Chapter 22: Virginia's Promise
AN: Hey everyone. Thanksgiving is around the corner and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the next chapter done in time, so I thought
I'd upload this one in case I don't finish. I hope you enjoy it!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
The plane finally arrived on Melemele Island. The three women got off the plane and as they walked towards the exit, Virginia stopped to pull out her phone.
"What are you doing, darling?" Zelda questioned her daughter just before she put her phone away.
"Professor Kakui will be here in fifteen minutes." The princess informed the others. "We should wait outside. I can introduce you to K-9."
"Who is K-9?" Zelda asked.
"Only the best dog ever! He's such a sweetheart." Virginia gushed. They made their way outside and Virginia pulled out her Poké ball. "Ok, K-9. Come out." The ball opened and out popped an arcanine with a ferocious look.
"H-H-He l-looks…nice." Zelda nervously gulped before Virginia glanced at her mother.
"K-9, this is my mother. Be nice to her, ok?" She smiled and K-9 responded by leaping onto the queen. "No! K-9! Bad dog!" Virginia scolded, but was surprised to hear her mother laughing.
"Easy boy…that's enough…" She sat up and K-9 backed up from licking her face. "He's such a cutie." Zelda wiped her cheek and laughed before Serena helped her up.
"Are you alright?" Virginia questioned the queen of Hyrule.
"I am fine, thank you Virginia. But…why K-9?"
"O-Oh…well, since he's an arcanine, I-I thought it w-was cute. Arcanine…canine…canine…K-9. I thought simplifying it to just a letter and a number would make him special."
"There are others?" Zelda raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yes. I've saved many different kinds of Pokémon. Perhaps we could swing by the Aether Foundation's conservation area and I can show them all to you. There are plenty of wild Pokémon that come by and hang out, but I've saved a lot of the ones who are there." Virginia proudly stated.
"That's my girl." Zelda moved a few strands of hair from her daughter's face. Serena sent her Pokémon out and showed off her team as well.
"This is Baixen, Pancham, and Sylveon." All three Pokémon stood in front of their trainer. Zelda gasped and smiled.
"Sylveon looks so beautiful." Zelda gently reached out Sylveon licked the back of the queen's palm. "You're so pretty." Zelda gushed before turning and seeing Braixen. "Hi there…"
"Brai!" She chirped and placed her hand over the queen's. Zelda gently held her hand and smiled.
"If I had a Pokémon like you around Hyrule…" Zelda giggled and Braixen giggled alongside the queen. She then turned to Pancham, who didn't seem interested in her.
"Pancham, be nice." Serena said in a semi-annoyed tone. Pancham finally turned and reached up like he wanted to be held. Zelda graciously picked up the Pokémon and nuzzled her cheeks against his fur.
"You're so soft…" She cooed. He seemed to be enjoying the hug, but Zelda's hand began to glow yellow as they began breaking the hold. "You're really cute, but you're going to have to try better than that." She broke the hug and floating next to her was a necklace that Pancham was trying to snag.
"Pancham!" Serena scolded her Pokémon.
"Stealing is wrong. You know that, don't you?" She raised an eyebrow and the panda Pokémon looked down in shame. Zelda set him down and fastened her necklace back around her neck.
"Pan…cham…" Pancham grumbled and folded his arms.
"Pancham, be nice. Miss Hyrule is our guest." Serena spoke to the panda Pokémon like he was a child. "Hey!" Serena's eyes lit up. "We should introduce your mother to Princess." Virginia gasped and gave her girlfriend a great big smile.
"Mother would love her." Virginia giggled just as a vehicle pulled up to them. Kakui stepped out and walked over to the women.
"Virginia." He smiled just before Virginia hugged the man. They broke the hug and Serena immediately hugged him. "Hello, Serena." They broke the hug and he glanced at the queen of Hyrule.
"Hello." Zelda quietly uttered. Kakui bowed and offered his hand to her.
"Lady Zelda…or your grace…or is it just Zelda? I don't want to offend." She graciously gave him her hand and, like a gentleman, he gently kissed the back of her hand before standing up.
"Given the circumstances, I think Zelda would be most appropriate." Zelda cheerfully smiled at the professor.
"As you wish, Zelda." Kakui respected the queen's wishes and after recalling all their Pokémon, they hopped in the car and began driving.
"You know, Francine and I are huge fans of the tournament." Kakui stated while they drove to break the silence. "I…I know it's a bit late, but I'm sorry about the Cinderella run…and the half-inch."
"Yes." Zelda closed her eyes and nodded her head before chuckling. "It seems so long ago when it all started for us."
"I've heard of the Cinderella run, but what's the half-inch?" Virginia questioned her mother.
"During the final match against Uncle Link, you obviously know that the two of us fought with all our heart and soul and the winner would be crowned champion." Zelda began explaining. "Towards the end of the match, I was knocked off, and despite my best efforts, I missed grabbing the edge-"
"By a half-inch." Virginia quietly whispered and finished her sentence. Zelda nodded and the second born looked down like it was her fault that her mother had lost.
"Virginia, do not fret. Everything worked out as it should. Your mother and still married each other. We were blessed with four perfect children…"
"I ruined your wedding." She sulked and looked out the window.
"You made our wedding a day we'll never forget." Zelda smiled just as Kakui took a left instead of a right on a road.
"Professor, the Aether Foundation in the opposite direction. Is there some kind of obstacle in the way?" Virginia asked.
"I thought we might pick up Genny from Melemele General Hospital. She's been asking for Sam and…well, we might've told her that Sam has…left."
"She knows about Sam?" She exclaimed.
"She knows that Sam is gone. And since you and Sam have spoken, I figured maybe you could convince her to come with you." Kakui suggested to the princess. Virginia glanced at her girlfriend for assistance. Serena looked back at Virginia for an answer.
"It was important to Sam. So it's important to me." Virginia stated to her.
"Ok." Serena nodded her head. "We'll do it together. We'll bring Genny to the Aether Foundation and…I guess, try to find out where she's from."
"By the way, there was this book she borrowed from Sophocles." Kakui added.
"A book?" Virginia raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know if it relates or anything, but Sam wanted to take it with her." Kakui pulled into the parking lot and parked.
"Ok, I'll take a look at that too." She said as the three of them got out and walked inside. They entered the elevator and ascended up towards the fifth floor. They exited and, with Kakui leading, they walked towards Genny's room.
"Hello Professor." One of the receptionists smiled at the man. "I'll need you all to sign your names on the guest list. Standard protocol."
"I know, Stacy. I know." Kakui scribbled his name in the box before handing it to Zelda. She signed her name gracefully before passing it to Serena. Serena signed it quickly and her name wasn't even legible. Finally, Virginia signed her name and, like her mother, it was elegant and fancy. Kakui slowly entered and waved at Mallow. He held out a hand to tell everyone to stay back.
"Genny! Look! It's the professor." Mallow told the girl and there was no response from the child.
"Genny, I have some friends with me. They'd really like to meet you." Kakui walked back to the door and motioned for them to enter. All three women quietly moved towards the girl, but gave her enough space to feel comfortable. She held a doll that looked similar to her; like it was a younger version of her. Next to her was Mallow and her Pokémon, Tsareena.
"Hi Genny." Virginia whispered. "Do you remember me?" The girl hid behind her doll and tears streamed down her face.
"…Sam…" She whimpered.
"My name is Virginia. You can call me V." Virginia insisted while she held out her hand, but Genny didn't grab it.
"Honey, how about I talk to Genny? You and Serena can go to that…foundation place and take a look at Samantha's things." Zelda suggested while she pulled a chair and sat at the end of her bed. "Go on. I'll bring her when I'm done." Though Virginia didn't want to leave the girl alone, if anyone could convince Genny to open up, it was the queen of Hyrule.
"Ok, mom. Mallow has my number." Virginia hugged her green haired friend and Serena did the same.
"Virginia, I'm so, so sorry…" Mallow's eyes began watering.
"Mallow…st-stop it…" Virginia's eyes began watering and they hugged for a few seconds. They finally broke the hug and Serena hugged the girl.
"Serena…"
"I know." Serena gently tightened the hug to reassure the woman. "I know." They broke the hug and Mallow wiped the tears from her face. "V, we should get going." Virginia nodded before looking at the girl with sadness. She turned and walked towards the door.
"Genny." A quiet voice spoke up. Virginia turned to look in the room.
"Is something wrong?" Kakui questioned the princess.
"I…I thought I heard…" She looked around and no one said a word. "…never mind." She turned back.
"Genny." The voice repeated and this time, she looked in the room.
"Ok, I know I heard something." Virginia murmured before looking around the room.
'Is Genny calling for me? Does she want me to stay?' Virginia asked herself. Genny hid behind her doll while she returned to the bed and knelt down.
"Honey, are…are you asking for Ginny?" She calmly quizzed the girl. Without saying a word, she slightly showed her face and slowly nodded her face.
"How about you come with me? You can meet my friends." Virginia suggested. "I have a lot of friends." She whispered and held out a hand. Genny stared at Virginia, but she didn't say a word. "Honey, I promise we won't leave you. I know you're scared, but you'll love my friends." Virginia tried to convince the girl to come with her. Genny was hesitant, but eventually, she wrapped her hand around her fingers and nodded her head. Virginia carefully lifted the girl and she hugged Virginia's neck tightly.
"Let's go meet my friends. You'll like that, I promise." She reassured the girl, but she wasn't smiling. She closed her eyes and hid her face. "Mallow, are you coming?"
"I don't know. It's Professor Kakui's car a little…um…full?"
"It'll be tight, but I think we can make it." He informed the group. Mallow's face lit up and she turned to Tsareena.
"Excellent work, Virginia." Zelda smiled at her daughter. She smiled and they all walked out of the hospital and filed into Kakui's car. As it was stated, it was a little tight with Mallow, Tsareena, Virginia, Genny, and Serena all packed in the back while Kakui and Zelda up front.
"Next stop, the Aether Foundation." He began driving towards the foundation. The car ride was quiet; Genny was staring at her doll and she didn't look happy. She was sad and alone. Serena reached out her hand, but leaned away from her and looked at her with fear.
"I guess she doesn't like me." Serena quietly pouted.
"She trusts me because I've talked to her and Sam. She knows me and I'm willing to bet that Sam said nice things about me." Virginia stated while Kakui continued driving. After a ten minute drive, he finally parked his car and there was a helicopter waiting to bring them to the Aether Foundation. They all entered the plane and flew towards the island.
"Should we introduce her to Fishie?" Serena suggested.
"No. She'll be terrified." Virginia replied.
"You…have a Pokémon named Fishie?" Zelda asked her daughter.
"He has a heart of gold, but he's…well, overexcited. I think it'll be too much for her." Virginia gasped and turned around. "Why not the eeveeloutions?"
"That's a great idea!" Serena exclaimed and she smiled as the helicopter cut through the sky with the Aether Foundation in its sights. Finally, the chopper descended and touched down near the main building. Everyone entered and Virginia made her way to the conservation area.
"Everyone is here…somewhere." Mallow said nervously.
"Tsaree…" Tsareena looked around as well.
"What's wrong?" Virginia asked while they continued walking.
"Sam…um…" Mallow gulped hard, but continued keeping pace with the princess. "Sam was…um…"
"Mallow, I know." Virginia quipped and finally made it to the elevator.
"Lillie, Kiawe, Sophocles, and Lana are here too. I think Lillie is with her mom and, well their Pokémon are in the conservation area. I think Kiawe, Sophocles, and Lana are with Professor Burnet."
"Did something happen to them?" She questioned before hitting a button and descending down.
"They were attacked by some kind of demon." Kakui explained.
"Gannondorf." Zelda spoke tensely while biting her tongue. It was clear to anyone who glanced at her that she was still fuming.
"In any case, Genny is going to meet all my friends, ok?" Virginia glanced at the young girl in her arms. Genny looked at Virginia and then rested her head against her neck. They exited the elevator and entered the conservation area.
"Oh my!" Zelda gasped and smiled.
"It's hard to believe we're still inside." Virginia giggled. "It's my favorite place to be." She started walking alone and began searching for someone or something. "Zap! Torch! Aqua!" Virginia called out and after a few short minutes, she set Genny on the ground.
"No! Don't go!" Genny cried, but Virginia sat next to the girl.
"I'm right here, honey." Virginia gently ran a hand through her hair. Soon, three Pokémon walked up towards where Virginia had called them. A jolteon, flareon, and vaporeon ran up to Virginia as they recognized their caretaker and friend.
"Hey guys!" Virginia laughed and rubbed their heads while the three of them chirped and licked her face. "Where are your siblings?" She questioned. Vaporeon turned around and loudly called for someone. Soon after, the rest of the eeveeloutions ran up and swarmed Virginia.
"Aww….they're so happy to see you." Serena cooed before bringing out her own Pokémon. "Come on out, everyone!" Braixen, Pancham, and Slyveon all came out and began stretching their arms and legs before running off to have their own adventures. Virginia pulled out her own Poké ball.
"K-9, let's go." It opened and a great big dog stretched his legs and barked happily. Genny whimpered and squeezed Virginia's arm.
"Everyone, this is Genny. Let's all be nice and welcome her." The jolteon walked towards her and sniffed at the young girl. She hid behind her doll like she had hoped her doll would protect her, but to her surprise, the Pokémon began licking her cheek. She lowered the doll slightly and Zap chirped at her siblings. Each of the Pokémon made their way to Genny and, for the first time in Virginia's care, she began smiling and giggling with all the eeveeloutions around her.
"Look at that, they like you!" Virginia gushed. Vaporeon snuggled up next to her side while Genny rubbed her back.
"She feels wet." Genny stated while she set her doll down and her other hand gently rubbed the flareon's stomach. "She feels warm." Genny was happy with all of her new friends and Virginia managed to stand up and walk towards Serena.
"Can you keep an eye on her? I have to show mother her surprise and go to Sam's room."
"Sure." Serena nodded. "Don't be gone for too long…I might get lonely." Virginia giggled and kissed her girlfriend.
"I love you, Serena." She smiled and her cheeks turned a light red.
"Not as much as I love you." She blushed back. Virginia then grabbed her mother's hand and quickly ran towards a different section of the area.
"V-Virginia! Where are you taking me?" Zelda questioned her daughter while they ran. After a few seconds she stopped and looked around.
"Yuki? Are you here?" She whispered and out popped out a fragile looking Pokémon. It was mostly green with what looked like a white dress and a bit of red protruding through their chest.
"Mother…this is Yuki. She's…this is Gardevoir, but I named her Yuki because she's innocent and pure…like snow."
"The Japanese word for snow." Zelda quietly mentioned under her breath followed by a smile. She gently reached out for the Pokémon, but Yuki cowered behind Virginia.
"Yuki, it's ok. This is my mother…she won't hurt you." Virginia gently massaged the Pokémon's hand. "Yuki's former trainer was a big jerk. I was told that they would beat her if they ever lost a battle."
"How often did they lose?" Zelda questioned with worry in her voice. Virginia's expression told the queen everything she needed to know. "Oh, you poor thing."
"I also have a surprise for mother as well. There's a machamp that's here named Quad. And for the boys, I have a gastly named Ghost and an abra named Psy."
"And you've saved all of these Pokémon?" Zelda asked with amazement.
"No, not all of them. I've helped them get back on their feet. I've released most of them. Some I can't release them into the wild because they would die, some have stayed because of the kindness of the staff. Lusamine has such a big heart." Virginia smiled and was proud of that fact. "Some are just wild Pokémon who want to hang out and make new friends, and some are Pokémon who were abandoned or rescued by bad trainers." Virginia folded her arms and huffed. Talking about people who bring harm and abandon Pokémon really got on Virginia's nerves.
"So…this Yuki…is a gift for me?" Zelda raised an eyebrow.
"I-If you want her. I know you'll take super good care of her and she'll love being in Hyrule and…" Her voice trailed off. "I can let her stay if-"
"My dear, she's a wonderful gift." She knelt down and curtseyed for the Pokémon. Yuki hesitated for a moment, but she eventually stepped from behind Virginia and mimicked Zelda's movements "My, my. What manners you have." She lightly laughed before twirling around with grace and Yuki copied her again. "Virginia, I'd love to keep this little angel." Zelda offered a hand once more, but this time, gardevoir cautiously grabbed the queen's hand and sat right next to her.
"I'm so happy you two are getting along. She's such a sweetheart. I knew you'd love her." Virginia began bouncing up and down with excitement. She then looked around. "Mother, I'll be right back. I'm going to get that book before Genny knows I'm gone."
"Is it alright if I stay here with Yuki?" Zelda's eyes grew big like she was a child asking her parent if they could stay up for a little while longer.
"Yes." Virginia replied with a warm tone. "Yuki, I'll be right back. Can you stay here with mother?" Yuki nodded her head and smiled at the queen. Virginia quickly exited the conservation area and went up to the main floor. As she exited, she saw the man who called her yesterday, Faba.
"Mr. Faba." Virginia gulped hard.
"Ah! Virginia! I'm glad you're here. Sam's stuff is -"
"Can I go to the room she was in? Pretty please?" She begged. Faba nodded and the two walked to a different elevator and it began ascending.
"Virginia, I offer my most humble apologies to you and your mother. I…I can't begin to imagine how hard this must be for you."
"It's…we're ok." Virginia put on a fake smile while deep inside, she was hurting. Her sister and her most trusted friend was stolen from this world. Virginia was helpless to save her and though it wasn't her fault, she felt partially responsible for her death. The doors opened and she walked towards the room where she was in. It was taped off and quite obvious which room was the one Samantha was in; the other rooms looked normal except for one which had a sizeable hole for the doorway.
"Her room is over there. Her stuff is on the receptionist's desk across the room. Feel free to take what you want when you are finished." Virginia hugged the older man.
"Faba, thank you…I…" Virginia sniffled and rubbed her eyes. "…I'm sorry. It's-"
"You do not need to apologize. It's been quite stressful for all of us. I'll…ah…leave you to it." He smiled before quietly shuffling away. Virginia carefully walked towards the room and the hallways were eerily quiet. Not a sound or another soul on the floor. She entered the room and there wasn't anything special aside from damaged equipment and dents on the floor.
"Sam…" Virginia's eyes started to water. "Sam, I'm so so sorry…" She sniffled and tried to hold back tears, but she couldn't hold back. Virginia knelt down and began crying while resting her arms on the side of the bed and her head resting on her arms. "I'm ju-just a big, st-stupid, idiot…" Virginia sniffled again and rubbed her eyes. "I'm not st-strong, I'm n-not brave, I…I'm so scared." She wiped away her tears, but they continued falling down her cheeks. "I'll do it. I'll figure out the book, I'll bring Genny home. I'll…" She sniffled once more and rubbed her eyes again. "I'll do it for you." She placed her head on the bed and continued crying. A few moments passed and her arms suddenly felt cold and she felt a shudder down her spine.
I love you, Virginia.
Her head shot up and she quickly turned around, but no one was there.
"H-H-Hello…?" She squeaked while she slowly stood up. "I-I-Is anyone th-there?" She called out, but there was no response. "Li-Lillie? Mal-Mallow? This…This isn't funny!" Suddenly, a gastly rose from the ground.
"Gastly!" The Pokémon said in a spooky tone. Virginia screamed before realizing it was just a ghost Pokémon.
"Ghost!" She said with an angry tone. "Y-You scared me!" She huffed and turned around.
"Gastly…" He said with a big smile on his face. Virginia sniffled and rubbed her eyes again.
"No! It wasn't funny." She turned her back once more and his smile quickly faded.
"Gastly?" He questioned the princess. Virginia slowly turned around and raised her head.
"Ghost…I'm sorry. This…it's a bad time. My sister…sh-she…died…right here." Her eyes began watering again thinking about how much she missed her. Gastly looked away from the woman for a few moments before making a silly face and Virginia weakly smiled.
"I know you're trying to make me feel better." She lightly chuckled and exited the room. Before she left, she grabbed the book and tucked inside the page of the book was a set of photos from a mall; four in total.
"Sam…" She smiled as she saw how much fun her sister and Genny had in two of them. The third photo looked like they were still deciding what kind of face to make and the last photo was such a pretty photo of the two of them.
'Whatever it takes, I'll get her home.' Virginia thought to herself as she and Ghost headed for the elevator.