Ages:
Whitney-13
Liza & Tate-4
As for the others, it's the same as last chapter. Dr. Lane, Amos & Soma won't be in this chapter. I'm going to be honest with all of you: I'm doing this alphabet challenge to explore a new writing venture. Quite a few of these events will be referenced later on in the story. Which ones? Wait & see. When? Probably starting after chapter 27. I was going to post this yesterday, but I had to have a CT scan.
Author's note: Okay, enough of my rambling. Points of view will shift throughout the chapter. I don't own Pokémon.
Chapter 5: Divorce
(A small café in Lavaridge Town; Monday, 8:45 am, Connor's P.O.V.)
To say that my cousins looked like they were going to lose their minds, well that would've been an understatement. At least they're awake. I still can't believe I've got a Pokégear, but they don't. At least I can use it. When Mr. Moore's grand-daughter showed up, we all had to be thinking the same thing: is she single? You're probably asking yourselves, "Why are we still in Lavaridge Town?" Well…
(The Goldenrod Galleria, Derek's P.O.V.)
I park my bike at the rack & walk into the store. I say to the clerk, "Excuse me, sir?" The clerk turns & says, "May I help you?" I say, "Yeah. My name is Derek Matthews & I was told from my mom that I'd be receiving my very own Pokégear & that it's been paid for." The clerk says, "Ah, yes. I'll be right back," & goes behind a door that says, "STAFF ONLY". You're probably asking yourself, "Why am I still in Goldenrod City?" Well…
(Flashback. The day after their diagnosis; a Thursday Trent's P.O.V.)
I said, "Oh my Arceus, I still can't believe it!" CT said, "What?" Reggie, (who I was holding back because CT had been rather annoying, more than usual) said, "You know what! Jeez, why are we," but was cut off by a girl about our age saying, "You 3 punks here to challenge the Lavaridge Gym?" I thought, "Single. Please be single." Reggie, who I was still holding, said, "That depends." The girl raised her brow & said, "On what?" Reggie said, "Your relationship status," flirting. I said, "2 of us lost yesterday. I'm Trent. The guy I'm holding back is my cousin Reggie, & the guy smirking is my cousin, Connor. You are?" The girl said, "The granddaughter of the Lavaridge Gym Leader. The name's Flannery, but my relationship status is none of your business. Anyway, grandpa sent me down here to get 3 challengers. Which, if you said 2 of us lost, I'm guessing 2 of you are trainers & the other isn't?" I said, "Bingo. We know we were supposed to meet him at some café an hour ago, but, we've been hit. Reggie & I have, anyway & Connor's just being a pain." Reggie turned & said, "Seriously, why are we with you?" Connor trilled, "We've been a travelling team for a while. Think about it this way boys," earning a glare from both of us. Connor then said, "If it wasn't for Ivysaur learning Sleep Powder, then that swarm of Beedrill would've had us." I said, "Noted. Who would've thought walking into a forest would've had those Beedrill? I mean, in the winter?" Connor said, "I don't get it either. Then, Reggie, if it wasn't for me saying, 'Call Uncle Vanni so you can enter the race with us', you wouldn't have won that Phanpy egg." I said, "Whatever. Anyway, one of my younger sisters & Reggie's younger brother just got diagnosed with a form of autism. We're all still a bit surprised." Flannery said, "I see. Well, I didn't mean to call you punks, but that's just who I am. I can take you to the café," come on, & led the way. We agreed with Mr. Moore that we'd challenge him again next week Monday.
(Goldenrod City Pokémon Center, that same Thursday, Derek's P.O.V.)
I woke up, feeling shocked. I felt sick, that was for sure. I got out of bed, my throat on fire, kind of dry. I was still in my boxers & T-shirt when Nurse Joy dropped by to check on me. Nurse Joy said, "Why not drink this?" I recognized the bottle: cough syrup. I did so & she said, "Your mother called last night. According to her, you left your inhaler behind?" I drank the stuff (not understanding why Leni hates it) & sheepishly nodded. I said, "Yeah. I had it when I arrived in this city, but don't know where it is. Thing is, I've got it in a metal case, so I know it's there." She said, "You mean this case? It was on the floor of the Goldenrod Gym. Will's actually out of town. I told him that you'd be having a rematch with him on Monday." I said, "Thanks, Nurse Joy. Uh, where are my Pokémon?" A girl said, "Oh, it's so cute!" Nurse Joy let me change & there was a knock as I was combing my hair. I said, "It's open!" That same girl said, "So, this Eevee belongs to you?" I turned & said, "Yeah. The name's Derek," extending my hand. She said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Whitney. I happen to be Will's coworker. So, in his absence I lead the gym. The Gym's type changes depending on who's leading. My uncle Milton just gave me my first Pokémon yesterday. If you're not contagious, I'd like to battle you," & left, Eevee jumping out of her arms. I thought, "Man, she's something else." Unfortunately, I was contagious & surprisingly didn't get Whitney sick. I battled her on Friday. Man, she's something else.
(Monday, 15 minutes later, Trent's P.O.V.)
I sigh & say, "Okay, Mom. I won't argue. Love you, too," bye, ending the call with my mom. Reggie says, "So, we heading back to Kanto?" I say, "Kanto's a no-go. Mom said it was legal stuff. Reggie, maybe you should sit down." Connor then bursts through the doors & says, "Holy Moltres! This is so unreal!" I'm about to ask, but Connor says, "Here, here," handing us each a device that bears a striking resemblance to a cell phone. Reggie says, "A cell phone?" Connor says, "Better than the PokéNav. Well, according some reports which are opinion-based. These are used in Kanto & Johto. It's a Pokégear. I just got an upgrade for mine!" I say, "Then, wow. Oh, Reggie, listen. Your folks, they're going through the divorce process. I don't know the details or anything, but, we're here for you." Reggie starts to cry, but fights it. I say, "Let it out, bud. Just let it out." Reggie says, "He won't hurt us anymore. I get that. What if something happens to Mom before 4 years from now? Who would Paul & I go to?" I say, "I'm sure Aunt Felina's planning something, should anything happen to her before you turn 18. We'll be here." Reggie gets up & starts to come to what happens. Connor says, "Come on. If anyone on your Dad's side would take you & Paul, I'm sure it'd be interesting. There's Uncle Ken, Uncle Palmer, Uncle Darach & Uncle Alex!" I deadpan, "Keep in mind though, Mom & Dad have their hands full already. I read this paper, it's called a will & Uncle Giovanni's states that should anything happen to him or Aunt Felina, then custody would be rewarded to whichever of his brothers has the most kids. That's my dad, with 6. Reg, it'd be crazy fun, though. Sure, I'd have to share my room, but I wouldn't care. I mean, our house is different. 4 bedrooms. Mom & Dad's, Leni & Liana's, Evan's & Jake's, & mine & Derek's." I let him soak that in, before continuing, "Then, there's Mom's side. Mom, Aunt Argenta, Uncle Zeke, Uncle Levi, & Aunt Rachel." Reggie says, "Should things happen, I'd be okay with Uncle Alex & Aunt Sam, Uncle Zeke & Aunt Maureen, Uncle Palmer & Aunt Patricia, & Uncle Ken & Aunt Argenta. I love everyone, but still. I mean, I spent my first 9 years of life in Veilstone City. Then Paul was born, then we moved to Valencia Island. I think. My memory's pretty rough. I'd be fine living in Sinnoh again if I needed to, be it with Uncle Ken & Aunt Argenta in Canalave City or Uncle Palmer & Aunt Patricia in Twinleaf Town. Nothing's wrong here, but Kanto or Sinnoh; if I have a say." Connor says, "Hey, what matters is that Aunt Felina gets custody of you & Paul. Right now, we've gotta conquer Hoenn!" I say, "CT's right. Let's go & get our Heat Badges!" We go to do so, leaving matters in the hands of Kanto's legal system. Considering my Uncle Giovanni's personality, there's no doubt in my mind that custody goes to Aunt Felina.
(The same day, 10:00 am, Goldenrod Galleria, Derek's P.O.V.)
I make the first call on my new Pokégear. It rings & a little voice says, "Matthews home. Tate speaking." I say, "Tater, what are you doing at my house?" My nickname for Tate is Tater. He grumbles something, before handing the phone to Arceus-knows-who. A young voice says, "Derek's on the phone, aunt Izzy!" I hear my mom say, "Alright, I'm coming, Liza." Liza says, "Derek, how come I can't see you?" I say, "I'm on my Pokégear. Where are my siblings?" Liza says, "I think Trent's home in," I say, "He's in Hoenn." She raises her voice & says, "I meant home in Hoenn, dummy! Fine," before passing the phone, again. The next voice I hear is Jacob's. He says, "That wasn't very nice, Liza. They're still in Lavaridge Town. Right now, Aunt Rach is with Aunt Felina. Uncle Jin is at the Gym in her absence, should any challenger show up. Liza's playing with Liana, Tate went back to playing with Evan & the phone ringing woke Leni up. She's just so, I don't know with her, but Paul's got a knack at calming her down." I say, "Uh, what about the gym? As in our gym? If Mom's home, isn't Dad?" Jacob says, "Dad's home. They got the day off, right now he's out. Here, mom," handing the phone to the person I want to talk to. Mom says, "Leni, Paul, please stay in my sight. How's Goldenrod? Did you win, yet?" I say, "No, I thought I'd call home, first. So, you & Dad have the day off?" Mom says, "I wouldn't have expected detail from an 8-year-old. We've got the morning off. As soon as my parents show up, your father & I are going to work. I can see your father's car now, but I'm not disconnecting. You're about to hear the reason why Leni doesn't like cough syrup. Judging from your tone of voice, young man, I'm not the person you really wanted to talk to." I say, "Mom, it's a," before I can finish, I hear my father say, "Kadabra, I choose you!" Mom says, "Paul, this won't be pretty. If you want, you can go outside." Jake says, "Leni, come on, I thought you would've outgrown this!" As the call progresses, I hear my younger sister fighting & a thud. Dad says, "Hey, champ. No, I thought I'd let your mom handle this. So, who's the girl?" I blush & thank Arceus, I'm not on videophone because Dad would go overboard, calling all his brothers; except for Uncle Vanni. I say, "Her name's Whitney, but that's not why I called. I-I'm worried. About Paul & Reggie. What if something bad happens to Aunt Felina? They'll get hurt!" Dad sighs & says, "My brother's gone too far. I tried to reason with him, but it was no good. Son, you know how I've brought up Team Rocket to you, Reggie, Trent & a few of your older cousins?" I'm confused as to why he's bringing it up now. I say, "Yeah? They're supposed to be thieves. Dad, I'll lock everything up, no sweat." Dad deadpans, "It's a family business." I sink into the bench, worried.
(Matthews residence, Viridian City, Alex's P.O.V.)
I say, "Derek, you still there?" He says, "So, we're a part of Team Rocket?" I say, "No, no you're not. Your younger siblings & cousins will get that talk when they're older. You know I'm the youngest of 5 & your grandma Ruth wasn't exactly in the 'best part' of Lumiose City, right?" He says, "I guess. What are you saying, Dad?" I say, "Derek, your grandma Ruth founded Team Rocket & in her will, she had a simple message regarding the family business: leave it up to one of my brat-boys. She called all of us that, mostly your Uncle Giovanni & I, though. All I know is that after the divorce, your Uncle Giovanni is going to be the new boss of Team Rocket." He says, "So, in all those stories Tyler told me, 'Madame Boss' was Grandma?" I chuckle a little & say, "Was isn't the word. She still is 'Madame Boss'. That's what your grandpa Neil would call her when they were dating & somewhere along the line, she decided it'd be her nickname, even to the death. Just go for it, son," & hang up. I walk back in, a tad disgusted. I'm just staring off into space when I hear Paul say, "Uncle Alexander?" I look down at my nephew & say, "What's up, bud?" He says, "What's wrong with Leni? She sick?" I say, "No. It's just her asthma. She's had it since she was born. Until she's your age, she can't take any pills. So, for preventing an asthma attack, she's gotta drink Cheri Berry cough syrup. When she's sick, it's Rinka Berry cough syrup. Does that make sense?" Despite his head trauma, my nephew is still smart enough to understand. He nods, as I hear a car pull up.
(Same place, an hour later, Paul's P.O.V.)
I'm trying to cheer my energetic cousin up, but I'm not having much luck. I love my cousins, a lot. The triplets, especially. They're all energetic but in their own ways. Liana's a girly girl, talking to Liza about who knows what. Evan's just running around with Grandpa & Grandma's Pokémon, Tate's trying to keep up. It's something about his energy that annoys me. Leni says, "Paul, you're lucky." I say, "How so?" She says, "You don't have asthma. It's no fun." I think of what my uncle just told me & say, "Leni, look on the bright side." She looks at me & says, "What bright side?" I say, "In a year, you won't have to drink that Cheri Berry cough syrup anymore. I hope you don't get sick. Five years from now, sure, most kids are getting their starters, but, I don't think I'll do that. I like having you around. I might get my starter at 10, but I'll wait a year, so we can travel & compete together." She stares at me, smiles, & says, "At least you understand."
Author's Note: Done! So, yes, Giovanni & Felina are in the divorce process. Reviews & votes please! Also, if you're wondering about the Cheri & Rinka Berry stuff, well, that'd be a PM topic. Until next time, dear readers. Rinka Berries are featured in a side story episode.