AN: This is the last 'real' chapter. After this is the epilogue, which is in parts. I will also include an afterword with extra author notes and stuff like that. So please review, it's one of your last chances!
Hiatus, Day 122
Acorn and Aliyah teleported Michio, the disguised fusion, and the other Pokémon back to the hospital. It chose a discreet part of the building in which to deliver them, and Michio requested that it turn itself into Sandshrew, claiming they were 'rarer' than Pikachu. It obliged, knowing that it would only complicate its relationships even further if it stayed in that form. Then they headed to Annastasia's room.
Everyone in the hospital, visitors, doctors and agents alike, crowded around them before they could even get there. Michio, Acorn, Aliyah, Bleu, and Lil-G explained what had happened and the fusion's conditions, and why it disguised itself to a few trusted individuals. After about twenty minutes, the conversation turned to Annastasia.
"How is she doing?" Michio asked.
"She has shown slight improvement while you were gone, but she is still very sick and malnourished," said one of the human nurses. "A neurologist is examining her now."
"About that 'Sandshrew', how do we know it isn't going to attack at any moment?" Archer questioned, observing it suspiciously.
"It ought to be contained," said Domino. "For all we know it can turn back into the form it was before at any moment and attack."
"While I haven't lost any of my special abilities, such as my teleport or telepathy, my power is limited. You can easily overpower me with one of your stronger Pokémon," the Sandshrew replied. "But I will not allow myself to be contained. I will rebel if you try."
"Just leave it alone," said Michio.
Domino released two Houndour and a Weavile and asked them to keep an eye on the former monster. While the Sandshrew did an excellent job of minding its own business, most of the people and Pokémon there were resentful towards the fusion, and a fight eventually broke out. Before long, many different Pokémon, with and without the assistance of trainers, were attacking it. As soon as Michio noticed this he stopped talking to Jessie and James and ran back to it, but he couldn't do anything to stop the fighting. The battling continued for almost half an hour and only ceased when an arrow flew out of what seemed like nowhere and bounded the offending trainers and Pokémon on one giant net.
"Stop!" Jay and Amber yelled in unison.
The duo climbed down from the top of a large Chansey statue that was situated not far from where the scene was taking place. Several of their friends joined.
"Please stop," Jay pleaded. "There's been enough violence already."
"Really," said Soledad. "The doctors said that Annastasia will be okay."
"Please don't hurt it!" Jocelyn cried. "It's just a little Sandshrew!"
"Flaaaa!"
The agents that were trying to capture the fusion responded with:
"We don't know for sure if this creature is telling the truth!"
"This fusion could be lying!"
"We can't trust it after what it has done!"
"This Pokémon is dangerous!"
"Just leave this to us. You're too young to understand."
"No, they aren't," Rita countered. "These kids are amazing. They understand a lot. I agree with them fully. Just leave this creature alone. We should get it away from here but don't attack the damn thing."
"We can bring it to the Oak Lab," Nolan suggested. "I'll bring it; the lab's by my house."
"I'll help with that," said Lexi.
Giovanni entered the scene. Delia briefly explained what he had missed since Michio returned, and she also gave her opinion on what they should do next. He agreed.
"Take it to the Oak Lab," he directed. "It can be watched over there until we figure something else out. Help keep an eye on it."
"Yes, Sir," Rita responded.
"I want to come too; I'm part of Team Rocket too and the Oak Lab is basically where I live," said Soledad.
"If she's then so then am I," said Tamaki.
"And if he is then I am too," said Benny.
"If Benny is going, I want to go too," said Jocelyn.
"Flaafy Fla, flaaa."
"If Jocelyn if going I should be with her," said Jay.
"Jay isn't going anywhere without me," Amber added.
"Logan and I have to keep an eye on Amber, so…yeah, we're going too," said Lily.
"Totally," Logan agreed.
"Squirt Gun and I can help," Maya said meekly.
"And we don't want to be left out," said June and Takeshi together.
"Me neither," said Anika. "I know I am sorta new around her, but there's no way you are leaving me behind."
"Good," said Rita. "We could use your help."
"That is a good idea. You all should get out of this hospital. You have been here for a long time," said Serena. "If Jessie and James don't mind, I can open up the hotel and house so that the kids can have access to their rooms."
Jessie handed her the keys to the hotel and house.
"Can you tell us as soon as Annastasia feels better?" Jocelyn asked.
"Flaafy fla?"
"We'll call," James promised. "With that teleporter, we can be back and forth within seconds. We'll be here a while, but if you need us sooner, just call."
"Okay," Jocelyn and Jay replied in unison.
"Bye," Jessie said as she hugged them both. "Stay away from that fusion; I don't trust it."
"We will," the kids agreed.
"Michio, are you coming with us?" Jocelyn inquired.
"I'll be here," Michio replied. "I'll catch up with you later."
XO
As the hours ticked by, people came and went from the hospital. Doctors, various Team Rocket members, neighbors who had been informed of her situation, friends that Annastasia had been close to growing up, and of course distant twerps and rivals of Jessie and James. The days went by slowly, but each day a new report claimed she was getting closer to achieving consciousness, and that it was a matter of time before she woke up.
Twenty days later, two days before Christmas eve, Annastasia finally stirred.
"Can someone turn the light down? I'm trying to sleep," she mumbled crankily.
Meowth, Lucy, Michio, Jessie, James, and Annastasia's Pokémon were in the room, and it was one in the morning. They were all either half asleep or out cold, and the main reason they were still there was because they had come earlier to escape the party guests who were flocked at their hotel for their annual holiday party. Exhausted, they all fell asleep, and the attending Chansey and Blissey decided to just leave them alone. It wasn't until Annastasia issued until a second complaint and tried to get up out of the bed that anyone even noticed that she was awake.
"Please shut the light, Meowth, you're the closest," she mumbled.
"I'll get it Jess, but only 'cuz—", Meowth stopped mid-sentence when he noticed that Jessie couldn't have been the female he was just speaking to, seeing as he and Lucy were lying on top of her, and she and James were both out cold. Rumika had already left with Jocelyn, Jay, and his own kids several hours before. Meowth looked at the bed.
Annastasia was rubbing her eyes viciously. She let out a frustrated sigh and threw her head back onto a pillow. Meowth gasped and then quickly shut the lights. The computer monitors and machines, as well as the hallway light still made it bright enough to see clearly through the room. He jumped onto her bed and grabbed her hands, forcing her to stop rubbing her eyes.
"Meowth? What's going on? Annastasia asked, looking him directly in the eyes. She sat up and looked around the room. "Did you bring me here?"
"Oh, Annastasia! Yer back! And yous talkin like normal!" Meowth whisper-shouted.
Lucy and Michio, both of whom had exceptional hearing, were awoken immediately. Annastasia was startled, which scared Meowth for a moment.
"Yous recognize me, right, yous didn't forget?" he asked cautiously, worried that she might have memory loss.
"Of course, I do. I'm just confused. How did I get here? I definitely don't remember checking myself into a hospital," she replied.
Lucy and Michio were stunned by their conversation.
"Meowth, why didn't you tell us she was awake?" Lucy scolded.
"She just woke up! She was complainin about de lights," he said defensively.
"I'm really sleepy and confused, can I go back to sleep now?" she asked.
"Yous just woke up! Yous wanna go back to sleep already?!"
"Meowth, chill, she was in a coma. That's not the same as sleeping," said Lucy. "Sure Annastasia, go to sleep."
"But…but," Meowth stuttered. He looked at Michio. "Yous wanna talk to her too, right?"
"Well, yeah, obviously; I've been waiting for what felt like forever," he replied. "But…I think she will be less cranky in the morning."
Michio sat close to her bed. Annastasia already had her eyes shut and was breathing evenly. Despite his eagerness to talk to her, much of his anxiety disappeared just by seeing her and knowing that something important had changed.
"Is she out again? Oh no, now who knows when she's gonna wake back up!" Meowth cried.
"Chill. You see that computer?" Lucy asked, pointing to one of the monitors. "It tracks her brain waves. It shows now that she is asleep, no longer in a coma. That means that in the morning, she will wake up like normal."
"I hope yer right."
"I am, as usual, so relax."
Around eight in the morning, Jessie was the first to wake. She moved Meowth and Lucy, who were still asleep on top of her, and left to go use the restroom. James woke up when he felt her leave, but unlike Jessie, noticed the slight difference in Annastasia's breathing and that she had changed sleeping positions; she was now curled up on her side instead of lying on her back as she had been before this morning. He wondered if she had reacted to Bleu or Lil-G snuggling with her and asked one of the human nurses about it. The human nurse checked the computers, then excitedly announced that Annastasia was no longer in a coma and that she could wake up naturally any minute. James communicated this to the others as soon as possible.
Michio explained what happened the night before.
"I'm getting the others over here," Jessie said as she pulled out her phone.
While Jessie, James, Meowth, and Lucy were on the phone calling everyone they knew, Michio sat with Annastasia. He was trying to think of what to say when she got up. He knew her family would have priority, but he also hoped to have a real conversation with her at some point that day.
'Should I tell her about Scarlett or wait till she asks? Should I back off and let her talk first, or does she want information? What if this is like one of those medical dramas where the victim wakes up with a different personality? Will I still love her?' he thought.
"You're worried," Acorn communicated telepathically.
The Mew floated next to him.
"Did you just read my mind?" he asked.
"No, but I can. I generally don't though. I can read emotions too. That isn't very intentional. I can sense emotions without really trying, whether I want to or not," she explained.
"I have a lot of questions that are unanswerable. Mostly I'm wondering if I care for her a lot more than she cares for me."
"What makes you think that?"
"We haven't known each other for that long. She has a lot of friends and I don't. What if I am just clinging to her like she is a lifeboat or something? After all, she has experienced many different kinds of relationships and I haven't."
"That isn't necessarily true."
"Do you know something I don't?"
"Many things."
"I mean something relevant to this conversation."
"Annastasia has experienced many different kinds of relationships, but so have you. Yours have just been more negative."
"How the hell do you know?"
"I estimated based on what you were feeling, and you just confirmed that with your reaction."
"Hmmm…I can tell we're going to get along. That is if I see you after this ends."
"You will."
"I won't bother asking how you know…advice for me? Should I tell her how I feel or let it ride?"
"You already told her with your firefly message."
"For all she knows that could've been exclusively for Scarlett."
"Annastasia isn't dull."
"If she already knows how I feel then what should I say to her when she gets up?"
Acorn paused and just looked past him. At first, he was confused, then he turned red and followed the Pokémon's eyes, realizing who she was now looking at. She reached out and touched Michio's hand.
"I am sorry for giving you so many doubts," Annastasia said softly.
"A-annastasia!" he sputtered. "I…I should go get your parents…."
Michio tried to get up and walk away but Annastasia grabbed onto his arm. He looked at her in confusion.
"Just wait a moment please," she requested. "Michio, I know all that already."
Michio sat back down next to her. Acorn flew out of the room.
"Were you listening?" he asked.
"I wasn't trying to. I was asleep. It was like I was having a dream. I really am sorry. I didn't know you were so mixed up inside still. I shouldn't have teased you so much. It's like I was manipulating you," she said guiltily.
"You weren't doing it intentionally, so it doesn't count."
She smiled, relieved by his response.
"I suppose that is true," said Annastasia. "I wish I could have protected her. I took her away from you, and I will always be sorry that I took someone so important away forever."
"It's not your fault—so much not your fault. Are you okay? Do you want to try to walk, or eat, or should I get a nurse?" Michio asked.
She looked around the room, observing the red and green ribbons that Jocelyn and Benny had used to decorate her bed. There was a collection of 'get well soon' baskets, most of which were holiday-themed.
"What day is it?" she asked.
"It's…ah…three days before Christmas," he said.
"So that means it is December 22nd. Happy Birthday!"
"Oh, Um. How did you remember?"
"How would I forget?"
"You're one of the most forgetful people I know and now you have official brain damage."
"It's a pretty easy day to remember. Did you plan anything?"
"Can we talk about you? You've been on an unwelcome hiatus from our lives for over four months. You've gone missing, you've been hurt, you've been in a coma, and now you're asking about my fucking birthday. It's weird."
Annastasia laughed. "Well, I feel fine now..."
At that moment Annastasia's Pokémon noticed her through the glass and charged inside. Lil-G licked her continually while Bleu doused her in a constant cycle of Heal Bell. Her mother noticed the commotion, grabbed James, Lucy, and Meowth, and they all ran inside. Michio stepped outside to give her some alone time with her closest family members. He knew it was only a matter of time before Jocelyn and Jay, along with all the other kids, demanded to see her too. He met his Pokémon, who were all just hanging out in the waiting area, talking with some of the other guests and patients there. Peruva joined his walk.
"Things are looking up for her," he said as they headed nowhere together.
"Liepppp rrrrow."
"Yeah: for all of us."
XO
After about an hour of walking, Michio noticed a man he recognized from somewhere talking to he recalled as June's father. When June's father walked away, this other guy approached Michio.
"Cilan and I were just discussing the news," he told Michio.
Michio squinted at the doctor's nametag. It read 'Harrison'. He remembered that was Takeshi's last name.
"I'm not one of her doctors, in case you forgot," said Brock. "I only treat Pokémon, but I've become friends with her doctors since they've been sharing our facility. They said that Annastasia's tests look great and that as long as she appears to be acting normal and can pass a few simple neurological tests, she can go home later today."
"She seems like herself...but I only had a few minutes with her," Michio responded.
"You're really lucky…I have to go now. I have patients to see. I'll see you again soon; Jessie said something about there being a surprise birthday party at the Pallet House tomorrow. I'm assuming that is still on for now. Plus, there is that big holiday party that they have every year."
"Yeah, bye."
'Jessie never said there were two parties…fuck…my birthday…I hope she doesn't embarrass me,' he thought.
He tried to imagine what kind of surprise party a person like Jessie would throw. He didn't like what he pictured. He headed back to Annastasia's room.
By now Jay, Togetic, Jocelyn, Flaafy, Lily, Logan, Squirt Gun, and Maya had arrived. It was obvious they had so much to talk about. Annastasia was smiling and laughing, but she seemed strained. He watched for a few minutes from the hall, until Jocelyn noticed and decided to drag him inside.
"My doctors say that I can come home today," said Annastasia. "They just tested me, and so far, so good."
"I told her what you did, Michio! I told her how you saved her like a prince!" Jocelyn squealed.
"Flaaaaafeeee!"
Michio turned red and looked down. Annastasia smiled and Jessie laughed wickedly.
"Enough of that, let's get out of here," Jessie told the group. "We have more decorating to do before the last few guests arrive and everyone but Annastasia has to help."
Everyone left while Annastasia changed out of her hospital gown. When she stood for the first time (technically it was the second, as she had to prove that she could walk on her own before being cleared to go home) everyone noticed how different her stride was. She had trouble keeping her balance, and her clothes hung loose on her body. She also seemed slower.
"What's wrong?" Jocelyn asked.
"Fla?"
"I'm exhausted," said Annastasia. "It'll be a while until I have enough energy to move around more."
Jocleyn looped her arm around her sister's. "Then I'll just have to share some of my energy with you."
"Flaaaafy fla," Flaafy said as he took her other arm.
"With your help I'll be energized in no time," Annastasia smiled.
When they got to the house, everyone was ready to greet her. Annastasia welcomed them. She was surprised that they had missed her so much and was even more surprised at how different they all seemed compared to when she had last seen them. It was clear to her that their Pokémon weren't the only ones who evolved.
"We're so happy you are back in time for Christmas," said Soledad. "Now we can all celebrate together."
"I'm looking forward to it…though I'll pass on playing in the snow for a while," she replied.
"Yeah, me too," said Michio. 'Stupidfucking snow.'
"I meant to ask before, what happened to those Illumise and Volbeat that were with me? Are they okay?"
"They're doing super," James replied. "All twenty-four of them. Brock and all his assistants gave them excellent care. They made a great recovery and left the hospital a few days ago, and have been hanging out at the Oak Lab ever since then. Gary had recently renovated it so that the terrarium section designed to accommodate tropical Pokémon was larger. It was perfect timing. They are enjoying the warm weather in there."
"They really deserve it. Those Pokémon saved my life."
"I think they saved some of ours too."
"You know about the monster fusion, right?" Amber asked.
Annastasia sighed. "I've heard."
"It insists on being called Sandshrew," June coughed.
"Jay told me all about it…and its conditions."
"Aren't you angry?" said Michio. "Why do you seem so calm?"
"I don't see the point in anger. Everything is a choice, right? But that doesn't mean we can choose what choices we have, and sometimes all the choices suck. Sometimes you wonder what was forced on you, what you were born to do, and what you chose to do. And in the end, does it even matter?"
"I think it does," said Jay. "It didn't have to hurt Scarlett."
"Some things are difficult to forgive. But that creature was scared and alone, and we were threats. And we all have to move on now. I accept its conditions. I'm glad Michio made that choice for me."
"Does this mean you're going to move away to go help Pokémon in need?" Jocelyn asked. "I don't want you to move out yet."
"Flaafy flaff?"
Annastasia helped Jocelyn climb onto her lap. She started to braid her hair. "I'm not moving out. I can help Pokémon wherever I am. Besides, I don't have a house to move into."
James was sitting on the floor a few feet away, brushing Growly, and Jessie just happened to be walking by as Annastasia said that last sentence. She shared an anxious looked with James, which Lily picked up on.
"Okay, you two!" the pink Meowth exclaimed, pointing at the two humans. "Tell Annastasia! Tell her!"
"Tell me what?" Annastasia asked.
"That's the third hint. Annastasia does have a place of her own, doesn't she?"
"What are you talking about?" Annastasia, Jocelyn, and Jay inquired.
"That's none of your business," Jessie told the Meowth. "I don't know how you found out, but we kept that a secret for a reason."
James sat next to Annastasia and Jocelyn on the couch. Jessie joined them on the other side, forcing Michio out of the way first.
"Can I hear too?" Jocelyn asked sweetly.
"Flaafy?"
"Yes," said James. "It's not that big of a deal, well it is actually…."
He took a deep breath. Then Jessie took over:
"Nanny and Pop-pop left everything for you in their will."
"Me?" said Annastasia.
"Yep."
"Everything?"
"Every square inch of that property and everything within."
"Why?"
"They didn't leave us anything at all? I knew she was the favorite," Jocelyn grumbled. "Wait! Does this mean Onēsan has to move there?"
"Flaaa?"
"Not until she wants to," James replied "And it's not that Annastasia is the favorite, it's that…well, we honestly don't know."
"We thought maybe it was because Annastasia had shown great interest in caring for all the sick Pokémon that go there for help, and she really enjoys spending time in the forest," said Jessie. "She is also the oldest and now she's officially an adult."
"I don't know what I should do," Annastasia murmured. "It's all so much...Who's been taking care of the property and the Pokémon?"
"Their servants. We have been paying them. Many of them have lived there for years already and so we couldn't just kick them out even if we wanted to."
"It's my dream home. Ever since I was a small child I had wanted to live there…though now I know returning there will be sad without Nanny and Pop-pop."
"If anyone can turn that house into a home, it's you," said Jay. "But I agree with Jocelyn; I don't want you to leave yet."
"I never said anything about leaving. After all, Mom and Papa are going to need help with that baby, and by the looks of it, it's it going to be a big one. Mom, when are you even due?"
"Today," she mumbled.
"Today?" James, Jay, Jocelyn, and Annastasia asked in unison.
"Everyone who has kids knows that babies always come either late or early, never on the day they are actually due."
"I totally forgot to ask you about the due date," James sighed. "And you would think that."
"It doesn't matter, James. I'm fine."
"That's not the only thing you forgot," said Lily. "We never told A about the other one."
"The other one?" Annastasia asked.
"Twins," said Logan. "That means two at the same time!"
"Oh, wow. How do you forget something like that? Do you know the sexes?"
"A boy and a girl," said Jay.
"I really missed a lot. At least I won't miss this. Twin. Wow. How special."
Annastasia and her family continued to talk for a while. As more people entered the small home, Michio's social anxiety increased. Even after all he had been through, he still couldn't stand crowds.
When Annastasia appeared to be deeply engaged by a story that Benny and Jocelyn were telling together, he slipped away.
Once outside, Michio could see the Oak Lab clearly. He decided to go there since the cold was bothering him and the busy house and hotel were shitty options.
"Hello," Professor Oak Sr said as he entered through the doorway. "I wasn't expecting you tonight."
"I was just taking a walk," Michio replied defensively. "I'll go."
"Stay if you like and feel free to look around. I was just checking up on things, then I was going to go over and greet Annastasia."
"I can just hang out here?"
"Of course. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're the young man who chose the Pikachu, correct?"
"Yes. Scarlett was my starter."
"James told me you had a very strong bond with her. I'm very sorry that it was severed."
"I am too."
"I know it is very soon after her passing and you are still grieving, but if you ever want to come by here and look around…I do have quite a few Pokémon here that would love to be adopted. I also get quite a few eggs. Sometimes they are abandoned and in need of a good home with a trainer that will give them plenty of attention."
"I'll remember that."
Michio didn't plan on adopting anyone anytime soon. He had no idea what the future was going to be like now that Annastasia was back in his life and she had just received a hefty inheritance of her own.
"Well, I'm going to leave now," said Professor Oak. "Turn the light off before—if—you leave."
The elderly professor opened the door and was surprised to see Annastasia standing there. He welcomed her inside immediately.
"It is nice to see you, Dear. I was just about to visit. Why on earth did you walk all the way over here in the cold without a coat?" the professor asked.
"I was concerned about Michio," said Annastasia. "He left without saying anything."
"Oh. Well, you two may hang out here for as long as you want. You and I can catch up later."
He shut the door and left. Annastasia stood across from Michio and took in the sight of him—seemingly unchanged but somehow so different since the last time they were alone together.
"You'll get sick again if you go out in the cold like this," Michio lectured. He took off his coat and passed it to her. "Here."
"I'm fine," she responded. "You're different, Michio; you just parented me."
"…Is that bad?"
"No, not at all." She pulled the jacket on over her sweater. "I was expecting you to leave the house. I know you don't like being crowded."
"Yeah…I don't…Wouldn't you rather be with your friends and family?"
"I wanted to talk to you. Do you want to walk with me? The terrarium is nice and warm. It's supposed to feel like spring in there."
"That sounds nice."
"I'll show you where it is."
She led him down a short hallway, at the end of which there were two doors. She opened the one on the left, exposing them both to a warm, spring-like environment. All different types of Pokémon were present; common Ryhorn, Nidoran, and Caterpie, but also Hippopowdon, Grotie, and Azelf, which Michio had never seen before. Annastasia explained what each of the unfamiliar Pokémon were.
"Look!" she exclaimed.
"Volllllbeat!"
"Illuuuuuu luuu!"
Annastasia hugged the many firefly Pokémon that had come over to her from the tropical section of the terrarium.
"You saved my life, I'm forever grateful to you all," she told the bug-types.
"Illumise mise mise luu," said the leader. 'We were happy to help, we felt like it was our destiny.'
"Luuuumise Illuuuuuu miseeee," said another female, the one who had taken over as leader when they Pokémon had split into two separate groups. 'We were so worried about you. Now you are back and we are happy.'
"You were amazing. I'm glad you're happy and healthy too," Annastasia replied.
"You can understand them?" Michio asked. "Like, word-for-word?"
"Lucario and Mewtwo showed me how to use aura to truly understand Pokémon. Now, whenever a Pokémon tries to communicate with me, if I stay focused and concentrate, I can understand them."
"You're amazing, Annastasia. I mean, not just because you can do that, but because you chose to go through all that training just to learn."
"Thanks. I don't remember you being this—"
"Illummmmmise?" one of the Pokémon interrupted.
Annastasia face flushed red and she looked away.
"What's it asking you?" he inquired.
"It's nothing," she giggled.
"Luuumise lu luuumise mise mise Ilu," the Illumise explained.
"I will. I promise."
Michio watched the conversation quizzically. "Are you talking about me? Why do you look embarrassed?"
"Don't worry about it—you'll see it one day."
The Illumise and Volbeat flew off, leaving the teens alone together again.
"The former monster fusion is around here. Do you want to speak with it?" Michio asked.
"There will be plenty of time for that. Now I just want to be with you," she replied.
"Oh—okay."
They kept walking until something else caught Annastasia's eye. This time it was a tree.
"Do you know what this is?" she asked excitedly.
"A fucking tree?" he replied.
"Look."
Annastasia touched her palm to the bark and cherry blossoms emerged from the tips of the branches. She stared at them and her grin widened.
"Cherry blossoms in the winter. Only you could do that," said Michio. "I like them."
"You like flowers? Since when?"
"They aren't so bad. No one can really hate flowers, right? Why do you like them so much?"
"They're so beautiful and they symbolize so much."
"Like what?"
"The end of a period of difficult trials, and the spring, or new beginnings of a new chapter. That is why traditionally, Pokémon journeys begin immediately after the Cherryblossom Festival each year; the flowers symbolize a prosperous future, the beginning of a new life journey, and a new generation. Also, the cherry blossom season is short, symbolizing that life changes fast, and that if we want to experience all of its beauty, and we have to be open and ready for it."
Michio tried to distract her while he shoved a few of the flowers in his empty back pockets.
"How do you know all that?" he asked.
"I told you: I've seen the world," Annastasia replied.
"That reminds me. I know you just got back…I want to know what you plan on doing for the future. I honestly don't know what to do. I don't want to go back home."
"As you know, I just received a curveball. I never expected that when I turned eighteen, I'd get my great-grandparents' estate. But for now, I need to be with my parents and my siblings."
"I understand. I wish I was needed. I'm not sure where to go."
Off in the distance, Michio could have sworn he heard a few Volbeat and Illumise enthusiastically chanting their names. Annastasia seemed to notice this too, but neither of them commented on it.
"Can you stay in Kanto with me?" Annastasia asked. "Please?"
"You really want me to stay?" he asked. "You…don't think it'd be weird?"
"Michio, it isn't weird. Not at all. I love you. I love you so much."
"Really? You do?"
"Why are you so surprised? Michio, I've never been so close to anyone before. It usually takes me years to open up to someone like this, but everything is different with you. Of course, I want you to stay, as long as you want to as well."
"I do—I mean, I would love that."
"You'll stay with me?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"I'm just making sure. It's a big deal...Are you going to go back to your parents and get your stuff? I heard that you went back home to your family to get the potion, but I didn't get any details. What did they say to you?"
"A lot of things. They gave me my Pokémon and I might get the inheritance at some point, though I doubt it…They want me to visit, next time with you."
"That sounds great. You could introduce me to everyone."
"You said multiple times that you've spoken to my family…They must've met you already."
"That was for business. Next time I see them, I want them to see me with you."
"Oh."
"And you probably figured, but I'm not ready to travel yet. I want to celebrate the holidays here and I need to help out with the babies. It's not that my parents are going to hold me back, in fact, they'll likely encourage me to go, but I want to stay for a while before I make any trips. I don't even want to do any long missions for Team Rocket for a while. Rita and I agreed that if we rejoin as partners, we're going to stick to local work for a while."
"Sounds like you have a lot figured out."
"We'll see how far I get. I have a feeling I'll be grounded for a while—traumatic brain injuries are kinda a big deal."
Michio had no doubt that she would come back. One day, Annastasia was going to go back to the MMA champion who battled fusions and guided six preteens and countless tagalongs through dangerous territory. But, if she didn't, that was equally okay.
"Why's your mom throwing a holiday party and inviting everyone she knows when she's so pregnant that she's ready to explode?" Michio asked.
Annastasia snorted. "First of all, babies don't explode out of people. Second, we do the party every year. Roughly 500 hundred guests come. From what I understand, when I went missing, they closed the Pallet House to the public. Normally they only time the hotel/restaurant gets shut down is for this event. My parents always look forward to this party. The guests include Team Rocket people, but most of the guests are people they met from other places. Some are Pokémon coordinators and performers; my mom did contests and showcases up until last year. I have a feeling she might still do them in the future, as there are trainers much older than her that still perform. Of course, our neighbors from Pallet all come. We also have frenemies, like Amber's parents and all of their friends. And some are just people they met over the years."
"That's terrifying to me; right now, there are like thirty people in your house and I can't handle it."
"That's okay. I usually just say hi to the people I recognize, have a few conversations, and then leave to go hang in the woods. My mom always insists that we all dress nice, and while Jocelyn and Jay don't mind getting all dressed up, Amber and I usually ditch the heels as soon as possible. Usually, the other kids join us. Now everyone is a bit more grown up, and everyone is supposedly anxious to see me, so I am not sure if it will be exactly like that this year, but I can promise you that I'm not going to stay there the whole time."
"Good. I'll be meeting you here then."
"Great. So, what do you want for your birthday?"
"You know, you missed your birthday too. The kids told me it was at the beginning of November."
"Getting home with all my body parts still working was good enough; that was my birthday wish."
"And mine. So, we're both covered."
There was a rustling in the bushes. A small brownish yellow ground-type Pokémon emerged.
"Is that you?" Michio asked the Sandshrew.
"Yes. And Sandshrew to not appear to be quite as rare as you told me. Perhaps I shall transform into different Pokémon," it replied.
Annastasia stared at the former monster fusion. She couldn't believe it was the same entity that caused her the worst pain she'd every experience: both as an infant and a teenager.
"You look better than the last time I saw you," the Sandshrew said to Annastasia. It turned to Michio. "So, do, you."
"How can you fucking talk to us like that, after all that you've done?!" Michio growled. "Why are you even here?!"
"Michio, please stop," Annastasia said softly.
She squatted down in front of the creature. Michio watched her in disbelief.
'No way she's going to forgive it that easily,' he thought to himself. 'She can't; not after what it did to us.'
"I feel sorry for you," said Annastasia. "I can feel that you are in intense pain. Even now, when there is nothing left for you to worry about."
The Sandshrew was silent. Michio was speechless.
"My friends told me all about your conditions," Annastasia continued. "Coincidentally, that is how I planned on living my life anyway. If you had only listened to and trusted me, then you would've understood. But I understand why you didn't trust me. Trust isn't something that you win because you believe you are a compassionate person. It's a gift. I was trying to take your trust forcefully, just because I thought I had earned it. I am sorry. But I give you mine. If you want, you can stay with me. We can live together. And we can come up with a plan to make things better around here for people and Pokémon."
"Why do you trust me?" it asked.
"Yes, why?" said Michio.
"We're connected. And I believe in you," she responded. "I give people many chances."
"Thank you," it replied. "But for now, I will stay away from your family. The other Pokémon here are kind to me. I don't want to risk there being another fight."
"When you're ready, you'll know where to find me." She turned to Michio. "I want to return to my family now."
"That's it? This Pokémon killed Scarlett. It never even apologized," said Michio.
"Even with all my abilities, I cannot resurrect the deceased," the Sandshrew told Michio. "Perhaps her soul will be reborn and one day you'll meet again."
"That's bullshit. I'll go back to the house with you, Annastasia. I would rather deal with the crowd then deal with this piece of shit."
Annastasia knew Michio still said things he didn't truly mean, and she sensed this was one of those times. She imagined that while Michio and the fusion could never be as close as he was to Scarlett, she believed that one day he will be able to forgive it on some level and at least be able to establish some kind of acquaintanceship with it. After all, it seemed that they were all going to be living, or at least working, together in the future.
They made their way back to the house and found it much more chaotic than when they had left despite their being no new cars in the driveway. She also couldn't find her parents anywhere and grabbed the first person she saw, who happened to be Jay.
"What's going on? Did some start another fire?" she asked.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're here!" Jay exclaimed, hugging and crying into her. "You wouldn't believe what just happened!"
"I bet I guess based on your reaction…where'd she go?"
"Upstairs. And she made everyone get out, except dad. And she told us to bring her all this weird stuff, like bags of ice. mixing bowls, and coffee. And she wants you. That is why everyone is running around; we are trying to get everything she needs."
"Okay, thanks, Jay. Tell her I'm coming."
"Yes, Ma'am."
She turned to Michio as Jay dashed off. "You stay here."
"Okay," he said hesitantly. "But what is…"
His voice trailed off because Annastasia was already halfway across the room by the time he was halfway through his attempted sentence. Jocelyn ran up to him.
"Michio!" Jocelyn exclaimed. "Aren't you excited?"
"Flaafy Flaafy?"
"I was out for a walk and I missed what happened. Is someone hurt?" he asked.
"No, Silly! My mommy is having the babies now!"
"Oh..."
"I'm super excited! They lied though. She said the babies weren't coming for a while. But it's good. Now we can have Christmas together!"
"Flaaaaafee!"
"Yeah. Isn't she going to go to the hospital?"
"She told us it was too late. She doesn't like hospitals anyway, and she says that she doesn't have to go if she doesn't want to and that no one could force her."
"Okay. Are you going to stay down here?"
"Yeah. They kicked me out, even though Annastasia was my age when Jay was born and she got to help."
"Flaafy."
"I don't think it's something you want to see anyway."
"How come?"
"Flaa a?"
"Um…Annastasia will explain that one."
"Okay…Do you want to play Monopoly?"
"Definitely."
XO
Around five in the evening, the many guests that were now staying at the Pallet House started to get nosy. It had been about two hours since Jessie went into labor, and everyone, especially the adults and teenagers, were wondering what was taking them so long, especially since they claimed there was 'no time to get to a hospital'. Annastasia promised them that she would let them know as soon as possible. Serena, Clemont, Meowth, and Lucy took over dinner duty, and Rita, Nolan, and Lexi helped with everything. Finally, after what seemed like days to her anxious family members, Annastasia came down the stairs to get them around 8:00 pm. Jocelyn, Jay, Lily, Logan, Lucy, Meowth, and Rumika were the first ones up, followed by Amber, Michio, and several tag-along Pokémon. The immediate family was allowed in first.
"They're so cute!" Lily squealed the moment she laid eyes on them. "I thought they'd be bigger. Soooooo adorbs!"
"I like their noses," Logan commented. Maya and his sister look at him strangely. "They're cool."
"Can hold one?" Jocelyn asked. "Pleeeeeaasssseeee?"
"Sure, Princess," said Jessie. "But don't let Flaafy touch him; he might get shocked by accident."
James passed the boy, who was wrapped in one of Jocelyn old blankies, over to her. Jocelyn squealed and almost passed out from excitement when the baby boy opened his eyes and looked at her first.
"He has green eyes!" she whispered excitedly. "Just like me!"
"Uh-oh, Jocelyn. That is the first time he opened his eyes. You are the first person he saw. You know what that means," Jessie teased.
"W-what does it mean?"
"It means that he's going to think you're his mom."
"But I'm just a kid! I-I can't be his mom!"
"She's kidding," said Lily.
"Oh. Well, I suppose that wouldn't be so bad though."
Jocelyn handed the baby back to Jessie.
"Can I hold one?" Jay asked.
"Boy or girl?" James asked.
"Ummm…the girl…."
They passed the infant to Jay. She was already looking around the room with her bluish-green eyes. The others looked over his shoulder.
"She has the same eyes as you," Jay told Annastasia. "You're no longer that unique."
"I'm still the only blonde," she retorted.
"Not anymore," said James. "He looks like he's going to have blond hair too."
He took off the boy's little yellow hat to reveal a patch of messy golden hair.
"So where does that come from anyway?" asked Rumika. "I always wondered but never bothered to ask. I don't think it's from my side of the family."
"My grandparents on my father's side both had blond hair," said James. "Before it turned grey."
"Speaking of which, we have names to share," Jessie announced.
"Does this mean you are going to name them after Nanny and Pop-pop?" asked Annastasia. "Because Jay's middle name is already Paul, and you said no more 'L's, which mean ' Linda' must be out."
"Close—we decided to use Nanny and Pop-pop's middle names as their first names," said James.
"I thought you planned this separately," said Rumika.
"We happened to have had the same idea."
"So…middle names…what are they?" Logan asked.
"This is Rose," Jessie said as she gestured towards the girl.
"And this is Silver," James said as he held up the boy.
"Perfect," said Meowth. "I'm glad weeze didn't go with rhymes or matching lettas. When can I hold em?"
XO
After a while, Annastasia let Amber, Michio, Maya, and the other Pokémon into the room.
When Amber saw the babies, her face scrunched up immediately.
"They don't even look like babies," she remarked. "They look like aliens."
Jay flicked the center of Amber's forehead. "They're not aliens, Amb. They're angels."
"What's wrong with aliens?"
"Your dad said that when he saw Annastasia for the first time," Jessie told Amber. "All twerps are the same."
Michio looked at the baby that was being held by Lily and Maya.
"This one sorta looks like you," Michio told Annastasia. "Is this Rose?"
"Yes, that's Rose. I'm guessing you were listening at the door," she responded.
"Of course," said Maya. "Michio and I heard every word."
Annastasia passed Rose to Michio.
"Hi, Rosie," he said as the infant blinked back at him. "Well…congrats on being born."
"They have the same birthday as you," Annastasia pointed out.
"Today's your birthday?" Jay asked.
"Yeah," Michio mumbled.
"Happy birthday!" everyone in the room chimed.
The Pokémon congratulated him too. Lil-G offered one of her treats as a present and Bleu gave a complimentary douse of Heal Bell.
"This happened so fast," said Annastasia. "It seems like just yesterday I was wondering whether or not I was ever going to see any of you ever again. Now here we are. This is better than I ever could've imagined."
"I feel like we finally get to relax," said Jay. "Now all we have to worry about is the Pokémon League and the first events don't start for a while."
"Well, there's the Poké-Olympics in a few weeks, and you know I plan on winning the Grand Title in Archery," said Amber. "I want everyone to come, especially you, A."
"You can count on me to be there," Annastasia responded.
Rose broke into tears. Her twin brother soon joined her. They passed the babies back to their parents and covered their ears.
"That's a sign we should get going," Rumika announced.
"I'll see you later, Mom," said Annastasia. "Let me know if you need anything."
"Just take care of yourself for now," Jessie replied.
Everyone headed down the stairs and were bombarded with questions from the other houseguests. They gave a quick synopsis, and then explained that they were tired. Everyone agreed that although it was only 9:00 pm, it was time for bed.
"I'm staying in the hotel tonight," Annastasia told Michio. "My room is right next to theirs and I need a peaceful place to sleep."
"I heard Jay and Jocelyn saying that they were also going to stay in the hotel for a while too. Makes sense; I wouldn't want to share a house with a newborn baby. Two's worse," he responded.
"Will you sleep with me tonight?"
"If that's what you want."
They walked towards the hotel.
"Just thought of something," said Annastasia. "My parents are throwing you a surprise party that will take place before the Christmas party. They planned it without me, obviously, and I told them you wouldn't like that. But there is no stopping my mom once she has her mind set on something. I needed to warn you."
"That Pokémon doctor, Brock, told me by accident. Do you know any details?" Michio asked.
"No. I wouldn't worry about it. My mom likes you. I mean, she actually likes you. She teases people about things, but she's never really serious, and she only teases people she likes. If she didn't like you, she'd constantly flat-out insult you."
"She hasn't done that in a while."
"They know I found a home in you."
He opened the door to the hotel room they had stayed in the last time they were at the Pallet House.
"You've been through a lot today," said Michio. "Are you sure you don't want to be alone? You've woken up from a coma, returned to your family after being missing for months, returned home from the hospital, and just helped your mother deliver your twin siblings."
"I like productive days. It did tire me out, so I'm going to bed early, and I sleep better when you're around."
'Probably because I always had Scarlett with me,' he thought.
"Sure?" he asked.
"Positive," she affirmed.
XO
"You're so much more confident compared to the last time we were together," Annastasia said as she and Michio changed into pajamas. "I saw you actually talking to people that weren't me."
"It took a lot of practice," he said sarcastically, even though they both knew it was true.
"Lieeeepard lieee."
"Lilili."
"Tarrrrr."
"They all noticed," Annastasia said as she petted the Pokémon. "Where are the rest of your monz?"
"Oak Lab," he responded. "They seem to like hanging out there."
Michio glanced off into space, avoiding the eyes of Annastasia and the Pokémon.
"You're worried," Annastasia noted.
"I can't help it," he retorted.
"Well, maybe I can help it."
"Maybe."
"Lieparrr."
Michio walked away from the window and sat down next to her on the bed. He took something out of his back pocket and carefully placed it in her open hands.
"You took some cherry blossoms with you," she said with a smile, fingering the small flowers he had given her.
"We can save the seeds and plant a tree in the spring," he suggested. "We'll plant it on that special spot on your great-grandparents' estate, next to that small patch of roses that your parents must've planted, and we can dedicate it to Scarlett."
"That is a perfect idea. But you forgot something."
"What?"
"It's no longer my great-grandparents' estate—it's ours."
"You mean you want to share? With me?"
"It's okay if you don't want to, but please think about it, it would make me very happy if I didn't have to go on without you."
"I want that so much…I just didn't think you'd ever say that."
"I had a lot of time to think while I was in Toka. There weren't very many humans to talk to. And Scarlett put some good ideas into my head about you and me."
"So, where do we go from here?"
Annastasia yawned. "I say we go to sleep."
"I was thinking in a more emotionally-centric sort of way. Or in a planning the future sort of way—unless you're about to collapse, then go to sleep now."
"We have the rest of our lives to talk. I will always be here. I just think that right now it will be better for both of us if we sleep. We've had a pretty big day."
"Alright then, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Annastasia curled under the covers. Bleu, Lil-G, and Peruva lied by her feet. Michio crawled in next to her, and by the time he was situated next to her, she was already fast asleep. He wrapped his arms around her, and before long, had fallen asleep as well.
Annastasia experienced her last vision ever that night. She woke up abruptly in the night, waking Michio and the Pokémon in the process. But this last one was unlike the others. Off in the mountains of Toka, she saw the various fusion Pokémon gathering around the Tree of Beginning. There was no violence, instead, the Pokémon were establishing a home. When the vision was over, she fell right back asleep. The Pokémon and Michio left her alone figuring she would tell them about it some other time; after all, they had a lifetime to talk about it.
THE END
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AN: Epilogue is up:) Thanks for reading, Please, please, pppppllllllleeeeeeeaaaaasssssssseeeeeeee! Review:)