Epilogue: Part 2
March 5, 2033
At noon the opening ceremonies and preliminary trials began. Each trainer was randomly matched up with different trainers, and they battled one another in a series of sudden death battles. Everyone in their group, including Soledad, who had decided to get those last few gym badges after all, and Anika, who took the Pokémon League entrance exam and passed it with almost a perfect score, made it through the preliminary trials without being disqualified. Michio decided not to compete, realizing that he would be more content as an observer than a participator for once.
Then it came time for the kids to make one big decision, one they hadn't thought about much during their journey but had become a primary subject on everyone's mind the last few days.
"Should we compete as a group or as individuals?" June asked her fellow competitors.
The Kanto League had changed over the years. One of the biggest changes was the installation of the 'group method' option. Challengers could choose to compete in groups or pairs, just like they could for certain divisions in the Pokémon Grand Festival. The advantage of groups was that, if successful, more people could share in the prize, and fame, that went along with winning a League. The downside was that it was also harder to win because there were more opportunities for one member of the group to mess it all up, and members had to be very in sync with one another in order to pull it off successfully. Though they had been considering this lightly for months, they never came to a clear final decision.
"I was thinking about being in a pair with Takeshi since it doesn't seem like anyone really wants to be in a group that badly," June announced modestly when no one answered her question.
"Well we already talked about this a lot with you guys, all the advantages and disadvantages," said Iris. "You all just have to make a decision; we can't do it for you."
"Pairs are stressful unless you made the arrangement months in advance," said Ash. "Ritchie and I won as a pair one time, and it wasn't easy. It only really worked out because we spent a long time practicing together. Not just around one another, but actually as a team of two. It's something I wouldn't recommend for beginners."
"That is true. It is easier to compete as individuals but can be more fun in a group," said Ritchie. "I also suggest you avoid pairing up until you gain more experience."
"If we go in a group though, one member can drag us all down," said Soledad. "I don't care whether I win or lose, but I will feel really bad if I take the chance to win the Conference away from someone else."
"You all did so well in the preliminaries. I think you will all do very well and will make an excellent team," said Misty. "But don't do anything just because we said so."
"You're already a team," Nolan pointed out. "Team Rocket."
"Except for Anika," said Jocelyn.
"Flaaa."
"Being part of a team is a big part of Geo-catching," said Anika. "I've been hanging out with you people for a while now. I know how you work. I think we should go in as a team."
"I vote team," said Jay. "I say it's what's best."
Jay raised his hand high. His Pokémon, all thirty-six of them, raised their arms (or wings) as well. Soon the rest of the group's Pokémon did the same.
"Jay, you've become a leader," said James.
"We're so proud," said Jessie.
The kids asked their Pokémon for their opinion and they all agreed that the team was the way to go.
"It looks like we're doing this," said Amber. "Sweet."
XO
The next day was when the more intense battles started. Group battles were done three on three. Amber was with Jay and Soledad for the first round, then Soledad was with Anika, Takeshi, and June, then Jay was with Anika and Takeshi, and they rotated until they had all competed in three battles each, all using between two and three Pokémon for every match.
Jessie and James had decided to rent out a decent sized apartment right outside the city, since their previous hotel rooms were a bit too snug, especially with all their Pokémon staying out of their balls now.
"We all made it, which is good. None of us failed," Jay announced at dinner that night.
"You dudes were fun to watch. You really get into it. If battling was my style, I'd totally join you," said Tamaki. "But watching is just more fun I think."
"I can't wait until I turn ten, then I can do Pokémon battles," said Benny.
"I want to be a coordinator, I think," said Jocelyn. "Maybe we can travel together. I want to go to Johto first, because that is where I can find wild Plusle and Minun, and I want to catch my own. Electric-types are my favorite."
"Flaaaafy!"
"I live in Johto," said Benny. "I can guide you!"
"Jocelyn, three months ago you were all upset because you thought I was moving out, now you are already planning your journey," said Annastasia.
"But this won't be for another two and a half years," Jocelyn retorted.
"Flaa."
"And Papa said I can have my own personal teleporter. By then Clemont said he is going to have a more advanced version that can be collapsed into a backpack. This way I can come home every night for dinner."
Everyone at the table rolled their eyes.
"What?" Jocelyn asked defensively.
"Clemont's original teleporter took about fifteen years to be finished. So, don't get too excited," said Jessie.
"Well, I can dream."
"These are amazing. Who made them?" Misty asked as she lifted a malasada.
Annastasia elbowed Michio, who had casually looked away when Misty made that comment.
"I did," he mumbled.
"I love them. They remind me of something I had when I visited Alola, but this has a unique flavor to it."
"Uhh, thanks."
"Don't let him fool you, he knows English," said Annastasia.
After another ten minutes of busy conversation, Michio left the table. Lately, Annastasia had been leaving him alone whenever he did this, but since they were in an unfamiliar place, she felt like she should join him. He was in the kitchenette, anxiously washing the dishes left over from the previous meal.
"How are you holding up?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Michio replied.
"I know you're 'fine'. I just noticed that you weren't 'awesome' or 'great'." She took a wet dish out of his hand and hung it on the drying rack. "You were in a great mood until more people arrived."
"I'm uncomfortable with all these people around."
"Well, you're handling it well, really. You spent the whole day with Rita twice, and she says you weren't so bad."
"I wish I wasn't a person that people had to tolerate."
"Being shy isn't a character flaw. And Rita said she had fun with you."
"She tried to set me up with Brodie."
"Because that's what Rita does. And by the way, the only person I tolerate around here is that Sandshrew. Where is it anyway?"
"On the internet. It's making a Facebook page or something."
"It's so weird."
"I know."
"Why are whispering about me?" a third voice joined in.
The Sandshrew pushed by until it stood between them. It was holding Michio's iPhone; the one Jessie had gotten him as a surprise birthday present. Michio snatched it out of the Pokémon's tiny paws.
"What the hell are you doing with this?" he demanded, wiping the screen with his shirt.
"Facebook," it answered.
"Don't use mine! Get your own device!"
"I have no money."
Annastasia handed the Sandshrew her phone. It smiled and ran off. Annastasia took Michio's hand and they walked back to the table.
"Annastasia, I think the Sandshrew just ran away with your phone," James said nonchalantly.
"I know," she sighed. "I figured it'd leave us alone if it were occupied."
"I think that its brain shrunk a lot when it changed forms," Ash commented as he shoved more food in his mouth.
"Yes, you would know what that looks like," said Jessie.
"It does share its aura with Annastasia. So, maybe it's a projection of her dark, evil, naïve, and strange side," James mused.
"I'm ignoring that," Annastasia retorted.
"I don't like the idea of that thing lurking around here unwatched," said Jessie. "Wobbuffet, Acorn, Aliyah, Arbok—keep an eye on it."
"Me neither. Azumarill, Staryu, help them out," Misty instructed.
"Why doesn't it hang out with the other fusions? After all, like your Diablo, and Ash and Misty's water type fusions, and the ones Giovanni gave some of the other Rockets, it did come from the same source. You'd think it would be able to relate to them more," said Cilan.
"It says dat does dat utter fusions are too dumb fere it and dat normal Pokémon are smarter," Meowth explained. "And I agree with it. Yous can't even talk to dose dings half de time."
"Be more sensitive, Meowth. They're trying to fit in," said James. "I think. Just don't say anything to piss any of them off."
Suddenly there was crying, and the baby monitor in the middle of the table began to blink and shake. James and Jessie grabbed it at the same time to shut it off, and then they both ran up the stairs to check on the twins.
"What is their 'source'? You never told us," said Soledad. "Did you ever find the people behind it?"
"Remember that talking Gastly?" Annastasia asked.
"Yes."
"You can't forget something like that," said Jay shivering.
"Try to remember what he told us. With the Night Stone from the Toka Mountains, any powerful dark, psychic, or ghost type Pokémon can create fusions. The Gastly we met was different from the other Gastly that exist out in Toka, the ones he told us about. The one we met tolerates and somewhat likes humans, and it was a bit of an oddball, and it had the ability to make fusions. Meanwhile, many other dark, psychic, and ghost Pokémon gathered in Toka to create these fusions. They also took over the minds and bodies of humans and conducted their experiments in abandoned laboratories, making things such as weapons and collecting literature on the subject. Toka was the perfect place to do it since not only to many of these types of Pokémon enjoy the cold isolation and darkness, and there isn't a police force in Toka. Team Rocket only has one base. That is why they were able to experiment like this for decades without anyone noticing anything."
"But why would they do something like that?" Benny asked.
"Because of what the monster fusion told us. To get revenge on humans for trying to dominate the world of Pokémon. It wanted to create Pokémon that were even more powerful, Pokémon that couldn't be defeated in battle," said N. "We should have expected something like this. We should have never assumed…"
"That will change though. The world is going to be very different in a few years, you'll see," said Annastasia.
"I believe you," said Lucario. "Now more than ever before."
"Ditto."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and there was about a minute pause as they focused on the meal
"Can we talk about tomorrow? I'm super excited for you dudes!" Tamaki exclaimed.
"It'll be fun, but also the hardest day yet, so I hope you're prepared," said Brock.
"Make sure you get a good night's rest and don't skip breakfast. We will make something you all like," said Autumn.
"Triple chocolate chip pancakes?" Jocelyn asked. "Please?"
"Flaa?"
"We'll put them on the menu," Brock responded.
"Pikachuuuu Pikapi," said Pip.
"Pip wants chocolate whipped cream with his," Lily translated. "And so do me and Maya, so make sure you get that."
Annastasia took out a journal from her bag and ripped out a page. Everyone announced what they wanted, and she wrote it all down. Then she read the list aloud.
"So, you want triple chocolate pancakes with chocolate whipped cream, Boston crème pie flavored Greek yogurt, granola with extra walnuts, granola without walnuts, Oran, Pecha, and gooseberries, fried eggs, scrambled eggs, vegetable quesadillas, vegetable fried rice, roasted salmon, shrimp, and trout, and mushroom pizza," she listed. "Sounds like the breakfast of champions."
"Mmmm," Logan drooled. "I love shrimp."
"Ditto," said the other talking cats.
"I want cake too," said Jocelyn.
"Flaaaa."
"That's too much sugar," Annastasia asserted.
"Darnit."
"Fee."
"Hopefully no one will get nauseous," Misty said as she finished looking over the list. "Amber, don't—"
"—finish that sentence," Amber interrupted. "I know, you don't gotta remind me."
Jay shuddered. "Urg, now you just reminded me. Thanks, Amb."
"Np."
"I'm already nauseous all the time. Especially in the morning, before each battle," June said worriedly. "I'm afraid of messing up."
"Yeah, then everyone in Kanto will see and it will be totally awful," said Takeshi.
"You'll all do great," said Cilan. "You're more prepared than most contestants your age, and besides, this is all for fun—there's no such thing as messing up."
"Yeah, there is no point in getting worried. I didn't do as well as I hoped my first trip to the Indigo Plateau, but I still had a good time, once I let go of the nerves," said Nolan.
"Same for me. Except I wasn't that nervous," said Ash.
"That's not true. He almost had a panic attack the night before," Misty responded.
"Did not!"
"Did too," Misty and Brock replied together.
"Pika," Ash's Pikachu agreed.
"Didn't he wet the bed too, or was that the year after?" Brock asked Misty.
"The year after, I think," she responded.
"Well, even if that was true, I probably would've won the league if I was better prepared and not as nervous," Ash mumbled. "And also if Jessie, James, and Meowth weren't bothering me."
"Hey, weeze cheered yous on, even dough yous were always so mean blastin us off," said Meowth.
"We're prepared," Amber said as she playfully elbowed Jay.
Jay choked on his food a little, then swallowed and replied with a nervous "I guesso."
"Just don't drink water right before going to bed and you'll be fine," said Soledad.
"That was a joke, that didn't actually happen," Ash defended.
"Just stop, ew, everyone—we're all going to do our best, and if we don't win—well, it won't be because of me," said Amber.
"You will all be fine," said Annastasia.
"And don't fuc— mess it up," said Michio.
"Tell us how to avoid doing that," Soledad requested.
"Silly, everyone knows Michio won all those championships because he worked and studied the hardest," said Jocelyn. "And so did you all! Which means you might win too!"
"Flaafy!"
"Yeah," Michio agreed. "Listen to Jocelyn and Flaafy; they're never wrong."
XO
The next morning was the kid's first true battle working together as a full team. Everyone was there, including Delia and Giovanni and Lucario and Mewtwo. So many of their parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, distant relatives, neighbors, and friends they had met along the way also came along. The kids and their active Pokémon met in a huddle before the match.
"Okay, don't be nervous. We're the awesomest fighters here," Amber began.
"We have nothing to lose when you think about it really," said Takeshi. "And some pretty cool things to gain."
"I'll do my best, just like I know you all will," June responded.
"I've learned many new tricks since I've been away. Some of them I have yet to reveal. We got this," said Soledad.
"No matter what happens, I know we're going to have a great time, just as always," said Jay. "And don't forget Amb and I have our secret weapon, so once we get through these battles, we should have no problem climbing to the top."
They dismantled their huddle as the announcer cleared his throat.
"On the blue side, we have the team of Anika Miller, Amber Ketchum, Jay Morgan, Soledad Oak, June Gaulle, and Takeshi Harrison. On the red side we have the team of Bridget Bell, Ashley Topeca, Reena Alza, Jon Martin, Mai Mylor, and Jezz Tonaka!" the announcer declared.
"That Bridget girl is a cousin of my parents' friend Bianca. You know, that clumsy blond lady who comes to the holiday party at Jay's house every year," Soledad told her friends. "I never met Bridget before, but Bianca and her other family members told me about her. She and her family live far away. And she is a few years older than us. I hope she isn't very good. I am not ready to lose yet."
"Oh yeah. But she's not the only one who looks familiar," said Amber.
"You're right. That Jezz guy looks like Jocelyn," said Takeshi. "Disturbingly so."
"Magenta hair and green eyes, and the same nose," Jay whispered. "Weird. He looks like me a little bit too."
"Not a little bit, a lotta bit," said June.
"Hey maybe you have a long-lost cousin," Amber mused. "Oh, joy—imagine the wonder of having another Jay."
Jay was about to retort when the official had finished reading aloud the rules. It was now time for them to begin.
'Tonaka,' Jay thought to himself as he released Togekiss. 'Where have I heard that name before?'
"Begin!" the official declared.
Group battles at the Indigo Plateau Conference started two on two, and then competitors rotated. First were Soledad and Anika against Mai and Jon. Soledad started off with her Charizard and Anika started off with her Metagross. Their opponents had a Blastoise and a Raichu. Soledad glanced up and the audience and made eye contact with her family and non-battling friends before taking the first move.
"Chary, combination three on Blastoise!" she declared.
"Respond with Hydro Pump!" Mai instructed.
"Metagross, use Meteor Mash on that Raichu," said Anika. "Twice in a row if you can."
Raichu dodged Metagross' attack and responded with a powerful Thunderbolt, which did some obvious damage to the partial steel-type. Meanwhile, Chary's combination of Seismic Toss and Flamethrower was effective, but so was her opponent's Hydro Pump. The announcer made a rude announcement on how the blue team was 'foolish' for using their steel-type to battle the Raichu and the fire-type to battle the Blastoise, not realizing that they had a plan.
"Go Soledad and Anika! Kick their red behinds!" Jocelyn screamed.
"Flaaaaaa!"
"Plussssllllle!"
"Minnnnunnnn!"
Plusle, Minun, as well as Benny, Jocelyn, and the rest of the non-battling Pokémon (minus Sandshrew) came out to watch the day's events and were given TR fans and pom-poms, handmade by Jocelyn and her parents. They all cheered even louder as Anika and Soledad made a comeback.
Chary forcefully smashed Blastoise into Raichu, shooting their HP into the red zone.
"Perfect, now Metagross, confuse Raichu! Have him use his last bit of energy to shock Blastoise!" Anika instructed.
Metagross took control of the Raichu and carried out Anika's plan. Both of the red team's Pokémon were declared unable to battle.
"Yes! They did it! And they were so impressive too!" Jay squealed. "Now it's our turn, Amb."
"Yup," said Amber. "And thanks for gracing me with that voice-crack. It was spectacular."
"Np."
Soledad and Anika returned Metagross and Chary. Jay and Amber took their place, high fiving them and whispering 'congrats' as they walked by.
"Nice work," June said when her teammates returned to their spots behind the trainers' platform. "Jay needed that confidence boost."
"Amb did too," said Soledad. "Thanks for the cheers; we needed that."
"Earned, totally," said Takeshi.
"Thanks. It felt great. I never thought I would enjoy battling and competing like this. It's a nice change of pace," said Anika. "I'm ready for more. Kick their asses, Jay and Amb!"
Amber gave them a thumbs' up as the announcer read the trainers' names and the names of their Pokémon. Jay released Togekiss and Amber released Pip. Their opponents, Jezz and Bridget, released a Vileplume and Magmar, respectively. This time it was the blue team's turn to go first.
"Magmar, take on that Togekiss. Burn it with Flamethrower," Bridget said nastily.
Magmar obliged, giving Amb and Jay's Pokémon a scarce second to take cover.
"Vileplume, use Razor Leaf. Concentrate on at that Pikachu," Jezz instructed.
"Pip, do everything you can to take down that Vileplume," said Amber.
Pip got to work using combination moves Jay and the other team didn't see coming.
"Use your hidden ability on Magmar," Jay instructed Togekiss. "And try to cover Pip!"
Togekiss easily avoided Magmar's Flamethrower and soared above it. Togekiss then used his hidden ability, and dosed the fire type with its 'attract'. The female Magmar was immediately infatuated with both Pip and Togekiss as the Vileplume dodged. Magmar then got resentful towards its battle mate, and in her rage, attacked the grass and-poison-type. Vileplume was declared unable to battle, and Magmar was disqualified for attacking her partner.
"He's a genius! Look, Jessie, Jay's a genius!" James cried excitedly.
"He must be the best trainer here!" Jessie agreed enthusiastically.
"Jay, you are the bestest!" Jocelyn screamed.
"Flaaaafy!"
Everyone in the audience, including their own friends and the rest of their family smirked and gave Jessie and James the 'they are crazy' look as they danced around with Jocelyn. Jay looked briefly embarrassed but was then distracted by his friends congratulating him and Amber.
"That was great Jay, good job. That was a smart move. Neither Pip nor Togekiss was even injured," said Soledad. "We need to pay more attention to you."
"Jay's the secret weapon," Amber said proudly.
"Thanks, but the credit should all go to Togekiss. After all, he did the work, I just told him about it really," Jay blushed. "Pip was amazing too for using his speed to avoid that Razor Leaf."
"Speed's a flyer—and a Pip's—best defense."
"Pay attention, June and Takeshi are up now," said Soledad, redirecting their attention to the trainers' platform.
"Go, Typhlosion!" said Takeshi.
"Go, Venasaur!" said June.
Their opponents released a Muk and a Glaceon. June and Takeshi exchange nervous smiles.
"Combination 2 on Muk!" June yelled nervously.
"Muk, Sludge Wave!" Reena responded.
Venasaur used her vines to smack the shots of sludge before it got into its eyes, and then it released a super powerful scent that affected both opponents. Meanwhile, Takeshi's Typhlosion and Glaceon were tackling. Typhlosion's flamed body was dwindling the ice-type's HP.
"Come on, Glaceon! Get up and fire another Ice Beam at Typhlosion!" Reena yelled at her Pokémon.
Glaceon was weak in the knees, but it managed to get an Ice Beam out. It hit Typhlosion right in the eyes.
"Oh no, Typhlosion!" Takeshi cried. "Are you okay?"
Typhlosion blindly fired a Flamethrower that hit Glaceon. The eevolution, however, was able to dodge the second one, and it took advantage of Typhlosion's temporary blindness to shoot more beams of ice. Typhlosion was made unable to battle. Takeshi returned to the bench.
"I'm a horrible teammate!" he lamented to his friends. "I left June and Venasaur up there all alone to battle two Pokémon. And to add to it, my fire-type just lost to an ice-type. I'm a bad trainer too!"
"It was a fluke, Takeshi, really," Soledad insisted. "June can handle this. Even if she doesn't win, she'll be fine."
June had Venasaur use Leech Seed on both opponents. Glaceon kept on trying to get Venasaur in the eyes with its Ice Beam as it did with Typhlosion, but she refused to let in do that.
"Keep going, June!" Iris yelled.
"Keep going, June!" her little sisters Luna and Ines repeated.
"She is doing so well. Look at how advanced Venasaur is!" Jocelyn exclaimed. "It was just a baby 10 ½ months ago. Go, June!"
"Flaaa Feeeeeee!"
"You can do it June, you've worked so hard!" Cilan called out to her.
June looked up into the audience briefly, the returned her eyes to the battlefield.
"Body Slam, go two for one!" she commanded.
"That's a risky move," said Soledad.
"I hope it works," said Anika.
Muk was naturally a slow-moving Pokémon, and Glaceon was still partially trapped from Venasaur's Leech Seed. Reena and Ashley had both their Pokémon relentlessly fire shots of muck and ice at Venasaur, but that didn't stop the Body Slam. Venasaur got them, winning the round.
"Glaceon and Muk are unable to battle. The victory goes to the blue team!" the official declared.
"We did it!" everyone cheered together as June returned to the bench.
"And we only lost one Pokémon. We got almost a perfect score, that means we must be one of the top teams," said Jay.
"I'm sorry I ruined our perfect score," Takeshi bemoaned.
"Forget it. You did awesome otherwise. And we still did great and had fun, so it doesn't matter," June replied.
"That felt great, I can't believe it. We are practically the champions already! I can practically taste it!" Soledad exclaimed.
"I'm ready for a victory lunch," said Amber.
"Same,"
"We've gotta get our ribbons first," said Jay. "We just made it into the top five!"
AN: Epilogue continued in chapter 55, part 3