Firstly, OMG! I'm sorry that this took so long! It's just that everything at college caught up to me all at once, and it required my full attention to deal with it. I hope you all can forgive me. Anywho, I hope that you like the chapter.

Home Again

"G-go back?" I asked. I guess I had always known that I would have to say goodbye to Meowth, but I never really thought about it.

Cresselia nodded, "You were brought here to help, and that purpose has been fulfilled. You need to return where you belong."

I looked at Meowth and Rio, then at Cacturne. Turning to Palkia, I said, "May I have a moment to say goodbye? Both to Meowth, and to my Pokémon that I won't be seeing back home."

Palkia paused before saying, "VERY WELL." His eyes glowed and I felt funny. I looked at my hand, and saw that I was outlined in pink now. Looking at Growlie and Cacturne, they were also pink.

Meowth turned to me, shocked, "Jimmy? Why're ya all pink?"

I turned to him, "Palkia made me visible. As you've probably guessed, I have to go back now."

Meowth looked shocked at first, but he sighed as he seemed to accept it. I smiled, "It was good seeing you again, Meowth. I'm glad that you found this place and have made a happy life for yourself. Even though I can't visit; I'll never forget you."

Meowth grinned and said, "Thanks, Jimmy. Ya treat dat lady nice now, ya hear? An' I gotta say, ya look good in pink."

My grin didn't falter, "If I had tangible arms, I'd bash you over the head for that remark." I laughed, "Ha ha ha! This whole experience was just like old times!"

Turning to Rio, I said, "You keep your promise, all right? Thank you for all that you've done."

I called out the rest of my Pokémon, and once they were out, they were outlined in pink and the Poké Balls on my belt disappeared.

I went to Weezing first and he seemed sad. I held him in a hug, "It'll be all right. You keep taking care of those Koffing and Ekans with Arbok. I wish things could've been different, but you have your own role now. Fulfill it." Weezing nodded and sniffled.

Chimecho floated over to me, and she wrapped around my arm. I smiled and pat her head, "Don't be sad. Without my obligation to Team Rocket, I can visit you in Hoenn as soon as I save enough money for a boat ride."

Cacturne pulled me into a hug and I tried hard not to wince at the barbs, "I know, I promised I'd visit you in Eterna City. I will." I pat him on the back and both he and Chimecho let go. My six Pokémon and I gathered up and I turned to Palkia, "We're ready."

"GOOD. PREPARE YOURSELVES."

The pearls in his shoulders glowed, and he roared. I turned blue again, and this time my Pokémon turned blue as well. Feeling myself being pulled, as if by a bungee cord, I flew up with my Pokémon towards the ceiling.

As we passed through, everything went dark and we were in the rainbow-like area again. I turned my head to look behind me and saw the hole that I saw before start to slowly close up. The voice from before sounded all around us again.

You have done well. It is time for you to return.

"Weez!" I turned and Weezing turned into a glimmering light before zipping off. Cacturne was next, followed by Chimecho. Then all three of my remaining Pokémon turned into glimmering lights and zipped off.

I hope you understand that the time for my intervention through you is done. I can no longer give you visions or allow you back in the other world.

I nodded. I understand.

Feeling myself be compressed, I started moving through the air and the rainbow colors faded and everything went dark again.

*beep*… *beep*… *beep*…*beep*…

Roused by the persistent beeping sound, I opened my eyes. Blinking out the fatigue, I looked around. The room was white and there was sparse furnishing. A TV, a counter, some chairs- oh.

When I was looking at the chairs, I saw Carrie asleep in one of them. How long has she been here? More importantly, how long have I been here?

I looked at the IV bag next to my bed. I remember reading about this kind of thing in one of my tutor's lessons years ago. For coma patients, they have an IV that gives nutrients straight to the blood stream. So… that means I've been out for more than a day…

Looking at the stitches holding the line down on my arm, I doubted that ripping it out would work as well as it does in the movies. I looked around and found a remote by my bed that had a nurse picture on it. Unfortunately, I didn't account for the sound the pager would make.

Carrie woke up with a start and looked around. When her eyes settled on me, they widened in shock. And then narrowed in anger. I sheepishly waved with my other hand that didn't have the line in it.

"Er… good morning…"

Carrie took a deep breath and said, "You are really lucky that you're bedridden right now." She crossed her arms, "You owe me an explanation. Also, for the record, it's two in the afternoon."

I looked away, "Nobody would believe me in a hundred years. Let's just call it at an out-of-body experience and leave it at that, please."

She glowered at me but then sighed, "…Fine. But I'll get the full story out of you eventually."

I turned back to her, "Now, I have a few questions of my own. First and foremost, how long was I out?"

"About three days."

I nodded. The same amount of time that I spent in the other world. "How did I get here?"

"I carried you."

Wow, she must be stronger than she looks. I guess she is a police officer. "That's not exactly what I meant. How did they admit me? I was sort of under the radar, so there wouldn't be any records for them to confirm my identity."

Carrie looked away abruptly, "About that… See, that was just the problem… until the Pokémon Center found a phone number stitched on the inside of Growlie's collar. With no other options, I called the number. And… well…"

The door opened and a nurse walked in. She smiled when she saw me, "Oh! You're awake. I thought it was your girlfriend that pressed the button. I'll let him know right away!" She hurried out of the room.

I slowly turned to Carrie, "Carrie… Just who answered that call?"

She twiddled her thumbs, "Well… First, it was an old guy, and he asked how I got that number. So I told him what happened. He put me on hold and then came back a few minutes later. He told me to give him the address of the hospital, wait ten minutes, and then take you back there. The staff apologized a lot and then put you in this room."

I heard the nurse's voice outside, "Right this way, sir."

"Leave us." The new voice confirmed it.

The door opened and my father walked in. I thought I had gotten better, but the nervousness I felt was even more magnified when in person. Looking down, I said, "You got that number stitched in Growlie's collar?"

I heard him respond, "We knew you would never have a reason to take it off. Being a Fire-type, Growlie detests baths. It was for in case something like this happened. You may be out of the marriage, but you're still our son."

Well, at least they didn't put a tracker chip…

I paused and then said, "Thank you. Er… but there's something else."

"If you're referring to Jessiebelle, it's taken care of. She left without permission from her parents, to join a criminal organization no less, so she is in quite a bit of trouble. Her parents came and personally took her back home yesterday."

Turning to Carrie he said, "Now, James, perhaps you could explain just who this is?"

I blushed and cleared my throat, "Uh… father, this is Carrie, my girlfriend."

He turned back to me, eyebrows raised, "Girlfriend?" He looked to Carrie, and then back to me. Crossing his arms, he said, "Augh, one more month and it would've been my win."

I looked up and raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

"After we called off the marriage, your mother said that you would probably get a new girlfriend within the year. I said that you'd probably be too timid, but she said, 'He's such a sweetheart; it's only a matter of time before he gets snatched up.' We made a bet, and I lost."

I shook my head in dismay. Why does everybody keep betting on my personal life? Then I thought of something else. "Speaking of mother, where is she? I would've thought she'd be here."

My father said, "As much as she wanted to be here, she was unfit for travel." Even though it seemed to be bad news, he said it with a smile.

Carrie said, "Excuse me, sir, but how is it good news?"

Briefly addressing Carrie, he said, "No need for such formality. Richard is fine." Then he turned to me, "Soon, you'll have a sister."

My eyes widened, "A s-sister?!"

My father nodded, "Yes. It's actually rather fortunate that I've come to meet you in person. I understand that you're really far from Kanto, and I'm not going to ask you to move back. But your mother and I would appreciate it if you would visit every so often. Of course, you wouldn't always have to go so far out of your way. We can come to this region, and you know where the Sinnoh summer home is. Please consider it. I'll call the nurse in to do a check-up on you." Saying that, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

I let go of a breath that I didn't know I'd been holding. Carrie walked up to my side and said, "So… what do you think you're going to do?"

Shaking my head, I said, "I don't know Carrie. To be honest, I'm not necessarily used to receiving requests from my parents." Usually, it was orders.

"Well, your dad seemed to be really sincere. I think you should consider visiting every once-in-a-while."

"I was thinking the same thing. I must say though, it will be awfully weird having a baby sister at the age of 21."

Carrie shrugged, "Yeah, but it'll make life interesting. Speaking of interesting, this is the last time something like this fainting spell will happen, right?"

I nodded, "One hundred percent certain. I'm here to stay, so you had best get used to me."

She smiled and leaned over the bed. We held each other, and she gave me a kiss. I heard her take a breath to say something before a camera flash stopped her.

We both turned and Hopkins was standing in the doorway with a camera as a photo slid out of the slot. He took it in his hand and said, "Forgive me, young master. It was the Madam's request for a souvenir, as she could not be here."

With both of us speechless and me red-faced, Hopkins left. At length, Carrie said, "I always knew parents were embarrassing, but yours take it to a new level."

"You have no idea." I looked back at her, "You were about to say something?"

She stiffened and said, "Well it was kind of an 'in-the-moment' thing and now the moment's gone. In any case, I'll find another moment to tell you."

I nodded, "All right. Now, I just have to get out of this hospital."

-Two hours later-

I walked on to the construction site after settling things with Larson, and the super called out to me, "Hey, James! About time you woke up. You've still got a job to do!"

I raised an eyebrow, "I… still work here? But I gave my resignation letter to-" I paused, and then walked over, turning Thomas around while he was hauling a wooden beam. "Thomas… that letter I gave you, you did give it to the super, right?"

Thomas grinned, completely unashamed, "Sorry! The wind blew it out of my hand into the cement mixer."

"That is the worst lying face I've ever seen," I stated flatly.

"So~" Thomas elbowed me, "I'm guessing Carrie knocked some sense into you? Did you two kiss and make up?"

I blushed, "We're just dating!"

"Wa-ha-ha! Right, right. Be sure to let me know when the wedding is!" He continued laughing as he walked off with the beam.

I put my hand to my face, but couldn't keep down a smile. Truly, it's good to be home.