Chapter 24: Hikaru Re-Volts!

If someone were to tell a citizen of Olivine City that their neighborhood would be the place where the legendary thunder pokemon were to show up and wreak some unintended havoc six months ago, they would have said such a tale would be absolutely ludicrous. Legendary pokemon are rare, fascinating creatures. As of now, very few humans have even managed to catch legendaries, and even if they did, it probably wouldn't have been for very long. No one has managed to catch the three legendary beasts of Brass Tower before, and if one were to ask around, they would laugh at anyone's attempt at doing so.

One person already did. Twice, and not through normal means. A group of police cars, accompanied by some armored trucks and Eusine's shiny red porsche raced through the Olivine City mountains in pursuit of Pokemon Hunter J. Officer Jenny kept her eyes on both the road and the tracking device at the same time. The red light on the screen kept blinking.

"We're getting close," Officer Jenny said. Caiseal and Perrine leaned closer to the front seat to get a look at the machine.

"But I don't see anything up ahead," Caiseal interjected. It's true: there was nothing but mountains and barren land for miles.

"We've seen her airship turn invisible. Remember?" Perrine piped in.

Julia kept her eye out, staring straight out the windows the entire time. She knew she might not be able to see J's airship if it turned invisible, but she still felt she needed to keep an eye out. She couldn't let Raikou down. Not this time. If anything were to happen to Raikou...she shook her head. She didn't want to think about what this would do to Hikaru. Now was not the time to angst about the future. She had to focus on the now.

All of a sudden, Eusine's porsche raced ahead. Wondering why, the cars and armored tanks stopped in their tracks. Eusine exited his porsche and released an alakazam from his pokeball. "Alakazam!" The yellow pokemon held his spoons up as if they were a rare treasure.

"What's wrong, Eusine?" Officer Jenny asked.

"Alakazam's trying to tell me something," Eusine replied. "His pokeball kept wiggling."

Caiseal pulled out his PokeDex to examine the pokemon. "Alakazam, the psi pokemon. Alakazam is classified as the most intelligent sentient life form in the world, with an IQ bordering over an astounding 5,000. Because of this, they are able to memorize anything, never forgetting what they learn, even as far back as its birth, and are able to unfailingly identify any foe's weakness, no matter how subtle. Their brain cells always multiply, and continue to do so until death. However, because its brain continually grows, its head has become too heavy for its neck to support, and their muscles are weak as a result. To make up for it, they use their psychic powers to move and for basic necessities. Closing both eyes heightens all of their senses to their extremes, and the spoons were assumed to have been created by their powers."

"Alakazam," Eusine said. "Can you locate J's airship?"

The yellow psi pokemon closed his eyes before losing himself in a flood of images swallowing his brain. Everyone stood in silence as the psi pokemon stood still, ruminating. Alakazam could see images flashing through his mind. The crust of the earth. Titanium walls. Ground-like doors opening up to a secret base, a runway allowing J's airship to descend. Finally, alakazam's eyes snapped open.

"Ala alakazam!" The psi pokemon bellowed in a deep voice, pointing to a barren clearing up ahead.

"He says J's airship is over there, deep underground," Julia clarified.

Everyone scattered toward the clearing in question. Without even waiting for further commands, alakazam's entire body glowed in an eerie blue light. Before long, the ground beneath them rumbled. They made sure to step back in case anything happened. Soon, the ground parted, with two acres of soil splitting apart and pulling themselves out, revealing J's visible airship and the runway it stood on.

"We found it!" Eusine exclaimed, his eyes wide with joy. He ambled over to his psychic friend and stroke his head gently. "Good job, alakazam. We couldn't have done this without you."

Alakazam smiled, basking in his trainer's affection. "Ala…"

"I don't see any Team Rocket grunts running around," Perrine mused as she looked down the hole.

She was right. Nobody was guarding the airship. One would think J would have some sense and at least have some grunts keeping watch on the airship. Then again, one couldn't be too reckless. For all they knew, maybe there were some grunts keeping watch in hidden places and they didn't know it.

"I'll have my magnemite and magneton provide a distraction just in case," Jasmine suggested. Said pokemon were the ball shaped creatures with magnets and screws on their bodies. She looked up at her friends. "Are you okay with that?"

"Magnemiiiiiite…" The magnemite trilled in a shrill, robotic voice.

"Magnetooooon…" Magneton added.

"Alright," Jasmine said. "Alphonse and Albert," The two magnemite perked up, twirling the magnets on their bodies. "You two use Thunderbolt all over the place. Don't damage the airship. For all we know, there are pokemon and people in there, and we can't risk anyone getting hurt," She turned to the magneton. "Argentine, you go into the airship and draw any Team Rocket grunts away from you. If J tries to fire that petrifying substance at you, fly away at any cost."

Albert, Alphonse, and Argentine nodded in agreement before floating down into the secret base. Before long, yellow streaks of thunder came striking down on the area. Pandemonium immediately broke out. The voices of frightened Team Rocket grunts echoed from within the enclosed space.

"Where'd these magnemite come from?!"

"There's a magneton, too!"

"Seize them! They might be that gym leader's!"

"Don't let them get away!"

"Yeeeek! One of them just shocked me!"

"Intruders! Call J! She needs to know about this!"

Officer Jenny pulled out a pokeball. "Arcanine, go!" As the white light materialized next to her, it formed a large canine creature with an orange pelt donning black stripes all over its body. Its wild mane and tail were a creamy beige color, its black eyes gleaming with determination. Nobody else notice, but Julia climbed onto the arcanine's body.

"Arcanine," Officer Jenny began. "See that airship down there?" She pointed to one of the opened hatches. "Go inside there and check if the coast is clear."

"Rawr," Arcanine nodded affirmatively before leaping down into the base. It wasted no time running into the nearest open hatch.

"Julia! Come back!" Caiseal cried.

Eusine, Jasmine, and Officer Jenny whipped their heads to face them. "What?!" Jasmine yelped. "What happened?!"

"I just saw Julia on arcanine's back!" Caiseal explained.

Their jaws fell open, rather ungracefully at that. What was Julia planning?

Once arcanine got inside the airship, both Julia and Hikaru leaped off of his back and ran through the titanium halls. Some rocket grunts tried to subdue her, but Hikaru managed to hold them off with her thunder attacks. Julia couldn't help but notice that her thunder attacks looked a lot stronger than Thundershock. It looked more wild and caused more damage.

"Hikaru? Did you just learn Thunderbolt?" Julia asked.

Hikaru didn't stop running. "Pichupi!" ("It seems I have!") Hikaru replied. The Soothe Bell around her neck rang with every step she ran. Julia smiled. They were going to need strong attacks in order to get through this.

Despite only having been there once, Julia felt she had an idea of where the storage room was. She hoped her memory was right, as it had been wrong before. They ran through the titanium halls, even as alarm sirens blared loud enough to rip her ears apart. The sirens flashed red, even as Julia managed to make it into the storage room. Good, she was right about its location. Not only that, the storage room was practically empty save for Raikou's stone statue since Julia and the others freed all the other pokemon.

The girl wasted no time running to the statue and pushing the lever down. Immediately, Raikou's petrification subsided, and he found himself able to move. The glass case disappeared as well. Raikou saw Julia and nodded in gratitude. "Greeeeh," ("Thank you. You saved me once more, child.")

"Pichu!" ("Daddy!") Hikaru squeaked, overjoyed that they had saved Raikou once more. But even they knew this wasn't over yet.

Julia looked at the storage room entrance. It was closed shut right now, but for all she knew, Team Rocket grunts were probably storming the place. J might come and petrify him once more. How could she get him out without them having a chance to steal him? She figured Jenny's arcanine set off the alarms the moment it stormed into the airship.

Wait a minute…

An idea flashed through her mind. There was no time to lose.

"Raikou," Julia said in a solemn voice. "I don't think you'll like this, but...I think I know of a way we can get you out of here."

Once the grunts found out what was going on above the base, some tried to battle the children, only for Officer Jenny and other guards to arrest them right on the spot. Proton and Ariana wasted no time sending their pokemon out once more. Perrine and Caiseal were more than happy to take them up on yet another battle.

"Viole, use Sludge Bomb!"

"Ooooodd!" The plant pokemon spat out large balls of repulsive black sludge. All of the sludge bombs hit the arbok and golbat, but not enough to defeat them entirely.

"Kitsune, use Extrasensory!" Perrine cried. The fox pokemon's eyes glowed in an eerie blue light, telekinetically throwing the two poison pokemon right at their trainers.

Right then and there, a white light consumed the oddish. Kitsune was quick to stand in front of the evolving plant right as the arbok and golbat returned to a battle position. With a strong hiss, she made the two pokemon step back. With that, Viole finished his evolution, and out came a gloom.

"Viole! You evolved!" Caiseal pumped his fists in the air.

"Gloom gloom!" Viole cheered, flapping his stubby arms up and down.

"You just refuse to give up, do you?!" Ariana howled. "Arbok, use Poison Jab!"

"Chaaaaaabaka!" The tip of arbok's tail glowed a wicked purple, becoming sharp like a needle. The purple cobra threw himself right at the fox pokemon, intent on sending her to oblivion.

"Amandine, use Bulldoze!" Jasmine commanded. The steelix smashed his tail on the ground three times, causing the earth to rumble violently. Ariana and Proton fell into the base, falling right on top of some grunts, cushioning their fall. Arbok found himself unable to keep steady, and fell before he could launch his attack.

Proton and Ariana were quick to run deeper into the base. "Come back!" Officer Jenny leaped in after them. At this point, her arcanine had come back out. "You're all under arrest!" The two of them ran into the confines of the base.

All of a sudden, the blue dragon pokemon from before, salamence, ascended onto the surface, with J on its back. J fixated on the children with her usual cold, irritated glare. "Hmph. I had no idea you little brats are so persistent," J mused.

"J!" A grunt cried. "That girl from before's in the airship again, and we can't find Raikou anywhere!"

The girl from before. It didn't take much to figure out who the grunt was talking about. "Seize her, and I want her alive!" J commanded.

Perrine grunted before sending out another pokeball. Out came the green skiploom, the flower on her head twirling like a top. "Fuwari, use Fairy Wind!"

"Popo!" The flower resting on Fuwari's head spun faster, spinning like a propeller. A pink gale came forth, sparkling like it had been covered in fairy dust. The gale was strong, forcing J to cover her face with her arms. The salamence could barely dodge, and the gust ripping through its thick hide was enough to make it feel as though he was being sliced open by hacksaws.

Right then and there, Julia and Hikaru came floating out from the airship. Papillon's eyes were glowing in a purple light, the same power that was carrying her trainer through the sky. Once they made it to the surface, Papillon's eyes stopped glowing, and Julia descended before her friends.

"Julia!" Perrine flung her arms around her friend. "You're okay!"

"That's the second time you went into J's airship!" Caiseal exclaimed, his hands balling into fists. "You can't be so reckless!" The minute he saw a lone pokeball in Julia's hands, he stopped, remembering that Julia didn't like yelling. "So...where's Raikou?" His eyes naturally glanced at the pokeball once more.

It didn't have a sticker on it like all her pokeballs did.

"Vui!"

"Snubbull!"

"Nido niiii!"

Lucretia, Saoirse, and the nidoran duo immediately ran to Julia's side before the salamence flapped his wings, attempting to blow them away. "Salamance! Hyper Beam!"

"Raaaaaaahhh!" Salamence opened its mouth wide, allowing an orange sphere of energy to form within. As soon as it was big enough, it formed a beam of energy that shot right at the children. The heat was intense, preventing them from moving. Julia clutched the pokeball in her hands tightly.

Thankfully, the pokemon sprang into action. Kitsune fired a stream of fire. Lucretia shot a Shadow Ball at the beam of light. The nidoran duo fired a barrage of glowing purple needles. Fuwari attempted another Fairy Wind, blowing it right in salamence's direction once more. Viole fired five Sludge Bombs. Papillon fired a Psybeam attack, using the purple beam of light to push back the energy blast. Hikaru joined in with a Thunderbolt, barely managing to hold off the Hyper Beam attack. The combined attacks made an explosion that made both parties fall back.

But not enough to make both parties faint or concede defeat. Once the smoke cloud cleared, Julia and J stood on the barren clearing, away from the base as though they were on a battlefield. But this time, J's salamence remained by her side, and she sent out an ariados, an ursaring, and an arbok of her own. All of them had expressions on their faces that told Julia that they had intent to kill. All of Julia's pokemon had come out of their pokeballs, ready to battle. Hikaru, Tokiko, Aqua, Tsubasa, Blossom, Papillon, Saoirse, Lucretia, Rina, and Rino. All of them took on battle stances. Julia stared right at J's hair, holding the unmarked pokeball in her hand.

"I know you did something with Raikou," J hissed, her cold, steely eyes now blazing with rage. "Where is my property?!"

"He's not your property!" Julia yelled, holding the pokeball upward. "He's a living creature, just like every one of us on this planet! Come forth!"

The pokeball opened, spilling forth a pure white light that flashed through the darkening sky. It materialized into…

"...RAIKOU?!" Everyone's jaws fell agape, their eyes wider than they had ever gone.

There stood Raikou, standing before Julia, announcing his glorious presence with a thundering roar that sent lightning flashes through the sky. All J did was glare at the girl, her eyes blazing with rage.

"Stupid brat," J hissed.

J's ariados saw Officer Jenny tiptoeing toward its master. Without hesitation, the pink spider shot a white web of silk, wrapping it all around the officer. Silver handcuffs bounced out of her hands as she rolled back toward the group. Ariados didn't even hesitate to shoot web around Perrine, Caiseal, and even Eusine. Kitsune already began ripping through the web with her teeth, starting with Perrine.

Before any armed guards could arrest the woman, a brawl had already begun. Salamence fired another Hyper Beam, with both Raikou and Hikaru dropping dual Thunderbolts to hold it off. Aqua fired a barrage of bubbles at ariados, who used its claws to slice through them, reducing them to water droplets that melted into the ground. Both Rina and Rino's horns glowed in purple lights as they charged right at the ursaring. With a roar, the bear's claws glowed in a white light as he slashed the two nidoran, sending them flying toward their trainer. Thankfully, Papillon and Tsubasa caught them in the nick of time, gently setting them down on the ground.

"Arbok, use Poison Jab!"

"Tsubasa! Knock it away with Wing Attack!"

Happy to finally be able to battle after so long, Tsubasa stretched her wings out, allowing them to be engulfed in white light as she charged right at the vicious cobra. She rammed into arbok multiple times, not even letting it have time to use its Poison Jab attack. However, at one point, arbok managed to dig its teeth into one of Tsubasa's wings, preventing her from flying.

"Papillon, help Tsubasa with Psybeam!" Julia commanded. "Saoirse, use Fire Fang on ariados!"

Papillon fired a beam of light at arbok, shocking it enough to release the bird from its mouth. Saoirse snuck up on the spider pokemon, her fangs blazing with red hot flames. Before the spider could move away, the bulldog dug her flaming teeth into ariados's thorax, sending intense pain all throughout its body. Aqua then used Play Rough on salamence, sending it to the ground...but not before the blue dragon used one of its wings to knock her away, sending her rolling on the ground.

Once again, Raikou called forth thunder, sending it crashing down on J's pokemon. Only three of them managed to dodge it. Her ursaring was subjected to electricity coursing all throughout its body, letting out pained roars. Tokiko attempted an Extrasensory attack on arbok, but ariados spat String Shot at her like with Officer Jenny. Tokiko rolled on the ground, her body trapped in sticky white webs. Rina and Rino were quick to use their horns to rip them apart, allowing the fairy to get free.

"I'm only going to say this once!" Julia commanded in a harsh, authoritative voice. "Turn yourself in and leave Raikou and every other pokemon you've attempted to capture or plan to alone!"

J kept her cool. "In your dreams, brat! Arbok, use wrap on Raikou!"

With a vicious hiss, the purple cobra slithered toward Raikou, ready for consumption. But Tokiko and Papillon were quick to use their psychic attacks on it, preventing the cobra from coming any closer. Lucretia fired two Shadow Balls at both salamence and ariados, pushing them back just a couple steps. Once ursaring attempted another Slash attack, Hikaru leaped into the fray and used Disarming Voice. Ursaring wasn't fazed one bit, as it slashed right through the sound waves and pink hearts before finally slashing Hikaru. Right as that happened, Blossom leaped in front of ursaring and spewed a golden cloud of sparkling dust. Before long, ursaring's muscles completely cramped, unable to move, and the giant bear fell into a crumpled heap.

"Give up!" Julia yelled. "You're not getting Raikou and that's final!"

"We'll see about that!" J pulled out a remote control and pressed a red button.

Out from a pile of rocks came a large machine with long, retractable claws. Immediately upon sight, Hikaru shivered. Those were the same machines that tried to capture Raikou so long ago. The large, metallic claws suddenly charged at Raikou, clamping themselves right on him.

"No you don't!" Julia managed to cling to one of Raikou's legs and held on as tight as her skinny arms could muster.

Hikaru's tiny body trembled once more. Now they had her trainer! Flashes of the attack on the forest ran through her mind, making her weak in the knees. Raikou's pained roars. The huge machines reaching for him, holding him back. Herself hiding in the bushes, unable to do anything to help. Now they had her trainer. The cries of her trainer and father pulled her back to reality. Blue electricity surged through the claws, electrocuting both Raikou and Julia.

"Kitsune, Flamethrower!"

"You too, arcanine!"

"Mallow, use Bonemerang!"

"Alakazam! Psychic, now!"

Almost all of the pokemon joined in on the effort to save the two. However, none of their attacks worked. The flames only left charred ozone, but that was it. They didn't pierce through the metal despite fire being useful against steel. Bonemerang didn't even leave a dent. Lucretia's Shadow Ball only went right past it, Aqua's Water Gun didn't make it rust, nor did any of the other attacks work. Julia's muscles grew tense with each jolt of electricity passing through her body. Her eyesight began to blur.

"Hi...karu…"

The pokemon continued to attack the metal claws with all the power they had in them. There was no way this could be happening to their friend! She couldn't go out like this! In spite of their attacks not working before, the pokemon all continued their all out assault, not even paying attention to J and her arsenal at this point. They all had to save her. They just had to. Salamence unleashed one more Hyper Beam on everyone, blowing through the ground, sending every human and pokemon flying to the ground.

While all this went on, Hikaru continued standing at her spot, her frozen body trembling with horror. It was happening all over again, just like back then. Hikaru had always known she was weak. No matter how hard she tried to be strong, she just knew she could never be huge and strong and intimidating like her father. Her legs were weak, refusing to move despite her heart screaming at her go to save her father and trainer. All of a sudden, she found herself thinking...why was she here? How did she manage to survive this harsh world up to this point in spite of the danger?

The last one wasn't hard to answer: She survived because Julia had saved her. She had been so close to death's door when the beedrill horde poisoned her. Had Julia not come to save her when she did, Hikaru was sure she would never grow up, evolve, be strong, or see her father ever again. Surely, her end was what her raichu parents would have wanted. She had been so sure that the minute she fell into a human's hands, she would die. But she didn't. This little human girl saved her out of the kindness of her heart. All for a pichu she had no obligation to care for. That had opened her eyes to the fact that humans weren't all bad, that there were some good ones out there.

It still didn't answer her question: why was she here? Why did she continue to exist?

Memories flashed through her mind. Raikou casting her parents out, taking her in. Raikou training her to utilize her attacks, to forage for food, to survive in the wild, and be on the lookout for predators. Raikou saving her from J back then. Julia taking her in and sharing all of those good times with her. Hikaru had been at her most productive as she was training with Raikou and Julia. At her happiest when she was with them and all of her friends. It didn't matter if she was weak, small, or shiny. None of them cast her away or shunned her. They showered her with love, affection, and warmth. Julia always put her pokemon before herself. Whenever they won or lost, she would always tell them they did a great job, never getting angry. Just hearing those wonderful words and feeling the love made Hikaru as happy as she could be.

"Hikaru! We'll always be best friends, no matter what!" That was what Julia had said the day she put the ribbon on Hikaru's ear, signifying their friendship.

Wait. That was it. Hikaru was here because of everyone's love. Raikou. Julia. Perrine. Caiseal. All of her pokemon friends. All of them shared their love with Hikaru, allowing her to grow, become stronger, see the world, and be the pokemon she had always wanted to be. All of them loved her from the bottom of their hearts. None of them were perturbed by her dark yellow pelt like her raichu parents were. They all accepted her, embraced her, loved her, gave her all the happiness in the world. That was why Hikaru was here on this planet, because of them!

Now, it was time to return that love a million fold!

Facing the darkening sky, Hikaru let out a cry louder than any primal sound she had made, sending a bolt of thunder straight into the sky. Said thunderbolt roared through the clouds for just a moment before striking right back down on the tiny mouse. Everyone watched as Hikaru was suddenly encased in light. Falling to her paws, Hikaru ran like the wind, charging right at the claw that held her beloved father and trainer hostage.

She was strong now. This time, she could save them! No more being helpless and weak! With a primal scream, Hikaru's electrified form broke right through the claw, breaking it in two. Raikou fell to the ground, with Julia cushioned by his purple, cloud-shaped mane. The broken claw almost fell on J, had she not managed to leap out of the way.

"Wow!" Caiseal exclaimed, awestruck by Hikaru's display of courage. "Hikaru just totally broke that thing!"

Kitsune finished clawing Officer Jenny out of the web. Perrine was quick to help her up. But before anyone could do anything, Hikaru ran right up to her father and trainer, crawling on Raikou's back, licking Julia's face. She was warm, probably from all the shocks her body was subjected to.

Julia barely managed to look up, seeing the yellow face right in front of her. Seeing Hikaru's face made the pain subside, and she flashed a weak smile. "You saved me, Hikaru...thank you...you really are my friend…" Julia weakly stroke Hikaru's head with her small, trembling hand. Even so, it was full of warmth and love.

Just like Hikaru always wanted. Truly, she had been blessed with a good trainer. All Hikaru did was leap on her trainer, tears of joy streaming out from her eyes.

Right now, Hikaru was the happiest pichu alive.

That was when it happened. Hikaru's body suddenly became engulfed in a harsh white light that made everyone awake and alert. Except for J, who heard something on a walkie-talkie she carried. Hikaru's ears grew thin and small, her tail growing in size, her tiny arms and feet grew outward, fingers developed, and her tiny body grew in size. She didn't become big like Kitsune or Raikou, but was still small enough for Julia to snuggle.

Once the white light dissipated, out came a short, chubby rodent with deep, yellowish orange fur. Hikaru's ears had now become thin, almost pencil shaped, with black tips. Her tail grew, shaped like a lightning bolt, but the end of her tail was shaped like a heart, not pointed like others of her species. Two maroonish orange stripes went across her lower back. Deep red cheeks crackled with electricity, her once stubby arms grew, and Hikaru now had a set of fingers, along with toes on each foot.

"Pikachu…?" ("Did I evolve…?") Hikaru asked herself, examining her newly formed fingers.

"Hikaru! You did evolve!" Julia couldn't hold her joy back. It completely bubbled over, and she hoisted the mouse pokemon up in the air, laughing and rejoicing in her friend's glorious evolution.

Perrine held up her PokeDex right as a tear escaped from her left eye. "Pikachu, the mouse pokemon, and the evolved form of Pichu. Pikachu can evolve into Raichu with a Thunder Stone. When several pikachu gather, their electricity builds, causing lightning storms. They mostly live in forests, away from people. They keep their tails raised to monitor their surroundings, and can bite if someone yanks on their tails. Pikachu are intelligent and can roast hard berries with electricity to make them tender enough to eat. They also use their thunder powers to recharge fellow pikachu if they are sick, injured, or weakened. The red sacs on their cheeks become electrically charged during the night while they sleep, and occasionally discharge it after waking up."

"...Is that so?" J mused on the walkie talkie. Nobody noticed the brief flash of disappointment on her face. "...So the legendary beasts are not needed? I see. I'm leaving now," With that, J leaped back into the base.

"Hey! Come back here!" Officer Jenny and several armed guards raced toward the base, only for the airship to fly away, turning invisible right as the sky cleared, revealing an intense orange hue. Once again, J had escaped. "Don't let her escape!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The armored trucks raced after her despite the airship turning invisible.

Julia spun around with Hikaru in her arms, laughing and rejoicing. Even her other pokemon, weak as they were, danced all around, exalting the two for their bravery. All Raikou did was stand up and smile, watching the group of kids celebrate, basking in their happiness. No, Raikou was the happiest legendary in the world right now. His child saved him and her trainer, learned a new attack, and evolved on top of all of that. Warmth surged through his body. He was proud. Proud to have raised this pikachu. Proud to see her happy and smiling after all that she went through.

"You truly have grown up, my child. That girl has taught you well," Raikou growled to himself.

"I love you, Hikaru!"

"Pika pikachu!" Julia didn't need to translate that. She already knew what she said. The joy on the mouse's face said everything she needed to know.

All of a sudden, Hikaru leaped out of Julia's arms and raced toward Raikou. Julia didn't even go after her. She figured her orange friend wanted to talk to her father. Julia watched as Hikaru smiled, palavering on and on about what just happened, and how proud Raikou looked upon seeing her bravery on full display. Of course she'd want to spend time with him. He was her father, and they had been separated for a long time. She decided to let her have her quality time with her father. Hikaru deserved it.

Seeing the two together made Julia happy. But somehow, doubt sprang forth. All Hikaru ever wanted was to be with Raikou again, and now she has that chance. Perhaps...would it be best if Hikaru stayed with Raikou forever? Julia wondered if maybe Hikaru would be better off with Raikou. It would be wrong to separate her from her family, especially after searching for Raikou all this time. What was best for Hikaru? Staying with Julia, or Raikou?

"Man, Julia!" Caiseal wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulder. "You and Hikaru really are a match made in heaven! She learned Volt Tackle thanks to you and Raikou!"

"It was kinda reckless that you went into the airship twice, but you did help save Raikou," Perrine added. "You were awesome back there!"

Julia's face turned red. "Oh, I didn't do anything. Hikaru and the other pokemon are the ones who deserve all the praise."

"Seriously!? Why be so modest?! You even caught Raikou!" Caiseal flapped his arms up and down. "A freaking legendary! How'd you even do that?!"

A hand flew to Julia's ear, giving Caiseal the message to tone his voice down. "I only caught him so I could protect him from Team Rocket," She explained simply, without mincing words. "I figured it was the easiest way to get him out of the airship."

That was all there was to it. As much as Julia liked Raikou, she had no intention of keeping him. Raikou was a legendary pokemon, perhaps even a God, and he deserved to be free. Free to cross the land and help other pokemon. Julia wasn't sure if she had any right to keep such a legendary pokemon. She pulled out Raikou's pokeball, pressed the front button twice, and it glowed in a blue light for just a moment. The blue light disappeared shortly after.

Julia walked right up to Raikou without hesitation. She had grown used to the electrifying pressure his body gave off. "Raikou? I just released you from the pokeball I used to catch you," Raikou's ears twitched. "You're free now. You can go wherever you want now," She looked down at Hikaru. "Hikaru...now you can finally live the rest of your life with Raikou, like you always dreamed."

The pikachu's ears twitched. But instead of smiling, her mouth made an O shape, and she looked confused. What was Julia implying?

"Hikaru...you should go be with Raikou," Julia said in a low, trembling voice. Hikaru could hear the sadness peppering it. "You deserve to be with him after all you've been through. You're such a great pokemon. You've worked hard to see Raikou again. You're...probably better off with him rather than a silly girl like me."

Julia convinced herself this was for the best. Hikaru deserved this. She deserved a choice, the chance to be with her father. Now, Hikaru was happy. She needed nothing else...or did she?

"Pi pikachu!" ("You're not getting rid of me!")

"What?"

"Pikapikapi!" ("I'm staying with you, Julia!")

The girl almost fell on her rear. Did Hikaru just say she wanted to stay with Julia. "But...but you deserve to be with your dad! You finally got to see him again!"

Hikaru stood on all fours, staring right at her trainer with a scrutinizing look. Julia actually read her expression this time. She had a look that outright said, "I'm not leaving you!" Instead of backing down, Hikaru told Julia how happy she was that she got to spend time with her, get to know her, be with her, and go on this journey with her. Being with Julia taught her so much, even things that Raikou could never teach her. As happy as she was to finally see Raikou again, Hikaru was sure that she wanted to spend her life with Julia, the human who taught her what it meant to truly be alive. The human who gave her a reason to exist.

Seeing as there was no chair around, all Julia could do was sit on the ground. This was just too much to take in. Hikaru said she wanted to stay with Julia forever, that Julia is her reason for continuing to live in spite of all the hardship she endured. Never before had she ever been so touched in her life. Never had anyone said these things about her. Well, she heard her parents say things like that a few times, but she questioned whether it was really genuine or not.

"Hikaru deserves to be with you, Julia," Raikou let out a low but gentle growl. That was a first. Raikou actually called Julia by her name. "You can teach her so much more than I ever could. She's changed. I believe she will be happier with you," Raikou smiled warmly. "Hikaru. Go with the girl. There's so much more for you to experience."

Hikaru nodded affirmatively. "Pikachupi," ("I will. Thank you, father.")

With that, Raikou leaped away from the group, gracefully racing over the mountains before disappearing. The orange sun bathed the entire area, warming it up like a summer breeze.

"Raikou…" Julia stood back up, with Hikaru in her arms. "HEY RAIKOU! GOODBYE, MY FRIEEEEEND!" She screamed loud enough for her voice to echo.

"PIKACHUUUUUU!" ("GOODBYE FATHEEEEEER!") Hikaru did the exact same thing.

The echoes traveled across the mountain wind for miles.

"Hmmm…" A police officer sat behind the counter as Kassia and Truman showed him the letter, along with telling him about their daughter's machinations. The police officer examined the letter with tired eyes, scratching the hair on his head. "We'll do what we can, but I can't guarantee we'll be able to find her. Besides, we have other cases that take priority."

Hearing that left the two crestfallen. "We understand," Truman said with a bow. "Thank you," With that, the two left the police station. In a way, they had expected this. Of course they'd have other cases that were probably more important. Grand heists, murders, pokemon hunts, sex trafficking rings...the world had no shortage of crime, and Amara's machinations could be perceived as petty compared to what others go through.

Even so, they hoped that Amara was at least safe, and that the police would find her. They did some searching themselves as the J fiasco went on. But of course, like always, their searches came up empty.

Whew! This subplot is finally over! I really enjoyed working on these particular chapters. Also, Hikaru evolves! The votes were unanimous, and I had been planning for her to evolve since the beginning, so I thought it'd only be fitting. Buuuuut this chapter came out short. Sorry about that! I want to add more, but I don't want to drag it out either. You'll get a nice long chapter in the next one! I have been receiving some concerns that some of Julia's pokemon don't have a lot of screentime, particularly her two nidoran. I plan on rectifying that with the next chapter. Sorry guys, another filler one. But the battles with Jasmine will come soon! She's my favorite Johto gym leader, along with Falkner.

Random Fact: Jasmine's arsenal of pokemon, such as her two togetic, ampharos, and many magnemite, are actually inspired by Pokemon Adventures (aka Pokemon Special). She had those pokemon in the manga, and I just think it'd be interesting to see a gym leader use many different types of pokemon despite normally specializing in one type. So why not? And also...Togetic needs more love!

Julia's Party:

Hikaru (Shiny Pikachu, Female, Jolly Nature)

Ability: Static

Attacks: Thunderbolt, Disarming Voice, Sweet Kiss, Volt Tackle

Aqua (Marill, Female, Mild Nature)

Ability: Thick Fat

Attacks: Rollout, Bubblebeam, Play Rough, and Water Gun

Tokiko (Togetic, Female, Hardy Nature)

Ability: Serene Grace

Attacks: Extrasensory, Headbutt, Dazzling Gleam, Magical Leaf

Papillon (Butterfree, Female, Calm Nature)

Ability: Compound Eyes

Attacks: Confusion, Sleep Powder, Psybeam, Stun Spore

Tsubasa (Pidgeotto, Female, Naughty Nature)

Ability: Keen Eye

Attacks: Tackle, Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Twister

Blossom (Gloom, Female, Docile Nature)

Ability: Chlorophyll

Attacks: Acid, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, and Mega Drain

Saoirse (Snubbull, Female, Gentle Nature)

Ability: Intimidate

Attacks: Ice Fang, Bite, Fire Fang, and Scary Face

Lucretia (Eevee, Female, Bashful Nature)

Ability: Anticipation

Attacks: Quick Attack, Helping Hand, Bite, and Shadow Ball

Rina (Nidoran, Female, Bold Nature)

Ability: Poison Point

Attacks: Double Kick, Poison Sting, Scratch, and Bite

Rino (Nidoran, Male, Modest Nature)

Ability: Poison Point

Attacks: Double Kick, Poison Sting, Peck, and Horn Attack

Perrine's Party:

Kitsune (Ninetales, Female, Quiet Nature)

Ability: Flash Fire

Attacks: Heat Wave, Extrasensory, Confuse Ray, and Faint Attack

Florian (Bayleef, Male, Gentle Nature)

Ability: Overgrow

Attacks: Razor Leaf, Tackle, Body Slam, and Poison Powder

Fuwari (Skiploom, Female, Relaxed Nature)

Ability: Leaf Guard

Attacks: Tackle, Fairy Wind, Bullet Seed, and Sleep Powder

Mushi (Paras, Male, Quirky Nature)

Ability: Effect Spore

Attacks: Scratch, Stun Spore, Growth, and Giga Drain

Baloo (Jigglypuff, Female, Docile Nature)

Ability: Cute Charm

Attacks: Sing, Wake-Up Slap, Disarming Voice, and Round

Fukuro (Noctowl, Male, Sassy Nature)

Ability: Tinted Lens

Attacks: Confusion, Peck, Hypnosis, and Dream Eater

Caiseal's Party:

Mallow (Cubone, Male, Lax Nature)

Ability: Lightning Rod

Attacks: Bonemerang, Bone Club, Headbutt, Growl

Apollo (Quilava, Male, Bold Nature)

Ability: Blaze

Attacks: Flame Wheel, Tackle, Quick Attack, and Smokescreen

Flippy (Quagsire, Female, Jolly Nature)

Ability: Damp

Attacks: Water Gun, Mud Bomb, Mud Slap, and Slam

Ravenclaw (Murkrow, Female, Hardy Nature)

Ability: Super Luck

Attacks: Wing Attack, Night Shade, Dark Pulse, and Haze

Viole (Gloom, Male, Quirky Nature)

Ability: Chlorophyll

Attacks: Acid, Sludge Bomb, Sleep Powder, and Sweet Scent

Stacey (Pinsir, Female, Serious Nature)

Ability: Hyper Cutter

Attacks: X-Scissor, Swords Dance, Seismic Toss, and Double Hit