A collaborative idea I may expand on. Big thanks to Foxboy614 for writing this with me, now let's get it done.

TW: Car crash death

Darkness and Light, Into the Chaos!

Andre paced the floor of the hospital waiting room. He bit his nail in worry. Sitting nearby, his Elite Four we're in a similar state. The reason? Shauntal's apprentice, Miki, and the little ball of sunshine's family had been in a bad car accident. Shauntal had been contacted immediately, and the rest were out the door right behind her when she explained what had happened. "Why isn't there any news yet?" Andre hissed angrily.

"Calm down, you're making me nervous." Tails complained.

Shauntal was uneasy too. "I hope she's ok... I hope they're all ok..."

"Smog was with the kid, I'm sure she's fine." Marshal assured, though no one believed his words.

A few more minutes of worry, and a doctor came out. "Family of the Acadas?" he asked, catching everyone's attention.

"Are they ok?" Shauntal asked in concern.

"Well, little Miki is fine. Apparently, her Haunter used some kind of defensive move to protect her from the impact." the doctor explained before his look turned sad. He always hated this part. "Her parents... weren't so lucky."

Everyone gasped. "Oh no..." Grimsley said.

"So you mean... the kid has no one except her Haunter?" Marshal asked.

"I'm afraid so. The father died on impact, the mother died on the table. We did everything we could, but..."

"Thank you, doctor." Andre's cold voice cut through the air like a knife. "What room is Miki in?" The doctor gave them the number, then excused himself to deal with another patient. The black clad hybrid ground his teeth angrily. "If I EVER see that drunk bastard." he hissed.

Shauntal felt her heart break for Miki. She wished she could do something to make things better. But she knew nothing could be done to bring her parents back. Andre forced himself to calm down when Tails nuzzled his cheek. Marshal, Caitlin, and Grimsley were all around Shauntal, comforting the ghost type specialist while looking on the verge of tears themselves. "We should check on Miki. She can't be dealing with this well." he suggested.

Shauntal nodded. "I agree..."

The Elite Four and Champion made their way to the room the doctor said the girl was in. Andre went to Open the door, but paused. "Actually, Shauntal. You should go in first. Don't want to overwhelm her." he said, almost nervous. She looked at Andre and nodded before going in to see Miki. The little girl was sobbing as Smog tried to comfort her. 'At least she's awake.' Andre thought in relief, glad he wouldn't accidentally trigger the drawback of his heritage.

"Miki, it's Shauntal." Smog said quietly, even though it came out as normal pokespeak.

Still, Miki looked up and gasped. "Ms Shauntal. Hi." she said, trying to smile through her tears.

"Hi Miki... How are you holding up?"

"It hurts. They said Mom and Dad didn't make it. I'll never see them again." she said, tears streaming down her face. "Mom will never kiss me good night, Dad won't hug me when he comes home from work...why? Why did this have to happen Ms Shauntal?"

"I... I wish I knew... All I can say is... bad things happen..."

Miki couldn't hold her tears anymore, and she resolved into a sobbing mess. Smog hugged his trainer, stroking her hair like he had seen her parents do when she was upset. "What's going to happen to her?" Smog asked.

"I... I don't know... Likely, she'll go to an orphanage." she explained sadly.

"I can help." Andre said, coming in. "The head of Child Services owes me a favor. I can get her into a good place, whether it's an orphanage or a foster family." he explained. Then a lightbulb went off. "There is a third possibility. Shauntal, a word while the others visit?"

"Uh... Ok."

Marshal, Grimsley, and Caitlin came in while Andre led Shauntal into the hall. "Like I said, there is a third possiblity." he said. "It would ensure you and her aren't separated and keep her with someone she trusts."

"Andre?" Tails asked.

"Shauntal, you could adopt her."

"A...Adopt her?" the ghost type specialist asked, shocked at the suggestion.

"I'm only saying it's an option." Andre clarified. "It's ultimately up to you if you do or not. But consider Miki right now." he said, looking back into the room, where Marshal was trying to make the kid laugh. "She needs someone she trusts, who loves her like her parents did. We both know that's you." Shauntal realized he was right. Plus, she had began to see her as like a daughter due to how much time they spent together. "So? Am I making a call for an adoption or an orphanage?" Andre asked, smirking behind his scarf

"I'll do it. I'll take her in."

Andre chuckled. "I knew you'd say that. And remember, you won't be doing it alone. We're all here to help however we can." he said.

"Now go tell her. I'll make the call." She nods and goes inside her room.

Smog noticed first and floated over. "What's going on?" he asked.

"I have a proposal for Miki."

Said girl looked to her mentor. "What's up?" she asked, the other three turning to her as well.

"I know you're my pupil, and the one who helped me when I was in a bad spot in my life... and now it's my turn. How would you like it if I adopted you?"

Miki's eyes widened, the Elite Four gasping in shock. "Shauntal, you serious?" Marshal asked.

"Quite the bold idea. I approve." Grimsley chuckled.

"If that is your wish, we are behind you all the way." Caitlin said with a soft smile.

Everyone turned to a tearful Miki. "Do...do you mean it? I can come live with you?" she asked, barely daring to hope.

"I do. Not only that, but the rest of us can help you train and improve even more." Shauntal said, kneeling to her smiled, throwing her arms around her mentor's neck. "I would love to live with you all!" she declared through sobs.

Shauntal nearly fell backwards but kept her footing and hugged back. The Elite Four and Smog cheered, Andre smiled behind his scarf, and a quick call later, it was all set up. Shauntal filled out all the legal forms, making it official.

The day Miki moved in, she stared in wonder at all the tall towers. "I still can't believe you guys live here. It's like a castle!"

"Indeed. The extra space makes it easier to train our teams." Shauntal nodded, unable to help the chuckle building up as she watched her awestruck apprentice/daughter admire the castle.

"And that makes you a princess, boss." Smog chuckled.

Shauntal giggled. "It does, indeed."

Miki giggled as she followed her mentor into her tower. "The first floor is where you take challengers, and the second is where you live in this big place, right?" she asked.

"That's correct."

"So cool, it's like a fairy tale." Miki said in awe

"It certainly seems like something from a storybook." Shauntal said.

"You're definitely gonna love it here." Marshal added.

"I know." Miki chirped. Then her happy look turned somewhat sad. "I wish Mom and Dad could be here with us."

Grimsley seemed like he wanted to say something. "I know it's hard. But... they're never truly gone. They're still with you in your mind, and your heart. I'm sure, wherever they are, they're watching over you." Grimsley said. "I don't know how, or why, this happened... But I promise you... we'll find out. And when we find the one responsible, well... Sharpedo is gonna be VERY happy."

"Get in line Grimsley. I have a wonderful nightmare saved up for that bastard." Andre said, appearing from a shadowy corner. "Besides, there's every possibility they'll show up somehow."

"Mr Andre!" Miki greeted. Then she looked confused. "What do you mean by that?"

Andre smirked behind his scarf. "Pop quiz, who knows how Ghost Type Pokemon are created?" he asked.

"Shauntal!" Miki proudly proclaimed.

Andre chuckled. "Yes indeed. So why doesn't the teacher of the five of us do a little teaching?" he suggested.

Shauntal blinked, not expecting to be put on the spot. "Well, ghost types are theoretically created when a person or Pokemon passes." she explained. Then she gasped. "Wait, you don't think?"

"I'm keeping an eye out." Andre replied.

"Either we'll make him one or make him WISH we made him one." Marshal said, pounding a fist into his open palm for emphasis.

"No, muscle head. He's saying Miki's parents may be ghost types. And if he's right, the family can be reunited." Grimsley explained. "And of all of us, Andre would have the ability to find them, given his Skill."

"Oh... well, that too." Marshal said. Grimsley shook his head with an amused smirk.

"Still, that could be easier said than done." Caitlin said. "Nevertheless, we'll do what it takes."

"It's not as hard as you might think." Tails declared. "Andre usually has his Radar Skill set to hybrids, but he can tweak it. And ghost types tend to stick around one of two places. A haunted area like a graveyard, or the area they became whatever ghost they turned into."

"Even still, it will take time." Andre said. "And it is possible a trainer catches them before I find them. But hope is alive."

Miki's eyes widened. "I can see Mom and Dad again?" she asked hopefully.

"If everything turns out well, then yes." Shauntal told her.

"Which is why I came to say welcome to our newest little princess, and that I'm going into town for a while. Call if there's a challenger who makes it past you four."

"Right." The rest replied as the black clad hybrid left.

"Well, we should show the new princess her royal chambers." Grimsley joked, opening the elevator that would lead to the second floor. Shauntal nodded. She and Miki held hands as they went inside.

"Secret passage. So cool." Miki giggled.

"No kidding. I mean, I can just phase through walls, but still." Smog agreed. Once they reached the second floor, they stepped out and looked around.

"So big! It's the size of my old house!" Miki gasped in awe. True enough, it was a penthouse suite with all that entailed. "There's even a pool on the balcony!"

"So cool!" Smog gasped.

Marshal nodded. "Yep. So there's plenty to do here."

"And this is just her room. Each of us has a few things that are just for us. Shauntal has her library, Marshal has his dojo, I have my card tables. You get the idea." Grimsley explained.

"Yes, and if you ever need any of us, you know where to find us." Caitlin agreed.

"I understand." Miki said.

Smog smiled. "We'll be just fine here." he muttered.

Miki looked around. "But where am I sleeping?" she asked curiously, looking up at the adults.

"Adorable.' they all thought.

"We'll get you a room in place soon." Grimsley assured.

"For now, Shauntal has set up a bed in her room." Caitlin added. "Once we have your room set up properly, we'll have your things moved in right away."

"Ok!" Miki said. "Now, you said something about a library?"

"Mm hmm. Shauntal's special room is filled with books of various genres and types. Chances of finding one you like are guaranteed." Grimsley said.

"Come on, Smog! Let's find something to read." Miki suggested before turning to Shauntal. "If it's ok?"

"I don't see why not." Shauntal told her. "I'll come along too."

"Yay!" Miki cheered as Shauntal led her to the library.

"Barely a few days since she was adopted, and already is just as much of a bookworm as Shauntal." Marshal laughed.

"Still, she's happy." Caitlin said, a soft smile on her lips.

"Indeed." Marshal said with a nod.

In the unimaginatively named League Town, Andre came to the crash sight. "Engage Skill, Radar." he declared. After a second, he smiled. "That way." he declared, walking down the street until he came to an alleyway. "So, what form did you two take?" he wondered.

From a distance, two sets of eyes watched him. Andre stopped. "Mr and Mrs Acada?" he asked, looking right into the eyes watching him. One stepped out into the light. Or rather... FLOATED into the light. The mom had returned as a Froslass. And the dad had been reborn as a Yamask. "Surprisingly fitting forms. Now how about I take you both to your daughter before a trainer comes along and captures you?" he suggested.

"How is our daughter? Is she ok?" Froslass asked.

"We never saw her..." Yamask added.

"She's fine. I called in a favor and she's living with us at the Pokemon League." he assured. "Shauntal adopted her."

"And he came to find you both so she can have her parents back." Tails added. "Well, and to find the guy who killed you both, but that was...mostly secondary."

"Please... take us to her." Froslass begged. "I have to see her."

"First things first." Andre said, holding up a pair of Quick Balls. "I have every intention of returning you to her, but the last thing we need is you getting caught by someone else."

"Good idea." Yamask said.

"Alright, go Quick Balls." he said, capturing both ghost types before letting them back out. "Now, let's get moving. Frozen!" he ordered. The ice dragon appeared in a flash.

"All aboard." They nod and get on its back. "We have who we came for. Let's go home." he ordered, his dragon taking off. It wasn't long before they landed at the gate of the League castle. Spotting Caitlin, he came over to her. "Caitlin! I assume they're in Shauntal's room?".

"They are. They're currently reading books."

Andre chuckled. "Of course they are. Well, I'm going to have to interrupt story time, but with who I found I think they'll forgive me." he said, looking to the two Pokemon beside him.

"Hello, Ms. Caitlin." Froslass greeted.

"A pleasure to see you again." Yamask added with a nod.

"Are... are those her parents?" Caitlin asked in awe.

"Yeah, they were thankfully close to the crash site, so tracking them was easy." Andre chuckled. "Well, I imagine you're tired, so I'll let you go. Come, Mr and Mrs. Your dear little girl awaits."

"What a nice story." Miki hummed as she closed the book she was reading.

"That was a favorite of mine when I was your age." Shauntal said as she marked her spot in the book she was reading.

Miki hummed in delight before hearing the door open. "Huh? Who is it?" she asked curiously.
"It's your favorite Unova Champion, and some Pokemon I think you'll be interested to meet." Andre said, stepping through the door with the two ghost parents right behind him.

Yamask was the first to react, flying right into his daughter's arms and throwing his spectral arms around her. "Miki! Oh, I'm so happy you've ok!"

"That voice... DAD?" Miki asked in shock. "Then... the Froslass is..."

"That's correct, sweetie. It's me."

"I see the empath stone is working well." Andre muttered, taking notice that the girl was wearing the necklace he had given her when she had gotten out of the hospital. Miki hugged them both, crying tears of joy at being reunited with her parents. Andre smiled as he grabbed the two quick balls in his pocket. "Here. These are their pokeballs." he said to Shauntal.

"I believe we should allow Miki to have them."

"Of course, but do you really want to break that up right now?" Andre asked, pointing to the tearful reunion.

"Oh... Right... Sorry..." Shauntal said.

Andre chuckled. "I leave this in your capable hands. Have fun." Andre said, turning around and leaving.

Shauntal returned her sight to the family reunion unfolding. Miki laughed as she hugged her parents, thinking of all the things they can do again. But after a good half hour they calmed down. "Ms Shauntal, did Mr Andre catch them for me?" she asked.

"He did. He wanted to make sure no other trainer got them." Shauntal assured, handing over the two Quick Balls.

"Then the four of us can be a family forever!" Miki cheered. "This is the best thing ever!"

"Indeed it is." Shauntal said in agreement.

"Come on! Let's find another book to read!" she suggested.

"That sounds like a plan." Froslass said before they went looking for a new book to read.

And done! Well, that was sad for a while, then happy again, right? Well anyway, what id you guys think? Good? Bad? Not enough? Would you like to see more of Shauntal and her adorable apprentice? Leave a review with your thoughts and I'll see you all next time!