Hiatus, Day 28

Rita, Lexi, Nolan, Tamaki, Benny, Jocelyn Amber, Jay, June, Takeshi, Soledad, Michio, Lily, Logan, Maya, and all their Pokémon arrived at the gates of Kanto's most populous city after weeks of travel.

"Finally, a Pokémon Center," Jay panted as they approached the building. "It's soooo hot out here. My hair and face are ruined…"

Togetic moaned dismally, he and Jay sprawled across the Tauros in utter despair.

"We know it's bad when even Jay and Togetic are down," Soledad said as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. "I can't wait for a shower. This is disgusting."

"I'm sooooo hungry," Amber moaned. "I might not make it…"

"Amb, we just stopped for popcorn and lemonade at eleven," said Takeshi. "It's noon."

"Heat makes me hungrier."

"August is the hardest month for traveling," Nolan said as he dismounted his Tauros. "It's always hot and the excitement of being away from home and staying with friends all the time starts to die down."

"Arrrgggggghhhh," Amber groaned as she returned her Tauros. "I really want to jump in a lake right now. Is there one nearby?"

"Yes, but we can't do that yet," said Lexi. "We have to get your Pokémon and these Tauros to Nurse Joy for a checkup. Then we can catch a bite to eat in the city and if you want you can jump in a lake afterward."

"Hello, welcome to Celadon City," Nurse Joy announced as they entered the center.

"Chanseeeey," her partner greeted.

"Hi, Nurse Joy, Hi, Chansey," the group responded.

Rita approached the counter with everyone's Tauros.

"These Tauros belong to Ash Ketchum of Cerulean City. They just had a really long journey and need to be rehydrated," she explained.

"Gotcha," Joy responded as she registered the Pokémon.

"Ahem, two of them are Jay's," said Amber.

"Yeah, these two of them are Jay Morgan's," Rita told Joy. "Jay Morgan of Pallet Town."

"Jay Morgan…that name is so familiar. And that face is so familiar," Joy said as she leaned across the counter. "I know! Your sister is that Aura Guardian!"

Jay sighed and looked down. It wasn't the first time this month a stranger brought up his sister.

"Yeah…she um...she sure is..."

"He doesn't want to talk about it," Amber said when Jay's voice trailed off. "We just want our Pokémon healed."

They handed their battle teams to Nurse Joy and explained their reasons for visiting the city. When the preteens were finished submitting their Pokémon, everyone turned to Michio.

"Don't you plan on battling?" June asked.

"Nope," he replied.

"Really?" said Tamaki. "Dude, you were out all night—weren't you training?"

"Are you sure, Oniisan? You have poison-type Pokémon and Onēsan said that they're strong against grass-type Pokémon," said Jocelyn.

"Flaafy, fla."

They asked several more questions, then Nolan asked them to stop.

"Let's move on," he announced. "Some of us are sooooo hunnnngry."

He looked at Amber when he said that.

"They are too they just don't wanna admit it," she replied.

The kids and non-battling Pokémon followed Lexi and Nolan out onto the street. Rita lagged behind and craned her neck to make sure everyone had left before she turned to address Michio.

"I know you are depressed, but you still have to earn at least six badges," she said, her voice full of A-level sympathy. "If I were you, I'd battle. A distraction would be good for you."

"Stop trying to act like her," he asserted.

"I can't. Part of this assignment is to act like her. And if I act like myself its grounds for sexual harassment."

"Mmhm."

"It was a joke."

"Zorrrrr."

"I'm getting worried about you," she sighed. "You've barely spoken this month. It's nice that you cook a few times a week and keep the camp neat while we're out catching Pokémon, but you're never around. You disappear at night and I know you're not catching Pokémon because you leave your backpack with all your Pokéballs behind. I told you before that it's dangerous and that you are going to get killed out there if you go alone. And you aren't even acting like yourself. No sarcasm, no cursing, and I haven't seen you file your nails since she and that Pikachu left."

Michio shrugged Rita off and walked in the opposite direction that the others had gone in. Rita cursed to herself. Her Zorua rubbed up against her face and chanted softly.

"Where are you going?" Rita called after him.

"I'll tell you later," he called back.

"Zoooo," Zorua sighed.

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it," Rita murmured. "I just wish she'd call like she said she would."

Outside her friends had gathered in a circle.

"Where's Michio?" Soledad asked.

"He isn't coming with us and he won't tell me why," Rita responded. "He'll find us later. Don't worry about it. He's practically an adult and…like I said, let's just go."

XO

Everyone followed Rita, Nolan, and Lexi as they navigated the city. After walking for a while, they came upon a crowded part of town loaded with different kinds of restaurants.

"That looks like a good place to eat," Logan pointed out. "An all-you-can-eat buffet. Those are usually good."

"Works for me," said Lily, rubbing her stomach.

"Nya nyy," Maya agreed.

"Me too", said Amber. "Last time we went to a buffet I ate so much. It was the best thing ever."

"Really? The best thing ever?" Jay teased.

"Pretty much."

"Benny, Jocelyn, Tamaki, Soledad, June, everyone else: does this work?" asked Rita.

The children nodded their heads. The went into the restaurant and Lexi paid for their entrées with the credit card Annastasia had left them while everyone else found their seats and dropped off their backpacks.

"This food looks really good. We can really have whatever we want?" Benny asked Jocelyn as they approached the bar. It was loaded with all kinds of fried foods, desserts, and delicacies, things they rarely got to have on the road.

"Yep," she answered. "It's all you can eat. Onēsan says that means we can have all we want and whatever we want."

The pair got some dumplings and donuts and then sat down together next to the older kids.

"It sounds like you really miss your big sister," Benny said to Jocelyn. "You always mention her."

"Yeah…Onēsan is so much older than me that I didn't always get to spend that much time with her growing up. This trip was the most time we ever spent together," said Jocelyn. Her expression changed from neutral to devastated, and she was crying. "I was looking forward to spending almost the whole year with her and now I don't know where she is and I miss her!"

Lexi moved in next to Jocelyn and let her cry into her lap.

"Cheer up," said Soledad. "You'll see her again; she's just busy with work."

"She wouldn't want you to be sad," said June. "And today is a good day. We finally got here after all that traveling. I don't know about you but I was getting sick of all that walking and Tauros-riding."

"I would be really sad too if Tamaki left and I didn't see him for a really long time too," said Benny. "I was really sad when my parents left and even though they are going to be back in a few months I really wish I could see them more."

"At least your parents call," Jocelyn moaned. "Onēsan hasn't called us once! Mommy and Daddy said that it's because she isn't feeling well and that we can't see her right now, but I don't understand. They promised to never lie. I don't get how someone can be so sick that they can't even call. Jay says he is worried that something happened to her and Mommy and Daddy aren't telling us because they are scared. And that makes me scared."

The kids looked to Rita, Nolan, and Lexi for guidance.

"How about when we call the base tonight, we insist that they let us speak to her?" said Lexi. "Really insist. I'll talk to your parents too, privately, if you think that will help."

"That goes for me too," said Rita.

"And me," said Nolan. "Is there any way we can make you feel better until then?"

"No-o," she wept.

"I say we pull out all the stops," said Amber. "Cry, beg, threaten, and make promises. Then your parents will explain. I just think we haven't insisted on it too much yet."

"Okay…" Jocelyn sniffed away her tears and took a bite of her food. "Wow, these dumplings are good. I shouldn't have left Flaafy at the Pokémon Center. He would've loved these!"

"We can take some to go," said Nolan.

"Yay!"

After Jocelyn was stable, Lexi, Rita, and Nolan returned to their table, which was apart from that of the children.

"I'm not being a third wheel, am I?" Rita asked as she watched Nolan and Lexi.

"Oh, no…it's not like that," Lexi replied. "Not really."

"Why, are you interested?" Nolan asked teasingly.

"I won't tell the kids if you are."

"We're not."

"I don't get it."

"Neither of us is in the mood for relationship drama," said Lexi.

"Oh. I feed off relationship drama, but that's just me.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"Are you asking me out?"

Lexi blushed. "Oh, I'm not…I was just curious. As I said, I don't want drama."

"Then we wouldn't work out at all because to me drama is life."

"So then, who are you seeing? Someone we know?"

"I don't really date. I'm a weaver. A week tops. I hate commitment."

"We picked up that vibe a while ago. If you ever want a night at—one without a curfew—just go. Lexi and I can manage."

"It's not like it is any extra work for us," said Lexi. "They're insanely tame for a bunch of seven-to-twelve-year-olds."

"Thanks, but I'm not complaining," said Rita. "I like being with your group. Although honestly its times like these I really wish that Michio wasn't an asshole."

"He isn't that bad," Nolan responded. "He helps with the chores now and isn't as rude."

"And he's obviously depressed," said Lexi. "He doesn't eat, sleep, enjoy anything…misses Scarlett and Annastasia. He's heartbroken and nothing we say or do will help. It's sad, don't you think?"

"He loved A and I think she loved him back."

"I don't understand why A would want such a crybaby," Rita huffed. "I never saw someone pout so much before in my entire life. I want her to be happy and think she'd be better off without him."

"Don't you think that is a bit of a leap?" said Lexi. "Annastasia isn't the kind of person who relies much on others, but that doesn't mean that she would necessarily be better off without him. She always hides how she feels so it is difficult to know what she truly wants, or needs, and if she's anything she's compassionate—lives to help others. Someone needing her gives her a purpose."

"I just want what is best for my best friend. I mean, they do have things in common, I don't know if that is enough."

"I think if anything, they just needed a chance," said Nolan. "And they didn't get one."

XO

After lunch, the group rejoined at the Pokémon Center. When they arrived, Michio was sitting in the lobby with a coffee, awaiting their return.

"We were wondering where you had gone off to," said Soledad.

"I thought maybe you finally made a run for it," said Rita.

"Not yet," Michio murmured.

"That's a relief," said Jocelyn. "I would've been super sad if you left."

"What were you doing this whole time? Did ya get something to eat? They have some good places in the city," said Tamaki.

"Not hungry," Michio replied, his voice still monotone. "But I did get something."

"What do you mean?" June inquired.

"I got a job."

"You got a job," Rita said in disbelief. "Are you joking?"

"No."

"Why? You have an allowance to spend. You don't need to make your own."

"I'm bored and I want my own money. For now on I'll be traveling alone."

"You're really going to leave us?" Jocelyn asked worriedly.

"It's not personal…It's just better this way."

"As long as you do what your parents say and earn those last three gym badges, it doesn't matter to me," said Rita. "I can give you a temporary cell phone with our numbers—the one A told you about. What kind of job is this anyway?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Considering I'm supposed to be keeping track of you, I think it's important that I know now, especially if you don't plan on camping and walking with us anymore."

"Fine. These people hired me to take care of their yacht. I know a lot about boats. This old couple was looking for an assistant to help them maintain and drive their boat for them, and they pay well. It's not a lot of work, either, and it's an efficient way to travel."

"That sounds exciting. But doesn't that mean you will be leaving Celadon?" asked Soledad.

"And where is this yacht?" asked Rita.

"Tamamushi Port. The owners want to take it to the Orange Archipelago," he replied.

"Wow. Okay."

"That's sooooo far away from here," said Jocelyn responded. "We will miss you, Oniisan. Are you positive you want to go?"

"I am, but it won't be forever," Michio told Jocelyn, though he wasn't sure whether or not it was true.

"And these people are legit?" Rita questioned. "I mean, who hires a stranger to take care of their mega-yacht?"

Michio took his cheap wallet out of his backpack and handed it to Rita. Inside were a photo and the contact information of his new employers. Michio explained this the group. Rita studied the information and then handed it back to him.

"Keep it. I have an extra copy," he told Rita.

"I know these people. Wow, I can't believe they gave you a job. Remember, you still have to check in with us. And earn those badges. And remember to check your trainer mail. I will tell your parents to send that phone and an allowance for food and some supplies to your inbox here in Celadon, so don't leave town until you get it."

"I won't."

"So is this where we say goodbye," Lexi sighed.

"I guess so. Unless Annastasia comes back. Or calls."

'Like she said she would,' he added in his head.

"We'll contact you when she gets in-touch," said Nolan.

Michio tossed his coffee into the trash. Jocelyn and the others watched him as he pulled his backpack on and got ready to walk out of their lives.

"Bye, Michio," said June.

"Have a nice life," said Soledad.

"Yeah, uhhh…bye," said Jay. "It was good to uh…maybe we'll see you around."

"Yup, see ya," said Amber.

"See ya," said Lily.

"Bya," said Logan.

"Later, dude," said Tamaki.

"See you at the Indigo League," said Takeshi.

"It was nice to know you," Michio told the kids. "You're not so bad."

"Yeah, neither are you," Soledad retorted.

Jocelyn broke down, crying and hugging him until he couldn't move.

"Please don't leave!" she cried. "Don't you love us, Oniisan? Pleeeeeassssse don't go too!"

"Flaaaaaa!" Flaafy cried, his emotion matching Jocelyn's.

Jay and Lexi gently pulled Jocelyn off of Michio. She cried into Jay's shoulder. Michio looked back at her, embarrassed and sad. He had been treating Jocelyn like his little sister for a while now, and she had been acting like his since the day he met her. He caught Jay's eyes for a moment. Jay was also important to him, even if he never said it directly to his face. He didn't think that an unfamiliar family from Kanto would ever be able to leave such an impression on him. And that didn't even include the talking cat-types. But Michio just saw that as an even better reason to get some distance. He pulled a chair in front of Jocelyn and sat down for a face-to-face talk.

"I'm sorry for hurting you," he said. "I will come back but first I need to be alone for a while. You will understand it better when you get older…sometimes when things are really difficult and painful the only way to get some relief is to get away from the things that remind you of that thing. Don't be sad anymore, please. Annastasia wouldn't like it."

Jocelyn wiped way a bunch of her tears and sniffed a few times. "You're leaving because Onēsan left, right?"

"Yes."

"I will miss you."

"I will miss you too. I'll call and send pictures. I promise."

Jocelyn nodded. Michio stood back up. He exchanged more 'goodbyes' with the group, and just as he turned his back for the last time, someone placed their palm on his shoulder.

"Thanks," Jay said quietly. "You helped me too. And I have known Annastasia longer than you have. The fact that she hasn't contacted us means that something is wrong. Don't give up on her."

"I don't intend to," Michio responded. "If you hear anything, please let me know as soon as you could. Rita will pass on my number. The phone will only take a day to come in the mail."

Jay dropped his hand and finally let him leave.

"I can't believe he's actually leaving," Takeshi said after he had gone.

"I knew this would happen," June whispered sadly.

"What do you mean?"

"We know about him and Annastasia. It makes sense that he would want to be alone. I would want to be alone too if happened to me."

"It's okay guys, we will do fine without him; It's no big deal," said Rita. "He'll learn sooner or later that he needs us more than we need him anyway."

XO

The next day Michio picked up his phone and allowance from the Pokémon Center and met his employers at the Tamamushi Port. Within a few hours, he and his Pokémon were gone. The rest of the group took turns facing Eureka and Blossom, the former Celadon Gym Leader's twenty-three and twenty-one-year-old daughters, who were now in charge of the Celadon City Gym and perfume shop.

Three days after that the group started on to their journey to the next location; Burgundy Gym in Burge City. On the way there Soledad met a trainer named Anika who was also considering Pokémon Geo-catching. After spending a few hours together, Soledad decided to abandon the idea of gym battling altogether and to instead go with Anika and her group.

Anika herself was thirteen, and she was traveling with her fifteen-year-old female cousin, her twenty-year-old male cousin, and her eight-year-old little sister. Instead of preparing for the Indigo Plateau, they were doing a variety of things; Pokémon coordinating, Geo-catching, performances, battling other trainers, learning about different careers; rather than just going to gyms and doing gym battles.

Lexi, Nolan, and Rita were hesitant to let her go at first, but when Soledad called her parents to let them know about her plans, it turned out that Soledad and Anika's mothers already knew one another. And with that, Soledad also left the group.

Annastasia remained unreachable, now even to her parents and the rest of Team Rocket. Her mysterious disappearance was taking a toll on her friends and family. People started to begin to wonder where Lucario had even taken her and why she was not coming back.

XO

IN THE NEXT CHAPTER

· Hiatus, Day 50

· Helena returns, and she is not welcome

· Michio finds some fireflies