AN: In case you all are wondering, I did not forget about the Volbeat and Illumise—they'll come back up, just not in this chapter. I hope you enjoy this next part:)
Hiatus, Day 5
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Annastasia asked Lucario.
"Pikapi?" asked Scarlett.
"I am positive that we are heading in the correct direction," Lucario responded. "Close your eyes and focus, just as I showed you. The aura will guide you the way it is guiding me."
"I'm trying but it's impossible to focus when I've been hiking and training almost nonstop for forty-eight hours straight," Annastasia replied. "It's a miracle I haven't had another seizure yet."
"Altaria Tarrrria!"
"Piiiika!"
"Pupup!"
"We should take another break," Lucario decided.
Annastasia glanced at her watch; it was already 3:00 pm. They hadn't taken a rest stop in over four hours.
"Pikachu chu," Scarlett said to Lucario.
"I keep forgetting that humans are not as…sturdy….as Pokémon," he responded.
Annastasia collapsed onto the ground. Bleu and the Lillipup riding atop his wings lied behind her. Scarlett handed Annastasia a re-energizing potion.
"Thanks, but I think that I just need some water for now," Annastasia told the Pikachu.
"Lillipup pup Lilli."
"Your Lillipup is right; you should've warned us to stop earlier," said Lucario. "Drink the potion."
"If you can use aura to read minds, shouldn't you've known earlier to stop," Annastasia retorted.
"You have a strong will. You made it seem like you were fine. You tricked Scarlett too."
"I just didn't want to hold you back."
"We have a long journey ahead of us but we are moving along fine. I don't expect you to progress for at least a few more weeks".
"Lucario, you are tough, but you are kind."
Annastasia chugged water from her canteen than lied down, falling asleep shortly after. After the break was up, they continued toward their destination: The Tree of Beginning.
"I'm trying to focus but I'm distracted," said Annastasia. "It's a lot for a human let alone one with ADD."
"Scarlett, help her out," Lucario instructed.
Scarlet jumped onto Annastasia's shoulder and pressed her forehead to the side of her temple, shutting her eyes in concentration. Annastasia did the same. All of a sudden, she saw it, the shape of a figure. She gasped and opened her eyes.
"Did you see anything?" Lucario inquired.
"I saw Mewtwo," Annastasia replied.
"Good," Lucario responded. "Mewtwo is—"
"Here," Mewtwo interrupted. He stepped in front of them. "Is this the first time you ever saw anyone with your aura?"
"There was another time," she replied. She remembered that time she used it to find Michio and Scarlett down by the lake. "But it wasn't intentional."
"Pikaaaachu pi."
"This happens to you frequently?"
"Pi."
"Oh."
"We are almost to the Tree of Beginning," said Lucario. "We can teleport there now, but I think we should stay out here for at least another week to gain more experience through practice."
"Pup Lilliipuppp pup?"
"Annastasia has to practice using aura outside the Tree because it is harder to summon aura inside there, and that is where she will be needing to use it the most. Mewtwo is here to help her get stronger. We will all train together. In a week or so we will go into the Tree. We will practice, retreat, and then in another few weeks, we will return and travel to the heart of the Tree. There the monster fusion lies waiting. We need Annastasia's aura to be very strong, otherwise, she won't make it."
"Pikachupi pika?"
"You have to practice to. You have much better control over your aura compared to Annastasia, but you need to be prepared to help her."
"Piii."
"Annastasia, take that potion, you need it now."
"Potion?" Mewtwo inquired.
"Pup Lillipup," Lil-G explained, pointing to the mysterious drink.
Annastasia handed it to, Mewtwo who observed it keenly.
"Yes, this will be very good for you," he told her. "Drink it."
"Here goes nothing," Annastasia replied.
She unscrewed the opening and chugged the unfamiliar liquid.
"This is disgusting!" she coughed.
"It's made from mineral dust found only in these mountains," Lucario responded.
"So, it is basically like you are eating dirt," said Mewtwo.
"Thanks for the warning," she grumbled. "Urgh."
"Tarrria," Bleu cooed, using Heal Bell to make the unpleasant taste in her mouth disappear.
"Thanks."
"Tarrr."
"Pikachuuuu Pikachu!" Scarlett exclaimed after sniffing the empty potion bottle.
"Scarlett is saying that she always used to have to take these potions back when she was a baby Pichu before she was taken to the Oak lab," Mewtwo translated. "How interesting."
"So, if I choke these down daily, I suppose I will be a beast too, huh Scarlett?" Annastasia asked playfully.
"Chu chu."
"How do you feel?" asked Lucario. "It normally takes about a minute or so for the effects of the potion to start kicking in."
"I feel much better," Annastasia replied.
"Try creating an Aura Sphere. Then throw it to me."
Annastasia concentrated as hard as she could, entering a meditation, letting everything go but the image of a sphere. Her hands started to vibrate subconsciously and she felt them getting heavy. She opened her eyes and discovered that she was doing it. Between her open hands, for the first time in her life, was a full-sized Aura Sphere—about the size of a basketball.
"Pikaa!"
"Excellent," said Lucario.
"Now toss it forcefully, as we practiced," said Mewtwo.
"Okay…catch!" she said as she heaved it forward.
Mewtwo caught the sphere with a hint of difficulty, which made Annastasia proud. After all, Mewtwo was one of the world's most powerful Pokémon; it was amazing to think her power could make him struggle, even if it was only for a few seconds.
After catching the sphere, Mewtwo smashed it into the ground, causing it to vibrate. The Pokémon all chatted excitedly and Lucario patted Annastasia on the back.
"Not too bad, for a human," he said.
"That was incredible," said Annastasia. "Even if it was only because of that potion."
"The potion only enhances. Like what coffee does to the mind. If you weren't so worried about your friends and family and have been getting enough quality sleep and food then you would have been able to do that without the potion."
"Ka, chu."
"I have never seen a human with such ability," said Mewtwo. "No wonder we need you."
XO
Haitus, Day 6
The group of one human and five Pokémon walked until they got to a small grotto near a little stream. Several hours passed before they stopped for another break.
"I need food," Annastasia groaned as she held her stomach. "And more water."
"And sleep," said Lucario. "We shall spend the evening here."
Annastasia washed up by the stream, refilled her canteen, fed her Pokémon, gave Scarlett her allergy medicine, and got out her cooking supplies while Mewtwo and Lucario built a fire and collected berries. Then they all sat and ate together.
"The past six days went by so quickly," said Annastasia. "I promised to call everyone but never got to."
"Even if you were to bring any type of technology, a phone would be useless," Mewtwo replied. "Not even that airplane-messaging thing your father likes to use works out here."
"I still feel guilty."
"Your friends will understand. They are a very perceptive and understanding group," said Lucario.
"You should've gotten to know us better. Why were you so hesitant to join us?"
"I didn't want to scare your younger friends. I know I can be intimidating."
"I like having you as a companion. I hope we stay friends after this."
"I hope so too."
"Annastasia, it is important for you to remember to not to take those potions in excess," Mewtwo warned as they continued to eat their supper. "They can have serious side effects."
"Don't worry, I won't."
They washed and dried their empty plates, then stacked them in the expandable pack that was the only bag Annastasia had brought with her, then they headed to their tents.
"Go right to sleep," said Mewtwo. "We have much practice tomorrow."
"Goodnight, sleep well," she told the Pokémon. "If you even sleep."
"We do, occasionally. Goodnight."
"Sleep well," said Lucario. "We are not taking it easy tomorrow."
"Of course not," she smiled. "Night."
"Pikaaaachu."
When she finally got into her sleeping bag and lied down, Scarlett curled up into the spot between her chin and collarbone and Lil-G lay by her feet. As always, Bleu was behind her. She lay on her back so that she could still see the stars through the mesh of the tent.
"Thanks for coming with me," she told the Pokémon. "It's hard being here nearly alone in the cold, dark, boring mountains. And you all have been working hard and no matter what happens next, you all did more than your fair share of helping."
"Pikaaaa."
"Tarrrrria."
"Lillllilil."
"I wonder what the others are doing right now. I wonder if they even notice that I'm gone," she whispered. "I hope Jocelyn remembers to brush her teeth. I hope Amb's being careful with those arrows and Jay's not too stressed out about me leaving. Do you think that June and Takeshi got together yet? I wonder how Maya's English lessons are going and if Soledad ever left with the geo-catchers."
Scarlett made an impression of a face that looked suspiciously familiar. Annastasia giggled.
"Yeah, I bet he misses us," she sighed. "And strangely, this is the first time I ever wanted someone to miss me."
"Pikachu pi pika."
"If you feel the same, I suppose that means Michio knows how to leave an impression."
"Annastasia, it doesn't sound like you are sleeping," she heard Lucario's voice echo in her head.
Literally.
"Keep your telepathy to yourself!" she retorted.
"Chuuuu!"
"If you don't sleep you will be cranky and irritable," Lucario continued.
"Fine," Annastasia sighed. "Scarlett: let's go to sleep for real now."
XO
Hiatus, Day 79
Jessie and James watched the video screen expectedly, waiting for someone to talk. Everyone except for Benny, Jay, Jocelyn, and their teenage leaders were present.
"Um, yes Logan, we can talk now if you want," James said as he and Jessie settled in their living room for the first time in weeks. "What's going on? Where's Jay and Jocelyn?"
"They're together in Jay's room, watching a movie with a bunch of their Pokémon and Benny," June responded. "Rita, Lexi, and Nolan are hanging out in the lobby."
"Are you alone?" Lily asked.
"Yes, it's just us here," said James. "Please tell us what's going on. You have us concerned."
"It's about Jay," said Amber. "He hasn't been completely honest with you. He's not okay."
"What do you mean?" Jessie asked.
"He's clearly depressed and everyone can feel it," said Lily.
"Like, clinically depressed?"
"Uh, I think so," said Logan.
"It seems like it at least," said June.
"How do you know? Since when? We talk to him every night and he never told us this," said James. "What exactly has he been doing?"
"It's mostly little things," said Logan. "Things we normally wouldn't notice if they happened once in a while."
"But they aren't once in a while anymore," Amber continued. "It's all the time."
"We should give some examples," they heard June whisper to the others.
"Um…well…for example…Jay usually doesn't get offended that easily," said Tamaki. "I mean, he gets defensive more than most people but now it's really bad. He freaks out over every little thing."
"And he's been picking fights," said Amber. "With me, the others in our group—even our leaders—and with other trainers we meet on the road."
"We sorta just ignored it all for a while until we started to notice that Jay wasn't doing the other things that he normally does," said June.
"Like play his guitar before going to bed, or spending a lot of time getting ready in the morning, or talking to his Pokémon, or being in a good mood all the time. He never talks about stuff like fashion, or music, or the T.V. shows that he likes to watch when we spend a few nights at the Pokémon Centers. He doesn't ever want to play games with us or just hang out or talk anymore. All he wants to do is battle Pokémon. It's all he ever thinks about," said Takeshi.
"Are you sure Jay isn't just…growing up? He's close to eleven…maybe maturing a little bit faster than we anticipated since his sister isn't around," said James.
"He's in denial," they heard Logan whisper to the kids.
"We're not in denial!" said Jessie, getting emotional.
"Uhhhh…"
"We thought it was okay too for a while but Jay is also doing other things that are making us worried," said June.
"He's angry, really angry, almost all the time," said Amber. "Jay, who's never been angry in his entire life. And then he cries. He says he doesn't know what to do anymore and that he can't stand anything anymore. It's been almost three months and he is getting worse."
"He also disappears at night sometimes and once Rita caught him and they had a huge fight at 1:00 am and we even got kicked out of a Pokémon Center for it," said Tamaki.
"Jay got you kicked out of a Pokémon Center? I-I can't believe it," said Jessie.
"Why didn't anyone tell us about this earlier?" James asked. "Rita, Lexi, or Nolan should've said something."
"We know you have a lot on your plate," said June.
"And we think Rita, Lexi, and Nolan feel sorry for him," said Takeshi. "I know we do."
"None of us wanna see him go," said Amber. "But we think he should go home with you."
"We'll be there in the morning," said Jessie.
"We'd like to get there sooner but if we leave now, we won't arrive until midnight," said James.
"Jay's coming with us whether he likes it or not."
"Please don't be mad at Jay," June replied. "We just wanna make him safe. Please don't punish him."
"He won't even see it coming since we never told him we called ya," said Tamaki.
"And Jay hates sneak-attacks," said Logan.
"We're not angry at Jay," said James. "Jess?"
"I'm not mad at him either," Jessie sighed. "You just can't get mad at a kid like that…"
"Not even I can," said Amber. "Not deeply mad."
"We'll be there early," said James. "We'll explain the situation to Jay and Jocelyn when we arrive. Just tell Rita, Lexi, and Nolan so that they know to expect us."
"We don't want Jay to be grounded," said Takeshi. "Um…uh..."
"Jay isn't in trouble—not with us," said Jessie. "We'll just…we haven't had a chance to think this through. Just expect us there early."
"Around eight," said James. "Is there anything else we should know?"
"That's all we got," Lily said after each group member nodded.
"Thanks for letting us know. Call us right away if anything else happens."
"We will," said Logan
"Surely," said June.
"We'll keep an eye on him," said Tamaki.
"Don't' worry about it," said Amber.
Jessie and James hung up the phone. Once the screen was dark, Jessie turned to James.
"I can't believe I didn't see this coming. Did you?"
James shook his head. "I had a feeling he was feeling more than he let on, and I could tell he was upset, but getting in fights? Jay cries over a stubbed toe. How the hell is he fighting?"
"Like they said: with Pokémon. In the past, I could always tell in the past what he was feeling. This whole time I thought he was okay, not great, but okay. It was just a lie."
"I can't believe he was lying to us."
"He's almost eleven years old. I suppose he was going to start lying to us at some point. We can't go too easy on him."
"We can't yell at him either—that'll make everything worse."
"I know. I just don't know what the alternative is. It used to be about preventing, but now it's too late for that."
"I think I should handle this."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
Jessie was a bit offended. "He's half mine. I understand him just as well as you do."
"It's just that I can relate to Jay more. I think I know what to say to him. We can talk to him together afterward too though if you want. But I really want to talk to him first."
"Okay…I'll let you have your moment…but I'm definitely talking to him too at some point."
"Thank you."
XO
"That wasn't as difficult as I anticipated," June said as she handed Logan back the phone they used to dial James.
"Yeah, but it was really sad to see their faces when we told them. I don't think they have ever been disappointed with the dude in their entire lives," said Tamaki.
"Cuz Jay never rebelled before," said Amber. "Except for a few times when I made him do things. But we never did anything that bad."
"It was a good idea we listened to you," Takeshi told June. "Jay's parents will pick him up and everything will be okay."
"Might not be as smooth as that," said Lily. "He'll probably feel hurt and betrayed. He might really flip out on us—you ought to be ready for it."
"Nyaaaanya," said Maya.
"Yeah, it was for his own good," Logan agreed. "It would've been wrong to just ignore him. Jay needs this."
"What are you guys talking about?" a voice asked from behind them. "What do I need?"
"Jay!" June squeaked. She jumped when she turned and noticed him standing there. "How much did you hear?"
"Ah, just my name, really…What are you saying about me?"
"Um, nothing."
That raised Jay's suspicion. He crossed his arms and watched them all coldly, waiting for one of them to spill.
"Remember how you told me you just wanted to go home?" Amber said cautiously.
"Yes..." Jay replied, still suspicious.
"We…ah…"
"Pikachupika," said Pip.
"Yeah, we kinda just called your parents. We told them that you weren't feeling good and that they should take you home. They're coming tomorrow morning. Early. Like eight."
Jay stared at his friends in shock. Everyone but Amber refused to make eye contact.
"Why would you do such a thing?!" he cried. "Amber, how could you?!"
Togetic fluttered in front of Jay and spoke soothing chirps, but Jay pushed him away.
"It wasn't just Amber. We all decided it was a good idea," said June.
"But you didn't even talk to me. You called them without telling me. That…that is just…. I can't believe you did that!" he continued in the same hurt tone.
"It's for your own good," said Lily. "Look, Jay. Logan and I are the only ones here who've known you longer than you have known you. You never used to fight or yell, and you never get depressed for more than an hour. Honestly, I think the only reason we didn't do something sooner was because we were afraid you'd flip out like this."
"You were all afraid of me? I didn't know I was so horrible! I knew it…you really don't like me!"
Jay attempted to stomp away but Maya, Logan, Squirt Gun, and Togetic blocked him. Lily continued:
"We can't stand to see you miserable. We think you'll be better off spending some time with your parents. If you want, Logan, Maya, Squirt Gun and I will go too. And I can almost guarantee Jocelyn will want to go as well."
"Dude, we don't think there is anything wrong with you, we just know that things are rough and we want to make it easier," said Tamaki. "We'll miss you lots but it's for the best."
"Is that what everyone thinks? That I can't take care of myself?" he questioned.
"Jay, none of us can take care of ourselves," Amber pointed out.
"We just want to help. We promise, Jay," said Maya.
Everyone looked at the Meowth, who had just spoken her first full sentence, barely accented, in clear English.
Jay smiled and sniffed. He rubbed his eyes. Everyone in the group came closer to him, patting him on the back and hugging him.
"We didn't want to make you sad," said June. "The last thing we wanted was for you to think that we didn't care or that we thought badly of you. We all just want you to be happy."
"And even though going home might not make you happy at first, I think it's better for you," said Amb. "Healthier."
"Yeah, like you can catch up on all those episodes of Project Runway and Queer Eye that you missed," said Tamaki.
"Your mom probably wants another manicure," said Takeshi.
"And I don't think Wobbuffet makes the coffee as well as you do," said Logan.
"You guys really are the best," Jay sniffed.
"We know," Amber said as she and several others patted his back.
"I haven't been this anxious since I came out of the closet."
"We know."
"Let explain what happened to the others," June suggested. "We don't have to give them any details."
"Okay," Jay agreed.
"Congrats, Maya, you spoke English with using any 'nyys'. That's a big step", Lily told the Meowth. "I didn't even know you could pronounce names yet."
"Jay's easy ny—", she replied, stopping herself from adding a 'nya' to the end of her sentence. "I can say 'Jay'."
"I'm flattered," said Jay. "And um…did you all talk to Jocelyn?"
"No," a handful of them replied.
"Your parents will talk to her when they get here tomorrow. They don't want you to worry about it," Amber said as she wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"I'll miss you," Jay sighed.
Then he realized that he really, really did not want to lose his other half.
"Amber, you have eight gym badges, right?" he asked, even though he was positive she did.
"Sure do," she answered. "Why do you ask? If you think I'm giving you one, you're nuttier than I realized."
"Umm, well, instead of revisiting the gyms—since you don't really have to—can you come with me instead? I promise I won't argue and I'll try to be happy."
Lily motioned for the others to walk away and give them some space to talk alone.
"We'll be over here if you need us," Lily said before they dispersed.
"I thought you wanted to be alone," Amber responded. "And away from me. I thought that's what you needed."
"What I need is…I dunno," Jay sighed. "But everything in life seems worse when you're not around, even when I'm the one who pushes you away."
"Hey, if that's what you need, then I'll be there."
"Are you sure? I don't wanna take you away from your journey."
"There's no reason our journey has to end just cuz we're going to Pallet. And I'm 100% sure I wanna come with you."
Jay grinned widely and hugged her tightly. "Thanks, sooooooooo much, Amb."
Amb laughed and hugged him back. "There's my Blue-Jay. Let's go pack our things and tell everyone what's going on, except Jocelyn. We should wait until the morning to let her know."
"Agreed."
XO
Later when everyone was back, June told Rita, Nolan, and Lexi about what had happened. The three teens stopped by the room he was sharing with Takeshi and their Pokémon. Jay was in their alone, talking on the phone, telling Soledad about his decision to go back to Pallet. Lexi knocked on the side of the open door.
"Oh, Soledad, I have to go now," Jay spoke into the videophone.
"Okay, Jay. Good luck with everything. I hope you feel better. Tell my family I said 'hi'," Soledad replied before hanging up.
Jay turned to the teenagers. "You can come in."
Lexi, Nolan, and Rita sat across from him on Takeshi's bed. Togetic and Bayleef were beside Jay.
"Your parents called us. They said they want you to come home," said Nolan. "They were very concerned about you. They wanted us to check in with you."
"June told us what happened," said Lexi. "We wanted to follow up with you about that as well."
"I just…I feel awful," Jay mumbled as he started to cry. "I was so awful to everyone."
"The other night when I yelled at you, it wasn't right," said Rita. "I mean, it wasn't really yelling—you were spared from the worst of me—but I should've followed up with you. I care about you. I'm sorry I couldn't help you more."
"I got what I deserved."
"This is not what you deserve," said Nolan.
"You got something much harder," said Lexi.
"It feels awful, but you being upset—it means you're empathetic. Don't be ashamed of that."
"I-I'll try not to," Jay vowed.
"That's all we ask," said Rita. "And just so you know, all we'll be doing these next two months is training and revisiting gyms. Tamaki and Benny also wanted to explore some parts of Kanto that they have never been to before. Then we'll be together again for the Pokémon League competition, before that even, since we're all gonna watch Amber win her archery tournament."
"Yeah...but I'll still miss traveling and being around everyone."
"We'll miss you too."
"Definitely," said Lexi.
"It won't be as fun with you gone, but you gotta put yourself first sometimes," said Nolan. "And now's a great time to put yourself first."
"Before you know it, we'll be together again and getting ready for the opening ceremonies."
"Yeah, I can't wait," Jay yawned.
The teens noted his weariness and stood.
"Have a good night," said Rita. "We'll talk again before you leave unless you don't want to."
"I'll want too," he responded.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Lexi and Nolan said together.
"You're going to be fine," Nolan added. "Just don't give up."
"I won't," Jay replied. "I promise I won't."
XO
Hiatus, Day 19
"Annastasia, are you awake?" Lucario questioned. "Can you hear me?"
Annastasia yawned and stretched. "Of course, I can hear you. Your telepathy echoes through my head."
"Pikaa chu ka." Scarlett commented as she rubbed her eyes. She too was in a deep sleep.
Annastasia yawned again. "What time is it?"
"3:00 am," Mewtwo answered.
"Taria Tarrria tar," Bleu ranted.
"We know she needs her sleep, but this is important. You four need to follow us."
Annastasia and Lil-G stood up and stretched. Bleu shook out his feathers. Scarlett rubbed her face.
"Is something the matter?" Annastasia inquired.
"We are not quite sure what is happening, but we noticed the tracker you are wearing is no longer functioning," said Lucario. "That means no one at headquarters can tell where you are and it is likely if that is down then so is the radar."
Annastasia craned her neck to look at the small metal tracker that was attached to the back of her left leg. The device looked like a small metal spider, just like the ones that she was helping Rita plant throughout Kanto as they were traveling. The only difference was that these bugs were meant for tracking, not listening. The small red light that was normally present was off. Rumika told her that if anything were to happen to that light, then it would mean that they had lost her, but the chances of it breaking were less than one in a million.
"It broke. Go figure," Annastasia remarked.
"We should leave the Tree," said Lucario. "We can teleport back to the Toka base and you can get a new tracker. We should do it right away before they start sending search parties."
"Sounds good to me, though I wish it broke at a more convenient time. I'm exhausted."
"Are you ready to go?"
"My stuff's already together, so I'm ready when you are."
The area surrounding them turned dark and blue lights flashed as they got ready to teleport. Out of habit, Annastasia closed her eyes, knowing that when she re-opened them, she would be back in headquarters. When the familiar sensation of flying off was completed, she opened her eyes, expecting to be in some dark hallway or inside one of the Team Rocket executive offices. But that wasn't the case. They hadn't moved an inch.
"I don't understand," said Mewtwo. "My powers have never failed me before."
"Try again," Lucario suggested.
Mewtwo tried again, but they got the same result.
"Are you feeling ill?" Annastasia asked. "Maybe you're coming down with something."
"No, it's not that. I do not think that I can even get sick," Mewtwo responded.
"I'll try," said Lucario.
And he did. His result was the same as Mewtwo's.
"I should have brought one of my Pokémon from headquarters that know Teleport, just in case yours failed," said Annastasia.
"There is no reason for this," Mewtwo said angrily as he once again tried Teleport.
"Let's walk outside the Tree, then use Teleport. We aren't far from the exit; it won't take us long to get there."
They walked until they got to the supposed exit of the Tree. The problem was that the exit that was there last time they checked was no longer present. In its place was a series of very thick roots and vines. It was impossible for anyone, even a very small Pokémon, to get through.
"How odd," said Lucario. "I'll use an Aura Sphere to break through."
Lucario leaned back and powered up an enormous aura sphere. It was about the size of four basketballs put together. He thrust it towards the exit and waited for it to bust through the roots and vines. All six of them were shocked when it did nothing.
"Even a small sphere should have been enough to break through some of these vines and roots," said Lucario.
"Maybe if we help it will work," Annastasia mused. "Try Aura Sphere again. Mewtwo and I will do one to… Scarlett, you try Iron Tail, Lil-G, you do Shadowball, and Bleu, you use Moonblast. One or more of those attacks will get the job done."
Everyone got into position, and on the count of three, fired their attacks at the door. Once again, they were unable to penetrate. Mewtwo tried a series of moves, from Hydro Pump and Blizzard to Flare Blitz and Iron Head. Nothing was effective.
"We were able to harness our abilities, we just can't use them to attack," Annastasia observed. "If the Tree senses us fighting in here, then it makes sense that it would try to shut us down so that nothing is damaged."
"The Tree shouldn't be able to tell that we are in here because of Mewtwo's shield," Lucario reminded her. "If it knew you were here, the antibodies would have come for you by now."
"Right…plus, our attacks were working just fine yesterday. And Teleport is a status move, not an attack, so that should be working too."
"This makes no sense."
"It is not letting anything in or out of Tree; it's in defense mode. That's why radar signal shut down and we can't get out. We're trapped."
XO
Hiatus, Day 34
Jessie and James were sitting inside of Giovanni's office, waiting for him to return so that he could lecture them. They felt like they were demoted back to grunts like they had failed once again to bring the boss anything useful before their next evaluation. The only difference was the Meowth wasn't there and Jessie was uncharacteristically out of uniform, due to it becoming a bit too tight recently. The two waited in silence, still weary from their long and fruitless quest, when Giovanni stormed in thirty minutes later, his loyal Persian on his heals.
"What were you two idiots thinking?" he demanded.
"Not much at the time to be honest," James mumbled.
"I have just as much money and respect as you do now, so don't call me an idiot!" Jessie growled.
"You went to the Tree of Beginning with just a handful of Pokémon and a plane, twice, after I told you not to," Giovanni said sternly. "It was dangerous, idiotic, and a waste of resources."
"Prrrrrrrarr," Persian spat in their faces. They could tell he was a bit disappointed that Meowth wasn't there, as the old Persian loved teasing the scratch cat Pokémon whenever they visited the Boss.
"Unlike you w,e stand by our children. So, while you might not be the type of parent who would go searching for their child, we are," Jessie asserted.
"I'm going to disregard the first part of that comment and remind you that we are already having people searching for her as we speak," Giovanni retorted.
"We aren't going around and wait for some other team to locate her."
"You aren't right for this type of work. It's better that you stay away. I don't need to lose more agents."
"More agents?" James queried.
"There's a war out there. Our Sinnoh, Unova, Orre, and Sevii Isle bases have already been destroyed; all that is left are the basements and some underwater facilities. They are clearly targeting the big buildings. Not Pokémon Gyms or Centers though, just bases. And humans don't seem to be initiating these attacks, at least not physically. Only the Pokémon."
"Do we know any of the agents that were killed?"
"Probably. I haven't looked at the updated list. I would be doing that now if I didn't have you clowns distracting me."
"In that case, we'll be going," Jessie said resentfully.
She grabbed her bag and headed for the door. James followed.
"Please keep us updated," James requested. "We won't go out again. Promise."
"I will. Just get out of my office," Gio replied.
"Perrrrawrrrr," Persian added haughtily.
Jessie was already halfway down the hall by the time James shut the door of Giovanni's office. He jogged to keep up with her.
"I can't believe this is happening," she spat. "The world hates us. That's the only explanation. It gives everything we want and then it takes it all away."
"I can't really say that I disagree with you, given our current situation, but I have a feeling there's something else on your mind, otherwise you'd have spent much more time in their arguing with The Boss."
"Don't call him 'The Boss'—it feeds his ego. If we wanted, we could buy Team Rocket now, except I don't want it… and you're right; there's something else on my mind."
"May you tell me what it is?"
"The Mew, James, the Mew. They're our last hope."
"We discussed this."
"And how did that conversation end?"
"After I said it was a bad idea you said that I would change my mind. But it's been two days and I haven't changed anything."
"James, why not?"
"They're our babies too. Sending them out alone doesn't feel right."
"If they think it's too extreme or whatever, they won't go. It's not like we're forcing them. I don't want my precious Acorn getting the least bit damaged, but I know she's strong and capable of great things. If she can help Annastasia, then there's no way in hell I'm not going to give her that chance."
"When you say it like that, it sounds like our best option. I still don't like it, but if it works, it will be the best thing we could do."
"That's precisely my point."
Jessie and James met with Rumika in the Team Rocket cafeteria. She was sitting with Reese, her Ditto, and someone they recognized as one of the tenants of the rooms she was renting out in her mansion.
"Gio wasn't too harsh, was he?" Rumika asked the pair as sat across from her.
"Don't patronize us," Jessie replied. "Gio already took care of that."
"Only half-bitch mood. Hm. By the way, this is Brodie. He's renting out room 1C."
"Who cares?" Jessie said as James responded: "Nice to meet you."
"I remember you now…you moved into Jessiebelle's old ballroom," said James.
"Which is now it's a two-bedroom, one bath apartment with a nice carpeted TV room and large kitchen," Brodie responded. "Very comfortable and well-priced too."
"It's sweet sisterly revenge," said Rumika.
"You, go be in a commercial or something," Jessie said as she poked Brodie. "Rumika, James, and I need to talk."
"Anything you want to talk about you can say in front of Brodie. He happens to be an agent too. A damned good one."
"And I don't gossip," Brodie added.
"Peachy," said Jessie.
"She usually isn't this bad," James told Brodie.
"I agree," said Rumika. "She just lost her daughter."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," said Brodie. He hugged Jessie, who was sitting next to him so that she could face Rumika. Jessie shoved him off her.
"Right, I should've asked before hugging you," he sighed sadly.
"Arg, Rumika—don't say it like that!" Jessie scolded.
"Yes, please don't," said James.
"What's going on?" Brodie asked.
"Their daughter went on a mission and we lost track of her almost three weeks ago. It's a very tense situation, but we haven't stopped looking for her. And we are far from giving up," Rumika explained. "Jessie, are you here to discuss the Mew thing again?"
"Yes," Jessie groaned.
"I think you should be talking to Gio."
"He's just going to shut us down."
"Jessie and I really want to do this," said James. "If you could imagine what is like to know that your daughter is out in the mountains missing, then you too would want to do whatever you can to help her."
"Am I allowed to asked what the 'Mew thing' is?" Brodie questioned.
"I will explain it to you later," said Rumika. "I'll help if you're both on board. I have nothing to lose—it's not like Gio will ever fire me nor would I care even if he did. As for you, Brodie, if anyone asks, you weren't involved."
"Gotcha."
"Bring the Mew here tomorrow. We'll tell them where to go and give them trackers. Since their Teleport isn't as strong us Mewtwo's, it'll take them a few shots to get there, but they should have no trouble getting inside the Tree otherwise."
"Then we'll see you later," Jessie said as she stood to leave.
"Let's get something to eat first," James suggested. "I'm starving. Aren't you?"
"I'm too sick to eat."
"Well, perhaps some tea…"
"Fine, I'll hang out…but get me hot chocolate, not tea."
"I'll be right back."
"Still feeling nauseous?" Rumika asked after James walked away.
"No, anxious. Not in the mood for food," Jessie responded. "Ever."
"When's the last time you ate?"
"Yesterday."
"It's 3:00 pm. Are you saying you didn't eat since dinner last night?"
"Not since lunch yesterday."
"You're supposed to gain weight, not lose it."
"I already gained weight and I'm going to eat again just not now. I have knots in my stomach. Seriously, I'd have put this pregnancy off a few months if I knew Annastasia would go missing. Now leave me alone."
"Jessie, I'm sorry for hugging you before," said Brodie. "And congratulations on having another baby."
"Thanks…"
A few minutes later James came back with a large bowl of ramen. He sat beside Rumika and contently slurped down the noodles.
"When you're done can I have the broth?" Jessie asked as she sipped her hot cocoa.
"Of course," he responded. "Don't you want anything else?"
"A second helping of hot chocolate if they have any. I want it the way Wobbuffet makes it, extra dark, with the powdered sugar on top and those special marshmallows that sink to the bottom of the mug…Mmmmm. I should've brought him with us."
"I'll get it," Rumika offered. "While I'm gone, bond with Brodie."
"So kid, how old are you?" Jessie asked.
"Twenty," he responded. "I thought you didn't want to talk to me."
"I can change my mind."
"She's moody," James mouthed to Brodie while Jessie wasn't looking. Brodie silently acknowledged this.
"Our daughter is three months away from eighteen. Less than that—three fucking months and she is an adult," Jessie continued.
"Oh…" said Brodie.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I was wondering how old you were. I thought you were younger than Rumika, and since you're having another kid…I'll stop."
"Good idea."
"So, Brodie, what do you do?" James inquired.
"I'm TR's top electrician and now I'm a recruiter as well. I used to run my own business but got tired of all the micromanaging. So, I sold it and here I am."
"Impressive. I never heard of anyone starting their own business before age forty."
"Yes, it is impressive," said Jessie. "Do you need a wife? Our daughter is gorgeous and she's not in a committed relationship yet."
"Oh, well, I'm single," Brodie responded. "But, umm…I can't. I'm gay."
"That's great! Annastasia's asexual so you're perfectly compatible."
"Um, not really…"
"Jess, I don't think Brodie nor Annastasia would appreciate this," said James.
"Fine," said Jessie. "Do you have an equally successful relative close in age?"
"I have a close cousin who's seventeen," said Brodie. "She's single and likes girls."
"Perfect. Give me her number."
"Annastasia doesn't need that kind of help right now," said James. "Besides, she sorta has someone already."
"We said we'd help her find someone and a little variety is always good. Besides, this helps me cope; it makes me feel like things are normal."
"Her name is Viviana," Brodie said as he handed Jessie a napkin with her name and number. "She's on the shy side, so perhaps….um…"
"Don't bombard her," James filled in. "Jess, did you hear that?"
"Yeah, yeah," Jessie said as she tucked the napkin into her pocket.
Rumika observed Brodie's face as she returned to her seat.
"What's Jessie doing now?" she queried.
"Nothing," Jessie defended. "Where's my hot chocolate?"
"They ran out. Want tea instead?"
"What do I look like? Some kind of yogi? It's hot chocolate or nothing. I'm going home." Jessie roughly shoved her chair back into the table. "James, are you coming?"
James slurped down the remainder of his ramen noodles. "I thought you wanted this broth."
"I changed my mind."
"Okay, then I'm ready when you are."
"Rumika, we'll see you later."
"Yes, to discuss the 'Mew thing'" Rumika replied. "Unless you changed your mind about that too."
"I haven't and won't."
"Ditto for me," said James. "After all, as of right now, it's our last hope."
"And the only way we can become unstuck."
XO
IN THE NEXT CHAPTER:
· Jay's rest and recovery
· Annastasia and the gang try to break free
· Michio makes a move
AN: I love your comments, speculations, analyses, and guesses. They are so wonderful. Thank you and peace out.