,' she thought.
"Well, I honestly don't know much about it myself, at least not enough to teach someone else about it," said Maya.
"I can teach you an abridged version," Lily offered. "But I don't know where to start."
"Tell us when it happened," June suggested.
"And why it started," Takeshi added.
"The revolution ended about 70-72 years ago, I am not sure when it began though," said Lily. "That was a time when most of the animal species on Earth had vanished. Pokémon and humans were running out of food sources. Humans started hunting weaker Pokémon, like Farfetched, Pidgey, Rattata…"
"They ATE Pokémon?! That's disgusting!" Jocelyn interrupted.
"Fee," Flaafy agreed. Pinky and the others cringed.
"History tales must always have a decent dose of gore," Lily responded. "But Pokémon did the same to humans. Big Pokémon that were natural carnivores, like Aerodactyl, Groudon, Heatran…they started hunting the smaller Pokémon as well, and attacked and ate humans."
"I can't imagine that. It is so horrible and strange," June commented.
"I can't imagine it either," said Takeshi. "But what about small Pokémon that also needed meat, like Meowth and Purrloin?"
"A lot of them died off naturally or were hunted, but the ones who survived lived off small fish and bugs," Lily answered. "Kinda like we do now."
"That makes sense," said June. "Please continue."
"Basically, most Pokémon were angry at people hunting them, and so they flipped out on the humans. This was before Pokémon leagues and contests were common. They existed, but very few people competed. Pokémon training wasn't really a thing. Instead people used Pokémon for random tasks, like for helping to build houses or powering up devices. But the Pokémon stopped agreeing to help. Most of them, anyway. In response, humans started creating these machines and devices that could capture and/or control Pokémon."
"Like Pokéballs?" Takeshi asked.
"Pokéballs, electricity and fireproof cages and nets, training collars, basically anything that could help contain the Pokémon. Later they created weapons. Guns and bombs that could hurt Pokémon. It was a real disaster."
"How did it end?"
"I don't think anyone really knows for sure. Some people say that both sides became tired of fighting and decided to work together to create more resources that both Pokémon and humans could share. I think most people believe that a legendary Pokémon stepped in to help."
"Like Arceus?" Jocelyn questioned. "Or Jirachi? Or Ho-oh?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"But something like that can't happen again, right? I mean, how could it?" said June.
"Don't ask me."
Lily shrugged and she put her sunglasses back over her eyes.
"I can't imagine another revolution. Pokémon and humans almost always get along well together," said Takeshi.
"If there is a revolution, I doubt it will be as violent as the last one," said Lily. "Instead it would probably be less of a revolt and more of a social movement. The only reason some humans are making a big deal out of giving Pokémon equal rights is because they are afraid of change."
"And they don't want to lose money either, it seems," said June.
"Humans should stop being so selfish. Pokémon are people too!" Jocelyn declared.
All the Pokémon chimed in agreement. Takeshi and June nodded.
"I agreed, but there is not much I can do about it other than complain," Lily sighed. "Oh well."
"I really don't want anyone to get eaten by a Heatran," Takeshi whimpered.
"Did you even hear me? Humans are going to be fine, probably. They will just continue to mooch off my species."
"Do we really mooch off of Pokémon?" Jocelyn asked fretfully.
"You people don't," said Maya. "Only the people who are wrong do that. It doesn't happen all the time."
"Okay," June responded half-heartedly. "But you would let us know if that changes, right?"
Maya nodded. "You don't have to worry about us."
"You can count on me to complain. If I don't get through to you first, then Sandshrew will," said Lily.
"Does Sandshrew still hang out with Onēsan?" Jocelyn asked the group. "I often don't see him the whole day."
"Yep," several responded.
"And it's not 'he', Sandshrew is an 'it'. Remember that it's a legendary fusion; it doesn't have a gender," said Lily.
"And while we are talking about it, I noticed that it has actually been acting a lot nicer recently," Maya interjected.
"Yeah. Yesterday Sandshrew gave Maya a cookie and told her to have a nice day."
"I haven't seen it in two days," said Jocelyn. "I wonder if it'll be nice to me."
"Maybe. You haven't seen it much because everyone is busy. They are looking for the kids, looking for Jezz's family history, looking for the Hales."
"The Hales as in Jezz's guardians?" said June. "What happened to them?"
"Team Rocket and the local police were having trouble locating them."
"I didn't know they were missing too!" Jocelyn exclaimed.
"Flaaafy!"
"Plussssle!"
"Minunnnnn!"
"Bounsweeeetttt!"
"Shellder!"
"Don't worry. they will find them," Maya replied.
"That is awful though that they are missing too," June sighed. "How long have they been looking? I worry they having been searching too long."
"I think they started the search a few days ago," said Lily.
"That's not good," said Takeshi. "Not good at all."
"I didn't know grown-ups could go missing too!" Benny cried.
"They might just be busy," said Maya. "They did tell the Morgans that they would be hard to reach for a little while."
"At least there's that," June sighed. "All I want is for everyone to be okay so that we could just go back to doing the contest like normal Pokémon trainers."
"I second that," said Takeshi. "And maybe it isn't too late to do the Alolan Trials."
"I think that ship has sailed," Lily responded.
"I miss everyone," Jocelyn lamented.
"Flaaaafy," Flaafy said with equal sadness.
"I have a feeling this is all going to be over soon. Then we can all relax and enjoy our vacation," said Maya.
"But until then, at least you have us," said Lily.
XO
Jay was beyond grateful for the long boat ride. Not long after boarding, the two of them fell asleep in the handicap-friendly seats located in the back of the ship. They were left undisturbed, and they both managed to gain a few hours of high-quality sleep. They woke up in Unova early the next morning after being provoked by an irritated Alolan Meowth.
"Meowwwww," it hissed at the boys as they rubbed their sleepy eyes.
"Chimecho chime?" Chimecho asked the Meowth.
"Meeeeo!" it responded.
"I believe that this Nyarth wants us to get up and disembark like the other passengers," Jezz surmised.
Jay yawned loudly. "Makes sense. Look, everyone's leaving."
Jay hastily combed his messed-up hair with Jezz's brush. He missed his hair gel; his purple locks didn't look right when it as straight and delicately tossed as Jezz's was. He looked in the hand mirror, and noted how twin-like they looked. It wasn't surprising when a few tourists referred to them as brothers. And he was grateful that the next train station was located adjacent to the pier; he did not feel like walking now. Jezz helped him fixed his hair and the next thing Jay knew the two of them were sitting in the station, tickets in hand, waiting for their train to arrive.
"You are a very organized person," Jay told him. "I mean, how did you arrange all of this? It is not like you could have bought the tickets ahead of time."
"That is precisely what I did," Jezz responded.
"Huh? How?"
"I told you I have done this before."
"Oh right…I suppose I thought that was a joke."
"Would you like me to purchase a meal for you? There are sandwiches and salads here, and I noticed a burrito bar earlier."
Jay smiled widely. "Yesss. I would love that, oh so very much."
"You mock me."
"You just understood sarcasm for the first time. Congrats, buddy. I'll take a large burrito please. Get me a corn flour wrap, extra guacamole, black beans, curried tempeh, lettuce, and tomato. Oh, and extra napkins. Hey, do you have a pen? I will write it down for you."
"No, it is alright. I have it memorized."
"Whoa. Okay, thanks. I'll fill our water bottles while you get the food."
"Yes. I will see you in ten minutes."
Jay watched his friend walk away. He decided over the last twenty-four hours that Jezz wasn't girl-like at all. You could see it even in the way he walked: wide strides, confident strides, with something else that was uniquely Jezz. And the way he talked, not only his accent, but also his mannerisms, they all seemed to be something that only he had. Jay realized that must have been what attracted him to Jezz in the first place; he was unlike anyone he ever met, and even though Jezz was basically holding him hostage while dragging him through the unimaginable, he found he couldn't possibly be mad at him.
After refilling their water bottles, Jay lay down on one of the benches and shut his eyes.
"I have your food," Jezz announced a few moments later as he sat down next to him. "If you prefer to rest now, at least let me offer my lap as a pillow."
Jay opened his eyes and looked up at Jezz, and quickly became very grateful that his friend didn't have the ability to read minds.
Jay sat up. "Ahh no. I will eat now."
"Here you go," said Jezz as he handed him the burrito.
"Thanks. What did you get for yourself?"
"I decided to get the same meal you did," he answered. "I never had a burrito before, but I know I enjoy tomatoes, lettuce, guacamole, tempeh, and black beans when they are separate."
"You've been missing out. It tastes way better when it's all mashed together."
Jezz took a small, neat bite.
"I agree," he answered after he swallowed the food.
Jay figured Jezz wouldn't be the type to talk with his mouth full.
"Look at the way these people dress," Jay commented as a few women in light blue, high-waisted jeans walked by. "They are sooo out of style."
"I feel as though they would be in style, since we are in the past," Jezz responded.
"I guesso. It is just so weird. And look at that hair! Oh god, I wish I had my stuff with me. Some of these people need a serious makeover."
"Would you really go up to those strangers and give them a makeover?"
"Jezz, you are underestimating my obsession with fashion. It would be public service, my duty as a civilian."
Jezz admired the confidence with which he spoke. He chuckled which made Jay gleam with pride.
"I know you like fashion, but I didn't realize you are obsessed. I am sorry that I am inhibiting you from attacking those women with your styling skills."
"It's okay. Actually, if I had one thing with me right now, it would be my guitar. My sweet, precious guitar. I play it every night, you know. That was a thing long before you and I met. Ever since I learned, I have loved it."
"Singing too?"
"Yes."
"Can you sing well without your guitar?"
"No!" Jay blushed, then coughed to try to hide that and his sputtering. "I-I can't do acapella. The music needs to be there…W-why are you asking me all this?"
"I like when you sing. It makes me feel secure, relaxed, and…happy. You are the only person who has ever sang to me. I feel so lucky that I have found you. I regret ever considering leaving you."
The moment after he finished his sentence, Jezz coughed a few times. And though he tried to hide it, Jay noticed him shivering a bit, even though it was the summer and southern Unova was almost as warm as Alola.
Jay experienced a moment of panic. When his sister got sick, it was a big deal. Even if it was just a small cold, her immune system was so weak that it could escalate in a matter of hours and become something much more serious. He knew how to take care of people, but not while they were traveling like this.
"You are sick, Jezz. We should take care of this as soon as possible," he said worriedly.
"It will hinder my progress," Jezz responded.
"If you get sicker it will hinder your progress even more."
Jay stood up so that he could face Jezz from the front. His eyes were hazy, with darkening circle underneath, and his skin was a few shades lighter than his normal tone. Jezz shivered again, and Jay felt like a failure for not recognizing the signs sooner. He reached forward and touched Jezz's forehead.
"You are so hot," he told him.
Jay immediately felt awkward by his comment, even though Jezz didn't even seem to notice.
"Ummm I mean you feel warm…warm as in your skin is warm," he ungracefully amended.
"Usually when this happens, I take some of my medicine," Jezz replied.
"Yes, of course."
Jay opened Jezz's bag. Jezz insisted on getting it himself and gently took back the bag.
Jezz opened his pillbox and swallowed a few of the capsules. Then he continued to eat his food.
"At least you still have your appetite," said Jay.
Jezz nodded. "I shall eat before the nausea sets in."
"You got him sick already?!" a voice called from behind them. Both boys were equally confused as they turned around to greet the familiar ginger.
Amber marched right up to them. Jay and Jezz cringed at the daggers in her eyes.
"We need to talk!" she demanded.
"Yes Ma'am," they responded in unison.
Jay was shaking with mixed emotions, and Jezz was terrified. His fear increased when Amber pointed a finger at him, then jabbed it into his chest.
"You, why did leave, and where the hell are we?!" Amber yelled. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him in front her so his face was inches from hers.
"I…. I…I…I…I," he stuttered.
"Stop stuttering. Since when do you do that anyway?"
Jay was so glad to see his friend, and although it didn't make sense at the moment, he hugged her tightly from behind. Amber let go of Jezz, who stumbled clumsily unto the bench.
"I missed you so much!" Jay cried. "Amb, you have no idea…"
Amber turned around and pushed Jay off her. Jezz noticed they were causing a scene in the busy train station, but Amber didn't care.
"You!" she targeted Jay. "You have a thousand-dollar cell phone. Do you think you could pick it up?!"
"Amb, I…please relax. Everyone is watching us," Jay quietly requested.
Amber once again gripped them by the shirts, but this time she dragged them into the bathroom. She didn't seem to care that she left Jezz's bag and both his and Jay's meals out on the lobby bench, and she certainly didn't care that they were in the women's restroom.
"Out!" Amber yelled at a few children who were washing their hands at the sink.
The frightened children ran away, and Jezz and Jay cringed because they both had a good idea of what was coming next. But they were wrong.
"Amb, calm down, relax," Jay begged as Amber dug her face into his shirt. "Are you crying?
"No," she responded defensively. She let go of Jay and quickly rubbed her eyes with her t-shirt. "Tell me what is going on."
"I ran away," Jezz started.
"No shit!"
"Amb, we aren't going to get anywhere if you keep yelling at us," Jay reasoned.
Amber huffed. "I deserve to know everything. I need to know what happened that night, why you left, and where we are, because I don't know the answers to any of those questions and I am going to kill you if I don't get a good answer."
Jezz gulped. "I am not sure how to proceed."
"Figure it out. You're a genius, aren't you?"
"The reason he left is really complicated," Jay said cautiously. "I think we need to talk about something else first. I'll tell you where we are, and you tell us how you got here."
"Deal," Amber agreed. "You go first."
"Right. So, we are in southern Unova, at a the Five Meganium Train Station," he began.
Amber looked around. "Okay, I got that part."
"And we are about twenty years in the past."
He mumbled quickly.
"What did you say? Something about a twenty?" Amber asked.
"My Xatu took us into the past," said Jezz. "We are twenty years on the past."
"Ha!"
No one laughed with her; they were serious.
"No…No…that can't happen," she mumbled, shaking her head. "Xatu can only see the past, they can't... you're messing with me."
"It's true. Xatu can also travel though time sometimes," Jay responded. "Xatu brought us back in time and we took a train and a boat here because Jezz wants to go to the capitol of Unova."
Amber looked back and forth between the two of them. She knew Jay as well as she knew herself, possibly even more, and so she realized that he was not joking, and that this wasn't a prank. And if innocent little Jay wasn't the prankster type, then neither was his clone, Jezz. Neither of them was lying to her in this moment, and she hated to admit it.
"Okay. I…why Jezz? Why?" she interrogated.
"I was scared and ignorant," he sighed. "I felt I could prevent heartbreak and disapproval if I left. I came to Unova because I have a mission. I regret everything that I did, everything that happened, and I swear I will never do it again. I will never lie to you, I will never run away from you, and I will never forget about how much I care about you ever again."
Amber exhaled. That was steep, even for Jezz.
"I can't really argue with that," she decided. "I will ask you about this 'mission' later. First I want to know why you decided to stay here instead of returning after you realized your mistakes."
"I want to complete my mission, and also…I believe that I am stuck here," he responded.
"Oh god. Xatu, is this real?" she asked the bird Pokémon.
"Xuu," it answered without looking at her face.
"You got trapped in the past. I am so confused." She scratched her chin. "This has been one rough week."
"I asked Xatu to return us, but he won't. I didn't know what else to do, so I decided to continue with my original plan, which was to go to Washington to talk to Mrs. Saphira. She is a social worker, a prominent advocate, and developing leader. I must speak with her."
"Why?"
"She is going to help me with my research. I feel I uncovered much of my past, and I need to talk to her about that and some additional items."
"Like what?"
"Jezz told me that the Kapule Klan is infamous for fostering rich orphans and then embezzling their money," said Jay. "He thinks that he might has been one of those orphans, and even if he isn't, he wants to tell this woman about them. He did I lot of research. Trust me, Amb, he knows what he's doing."
"I can trust you, Jay, but Jezz…you are on probation until I get the full story."
"I believe I told you everything I could," said Jezz. "I am so sorry. I have many regrets. I promise I will not ever worry you like that again. I mean all of this."
"Trust him, please Amb. We are in a hard place right now, and we need to all be on good terms," said Jay.
"I will show you my notebook, we can discuss everything on the train."
"The train! We need to get you a ticket."
"It is okay. Our train is not arriving for another twenty minutes. We have plenty of time to buy her one."
"I don't want to get on a train!" Amber argued. "I want…ahhh, I don't know!"
"I will get her ticket and be back."
Jezz dashed away before Amber could get out another word. Amber turned to Jay.
"Talk to me, Jaybird," she said.
"Jezz has been through a lot," Jay whispered. "He's sick—"
"—No kidding."
"I mean physically sick, but that just started. He told me a lot. I trust him so much now."
"Are you sure you aren't just lovesick again? Or being naïve?
"No. I am sure, and serious, for real, and he is for real. He is super sorry about everything that has happened. I got him to open to me, and he has been through so much. Please forgive him."
"Fine…Most importantly, I need to know how we are going to fix this."
"We don't know yet. When Jezz gets back, will you tell us how you found us?"
"Yes."
Jezz returned a few minutes later with her ticket. He looked up at her sadly, waiting for what was going to happen next.
"Tell us how you found us," Jay requested.
"I had some help," Amber answered, focusing on each boy separately.
"Umm…okay…I was hoping for more details."
"Okay, listen up, cuz I don't wanna keep repeating myself."
Her friends nodded and the three of them sat down on the bench together.
"I found a Mimikyu, a super-powerful one," said Amber. "And you will never believe what it did…"
Amber spent a good ten minutes telling them about Mimikyu, the Pokémon's creepy Pokedex entries, and how she took that risk in order to grant a wish. By the end of the story, both boys were awestruck.
"That is amazing. Mimikyu will grant you more wishes?" Jay asked.
"Yep," she responded.
"You can wish for limitless wishes," Jezz suggested.
"Oh, I plan on it."
"What did you wish for fist?" Jay asked.
"To find you two."
"Awe."
"I was worried…y'all are my friends…"
"Where is Mimikyu now?" Jezz queried.
Amber held up one of her Pokéballs.
"It doesn't mind staying in its ball. Actually, it seems to only want to stay in its ball."
"Whoa," Jay gasped.
They could hardly believe that so much power could be contained in such a small device.
"It's time to board," Amber noted as she pointed to their train. "We can continue this conversation on our way to the city."
XO
Annastasia planned to go to the hospital to meet Rita as soon as her meeting with Giovanni and company had ended. Though she had Pokémon who were able to use Teleport, her parents and Rumika insisted on driving her.
They wanted to talk.
"Please, Anna-chan, talk to us more," her father begged as he followed her out the headquarters' front entrance.
"You can't drop a news bomb like that in us then walk away!" her mother called after her as they struggled to keep up with Annastasia's long strides.
"Annastasia Miyamoto Morgan, stop!" her parents scolded in unison.
Annastasia halted. It was rare for her parents to reprimand her for anything. And at least one of them used a nickname when they talked to her. She knew immediately that this meant business.
"What?" she snapped as she turned around.
She surprised herself by freeing a few caged-up tears as her family came closer. She put her head down and waited for the questions to pour out of them.
"You know what," her mother responded. Her voice was softer than it was a few moments ago.
James wrapped on arm around her. "You are selfishly hogging all of our problems. You can at least share, before you explode."
Annastasia faintly smiled. Her father got frustrated and whiny at times, but never angry. And her mom, she did get angry, but not at her perfect children. The both looked scared for her. It was the same look they gave her before she left for her last mission in Toka, and after her seizures, or when she was ill. There was fear mixed with pity, a combination that made her wish she was able to dismiss her empathy and return to childhood.
"Jessie, James, wait!" Rumika called after them. She and Lucy ran up to the trio. Meowth and Wobbuffet, who were sitting outside the building waiting for their meeting to finish, followed behind them after they passed. "I have some things to say on this too."
"I want to talk, but I need to see Rita. I want to give her the recording…and vent," Annastasia told her family.
"Yous can vent ta us," Meowth suggested. "Let Wobbuffet take are of dat tape."
"Wobba," Wobbuffet agreed, reaching for the recording.
"We can drive to the Pallet House, and then A can return to Alola," Rumika suggested. "And we can talk about this on the way."
Annastasia gave in. They entered their parents' car and they left the parking lot. Jessie was driving, James was shotgun, and Annastasia, Rumika, and the Pokémon occupied the back seat. Jessie was the first to speak.
"Did you tell Michio that you decided to adopt a child?" she inquired amusingly.
Annastasia smiled despite her quavering emotions. "I didn't really decide. Jezz was sort of handed to me. And yes, I did talk to Michio about it."
"Ooh, how did he react?"
"It was…a thought-provoking and intimate moment and therefore I must not share; my SO rules apply."
"Fine…"
"Anna-chan, you have the ability and means, but isn't it…odd to take him in? I would think so, considering all that is going on right now too," James added.
"My greatest concern is getting all three of them back and safe. What happens after that is not worrying me. And yes, I know it is weird, and I know it is difficult, but I can't think about that now."
"Yer a big girl but…Yet yous still a baby at de same time," Meowth interjected.
"Annastasia and I already discussed this," said Rumika. "I offered to take Jezz, but she made several good points, and I back her fully on the decision to take up the responsibility."
"Rumika, you have an enormous house, why do you think Anna-chan would be better suited?" James questioned.
"If you haven't noticed, A has been mothering people her entire life. Jezz is going to need someone reliant, thoughtful, and empathetic to talk to for support. In addition to all that is probably happening with him now, there is the fact that he was very close to the Hales. Remember how he looked forward to them adopting him? The way that he talked…he will be crushed when he finds out."
"Crushed is too small a word," Annastasia sadly murmured. "Being 'crushed' is not getting the girl, failing a class, losing a battle…What he's going to feel will take months to process and it will probably be the most formidable, onerous, and confounding era of his life. It'll agonize him for years."
"I can't deal with that kind of emotional turmoil, but A can. Sure, plans were fuddled the last time she tried to give a pep talk, but Michio made a good point: Jezz was likely planning something dark, and—"
"Dark?" said James.
"He was depressed," said Annastasia. "And we barely did enough to save him."
"Mmmhmm," said Rumika, nodding, "She, Amber, and Jay probably convinced him to change his mind."
"But if he moves to a different home, Annastasia can still talk to him," said Jessie.
"Jezz has been moving around his entire life. He needs stability. If A takes him, she can give him that stability. And unlike me, she is going to be around. I spend more time at headquarters then I spent at my own home. I do not relate to children well, especially young teens, and I am single. Annastasia has Michio to help. Jezz will be able to see his friends more too because even though she will be living in Silverville, she will be around to take him places or to host people at her own home. Plus, Jezz really likes her but barely knows me."
"Those are good points…"
"But is this something you want to do?" James asked.
"I have thought about this a lot," Annastasia replied. She didn't have to emphasize how long; when she ruminated, she took it seriously, like a job in and of itself. "I decided yes, I can and want to do this. I am not planning on giving birth to my own children because…well…frankly I think babies are gross…but I still want my own family. I feel like I will be losing someone very valuable if Jezz left to go live with someone else. I think Jezz and I were meant to find one another. Another, smaller point is that Rita will visit more often if Jezz is with me."
"Well, if that is what you want…who are we to stop you?"
The trio of Meowth, Jessie, and James shared a brief glance with one another. Though they were all parents now, not one of them knew what to say to the eighteen -year old who officially decided that she wants to adopt a child who is over half her age and all but stable.
"A was right when she said that we have bigger things to think about now," Lucy reminded them. "Let's not forget about the other points we discussed at our meeting."
"How were you able to trace Jezz back to that orphanage?" James inquired.
"We got stopped by an elderly woman. She said that she could help us out, then gave us the orphanage's address. We requested an interrogation, to see what else she knew…but then she vanished. Then we showed up at the orphanage, told them about Jezz Tonka, and the name rang a bell in the new director's head. She called up Mary, and the next thing we knew we were in that old woman's house, being handed a journal. The whole setup was peculiar."
"And by 'we' you mean…?"
"Lucy and I," Rumika clarified. "We told A about it and the three of us worked on trying to figure it out. Then we called for the meeting and…you know the rest."
"I am not sure if this is the time and place to discuss this, but do you remember what Hauana and Perry told us when they first met us?" James asked.
"Clarify."
"They said that Jezz lived in three different foster homes, and that it was his great-grandparents who had custody of him first. That contradicts with the journal and what the director of Mary's orphanage told us."
Everyone turned to him in awe, even Jessie, who was still driving.
"Dat's gotta be de smartest ting yous said all year," Meowth commented. "Nah, in dis decade."
"I missed that completely…" said Annastasia. "You're right, Papa: it is a contradiction."
"It's too bad yous can't ask dem 'bout dat now."
"They could have been given wrong information. After all, Jezz's history is almost entirely oral. There are no records we can find at all, so it is like a game of 'telephone'. If a few people's tongues slipped here and there, it changes the story," said Annastasia. "Huh."
"Where are yous gonna go from here?"
"I have been asking myself that question my entire life and I still don't know."
"We are going to do the best we can to put this ordeal to rest," Lucy confidently asserted. "Giovanni will have every Team Rocket agent in on this; we will plant surveillance cameras and microphones everywhere. We will do interrogations. We will find them. That is the plan."
"Yes, that's the plan," James repeated. "I miss Jay so much. My son…I never missed him so much in my entire life. I didn't even get to see him before it happened."
James closed the gap between his and Jessie's hands. Annastasia watched them pitifully.
She surmised three wishes: first, to heal her parents' suffering. They haven't been themselves lately; they were optimists who had become miserable and drained. She wished for her brother, Jezz, and Amber to be back. She didn't let anyone but Michio and her Pokémon know, but she had been losing sleep over them, and the stress was making her sick, sicker than she let on. Thirdly, she wished that she had a hand to hold too. But her significant other was on duty, watching over her baby siblings and their frenemy Sandshrew.
Despite her mother's general disapproval of Michio as a long-term partner, she could no longer argue that he was useless or selfish, or that he didn't care.
She though back to when she broke the news to Michio.
Earlier that day…
Annastasia walked into the house unannounced. Her first goal was refilling her empty water bottle. Aliyah, the provider of her teleportation, followed behind she, Star, and Lil-G. She prepared a water dish for the Pokémon then gulped down her own share. Even though Michio was in the back room with the door closed, he heard her enter, but he didn't rise to meet her.
"I wonder where Michio is," she murmured.
"Lil up up pup!" Lil-G barked.
"Speeeee!" said Star, copying Lil-G's jumping.
"Shhh, shh," Annastasia cooed. "Rose and Silver are probably a-drowsing."
As Annastasia approached the back room, she picked up on the sound of guitar strings being gently stroked and a few 'yee', 'aww', and 'dadadada' coming from Rose. She opened the door and discovered Michio sitting on the couch with Rose, playing a ukulele as the baby laughed and made different sounds.
"Sil fell asleep, but Rosie is awake," Michio murmured as she came into the room.
Annastasia shut the door behind her and settled beside Michio. Rose nearly screamed when she saw Annastasia. Annastasia gave her little sister the housekeys she had in her pocket. Rose cried happily as she swung them around.
"She likes things that clang," Annastasia whispered.
"She was playing with my set earlier," Michio responded without breaking the melody.
"This is nice. Do you always play your guitar for them?"
"When we are home alone, yes."
"I really like it, but can you stop for a moment?"
Michio stopped playing. He picked up Rose and held her up against his chest before she had a chance to get fussy.
"You two have some profound vibes going on," Annastasia commented.
"I guess we're a thing," said Michio.
"I am glad you feel that way, because I have something I need to tell you. It's a big deal, a life-changing sort of big deal."
"Did you get pregnant?"
"No, it's not like that."
Annastasia paused.
"Annie, you okay?" Michio asked, trying to stay calm under angst.
"Yeah, I'm okay," she said after some calming breaths. "Perry and Hauana Hale died in the same accident that Rita was in. Perry died immediately, and Hauana died in the hospital the day after the accident. Their bodies were unidentifiable. It was as bad as horrendous can get. That's why we couldn't find them and why…well…"
She sniffled and used her shirt collar to rub away tears.
"Oh…oh, geeze…That sucks," said Michio.
'Why do I suck at comforting others?' Michio thought as Annastasia continued to snivel.
"Don't concern yourself with finding the 'right' things to say," Annastasia sighed, her voice heavy despite the reveal.
"Then what can I do?" he asked.
She tucked her small body under his much larger frame, so she was sharing headspace with Rose. Michio understood by now that the gesture meant she wanted him to just be there, because as she told him, sometimes existing is enough.
"Jezz is now without a family," said Annastasia.
"Oh..." said Michio.
"No one relating to the Hales can and is willing to take him in, and he has no known blood relations. He is alone."
"At least he still has our group. Whoever ends up fostering him next shouldn't have a problem with him continuing our journey…that's if he gets back before the season ends."
Annastasia wiggled out of his lap so that she could face him.
"Jezz was already assigned a legal guardian," she said.
"That was quick," Michio remarked.
"I was told that it was decided well in advance. Do you want to know who it is?"
"Is it someone we know?"
Annastasia nodded. "It's me."
"Wait…what?"
"It's me. I'm the assigned legal guardian."
"How? Why...Fucksake…"
'She'd never joke like this…would she?' he wondered.
Rose, feeling Michio's rapid heartbeat, began to feel anxious herself. He rubbed her back and tried to process the impossible situation his SO had gotten into.
"The Hales and I were not close by conventional means," Annastasia continued, placing one of her hands over his. "But they knew me well enough to entrust with me the most important person in their lives. They decided that if anything were to happen to them, then I would be the one to protect and raise Jezz. I know it is a lot to take in, and it's odd, but I promise that he will be my responsibility, so I am not expecting you to participate."
The explanation conjured more impelling emotions.
"Annie, Annie, Fucksake…only you…this…" said Michio, shaking his head.
"…Sucks?" she guessed.
"It's great. You're great at being a mom."
"Since when?"
"For as long as I've known you at least. And none of this 'I don't have to participate'. I'll help, unless you don't want me to."
"Of course I want you to, as long as you wouldn't mind."
"Selflessness foolishly applied, Annie. I don't want you to have to do everything on your own, without me there to help, or just to be with you, because I don't want to stop being around you ever because I…"
A grin returned to her face. "You…?"
"Love you more than anything else I can imagine. You've mended and helped me become a better version of myself and…I never want that to stop…so if you wanna do this serious, weird, difficult, virtuous thing, then you can count on me to try to keep up."
"Awe."
"The only problem is well, the obvious."
She tilted her head. "The supposed problem is not obvious to me."
"Jezz doesn't like me."
"Why would you say that?"
"He doesn't talk to me much."
"Well, you barely talk to him."
"Because…I just never had much to tell him before. I've spoken to each other, obviously, but I don't know him like I know you or even Jocelyn or Jay."
"He's introverted, you're super introverted, and you're shy, and none of that means he doesn't like you. If he knew you, he'd like you."
Michio figured she was probably right so he didn't press further.
"It'll be an abounding adjustment for all of us," said Annastasia. "That's why I'm letting you know now that you don't have to do this with me."
Rose was the image of serenity, content to watch two people she loved talk in calm, empathetic tones. Michio put her down seconds after she fell asleep. Reading her eyes, Michio knew what she needed: just a hug. A simple, sweet, and selfless embrace. He gave it to her and responded with guileless requital.
"I love where you and I are," said Michio. "Wherever you go, I'll go too, no matter what, with one exception."
"What's the exception?" said Annastasia.
"It has to be what you want."
"It is what I want."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Pinky promise?"
She broke their hug to loop both her pinkies around his. "Double pinky promise."
They watched the twins sleep.
"What are you going o do about…you know…them…" Michio whispered.
"I was hoping I could leave them here with you for a little longer," she replied.
He shook his head. "I'm talking about the Hales."
"So far, only a handful of us working on Operation Jezz know, plus some close relatives to the Hales know. I must tell my family and our team. I plan on doing that today. After that…the Hales do have relatives, and several of them have met Jezz, and they'll be concerned for his well-being—"
"—if they were concerned for Jezz's well-being, they wouldn't turn him away."
"Just because they can't take him in doesn't mean they don't like him. Besides, this is what the Hales wanted, and there are a ton of rules to adoption…I'm surprised I'm qualified, but I must be if I could be legally selected, which I was. What I'm trying to say is that the sooner we find Jezz the better, because there is no way I'm letting anyone have a funeral for them without Jezz being involved. Even if he doesn't want to go, he needs to know."
"Are you going to be the one to tell him?"
"Most likely."
"How are you going to manage that?"
"It'll be difficult, but I'll…"
"Wing it?"
"Yeah, I'm going to have to wing it. And thanks."
"Thanks for…?"
"The compliment you gave me before: I think you are great at being a mom too."
"I try."
They still hadn't let go of each other's pinkies. After they did that, Michio half-sat, half-lied on the couch and indicated for Annastasia to join him.
"Are you going to stay for a bit?" he asked.
"I want to but I have to go all the way to Viridian City," she replied.
"You have a meeting."
"Yes. My parents are already there. They wanted to stop by and check on Rose and Silver, but I told them I could do it. I knew you would be here, and not at the beach, which is why I came at all, but I really should get going. You don't have to just sit here—when they wake up, you can take them to the beach, get some of the kids to take over the caretaking. June has given them bottle before and my mom made each of them change at least one diaper—you'll just have to do some supervising…"
"I would take them to the beach, but your parents took them on a walk earlier, and they got tan. If they go out too much they will get burned, even with sunblock and hats."
"I didn't think about that…being light-skinned does have its weaknesses…if you wanted, you could've asked Lucario and Mewtwo to watch them while you went to the beach."
"I don't mind. I get tired of the fucking beach. I spent seventeen years of my life on this godforsaken island."
"Mmhmm. I'm going to go. Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. If anything, I should be more worried about you than you about me."
"I am, but also…I…"
"You handle anxiety better than I do because you don't have bipolar disorder."
"You have your issues, I have mine, and together…we somehow make it work. To get it too keep working I need the truth, even if it's disappointing or ugly."
"The current truth is that I'm where I want to be. Go before you're elate for your meeting. I can tell you're either stalling or relapsing on your time management skills."
"This is definitely a relapse. See you later."
Rose's eyes opened. She glued them to Michio. He sighed in neither frustration nor contentment as he lifted her out of the crib. Annastasia kissed her forehead, then touched her hand to Michio's shoulder.
"Don't spoil them," she told Michio. "They're spoiled enough."
Michio brushed her hand off his shoulder and he bowed to her.
"Yes, Ma'am," he said. "No spoiled brats in this house."
Annastasia snorted in laughter. "Well, I can already count—"
"—Go, Annie, before you're late for your meeting."
Present
Annastasia coughed as a chill slinked up her spine. She knew a few coughs didn't mean she was sick, but she could feel the soreness in the back of her throat and an aching in her bones. She ignored the worried looks on her family's faces as she returned so that she was staring directly out of the window.
"Who's going to take care of you when you and Jezz get sick at the same time?" her mother inquired. "It's bound to happen."
"Michio knows how to make tea. That's all I'll need him to do," she answered. "Have a little faith."
"Ya know, de say dat human girls are attracted to guys dat are like dere fathers," Meowth ungraciously commented. "And James is a mother hen too."
"Am not," James argued.
"Yes, yous are."
Meowth and James went back and forth a few times until Lucy broke them up.
"Meowth is the real mother hen," said Lucy.
"I'm not gonna argue. I'm too tired fer dat now," Meowth surrendered.
"It's not a bad thing," said Annastasia. "Papa, Michio isn't much like you. That's cuz you're both weird and unique in your own way."
"At least he can make you tea," Jessie sighed. "This is why you need me around. You should aim higher. I am not saying you need to get rid of him, but don't let him make you do all the work."
"There's a lot you don't know about him."
"That's what worries me. After learning all these things about the Kapules, it makes me wonder how much we can trust everything…"
Jessie's voice trailed off. Annastasia was appalled, but not astounded, by her mother's judgement.
"Michio isn't…part of them," said Annastasia. "He decided that since his father and the elders of his family won't recognize our partnership, then he won't recognize them as his family."
"Whatever," her mother responded. "It's your life, do what you like with it. Just be careful about it."
XO
In The Next Chapter:
- Taken talks
- Michio the investigator
- Rita, Keaka, and Michio convene