I know it's been awhile, and I'm sorry. But my old computer crashed and I just have gotten a new one. THIS STORY WILL NOT DIE!
Jason opened his eyes to a dimly lit room. Looking around, he realized he was in a hospital room. Off to his left, in a chair, was April, Amanda asleep on her lap. His father was sleeping in the only other chair in the room.
"How long have I been out?" Jason asked.
April looked up and quickly woke Amanda up. The later jumped onto the bed and began crying.
"W-w-we were s-so worried!"
Jason began to pet her, "Hey, don't cry. Look I'm ok."
Jason, April chimed in, you've been unconscious for two days. The doctors said you're lucky not to have suffered worse because of blood loss. You have seventeen stitches in your leg for Arceus sake!
Jason sighed. They had every right to be worried. He probably would have died if April hadn't sent Lucien out. He knew, though, that he would do it again should he have to.
April hugged Jason, and for the first time since she was just a Ralts, Jason saw her cry. Please don't ever risk yourself like that again. I don't think any of us could bear to lose you.
Jason hugged her back, "I can't promise not to do something like that again, but I promise I'll be smarter about it."
April pulled back, I guess that's all I can ask for.
Jason reached up and wiped some tears off of her face and then did the same for Amanda. He looked over to see Lucien had woken up and was just watching all of this. Jason knew his father had to have been worried, but he wasn't one to show a lot of emotion. Still, Jason could make out the relief in his father's eyes.
It was then that the nurse walked in.
"Oh, you're awake. Just wait right there and let me go get the doctor."
Jason looked to April after the nurse had left, "And here I was going to go get a snack."
April laughed through her tears, as did Amanda. Lucien just chuckled. The sarcasm let them know that Jason would be just fine.
"Good to see you awake, young man." Jason looked to the door way to see who he assumed was the doctor. "To be honest, when your Pokémon first brought you into town, we thought you had already bled out. But you are one resilient individual."
Lucien chuckled, "No doc, he's just a stubborn son of a bitch."
The doctor raised an eyebrow, "The nurse said you could talk, but I thought she had been hearing things." The doctor looked over Jason's chart, "We need to keep you at least one more night for observational purposes. Should all go well, you'll be able to check out in the morning."
Jason nodded, "Thanks for all your help, doc."
The old man smiled, "Just doing my job. Now try not to piss of anymore wild Pokémon, especially during the mating season."
"Hey they came sniffing around my camp. I wasn't about to let them get at my Pokémon."
The doctor nodded, and smiled knowingly, "Wanted to keep the girls for yourself then?"
Jason eyed the doctor who let out a small chuckle, "Don't worry, such acts have been legal in the Kalos Region for almost a decade now. No one is going to judge you."
Jason sighed. That had one thing he was going to have had to talk to the Kalos League about, but that would no longer be an issue. Jason bade the doctor goodbye and spent the rest of the day in peace.
Jason stepped out of the hospital and breathed in the fresh air. The doctor had discharged him, simply telling Jason not to over strain his leg as it could tear his tendon again. He had given Jason something for pain and sent him on his way.
Jason's first order of business was to find the Pokémon Center. He decided that he wanted to make sure his Pokémon were in top shape for what was coming up. While his Pokémon were in the back, Jason decided to call home.
He walked over to the video phones and dialed the number to the one at his house. It only took a few seconds for a worried looking Abby to answer.
"Jason! What happened? You were supposed to call a few days ago."
"I know," Jason said. "I'm sorry it took so long, but we had to take a detour and we kinda ran into some trouble." Jason went on to explain about the encounters in the woods north of Santalune.
Angel's face came floating up to Abby's left, "Jason that was far too reckless. You could have been killed!"
Melody floated up to Abby's right, "What would become of us if that happened?"
Jason nodded, "I know, It was a stupid move, but April was in the tent with Amanda—a Fennekin that you all will meet eventually—and I wasn't about to let them get raped. I admit that I probably should have had Dad out with me, but it's apparently the peak of mating season around here and the pheromones were clouding my judgment." He said that last part quietly.
Yuki jumped up and landed on Abby's head, "Still, at least you're OK. But you have got to stop rescuing women. You already have a small harem."
Jason looked around. A few people had heard and were staring at him—a few even smiled knowingly and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Must you say such things out loud?" Jason said.
Allie came into view then, her head appearing between Abby's and Angel's "Why, are you ashamed of us?"
"No! Not at all! But stuff like that is meant to be private."
"Well, what if we don't want it to be?"
Jason just stared at the screen, "Please tell me you're joking. You are not thinking about public sex."
Abby giggled, "No, just trying to get a rise out of you." She glanced down.
Jason shook his head, "You girls are all hopeless." Jason turned as the chimes sounded, indicating that someone's Pokémon were fully healed. He waved as he saw it was his little entourage and motioned them over to the phones.
April bent down to see everyone, "Hello!" It wasn't often she actually spoke, but when using the phone, an actual voice proved useful.
"Hey April!" Abby said. "Are you keeping Jason in line?"
"I'm trying, but I can't seem to stop him from playing 'hero'."
"So we heard," Allie said.
Amanda took that moment to jump up on Jason's lap and look at the screen. She looked to Jason. "Are these the others you have sex with?"
Jason just nodded, ignoring the looks he knew he was getting. His father chuckled.
"Son, you're a Gym Leader. You don't get privacy anymore."
"So I've noticed," Jason mumbled. He looked back up to the screen, "Girls, this is Amanda."
"Oh," Abby said, "aren't you just adorable!"
Jason finished making the introductions, "I hate to hang up, but I do need to go to the Gym here. I'll call you again before I leave and when I get back to Lumiose City."
"Jason," Melody said, "please be careful. We miss you."
"I miss all of you as well, and I love ya'll. I'll be home in a few months, then I'm taking a vacation."
After all the goodbyes were said, Jason hung up the phone and got up. He cringed as the sliced tendon stretched. He needed Celebi or Shaymin one to come heal his wounds. He'd deal with that once they got back into the woods.
Jason's next stop was to check into the nearest hotel. After getting the key to his room, he decided to drop off his bag there before heading off to the Gym. After setting his bag on the ground, Jason set out in search of the City's Gym Leader, Viola.
From what Jason knew, Viola specialized in Bug-Type Pokémon. She was also a photographer who had a gallery in the city that doubled as her Gym. But before he got far, Jason's stomach started growling. It finally hit him that he hadn't eaten anything except for that small dinner the hospital had served him. He asked for directions to the nearest restaurant. After procuring an outdoor table, Jason ordered a meal for him and his Pokémon.
So, April said, What do you think this Viola girl is like?
Jason shrugged, "Hard to say since I haven't ever met her." He took a bite of his steak. He had to admit, he was curious about what the Gym Leaders were going to be like. Part of his job here was to battle them and test how strong they were. He honestly hoped he could just watch them battle. It would be easier to evaluate if he wasn't focused on the battle itself.
While Jason was lost in his thoughts, he got the strange feeling he was being watched. This was confirmed when he heard the faint sound of a camera snapping his picture. He glanced over to the side.
Standing there, camera ready to snap another picture, was a young woman. She was dressed in a pair of brown shorts that went down to her knees and had several pockets—all of which Jason assumed were filled with extra equipment and film for her camera. Around her waist was a white, cloth belt that was tied into a knot at the front. She wore a pair of boots fit for long treks through the woods. In place of a shirt, she had on a white tank-top. Her blond hair was tied back into a single pony-tail with two locks of her hair coming down around her face—to Jason they looked like antennae.
Without looking up Jason addressed her, "Do you often snap pictures of random Trainers and their Pokémon?"
The woman pulled away from her camera, "Awww, I was hoping you wouldn't notice me. And yes, I do. The more natural pictures always turn out better." She walked over to the table where Jason gestured for her to take the extra seat. "I'm Viola, by the way. I'm the town's Gym Leader."
Jason looked up, "I thought you might be. My name's…"
"I know who you are Jason. I was expecting you a couple of days ago."
Jason smiled nervously and rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, I kind of ran into some trouble and ended up unconscious and in the hospital."
"Well, you're here now. So how about when ya'll finish we head over to the Gym."
Jason nodded, "Sounds good. Still, we could just do the whole delegation thing now."
Viola raised an eyebrow, "Delegation thing?"
Forgive him, Miss Viola, April interjected. He means the interview part of his job.
Viola shuttered, "Ok, that felt weird." She looked at the Gardevoir. "I must say though, that is a beautiful coloration on you."
Thank you. And I must say, you're quite the eyeful as well.
Jason sighed in exasperation, "April, what was that you said in Lumiose? Something about being professional?"
April pretended to look offended, What? Am I not allowed to complement one who has complemented me? Beneath the table, Amanda could be heard giggling and even Lucien cracked a smile.
Viola smiled, "Well at least you and your Pokémon have a healthy relationship."
Lucien scoffed, "You have no idea." Viola looked startled, while Jason just shot his father a look.
"You can talk?" Viola asked.
Lucien nodded, "So can the little one under the table."
Amanda jumped up into Jason's lap and looked at Viola, "Hello."
Viola raised an eyebrow and looked back to Jason, "So, you and your Pokémon…?"
Jason nodded, "We do. And that's one thing I wanted to talk to you about. I already know that such things are legal in Kalos, but I would still like to get your personal standpoint on the matter."
Viola nodded, "I don't see any problems with it. Mind you it's not for me, but, hey, to each their own."
Jason nodded, accepting the answer. If the other Gym Leaders thought the same way, then this issue wouldn't be a problem.
For the next hour, Jason asked Viola about the Kalos region and her viewpoints on a few other laws that, should Kalos be allowed to join the Coalition of Leagues, the Kalos League would have to put into effect. She didn't seem to have any objections to any of the laws.
"Well," Jason said having finished his meal, "that finishes up that part." He put away the notepad he had been using. "The next part is pretty easy. A battle."
Viola smiled, "Now we're talking. Why don't we head over to the Gym?"
Jason nodded and called the waiter for his check. When he went to stand, however, his leg muscle began to twitch violently, causing Jason to fall back into his chair.
Jaosn! April shouted, concerned.
"I'm fine," Jason gasped.
Viola looked at Jason, April's concern mirrored on her face, "Are you sure you'll be able to battle? It looks like you can barely stand."
Jason caught his breath before answering, "I don't really see another option. Not unless…"
Before Jason could finish, a young Trainer, a girl dressed in traveling clothes, ran up to the table, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering, Miss Viola, if I could challenge you to a battle."
Viola looked to Jason, "I'm guessing that was your 'unless' that went unfinished."
Jason nodded, "Exactly."
Viola looked back at the girl, "Alright I'll accept your challenge. Shall we head to the Gym?"
Jason limped out of the Gym, his leg hurting more the longer he stayed on it. He needed to get back to the hotel and get off of it.
The battle Jason had watched was interesting. Viola's strategy looked complex, but was very simple. It threw new Trainers off rather quickly, just as it did the girl who had challenged her. It didn't take long for Jason to see why Viola had become a Gym Leader.
Jason, April chimed, I think we may need to rest a couple of days here. Just long enough for your leg to get well enough to walk.
"As much as I hate to admit it," Jason sighed, "you're right. We'll stay here for a couple of days. Besides, some R-and-R wouldn't hurt." He looked up at the sky. The sun was setting, causing the sky to be lit with brilliant hues of orange. His mind immediately thought back to times he would sit on the deck at the back of his house, his girls sitting with him as those same hues reflected on the ocean water. Suddenly, Jason felt homesick.
April could feel the sudden shift in emotion from Jason and laid a hand on his shoulder, Jason…
"When we get done here, I'm telling Steven to find someone else to go on these jobs. I don't want to constantly be away from you and the girls like this."
He may not take too kindly to that.
"I don't really care. I'm about to be a father and I refuse to be that father that's not there for his kid." Jason looked to April, "I'd sooner die." With that, Jason kept walking towards the hotel.
April looked to Lucien, This is not going to be a fun few days.
Lucien stared after his son. "I know. We're just gonna have to be there for him." He clenched his fist, "I honestly want to give Steven a piece of my mind as well."
As do I, but we both know that won't solve anything.
"Which makes it all the harder." Lucien sighed in frustration, "We better catch up."
Amanda could be heard whimpering in April's arms, "He is going to be ok, right?"
April smiled down, He'll be fine. But it's like Lucien said, he needs us to be there for him. April looked at Jason as he walked ahead of them. And for the love of all that is holy, she thought to herself, don't let the Legendary Pokémon do anything stupid.
OK, a bit depressing for a return chapter, but the next one is going to be very light-hearted. And hopefully a bit quicker on the delivery.