AN: Your reviews are all so nice and funny. I like all the shipness discussion. It makes me smile. Here is another chapter for you all. Unfortunately, it is lacking in ship adorableness (unless you count subtle Michio angst over A:) but the next few chapters will help make up for that. Please review if you can:)

Hiatus, Day 92

"It has been thirty days since that monster kicked me out of the Tree of Beginnings. I think today I will be able to make it to the White Jade springs. It is not too far from here…maybe an hour's walk, at least that is what is felt like when I was here with Lucario and the others," Annastasia wrote.

Annastasia stuck the diary in her backpack and continued her trek. She wondered if the Volbeat and Illumise had taken her advice and visited the White Jade springs; the waters were incredibly powerful and amazing at healing, and very few human beings and Pokémon knew of their existence. Those who did know about them were sworn to secrecy by the spring's guardian, a Suicune that she and Misty had once encountered during a Team Rocket mission. That Suicune was a very kind and gentle creature, and extremely loyal. Therefore, Annastasia was shocked when she arrived at the springs and Suicune was no longer there.

"Suicune! Suicune where are you!" She called out. Her voice was cracked and dry, as the snow was her only source of water, and she had been consuming very little of it due to the extreme cold. "Suicune I need you!"

Annastasia closed her eyes and tried to use her aura to locate it, but it was hopeless; wherever Suicune was, it was certain to be far away, just as it had been the last time she was there.

"Illluuuuuumise!" a voice called out instead.

An Illumise and several Volbeat emerged. They were worn out.

"Where's the rest of your flock?" Annastasia inquired.

"Illumise Illu luuuuuuu."

"They left?"

"Vollll. Vollllbeat, Volllll."

"The members of your group who recovered left to deliver my message, and those who were not ready yet stayed here."

"Illu."

Annastasia explained what the monster fusion did to her. She carefully removed her backpack and heavy clothing and immersed herself into one of the springs. Several of the Pokémon joined her.

"I needed this so much," she sighed. "I've never been so worn out in my entire life. I wonder if I'll even make it. I'm not so sure I will."

"Volbeat Beat volbeatttttt."

"You think I'm childlike? What's your source?"

"Beeeat."

"That's what I thought. In ten days, I'll be eighteen—a legal adult. For humans, that means…well nothing much. Just legal things."

"Illumise Illu?"

"If I could have one birthday wish, would ask for unlimited wishes. As many wishes, no rules, for as long as I want."

"Illumiiiise," she replied.

"Literally one wish?"

"Luuu."

"Then I don't know. I want to believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe I'm supposed to die. Or maybe I am supposed to live and save a bunch of people. Or maybe I live and nothing changes. Nevertheless, I don't think one wish would help anything."

"Illumise nise Illumise?"

"I guess I could use my wish to save the Tree. But Jirachi doesn't know where I am. And I am not even sure how I am supposed to get home. I suppose I could use aura to help guide me, but I am so tired and weak. That monster and I are interdependent. We should be living in balance but now it has almost all the power while I'm nearly powerless."

"Beeeeeat."

"Illumise."

"Vol vollll beat."

"You're so sweet for wanting to help me, but you're weak too. You've already helped by delivering Michio's message. One day, if you ever cross him again, you can tell him that I got it."

"Illumise Illu mise Illu."

"Beat, Vollllll."

"I don't want you to risk your lives for me."

"Volbeat beat beat beat Volllll."

"Luuuuuuu Illumise."

"What makes me different than any other human?"

"Vollllllllbeat."

"Luuuuu."

"You say I'm contradicting myself by calling the people around me great while not thinking myself to be the same way…I don't mean to sound like I'm putting myself down. I suppose trying to lift others up instead of putting myself down is an ongoing and flawed endeavor of mine."

"Beat vollll?"

"I have no idea where Suicune is. She told me she would never leave these springs, but I cannot sense her aura anywhere."

None of the firefly Pokémon seemed to know where Suicune had gone off to. Annastasia figured it must have had something very important to tend to, and decided to not worry, as it was a very strong Pokémon capable of looking after itself.

She stayed in the spring for several hours, then got up to look for food. The Pokémon helped by sharing their berries.

"Soon all the fruit up here is going to be frozen, and the plants will just stop producing," she noted. "Thank you for sharing, and thank you for deciding to lead me home."

The Pokémon chanted and ate with her. That night, and for the next few nights, they kept her warm. After her tenth day there she decided to leave the hidden springs.

"Volllbeat beat beat."

"Illuuuuuu!"

"You know where we can find a grotto?"

"Beeeeeeat Volbeat."

"Illuuuuumnise."

"That will protect me from the fusions however it will make it more difficult for my family to find me—if they're even still looking. Maybe they will be attracted to your lights—do you think you can keep them one?"

"Luu."

Annastasia and the Pokémon left the White Jade Springs, not realizing that in just a day's time, Ash and Misty would be returning to that exact location with Suicune. Meanwhile, in the Tree of Beginning, Mewtwo's shield was starting to break down, and the five remaining Pokémon worried that the fusion would take control of the Tree's antibodies and have them come for them.

Rita, Nolan, and the group they were leading were getting ready to return to Pallet Town, and James, Meowth, and Lucy had already left to meet Rumika, Mondo, and several other agents in their squad in Viridian City. Michio was also getting ready to leave on a plane to his homeland.

XO

Hiatus, Day 104

Michio's plane landed on his native island around 11:00 am. His entire family was gathered at his home, not to see him, but rather because there was a golf competition. Since no one in his family over the age of fifty worked, golfing was something that everyone in the Kapule Klan participated in at some point in their lives. Golf outings occurred several times a month and were often hosted at his house since his estate was one of the largest.

After exiting the plane with nothing on him but the clothes on his back and his patched-up knapsack, he went straight in through the back door of the mansion, trying his best to avoid speaking to all of the relatives and neighbors who have congregated on the front lawn. But he couldn't avoid everyone.

"The DELINQUENT is back!" his brother Koan yelled, slapping him on the back, hard. "I heard you be back soon. So, you survived. Kimo, Teso, and I had a bet. None of us bet you'd last over six months, especially after you learned about rice being a staple."

Michio pushed his brother off of him. Koan responded by tackling him. He could tell his brother was drunk, as he and his aforementioned cousins often were at these frequent family affairs.

Since his relatives got together so often, it wasn't that unusual for Michio to show up on a day when they were all visiting.

"I didn't mean to come on a golf day," Michio told Koan. "It's like I said in my email: I'm picking up my Pokémon and then I'm out of here."

"Just chill. Everyone is here to celebrate," Koan insisted.

"Not me."

Michio hated it when there were so many people there. His crowd anxiety didn't go away just because he knew most of the people in the crowd; often that made it worse. Many of his aunts and uncles tried to get him to stop and talk, but he ignored them and made his way to his parents, who were drinking cocktails with their Servine, Sandile, Salandit. Most of his family kept their Pokémon in their balls when they were not being used, but it was apparent that his mother and father were bragging about them to his aunt Lani, who in turn was showing off her recently obtained Teddiursa and Beautifly. He approached them cautiously.

"Your brother sent me a text, said you'd just arrived at the house," said Michio's father, Makoa.

"Do you have anything to tell us, after being away for so long? I bet you missed this place," his mother, Keaka, added.

"These are your aunt's new Pokémon. Common is the new rare. Go figure."

"Where are yours?"

"Go on, talk. It's been over half a year and all we've gotten from you was a few text messages and emails."

"It isn't proper to disengage," his Aunt Lani chided.

"My Pokémon are in their balls in my backpack. I didn't let them out because I don't plan on staying," Michio replied.

"What do you mean you aren't staying? You just got here! And your grandparents and great-aunts and uncles are having their bi-weekly golf outing today. They have been asking about you. We want you to stay and be social," said Keaka.

"We sent you to Kanto so that you would learn some social skills and become less rude, but here you are acting the same as always," Makoa complained. "We should rethink that decision to give back your Pokémon."

"This is an emergency," said Michio.

"What do you mean?" Keaka inquired.

"I need those Pokémon to help a friend."

"So, you made a friend in Kanto…" said Makoa. "Didn't see that coming. Why do you need your old Pokémon?"

"She's lost in the mountains of Toka. Team Rocket and I and some others are going to go after her. I think I can really use my Pokémon, especially Lunala."

"She?" said Keaka. "Surely you don't mean a young woman."

"Um yeah—Annastasia."

"That story's too far-fetched to beleive," said Makoa.

"We know Annastasia had to take leave, but I think calling her 'missing' is over the top," said Keaka.

"Call Giovanni and ask—you'll see that this is life or death," Michio replied. "He'll explain everything and endorse my 'story' that you insist I made it up."

"Just relax and have a drink, you can do that now, right?" said Lani. "Or are you an alcoholic again?"

"Just tell me where they are," said Michio. "If it means that much to you, I'll return at some other point and be social but now is not the time!"

Several of his wealthy and judgmental neighbors and relatives glanced at Michio and scoffed. This made his parents darken with shame. They moved the discussion indoors.

His dad paced the study anxiously while Michio stood in the corner, waiting for him to respond. Whenever Michio tried to speak, Makoa cut him off.

"I want to believe that you have grown," Makoa said after several long minutes. "But it doesn't seem that way thus far. You're still the mixed-up disgrace we shed six months ago."

Makoa looked away. Michio saw that coming years ago, but now it was decision time. Eighteen was coming up fast, and it was sink or swim. Makoa wanted him to drown.

"You should at least take the time to greet your family," said Makoa. "Spend a few days here."

"I don't have a few days," said Michio. "I think she needs me."

"Is this about Annastasia?" Keaka asked. Michio nodded. "Oh, wow…"

"I thought you weren't into girls. We thought you were, you know…" his father said in a whisper. "One of them."

Michio looked at them like they were crazy. 'That's not the first time people made that assumption.' Michio decided there were just some things he just didn't need to explain to his parents. He decided Annastasia and his relationship with her was going to be one of those things.

"Can I have my stuff now? I need to get back," said Michio.

"How do we know you won't just run away?" Keaka asked. "Now we have nothing to lure you back with."

"Except his inheritance," said Makoa. "Those Pokémon and all 'your' money is still ours until December 22nd. If you try to escape, note that you will probably be able to find you, no matter where you roam."

Michio knew there was no way he was going to make it to that vault with so many people around and his parents so inquisitive. He needed to pursue plan B.

"I'll come back," said Michio. "On my own terms, but now…I need your help."

"You never asked for help your entire life. You were always too stubborn," said Keaka.

"I'm asking now. Give me what I need or I will leave here miserable and empty handed, and I sure as hell will never return."

Keaka bit her tongue, not wanting Makoa to be that harsh, but it wasn't a surprise; Makoa was always harder on Michio than he was on Koan, and showed him less respect than any other human being with whom he came in contact.

"I…I can't explain myself," Michio sighed. "Seriously, if you just give me a chance…"

"You've had so many chances," said Makoa. "And you've destroyed every single one."

"Listen to him," Keaka pleaded. "I don't think we've ever seen Michio so sincere."

'Because you never noticed,' Michio thought to himself.

"We'll give you your Pokémon, but you owe us. You don't live here for free," said Makoa. "Koan may not be perfect, but at least he upholds his duties. He makes appearances, respects his elders, is social and neighborly, we always are dragging you out of some hole. The only thing you do socially is battle Pokémon, and even though you are good at that, it isn't enough."

"I can't believe it. I fucking did everything you asked and you are still bothering me because I'm not Koan," said Michio.

"Michio, we don't want a Koan clone, we just don't want to hand you your Pokémon and lose you again," said Keaka. "We want you to be part of our family."

Makoa took a silver key out of his pocket and unlocked the top drawer of one of the study's desks. That drawer revealed to hold another key, which he then used to open a vault that was hidden behind a shelf of books. He took out a bag and handed it to Michio.

"Your Pokéballs are in there. All one-hundred and eight of them. Since you are no longer 'training' with Professor Oak, you can now carry as many Pokéballs with you as you desire," his father explained.

Michio released his favorite Pokémon.

"Liiiiieparrrrr," Peruva purred. She gazed warmly into his eyes before jumping onto his lap. Michio scratched the top of her head and she purred louder.

"She was with your aunt and uncle for a while, then she returned here not that long ago," said Keaka.

"I missed you," Michio said as she stroked her head.

"I don't understand why you are so attached to her. She is just an evolved Purrloin. They're all over the streets in Kalos and Unova. But I suppose it is like your aunt was saying, common is the new rare. At least she is shiny and can mega-evolve. I suppose that's something."

"Sometimes the common ones are the best."

"Liiiiiiieeeeprrrr," Peruva agreed.

Makoa stayed silent and it was obvious he was rethinking his decision to let Michio get his way—it may prompt him to cut ties with Alola, and that would be the ultimate disgrace to the family name.

"Anything else you insist you need?" Keaka asked.

Michio considered asking for the potion. Explaining the Tree of Beginning, the sick Mew, and Annastasia's aura thing was going to be no easy task. He could just barely get his parents to give him his own Pokémon, he never felt like he could discuss anything with them before, and he had always been too hesitant to even ask for help up until now. But he did swear to himself, and to her friends and family, that he would do everything he could to help.

"Michio, did you hear me?" Keaka asked.

Michio realized he was staring off into space. Peruva licked his hand, and he looked back to his parents.

"There is one other thing I need," he said.

"What is it?" Makoa groaned.

"Before I ask, just…keep in mind that it is not for me, and that I need it for something really important. You are just going to have to trust me with it."

"You're not getting a cent out of us until you prove you're worthy of something."

"Um, well, it's expensive…" He took another deep breath. Peruva encouraged him to go on. "I need that hyper potion. The one kupuna stored in the attic vault."

"You're out of your mind."

"That's a lot to ask for," Keaka said worriedly, not sure whose side she was on. "We only have one, and it's the closest thing to priceless we own."

"I need this for something even more priceless," Michio insisted.

"This has to do with your lady friend," Makoa inferred.

"It's not for her directly…"

"You are not using our valuables as gifts for your nobody acquaintances."

"It's for the Tree of Beginning."

"What do you know about the Tree of Beginning?" Keaka asked, genuinely intrigued.

"You know about the Tree?"

"Quite a bit. In addition to studying it as a child, your father and I know researchers who have been observing the Tree for decades."

"Then you know it's dying."

"That's an exaggeration," Makoa responded. "But we know it's ill. We don't know how you know."

"I have connections. Who told you the Tree was sick? How could you possibly know? Most people don't even know it exists."

"Our psychic warned us that the Tree was in peril and that it needed 'a spirited heroine, an old soul whose life essence was'…Mak, how did that riddle go?" Keaka asked.

"She wrote it down. She said we would need it later," he responded.

Michio sat there, perplexed, while his father searched the study for a small notepad. After several minutes, he found it inside one of his brief cases. He cleared his throat and read the words slowly and carefully, repeating them for emphasis.

"Unless the Tree lay perish, a spirited heroine, an old soul whose life essence was as whimsical as electricity in the air, must deliver unto its a saving elixir," he recited. "It's a hard one, but Helena said it would make sense eventually."

"Of course, she did," Michio mumbled. "I should've known Helena would find a way to invade my life again."

"How incredible. This must mean that you are the heroine," said his mother. Then she paused, thinking over her words and the riddle. "But that isn't right…".

Michio sighed. "Just give me the potion; I can figure the rest out from here."

His parents obliged, and the three of them plus Peruva retrieved the potion from a triply locked vault in the attic. Keaka gave him a better backpack, one that wasn't partially ripped, in which to store his recently retrieved Pokéballs and the newly obtained potion.

"When do you plan on returning?" Keaka asked eagerly.

"Eventually, probably, maybe," he mumbled.

Makoa groaned, ready to shoot off again, but recalled the riddle. That meant more to him than anything Michio had to say.

"We only put pressure on you because we want you to do your best," said Keaka. "We know you are capable of more than what you have shown us in the past."

Michio considered this for a while. Before Kanto, he hid as much from them as possible, and they eventually found out about most of it. It did nothing but distance him. He was always going to be a stubborn person. He was always going to hate crowds and prefer Pokémon battles to family outings. He was never going to want their lifestyles—he was never going to be the Koan clone he knew they wanted.

"When you finish what you are doing in Kanto, will you please come back here?" Keaka asked.

"Believe it or not, my friends want me more than the Kapule Klan does. If I do come back…things need to be different."

"How specifically?"

"There are things you need to get about me."

"Like what?"

"Just pay attention to me, and you will probably figure it out. I should leave now: the sooner the better. Bye."

"Okay. Be safe."

"Sure."

Michio boarded the auto-piloted plane, whose coordinates were directed for the Toka region. He checked his bag one last time to make sure he had everything he needed, and once he was sure he was prepared, took off.

XO

Hiatus, Day 110

Annastasia and the Volbeat and Illumise were huddled in one of the underground grottos that Mewtwo and Lucario had shown her on her way to the Tree of Beginning several weeks prior. Annastasia was sick with fever, and her Pokémon companions were doing their best to keep her warm and nurtured while she tried to recover.

"Volbeat beat Volbeat," one of the Pokémon told her as it handed her some mint leaves. "Vollllbeat."

"Thanks," she answered weakly. "This will help with the nausea."

One of the Illumise rubbed her back while she chewed on the bitter plant. She really wished Bleu was there. Not only could he keep her warm and fly her to Pallet, but his Heal Bell would do wonders for.

Suddenly she froze, and then her body began to shake slightly as she experienced another vision. The group of twelve Illumise and Volbeat watch her pitifully, for even though they had asked her what was going on the last time this happened, they still did not understand the situation.

This time the vision Annastasia saw was of the Team Rocket headquarters in Viridian City. She watched helplessly as it went down in flames. She took note of Iris and her Dragonite and Misty and her Articuno, both of whom were trying to stop various fusion Pokémon from continuing to attack the building and the people surrounding it. Then the vision stopped. She looked back up at the firefly Pokémon.

"Iluu?" one asked her.

"I saw a place that I am very close to being destroyed by those fusion Pokémon, like the ones that are around here," Annastasia explained. "I'm surprised they have been leaving us alone."

"Volbeeaaattt vvoolllee!" said a Volbeat. "Vol vol Volbeat".

"You say that you saw planes and helicopters when I was asleep. I heard them too. I thought it was a dream."

"Illumise illu lllluuuu."

"Illumise ise."

"Beat Volbeat."

"If they see your lights, then someone will come to get me, but so will the fusions. They might attack you."

"Vollllbeat."

"Illumise Lumise."

"I don't want any of you to go out unless it's all clear."

"Volll?"

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm sure. You must be even colder than I am. There is a reason you migrate."

"Illumiiiise."

The Illumise she was talking to lied on top of her, next to the others that were already there, helping them all stay warm.

"I hate lying here doing nothing while people are—probably—looking for me, but if we go out there, we'll freeze, get lost, or get killed by a fusion," said Annastasia. "At least in here it's a little warmer and we have food."

"Illumise lu?" one of the Pokémon asked, pointing to her backpack.

"I was wondering about the journal too. I ripped my backpack and it must've fallen out. Too bad."

"Bea bea."

"Illu lu"

"Beee."

"I guess it would be a good thing if some were to find it. But it would be odd if they can find that small book instead of us. Then again, we are sorta hiding. I wish it didn't have to be like this."

"Beat Volbeat beat vol."

"Illumise Illumise mise illu Illumise."

"Yes; the minute I feel better we should keep moving unless we can see or hear a fusion nearby. Do you think you can get us to the next grotto without getting lost?"

Several Illumise nodded and gave her more water.

"Great. The closest grotto is the location of Toka base…even though it's gone, we might have access to the basement. We won't know until we get there."

"Beat Volbeeeeeat."

"Luuuu Illumise."

"But before I go back to sleep, if you happen to see Jirachi while I'm out, tell it my wish is for everything to stay just as it is, but for there to be just a little less pain. That shouldn't mess things up so bad. There are stories of people messing with Celebi and Jirachi and screwing things up for themselves, but I think this one is safe."

"Luuuu luu Illumise."

"Bea."

"Let me know if anything happens while I am asleep. Hopefully one of these days we will all wake up in a real bed."

XO

IN THE NEXT CHAPTER

· Manhunt

· Doctor visit

· In the Tree