Hello everyone! Good news! I'm updating this story a lot more often now!

If any of you read my other story, ATiL, then you should know that it's going on hiatus, but in its absence, I'm posting more chapters of this story! I'm actually really excited too since I have a bunch of chapters ready to go and I hope you all like it!

As you may have noticed, I finally took down the poll on my profile and replaced it with another one. I have chosen the ending for this story, but I'm giving you a chance to vote again for the ending you want among other things.

I'll keep this opening note short, but I do hope all of you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Pokemon or anything I refer to in this story. I don't even own the song the lyrics below belong to. The only possible thing I can own is my OCs, which there are too many of them to keep track of in this story.

Let's just live day by day and not be conquered by our sorrows

The past can't hold us down, we must break free

Inside we're torn apart, but time will mend our hearts

Move onward, not there yet, so let's just live

Chapter Twelve

Alice's POV

"Do you want to know my story now?" she finally said. I didn't expect it, but I still nodded. "Like you, I was in Team Rocket. I was young and dumb, but it filled me with a purpose. I still remember the only mantra I came up with 'One: Profit! Two: Economize! No Three or Four! Five: Pokémon!' I still don't know how I came up with that." She laughed. There was a longing look in her eyes like she's looking back in the past.

"Even though I was in Team Rocket, I still had a daughter to take care of, so I worked hard. I eventually became Madame Boss' favorite. We would always talk about our children together, but there came a day where I was sent on a mission. I had to leave my sweet daughter behind and to remember her, I carried a picture of her everywhere I go. I traveled up a snowy mountain to try and find Mew and I did." She sighed.

"But there was a blizzard and an avalanche. I thought I was going to die, but I woke up to Mew. She saved me and I still don't know why to this day. I've done so many wrongs in my life I thought I would've died in the mountains." Tears welled up in Miyamoto's eyes.

"That day, Mew showed me things. She showed me that the world has changed. I knew that what I thought was right was not. Team Rocket has done something wrong. Something unnatural and I couldn't take it. I didn't contact anyone, and I've just been living in secret for the past few decades. Ever since then, I've been giving refuge to former members of any syndicates if they asked. Everyone deserves a second chance and I'll give them that. But the thing I want most in this world is to see my darling little Jessie again."

I just sat there, engrossed with her story. I didn't even notice that my tea was cold until she stopped. Miyamoto wiped a few stray tears away. "Well, that's enough for me." She laughed it off. "I shouldn't keep you any longer. Just let me get your key and we can discuss rent in the morning." She stood up and begun to clean up.

"What was your daughter's name?" I asked her. She froze as she was picking up her teacup. As oft smile slowly appeared on her face as her eyes grew distant again.

"Her name was Jessie. I taught her everything I could before I left." She smiled. "I named her after one of my favorite outlaws from a show. Looking back, it was a stupid reason, but it was still a beautiful name."

I thought back to that trio with the Meowth. I may loathe them, but I spent enough time to learn about their history. Meowth was once Giovanni's lap pokémon, James was a rich kid, but no one knew much about Jessie except she was part of a biker gang. And her last name was Musashi as well. Last I heard of them was that they helped the Executives escape to the Sevii Islands and they were there as well, safe.

"I think your daughter is fine." I smiled. "She's safe. And she followed your footsteps."

"You know her? You know my Jessie?" Miyamoto asked me.

"Yes. She was in Team Rocket and she helped the executives escape."

"Oh Arceus. What I would give to see her again!" Miyamoto gasped. She shook her head. "That can wait until later. I'll just show you your apartment." She cleaned up and placed the dishes in the sink.

I followed her into another room in the hallway which seemed like an office. She opened a cabinet and took out a key. She walked out the house and to a complex with gracedia flowers planted around it. We walked up the stairs to the fourth floor and stopped in front of a door with the numbers '408' on it. There was a large window next to the door, but it was covered with curtains. Miyamoto unlocked the door and handed me the keys.

"This is your apartment. It has everything you need. Just rest up tonight and we'll discuss more things tomorrow morning." She smiled before leaving. I was left with the key in my hand.

"I say we just get in now and talk about it later," Espeon spoke up.

"Agreed." The rest of us nodded. I walked in and locked the door behind me. I threw the key on a table near the entrance and took off my shoes. I turned on the lights and saw that the apartment seemed similar to the room I had on the cruise ship.

A living room with a television on one side with a couch and two armchairs surrounding a coffee table on the other side. The kitchen was separated from the living room by an island counter. The actual kitchen had an oven, stove, microwave, and a double door fridge. Next to the kitchen was a sliding door leading to a walkout balcony. On the living room side, there were several stools under the countertop of the island.

Next to the door was a hallway leading to a bathroom, a spare room, and a bedroom. The bedroom had a bed pushed to the farthest corner with a closet on the same side as the door. A desk was opposite of the bed.

All of the walls in the apartment were a pale blue, matching the dark wood flooring. The couches and armchairs were a deeper blue, complementing the white table surrounding it. The kitchen had all gray cabinets and countertops, matching the silver fridge and appliances. The bathroom was all white aside from the walls, floor, and the counter for the sink. In the bedroom, the desk was a white study desk.

I'm sure I can get some rugs and make it so the floor would always be cold. I could also get shelves for the bedroom and fill them with books and other decorations. I didn't bring many things with me since I thought I would be traveling for a longer time. I only took what I needed from the Mahogany base.

I placed my bag on the table and sat down in one of the armchairs, suddenly exhausted. Pikachu, Espeon, and Umbreon all climbed onto the couch. Espeon psychically took out three more pokéballs and called out Lucario, Gallade, and Absol.

What is this place? Lucario asked as she sat down in the other armchair. Gallade leaned on one of the arms. Absol settled herself on the couch with the other three. This isn't the center.

"Nope. This is our own apartment now." I sighed, still tired from what I heard earlier. "I met with Sabrina and she gave me a card. That led me here where I met a woman who gives refuge to former grunts of all teams."

"I haven't known lady Sabrina well, but she does visit me as often as she could," Gallade said. "I have to say that she is trustworthy. Perhaps she led you to the right place."

I still don't like the bitch though. Lucario growled.

"I didn't have any other choice." I sighed. "We can't keep traveling like this. Soon, it'll get exhausting and I know everyone wouldn't like that. But I felt like I can trust this woman, though. She's Jessie's mother after all."

And that's supposed to be a good thing? Lucario asked. You and I both know how annoying she is.

"Miyamoto Musashi. Class-A agent of Team Rocket and was the first one to get a recording of Mew. She went out to some mountains to look her it only to go missing. Now I know what happened." I explained. "Maybe Madame Boss was just trying to get a replacement for her when she got me to do her dirty work. I was just a fool."

"Nah, she was just a sorry excuse of a human being," Espeon said. "But you're right about how awful she was. She just loves to manipulate people."

"I'm fine with staying here. It's safe and that's all I want." Gallade said.

"Agreed. I'll be tired of always going place to place." Umbreon nodded.

Fine. I guess it's something. Lucario shrugged.

Once we finished talking, there was a knock at the door. I stood up to get it. I opened the door to see a young couple standing there. The guy was tall, pale and had blue hair. He was wearing a red hoodie while the girl next to him was tan, had brown hair, was wearing a striped blue and white dress, and was holding a plate of cookies.

"Hello! And welcome to the complex!" the girl smiled as she handed out the plate of cookies.

"Um, thank you?" I accepted the cookies. "I'm sorry, but who are you two?"

"I'm sorry that we didn't introduce ourselves! I'm Amelia and this is Marco, my boyfriend!" the girl smiled. "We brought some cookie along since we saw that you just moved in."

"Well, thank you." I smiled back. "My name is Aika."

"Listen, it's safe to use your real name here. Everyone here has a past." Marco explained.

I'm still hesitate too and I'm not sure which name to even use anymore. The names I've had both hold memories that I don't want to remember.

"Or you can use whatever name you want." Amelia elbowed Marco so hard he doubled over. "It's whatever you want. If you want Aika, then Aika it is!"

I smiled. These two are so friendly. It's hard to imagine they were part of a team before.

"Would you like to come over for dinner?" Amelia asked. "Since you just moved in, you probably don't have anything to eat and you probably don't know how to navigate this place."

"That's kind of you, but I still have my pokémon here," I explained.

"Don't worry about it. We have enough food. If you want to bring them all along, then feel free. Our apartment is the one at the end of this stretch." Marco pointed down the path. I thanked them and they left. I came back in the living room with the plate of cookies in hand.

"Who was that?" Umbreon asked.

"Neighbors," I explained as I placed the plate on the table. "They welcomed me to this community. I guess." I sat down. "They invited me to dinner."

"I could go for something to eat." Espeon jumped on the table and took a cookie. She started eating it.

"They seemed to be nice enough people," Gallade added as he got a cookie for Lucario and himself.

If we're going to stay here, then we should at least start off on the right foot. Lucario sighed as she took a bite.

"Usually, I would say wait until dinner for dessert, but I'm craving these now." I grabbed a cookie and took a bite out of it. Sometimes, pregnancy is pain, but this time it's a blessing. We finished the cookies in only a matter of minutes before I returned Lucario, Gallade, and Absol.

Espeon, Umbreon, and Pikachu accompanied me as I walked to Amelia and Marco's apartment. As they said, their place was at the very end of the row. I knocked on their door and Amelia greeted me.

"Glad to see that you made it!" she smiled. "We're just setting up dinner now." She invited me in. I walked in and she closed the door behind me. Their apartment looked like mines, but it's decorated with more little knick-knacks.

Marco was busy setting up plates on the island. "We're having some pasta for dinner if you don't mind." He told me.

"That's fine," I told him as I watch my three pokemon climb on the couch. "Get down now! That's rude!"

"No, it's fine!" Amelia laughed. "They can eat there if they want. Do you have any other pokémon?"

"I do, but three of them are rather large," I explained.

"They can eat on the balcony then. Since we have the apartment on the end, we have a slightly larger balcony then everyone else. The other balconies can still hold one or two larger pokémon, but ours wrap around the corner a little bit." Amelia explained. "You just send them out there and I'll bring them food."

I nodded and called out the rest of my pokémon. Lucario, Gallade, and Absol sat in the armchairs while Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise enjoyed their meal on the balcony.

"That's a lot of pokémon you have," Marco noted as I sat down at the island.

"They're a handful, but I can't live without them." I sighed. Amelia and Marco were so welcoming to me and I embrace their friendship. They seemed to have a lovely relationship with which other. We ate as we talked about each other.

"If it's not too much, can I ask how you two know each other?" I asked when we're finished.

"It's sort of a story straight out of a romance novel." Amelia sighed.

"See, I was in Team Magma and she was a part of Aqua." Marco explained. "We first met when our team ran into each other during a recon mission. She was the only one to directly punch me in the face."

"It's not my fault you ran into my fist." Amelia huffed. "But I do have to admit, I did think he was cute."

I laughed at their story. It seemed to be so unlikely to see people from two different teams to fall for each other.

"Anyways, we ran into each other a few more times and I guess I started to fall for him. It was too bad that our teams hated each other." Amelia sighed.

"We actually secretly wrote to each other, wanting to leave the teams to be with each other," Marco explained. "Soon enough, Magma and Aqua summoned Groudon and Kyogre. They battled, but it got settled. The teams disbanded and we were able to be with each other."

"Like every other team, once they get disbanded, a bounty was put on the head of every member." Amelia continued. "We had to go into hiding. We found a place on a small island in Hoenn, but we knew that we had to leave the region. We caught a ship from Hoenn to Kanto and found Miyamoto when the Vermillion City Gym Leader found us as stowaways on the ship. I thought he was going to turn us in, but he gave us her card instead."

"We still don't know why he did it, but it's been about five years since we moved here, and we still love it." Marco smiled.

"I didn't know Surge had a soft side for fugitive grunts," I remarked.

"You know him?" Marco asked.

"You can say that." I sighed. "He's actually a part of Team Rocket like I was."

"No way! I didn't think a Gym Leader could be part of a team!" Amelia gasped.

"More like three." I corrected her. "Koga and Sabrina too."

"And here I thought the Pokémon Association was hunting everyone down from Rocket." Marco laughed.

"They are," I explained. "They just don't know the corruption. Our leader even ran the Viridian City gym for a while."

"So what was your position in Team Rocket? And what was it like?" Amelia asked.

I already told Miyamoto my story, so I didn't feel opposed to telling Amelia and Marco my story. "We changed the ranking system a little bit. I was a general with two commanders, ten admins, and about fifty grunts under my command. We were in charge of a lot of more important missions. Eventually, I was chosen to do some other missions that our founder wouldn't trust anyone with. I regret it now, but I wouldn't have met my pokémon any other way." I explained.

"Don't worry about that now! You're here and no one is going to judge you now. Everyone wants to leave behind their past so you can fit in here." Amelia smiled. I smiled back. It's nice to be friends with others.

I thanked them for dinner and called back Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise. The rest of my pokémon and I walked back to my apartment and just went to sleep.

I woke up the next morning to the sun rising. I've been waking up this early for a while now, but only to spent about an hour in the bathroom, waiting out the upcoming morning sickness.

Eventually, I got out of the bathroom and got changed. When I went out to the living room, I found my pokémon there already up and started to watch the television.

"There's like nothing good." Umbreon sighed.

"And I'm hungry," Espeon complained.

"Pi pikachu pika!" Pikachu exclaimed.

"I don't know how to cook, and we don't have food." Espeon snapped.

I rolled my eyes at them as there was a knock at the door. I went over to open it and found Miyamoto there.

"Hello, darling." She smiled. "I'm just here to discuss the rent."

"Come in." I invited her in. I closed the door behind her as she sat in the armchair. I turned off the television and sat in the other armchair.

"Unlike other landladies, I charge people rent according to how good their stories are," Miyamoto explained.

"Isn't that unfair?" I asked.

"Perhaps, but I'm old and I want to be entertained. I liked your story so your rent would be less than the standard. How would 50000 PKD per month sound?" she asked. "I usually charge about 75000 PKD."

Rent in Saffron is usually 40000 to 150000 PKD, so what Miyamoto charges is around the same range. It's better than the other apartments I looked at. "That'll be fine." I nodded.

"Good. I don't require a deposit, but first month's rent is needed." She told me. I had all of my money in a secure account so no one can trace it, but I carried some on hand. I went into my room and found enough money in my bag. I went back and handed the money to Miyamoto.

"I'll pay for a few months in advance later," I told her.

"Very well. If that's what you want." She nodded. "I hope you have a lovely time staying here." She smiled.

"Thank you so much for offering me a place to stay." I bowed down.

"There's no need for that, honey!" Miyamoto laughed. "I'm just glad to give you a home! Now, I'm guessing your next action would be to go and buy food and things for your apartment."

"I was thinking about going out today." I nodded.

"This community is settled in the middle of Saffron and there are alleyways connected to every part of the city from here. It's only protected by my Gengar, Alakazam, and Dusknoir. They monitor all of the alleys connected to this place and see if it's anyone who lives here or is looking for this place." Miyamoto explained. "You can ask one of them to guide you or one of the other residents. There's a team of Sneasel and Weavile running around here, so they can also help you out."

I thanked her again and she left. Since we didn't have any food, I was thinking of going out to a café for food and after that, shop for groceries and stuff for the apartment. I was already changed so all I needed was to get my pokémon of the couch.

"Okay, time to head out," I told my pokémon.

"Only if we're getting food first," Umbreon said as she jumped off the sofa.

"I was planning to do so anyway." I sighed. I went to get my bag and opened the front door to let the three of them out first before closing and locking the door behind me.

We walked down the stairs, saying hello to the new neighbors I met along the way. I noticed that behind my complex was a pool and there were already a few water type pokémon in there. I guess I can let Blastoise rest there sometimes. Next to the pool was a garden filled with more pokémon. Now there's a place for Venusaur and Charizard too.

I didn't notice it last night, but there was a small area around the lamplight and Miyamoto's house. A few people were milling around, sitting on the benches. I sat down at one of the benches, trying to look for a Sneasel or Weavile. I didn't want to disturb the other residence.

"Hey! An Espeon and Umbreon! That's something you don't see every day!"

"Hey! Wait!"

I turned behind me to see a girl running over to the bench I was sitting at. Espeon and Umbreon were next to me with Pikachu in my lap. My eyes widen when I saw the girl. She had red hair braided in a ponytail. She was wearing dark green overall shorts over a black short-sleeve shirt. A green hairband kept her hair back.

There was a boy running behind her. He was taller, with dark blue hair and was wearing a dark purple shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black pants. It was Bree and Hood. They were here? I couldn't believe it.

"Could you run any slower?" Bree snapped back at Hood once he caught up to her.

"Do you even know to not disrupt other people?" he snapped back.

"It's really fine." I stood up and turned around to face them. "I'm just trying to find a Sneasel to guide me out of here."

"We can tell you." Hood smiled. "Where do you need to go?"

"Oh my Arceus!" Bree shrieked. I winced. She couldn't have figured it out just by my voice, did she? "I know those birthmarks anywhere!"

"Well, there goes our cover." Umbreon sighed.

"I knew it would bite us in the ass someday." Espeon pouted.

"What are you talking about? She doesn't have any birthmarks." Hood pointed out.

"I'm not talking about her! I meant her pokémon!" Bree retorted.

"Her pokémon?" Hood asked.

"Yes! Those two were such a pain in the ass!" Bree snarled.

"Well, she's right about something." Umbreon shrugged.

"But why would they be here, unless," her eyes drifted up to me. I could only smile sheepishly until she screamed which made me what to cover my ears.

"Arceus, Bree! We are in public!" Hood exclaimed.

"There's no way! No way!" Bree started to tear up.

I've been meeting too many familiar faces lately. But these two faces I would welcome any day. "I'm so sorry for leaving everyone behind. I'm sorry for staying away from everyone." I was nearly tearing up as well. Before I knew it, Bree had her arms wrapped around me, shaking as she was crying. I wrapped my arms tightly around her, letting the tears fall down my cheeks. I knew Hood didn't know what we were talking about, but I looked up at him. Slowly, but surely his eyes widen, and his shoulders drop.

"Alice?" I saw him whisper. I could only nod into Bree's shoulder. Bree let go of me and wiped the tears out of her eyes.

"Arceus! You had us all worried there." She grinned. "We all wondered how you were. You just left us."

"I know and I'm sorry." I sighed. "There were some things I needed to take care of and after, I just ran."

"Stop saying you're sorry! You're fine! Everyone's fine! No harm is done!" Bree laughed.

"So, what have you been doing all this time?" Hood asked. I told them my adventures since the fall. I omitted my pregnancy as I've been doing.
"I'm just glad you're doing well for yourself now." Hood smiled. "We just rented a place here together since the fall."

"So, are you guys finally-?" I started to ask.

"He was never going to ask me, so I did instead." Bree grinned proudly. "Caught him while we were talking to Miss Miyamoto. He couldn't even say 'no'!"

"Not that I would want to." Hood coughed, blushing.

I smiled at them, except Espeon's cough caught my attention.

"I know this is all sweet and all, but you still have three hungry pokémon here." Espeon interrupted.

"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded.

"She actually agreed for once. I do too." Umbreon nodded.

"Fine." I rolled my eyes at them. I looked back to Hood and Bree. "Do you two know any places to eat? I just moved in last night and haven't had a chance to buy any groceries."

"We've only been here a month, but I think we know enough to show you around." Hood nodded.

"There's a good café right next to the gym and fighting dojo. It's always entertaining to see challengers running away crying." Bree snickered. Was she always this sadistic?

"And she said we gave her a hard time." Umbreon deadpanned.

"Just lead the way." I smiled.

I followed the two to one of the alleyways out of the community. They showed me some of the exits and how to navigate them. It turns out each alleyway has a series of symbols to show which way to go. If a person ever needs directions, there are small lampposts scattered in all the connected alleys to call a Sneasle or Weavile.

Miyamoto has several pokémon to help monitor and protect the alleyways from any people not associated with the community. They are always floating around, patrolling the apartments and alleys for anything suspicious. According to Bree, she has a Gardevior, Alakazam, Dusknoir, Gengar, Banette, and Hypno. Her psychic types would patrol during the day while her ghost types take over the night.

"Have you heard about Miyamoto before?" I asked them once we reached the café. They were also going out to eat.

"Other than getting a card from that ninja Koga, no." Bree shook her head. "But she's a nice enough lady. She's giving refuge to everyone here even though they have a past."

"You don't meet a lot of random people willing to help out former grunts and workers." Hood nodded.

That's odd. They don't know that Miyamoto was part of Team Rocket? Did she only tell that story to me? I just shrugged it off. If she didn't want everyone to know, then I'll respect that.

We ordered our breakfast and ate while catching up. I did mention that I ran into Ruby and Sapphire and told them their plan to head to Sinnoh before meeting with Jade and Garnet in Kalos.

"Man, I can't believe they're all going to Kalos." Bree sighed. "But it was fun hanging out with everyone. I hope they're doing fine."

"I exchanged numbers with them. I got a new pokégear in Mahogany." I added.

"I was able to get pokégears for both Bree and me," Hood said. "An already former grunt was living in the complex already and offered to get us some pokégears that were untraceable. He worked at Silph Co, so it was easy. What about we exchanged numbers as well?"

I nodded and I got both of their numbers while they got mines. "I would've gotten Jade and Garnet's as well, but Ruby and Saph said they haven't gotten new numbers yet. Once they meet in Kalos then I can call them."

"Once you do, can you give us their number?" Bree asked. "It'll be good to see each other again."

"I set up a computer in our apartment so you can come over and we can have a video chat anytime," Hood added.

"Which complex do you live in?" I asked.

"Gracedia." Bree answered. "Our apartment is 409. We heard someone new move in next door last night, but we get about one or two new residents each week so we didn't think much of it."

"I think you should've. I moved in 408." I laughed.

"I told Bree to go say 'hi' to whoever it was, but she didn't want to. She was busy making a mess of the kitchen." Hood shot a look at Bree.

"Unless you want to be sleeping on the couch, I suggest you stop complaining about how hard I'm trying to learn how to cook!" Bree snapped. Hood simply laughed.

"It seems like you two are already married." I deadpanned. We finished our food and just sat there talking for a few more minutes before I had to excuse myself. "Since I just moved in, I need to get groceries so I can at least make something to eat tonight."

"We're heading back to our apartment now, but when you want to go shopping for some stuff for your apartment, don't forget to call us first," Hood said as I stood up.

"We know a few places around here." Bree winked. I laughed and said goodbye to them as I left the money for my food.

My pokémon followed me as I went to a nearby grocery store. It was nothing special and just stocked up on the necessities like bread, eggs, and milk. I found a few recipes on pokémon treats that I wanted to try so I brought some ingredients for that. I had enough berries from my travels so I didn't need to buy any of that. I just need to decide what to eat for dinner now.

"Maybe curry tonight? I haven't had a homemade meal in a long time." I thought to myself.

"But it's boring without meat." Espeon pointed out.

"Not if I make it extra spicy," I replied. "I have been craving something extra hot."

"You haven't told anyone about your pregnancy," Umbreon said.

"Piakchu pika." Pikachu said.

"See? Even Pikachu is concerned about it." Espeon sighed.

"I don't see the point of telling them," I replied. "It doesn't impact them in any way, so I didn't tell them."

"You never change sometimes." Umbreon sighed. I rolled my eyes at them but continued to shop. I really don't see the point of telling others I'm pregnant until my stomach gets a true noticeable bump, but I'm also afraid of what they might think. They'll ask me who the father is, and I don't know. There are three different candidates, but I don't like any of them. This child I'm bearing is just mines and mine alone.

With that thought pushed aside, I continued shopping. I admit, I did impulse buy a few snacks, but that was only because I'm anticipating those late-night cravings. By the time I checked out, about a fourth of my spree was just ice cream. At least my freezer will never be empty. I called out Lucario and Gallade out to help me carry the bags back to my apartment. I told them what Hood and Bree told me about the alleys.

You met up with them again? Lucario asked as we walked.

"Yep. They said they came here right after the fall." I nodded. "They've been living here for a month."

"It's always great to see former members settle down and be able to live their own life now." Gallade pointed out.

I guess. It's just weird to see people I know suddenly changing lives. Lucario sighed.

"It's a change for us all," I told her. "But we have to adapt to it. There's no other way."

We made it back to the apartment without a problem. We put away all of the groceries and I invited Lucario and Gallade to come with me to buy decorations. Espeon and Umbreon decided to rest in the apartment while we shopped. While we were putting things away, I let my bigger three out so they can enjoy the fresh air. I would call them back when it comes time for dinner. I found an eating area near the apartment so I can feed them there.

Once I was done, I went over and knocked on Hood and Bree's door. Hood answered the door. "Hey there. Are you all ready?" Hood asked.

"All set." I nodded. "My Lucario and Gallade are coming as well."

"You have a Gallade?" Bree poked her head from behind the door. I moved over so they can see him. "Oh! I know you! You were one of the pokémon who actually helped me out!"

"It's a pleasure to see you again, milady." Gallade bowed.

"If I recalled, he was the little Ralts who was always staring at your once Riolu every time she went near him. I always thought he had a crush on her. It was so cute to see him blush when she was around." Bree laughed.

I looked back to see Gallade turned around, facing the other way. Even from my perspective, he was red as a Tamato berry.

Gallade? Is that true? Lucario asked.

"Fate always has a way." I sighed. However, Gallade never had a chance to answer Lucario as Bree and Hood stepped out, ready to go. I walked behind them as they led the way, occasionally looking back at my pokémon.

Pikachu was on my shoulder, but I could hear her snickering at the two. I couldn't help but share a smile too. It's too funny to see Lucario blush. Even after the fall, Lucario has been quiet and spent most of her time with Gallade. I gave them the space they wanted, but finally seeing their relationship come to life is something out of a drama. I find it quite entertaining.

"Here we are!" Bree announced as we stood in front of a small antique store. "This place is Brenna's Trinkets! It's a small shop, but they have a bunch of decorations you would want to start out on."

"She's also Bree's sister," Hood added.

"Your sister?" I asked.

"Yeah. She was the only one I kept in touch with while I was in Team Rocket after our parents died. She ran the shop while I joined Team Rocket for the money. The daycare wasn't paying as much." She explained. "This is only a start. On the weekend, we can head to the farmer's market for some food and they have an outdoor flea market. They have a ton of things there."

"A market in a city like this?" I asked.

"Saffron holds a lot of secrets," Hood replied. "How do you think such a large community can stay hidden?"

"Point taken." I nodded. We entered the shop where we were greeted immediately by Brenna, Bree's sister. She looked exactly like Bree except her hair was let down. Her personality was exactly like Bree's too, except she was a lot like aggressive and abrasive.

I let my pokémon wander around, seeing what they liked. I moved over to the furniture section. There was an icy blue rug with white branches scattered across it. It seemed big enough to cover the area around the couch. There was another one, but it was a tea green instead. That would look nice in my bedroom.

The walls in my apartment were also bare, but I wanted paintings to be put up. There was also a bookshelf that I could put in my bedroom or the spare room. I was thinking of making the spare room into the nursery though. There're still a few months to go, but I want to get started now.

I picked up some more things, but something caught my eye. It was a small music box. It was ornate with gold leaves and vines covering the dark wood. I opened it up to find purple silk inside, cushioning the dancing pair of Gardevoir and Gallade inside. When I opened it up, the music box came to life with a chime. The song was a slow version of one of my favorite songs. I almost sang the words, but then I realized I was in a shop.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Brenna asked. I looked over to see her smiling. "That music box was brought in by a woman. She had it for her daughter, but she never got the chance to give it to her, so she brought it in here, hoping to give it a new home. I think it suits you."

"I was thinking of getting it." I nodded, picking it up.

"Are you done choosing? Bree wants to go get some lunch." Hood walked up to me.

"I think I'm done." I laughed. "Just let me check out." It seemed like my pokémon picked up some things of their own. I noticed Gallade had more than the other two.

"Espeon communicated with me and told me what to get for her and the others." He explained.

I sighed. "Of course she would."

I paid for everything I got and since it was a lot, Brenna set up a delivery for the next day.

"Don't worry. Bree told me what's going on with you guys and I talked to Miyamoto about it." Brenna said. I nodded and we left the store.

"So, where do you want for lunch?" Hood asked once we were outside. We started to walk in a random direction.

"We haven't had a barbeque or hotpot in a while." Bree pointed out. "What do you want, Alice?"

"Uh, I go by Aika now." I corrected her. "But I'm up for anything." Truthfully, my mouth was watering when they brought up the hotpot. I haven't had a chance to eat anything like that while I was traveling.

"Then hotpot it is!" Bree exclaimed. "There's a new conveyor belt restaurant that just opened."

"They were handing out coupons one day while we were walking, and we received a bunch," Hood explained.

As we walked, Hood looked up the address on his phone. Lucario and Gallade decided to head back to the apartment first. I let them since I trust Gallade's ability to find their way back. Though I also want to see what the two of them will talk about alone.

For the first time in a long time, I'm able to feel like I have a normal life. I have a home, friends I can be with, and my own family to look after. What more can I ask for?

Looks like a happy ending? Or is it? Why else would I have that vote and more chapters coming up? Anyways, once again this is just a breath of fresh air for everyone! Upcoming chapters are a bit different then what I usually write, but I still love it! Hopefully, you all love it as well!

There are a few hints and easter eggs in this chapter. Let's see if any of you can guess any!

I know that this story's anniversary is coming up again, but I won't be able to update it for then! Or will I? I really don't know at this point honestly. However, I hope everyone enjoyed this and leave a review if you like it!

Until next time everyone!

-AKCC, signing out!