Misty had just finished battling an angry twelve-year-old. He was upset for losing, insisting Misty had cheated by using steroids on her Staryu.
"My Pokémon beat yours fair and square! Now stop yelling at me and get lost!" Misty asserted.
"You're a cheater and a bitch!" the kid yelled.
"Garrrrr!" his Garchomp growled.
"Get out of my gym!" Misty called back. "And don't come back!"
"What's going on?" Annastasia asked as the group entered the gym.
"Oh…I didn't see ya there…hi…"
"Hey, kid!" Amber yelled, running towards the boy. "Who do you think you are, screaming at my mom? Get out before I make you!"
"Pichuuuu!" Pip added nastily.
Amber was about to charge at the boy with her bow, but Annastasia and Jay held her back.
"Amber, we got this," said Misty. She turned to the referee. "Yasmine, can you show him out?"
"Sure," the teen responded.
"I don't wanna stay anyway," said the kid. "You're a horrible gym leader and a cheater."
The boy and his Garchomp stomped out of the gym. He slammed the door on his way out.
"That kid reminds me of my youth," said Michio, breaking the silence.
"I'm sure he does," Annastasia chuckled.
The tension rescinded.
"Who was that?" Soledad asked.
"Some random kid trying to earn his Cascade Badge. He lost all three of his Pokémon on my Staryu, and he was convinced that I had it on steroids. I told him it was just really experienced and he just needed more practice, and he lost it…this happens more often than you'd think… Anyway, I'm ready to battle," said Misty. "Who's next?"
"Me," Jay replied. "Uh, I think."
"Nah, you don't think," Amber said as she rubbed his shoulders. "You know."
"We should get your parents," said Misty. "I'm actually surprised they're not already here…"
"They can't come," Jay sighed.
"Oh…really?"
"They were called to another mission," Annastasia explained. "It was really urgent and last minute. They said they tried to get out of it, but Giovanni really needs them in particular. We just found out."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Well—we can tell them all about it."
Misty tried not to show it, but she was concerned. Ash had also been called to headquarters suddenly. She wondered if it was for the same reason.
"Logan and I can record it," Lily suggested.
"Perfect," said Annastasia.
Lily and Logan took out the videophones and looked for the best position for filming. Jay and Misty agreed to a normal Single Battle, then ascended the trainers' platforms. Yasmine announced the official Cerulean Gym rules. Jocelyn led the cheerers, pom-poms and flags in hand.
"I choose Starmie," Misty announced.
"I choose Togetic," said Jay. "Okay, Bud—use Psychic!"
"Light Screen, then Astonish!"
Togetic eluded Starmie's Astonish attack but his Psychic barely penetrated the Light Screen Starmie erected for protection.
"Come on, Jay! You can beat her! She isn't that tough!" Amber called out.
"Pichuuuuu!"
"Some daughter you are!" said Misty. "Starmie, Astonish and a rapid Waterfall!"
"Astonish and Waterfall are Attack moves," said Soledad. "Misty's using those instead of Special Attack moves because Togetic's Defense stats are below-average."
"How do you know?" said Takeshi.
"Scan Togetic with your Pokédex—all his stats are listed. Then I inferred based on the information available."
"You inf—what?"
"Just focus on Jay," said Amber. "Wooo hoo! Go, Jay!"
"Jay, Jay, Jay!" Jocelyn chanted.
"Fla, Fla, Fla!"
Starmie's next move was Zen Headbutt, which Togetic dodged six times before one finally hit. Despite, the damage done, Togetic shook it off.
"Cosmic Power—raise the defense!" Jay instructed. "Then we need to confuse it!"
After Cosmic Power, Togetic used Psybeam to confuse Starmie. The bemused water-type damaged itself twice in a row and issued several Waterfall attacks that hit the walls and floor instead of Togetic.
"This is the longest I ever saw Togetic battle with a single opponent," said Annastasia.
"Togetic and Jay have been working super hard," said June. "He's so focused, so dedicated."
"He always wins in our practice battles now," said Takeshi.
"He's so soft on the inside, you'd never think he'd pick up battling so easily," said Soledad.
"That's my Jay! Annihilate her!" Amber cheered.
"Pichuuuu!"
They continued to cheer. Togetic's Defense and Special Defense stats were as high as they could go, though it was inexplicable how the Pokémon continued to hold on for as long as it did, even with a drained HP and paralysis.
Togetic was hanging by a thread when Jay called him back for good.
"Togetic is permanently out of the match!" Yasmine announced. "Round one goes to Gym Leader Misty and Starmie!"
"Too bad," Jocelyn sighed.
"Fla feee."
"Togetic did super awesome though..."
"Fla!"
"That match was tough on him," said Nolan. "He's real fighter that one."
"And we know Jay's proud. I wonder who he'll use next," said Lexi.
"I pick Goldeen!" Jay announced, releasing the Pokémon.
"Awe! I love Goldeen," Misty cooed. "I can tell yours is healthy."
"Thanks. Nurse Joy said she was good to go. This is our first official battle."
"Then let's make it a good one."
Misty tossed Jay a pair of goggles and a breathing apparatus. They stripped down to their bathing suits and joined their Pokémon in the pool. Their audience ran down the steps to the viewing area so that they could witness the underwater match.
"Goldeen, Quick Attack!" Jay instructed.
"Starmie, Counter!" Misty countered.
"Tail Whip!"
"Reflect!"
"I can't understand what they're saying," said Jocelyn.
"Flaafy fla."
"But the Pokémon can understand, and that's what's important," said Logan.
"Starmie used Reflect, which is similar to Light Screen, but unlike Light Screen, Reflect reduces the damage from physical attacks," said Soledad. "Now it's trying to use some kind of tackling move, but Goldeen keeps evading it."
"It's soooo fast," said Takeshi. "Now I wish I had one!"
"It's beautiful," said June. "I bet Jay appreciates that."
"He does," Amber confirmed. "Look, Starmie's about to keel!"
With their faces pressed against the glass, the children and Pokémon watched Starmie faint, securing Goldeen the victory.
"Starmie is unable to battle!" Yasmine determined. "Round two goes to Challenger Jay of Pallet Town and his Goldeen!"
"Whoa, yay Jay!" Jocelyn hooted.
"Flaaaaa!"
"That decoration defeated Starmie!" Lily commented, astounded.
"I can't believe my ears and eyes!" Lily and Logan exclaimed in unison.
"I believe it," said Annastasia. "Good job, Jay!"
Jay gave his friends and sisters a thumbs' up, which they immediately returned. Without either of them leaving the water, Misty sent out Seaking.
"That's Goldeen's evolution," Soledad announced.
"We know," Takeshi and Amber said together.
"Seaking's a lot bigger than Goldeen," June noted. "Will Jay be okay?"
"Only one way to find out," said Rita.
"Goldeen, use Quick Attack then Tail Whip," Jay instructed.
"Dodge and use Megahorn," Misty countered.
Seaking was just as swift as Goldeen, and it dodged every single one of Goldeen's attempts to land a direct hit. Goldeen got the tail end of Megahorn but was otherwise successful at evading every attack. This continued for several rounds.
"They're playing keep-away," said Jocelyn. "Ha!"
"Flaafy!"
"Seaking knows Thunderbolt," Soledad murmured as she studied her Pokédex. "Why doesn't she use it?"
"Because they're both underwater, and while my mom has a rubber-infused suit, Jay doesn't," said Amber. "She cares enough to not kill my best friend."
"Hey, Amb knew something you didn't," Takeshi noted.
Soledad sighed. "Sure, I suppose…"
"She's going easy on him," Michio remarked.
"For the sake of not killing him," Amber retorted. "Doesn't count."
"Hey! Get out of the water!"
Michio gestured for Jay to rise to the surface, which he did. Misty too.
"Oh…what it is?" Jay asked, stunned that Michio was pausing their battle.
"Misty, your Seaking can't use all it's moves underwater," said Michio. "It'd be fairer if the battle was moved above the surface."
"I can win with a handicap," Misty replied.
"I don't understand," said Jay.
"Don't worry about it," said Rita. "Just go back underwater."
"We'll explain later," said Nolan.
"Or Michio will," Lexi mumbled.
"Um, uh, okay," Jay replied, still not understanding.
When the battle resumed, Jay had Goldeen try Megahorn, only to discover then as was true during their practice, the move was still underdeveloped. However, with two Quick Attacks, Seaking received major damage.
"That Goldeen is golden!" Jocelyn gushed. "Go, Jay and Goldeen! You rule!"
"Flaaaa!"
"Seaking is out of the match!" Yasmine declared. "Round three goes to Challenger Jay of Pallet Town and Goldeen!"
"Yay, Jay!" Jocelyn screamed. "You're a hero! Hahaha!"
"Flaafy flaa flaa!"
"I knew you could do it!" Amber shouted. "You're so close! You can win this!"
"Go, Jay!" the rest of the audience cheered.
"It's too bad our parents aren't around to watch this one," Soledad commented after their applause died down. "My dad would have a lot to say about that fish."
"Jay sure got lucky finding a Goldeen with such great speed, but it's hard work that makes that fish a fighter," said Annastasia. "And though Jay's new to training Pokémon, I have a feeling this may be his calling."
"And your 'feelings' usually are eerily true," said Amber.
"Nice work, Jay! Only one more Pokémon to go and this battle is yours!" Nolan called out.
"Jay, I shouldn't have to say this, but I'm surprised," said Misty. "I've intentionally been using Pokémon several levels higher than yours and you're still beating me fair and square. You obviously take really good care of your Pokémon."
"Thanks. I really tried. Goldeen and Togetic too."
"As my last Pokémon, I choose Gyarados."
Jay was terrified of the sea monster, but did his best to swallow that fear and worked to make his voice not squeak as he told Goldeen to rest instead his Pokéball.
"That's my mom's most powerful gym Pokémon," said Amber. "Togetic's about level thirty, and Goldeen's gotta be less than that. Gyarados is level fifty."
"Jay's toast," said Takeshi.
"Not quite."
Jay looked at Amber, who nodded. She tossed him a Pokéball.
"Go Gyarados!" Jay announced.
"This'll be intense," Amber whispered. The others nodded. "Wait for it."
"This must be the Gyarados you and Amber caught," said Misty commented. "The same one Amber used earlier."
"This is her alright," Jay replied.
"Let the round begin!" Yasmine declared.
"Okay, Girl, use Hyperbeam!"
"Counter it with your own Hyperbeam!" Misty instructed.
The Gyarados stared at Jay for a few moments. It looked annoyed and distrustful, though Jay couldn't pinpoint her exact feelings. A second later she turned her attention to the battle and did as Jay asked.
"What was that look about?" Takeshi asked Lily and Logan.
"How should we know?" said Lily. "We can translate words, not read minds."
"Oh, yeah."
"Gyarados feels conflicted about having two trainers," said Annastasia.
"Apparently, A can read minds," said Logan.
"It's intuition, not mind reading."
"What's 'conflicted'?" Jocelyn asked, taking a break from the yelling.
"Gyarados wants to please both of them and is worried that she might fail."
"You're saying that beast is intimidated?" said Michio. "It's fucking enormous! It could eat them in one bite."
"She's still a Pokémon, still capable of vulnerability."
Meanwhile, the Hyperbeam attacks collided. The humans had to shield their eyes from the brightness of the attack.
"Bite!" Jay instructed.
"Surf!" said Misty.
Misty's Gyarados was a bit slower. It howled in pain and anger as the Pokémon latched onto its neck.
"Shadowball!" said Misty.
"Use Aqua Tail!" said Jay.
Misty's Gyarados was sent flying backward. Its rage grew, but its actual Rage attack had little effect.
"I wish I had a Gyarados," Soledad sighed. "Then I probably wouldn't lose all the time."
"Amb had a Gyarados and she still lost," said Takeshi.
"That was all luck," said Amber.
"If you won that match, you woulda said that it was all skill."
"Both those things are true," said Soledad.
"Hey, Girl, slow it down," Jay told his Pokémon. "You might hurt yourself…"
Gyarados ignored Jay. She roared loud enough to shake the walls, then began hurling beams in every direction. Then she used Poison Jab, more Aqua Tail, Earthquake, Ice Fang, Fire Fang, Thunder Fang, and even what Annastasia and the other teens and adults recognized as Draco Meter.
"Jay, return Gyarados immediately!" Annastasia called out to him.
"I'm trying!" Jay cried, clicking the useless Pokéball. "She won't go in!"
"What's going on?" Jocelyn asked.
"Flaafy?"
"I can't tell you for sure—what's important is that you get out of here. All of you," Annastasia said as she pointed to the kids. "Nolan, Lexi, Rita—"
"Ready when you are," Nolan said as he released his Blastoise.
"Ditto," Lexi said as she began releasing her team.
"And not without me," Rita said as she and Zorua stepped forward.
Michio didn't say anything, but he and Scarlett were poised for action.
Misty had a Soothe Bell, which was usually more than enough to clam any creature, but this Gyarados seemed to be immune to it. They then brought out Goldduck, who could normally easily hypnotize, but it was unsuccessful.
"Jay, Amber, it isn't safe," Annastasia told the kids when she noticed them still present in the gym.
"She's right, this Gyarados can hurt you," said Misty. "Amber, do as I say. Please. You too, Jay."
"But that's our Pokémon," Amber said as she pointed to the creature, who had just taken out several windows at once.
"Um, Misty's right," Jay said as he clutched Amber's arm. "They got this."
"Fine…"
"This is fucking insane," said Michio.
"Pikaaa chu," Scarlett nodded.
"Gyarados sometimes have tempers, but this is far beyond normal," said Misty. "Michio, Scarlett should try to paralyze it. I'll have some of my other psychic-types can help Goldduck hypnotize it. Venasaur can use Leech Seed and Ingrain to stabilize and weaken it."
"I'll have Blastoise try to communicate with it," said Nolan. "Blastoise and Gyarados tend to get along."
"Zorua can use Screech and Growl to lower its Defense and Attack," said Rita.
"Bleu, Lil-G, and Star can help with that," said Annastasia.
"It doesn't make sense," Amber said as she and the other kids looked through one of the gym's windows. "Gyarados was fine until now."
Jocelyn screamed as the Gyarados let out another Earth-shaking roar. A series of bright lights, caused by Hyperbeam and Scarlett's Thunder, filled the arena, leaving everyone momentarily blinded.
"Even though this is terrifying. It's still the coolest thing ever. I can't wait 'till I tell dad about it,"
Amber continued.
"What if they get hurt?" said June. "I'm so worried. Should we call someone?"
"A said she'll call officers if this gets out of control."
"It looks like it's already out of control," said Takeshi.
"No, I think they'll get it," said Soledad. "Gyarados is paralyzed. That's because of Scarlett."
"This is some interesting stuff," Lily commented. She and Logan still had their phones recording the scene.
"All this is on tape?" Amber asked as she and Jay stuck their faces in front of the camera.
"Ahem, we're trying to get Gyarados, not you," said Logan. "It's fighting through the paralysis."
Inside the gym, the eldest of the group were barely keeping it together in their fight against Gyarados.
"It keeps using Recover," Lexi observed.
"It used Stun Spore to paralyze over half my team," said Misty. "The monz I have out now I usually keep on reserve for gym battles only."
"I never saw a Pokémon act so angry before," said Rita. "And I've pissed off a lot of powerful Pokémon."
"It is just like those fusions…Wait…that's it!" said Annastasia. "Get Soledad, we need her Jigglypuff!"
"But Hypnosis isn't working," said Michio.
"Jigglypuff uses Sing, not Hypnosis. It's a fusion, and the only way to fight it is to soothe it!"
No one doubted Annastasia, and moments later, Soledad and the rest of their group had joined them inside.
"Jigglypuff, time to sing your song!" Soledad exclaimed. "Knock the crowd out!"
"Put these in," Misty ordered as she handed the trainers earplugs.
Everyone quickly shoved the earplugs into their ears. Jigglypuff sang her song, putting the Gyarados and some of the unprotected Pokémon to rest. Jocelyn, who was not quick enough with the earplugs, also fell asleep. Jay was finally able to get Gyarados to return to her Pokéball.
"I'm soooo sorry," Jay said as he looked amongst the group. "Soooo sorry."
"Me too," said Amber, though she seemed much less sincere. "Even though it wasn't our fault at all."
"No one's in trouble," said Misty. "We did what we needed to do. No one got hurt—and that's enough. However, I must take Gyarados. We think it may be a fusion."
"We? Who thinks that?"
"I do," said Annastasia.
"And me," said Rita.
"Ditto," said Nolan and Lexi.
"It didn't seem like a normal Pokémon to me either," said Michio.
"Pikaa," Scarlett agreed.
"It's super unfair that you're taking one of our strongest Pokémon," said Amber.
"It's for the best," said Annastasia.
"I wouldn't do it if it wasn't for your own good," Misty replied. "That monster could have gotten someone killed."
"We understand," Jay said as he handed Misty the Pokéball. "I'm really, really sorry."
"You're not going to resist at all?" Amber asked Jay.
"What's the point? She's right, and you know it too."
"I guesso…"
"I'll make it up to you," said Misty.
"How?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I will. Promise."
"I know this must be hard for you," Annastasia told the kids. "But you're doing the right thing. Maybe, someday, you and Gyarados can be united. But for now, let's not take that risk."
"All this drama makes for a good home video. Don't ya agree?" Lily said into the camera.
"It's my fault your gym got ruined," Jay lamented. "Some of your beautiful stained-glass windows are shattered, those tiles are cracked, there's water and mud everywhere, it looks like the air vent's dented, and—"
"—Jay, you're safe, and that's what matters," Misty interrupted. "Besides, your parents will pay for the damage, because I sure as hell can't afford it."
"But I caused this huge mess, and scared everyone, and hurt your Gyarados after you told me to return it—"
"Jay, relax, it's over," said Amber.
"Everything's gonna be alright," said Annastasia. "Misty, thanks for being so understanding. Everyone: let's work together and get this place cleaned up."
"Yes, Ma'am!" the kids saluted.
Everyone—minus Michio, who found a lounge chair and fell asleep—picked up the garbage cans and cleaning supplies from the closet and got to work.
"One more thing," Misty said as Jay and Amber began sweeping up the broken glass. "Here's your Cascade Badge. Congratulations."
Misty pressed the badge into his hand. Jay started at it, then looked up at her in disbelief.
"D-do I deserve this?" he asked. "Um, my Gyarados…we broke the rules…I think…and Amber helped me catch it in the first place…I didn't really earn this."
"I never give badges to people unless I feel they really deserve them. Trust me, you've earned this. Please take it," she insisted.
"Thank you! This means a lot. Of all the badges…I didn't think I'd get this one."
Amber and Jay clasped hands did their signature pose.
Lily made fun of them, and Jay and Amber vehemently argued back.
"And there you have it," Logan spoke into the videophone. "The story of how Jay got his Cascade Badge, Misty's gym nearly got destroyed, and we got stuck with cleanup duty. It's a good thing Lily and I were smart enough to record it."
"That's right" Lily added.
She flashed a peace sign into the camera before Logan shut it down.
XO
Annastasia picked up Jocelyn and Nolan took Flaafy, both of whom were still asleep from Jigglypuff's song, and moved them to the couch in the gym's rec room. The gang swept up debris, re-situated tables, chairs, chests, diving boards, and put away the equipment that had sprawled across the arena. The eldest of the group placed a tarp over the hole where some of the gym's signature stained glass windows once were.
"I'm exhausted too," Annastasia whispered to Lil-G as she laid Jocelyn beside Flaafy.
She was starting to get that feeling again and knew that soon she was going to start experiencing more visions.
'Shit,' she thought to herself, looking around. 'Where's Bleu?'
"A, are you okay?" Nolan asked as he touched her shoulder.
"Fine," Annastasia replied robotically. "I'm going for a short walk."
"Sure, you're okay?"
"Positive."
After Nolan left, Annastasia turned to Lil-G.
"Can you make sure no one comes in?" she requested.
Lil-G stood guard while Annastasia waited out her torture.
XO
"Where'd A go?" Lexi asked after a while.
"I haven't seen her in almost an hour," Jay replied. "I assumed she went with you and Rita to help Misty out back."
"Bleu's been here the whole time," said June. "She never goes far without him."
"And Jocelyn and Flaafy are still asleep on the couch," Nolan commented, peering in the window. He couldn't see Lil-G standing behind the door or Annastasia lying on the ground from where he was standing. "Last time I saw her, she said she wanted to take a walk, a short one—she didn't say where to."
"Call her phone," Misty suggested.
They dialed Annastasia's phone, only to discover that it fell out of her pocket at some point, either when she was battling Gyarados or carrying her sister to the rec room.
Everyone left the arena to look. After several minutes, by coincidence, Jay, Togetic, Michio, and Scarlett returned to the gym at the same time. No one else was around.
"Were you actually helping to look or were you just pretending?" Jay asked accusingly.
"I was looking," Michio retorted. "Why are you so stressed? She's practically an adult and couldn't have gone far—probably just on a fucking walk."
"I'm stressed out because…" Jay stopped, realizing that he probably shouldn't tell Michio about Annastasia's issues unless she said it was okay. "Because she's my sister and we look out for one another. You wouldn't understand because you don't care about other people."
"I care about other people," Michio responded. "Occasionally. Some people anyway. I care about her. And so do you. That's something else we have in common."
"What else do we have in common? …Is that about what you said that time…never mind—what does my sister have to do with it?"
"We'll pick up this conversation some other time. If you know what I know, then you know it's best to find her soon."
"Pikaaa," said Scarlett, pointing to the door of the rec room. "Pikachuuuu."
Lil-G came trotted towards them. She barked until they followed her.
"Oh, I should have realized," Jay sighed. He knelt beside Annastasia then turned to Michio. "Go away."
"No," said Michio said as he joined them on the ground. "Scarlett, I think you should do it."
"Pi," the Pokémon agreed.
"What's she doing?" Jay asked as Scarlett placed a paw on Annastasia's arm. "No, Scarlett!"
Scarlett fired a mild Thunderbolt at Annastasia before Jay could impede.
She sat up and looked at the two boys and Pokémon.
"This again," she mumbled.
"Wait, what?" Jay asked as he looked between her and Michio. "Why did Scarlett hurt you? I thought she liked you!"
"She does," said Michio.
"Um, well…thanks to Michio, I learned that Scarlett can sorta zap me out of it," Annastasia explained. "I don't know why, but I accept it."
"Um, I don't think that's good for you," said Jay. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes. Scarlett, thank you. I appreciate that more than you'll ever know."
"Pikachuuuu," she said with a bow.
"We were all worried," said Jay. "Everyone's looking for you…this is my fault…I got you all stressed out with my Gyarados going on a rampage."
"This has nothing to do with you," Annastasia replied as she offered him a hug. "But if you still feel guilty you can redo my nails. Your Gyarados destroyed a perfectly good manicure and there's only one person I know who can fix it."
"I was gonna offer anyway."
"You sure are cheery for someone whose head just exploded," Michio commented.
"I just know how to move on," Annastasia retorted. "Thanks for the electricity."
Michio moved so that Jay, Annastasia and the Pokémon could exit the rec room. He followed them back towards the arena.
"So now that we got her back, what were you going to tell me?" Jay asked Michio.
"You two were talking? Like privately? With words? A team shocker," said Annastasia.
"We really were, A. Michio said we had something in c—Can you give us a few?"
"Seriously?"
"You no longer have to…" Michio started, but Jay ignored him.
"Go show everyone that you aren't dead," Jay told his sister.
"Sure," she replied. "Scarlett, Lil-G—let's give them some space."
After she opened the door, they heard Amber and Misty's voices greeting her. Jay trusted that Annastasia would distract them long enough for him and Michio to talk.
"So?" Jay asked.
"It'll disappoint," Michio responded. "I don't have anything that important, impressive, or overall interesting to say."
"Okay…But see it my way. You're this mysterious cool jerk who picks on me twice as much as everyone else in the group and then out of nowhere you say that we have stuff in common. Then I find out that you and my sister are keeping secrets from me and then you say you want to talk. Please talk."
"There're just some things I think you should know before you put yourself down. Like…you should realize that you're the best young trainer here."
"You really think that?"
"I don't give compliments unless I mean them."
"But…but you said I was a 'fairy'. Like four times already, even after A threatened to punch you for it. I thought you hated me. I don't get why else you'd say that—it's almost as bad as the other 'f' word."
"You are what you are, and that's a Fairy."
"That's rude. And mean. I don't even get it; I just know it's mean."
"It's an observation, not an insult. You are the one who got all worked up for no reason. It has nothing to do with your Pokémon training...or value."
"But you said it with the intention of hurting me."
"That was the result, not the intention. Look at yourself: the obsession with makeup and clothes, your soft nature, that voice…that's what we call people like you in Alola. Fairy. It's a title."
"A title?"
"Yeah, like someone who's hyper is usually called a Koko, like Tapu Koko, the electric-type guardian of Melemele. If you're a girly-girl, you're a Lele, like Tapu Lele. If you're a girly-boy, you're a Fairy…and so on."
"Did you like being called that?"
"I was called much worse. Consider yourself lucky."
"I can't tell if you're being serious."
"I am."
"I still think you were just trying to make me feel small."
"Then get yourself some heels. I bet June's your size."
Togetic chided him as Jay glared.
"It was a joke," Michio added.
"It's not a joke if I don't find it funny," Jay retorted.
"Fine. I won't joke anymore…and don't just assume I don't know what it's like to be in your shoes."
"You were like me?" He scanned Michio with his eyes. "No way."
"A bit…you're rich, I'm rich—was rich—and I got beat on regularly for having girly hair and for not being straight. I had no friends in school. I began Pokémon training at age ten and found I was good at it. Really good—good enough to shove it in the faces of everyone who hurt me."
"People hurt you? Why?"
"That's just what people do."
They paused. Jay had a million thoughts but not enough time to explore them all.
"What did they do to you?" Jay whispered.
"Stole and/or destroyed my stuff, spread rumors, and physical stuff too. Physical stuff I don't want to talk to you about," he replied.
"I see this therapist who says I'm not the only one, but I always had a hard time believing it. I worry that it will get worse as I get older. I just want to feel safe, ya know? I want to be safe without hiding everything that makes me happy."
"There's a huge difference between you and me…It's about relationships. You know a lot of good people. I didn't know as many, but perhaps there were some, but they're long gone now. You're vulnerable, that's clear. It's so easy for you to fall into the wrong crowd because you have so much more than most people. No one's saying it, but they're all jealous. They all want money and a family that's around. They all want a best friend who'd take an arrow for them and a sister who's…well, most people don't have that. Protect it."
"Oh, I didn't think you…that was a lot…"
"Yeah, no shit. I don't talk to people for this long often."
"I still don't get why you're telling me all this."
"I guess I just don't want to see you blow it. Or give up. I know you expect family and friends to cheer you on and tell you that you are going places, but now you got to hear it from someone who isn't a friend. And that counts more."
"How do I know if I can trust you?"
"You can't know. That's true with everyone. You've got to pick and choose your assumptions."
Scarlett rejoined them. Annastasia, Misty, and the others followed closely behind.
"Everything that can be done for now has been done," Misty announced. "You all did such a great job helping…so, who's next?"