Reunion

Zoey couldn't believe that after months of traveling, she was finally on her way back home to Pallet Town. "It's been a long time since that first day, huh Charizard?"

"Rouw."

"You've really grown a lot. I can't believe how long it's been since I have visited home. So much has happened. I've captured so many wonderful Pokemon, made a lot of friends, and faced a lot of challenges."

Eevee was looking up at the sky off towards the side. "Eevee!"

Zoey turned in the direction and her eyes widened. "That…that is…a Legendary Bird!"

From a distance, Articuno was flying in the opposite direction, leaving a glittering trail as it flew, its long tail swaying gracefully with the wind. "It's such a beautiful Pokemon. Oh, I should get data on it!"

"Articuno, the Freeze Pokemon. A legendary bird Pokemon, it can create blizzards by freezing moisture in the air."

"How elegant it looks while it flies! Oh this is so cool! I've seen Articuno and Zapdos earlier on in my journey. I wonder when I'll see Moltres?"

Pallet Town was on the horizon and Charizard started to fly lower.

The girl could see the few homes getting bigger and bigger as they descended toward the Pokemon Lab, Charizard landing softly in front of the doorway. Eevee jumped off and Zoey did the same, stretching. "We're finally here!" she said happily.

"Rouw!"

"Eevee!"

"I'm so excited! Let's go inside girls!"

Zoey pushed open the glass door and walked inside with Eevee and Charizard following. She missed the smell of the laboratory. It wasn't really describable, but it made her feel comfortable. She walked up to the table where the Pokeballs of the three starters used to reside. She smiled as she touched the surface, feeling nostalgic.

"Remember when we first met Charizard? You were just a tiny little Charmander."

The Pokemon nodded with a smile.

"You were so sweet and adorable, and now you're big and strong! We've really come a long way, don't you think?"

"Rouw!" she said with a grin.

Zoey giggled and adjusted the pink bow on Charizard's head. This was her best friend, who took care of her all throughout her journey, and gave Zoey the confidence she needed to move forward. She never regretted getting last pick of Pokemon. In all honesty, she would have been fine with either of the three, but if she could start all over, she would decline, because she made the right choice in picking Charmander.

"Zoey! You're here!"

She turned around to that familiar voice. Upon seeing Professor Gary, she ran to him and gave him a big hug. "Professor!"

He laughed and pet her head. "Well that was a warm greeting!"

"Sorry, it's just I missed you!"

"Ha ha, same here." He glanced over at Charizard and walked over to her. "Wow, you've grown Charmander!"

Charizard bashfully played with her claws as she smiled.

"You definitely look a lot stronger. Been training and taking care of Zoey huh?"

The Pokemon nodded in agreement and gave a content cry. Eevee looked up at the professor and blinked. He noticed and knelt down to pet her. "You must be the Pokemon Zoey had saved from the Rockets huh?"

Eevee smiled as she was being petted, wagging her tail. "Are you going to evolve her?"

"Who, Eevee?"

"Yes. As of right now, she can evolve into seven different forms."

"That's a lot! But…I don't know if I want to evolve her. I sorta like the way she is right now."

"And that's perfectly fine too." He picked up the Eevee and carried her in his arms, remembering when he first obtained the same species.

"Well, let's go into the computer room. Your Pokemon are waiting for you!"

Zoey excitedly followed Professor Gary to the specified room and beamed when she saw all her companions.

"Look who came to visit everyone," said the man. The Pokemon turned and saw their Trainer. Omanyte was the first one to rush at her, using Rollout to gain speed. He jumped into her arms, crying. Zoey laughed and pet his shell.

"Oh did you really miss me that much Omanyte? It's okay. I'm here now so don't worry about a thing!"

The rest of her Pokemon ran up to her to give their Trainer affection, Zoey laughing happily, having missed her companions. She took out the Pokeballs from her belt and released the remaining species into the lab. Professor Gary immediately walked up to Aerodactyl.

"So this is your Aerodactyl, huh?"

"Well, not mine technically since it was from the Old Amber. I have to take her back to the Pewter Museum to show them what I found. But I would like to keep her…"

Aerodactyl slowly walked around the room, looking at all the things the professor had. He smiled to himself and asked, "I'm guessing she's a curious one?"

"Yeah, she's still adjusting to the future I guess!"

"Well, even though your Pokemon seem to be afraid of her, I'm sure they'll get used to the idea that she's on your team now. Oh that reminds me! Zoey come outside. I have something to show you."

The girl followed the man, her Pokemon trailing behind her like ducklings. He held open the back door for her, and when she stepped outside, she gasped. A large Pokemon was lounging on the grass, scratching his belly.

"Snorlax!" she shouted as she ran to him. The large creature recognized her voice and stood up, smiling. She crashed into his soft belly and hugged him, at least as far as her arms would go. He gently hugged her back, happy to see his master again.

"I missed you!" Zoey turned to Professor Gary. "How did he get here?"

"Well I called the Safari Zone and asked if they could transport him here. They allowed me to do this, so here he is! Oh, and I also picked up some other friends along the way."

Zoey felt something tug on her skirt. She looked to her right and saw Clefable opening her arms for a hug. "Clef!"

"Clefable!" she cried as she embraced her. "You picked her up too?"

"Yes, I retrieved all of your Pokemon for you!"

"But what about Hitmonchan? He's still in Saffron healing at the Pokemon Center."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I called the Cianwood City Pharmacy to see if they had any medicine that would help him."

"Cianwood City?"

"Yes, it's a beachside city in Johto."

"Oh wow. So were they able to find anything?"

"Yes, they were. I ordered some Secret Potion which is only available in the most severe of cases. I explained to them how badly damaged Hitmonchan was, so they allowed me to purchase it."

"Professor, you shouldn't have! I bet it was expensive!"

"Well not really. Because it's rarely used, it's not too pricey. Plus, because I'm a professor, I get discounts."

"Oh… Well, thank you anyway! Did it work? Is Hitmonchan better?"

"Ask him yourself." He took out a Pokeball from his pocket and released the Pokemon inside. The light cleared to show Hitmonchan, standing and looking as healthy as ever.

"H…Hitmonchan!" Zoey cried, tears forming in her eyes.

The Pokemon smiled and waved. She ran up to him and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you're better!" He gave her head a pat and smiled in return.

She stood back and looked at all her Pokemon. She definitely had a strong bunch, even if they weren't all evolved. And to think, I'm one badge away. Soon I'll be able to go to the Indigo Plateau and fight to become the Kanto League Champion!

"Zoey, have you visited home yet?"

"No, not yet. I wanted to come here first," she said as she pet Rapidash's snout. "But I'm gonna surprise mom. I think I'll go over to grandma's first and help her make a surprise dinner!"

"That sounds like a lovely idea."

"Yeah, it'll be great! Oh, you can come too! And Gary, if he even wants to have anything to do with me anymore."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Ever since the incident at Silph, he's been acting strange towards me. One moment he's nice and the next he's back to being…well, Gary!" She crossed her arms. "I have no idea what's up with him but his attitude is starting to get on my nerves."

The professor knew exactly what was going on. "Well, I'm positive he'll come around."

"I sure hope so."

She turned around when she heard shouting from the back room, getting closer and closer.

"Jessica, not now."

"You have to tell me!"

"Look, it's none of your business!"

"It's affecting you so of course it's my business! Don't you understand how much I care about you?"

"I understand you like to spread rumors that I'm your boyfriend!"

"Look, I only did that because—"

Gary shook his head as he exited to the backyard. He gave a laugh. "Because you love me or something?"

"Yes!" she blurted out.

He looked at the blonde with surprise in his expression. "What?"

The professor cleared his throat, Zoey just as uncomfortable as he was. "Children."

His son and Jessica turned to face him. The boy practically went pale when he saw Zoey standing there, her Pokemon all around her. Fiddling with her fingers, she told the professor awkwardly, "You know what, I'm just gonna…gonna go and visit my family," she said, pointing back to the lab with her thumb. She returned her current party back into their capsules. "Uh, maybe I'll go see Joey too. I'm hoping he's home already."

She got on Charizard's back, opting to fly out instead of walking past the bickering couple. Eevee hopped on. "I'll come back later to tell you about the dinner." The large winged Pokemon shot up into the sky and took off. Gary watched her as she flew away.

"Darn it." He looked at his father. "Why didn't you tell me she was here?"

"I didn't want to disturb the talk you and Jessica were having," he replied nonchalantly. "Anyway I'll leave you two alone. Omanyte needs his shell to be polished."

The ancient Pokemon hopped onto his side and crawled up to his shoulder, shying away from the other two. The rest went back to being inconspicuous as the professor returned inside the lab.

Jessica continued where she left off. "I was being serious Gary. I honestly…truly…love you."

"Then if that's the case, why have you been mean to Zoey for so long, knowing she's my best friend?"

"Because…because I was always jealous of the relationship you two had! Excuse me for being human!"

"You're excused from feeling that way, but not from your actions. You almost caused her to die on the—"

"Stop bringing that up! I never meant for that to happen! I don't dislike Zoey that much that I would want to kill her!"

"But being jealous of our friendship still doesn't give you an excuse to pick on her so much!"

"Well I'm sorry okay? I just…" Her fists clenched at her sides. "I just wanted you to like me…as much as you like her…"

"Look, I don't like her that way—"

"YES YOU DO! STOP LYING TO ME!"

Gary was taken aback, even becoming a little nervous at her outburst. Jessica was on the verge of tears.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I'm oblivious? I can tell Gary. Ever since a few years ago I've been observant, and I know you like her. The incident at Silph proved it to me. You care a lot more about her than you let on."

"Then if that's what you believe, why do you insist on pursuing me?"

"Because she doesn't like you back! She likes Joey, not you! I see the way she looks at him, and the looks he gives her!"

"Ha! I highly doubt it. How is it possible she's known him for a few days and then becomes infatuated with him all of a sudden?"

"Sometimes that's just what happens to people!" She calmed her tone. "You can't be like him."

"My Pokemon are just as strong as his, maybe even stronger."

"It's not about the Pokemon. It's about the person. You're not Joey."

"And you're not Zoey."

She bit her lip. "So that's it then? You do like her?"

"I never said that. Stop assuming—"

"And I said stop lying to me! Just tell me already! What does she have that I don't, huh? I'm beautiful, I'm popular with people, I'm sociable, I have a strong team, I'm a good person despite everything! Why do you like her so much?"

He clenched his teeth and then shouted, "I don't like her!"

"Gary told you to STOP LYING TO—"

"I love her, okay?!"

Jessica stood silent.

"I don't know when it happened, how it happened, or why it happened. But it's the truth. Don't go spreading it around, otherwise I'll be very upset with you. It was never your business to get involved with my life, but you did, so there's nothing that can be done about that. I gave you the information you wanted, now will you stop bothering me about it?"

She scowled, her fists clenched at her sides. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "I'll stop bothering you about it, yes, but…but I'm not going to give up."

He sighed. "Jessica…look—"

"No, you look Gary. I'm…going to prove I can be just as good as her. You may not like me now…or within six months…or next year…but…I'm not going to give up. I care about you too much for me to do that…" She didn't say another word and left the lab.

"And to think being a Pokemon Trainer caused all of this…"

"I'm so glad your home!" Delia said. She was cooking a dinner with Zoey. "Your mother is going to be so surprised!"

"I know! I just hope she doesn't come to visit unexpectedly today."

"Your Pokemon are so cute. They seem pretty strong too!"

"Don't they? They've saved my butt a lot of times during my journey. Hey grandma, I invited the professor over. Is that okay?"

"Of course! Is Gary coming too?"

"I dunno. He's been weird lately. Oh grandma! I need to tell you about my new friend Joey!"

"Ah yes, I've seen him recently! He just returned about a day ago."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Can I invite him to the dinner?"

"But of course."

"Thanks!"

Within two hours or so, dinner was prepared. "Zoey, why don't you go and invite everyone. I'll finish the dessert."

"Are you sure?"

Delia nodded, and with that, Zoey ran out the door back to the lab. When she got there, she looked for the professor but didn't find him inside. She went out back. "Oh, professor!"

"Yes?"

"Dinner is ready! Grandma and I made plenty of food so I hope you like it."

"I'm sure it'll be delicious." He smiled. "Let me just get my jacket. I'll be right back." Zoey stood outside playing with her Pokemon. She really did miss them.

The professor walked upstairs to his room to get his jacket. He knocked on Gary's door. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah."

He found his son sitting by the window, looking down outside, his head resting on his fist while his arm supported him. The man walked up to him and took a look.

"She's gotten a lot stronger, hasn't she?"

"Yeah, I guess. I haven't battled her recently, but at Silph, she showed a lot of growth."

"She'll be a formidable opponent when the time comes to enter the League."

"Yeah."

"She's having a dinner tonight you know, in just a few minutes actually. She invited us. Would you like to come?"

"I dunno."

He sighed. "I know you like her." His son looked at him a bit surprised. "You can't hide that from me Gary. If this is about that Joey boy—"

"It's not okay? What, are you insinuating I feel threatened or something? Well I don't. Zoey can like whoever she wants."

"There's no need to get so angry over it."

"I can beat his ass any day…" he mumbled.

"Well, I'm going to be at Delia's house eating. If you'd like to join us, just stop by." He left the room. Gary watched as his father walked up to Zoey telling her he was ready. She said goodbye to her Pokemon for now and the two of them walked away.

"I need to train."

Joey and his mother showed up a little after the professor and Zoey did.

"I'm so happy to see you again!" Zoey said. The boy smiled bashfully.

"Same here!"

"You ready to take on the last Gym?"

"Yeah, I've been training specifically for it! What about you?"

"Well I haven't done much training, but that's what I'm going to do starting tomorrow!"

"Great! Maybe…we can have a practice battle?"

Her eyes lit up. "Of course!"

Delia rushed to them. "Your mom is coming! Zoey, hide!" The girl hid out back just as May walked inside with drinks.

"Oh, Delia, you didn't tell me you were having company over." She waved at everyone. "I would've brought more drinks."

"That's fine, I have some extra in the fridge."

"Is there a special occasion?" asked May as she looked at the table. "There's a lot of food here." Something caught her attention on the couch.

"Who's Eevee is that? Did you get one Delia?"

"Oh, no I'm fine with Mimey. But I can show you who it belongs to."

May felt somebody poke her shoulder. She turned around and found Zoey standing there. "Hi mom, I'm home."

"ZOEY!" she cried. She dropped everything she was holding and hugged her daughter. Luckily Joey and Professor Gary caught them before they hit the floor. "I'm so happy you're back!"

The girl laughed. "Me too! I missed you!"

"Oh sweetie I missed you too, more than you can imagine! How long are you here for?"

"Well I need the last badge, and then I'm going to train to defeat the Elite Four!"

"That's great! So this dinner…?"

"Is from me since I'm back and I missed grandma's cooking! I helped!"

May smiled and kissed her daughter's head. "Well, better not let this food get cold!"

The room was filled with contentment as they ate. The adults asked Joey and Zoey to talk about their adventures, and that was all they spoke about throughout the whole dinner, until the moon was out and the stars were shining.

Joey's mom thanked Delia. "It was wonderful getting to know all of you! And the food was delicious!"

"Oh thank you," she smiled. "You can come and visit any time."

The woman began walking back home, reminding Joey not to be out too late.

May, Delia, and Professor Gary stood inside talking having dessert and coffee. Zoey was outside sitting with Charizard watching the stars.

"Is this seat taken?" Joey asked. The girl giggled. "No." He sat on her other side.

"It's hard to believe it's almost over."

"What is?"

"The journey."

"Here at least. I plan to go to the other regions!"

"I know, but here, our home. We'll be away even longer when we go to Johto."

"That's true… But, we've made it this far on our own. I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Yeah."

She fiddled with her skirt. "Joey?"

"Yes?"

"…did you…still want a relationship after this?"

His face flushed. "Uh…w-well…"

"I-I-I'm asking because I want to travel to the other regions and enter the leagues there too… That's a good few more years…"

"…I have similar feelings…" He looked at her, his cheeks still red. "But I can wait."

She smiled. "Me too."

"So…battle tomorrow?"

"You bet. I'm gonna kick your butt."

"We'll see Ketchum, we'll see."

Charizard smiled.

Zoey bid her friend farewell as she walked him halfway down the road to his house. The professor had left around the same time he did. Inside the lab, he found Gary going through his Pokedex.

"Zoey's outside if you want to talk with her."

"…"

"You can't stay upset forever Gary. You're going to have to speak with her someday. Joey isn't a bad kid you know. She's really fond of him and he seems like a really good Trainer."

"A frail-hearted one."

He sighed. "If that's what you want to believe, fine. But Zoey's on to something. You are being a jerk."

Gary looked a little saddened as his father walked away. He contemplated that last sentence. "…she thinks I'm a jerk?"

He got up from his seat and walked outside, catching her before she started back home.

"Hey, Zoey."

"Oh…Gary. Hi."

"…glad you're home."

"Yeah…I'm glad I'm home too."

The silence was very uncomfortable and awkward.

"Look…I wanted to apologize…for my behavior lately."

"…oh, well, apology accepted."

"I guess…" He huffed. "I guess I was just jealous of how good a friend Joey was to you…"

"Why?"

"Because you've been my best friend since we were like five."

"And you thought I'd replace you?"

"Yeah."

"Gary, I wouldn't do that to you. Though you have gotten more obnoxious and competitive, that doesn't mean I don't like you anymore. You're my rival and I'm determined to beat you, but you're also my closest friend, and I'd never replace you."

He smiled. "Thanks. You're my closest friend too." Should I say it…?

"Zoey?"

"Mm?"

"…uhm…" He scratched the back of his head. "There's something…that…that I wanted…" His face grew pink.

"That you wanted…what?"

She looked at him inquisitively with big blue eyes. She was so cute, he couldn't stand to look at her directly.

"…I wanted to ask if you were okay from the Silph incident." Coward.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine now. Thanks for…being there with me. I didn't feel so alone."

"No problem. That's what friends do, right?"

"Right." More awkward silence. "So I'm gonna head home now. Tomorrow morning Joey and I are gonna have a practice battle to kickstart our training for the next Gym, and the Pokemon League. Do you…want to join?"

"No thanks. I have my own plans."

"Oh, okay. Well, good night Gary."

"Night Zoey."

He watched her walk away and sighed heavily.

"Still not the right time."

Zoey was in her bed, brushing her hair before heading off to sleep. Eevee was curled next to her.

"It feels great to be back home. But it also feels great to know I'm super close to entering the Kanto League at the Indigo Plateau. We've made it far Eevee."

"Vee."

She set her brush down on the nightstand and tucked herself in to her bed. Eevee flopped into her arms and cuddled against her.

"We're gonna be great Eevee. I can feel it. Kanto League Champions. Doesn't that sound nice?"

"Vee!"

"Yeah." She scratched her between the ears. "Well, better get some shut eye. Night Eevee."

She turned off the lamp on the nightstand and drifted off to sleep.

A/N: Woah, look who's still alive and kickin'. I haven't updated this story in two years. I deeply apologize for that, but I had a severe case of writer's block for anything anime-related. Instead I've been writing things for the webcomic Homestuck but that's beside the point. So I estimate this story will have...about five or so more chapters before it finally finishes. I have to look over this fic to see what Pokedex entries are done and edit some content in a few chapters. I hate my past writing...

Hopefully now that I've finally updated this story, I'll get crackin' on the others since they're so close to being completed. I spent the entire morning studying and then finishing this chapter up for you guys. It's noon and it's about lunch time. The library is getting crowded and my laptop has to charge... Plus, I'm hungry, so time for some food! I have a quiz for sociology, my next class, so I better review for that. Anyway, gotta go. Thanks for your patience, reading, and reviewing!