AN: Thank you for all the reviews:) If you are reading this after May 13, 2019 and/or it's your second or third time around …thanks because there were so many errors in the earlier versions! I'm grateful towards everyone, especially Pokemonfanthings and It's-Bri-Again for your willingness to help this 24-year-old Pokémon nerd edit these novels I call fanfics.
Side note: recently I realized that I'm almost as old as Jessie and James, who are canonically 25, and Delia, who is canonically 29. This is scary because the first time I saw the anime I was five years younger than Ash:( But does anyone ever grow out of Pokémon?
As always, I hope you enjoy this next chapter:)
While the kids made their way to Valéncia, Lucy, Meowth, Jessie, James, Alex, and their Pokémon returned to Pallet.
"What're you planning to do about this whole situation?" Lucy asked as they sat for an early lunch.
"Um, the 'whole' situation?" James yawned.
"Come again?" Jessie asked wearily.
"I don't think you can handle running this place and helping Giovanni out with this mission," she responded. "I want to help the mission. Meowth and I plan on heading out soon."
"You're really leaving?" James asked worriedly.
"Weeze know dat yous weren't gonna like dat idea, but its de best ting to do," said Meowth.
"But you hate missions! There's no way you lazy pieces of shit are giving up living here in luxury to go out in the field on some dangerous mission halfway across the world!" Jessie yelled at them. "What is the matter with you!?"
Everyone was shocked to see Jessie get worked up. She normally didn't care what Lucy and Meowth did, as long as it didn't affect her comfort. Alex whimpered and grabbed on to James.
"What are you flipping out about?" Lucy retorted.
"Yeah, yous ain't usually dis worried 'bout us," said Meowth.
"Of course I am you morons! I don't want you to just go off to some faraway place alone. Hundreds of agents and their Pokémon have been hurt already trying to fight those things. You don't understand what a big deal this is. It's bad enough Rumika, Mondo, and Duplica are out there, not to mention the fact that the kids aren't with us, but now you want to leave too? What are you thinking?" Jessie continued, refusing to lower her tone.
"We're thinkin—"
"That's enough yelling," James interrupted as he nodded towards Alex. "We're a team—always on the same side. Let's discuss this sensibly."
Jessie turned away but held her ground. Acorn tried to comfort her, but Jessie pushed her away.
"You need to think about what you're doing," she told Lucy and Meowth.
James nodded. "I too would rather not see you go. Please give it some time before you make a final decision."
"Dey could really use us out dere," Meowth responded. "Dey need translators—good ones, and dere ain't many of dose. And weeze can protect ourselves. Yer forgettin' dat me and Lucy know lots of attacks. I learned a lot ova de years."
"Fine," Jessie growled. Go! Get out of here! I don't care!"
Jessie stormed out of the brunch area, slamming the door behind her. Everyone at the table looked each it other in concern.
"Dat's yer cue," Meowth told James.
"I-I don't know what that was about any more than you to do," James gulped.
"You can't think of anything else that might've caused that reaction?" Lucy asked.
"What happened?" Alex cried. "Did I do something bad?"
"No, you didn't do anything wrong," James told the toddler. "Aunt Jessie is just upset. She's going through a lot right now…"
"Well, she ain't goin through more den de rest of us," Meowth remarked.
"She's…obviously just concerned. I'll talk to her."
"Good, go now," Lucy advised.
James stood. "Alex, I'll be right back. Lucy, Meowth: just think about this, please."
"We sorta already made our choice…but we'll think about it."
"Well…I can't force you to change your minds…I'll be right back."
James found Jessie lying face down on the bed. Wobbuffet brought her a glass of water and sat it down on the nightstand.
"Jess, are you okay?" he asked cautiously.
No response.
"I'm upset too…but we can't control them, they're gonna do what they want…" James continued. "I'm on your side. 100%. I agree they should have told us before they made a definite plan. But I don't think they'll be in danger…not much danger…and remember, I'm still on your side…"
He stopped talking and sat next to her, just waiting for her to reply. Five seconds passed, then fifteen, twenty-five, thirty-five…
"Why are you doing this?" he asked. "Meowth and Lucy just want to do what they think is best."
Jessie finally sat up. Wobbuffet fled the room, leaving them completely alone.
"Do they really think that splitting this family up more is what is best for us now?" she asked, the drama in her tone ever-present.
James sighed and gathered his thoughts. He didn't miss her birthday, anniversary, important accomplishment, shaking news…nothing that would typically make her storm like Kundalakesi.
"I don't agree with them, but I understand why they would go," said James. "They want to do something important for once. Prove they aren't losers. Have an adventure. Besides, I thought I was the worrier of this house, and you the warrior…"
"I need a chance to break down every once in a while too," she huffed.
"Fair."
Though she hadn't done so in years, she would normally follow a conversation like this one with a rant about who messed up and why they needed to be arrested/executed/forced to become her indentured servant.
"I was always worried," she confessed. "Especially since you told me how terrified you are. I tried not to think about it. I was so nonchalant. Part of me thought ignoring this would make it go away."
Jessie sat up and hugged him. He was not sure what exactly what was happening but welcomed the embrace.
"So, where do we go from here?" he asked.
"We continue to babysit, and when Meowth and Lucy leave, we hope that they come back as soon as possible," she responded. "And in one piece."
"Sounds like a good idea," James responded.
More silence.
"I'm sorry for those games I was playing before," said James. "You're right; we don't need another kid. I was wrong for putting that pressure on you. And don't worry, I will still do everything for Alex, but I'm not going to expect anything from you in return."
"Ha, as if you could ever hold that much power over me," she coughed. "Um, but…it's interesting you say that now…"
"Why's that?"
Jessie rolled her eyes then looked at him, waiting to see if he would get the not-so-vague hint.
"Because it's too late for you to change your mind," she asserted.
"What do you mean it's too late?" James inquired.
Jessie got up and paced around the room a few times. James asked her again what she talking about and what she was doing, but she did not answer. Instead, she took something out of the top drawer of her dresser and walked back over to him. she handed him a small paperboard box. He opened it and observed what was instead, and his eyes widened in realization.
"Oh…"
XO
The ride to Valéncia was the first time many of the young trainers had ever been on a cruise ship. The trip was supposed to take about two hours, so it was bigger and more extravagant than the average Kanto ferry. They had lunch immediately after boarding, and then they explored the ship. Jay, Amber, and their Pokémon played on the ship's climbing wall, Nolan caught up with some old friends, Lily and Logan played Pokémon cards with June and Takeshi on the deck, and Soledad got a manicure with Annastasia, Jocelyn, Rita, and Lexi at the boat's spa. Michio and Scarlett were below deck, trying to escape the chaos above.
"Pikachu, pika pika?" Scarlett asked.
"I'm down here because I don't mind the darkness and I like places that are quiet," Michio replied.
"Piii…"
Michio kept walking. Rather than finding the peace and quiet he craved, they found a below deck casino, bar, and strip club.
"Pika?" Scarlett asked, pointing ahead.
"Looks fun, but I'm going to decline," he replied
"Pi? Pikachu chu?"
"If I go in there…"
"Pika?"
"If I go in there, I'll get drunk."
"Pikachu?"
"That has always led to bad stuff, even more so now."
"Chu."
"Though it might be worth it."
"Chuu?"
"Well…the last time I was drunk I gambled away enough money to buy Pallet Town…and I was so fucking gone that I don't remember three-quarters of what else happened."
"Chuuu! Pi! Pikaaaaa!"
"Yeah…it sucked. But I suck. That's why I'm here. I suck so badly not even my own parents want me. Not that they ever did…Never mind. Don't tell anyone this."
"Pika, chu. Pikaa."
"Yeah, you're right; good things can happen to those who drink…" He paused, reconsidering his decision to skip the club. "I mean…it gets rid of anxiety."
"Pikachu pi pika?"
"Of course, I'm anxious. I'm always anxious. That's who I am. Anxious because…" Michio stopped. Scarlett had climbed back up his torso and was resting on his shoulder again. She nuzzled her face against his. "Okay, but..."
Michio pondered his current situation. Scarlett would not let him get into any real danger, so would a few drinks really hurt? Annastasia wouldn't know. He turned and started walking back towards the club.
"Pika Pikachu pi!" Scarlett scolded.
She tried to get him to stop walking by grabbing onto his leg. He stopped walking when she managed to slide off one of his flip-flops.
"Pikachu!" she asserted angrily.
"Stop!" Michio scolded. "I can do whatever I want. If I want to go there, you can't stop me. You can't."
"Pika!"
Scarlett hit him with Thunderbolt. He fell backward, smacked his head hard against the ground. Scarlett jumped on top of his chest and continued to scold him. Michio sat up, pushed the Pikachu off of him, and rubbed his head in pain. Scarlett was silent for a moment as she waited for him to explode.
"Thanks," he said, much to her surprise.
"Pika?" she asked.
"I just...I don't do well in those situations, so thanks for stopping me."
Michio started going back the way they came. Scarlett trotted after him. Michio paused to lift her in his arms.
"That thing I said about me gambling, that wasn't a lie, but there are other things I've done that I feel much worse about doing," he said as he scratched her ears. "And things I let other people do to me. It's all pretty fucked up."
"Pikachupi?"
"Things you wouldn't understand."
"Pi, pi, Pikachu."
She sounded assuring, exactly how he was secretly hoping she'd be.
"You know, when guys—people in general—get drunk, they often lose inhibitions and do things that they would never imagine doing sober and it leads to regrets. I never committed anything that's technically a crime, but… I never want to do that to myself again, even though it is numbing."
"Pi."
"Thanks."
They arrived on the top deck. There was a small pool and hot tub surrounded by about three-dozen lounge chairs, only about a quarter of which were occupied. Michio grabbed two towels and lied down on the chair furthest from the pool area entrance. Scarlett joined him in the adjacent chair, and they swiftly fell asleep.
XO
Meanwhile, Annastasia and the other spa-goers met up with Amber and Jay.
"You all should check out the spa," said Soledad. "They did a great job on my nails. They did Chary's too!"
"Charrrr," Chary said as she showed off her manicure.
"The massages were also great," said Annastasia. "That back rub was the best I ever had. They gave Lil-G and Bleu one too."
"Zorua got a great haircut," Rita bragged.
"Zo, Zorua!"
"I'm trying to save money," Amber replied. "You already buy most of my food and other crap…and I'd rather do something adventurous. I heard there's an ice-skating rink around here."
"Every Pokémon trainer who presents their Pokédex to the front desk can receive one free spa treatment," said Soledad. "And they will do one of your Pokémon for free and the others for a discount."
"But if you would rather ice-skate, I could show you where that is," said Annastasia.
"Pichuu pi," Pip said with a wide grin.
"Flaafy, fla fla," Flaafy announced.
"Flaafy's saying that Pip wants a spa treatment," Jocelyn told Amber.
"Oh," Amber sighed.
She really didn't want to waste her time in a spa of all places. It was almost as bad as shopping for clothes.
"I have an idea," said Jay. "I really wanna go to the spa and I bet Lily would too. We can take Pip while everyone else goes ice-skating. After we'll meet up at the rink."
"I never ice-skated on a boat before. It sounds cool," said Soledad. "Ha-ha, cool, get it?"
"HAHA!" Jocelyn squealed. "I get it, Onēsan!"
"FLAFA!"
"I guess Jocelyn's calling everyone Onēsan or Oniisan now," Lexi giggled.
"Probably," Annastasia replied. "I think that's a great plan. So, Jay, you know where June, Lily, Logan, and Takeshi are. Tell them our plan. I suppose if any of them don't want to go to the spa they can just come straight to the rink or do their own thing."
"Right," said Jay. "See ya later!"
"Bye!" everyone replied as Jay, Togetic, and Pip left to find the others.
"To the rink!" Jocelyn declared.
"Fla fee fla!"
XO
Jay found June, Takeshi, Logan, and Lily and told them about the spa and ice-skating rink. June and Takeshi decided to go ice-skating, and Lily insisted that Logan go with them.
Jay carried Pip as he, Togetic, and Lily headed to the spa.
"How may I help you?" the host inquired.
"Um, my name is Jay, and I'm a Pokémon trainer," he replied. "Uhhh...we wanna use the spa."
"May I see your Pokédex?"
Togetic pulled Jay's Pokédex from his backpack and handed it to the host. He scanned it then looked at Jay quizzically.
"You don't appear to be registered to own a Pichu or a Shiny Meowth," he said with a frown. "You didn't steal these, Pokémon did you?"
Lily jumped onto the desk, startling the host.
"I'm his cousin," she asserted. "Not his Pokémon!"
"Pi chu Pichu!" Pip tried to explain as he attempted an impression of Amber.
"Um, ah, she's right," Jay sputtered. "L-lily's my cousin and th-this Pichu belongs to my best friend Amber. She doesn't like spas but Pip wanted a massage so I brought him ummm…Please don't arrest me!"
"I see you work for Team Rocket," the host remarked, observing his and Lily's uniforms. "Yet they only hire humans ages fifteen and up."
"We're special," Lily responded, still offended. "And I'm seventeen!"
"Um, Giovanni is our uncle, sorta," said Jay. "My parents designed all the updated TR uniforms…so me and my friends have special uniforms to wear during our training…before our training…um, I can call my parents for you! Um, maybe…"
"Does that mean you're related to Jessie and James?" the host inquired.
"Yes! I'm their son. Um, their only son."
"I should have known! You look just like them."
"Oh, good…"
"I'm the daughter of the Meowth that was part of their trio for over twenty years. It was nice of you to forget," Lily said sourly.
"I haven't seen them in so long…not since they robbed this place in 2013… I only know about them now because of all the news reports, I heard about their victories, their roles in society…and that they had children but they kept you all away from the media."
Lily leaned in and whispered to Jay. "Sounds like a fan."
"Yeah," said Jay. "Sorry, Sir, but who are you?"
"I'm somewhat of a stranger to them, I suppose," he sighed. "I really only remember them because of that motto of theirs, how they said it and all that jazz."
"Oh yeah," Jay and Lily responded, embarrassed. "The motto."
"They tried to steal from me personally. Three times. But they never got away with it. The first time they went after my Ninetales, some young man's Pikachu blew up their hot-air balloon and they went soaring into the sky. I had never seen anything like it in all my eighty-eight years. Have your parents ever told you that story?"
"About them being blasted off?" Lily replied. "Oh, thousands of times."
"Yep," Jay agreed. Pip and Togetic nodded.
"The second time was very similar, the same young man and Pikachu, but this time a sweet girl with blue hair and a Piplup was there to assist," he continued. "And it ended the same way. I was shocked to see them fly off like that. The third time was different, it was later on, and they had some kind of huge metal machine that looked like robot Meowth. They called it a 'mega Meowth' I think, but that failed too, and a young lady's Braixen helped my Ninetales to melt it down. They ended up running off. I was very fortunate to beat them all three times! I bet not a lot of people got away as I did."
"You'd be surprised," said Lily.
"Yeah, really, you would," Jay emphasized.
"I later heard that Team Rocket had been tied in with the police since the organization's conception. Of course, I never would have forgiven them for stealing my Ninetales, but seeing as they failed anyway, I figured there was room to forgive. And then later I kept hearing about your family on the news, and before I knew it they were famous, and not in a bad way," the host continued.
"My sisters and I always hear from others that our family is famous, but we don't really see it. It's like they say 'Pallet Town's a nowhere place'. We don't get a lot of attention, which is good, I guess."
"So, I'm ready for those spa treatments," said Lily.
"Oh, yes, of course," he coughed. "What would you like?"
"What can we have?" Jay asked.
He handed them a list of treatments and explained that since Professor Oak had given Lily a Pokédex and had her registered as a trainer, her treatment was free. He also offered to have Pip done for free since Amber was aboard the ferry (and Jay had it slip that his friend Amber was the daughter of the person who helped save his precious Ninetales three times).
"We can do this package," Lily said as she pointed to a spot on the menu. "Hair, nails, shoulder or foot massage and a discount on any item in the jewelry shop. I know what I want."
"I'm gonna do that too," said Jay. "I know exactly what jewelry I want to buy and I'm due for a foot massage."
After giving their order, Pip and Togetic were taken in one direction and Lily and Jay in the other. Lily and Jay were together for most of the time, and after their massages and mani-pedis, she suggested for him to get a new hairstyle.
"I always love my purple spiky hair," Jay said as he and Lily were observed it in one of the giant mirrors inside the hair stylist's studio. "It won't be the same if I change it."
"That's the point," she responded.
"Then how should I make it look?"
"What's your favorite color?"
"Purple."
He smiled sheepishly. Lily gave him a playful whack.
"What's your second favorite color?" she asked.
"Well, as you know, I really like pink, or rainbow, or anything with glitter…but I don't know how any of those options would do with hair."
Lily tossed a blonde wig onto his head. "What if you go blonde?"
The wig was long, designed for a woman. "I look like Annastasia…It's weird."
"Magenta?" She replaced the blonde wig with a dark pink one.
"Now I look like Jocelyn. That's even worse!"
"I think you'd look great with a pastel blue," said the stylist. "You can keep some of the purple in there too if you want, like a blend."
Jay's eye widened. "I love it!"
"Awesome! How would you like it cut?"
Jay was about to answer, but Lily interrupted.
"I thought about this a lot," she said as she handed him a photo from her satchel.
"Oooh, I like this," the stylist replied.
"What is it? I wanna see," said Jay. "Isn't my decision the most important one here?"
"Not really," said Lily. "Let the pros handle this."
"I like you," the stylist told Lily.
"Ditto."
Jay snatched the photo. "Lily, this picture…is this Honey Senpai from Ouran High School Host Club?"
"Sure is. Let's do it!"
"I actually do like this, and it will require less hair gel…"
"It will be very easy to manage, trust me," said the stylist.
"I accept. Now do it before I change my mind."
"Great. While you do that, I'm gonna have my fur dyed to match my new painted nails," Lily told the other stylist, who was taking a coffee break. "Light pink—like an Espeon."
"Um, sure," the woman replied. She turned to her male counterpart, who was starting to wash the gel out of Jay's hair. "How do I dye a Pokémon?" she whispered.
He shrugged. "Beats me."
XO
Lily took a proud selfie of her and Jay's new looks. Jay texted Amber to let her know that Togetic and Pip's services were finished, that he just picked them up, and that he and Lily were going to spend some more time together before they docked.
"I wish Maya would come out, she'd love this," Lily sighed to Togetic.
"Who's Maya?' Jay asked.
"Oh…" She didn't realize that Jay was listening while he was texting his friends. "Just a Pokémon friend."
"Oh. Well, we still have some time before the boat docks, and we have that discount at the jewelry store. Was there something you wanted to buy too?"
"Sure was."
"I know what I want to get…you're gonna be really surprised."
"Is it a wedding ring for Amber?"
"No!"
"For Soledad?"
"Nope."
"What about Takeshi, or perhaps June?" Lily kept going, for she always enjoyed teasing her younger cousin.
Jay giggled. "It's none of those!"
"Is it present for me? Your mom? Annastasia? Just tell me!"
"Wait and see."
"I'll tell you what I'm getting if you tell me what you're getting."
"Hmmm…okay. I…I'm getting my ears pierced."
"Really? That's what I'm doing!"
"You're always complaining about Logan copying you, now you're copying me."
"I'm older than you, smartass, so all my ideas are more original."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"Yes, it does."
"Well, if I didn't tell you first, you woulda excused me of being a copycat…or a copyJay…or something."
Lily pushed open the door to the jewelry shop. "It's a good thing we came together—no one can stop us now."
XO
About 6,000 miles from Valéncia, Mondo and Duplica stopped at a tavern in Pyrina, Toka for a break and a chance for reassessment.
"There must be five feet of snow. These Arcanine—and Arcanine Ditto—are vital," said Mondo.
"Diiiito Ditto," three Pokémon chanted as they changed from fire-types to their original form.
"I never thought in a million years I'd be out in the mountains helping to lead hundreds of Rockets through the snow as we searched for and captured mutant Pokémon. Talk about life's strange directions," said Duplica.
"We were chosen for a reason: no duo in the world's better at training Ditto, and no Pokémon in the world's more suited to handle this mission," Mondo replied.
"I still wonder…why didn't he pick Rumika? Ever since we gave her Reese, she's become somewhat of a Ditto expert. The last time I spoke to her, you were busy on the phone with Giovanni, but Rumika told me about how she has been training more Rockets to properly use Ditto. It seems that people are finally beginning to understand their awesome power."
"You're thinking because we have Alex and Rumika doesn't have kids."
"I suppose I am."
"She's capable of the unprecedented. We may be too, but she's the spy they need. Besides, you don't want to talk about Rumika."
"You're right; I'd much rather contact Alex. It's a decent hour in Kanto."
Duplica dialed James' cell. Meowth picked up.
"Hey yous two," he said into the video camera. "Called to check on de little one?"
"Of course," Duplica responded. "But first, how are you?"
"Are you still considering joining us?" Mondo asked.
"Well, weeze are sure weeze wanna go, but Jessie flipped out on us. Lucy and I just told her an hour ago and she got all upset. So, Lucy and I are just watchin Alex now and dey are upstairs talkin' still," Meowth explained.
"What do you mean she 'flipped out'?"
"She was sayin how she don't want more of her family leavin. It sounded ta me like she was just bein hormonal cuz she neva really worries 'bout us dat bad. Anyways, we might wait a little while before weeze leave. Lucy doesn't wanna leave when dere's tension."
"That sounds like a good idea, given the circumstances," Duplica responded.
"Maybe you should consider staying in Pallet," said Mondo. "While you and Lucy would be helpful, no one is forcing you to come."
"We wanna do our part. I gotta protect yous. Yer part of my family too. And weeze could use an adventure. So, gimme yer updates."
"We're resting in Pyrina, a town north of Baydon. Rumika said her radars show hundreds of fusions about 100 miles from here. That would normally be less than a two-hour drive, but since we have to use the Arcanine to melt the snow in front of our cars, we are making slower progress than we were hoping for. Luckily, we're moving faster than most of the fusions, so we'll be able to get most of them once we arrive on target. We'll let you know what happens after that."
"Why aren't yous in jets?"
"It's too dangerous in this stormy, mountainous terrain. High altitude, heavy snows, wild winds…it's a death wish. And we truly called you to discuss Alex."
"Can you put him on?" Duplica asked.
"Sure!" said Meowth. "Alex, come ova here! I gots a surprise!"
Alex, holding Lucy's paw, entered the room. They placed him in front of the holographic screen.
"Mommy!" he screamed. "Daddy! Yous are floatin!"
His parents laughed, which made Alex laugh harder.
"I told him not to talk like Meowth, btw," said Lucy.
But Mondo and Duplica didn't hear her; they were too busy listening to Alex. Alex told them everything—Jessie's yelling at Meowth, the gym battles he saw in Cerulean, and the show about the talking Squirtle Squad. In turn, they told them a milder version of their activities—the hiking, tavern fish n' chips, and giant firedogs.
After an hour, Duplica said:
"Alex, it was so nice talking to you, but we have to go now."
"No!" he protested.
"We don't want to go, but we just can't talk to you all night," said Mondo. "Soon we'll talk again, just like we did this time, if not longer. Okay?"
"Pom-ise?"
"We promise," they said together.
"Okay…"
"We'll be back together soon," said Duplica.
"Tell Aunt Jessie and Uncle James to let you eat extra dessert tonight after dinner," Mondo suggested.
"Okay!" Alex said happily. "Bye-bye."
"Bye, Alex. Love you," they replied.
They hung up. Alex turned to the cats, grinning widely.
"Extra desserts!" he cheered.
"I wish Jessie and James were still dis easy to please," Meowth said as they took Alex to the kitchen.
"That would be nice," said Lucy. "But let's not count on it."
XO
IN THE NEXT CHAPTER
· A's group lands on Valéncia Island
· It rains pistachios
· An important question is answered.
AN: So, let me know what your thoughts are if you can. It would make me smile:) As usual, thanks for reading ^...^