AN: Thank you to everyone who stayed with the story for this long. This multi-chapter epilogue covers some of the 'what comes next' things that I could not fit in with the actual story. Please enjoy and let me know what you think in reviews:)
Epilogue: Part 1
March 1, 2033
The Indigo Plateau's trainer's village was buzzing with activity as hundreds of trainers, Pokémon, and their supporters began gathering for the annual Kanto Pokémon League Tournament. Jessie, James, Jocelyn, Jay, Annastasia, and Michio arrived with the twins a week before everyone else in their party so that they could get first pick at the nicest hotels. When it came to the Indigo Plateau and the trainers' village, it didn't matter how much money or skill you had, or how far ahead of time you tried to book a location: it was always 'first come, first serve' for everything. Luckily money could buy separate rooms for almost everyone, so no one but Jessie and James had to share a room with the crying babies. Jay decided to hold a group video chat with all his friends the moment he got settled into his room.
"I can't believe we are finally here. It's amazing. I can see the torch from my bedroom!" Jay exclaimed.
"Our bedroom," Jocelyn piped.
"Flaafy flaaa."
"It's already lit?" June asked. "But I thought that was part of the opening ceremonies."
"Oh, it's not lit, it's but I can still tell it's a torch," Jay explained. "And the rooms are a decent size. I hope your rooms are a bit bigger though; we don't even get our own beds."
"If it wasn't for the fact that everyone waits last minute to get their gym badges, then my mom and I wouldn't still be in Cerulean, battling trainers," Amber complained. "And I would have been able to get to the Indigo Plateau a week early too."
"Pikapiiii," Pip sighed.
"You should've gone with Jay and his family. Michio got to go," said Tamaki.
"They could only get enough rooms that had enough space for six people," said Jay. "That's why Lucy, Meowth, Lily, and Logan aren't coming until Friday. The babies don't really count because they are…well babies…Amb, you know you would have had to sleep on the floor if you came, right?"
"I wouldn't have minded. But really my parents wanted to stay with me. They need me to help the gym," Amber replied.
"And we want full sized beds and such," said Lily. "I hate sleeping on the floor."
"Ditto," said Logan.
"Did you do it yet?" Benny asked.
"Oh yeah. You said you were going to do it but I don't see him anywhere," said Takeshi.
"He's here," Jay responded, smiling towards his beloved Togetic.
"Well, what are you two waiting for? Togetic said he was ready!" Benny exclaimed. "You promised you would do it and film it."
"Do you want to see it live instead?"
"Did you double check to make sure Togetic is ready for this?" Soledad questioned. "Evolving is a big deal for some Pokémon."
"Of course, I did. I would never make any Pokémon evolve against its will! You want to evolve now, right Togetic?"
"Togeeeeeee!" Togetic responded enthusiastically, nodding his head up and down. Jay had the phone camera pointed directly add him so his friends could see this.
"Yay! I love it when Pokémon evolve!" Benny exclaimed.
"Me too!" said Jocelyn, jumping onto her side of the bed. She handed Jay his backpack. "Get to it!"
Jay took out the black velvet box that held the precious Shiny Stone. He held it up dramatically in front of the camera.
"Where'd he get that?" asked Anika. "I never actually saw one, except for pictures in books. They are so rare. It's one big too. That means that when Togetic evolves into Togekiss, he is going to gain extra strength."
"He got that as a present for Child's Day from his 'aunt' Delia," Soledad explained.
"My grandma likes Jay a lot," said Amber.
"Yeahhh," Jay sighed. "I didn't know that the bigger the stone, the more powerful it made the Pokémon."
"Flare and Tomoko said it, so I'm not 100% sure if it's true, but I guess there isn't really a way to know for sure unless you want to do research on the subject," Anika replied.
"Enough talk—I wanna see the evolution!" Jocelyn exclaimed.
"Feeee Flaafy!"
"Here it goes," Jay said as he passed the stone to Togetic.
Togetic smiled vibrantly as he received the stone. The familiar white light that emitted from the Pokémon during evolution was brighter than anyone had expected, and they shielded their eyes. When they opened them a few seconds later, a Togekiss was standing where Togetic was once floated.
"Togekiss!" Jay cried. He hugged his Pokémon gratefully. "You're so big! I can ride on your back now!"
"Togggggggekisss!" the Pokémon sang.
Jay noticed how his voice was softer and deeper; it wasn't quite as squeaky or high pitched like Togepi's or Togetic's was.
"He actually does look larger than the average Togekiss. Maybe Anika was right," said June commented. "Congratulations."
Everyone took turns complimenting and congratulating Togekiss. Togekiss danced around the room. He was big and became a bit unnerved when he realized his large body, especially his wings, resulted in him knocking things over, but Jay offered to take him outside.
"I will talk to you guys later. Togekiss and I are going outside to practice and play," Jay announced.
Jay stuck his phone in his backpack. Jocelyn begged to come too, but Jay explained that he needed some alone time with Togekiss for 'special training'. She pouted and picked up a Pokémon coordinator's magazine, and quickly forgot why she was upset. Jay and Togekiss dashed into the hall, Magenium and a recently acquired Chimchar and Aipom followed behind. They headed straight to the Pokémon park, which was enormous and practically empty, as it was technically dinnertime and most people were out eating.
"This part of the Kanto region is actually quite pleasant in March," Jay told the Pokémon once they got outside. "We can spend this week practicing some of your new abilities. Of course, you will mostly focus on your old abilities when you are in battle, but the new ones will help a lot."
"Toge Togekissss!" Togekiss sang.
"Let's get started!"
Jay took off in a sprint, and Togekiss flew behind passed Michio and Annastasia, who were babysitting Rose and Silver while their parents took a dinner break. They watched as Jay and his Pokémon passed, too excited to even notice them walking on the opposite side of the street.
"Tarrr rria," Bleu told Annastasia.
"I can see that," she replied. "Jay was talking about using his Shiny Stone; he said Togetic felt a lot more grown up after his first journey. I'm glad he didn't wait until right before the big competition to evolve him too. Now Togekiss can use to his new form before the Conference begins."
"He knows that this park is going to be insanely crowded in like, three days, right? Unless it's different in Kanto. I just know that in the tournaments I've competed in, you can't go to the park several days beforehand; there are just too many desperate trainers trying to teach their Pokémon new tricks last minute," Michio replied.
"Jay knows. We've been here before; my father has even competed a few times. He almost won the league too, but he never quite made it. After all, those who win the league are people who dedicate their entire lives to it, at least for a few years. You can understand that."
"Yeah. But winning championships gets boring after a while."
"I have heard that too."
"So, what is the point in this exactly? Does the winner of these tournaments and such win any real prizes?" the 'Sandshrew' asked.
It insisted on coming with them on their walk. In fact, it went everywhere with them, and neither Michio or Annastasia quite understood why.
"You win money if you get into the top five," Annastasia responded. "But that isn't why most people do it. After all, although the government pays for most Pokémon supplies, food, and healthcare, raising a Pokémon can still get expensive. There are many travel costs and hotel fees depending on where and how you travel. So, if money is your goal you are better off just getting a regular job; it's less work, more secure, and you get more money, even if you were to win the Conference. People, including Pokémon, do it because it's a fun challenge."
"The Pokémon find it fun?" it asked pointedly.
"Yes, they all find it fun," Michio emphasized. "Ask them. Pokémon that don't want to battle will just refuse to move and eventually leave their trainers, and that's rare."
"And you brought the flyers?"
Annastasia stopped walking and let go of Silver's stroller for a moment. She reached down into the metal basket that hung below the seat and pulled out a stack out papers. Annastasia handed them to the Sandshrew. The Sandshrew read the top one carefully, and Michio and Annastasia restarted their walk. The now burdened Pokémon struggled to keep up.
"Aren't you going to help me hand these out?" it asked. "These are important! People need to know the proper way to add a Pokémon to their team!"
"I already posted about a hundred of them in noticeable places," Annastasia replied. "More importantly, I was talking to the director of the Pokémon league. He is going to make sure that everyone entering gets one of your flyers. He is also going to make sure that no one entering the Indigo Plateau this year has locks on their Pokéballs. There is going to be security at the entrance to the city and to the entrance of the Indigo Plateau. There will also be police around to check. And all Pokémon trainers are allowed, and encouraged, to leave their Pokémon out of their Pokéballs at all times, except during the competition, unless they are battling. Relax; we can't change the world in one day. You need to take a break. That is what Michio and I are doing."
"Then can we sit? I'm tired."
"Plusllle."
"Minununun."
"Sure," said Annastasia.
Annastasia led the party of Michio, Silver, Rose, Sandshrew, Peruva, Bleu, Lil-G, and the twin's first Pokémon, a Plusle and Minun, to a set of park benches. The Pokémon all sat in the grass while she parked Silver's stroller and Michio parked Rose's.
"It's been a few hours since the twins had a bottle," Annastasia noted. "Any minute they'll start crying for more."
"Yeah, it's already 6:30," Michio said as he looked at her timepiece. "I can't believe that watch still works. You've had it on since the beginning of your journey; The only time I saw you take it off was during those MRIs."
"And it didn't even scratch. Nanny and Pop-pop sure know how to pick them. This is one of the best presents I ever got."
Annastasia took out a small cooler and unzipped the top. The two baby bottles inside were labeled 'Feed by 6:45 pm, don't forget' in her father's handwriting.
"Your whining came in handy," Annastasia told the Sandshrew, who lounged in the grass blissfully.
"It always does," it retorted.
Michio was also lying in the grass, and when the Sandshrew spoke, he noticed how close it was to him. He inched away from the Pokémon, but before he could get a comfortable distance away, Annastasia handed him a bottle.
He stared at the object in his hands, and then looked up at her in confusion.
"Help me feed them," she requested. "I can't do them both at the same time."
"Um…" he looked over at Jay, who was a few hundred few away, apparently teaching Togekiss some new attacks that he had read about in his Pokédex. Jay was so amazed by his new Pokémon that he still hadn't noticed them."Can't you ask Jay instead?"
"He's busy. What's the big deal? Why can't you help?"
"I don't know how."
"What? I didn't hear that."
"I mean, do you really want me to do it? I like might drown one of them or something."
She rolled her eyes. "You've watched us do it a thousand times. Jocelyn can do and so can you." She took Rose out of the stroller and handed her to Michio. "Have a baby."
Michio laid Rose in his lap and then looked up at Annastasia. She was already sitting on one of the park benches, feeding Silver effortlessly. He watched her hands, trying to mimic the way she was holding the bottle, but he couldn't seem to get it right. After about thirty seconds that felt more like an uncomfortable hour to Michio, Rose lunged forward and grabbed the tip of the bottle herself. All he had to do was help hold it. This shocked him.
"See, not that hard," Annastasia teased.
"Fuck, I really hope I don't drown you," Michio told the infant, who continued to stare at him with her turquoise eyes.
"You know if you keep on saying 'fuck' every time you do something new with the twins, it's going to be one of their first words."
"So?"
"Just an observation. Jocelyn's first word was 'fuck'."
"How'd that happen? —I could probably figure it out, but I want to know if there's a story behind it."
"There is. Amber was only four years old and she and Soledad came over to our house for a play-date with Jay. This was obviously my dad's idea. Anyway, Jocelyn was about nine months old and already muttering things that were just noises. She made a lot of 'f' sounds for some reason. Then one day it was just me, Lily, and Logan watching them while our parents were out doing something else when Jocelyn just starts singing 'fuck-fuck-fuck'. Jay had heard that word before, and so had Soledad since she came to our house more often than Amber did, but Amber had no clue what it meant. She knew it was a real word and a bad one too though because Lily basically flipped out from pure joy. We told her not to repeat it, but that just made Amber even more eager to tell her parents the moment she got home. Ash thought it was really funny but my mom and Misty got into a big fight. After that play-dates took place at Soledad's house, and the word 'fuck' was replaced with the word 'chocolate'."
"'Chocolate?"
"It was Jay's idea."
It took about an hour for the infants to finish their feedings. Annastasia and Michio strapped them both into their strollers and woke the Pokémon up, as they had all fallen asleep in the grass.
"Now our goal is to get them back to my parents before we have to change their diapers," said Annastasia.
"Then let's run," he responded.
They thankfully made it just in time. Jessie and James had just gotten back to their room. Annastasia and Michio tried to pull the now familiar 'drop the twins and run' technique, but Jessie ran after them this time.
"Please, take them for the night! We want more alone time and they are a real mood killer. They aren't quiet like you were!" she pleaded.
"Mom, no!" Annastasia responded. "They're your problem now!"
When Annastasia and Michio made it back to their room, the Pokémon immediately occupied their bed. All of them, including Michio's Pokémon, other than Peruva, had been exploring the city on their own for most of the afternoon and evening. They were surprised to see that Plusle and Minun had hitched a ride on Bleu without either of them noticing.
"Don't you two want to snuggle with Rose and Silver?" she asked the two small electric types. They had just hatched out of their eggs recently, and so they were about half the size of full-grown Plusle and Minun. "They're your real partners."
The baby Pokémon shook their heads and clung to Bleu. Plusle sneezed, shocking her blue-patterned companion by accident.
"The female is still feeling sick. Maybe it's better that they stay away," Annastasia decided.
Bleu used Heal Bell and Michio handed her a bottle of the special cough syrup that Delia had given them.
"She's been taking this cold medication for a week and she still sneezes all the time, especially when we're outside. It seemed even worse since it has gotten warmer out," Michio commented. "Aren't colds supposed to get better when it's warm? And both Delia and Professor Oak said the medicine only takes two days to work, and it's been eight."
"Liiiieeeeeparrrrow," said Peruva.
"Lillliiiipup pup!" Lil-G yipped.
"They make a good point," said the Sandshrew, who was now sitting on Michio's half of the bed, using Michio's personal nail filer to give itself a manicure.
Michio swiped the file out of his paws and pushed the Sandshrew off of the bed. He then jumped into the spot in order to secure it for himself. The Sandshrew got up off the ground and glared at him resentfully.
"You are all for equality, and that is how I would treat anyone who uses my nail filer, except for the people I like, of course," he told the Pokémon.
Annastasia smiled and sat down next to him. "What do you mean by that, Sandshrew?"
"Well, maybe the Liepard and Lillipup are correct. Perhaps she has allergies and requires allergy medication," it replied. "It isn't very common for a Pokémon to have allergies, especially electric-types, but you know, it is possible. You don't happen to have any allergy medication with you, do you? Maybe lying around, left over from a previous Pokémon…"
Michio glared at the Pokémon, who glared back. Annastasia sighed knowingly.
"I suppose we can try it and see if it helps. After all, she does release electricity when she sneezes, and I don't want her to shock the babies by accident," Annastasia said as she opened her suitcase.
"Michio, think about it," said Sandshrew. "That duo sure is sassy, especially that female. And she seems to like you. And Annastasia. And Amber's Pikachu…like she knew them before."
"Just stop, okay. It's a coincidence. When Delia got them for the twins, she said they came from the same place that Professor Oak told me Scarlett was born. Maybe allergies and sassiness are reoccurring traits among the Pokémon born there. How should I know? I'm not a fucking researcher. And you just like to fucking mess with me," he replied irritably.
"So cranky, and here I am giving you what I think is good news. Oh well."
Annastasia gave the allergy medicine to Plusle. She meant to give the bottle back to Professor Oak while ago, as there was still almost a full bottle left over, but something impelled her to hold onto it. She didn't even know why she still carried it around. She didn't know if it was just something to remember Scarlett by, or something else. After all, Michio got to keep her Pokéball. She had nothing.
"Sandshrew, leave him alone," Annastasia demanded. "We agreed to not talk about her."
"I didn't mention her, he did. I was talking about the Plusle and Minun," it said smoothly.
"It was implied. Anyway, Michio and I want alone time, so we are taking a private walk, then we are getting washed up and going right to bed, and we really don't want you joining us. So, like…go somewhere else. Or at least hide in the corner and pretend to not be here."
"We prefer the first option, which is for you to leave," Michio added. "And don't feel as though you have to ever come back."
"I shall go look for Jay and that overly excited child whose name I cannot yet pronounce," Sandshrew declared as it headed towards the door.
"It's Jocelyn. 'Joss-eh-lyn," Annastasia emphasized. "Or 'Joss-lyn'. It wouldn't hurt you to learn."
"Whatever, Goodnight."
The Sandshrew shut the door forcefully, and Annastasia and Michio sighed with relief.
"That thing is so annoying. Why does it even hang out with us? No matter how much we try to ignore or annoy it, it almost always stays. It needs to get some fucking friends or a job or something."
Annastasia laughed. "Oh, how the tides have turned."
"Tarrrrrria tar tarrr."
"What?" said Michio.
"Bleu thinks it wants friends, and I agree," Annastasia explained. "But even you must admit that it has been much more pleasant lately. It can even be humorous. Like when it tries to figure out those 'human disgraces'."
Michio snorted. "It was funny when it got stuck in the toilet."
"And the toaster."
"And it totally thinks the Ouija board's real."
Plusle, the female Pokémon who belonged to Rose, climbed up onto Michio's shoulder and chanted her name. Annastasia reached forward and scratched her between the ears.
"You…you don't think that the fusion could be right about that whole reincarnation thing, do you?" he asked quietly.
"I have no idea," she sighed. "There's no way to know for sure."
"I suppose…"
"Would it even make a difference? Whether this is a new Pokémon or the same one we loved before, it shouldn't make a difference in how we care for her and treat her. I'm sure when Rose gets older, she will do a great job training her."
"I hope so. I'll have to keep an eye on them though. You know, to make sure."
"She will have many role models. All those new Pokémon trainers we helped to train this year aren't going to let them slip through the cracks. It'll be great."
Michio leaned into Annastasia and brushed the ahoge of blond out of her eyes. "And the best part is…that...our...beloved Sandshrew will be with us."
Annastasia laughed. "I thought you were going to be romantic. I got excited."
"I can try later…now we're being watched."
The Pokémon were watching them intently. They looked away when Annastasia and Michio took greater notice.
"Let's take a walk," Annastasia suggested.
XO
Another week had passed, and now everyone participating in the Indigo League Conference, as well as their family and friends, were present. The kids were all super excited, the preteens especially. They were now at the city's largest Pokémon Center, and they had just dropped their Pokémon off with Nurse Joy for their pre-battle checkups.
"This Pokémon Center is huge!" June exclaimed. "I wonder what it's like to work as a nurse in a place like this."
"Why don't you find out?" Soledad suggested. "I bet these Nurse Joys are just like all the others; they won't mind you hanging out while they give your Pokémon their checkups."
"I would but I'm really looking forward to exploring the trainers' village. I'm the only one other than Anika who's never been here before."
"I haven't been here since I was five, but I remember it being really cool," said Takeshi.
"They have lots of collector's shops that you will probably like. I plan on spending some of that cash I won at the Poke-Olympics Archery competition here," said Amber.
"My parents gave me an allowance for babysitting my little sisters," June responded. "I love collecting all sorts of little things. And I would like to get some presents for my Pokémon too."
"I want to get Chary something she will really love, like a huge pie made out of Tamato berries and a heated blanket that can recharge her energy while she sleeps," said Soledad. "I have to see what I can afford."
"I wanted to get Typhlosion that blanket too. June, we should hang with Soledad," Takeshi suggested.
"I have like zero money," said Tamaki. "Which is okay actually, because I am not really into shopping. If Benny were here with me now, he'd be going insane wanting to buy gifts for everyone. He's with Jocelyn and Jessie and James, so I don't have to worry about that."
"I'll go wherever. I've already been to most of the stores," said Jay.
"I'll hang with you, Jay. I hear you like fashion," said Anika.
"It would be cool to get some clothes for me and my Pokémon…So we will all meet back here at 11:00 am."
They exited the Pokémon Center and entered the busy sidewalk.
"You don't mind me hanging with Anika instead of you, right Amb?" Jay asked.
"I'll go with you," she replied.
"We wanted to go to the fashion district."
"There aren't very many sports-related things over there. Just costumes and stuff like that for people and their Pokémon. You said you didn't like shopping for clothes," said Anika.
"That's right...I don't. I won't go then," Amber mumbled. "Pick me out something good, Jay. I'll find A and hang out with her."
"Sure," said Jay. "I'll pick you out something awesome! See ya later!"
"See ya."
Amber watched them walk away and then headed to the diner where Annastasia mentioned she would be eating breakfast. She was almost there when she spotted Nolan and Lexi, who were sitting on a bench near the sidewalk together talking and eating street food. Her intention wasn't to interrupt, but Nolan stopped her before she could slip past them.
"I don't think I have ever seen you alone before in my life," said Nolan. "Not even Pip isn't with you; I'm guessing you guys already dropped all your Pokémon off at the Pokémon Center for their pre-battle checkups."
"Yep," said Amber.
"Where's Jay?" Lexi asked.
"Shopping for clothes, which I hate."
"Well, you shouldn't be alone, especially without your Pokémon. It could still be dangerous, even in a large city like this," said Nolan.
"I was just on my way to find Annastasia."
"She's at the Stone Soup, just a few shops ahead."
"K."
Amber quickened her paced, weaving through the crowd in order to reach her location as soon as possible.
She saw Annastasia in the window. She was sitting next to Rita and across from Michio and three other teenagers she never saw before. She went to their table.
"Hey, Amb," Annastasia said brightly. "Whatcha doing here? You aren't alone, are you?"
"Actually, I am," Amber replied. "Who are you?"
"Brodie," one of the guys said as Amber took the one open seat.
"I'm Viviana," said the woman next to him.
"And I'm Sho," said the last stranger. Amber knew she had seen him before, and Like her, Rita, and Annastasia, he was wearing a white Team Rocket Uniform. "I was Rita's partner while Annastasia was watching over your group."
"Okay," said Amber, sounding worn.
"Is everything alright? Where's Jay and Pip?" Annastasia asked.
"Lillipup?"
"Altarrrrria?"
"Jay is shopping for clothes. Pip's at the Pokémon Center," Amber responded. "I was wondering if you wanted to help me pick out a new bow. There are some collectors' shops that specialize in them, but if you're busy…."
"I'm up for that," Annastasia responded. "You all don't mind, right?"
"Go for it," said Brodie.
"I was looking forward to getting to know you better, but we understand," said Viviana.
"I can go too," said Michio.
"How about you hang with everyone else. You can bond with Rita. And they all can show you around since Brodie, Viviana, and Rita have all been here before and you're still relatively new," said Annastasia.
"Fine…"
Amber, Annastasia, and her Pokémon walked in silence for a while, mostly because the crowds were getting bigger as more people were waking up, and the atmosphere was a bit too noisy for normal conversation. The noise died down once they got closer to their destination.
"Thanks for coming with me," said Amber.
"No problem. You know I know almost nothing about bows, so maybe I'll learn a few things," she replied.
"Yeah, maybe…how's that Sandshrew fusion thing? Jay told me about some of the weird things it says and does, but he also says it spends a lot of time with you and Michio."
"We've gotten used to it, for the most part. It does annoy us a lot. Sometimes it is like a child, other times it is like having an overbearing parent. Most of the time it is like a really disturbing sibling or an unwelcome neighbor. Today we convinced it to stay back at the apartment that my parents are renting during the Conference, but since no one but me trusts it, she has most of her Pokémon babysitting it."
"Doesn't it hurt you?"
"It sometimes says things that make me sad, but I don't think it's always intentional. I get more used to it as time goes on…how's everything with you? Thinking about using your Thunder Stone on Pip?"
"Not anytime soon. Pip was just a Pichu not long ago. Even Soledad's dad said that evolving a Pokémon like Pikachu should be done over the course of years, not months. Pip says it doesn't matter to him, but I want him to be 100% sure he wants to evolve before he does."
"That's responsible. I'm proud of you, Amber K. Ketchum."
"Ditto, A…I hope I'm doing the right thing. I wanna do well at this Conference."
"You will. You did well in your big archery competition. You took home the title prize. You are the youngest person ever and the first female. You're in the Archery Hall of Fame. That's a big deal. It's because of all your hard work and practice. And even though success isn't all that important in the long run, what you accomplished is amazing. You inspire a lot of people. I lot of people admire you. I know I do."
"You admire me?"
"Of course."
"But I'm seven years younger than you."
"I'm a bit older than you, and I too have accomplished some important things, but Amber, you are an incredible person, and nothing you say or do in the future will ever change that about you, even if you never win another prize ever again."
"Wow, A…thanks. Ditto."
Annastasia and Amber turned onto a street lined with various craft shops. Amber observed Annastasia reaching for her purse, and she realized something.
"A, I didn't ask you to come because I wanted you to buy it for me," said Amber. "Seriously, I was just lonely and I wanted to see you. I want to buy it myself!"
"Relax, Amb," Annastasia replied. "I was going to offer. I know you weren't just trying to use me."
"Oh. Well, thanks, but I can pay for it myself."
"Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Positive."
AN: epilogue continues in chapter 54, part 2