I didn't put this in the first chapter but here is the disclaimer that I do not own pokemon or any of it's contents. I don't feel its really
necessary to claim ownership of the OC's but if you feel inspired by this story to write something similar and want to use some of
the character names or plot points, just let me know please. I would like to know if you do and, plus, I don't want others to accuse
others of plagiarism over something that easily could be solved by letting them know I am cool with it.
Enjoy!
P.S. Sentences that are italicized at the beginning of the paragraph (some of which are quoted as dialogue) are part of the actual
story and are only there to serve as a subsection, as opposed to section headings that are *underlined*. That is how I had written it
in my document and wanted to keep it here to keep it organized and to help others know where a brief pause can be made in case
they need to do something else. I should have put that in the first chapter but it got overlooked, sorry.
Chapter 6 *The Truth is revealed*Approximately an hour after Jon went to visit Ellie and Celia, he returned to the living room. Awaiting him was not only Tim, his wife Stephanie, and Henry, but Jack and Thomas as well.
After giving their best wishes though, they wasted no time and asked Jon, being careful and considerate in their words, if it was true that Celia was, in fact, Ellie's actual birth mother. Jon, for the first time, admitted it was true, having neither a way nor the energy to argue.
"Yes. Celia is my daughter's real, biological mother; you already suspected that but I know it must be a shock for you to hear nonetheless."
Everyone went silent at the revelations. First, Jon and his gardevoir companion were in love and in a relationship. Second, their relationship bore fruit in a way that no one could have believed possible, a child.
The realization and following silence slowly turned into uncomfortable silence. After a minute, however, Henry started asking questions. "How? How did you manage to hide it for so long?" Henry asked incredulously. "I mean, hell, how did the doctors not pick up on it? And your family, like parents and siblings, do they know? And if so, how do they feel about it? And… and furthermore, does anyone outside of here, our little group of friends, know?" Henry asked.
For Jon's part, he just stayed silent knowing that what he said was a major surprise even if they were suspicious, or ninety-nine percent positive but just waiting on the affirmation. Once it seemed that Henry was done with questions, or rather an interrogation, Jon answered his questions.
"Truth is that it wasn't easy and still isn't…""It was only the simple fact that the truth, or the very idea we had a child together, is dangerous. Dangerous enough to motivate Celia and me to conceal the truth through any means. We don't know what would happen if anyone knew but uncertainty did not mean anything when, regardless of our relationship and our child, what I did was technically illegal," Jon said. Continuing, he says, "though I would say that we do seem closer than usual and what is probably safe, the truth itself worked to our advantage because the 'improbability' and supposed ridiculousness of us having a child together would deter most people from even having those thoughts. Or at least that is what I assumed anyways."
"All of that was simple but challenging, yet Celia with her psychic abilities did make it possible. We never got any check ups done because, well, it would have aroused suspicions. When Celia had Ellie on October 7th, Ellie's features weren't pronounced enough to make others think she was different and when asked about the birth mother, Celia used her emotional and psychic abilities to subtly manipulate the doctor we had into accepting, without questions, the story I gave them about Ellie's birth mother dying after giving birth in a remote area. I know it sounds plain and boring but that's about as straightforward as it gets."
*Questions Continue*Looking around after answering the first questions, Jon wasn't surprised to see others, or rather Stephanie, with questions of their own. "What about those who you were around or those you met on your travels? Surely they would have noticed a pregnant gardevoir, which would have been almost impossible to explain. I mean Gardevoir aren't exactly supposed to have big, swollen bellies during pregnancies since they lay eggs. Perhaps they would have some sort of vestigial organ that could help with carrying babies but still." Stephanie's question wasn't unusual but she wondered how they were able to hide it from the general public.
"It wasn't easy because we traveled around but, around that time, we had decided to travel to less populated areas of Johto near where I had my internship. We would usually rent lodges and other rentals in remote areas and, in my spare time, I would take trips into local towns for supplies. Once she gave birth, we started making our plans to move us and our stuff, much of which was in storage, to the Hoenn region, specifically here in Slateport."
Jon then continued explaining that his family, which included a still living mother, a brother, and some cousins, do not know because he feared their disapproval and possible intervention into his family. "As for my family, never have I told them. I don't know what would happen but I didn't want to risk anyone at the time, even them, from knowing. Plus, I didn't know if I would have been able to handle them cutting me out for such a thing if they decided it was wrong."
And finally, he admitted that no one else knew about his family and that they (Stephanie, Tim, Henry, Jack, and Thomas) were the only ones that definitively knew.
Once Jon was done answering their questions, they all sat there to take in the new information.
*Conflict starts, Jon stands his ground*The silence was broken when Thomas spoke, looking at Jon with what looked like a mix of disgust and disapproval. "Jon…that is pokephilia, no matter how you try to spin it. I understand your daughter just had an emergency situation but what you just said…everyone else may have been suspicious of your daughter's unique features; perhaps you could have convinced me that it was some weird quirk developed from her being in constant contact with Celia's psychic energy but this is just…fucking weird."
The others that were there looked over at Thomas in astonishment, not expecting that harsh reaction. For Jon's part, he looked strangely indifferent from the criticism and blatant accusation, no matter if he was technically correct.
Continuing, he conveyed his immediate feelings on the situation with one final statement. "You think that it is fine because she says she likes you but you practically own her when you captured her years ago so there is no telling if it is consensual or not-"
Jon immediately stood up, looking furious. It was clear that Thomas had crossed some boundary that they were unaware of. He didn't when he was accused of pokephilia nor when he was told that his relationship was weird, but the insinuation Thomas made that Jon coerced Celia had sparked angry inside of him and lashed out.
"OKAY!" Now looking at Thomas with contempt, he continued. "Now I am going to have to stop you there! What you are implying there is so god damn fucked up and you can go fuck yourself you fucking asshole!" Jon nearly yelled, not doing so because he remembered that Celia and Ellie were still asleep.
Henry then tried to intervene at that point to keep it from getting violent, standing up and grabbing onto Jon's arm but Jon wasn't deterred from saying his piece.
Shocking everyone, he continued talking, looking at everyone. "This is why I never told any of you people the truth, I am already being accused of such a horrendous crime when I don't even own her nor coerced her!"
Suddenly finding himself confused by the statement and having lost his initial disgust, Thomas asked Jon, "wait…you don't own her as a pokemon?"
"NO! I do not own her!"Seeing that he had everyone's attention, he continued. "I never told Celia this but just few weeks after I put her in a pokeball, not capture her, to save her life, I destroyed it…I took a big…fucking…slab of rock and I just bashed it. I fucking bashed it till parts of the ball was like sand!" Looking up at Thomas, anger in his eyes, he spoke, "So no. I don't fuck my god damn pokemon like some disgusting asshole, I slept with the highly intelligent, empathetic being who is from another species and who has been my best friend, my companion, and my love for over seventeen years. I have no more hold over her than she does me."
Shocked at the total lack of hesitation in his voice, the love for the gardevoir, the ludicrous but, yet, fairly reasonable points and actions, Thomas stayed silent. He stayed that way for a few minutes, looking conflicted, before looking up at everyone, honing in on Jon. After taking a moment to think about what Jon said, he apologized.
"Jon…I uhh…I'm sorry about what I said. I am still trying to think about the whole thing but, even then, I will admit it: if it is true, then…then I judged you wrong. It may technically be law but, given the circumstances and the knowledge I have now, it doesn't satisfy, in my opinion, 'the spirit' of the law. I know that the law was meant to protect vulnerable pokemon from horrible and perverted trainers who only used them…but I can't see you and Celia in that situation, it just doesn't match with the other fucked up stuff I have seen in courts and the new. I apologize, Jon. It is weird and something but looking back on all our conversations, outings, and other social events, I admit that Celia isn't just another pokemon. She is intelligent and sapient like us and…maybe she, and perhaps others of her species, are more like us than we would be willing to admit. I jumped the gun when I accused you of what you said because it just feels weird in some way but maybe I just wasn't considering all the facts. Again, I apologize."
Everyone couldn't help but be stupefied by that admission and apology. In just a span of a few minutes, things went from being solemn to loud, almost violent, to quiet and tense. Everyone who wasn't Thomas or Jon had been so deeply impacted by those words that they couldn't help but agree.
"Hmm…" With the adrenaline from his outburst finally waning down, Jon looked at Thomas.While he wanted to remain angry with Thomas, in a way, he couldn't help but admire his willingness to step up and accuse him of hurting his own pokemon, even if it was misguided and without all the information. Taking another moment to get his breath under control, he spoke. "Thomas, I know you were only doing what you thought was right and, while I still feel some anger over what you said, I do appreciate that you were willing to stand up for something you felt was right and to protect Celia. I mean it took me many years myself to stop seeing Celia as just another type of pokemon because, hell, she doesn't act like it. Nevertheless, I can assure you, I have never had any intention to hurt her and never will. What we did was of both our own decision and without any coercion. I accept your apology and hope that from here on out that there will be no more accusations against me."
Given his previous accusations, which were essentially insults, Thomas was happy to have his apology accepted. "Thank you Jon, I would ask for an apology back but I wouldn't apologize for standing up for myself and my family so I wouldn't expect you to apologize either. And in regards to our previous conversation, I suppose that maybe we humans still have much to learn and understand."
*Conflict averted, Jon continues answering the questions but deep thoughts arise*Feeling grateful that the situation resolved itself, Thomas and Jon shook hands to make peace. Once that was done, Stephanie grabbed Jon's attention to ask if was going to tell others and, if so, should they tell the kids sooner or later.
Jon, now feeling more comfortable than before after seeing the others' reaction to the 'news', answered her questions. "No, we can't just tell the public or anyone who I don't know, if that was what you were referring to. I think that is something for the future… or never since there is no telling if public perception on such relationships will ever change."
Before continuing, however, Jon saw Henry putting his hand up, wanting to speak.
Wanting to know what was on Henry's mind, Jon held off on answering Stephanie's other question.When he saw that Jon gave him the floor, Henry spoke. "Jon, I am not saying it will or will not happen but, to be honest with you, I am not sure if it will happen. Thomas is a friend and you saw how he reacted so I'm afraid that it is probably the latter and that it won't ever happen so I wouldn't get your hopes up. But, if such a thing would happen, it would most likely require people, and the public in general, to learn about your daughter. I'm sure you understand where I am going with this?"
Looking at Jon to make sure he was following, he continued. "Accepting the reality of a relationship between a gardevoir, or any other pokemon species for that matter, with a human is difficult but if they saw that it actually culminated in an actual family, then maybe it would help other people to think of y'all as more of a couple with just a vast difference in genetics but enough similarities to still have kids together. I know it is a little off base but I just wanted to point that out since we are talking about the possibility of telling others."
Jon, for his part, balled his hands together in a thinking pose before responding. Giving it some thought, he responded, "well Henry, that is a good point. Even if that sort of thing is a long way off, I know it may have to happen. All it took for y'all to figure things out or get suspicious was some of Ellie's physical traits and, looking back on it, y'all probably gave me the benefit of doubt and waited to make sure that it wasn't some weird coincidence or some unique mutation. I know I was angry and upset earlier, and that I was…still am paranoid about others knowing, but I think I am starting to realize that this isn't just going to be some 'walk in the park'. What if someone other than us sees Ellie's ears or the red in her eyes? What if she needs to go to the doctor for an emergency or for an illness? That alone would probably blow the whole thing and warrant an investigation."
The others continued to listen but were surprised by Jon's immediate turn around, or rather daunting realization.Eyes slightly unfocused and now rubbing/scratching the side of his head erratically, Jon continued. "I mean hell, I was so used to the routine of things and no one ever speaking about it that I just assumed that it would remain the same or get easier later on but…fuck…this is hard and I feel worried and afraid still, even if I am almost sure that it will have to come out sooner or later."
Feeling panicked and overwhelmed, Jon began to shake as he spoke. Stephanie, who has seen patients dealing with bad news go through bouts of confusion and anxiety, opted to let Jon continue and put her hand to the side to stop the others from intervening. It probably wasn't the best idea but since this was a matter of acknowledging an extremely precarious situation, she believed that this would help Jon think more about trying to reveal the truth, plus she believed it would tethered off soon and that, if it didn't, she and others could calm him down. "I hate this for him, I really do but his family's secret will always be at risk of being uncovered. I think it may have to eventually come out but this is something for Jon to understand and decide on, not us," Stephanie thought.
Jon, unaware of Stephanie's thoughts, continued talking. "…Oh god…what the hell was I thinking all those years! Fuck. I should have tried to find others to talk to or to help us, or actually do research before assuming this would have been easy." Trying to regain his composure before losing it, Jon took a deep breath and looked up to the others, this time actually talking to them instead of rambling like a crazy man. "I…umm…I have to give this more thought but, before I do, I will have to consult with Celia first," Jon said. "For now though, I would like to try to move on before it makes me more worried."
*Stephanie's last question answered, uncertainty comes but so too does support*Now finally done with another emotional breakdown, too many at this point he thought, Jon calmed himself down. "And about the panic attack there…sorry…I just had a huge realization and it was overwhelming. A lot is going on as y'all already know." Wanting to move on, he remembered Stephanie's other question, the one regarding the kids. This question, though, was easier to answer since he already knew enough about kids to know they couldn't always be expected to not keep secrets or to not accidentally let something slip, seeing that with Ellie already when she made that mistake at her birthday party.
"I think we already know that we can't tell the kids, at least not for now. It is way too risky because they may accidentally speak about it too loud or to the wrong person…probably when they are older but I am not sure when. I had never planned on your kids knowing but seeing as y'all now know, and now realizing that I can't hide it forever, I know they will have to know eventually since Ellie is close friends with them."
"I know this is a lot Jon. Sorry you are having to confront this now when you already have been going through so much. But since we've been talking for so long, we can take a break if you want," Tim interjected.
"It's fine, Tim, or at least I guess it is. I just wasn't expecting everything that happened in the last few hours to happen, and it is already late afternoon. However, it is still a struggle. I want to be able to figure this out as soon as possible because I can't have people, who I don't know, knowing when I am still struggling with those who I do know being informed. It…worries me, you guys…" Suddenly losing his energy, he got anxious. "Look, I can't hide it from you since I told y'all and now I don't know if I would have it go back to how it was before, even if I had the opportunity. Despite that, I am still uncomfortable and wary. I now know y'all would have probably figured it out at some point eventually since we are so close that we tell each other things like we do with the others. But If the city or the entire government found out, I am terrified that they would take my daughter away for research and experiments, regardless of the public's perception… We have to stay quiet and not tell anyone. The other parents I can tell them and have you as support since they wouldn't be caught up but no one else can know"
All of them had thought about the situation but knew better, they couldn't judge him or report him now when they could tell that all he wanted to do was to protect his family. Once he was finished talking, Henry took it upon himself to assure Jon that they would do their best to keep his family's secret safe and to support them. Relieved at Henry's word, Jon said, "I think I am glad that some know now because y'all heard me out and, even after the fiasco earlier, chose to support me. Thank y'all very much, I truly appreciate it."