Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Pokemon Kids! Last time, we had an X-over chapter that I hope you all enjoyed. I know I enjoyed reading it, and Chip and Noah enjoyed writing it. Anyways, this chapter also features Chip's OCs, as well as some more development from my favorite characters. Now with that all out of the way, let's start.
Narrator: Last time, Ash, Pikachu, and their pals stopped Dr. Robotnik from destroying Moonbeam City with a little help from Jacob, Sally, and his Pokémon, Sonic and his friends from Knothole, and Chris and his friends. Jesus has raised Helen from being paralyzed. And now, Sonic, Chris, and their groups went back to their respective worlds and our heroes are spending the night inside a barn.
Serena: Mmm… this tomato soup is yummy.
Fennekin: (smacks her lips) It sure does, Serena.
Ash: Your grandma's a good cook, Jacob.
Jacob: Well, thank you. (pause) Listen, Ash, about my not wanting you to join the battle earlier… I'd like to apologize. It's just… Ever since my mom died, I felt it was my duty to protect my sisters - biological, adopted, or otherwise - in any way I can. I am their big brother, after all. And a big brother must protect his younger siblings. Y'know?
Ash: Oh, I understand, Jacob. You're a good brother to your sisters.
Sally: Yeah. And that's one of the things I admire about him.
Clemont: I think I can relate to that. Me being a big brother myself.
May: And me being a big sister, too.
Speaking of Max and Bonnie, they could be seen in the palm of Aurora's hand as she uses her free hand to give them a bit of a tickle.
Aurora: Coochie coochie coo!
Max and Bonnie giggled upon being tickled.
Aurora: No one can save you now! (giggles, then smells something) Oh my. Um, May, Clemont?
Aurora lowered her hand to Clemont and May so they could retrieve their young siblings.
May: Uh-oh, somebody made a stinky-winky! Jasper!
Jasper: (chuckles) I'm on it.
Clemont: My baby sister's made a doozy of a stench. Henrietta!
Henrietta: Coming.
The two babysitters took the younger siblings away to get changed.
Jacob: Heh. Diaper change. One of my least favorite things from when Mia was their age.
Mia: I wasn't that bad, was I?
Jacob: Well… No. (chuckles) But the smell was still unpleasant. (pause) Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as a Stunky or Skuntank stench.
Sally: Oh yes. I remember this one time, my Growlithe and Lillipup accidentally scared a Skuntank. Phew! They had to spend a long time having a tomato juice bath before any of my Pokémon or anyone else could come near them again.
Serena, Lillie, and Chloe: Oh my gosh!
Lillipup: (shudders) I don't know about you, Gladion, but the thought of getting sprayed by a Skuntank gives me the shivers.
Gladion: (pets Lillipup) Don't worry, Lillipup. No Pokémon is gonna let you get sprayed.
Kiawe: So, Jacob, that Z-Power Ring you put on… Did you ever travel to Alola by any chance?
Jacob: Actually, yes. I even took part in the Island Challenge. So did Sally at some point. (points to Dragonium Z on his Z-Power Ring) This is Dragonium Z. (pulls out other Z-Crystals from his pocket) And here's Grassium Z, Darkinium Z, Electrium Z, Rockium Z, Steelium Z, and Kommonium Z.
Mallow: Wow! That's amazing.
Lana: What Z-Crystals do you have, Sally?
Sally: Here, I'll show you. (pulls out Z-Crystals from her own pocket) Aside from the Waterium Z on my Z-Power Ring, I also have Grassium Z, Firium Z, Flyinium Z, Icium Z, Normalium Z, Fightinium Z, Aloraichium Z, and Lycanium Z.
Sophocles: Wow, nice collection, Sally.
Kiawe: Say, um, any reason why Smaug has that scar over his eye?
Jacob: Oh that? Well, that happened during the Trial battle against Totem Kommo-o on Poni Island.
Kiawe's Charmander: Ouch!
Ash's Charmander: That must've hurt.
Jacob: Yeah, it did. But Smaug managed to pull through and help me win the Dragonium Z.
Ash: Wow, great story, Jake.
Ash's Charmander: Yeah. I hope I can be like him one day.
Goh: Say, Jacob, is there any reason why your sisters choose to be barefoot? Or why Sally isn't wearing shoes herself?
Chloe: Goh, don't be rude.
Sally: (chuckles) It's okay. It's a common question I get. I go barefoot because there are lots of health benefits that come with it.
Dawn: There are?
Sally: Yes. For instance, it helps you to be more connected with the earth below your feet. Plus, your toes can get a better grip when you're running. (wiggles her toes)
Iris: I can vouch for the better grip part. (takes off her sandals) I climb trees almost all the time, and my toes help with gripping the bark of trees a lot. (wiggles her toes)
Sally: As a bonus, it's more fun to dance without shoes.
Serena: It is? (looks at her own feet) Hmm… I wonder.
Jasper and Henrietta arrived back at the barn with Max and Bonnie in fresh clean diapers.
Jasper: We're back, kids.
Henrietta: Max and Bonnie are both cleaned again.
May: Phew! Thank goodness.
Clemont: You said it. Phew!
Henrietta: Did we miss anything?
Clemont: Jacob and Sally just showed us their Z-Crystal collections.
May: And Sally was explaining the health benefits that come with being barefoot.
Dawn: So we know why Sally likes going barefoot. But what about you, Aurora?
Aurora: Oh, um, well, for one thing, there aren't a lotta shoes that would fit my own feet. Plus, I feel more connected with nature this way. (wiggles her toes)
Chloe: What about you, Mia?
Mia: (blushing) It's kind of embarrassing.
Jacob: I'll explain. Even when she was a baby, Mia hated wearing shoes. Every time I tried to put them on her feet, she'd always take them off immediately. Then one day, we tried to put shoes on her feet, but as it turns out, a Joltik was lurking in it. When she put her foot in the shoe, Mia received quite an electric shock.
Pikachu: That's gonna leave a mark.
Jacob: In a manner of speaking. Ever since then, Mia has outright refused to wear shoes. So, we just let her go barefoot wherever we go. Fortunately, there aren't a lotta places that reinforce the "no shoes, no services" rule.
Mia: Plus, it's more fun to go without shoes. (giggles)
Iris: You said it, girl. (laughs)
Deirdre: In my case, it's a fairy custom for girls to go barefoot.
Lillie: It is?
Deirdre: Yes. We consider female feet to be a symbol of beauty.
Serena: (thinks) Feet… Symbols of beauty? Hmm…
Jacob: Well, Mia, Aurora. Tomorrow's the big day.
Serena: The big day? What for?
Jacob: Tomorrow, we're going to the Jordan River to feed some Shlomlitian Magikarp. Normal ones too.
Misty: Shlomlitian Magikarp?
Sally: Here's what they look like. (shows them the Pokedex entry for Shlomlitian Magikarp on her Rotom Phone)
Brock: (realizes) Hey Cilan, remember the time at Living Stone Beach?
Cilan: Actually, yes. We caught one and we let it go.
Daisy: Is there a festival of some kind tomorrow?
Aurora: Oh yes. It's the McKnight Family Tradition.
Gary: Really?
Ash: (to Jacob) Will other people from Shlomlite be there or something?
Jacob: They will.
Sally: My Mom and I come every year.
Serena: That sounds like fun.
Ash: Yeah. Could we join in, too?
Mia: Oh yes, you should. Can they, big brother? Please?
Misty: (thinks) This could be my first step in overcoming my fear of Gyarados.
Jacob: (chuckles) Of course, you kids can come. But we leave as soon as we've had breakfast and cleaned up. Okay?
Misty: Oh yes! Yes, absolutely.
Jacob: Okay, off to bed now. Goodnight. Don't forget to say your prayers.
Aurora and Mia: Okay, Jacob.
Jacob: Now, Sally, you sure you don't mind spending the night in the barn?
Sally: Oh please, I love a chance to spend time with your sisters, and new friends.
Jacob: Okay then.
Tabitha noticed that Jacob and Sally seemed to blush whenever they looked at each other.
Jacob: Well, ahem, goodnight, everyone. See you in the morning. (heads out)
Ash: (to Mia) Boy, your big brother's really something, isn't he?
Mia: He's the best. Heh. It's thanks to him that I got Rocky here. (pets Phanpy)
Rocky: (smiles) Phanpy-Phanpy.
Mia: And he also caught those Pokémon for Aurora to keep.
Brock: You mean that Alolan Exeggutor, Steelix, shiny Onix, and Gyarados we saw earlier?
Aurora: Oh yes. Jacob thought we both could use some Pokémon friends to call our own. And Willow, Bertha, Pebbles, and Bubbles are some of the best things to have ever happened to me since my, er, growth spurt. (giggles)
Ash: Anyway, let's say our prayers before we catch some Zs.
Deirdre: Good idea, kids.
Ash: Dear Lord, thank you for helping us defeat Dr. Robotnik with Sonic and his friends for helping us. Please bless Jacob and his family for this family farm. In your Name, we pray, amen.
Kids, babysitters, and Pokémon: Amen.
Sally: My, you've got your prayers down pat, young Ash. You must've practiced a lot.
Ash: I sure do, Sally. My Mom taught me to do it.
Sally: Well, I bet she's really proud of you. (pats him on the head)
Ash: Thank you. (yawns) Well, goodnight.
Serena: Goodnight.
One by one, they each said goodnight to each other. Mia and Rocky chose to sleep next to Sally. Ash, Serena, and the other kids, Pokémon, and babysitters managed to make themselves comfortable in the barn as Aurora herself slept on the ground on a bed of straw that Deirdre used her fairy magic on to make sure she was comfortable.
Speaking of Deirdre, the fairy made herself comfortable in the rafters of the barn. After yawning and stretching out her body, she finally went to sleep.
The next morning, the Sun was starting to rise over the barnyard. Grandpa was already tending to the Pokémon living around the farm. He turned to his Boltund.
Grandpa: Shadow, how bout you head to the barn to see if the girls and our guests are awake yet?
Shadow: (barks) Bolt.
With that, Shadow raced to the barn. Using his paw to open the large doors, he looked inside.
Pikachu: (yawns) Good morning.
Shadow: Boltund. (howls) Bolt!
Shadow's howl was so loud it woke everybody up. Deirdre was so surprised that she shot up and bonked herself in the head on the roof of the barn.
Deirdre: Ow! (rubs her head) That's gonna leave a mark. (looks at Shadow) Shadow, do you always have to do that?
Shadow: Boltund.
Slowly but surely, the McKnight sisters, Sally, and the other guests got up and stretched.
Sally: Morning everyone!
Serena: (yawns) What time is it? (rubs her eyes)
Sally: (checks her Rotom Phone) It's eight o'clock.
Kiawe: (stretches) I dunno about you guys, but I slept like a rock.
Mia: (confused) How can you sleep like a rock?
Sally: (giggles) It's just a figure of speech, Mia.
Mia: Oh.
Aurora: (stretches her arms and legs) Guess it's time for breakfast.
Mia: Yeah, Grandma said she was gonna make pancakes.
Deirdre: In that case, I'll be sure and have my magic ready to enlarge your share, Aurora.
Aurora: (smiles) That'd be lovely.
Misty: Let's go, everyone.
Ash: Good idea.
Soon, everyone had gathered outside the barn for breakfast.
Grandpa: Dear Lord, please bless this food and bless these children on their travels. And in your name, we pray. Amen.
Everyone: Amen.
May: Let's eat.
With that in mind, the kids dug right in. Even the Pokémon had their own food.
Chespin: Mmm. Sally's special Pokémon food's enough to rival even Brock's cooking.
Togedemaru: (smiles) You said it.
Tabitha: Say, Sally, you never told us… What are your dreams for the future?
Sally: My dreams? Hmm… Well, I'd like to open a Pokémon Daycare someday.
Mia: Aurora and I would like to help her out when she does open it.
Aurora: Oh yes. Getting a chance to tend to Pokémon who need help and all. (squees)
Sally: If you have any relatives, Tabitha, maybe you could recommend one of them to help out as well. After all, you are the daughter of Nurse Joy.
Tabitha seemed to think about Sally's idea of one of her relatives helping out Sally with her future Pokémon Daycare.
Tabitha: Now that I think about it, my aunts used to work here in Moonbeam City. I could probably give either of them a call and see what they think of the idea.
Brock: Good idea, Tabitha.
Tabitha: Thanks, Brock. (blushes a bit)
Sally: Hmm. (to Brock and Tabitha) Am I sensing a connection between you two?
Brock and Tabitha were a bit surprised by Sally's question.
Sally: (chuckles) It's okay. Don't worry about it. (winks)
Jacob: Sally's kind of got an eye for sensing possible connections between two people. Nothing to worry about though.
Tabitha: Well, okay. Note to self: Call my aunts about possibly helping Sally with her dream.
Ash: What're your dreams, Jacob?
Jacob: Mine? Well… At first, I wanted to be a Dragon Master.
Iris: Really?
Jacob: But seeing as how I'm good with kids, I'm thinking of possibly being an author of children's stories.
Ash: Wow! I'm sure Jesus will make your dream come true.
Jacob: Well, I'm sure He'll help. But I've learned that sometimes, the only one to make your dreams come true, is yourself. God did give us all free will, after all. A wise man used to sing...(sings) You can make-believe it happens, or pretend that something's true
You can wish or hope or contemplate a thing you'd like to do
But until you start to do it, you will never see it through
Cause the make-believe pretending just won't do it for you
You've got to do it
Every little bit, you've got to do it, do it, do it, do it
And when you're through, you can know who did it
For you did it, you did it, you did it.
Sally: (chuckles) You just love using a song by Mister Rogers to make a point, don't you, Jake?
Jacob: (blushes) Color me guilty.
Both Jacob and Sally shared a chuckle at this. After breakfast was done, the kids all got washed up and ready for the day.
Jacob: Alright, is everybody ready to go?
Kids: Ready!
Jacob: Alright then. Let's head out.
With Jacob and Sally in the lead, everyone headed in the direction of the Jordan River. As they walked, Aurora made sure that her stride wasn't too big so the others didn't have to try and catch up with her. Deirdre of course chose to fly.
Lana: Hey, Sally, I was just wondering…
Sally: Yes, Lana?
Lana: Is there more to this festival than just feeding the Magikarp?
Misty: Yeah. I've been wondering that, too.
Sally: (smiles) Yes, there's going to be a feast, some praise music, and dancing.
Serena: Hmm… Maybe I could try dancing barefoot while we're at the festival.
May: Hey, me too.
Dawn: Me three. Sally's idea of barefoot dancing sounds interesting.
Serena: How about you, Lillie? Chloe?
Chloe: Well, if we're doing it, maybe we should start by taking off our shoes and socks first. Maybe get a feel for what it's like.
Lillie: Well, I guess I could try it once. (slips off her shoes and socks)
One by one, each of the young girls took off their various forms of footwear to get the experience of what it was like for Sally, Aurora, and Mia to go without shoes, placing them in their backpacks and allowing their bare soles to feel the ground.
Serena: Well, girls?
Iris: Well, being someone who occasionally goes barefoot, I've always liked feeling the ground this way.
Mallow: I don't know why, but for some reason, I feel more connected with the grass here.
Lana: I'd like to get my toes all wet.
Misty: Me too.
Misty and Lana giggled at this.
Jacob: Well, girls, you'll have plenty of time to do that when we get to the river.
Misty & Lana: Okay.
Serena: How about you, Lillie?
Lillie: Well, I can certainly see why Sally and the McKnight sisters enjoy this. However, I do have to make sure not to step on anything sharp.
Dawn: I've also noticed how much cooler it is than when I wear my shoes and socks. (wiggles her toes) I can see why you, Misty, May, Iris, Lana, and Mallow go without wearing socks, Serena.
Serena: You'll love it. It'll be so much fun.
Sally: Oh, I almost forgot. You have to be in swimwear once we get to the river.
Misty: That sounds like fun! I feel right at home in the water. (laughs)
Lana: Me, too.
Mia: Me, three.
Horsea: Then it's a good thing you girls have your swimsuits, huh?
Gary: Don't forget about us.
Daisy: Of course, Gary. (noogies him)
Gary laughed as his big sister gave him a noogie.
May: Our baby siblings have swim diapers too.
Clemont: So I'm sure they'll have fun at the festival.
Max & Bonnie: Yeah!
Aurora: Oh, I'm sure the li'l sweeties will look adorable in their cute li'l swim diapers. (giggles)
Chloe: I think Aurora would be a great mom, don't you, Goh?
Goh: Yeah. Did you see how Max and Bonnie took to her last night?
Chloe: She's a natural.
Ash: Your feet doing okay, Serena?
Serena: Yeah, this is actually kinda nice. Maybe I should do this more often.
Ash: Well, I guess it's up to you.
Serena: You're right. Thanks, Ash. (smiles)
Before long, they had arrived at the place where the festival was to take place.
Lana: Whoa! Look at this place!
Misty: Amazing!
Chloe: Look at all those people.
Ash noticed Serena looking a bit nervous.
Ash: You okay, Serena?
Serena: Suddenly, I don't feel very confident about dancing barefoot in front of many people.
Fennekin: It's okay, Serena. You won't be alone.
Ash: Yeah. In fact, I'll dance with you.
Serena: (gasps) Y-Y-You will?
Ash: (smiles) Of course.
Serena felt so happy that she gave him quite a hug around the neck, which surprised Ash.
Ash: Serena?!
Serena: Ash, I-I love you.
Ash was rather taken aback by Serena's statement.
Pikachu: Did I hear right?
Fennekin: I heard it, too.
Ash: I… Love you too, Serena.
Sally saw this but wisely chose to keep quiet.
Sally: Let's hurry and get dressed into our swimming gear, everyone.
Kids: Okay!
So, the kids went into the changing booths so they could get wet and feed the Magikarp. Coming out, they saw many kids interacting with Aurora. It seemed her height made her quite the attention grabber.
Kid 1: Look at her! She's huge. But she looks friendly.
Kid 2: That's Aurora McKnight, the sweetest giant in Moonbeam City.
Aurora merely smiled at the compliment.
Kid 3: Aurora, are you gonna join us in feeding the Magikarp?
Aurora: Why, of course. I never miss a chance to feed Pokémon.
Brock: Guess Aurora's kind of a celebrity here.
Tabitha: Yeah. One of the more modest ones, at least.
Aurora: (blushes, smiles) Who wants a ride over to the river? (lowers her hands down to the ground)
Children: I do! I do!
Aurora: Alright then, hold on!
Ash, Serena, and the others watched as Aurora gently lifted the children in her hands up and, watching the ground, made her way over to the Jordan River.
Tracey: Guess Aurora's the real-life BFG of Moonbeam City.
Lillie: BFG?
Tracey: Big Friendly Giant. From a book by Roald Dahl, "The BFG".
Cilan: Yeah. Except unlike the title character, Aurora's a girl and is 30 ft. tall, rather than 24 ft.
Jacob: Alright, everyone. Follow Aurora to the Jordan River!
So with Jacob and Aurora leading the way, they soon arrived at the river.
Sally: The Shlomlitian Magikarp will be here in one minute.
Lana: Oh boy, I can't wait!
Misty: Me neither! (giggles)
Mia: Gosh. I never saw two girls so excited about seeing Water Pokémon.
Deirdre: Just make sure not to get any water on my wings, okay? It takes a while for them to dry.
Lana: Oh, sorry about that.
Misty: We'll be very careful, Deirdre. Promise.
Deirdre: (smiles) Thank you, girls.
Just to be safe, Deirdre flew a safe distance from the river. Aurora meanwhile sat herself on the shore and placed her bare feet in the river.
Aurora: Ah… This feels good. (looks toward the river)
Before long, they saw a slightly different version of the usual Magikarp they were used to seeing.
Brock & Cilan: (to each other) Just like the one we saw at the beach.
Jacob: So kids, who's ready to feed some Magikarp?
Kids: We are!
Sally: (hands out some food) Here you go, kids.
Ash: Thanks, Sally. Come on, Serena.
Serena: Right behind you.
Many of the Pokémon who were weak against water; both Ash and Kiawe's Charmander, Vulpix, Torchic, Fennekin, Snowy, and Rocky; wisely chose to stay on the shore and watch.
Fennekin: I prefer the Sun.
Vulpix: I don't blame you.
Before long, all the kids, including Ash and the others were feeding the Shlomlitian Magikarp.
Mia: I think I see some regular Magikarp coming this way. (points)
Indeed, the regular Magikarp swam up alongside their regional counterparts, wanting a share of the food.
Lana: (smiles) Isn't it funny how different the Magikarp are from their Shlomlitian counterparts?
Misty: (smiles) Yeah. They're the same, and yet so different at the same time.
As the two Water Pokémon loving girls fed the two different kinds of Magikarp, they both got a chance to pet them and scratch them under the chin. Fortunately, the Fish Pokemon seemed to appreciate it.
Misty: Hee-hee. You like that, huh?
Magikarp: (joyfully) Magikarp, Magikarp.
Lana: What about you?
Shlomlitian Magikarp: (nods) Magikarp.
Not too far away, Aurora watched as the school of regular and Shlomlitian Magikarp playfully swam around her feet in the river.
Aurora: Hey! (giggles) That tickles!
Both different types of Magikarp slowed down their play as they allowed Aurora to feed them.
Aurora: One day, you little sweeties'll evolve and become strong Gyarados. (pets their fins)
Both Magikarp: (giggling)
Aurora: Just be sure not to go on a rampage in the city or any other town, okay?
Both Magikarp: (nod firmly)
Mallow: Wow. Aurora really knows how to be gentle to people and Pokémon despite being so big.
Shaymin: Yeah.
Sally: Comes with years of practice.
Meanwhile, Ash and Serena were feeding three normal Magikarp.
Ash: Boy, they really like this feed, don't they?
Serena: Yeah. (pause) Y'know, I wonder how many different kinds of regional variants of Pokémon there are in the world.
Ash: Hmm. I never thought of that.
Serena: Be sure to share that bag. We have to make sure there is enough for these three Pokémon.
Ash: Of course. (winks) Here ya go, guys.
The three Magikarp soon had their fill.
Serena: They sure do seem to like that stuff.
Ash: That's for sure.
After the Magikarp had their food, they swam away. At one point, Aurora brought out her Gyarados, Bubbles to watch the Magikarp swim by. The kids were surprised - they thought that Bubbles would scare the Magikarp. But they were most surprised that it wasn't the case.
In fact, Bubbles was incredibly docile as she watched the Magikarp with her giant friend.
Lana: Wow. That Gyarados must be well trained if she's being so well behaved around the Magikarp. Huh, Misty?
Misty: Yeah. (trembles a bit)
Lana and Popplio noticed Misty was trembling a bit as she looked at Bubbles the Gyarados.
Lana: Hey Misty, how come you're shaking in fear?
Popplio: Yeah. Is something wrong?
Misty: (sighs) I had a really bad experience with a Gyarados back home.
She then explained to Lana that when she was a baby, she accidentally got into the mouth of a sleeping Gyarados when her three sisters weren't looking.
Popplio: Oh, that's awful!
Lana: Your sisters should've been paying attention to where you were.
Misty: I know. Luckily, Mom hired Marina to replace my sisters as my babysitter. And Mom wisely chose to punish my sisters for neglecting their duty. (pause) But ever since then, I've been afraid of Gyarados.
Sally happened to be listening to Misty's story and felt sorry for the young girl.
Sally: Well… Maybe the first step in getting over that fear is interacting with these Magikarp. (pause) And maybe… If you want to, you could spend some time getting to know Bubbles, Aurora's Gyarados.
Misty seemed to think about Sally's idea.
Misty: Well, okay, I'll try.
Sally: I'll even go with you… If it'll make you feel better.
Lana: Me too. Remember, I'm your honorary sister of the sea.
Horsea: You could even try praying to Jesus to help you.
Popplio: And don't forget, we'll be right there with you.
Misty: (smiles) Thank you, girls. (inhales) Oh Lord, please help me overcome my fear of Gyarados. (exhales) Okay. I think I'm ready.
Sally then led Misty, Lana, and their two Pokémon over to Aurora and Bubbles.
Aurora: Oh. Hi, girls. Did you want something?
Sally: Misty had a bad experience with a Gyarados as a baby…
Aurora: (sympathetically) Oh my.
Sally: But she's hoping that by interacting with Bubbles here, Misty may be able to overcome her fear.
Aurora: Well, that's not a problem. Bubbles, you wanna help Misty?
Bubbles nodded to her friend.
Aurora: Okay then. First, bring yourself to Misty's level. That should be the first step.
So, Bubbles laid herself on the ground in front of the girls, just as Aurora had told her to do.
Aurora: And maybe close your mouth, too. So Misty won't have to be scared of your fangs.
Once more, Bubbles did as her friend had suggested.
Aurora: Go ahead, Misty. I'll be watching the whole thing. (winks)
Misty wasn't sure why, but she felt that Aurora was telling the truth.
Misty: (thinks) Okay, Misty. You can do this.
Slowly, Misty stepped toward Bubbles, and eventually, she managed to feel the Atrocious Pokémon's skin with her own hands.
Misty: (realizes) Hey… This isn't scary at all.
Bubbles seemed to purr as Misty petted her.
Misty: Aw, you like this, don't you, girl?
Bubbles nodded to say yes.
Lana: Amazing. How do you do it, Aurora?
Aurora: Do what?
Lana: How are you able to make a normally scary Pokémon like Gyarados act like this?
Aurora: (smiles) Sometimes we all need to be shown a little kindness.
Sally: So, Misty, is praying to Jesus helping?
Before Misty could answer, Bubbles seemed to rub herself against the little girl, clearly showing affection toward her.
Misty: (giggles) You know what, Bubbles? You're not so bad after all.
Sally: (laughs, to Lana) I guess it did!
Lana, Horsea, and Popplio could help but laugh happily at Misty's accomplishment. Aurora merely smiled at this adorable scene. Then, an air horn blasted out.
Jacob: Well, kids, it's time for the dance.
Serena: Oh my, it's time. Let's go, Ash.
Ash: Alright. Come on, Pikachu.
Pikachu: Right behind ya.
Dawn: Wait! Don't we need to dress up for this?
Jacob: (chuckles) Of course not.
Sally: You can go as you are.
May: Swimsuits and all?
Jacob: That's right.
Misty: (smiles) Great!
Aurora returned Bubbles to her Poké Ball and followed after her family and friends.
Ash: So Serena, ready to dance?
Serena: I guess so. I'm still a little nervous.
Ash: Just remember, I'm right here with you.
Pikachu: I'm also here, Serena.
Fennekin: Me too. (winks)
Serena smiled at her three friends.
Serena: Thank you, everyone.
With that, Ash led Serena to the dance floor. Meanwhile, Brock looked over at Tabitha.
Brock: (blushing) Um, Tabitha. Uh… Would you like to, um…
Tabitha could see that Brock was having trouble saying the words he was thinking of and smiled.
Tabitha: I'd love to dance with you.
Brock smiled as he led Tabitha to the dance floor as well. At the same time, Jacob could be seen leading Sally. Deirdre was close by and watched the couples getting ready to dance.
Deirdre: (sighs) I never get tired of seeing couples getting together this way.
Jacob: Me neither.
Sally: (giggles) Shall we dance, sir?
Jacob: We shall.
Music could be heard playing as the dance started. The first song they played is "Lord I Lift Your Name On High". As Serena and Tabitha danced with their respective partners, they found that Sally was right - it was more fun to dance without shoes. Plus, it was more flexible.
Serena: Say, this sand feels good. (rubs the sand between her toes as she dances)
Ash: It sure does. Now I can see why Sally and Jacob's sisters like going without shoes.
Serena: Yeah. I wonder if many people during Biblical times who didn't have shoes felt the same way.
Tabitha: You know, Brock, I never realized how good a dancer you are.
Brock: Why thank you. You're not so bad yourself.
Tabitha giggled at this compliment. Jacob and Sally didn't say much as they danced. They mostly just enjoyed one another's company.
Mallow: Y'know, Jacob and Sally make for quite the couple.
Lana: They sure do.
After a few praise songs, it was time for the feast.
Sophocles: Boy, am I hungry.
Deirdre: Curious. Is Sophocles hungry most of the time?
Togedemaru: Oh yes. That boy sure can eat.
Deirdre and Togedemaru giggled at this. Ash, Serena, and the others were amazed by how many people came for the feast.
Ash: Look at all this food. It's delicious. Are you excited to eat this food?
Pikachu: You bet. It looks like a potluck to me.
Jacob: Everyone all here?
Sally: Yes, Jacob. Everyone is present and accounted for.
Aurora: (sits with legs crossed) I'm here, too. (giggles)
Jacob: Very well. Let us pray. (bows head) Lord, we'd like to thank everyone here for feeding both forms of Magikarp. And bless the children and the Pokémon here today. In your Name, we pray, amen.
Others: Amen.
As everyone ate, Deirdre used her fairy magic to make food the appropriate size for her, and Aurora. The children who lived in Moonbeam City had seen this many times before but this act still amazed Ash and his friends.
Kid 1: Boy, that Aurora sure is one friendly gal.
Kid 2: Yeah. I wonder if other giants are like her - friendly and only using her size to help others.
Kid 3: Who knows…
After the feast, the festival was over and everyone headed for home. Including Ash and his friends. On their way back to the farm, Lana saw a woman who was poor and hungry. She decided to find out why.
Lana: Excuse me, ma'am. Are you okay?
Woman: Please, help me with some food. I'm hungry.
Lana: Oh my. Jacob, Sally, everyone, this woman needs help.
Mia: Oh my gosh.
Jacob: Does anyone have any leftovers?
Lana thought about the feast she had. She had eaten some macaroni and cheese. She thought she could give some to the woman.
Lana: Here, ma'am. I got some leftovers.
Woman: Thank you, little girl. You're too kind.
Lana: You're welcome. Bye.
With that, the woman took her to leave. Finally, Jacob and the kids made it back to the McKnight Farm.
Grandma: (steps outside) Hi, kids. Everyone have a good time?
Mia: Sure did, Grandma.
Aurora: It was lovely.
Lana: On the way back, we just met a hungry woman. I gave her my leftover macaroni and cheese.
Suddenly, a bright light shines on the kids, it was none other than Jesus!
Jesus: Hello, children.
Pikachu: Hi, Jesus. It's so good to see you again.
Mia happily went and hugged Jesus, who chuckled at the young girl.
Aurora: (smiles) Hi, Jesus.
Sally: (to Serena) How often do you kids see Him?
Serena: By believing in him. He often gives us Bible Lessons by telling us a special verse.
Jacob: I see.
Jesus: Lana, I'm proud of you for giving your leftovers to a poor woman.
Lana: Well, she needed help. What else could I have done?
Jesus: By doing a good deed, of course. I also want to give you a scripture from the Book of 1st Timothy.
Lana: (smiles) Yeah?
Jesus: Yes. It involves good deeds. In the Book of 1st Timothy, it says, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
Zuma: That's 1st Timothy 6:18, right?
Jesus: That's right. And Misty?
Misty: Yes?
Jesus: Today, You took a big step to overcome your fear of Gyarados.
Misty: Yeah… I guess I did. But one thing that helped was having Lana, Horsea, and my other friends backing me up. And another was that Bubbles was so gentle with me. Oh, did I forget to say "thank you," Aurora?
Aurora: (smiles, giggles) It's okay, Misty. Bubbles and I were happy to help. I'm just glad to have friends right here who don't judge me just because I'm a giant… In a way.
Misty: (giggles)
Jesus: Well, I'm also glad you've adjusted well to your height, Aurora.
Aurora blushed at the praise she got from the Son of God.
Serena: Um, Jesus? Today, I felt great joy feeling the ground under my feet. But I guess I can understand what it might've been like for people back in Biblical times who couldn't afford any type of footwear that was available. That was kind of hardship in itself, I think.
Jesus: (nods) Indeed it was.
Serena: But I still enjoyed the feeling of dancing without shoes on. Sally had a good point about how my feet are more flexible. (giggles) Still, the only downside is all the dirt on my bare soles. (lifts her foot, showing how dirty it was)
Popplio: Oh, I can help with that.
Popplio fires a Water Gun at the girls' feet, washing away the dirt from them.
Serena: That's better. Thanks, Popplio.
Popplio: No problem.
Serena: Anyway, I guess my question right now is… Now that I've experienced barefoot dancing for myself firsthand… Should I only do it once in a while in my performances, or should I do it more often? I just don't know. (pause) Do You know what I should do, Jesus?
Jesus: Of course, I do, Serena.
Serena: (hopefully) Yeah? What is it?
Jesus: Just have faith in me.
Serena: (pause, smiles) Thank you, Lord. I will
Serena gives Jesus a hug, who subsequently hugs her back.
Jesus: Well, I guess it is time for you to continue on your journey, my young friends.
Jacob: Well, thanks for Your time, Lord.
Jesus: You're welcome, Jacob. Goodbye. (waves goodbye and disappears)
Mia: Oh… I had so many questions I wanted to ask Him.
Sometime later, it was time for the kids to say goodbye to the McKnight Family.
Ash: Thanks for allowing us to stay, Jacob. Think we'll see each other again?
Jacob: If it is God's will, I think so.
Deirdre: Here's my parting gift for you girls.
Using her fairy magic, Deirdre conjured up some fairy crowns similar to Archangel Ariel for Serena, Misty, May, Dawn, Iris, Bonnie, Lana, Mallow, Lillie, and Chloe.
Serena: (gasps) Thank you so much, Deirdre! They're beautiful.
Deirdre: (smiles) You're most welcome.
Aurora: I hope we meet again soon. Oh! And no matter what, try to remember the giantess who turned out to be a sweetheart. (blushing)
Lillie: Well, here's one thing you can count on; we'll never forget you, Aurora.
One by one, the kids each gave Aurora a hug, which she gently reciprocated.
Serena: Thanks for teaching us the health benefits of going without shoes, Sally.
Sally: You're welcome, kids. I hope you'll continue doing barefoot things, even if it's only for a while.
Mia: I wish we had more time to play together.
Daisy: Maybe someday you'll get another chance.
Jacob: Yeah. Just remember, praying to the Lord may help.
Mia: Yeah. You're right.
Smaug let out a series of growls to Ash and Kiawe's Charmander.
Kiawe: What's he saying?
Kiawe's Charmander: He says, "Take care of yourselves and your masters on your journey, young ones."
Ash's Charmander: We certainly will, Smaug. And someday, I'll be like you.
Smaug let out a chuckling growl.
Ash: Okay, so long, everyone.
Pikachu: See ya around.
Jacob: Alright then. Take care on the rest of your travels, now.
Mia: Say goodbye, Rocky.
Rocky: (waves his trunk) Phanpy-Phan.
With that, Ash, Serena, and all their friends were off.
Sally: You know, I have a feeling Ash and Serena are made for each other.
Jacob: Funny. I was kinda thinking the same.
They both shared a chuckle before Sally snuck a kiss on Jacob's cheek.
Narrator: Helping the poor is showing another way of God's love towards everyone and enjoying nature's floor with your feet is good for your health. Now our heroes' path to tell the good news of Jesus presses on. As the journey continues.
To Be Continued…
And that my friends, is another Pokemon Kids. Now, I am all caught up with where Noah is, finally. So what does that mean for the FF posting of the story? Well, I do not know when the next chapter will come on Deviant Art, but I promise that the next chapter HERE will come the Sunday after that. I pray that it will be a good one. Anyways, I will see you all then, and take care.
